shareblue--2020-09-05--Some health experts call White House rush on vaccine a political stunt

A letter from federal health officials instructing states to be ready to begin distributing a vaccine by Nov. 1 — two days before the election — has been met not with exhilaration but with suspicion among some public health experts , who wonder whether the Trump administration is hyping the possibility or intends to rush approval for political gain .
The skepticism comes amid growing questions about the scientific credibility of the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and their vulnerability to political pressure from Donald Trump .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of Trump 's coronavirus task force , told CNN on Thursday that it is unlikely but `` not impossible '' that a vaccine could win approval in October , instead of November or December , as many experts believe .
`` And I would assume , and I 'm pretty sure , it 's going to be the case that a vaccine would not be approved for the American public unless it was indeed both safe and effective , '' he said .
Similarly , Dr. Moncef Slaoui , chief adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's project to hasten the development of a vaccine , told NPR that it is possible but `` extremely unlikely '' a vaccine will be ready before the election .
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany , meanwhile , gave assurances that Trump `` will not in any way sacrifice safety '' when it comes to a vaccine .
And executives of five top pharmaceutical companies pledged that no COVID-19 vaccines or treatments will be approved , even for emergency use , without proof they are safe and effective .
The concerns were set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which CDC Director Robert Redfield asked the nation 's governors to help government contractor McKesson Corp. set up vaccine distribution facilities so that they are up and running by Nov. 1 .
Redfield did not say a vaccine would be ready by then .
Some longtime scientific advisers to the government said the CDC 's preparations for a possible early vaccine do not necessarily mean that an answer will come sooner or that there will be a rush to judgment about whether one works .
`` Being prepared for early success ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steven Nissen , a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist .
If a vaccine is working , `` you want to be prepared to act on the information . ''
Still , to some public health experts , the timing of the letter smacked of a political stunt by a president facing a tough reelection .
`` I think it 's almost a certainty , '' said Ashish Jha , dean of the Brown University School of Public Health .
He said November `` feels awfully early . ''
Jha noted the FDA 's recent move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against COVID-19 following threats and complaints from Trump about the slow pace of the agency 's review .
Last week , FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn was forced to correct himself after overstating the lifesaving benefits of the plasma treatment .
The CDC also came under fire from scientists in recent days for quietly updating its guidelines to suggest fewer Americans need to get tested for the virus .
Jha said the stakes here are much higher .
`` You want to have pretty good safety data on vaccines , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's not what is going to happen . ''
`` Too much of the evidence points to the Trump administration pressuring the FDA to approve a vaccine by Election Day to boost the president 's reelection campaign , '' he said in a statement .
`` This raises serious safety concerns about politics , not science and public health , driving the decision making process . ''
Three COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing final stage , or Phase 3 , clinical trials in the U.S. Each study is enrolling about 30,000 people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart , and then will be monitored for coronavirus infections and side effects for anywhere from a week to two years .
The FDA will not be able to even consider a vaccine until certain key steps occur .
First , independent experts on what are known as data safety monitoring boards , or DSMBs , will have to rule that they have collected enough information to draw firm conclusions about a vaccine 's performance .
Then the experts will make the data available to the manufacturer , which will decide whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when to stop a study early is up to a DSMB , whose scientists see a study 's results as they are accumulating .
The company does not .
`` We will not cut corners , '' Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla vowed Thursday in a call with reporters , hosted by a pharmaceutical industry group .
Chief executives from Merck , Roche , Eli Lilly , and Gilead Sciences agreed , adding that extra transparency on the test results and approval process is needed .
Bourla said that as of Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started at the end of July , had enrolled about 23,000 people , some of whom had already received the second dose .
He said he expects by the end of October to have enough participants infected by the virus to tell whether the vaccine works — an extremely short timeline .
Countries around the world are racing to develop a vaccine .
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Aug. 11 that his country had become the first to approve one , but scientists reacted skeptically because the shots had been tested on just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump 's secretary of Health and Human Services , gave assurances that any decision to release a vaccine in the U.S. would be based on the data and the `` FDA 's gold standards . ''
And he accused those questioning the Nov. 1 date of partisanship .
`` I think it 's very irresponsible how people are trying to politicize notions of delivering a vaccine to the American people , '' he told CBS .
`` We already have a significant challenge in this country with vaccine hesitancy .
And efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt in terms of people being willing to take a vaccine once it comes through . ''

A letter from federal health officials instructing states to be ready to begin distributing a vaccine by Nov. 1 — two days before the election — has been met not with exhilaration but with suspicion among some public health experts, who wonder whether the Trump administration is hyping the possibility or intends to rush approval for political gain.
The skepticism comes amid growing questions about the scientific credibility of the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and their vulnerability to political pressure from Donald Trump.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert and a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force, told CNN on Thursday that it is unlikely but “not impossible” that a vaccine could win approval in October, instead of November or December, as many experts believe.
“And I would assume, and I’m pretty sure, it’s going to be the case that a vaccine would not be approved for the American public unless it was indeed both safe and effective,” he said.
Similarly, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief adviser to Operation Warp Speed, the administration’s project to hasten the development of a vaccine, told NPR that it is possible but “extremely unlikely” a vaccine will be ready before the election.
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany, meanwhile, gave assurances that Trump “will not in any way sacrifice safety” when it comes to a vaccine. And executives of five top pharmaceutical companies pledged that no COVID-19 vaccines or treatments will be approved, even for emergency use, without proof they are safe and effective.
The concerns were set off by a letter dated Aug. 27 in which CDC Director Robert Redfield asked the nation’s governors to help government contractor McKesson Corp. set up vaccine distribution facilities so that they are up and running by Nov. 1. Redfield did not say a vaccine would be ready by then.
Some longtime scientific advisers to the government said the CDC’s preparations for a possible early vaccine do not necessarily mean that an answer will come sooner or that there will be a rush to judgment about whether one works.
“Being prepared for early success … is actually prudent,” said Dr. Steven Nissen, a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist. If a vaccine is working, “you want to be prepared to act on the information.”
Still, to some public health experts, the timing of the letter smacked of a political stunt by a president facing a tough reelection.
“I think it’s almost a certainty,” said Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health. He said November “feels awfully early.”
Jha noted the FDA’s recent move to approve emergency use of convalescent plasma against COVID-19 following threats and complaints from Trump about the slow pace of the agency’s review.
Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn was forced to correct himself after overstating the lifesaving benefits of the plasma treatment. The CDC also came under fire from scientists in recent days for quietly updating its guidelines to suggest fewer Americans need to get tested for the virus.
Jha said the stakes here are much higher.
“You want to have pretty good safety data on vaccines,” he said. “So I am deeply worried that that’s not what is going to happen.”
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer questioned the Trump administration’s motives.
“Too much of the evidence points to the Trump administration pressuring the FDA to approve a vaccine by Election Day to boost the president’s reelection campaign,” he said in a statement. “This raises serious safety concerns about politics, not science and public health, driving the decision making process.”
Three COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing final stage, or Phase 3, clinical trials in the U.S. Each study is enrolling about 30,000 people who will get two shots, three weeks apart, and then will be monitored for coronavirus infections and side effects for anywhere from a week to two years.
The FDA will not be able to even consider a vaccine until certain key steps occur.
First, independent experts on what are known as data safety monitoring boards, or DSMBs, will have to rule that they have collected enough information to draw firm conclusions about a vaccine’s performance. Then the experts will make the data available to the manufacturer, which will decide whether to submit it for FDA approval.
Whether and when to stop a study early is up to a DSMB, whose scientists see a study’s results as they are accumulating. The company does not.
“We will not cut corners,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla vowed Thursday in a call with reporters, hosted by a pharmaceutical industry group. Chief executives from Merck, Roche, Eli Lilly, and Gilead Sciences agreed, adding that extra transparency on the test results and approval process is needed.
Bourla said that as of Wednesday, the company’s late-stage study, which started at the end of July, had enrolled about 23,000 people, some of whom had already received the second dose. He said he expects by the end of October to have enough participants infected by the virus to tell whether the vaccine works — an extremely short timeline.
Countries around the world are racing to develop a vaccine. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Aug. 11 that his country had become the first to approve one, but scientists reacted skeptically because the shots had been tested on just a few dozen people.
Alex Azar, Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services, gave assurances that any decision to release a vaccine in the U.S. would be based on the data and the “FDA’s gold standards.”
And he accused those questioning the Nov. 1 date of partisanship.
“I think it’s very irresponsible how people are trying to politicize notions of delivering a vaccine to the American people,” he told CBS. “We already have a significant challenge in this country with vaccine hesitancy. And efforts to undermine confidence in a vaccine … hurt in terms of people being willing to take a vaccine once it comes through.”


shareblue--2020-09-06--Detroit honors its COVID-19 victims: They had 'dreams and plans'

