shareblue--2020-10-30--Another Trump term could devastate health care in America

More than 2 million Americans lost their health coverage during Donald Trump 's first three years in office , according to a new study from three top public health experts .
The study 's authors published their findings in the journal Health Affairs on Thursday .
The researchers combed through Census data and other federal data for the study .
They found that the number of uninsured Americans rose from 27.3 million in 2016 to 29.6 million in 2019 — a difference of 2.3 million people .
Nearly one in ten Americans , or 9.2 % , were uninsured as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
The study 's authors published their findings in the journal Health Affairs on Thursday , issuing a stark warning : `` The life and health ramifications of this case — and of November 's election — are enormous . ''
The loss of coverage during Trump 's first three years in office led to more than 25,000 Americans dying preventable deaths , the study found .
These figures all come from before the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed nearly 228,000 Americans .
The study was conducted by three top public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. David Himmelstein , and Dr. Steffie Woolhandler .
Gaffney is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School , while Himmelstein and Woolhandler are professors of public health at the City University of New York .
The federal surveys used in the study included the Current Population Survey ( CPS ) , which is conducted by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics ; the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention ’ s National Health Interview Survey ( NHIS ) ; and the Census ' American Community Survey ( ACS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uninsured patients often ca n't get the care they need , and research proves that many who lack coverage die as a result , '' Woolhandler said .
`` Trump has tried at every turn to undermine the ACA and chip away at coverage .
That 's costing thousands of lives . ''
The experts warned that overturning the Affordable Care Act could result in even more unnecessary deaths .
`` Our analysis warns that much worse is ahead if the Supreme Court overturns the ACA , as Trump 's Justice Department is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lead author , said .
`` Gutting the ACA would throw another 19.9 million Americans off of insurance , and cause up to 68,345 extra deaths each year . ''
He added : `` We need to expand insurance , not shrink it .
With 30 million uninsured today , we could save thousands of lives by achieving universal coverage . ''
Trump has made it a key mission of his administration to do away with the broadly popular health care law , and has repeatedly promised to give Americans a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in office .
More than 20 million Americans would lose their health coverage if the law were repealed , according to the Center for American Progress .
In a recent interview , CBS News ' Lesley Stahl pressed Trump on how he would protect preexisting conditions if the Supreme Court struck down the Affordable Care Act .
He refused to give a straight answer .
Instead , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany presented Stahl with a `` heavy book '' about Trump 's supposed health care plan .
`` It was filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but no comprehensive health care plan , '' the news outlet tweeted .
Trump 's own Health and Human Services secretary has even admitted that Trump 's executive order on preexisting conditions `` holds no legal weight . ''
Trump also dodged questions about his health care plan during the Sept. 29 presidential debate .
`` He has no plan for health care , '' former Vice President Joe Biden said .
`` He has been promising health care plan since he got elected .
He has none .
Like almost everything else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a plan . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

More than 2 million Americans lost their health coverage during Donald Trump’s first three years in office, according to a new study from three top public health experts.
The researchers combed through Census data and other federal data for the study. They found that the number of uninsured Americans rose from 27.3 million in 2016 to 29.6 million in 2019 — a difference of 2.3 million people. Nearly one in ten Americans, or 9.2%, were uninsured as of last year, according to Census data.
The study’s authors published their findings in the journal Health Affairs on Thursday, issuing a stark warning: “The life and health ramifications of this case — and of November’s election — are enormous.”
The loss of coverage during Trump’s first three years in office led to more than 25,000 Americans dying preventable deaths, the study found. These figures all come from before the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 228,000 Americans.
The study was conducted by three top public health experts: Dr. Adam Gaffney, Dr. David Himmelstein, and Dr. Steffie Woolhandler. Gaffney is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, while Himmelstein and Woolhandler are professors of public health at the City University of New York.
The federal surveys used in the study included the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is conducted by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey (NHIS); and the Census’ American Community Survey (ACS).
“I see that my uninsured patients often can’t get the care they need, and research proves that many who lack coverage die as a result,” Woolhandler said. “Trump has tried at every turn to undermine the ACA and chip away at coverage. That’s costing thousands of lives.”
The experts warned that overturning the Affordable Care Act could result in even more unnecessary deaths.
“Our analysis warns that much worse is ahead if the Supreme Court overturns the ACA, as Trump’s Justice Department is advocating,” Gaffney, the study’s lead author, said. “Gutting the ACA would throw another 19.9 million Americans off of insurance, and cause up to 68,345 extra deaths each year.”
He added: “We need to expand insurance, not shrink it. With 30 million uninsured today, we could save thousands of lives by achieving universal coverage.”
Trump has made it a key mission of his administration to do away with the broadly popular health care law, and has repeatedly promised to give Americans a new health care deal during his first term in office. More than 20 million Americans would lose their health coverage if the law were repealed, according to the Center for American Progress.
In a recent interview, CBS News’ Lesley Stahl pressed Trump on how he would protect preexisting conditions if the Supreme Court struck down the Affordable Care Act. He refused to give a straight answer.
Instead, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany presented Stahl with a “heavy book” about Trump’s supposed health care plan. “It was filled with executive orders and congressional initiatives, but no comprehensive health care plan,” the news outlet tweeted.
Trump’s own Health and Human Services secretary has even admitted that Trump’s executive order on preexisting conditions “holds no legal weight.”
Trump also dodged questions about his health care plan during the Sept. 29 presidential debate.
“He has no plan for health care,” former Vice President Joe Biden said. “He has been promising health care plan since he got elected. He has none. Like almost everything else he talks about, he does not have a plan.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-30--Watch Trump mock Laura Ingraham for wearing a mask at his rally

Donald Trump on Friday mocked Fox News host Laura Ingraham for wearing a mask to his campaign rally .
After he pointed out Ingraham in the audience , Trump laughed at the host for wearing a protective mask — during the pandemic that has killed over 227,000 Americans so far .
`` Where is Laura ?
I ca n't recognize you .
Is that a mask ?
No way .
Are you wearing a mask ?
I 've never seen her in a mask .
Look at you .
Oh , she 's being very politically correct , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly mocked mask-wearing , even as the death toll from COVID-19 has risen .
The mockery continued even as his own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director , Robert Redfield , testified to Congress that a mask is more likely to save lives than a vaccine .
Despite wearing a mask to Trump 's rally , Ingraham — who is one of Trump 's most prominent supporters — has also attacked masks and promoted disinformation about the virus during her show on Fox News .
From an Oct. 30 campaign rally : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingraham is here someplace .
Where is Laura ?
Where is she ?
Where is Laura ?
I ca n't recognize you .
Is that a mask ?
No way .
Are you wearing a mask ?
I 've never seen her in a mask .
Look at you .
Oh , she 's being very politically correct .
Whoa .
Whoa , I 've never seen – Laura Ingraham , she 's fantastic .
Thank you .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Friday mocked Fox News host Laura Ingraham for wearing a mask to his campaign rally.
After he pointed out Ingraham in the audience, Trump laughed at the host for wearing a protective mask — during the pandemic that has killed over 227,000 Americans so far.
“Where is Laura? I can’t recognize you. Is that a mask? No way. Are you wearing a mask? I’ve never seen her in a mask. Look at you. Oh, she’s being very politically correct,” Trump said.
Trump and his administration have repeatedly mocked mask-wearing, even as the death toll from COVID-19 has risen.
The mockery continued even as his own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, Robert Redfield, testified to Congress that a mask is more likely to save lives than a vaccine.
Despite wearing a mask to Trump’s rally, Ingraham — who is one of Trump’s most prominent supporters — has also attacked masks and promoted disinformation about the virus during her show on Fox News.
From an Oct. 30 campaign rally:
DONALD TRUMP: I do believe Laura Ingraham is here someplace. Where is Laura? Where is she? Where is Laura? I can’t recognize you. Is that a mask? No way. Are you wearing a mask? I’ve never seen her in a mask. Look at you. Oh, she’s being very politically correct. Whoa. Whoa, I’ve never seen – Laura Ingraham, she’s fantastic. Thank you.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-30--Trump bribes voters with promise of relief money — 'after the election'

