usatoday--2020-09-30--Election updates: GOP chides Trump over white supremacy remarks, debate commission considering chang

The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump quickly spun into a storm of personal attacks Tuesday night , at times devolving into a shouting match that made it hard for moderator Chris Wallace to be heard .
It was so acrimonious the organization that oversees the presidential debates says it will be adding `` additional tools '' to prevent a repeat of Tuesday 's night 's raucous confrontation between Biden called Trump a `` fool , '' `` Putin 's puppy '' and `` the worst president '' in American history .
In one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Will you shut up , man ? ''
Trump needled his opponent from the outset , calling him a `` socialist , '' taking shots at his family and repeatedly interrupting and speaking over him .
Trump was given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists , but he did n't take it , a response that drew blowback from some in his own party Wednesday .
Biden also knocked Trump on his response to the COVID-19 pandemic , saying he needed to get `` a lot smarter '' on the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN 's Jake Tapper described as `` a hot mess inside a dumpster fire , '' both sides quickly claimed victory .
• GOP reacts to Trump : Senate Republicans said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate .
• Debate 's top moments : Tuesday night was full of testy exchanges .
Here are our top moments of the night .
• Law and order : Trump promotes himself as tough on crime and has expanded Operation Legend , a federal policing initiative across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from dissipating in cities where it launched .
• James Comey : The former FBI Director spoke before a Republican-led Senate panel on Wednesday , calling the Russia investigation `` essential . ''
📆 34 days until Election Day , seven days until the vice presidential debate , 112 days until Inauguration Day , 93 days left in 2020 .
🗳 Voting : See USA TODAY 's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote , when your state begins voting , frequently asked questions and what the candidates think about the issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
You can follow all of USA TODAY 's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter .
Senate to vote on a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown The Senate prepared Wednesday evening to vote on a spending measure to keep federal agencies running hours before the government is set to shut down .
The legislation , which is likely to pass in a largely bipartisan vote , would go to President Donald Trump , who is likely to give final approval to the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at midnight , meaning Congress has to act Wednesday to keep the government open .
Debate commission considering format changes after brutal first debate The organization that oversees the presidential debates says it will be adding `` additional tools '' to prevent a repeat of Tuesday 's night 's raucous confrontation between President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden .
`` Last night ’ s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The commision said it was `` carefully considering '' changes and would announce them shortly .
The second of three debates between Trump and Biden is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami .
Debate changes : Trump-Biden brawl in Cleveland prompts debate commission to consider format changes for future encounters Republicans in Congress say Trump should have directly condemned white supremacists Republicans in Congress said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate Tuesday , when the president sidestepped a question on the issue during a chaotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romney , R-Utah , often a Trump critic , said Trump should have condemned white supremacists .
`` I think he misspoke , I think he should correct it .
If he does n't correct it , I guess he did n't misspeak , '' said Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , the only Black Republican in the Senate .
Sen. Mike Rounds , R-S.D.
, said Trump “ should have been very clear , and he should have made it very clear that there 's no room for people on the far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When it comes to either an antifa or these white supremacist groups should have been very clear.
” When pressed to condemn white supremacists , Trump asked for the name of a specific group .
Democrat Joe Biden responded by naming the Proud Boys .
`` Proud Boys – stand back and stand by , '' Trump said .
`` But I 'll tell you what , somebody 's got to do something about antifa and the left . ''
Debate : Republicans in Congress say Trump should have directly condemned white supremacists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists during Tuesday 's debate .
He did n't take it , and his response has energized the Proud Boys , a known extremist group , one expert said .
Moderator Chris Wallace 's question came as Trump and Biden discussed the violence and social upheaval that has swept the streets of cities like Portland , Oregon , and Kenosha , Wisconsin , following a summer of protests .
When pressed to condemn white supremacists , Trump asked for the name of a specific group .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Proud Boys – stand back and stand by , '' Trump said .
`` But I 'll tell you what , somebody 's got to do something about antifa and the left . ''
Debate : Donald Trump sidesteps call to condemn white supremacists — and the Proud Boys were 'extremely excited ' about it Megan Squire , a professor of computer science at Elon University in North Carolina who studies online extremism , told USA TODAY that she immediately went to the group 's social media channels .
“ They reacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Squire said .
`` They were extremely excited by what he said .
They felt validated .
They took it the same way everybody listening took it — that he was giving them a shout-out , basically.
” Former FBI Director James Comey , whose 2017 dismissal by President Donald Trump unleashed a broader investigation into the Trump campaign 's ties to Russia led by special counsel Robert Mueller , on Wednesday defended the inquiry that he initially helped launched as `` essential . ''
`` Overall , I 'm proud of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican-led Senate panel investigating the government 's early handling of the Russia investigation that shadowed much of Trump 's presidency .
Comey also said he would not have approved the Carter Page warrant had he been aware of the errors uncovered by the inspector general .
Hillary Clinton admits she wanted to tell Trump to 'shut up' After a presidential debate rife with outbursts and attacks , Hillary Clinton confirmed she wished she could have told President Donald Trump to `` shut up '' when the pair debated in 2016 .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jill Filipovic tweeted that former Vice President Joe Biden 's off-the-cuff remark of `` Will you shut up , man ? ''
was `` the line of the night . ''
Filipovic later added , `` I so feel for Hillary right now , because I 'm positive she wanted to say that and could n't . ''
`` You have no idea , '' Clinton replied .
House commits to 'peaceful transfer of power ' in resolution By a lopsided 397-5 vote , the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a nonbinding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an `` orderly and peaceful transfer of power '' after the election .
Although the resolution did not mention President Donald Trump by name , it was introduced after he declined lat week to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election in November , provoking a backlash from both sides of the aisle .
`` You know that I 've been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster , '' Trump told reporters .
`` Get rid of the ballots and you 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be a transfer , frankly , there ’ ll be a continuation.
” Rep. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif. , who had introduced the measure , called Trump 's remarks `` beyond unsettling '' and the `` sentiment of dictators and despots . ''
The Senate passed a similar nonbinding measure last week without any objections from lawmakers .

