usatoday--2020-09-17--Minnesota Twins' Josh Donaldson ejected after hitting home run against White Sox

Tensions were already high as the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox wrapped up their four-game series Thursday afternoon .
The homestanding White Sox led their AL Central rivals by two games in the standings and were in position to clinch their first playoff berth since 2008 .
With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning , Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson checked his swing on a 2-0 pitch that appeared to be outside the strike zone .
But home plate umpire Dan Bellino called it a strike .
Donaldson objected and words were exchanged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and launched a tiebreaking home run to left field .
As he came around to score , he made a point of kicking dirt on home plate -- right in front of Bellino .
But Donaldson did n't go quietly .
Once he heard Bellino throw him out of the game , Donaldson immediately stopped his jog to the dugout , turned around and kicked some more dirt on the plate before exiting .
Not the smartest move by the 11-year veteran .
First of all , his team is still battling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team in front of you is n't the best time to get thrown out .
And second , it 's just a one-run game .
Sure enough , the White Sox came back to take the lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh , won 4-3 , clinched a playoff spot and moved three games up on the Twins .
Perhaps it may not matter anyway , but if the Twins end up finishing a game behind the White Sox in the AL Central standings , one unnecessary temper tantrum @ @ @ @ @ @

Minnesota Twins' Josh Donaldson ejected after hitting home run against White Sox
Show Caption Hide Caption MLB storylines to watch: Who are the hottest pitchers in baseball? USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner breaks down the top storylines in MLB thus far. USA TODAY
Tensions were already high as the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox wrapped up their four-game series Thursday afternoon.
The homestanding White Sox led their AL Central rivals by two games in the standings and were in position to clinch their first playoff berth since 2008.
With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning, Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson checked his swing on a 2-0 pitch that appeared to be outside the strike zone. But home plate umpire Dan Bellino called it a strike.
Donaldson objected and words were exchanged. On the next pitch, Donaldson swung and launched a tiebreaking home run to left field. As he came around to score, he made a point of kicking dirt on home plate -- right in front of Bellino.
That's an automatic ejection. Case closed.
But Donaldson didn't go quietly. Once he heard Bellino throw him out of the game, Donaldson immediately stopped his jog to the dugout, turned around and kicked some more dirt on the plate before exiting.
Chill out, Josh Donaldson pic.twitter.com/Fgfhrd768X — White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) September 17, 2020
Not the smartest move by the 11-year veteran. First of all, his team is still battling for a division title and playing against the team in front of you isn't the best time to get thrown out.
And second, it's just a one-run game. Sure enough, the White Sox came back to take the lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, won 4-3, clinched a playoff spot and moved three games up on the Twins.
Perhaps it may not matter anyway, but if the Twins end up finishing a game behind the White Sox in the AL Central standings, one unnecessary temper tantrum could be the reason why.


usatoday--2020-09-18--Wildfire smoke closes Yosemite, Kings Canyon national parks

Yosemite National Park will close Friday due to hazardous air quality and smoke caused by several massive blazes scorching California ’ s Sierra Nevada .
Neighboring Kings Canyon National Park will also close due to smoke concerns .
The parks anticipate the closures lasting through the weekend , at least .
Yosemite and Kings Canyon “ will reopen to visitors when conditions improve , and it is safe for visitors and employees , ” parks officials said in a statement .
Before the closures , park visitors had posted pictures of apocalyptic-like skies and ash snowing down across Yosemite Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SQF Complex Fire made an overnight rush toward the park ’ s boundary .
The fire exploded over the weekend to more than 100,000 acres , fueled by strong winds and millions of dead trees across the southern Sierra Nevada .
The Creek Fire in Fresno and Madera counties just crossed 245,000 acres .
Parts of Three Rivers , the Gateway to the Sequoias in Tulare County , remain under a mandatory evacuation order and many rangers ’ homes have been affected , park officials said .
Sequoia rangers inside the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are now moving museum collections and government vehicles .
Sequoia , Sierra , Inyo and other national forests abutting the parks have been closed since Sept. 7 as a result of the fires .
The closures extended to each of California ’ s 18 national forests on Sept. 9 due to unprecedented fire activity statewide .
The closure orders were recently extended to Sept. 21 and may be pushed farther out with more than 3 million acres burning across the Golden State .
The Creek Fire is currently the 16th largest wildfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year of mega wildfires .
`` It is one of the top 20 fires in the state , '' said Incident Commander Nick Truax .
`` Before this year , it would have been historic . ''
The blaze was more than 245,00 acres on Thursday and is at 18 % containment , according to Cal Fire .
Smoke coverage has slowed the spread of flames and caused temperatures to drop .
`` This is a very large , very complex fire , '' Mike Wink with Cal Fire said .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blaze .
Six of those structures were homes , according to Commander Bill Ward .
There are still more damage assessments to be made .
Madera County sheriff 's deputies notified the residents whose homes were lost in the fire .
The Fresno County side of the fire sustained significantly more damage , according to Truax .
`` We are working with ( Fresno County ) to come up with a way to get that information out , '' Truax said .
`` Hopefully in the next couple of days , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of Emergency Services ) describe that process . ''
Of the 4,900 structures under assessment , 30 % have been validated using Fresno and Madera counties assessor records .
So far , damage inspection teams have counted 272 destroyed structures and 32 damaged structures .
`` These are the areas we can safely get to , '' Truax said .
`` There are a lot of areas that trees have fallen across the roads .
It 's going to take some time to open those roads up . ''
Before residents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and utility companies have to deem the areas safe .
`` The first step is to render Highway 168 , in the south , safe , '' Truax said .
`` The first thing that needs to happen is we need to get rid of the hazard trees , put up guardrails to make it safe for travel .
That will also make it safe for police and fire to get in and out . ''
CalTrans has been allowed to start work on roads , as well as power companies .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Fresno or Madera counties .

Wildfire smoke closes Yosemite, Kings Canyon national parks
Yosemite National Park will close Friday due to hazardous air quality and smoke caused by several massive blazes scorching California’s Sierra Nevada.
Neighboring Kings Canyon National Park will also close due to smoke concerns. The parks anticipate the closures lasting through the weekend, at least.
Yosemite and Kings Canyon “will reopen to visitors when conditions improve, and it is safe for visitors and employees,” parks officials said in a statement.
Before the closures, park visitors had posted pictures of apocalyptic-like skies and ash snowing down across Yosemite Valley.
Sequoia National Park shuttered Tuesday after the SQF Complex Fire made an overnight rush toward the park’s boundary.
The fire exploded over the weekend to more than 100,000 acres, fueled by strong winds and millions of dead trees across the southern Sierra Nevada. The Creek Fire in Fresno and Madera counties just crossed 245,000 acres.
Parts of Three Rivers, the Gateway to the Sequoias in Tulare County, remain under a mandatory evacuation order and many rangers’ homes have been affected, park officials said.
Sequoia rangers inside the national park are preparing for a mandatory evacuation and are now moving museum collections and government vehicles.
Sequoia, Sierra, Inyo and other national forests abutting the parks have been closed since Sept. 7 as a result of the fires. The closures extended to each of California’s 18 national forests on Sept. 9 due to unprecedented fire activity statewide.
The closure orders were recently extended to Sept. 21 and may be pushed farther out with more than 3 million acres burning across the Golden State.
Creek Fire damage realized
The Creek Fire is currently the 16th largest wildfire in California's history, in a year of mega wildfires.
"It is one of the top 20 fires in the state," said Incident Commander Nick Truax. "Before this year, it would have been historic."
The blaze was more than 245,00 acres on Thursday and is at 18% containment, according to Cal Fire. Smoke coverage has slowed the spread of flames and caused temperatures to drop.
"This is a very large, very complex fire," Mike Wink with Cal Fire said.
There were approximately 82 Madera County structures destroyed in the blaze. Six of those structures were homes, according to Commander Bill Ward. There are still more damage assessments to be made.
Madera County sheriff's deputies notified the residents whose homes were lost in the fire.
The Fresno County side of the fire sustained significantly more damage, according to Truax.
"We are working with (Fresno County) to come up with a way to get that information out," Truax said. "Hopefully in the next couple of days, we'll have someone from (Fresno County Office of Emergency Services) describe that process."
Of the 4,900 structures under assessment, 30% have been validated using Fresno and Madera counties assessor records.
So far, damage inspection teams have counted 272 destroyed structures and 32 damaged structures.
"These are the areas we can safely get to," Truax said. "There are a lot of areas that trees have fallen across the roads. It's going to take some time to open those roads up."
Before residents are allowed back to their homes, crews and utility companies have to deem the areas safe.
"The first step is to render Highway 168, in the south, safe," Truax said. "The first thing that needs to happen is we need to get rid of the hazard trees, put up guardrails to make it safe for travel. That will also make it safe for police and fire to get in and out."
CalTrans has been allowed to start work on roads, as well as power companies.
No additional evacuation orders or warnings were issued for Fresno or Madera counties.