Donald Trump told reporters on Friday : `` We will have a tremendous stimulus package immediately after the election . ''
Trump 's statement came just a few days after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to put a comprehensive stimulus proposal up for a vote , even though such a package has passed in the House of Representatives .
Trump also predicted that Republicans would retake the House , a scenario pollsters are finding unlikely .
The promise of post-election relief funding is reminiscent of Trump 's claim in September that he would send out cards worth $ 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That declaration came just as polling was showing strong support from that key voting bloc for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The Democratic-led House passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act on May 15 .
The legislation would have provided stimulus payments to workers , along with relief for states suffering from the economic downturn .
McConnell refused to put the legislation up for a vote in the Senate and said it would not be `` appropriate '' to consider the measure .
Recent economic figures show 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 million families pushed into poverty since the pandemic began .
DONALD TRUMP : We will have a tremendous stimulus package immediately after the election .
And I think we 're going to take back the House , I think we 're going to do very well in the Senate , a little bit more complex , frankly , and I think we 're going to have a fantastic presidential election .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump told reporters on Friday: “We will have a tremendous stimulus package immediately after the election.”
Trump’s statement came just a few days after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to put a comprehensive stimulus proposal up for a vote, even though such a package has passed in the House of Representatives.
Trump also predicted that Republicans would retake the House, a scenario pollsters are finding unlikely.
The promise of post-election relief funding is reminiscent of Trump’s claim in September that he would send out cards worth $200 in prescription cost discounts to older Americans. That declaration came just as polling was showing strong support from that key voting bloc for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, Trump’s congressional allies have blocked coronavirus-related economic relief measures.
The Democratic-led House passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act on May 15. The legislation would have provided stimulus payments to workers, along with relief for states suffering from the economic downturn.
McConnell refused to put the legislation up for a vote in the Senate and said it would not be “appropriate” to consider the measure.
Recent economic figures show 12 million Americans currently out of work and 8 million families pushed into poverty since the pandemic began.
From an Oct. 30 press availability:
DONALD TRUMP: We will have a tremendous stimulus package immediately after the election. And I think we’re going to take back the House, I think we’re going to do very well in the Senate, a little bit more complex, frankly, and I think we’re going to have a fantastic presidential election.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-30--Lindsey Graham: Please blame Democrats for Republican failures

In a wild display of projection , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) blamed Democrats on Thursday for his own party 's failure to pass a comprehensive coronavirus relief package .
Graham told a local television news station on Thursday that his `` number one goal '' was `` another stimulus package . ''
In a line echoing Donald Trump 's recent campaign rhetoric , Graham said he expects that `` as soon as the election is over , there ’ s going to be a bipartisan breakthrough on a big package somewhere around $ 2 trillion . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months pushing for a vote on their own $ 2 trillion relief package , while Republican lawmakers have refused to play ball .
Senate Republicans , led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) , have so far refused go above a $ 500 billion `` skinny '' version of the bill .
Graham even had the audacity to suggest that Democrats are refusing to pass crucial relief for millions of Americans because they do n't want to give Trump a win before Election Day .
When asked why Congress has failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answered , `` I 'll be honest with you : I don ’ t see much desire to help President Trump on anything , to be honest with you .
It 's not the money . ''
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
In May , the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $ 3 trillion relief bill that aimed to address both the coronavirus pandemic and its economic toll .
The proposal included $ 75 billion for contact tracing , testing , and treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds to help cash-strapped cities and states continue providing basic services .
McConnell dismissed the House Democrats ' relief package as `` not serious , '' and declared it `` dead on arrival '' in the Senate .
He has blocked any action on the relief package for more than five months , as millions of Americans continue to suffer the negative economic and health effects of the pandemic .
Democrats have even offered to find a compromise , but McConnell has brushed off calls to pass any additional legislation for months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ party 's inaction was `` the reasonable thing to do , '' as it `` allowed us to learn the coronavirus did n't mysteriously disappear . ''
In September , McConnell offered only a `` skinny '' version of the Democrats ' bill .
The GOP bill included provisions that McConnell knew Democrats would not be able to accept , such as stripping employees of their right to sue if they get sick and funneling public funds to private schools .
Democratic leaders have slammed McConnell 's bill as `` woefully inadequate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
In early October , Trump blithely announced that he did n't even care about passing a relief bill before the election , and urged Senate Republicans to ram through Amy Coney Barrett 's confirmation to the Supreme Court instead .
`` I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when , immediately after I win , we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business , '' Trump tweeted on Oct. 6 .
`` Our Economy is doing very well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , JOBS and unemployment also coming back in record numbers .
We are leading the World in Economic Recovery , and THE BEST IS YET TO COME ! ''
In true Trump fashion , he quickly flip-flopped and demanded that Congress `` go big ! ''
on a relief package .
Meanwhile , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have reportedly spent weeks trying to negotiate such an agreement .
But McConnell and his caucus have remained steadfast in their refusal to go higher than $ 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Trump and his administration .
`` What I will put on the floor is a highly targeted half a trillion dollars .
That 's a lot of money , '' McConnell said .
`` I 'm putting on the floor what we think is appropriate to tackle the disease . ''
When asked if the Senate might pass a larger bill , McConnell said : `` That 's where the administration 's willing to go .
My members think what we laid out , a half a trillion dollars , highly targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
On Monday , Senate Republicans voted to adjourn the Senate until after the election .
Unemployment rates have remained high , with more than 750,000 new jobless claims reported last week .
New coronavirus cases have spiked to an all-time high , despite Trump 's frequent claims that the virus is going away .
Meanwhile , Graham is trying to run down the clock on his race against Democratic opponent , Jaime Harrison .
Forecasters have rated the race a `` toss-up , '' with most polls showing a neck-and-neck finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon find that they can only outrun their own cruel inaction for so long .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In a wild display of projection, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) blamed Democrats on Thursday for his own party’s failure to pass a comprehensive coronavirus relief package.
Graham told a local television news station on Thursday that his “number one goal” was “another stimulus package.” In a line echoing Donald Trump’s recent campaign rhetoric, Graham said he expects that “as soon as the election is over, there’s going to be a bipartisan breakthrough on a big package somewhere around $2 trillion.”
In reality, Democrats in Congress have spent months pushing for a vote on their own $2 trillion relief package, while Republican lawmakers have refused to play ball. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), have so far refused go above a $500 billion “skinny” version of the bill.
Graham even had the audacity to suggest that Democrats are refusing to pass crucial relief for millions of Americans because they don’t want to give Trump a win before Election Day. When asked why Congress has failed to pass a relief package, Graham answered, “I’ll be honest with you: I don’t see much desire to help President Trump on anything, to be honest with you. It’s not the money.”
A Graham spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
In May, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion relief bill that aimed to address both the coronavirus pandemic and its economic toll. The proposal included $75 billion for contact tracing, testing, and treatment of the virus — as well as funds to help cash-strapped cities and states continue providing basic services.
McConnell dismissed the House Democrats’ relief package as “not serious,” and declared it “dead on arrival” in the Senate. He has blocked any action on the relief package for more than five months, as millions of Americans continue to suffer the negative economic and health effects of the pandemic.
Democrats have even offered to find a compromise, but McConnell has brushed off calls to pass any additional legislation for months. In August, McConnell said that his party’s inaction was “the reasonable thing to do,” as it “allowed us to learn the coronavirus didn’t mysteriously disappear.”
In September, McConnell offered only a “skinny” version of the Democrats’ bill. The GOP bill included provisions that McConnell knew Democrats would not be able to accept, such as stripping employees of their right to sue if they get sick and funneling public funds to private schools. Democratic leaders have slammed McConnell’s bill as “woefully inadequate,” and the Senate has repeatedly rejected it.
In early October, Trump blithely announced that he didn’t even care about passing a relief bill before the election, and urged Senate Republicans to ram through Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court instead.
“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” Trump tweeted on Oct. 6. “Our Economy is doing very well. The Stock Market is at record levels, JOBS and unemployment also coming back in record numbers. We are leading the World in Economic Recovery, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
In true Trump fashion, he quickly flip-flopped and demanded that Congress “go big!” on a relief package.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have reportedly spent weeks trying to negotiate such an agreement. But McConnell and his caucus have remained steadfast in their refusal to go higher than $500 billion — even if that means working against Trump and his administration.
“What I will put on the floor is a highly targeted half a trillion dollars. That’s a lot of money,” McConnell said. “I’m putting on the floor what we think is appropriate to tackle the disease.”
When asked if the Senate might pass a larger bill, McConnell said: “That’s where the administration’s willing to go. My members think what we laid out, a half a trillion dollars, highly targeted, is the best way to go.”
On Monday, Senate Republicans voted to adjourn the Senate until after the election. Unemployment rates have remained high, with more than 750,000 new jobless claims reported last week. New coronavirus cases have spiked to an all-time high, despite Trump’s frequent claims that the virus is going away.
Meanwhile, Graham is trying to run down the clock on his race against Democratic opponent, Jaime Harrison. Forecasters have rated the race a “toss-up,” with most polls showing a neck-and-neck finish. Graham and his fellow Republicans may soon find that they can only outrun their own cruel inaction for so long.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-30--GOP senator slammed by constituents for doing nothing to pass virus relief

