csmonitor--2020-04-29--Results are in: Biden wins Ohio and vote-by-mail election works

Joe Biden won Ohio 's presidential primary , clinching a contest that was less about the Democratic nomination and more about how states can conduct elections in the era of the coronavirus .
Tuesday 's primary was the first major test of statewide elections via mail amid an outbreak .
There were reports of confusion but no widespread disruption .
It was n't like Wisconsin earlier this month , when voters were forced to overlook social distancing guidelines to stand in line wearing masks to cast ballots .
`` Within the context of the threat of the virus , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the best of , '' Republican Ken Blackwell , a former Ohio elections chief who chairs the bipartisan International Foundation for Electoral Systems , said of mail-in balloting .
Overall turnout was surprisingly strong , said Secretary of State Frank LaRose .
While his office said about 1.5 million votes had been cast as of midday Saturday , down sharply from the 3.2 million cast in Ohio 's 2016 presidential primary , he said some larger counties received tens of thousands of additional ballots Tuesday .
`` It was better than OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The primary , originally scheduled for March 17 , was delayed just hours before polls were supposed to open .
Citing a `` health emergency , '' Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine recommended that in-person balloting not be held until June 2 .
But amid legal challenges , officials moved balloting to this week while converting to a mail-in process since the state remains under a stay-at-home order .
Most Ohioans casting absentee ballots had to run at least three pieces of mail – an application , a blank ballot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Postal Service .
Only homeless and disabled people were initially encouraged to cast in-person ballots at county election board offices , though anyone not receiving ballots by mail in time to participate could also turn up in person .
Lynne Marshall , of Sylvania , opened her mailbox on Tuesday and was disappointed to see that her ballot had not arrived .
She then agonized over whether to cast a vote in person at the election board and put her health at risk or stay home and skip an election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What should I do ? ''
she asked .
`` I 'm just really disgusted with it all .
Of course , I 'll feel guilty if I do n't vote . ''
Mr. LaRose said that after he raised concerns last week , the Postal Service relocated a sorting facility into Ohio , searched meticulously for all in-transit election mail and deployed top-level executives to sites to oversee the effort .
The Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said it fielded calls and complaints .
It called on Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future , as other states do , a proposal so far rejected by the Republican-controlled state Legislature .
With his last competitor , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , leaving the race weeks ago , Mr. Biden has emerged as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , and the Ohio results were never in doubt .
Still , moving to a mail-in primary on the fly was watched around the country as states with upcoming elections grapple with how to fulfill one of the most basic functions of American democracy , voting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some governors have suggested they would consider moving to an all-mail voting system for the November general election , something President Donald Trump has strongly opposed .
Polling suggests that Democrats are now more in favor of their states conducting elections exclusively by mail than Republicans are – a partisan divide that has grown amid the coronavirus outbreak and may have been exacerbated by Mr. Trump 's opposition .
Five states currently conduct all elections entirely by mail : Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Washington , and Utah , but none had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maryland was also balancing balloting and voter safety on Tuesday for a special election to finish the term of the late Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings .
Democrat Kweisi Mfume , a former NAACP leader , defeated Republican Kimberly Klacik , returning to the seat that he held before Mr. Cummings .
Most of the focus , though , was on Ohio , which also held congressional primaries .
It 's traditionally a battleground state that has shifted to more consistently Republican in recent cycles .
Mr. Trump won it by a surprisingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Barack Obama , with Mr. Biden as his running mate , carried the state twice .
Jen Miller , the head of the League of Women Voters in Ohio , said it will be impossible to know how many people stayed home because they did n't get a ballot in time .
`` We 've had people waiting weeks and weeks , '' Ms. Miller said .
Meanwhile , Ohio 's early voting began Feb. 19 , meaning Mr. Sanders was in a position to still pick up some of its delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful in Ohio .
The senator has reminded his supporters that his name will be on the ballot in all upcoming races and urged them to vote for him so he can amass delegates and better shape the Democratic Party platform at its national convention in Milwaukee in August .
But Mr. Sanders has endorsed Mr. Biden , and a group of his top advisers announced on Tuesday that they were forming an outside political committee to promote the former vice president and progressive values .
The efforts at unification of Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defuse tensions heading into the party 's convention .
Mr. Blackwell , the former Ohio election chief , said he did n't see Tuesday 's results setting a precedent .
`` My opinion going forward is that no serious thought should be given to converting to mail-in balloting for the November election , '' Mr. Blackwell said .
`` You lick an envelope and mail in a ballot , there 's all kinds of evidence that would suggest that there would be ballots lost , and because you 've taken out the bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you lose a degree of almost guaranteed legitimacy . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Mr. Weissert reported from Washington .
AP writers Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and John Seewer in Toledo contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Joe Biden won Ohio's presidential primary, clinching a contest that was less about the Democratic nomination and more about how states can conduct elections in the era of the coronavirus.
Tuesday's primary was the first major test of statewide elections via mail amid an outbreak.
There were reports of confusion but no widespread disruption. It wasn't like Wisconsin earlier this month, when voters were forced to overlook social distancing guidelines to stand in line wearing masks to cast ballots.
"Within the context of the threat of the virus, it's a decision that we will have made the best of," Republican Ken Blackwell, a former Ohio elections chief who chairs the bipartisan International Foundation for Electoral Systems, said of mail-in balloting.
Overall turnout was surprisingly strong, said Secretary of State Frank LaRose. While his office said about 1.5 million votes had been cast as of midday Saturday, down sharply from the 3.2 million cast in Ohio's 2016 presidential primary, he said some larger counties received tens of thousands of additional ballots Tuesday.
"It was better than OK. It was great," he said.
The primary, originally scheduled for March 17, was delayed just hours before polls were supposed to open. Citing a "health emergency," Republican Gov. Mike DeWine recommended that in-person balloting not be held until June 2. But amid legal challenges, officials moved balloting to this week while converting to a mail-in process since the state remains under a stay-at-home order.
Most Ohioans casting absentee ballots had to run at least three pieces of mail – an application, a blank ballot, and a completed one – through the U.S. Postal Service. Only homeless and disabled people were initially encouraged to cast in-person ballots at county election board offices, though anyone not receiving ballots by mail in time to participate could also turn up in person.
Lynne Marshall, of Sylvania, opened her mailbox on Tuesday and was disappointed to see that her ballot had not arrived. She then agonized over whether to cast a vote in person at the election board and put her health at risk or stay home and skip an election for the first time she can remember.
"What should I do?" she asked. "I'm just really disgusted with it all. Of course, I'll feel guilty if I don't vote."
Mr. LaRose said that after he raised concerns last week, the Postal Service relocated a sorting facility into Ohio, searched meticulously for all in-transit election mail and deployed top-level executives to sites to oversee the effort.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said it fielded calls and complaints. It called on Ohio to mail ballots directly to eligible voters in the future, as other states do, a proposal so far rejected by the Republican-controlled state Legislature.
With his last competitor, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, leaving the race weeks ago, Mr. Biden has emerged as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, and the Ohio results were never in doubt. Still, moving to a mail-in primary on the fly was watched around the country as states with upcoming elections grapple with how to fulfill one of the most basic functions of American democracy, voting, while battling the coronavirus' spread.
Some governors have suggested they would consider moving to an all-mail voting system for the November general election, something President Donald Trump has strongly opposed. Polling suggests that Democrats are now more in favor of their states conducting elections exclusively by mail than Republicans are – a partisan divide that has grown amid the coronavirus outbreak and may have been exacerbated by Mr. Trump's opposition.
Five states currently conduct all elections entirely by mail: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Utah, but none had to adopt such practices amid a pandemic.
Maryland was also balancing balloting and voter safety on Tuesday for a special election to finish the term of the late Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings. Democrat Kweisi Mfume, a former NAACP leader, defeated Republican Kimberly Klacik, returning to the seat that he held before Mr. Cummings.
Most of the focus, though, was on Ohio, which also held congressional primaries. It's traditionally a battleground state that has shifted to more consistently Republican in recent cycles. Mr. Trump won it by a surprisingly high 8 percentage points in 2016, after Barack Obama, with Mr. Biden as his running mate, carried the state twice.
Jen Miller, the head of the League of Women Voters in Ohio, said it will be impossible to know how many people stayed home because they didn't get a ballot in time.
"We've had people waiting weeks and weeks," Ms. Miller said.
Meanwhile, Ohio's early voting began Feb. 19, meaning Mr. Sanders was in a position to still pick up some of its delegates – though he was held to just a handful in Ohio. The senator has reminded his supporters that his name will be on the ballot in all upcoming races and urged them to vote for him so he can amass delegates and better shape the Democratic Party platform at its national convention in Milwaukee in August.
