usatoday--2020-11-10--A record number of Republican women will serve in the House after the GOP ate into Democratic majori

WASHINGTON – Indiana GOP Rep. Susan Brooks remembers that sinking feeling two years ago when the results poured in on Election Day : 36 women elected as new members of the House – and just one of them was a Republican .
“ It was a wake-up call in 2018 when Carol Miller ( of West Virginia ) was the only freshman , '' she said .
Shortly after that deflating outcome , Brooks embarked on the daunting task of leading GOP efforts to find and fund female candidates to run for Congress .
One of 13 female Republicans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership to make gender diversity a priority and went about the job of recruiting and mentoring candidates throughout the country .
The work paid off : 228 Republican female candidates ( including incumbents ) ran for the House and 94 won their primaries – nearly double the previous record .
So far , 15 freshman Republican women have won their House races , with four more in races yet to be called as of Tuesday .
The previous record for Republican freshmen women was nine in 2010 .
With 11 incumbents returning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 female House members they set in 2004 .
The most recent additions happened Tuesday when Democrat Candace Venezuela conceded to Republican newcomer Beth Van Duyne in the race for Texas ' 24th Congressional District , and Democratic incumbent Harley Rouda conceded to Republican Michelle Steel in California 's 48th Congressional District .
`` We went and talked and vetted and really encouraged a lot of new exciting candidates because we know we needed to have the ( GOP ) conference reflect the diversity of the nation , '' Brooks told USA TODAY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there.
” The incoming class includes Lauren Boebert , a Colorado gun-rights activist who knocked off five-term incumbent Scott Tipton in a GOP primary ; Michelle Fischbach , a former Minnesota lieutenant governor who unseated 15-term Democrat Collin Peterson ; and Native American businesswoman Yvette Herrell , who defeated Xochitl Torres Small , part of the Democrats ' historic wave in 2018 .
The incoming roster also includes women with a range of political stripes .
Maria Alvira Salazar , a Cuban-American moderate from Miami , ran on an anti-socialist platform , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , espoused elements of the far-right fringe movement QAnon that baselessly claims a `` deep state '' cabal of pedophiles is trying to bring down President Donald Trump .
Most had never run for Congress before , although one – Claudia Tenney of New York – is on the verge of recapturing the seat she had lost two years ago .
Unlike the influx of 89 freshmen women who helped catapult the Democrats to power in 2018 , Republicans are not expected to take back the House even if the female GOP candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi downplayed the significance of the Republican gains in general , saying Democrats who in 2018 flipped districts Trump won Tuesday naturally had a tough time keeping their seats .
`` We 've lost some battles , but we won the war , '' she told reporters Friday .
`` We ( still ) have the gavel . ''
The wins by Republican women came in a historic election for gender equity .
At least 131 women ( 100 Democrats , 31 Republicans ) will serve in Congress ( House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of 127 set two years ago , according to data compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University .
That number is likely to increase as more races are called .
More : New Mexico elects all women of color to the House for first time in the state 's history Debbie Walsh , who heads the center , said the numbers reflect `` a long , if occasionally fitful , upward trajectory '' for women in office but still do not reflect the country .
`` With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will still make up less than 30 % of Congress in 2021 , '' she said .
`` The 2018 cycle was a story of Democratic success ; this year , we are seeing significant gains on the Republican side .
Advances for women must come from both sides of the aisle if women are to achieve equal representation in Congress . ''
Republican gains came in an election where Democrats made a pointed appeal to suburban women whom polls suggested harbor deep misgivings about Trump .
Former Vice President Joe Biden won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the VoteCast survey from The Associated Press .
But the Republican gains means Democrats ' majority has shrunk in an election that was projected to be a second `` blue wave . ''
`` This was the year of the Republican woman , '' Trump told reporters at the White House Thursday .
More : 'This is getting insane ' : Republicans say Trump 's attacks on election integrity are dangerous Brooks said Tuesday 's results will help Republicans make the case that women have a place in a party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen schools and preserve health care coverage for patients with pre-existing medical conditions .
`` It is a repudiation of the narrative that it was the Democratic Party that cared about women and women 's issue , '' she said .
`` But I think what these candidates said – and the Republican Party has said – is all issues are women 's issues . ''
Brooks wo n't be around to greet the incoming class as a colleague .
She opted not to run in her safe district for a fifth term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pursue other interests .
But she will end on a high note : Her successor , Victoria Spartz , is part of a record freshman class .

A record number of Republican women will serve in the House after the GOP ate into Democratic majority
Show Caption Hide Caption New Mexico elects all women of color to House for first time A previous version of this story misidentified the first state to have an all-women-of color House delegation. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Indiana GOP Rep. Susan Brooks remembers that sinking feeling two years ago when the results poured in on Election Day: 36 women elected as new members of the House – and just one of them was a Republican.
“It was a wake-up call in 2018 when Carol Miller (of West Virginia) was the only freshman," she said.
Shortly after that deflating outcome, Brooks embarked on the daunting task of leading GOP efforts to find and fund female candidates to run for Congress. One of 13 female Republicans in the 435-member House, she persuaded House leadership to make gender diversity a priority and went about the job of recruiting and mentoring candidates throughout the country.
The work paid off: 228 Republican female candidates (including incumbents) ran for the House and 94 won their primaries – nearly double the previous record.
So far, 15 freshman Republican women have won their House races, with four more in races yet to be called as of Tuesday. The previous record for Republican freshmen women was nine in 2010. With 11 incumbents returning, Republicans have already surpassed the record of 25 female House members they set in 2004.
The most recent additions happened Tuesday when Democrat Candace Venezuela conceded to Republican newcomer Beth Van Duyne in the race for Texas' 24th Congressional District, and Democratic incumbent Harley Rouda conceded to Republican Michelle Steel in California's 48th Congressional District.
"We went and talked and vetted and really encouraged a lot of new exciting candidates because we know we needed to have the (GOP) conference reflect the diversity of the nation," Brooks told USA TODAY. "And we’re getting there.”
The incoming class includes Lauren Boebert, a Colorado gun-rights activist who knocked off five-term incumbent Scott Tipton in a GOP primary; Michelle Fischbach, a former Minnesota lieutenant governor who unseated 15-term Democrat Collin Peterson; and Native American businesswoman Yvette Herrell, who defeated Xochitl Torres Small, part of the Democrats' historic wave in 2018.
The incoming roster also includes women with a range of political stripes. Maria Alvira Salazar, a Cuban-American moderate from Miami, ran on an anti-socialist platform, while Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia businesswoman, espoused elements of the far-right fringe movement QAnon that baselessly claims a "deep state" cabal of pedophiles is trying to bring down President Donald Trump.
Most had never run for Congress before, although one – Claudia Tenney of New York – is on the verge of recapturing the seat she had lost two years ago.
Unlike the influx of 89 freshmen women who helped catapult the Democrats to power in 2018, Republicans are not expected to take back the House even if the female GOP candidates win all six remaining seats.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi downplayed the significance of the Republican gains in general, saying Democrats who in 2018 flipped districts Trump won Tuesday naturally had a tough time keeping their seats.
"We've lost some battles, but we won the war," she told reporters Friday. "We (still) have the gavel."
The wins by Republican women came in a historic election for gender equity.
At least 131 women (100 Democrats, 31 Republicans) will serve in Congress (House and Senate) in 2021, surpassing the record of 127 set two years ago, according to data compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. That number is likely to increase as more races are called.
More: New Mexico elects all women of color to the House for first time in the state's history
Debbie Walsh, who heads the center, said the numbers reflect "a long, if occasionally fitful, upward trajectory" for women in office but still do not reflect the country.
"With all that progress, at best women will still make up less than 30% of Congress in 2021," she said. "The 2018 cycle was a story of Democratic success; this year, we are seeing significant gains on the Republican side. Advances for women must come from both sides of the aisle if women are to achieve equal representation in Congress."
Republican gains came in an election where Democrats made a pointed appeal to suburban women whom polls suggested harbor deep misgivings about Trump. Former Vice President Joe Biden won among female voters 55%-44%, according to the VoteCast survey from The Associated Press.
But the Republican gains means Democrats' majority has shrunk in an election that was projected to be a second "blue wave."
"This was the year of the Republican woman," Trump told reporters at the White House Thursday.
More: 'This is getting insane': Republicans say Trump's attacks on election integrity are dangerous
Brooks said Tuesday's results will help Republicans make the case that women have a place in a party that wants to expand the economy, reopen schools and preserve health care coverage for patients with pre-existing medical conditions.
"It is a repudiation of the narrative that it was the Democratic Party that cared about women and women's issue," she said. "But I think what these candidates said – and the Republican Party has said – is all issues are women's issues."
Brooks won't be around to greet the incoming class as a colleague. She opted not to run in her safe district for a fifth term this year, saying it was time to pursue other interests.
But she will end on a high note: Her successor, Victoria Spartz, is part of a record freshman class.


usatoday--2020-11-10--Bob Dole was funny, John McCain was sincere: Here's how presidential candidates have conceded over t

