cnbc--2020-10-29--Wall Street spent over $74 million to back Joe Biden's run for president, topping Trump's haul

People in the securities and investment industry will finish the 2020 election cycle contributing over $ 74 million to back Joe Biden 's candidacy for president , a much larger sum than what President Donald Trump raised from Wall Street , according to new data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
The sum includes contributions that began in 2019 and continued through the first two weeks of October to Biden 's joint fundraising committees and outside super PACs backing his run .
Former Goldman Sachs President Harvey Schwartz gave $ 100,000 this month to the Biden Action Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , the Democratic National Committee and state parties .
Biden also received a ton of financial support from leaders on Wall Street in the third quarter .
Going into the final two weeks of the election , Biden , the DNC and their joint fundraising committees had over $ 330 million on hand .
That 's $ 110 million more than for Trump , the Republican National Committee and their joint committees .
Biden 's campaign is on track to raise $ 1 billion in the six days until Election Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging leaders on Wall Street to support the former vice president 's run since the start of the primary season .
Biden 's campaign chairman , Steve Ricchetti , met with finance executives in January to encourage them to back his candidate , CNBC reported at the time .
Attendees included Evercore founder Roger Altman , longtime investor Blair Effron , Blackstone Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Gray , former Citigroup executive Ray McGuire , Centerbridge Partners co-founder Mark Gallogly , and former U.S .
Ambassador to France Jane Hartley .
Most of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosting fundraising events or donating to his cause .
Data from CRP shows that outside groups backing Biden received big money support from executives at hedge fund Paloma Partners and people with ties to investment firm Renaissance Technologies .
The latter 's founder , Jim Simons , gave at least $ 7 million to two super PACs supporting Biden since Super Tuesday in March , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
Simons also gave over $ 350,000 to the Biden Action Fund in June .
Henry Laufer , who was the Renaissance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gave $ 625,000 in June to the American Bridge PAC .
Donald Sussman , founder of Paloma Partners , finished the 2020 cycle giving at least $ 9 million to various Biden super PACs .
People working in hedge funds , private equity and other investment-type firms gave nearly $ 20 million directly to Biden 's campaign , CRP data shows .
Wall Street 's financial support for Biden is more than what Barack Obama received in his two presidential runs combined .
It exceeds the amounts raised from Wall Street executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 and 2020 cycles .
The total will be less than Hillary Clinton 's 2016 presidential run ; she saw just over $ 87 million from the securities and investment industry .
Trump received $ 20 million from those in the finance industry in 2016 .
Four years later , he will end his bid for reelection with just over $ 18 million from Wall Street .
Many of Trump 's previous backers in the finance world , including those who gave millions to his 2017 inaugural , have distanced themselves from helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 cycle saw over $ 625 million from people working in the securities and investment industry , between congressional and presidential contests .
It 's the most ever spent on an election by those who work in the finance and investment sectors .
Nearly $ 370 million went toward super PACs and outside groups that can raise unlimited amounts of money .
Democrats received 63 % of the money , and 37 % went toward Republicans .
Over $ 161 million went toward Democratic candidates up and down the ballot , while $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , 50 % of Wall Street money went toward Republicans while 49 % went toward Democrats .
The funding from Wall Street has come even as progressives prepared to push back on Biden potentially naming business leaders to his Cabinet .
Jeff Hauser , founder of the progressive Revolving Door Project , which already has amassed troves of opposition research against potential Biden Cabinet selections , said he is `` cautiously optimistic '' that Wall Street 's funding will not sway the possible administration 's personnel decisions .
However , he believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could see the help from the finance sector as a reason to allow them access to a Biden White House .
`` My concern is that conventional thinkers within Biden world might believe they should pay deference to the source of that $ 75 million , '' Hauser told CNBC on Wednesday .
Biden 's support from large swaths of Wall Street comes as many of the big banks start to tell clients that the former vice president could be on a path to victory and that Democrats may sweep both houses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago on a possible Biden victory , according to an outline of the call obtained by CNBC .
Citing polling from Real Clear Politics , the bankers showed their clients an electoral map that estimates Biden is on the path to possibly winning the key states of Pennsylvania , Michigan , Wisconsin , Florida , Arizona , Iowa , Ohio and North Carolina .
With those wins plus victories in other states , Goldman told clients that Biden may end up with 360 electoral votes , which would be more than enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the presidency .
Those on the call included Joe Wall , Goldman 's managing director of government affairs , and Ash Carter , former secretary of Defense under Obama .
Wall Street 's big bet on Biden comes as these executives appear to be shrugging off a chance that their taxes may go up under his administration and are preparing for those new policies to take effect .
Deutsche Bank published a client note on Wednesday with numerous public state and national polls showing Biden ahead of Trump .
It then gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal , which would raise taxes on those making over $ 400,000 , could impact high income earners .
One of the reports they cite is an analysis from the Tax Policy Center .
The overview of the report from mid-October says Biden 's `` proposals would increase federal revenues by $ 2.4 trillion over the next decade .
Under his plan , the highest-income households would see substantial tax increases ; tax burdens would fall for households in the bottom two income quintiles . ''
Biden has also proposed expanding the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family 's annual , per-child credit to $ 3,000 from $ 2,000 and would be awarded in installments each month instead of the current springtime lump sum .
Children under age 6 would be credited $ 3,600 .

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Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign stop in Atlanta, Georgia, October 27, 2020. Brian Snyder | Reuters
People in the securities and investment industry will finish the 2020 election cycle contributing over $74 million to back Joe Biden's candidacy for president, a much larger sum than what President Donald Trump raised from Wall Street, according to new data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The sum includes contributions that began in 2019 and continued through the first two weeks of October to Biden's joint fundraising committees and outside super PACs backing his run. Former Goldman Sachs President Harvey Schwartz gave $100,000 this month to the Biden Action Fund, a joint fundraising committee for the campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties.
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Biden also received a ton of financial support from leaders on Wall Street in the third quarter. Going into the final two weeks of the election, Biden, the DNC and their joint fundraising committees had over $330 million on hand. That's $110 million more than for Trump, the Republican National Committee and their joint committees. Biden's campaign is on track to raise $1 billion in the six days until Election Day. Leaders of Biden's campaign have been encouraging leaders on Wall Street to support the former vice president's run since the start of the primary season. Biden's campaign chairman, Steve Ricchetti, met with finance executives in January to encourage them to back his candidate, CNBC reported at the time. Attendees included Evercore founder Roger Altman, longtime investor Blair Effron, Blackstone Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Gray, former Citigroup executive Ray McGuire, Centerbridge Partners co-founder Mark Gallogly, and former U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley. Most of these people ended up backing Biden either by hosting fundraising events or donating to his cause. Data from CRP shows that outside groups backing Biden received big money support from executives at hedge fund Paloma Partners and people with ties to investment firm Renaissance Technologies. The latter's founder, Jim Simons, gave at least $7 million to two super PACs supporting Biden since Super Tuesday in March, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Simons also gave over $350,000 to the Biden Action Fund in June. Henry Laufer, who was the Renaissance chief scientist and vice president of research, gave $625,000 in June to the American Bridge PAC. Donald Sussman, founder of Paloma Partners, finished the 2020 cycle giving at least $9 million to various Biden super PACs.
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People working in hedge funds, private equity and other investment-type firms gave nearly $20 million directly to Biden's campaign, CRP data shows. Wall Street's financial support for Biden is more than what Barack Obama received in his two presidential runs combined. It exceeds the amounts raised from Wall Street executives in support of Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 cycles. The total will be less than Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run; she saw just over $87 million from the securities and investment industry. Trump received $20 million from those in the finance industry in 2016. Four years later, he will end his bid for reelection with just over $18 million from Wall Street. Many of Trump's previous backers in the finance world, including those who gave millions to his 2017 inaugural, have distanced themselves from helping his reelection bid.
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Progressive pressure
Overall, the 2020 cycle saw over $625 million from people working in the securities and investment industry, between congressional and presidential contests. It's the most ever spent on an election by those who work in the finance and investment sectors. Nearly $370 million went toward super PACs and outside groups that can raise unlimited amounts of money. Democrats received 63% of the money, and 37% went toward Republicans. Over $161 million went toward Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, while $94 million went to Republicans. In 2016, 50% of Wall Street money went toward Republicans while 49% went toward Democrats. The funding from Wall Street has come even as progressives prepared to push back on Biden potentially naming business leaders to his Cabinet. Jeff Hauser, founder of the progressive Revolving Door Project, which already has amassed troves of opposition research against potential Biden Cabinet selections, said he is "cautiously optimistic" that Wall Street's funding will not sway the possible administration's personnel decisions. However, he believes advisors of the former vice president's could see the help from the finance sector as a reason to allow them access to a Biden White House. "My concern is that conventional thinkers within Biden world might believe they should pay deference to the source of that $75 million," Hauser told CNBC on Wednesday. Biden's support from large swaths of Wall Street comes as many of the big banks start to tell clients that the former vice president could be on a path to victory and that Democrats may sweep both houses of Congress.
Wall Street's big bet
Goldman Sachs briefed clients two weeks ago on a possible Biden victory, according to an outline of the call obtained by CNBC. Citing polling from Real Clear Politics, the bankers showed their clients an electoral map that estimates Biden is on the path to possibly winning the key states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona, Iowa, Ohio and North Carolina. With those wins plus victories in other states, Goldman told clients that Biden may end up with 360 electoral votes, which would be more than enough than the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. Those on the call included Joe Wall, Goldman's managing director of government affairs, and Ash Carter, former secretary of Defense under Obama. Wall Street's big bet on Biden comes as these executives appear to be shrugging off a chance that their taxes may go up under his administration and are preparing for those new policies to take effect. Deutsche Bank published a client note on Wednesday with numerous public state and national polls showing Biden ahead of Trump. It then gave a breakdown of how Biden's tax proposal, which would raise taxes on those making over $400,000, could impact high income earners. One of the reports they cite is an analysis from the Tax Policy Center. The overview of the report from mid-October says Biden's "proposals would increase federal revenues by $2.4 trillion over the next decade. Under his plan, the highest-income households would see substantial tax increases; tax burdens would fall for households in the bottom two income quintiles." Biden has also proposed expanding the child tax credit. It would increase a family's annual, per-child credit to $3,000 from $2,000 and would be awarded in installments each month instead of the current springtime lump sum. Children under age 6 would be credited $3,600.