The city turned an island park into an extraordinary memorial garden Monday as cars packed with grieving families slowly traveled past hundreds of photos of Detroit residents who died from COVID-19 .
Mayor Mike Duggan declared a Detroit Memorial Day to honor the 1,500-plus city victims of the pandemic .
Hearses escorted by police led solemn processions around Belle Isle Park in the Detroit River after bells rang across the region at 8:45 a.m. Radio station WRCJ , which plays classical music and jazz , added gospel to its playlist and read the names of the deceased .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces on the island today ... will wake people up to the devastating effect of the pandemic , '' said Rochelle Riley , Detroit 's director of arts and culture .
The `` memorial was designed to bring some peace to families whose loved ones did n't have the funerals they deserved , '' Riley said .
`` But it may also force us to work harder to limit the number of COVID-19 deaths we 'll endure in the coming months . ''
More than 900 photos submitted by families were turned into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revealing the crushing breadth of the virus .
The pictures show people in better times : Darrin Adams at college graduation ; Daniel Aldape catching a fish ; Shirley Frank with an Elvis impersonator ; Veronica Davis crossing the finish line at a race .
They had `` dreams and plans and a story , '' Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said at Belle Isle .
`` They were n't finished yet . ''
Detroit has roughly 7 % of Michigan 's population but 23 % of the state 's 6,400 COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % Black .
`` The virus exposed deep inequities , from basic lack of access to health care or transportation or protections in the workplace , '' Whitmer said .
`` These inequities hit people of color in vulnerable communities the hardest . ''
An April community meeting over Zoom got the mayor thinking about ways to honor people .
Cher Coner 's mother , Joyce , had died of sepsis , not COVID-19 , but she could n't have a traditional funeral because of virus restrictions .
She appealed to Duggan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a retired federal judge , had died in March after chronic health problems .
`` I was afraid to speak up .
He took it and ran with it , '' said Coner , whose mother 's photo is on Belle Isle .
`` I hope this ignites something in this country and brings healing to the nation . ''
Monday 's tour was strictly reserved for families of the deceased , although the photos were installed and visible over the weekend .
The general public can see them again Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaze at her dapper fiance , Orville Dale , 55 , who died in May .
He had beaten prostate cancer but could n't overcome the virus in a hospital .
`` My last conversation ?
I get misty-eyed , '' Robleh , 55 , said .
`` I kept telling him , 'You 're going to come home .
I had a dream . '
'' `` This is wonderful , '' she said of the park display .
`` It 's so great to see his smile .
That 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get married this year .
We had so many plans . ''

The city turned an island park into an extraordinary memorial garden Monday as cars packed with grieving families slowly traveled past hundreds of photos of Detroit residents who died from COVID-19.
Mayor Mike Duggan declared a Detroit Memorial Day to honor the 1,500-plus city victims of the pandemic. Hearses escorted by police led solemn processions around Belle Isle Park in the Detroit River after bells rang across the region at 8:45 a.m.
Radio station WRCJ, which plays classical music and jazz, added gospel to its playlist and read the names of the deceased.
“It is our hope that seeing these beautiful faces on the island today … will wake people up to the devastating effect of the pandemic,” said Rochelle Riley, Detroit’s director of arts and culture.
The “memorial was designed to bring some peace to families whose loved ones didn’t have the funerals they deserved,” Riley said. “But it may also force us to work harder to limit the number of COVID-19 deaths we’ll endure in the coming months.”
More than 900 photos submitted by families were turned into large posters and staked around Belle Isle, revealing the crushing breadth of the virus.
The pictures show people in better times: Darrin Adams at college graduation; Daniel Aldape catching a fish; Shirley Frank with an Elvis impersonator; Veronica Davis crossing the finish line at a race.
They had “dreams and plans and a story,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said at Belle Isle. “They weren’t finished yet.”
Detroit has roughly 7% of Michigan’s population but 23% of the state’s 6,400 COVID-19 deaths. The city is nearly 80% Black.
“The virus exposed deep inequities, from basic lack of access to health care or transportation or protections in the workplace,” Whitmer said. “These inequities hit people of color in vulnerable communities the hardest.”
An April community meeting over Zoom got the mayor thinking about ways to honor people. Cher Coner’s mother, Joyce, had died of sepsis, not COVID-19, but she couldn’t have a traditional funeral because of virus restrictions. She appealed to Duggan for something special, knowing that his father, a retired federal judge, had died in March after chronic health problems.
“I was afraid to speak up. He took it and ran with it,” said Coner, whose mother’s photo is on Belle Isle. “I hope this ignites something in this country and brings healing to the nation.”
Monday’s tour was strictly reserved for families of the deceased, although the photos were installed and visible over the weekend. The general public can see them again Tuesday.
Janice Robleh visited the island Sunday to gaze at her dapper fiance, Orville Dale, 55, who died in May. He had beaten prostate cancer but couldn’t overcome the virus in a hospital.
“My last conversation? I get misty-eyed,” Robleh, 55, said. “I kept telling him, ‘You’re going to come home. I had a dream.'”
“This is wonderful,” she said of the park display. “It’s so great to see his smile. That’s what captivated me. We were planning to get married this year. We had so many plans.”


shareblue--2020-09-06--Human rights groups slam Trump plan to expand personal data tracking

The Trump administration announced plans Tuesday to expand the collection of personal `` biometric '' information by the agency in charge of immigration enforcement , raising concerns about civil liberties and data protection .
In a statement , the Department of Homeland Security said it would soon issue a formal proposal for a new regulation for expanding `` the authorities and methods '' for collecting biometrics , which are physical characteristics such as fingerprints used to identify individuals .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection , a component of DHS , already collects biometric data , including iris scans , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without legal authority .
DHS said in a written statement that the new rule would authorize new techniques , including voice and facial recognition to verify people 's identity .
The agency did not release the proposed regulation or provide details .
BuzzFeed News , which obtained a draft of the policy , reported earlier Tuesday that it included a provision for U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services , which is also a component of DHS , to collect biometric data from non-citizens legally working and living in the U.S. or seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. citizens sponsoring relatives to come to the country to provide biometric data , including in some cases their DNA , if it was needed to verify someone 's identity .
`` This is a remarkable expansion of surveillance , especially the idea that immigrants could be called in at any point to give these biometrics , '' said Sarah Pierce , an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute .
It typically takes several months for a new regulation to take effect after a public comment period .
This measure is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration measures introduced under Donald Trump .
Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli characterized the new regulation in a written statement as a way to improve the verification of people 's identities and modernize operations .
`` Leveraging readily available technology to verify the identity of an individual we are screening is responsible governing , '' Cuccinelli said .
`` The collection of biometric information also guards against identity theft and thwarts fraudsters who are not who they claim to be . ''
DHS is charged with enforcing the strict immigration enforcement policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration .
But the agency is also in charge Citizenship and Immigration Services , which is responsible for enabling people to legally live and work in the United States .
A lawyer with the Electronic Frontier Foundation , a privacy rights watchdog , said there 's no justification for expanding biometric data collection , and no clear rules for how long the information can be retained , how it can be used , and whether it can be shared with foreign governments or other agencies .
`` There does n't really seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help with combating fraud or anything like that , '' said EFF staff attorney Saira Hussain .
`` Rather , it 's about making it so the government can engage in dragnet surveillance of immigrant communities by being able to access some of their most unique and sensitive biometric information . ''
There are also concerns about protecting the data .
CBP said last year that photos of travelers and their license plates at a border crossing were compromised in a cyber attack on a government contractor .
`` The more data you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more that opens up the government to potential data breaches , '' Hussain said .
Andrea Flores , deputy director of policy for the American Civil Liberties Union , said the new policy would be an invasion of privacy rights and is a part of a broader administration effort to curtail all immigration .
`` They really are trying to shut down legal immigration by creating new barriers , in this case asking people to turn over their most personal information and discouraging people from coming forward and using our legal immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy analyst at DHS in the Obama administration .
`` It 's saying that immigrants are suspect and not welcome here , and if you 're related to an immigrant we 're also concerned about your presence . ''

