npr--2020-07-08--Trump's Drive On Division And Fear May Not Be A Winning Strategy Come November

Trump 's Drive On Division And Fear May Not Be A Winning Strategy Come November Presidents seeking a second term generally campaign on a unifying message , highlighting the work they 've done and what they hope to accomplish for the American people in the years ahead .
President Trump is choosing instead to reprise the most divisive and racialized themes of his 2016 campaign .
But he 's doing it at a very different time for the nation , in the midst of a pandemic , recession and racial reckoning .
`` You would think that he was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done a terrible job , '' said Cornell Belcher , a Democratic pollster .
He points to Trump 's speeches over the holiday weekend .
At Mt .
Rushmore Trump described a `` merciless campaign to wipe our history , defame our heroes , erase our values and indoctrinate our children . ''
The next night on the 4th of July at the White House , Trump took it a step further saying American heroes defeated Nazis , communism and chased terrorists to the end of the earth .
Then , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in the process of defeating the radical left , the marxists , the anarchists , the agitators , the looters . ''
Add to that the tweets about professional sports team names ( changing them out of `` political correctness '' would be a `` weak '' move ) , demanding an apology from a black NASCAR driver who did nothing wrong , and suggesting falsely that banning the confederate flag from races hurt ratings .
The ratings for NASCAR went actually up .
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany later said Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag , one way or another , putting him out of sync with the Mississippi legislature and numerous Republican lawmakers .
`` I think he 's decided that he needs to fan these flames , '' said Christine Matthews , a Republican pollster who has been critical of President Trump .
She says there 's not a poll to be found that says this tactic is a good idea .
That 's because the American public is n't in the same place it was in 2016 , when Trump did well with white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states with messages about terrorism , urban crime and returning to a foregone era when America was great .
But now , far more than in 2016 , people in the suburbs are actively participating in Black lives matter protests .
`` They think somehow that there are suburban women living in fear of these angry mobs taking down these statues and that 's the direction to go , so when the polls do n't reflect that , the campaign has decided to say to themselves , well , people are lying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` silent majority '' President Trump keeps tweeting about .
This all comes in the context of a president who has struggled to articulate an affirmative pitch for his re-election .
In late June , Fox News Host Sean Hannity asked him to `` compare and contrast , what are your top priority items for a second term ? ''
Trump said something about talent being more important than experience , but `` the word experience is an important word '' before criticizing his former national security adviser John Bolton .
Forty seconds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked a different question .
A few days later Sinclair TV host Eric Bolling gave Trump a do over .
He literally said `` let 's do a retake on that '' before asking Trump what the focus of his second term would be .
`` I will tell you it 's very simple , '' Trump said .
`` We are going to make America great again .
We are doing things that nobody could have done.We rebuilt the military .
We have a ways to go . ''
Trump then listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompting Bolling to say it 's always good to remind people what you 've done in the first 3 1/2 years .
So , what is the second term agenda ?
It comes down to some combination of more of the same and fixing what the pandemic broke .
`` As the President says , the best is yet to come , '' said Ken Farnaso , deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign .
`` Whether it be keeping taxes low for Americans , renegotiating failed trade deals like NAFTA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economic renaissance with record low unemployment rates , or strengthening our military , 'Promises Made , Promises Kept ' is n't just a motto , it 's a bold track record of success . ''
Or , in other words ... '' We are going to make America great again , again , '' Vice President Pence said at the conclusion of his rally speech in Tulsa , Okla. , last month to roaring applause .
But really , the Trump campaign is n't built around promoting Trump as much as making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement made a turn from celebrating past accomplishments , to going after former Vice President Joe Biden , who he said `` wants to fundamentally change the American way of life by cowering to radical left-wing mobs , staying silent on the Marxist attempts to erase history , and increasing taxes to fund his Green New Deal . ''
Democrats wanting to `` fundamentally change the American way of life '' is exactly what Trump campaigned on last time too .
Belcher , the Democratic pollster , says Trump built a political career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grievance , which he 's using again now to appeal to his base .
Trump `` basically is saying that America is coming apart and you should be afraid of other Americans coming to get you , '' Belcher said .
`` Nevermind the fact that he 's already president , so he 's supposed to be already in charge of that .
Juxtapose that election kickoff to Ronald Reagan 's morning in America . ''
It is most definitely not morning in America , says Belcher , and `` it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electorate at all . ''
A month into Trump 's latest law-and-order , fear-the-anarchists push , there is little indication in polling that it is working .
Polls show former Vice President Joe Biden way ahead , including in key swing states .
They also show voters overwhelmingly want a president that will bring the country together and heal racial divisions .
The question is whether through presidential rhetoric , ad spending and messaging from the press secretary , Team Trump can build a broad based fear where it does n't currently exist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign is they want to create a situation where there 's no nuance , '' said Matthews .
`` But everyone sees the nuance .
There 's a few people who are vandalizing .
There 's a few people who are taking it too far .
But overwhelmingly suburban women are on the side of black lives matter and this movement . ''
Trump 's White House and campaign officials insist that he is n't being divisive and is n't using racial resentment as a political tool .
They point to lines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans being created equal .
And they skip past his tweets and the other language in the speeches that paints those with a different view of the American experience as somehow undermining the nation 's history and identity .

Trump's Drive On Division And Fear May Not Be A Winning Strategy Come November
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Presidents seeking a second term generally campaign on a unifying message, highlighting the work they've done and what they hope to accomplish for the American people in the years ahead.
President Trump is choosing instead to reprise the most divisive and racialized themes of his 2016 campaign. But he's doing it at a very different time for the nation, in the midst of a pandemic, recession and racial reckoning.
"You would think that he was a challenger running against an incumbent who had done a terrible job," said Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster.
He points to Trump's speeches over the holiday weekend. At Mount Rushmore Trump described a "merciless campaign to wipe our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children."
The next night, on the Fourth of July at the White House, Trump took it a step further, saying American heroes defeated Nazis and communism and chased terrorists to the end of the Earth. Then, in the same thought, said "we are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters."
Add to that the tweets about professional sports team names (changing them out of "political correctness" would be a "weak" move), demanding an apology from a Black NASCAR driver who did nothing wrong, and suggesting falsely that banning the Confederate flag from races hurt ratings. The ratings for NASCAR actually went up. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany later said Trump hasn't taken a position on the Confederate flag, one way or another, putting him out of sync with the Mississippi Legislature and numerous Republican lawmakers.
"I think he's decided that he needs to fan these flames," said Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster who has been critical of the president. She says there's not a poll to be found that says this tactic is a good idea.
That's because the American public isn't in the same place it was in 2016, when Trump did well with white voters in the suburbs in key swing states with messages about terrorism, urban crime and returning to a foregone era when America was great. But now, far more than in 2016, people in the suburbs are actively participating in Black Lives Matter protests.
"They think somehow that there are suburban women living in fear of these angry mobs taking down these statues and that's the direction to go, so when the polls don't reflect that, the campaign has decided to say to themselves, well, people are lying to the pollsters," Matthews said.
That's the "silent majority" President Trump keeps tweeting about.
This all comes in the context of a president who has struggled to articulate an affirmative pitch for his reelection.
In late June, Fox News host Sean Hannity asked him to "compare and contrast, what are your top priority items for a second term?"
Trump said something about talent being more important than experience, but "the word experience is an important word," before criticizing his former national security adviser John Bolton. Forty seconds in, without an answer, Hannity asked a different question.
A few days later Sinclair TV host Eric Bolling gave Trump a do-over. He literally said "let's do a retake on that" before asking Trump what the focus of his second term would be.
"I will tell you it's very simple," Trump said. "We are going to make America great again. We are doing things that nobody could have done. We rebuilt the military. We have a ways to go."
Trump then listed some of his first term accomplishments, prompting Bolling to say it's always good to remind people what you've done in the first 3 1/2 years.
So, what is the second term agenda? It comes down to some combination of more of the same and fixing what the pandemic broke.
"As the president says, the best is yet to come," said Ken Farnaso, deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign. "Whether it be keeping taxes low for Americans, renegotiating failed trade deals like NAFTA, protecting and enforcing immigration laws, creating an economic renaissance with record low unemployment rates, or strengthening our military, 'Promises Made, Promises Kept' isn't just a motto, it's a bold track record of success."
Or, in other words ...
"We are going to make America great again, again," Vice President Pence said at the conclusion of his rally speech in Tulsa, Okla., last month to roaring applause.
But really, the Trump campaign isn't built around promoting Trump as much as making voters fear the alternative. Farnaso's statement made a turn from celebrating past accomplishments to going after former Vice President Joe Biden, who he said "wants to fundamentally change the American way of life by cowering to radical left-wing mobs, staying silent on the Marxist attempts to erase history, and increasing taxes to fund his Green New Deal."
Democrats wanting to "fundamentally change the American way of life" is exactly what Trump campaigned on last time too.
Belcher, the Democratic pollster, says Trump built a political career on racial resentment and the politics of grievance, which he's using again now to appeal to his base.
Trump "basically is saying that America is coming apart and you should be afraid of other Americans coming to get you," Belcher said. "Nevermind the fact that he's already president, so he's supposed to be already in charge of that. Juxtapose that election kickoff to Ronald Reagan's 'morning in America.' "
It is most definitely not morning in America, says Belcher, and "it doesn't match up with the mood of the electorate at all."
A month into Trump's latest law-and-order, fear-the-anarchists push, there is little indication in polling that it is working. Polls show Biden way ahead, including in key swing states. They also show voters overwhelmingly want a president who will bring the country together and heal racial divisions.
The question is whether through presidential rhetoric, ad spending and messaging from the press secretary, Team Trump can build a broad-based fear where it doesn't currently exist.
"The problem with the Trump campaign is they want to create a situation where there's no nuance," said Matthews, the Republican pollster. "But everyone sees the nuance. There's a few people who are vandalizing. There's a few people who are taking it too far. But overwhelmingly suburban women are on the side of Black Lives Matter and this movement."
Trump's White House and campaign officials insist that he isn't being divisive and isn't using racial resentment as a political tool. They point to lines in his recent speeches about unity and all Americans being created equal. And they skip past his tweets and the other language in the speeches that paints those with a different view of the American experience as somehow undermining the nation's history and identity.