But Mr. Sanders has endorsed Mr. Biden, and a group of his top advisers announced on Tuesday that they were forming an outside political committee to promote the former vice president and progressive values. The efforts at unification of Democratic forces against Mr. Trump in November could defuse tensions heading into the party's convention.
Mr. Blackwell, the former Ohio election chief, said he didn't see Tuesday's results setting a precedent.
"My opinion going forward is that no serious thought should be given to converting to mail-in balloting for the November election," Mr. Blackwell said. "You lick an envelope and mail in a ballot, there's all kinds of evidence that would suggest that there would be ballots lost, and because you've taken out the bipartisan oversight at the basic community level, you lose a degree of almost guaranteed legitimacy."
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Mr. Weissert reported from Washington. AP writers Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and John Seewer in Toledo contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-04-29--The left is lukewarm on Biden. Will they turn out for him anyway?

“ Many Bernie supporters are eagerly awaiting his VP candidate announcement , ” says Kittee Hayes , a hairstylist from Eugene , Oregon .
“ Who that woman is will determine a huge percentage of who will vote for him.
” Above all , many say there are concessions Mr. Biden still must make to help unite the party – most prominently , his selection of a running mate .
Many on the left were outraged when New York decided this week to cancel its presidential primary in June , likely denying Mr. Sanders delegates that could have given him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Sanders supporters have been advancing charges that Mr. Biden sexually assaulted a former staffer in the mid- ’ 90s .
( Mr. Biden ’ s campaign has denied the allegation . )
But tensions between the progressive wing and the rest of the party haven ’ t dissipated , either .
As it prepares for a pugilistic general election contest with President Donald Trump , the Democratic Party – for once – doesn ’ t seem in disarray .
Former Vice President Joe Biden came from behind to wrap up the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly endorsing him – including his last rival standing , Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Among dozens of Sanders supporters interviewed by the Monitor , only a handful say they absolutely will not vote for Mr. Biden in November .
Ray Barkoski has something particular he wants from presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden : respect .
Sure , it would be good if Mr. Biden picks a running mate who reflects progressive values , says Mr. Barkoski , a dog rescue coordinator for Connecticut who supported Bernie Sanders in the 2020 primary race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorporate some of Mr. Sanders ’ policy goals , such as universal health care and reining in Wall Street .
But if the Biden campaign truly wants to win over Mr. Sanders ’ army of dedicated supporters and unite the Democrats , the candidate himself needs to signal that he values them and understands why they became Sanders activists in the first place , Mr. Barkoski says .
“ It ’ s not Trumpers who are saying ‘ Oh you Bernie people are all losers.
’ That ’ s all coming from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has cast his ballot for Democratic presidential nominees since he became old enough to vote in 1972 .
“ This party has no interest in me or what I stand for , unless it ’ s courting my vote.
” As it readies for what promises to be a pugilistic general election contest with President Donald Trump , the Democratic Party – for once – doesn ’ t seem to be in disarray .
Former Vice President Biden came from behind to wrap up the nomination relatively easily , with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his last rival standing , Senator Sanders .
Many of the Vermont lawmaker ’ s loyal supporters , sometimes dubbed “ Bernie Bros , ” may eventually follow .
A USA Today/Suffolk poll from last week found that 77 percent of Sanders supporters say they will back Mr. Biden , and among dozens recently interviewed by the Monitor , only a handful said they won ’ t .
But tensions between the progressive wing and the rest of the party haven ’ t dissipated , either .
Many on the left were outraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel its presidential primary in June , likely denying Mr. Sanders delegates that could have given him more clout at the party convention .
And some Sanders supporters have been advancing charges that Mr. Biden sexually assaulted a former staffer , Tara Reade , in the mid- ’ 90s .
( Mr. Biden ’ s campaign has denied the allegation . )
Many say there are policy and personnel concessions that Mr. Biden still must make to unite the party in coming months – most prominently , his selection of a running mate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left by not being in the center , ” says Kittee Hayes , a hairstylist from Eugene , Oregon .
“ That is the bottom line.
” To be sure , the request for respect cuts both ways .
Senator Sanders ’ grassroots army is notoriously active – and biting – on social media .
A previous Monitor analysis of Sanders supporters on Twitter , for example , found their negative replies to other candidates ’ tweets far outnumbered those of any other Democrats ’ supporters .
And Mr. Biden has already moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he unveiled a plan to reduce U.S. net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 , at a cost of $ 1.7 trillion in federal investments .
He has proposed a health care budget that , over 10 years , is more than five times larger than the one proposed by Hillary Clinton in her 2016 presidential campaign .
In early March Mr. Biden endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s bankruptcy plan , which he had previously opposed .
The day after Mr. Sanders dropped out of the presidential race , Mr. Biden announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lower the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 60 , and a pledge to forgive federal student loan debt for graduates of public universities or historically black colleges making less than $ 125,000 .
“ Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas , ” wrote Mr. Biden in a blog post , “ and I ’ m proud to adopt them as part of my campaign.
” Still , some of Senator Sanders ’ most vocal supporters , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden has further to go .
Mr. Biden has already committed to selecting a woman as his vice president , and Sanders supporters hope his choice will be a nod to the left .
They throw out a bunch of names , but the most common suggestion is Senator Warren .
“ Many Bernie supporters are eagerly awaiting his VP candidate announcement , ” says Ms. Hayes .
“ Who that woman is will determine a huge percentage of who will vote for him.
” A key question is how much political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possess .
After all , their candidate did lose , and with a smaller share of the vote than in 2016 .
“ After running for president twice and losing worse the second time , maybe [ Mr. Sanders ] is not the wave of the future at all for the party , ” says Matthew Dickinson , a political science professor at Middlebury College .
But if Mr. Biden wants to attract young voters , he needs to recognize what drew many of them to Senator Sanders , says Carmel Pryor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action , one of several activist groups that recently penned a letter to the former vice president outlining how he might win their support .
It ’ s more than just policies , she says – it ’ s a willingness to listen .
“ We shouldn ’ t be treated as children who are just complaining , ” says Ms. Pryor .
“ We are trying to find solutions and looking for someone to take us seriously.
” The country ’ s current struggle with COVID-19 will only hasten the party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ COVID-19 is exposing the social ills of our nation , ” such as an unstable economy and inadequate health care , says Ms. Pryor .
“ It ’ s unearthing things that progressives have been yelling from the mountaintop this entire time.
” Others say the left should perhaps cut Mr. Biden some slack .
This primary contest ended on a far less acrimonious note than four years ago .
In 2016 , Senator Sanders did not endorse Mrs. Clinton until two weeks before the party ’ s nominating convention ; this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five days after dropping out .
It ’ s clear the two septuagenarian grandfathers have a friendly relationship .
And of course , the stakes appear very different to many Democrats .
“ The elephant in the room is that , if not Biden , Trump , ” says John Landosky , a city employee for Little Rock , Arkansas , and a Sanders backer .
Many Sanders supporters didn ’ t expect Mr. Trump to win in 2016 , so they felt safe not voting for Mrs. Clinton .
Now , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The majority of people I ’ ve talked to so far have said , ‘ Yes , I will vote for Biden because the other choice is so much worse , ’ ” says Robin Chesnut-Tangerman , a state representative from Middletown Springs , Vermont .
“ I ’ d vote for the devil before I voted for Trump , ” says Lisa Geiger , a Sanders supporter and substitute teacher from Arkansas .
This either-or decision is clearly on the mind of Senator Sanders himself .
“ Do we be as active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doing everything we can to move Joe and his campaign in a more progressive direction ?
” he said to The Associated Press .
“ Or do we choose to sit it out and allow the most dangerous president in modern American history to get reelected ?
” But some , like Massachusetts substitute teacher Kasey Rogers , say the movement Senator Sanders built is more important than one election .
A few years ago , Ms. Rogers ’ husband got sick , lost his job , and died .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing – to pay all of her bills .
“ When I had to go to the grocery store with food stamps and people looked at me like a criminal ... ” Ms. Rogers trails off , crying .
“ It really changed my perspective on life .
I suddenly became one of those people that Bernie fights for.
” Ms. Rogers says she ’ ll vote for the Green Party nominee this November , just as she did in 2016 , seeing Mr. Biden as little better than Mr. Trump .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting for change .
“ We remind each other that Martin Luther King , Susan B. Anthony – they were never president , ” says Ms. Rogers .
“ Transformational things in our country have been done by non-presidents .
”

“Many Bernie supporters are eagerly awaiting his VP candidate announcement,” says Kittee Hayes, a hairstylist from Eugene, Oregon. “Who that woman is will determine a huge percentage of who will vote for him.”
Above all, many say there are concessions Mr. Biden still must make to help unite the party – most prominently, his selection of a running mate.
