cnbc--2020-10-30--Texas early voting tops 2016 total with more than 9 million ballots cast

A poll worker helps a voter at a mail in ballot drop off location on October 13 , 2020 in Austin , Texas .
The first day of voting saw voters waiting hours in line to cast their votes .
Texas has surpassed its total 2016 voter turnout with four days before Election Day , according to data released by state election officials Friday morning .
Voters have cast more than 9 million ballots in person and by mail so far , setting a new record in the state .
In the 2016 presidential election , 8,969,226 Texans voted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The milestone reflects high turnout across the country for the presidential race between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden , as the coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for early voting .
Since the last presidential election , Texas has gained about 1.9 million registered voters , The Texas Tribune reported .
About 53 % of registered Texas voters have cast their ballot in 2020 so far .
Early voting in Texas has been led by Harris County , the Houston metropolitan area and third-most-populous county in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.3 million ballots in 2020 .
Experts say the county could be key to flipping Texas blue .
`` Harris County is the tip of the spear for Democrats in Texas , '' Brandon Rottinghaus , a political scientist at the University of Houston , told NBC News .
`` It needs to be leading turnout to be able to offset some of the Republican strongholds in rural parts of the state .
Basically , Texas does n't flip if Harris County does n't have supersized turnout . ''
Democrats have long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could edge Texas further left .
While a Democratic presidential candidate has n't won the state since Jimmy Carter in 1976 , polls are suggesting the Republican stronghold may be a battleground in 2020 .
Real Clear Politics ' polling average gives Trump a lead of just 3.2 percentage points over Biden .
The state 's 38 electoral votes are considered a must-win for Trump .
In 2016 , Trump won Texas over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 9 points .
Texas does not report party affiliation of early voters , making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shares are shaping up so far .
NBC News has modeled that 53 % of early votes come from registered Republicans while 37 % come from registered Democrats and 10 % from unaffiliated voters .
In-person early voting in Texas ends on Friday .
Texas ' limited mail voting eligibility has made in-person voting the primary mode of casting ballots .
Some counties , including Harris , have implemented drive-through voting and expanded early voting sites to add voting options .
More than 8 million Texans have voted in person , compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What we 're seeing is , when you build it they come , '' Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo , the county 's top elected official , told NBC News .
`` We 've learned that we ca n't blame the historic lack of participation on the voters themselves .
It 's been these obstacles . ''
Texas became the second state to surpass 2016 total votes after Hawaii exceeded its 2016 voter turnout on Thursday .
Record-breaking early voting turnout has continued across the country .
At least 83.5 million Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the U.S. Election Project .
Early voting across the country has now reached over 60 % of total votes cast in 2016 .
While Democrats have dominated mail-in voting , Republicans lead with in-person voting in states that report party registration .
Of about 30.8 million returned mail ballots tracked by the U.S .
Elections Project , registered Democrats have sent in 49.8 % , compared with 26.1 % by Republicans .
When it comes to the over 9.7 million reported in-person votes , registered Republicans have cast 41.6 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36.1 % .
As in-person early voting periods draw to a close and absentee ballot deadlines approach , all eyes are on Election Day .

A poll worker helps a voter at a mail in ballot drop off location on October 13, 2020 in Austin, Texas. The first day of voting saw voters waiting hours in line to cast their votes.
Texas has surpassed its total 2016 voter turnout with four days before Election Day, according to data released by state election officials Friday morning.
Voters have cast more than 9 million ballots in person and by mail so far, setting a new record in the state. In the 2016 presidential election, 8,969,226 Texans voted, according to the state's official tally.
The milestone reflects high turnout across the country for the presidential race between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, as the coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented demand for early voting.
Since the last presidential election, Texas has gained about 1.9 million registered voters, The Texas Tribune reported. About 53% of registered Texas voters have cast their ballot in 2020 so far.
Early voting in Texas has been led by Harris County, the Houston metropolitan area and third-most-populous county in the country. Harris County voters have cast more than 1.3 million ballots in 2020. Experts say the county could be key to flipping Texas blue.
"Harris County is the tip of the spear for Democrats in Texas," Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston, told NBC News. "It needs to be leading turnout to be able to offset some of the Republican strongholds in rural parts of the state. Basically, Texas doesn't flip if Harris County doesn't have supersized turnout."
Democrats have long hoped that shifting demographics in the state could edge Texas further left. While a Democratic presidential candidate hasn't won the state since Jimmy Carter in 1976, polls are suggesting the Republican stronghold may be a battleground in 2020. Real Clear Politics' polling average gives Trump a lead of just 3.2 percentage points over Biden.
The state's 38 electoral votes are considered a must-win for Trump. In 2016, Trump won Texas over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 9 points.
Texas does not report party affiliation of early voters, making it difficult to predict how parties' voter shares are shaping up so far. NBC News has modeled that 53% of early votes come from registered Republicans while 37% come from registered Democrats and 10% from unaffiliated voters.
In-person early voting in Texas ends on Friday. Texas' limited mail voting eligibility has made in-person voting the primary mode of casting ballots. Some counties, including Harris, have implemented drive-through voting and expanded early voting sites to add voting options. More than 8 million Texans have voted in person, compared with 947,235 ballots returned by mail.
"What we're seeing is, when you build it they come," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county's top elected official, told NBC News. "We've learned that we can't blame the historic lack of participation on the voters themselves. It's been these obstacles."


cnbc--2020-10-30--Republicans hope Cubans, warming to Trump, will deliver them Democrats' most vulnerable Florida Hous

Republicans hope Cubans, warming to Trump, will deliver them Democrats' most vulnerable Florida House seat

