shareblue--2020-10-20--Tiffany Trump says her dad can't be a bigot because her 'best friends are gay'

During an event in Tampa last weekend , Tiffany Trump defended her father 's terrible record on LGBTQ rights by saying her `` best friends are gay . ''
She made the comments while speaking at a `` Trump Pride '' event as part of the Trump campaign 's supposed LGBTQ outreach efforts .
You see social media .
You see these fabricated lies .
It saddens me .
I have friends of mine who reach and say , 'How can they make up stories ?
How would you support your father ?
We know your best friends are gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this this and this . '
I say it 's because my father has always supported all of you .
She mostly rambled about herself and her father 's decision to run for president , while barely mentioning any substantive policy issues or naming any LGBTQ people who support her father .
In her speech , Trump claimed that `` prior to politics , '' her father `` supported gays , lesbians , the LGBTQIA+ community , OK ? ''
She then stuck to vague remarks about love and equality .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love .
Openly love .
Come on , we 're all people .
We 're all humans , right ? ''
Trump said .
She added , `` It 's about love .
It 's about equality .
It 's about prosperity . ''
Trump 's statements mirrored those of her half-sister , Ivanka Trump , who tweeted during Pride Month , `` Less hate , more love ! ''
The tweet made no specific reference to the LGBTQ community apart from rainbow-colored text and heart emoji .
Over the past four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ rights .
Among other actions , the Trump administration has : • Argued in court against LGBTQ rights ; and • Nominated Amy Coney Barrett , who has a long record of opposing LGBTQ rights , to the Supreme Court The Trump campaign only announced its LGBTQ outreach efforts in late August .
The Trump Pride section of Trump 's campaign website says that Trump `` stands in solidarity with LGBT citizens by supporting and enacting policies and initiatives that protect the wellbeing and prosperity of all gay , lesbian , bisexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump did not mention transgender people in her speech — a common occurrence for Trump Pride events .
Rather than using her speech to bring attention to the challenges LGBTQ people face , she mostly talked about herself .
At one point , she said that `` educated young women '' like herself are `` silenced , '' and complained about how hard it is to be the daughter of one of the least popular presidents in recent history .
Her remarks were typical for a Trump Pride event , where speakers rarely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ community — when they bother mentioning the LGBTQ community at all .
Earlier this month , the Trump campaign hosted a Trump Pride roundtable event in Phoenix .
At the event , gay Trump supporters talked more about the `` discrimination '' they say they face as Trump supporters than the discrimination they face as gay people .
An invitation for a Trump Pride event in Pennsylvania last week made no mention of LGBTQ people .
The event was headlined by Lara Trump , Donald Trump 's daughter-in-law , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grenell , who is gay .
Grenell is the co-chair of Trump Pride , as well as the Republican National Committee 's senior adviser for LGBTQ outreach .
In her speech , Trump used Grenell — the first openly gay person to lead a cabinet-level department — as one of the few examples of her father 's record on LGBTQ rights .
She also mentioned her father 's vow last year to end the AIDS epidemic within the next 10 years , while ignoring the fact that he has offered no details on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump allies have continued to push inaccuracies and misleading claims about both Trump and Biden 's record on LGBTQ rights .
A Log Cabin Republicans video released in August featured Grenell speaking to the camera about Trump .
The video is a `` stew of misleading timelines , out-of-context quotes and claims easily debunked , '' according to the Washington Post .
Meanwhile , the COVID-19 pandemic continues to burden LGBTQ Americans with increased economic insecurity and health risks — a fact that no pretty speech will change .
Published with permission @ @ @ @ @ @

During an event in Tampa last weekend, Tiffany Trump defended her father’s terrible record on LGBTQ rights by saying her “best friends are gay.”
She made the comments while speaking at a “Trump Pride” event as part of the Trump campaign’s supposed LGBTQ outreach efforts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjKmOmrXvZM
The younger Trump said:
You see social media. You see these fabricated lies. It saddens me. I have friends of mine who reach and say, ‘How can they make up stories? How would you support your father? We know your best friends are gay. We know your best friends are this this and this.’ I say it’s because my father has always supported all of you.
She mostly rambled about herself and her father’s decision to run for president, while barely mentioning any substantive policy issues or naming any LGBTQ people who support her father.
In her speech, Trump claimed that “prior to politics,” her father “supported gays, lesbians, the LGBTQIA+ community, OK?”
She then stuck to vague remarks about love and equality.
“There should be love for all. One love. Openly love. Come on, we’re all people. We’re all humans, right?” Trump said.
She added, “It’s about love. It’s about equality. It’s about prosperity.”
Trump’s statements mirrored those of her half-sister, Ivanka Trump, who tweeted during Pride Month, “Less hate, more love!” The tweet made no specific reference to the LGBTQ community apart from rainbow-colored text and heart emoji.
Over the past four years, the Trump administration has relentlessly attacked LGBTQ rights. Among other actions, the Trump administration has:
The Trump campaign only announced its LGBTQ outreach efforts in late August. The Trump Pride section of Trump’s campaign website says that Trump “stands in solidarity with LGBT citizens by supporting and enacting policies and initiatives that protect the wellbeing and prosperity of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans.”
Tiffany Trump did not mention transgender people in her speech — a common occurrence for Trump Pride events. Rather than using her speech to bring attention to the challenges LGBTQ people face, she mostly talked about herself. At one point, she said that “educated young women” like herself are “silenced,” and complained about how hard it is to be the daughter of one of the least popular presidents in recent history.
Her remarks were typical for a Trump Pride event, where speakers rarely discuss issues that are important to the LGBTQ community — when they bother mentioning the LGBTQ community at all.
Earlier this month, the Trump campaign hosted a Trump Pride roundtable event in Phoenix. At the event, gay Trump supporters talked more about the “discrimination” they say they face as Trump supporters than the discrimination they face as gay people.
An invitation for a Trump Pride event in Pennsylvania last week made no mention of LGBTQ people. The event was headlined by Lara Trump, Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, as well as former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, who is gay. Grenell is the co-chair of Trump Pride, as well as the Republican National Committee’s senior adviser for LGBTQ outreach.
In her speech, Trump used Grenell — the first openly gay person to lead a cabinet-level department — as one of the few examples of her father’s record on LGBTQ rights. She also mentioned her father’s vow last year to end the AIDS epidemic within the next 10 years, while ignoring the fact that he has offered no details on how to achieve such a medical breakthrough.
Trump allies have continued to push inaccuracies and misleading claims about both Trump and Biden’s record on LGBTQ rights. A Log Cabin Republicans video released in August featured Grenell speaking to the camera about Trump. The video is a “stew of misleading timelines, out-of-context quotes and claims easily debunked,” according to the Washington Post.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to burden LGBTQ Americans with increased economic insecurity and health risks — a fact that no pretty speech will change.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-20--Exxon denies bribing Trump — after giving him $500,000

ExxonMobil denied a `` hypothetical '' claim by Donald Trump on Monday that he could extort millions in campaign funds from the company in exchange for permits .
But public records show the fossil fuel behemoth did donate $ 500,000 for his 2017 inauguration .
`` We are aware of the President 's statement regarding a hypothetical call with our CEO , ” the company tweeted on Monday evening , `` and just so we 're all clear , it never happened . ''
The statement in question came at a Trump campaign rally in Prescott , Arizona .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past several months by Joe Biden , bragged that he `` would be the greatest fundraiser in history '' but for his not wanting to be `` totally compromised . ''
`` I call the head of Exxon .
I do n't know , you know ... 'How are you doing ?
How 's energy coming ?
When are you doing the exploration ?
Oh , you need a couple of permits ? '
'' Trump told supporters .
`` I say , 'You know , I 'd love you to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ‘ Absolutely sir , why didn ’ t you ask ?
Would you like some more ? '
'' `` The president appeared to be describing a hypothetical situation .
No such conversation occurred , '' an ExxonMobil spokesperson said Tuesday in an email .
`` ExxonMobil complies with all applicable laws and regulations and our political contributions are publicly available and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies and authorities . ''
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
But while Trump may not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million bribe from ExxonMobil , reality is not that much better .
On Jan. 25 , 2017 , the ExxonMobil corporation contributed a half-million dollars to the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee .
Just weeks earlier , Trump had announced that he had selected ExxonMobil 's then-chair and CEO , Rex Tillerson , to be his secretary of state .
Trump praised him as `` one of the truly great business leaders of the world . ''
( He would later fire Tillerson via tweet and call him `` dumb as a rock .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his other oil and gas industry backers with decidedly pro-industry policies .
His administration has cut enforcement of anti-pollution laws , pushed massive pipelines , expanded drilling , and rolled back several Obama-era climate regulations .
In April , ExxonMobil 's current CEO , Darren Woods , joined Trump at the White House for a meeting with energy sector executives about the impact of COVID-19 on their industry .
`` I ’ d like to add my thanks for your leadership in this space , as well , and say I think all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objective , which is to get the economy moving and to make people ’ s lives around the world better , '' Woods told Trump .
`` Good .
Great job you ’ ve done .
Thank you , '' Trump replied .
In a July White House fact sheet , Trump 's administration bragged of `` achieving historic deregulation '' of the energy sector .
`` With the help of the President ’ s policies , American energy companies will be at the forefront of our Nation ’ s rapid economic recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most Americans say they do not believe Trump to be honest and trustworthy .
A majority also say they believe he abuses his office .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