Many on the left were outraged when New York decided this week to cancel its presidential primary in June, likely denying Mr. Sanders delegates that could have given him more clout at the convention. And some Sanders supporters have been advancing charges that Mr. Biden sexually assaulted a former staffer in the mid-’90s. (Mr. Biden’s campaign has denied the allegation.)
While many Sanders supporters agree on the need to oust Trump, they’re still looking for concessions from the former vice president before they get on board. Some say they’re just tired of being taken for granted.
But tensions between the progressive wing and the rest of the party haven’t dissipated, either.
As it prepares for a pugilistic general election contest with President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party – for once – doesn’t seem in disarray. Former Vice President Joe Biden came from behind to wrap up the nomination relatively easily, with his former competitors quickly endorsing him – including his last rival standing, Sen. Bernie Sanders. Among dozens of Sanders supporters interviewed by the Monitor, only a handful say they absolutely will not vote for Mr. Biden in November.
Ray Barkoski has something particular he wants from presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden: respect.
Sure, it would be good if Mr. Biden picks a running mate who reflects progressive values, says Mr. Barkoski, a dog rescue coordinator for Connecticut who supported Bernie Sanders in the 2020 primary race. He hopes the Biden platform will incorporate some of Mr. Sanders’ policy goals, such as universal health care and reining in Wall Street.
But if the Biden campaign truly wants to win over Mr. Sanders’ army of dedicated supporters and unite the Democrats, the candidate himself needs to signal that he values them and understands why they became Sanders activists in the first place, Mr. Barkoski says.
Why We Wrote This While many Sanders supporters agree on the need to oust Trump, they’re still looking for concessions from the former vice president before they get on board. Some say they’re just tired of being taken for granted.
“It’s not Trumpers who are saying ‘Oh you Bernie people are all losers.’ That’s all coming from our own party,” says Mr. Barkoski, who has cast his ballot for Democratic presidential nominees since he became old enough to vote in 1972. “This party has no interest in me or what I stand for, unless it’s courting my vote.”
As it readies for what promises to be a pugilistic general election contest with President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party – for once – doesn’t seem to be in disarray. Former Vice President Biden came from behind to wrap up the nomination relatively easily, with his former competitors quickly endorsing him – including his last rival standing, Senator Sanders.
Many of the Vermont lawmaker’s loyal supporters, sometimes dubbed “Bernie Bros,” may eventually follow. A USA Today/Suffolk poll from last week found that 77 percent of Sanders supporters say they will back Mr. Biden, and among dozens recently interviewed by the Monitor, only a handful said they won’t.
But tensions between the progressive wing and the rest of the party haven’t dissipated, either. Many on the left were outraged when New York decided this week to cancel its presidential primary in June, likely denying Mr. Sanders delegates that could have given him more clout at the party convention. And some Sanders supporters have been advancing charges that Mr. Biden sexually assaulted a former staffer, Tara Reade, in the mid-’90s. (Mr. Biden’s campaign has denied the allegation.)
Many say there are policy and personnel concessions that Mr. Biden still must make to unite the party in coming months – most prominently, his selection of a running mate.
“Biden needs to unite the left by not being in the center,” says Kittee Hayes, a hairstylist from Eugene, Oregon. “That is the bottom line.”
Concessions to the left
To be sure, the request for respect cuts both ways.
Senator Sanders’ grassroots army is notoriously active – and biting – on social media. A previous Monitor analysis of Sanders supporters on Twitter, for example, found their negative replies to other candidates’ tweets far outnumbered those of any other Democrats’ supporters.
And Mr. Biden has already moved left on key issues. Last year he unveiled a plan to reduce U.S. net carbon emissions to zero by 2050, at a cost of $1.7 trillion in federal investments. He has proposed a health care budget that, over 10 years, is more than five times larger than the one proposed by Hillary Clinton in her 2016 presidential campaign. In early March Mr. Biden endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s bankruptcy plan, which he had previously opposed.
The day after Mr. Sanders dropped out of the presidential race, Mr. Biden announced two more policy shifts: a proposal to lower the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 60, and a pledge to forgive federal student loan debt for graduates of public universities or historically black colleges making less than $125,000.
“Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas,” wrote Mr. Biden in a blog post, “and I’m proud to adopt them as part of my campaign.”
Still, some of Senator Sanders’ most vocal supporters, such as New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, say Mr. Biden has further to go.
Mr. Biden has already committed to selecting a woman as his vice president, and Sanders supporters hope his choice will be a nod to the left. They throw out a bunch of names, but the most common suggestion is Senator Warren.
“Many Bernie supporters are eagerly awaiting his VP candidate announcement,” says Ms. Hayes. “Who that woman is will determine a huge percentage of who will vote for him.”
A key question is how much political power Senator Sanders and his followers actually possess. After all, their candidate did lose, and with a smaller share of the vote than in 2016.
“After running for president twice and losing worse the second time, maybe [Mr. Sanders] is not the wave of the future at all for the party,” says Matthew Dickinson, a political science professor at Middlebury College.
But if Mr. Biden wants to attract young voters, he needs to recognize what drew many of them to Senator Sanders, says Carmel Pryor, communications director for the Alliance for Youth Action, one of several activist groups that recently penned a letter to the former vice president outlining how he might win their support.
It’s more than just policies, she says – it’s a willingness to listen. “We shouldn’t be treated as children who are just complaining,” says Ms. Pryor. “We are trying to find solutions and looking for someone to take us seriously.”
The country’s current struggle with COVID-19 will only hasten the party’s leftward shift, she suggests.
“COVID-19 is exposing the social ills of our nation,” such as an unstable economy and inadequate health care, says Ms. Pryor. “It’s unearthing things that progressives have been yelling from the mountaintop this entire time.”
Not 2016
Others say the left should perhaps cut Mr. Biden some slack.
This primary contest ended on a far less acrimonious note than four years ago. In 2016, Senator Sanders did not endorse Mrs. Clinton until two weeks before the party’s nominating convention; this year, he endorsed Mr. Biden just five days after dropping out. It’s clear the two septuagenarian grandfathers have a friendly relationship.
And of course, the stakes appear very different to many Democrats.
“The elephant in the room is that, if not Biden, Trump,” says John Landosky, a city employee for Little Rock, Arkansas, and a Sanders backer.
Many Sanders supporters didn’t expect Mr. Trump to win in 2016, so they felt safe not voting for Mrs. Clinton. Now, that’s not the case.
“The majority of people I’ve talked to so far have said, ‘Yes, I will vote for Biden because the other choice is so much worse,’” says Robin Chesnut-Tangerman, a state representative from Middletown Springs, Vermont.
“I’d vote for the devil before I voted for Trump,” says Lisa Geiger, a Sanders supporter and substitute teacher from Arkansas.
This either-or decision is clearly on the mind of Senator Sanders himself. “Do we be as active as we can in electing Joe Biden and doing everything we can to move Joe and his campaign in a more progressive direction?” he said to The Associated Press. “Or do we choose to sit it out and allow the most dangerous president in modern American history to get reelected?”
But some, like Massachusetts substitute teacher Kasey Rogers, say the movement Senator Sanders built is more important than one election.
A few years ago, Ms. Rogers’ husband got sick, lost his job, and died. She was suddenly a single mom trying – and failing – to pay all of her bills.
“When I had to go to the grocery store with food stamps and people looked at me like a criminal...” Ms. Rogers trails off, crying. “It really changed my perspective on life. I suddenly became one of those people that Bernie fights for.”
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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.
Ms. Rogers says she’ll vote for the Green Party nominee this November, just as she did in 2016, seeing Mr. Biden as little better than Mr. Trump. And she hopes the Sanders movement goes on fighting for change.
“We remind each other that Martin Luther King, Susan B. Anthony – they were never president,” says Ms. Rogers. “Transformational things in our country have been done by non-presidents.”


csmonitor--2020-05-01--As Biden denies assault allegation, Democrats wrestle with hypocrisy charge

“ At the same time , Joe Biden is our candidate ; I ’ m desperate for him to win , ” Ms. Pogrebin adds , noting that she never excused President Bill Clinton ’ s behavior .
“ The alternative is too terrible.
” “ I subscribe to the ‘ women must be believed ’ perspective , unless proven otherwise , ” says Letty Cottin Pogrebin , a founding editor of Ms. Magazine .
The anguish today among feminists old and young is palpable .
The controversy has roiled a presidential campaign fully dominated until now by the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s carefully honed image as a champion of women , as he tries to unseat a president facing at least 17 accusations of sexual misconduct .
“ I ’ m saying unequivocally – it never , never happened , ” Mr. Biden said Friday on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
” Now , no less a figure than Joe Biden , the Democrats ’ presumed nominee for president , has been ensnared .
Weeks after a former Senate aide , Tara Reade , alleged that he sexually assaulted her 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his campaign – the former vice president has finally addressed the charge himself .
