csmonitor--2020-10-23--Mayflower at 400: Native American, Pilgrim descendants reflect

Four centuries after white Europeans stepped off the Mayflower and onto America ’ s shores , some descendants of the colonists are wrestling with the complicated legacy of their ancestors amid a global racial reckoning .
There is immense pride among those who can trace their families back to the passengers who boarded the ship in Plymouth , England , in 1620 to flee religious persecution and realize a better life .
Yet for some , the devastating impact that the Pilgrims ’ landing in New England had on Native Americans weighs heavily in this moment of unrest over systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press , Americans and Britons who can trace their ancestry either to the Pilgrims or the indigenous people who helped them survive talked openly about the need in 2020 to fairly tell the history .
“ Considering my ancestors helped incite the racial hierarchies that caused the need for these movements now , I do feel ashamed that that had to be part of history , ” said Olivia Musoke , whose ancestors on her mother ’ s side arrived in America on the Mayflower .
Ms. Musoke , whose father is Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from people who helped settle this country “ gets diminished by the role they played in kind of manipulating and terrorizing people of color , which trickled down to the structures we have today.
” For some , it ’ s a difficult issue to reconcile .
“ The pilgrims came out of religious persecution in England .
And I ’ m very proud of the fact that they set off to create their own independent culture , ” said Seth Howland Handy , another descendant of a Mayflower passenger .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was existing culture .
And , you know , the history is not friendly and that is troublesome . ''
Mr .
Handy said it ’ s more important now than ever now to “ recognize everyone ’ s role in our history and the great diversity of this country.
” The United States was embroiled in civil unrest this summer , with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd and other Black Americans killed or injured by police .
Ginny Mucciacco , a descendant of Mayflower passenger Degory Priest , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ To have this tie to our early history is really , I won ’ t say it ’ s a privilege , an honor .
But it ’ s just something to be proud of because so many of them worked so hard , for so many years to help establish this country .
And it ’ s just very important to me , ” said Ms. Mucciacco , of Dedham , Massachusetts .
The soul-searching extends across the Atlantic to England , where Mayflower descendants say they , too , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vicky Cosstick , a Briton whose ancestors John Alden and Priscilla Mullins were passengers , said she ’ s troubled by the suffering the indigenous people endured – but she doesn ’ t feel guilt .
“ I ’ m of course horrified and appalled to know what happened as a result of British colonialism in America and what happened to their Native American tribes and the Wampanoags , ” Ms. Cosstick said .
“ It ’ s not as if they went to America in order to steal land from an indigenous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much of it was clearly wrong , but there are many stories that need to be told .
And I think the anniversary gives a chance for all of those stories to be told.
” As the racial reckoning has brought new scrutiny to how African American history is taught in American schools , Native Americans have long pushed for the unvarnished stories of their ancestors to be heard .
When the Pilgrims arrived at what we now know as Plymouth , Massachusetts , the Wampanoag tribe helped the exhausted settlers survive their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endured racism , oppression , and new diseases brought by the European settlers .
“ We were exposed to disease .
We were exposed to slavery .
I mean , what happened here was people who came not just for religion – that might have been their purpose of leaving their homeland – but they came here and wanted to wipe out the existence of a whole culture , ” said Hazel Currence , of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe of Cape Cod .
Organizers of the events planned for this year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s arrival pledged to amplify the voices of the Wampanoag , which have been marginalized in past years .
Fifty years ago , state officials disinvited a leader of the Wampanoag Nation to the commemoration after learning his speech would bemoan the tribe ’ s suffering .
This year , many anniversary events were canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We should have never been treated the way that we were , our ancestors , ” Ms. Currence said .
“ I think that if they were here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on us , I think they ’ d be very proud at the movement that ’ s going forward now.
” Even though the virus has put a damper on the commemoration , some members of the Wampanoag tribe say they ’ re hopeful that the attention on the problem of systemic racism this year will help their voices and stories be heard in a way they haven ’ t been before .
“ It ’ s opening up everyone else ’ s eyes to how unbalanced the world is and unequal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s son and a medicine man from the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe .
“ The world is spinning out of control .
So I think more people are going to be aware and more sensitive and open to receiving a message like that , ” he said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Durkin Richer in Boston and Steve Barker in Seaford , England , contributed to this report .

Four centuries after white Europeans stepped off the Mayflower and onto America’s shores, some descendants of the colonists are wrestling with the complicated legacy of their ancestors amid a global racial reckoning.
There is immense pride among those who can trace their families back to the passengers who boarded the ship in Plymouth, England, in 1620 to flee religious persecution and realize a better life. Yet for some, the devastating impact that the Pilgrims’ landing in New England had on Native Americans weighs heavily in this moment of unrest over systemic racism.
In interviews with The Associated Press, Americans and Britons who can trace their ancestry either to the Pilgrims or the indigenous people who helped them survive talked openly about the need in 2020 to fairly tell the history.
“Considering my ancestors helped incite the racial hierarchies that caused the need for these movements now, I do feel ashamed that that had to be part of history,” said Olivia Musoke, whose ancestors on her mother’s side arrived in America on the Mayflower.
Ms. Musoke, whose father is Black, said the pride she feels in coming from people who helped settle this country “gets diminished by the role they played in kind of manipulating and terrorizing people of color, which trickled down to the structures we have today.”
For some, it’s a difficult issue to reconcile.
“The pilgrims came out of religious persecution in England. And I’m very proud of the fact that they set off to create their own independent culture,” said Seth Howland Handy, another descendant of a Mayflower passenger. “But they came to a place where there was existing culture. And, you know, the history is not friendly and that is troublesome."
Mr. Handy said it’s more important now than ever now to “recognize everyone’s role in our history and the great diversity of this country.” The United States was embroiled in civil unrest this summer, with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd and other Black Americans killed or injured by police.
Ginny Mucciacco, a descendant of Mayflower passenger Degory Priest, said the Pilgrims’ work ethic was admirable.
“To have this tie to our early history is really, I won’t say it’s a privilege, an honor. But it’s just something to be proud of because so many of them worked so hard, for so many years to help establish this country. And it’s just very important to me,” said Ms. Mucciacco, of Dedham, Massachusetts.
The soul-searching extends across the Atlantic to England, where Mayflower descendants say they, too, are trying to reconcile pride and prejudice.
Vicky Cosstick, a Briton whose ancestors John Alden and Priscilla Mullins were passengers, said she’s troubled by the suffering the indigenous people endured – but she doesn’t feel guilt.
“I’m of course horrified and appalled to know what happened as a result of British colonialism in America and what happened to their Native American tribes and the Wampanoags,” Ms. Cosstick said.
“It’s not as if they went to America in order to steal land from an indigenous population,” she said. “Much of it was clearly wrong, but there are many stories that need to be told. And I think the anniversary gives a chance for all of those stories to be told.”
As the racial reckoning has brought new scrutiny to how African American history is taught in American schools, Native Americans have long pushed for the unvarnished stories of their ancestors to be heard.
When the Pilgrims arrived at what we now know as Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Wampanoag tribe helped the exhausted settlers survive their first winter. But Native Americans also endured racism, oppression, and new diseases brought by the European settlers.
“We were exposed to disease. We were exposed to slavery. I mean, what happened here was people who came not just for religion – that might have been their purpose of leaving their homeland – but they came here and wanted to wipe out the existence of a whole culture,” said Hazel Currence, of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe of Cape Cod.
Organizers of the events planned for this year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival pledged to amplify the voices of the Wampanoag, which have been marginalized in past years. Fifty years ago, state officials disinvited a leader of the Wampanoag Nation to the commemoration after learning his speech would bemoan the tribe’s suffering.
This year, many anniversary events were canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We should have never been treated the way that we were, our ancestors,” Ms. Currence said. “I think that if they were here now, if they were looking down on us, I think they’d be very proud at the movement that’s going forward now.”
Even though the virus has put a damper on the commemoration, some members of the Wampanoag tribe say they’re hopeful that the attention on the problem of systemic racism this year will help their voices and stories be heard in a way they haven’t been before.
“It’s opening up everyone else’s eyes to how unbalanced the world is and unequal,” said Troy Currence, Hazel Currence’s son and a medicine man from the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe.
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“The world is spinning out of control. So I think more people are going to be aware and more sensitive and open to receiving a message like that,” he said.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Durkin Richer in Boston and Steve Barker in Seaford, England, contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-10-23--'Long and difficult’ road ahead after Libyan cease-fire

