usatoday--2020-12-06--Should you go for the more expensive college in case student loans are forgiven? Don't bank on it.

My daughter is trying to decide what college she 's going to attend in the fall of 2021 , and all of this talk about student loan forgiveness has us thinking .
She will be the first person in our family to go to college .
One of the schools she 's looking at costs about $ 15,000/year less than the other school , but if the government is going to forgive student loans , would n't it make sense for her to go to the more expensive school ?
Since we do n't have much money saved for college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be paid for with student loans .
What a great moment for your daughter and your entire family .
First generation college students can change the course of your family for generations to come , and your hard work and diligence is a big part of that .
One of the barriers to entry many families encounter when sending their first family member to college is understanding the mechanism of paying for college .
In other words , families struggle to grasp the impact student loans can have on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what 's even scarier , is families often underestimate the consequences of taking on student loans and not graduating from college .
Personal finance tips : Our son moved home but is struggling to find work .
What rules should we set ?
Ask Pete : You lost your job but found one that pays less .
Here 's how to make it work for you and your retirement plans Ideally , prior to sending your student to any college , you should take the time to calculate their projected student loan balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then calculate what the monthly payment will be for the student .
Too often prospective students and their parents skip this simple step , which ends up being a giant mistake .
How can you possibly begin to evaluate the value of an education if you do n't know how it will impact your finances upon the payments coming due ?
Admittedly , having access to tens of thousands of dollars of borrowed money , which you do n't have to begin to make payments on for years , is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your family has ever experienced it before .
Many families adopt a `` we 'll figure it out later '' strategy , which generally creates peace now and chaos later .
Do the math now .
Next , consider your student 's field of study as it relates to the ability to earn a living .
If the average person in a given career ca n't earn enough money to pay back the student loans associated with entering that particular field , it might be time to go back to the drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why millions of Americans are saddled with student loan debt , but the unwillingness to consider the cost of a degree in relation to the income it can generate , lays the blame at the feet of families who refuse to do the math now .
You 've obviously noticed I have n't addressed your question about student loan forgiveness yet .
But frankly , I do n't think taking on a more expensive education in the hopes that the debt associated with that education is forgiven , makes much sense .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student loan forgiveness might look like , if it happens at all .
But more importantly , your daughter does n't even have student loan debt yet .
Your focus should be taking on the least amount of debt as possible , while still securing a quality education which will lead to attractive career prospects .
Turn your full attention to helping your daughter choose the most cost efficient school she can , and then ensure she 's 100 % committed to earning her degree .
Being the first person in your family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but finding yourself drowning in student loan debt without a college degree , can be equally life-changing , but for much more difficult reasons .
Remember , knowing exactly how much money your daughter will owe each month is the keystone to making a good decision , not whether or not the government enacts a student loan forgiveness program .
And to be fair , your teen daughter might not know the real difference between a $ 400/month obligation for a decade and a $ 650/month for a decade .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in handy to help her gain some much needed perspective .
Peter Dunn is an author , speaker and radio host , and he has a free podcast : `` Million Dollar Plan . ''
Have a question for Pete the Planner ?
Email him at AskPete @ petetheplanner.com .
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author ’ s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY .

Should you go for the more expensive college in case student loans are forgiven? Don't bank on it.
Show Caption Hide Caption Why families should talk about college tuition Why families should talk about college tuition. GET Creative, for College Ave Student Loans
Dear Pete,
My daughter is trying to decide what college she's going to attend in the fall of 2021, and all of this talk about student loan forgiveness has us thinking. She will be the first person in our family to go to college. One of the schools she's looking at costs about $15,000/year less than the other school, but if the government is going to forgive student loans, wouldn't it make sense for her to go to the more expensive school? Since we don't have much money saved for college, no matter what school she chooses, it will be paid for with student loans.
Kim; Jersey City, N.J.
What a great moment for your daughter and your entire family. First generation college students can change the course of your family for generations to come, and your hard work and diligence is a big part of that.
One of the barriers to entry many families encounter when sending their first family member to college is understanding the mechanism of paying for college. In other words, families struggle to grasp the impact student loans can have on a student's life, post-graduation. And what's even scarier, is families often underestimate the consequences of taking on student loans and not graduating from college.
Personal finance tips: Our son moved home but is struggling to find work. What rules should we set?
Ask Pete: You lost your job but found one that pays less. Here's how to make it work for you and your retirement plans
Ideally, prior to sending your student to any college, you should take the time to calculate their projected student loan balance at the conclusion of their college experience, and then calculate what the monthly payment will be for the student. Too often prospective students and their parents skip this simple step, which ends up being a giant mistake. How can you possibly begin to evaluate the value of an education if you don't know how it will impact your finances upon the payments coming due?
Planning steps
Admittedly, having access to tens of thousands of dollars of borrowed money, which you don't have to begin to make payments on for years, is a surreal experience, especially if no one in your family has ever experienced it before. Many families adopt a "we'll figure it out later" strategy, which generally creates peace now and chaos later.
Do the math now.
Next, consider your student's field of study as it relates to the ability to earn a living. If the average person in a given career can't earn enough money to pay back the student loans associated with entering that particular field, it might be time to go back to the drawing board. There are several systemic reasons why millions of Americans are saddled with student loan debt, but the unwillingness to consider the cost of a degree in relation to the income it can generate, lays the blame at the feet of families who refuse to do the math now.
You've obviously noticed I haven't addressed your question about student loan forgiveness yet. But frankly, I don't think taking on a more expensive education in the hopes that the debt associated with that education is forgiven, makes much sense. It's way too early to know what student loan forgiveness might look like, if it happens at all. But more importantly, your daughter doesn't even have student loan debt yet. Your focus should be taking on the least amount of debt as possible, while still securing a quality education which will lead to attractive career prospects.
Turn your full attention to helping your daughter choose the most cost efficient school she can, and then ensure she's 100% committed to earning her degree. Being the first person in your family to go to college can be life-changing, but finding yourself drowning in student loan debt without a college degree, can be equally life-changing, but for much more difficult reasons.
Remember, knowing exactly how much money your daughter will owe each month is the keystone to making a good decision, not whether or not the government enacts a student loan forgiveness program. And to be fair, your teen daughter might not know the real difference between a $400/month obligation for a decade and a $650/month for a decade. That's where your real world experience can come in handy to help her gain some much needed perspective.
Peter Dunn is an author, speaker and radio host, and he has a free podcast: "Million Dollar Plan." Have a question for Pete the Planner? Email him at AskPete@petetheplanner.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.


usatoday--2020-12-06--Welcome to the COVID-19 culture wars. Why are we still fighting about masks?