Election updates: GOP chides Trump over white supremacy remarks, debate commission considering changes after Tuesday goes off the rails
Show Caption Hide Caption Presidential Debate: Trump and Biden argue their stances on COVID-19 President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden argue what to do about COVID-19 and the pandemic at the first 2020 presidential debate. USA TODAY
The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump quickly spun into a storm of personal attacks Tuesday night, at times devolving into a shouting match that made it hard for moderator Chris Wallace to be heard.
It was so acrimonious the organization that oversees the presidential debates says it will be adding "additional tools" to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's night's raucous confrontation between
Biden called Trump a "fool," "Putin's puppy" and "the worst president" in American history. In one of the times Trump interrupted him, Biden snapped, "Will you shut up, man?"
Trump needled his opponent from the outset, calling him a "socialist," taking shots at his family and repeatedly interrupting and speaking over him.
Trump was given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists, but he didn't take it, a response that drew blowback from some in his own party Wednesday. Biden also knocked Trump on his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he needed to get "a lot smarter" on the issue.
Despite the raucous debate, which CNN's Jake Tapper described as "a hot mess inside a dumpster fire," both sides quickly claimed victory.
☕ The latest:
GOP reacts to Trump: Senate Republicans said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate.
Senate Republicans said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate. Debate's top moments: Tuesday night was full of testy exchanges. Here are our top moments of the night.
Tuesday night was full of testy exchanges. Here are our top moments of the night. Law and order : Trump promotes himself as tough on crime and has expanded Operation Legend, a federal policing initiative across the U.S., but violent crime is far from dissipating in cities where it launched.
: Trump promotes himself as tough on crime and has expanded Operation Legend, a federal policing initiative across the U.S., but violent crime is far from dissipating in cities where it launched. James Comey: The former FBI Director spoke before a Republican-led Senate panel on Wednesday, calling the Russia investigation "essential."
📆 34 days until Election Day, seven days until the vice presidential debate, 112 days until Inauguration Day, 93 days left in 2020.
🗳 Voting: See USA TODAY's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote, when your state begins voting, frequently asked questions and what the candidates think about the issues.
We will update this article throughout the day. You can follow all of USA TODAY's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
The Senate prepared Wednesday evening to vote on a spending measure to keep federal agencies running hours before the government is set to shut down.
The legislation, which is likely to pass in a largely bipartisan vote, would go to President Donald Trump, who is likely to give final approval to the bill. The federal annual spending bill expires at midnight, meaning Congress has to act Wednesday to keep the government open.
- Christal Hayes
The organization that oversees the presidential debates says it will be adding "additional tools" to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's night's raucous confrontation between President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden.
"Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Wednesday.
The commision said it was "carefully considering" changes and would announce them shortly.
The second of three debates between Trump and Biden is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami.
- Ledyard King and Phillip Bailey
Debate changes: Trump-Biden brawl in Cleveland prompts debate commission to consider format changes for future encounters
Republicans in Congress said President Donald Trump should have directly denounced white supremacists at the first presidential debate Tuesday, when the president sidestepped a question on the issue during a chaotic and bruising two hours.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, often a Trump critic, said Trump should have condemned white supremacists.
"I think he misspoke, I think he should correct it. If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak," said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the only Black Republican in the Senate.
Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said Trump “should have been very clear, and he should have made it very clear that there's no room for people on the far left or the far more far-right. When it comes to either an antifa or these white supremacist groups should have been very clear.”
When pressed to condemn white supremacists, Trump asked for the name of a specific group. Democrat Joe Biden responded by naming the Proud Boys.
"Proud Boys – stand back and stand by," Trump said. "But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."
- Nicholas Wu
Debate: Republicans in Congress say Trump should have directly condemned white supremacists at presidential debate
President Donald Trump was given an opportunity to condemn white supremacists during Tuesday's debate. He didn't take it, and his response has energized the Proud Boys, a known extremist group, one expert said.
Moderator Chris Wallace's question came as Trump and Biden discussed the violence and social upheaval that has swept the streets of cities like Portland, Oregon, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, following a summer of protests.
When pressed to condemn white supremacists, Trump asked for the name of a specific group. Biden responded by naming the Proud Boys.
"Proud Boys – stand back and stand by," Trump said. "But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."
Debate: Donald Trump sidesteps call to condemn white supremacists — and the Proud Boys were 'extremely excited' about it
Megan Squire, a professor of computer science at Elon University in North Carolina who studies online extremism, told USA TODAY that she immediately went to the group's social media channels.
“They reacted exactly as I thought they would," Squire said. "They were extremely excited by what he said. They felt validated. They took it the same way everybody listening took it — that he was giving them a shout-out, basically.”
- Courtney Subramanian
Former FBI Director James Comey, whose 2017 dismissal by President Donald Trump unleashed a broader investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia led by special counsel Robert Mueller, on Wednesday defended the inquiry that he initially helped launched as "essential."
"Overall, I'm proud of the work," Comey told a Republican-led Senate panel investigating the government's early handling of the Russia investigation that shadowed much of Trump's presidency.
Comey also said he would not have approved the Carter Page warrant had he been aware of the errors uncovered by the inspector general.
- Kevin Johnson
After a presidential debate rife with outbursts and attacks, Hillary Clinton confirmed she wished she could have told President Donald Trump to "shut up" when the pair debated in 2016.
The former nominee's confession came after feminist writer Jill Filipovic tweeted that former Vice President Joe Biden's off-the-cuff remark of "Will you shut up, man?" was "the line of the night."
Filipovic later added, "I so feel for Hillary right now, because I'm positive she wanted to say that and couldn't."
"You have no idea," Clinton replied.
- Camille Caldera
By a lopsided 397-5 vote, the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a nonbinding resolution affirming the House's commitment to an "orderly and peaceful transfer of power" after the election.
Although the resolution did not mention President Donald Trump by name, it was introduced after he declined lat week to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost the election in November, provoking a backlash from both sides of the aisle.
"You know that I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster," Trump told reporters. "Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very a peaceful – there won’t be a transfer, frankly, there’ll be a continuation.”
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who had introduced the measure, called Trump's remarks "beyond unsettling" and the "sentiment of dictators and despots."
The Senate passed a similar nonbinding measure last week without any objections from lawmakers.
- Nicholas Wu


usatoday--2020-09-30--'Vicious': Biden says Trump's debate attacks were what he expected, says Proud Boys should 'cease an

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Wednesday that President Donald Trump performed as expected during their raucous debate the night before by illustrating his unwillingness to confront the challenges facing America .
“ He did what I expected him to do last night , ” said Biden , a former vice president , at the second stop in Alliance , Ohio , of his six-city whistle-stop tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania .
“ I think the phrase was : ‘ Now he can become really vicious ’ – that was his phrase.
” Biden accused Trump of showing disregard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 .
At one point in the debate , Trump was asked to disavow white supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys , and he replied : “ Proud Boys – stand back and stand by , ” which the group adopted as a rallying cry .
Biden , who called Trump racist during the debate , said his message to the group is : “ Cease and desist.
” “ My message for the Proud Boys and every other white supremacist group is : Cease and desist , ” Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are .
This is not who we are as Americans.
” Biden said no one should be concerned about a violent transfer of power if he wins the Nov. 3 election because Trump would leave office .
“ I promise you if in fact we win this election , this president will step down , ” Biden said .
“ A lot of bravado .
He has no alternative .
The American people would not stand for it .
No agency would stand for that happening.
” Trump has said Biden would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his party .
But Biden said he developed his own platform with an expansion of the Affordable Care Act and a goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions from the power industry by 2035 , rather than supporting Medicare for All or the more progressive Green New Deal .
“ He ’ s trying to run against somebody other than me , ” said Biden , who called the Democratic Party a “ big tent.
” “ I ’ m not worried about losing the left , right or the center of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A whistle-stop tour traditionally allowed presidential candidates of both parties to visit a variety of small towns efficiently , including former President Harry Truman in 1948 .
This year , the tour offered an option for Biden to campaign in key battleground states despite restrictions for social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden ’ s affinity for Amtrak is well-known because of his daily commute in 36 years as a senator from Delaware between Wilmington and Washington , D.C .
The railroad estimated he had traveled 2.1 million miles on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my adult life driving to an Amtrak station , '' Biden said as a helicopter hovered overhead .
“ It ’ s not as fast as a helicopter , but I made a lot of family friends on Amtrak . ''
Other stops on the tour include Cleveland and Pittsburgh , Greensburg , Latrobe and Johnstown in Pennsylvania .
Trump won both states in 2016 .
But Biden and Trump are neck-and-neck in Ohio , according to an average of polls by tracking site FiveThirtyEight.com .
Biden leads Trump by an average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is considered one of the more crucial of the battleground states , according to the site .
Tiffany Davis , a fifth-grade teacher at Lordstown Elementary School , who introduced Biden , described why her union family supported the former vice president for his support for manufacturing jobs and his plans for economic recovery .
`` In the valley , we 're tough , we 're resilient , we keep building , but President Trump 's failure to protect American manufacturing jobs in Lordstown has torn us apart , '' Davis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked at the General Motors plant in Lordstown for 17 years before it closed in March 2019 .
Tom Davis took another job in Bowling Green , Kentucky , to keep his medical benefits and pension , his wife said .
But he commutes eight hours back on weekends to visit their children , Brian , 12 , and Aubrey , 7 , she said .
“ They miss their dad and I miss my husband , and it didn ’ t have to be this way , ” Davis said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and his broken promises.
” Trump has campaigned as the better supporter of business , despite the manufacturing losses during his administration .
Trump held an event Monday at the White House with GM officials touting the Endurance electric pickup built in Lordstown .
GM announced this week that it would invest $ 71 million at Ohio plants in Toledo and Defiance .
`` Well , the area was devastated when General Motors moved out , and then we worked together , and we made the deal on the plant , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s incredible what ’ s happened to the area . ''
Biden said the debate illustrated how Trump cares more about Park Avenue than the former vice president ’ s birthplace of Scranton , Pennsylvania , or working-class cities in Ohio .
“ I think he ’ s more than ignoring us , ” Biden said .
“ I think he basically looks down on us .
He judges us.
” Biden accused Trump repeatedly of lying , about calling military veterans “ suckers ” and “ losers , ” about assuring workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while he was president , and about the threat of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ What he does : He lies to you , ” Biden said .
“ He lies about exactly what ’ s happening.
” Biden opened the tour with a speech in Cleveland reiterating his plans for spurring manufacturing jobs and battling the virus .
He said the debate demonstrated that he cares more about working-class voters than Trump does .
`` Does your president understand at all what you ’ re going through ? ''
Biden asked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat the pandemic . ''