They convey similar themes , but they take many different tones .
Concession speeches , which have closed the door on presidential campaigns for decades now , have ranged from funny to sincere and somber to optimistic .
While there is no law requiring them , the addresses have become a voluntary tradition for presidential candidates .
They often use the platform to thank supporters , congratulate opponents and preach unification .
But as Donald Trump continues to fire up legal battles in the wake of Joe Biden 's presidential election victory , there are doubts as to whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a traditional concession speech .
Rather , multiple outlets have reported that Trump in the coming weeks plans to hold campaign-style rallies , likely featuring his repeated complaints about voter fraud , which are , to this point , unfounded .
That 's a sharp contrast from how some past candidates have publicly navigated an election loss .
If Trump does n't concede , he would be the first candidate in modern history to do so .
USA TODAY Explains : No presidential candidate in modern history has refused to concede .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over ! '
Vice President Mike Pence exhorts Trump campaign to continue challenging election result A look back at recent concession speeches shows some cracked jokes , others hushed boos and one even conceded twice .
Here 's a look : : George H.W .
Bush : Respecting the 'majesty of the democratic system' The opening line in Republican George H.W .
Bush 's 1992 concession highlights a key theme of many candidates ' speeches .
Bush , the last president to lose a reelection race , was quick to bow out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way I see it , here 's the way we see it , and the way the country should see it , that the people have spoken and we respect the majesty of the democratic system , '' Bush said after losing his presidential seat to Bill Clinton .
Bush preached unification and promised to `` get behind '' the newly elected Clinton .
He thanked his family , singling out `` a special emphasis on a woman named Barbara , '' and he praised members of his Cabinet .
He capped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering optimism for the future .
`` I plan to get very active in the grandchild business , '' Bush quipped .
It was a matter of moments before the crowd at Republican John McCain 's 2008 concession speech booed at the mention of Barack Obama 's name – and McCain quickly pushed back .
McCain , who was decisively beaten by Obama and his 365 electoral votes , has since been praised for being gracious in defeat .
“ My friends , we have come to the end of a long journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they have spoken clearly .
A little while ago , I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama , to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love , '' McCain said .
McCain did n't just lose an election : He lost to the first Black president in U.S. history , which he paid special mention to in a sincere address .
`` This is an historic election .
And I recognize the special significance it has for African Americans , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight , '' McCain said .
“ Today , I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much .
And tonight , I remain her servant .
That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it . ''
The concession tradition had a hiccup in 2000 when Democratic nominee Al Gore called George W. Bush to concede and then called him back to recant as the results from Florida went sideways .
Their tight campaign ended with the Florida vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand , ” Bush told Gore on the phone .
“ You ’ re calling me back to retract your concession ?
” When Bush was declared the winner after the Supreme Court halted further recount action , Gore delivered his second concession .
“ Just moments ago I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States .
And I promised him that I wouldn ’ t call him back this time , ” Gore said .
`` Let there be now doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court 's decision , I accept it , '' Gore said .
Republican Bob Dole had to concede in more than one race , but he did so both times with his trademark humor .
After Gerald Ford and Dole lost the 1976 presidential election to Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale , Dole , quipped : “ Contrary to reports that I took the loss badly , I want to say that I went home last night and slept like a baby — every two hours I woke up and cried.
” Dole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his concession speech following his loss to Bill Clinton .
When Dole talked of having just congratulated Clinton , he had to discourage boos from the crowd .
He later hushed a particularly raucous supporter by smiling and joking , “ You ’ re not gon na get that tax cut if you don ’ t be quiet.
” Hillary Clinton : 'This is painful , and it will be for a long time' The most recent presidential candidate to concede after a general election , Democrat Hillary Clinton , kept things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump .
`` I know how disappointed you feel , because I feel it too , '' Clinton said to a crowd of supporters in 2016 .
`` This is painful , and it will be for a long time . ''
She made it clear that the loss was n't an easy one , but also made a point to stay optimistic about Trump 's ensuing tenure .
`` We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought .
But I still believe in America and always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then we must accept this result , '' Clinton said .
“ Donald Trump is going to be our president .
We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead .
”

Bob Dole was funny, John McCain was sincere: Here's how presidential candidates have conceded over the years
Show Caption Hide Caption Concession speeches: A look back on history Scott Farris, author of "Almost President: The Men Who Lost the Race but Changed the Nation," describes the tradition of offering a concession speech. USA TODAY
They convey similar themes, but they take many different tones.
Concession speeches, which have closed the door on presidential campaigns for decades now, have ranged from funny to sincere and somber to optimistic.
While there is no law requiring them, the addresses have become a voluntary tradition for presidential candidates. They often use the platform to thank supporters, congratulate opponents and preach unification.
But as Donald Trump continues to fire up legal battles in the wake of Joe Biden's presidential election victory, there are doubts as to whether the 45th president of the U.S. will deliver a traditional concession speech.
Rather, multiple outlets have reported that Trump in the coming weeks plans to hold campaign-style rallies, likely featuring his repeated complaints about voter fraud, which are, to this point, unfounded.
That's a sharp contrast from how some past candidates have publicly navigated an election loss. If Trump doesn't concede, he would be the first candidate in modern history to do so.
USA TODAY Explains: No presidential candidate in modern history has refused to concede. No law requires it
'This AIN’T over!' Vice President Mike Pence exhorts Trump campaign to continue challenging election result
A look back at recent concession speeches shows some cracked jokes, others hushed boos and one even conceded twice. Here's a look::
George H.W. Bush: Respecting the 'majesty of the democratic system'
The opening line in Republican George H.W. Bush's 1992 concession highlights a key theme of many candidates' speeches.
Bush, the last president to lose a reelection race, was quick to bow out to democratic process.
"Well here's the way I see it, here's the way we see it, and the way the country should see it, that the people have spoken and we respect the majesty of the democratic system," Bush said after losing his presidential seat to Bill Clinton.
Bush preached unification and promised to "get behind" the newly elected Clinton. He thanked his family, singling out "a special emphasis on a woman named Barbara," and he praised members of his Cabinet. He capped off a gracious and relatively lighthearted concession offering optimism for the future.
"I plan to get very active in the grandchild business," Bush quipped.
John McCain silenced boos, graciously accepted defeat
It was a matter of moments before the crowd at Republican John McCain's 2008 concession speech booed at the mention of Barack Obama's name – and McCain quickly pushed back.
McCain, who was decisively beaten by Obama and his 365 electoral votes, has since been praised for being gracious in defeat.
“My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama, to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love," McCain said.
McCain didn't just lose an election: He lost to the first Black president in U.S. history, which he paid special mention to in a sincere address.
"This is an historic election. And I recognize the special significance it has for African Americans, and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight," McCain said.
“Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it."
Al Gore concedes – again
The concession tradition had a hiccup in 2000 when Democratic nominee Al Gore called George W. Bush to concede and then called him back to recant as the results from Florida went sideways.
Their tight campaign ended with the Florida vote in limbo.
“Let me make sure I understand,” Bush told Gore on the phone. “You’re calling me back to retract your concession?”
When Bush was declared the winner after the Supreme Court halted further recount action, Gore delivered his second concession.
“Just moments ago I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States. And I promised him that I wouldn’t call him back this time,” Gore said.
"Let there be now doubt, while I strongly disagree with the Court's decision, I accept it," Gore said.
Bob Dole concedes with comedy
Republican Bob Dole had to concede in more than one race, but he did so both times with his trademark humor.
After Gerald Ford and Dole lost the 1976 presidential election to Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale, Dole, quipped: “Contrary to reports that I took the loss badly, I want to say that I went home last night and slept like a baby — every two hours I woke up and cried.”
Dole fell back on humor again in 1996 during his concession speech following his loss to Bill Clinton. When Dole talked of having just congratulated Clinton, he had to discourage boos from the crowd.
He later hushed a particularly raucous supporter by smiling and joking, “You’re not gonna get that tax cut if you don’t be quiet.”
Hillary Clinton: 'This is painful, and it will be for a long time'
The most recent presidential candidate to concede after a general election, Democrat Hillary Clinton, kept things serious and sincere following a surprise loss to Trump.
"I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too," Clinton said to a crowd of supporters in 2016. "This is painful, and it will be for a long time."
She made it clear that the loss wasn't an easy one, but also made a point to stay optimistic about Trump's ensuing tenure.
"We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America and always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result," Clinton said.
“Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and a chance to lead.”
Contributing: Deb Riechmann, Associated Press
Follow Jay Cannon of USA TODAY on Twitter: @JayTCannon


usatoday--2020-11-10--How Joe Biden flipped the electoral map and won the presidency with room to spare

