shareblue--2020-10-11--Michigan Republican running for Senate cozies up to right-wing extremists

Michigan Democratic incumbent Sen. Gary Peters ' Republican challenger John James is running on a platform of unity and nonpartisanship , but behind the scenes , he undercuts his own claims by associating with individuals and groups that promote violence .
On Thursday , after the bombshell revelation that the FBI had uncovered a kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , James was perfectly politic and nonpartisan in his public response .
He shared a tweet posted by the Republican majority leader of the Michigan state Senate , Mike Shirkey : `` A threat against our Governor is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemn those who plotted against her and our government .
They are not patriots .
There is no honor in their actions .
They are criminals and traitors , and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law . ''
A few hours later , James himself tweeted his own public denunciation of Whitmer 's would-be kidnappers : `` I took an oath to defend the Constitution and this nation against enemies foreign and DOMESTIC , '' he wrote .
`` Those who threatened our State must be prosecuted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active Twitter feed , James remained mysteriously silent this spring when armed protests took place at the Michigan State House against Whitmer 's stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic .
James did not comment on nationwide news coverage of online personal threats made against Whitmer .
In video footage obtained by the American Independent Foundation taken at an Aug. 6 GOP meet-and-greet in Kalamazoo , Michigan , at which James spoke , the candidate complains that the country is being run from `` the top down '' and not `` the way it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
James asks his audience , `` Who here is sick of being dictated to ? ''
and is greeted with applause and cheering .
Later , he tells attendees , `` Like I said a couple of minutes ago , who here has beef with some of the things that the governor has been doing in the past couple months ? ''
The cheers are deafening , and one attendee shouts , `` Hell , yeah ! ''
And for a candidate who recently released a campaign ad proclaiming unity as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cozy with some questionable individuals and groups — including some with notable ties to right-wing violence .
In July 2018 , during James ' failed Senate campaign , he was publicly endorsed by infamous far-right musician Ted Nugent , who proclaimed James his `` blood brother . ''
Nugent even performed at a James campaign rally that October that was headlined by Donald Trump Jr. '' It is clear that Barack Hussein Obama is a communist , '' Nugent said at a concert in August 2007 .
`` Mao Tse-Tung lives and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country should be ashamed .
I wan na throw up .
... Obama , he 's a piece of shit .
I told him to suck on my machine gun . ''
At a 2012 NRA convention , Nugent said that if Obama were reelected , Nugent would find himself `` either ... dead or in jail by this time next year . ''
At the same event , he compared Obama 's administration to coyotes who needed to be shot , and told his audience that they needed to `` ride into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' ) heads off in November . ''
Nugent expressed unreserved support for a group calling itself the Michigan Militia in May 1995 , just a few weeks after the group came under scrutiny for a potential connection to the bombing on April 19 of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City , Oklahoma .
The right-wing extremist paramilitary organization claims armed citizens must join a militia in order to protect themselves from tyranny and overreaching government agents .
Less than a year before the bombing , former militia head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting : `` If this country does n't change , armed conflict is inevitable . ''
Reporting after the building was bombed suggested that Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols , the perpetrators of the attack , might have attended meetings of the group .
`` I shoot with these people , '' Nugent said in defense of the Michigan Militia .
`` I have been to target practice with them .
I find them professional , hard-working people . ''
In 2014 , Nugent became a card-carrying member of an anti-government , pro-gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officers Association .
Its leader , radical right-winger Richard Mack , has described his own organization as `` the army to set our nation free '' and said that the `` greatest threat '' Americans face is their `` own federal government . ''
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center , Mack also has said that he fantasized about the day a sheriff would be the `` first one to fire the next shot around the world and arrest a couple of IRS agents . ''
Besides his association with Nugent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
He has been photographed with and is alleged to have received campaign contributions from Ryan Kelley , founder of the American Patriot Council .
The group hosted a June 18 rally where members of the Wolverine Watchmen militia , some of whom were charged with plotting to kidnap Whitmer , reportedly attempted to recruit new members .
And James raised some eyebrows in August when six or seven members of the far-right Proud Boys turned out in their signature black polos with gold trim , some of which sported `` Proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event James was headlining .
`` John was invited as a guest to an event that was hosted and organized by Republican groups , '' a James campaign spokesperson said in a statement .
`` John did not have contact or any knowledge of any hate groups that were in attendance .
John was at that event for a short time before attending other campaign events that day . ''
But Randy Bishop , organizer of the event , hosted by the Antrim County Conservative Union , said he knew the Proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought tickets ahead of time , and confirmed that they did volunteer , hanging banners , serving food , and checking in attendees .
`` [ The Proud Boys were there to ] take care of any problems that should arise if somebody wants to get violent or protest against our rights , they ’ re there to simply defend them , '' Bishop told Interlochen Public Radio in northern Michigan .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Michigan Democratic incumbent Sen. Gary Peters’ Republican challenger John James is running on a platform of unity and nonpartisanship, but behind the scenes, he undercuts his own claims by associating with individuals and groups that promote violence.
On Thursday, after the bombshell revelation that the FBI had uncovered a kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, James was perfectly politic and nonpartisan in his public response.
He shared a tweet posted by the Republican majority leader of the Michigan state Senate, Mike Shirkey: “A threat against our Governor is a threat against us all. We condemn those who plotted against her and our government. They are not patriots. There is no honor in their actions. They are criminals and traitors, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
A few hours later, James himself tweeted his own public denunciation of Whitmer’s would-be kidnappers: “I took an oath to defend the Constitution and this nation against enemies foreign and DOMESTIC,” he wrote. “Those who threatened our State must be prosecuted to the fullest.”
But despite his active Twitter feed, James remained mysteriously silent this spring when armed protests took place at the Michigan State House against Whitmer’s stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic.
James did not comment on nationwide news coverage of online personal threats made against Whitmer.
In video footage obtained by the American Independent Foundation taken at an Aug. 6 GOP meet-and-greet in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at which James spoke, the candidate complains that the country is being run from “the top down” and not “the way it was intended, from the bottom up.”
James asks his audience, “Who here is sick of being dictated to?” and is greeted with applause and cheering.
Later, he tells attendees, “Like I said a couple of minutes ago, who here has beef with some of the things that the governor has been doing in the past couple months?”
The cheers are deafening, and one attendee shouts, “Hell, yeah!”
And for a candidate who recently released a campaign ad proclaiming unity as his core value, James has gotten cozy with some questionable individuals and groups — including some with notable ties to right-wing violence.
In July 2018, during James’ failed Senate campaign, he was publicly endorsed by infamous far-right musician Ted Nugent, who proclaimed James his “blood brother.”
Nugent even performed at a James campaign rally that October that was headlined by Donald Trump Jr.
Nugent’s endorsements of right-wing violence are well-documented.
“It is clear that Barack Hussein Obama is a communist,” Nugent said at a concert in August 2007. “Mao Tse-Tung lives and his name is Barack Hussein Obama. This country should be ashamed. I wanna throw up. … Obama, he’s a piece of shit. I told him to suck on my machine gun.”
At a 2012 NRA convention, Nugent said that if Obama were reelected, Nugent would find himself “either … dead or in jail by this time next year.” At the same event, he compared Obama’s administration to coyotes who needed to be shot, and told his audience that they needed to “ride into that battlefield” and “chop (Democrats’) heads off in November.”
Nugent expressed unreserved support for a group calling itself the Michigan Militia in May 1995, just a few weeks after the group came under scrutiny for a potential connection to the bombing on April 19 of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The right-wing extremist paramilitary organization claims armed citizens must join a militia in order to protect themselves from tyranny and overreaching government agents.
Less than a year before the bombing, former militia head Norman Olsen had proclaimed at a recruitment meeting: “If this country doesn’t change, armed conflict is inevitable.” Reporting after the building was bombed suggested that Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the perpetrators of the attack, might have attended meetings of the group.
“I shoot with these people,” Nugent said in defense of the Michigan Militia. “I have been to target practice with them. I find them professional, hard-working people.”
In 2014, Nugent became a card-carrying member of an anti-government, pro-gun group, the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.
Its leader, radical right-winger Richard Mack, has described his own organization as “the army to set our nation free” and said that the “greatest threat” Americans face is their “own federal government.”
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Mack also has said that he fantasized about the day a sheriff would be the “first one to fire the next shot around the world and arrest a couple of IRS agents.”
Besides his association with Nugent, James also has ties to other questionable groups.
He has been photographed with and is alleged to have received campaign contributions from Ryan Kelley, founder of the American Patriot Council. The group hosted a June 18 rally where members of the Wolverine Watchmen militia, some of whom were charged with plotting to kidnap Whitmer, reportedly attempted to recruit new members.
And James raised some eyebrows in August when six or seven members of the far-right Proud Boys turned out in their signature black polos with gold trim, some of which sported “Proud Boys” logos, to volunteer at an event James was headlining.
“John was invited as a guest to an event that was hosted and organized by Republican groups,” a James campaign spokesperson said in a statement. “John did not have contact or any knowledge of any hate groups that were in attendance. John was at that event for a short time before attending other campaign events that day.”
But Randy Bishop, organizer of the event, hosted by the Antrim County Conservative Union, said he knew the Proud Boys were in attendance as they had bought tickets ahead of time, and confirmed that they did volunteer, hanging banners, serving food, and checking in attendees.
“[The Proud Boys were there to] take care of any problems that should arise if somebody wants to get violent or protest against our rights, they’re there to simply defend them,” Bishop told Interlochen Public Radio in northern Michigan.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-11--Barrett helped the Supreme Court make Bush president. Now she might do it for Trump.

If Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court before Nov. 3 , she will be the third sitting justice to have played a role in Bush v. Gore , the infamous case that decided the 2000 presidential election in favor of President George W. Bush against former Vice President Al Gore .
Twenty years later , Barrett could play an outsized role in deciding the 2020 election — so long as everything goes to plan for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
In the aftermath of the 2000 election — in which Gore won the popular vote — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure Bush won Florida 's 25 Electoral College votes , and with them , the presidency .
Now , with Barrett 's confirmation , the Supreme Court could determine the outcome of this year 's high-stakes presidential election .
Barrett worked for the law firm Baker Botts , where James Baker , Bush 's `` point man '' on Bush v. Gore worked .
While Barrett has admitted to working on the case while at Baker 's firm , she has so far declined to give any specifics about that work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the outcome of this year 's presidential election , Barrett 's conservative legal experience suggests she could cast the deciding vote in favor of Donald Trump .
If the seat left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg remains vacant , the justices would split 4-4 along ideological lines .
In the case of such a split , the lower court 's ruling is upheld .
Richard Rifkin , the legal director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School , says that even though justices are supposed to remain neutral , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law are in some way influenced by their personal experience and beliefs .
`` When you 're a judge on any court — and even more so on the Supreme Court — you 're supposed to take a neutral position , '' Rifkin told The American Independent Foundation .
`` As John Roberts was confirmed , he said , ' I ’ m an umpire ! '
But your history ultimately impacts your attitude in court , and I do n't see why that would n't also be true for Barrett . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals , after being nominated by Trump in 2017 , Barrett clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia , one of the most conservative Supreme Court justices of all time .
Scalia played a key role in gutting the 1965 Voting Rights Act , which he described as a `` racial entitlement . ''
The Supreme Court has already ruled to make it harder for voters in South Carolina to cast their ballots , foreshadowing the fights to come after Election Day .
Rifkin said the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the country 's extreme polarization .
`` If you you go back to Bush v. Gore , it was n't the situation we find ourselves in today , where both parties are accusing each other of undercutting democracy , '' Rifkin said .
`` In 2000 , both parties fought each other hard and spent a lot of time and resources on everything going on in Florida .
And yet , when SCOTUS spoke , basically that ended everything .
What they said in essence declared Bush the winner in Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like that . ''
While Democrats have held a number of internal discussions about ways to slow down Barrett 's confirmation — or stop it altogether — Republican 's have signaled their eagerness to confirm her as soon as possible .
`` One reason I ’ m excited about Amy is the fact that I don ’ t see her as being a drifter , that she ’ ll get in there and start moving to the center and left , '' Sen. Mike Braun ( R-IN ) said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has a good conservative heritage . ''
`` Pro-life is going to have a defender in Amy , '' he added .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

If Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court before Nov. 3, she will be the third sitting justice to have played a role in Bush v. Gore, the infamous case that decided the 2000 presidential election in favor of President George W. Bush against former Vice President Al Gore.
Twenty years later, Barrett could play an outsized role in deciding the 2020 election — so long as everything goes to plan for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In the aftermath of the 2000 election — in which Gore won the popular vote — Justices Brett Kavanaugh and John Roberts worked to ensure Bush won Florida’s 25 Electoral College votes, and with them, the presidency.
Now, with Barrett’s confirmation, the Supreme Court could determine the outcome of this year’s high-stakes presidential election. Barrett worked for the law firm Baker Botts, where James Baker, Bush’s “point man” on Bush v. Gore worked. While Barrett has admitted to working on the case while at Baker’s firm, she has so far declined to give any specifics about that work.
If the court does end up ruling on the outcome of this year’s presidential election, Barrett’s conservative legal experience suggests she could cast the deciding vote in favor of Donald Trump. If the seat left by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg remains vacant, the justices would split 4-4 along ideological lines. In the case of such a split, the lower court’s ruling is upheld.
Richard Rifkin, the legal director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School, says that even though justices are supposed to remain neutral, the reality is that all arbiters of the law are in some way influenced by their personal experience and beliefs.
“When you’re a judge on any court — and even more so on the Supreme Court — you’re supposed to take a neutral position,” Rifkin told The American Independent Foundation. “As John Roberts was confirmed, he said, ‘I’m an umpire!’ But your history ultimately impacts your attitude in court, and I don’t see why that wouldn’t also be true for Barrett.”
Before she was confirmed as a judge for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, after being nominated by Trump in 2017, Barrett clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the most conservative Supreme Court justices of all time. Scalia played a key role in gutting the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which he described as a “racial entitlement.”
The Supreme Court has already ruled to make it harder for voters in South Carolina to cast their ballots, foreshadowing the fights to come after Election Day.
Rifkin said the 2020 election will differ from the 2000 election because of the country’s extreme polarization.
“If you you go back to Bush v. Gore, it wasn’t the situation we find ourselves in today, where both parties are accusing each other of undercutting democracy,” Rifkin said. “In 2000, both parties fought each other hard and spent a lot of time and resources on everything going on in Florida. And yet, when SCOTUS spoke, basically that ended everything. What they said in essence declared Bush the winner in Florida, and Bush became the next president just like that.”
While Democrats have held a number of internal discussions about ways to slow down Barrett’s confirmation — or stop it altogether — Republican’s have signaled their eagerness to confirm her as soon as possible.
“One reason I’m excited about Amy is the fact that I don’t see her as being a drifter, that she’ll get in there and start moving to the center and left,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) said in an interview. “She’s a constitutionalist and has a good conservative heritage.”
“Pro-life is going to have a defender in Amy,” he added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--Dr. Fauci peeved that Trump campaign is skewing his words in new ad

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday it is `` unfortunate and disappointing '' that Donald Trump 's campaign used him in an ad that took his comments out of context .
The ad praises Trump 's coronavirus response , and prominently features Fauci saying , `` I ca n't imagine that anybody could be doing more . ''
However , Fauci said when he made those comments he was referring not to Trump , but rather to the coordinated government response to the pandemic .
He added that he has never endorsed a presidential candidate .
`` To take a completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is obviously a political campaign ad , I thought was really very disappointing , '' Fauci told CNN 's Jake Tapper .
Tapper then asked Fauci what he 'd say about the Trump campaign making another ad featuring him .
`` That would be terrible , '' a visibly frustrated Fauci replied .
`` I mean that would be outrageous if they do that .
In fact , that might actually come back to backfire on them . ''
Polling shows Trump 's response to the pandemic is hurting his campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to give them accurate information on the virus .
Polls also show that voters do not have sympathy for Trump 's own coronavirus battle , saying it 's his own fault that he got the virus due to his refusal to follow public health guidelines .
Fauci , on the other hand , is widely trusted by the public on the coronavirus , according to polls , which may be why the Trump campaign used him in an ad .
Trump and his campaign are continuing to ignore public health guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with maskless attendees , against medical experts ' guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus .
Trump himself plans to fly to Florida on Monday to hold what he described as a rally with `` big crowds , '' even though he has not been shown to have tested negative for the virus after his diagnosis and hospitalization with COVID-19 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday it is “unfortunate and disappointing” that Donald Trump’s campaign used him in an ad that took his comments out of context.
The ad praises Trump’s coronavirus response, and prominently features Fauci saying, “I can’t imagine that anybody could be doing more.”
However, Fauci said when he made those comments he was referring not to Trump, but rather to the coordinated government response to the pandemic. He added that he has never endorsed a presidential candidate.
“To take a completely out-of-context statement and put it in, which is obviously a political campaign ad, I thought was really very disappointing,” Fauci told CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Tapper then asked Fauci what he’d say about the Trump campaign making another ad featuring him.
“That would be terrible,” a visibly frustrated Fauci replied. “I mean that would be outrageous if they do that. In fact, that might actually come back to backfire on them.”
Polling shows Trump’s response to the pandemic is hurting his campaign, with voters saying they do not trust Trump to give them accurate information on the virus.
Polls also show that voters do not have sympathy for Trump’s own coronavirus battle, saying it’s his own fault that he got the virus due to his refusal to follow public health guidelines.
Fauci, on the other hand, is widely trusted by the public on the coronavirus, according to polls, which may be why the Trump campaign used him in an ad.
Trump and his campaign are continuing to ignore public health guidelines, with Trump’s children holding indoor rallies with maskless attendees, against medical experts’ guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus.
Trump himself plans to fly to Florida on Monday to hold what he described as a rally with “big crowds,” even though he has not been shown to have tested negative for the virus after his diagnosis and hospitalization with COVID-19.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--The only people talking about Barrett's religion are Republicans