'Vicious': Biden says Trump's debate attacks were what he expected, says Proud Boys should 'cease and desist'
Show Caption Hide Caption Presidential debate: Biden calls out Trump's tax code Joe Biden and President Trump joust about tax codes and the president's tax returns. USA TODAY
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Wednesday that President Donald Trump performed as expected during their raucous debate the night before by illustrating his unwillingness to confront the challenges facing America.
“He did what I expected him to do last night,” said Biden, a former vice president, at the second stop in Alliance, Ohio, of his six-city whistle-stop tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania. “I think the phrase was: ‘Now he can become really vicious’ – that was his phrase.”
Biden accused Trump of showing disregard for more than 200,000 people who have died from COVID-19. At one point in the debate, Trump was asked to disavow white supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys, and he replied: “Proud Boys – stand back and stand by,” which the group adopted as a rallying cry.
Biden, who called Trump racist during the debate, said his message to the group is: “Cease and desist.”
“My message for the Proud Boys and every other white supremacist group is: Cease and desist,” Biden said. “That’s not who we are. This is not who we are as Americans.”
Biden said no one should be concerned about a violent transfer of power if he wins the Nov. 3 election because Trump would leave office.
“I promise you if in fact we win this election, this president will step down,” Biden said. “A lot of bravado. He has no alternative. The American people would not stand for it. No agency would stand for that happening.”
Trump has said Biden would be controlled by the liberal wing of his party. But Biden said he developed his own platform with an expansion of the Affordable Care Act and a goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions from the power industry by 2035, rather than supporting Medicare for All or the more progressive Green New Deal.
“He’s trying to run against somebody other than me,” said Biden, who called the Democratic Party a “big tent.” “I’m not worried about losing the left, right or the center of the party. This is a big party.”
A whistle-stop tour traditionally allowed presidential candidates of both parties to visit a variety of small towns efficiently, including former President Harry Truman in 1948.
This year, the tour offered an option for Biden to campaign in key battleground states despite restrictions for social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden’s affinity for Amtrak is well-known because of his daily commute in 36 years as a senator from Delaware between Wilmington and Washington, D.C. The railroad estimated he had traveled 2.1 million miles on its rails.
"I spent the bulk of my adult life driving to an Amtrak station," Biden said as a helicopter hovered overhead. “It’s not as fast as a helicopter, but I made a lot of family friends on Amtrak."
Other stops on the tour include Cleveland and Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Latrobe and Johnstown in Pennsylvania.
Trump won both states in 2016. But Biden and Trump are neck-and-neck in Ohio, according to an average of polls by tracking site FiveThirtyEight.com. Biden leads Trump by an average of 5 percentage points in Pennsylvania, which is considered one of the more crucial of the battleground states, according to the site.
Tiffany Davis, a fifth-grade teacher at Lordstown Elementary School, who introduced Biden, described why her union family supported the former vice president for his support for manufacturing jobs and his plans for economic recovery.
"In the valley, we're tough, we're resilient, we keep building, but President Trump's failure to protect American manufacturing jobs in Lordstown has torn us apart," Davis said.
Her husband, Tom, had worked at the General Motors plant in Lordstown for 17 years before it closed in March 2019. Tom Davis took another job in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to keep his medical benefits and pension, his wife said. But he commutes eight hours back on weekends to visit their children, Brian, 12, and Aubrey, 7, she said.
“They miss their dad and I miss my husband, and it didn’t have to be this way,” Davis said. “Our community was left behind by Donald Trump and his broken promises.”
Trump has campaigned as the better supporter of business, despite the manufacturing losses during his administration. Trump held an event Monday at the White House with GM officials touting the Endurance electric pickup built in Lordstown. GM announced this week that it would invest $71 million at Ohio plants in Toledo and Defiance.
"Well, the area was devastated when General Motors moved out, and then we worked together, and we made the deal on the plant," Trump said Monday. "It’s incredible what’s happened to the area."
Biden said the debate illustrated how Trump cares more about Park Avenue than the former vice president’s birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania, or working-class cities in Ohio.
“I think he’s more than ignoring us,” Biden said. “I think he basically looks down on us. He judges us.”
Biden accused Trump repeatedly of lying, about calling military veterans “suckers” and “losers,” about assuring workers that no plants would close in Ohio while he was president, and about the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
“What he does: He lies to you,” Biden said. “He lies about exactly what’s happening.”
Biden opened the tour with a speech in Cleveland reiterating his plans for spurring manufacturing jobs and battling the virus. He said the debate demonstrated that he cares more about working-class voters than Trump does.
"Does your president understand at all what you’re going through?" Biden asked. “He’s too weak to beat the pandemic."


usatoday--2020-09-30--'Shut up, man': Some of the most memorable debate put-downs and quips over the years

WASHINGTON – Candidates often spend days on debate preparations trying to rehearse their talking points , master key topics and anticipate any scenario that might arise .
But often it 's the impromptu zingers that become the defining moments of the debate –and could even make or break a campaign .
Here are a few memorable quips and the context in which they said it : 2020 : 'Will you shut up , man ?
This is so unpresidential . '
Democratic candidate Joe Biden was exasperated by multiple interruptions by President Donald Trump early in the first debate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court , Trump continually spoke over Biden , leading to Biden 's comment .
2020 : 'Don ’ t ever use the word smart with me .
Don ’ t ever use that word .
Because you know what ?
There ’ s nothing smart about you . '
Biden said Trump 's handling of the COVID-19 crisis meant `` a lot more ( people ) are going to die unless he gets a lot smarter and a lot quicker . ''
Trump reacted to Biden 's use of `` smarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
1980 : 'There you go again . '
Republican challenger Ronald Reagan 's brusque quip to Democratic President Jimmy Carter after Carter accused the former California governor of starting his political career by campaigning against Medicare .
More : Mock debates ?
Briefing books ?
How Trump and Biden are preparing for their first debate in Cleveland 1980 : 'Ask yourself , `` Are you better off now than you were four years ago ? ''
' Reagan asked this question to voters about Carter 's administration during his debate with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been used by other presidential candidates since , and a recording of Reagan 's comments even has been used against President Donald Trump by Democratic groups this year .
1984 : ' I will not make age an issue in this campaign .
I am not going to exploit for political purpose my opponent ’ s youth and inexperience . '
Reagan , then running for reelection , humorously turned the concerns that he was getting too old or senile for the job back on Democratic challenger Walter Mondale .
1988 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I knew Jack Kennedy .
Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine .
Senator , you 're no Jack Kennedy . '
Democratic vice presidential nominee Lloyd Bentsen dismissed GOP opponent Dan Quayle 's assertion that his political experience in Congress was comparable to John F. Kennedy 's .
2008 : 'You know who voted for it ?
You might never know .
That one ! '
Sen. John McCain , pointing to then-Sen. Barack Obama while referring to him as `` that one , '' became a viral moment online .
McCain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said was `` loaded down with goodies , billions for the oil companies . ''
McCain noted that Obama voted for the bill while he voted against it .
2012 : 'The 1980s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back . '
Democratic President Barack Obama 's poked at Mitt Romney after the GOP challenger said Russia was the biggest geopolitical threat facing the U.S. , not al-Qaida , as Obama had said .
2012 : 'We took a concerted effort to go out and find women who had backgrounds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Cabinet .
I went to a number of women 's groups and said , `` Can you help us find folks , '' and they brought us whole binders full of women . '
Romney 's remarks were made at the second presidential debate against Obama .
Romney 's line `` binders full of women '' went viral and became a meme .
Then-Republican nominee Trump described Hillary Clinton , the Democratic nominee , as such during the third presidential debate in 2016 .
The phrase `` nasty woman '' ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democratic women to vote across the nation .

Ledyard King and Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY

'Shut up, man': Some of the most memorable debate put-downs and quips over the years
WASHINGTON – Candidates often spend days on debate preparations trying to rehearse their talking points, master key topics and anticipate any scenario that might arise.
But often it's the impromptu zingers that become the defining moments of the debate –and could even make or break a campaign.
Here are a few memorable quips and the context in which they said it:
2020: 'Will you shut up, man? This is so unpresidential.'
Democratic candidate Joe Biden was exasperated by multiple interruptions by President Donald Trump early in the first debate. As they discussed the open seat on the Supreme Court, Trump continually spoke over Biden, leading to Biden's comment.
2020: 'Don’t ever use the word smart with me. Don’t ever use that word. Because you know what? There’s nothing smart about you.'
Biden said Trump's handling of the COVID-19 crisis meant "a lot more (people) are going to die unless he gets a lot smarter and a lot quicker." Trump reacted to Biden's use of "smarter" by disparaging his opponent's intelligence.
1980: 'There you go again.'
Republican challenger Ronald Reagan's brusque quip to Democratic President Jimmy Carter after Carter accused the former California governor of starting his political career by campaigning against Medicare.
More: Mock debates? Briefing books? How Trump and Biden are preparing for their first debate in Cleveland
1980: 'Ask yourself, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"'
Reagan asked this question to voters about Carter's administration during his debate with the 39th president. Variations of that quote have been used by other presidential candidates since, and a recording of Reagan's comments even has been used against President Donald Trump by Democratic groups this year.
1984: 'I will not make age an issue in this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purpose my opponent’s youth and inexperience.'
Reagan, then running for reelection, humorously turned the concerns that he was getting too old or senile for the job back on Democratic challenger Walter Mondale.
1988: 'I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.'
Democratic vice presidential nominee Lloyd Bentsen dismissed GOP opponent Dan Quayle's assertion that his political experience in Congress was comparable to John F. Kennedy's.
2008: 'You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one!'
Sen. John McCain, pointing to then-Sen. Barack Obama while referring to him as "that one," became a viral moment online. McCain was talking about an energy bill he said was "loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies." McCain noted that Obama voted for the bill while he voted against it.
2012: 'The 1980s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back.'
Democratic President Barack Obama's poked at Mitt Romney after the GOP challenger said Russia was the biggest geopolitical threat facing the U.S., not al-Qaida, as Obama had said.
2012: 'We took a concerted effort to go out and find women who had backgrounds that could be qualified to become members of our Cabinet. I went to a number of women's groups and said, "Can you help us find folks," and they brought us whole binders full of women.'
Romney's remarks were made at the second presidential debate against Obama. Romney's line "binders full of women" went viral and became a meme.
2016: 'Such a nasty woman.'
Then-Republican nominee Trump described Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, as such during the third presidential debate in 2016. The phrase "nasty woman" ended up becoming a meme and launched a movement of Democratic women to vote across the nation.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander


usatoday--2020-10-01--Texas Republican governor orders counties to close multiple ballot drop-off sites

AUSTIN – Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott issued an order Thursday requiring counties to close multiple locations where voters can drop off completed mail-in ballots .
As an election security measure , counties will be limited to one dropoff site where poll watchers — designated by political parties and candidates — must be allowed to observe ballot deliveries by voters , Abbott said .
The new order takes effect Friday and modified Abbott ’ s July 27 order that acknowledged the pandemic ’ s danger by adding six days of early voting and waiving a state law that limits mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats blasted the change as a thinly veiled effort to suppress votes in a tight election .
“ Republicans are on the verge of losing , so Gov .
Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute , ” said Gilberto Hinojosa , chairman of the Texas Democratic Party .
“ Courts all over the country , including the 5th Circuit yesterday , have held that it is too late to change election rules , but our failed Republican leadership will try anyway , ” Hinojosa said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared .
We are creating a movement that will beat them at the ballot box on Nov. 3 , and there ’ s nothing these cheaters can do about it.
” Abbott ’ s order came the same day Travis County , home to Austin , opened four drop-off locations as election officials worked to meet unprecedented demand for mail-in voting during the pandemic .
Harris County , home to Houston , opened 12 locations Monday .
In addition to being a convenience , the multiple drop-off sites were intended to alleviate concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service .
At Travis County ’ s drive-thru sites , including three downtown , voters must deliver their own mail-in ballots after showing a photo ID and signing a roster .
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she is looking into a legal challenge of Abbott ’ s order , which she said arrived without warning and appeared “ intended to be disruptive — and it is.
” “ This is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the election , ” said DeBeauvoir , a Democrat .
Thus far , 71,000 Travis County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a figure that could approach 100,000 , easily dwarfing the 27,000 absentee ballots cast in the last presidential election , she said .
At one of the county dropoff sites on Airport Boulevard , Dora Hernandez , 71 , was among a half-dozen voters who submitted a ballot during a 30-minute period in the late morning Thursday .
Hernandez said she was worried that her ballot would get lost in mail .
“ I actually considered voting in person , and even though I ’ m a healthy person and I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m still an older woman and that worried me , ” she said .
“ That ’ s the only reason I did it this way.
” Limiting the number of drop-off sites will affect large urban counties that are strongly Democratic or trending in that direction , and the Texas Democratic Party said Abbott ’ s new order appeared targeted at a “ rising Texas electorate.
” “ It ’ s a miscalculation on Abbott ’ s part , ” party spokesman Abhi Rahman said .
“ Texas Democrats will crawl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of office.
” U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett , D-Austin , also predicted that the move will backfire .
“ This sabotage is not about election security , it is about Republican political insecurity , ” he said .
But Abbott said he had a duty to voters and the state to take action to protect election integrity .
“ As we work to preserve Texans ’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic , we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state .
These enhanced security protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop attempts at illegal voting , ” Abbott said .
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt , R-Houston , said requiring poll watchers to observe ballot delivery was an important step .
“ It is essential that the public be able to trust in the integrity of the election system , and as a former elections official it is bewildering to me that any county clerk would resist having poll watchers present to watch election officials do their job under the Texas Election Code , ” Bettencourt said .
But Chris Hollins , Harris County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Travis County said poll watchers were welcome at all drop-off locations .
Hollins said Abbott ’ s change of heart will upend weeks of advertising that touted multiple drop-off locations in the state ’ s most populous county .
“ Going back on his word at this point harms voters and will result in widespread confusion and voter suppression , ” Hollins said via Twitter .
“ To force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott modified his order amid discontent from the right wing of his party over the way he has handled the pandemic with orders closing businesses , requiring face masks in many parts of Texas and expanding early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
Several GOP leaders — including Agriculture Secretary Sid Miller , Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West , two state senators and four state House members — have asked the Texas Supreme Court to void Abbott ’ s order that added six days of early voting and allowed mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the challenge , which argued that Abbott ’ s order violates state law and the Texas Constitution and must be struck down .

Chuck Lindell and Nicole Cobler, Austin American-Statesman

Texas Republican governor orders counties to close multiple ballot drop-off sites
Show Caption Hide Caption County clerk: Texas gov.'s order suppresses voters The clerk for the Texas county that includes Houston says Gov. Greg Abbott's move to restrict the number of drop-off sites for mail-in ballots is an intentional move to suppress the vote. Abbott says he's trying to stop illegal voting. (Oct. 2) AP
AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order Thursday requiring counties to close multiple locations where voters can drop off completed mail-in ballots.
As an election security measure, counties will be limited to one dropoff site where poll watchers — designated by political parties and candidates — must be allowed to observe ballot deliveries by voters, Abbott said.
The new order takes effect Friday and modified Abbott’s July 27 order that acknowledged the pandemic’s danger by adding six days of early voting and waiving a state law that limits mail-in ballot drop-off to Election Day only.
Democrats blasted the change as a thinly veiled effort to suppress votes in a tight election.
“Republicans are on the verge of losing, so Gov. Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
“Courts all over the country, including the 5th Circuit yesterday, have held that it is too late to change election rules, but our failed Republican leadership will try anyway,” Hinojosa said in a statement. “Gov. Abbott and Texas Republicans are scared. We are creating a movement that will beat them at the ballot box on Nov. 3, and there’s nothing these cheaters can do about it.”
Trump blames ballots, won't commit to peaceful transfer of power President Donald Trump, who uses mail-in voting himself, has baselessly claimed widespread mail voting will lead to election fraud. USA TODAY
Abbott’s order came the same day Travis County, home to Austin, opened four drop-off locations as election officials worked to meet unprecedented demand for mail-in voting during the pandemic. Harris County, home to Houston, opened 12 locations Monday. In addition to being a convenience, the multiple drop-off sites were intended to alleviate concerns about the efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service.
At Travis County’s drive-thru sites, including three downtown, voters must deliver their own mail-in ballots after showing a photo ID and signing a roster.
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she is looking into a legal challenge of Abbott’s order, which she said arrived without warning and appeared “intended to be disruptive — and it is.”
“This is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the election,” said DeBeauvoir, a Democrat.
Thus far, 71,000 Travis County voters have requested a mail-in ballot, a figure that could approach 100,000, easily dwarfing the 27,000 absentee ballots cast in the last presidential election, she said.
At one of the county dropoff sites on Airport Boulevard, Dora Hernandez, 71, was among a half-dozen voters who submitted a ballot during a 30-minute period in the late morning Thursday.
Hernandez said she was worried that her ballot would get lost in mail.
“I actually considered voting in person, and even though I’m a healthy person and I don’t have any underlying issues, I’m still an older woman and that worried me,” she said. “That’s the only reason I did it this way.”
Democrats targeted?
Limiting the number of drop-off sites will affect large urban counties that are strongly Democratic or trending in that direction, and the Texas Democratic Party said Abbott’s new order appeared targeted at a “rising Texas electorate.”
“It’s a miscalculation on Abbott’s part,” party spokesman Abhi Rahman said. “Texas Democrats will crawl through broken glass to vote these cheaters out of office.”
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, also predicted that the move will backfire. “This sabotage is not about election security, it is about Republican political insecurity,” he said.
But Abbott said he had a duty to voters and the state to take action to protect election integrity.
McEnany, reporter clash over mail-in ballot claims White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany got in a testy exchange with a reporter Thursday over President Donald Trump's claims that a number of mail-in ballots were recently found in a river. (Oct. 1) AP
“As we work to preserve Texans’ ability to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take extra care to strengthen ballot security protocols throughout the state. These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting,” Abbott said.
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said requiring poll watchers to observe ballot delivery was an important step.
“It is essential that the public be able to trust in the integrity of the election system, and as a former elections official it is bewildering to me that any county clerk would resist having poll watchers present to watch election officials do their job under the Texas Election Code,” Bettencourt said.
But Chris Hollins, Harris County’s Democratic clerk, and DeBeauvoir of Travis County said poll watchers were welcome at all drop-off locations.
Hollins said Abbott’s change of heart will upend weeks of advertising that touted multiple drop-off locations in the state’s most populous county.
“Going back on his word at this point harms voters and will result in widespread confusion and voter suppression,” Hollins said via Twitter. “To force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 square miles is prejudicial and dangerous.”
Republican pushback
Abbott modified his order amid discontent from the right wing of his party over the way he has handled the pandemic with orders closing businesses, requiring face masks in many parts of Texas and expanding early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Several GOP leaders — including Agriculture Secretary Sid Miller, Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West, two state senators and four state House members — have asked the Texas Supreme Court to void Abbott’s order that added six days of early voting and allowed mail-in ballots to be hand delivered before Election Day.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the challenge, which argued that Abbott’s order violates state law and the Texas Constitution and must be struck down.