npr--2020-07-08--More States Require Masks In Public As COVID-19 Spreads, But Enforcement Lags

More States Require Masks In Public As COVID-19 Spreads , But Enforcement Lags A growing number of governors and mayors are working to slow the spread of the coronavirus by requiring people to wear masks in public places .
Experts say these public health rules will reduce the risk of people getting sick .
But some local police and sheriffs are refusing to enforce the rules .
`` COVID-19 is not going away .
In fact , it 's getting worse , '' warned Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott , when he announced his state 's mask mandate ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the best ways to keep businesses open while also slowing the spread is for everyone to wear a face covering , '' he said .
Abbott said people who do n't comply face fines of up to $ 250 .
Legal experts generally agree that government officials have the authority to take these steps .
The science is clear that masks help reduce new infections .
But Jason Bridges , the sheriff in Nacogdoches County , Texas , announced in a Facebook video that he wo n't enforce his state 's rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , and this is borderline infringing on some of those constitutional rights in my belief , '' he said , adding that he supports voluntary mask wearing .
In addition to Bridges ' civil liberties concerns , he also said public health enforcement during the pandemic `` is not something we have time to be doing . ''
Police in Arizona and California have issued similar public statements .
In California , Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said because of the `` minor nature of the offense '' and the `` potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't enforce the state 's mask mandate .
In response , Gov .
Gavin Newsom threatened this week to withhold up to $ 2.5 billion in aid to local police departments that refuse to enforce the mask rule and other pandemic-related mandates .
`` If they choose to not do that , we will redirect those dollars to communities that are , '' Newsom said , noting that state employees have already stepped up their efforts .
`` Over the last few days , we significantly increased enforcement , with close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Most public health experts say education and voluntary compliance are the biggest factors that shape mask wearing .
But Mical Raz , a physician and historian of public health policy in Rochester , N.Y. , says some enforcement `` is necessary to show that we 're serious about this . ''
Enforcement is mostly about messaging , Raz said .
She pointed to an incident in San Francisco during the deadly influenza pandemic in 1918 , when the mayor of San Francisco was seen flouting that city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he had to pay .
I think that was a valuable moment to show this rule affects everybody , '' she said .
But as the economy reopens in much of the U.S. , enforcing mask mandates wo n't be easy .
This week , outside a convenience store in upstate New York , Brian Nguam acknowledged breaking his state 's rule when he shopped for snacks without a face covering .
`` I do n't really care , '' Nguam told NPR .
`` I 'm sorry , but I honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has publicly scolded local police who 've mostly declined to ticket people who do n't wear masks .
Without more enforcement , businesses are often left to decide how and when to confront customers who do n't comply .
Retailers and chambers of commerce in Maine are broadcasting a public service announcement imploring people not to `` get upset '' with employees when they require people to don masks .
`` They 're just doing their job and trying to make it safe for you , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Retail Industry Leaders Association , a national trade group , published a public letter saying workers had faced `` instances of hostility and violence '' from customers who refused to wear masks .
The group called for all states to impose mask requirements and enforce them .
`` This should no longer be up for debate , '' the letter said .

More States Require Masks In Public As COVID-19 Spreads, But Enforcement Lags
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
A growing number of governors and mayors are working to slow the spread of the coronavirus by requiring people to wear masks in public places.
Experts say these public health rules will reduce the risk of people getting sick. But some local police and sheriffs are refusing to enforce the rules.
"COVID-19 is not going away. In fact, it's getting worse," warned Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, when he announced his state's mask mandate ahead of the July Fourth weekend.
"One of the best ways to keep businesses open while also slowing the spread is for everyone to wear a face covering," he said.
Abbott said people who don't comply face fines of up to $250.
Legal experts generally agree that government officials have the authority to take these steps. The science is clear that masks help reduce new infections.
But Jason Bridges, the sheriff in Nacogdoches County, Texas, announced in a Facebook video that he won't enforce his state's rule.
"I believe in our constitutional rights, and this is borderline infringing on some of those constitutional rights in my belief," he said, adding that he supports voluntary mask wearing.
In addition to Bridges' civil liberties concerns, he also said public health enforcement during the pandemic "is not something we have time to be doing."
Police in Arizona and California have issued similar public statements.
In California, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said because of the "minor nature of the offense" and the "potential for negative outcomes," his deputies won't enforce the state's mask mandate.
In response, Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened this week to withhold up to $2.5 billion in aid to local police departments that refuse to enforce the mask rule and other pandemic-related mandates.
"If they choose to not do that, we will redirect those dollars to communities that are," Newsom said, noting that state employees have already stepped up their efforts.
"Over the last few days, we significantly increased enforcement, with close to 6,000 in-person visits to bars and restaurants," he said.
Most public health experts say education and voluntary compliance are the biggest factors that shape mask wearing.
But Mical Raz, a physician and historian of public health policy in Rochester, N.Y., says some enforcement "is necessary to show that we're serious about this."
Enforcement is mostly about messaging, Raz said. She pointed to an incident in San Francisco during the deadly influenza pandemic in 1918, when the mayor of San Francisco was seen flouting that city's mask rule.
"He was fined and he had to pay. I think that was a valuable moment to show this rule affects everybody," she said.
But as the economy reopens in much of the U.S., enforcing mask mandates won't be easy.
This week, outside a convenience store in upstate New York, Brian Nguam acknowledged breaking his state's rule when he shopped for snacks without a face covering.
"I don't really care," Nguam told NPR. "I'm sorry, but I honestly don't see the point."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has publicly scolded local police who've mostly declined to ticket people who don't wear masks.
Without more enforcement, businesses are often left to decide how and when to confront customers who don't comply.
Retailers and chambers of commerce in Maine are broadcasting a public service announcement imploring people not to "get upset" with employees when they require people to don masks.
"They're just doing their job and trying to make it safe for you," the ad says.
This week the Retail Industry Leaders Association, a national trade group, published a public letter saying workers had faced "instances of hostility and violence" from customers who refused to wear masks.
The group called for all states to impose mask requirements and enforce them. "This should no longer be up for debate," the letter said.


npr--2020-07-08--Chief Justice John Roberts Was Hospitalized In June After Falling, Injuring Head

Chief Justice John Roberts Was Hospitalized In June After Falling , Injuring Head Chief Justice John Roberts was hospitalized overnight night last month after a fall .
Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathleen Arberg told the Associated Press Roberts , 65 , was walking near his home on June 21 when he fell .
He injured his forehead and received sutures .
Roberts was kept at the hospital overnight `` out of an abundance of caution . ''
The Washington Post first reported the incident , which it says took place at Chevy Chase Club , a country club in suburban Maryland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 after a fall at his vacation home brought on by a seizure .
Although he does not have any known medical conditions , Roberts also suffered a similar , unexplained seizure in 1993 .
According to the Associated Press , Arberg said doctors had `` ruled out a seizure '' as the cause of Roberts ' most recent fall , instead saying it `` was likely due to light-headedness caused by dehydration . ''
Roberts ' fall took place three days before the Supreme Court announced its 5-4 decision blocking the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program protecting 700,000 immigrants called DREAMers from deportation .
Roberts wrote the court 's majority opinion .
The Supreme Court still has several cases remaining before it takes its summer break .
Justices were forced to hold oral arguments in May remotely to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection during the pandemic .
During that time , Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg revealed she had been hospitalized to undergo a nonsurgical treatment for an infection .
She participated in oral arguments by phone from The Johns Hopkins Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being discharged .