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell , D-Fla. , was swept into Congress two years ago in a `` blue wave '' of Democratic victories that featured many stories like her own — a female immigrant of color knocking down a Republican incumbent .
Now Mucarsel-Powell , who holds Democrats ' most vulnerable House seat in Florida , is facing a test of her staying power .
She is being challenged by the term-limited mayor of Miami-Dade County , Carlos Gimenez , an immigrant from Cuba who is backed by President Donald Trump .
Mucarsel-Powell 's effort to hold onto Florida 's 26th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' move to retain the majority they won in the House of Representatives last cycle .
The district will also feature prominently in Trump 's attempt to defeat Democratic nominee Joe Biden with a strategy that is heavily reliant on support from South Florida 's Cuban population , which has warmed to the president in recent years .
The 26th District , which contains Miami suburbs and parts of the Florida Keys , is the third most immigrant-heavy in the country , including many Cuban Americans .
The district has a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of its voting-age residents , according to the American Public Media Research Lab .
Unlike the majority of U.S. Latino voters , Cuban Americans tend to lean Republican .
Mucarsel-Powell , who immigrated from Ecuador , is the first person not from Cuba to represent the area in more than three decades .
( The 26th District was created after the 2010 census and redrawn in 2015 . )
Susan MacManus , a Florida political analyst , said that an underlying theme of the race was Cuban versus non-Cuban Latina `` in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Gimenez has been stressing his experience and stressing his anti-socialism credentials , '' she added .
Though there are few publicly available polls of the district , the race between Mucarsel-Powell and Gimenez is expected to be tight .
Mucarsel-Powell won against incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo in 2018 by just 2 percentage points .
A poll conducted for the Congressional Leadership Fund , a Republican spending committee , showed Gimenez up by 5 percentage points in July .
Nonpartisan forecasters estimate that the race leans slightly in Mucarsel-Powell 's favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who needs Florida 's 29 Electoral College votes to have a reasonable shot at victory , is neck and neck with Biden in the state , averages of recent polls show .
Both Trump and Biden spent Thursday in Florida seeking to energize voters during the last stretch , a sign of the state 's significance to the race .
While the president lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton in the district in 2016 by double digits , the region has a history of ticket-splitting , particularly in favor of down-ballot Cuban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isbell , who is based in Florida .
Trump looks likely to do better in the district than he did four years ago , as Cubans who were wary of his politics have become more supportive of him .
The president 's rising fortunes could serve to deflate some of the attacks against Gimenez .
`` Heading into 2020 , we see that a lot of these Cubans are actually coming back home , quote unquote , to the GOP , and therefore any hope of using Trump as a boogeyman , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't work as well , '' Isbell said .
Gimenez himself illustrates he phenomenon .
In 2016 , he endorsed Clinton for president .
This time around , he 's touting his ties to the president .
The race has echoes in the presidential contest .
Gimenez , for instance , has promoted his record on the economy and has sought to portray Mucarsel-Powell as one of the most liberal members of the Democratic Party .
Republicans have suggested she has ties to socialism , and played up a controversy involving Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest tax cut in county history , balanced billion-dollar budgets , protected the environment and more , '' Gimenez said in a statement .
`` Now , I 'm running for Congress to bring those lessons in frontline leadership experience to Washington .
I 'll bring us together instead of being a partisan mouthpiece . ''
Ads produced by Republicans have repeatedly focused on an indirect Mucarsel-Powell family connection to Ukraine .
Mucarsel-Powell 's husband , Robert Powell , did legal work for companies partially owned by the Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to Kolomoisky .
`` This town is far too familiar with violent thugs , '' the narrator says in one ad , as images of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Fidel Castro , the Cuban revolutionary , appear on screen .
`` And Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is far too familiar with violent warlord Ihor Kolomoisky . ''
The attacks mirror those lobbed by Trump at Biden .
In July , Trump told Venezuelan expatriates at an event in the state that `` Joe Biden and the radical left are trying to impose the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America . ''
A Spanish-language ad that Trump put up earlier this month , titled `` Castrochavismo , '' links Biden to Castro and the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez .
There is some evidence that Trump 's strategy is working , which could be bad news for Mucarsel-Powell .
Only a few weeks ago , Trump trailed Biden in Florida by 4 percentage points , before closing the gap in recent weeks .
Biden , who has largely shrugged off Trump 's attacks — he asked voters in Pennsylvania in August , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
— deployed his most powerful spokesperson , former President Barack Obama , to fend off the criticism in an address in Miami on Saturday .
`` Some of the rhetoric you 're hearing down here in South Florida , it 's just made up .
It 's just nonsense , '' Obama said at the campaign rally .
`` Listening to the Republicans , you 'd think Joe was more Communist than the Castros .
Do n't fall for that garbage . ''
`` Joe Biden is not a socialist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was my vice president .
I think folks would know if he 's a secret socialist by now , '' Obama said .
In her own closing argument , Mucarsel-Powell has focused on health care , and Gimenez 's record on Covid-19 as mayor .
She spent more than $ 1 million on an ad buy last month emphasizing her and Gimenez 's differences on the issue .
In an interview with CBS Miami earlier this month , the congresswoman compared Gimenez 's handling of the pandemic to Trump 's , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think that [ Gimenez ] knows that he has failed in protecting our community from coronavirus .
I know that he realizes that both Republican mayors , city mayors here in the county , and also Democratic city mayors have denounced his failure in leading with this crisis , '' she said .
Sarah Guggenheimer , a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , said that Mucarsel-Powell 's `` story is the story of South Florida – coming to America at a young age and working her way from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first South American immigrant to serve in Congress . ''
`` In her first term she 's delivered for her constituents , providing crucial COVID-19 relief and writing the bill to ensure Medicare Advantage covers COVID-19 testing , '' Guggenheimer added .
`` South Florida knows they can count on Mucarsel-Powell to deliver results , unlike Corrupt Carlos Giménez who 's only ever looked out for himself , his family , and his corporate donors . ''
In the final stretch , Mucarsel-Powell benefits from a cash advantage .
The most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politics showed the Democrat had raised more than $ 6 million , compared with less than $ 2 million for Gimenez .
Mucarsel-Powell also had nearly triple the cash on hand , at $ 582,098 versus $ 234,499 .
Isbell said that Mucarsel-Powell 's strategy could be effective if it energizes Democrats to vote , particularly non-Cuban Hispanic voters who tend to have lower turnout rates than Cubans .
`` The victory in 26 is not just the persuasion campaign but also making sure that you get a good electorate , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of different Democratic pockets in this district that Democrats need to show up to make sure the district stays blue . ''
Isbell said that he thinks the race will go toward Mucarsel-Powell , though it will be close .
Mucarsel-Powell 's campaign did not respond to requests for comment .
In a statement , National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Camille Gallo said Mucarsel-Powell `` will be voted out of office . ''
`` Whether it 's her record of being one of the most partisan members of Congress , ties to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband 's employer received $ 15M in PPP loans , it 's easy to see why Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is losing this race , '' Gallo said .

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) speaks during a news conference on February 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. Alex Edelman | Getty Images
Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., was swept into Congress two years ago in a "blue wave" of Democratic victories that featured many stories like her own — a female immigrant of color knocking down a Republican incumbent. Now Mucarsel-Powell, who holds Democrats' most vulnerable House seat in Florida, is facing a test of her staying power. She is being challenged by the term-limited mayor of Miami-Dade County, Carlos Gimenez, an immigrant from Cuba who is backed by President Donald Trump.
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Mucarsel-Powell's effort to hold onto Florida's 26th Congressional District is a key element in Democrats' move to retain the majority they won in the House of Representatives last cycle. The district will also feature prominently in Trump's attempt to defeat Democratic nominee Joe Biden with a strategy that is heavily reliant on support from South Florida's Cuban population, which has warmed to the president in recent years. The 26th District, which contains Miami suburbs and parts of the Florida Keys, is the third most immigrant-heavy in the country, including many Cuban Americans. The district has a majority Latino population that makes up nearly 70% of its voting-age residents, according to the American Public Media Research Lab. Unlike the majority of U.S. Latino voters, Cuban Americans tend to lean Republican. Mucarsel-Powell, who immigrated from Ecuador, is the first person not from Cuba to represent the area in more than three decades. (The 26th District was created after the 2010 census and redrawn in 2015.) Susan MacManus, a Florida political analyst, said that an underlying theme of the race was Cuban versus non-Cuban Latina "in a region where country of origin matters." "Gimenez has been stressing his experience and stressing his anti-socialism credentials," she added.
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Though there are few publicly available polls of the district, the race between Mucarsel-Powell and Gimenez is expected to be tight. Mucarsel-Powell won against incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo in 2018 by just 2 percentage points. A poll conducted for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican spending committee, showed Gimenez up by 5 percentage points in July. Nonpartisan forecasters estimate that the race leans slightly in Mucarsel-Powell's favor or else consider it a toss-up. Trump, who needs Florida's 29 Electoral College votes to have a reasonable shot at victory, is neck and neck with Biden in the state, averages of recent polls show. Both Trump and Biden spent Thursday in Florida seeking to energize voters during the last stretch, a sign of the state's significance to the race. While the president lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton in the district in 2016 by double digits, the region has a history of ticket-splitting, particularly in favor of down-ballot Cuban Republicans, according to liberal analyst Matthew Isbell, who is based in Florida. Trump looks likely to do better in the district than he did four years ago, as Cubans who were wary of his politics have become more supportive of him. The president's rising fortunes could serve to deflate some of the attacks against Gimenez. "Heading into 2020, we see that a lot of these Cubans are actually coming back home, quote unquote, to the GOP, and therefore any hope of using Trump as a boogeyman, or an anchor against the Republicans, that won't work as well," Isbell said. Gimenez himself illustrates he phenomenon. In 2016, he endorsed Clinton for president. This time around, he's touting his ties to the president. The race has echoes in the presidential contest. Gimenez, for instance, has promoted his record on the economy and has sought to portray Mucarsel-Powell as one of the most liberal members of the Democratic Party. Republicans have suggested she has ties to socialism, and played up a controversy involving Ukraine. "As Mayor, I delivered the largest tax cut in county history, balanced billion-dollar budgets, protected the environment and more," Gimenez said in a statement. "Now, I'm running for Congress to bring those lessons in frontline leadership experience to Washington. I'll bring us together instead of being a partisan mouthpiece." Ads produced by Republicans have repeatedly focused on an indirect Mucarsel-Powell family connection to Ukraine. Mucarsel-Powell's husband, Robert Powell, did legal work for companies partially owned by the Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky. Robert Powell has denied having significant ties to Kolomoisky. "This town is far too familiar with violent thugs," the narrator says in one ad, as images of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary, appear on screen. "And Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is far too familiar with violent warlord Ihor Kolomoisky." The attacks mirror those lobbed by Trump at Biden. In July, Trump told Venezuelan expatriates at an event in the state that "Joe Biden and the radical left are trying to impose the same system -- socialism plus -- in America." A Spanish-language ad that Trump put up earlier this month, titled "Castrochavismo," links Biden to Castro and the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. There is some evidence that Trump's strategy is working, which could be bad news for Mucarsel-Powell. Only a few weeks ago, Trump trailed Biden in Florida by 4 percentage points, before closing the gap in recent weeks. Biden, who has largely shrugged off Trump's attacks — he asked voters in Pennsylvania in August, "do I look like a radical socialist?" — deployed his most powerful spokesperson, former President Barack Obama, to fend off the criticism in an address in Miami on Saturday. "Some of the rhetoric you're hearing down here in South Florida, it's just made up. It's just nonsense," Obama said at the campaign rally. "Listening to the Republicans, you'd think Joe was more Communist than the Castros. Don't fall for that garbage." "Joe Biden is not a socialist. He was a senator from Delaware. He was my vice president. I think folks would know if he's a secret socialist by now," Obama said.
Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, speaks during a press conference relating hurricane season updates at the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center on June 8, 2020 in Miami, Florida. Eva Marie Uzcategui | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-10-30--Trump reveals plan to sell F-35 fighter jets to UAE — but hurdles remain