usatoday--2020-09-17--Almost 4 in 10 Americans believe a foreign government has interfered in 2020 election, survey says

WASHINGTON – With less than 50 days until the general election , nearly four in ten Americans believe a foreign government has already interfered with the 2020 presidential election , according to a new survey .
Among the 39 % of Americans who believe a foreign government has already interfered in the November election , 76 % said it is somewhat or very likely to alter the election ’ s outcome , according to a survey from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project .
“ There is a deep amount of anxiety among the American public and foreign interference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , research director for the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group .
More : Ex-intelligence chief Dan Coats : Congress must create election commission so democracy can survive 2020 The survey comes a month after an intelligence assessment published by the chief of the National Counter-Intelligence and Security Center found that Russia is actively working to `` denigrate '' Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , while China views President Donald Trump as `` unpredictable '' and prefers that he not win re-election .
The assessment also concluded that Iran is working to undermine Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfered in the 2016 election in hopes of benefiting Trump ’ s presidential campaign .
Among those surveyed who believe interference has occurred , the majority ( 59 % ) believe it is to benefit the Republican party , according to the Nationscape Insights analysis , a project of Democracy Fund , UCLA and USA TODAY .
Twenty percent believe it ’ s aiding the Democratic Party and 12 % say that the interference is trying to help both parties .
The Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project is a large-scale study of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews about policies and the presidential candidates during the 2020 election cycle .
The most recent poll was done Sept. 3 to Sept. 9 , with 6,221 Americans surveyed .
The margin of error is plus or minus 2.1 percentage points .
There are also substantial partisan divides among those who say foreign interference has already occurred .
More : Trump appointees torpedo report on threats to minority voting rights during the pandemic More than half ( 54 % ) of Democrats say that foreign interference has already occurred , compared to 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans .
Griffin said of the partisan divide that “ we 're still seeing the shadows of 2016 here.
” “ There 's an element here where people 's attitudes are just aligning with sort of the reality of the situation of 2016 , ” Griffin said .
Although there is also a strong partisan difference as to who the foreign interference is trying to help , even Republicans are likely to say the interference will benefit their party .
Nearly 1 in 3 ( 29 % ) of Republicans say interference will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half ( 51 % ) say it will help the GOP .
Among Democrats , 18 % say interference will help their party while 69 % say it will help the Republican Party .
Among independents , 15 % say it will help Democrats while 48 % say it will help Republicans .

Almost 4 in 10 Americans believe a foreign government has interfered in 2020 election, survey says
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – With less than 50 days until the general election, nearly four in ten Americans believe a foreign government has already interfered with the 2020 presidential election, according to a new survey.
Among the 39% of Americans who believe a foreign government has already interfered in the November election, 76% said it is somewhat or very likely to alter the election’s outcome, according to a survey from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project.
“There is a deep amount of anxiety among the American public and foreign interference this time,” said Robert Griffin, research director for the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group.
More: Ex-intelligence chief Dan Coats: Congress must create election commission so democracy can survive 2020
The survey comes a month after an intelligence assessment published by the chief of the National Counter-Intelligence and Security Center found that Russia is actively working to "denigrate" Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, while China views President Donald Trump as "unpredictable" and prefers that he not win re-election. The assessment also concluded that Iran is working to undermine Trump.
Intelligence officials previously found that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in hopes of benefiting Trump’s presidential campaign.
Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Among those surveyed who believe interference has occurred, the majority (59%) believe it is to benefit the Republican party, according to the Nationscape Insights analysis, a project of Democracy Fund, UCLA and USA TODAY. Twenty percent believe it’s aiding the Democratic Party and 12% say that the interference is trying to help both parties.
The Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project is a large-scale study of the American electorate designed to conduct 500,000 interviews about policies and the presidential candidates during the 2020 election cycle. The most recent poll was done Sept. 3 to Sept. 9, with 6,221 Americans surveyed. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
There are also substantial partisan divides among those who say foreign interference has already occurred.
More: Trump appointees torpedo report on threats to minority voting rights during the pandemic
More than half (54%) of Democrats say that foreign interference has already occurred, compared to 31% of independents and 31% of Republicans.
Griffin said of the partisan divide that “we're still seeing the shadows of 2016 here.”
“There's an element here where people's attitudes are just aligning with sort of the reality of the situation of 2016,” Griffin said.
Although there is also a strong partisan difference as to who the foreign interference is trying to help, even Republicans are likely to say the interference will benefit their party.
Nearly 1 in 3 (29%) of Republicans say interference will help the Democratic Party, but about half (51%) say it will help the GOP.
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Among Democrats, 18% say interference will help their party while 69% say it will help the Republican Party. Among independents, 15% say it will help Democrats while 48% say it will help Republicans.


usatoday--2020-09-17--Lev Parnas, former Giuliani associate, faces additional charges for duping victims into investing in

WASHINGTON – Lev Parnas , a Soviet-born former associate of Rudy Giuliani who worked to dig up dirt on President Donald Trump 's political rivals , is facing additional charges for allegedly defrauding potential investors in order to raise money for his company .
Parnas and a business partner were charged with wire fraud in connection with an effort to raise money for a company called Fraud Guarantee , federal prosecutors in Manhattan announced Thursday .
He and three other men are already facing charges in a scheme to funnel foreign money to U.S. political campaigns .
The criminal charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impeachment inquiry against Trump , were brought by an office of the Department of Justice that has also been examining Giuliani and his business ties in Ukraine .
Giuliani , Parnas and another Soviet-born associate , Igor Fruman , were instrumental in the effort to find damaging information on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden — the scheme that led to the impeachment inquiry against Trump .
The middleman : How Lev Parnas joined Team Trump and became Rudy Giuliani 's fixer in Ukraine Before they were indicted , the two showered Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dined with Trump at the White House .
The new fraud charges involve Parnas and his business partner , David Correia , who are accused of swindling victims into investing in Fraud Guarantee , a company that was supposed to protect investors from fraud .
`` 'Fraud Guarantee ' takes on a different meaning in light of today ’ s allegations that the company was a vehicle for committing fraud , not insuring against it , '' Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement .
Prosecutors said the two falsely claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business purposes , but , instead , used the money to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent and luxury car leases and to make political donations .
More than $ 30,000 in investors ' contributions went to luxury car companies , and $ 50,000 funded a political contribution , according to the indictment .
At least seven investors collectively put more than $ 2 million into Fraud Guarantee , including one who taped Correia saying , `` Millions , man .
I do n't misspeak , '' when the victim asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , according to the indictment .
Giuliani associates charged : Two Giuliani associates involved in Trump-Ukraine controversy arrested on campaign finance charges Parnas and Correia also misrepresented Parnas ' personal investment in Fraud Guarantee , claiming that his `` capital account '' was as high as $ 1.1 million , prosecutors said .
Parnas , Fruman , Correia and another associate , Andrey Kukushkin , were charged in October 2019 of violating campaign finance laws by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to federal and state candidates and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges , Joseph Bondy , Parnas ' attorney , said in a tweet that his client has been on strict home confinement for nearly a year as he waited for the additional charges .
Correia 's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

Kristine Phillips and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY

Lev Parnas, former Giuliani associate, faces additional charges for duping victims into investing in Fraud Guarantee
Show Caption Hide Caption Giuliani associate Lev Parnas claims Trump knew about Ukraine Rudy Giuliani's associate Lev Parnas said President Trump "knew exactly what was going on" in Ukraine. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Lev Parnas, a Soviet-born former associate of Rudy Giuliani who worked to dig up dirt on President Donald Trump's political rivals, is facing additional charges for allegedly defrauding potential investors in order to raise money for his company.
Parnas and a business partner were charged with wire fraud in connection with an effort to raise money for a company called Fraud Guarantee, federal prosecutors in Manhattan announced Thursday. He and three other men are already facing charges in a scheme to funnel foreign money to U.S. political campaigns.
The criminal charges, first filed at the height of the impeachment inquiry against Trump, were brought by an office of the Department of Justice that has also been examining Giuliani and his business ties in Ukraine. Giuliani, Parnas and another Soviet-born associate, Igor Fruman, were instrumental in the effort to find damaging information on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden — the scheme that led to the impeachment inquiry against Trump.
The middleman: How Lev Parnas joined Team Trump and became Rudy Giuliani's fixer in Ukraine
Before they were indicted, the two showered Republican campaign committees with nearly $500,000 and dined with Trump at the White House.
The new fraud charges involve Parnas and his business partner, David Correia, who are accused of swindling victims into investing in Fraud Guarantee, a company that was supposed to protect investors from fraud.
"'Fraud Guarantee' takes on a different meaning in light of today’s allegations that the company was a vehicle for committing fraud, not insuring against it," Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement.
Prosecutors said the two falsely claimed the funds will be used for legitimate business purposes, but, instead, used the money to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent and luxury car leases and to make political donations.
More than $30,000 in investors' contributions went to luxury car companies, and $50,000 funded a political contribution, according to the indictment.
At least seven investors collectively put more than $2 million into Fraud Guarantee, including one who taped Correia saying, "Millions, man. I don't misspeak," when the victim asked how much had been invested in the company, according to the indictment.
Giuliani associates charged: Two Giuliani associates involved in Trump-Ukraine controversy arrested on campaign finance charges
Parnas and Correia also misrepresented Parnas' personal investment in Fraud Guarantee, claiming that his "capital account" was as high as $1.1 million, prosecutors said.
Parnas, Fruman, Correia and another associate, Andrey Kukushkin, were charged in October 2019 of violating campaign finance laws by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to federal and state candidates and political action committees.
The questioned funding included a $325,000 contribution to a political action committee backing Trump.
Responding to the new charges, Joseph Bondy, Parnas' attorney, said in a tweet that his client has been on strict home confinement for nearly a year as he waited for the additional charges.
Correia's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


