shareblue--2020-08-03--Time is running out for Trump to make a comeback as early voting nears

Donald Trump is privately reassuring Republicans anxious about his deficits to Democrat Joe Biden , noting there are three months until Election Day and reminding them of the late-breaking events that propelled his 2016 comeback .
But four years later , the dynamics are very different .
Aides are increasingly worried that the 2020 campaign may already be defined as a referendum on Trump 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and will feature a historic shift to remote and early vote options .
The Trump campaign is scrambling for a reset , pausing advertisements while struggling to find both a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put Trump on the road in front of voters .
Trump added to the tumult by publicly wondering if the election should be delayed while making the unfounded claim that the tilt toward mail-in balloting would lead to widespread voter fraud .
That suggestion drew a rare rebuke from Republicans , many of whom quietly warned the White House that it could be interpreted as an admission that Trump was losing and could hurt their chances of retaining the Senate .
And they warned that time is running out : The first state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground of North Carolina , begins the process Sept. 4 .
`` He 's losing and the trajectory of the race is moving away from him , '' said Steve Schmidt , a senior adviser on Republican John McCain 's 2008 presidential campaign and an opponent of Trump 's reelection .
`` People vote at a moment in time : Even if there is something of a political recovery for the president in October , that is irrelevant for those who already voted . ''
A sudden halt in Trump 's expensive television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge .
It came just two weeks after a staffing shakeup and two months after Trump 's previous campaign manager unleashed a `` Death Star '' ad blitz on Biden that only coincided with Trump 's support falling even further .
The campaign downplayed the ad pause , saying that the new campaign manager , Bill Stepien , wanted to analyze when and where Trump 's advertising message was being delivered .
A significant amount of TV ad time has already been reserved from Labor Day until the election , and the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The purchase was made with an eye on the new electoral calendar .
The old adage that most of America does n't start paying attention to a campaign until Labor Day has been tossed aside in a year in which the novel coronavirus has killed more than 150,000 people in the U.S. and rewritten the rules of American society .
The new ad campaign will be a national buy but also target states that are among the earliest to vote .
Trump campaign officials said the focus in August will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballots will be cast before Election Day .
`` The digital countdown clock on the wall may say 90-some days , but we all know the calendar is condensed with early voting , '' said campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh .
Still , the Trump campaign has been wavering for weeks .
It has struggled to land effective blows on Biden .
Trump and his allies have recently sought to tie Biden to the extreme leftist elements of his party , an uneasy fit for a moderate who has been in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The campaign has all but pulled the plug on competing in Michigan and , privately , acknowledges deficits in vital battleground states like Florida , Wisconsin , and Arizona , though it insists the margins are manageable and smaller than what is reflected in public polling .
They also downplayed the chances of losing reliably Republican states , though Trump did make a campaign stop in Texas last week .
Trump 's support collapsed after the pandemic reached America 's shores and crushed its economy .
With the Republican National Convention scaled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump is running out of headline-grabbing set pieces to change the momentum of the race .
Many around Trump are focused on the debates as perhaps the best chance , pushing for more showdowns with Biden to increase the chance of the former vice president faltering on stage .
`` A lot of people are going to start voting before Sept. 29 .
The idea that they would not have seen one presidential debate by then , to me , seems ridiculous , '' said former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we should either move the dates up or add additional debates . ''
Trump 's advisers are also trying to re-imagine a campaign without its trademark rallies .
Trump has been traveling to both smaller campaign gatherings and official events in swing states — on Friday , he attended one of each in Florida — and White House aides are readying a calendar full of day trips for the weeks ahead .
The convention is also being redrawn .
Trump will likely travel several times during the last week of August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He 's expected to stop in North Carolina during one day of the dramatically revised convention .
Trump will also deliver an acceptance speech in a high-profile location on the Thursday of what would have been convention week , according to campaign and White House officials who requested anonymity to discuss planning .
And while Trump has customarily taken a multiweek vacation at his Bedminster , New Jersey , golf course in August , there is not one currently slated for this month .
Trump has noted to advisers that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway to his campaign , the eventual winning campaign leadership combination .
But Trump was behind until late that October , when FBI Director James Comey announced the reopening of an investigation into his Democratic opponent , Hillary Clinton , a seismic event that reshaped the race .
As Trump sows doubt about the integrity of the election this year , questions are swirling about access to voting during the pandemic as well as the potential for more foreign electoral interference .
Campaign advisers are increasingly pinning their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big October surprise , such as the development of a coronavirus vaccine .
But some Republicans believe there is still time to make a more effective response to the virus the center of his case for a second term .
`` By the speed at which news and events move in 2020 , it 's not necessarily the case that he is running out of time , '' said Ari Fleischer , former press secretary to George W. Bush .
`` Much of the public will not pay attention to what he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy until he gets over the COVID hurdle first . ''

It’s getting late early.
Donald Trump is privately reassuring Republicans anxious about his deficits to Democrat Joe Biden, noting there are three months until Election Day and reminding them of the late-breaking events that propelled his 2016 comeback.
But four years later, the dynamics are very different.
Aides are increasingly worried that the 2020 campaign may already be defined as a referendum on Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and will feature a historic shift to remote and early vote options. The Trump campaign is scrambling for a reset, pausing advertisements while struggling to find both a cohesive message and a way to safely put Trump on the road in front of voters.
Trump added to the tumult by publicly wondering if the election should be delayed while making the unfounded claim that the tilt toward mail-in balloting would lead to widespread voter fraud. That suggestion drew a rare rebuke from Republicans, many of whom quietly warned the White House that it could be interpreted as an admission that Trump was losing and could hurt their chances of retaining the Senate.
And they warned that time is running out: The first state to hold early voting, the vital battleground of North Carolina, begins the process Sept. 4.
“He’s losing and the trajectory of the race is moving away from him,” said Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser on Republican John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and an opponent of Trump’s reelection. “People vote at a moment in time: Even if there is something of a political recovery for the president in October, that is irrelevant for those who already voted.”
A sudden halt in Trump’s expensive television advertisements last week highlighted the campaign’s challenge. It came just two weeks after a staffing shakeup and two months after Trump’s previous campaign manager unleashed a “Death Star” ad blitz on Biden that only coincided with Trump’s support falling even further.
The campaign downplayed the ad pause, saying that the new campaign manager, Bill Stepien, wanted to analyze when and where Trump’s advertising message was being delivered. A significant amount of TV ad time has already been reserved from Labor Day until the election, and the campaign said it would reboot its advertising on Monday.
The purchase was made with an eye on the new electoral calendar. The old adage that most of America doesn’t start paying attention to a campaign until Labor Day has been tossed aside in a year in which the novel coronavirus has killed more than 150,000 people in the U.S. and rewritten the rules of American society.
The new ad campaign will be a national buy but also target states that are among the earliest to vote. Trump campaign officials said the focus in August will be on states where more than half of the ballots will be cast before Election Day.
“The digital countdown clock on the wall may say 90-some days, but we all know the calendar is condensed with early voting,” said campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh.
Still, the Trump campaign has been wavering for weeks.
It has struggled to land effective blows on Biden. Trump and his allies have recently sought to tie Biden to the extreme leftist elements of his party, an uneasy fit for a moderate who has been in the public eye for more than four decades.
The campaign has all but pulled the plug on competing in Michigan and, privately, acknowledges deficits in vital battleground states like Florida, Wisconsin, and Arizona, though it insists the margins are manageable and smaller than what is reflected in public polling. They also downplayed the chances of losing reliably Republican states, though Trump did make a campaign stop in Texas last week.
Trump’s support collapsed after the pandemic reached America’s shores and crushed its economy. With the Republican National Convention scaled back and rallies seemingly impossible to hold, Trump is running out of headline-grabbing set pieces to change the momentum of the race.
Many around Trump are focused on the debates as perhaps the best chance, pushing for more showdowns with Biden to increase the chance of the former vice president faltering on stage.
“A lot of people are going to start voting before Sept. 29. The idea that they would not have seen one presidential debate by then, to me, seems ridiculous,” said former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Trump ally. “I think we should either move the dates up or add additional debates.”
Trump’s advisers are also trying to re-imagine a campaign without its trademark rallies. Trump has been traveling to both smaller campaign gatherings and official events in swing states — on Friday, he attended one of each in Florida — and White House aides are readying a calendar full of day trips for the weeks ahead.
The convention is also being redrawn. Trump will likely travel several times during the last week of August, when the massive gathering was initially scheduled. He’s expected to stop in North Carolina during one day of the dramatically revised convention.
Trump will also deliver an acceptance speech in a high-profile location on the Thursday of what would have been convention week, according to campaign and White House officials who requested anonymity to discuss planning.
And while Trump has customarily taken a multiweek vacation at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course in August, there is not one currently slated for this month.
Trump has noted to advisers that it was later in August 2016 when he brought in Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway to his campaign, the eventual winning campaign leadership combination. But Trump was behind until late that October, when FBI Director James Comey announced the reopening of an investigation into his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, a seismic event that reshaped the race.
As Trump sows doubt about the integrity of the election this year, questions are swirling about access to voting during the pandemic as well as the potential for more foreign electoral interference. Campaign advisers are increasingly pinning their hopes on the unlikely occurrence of another big October surprise, such as the development of a coronavirus vaccine.
But some Republicans believe there is still time to make a more effective response to the virus the center of his case for a second term.
“By the speed at which news and events move in 2020, it’s not necessarily the case that he is running out of time,” said Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to George W. Bush. “Much of the public will not pay attention to what he will say on law and order and the economy until he gets over the COVID hurdle first.”