Chief Justice John Roberts Was Hospitalized In June After Falling, Injuring Head
Enlarge this image toggle caption Leah Millis/Pool/Getty Images Leah Millis/Pool/Getty Images
Chief Justice John Roberts was hospitalized overnight last month after a fall.
Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathleen Arberg told The Associated Press that Roberts, 65, was walking near his home on June 21 when he fell. He injured his forehead and received sutures. Roberts was kept at the hospital overnight "out of an abundance of caution."
The Washington Post first reported the injury, which it says took place at Chevy Chase Club, a country club in suburban Maryland.
Roberts was hospitalized in Maine in 2007 after a fall at his vacation home brought on by a seizure. Although he does not have any known medical conditions, Roberts suffered a similar unexplained seizure in 1993.
According to The Associated Press, Arberg said doctors had "ruled out a seizure" as the cause of Roberts' most recent fall, instead saying it "was likely due to light-headedness caused by dehydration."
Roberts' fall took place three days before the Supreme Court announced its 5-4 decision blocking the Trump administration's attempts to roll back the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program protecting 700,000 immigrants called DREAMers from deportation. Roberts wrote the court's majority opinion.
The Supreme Court still has several cases remaining before its summer break. Justices have been meeting remotely since May to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection during the pandemic. During that time, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg revealed she had been hospitalized to undergo nonsurgical treatment for a gallbladder condition. She participated in oral arguments by phone from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she spent one night before being discharged.


npr--2020-07-07--Virginia Governor Calls For Renaming Schools That Honor Confederate Leaders

Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam has written a letter to school boards across the state saying he wants to change the names of schools and mascots honoring Confederate leaders .
`` When our public schools are named after individuals who advanced slavery and systemic racism , and we allow those names to remain on school property , we tacitly endorse their values as our own , '' Northam , a Democrat , wrote in the letter dated Monday .
`` This is no longer acceptable , '' he said , warning of the `` traumatizing impact on students , families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Now is the time to change '' the names `` to reflect the inclusive , diverse , and welcoming school community every child deserves , and that we , as leaders of the Commonwealth , have a civic duty to foster , '' he said .
Even before Northam 's letter , the Fairfax County School Board voted last month to rename Robert E. Lee High School , with the student body charged with deciding on a new name before the start of the fall semester .
School boards in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also voted on similar name changes .
In the city of Norfolk , said to have the most schools honoring Confederate figures , the school board is expected to meet this month to discuss moving forward on name changes , according to 13 News .
Public buildings — particularly public schools — named after Confederate leaders have come in for renewed scrutiny in recent months amid the Black Lives Matter protests .
Statues and monuments to some of those historic figures have also been forcefully pulled down by demonstrators .
A week ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson was removed in the state capital , Richmond , on an order from the mayor .
On Tuesday , work crews in Richmond removed a statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B .
Stuart as a crowd looked on and cheered .
Many of the Confederate statues were erected decades after the Civil War , as white leaders sought to glorify the `` lost cause '' of the South and reinforce Jim Crow laws meant to segregate Black people and disenfranchise them at the voting booth .
Last month , President Trump issued an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel to protect the monuments from what he called `` anarchists and left-wing extremists . ''
Last week , in a separate executive action , Trump ordered the creation of a `` National Garden of American Heroes '' to house some of the statues , to be completed no later than July 4 , 2026 .

Virginia Governor Calls For Renaming Schools That Honor Confederate Leaders
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Barakat/AP Matt Barakat/AP
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has written a letter to school boards across the state saying he wants to change the names of schools and mascots honoring Confederate leaders.
"When our public schools are named after individuals who advanced slavery and systemic racism, and we allow those names to remain on school property, we tacitly endorse their values as our own," Northam, a Democrat, wrote in the letter dated Monday.
"This is no longer acceptable," he said, warning of the "traumatizing impact on students, families, teachers and staff of all backgrounds."
"Now is the time to change" the names "to reflect the inclusive, diverse, and welcoming school community every child deserves, and that we, as leaders of the Commonwealth, have a civic duty to foster," he said.
Even before Northam's letter, the Fairfax County School Board voted last month to rename Robert E. Lee High School, with the student body charged with deciding on a new name before the start of the fall semester.
School boards in Prince William County and Loudoun County have also voted on similar name changes.
In the city of Norfolk, said to have the most schools honoring Confederate figures, the school board is expected to meet this month to discuss moving forward on name changes, according to 13 News.
Public buildings — particularly public schools — named after Confederate leaders have come in for renewed scrutiny in recent months amid the Black Lives Matter protests. Statues and monuments to some of those historic figures have also been forcefully pulled down by demonstrators. A week ago, a statue of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson was removed in the state capital, Richmond, on an order from the mayor. On Tuesday, work crews in Richmond removed a statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart as a crowd looked on and cheered.
Many of the Confederate statues were erected decades after the Civil War, as white leaders sought to glorify the "lost cause" of the South and reinforce Jim Crow laws meant to segregate Black people and disenfranchise them at the voting booth.
Last month, President Trump issued an executive order dispatching Department of Homeland Security personnel to protect the monuments from what he called "anarchists and left-wing extremists."


npr--2020-07-07--Matchup Set For New Jersey Rep. Van Drew, Who Switched Parties To GOP

Matchup Set For New Jersey Rep. Van Drew , Who Switched Parties To GOP The general election matchup is set in New Jersey 's 2nd Congressional District , where the first-term incumbent flipped his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican .
Amy Kennedy won the district 's Democratic primary , The Associated Press projects , and will face off against Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew , who changed parties in opposition to President Trump 's impeachment , pledging `` undying support '' to Trump .
Campaigning in 2018 as a conservative Democrat , Van Drew 's win marked the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 years .
Now , two years later , the first-term congressman is running as a Republican and has the endorsement of Trump .
Van Drew was challenged in the GOP primary by Bob Patterson , a former senior adviser at the Social Security Administration who referred to himself as `` a real conservative '' on his campaign website .
Van Drew massively outraised him in the primary , and the AP called the Republican race for Van Drew .
A handful of Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Van Drew engaged in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flocking to Kennedy , a mental health advocate and former teacher , and political science professor Brigid Callahan Harrison .
Kennedy — who 's married to former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy , the son of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy — was endorsed by both New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov .
Sheila Oliver .
Harrison gained the support of New Jersey Sens .
Cory Booker and Bob Menendez as well as state Senate President Steve Sweeney .
Another candidate , Will Cunningham , a former investigative counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the seat in 2018 , was backed by several progressive organizations .
Cunningham is Black and has been public about experiencing homelessness while in high school .
Out of those three Democratic candidates , Kennedy topped the fundraising field , raising nearly $ 1.4 million compared to Harrison ( $ 366,000 , ) and Cunningham ( $ 153,000 . )
Both Kennedy and Harrison contributed significantly to their campaigns — with Kennedy dropping half a million , and Harrison spending over $ 111,000 .
The district — which encompasses southern New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican leaning by The Cook Political Report .
Trump won the district in 2016 by just under 5 percentage points .
New Jersey attempted to use mail-in voting for the vast majority of those casting ballots .
That said , the state had already experienced technical and logistical problems in doing so , rejecting almost 10 % of ballots during its May elections for local offices .

Matchup Set For New Jersey Rep. Van Drew, Who Switched Parties To GOP
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mel Evans/AP Mel Evans/AP
The general election matchup is set in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District, where the first-term incumbent flipped his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.
Amy Kennedy won the district's Democratic primary, The Associated Press projects, and will face off against Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who changed parties in opposition to President Trump's impeachment, pledging "undying support" to Trump.
Campaigning in 2018 as a conservative Democrat, Van Drew's win marked the party's first victory in the district in 24 years. Now, two years later, the first-term congressman is running as a Republican and has the endorsement of Trump.
Van Drew was challenged in the GOP primary by Bob Patterson, a former senior adviser at the Social Security Administration who referred to himself as "a real conservative" on his campaign website. Van Drew massively outraised him in the primary, and the AP called the Republican race for Van Drew.
A handful of Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Van Drew engaged in a competitive primary, with political leaders mostly flocking to Kennedy, a mental health advocate and former teacher, and political science professor Brigid Callahan Harrison.
Kennedy — who's married to former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the son of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy — was endorsed by both New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver. Harrison gained the support of New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez as well as state Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Another candidate, Will Cunningham, a former investigative counsel in Congress and an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the seat in 2018, was backed by several progressive organizations. Cunningham is Black and has been public about experiencing homelessness while in high school.
Out of those three Democratic candidates, Kennedy topped the fundraising field, raising nearly $1.4 million compared to Harrison ($366,000,) and Cunningham ($153,000.) Both Kennedy and Harrison contributed significantly to their campaigns — with Kennedy dropping half a million, and Harrison spending over $111,000.
The district — which encompasses southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City — is considered Republican leaning by The Cook Political Report. Trump won the district in 2016 by just under 5 percentage points.
New Jersey attempted to use mail-in voting for the vast majority of those casting ballots. That said, the state had already experienced technical and logistical problems in doing so, rejecting almost 10% of ballots during its May elections for local offices.


npr--2020-07-08--Scrabble Association Bans Racial, Ethnic Slurs From Its Official Word List

Scrabble Association Bans Racial , Ethnic Slurs From Its Official Word List The word `` slur '' has a number of meanings in English , but the one that has concerned Scrabble aficionados and Hasbro , which owns the U.S. and Canadian trademark for the popular board game , means `` a derogatory or insulting term applied to particular group of people . ''
On Wednesday , the North American Scrabble Players Association announced that derogatory language would be removed from the game 's official word list .
The decision follows an online poll conducted by NASPA that elicited impassioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Chew , said in a statement on Wednesday .
`` Some members threatened to leave the association if a single word were removed ; others threatened to leave the association if any offensive words remained , '' he said .
`` There were a lot of good and bad arguments on both sides . ''
NASPA 's word list is used in competitive tournaments , which is different than the Merriam-Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary .
Hasbro says it has worked to eliminate offensive words from the dictionary with every new printing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say over NASPA 's list , and the organization 's members do not use Scrabble 's dictionary in competition , the company said Wednesday that it was amending the rules that appear in every Scrabble box `` to make clear that slurs are not permissible in any form of the game . ''
`` Hasbro Gaming is rooted in community and bringing people together , and we are committed to providing an experience that is inclusive and enjoyable for all , '' the company said .
Speaking to NPR , Chew said NASPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Canada and that there was `` about a 50-50 split '' over whether to remove the slurs from its official word list .
He said the reevaluation of the list started a few weeks ago with a post on NASPA 's Facebook page .
`` One of our members asked what we were doing to reduce racial tensions in the U.S. and Canada , '' he said .
`` And then someone else asked 'what if we take the `` N '' word out of the lexicon , would that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A discussion and the online poll ensued and NASPA 's advisory board ultimately voted to remove 236 words from the list , Chew said .
Words that are potentially offensive but are not considered slurs — such as those for parts of the body — remain , he said .