You have to wonder what was on the minds of the scores of people who packed into the outdoor enclosure of an Italian restaurant in the hills of northern New Jersey on the night before Thanksgiving .
It was a joyous time , fueled by alcohol , for the crowd of people in their 20s and 30s .
It was also reckless .
Few at the Portobello Restaurant in Oakland that night wore masks to protect them from spreading the coronavirus .
Few seemed to care .
That scene at Portobello , documented on social media , has been repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was even repeated at Portobello a few days after Thanksgiving , according to local officials .
Call it an example of COVID-19 denialism .
Call it another chapter in the coronavirus culture wars .
Call it , as Gov .
Phil Murphy did this week , another example of knuckleheaded behavior .
Or just call it rampant idiocy .
But as the dark clouds of the COVID-19 pandemic grow more ominous with more than 14 million cases across the nation and the numbers of U.S. dead rising astronomically to nearly 275,000 now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people don ’ t seem to care enough to wear a basic surgical mask to protect themselves and others ?
And how is it possible that so many corners of America — from restaurants to stores to high school , college and professional sports teams — continue to play a weird version of Russian roulette and seem to dare the virus to infect them ?
It ’ s no secret that America is deeply divided .
President-elect Joe Biden tallied around 81 million votes in last month ’ s presidential election — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pulled in nearly 74 million — the second highest total in U.S. history .
Biden clearly won .
But his margin is hardly a massive landslide .
Voting and elections are one thing , though .
Public health is another .
And as the pandemic worsened dramatically in recent weeks , so has the divide over how to fight it .
Suzette Hackney : Pence 's political future hinges on how he leads the White House Coronavirus Task Force Several polls earlier this year showed that most Democrats considered the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans downplayed it .
Most Democrats opted to wear masks ; many Republicans said no way .
Now a recent Monmouth University poll suggests that COVID-19 is the nation 's top concern .
But there is hardly a consensus .
From New York City , where parents are angry with Mayor Bill de Blasio for his off-and-on policy of shutting schools to the White House , where the Trump administration has scheduled holiday parties with little regard to mask-wearing , the nation can ’ t agree on a united strategy to fight COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s foremost experts on infectious diseases and a vocal proponent of mask-wearing now , needs bodyguards because of so many threats on his life .
Fauci ’ s critics — including Trump — counter accusingly that he once said mask-wearing was not necessary for ordinary people .
That statement by Fauci came in an interview on “ 60 Minutes ” — in March .
What gets lost in the politics is that Fauci was concerned at the time that doctors and nurses did not have enough masks .
So he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using up supplies from hospitals .
Also , as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines in April and more masks became available to the general public while doctors learned much more about how the virus could spread , Fauci recommended mask-wearing for everyone .
Fauci ’ s change of opinion is hardly a crime .
It ’ s completely understandable in light of how little our best scientists knew about COVID-19 in the pandemic 's early months .
But listening to the anti-mask crowd these days , you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was akin to a capital offense .
That ’ s just one example of the crazy tone of America ’ s debate over how to defeat the coronavirus .
Consider what happened to Paul White , a former high school teacher , when he recently walked into a gym in Ocean City , New Jersey .
Top scientists : To defeat COVID-19 , Joe Biden will need help of experts from many fields White , who lives in Ridgewood and taught history and English and coached football and track for two decades at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2007 , happened to be visiting relatives in Ocean City and merely wanted to exercise at a local gym .
White wore a mask — as the gym rules said he must .
Midway into his workout , White happened to notice a man without a mask .
At 70 , White finds himself in a category vulnerable to infection by COVID-19 .
So he asked the man to put on a mask .
The man became angry , yelling at White that the COVID-19 virus was a hoax and that Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago , in the same gym , White saw a woman with two young children who was not wearing a mask .
When White asked her to put on a mask , she responded by raising her right arm in what White interpreted as a “ Heil Hitler salute.
” She then told White , who has a masters degree in history , to “ go home and study World War II.
” “ She truly believes her freedom is being taken away , ” White told me later .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Americans , wearing a mask — and abiding by other basic public health instructions such as maintaining social distancing — has become a question of personal freedom .
Forcing rules on mask-wearing and social distancing is viewed by some as an intrusion on constitutional rights .
It may seem silly , but arguments about mask-wearing have morphed into arguments about totalitarianism .
Certainly that was the message from the crowd who gathered one night this week on a street outside a tavern on Staten Island that had been shut down by police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be said that Mac ’ s Public House on Staten Island has positioned itself as what the New York Times described as a “ flashpoint in the COVID culture wars.
” Its owner seems to view himself as a modern version of the `` Sons of Liberty '' who staged the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16 , 1773 .
Its patrons see themselves as foot soldiers in an anti-government resistance movement .
When New York officials ordered that all bars close at 10 p.m. , Mac ’ s kept its doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Staten Island because of a dramatic rise in the COVID-19 infection rate , Mac ’ s continued to serve customers at tables inside .
Finally , after authorities suspended Mac ’ s liquor license , the bar ’ s owner served food and booze for free and asked customers for a donation .
Mac ’ s owner , Keith McAlarney , then dared Mayor de Blasio — nick-named “ de Bozo ” by Mac ’ s customers — to come to the bar and personally remove the liquor license from its frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s manager , Danny Presti .
As they led him out of the bar earlier this week , New York State Sen. Andrew Lanza , a Republican , reportedly had to be restrained by sheriff ’ s deputies from interfering and coming to Presti ’ s rescue .
The next night , hundreds of supporters jammed the street outside the bar , many of them waving American flags .
The Backstory : Why do people deny the seriousness of COVID-19 ?
I asked them .
Here 's what they said .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation have said that crowded bars have become fast-spreaders of the COVID-19 virus , akin to cruise ships .
Mac ’ s owner said he felt that government rules were effectively denying him a chance to make a living .
In Oakland , the owners of the Portabello Italian restaurant have not joined the ranks of Staten Island ’ s coronavirus revolutionaries .
The restaurant ’ s owners say they plan to abide by the punishment ordered by Oakland officials after large crowds gathered there over the Thanksgiving holiday — namely that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 4 p.m. each day for the next month .
“ All I can say it ’ s an unfortunate situation , ” Vincent Amen , Portobello ’ s manager , told me in an interview .
“ Obviously we will make procedural changes so this will never happen again.
” Amen conceded that he was not completely surprised by the influx of patrons .
He said he hired extra security .
But that was not enough to stop the throng that refused to wear masks , he said .
He insisted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but that many others now suffer from “ COVID fatigue.
” Which leads them to refrain from mask wearing .
“ People may be tired of the rules , ” Amen said , “ and they ’ re disregarding and trying to relax the regulations.
” That may be true .
But why did Portobello let the crowd break the rules in the first place ?
Another factor may be at play here — alcohol and the yearning to celebrate the holidays .
“ When you start drinking your defenses come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me .
“ Which is why there are so many car accidents with drunk drivers .
Which is why people do so many stupid things when they ’ re drunk .
But also , people have become complacent with COVID .
They ’ re becoming depressed with the holidays coming.
” That also may be true .
But America is also in the midst of a looming public health crisis .
How we emerge from this crisis will depend on whether we can come together .
Mike Kelly is a columnist for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow him on Twitter : @ mikekellycolumn

Welcome to the COVID-19 culture wars. Why are we still fighting about masks? What's driving the American debate that pits personal safety against personal freedoms? COVID-19 fatigue and holiday alcohol.
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19: How Herd Immunity works, why you still need to wear a mask Without masks and a vaccine, we could reach Herd Immunity from COVID-19, but deaths would skyrocket. We break down the science of it. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
You have to wonder what was on the minds of the scores of people who packed into the outdoor enclosure of an Italian restaurant in the hills of northern New Jersey on the night before Thanksgiving.
It was a joyous time, fueled by alcohol, for the crowd of people in their 20s and 30s. It was also reckless.
Few at the Portobello Restaurant in Oakland that night wore masks to protect them from spreading the coronavirus. Few seemed to care.
That scene at Portobello, documented on social media, has been repeated in countless communities across the country. It was even repeated at Portobello a few days after Thanksgiving, according to local officials.
Call it an example of COVID-19 denialism. Call it another chapter in the coronavirus culture wars. Call it, as Gov. Phil Murphy did this week, another example of knuckleheaded behavior. Or just call it rampant idiocy.
But as the dark clouds of the COVID-19 pandemic grow more ominous with more than 14 million cases across the nation and the numbers of U.S. dead rising astronomically to nearly 275,000 now, how is it possible that so many people don’t seem to care enough to wear a basic surgical mask to protect themselves and others?
And how is it possible that so many corners of America — from restaurants to stores to high school, college and professional sports teams — continue to play a weird version of Russian roulette and seem to dare the virus to infect them?
Pandemic divisions
It’s no secret that America is deeply divided. President-elect Joe Biden tallied around 81 million votes in last month’s presidential election — a record. But incumbent President Donald Trump pulled in nearly 74 million — the second highest total in U.S. history. Biden clearly won. But his margin is hardly a massive landslide.
Voting and elections are one thing, though. Public health is another. And as the pandemic worsened dramatically in recent weeks, so has the divide over how to fight it.
Suzette Hackney: Pence's political future hinges on how he leads the White House Coronavirus Task Force
Several polls earlier this year showed that most Democrats considered the coronavirus pandemic to be a major health problem whereas Republicans downplayed it. Most Democrats opted to wear masks; many Republicans said no way. Now a recent Monmouth University poll suggests that COVID-19 is the nation's top concern.
But there is hardly a consensus. From New York City, where parents are angry with Mayor Bill de Blasio for his off-and-on policy of shutting schools to the White House, where the Trump administration has scheduled holiday parties with little regard to mask-wearing, the nation can’t agree on a united strategy to fight COVID-19.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation’s foremost experts on infectious diseases and a vocal proponent of mask-wearing now, needs bodyguards because of so many threats on his life. Fauci’s critics — including Trump — counter accusingly that he once said mask-wearing was not necessary for ordinary people. That statement by Fauci came in an interview on “60 Minutes” — in March.
What gets lost in the politics is that Fauci was concerned at the time that doctors and nurses did not have enough masks. So he didn’t want America to be using up supplies from hospitals. Also, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines in April and more masks became available to the general public while doctors learned much more about how the virus could spread, Fauci recommended mask-wearing for everyone.
Fauci’s change of opinion is hardly a crime. It’s completely understandable in light of how little our best scientists knew about COVID-19 in the pandemic's early months. But listening to the anti-mask crowd these days, you might think Fauci’s reevaluation of mask-wearing was akin to a capital offense.
That’s just one example of the crazy tone of America’s debate over how to defeat the coronavirus.
Consider what happened to Paul White, a former high school teacher, when he recently walked into a gym in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Top scientists: To defeat COVID-19, Joe Biden will need help of experts from many fields
White, who lives in Ridgewood and taught history and English and coached football and track for two decades at neighboring Glen Rock High School before retiring in 2007, happened to be visiting relatives in Ocean City and merely wanted to exercise at a local gym.
White wore a mask — as the gym rules said he must. Midway into his workout, White happened to notice a man without a mask. At 70, White finds himself in a category vulnerable to infection by COVID-19. So he asked the man to put on a mask. The man became angry, yelling at White that the COVID-19 virus was a hoax and that Fauci and White were “ignorant.”
Two weeks ago, in the same gym, White saw a woman with two young children who was not wearing a mask. When White asked her to put on a mask, she responded by raising her right arm in what White interpreted as a “Heil Hitler salute.” She then told White, who has a masters degree in history, to “go home and study World War II.”
“She truly believes her freedom is being taken away,” White told me later.
Personal safety vs. personal freedom
That is the dilemma now. For far too many Americans, wearing a mask — and abiding by other basic public health instructions such as maintaining social distancing — has become a question of personal freedom. Forcing rules on mask-wearing and social distancing is viewed by some as an intrusion on constitutional rights. It may seem silly, but arguments about mask-wearing have morphed into arguments about totalitarianism.
Certainly that was the message from the crowd who gathered one night this week on a street outside a tavern on Staten Island that had been shut down by police for violating anti-COVID-19 rules.
It needs to be said that Mac’s Public House on Staten Island has positioned itself as what the New York Times described as a “flashpoint in the COVID culture wars.” Its owner seems to view himself as a modern version of the "Sons of Liberty" who staged the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, 1773. Its patrons see themselves as foot soldiers in an anti-government resistance movement.
When New York officials ordered that all bars close at 10 p.m., Mac’s kept its doors open. When indoor dining was banned on Staten Island because of a dramatic rise in the COVID-19 infection rate, Mac’s continued to serve customers at tables inside. Finally, after authorities suspended Mac’s liquor license, the bar’s owner served food and booze for free and asked customers for a donation.
Mac’s owner, Keith McAlarney, then dared Mayor de Blasio — nick-named “de Bozo” by Mac’s customers — to come to the bar and personally remove the liquor license from its frame on a wall.
Police arrested Mac’s manager, Danny Presti. As they led him out of the bar earlier this week, New York State Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Republican, reportedly had to be restrained by sheriff’s deputies from interfering and coming to Presti’s rescue. The next night, hundreds of supporters jammed the street outside the bar, many of them waving American flags.
The Backstory: Why do people deny the seriousness of COVID-19? I asked them. Here's what they said.
It did not matter that health experts across the nation have said that crowded bars have become fast-spreaders of the COVID-19 virus, akin to cruise ships. Mac’s owner said he felt that government rules were effectively denying him a chance to make a living.
In Oakland, the owners of the Portabello Italian restaurant have not joined the ranks of Staten Island’s coronavirus revolutionaries. The restaurant’s owners say they plan to abide by the punishment ordered by Oakland officials after large crowds gathered there over the Thanksgiving holiday — namely that Portabello will shut down its outdoor bar at 4 p.m. each day for the next month.
“All I can say it’s an unfortunate situation,” Vincent Amen, Portobello’s manager, told me in an interview. “Obviously we will make procedural changes so this will never happen again.”
Amen conceded that he was not completely surprised by the influx of patrons. He said he hired extra security. But that was not enough to stop the throng that refused to wear masks, he said.
He insisted that he is “still being very cautious,” but that many others now suffer from “COVID fatigue.” Which leads them to refrain from mask wearing.
“People may be tired of the rules,” Amen said, “and they’re disregarding and trying to relax the regulations.”
That may be true. But why did Portobello let the crowd break the rules in the first place?
Another factor may be at play here — alcohol and the yearning to celebrate the holidays.
“When you start drinking your defenses come down,” Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager told me. “Which is why there are so many car accidents with drunk drivers. Which is why people do so many stupid things when they’re drunk. But also, people have become complacent with COVID. They’re becoming depressed with the holidays coming.”
That also may be true. But America is also in the midst of a looming public health crisis.
How we emerge from this crisis will depend on whether we can come together.
Mike Kelly is a columnist for NorthJersey.com, where this column originally appeared. Follow him on Twitter: @mikekellycolumn