Senate Republicans have claimed for weeks that Democratic attacks on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett 's faith are just around the corner — but the only people at her confirmation hearing talking about Barrett 's faith were Republicans .
Monday was the first day of Barrett 's controversial confirmation hearing .
During opening remarks , exactly seven senators mentioned her Catholic faith : Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) , Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) , Sen. Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) , Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) , Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) , Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) .
During the hearing , Grassley said that in 2017 , when Barrett was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit , the Democrats suggested Barrett was `` too faithful '' or `` too Catholic '' to be a judge .
`` One senator asked whether she considered herself an orthodox Catholic , '' Grassley said .
`` Another ( Sen. Dianne Feinstein ) told her , 'The dogma lives loudly within you and that is of concern . '
'' According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me remind everyone that Article I clearly prohibits religious tests for serving in public office , '' he thundered at his fellow senators , none of whom had mentioned religion .
Sasse , too , was full of dire warnings to the Senate and to Barrett herself .
`` Your faith , or your lack of faith , are none of the government 's business , '' he said .
`` As if you ca n't be a devout Catholic and a loyal American , '' Hawley said , though no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat mentioned Barrett 's religion during Monday 's opening remarks .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued a statement after Donald Trump announced Barrett 's nomination .
It mentioned concerns about her stance on health care , Roe v. Wade , and LGBTQ rights , but nary a word about her Catholic faith .
In fact , prominent Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden — both Catholic themselves — have explicitly stated questions surrounding Barrett 's faith are irrelevant .
Two weeks ago , Pelosi told Jake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Union '' that Senate Democrats were n't worried about Barrett 's religion .
Asked by Tapper if questions about Barrett 's faith should be off-limits , Pelosi agreed they should .
`` It 's appropriate for ( Senate Democrats ) to ask how faithful she would be to the constitution , '' Pelosi said , but added that Barrett 's personal faith `` does n't matter . ''
She added that her primary concern was Obamacare , not Barrett 's religious convictions .
`` What I am concerned about is anyone that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undo the Affordable Care Act , '' said Pelosi .
`` That is why he was in such a hurry . ''
Biden , also a practicing Catholic , told reporters Monday that Senate Democrats should n't concern themselves with Barrett 's religious beliefs .
`` No , I do n't think there should be any questions about her faith , '' he said , adding that nobody 's faith `` should be questioned . ''
In 2011 , Biden defended Mitt Romney against accusations that his Mormon faith should disqualify him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it preposterous that in 2011 , we 're debating whether or not a man is qualified or worthy of your vote based on whether or not his religion ... is a disqualifying provision , '' Biden said at the time .
If elected , Biden would become only the second Catholic to be president in the history of the United States , with the first being the late President John F. Kennedy .
Biden 's running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) — who Hawley framed as an anti-Christian bigot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black Baptist , a Protestant Christian denomination , and attends Third Baptist Church of San Francisco .
Five other Catholics sit on the Supreme Court : Chief Justice John Roberts , Justice Clarence Thomas , Justice Samuel Alito , Justice Sonia Sotomayor , and Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
While only one Senate Democrat voted to confirm Kavanaugh , 59 voted to confirm Sotomayor , 22 voted to confirm Roberts , 11 voted to confirm Thomas , and four voted to confirm Alito .
Of the 22 Catholics currently in the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Democrats have been clear that Barrett 's faith is not in question .
But her legal philosophy and judicial record are fair game .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Republicans have claimed for weeks that Democratic attacks on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s faith are just around the corner — but the only people at her confirmation hearing talking about Barrett’s faith were Republicans.
Monday was the first day of Barrett’s controversial confirmation hearing. During opening remarks, exactly seven senators mentioned her Catholic faith: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), and Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE).
During the hearing, Grassley said that in 2017, when Barrett was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Democrats suggested Barrett was “too faithful” or “too Catholic” to be a judge.
“One senator asked whether she considered herself an orthodox Catholic,” Grassley said. “Another (Sen. Dianne Feinstein) told her, ‘The dogma lives loudly within you and that is of concern.'”
According to Grassley, that’s unacceptable.
“Let me remind everyone that Article I clearly prohibits religious tests for serving in public office,” he thundered at his fellow senators, none of whom had mentioned religion.
Sasse, too, was full of dire warnings to the Senate and to Barrett herself.
“Your faith, or your lack of faith, are none of the government’s business,” he said.
Hawley decried “anti-Catholic bigotry” at work against Barrett.
“As if you can’t be a devout Catholic and a loyal American,” Hawley said, though no one had questioned it.
Not one Senate Democrat mentioned Barrett’s religion during Monday’s opening remarks.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee issued a statement after Donald Trump announced Barrett’s nomination. It mentioned concerns about her stance on health care, Roe v. Wade, and LGBTQ rights, but nary a word about her Catholic faith.
In fact, prominent Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden — both Catholic themselves — have explicitly stated questions surrounding Barrett’s faith are irrelevant.
Two weeks ago, Pelosi told Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Senate Democrats weren’t worried about Barrett’s religion.
Asked by Tapper if questions about Barrett’s faith should be off-limits, Pelosi agreed they should.
“It’s appropriate for (Senate Democrats) to ask how faithful she would be to the constitution,” Pelosi said, but added that Barrett’s personal faith “doesn’t matter.”
She added that her primary concern was Obamacare, not Barrett’s religious convictions.
“What I am concerned about is anyone that … Trump would have appointed was there to undo the Affordable Care Act,” said Pelosi. “That is why he was in such a hurry.”
Biden, also a practicing Catholic, told reporters Monday that Senate Democrats shouldn’t concern themselves with Barrett’s religious beliefs.
“No, I don’t think there should be any questions about her faith,” he said, adding that nobody’s faith “should be questioned.”
In 2011, Biden defended Mitt Romney against accusations that his Mormon faith should disqualify him from the presidency.
“I find it preposterous that in 2011, we’re debating whether or not a man is qualified or worthy of your vote based on whether or not his religion … is a disqualifying provision,” Biden said at the time.
If elected, Biden would become only the second Catholic to be president in the history of the United States, with the first being the late President John F. Kennedy.
Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) — who Hawley framed as an anti-Christian bigot in his opening remarks Monday — identifies as a Black Baptist, a Protestant Christian denomination, and attends Third Baptist Church of San Francisco.
Five other Catholics sit on the Supreme Court: Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
While only one Senate Democrat voted to confirm Kavanaugh, 59 voted to confirm Sotomayor, 22 voted to confirm Roberts, 11 voted to confirm Thomas, and four voted to confirm Alito.
Of the 22 Catholics currently in the Senate, 12 are Democrats and 10 are Republicans.
Senate Democrats have been clear that Barrett’s faith is not in question. But her legal philosophy and judicial record are fair game.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--The pandemic isn't stopping Black churches from mobilizing voters