The Trump administration announced plans Tuesday to expand the collection of personal “biometric” information by the agency in charge of immigration enforcement, raising concerns about civil liberties and data protection.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said it would soon issue a formal proposal for a new regulation for expanding “the authorities and methods” for collecting biometrics, which are physical characteristics such as fingerprints used to identify individuals.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of DHS, already collects biometric data, including iris scans, from people captured trying to enter the country without legal authority.
DHS said in a written statement that the new rule would authorize new techniques, including voice and facial recognition to verify people’s identity.
The agency did not release the proposed regulation or provide details. BuzzFeed News, which obtained a draft of the policy, reported earlier Tuesday that it included a provision for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is also a component of DHS, to collect biometric data from non-citizens legally working and living in the U.S. or seeking to do so.
It would also require U.S. citizens sponsoring relatives to come to the country to provide biometric data, including in some cases their DNA, if it was needed to verify someone’s identity.
“This is a remarkable expansion of surveillance, especially the idea that immigrants could be called in at any point to give these biometrics,” said Sarah Pierce, an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute.
It typically takes several months for a new regulation to take effect after a public comment period. This measure is likely to prompt legal challenges, as have most immigration measures introduced under Donald Trump.
Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli characterized the new regulation in a written statement as a way to improve the verification of people’s identities and modernize operations.
“Leveraging readily available technology to verify the identity of an individual we are screening is responsible governing,” Cuccinelli said. “The collection of biometric information also guards against identity theft and thwarts fraudsters who are not who they claim to be.”
DHS is charged with enforcing the strict immigration enforcement policies that have been a hallmark of the Trump administration. But the agency is also in charge Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is responsible for enabling people to legally live and work in the United States.
A lawyer with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a privacy rights watchdog, said there’s no justification for expanding biometric data collection, and no clear rules for how long the information can be retained, how it can be used, and whether it can be shared with foreign governments or other agencies.
“There doesn’t really seem to be any indication that this will help with combating fraud or anything like that,” said EFF staff attorney Saira Hussain. “Rather, it’s about making it so the government can engage in dragnet surveillance of immigrant communities by being able to access some of their most unique and sensitive biometric information.”
There are also concerns about protecting the data. CBP said last year that photos of travelers and their license plates at a border crossing were compromised in a cyber attack on a government contractor.
“The more data you collect and the more sensitive it is the more that opens up the government to potential data breaches,” Hussain said.
Andrea Flores, deputy director of policy for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the new policy would be an invasion of privacy rights and is a part of a broader administration effort to curtail all immigration.
“They really are trying to shut down legal immigration by creating new barriers, in this case asking people to turn over their most personal information and discouraging people from coming forward and using our legal immigration pathways.” said Flores, a policy analyst at DHS in the Obama administration. “It’s saying that immigrants are suspect and not welcome here, and if you’re related to an immigrant we’re also concerned about your presence.”


shareblue--2020-09-07--Texas is still using the coronavirus to interfere with women's health

The Texas government is doing some belt-tightening , but it looks like they 'll be letting anti-abortion groups escape the cuts .
Like many states , Texas 's tax revenue is way down thanks to the coronavirus — nearly 30 % over the previous year at this time .
So it is n't unusual that they would need to cut state funding .
Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott is asking state agencies to figure out a way to cut budgets by 5 % , but that generally excludes public health programs .
However , the Texas Tribune obtained a budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts to programs providing birth control and cancer screenings to people with lower incomes .
At the same time , they intend to keep the pipeline of funds to Texas ' Alternatives to Abortion program intact .
The Alternatives to Abortion program pays private counselors to dissuade people from getting abortions .
This often means funding crisis pregnancy centers , Besides being a source of misinformation about abortion , some of these Texas centers have a terrible track record , financially .
Take the Heidi Group , which was given millions of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.6 million directly and $ 5 million to distribute to other providers .
They said they 'd serve 70,000 people yearly but managed to serve only a few thousand .
They did , however , spend 11 % of their annual yearly expenditures on a group cruise .
It was n't just the Heidi Group that received millions .
In 2017 alone , the state gave the Alternatives to Abortion program $ 20 million , and in 2019 , the state proposed more than doubling the program to $ 41 million .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas has given the program $ 170 million since 2006 .
The budget proposal obtained by the Tribune would keep that astronomical funding intact .
There 's no quantification as to whether or how stopping people from having abortions saves Texas money .
On the other hand , there is hard data showing that providing low-income people with access to contraception and cancer screenings provides a direct financial benefit to the state .
The Texas administration 's own data shows the state saved $ 19.6 million in fiscal year 2019 by preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts—and that does n't include programs that provide abortions .
Texas has previously used the coronavirus as a way to undercut the right to choose .
The state spent a month litigating its abortion ban and during that time , it was difficult for people to determine whether abortion was legal or not on any given day .
Additionally , the effects lingered , with abortion clinics seeing spikes in demand even into August .
Now , with the proposed cuts to reproductive health programs and the goal of keeping anti-choice programs intact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use the pandemic to promote anti-choice views .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Texas government is doing some belt-tightening, but it looks like they’ll be letting anti-abortion groups escape the cuts.
Like many states, Texas’s tax revenue is way down thanks to the coronavirus — nearly 30% over the previous year at this time. So it isn’t unusual that they would need to cut state funding. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is asking state agencies to figure out a way to cut budgets by 5%, but that generally excludes public health programs.
However, the Texas Tribune obtained a budget proposal that shows $3.8 million in cuts to programs providing birth control and cancer screenings to people with lower incomes. At the same time, they intend to keep the pipeline of funds to Texas’ Alternatives to Abortion program intact.
The Alternatives to Abortion program pays private counselors to dissuade people from getting abortions. This often means funding crisis pregnancy centers, Besides being a source of misinformation about abortion, some of these Texas centers have a terrible track record, financially.
Take the Heidi Group, which was given millions of state taxpayer dollars in 2017. They received $1.6 million directly and $5 million to distribute to other providers. They said they’d serve 70,000 people yearly but managed to serve only a few thousand. They did, however, spend 11% of their annual yearly expenditures on a group cruise.
It wasn’t just the Heidi Group that received millions. In 2017 alone, the state gave the Alternatives to Abortion program $20 million, and in 2019, the state proposed more than doubling the program to $41 million. With the proposed 2021 budget rolled in, Texas has given the program $170 million since 2006. The budget proposal obtained by the Tribune would keep that astronomical funding intact.
There’s no quantification as to whether or how stopping people from having abortions saves Texas money. On the other hand, there is hard data showing that providing low-income people with access to contraception and cancer screenings provides a direct financial benefit to the state. The Texas administration’s own data shows the state saved $19.6 million in fiscal year 2019 by preventing births via birth control and family planning efforts—and that doesn’t include programs that provide abortions.
Texas has previously used the coronavirus as a way to undercut the right to choose. The state spent a month litigating its abortion ban and during that time, it was difficult for people to determine whether abortion was legal or not on any given day. Additionally, the effects lingered, with abortion clinics seeing spikes in demand even into August.
Now, with the proposed cuts to reproductive health programs and the goal of keeping anti-choice programs intact, the state has found another way to use the pandemic to promote anti-choice views.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-07--Military academies see COVID-19 as the new enemy to be defeated

As eight Navy midshipmen file into their economics class , instructor Kurtis Swope points to the antibacterial wipes on the desk .
`` Did you grab wipes ? ''
he asks , then tells each one to take two , wipe down the desk when they arrive and again when they leave .
`` That should be your process . ''
As chairman of U.S .
Naval Academy 's economics department , Swope broke his class into two sections , so every student could attend in person .
Down the hall another instructor , flanked by chemistry equipment , stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an empty classroom .
And another instructor sits in her office , talking to a grid of camo-clad students on her laptop .
Under the siege of the coronavirus pandemic , classes have begun at the Naval Academy , the Air Force Academy , and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point .
But unlike at many colleges around the country , most students are on campus and many will attend classes in person .
This is largely due to advantages the military schools have .
They 're small , each with about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military means they 're subject to more control and expected to follow orders .
Their military leaders , meanwhile , are treating the virus like an enemy that must be detected , deterred , and defeated .
They view the students as the next generation of commanders who must learn to lead troops through any crisis , including this one .
`` If you look at COVID as a threat , it helps you frame it in a way that I think you can then conduct action against it , '' said Brig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's commandant .
The cadets , he said , are getting lessons in `` leading through uncertainty and adversity .
I 've had to do that throughout my career in the Army , particularly in combat , and they 're getting a little dose of it . ''
The virus outbreak sent most academy students home to finish spring semester online .
Air Force seniors stayed and graduated early .
Now students have returned , and 1 % to 2 % tested positive for the coronavirus on arrival and went into isolation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen few new cases .
The Navy and Air Force will randomly test 15 % of students weekly ; West Point will test 15 % to 20 % monthly .
Because they need dozens of on-campus rooms to potentially isolate students with COVID-19 or quarantine those who come in contact with infected persons , the Navy and Air Force academies are renting space off-site for healthy students .
The Navy , in Annapolis , Maryland , is putting 375 students at St. John 's College , and the Air Force , in Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three local hotels .
`` We know that with this population that about 90 % of this age group is asymptomatic , '' said Brig .
Gen. Linell A. Letendre , Air Force Academy dean .
`` That 's what 's really scary about this disease .
How do we find those individuals who have it when they do n't even know they have it ? ''
To limit any spread , the academies made physical and academic changes .
At the Navy 's Michelson Hall , blue tape marks seats that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large arrows on the floor showing students which way to go , and stairways are designated up or down .
Signs remind students about social distancing .
Library books borrowed online sit in paper bags for pick-up .
The Navy has the smallest campus , but two large tents were wedged next to the dorm for dining .
The Air Force and Army , however , have been able to create large outdoor classrooms and meeting areas .
`` I wanted outdoor classrooms for a long time , and we 're finally getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never waste a good crisis . ''
At West Point , instructors tested their classroom air quality .
They added time between classes for cleaning .
And faculty walk the halls to ensure students follow health procedures .
The Army and Navy academies will limit students ' movements off campus .
That may be difficult , since the tourist-filled restaurants and bars of Annapolis ' waterfront are nearby .
Air Force leaders said they 'll let students go to stores or take-out restaurants initially , but will clamp down if there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that anyone else can demand the same things we do with respect to self-discipline .
That 's just part of being in an academy , '' said Col. Matthew Dabkowski , director of West Point 's systems engineering program .
`` There 's a level of control with respect to the staff and faculty and the cadets that , I think , is helpful . ''
Academy officials said roughly 50 % of their classes will be in-person , and the rest will be online or a mix .
Some students will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lab work .
Students attending academies also need hands-on military experience .
The virus made some of that impossible this year , and some students missed critical time in military units or on ships .
`` You can do academic course work online .
We can teach online , '' said Andrew Phillips , Naval Academy provost .
`` But the professional experiences they missed this summer are very hard to make up . ''
Phillips said most juniors who must pick their service specialty now did n't get out to active-duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose wisely .
Navy students heading to the Marine Corps , however , got a shortened summer experience because Marine leaders felt strongly about seeing them in person .
`` You want an individual who is a good fit for the Marine Corps , whose attitude is right , '' Phillips said .
`` And you really only can judge that face to face . ''
Technology is also a challenge , with thousands online for classes .
Many instructors want students to have their cameras on , which requires more bandwidth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer set up showing his online students ; his iPhone camera faces the class , so they are visible online , and his iPad displays his lessons .
Instructors have to be ready to provide online classes to students in isolation , and also be prepared to teach from home if they 're quarantined .
Celeste Luning started her junior leadership class at the Naval Academy seeking volunteers to set up the computers if she 's not there .
`` Have you had in-person classes yet ? ''
Luning asks .
Amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns to her computer to address those online : `` Can you see your classmates ? ''
One voice from the computer sums it up .
`` It 's pretty weird , '' he said .