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump 's administration has notified Congress of its intent to sell 50 Lockheed Martin F-35 II joint strike fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates , in a sale that could amount to $ 10 billion .
The news Thursday came less than two months after the signing of the Abraham Accord , an agreement establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE , which has opened up a wealth of opportunities in trade , technology and security cooperation .
The UAE has for years had its eye on the F-35 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market .
But the main hurdle was Israel , which is legally guaranteed a qualitative military edge ( QME ) by the U.S. that ensures a technological advantage over its neighbors and exclusive access to some of America 's best arms .
So it was major news when Israel 's defense minister last week said the country would not oppose Washington selling `` certain weapons systems '' to the Emiratis — widely interpreted as a green light for the F-35 , which Israel already owns .
Unfathomable just a few weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations and the rapidly fortifying alliances against Iran that will define the Middle East for decades to come .
If approved , the sale would make the UAE only the second country in the region to get the fifth-generation system .
`` It really is a nail in the coffin of the old Middle East , '' Michael Rubin , a former Pentagon official and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute , told CNBC .
`` That the Israelis have no objection suggests that the agreement between Israel and the UAE is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also on trust .
The potential sale of the F-35 to the UAE signals just how seriously the Emiratis take the Iranian threat . ''
Still , there is no deal done yet .
Congressional and bureaucratic approvals , as well as security concerns — like ensuring that no highly classified information about the platform 's capabilities or missions can be accessed by hostile powers — remain key hurdles .
The F-35 is not just a jet , experts stress .
It is the Pentagon 's most expensive procurement program to date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than anything else on the market .
It can identify and eliminate threats before it is detected thanks to its stealth technology , supersonic flight speeds and highly classified passive tracking capabilities .
`` The thing that makes it really a real game changer is the combination of that stealth with the ability to gather huge amounts of information through its sensor suite without giving itself away , '' Justin Bronk , a combat airpower and technology specialist at the Royal United Services Institute in London , told CNBC .
The jets currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The F-35 is qualitatively heads above what Iran possesses , '' Rubin said .
`` It gives the Emiratis the ability to retaliate against Iran for any malign activities . ''
The Trump administration is reportedly working on ways to uphold Israel 's QME as part of the plan , which will likely involve sales of other weapons and technologies .
But congressional approvals , as well as passing U.S. export control regulations , `` should not be assumed as automatic , '' said Charles Forrester , principal analyst for MENA industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration 's move , House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel expressed `` concern , '' saying in a statement Thursday that `` rushing these sales is not in anyone 's interest . ''
Congress has been hostile to Gulf weapons exports in recent years .
Trump 's declaration of a national emergency in 2019 to bypass Congress and sign a more than $ 8 billion weapons sale to the UAE , Saudi Arabia and Jordan drew angry bipartisan criticism .
A potential new U.S. administration could also cause delays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy advisor to Democratic nominee Joe Biden , expressed `` concerns about what commitments may or may not have been made to the UAE with regard to the F-35 . ''
Still , the AIE 's Rubin contends , `` the Emiratis are n't toxic in Congress the way Saudi Arabia is . ''
But some analysts warn that if the Emiratis get the jets , the Saudis will demand to follow suit .
Exporting the F-35 to the Gulf could be `` another potential way for Chinese and Russian in particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gather sensitive information about the jet , '' said Bronk .
Defense espionage is common , and while China and Russia do n't have military bases in the UAE , there is a substantial level of engagement between the countries .
The UAE operates Chinese Wing Loong lethal drones , among other equipment , has bought Russian arms including mobile air defense systems and in 2018 signed a strategic partnership agreement with Moscow .
Certain weapons systems as well as foreign technicians operating on UAE military bases could pose an espionage threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese technicians do regularly work for and with the UAE air force ... so it is a serious security risk concern for the U.S. , '' he said .

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Two Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets fly during a military aeronautical training exercise. Taken on 4 Sept. 2019. Nicolò Campo | LightRocket | Getty Images
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump's administration has notified Congress of its intent to sell 50 Lockheed Martin F-35 II joint strike fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, in a sale that could amount to $10 billion. The news Thursday came less than two months after the signing of the Abraham Accord, an agreement establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, which has opened up a wealth of opportunities in trade, technology and security cooperation. The UAE has for years had its eye on the F-35, the most advanced fighter jet platform on the market. But the main hurdle was Israel, which is legally guaranteed a qualitative military edge (QME) by the U.S. that ensures a technological advantage over its neighbors and exclusive access to some of America's best arms. So it was major news when Israel's defense minister last week said the country would not oppose Washington selling "certain weapons systems" to the Emiratis — widely interpreted as a green light for the F-35, which Israel already owns.
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Unfathomable just a few weeks ago, the development speaks volumes about Israeli-UAE relations and the rapidly fortifying alliances against Iran that will define the Middle East for decades to come. If approved, the sale would make the UAE only the second country in the region to get the fifth-generation system. "It really is a nail in the coffin of the old Middle East," Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, told CNBC. "That the Israelis have no objection suggests that the agreement between Israel and the UAE isn't just based on mutual interest, but also on trust. The potential sale of the F-35 to the UAE signals just how seriously the Emiratis take the Iranian threat." Still, there is no deal done yet. Congressional and bureaucratic approvals, as well as security concerns — like ensuring that no highly classified information about the platform's capabilities or missions can be accessed by hostile powers — remain key hurdles.
Not just a jet; a 'game changer'
The F-35 is not just a jet, experts stress. It is the Pentagon's most expensive procurement program to date and is thought to be more advanced than anything else on the market. It can identify and eliminate threats before it is detected thanks to its stealth technology, supersonic flight speeds and highly classified passive tracking capabilities.
Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jet at a ceremony on Lockheed Martin
"The thing that makes it really a real game changer is the combination of that stealth with the ability to gather huge amounts of information through its sensor suite without giving itself away," Justin Bronk, a combat airpower and technology specialist at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told CNBC. The jets currently go for $100 million apiece. "The F-35 is qualitatively heads above what Iran possesses," Rubin said. "It gives the Emiratis the ability to retaliate against Iran for any malign activities."
Will Congress approve?
The Trump administration is reportedly working on ways to uphold Israel's QME as part of the plan, which will likely involve sales of other weapons and technologies. But congressional approvals, as well as passing U.S. export control regulations, "should not be assumed as automatic," said Charles Forrester, principal analyst for MENA industry at IHS Janes.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed display their copies of signed agreements as they participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and some of its Middle East neighbors, in a strategic realignment of Middle Eastern countries against Iran, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., September 15, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters
In response to the Trump administration's move, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel expressed "concern," saying in a statement Thursday that "rushing these sales is not in anyone's interest." Congress has been hostile to Gulf weapons exports in recent years. Trump's declaration of a national emergency in 2019 to bypass Congress and sign a more than $8 billion weapons sale to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan drew angry bipartisan criticism. A potential new U.S. administration could also cause delays. On Wednesday, Tony Blinken, foreign policy advisor to Democratic nominee Joe Biden, expressed "concerns about what commitments may or may not have been made to the UAE with regard to the F-35." Still, the AIE's Rubin contends, "the Emiratis aren't toxic in Congress the way Saudi Arabia is." But some analysts warn that if the Emiratis get the jets, the Saudis will demand to follow suit.
'A serious security risk concern'
Exporting the F-35 to the Gulf could be "another potential way for Chinese and Russian in particular, but also potentially Iranian, intelligence operations to gather sensitive information about the jet," said Bronk. Defense espionage is common, and while China and Russia don't have military bases in the UAE, there is a substantial level of engagement between the countries. The UAE operates Chinese Wing Loong lethal drones, among other equipment, has bought Russian arms including mobile air defense systems and in 2018 signed a strategic partnership agreement with Moscow. Certain weapons systems as well as foreign technicians operating on UAE military bases could pose an espionage threat, said RUSI's Bronk. "Chinese technicians do regularly work for and with the UAE air force ... so it is a serious security risk concern for the U.S.," he said.
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cnbc--2020-10-30--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 them