The rival sides in Libya ’ s conflict signed a permanent cease-fire Friday , a deal the United Nations billed as historic after years of fighting that has split the North African country in two .
But skepticism over whether the agreement would hold began emerging almost immediately .
The breakthrough , which among other things orders foreign mercenaries out of the country within three months , sets the stage for political talks in November to find a lasting solution to the chaos unleashed after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
Previous diplomatic initiatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – but the U.N.-brokered deal aims to cement a recent lull in fighting and boost the political process .
“ I am honored to be among you today to witness a moment that will go down in history , ” said Stephanie Turco Williams , the top U.N. envoy for Libya , who led mediation talks this week in Geneva .
She did , however , express some caution , noting that a “ long and difficult ” road remains ahead .
It ’ s not clear how the cease-fire will be enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya – but Ms. Williams said armed groups and military units had agreed to return “ to their camps ” and that the deal would take effect immediately .
Foreign mercenaries will depart “ from all Libyan territories land , air , and sea ” within three months , she added , referring to the thousands of Syrian fighters deployed by Turkey and Russia on opposite sides of the war .
The agreement also involved the formation of a joint military force and a mechanism to monitor violations , Ms. Williams said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council .
But shortly after the announcement of the deal , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it did not appear to be credible – even as he expressed hope that all parties would stick to it .
Speaking after Friday prayers in Istanbul , Mr. Erdogan said the cease-fire decision did not come from top officials but from lower-level ones .
“ Time will show how long it will last , ” he added .
Following Libya ’ s descent into chaos , a U.N.-recognized government holds sway in the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the forces of military commander Khalifa Hifter run most of the east and south .
Turkey is the main patron of the Tripoli government , while the United Arab Emirates , Russia , and Egypt back Mr. Hifter .
Both sides are also supported by an array of fractious militias , though the administrations often struggle to control them .
In much of the country , heavily armed militias hold sway and have repeatedly undermined cease-fire attempts .
Ali Abushahma , a field commander for the administration in Tripoli and the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have had enough suffering , enough bloodshed.
” “ I appeal to all Libya : Be one hand , ” he said , warning of polarization by factions .
Meanwhile , Amraja Alamami , the head of Mr. Hifter ’ s delegation , pledged in a short speech to “ implement what had been agreed upon in Geneva.
” The meetings this week mark the fourth round of talks involving the Joint Military Commission under Ms. Williams ’ watch .
The Geneva-based talks come ahead of a political forum in Tunisia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements that will lead to the holding of national elections , ” the U.N. mission said .
Friday ’ s deal follows a series of breakthroughs since fighting came to a halt in June , when Mr. Hifter ’ s 14-month campaign to capture Tripoli collapsed .
International pressure has been building on the parties to avert a battle over the strategic city of Sirte , the gateway to Libya ’ s major oil export terminals .
This fall , Mr. Hifter and allied eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Libya ’ s oil facilities , initially imposed to protest alleged corruption in the oil sector and unfair distribution of revenues to the east .
Last month , the two sides reached preliminary agreements to exchange prisoners and open up air and land transit across the country ’ s divided territory , On Friday , Ms. Williams said that a passenger plane flew from Tripoli to Benghazi for the first time in months , paving the way for a regular flights between eastern and western Libya .
In another sign of progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ras Lanuf and al-Sidr would soon resume production .
Libya ’ s prized light crude has long been a key factor in the country ’ s civil war , with rival militias and foreign powers jostling for control of Africa ’ s largest oil reserves .
To maintain the cease-fire , the two sides agreed to establish a “ joint police operations room ” that will help secure areas following the withdrawal of armed groups .
The rivals also agreed to form a “ joint limited military force ” of personnel who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military Commission .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
DeBre reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
AP writer Zeynep Bilginsoy contributed from Istanbul .

The rival sides in Libya’s conflict signed a permanent cease-fire Friday, a deal the United Nations billed as historic after years of fighting that has split the North African country in two. But skepticism over whether the agreement would hold began emerging almost immediately.
The breakthrough, which among other things orders foreign mercenaries out of the country within three months, sets the stage for political talks in November to find a lasting solution to the chaos unleashed after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Previous diplomatic initiatives to end the war have repeatedly collaApsed – but the U.N.-brokered deal aims to cement a recent lull in fighting and boost the political process.
“I am honored to be among you today to witness a moment that will go down in history,” said Stephanie Turco Williams, the top U.N. envoy for Libya, who led mediation talks this week in Geneva. She did, however, express some caution, noting that a “long and difficult” road remains ahead.
It’s not clear how the cease-fire will be enforced – given the patchwork of militias in Libya – but Ms. Williams said armed groups and military units had agreed to return “to their camps” and that the deal would take effect immediately.
Foreign mercenaries will depart “from all Libyan territories land, air, and sea” within three months, she added, referring to the thousands of Syrian fighters deployed by Turkey and Russia on opposite sides of the war. The agreement also involved the formation of a joint military force and a mechanism to monitor violations, Ms. Williams said, and will be sent to the U.N. Security Council.
But shortly after the announcement of the deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it did not appear to be credible – even as he expressed hope that all parties would stick to it.
Speaking after Friday prayers in Istanbul, Mr. Erdogan said the cease-fire decision did not come from top officials but from lower-level ones.
“Time will show how long it will last,” he added.
Following Libya’s descent into chaos, a U.N.-recognized government holds sway in the capital, Tripoli, in western Libya, while the forces of military commander Khalifa Hifter run most of the east and south. Turkey is the main patron of the Tripoli government, while the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Egypt back Mr. Hifter. Both sides are also supported by an array of fractious militias, though the administrations often struggle to control them. In much of the country, heavily armed militias hold sway and have repeatedly undermined cease-fire attempts.
Ali Abushahma, a field commander for the administration in Tripoli and the head of its delegation, said, “We have had enough suffering, enough bloodshed.”
“I appeal to all Libya: Be one hand,” he said, warning of polarization by factions.
Meanwhile, Amraja Alamami, the head of Mr. Hifter’s delegation, pledged in a short speech to “implement what had been agreed upon in Geneva.”
The meetings this week mark the fourth round of talks involving the Joint Military Commission under Ms. Williams’ watch. The Geneva-based talks come ahead of a political forum in Tunisia in November. That forum aims to “generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements that will lead to the holding of national elections,” the U.N. mission said.
Friday’s deal follows a series of breakthroughs since fighting came to a halt in June, when Mr. Hifter’s 14-month campaign to capture Tripoli collapsed.
International pressure has been building on the parties to avert a battle over the strategic city of Sirte, the gateway to Libya’s major oil export terminals. This fall, Mr. Hifter and allied eastern tribes announced the end of a blockade of Libya’s oil facilities, initially imposed to protest alleged corruption in the oil sector and unfair distribution of revenues to the east. Last month, the two sides reached preliminary agreements to exchange prisoners and open up air and land transit across the country’s divided territory,
On Friday, Ms. Williams said that a passenger plane flew from Tripoli to Benghazi for the first time in months, paving the way for a regular flights between eastern and western Libya. In another sign of progress, she said the key oil ports of Ras Lanuf and al-Sidr would soon resume production. Libya’s prized light crude has long been a key factor in the country’s civil war, with rival militias and foreign powers jostling for control of Africa’s largest oil reserves.
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To maintain the cease-fire, the two sides agreed to establish a “joint police operations room” that will help secure areas following the withdrawal of armed groups. The rivals also agreed to form a “joint limited military force” of personnel who report to the U.N.’s Joint Military Commission.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP writer Zeynep Bilginsoy contributed from Istanbul.


csmonitor--2020-10-23--Goldman Sachs unit pleads guilty in Malaysian corruption scandal

A subsidiary of Goldman Sachs pleaded guilty on Thursday and agreed to pay more than $ 2.9 billion in a foreign corruption probe tied to the Malaysian 1MDB sovereign wealth fund , which was looted of billions of dollars in a corruption scandal .
In addition , several current and former top executives at Goldman will have to return millions of dollars in pay and bonuses to the company , a financial penalty for those in charge when the scandal unfolded .
Goldman Sachs Malaysia entered the plea in federal court in Brooklyn .
As part of its plea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and willfully ” conspired to violate U.S. anti-bribery laws .
The $ 2.9 billion includes payments to regulators in the United States and overseas .
The penalties also include roughly $ 600 million in profits Goldman made off the 1MDB scandal that it will have to disgorge .
Goldman had previously reached a $ 3.9 billion settlement with the government of Malaysia .
Goldman Sachs ’ board of directors decided to claw back pay and bonuses from top executives , including current CEO David Solomon and former CEO Lloyd Blankfein .
The firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return part of their pay to the company over their role in the scheme .
In total , more than $ 174 million in pay and bonuses are being returned to the company , the board said .
“ The Board views the 1MDB matter as an institutional failure , inconsistent with the high expectations it has for the firm , ” Goldman ’ s board said in a separate statement .
Malaysian and U.S. prosecutors had alleged that bond sales organized by Goldman Sachs provided one of the means for associates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billions over several years from a fund that was ostensibly set up to accelerate Malaysia ’ s economic development .
“ Goldman Sachs participated in a sweeping international corruption scheme , conspiring to avail itself of more than $ 1.6 billion in bribes to multiple high-level government officials across several countries so that the company could reap hundreds of millions of dollars in fees , all to the detriment of the people of Malaysia and the reputation of American financial institutions operating abroad , ” said Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared remarks .
In court on Thursday , Goldman Sachs ’ general counsel , Karen Seymour , said that agents and employees of Goldman Sachs Malaysia had violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by “ corruptly promising and paying bribes to foreign officials in order to obtain and retain business for Goldman Sachs.
” The fund , 1Malaysia Development Berhad , was set up in 2009 by Mr. Najib to promote economic development .
It relied primarily on debt to fund investment and economic development projects and was overseen by senior Malaysian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Najib set up 1MDB when he took office in 2009 , but it accumulated billions in debts , and U.S. investigators allege at least $ 4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by his associates .
Public anger over the corruption allegations contributed to the shocking election defeat of Mr. Najib ’ s long-ruling coalition in May 2018 .
Two Goldman Sachs executives have also been personally charged for fraud .
Tim Leissner , who was the chairman of Goldman ’ s Southeast Asia division , pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Practices Act .
Another Goldman executive , Ng Chong Hwa also known as “ Roger Ng , ” will stand trial for money laundering and violating the FCPA in March 2021 .
“ While it is abundantly clear that certain former employees broke the law , lied to our colleagues , and circumvented firm controls , this fact does not relieve me or anyone else at the firm of our responsibility to recognize two critical realities , ” Mr. Solomon said in a statement .
The Department of Justice bought similar charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with close relations to the then Malaysian ruling party who was the central player in the 1MDB fund .
Mr. Low lived a lavish lifestyle in New York , buying luxury goods and even a yacht .
Mr. Low ’ s whereabouts are unknown , although he ’ s believed to be somewhere in China and out of the reach of international authorities .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