shareblue--2020-08-03--Mnuchin claims Trump worked on virus relief from golf course

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday said Donald Trump is `` available '' to be involved in negotiations on a COVID-19 relief package even as he played a round of golf .
Mnuchin made the assertion during a discussion of ongoing negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders and their failure to agree on legislation despite the expiration of unemployment benefits on Friday .
As Democrats and Republicans in Congress , along with Mnuchin and other White House aides , were discussing the details of a possible deal , Trump played a round of golf at his Virginia club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip Trump has made to a golf course since taking office .
Mnuchin 's claim that Trump was available for negotiations while on the course run counter to previous claims about his availability in a similar situation .
In June , Trump retweeted a video of one of his supporters chanting , `` White power . ''
The video remained on Trump 's account for over three hours before he deleted the tweet .
White House officials told NBC News that the video stayed on Trump 's account because he could n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ REPORTER : Do you think the president needs to be more involved , this weekend he 's been golf ... — STEVEN MNUCHIN : The president 's incredibly involved .
So , let me just say — REPORTER : But he 's been golfing this weekend , sir , do you think he needs to hold a meeting here at the White House ?
Does he need to be involved in these talks ?
MNUCHIN : Let me comment .
I think Mark [ Meadows ] and I spoke to the president something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president , wherever he is , is available around the clock for us .
I spoke to him very late last night , I 'll be speaking to him again this morning .
The president is fully available .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday said Donald Trump is “available” to be involved in negotiations on a COVID-19 relief package even as he played a round of golf.
Mnuchin made the assertion during a discussion of ongoing negotiations between the White House and congressional leaders and their failure to agree on legislation despite the expiration of unemployment benefits on Friday.
As Democrats and Republicans in Congress, along with Mnuchin and other White House aides, were discussing the details of a possible deal, Trump played a round of golf at his Virginia club on Saturday. It was the 283rd trip Trump has made to a golf course since taking office.
Mnuchin’s claim that Trump was available for negotiations while on the course run counter to previous claims about his availability in a similar situation.
In June, Trump retweeted a video of one of his supporters chanting, “White power.” The video remained on Trump’s account for over three hours before he deleted the tweet. White House officials told NBC News that the video stayed on Trump’s account because he couldn’t be reached at the Virginia golf club.
From an Aug. 3 press availability:
REPORTER: Do you think the president needs to be more involved, this weekend he’s been golf… — STEVEN MNUCHIN: The president’s incredibly involved. So, let me just say — REPORTER: But he’s been golfing this weekend, sir, do you think he needs to hold a meeting here at the White House? Does he need to be involved in these talks? MNUCHIN: Let me comment. I think Mark [Meadows] and I spoke to the president something like eight or 10 times yesterday. The president, wherever he is, is available around the clock for us. I spoke to him very late last night, I’ll be speaking to him again this morning. The president is fully available.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-03--White House imposes testing requirement on staff as Trump says it's 'overrated'

The White House on Monday informed its staff that there will be random coronavirus testing for workers across the White House complex , Politico 's Gabby Orr reported .
The news of the new testing policy comes after multiple employees across the White House have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks — including Mike Pence 's press secretary Katie Miller , one of Trump 's personal valets , and a White House cafeteria worker .
A number of GOP lawmakers have also tested positive for the virus , including Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Donald Trump .
Trump , however , has expressed his frustration over the amount of coronavirus testing across the country .
In mid-June , he called testing `` overrated '' and said that it `` makes us look bad . ''
Trump has also said numerous times that the massive number of cases in the United States is thanks to an increase in testing , and that without testing there would n't be any cases .
Trump made that same baseless argument in a Monday morning tweet .
`` Cases up because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country is doing very well .
Open the Schools ! ''
Trump tweeted .
Of course , this is absolutely false .
The number of cases has risen faster than the increase in tests , in many places across the country .
Trump has never explained why it 's imperative that those around him are tested often while he argues against testing average Americans .
Those `` in close proximity '' to Trump have been receiving coronavirus testing since the early days of the pandemic when regular Americans struggled to get tests themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still struggling to get tests and to get results back quickly enough for the tests to be of use .
To date , more than 4.6 million people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the United States , with more than 155,000 dying from the virus .
Trump 's approval rating on the coronavirus is at its lowest level yet , with just 37.6 % approving of his response , according to FiveThirtyEight 's average .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The White House on Monday informed its staff that there will be random coronavirus testing for workers across the White House complex, Politico’s Gabby Orr reported.
The news of the new testing policy comes after multiple employees across the White House have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks — including Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller, one of Trump’s personal valets, and a White House cafeteria worker.
A number of GOP lawmakers have also tested positive for the virus, including Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), who was slated to travel aboard Air Force One with Donald Trump.
Trump, however, has expressed his frustration over the amount of coronavirus testing across the country.
In mid-June, he called testing “overrated” and said that it “makes us look bad.”
Trump has also said numerous times that the massive number of cases in the United States is thanks to an increase in testing, and that without testing there wouldn’t be any cases.
Trump made that same baseless argument in a Monday morning tweet.
“Cases up because of BIG Testing! Much of our Country is doing very well. Open the Schools!” Trump tweeted.
Of course, this is absolutely false.
The number of cases has risen faster than the increase in tests, in many places across the country.
Trump has never explained why it’s imperative that those around him are tested often while he argues against testing average Americans.
Those “in close proximity” to Trump have been receiving coronavirus testing since the early days of the pandemic when regular Americans struggled to get tests themselves. In fact, some Americans are still struggling to get tests and to get results back quickly enough for the tests to be of use.
To date, more than 4.6 million people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the United States, with more than 155,000 dying from the virus.
Trump’s approval rating on the coronavirus is at its lowest level yet, with just 37.6% approving of his response, according to FiveThirtyEight’s average.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Florida governor: Go ahead and 'give a hug' to grandma during an outbreak

Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis on Tuesday urged people to hug the elderly despite the COVID-19 pandemic .
DeSantis said that as long as people are wearing personal protective equipment , he sees no reason not to hug people when visiting .
`` Look , I ’ m comfortable with the PPE , '' the Republican governor said .
`` Hell , hug 'em !
I mean , come on . ''
He added that maintaining social distancing of six feet during visits — as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — seems unnecessary because it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not normal . ''
DeSantis made his comments at the ElderSource senior center in Jacksonville , Florida , at a roundtable discussing how to protect the elderly .
Medical experts advise against hugging those who are particularly vulnerable — like the elderly — during the pandemic .
Dr. William Li , an expert on diseases who is studying COVID-19 , told AARP in June that particularly people over the age of 65 should refrain from hugging until there is a vaccine .
Florida has experienced a surge of COVID-19 infections in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ahead of recommendations by experts .
RON DeSANTIS : But I just think we just need to be creative .
I mean , the testing is obviously important , but I do think that with PPE and some of these other things , I think if families have antibodies — if they have antibodies , man , we should , we obviously need to be recognizing that and how powerful that can be .
So there ’ s a lot of opportunities .
But I don ’ t think — like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would just say do not only fixate on testing .
You ’ ve got to think of other ways .
Look , I ’ m comfortable with the PPE .
Hell , hug 'em !
I mean , come on .
Like , it ’ s not gon na — if you have PPE on , and you hug and you don ’ t sneeze or do something on them , you ’ re going to be fine .
OK ?
That would be very [ inaudible ] .
Now obviously if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing that , and then you do , well then that ’ s going to be a different situation .
But to just have — to just go give a hug — I mean , I think that you could do that , and I think that that would be very meaningful .
I mean , as much as you want to see them in person , I kind of feel like , you know , to stay six feet away is kind of still , you know , providing a reminder that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you ’ re still not there for that .
So I do think that the touch is important .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday urged people to hug the elderly despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeSantis said that as long as people are wearing personal protective equipment, he sees no reason not to hug people when visiting.
“Look, I’m comfortable with the PPE,” the Republican governor said. “Hell, hug ’em! I mean, come on.” He added that maintaining social distancing of six feet during visits — as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — seems unnecessary because it’s “a reminder that it’s still not normal.”
DeSantis made his comments at the ElderSource senior center in Jacksonville, Florida, at a roundtable discussing how to protect the elderly.
Medical experts advise against hugging those who are particularly vulnerable — like the elderly — during the pandemic. Dr. William Li, an expert on diseases who is studying COVID-19, told AARP in June that particularly people over the age of 65 should refrain from hugging until there is a vaccine.
Florida has experienced a surge of COVID-19 infections in the past few weeks after DeSantis advocated reopening the state ahead of recommendations by experts.
From an Aug. 4 roundtable:
RON DeSANTIS: But I just think we just need to be creative. I mean, the testing is obviously important, but I do think that with PPE and some of these other things, I think if families have antibodies — if they have antibodies, man, we should, we obviously need to be recognizing that and how powerful that can be. So there’s a lot of opportunities. But I don’t think — like, as you guys go and deliberate, I would just say do not only fixate on testing. You’ve got to think of other ways. Look, I’m comfortable with the PPE. Hell, hug ’em! I mean, come on. Like, it’s not gonna — if you have PPE on, and you hug and you don’t sneeze or do something on them, you’re going to be fine. OK? That would be very [inaudible]. Now obviously if you’re there for 30 minutes doing that, and then you do, well then that’s going to be a different situation. But to just have — to just go give a hug — I mean, I think that you could do that, and I think that that would be very meaningful. I mean, as much as you want to see them in person, I kind of feel like, you know, to stay six feet away is kind of still, you know, providing a reminder that it’s still not normal and that you’re still not there for that. So I do think that the touch is important.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Trump health official claims 'reporters don't want a vaccine' for coronavirus

Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Michael Caputo claimed baselessly this week that reporters covering the Trump administration `` do n't want '' a coronavirus vaccine .
`` I 'm telling you that there are members of the press that do n't want [ it ] .
And you see that in the coverage , I think , of Operation Warp Speed , '' said Caputo , referring to the government 's partnership with private businesses to ensure rapid development and distribution of a coronavirus vaccine .
Caputo made the allegation during an HHS podcast interview with Dr. Moncef Slaoui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Slaoui , a former executive at Moderna , had to divest a reported $ 12.4 million in stock options in May after shares in Moderna rose in value when Donald Trump appointed him to the project .
Caputo was complaining about reporting on the transaction when he made his unsubstantiated accusation .
MICHAEL CAPUTO : If people are wondering , I 'm talking to Dr. Moncef Slaoui , who 's the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed .
I 'm Michael Caputo , the assistant secretary for public affairs , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to talk to all these folks who not only are at the pinnacle of their careers , but they 're sacrificing so much .
And because this is the Trump administration , you do n't realize it , I guess , maybe when you were offered the position , but part of the deal is you go ahead and you fasten a target on your back , do n't you ?
MONCEF SLAOUI : Yes .
Honestly , I think I was naïve when I made the decision .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the problem that needs to be addressed is bigger than anything else I can think of on earth , literally .
SLAOUI : In my career but also just the world .
The world has almost stalled for two or three months , and we tried to reopen it , and we may have to stall it again .
This pandemic has a dramatic impact , the consequences of which will last for a long time .
SLAOUI : And we have to do what it takes to help resolve it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , I 've been very surprised and then extremely disappointed by the fact that having made a decision that has nothing to do with my political motivation or opinion , because I think it 's irrelevant in front of the size of the problem , I made a decision to come and help solve a problem , whoever is the president , whatever is the administration color .
And I 'm amazed that I 'm being attacked on a personal basis .
SLAOUI : In a way that , frankly , distract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams that we 're working together with to deliver .
And therefore , decreases our chances or the speed with which we try to help humanity and the country resolve and address this issue .
I was very naïve .
I thought that , you know , the press in particular was informing , but I now convinced factually that the press has only one objective , which is to shape opinions and to distort information in a way that allows to shape an opinion .
And I find that unethical , extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I really hope society will drive towards changing that back to more normalcy .
CAPUTO : I 'll tell you , as someone who 's been in press relations for 35 years , I do n't recognize the media anymore .
I 'm convinced that the reporters do n't want a vaccine , sir .
They do n't .
I know that you 're still — maybe you were naïve , but you 're still a very optimistic person .
I 'm telling you that there are members of the press that do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that in the coverage , I think , of Operation Warp Speed .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Michael Caputo claimed baselessly this week that reporters covering the Trump administration “don’t want” a coronavirus vaccine.
“I’m telling you that there are members of the press that don’t want [it]. And you see that in the coverage, I think, of Operation Warp Speed,” said Caputo, referring to the government’s partnership with private businesses to ensure rapid development and distribution of a coronavirus vaccine.
Caputo made the allegation during an HHS podcast interview with Dr. Moncef Slaoui, head of the Operation Warp Speed program.
Slaoui, a former executive at Moderna, had to divest a reported $12.4 million in stock options in May after shares in Moderna rose in value when Donald Trump appointed him to the project.
Caputo was complaining about reporting on the transaction when he made his unsubstantiated accusation.
From the “Learning Curve” podcast, posted July 31:
MICHAEL CAPUTO: If people are wondering, I’m talking to Dr. Moncef Slaoui, who’s the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed. I’m Michael Caputo, the assistant secretary for public affairs, and I am in a really blessed position to be able to talk to all these folks who not only are at the pinnacle of their careers, but they’re sacrificing so much. And because this is the Trump administration, you don’t realize it, I guess, maybe when you were offered the position, but part of the deal is you go ahead and you fasten a target on your back, don’t you? MONCEF SLAOUI: Yes. Honestly, I think I was naïve when I made the decision. And I wouldn’t change the decision anyway because the problem that needs to be addressed is bigger than anything else I can think of on earth, literally. CAPUTO: In your career? SLAOUI: In my career but also just the world. The world has almost stalled for two or three months, and we tried to reopen it, and we may have to stall it again. This pandemic has a dramatic impact, the consequences of which will last for a long time. CAPUTO: Right. SLAOUI: And we have to do what it takes to help resolve it. I am very disappointed — or, first, I’ve been very surprised and then extremely disappointed by the fact that having made a decision that has nothing to do with my political motivation or opinion, because I think it’s irrelevant in front of the size of the problem, I made a decision to come and help solve a problem, whoever is the president, whatever is the administration color. And I’m amazed that I’m being attacked on a personal basis. CAPUTO: Right. SLAOUI: In a way that, frankly, distract my energy and energy of all the teams that we’re working together with to deliver. And therefore, decreases our chances or the speed with which we try to help humanity and the country resolve and address this issue. I was very naïve. I thought that, you know, the press in particular was informing, but I now convinced factually that the press has only one objective, which is to shape opinions and to distort information in a way that allows to shape an opinion. And I find that unethical, extremely disappointing. And I hope it — I really hope society will drive towards changing that back to more normalcy. CAPUTO: I’ll tell you, as someone who’s been in press relations for 35 years, I don’t recognize the media anymore. I’m convinced that the reporters don’t want a vaccine, sir. They don’t. I know that you’re still — maybe you were naïve, but you’re still a very optimistic person. I’m telling you that there are members of the press that don’t want a vaccine. And you see that in the coverage, I think, of Operation Warp Speed.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--House Democrats fight Pentagon's ban on Pride flags in the military