“ Believe women ” has been the mantra of the # MeToo movement since it launched in 2017 .
“ Believe women ” has been the mantra of the # MeToo movement – the most aggressive , sustained effort to fight sexual harassment and assault in history – since it launched in 2017 .
Now , no less a figure than Joe Biden , the Democrats ’ presumed nominee for president , has been ensnared .
Weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , alleged that he sexually assaulted her 27 years ago – and after repeated denials from his campaign – the former vice president has finally addressed the charge himself .
“ I ’ m saying unequivocally – it never , never happened , ” Mr. Biden said Friday on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
” In a lengthy post on Medium , Mr. Biden also called on the National Archives to release any complaint Ms. Reade may have filed .
He portrayed himself as having a strong record advocating for women ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as his handling of the Anita Hill allegations in 1991 against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas .
But he also called the allegations “ complicated , ” without explanation .
“ While the details of these allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault are complicated , two things are not complicated , ” Mr. Biden wrote .
“ One is that women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect , and when they step forward they should be heard , not silenced .
The second is that their stories should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Biden ’ s denial seemed unlikely to dampen the uproar .
Earlier this week , two sources spoke on the record to corroborate some of Ms. Reade ’ s details .
In addition , a 1993 video surfaced of a woman Ms. Reade says was her mother , now deceased , calling in to CNN ’ s “ Larry King Live ” and talking about her daughter ’ s “ problems ” with a “ prominent senator ” ( though the woman makes no mention of sexual assault ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominated until now by the global pandemic .
It has also muddied Mr. Biden ’ s carefully honed image as a champion of women , as he tries to unseat a president facing at least 17 accusations of sexual misconduct .
And it revives painful questions surrounding the sexual assault charges that Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing , a searing experience for both accuser and accused .
For those vigorously defending Mr. Biden or downplaying Ms. Reade ’ s allegations , as some media outlets have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges of hypocrisy – especially in contrast to the vigorous , immediate attention that was paid to the allegation by Justice Kavanaugh ’ s accuser , Christine Blasey Ford .
Ms. Ford said Mr. Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her at a high school party in the 1980s .
The Biden-Reade uproar has driven a wedge between mainstream Democrats and the party ’ s left wing , just as party leaders are urging unity heading into November .
Supporters and former top staff of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , Mr. Biden ’ s last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading the charge , amplifying Ms. Reade ’ s allegation .
Earlier this week , Senator Sanders ’ former national organizing director , Claire Sandberg , called on Mr. Biden to quit the race , “ out of respect for survivors and for the good of the country.
” Today , the essence of “ Believe women ” – sometimes rendered as an absolute , “ Believe all women ” – raises questions for women ’ s rights advocates .
The idea , they say , is not to automatically accept as fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s to make sure she is given the space to tell her story , and to approach it with an assumption she ’ s telling the truth .
The latest imbroglio also recalls the 1990s , when some feminists seemed to look the other way when candidate and then President Bill Clinton faced numerous accusations of sexual impropriety ( including rape ) , and was ultimately impeached for lying under oath about an affair with an intern .
Mr. Clinton , many argued at the time , stood for progressive policies on women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood by him .
“ There does seem to be this idea of political pragmatism and feminist values , and how they slide on a spectrum , ” says Margaret Johnson , co-director of the University of Baltimore ’ s Center on Applied Feminism .
“ That has never made sense to me .
I think it ’ s all holistic.
” The anguish today among feminists old and young is palpable .
“ I subscribe to the ‘ women must be believed ’ perspective , unless proven otherwise , ” says Letty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Magazine .
“ At the same time , Joe Biden is our candidate ; I ’ m desperate for him to win , ” Ms. Pogrebin adds , noting that she never excused President Clinton ’ s behavior .
“ The alternative is too terrible – four more years of this man.
” Tarana Burke , who launched the # MeToo movement , showed her own conflicted views on the matter Tuesday in a Twitter thread .
“ The inconvenient truth is that this story is impacting us differently because it hits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important elections of our lifetime , ” she wrote .
“ And I hate to disappoint you but I don ’ t really have easy answers.
” The alleged incident took place in 1993 .
In an interview with pro-Sanders podcaster Katie Halper on March 25 , Ms. Reade said then-Senator Biden pinned her against a wall and violated her sexually with his fingers .
Back in April 2019 , Ms. Reade was one of several women who accused the former vice president of inappropriate touching , but she said nothing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologized for engaging in behavior that he now acknowledges made women uncomfortable .
“ I get it , ” he said in a video that same month , promising to change his behavior .
Despite being famously “ handsy , ” Mr. Biden has never been accused of sexual impropriety or assault until now .
He ’ s known as a family man , married 43 years to Jill Biden , after losing his first wife and a baby daughter in a car accident .
But over the decades , the education of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t been easy .
In 1991 , as chairman of the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee , he crossed swords with feminists when Ms. Hill alleged sexual harassment against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas .
Mr. Biden faced criticism for preventing other witnesses from testifying on Ms. Hill ’ s behalf , and eventually apologized for his handling of the hearings .
Mr. Biden later crafted the Violence Against Women Act , aimed at fighting domestic abuse .
He calls it his most significant legislative achievement .
Now , as the Democrats ’ presumptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to name a woman as his running mate .
Feminists have long supported politicians who promote their causes , including reproductive rights , equal pay , paid family leave , and legal protections , despite private behavior that they believe falls short .
The question in recent years , for voters of both parties , has been how ( or whether ) to address a politician ’ s private behavior .
Most religious conservatives back President Donald Trump , despite his well-documented personal history of marital infidelity , accusations of sexual harassment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some religious supporters say they believe he has reformed .
But it ’ s clear many Trump supporters are willing to overlook his past in favor of today ’ s policies and judicial appointments .
“ Democrats have put themselves on higher moral ground than Republicans ” on the issue of personal conduct , says Dianne Bystrom , director emeritus of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University .
“ There ’ s a danger in that.
” When asked to comment on the allegations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered a written statement .
“ I only know what I ’ ve read about this , but I support women who come forward because their honest testimony is right now the only brake on private male behavior , ” Ms. Steinem wrote .
“ Women know the polar differences between Biden and Trump , who brags about assaulting women in his private life , and whose public policies endanger our health and safety .
I agree with Tarana Burke that Biden can be ‘ both accountable and electable .
’ ”

“At the same time, Joe Biden is our candidate; I’m desperate for him to win,” Ms. Pogrebin adds, noting that she never excused President Bill Clinton’s behavior. “The alternative is too terrible.”
“I subscribe to the ‘women must be believed’ perspective, unless proven otherwise,” says Letty Cottin Pogrebin, a founding editor of Ms. Magazine.
The anguish today among feminists old and young is palpable.
The controversy has roiled a presidential campaign fully dominated until now by the global pandemic. It has also muddied Mr. Biden’s carefully honed image as a champion of women, as he tries to unseat a president facing at least 17 accusations of sexual misconduct.
“I’m saying unequivocally – it never, never happened,” Mr. Biden said Friday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
A former staffer’s charge that Mr. Biden sexually assaulted her in the mid-’90s seemed to gain some corroboration this week, forcing Democrats to grapple with questions of double standards and what constitutes a fair hearing.
Now, no less a figure than Joe Biden, the Democrats’ presumed nominee for president, has been ensnared. Weeks after a former Senate aide, Tara Reade, alleged that he sexually assaulted her 27 years ago – and after repeated denials from his campaign – the former vice president has finally addressed the charge himself.
“Believe women” has been the mantra of the #MeToo movement since it launched in 2017.
“Believe women” has been the mantra of the #MeToo movement – the most aggressive, sustained effort to fight sexual harassment and assault in history – since it launched in 2017.
Now, no less a figure than Joe Biden, the Democrats’ presumed nominee for president, has been ensnared. Weeks after a former Senate aide, Tara Reade, alleged that he sexually assaulted her 27 years ago – and after repeated denials from his campaign – the former vice president has finally addressed the charge himself.
“I’m saying unequivocally – it never, never happened,” Mr. Biden said Friday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Why We Wrote This A former staffer’s charge that Mr. Biden sexually assaulted her in the mid-’90s seemed to gain some corroboration this week, forcing Democrats to grapple with questions of double standards and what constitutes a fair hearing.
In a lengthy post on Medium, Mr. Biden also called on the National Archives to release any complaint Ms. Reade may have filed. He portrayed himself as having a strong record advocating for women’s rights, without mentioning past stumbles, such as his handling of the Anita Hill allegations in 1991 against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.
But he also called the allegations “complicated,” without explanation.
“While the details of these allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault are complicated, two things are not complicated,” Mr. Biden wrote. “One is that women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and when they step forward they should be heard, not silenced. The second is that their stories should be subject to appropriate inquiry and scrutiny.”