usatoday--2020-10-01--The White House mixed up Rhodes College and Rhodes Scholar. Then, came the puns.

Since Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg , Barrett 's alma mater , Rhodes College in Memphis , has largely stayed out of the national limelight .
That changed Thursday after White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany inaccurately said Barrett was a Rhodes Scholar during a briefing with the press .
`` Judge Barrett is extremely well qualified .
She graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame Law School , where she received the Hoynes Prize for achieving the best record in scholarship .
And she also is a Rhodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship awarded internationally .
Recipients of the scholarship attend the equally prestigious University of Oxford in Oxfordshire , England .
`` So , my bad , '' said McEnany .
The mixup quickly became a trending topic on Twitter where critics made jokes under the hashtag # RhodesScholar .
Congressman Steve Cohen reacted to the slip , tweeting , `` I was excited when I saw # Memphis ’ @ RhodesCollege trending until I saw why .
Kayleigh McEnany should have the facts straight .
But in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not even for the press secretary . ''
Others pointed out the mistake had been made elsewhere , specifically on a segment of Fox News .
Eric Hananoki , investigative reporter for Media Matters for America , tweeted about the error on Fox News , writing that , `` Fox News falsely claimed on September 25 that Amy Coney Barrett is a 'Rhodes Scholar ' '' .
The characterization of Barrett as a Rhodes Scholar also inspired ample puns on social media .
Author Jessica Valenti was one of many to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` I 've been to Rhode Island so I , too , am a Rhodes Scholar . ''
At least one person , Twitter user RogueAtownResident , brought pro-wrestler Dusty Rhodes in the mix , asking if their book report on the American legend counted towards their status as a Rhodes Scholar .
Jamie Bollenbach questioned whether her commute elevated her status to Rhodes Scholar , writing , `` I was # Rhodes Scholar in that I drove on some roads to grad school . ''
Others questioned whether their repeated return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Less Traveled '' also lumped them in the same category as Oxford students .
Twitter user Cliff Schecter wrote , `` One of my favorite poems I sometimes re-read when making difficult decisions is `` The Road Not Taken '' by Robert Frost .
Does that also make me a Rhodes Scholar ? ''

Micaela A Watts, Memphis Commercial Appeal

The White House mixed up Rhodes College and Rhodes Scholar. Then, came the puns.
Since Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Barrett's alma mater, Rhodes College in Memphis, has largely stayed out of the national limelight.
That changed Thursday after White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany inaccurately said Barrett was a Rhodes Scholar during a briefing with the press.
"Judge Barrett is extremely well qualified. She graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame Law School, where she received the Hoynes Prize for achieving the best record in scholarship. And she also is a Rhodes Scholar," McEnany said.
Rhodes College is a four-year liberal arts school in Memphis.
A Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship awarded internationally. Recipients of the scholarship attend the equally prestigious University of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England.
A reporter quickly corrected McEnany's gaffe and clarified Barrett attended Rhodes in Memphis.
"So, my bad," said McEnany.
The mixup quickly became a trending topic on Twitter where critics made jokes under the hashtag #RhodesScholar.
Congressman Steve Cohen reacted to the slip, tweeting, "I was excited when I saw #Memphis’@RhodesCollege trending until I saw why. Kayleigh McEnany should have the facts straight. But in this administration facts don’t matter, not even for the press secretary."
I was excited when I saw #Memphis’ @RhodesCollege trending until I saw why. Kayleigh McEnany should have the facts straight. But in this administration facts don’t matter, not even for the press secretary. https://t.co/MOJrPLDg42 — Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) October 1, 2020
Others pointed out the mistake had been made elsewhere, specifically on a segment of Fox News. Eric Hananoki, investigative reporter for Media Matters for America, tweeted about the error on Fox News, writing that, "Fox News falsely claimed on September 25 that Amy Coney Barrett is a 'Rhodes Scholar'".
Like Kayleigh McEnany several days later (https://t.co/aFplb5boWl), Fox News falsely claimed on September 25 that Amy Coney Barrett is a "Rhodes scholar" (she went to Rhodes College). Fox's error was originally flagged in this tweet on that day: https://t.co/UjtHvJaav9 pic.twitter.com/RUUuPhvxfK — Eric Hananoki (@ehananoki) October 1, 2020
The characterization of Barrett as a Rhodes Scholar also inspired ample puns on social media. Author Jessica Valenti was one of many to take a swing at the flub, and tweeted, "I've been to Rhode Island so I, too, am a Rhodes Scholar."
I've been to Rhode Island so I, too, am a Rhodes Scholar https://t.co/ark5TwD6FA — Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) October 1, 2020
At least one person, Twitter user RogueAtownResident, brought pro-wrestler Dusty Rhodes in the mix, asking if their book report on the American legend counted towards their status as a Rhodes Scholar.
I did a book report on Dusty Rhodes once. Does that make me a #RhodesScholar? pic.twitter.com/Z9WcRBXsTC — RogueAtownResident (@RogueAtowner) October 1, 2020
Jamie Bollenbach questioned whether her commute elevated her status to Rhodes Scholar, writing, "I was #Rhodes Scholar in that I drove on some roads to grad school."
I was a #RhodesScholar in that I drove on some roads to grad school. — Jamie Bollenbach (@JamieBollenbach) October 1, 2020
Others questioned whether their repeated return to Robert Frosts' "The Road Less Traveled" also lumped them in the same category as Oxford students.
Twitter user Cliff Schecter wrote, "One of my favorite poems I sometimes re-read when making difficult decisions is "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Does that also make me a Rhodes Scholar?"


usatoday--2020-10-02--Trump, Biden debate was exchange of insults and incivility. See for yourself.

The first debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden will probably be remembered for the personal attacks , insults and incivility that surprised and dismayed even the most jaded viewers .
Trump received the most – and harshest – criticism for his disregard of previously agreed-upon debate rules .
A USA TODAY editorial compared him to `` an adolescent bully in a lunchroom cafeteria . ''
The Commission on Presidential Debates , the event organizer , said it was `` clear that additional structure should be added '' to the remaining debates for a `` more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two more presidential debates are scheduled .
But what happened during Tuesday 's debate ?
USA TODAY reviewed C-SPAN video of the proceeding to give you a quick visualization of the questions , answers , quotes and chaos .
Here 's what we found : It 's difficult to determine whether Trump or Biden spoke the most , because the candidates , and at times the moderator , were talking over one another .
However , it seems that in terms of total time , the candidates were close .
According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 50 seconds more than Biden .
But the confusing crosstalk obscured any meaningful debate .
If we add all the segments in which more than one person was talking , 26.3 % of the proceeding was cacophony , making incivility the clear winner of the debate .