ExxonMobil denied a “hypothetical” claim by Donald Trump on Monday that he could extort millions in campaign funds from the company in exchange for permits. But public records show the fossil fuel behemoth did donate $500,000 for his 2017 inauguration.
“We are aware of the President’s statement regarding a hypothetical call with our CEO,” the company tweeted on Monday evening, “and just so we’re all clear, it never happened.”
The statement in question came at a Trump campaign rally in Prescott, Arizona. Trump, who has been vastly outraised over the past several months by Joe Biden, bragged that he “would be the greatest fundraiser in history” but for his not wanting to be “totally compromised.”
“I call the head of Exxon. I don’t know, you know… ‘How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?'” Trump told supporters. “I say, ‘You know, I’d love you to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir, why didn’t you ask? Would you like some more?'”
“The president appeared to be describing a hypothetical situation. No such conversation occurred,” an ExxonMobil spokesperson said Tuesday in an email. “ExxonMobil complies with all applicable laws and regulations and our political contributions are publicly available and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies and authorities.”
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
But while Trump may not have actually demanded or received a $25 million bribe from ExxonMobil, reality is not that much better.
On Jan. 25, 2017, the ExxonMobil corporation contributed a half-million dollars to the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Just weeks earlier, Trump had announced that he had selected ExxonMobil’s then-chair and CEO, Rex Tillerson, to be his secretary of state. Trump praised him as “one of the truly great business leaders of the world.” (He would later fire Tillerson via tweet and call him “dumb as a rock.”)
Trump repaid the company and his other oil and gas industry backers with decidedly pro-industry policies. His administration has cut enforcement of anti-pollution laws, pushed massive pipelines, expanded drilling, and rolled back several Obama-era climate regulations.
In April, ExxonMobil’s current CEO, Darren Woods, joined Trump at the White House for a meeting with energy sector executives about the impact of COVID-19 on their industry.
“I’d like to add my thanks for your leadership in this space, as well, and say I think all of our companies here align with your objective, which is to get the economy moving and to make people’s lives around the world better,” Woods told Trump.
“Good. Great job you’ve done. Thank you,” Trump replied.
In a July White House fact sheet, Trump’s administration bragged of “achieving historic deregulation” of the energy sector. “With the help of the President’s policies, American energy companies will be at the forefront of our Nation’s rapid economic recovery.”
By about a two-to-one majority, most Americans say they do not believe Trump to be honest and trustworthy. A majority also say they believe he abuses his office.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Cartoon: Science Schmience

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--2020-10-21--339 million reasons the GOP could lose the Senate

There 's more than one reason for the sudden surge in donations to Democratic nominees in the 2020 election cycle .
Donald Trump himself recently remarked that Collins was `` Not worth the work ! ''
to support , which could make her campaign fundraising even harder .
And , in a startling turn of events , Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins raised only $ 8.3 million in the third quarter , while her Democratic challenger , state House Speaker Sara Gideon , raised $ 39.4 million .
Most notably , GOP incumbent Lindsey Graham 's challenger for his South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised $ 57 million in the third quarter to Graham 's $ 28 million .
The death on Sept. 18 of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg prompted unprecedented levels of donations from grassroots Democratic donors .
The Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue reported $ 100 million in small-dollar donations the weekend following Ginsburg 's death , with $ 6.2 million pouring in in the first hour after her death and $ 6.3 million in the second .
The same weekend , a Democratic fundraising group called `` Get Mitch or Die Trying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate majority , announced that in the two days after Ginsburg 's death it had raised $ 21 million .
His approval rating currently sits at roughly 45 % , with his average approval rating hovering around 40 % during his time in office .
This is the lowest average approval rating of any president in modern history , since approval ratings were first tracked in the late 1930s during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt .
Doug Heye , a Republican strategist , said last week : `` It 's very clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fundraising numbers that the momentum and enthusiasm is on the Democratic side .
When an incumbent is unpopular , he takes people with him , and that 's the concern now . ''
Democrats have also historically been better at securing small-dollar donations .
In the third quarter , ActBlue took in $ 1.5 billion in small-dollar donations , compared to $ 623.3 million raised by WinRed , the Republican fundraising platform .
Dan Eberhart , a Republican donor , told CNN : `` We are getting buried in an avalanche of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise millions overnight in $ 5 and $ 10 increments .
We are going to need to rebuild our digital fundraising capabilities . ''
Tom Perez , chair of the Democratic National Committee , said last year that `` campaigns are won on the strengths of their grassroots . ''
And a FiveThirtyEight analysis published in 2018 noted that in general , 90 % of the candidates who spend the most on campaigning are the ones that win their races .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

There’s more than one reason for the sudden surge in donations to Democratic nominees in the 2020 election cycle.
Donald Trump himself recently remarked that Collins was “Not worth the work!” to support, which could make her campaign fundraising even harder.
And, in a startling turn of events, Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins raised only $8.3 million in the third quarter, while her Democratic challenger, state House Speaker Sara Gideon, raised $39.4 million.
Most notably, GOP incumbent Lindsey Graham’s challenger for his South Carolina Senate seat, Jaime Harrison , raised $57 million in the third quarter to Graham’s $28 million.
The death on Sept. 18 of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg prompted unprecedented levels of donations from grassroots Democratic donors. The Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue reported $100 million in small-dollar donations the weekend following Ginsburg’s death, with $6.2 million pouring in in the first hour after her death and $6.3 million in the second.
The same weekend, a Democratic fundraising group called “Get Mitch or Die Trying,” whose mission is gaining back the Senate majority, announced that in the two days after Ginsburg’s death it had raised $21 million.
And Trump’s wild unpopularity isn’t helping prospects for Republican candidates.
His approval rating currently sits at roughly 45%, with his average approval rating hovering around 40% during his time in office.
This is the lowest average approval rating of any president in modern history, since approval ratings were first tracked in the late 1930s during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Doug Heye, a Republican strategist, said last week: “It’s very clear from what we are seeing in polling and fundraising numbers that the momentum and enthusiasm is on the Democratic side. When an incumbent is unpopular, he takes people with him, and that’s the concern now.”
Democrats have also historically been better at securing small-dollar donations.
In the third quarter, ActBlue took in $1.5 billion in small-dollar donations, compared to $623.3 million raised by WinRed, the Republican fundraising platform.
Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor, told CNN: “We are getting buried in an avalanche of blue money. The Democrats are able to raise millions overnight in $5 and $10 increments. We are going to need to rebuild our digital fundraising capabilities.”
Tom Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said last year that “campaigns are won on the strengths of their grassroots.”
And a FiveThirtyEight analysis published in 2018 noted that in general, 90% of the candidates who spend the most on campaigning are the ones that win their races.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--GOP House candidate: Cops shoot Black people who 'need to be shot'