Mr. Biden’s denial seemed unlikely to dampen the uproar. Earlier this week, two sources spoke on the record to corroborate some of Ms. Reade’s details. In addition, a 1993 video surfaced of a woman Ms. Reade says was her mother, now deceased, calling in to CNN’s “Larry King Live” and talking about her daughter’s “problems” with a “prominent senator” (though the woman makes no mention of sexual assault).
The controversy has roiled a presidential campaign fully dominated until now by the global pandemic. It has also muddied Mr. Biden’s carefully honed image as a champion of women, as he tries to unseat a president facing at least 17 accusations of sexual misconduct.
And it revives painful questions surrounding the sexual assault charges that Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing, a searing experience for both accuser and accused.
For those strongly defending Mr. Biden or downplaying Ms. Reade’s allegations, as some media outlets have been accused of doing, the imbroglio invites charges of hypocrisy – especially in contrast to the vigorous, immediate attention that was paid to the allegation by Justice Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Blasey Ford. Ms. Ford said Mr. Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her at a high school party in the 1980s.
The Biden-Reade uproar has driven a wedge between mainstream Democrats and the party’s left wing, just as party leaders are urging unity heading into November. Supporters and former top staff of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mr. Biden’s last primary rival, have been among those leading the charge, amplifying Ms. Reade’s allegation.
Earlier this week, Senator Sanders’ former national organizing director, Claire Sandberg, called on Mr. Biden to quit the race, “out of respect for survivors and for the good of the country.”
Today, the essence of “Believe women” – sometimes rendered as an absolute, “Believe all women” – raises questions for women’s rights advocates. The idea, they say, is not to automatically accept as fact everything an accuser says. It’s to make sure she is given the space to tell her story, and to approach it with an assumption she’s telling the truth.
The latest imbroglio also recalls the 1990s, when some feminists seemed to look the other way when candidate and then President Bill Clinton faced numerous accusations of sexual impropriety (including rape), and was ultimately impeached for lying under oath about an affair with an intern. Mr. Clinton, many argued at the time, stood for progressive policies on women’s rights, and so they stood by him.
“There does seem to be this idea of political pragmatism and feminist values, and how they slide on a spectrum,” says Margaret Johnson, co-director of the University of Baltimore’s Center on Applied Feminism. “That has never made sense to me. I think it’s all holistic.”
The anguish today among feminists old and young is palpable.
“I subscribe to the ‘women must be believed’ perspective, unless proven otherwise,” says Letty Cottin Pogrebin, a founding editor of Ms. Magazine.
“At the same time, Joe Biden is our candidate; I’m desperate for him to win,” Ms. Pogrebin adds, noting that she never excused President Clinton’s behavior. “The alternative is too terrible – four more years of this man.”
Tarana Burke, who launched the #MeToo movement, showed her own conflicted views on the matter Tuesday in a Twitter thread.
“The inconvenient truth is that this story is impacting us differently because it hits at the heart of one of the most important elections of our lifetime,” she wrote. “And I hate to disappoint you but I don’t really have easy answers.”
The alleged incident took place in 1993. In an interview with pro-Sanders podcaster Katie Halper on March 25, Ms. Reade said then-Senator Biden pinned her against a wall and violated her sexually with his fingers.
Back in April 2019, Ms. Reade was one of several women who accused the former vice president of inappropriate touching, but she said nothing about sexual abuse. Mr. Biden has since apologized for engaging in behavior that he now acknowledges made women uncomfortable.
“I get it,” he said in a video that same month, promising to change his behavior.
Despite being famously “handsy,” Mr. Biden has never been accused of sexual impropriety or assault until now. He’s known as a family man, married 43 years to Jill Biden, after losing his first wife and a baby daughter in a car accident.
But over the decades, the education of Mr. Biden on female empowerment hasn’t been easy. In 1991, as chairman of the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee, he crossed swords with feminists when Ms. Hill alleged sexual harassment against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Mr. Biden faced criticism for preventing other witnesses from testifying on Ms. Hill’s behalf, and eventually apologized for his handling of the hearings.
Mr. Biden later crafted the Violence Against Women Act, aimed at fighting domestic abuse. He calls it his most significant legislative achievement. Now, as the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee, Mr. Biden has pledged to name a woman as his running mate.
Feminists have long supported politicians who promote their causes, including reproductive rights, equal pay, paid family leave, and legal protections, despite private behavior that they believe falls short. The question in recent years, for voters of both parties, has been how (or whether) to address a politician’s private behavior.
Most religious conservatives back President Donald Trump, despite his well-documented personal history of marital infidelity, accusations of sexual harassment and assault, and crude talk about women. Some religious supporters say they believe he has reformed. But it’s clear many Trump supporters are willing to overlook his past in favor of today’s policies and judicial appointments.
“Democrats have put themselves on higher moral ground than Republicans” on the issue of personal conduct, says Dianne Bystrom, director emeritus of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. “There’s a danger in that.”
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When asked to comment on the allegations against Mr. Biden, feminist leader Gloria Steinem offered a written statement.
“I only know what I’ve read about this, but I support women who come forward because their honest testimony is right now the only brake on private male behavior,” Ms. Steinem wrote. “Women know the polar differences between Biden and Trump, who brags about assaulting women in his private life, and whose public policies endanger our health and safety. I agree with Tarana Burke that Biden can be ‘both accountable and electable.’ ”


csmonitor--2020-05-01--Who will be on the ticket? Biden's VP audition process begins.

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer wore a T-shirt on television emblazoned with the words `` that woman from Michigan , '' a cheeky reference to President Donald Trump 's dismissal of her .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined her onetime nemesis , Pete Buttigieg , for a friendly virtual chat on a late-night show .
And Stacey Abrams speaks of her political ambition to almost anyone who will listen .
The audition to become the next vice president has begun .
And while the coronavirus has upended virtually every aspect of American life , there 's one constant : The veepstakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most unpredictable , often awkward , rituals of politics .
That 's especially true this time as the pandemic has overtaken the presidential campaign , forcing those thought to be in the running for the No .
2 spot to be even more creative in getting noticed .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden began the process of selecting a running mate in earnest on Thursday by announcing a committee to vet potential candidates .
The panel 's work will likely last through July , he said , meaning months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day only to fade and potentially be replaced with someone who is n't on anyone 's radar the next .
Scott Reed , who managed Bob Dole 's 1996 presidential campaign , said the search for a running mate often takes twists and turns because it 's one of the few things a nominee can control after a primary spent largely reacting to surrounding political forces .
He said reverberations from the choice can last for years .
`` This is the first time in the campaign that the candidate is back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Everyone 's watching .
Everyone in the party , world leaders , business leaders , and congressional leaders , because , in a way , it lays out the nominee 's decision-making process , and it answers the question , Does he have one or not ? ''
Mr. Biden has limited some of the mystery by promising to pick a woman , a potentially important move as he faces scrutiny after a former Senate staffer alleged he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s .
Mr. Biden has denied the assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it `` never happened . ''
Those thought to be under consideration for the vice presidency typically go to great lengths to avoid talking about it – much less audition for it .
But that tradition is fading away this year .
Ms. Abrams , the former Democratic Georgia governor candidate , has been vocal about wanting the job , framing her lack of subtlety as the type of honesty her parents instilled in her growing up .
Ms. Whitmer insists she wo n't be intimidated by Mr. Trump , and Ms. Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can overcome old rivalries .
Others , including Sens .
Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , have said they 'd accept the vice presidency if Mr. Biden offered it .
Final selections can hinge on gut feelings or political calculation .
They sometimes are built on personal relationships .
Often it 's about arrangements of simple accommodation .
Jimmy Carter , the former Georgia governor and political outsider , in 1976 picked Walter Mondale , a Senate stalwart who boosted the nominee 's credibility with Washington power brokers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seen as sometimes overly accommodating politically , which made the take-no-prisoners Senate style of his friend Mr. Dole appealing .
By selecting Mike Pence in 2016 , Donald Trump helped solidify his standing with religious conservatives .
That was crucial when Mr. Pence stood by Mr. Trump after a tape emerged of him bragging of grabbing women by their genitals , nearly sinking the campaign .
An important part of the modern process is visibility .
Most of Mr. Biden 's possible choices have been on media blitzes .
When a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight information , attempting to decipher who is traveling where and when , often camping outside the homes of presumptive choices , hoping to glean clues by their comings and goings .
It was n't always that way .
Mr. Mondale first injected a dose of reality television by winning the 1984 Democratic presidential nomination and summoning potential running mates to his home in suburban St. Paul , Minnesota – attracting a great deal of media attention each time .
`` Vice presidents had always been picked in secret and were standby equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was stupid , '' Mr. Mondale said in an interview .