Javier Zarracina and George Petras, USA TODAY

The first debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden will probably be remembered for the personal attacks, insults and incivility that surprised and dismayed even the most jaded viewers.
Trump received the most – and harshest – criticism for his disregard of previously agreed-upon debate rules. A USA TODAY editorial compared him to "an adolescent bully in a lunchroom cafeteria."
The Commission on Presidential Debates, the event organizer, said it was "clear that additional structure should be added" to the remaining debates for a "more orderly discussion of the issues." Two more presidential debates are scheduled.
But what happened during Tuesday's debate? USA TODAY reviewed C-SPAN video of the proceeding to give you a quick visualization of the questions, answers, quotes and chaos. Here's what we found:
It's difficult to determine whether Trump or Biden spoke the most, because the candidates, and at times the moderator, were talking over one another. However, it seems that in terms of total time, the candidates were close. According to a CNN analysis, Trump talked 1 minute and 10 seconds more than Biden.
But the confusing crosstalk obscured any meaningful debate. If we add all the segments in which more than one person was talking, 26.3% of the proceeding was cacophony, making incivility the clear winner of the debate.
SOURCE USA TODAY reporting and research; C-SPAN; Associated Press


usatoday--2020-10-01--Doc Rivers will take over as new Sixers coach, days after parting ways with Clippers

It didn ’ t take long for Doc Rivers to find his next job .
Three days after Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers parted ways , Rivers has agreed on terms to become the Philadelphia 76ers ’ head coach , a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports .
The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the deal until the team made an official announcement .
Rivers takes over a team that finished a disappointing 43-30 in the Eastern Conference , lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underachiever .
He will be responsible for taking a team with talent ( Joel Embiid , Ben Simmons , Tobias Harris ) and turning it into a contender in an improving conference .
The Sixers were interested in Clippers assistant coach Ty Lue and former Houston coach Mike D ’ Antoni , but that was before Rivers became available .
Sixers general manager Elton Brand expanded his coaching search and landed on Rivers .
At the start of the 2019-20 season , the NBA had seven Black head coaches .
After Rivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orleans ’ Alvin Gentry lost their jobs , the league had just four Black coaches .
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the declining number of Black coaches on Wednesday at his Finals news conference .
“ The answer is ultimately yes to should the teams be able to hire who they want , ” Silver said .
“ I do n't see a way to operate a league where the league office , the commissioner is dictating to a team who they should or should n't hire or who she should or should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the other side of the coin .
Having said that , I know we can do better .
We have six openings right now .
We 're in discussions with all of those teams about making sure there 's a diverse slate of candidates .
“ You know , we 've looked at what might be an equivalent to a Rooney-type rule in the NBA , and I 'm not sure it makes sense .
I 'm open-minded if there are other ways to address it.
” Lue , who coached Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate for the Clippers and Pelicans coaching positions .
“ There is a certain natural ebb and flow to the hiring and firing , frankly , of coaches , but the number is too low right now , ” Silver said .
“ And again , let 's talk again after we fill these six positions and see where we are , because I know we can do better , and I think we will do better .
”

Doc Rivers will take over as new Sixers coach, days after parting ways with Clippers
Show Caption Hide Caption How Heat overcame 100-1 odds to meet Lakers in NBA Finals SportsPulse: At the beginning of the season, not many predicted the Heat and Lakers to meet in the NBA Finals, but here we are. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt tells us why. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
It didn’t take long for Doc Rivers to find his next job.
Three days after Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers parted ways, Rivers has agreed on terms to become the Philadelphia 76ers’ head coach, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the deal until the team made an official announcement.
Rivers takes over a team that finished a disappointing 43-30 in the Eastern Conference, lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs and has been labeled an underachiever. He will be responsible for taking a team with talent (Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris) and turning it into a contender in an improving conference.
The Sixers were interested in Clippers assistant coach Ty Lue and former Houston coach Mike D’Antoni, but that was before Rivers became available. Sixers general manager Elton Brand expanded his coaching search and landed on Rivers.
At the start of the 2019-20 season, the NBA had seven Black head coaches. After Rivers, Indiana’s Nate McMillan and New Orleans’ Alvin Gentry lost their jobs, the league had just four Black coaches.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the declining number of Black coaches on Wednesday at his Finals news conference.
“The answer is ultimately yes to should the teams be able to hire who they want,” Silver said. “I don't see a way to operate a league where the league office, the commissioner is dictating to a team who they should or shouldn't hire or who she should or shouldn't fire, frankly.
"That's the other side of the coin. Having said that, I know we can do better. We have six openings right now. We're in discussions with all of those teams about making sure there's a diverse slate of candidates.
“You know, we've looked at what might be an equivalent to a Rooney-type rule in the NBA, and I'm not sure it makes sense. I'm open-minded if there are other ways to address it.”
Lue, who coached Cleveland to a championship in 2016, remains a candidate for the Clippers and Pelicans coaching positions.
“There is a certain natural ebb and flow to the hiring and firing, frankly, of coaches, but the number is too low right now,” Silver said. “And again, let's talk again after we fill these six positions and see where we are, because I know we can do better, and I think we will do better.”


usatoday--2020-10-01--2020 election updates: Pelosi says differences remain on COVID-19 stimulus; Trump slashes refugee ca