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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

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--2020-10-31--Trump campaign rallies led to more than 30,000 coronavirus cases, Stanford researchers say

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses supporters at a campaign rally outside Raymond James Stadium on October 29 , 2020 in Tampa , Florida .
President Donald Trump 's campaign rallies led to more than 30,000 coronavirus cases , according to a new paper posted by researchers at Stanford .
Researchers looked at 18 Trump rallies held between June 20 and Sept. 22 and analyzed Covid-19 data the weeks following each event .
They compared the counties where the events were held to other counties that had a similar trajectory of confirmed Covid-19 cases prior to the rally date .
Out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three were indoors , according to the research .
The researchers found that the rallies ultimately resulted in more than 30,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 .
They also concluded that the rallies likely led to more than 700 deaths , though not necessarily among attendees .
The researchers said the findings support the warnings and recommendations of public health officials concerning the risk of Covid-19 transmission at large group gatherings , `` particularly when the degree of compliance with guidelines concerning the use of masks and social distancing is low . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place paid a high price in terms of disease and death , '' said B. Douglas Bernheim , chairman of Stanford 's economics department and a lead author of the paper , wrote .
The paper , which has not undergone a peer review yet , was published on open access preprint platform SSRN .
In response to the paper , Trump campaign spokesperson Courtney Parella said , `` Americans have the right to gather under the First Amendment to hear from the President of the United States . ''
`` We take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring every attendee to have their temperature checked , providing masks they 're instructed to wear , and ensuring access to plenty of hand sanitizer .
We also have signs at our events instructing attendees to wear their masks , '' she added .
A spokesperson for Joe Biden 's campaign issued a statement after the paper posted , saying , Trump is `` costing hundreds of lives and sparking thousands of cases with super spreader rallies that only serve his own ego . ''
`` The worst part is that this does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events on White House grounds or the last five weeks of events across the country .
How many more lives have been upended in that time ?
How many more empty seats are there at kitchen tables across America because of Donald Trump 's ego ? ''
spokesperson Andrew Bates said .
The researchers said they had to overcome `` significant challenges , '' acknowledging that the dynamics of Covid-19 are `` complex , '' and `` even the most superficial examination of the data reveals that the process governing the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new research comes as the coronavirus continues to rapidly spread across the United States .
The U.S. continued to set new highs for infections this week , with Friday marking a record 99,321 daily new cases , bringing the seven-day average of daily new cases to a new high at 78,738 , a CNBC analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University showed .
Trump has often been criticized for holding in-person rallies , sometimes with tens of thousands of people , during a pandemic .
He has sought to downplay the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more testing .
But public health officials and infectious disease experts dispute that claim , saying the rate of tests that come back positive and hospitalizations are also on the rise .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's leading infectious disease expert , said Friday that the U.S. is reporting an `` extremely high and quite unacceptable '' daily number of cases ahead of the winter season when people will be spending more time indoors .
`` We 're in a precarious position over the next several weeks to months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio Reports , '' calling on people to continue wearing face masks , social distance and spend time outdoors over indoors as much as possible .

The researchers found that the rallies ultimately resulted in more than 30,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19. They also concluded that the rallies likely led to more than 700 deaths, though not necessarily among attendees.
Researchers looked at 18 Trump rallies held between June 20 and Sept. 22 and analyzed Covid-19 data the weeks following each event. They compared the counties where the events were held to other counties that had a similar trajectory of confirmed Covid-19 cases prior to the rally date. Out of the 18 rallies analyzed, only three were indoors, according to the research.
President Donald Trump 's campaign rallies led to more than 30,000 coronavirus cases, according to a new paper posted by researchers at Stanford.
The researchers said the findings support the warnings and recommendations of public health officials concerning the risk of Covid-19 transmission at large group gatherings, "particularly when the degree of compliance with guidelines concerning the use of masks and social distancing is low."
"The communities in which Trump rallies took place paid a high price in terms of disease and death," said B. Douglas Bernheim, chairman of Stanford's economics department and a lead author of the paper, wrote.
The paper, which has not undergone a peer review yet, was published on open access preprint platform SSRN. Because of the pandemic, researchers have been sharing preliminary results on preprint servers and institutional websites to get potentially vital information out as quickly as possible.
Bernheim told the New York Times that the paper was not politically motivated, and posting it before peer-review is common practice for economists so that other experts can comment on it.
In response to the paper, Trump campaign spokesperson Courtney Parella said, "Americans have the right to gather under the First Amendment to hear from the President of the United States."
"We take strong precautions for our campaign events, requiring every attendee to have their temperature checked, providing masks they're instructed to wear, and ensuring access to plenty of hand sanitizer. We also have signs at our events instructing attendees to wear their masks," she added.
A spokesperson for Joe Biden's campaign issued a statement after the paper posted, saying, Trump is "costing hundreds of lives and sparking thousands of cases with super spreader rallies that only serve his own ego."
"The worst part is that this doesn't even capture Trump's many superspreader events on White House grounds or the last five weeks of events across the country. How many more lives have been upended in that time? How many more empty seats are there at kitchen tables across America because of Donald Trump's ego?" spokesperson Andrew Bates said.
The researchers said they had to overcome "significant challenges," acknowledging that the dynamics of Covid-19 are "complex," and "even the most superficial examination of the data reveals that the process governing the spread of Covid-19 differs across counties."
The new research comes as the coronavirus continues to rapidly spread across the United States. The U.S. continued to set new highs for infections this week, with Friday marking a record 99,321 daily new cases, bringing the seven-day average of daily new cases to a new high at 78,738, a CNBC analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University showed.
Trump has often been criticized for holding in-person rallies, sometimes with tens of thousands of people, during a pandemic. He has sought to downplay the virus, often tying the increase in Covid-19 cases to more testing. But public health officials and infectious disease experts dispute that claim, saying the rate of tests that come back positive and hospitalizations are also on the rise.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, said Friday that the U.S. is reporting an "extremely high and quite unacceptable" daily number of cases ahead of the winter season when people will be spending more time indoors.
"We're in a precarious position over the next several weeks to months," Fauci told SiriusXM's "Doctor Radio Reports," calling on people to continue wearing face masks, social distance and spend time outdoors over indoors as much as possible.


cnbc--2020-10-31--Here's how a Biden or Trump presidency would affect your personal finances