For the Rev .
Jimmy Gates Sr. , the 2008 presidential election year was one to remember — and not just because it yielded a historic result as the nation elected its first Black president .
The pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland recalls how , on the last Sunday of early voting before the general election , he and his congregation traveled in a caravan of packed buses , vans , and cars to the city 's Board of Elections office and joined a line of voters that seemed to stretch a mile .
`` What a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Seniors , middle-aged people , young people . ''
In recent election cycles , Black church congregations across the country have launched get-out-the-vote campaigns commonly referred to as `` souls to the polls . ''
To counteract racist voter suppression tactics that date back to the Jim Crow era , early voting in the Black community is stressed from pulpits nearly as much as it is by the candidates seeking their support .
But voter mobilization in Black church communities will look much different in 2020 , due in large part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions across the U.S. and has taken a disproportionate toll on Black America .
Churches have organized socially distant caravans with greatly reduced transportation capacity for early voting and Election Day ballot-casting .
Church volunteers are phone-banking and canvassing the homes of their members to ensure mail-in and absentee ballots are requested and hand-delivered to election board offices or drop boxes before the deadlines .
But outreach has been complicated because many churches have been holding services virtually for months , with some having only recently resumed worship in person .
Black Voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that organizes in 15 states , is trying to help churches assist people who count on a `` souls to the polls '' ride on or before Election Day .
`` It 's not whether there are enough votes out there , '' said Cliff Albright , a co-founder of the group .
`` It 's whether we have the strategy , the resources , and the election protection to make sure that the voters who want to show up are actually able to do so and be counted . ''
The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting rights advocates nationwide to get a sense of how efforts to mobilize Black voters would play out during a deadly pandemic when Black people have been disproportionately affected by virus-related layoffs , and issues of systemic racism are top of mind .
Black Americans have far higher rates of joblessness than the national average and the highest COVID-19 mortality rate of any racial group .
The turbulence of 2020 and fears of contracting the coronavirus have the potential to depress turnout even among reliable segments of Black voters , advocates say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to succeed at a level it did n't in 2016 , compared to 2008 and 2012 , Gates said .
`` We must vote like our life depends on it , '' he said .
`` Yes , we know God takes care of us and is the supplier of all our needs .
But God has given us a will to do the right thing .
You did n't listen to us in 2016 .
So my thing is , do you hear me now ? ''
Some pastors say the coast-to-coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Americans this year have motivated their congregations .
In Minneapolis , where a white officer held his knee to the neck of George Floyd , voters want to see policing reforms at the legislative level , said Bishop Divar L. Bryant-Kemp , pastor of New Mount Calvary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis .
`` I tell people all the time , 'Do n't talk to me about what needs to be changed if you have n't voted to make a change , ' '' he said .
The challenge for Kemp will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A church van used in previous elections recently broke down .
Kemp also understands the pandemic risks all too well .
He contracted the coronavirus in July and was hospitalized for five days , forcing him to stay away from his church for three weeks .
`` We considered renting a van to take them to the polls , but either way we 're going to do it , '' Kemp said .
`` Souls to the polls '' as an idea traces back to the civil rights movement .
The Rev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrepreneur , was assassinated by white supremacists in 1955 , after he helped nearly 100 Black residents register to vote in the town of Belzoni .
The cemetery where Lee is buried has served as a polling place .
`` There was a statement that he once made advocating voting rights : 'Do n't cry for my mama and my daddy .
They 're already gone .
You need to cry for your children that will come along , ' '' said Wardell Walton , Belzoni 's first Black mayor , who served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memory should `` inspire us to continue to move forward despite the obstacles , '' said Walton , 70 .
Across the U.S. , early voting rules vary from state to state , but begin for the vast majority of eligible voters in October at an average of 22 days before the election , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
Initial signs suggest Black voters are indeed intent on casting a ballot this year .
Steady traffic at early voting sites in states like Ohio and strong returns of mailed-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and elsewhere indicate an energized Black electorate .
Even without the hurdles of a pandemic , voter suppression is a persistent election year issue for Black Americans .
The civil rights movement brought about passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 , which prohibited racial discrimination in voting .
Despite the law , efforts to thwart voting for minorities have required constant vigilance .
In some states , suppression worsened because of a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that gutted a section of the law requiring states with a history of racially discriminatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing election laws .
Ahead of the 2012 general election , Republican-controlled state legislatures and local elections officials put limits on early voting periods that `` souls to the polls '' campaigns rely on .
Now , some Black Americans are wary of Donald Trump 's false claims of widespread mail-in voter fraud , along with reported mail delivery problems within the U.S .
Postal Service .
Advocates have decried Trump 's recent call for his most fervent supporters to monitor the polls on Election Day as an attempt at voter intimidation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied this .
Jane Bonner , a 53-year-old health care administrator who attends church at Walk of Faith Cathedral in Austell , just west of Atlanta , said her 91-year-old parents can recall their own experiences with disenfranchisement .
Her mother was denied voter registration when she could not tell the registrar `` the number of days , hours , and minutes until her next birthday , '' she said .
`` I 'm now determined more than ever to go to the polls and cast my ballot in person , as opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keith White , a director of social justice initiatives at Christian Cultural Center , has been petitioning New York City elections officials to allow his predominantly Black church in Brooklyn to serve as a polling location .
Whether or not that happens , the church will use its van and a charter bus to shuttle early voters between now and Election Day , he said .
`` People are concerned about this election and the implication that it might have for our children 's future , '' White said .
`` Folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't think they will be waiting until the last day before Election Day . ''

For the Rev. Jimmy Gates Sr., the 2008 presidential election year was one to remember — and not just because it yielded a historic result as the nation elected its first Black president.
The pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland recalls how, on the last Sunday of early voting before the general election, he and his congregation traveled in a caravan of packed buses, vans, and cars to the city’s Board of Elections office and joined a line of voters that seemed to stretch a mile.
“What a sight to see,” Gates said. “Seniors, middle-aged people, young people.”
In recent election cycles, Black church congregations across the country have launched get-out-the-vote campaigns commonly referred to as “souls to the polls.” To counteract racist voter suppression tactics that date back to the Jim Crow era, early voting in the Black community is stressed from pulpits nearly as much as it is by the candidates seeking their support.
But voter mobilization in Black church communities will look much different in 2020, due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic that has infected millions across the U.S. and has taken a disproportionate toll on Black America.
Churches have organized socially distant caravans with greatly reduced transportation capacity for early voting and Election Day ballot-casting. Church volunteers are phone-banking and canvassing the homes of their members to ensure mail-in and absentee ballots are requested and hand-delivered to election board offices or drop boxes before the deadlines.
But outreach has been complicated because many churches have been holding services virtually for months, with some having only recently resumed worship in person.
Black Voters Matter, a national voting rights group that organizes in 15 states, is trying to help churches assist people who count on a “souls to the polls” ride on or before Election Day.
“It’s not whether there are enough votes out there,” said Cliff Albright, a co-founder of the group. “It’s whether we have the strategy, the resources, and the election protection to make sure that the voters who want to show up are actually able to do so and be counted.”
The Associated Press interviewed pastors, congregants, and voting rights advocates nationwide to get a sense of how efforts to mobilize Black voters would play out during a deadly pandemic when Black people have been disproportionately affected by virus-related layoffs, and issues of systemic racism are top of mind.
Black Americans have far higher rates of joblessness than the national average and the highest COVID-19 mortality rate of any racial group.
The turbulence of 2020 and fears of contracting the coronavirus have the potential to depress turnout even among reliable segments of Black voters, advocates say. So this year’s voter mobilization has to succeed at a level it didn’t in 2016, compared to 2008 and 2012, Gates said.
“We must vote like our life depends on it,” he said. “Yes, we know God takes care of us and is the supplier of all our needs. But God has given us a will to do the right thing. You didn’t listen to us in 2016. So my thing is, do you hear me now?”
Some pastors say the coast-to-coast unrest that followed the police killings of Black Americans this year have motivated their congregations. In Minneapolis, where a white officer held his knee to the neck of George Floyd, voters want to see policing reforms at the legislative level, said Bishop Divar L. Bryant-Kemp, pastor of New Mount Calvary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis.
“I tell people all the time, ‘Don’t talk to me about what needs to be changed if you haven’t voted to make a change,'” he said.
The challenge for Kemp will be getting voters to the polls safely. A church van used in previous elections recently broke down.
Kemp also understands the pandemic risks all too well. He contracted the coronavirus in July and was hospitalized for five days, forcing him to stay away from his church for three weeks.
“We considered renting a van to take them to the polls, but either way we’re going to do it,” Kemp said.
“Souls to the polls” as an idea traces back to the civil rights movement. The Rev. George Lee, a Black Mississippi entrepreneur, was assassinated by white supremacists in 1955, after he helped nearly 100 Black residents register to vote in the town of Belzoni. The cemetery where Lee is buried has served as a polling place.
“There was a statement that he once made advocating voting rights: ‘Don’t cry for my mama and my daddy. They’re already gone. You need to cry for your children that will come along,'” said Wardell Walton, Belzoni’s first Black mayor, who served between 2005 and 2013.
Lee’s memory should “inspire us to continue to move forward despite the obstacles,” said Walton, 70.
Across the U.S., early voting rules vary from state to state, but begin for the vast majority of eligible voters in October at an average of 22 days before the election, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Initial signs suggest Black voters are indeed intent on casting a ballot this year. Steady traffic at early voting sites in states like Ohio and strong returns of mailed-in ballots in North Carolina, Georgia, and elsewhere indicate an energized Black electorate.
Even without the hurdles of a pandemic, voter suppression is a persistent election year issue for Black Americans. The civil rights movement brought about passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
Despite the law, efforts to thwart voting for minorities have required constant vigilance. In some states, suppression worsened because of a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that gutted a section of the law requiring states with a history of racially discriminatory voting rules to get federal approval before changing election laws.
Ahead of the 2012 general election, Republican-controlled state legislatures and local elections officials put limits on early voting periods that “souls to the polls” campaigns rely on.
Now, some Black Americans are wary of Donald Trump’s false claims of widespread mail-in voter fraud, along with reported mail delivery problems within the U.S. Postal Service. Advocates have decried Trump’s recent call for his most fervent supporters to monitor the polls on Election Day as an attempt at voter intimidation in the Black community, although Trump has denied this.
Jane Bonner, a 53-year-old health care administrator who attends church at Walk of Faith Cathedral in Austell, just west of Atlanta, said her 91-year-old parents can recall their own experiences with disenfranchisement. Her mother was denied voter registration when she could not tell the registrar “the number of days, hours, and minutes until her next birthday,” she said.
“I’m now determined more than ever to go to the polls and cast my ballot in person, as opposed to by mail,” Bonner said.
Keith White, a director of social justice initiatives at Christian Cultural Center, has been petitioning New York City elections officials to allow his predominantly Black church in Brooklyn to serve as a polling location. Whether or not that happens, the church will use its van and a charter bus to shuttle early voters between now and Election Day, he said.
“People are concerned about this election and the implication that it might have for our children’s future,” White said. “Folks will be out early. I don’t think they will be waiting until the last day before Election Day.”