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden did n't get the election night landslide Democrats desperately wanted , but he won the presidency decisively nonetheless .
It was the inverse of four years ago — only this time it was Biden expanding support in suburbs to narrowly win a handful of key states .
The outcome exposed how the United States is as an entrenched and divided nation as ever with only small differences determining the president .
After President Donald Trump in 2016 famously squeaked out a win by a combined 77,000 votes in the vaunted Democratic `` blue wall '' states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden won back all three — carrying them collectively by wider margins .
The former vice president also flipped the 2016 electoral map by taking historically red Arizona , which last voted Democrat for president in 1996 .
And he 's on the verge of narrowly winning reliably red Georgia , which last voted Democrat for president in 1992 .
Georgia 's outcome is still subject to a likely recount .
By carrying both , and winning Nevada , Biden appears poised to win by a comfortable electoral margin with 306 electoral votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 victory ( though only 304 electors voted for him when the electoral college met ) .
More : Election results update : Biden on the verge of winning presidency with leads in battlegrounds .
Georgia will have a recount .
North Carolina is still counting its late-arriving absentee ballots .
But the new inroads for Democrats elsewhere mean Biden , just like Trump in 2016 , could have lost two out of three Rust Belt states and still reached 270 electoral votes .
After his win four years ago , Trump regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But Trump 's win looks like a squeaker compared to Biden 's when considering the popular vote .
Biden holds a popular vote lead of 74.5 million ( 50.5 % ) to 70.3 million ( 47.7 % ) as of Saturday morning .
But his lead is expected to expand considerably as more mail-in ballots , particularly in Democrat-heavy California and New York , are tabulated in the days ahead .
Leading by more than 4.3 million votes , Biden has already topped Democrat Hillary Clinton 's popular vote margin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's comfortable electoral win undercuts Trump 's attempts to fight the results .
Trump has sought to delegitimize the election with baseless claims about absentee ballots in states he lost .
More : Democrats ' path to control Senate narrows as Republicans fend off key challenges Still , the razor-thin margin in a half-dozen states – and losses of Democrats elsewhere – underscores that this was n't a blue wave .
Yes , Americans rejected Trump.But falling short of the lopsided victory some polls predicted , Biden and Democrats failed to deliver clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dismay of Democrats , Republicans in the Senate did not pay a price for their loyalty to Trump .
Democrats , heavily favored to take control of the U.S. Senate , fell short for now , although they could still reach 50 Senate seats by winning two Georgia special elections on Jan. 5 .
House Republicans , meanwhile , picked up seats that Democrats turned blue two years ago , but not enough to overcome the Democratic majority .
Stoking division further is how Biden crossed the finish-line Saturday : by dominating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Election Day .
Heading into Tuesday , election experts warned that , because mail-in ballots would heavily favor Biden , late-counted absentee ballots would provide a `` blue shift '' with the vote tally skewing his way .
While Trump 's yearlong rhetoric against mail-voting turned away his supporters , who instead were more likely to vote in person on Election Day , Democrats embraced the absentee method .
More : Some Democrats warn Trump may use 'red mirage ' to prematurely declare victory while absentee ballots are being counted Accelerating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , Republican-controlled state legislatures in Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania , refused to change their state laws to allow election officials to begin processing absentee ballots weeks in advance .
As expected , Trump jumped out to early leads in all three states .
Trump seized on the unusual situation , baselessly claiming ballots popped up out of nowhere while trying to to convince his supporters the election was stolen from them .
As evidenced by protests outside election offices in Phoenix and Philadelphia , his diehards believe him .
More : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
Here 's what we found .
For Biden , the clearest path to victory was always through the Rust Belt with wins in Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
He did so with a close victory , replicating the tight wins Trump pulled off in 2016 .
• Biden unofficially won Wisconsin by 20,524 votes , slightly tighter than Trump 's 2016 win the state by 22,748 votes • Biden unofficially won Michigan by 146,896 votes , considerably more than Trump 's victory by 10,704 votes • Biden is up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it could exceed more than 100,000 as more mail-in and provisionall ballots are counted .
Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by 44,292 votes .
In almost every state , rural areas remained as committed to Trump as ever , a testament to the rural-urban divide that dominates modern American politics .
Biden secured his victory by getting the turnout he needed in cities .
It comes four years after Clinton struggled with turnout in cities in the Midwest that have large Black populations But he especially ran up the score in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the metro areas and suburbs around cities .
Trump warned Biden would `` destroy the beautiful suburbs , '' but voters in those communities seemed to reject that message .
To pull off the upset in Georgia , Biden got a massive boost from the suburbs around Atlanta .
Het topped Trump by around 130,000 votes in Gwinnett and Cobb counties around Atlanta , two counties that Clinton won by only a combined 26,000 votes .
More : 'The place where we put this country back on track ' : How Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got higher turnout than Clinton in the state 's biggest county , Milwaukee ( 317,251 total votes to 288,822 for Clinton ) , beating Trump by 20,000 more votes than Clinton did .
In Madison ( Dane County ) , Biden received 260,157 votes compared to 217,687 for Clinton , topping Trump by nearly 35,000 more votes .
In Michigan and Pennsylvania , Biden outperformed Clinton across the state .
In Wayne County , home of Detroit and other suburbs , Biden received 67,630 more votes than Clinton , topping Trump by 32,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , outside of Detroit , Biden won by a margin of 110,000 votes , while Clinton won by only 54,000 .
More : Will the Supreme Court ride to Donald Trump 's rescue ?
Do n't count on it .
Biden pummeled Trump in the suburbs near Philadelphia , winning Chester County by more than 50,000 votes while Clinton won it by 25,000 .
Biden won Delaware County over Trump by more than 81,000 votes , compared to 66,700 for Clinton .
And in Montgomery County , Biden topped Trump by more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 93,000 votes .
The outlook in Philadelphia is not clear as thousands of mail-in ballots are still being counted .
Biden made inroads across working-class northeast Pennsylvania , maintaining some counties , flipping at least one and narrowing the margins in counties Trump won .
And he got some hometown love .
Among the counties where he outperformed Clinton was Lackawanna County , home to Scranton , where Biden was raised .
Biden won Lackawanna by more than 8 percentage points .
Clinton won it by less than 3 percentage points .

How Joe Biden flipped the electoral map and won the presidency with room to spare
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden calls for unity in first address as President-elect In first address since securing the presidency, Joe Biden called for unity between all Americans. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden didn't get the election night landslide Democrats desperately wanted, but he won the presidency decisively nonetheless.
It was the inverse of four years ago — only this time it was Biden expanding support in suburbs to narrowly win a handful of key states.
The outcome exposed how the United States is as an entrenched and divided nation as ever with only small differences determining the president.
After President Donald Trump in 2016 famously squeaked out a win by a combined 77,000 votes in the vaunted Democratic "blue wall" states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, Biden won back all three — carrying them collectively by wider margins.
The former vice president also flipped the 2016 electoral map by taking historically red Arizona, which last voted Democrat for president in 1996. And he's on the verge of narrowly winning reliably red Georgia, which last voted Democrat for president in 1992. Georgia's outcome is still subject to a likely recount.
Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
By carrying both, and winning Nevada, Biden appears poised to win by a comfortable electoral margin with 306 electoral votes — exactly the same as Trump's 2016 victory (though only 304 electors voted for him when the electoral college met).
More: Election results update: Biden on the verge of winning presidency with leads in battlegrounds. Georgia will have a recount.
North Carolina is still counting its late-arriving absentee ballots. But the new inroads for Democrats elsewhere mean Biden, just like Trump in 2016, could have lost two out of three Rust Belt states and still reached 270 electoral votes.
Biden wins as other Democrats struggle
After his win four years ago, Trump regularly bragged about a "massive landslide victory." But Trump's win looks like a squeaker compared to Biden's when considering the popular vote.
Biden holds a popular vote lead of 74.5 million (50.5%) to 70.3 million (47.7%) as of Saturday morning. But his lead is expected to expand considerably as more mail-in ballots, particularly in Democrat-heavy California and New York, are tabulated in the days ahead. Leading by more than 4.3 million votes, Biden has already topped Democrat Hillary Clinton's popular vote margin, 2.9 million, from 2016.
Biden's comfortable electoral win undercuts Trump's attempts to fight the results. Trump has sought to delegitimize the election with baseless claims about absentee ballots in states he lost.
More: Democrats' path to control Senate narrows as Republicans fend off key challenges
Still, the razor-thin margin in a half-dozen states – and losses of Democrats elsewhere – underscores that this wasn't a blue wave. Yes, Americans rejected Trump. But falling short of the lopsided victory some polls predicted, Biden and Democrats failed to deliver clear repudiation of Trump's politics. To the dismay of Democrats, Republicans in the Senate did not pay a price for their loyalty to Trump.
Democrats, heavily favored to take control of the U.S. Senate, fell short for now, although they could still reach 50 Senate seats by winning two Georgia special elections on Jan. 5. House Republicans, meanwhile, picked up seats that Democrats turned blue two years ago, but not enough to overcome the Democratic majority.
'Blue shift' puts Biden over the edge
Stoking division further is how Biden crossed the finish-line Saturday: by dominating absentee ballots, many that were counted after Election Day.
Heading into Tuesday, election experts warned that, because mail-in ballots would heavily favor Biden, late-counted absentee ballots would provide a "blue shift" with the vote tally skewing his way. While Trump's yearlong rhetoric against mail-voting turned away his supporters, who instead were more likely to vote in person on Election Day, Democrats embraced the absentee method.
More: Some Democrats warn Trump may use 'red mirage' to prematurely declare victory while absentee ballots are being counted
Accelerating the "blue shift" in three battleground states, Republican-controlled state legislatures in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, refused to change their state laws to allow election officials to begin processing absentee ballots weeks in advance. As expected, Trump jumped out to early leads in all three states.
Trump seized on the unusual situation, baselessly claiming ballots popped up out of nowhere while trying to to convince his supporters the election was stolen from them. As evidenced by protests outside election offices in Phoenix and Philadelphia, his diehards believe him.
More: We fact-checked President Trump's speech about the election. Here's what we found.
Rust Belt 2020 vs. 2016
For Biden, the clearest path to victory was always through the Rust Belt with wins in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He did so with a close victory, replicating the tight wins Trump pulled off in 2016.
Biden unofficially won Wisconsin by 20,524 votes, slightly tighter than Trump's 2016 win the state by 22,748 votes
Biden unofficially won Michigan by 146,896 votes, considerably more than Trump's victory by 10,704 votes
Biden is up in Pennsylvania by fewer than 34,000 votes, but it could exceed more than 100,000 as more mail-in and provisionall ballots are counted. Trump won Pennsylvania in 2016 by 44,292 votes.
More: Biden rebuilds 'blue wall' in Wisconsin, Michigan, narrowing Trump's path to victory
In almost every state, rural areas remained as committed to Trump as ever, a testament to the rural-urban divide that dominates modern American politics.
Biden secured his victory by getting the turnout he needed in cities. It comes four years after Clinton struggled with turnout in cities in the Midwest that have large Black populations
But he especially ran up the score in what's become another Democratic stronghold: the metro areas and suburbs around cities. Trump warned Biden would "destroy the beautiful suburbs," but voters in those communities seemed to reject that message.
Big wins in suburbs propels Biden
To pull off the upset in Georgia, Biden got a massive boost from the suburbs around Atlanta. Het topped Trump by around 130,000 votes in Gwinnett and Cobb counties around Atlanta, two counties that Clinton won by only a combined 26,000 votes.
More: 'The place where we put this country back on track': How Joe Biden turned Georgia purple
In Wisconsin, Biden got higher turnout than Clinton in the state's biggest county, Milwaukee (317,251 total votes to 288,822 for Clinton), beating Trump by 20,000 more votes than Clinton did. In Madison (Dane County), Biden received 260,157 votes compared to 217,687 for Clinton, topping Trump by nearly 35,000 more votes.
In Michigan and Pennsylvania, Biden outperformed Clinton across the state. In Wayne County, home of Detroit and other suburbs, Biden received 67,630 more votes than Clinton, topping Trump by 332,000 more votes there. In Oakland County, outside of Detroit, Biden won by a margin of 110,000 votes, while Clinton won by only 54,000.
More: Will the Supreme Court ride to Donald Trump's rescue? Don't count on it.
Biden pummeled Trump in the suburbs near Philadelphia, winning Chester County by more than 50,000 votes while Clinton won it by 25,000. Biden won Delaware County over Trump by more than 81,000 votes, compared to 66,700 for Clinton. And in Montgomery County, Biden topped Trump by more than 130,00 votes; Clinton won it by 93,000 votes. The outlook in Philadelphia is not clear as thousands of mail-in ballots are still being counted.
Biden made inroads across working-class northeast Pennsylvania, maintaining some counties, flipping at least one and narrowing the margins in counties Trump won.
And he got some hometown love.
Among the counties where he outperformed Clinton was Lackawanna County, home to Scranton, where Biden was raised. Biden won Lackawanna by more than 8 percentage points. Clinton won it by less than 3 percentage points.
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-11-11--Was Biden's win over Trump a landslide? Narrow? A look at previous elections