Small business owners in North Carolina on Wednesday slammed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis for not helping pass coronavirus aid as they struggle with the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` In this very building , both of our upstairs neighbors have now closed due to the pandemic , '' Jenna Yarosh Wilson , owner of a pet store in Asheville , told a local ABC affiliate .
`` I 'm so frustrated by our elected leaders like Senator Tillis . ''
`` The PPP program dried up months ago , and we have n't seen any action from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who owns a local photography business , said .
The Paycheck Protection Program was a stimulus measure passed by Congress in the spring that was meant to provide loans , mainly intended to cover payrolls , that would be forgivable if the recipient did not lay off employees or rehired laid-off workers .
The Trump administration 's management of the program led to large companies receiving money that was earmarked for small businesses .
Independent contractors and other self-employed Americans also struggled to obtain loans from the program .
The criticism of Tillis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority prioritized confirming Donald Trump 's nominee to the Supreme Court , Amy Coney Barrett , over passing more coronavirus aid .
Barrett 's confirmation on Monday took place a week before the general election on Nov. 3 , after tens of millions of voters had already cast their ballots , and after Republicans had insisted in 2016 that no Supreme Court nominee should be confirmed in an election year .
Tillis was so hell-bent on confirming Barrett that he attended her confirmation hearings despite having tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination at the White House .
He was among many attendees who later tested positive for the virus .
But he attended Barrett 's confirmation hearings in person , despite not having spent the recommended 14 days in isolation after his diagnosis .
After confirming Barrett to the court , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent the Senate home without passing any coronavirus relief .
House Democrats have passed multiple coronavirus relief bills that would have extended a $ 600 weekly unemployment insurance boost , authorized another round of $ 1,200 direct payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and given aid to state and local governments struggling to make ends meet due to coronavirus-related revenue shortfalls .
McConnell refused to take up any of them in the Senate .
Polls have shown voters want Congress to prioritize coronavirus relief .
Polls show Cunningham with a narrow 2.1 % lead over Tillis , according to the RealClearPolitics polling average .
Tillis has only led Cunningham in two polls since July .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Small business owners in North Carolina on Wednesday slammed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis for not helping pass coronavirus aid as they struggle with the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In this very building, both of our upstairs neighbors have now closed due to the pandemic,” Jenna Yarosh Wilson, owner of a pet store in Asheville, told a local ABC affiliate. “I’m so frustrated by our elected leaders like Senator Tillis.”
“The PPP program dried up months ago, and we haven’t seen any action from Washington since,” Carrie Turner, who owns a local photography business, said.
The Paycheck Protection Program was a stimulus measure passed by Congress in the spring that was meant to provide loans, mainly intended to cover payrolls, that would be forgivable if the recipient did not lay off employees or rehired laid-off workers.
The Trump administration’s management of the program led to large companies receiving money that was earmarked for small businesses. Independent contractors and other self-employed Americans also struggled to obtain loans from the program.
The criticism of Tillis comes after he and the Senate Republican majority prioritized confirming Donald Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, over passing more coronavirus aid. Barrett’s confirmation on Monday took place a week before the general election on Nov. 3, after tens of millions of voters had already cast their ballots, and after Republicans had insisted in 2016 that no Supreme Court nominee should be confirmed in an election year.
Tillis was so hell-bent on confirming Barrett that he attended her confirmation hearings despite having tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 2 after attending a celebration of her nomination at the White House. He was among many attendees who later tested positive for the virus.
But he attended Barrett’s confirmation hearings in person, despite not having spent the recommended 14 days in isolation after his diagnosis.
After confirming Barrett to the court, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent the Senate home without passing any coronavirus relief.
House Democrats have passed multiple coronavirus relief bills that would have extended a $600 weekly unemployment insurance boost, authorized another round of $1,200 direct payments to a large number of Americans, and given aid to state and local governments struggling to make ends meet due to coronavirus-related revenue shortfalls.
McConnell refused to take up any of them in the Senate.
Polls have shown voters want Congress to prioritize coronavirus relief.
Tillis faces a competitive reelection bid against Democratic nominee Cal Cunningham.
Polls show Cunningham with a narrow 2.1% lead over Tillis, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. Tillis has only led Cunningham in two polls since July.
Inside Elections, the nonpartisan political handicapping outlet, rates the race “tilt Democratic.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-30--Minnesota mayor to Trump: Keep your superspreader rallies far away from us

The mayor of Rochester , Minnesota , joined with the Mayo Clinic to issue Donald Trump a stern warning this week : Do n't bring your rally here if you wo n't abide by state guidelines .
Norton said that they were speaking in unity on behalf of the city of Rochester that `` we 're on the same page . ''
`` Our message is , 'We follow the state guidelines and we expect the ( Trump ) campaign when it 's here to do the same thing . '
We know they 've been told that before and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norton added .
The state 's health guidelines restrict crowd sizes to no more than 250 people .
The clinic also issued a statement saying that it is in full support of Minnesota 's COVID-19 guidelines , noting that they `` were put in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public 's health . ''
`` Preventive measures such as masking , good hand hygiene and social distancing are essential steps to stop the spread of the virus , protect our communities and our neighbors , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose to attend a large event that exceeds recommended guidelines should contact their healthcare provider and be evaluated for possible COVID-19 testing.
” According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press , six Trump campaign events have been held in Minnesota , each one flouting crowd size guidelines and facing no repercussions .
Mayor Norton added that while normally , she would welcome such a high-profile event , 2020 is a whole different story .
`` This year … with the pandemic hanging over the world , a gathering and a rally takes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Norton noted that her concern is for residents with large numbers of out-of-towners descending upon Rochester .
`` As a person who worries about the residents of the community , for me , the excitement of having a candidate come to town is overshadowed by the concern I have for the residents that live here once that candidate leaves , '' she added .
As of Wednesday , Minnesota had experienced 21 consecutive days of more than 1,000 new cases a day .
The mayor 's concerns are reasonable , given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus after an airport rally in Gaston County , North Carolina .
Contact tracing is reportedly underway there .
Although he did not blame Trump specifically , North Carolina Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper said in a Wednesday press conference that he 's concerned about sprawling political events with large numbers of attendees being held in the state .
“ I ’ m really concerned about campaigns that fly in all over the place and come into North Carolina , hold these large events , gathering a lot of people together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state , and then leaving , ” he said .
At this point , Trump 's superspreader rallies have garnered national attention — and concern .
A report from the Center for American Progress notes that at least 26 cases of coronavirus have been directly linked to attendance at Trump rallies , where attendees are often maskless and in close contact .
Beyond that , about half of the counties where Trump has held rallies — 11 out of the 22 held between June and September — have experienced a large countywide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows no sign of stopping his superspreader events anytime soon .
After an outbreak at the White House and on Capitol Hill after a Rose Garden superspreader event — and his own coronavirus diagnosis on Oct. 1 — Trump resumed hosting rallies with large crowds less than two weeks later .
And Monday night , he hosted a large gathering at the White House to celebrate Barrett 's confirmation to the Court with a symbolic swearing-in by Justice Clarence Thomas .
Trump , Barrett , Thomas , and first lady Melania Trump were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning three more rallies in the state of Pennsylvania despite 75 doctors asking him to stop .
In the wake of the mayor 's warning , the Rochester , Minnesota , rally , originally slated to be hosted at the Rochester International Airport , was moved to a private steel company about 30 minutes away , where the company 's owner told staff he expected 25,000 attendees .
But in the later hours of Thursday , Minnesota GOP Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan told MPR News that the rally had been moved back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event that would be capped at 250 people .
According to the outlet , Norton confirmed Thursday evening that the Trump campaign had agreed to sign a contract with the city of Rochester stipulating the 250-person cap .
But , MPR said , Carnahan sees it as a violation of Republicans ' civil liberties , saying Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and DFL Gov .
Tim Walz are `` playing games '' with the Trump campaign and `` denying people 's free right to go hear from their president four days from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in a world run by tyrannical power leaders , '' Carnahan said .
By contrast , Democratic nominee Joe Biden will be hosting a socially distanced drive-in campaign event in St. Paul , Minnesota , on Friday .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The mayor of Rochester, Minnesota, joined with the Mayo Clinic to issue Donald Trump a stern warning this week: Don’t bring your rally here if you won’t abide by state guidelines.
Norton said that they were speaking in unity on behalf of the city of Rochester that “we’re on the same page.”
“Our message is, ‘We follow the state guidelines and we expect the (Trump) campaign when it’s here to do the same thing.’ We know they’ve been told that before and haven’t followed the guidelines,” Norton added.
The state’s health guidelines restrict crowd sizes to no more than 250 people.
The clinic also issued a statement saying that it is in full support of Minnesota’s COVID-19 guidelines, noting that they “were put in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public’s health.”
“Preventive measures such as masking, good hand hygiene and social distancing are essential steps to stop the spread of the virus, protect our communities and our neighbors,” the statement continues. “Community members who choose to attend a large event that exceeds recommended guidelines should contact their healthcare provider and be evaluated for possible COVID-19 testing.”
According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, six Trump campaign events have been held in Minnesota, each one flouting crowd size guidelines and facing no repercussions.
Mayor Norton added that while normally, she would welcome such a high-profile event, 2020 is a whole different story.
“This year … with the pandemic hanging over the world, a gathering and a rally takes on a whole different meaning,” she said.
Norton noted that her concern is for residents with large numbers of out-of-towners descending upon Rochester.
“As a person who worries about the residents of the community, for me, the excitement of having a candidate come to town is overshadowed by the concern I have for the residents that live here once that candidate leaves,” she added.
As of Wednesday, Minnesota had experienced 21 consecutive days of more than 1,000 new cases a day.
The mayor’s concerns are reasonable, given that just this week two individuals tested positive for coronavirus after an airport rally in Gaston County, North Carolina. Contact tracing is reportedly underway there.
Although he did not blame Trump specifically, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said in a Wednesday press conference that he’s concerned about sprawling political events with large numbers of attendees being held in the state.
“I’m really concerned about campaigns that fly in all over the place and come into North Carolina, hold these large events, gathering a lot of people together, also bringing in people from out of state, and then leaving,” he said.
At this point, Trump’s superspreader rallies have garnered national attention — and concern.
A report from the Center for American Progress notes that at least 26 cases of coronavirus have been directly linked to attendance at Trump rallies, where attendees are often maskless and in close contact.
Beyond that, about half of the counties where Trump has held rallies — 11 out of the 22 held between June and September — have experienced a large countywide uptick in cases afterward.
But Trump shows no sign of stopping his superspreader events anytime soon.
After an outbreak at the White House and on Capitol Hill after a Rose Garden superspreader event — and his own coronavirus diagnosis on Oct. 1 — Trump resumed hosting rallies with large crowds less than two weeks later.
And Monday night, he hosted a large gathering at the White House to celebrate Barrett’s confirmation to the Court with a symbolic swearing-in by Justice Clarence Thomas.
Trump, Barrett, Thomas, and first lady Melania Trump were all maskless.
And Trump is currently planning three more rallies in the state of Pennsylvania despite 75 doctors asking him to stop.
In the wake of the mayor’s warning, the Rochester, Minnesota, rally, originally slated to be hosted at the Rochester International Airport, was moved to a private steel company about 30 minutes away, where the company’s owner told staff he expected 25,000 attendees.
But in the later hours of Thursday, Minnesota GOP Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan told MPR News that the rally had been moved back to the airport, changed to an invitation-only event that would be capped at 250 people.
According to the outlet, Norton confirmed Thursday evening that the Trump campaign had agreed to sign a contract with the city of Rochester stipulating the 250-person cap.
But, MPR said, Carnahan sees it as a violation of Republicans’ civil liberties, saying Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and DFL Gov. Tim Walz are “playing games” with the Trump campaign and “denying people’s free right to go hear from their president four days from the election.”
“We do not live in a world run by tyrannical power leaders,” Carnahan said.
By contrast, Democratic nominee Joe Biden will be hosting a socially distanced drive-in campaign event in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-31--Trump's failed response allowed COVID to surge in federal prisons