shareblue--2020-10-12--Abortion is legal — but it's already impossible to get one in South Dakota

In March and April of 2020 , at least 11 conservative-leaning states used the coronavirus pandemic to try to ban abortion , usually by falsely claiming that it was a `` nonessential '' procedure and medical resources needed to be conserved .
These bans have all expired or are not being enforced , so abortion access has returned to those states .
In South Dakota , though , there was no need for a ban .
There , the availability of abortion is so fragile that access simply never came back once the pandemic made it difficult .
South Dakota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions have n't been available there since March .
The clinic has no doctors who live in the state .
Emily Bisek , a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood , said , `` there 's a stigma in South Dakota , and the onerous restrictions on the care itself make the procedure more time-intensive and challenging to provide . ''
Instead , doctors from Minnesota have traveled there roughly weekly .
This is n't a new development .
Doctors have been flying in and out of South Dakota for 25 years .
In 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirement and began traveling from Minneapolis to South Dakota twice monthly to perform abortions .
By 2015 , four Minnesota doctors were traveling to South Dakota twice a month to provide the procedure .
In March of this year , Planned Parenthood , which runs the only clinic left in the state , decided to stop having doctors travel to South Dakota because they were concerned for doctor and patient safety during the pandemic .
Even before the coronavirus , the state was doing everything it could to make abortion nearly impossible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72-hour waiting period .
There 's a ban on almost all abortions after 20 weeks .
There 's a parental notification law .
And since the state also bans telemedicine for the use of medication abortions , there 's no way doctors can provide services while out of state .
As the nomination of anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett progresses , there is a good deal of focus on what happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned .
South Dakota is proof that abortion does n't need to be abolished to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the procedure nearly — but not wholly — impossible to obtain , any imbalance or disturbance in availability can eradicate access .
And , as South Dakota is currently experiencing the worst per capita outbreak of coronavirus in the country , the likelihood doctors will be able to fly in and out to provide abortion services remains low .
It 's a reminder that abortion access in many states is already so tenuous that there 's no real need for a new Supreme Court justice to stop abortions from happening — they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

In March and April of 2020, at least 11 conservative-leaning states used the coronavirus pandemic to try to ban abortion, usually by falsely claiming that it was a “nonessential” procedure and medical resources needed to be conserved. These bans have all expired or are not being enforced, so abortion access has returned to those states.
In South Dakota, though, there was no need for a ban. There, the availability of abortion is so fragile that access simply never came back once the pandemic made it difficult.
South Dakota only has one abortion clinic, and abortions haven’t been available there since March. The clinic has no doctors who live in the state.
Emily Bisek, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, said, “there’s a stigma in South Dakota, and the onerous restrictions on the care itself make the procedure more time-intensive and challenging to provide.”
Instead, doctors from Minnesota have traveled there roughly weekly. This isn’t a new development. Doctors have been flying in and out of South Dakota for 25 years. In 2006, 70-year-old Miriam McCreary came out of retirement and began traveling from Minneapolis to South Dakota twice monthly to perform abortions. By 2015, four Minnesota doctors were traveling to South Dakota twice a month to provide the procedure.
In March of this year, Planned Parenthood, which runs the only clinic left in the state, decided to stop having doctors travel to South Dakota because they were concerned for doctor and patient safety during the pandemic.
Even before the coronavirus, the state was doing everything it could to make abortion nearly impossible. The state has mandatory counseling and a 72-hour waiting period. There’s a ban on almost all abortions after 20 weeks. There’s a parental notification law. And since the state also bans telemedicine for the use of medication abortions, there’s no way doctors can provide services while out of state.
As the nomination of anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett progresses, there is a good deal of focus on what happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned. South Dakota is proof that abortion doesn’t need to be abolished to make it unavailable.
If states simply make the procedure nearly — but not wholly — impossible to obtain, any imbalance or disturbance in availability can eradicate access. And, as South Dakota is currently experiencing the worst per capita outbreak of coronavirus in the country, the likelihood doctors will be able to fly in and out to provide abortion services remains low.
It’s a reminder that abortion access in many states is already so tenuous that there’s no real need for a new Supreme Court justice to stop abortions from happening — they already aren’t.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--Susan Collins swears she's 'pro-choice' despite hundreds of votes that say otherwise

Trailing in her reelection race , Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) claimed Friday to be pro-choice and suggested that abortion is a `` settled '' issue .
But she has voted to confirm dozens of Donald Trump 's anti-abortion judicial nominees .
`` I am pro-choice and I 've always been pro-choice , '' Collins said in a Maine Public Radio interview .
`` I think of this as more of a constitutional issue that was settled some 47 or however many years ago , and reaffirmed in Casey v. Planned Parenthood . ''
But the right to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Trump seeks to ram through his nomination of anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett before the November election .
If confirmed , she will give conservatives a 6-to-3 majority on the high court .
As a candidate in 2016 , Trump made it clear that he would seek to eliminate abortion rights through his judicial appointments .
`` I am pro-life and I will be appointing pro-life judges , '' he said in one of his debates against Hillary Clinton .
`` If we put another two or perhaps three justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is really what will happen .
That will happen automatically in my opinion . ''
In a speech to the anti-abortion March for Life in January , he bragged that he had kept his word as part of his `` historic action '' to `` protect the unborn . ''
`` To uphold our founding documents , we have confirmed 187 federal judges , '' Trump said , `` who apply the Constitution as written , including two phenomenal Supreme Court justices : Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh . ''
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 215 judicial appointees .
Collins has voted to confirm nearly every one of them .
This includes dozens of judges who worked to undermine abortion rights before their confirmation or after joining the federal bench .
According to the Alliance for Justice Action Campaign , a progressive judicial advocacy group , Collins voted for 11 of the 15 Trump judicial nominees with the worst records on reproductive health .
Collins voted for both of Trump 's Supreme Court justices and , despite clear indications that both were anti-abortion , argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both have already voted to uphold unconstitutional abortion rights restrictions since their confirmations .
In June 2019 , a spokesperson for the senator told HuffPo that Collins does not consider judicial nominees ' `` personal beliefs , political or otherwise , '' but does `` evaluate whether a nominee can set aside these beliefs and rule fairly and impartially . ''
In a debate in September against her Democratic challenger , Maine state House Speaker Sara Gideon , and two independent candidates , Collins claimed that she has been `` remarkably consistent '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judges that have come up for Senate votes since 1997 .
Polls show Collins trailing Gideon by an average of 3.7 points as she seeks a fifth term in the Senate .
A spokesperson for NARAL Pro-Choice America , which has endorsed Gideon after once backing Collins in the past , said in a statement released to the media Friday that Collins ' comments do not jibe with her record : `` What 's clear is that Susan Collins knowingly sold out women and families in Maine and across the country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to mask her betrayal .
Susan Collins will continue to try to rewrite history ... but her record speaks for itself . ''
A spokesperson for Collins did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Trailing in her reelection race, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) claimed Friday to be pro-choice and suggested that abortion is a “settled” issue. But she has voted to confirm dozens of Donald Trump’s anti-abortion judicial nominees.
“I am pro-choice and I’ve always been pro-choice,” Collins said in a Maine Public Radio interview. “I think of this as more of a constitutional issue that was settled some 47 or however many years ago, and reaffirmed in Casey v. Planned Parenthood.”
But the right to an abortion is very much in flux, as Trump seeks to ram through his nomination of anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett before the November election. If confirmed, she will give conservatives a 6-to-3 majority on the high court.
As a candidate in 2016, Trump made it clear that he would seek to eliminate abortion rights through his judicial appointments. “I am pro-life and I will be appointing pro-life judges,” he said in one of his debates against Hillary Clinton. “If we put another two or perhaps three justices on [the Supreme Court], that is really what will happen. That will happen automatically in my opinion.”
In a speech to the anti-abortion March for Life in January, he bragged that he had kept his word as part of his “historic action” to “protect the unborn.”
“To uphold our founding documents, we have confirmed 187 federal judges,” Trump said, “who apply the Constitution as written, including two phenomenal Supreme Court justices: Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.”
As of September, that number has grown to more than 215 judicial appointees. Collins has voted to confirm nearly every one of them.
This includes dozens of judges who worked to undermine abortion rights before their confirmation or after joining the federal bench.
According to the Alliance for Justice Action Campaign, a progressive judicial advocacy group, Collins voted for 11 of the 15 Trump judicial nominees with the worst records on reproductive health.
Collins voted for both of Trump’s Supreme Court justices and, despite clear indications that both were anti-abortion, argued that they would preserve Roe v. Wade.
Both have already voted to uphold unconstitutional abortion rights restrictions since their confirmations.
In June 2019, a spokesperson for the senator told HuffPo that Collins does not consider judicial nominees’ “personal beliefs, political or otherwise,” but does “evaluate whether a nominee can set aside these beliefs and rule fairly and impartially.”
In a debate in September against her Democratic challenger, Maine state House Speaker Sara Gideon, and two independent candidates, Collins claimed that she has been “remarkably consistent” by voting to confirm nearly all of the judges that have come up for Senate votes since 1997.
Polls show Collins trailing Gideon by an average of 3.7 points as she seeks a fifth term in the Senate.
A spokesperson for NARAL Pro-Choice America, which has endorsed Gideon after once backing Collins in the past, said in a statement released to the media Friday that Collins’ comments do not jibe with her record: “What’s clear is that Susan Collins knowingly sold out women and families in Maine and across the country to score political points. Now she is trying to mask her betrayal. Susan Collins will continue to try to rewrite history…but her record speaks for itself.”
A spokesperson for Collins did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--Trump campaign 'Pride' event mysteriously makes no mention of LGBTQ people