Jay Allen , the Republican candidate for Maine 's 1st Congressional District , said on Tuesday that police officers shoot Black people who `` need to be shot . ''
Allen 's comment came during a debate with Rep. Chellie Pingree ( D-ME ) , who currently holds the seat .
Allen describes himself as a `` Trump conservative . ''
According to him , police are `` less likely '' to shoot a Black person `` because they know that if they shoot a Black person , then they will face an inquisition if they shoot that Black person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty sure that that Black person needs to be shot , '' he concluded .
Over the summer , thousands of Americans across the country protested against police killings of Black Americans after the death of George Floyd , an unarmed Black Man who was killed by a white police officer .
During the debate , Allen disputed the role systemic racism plays in Black people being more likely to be shot by police officers .
`` Crime is committed by more African-Americans too , and again it goes back to the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have fathers , that do not have that principled leadership within the home , '' said Allen .
He further argued that the `` family-centered home '' in `` African-American families '' had been `` destroyed '' in the sixties by policies encouraging fathers to leave families .
Allen 's rhetoric on systemic racism echoes other Republicans , including Donald Trump , who have disputed its existence outright .
MAL LEARY , Maine Public : What about this specific area , though , that we 've several studies on from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 2.8 times higher than whites by police agencies ?
That 's from 2009-2012 period .
Why is n't that showing some systematic racism ?
JAY ALLEN : Well , crime is committed by more African-Americans too , and again it goes back to the fact that they are raised in homes that do not have fathers , that do not have that principled leadership within the home .
And that 's the problem that African-American families are facing .
The African-American family used to be a family-centered home .
But since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been destroyed by encouraging practices where the father — the family 's better off if the father leaves the home .
JENNIFER ROOKS , Maine Public : You 're saying that police officers are more likely to shoot a Black person because there is n't a father — ALLEN : They 're less likely .
They are less likely , because they know that if they shoot a Black person , then they will face an inquisition if they shoot that Black person .
So , they have to be pretty sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Jay Allen, the Republican candidate for Maine’s 1st Congressional District, said on Tuesday that police officers shoot Black people who “need to be shot.”
Allen’s comment came during a debate with Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), who currently holds the seat.
Allen describes himself as a “Trump conservative.” According to him, police are “less likely” to shoot a Black person “because they know that if they shoot a Black person, then they will face an inquisition if they shoot that Black person.”
“They have to be pretty sure that that Black person needs to be shot,” he concluded.
Over the summer, thousands of Americans across the country protested against police killings of Black Americans after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black Man who was killed by a white police officer.
During the debate, Allen disputed the role systemic racism plays in Black people being more likely to be shot by police officers.
“Crime is committed by more African-Americans too, and again it goes back to the fact that they are raised in homes that do not have fathers, that do not have that principled leadership within the home,” said Allen.
He further argued that the “family-centered home” in “African-American families” had been “destroyed” in the sixties by policies encouraging fathers to leave families.
Allen’s rhetoric on systemic racism echoes other Republicans, including Donald Trump, who have disputed its existence outright.
From the Oct. 21 Maine 1st Congressional District Debate:
MAL LEARY, Maine Public: What about this specific area, though, that we’ve several studies on from the federal government, that Blacks are killed at 2.8 times higher than whites by police agencies? That’s from 2009-2012 period. Why isn’t that showing some systematic racism? JAY ALLEN: Well, crime is committed by more African-Americans too, and again it goes back to the fact that they are raised in homes that do not have fathers, that do not have that principled leadership within the home. And that’s the problem that African-American families are facing. The African-American family used to be a family-centered home. But since the great — since the sixties, that has been destroyed by encouraging practices where the father — the family’s better off if the father leaves the home. JENNIFER ROOKS, Maine Public: You’re saying that police officers are more likely to shoot a Black person because there isn’t a father — ALLEN: They’re less likely. They are less likely, because they know that if they shoot a Black person, then they will face an inquisition if they shoot that Black person. So, they have to be pretty sure that that Black person needs to be shot.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--GOP thrilled to see Black voter turnout is down in North Carolina

The North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee 's campaign wants supporters to know he can win .
Among their reasons : Black voter participation appears to be down .
In an email sent to supporters this week — first flagged by the progressive research group American Bridge 21st Century — the campaign manager for Dan Forest claimed that `` Republicans statewide are surging . ''
After noting that slightly more Republicans had voted in the previous day of early voting than Democrats , he happily added that the percentage of voters who are Black is slightly lower than four years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the traditional Democrat [ sic ] friendly African American vote as a percentage of the voting electorate is down 3 to 4 % when compared to 2016 , '' he wrote , `` and again you start to see real warning signs for the Democrat efforts . ''
`` With that in mind , I like what I am seeing , '' he concluded .
The Forest campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Dan Forest , the state 's current lieutenant governor , is challenging Democratic incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's election .
In recent months , he has repeatedly aligned himself with racism , homophobia , xenophobia , and Islamophobia .
`` [ N ] o other nation , my friends , has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today , because of a lack of assimilation , because of this division , and because of this identity politics , '' he claimed .
`` But no other nation has ever been founded on the principles of Jesus Christ , that begin the redemption and reconciliation through the atoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern Poverty Law Center has attributed that kind of rhetoric to white nationalist hate groups .
In January , he railed against the North Carolina NAACP and others who had blocked a strict voter ID law that would have made it harder for minorities to vote .
In a radio interview , he suggested that the law 's critics were the real racists .
`` To suggest that people that are minorities do n't know how to get an ID and do n't know how to use one — I think that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of bill is racist , '' Forest claimed , ignoring evidence that such laws disproportionately impact minority voters , including many Black Americans who do not have access to a birth certificate because they were never issued one .
Forest falsely claimed last November that `` tens of thousands '' of North Carolina children have been victims of violent crime at the hands of undocumented immigrants .
In the same remarks , he complained that journalists were no longer using terms like `` illegal '' and `` aliens '' to describe undocumented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapists and murderers .
Forest also headlined an October 2019 event with anti-Muslim extremists and touted February 2020 endorsements from anti-LGBTQ groups , including the political arm of Tony Perkins ' Family Research Council .
The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the Family Research Council a hate group , based on its many `` false claims about the LGBT community based on discredited research and junk science . ''
Polling has shown Forest to be way behind Cooper , trailing the Democratic incumbent by an average of 17 points .
His unpopularity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and North Carolina 's Republican Sen. Thom Tillis — both who are also running statewide and are trailing their Democratic opponents by an average of 2.3 points .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee’s campaign wants supporters to know he can win. Among their reasons: Black voter participation appears to be down.
In an email sent to supporters this week — first flagged by the progressive research group American Bridge 21st Century — the campaign manager for Dan Forest claimed that “Republicans statewide are surging.”
After noting that slightly more Republicans had voted in the previous day of early voting than Democrats, he happily added that the percentage of voters who are Black is slightly lower than four years ago.
“Another interesting fact is that the traditional Democrat [sic] friendly African American vote as a percentage of the voting electorate is down 3 to 4% when compared to 2016,” he wrote, “and again you start to see real warning signs for the Democrat efforts.”
“With that in mind, I like what I am seeing,” he concluded.
The Forest campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Dan Forest, the state’s current lieutenant governor, is challenging Democratic incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper in next month’s election.
In recent months, he has repeatedly aligned himself with racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and Islamophobia.
Last June, Forest delivered a sermon denouncing the nation’s diversity.
“[N]o other nation, my friends, has ever survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today, because of a lack of assimilation, because of this division, and because of this identity politics,” he claimed. “But no other nation has ever been founded on the principles of Jesus Christ, that begin the redemption and reconciliation through the atoning blood of our savior.” The Southern Poverty Law Center has attributed that kind of rhetoric to white nationalist hate groups.
In January, he railed against the North Carolina NAACP and others who had blocked a strict voter ID law that would have made it harder for minorities to vote. In a radio interview, he suggested that the law’s critics were the real racists.
“To suggest that people that are minorities don’t know how to get an ID and don’t know how to use one — I think that’s far more racist than saying that this type of bill is racist,” Forest claimed, ignoring evidence that such laws disproportionately impact minority voters, including many Black Americans who do not have access to a birth certificate because they were never issued one.
Forest falsely claimed last November that “tens of thousands” of North Carolina children have been victims of violent crime at the hands of undocumented immigrants. In the same remarks, he complained that journalists were no longer using terms like “illegal” and “aliens” to describe undocumented people and no longer painting them as rapists and murderers.
Forest also headlined an October 2019 event with anti-Muslim extremists and touted February 2020 endorsements from anti-LGBTQ groups, including the political arm of Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council. The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the Family Research Council a hate group, based on its many “false claims about the LGBT community based on discredited research and junk science.”
Polling has shown Forest to be way behind Cooper, trailing the Democratic incumbent by an average of 17 points.
His unpopularity is especially noteworthy when compared with Donald Trump and North Carolina’s Republican Sen. Thom Tillis — both who are also running statewide and are trailing their Democratic opponents by an average of 2.3 points.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--Amy Coney Barrett says she's 'not aware' of her own long record of bigotry

Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Donald Trump 's pick to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's seat on the Supreme Court , has a long record of associating with groups that oppose LGBTQ rights .
On Wednesday , the Associated Press reported that for nearly three years , Barrett served as a trustee on the board of a private Christian school that discriminated against LGBTQ parents and teachers .
Trinity Schools Inc. has three schools located in Virginia , Indiana , and Minnesota .
The private schools are tied to People of Praise , a network of Christian communities of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' anti-LGBTQ policies had been in place for years when Barrett joined the board of trustees in 2015 , according to the AP 's report .
During Barrett 's time on the board , Trinity School reportedly had a policy that barred LGBTQ teachers from working at the school , and barred children of same-sex parents from attending the school .
Tom Henry , a former student at the Minnesota school , told the Associated Press about a school tour he gave to a prospective family in 2017 .
One parent , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting Trinity School was of gay people .
Henry , who is gay , was n't sure how to answer .
The next day , Henry met with the school 's headmaster at the time , Jon Balsbaugh , to ask how he should answer similar questions .
Balsbaugh pulled out a document outlining a new policy from People of Praise condemning marriage equality , according to Henry .
`` The next time that happens , you tell them they would not be welcome here , '' Balsbaugh allegedly said .
The school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Barrett 's own thinking when it comes to LGBTQ rights , including marriage equality .
In 2015 , Barrett signed onto a letter that said `` marriage and family are founded on the indissoluble commitment of a man and a woman '' and `` the significance of sexual difference and complementarity of men and women . ''
Since 2011 , Barrett has spoken to students at the Alliance Defending Freedom 's Blackstone Legal Fellowship on five separate occasions .
The legal advocacy group — which has been designated an anti-LGBTQ hate group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has defended forced sterilization for transgender people and argued that LGBTQ people are more likely to be pedophiles , among other extreme anti-LGBTQ positions .
The ADF has attacked LGBTQ rights in the courts at every turn , including in Bostock v. Clayton County , a landmark case decided in June that barred discrimination against LGBTQ people in the workplace .
The group represented the defendant in the case , a funeral home that discriminated against a transgender employee .
Despite her active involvement in these groups , Barrett has repeatedly denied knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's confirmation hearings last week , Sen. Patrick Leahy ( D-VT ) asked Barrett , `` Were you aware of the ADF ’ s decades-long efforts to recriminalize homosexuality ? ''
`` I am not aware of those efforts , no , '' she said .
In an Oct. 16 Senate questionnaire , Barrett said she did not learn the ADF funded the fellowship program until after they had paid for her speech , `` or maybe when I saw the signature line in an e-mail . ''
While Barrett did n't offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she may have given her speech between 2015 and 2017 — when she was also serving on Trinity School 's board of trustees .
When asked when she learned that the ADF has supported efforts to recriminalize homosexuality , Barrett responded , `` I have no specific knowledge of the efforts you describe . ''
During Barrett 's confirmation hearing on Oct. 13 , she called sexual orientation `` sexual preference , '' angering LGBTQ groups such as GLAAD and Lambda Legal .
`` This is a dogwhistle .
The term 'sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equality to suggest that being # LGBTQ is a choice , '' Lambda Legal tweeted .
Barrett later apologized for using those specific words , but still refused to say whether she believes a person 's sexual orientation and gender identity are immutable traits .
`` Insofar as it is relevant to the disposition of legal questions , it would not be appropriate for me to opine on the immutability of sexual orientation , '' Barrett wrote in her Senate questionnaire .
`` As I said at my hearing , however , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orientation is not an immutable characteristic . ''
Similarly , when asked about whether states can pass laws that discriminate against LGBTQ people , Barrett declined to respond .
While Barrett has become suddenly quiet about he views on LGBTQ rights , her past comments speak for themselves .
During a 2016 lecture at the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute , Barrett referred to transgender women as `` physiological males who identify as females . ''
She also said there was a `` debate '' about whether transgender women should be in bathrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment that perpetuates the myth that transgender people are predators .
At the same lecture , Barrett defended Chief Justice John Roberts ' dissent in Obergefell v. Hodges , the landmark Supreme Court case that ruled in favor of marriage equality .
`` Those who want same-sex marriage , you have every right to lobby in state legislatures to make that happen , but the dissent ’ s view was that it wasn ’ t for the court to decide , '' she said at the time .
`` So I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about for the future of the court , it ’ s really a 'Who decides ? '
question . ''
On Tuesday , Jim Obergefell and Rick Hodges — the plaintiff and defendant in Obergefell v. Hodges — teamed up to speak out against Barrett 's confirmation .
`` I stand before you as a lifelong Republican and longtime public servant , '' Hodges , the former director of the Ohio Department of Health , said on a conference call hosted by the group Family Equality .
`` I fear that that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this fateful nomination to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg : that all Americans are treated with full dignity and respect , regardless of who they are or whom they love , '' he said .
`` Thus I stand here today with my friend Jim , bound by our names on a historic , momentous , and frankly , wonderful decision , to oppose the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Donald Trump’s pick to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court, has a long record of associating with groups that oppose LGBTQ rights.
On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that for nearly three years, Barrett served as a trustee on the board of a private Christian school that discriminated against LGBTQ parents and teachers.
Trinity Schools Inc. has three schools located in Virginia, Indiana, and Minnesota. The private schools are tied to People of Praise, a network of Christian communities of which Barrett is a member. The schools’ anti-LGBTQ policies had been in place for years when Barrett joined the board of trustees in 2015, according to the AP’s report.
During Barrett’s time on the board, Trinity School reportedly had a policy that barred LGBTQ teachers from working at the school, and barred children of same-sex parents from attending the school.
Tom Henry, a former student at the Minnesota school, told the Associated Press about a school tour he gave to a prospective family in 2017. One parent, who was a lesbian, asked Henry how accepting Trinity School was of gay people. Henry, who is gay, wasn’t sure how to answer.
The next day, Henry met with the school’s headmaster at the time, Jon Balsbaugh, to ask how he should answer similar questions. Balsbaugh pulled out a document outlining a new policy from People of Praise condemning marriage equality, according to Henry.
“The next time that happens, you tell them they would not be welcome here,” Balsbaugh allegedly said.
The school’s policy appears to be in line with Barrett’s own thinking when it comes to LGBTQ rights, including marriage equality. In 2015, Barrett signed onto a letter that said “marriage and family are founded on the indissoluble commitment of a man and a woman” and “the significance of sexual difference and complementarity of men and women.”
Since 2011, Barrett has spoken to students at the Alliance Defending Freedom’s Blackstone Legal Fellowship on five separate occasions. The legal advocacy group — which has been designated an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center — has defended forced sterilization for transgender people and argued that LGBTQ people are more likely to be pedophiles, among other extreme anti-LGBTQ positions.
The ADF has attacked LGBTQ rights in the courts at every turn, including in Bostock v. Clayton County, a landmark case decided in June that barred discrimination against LGBTQ people in the workplace. The group represented the defendant in the case, a funeral home that discriminated against a transgender employee.
Despite her active involvement in these groups, Barrett has repeatedly denied knowing about their anti-LGBTQ stances.
During Barrett’s confirmation hearings last week, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) asked Barrett, “Were you aware of the ADF’s decades-long efforts to recriminalize homosexuality?”
“I am not aware of those efforts, no,” she said.
In an Oct. 16 Senate questionnaire, Barrett said she did not learn the ADF funded the fellowship program until after they had paid for her speech, “or maybe when I saw the signature line in an e-mail.”
While Barrett didn’t offer any specific dates, disclosure forms show that she may have given her speech between 2015 and 2017 — when she was also serving on Trinity School’s board of trustees.
When asked when she learned that the ADF has supported efforts to recriminalize homosexuality, Barrett responded, “I have no specific knowledge of the efforts you describe.”
During Barrett’s confirmation hearing on Oct. 13, she called sexual orientation “sexual preference,” angering LGBTQ groups such as GLAAD and Lambda Legal.
“This is a dogwhistle. The term ‘sexual preference’ is used by opponents of equality to suggest that being #LGBTQ is a choice,” Lambda Legal tweeted.
Barrett later apologized for using those specific words, but still refused to say whether she believes a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity are immutable traits.
“Insofar as it is relevant to the disposition of legal questions, it would not be appropriate for me to opine on the immutability of sexual orientation,” Barrett wrote in her Senate questionnaire. “As I said at my hearing, however, I do not mean to imply that sexual orientation is not an immutable characteristic.”
Similarly, when asked about whether states can pass laws that discriminate against LGBTQ people, Barrett declined to respond.
While Barrett has become suddenly quiet about he views on LGBTQ rights, her past comments speak for themselves.
During a 2016 lecture at the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute, Barrett referred to transgender women as “physiological males who identify as females.”
She also said there was a “debate” about whether transgender women should be in bathrooms with “young girls present” — a comment that perpetuates the myth that transgender people are predators.
At the same lecture, Barrett defended Chief Justice John Roberts’ dissent in Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court case that ruled in favor of marriage equality.
“Those who want same-sex marriage, you have every right to lobby in state legislatures to make that happen, but the dissent’s view was that it wasn’t for the court to decide,” she said at the time. “So I think Obergefell, and what we’re talking about for the future of the court, it’s really a ‘Who decides?’ question.”
On Tuesday, Jim Obergefell and Rick Hodges — the plaintiff and defendant in Obergefell v. Hodges — teamed up to speak out against Barrett’s confirmation.
“I stand before you as a lifelong Republican and longtime public servant,” Hodges, the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, said on a conference call hosted by the group Family Equality.
“I fear that that’s what’s at stake with this fateful nomination to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: that all Americans are treated with full dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or whom they love,” he said.
“Thus I stand here today with my friend Jim, bound by our names on a historic, momentous, and frankly, wonderful decision, to oppose the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--Lindsey Graham wants to investigate everyone who donates to his opponent