Scrabble Association Bans Racial, Ethnic Slurs From Its Official Word List
Enlarge this image toggle caption Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
The word "slur" has a number of meanings in English, but the one that has concerned Scrabble aficionados and Hasbro, which owns the U.S. and Canadian trademark for the popular board game, means "a derogatory or insulting term applied to particular group of people."
On Wednesday, the North American Scrabble Players Association announced that derogatory language would be removed from the game's official word list.
The decision follows an online poll conducted by NASPA that elicited impassioned responses, the organization's CEO, John Chew, said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Some members threatened to leave the association if a single word were removed; others threatened to leave the association if any offensive words remained," he said. "There were a lot of good and bad arguments on both sides."
NASPA's word list is used in competitive tournaments, which is different than the Merriam-Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary. Hasbro says it has worked to eliminate offensive words from the dictionary with every new printing of it.
While Hasbro has no say over NASPA's list, and the organization's members do not use Scrabble's dictionary in competition, the company said Wednesday that it was amending the rules that appear in every Scrabble box "to make clear that slurs are not permissible in any form of the game."
"Hasbro Gaming is rooted in community and bringing people together, and we are committed to providing an experience that is inclusive and enjoyable for all," the company said.
Speaking to NPR, Chew said NASPA represents about 10,000 players in the U.S. and Canada and that there was "about a 50-50 split" over whether to remove the slurs from its official word list.
He said the reevaluation of the list started a few weeks ago with a post on NASPA's Facebook page.
"One of our members asked what we were doing to reduce racial tensions in the U.S. and Canada," he said. "And then someone else asked 'what if we take the "N" word out of the lexicon, would that at least be a good start?' "
A discussion and the online poll ensued and NASPA's advisory board ultimately voted to remove 236 words from the list, Chew said. Words that are potentially offensive but are not considered slurs — such as those for parts of the body — remain, he said.


npr--2020-07-08--College Sports Falling Victim To Coronavirus And Financial Stresses

College Sports Falling Victim To Coronavirus And Financial Stresses There will be no fall sports in the Ivy League this year , officials announced on Wednesday .
This is the latest in a series of coronavirus-related disruptions in the sports world , but the first Division I conference to cancel fall football plans .
The Ivy League Council of Presidents said in a statement that their institutions are implementing campus-wide health and safety policies that will make it impossible for sports teams to compete before the end of the fall semester .
`` With the information available to us today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we simply do not believe we can create and maintain an environment for intercollegiate athletic competition that meets our requirements for safety and acceptable levels of risk , consistent with the policies that each of our schools is adopting as part of its reopening plans this fall , '' they wrote .
Enrolled student-athletes can participate in practices and other training opportunities , as long as they comply with guidelines of their institution and state .
The league will also issue guidelines for a phased-in resumption of conditioning and practice activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fall sport student athletes will not use a season of Ivy League or NCAA eligibility in the fall , whether or not they enroll .
`` A decision on the remaining winter and spring sports competition calendar , and on whether fall sport competition would be feasible in the spring , will be determined at a later date , '' they added .
The Ivy League was the first conference to cancel its men 's and women 's basketball tournaments as the coronavirus pandemic worsened in March .
While the move was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the NCAA canceled March Madness two days later .
The NCAA canceled all remaining winter and spring championships on March 12 because of the public health threat .
It remains to be seen how Wednesday 's decision will impact other conferences or the NCAA .
While the Ivy League is not one of the major Power 5 conferences , teams from its eight schools play in other conferences , leaving those programs without opponents .
Other leagues are in the process of making decisions and announcements about what fall sports will look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Division III Centennial Conference announced will suspend intercollegiate athletic competition for the fall and will consider shifting certain sports , including football , to the spring .
College football in particular has been offered as a lure to convince people to comply with public health measures in states where coronavirus cases are spiking .
The governors of South Carolina , Georgia and Oklahoma , for example , have encouraged fans to wear masks and practice social distancing in order to be able to enjoy games in the fall .
And on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched the # IWantASeason campaign , through which college athletes will encourage practices like hand washing and masking up on social media .
Ivy League institutions are supported by sizable endowments , and do not rely on athletics as a major moneymaker .
But for other colleges and universities grappling with health dilemmas , finances are a significant part of the equation .
Stanford officials announced on Wednesday that the university will discontinue 11 of its varsity sports programs after the 2020-2021 academic year , citing financial challenges exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women 's fencing , field hockey , lightweight rowing , men 's rowing , co-ed and women 's sailing , squash , synchronized swimming and men 's volleyball and wrestling .
President Marc Tessier-Lavigne , Provost Persis Drell and Director of Athletics Bernard Muir wrote in a joint statement that the financial model supporting its existing 36 sports is unsustainable , and the primary alternative would be a deep reduction in support for all of them .
The average Division I athletics program sponsors 18 varsity sports , they explained .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have 25 .
The university projects a cumulative shortfall of nearly $ 70 million over the next three years , and expects its deficits to grow if upcoming sports seasons are suspended or modified because of the pandemic .
`` We have calculated that the total incremental funding needed to permanently sustain these 11 sports at a nationally competitive varsity level exceeds $ 200 million , '' the officials wrote , adding that closing the department 's deficit and supporting its remaining varsity programs will `` require garnering resources that exceed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in the upcoming season `` should the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 allow it , '' and will have the opportunity to transition to club status after it concludes .
This change will impact more than 240 student athletes and 22 coaches , as well as high school commits .
Twenty support staff positions will be eliminated in the process .
The university said it will honor students ' existing athletics scholarships commitment throughout their undergraduate experiences at Stanford , and will `` support them in every way possible '' if they choose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also honor the contracts of affected coaches and give severance pay to departing support staff .
Members of the Stanford community have reacted to the announcement .
`` Nothing like a little adversity and a good challenge , '' Head Wrestling Coach Jason Borrelli tweeted .
`` First we will listen to understand why .
Then we will strategize and prepare for the battle !
Lastly , we will execute and make this right . ''
Budget cuts and school closures have prompted other higher education institutions to make similarly tough calls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams , 56 Division II teams and 52 Division III teams have been dropped by four-year colleges for reasons related to the pandemic , according to the Associated Press .