usatoday--2020-12-06--Live politics updates: Court rejects pro-Trump attorney Wood's appeal to stop Georgia election certi

Live politics updates: Court rejects pro-Trump attorney Wood's appeal to stop Georgia election certification

USA TODAY 's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden 's transition continues this week as he rolls out more of his picks for top jobs in his administration and the final states certify their vote counts before the Electoral College ballots are officially cast on Dec. 14 .
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden 's team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition , although Trump has yet to formally concede the race .
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney L. Lin Wood ’ s request to block the certification of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s win in Georgia .
The judges found Wood `` lacks standing to sue because he fails to allege a particularized injury , '' upholding a lower court ruling .
Wood sued Georgia election officials seeking `` extraordinary relief '' to block Georgia officials from certifying election results and establish new rules for the two Senate runoff elections that will occur Jan. 5 .
In his lawsuit , Wood claimed that the absentee ballot and recount procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit agreed with the district county ’ s decision to deny Wood ’ s motion , stating the attorney fails to explain how the absentee ballot and recount procedure personally affected him .
The court also said that Wood ’ s requests are `` moot '' because Georgia already certified its election results .
U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg , a Trump nominated judge , previously said that there was no evidence of irregularities in the election process that would have affected a substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public interest in countless ways , particularly in the environment in which this election occurred .
To halt the certification at literally the 11th hour would breed confusion and potentially disenfranchisement that I find has no basis in fact or in law , '' Grimberg said during the case ’ s hearing .
In addition to his failed lawsuit , Wood made news last week when he encouraged Georgia Republicans not to vote in the Jan. 5 runoff as a form of protest in response to state GOP officials 's refusal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud claims .
`` Saturday Night Live '' wasted no time spoofing the hearing that took place before the Michigan State Senate on Tuesday .
During the episode 's cold open , a farting Rudy Giuliani ( played by Kate McKinnon ) called on his star witness , Melissa Carone ( Cecily Strong ) , to discuss baseless voter fraud allegations .
Carone went viral shortly after her appearance for her eyebrow-raising testimony .
`` I personally saw hundreds if not thousands of dead people vote , '' she said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were walking out and they gave their votes to Democrats . ''
Strong 's Carone maintained she was n't lying , saying she `` signed an after-David '' as opposed to an affidavit .
`` David signed and then I signed right after David , '' she explained .
A University of Georgia student who was working as a field staffer on Sen. Kelly Loeffler 's election campaign was killed in a car wreck Friday .
Harrison Deal , 20 , who expected to graduate from UGA in 2022 , worked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Deal was killed about 10 a.m. in a fiery three-vehicle crash in the eastbound lane of Interstate 16 in Chatham County near Pooler Parkway , according to police .
Three other people sustained minor injuries .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , whose daughter Lucy Kemp called Deal her `` best friend , '' canceled his plans to attend a rally in Savannah Friday with Vice President Mike Pence .
The Kemp family said in a statement : “ Today we lost a member of our ‘ Kemp Strong ’ family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal ’ s life , love and support meant to us .
He was a person of deep faith , unmatched in integrity and incredible kindness .
Harris was the Kemp son and brother we never had.
” President Donald Trump offered his condolences to Deal 's family during his rally for Loeffler and Sen. Perdue Saturday in Valdosta , Georgia , calling him `` an incredible , magnificent young man .
`` I just want to say our prayers are with his friends and loved ones , and we will keep his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