A subsidiary of Goldman Sachs pleaded guilty on Thursday and agreed to pay more than $2.9 billion in a foreign corruption probe tied to the Malaysian 1MDB sovereign wealth fund, which was looted of billions of dollars in a corruption scandal.
In addition, several current and former top executives at Goldman will have to return millions of dollars in pay and bonuses to the company, a financial penalty for those in charge when the scandal unfolded.
Goldman Sachs Malaysia entered the plea in federal court in Brooklyn. As part of its plea, the company admitted that it “knowingly and willfully” conspired to violate U.S. anti-bribery laws.
The $2.9 billion includes payments to regulators in the United States and overseas. The penalties also include roughly $600 million in profits Goldman made off the 1MDB scandal that it will have to disgorge. Goldman had previously reached a $3.9 billion settlement with the government of Malaysia.
Goldman Sachs’ board of directors decided to claw back pay and bonuses from top executives, including current CEO David Solomon and former CEO Lloyd Blankfein. The firm is in talks with additional executives to return part of their pay to the company over their role in the scheme. In total, more than $174 million in pay and bonuses are being returned to the company, the board said.
“The Board views the 1MDB matter as an institutional failure, inconsistent with the high expectations it has for the firm,” Goldman’s board said in a separate statement.
Malaysian and U.S. prosecutors had alleged that bond sales organized by Goldman Sachs provided one of the means for associates of former Prime Minister Najib Razak to steal billions over several years from a fund that was ostensibly set up to accelerate Malaysia’s economic development.
“Goldman Sachs participated in a sweeping international corruption scheme, conspiring to avail itself of more than $1.6 billion in bribes to multiple high-level government officials across several countries so that the company could reap hundreds of millions of dollars in fees, all to the detriment of the people of Malaysia and the reputation of American financial institutions operating abroad,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme of the Eastern District of New York, in prepared remarks.
In court on Thursday, Goldman Sachs’ general counsel, Karen Seymour, said that agents and employees of Goldman Sachs Malaysia had violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by “corruptly promising and paying bribes to foreign officials in order to obtain and retain business for Goldman Sachs.”
The fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad, was set up in 2009 by Mr. Najib to promote economic development. It relied primarily on debt to fund investment and economic development projects and was overseen by senior Malaysian government officials, according to court records.
Mr. Najib set up 1MDB when he took office in 2009, but it accumulated billions in debts, and U.S. investigators allege at least $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by his associates.
Public anger over the corruption allegations contributed to the shocking election defeat of Mr. Najib’s long-ruling coalition in May 2018.
Two Goldman Sachs executives have also been personally charged for fraud. Tim Leissner, who was the chairman of Goldman’s Southeast Asia division, pleaded guilty to money laundering and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Another Goldman executive, Ng Chong Hwa also known as “Roger Ng,” will stand trial for money laundering and violating the FCPA in March 2021.
“While it is abundantly clear that certain former employees broke the law, lied to our colleagues, and circumvented firm controls, this fact does not relieve me or anyone else at the firm of our responsibility to recognize two critical realities,” Mr. Solomon said in a statement.
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The Department of Justice bought similar charges against Low Taek Jho, a Malaysian national with close relations to the then Malaysian ruling party who was the central player in the 1MDB fund. Mr. Low lived a lavish lifestyle in New York, buying luxury goods and even a yacht. Mr. Low’s whereabouts are unknown, although he’s believed to be somewhere in China and out of the reach of international authorities.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-10-23--Poll watching: Democratic safeguard or intimidation?

The role of poll watchers is getting heightened scrutiny .
Known as partisan observers , they are distinct from the poll workers who run elections in the country ’ s roughly 170,000 precincts .
They ’ re an institution within the American electoral system meant to support transparency and fairness by reporting concerns at polling places or during ballot counting .
“ Voters should not be afraid to exercise that fundamental right to vote at polling places , ” says Eliza Sweren-Becker , voting rights and elections counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice .
“ The best way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robustly at the polls , and for voters to have their voices heard.
” This raises the question of trust in the elections , the fairness of which is fundamental to the democratic process .
But election experts say voters should have confidence in the system , which has strong protections in place and in which voting irregularities are rare .
As President Donald Trump calls the integrity of the election into question – asking his supporters to “ go into the polls and watch very carefully ” – he stokes fear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls , say election experts .
On Election Day 2016 , Jane Grimes Meneely arrived at a Nashville , Tennessee , community center ready to put her three-hour poll watcher training to use .
Sent by the Clinton campaign , she wore a badge around her neck and a bright blue “ ELECTION PROTECTION ” sticker on her back .
Her job : Report concerns , but don ’ t interact directly with voters .
Over her six-plus-hour shift , however , Ms. Meneely says she never had to use her authority because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There was a part of me that wanted to use the training ... but also thankful that I didn ’ t have to , ” she says .
Designated poll watchers like Ms. Meneely are a traditional part of the American election system .
But the role of poll watching is getting heightened scrutiny since President Donald Trump , at the September presidential debate , urged supporters to “ go into the polls and watch very carefully.
” That call , paired with the president ’ s persistent , unsubstantiated claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trust in the elections , the fairness of which is fundamental to the democratic process .
Voting rights advocates and Democrats see it as potential encouragement of interference , even intimidation , at the polls .
Though the president may question the integrity of the election , citizens should not be dissuaded from voting by mistrust or intimidation , say election experts .
To help bolster confidence , they stress the importance of understanding protections in place that restrict who can interact with voters – and how .
“ Voters should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote at polling places , ” says Eliza Sweren-Becker , voting rights and elections counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice .
Laws that govern the American election process are hard to generalize , because the Constitution grants states broad authority to run elections on their own terms .
Rules also vary between counties .
Attempts to “ intimidate , threaten , or coerce ” voters , however , is a federal crime , and states have similar statutes that safeguard ballot casting .
Given the decentralized nature of U.S. elections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of voter intimidation at the polls .
The American Civil Liberties Union calls it “ rare and unlikely.
” Poll watchers – also known as election or political observers – are meant to support transparency and fairness .
They generally can report concerns at polling places or during ballot counting .
Poll watchers are distinct from the poll workers who run elections in the country ’ s roughly 170,000 precincts .
Prototypes of modern-day poll watchers were the “ party agents ” who emerged around the 1830s , says Richard Bensel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ithaca , New York .
Before the adoption of the secret ballot in the 1890s , party agents could publicly challenge voter eligibility , often without hard proof .
The role of today ’ s poll watchers is limited .
Typically they are appointed in advance of an election by a candidate or political party and can be restricted in number per polling place .
Battleground state Wisconsin is an exception , where anyone except for candidates themselves can observe within designated areas , though further local restrictions may apply .
Statutes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and South Carolina require poll watchers to wear a badge bearing their name and organization .
“ They are really only there to observe , so they can ’ t talk to or interact with voters .
They ’ re not supposed to interfere with the [ voting ] process at all , ” says Ms. Sweren-Becker .
Similar calls by Mr. Trump to monitor polls en masse were issued in the 2016 elections , but they have been eclipsed by cybersecurity concerns and foreign interference , says Tammy Patrick , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund and former election official for Maricopa County , Arizona .
“ Thankfully , we haven ’ t seen [ intimidation at the polls ] manifest in a widespread way , ” she says , adding that it has been on the radar for election officials long before Mr. Trump came onto the scene .
As far back as 1999 , when the Columbine High School shooting massacre in Colorado shook the nation , election officials have braced for trouble by preparing contingency plans .
Political observers are typically trained by the entity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nashville , was trained through the Clinton campaign , for example .
Training can involve a review of proper behavior and how to report concerns , such as illegal voting , tampering with equipment , or other perceived interference .
Maricopa County ’ s curriculum prepared by Ms. Patrick includes reminders to observe officials ’ instructions and stay six feet from ballot boxes or voting booths .
The Trump campaign says it expects to exceed its goal of 50,000 trained poll watchers in this election , but did not respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been met .
Echoing his father ’ s expectations of massive fraud by the “ radical left , ” Donald Trump Jr. , in a campaign video last month , implored “ every able-bodied man [ and ] woman to join Army for Trump ’ s election security operation , ” including during early voting , by signing up online .
Officials including the FBI director have dismissed the notion of widespread voter fraud historically in a major election .
The conservative Heritage Foundation has tracked 1,298 proven cases of voter fraud in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In a sense , these calls could be heard as proverbial dog whistles for signaling [ Trump ’ s ] supporters to intimidate Blacks and Latinos in particular , ” says Atiba Ellis , professor of law at Marquette University Law School .
He considers the president ’ s talk akin to Jim Crow-era intimidation of voters of color , who gained heightened protection with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 .
The Trump campaign says it is committed to “ every voter ’ s right to vote.
” “ President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained to ensure all rules are applied equally , all valid ballots are counted , and all Democrat rule breaking is called out , ” wrote deputy national press secretary Thea McDonald in an email to the Monitor .
This presidential election marks the first in four decades that the GOP hasn ’ t needed court approval to carry out what it deems “ ballot security ” activities .
During a tight race for New Jersey governor in 1981 , the Republican National Committee helped assemble a National Ballot Security Task Force of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrol polling sites in minority communities .
The Democratic National Committee sued the GOP , alleging voter intimidation .
In a settlement , the Republicans entered into a consent decree that expired in 2017 .
The Democratic National Committee did not clarify how many poll watchers have been trained this year as part of its national “ election protection ” initiative in response to a Monitor request .
An official did note in an email that the DNC ’ s “ historic investments ” include 28 state voter protection directors and filing litigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope of Pennsylvania poll watchers ’ access was tested in Philadelphia this month .
A judge denied the Trump campaign ’ s request to allow poll watchers at the city ’ s new voter registration and ballot drop-off offices because they are not polling places .
New election infrastructure has been introduced in many precincts , especially as mail-in voting has expanded during the pandemic .
Some states that ran vote-by-mail elections prior to the outbreak haven ’ t permitted poll watchers at ballot drop boxes .
Election roles differ in title and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , allows for challengers to raise questions about a voter ’ s eligibility .
Blurring definitions further , some people use the term poll watchers to describe individuals who engage in unofficial monitoring outside polling places .
International and other nonpartisan observers can engage in election protection with varying levels of access to the voting process .
Electioneering typically takes place beyond a buffer around a polling place , beyond which individuals can engage in political speech ; but prohibitions on voter intimidation still apply .
To guard against disinformation or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media , U.S. Election Assistance Commission Chairman Ben Hovland says voters should seek information directly from state or local election officials .
Questions about casting your ballot ?
Contact your local board of elections , or visit www.usvotefoundation.org , for guidelines specific to where you live .