cnbc--2020-10-28--Texas is now rated a 'toss-up' in the race between President Trump and Joe Biden

`` Texas is a state that Biden does n't need to win , but it is clear that it 's more competitive than ever , '' Cook 's Amy Walter wrote .
The Lone Star State has voted for the Republican nominee in every presidential race since 1976 .
It boasts 38 electoral votes , the second-largest share in the nation , behind California .
Democrats have long had their eye on Texas .
Former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke , for instance , raised jaw-dropping sums of money in his 2018 Senate race against incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats did manage to flip one House district in the 2018 midterms , and the party is looking to pick up more seats in 2020 .
Early voting numbers in the state should encourage Democrats : More than 7.8 million people have already voted in the Lone Star State , about 87 % of its total turnout in 2016 , according to the U.S .
Elections Project .
More ballots have been cast in Texas than in any other state so far , the data shows .
That 's due in part to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , which Democratic operatives believe plays in their favor .
Anti-Trump sentiment in the blue and purple pockets of the state could be driving turnout among key demographics — such as Hispanic Americans , Asian Americans and Americans with bachelor 's degrees or higher — that could be more likely to break for Biden .
RealClearPolitics ' average of polls in the state shows Trump maintaining a narrow 2.4-point lead over Biden .
That gap has shrunk a few percentage points in recent days .
Nationally , Biden currently holds a 7.1-point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to RCP 's average .
Right on cue , the Biden campaign announced that the candidate 's running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , is scheduled to campaign in Texas on Friday .

A campaign sign for Biden Harris is displayed outside an early voting polling location for the 2020 Presidential elections in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Callaghan O'Hare | Bloomberg | Getty Images
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"Texas is a state that Biden doesn't need to win, but it is clear that it's more competitive than ever," Cook's Amy Walter wrote. The Lone Star State has voted for the Republican nominee in every presidential race since 1976. It boasts 38 electoral votes, the second-largest share in the nation, behind California. Democrats have long had their eye on Texas. Former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, for instance, raised jaw-dropping sums of money in his 2018 Senate race against incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz. While that effort ultimately failed, Democrats did manage to flip one House district in the 2018 midterms, and the party is looking to pick up more seats in 2020.
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cnbc--2020-10-28--FBI arrests five in alleged 'Operation Fox Hunt' plot to stalk and pressure citizens to return to Ch

FBI arrests five in alleged 'Operation Fox Hunt' plot to stalk and pressure citizens to return to China

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department charged eight people Wednesday with conspiring to work on behalf of the Chinese government to @ @ @ @ @ Chinese citizens into returning to their home country .
Five were arrested by the FBI @ @ @ @ @ other three are believed to be in China , John Demers , the assistant attorney @ @ @ @ @ 's National Security division , said during a virtual press conference .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ court in Brooklyn , the defendants participated in an `` international campaign to threaten , @ @ @ @ @ John Doe-1 , a resident of New Jersey , and his family in order to @ @ @ @ @ the People 's Republic of China . ''
The international campaign , dubbed `` Operation @ @ @ @ @ part of the Chinese government 's global campaign aimed at reducing the country 's diaspora @ @ @ @ @ Operation Fox Hunt is just one of many ways in which China disregards the rule @ @ @ @ @ said .

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department charged eight people Wednesday with conspiring to work on behalf of the Chinese government to harass, stalk and intimidate Chinese citizens into returning to their home country.
Five were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday, while the other three are believed to be in China, John Demers, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's National Security division, said during a virtual press conference.
According to the complaint unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn, the defendants participated in an "international campaign to threaten, harass, surveil and intimidate John Doe-1, a resident of New Jersey, and his family in order to force them to return to the People's Republic of China."
The international campaign, dubbed "Operation Fox Hunt," is part of the Chinese government's global campaign aimed at reducing the country's diaspora, officials said.
"Operation Fox Hunt is just one of many ways in which China disregards the rule of law," Demers said.


cnbc--2020-10-28--Lev Parnas partner David Correia expected to plead guilty in 'Fraud Guarantee' case, court records s

Lev Parnas partner David Correia expected to plead guilty in 'Fraud Guarantee' case, court records show

Defendant David Correia , center , leaves federal court in New York , U.S. , on Thursday , Oct. 17 , 2019 .
David Correia , a business partner of Rudy Giuliani 's former associate Lev Parnas , is set to plead guilty in a case where both he and Parnas are charged with defrauding investors in a would-be company named `` Fraud Guarantee , a court filing revealed .
Both Correia and Parnas were slapped with a superseding indictment last month in Manhattan federal court that charged them with conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with Fraud Guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud protection to customers .
Correia and Parnas previously were charged in 2019 , along with two other men , with conspiring to violate the law banning political donations by foreigners .
A court filing on Wednesday said that Correia , who like Parnas has pleaded not guilty in the case , is scheduled to appear at a change of plea hearing on Thursday .
The filing did not make clear whether Correia would change his not-guilty plea to all of the charges that he faces , or just to the one related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Harrington declined to comment when contacted by CNBC .
Prosecutors have said that Correia and Parnas obtained more than $ 2 million from investors for the stated purpose of funding Fraud Guarantee .
`` While a portion of the victims ' funds was used for Fraud Guarantee business expenses , the majority was not , '' the Justice Department said last month in a press release .
`` Rather , the funds were largely withdrawn as cash , transferred to accounts in the name of Parnas or Correia or their family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenditures , including hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent for Parnas ' personal residence and tens of thousands of dollars at luxury car leasing companies , '' the Justice Department said .
The two men `` also used certain victim money to fund political donations , '' the release said .
FBI Assistant Director Bill Sweeney said last month , `` We could n't say it better ourselves – the behavior alleged today is indeed fraudulent – guaranteed . ''
Giuliani , who is President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But as of last November , the former New York City mayor was known to be the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York .
That is the same Manhattan-based prosecutors ' office that charged Correia , Parnas , and their co-defendants , Igor Fruman and Andrey Kukushkin .
Fruman and Kukishkin have also pleaded not guilty .
Giuliani received $ 500,00 in 2018 to work on behalf of Fraud Guarantee , The New York Times has reported .
The money reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a Trump donor , who paid Giuliani as part of a deal to invest in Fraud Guarantee .
Giuliani told The Times last year that he was paid to give `` a combination of business advice and consulting , consistent with what my company does , and legal advice '' for Fraud Guarantee .
Parnas and Fruman previously worked with Giuliani , to uncover information about former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden 's relationship with a Ukrainian natural gas company .
Giuliani in recent weeks has continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine and in connection with business interests related to China .
Joe Biden , who is the Democratic nominee for president , has denied any wrongdoing .
Both Parnas and Fruman were subpoenaed last year by the House of Representatives for testimony and documents as the House moved toward impeaching Trump .
The president , who was acquitted after a Senate trial , was impeached for withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine as he pressured that nation 's government to investigate Hunter Biden and Joe Biden , who at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential nomination .