Donald Trump 's campaign will host a `` Pride '' event on Tuesday .
But mysteriously , the invitation makes no mention of the LGBTQ community .
The Trump campaign announced Saturday that Trump 's daughter-in-law Lara Trump and his former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell would headline the free event in Newtown Square , Pennsylvania .
The invitation and RSVP page called it only a `` Trump Pride '' event , without indicating anything about what that means or whether it was intended for LGBTQ Trump supporters .
The Trump campaign did not immediately offer any additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign website claims that Trump is `` the only President to openly support the LGBT community since his first day in office , '' and that he has supported and enacted `` policies and initiatives that protect the wellbeing and prosperity of all gay , lesbian , bisexual , and transgender Americans . ''
In reality , Trump 's record on LGBTQ rights has been disastrous .
During the 2016 presidential election , Trump ran on opposing marriage equality and the right of transgender people to use bathrooms that reflect their gender identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he and his administration have made at least 175 attacks on LGBTQ rights , many of them targeting transgender Americans .
The administration has worked to make it easier to discriminate against transgender people in the military , in schools , in hospitals , and even in homeless shelters .
The Trump administration intervened ( unsuccessfully ) in the historic Supreme Court ruling that barred anti-LGBTQ job discrimination .
And Trump and his allies have opposed the Equality Act , which would explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump campaign 's outreach efforts to the LGBTQ community amount to little more than a cynical political ploy , according to national LGBTQ rights advocates .
`` I take that to be less of a strategy actually about getting the votes of LGBTQ people , and more a strategy of attempting to get those equality-adjacent voters , people who don ’ t like supporting candidates who are anti-LGBTQ , and trying to give them a little bit of breathing room , '' Lucas Acosta , the deputy communications director of politics for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Independent Foundation in September .
In a Fox News appearance last month , Eric Trump praised the LGBTQ community as `` incredible , '' and suggested that queer and transgender Americans support his father `` in full force . ''
That claim does n't exactly stand up to scrutiny .
A GLAAD poll conducted last month found that 74 % of LGBTQ registered voters favor former Vice President Joe Biden , while just 17 % of respondents said they support Trump .
`` The LGBTQ community is indeed incredible , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shameful and abysmal , '' GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis tweeted in response to Eric Trump 's comments .
`` The Trump family and their surrogates lie about widespread support in our community .
LGBTQ voters will not fall for it . ''
On top of trying to obscure Trump 's unpopular anti-LGBTQ positions , the Trump campaign has tried to raise money by selling `` Trump Pride '' swag .
For $ 25 , supporters can buy a `` Make America Great Again Pride Tee '' to show their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 45th President . ''
Trump has refused to issue an official Pride Month proclamation at any point in his presidency , though he did designate June to be `` Great Outdoors Month , '' `` National Ocean Month , '' `` National Caribbean-American Heritage Month , '' `` African-American Music Appreciation Month , '' and `` National Homeownership Month . ''
LGBTQ rights activist and radio host Michelangelo Signorile tweeted that the Trump Pride event was `` closeted , '' noting that `` neither 'gay ' nor 'LGBTQ ' is mentioned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole thing is in code : 'Pride ' in rainbow letters . ''
By contrast , former Vice President Joe Biden , has been endorsed by virtually every major LGBTQ rights group and more than 300 LGBTQ leaders .
Biden has been explicit about his support for equal rights for queer and transgender Americans .
`` I want every member of the LGBTQ+ community to know you are loved and accepted just as you are — whether you 've come out or not , '' Biden tweeted on Sunday in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll fight every day in the White House to create a country where you can live open , proud , and free — without fear . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s campaign will host a “Pride” event on Tuesday. But mysteriously, the invitation makes no mention of the LGBTQ community.
The Trump campaign announced Saturday that Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump and his former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell would headline the free event in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The invitation and RSVP page called it only a “Trump Pride” event, without indicating anything about what that means or whether it was intended for LGBTQ Trump supporters.
The Trump campaign did not immediately offer any additional details about the event.
The Trump campaign website claims that Trump is “the only President to openly support the LGBT community since his first day in office,” and that he has supported and enacted “policies and initiatives that protect the wellbeing and prosperity of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans.”
In reality, Trump’s record on LGBTQ rights has been disastrous. During the 2016 presidential election, Trump ran on opposing marriage equality and the right of transgender people to use bathrooms that reflect their gender identity.
Since Trump took office in 2017, he and his administration have made at least 175 attacks on LGBTQ rights, many of them targeting transgender Americans. The administration has worked to make it easier to discriminate against transgender people in the military, in schools, in hospitals, and even in homeless shelters.
The Trump administration intervened (unsuccessfully) in the historic Supreme Court ruling that barred anti-LGBTQ job discrimination. And Trump and his allies have opposed the Equality Act, which would explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
The Trump campaign’s outreach efforts to the LGBTQ community amount to little more than a cynical political ploy, according to national LGBTQ rights advocates.
“I take that to be less of a strategy actually about getting the votes of LGBTQ people, and more a strategy of attempting to get those equality-adjacent voters, people who don’t like supporting candidates who are anti-LGBTQ, and trying to give them a little bit of breathing room,” Lucas Acosta, the deputy communications director of politics for the Human Rights Campaign, told The American Independent Foundation in September.
In a Fox News appearance last month, Eric Trump praised the LGBTQ community as “incredible,” and suggested that queer and transgender Americans support his father “in full force.”
That claim doesn’t exactly stand up to scrutiny. A GLAAD poll conducted last month found that 74% of LGBTQ registered voters favor former Vice President Joe Biden, while just 17% of respondents said they support Trump.
“The LGBTQ community is indeed incredible, but the Trump Administration’s record on LGBTQ issues is shameful and abysmal,” GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis tweeted in response to Eric Trump’s comments. “The Trump family and their surrogates lie about widespread support in our community. LGBTQ voters will not fall for it.”
On top of trying to obscure Trump’s unpopular anti-LGBTQ positions, the Trump campaign has tried to raise money by selling “Trump Pride” swag. For $25, supporters can buy a “Make America Great Again Pride Tee” to show their “support for the LGBT community and the 45th President.”
Trump has refused to issue an official Pride Month proclamation at any point in his presidency, though he did designate June to be “Great Outdoors Month,” “National Ocean Month,” “National Caribbean-American Heritage Month,” “African-American Music Appreciation Month,” and “National Homeownership Month.”
LGBTQ rights activist and radio host Michelangelo Signorile tweeted that the Trump Pride event was “closeted,” noting that “neither ‘gay’ nor ‘LGBTQ’ is mentioned, Trump himself is not involved, and the whole thing is in code: ‘Pride’ in rainbow letters.”
By contrast, former Vice President Joe Biden, has been endorsed by virtually every major LGBTQ rights group and more than 300 LGBTQ leaders.
Biden has been explicit about his support for equal rights for queer and transgender Americans.
“I want every member of the LGBTQ+ community to know you are loved and accepted just as you are — whether you’ve come out or not,” Biden tweeted on Sunday in support of National Coming Out Day. “I’ll fight every day in the White House to create a country where you can live open, proud, and free — without fear.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--Lindsey Graham says senators don't need to be tested despite COVID exposure

During a break in Monday morning 's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) told reporters he feels no need to test senators for coronavirus before the hearing continues .
Many had questions after Sen. Mike Lee ( R-UT ) attended the hearing in person today and delivered his opening statement maskless , despite testing positive for coronavirus 10 days ago .
Graham himself has drawn scrutiny by refusing to take a test prior to a scheduled debate Friday against Jaime Harrison , his Democratic challenger for the South Carolina Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's refusal .
`` All I can say is , I do n't know what it 's like at CNN , but you ca n't demand that all of your colleagues be tested before you go to work if there 's no reason , '' Graham told reporters on Monday .
`` I was tested a week ago Friday .
I was negative .
I feel fine . ''
He said the confirmation hearing was being held safely and was CDC-compliant and that he would leave testing up to the discretion of individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CDC guidelines , many senators at the confirmation hearing , including Lee and Graham , removed their masks at various points during the proceedings .
CDC guidelines also indicate that individuals should self-quarantine for up to 14 days after exposure to a COVID-positive person .
While Graham attended the superspreader Rose Garden event to announce Barrett 's nomination 16 days ago , it 's unclear whether he has been in close contact with other infected individuals in the last 14 days .
But Graham made it clear that the Senate will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can say is , I do n't know what it 's like at CNN , but you ca n't demand that all of your colleagues be tested before you to work if there 's no reason .
I was tested a week ago Friday , I was negative .
I feel fine .
The CDC guidelines do not require quarantine or testing in my case in my case , and I leave it up to every member , but there are millions of Americans going to work today in restaurants , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't demand they wo n't come to work unless everyone around them is tested , whether they need to or not .
So we 're running this hearing safely , it 's been set up CDC-compliant , and we 'll move forward .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