Live politics updates: SCOTUS sets Tuesday deadline in Trump ally's Pennsylvania election challenge
Show Caption Hide Caption New voter registrations could make the difference in Georgia runoffs | States of America Could the U.S. Senate runoff elections in Georgia be decided by voters who weren't registered on Election Day in November, but will be for the runoff? States of America, USA TODAY
USA TODAY's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden's transition continues this week as he rolls out more of his picks for top jobs in his administration and the final states certify their vote counts before the Electoral College ballots are officially cast on Dec. 14.
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden's team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition, although Trump has yet to formally concede the race.
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and the transition.
Rudy Giuliani tests positive for COVID-19
Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, has tested positive for COVID-19. Trump shared the news by tweet, writing "Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!!!"
Since the presidential election, Giuliani, 76, has traveled the country challenging the election results and integrity of the electoral system itself. During much of his travels, Giuliani was seen not wearing a mask and flouting social distancing guidelines.
Giuliani, 76, was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center on Sunday. Andrew Giuliani tweeted that his father was "resting, getting great care and feeling well."
Later Sunday, Giuliani expressed appreciation for "the prayers and kind wishes" on Twitter, adding that he is "recovering quickly and keeping up with everything."
.@RudyGiuliani, by far the greatest mayor in the history of NYC, and who has been working tirelessly exposing the most corrupt election (by far!) in the history of the USA, has tested positive for the China Virus. Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2020
Along with a cadre of lawyers affiliated with the Trump campaign, Giuliani has held regular news conferences claiming, without evidence, various conspiracy theories and baseless allegations of mass voter fraud.
– Matthew Brown
Supreme Court moves deadline on GOP Rep. Mike Kelly's emergency request in Pa. election suit
The Supreme Court on Sunday changed a key deadline in Republican Rep. Mike Kelly's lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election in Pennsylvania from Wednesday to Tuesday. That schedule change was significant because Tuesday is the cutoff for states to resolve any election disputes, known as the "safe harbor" deadline under federal election law.
The safe harbor deadline also holds that Congress cannot challenge any electors named under state law by that date. Some had interpreted the originally scheduled date after that deadline as a sign the high court had no intention of ruling on the appeal.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, on Nov. 24 certified the election results for Biden over Trump. Kelly's longshot appeal claims that the 2019 state law that authorized universal, no-excuses mail-in voting is unconstitutional and that only an amendment to the state constitution would have made universal mail-in voting legal in Pennsylvania.
Kelly and seven other Republicans sued to get the mail-in ballots invalidated or have the courts direct the GOP-controlled Pennsylvania General Assembly to pick Pennsylvania’s 20 presidential electors, who all favor Biden as a result of the election.
On Saturday, the state Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Kelly's case, ruling he waited too long to challenge the 2019 law, which the General Assembly passed with bipartisan support.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, an appointee of Republican George W. Bush, filed the scheduling order. He handles emergency requests that originate in the states that make up the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whose jurisdiction includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
– Ed Palattella, Erie Times-News
Manchin: Dems tagged with inaccurate slogans like 'defund the police'
When asked why Democrats across the nation fared worse than President-elect Joe Biden in the November election, Sen. Joe Machin, D-W.V., claimed the party had been inaccurately connected to slogans like "defund the police."
"The bottom line is that we’ve been identified is something we are not," Manchin argued. "I’m a proud West Virginia Democrat and I don’t know of any Democrat who would ever defund the police."
He said that "extreme" ideas were not who Democrats were as a party, "but we were tagged with that," he said.
Manchin listed a series of principles the senator contended were Democratic "bedrocks,” including, "how do we protect workers, how do we protect families, how do we give people opportunity, how do we have inclusion, income inequality," arguing that those issues were lost in most Americans' idea of the Democratic Party.
"The message we have is not for all Americans," Manchin said. "If you’re a Democrat, why are you a Democrat? I tell people, 'I am fiscally responsible and socially compassionate.' Can’t you be both?" Manchin asked. "Do you want to give everything away without any accountability? It's not who I am. It's not the Democrats I was raised with. And that's basically what we have lost: who we are."
The West Virginia senator’s comments as Democrats face a reckoning over their underperformance in the 2020 election. Moderate Democrats have largely echoed Manchin’s assertion that the party was caricatured by attacks on progressive ideas, while the party’s left wing blames poor messaging and organizing for its shortcomings.
"We’re trying to bring everyone together with the same opportunities," Machin argued. "We’re not explaining in a way that the average American understands and we’re allowing other people to tag us. And that’s just unfair."
– Matthew Brown
Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Duncan reiterates that Biden won state
Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan underscored that there was no malfeasance in the Georgia November election during a Sunday interview on CNN’s "State of the Union."
While Duncan voted and campaigned for President Donald Trump in the Peach State, he said "unfortunately, President Trump did not win the state," a reality that many Georgia voters and the president himself have not acknowledged.
"If I had the chance to spend five minutes with every single person in Georgia that doubted the election results, I think I’d be able to win their hearts over," Duncan said.
While he is disappointed in the election results, "on Jan. 20 Joe Biden will be sworn in as president of the United States and the Constitution is still in place. This is still America," Duncan underscored.
"As Lieutenant Governor and as a Georgian, I am proud that we are able to look up after three recounts and watch and be able to see that this election was fair," he argued. "Was it perfect? Absolutely not. I don’t know if any election was perfect in the history of this country. But certainly it’s only been nominal changes since we’ve had three recounts."
The lieutenant governor’s comments come as Republicans and Democrats in the state are seeking to rally their bases for an upcoming Senate runoff on Jan. 5 that will determine control of Congress. Some Republican strategists worry that accusations of election fraud from Trump and Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue may hurt turnout.
Duncan poured water on the idea Gov. Brian Kemp was not going to call a special session of the Georgia Legislature to overturn the election results, an unprecedented move that Trump reportedly asked Kemp to perform in a phone call.
The lieutenant governor said Trump’s "fanning of the flames around misinformation" at his rally in Valdosta, Georgia, was "concerning" and that “the mountains of misinformation are not helping."
– Matthew Brown
HHS Secretary Azar dismisses Biden vaccine 'nonsense,' doesn't call him president-elect
Alex Azar, head of the Health and Human Services Department, called President-elect Joe Biden “the vice president” during an interview on "Fox News Sunday" and demurred to amend his statement when pressed by moderator Chris Wallace.
Asked about Biden’s call for the public to wear a mask for 100 days to contain the spread of coronavirus juxtaposed with Trump’s refusal to wear one, Azar responded "I welcome Vice President Biden to the club."
The comment is in line with those in President Donald Trump’s close orbit, who continue to ignore or deny Biden’s victory in the presidential election.
Azar blamed rising coronavirus case numbers on Americans growing tired of public health measures like social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Colder weather has also played a part, he noted.
During an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Azar declined to call for stricter coronavirus measures as are being re-implemented in some parts of the country, arguing that “we need to build trust in these measures again” and that “all our interventions need to be science and evidence-based.”
Azar expressed hope about HHS’s vaccine approval process, stating that if a vaccine was approved on December 10, the expected date for an independent review to be published, the department would deploy millions of doses within 24 hours. Hundreds of millions would be available going into 2021, Azar predicted.
He also denounced speculation from Biden that the COVID-19 vaccine approval process was being influenced by the Trump administration, calling the comments "nonsense." The administration has been criticized for interference in messaging and coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention throughout the pandemic.
– Matthew Brown
Dr. Birx expresses worry over Americans 'parroting' Trump misinformation
Dr. Deborah Birx said she was concerned about the large numbers of Americans who "parrot" incorrect public health claims they have heard from President Donald Trump during an interview on NBC News’ "Meet the Press."
In response to a question about Trump and other administration officials flouting rules and downplaying the threat posed by the virus, Birx, the coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, noted that in her travels around the country she hears "community members parroting back" similar talking points, "parroting back that masks don’t work, parroting back we should work towards herd immunity, parroting back that gatherings don’t result in super-spreading events."
The top infectious disease expert said it is "our job is to constantly say, ‘those are myths.'"
Birx also expressed frustration with Sun Belt leaders for inaction, arguing that "not only do we know what works" but that "governors and mayors used those tools to stem the tide in the spring and the summer,” actions they are now avoiding amid a worse surge of the virus.
Birx’s comments come as the USA enters another brutal wave of the pandemic. While governments and pharmaceutical companies prepare to deploy coronavirus vaccines across the country, more than 2,000 Americans on average are dying each day.
"This is not just the worst public health event, this is the worst event that this country will face," Birx, a career public health bureaucrat who worked as U.S. global AIDS coordinator under President Barack Obama, warned.
Birx also expressed optimism, noting "we know what behaviors will change the spread and we know how to change those behaviors," contending that it is a matter of public resolve in the face of the disease.
"Only we can save us from this current surge. And we know precisely what to do."
– Matthew Brown
Trump focuses on his own unfounded election gripes at Georgia rally for GOP incumbent senators
Faced with possible Republican loss of the Senate, President Donald Trump spent more time at a campaign rally Saturday ranting about his election loss and ripping Georgia Republican leaders who refused his demands to subvert the results in the Peach State.
Trump did promote incumbent Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler – whose Jan. 5 re-election bids will decide control of the Senate – but framed most of the rally around his own legacy and false allegations about the election.
The 100-minute rally came just hours after he re-inserted himself into Georgia politics by again trying – and again failing – to reverse his loss in the state by pressuring the Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and the state legislature.
Kemp rejected Trump's request to call a special legislative session to approve the appointment of a pro-Trump slate to the Electoral College, earning repeated rebukes from Trump during an airport rally in Valdosta, Ga., that lasted 100 minutes.
"We just need somebody with courage to do what they have to do," said Trump, who has pressured legislators in several Biden states to push for pro-Trump electors, despite the fact that state officials lack the legal authority to do that in defiance of their states' voters.
While Trump falsely claimed he really "won" the presidential election, he tacitly admitted at times that Biden will become president and Kamala Harris will become vice president on Jan. 20.
At one point, he described Perdue and Loeffler as the "last line of defense" for the Republican Senate, but Democrats can only take control when Biden and Harris take office.
Trump, who has discussed another presidential campaign in 2024 with his aides, joked in Valdosta that doesn't want to run in four years because "we're gonna win back the White House" in the next several weeks.
– David Jackson
Trump ally's Georgia election appeal rejected by federal court
A federal appeals court rejected attorney L. Lin Wood’s request to block the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s win in Georgia. The judges found Wood "lacks standing to sue because he fails to allege a particularized injury," upholding a lower court ruling.
Wood sued Georgia election officials seeking "extraordinary relief" to block Georgia officials from certifying election results and establish new rules for the two Senate runoff elections that will occur Jan. 5. In his lawsuit, Wood claimed that the absentee ballot and recount procedures violated state laws and his constitutional rights.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit agreed with the district county’s decision to deny Wood’s motion, stating the attorney fails to explain how the absentee ballot and recount procedure personally affected him.
The court also said that Wood’s requests are "moot" because Georgia already certified its election results.
U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg, a Trump nominated judge, previously said that there was no evidence of irregularities in the election process that would have affected a substantial number of votes.
"It harms the public interest in countless ways, particularly in the environment in which this election occurred. To halt the certification at literally the 11th hour would breed confusion and potentially disenfranchisement that I find has no basis in fact or in law," Grimberg said during the case’s hearing.
In addition to his failed lawsuit, Wood made news last week when he encouraged Georgia Republicans not to vote in the Jan. 5 runoff as a form of protest in response to state GOP officials's refusal to change the election results based on unsubstantiated fraud claims.
– Sarah Elbeshbishi
Trump legal team's Michigan hearing gets 'SNL' treatment
"Saturday Night Live" wasted no time spoofing the hearing that took place before the Michigan State Senate on Tuesday.
During the episode's cold open, a farting Rudy Giuliani (played by Kate McKinnon) called on his star witness, Melissa Carone (Cecily Strong), to discuss baseless voter fraud allegations.
Carone went viral shortly after her appearance for her eyebrow-raising testimony.
"I personally saw hundreds if not thousands of dead people vote," she said. "I remember because I was walking out and they were walking out and they gave their votes to Democrats."
Strong's Carone maintained she wasn't lying, saying she "signed an after-David" as opposed to an affidavit.
"David signed and then I signed right after David," she explained.
– Sara M Moniuszko
Sen. Loeffler campaign staffer killed in car wreck
A University of Georgia student who was working as a field staffer on Sen. Kelly Loeffler's election campaign was killed in a car wreck Friday.
Harrison Deal, 20, who expected to graduate from UGA in 2022, worked in the Athens office for the Loeffler campaign.
Deal was killed about 10 a.m. in a fiery three-vehicle crash in the eastbound lane of Interstate 16 in Chatham County near Pooler Parkway, according to police. Three other people sustained minor injuries.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, whose daughter Lucy Kemp called Deal her "best friend," canceled his plans to attend a rally in Savannah Friday with Vice President Mike Pence.
The Kemp family said in a statement: “Today we lost a member of our ‘Kemp Strong’ family and words cannot express how much Harrison Deal’s life, love and support meant to us. He was a person of deep faith, unmatched in integrity and incredible kindness. Harris was the Kemp son and brother we never had.”
President Donald Trump offered his condolences to Deal's family during his rally for Loeffler and Sen. Perdue Saturday in Valdosta, Georgia, calling him "an incredible, magnificent young man.
"I just want to say our prayers are with his friends and loved ones, and we will keep his memory in our hearts," Trump said.
– Wayne Ford and Will Peebles, Athens Banner-Herald


usatoday--2020-12-06--In Georgia, Democrats have a fresh shot at the Senate after Election Day losses