`` Until we got into it ... and the public started to see that , 'Yes the vice presidency is important . '
'' Like Mr. Biden now , Mr. Mondale saw the process from both sides , as the chooser and the chosen .
`` I had some ideas of what it involved and what I needed to do , '' he said .
`` But I do n't think anybody 's really ready for this . ''
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice is age since , at 77 , he would be the oldest American president in history , should he win .
Age was thought to have swayed the then-73-year-old Mr. Dole in 1996 .
He selected former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp , who was more than a decade younger , despite the pair being longtime adversaries .
But Mr. Reed said it was more about the element of surprise than making the ticket feel younger .
Indeed , final choice is sometimes an intentional shocker – with mixed results .
George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photogenic Dan Quayle over more experienced choices like former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker in 1988 .
Al Gore surprised many by picking Joe Lieberman , the first Jewish person on a major party presidential ticket , while George W. Bush tasked Dick Cheney with overseeing the running mate selection process in 2000 , only to have Mr. Cheney recommend himself .
Perhaps the biggest stunner came in 2008 , when John McCain chose Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin , who was little known to most of the country , including Mr. McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Ms. Palin proved uneven on the national stage and , perhaps predictably , a poor personal fit for Mr. McCain .
Rep. Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana congressman and a co-chairman of Mr. Biden 's campaign , said for all the behind-the-scenes vetting , the decision ultimately lies with Mr. Biden .
`` You lay out candidates , you articulate the pros and cons of each , '' Mr. Richmond said .
`` But then he 's got a decision to make . ''
This story was reported by The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wore a T-shirt on television emblazoned with the words "that woman from Michigan," a cheeky reference to President Donald Trump's dismissal of her. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined her onetime nemesis, Pete Buttigieg, for a friendly virtual chat on a late-night show. And Stacey Abrams speaks of her political ambition to almost anyone who will listen.
The audition to become the next vice president has begun.
And while the coronavirus has upended virtually every aspect of American life, there's one constant: The veepstakes competition that unfolds every four years is one of the most unpredictable, often awkward, rituals of politics. That's especially true this time as the pandemic has overtaken the presidential campaign, forcing those thought to be in the running for the No. 2 spot to be even more creative in getting noticed.
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden began the process of selecting a running mate in earnest on Thursday by announcing a committee to vet potential candidates. The panel's work will likely last through July, he said, meaning months in which some candidates will appear up one day only to fade and potentially be replaced with someone who isn't on anyone's radar the next.
Scott Reed, who managed Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign, said the search for a running mate often takes twists and turns because it's one of the few things a nominee can control after a primary spent largely reacting to surrounding political forces. He said reverberations from the choice can last for years.
"This is the first time in the campaign that the candidate is back in charge of something," he said. "Everyone's watching. Everyone in the party, world leaders, business leaders, and congressional leaders, because, in a way, it lays out the nominee's decision-making process, and it answers the question, Does he have one or not?"
Mr. Biden has limited some of the mystery by promising to pick a woman, a potentially important move as he faces scrutiny after a former Senate staffer alleged he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. Mr. Biden has denied the assault accusation, telling MSNBC on Friday that it "never happened."
Those thought to be under consideration for the vice presidency typically go to great lengths to avoid talking about it – much less audition for it. But that tradition is fading away this year.
Ms. Abrams, the former Democratic Georgia governor candidate, has been vocal about wanting the job, framing her lack of subtlety as the type of honesty her parents instilled in her growing up. Ms. Whitmer insists she won't be intimidated by Mr. Trump, and Ms. Klobuchar has positioned herself as a friendly Midwesterner who can overcome old rivalries.
Others, including Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have said they'd accept the vice presidency if Mr. Biden offered it.
Final selections can hinge on gut feelings or political calculation. They sometimes are built on personal relationships. Often it's about arrangements of simple accommodation.
Jimmy Carter, the former Georgia governor and political outsider, in 1976 picked Walter Mondale, a Senate stalwart who boosted the nominee's credibility with Washington power brokers. That same year, Gerald Ford was seen as sometimes overly accommodating politically, which made the take-no-prisoners Senate style of his friend Mr. Dole appealing.
By selecting Mike Pence in 2016, Donald Trump helped solidify his standing with religious conservatives. That was crucial when Mr. Pence stood by Mr. Trump after a tape emerged of him bragging of grabbing women by their genitals, nearly sinking the campaign.
An important part of the modern process is visibility. Most of Mr. Biden's possible choices have been on media blitzes. When a decision appears imminent, reporters will scrutinize online flight information, attempting to decipher who is traveling where and when, often camping outside the homes of presumptive choices, hoping to glean clues by their comings and goings.
It wasn't always that way.
Mr. Mondale first injected a dose of reality television by winning the 1984 Democratic presidential nomination and summoning potential running mates to his home in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota – attracting a great deal of media attention each time.
"Vice presidents had always been picked in secret and were standby equipment, and it wasn't considered important, which was stupid," Mr. Mondale said in an interview. "Until we got into it ... and the public started to see that, 'Yes the vice presidency is important.'"
Like Mr. Biden now, Mr. Mondale saw the process from both sides, as the chooser and the chosen.
"I had some ideas of what it involved and what I needed to do," he said. "But I don't think anybody's really ready for this."
Another key factor weighing on Mr. Biden's choice is age since, at 77, he would be the oldest American president in history, should he win. Age was thought to have swayed the then-73-year-old Mr. Dole in 1996. He selected former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp, who was more than a decade younger, despite the pair being longtime adversaries. But Mr. Reed said it was more about the element of surprise than making the ticket feel younger.
Indeed, final choice is sometimes an intentional shocker – with mixed results.
George H.W. Bush selected the young and photogenic Dan Quayle over more experienced choices like former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker in 1988. Al Gore surprised many by picking Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish person on a major party presidential ticket, while George W. Bush tasked Dick Cheney with overseeing the running mate selection process in 2000, only to have Mr. Cheney recommend himself.
Perhaps the biggest stunner came in 2008, when John McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was little known to most of the country, including Mr. McCain himself. The decision initially energized conservatives, but Ms. Palin proved uneven on the national stage and, perhaps predictably, a poor personal fit for Mr. McCain.
Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and a co-chairman of Mr. Biden's campaign, said for all the behind-the-scenes vetting, the decision ultimately lies with Mr. Biden.
"You lay out candidates, you articulate the pros and cons of each," Mr. Richmond said. "But then he's got a decision to make."
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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.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-01--Michigan lawmakers, protestors test governor's stay-home orders

The Republican-led Michigan Legislature refused Thursday to extend the state 's coronavirus emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's authority and actions to combat the pandemic .
The governor , unfazed , responded with orders stating under one law that an emergency still exists , while declaring a new 28-day state of emergency under another law .
The declarations are important because they are the foundation for Ms. Whitmer 's stay-at-home measure , which will remain in effect through May 15 , and other directives aimed at slowing the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has infected more than 41,000 Michigan residents and contributed to the deaths of 3,789 , many in the Detroit area .
Ms. Whitmer accused GOP lawmakers of `` putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk .
I 'm not going to let that happen . ''
The legislative pushback came as hundreds of conservative activists , including some who were openly carrying assault rifles , returned to the Capitol to denounce her stay-home order .
Ms. Whitmer wanted legislators to extend the emergency before it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , she believes she has other powers to respond to the crisis and does not need a legislatively-approved extension – which Republicans dispute and appeared poised to challenge in court .
The virus and the steps taken to curb it , including the closure of nonessential businesses , have had a devastating effect on the economy .
In her new emergency orders , Ms. Whitmer said cases are doubling every six days or faster in some counties in western and northern Michigan .
The House and Senate voted along party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer will vet , that would temporarily codify many of her directives but not her stay-home order .
`` We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people , '' said Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey of Clarklake .
House Speaker Lee Chatfield , of Levering , said the death toll is `` terrible , '' but other lives have been `` negatively impacted unnecessarily because of how we have handled this pandemic .
We believe you can prioritize public health yet be reasonable in your approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation as an unconstitutional `` political stunt '' and called the likely legal action a wasteful expense amid plummeting tax revenues .
`` We must ensure that our state can respond quickly and decisively to a situation that changes day by day , '' said state Rep. Tyrone Carter , a Detroit Democrat who recovered from COVID-19 .
`` That means ensuring that our governor has the emergency powers necessary to lead us in this fight . ''
Late Thursday , Ms. Whitmer extended the closure of bars , casinos , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also continued a ban on dine-in service at restaurants .
Earlier at the Capitol , speakers took turns addressing a crowd on the lawn .
Drivers leaned on their horns as they traveled past , a repeat of what occurred April 15 but not close to the thousands who participated in vehicles at that time , which paralyzed traffic for miles .