usatoday--2020-09-17--Can the stock market predict whether Joe Biden will be the next president or Donald Trump wins a sec

Can the stock market predict whether Joe Biden will be the next president or Donald Trump wins a second term?

Want to know who will win the presidential election ?
Stocks and the economy are usually good crystal balls .
But this year , their ability to serve as tea leaves could be thrown because of unusual circumstances : the economic fallout from the worst global pandemic in a century and one of the sharpest downturns since the Great Depression .
America has been gripped by recession since the spring , and the stock market witnessed a historic 34 % plunge after the pandemic battered the economy .
Recessions and major market declines typically don ’ t bode well for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is battling for re-election against Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
But while Biden leads in polls , the markets and economy do n't give him the clear advantage a challenger would typically enjoy .
Following a coronavirus-fueled selloff in March , the S & P 500 has staged a stunning rebound to record highs in August , even as the economy remains in a recession .
While many have seen their retirement balances recover with the market turnaround , the nation has recouped slightly less than half the unprecedented 22 million jobs wiped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could this mean for the 2020 election ?
If the stock market continues to recover between now and Election Day , that would favor Trump , experts say .
`` The recent strength that we ’ ve seen in stocks signals that Wall Street is siding more with Trump winning re-election , ” says Ryan Detrick , senior market strategist at LPL Financial , an independent broker-dealer .
Since 1928 , the stock market has forecast the winner of the election 87 % of the time , including every one since 1984 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S & P 500 stock index has been higher in the three months leading up to the election , the incumbent party has usually won .
When stocks were lower during that period , the incumbent party typically lost .
In 2016 , for instance , Hillary Clinton was favored to win the presidency , but the stock market suggested otherwise .
Stocks were weak leading up to the election , with the Dow Jones industrial average lower nine consecutive days .
There have been only three exceptions .
In 1956 , incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stock market was down in the three months leading up to the election .
In 1968 , President Lyndon B. Johnson didn ’ t run for re-election .
Democratic nominee Hubert Horatio Humphrey lost even with stocks higher .
And in 1980 , President Jimmy Carter , who faced a recession that year , lost even though the market was up during that three-month span .
Still , the recent volatility could lead to a reversal in stock prices , experts say .
September is historically the stock market ’ s weakest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enter into a steeper correction between now and Election Day , it would likely have to do with concerns over the pace of the economic recovery from COVID-19 , '' says Ed Clissold , chief U.S. strategist at Ned Davis Research .
To be sure , stock market downturns don ’ t always happen during recessions .
But both happening at the same time are typically one of the worst events for an incumbent .
Since 1900 , the incumbent party has won three times and lost eight when there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election year , according to Ned Davis Research .
The last incumbent to win when a recession and a stock-market drop of that magnitude both occurred was President Harry Truman in 1948 .
Since 1952 , no party has retained the White House when there was either a 20 % decline in the Dow or a recession , the data shows .
Both of those events have occurred in 2020 .
But because the 2020 recession was caused by a rare , unexpected blow to the economy , one of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters will blame Trump for the downturn .
“ Can Trump convince the American electorate that the coronavirus pandemic was a shock to the economy , and that he ’ s still the best candidate moving forward ?
, '' Clissold asks .
`` How voters perceive the markets and the economy is vital.
” History has shown that when a recession has occurred during the two years before the election , the incumbent president has tended to lose .
The last president to lose a re-election bid was George H.W .
Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early 1990s and broke his “ no new taxes ” pledge .
The economy has predicted the winner of every presidential election since President Calvin Coolidge , who was the last exception to the rule when he won despite a recession within two years of the election .
He inherited a downturn when President Warren Harding died .
By the time Americans voted in November 1924 , the Roaring 1920s were underway and the economy was strong again .
With less than 50 days until Election Day on Nov. 3 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket is leading in the polls .
The Real Clear Politics average of major polls shows their national lead at 5.8 percentage points .
Despite the S & P 500 's rebound to all-time highs last month , investors remain concerned about the direction of the stock market , with 48 % feeling bearish in recent months , up from 41 % in the spring and early summer , according to a recent Retail Client Sentiment Report from Charles Schwab .
In fact , younger investors were the most likely to be gloomy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 reporting that they feel the market is due for a significant correction , or a drop of at least 10 % from a recent peak .
Still , more than half of investors ( 55 % ) plan to move their money into the stock market , taking advantage of the potential downturn , when buying shares is cheaper .
Markets have tended to do better under Democratic administrations .
Since 1950 , S & P 500 returns have averaged a strong 10 % a year increase under Republican presidents , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Democrats over that time span , according to LPL Financial .
When adjusting for inflation , the gains balanced out .
Markets don ’ t like uncertainty .
Among investor concerns are what happens not only if Biden wins , but if Democrats regain the Senate , too .
A Democratic sweep could raise the risk for more regulations and potential tax increases , some experts argue .
Higher business taxes directly impact the earnings of publicly traded companies , which may flow through to stock prices .
The Trump administration lowered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 21 % , which boosted corporate profits and helped lift markets .
A Biden administration may raise the statutory rate back to 28 % , but it would likely take a Democratic sweep of Congress to enact , experts say .
How are stocks under the two parties ?
A split Congress historically has been better for stocks , which tend to like that one party doesn ’ t have too much sway .
Stocks gained close to 30 % in 1985 , 2013 and 2019 , all under a split Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average S & P 500 gain with a divided Congress was 17.2 % , while GDP growth averaged 2.8 % .
“ Elections and pandemics are very stressful for markets , but they ’ re generally short term risks , ” says Rob Williams , vice president of financial planning at the Schwab Center for Financial Research .
“ For most investors , making major portfolio changes to anticipate an election outcome can be counterproductive .
You ’ re better off sticking with a long-term plan that keeps you on the right path @ @ @ @ @ @