As eight Navy midshipmen file into their economics class, instructor Kurtis Swope points to the antibacterial wipes on the desk. “Did you grab wipes?” he asks, then tells each one to take two, wipe down the desk when they arrive and again when they leave. “That should be your process.”
As chairman of U.S. Naval Academy’s economics department, Swope broke his class into two sections, so every student could attend in person. Down the hall another instructor, flanked by chemistry equipment, stands in front of two computers teaching in an empty classroom. And another instructor sits in her office, talking to a grid of camo-clad students on her laptop.
Under the siege of the coronavirus pandemic, classes have begun at the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. But unlike at many colleges around the country, most students are on campus and many will attend classes in person.
This is largely due to advantages the military schools have. They’re small, each with about 4,500 students who know that joining the military means they’re subject to more control and expected to follow orders. Their military leaders, meanwhile, are treating the virus like an enemy that must be detected, deterred, and defeated. They view the students as the next generation of commanders who must learn to lead troops through any crisis, including this one.
“If you look at COVID as a threat, it helps you frame it in a way that I think you can then conduct action against it,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, West Point’s commandant. The cadets, he said, are getting lessons in “leading through uncertainty and adversity. I’ve had to do that throughout my career in the Army, particularly in combat, and they’re getting a little dose of it.”
The virus outbreak sent most academy students home to finish spring semester online. Air Force seniors stayed and graduated early.
Now students have returned, and 1% to 2% tested positive for the coronavirus on arrival and went into isolation. Since then, officials say they’ve seen few new cases. The Navy and Air Force will randomly test 15% of students weekly; West Point will test 15% to 20% monthly.
Because they need dozens of on-campus rooms to potentially isolate students with COVID-19 or quarantine those who come in contact with infected persons, the Navy and Air Force academies are renting space off-site for healthy students. The Navy, in Annapolis, Maryland, is putting 375 students at St. John’s College, and the Air Force, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will put 400 in three local hotels.
“We know that with this population that about 90% of this age group is asymptomatic,” said Brig. Gen. Linell A. Letendre, Air Force Academy dean. “That’s what’s really scary about this disease. How do we find those individuals who have it when they don’t even know they have it?”
To limit any spread, the academies made physical and academic changes. At the Navy’s Michelson Hall, blue tape marks seats that must remain empty, red tape forms large arrows on the floor showing students which way to go, and stairways are designated up or down. Signs remind students about social distancing. Library books borrowed online sit in paper bags for pick-up.
The Navy has the smallest campus, but two large tents were wedged next to the dorm for dining. The Air Force and Army, however, have been able to create large outdoor classrooms and meeting areas.
“I wanted outdoor classrooms for a long time, and we’re finally getting them,” said Letendre. “I never waste a good crisis.”
At West Point, instructors tested their classroom air quality. They added time between classes for cleaning. And faculty walk the halls to ensure students follow health procedures.
The Army and Navy academies will limit students’ movements off campus. That may be difficult, since the tourist-filled restaurants and bars of Annapolis’ waterfront are nearby. Air Force leaders said they’ll let students go to stores or take-out restaurants initially, but will clamp down if there are COVID-19 cases.
“I don’t know that anyone else can demand the same things we do with respect to self-discipline. That’s just part of being in an academy,” said Col. Matthew Dabkowski, director of West Point’s systems engineering program. “There’s a level of control with respect to the staff and faculty and the cadets that, I think, is helpful.”
Academy officials said roughly 50% of their classes will be in-person, and the rest will be online or a mix. Some students will attend in person more often if they have lab work.
Students attending academies also need hands-on military experience. The virus made some of that impossible this year, and some students missed critical time in military units or on ships.
“You can do academic course work online. We can teach online,” said Andrew Phillips, Naval Academy provost. “But the professional experiences they missed this summer are very hard to make up.”
Phillips said most juniors who must pick their service specialty now didn’t get out to active-duty units but will, he hopes, choose wisely. Navy students heading to the Marine Corps, however, got a shortened summer experience because Marine leaders felt strongly about seeing them in person.
“You want an individual who is a good fit for the Marine Corps, whose attitude is right,” Phillips said. “And you really only can judge that face to face.”
Technology is also a challenge, with thousands online for classes. Many instructors want students to have their cameras on, which requires more bandwidth.
Swope, for example, has one computer set up showing his online students; his iPhone camera faces the class, so they are visible online, and his iPad displays his lessons.
Instructors have to be ready to provide online classes to students in isolation, and also be prepared to teach from home if they’re quarantined. Celeste Luning started her junior leadership class at the Naval Academy seeking volunteers to set up the computers if she’s not there.
“Have you had in-person classes yet?” Luning asks. Amid the chorus of “no,” she turns to her computer to address those online: “Can you see your classmates?”
One voice from the computer sums it up. “It’s pretty weird,” he said.


shareblue--2020-09-07--Fact check: Barr is misleading the public on voter fraud

As the 2020 presidential race between Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden heats up , Attorney General William Barr warned of the potential of substantial fraud in voting by mail — but he omitted necessary context , and states that rely on the process say there is little evidence of such activity .
He also suggested that China poses more of a threat to election security than Russia , even though that was not the conclusion of an official intelligence assessment last month .
Here 's a look at the claims , made in a Wednesday evening interview with CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process : `` Elections that have been held with mail have found substantial fraud and coercion . ''
THE FACTS : Multiple studies have debunked the notion of pervasive voter fraud in general and in the vote-by-mail process .
The five states that relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic — Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Washington , and Utah — have said they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure against fraud and to prevent hostile foreign actors from co-opting the vote .
More states intend to rely more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
The attorney general cited a report from more than a decade ago from a commission led by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker that said voting by mail was vulnerable to fraud .
But the commission pointed out in a statement in May that it had found little evidence of fraud in states like Oregon that had sufficient safeguards .
Barr also said he was basing on `` logic '' his concern that a hostile foreign actor could produce bogus ballots for the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conference call with reporters last week that they had no intelligence to suggest that was happening .
BARR , on the question of whether Russia , China , or Iran has been most assertive in interfering in the election : `` I believe it 's China . ''
THE FACTS : Barr 's assessment does not line up with last month 's formal statement from the government 's counterintelligence chief , William Evanina .
The statement directly implicated Russia in 2020 election interference by saying it was actively working to denigrate Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was considerably more nebulous , however , saying it regards Trump as unpredictable and prefers that he not win .
The statement said intelligence officials believed China has been expanding `` its influence efforts '' to shape the policy environment ahead of the November election and will continue to weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive action .
But they did not specifically place China as a more serious threat or allege that Beijing was directly interfering in the election .
Barr said he had reviewed intelligence to inform his assessment on China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from national intelligence director John Ratcliffe and is in keeping with the Trump administration 's position that Beijing presents significant national security concerns for the United States , particularly when it comes to espionage and the theft of intellectual property from American universities and businesses .