WASHINGTON – Democrats were forecast to win big on Election Day .
But in congressional races across the country , they saw loss after loss even as President-elect Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the White House race .
At least 10 Democratic incumbents fell to Republicans in the House , though the party clung on to control of the chamber .
Aspirations to take the Senate majority seemed to wither as race after race was called for Republicans – even in states where Democrats polled significantly higher than incumbents .
Democrats have promised methodical after-action reports to examine what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn from it .
But the party is still in the midst of a battle over the Senate with the majority hanging in the balance – all coming down to Georgia and two runoff races on Jan. 5 .
While Democrats are still licking their wounds from the Nov. 3 Election Day , experts say the party will need to make changes and resist making some of the same errors in hopes of claiming victory in the state .
Flipping the seats held by incumbent Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raphael Warnock , but a victory will give Democrats the power to pass Biden ’ s legislative agenda .
`` You rarely get a second chance in politics but Democrats have gotten one in Georgia , '' said Jim Manley , a Democratic strategist and former senior aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev. Manley pointed to Biden ’ s ability to flip the state blue this year for the first time since 1992 .
`` It ’ s definitely doable for us .
But I think we as a party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of worst urges , '' he said .
A host of issues divided Americans as they voted by mail and at the ballot box .
Health care , the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice were all rated as the key issues that decided people 's vote .
But one issue at top of the list in many exit polls seemed to trouble Democrats : the economy .
The split among Republican and Democratic voters seemed to rest on a choice between getting a handle on the coronavirus pandemic or reopening efforts to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the few red-state Democrats still in Congress , said the split displayed a clear issue the party needs to address .
“ When you do n't have a message on the economy , ( voters ) believe that that ( Democratic ) brand basically is more concerned and interested in people that do n't work or wo n't work , more so than the people that do work and will work , '' the West Virginia Democrat said .
`` There 's a problem.
” More : Failing to convince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump vows to 'win back the White House ' at Georgia rally But while the party will have several years before the next election battle , Democrats in Georgia are already in the middle of campaigning , with only weeks until the runoff races .
Experts argue shifts in messaging simply won ’ t be able to move voters this late in the race .
`` I think it ’ s too late in the game for a policy shift , '' Manley said .
Democratic strategists across the board and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beating the coronavirus pandemic was largely successful , but candidates had issues fending off GOP attacks focusing on socialism and the defund the police movement , attacks that have been blamed for some Democrats ' losses .
`` Republicans have worked very hard to tar these slogans , '' said Danny Barefoot , a Democratic strategist , admitting that Democrats need to learn from the struggles they saw in this cycle .
`` We have a branding problem . ''
He said Ossoff and Warnock should veer away from `` dabbling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear where they stand .
While messaging on socialism has been blamed for some losses , including within the Hispanic communities of South Florida , it might not be as big of an issue in Georgia , Barefoot said .
`` Both of these candidates need to ignore the noise .
They understand their communities and what voters are hoping to see from them , '' he added .
'It was a failure ' : Furious House Democrats unload as leadership promises answers after election losses Barefoot said in a post-election focus group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the country could again impose strict mandates as COVID-19 cases rise .
`` I think we really missed the COVID fatigue , '' he explained .
`` I think Trump ’ s reopening message resonated more than we thought . ''
With cases rising and some communities already issuing restrictions that force businesses to close and residents to stay home again , that is likely to weigh heavily on voters ’ minds .
`` There ’ s a middle ground approach here on being empathetic , being worried about the economy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Barefoot said .
`` There ’ s a way to safely live your life and not isolate at home . ''
Many have also attributed Democratic losses on Election Day to a lack of ground game .
As COVID-19 ravaged the country and continued to spread , campaigns had to shift to a more digitally focused operation than ever before .
Most restrained from holding in-person events or having campaign workers knock on doors , key aspects that help turn out voters .
As the pandemic wore on , Republicans were quicker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump led the way with packed rallies , not mandating face masks or social distancing .
Trump appeared in Georgia Saturday to rally for Loeffler and Perdue , urging voters to cast their ballots for the Republicans , railing against election integrity and highlighting what is at stake with the two races .
More : Biden plans to campaign in Georgia for Senate candidates '' This election is control of the U.S. Senate and that really means control of this country , ” Trump said .
`` The voters of Georgia will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes every piece of legislation , controls every single taxpayer dollar . ''
Democrats have been resistant to holding such large in-person events over safety concerns amid the pandemic but have focused on virtual rallies and drive-in events where voters can stay in their cars .
Biden said he plans to campaign in the state for the Senate race , though it ’ s unclear whether he will do so virtually or in-person .
Democrats are keenly aware of the dynamics in the state that allowed Biden to win , including shifts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory are turning out more voters and energizing African Americans in the state .
Democrats and liberal groups have invested millions into the race , allowing Democrats to hire more staff and recruit more volunteers for a wide on-the-ground organization , which includes more voter calls and texts .
`` Up until now , the reality is we weren ’ t knocking on doors or really doing a ton of connecting with voters , '' said Stefan Turkheimer , a Democratic strategist in Georgia .
`` The No .
1 question is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned out for you and a strong ground game is key to that . ''
'They have not earned your vote ' : Trump allies urge Georgia Republicans to sit out Senate runoffs 'We 're going to keep fighting ' : Pence tells Georgia voters presidential election not over Republicans have similarly been investing heavily in Georgia , promising to build a presidential-level voter contact operation with staff embedded to work with both campaigns .
Both Loeffler and Perdue have continued to host large events , including appearing with Trump on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis in the state over Trump ’ s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and that the election was stolen from him , something that could help Democrats if Trump voters don ’ t turn out due to distrust in the electoral process .
`` When the talking points are all about internal party mechanics in D.C. , that just turns people off .
It ’ s the last thing you want , '' Turkheimer said .
He said Trump ’ s claims have caused a mess for the GOP because their messaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve told them that their votes haven ’ t counted .
Why would they waste their time to vote then ?
” Typically , Republicans have been successful in such runoff races , winning seven out of eight in Georgia since 1992 , including two U.S. Senate races .
Loeffler and Perdue have supported Trump ’ s baseless election fraud claims , hoping Trump 's passionate followers back them in January .
Despite concerns over voter turnout , Trump continued to rail about the Nov. 3 election on Saturday at his rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in Georgia , including Gov .
Brian Kemp , over the unproven claims of fraud .
Trump urged voters to elect Loeffler and Perdue , insisting the two races will determine control of the Senate – something that would only be true if Biden did indeed win the presidential race since Democratic wins would mean the vice president will have to break a 50-50 Senate tie .
“ They rigged our presidential election , but we will still win it , ” Trump said at his rally in Valdosta , Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Stop the steal . ''
`` They ’ re going to try and rig this election , too , '' the president continued before pulling a piece of paper from his coat with statistics aiming to discredit Biden ’ s presidential win .
Key to the race : Voter turnout and resisting urges It was about eight years ago that Stacey Abrams offered a 20-page PowerPoint presentation outlining a multiyear strategy to turn Georgia blue .
Steve Phillips , a Democratic donor and founder of the progressive organization Democracy in Color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal .
Abrams ' plan worked and was critical to Biden ’ s victory in the state , he said .
At the heart of the effort : energizing the state ’ s large African American population .
`` It ’ s not rocket science .
It ’ s also what is going to make these Senate races , '' he said .
`` This is going to be 90 % about turnout .
That ’ s what this battle will be .
It ’ s a labor-intensive , person-to-person movement . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on track ' : How Joe Biden turned Georgia purple Phillips said the biggest variable is that Trump and Biden wo n't be on the Jan. 5 ballot .
Many voters were not only energized to vote for Biden but against another four years under Trump .
`` The votes are clearly there to win , '' he said .
`` But now the question is , can you get them back out ? ''
Millions have poured into the race for both Republicans and Democrats and with control of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gotten involved in fundraising for the race – a concern for some strategists .
“ We always want to send in these D.C. hotshots , but I really think we have to let the folks on the ground take the lead .
They know the state best , ” Manley said .
“ We need to empower the folks down there to get the job done.
” Manley added : “ Raising money hand over fist does not equal victory , '' pointing to races lost by Amy McGrath in Kentucky and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pouring in this cycle to unseat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , a close ally of Trump .