Jessica Menton and Jim Sergent, USA TODAY

Want to know who will win the presidential election? Stocks and the economy are usually good crystal balls.
But this year, their ability to serve as tea leaves could be thrown because of unusual circumstances: the economic fallout from the worst global pandemic in a century and one of the sharpest downturns since the Great Depression.
America has been gripped by recession since the spring, and the stock market witnessed a historic 34% plunge after the pandemic battered the economy. Recessions and major market declines typically don’t bode well for incumbents like President Donald Trump, who is battling for re-election against Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
But while Biden leads in polls, the markets and economy don't give him the clear advantage a challenger would typically enjoy.
Following a coronavirus-fueled selloff in March, the S&P 500 has staged a stunning rebound to record highs in August, even as the economy remains in a recession. While many have seen their retirement balances recover with the market turnaround, the nation has recouped slightly less than half the unprecedented 22 million jobs wiped out in early spring.
So what could this mean for the 2020 election? If the stock market continues to recover between now and Election Day, that would favor Trump, experts say.
"The recent strength that we’ve seen in stocks signals that Wall Street is siding more with Trump winning re-election,” says Ryan Detrick, senior market strategist at LPL Financial, an independent broker-dealer.
Stocks as a crystal ball
Since 1928, the stock market has forecast the winner of the election 87% of the time, including every one since 1984, according to LPL Financial.
When the S&P 500 stock index has been higher in the three months leading up to the election, the incumbent party has usually won. When stocks were lower during that period, the incumbent party typically lost.
In 2016, for instance, Hillary Clinton was favored to win the presidency, but the stock market suggested otherwise. Stocks were weak leading up to the election, with the Dow Jones industrial average lower nine consecutive days.
There have been only three exceptions. In 1956, incumbent President Dwight D. Eisenhower won even though the stock market was down in the three months leading up to the election. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson didn’t run for re-election. Democratic nominee Hubert Horatio Humphrey lost even with stocks higher. And in 1980, President Jimmy Carter, who faced a recession that year, lost even though the market was up during that three-month span.
Still, the recent volatility could lead to a reversal in stock prices, experts say. September is historically the stock market’s weakest month.
“If the market were to enter into a steeper correction between now and Election Day, it would likely have to do with concerns over the pace of the economic recovery from COVID-19," says Ed Clissold, chief U.S. strategist at Ned Davis Research.
To be sure, stock market downturns don’t always happen during recessions. But both happening at the same time are typically one of the worst events for an incumbent.
Since 1900, the incumbent party has won three times and lost eight when there was a 20% decline in the Dow in the election year, according to Ned Davis Research. The last incumbent to win when a recession and a stock-market drop of that magnitude both occurred was President Harry Truman in 1948.
Since 1952, no party has retained the White House when there was either a 20% decline in the Dow or a recession, the data shows. Both of those events have occurred in 2020.
But because the 2020 recession was caused by a rare, unexpected blow to the economy, one of the biggest questions heading into the fall is whether voters will blame Trump for the downturn.
“Can Trump convince the American electorate that the coronavirus pandemic was a shock to the economy, and that he’s still the best candidate moving forward?," Clissold asks. "How voters perceive the markets and the economy is vital.”
Recession as tea leaves
History has shown that when a recession has occurred during the two years before the election, the incumbent president has tended to lose.
The last president to lose a re-election bid was George H.W. Bush in 1992 after he faced a recession in the early 1990s and broke his “no new taxes” pledge.
The economy has predicted the winner of every presidential election since President Calvin Coolidge, who was the last exception to the rule when he won despite a recession within two years of the election.
He inherited a downturn when President Warren Harding died. By the time Americans voted in November 1924, the Roaring 1920s were underway and the economy was strong again.
With less than 50 days until Election Day on Nov. 3, the race is close. The Biden-Harris ticket is leading in the polls. The Real Clear Politics average of major polls shows their national lead at 5.8 percentage points.
Despite the S&P 500's rebound to all-time highs last month, investors remain concerned about the direction of the stock market, with 48% feeling bearish in recent months, up from 41% in the spring and early summer, according to a recent Retail Client Sentiment Report from Charles Schwab.
In fact, younger investors were the most likely to be gloomy, with 59% of those under 40 reporting that they feel the market is due for a significant correction, or a drop of at least 10% from a recent peak.
Still, more than half of investors (55%) plan to move their money into the stock market, taking advantage of the potential downturn, when buying shares is cheaper.
Markets have tended to do better under Democratic administrations. Since 1950, S&P 500 returns have averaged a strong 10% a year increase under Republican presidents, but a stronger 15% a year increase under Democrats over that time span, according to LPL Financial. When adjusting for inflation, the gains balanced out.
Markets don’t like uncertainty. Among investor concerns are what happens not only if Biden wins, but if Democrats regain the Senate, too. A Democratic sweep could raise the risk for more regulations and potential tax increases, some experts argue.
Higher business taxes directly impact the earnings of publicly traded companies, which may flow through to stock prices.
The Trump administration lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, which boosted corporate profits and helped lift markets. A Biden administration may raise the statutory rate back to 28%, but it would likely take a Democratic sweep of Congress to enact, experts say.
How are stocks under the two parties?
A split Congress historically has been better for stocks, which tend to like that one party doesn’t have too much sway. Stocks gained close to 30% in 1985, 2013 and 2019, all under a split Congress, according to LPL Financial. The average S&P 500 gain with a divided Congress was 17.2%, while GDP growth averaged 2.8%.
“Elections and pandemics are very stressful for markets, but they’re generally short term risks,” says Rob Williams, vice president of financial planning at the Schwab Center for Financial Research. “For most investors, making major portfolio changes to anticipate an election outcome can be counterproductive. You’re better off sticking with a long-term plan that keeps you on the right path during periods of stress.”


usatoday--2020-09-17--Pre-ordered the new Playstation 5? Here's where to buy accessories before they sell out

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
In case you missed it , Sony 's highly-anticipated Playstation 5 became available for pre-order last night , an entire day earlier than expected .
While it 's been selling out quickly , our tech experts are continuing to track exactly where the gaming console is still in stock .
If you 're one of the lucky few who have managed to get your hands on the PS5 ( which will ship out on November 12 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one this holiday season , you might want a few PS5 accessories to go along with it .
Below are the retailers where you can currently pre-order the new PS5 accessories— including the controller , headset , remote control , camera , and charging station—along with accessories you can order right now , like one of our experts ' go-to gaming headsets and top-rated gaming chairs .
You 'll want to act fast , though—since the PS5 is in such high demand , we expect these accessories to sell out fast as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Controller from Amazon for $ 69.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller from Best Buy for $ 69.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller from Target for $ 69.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller from Walmart for $ 69.96 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset for PlayStation 5 from Amazon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3D Wireless Headset from Best Buy for $ 99.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset from Target for $ 99.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 HD Camera from Best Buy for $ 59.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 HD Camera from Best Buy for $ 59.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 Media Remote from Best Buy for $ 29.99 ( available for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PS5 DualSense Charging Station from Best Buy for $ 29.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the PS5 DualSense Charging Station from Target for $ 29.99 ( available for pre-order for November 12 ) • Get the Homall Gaming Chair from Amazon for $ 179.98 • Get the GTRACING Gaming Chair from Amazon for $ 159.98 • Get the Arozzi Milano Gaming Chair from Best Buy for $ 219.99 • Get the Video Rocker Gaming Chair from Target for $ 44.99 The product experts at Reviewed have all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , product reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

Pre-ordered the new Playstation 5? Here’s where to buy accessories before they sell out
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
In case you missed it, Sony's highly-anticipated Playstation 5 became available for pre-order last night, an entire day earlier than expected. While it's been selling out quickly, our tech experts are continuing to track exactly where the gaming console is still in stock. If you're one of the lucky few who have managed to get your hands on the PS5 (which will ship out on November 12) or if you're hoping to get one this holiday season, you might want a few PS5 accessories to go along with it.
Below are the retailers where you can currently pre-order the new PS5 accessories— including the controller, headset, remote control, camera, and charging station—along with accessories you can order right now, like one of our experts' go-to gaming headsets and top-rated gaming chairs. You'll want to act fast, though—since the PS5 is in such high demand, we expect these accessories to sell out fast as well.
Upgrading to an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5? What to do with your old video game console
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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Headsets
Cameras
Remote Controls
Charging Stations
Gaming Chairs
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-09-16--How hot are McDonald's new Spicy Chicken McNuggets?

How hot are McDonald 's new Spicy Chicken McNuggets ?
McDonald 's released a new menu item : Spicy Chicken @ @ @ @ @ .

McDonald's new Spicy Chicken McNuggets are put through a taste test
McDonald's released a new menu item: Spicy Chicken McNuggets with new hot sauce.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-17--Hero postal worker saves a boy from the side of a highway

Hero postal worker saves a boy from the side of a highway U.S .
Postal Worker Keith Rollins saved a @ @ @ @ @ the highway .
Now , the child , his grandmother , and the hero are @ @ @ @ @ not a dry eye in the precinct .

Hero postal worker saves a boy from the side of a highway
U.S. Postal Worker Keith Rollins saved a two-year-old from the side of the highway. Now, the child, his grandmother, and the hero are reuniting, and there's not a dry eye in the precinct.
Humankind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-09-17--There's only one name left on the 2020 list of hurricane names. Next up: The Greek alphabet.