David Correia, a business partner of Rudy Giuliani's former associate Lev Parnas, is set to plead guilty in a case where both he and Parnas are charged with defrauding investors in a would-be company named "Fraud Guarantee, a court filing revealed.
Both Correia and Parnas were slapped with a superseding indictment last month in Manhattan federal court that charged them with conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with Fraud Guarantee, which was ostensibly supposed to offer fraud protection to customers.
Correia and Parnas previously were charged in 2019, along with two other men, with conspiring to violate the law banning political donations by foreigners.
A court filing on Wednesday said that Correia, who like Parnas has pleaded not guilty in the case, is scheduled to appear at a change of plea hearing on Thursday.
The filing did not make clear whether Correia would change his not-guilty plea to all of the charges that he faces, or just to the one related to Fraud Guarantee.
Correia's lawyer William Harrington declined to comment when contacted by CNBC.
Prosecutors have said that Correia and Parnas obtained more than $2 million from investors for the stated purpose of funding Fraud Guarantee.
"While a portion of the victims' funds was used for Fraud Guarantee business expenses, the majority was not," the Justice Department said last month in a press release.
"Rather, the funds were largely withdrawn as cash, transferred to accounts in the name of Parnas or Correia or their family members, or spent on various apparently personal expenditures, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent for Parnas' personal residence and tens of thousands of dollars at luxury car leasing companies," the Justice Department said.
The two men "also used certain victim money to fund political donations," the release said.
FBI Assistant Director Bill Sweeney said last month, "We couldn't say it better ourselves – the behavior alleged today is indeed fraudulent – guaranteed."
Giuliani, who is President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, has not been criminally charged in the case.
But as of last November, the former New York City mayor was known to be the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
That is the same Manhattan-based prosecutors' office that charged Correia, Parnas, and their co-defendants, Igor Fruman and Andrey Kukushkin. Fruman and Kukishkin have also pleaded not guilty.
Giuliani received $500,00 in 2018 to work on behalf of Fraud Guarantee, The New York Times has reported. The money reportedly came from a Long Island lawyer, also a Trump donor, who paid Giuliani as part of a deal to invest in Fraud Guarantee.
Giuliani told The Times last year that he was paid to give "a combination of business advice and consulting, consistent with what my company does, and legal advice" for Fraud Guarantee.
Parnas and Fruman previously worked with Giuliani, to uncover information about former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden's relationship with a Ukrainian natural gas company.
Giuliani in recent weeks has continued to promote allegations of wrongdoing by the Bidens in Ukraine and in connection with business interests related to China. Joe Biden, who is the Democratic nominee for president, has denied any wrongdoing.
Both Parnas and Fruman were subpoenaed last year by the House of Representatives for testimony and documents as the House moved toward impeaching Trump.
The president, who was acquitted after a Senate trial, was impeached for withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine as he pressured that nation's government to investigate Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, who at the time was a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.


cnbc--2020-10-28--Coronavirus cases surge in swing states as early voting kicks into high gear

But the highly contagious coronavirus , a central issue of the 2020 campaign , is also on the rise in some key swing states where in-person voter participation is highest .
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have one week left until Election Day , and early voting is in full swing in dozens of states .
Turnout levels are breaking records : More than 69 million Americans have already voted , over half the total of all voters in 2016 .
Roughly one-third of early voters this year did so in person .
Coronavirus cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the presidential election , just as voters cast their ballots in droves .
Among the most hotly contested swing states , Wisconsin is facing the largest increase in cases and deaths .
In the past week , the Badger State reported a proportionally higher number of cases than nearly anywhere else in the country , except for in North Dakota and South Dakota , according to the CDC .
The latest wave of cases appears to be crashing hardest over states in the West and the Midwest , according to data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Johns Hopkins and the Covid Tracking Project .
The United States , which has reported more cases and deaths from Covid-19 than any other country , is now in the midst of its third surge in cases since the pandemic began earlier this year .
More than 8.7 million cases and at least 225,739 deaths from the virus have been tallied in the U.S. , data from Johns Hopkins University show .
`` We 've been preparing for this for months , '' Reid Magney , a spokesman for the Wisconsin Elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with CNBC .
Wisconsin has applied numerous safety measures to its voting processes .
Poll workers are outfitted with masks and face shields , and they are required to regularly sanitize pens , touch screens and other surfaces .
Voters are offered hand sanitizer at intervals , and painter 's tape is used at polling locations to mark where voters should stand in line .
But Magney noted that voters can not be forced to wear face coverings at the polls , per state laws .
He suggested that people may be contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the things that are recommended by the CDC . ''
`` Certainly anybody would have concern for the rise in cases , '' Magney said , but `` we do n't believe that it will impact the election itself . ''
Trump , who in 2016 narrowly beat then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin , traveled to the state Tuesday to host a large , in-person campaign rally .
Health experts , including those in his own administration , have warned that the events could greatly increase the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign trail earlier this month after revealing he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for Covid-19 .
But he has since resumed a busy travel schedule in an effort to catch up to Biden , who has maintained his lead in the national polls .
Biden 's campaign has been careful to comply with the social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC and other health experts .
The former vice president has traveled less and hosted relatively few in-person events , none of which allowed for large crowds to gather , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump 's campaign , meanwhile , has disregarded some of those guidelines with regard to the rallies .
While masks have been provided to attendees , swaths of the tightly packed crowds at the events have refused to wear them .
At the same time , Trump has mocked Biden for speaking to smaller numbers of people , contrasting the images from their respective campaign events as evidence that the Democratic nominee is failing to drum up enthusiasm .
The president has also complained in recent days that too much attention has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , and he has suggested that the focus on the pandemic is politically motivated .
Numerous states have expanded mail-in voting access in order to allow people to cast their ballots without fear of contracting the virus while standing in a long line .
The president has repeatedly claimed , without evidence , that such rules will lead to widespread voter fraud .
His campaign is encouraging Americans to vote in person .
Trump has also claimed that the recent rise in Covid-19 cases is merely due to an increase in tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true : Cases have risen this month even when testing rates have slightly dipped .
The United States in mid-October recorded the highest number of hospitalizations in nearly two months , according to the Covid Tracking Project .

But the highly contagious coronavirus , a central issue of the 2020 campaign, is also on the rise in some key swing states where in-person voter participation is highest .
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have one week left until Election Day, and early voting is in full swing in dozens of states. Turnout levels are breaking records: More than 69 million Americans have already voted , over half the total of all voters in 2016. Roughly one-third of early voters this year did so in person.
Coronavirus cases are spiking in the most fiercely contested battlegrounds of the presidential election, just as voters cast their ballots in droves.
Among the most hotly contested swing states, Wisconsin is facing the largest increase in cases and deaths. In the past week, the Badger State reported a proportionally higher number of cases than nearly anywhere else in the country, except for in North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the CDC.
The latest wave of cases appears to be crashing hardest over states in the West and the Midwest, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Johns Hopkins and the Covid Tracking Project.
The United States, which has reported more cases and deaths from Covid-19 than any other country, is now in the midst of its third surge in cases since the pandemic began earlier this year. More than 8.7 million cases and at least 225,739 deaths from the virus have been tallied in the U.S., data from Johns Hopkins University show.
"We've been preparing for this for months," Reid Magney, a spokesman for the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said in a phone call with CNBC.
Wisconsin has applied numerous safety measures to its voting processes. Poll workers are outfitted with masks and face shields, and they are required to regularly sanitize pens, touch screens and other surfaces. Voters are offered hand sanitizer at intervals, and painter's tape is used at polling locations to mark where voters should stand in line.
But Magney noted that voters cannot be forced to wear face coverings at the polls, per state laws. He suggested that people may be contracting the virus "because they're not following the things that are recommended by the CDC."
"Certainly anybody would have concern for the rise in cases," Magney said, but "we don't believe that it will impact the election itself."
Trump, who in 2016 narrowly beat then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin, traveled to the state Tuesday to host a large, in-person campaign rally. Health experts, including those in his own administration, have warned that the events could greatly increase the spread of the virus.
The president was taken off the campaign trail earlier this month after revealing he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for Covid-19. But he has since resumed a busy travel schedule in an effort to catch up to Biden, who has maintained his lead in the national polls.
Biden's campaign has been careful to comply with the social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC and other health experts. The former vice president has traveled less and hosted relatively few in-person events, none of which allowed for large crowds to gather, in the final days of the campaign.
Trump's campaign, meanwhile, has disregarded some of those guidelines with regard to the rallies. While masks have been provided to attendees, swaths of the tightly packed crowds at the events have refused to wear them.
At the same time, Trump has mocked Biden for speaking to smaller numbers of people, contrasting the images from their respective campaign events as evidence that the Democratic nominee is failing to drum up enthusiasm.
The president has also complained in recent days that too much attention has been paid to the coronavirus by the media, and he has suggested that the focus on the pandemic is politically motivated.
Numerous states have expanded mail-in voting access in order to allow people to cast their ballots without fear of contracting the virus while standing in a long line. The president has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that such rules will lead to widespread voter fraud. His campaign is encouraging Americans to vote in person.
Trump has also claimed that the recent rise in Covid-19 cases is merely due to an increase in tests being performed. But that's not true: Cases have risen this month even when testing rates have slightly dipped. The United States in mid-October recorded the highest number of hospitalizations in nearly two months, according to the Covid Tracking Project.


cnbc--2020-10-29--Democrats' growing influence in North Carolina meets resistance in this House district