President Donald Trump and Joe Biden , his Democratic opponent in next week 's election , have broadly diverging views on issues that would impact the personal finances of everyday Americans .
It 's no guarantee the candidates ' ideas and proposals will eventually become law .
Much hinges on the outcome of congressional races , for example .
But here are things to consider as voters head to the polls on Tuesday , on issues like taxes , Social Security , student loans and Medicare .
The Trump campaign said it would `` cut taxes to boost take-home pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It offers scarce details on how this would be accomplished .
Experts believe the president would try to build on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , viewed as his signature legislative achievement during his first term .
The law , enacted in 2017 , overhauled the tax code for individuals and businesses .
It roughly doubled the standard deduction and limited some itemized deductions ( like one for state and local taxes ) , among other things .
More from Personal Finance : Here 's a decade-by-decade guide to retirement planning What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to student loan borrowers Older workers are struggling to find jobs On average , the law cut taxes for Americans across all income groups , according to a report published by the Joint Committee on Taxation last year .
The richest Americans pocketed most of the benefit .
About 76 % of the estimated $ 259 billion in taxpayers ' total savings in 2019 went to those making more than $ 100,000 a year , according to the report .
However , the bill 's tax cuts for individuals are temporary .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revert back to prior law , effectively raising taxes .
The Trump administration would likely try to make these cuts permanent , tax experts said .
Doing so would raise after-tax income for all households , on average , delivering a 1.5 % increase , according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center .
The top 20 % of Americans ( making roughly $ 167,000 ) would get about two-thirds of the benefit .
Trump administration officials like economic advisor Larry Kudlow have also floated the idea of a tax cut for the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes on capital gains ( the top tax rate of which is currently 20 % ) .
Biden , who was vice president during the Obama administration , has proposed raising taxes for wealthy Americans .
He would seek to reduce taxes for lower earners via mechanisms like a temporary expansion of the child tax credit .
The Biden campaign floated a top income-tax rate of 39.6 % ( up from 37 % ) for those earning more than $ 400,000 .
He would raise their payroll taxes , too .
The Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itemized deductions ( write-offs for charitable donations and medical costs , for example ) for wealthy households making more than $ 400,000 .
Biden would also increase taxes on capital gains to 39.6 % for those making more than $ 1 million a year — almost double the current rate .
`` That 's mega , mega significant .
A lot of the ultra-high-net-worth people make a great deal of their income through investment income , '' said Jeffrey Levine , director of advanced planning at Buckingham Wealth Partners .
The top 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 160,000 ) would be the only group to see a tax increase in 2022 , according to the Tax Policy Center .
Their tax liability would grow by 5 % , or $ 14,700 , in 2022 .
Meanwhile , Biden would boost the child tax credit to $ 3,000 for kids 17 and younger , plus a $ 600 bonus for children under 6 .
( The credit is currently $ 2,000 for kids under 17 . )
Biden would also make it fully refundable , meaning taxpayers would get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Up to $ 1,400 is currently refundable for each child . )
The bottom 20 % of earners would see after-tax income grow by more than 5 % , or roughly $ 750 , in 2022 .
Some observers believe low and middle-income taxpayers could see negative indirect effects from Biden 's proposal to increase the corporate tax rate , via increased prices for consumer goods or stagnating wages for employees .
Biden 's plan calls for boosting Social Security checks for individuals in many ways .
For example , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who 've been receiving benefits for at least 20 years , to protect against depleted retirement savings .
It would also set a minimum benefit — at least 125 % of the poverty level — for those who 've worked at least 30 years .
Monthly survivor benefits for widows and widowers would grow by 20 % .
Biden would also seek to improve Social Security 's finances .
Earlier this year , the Social Security Administration projected the trust funds that help pay benefits would run out in 2035 .
At that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits would be payable , funded exclusively by payroll taxes .
The unemployment crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has sped up that timeline by a few years , according to some estimates .
Biden would impose Social Security payroll taxes on high earners to improve the program 's solvency .
Currently , workers pay 6.2 % from wages , capped at wages up to $ 137,700 ( which is indexed for inflation ) .
Biden would also apply taxes to earnings over $ 400,000 .
Trump 's campaign agenda says he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's tweeted messages of support for Social Security on many occasions and said he would `` save '' the program .
The president signed an executive measure in August creating a Social Security payroll tax holiday , between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 .
It 's a tax deferral , and workers would have to pay the tax back early next year .
Businesses had to opt in .
It only applied to workers making less than about $ 100,000 a year .
But Trump has floated forgiving that deferred tax .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I plan to forgive these taxes and make permanent cuts to the payroll tax , '' Trump said .
A permanent payroll tax cut could deplete the Social Security trust funds by mid-2023 , according to Stephen Goss , Social Security 's chief actuary .
Biden has proposed forgiving $ 10,000 in student debt for all borrowers .
He would also forgive federal student debt tied to undergraduate tuition at public colleges and historically Black colleges and universities .
That would apply to borrowers earning less than $ 125,000 a year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgive student loans .
He 's called for eliminating public-service loan forgiveness , which allows certain not-for-profit and government employees to have federal student loans canceled after a decade of on-time payments .
Biden would keep that program but make changes , instead forgiving $ 10,000 a year of undergraduate or graduate student debt for up to five years .
The Trump administration has allowed borrowers to pause monthly student loan payments without interest accrual during the Covid-19 pandemic .
The U.S. Department of Education initially offered that moratorium in March , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer extending that pause through 2020 .
It 's unclear if that moratorium would be extended next year if Trump ( or Biden ) wins the election .
Trump has taken some steps to ease costs for Medicare beneficiaries and has proposed some changes to the senior health program .
For example , the president has moved to reduce drug costs , by lifting `` gag orders '' on pharmacists that prohibited them from telling patients there was a cheaper option for their prescriptions , for example .
He capped monthly insulin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Medicare beneficiaries .
Trump also wants to send $ 200 payment cards to some individuals on Medicare to help pay for drugs , he said in a speech last month .
The Trump administration is supporting a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act .
That law , known as Obamacare , made some changes to Medicare .
For example , it added certain free preventive benefits to Medicare and eliminated , over several years , a spike in out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs that some beneficiaries faced .
Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His plan would allow individuals to enroll in Medicare starting at age 60 instead of 65 .
The program would cover dental , vision and hearing , all of which are currently excluded .
Biden also wants to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries by , for example , allowing the government to negotiate those prices — which is currently prohibited by law .
He would prohibit most drug prices from rising faster than inflation .
His campaign also supports the Affordable Care Act .
— CNBC reporters Lorie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sarah O'Brien contributed to this story .

Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, right, and President Donald Trump during the presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 22, 2020. Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, his Democratic opponent in next week's election, have broadly diverging views on issues that would impact the personal finances of everyday Americans. It's no guarantee the candidates' ideas and proposals will eventually become law. Much hinges on the outcome of congressional races, for example. But here are things to consider as voters head to the polls on Tuesday, on issues like taxes, Social Security, student loans and Medicare.
Taxes
The Trump campaign said it would "cut taxes to boost take-home pay and keep jobs in America." It offers scarce details on how this would be accomplished. Experts believe the president would try to build on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, viewed as his signature legislative achievement during his first term.
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards
Doing so would raise after-tax income for all households, on average, delivering a 1.5% increase, according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. The top 20% of Americans (making roughly $167,000) would get about two-thirds of the benefit. Trump administration officials like economic advisor Larry Kudlow have also floated the idea of a tax cut for the middle class. Trump has also proposed cutting taxes on capital gains (the top tax rate of which is currently 20%). Biden, who was vice president during the Obama administration, has proposed raising taxes for wealthy Americans. He would seek to reduce taxes for lower earners via mechanisms like a temporary expansion of the child tax credit. The Biden campaign floated a top income-tax rate of 39.6% (up from 37%) for those earning more than $400,000. He would raise their payroll taxes, too.
watch now
The Biden plan would also limit the value of itemized deductions (write-offs for charitable donations and medical costs, for example) for wealthy households making more than $400,000. Biden would also increase taxes on capital gains to 39.6% for those making more than $1 million a year — almost double the current rate. "That's mega, mega significant. A lot of the ultra-high-net-worth people make a great deal of their income through investment income," said Jeffrey Levine, director of advanced planning at Buckingham Wealth Partners. The top 20% (those making more than roughly $160,000) would be the only group to see a tax increase in 2022, according to the Tax Policy Center. Their tax liability would grow by 5%, or $14,700, in 2022.
Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards
Meanwhile, Biden would boost the child tax credit to $3,000 for kids 17 and younger, plus a $600 bonus for children under 6. (The credit is currently $2,000 for kids under 17.) Biden would also make it fully refundable, meaning taxpayers would get a refund even if they owe no tax. (Up to $1,400 is currently refundable for each child.) The bottom 20% of earners would see after-tax income grow by more than 5%, or roughly $750, in 2022. Some observers believe low and middle-income taxpayers could see negative indirect effects from Biden's proposal to increase the corporate tax rate, via increased prices for consumer goods or stagnating wages for employees.
Social Security
Biden's plan calls for boosting Social Security checks for individuals in many ways. For example, his proposal would raise monthly payments for seniors who've been receiving benefits for at least 20 years, to protect against depleted retirement savings. It would also set a minimum benefit — at least 125% of the poverty level — for those who've worked at least 30 years. Monthly survivor benefits for widows and widowers would grow by 20%. Biden would also seek to improve Social Security's finances. Earlier this year, the Social Security Administration projected the trust funds that help pay benefits would run out in 2035. At that time, around 79% of promised benefits would be payable, funded exclusively by payroll taxes. The unemployment crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has sped up that timeline by a few years, according to some estimates. Biden would impose Social Security payroll taxes on high earners to improve the program's solvency. Currently, workers pay 6.2% from wages, capped at wages up to $137,700 (which is indexed for inflation). Biden would also apply taxes to earnings over $400,000. Trump's campaign agenda says he would "protect Social Security." He's tweeted messages of support for Social Security on many occasions and said he would "save" the program. The president signed an executive measure in August creating a Social Security payroll tax holiday, between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31. It's a tax deferral, and workers would have to pay the tax back early next year. Businesses had to opt in. It only applied to workers making less than about $100,000 a year. But Trump has floated forgiving that deferred tax. "If I'm victorious on Nov. 3, I plan to forgive these taxes and make permanent cuts to the payroll tax," Trump said. A permanent payroll tax cut could deplete the Social Security trust funds by mid-2023, according to Stephen Goss, Social Security's chief actuary.
Student loans
Biden has proposed forgiving $10,000 in student debt for all borrowers. He would also forgive federal student debt tied to undergraduate tuition at public colleges and historically Black colleges and universities. That would apply to borrowers earning less than $125,000 a year. Trump hasn't mentioned sweeping plans to forgive student loans. He's called for eliminating public-service loan forgiveness, which allows certain not-for-profit and government employees to have federal student loans canceled after a decade of on-time payments.
watch now
Biden would keep that program but make changes, instead forgiving $10,000 a year of undergraduate or graduate student debt for up to five years. The Trump administration has allowed borrowers to pause monthly student loan payments without interest accrual during the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Education initially offered that moratorium in March, and the president signed an executive measure over the summer extending that pause through 2020. It's unclear if that moratorium would be extended next year if Trump (or Biden) wins the election.
Medicare


cnbc--2020-10-31--How President Donald Trump got to Election Day in a turbulent 2020