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) demanded an investigation on Wednesday into how Democrats are raising so much money against him .
Graham has been badly outraised by his Democratic opponent , Jaime Harrison , $ 57 million to $ 28 million .
`` Where 's all this money coming from ActBlue coming from ?
How easy would it be to just have a bunch of pre-paid credit cards ? ''
he said in an interview with the Hill .
`` Where is all this money coming from ?
You do n't have to report it if it 's below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over with , I hope there will be a sitting down and finding out , 'OK , how do we control this ? '
It just seems to be an endless spiral . ''
ActBlue is a legal Democratic online fundraising platform that allows individuals to contribute to candidates and causes .
As the Hill notes , the site reports all of its donations to the Federal Election Commission — even those that are below the $ 200 annual disclosure threshold required by federal election law — and requires donors to identify themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their occupations .
Indeed , Republicans , who have long trailed Democrats at online small-dollar fundraising , made a big deal of launching their own similar platform last year .
That system — called WinRed — is currently in use on Graham 's own campaign reelection website , with a virtually identical interface .
ActBlue has raised an impressive $ 1.5 billion this election cycle — substantially more than the $ 623.5 million Republicans have raised on WinRed .
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham has baselessly suggested that something nefarious was going on with Democratic fundraising against him .
At last week 's Supreme Court confirmation hearing , he suggested he may soon support new campaign finance regulations , complaining , `` I do n't know what 's going on out there , but I can tell you there 's a lot of money being raised in this campaign .
I 'd like to know where the hell some of it 's coming from ! ''
Graham 's concern about lack of transparency in campaign finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2010 , he was the deciding vote to block the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections ( DISCLOSE ) Act , a bill to require outside political groups to say who bankrolls their political advertisements .
`` The DISCLOSE Act is a political sham .
It seeks to impose new campaign laws right before an election , a rare occurrence in American politics .
At the end of the day , it 's really all about partisan advantage , '' he wrote in a July 2010 press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit odd that President Obama would lecture the Congress on this issue .
In 2008 , he broke his promise to accept public financing in the presidential race and then proceeded to raise $ 750 million .
For him to now express concern about money in politics is a little late . ''
Now , two weeks before his own tight reelection , Graham is the one expressing concern .
As of their most recent filings , Harrison has raised more than $ 85 million to Graham 's $ 58 million — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The average contribution to Harrison 's record-breaking third quarter haul was just $ 33 .
Donors from South Carolina and around the country have been contributing to Harrison , motivated in part by Graham 's behavior over the past four years .
After painting Donald Trump as a `` kook '' who was unfit for office during the 2016 campaign , Graham repeatedly abandoned his stated principles to help Trump 's agenda .
This includes breaking his own promise four years ago not to support a Supreme Court confirmation during an election year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently gone on Fox News to beg for donations .
He also made a plea for campaign cash during a break from the Amy Coney Barrett hearings last week — which experts have called a clear violation of the law prohibiting the solicitation by members of Congress of donations `` while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties . ''
Graham 's content appears to be unusually close for a South Carolina Senate race .
Recent polls have shown Harrison narrowly ahead , while others put Graham a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) demanded an investigation on Wednesday into how Democrats are raising so much money against him. Graham has been badly outraised by his Democratic opponent, Jaime Harrison, $57 million to $28 million.
“Where’s all this money coming from ActBlue coming from? How easy would it be to just have a bunch of pre-paid credit cards?” he said in an interview with the Hill. “Where is all this money coming from? You don’t have to report it if it’s below $200. When this election is over with, I hope there will be a sitting down and finding out, ‘OK, how do we control this?’ It just seems to be an endless spiral.”
ActBlue is a legal Democratic online fundraising platform that allows individuals to contribute to candidates and causes. As the Hill notes, the site reports all of its donations to the Federal Election Commission — even those that are below the $200 annual disclosure threshold required by federal election law — and requires donors to identify themselves, their addresses, their employers, and their occupations.
Indeed, Republicans, who have long trailed Democrats at online small-dollar fundraising, made a big deal of launching their own similar platform last year. That system — called WinRed — is currently in use on Graham’s own campaign reelection website, with a virtually identical interface.
ActBlue has raised an impressive $1.5 billion this election cycle — substantially more than the $623.5 million Republicans have raised on WinRed.
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
This is not the first time Graham has baselessly suggested that something nefarious was going on with Democratic fundraising against him. At last week’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing, he suggested he may soon support new campaign finance regulations, complaining, “I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I can tell you there’s a lot of money being raised in this campaign. I’d like to know where the hell some of it’s coming from!”
Graham’s concern about lack of transparency in campaign finance is contradicted by his own record. In 2010, he was the deciding vote to block the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act, a bill to require outside political groups to say who bankrolls their political advertisements.
“The DISCLOSE Act is a political sham. It seeks to impose new campaign laws right before an election, a rare occurrence in American politics. At the end of the day, it’s really all about partisan advantage,” he wrote in a July 2010 press release. “I think it’s also a bit odd that President Obama would lecture the Congress on this issue. In 2008, he broke his promise to accept public financing in the presidential race and then proceeded to raise $750 million. For him to now express concern about money in politics is a little late.”
Now, two weeks before his own tight reelection, Graham is the one expressing concern. As of their most recent filings, Harrison has raised more than $85 million to Graham’s $58 million — much of it from small donors. The average contribution to Harrison’s record-breaking third quarter haul was just $33.
Donors from South Carolina and around the country have been contributing to Harrison, motivated in part by Graham’s behavior over the past four years. After painting Donald Trump as a “kook” who was unfit for office during the 2016 campaign, Graham repeatedly abandoned his stated principles to help Trump’s agenda. This includes breaking his own promise four years ago not to support a Supreme Court confirmation during an election year.
In recent weeks, Graham has frequently gone on Fox News to beg for donations. He also made a plea for campaign cash during a break from the Amy Coney Barrett hearings last week — which experts have called a clear violation of the law prohibiting the solicitation by members of Congress of donations “while in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties.”
Graham’s content appears to be unusually close for a South Carolina Senate race. Recent polls have shown Harrison narrowly ahead, while others put Graham a few points ahead.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--Trump breaks $100 million promise to his own campaign

Donald Trump reportedly said last month that he was prepared to contribute $ 100 million to his campaign if necessary .
But to date , he has only reported giving about $ 8,000 to his cash-strapped reelection effort , according to FEC data .
While $ 8,000 is far less than Trump 's personal campaign spending in 2016 , it is more than five times what he contributed in federal income taxes over the past 12 years , according to a New York Times investigation .
Former vice president Joe Biden 's campaign currently enjoys a nearly 3-to-1 cash advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bank compared to the Trump campaign 's $ 63 million , Politico reported .
Trump 's reelection campaign scaled back on advertising over the summer , allowing the Biden campaign to gobble up airtime in key swing states in the final weeks of the election .
Last month , Trump told reporters he would personally spend `` whatever it takes '' to win reelection .
`` If we needed any more , I 'd put it up personally .
Like I did in the primaries last time , '' Trump promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his own money on his 2016 campaign , selling himself in the primaries as `` self-funding '' and thus not beholden to special interests .
In the 2016 general election , Trump flip-flopped and took donations from special interest groups .
This time around , Trump has reported giving just $ 8,000 to his own reelection campaign .
Trump 's fundraising emails , however , paint a very different picture for his supporters .
For months , Trump 's campaign has asked supporters for donations , with the promise that their contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as seven or eight times their donation amount .
While the fundraising emails do n't explicitly say the match will come from Trump himself , they frequently include images of checks signed by `` Your President , '' and use language like `` he 's authorized a 700 % -MATCH . ''
Even if he wanted to , it 's unclear whether Trump has $ 100 million to pour into his campaign .
Last month , a New York Times report revealed that Trump personally owes hundreds of millions in debt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting , while likening his sizable debts to `` a peanut . ''
`` $ 400 million compared to the assets that I have , all of these great properties all over the world , '' Trump told an NBC News town hall last week .
`` What I ’ m saying is that it 's a tiny percentage of my net worth . ''
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump reportedly said last month that he was prepared to contribute $100 million to his campaign if necessary. But to date, he has only reported giving about $8,000 to his cash-strapped reelection effort, according to FEC data.
While $8,000 is far less than Trump’s personal campaign spending in 2016, it is more than five times what he contributed in federal income taxes over the past 12 years, according to a New York Times investigation.
Former vice president Joe Biden’s campaign currently enjoys a nearly 3-to-1 cash advantage over Trump, with $177 million in the bank compared to the Trump campaign’s $63 million, Politico reported.
Trump’s reelection campaign scaled back on advertising over the summer, allowing the Biden campaign to gobble up airtime in key swing states in the final weeks of the election.
Last month, Trump told reporters he would personally spend “whatever it takes” to win reelection.
“If we needed any more, I’d put it up personally. Like I did in the primaries last time,” Trump promised.
Trump spent about $66 million of his own money on his 2016 campaign, selling himself in the primaries as “self-funding” and thus not beholden to special interests. In the 2016 general election, Trump flip-flopped and took donations from special interest groups.
This time around, Trump has reported giving just $8,000 to his own reelection campaign. Trump’s fundraising emails, however, paint a very different picture for his supporters.
For months, Trump’s campaign has asked supporters for donations, with the promise that their contributions will be “matched” by as many as seven or eight times their donation amount.
While the fundraising emails don’t explicitly say the match will come from Trump himself, they frequently include images of checks signed by “Your President,” and use language like “he’s authorized a 700%-MATCH.”
Even if he wanted to, it’s unclear whether Trump has $100 million to pour into his campaign. Last month, a New York Times report revealed that Trump personally owes hundreds of millions in debt.
Trump has effectively confirmed the Times’ reporting, while likening his sizable debts to “a peanut.”
“$400 million compared to the assets that I have, all of these great properties all over the world,” Trump told an NBC News town hall last week. “What I’m saying is that it’s a tiny percentage of my net worth.”
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--Conservative group already planning to challenge election results