The role of poll watchers is getting heightened scrutiny. Known as partisan observers, they are distinct from the poll workers who run elections in the country’s roughly 170,000 precincts. They’re an institution within the American electoral system meant to support transparency and fairness by reporting concerns at polling places or during ballot counting.
“Voters should not be afraid to exercise that fundamental right to vote at polling places,” says Eliza Sweren-Becker, voting rights and elections counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice. “The best way to push back … is to show up robustly at the polls, and for voters to have their voices heard.”
As the president urges his supporters to go en masse to watch polling, Americans of all political stripes are grappling with trust in the election process. Understanding the protections in place, like the tradition of poll watching, can help restore confidence.
This raises the question of trust in the elections, the fairness of which is fundamental to the democratic process. But election experts say voters should have confidence in the system, which has strong protections in place and in which voting irregularities are rare.
As President Donald Trump calls the integrity of the election into question – asking his supporters to “go into the polls and watch very carefully” – he stokes fear of widespread voter fraud and intimidation at the polls, say election experts.
On Election Day 2016, Jane Grimes Meneely arrived at a Nashville, Tennessee, community center ready to put her three-hour poll watcher training to use. Sent by the Clinton campaign, she wore a badge around her neck and a bright blue “ELECTION PROTECTION” sticker on her back.
Her job: Report concerns, but don’t interact directly with voters.
Over her six-plus-hour shift, however, Ms. Meneely says she never had to use her authority because the day “went really smoothly.”
Why We Wrote This As the president urges his supporters to go en masse to watch polling, Americans of all political stripes are grappling with trust in the election process. Understanding the protections in place, like the tradition of poll watching, can help restore confidence.
“There was a part of me that wanted to use the training ... but also thankful that I didn’t have to,” she says.
Designated poll watchers like Ms. Meneely are a traditional part of the American election system.
But the role of poll watching is getting heightened scrutiny since President Donald Trump, at the September presidential debate, urged supporters to “go into the polls and watch very carefully.”
That call, paired with the president’s persistent, unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, raises the question of trust in the elections, the fairness of which is fundamental to the democratic process. Voting rights advocates and Democrats see it as potential encouragement of interference, even intimidation, at the polls.
Though the president may question the integrity of the election, citizens should not be dissuaded from voting by mistrust or intimidation, say election experts. To help bolster confidence, they stress the importance of understanding protections in place that restrict who can interact with voters – and how.
“Voters should not be afraid to exercise that fundamental right to vote at polling places,” says Eliza Sweren-Becker, voting rights and elections counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice.
Voter intimidation is rare
Laws that govern the American election process are hard to generalize, because the Constitution grants states broad authority to run elections on their own terms. Rules also vary between counties.
Attempts to “intimidate, threaten, or coerce” voters, however, is a federal crime, and states have similar statutes that safeguard ballot casting. Given the decentralized nature of U.S. elections, it’s hard to determine the extent of voter intimidation at the polls. The American Civil Liberties Union calls it “rare and unlikely.”
Poll watchers – also known as election or political observers – are meant to support transparency and fairness. They generally can report concerns at polling places or during ballot counting. Poll watchers are distinct from the poll workers who run elections in the country’s roughly 170,000 precincts.
Prototypes of modern-day poll watchers were the “party agents” who emerged around the 1830s, says Richard Bensel, professor of government at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Before the adoption of the secret ballot in the 1890s, party agents could publicly challenge voter eligibility, often without hard proof.
The role of today’s poll watchers is limited. Typically they are appointed in advance of an election by a candidate or political party and can be restricted in number per polling place. Battleground state Wisconsin is an exception, where anyone except for candidates themselves can observe within designated areas, though further local restrictions may apply. Statutes in some states including Georgia, North Dakota, and South Carolina require poll watchers to wear a badge bearing their name and organization.
“They are really only there to observe, so they can’t talk to or interact with voters. They’re not supposed to interfere with the [voting] process at all,” says Ms. Sweren-Becker.
Similar calls by Mr. Trump to monitor polls en masse were issued in the 2016 elections, but they have been eclipsed by cybersecurity concerns and foreign interference, says Tammy Patrick, senior adviser for the elections program at Democracy Fund and former election official for Maricopa County, Arizona.
“Thankfully, we haven’t seen [intimidation at the polls] manifest in a widespread way,” she says, adding that it has been on the radar for election officials long before Mr. Trump came onto the scene. As far back as 1999, when the Columbine High School shooting massacre in Colorado shook the nation, election officials have braced for trouble by preparing contingency plans.
Political observers are typically trained by the entity that appoints them. Ms. Meneely, in Nashville, was trained through the Clinton campaign, for example. Training can involve a review of proper behavior and how to report concerns, such as illegal voting, tampering with equipment, or other perceived interference. Maricopa County’s curriculum prepared by Ms. Patrick includes reminders to observe officials’ instructions and stay six feet from ballot boxes or voting booths.
“Ballot security”
The Trump campaign says it expects to exceed its goal of 50,000 trained poll watchers in this election, but did not respond to a Monitor query about whether that goal has been met. Echoing his father’s expectations of massive fraud by the “radical left,” Donald Trump Jr., in a campaign video last month, implored “every able-bodied man [and] woman to join Army for Trump’s election security operation,” including during early voting, by signing up online.
Officials including the FBI director have dismissed the notion of widespread voter fraud historically in a major election. The conservative Heritage Foundation has tracked 1,298 proven cases of voter fraud in thousands of elections nationwide since 1982.
“In a sense, these calls could be heard as proverbial dog whistles for signaling [Trump’s] supporters to intimidate Blacks and Latinos in particular,” says Atiba Ellis, professor of law at Marquette University Law School. He considers the president’s talk akin to Jim Crow-era intimidation of voters of color, who gained heightened protection with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The Trump campaign says it is committed to “every voter’s right to vote.”
“President Trump’s volunteer poll watchers will be trained to ensure all rules are applied equally, all valid ballots are counted, and all Democrat rule breaking is called out,” wrote deputy national press secretary Thea McDonald in an email to the Monitor.
This presidential election marks the first in four decades that the GOP hasn’t needed court approval to carry out what it deems “ballot security” activities. During a tight race for New Jersey governor in 1981, the Republican National Committee helped assemble a National Ballot Security Task Force of armed, off-duty law enforcement officers to patrol polling sites in minority communities. The Democratic National Committee sued the GOP, alleging voter intimidation. In a settlement, the Republicans entered into a consent decree that expired in 2017.
The Democratic National Committee did not clarify how many poll watchers have been trained this year as part of its national “election protection” initiative in response to a Monitor request. An official did note in an email that the DNC’s “historic investments” include 28 state voter protection directors and filing litigation to expand access to voting.
Due diligence
The scope of Pennsylvania poll watchers’ access was tested in Philadelphia this month. A judge denied the Trump campaign’s request to allow poll watchers at the city’s new voter registration and ballot drop-off offices because they are not polling places.
New election infrastructure has been introduced in many precincts, especially as mail-in voting has expanded during the pandemic. Some states that ran vote-by-mail elections prior to the outbreak haven’t permitted poll watchers at ballot drop boxes.
Election roles differ in title and authority depending on jurisdiction. Michigan, for example, allows for challengers to raise questions about a voter’s eligibility. Blurring definitions further, some people use the term poll watchers to describe individuals who engage in unofficial monitoring outside polling places.
International and other nonpartisan observers can engage in election protection with varying levels of access to the voting process. Electioneering typically takes place beyond a buffer around a polling place, beyond which individuals can engage in political speech; but prohibitions on voter intimidation still apply.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
To guard against disinformation or misinformation about the election, especially on social media, U.S. Election Assistance Commission Chairman Ben Hovland says voters should seek information directly from state or local election officials.
Questions about casting your ballot? Contact your local board of elections, or visit www.usvotefoundation.org, for guidelines specific to where you live.