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said President Donald Trump is planning to attend the next debate against Democrat Joe Biden on Oct. 15 , but that he wants `` fair '' rules as the Commission on the Presidential Debates considers changes following Tuesday 's contentious debate .
Trump thinks `` the only way there 's a fair debate is a change in the moderator and a change in the Democrat nominee , '' she said .
Trump signed a spending bill early Thursday morning to avoid a government shutdown after the Senate passed a bill late Wednesday to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced late Wednesday it would would slash the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the U.S. to a new low of 15,000 next year .
In former President Barack Obama 's final year in office , the annual cap on refugees was 110,000 .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is `` hopeful '' Democrats and the White House can reach a COVID-19 stimulus deal , but said differences remain on the size and scope of a possible agreement .
There had been daylight in the talks after the Democratic-led House postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides could work out an compromise .
Meanwhile , Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett continues meeting with senators on Capitol Hill ahead of her confirmation hearings Oct. 12 .
She spent the last two days meeting with Republicans and will meet with 10 more GOP senators Thursday .
• Barrett confirmation : The FBI is reviewing Amy Coney Barrett 's life as part of the vetting process that was thrust into the spotlight during Justice Brett Kavanaugh 's hearings in 2018 • Chris Wallace gets candid : The Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times he `` never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did . ''
• Proud Boys : A Republican U.S. Senate candidate from Delaware thanked the Proud Boys for providing • Airline furloughs : About 32,000 American Airlines and United Airlines employees are set to be furloughed unless Congress acts on new relief for the industry struggling as a result of the pandemic .
• Trump and Biden : The two candidates are holding fundraisers Thursday .
Biden 's event will be virtual while Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey .
Pence campaigns in Iowa .
• Trump 's taxes : Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , said he 's concerned over how the New York Times obtained President Donald Trump 's tax information , saying `` whoever got it out violated the law . ''
• Trump 's unfounded mail-in voting claims : Voting rights experts slammed Trump for unfounded claims about mail-in ballots he made during Tuesday 's debate , including that mail carriers were selling ballots in West Virginia and that ballots were being `` dumped in rivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said Trump 's claim during the debate that poll watchers were `` thrown out '' of Philadelphia elections offices is `` completely inaccurate . ''
• Sports owners ' political contributions : USA TODAY examined the political contributions of the owners of MLB , NBA , NFL , MLS and NHL teams .
Collectively , they 've given $ 14.6 million to federal candidates this election cycle with most money going to Republicans .
• Michelle Obama on the debate : The former first lady posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If you were turned off by the President ’ s behavior last night , I feel you .
Believe me , I do . ''
• Jimmy Carter turns 96 : The 39th president plans to celebrate his birthday at his Plains , Georgia , home .
He continues to be the longest-living former U.S. president .
📆 33 days until Election Day , six days until the vice presidential debate , 111 days until Inauguration Day , 92 days left in 2020 .
🗳 Voting : See USA TODAY 's Voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when your state begins voting , frequently asked election questions and what the candidates think about the issues .
We will update this article throughout the day .
You can follow all of USA TODAY 's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter .
6 Republicans vote with Democrats on bill to protect Obamacare , measure fails The Republican-held Senate blocked a bill that would have protected the Affordable Care Act and barred the Justice Department from intervening in legal challenges to strike down health care for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The vote on the measure , offered by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , forced Republicans , who are in danger of losing their majority in the chamber , to be on the record on the Trump administration 's lawsuits targeting the Affordable Care Act .
The health care law is in danger of being struck down by the Supreme Court , which is set to hear the case just days after the November election .
Six Republicans , almost all facing tough re-election prospects next month , joined Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51-43 vote was shy of the 60 votes needed to proceed for a full vote on the legislation .
Republican Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Joni Ernst of Iowa , Cory Gardner of Colorado , Martha McSally of Arizona , Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats .
`` Republicans had a golden opportunity today , '' Schumer said at a news conference after the vote , `` to make sure that the administration did n't pursue this suit that would take away Americans ' health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the big special interests and refused .
The American people will hear this loud and clear .
This is a stark division between the parties . ''
Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.V.
, met with President Donald Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Thursday , becoming the first Democratic lawmaker to do so after three days of meetings with senators on Capitol Hill .
The meeting , first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by Manchin spokesperson Sam Runyon , had not been listed on Barrett ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A conservative Democrat who voted for both of Trump ’ s previous Supreme Court nominees , Manchin has said he would oppose Barrett ’ s nomination if the vote were held before Election Day .
Several Democratic senators have said they would refuse to meet with Barrett , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , though others like Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , and Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , have said they would meet with the nominee even as they opposed her confirmation before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , but wants 'fair ' rules , McEnany says President Donald Trump 's spokeswoman said he is planning to attend the next scheduled debate with Joe Biden – but also expecting `` fair '' rules as the Commission on the Presidential Debates considers changes following Tuesday 's slugfest .
Trump thinks `` the only way there 's a fair debate is a change in the moderator and a change in the Democrat nominee , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Thursday .
She did not specifically commit Trump to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 in Miami .
“ He wants to debate , ” McEnany said .
“ He plans on being at the debate .
But he wants the rules to be fair and wants a fair exchange and does n't want rules that cover for a certain candidate 's inability to perform well . ''
The commission announced Wednesday it will consider changes to the rules for the two remaining encounters between the presidential candidates after the first debate was dominated by interruptions and over-the-top rhetorical attacks , mostly by Trump on Biden and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the possible rule change , writing on Twitter : “ Why would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time ?
” Possible debate changes : Trump-Biden brawl in Cleveland prompts debate commission to consider format changes Stimulus update : Pelosi said she 's hopeful for deal , but said differences remain with White House House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not appear optimistic about the prospects of coming to a bipartisan deal on a coronavirus stimulus bill on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a bill opposed by Republicans .
After Pelosi met Wednesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , one of the White House 's top negotiators , the House postponed a vote on a $ 2.2 trillion COVID-19 bill to offer more time for both sides to come to a potential deal .
While Pelosi said she remained `` hopeful '' and called talks with Mnuchin `` constructive , '' she noted that Democrats and the White House had `` a difference , not just of dollars , but of values . ''
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would come back Thursday with a `` counter '' offer on issues in the bill , such as tax cuts , money for state and local governments and the weekly benefit offered to unemployed Americans .
`` Hopefully , we can find our common ground on this and do so soon , '' the California Democrat said .
In the meantime , Pelosi said she hopes the House will move forward with a vote Thursday on its own legislation to show Americans `` that we completely identify with the concerns that they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary to get the job done . ''
The Trump administration will slash the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States to a new low next year – permitting no more than 15,000 people fleeing war , violence and persecution across the globe to make a new home in America .
In Obama 's final year in office , the annual cap on refugees was 110,000 ; Trump has consistently pared that down over the past four years .
The State Department announced the cap late Wednesday and shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign speech in Minnesota , home to a significant immigrant population from Somalia .
32,000 airline workers set to be furloughed unless Congress steps in About 32,000 American Airlines and United Airlines employees are set to be furloughed as federal COVID-19 stimulus money used to prop up struggling airlines runs out .
The airline industry wanted Congress to approve more relief for the industry , which is experiencing record-low ridership because of the coronavirus pandemic .
However , Democrats in Congress and the Trump White House have failed to come to a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person for the first time since August on Wednesday .
American Airlines flight attendant Breaunna Ross delivered a tearful goodbye to passengers over the intercom on a recent flight ahead of her furlough .
`` As all of you know the airline industry has been impacted greatly by this global pandemic , '' she told the passengers on the flight from JAX to DFW while wearing a mask .
Video of her speech has more than 126,000 views on Facebook .
'You know that your dream 's ending ' : Flight attendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When is the next presidential debate ?
The next presidential debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will be Oct. 15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami .
It will be hosted by C-SPAN Political Editor Steve Scully .
But before then , Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Wednesday .
That debate will be moderated by USA TODAY 's Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page .
The third and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belmont University in Nashville .
The host is NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker .
'Will you shut up , man ?
':5 takeaways from the slugfest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Cleveland Amy Coney Barrett is back on Capitol Hill Thursday for her third straight day meeting with senators ahead of her confirmation hearings , which begin Oct. 12 .
President Donald Trump 's nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court will meet with 10 Republican senators Thursday .
Barrett has not yet met with any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body tasked with confirming Supreme Court justices .
Several Democratic senators , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have said they will not meet with Barrett , calling the process an `` illegitimate power grab . ''
Others , however , like Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , and Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , said they would still meet with her , though meeting times have not yet been scheduled .
`` I always meet with the nominee , `` Klobuchar said .
`` The best thing we can do is basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
How the confirmation process works : What happens next in Senate confirmation process Sports owners have given millions to Republicans , conservative causes USA TODAY Sports reviewed the political contributions of 183 owners from 161 teams across MLB , MLS , the NBA , the NFL , the NHL and the WNBA .
The filings show that owners have collectively given at least $ 14.6 million to federal candidates during the 2019-20 election cycle so far – with nearly 86 % of those funds going to Republican candidates and causes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to players , but support Republicans to the tune of millions of dollars President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan spending measure early Thursday morning to keep the federal government running until after the November presidential election .
Trump acted after the Senate passed the bill with just hours to spare before a government shutdown .
He signed the bill minutes after returning from Minnesota , where he held a campaign rally .
The legislation passed just hours before the annual spending bill would have expired at midnight Wednesday leaving federal agencies across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It extends government funding levels until Dec. 11 – a month after the election .
Stimulus update : House pushes vote on COVID-19 bill in hopes for deal House Democrats postponed a vote Wednesday on a $ 2.2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill in the hopes a deal could be reached as negotiations drag on with the White House on a plan to help Americans struggling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic .
The vote was postponed until Thursday to allow House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House negotiators more time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democratic aide , who was unable to discuss internal deliberations publicly .
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met at the Capitol Wednesday for their first in-person negotiations since August .
The two sides have been at an impasse for months over the size and scope of a COVID-19 relief bill , but rank-and-file members have pressured congressional leaders to get some sort of relief deal done by Election Day .
Coronavirus stimulus : Democrats postpone House vote on COVID-19 stimulus bill to give more time for negotiations Trump returns to campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to the campaign trail Wednesday with a rally in Minnesota , seeking to reframe the debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden that was beset by frequent interruptions and personal attacks as a `` win . ''
`` All of us won big last night , '' Trump told supporters at the Duluth International Airport .
`` Liberal media is upset that I took the fight to Biden . ''
Trump in Minnesota : Trump returns to campaign trail with Minnesota rally after widely panned debate Biden : 'He did what I expected' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that President Donald Trump performed as expected during their raucous debate the night before by illustrating his unwillingness to confront the challenges facing America .
“ He did what I expected him to do last night , ” said Biden , a former vice president , at the second stop in Alliance , Ohio , of his six-city whistle-stop tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania .
“ I think the phrase was : ‘ Now he can become really vicious ’ – that was his phrase.
” Biden accused Trump of showing disregard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 .
At one point in the debate , Trump was asked to disavow white supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys , and he replied : “ Proud Boys – stand back and stand by , ” which the group adopted as a rallying cry .
Biden , who called Trump racist during the debate , said his message to the group is : “ Cease and desist.
” 'Vicious ' : Biden says Trump 's debate attacks were what he expected