Andrea Circle Bear was five months pregnant when a judge sentenced her in January to 26 months in federal prison for `` unlawfully and knowingly '' allowing methamphetamine to be distributed on her property .
On March 20 , the Federal Bureau of Prisons transferred Circle Bear from a local jail to FMC Carswell , a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth , Texas — more than 1,000 miles away from her home on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota .
Within two weeks of Circle Bear 's arrival at the Fort Worth facility , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other symptoms of the coronavirus .
On March 31 , she was taken to a local hospital and put on a ventilator .
On April 1 , she gave birth to her baby by cesarean section .
And on April 28 , Andrea Circle Bear died at the same hospital where she had just given birth .
She was 30 years old .
She was the first documented female federal prisoner to die from the coronavirus .
But she would n't be the last .
In the final days of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moral victory over the coronavirus pandemic , even as the virus continues to rage across the country .
An Oct. 27 White House press release listed `` ending the COVID-19 pandemic '' as one of Trump 's signature achievements while in office .
That same day , the United States recorded more than 73,000 new cases of the virus , as well as 985 deaths .
White House spokesperson Alyssa Farah later admitted the press release was `` poorly worded , '' but added that `` because of the president 's leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus . ''
Over the past eight months , America 's jails and prisons have become epicenters of the virus 's spread .
This includes the federal prisons and other detention facilities that fall under the purview of the Bureau of Prisons , the Department of Justice , Attorney General William Barr , and ultimately , Trump himself .
The following is a story from one at-risk inmate inside Trump 's federal prison system — a 48-year-old woman who asked to be called `` Janet '' for the purposes of this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carswell , the same federal prison medical facility where Andrea Circle Bear died in April .
The minimum security prison detains women who are already ill or are otherwise vulnerable to COVID-19 .
In July , the Bureau of Prisons reported that 509 women at FMC Carswell had tested positive for the virus .
Janet , who asked not to use her real name for fear of retaliation , told the American Independent Foundation that prison staff have failed to protect incarcerated women .
`` We were not provided proper sanitation items , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not locked down as soon as the first inmate tested positive in the facility because we were still going to the dining hall to get our meals while still being in contact with ladies from other units . ''
She continued : `` It was complete chaos and no one seemed to know the answers . ''
In August , Janet developed a cough and a runny nose .
Then one of her lungs started to feel like it was burning .
She tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed in quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ making her even more vulnerable to the virus .
But when she asked for a chest X-ray to see if the virus had affected her lungs , the prison doctor declined .
When she complained about her lung pain further , the doctor suggested it was acid reflux and prescribed her famotidine , also known as Pepcid .
This type of medical treatment is n't the exception , but is the norm in federal prisons , according to Janet .
`` Nothing at all was done with my complaint , '' she wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are using Pepcid for the treatment of COVID . ''
Last week , the American Civil Liberties Union lodged a complaint against the Federal Bureau of Prisons demanding more transparency about the virus ' spread in federal correctional facilities .
America 's jails and prisons quickly became epicenters of the virus ' spread .
Since the start of the pandemic , more than 252,000 people in U.S. jails and prisons have been infected , and at least 1,450 prisoners and prison employees have died , according to the New York Times .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission .
They have consistently led other high-risk institutions — such as meatpacking plants and nursing homes — in their rate of infection and death toll .
The rampant overcrowding found in American jails and prisons makes social distancing virtually impossible .
In one recent study published in the journal Health Affairs , researchers found that 15.7 % of all coronavirus infections in the state of Illinois between March and April could be linked back to one source : Cook Country Jail in Chicago .
`` [ We forget ] these institutions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of our communities , '' Eric Reinhart , one of the study 's researchers , said .
`` They ’ re very porous .
People go in and they go out . ''
In March , Attorney General William Barr directed the bureau to transfer federal prisoners to home confinement `` where appropriate to decrease the risks to their health . ''
Between March and May , nearly 11,000 U.S. prisoners requested compassionate release due to the pandemic .
The bureau approved just 11 of the requests , the Marshall Project reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead attorney in its Bureau of Prisons lawsuit , said the agency 's `` refusal to move people out of facilities '' is its `` biggest failure . ''
`` There are two issues going on in jails and prisons , '' Trivedi told The American Independent Foundation .
`` First , the conditions inside the facility : the lack or shortages of hand sanitizer , laundry , masks , gloves — all of the hygiene protocols we take for granted . ''
The second issue , Trivedi said , is `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's physically impossible unless you get people out , '' he added .
Trivedi pointed out that while it 's easy for the general public to feel little compassion toward prisoners , they 're not the only people the virus will impact .
`` If you want to be selfish about it , these things do n't stay confined to prison and jail settings , '' he said .
`` I do n't expect a lot of the world to care about the lives of prisoners .
That 's just where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` We deserve to know why this response has been this botched . ''
Trivedi noted that the Trump administration ’ s lack of concern for civil rights is evident in the bureau 's pandemic response .
`` It 's what happens when you have people hellbent against recognizing people ’ s civil rights .
People in jail and prison never stood a chance . ''
In a statement to The American Independent Foundation , the Bureau of Prisons defended its record , arguing that the bureau has taken abundant precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees ' health and safety .
`` The Bureau of Prisons ( BOP ) has taken swift and effective action in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) , and has emerged as a correctional leader in the pandemic , '' a spokesperson wrote .
`` As with any type of emergency situation , we carefully assess how to best ensure the safety of staff , inmates and the public .
All of our facilities are implementing the BOP 's guidance on mitigating the spread of COVID-19 .
That guidance can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to evaluate our mitigation strategies and make adjustments as needed . ''
`` We remain deeply concerned for the health and welfare of those inmates who are entrusted to our care , and for our staff , their families , and the communities we live and work in , '' they concluded .
Still , federal inmates like Janet may have reason to reject the idea that prison staff are deeply concerned for their well-being .
`` We were yelled at by two lieutenants not to ask any questions and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never even informed that I tested positive , '' Janet wrote .
`` I was simply handed a box and told I had only a few minutes to pack limited items . ''
`` I was told by several other inmates that were being quarantined on the mental health floor that their food trays were being delivered by being kicked through the doorway , '' she continued .
`` Their doors were locked 24/7 and they were n't allowed out .
I was told that they had to bang on the doors for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' attention to get any help for their deteriorating roommates . ''
`` I have seen officers tell inmates to just put in a sick call request when they clearly were n't feeling well instead of calling the clinic and having them rapid-tested , '' she added .
`` It was very heartbreaking for me to feel this completely insignificant . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Andrea Circle Bear was five months pregnant when a judge sentenced her in January to 26 months in federal prison for “unlawfully and knowingly” allowing methamphetamine to be distributed on her property.
On March 20, the Federal Bureau of Prisons transferred Circle Bear from a local jail to FMC Carswell, a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas — more than 1,000 miles away from her home on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
Within two weeks of Circle Bear’s arrival at the Fort Worth facility, she developed a fever, dry cough, and other symptoms of the coronavirus.
On March 31, she was taken to a local hospital and put on a ventilator.
On April 1, she gave birth to her baby by cesarean section.
And on April 28, Andrea Circle Bear died at the same hospital where she had just given birth.
She was 30 years old.
She was the first documented female federal prisoner to die from the coronavirus.
But she wouldn’t be the last.
In the final days of the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump has claimed a moral victory over the coronavirus pandemic, even as the virus continues to rage across the country. An Oct. 27 White House press release listed “ending the COVID-19 pandemic” as one of Trump’s signature achievements while in office. That same day, the United States recorded more than 73,000 new cases of the virus, as well as 985 deaths.
White House spokesperson Alyssa Farah later admitted the press release was “poorly worded,” but added that “because of the president’s leadership, we are rounding the corner on the virus.”
Over the past eight months, America’s jails and prisons have become epicenters of the virus’s spread. This includes the federal prisons and other detention facilities that fall under the purview of the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr, and ultimately, Trump himself.
The following is a story from one at-risk inmate inside Trump’s federal prison system — a 48-year-old woman who asked to be called “Janet” for the purposes of this story.
Janet is an inmate at FMC Carswell, the same federal prison medical facility where Andrea Circle Bear died in April. The minimum security prison detains women who are already ill or are otherwise vulnerable to COVID-19.
In July, the Bureau of Prisons reported that 509 women at FMC Carswell had tested positive for the virus.
Janet, who asked not to use her real name for fear of retaliation, told the American Independent Foundation that prison staff have failed to protect incarcerated women.
“We were not provided proper sanitation items,” she wrote. “We were not locked down as soon as the first inmate tested positive in the facility because we were still going to the dining hall to get our meals while still being in contact with ladies from other units.”
She continued: “It was complete chaos and no one seemed to know the answers.”
In August, Janet developed a cough and a runny nose. Then one of her lungs started to feel like it was burning. She tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed in quarantine.
Janet is a breast cancer survivor, making her even more vulnerable to the virus. But when she asked for a chest X-ray to see if the virus had affected her lungs, the prison doctor declined.
When she complained about her lung pain further, the doctor suggested it was acid reflux and prescribed her famotidine, also known as Pepcid.
This type of medical treatment isn’t the exception, but is the norm in federal prisons, according to Janet.
“Nothing at all was done with my complaint,” she wrote, adding, “BTW, they are using Pepcid for the treatment of COVID.”
Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union lodged a complaint against the Federal Bureau of Prisons demanding more transparency about the virus’ spread in federal correctional facilities.
America’s jails and prisons quickly became epicenters of the virus’ spread. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 252,000 people in U.S. jails and prisons have been infected, and at least 1,450 prisoners and prison employees have died, according to the New York Times.
U.S. correctional facilities are powder kegs for disease transmission. They have consistently led other high-risk institutions — such as meatpacking plants and nursing homes — in their rate of infection and death toll. The rampant overcrowding found in American jails and prisons makes social distancing virtually impossible.
In one recent study published in the journal Health Affairs, researchers found that 15.7% of all coronavirus infections in the state of Illinois between March and April could be linked back to one source: Cook Country Jail in Chicago.
“[We forget] these institutions are not simply contained spaces, but a part of our communities,” Eric Reinhart, one of the study’s researchers, said. “They’re very porous. People go in and they go out.”
In March, Attorney General William Barr directed the bureau to transfer federal prisoners to home confinement “where appropriate to decrease the risks to their health.” Between March and May, nearly 11,000 U.S. prisoners requested compassionate release due to the pandemic. The bureau approved just 11 of the requests, the Marshall Project reported.
Somil Trivedi, the ACLU’s lead attorney in its Bureau of Prisons lawsuit, said the agency’s “refusal to move people out of facilities” is its “biggest failure.”
“There are two issues going on in jails and prisons,” Trivedi told The American Independent Foundation. “First, the conditions inside the facility: the lack or shortages of hand sanitizer, laundry, masks, gloves — all of the hygiene protocols we take for granted.”
The second issue, Trivedi said, is “the inability to do social distancing.”
“It’s physically impossible unless you get people out,” he added.
Trivedi pointed out that while it’s easy for the general public to feel little compassion toward prisoners, they’re not the only people the virus will impact.
“If you want to be selfish about it, these things don’t stay confined to prison and jail settings,” he said. “I don’t expect a lot of the world to care about the lives of prisoners. That’s just where we are.”
Still, he added: “We deserve to know why this response has been this botched.”
Trivedi noted that the Trump administration’s lack of concern for civil rights is evident in the bureau’s pandemic response. “It’s what happens when you have people hellbent against recognizing people’s civil rights. People in jail and prison never stood a chance.”
In a statement to The American Independent Foundation, the Bureau of Prisons defended its record, arguing that the bureau has taken abundant precautions in the interest of inmates’ and employees’ health and safety.
“The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has taken swift and effective action in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and has emerged as a correctional leader in the pandemic,” a spokesperson wrote. “As with any type of emergency situation, we carefully assess how to best ensure the safety of staff, inmates and the public. All of our facilities are implementing the BOP’s guidance on mitigating the spread of COVID-19. That guidance can be found on our website. We will continue to evaluate our mitigation strategies and make adjustments as needed.”
“We remain deeply concerned for the health and welfare of those inmates who are entrusted to our care, and for our staff, their families, and the communities we live and work in,” they concluded.
Still, federal inmates like Janet may have reason to reject the idea that prison staff are deeply concerned for their well-being.
“We were yelled at by two lieutenants not to ask any questions and to stay in our rooms. I was never even informed that I tested positive,” Janet wrote. “I was simply handed a box and told I had only a few minutes to pack limited items.”
“I was told by several other inmates that were being quarantined on the mental health floor that their food trays were being delivered by being kicked through the doorway,” she continued. “Their doors were locked 24/7 and they weren’t allowed out. I was told that they had to bang on the doors for a long time to get the guards’ attention to get any help for their deteriorating roommates.”
“I have seen officers tell inmates to just put in a sick call request when they clearly weren’t feeling well instead of calling the clinic and having them rapid-tested,” she added. “It was very heartbreaking for me to feel this completely insignificant.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-10-31--Opinion: Don't make predictions based on eye-popping early voting numbers