csmonitor--2020-10-23--Climate change gets a spotlight at the US presidential debate

Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden clashed over the United States ’ response to climate change in their final presidential debate on Thursday , which included a stark disagreement over the future of the oil industry .
The candidates were asked at their matchup in Nashville , Tennessee , what they would do to combat climate change – the first time in a presidential debate they were not questioned on whether they believed in it or not .
“ I do love the environment , ” said Mr. Trump , citing a federal program to plant trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he said he was not willing to harm businesses in order to help the environment .
Mr. Biden said his plan for a transition to a more climate-friendly economy would create high-paying jobs and boost U.S. businesses .
“ Global warming is an existential threat to humanity , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ We have a moral obligation to deal with it and we ’ re told by all the leading scientists in the world we don ’ t have much time.
” Mr. Trump , who trails Mr. Biden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 election , accused his rival of planning to destroy the oil industry , leading Mr. Biden to respond that he did believe the country should eventually replace oil with solar , wind , and other forms of non-polluting power .
“ I would transition from the oil industry , yes , ” Mr. Biden said , prompting Mr. Trump to call for voters in states where oil is an important industry to note the former vice president ’ s stance .
“ He is going to destroy the oil industry , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember that Texas ?
Will you remember that Pennsylvania , Oklahoma , Ohio ?
” Republicans , including former Texas Governor Rick Perry , who served as energy secretary under Mr. Trump , immediately pounced , saying Mr. Biden would kill millions of jobs .
Kendra Horn , a Democratic U.S. representative from Oklahoma seeking re-election , distanced herself from Mr. Biden , saying on Twitter that oil and gas policy is “ one of the places Biden and I disagree.
” After the debate , Mr. Biden told reporters he was referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuels .
“ We ’ re not getting rid of fossil fuels , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ We ’ re getting of the subsidies for fossil fuels .
But we ’ re not getting rid of fossil fuels for a long time .
...
They ’ re not going to lose their jobs .
Besides , a lot more jobs are going to be created in other alternatives.
” Mr. Trump also accused Mr. Biden of planning to ban hydraulic fracturing , a process of extracting natural gas from shale that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said he would ban fracking on federal land only .
Fracking is an issue in western Pennsylvania , a crucial battleground state in the election .
The president mocked a part of Mr. Biden ’ s climate plan that called for more efficient buildings , saying Mr. Biden would “ knock down buildings and build new buildings with little tiny small windows.
” Environmentalists have complained for years that the candidates ’ views on climate change have not been emphasized in presidential debates .
But heat waves and wildfires in the Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country have put climate issues in the spotlight .
For many voters , however , climate has been surpassed by the COVID-19 pandemic , jobs and the economy , and racial justice as issues of top importance in choosing a presidential candidate , Reuters/Ipsos polling shows .
“ Climate is a long-term concern , as opposed to joblessness , which is today , or a pandemic , which is today , ” said political scientist Larry Sabato , who heads the University of Virginia ’ s Center for Politics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @

Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden clashed over the United States’ response to climate change in their final presidential debate on Thursday, which included a stark disagreement over the future of the oil industry.
The candidates were asked at their matchup in Nashville, Tennessee, what they would do to combat climate change – the first time in a presidential debate they were not questioned on whether they believed in it or not.
“I do love the environment,” said Mr. Trump, citing a federal program to plant trees and a drop in carbon emissions.
But he said he was not willing to harm businesses in order to help the environment.
Mr. Biden said his plan for a transition to a more climate-friendly economy would create high-paying jobs and boost U.S. businesses.
“Global warming is an existential threat to humanity,” Mr. Biden said. “We have a moral obligation to deal with it and we’re told by all the leading scientists in the world we don’t have much time.”
Mr. Trump, who trails Mr. Biden in national opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election, accused his rival of planning to destroy the oil industry, leading Mr. Biden to respond that he did believe the country should eventually replace oil with solar, wind, and other forms of non-polluting power.
“I would transition from the oil industry, yes,” Mr. Biden said, prompting Mr. Trump to call for voters in states where oil is an important industry to note the former vice president’s stance.
“He is going to destroy the oil industry,” Mr. Trump said. “Will you remember that Texas? Will you remember that Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio?”
Republicans, including former Texas Governor Rick Perry, who served as energy secretary under Mr. Trump, immediately pounced, saying Mr. Biden would kill millions of jobs.
Kendra Horn, a Democratic U.S. representative from Oklahoma seeking re-election, distanced herself from Mr. Biden, saying on Twitter that oil and gas policy is “one of the places Biden and I disagree.”
After the debate, Mr. Biden told reporters he was referring to a plan to stop subsidizing fossil fuels.
“We’re not getting rid of fossil fuels,” Mr. Biden said. “We’re getting of the subsidies for fossil fuels. But we’re not getting rid of fossil fuels for a long time. ... They’re not going to lose their jobs. Besides, a lot more jobs are going to be created in other alternatives.”
Fracking and swing voters
Mr. Trump also accused Mr. Biden of planning to ban hydraulic fracturing, a process of extracting natural gas from shale that is opposed by many environmentalists. Mr. Biden said he would ban fracking on federal land only. Fracking is an issue in western Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state in the election.
The president mocked a part of Mr. Biden’s climate plan that called for more efficient buildings, saying Mr. Biden would “knock down buildings and build new buildings with little tiny small windows.”
Environmentalists have complained for years that the candidates’ views on climate change have not been emphasized in presidential debates.
But heat waves and wildfires in the Western U.S. and uncommonly powerful storms battering other parts of the country have put climate issues in the spotlight.
For many voters, however, climate has been surpassed by the COVID-19 pandemic, jobs and the economy, and racial justice as issues of top importance in choosing a presidential candidate, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.
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“Climate is a long-term concern, as opposed to joblessness, which is today, or a pandemic, which is today,” said political scientist Larry Sabato, who heads the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
This story was reported by Reuters.


csmonitor--2020-10-23--Final debate brings moment of normalcy to 2020 race

The second and final presidential debate , it turns out , was actually a debate – a brief interlude of normalcy in an otherwise highly abnormal year , and a reprieve for voters turned off by the candidates ’ noxious first faceoff .
President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden spent 90 minutes Thursday sparring over their approach to the coronavirus pandemic , the future of the nation ’ s health insurance system , and who is best positioned to de-escalate nuclear tensions with North Korea .
There were heated clashes but far fewer of the angry interruptions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwatchable .
A mute button mandated by the debate commission helped enforce decorum , clearing the way for Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden to make their closing arguments to the nation less than two weeks from Election Day .
Both men have argued with pride throughout the campaign that there is little overlap between their visions for America , and that was abundantly clear in Thursday ’ s debate .
It was the Republican president more so than Mr. Biden who entered the night needing to spark a shift in the race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks showed him trailing both nationally and in some key battleground states .
But with nearly 50 million ballots already cast through advance voting , and views of the president long ago hardened among most voters , it appeared unlikely that a more civilized debate alone would significantly recalibrate the contest .
Mr. Trump has struggled throughout the year to shift the political terrain , unable to convince Americans that they should look past a coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 225,000 people in the United States and infected more than 8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saddled by sharply negative assessments of his handling of the public health crisis , including his own COVID-19 illness earlier this month .
Mr. Trump was briefly hospitalized , then quickly returned to the campaign trail for rallies that feature little mask-wearing and no attempts at social distancing .
Mr. Trump , who was the chief interrupter and aggressor in the first debate , insisted in Thursday ’ s debate that the country needed to “ learn to live ” with the virus and suggested his rival would damage the economy by taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden warned of a “ dark winter ” to come , with cases already on the rise in the U.S. as the weather cools and more activities move indoors , where the virus spreads faster .
“ Anyone who ’ s responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ I will end this .
I will make sure we have a plan.
” Some of Mr. Trump ’ s advisers and allies had urged him in the lead-up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach , focusing less on badgering Mr. Biden and more on drawing his rival out on their policy contrasts .
Few had expected he would actually abide by that advice .
And though Mr. Trump was more measured than in the first contest , his more controversial impulses indeed flared at times .
His answers were often filled with falsehoods , from his descriptions of initial COVID-19 death projections to his statements about the risks wind turbines pose to birds .
He also made repeated references to unverified corruption allegations against Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine and China .
Mr. Trump ’ s campaign signaled in recent days that it planned to make the charges against the younger Mr. Biden a centerpiece of their closing argument to voters .
In the hours before the debate , the campaign orchestrated a media appearance for a man who claims to have been one of Hunter Biden ’ s business partners – an attempt to create the kind of made-for-TV drama that worked for Mr. Trump in his 2016 race against Hillary Clinton .
But Mr. Biden isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative standing with many Americans rivaled Mr. Trump ’ s , and the Trump campaign ’ s efforts to cast him as a corrupt and money-hungry politician don ’ t appear to be resonate widely outside of Mr. Trump ’ s base .
If anything , Mr. Trump ’ s attempts to push the allegations in front of a wider audience in Thursday ’ s debate only appeared at times to ricochet back to him .
After the president claimed without evidence that Mr. Biden has received money from foreign governments , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are detailed in more than 20 years of tax records he has made public .
Mr. Trump has repeatedly refused to release his taxes , insisting he can ’ t do so while he is under an audit by the Internal Revenue Service .
For some frustrated Republicans , the exchanges over Hunter Biden were a prime example of what has put Mr. Trump at risk of defeat in November : a campaign that still appears to be grasping for a clear message and approach to taking on the Democratic challenger with just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks was a fine strategy six months ago , but they ’ re still doing it 12 days from the election with 40 million votes already cast , ” said Erick Erickson , a conservative writer .
The real number of votes cast is even higher : By the time Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden took the debate stage , more than 47 million people had already cast ballots .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