Bishop , then a state senator from Charlotte 's Mecklenburg County , replaced Harris as the Republican nominee .
At the time , he was best known for his sponsorship of North Carolina 's `` bathroom bill , '' H.B .
2 , which required schools and public facilities with single-gender restrooms to allow people to use only the restroom that corresponded with the gender on their birth certificates .
Bishop 's race in 2019 was considered an early bellwether of the 2020 presidential election .
Republican candidate Mark Harris beat Democrat Dan McCready in the regular 2018 race by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Board of Elections did not certify the results because an operative working for Harris ' campaign was accused of carrying out an illegal ballot-harvesting scheme .
The board opted to hold a new election , but Harris declined to run again due to his health .
He is being challenged for the seat in North Carolina 's 9th District by first-time candidate Cynthia Wallace .
The Democrat , who works in the financial services industry , is running to replace Bishop and widen her party 's majority in the House after years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a year after Republican Dan Bishop was narrowly elected to the House of Representatives in a special election , he 's fighting to keep his seat in a district where voters have been shifting their political leanings in both directions .
The bill sparked backlash from around the country and put a strain on the state 's economy as progressives labeled it discriminatory against transgender people .
The NCAA temporarily banned playing championship games in the state , PayPal halted plans to build a new global operations center there , and Bruce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since becoming a member of Congress , Bishop has been a fairly consistent GOP voter , going against his party just over 5 % of the time , according to a ProPublica analysis .
The Cook Political Report rates the race as leaning Republican .
Although Bishop won with fewer than 5,000 votes , the fact that the Republican candidate won twice will be a challenge for Democrats to overcome this time around , according to Eric Heberlig , a political science professor at the University of North Carolina , Charlotte .
Heberlig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely contributed to the fact that Wallace 's campaign has n't received the same influx of cash as the previous Democratic candidate saw in 2018 .
At the time , McCready raised more than $ 6.6 million in the regular race , several times more than the $ 2.1 million his original Republican opponent , Harris , raised , according to OpenSecrets .
This year , Wallace has raised over $ 651,000 as of mid-October , according to Open Secrets , while Bishop raised nearly $ 4 million .
But Wallace could benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , which the Cook Political Report has rated as a toss-up for the Electoral College .
`` If Biden is able to win the district , particularly based on high Democratic turnout , that has the potential to boost Wallace 's performance , because as we 've seen people are much less likely to split their ticket than they were 20 years ago , '' Heberlig said .
`` The district is competitive enough that even a Democratic candidate who is n't able to advertise very much or is n't able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be lifted by the overall Democratic performance in the district . ''
Wallace told CNBC in an interview this month that she is focused on local issues she believes are important to voters in her district , while she says Bishop has fixated on national partisan issues such as calls from progressives outside the district to defund the police .
`` I 'm talking about the things that are going to change people 's lives , not what 's happening in Portland , '' Wallace said .
`` My pitch to [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get someone that 's focused on kitchen table issues , and her No .
1 priority is your economic outcomes . ''
Bishop 's campaign did not make him available for an interview , but in a statement he said he is focused on both local and national issues .
`` I work hard on my constituents ' priorities , '' Bishop said in the statement .
`` Some are local , like clearing away obstacles for businesses and families to keep going in the pandemic and advancing Lumbee tribal recognition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact , like my legislation to make healthcare more available and affordable .
I guess my opponent objects to my strong support for law enforcement , but she should tell that to the cops who 've endorsed me and that I 've met with in Laurinburg , Rockingham , Indian Trail , Monroe , Waxhaw and Charlotte .
I work for those folks because they 're working hard for all of us . ''
Running in a purple state in a district that leans Republican , Wallace has focused on issues that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , such as health care .
She said she would support a more uniform , federal response to the pandemic and criticized her opponent for supporting protests to lift restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus .
`` Do you want someone that 's going to be serious about the issue that affected everyone 's life ? ''
Wallace said .
`` One of the cases I 'll make to folks is you 'd be electing someone that takes your health , your safety and your economics seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the district have shifted significantly in both directions over the past few years , making this election a test of where the district ultimately shakes out .
`` Because this district is unusual in the sense that it has both urban , suburban and rural areas , you see all of those national trends in the same district , '' Heberlig said .
`` One of the questions going into 2020 is , if urban and suburban areas are increasingly shifting Democratic , are rural areas shifting Republican enough to counter-balance that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in different places balance out ?
In the 9th District , we just see that in a microcosm all in one district . ''
While Union County has remained largely conservative , according to Herberlig , the eastern and western parts of the district `` are shifting in opposite directions . ''
Rural areas in the district have shifted more toward Republicans since 2016 while highly educated voters in more urban and suburban areas around Charlotte have trended toward Democrats , Heberlig said .
The election will test how willing voters are to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state .
`` If independents break strongly against Trump and [ Sen. Thom ] Tillis and say , ' I 'm just soured on the Republican Party and I 'm going to vote for all Democrats , ' that 's the type of trend that Wallace would benefit from in pulling her over the top , '' Heberlig said .

Bishop, then a state senator from Charlotte's Mecklenburg County, replaced Harris as the Republican nominee. At the time, he was best known for his sponsorship of North Carolina's "bathroom bill," H.B. 2 , which required schools and public facilities with single-gender restrooms to allow people to use only the restroom that corresponded with the gender on their birth certificates.
Bishop's race in 2019 was considered an early bellwether of the 2020 presidential election. Republican candidate Mark Harris beat Democrat Dan McCready in the regular 2018 race by just 905 votes. But the state's Board of Elections did not certify the results because an operative working for Harris' campaign was accused of carrying out an illegal ballot-harvesting scheme. The board opted to hold a new election, but Harris declined to run again due to his health.
He is being challenged for the seat in North Carolina's 9th District by first-time candidate Cynthia Wallace. The Democrat, who works in the financial services industry, is running to replace Bishop and widen her party's majority in the House after years of working on Democratic campaigns.
Just over a year after Republican Dan Bishop was narrowly elected to the House of Representatives in a special election, he's fighting to keep his seat in a district where voters have been shifting their political leanings in both directions.
The bill sparked backlash from around the country and put a strain on the state's economy as progressives labeled it discriminatory against transgender people. The NCAA temporarily banned playing championship games in the state, PayPal halted plans to build a new global operations center there, and Bruce Springsteen canceled his concert date there.
Since becoming a member of Congress, Bishop has been a fairly consistent GOP voter, going against his party just over 5% of the time, according to a ProPublica analysis.
The Cook Political Report rates the race as leaning Republican. Although Bishop won with fewer than 5,000 votes, the fact that the Republican candidate won twice will be a challenge for Democrats to overcome this time around, according to Eric Heberlig, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
Heberlig said Democrats' awareness of that challenge likely contributed to the fact that Wallace's campaign hasn't received the same influx of cash as the previous Democratic candidate saw in 2018. At the time, McCready raised more than $6.6 million in the regular race, several times more than the $2.1 million his original Republican opponent, Harris, raised, according to OpenSecrets. This year, Wallace has raised over $651,000 as of mid-October, according to Open Secrets, while Bishop raised nearly $4 million.
But Wallace could benefit from a broader shift toward Democrats in the state, which the Cook Political Report has rated as a toss-up for the Electoral College.
"If Biden is able to win the district, particularly based on high Democratic turnout, that has the potential to boost Wallace's performance, because as we've seen people are much less likely to split their ticket than they were 20 years ago," Heberlig said. "The district is competitive enough that even a Democratic candidate who isn't able to advertise very much or isn't able to stand out much on her own could be lifted by the overall Democratic performance in the district."
Wallace told CNBC in an interview this month that she is focused on local issues she believes are important to voters in her district, while she says Bishop has fixated on national partisan issues such as calls from progressives outside the district to defund the police.
"I'm talking about the things that are going to change people's lives, not what's happening in Portland," Wallace said. "My pitch to [voters] is, you're going to get someone that's focused on kitchen table issues, and her No. 1 priority is your economic outcomes."
Bishop's campaign did not make him available for an interview, but in a statement he said he is focused on both local and national issues.
"I work hard on my constituents' priorities," Bishop said in the statement. "Some are local, like clearing away obstacles for businesses and families to keep going in the pandemic and advancing Lumbee tribal recognition. Others are national but with great local impact, like my legislation to make healthcare more available and affordable. I guess my opponent objects to my strong support for law enforcement, but she should tell that to the cops who've endorsed me and that I've met with in Laurinburg, Rockingham, Indian Trail, Monroe, Waxhaw and Charlotte. I work for those folks because they're working hard for all of us."
Running in a purple state in a district that leans Republican, Wallace has focused on issues that have been fairly safe for Democrats across the country, such as health care. She said she would support a more uniform, federal response to the pandemic and criticized her opponent for supporting protests to lift restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the virus.
"Do you want someone that's going to be serious about the issue that affected everyone's life?" Wallace said. "One of the cases I'll make to folks is you'd be electing someone that takes your health, your safety and your economics seriously."
The makeup and political leanings of the district have shifted significantly in both directions over the past few years, making this election a test of where the district ultimately shakes out.
"Because this district is unusual in the sense that it has both urban, suburban and rural areas, you see all of those national trends in the same district," Heberlig said. "One of the questions going into 2020 is, if urban and suburban areas are increasingly shifting Democratic, are rural areas shifting Republican enough to counter-balance that? Or how does the different turnout in different places balance out? In the 9th District, we just see that in a microcosm all in one district."
While Union County has remained largely conservative, according to Herberlig, the eastern and western parts of the district "are shifting in opposite directions." Rural areas in the district have shifted more toward Republicans since 2016 while highly educated voters in more urban and suburban areas around Charlotte have trended toward Democrats, Heberlig said.
The election will test how willing voters are to break from Trump and other Republicans running in the state.
"If independents break strongly against Trump and [Sen. Thom] Tillis and say, 'I'm just soured on the Republican Party and I'm going to vote for all Democrats,' that's the type of trend that Wallace would benefit from in pulling her over the top," Heberlig said.
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cnbc--2020-10-29--FBI arrests five in alleged 'Operation Fox Hunt' plot to stalk and pressure citizens to return to Ch


cnbc--2020-10-29--Biden and Trump make their final appeals to crucial voters in Florida