In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper last week , 34 House Democrats called for the reversal of a recent policy that instituted a ban on the display of LGBTQ Pride flags on military installations .
The policy , announced on July 17 by Esper , included a list of the flags that are explicitly allowed on military installations .
These included the flags of various branches of the military , U.S. states , and allied countries .
The list included neither the Pride flag nor the flags of Native Nations , which are therefore not allowed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times in July , on the condition of anonymity , that although the policy did not specifically mention the Confederate battle flag , it was in fact aimed at banning it .
The letter from the lawmakers to Esper argued that in place of the broader prohibition , the Department of Defense should explicitly ban Confederate flags .
A department spokesperson told the Modern Military Association of America , a nonprofit that focuses on equality for LGBTQ people in the military , that the policy is broad enough that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump has expressed opposition to removing displays of Confederate symbols and to bipartisan congressional legislation that would require the renaming of military installations that bear the names of Confederate military leaders .
The Defense Department policy avoids crossing Trump on the issue .
The letter , organized by Reps. Jackie Speier , Anthony Brown , and Chris Pappas , noted : `` Minorities remain vastly underrepresented in commissioned officer and senior leader ranks .
The action by the Department to implicitly ban the LGBTQ Pride flag only serves to create a discriminatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate them from their fellow Airmen , Marines , Sailors , and Soldiers . ''
The lawmakers said : `` While we applaud the department for taking steps to remove the Confederate battle flag from our military bases , the action unnecessarily avoids a clear rebuke of this oppressive symbol while simultaneously limiting how service members can freely express themselves in line with our values . ''
They added , `` The department must have the strength and courage to be able to simultaneously stand against a symbol of hate and oppression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the display of support for civil rights , equity and justice . ''
In response to a request for comment , a Defense Department spokesperson said , `` As with all congressional correspondence , we will respond directly to the authors of the letter . ''
Jennifer Dane , interim executive director of the Modern Military Association of America , said that whatever the intent of the policy was , it sends the wrong message to LGBTQ service members : `` Whether intentional or not , by banning this flag he told tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their services and the symbols that they use are divisive and unwelcoming and undeniably wrong . ''
Dane noted some of the injustices LGBTQ people have faced in the U.S. military over the years , including what was known as the `` lavender scare , '' the removal beginning in the 1950s of gay people from government and military service ; the `` Do n't Ask Do n't Tell '' policy that permitted gay people to serve in the military as long as they hid their sexual orientation ; and Donald Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military .
With that history , Dane said , the display of a Pride flag carries a lot of meaning for service members .
`` It 's more than just a rainbow flag .
When you see it , you know that you 're accepted and included , '' Dane said .
In June , Esper announced the formation of an internal department panel , the Defense Board on Diversity and Inclusion in the Military , tasked with reviewing diversity in the services and providing recommendations for how to increase it .
Esper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America to join the board as a consulting organization , which it has agreed to do .
Dane said that if Esper takes this issue seriously , banning the Pride flag would be a step in the wrong direction .
To keep LGBTQ service members and recruit members of Generation Z , the cohort born after the mid-1990s , the military should allow the Pride flag to be displayed , Dane said .
A greater percentage of Generation Z members than their predecessors say they know someone who uses pronouns other than he/him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to choose options other than `` man '' and `` woman '' when filling out forms that require an indication of gender .
`` Long term , we 're about to enter into a recruitment process for LGBTQ service members for the next generation , which is Generation Z , and they 're the most gender-expansive generation we have .
And even if they do n't identify in this community , they know a friend that is , '' Dane said .
`` It makes the service less appealing for them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward their friends or family members ...
It does hit on the national security of our country .
You 're not recruiting the best talent and you 're forcing people out of service . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper last week, 34 House Democrats called for the reversal of a recent policy that instituted a ban on the display of LGBTQ Pride flags on military installations.
The policy, announced on July 17 by Esper, included a list of the flags that are explicitly allowed on military installations. These included the flags of various branches of the military, U.S. states, and allied countries.
The list included neither the Pride flag nor the flags of Native Nations, which are therefore not allowed.
An official with the Defense Department told the New York Times in July, on the condition of anonymity, that although the policy did not specifically mention the Confederate battle flag, it was in fact aimed at banning it.
The letter from the lawmakers to Esper argued that in place of the broader prohibition, the Department of Defense should explicitly ban Confederate flags. A department spokesperson told the Modern Military Association of America, a nonprofit that focuses on equality for LGBTQ people in the military, that the policy is broad enough that it does effectively ban the Pride flag.
Donald Trump has expressed opposition to removing displays of Confederate symbols and to bipartisan congressional legislation that would require the renaming of military installations that bear the names of Confederate military leaders. The Defense Department policy avoids crossing Trump on the issue.
The letter, organized by Reps. Jackie Speier, Anthony Brown, and Chris Pappas, noted: “Minorities remain vastly underrepresented in commissioned officer and senior leader ranks. The action by the Department to implicitly ban the LGBTQ Pride flag only serves to create a discriminatory environment for LGBTQ service members and continue to isolate them from their fellow Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers.”
The lawmakers said: “While we applaud the department for taking steps to remove the Confederate battle flag from our military bases, the action unnecessarily avoids a clear rebuke of this oppressive symbol while simultaneously limiting how service members can freely express themselves in line with our values.”
They added, “The department must have the strength and courage to be able to simultaneously stand against a symbol of hate and oppression in the Confederate battle flag while allowing the display of support for civil rights, equity and justice.”
In response to a request for comment, a Defense Department spokesperson said, “As with all congressional correspondence, we will respond directly to the authors of the letter.”
Jennifer Dane, interim executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, said that whatever the intent of the policy was, it sends the wrong message to LGBTQ service members: “Whether intentional or not, by banning this flag he told tens of thousands of LGBTQ American patriots that their services and the symbols that they use are divisive and unwelcoming and undeniably wrong.”
Dane noted some of the injustices LGBTQ people have faced in the U.S. military over the years, including what was known as the “lavender scare,” the removal beginning in the 1950s of gay people from government and military service; the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that permitted gay people to serve in the military as long as they hid their sexual orientation; and Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military.
With that history, Dane said, the display of a Pride flag carries a lot of meaning for service members.
“It’s more than just a rainbow flag. When you see it, you know that you’re accepted and included,” Dane said.
In June, Esper announced the formation of an internal department panel, the Defense Board on Diversity and Inclusion in the Military, tasked with reviewing diversity in the services and providing recommendations for how to increase it. Esper has asked the Modern Military Association of America to join the board as a consulting organization, which it has agreed to do. Dane said that if Esper takes this issue seriously, banning the Pride flag would be a step in the wrong direction.
To keep LGBTQ service members and recruit members of Generation Z, the cohort born after the mid-1990s, the military should allow the Pride flag to be displayed, Dane said. A greater percentage of Generation Z members than their predecessors say they know someone who uses pronouns other than he/him and she/her and believe people should be able to choose options other than “man” and “woman” when filling out forms that require an indication of gender.
“Long term, we’re about to enter into a recruitment process for LGBTQ service members for the next generation, which is Generation Z, and they’re the most gender-expansive generation we have. And even if they don’t identify in this community, they know a friend that is,” Dane said. “It makes the service less appealing for them to join if they see this discrimination happening toward their friends or family members … It does hit on the national security of our country. You’re not recruiting the best talent and you’re forcing people out of service.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Iowa governor says schools are 'defying the law' if they follow health guidelines

Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds declared Tuesday that schools following the advice of health officials and holding online-only classes this fall are breaking the law .
`` I want to be very clear , '' Reynolds said at a Tuesday press conference .
`` Schools that choose not to return to school for at least 50 % in-person instruction are not defying me , they 're defying the law . ''
According to guidance issued by Reynolds ' office on Thursday , schools must conduct most instruction in-person unless the local coronavirus test rate is at least 15 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % .
If that happens , they may request a waiver from the state to conduct all classes online .
Reynolds ' statement came one day after two school boards in the state voted to defy her order .
The Urbandale school board had already received permission from the state on July 13 to start the year with online-only classes .
But because that permission was set to expire , the board asked for a waiver extension based on the advice of the local health department , as the district straddles two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have positive test rates of 8 % and 7.1 % , respectively .
The state denied the waiver on Monday .
The board made the original request `` due to high community spread of the virus and in consideration of information and guidance provided by local public health officials , '' Steve Bass , district superintendent , wrote in a letter to parents on Monday night after the board voted unanimously to defy the governor .
The district requested the waiver extension because the community `` is no safer now than it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the board `` could not , in good conscience , send students and staff back into small spaces for long periods of time . ''
Waukee School District , the other locality whose school board voted to defy Reynolds , said this week it would not abide by the governor 's guidance , stating that `` decisions regarding the health and safety of our students , staff and the general community are best made by those most closely associated with the decision-making . ''
`` We will not request permission from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to temporarily change our learning model should the need arise , '' district officials wrote .
Reynolds responded to both districts this week by threatening administrators and students alike with repercussions .
Administrators could face licensure discipline if they do n't follow the governor 's orders , Reynolds said Tuesday , and the days of online learning `` do not count toward instructional time , '' for students , the Des Moines Register reported .
The governor did not threaten to withhold funding from the districts that defied her .
Reynolds became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to dismiss the advice of local health officials regarding reopening schools .
On Friday , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott declared that the `` authority to decide when the school year will begin lies with local school boards , '' not health departments .
His announcement came after health officials in 16 jurisdictions attempted to close schools due to concerns over the pandemic .
Maryland 's Gov .
Larry Hogan followed suit on Monday , overturning a decision by a county health official to close all schools .
Hogan said that private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make their own decisions .
Coronavirus outbreaks have cropped up in some places even though the academic year has just begun .
One school in Indiana closed just days after classes started because of positive tests , and another school was forced to quarantine nearly 50 students after they were exposed to the virus .
Nationwide , there have been more than 4.75 million confirmed coronavirus cases , and at least 156,594 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declared Tuesday that schools following the advice of health officials and holding online-only classes this fall are breaking the law.
“I want to be very clear,” Reynolds said at a Tuesday press conference. “Schools that choose not to return to school for at least 50% in-person instruction are not defying me, they’re defying the law.”
According to guidance issued by Reynolds’ office on Thursday, schools must conduct most instruction in-person unless the local coronavirus test rate is at least 15% and the school has an absentee rate topping 10%. If that happens, they may request a waiver from the state to conduct all classes online.
Reynolds’ statement came one day after two school boards in the state voted to defy her order.
The Urbandale school board had already received permission from the state on July 13 to start the year with online-only classes. But because that permission was set to expire, the board asked for a waiver extension based on the advice of the local health department, as the district straddles two counties — Polk and Dallas — that have positive test rates of 8% and 7.1%, respectively.
The state denied the waiver on Monday.
The board made the original request “due to high community spread of the virus and in consideration of information and guidance provided by local public health officials,” Steve Bass, district superintendent, wrote in a letter to parents on Monday night after the board voted unanimously to defy the governor.
The district requested the waiver extension because the community “is no safer now than it was three weeks ago,” Bass stated, and the board “could not, in good conscience, send students and staff back into small spaces for long periods of time.”
Waukee School District, the other locality whose school board voted to defy Reynolds, said this week it would not abide by the governor’s guidance, stating that “decisions regarding the health and safety of our students, staff and the general community are best made by those most closely associated with the decision-making.”
“We will not request permission from the [Iowa Department of Education] to temporarily change our learning model should the need arise,” district officials wrote.
Reynolds responded to both districts this week by threatening administrators and students alike with repercussions.
Administrators could face licensure discipline if they don’t follow the governor’s orders, Reynolds said Tuesday, and the days of online learning “do not count toward instructional time,” for students, the Des Moines Register reported. The governor did not threaten to withhold funding from the districts that defied her.
Reynolds became the third Republican governor in less than a week to dismiss the advice of local health officials regarding reopening schools.
On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared that the “authority to decide when the school year will begin lies with local school boards,” not health departments. His announcement came after health officials in 16 jurisdictions attempted to close schools due to concerns over the pandemic.
Maryland’s Gov. Larry Hogan followed suit on Monday, overturning a decision by a county health official to close all schools. Hogan said that private and religious schools should be free to make their own decisions.
Coronavirus outbreaks have cropped up in some places even though the academic year has just begun.
One school in Indiana closed just days after classes started because of positive tests, and another school was forced to quarantine nearly 50 students after they were exposed to the virus.
Nationwide, there have been more than 4.75 million confirmed coronavirus cases, and at least 156,594 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Opinion: Decisions on reopening schools must be based on evidence