The second and final presidential debate, it turns out, was actually a debate – a brief interlude of normalcy in an otherwise highly abnormal year, and a reprieve for voters turned off by the candidates’ noxious first faceoff.
President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden spent 90 minutes Thursday sparring over their approach to the coronavirus pandemic, the future of the nation’s health insurance system, and who is best positioned to de-escalate nuclear tensions with North Korea. There were heated clashes but far fewer of the angry interruptions and crosstalk that made the opening debate nearly unwatchable.
A mute button mandated by the debate commission helped enforce decorum, clearing the way for Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden to make their closing arguments to the nation less than two weeks from Election Day. Both men have argued with pride throughout the campaign that there is little overlap between their visions for America, and that was abundantly clear in Thursday’s debate.
It was the Republican president more so than Mr. Biden who entered the night needing to spark a shift in the race, given the public polls that have for weeks showed him trailing both nationally and in some key battleground states. But with nearly 50 million ballots already cast through advance voting, and views of the president long ago hardened among most voters, it appeared unlikely that a more civilized debate alone would significantly recalibrate the contest.
Mr. Trump has struggled throughout the year to shift the political terrain, unable to convince Americans that they should look past a coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 225,000 people in the United States and infected more than 8 million. Instead, he’s been saddled by sharply negative assessments of his handling of the public health crisis, including his own COVID-19 illness earlier this month. Mr. Trump was briefly hospitalized, then quickly returned to the campaign trail for rallies that feature little mask-wearing and no attempts at social distancing.
Mr. Trump, who was the chief interrupter and aggressor in the first debate, insisted in Thursday’s debate that the country needed to “learn to live” with the virus and suggested his rival would damage the economy by taking drastic steps to shut down the country. Biden warned of a “dark winter” to come, with cases already on the rise in the U.S. as the weather cools and more activities move indoors, where the virus spreads faster.
“Anyone who’s responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States,” Mr. Biden said. “I will end this. I will make sure we have a plan.”
Some of Mr. Trump’s advisers and allies had urged him in the lead-up to the debate to take a more traditional approach, focusing less on badgering Mr. Biden and more on drawing his rival out on their policy contrasts. Few had expected he would actually abide by that advice.
And though Mr. Trump was more measured than in the first contest, his more controversial impulses indeed flared at times. His answers were often filled with falsehoods, from his descriptions of initial COVID-19 death projections to his statements about the risks wind turbines pose to birds. He also made repeated references to unverified corruption allegations against Mr. Biden’s son Hunter for business dealings in Ukraine and China.
Mr. Trump’s campaign signaled in recent days that it planned to make the charges against the younger Mr. Biden a centerpiece of their closing argument to voters. In the hours before the debate, the campaign orchestrated a media appearance for a man who claims to have been one of Hunter Biden’s business partners – an attempt to create the kind of made-for-TV drama that worked for Mr. Trump in his 2016 race against Hillary Clinton.
But Mr. Biden isn’t Mrs. Clinton, a candidate whose own negative standing with many Americans rivaled Mr. Trump’s, and the Trump campaign’s efforts to cast him as a corrupt and money-hungry politician don’t appear to be resonate widely outside of Mr. Trump’s base.
If anything, Mr. Trump’s attempts to push the allegations in front of a wider audience in Thursday’s debate only appeared at times to ricochet back to him. After the president claimed without evidence that Mr. Biden has received money from foreign governments, the former vice president noted that his finances are detailed in more than 20 years of tax records he has made public. Mr. Trump has repeatedly refused to release his taxes, insisting he can’t do so while he is under an audit by the Internal Revenue Service.
For some frustrated Republicans, the exchanges over Hunter Biden were a prime example of what has put Mr. Trump at risk of defeat in November: a campaign that still appears to be grasping for a clear message and approach to taking on the Democratic challenger with just a handful of days before the election.
“Throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks was a fine strategy six months ago, but they’re still doing it 12 days from the election with 40 million votes already cast,” said Erick Erickson, a conservative writer.
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The real number of votes cast is even higher: By the time Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden took the debate stage, more than 47 million people had already cast ballots.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-10-25--Looking past false choices

Looking past false choices

Last month , standing in the National Archives Museum , President Donald Trump announced the creation of the 1776 Commission .
The intent was to recenter American education on patriotic themes .
“ The only path to national unity is through our shared identity as Americans , ” the president said .
But he made clear that his commission did not come out of nowhere .
It very consciously counters efforts by the left that have “ warped , distorted , and defiled the American story with deceptions , falsehoods , and lies , ” he said .
Specifically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive New York Times enterprise that , in its own words , “ aims to reframe the country ’ s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
” Critics have said the project seeks to replace 1776 with 1619 , casting America as a nation founded on oppression , not freedom .
A number of readers have reached out to me on this topic , essentially asking where the Monitor stands .
Especially with an election coming up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider .
The goal of politics , in its lowest common denominator , is to persuade you that you face a zero-sum decision .
“ If you vote for me , good things will happen .
If you vote for him , bad things will happen.
” That ’ s always been true , but in times of polarization it goes into overdrive , because there ’ s little energy in the middle to moderate those tendencies .
The debate goes to the extremes because that ’ s where the fears are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that doesn ’ t mean those fears are right .
The danger of polarization is that it uses our fears to warp the picture , presenting politics as a war between two false choices .
Law and order and anarchy .
Marxism and hedonistic capitalism .
Total border shutdown or rampant illegal immigration .
In that light , we can ask : Must we choose between the narratives of 1619 and 1776 ?
The American Revolution forged a nation whose founding ideals reshaped the world in profound ways , showing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also essential , and that government put responsibly in the hands of the people is the best defense against tyranny .
Meanwhile , the consequences of American slavery have shown – and continue to show – the terrible price the country and its citizens pay when the universality of those ideals is only partially embraced .
The preamble of the Constitution speaks of the need to form a more perfect union .
This is the essence of the American experiment – a recognition that government can be used for the betterment of humanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply flawed the application of those principles were at the nation ’ s founding with regard to race , and how they remain flawed today .
But the test of America has always been progress .
The ideals of 1776 demand , not perfection now , but constant movement toward a more perfect state .
So it is possible to choose both 1619 and 1776 , knowing one shows the unfulfilled promise of the other – and the necessity of always pressing onward .

Last month, standing in the National Archives Museum, President Donald Trump announced the creation of the 1776 Commission. The intent was to recenter American education on patriotic themes. “The only path to national unity is through our shared identity as Americans,” the president said.
But he made clear that his commission did not come out of nowhere. It very consciously counters efforts by the left that have “warped, distorted, and defiled the American story with deceptions, falsehoods, and lies,” he said. Specifically, he excoriated the 1619 Project, a massive New York Times enterprise that, in its own words, “aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.” Critics have said the project seeks to replace 1776 with 1619, casting America as a nation founded on oppression, not freedom.
A number of readers have reached out to me on this topic, essentially asking where the Monitor stands. Especially with an election coming up, it’s a good question to consider.
The goal of politics, in its lowest common denominator, is to persuade you that you face a zero-sum decision. “If you vote for me, good things will happen. If you vote for him, bad things will happen.” That’s always been true, but in times of polarization it goes into overdrive, because there’s little energy in the middle to moderate those tendencies. The debate goes to the extremes because that’s where the fears are, and fears get many people to vote.
But that doesn’t mean those fears are right. The danger of polarization is that it uses our fears to warp the picture, presenting politics as a war between two false choices. Law and order and anarchy. Marxism and hedonistic capitalism. Total border shutdown or rampant illegal immigration.
In that light, we can ask: Must we choose between the narratives of 1619 and 1776?
The American Revolution forged a nation whose founding ideals reshaped the world in profound ways, showing that individual liberties are not only practical but also essential, and that government put responsibly in the hands of the people is the best defense against tyranny. Meanwhile, the consequences of American slavery have shown – and continue to show – the terrible price the country and its citizens pay when the universality of those ideals is only partially embraced.
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The preamble of the Constitution speaks of the need to form a more perfect union. This is the essence of the American experiment – a recognition that government can be used for the betterment of humanity. The legacy of 1619 shows how deeply flawed the application of those principles were at the nation’s founding with regard to race, and how they remain flawed today. But the test of America has always been progress. The ideals of 1776 demand, not perfection now, but constant movement toward a more perfect state.
So it is possible to choose both 1619 and 1776, knowing one shows the unfulfilled promise of the other – and the necessity of always pressing onward.