For President Donald Trump , the year leading to Election Day was even more turbulent than the first three years of his tenure : an impeachment trial , racial unrest that unsettled an already tense nation , and a killer microbe that claimed more than 225,000 lives in the U.S. and crushed the economy .
In a stunning post-midnight tweet 32 days before the election , the 74-year-old Trump announced that he , too , had become infected with the coronavirus , as did first lady Melania Trump .
`` We will get through this TOGETHER ! ''
he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had faced off against Democrat Joe Biden in the first presidential debate of the campaign .
Both men , maskless , stood at lecterns more than 6 feet apart during the verbal brawl , in which Trump ridiculed the 77-year-old former vice president for wearing `` the biggest mask I have ever seen . ''
A profile of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be published on CNBC.com on Sunday morning .
Trump survived the infection and came back to argue his case for reelection , debating Biden a second time and traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally supporters despite a surge in Covid-19 cases .
One week before the election , he prevailed in his appointment of conservative Amy Coney Barrett to succeed the late liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
It was Trump 's third Supreme Court selection , the most for any first-term president since Richard Nixon , and it appeared to solidify the court 's conservative majority — 6-3 .
The inquiry focused on his request to Ukraine 's newly elected president to investigate Biden 's actions in that country and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , not Russia , that had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election at the behest of Democrats .
Trump 's July 25 , 2019 , phone call , in which he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to `` do us a favor '' and order a corruption probe of Biden and Biden 's son Hunter , was made one day after Mueller finally broke his silence by testifying in Congress about his 22-month Russia probe .
Trump 's leverage was his balking on Zelenskiy 's request for a face-to-face meeting and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressionally mandated military aid to Ukraine , which was fighting a war against Russian surrogates .
After a whistleblower brought the phone call to light , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi approved the impeachment inquiry .
Nearly three months later , the House voted along party lines on Dec. 18 to charge Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors , approving two articles of impeachment : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for stonewalling the House investigation .
With the Republicans ' 53-47 control of the Senate , the impeachment trial had a predicable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 5 vote was that one Republican senator — Mitt Romney of Utah — broke ranks to vote to convict Trump on one count , abuse of power .
All the other Republicans voted to acquit and all the Democrats voted to convict .
But in spring 2020 , states began to lock down their economies in an effort to flatten the rise in coronavirus cases .
The shutdowns led to the loss of tens of millions of jobs and wiped out the Trump market gains .
Months later , equity indexes clawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then turned south in the week before the election .
The mysterious infection emerged in Wuhan , China , on New Year 's Eve .
As the virus spread from China , Trump initially played down the risks .
A day after the first U.S. case was announced on Jan. 21 , CNBC 's Joe Kernen asked Trump whether he was worried about it spreading to the United States .
`` No , not at all , '' Trump replied during the interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
It 's one person coming in from China , and we have it under control .
It 's going to be just fine . ''
He conducted indoor political rallies in Tulsa , Oklahoma , in June and Las Vegas in September , despite warnings that the virus was more likely to spread indoors than outside .
A prominent supporter who attended the Tulsa rally , Herman Cain , died of Covid weeks later .
On Oct. 1 , the day that one of Trump 's closest aides , Hope Hicks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president traveled from Washington to meet with GOP donors in a fundraiser at his country club in Bedminster , New Jersey .
Hours later , he announced that he and the first lady tested positive for Covid .
Their 14-year-old son , Barron , also was infected .
Several other White House officials also tested positive .
It appeared that Trump 's introduction of Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 became a super-spreading event and helped turned the White House into a coronavirus hot spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late June , Trump was pressed by Axios ' Jonathan Swan about the death toll .
`` They are dying , that 's true .
And you have — it is what it is , '' Trump replied .
`` But that does n't mean we are n't doing everything we can .
It 's under control as much as you can control it .
This is a horrible plague . ''
Three months later , the U.S. death toll broke 200,000 among more than 7 million cases , the highest number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
And just nine days before the election and 25,000 more U.S. deaths , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows acknowledged on CNN : `` We 're not going to control the pandemic .
We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and other mitigations . ''
Trump himself had earlier encounters with coronavirus : At his Mar-a-Lago resort in March 2020 , he stood next to a Brazilian official who later tested positive .
Weeks later , his White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also tested positive .
Trump 's tests were negative .
In May , Trump said he started to take a daily dose of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure against the virus .
Without conclusive evidence , he had previously promoted the anti-malaria drug as a game changer .
The Food and Drug Administration had warned that the medication could cause serious heart problems , and experts said its effectiveness against Covid was unproven .
After the president became infected , he was given an 8 gram dose of Regeneron 's polyclonal antibody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vitamin D , famotidine , melatonin and a daily aspirin , according to his physician , Dr. Sean Conley .
Two days after he was hospitalized , he briefly left Walter Reed to wave to supporters outside while driving by in an SUV driven by Secret Service agents .
The following day , he was discharged and flew back on Marine One to the White House , where he removed his mask and recorded a video .
`` Do n't let [ the virus ] dominate you .
Do n't be afraid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take over your lives , '' he urged Americans .
A month later , he dispatched federal forces in Portland , Oregon , to block protesters at the U.S .
Courthouse .
The forces , using unmarked cars and wearing unidentified camouflage uniforms , were deployed despite opposition from the mayor of Portland and the governor of Oregon , both Democrats .
While appearing at one demonstration , Mayor Ted Wheeler was among those tear-gassed .
Trump threatened to deploy the troops in other cities with `` liberal Democrats '' as mayors : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit , Baltimore and Oakland , California .
`` We 're sending law enforcement , '' Trump said .
`` We ca n't let this happen to the cities . ''
Amid the convergence of plague and protests , Trump went to war against the post office — specifically voting by mail .
Some states had allowed voters to mail in their ballots for years , and election officials were looking for a safe way to avoid crowded polling places , where the virus could spread .
To Trump , mailed ballots risked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' While making his attacks , he himself voted by mail in Florida 's August 2020 primary , as he did in the state 's presidential preference vote five months earlier .
Then in early September , he suggested in North Carolina that voters cast ballots by mail and in person to test the system , even though multiple voting is a crime .
`` So let them send it in and let them go vote , and if their system 's as good as they say it is , then obviously they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If it is n't tabulated , they 'll be able to vote , '' Trump said .
Weeks later , Trump was asked if he would abide by a peaceful transfer of power if he lost to Biden .
`` Well , we 'll have to see what happens , '' he responded .
`` You know that .
I 've been complaining very strongly about the ballots .
And the ballots are a disaster .
... Get rid of the ballots , and you 'll have a very — you 'll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a transfer , frankly , there 'll be a continuation . ''