WASHINGTON — As vote counts continued to add up in the days following Election Day , President-elect Joe Biden ’ s lead in several key battleground states grew , pushing him to his Electoral College victory over President Donald Trump .
But unlike pre-election polling led many to believe would happen , Biden ’ s victory was not a landslide .
It was , however , more than just a slim margin .
With states that are currently called , Biden leads in electoral votes with 290 to Trump ’ s 214 .
He appears poised to secure a comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told .
Here ’ s a look at how Biden ’ s 2020 election win compares to previous presidential contests : In 2016 , Trump was able to increase his share of votes in many counties , particularly in the Midwest .
This time around , while many counties continued the trend of growth in Republican votes , other places shifted back toward Democrats , notably in key battlegrounds such as Wisconsin , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Georgia .
Biden ’ s key to victory was to flip states that narrowly went for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maps that show how America voted in the 2020 election with results by county , number of voters In Wisconsin in 2016 , Trump won by a margin of 0.82 % of the vote .
In 2020 , Biden ’ s win in the state was by an even slimmer 0.63 % .
Trump took Michigan in 2016 with a 0.24 % lead over Hillary Clinton , but Biden reversed the state in 2020 with a 2.69 % lead over Trump .
In Pennsylvania , Trump won in 2016 with a 0.75 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin over Trump in the state in 2020 , with vote counts still coming in .
Trump also won in Georgia in 2016 with a 5.16 % margin .
The state has yet to be called because of an expected recount , but Biden was up by more than 12,600 votes , or 0.2 % , on Tuesday afternoon .
As of Tuesday afternoon , Biden was leading Trump by more than 4.9 million votes , at 76.4 million .
He broke the record for most votes ever received by a presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama for his 2008 win .
2020 also saw record voter turnout .
According to the U.S .
Elections Project , we are on track to see the highest voter turnout for a presidential election in over a century .
In 2016 , Trump lost the popular vote to Clinton by almost 3 million votes ( more than 2 % ) but won the Electoral College thanks to the right combination of states and therefore took the presidency .
Trump isn ’ t alone in winning the presidency without the popular vote ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular vote to Al Gore in 2000 but won the election .
Until then , it hadn ’ t happened since 1888 .
Here ’ s how this year 's popular vote margin stacks up against the last two decades of presidential elections : The state of Georgia , which appears to be going blue in its presidential pick for the first time since 1992 , is still subject to a recount because of how close the vote is , and a victor has n't been called .
But Biden looks poised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and stands to gain its 16 electoral votes .
If he succeeds in Georgia , that state along with his wins in states like Arizona and Nevada would put him at 306 electoral votes , exactly the same number that Trump won in 2016 ( though only 304 electors ended up voting for him ) .
Trump referred to his own Electoral College win in 2016 as a “ massive landslide victory.
” But now the president is launching a legal attack on the election results that experts say has little basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of widespread voter fraud for which there is no evidence .
Here ’ s how the Electoral College margin compares to past elections :

Was Biden's win over Trump a landslide? Narrow? A look at previous elections
Show Caption Hide Caption 5 US election historical facts when it comes to picking a president Democratically choosing a commander in chief hasn't historically always been a straightforward process. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – As vote counts continued to add up in the days after Election Day, President-elect Joe Biden’s lead in several key battleground states grew, pushing him to his Electoral College victory over President Donald Trump.
But unlike preelection polling led many to believe what would happen, Biden’s victory was not a landslide. It was, however, more than a slim margin.
With states that are now called, Biden leads in electoral votes with 290 to Trump’s 214. He appears poised to secure a comfortable electoral vote margin over Trump, all told.
'FRAUD' FACT CHECKS:
Here’s a look at how Biden’s 2020 election win compares with the previous presidential contest:
Key states that shifted blue
In 2016, Trump was able to increase his share of votes in many counties, particularly in the Midwest. This time around, while many counties continued the trend of growth in Republican votes, other places shifted back toward Democrats, notably in key battlegrounds such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Biden’s key to victory was to flip states that narrowly went for Trump last time.
More: Four maps that show how America voted in the 2020 election with results by county, number of voters
In Wisconsin in 2016, Trump won by a margin of 0.82% of the vote. In 2020, Biden’s win in the state was by an even slimmer 0.63%.
Trump took Michigan in 2016 with a 0.24% lead over Hillary Clinton, but Biden reversed the state in 2020 with a 2.69% lead over Trump.
In Pennsylvania, Trump won in 2016 with a 0.75% margin. Biden holds a 0.68% margin over Trump in the state in 2020, with vote counts still coming in.
Trump also won in Georgia in 2016 with a 5.16% margin. The state has yet to be called because of an expected recount, but Biden was up by more than 12,600 votes, or 0.2%, on Tuesday afternoon.
The popular vote
As of Tuesday afternoon, Biden was leading Trump by more than 4.9 million votes, at 76.4 million. He broke the record for most votes ever received by a presidential candidate, which had been held by Barack Obama for his 2008 win. 2020 also saw record voter turnout. According to the U.S. Elections Project, the nation is on track to see the highest voter turnout for a presidential election in more than a century.
In 2016, Trump lost the popular vote to Clinton by almost 3 million votes (more than 2%) but won the Electoral College thanks to the right combination of states and therefore took the presidency.
Trump isn’t alone in winning the presidency without the popular vote; George W. Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000 but won the election. Until then, it hadn’t happened since 1888.
Here’s how this year's popular vote margin stacks up against the last two decades of presidential elections:
The electoral vote
Georgia, which appears to be going blue in its presidential pick for the first time since 1992, is still subject to a recount because of how close the vote is, and a victor hasn't been called. But Biden looks poised to win the state by a narrow margin and stands to gain its 16 electoral votes.
If he succeeds in Georgia, that state along with his wins in states like Arizona and Nevada would put him at 306 electoral votes, exactly the same number that Trump won in 2016 (though only 304 electors ended up voting for him).
Trump referred to his own Electoral College win in 2016 as a “massive landslide victory.” But now the president is launching a legal attack on the election results that experts say has little basis. The Trump campaign has made allegations of widespread voter fraud for which there is no evidence.
Here’s how the Electoral College margin compares to past elections:


usatoday--2020-11-11--Trump purges Pentagon leadership, 'something that should alarm all Americans'