As the 2020 presidential race between Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden heats up, Attorney General William Barr warned of the potential of substantial fraud in voting by mail — but he omitted necessary context, and states that rely on the process say there is little evidence of such activity.
He also suggested that China poses more of a threat to election security than Russia, even though that was not the conclusion of an official intelligence assessment last month.
Here’s a look at the claims, made in a Wednesday evening interview with CNN:
BARR on fraud in the vote-by-mail process: “Elections that have been held with mail have found substantial fraud and coercion.”
THE FACTS: Multiple studies have debunked the notion of pervasive voter fraud in general and in the vote-by-mail process.
The five states that relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic — Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Utah — have said they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure against fraud and to prevent hostile foreign actors from co-opting the vote. More states intend to rely more heavily on mail-in voting this fall because of the pandemic.
The attorney general cited a report from more than a decade ago from a commission led by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker that said voting by mail was vulnerable to fraud. But the commission pointed out in a statement in May that it had found little evidence of fraud in states like Oregon that had sufficient safeguards.
Barr also said he was basing on “logic” his concern that a hostile foreign actor could produce bogus ballots for the election. But senior U.S. officials said on a conference call with reporters last week that they had no intelligence to suggest that was happening.
_____
BARR, on the question of whether Russia, China, or Iran has been most assertive in interfering in the election: “I believe it’s China.”
THE FACTS: Barr’s assessment does not line up with last month’s formal statement from the government’s counterintelligence chief, William Evanina.
The statement directly implicated Russia in 2020 election interference by saying it was actively working to denigrate Biden. Its characterization of China’s activities was considerably more nebulous, however, saying it regards Trump as unpredictable and prefers that he not win.
The statement said intelligence officials believed China has been expanding “its influence efforts” to shape the policy environment ahead of the November election and will continue to weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive action. But they did not specifically place China as a more serious threat or allege that Beijing was directly interfering in the election.
Barr said he had reviewed intelligence to inform his assessment on China, which lines up with recent comments from national intelligence director John Ratcliffe and is in keeping with the Trump administration’s position that Beijing presents significant national security concerns for the United States, particularly when it comes to espionage and the theft of intellectual property from American universities and businesses.


shareblue--2020-09-08--GOP tries to gut protections for workers in new virus relief bill

Senate Republicans on Tuesday released their latest version of a pandemic relief bill .
The so-called skinny proposal , known as the `` Delivering Immediate Relief to America 's Families , Schools and Small Businesses Act , '' omits most of the funds included in the bill passed by the House of Representatives in May .
But it contains provisions that would make it harder for workers to sue if they got sick and that would funnel public funds to private and parochial schools .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the bill as `` a new targeted proposal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent healthcare , education , and economic issues . ''
He noted that it `` does not contain every idea our party likes . ''
But it does contain two provisions that GOP senators like a lot .
The bill funds what it terms `` Emergency Education Freedom Grants '' for the next two years .
This provision , pushed by Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , would provide a tax credit to reimburse individuals for donations to state-level scholarship funds that pay for educational expenses .
These expenses could include private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a backdoor route to private school vouchers .
A Cruz spokesperson told the American Independent Foundation last week that the grants `` would give families the resources they need to ensure their children have access to a quality education in these uncertain times . ''
But Americans United for the Separation of Church and State warned : `` This legislation would redirect $ 5 billion of taxpayer dollars each year away from the public treasury where it could be used to fund public schools , and instead fund private , religious schools .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public schools that serve 90 percent of students nationwide , but it threatens religious freedom by using taxpayer dollars to fund religious education . ''
Another key part of the bill aims to provide `` safe harbor '' from liability for `` individuals and entities engaged in businesses , services , activities , or accommodations '' if their employees contract the coronavirus .
It incorporates a proposal offered by McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) to require workers who contract the virus to prove that they did so due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for safety measures in order to bring a lawsuit .
As things currently stand in most states , if a business 's customer or employee gets sick , they can sue if they can prove the business was responsible and did not take reasonable precautions .
Employment lawyer Jonathan Segal told USA Today in April that proving such cases in court is already an `` uphill battle . ''
If enacted , the bill would make the hill even steeper — likely insurmountable .
`` This actually raises the bar so high that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to '' meet its standard , National Employment Law Project staff attorney Hugh Baran told the American Independent Foundation in July .
A McConnell spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
But since April , McConnell has said that he will not allow the Senate to pass any relief bill at all unless it contains the liability provisions , calling it his `` red line . ''
The Senate Republican majority will reportedly try to bring the bill up for a vote on Thursday .
It is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass the Senate — let alone the majority support needed in the Democratic-controlled House .
In a joint statement last week , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the `` emaciated bill '' does not `` come close to addressing the problems and is headed nowhere . ''
`` If anyone doubts McConnell ’ s true intent is anything but political , just look at the bill , '' they wrote .
`` This proposal is laden with poison pills Republicans know Democrats would never support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion bill passed by the House bill for more than three months , calling it `` dead on arrival '' in the Senate .
It would have provided funds for measures both to curb the pandemic and to address the economic crisis that the coronavirus has caused .
Tens of millions of Americans remain unemployed , and more than 6.2 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus to date .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Republicans on Tuesday released their latest version of a pandemic relief bill. The so-called skinny proposal, known as the “Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act,” omits most of the funds included in the bill passed by the House of Representatives in May. But it contains provisions that would make it harder for workers to sue if they got sick and that would funnel public funds to private and parochial schools.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the bill as “a new targeted proposal, focused on some of the very most urgent healthcare, education, and economic issues.” He noted that it “does not contain every idea our party likes.”
But it does contain two provisions that GOP senators like a lot.
The bill funds what it terms “Emergency Education Freedom Grants” for the next two years. This provision, pushed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), would provide a tax credit to reimburse individuals for donations to state-level scholarship funds that pay for educational expenses. These expenses could include private school or parochial school tuition — essentially a backdoor route to private school vouchers.
A Cruz spokesperson told the American Independent Foundation last week that the grants “would give families the resources they need to ensure their children have access to a quality education in these uncertain times.”
But Americans United for the Separation of Church and State warned: “This legislation would redirect $5 billion of taxpayer dollars each year away from the public treasury where it could be used to fund public schools, and instead fund private, religious schools. Not only does this voucher scheme undermine the public schools that serve 90 percent of students nationwide, but it threatens religious freedom by using taxpayer dollars to fund religious education.”
Another key part of the bill aims to provide “safe harbor” from liability for “individuals and entities engaged in businesses, services, activities, or accommodations” if their employees contract the coronavirus. It incorporates a proposal offered by McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to require workers who contract the virus to prove that they did so due to their employer’s “reckless disregard” for safety measures in order to bring a lawsuit.
As things currently stand in most states, if a business’s customer or employee gets sick, they can sue if they can prove the business was responsible and did not take reasonable precautions. Employment lawyer Jonathan Segal told USA Today in April that proving such cases in court is already an “uphill battle.”
If enacted, the bill would make the hill even steeper — likely insurmountable. “This actually raises the bar so high that no worker or consumer will ever be able to” meet its standard, National Employment Law Project staff attorney Hugh Baran told the American Independent Foundation in July.
A McConnell spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But since April, McConnell has said that he will not allow the Senate to pass any relief bill at all unless it contains the liability provisions, calling it his “red line.”
The Senate Republican majority will reportedly try to bring the bill up for a vote on Thursday. It is unlikely to receive the needed super-majority vote to pass the Senate — let alone the majority support needed in the Democratic-controlled House.
In a joint statement last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the “emaciated bill” does not “come close to addressing the problems and is headed nowhere.”
“If anyone doubts McConnell’s true intent is anything but political, just look at the bill,” they wrote. “This proposal is laden with poison pills Republicans know Democrats would never support.”
McConnell has blocked the $3 trillion bill passed by the House bill for more than three months, calling it “dead on arrival” in the Senate. It would have provided funds for measures both to curb the pandemic and to address the economic crisis that the coronavirus has caused.
Tens of millions of Americans remain unemployed, and more than 6.2 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus to date.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-08--5 boats sink after Texas Trump parade causes rough waves in crowded lake

Five boats sank in a Texas lake during a nautical parade in support of Donald Trump as tightly packed boats created large waves , officials said Sunday .
Boaters began calling for help `` almost immediately '' after the procession for Trump 's reelection got underway on a lake west of Austin on Saturday , according to Kristen Dark of the Travis County Sheriff 's Office .
Deputies ultimately responded to 15 distress calls and received three other reports of boats taking on water .
No one was injured or killed .
Images of the event show the water of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of boats flying American , Texas , and `` Trump 2020 '' flags .
Dark said that weather on the roughly 19,000-acre ( 7,690-hectare ) lake was calm , but that the tightly packed boats created large waves in areas .
Deputies have found no evidence of foul play , she said .
The first call for help came at 12:15 p.m. , and later distress calls were for boats taking on water , stalled engines , and capsizing , Dark said .
Three of the boats that sank were towed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still at the bottom of the lake , she said .
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services received no calls for service related to the parade , a spokeswoman said .