Election cycle after election cycle , early voting has become more popular .
Over the last decade or so , states have been making voting early easier by offering in-person early voting , all mail elections , or no excuse absentee voting .
However , the coronavirus pandemic super-charged that trend .
More states are offering vote by mail or early in-person voting to help mitigate the public health risks that COVID-19 poses .
And because of this , we are seeing historic levels of early voting .
According to the U.S .
Elections Project , as of Oct. 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country have voted — over 61 % of total 2016 turnout .
At this point in 2016 , roughly 21 million people had voted early .
However , it is important not to read too much into the avalanche of early voting .
There are two factors that make reading these early results difficult .
First , the pandemic has impacted Americans ’ lives in just about every way possible — including voting .
As more and more states have made early voting easier , more and more voters are taking advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remember that when we look at these eye-popping early vote numbers , because it ’ s difficult to discern how many of these voters are new voters coming into the process versus how many are the more traditional “ Election Day ” voters who are voting early because of COVID .
Second , we have never seen such a partisan gap in voters ’ view of early voting .
This is a direct result of Donald Trump ’ s unfounded , but sustained , attacks on voting by mail .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voters supporting Joe Biden said they planned to vote early .
For Trump , it was the exact opposite with 61 % of his supporters saying they planned to vote on Election Day .
Because of this huge disparity , the partisan gap on the early vote might be even more pronounced than in the past .
In other words , Democrats might be in a very strong position , but Republicans could come roaring back on Election Day .
Layered on top of all this are the ongoing legal battles across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies seek to disenfranchise millions of voters through the courts .
The lawsuits , intended to restrict Americans ’ right to vote , range in subject from witness signatures to ballot-received dates and have been filed in jurisdictions across the country .
Unfortunately for voters , the suits could change the rules of the road right up to the election .
We need to remain vigilant when it comes to making sure voters are getting their ballots in with plenty of time .
With just four days left in the election , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail their ballots .
Voters who had planned on mailing their ballots now need to drop them off at an official drop-off location ( find your official drop-off location here ) .
Democrats , with 77,744 votes across three states making the difference in 2016 , need to go pedal to the metal all the way through the checkered flag on Nov. 3 .
Jim Messina is CEO of The Messina Group and chief strategist for American Bridge 21st Century .
He was formerly White House deputy chief of staff under President Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 2012 reelection campaign .