The question on every parent 's mind right now is whether children can safely go back to school this fall .
It is a difficult one because there is still so much we do n't know about this illness and its transmissibility in children .
As a mom , a pediatrician , a person at higher risk for severe illness from the coronavirus , and the daughter of a schoolteacher , I look at this issue from all of these perspectives .
Let me say first there is no doubt in my mind that , on the whole , children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite attempts at remote education , student learning this spring missed the mark .
We know that children who struggle the most in school are even further behind now .
Lack of broadband access has exacerbated a divide based on wealth or geography ( or between the `` haves '' and the `` have-nots '' ) .
Just as importantly , many children and families depend on school for nutrition , after-school child care , safety , mental health services , and special education needs .
Our children need social engagement and community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anxiety , and isolation now .
Some of our children are grieving family members without the support of their teachers and friends .
Some are victims of abuse and unable to let their teachers know they are not safe .
If this were just about children , the answer to our question about returning to school would be simpler .
Current evidence suggests that most children do not experience severe acute symptoms of this virus .
Children under 10 appear to contract the illness less frequently , and may be less likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract and spread this disease much like adults , though they also have relatively mild or no symptoms .
Keep in mind we still have very little data to inform our decisions .
This means when we do open schools , we absolutely must conduct rigorous surveillance testing to assess the impact of school openings on community spread .
Donald Trump highlights the successes of European countries that have opened schools successfully .
But he fails to consider the fact that those countries did the hard work of squashing community transmission of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We started reopening far too quickly , and our rates are surging .
This raises the probability that students and teachers will interact with infected children at school , putting students , teachers , staff , and students ' families at risk .
Consider what might happen when one child in a class tests positive .
We will be looking at two-week quarantines for each class every time there is a positive case .
The bottom line is that if we open schools , high rates of disease in the community will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this right , we first need to dramatically reduce community spread .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet given us a number that could predict success , but Dr. Ashish Jha , director of the Harvard Global Health Institute , suggests that , without a vaccine , suppressing incidence to less than one case a day per 100,000 population would be a `` green light . ''
Right now , my state of Washington is in the `` orange zone '' with an average of 10.8 new cases every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington is doing `` better '' : Thirty-two states have higher rates .
Smarter choices — such as staying home , avoiding even small gatherings ( particularly indoors ) , wearing masks — will give this virus fewer opportunities to jump from person to person .
Once we do open schools , there must be an option for remote learning for all students , since many have conditions that render them vulnerable , and many more live with family members who would likely face severe disease if they were infected with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to in-person learning , we will need testing , ideally point-of-care tests that can be done at school on a regular basis .
Given high levels of asymptomatic infections in children , testing and tracing are key to keeping children , teachers , staff , and families healthy .
Testing only symptomatic children means we 'll miss most cases , allowing the disease to spread in schools .
And testing remains woefully inadequate in our country .
Finally , we should keep in mind that not all students need to return to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lower-risk school openings makes sense .
We could open schools for children with special needs first .
Or we could open for K-5 grades first , since they ca n't stay home alone , and data suggest they are less likely to get and spread the coronavirus .
We could even make empty middle and high schools available to those elementary students to allow for physical distancing and prioritize good ventilation and masking .
Whatever we do , let 's gather data , reevaluate , and make evidence-based decisions about next steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a novel disease that we are all figuring out together .
Rep. Kim Schrier ( WA-8 ) , the only female doctor and first pediatrician in Congress , serves on the House Education and Labor Committee and is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition .

The question on every parent’s mind right now is whether children can safely go back to school this fall. It is a difficult one because there is still so much we don’t know about this illness and its transmissibility in children.
As a mom, a pediatrician, a person at higher risk for severe illness from the coronavirus, and the daughter of a schoolteacher, I look at this issue from all of these perspectives.
Let me say first there is no doubt in my mind that, on the whole, children are far better off in school. Despite attempts at remote education, student learning this spring missed the mark. We know that children who struggle the most in school are even further behind now.
Lack of broadband access has exacerbated a divide based on wealth or geography (or between the “haves” and the “have-nots”). Just as importantly, many children and families depend on school for nutrition, after-school child care, safety, mental health services, and special education needs.
Our children need social engagement and community, and they are experiencing more depression, anxiety, and isolation now. Some of our children are grieving family members without the support of their teachers and friends. Some are victims of abuse and unable to let their teachers know they are not safe.
If this were just about children, the answer to our question about returning to school would be simpler. Current evidence suggests that most children do not experience severe acute symptoms of this virus.
Children under 10 appear to contract the illness less frequently, and may be less likely to spread it. Children over 10 contract and spread this disease much like adults, though they also have relatively mild or no symptoms. Keep in mind we still have very little data to inform our decisions.
This means when we do open schools, we absolutely must conduct rigorous surveillance testing to assess the impact of school openings on community spread.
Donald Trump highlights the successes of European countries that have opened schools successfully. But he fails to consider the fact that those countries did the hard work of squashing community transmission of this virus first.
We never did that. We started reopening far too quickly, and our rates are surging. This raises the probability that students and teachers will interact with infected children at school, putting students, teachers, staff, and students’ families at risk.
Consider what might happen when one child in a class tests positive. We will be looking at two-week quarantines for each class every time there is a positive case.
The bottom line is that if we open schools, high rates of disease in the community will likely sabotage those efforts.
To get this right, we first need to dramatically reduce community spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet given us a number that could predict success, but Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, suggests that, without a vaccine, suppressing incidence to less than one case a day per 100,000 population would be a “green light.”
Right now, my state of Washington is in the “orange zone” with an average of 10.8 new cases every day per 100,000 people. Comparatively, Washington is doing “better”: Thirty-two states have higher rates.
Smarter choices — such as staying home, avoiding even small gatherings (particularly indoors), wearing masks — will give this virus fewer opportunities to jump from person to person.
Once we do open schools, there must be an option for remote learning for all students, since many have conditions that render them vulnerable, and many more live with family members who would likely face severe disease if they were infected with the coronavirus.
For our children who do return to in-person learning, we will need testing, ideally point-of-care tests that can be done at school on a regular basis.
Given high levels of asymptomatic infections in children, testing and tracing are key to keeping children, teachers, staff, and families healthy. Testing only symptomatic children means we’ll miss most cases, allowing the disease to spread in schools.
And testing remains woefully inadequate in our country.
Finally, we should keep in mind that not all students need to return to school at the same time. A trial of lower-risk school openings makes sense.
We could open schools for children with special needs first. Or we could open for K-5 grades first, since they can’t stay home alone, and data suggest they are less likely to get and spread the coronavirus.
We could even make empty middle and high schools available to those elementary students to allow for physical distancing and prioritize good ventilation and masking.
Whatever we do, let’s gather data, reevaluate, and make evidence-based decisions about next steps.
This is, after all, a novel disease that we are all figuring out together.
Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-8), the only female doctor and first pediatrician in Congress, serves on the House Education and Labor Committee and is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition.


shareblue--2020-08-04--GOP voters in Kansas could decide who controls the Senate on Tuesday