Protesters ' placards read , `` Shut down the lockdown , '' `` No work no freedom , '' and `` Tyrants get the rope . ''
Some people wore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag as a cape .
Others chanted , `` Lock her up , '' in reference to the governor .
Some wore President Donald Trump 's `` Make America Great Again '' hats or carried signs supporting him .
`` The virus is here .
It 's going to be here .
...
It 's time to let people go back to work .
That 's all there is to it , '' said Joni George , of Flushing .
Some angry protesters – many without face coverings – entered the Capitol and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor , which is not allowed .
The gallery was closed to the public to allow room for representatives and reporters to spread apart .
Some demonstrators in the Senate gallery were openly carrying guns , which is legal in the statehouse .
One senator said some armed men shouted at her , and some senators wore bulletproof vests for protection .
Shanon Banner , a state police spokeswoman , estimated there were 400 to 700 protesters and said they were `` peaceful '' overall .
People who did not wear masks or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One demonstrator was arrested for assaulting another protester .
Ms. Whitmer , whom the public has supported in polling , on Wednesday rejected Senate Republicans ' proposal for a pair of one-week extensions of the emergency in exchange for giving legislators a say in any future stay-at-home restrictions .
Republicans want her to allow elective medical and dental procedures again and certainty on the date she plans to reopen the economy on a regional basis .
Meanwhile , the governor has allowed some businesses , such as lawn-care companies and greenhouses , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will resume next week .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Mr. Householder reported from Lansing .
AP writer Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

The Republican-led Michigan Legislature refused Thursday to extend the state's coronavirus emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's authority and actions to combat the pandemic.
The governor, unfazed, responded with orders stating under one law that an emergency still exists, while declaring a new 28-day state of emergency under another law.
The declarations are important because they are the foundation for Ms. Whitmer's stay-at-home measure, which will remain in effect through May 15, and other directives aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The virus that causes COVID-19 has infected more than 41,000 Michigan residents and contributed to the deaths of 3,789, many in the Detroit area.
Ms. Whitmer accused GOP lawmakers of "putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk. I'm not going to let that happen."
The legislative pushback came as hundreds of conservative activists, including some who were openly carrying assault rifles, returned to the Capitol to denounce her stay-home order.
Ms. Whitmer wanted legislators to extend the emergency before it was to expire late Thursday. But at the same time, she believes she has other powers to respond to the crisis and does not need a legislatively-approved extension – which Republicans dispute and appeared poised to challenge in court.
The virus and the steps taken to curb it, including the closure of nonessential businesses, have had a devastating effect on the economy. In her new emergency orders, Ms. Whitmer said cases are doubling every six days or faster in some counties in western and northern Michigan.
The House and Senate voted along party lines for a bill, which Ms. Whitmer will vet, that would temporarily codify many of her directives but not her stay-home order.
Republicans accused Ms. Whitmer of ignoring their input.
"We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey of Clarklake.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield, of Levering, said the death toll is "terrible," but other lives have been "negatively impacted unnecessarily because of how we have handled this pandemic. We believe you can prioritize public health yet be reasonable in your approach to fighting COVID."
Democrats opposed the legislation as an unconstitutional "political stunt" and called the likely legal action a wasteful expense amid plummeting tax revenues.
"We must ensure that our state can respond quickly and decisively to a situation that changes day by day," said state Rep. Tyrone Carter, a Detroit Democrat who recovered from COVID-19. "That means ensuring that our governor has the emergency powers necessary to lead us in this fight."
Late Thursday, Ms. Whitmer extended the closure of bars, casinos, and other public places through May 28. She also continued a ban on dine-in service at restaurants.
Earlier at the Capitol, speakers took turns addressing a crowd on the lawn. Drivers leaned on their horns as they traveled past, a repeat of what occurred April 15 but not close to the thousands who participated in vehicles at that time, which paralyzed traffic for miles.
Protesters' placards read, "Shut down the lockdown," "No work no freedom," and "Tyrants get the rope." Some people wore the "Don't Tread On Me" flag as a cape. Others chanted, "Lock her up," in reference to the governor. Some wore President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" hats or carried signs supporting him.
"The virus is here. It's going to be here. ... It's time to let people go back to work. That's all there is to it," said Joni George, of Flushing.
Some angry protesters – many without face coverings – entered the Capitol and demanded to be let onto the House floor, which is not allowed. The gallery was closed to the public to allow room for representatives and reporters to spread apart. Some demonstrators in the Senate gallery were openly carrying guns, which is legal in the statehouse. One senator said some armed men shouted at her, and some senators wore bulletproof vests for protection.
Shanon Banner, a state police spokeswoman, estimated there were 400 to 700 protesters and said they were "peaceful" overall. People who did not wear masks or distance themselves were not issued tickets. One demonstrator was arrested for assaulting another protester.
Ms. Whitmer, whom the public has supported in polling, on Wednesday rejected Senate Republicans' proposal for a pair of one-week extensions of the emergency in exchange for giving legislators a say in any future stay-at-home restrictions.
Republicans want her to allow elective medical and dental procedures again and certainty on the date she plans to reopen the economy on a regional basis. Meanwhile, the governor has allowed some businesses, such as lawn-care companies and greenhouses, to resume operating.
Commercial and residential construction will resume next week.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Mr. Householder reported from Lansing. AP writer Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-04--Guns in Michigan Capitol: Defense of liberty or intimidation?

“ I , as a state lawmaker , want to hear your concerns and your position on the issue , ” says state Sen. Sylvia Santana .
“ But I don ’ t feel that bringing assault weapons to the capitol and using symbols of hatred will make me understand your issue better.
” Michigan is among the few states that allow guns in the capitol rotunda .
Yet in exercising that right last week , hard-line protesters created a scene that even some gun-rights advocates question .
On such a tense topic , there is a need to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is unclear is what Americans actually heard .
For many , the indelible image was of protesters with assault rifles shouting at security – with a few Confederate flags and intimidating signs outside .
Anticipating the trouble that morning , one state legislator had gone so far as to put on a bulletproof vest .
On the whole , Ashley Phibbs thought last week ’ s protest inside the Michigan state Capitol went well .
As one of the organizers , she tells the Monitor : “ I think we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan state Sen. Sylvia Santana .
Before heading to the statehouse in Lansing last Thursday , she slipped into a bulletproof vest .
Ms. Santana ’ s husband , a sheriff ’ s deputy , warned her about potential trouble at a rally to protest the decision to extend a coronavirus lockdown .
A group of armed white men entered the Capitol and shouted at lawmakers .
To Ms. Santana , some were dressed like they were “ going to war.
” Several Confederate flags , a swastika , and a misogynistic sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seen outside .
“ I thought that was very scary , ” says Ms. Santana , an African American who represents parts of Detroit and all of neighboring Dearborn .
“ We ’ re there to do a job , and it ’ s not to dodge bullets as we try to do our jobs in a bipartisan fashion to make sure we ’ re keeping all Michiganders safe.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
Four days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lingers .
The pandemic has intensified many societal fault lines – from health care inequities to political polarization – and gun control is no exception .
Feeling that state officials are overreaching , a tiny minority of protesters are flexing their Second Amendment rights in Michigan and beyond .
But at a time of crisis , their crusade against the perceived tyranny of government is seen by many as tyrannical in its own right – recklessly using their liberties to intimidate others .
The core question is : Where should the line be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statehouses is one of the purest expressions of the power the Second Amendment invests in citizens .
But no constitutional right is absolute .
“ Where do people who see no problem with guns downtown or near a hospital or in the legislature , where do they draw the line ?
” Sanford Levinson , co-author of “ Fault Lines in the Constitution.
” “ That ’ s an interesting question both politically and legally , because courts are really receptive to line drawing .
I don ’ t think you ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yeah , I welcome guns in my courtroom.
’ ” In that way , the struggle over whether to allow firearms in legislatures “ is part of the culture war , ” he adds .
Today , 21 state capitols allow guns in some form , according to a Wall Street Journal report .
But only a few , including Michigan , allow citizens to openly carry under the rotunda .
Many Republican-led states balk at open carry in the people ’ s hall for personal safety reasons , and courts have upheld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places , holding that guns can chill other people ’ s rights .
Elements of race have long played a role .
The modern gun control movement is linked to the signing of the Mulford Act in 1967 , which banned open carry in California .
The bill gained momentum after two dozen Black Panthers legally brought firearms to the state capitol to protest against it .
The National Rifle Association backed the bill .
Incidents like the one in Michigan , however , could do more to damage gun rights that advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now an open question to what extent hard-line pro-gun policies are politically advantageous , ” says Mr. Levinson , also a visiting professor at Harvard Law School in Cambridge , Massachusetts .
Ms. Santana was certainly not persuaded .