Election cycle after election cycle, early voting has become more popular. Over the last decade or so, states have been making voting early easier by offering in-person early voting, all mail elections, or no excuse absentee voting.
However, the coronavirus pandemic super-charged that trend.
More states are offering vote by mail or early in-person voting to help mitigate the public health risks that COVID-19 poses. And because of this, we are seeing historic levels of early voting.
According to the U.S. Elections Project, as of Oct. 30, more than 83.5 million people across the country have voted — over 61% of total 2016 turnout. At this point in 2016, roughly 21 million people had voted early.
However, it is important not to read too much into the avalanche of early voting.
There are two factors that make reading these early results difficult.
First, the pandemic has impacted Americans’ lives in just about every way possible — including voting. As more and more states have made early voting easier, more and more voters are taking advantage of it. It’s important to remember that when we look at these eye-popping early vote numbers, because it’s difficult to discern how many of these voters are new voters coming into the process versus how many are the more traditional “Election Day” voters who are voting early because of COVID.
Second, we have never seen such a partisan gap in voters’ view of early voting. This is a direct result of Donald Trump’s unfounded, but sustained, attacks on voting by mail.
In a recent ABC/Washington Post poll, 64% of voters supporting Joe Biden said they planned to vote early. For Trump, it was the exact opposite with 61% of his supporters saying they planned to vote on Election Day.
Because of this huge disparity, the partisan gap on the early vote might be even more pronounced than in the past.
In other words, Democrats might be in a very strong position, but Republicans could come roaring back on Election Day.
Layered on top of all this are the ongoing legal battles across the country as Trump and his Republican allies seek to disenfranchise millions of voters through the courts.
The lawsuits, intended to restrict Americans’ right to vote, range in subject from witness signatures to ballot-received dates and have been filed in jurisdictions across the country.
Unfortunately for voters, the suits could change the rules of the road right up to the election.
We need to remain vigilant when it comes to making sure voters are getting their ballots in with plenty of time.
With just four days left in the election, it’s too late for voters to mail their ballots. Voters who had planned on mailing their ballots now need to drop them off at an official drop-off location (find your official drop-off location here).
Democrats, with 77,744 votes across three states making the difference in 2016, need to go pedal to the metal all the way through the checkered flag on Nov. 3.
Jim Messina is CEO of The Messina Group and chief strategist for American Bridge 21st Century. He was formerly White House deputy chief of staff under President Obama, and campaign manager for the president’s 2012 reelection campaign.


shareblue--2020-11-01--The South sees highest number of Black Senate candidates in more than a century

In the battle for control of the U.S. Senate this year , the Deep South is fielding more Black candidates than it has since Reconstruction .
In South Carolina , Jaime Harrison is raising a previously unfathomable amount of money in what has become a competitive fight to unseat one of the more powerful Republicans in the Senate .
He 's joined by Raphael Warnock in neighboring Georgia , the leading Democrat in a crowded field running for the seat held by an appointed Republican .
Mike Espy and Adrian Perkins , meanwhile , are launching spirited bids for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their candidacies come during a year of deep reckoning in the United States over systemic racism and represent a more diverse type of political leader in the South , where Democrats have tended to rally behind white moderates in recent years in often ill-fated attempts to appeal to disaffected Republicans .
`` It 's continually a tough fight that we wage to help Democrats imagine a world where people who look like myself are viable candidates everywhere — not just in your blue states , not just in the urban cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a political action committee that supports Black candidates .
The Senate currently has three Black members : Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California .
Harris is the Democratic vice presidential nominee .
The candidates face hurdles in a region that has been a GOP stronghold for a generation .
Of their four states , only one has a Democratic governor .
In South Carolina , it 's been nearly 15 years since a Democrat won statewide office and 44 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there are signs of possible change .
In Georgia and North Carolina — states that have n't supported a Democrat for the White House since 1992 and 2008 , respectively — Joe Biden is running a tight race with Donald Trump .
In Georgia , Warnock recently appeared at a rally with Harris , who has endorsed him .
The 2018 elections marked something of a turning point .
While Democrat Stacey Abrams narrowly lost the Georgia governor 's race , her strong performance , particularly in Atlanta 's Republican-leaning suburbs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
`` The more competitive races are , and Black candidates win those competitive races , it diminishes this worry that Black candidates ca n't win , '' Abrams recently told the Associated Press .
Warnock is hoping to come out on top in a crowded field against Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler , who was appointed this year by Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp .
Warnock is pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. preached .
He draws heavily on his experience as a Black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his early days growing up in Georgia public housing to his current support for expanding access to health care , voting rights , criminal justice reform , and the Black Lives Matter movement .
In Louisiana , Perkins , a West Point graduate and Army veteran , is seen as the lead candidate in a nonpartisan qualifying primary to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy .
Perkins has been endorsed by former President Barack Obama and other high-profile Democrats , but his late entrance into the race has made fundraising difficult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Mississippi , Espy is trying for a second time to become the state 's first Black senator since Reconstruction with his challenge to Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith .
In 1986 , Espy was elected as Mississippi 's first Black congressman in modern times before heading up the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
Biden has endorsed Espy .
The Republican-dominated state last had a Democrat in the Senate in 1988 .
To win , Espy needs a strong turnout among Democratic Black voters , along with support from white voters disenchanted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history in Mississippi , where his grandfather started a hospital for African Americans in 1924 , and his father owned the funeral home where Emmett Till 's body was taken after the Black 14-year-old from Chicago was tortured and killed in rural Mississippi .
Espy and his twin sister were among the few Black students who integrated an all-white high school .
`` It 's about overcoming issues in the old Mississippi and fighting for progress in the future , '' he said .
There 's also Tennessee Democrat Marquita Bradshaw , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle to secure a U.S. Senate seat that opened up with Republican Lamar Alexander 's retirement .
Bradshaw , the first Black woman to win a statewide nomination in Tennessee , is running against former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty , who 's been endorsed by Trump .
Republicans have held both Tennessee seats in the Senate since 1994 .
But it 's Harrison who has received the most national attention — and money — this year .
His more than $ 100 million in fundraising has shattered records for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might have otherwise been an afterthought into a genuine competition .
Harrison highlights his humble upbringing and criticizes incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham for being too quick to do Trump 's bidding .
Graham , chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee , was at the helm of the process pushing Amy Coney Barrett 's Supreme Court confirmation .
With the state to himself as Graham shepherded that effort , Harrison has held a series of drive-in rallies , drumming up support from constituents he says are ready for a change .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state with advertising , much of which includes his origin story of meager beginnings , Ivy League education , and desire to give back .
`` Only in America can a little round-headed boy , who grew up to a 16-year-old mama , with grandparents who had a fourth-grade and eighth-grade education , who lived in a mobile home , went to Yale , Georgetown , worked on Capitol Hill , today is on the verge of being the next United States senator from the great state of South Carolina , '' Harrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know what hard times is , '' he added .
`` I have lived hard times . ''