In Georgia, Democrats have a fresh shot at the Senate after Election Day losses
Show Caption Hide Caption Georgia Senate candidates attack each other's backgrounds All eyes are on Georgia as control of the Senate is up for grabs during runoff elections on Jan. 5. USA TODAY Handout
WASHINGTON – Democrats were forecast to win big on Election Day. But in congressional races across the country, they saw loss after loss even as President-elect Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the White House race.
At least 10 Democratic incumbents fell to Republicans in the House, though the party clung on to control of the chamber. Aspirations to take the Senate majority seemed to wither as race after race was called for Republicans – even in states where Democrats polled significantly higher than incumbents.
Democrats have promised methodical after-action reports to examine what went wrong and how to how to learn from it. But the party is still in the midst of a battle over the Senate with the majority hanging in the balance – all coming down to Georgia and two runoff races on Jan. 5.
While Democrats are still licking their wounds from the Nov. 3 Election Day, experts say the party will need to make changes and resist making some of the same errors in hopes of claiming victory in the state. Flipping the seats held by incumbent Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler will be an uphill battle for Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, but a victory will give Democrats the power to pass Biden’s legislative agenda.
"You rarely get a second chance in politics but Democrats have gotten one in Georgia," said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former senior aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Manley pointed to Biden’s ability to flip the state blue this year for the first time since 1992.
"It’s definitely doable for us. But I think we as a party have to be cautious and resist some of worst urges," he said.
Runoffs: History, how they work, and their roots in racism As Georgia heads towards a highly anticipated runoff election, it begs the question: Why do some states have runoffs? And what's the purpose of them? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Struggle with economy, defending against GOP attacks
A host of issues divided Americans as they voted by mail and at the ballot box. Health care, the coronavirus pandemic and racial justice were all rated as the key issues that decided people's vote.
But one issue at top of the list in many exit polls seemed to trouble Democrats: the economy.
The split among Republican and Democratic voters seemed to rest on a choice between getting a handle on the coronavirus pandemic or reopening efforts to help rescue the economy.
Sen. Joe Manchin, one of the few red-state Democrats still in Congress, said the split displayed a clear issue the party needs to address.
“When you don't have a message on the economy, (voters) believe that that (Democratic) brand basically is more concerned and interested in people that don't work or won't work, more so than the people that do work and will work," the West Virginia Democrat said. "There's a problem.”
More: Failing to convince Gov. Kemp to flip election, Trump vows to 'win back the White House' at Georgia rally
Opinion: Georgia, if you’re listening, ignore conservatives peddling socialist Senate hallucinations
But while the party will have several years before the next election battle, Democrats in Georgia are already in the middle of campaigning, with only weeks until the runoff races. Experts argue shifts in messaging simply won’t be able to move voters this late in the race.
"I think it’s too late in the game for a policy shift," Manley said.
Democratic strategists across the board and in the state say the focus on health care and beating the coronavirus pandemic was largely successful, but candidates had issues fending off GOP attacks focusing on socialism and the defund the police movement, attacks that have been blamed for some Democrats' losses.
"Republicans have worked very hard to tar these slogans," said Danny Barefoot, a Democratic strategist, admitting that Democrats need to learn from the struggles they saw in this cycle. "We have a branding problem."
He said Ossoff and Warnock should veer away from "dabbling in these issues," but should make clear where they stand.
While messaging on socialism has been blamed for some losses, including within the Hispanic communities of South Florida, it might not be as big of an issue in Georgia, Barefoot said.
"Both of these candidates need to ignore the noise. They understand their communities and what voters are hoping to see from them," he added.
'It was a failure': Furious House Democrats unload as leadership promises answers after election losses
Barefoot said in a post-election focus group he conducted, many voters were wary that the country could again impose strict mandates as COVID-19 cases rise. "I think we really missed the COVID fatigue," he explained. "I think Trump’s reopening message resonated more than we thought."
With cases rising and some communities already issuing restrictions that force businesses to close and residents to stay home again, that is likely to weigh heavily on voters’ minds.
"There’s a middle ground approach here on being empathetic, being worried about the economy and continuing to live amid the pandemic," Barefoot said. "There’s a way to safely live your life and not isolate at home."
Ground efforts, money and GOP's conflicting message
Many have also attributed Democratic losses on Election Day to a lack of ground game. As COVID-19 ravaged the country and continued to spread, campaigns had to shift to a more digitally focused operation than ever before.
Most restrained from holding in-person events or having campaign workers knock on doors, key aspects that help turn out voters. As the pandemic wore on, Republicans were quicker to restart holding typical events. President Donald Trump led the way with packed rallies, not mandating face masks or social distancing.
Trump appeared in Georgia Saturday to rally for Loeffler and Perdue, urging voters to cast their ballots for the Republicans, railing against election integrity and highlighting what is at stake with the two races.
More: Biden plans to campaign in Georgia for Senate candidates
Voters look to Georgia to decide if GOP or Democrats will run Senate Phillip M Bailey and Rana Cash discuss Georgia's effect on control of the Senate, its journey to becoming a purple state and Stacey Abrams' impact. States of America, USA TODAY
"This election is control of the U.S. Senate and that really means control of this country,” Trump said. "The voters of Georgia will determine which party runs every committee, writes every piece of legislation, controls every single taxpayer dollar."
Democrats have been resistant to holding such large in-person events over safety concerns amid the pandemic but have focused on virtual rallies and drive-in events where voters can stay in their cars. Biden said he plans to campaign in the state for the Senate race, though it’s unclear whether he will do so virtually or in-person.
Democrats are keenly aware of the dynamics in the state that allowed Biden to win, including shifts in the suburbs and know the keys to victory are turning out more voters and energizing African Americans in the state. Democrats and liberal groups have invested millions into the race, allowing Democrats to hire more staff and recruit more volunteers for a wide on-the-ground organization, which includes more voter calls and texts.
"Up until now, the reality is we weren’t knocking on doors or really doing a ton of connecting with voters," said Stefan Turkheimer, a Democratic strategist in Georgia. "The No. 1 question is how do you turn out people that previously turned out for you and a strong ground game is key to that."
'They have not earned your vote': Trump allies urge Georgia Republicans to sit out Senate runoffs
'We're going to keep fighting': Pence tells Georgia voters presidential election not over
Former President Obama rallies for Georgia Dems Former President Barack Obama took part in a virtual rally for two Georgia Senate races that will determine control of the U.S. Senate. (Dec. 4) AP
Republicans have similarly been investing heavily in Georgia, promising to build a presidential-level voter contact operation with staff embedded to work with both campaigns. Both Loeffler and Perdue have continued to host large events, including appearing with Trump on Saturday.
But the party is weathering an internal crisis in the state over Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and that the election was stolen from him, something that could help Democrats if Trump voters don’t turn out due to distrust in the electoral process.
"When the talking points are all about internal party mechanics in D.C., that just turns people off. It’s the last thing you want," Turkheimer said.
He said Trump’s claims have caused a mess for the GOP because their messaging boils down to: “You’ve told them that their votes haven’t counted. Why would they waste their time to vote then?”
Typically, Republicans have been successful in such runoff races, winning seven out of eight in Georgia since 1992, including two U.S. Senate races. Loeffler and Perdue have supported Trump’s baseless election fraud claims, hoping Trump's passionate followers back them in January.
Despite concerns over voter turnout, Trump continued to rail about the Nov. 3 election on Saturday at his rally in the state.
He also targeted Republican officials in Georgia, including Gov. Brian Kemp, over the unproven claims of fraud. Trump urged voters to elect Loeffler and Perdue, insisting the two races will determine control of the Senate – something that would only be true if Biden did indeed win the presidential race since Democratic wins would mean the vice president will have to break a 50-50 Senate tie.
“They rigged our presidential election, but we will still win it,” Trump said at his rally in Valdosta, Georgia, as those in the audience started chanting, "Stop the steal."
"They’re going to try and rig this election, too," the president continued before pulling a piece of paper from his coat with statistics aiming to discredit Biden’s presidential win.
Key to the race: Voter turnout and resisting urges
It was about eight years ago that Stacey Abrams offered a 20-page PowerPoint presentation outlining a multiyear strategy to turn Georgia blue.
Steve Phillips, a Democratic donor and founder of the progressive organization Democracy in Color, still remembers that day and her proposal. Abrams' plan worked and was critical to Biden’s victory in the state, he said. At the heart of the effort: energizing the state’s large African American population.
"It’s not rocket science. It’s also what is going to make these Senate races," he said. "This is going to be 90% about turnout. That’s what this battle will be. It’s a labor-intensive, person-to-person movement."
More: Former President Obama rallies for Georgia Dems
'The place where we put this country back on track': How Joe Biden turned Georgia purple
Stacey Abrams says investments pay off in Georgia The voting rights advocate says she's been dedicating her life to fighting for equal access to the ballot, especially for Black voters. (Nov. 6) AP
Phillips said the biggest variable is that Trump and Biden won't be on the Jan. 5 ballot. Many voters were not only energized to vote for Biden but against another four years under Trump.
"The votes are clearly there to win," he said. "But now the question is, can you get them back out?"
Millions have poured into the race for both Republicans and Democrats and with control of the Senate at stake, some high profile Democrats have gotten involved in fundraising for the race – a concern for some strategists.
“We always want to send in these D.C. hotshots, but I really think we have to let the folks on the ground take the lead. They know the state best,” Manley said. “We need to empower the folks down there to get the job done.”
Manley added: “Raising money hand over fist does not equal victory," pointing to races lost by Amy McGrath in Kentucky and Jaime Harrison in South Carolina despite millions pouring in this cycle to unseat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a close ally of Trump.
More: How Stacey Abrams blew up Georgia’s electoral map


usatoday--2020-12-06--Ohio authorities, victim's family share conflicting stories after fatal shooting of 23-year-old Blac