College Sports Falling Victim To Coronavirus And Financial Stresses
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jessica Hill/AP Jessica Hill/AP
There will be no fall sports in the Ivy League this year, officials announced on Wednesday.
This is the latest in a series of coronavirus-related disruptions in the sports world, but the first Division I conference to cancel fall football plans.
The Ivy League Council of Presidents said in a statement that their institutions are implementing campus-wide health and safety policies that will make it impossible for sports teams to compete before the end of the fall semester.
"With the information available to us today regarding the continued spread of the virus, we simply do not believe we can create and maintain an environment for intercollegiate athletic competition that meets our requirements for safety and acceptable levels of risk, consistent with the policies that each of our schools is adopting as part of its reopening plans this fall," they wrote.
Enrolled student-athletes can participate in practices and other training opportunities, as long as they comply with guidelines of their institution and state. The league will also issue guidelines for a phased-in resumption of conditioning and practice activities, beginning with individual and small group workouts.
Fall sport student athletes will not use a season of Ivy League or NCAA eligibility in the fall, whether or not they enroll.
"A decision on the remaining winter and spring sports competition calendar, and on whether fall sport competition would be feasible in the spring, will be determined at a later date," they added.
The Ivy League was the first conference to cancel its men's and women's basketball tournaments as the coronavirus pandemic worsened in March.
While the move was viewed as an overreaction at the time, the NCAA canceled March Madness two days later. The NCAA canceled all remaining winter and spring championships on March 12 because of the public health threat.
It remains to be seen how Wednesday's decision will impact other conferences or the NCAA.
While the Ivy League is not one of the major Power 5 conferences, teams from its eight schools play in other conferences, leaving those programs without opponents.
Other leagues are in the process of making decisions and announcements about what fall sports will look like on their campuses.
On Tuesday, the Division III Centennial Conference announced will suspend intercollegiate athletic competition for the fall and will consider shifting certain sports, including football, to the spring.
College football in particular has been offered as a lure to convince people to comply with public health measures in states where coronavirus cases are spiking.
The governors of South Carolina, Georgia and Oklahoma, for example, have encouraged fans to wear masks and practice social distancing in order to be able to enjoy games in the fall.
And on Tuesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine launched the #IWantASeason campaign, through which college athletes will encourage practices like hand washing and masking up on social media.
Ivy League institutions are supported by sizable endowments, and do not rely on athletics as a major moneymaker.
But for other colleges and universities grappling with health dilemmas, finances are a significant part of the equation.
Stanford officials announced on Wednesday that the university will discontinue 11 of its varsity sports programs after the 2020-2021 academic year, citing financial challenges exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
The affected sports are men's and women's fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men's rowing, co-ed and women's sailing, squash, synchronized swimming and men's volleyball and wrestling.
President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Provost Persis Drell and Director of Athletics Bernard Muir wrote in a joint statement that the financial model supporting its existing 36 sports is unsustainable, and the primary alternative would be a deep reduction in support for all of them.
The average Division I athletics program sponsors 18 varsity sports, they explained. As a result of this decision, Stanford will have 25.
The university projects a cumulative shortfall of nearly $70 million over the next three years, and expects its deficits to grow if upcoming sports seasons are suspended or modified because of the pandemic.
"We have calculated that the total incremental funding needed to permanently sustain these 11 sports at a nationally competitive varsity level exceeds $200 million," the officials wrote, adding that closing the department's deficit and supporting its remaining varsity programs will "require garnering resources that exceed that amount."
The 11 programs can participate in the upcoming season "should the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 allow it," and will have the opportunity to transition to club status after it concludes.
This change will impact more than 240 student athletes and 22 coaches, as well as high school commits. Twenty support staff positions will be eliminated in the process.
The university said it will honor students' existing athletics scholarships commitment throughout their undergraduate experiences at Stanford, and will "support them in every way possible" if they choose to pursue college athletics elsewhere. It will also honor the contracts of affected coaches and give severance pay to departing support staff.
Members of the Stanford community have reacted to the announcement.
"Nothing like a little adversity and a good challenge," Head Wrestling Coach Jason Borrelli tweeted. "First we will listen to understand why. Then we will strategize and prepare for the battle! Lastly, we will execute and make this right."
Budget cuts and school closures have prompted other higher education institutions to make similarly tough calls.
As of Wednesday, 51 Division I teams, 56 Division II teams and 52 Division III teams have been dropped by four-year colleges for reasons related to the pandemic, according to the Associated Press.
NPR's Russell Lewis contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-08--Census Bureau Expands Early Door Knocking For Count To 6 More States

Census Bureau Expands Early Door Knocking For Count To 6 More States The list of places where a masked worker from the Census Bureau may be knocking on front doors later this month is getting longer .
On Wednesday , the bureau announced where the next phase of census door knocking is set to start on July 23 for households that have not yet filled out a 2020 census form , including in parts of eastern Connecticut , southern Indiana , most of Kansas , central Pennsylvania and northern Virginia around Crystal City , as well as in Tacoma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , the bureau is trying to complete the constitutionally mandated head count of every U.S. resident by the end of October amid growing outbreaks around the country .
Most of the country wo n't see census workers in their neighborhoods until the nationwide rollout of door knocking on Aug. 11 .
Starting next week , the bureau is also deploying workers to hand out flyers and try to collect people 's census responses using computer tablets outside of grocery stores , pharmacies and libraries in areas with low levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 households in the U.S. have not yet participated in the once-a-decade count , which is used to determine each state 's share of congressional seats , Electoral College votes and an estimated $ 1.5 trillion a year in federal tax dollars for Medicare , Medicaid , schools and other public services over the next decade .
Many of the uncounted households are not likely to respond to the census online , over the phone or through the mail .
For past counts , the bureau has relied on door-to-door outreach to gather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including people of color and immigrants .
`` This has been a very challenging time as the virus ebbs and flows and increases in certain areas of the country , '' Albert Fontenot , the Census Bureau 's top official for the 2020 count , said Wednesday during a press briefing by telephone .
To try to limit the spread of COVID-19 , the bureau is requiring workers to stay outside of a person 's home when conducting socially-distanced interviews .
`` Anybody who is positive or presumptive positive , we do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least a 14-day window before they can return to work , '' Tim Olson , the bureau 's head of field operations for the count , said during the briefing .
The bureau , however , does not run a coronavirus testing program for its workers .
Census advocates at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights , Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC , National Urban League , and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund are calling for the bureau to consider testing employees and installing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as conducting a safety audit of its operations .
Last week , the bureau announced that unresponsive homes in Idaho , Maine and West Virginia , as well as parts of southeastern Louisiana , northern Missouri and northwestern Oklahoma , would be among the first to receive in-person visits beginning July 16 .
Of the 12 areas selected so far for early door knocking this month , eight are in red states that went for President Trump in the 2016 presidential election .
But Fontenot emphasized the bureau selected these locations based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the availability of face masks , hand sanitizer and gloves for door knockers .
Concerns about partisan interference with the count , however , have been hanging over the federal government 's largest statistical agency following the recent announcement of two new political appointments by the Trump administration .
On Tuesday , Peggy Gustafson , the inspector general for the Commerce Department , which oversees the bureau , sent a request to the bureau for details about the responsibilities and qualifications of Nathaniel Cogley , the bureau 's new deputy director for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's senior advisor .
Asked during the briefing if the new appointees were involved in any discussions or decisions about the bureau 's door-knocking operations , Fontenot said : `` No , they were not . ''
The appointees have also not been involved in discussions or decisions about advertising for the census , Michael Cook , the bureau 's chief spokesperson , confirmed .
In a new blog post , Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham appeared to respond to worries about the political appointments raised by a growing number of groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economic Association , Population Association of America and Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics .
`` Let there be no mistake , the 2020 Census is nonpartisan in its operation and support , '' Dillingham wrote , later noting the `` outstanding leadership of the career executives with whom I am honored to serve . ''
It is still unclear , however , when the bureau will release the results of the 2020 census .
In April , the bureau asked Congress to push back by four months the legal deadlines for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president by Dec. 31 , and for redistricting data , which are due to the states by March 31 , 2021 .
`` We are past the window of being able to get those counts by those dates at this point , '' Fontenot said Wednesday , echoing a warning Olson raised publicly back in May .

Census Bureau Expands Early Door Knocking For Count To 6 More States
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The list of places where a masked worker from the Census Bureau may be knocking on front doors later this month is getting longer.
On Wednesday, the bureau announced where the next phase of census door knocking is set to start on July 23 for households that have not yet filled out a 2020 census form, including in parts of eastern Connecticut, southern Indiana, most of Kansas, central Pennsylvania and northern Virginia around Crystal City, as well as in Tacoma, Wash. and surrounding areas.
Delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the bureau is trying to complete the constitutionally mandated head count of every U.S. resident by the end of October amid growing outbreaks around the country.
Most of the country won't see census workers in their neighborhoods until the nationwide rollout of door knocking on Aug. 11.
Starting next week, the bureau is also deploying workers to hand out flyers and try to collect people's census responses using computer tablets outside of grocery stores, pharmacies and libraries in areas with low levels of census participation.
About four out of 10 households in the U.S. have not yet participated in the once-a-decade count, which is used to determine each state's share of congressional seats, Electoral College votes and an estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal tax dollars for Medicare, Medicaid, schools and other public services over the next decade.
Many of the uncounted households are not likely to respond to the census online, over the phone or through the mail. For past counts, the bureau has relied on door-to-door outreach to gather accurate data about historically undercounted groups, including people of color and immigrants.
"This has been a very challenging time as the virus ebbs and flows and increases in certain areas of the country," Albert Fontenot, the Census Bureau's top official for the 2020 count, said Wednesday during a press briefing by telephone.
To try to limit the spread of COVID-19, the bureau is requiring workers to stay outside of a person's home when conducting socially-distanced interviews.
"Anybody who is positive or presumptive positive, we do not let them work until there's been at least a 14-day window before they can return to work," Tim Olson, the bureau's head of field operations for the count, said during the briefing.
The bureau, however, does not run a coronavirus testing program for its workers.
Census advocates at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, National Urban League, and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund are calling for the bureau to consider testing employees and installing air filters in census offices, as well as conducting a safety audit of its operations.
Last week, the bureau announced that unresponsive homes in Idaho, Maine and West Virginia, as well as parts of southeastern Louisiana, northern Missouri and northwestern Oklahoma, would be among the first to receive in-person visits beginning July 16.
Of the 12 areas selected so far for early door knocking this month, eight are in red states that went for President Trump in the 2016 presidential election. But Fontenot emphasized the bureau selected these locations based on public health indicators and logistics, including the availability of face masks, hand sanitizer and gloves for door knockers.
Concerns about partisan interference with the count, however, have been hanging over the federal government's largest statistical agency following the recent announcement of two new political appointments by the Trump administration.
On Tuesday, Peggy Gustafson, the inspector general for the Commerce Department, which oversees the bureau, sent a request to the bureau for details about the responsibilities and qualifications of Nathaniel Cogley, the bureau's new deputy director for policy, and Adam Korzeniewski, Cogley's senior advisor.
Asked during the briefing if the new appointees were involved in any discussions or decisions about the bureau's door-knocking operations, Fontenot said: "No, they were not."
The appointees have also not been involved in discussions or decisions about advertising for the census, Michael Cook, the bureau's chief spokesperson, confirmed.
In a new blog post, Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham appeared to respond to worries about the political appointments raised by a growing number of groups, including the American Statistical Association, American Economic Association, Population Association of America and Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics.
"Let there be no mistake, the 2020 Census is nonpartisan in its operation and support," Dillingham wrote, later noting the "outstanding leadership of the career executives with whom I am honored to serve."
It is still unclear, however, when the bureau will release the results of the 2020 census.
In April, the bureau asked Congress to push back by four months the legal deadlines for new state population counts, currently due to the president by Dec. 31, and for redistricting data, which are due to the states by March 31, 2021.
"We are past the window of being able to get those counts by those dates at this point," Fontenot said Wednesday, echoing a warning Olson raised publicly back in May.