2020 election updates: Pelosi says differences remain on COVID-19 stimulus; Trump slashes refugee cap, wants 'fair' debate rules
Show Caption Hide Caption Airline workers brace for mass layoffs Tens of thousands of airline industry workers are bracing for layoffs and furloughs on Thursday if Congress fails to pass a relief package aimed at alleviating the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. (Sept. 30) AP
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said President Donald Trump is planning to attend the next debate against Democrat Joe Biden on Oct. 15, but that he wants "fair" rules as the Commission on the Presidential Debates considers changes following Tuesday's contentious debate.
Trump thinks "the only way there's a fair debate is a change in the moderator and a change in the Democrat nominee," she said.
Trump signed a spending bill early Thursday morning to avoid a government shutdown after the Senate passed a bill late Wednesday to keep federal agencies running.
The White House announced late Wednesday it would would slash the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the U.S. to a new low of 15,000 next year. In former President Barack Obama's final year in office, the annual cap on refugees was 110,000.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is "hopeful" Democrats and the White House can reach a COVID-19 stimulus deal, but said differences remain on the size and scope of a possible agreement. There had been daylight in the talks after the Democratic-led House postponed a Wednesday vote in hopes the two sides could work out an compromise.
Meanwhile, Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett continues meeting with senators on Capitol Hill ahead of her confirmation hearings Oct. 12. She spent the last two days meeting with Republicans and will meet with 10 more GOP senators Thursday.
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The Republican-held Senate blocked a bill that would have protected the Affordable Care Act and barred the Justice Department from intervening in legal challenges to strike down health care for millions, including those with pre-existing conditions.
The vote on the measure, offered by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., forced Republicans, who are in danger of losing their majority in the chamber, to be on the record on the Trump administration's lawsuits targeting the Affordable Care Act.
The health care law is in danger of being struck down by the Supreme Court, which is set to hear the case just days after the November election. Six Republicans, almost all facing tough re-election prospects next month, joined Democrats in supporting the bill, but the 51-43 vote was shy of the 60 votes needed to proceed for a full vote on the legislation.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Martha McSally of Arizona, Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats.
"Republicans had a golden opportunity today," Schumer said at a news conference after the vote, "to make sure that the administration didn't pursue this suit that would take away Americans' health care. And of course, they sided with the big special interests and refused. The American people will hear this loud and clear. This is a stark division between the parties."
- Christal Hayes
First Democratic senator meets with Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., met with President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Thursday, becoming the first Democratic lawmaker to do so after three days of meetings with senators on Capitol Hill.
The meeting, first reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by Manchin spokesperson Sam Runyon, had not been listed on Barrett’s schedule of meetings with lawmakers.
A conservative Democrat who voted for both of Trump’s previous Supreme Court nominees, Manchin has said he would oppose Barrett’s nomination if the vote were held before Election Day.
Several Democratic senators have said they would refuse to meet with Barrett, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., though others like Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., have said they would meet with the nominee even as they opposed her confirmation before Election Day.
— Nicholas Wu
Trump will attend next debate, but wants 'fair' rules, McEnany says
President Donald Trump's spokeswoman said he is planning to attend the next scheduled debate with Joe Biden – but also expecting "fair" rules as the Commission on the Presidential Debates considers changes following Tuesday's slugfest.
Trump thinks "the only way there's a fair debate is a change in the moderator and a change in the Democrat nominee," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Thursday.
She did not specifically commit Trump to the next presidential debate, scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami.
“He wants to debate,” McEnany said. “He plans on being at the debate. But he wants the rules to be fair and wants a fair exchange and doesn't want rules that cover for a certain candidate's inability to perform well."
The commission announced Wednesday it will consider changes to the rules for the two remaining encounters between the presidential candidates after the first debate was dominated by interruptions and over-the-top rhetorical attacks, mostly by Trump on Biden and moderator Chris Wallace.
Trump also raised questions about the possible rule change, writing on Twitter: “Why would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time?”
– David Jackson and Michael Collins
Possible debate changes: Trump-Biden brawl in Cleveland prompts debate commission to consider format changes
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not appear optimistic about the prospects of coming to a bipartisan deal on a coronavirus stimulus bill on Thursday, signaling Democrats would push forward with a bill opposed by Republicans.
After Pelosi met Wednesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, one of the White House's top negotiators, the House postponed a vote on a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 bill to offer more time for both sides to come to a potential deal. While Pelosi said she remained "hopeful" and called talks with Mnuchin "constructive," she noted that Democrats and the White House had "a difference, not just of dollars, but of values." She added that her expectation was that Mnuchin would come back Thursday with a "counter" offer on issues in the bill, such as tax cuts, money for state and local governments and the weekly benefit offered to unemployed Americans.
"Hopefully, we can find our common ground on this and do so soon," the California Democrat said.
In the meantime, Pelosi said she hopes the House will move forward with a vote Thursday on its own legislation to show Americans "that we completely identify with the concerns that they have and how we have allocated the resources necessary to get the job done."
- Christal Hayes
The Trump administration will slash the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States to a new low next year – permitting no more than 15,000 people fleeing war, violence and persecution across the globe to make a new home in America.
In Obama's final year in office, the annual cap on refugees was 110,000; Trump has consistently pared that down over the past four years.
The State Department announced the cap late Wednesday and shortly after President Donald Trump attacked refugees during a campaign speech in Minnesota, home to a significant immigrant population from Somalia.
- Deirdre Shesgreen
Trump refugee cap: Trump administration slashes refugee program amid president's campaign attacks on immigrants
About 32,000 American Airlines and United Airlines employees are set to be furloughed as federal COVID-19 stimulus money used to prop up struggling airlines runs out.
The airline industry wanted Congress to approve more relief for the industry, which is experiencing record-low ridership because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, Democrats in Congress and the Trump White House have failed to come to a deal, although the two sides did meet in person for the first time since August on Wednesday.
American Airlines flight attendant Breaunna Ross delivered a tearful goodbye to passengers over the intercom on a recent flight ahead of her furlough.
"As all of you know the airline industry has been impacted greatly by this global pandemic," she told the passengers on the flight from JAX to DFW while wearing a mask. Video of her speech has more than 126,000 views on Facebook.
- David Oliver and Chris Woodyard
'You know that your dream's ending': Flight attendants bid tearful goodbyes as they're furloughed
The next presidential debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will be Oct. 15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. It will be hosted by C-SPAN Political Editor Steve Scully.
But before then, Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. That debate will be moderated by USA TODAY's Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page.
The third and final presidential debate is Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville. The host is NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker.
- Sean Rossman
Debate schedule: 2020 Presidential debate schedule
'Will you shut up, man?': 5 takeaways from the slugfest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Cleveland
Amy Coney Barrett is back on Capitol Hill Thursday for her third straight day meeting with senators ahead of her confirmation hearings, which begin Oct. 12. President Donald Trump's nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court will meet with 10 Republican senators Thursday.
Barrett has not yet met with any Democratic members of the Senate, the body tasked with confirming Supreme Court justices.
Several Democratic senators, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have said they will not meet with Barrett, calling the process an "illegitimate power grab."
Others, however, like Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said they would still meet with her, though meeting times have not yet been scheduled.
"I always meet with the nominee, " Klobuchar said. "The best thing we can do is basically expose this process for what it is."
- Nicholas Wu
How the confirmation process works: What happens next in Senate confirmation process
USA TODAY Sports reviewed the political contributions of 183 owners from 161 teams across MLB, MLS, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and the WNBA. The filings show that owners have collectively given at least $14.6 million to federal candidates during the 2019-20 election cycle so far – with nearly 86% of those funds going to Republican candidates and causes.
- Nancy Armour and Tom Schad
Sports political contributions: Sports team owners listen to players, but support Republicans to the tune of millions of dollars
President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan spending measure early Thursday morning to keep the federal government running until after the November presidential election.
Trump acted after the Senate passed the bill with just hours to spare before a government shutdown. He signed the bill minutes after returning from Minnesota, where he held a campaign rally.
The legislation passed just hours before the annual spending bill would have expired at midnight Wednesday leaving federal agencies across the country without money to continue operating. It extends government funding levels until Dec. 11 – a month after the election.
- Christal Hayes and John Fritze
Trump signs spending bill: Trump signs bipartisan legislation to avoid government shutdown through election
House Democrats postponed a vote Wednesday on a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill in the hopes a deal could be reached as negotiations drag on with the White House on a plan to help Americans struggling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The vote was postponed until Thursday to allow House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House negotiators more time to discuss a potential bipartisan deal, said a Democratic aide, who was unable to discuss internal deliberations publicly.
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met at the Capitol Wednesday for their first in-person negotiations since August. The two sides have been at an impasse for months over the size and scope of a COVID-19 relief bill, but rank-and-file members have pressured congressional leaders to get some sort of relief deal done by Election Day.
- Nicholas Wu
Coronavirus stimulus: Democrats postpone House vote on COVID-19 stimulus bill to give more time for negotiations
President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail Wednesday with a rally in Minnesota, seeking to reframe the debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden that was beset by frequent interruptions and personal attacks as a "win."
"All of us won big last night," Trump told supporters at the Duluth International Airport. "Liberal media is upset that I took the fight to Biden."
- John Fritze and David Jackson
Trump in Minnesota: Trump returns to campaign trail with Minnesota rally after widely panned debate
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Wednesday that President Donald Trump performed as expected during their raucous debate the night before by illustrating his unwillingness to confront the challenges facing America.
“He did what I expected him to do last night,” said Biden, a former vice president, at the second stop in Alliance, Ohio, of his six-city whistle-stop tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania. “I think the phrase was: ‘Now he can become really vicious’ – that was his phrase.”
Biden accused Trump of showing disregard for more than 200,000 people who have died from COVID-19. At one point in the debate, Trump was asked to disavow white supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys, and he replied: “Proud Boys – stand back and stand by,” which the group adopted as a rallying cry.
Biden, who called Trump racist during the debate, said his message to the group is: “Cease and desist.”
- Bart Jansen
'Vicious': Biden says Trump's debate attacks were what he expected