“ I , as a state lawmaker , want to hear your concerns and your position on the issue .
But I don ’ t feel that bringing assault weapons to the capitol and using symbols of hatred will make me understand your issue better.
” The scenes in Michigan , which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it harder to have already difficult conversations , others say .
Part of self-defense is respecting the preferences other people have for their own security , which might mean leaving guns at home when overtones of intimidation are possible .
“ When your eyes look at these pictures of groups of people ... in a public building that is supposed to be a center of democratic exchange and debate , and you see a group of people carrying military weapons , that is not a vision of democracy , ” says Hannah Friedman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco .
“ That ’ s a vision of intimidation by a minority of people.
” Such concerns were heightened further this weekend , when employees at businesses in Stillwater , Oklahoma , faced a threat of violence with a gun while trying to force customers to wear masks , as mandated by the local government .
“ I think we were heard ” But Ashley Phibbs has a different view .
Ms. Phibbs , a project manager and mother who helped organize the Michigan rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance didn ’ t abide by social distancing rules .
She also confirmed the display of hate symbols .
But she insisted those were agitators and not part of her group , Michigan United for Liberty , which has sprung up to oppose what members see as repressive COVID-19 restrictions .
“ I know how it can seem to people who aren ’ t active in rallies and who are looking at it from the outside in , and I try to be very understanding of that , ” says Ms. Phibbs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that anyone was there to really make anyone fearful .
I didn ’ t see anything that would have really caused fear , aside from loud noises from the people yelling .
But a lot of people are also sometimes afraid of guns in general.
” In the end , she says , “ I think we were heard .
I think overall [ the rally ] was positive.
” Other gun-rights advocates saw problems with the optics .
As he watched news from Michigan Thursday , Caleb Q. Dyer saw some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former state legislator had been a keynote speaker at a Michigan Libertarian Party event last year .
But he worried that his friends in Michigan were sending “ mixed messages ” by failing to abide by public health rules .
In fact , he usually brings witty protest gear – such as a sign that says “ arm the homeless ” – to disarm fear .
It ’ s a fine line , he says , between free speech and armed intimidation .
“ People aren ’ t ready to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters want to have , which is that none of these laws are even remotely effective or just , ” says Mr. Dyer .
“ But they ’ re not going to have that discussion if they can not carry themselves in such a way that the opposition won ’ t think ... that they ’ re murderous and violent.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

“I, as a state lawmaker, want to hear your concerns and your position on the issue,” says state Sen. Sylvia Santana. “But I don’t feel that bringing assault weapons to the capitol and using symbols of hatred will make me understand your issue better.”
Michigan is among the few states that allow guns in the capitol rotunda. Yet in exercising that right last week, hard-line protesters created a scene that even some gun-rights advocates question. On such a tense topic, there is a need to think how things look to the other side.
Bringing assault weapons to the Michigan Legislature for a protest against coronavirus restrictions? To one group, it’s why the Second Amendment exists. To many others, it’s unfathomable.
What is unclear is what Americans actually heard. For many, the indelible image was of protesters with assault rifles shouting at security – with a few Confederate flags and intimidating signs outside. Anticipating the trouble that morning, one state legislator had gone so far as to put on a bulletproof vest.
On the whole, Ashley Phibbs thought last week’s protest inside the Michigan state Capitol went well. As one of the organizers, she tells the Monitor: “I think we were heard.”
It was a first for Michigan state Sen. Sylvia Santana. Before heading to the statehouse in Lansing last Thursday, she slipped into a bulletproof vest.
Ms. Santana’s husband, a sheriff’s deputy, warned her about potential trouble at a rally to protest the decision to extend a coronavirus lockdown.
A group of armed white men entered the Capitol and shouted at lawmakers. To Ms. Santana, some were dressed like they were “going to war.” Several Confederate flags, a swastika, and a misogynistic sign aimed at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could be seen outside.
Why We Wrote This Bringing assault weapons to the Michigan Legislature for a protest against coronavirus restrictions? To one group, it’s why the Second Amendment exists. To many others, it’s unfathomable.
“I thought that was very scary,” says Ms. Santana, an African American who represents parts of Detroit and all of neighboring Dearborn. “We’re there to do a job, and it’s not to dodge bullets as we try to do our jobs in a bipartisan fashion to make sure we’re keeping all Michiganders safe.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
Four days on from the protest, her concern lingers. The pandemic has intensified many societal fault lines – from health care inequities to political polarization – and gun control is no exception. Feeling that state officials are overreaching, a tiny minority of protesters are flexing their Second Amendment rights in Michigan and beyond.
But at a time of crisis, their crusade against the perceived tyranny of government is seen by many as tyrannical in its own right – recklessly using their liberties to intimidate others.
The core question is: Where should the line be drawn? For protesters, guns in statehouses is one of the purest expressions of the power the Second Amendment invests in citizens. But no constitutional right is absolute.
“Where do people who see no problem with guns downtown or near a hospital or in the legislature, where do they draw the line?” Sanford Levinson, co-author of “Fault Lines in the Constitution.” “That’s an interesting question both politically and legally, because courts are really receptive to line drawing. I don’t think you’d find any judge who says, ‘Yeah, I welcome guns in my courtroom.’”
In that way, the struggle over whether to allow firearms in legislatures “is part of the culture war,” he adds.
Are hard-line tactics effective?
Today, 21 state capitols allow guns in some form, according to a Wall Street Journal report. But only a few, including Michigan, allow citizens to openly carry under the rotunda. Many Republican-led states balk at open carry in the people’s hall for personal safety reasons, and courts have upheld bans in places like legislatures and polling places, holding that guns can chill other people’s rights.
Elements of race have long played a role. The modern gun control movement is linked to the signing of the Mulford Act in 1967, which banned open carry in California. The bill gained momentum after two dozen Black Panthers legally brought firearms to the state capitol to protest against it. The National Rifle Association backed the bill.
Incidents like the one in Michigan, however, could do more to damage gun rights than advance them. “It’s really now an open question to what extent hard-line pro-gun policies are politically advantageous,” says Mr. Levinson, also a visiting professor at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ms. Santana was certainly not persuaded. “I, as a state lawmaker, want to hear your concerns and your position on the issue. But I don’t feel that bringing assault weapons to the capitol and using symbols of hatred will make me understand your issue better.”
The scenes in Michigan, which has been hit hard by COVID-19, only make it harder to have already difficult conversations, others say. Part of self-defense is respecting the preferences other people have for their own security, which might mean leaving guns at home when overtones of intimidation are possible.
Gerry Broome/AP View caption Hide caption About a dozen protesters – several with visible firearms – marched Friday around state government buildings in Raleigh, North Carolina. A Facebook post said the event was to promote constitutional free speech and gun rights.
“When your eyes look at these pictures of groups of people ... in a public building that is supposed to be a center of democratic exchange and debate, and you see a group of people carrying military weapons, that is not a vision of democracy,” says Hannah Friedman, a staff attorney at Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco. “That’s a vision of intimidation by a minority of people.”
Such concerns were heightened further this weekend, when employees at businesses in Stillwater, Oklahoma, faced a threat of violence with a gun while trying to force customers to wear masks, as mandated by the local government.
“I think we were heard”
But Ashley Phibbs has a different view.
Ms. Phibbs, a project manager and mother who helped organize the Michigan rally, acknowledged with regret that many in attendance didn’t abide by social distancing rules. She also confirmed the display of hate symbols. But she insisted those were agitators and not part of her group, Michigan United for Liberty, which has sprung up to oppose what members see as repressive COVID-19 restrictions.
“I know how it can seem to people who aren’t active in rallies and who are looking at it from the outside in, and I try to be very understanding of that,” says Ms. Phibbs. “But ... I don’t think that anyone was there to really make anyone fearful. I didn’t see anything that would have really caused fear, aside from loud noises from the people yelling. But a lot of people are also sometimes afraid of guns in general.”
In the end, she says, “I think we were heard. I think overall [the rally] was positive.”
Knowing your audience
Other gun-rights advocates saw problems with the optics.
As he watched news from Michigan Thursday, Caleb Q. Dyer saw some familiar faces. The New Hampshire barista and former state legislator had been a keynote speaker at a Michigan Libertarian Party event last year.
But he worried that his friends in Michigan were sending “mixed messages” by failing to abide by public health rules.
In fact, he usually brings witty protest gear – such as a sign that says “arm the homeless” – to disarm fear. It’s a fine line, he says, between free speech and armed intimidation.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“People aren’t ready to have the discussion that a lot of these gun-carrying protesters want to have, which is that none of these laws are even remotely effective or just,” says Mr. Dyer. “But they’re not going to have that discussion if they cannot carry themselves in such a way that the opposition won’t think ... that they’re murderous and violent.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.