WASHINGTON – President Trump has made wholesale changes in the Pentagon 's top civilian leadership , a purge that began with the firing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper and continued Tuesday through the senior ranks .
Three top senior officials resigned on Tuesday , including the under secretaries for policy and intelligence .
Esper 's chief of staff also resigned .
The moves sparked concern on Capitol Hill that perceived instability at the Pentagon could embolden U.S. adversaries during the presidential transition .
James Anderson , the acting under secretary for policy , the Pentagon 's No .
3 spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Tata , a retired Army general who once called former President Barack Obama a `` terrorist leader . ''
Tata had withdrawn his name for that Pentagon post in August before facing a contentious confirmation hearing in the Senate .
He was then placed in another job that did not require a hearing .
Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee , called the changes alarming .
“ It is hard to overstate just how dangerous high-level turnover at the Department of Defense is during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith said in a statement .
`` The top policy professional in the department resigning the day after the Secretary of Defense was fired could mark the beginning of a process of gutting the DoD – something that should alarm all Americans . ''
`` If this is the beginning of a trend – the president either firing or forcing out national security professionals in order to replace them with people perceived as more loyal to him – then the next 70 days will be precarious at best and downright dangerous at worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undersecretary for Defense intelligence , Joseph Kernan , and Esper 's former chief of staff , Jen Stewart resigned .
On Monday , Trump fired Esper on Twitter and replaced him with acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller .
“ I want to thank Dr. Anderson , Admiral Kernan and Jen Stewart for their service to the nation and the Department , '' Miller said in a statement .
`` Over their careers each has contributed greatly to the national defense and the future of the Department of Defense .
We wish them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House officials said Trump wanted his own team at the Pentagon should he prevail with his legal challenges to the balloting .
As for policy , officials said he has long wanted to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan , but they did not know if he plans to issue an order to that effect in his last two months in office .
They noted that generals at the Pentagon would resist such an order .
About 4,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan .
Trump has been pushing for a withdrawal of U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban to help end the American involvement there that began in 2001 .
Pentagon officials insist that the withdrawal should be based on security conditions there .
`` This confirms what I have been saying for months : the President ’ s singular obsession with loyalty has severely undermined the competence of our government and made us less safe , '' Smith said .
`` It is an insult to the American people to hamstring government , particularly during a period of presidential transition.
” More : How states prevent election fraud : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of misconduct or chaos '

Tom Vanden Brook and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump purges Pentagon leadership, 'something that should alarm all Americans'
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump's military ties further strained over alleged 'loser' remarks President Trump has reportedly used words like "suckers, losers and warmongers" to describe American war heroes and Pentagon brass. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Trump has made wholesale changes in the Pentagon's top civilian leadership, a purge that began with the firing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper and continued Tuesday through the senior ranks.
Three top senior officials resigned Tuesday, including the undersecretaries for policy and intelligence. Esper's chief of staff also resigned. The moves sparked concern on Capitol Hill that perceived instability at the Pentagon could embolden U.S. adversaries during the presidential transition.
James Anderson, the acting undersecretary for policy, the Pentagon's No. 3 spot, resigned Tuesday and was replaced by Anthony Tata, a retired Army general who once called former President Barack Obama a "terrorist leader." Tata had withdrawn his name for that Pentagon post in August before facing a contentious confirmation hearing in the Senate. He was then placed in another job that did not require a hearing.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called the changes alarming.
“It is hard to overstate just how dangerous high-level turnover at the Department of Defense is during a period of presidential transition," Smith said in a statement. "The top policy professional in the department resigning the day after the Secretary of Defense was fired could mark the beginning of a process of gutting the DoD – something that should alarm all Americans.
"If this is the beginning of a trend – the president either firing or forcing out national security professionals in order to replace them with people perceived as more loyal to him – then the next 70 days will be precarious at best and downright dangerous at worst."
Also on Tuesday, the undersecretary for Defense intelligence, Joseph Kernan, and Esper's former chief of staff, Jen Stewart resigned. On Monday, Trump fired Esper on Twitter and replaced him with acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller.
“I want to thank Dr. Anderson, Admiral Kernan and Jen Stewart for their service to the nation and the Department," Miller said in a statement. "Over their careers each has contributed greatly to the national defense and the future of the Department of Defense. We wish them the best in their next endeavors.”
White House officials said Trump wanted his own team at the Pentagon should he prevail with his legal challenges to the balloting. As for policy, officials said he has long wanted to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, but they did not know whether he plans to issue an order to that effect in his last two months in office. They noted that generals at the Pentagon would resist such an order.
About 4,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan. Trump has been pushing for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, negotiating with the Taliban to help end the American involvement there that began in 2001. Pentagon officials insist that the withdrawal should be based on security conditions there.
"This confirms what I have been saying for months: the President’s singular obsession with loyalty has severely undermined the competence of our government and made us less safe," Smith said. "It is an insult to the American people to hamstring government, particularly during a period of presidential transition.”
More: How states prevent election fraud: Time to count votes 'is not a sign of misconduct or chaos'


usatoday--2020-11-11--Coronavirus updates: Hospitalizations reach all-time high; Masks protect wearers, too; WHO facing in

Coronavirus updates: Hospitalizations reach all-time high; Masks protect wearers, too; WHO facing independent review of pandemic response

New U.S. coronavirus hospitalizations surpassed 60,000 for the first time Tuesday , continuing a steady rise that has een daily hospitalizations more than double in less than two months , the COVID Tracking Project reported Wednesday .
Almost 62,000 people entered hospitals Tuesday .
The previous record for hospitalizations in a day was 59,780 on April 12 , after which the number began a gradual decline that reached 28,608 on Sept. 20 .
Since then , however , the number has been rising steadily .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidance on the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , but they protected the wearer , too .
`` Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread '' of the virus , the CDC says .
`` Individual benefit increases with increasing community mask use . ''
The CDC had previously encouraged mask use as a way to help prevent infected people from spreading the coronavirus to others .
Meanwhile , Philadelphia 's public school system reversed its plan to resume some in-person instruction this month and , starting Wednesday , Maryland will return to 50 % capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also Tuesday , the governors of Wisconsin and Nevada pleaded with the public for help in controlling future outbreaks .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has reported more than 10.25 million cases and more than 239,600 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The global totals : more than 51.4 million cases and 1.27 million deaths .
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak in your state .
📰What we 're reading : The leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lost his way during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its credibility .
This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
Biden on masks : No national mandate , but lots of persuasion President-elect Joe Biden 's transition team website outlines a plan to `` implement mask mandates nationwide by working with governors and mayors and by asking the American people to do what they do best : step up in a time of crisis . ''
The website says Biden will call for Americans to wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household , for governors to make that mandatory in their state and for local authorities to also make it mandatory `` to buttress their state orders . ''
On the campaign trail , Biden said he could n't issue a national mandate .
`` A national mandate is not possible because public health powers belong to the states , not the federal government , '' said Lawrence Gostin , director of Georgetown University ’ s O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law .
`` The federal government couldn ’ t implement its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force the states to do it . ''
ICE detainees rate of infection 13.5 times that of US population Researchers analyzing coronavirus data from 92 of the nation ’ s 135 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers found the case rate was on average more than 13 times the rate of the U.S. population and more than double the rate in prisons , according to the report published in JAMA Open Network .
Lack of data transparency , minimal testing and anecdotal reports of inconsistent compliance with health guidelines suggest ICE case numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Unless we ’ re wanting to give people who are detained by ICE death sentences ... we should absolutely be doing everything we can to protect them , ” said Michael Mina , an assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health .
“ Not providing means to stop the spread in those locations is a national travesty .
It ’ s a stain on our country . ''
WHO agrees to independent review of pandemic response The World Health Organization has agreed to allow an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic response .
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency welcomed any effort to improve its productivity “ for the sake of the people we serve.
” As COVID-19 spread , WHO often shied away from calling out countries , as big donors such as Japan , France and Britain made repeated mistakes , according to dozens of leaked recordings of internal WHO meetings and documents from January to April obtained by The Associated Press .
One of the central dilemmas facing the WHO is that it has no enforcement powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , the health agency relies on behind-the-scenes talks and the cooperation of member states .
Maryland Gov .
Harry Logan reimposed restrictions to combat a `` public health catastrophe '' due to a surge in COVID-19 cases .
Staring Wednesday evening , indoor dining at restaurants and bars must return to 50 % capacity .
State health officials are `` strongly advising against '' indoor gatherings of more than 25 people and nonessential travel to states with a positivity rate above 10 % .
Those who leave the state must get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are getting infected with the virus , more people are being hospitalized , more people are going into intensive care , and more Marylanders are dying , '' Hogan said .
`` The actions we are taking today are absolutely necessary to help us withstand this surge , to save lives . ''
Maryland has a total of 156,709 confirmed cases and 4,084 deaths , according to the state 's COVID-19 data dashboard .
Texas set a new daily record Tuesday with 10,865 new coronavirus cases , state officials said .
That brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1 million-case mark with 974,230 cases reported since the pandemic began in early March , according to state figures .
Officials reported 94 new deaths Tuesday , bringing the death toll to 18,863 , according to the Texas Department of State Health Services .
Disneyland is reportedly furloughing more workers as its closure enters its ninth month .
On Monday evening , the Orange County Register and Variety both published excerpts of a staff memo from Disneyland President Ken Potrock announcing more temporary job cuts .
“ Since Disneyland resort closed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important than fully reopening and getting our cast members back to work , ” Potrock wrote .
“ That ’ s why it is with heavy hearts we find ourselves in the untenable situation of having to institute additional furloughs for our executive , salaried and hourly cast.
” While Potrock 's memo did not appear to specify an exact number , the Register and the Long Beach Press-Telegram both put the estimate at around 10,000 jobs .
In an email to USA TODAY , Disney declined to provide an estimate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers urges but does not order people to stay home Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers on Tuesday issued an executive order urging , but not requiring , limits on public interaction on a day of record infections and deaths and as hospitals are running out of intensive care beds .
It 's the first time the governor has used a primetime platform to ask the public to begin to take the pandemic seriously , nine months into the outbreak .
`` Wisconsin , this is serious .
This crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speech from the Wisconsin State Capitol .
`` It 's not safe to go out , it ’ s not safe to have others over — it 's just not safe .
And it might not be safe for a while yet . ''
Evers ' advisory comes as Wisconsin hit new records : 7,073 new cases of COVID-19 , 66 new deaths and 2,070 people in hospitals sick with the virus .
As of Tuesday , there are just 128 intensive care beds available in the state — a supply that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trends continue .
Gov .
Steve Sisolak has issued Nevadans a clear ultimatum : Shape up in two weeks , or expect steps toward another shutdown meant to halt a recent surge in coronavirus cases .
Sisolak , speaking during a Tuesday press conference at the state Capitol , told reporters the state “ must see a significant reversal of the current trends ” in order to keep the state ’ s economy up and running .
He also asked local governments to step up enforcement of the state ’ s existing COVID-containment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever possible — all in order to “ mimic ” much stricter shelter-in-place orders issued at the start of the pandemic .
The first-term Democrat has practically begged residents to follow Nevada ’ s mask-wearing and social distancing orders during recent virus-related press events .
Now , he says he ’ s longer asking .
“ Nevadans need to change behaviors immediately , '' the governor said .
`` Again , if we don ’ t make progress over the next 14 days , I will be forced to take stronger action.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart , Together .
• On Facebook : A lot is still unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do know , we 're sharing with you .
Join our Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .

Jessica Flores and John Bacon, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: US sets single-day case record as hospitalizations reach all-time high; New York, Ohio, Indiana tighten restrictions
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19: CDC releases new guidance on masks The CDC previously encouraged mask wearing to help prevent people from spreading COVID-19 to others. USA TODAY
The upward trajectory of coronavirus cases in the U.S. continued Wednesday with the country setting a new mark with more than 136,000 new infections, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
That development came a day after the U.S. reached 1 million cases in November alone and COVID-19 hospitalizations surpassed 60,000 for the first time. Hospitalizations have more than doubled in less than two months, the COVID Tracking Project reported Wednesday.
The number of Americans hospitalized due to COVID-19 has risen almost 50% in the last two weeks. On Wednesday, the U.S. surpassed 240,000 deaths caused by the coronavirus, the largest number in the world. The U.S. has 4.3% of the global population but 18.8% of the reported coronavirus deaths.
Almost 62,000 Americans were hospitalized because of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The previous record for hospitalizations was 59,780 on April 12, after which the number began a gradual decline that reached 28,608 on Sept. 20. Since then, however, the number has been rising steadily.
"Hospitals are facing severe constraints in the weeks ahead," said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, whose state is among the hardest hit. "We need everyone to help slow the spread."
Today's latest updates:
Texas, the nation’s second-most populous state, is the first to surpass 1 million coronavirus cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on face masks: They not only protect others, but they protected the wearer, too.
The World Health Organization is allowing an independent panel to review its management of the pandemic response.
In ICE detention centers, the coronavirus case rate is more than 13 times the rate of the U.S. population and more than double the rate in prisons, according to the report published in JAMA Open Network.
Philadelphia's public school system reversed its plan to resume some in-person instruction this month. In Maryland, indoor dining at restaurants and bars will be limited to 50% capacity starting Wednesday.
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has reported close to 10.4 million cases and more than 240,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: more than 51.9 million cases and 1.28 million deaths.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak in your state.
📰What we're reading: The leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lost his way during COVID-19. Now his agency must rebuild its credibility.
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
The U.S. set a new high-water mark for single-day cases of the coronavirus Wednesday with 136,325, based on Johns Hopkins University data. The record figure represents an increase of more than 16,000 infections over the previous day's total of nearly 120,000.
The latest surge in cases is straining the medical systems in several states, most recently Wisconsin, which is approaching the point where its hospitals won't be able to properly care for all their severely ill patients, state health officials said.
The U.S., the world leader in COVID-19 infections with close to 10.4 million, has recorded more than 100,000 new cases for eight consecutive days, averaging more than 121,000 new infections over that time.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine took action to curtail the exploding COVID-19 epidemic on Wednesday, threatening to close restaurants, bars and fitness centers, imposing a revised mask order that could briefly close businesses for violations and cracking down on post-event gatherings.
The governor said during a statewide address that bars, restaurants and fitness centers could be ordered closed a week from Thursday "if the current trend continues and cases keep increasing."
"This surge is much more intense, widespread, and dangerous. As of today, every single one of our 88 counties has a high rate of virus spread, and areas of our state that were previously untouched — our rural areas — are being hit especially hard," DeWine said.
DeWine also said retailers and other businesses will be held responsible, and potentially closed for 24 hours, if they allow employees to go without masks and permit customers to enter without face coverings. The revised mask order will be issued by Thursday morning, the governor's office said.
– Randy Ludlow, The Columbus Dispatch
Bars and restaurants with a liquor license will have to close by 10 p.m. and indoor gatherings at private homes will be limited to no more than 10 people under new statewide rules announced Wednesday by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Gyms will also have to close by 10 p.m.
The restrictions, which take effect Friday night, come in response to increasing COVID-19 numbers in the state and growing concerns that it will be hit with a second wave of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Cuomo said 4,820 new infections were reported Tuesday (at a 2.93% positivity rate), as well as 1,628 hospitalizations and 21 COVID fatalities.
The limit on social activities at home, down from the current 50, is sure to draw some backlash, but Cuomo said on Twitter, "We know indoor gatherings and parties are a major source of COVID spread.''
New York follows the science.
We know indoor gatherings and parties are a major source of COVID spread.
To slow the spread, NYS will limit indoor gatherings at private residences to 10 people.
This limit takes effect Friday at 10pm. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 11, 2020
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb finally gave in and moved the state out of its Stage 5 of reopening after seven weeks of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations soaring beyond the spring rates.
Holcomb on Wednesday placed limits on social gatherings and school events for most of the state, and also made available $20 million to local officials to help ensure businesses adhere to the state’s mask and social distancing requirements.
“Unfortunately, too many of us and around the country have let our guards down,” Holcomb said. “Stage 5 was being lost on people or it was being misinterpreted. … Stage 5 to many was translated to or received as, ‘We’re past it, we’re at the final stage, there’s nothing more we need to do.'”
– Elizabeth DePompei and Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star
The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to take extra precautions for the next three weeks amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state. The department is encouraging Illinoisans to work from home, participate in essential activities only and limit travel and gatherings.
"Our goal is to reduce transmission as we head into the holidays so businesses and schools can remain open," the department said in a news release Wednesday.
Illinois has reported more new cases in the past week than any other state, according to the CDC, with nearly 70,000 new cases in the past seven days. There have been more than half a million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state and more than 10,000 deaths. More than 5,000 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized.
– Grace Hauck
This year's Veterans Day has lacked many of the usual acknowledgments of those who have served the country in the military forces, as the coronavirus forced cancellation of commemorations and even visits to loved ones.
Many of the nation’s veterans homes barred visitors to protect their residents from a virus that has killed thousands of former servicemen and women.
Cemeteries decorated with American flags were silent as well, as many of the traditional ceremonies were canceled. With infections raging again nationwide, several veterans homes are fighting new outbreaks.
More than 4,200 veterans have died from COVID-19 at hospitals and homes run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and nearly 85,000 have been infected, according to the department. But the death toll doesn't include those who have died in private or state-run veterans facilities.
Britain has become the first European country to have 50,000 of its residents die of COVID-19. The UK reached that figure Wednesday, when it reported a total of 50,365 fatalities, including 595 in the previous 24 hours.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent three days in the ICU battling a severe case of COVID-19, acknowledged that, "Every death is a tragedy" while adding about improved therapeutics: "I do think we have got now to a different phase in the way that we treat it."
As in the U.S., those most affected by the virus in Britain have been seniors — people above 65 make up 90% of the fatalities — as well as minorities and the poor.
Italy has recorded the second most deaths on the European continent with nearly 43,000, followed by France with more than 41,000.
There's already a postponement in the college basketball season, which doesn't start for another two weeks.
Stetson's game at Miami, scheduled for Nov. 25, has been put on hold after a Hatters player tested positive for COVID, forcing others to go in isolation.
The college football season has had more than 50 games postponed or canceled, including four in the SEC this week.
A fourth college football game scheduled for Saturday involving Southeastern Conference schools was postponed Wednesday due to COVID-19 concerns. The University of Georgia will not play at the University of Missouri, the conference announced. It was not immediately clear if the game would be played at a later date.
Earlier this week, Auburn at Mississippi State, Alabama at LSU and Texas A&M at Tennessee were all forced to reschedule. At least two other Saturday games involving schools from other conferences – Memphis at Navy and Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas State – also have been postponed. Overall, more than 50 games have been postponed or canceled this season.
The nation’s second-most populous state is the first to surpass 1 million coronavirus cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The state has now reported 1.01 million coronavirus cases and 19,337 deaths.
There were 6,170 people hospitalized Tuesday with the coronavirus and 94 new deaths were reported that day, according to the state Department of State Health Services.
Texas has about 28 million people, 12 million less than California, which will soon surpass 1 million infections as well. The true number of infections for all states is likely much higher because many infected don't feel sick and have not been tested.
"Swift distribution of vaccines and medical treatments will begin to heal those suffering from COVID-19, slow the spread of the virus, and aid in reducing hospitalizations of Texans," Gov. Gregg Abbott said in a statement.
Peter Giannikopoulos, one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams's attentions on the current season of "The Bachelorette," says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and then suffered minor injuries in a car accident upon hearing the news.
The real estate adviser from Everett, Massachusetts, was one of four suitors who entered the Palm Springs "Bachelorette" bubble on this week's episode.
Giannikopoulos, 32, wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday that he had begun a two-week quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus Monday. Filming for the series wrapped in September.
"The past 24 hours have truly been some of the hardest in my life. Yesterday I tested positive for Covid," he wrote alongside a shirtless selfie photo taken from his bed. "Although my symptoms are evident, I am going to fight this and win."
– Bryan Alexander
President-elect Joe Biden's transition team website outlines a plan to "implement mask mandates nationwide by working with governors and mayors and by asking the American people to do what they do best: step up in a time of crisis." The website says Biden will call for Americans to wear a mask when they are around people outside their household, for governors to make that mandatory in their state and for local authorities to also make it mandatory "to buttress their state orders." On the campaign trail, Biden said he couldn't issue a national mandate.
"A national mandate is not possible because public health powers belong to the states, not the federal government," said Lawrence Gostin, director of Georgetown University’s O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. "The federal government couldn’t implement its own mask mandates, nor could it force the states to do it."
– Grace Hauck
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
Researchers analyzing coronavirus data from 92 of the nation’s 135 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers found the case rate was on average more than 13 times the rate of the U.S. population and more than double the rate in prisons, according to a report published in JAMA Open Network.
Lack of data transparency, minimal testing and anecdotal reports of inconsistent compliance with health guidelines suggest ICE case numbers could be much higher, experts say.
“Unless we’re wanting to give people who are detained by ICE death sentences ... we should absolutely be doing everything we can to protect them,” said Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. “Not providing means to stop the spread in those locations is a national travesty. It’s a stain on our country."
– Adrianna Rodriguez
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidance regarding face masks: They not only protect others, but they protected the wearer too.
"Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread" of the virus, the CDC says. "Individual benefit increases with increasing community mask use."
The CDC had previously encouraged mask use as a way to help prevent infected people from spreading the coronavirus to others. Here's how to find the most effective masks.
Maryland Gov. Harry Logan reimposed restrictions to combat a "public health catastrophe" due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Staring Wednesday evening, indoor dining at restaurants and bars must return to 50% capacity. State health officials are "strongly advising against" indoor gatherings of more than 25 people and nonessential travel to states with a positivity rate above 10%. Those who leave the state must get tested and self-quarantine.
“More people are getting infected with the virus, more people are being hospitalized, more people are going into intensive care, and more Marylanders are dying," Hogan said. "The actions we are taking today are absolutely necessary to help us withstand this surge, to save lives."
Maryland has a total of 156,709 confirmed cases and 4,084 deaths, according to the state's COVID-19 data dashboard.
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
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Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-11-11--'Bachelorette' suitor Peter Giannikopoulos tests positive for COVID-19, crashes car after test resul