President Donald Trump arrives at Southwest Florida International Airport ahead of a campaign stop in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., October 16, 2020. Carlos Barria | Reuters
For President Donald Trump, the year leading to Election Day was even more turbulent than the first three years of his tenure: an impeachment trial, racial unrest that unsettled an already tense nation, and a killer microbe that claimed more than 225,000 lives in the U.S. and crushed the economy. In a stunning post-midnight tweet 32 days before the election, the 74-year-old Trump announced that he, too, had become infected with the coronavirus, as did first lady Melania Trump. "We will get through this TOGETHER!" he said. Just two days earlier, Trump had faced off against Democrat Joe Biden in the first presidential debate of the campaign. Both men, maskless, stood at lecterns more than 6 feet apart during the verbal brawl, in which Trump ridiculed the 77-year-old former vice president for wearing "the biggest mask I have ever seen."
watch now
Trump survived the infection and came back to argue his case for reelection, debating Biden a second time and traveling to battleground states around the country to rally supporters despite a surge in Covid-19 cases. For a profile of Democrat Joe Biden, see: How Joe Biden got to the threshold of the presidency One week before the election, he prevailed in his appointment of conservative Amy Coney Barrett to succeed the late liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. It was Trump's third Supreme Court selection, the most for any first-term president since Richard Nixon, and it appeared to solidify the court's conservative majority — 6-3.
Impeached but not removed
Yes, the impeachment trial started only nine months ago, on Jan. 16. Months after surviving special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, the New York real estate baron and reality TV star who made an astonishing rise to the Oval Office found himself at the center of the impeachment probe.
President Donald Trump holds a copy of The Washington Post as he speaks in the East Room of the White House one day after the Senate acquitted him of two articles of impeachment, February 6, 2020 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer | Getty Images
The inquiry focused on his request to Ukraine's newly elected president to investigate Biden's actions in that country and on a debunked conspiracy theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election at the behest of Democrats. Trump's July 25, 2019, phone call, in which he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to "do us a favor" and order a corruption probe of Biden and Biden's son Hunter, was made one day after Mueller finally broke his silence by testifying in Congress about his 22-month Russia probe. Trump's leverage was his balking on Zelenskiy's request for a face-to-face meeting and his withholding of nearly $400 million in congressionally mandated military aid to Ukraine, which was fighting a war against Russian surrogates. After a whistleblower brought the phone call to light, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi approved the impeachment inquiry. Nearly three months later, the House voted along party lines on Dec. 18 to charge Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors, approving two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for stonewalling the House investigation. With the Republicans' 53-47 control of the Senate, the impeachment trial had a predicable outcome. The only surprise of the Feb. 5 vote was that one Republican senator — Mitt Romney of Utah — broke ranks to vote to convict Trump on one count, abuse of power. All the other Republicans voted to acquit and all the Democrats voted to convict.
The plague
The acquittal came just as Trump was blindsided with an unprecedented challenge — the coronavirus. Starting immediately with Trump's 2016 election as the nation's 45th president, stocks moved from record high to record high during his first three years in the White House. The market had extended its bull run to more than 10 years, and the economy continued its slow expansion with 50-year lows in the unemployment rate and little inflation.
President Donald Trump speaks while Dr. Anthony Fauci (L) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House on March 31, 2020 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee | Getty Images
But in spring 2020, states began to lock down their economies in an effort to flatten the rise in coronavirus cases. The shutdowns led to the loss of tens of millions of jobs and wiped out the Trump market gains. Months later, equity indexes clawed their way back to record highs, then turned south in the week before the election. The mysterious infection emerged in Wuhan, China, on New Year's Eve. As the virus spread from China, Trump initially played down the risks. A day after the first U.S. case was announced on Jan. 21, CNBC's Joe Kernen asked Trump whether he was worried about it spreading to the United States. "No, not at all," Trump replied during the interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "And we have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It's going to be just fine."
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President Donald Trump wears a mask as he visits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland' on July 11, 2020. Alex Edelman | Getty Images
He conducted indoor political rallies in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June and Las Vegas in September, despite warnings that the virus was more likely to spread indoors than outside. A prominent supporter who attended the Tulsa rally, Herman Cain, died of Covid weeks later. On Oct. 1, the day that one of Trump's closest aides, Hope Hicks, found out she was infected, the president traveled from Washington to meet with GOP donors in a fundraiser at his country club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Hours later, he announced that he and the first lady tested positive for Covid. Their 14-year-old son, Barron, also was infected. Several other White House officials also tested positive. It appeared that Trump's introduction of Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee in the Rose Garden on Sept. 26 became a super-spreading event and helped turned the White House into a coronavirus hot spot. As U.S. fatalities broke 150,000 in late June, Trump was pressed by Axios' Jonathan Swan about the death toll. "They are dying, that's true. And you have — it is what it is," Trump replied. "But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it. This is a horrible plague." Three months later, the U.S. death toll broke 200,000 among more than 7 million cases, the highest number of infections in the world, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. And just nine days before the election and 25,000 more U.S. deaths, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows acknowledged on CNN: "We're not going to control the pandemic. We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigations." Trump himself had earlier encounters with coronavirus: At his Mar-a-Lago resort in March 2020, he stood next to a Brazilian official who later tested positive. Weeks later, his White House military valet, who served his food, also tested positive. Trump's tests were negative.
President Donald Trump pulls off his face mask as he poses atop the Truman Balcony of the White House after returning from Walter Reed hospital for treatment of Covid-19, in Washington, U.S. October 5, 2020. Erin Scott | Reuters
In May, Trump said he started to take a daily dose of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure against the virus. Without conclusive evidence, he had previously promoted the anti-malaria drug as a game changer. The Food and Drug Administration had warned that the medication could cause serious heart problems, and experts said its effectiveness against Covid was unproven. After the president became infected, he was given an 8 gram dose of Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail and had been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin, according to his physician, Dr. Sean Conley. Two days after he was hospitalized, he briefly left Walter Reed to wave to supporters outside while driving by in an SUV driven by Secret Service agents. The following day, he was discharged and flew back on Marine One to the White House, where he removed his mask and recorded a video. "Don't let [the virus] dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. ... Don't let it take over your lives," he urged Americans.
The protests
As monumental as it was, the pandemic and the economic meltdown it spawned weren't the only crises ahead of the election. Just as the nation was emerging from a more than two-month lockdown, the videotaped death of an unarmed Black man, 46-year-old George Floyd, sparked widespread protests and the nation's worst racial disturbances since the Rodney King rioting 28 years earlier. Floyd died on Memorial Day while a White Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes. Protests swept through dozens of cities, including Washington. During one demonstration at the White House gates, Trump briefly took shelter in a secret bunker under the Executive Mansion. Rather than offer words of healing, Trump preached confrontation against the protesters, promising "the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons" and warning on Twitter that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."
Three days later, he castigated governors for what he perceived as weakness, saying: "When they have bricks ... you are allowed to fight back."
"If a city or state refuses to take the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them," Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden later that day. As Trump uttered those words, riot and military police outside the White House used tear gas to clear protesters out of Lafayette Square. Then, Trump and his top aides marched through the square to historic St. John's Episcopal Church, which had been damaged days earlier. He stood in front of the church's marquee board, held up a Bible and posed for photos.
President Donald Trump holds up a Bible in front of St John's Episcopal Church after walking across Lafayette Park from the White House in Washington, DC on June 1, 2020. Brendan Smialowski | AFP via Getty Images


cnbc--2020-10-31--Republicans hope Cubans, warming to Trump, will deliver them Democrats' most vulnerable Florida Hous