Five boats sank in a Texas lake during a nautical parade in support of Donald Trump as tightly packed boats created large waves, officials said Sunday.
Boaters began calling for help “almost immediately” after the procession for Trump’s reelection got underway on a lake west of Austin on Saturday, according to Kristen Dark of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies ultimately responded to 15 distress calls and received three other reports of boats taking on water. No one was injured or killed.
Images of the event show the water of Lake Travis choppy with the wakes of dozens of boats flying American, Texas, and “Trump 2020” flags.
Dark said that weather on the roughly 19,000-acre (7,690-hectare) lake was calm, but that the tightly packed boats created large waves in areas. Deputies have found no evidence of foul play, she said.
The first call for help came at 12:15 p.m., and later distress calls were for boats taking on water, stalled engines, and capsizing, Dark said.
Three of the boats that sank were towed to shore, while the other two were still at the bottom of the lake, she said.
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services received no calls for service related to the parade, a spokeswoman said.


shareblue--2020-09-08--GOP candidates won't say if they'll return money from group backing Kenosha gunman

A pro-gun group is rushing to raise money off of the multiple shootings in Kenosha , Wisconsin , and to aid the legal defense of the man charged with two homicides that resulted .
But none of the GOP lawmakers and candidates who have received campaign donations from the group this cycle will say they will return them .
The Virginia-based Gun Owners of America presents itself as the less-compromising alternative to the National Rifle Association and claims to represent `` over 2 million members and activists . ''
On Aug. 27 , 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested and charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homicide , after multiple shootings in Kenosha left two anti-racism protesters dead .
In addition to the two counts of first-degree homicide , Rittenhouse has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree homicide , two counts of endangering safety with a deadly weapon , and one count of possession of a deadly weapon by someone under 18 .
That evening , the Gun Owners of America sent out an email with the subject line `` GOA comes to Kyle Rittenhouse 's defense . ''
After asking recipients for a $ 25 donation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization bragged of its efforts to aid the accused Kenosha killer .
`` GOA has reached out to Rittenhouse 's attorneys and the Lake County Public Defender 's office , and we have our own attorneys and use of force experts looking into this case , too , '' the group 's senior vice president Erich Pratt wrote .
`` In the meantime , we demand fair treatment from the media , because up till now , their coverage has been horrific .
With no evidence , they have labeled Kyle as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just indicates how the media elites view all gun owners . ''
Last week , the group sent another email asking members to `` upgrade '' their membership with an additional donation and praising Donald Trump for defending Rittenhouse .
`` These are the words of a man who believes in the natural , God-given right to self-defense , '' the group 's director of federal affairs wrote .
According to campaign finance filings , the Gun Owners of America political action committee has distributed at least $ 45,500 to federal lawmakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle — all of it to Republicans .
Sen. Steve Daines of Montana received at least $ 10,000 for his reelection campaign .
Gun Owners of America chairman Tim Macy called him `` the A+ rated , 100 % supporter of your right to keep and bear arms '' in an email last week , and `` one of the Second Amendment 's most trusted friends in all of Congress . ''
A Daines spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
California Rep. Mike Garcia received at least $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Garcia spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky received at least $ 5,000 for his reelection campaign .
A spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story , but Massie said last week that Rittenhouse showed `` incredible restraint '' by not firing an entire magazine into the crowd .
Rep. Greg Murphy of North Carolina received at least $ 500 for his reelection campaign .
A Murphy spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5,000 for his reelection campaign .
A Roy spokesperson said in an email : `` We will not be returning any contributions from Gun Owners of America and we appreciate their support . ''
Virginia state Del .
Nick Freitas received at least $ 5,000 for his challenge to Democratic incumbent Rep. Abigail Spanberger .
A Freitas spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
Former New Mexico state Rep. Yvette Herrell received at least $ 5,000 for her challenge to incumbent Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry for this story .
Montana state auditor Matt Rosendale received at least $ 5,000 for his campaign to replace incumbent Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte , who is running for governor of the state .
A Rosendale spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story .
QAnon conspiracy fan Marjorie Taylor Greene received at least $ 5,000 for her campaign to replace retiring Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves .
A spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story , but Greene tweeted last week that she would not vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him '' as `` he acted in self defense against violent radical adult men attacking him and threatening his life .
Exactly why gun rights are important . ''
In an email on Tuesday , Shannon Watts , founder of Moms Demand Action , wrote , `` Any candidate willing to take a donation or endorsement from Gun Owners of America not only condones the organization 's defense of the Kenosha shooter , but they 're also co-signing their dangerous conspiracy theories about some of our country 's most tragic mass shootings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere ' agenda . ''
A spokesperson for Gun Owners of America did not respond to a request for comment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A pro-gun group is rushing to raise money off of the multiple shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and to aid the legal defense of the man charged with two homicides that resulted. But none of the GOP lawmakers and candidates who have received campaign donations from the group this cycle will say they will return them.
The Virginia-based Gun Owners of America presents itself as the less-compromising alternative to the National Rifle Association and claims to represent “over 2 million members and activists.”
On Aug. 27, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested and charged with a number of felonies, including homicide, after multiple shootings in Kenosha left two anti-racism protesters dead.
In addition to the two counts of first-degree homicide, Rittenhouse has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree homicide, two counts of endangering safety with a deadly weapon, and one count of possession of a deadly weapon by someone under 18.
That evening, the Gun Owners of America sent out an email with the subject line “GOA comes to Kyle Rittenhouse’s defense.” After asking recipients for a $25 donation to join the tax-exempt group, the organization bragged of its efforts to aid the accused Kenosha killer.
“GOA has reached out to Rittenhouse’s attorneys and the Lake County Public Defender’s office, and we have our own attorneys and use of force experts looking into this case, too,” the group’s senior vice president Erich Pratt wrote. “In the meantime, we demand fair treatment from the media, because up till now, their coverage has been horrific. With no evidence, they have labeled Kyle as a racist and a vigilante, but that just indicates how the media elites view all gun owners.”
Last week, the group sent another email asking members to “upgrade” their membership with an additional donation and praising Donald Trump for defending Rittenhouse. “These are the words of a man who believes in the natural, God-given right to self-defense,” the group’s director of federal affairs wrote.
According to campaign finance filings, the Gun Owners of America political action committee has distributed at least $45,500 to federal lawmakers and candidates so far in the 2020 campaign cycle — all of it to Republicans.
The recipients are:
Sen. Steve Daines
Sen. Steve Daines of Montana received at least $10,000 for his reelection campaign. Gun Owners of America chairman Tim Macy called him “the A+ rated, 100% supporter of your right to keep and bear arms” in an email last week, and “one of the Second Amendment’s most trusted friends in all of Congress.”
A Daines spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Rep. Mike Garcia
California Rep. Mike Garcia received at least $5,000 for his May special election runoff.
A Garcia spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Rep. Thomas Massie
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky received at least $5,000 for his reelection campaign.
A spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story, but Massie said last week that Rittenhouse showed “incredible restraint” by not firing an entire magazine into the crowd.
Rep. Greg Murphy
Rep. Greg Murphy of North Carolina received at least $500 for his reelection campaign.
A Murphy spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Rep. Chip Roy
Rep. Chip Roy of Texas received at least $5,000 for his reelection campaign.
A Roy spokesperson said in an email: “We will not be returning any contributions from Gun Owners of America and we appreciate their support.”
Nick Freitas
Virginia state Del. Nick Freitas received at least $5,000 for his challenge to Democratic incumbent Rep. Abigail Spanberger.
A Freitas spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Yvette Herrell
Former New Mexico state Rep. Yvette Herrell received at least $5,000 for her challenge to incumbent Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small.
A Herrell spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Matt Rosendale
Montana state auditor Matt Rosendale received at least $5,000 for his campaign to replace incumbent Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte, who is running for governor of the state.
A Rosendale spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
QAnon conspiracy fan Marjorie Taylor Greene received at least $5,000 for her campaign to replace retiring Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves.
A spokesperson did not respond to an inquiry for this story, but Greene tweeted last week that she would not vote to convict Rittenhouse “of any charges against him” as “he acted in self defense against violent radical adult men attacking him and threatening his life. Exactly why gun rights are important.”
In an email on Tuesday, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, wrote, “Any candidate willing to take a donation or endorsement from Gun Owners of America not only condones the organization’s defense of the Kenosha shooter, but they’re also co-signing their dangerous conspiracy theories about some of our country’s most tragic mass shootings, as well as their radicalized ‘guns everywhere’ agenda.”
A spokesperson for Gun Owners of America did not respond to a request for comment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-08--Trump claims campaign has 'a lot of money' after report reveals he's low on funds

Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed concerns and confirmed reports that he may put his own personal funds into his reelection bid , following reports that his campaign coffers have been depleted thanks to lavish and undisciplined spending .
`` Because of the China Virus , my Campaign , which has raised a lot of money , was forced to spend in order to counter the Fake News reporting about the way we handled it ( China Ban , etc . )
, '' Trump tweeted , referencing the coronavirus in racist terms .
Trump then claimed his campaign was doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of money left over , much more than 2016 . ''
`` Like I did in the 2016 Primaries , if more money is needed , which I doubt it will be , I will put it up ! ''
he added .
Earlier on Tuesday morning , Bloomberg News reported that Trump was considering spending as much as $ 100 million of his own money on his campaign — though it 's unclear whether he even has that much cash in liquid assets .
That report came after the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's campaign spending , finding that his campaign has already blown through more than $ 800 million of the $ 1.1 billion it raised since 2019 .
That money was spent on everything from legal bills for Trump and his aides , high salaries and perks for campaign staff , and other head-scratching purchases such as planes to fly Trump banners across areas of the country .
The typically Trump-friendly Fox News on Tuesday called the spending `` jaw dropping , '' saying that the campaign had essentially taken hundreds of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wood chipper . ''
With eight weeks to go until Election Day , GOP strategists fear Trump wo n't have enough money to run a winning campaign .
Over the past few weeks , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has been outspending Trump on the television airwaves .
And Biden set a fundraising record in August , bringing in $ 365 million — the most a politician has ever raised in a single month in history .
It comes as Biden holds a lead in the polls , both nationally and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden a win if the election were held today .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed concerns and confirmed reports that he may put his own personal funds into his reelection bid, following reports that his campaign coffers have been depleted thanks to lavish and undisciplined spending.
“Because of the China Virus, my Campaign, which has raised a lot of money, was forced to spend in order to counter the Fake News reporting about the way we handled it (China Ban, etc.),” Trump tweeted, referencing the coronavirus in racist terms.
Trump then claimed his campaign was doing “a GREAT job, and have a lot of money left over, much more than 2016.”
“Like I did in the 2016 Primaries, if more money is needed, which I doubt it will be, I will put it up!” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, Bloomberg News reported that Trump was considering spending as much as $100 million of his own money on his campaign — though it’s unclear whether he even has that much cash in liquid assets.
That report came after the New York Times did a deep dive into Trump’s campaign spending, finding that his campaign has already blown through more than $800 million of the $1.1 billion it raised since 2019. That money was spent on everything from legal bills for Trump and his aides, high salaries and perks for campaign staff, and other head-scratching purchases such as planes to fly Trump banners across areas of the country.
The typically Trump-friendly Fox News on Tuesday called the spending “jaw dropping,” saying that the campaign had essentially taken hundreds of millions of dollars and put it “into a wood chipper.”
With eight weeks to go until Election Day, GOP strategists fear Trump won’t have enough money to run a winning campaign.
Over the past few weeks, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has been outspending Trump on the television airwaves. And Biden set a fundraising record in August, bringing in $365 million — the most a politician has ever raised in a single month in history.
It comes as Biden holds a lead in the polls, both nationally and in enough critical swing states that would hand Biden a win if the election were held today.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-08--Fox News: Trump campaign threw millions of dollars 'into a wood chipper'

Fox News politics editor Chris Stirewalt on Tuesday called the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by Donald Trump 's reelection campaign `` jaw-dropping . ''
Stirewalt said that news that Trump had squandered $ 800 million of the $ 1.1 billion in donations the campaign has accumulated was akin to putting the money `` into this wood chipper . ''
The New York Times detailed on Monday the extent to which Trump 's expenditures over the last three years have led to his campaign losing the money advantage it had over Vice President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are forecasting `` a cash crunch with less than 60 days until the election . ''
The paper reported that the Trump campaign lavishly spent on staffers , office space , and legal fees , as well as $ 11 million on Super Bowl ads that were a `` vanity splurge '' for Trump .
In one instance , the campaign reportedly spent nearly $ 110,000 on pouches for storing cellphones during fundraisers so donors would n't secretly record and leak Trump 's comments .
The campaign also paid for a car and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose expenditures are currently under review .
Parscale was removed from his position in July and replaced with Bill Stepien after Trump 's failed campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
From the Sep. 8 edition of Fox News ' `` America 's Newsroom '' : TRACE GALLAGHER : The New York Times reporting that there 's a bit of a cash crunch with the Trump campaign right now , saying the campaign has spent about $ 800 million of the $ 1.1 billion war chest .
I want to put up these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August , where the Biden campaign spent $ 35.9 million versus the Trump campaign spending $ 4.8 million .
And this quote from GOP strategist and Fox News contributor Ed Rollins , who says , quoting here , `` If you spend $ 800 million and you 're 10 points behind , I think you 've got to answer the question , 'What was the game plan ? '
I think a lot of money was spent when voters were not paying attention . ''
What do you make of all this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even Jeb Bush could have wasted this much money .
It was a profound – I believe the phrase is `` enough money to burn a wet elephant . ''
And it 's been amazing to see .
They spent money they never should have , they paid all these salaries , they do all of this stuff , and it 's been like a wood chipper , where you have all of these small – Donald Trump revolutionized Republican fundraising because he gets so many small-dollar donations but then he puts them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was .
Brad Parscale was his previous campaign chairman , he has a new campaign manager in Bill Stepien who I think is following more traditional guidelines for how to run a campaign .
But the hundreds of millions of dollars that they burned through from these small-dollar donors is just , it 's jaw-dropping .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Fox News politics editor Chris Stirewalt on Tuesday called the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by Donald Trump’s reelection campaign “jaw-dropping.”
Stirewalt said that news that Trump had squandered $800 million of the $1.1 billion in donations the campaign has accumulated was akin to putting the money “into this wood chipper.”
The New York Times detailed on Monday the extent to which Trump’s expenditures over the last three years have led to his campaign losing the money advantage it had over Vice President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.
The Times said Trump campaign insiders are forecasting “a cash crunch with less than 60 days until the election.” The paper reported that the Trump campaign lavishly spent on staffers, office space, and legal fees, as well as $11 million on Super Bowl ads that were a “vanity splurge” for Trump.
In one instance, the campaign reportedly spent nearly $110,000 on pouches for storing cellphones during fundraisers so donors wouldn’t secretly record and leak Trump’s comments. The campaign also paid for a car and driver for then-campaign manager Brad Parscale, whose expenditures are currently under review.
Parscale was removed from his position in July and replaced with Bill Stepien after Trump’s failed campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
From the Sep. 8 edition of Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom”:
TRACE GALLAGHER: The New York Times reporting that there’s a bit of a cash crunch with the Trump campaign right now, saying the campaign has spent about $800 million of the $1.1 billion war chest. I want to put up these advertising numbers from the last two weeks in August, where the Biden campaign spent $35.9 million versus the Trump campaign spending $4.8 million. And this quote from GOP strategist and Fox News contributor Ed Rollins, who says, quoting here, “If you spend $800 million and you’re 10 points behind, I think you’ve got to answer the question, ‘What was the game plan?’ I think a lot of money was spent when voters were not paying attention.” What do you make of all this, Chris? CHRIS STIREWALT: Not even Jeb Bush could have wasted this much money. It was a profound – I believe the phrase is “enough money to burn a wet elephant.” And it’s been amazing to see. They spent money they never should have, they paid all these salaries, they do all of this stuff, and it’s been like a wood chipper, where you have all of these small – Donald Trump revolutionized Republican fundraising because he gets so many small-dollar donations but then he puts them into this wood chipper, or he was. Brad Parscale was his previous campaign chairman, he has a new campaign manager in Bill Stepien who I think is following more traditional guidelines for how to run a campaign. But the hundreds of millions of dollars that they burned through from these small-dollar donors is just, it’s jaw-dropping.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-08--South Dakota motorcycle rally backed by governor led to $12B in public health costs