Peter Giannikopoulos , one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams 's hand on the current season of `` The Bachelorette , '' announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 , then was involved in a serious car accident upon hearing the news .
The strapping real estate adviser from Everett , Mass.
, was one of four suitors who entered the Palm Springs `` Bachelorette '' bubble on the episode airing Tuesday .
Giannikopoulos , 32 , wrote in an Instagram post the same night that he had begun a two-week quarantine after testing positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours have truly been some of the hardest in my life .
Yesterday I tested positive for Covid , '' he wrote alongside a shirtless selfie photo taken from a propped position in his bed .
`` Although my symptoms are evident , I am going to fight this and win . ''
Filming for the current season wrapped in September .
Giannikopoulos , a fitness buff who has posted frequent Instagram photographs wearing a face mask , said he was emotionally running his mind over how he could have contracted the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days , but didn ’ t believe I would contract the virus when I have been wearing a mask in public , washing and sanitizing hands regularly , and following social distancing protocol during work , '' he stated .
'The Bachelorette ' recap : Tayshia 's takeover comes with a few twists – including more men As if that was not enough , Giannikopoulos wrote that he was involved in the serious car crash driving home after hearing the test results .
`` My anxiety started to get the best of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety , I lost consciousness behind the wheel and my car went off road through a guard rail and hit a pole , '' he wrote .
`` The air bag deployed , driver side door was wedged in , broken glass everywhere . ''
`` All I remember was waking up to people shouting for help , as I was in a deep daze and confusion .
I didn ’ t know where I was , how I got there , or what happened , '' Giannikopoulos wrote , adding that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Truly a blessing , as I am a firm believer I had angels watching over me . ''
USA TODAY has reached out to ABC media relations for further comment .
Giannikopoulos encouraged people to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously .
`` Covid is something we all need to face head on and stay positive during these times .
We can ’ t run away from it nor pretend it does not exist , '' he continued .
`` It creates immense anxiety ...
In moments like this , lean against each @ @ @ @ @ @ @

'Bachelorette' suitor Peter Giannikopoulos tests positive for COVID-19, crashes car after test results
Peter Giannikopoulos, one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams's hand on the current season of "The Bachelorette," announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19, then was involved in a serious car accident upon hearing the news.
The strapping real estate adviser from Everett, Mass., was one of four suitors who entered the Palm Springs "Bachelorette" bubble on the episode airing Tuesday. Giannikopoulos, 32, wrote in an Instagram post the same night that he had begun a two-week quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus Nov. 9.
"The past 24 hours have truly been some of the hardest in my life. Yesterday I tested positive for Covid," he wrote alongside a shirtless selfie photo taken from a propped position in his bed. "Although my symptoms are evident, I am going to fight this and win."
Filming for the current season wrapped in September. Giannikopoulos, a fitness buff who has posted frequent Instagram photographs wearing a face mask, said he was emotionally running his mind over how he could have contracted the virus.
"I felt lousy for a few days, but didn’t believe I would contract the virus when I have been wearing a mask in public, washing and sanitizing hands regularly, and following social distancing protocol during work," he stated.
'The Bachelorette' recap: Tayshia's takeover comes with a few twists – including more men
As if that was not enough, Giannikopoulos wrote that he was involved in the serious car crash driving home after hearing the test results.
"My anxiety started to get the best of me. As a result of the anxiety, I lost consciousness behind the wheel and my car went off road through a guard rail and hit a pole," he wrote. "The air bag deployed, driver side door was wedged in, broken glass everywhere."
"All I remember was waking up to people shouting for help, as I was in a deep daze and confusion. I didn’t know where I was, how I got there, or what happened," Giannikopoulos wrote, adding that he only suffered a slight nose injury. "Truly a blessing, as I am a firm believer I had angels watching over me."
USA TODAY has reached out to ABC media relations for further comment.
Giannikopoulos encouraged people to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.
"Covid is something we all need to face head on and stay positive during these times. We can’t run away from it nor pretend it does not exist," he continued. "It creates immense anxiety ... In moments like this, lean against each other for support and positivity."


usatoday--2020-11-11--WWII veteran just shy of his 100th birthday says his secret to longevity is his wife - and vodka