csmonitor--2020-10-25--Amid final days of campaign, pandemic returns as a focus

The coronavirus has reached the upper echelons of the White House again , with an outbreak among aides to Vice President Mike Pence just over a week from Election Day .
A top White House official declared Sunday : “ We ’ re not going to control the pandemic.
” The candidates have demonstrated remarkably different attitudes about what they see as safe behavior in the homestretch of a campaign that , as with all aspects of American life , has been upended by the pandemic .
Officials on Sunday scoffed at the notion of Mr. Pence dialing back in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his office .
Mr. Pence , who leads the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , has an aggressive travel schedule planned for the final days of the campaign .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , pressed to explain why the pandemic can not be reined in , said , “ Because it is a contagious virus just like the flu.
” He told CNN 's ” State of the Union '' that the government was focused on getting effective therapeutics and vaccines to market .
Pence , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his office , held a rainy early evening rally in Kinston , North Carolina , a state that Trump won in 2016 and is crucial to his reelection hopes .
Meanwhile , the president held a rally in New Hampshire and visited an orchard in Levant , Maine , where he signed autographs and assured a crush of mostly unmasked supporters that a “ red wave '' was coming on Nov. 3 .
He and first lady Melania Trump wrapped up the busy weekend by hosting costumed children for a socially distanced Halloween @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Joe Biden attended church and planned to participate in a virtual get-out-the-vote concert at night .
He said in a statement that Meadows was effectively waving “ the white flag of defeat ” and “ a candid acknowledgement of what President Trump ’ s strategy has clearly been from the beginning of this crisis.
” In a brief exchange with reporters before the orchard visit , Trump demurred when asked if Pence should step off the campaign trail as a precaution .
“ You ’ d have to ask him , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of the staff traveling with Trump on Sunday had been in close contact with any individuals in the vice president 's office who had tested positive .
But public health experts said that Pence 's decision to keep up in-person campaigning was flouting common sense .
Lawrence Gostin , a public health expert at Georgetown University 's law school , said Pence in his decision to forgoing quarantine was violating his own task force 's recommendations .
“ It ’ s one standard for the vice president and another for all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. set a daily record Friday for new confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly matched it Saturday with 83,178 , data published by Johns Hopkins University shows .
Close to 8.6 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began , and about 225,000 have died ; both totals are the world ’ s highest .
About half the states have seen their highest daily infection numbers so far at some point in October .
Trump , campaigning in Londonderry , New Hampshire , said the rising rate of infections was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You know why we have cases so much ?
” ′ Trump asked a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd .
“ Because all we do is test.
” Entering the final full week before the Nov. 3 election , it 's clear the Trump team remains committed to full-throttle campaigning .
Trump himself has resumed a hectic schedule since recovering from his own recent coronavirus case , and planned to campaign Monday in Pennsylvania .
Pence will campaign in Minnesota on Monday and return to North Carolina on Tuesday .
Despite the rising virus numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to fully reopen and it has tried to counter Biden 's criticism that Trump is not doing enough to contain the worst U.S. public health crisis in more than a century .
Trump and his aides again on Sunday lashed out on Biden , falsely asserting Biden was determined to lock down the economy , while the president is centering his attention on getting therapies and vaccines to market .
“ We want normal life to resume , ” Trump said .
“ We just want normal life . ''
Pence has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the virus .
Still , he has echoed Trump 's impatience at times and sought to contrast Trump 's push to reopen the economy with Biden 's caution , including during a campaign stop in Lakeland , Florida .
just hours before the White House confirmed his top adviser had tested positive .
“ When Joe Biden is talking about shutting down our economy , we are opening up America again , ” Pence said .
Biden , in fact , has said he would only shut down the country if that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said that if elected he would make the case for why a national mask mandate might be necessary and would go to the governors to help increase Americans ' mask-wearing .
Pence 's office says there are no plans to curtail campaigning .
In addition to chief of staff Marc Short , who tested positive Saturday , a “ couple '' other aides also have also contracted the disease , Meadows said .
Other news outlets reported that at least 5 Pence aides had tested positive .
Meadows said Pence will wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have advised him to do that ” — but take it off when he gives a speech .
Even with Pence 's latest negative test , symptoms , including fever , cough and fatigue , may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Some asymptomatic individuals test positive two to three days before developing symptoms .
The White House says Pence was considered in “ close contact ” with Short under CDC guidelines .
The guidelines require that essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and wear a mask whenever around other people .
After consulting with the White House Medical Unit , Pence intended to maintain his schedule “ in accordance with the CDC guidelines for essential personnel , ” said Devin O ’ Malley , a Pence spokesman .
Meadows sidestepped questions about whether Pence 's campaigning fit into the spirit of the CDC ’ s guidelines for essential work .
“ He ’ s not just campaigning , he ’ s working , ” Meadows said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and other mitigation areas , ” Meadows said on CNN .
He added : “ We are making efforts to contain it.
” When Trump emerged from his own bout with COVID-19 , it was with even greater certitude that the nation has gone too far with efforts to stem the virus , and he has spoken out repeatedly that children should be in school and healthy Americans should get back to normal life with limited restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and small , socially-distanced gatherings to make his case to voters .
Jaffe reported from Wilmington , Delaware , and Madhani from Washington .

Jonathan Lemire, Alexandra Jaffe, and Aamer Madhani

The coronavirus has reached the upper echelons of the White House again, with an outbreak among aides to Vice President Mike Pence just over a week from Election Day. A top White House official declared Sunday: “We’re not going to control the pandemic.”
The candidates have demonstrated remarkably different attitudes about what they see as safe behavior in the homestretch of a campaign that, as with all aspects of American life, has been upended by the pandemic.
Officials on Sunday scoffed at the notion of Mr. Pence dialing back in-person campaigning despite positive tests among several people in his office. Mr. Pence, who leads the White House’s coronavirus task force, has an aggressive travel schedule planned for the final days of the campaign.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, pressed to explain why the pandemic cannot be reined in, said, “Because it is a contagious virus just like the flu.” He told CNN’s ”State of the Union” that the government was focused on getting effective therapeutics and vaccines to market.
Mr. Pence, who tested negative on Sunday, according to his office, held a rainy early evening rally in Kinston, North Carolina, a state that Mr. Trump won in 2016 and is crucial to his reelection hopes. Meanwhile, the president held a rally in New Hampshire and visited an orchard in Levant, Maine, where he signed autographs and assured a crush of mostly unmasked supporters that a “red wave” was coming on Nov. 3. He and first lady Melania Trump wrapped up the busy weekend by hosting costumed children for a socially distanced Halloween trick-or-treating on the White House grounds.
Democrat Joe Biden attended church and planned to participate in a virtual get-out-the-vote concert at night. He said in a statement that Mr. Meadows was effectively waving “the white flag of defeat” and “a candid acknowledgement of what President Trump’s strategy has clearly been from the beginning of this crisis.”
In a brief exchange with reporters before the orchard visit, Mr. Trump demurred when asked if Mr. Pence should step off the campaign trail as a precaution. “You’d have to ask him,” Mr. Trump said.
The White House said none of the staff traveling with Mr. Trump on Sunday had been in close contact with any individuals in the vice president’s office who had tested positive. But public health experts said that Mr. Pence’s decision to keep up in-person campaigning was flouting common sense.
Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University’s law school, said Mr. Pence in his decision to forgoing quarantine was violating his own task force’s recommendations.
“It’s one standard for the vice president and another for all the rest of us,” Mr. Gostin said.
The United States set a daily record Friday for new confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly matched it Saturday with 83,178, data published by Johns Hopkins University shows. Close to 8.6 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began, and about 225,000 have died; both totals are the world’s highest. About half the states have seen their highest daily infection numbers so far at some point in October.
Mr. Trump, campaigning in Londonderry, New Hampshire, said the rising rate of infections was nothing to be concerned about. ”You know why we have cases so much?” Mr. Trump asked a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. “Because all we do is test.”
Entering the final full week before the Nov. 3 election, it’s clear the Trump team remains committed to full-throttle campaigning. Mr. Trump himself has resumed a hectic schedule since recovering from his own recent coronavirus case, and planned to campaign Monday in Pennsylvania. Mr. Pence will campaign in Minnesota on Monday and return to North Carolina on Tuesday.
Despite the rising virus numbers, the White House says the U.S. economy needs to fully reopen and it has tried to counter Mr. Biden’s criticism that Mr. Trump is not doing enough to contain the worst U.S. public health crisis in more than a century.
Mr. Trump and his aides again on Sunday lashed out on Mr. Biden, falsely asserting Mr. Biden was determined to lock down the economy, while the president is centering his attention on getting therapies and vaccines to market.
“We want normal life to resume,” Mr. Trump said. “We just want normal life.”
Mr. Pence has generally been more measured in public commentary about the virus. Still, he has echoed Mr. Trump’s impatience at times and sought to contrast Mr. Trump’s push to reopen the economy with Mr. Biden’s caution, including during a campaign stop in Lakeland, Florida, just hours before the White House confirmed his top adviser had tested positive. “When Joe Biden is talking about shutting down our economy, we are opening up America again,” Mr. Pence said.
Mr. Biden, in fact, has said he would only shut down the country if that is what government scientists advise. He has said that if elected, he would make the case for why a national mask mandate might be necessary and would go to the governors to help increase Americans’ mask-wearing.
Mr. Pence’s office says there are no plans to curtail campaigning. In addition to chief of staff Marc Short, who tested positive Saturday, a “couple” other aides also have also contracted the disease, Mr. Meadows said. Other news outlets reported that at least 5 Pence aides had tested positive.
Mr. Meadows said Mr. Pence will wear a mask – “because the doctors have advised him to do that” – but take it off when he gives a speech.
After consulting with the White House Medical Unit, Mr. Pence intended to maintain his schedule “in accordance with the CDC guidelines for essential personnel,” said Devin O’Malley, a Pence spokesman.
Mr. Meadows sidestepped questions about whether Mr. Pence’s campaigning fit into the spirit of the CDC’s guidelines for essential work. “He’s not just campaigning, he’s working,” Mr. Meadows said.
“We’re not going to control the pandemic. We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas,” Mr. Meadows said on CNN. He added: “We are making efforts to contain it.”
When Mr. Trump emerged from his own bout with COVID-19, it was with even greater certitude that the nation has gone too far with efforts to stem the virus, and he has spoken out repeatedly that children should be in school and healthy Americans should get back to normal life with limited restrictions.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
But Mr. Biden has relied on virtual events and small, socially-distanced gatherings to make his case to voters.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. Jaffe reported from Wilmington, Delaware, and Madhani from Washington.