A national conservative group may challenge the outcome of the Nov. 3 elections by arguing that municipalities are improperly using hundreds of millions of dollars in private money to administer the polls , a lawyer for the group said Tuesday .
Attorney Erick Kaardal argued during a court hearing in Iowa that local officials have impermissibly accepted grants from the Center for Tech and Civic Life to help pay for election staffing , training , equipment , and other expenses .
Kaardal is an attorney for the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society , a conservative group that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ municipalities in several states from using the grants .
On Tuesday , federal judges in Iowa and Texas rejected the group 's arguments , joining courts in Minnesota , Wisconsin , and Michigan that have done the same in recent days .
Similar lawsuits are pending in Pennsylvania , South Carolina , and Georgia , a group spokesman said .
In Texas , District Judge Amos Mazzant denied the group 's request for a temporary restraining order to block four counties , including Harris and Dallas , from using the election grants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured if more people vote because of the private election funding .
`` That is not a harm .
That is democracy , '' he wrote .
In Iowa , U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand rejected a request to block two counties from using the grants , saying it `` has not demonstrated any chance of prevailing on the merits . ''
By contrast , he said blocking the funding would hinder the counties ' ability to run the election and undermine voting rights .
Still , the lawsuits could set the stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenge the outcome .
The Thomas More Society argues that the grants , which were funded through a $ 300 million donation from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife , Priscilla Chan , would disproportionately favor progressives , even though they have been made available to all municipalities nationwide .
The Center for Tech and Civic Life describes itself as a nonpartisan organization backed by Democrats , Republicans , and independents .
It says more than 2,100 election administrators have applied for the grants .
`` We are confident that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to continuing this critical grant program in these unprecedented times , '' the Chicago-based group said in a statement .
Elections officials say more funding is needed to ensure safe elections during the coronavirus pandemic .
The grants have been used to expand mail-in and early voting , recruit poll workers and purchase personal protective equipment .
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Michigan on Monday rejected the allegation that the center targets progressive areas , saying its grants are going to municipalities of all political majorities .
He rejected a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Flint from using the grants .
Kaardal argued Tuesday in Iowa that running federal elections is `` a core governmental responsibility '' that needs to be exclusively publicly funded .
He argued that accepting private money for that purpose was not authorized by federal law .
Kaardal said his group might press the argument even after the election by asking federal courts to rule that election officials acted improperly by taking the funds .
If a federal court agreed , the group would present the ruling to state canvassing boards and Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that a new special election should be ordered , he said .
The group 's lawsuit in Iowa challenges only the grants accepted by Black Hawk and Scott counties , even though 64 of the state 's 99 counties have received them .
Kaardal said some of the plaintiffs live in those counties , and that the group may challenge other counties later .
A lawyer for Black Hawk County , Katie Graham , said there was `` nothing illegal or improper '' about accepting the grants , which will make voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that the grants were targeted for partisan gain , she said , noting that many Republican-leaning counties received them .
Black Hawk County is using the grant to provide hazard pay for poll workers .
Graham had urged Strand to reject the plaintiffs ' request for a temporary restraining order blocking the use of the money .
She said the claim it would disenfranchise conservatives was a `` novel argument '' based on speculation .

A national conservative group may challenge the outcome of the Nov. 3 elections by arguing that municipalities are improperly using hundreds of millions of dollars in private money to administer the polls, a lawyer for the group said Tuesday.
Attorney Erick Kaardal argued during a court hearing in Iowa that local officials have impermissibly accepted grants from the Center for Tech and Civic Life to help pay for election staffing, training, equipment, and other expenses.
Kaardal is an attorney for the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society, a conservative group that is representing plaintiffs in lawsuits seeking to block municipalities in several states from using the grants.
On Tuesday, federal judges in Iowa and Texas rejected the group’s arguments, joining courts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that have done the same in recent days. Similar lawsuits are pending in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Georgia, a group spokesman said.
In Texas, District Judge Amos Mazzant denied the group’s request for a temporary restraining order to block four counties, including Harris and Dallas, from using the election grants. He said the group will not be injured if more people vote because of the private election funding.
“That is not a harm. That is democracy,” he wrote.
In Iowa, U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand rejected a request to block two counties from using the grants, saying it “has not demonstrated any chance of prevailing on the merits.” By contrast, he said blocking the funding would hinder the counties’ ability to run the election and undermine voting rights.
Still, the lawsuits could set the stage for long-shot post-election litigation for conservatives seeking to challenge the outcome.
The Thomas More Society argues that the grants, which were funded through a $300 million donation from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, would disproportionately favor progressives, even though they have been made available to all municipalities nationwide.
The Center for Tech and Civic Life describes itself as a nonpartisan organization backed by Democrats, Republicans, and independents. It says more than 2,100 election administrators have applied for the grants.
“We are confident that these frivolous charges are without merit, and look forward to continuing this critical grant program in these unprecedented times,” the Chicago-based group said in a statement.
Elections officials say more funding is needed to ensure safe elections during the coronavirus pandemic. The grants have been used to expand mail-in and early voting, recruit poll workers and purchase personal protective equipment.
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Michigan on Monday rejected the allegation that the center targets progressive areas, saying its grants are going to municipalities of all political majorities. He rejected a request to block the cities of Lansing and Flint from using the grants.
Kaardal argued Tuesday in Iowa that running federal elections is “a core governmental responsibility” that needs to be exclusively publicly funded. He argued that accepting private money for that purpose was not authorized by federal law.
Kaardal said his group might press the argument even after the election by asking federal courts to rule that election officials acted improperly by taking the funds.
If a federal court agreed, the group would present the ruling to state canvassing boards and Congress to argue that the election was tainted and that a new special election should be ordered, he said.
The group’s lawsuit in Iowa challenges only the grants accepted by Black Hawk and Scott counties, even though 64 of the state’s 99 counties have received them. Kaardal said some of the plaintiffs live in those counties, and that the group may challenge other counties later.
A lawyer for Black Hawk County, Katie Graham, said there was “nothing illegal or improper” about accepting the grants, which will make voting safer for everyone.
There’s no evidence that the grants were targeted for partisan gain, she said, noting that many Republican-leaning counties received them. Black Hawk County is using the grant to provide hazard pay for poll workers.
Graham had urged Strand to reject the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order blocking the use of the money. She said the claim it would disenfranchise conservatives was a “novel argument” based on speculation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--Trump's latest tantrum could take health care away from newborns

Donald Trump is threatening to cut critical funding for health programs in cities he deems `` anarchist jurisdictions '' — those led by Democratic governors who he claims did n't adequately suppress protests over systemic racism and police brutality this past summer .
Politico has obtained documents containing lists compiled by the Department of Health and Human Services of almost 200 health programs in four cities for which funding is potentially on the chopping block .
The cities , which Trump has called `` anarchist jurisdictions , '' are New York , Washington , Seattle , and Portland , Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health programs that provide coronavirus relief , newborn screening , and HIV treatments are endangered if Trump cuts federal funding to these four cities .
Trump is making good on a threat he made in an memo released on Sept. 2 on reviewing funding to `` State and local governments [ that ] have contributed to the violence and destruction in their jurisdictions by failing to enforce the law , disempowering and significantly defunding their police departments , and refusing to accept offers of Federal law enforcement assistance . ''
In the memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allocate federal monies to cities that `` allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones . ''
He added that the federal government will scrutinize any use of federal funds by `` jurisdictions that permit anarchy , violence , and destruction in America 's cities . ''
`` My Administration will do everything in its power to prevent weak mayors and lawless cities from taking Federal dollars while they let anarchists harm people , burn buildings , and ruin lives and businesses , '' Trump tweeted later in the day .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' But making threats to get what he wants is par for the course for the White House occupant .
In July , after disputing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's school reopening guidelines , Trump flouted any counsel from health experts and pushed an agenda to reopen them nationwide .
He threatened to pull federal funding from school districts that refused to fully reopen for in-person learning five days a week during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` In Germany , Denmark , Norway , Sweden and many other countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump angrily wrote in a July 8 tweet .
`` The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election , but is important for the children & families .
May cut off funding if not open ! ''
It was a manipulative bluff that most experts agreed was impossible for him to enforce .
In May , Trump threatened to withhold funding from two battleground states , Michigan and Nevada , in response to their efforts to make voting easier during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state 's voting plans , originally claiming she sent `` ballots '' to 7.7 million people prior to the primaries and general election , when in fact she only sent applications for absentee ballots .
Trump later updated his tweet to mention `` absentee ballot applications . ''
Trump insisted : `` This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State .
I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path ! ''
Many states have been locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican leadership stonewalling any efforts to expand mail-in , absentee , and early in-person voting options .
In April , Trump threatened to put `` a hold on money spent to the WHO .
We 're going to put a very powerful hold on it and we 're going to see . ''
He made unsubstantiated claims that the World Health Organization was `` very China-centric '' and leveled attacks at China for its coronavirus response .
He gave no details about the supposed funding cuts to WHO , and later said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm going to do it '' but that he would `` look at ending funding . ''
In late 2019 , Trump threatened to cut U.S. funding to combat dangerous wildfires in California , just one of a number of threats made to withhold funds from the state over policies he did n't like , ranging from sanctuary cities to fuel economy standards .
On Twitter , he publicly chastised Gov .
Gavin Newsom for a `` terrible job of forest management '' and said that he must `` clean his forest floors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the environmentalists DEMAND of him . ''
Newsom responded : `` You do n't believe in climate change .
You are excused from this conversation . ''
Trump also tried to pull highway funds from California over claims of poor air quality .
He threatened to sic the Environmental Protection Agency on the state , citing unfounded claims that the state 's homeless population was polluting its waterways with dirty syringes .
Trump 's most notorious attempt to leverage federal monies came in the form of threatening to withhold $ 214 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pressure the country 's leaders to announce that they were starting an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden , then Trump 's likely Democratic opponent in the 2020 election , and his son , Hunter .
The actions factored into his eventual impeachment in the House of Representatives on charges of abusing the powers of his office and obstructing Congress .