npr--2020-07-08--Transcripts Of Police Body Cams Show Floyd Pleaded 20 Times That He Couldn't Breathe

Transcripts Of Police Body Cams Show Floyd Pleaded 20 Times That He Could n't Breathe Transcripts of police body camera video in the minutes leading up to George Floyd 's death show that he pleaded some 20 times that he could n't breathe and that one of the officers expressed concern about Floyd 's well-being , but was rebuffed by his superior .
The transcripts from cameras worn by former officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng were filed in Minnesota state court on Wednesday as part of a motion to dismiss charges against Lane .
As officer Derek Chauvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-down to the pavement and complaining that he could not breathe , Lane , who was holding Floyd 's legs , asked Chauvin whether the suspect should be moved .
Floyd : My face is getting it bad .
Lane : Here , should we get his legs up , or is this good ?
And , again , as Floyd is heard speaking for the last time : Floyd : Ah !
Ah !
Please .
Please .
Please .
Lane : Should we roll him on his side ?
Chauvin : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we got him .
Lane : Okay .
I just worry about the excited delirium or whatever .
Chauvin : Well that 's why we have the ambulance coming .
Shortly after that exchange someone in the crowd gathered nearby notices that Floyd is n't breathing .
The officers subsequently confirm that he 's non-responsive .
Earlier in the transcript , the officers plead with Floyd to put his hands up , but the suspect repeatedly expresses concern about getting shot .
The officers also order him into a squad car , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would rather be restrained on the pavement .
The transcript has officers discussing whether Floyd is under the influence of drugs .
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter .
Lane , Kueng and a fourth former officer , Tou Thao , are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four officers were dismissed following the May 25 incident .
None of the former officers has yet entered a plea .
Lane 's attorney , Earl Gray , said in an interview Wednesday that the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameras public .
`` I think the public should see it , '' he said .
`` That shows the whole picture .
If they watch the whole thing , people ... could n't cherry pick parts of it . ''
`` It 's not a case where he 's standing by watching another cop pound on somebody 's head , '' Gray said .
`` This is a case where my client twice — twice — asked if we should turn him over and the answer from [ Chauvin ] was no @ @

Police Bodycam Transcripts: George Floyd Pleaded 20 Times That He Couldn't Breathe
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Transcripts of police body camera video in the minutes leading up to George Floyd's death show that he pleaded about 20 times that he couldn't breathe and that one of the officers expressed concern about Floyd's well-being but was rebuffed by his superior.
The transcripts from cameras worn by former officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng were filed in Minnesota state court on Wednesday as part of a motion to dismiss charges against Lane.
As officer Derek Chauvin had Floyd pinned under his knee, facedown against the pavement and complaining that he could not breathe, Lane, who was holding Floyd's legs, asked Chauvin whether the suspect should be moved.
Floyd: My face is getting it bad.
Lane: Here, should we get his legs up, or is this good?
Chauvin: Leave him.
And, again, as Floyd is heard speaking for the last time:
Floyd: Ah! Ah! Please. Please. Please.
Lane: Should we roll him on his side?
Chauvin: No, he's staying put where we got him.
Lane: OK. I just worry about the excited delirium or whatever.
Chauvin: Well that's why we have the ambulance coming.
Lane: OK, I suppose.
Shortly after that exchange someone in the crowd gathered nearby notices that Floyd isn't breathing. The officers subsequently confirm that he's nonresponsive.
Earlier in the transcript, the officers pleaded with Floyd to put his hands up, but the suspect repeatedly expresses concern about getting shot. The officers also order him into a squad car but Floyd refuses, saying he is claustrophobic and would rather be restrained on the pavement. The transcript has officers discussing whether Floyd is under the influence of drugs.
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Lane, Kueng and a fourth former officer, Tou Thao, are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were dismissed following the May 25 incident.
None of the former officers has yet entered a plea.
Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, said in an interview Wednesday that the court should make the video from the body cameras public.
"I think the public should see it," he said. "That shows the whole picture. If they watch the whole thing, people ... couldn't cherry-pick parts of it."
"It's not a case where he's standing by watching another cop pound on somebody's head," Gray said. "This is a case where my client twice — twice — asked if we should turn him over and the answer from [Chauvin] was no."


npr--2020-07-08--Georgia Congressman Asks DOJ To Investigate DA Handling Rayshard Brooks Case

After weeks of railing against the Black district attorney leading the prosecution of the white police officers charged in the killing of Rayshard Brooks last month in Atlanta , a member of the Georgia congressional delegation is taking his criticism a step further – officially calling on the Justice Department to open an investigation .
Rep. Doug Collins , R-Ga. , on Wednesday formally asked Attorney General William Barr to open a probe into what Collins described as `` the egregious abuse of power '' by Paul Howard , the Fulton County District Attorney .
Collins goes on to accuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure '' when his office brought charges against the arresting Atlanta police officers involved in an altercation with Brooks , who was Black , before he was shot and killed on June 12 .
Five days after the shooting , Howard 's office charged Garrett Rolfe with felony murder and 10 other counts .
Rolfe faces a possible sentence of life without parole if convicted .
The other officer , Devin Brosnan , was charged with aggravated assault and other lesser crimes .
Brosnan remains with the Atlanta Police Department , while Rolfe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The timing of these charges – prior to completion of the investigation and prior to presentment before a grand jury – combined with other factors strongly suggests that DA Howard is allowing political pressure to influence his handling of the investigation , '' Collins wrote in his letter to the attorney general .
He added the district attorney `` should be immediately removed from his position '' if Howard does not believe grand juries should exist in cases where law enforcement officers are defendants .
`` I ask that you engage any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider appropriate to ensure that these officers are treated fairly under the law , '' Collins said .
Neither the Fulton County District Attorney 's office or the Justice Department responded to NPR 's request for comment .
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out , Howard faces a runoff election next month for a seventh term as district attorney .
The letter from Collins , a fourth-term congressman and son of a former Georgia state trooper , appears to go further than his previous calls that Howard recuse himself in the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His note to the Justice Department comes a day after Sen. Kelly Loeffler , R-Ga. , who was appointed to that seat in December and is running against Collins , herself wrote a letter .
Loeffler , told WNBA officials she was `` adamantly opposed '' of the league embracing a Black Lives Matter platform when the season tips off later this month .
The senator , who is also a co-owner of the WNBA franchise the Atlanta Dream , added she was `` incredibly disappointed to read about efforts to insert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The league said the season is dedicated to social justice reforms and to highlight women like Breonna Taylor and others who the WNBA said are `` the forgotten victims of police brutality and violence . ''
Taylor was shot and killed in her home by Louisville police executing a late night search warrant in March .
The WNBA and the players association announced this week that for the entire season players will wear warmup shirts with both `` Black Lives Matter and `` Say Her Name '' displayed on it .
Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an American flag on all player jerseys , as well as licensed apparel for coaches , players and fans .
`` The WNBA is based on the principle of equal and fair treatment of all people and we , along with the teams and players , will continue to use our platforms to vigorously advocate for social justice , '' WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said in a statement .
Both Loeffler and Collins have done interviews on Fox News in recent days praising Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp for calling up the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Atlanta area over the 4th of July weekend .
A third candidate is also running for the Senate in the fall .
Rev .
Raphael Warnock , the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta , the same church where funeral for Rayshard Brooks was held last month , is running as a Democrat .
Warnock delivered the eulogy at the funeral .