In the battle for control of the U.S. Senate this year, the Deep South is fielding more Black candidates than it has since Reconstruction.
In South Carolina, Jaime Harrison is raising a previously unfathomable amount of money in what has become a competitive fight to unseat one of the more powerful Republicans in the Senate. He’s joined by Raphael Warnock in neighboring Georgia, the leading Democrat in a crowded field running for the seat held by an appointed Republican. Mike Espy and Adrian Perkins, meanwhile, are launching spirited bids for the Senate in Mississippi and Louisiana, respectively.
Their candidacies come during a year of deep reckoning in the United States over systemic racism and represent a more diverse type of political leader in the South, where Democrats have tended to rally behind white moderates in recent years in often ill-fated attempts to appeal to disaffected Republicans.
“It’s continually a tough fight that we wage to help Democrats imagine a world where people who look like myself are viable candidates everywhere — not just in your blue states, not just in the urban cities,” said Quentin James of The Collective, a political action committee that supports Black candidates.
The Senate currently has three Black members: Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrats Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California. Harris is the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
The candidates face hurdles in a region that has been a GOP stronghold for a generation. Of their four states, only one has a Democratic governor. In South Carolina, it’s been nearly 15 years since a Democrat won statewide office and 44 years since a Democratic presidential candidate won.
But there are signs of possible change. In Georgia and North Carolina — states that haven’t supported a Democrat for the White House since 1992 and 2008, respectively — Joe Biden is running a tight race with Donald Trump. In Georgia, Warnock recently appeared at a rally with Harris, who has endorsed him.
The 2018 elections marked something of a turning point. While Democrat Stacey Abrams narrowly lost the Georgia governor’s race, her strong performance, particularly in Atlanta’s Republican-leaning suburbs, suggested there was a path for Black Democrats.
“The more competitive races are, and Black candidates win those competitive races, it diminishes this worry that Black candidates can’t win,” Abrams recently told the Associated Press.
Warnock is hoping to come out on top in a crowded field against Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed this year by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.
Warnock is pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached. He draws heavily on his experience as a Black man living in the Deep South, from his early days growing up in Georgia public housing to his current support for expanding access to health care, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
In Louisiana, Perkins, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, is seen as the lead candidate in a nonpartisan qualifying primary to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.
Perkins has been endorsed by former President Barack Obama and other high-profile Democrats, but his late entrance into the race has made fundraising difficult. Cassidy has amassed a sizable campaign account.
In Mississippi, Espy is trying for a second time to become the state’s first Black senator since Reconstruction with his challenge to Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith. In 1986, Espy was elected as Mississippi’s first Black congressman in modern times before heading up the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Biden has endorsed Espy.
The Republican-dominated state last had a Democrat in the Senate in 1988. To win, Espy needs a strong turnout among Democratic Black voters, along with support from white voters disenchanted with Trump.
Espy highlights his family’s history in Mississippi, where his grandfather started a hospital for African Americans in 1924, and his father owned the funeral home where Emmett Till’s body was taken after the Black 14-year-old from Chicago was tortured and killed in rural Mississippi. Espy and his twin sister were among the few Black students who integrated an all-white high school.
“It’s about overcoming issues in the old Mississippi and fighting for progress in the future,” he said.
There’s also Tennessee Democrat Marquita Bradshaw, a Black environmental activist who faces an uphill battle to secure a U.S. Senate seat that opened up with Republican Lamar Alexander’s retirement.
Bradshaw, the first Black woman to win a statewide nomination in Tennessee, is running against former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, who’s been endorsed by Trump. Republicans have held both Tennessee seats in the Senate since 1994.
But it’s Harrison who has received the most national attention — and money — this year. His more than $100 million in fundraising has shattered records for a Senate campaign and helped turn a race that might have otherwise been an afterthought into a genuine competition.
Harrison highlights his humble upbringing and criticizes incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham for being too quick to do Trump’s bidding. Graham, chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, was at the helm of the process pushing Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation.
With the state to himself as Graham shepherded that effort, Harrison has held a series of drive-in rallies, drumming up support from constituents he says are ready for a change. His fundraising has allowed him to blanket the state with advertising, much of which includes his origin story of meager beginnings, Ivy League education, and desire to give back.
“Only in America can a little round-headed boy, who grew up to a 16-year-old mama, with grandparents who had a fourth-grade and eighth-grade education, who lived in a mobile home, went to Yale, Georgetown, worked on Capitol Hill, today is on the verge of being the next United States senator from the great state of South Carolina,” Harrison said during a recent rally.
“I know what hard times is,” he added. “I have lived hard times.”


shareblue--2020-11-01--I'm the first farmer in my family. Thanks to Trump's trade war, I might be the last.

Starting out , my wife and I had just $ 2,500 , a pickup truck , a 2-year-old , and the dream of starting a farm to pass down through the generations .
We worked hard and now own and operate a 560-acre soybean , corn , and hay farm with a cattle operation .
We ’ ve worked this farm for 40 years , and like many farm families , plan on passing it down to my kids and grandkids .
Due to Donald Trump ’ s trade war , that dream is in jeopardy — for us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump in 2016 .
Like many of my friends and colleagues , I thought he could bring about real change for rural America .
For years , many small and mid-size farms have struggled to stay afloat .
Many politicians have promised to help farmers but failed .
Trump promised better trade deals for farmers , and we believed him because he was a businessman and not a typical politician .
I felt like he was our guy .
Boy , was I wrong .
I ’ ve regretted that decision ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump administration has hurt farmers like me .
Trump touted himself as a businessman who could finally get farmers fair and expanded trade deals .
But his retaliatory tariffs against all of our trading partners , including China , have only upended our markets .
That ’ s hurt farmers and rural communities .
Farmers , rural America — our country needs strong leadership right now .
We need a statesman .
Trump has shown he is not up to the task .
In March of 2018 , the president used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a law which was never intended to punish trading partners , to declare imported steel as a security threat and impose a 25 % tariff on imported steel without congressional approval .
He claimed Canada — yes , Canada — was a national security threat .
These countries immediately retaliated and went for our soft underbelly : agriculture .
As a result , our products could not be competitively exported , and farms all across the country , like mine , suffered .
Ninety-five percent of the people on the planet live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential for the agricultural industry , and trade is both our business and marketing plan .
We lost 30 % of our market share overnight just to China alone .
To put it in another perspective , imagine you are making $ 60,000 a year , and your boss tells you that we angered our best customer , so now we will pay you $ 40,000 a year , and we will send you $ 1,000 for your Christmas stocking later this year to tide you over .
You ’ d be furious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more expensive thanks to Trump ’ s erratic war on trade , which he has executed mainly over Twitter .
This isn ’ t about Twitter for me — this is about my livelihood .
A few weeks back , when I went to put new front tires on my semi to haul grain , my supplier told me there was an additional $ 50 tariff per tire .
I paid an extra $ 100 because of the tariffs put on rubber , which is money I could be spending here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead .
Despite what the Trump administration says , farmers are paying these tariff — not other trading partners , and not China .
The president tried to plug the financial shortfall by sending farms bailout money .
I call it hush money because it was designed to keep farmers pacified through Nov. 3 .
The bailout money does not address the loss of long-term relationships with trading partners or the loss of sales , or historically low prices .
It took us 30 years to build these markets .
We developed markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely impacted , and I fear they have been irreparably destroyed .
Some farmers rally around the president and say we will be fine .
I hear in their voice more hope than fact .
Hope is not a business plan — and raiding the U.S. Treasury is not sustainable agriculture .
I ’ ve been a Republican for the majority of my life .
I believe in conservative values , including free trade , but I no longer recognize the party I grew up with .
I value country over party and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an independent .
Yes , I ’ ve lost friends and have been labeled a traitor , but I am doing what I think is right .
Those values , along with this farm , are what I am going to pass down to my grandkids .
Chris Gibbs owns and operates a farm in Maplewood , Ohio .
He is the past chairperson of his local Republican party and chairperson of the Board of Elections .
He ’ s also the Chairperson of Rural America 2020 and founding member of Ohio @ @ @ @ @

I’m a first-generation farmer.
Starting out, my wife and I had just $2,500, a pickup truck, a 2-year-old, and the dream of starting a farm to pass down through the generations. We worked hard and now own and operate a 560-acre soybean, corn, and hay farm with a cattle operation. We’ve worked this farm for 40 years, and like many farm families, plan on passing it down to my kids and grandkids.
Due to Donald Trump’s trade war, that dream is in jeopardy — for us and for many other farmers.
I voted for Trump in 2016. Like many of my friends and colleagues, I thought he could bring about real change for rural America. For years, many small and mid-size farms have struggled to stay afloat. Many politicians have promised to help farmers but failed.
Trump promised better trade deals for farmers, and we believed him because he was a businessman and not a typical politician. I felt like he was our guy.
Boy, was I wrong. I’ve regretted that decision ever since.
With his war on trade, the Trump administration has hurt farmers like me. Trump touted himself as a businessman who could finally get farmers fair and expanded trade deals. But his retaliatory tariffs against all of our trading partners, including China, have only upended our markets. That’s hurt farmers and rural communities.
Farmers, rural America — our country needs strong leadership right now. We need a statesman. Trump has shown he is not up to the task.
In March of 2018, the president used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, a law which was never intended to punish trading partners, to declare imported steel as a security threat and impose a 25% tariff on imported steel without congressional approval. He claimed Canada — yes, Canada — was a national security threat.
These countries immediately retaliated and went for our soft underbelly: agriculture. As a result, our products could not be competitively exported, and farms all across the country, like mine, suffered.
Ninety-five percent of the people on the planet live outside the United States. Export is essential for the agricultural industry, and trade is both our business and marketing plan. We lost 30% of our market share overnight just to China alone.
To put it in another perspective, imagine you are making $60,000 a year, and your boss tells you that we angered our best customer, so now we will pay you $40,000 a year, and we will send you $1,000 for your Christmas stocking later this year to tide you over. You’d be furious.
On top of that, everything is more expensive thanks to Trump’s erratic war on trade, which he has executed mainly over Twitter.
This isn’t about Twitter for me — this is about my livelihood.
A few weeks back, when I went to put new front tires on my semi to haul grain, my supplier told me there was an additional $50 tariff per tire. I paid an extra $100 because of the tariffs put on rubber, which is money I could be spending here in my hometown of Maplewood, Ohio, instead. Despite what the Trump administration says, farmers are paying these tariff — not other trading partners, and not China.
The president tried to plug the financial shortfall by sending farms bailout money. I call it hush money because it was designed to keep farmers pacified through Nov. 3.
The bailout money does not address the loss of long-term relationships with trading partners or the loss of sales, or historically low prices. It took us 30 years to build these markets. We developed markets over time. Those relationships have been severely impacted, and I fear they have been irreparably destroyed.
Some farmers rally around the president and say we will be fine. I hear in their voice more hope than fact. Hope is not a business plan — and raiding the U.S. Treasury is not sustainable agriculture.
I’ve been a Republican for the majority of my life. I believe in conservative values, including free trade, but I no longer recognize the party I grew up with. I value country over party and that’s why I now identify as an independent.
Yes, I’ve lost friends and have been labeled a traitor, but I am doing what I think is right. Those values, along with this farm, are what I am going to pass down to my grandkids.
Chris Gibbs owns and operates a farm in Maplewood, Ohio. He is the past chairperson of his local Republican party and chairperson of the Board of Elections. He’s also the Chairperson of Rural America 2020 and founding member of Ohio’s Operation Grant.