Donald Trump is threatening to cut critical funding for health programs in cities he deems “anarchist jurisdictions” — those led by Democratic governors who he claims didn’t adequately suppress protests over systemic racism and police brutality this past summer.
Politico has obtained documents containing lists compiled by the Department of Health and Human Services of almost 200 health programs in four cities for which funding is potentially on the chopping block.
The cities, which Trump has called “anarchist jurisdictions,” are New York, Washington, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon.
According to Politico, lifesaving public health programs that provide coronavirus relief, newborn screening, and HIV treatments are endangered if Trump cuts federal funding to these four cities.
Trump is making good on a threat he made in an memo released on Sept. 2 on reviewing funding to “State and local governments [that] have contributed to the violence and destruction in their jurisdictions by failing to enforce the law, disempowering and significantly defunding their police departments, and refusing to accept offers of Federal law enforcement assistance.”
In the memo, Trump states that his administration will not allocate federal monies to cities that “allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones.”
He added that the federal government will scrutinize any use of federal funds by “jurisdictions that permit anarchy, violence, and destruction in America’s cities.”
“My Administration will do everything in its power to prevent weak mayors and lawless cities from taking Federal dollars while they let anarchists harm people, burn buildings, and ruin lives and businesses,” Trump tweeted later in the day. “We are putting them on notice today.”
But making threats to get what he wants is par for the course for the White House occupant.
In July, after disputing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s school reopening guidelines, Trump flouted any counsel from health experts and pushed an agenda to reopen them nationwide.
He threatened to pull federal funding from school districts that refused to fully reopen for in-person learning five days a week during the coronavirus pandemic.
“In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS,” Trump angrily wrote in a July 8 tweet. “The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!”
It was a manipulative bluff that most experts agreed was impossible for him to enforce.
In May, Trump threatened to withhold funding from two battleground states, Michigan and Nevada, in response to their efforts to make voting easier during the pandemic.
Trump lied about the Michigan secretary of state’s voting plans, originally claiming she sent “ballots” to 7.7 million people prior to the primaries and general election, when in fact she only sent applications for absentee ballots. Trump later updated his tweet to mention “absentee ballot applications.” Trump insisted: “This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!”
Many states have been locked in legal battles over voting, with Republican leadership stonewalling any efforts to expand mail-in, absentee, and early in-person voting options.
In April, Trump threatened to put “a hold on money spent to the WHO. We’re going to put a very powerful hold on it and we’re going to see.” He made unsubstantiated claims that the World Health Organization was “very China-centric” and leveled attacks at China for its coronavirus response.
He gave no details about the supposed funding cuts to WHO, and later said,: “I’m not saying I’m going to do it” but that he would “look at ending funding.”
In late 2019, Trump threatened to cut U.S. funding to combat dangerous wildfires in California, just one of a number of threats made to withhold funds from the state over policies he didn’t like, ranging from sanctuary cities to fuel economy standards.
On Twitter, he publicly chastised Gov. Gavin Newsom for a “terrible job of forest management” and said that he must “clean his forest floors” regardless of what “his bosses, the environmentalists DEMAND of him.”
Newsom responded: “You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation.”
Trump also tried to pull highway funds from California over claims of poor air quality. He threatened to sic the Environmental Protection Agency on the state, citing unfounded claims that the state’s homeless population was polluting its waterways with dirty syringes.
Trump’s most notorious attempt to leverage federal monies came in the form of threatening to withhold $214 million in military aid from Ukraine in 2019 to pressure the country’s leaders to announce that they were starting an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, then Trump’s likely Democratic opponent in the 2020 election, and his son, Hunter.
The actions factored into his eventual impeachment in the House of Representatives on charges of abusing the powers of his office and obstructing Congress.


shareblue--2020-10-21--House GOP asks Amtrak to help them smear Biden for taking trains

House Republicans on Tuesday called on Amtrak to start an investigation into Vice President Joe Biden 's use of a charter Amtrak train and pushed the agency to deliver the results on the day before this year 's election .
Biden took a tour of several states in the Rust Belt in late September and early October .
Biden has long been closely associated with Amtrak , since as a senator he frequently rode the train between Washington , D.C. , and Delaware .
Biden has estimated that he has ridden 2.1 million miles on the train in his lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware , is even named after Biden .
On their most recent expenditure report , the Biden campaign reported that it had spent $ 265,000 to lease the train .
The letter from the minority members of a subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was signed by Reps. Rick Crawford ( R-AR ) , Bob Gibbs ( R-OH ) , Scott Perry ( R-PA ) , and Lloyd Smucker ( R-PA ) .
`` We are concerned that the Biden campaign 's use of Amtrak 's charter train redirected Amtrak 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses , employee layoffs , and service cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic , '' they wrote .
`` We are concerned that the apparent use of a struggling , resource-deprived , publicly-run service for political gain does not serve the best interests of Amtrak or the American taxpayers at this time . ''
The Republicans ask the agency to provide information on the charter `` no later than November 2 , 2020 . ''
Despite the purported concern expressed for Amtrak by his Republican allies , Donald Trump 's most recent budget called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidies for the rail service .
`` It would be a huge blow to passenger train [ travel ] in the United States if this was implemented , '' Sean Jeans-Gail , vice president of the Rail Passengers Association , told the Washington Post .
The congressional letter echoes rhetoric from Trump which has attempted to weaponize the government in service of his reelection .
Recently he called on Attorney General William Barr to `` act fast '' and investigate Biden based on widely debunked allegations that Trump and his allies have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe , a Trump appointee , has also recently been deployed to advance Trump 's allegations about Hunter Biden , which has elicited criticism from intelligence experts .
Trump has also pushed for Hillary Clinton , Michigan Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , and Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) to be `` locked up '' or otherwise incarcerated for opposing him politically .
Similarly , Trump has been criticized for a plan to distribute drug discount cards to seniors ahead of the election .
The announcement was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's campaign has fallen far behind Biden 's in fundraising and his standing is slipping with senior voters .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

House Republicans on Tuesday called on Amtrak to start an investigation into Vice President Joe Biden’s use of a charter Amtrak train and pushed the agency to deliver the results on the day before this year’s election.
Biden took a tour of several states in the Rust Belt in late September and early October. Biden has long been closely associated with Amtrak, since as a senator he frequently rode the train between Washington, D.C., and Delaware. Biden has estimated that he has ridden 2.1 million miles on the train in his lifetime.
The Amtrak station in Wilmington, Delaware, is even named after Biden.
On their most recent expenditure report, the Biden campaign reported that it had spent $265,000 to lease the train.
The letter from the minority members of a subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was signed by Reps. Rick Crawford (R-AR), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Scott Perry (R-PA), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).
“We are concerned that the Biden campaign’s use of Amtrak’s charter train redirected Amtrak’s scarce resources during a time of record losses, employee layoffs, and service cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic,” they wrote.
“We are concerned that the apparent use of a struggling, resource-deprived, publicly-run service for political gain does not serve the best interests of Amtrak or the American taxpayers at this time.”
The Republicans ask the agency to provide information on the charter “no later than November 2, 2020.”
Election Day is on Nov. 3.
Despite the purported concern expressed for Amtrak by his Republican allies, Donald Trump’s most recent budget called for a 50% reduction in federal subsidies for the rail service.
“It would be a huge blow to passenger train [travel] in the United States if this was implemented,” Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of the Rail Passengers Association, told the Washington Post.
The congressional letter echoes rhetoric from Trump which has attempted to weaponize the government in service of his reelection.
Recently he called on Attorney General William Barr to “act fast” and investigate Biden based on widely debunked allegations that Trump and his allies have made about Biden’s son, Hunter.
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, a Trump appointee, has also recently been deployed to advance Trump’s allegations about Hunter Biden, which has elicited criticism from intelligence experts.
Trump has also pushed for Hillary Clinton, Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to be “locked up” or otherwise incarcerated for opposing him politically.
Similarly, Trump has been criticized for a plan to distribute drug discount cards to seniors ahead of the election. The announcement was made as reports have emerged that Trump’s campaign has fallen far behind Biden’s in fundraising and his standing is slipping with senior voters.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-21--Marco Rubio says people don't blame Trump for the pandemic. Actually, they do.

Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) on Wednesday told Fox News that he does n't believe people really fault Donald Trump over the COVID-19 pandemic , but polls show a different story .
`` I do n't think the majority of people blame the president for [ the virus ] , '' Rubio said in a `` Fox & Friends '' interview .
`` I just do n't , I do n't think that . ''
Rubio is wrong .
A recent poll from AP/NORC found that 56 % of respondents said the Trump-led U.S. government `` has substantial responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
`` It reflects a general lack of confidence in the way the government has handled the situation , '' Austin Wright of the Harris School for Public Policy told the Associated Press .
An aggregate of polling on the virus response from FiveThirtyEight shows that 57.4 % disapprove of how Trump has responded to the virus , while only 39.9 % approve .
Trump has consistently been in negative territory since early April .
In polling from the New York Times/Siena College , voters by a margin of 12 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Trump to handle the virus .
The U.S. death toll from the virus is over 220,900 and continues to increase .
From the Oct. 21 edition of Fox News ' `` Fox & Friends '' : SEN. MARCO RUBIO : I think the vast majority of people get it , okay , I mean if you pull yourself out of the Twitter bubble and political bubble and the Washington bubble and the New York bubble , and go into the real world , the vast majority of the people understand the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president did n't bring this virus to America .
It 's impacted the whole world .
Look what 's happening in Europe .
People keep talking about this country did it so well , that country — they 're either really small countries or they 're not telling us the truth , and every time every country opens up just a little bit , they have issues .
So I think when you take into account the size of this country , the dynamism of this country and what the response has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wish we would n't have , it 's been terrible tragedy and suffering for a lot of people both from a health care standpoint and an economic standpoint , but I do n't think the majority of people blame the president for it .
And I just do n't , I do n't think that .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Wednesday told Fox News that he doesn’t believe people really fault Donald Trump over the COVID-19 pandemic, but polls show a different story.
“I don’t think the majority of people blame the president for [the virus],” Rubio said in a “Fox & Friends” interview. “I just don’t, I don’t think that.”
Rubio is wrong. A recent poll from AP/NORC found that 56% of respondents said the Trump-led U.S. government “has substantial responsibility” for the current situation with the virus.
“It reflects a general lack of confidence in the way the government has handled the situation,” Austin Wright of the Harris School for Public Policy told the Associated Press.
An aggregate of polling on the virus response from FiveThirtyEight shows that 57.4% disapprove of how Trump has responded to the virus, while only 39.9% approve. Trump has consistently been in negative territory since early April.
In polling from the New York Times/Siena College, voters by a margin of 12 percentage points said they trust Vice President Joe Biden over Trump to handle the virus.
The U.S. death toll from the virus is over 220,900 and continues to increase.
From the Oct. 21 edition of Fox News’ “Fox & Friends”:
SEN. MARCO RUBIO: I think the vast majority of people get it, okay, I mean if you pull yourself out of the Twitter bubble and political bubble and the Washington bubble and the New York bubble, and go into the real world, the vast majority of the people understand the president didn’t create this virus, the president didn’t bring this virus to America. It’s impacted the whole world. Look what’s happening in Europe. People keep talking about this country did it so well, that country — they’re either really small countries or they’re not telling us the truth, and every time every country opens up just a little bit, they have issues. So I think when you take into account the size of this country, the dynamism of this country and what the response has been, certainly we’ve lost lives, we wish we wouldn’t have, it’s been terrible tragedy and suffering for a lot of people both from a health care standpoint and an economic standpoint, but I don’t think the majority of people blame the president for it. And I just don’t, I don’t think that.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-23--Trump's plan to solve the coronavirus crisis: Wait for it to 'go away'

Donald Trump was asked at Thursday 's presidential debate what he would do now to curb the spiking coronavirus pandemic .
He responded by congratulating himself for his handling of the crisis and reiterating his false claim that it is `` going away . ''
Trump began by saying that 2.2 million Americans were `` expected to die '' as a result of the virus — a debunked statistic based on an assessment that 2 million people could die if the government took no action whatsoever — and insisted he had `` closed the greatest economy in the world to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fact closed nothing , leaving it up to governors to take the lead as the pandemic hit .
Trump concluded by repeating the same thing he has been saying since April .
`` It will go away , '' he said .
`` We are rounding the turn , we are rounding the corner .
It 's going away . ''
By contrast , Trump 's opponent , former Vice President Joe Biden , responded to the same question by laying out a plan that included contract tracing , instant testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
To date , more than 8.4 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus and more than 223,000 have died , with more than 1,000 people continuing to die each day .
From the third presidential debate : KRISTEN WELKER , NBC NEWS , MODERATOR : Please be specific : How would you lead the country during this next stage of the coronavirus crisis ?
DONALD TRUMP : It is a worldwide pandemic , it 's all over the world .
You see spikes in Europe and other places now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate is down , 85 % .
The excess mortality rate is way down and much lower than almost any other country .
We are fighting , we 're fighting it hard .
There is a spike , there was a spike in Florida and it 's now gone .
There was a very big spike in Texas — it 's now gone .
There was a spike in Arizona , it is now gone .
There are spikes and surges in other places — they will soon be gone .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be announced within weeks and it 's going to be delivered .
We have Operation Warp Speed , which is the military it going to distribute the vaccine .
I can tell you , from personal experience , I was in the hospital , I had it , and I got better .
And I will tell you , I had something that they gave me , a therapeutic I guess they would call it — some would say it is a cure — but I was in for a short period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast , or I would not be here tonight .
And now they say I 'm immune , whether it is four months or a lifetime , nobody 's been able to say that , but I 'm immune .
More people are getting better .
We have a worldwide problem .
This is a worldwide problem .
But I 've have been congratulated by the heads of many countries on what we have been able to do .
If you take a look at what we have done in terms of goggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in particular , ventilators .
We are making ventilators , thousands and thousands a month , and distributing them all over the world .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump was asked at Thursday’s presidential debate what he would do now to curb the spiking coronavirus pandemic. He responded by congratulating himself for his handling of the crisis and reiterating his false claim that it is “going away.”
Trump began by saying that 2.2 million Americans were “expected to die” as a result of the virus — a debunked statistic based on an assessment that 2 million people could die if the government took no action whatsoever — and insisted he had “closed the greatest economy in the world to fight this horrible disease.”
Trump in fact closed nothing, leaving it up to governors to take the lead as the pandemic hit.
Trump concluded by repeating the same thing he has been saying since April. “It will go away,” he said. “We are rounding the turn, we are rounding the corner. It’s going away.”
By contrast, Trump’s opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, responded to the same question by laying out a plan that included contract tracing, instant testing, and widespread mask use to slow the spread of the virus.
To date, more than 8.4 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus and more than 223,000 have died, with more than 1,000 people continuing to die each day.
From the third presidential debate:
KRISTEN WELKER, NBC NEWS, MODERATOR: Please be specific: How would you lead the country during this next stage of the coronavirus crisis? DONALD TRUMP: It is a worldwide pandemic, it’s all over the world. You see spikes in Europe and other places now. If you noticed, the mortality rate is down, 85%. The excess mortality rate is way down and much lower than almost any other country. We are fighting, we’re fighting it hard. There is a spike, there was a spike in Florida and it’s now gone. There was a very big spike in Texas — it’s now gone. There was a spike in Arizona, it is now gone. There are spikes and surges in other places — they will soon be gone. We have a vaccine that is ready and it will be announced within weeks and it’s going to be delivered. We have Operation Warp Speed, which is the military it going to distribute the vaccine. I can tell you, from personal experience, I was in the hospital, I had it, and I got better. And I will tell you, I had something that they gave me, a therapeutic I guess they would call it — some would say it is a cure — but I was in for a short period of time and I got better very fast, or I would not be here tonight. And now they say I’m immune, whether it is four months or a lifetime, nobody’s been able to say that, but I’m immune. More people are getting better. We have a worldwide problem. This is a worldwide problem. But I’ve have been congratulated by the heads of many countries on what we have been able to do. If you take a look at what we have done in terms of goggles and masks and gowns and everything else, and in particular, ventilators. We are making ventilators, thousands and thousands a month, and distributing them all over the world.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.