Ga. Congressman Calls For Investigation Of Black DA Handling Rayshard Brooks Case
Enlarge this image toggle caption Erin Scott/AP Erin Scott/AP
After weeks of railing against the Black district attorney leading the prosecution of the white police officers charged in the killing of Rayshard Brooks last month in Atlanta, a member of the Georgia congressional delegation is taking his criticism a step further – officially calling on the Justice Department to open an investigation.
Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., on Wednesday formally asked Attorney General William Barr to open a probe into what Collins described as "the egregious abuse of power" by Paul Howard, the Fulton County District Attorney.
Collins goes on to accuse Howard of being driven by "political pressure" when his office brought charges against the arresting Atlanta police officers involved in an altercation with Brooks, who was Black, before he was shot and killed on June 12.
Five days after the shooting, Howard's office charged Garrett Rolfe with felony murder and 10 other counts. Rolfe faces a possible sentence of life without parole if convicted.
The other officer, Devin Brosnan, was charged with aggravated assault and other lesser crimes.
Brosnan remains with the Atlanta Police Department, while Rolfe was fired shortly after the shooting.
"The timing of these charges – prior to completion of the investigation and prior to presentment before a grand jury – combined with other factors strongly suggests that DA Howard is allowing political pressure to influence his handling of the investigation," Collins wrote in his letter to the attorney general.
He added the district attorney "should be immediately removed from his position" if Howard does not believe grand juries should exist in cases where law enforcement officers are defendants.
"I ask that you engage any and all Department of Justice resources you consider appropriate to ensure that these officers are treated fairly under the law," Collins said.
Neither the Fulton County District Attorney's office or the Justice Department responded to NPR's request for comment.
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out, Howard faces a runoff election next month for a seventh term as district attorney.
The letter from Collins, a fourth-term congressman and son of a former Georgia state trooper, appears to go further than his previous calls that Howard recuse himself in the case.
Collins is running for the U.S. Senate.
His note to the Justice Department comes a day after Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who was appointed to that seat in December and is running against Collins, herself wrote a letter.
Loeffler, told WNBA officials she was "adamantly opposed" of the league embracing a Black Lives Matter platform when the season tips off later this month.
The senator, who is also a co-owner of the WNBA franchise the Atlanta Dream, added she was "incredibly disappointed to read about efforts to insert a political platform into the league."
The league said the season is dedicated to social justice reforms and to highlight women like Breonna Taylor and others who the WNBA said are "the forgotten victims of police brutality and violence."
Taylor was shot and killed in her home by Louisville police executing a late night search warrant in March.
The WNBA and the players association announced this week that for the entire season players will wear warmup shirts with both "Black Lives Matter and "Say Her Name" displayed on it.
Loeffler suggested instead that the league should put an American flag on all player jerseys, as well as licensed apparel for coaches, players and fans.
"The WNBA is based on the principle of equal and fair treatment of all people and we, along with the teams and players, will continue to use our platforms to vigorously advocate for social justice," WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said in a statement.
Both Loeffler and Collins have done interviews on Fox News in recent days praising Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for calling up the National Guard after a recent uptick in violence in the Atlanta area over the 4th of July weekend.
A third candidate is also running for the Senate in the fall.
Rev. Raphael Warnock, the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the same church where funeral for Rayshard Brooks was held last month, is running as a Democrat.
Warnock delivered the eulogy at the funeral.


npr--2020-07-08--'I Didn't Want To Be A Hashtag,' Says Black Man Who Feared Being Lynched In Indiana

' I Did n't Want To Be A Hashtag , ' Says Black Man Who Feared Being Lynched In Indiana A Black man 's report of an assault by white men in an Indiana state park has triggered an FBI investigation .
Vauhxx Booker , an activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission , says the men beat him and threatened him with a noose .
The incident was partly recorded on video by witnesses – whom Booker credits with saving him .
`` The reason why I 'm here today is simply because these folks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and film my execution , '' he tells NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly , in an interview on All Things Considered .
`` They became involved .
They became active participants .
They put themselves in danger when they stepped forward for me . ''
The incident took place on the Fourth of July , as Booker and some friends were joining a group to watch the lunar eclipse at Lake Monroe near Bloomington .
Their plan was to meet on Indiana state park land .
But as Booker and others made their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man stopped them , saying they were crossing private land .
They apologized for any intrusion , he said , and continued to the lake .
Booker says the organizer of the event then told him that the man did not actually own the nearby property Booker 's group had used to access the park .
And then there was another encounter .
`` We later found out that these individuals had blocked off the public beach-way with a boat and their ATVs claiming that it was also their land , '' Booker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to cross they yelled , 'white power ' at them . ''
Booker and others went to talk to the men , but he says the conversation quickly devolved .
As Booker was walking away , one man – then another , and another , he says – set upon him .
That 's when the men dragged Booker to the tree , he says , adding that at one point , one of the men jumped on his neck .
Booker posted videos and his account of the incident on Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of times .
In it , Booker said he feared he was about to be lynched , after the group of white men tackled him and held him down next to a tree .
Several times , Booker says , he heard someone saying `` get a noose . ''
`` People started screaming and shouting for them to let me go , '' Booker says .
`` There was a point when I 'm on the ground , and I can feel them kicking me , and I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman in the crowd yell out , 'Do n't kill him . '
And in that second , I realize that she 's talking about me : Do n't kill me . ''
In that moment , Booker says , he could n't help but think of scenes from recent years , in which Black people have died while witnesses yelled for the violence to stop .
`` I saw the face of George Floyd in my mind , '' he says .
He later adds , `` I did n't want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white men holding Booker eventually let him go .
He says a doctor later diagnosed him with a minor concussion and other injuries .
Booker and his group reported the incident to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources — and he says he is outraged that the officers opted to file a report rather than make any arrests , despite videos and witnesses ' statements .
`` There 's no reason that in the year 2020 that a group of white men should be able to accost anyone , let alone hold down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for a noose .
Not a rope — a noose , '' he says .
Booker says the DNR officers seemed preoccupied by the question of whether he and his group had trespassed on private property , despite attempts to assure them that the men in question did not own the adjacent land .
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says its Law Enforcement Division `` is working diligently with the Monroe County Prosecutor 's Office to ensure a lawful resolution , '' and that the incident is still under investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations into the incident — one local and one at the federal level .
`` The FBI has opened an investigation into the attack on Vauhxx as a hate crime , '' Booker 's attorney , Katherine Liell , wrote in an update on Facebook .
`` We welcome this inquiry and feel we are one step closer to justice . ''
`` Yes , the FBI is investigating the incident , '' FBI Public Affairs Officer Chris Bavender told NPR .
She added , `` DNR is still the lead agency on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the U.S. Attorney 's Office in the Southern District of Indiana confirms that the office is `` aware of the incident '' and is monitoring the situation .
By sharing his story , Booker says , he wants to help people understand that hate still exists in America .
He also wants more people to actively engage in solving that problem .
And he 's grateful to the witnesses who stepped up for him .
`` Even while in the video you can see that they were being assaulted , they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screaming , '' he says .
They were still putting themselves in danger for someone they did n't know , someone that did n't look like them .
And I want this to be the moment that changes how America engages . ''

'I Didn't Want To Be A Hashtag,' Says Black Man Who Feared Being Lynched In Indiana
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
A Black man's report of an assault by white men in an Indiana state park has triggered an FBI investigation. Vauhxx Booker, an activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, says the men beat him and threatened him with a noose. The confrontation was partly recorded on video by witnesses whom Booker credits with saving him.
"The reason why I'm here today is simply because these folks, they didn't just stop and watch and film my execution," he tells NPR's Mary Louise Kelly in an interview on All Things Considered. "They became involved. They became active participants. They put themselves in danger when they stepped forward for me."
The incident took place on the Fourth of July as Booker and some friends were joining a group to watch the lunar eclipse at Lake Monroe near Bloomington. Their plan was to meet on Indiana state park land.
But as Booker and others made their way to the spot, a white man stopped them, saying they were crossing private land. They apologized for any intrusion, he said, and continued to the lake. Booker says the organizer of the event then told him that the man did not actually own the nearby property Booker's group had used to access the park. And then there was another encounter.
"We later found out that these individuals had blocked off the public beach-way with a boat and their ATVs claiming that it was also their land," Booker wrote on Facebook. "When folks tried to cross they yelled, 'white power' at them."
Booker and others went to talk to the men, but he says the conversation quickly devolved. As Booker was walking away, one man — then another, and another, he says — set upon him.
That's when the men dragged Booker to the tree, he says, adding that at one point, one of the men jumped on his neck.
Booker posted videos and his account on Facebook — a post that has been shared hundreds of thousands of times. In it, Booker said he feared he was about to be lynched after the group of white men tackled him and held him down next to a tree.
Several times, Booker says, he heard someone saying "get a noose."
As the videos show, a commotion ensued.
"People started screaming and shouting for them to let me go," Booker says. "There was a point when I'm on the ground, and I can feel them kicking me, and I'm struggling to breathe, that I hear a woman in the crowd yell out, 'Don't kill him.' And in that second, I realize that she's talking about me: Don't kill me."
In that moment, Booker says, he couldn't help but think of scenes from recent years, in which Black people have died while witnesses yelled for the violence to stop.
"I saw the face of George Floyd in my mind," he says. He later adds, "I didn't want to be a hashtag."
The white men holding Booker eventually let him go. He says a doctor later diagnosed him with a minor concussion and other injuries.
Booker and his group reported the incident to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources — and he says he is outraged that officers filed a report rather than make any arrests, despite videos and witnesses' statements.
"There's no reason that in the year 2020 that a group of white men should be able to accost anyone, let alone hold down a Black man, beat him and call for a noose. Not a rope — a noose," he says.
Booker says the DNR officers seemed preoccupied by the question of whether he and his group had trespassed on private property, despite attempts to assure them that the men in question did not own the adjacent land.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says its Law Enforcement Division "is working diligently with the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office to ensure a lawful resolution" and that the case is still under investigation.
In fact, there are now two investigations — one local and one at the federal level.
"The FBI has opened an investigation into the attack on Vauhxx as a hate crime," Booker's attorney, Katherine Liell, wrote in an update on Facebook. "We welcome this inquiry and feel we are one step closer to justice."
"Yes, the FBI is investigating the incident," FBI Public Affairs Officer Chris Bavender told NPR. She added, "DNR is still the lead agency on the local investigation."
A representative for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Indiana confirms that the office is "aware of the incident" and is monitoring the situation.
By sharing his story, Booker says, he wants to help people understand that hate still exists in America. He also wants more people to actively engage in solving that problem. And he's grateful to the witnesses who stepped up for him.
"Even while in the video you can see that they were being assaulted, they were still pushing forward, they were still screaming," he says. They were still putting themselves in danger for someone they didn't know, someone that didn't look like them. And I want this to be the moment that changes how America engages."