COLUMBUS , Ohio — Local activists are questioning the decision of a veteran Ohio SWAT deputy to fatally shoot a 23-year-old Black man as he arrived at his home on Friday afternoon .
Family members and activists say Casey Christopher Goodson Jr. , 23 , was carrying a Subway sandwich and was on his way back from the dentist 's office when he was shot in the back three times by a Franklin County Sheriff 's deputy who is a SWAT member and assigned to a U.S .
Marshal 's office fugitive task force .
Columbus police , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified the deputy , a 17-year-veteran , as of 2 p.m. Sunday .
Goodson 's identity was confirmed Sunday afternoon — more than 48 hours after the shooting .
`` Casey was 23 years old , he never had any type of crimes .
He was good , he worked at the Gap , he loved his family , '' Heather Johnson , a family friend , told The Dispatch of the USA TODAY Network on Sunday .
`` He just enjoyed being a big brother and enjoyed being with his family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Tobin , U.S .
Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio , said at a press conference that a fugitive task force that included marshals and Franklin County Sheriff 's SWAT members had just finished an unsuccessful search for a suspect on Friday afternoon when a man drove by , waving a handgun at a sheriff 's SWAT deputy .
Dig deeper on race and identity : Subscribe to This Is America , USA TODAY 's newsletter Tobin said the SWAT deputy went to confront the man about the gun waving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle and was told to drop his gun , a command heard by at least one witness , Tobin said .
When the man with the gun did not drop his weapon , Tobin said , the deputy shot him .
The man , who was not the target of the original fugitive raid , was transported to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital , where he later died .
A handgun was recovered , Tobin said , but he did not say from where .
Tobin said he believed the shooting was justified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Response Team ( CIRT ) will conduct an investigation that will be reviewed by the Franklin County prosecutor 's office .
The matter also will be presented to a county grand jury for consideration .
Activists say Tobin 's narrative did not mention that Goodson was shot in the back or his family 's statement that he had a concealed-carry permit for the handgun .
`` This was not justified , '' Johnson said of the shooting .
`` He did n't pose a threat at all . ''
Aramis Sundiata , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Goodson was just living his life .
`` He had a family ... and was living his life as a person and was shot down by the police , '' he said .
The Franklin County Sheriff 's office declined to comment on the incident , citing the Columbus police CIRT investigation .
However , the sheriff 's office tweeted that the deputy was a 17-year veteran of the office and assigned full-time to the U.S .
Marshal Task Force .
The tweet also stated that `` the suspect 's weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Racism is a declared public health crisis in 145 cities and counties across 27 states : Now what happens ?
The People 's Justice Project shared a post from someone indicating that they are Goodson 's cousin and copying a post from his mother 's Facebook page .
The post reads that her son was shot in his back three times .
She said he had food in his hands , was unlocking the door and walking inside his home when he was shot with his hands up .
About 40 people attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted by the People 's Justice Project .
They are demanding that officials release body camera footage , police reports and conduct both an independent autopsy report and an independent prosecutor 's investigation , according to the People 's Justice Project 's Facebook page .
Sheriff 's office spokesman Marc Gofstein said the sheriff 's office does not have body cameras .
Goodson 's sister has organized an online fundraiser for her brother 's funeral costs on GoFundMe .
It has exceeded its $ 9,000 goal .
Kaylee Harper , who started the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that police are lying .
`` My brother literally walked across the yard , walked into the back fence to get to the side door , had his Subway ( sandwich ) and ( COVID ) mask in one hand keys in the other , unlocked and opened the door and stepped in the house before ( police shot ) him , '' Harper wrote .
`` If he was such a threat , '' she wrote , `` why did you wait so long to shoot ?
! ''
She later posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ license .

Ohio authorities, victim's family share conflicting stories after fatal shooting of 23-year-old Black man Casey Goodson
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Local activists are questioning the decision of a veteran Ohio SWAT deputy to shoot a 23-year-old Black man as he arrived at his home on Friday afternoon.
Family members and activists say Casey Christopher Goodson Jr., 23, was carrying a Subway sandwich and was on his way back from the dentist’s office when he was fatally shot in the back three times by a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputy who is a SWAT member and assigned to a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force.
Authorities have said that an autopsy will be conducted this week.
In a release just after 4:20 p.m. Sunday, the sheriff's office publicly identified the Franklin County SWAT deputy as Jason Meade, a 17-year veteran. Meade is not currently on duty, the release said, and he is awaiting an interview by the Columbus Division of Police Critical Incident and Response Team, which is investigating the incident.
“Casey was 23 years old, he never had any type of crimes. He was good. He worked at the Gap. He loved his family,” Heather Johnson, a family friend, told The Dispatch of the USA TODAY Network on Sunday. “He just enjoyed being a big brother and enjoyed being with his family. He loved them very much.”
Peter Tobin, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio, said at a news conference that a fugitive task force that included marshals and Franklin County Sheriff’s SWAT members had just finished an unsuccessful search for a suspect on early Friday afternoon when a man man drove by, waving a handgun at a sheriff’s SWAT deputy.
Tobin said the SWAT deputy went to confront the man about the gun-waving. The man was already out of his vehicle and was told to drop his gun, a command heard by at least one witness, Tobin said.
When the man with the gun did not drop his weapon, Tobin said, the deputy shot him. The man, who was not the target of the original fugitive raid, was transported to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he later died.
A handgun was recovered, Tobin said, but he did not say from where.
Tobin said he believed the shooting was justified. He said the Columbus police Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) will conduct an investigation that will be reviewed by the Franklin County prosecutor’s office. The matter also will be presented to a county grand jury for consideration.
Activists say Tobin’s narrative did not mention that Goodson was shot in the back or his family’s statement that he had a concealed carry permit for the handgun.
“This was not justified,” Johnson said of the shooting. “He didn’t pose a threat at all.”
Aramis Sundiata, executive director of the People’s Justice Project, said Goodson was just living his life.
“He had a family ... and was living his life as a person and was shot down by the police,” he said.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the incident, citing the Columbus police CIRT investigation. However, the sheriff’s office tweeted that the deputy was a 17-year veteran of the office and assigned full-time to the U.S. Marshal Task Force. The tweet also stated that “the suspect’s weapon was recovered at the scene.”
The People’s Justice Project shared a post from someone indicating that they are Goodson’s cousin and copying a post from his mother’s Facebook page. The post reads that her son was shot in his back three times.
She said he had food in his hands, was unlocking the door and walking inside his home when he was shot with his hands up.
About 40 people attended a Saturday night vigil for Goodson, hosted by the People’s Justice Project. They are demanding that officials release body camera footage, police reports and conduct both an independent autopsy report and an independent prosecutor’s investigation, according to the People’s Justice Project’s Facebook page.
Sheriff’s office spokesman Marc Gofstein said the sheriff’s office does not have body cameras.
A 17-year veteran FCSO Deputy assigned full time to the US Marshal Task Force was involved in the deadly shooting of a 23-year old man Friday afternoon. The US Marshal’s Office says the suspect’s weapon was recovered at the scene. The shooting remains under investigation pic.twitter.com/pnH0xZrogM — Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (@OHFCSO) December 5, 2020
Goodson's sister has organized an online fundraiser for her brother's funeral costs on GoFundMe. It has exceeded its $9,000 goal.
Kaylee Harper, who started the fundraiser, posted on her Facebook page that police are lying.
Racism is a declared public health issue: Now what happens?
After a fatal shooting over loud music: Oregon activists demand 'stronger policies that protect Black lives'
"My brother literally walked across the yard, walked into the back fence to get to the side door, had his Subway (sandwich) and (COVID-19) mask in one hand keys in the other, unlocked and opened the door and stepped in the house before (police shot) him," Harper wrote.
"If he was such a threat," she wrote, "why did you wait so long to shoot?!"
She later posted a photo of her brother's concealed carry license.
Danae King: dking@dispatch.com, @DanaeKing
Contributing: Bethany Bruner, The Dispatch.


usatoday--2020-12-06--Live politics updates: SCOTUS sets Tuesday deadline in Trump ally's Pennsylvania election challenge