With only one left to go , the National Hurricane Center may soon use the last of the names on the official list of Atlantic storm names for 2020 .
Only Wilfred is left on the list of 21 storm names pre-approved for the season by the World Meteorological Organization .
That name could get assigned over the next week .
In addition to the four named systems now being watched — Paulette , Teddy , Vicky and Sally — that are expected to cause massive flooding in parts of the Southeast , the center is watching three potential systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Atlantic with a 70 % chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next five days .
Once the hurricane center assigns that last name on the list , it will move into the Greek alphabet .
That 's only happened once before .
The hyperactive 2005 season wound up using six Greek names : Tropical Storm Alpha , Hurricane Beta , Tropical Storm Gamma , Tropical Storm Delta , Hurricane Epsilon and Tropical Storm Zeta .
If Wilfred forms , it 's likely to be the earliest `` W '' storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms this season , Vicky set a record , becoming the earliest 20th Atlantic named storm , breaking a record set by Tammy on Oct. 5 , 2005 , said Phil Klotzbach , the Colorado State University meteorologist who leads a seasonal hurricane forecasting team .
The naming convention for Atlantic storms began in 1953 .
An international committee of the meteorological organization approves six lists of names , which are rotated every year .
The list used this year will be used again in 2026 , with the exception of any names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , it 's likely that the name Laura will be retired , because of Hurricane Laura 's impacts in the U.S. and Caribbean , including more than 50 deaths .
For those who did n't have to memorize the alphabet while a member of a Greek society in college , here 's the list of 24 names next up in the center 's rotation after Wilfred :

There's only one name left on the 2020 list of hurricane names. Next up: The Greek alphabet.
Show Caption Hide Caption National Hurricane Center is nearly out of storm names, so now what? This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been so active, forecasters are almost out of names so now they will be moving on to the Greek alphabet. USA TODAY
With only one left to go, the National Hurricane Center may soon use the last of the names on the official list of Atlantic storm names for 2020.
Only Wilfred is left on the list of 21 storm names pre-approved for the season by the World Meteorological Organization.
That name could get assigned over the next week. In addition to the four named systems now being watched — Paulette, Teddy, Vicky and Sally — that are expected to cause massive flooding in parts of the Southeast, the center is watching three potential systems. Those systems include one in the eastern Atlantic with a 70% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next five days.
Once the hurricane center assigns that last name on the list, it will move into the Greek alphabet. That's only happened once before. The hyperactive 2005 season wound up using six Greek names: Tropical Storm Alpha, Hurricane Beta, Tropical Storm Gamma, Tropical Storm Delta, Hurricane Epsilon and Tropical Storm Zeta.
If Wilfred forms, it's likely to be the earliest "W" storm on record. Like many of the storms this season, Vicky set a record, becoming the earliest 20th Atlantic named storm, breaking a record set by Tammy on Oct. 5, 2005, said Phil Klotzbach, the Colorado State University meteorologist who leads a seasonal hurricane forecasting team.
The naming convention for Atlantic storms began in 1953. An international committee of the meteorological organization approves six lists of names, which are rotated every year. The list used this year will be used again in 2026, with the exception of any names the group decides to retire. For example, it's likely that the name Laura will be retired, because of Hurricane Laura's impacts in the U.S. and Caribbean, including more than 50 deaths.
For those who didn't have to memorize the alphabet while a member of a Greek society in college, here's the list of 24 names next up in the center's rotation after Wilfred:


usatoday--2020-09-17--How Pennsylvania could swing the presidential election to Trump again

Pennsylvania was among the key states that unexpectedly went for President Donald Trump in 2016 .
Once again , it has emerged as a top battleground in the 2020 presidential race that could determine the outcome of the presidential election .
Top pollsters contend that the Keystone State , which most polls have former vice president Joe Biden leading at the moment , carries a potential winning margin for either candidate due to its pockets of support for both .
Polling finds that Trump continues to draw strong support from blue collar and rural areas , while Biden 's backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who backed Trump last time — and more urban locations .
Each camp has visited the state several times in recent weeks , with plans for more to come .
Fewer sorting machines , more mail delays : How is NJ combating post office woes ?
They have also spent a combined $ 77 million in Pennsylvania ( $ 44 million by Biden and $ 33.1 million by Trump ) , according to CNN 's review of federal election spending , the most in any battleground state .
Victory will pivot more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than convincing people in the middle who to vote for since the percentage of undecided voters is miniscule , according to experts .
“ Pennsylvania continues to be the tipping point state , ” said Patrick Murray , executive director of the Monmouth University Poll in West Long Branch , New Jersey .
“ It is probably the one that could be it to determine the outcome.
” Both campaigns know the impact Pennsylvania will have and they have put their valuable time in different sections of the state in recent weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Experts said the mail-in voting will favor Biden , while Trump garners more from traditional Republicans who prefer in-person ballots .
Turnout is expected to be strong and likely greater than 2016 given that many Clinton voters stayed home last time and Biden 's backers are expected to turnout more .
NJ new voter registration has slumped : Will protest voices not turn into votes ?
“ It ’ s one of the three states that gave Trump the presidency , along with Wisconsin and Michigan , '' said Lee Miringoff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie , N.Y. `` The strategy for ( both camps ) has to center around Pennsylvania because of the ( 20 ) electoral votes and it is a certainty if the president were to hold Pennsylvania , it would be a big deal in forcing Biden to win somewhere else .
If Biden were to win it , the expectation is that Michigan is easier for him .
If he holds what Hillary Clinton carried , he only needs to win one other state.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral College 's 538 votes to be elected .
Nathaniel Rakich , an elections analyst at FiveThirtyEight.com — which tallies and analyzes polling based on the averages of many polls — stated on Monday that Pennsylvania appears to be “ the single most important state of the 2020 election.
” “ Pennsylvania is by far the likeliest state to provide either President Trump or Joe Biden with the decisive vote in the Electoral College : It has a 31 percent chance of being the tipping-point state .
( That ’ s what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evenly divided states in the union and give it 20 electoral votes . )
” he wrote on the website .
“ In fact , Pennsylvania is so important that our model gives Trump an 84 percent chance of winning the presidency if he carries the state — and it gives Biden a 96 percent chance of winning if Pennsylvania goes blue.
” NJPBA : NJ police union endorses Trump for president , all Republican candidates for Congress Trump ’ s Pennsylvania victory was among the closest of the 2016 election , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote to Hillary Clinton ’ s 47.85 % .
That was a difference of 44,000 votes out of nearly 6 million cast .
Murray said Pennsylvania ’ s diverse electorate , with a strong rural and blue collar Republican field and Democrats in urban areas such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia , has always made it a battleground , but this year ’ s race has highlighted the situation .
“ It is close and for a number of reasons that were similar in 2016 , we have different types of voters there who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Murray explained .
“ Some of the same concerns in blue-collar working-class areas .
We see a number of polls that says it is close or Biden has a bigger lead .
The fact that the candidates are spending so much time there was another sign.
” The most recent Monmouth Poll on Sept. 4 reported Biden leading Trump 49 % to 45 % in Pennsylvania .
The poll had a margin of error of +/- 4.9 % .
Asbury Park : New Jersey Democrats gather to celebrate Biden on last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will decide the race for Pennsylvania ’ s 20 electoral votes : Democratic votes in Philadelphia and Allegheny County , including Pittsburgh ; Trump voter turnout in central and eastern Pennsylvania ; and swing votes in the Northeast area from Reading to Scranton-Wilkes Barre .
“ They have some concern , turning out those voters , ” he said of the Trump strongholds of 2016 .
“ These are the old mill towns , blue collar historically Democratic voters who went for Trump .
It looks like they are up for grabs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be in that area.
” Terry Madonna , director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster , Pa. , said it was no accident that Trump appeared in Pennsylvania during the Democratic Convention and recently visited Westmoreland County in the western end , which he won nearly 2-to-1 in 2016 .
Biden also made a stop recently in Allegheny County .
“ I think Pennsylvania is still competitive , it is complicated because of the nature of the contest in this state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won in 2016 because he was able to win the rural and small towns in the central part of the state .
The second one is the rust belt strategy that he developed .
He went to southwest Pennsylvania and southeast Pennsylvania and said that the Democrats had walked away from the blue-collar worker.
” Opinion : With the upcoming election , we will organize labor once again But Madonna said the 2018 mid-term elections showed that those Trump voters are not a given for him in 2020 .
“ Democrats won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and millennials , ” he said .
“ The Trump campaign is employing a strategy of going after the Democrats on the violence ... in the cities and arguing that it can go into the suburbs.
” The most recent Franklin and Marshall poll in mid-August had Biden leading Trump in Pennsylvania , 49 % to 42 % .
The poll has a margin of error of +/- 5.2 % .
Experts contend that the Philadelphia suburban voter may hold the biggest lift for Biden , with suburban women changing their allegiance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ After the 2016 election , we saw a significant shift in the Philadelphia suburbs toward Democrats and staying there , ” Murray said .
“ The blue wave of 2018 changed a lot , moderate Republicans did not like the direction their party took under Trump.
” Report : NJ man ran one of the largest websites promoting QAnon conspiracy Miringoff at the Marist Poll echoed that view .
“ It is the suburbs around Philadelphia that have attracted a lot of attention in recent elections because it is a moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to that it makes a strong base for him , ” Miringoff said .
“ The movement has been in the suburbs .
If you look where the differences are it is around Philadelphia , suburban women are a group that dislikes Trump for a variety of reasons and Biden is doing better with them.
” He also said Biden is hoping to get a bigger turn out of the Black vote than Clinton and is doing a little better in the rural parts than Clinton did .
The latest Marist Poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden at 53 % to Trump ’ s 44 % .
Among the most significant factors in Pennsylvania may be the low number of undecided voters , pollsters said .
Most surveys find the majority of the electorate has made up their minds , with those still deciding at less than 4 % in most cases .
“ There are significantly less undecided voters than four years ago , ” Murray said .
“ It is not about issues at this point , it is about gut issues , it is a feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking tens of thousands of voters that candidates are trying to swing out of 5 or 6 million , ” he added .
“ There were significantly more up for grabs four years ago , a lot of Clinton voters simply did not show up , we don ’ t see that this time around .
Many ( Clinton voters ) did not think their vote was necessary.
” Added Miringoff : “ This is all about the base , turning out the base .
There is very little persuasion .
Turn out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been doing for three years , his base is a shrinking part of the electorate.
” Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years ’ experience who covers education and Monmouth County for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press .
He is also the author of two books , including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media , and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University .
Reach him at jstrupp @ gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840 .
Follow him on Twitter at @ joestrupp