npr--2020-07-08--Democratic Task Forces Deliver Biden A Blueprint For A Progressive Presidency

A joint effort by former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to unify Democrats around Biden 's candidacy has produced a 110-page policy wish list to recommend to the party 's presumptive presidential nominee .
Throughout the Democratic primary , Biden stuck to a more moderate platform , while Sanders , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and much of the rest of the crowded field courted progressives and advocated for broader structural changes .
But as the United States faces a growing pandemic and unemployment rates at the highest levels in generations , Biden has been talking more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklin Delano Roosevelt 's , with bold progressive ambitions .
The policy document — the work of six joint task forces appointed by Biden and Sanders in May — would give the former vice president a road map to that goal .
`` The goals of the task force were to move the Biden campaign into as progressive a direction as possible , and I think we did that , '' Sanders told NPR .
`` On issue after issue , whether it was education , the economy , health care , climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think there was significant movement on the part of the Biden campaign . ''
The document recommends that Biden commit to eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 and to zeroing out net greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy by 2050 .
The task forces call for funding universal prekindergarten across the country , expanding Social Security , raising the national minimum wage and eliminating cash bail , among many other long-sought progressive stances .
`` I do n't think you could find any issue that we could n't find an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room said , 'That will work , ' `` said Jared Bernstein , Biden 's former economic adviser in the Obama administration and a task force member .
`` I do n't think you could find anything in there that he wo n't want to take a very close look at . ''
`` I commend the Task Forces for their service and helping build a bold , transformative platform for our party and for our country , '' Biden said in a statement on Wednesday .
`` And I am deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unite our party , and deliver real , lasting change for generations to come . ''
Biden 's campaign has yet to publicly commit to doing anything other than `` reviewing '' the recommendations .
If he adopted them , the recommendations would shift Biden to the left , but they would not completely transform the platform he has been running on for more than a year .
`` We did not have any impressions that we were going to turn Joe Biden into Bernie Sanders .
That was not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Faiz Shakir , who managed Sanders ' presidential campaign and helped coordinate the task forces .
The health care recommendations illustrate that point best .
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal co-chaired the health care task force .
She has long pushed , like Sanders , for a single , government-run health insurance program but did n't bring that recommendation to the table in any of the meetings or negotiations .
`` Obviously our candidate who is pushing for 'Medicare for All ' did not win , '' she told NPR .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already said on health care , which somewhat limited our ability to perhaps get as much as we wanted to get . ''
Still , Jayapal was happy with the recommendations , which included expanding the benefits and lowering the costs of the public health insurance program Biden wants to add to the Affordable Care Act , as well as insisting that Medicare , not any private health insurance company , would administer the plan .
The task force also called on Biden to pursue requiring employers to offer employees the option to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than company plans .
Jayapal thinks the report can help sell onetime Sanders-backers on Biden .
`` I feel like I can go and legitimately sell this as something that the movement achieved , something that we were able to do that pushed Vice President Biden further than he has been and solidified the need for universal , high-quality , low-cost coverage for everybody provided through public providers , not private insurance companies , '' she said .
The leftward shift of the policy recommendations could provide more fodder for President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to paint his Democratic challenger as `` a helpless puppet of the radical left . ''
Courting progressives might not be as essential for Biden as most Democrats once expected it to be .
Poll after poll shows Biden with a double-digit national lead over Trump and several swing states moving toward the Democratic column .
Still , even as he cleared the presidential field faster than any Democrat in decades , party members have remained less excited and fired up about his candidacy and more motivated by the idea of defeating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get more progressives excited about the goals , not just the existence , of a Biden administration .
`` When I talked to Joe a while back , he said that he wants to be the most progressive president since FDR , '' Sanders said .
`` Do I believe that Biden believes that now is the time for bold action to protect the working class and lower-income people in this country ?
Yes , I do believe that 's the case . ''

Democratic Task Forces Deliver Biden A Blueprint For A Progressive Presidency
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
A joint effort by former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to unify Democrats around Biden's candidacy has produced a 110-page policy wish list to recommend to the party's presumptive presidential nominee.
Throughout the Democratic primary, Biden stuck to a more moderate platform, while Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and much of the rest of the crowded field courted progressives and advocated for broader structural changes. But as the United States faces a growing pandemic and unemployment rates at the highest levels in generations, Biden has been talking more and more about a presidency that approaches Franklin Delano Roosevelt's, with bold progressive ambitions.
The policy document — the work of six joint task forces appointed by Biden and Sanders in May — would give the former vice president a road map to that goal.
"The goals of the task force were to move the Biden campaign into as progressive a direction as possible, and I think we did that," Sanders told NPR. "On issue after issue, whether it was education, the economy, health care, climate, immigration, criminal justice, I think there was significant movement on the part of the Biden campaign."
The document recommends that Biden commit to eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 and to zeroing out net greenhouse gas emissions across the entire economy by 2050. The task forces call for funding universal prekindergarten across the country, expanding Social Security, raising the national minimum wage and eliminating cash bail, among many other long-sought progressive stances.
"I don't think you could find any issue that we couldn't find an agreeable resolution on, that everybody in the room said, 'That will work,' " said Jared Bernstein, Biden's former economic adviser in the Obama administration and a task force member. "I don't think you could find anything in there that he won't want to take a very close look at."
"I commend the Task Forces for their service and helping build a bold, transformative platform for our party and for our country," Biden said in a statement on Wednesday. "And I am deeply grateful to Senator Sanders for working together to unite our party, and deliver real, lasting change for generations to come."
Biden's campaign has yet to publicly commit to doing anything other than "reviewing" the recommendations.
If he adopted them, the recommendations would shift Biden to the left, but they would not completely transform the platform he has been running on for more than a year.
"We did not have any impressions that we were going to turn Joe Biden into Bernie Sanders. That was not going to happen. That did not happen," said Faiz Shakir, who managed Sanders' presidential campaign and helped coordinate the task forces.
Where the health care task force landed
The health care recommendations illustrate that point best.
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal co-chaired the health care task force. She has long pushed, like Sanders, for a single, government-run health insurance program but didn't bring that recommendation to the table in any of the meetings or negotiations.
"Obviously our candidate who is pushing for 'Medicare for All' did not win," she told NPR. "There was a lot that Biden had already said on health care, which somewhat limited our ability to perhaps get as much as we wanted to get."
Still, Jayapal was happy with the recommendations, which include expanding the benefits and lowering the costs of the public health insurance program Biden wants to add to the Affordable Care Act, as well as insisting that Medicare, not any private health insurance company, would administer the plan.
The task force also called on Biden to pursue requiring employers to offer employees the option to sign up for government-administered health care, rather than company plans.
Jayapal thinks the report can help sell onetime Sanders-backers on Biden.
"I feel like I can go and legitimately sell this as something that the movement achieved, something that we were able to do that pushed Vice President Biden further than he has been and solidified the need for universal, high-quality, low-cost coverage for everybody provided through public providers, not private insurance companies," she said.
The leftward shift of the policy recommendations could provide more fodder for President Trump, who has tried, at times, to paint his Democratic challenger as "a helpless puppet of the radical left."
Courting progressives might not be as essential for Biden as most Democrats once expected it to be. Poll after poll shows Biden with a double-digit national lead over Trump and several swing states moving toward the Democratic column.
Still, even as he cleared the presidential field faster than any Democrat in decades, party members have remained less excited and fired up about his candidacy and more motivated by the idea of defeating Trump.
Sanders hopes this document will get more progressives excited about the goals, not just the existence, of a Biden administration. "When I talked to Joe a while back, he said that he wants to be the most progressive president since FDR," Sanders said. "Do I believe that Biden believes that now is the time for bold action to protect the working class and lower-income people in this country? Yes, I do believe that's the case."