The Republican Senate primary in Kansas on Tuesday could have major implications for control of the chamber , analysts say , arguing that if Republican Kris Kobach wins the nomination he could lose the Senate seat for the GOP for the first time since 1932 .
Kobach , the former Kansas secretary of state , has a host of baggage that could sink him in a general election .
That includes support for anti-immigrant policies and attempts at voter suppression , as well as a contempt of court ruling on his effort to force voters to prove their citizenship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run Trump 's failed voter fraud commission that did not find any instances of voter fraud .
In fact , Kansas voters rejected Kobach less than two years ago , when he lost a gubernatorial bid in 2018 to now-Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly .
Republicans fear that a Kobach primary win could lose control of the Senate for the GOP , as Democrats need to net just three seats for control if they win the White House , and four if Donald Trump wins reelection .
Already , Republicans are underdogs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and are in toss-up races in four more Republican-controlled seats , according to the political handicapping outlet Inside Elections .
A Kobach victory could put yet another seat in play , possibly putting another seat into the Democratic column and losing control of the Senate for Republicans .
`` Kris Kobach is such a controversial figure that if he were to win the Republican Senate nomination , it would immediately make that race into a general election tossup , '' Stu Rothenberg , a veteran nonpartisan political handicapper , said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a pronounced rift between social conservative voters who support Kobach and so-called `` establishment '' Republican voters who do not .
And that could cause problems in a general election for Republicans if Kobach wins .
`` Democrats have a good candidate in Barbara Bollier , so that if Kobach is the nominee , it would risk major establishment Republican defections from him over to her , putting the seat in play , '' Rothenberg said .
Kobach , for his part , faces a crowded GOP primary on Tuesday , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP Rep. Roger Marshall and businessman Bob Hamilton , according to political handicappers .
Kobach has a good shot at victory and used his past support from Trump in a closing ad in the race .
Trump supported Kobach in his failed 2018 gubernatorial bid .
And while Trump has not endorsed in the 2020 primary , Kobach ran an ad with Trump 's 2018 praise — which could help in a Republican primary .
Democrats , too , have been running ads to in the GOP primary , saying Kobach is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't compromise on building a wall or getting tough on China . ''
It 's the kind of message that would appeal to Trump supporters , and help boost Kobach 's chances .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Republican Senate primary in Kansas on Tuesday could have major implications for control of the chamber, analysts say, arguing that if Republican Kris Kobach wins the nomination he could lose the Senate seat for the GOP for the first time since 1932.
Kobach, the former Kansas secretary of state, has a host of baggage that could sink him in a general election. That includes support for anti-immigrant policies and attempts at voter suppression, as well as a contempt of court ruling on his effort to force voters to prove their citizenship in order to vote. Kobach also helped run Trump’s failed voter fraud commission that did not find any instances of voter fraud.
In fact, Kansas voters rejected Kobach less than two years ago, when he lost a gubernatorial bid in 2018 to now-Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
Republicans fear that a Kobach primary win could lose control of the Senate for the GOP, as Democrats need to net just three seats for control if they win the White House, and four if Donald Trump wins reelection.
Already, Republicans are underdogs in two GOP-held seats in Arizona and Colorado, and are in toss-up races in four more Republican-controlled seats, according to the political handicapping outlet Inside Elections.
A Kobach victory could put yet another seat in play, possibly putting another seat into the Democratic column and losing control of the Senate for Republicans.
“Kris Kobach is such a controversial figure that if he were to win the Republican Senate nomination, it would immediately make that race into a general election tossup,” Stu Rothenberg, a veteran nonpartisan political handicapper, said in an interview.
Rothenberg said the Kansas GOP has a pronounced rift between social conservative voters who support Kobach and so-called “establishment” Republican voters who do not. And that could cause problems in a general election for Republicans if Kobach wins.
“Democrats have a good candidate in Barbara Bollier, so that if Kobach is the nominee, it would risk major establishment Republican defections from him over to her, putting the seat in play,” Rothenberg said.
Kobach, for his part, faces a crowded GOP primary on Tuesday, though the top contenders aside from Kobach are GOP Rep. Roger Marshall and businessman Bob Hamilton, according to political handicappers.
Kobach has a good shot at victory and used his past support from Trump in a closing ad in the race.
Trump supported Kobach in his failed 2018 gubernatorial bid. And while Trump has not endorsed in the 2020 primary, Kobach ran an ad with Trump’s 2018 praise — which could help in a Republican primary.
With our nation in crisis, Kansas needs a conservative we can trust in the U.S. Senate. #kssen https://t.co/MwCNp9aVpj — Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) July 28, 2020
Democrats, too, have been running ads to in the GOP primary, saying Kobach is “too conservative” and that he “won’t compromise on building a wall or getting tough on China.”
It’s the kind of message that would appeal to Trump supporters, and help boost Kobach’s chances.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Trump now says voting by mail is OK — if it's in Florida

Donald Trump endorsed voting by mail on Tuesday , after weeks of attacking it — but he only spoke for his new `` home '' state of Florida .
`` Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting , in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure , Tried and True , '' he tweeted .
`` Florida 's Voting system has been cleaned up ( we defeated Democrats attempts at change ) , so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail !
# MAGA '' The tweet was in direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in voting .
Last month , Trump attempted to draw a distinction between absentee voting and mail ballots , though many states draw no such distinction and ballots are processed in the exact same way .
`` Absentee Ballots are fine because you have to go through a precise process to get your voting privilege .
Not so with Mail-Ins .
Rigged Election !
!
!
20 % fraudulent ballots ? ''
he claimed in a July 10 tweet .
Last Thursday he made a similar argument , tweeting , `` With Universal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is good ) , 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history .
It will be a great embarrassment to the USA . ''
Fact-checkers have debunked claims that mail-in voting is rife with voter fraud , which is almost nonexistent .
Trump has also suggested that the U.S .
Postal Service ( which he has undermined throughout his term ) will not be able to handle millions of ballots for the November elections .
Florida 's mail-in ballots rely on the same postal system as other states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so people will know who won on Nov. 3 .
`` Mail-In Ballot fraud found in many elections .
People are just now seeing how bad , dishonest and slow it is .
Election results could be delayed for months .
No more big election night answers ?
1 % not even counted in 2016 .
Ridiculous !
Just a formula for RIGGING an Election , '' he tweeted in July .
The same delays could apply with a huge number of mail-in ballots in Florida .
The White House did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story .
On Tuesday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , however , responded to questions about Trump 's most recent claim regarding voting in Florida , suggesting Trump had `` always made the distinction '' between absentee and mail-in ballots when speaking about nonexistent fraud .
McEnany falsely claimed that there was a clear difference between the two , saying absentee voters had to `` proactively '' request a ballot , making the system more secure , and that mail-in ballots had been sent to inactive voters in some states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts say no substantive difference exists .
`` Fundamentally , it ’ s the same thing , '' former Denver elections director Amber McReynolds , who currently serves as CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute , told PolitiFact last month .
`` Ballots are handled exactly the same regardless of whether or not it 's an absentee ballot or a vote-by-mail ballot . ''
With Trump 's attacks on mail-in voting , many Republican voters in Florida and elsewhere have been reluctant to vote that way — even during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , Florida Democrats had requested about a third more mail-in ballots for the state 's August primaries than had Republicans .
Trump changed his registration from New York to Florida in September .
In March , he voted by mail in Florida 's Republican presidential primary .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump endorsed voting by mail on Tuesday, after weeks of attacking it — but he only spoke for his new “home” state of Florida.
“Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True,” he tweeted. “Florida’s Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA”
The tweet was in direct contrast with Trump’s prior comments on mail-in voting.
Last month, Trump attempted to draw a distinction between absentee voting and mail ballots, though many states draw no such distinction and ballots are processed in the exact same way.
“Absentee Ballots are fine because you have to go through a precise process to get your voting privilege. Not so with Mail-Ins. Rigged Election!!! 20% fraudulent ballots?” he claimed in a July 10 tweet.
Last Thursday he made a similar argument, tweeting, “With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA.”
Fact-checkers have debunked claims that mail-in voting is rife with voter fraud, which is almost nonexistent.
Trump has also suggested that the U.S. Postal Service (which he has undermined throughout his term) will not be able to handle millions of ballots for the November elections. Florida’s mail-in ballots rely on the same postal system as other states.
He has also urged in-person voting, so people will know who won on Nov. 3.
“Mail-In Ballot fraud found in many elections. People are just now seeing how bad, dishonest and slow it is. Election results could be delayed for months. No more big election night answers? 1% not even counted in 2016. Ridiculous! Just a formula for RIGGING an Election,” he tweeted in July. The same delays could apply with a huge number of mail-in ballots in Florida.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, however, responded to questions about Trump’s most recent claim regarding voting in Florida, suggesting Trump had “always made the distinction” between absentee and mail-in ballots when speaking about nonexistent fraud.
McEnany falsely claimed that there was a clear difference between the two, saying absentee voters had to “proactively” request a ballot, making the system more secure, and that mail-in ballots had been sent to inactive voters in some states (they have not).
Again, experts say no substantive difference exists.
“Fundamentally, it’s the same thing,” former Denver elections director Amber McReynolds, who currently serves as CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute, told PolitiFact last month. “Ballots are handled exactly the same regardless of whether or not it’s an absentee ballot or a vote-by-mail ballot.”
With Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting, many Republican voters in Florida and elsewhere have been reluctant to vote that way — even during a pandemic. As of a few weeks ago, Florida Democrats had requested about a third more mail-in ballots for the state’s August primaries than had Republicans.
Trump changed his registration from New York to Florida in September. In March, he voted by mail in Florida’s Republican presidential primary.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--GOP congressman calls endorsements 'meddling.' Here are 17 times he 'meddled'