How Pennsylvania could swing the presidential election to Trump again
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Pennsylvania was among the key states that unexpectedly went for President Donald Trump in 2016. Once again, it has emerged as a top battleground in the 2020 presidential race that could determine the outcome of the presidential election.
Top pollsters contend that the Keystone State, which most polls have former vice president Joe Biden leading at the moment, carries a potential winning margin for either candidate due to its pockets of support for both.
Polling finds that Trump continues to draw strong support from blue collar and rural areas, while Biden's backing is growing among suburban women — many who backed Trump last time — and more urban locations. Each camp has visited the state several times in recent weeks, with plans for more to come.
Fewer sorting machines, more mail delays: How is NJ combating post office woes?
They have also spent a combined $77 million in Pennsylvania ($44 million by Biden and $33.1 million by Trump), according to CNN's review of federal election spending, the most in any battleground state.
Victory will pivot more on each side turning out their bases rather than convincing people in the middle who to vote for since the percentage of undecided voters is miniscule, according to experts.
“Pennsylvania continues to be the tipping point state,” said Patrick Murray, executive director of the Monmouth University Poll in West Long Branch, New Jersey. “It is probably the one that could be it to determine the outcome.”
Opinion: Biden's choice of a running mate key to keeping poll leads
Both campaigns know the impact Pennsylvania will have and they have put their valuable time in different sections of the state in recent weeks, with more planned visits through Election Day.
Experts said the mail-in voting will favor Biden, while Trump garners more from traditional Republicans who prefer in-person ballots. Turnout is expected to be strong and likely greater than 2016 given that many Clinton voters stayed home last time and Biden's backers are expected to turnout more.
Are you registered to vote?: Check your status or register online now
“It’s one of the three states that gave Trump the presidency, along with Wisconsin and Michigan," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Poll at the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. "The strategy for (both camps) has to center around Pennsylvania because of the (20) electoral votes and it is a certainty if the president were to hold Pennsylvania, it would be a big deal in forcing Biden to win somewhere else. If Biden were to win it, the expectation is that Michigan is easier for him. If he holds what Hillary Clinton carried, he only needs to win one other state.”
The winner needs to garner 270 of the Electoral College's 538 votes to be elected.
Enjoy stories like this? Make it even easier to read by downloading our mobile app today.
Nathaniel Rakich, an elections analyst at FiveThirtyEight.com — which tallies and analyzes polling based on the averages of many polls — stated on Monday that Pennsylvania appears to be “the single most important state of the 2020 election.”
“Pennsylvania is by far the likeliest state to provide either President Trump or Joe Biden with the decisive vote in the Electoral College: It has a 31 percent chance of being the tipping-point state. (That’s what happens when you take one of the most evenly divided states in the union and give it 20 electoral votes.)” he wrote on the website. “In fact, Pennsylvania is so important that our model gives Trump an 84 percent chance of winning the presidency if he carries the state — and it gives Biden a 96 percent chance of winning if Pennsylvania goes blue.”
NJPBA: NJ police union endorses Trump for president, all Republican candidates for Congress
Trump’s Pennsylvania victory was among the closest of the 2016 election, with the president taking 48.58% of the vote to Hillary Clinton’s 47.85%. That was a difference of 44,000 votes out of nearly 6 million cast.
Murray said Pennsylvania’s diverse electorate, with a strong rural and blue collar Republican field and Democrats in urban areas such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, has always made it a battleground, but this year’s race has highlighted the situation.
“It is close and for a number of reasons that were similar in 2016, we have different types of voters there who represent different segments of the election,” Murray explained. “Some of the same concerns in blue-collar working-class areas. We see a number of polls that says it is close or Biden has a bigger lead. The fact that the candidates are spending so much time there was another sign.”
The most recent Monmouth Poll on Sept. 4 reported Biden leading Trump 49% to 45% in Pennsylvania. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 4.9%.
Asbury Park: New Jersey Democrats gather to celebrate Biden on last night of Convention
Murray cites three things that will decide the race for Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes: Democratic votes in Philadelphia and Allegheny County, including Pittsburgh; Trump voter turnout in central and eastern Pennsylvania; and swing votes in the Northeast area from Reading to Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
“They have some concern, turning out those voters,” he said of the Trump strongholds of 2016. “These are the old mill towns, blue collar historically Democratic voters who went for Trump. It looks like they are up for grabs. If there is a movement for preferences, it will be in that area.”
Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., said it was no accident that Trump appeared in Pennsylvania during the Democratic Convention and recently visited Westmoreland County in the western end, which he won nearly 2-to-1 in 2016. Biden also made a stop recently in Allegheny County.
“I think Pennsylvania is still competitive, it is complicated because of the nature of the contest in this state,” Madonna said. “Trump won in 2016 because he was able to win the rural and small towns in the central part of the state. The second one is the rust belt strategy that he developed. He went to southwest Pennsylvania and southeast Pennsylvania and said that the Democrats had walked away from the blue-collar worker.”
Opinion: With the upcoming election, we will organize labor once again
But Madonna said the 2018 mid-term elections showed that those Trump voters are not a given for him in 2020.
“Democrats won the suburbs in 2018 because of college-educated women and millennials,” he said. “The Trump campaign is employing a strategy of going after the Democrats on the violence ... in the cities and arguing that it can go into the suburbs.”
The most recent Franklin and Marshall poll in mid-August had Biden leading Trump in Pennsylvania, 49% to 42%. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 5.2%.
Experts contend that the Philadelphia suburban voter may hold the biggest lift for Biden, with suburban women changing their allegiance, at least according to the 2018 results.
“After the 2016 election, we saw a significant shift in the Philadelphia suburbs toward Democrats and staying there,” Murray said. “The blue wave of 2018 changed a lot, moderate Republicans did not like the direction their party took under Trump.”
Report: NJ man ran one of the largest websites promoting QAnon conspiracy
Miringoff at the Marist Poll echoed that view.
“It is the suburbs around Philadelphia that have attracted a lot of attention in recent elections because it is a moving area, if (Biden) holds on to that it makes a strong base for him,” Miringoff said. “The movement has been in the suburbs. If you look where the differences are it is around Philadelphia, suburban women are a group that dislikes Trump for a variety of reasons and Biden is doing better with them.”
He also said Biden is hoping to get a bigger turn out of the Black vote than Clinton and is doing a little better in the rural parts than Clinton did.
The latest Marist Poll, released on September 9, had Biden at 53% to Trump’s 44%.
Among the most significant factors in Pennsylvania may be the low number of undecided voters, pollsters said. Most surveys find the majority of the electorate has made up their minds, with those still deciding at less than 4% in most cases.
“There are significantly less undecided voters than four years ago,” Murray said. “It is not about issues at this point, it is about gut issues, it is a feeling about the candidate.
“We are talking tens of thousands of voters that candidates are trying to swing out of 5 or 6 million,” he added. “There were significantly more up for grabs four years ago, a lot of Clinton voters simply did not show up, we don’t see that this time around. Many (Clinton voters) did not think their vote was necessary.”
Added Miringoff: “This is all about the base, turning out the base. There is very little persuasion. Turn out the supporters and that is what Trump has been doing for three years, his base is a shrinking part of the electorate.”
Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and Monmouth County for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of two books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp


usatoday--2020-09-17--Former Pence adviser on the coronavirus denounces Trump's pandemic response, backs Biden