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell , D-Fla. , was swept into Congress two years ago in a `` blue wave '' of Democratic victories that featured many stories like her own — a female immigrant of color knocking down a Republican incumbent .
Now Mucarsel-Powell , who holds Democrats ' most vulnerable House seat in Florida , is facing a test of her staying power .
She is being challenged by the term-limited mayor of Miami-Dade County , Carlos Gimenez , an immigrant from Cuba who is backed by President Donald Trump .
Mucarsel-Powell 's effort to hold onto Florida 's 26th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' move to retain the majority they won in the House of Representatives last cycle .
The district will also feature prominently in Trump 's attempt to defeat Democratic nominee Joe Biden with a strategy that is heavily reliant on support from South Florida 's Cuban population , which has warmed to the president in recent years .
The 26th District , which contains Miami suburbs and parts of the Florida Keys , is the third most immigrant-heavy in the country , including many Cuban Americans .
The district has a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of its voting-age residents , according to the American Public Media Research Lab .
Unlike the majority of U.S. Latino voters , Cuban Americans tend to lean Republican .
Mucarsel-Powell , who immigrated from Ecuador , is the first person not from Cuba to represent the area in more than three decades .
( The 26th District was created after the 2010 census and redrawn in 2015 . )
Susan MacManus , a Florida political analyst , said that an underlying theme of the race was Cuban versus non-Cuban Latina `` in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Gimenez has been stressing his experience and stressing his anti-socialism credentials , '' she added .
Though there are few publicly available polls of the district , the race between Mucarsel-Powell and Gimenez is expected to be tight .
Mucarsel-Powell won against incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo in 2018 by just 2 percentage points .
A poll conducted for the Congressional Leadership Fund , a Republican spending committee , showed Gimenez up by 5 percentage points in July .
Nonpartisan forecasters estimate that the race leans slightly in Mucarsel-Powell 's favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who needs Florida 's 29 Electoral College votes to have a reasonable shot at victory , is neck and neck with Biden in the state , averages of recent polls show .
Both Trump and Biden spent Thursday in Florida seeking to energize voters during the last stretch , a sign of the state 's significance to the race .
While the president lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton in the district in 2016 by double digits , the region has a history of ticket-splitting , particularly in favor of down-ballot Cuban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isbell , who is based in Florida .
Trump looks likely to do better in the district than he did four years ago , as Cubans who were wary of his politics have become more supportive of him .
The president 's rising fortunes could serve to deflate some of the attacks against Gimenez .
`` Heading into 2020 , we see that a lot of these Cubans are actually coming back home , quote unquote , to the GOP , and therefore any hope of using Trump as a boogeyman , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't work as well , '' Isbell said .
Gimenez himself illustrates he phenomenon .
In 2016 , he endorsed Clinton for president .
This time around , he 's touting his ties to the president .
The race has echoes in the presidential contest .
Gimenez , for instance , has promoted his record on the economy and has sought to portray Mucarsel-Powell as one of the most liberal members of the Democratic Party .
Republicans have suggested she has ties to socialism , and played up a controversy involving Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest tax cut in county history , balanced billion-dollar budgets , protected the environment and more , '' Gimenez said in a statement .
`` Now , I 'm running for Congress to bring those lessons in frontline leadership experience to Washington .
I 'll bring us together instead of being a partisan mouthpiece . ''
Ads produced by Republicans have repeatedly focused on an indirect Mucarsel-Powell family connection to Ukraine .
Mucarsel-Powell 's husband , Robert Powell , did legal work for companies partially owned by the Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to Kolomoisky .
`` This town is far too familiar with violent thugs , '' the narrator says in one ad , as images of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Fidel Castro , the Cuban revolutionary , appear on screen .
`` And Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is far too familiar with violent warlord Ihor Kolomoisky . ''
The attacks mirror those lobbed by Trump at Biden .
In July , Trump told Venezuelan expatriates at an event in the state that `` Joe Biden and the radical left are trying to impose the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America . ''
A Spanish-language ad that Trump put up earlier this month , titled `` Castrochavismo , '' links Biden to Castro and the Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez .
There is some evidence that Trump 's strategy is working , which could be bad news for Mucarsel-Powell .
Only a few weeks ago , Trump trailed Biden in Florida by 4 percentage points , before closing the gap in recent weeks .
Biden , who has largely shrugged off Trump 's attacks — he asked voters in Pennsylvania in August , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
— deployed his most powerful spokesperson , former President Barack Obama , to fend off the criticism in an address in Miami on Saturday .
`` Some of the rhetoric you 're hearing down here in South Florida , it 's just made up .
It 's just nonsense , '' Obama said at the campaign rally .
`` Listening to the Republicans , you 'd think Joe was more Communist than the Castros .
Do n't fall for that garbage . ''
`` Joe Biden is not a socialist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was my vice president .
I think folks would know if he 's a secret socialist by now , '' Obama said .
In her own closing argument , Mucarsel-Powell has focused on health care , and Gimenez 's record on Covid-19 as mayor .
She spent more than $ 1 million on an ad buy last month emphasizing her and Gimenez 's differences on the issue .
`` Republicans , Democrats , and people from all walks of life in the 26th District are supporting my campaign , because I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for access to health care , well-paid jobs , and a fair shot at the American Dream , '' Mucarsel-Powell said in a statement .
`` With the Miami Herald this week joining a chorus of endorsements for our campaign , it 's not surprising that Carlos Gimenez and his Washington Republican allies are resorting to false attacks to distract from their total failure of leadership during this public health crisis , '' she added .
In an interview with CBS Miami earlier this month , the congresswoman compared Gimenez 's handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed his response to the crisis .
`` I think that [ Gimenez ] knows that he has failed in protecting our community from coronavirus .
I know that he realizes that both Republican mayors , city mayors here in the county , and also Democratic city mayors have denounced his failure in leading with this crisis , '' she said .
Sarah Guggenheimer , a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , said that Mucarsel-Powell 's `` story is the story of South Florida – coming to America at a young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donut shop as a teenager to become the first South American immigrant to serve in Congress . ''
`` In her first term she 's delivered for her constituents , providing crucial COVID-19 relief and writing the bill to ensure Medicare Advantage covers COVID-19 testing , '' Guggenheimer added .
`` South Florida knows they can count on Mucarsel-Powell to deliver results , unlike Corrupt Carlos Giménez who 's only ever looked out for himself , his family , and his corporate donors . ''
In the final stretch , Mucarsel-Powell benefits from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics showed the Democrat had raised more than $ 6 million , compared with less than $ 2 million for Gimenez .
Mucarsel-Powell also had nearly triple the cash on hand , at $ 582,098 versus $ 234,499 .
Isbell said that Mucarsel-Powell 's strategy could be effective if it energizes Democrats to vote , particularly non-Cuban Hispanic voters who tend to have lower turnout rates than Cubans .
`` The victory in 26 is not just the persuasion campaign but also making sure that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` There are a lot of different Democratic pockets in this district that Democrats need to show up to make sure the district stays blue . ''
Isbell said that he thinks the race will go toward Mucarsel-Powell , though it will be close .
In a statement , National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Camille Gallo said Mucarsel-Powell `` will be voted out of office . ''
`` Whether it 's her record of being one of the most partisan members of Congress , ties to a shady Ukrainian warlord , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received $ 15M in PPP loans , it 's easy to see why Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is losing this race , '' Gallo said .


cnbc--2020-11-02--Biden leads Trump by 10 points in final days before election: NBC/WSJ poll

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign drive-in , mobilization event in Flint , Michigan , U.S. , October 31 , 2020 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden holds a substantial national lead over President Donald Trump in the closing days before Election Day , a final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll has found .
A majority of voters say they 're unhappy with how the president has dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and where the country is going .
In the closing days of the campaign , Biden takes a 10-point lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of registered voters nationally versus 42 % for Trump .
That 's slightly down from Biden 's 11-point lead in the NBC News/WSJ poll from two weeks ago .
Six-in-10 voters said the country is on the wrong track under the president 's leadership and a majority disapproved of Trump 's handling of the pandemic , according to the current poll .
A majority of voters , 51 % , said there 's no chance they 'd support Trump , while 40 % said the same for Biden .
The poll finds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , disapprove of Trump 's job performance , while 45 % approve .
55 % of voters approve of how the president has handled the economy .
But 57 % disapprove of the president 's handling of the pandemic , while just 40 % approve .
Biden 's key advantages are among Black voters ( Biden has 87 % to Trump 's 5 % ) , voters ages 18-34 ( 60 % to 32 % ) , seniors ( 58 % to 35 % ) , women ( 57 % to 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 56 % to 41 % ) and independents ( 51 % to 36 % ) .
Trump takes the lead among White voters ( 51 % to 45 % ) and Whites without degrees ( 58 % to 37 % ) .
He also takes a narrow 1-point lead among men ( 48 % to 47 % ) .
The poll of 1,000 registered voters , more than half of whom were reached by phone , was taken on Oct. 29 -30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Americans have already cast their ballots in the days before the Nov. 3 election — representing 66.8 % of the total voter turnout in the 2016 election — as the candidates make their last efforts to mobilize support in battleground states .

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign drive-in, mobilization event in Flint, Michigan, U.S., October 31, 2020.
Former Vice President Joe Biden holds a substantial national lead over President Donald Trump in the closing days before Election Day, a final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll has found.
A majority of voters say they're unhappy with how the president has dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and where the country is going.
In the closing days of the campaign, Biden takes a 10-point lead over Trump, garnering support of 52% of registered voters nationally versus 42% for Trump. That's slightly down from Biden's 11-point lead in the NBC News/WSJ poll from two weeks ago.
Six-in-10 voters said the country is on the wrong track under the president's leadership and a majority disapproved of Trump's handling of the pandemic, according to the current poll. A majority of voters, 51%, said there's no chance they'd support Trump, while 40% said the same for Biden.
The poll finds that a majority of voters, 52%, disapprove of Trump's job performance, while 45% approve. 55% of voters approve of how the president has handled the economy. But 57% disapprove of the president's handling of the pandemic, while just 40% approve.
Biden's key advantages are among Black voters (Biden has 87% to Trump's 5%), voters ages 18-34 (60% to 32%), seniors (58% to 35%), women (57% to 37%), Whites with college degrees (56% to 41%) and independents (51% to 36%).
Trump takes the lead among White voters (51% to 45%) and Whites without degrees (58% to 37%). He also takes a narrow 1-point lead among men (48% to 47%).
The poll of 1,000 registered voters, more than half of whom were reached by phone, was taken on Oct. 29 -30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
More than 92 million Americans have already cast their ballots in the days before the Nov. 3 election — representing 66.8% of the total voter turnout in the 2016 election — as the candidates make their last efforts to mobilize support in battleground states.