During a break in Monday morning’s confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told reporters he feels no need to test senators for coronavirus before the hearing continues.
Many had questions after Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) attended the hearing in person today and delivered his opening statement maskless, despite testing positive for coronavirus 10 days ago.
Graham himself has drawn scrutiny by refusing to take a test prior to a scheduled debate Friday against Jaime Harrison, his Democratic challenger for the South Carolina Senate. The debate was canceled after Graham’s refusal.
“All I can say is, I don’t know what it’s like at CNN, but you can’t demand that all of your colleagues be tested before you go to work if there’s no reason,” Graham told reporters on Monday. “I was tested a week ago Friday. I was negative. I feel fine.”
He said the confirmation hearing was being held safely and was CDC-compliant and that he would leave testing up to the discretion of individual members of the Senate. But contrary to CDC guidelines, many senators at the confirmation hearing, including Lee and Graham, removed their masks at various points during the proceedings.
CDC guidelines also indicate that individuals should self-quarantine for up to 14 days after exposure to a COVID-positive person.
While Graham attended the superspreader Rose Garden event to announce Barrett’s nomination 16 days ago, it’s unclear whether he has been in close contact with other infected individuals in the last 14 days.
But Graham made it clear that the Senate will continue without testing participants.
“We’ll move forward,” Graham said.
GRAHAM: All I can say is, I don’t know what it’s like at CNN, but you can’t demand that all of your colleagues be tested before you to work if there’s no reason. I was tested a week ago Friday, I was negative. I feel fine. The CDC guidelines do not require quarantine or testing in my case in my case, and I leave it up to every member, but there are millions of Americans going to work today in restaurants, police officers, you name it, who can’t demand they won’t come to work unless everyone around them is tested, whether they need to or not. So we’re running this hearing safely, it’s been set up CDC-compliant, and we’ll move forward.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--Election Day is 3 weeks away — but how long will it take to know who won?

How soon will we know the results of the U.S. election ?
A shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of the 2020 presidential race on election night , Nov. 3 .
But that does n't mean the results will be flawed or fraudulent .
Donald Trump has repeatedly raised unsubstantiated fears of fraud involving mail-in voting , which is expected to be more widely used in the November election out of concern for safety given the coronavirus pandemic .
Election officials in some key battleground states have warned that it might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they expect will be a surge of ballots sent by mail .
Because processing mail ballots is more laborious than in-person voting , states that have n't updated their laws and systems for the different workload can see delays .
But a presidential election has n't been left in limbo since 2000 , when ballot irregularities in Florida led to weeks of chaos and court fights .
While each state runs its own process , mail ballots can take longer to count .
In some states , the ballots can be accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as they are postmarked before polls closed .
And while some states count the ballots as they come in , others — notably the critical battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — have laws that forbid processing mail ballots until Election Day , guaranteeing the count will extend well past that night .

How soon will we know the results of the U.S. election?
A shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of the 2020 presidential race on election night, Nov. 3. But that doesn’t mean the results will be flawed or fraudulent.
Donald Trump has repeatedly raised unsubstantiated fears of fraud involving mail-in voting, which is expected to be more widely used in the November election out of concern for safety given the coronavirus pandemic.
Election officials in some key battleground states have warned that it might take days to count the votes given what they expect will be a surge of ballots sent by mail.
Because processing mail ballots is more laborious than in-person voting, states that haven’t updated their laws and systems for the different workload can see delays. But a presidential election hasn’t been left in limbo since 2000, when ballot irregularities in Florida led to weeks of chaos and court fights.
While each state runs its own process, mail ballots can take longer to count. In some states, the ballots can be accepted several days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked before polls closed. And while some states count the ballots as they come in, others — notably the critical battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — have laws that forbid processing mail ballots until Election Day, guaranteeing the count will extend well past that night.
[media-credit name=”AP Election Resource Group” align=”aligncenter” width=”750″] [/media-credit]


shareblue--2020-10-12--Trump spends his morning pushing candidates with zero chance of winning

Donald Trump spent his Monday morning both endorsing and retweeting GOP challengers running against House Democrats he despises — even though those Republican candidates have no shot at all at winning .
Trump retweeted and endorsed challengers to Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff , Maxine Waters , and Karen Bass of California , and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland .
Hillary Clinton carried their districts by at least 50 points in 2016 ; they are nearly impossible for a Republican to flip .
However , Trump has feuded with those Democratic lawmakers and therefore is promoting their challengers .
In the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to virtually certain losers while ignoring actual competitive races in the Senate that Republicans are at risk of losing and in which they face fundraising deficits thanks to the grassroots donors flooding Democratic candidates ' war chests .
For example , Trump fired off multiple retweets of Eric Early , Schiff 's GOP challenger , even though Schiff is all but guaranteed to win .
Schiff won reelection in 2018 with nearly 80 % of the vote , and Clinton carried the seat in 2016 by a 50-point margin .
Trump hates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings that led to Trump 's impeachment .
`` Californians deserve better than Adam Schiff as their Congressman , '' reads Early 's tweet that Trump retweeted .
`` The American people deserve better than Adam Schiff as the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee .
We do n't have to settle .
We can vote this Schiff OUT !
I need your support . ''
Trump also endorsed Joe E. Collins III , the GOP challenger to Waters , even though Clinton carried Waters ' district by a whopping 62 points in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkered past , including allegedly being part of the `` sovereign citizens movement , '' whose adherents believe `` they get to decide which laws to obey and which to ignore , and they do n't think they should have to pay taxes , '' according to the Southern Poverty Law Center .
`` Maxine Waters has long been considered 'the most corrupt person in Congress ' .
Only habit keeps her there .
Vote for Joe E. Collins lll and get this long time CROOK , Maxine Waters , out of office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linking to a donation page for Collins ' campaign .
Trump also retweeted a fundraising appeal from Errol Webber , the GOP candidate running against Bass : `` If you 're a Republican in California and you think your vote does n't count , you are just listening to the propaganda they want you to hear .
Your vote matters .
This year more than any other year .
We can flip this whole state .
Help me do it ! ''
Clinton won Bass ' district by 76 % in 2016 ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic districts in the country .
And finally , Trump promoted the candidacy of Kimberly Klacik , who has become a Fox News darling , in her certain-to-fail bid against Mfume in Maryland 's 7th Congressional District .
Mfume already defeated Klacik in an April special election to succeed the late Rep. Elijah Cummings , whom Trump smeared for representing what he called `` corrupt '' Baltimore .
Mfume beat Klacik 75 % to 25 % — and there are no signs that Klacik has turned her fortunes around to win in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals for Senate Republicans running for reelection this fall , even though the chamber is at serious risk of flipping to Democrats .
FiveThirtyEight 's current Senate forecast says Democrats are slight favorites to win a majority , needing to pick up a net three seats to capture the majority if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins .
And in the final days of the race , Democratic candidates are posting massive fundraising hauls thanks to enthusiasm from grassroots donors in the wake of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations is terrifying GOP consultants .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump spent his Monday morning both endorsing and retweeting GOP challengers running against House Democrats he despises — even though those Republican candidates have no shot at all at winning.
Trump retweeted and endorsed challengers to Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Maxine Waters, and Karen Bass of California, and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland. Hillary Clinton carried their districts by at least 50 points in 2016; they are nearly impossible for a Republican to flip.
However, Trump has feuded with those Democratic lawmakers and therefore is promoting their challengers. In the process, he’s wasting his time directing resources to virtually certain losers while ignoring actual competitive races in the Senate that Republicans are at risk of losing and in which they face fundraising deficits thanks to the grassroots donors flooding Democratic candidates’ war chests.
For example, Trump fired off multiple retweets of Eric Early, Schiff’s GOP challenger, even though Schiff is all but guaranteed to win. Schiff won reelection in 2018 with nearly 80% of the vote, and Clinton carried the seat in 2016 by a 50-point margin.
Trump hates Schiff because he ran the investigation and hearings that led to Trump’s impeachment.
“Californians deserve better than Adam Schiff as their Congressman,” reads Early’s tweet that Trump retweeted. “The American people deserve better than Adam Schiff as the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee. We don’t have to settle. We can vote this Schiff OUT! I need your support.”
Trump also endorsed Joe E. Collins III, the GOP challenger to Waters, even though Clinton carried Waters’ district by a whopping 62 points in 2016.
Waters’ challenger has a checkered past, including allegedly being part of the “sovereign citizens movement,” whose adherents believe “they get to decide which laws to obey and which to ignore, and they don’t think they should have to pay taxes,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“Maxine Waters has long been considered ‘the most corrupt person in Congress’. Only habit keeps her there. Vote for Joe E. Collins lll and get this long time CROOK, Maxine Waters, out of office!!!” Trump tweeted, linking to a donation page for Collins’ campaign.
Trump also retweeted a fundraising appeal from Errol Webber, the GOP candidate running against Bass: “If you’re a Republican in California and you think your vote doesn’t count, you are just listening to the propaganda they want you to hear. Your vote matters. This year more than any other year. We can flip this whole state. Help me do it!”
Clinton won Bass’ district by 76% in 2016; it is one of the most heavily Democratic districts in the country.
And finally, Trump promoted the candidacy of Kimberly Klacik, who has become a Fox News darling, in her certain-to-fail bid against Mfume in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District.
Mfume already defeated Klacik in an April special election to succeed the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, whom Trump smeared for representing what he called “corrupt” Baltimore. Mfume beat Klacik 75% to 25% — and there are no signs that Klacik has turned her fortunes around to win in three weeks.
Trump did not tweet any appeals for Senate Republicans running for reelection this fall, even though the chamber is at serious risk of flipping to Democrats.
FiveThirtyEight’s current Senate forecast says Democrats are slight favorites to win a majority, needing to pick up a net three seats to capture the majority if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins.
And in the final days of the race, Democratic candidates are posting massive fundraising hauls thanks to enthusiasm from grassroots donors in the wake of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. Politico reports that the huge influx of donations is terrifying GOP consultants.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-12--Conservative group launches racist ads to help Missouri governor's campaign