WASHINGTON — A former adviser to Vice President Mike Pence who worked on the pandemic response has come out against President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus and said she will vote for Joe Biden .
Olivia Troye , who departed the White House in August after serving as homeland security and counter-terrorism adviser to the vice president , said in a new video released Thursday by Republican Voters Against Trump that the president 's main concern in his coronavirus response was his re-election .
`` The truth is , he does n't actually care about anyone but himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who told The Washington Post she helped organize and attended all the coronavirus task force meetings between February and July , described dismay at Trump 's public comments about the coronavirus in the video and in an interview with the Post .
He was recently revealed to have told journalist Bob Woodward he intentionally downplayed the severity of the virus to avoid causing panic .
`` If the president had taken this virus seriously or if he had actually made an effort to tell how serious it was , he would 've slowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved lives , '' Troye said in the video .
Troye recalled comments Trump allegedly made during a task force meeting : `` Maybe this COVID thing is a good thing .
I do n't like shaking hands with people .
I do n't have to shake hands with these disgusting people . ''
Trump would `` blindside '' the coronavirus task force with public statements that went against what health experts were saying about the virus , she told the Post , such as his promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask issue was a critical one .
If we would have gotten ahead on that and stressed the importance of it , we could have slowed the spread significantly , ” Troye told the outlet .
Troye said she is a lifetime Republican who voted for her party 's presidential candidate in every election until 2016 , but will now support Biden because of Trump 's `` flat out disregard for human life . ''
She told the Post she did not vote for Trump in 2016 but hoped he would become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity and honor of a lifetime to be able to serve in the White House ... '' Troye said in her video .
`` But at some points I would come home at night , I would look myself in the mirror and say , 'Are you really making a difference ?
Does it matter , because no matter how hard you work and what you do , the president is going to do something detrimental to keeping Americans safe . '
'' Troye is the latest former administration official to come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former National Security Adviser John Bolton , former Defense Secretary James Mattis and former Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor .
Pence told reporters that he had not yet seen Troye 's full comments .
`` But it reads to me like one more disgruntled employee that has decided to play politics during election year .
My staff has indicated and she made no comments like that when she was serving under our team here at the White House , '' he said .
“ I couldn ’ t be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done , '' Pence added .
Lt. General Keith Kellogg , Pence 's national security adviser , said in a statement that Troye is `` disgruntled that her detail was cut short because she was no longer capable of keeping up with her day-to-day duties . ''
`` Ms. Troye directly reported to me , and never once during her detail did she every express any concern regarding the Administration ’ s response to the Coronavirus to anyone in her chain of command .
By not expressing her concerns , she demonstrated an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kellogg said .
Troye has also joined the anti-Trump group REPAIR , or Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform , launched by Taylor .
Troye told the Post she encourages other former administration officials to voice their concerns about the president , and that she should have spoken out sooner .
Sarah Longwell , strategic director of Republican Voters Against Trump , said in a statement that `` it 's not hard to see why '' so many former staffers of Trump are supporting his opponent .
“ Even people who believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrified by who he is as a politician , a leader , and a person , '' Longwell said .

Former Pence adviser on the coronavirus denounces Trump's pandemic response, backs Biden
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump contradicts CDC director about face masks and vaccines CDC Director Robert Redfield testified at a Senate panel on coronavirus and gave his opinion on face masks, but then President Trump contradicted him. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — A former adviser to Vice President Mike Pence who worked on the pandemic response has come out against President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus and said she will vote for Joe Biden.
Olivia Troye, who departed the White House in August after serving as homeland security and counter-terrorism adviser to the vice president, said in a new video released Thursday by Republican Voters Against Trump that the president's main concern in his coronavirus response was his re-election.
"The truth is, he doesn't actually care about anyone but himself," Troye said.
Troye, who told The Washington Post she helped organize and attended all the coronavirus task force meetings between February and July, described dismay at Trump's public comments about the coronavirus in the video and in an interview with the Post. He was recently revealed to have told journalist Bob Woodward he intentionally downplayed the severity of the virus to avoid causing panic.
"If the president had taken this virus seriously or if he had actually made an effort to tell how serious it was, he would've slowed the virus spread. He would've saved lives," Troye said in the video.
NEW AD: @OliviaTroye was @VP's lead staffer on COVID-19. She put her heart & soul into the job.
After a while she couldn't look herself in the mirror because no matter what she did, the President would undermine it and make Americans less safe.
Now she's a GOP voter for Biden. pic.twitter.com/ZIJlRUzArG — Republican Voters Against Trump (@RVAT2020) September 17, 2020
Troye recalled comments Trump allegedly made during a task force meeting: "Maybe this COVID thing is a good thing. I don't like shaking hands with people. I don't have to shake hands with these disgusting people."
Trump would "blindside" the coronavirus task force with public statements that went against what health experts were saying about the virus, she told the Post, such as his promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment and his hesitancy around mask-wearing.
"The mask issue was a critical one. If we would have gotten ahead on that and stressed the importance of it, we could have slowed the spread significantly,” Troye told the outlet.
Troye said she is a lifetime Republican who voted for her party's presidential candidate in every election until 2016, but will now support Biden because of Trump's "flat out disregard for human life." She told the Post she did not vote for Trump in 2016 but hoped he would become a strong leader.
"It was the opportunity and honor of a lifetime to be able to serve in the White House..." Troye said in her video. "But at some points I would come home at night, I would look myself in the mirror and say, 'Are you really making a difference? Does it matter, because no matter how hard you work and what you do, the president is going to do something detrimental to keeping Americans safe.'"
More: Trump blames 'blue states' for increasing nation's coronavirus death rates, ignores high rates in red states
Troye is the latest former administration official to come out against the president, joining the likes of former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former Defense Secretary James Mattis and former Department of Homeland Security official Miles Taylor.
Pence told reporters that he had not yet seen Troye's full comments.
"But it reads to me like one more disgruntled employee that has decided to play politics during election year. My staff has indicated and she made no comments like that when she was serving under our team here at the White House," he said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve done," Pence added.
Lt. General Keith Kellogg, Pence's national security adviser, said in a statement that Troye is "disgruntled that her detail was cut short because she was no longer capable of keeping up with her day-to-day duties."
"Ms. Troye directly reported to me, and never once during her detail did she every express any concern regarding the Administration’s response to the Coronavirus to anyone in her chain of command. By not expressing her concerns, she demonstrated an incredible lack of moral courage," Kellogg said.
Troye has also joined the anti-Trump group REPAIR, or Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform, launched by Taylor. Troye told the Post she encourages other former administration officials to voice their concerns about the president, and that she should have spoken out sooner.
Trump contradicts CDC director: Trump says Robert Redfield 'confused' about coronavirus vaccine, mask efficacy. Redfield responded.
Sarah Longwell, strategic director of Republican Voters Against Trump, said in a statement that "it's not hard to see why" so many former staffers of Trump are supporting his opponent.
“Even people who believed in the president have been shocked and horrified by who he is as a politician, a leader, and a person," Longwell said.


usatoday--2020-09-17--Trump's unrestrained full partner? Attorney General William Barr echoes president in slamming DOJ