USA TODAY 's coverage of the 2020 election and President-elect Joe Biden 's transition continues this week as he rolls out more of his picks for top jobs in his administration and the final states certify their vote counts before the Electoral College ballots are officially cast on Dec. 14 .
President Donald Trump has cleared the way for Biden 's team to use federal resources and get briefings during the transition , although Trump has yet to formally concede the race .
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information on the election and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor of New York City and President Donald Trump ’ s personal attorney , has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Trump shared the news by tweet , writing `` Get better soon Rudy , we will carry on !
!
! ''
Since the presidential election , Giuliani , 76 , has traveled the country challenging the election results and integrity of the electoral system itself .
During much of his travels , Giuliani was seen not wearing a mask and flouting social distancing guidelines .
It is unclear from the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if he is currently in quarantine .
Along with a cadre of lawyers affiliated with the Trump campaign , Giuliani has held regular news conferences claiming , without evidence , various conspiracy theories and baseless allegations of mass voter fraud .
The former New York City mayor has had an eventful year .
Prior to the election , Giuliani was central to a story alleging criminal intent on the part of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son , Hunter .
Giuliani was also briefly featured in the sequel to the movie `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later called `` a hit job . ''
The Supreme Court on Sunday changed a key deadline in Republican Rep. Mike Kelly 's lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the presidential election in Pennsylvania from Wednesday to Tuesday .
That schedule change was significant because Tuesday is the cutoff for states to resolve any election disputes , known as the `` safe harbor '' deadline under federal election law .
The safe harbor deadline also holds that Congress can not challenge any electors named under state law by that date .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that deadline as a sign the high court had no intention of ruling on the appeal .
Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf , a Democrat , on Nov. 24 certified the election results for Biden over Trump .
Kelly 's longshot appeal claims that the 2019 state law that authorized universal , no-excuses mail-in voting is unconstitutional and that only an amendment to the state constitution would have made universal mail-in voting legal in Pennsylvania .
Kelly and seven other Republicans sued to get the mail-in ballots invalidated or have the courts direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania ’ s 20 presidential electors , who all favor Biden as a result of the election .
On Saturday , the state Supreme Court unanimously dismissed Kelly 's case , ruling he waited too long to challenge the 2019 law , which the General Assembly passed with bipartisan support .
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito , an appointee of Republican George W. Bush , filed the scheduling order .
He handles emergency requests that originate in the states that make up the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware .
Manchin : Dems tagged with inaccurate slogans like 'defund the police' When asked why Democrats across the nation fared worse than President-elect Joe Biden in the November election , Sen. Joe Machin , D-W.V.
, claimed the party had been inaccurately connected to slogans like `` defund the police . ''
`` The bottom line is that we ’ ve been identified is something we are not , '' Manchin argued .
`` I ’ m a proud West Virginia Democrat and I don ’ t know of any Democrat who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that `` extreme '' ideas were not who Democrats were as a party , `` but we were tagged with that , '' he said .
Manchin listed a series of principles the senator contended were Democratic `` bedrocks , ” including , `` how do we protect workers , how do we protect families , how do we give people opportunity , how do we have inclusion , income inequality , '' arguing that those issues were lost in most Americans ' idea of the Democratic Party .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , '' Manchin said .
`` If you ’ re a Democrat , why are you a Democrat ?
I tell people , ' I am fiscally responsible and socially compassionate . '
Can ’ t you be both ? ''
Manchin asked .
`` Do you want to give everything away without any accountability ?
It 's not who I am .
It 's not the Democrats I was raised with .
And that 's basically what we have lost : who we are . ''
The West Virginia senator ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over their underperformance in the 2020 election .
Moderate Democrats have largely echoed Manchin ’ s assertion that the party was caricatured by attacks on progressive ideas , while the party ’ s left wing blames poor messaging and organizing for its shortcomings .
`` We ’ re trying to bring everyone together with the same opportunities , '' Machin argued .
`` We ’ re not explaining in a way that the average American understands and we ’ re allowing other people to tag us .
And that ’ s just unfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duncan underscored that there was no malfeasance in the Georgia November election during a Sunday interview on CNN ’ s `` State of the Union . ''
While Duncan voted and campaigned for President Donald Trump in the Peach State , he said `` unfortunately , President Trump did not win the state , '' a reality that many Georgia voters and the president himself have not acknowledged .
`` If I had the chance to spend five minutes with every single person in Georgia that doubted the election results , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hearts over , '' Duncan said .
While he is disappointed in the election results , `` on Jan. 20 Joe Biden will be sworn in as president of the United States and the Constitution is still in place .
This is still America , '' Duncan underscored .
`` As Lieutenant Governor and as a Georgian , I am proud that we are able to look up after three recounts and watch and be able to see that this election was fair , '' he argued .
`` Was it perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know if any election was perfect in the history of this country .
But certainly it ’ s only been nominal changes since we ’ ve had three recounts . ''
The lieutenant governor ’ s comments come as Republicans and Democrats in the state are seeking to rally their bases for an upcoming Senate runoff on Jan. 5 that will determine control of Congress .
Some Republican strategists worry that accusations of election fraud from Trump and Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue may hurt turnout .
Duncan poured water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not going to call a special session of the Georgia Legislature to overturn the election results , an unprecedented move that Trump reportedly asked Kemp to perform in a phone call .
The lieutenant governor said Trump ’ s `` fanning of the flames around misinformation '' at his rally in Valdosta , Georgia , was `` concerning '' and that “ the mountains of misinformation are not helping . ''
Alex Azar , head of the Health and Human Services Department , called President-elect Joe Biden “ the vice president ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday '' and demurred to amend his statement when pressed by moderator Chris Wallace .
Asked about Biden ’ s call for the public to wear a mask for 100 days to contain the spread of coronavirus juxtaposed with Trump ’ s refusal to wear one , Azar responded `` I welcome Vice President Biden to the club . ''
The comment is in line with those in President Donald Trump ’ s close orbit , who continue to ignore or deny Biden ’ s victory in the presidential election .
Azar blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of public health measures like social distancing and stay-at-home orders .
Colder weather has also played a part , he noted .
During an interview on ABC News ’ “ This Week , ” Azar declined to call for stricter coronavirus measures as are being re-implemented in some parts of the country , arguing that “ we need to build trust in these measures again ” and that “ all our interventions need to be science and evidence-based.
” Azar expressed hope about HHS ’ s vaccine approval process , stating that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 , the expected date for an independent review to be published , the department would deploy millions of doses within 24 hours .
Hundreds of millions would be available going into 2021 , Azar predicted .
He also denounced speculation from Biden that the COVID-19 vaccine approval process was being influenced by the Trump administration , calling the comments `` nonsense . ''
The administration has been criticized for interference in messaging and coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention throughout the pandemic .
Dr. Deborah Birx said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who `` parrot '' incorrect public health claims they have heard from President Donald Trump during an interview on NBC News ’ `` Meet the Press . ''
In response to a question about Trump and other administration officials flouting rules and downplaying the threat posed by the virus , Birx , the coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , noted that in her travels around the country she hears `` community members parroting back '' similar talking points , `` parroting back that masks don ’ t work , parroting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , parroting back that gatherings don ’ t result in super-spreading events . ''
The top infectious disease expert said it is `` our job is to constantly say , ‘ those are myths . '
'' Birx also expressed frustration with Sun Belt leaders for inaction , arguing that `` not only do we know what works '' but that `` governors and mayors used those tools to stem the tide in the spring and the summer , ” actions they are now avoiding amid a worse surge of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA enters another brutal wave of the pandemic .
While governments and pharmaceutical companies prepare to deploy coronavirus vaccines across the country , more than 2,000 Americans on average are dying each day .
`` This is not just the worst public health event , this is the worst event that this country will face , '' Birx , a career public health bureaucrat who worked as U.S. global AIDS coordinator under President Barack Obama , warned .
Birx also expressed optimism , noting `` we know what behaviors will change the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviors , '' contending that it is a matter of public resolve in the face of the disease .
`` Only we can save us from this current surge .
And we know precisely what to do . ''
Trump focuses on his own unfounded election gripes at Georgia rally for GOP incumbent senators Faced with possible Republican loss of the Senate , President Donald Trump spent more time at a campaign rally Saturday ranting about his election loss and ripping Georgia Republican leaders who refused his demands to subvert the results in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent Georgia Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler – whose Jan. 5 re-election bids will decide control of the Senate – but framed most of the rally around his own legacy and false allegations about the election .
The 100-minute rally came just hours after he re-inserted himself into Georgia politics by again trying – and again failing – to reverse his loss in the state by pressuring the Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp and the state legislature .
Kemp rejected Trump 's request to call a special legislative session to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Electoral College , earning repeated rebukes from Trump during an airport rally in Valdosta , Ga. , that lasted 100 minutes .
`` We just need somebody with courage to do what they have to do , '' said Trump , who has pressured legislators in several Biden states to push for pro-Trump electors , despite the fact that state officials lack the legal authority to do that in defiance of their states ' voters .
While Trump falsely claimed he really `` won '' the presidential election , he tacitly admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kamala Harris will become vice president on Jan. 20 .
At one point , he described Perdue and Loeffler as the `` last line of defense '' for the Republican Senate , but Democrats can only take control when Biden and Harris take office .
Trump , who has discussed another presidential campaign in 2024 with his aides , joked in Valdosta that does n't want to run in four years because `` we 're gon na win back the White House '' in the next several weeks .
A federal appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s request to block the certification of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s win in Georgia .
The judges found Wood `` lacks standing to sue because he fails to allege a particularized injury , '' upholding a lower court ruling .
Wood sued Georgia election officials seeking `` extraordinary relief '' to block Georgia officials from certifying election results and establish new rules for the two Senate runoff elections that will occur Jan. 5 .
In his lawsuit , Wood claimed that the absentee ballot and recount procedures violated state laws and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appeals for the 11th Circuit agreed with the district county ’ s decision to deny Wood ’ s motion , stating the attorney fails to explain how the absentee ballot and recount procedure personally affected him .
The court also said that Wood ’ s requests are `` moot '' because Georgia already certified its election results .
U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg , a Trump nominated judge , previously said that there was no evidence of irregularities in the election process that would have affected a substantial number of votes .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways , particularly in the environment in which this election occurred .
To halt the certification at literally the 11th hour would breed confusion and potentially disenfranchisement that I find has no basis in fact or in law , '' Grimberg said during the case ’ s hearing .
In addition to his failed lawsuit , Wood made news last week when he encouraged Georgia Republicans not to vote in the Jan. 5 runoff as a form of protest in response to state GOP officials 's refusal to change the election results based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Night Live '' wasted no time spoofing the hearing that took place before the Michigan State Senate on Tuesday .
During the episode 's cold open , a farting Rudy Giuliani ( played by Kate McKinnon ) called on his star witness , Melissa Carone ( Cecily Strong ) , to discuss baseless voter fraud allegations .
Carone went viral shortly after her appearance for her eyebrow-raising testimony .
`` I personally saw hundreds if not thousands of dead people vote , '' she said .
`` I remember because I was walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they gave their votes to Democrats . ''
Strong 's Carone maintained she was n't lying , saying she `` signed an after-David '' as opposed to an affidavit .
`` David signed and then I signed right after David , '' she explained .
A University of Georgia student who was working as a field staffer on Sen. Kelly Loeffler 's election campaign was killed in a car wreck Friday .
Harrison Deal , 20 , who expected to graduate from UGA in 2022 , worked in the Athens office for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 a.m. in a fiery three-vehicle crash in the eastbound lane of Interstate 16 in Chatham County near Pooler Parkway , according to police .
Three other people sustained minor injuries .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , whose daughter Lucy Kemp called Deal her `` best friend , '' canceled his plans to attend a rally in Savannah Friday with Vice President Mike Pence .
The Kemp family said in a statement : “ Today we lost a member of our ‘ Kemp Strong ’ family and words can not express how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love and support meant to us .
He was a person of deep faith , unmatched in integrity and incredible kindness .
Harris was the Kemp son and brother we never had.
” President Donald Trump offered his condolences to Deal 's family during his rally for Loeffler and Sen. Perdue Saturday in Valdosta , Georgia , calling him `` an incredible , magnificent young man .
`` I just want to say our prayers are with his friends and loved ones , and we will keep his memory in our hearts , @ @ @ @