WASHINGTON -- In dueling campaign rallies on Thursday , President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden did their best to energize and mobilize supporters to vote in key areas of must-win Florida .
Biden started the day with a socially distanced drive-in rally in Coconut Creek , outside Fort Lauderdale , and he was scheduled to hold a rally later in the day in Tampa .
Trump , meanwhile , began his trip to the Sunshine State in Tampa , with a packed rally for thousands of largely unmasked supporters that looked , for all intents and purposes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Trump and Biden running neck and neck in the state , with Biden leading by an average of 1.4 points , well within the margins of error for most polls .
Trump won Florida in 2016 by 1.2 points over Democrat Hillary Clinton , primarily on the strength of his performance among older voters and White voters .
This time around , however , Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has cut deeply into his support among Florida 's large population of retired voters , who have suffered disproportionately from serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden 's support appears to be lagging among Florida 's Hispanic voters when compared with Clinton 's margins in 2016 .
On a press call with reporters Thursday , a Biden campaign pollster said surveys of Hispanics often improperly weight the varied Latino communities , thereby skewing the results .
On Thursday morning , Biden announced that if he is elected president , he will create a federal task force `` on day one '' dedicated to reuniting the 545 children who were separated from their parents by immigration authorities at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to be located .
Speaking in Coconut Creek , Biden also appealed directly to two reliably Republican voting blocs , Cuban Americans and Venezuelan Americans , pledging that as president he will stand up to repressive regimes in Latin America .
`` Cuba is no closer to freedom and democracy today than it was four years ago .
In fact , there are more political prisoners and the secret police are as brutal as ever , and Russia once again is a major presence in Havana , '' he said .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president `` ca n't advance democracy and human rights for the Cuban people , or the Venezuelan people , for that matter when he has embraced so many autocrats around the world . ''
But even Democrats acknowledge that Biden faces an uphill climb with these constituencies , which applauded Trump 's reimposition of Cuba sanctions and his support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido .
Trump 's speech was very reminiscent of his 2016 rallies , only with different topics .
There was his classic vitriol directed at the press , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tirades against China over the coronavirus and attacks on Biden .
Trump called for the prosecution of a former Department of Homeland Security staffer , Miles Taylor , who admitted Wednesday the he was behind an anonymous New York Times op-ed in 2018 that was unflattering to the president .
Many of the attendees at the rally had `` Latinos for Trump '' signs that the campaign had distributed , but Trump only spent a few minutes of the long rally appealing to Hispanic voters .
`` Biden 's agenda will devastate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic Americans for 47 years .
He has been very bad with Hispanic Americans , and what is happening with those polls , we have the highest numbers , '' Trump claimed .
`` We are now , according to the polls , the real polls , we are beating Democrats for the first time ever with Hispanic Americans .
And I have always loved them .
And I think they have always loved me . ''
Trump is not , in fact , leading Biden among Hispanic American voters nationwide or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he has made inroads on Clinton 's high margins .
He also linked Biden to the far left of the Democratic Party , a rhetorical tactic to then try and tie Biden to the socialist regimes in Latin America .
`` As long as I am president America will never be a socialist country , and I say it all the time , '' Trump said .
`` This election will decide whether our children will be condemned to the misery of socialism or whether they will inherit the glorious legacy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded to Trump 's efforts to portray him as a pawn of the far left by reminding voters that Biden is the Democratic nominee precisely because he ran against , and defeated , candidates who were farther to the left than he in the Democratic presidential primary — most notably Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , a self-identified `` democratic socialist . ''

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in, Get Out the Vote campaign stop in Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. Brian Snyder | Reuters
WASHINGTON -- In dueling campaign rallies on Thursday, President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden did their best to energize and mobilize supporters to vote in key areas of must-win Florida. Biden started the day with a socially distanced drive-in rally in Coconut Creek, outside Fort Lauderdale, and he was scheduled to hold a rally later in the day in Tampa. Trump, meanwhile, began his trip to the Sunshine State in Tampa, with a packed rally for thousands of largely unmasked supporters that looked, for all intents and purposes, like a pre-coronavirus pandemic rally. Polls show Trump and Biden running neck and neck in the state, with Biden leading by an average of 1.4 points, well within the margins of error for most polls. Trump won Florida in 2016 by 1.2 points over Democrat Hillary Clinton, primarily on the strength of his performance among older voters and White voters. This time around, however, Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has cut deeply into his support among Florida's large population of retired voters, who have suffered disproportionately from serious and fatal cases of Covid-19. Meanwhile, Biden's support appears to be lagging among Florida's Hispanic voters when compared with Clinton's margins in 2016. On a press call with reporters Thursday, a Biden campaign pollster said surveys of Hispanics often improperly weight the varied Latino communities, thereby skewing the results.
Biden's pitch to Latino voters
On Thursday morning, Biden announced that if he is elected president, he will create a federal task force "on day one" dedicated to reuniting the 545 children who were separated from their parents by immigration authorities at the southern border, and whose parents have yet to be located. Speaking in Coconut Creek, Biden also appealed directly to two reliably Republican voting blocs, Cuban Americans and Venezuelan Americans, pledging that as president he will stand up to repressive regimes in Latin America. "Cuba is no closer to freedom and democracy today than it was four years ago. In fact, there are more political prisoners and the secret police are as brutal as ever, and Russia once again is a major presence in Havana," he said. Biden also attacked Trump directly, saying the president "can't advance democracy and human rights for the Cuban people, or the Venezuelan people, for that matter when he has embraced so many autocrats around the world." But even Democrats acknowledge that Biden faces an uphill climb with these constituencies, which applauded Trump's reimposition of Cuba sanctions and his support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Trump offers red meat
While Biden was speaking on the eastern side of Florida, over on the Gulf side, Trump spoke for upward of 90 minutes in a Tampa parking lot, where thousands of MAGA-clad supporters cheered and booed and chanted slogans.
First lady Melania Trump waves next to U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of a campaign rally outside Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Florida, U.S., October 29, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters


cnbc--2020-10-29--Mnuchin accuses Pelosi of pulling a 'political stunt' as stimulus talks stall

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) delivers remarks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington , U.S. , on October 29 , 2020 .
`` Your responses are critical for our negotiations to continue , '' the speaker wrote .
`` The President 's words that 'after the election , we will get the best stimulus package you have ever seen ' only have meaning if he can get Mitch McConnell to take his hand off the pause button and get Senate Republican Chairmen moving toward agreement with their House counterparts . ''
Congress left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Tuesday 's election despite record numbers of new infections and the threat of fresh winter economic restrictions hitting the economy and Americans ' wallets .
While lawmakers will not send relief before the election , Pelosi signaled to Mnuchin that she wants to continue discussions after the country votes .
The episode started when , in a letter to Mnuchin , the California Democrat said she is `` still awaiting '' replies from the White House `` on multiple items of critical importance '' as the Covid-19 outbreak rages across the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides did not resolve during a preelection scramble to strike a deal : a national testing strategy , state and local government relief , enhanced unemployment insurance , child care , tax credits , liability protections for businesses , and workplace safety standards .
Discussions between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin took on a decidedly less cordial tone Thursday as the Trump administration 's top negotiator accused his counterpart of miscasting the state of stalled coronavirus stimulus talks days before Election Day .
Mnuchin responded to Pelosi on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the letter ] to my office at midnight and simultaneously released it to the press , I can unfortunately only conclude that it was a political stunt . ''
The Treasury secretary wrote that he has `` dedicated endless hour to trying to reach a compromise '' but argued the Democrat has not made the same effort to find common ground .
He said that , contrary to Pelosi 's comments , the White House did accept Democrats ' proposal on Covid-19 testing and offered `` reasonable compromise positions '' on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He criticized the Democratic leader 's opposition to passing stand-alone bills related to airline payroll relief , small business loans or direct payments to individuals .
`` Your ALL OR NONE approach is hurting hard-working Americans who need help NOW , '' he concluded .
In response to Mnuchin 's letter , Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill insisted the White House `` has not lived up to Secretary Mnuchin 's promise to accept Democrats ' language to crush the virus . ''
He said Democrats were `` still waiting for meaningful responses '' on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses are needed so that talks can advance to deliver coronavirus relief as soon as possible .
It is disappointing that the White House wasted time on this letter instead of meaningful responses to meet the needs of the American people , '' Hammill said .
During months of failed efforts to reach another stimulus agreement , Democrats and Republicans have cited a fundamental dispute over what the federal government needs to do to lift an economy and health-care system battered by the virus .
House Democrats last passed a $ 2.2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to approve a $ 500 billion bill , but Democrats blocked it .
The Trump administration most recently offered a roughly $ 1.9 trillion package to Democrats .
As the process became more bitter Thursday ahead of the election , it was unclear how the sides would come to a compromise that could pass both the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate in the coming weeks .
The third-quarter GDP report released Thursday may only widen the gulf between the parties .
The Trump presidential campaign and congressional Republicans swiftly touted the record 33.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loosened public health restrictions .
The spike followed a worst-ever plunge of 31.4 % in the second quarter — losses the economy has not fully recovered .
Initial jobless claims also fell last week to their lowest level since March , but the total of 751,000 still exceeds any week before the pandemic hit .
Republicans promoted the GDP data as evidence their economic plans have worked .
`` Republican policies have given us a strong foundation .
Together , we 're moving forward , '' Sen. John Barrasso , a Wyoming Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement Thursday .
`` Senate Republicans have three priorities : getting people back to work , getting kids back to school safely , and putting the disease behind us .
That 's our focus as we fight the virus . ''