Rep. Dan Crenshaw ( R-TX ) complained on Monday that former President Barack Obama was interfering in local politics by endorsing Crenshaw 's opponent in the race for his House seat .
`` Obama is now meddling in races across Texas , including mine .
His goal ?
Help Democrats spread the most radical agenda in a century .
He 's no moderate .
Neither are his candidates , '' Crenshaw tweeted .
He highlighted Obama 's endorsement of Democrat Sima Ladjevardian in the district he currently represents as well as other candidates across the country .
But Crenshaw has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meddling '' on behalf of other Republican candidates and gratefully accepting it for himself .
He has endorsed candidates in an array of races , including many Republicans running outside of Texas .
• Jan. 29 , 2020 : Crenshaw endorsed Daniel Gade for U.S. Senate in Virginia .
• Feb. 18 , 2020 : Crenshaw endorsed Rep. Kay Granger for reelection in Texas ' 12th Congressional District .
• March 5 , 2020 : Crenshaw endorsed Lynne Blankenbeker in New Hampshire 's 2nd Congressional District .
• May 1 , 2020 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 3rd Congressional District .
• May 8 , 2020 : Crenshaw endorsed Peter Meijer in Michigan 's 3rd Congressional District .
• May 27 , 2020 : Crenshaw endorsed Lisa Song Sutton in Nevada 's 4th Congressional District .
In addition to offering his `` meddling '' in those races , Crenshaw has also highlighted endorsements he has received .
His website notes that he has been backed in his campaigns by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey , former Energy Secretary Rick Perry , Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucus .
The Crenshaw campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) complained on Monday that former President Barack Obama was interfering in local politics by endorsing Crenshaw’s opponent in the race for his House seat.
“Obama is now meddling in races across Texas, including mine. His goal? Help Democrats spread the most radical agenda in a century. He’s no moderate. Neither are his candidates,” Crenshaw tweeted. He highlighted Obama’s endorsement of Democrat Sima Ladjevardian in the district he currently represents as well as other candidates across the country.
But Crenshaw has a long record of offering similar “meddling” on behalf of other Republican candidates and gratefully accepting it for himself.
He has endorsed candidates in an array of races, including many Republicans running outside of Texas.
Crenshaw’s endorsements include:
Sept. 9, 2019: Crenshaw endorsed Fiona McFarland for a Florida state House seat.
Oct. 12, 2019: Crenshaw endorsed Tony Gonzales in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
Oct. 21, 2019: Crenshaw endorsed Jeanne Ives in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District.
Dec. 4, 2019: Crenshaw endorsed Jason Church in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.
Dec. 9, 2019: Crenshaw endorsed Texas state Rep. Sam Harless for reelection.
Jan. 20, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed August Pfluger in Texas’ 2nd Congressional District.
Jan. 21, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Nick Freitas in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
Jan. 29, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Daniel Gade for U.S. Senate in Virginia.
Feb. 18, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Rep. Kay Granger for reelection in Texas’ 12th Congressional District.
Feb. 20, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Mike Garcia in California’s 25th Congressional District.
Feb. 21, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Jesse Jensen in Washington’s 8th Congressional District.
March 5, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Lynne Blankenbeker in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District.
April 7, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Alek Skarlatos in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District.
May 1, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.
May 8, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Peter Meijer in Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District.
May 27, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Lisa Song Sutton in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District.
July 21, 2020: Crenshaw endorsed Tiffany Shedd in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
In addition to offering his “meddling” in those races, Crenshaw has also highlighted endorsements he has received. His website notes that he has been backed in his campaigns by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), and members of the Texas House Freedom Caucus.
The Crenshaw campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Trump questions Civil Rights Act two months after questioning end of slavery

Donald Trump questioned the outcome of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in an interview with Axios that aired on Monday .
Trump also claimed he had done `` more for the Black community '' in the United States than President Lyndon Johnson , who signed the Civil Rights Act .
`` How has it worked out ?
If you take a look at what Lyndon Johnson did , how has it worked out ? ''
Trump asked .
The passage of the landmark legislation is considered one of the most important actions in American history , desegregating institutions from coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American law for all time .
Trump 's comments Monday echo remarks he made two months ago questioning the abolition of slavery .
In an interview with Fox News in June , Trump said that Abraham Lincoln 's actions to emancipate enslaved Americans were `` always questionable '' and cast doubt on the `` end result . ''
His interviewer , Harris Faulkner , who is Black , noted that `` we are free '' as a result of Lincoln 's actions , saying it proved the former president `` did pretty well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` Axios on HBO '' : DONALD TRUMP : I did more for the Black community than anybody with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln , whether you like it or not .
People say , `` ooh that 's interesting '' — JONATHAN SWAN , Axios : You believe you did more than Lyndon Johnson , who passed the Civil Rights Act ?
SWAN : How ?
How possibly did you do — TRUMP : Because I got criminal justice reform done .
I got prison reform .
TRUMP : How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a look at what Lyndon Johnson did , how has it worked out ?
SWAN : You think the Civil Rights Act was a mistake ?
TRUMP : Because frankly , it took a long time .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump questioned the outcome of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in an interview with Axios that aired on Monday.
Trump also claimed he had done “more for the Black community” in the United States than President Lyndon Johnson, who signed the Civil Rights Act.
“How has it worked out? If you take a look at what Lyndon Johnson did, how has it worked out?” Trump asked.
The passage of the landmark legislation is considered one of the most important actions in American history, desegregating institutions from coast to coast and enshrining equal rights in American law for all time.
Trump’s comments Monday echo remarks he made two months ago questioning the abolition of slavery.
In an interview with Fox News in June, Trump said that Abraham Lincoln’s actions to emancipate enslaved Americans were “always questionable” and cast doubt on the “end result.”
His interviewer, Harris Faulkner, who is Black, noted that “we are free” as a result of Lincoln’s actions, saying it proved the former president “did pretty well.”
From the August 3 edition of “Axios on HBO”:
DONALD TRUMP: I did more for the Black community than anybody with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln, whether you like it or not. People say, “ooh that’s interesting” — JONATHAN SWAN, Axios: You believe you did more than Lyndon Johnson, who passed the Civil Rights Act? TRUMP: I think I did, yeah. SWAN: How? How possibly did you do — TRUMP: Because I got criminal justice reform done. I got prison reform. SWAN: Lyndon Johnson. TRUMP: I’ve done things, well — SWAN: He passed the Civil Rights Act. TRUMP: How has it worked out? If you take a look at what Lyndon Johnson did, how has it worked out? SWAN: You think the Civil Rights Act was a mistake? TRUMP: Because frankly, it took a long time.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-04--Missouri governor funnels $20 million in federal funds to his meat industry donors

Missouri Republican Gov .
Mike Parson recently announced $ 20 million in relief funds for the meat processing industry , after taking tens of thousands from them in campaign contributions .
Parson , a cow-calf operation owner , has long been a major recipient of contributions from the beef and pork industries .
According to data from the National Institute on Money in Politics , this includes at least $ 22,250 from the Missouri Pork Association , more than $ 15,000 from the Missouri Cattlemen 's Association , and another $ 8,500 from Smithfield Foods — a major pork producer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
As in many other states , meat processing facilities in Missouri have been hit hard in recent months by the COVID-19 pandemic .
By early May , at least 490 workers at a Triumph Foods plant in St. Joseph had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Dozens more at a Smithfield Food plant in Milan tested positive that month as well .
Weeks later , hundreds of workers from Tyson 's plant in Noel contracted the virus .
Rather than shut down the meat processing facilities where the virus was spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've got to keep the food chain going , '' he told reporters on April 29 .
He backed Donald Trump 's executive order compelling processing facilities to keep working during the pandemic as `` critical infrastructure . ''
On May 5 , Parson was asked by reporters what meatpacking workers who were afraid to return plants should do .
He responded that that was between them and their employers , but that `` I do n't think you 're going to be able to say ' I just do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' and you ’ re going to be able to stay at home . '
'' On July 22 , Parson announced that the state 's Legislature had passed and he had approved $ 20 million in federal relief funds for meat and poultry establishments with 200 employees or fewer .
While the money may be used to curb the spread of the coronavirus among workers , it may also be used for other expenses including expanding capacity and buying new storage equipment and cutting racks .
`` As a farmer , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic has created within our agriculture community , ” Parson said in a press release .
`` Agriculture is the state ’ s number one economic driver , '' he added .
These donations were first highlighted by American Bridge 21st Century .
A spokesperson for the Missouri Cattlemen 's Association said that it did not lobby Parson on the funds : `` Our association supports candidates who understand and value Missouri agriculture .
He 's a cattle farmer and farm and ranch families are blessed to have him as Governor . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to inquiries for this story , nor did the other donors .
To date , more than 52,000 people in Missouri have tested positive for the coronavirus .
More than 1,200 of those have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson recently announced $20 million in relief funds for the meat processing industry, after taking tens of thousands from them in campaign contributions.
Parson, a cow-calf operation owner, has long been a major recipient of contributions from the beef and pork industries. According to data from the National Institute on Money in Politics, this includes at least $22,250 from the Missouri Pork Association, more than $15,000 from the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, and another $8,500 from Smithfield Foods — a major pork producer — over the course of his political career.
As in many other states, meat processing facilities in Missouri have been hit hard in recent months by the COVID-19 pandemic. By early May, at least 490 workers at a Triumph Foods plant in St. Joseph had tested positive for the coronavirus. Dozens more at a Smithfield Food plant in Milan tested positive that month as well. Weeks later, hundreds of workers from Tyson’s plant in Noel contracted the virus.
Rather than shut down the meat processing facilities where the virus was spreading rapidly, Parson endorsed keeping them open.
“We’ve got to keep the food chain going,” he told reporters on April 29. He backed Donald Trump’s executive order compelling processing facilities to keep working during the pandemic as “critical infrastructure.”
On May 5, Parson was asked by reporters what meatpacking workers who were afraid to return plants should do. He responded that that was between them and their employers, but that “I don’t think you’re going to be able to say ‘I just don’t feel comfortable going back to work’ and you’re going to be able to stay at home.'”
On July 22, Parson announced that the state’s Legislature had passed and he had approved $20 million in federal relief funds for meat and poultry establishments with 200 employees or fewer. While the money may be used to curb the spread of the coronavirus among workers, it may also be used for other expenses including expanding capacity and buying new storage equipment and cutting racks.
“As a farmer, I understand firsthand the challenging circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic has created within our agriculture community,” Parson said in a press release. “Agriculture is the state’s number one economic driver,” he added.
These donations were first highlighted by American Bridge 21st Century.
A spokesperson for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association said that it did not lobby Parson on the funds: “Our association supports candidates who understand and value Missouri agriculture. He’s a cattle farmer and farm and ranch families are blessed to have him as Governor.”
A spokesperson for Parson said in an email, “Meat packing plant worker safety was first and foremost and we worked to get meat packing plants access to PPE and proactive testing.”
To date, more than 52,000 people in Missouri have tested positive for the coronavirus. More than 1,200 of those have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Cartoon: Republican Rescue