A motorcycle rally in Sturgis , South Dakota , last month likely caused more than $ 12 billion in public health costs , according to a new study .
In a report titled `` The Contagion Externality of a Superspreading Event : The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and COVID-19 , '' published this month by the IZA Institute of Labor Economics , a nonprofit research group based in Bonn , Germany , experts assessed the impact of the nearly 500,000-biker gathering , which took place between August 7 and 16 .
They determined that `` counties that contributed the highest inflows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.5 percent increase in COVID-19 cases relative to counties that did not contribute inflows . ''
`` We conclude that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally generated public health costs of approximately $ 12.2 billion '' due to the additional cases , the authors wrote .
`` This is enough to have paid each of the estimated 462,182 rally attendees $ 26,553.64 not to attend . ''
At least a dozen states have reported COVID-19 cases related to the event .
Some 260 infections and one death have been tied to it so far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases is still steadily increasing .
`` It 's definitely frustrating because we certainly are n't surprised to see cases , '' Kris Ehresmann , director of the Infectious Disease division at the Minnesota Department of Health , told the outlet .
The annual event , which dates back to 1938 , bills itself as the `` largest motorcycle rally in the world . ''
Despite public health officials ' warnings that it could be a `` recipe '' for disaster that could worsen the coronavirus ' spread , the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and little mask-wearing .
Gov .
Kristi Noem herself endorsed the rally in an August interview .
`` People have been gathering .
We 've been back to normal for over three months here in South Dakota , '' Noem told told Fox News on an August 4 .
`` So we know we can have these events , give people information , let them protect their health but still enjoy their way of life and enjoy events like the Sturgis motorcycle rally .
We hope people come . ''
Noem was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to issue any stay-at-home order when the pandemic hit earlier this year , even as cases spiked at meat plants in the state .
She bragged that her decision not to shut things down was protecting `` citizens ' rights . ''
She has subsequently touted her lack of a response as pro-freedom and made it a sales pitch to encourage people to move to her state .
`` There ’ s no governor in America that has trusted their people to make the right choices more than I have , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still has no mask mandate .
A Noem spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story .
Noem 's laissez faire approach has not kept South Dakotans safe .
According to data from the Washington Post , only one state ( North Dakota ) has had a higher per capita number of new cases in the past week .
South Dakota 's 7-day average of new reported cases currently stands at 30 per 100,000 residents .
Its percentage of positive tests — 19 % — is also second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Dakota has seen at least 15,300 COVID-19 cases and 173 deaths .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, last month likely caused more than $12 billion in public health costs, according to a new study.
In a report titled “The Contagion Externality of a Superspreading Event: The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and COVID-19,” published this month by the IZA Institute of Labor Economics, a nonprofit research group based in Bonn, Germany, experts assessed the impact of the nearly 500,000-biker gathering, which took place between August 7 and 16.
They determined that “counties that contributed the highest inflows of rally attendees experienced a 7.0 to 12.5 percent increase in COVID-19 cases relative to counties that did not contribute inflows.”
“We conclude that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally generated public health costs of approximately $12.2 billion” due to the additional cases, the authors wrote. “This is enough to have paid each of the estimated 462,182 rally attendees $26,553.64 not to attend.”
At least a dozen states have reported COVID-19 cases related to the event. Some 260 infections and one death have been tied to it so far, and according to NPR, the estimated number of cases is still steadily increasing.
“It’s definitely frustrating because we certainly aren’t surprised to see cases,” Kris Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease division at the Minnesota Department of Health, told the outlet.
The annual event, which dates back to 1938, bills itself as the “largest motorcycle rally in the world.” Despite public health officials’ warnings that it could be a “recipe” for disaster that could worsen the coronavirus’ spread, the event proceeded this year with little social distancing and little mask-wearing.
Gov. Kristi Noem herself endorsed the rally in an August interview.
“People have been gathering. We’ve been back to normal for over three months here in South Dakota,” Noem told told Fox News on an August 4. “So we know we can have these events, give people information, let them protect their health but still enjoy their way of life and enjoy events like the Sturgis motorcycle rally. We hope people come.”
Noem was one of just a handful of governors who refused to issue any stay-at-home order when the pandemic hit earlier this year, even as cases spiked at meat plants in the state. She bragged that her decision not to shut things down was protecting “citizens’ rights.”
She has subsequently touted her lack of a response as pro-freedom and made it a sales pitch to encourage people to move to her state. “There’s no governor in America that has trusted their people to make the right choices more than I have,” she claimed in June.
The state still has no mask mandate.
A Noem spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.
Noem’s laissez faire approach has not kept South Dakotans safe. According to data from the Washington Post, only one state (North Dakota) has had a higher per capita number of new cases in the past week.
South Dakota’s 7-day average of new reported cases currently stands at 30 per 100,000 residents. Its percentage of positive tests — 19% — is also second highest in the nation.
To date, South Dakota has seen at least 15,300 COVID-19 cases and 173 deaths.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-08--Trump may use $100 million of own money on campaign as Biden donations surge

Donald Trump is considering putting $ 100 million of his personal cash into his reelection campaign against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , Bloomberg News reported Tuesday morning .
The news that Trump is mulling whether to self-finance his reelection bid comes one day after the New York Times reported on the lavish and wasteful ways his campaign has spent more than $ 800 million of the $ 1.1 billion it raised over the course of nearly two years — leaving Republicans worried that Trump wo n't have enough money in the final weeks of the race .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign paid aides large salaries and made a series of smaller questionable purchases that added up , including $ 156,000 on planes to pull banners across the sky and $ 110,000 on magnetic pouches for cell phones that would block donors from recording Trump at private fundraisers .
The Trump campaign also spent $ 1 million on ads in the Washington , D.C. , media market in order to boost Trump 's spirits while he watches cable news from the White House .
Meanwhile , Biden and the Democratic National Committee are posting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whopping $ 365 million in the month of August , the biggest monthly fundraising haul ever in the history of political campaigns .
Of course , Trump has lied in the past about self-funding his political bid .
In 2016 , Trump said he would spend up to $ 1 billion on his campaign , but only wound up putting in $ 66 million , according to reports at the time .
Some of that money went to salaries for his own family members , as well as his businesses .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in cash to put into his campaign .
Bloomberg News reported that Trump 's net wealth fell by $ 300 million over the last year and that he likely had between $ 47.6 million and $ 156.5 million in liquid assets at the end of 2019 .
But Trump himself seems to have earned millions from his campaign , as well as from fundraisers hosted by the Republican National Committee and other GOP candidates at his properties .
As of July , political spending at Trump properties added up to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has also pocketed money from taxpayers from the hundreds of visits he 's made to his own properties over the past three-and-a-half years , as members of the Secret Service book hotel rooms and golf carts at those properties .
Trump on Tuesday sought to defend his campaign 's lavish spending and possible cash crunch as voters across the country begin to cast ballots with eight weeks remaining before Election Day .
`` My Campaign spent a lot of money up front in order to compensate for the false reporting and Fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virus , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Now they see the GREAT job we have done , and we have 3 times more than we had 4 years ago - & are up in polls .
Lots of $ ’ s & ENERGY ! ''
Trump is not up in the polls .
He is currently trailing Biden by 7.5 points nationally , according to FiveThirtyEight 's polling average , and is also losing almost every critical swing state to Biden .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump is considering putting $100 million of his personal cash into his reelection campaign against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday morning.
The news that Trump is mulling whether to self-finance his reelection bid comes one day after the New York Times reported on the lavish and wasteful ways his campaign has spent more than $800 million of the $1.1 billion it raised over the course of nearly two years — leaving Republicans worried that Trump won’t have enough money in the final weeks of the race.
According to the New York Times, the Trump campaign paid aides large salaries and made a series of smaller questionable purchases that added up, including $156,000 on planes to pull banners across the sky and $110,000 on magnetic pouches for cell phones that would block donors from recording Trump at private fundraisers. The Trump campaign also spent $1 million on ads in the Washington, D.C., media market in order to boost Trump’s spirits while he watches cable news from the White House.
Meanwhile, Biden and the Democratic National Committee are posting massive fundraising numbers, bringing in a whopping $365 million in the month of August, the biggest monthly fundraising haul ever in the history of political campaigns.
Of course, Trump has lied in the past about self-funding his political bid.
In 2016, Trump said he would spend up to $1 billion on his campaign, but only wound up putting in $66 million, according to reports at the time. Some of that money went to salaries for his own family members, as well as his businesses.
It’s unclear if Trump even has $100 million in cash to put into his campaign. Bloomberg News reported that Trump’s net wealth fell by $300 million over the last year and that he likely had between $47.6 million and $156.5 million in liquid assets at the end of 2019.
But Trump himself seems to have earned millions from his campaign, as well as from fundraisers hosted by the Republican National Committee and other GOP candidates at his properties. As of July, political spending at Trump properties added up to more than $22 million, CNN reported.
Trump has also pocketed money from taxpayers from the hundreds of visits he’s made to his own properties over the past three-and-a-half years, as members of the Secret Service book hotel rooms and golf carts at those properties.
Trump on Tuesday sought to defend his campaign’s lavish spending and possible cash crunch as voters across the country begin to cast ballots with eight weeks remaining before Election Day.
“My Campaign spent a lot of money up front in order to compensate for the false reporting and Fake News concerning our handling of the China Virus,” Trump tweeted. “Now they see the GREAT job we have done, and we have 3 times more than we had 4 years ago – & are up in polls. Lots of $’s & ENERGY!”
Trump is not up in the polls.
He is currently trailing Biden by 7.5 points nationally, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average, and is also losing almost every critical swing state to Biden.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.