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) delivers remarks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., on October 29, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters
Discussions between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin took on a decidedly less cordial tone Thursday as the Trump administration's top negotiator accused his counterpart of miscasting the state of stalled coronavirus stimulus talks days before Election Day. The episode started when, in a letter to Mnuchin, the California Democrat said she is "still awaiting" replies from the White House "on multiple items of critical importance" as the Covid-19 outbreak rages across the U.S. She cited a bevy of differences the sides did not resolve during a preelection scramble to strike a deal: a national testing strategy, state and local government relief, enhanced unemployment insurance, child care, tax credits, liability protections for businesses, and workplace safety standards. Congress left Washington and won't be back until after Tuesday's election despite record numbers of new infections and the threat of fresh winter economic restrictions hitting the economy and Americans' wallets. While lawmakers will not send relief before the election, Pelosi signaled to Mnuchin that she wants to continue discussions after the country votes. "Your responses are critical for our negotiations to continue," the speaker wrote. "The President's words that 'after the election, we will get the best stimulus package you have ever seen' only have meaning if he can get Mitch McConnell to take his hand off the pause button and get Senate Republican Chairmen moving toward agreement with their House counterparts."
watch now
Mnuchin responded to Pelosi on Thursday afternoon. Saying the speaker "sent [the letter] to my office at midnight and simultaneously released it to the press, I can unfortunately only conclude that it was a political stunt." The Treasury secretary wrote that he has "dedicated endless hour to trying to reach a compromise" but argued the Democrat has not made the same effort to find common ground. He said that, contrary to Pelosi's comments, the White House did accept Democrats' proposal on Covid-19 testing and offered "reasonable compromise positions" on the range of other topics Pelosi highlighted. He criticized the Democratic leader's opposition to passing stand-alone bills related to airline payroll relief, small business loans or direct payments to individuals. "Your ALL OR NONE approach is hurting hard-working Americans who need help NOW," he concluded. In response to Mnuchin's letter, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill insisted the White House "has not lived up to Secretary Mnuchin's promise to accept Democrats' language to crush the virus." He said Democrats were "still waiting for meaningful responses" on the topics Pelosi cited. "These responses are needed so that talks can advance to deliver coronavirus relief as soon as possible. It is disappointing that the White House wasted time on this letter instead of meaningful responses to meet the needs of the American people," Hammill said. During months of failed efforts to reach another stimulus agreement, Democrats and Republicans have cited a fundamental dispute over what the federal government needs to do to lift an economy and health-care system battered by the virus. House Democrats last passed a $2.2 trillion package this month. Senate Republicans tried to approve a $500 billion bill, but Democrats blocked it. The Trump administration most recently offered a roughly $1.9 trillion package to Democrats. As the process became more bitter Thursday ahead of the election, it was unclear how the sides would come to a compromise that could pass both the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate in the coming weeks. The third-quarter GDP report released Thursday may only widen the gulf between the parties. The Trump presidential campaign and congressional Republicans swiftly touted the record 33.1% growth rate that came as states loosened public health restrictions. The spike followed a worst-ever plunge of 31.4% in the second quarter — losses the economy has not fully recovered. Initial jobless claims also fell last week to their lowest level since March, but the total of 751,000 still exceeds any week before the pandemic hit. Republicans promoted the GDP data as evidence their economic plans have worked. "Republican policies have given us a strong foundation. Together, we're moving forward," Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican and the third-ranking member of his party, said in a statement Thursday. "Senate Republicans have three priorities: getting people back to work, getting kids back to school safely, and putting the disease behind us. That's our focus as we fight the virus."
watch now
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer cited the GDP report both as evidence that earlier federal stimulus worked and that Congress needs to send more relief. "These numbers mask the reality that 23 million Americans remain on unemployment and tens of thousands of small businesses have already gone under," the New York Democrat said in a statement. "Our nation still has a long way to go before we overcome this public health crisis and our economy fully recovers. Much more needs to be done."
watch now


cnbc--2020-10-29--Walmart pulls guns, ammo off sales floors because of 'civil unrest' in some areas, but will still se

Walmart pulls guns, ammo off sales floors because of 'civil unrest' in some areas, but will still sell those items

The move comes as Philadelphia has seen days of looting and violent demonstrations on the heels of Monday 's fatal shooting by police of Walter Wallace Jr. , a 27-year-old Black man who cops said had refused repeated orders to drop a knife he was holding .
Walmart has removed guns and ammunition from sales floors in stores where those items had been displayed because of isolated incidents of `` civil unrest '' in some areas around the U.S. — but the retail giant will continue selling the items .
The action echoes an identical one in June , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floors following demonstrations over the police killing of another Black man , George Floyd , in Minneapolis , Minnesota , during an arrest related to an alleged counterfeit bill .
`` We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years , we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers , '' Walmart said in a statement .
`` These items do remain available for purchase by customers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement noted that `` we only sell firearms in approximately half of our stores , primarily where there are large concentrations of hunters , sportsmen , and sportswomen . ''
Walmart operates 4,752 stores under the Walmart name in the United States , along with 599 Sam 's Club locations .

The move comes as Philadelphia has seen days of looting and violent demonstrations on the heels of Monday's fatal shooting by police of Walter Wallace Jr. Police said the 27-year-old Black man had refused repeated orders to drop a knife.
Walmart has removed guns and ammunition from sales floors because of isolated incidents of "civil unrest" in some areas around the U.S. — but the retail giant said it will continue selling them.
The action echoes an identical one in June, when Walmart pulled firearms and ammo from sales floors following demonstrations over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis during an arrest related to an alleged counterfeit bill.
"We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers," Walmart said in a statement.
"These items do remain available for purchase by customers," the retail giant said.
Walmart said it sells firearms in about half its stores, "primarily where there are large concentrations of hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen."
Walmart operates 4,752 stores under the Walmart name in the United States, along with 599 Sam's Club locations.
Its share price was down fractionally in Friday's premarket.


cnbc--2020-10-29--Lev Parnas partner David Correia pleads guilty to lying about donation to Trump super PAC

Defendant David Correia , center , leaves federal court in New York , U.S. , on Thursday , Oct. 17 , 2019 .
David Correia , a business partner of Rudy Giuliani 's former associate Lev Parnas , pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy and to making false statements to election officials about a donation made to a political action committee that supported President Donald Trump .
Correia , 45 , admitted in Manhattan federal court that he conspired with Parnas to defraud investors in their would-be fraud protection business , which was called Fraud Guarantee .
The plea hearing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Most of the money raised but not spent on that never-launched company went to Parnas , Correia 's lawyer told a judge .
Correia told a judge that in October 2018 he falsely swore to the accuracy of the contents of a declaration made to the Federal Election Commission because he wanted the FEC to end an investigation that he said he `` believed at the time was unwarranted . ''
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Zolkind said that Correia had lied in his FEC affidavit by claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active company formed by Parnas and co-defendant Igor Fruman — had actually made a $ 350,000 donation in GEP 's name to the Trump super PAC America First Action .
In fact , Zolkind said , GEP was not an operational business and did not even have a bank account .
Instead , the $ 350,000 came from a mortgage on property owned by Fruman and was transferred to an account controlled by Parnas , who then funded the donation to the PAC under GEP 's name , according to the prosecutor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Correia and Parnas solicited investments from what eventually became seven people , who each contributed between $ 200,000 and $ 500,000 apiece , to fund Fraud Guarantee .
The company purportedly planned to offer insurance against fraud for investors in other ventures .
Fraud Guarantee never became operational , but Correia and Parnas `` told the victims that this money was used exclusively for legitimate business , '' the prosecutor said .
`` This was false , '' Zolkind said .
Instead of being used to launch and operate the business , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawn as cash , and sent to personal accounts .
Some of that money was used for personal expenses such as for Parnas ' rent and luxury cars , the prosecutor said .
He was ordered Thursday to forfeit more than $ 43,000 in connection with the Fraud Guarantee swindle .
Correia and Parnas previously were charged in 2019 , along with two other men , with conspiring to violate the law banning political donations by foreigners .
Last month , when a superseding indictment was filed against all four men , FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against Correia and Parnas , `` We could n't say it better ourselves – the behavior alleged today is indeed fraudulent – guaranteed . ''
Parnas , Fruman and the fourth co-defendant , Andrey Kukushkin , have all pleaded not guilty in the broader criminal case .
Giuliani , who is Trump 's personal lawyer , was not criminally charged in the case .
But as of last year , Giuliani was known to be under investigation by federal prosecutors in Manhattan , whose office he once headed before he became New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received $ 500,000 in 2018 for work for Fraud Guarantee , which he has described as `` a combination of business advice and consulting , consistent with what my company does , and legal advice . ''
Parnas and Fruman had worked with Giuliani on an effort to collect damaging information about the Democratic presidential nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden , and about his son Hunter Biden , in connection with the younger Biden 's board position at a Ukrainian natural gas company .
Giuliani in recent weeks has made repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine and in connection with business in China .
Joe Biden denies any wrongdoing .
Both Parnas and Fruman were subpoenaed last year by the House of Representatives for testimony and documents as the House moved toward impeaching Trump .
The president , who was acquitted after a Senate trial , was impeached for withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine as he pressured that nation 's government to investigate Hunter Biden and Joe Biden , who at the time was a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination .

David Correia, a business partner of Rudy Giuliani's former associate Lev Parnas, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy and to making false statements to election officials about a donation made to a political action committee that supported President Donald Trump.
Correia, 45, admitted in Manhattan federal court that he conspired with Parnas to defraud investors in their would-be fraud protection business, which was called Fraud Guarantee. The plea hearing was conducted virtually over videoconference and phone lines because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Most of the money raised but not spent on that never-launched company went to Parnas, Correia's lawyer told a judge.
Correia told a judge that in October 2018 he falsely swore to the accuracy of the contents of a declaration made to the Federal Election Commission because he wanted the FEC to end an investigation that he said he "believed at the time was unwarranted."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Zolkind said that Correia had lied in his FEC affidavit by claiming that Global Energy Producers — a supposedly active company formed by Parnas and co-defendant Igor Fruman — had actually made a $350,000 donation in GEP's name to the Trump super PAC America First Action.
In fact, Zolkind said, GEP was not an operational business and did not even have a bank account.
Instead, the $350,000 came from a mortgage on property owned by Fruman and was transferred to an account controlled by Parnas, who then funded the donation to the PAC under GEP's name, according to the prosecutor.
Zolkind said that from 2012 through 2019, Correia and Parnas solicited investments from what eventually became seven people, who each contributed between $200,000 and $500,000 apiece, to fund Fraud Guarantee.
The company purportedly planned to offer insurance against fraud for investors in other ventures.
Fraud Guarantee never became operational, but Correia and Parnas "told the victims that this money was used exclusively for legitimate business," the prosecutor said.
"This was false," Zolkind said.
Instead of being used to launch and operate the business, the majority of the investor funds were withdrawn as cash, and sent to personal accounts. Some of that money was used for personal expenses such as for Parnas' rent and luxury cars, the prosecutor said.
Correia's sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 8.
He was ordered Thursday to forfeit more than $43,000 in connection with the Fraud Guarantee swindle.
Correia and Parnas previously were charged in 2019, along with two other men, with conspiring to violate the law banning political donations by foreigners.
Last month, when a superseding indictment was filed against all four men, FBI Assistant Director Bill Sweeney said of the charges against Correia and Parnas, "We couldn't say it better ourselves – the behavior alleged today is indeed fraudulent – guaranteed."
Parnas, Fruman and the fourth co-defendant, Andrey Kukushkin, have all pleaded not guilty in the broader criminal case.
Giuliani, who is Trump's personal lawyer, was not criminally charged in the case.
But as of last year, Giuliani was known to be under investigation by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, whose office he once headed before he became New York mayor for two terms.
Giuliani received $500,000 in 2018 for work for Fraud Guarantee, which he has described as "a combination of business advice and consulting, consistent with what my company does, and legal advice."
Parnas and Fruman had worked with Giuliani on an effort to collect damaging information about the Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, and about his son Hunter Biden, in connection with the younger Biden's board position at a Ukrainian natural gas company.
Giuliani in recent weeks has made repeated allegations of wrongdoing by the Bidens in Ukraine and in connection with business in China. Joe Biden denies any wrongdoing.
Both Parnas and Fruman were subpoenaed last year by the House of Representatives for testimony and documents as the House moved toward impeaching Trump.
The president, who was acquitted after a Senate trial, was impeached for withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine as he pressured that nation's government to investigate Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, who at the time was a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.


cnbc--2020-10-29--Biden maintains polling lead over Trump with five days until Election Day

Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden (L) and President Donald Trump Reuters
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cnbc--2020-10-29--Supreme Court rejects GOP request to decide Pennsylvania ballot case before election

People wearing masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) wait to vote in the primary election in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , June 2 , 2020 .
Republicans are challenging a decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that extended the deadline for receiving absentee ballots by three days , to Nov. 6 , in order for them to be counted .
Previously , ballots were required to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day , which is Tuesday .
The court announced its decision in an unsigned order , as is typical for emergency cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn in earlier this week , did not participate .
A court spokeswoman said that was `` because she has not had time to fully review the parties ' filings . ''
The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that it will not fast-track Pennsylvania Republicans ' challenge to an extended deadline for counting absentee ballots in the state , though the justices left open the possibility that they may ultimately rule in the GOP 's favor .
The court 's action means the question will not be resolved before the election .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , ballots received after Tuesday may ultimately be disqualified .
Pennsylvania is one of the most hotly contested battleground states in the 2020 race between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Later on Wednesday the court also rejected an effort by Republican lawmakers and Trump 's campaign to block a six-day extension of the absentee ballot deadline in North Carolina .
Barrett did not participate in the decision .
In the Pennsylvania case , an earlier challenge by the Republicans , which included the state party and lawmakers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 19 .
The court deadlocked 4-4 , with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the court 's three liberals , Justices Stephen Breyer , Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan .
That tie vote left the state supreme court decision in place .
On Oct. 23 , the GOP renewed its challenge and also asked the justices to resolve the matter on an expedited schedule .
In the meanwhile , Barrett began her term on the Supreme Court , raising the chances of a Republican victory on the issue .
Barrett has faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the election but has not committed to doing so .
In a statement on Wednesday written by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas , the three conservatives said the court 's handling of the matter `` needlessly created conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems . ''
Alito wrote that it would be `` highly desirable '' to decide the case before the election and that there is a `` strong likelihood '' that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling violates the Constitution .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not enough time at this late date to decide the question before the election , '' he wrote .
In addition to an expedited schedule , Republicans had asked the Supreme Court to order Pennsylvania to keep ballots that are received after Nov. 3 separated .
Pennsylvania told the justices earlier on Wednesday that it will do so voluntarily .
Alito wrote that nothing prevented the GOP from asking the Supreme Court for relief `` if , for some reason , it is not satisfied '' with the assurance provided by the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement that he applauded `` the Court 's decision to slow down , get to regular order , and let Pennsylvania have an election . ''
`` The denial of expedited review is good for Pennsylvania voters , who will not have the rules changed on them on the eve of the election without proper review , '' he said .
`` We know this fight may not be over and we are prepared . ''
In the North Carolina case , the court allowed an extension of the absentee ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the state 's board of elections .
The election board moved the deadline to Nov. 12 , from Nov. 6 .
Gorsuch , Thomas and Alito said they would have granted the Republicans ' request to block the extension .

People wearing masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) wait to vote in the primary election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2020.
Republicans are challenging a decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that extended the deadline for receiving absentee ballots by three days, to Nov. 6, in order for them to be counted. Previously, ballots were required to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday.
The court announced its decision in an unsigned order, as is typical for emergency cases. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was sworn in earlier this week, did not participate. A court spokeswoman said that was "because she has not had time to fully review the parties' filings."
The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that it will not fast-track Pennsylvania Republicans' challenge to an extended deadline for counting absentee ballots in the state, though the justices left open the possibility that they may ultimately rule in the GOP's favor.
The court's action means the question will not be resolved before the election. But if the justices rule in favor of Republicans, ballots received after Tuesday may ultimately be disqualified. Pennsylvania is one of the most hotly contested battleground states in the 2020 race between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Later on Wednesday the court also rejected an effort by Republican lawmakers and Trump's campaign to block a six-day extension of the absentee ballot deadline in North Carolina. Barrett did not participate in the decision.
In the Pennsylvania case, an earlier challenge by the Republicans, which included the state party and lawmakers, was rejected by the Supreme Court on Oct. 19. The court deadlocked 4-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the court's three liberals, Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. That tie vote left the state supreme court decision in place.
On Oct. 23, the GOP renewed its challenge and also asked the justices to resolve the matter on an expedited schedule. In the meanwhile, Barrett began her term on the Supreme Court, raising the chances of a Republican victory on the issue. Barrett has faced calls to recuse herself from cases related to the election but has not committed to doing so.
In a statement on Wednesday written by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, the three conservatives said the court's handling of the matter "needlessly created conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems."
Alito wrote that it would be "highly desirable" to decide the case before the election and that there is a "strong likelihood" that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling violates the Constitution.
"But I reluctantly conclude that there is simply not enough time at this late date to decide the question before the election," he wrote.
In addition to an expedited schedule, Republicans had asked the Supreme Court to order Pennsylvania to keep ballots that are received after Nov. 3 separated. Pennsylvania told the justices earlier on Wednesday that it will do so voluntarily.
Alito wrote that nothing prevented the GOP from asking the Supreme Court for relief "if, for some reason, it is not satisfied" with the assurance provided by the state.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement that he applauded "the Court's decision to slow down, get to regular order, and let Pennsylvania have an election."
"The denial of expedited review is good for Pennsylvania voters, who will not have the rules changed on them on the eve of the election without proper review," he said. "We know this fight may not be over and we are prepared."
In the North Carolina case, the court allowed an extension of the absentee ballot deadline in the state that was created by the state's board of elections. The election board moved the deadline to Nov. 12, from Nov. 6. Gorsuch, Thomas and Alito said they would have granted the Republicans' request to block the extension.