A conservative political action committee in Missouri is facing accusations of racism after posting a website that uses images of violent protests and photos of Black politicians to attack the Democratic candidate for governor on her support for police .
Nicole Galloway , Missouri 's state auditor , is trying to unseat Republican Gov .
Mike Parson , a former sheriff running on a `` law-and-order '' platform .
The website recently set up by the Uniting Missouri PAC has the heading , `` Nicole Galloway 's anti-policing allies '' and says , `` If you want to know where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports . ''
The site includes photos of Black politicians and activists Cori Bush and Rasheen Aldridge of St. Louis , and Clem Smith , a Black man who is the acting chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party .
Also pictured are mixed-race members of the Sunrise Movement .
Video in the background shows violent scenes from protests .
Several Democrats , along with St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger and the Kansas City Star editorial board , contend it 's more than coincidental that the imagery overwhelmingly involves Black people .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dog whistle .
It 's a bullhorn , '' said Lindsey Simmons , a Democrat running for the U.S. House in Missouri 's 4th District against incumbent Republican Vicky Hartzler .
`` They are directly saying , 'Hey , be afraid of Nicole Galloway , she is pro-crime , because look at the Black people she hangs out with , and they 're pro-crime , too . '
That is just incredibly , overtly racist . ''
Parson 's campaign is not involved in the website .
His campaign did not return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman John Hancock denied any racist intent , saying the people pictured meet two criteria : They support Galloway , and they `` hold documented radical anti-law enforcement views . ''
`` The website simply compiles unedited statements from Nicole Galloway 's allies advocating for defunding the police , freeing convicted cop killers , and even setting fire to a police station , '' Hancock said in an email .
`` If Nicole does n't want to face criticism for endorsing candidates that want to defund the police , then she should rescind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as that , '' Hancock said .
Galloway campaign spokesman Kevin Donohoe said in a statement that the website is evidence that Parson 's allies `` are desperately trying to divide Missourians to distract from Governor Parson 's failures on crime , law and order , healthcare , and the pandemic . ''
Bush and Aldridge are longtime activist leaders in St. Louis .
Bush pulled a stunning political upset in August , defeating 10-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouri 's 1st District primary .
She 's expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a St. Louis district in the Missouri House .
Smith was a five-term state representative who was named acting chair of the Missouri Democratic Party in July .
The site includes a tweet from Bush that reads , `` We need to defund the police and make sure that money goes back into the communities that need it . ''
It cites a June story on KSDK-TV 's website in which Aldridge said activist demands include defunding police and payment of reparations for past racism .
The site references a news article that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` immediate freedom '' of a man serving life imprisonment without parole after killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981 .
Clarissa Rile Hayward , a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis with expertise in the relationship between race and politics , said there are plenty of activists of other races with similar views who could have been pictured .
She said the site smacks of the `` Southern strategy '' of communicating a racist message through coded language rather than overt racism .
`` The message is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she 's on their side , ' '' Hayward said .
`` I think it 's pretty heavy-handed and I think there 's a racist subtext that 's not hard to see and is not subtle . ''
Opinion writers for the state 's two largest newspapers also have taken exception to the website .
A Star editorial on Wednesday accused Uniting Missouri of `` using an ugly tactic in their campaign '' against Galloway .
Messenger wrote on Tuesday that it 's not enough for Parson to stand on his own record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign , or the one run by his sidekicks , is the little boy in the movie 'Sixth Sense , ' with a little racist twist : ' I see Black people , ' '' Messenger wrote .

A conservative political action committee in Missouri is facing accusations of racism after posting a website that uses images of violent protests and photos of Black politicians to attack the Democratic candidate for governor on her support for police.
Nicole Galloway, Missouri’s state auditor, is trying to unseat Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a former sheriff running on a “law-and-order” platform. The website recently set up by the Uniting Missouri PAC has the heading, “Nicole Galloway’s anti-policing allies” and says, “If you want to know where Galloway stands, look at who she supports.”
The site includes photos of Black politicians and activists Cori Bush and Rasheen Aldridge of St. Louis, and Clem Smith, a Black man who is the acting chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party. Also pictured are mixed-race members of the Sunrise Movement. Video in the background shows violent scenes from protests.
Several Democrats, along with St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger and the Kansas City Star editorial board, contend it’s more than coincidental that the imagery overwhelmingly involves Black people.
“To me, it is not just a dog whistle. It’s a bullhorn,” said Lindsey Simmons, a Democrat running for the U.S. House in Missouri’s 4th District against incumbent Republican Vicky Hartzler. “They are directly saying, ‘Hey, be afraid of Nicole Galloway, she is pro-crime, because look at the Black people she hangs out with, and they’re pro-crime, too.’ That is just incredibly, overtly racist.”
Parson’s campaign is not involved in the website. His campaign did not return email messages seeking comment.
Uniting Missouri Chairman John Hancock denied any racist intent, saying the people pictured meet two criteria: They support Galloway, and they “hold documented radical anti-law enforcement views.”
“The website simply compiles unedited statements from Nicole Galloway’s allies advocating for defunding the police, freeing convicted cop killers, and even setting fire to a police station,” Hancock said in an email.
“If Nicole doesn’t want to face criticism for endorsing candidates that want to defund the police, then she should rescind her endorsements — it’s as simple as that,” Hancock said.
Galloway campaign spokesman Kevin Donohoe said in a statement that the website is evidence that Parson’s allies “are desperately trying to divide Missourians to distract from Governor Parson’s failures on crime, law and order, healthcare, and the pandemic.”
Bush and Aldridge are longtime activist leaders in St. Louis. Bush pulled a stunning political upset in August, defeating 10-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouri’s 1st District primary. She’s expected to win easily in November. Aldridge represents a St. Louis district in the Missouri House. Smith was a five-term state representative who was named acting chair of the Missouri Democratic Party in July.
The site includes a tweet from Bush that reads, “We need to defund the police and make sure that money goes back into the communities that need it.” It cites a June story on KSDK-TV’s website in which Aldridge said activist demands include defunding police and payment of reparations for past racism.
The site references a news article that said Smith signed a letter calling for the “immediate freedom” of a man serving life imprisonment without parole after killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.
Clarissa Rile Hayward, a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis with expertise in the relationship between race and politics, said there are plenty of activists of other races with similar views who could have been pictured. She said the site smacks of the “Southern strategy” of communicating a racist message through coded language rather than overt racism.
“The message is, ‘Galloway is not on your side; she’s on their side,'” Hayward said. “I think it’s pretty heavy-handed and I think there’s a racist subtext that’s not hard to see and is not subtle.”
Opinion writers for the state’s two largest newspapers also have taken exception to the website.
A Star editorial on Wednesday accused Uniting Missouri of “using an ugly tactic in their campaign” against Galloway. Messenger wrote on Tuesday that it’s not enough for Parson to stand on his own record as sheriff.
“It’s like his campaign, or the one run by his sidekicks, is the little boy in the movie ‘Sixth Sense,’ with a little racist twist: ‘I see Black people,'” Messenger wrote.