shareblue--2020-11-02--GOP senator runs blatantly antisemitic ad against his Jewish challenger

A new campaign ad for Sen. Dan Sullivan ( R-AK ) depicts his Democratic challenger , Al Gross , who is Jewish , leering and wielding wads of cash while standing behind a mountain of $ 100 bills .
In the background of the ad , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer looks on from the darkness with an approving grin .
Social media users were swift to condemn the ad as an ugly antisemitic trope dating back centuries .
Gross responded , tweeting : `` This ad has disgusting antisemitic tropes but it 's what we should expect from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does business with communist China and has voted time and again to benefit their bottom line .
They should take the ad down . ''
Others also called out the ad for its overt antisemitism , with Israeli politician Yair Lapid tweeting : `` As Israel 's Leader of the Opposition and the son of a Holocaust survivor I have to express my anger at this antisemitic advert against the Jewish candidate for Senate in Alaska , Dr. Al Gross .
It is a disgrace and a stain on the American democracy we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anti-Defamation League spoke up in opposition to the ad as well : `` It is offensive to play into # antisemitic stereotypes when attacking a Jewish political opponent , '' it tweeted from its official account .
`` These types of accusations have been used to denigrate Jews for decades and have no place in our political discourse . ''
Alaska State Sen. Jesse Kiehl , who is Jewish , told Alaska Public Media : `` I have to assume Dan Sullivan did n't see this .
And when he sees it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make a statement that he disavows antisemitism . ''
Kiehl added that when a candidate makes use of offensive tropes portraying Jews with secret power and wads of money , `` you 're really sending a specific message that 's as old as hatred and has been aimed specifically at Jews . ''
Matt Shuckerow , Sullivan 's campaign manager , said in a statement to the Anchorage Daily News that the ad , which he said was done in house , was not about religion : `` This ad had nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but focused on the tens of millions of dollars that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Super PACS have funneled into this race to attack Dan Sullivan and aid Al Gross . ''
`` Any suggestion that the senator or his campaign is antisemitic is just plain wrong , '' Shuckerow said .
But this is just the latest antisemitic campaign ad released by a GOP candidate leading into the 2020 election .
The Jewish Democratic Council of America recently released ads condemning Michigan Senate candidate John James as antisemitic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James campaign ad briefly depicting a swastika hanging from the wall in a school hallway , which James later claimed was an innocent mistake .
The JDCA also noted antisemitic remarks James had made in the past about how both major political parties `` genuflect '' to the Jewish community .
In September , Donald Trump 's campaign ran an ad depicting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as a puppet being controlled behind the scenes by puppet master Sen. Bernie Sanders ( D-VT ) .
`` Puppet master '' imagery was commonly used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during World War II .
One 1941 anti-Jewish poster portraying a Jewish puppeteer making Stalin and Churchill marionettes dance is now housed at the U.S .
Holocaust Memorial Museum .
A German cartoon from 1942 shows a Jewish puppet master manipulating Roosevelt and Churchill puppets .
Georgia Sen. David Perdue also came under fire for antisemitic campaign ads back in July , when he admitted to running an ad that used photo-editing to elongate and enlarge the nose of his Democratic opponent , Jon Ossoff , who is Jewish .
Perdue claimed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While it does n't seem the GOP will stop its smear campaigns against Jewish Americans anytime soon , the Biden campaign has strongly denounced the present administration 's use of antisemitic tropes .
Back in September , after the Washington Post reported that `` Trump has muttered that Jews 'are only in it for themselves ' and 'stick together ' '' after a phone call with Jewish lawmakers , Biden 's Jewish engagement director Aaron Keyak criticized the Trump campaign 's frequent `` use of antisemitic tropes . ''
`` This should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relatively few Jewish Americans who still insist on standing with and promoting the current occupant of the White House .
Our community must stick together to do everything we can defeat Trump in November , '' Keyak said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A new campaign ad for Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) depicts his Democratic challenger, Al Gross, who is Jewish, leering and wielding wads of cash while standing behind a mountain of $100 bills.
In the background of the ad, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer looks on from the darkness with an approving grin.
Social media users were swift to condemn the ad as an ugly antisemitic trope dating back centuries.
Gross responded, tweeting: “This ad has disgusting antisemitic tropes but it’s what we should expect from a candidate who has hidden how his family does business with communist China and has voted time and again to benefit their bottom line. They should take the ad down.”
Others also called out the ad for its overt antisemitism, with Israeli politician Yair Lapid tweeting: “As Israel’s Leader of the Opposition and the son of a Holocaust survivor I have to express my anger at this antisemitic advert against the Jewish candidate for Senate in Alaska, Dr. Al Gross. It is a disgrace and a stain on the American democracy we all admire so much.”
The Anti-Defamation League spoke up in opposition to the ad as well: “It is offensive to play into #antisemitic stereotypes when attacking a Jewish political opponent,” it tweeted from its official account. “These types of accusations have been used to denigrate Jews for decades and have no place in our political discourse.”
Alaska State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, who is Jewish, told Alaska Public Media: “I have to assume Dan Sullivan didn’t see this. And when he sees it, he’s going to take it down and make a statement that he disavows antisemitism.”
Kiehl added that when a candidate makes use of offensive tropes portraying Jews with secret power and wads of money, “you’re really sending a specific message that’s as old as hatred and has been aimed specifically at Jews.”
Matt Shuckerow, Sullivan’s campaign manager, said in a statement to the Anchorage Daily News that the ad, which he said was done in house, was not about religion: “This ad had nothing to do with race or religion, but focused on the tens of millions of dollars that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Super PACS have funneled into this race to attack Dan Sullivan and aid Al Gross.”
“Any suggestion that the senator or his campaign is antisemitic is just plain wrong,” Shuckerow said.
But this is just the latest antisemitic campaign ad released by a GOP candidate leading into the 2020 election.
The Jewish Democratic Council of America recently released ads condemning Michigan Senate candidate John James as antisemitic.
The Democratic super PAC pointed to a 2018 James campaign ad briefly depicting a swastika hanging from the wall in a school hallway, which James later claimed was an innocent mistake.
The JDCA also noted antisemitic remarks James had made in the past about how both major political parties “genuflect” to the Jewish community.
In September, Donald Trump’s campaign ran an ad depicting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as a puppet being controlled behind the scenes by puppet master Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT).
“Puppet master” imagery was commonly used in Nazi propaganda leading up to and during World War II.
One 1941 anti-Jewish poster portraying a Jewish puppeteer making Stalin and Churchill marionettes dance is now housed at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. A German cartoon from 1942 shows a Jewish puppet master manipulating Roosevelt and Churchill puppets.
Georgia Sen. David Perdue also came under fire for antisemitic campaign ads back in July, when he admitted to running an ad that used photo-editing to elongate and enlarge the nose of his Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish. Perdue claimed it was an error by an outside vendor.
While it doesn’t seem the GOP will stop its smear campaigns against Jewish Americans anytime soon, the Biden campaign has strongly denounced the present administration’s use of antisemitic tropes.
Back in September, after the Washington Post reported that “Trump has muttered that Jews ‘are only in it for themselves’ and ‘stick together'” after a phone call with Jewish lawmakers, Biden’s Jewish engagement director Aaron Keyak criticized the Trump campaign’s frequent “use of antisemitic tropes.”
“This should serve as a wake up call to the relatively few Jewish Americans who still insist on standing with and promoting the current occupant of the White House. Our community must stick together to do everything we can defeat Trump in November,” Keyak said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.