cnbc--2020-10-30--McConnell expects coronavirus stimulus in 2021, while Pelosi and Trump push for a deal sooner

The top policymakers in Washington sent mixed signals Friday about how quickly Congress could pass new coronavirus stimulus after the 2020 election .
Progress toward a relief deal ground to a halt in recent weeks as Republicans and Democrats differed over how much money they need to inject into efforts to slow record new infections in the U.S. and boost a sluggish economy .
Despite the impasse , negotiators have acknowledged they will need to send aid in some form eventually .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who have not agreed on much related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , differed again Friday when asked about when stimulus could pass .
The Kentucky Republican told radio host Hugh Hewitt that he expects to handle relief `` right at the beginning of the year , '' with legislation `` targeted particularly at small businesses that are struggling and hospitals that are now dealing with a second wave of the coronavirus . ''
Pelosi said she expects Congress `` certainly will have something [ done ] at the start of the new presidency . ''
But the California Democrat told MSNBC that `` we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that long , because people have needs . ''
The winner of the presidential election will get inaugurated on Jan. 20 , and the speaker said she believes Democrat Joe Biden will take the oath of office that day .
At the same time , President Donald Trump pushed for even more rapid passage of stimulus than the top Senate Republican and Democrat did .
Speaking to reporters Friday , the president claimed `` we will have a tremendous stimulus package immediately after the election . ''

The top policymakers in Washington sent mixed signals Friday about how quickly Congress could pass new coronavirus stimulus after the 2020 election.
Progress toward a relief deal ground to a halt in recent weeks as Republicans and Democrats differed over how much money they need to inject into efforts to slow record new infections in the U.S. and boost a sluggish economy. Despite the impasse, negotiators have acknowledged they will need to send aid in some form eventually.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who have not agreed on much related to the virus response in recent months, differed again Friday when asked about when stimulus could pass. The Kentucky Republican told radio host Hugh Hewitt that he expects to handle relief "right at the beginning of the year," with legislation "targeted particularly at small businesses that are struggling and hospitals that are now dealing with a second wave of the coronavirus."
Pelosi said she expects Congress "certainly will have something [done] at the start of the new presidency." But the California Democrat told MSNBC that "we don't want to have to wait that long, because people have needs." The winner of the presidential election will get inaugurated on Jan. 20, and the speaker said she believes Democrat Joe Biden will take the oath of office that day.
At the same time, President Donald Trump pushed for even more rapid passage of stimulus than the top Senate Republican and Democrat did. Speaking to reporters Friday, the president claimed "we will have a tremendous stimulus package immediately after the election."


cnbc--2020-10-30--Here are the states Trump and Biden will visit in the final days of the election

With four days to go until Election Day , President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are visiting states that could prove crucial to either campaign 's victory in 2020 .
Their visits come as millions of voters have already cast their ballots by mail or at early voting locations .
Trump is visiting several states that played an important role in his 2016 election : Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Critics said then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton should have spent more time campaigning in those states , especially since Trump won them with a fairly small margin of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's expected to deliver remarks in Kenosha on Monday , where police officer Rusten Sheskey shot Jacob Blake , a 29-year-old Black man , in the back seven times in front of Blake 's three sons .
A 17-year-old , Kyle Rittenhouse , was charged with killing two men during the protests that followed the police shooting of Blake .
Trump suggested after the event that Rittenhouse had acted in self-defense .
Biden is similarly planning to visit several states Trump won in 2016 in the final days of the race : Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton won Minnesota in 2016 by a small margin , but both candidates are making it one of their final stops ahead of Election Day .
Here are the places each candidate is expected to speak over the next few days :

With four days to go until Election Day, President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are visiting states that could prove crucial to either campaign's victory in 2020.
Their visits come as millions of voters have already cast their ballots by mail or at early voting locations.
Trump is visiting several states that played an important role in his 2016 election: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Critics said then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton should have spent more time campaigning in those states, especially since Trump won them with a fairly small margin of the vote.
In Wisconsin, he's expected to deliver remarks in Kenosha on Monday, where police officer Rusten Sheskey shot Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, in the back seven times in front of Blake's three sons. A 17-year-old, Kyle Rittenhouse, was charged with killing two men during the protests that followed the police shooting of Blake. Trump suggested after the event that Rittenhouse had acted in self-defense.
Biden is similarly planning to visit several states Trump won in 2016 in the final days of the race: Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Clinton won Minnesota in 2016 by a small margin, but both candidates are making it one of their final stops ahead of Election Day.
Here are the places each candidate is expected to speak over the next few days:


cnbc--2020-10-30--Trump is set to cash in as his Washington, D.C., hotel is sold out for election night

President Donald Trump 's hotel in Washington , D.C. , is set to rake in big bucks on Election Day .
Trump 's campaign is scheduled to host a party at the Trump International Hotel on election night .
Rooms at the 263-room hotel are sold out that night , according to the hotel 's website .
When CNBC reached out to the hotel Friday morning , a reservation specialist confirmed there were no rooms available for that night .
While the employee could not determine how much the rooms were going for , the rates for the days preceding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some clues .
On Friday and Saturday , standard guest rooms are going for over $ 1,000 per night , and the more expensive suites are going for just under $ 2,000 .
For days immediately following Nov. 4 , the rates start at just over $ 635 .
It 's not clear whether the president himself will attend the festivities at the hotel .
He said Friday that he has not decided where he will spend the evening and suggested the event could be moved to the White House .
Nonetheless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give some cash and win a chance to be at the hotel on election night .
`` I 've arranged with my team to fly one of my BEST SUPPORTERS to Washington , DC to join Team Trump at the Election Night Party in my favorite hotel , '' a recent email to supporters says , while asking them to contribute to the campaign .
Critics have questioned how the hotel will be able to pull off a party given the coronavirus pandemic and Washington 's restrictions on gatherings .
The Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Organization , which is currently being run by the president 's older sons , did not return requests for comment .
While it 's unclear how much the Trump campaign paid for the event itself , the president 's political organizations and allies have already given a boost to the commander in chief 's hotel properties .
From mid-August through early October , the Trump campaign spent close to $ 210,000 on what Federal Election Commission filings describe as `` lodging '' throughout the Trump Hotel Collection .
Between Trump 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RNC , Trump properties have made over $ 17 million since his 2016 run for president , according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
CRP data shows that in August , the RNC paid at least $ 200,000 for space at Trump 's hotel in Washington .
But it 's not just Trump 's campaign that has given his hotel businesses a jump in profits .
A report by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington shows that special interest groups have likely spent more than $ 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took office .
Estimates by CREW show that over 130 special interest-linked events were hosted at Trump 's properties .
These industries ranged from private prison contractors to payday lenders , CREW says .

President Donald Trump's hotel in Washington, D.C., is set to rake in big bucks on Election Day.
Trump's campaign is scheduled to host a party at the Trump International Hotel on election night. Rooms at the 263-room hotel are sold out that night, according to the hotel's website. When CNBC reached out to the hotel Friday morning, a reservation specialist confirmed there were no rooms available for that night.
While the employee could not determine how much the rooms were going for, the rates for the days preceding and following the night in question offer some clues. On Friday and Saturday, standard guest rooms are going for over $1,000 per night, and the more expensive suites are going for just under $2,000. For days immediately following Nov. 4, the rates start at just over $635.
It's not clear whether the president himself will attend the festivities at the hotel. He said Friday that he has not decided where he will spend the evening and suggested the event could be moved to the White House.
Nonetheless, Trump's campaign has prodded donors to give some cash and win a chance to be at the hotel on election night.
"I've arranged with my team to fly one of my BEST SUPPORTERS to Washington, DC to join Team Trump at the Election Night Party in my favorite hotel," a recent email to supporters says, while asking them to contribute to the campaign.
Critics have questioned how the hotel will be able to pull off a party given the coronavirus pandemic and Washington's restrictions on gatherings.
The Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and the Trump Organization, which is currently being run by the president's older sons, did not return requests for comment.
While it's unclear how much the Trump campaign paid for the event itself, the president's political organizations and allies have already given a boost to the commander in chief's hotel properties.
From mid-August through early October, the Trump campaign spent close to $210,000 on what Federal Election Commission filings describe as "lodging" throughout the Trump Hotel Collection.
Between Trump's campaign and his joint fundraising committees with the RNC, Trump properties have made over $17 million since his 2016 run for president, according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
CRP data shows that in August, the RNC paid at least $200,000 for space at Trump's hotel in Washington.
But it's not just Trump's campaign that has given his hotel businesses a jump in profits.
A report by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington shows that special interest groups have likely spent more than $13 million at Trump's business since he took office. Estimates by CREW show that over 130 special interest-linked events were hosted at Trump's properties. These industries ranged from private prison contractors to payday lenders, CREW says.