csmonitor--2020-10-25--Judge Amy Coney Barrett headed for full Senate vote Monday

Senate Republicans voted overwhelmingly Sunday to advance Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett toward final confirmation despite Democratic objections , just over a week before the presidential election .
Judge Barrett 's confirmation on Monday was hardly in doubt , with majority Republicans mostly united in support behind President Donald Trump 's pick .
But Democrats were poised to keep the Senate in session into the night in attempts to stall , arguing that the Nov. 3 election winner should choose the nominee to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Republicans are excited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice on the court , locking in a conservative majority for years to come .
Barrett 's ascent opens up a potential new era of rulings on abortion , gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act .
A case against the Obama-era health law scheduled to be heard Nov. 10 .
`` The Senate is doing the right thing , '' said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , vowing to install Barrett to the court by Monday .
The 51-48 vote launched 30 hours of Senate debate .
Two Republicans , Lisa Murkowski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , voted against advancing the nominee , and all Democrats who voted were opposed .
California Sen. Kamala Harris , the vice presidential nominee , missed the vote while campaigning in Michigan .
Vice President Mike Pence would typically preside over the coming votes , but after a close aide tested positive for the COVID-19 , it was unclear whether he will fulfill his role for the landmark vote .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the Trump administration 's drive to install Barrett during the coronavirus crisis shows “ the Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to rush this nominee forward.
” The conservative judge picked up the crucial backing Saturday from Senator Murkowski , one of the last GOP holdouts against filling the seat in the midst of a White House election and with more than 50 million people already having voted .
Senator Murkowski said she disliked the rush toward confirmation , but supported Trump 's choice of Barrett for the high court .
She said would vote against the procedural steps , but ultimately join GOP colleagues in confirming Barrett .
“ While I oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point , I do not hold it against her , ” Murkowski said .
Now the only Republican expected to vote against Barrett is Senator Collins , who faces a tight reelection in Maine .
She has said she won ’ t vote for the nominee so close to the election .
McConnell , R-Ky. , noted the political rancor , but defended his handling of the process .
He scoffed at the Democrats ' “ horror stories ” about the judge 's conservative qualifications .
Barrett , 48 , presented herself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee as a neutral arbiter and at one point suggested , “ It 's not the law of Amy.
” But Barrett 's past writings against abortion and a ruling on “ Obamacare ” show a deeply conservative thinker .
“ Had the Republicans not cynically blocked [ President Barack Obama ’ s 2016 ] Merrick Garland nomination , I think hers would have been unproblematic , ” Jeniffer Brady , a former English professor at Rhodes College , told The Christian Science Monitor .
“ Amy is a self-professed Scalia protégé , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Barrett shares the originalist judicial philosophy exemplified by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia , but approaches her work with a far more collegial demeanor than her famously irascible former boss .
Former colleagues and legal experts say that could enable her to build greater consensus among fellow justices , meaning that if the Senate confirms her nomination , she may deliver not only an extra vote but stronger conservative rulings , writes the Monitor 's Christa Case Bryant .
“ She ’ s a conservative woman who embraces her faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s not going to apply ‘ the law of Amy ’ to all of us , ” said the committee chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said late Saturday on Fox .
At the start of Trump 's presidency , McConnell engineered a Senate rules change to allow confirmation by a majority of the 100 senators , rather than the 60-vote threshold traditionally needed to advance high court nominees over objections .
With a 53-47 GOP majority , Barrett ’ s confirmation is almost certain .
By pushing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 election , Trump and his Republican allies are counting on a campaign boost , in much the way they believe McConnell 's refusal to allow the Senate to consider President Barack Obama 's nominee in February 2016 created excitement for Trump among conservatives and evangelical Christians eager for the Republican president to make that nomination after Justice Antonin Scalia 's death .
Barrett was a professor at Notre Dame Law School when she was tapped by Trump in 2017 for an appeals court opening .
Two Democrats joined at that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to vote for her in the days ahead .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington , Meg Kinnard in Columbia , South Carolina , and Becky Bohrer in Juneau , Alaska contributed to this report .

Senate Republicans voted overwhelmingly Sunday to advance Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett toward final confirmation despite Democratic objections, just over a week before the presidential election.
Judge Barrett's confirmation on Monday was hardly in doubt, with majority Republicans mostly united in support behind President Donald Trump's pick. But Democrats were poised to keep the Senate in session into the night in attempts to stall, arguing that the Nov. 3 election winner should choose the nominee to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Republicans are excited by the chance to install a third Trump justice on the court, locking in a conservative majority for years to come. Judge Barrett's ascent opens up a potential new era of rulings on abortion, gay marriage, and the Affordable Care Act. A case against the Obama-era health law scheduled to be heard Nov. 10.
"The Senate is doing the right thing," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, vowing to install Judge Barrett to the court by Monday.
The 51-48 vote launched 30 hours of Senate debate. Two Republicans, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted against advancing the nominee, and all Democrats who voted were opposed. California Sen. Kamala Harris, the vice presidential nominee, missed the vote while campaigning in Michigan.
Vice President Mike Pence would typically preside over the coming votes, but after a close aide tested positive for the COVID-19, it was unclear whether he will fulfill his role for the landmark vote.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the Trump administration's drive to install Judge Barrett during the coronavirus crisis shows “the Republican Party is willing to ignore the pandemic in order to rush this nominee forward.”
The conservative judge picked up the crucial backing Saturday from Ms. Murkowski, one of the last GOP holdouts against filling the seat in the midst of a White House election and with more than 50 million people already having voted.
Ms. Murkowski said she disliked the rush toward confirmation, but supported Mr. Trump's choice of Judge Barrett for the high court. She said would vote against the procedural steps, but ultimately join GOP colleagues in confirming Judge Barrett. “While I oppose the process that has led us to this point, I do not hold it against her,” Ms. Murkowski said.
Now the only Republican expected to vote against Judge Barrett is Ms. Collins, who faces a tight reelection in Maine. She has said she won’t vote for the nominee so close to the election.
Mr. McConnell, R-Ky., noted the political rancor, but defended his handling of the process. He scoffed at the Democrats' “horror stories” about the judge's conservative qualifications.
Judge Barrett, 48, presented herself in public testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee as a neutral arbiter and at one point suggested, “It's not the law of Amy.” But Judge Barrett's past writings against abortion and a ruling on “Obamacare” show a deeply conservative thinker.
“Had the Republicans not cynically blocked [President Barack Obama’s 2016] Merrick Garland nomination, I think hers would have been unproblematic,” Jeniffer Brady, a former English professor at Rhodes College, told The Christian Science Monitor. “Amy is a self-professed Scalia protégé, but without his abrasiveness.”
Indeed, Judge Barrett shares the originalist judicial philosophy exemplified by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but approaches her work with a far more collegial demeanor than her famously irascible former boss. Former colleagues and legal experts say that could enable her to build greater consensus among fellow justices, meaning that if the Senate confirms her nomination, she may deliver not only an extra vote but stronger conservative rulings, writes the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant.
“She’s a conservative woman who embraces her faith, she’s unabashedly pro-life but she’s not going to apply ‘the law of Amy’ to all of us,” said the committee chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said late Saturday on Fox.
At the start of Mr. Trump's presidency, Mr. McConnell engineered a Senate rules change to allow confirmation by a majority of the 100 senators, rather than the 60-vote threshold traditionally needed to advance high court nominees over objections. With a 53-47 GOP majority, Judge Barrett’s confirmation is almost certain.
By pushing for Judge Barrett's ascension so close to the Nov. 3 election, Mr. Trump and his Republican allies are counting on a campaign boost, in much the way they believe Mr. McConnell's refusal to allow the Senate to consider President Barack Obama's nominee in February 2016 created excitement for Mr. Trump among conservatives and evangelical Christians eager for the Republican president to make that nomination after Mr. Scalia's death.
Judge Barrett was a professor at Notre Dame Law School when she was tapped by Mr. Trump in 2017 for an appeals court opening. Two Democrats joined at that time to confirm her, but none is expected to vote for her in the days ahead.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington, Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, and Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska contributed to this report.