Clay Jones is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist .
He has worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Free Lance-Star @ @ @ @ @ draws a weekly cartoon for CNN Opinion .
He lives in the Washington suburbs of @ @ @

A decade after Sandy Hook, grief remains but hope grows
December, the anniversary of the worst grade school mass shooting in the U.S. is a difficult month for many in Newton. But in the face of heartbreak and grief, some survivors and families of victims feel hope for a brighter future.
By Associated Press - December 22, 2022


shareblue--2020-08-05--How housing instability leads to later abortions

As the country prepares for an avalanche of evictions as coronavirus-related eviction moratoriums end , millions of Americans may be thrust into unstable living situations or experience homelessness .
With that , they may find abortion services more difficult to access and end up having abortions later in pregnancy .
A new study In the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology looked at over 1,900 people who had an abortion at a San Francisco clinic from 2015 to 2017 .
What they found was that people experiencing homelessness and housing instability came to clinics later in pregnancy .
In turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Typically , patients at the clinic sought abortions at 9.5 weeks , but people with housing instability came nearly four weeks later .
At an average of 13.3 weeks , that meant many people experiencing homelessness and housing instability were often very close to or in the second trimester before presenting at the clinic .
People experiencing homelessness and housing instability can receive health care through Medicaid , but the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funds , including Medicaid , for almost all abortions .
Clinics sometimes offer sliding scale fees and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it 's not enough : One in four low-income people ends up carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term .
As the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice notes , this problem affects people of color far more than their white counterparts , as people of color are `` disproportionately affected '' by economic inequality .
They call the Hyde Amendment `` heartbreakingly successful '' at diminishing the reproductive freedom of people with low incomes .
Additionally , 2 states have banned the most common method for later abortions , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious implications for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability .
The study found that those people `` may be disproportionately impacted by laws that ban abortion after a certain gestational age as they often present later in pregnancy . ''
If people are unable to get an abortion in their home state because they are already into their second trimester and that procedure is banned , they may need to travel out of state to obtain an abortion .
For example , Nebraska is currently debating a ban on a later abortion method @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people needing that procedure would have to travel 342 % farther to get an abortion , according to a study from the Guttmacher Institute , which researches reproductive health issues .
Increased travel costs can create a significant barrier to abortion care and delay access as people attempt to raise money to afford a more expensive procedure .
The underlying causes here — lack of housing stability — was already a widespread problem .
A 2016 study by the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that 200,000 people in families with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience housing instability .
That is likely to get much worse soon and may lead to many more people needing costlier and harder-to-obtain later abortions .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As the country prepares for an avalanche of evictions as coronavirus-related eviction moratoriums end, millions of Americans may be thrust into unstable living situations or experience homelessness. With that, they may find abortion services more difficult to access and end up having abortions later in pregnancy.
A new study In the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology looked at over 1,900 people who had an abortion at a San Francisco clinic from 2015 to 2017. What they found was that people experiencing homelessness and housing instability came to clinics later in pregnancy. In turn, that meant they had later abortions.
Typically, patients at the clinic sought abortions at 9.5 weeks, but people with housing instability came nearly four weeks later. At an average of 13.3 weeks, that meant many people experiencing homelessness and housing instability were often very close to or in the second trimester before presenting at the clinic.
People experiencing homelessness and housing instability can receive health care through Medicaid, but the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal funds, including Medicaid, for almost all abortions. Clinics sometimes offer sliding scale fees and there is a national network of abortion funds, but it’s not enough: One in four low-income people ends up carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term.
As the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice notes, this problem affects people of color far more than their white counterparts, as people of color are “disproportionately affected” by economic inequality. They call the Hyde Amendment “heartbreakingly successful” at diminishing the reproductive freedom of people with low incomes.
Additionally, 2 states have banned the most common method for later abortions, and other states are trying. Those bans have serious implications for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The study found that those people “may be disproportionately impacted by laws that ban abortion after a certain gestational age as they often present later in pregnancy.”
If people are unable to get an abortion in their home state because they are already into their second trimester and that procedure is banned, they may need to travel out of state to obtain an abortion.
For example, Nebraska is currently debating a ban on a later abortion method. Were the state to do so, people needing that procedure would have to travel 342% farther to get an abortion, according to a study from the Guttmacher Institute, which researches reproductive health issues. Increased travel costs can create a significant barrier to abortion care and delay access as people attempt to raise money to afford a more expensive procedure.
The underlying causes here — lack of housing stability — was already a widespread problem. A 2016 study by the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that 200,000 people in families with children were considered homeless and millions more experience housing instability. That is likely to get much worse soon and may lead to many more people needing costlier and harder-to-obtain later abortions.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-08-05--Trump: We can't let Nevada vote by mail because it's 'a very political state'

Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Nevada should not be allowed to proceed with mail-in voting because `` it 's a very political state and the governor happens to be a Democrat . ''
Trump 's campaign sued the state on Tuesday , opposing a recent expansion of mail-in voting there in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
The state 's June primary was held almost entirely by mail without incident .
On the same day Trump 's campaign filed suit against Nevada , Trump said that voting by mail in Florida is acceptable .
Florida 's governor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close ally of Trump .
Trump endorsed and supported DeSantis ' recent gubernatorial campaign .
`` Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting , in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure , Tried and True , '' he tweeted Tuesday .
`` Florida 's Voting system has been cleaned up ( we defeated Democrats attempts at change ) , so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail !
# MAGA '' Trump has voted absentee in Florida .
Several other members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Ivanka Trump and Vice President Mike Pence — have also voted absentee in past elections .
DONALD TRUMP : Absentee voting , great .
But this mail-in voting where they mail — indiscriminately — millions and millions of ballots to people , you 're never going to know who won the election .
You ca n't have that .
And Nevada 's a big state , it 's an important state , it 's a very political state , and the governor happens to be a Democrat , and I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
They were given no notice , I mean you 're talking about millions of votes .
No , it 'll be a — it 's , it 's a catastrophe waiting to happen .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Nevada should not be allowed to proceed with mail-in voting because “it’s a very political state and the governor happens to be a Democrat.”
Trump’s campaign sued the state on Tuesday, opposing a recent expansion of mail-in voting there in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s June primary was held almost entirely by mail without incident.
On the same day Trump’s campaign filed suit against Nevada, Trump said that voting by mail in Florida is acceptable. Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, is a Republican and a close ally of Trump. Trump endorsed and supported DeSantis’ recent gubernatorial campaign.
“Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True,” he tweeted Tuesday. “Florida’s Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA”
Trump has voted absentee in Florida. Several other members of his inner circle — including his daughter Ivanka Trump and Vice President Mike Pence — have also voted absentee in past elections.
From an Aug. 5 press availability:
DONALD TRUMP: Absentee voting, great. But this mail-in voting where they mail — indiscriminately — millions and millions of ballots to people, you’re never going to know who won the election. You can’t have that. And Nevada’s a big state, it’s an important state, it’s a very political state, and the governor happens to be a Democrat, and I don’t believe the post office can be set up. They were given no notice, I mean you’re talking about millions of votes. No, it’ll be a — it’s, it’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.