WHITE PLAINS , N.Y. — Wednesday is Veterans Day , when America remembers those who served in its armed forces .
Frank Caruso served in World War II .
And this Veterans Day , just eight days shy of his 100th birthday , his memory still serves him remarkably well .
When asked for the secret to his longevity and happy life , he turns to Anna , his wife of 72 years .
`` There she is , '' he said .
`` There 's the secret . ''
`` I have a longevity medicine , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , just one , with a drop of Vermouth and no fruit . ''
Caruso 's stories fly with flecks of tantalizing detail , from the shadow of Italy 's Mount Vesuvius to `` Mad Men '' -era New York and beyond .
`` I have to think , 'What era did I do that in ? '
because I sort of had separate different lives that I 've lived through the years , '' Caruso said .
`` You try to remember them in groups . ''
Each `` group '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wheelchair forward , a storyteller eager to be closer to his audience at a New York retirement home .
There were the early years in Detroit , before his tailor-father Michele Caruso , a native of Abruzzo , Italy , moved the family to the Bronx in 1929 .
Then came the Depression and his war years in the Army — service that found him in Rome , shaking hands with Pope Pius XII .
After the war came his wife , Anna , and their two children .
Caruso spent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City 's Madison Avenue .
From 1956 to 1987 , he worked in commercial packaging for American Can Company , in Midtown Manhattan and , later , Greenwich , Connecticut .
That he has lived 99 years and 51 weeks – through war and , now pandemic – is remarkable .
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that fewer than 325,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive .
He wears a mask out of deference to the coronavirus pandemic – which has hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those age 65 or older , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
When Caruso remembers his military service – as an artillery instrument operator , siting shells in Gen. Mark Clark 's Fifth Army in North Africa and the invasion of Italy – his memories are part battle objectives , part weather report .
`` You listen to artillery shells all day long , back and forth , '' he said .
`` The Germans shelling , the Americans shelling all day . ''
Caruso moved onto Corsica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans worked their way up Italy 's `` boot . ''
There was time spent in Naples , where , at night , he could see flames rising from a simmering Mount Vesuvius .
There was , by Caruso 's account , all kinds of weather , conjuring images from Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Bill Mauldin , whose work regularly depicted soggy GIs in flooded foxholes .
Caruso 's basic training was on `` bitter cold Cape Cod , '' followed by a landing in North Africa , `` where it was 120 degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for one non-artillery assignment in Corsica while waiting for the storming of Italy : Knowing that Caruso was an artist , a friend volunteered him to decorate a B-25 bomber nicknamed Sahara Sue II .
Caruso remembered having to scour the airfield for paints and brushes before spending two weeks or so to emblazon the plane with a leggy lady .
Last year , 76 years later , Caruso met a retired Air Force officer at New York 's Westchester County Airport , where World War II-era aircraft were on display .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assignment to the officer , `` I came home and he flipped this onto my computer . ''
`` He found this plane , '' Caruso said , his voice full of awe .
`` Of all the thousands of planes we had . ''
The Americans fought north from Salerno to Naples and on to another key objective : the monastery atop Monte Cassino .
`` I remember that day very vividly , because it felt like every plane in Italy was in the air dropping bombs , '' Caruso recalled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Germans still had it .
It was so well guarded .
They had to go up on foot , climb up the side of mountain on foot to take it eventually . ''
When the war in Europe ended , Caruso was in Pisa , within walking distance of the leaning tower .
V-E Day in May 1945 was n't a big blowout for GIs still in Italy , he recalled .
When a visitor expresses surprise that the end of the war in Europe did n't launch a huge party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Well , they did n't have much good booze , '' he said .
`` They mostly had cordials . ''
There was another war , still raging in May 1945 when Germany surrendered .
`` The big fear we all had was that when the war ended in Europe we were going to be shipped to Japan , '' he said .
But the point system – years of service overseas and combat service pins – meant Caruso was sent home .
He was discharged in November 1945 .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent 30 months overseas .
`` That was a pretty rough deal , I think , for anybody , '' he said .
`` Nobody could go home those days .
They did n't have rotations . ''
Back in the Bronx , a relative introduced Caruso `` to a school chum '' of Anna Pace .
Before long , he and Pace were dating .
They married on Feb. 7 , 1948 .
He earned his Pratt Institute advertising design degree at night while working for a Manhattan ad agency , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for American Can Company , where he stayed for 31 years , from 1956 to 1987 .
His portfolio brims with designs for Fanta soda and Schlitz cans , including print ads that would find their way into glossy magazines and newspapers .
During those Midtown `` Mad Men '' years , Caruso developed a cherished ritual that he said was one of his secrets to a long life : a single vodka martini a day .
It was a habit he developed on New York City 's Madison Avenue .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-war era , where lunches were regularly accompanied by a cocktail .
`` Madison Avenue was known for its swingers and everything else , and for a long time , everybody drank Manhattans , '' he said .
`` But here 's the secret : You drink a Manhattan , you come back , they can smell you a half-a-mile away .
You drink a vodka martini , they ca n't tell .
That 's how it became popular .
That 's the truth . ''
Caruso shrugs when asked if his war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kinds of weather , seeing comrades fall – affected him , made him the man he became .
`` I do n't know about that , truthfully , '' he said .
`` Maybe I was too young .
It did n't affect me that much .
Overseas was a long time , but I survived .
A lot of guys did n't survive . ''

Peter D. Kramer, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

WWII veteran just shy of his 100th birthday says his secret to longevity is his wife - and vodka
Show Caption Hide Caption World War II veteran Frank Caruso World War II veteran Frank Caruso, 99, and his wife, Ann, 94, at The Fountains assisted living facility in Tuckahoe looks on Nov. 2, 2020. Caruso will turn 100 years-old on Nov. 19. Tania Savayan, tsavayan@lohud.com
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Wednesday is Veterans Day, when America remembers those who served in its armed forces.
Frank Caruso served in World War II. And this Veterans Day, just eight days shy of his 100th birthday, his memory still serves him remarkably well.
When asked for the secret to his longevity and happy life, he turns to Anna, his wife of 72 years.
"There she is," he said. "There's the secret."
Then Caruso offers another suggestion.
"I have a longevity medicine," he said. "One Absolut vodka martini a day, just one, with a drop of Vermouth and no fruit."
Caruso's stories fly with flecks of tantalizing detail, from the shadow of Italy's Mount Vesuvius to "Mad Men"-era New York and beyond.
"I have to think, 'What era did I do that in?' because I sort of had separate different lives that I've lived through the years," Caruso said. "You try to remember them in groups."
99 years, 51 weeks
Each "group" is well-represented as Caruso speaks, inching his wheelchair forward, a storyteller eager to be closer to his audience at a New York retirement home.
There were the early years in Detroit, before his tailor-father Michele Caruso, a native of Abruzzo, Italy, moved the family to the Bronx in 1929. Then came the Depression and his war years in the Army — service that found him in Rome, shaking hands with Pope Pius XII.
After the war came his wife, Anna, and their two children.
Caruso spent years as a commercial artist on New York City's Madison Avenue. From 1956 to 1987, he worked in commercial packaging for American Can Company, in Midtown Manhattan and, later, Greenwich, Connecticut.
That he has lived 99 years and 51 weeks – through war and, now pandemic – is remarkable. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that fewer than 325,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive.
He wears a mask out of deference to the coronavirus pandemic – which has hit the elderly hardest, accounting for 171,814 deaths of those age 65 or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cold, heat, mud
When Caruso remembers his military service – as an artillery instrument operator, siting shells in Gen. Mark Clark's Fifth Army in North Africa and the invasion of Italy – his memories are part battle objectives, part weather report.
"You listen to artillery shells all day long, back and forth," he said. "The Germans shelling, the Americans shelling all day."
Caruso moved onto Corsica and on to Salerno, as the Americans worked their way up Italy's "boot." There was time spent in Naples, where, at night, he could see flames rising from a simmering Mount Vesuvius.
There was, by Caruso's account, all kinds of weather, conjuring images from Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Bill Mauldin, whose work regularly depicted soggy GIs in flooded foxholes.
Caruso's basic training was on "bitter cold Cape Cod," followed by a landing in North Africa, "where it was 120 degrees in the shade."
Sahara Sue II
Caruso found time for one non-artillery assignment in Corsica while waiting for the storming of Italy: Knowing that Caruso was an artist, a friend volunteered him to decorate a B-25 bomber nicknamed Sahara Sue II.
Caruso remembered having to scour the airfield for paints and brushes before spending two weeks or so to emblazon the plane with a leggy lady.
Last year, 76 years later, Caruso met a retired Air Force officer at New York's Westchester County Airport, where World War II-era aircraft were on display. Within hours of mentioning that long-ago painting assignment to the officer, "I came home and he flipped this onto my computer."
A photo of Sahara Sue II.
"He found this plane," Caruso said, his voice full of awe. "Of all the thousands of planes we had."
Salerno to Naples to Monte Cassino
The Americans fought north from Salerno to Naples and on to another key objective: the monastery atop Monte Cassino.
Bombing was finally approved on Feb. 15, 1944.
"I remember that day very vividly, because it felt like every plane in Italy was in the air dropping bombs," Caruso recalled. "And after it was all through, the Germans still had it. It was so well guarded. They had to go up on foot, climb up the side of mountain on foot to take it eventually."
When the war in Europe ended, Caruso was in Pisa, within walking distance of the leaning tower. V-E Day in May 1945 wasn't a big blowout for GIs still in Italy, he recalled.
When a visitor expresses surprise that the end of the war in Europe didn't launch a huge party, Caruso offers a simple defense: "Well, they didn't have much good booze," he said. "They mostly had cordials."
There was another war, still raging in May 1945 when Germany surrendered.
"The big fear we all had was that when the war ended in Europe we were going to be shipped to Japan," he said. But the point system – years of service overseas and combat service pins – meant Caruso was sent home. He was discharged in November 1945.
When he returned to the Bronx, he had spent 30 months overseas.
"That was a pretty rough deal, I think, for anybody," he said. "Nobody could go home those days. They didn't have rotations."
Marriage and 'Mad Men' martinis
Back in the Bronx, a relative introduced Caruso "to a school chum" of Anna Pace. Before long, he and Pace were dating. They married on Feb. 7, 1948.
He earned his Pratt Institute advertising design degree at night while working for a Manhattan ad agency, then he got a job in package design for American Can Company, where he stayed for 31 years, from 1956 to 1987.
His portfolio brims with designs for Fanta soda and Schlitz cans, including print ads that would find their way into glossy magazines and newspapers.
During those Midtown "Mad Men" years, Caruso developed a cherished ritual that he said was one of his secrets to a long life: a single vodka martini a day.
It was a habit he developed on New York City's Madison Avenue. He said he loved working in Midtown in that post-war era, where lunches were regularly accompanied by a cocktail.
"Madison Avenue was known for its swingers and everything else, and for a long time, everybody drank Manhattans," he said. "But here's the secret: You drink a Manhattan, you come back, they can smell you a half-a-mile away. You drink a vodka martini, they can't tell. That's how it became popular. That's the truth."
Caruso shrugs when asked if his war years – those months spent in all kinds of weather, seeing comrades fall – affected him, made him the man he became.
"I don't know about that, truthfully," he said. "Maybe I was too young. It didn't affect me that much. Overseas was a long time, but I survived. A lot of guys didn't survive."
Follow Peter D. Kramer on Twitter at @PeterKramer.