For much of his presidency , Donald Trump has cast the Justice Department as the enemy within .
He has regularly called out federal prosecutors and FBI agents as traitors — or worse .
That scorched-earth campaign has now been joined by an increasingly unrestrained full partner in the attorney general .
Rather than defend the cadre of career lawyers and investigators under his command , William Barr launched an extraordinary public rebuke late Wednesday night that drew parallels to the recriminations leveled against the institution by his boss , the president .
In a speech at a local college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Barr alternately referred to some of his own prosecutors as petulant pre-schoolers and “ headhunters , ” fixated on taking out political targets while bristling under the supervision of political appointees .
More : 'Criminalization of politics ' : AG Barr says prosecutors become 'headhunters' Already confronted with internal uprisings from prosecutors who have objected to Barr ’ s intervention in criminal cases on the side of the president and his allies , the attorney general ’ s remarks were prompting strong push back from Justice veterans and threatened to further tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jody Hunt , who most recently served as chief of Justice 's Civil Division under Barr and chief of staff to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions , rejected the attorney general 's characterizations .
`` Not accurate to suggest that career officials are less experienced than political appointees , '' Hunt tweeted soon after the attorney general 's Hillsdale address .
`` Many supervisors are career officials , who often have more experience than politicals .
And the career officials generally work hard to apply principled positions across administrations . ''
Mary Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served under Barr during his first stint as attorney general in the administration of George H.W .
Bush , said his remarks `` seem a great change from the Attorney General Barr that I knew . ''
Warren said it was an `` insult '' to suggest that the agency 's career prosecutors `` would do other than what the Constitution requires . ''
`` What upset me most was ( Barr 's ) suggestion that line prosecutors were charging cases for perhaps the wrong reasons , and they should follow the lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Warren , who served under five presidents , from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama .
`` First of all , every prosecutor that I have ever known has investigated and charged the case solely based on the evidence and the law as it applies , across the board . ''
Barr 's strong defense of Trump 's most politically charged interests are nothing new .
Soon after taking office in 2019 , Barr unleashed a firestorm when he concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge Trump with obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia 's interference in the 2016 election despite damning findings by Justice special counsel Robert Mueller .
Last fall , in a speech before the conservative Federalist Society , he accused the president 's political opponents of pursuing a `` no-holds-barred resistance '' meant to `` sabotage '' Trump 's presidency .
And this year , Barr has overruled line prosecutors by recommending a lighter sentence for Trump political adviser Roger Stone , while he has also sought to drop the prosecution of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn .
The intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice lawyers assigned to the prosecutions .
But Barr 's Wednesday night address at Hillsdale , appeared to stake out an even more aggressive position against some in his own department .
`` Individual prosecutors can sometimes become headhunters , consumed with taking down their target , '' Barr said .
`` Smart , ambitious lawyers have sought to amass glory by prosecuting prominent public figures since the Roman Republic .
It is utterly unsurprising that prosecutors continue to do so today to the extent the Justice Department ’ s leaders will permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney general , we will not . ''
The attorney general , however , did not stop there .
During a question-and-answer session following the speech , he turned up the volume on a variety of topics that have dogged the administration and Trump 's re-election campaign , notably the White House response to the deadly pandemic .
At one point , he compared the virus-related quarantine orders with slavery .
`` Other than slavery , which was a different kind of restraint , this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CLYBURN : Barr 's slavery comment the most 'God-awful thing I 've ever heard' Underscoring his boss ' attacks on science 's role in the pandemic response , Barr said to the applause of the conservative audience : `` The person in the white coat is not the grand seer who can come up with the right decisions for society .
A free people makes its determination through its elected representatives . ''
Mark Meadows , Trump 's chief of staff , said the attorney general 's withering assessment of some of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In a Thursday interview with Fox News , Meadows said the attorney general 's assertion that prosecutors were sometimes driven by political considerations is `` what we all hate about our federal government . ''
Yet Barr 's remarks were taking a toll on many Justice Department veterans spanning Republican and Democratic administrations .
SEDITION : Barr suggestion to charge protesters with sedition is highly unusual '' Barr is becoming increasingly absurd , '' former Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder tweeted Thursday .
`` When I was at DOJ - regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the career staff as trusted colleagues , not pre-schoolers .
To my friends at DOJ , know that this nation values and supports you .
I do . ''
William Yeomans , a former Justice official who served under five presidents , said he had `` never heard an attorney general criticize DOJ attorneys so categorically . ''
`` The attorney general really needs to avoid politicizing enforcement of the law and even to avoid the appearance of politicizing the enforcement of the law , '' he said .
`` Exercising the prosecutorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Udolf , a former federal prosecutor who served as an associate independent counsel in the Clinton Whitewater investigation , called Barr 's speech `` another troubling , unprecedented event in unprecedented administration . ''
`` When he referred to line prosecutors as pre-schoolers , I could n't help but think that sometimes you need mature students to speak up and show the adults the right way , '' Udolf said .
`` Part of the attorney general 's job is provide an example of moral rectitude , but that 's exactly what this @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Kevin Johnson and Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY

Trump's unrestrained full partner? Attorney General William Barr echoes president in slamming DOJ Analysis: The attorney general's attacks sparked backlash from prosecutors, threatening to further tear at the core of the Department of Justice.
Show Caption Hide Caption George H.W. Bush's Deputy AG: Barr needs to resign A former deputy attorney general under President George H. W. Bush is calling on Attorney General William Barr to step down from his post after what he sees as an erosion of the Justice Department’s historical independence. (Feb. 19) AP
For much of his presidency, Donald Trump has cast the Justice Department as the enemy within.
He has regularly called out federal prosecutors and FBI agents as traitors — or worse. That scorched-earth campaign has now been joined by an increasingly unrestrained full partner in the attorney general.
Rather than defend the cadre of career lawyers and investigators under his command, William Barr launched an extraordinary public rebuke late Wednesday night that drew parallels to the recriminations leveled against the institution by his boss, the president.
In a speech at a local college, marking a celebration of the Constitution, Barr alternately referred to some of his own prosecutors as petulant pre-schoolers and “headhunters,” fixated on taking out political targets while bristling under the supervision of political appointees.
More: 'Criminalization of politics': AG Barr says prosecutors become 'headhunters'
Already confronted with internal uprisings from prosecutors who have objected to Barr’s intervention in criminal cases on the side of the president and his allies, the attorney general’s remarks were prompting strong push back from Justice veterans and threatened to further tear at the core of the department.
Jody Hunt, who most recently served as chief of Justice's Civil Division under Barr and chief of staff to former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, rejected the attorney general's characterizations.
"Not accurate to suggest that career officials are less experienced than political appointees," Hunt tweeted soon after the attorney general's Hillsdale address. "Many supervisors are career officials, who often have more experience than politicals. And the career officials generally work hard to apply principled positions across administrations."
Mary Lee Warren, a former Justice official who served under Barr during his first stint as attorney general in the administration of George H.W. Bush, said his remarks "seem a great change from the Attorney General Barr that I knew."
Who is William Barr? Trump's new attorney general pick, Bill Barr, was confirmed by the Senate more than three months after Jeff Sessions resigned. USA TODAY
Warren said it was an "insult" to suggest that the agency's career prosecutors "would do other than what the Constitution requires."
"What upset me most was (Barr's) suggestion that line prosecutors were charging cases for perhaps the wrong reasons, and they should follow the lead of their U.S. attorney or higher ups," said Warren, who served under five presidents, from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama. "First of all, every prosecutor that I have ever known has investigated and charged the case solely based on the evidence and the law as it applies, across the board."
Prosecutors as 'headhunters'
Barr's strong defense of Trump's most politically charged interests are nothing new.
Soon after taking office in 2019, Barr unleashed a firestorm when he concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge Trump with obstruction of justice following a nearly two-year investigation of Russia's interference in the 2016 election despite damning findings by Justice special counsel Robert Mueller.
Last fall, in a speech before the conservative Federalist Society, he accused the president's political opponents of pursuing a "no-holds-barred resistance" meant to "sabotage" Trump's presidency.
And this year, Barr has overruled line prosecutors by recommending a lighter sentence for Trump political adviser Roger Stone, while he has also sought to drop the prosecution of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Trump grants clemency to Roger Stone President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime confidant Roger Stone. USA TODAY, Wochit
The intervention in both cases prompted the withdrawal of Justice lawyers assigned to the prosecutions.
But Barr's Wednesday night address at Hillsdale, appeared to stake out an even more aggressive position against some in his own department.
"Individual prosecutors can sometimes become headhunters, consumed with taking down their target," Barr said. "Smart, ambitious lawyers have sought to amass glory by prosecuting prominent public figures since the Roman Republic. It is utterly unsurprising that prosecutors continue to do so today to the extent the Justice Department’s leaders will permit it. As long as I am attorney general, we will not."
The attorney general, however, did not stop there. During a question-and-answer session following the speech, he turned up the volume on a variety of topics that have dogged the administration and Trump's re-election campaign, notably the White House response to the deadly pandemic.
At one point, he compared the virus-related quarantine orders with slavery.
"Other than slavery, which was a different kind of restraint, this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history," Barr said.
CLYBURN: Barr's slavery comment the most 'God-awful thing I've ever heard'
Underscoring his boss' attacks on science's role in the pandemic response, Barr said to the applause of the conservative audience: "The person in the white coat is not the grand seer who can come up with the right decisions for society. A free people makes its determination through its elected representatives."
Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff, said the attorney general's withering assessment of some of his own prosecutors was "exactly right."
In a Thursday interview with Fox News, Meadows said the attorney general's assertion that prosecutors were sometimes driven by political considerations is "what we all hate about our federal government."
'Increasingly absurd'
Yet Barr's remarks were taking a toll on many Justice Department veterans spanning Republican and Democratic administrations.
SEDITION: Barr suggestion to charge protesters with sedition is highly unusual
"Barr is becoming increasingly absurd," former Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder tweeted Thursday. "When I was at DOJ - regardless of my ultimate authority - I saw the career staff as trusted colleagues, not pre-schoolers. To my friends at DOJ, know that this nation values and supports you. I do."
William Yeomans, a former Justice official who served under five presidents, said he had "never heard an attorney general criticize DOJ attorneys so categorically."
"The attorney general really needs to avoid politicizing enforcement of the law and even to avoid the appearance of politicizing the enforcement of the law," he said. "Exercising the prosecutorial authority responsibly demands that."
Bruce Udolf, a former federal prosecutor who served as an associate independent counsel in the Clinton Whitewater investigation, called Barr's speech "another troubling, unprecedented event in unprecedented administration."
"When he referred to line prosecutors as pre-schoolers, I couldn't help but think that sometimes you need mature students to speak up and show the adults the right way," Udolf said. "Part of the attorney general's job is provide an example of moral rectitude, but that's exactly what this attorney general has not done."