usatoday--2020-08-19--Trump campaign bashes Tuesday at DNC as 'loser night,' targeting Sally Yates, AOC

Republicans reacted to the night Vice President Joe Biden officially became the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party with attacks on convention speakers and knocks on the former vice president 's ability to lead .
Democrats rolled out a series of past and present party leaders , from former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter , to 17 `` rising stars , '' such as Stacey Abrams , on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in an effort to highlight their diversity and unity .
But conservative critics and the Trump campaign assailed the lineup as a collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Laura Ingraham described it as a `` veritable who 's who of failures , each of whom have done immense damage to our country . ''
`` I thought it was a sad night , '' said Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn in a video critiquing the second night of the convention .
`` They sort of rolled out the losers . ''
`` Are we going to call it the loser night ? ''
asked campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp .
Here 's a look at the Republican reactions to some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the roll-call vote that officially gave Biden the nomination , first-term Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seconded the nomination of fellow democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders in a short speech that drew the attention of many Republicans .
Many GOP critics suggested her short speech signaled that a Biden administration would be driven by progressives , even though Biden has resisted calls by progressives to adopt a Medicare for All platform , among other ideological differences .
`` Putting AOC in the corner at the # DemocraticConvention will not hide the fact that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other liberals , driving the agenda , '' Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said on Twitter .
In another tweet , Graham said it was `` painfully obvious '' that Ocasio-Cortez , Sanders and other progressives like Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, `` are in control of the Democratic Party 's legislative agenda . ''
`` Joe Biden is merely along for the ride , '' Graham said .
`` AOC ’ s remarks represent the fact that the Democrat Party has been taken over by the radical left , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their extreme agenda , '' the Trump campaign said in a statement .
Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt said he played Ocasio-Cortez 's speech twice Wednesday morning .
`` Everyone should hear it .
Not only is it radical , it is representative of where the Democratic Party is today , '' Hewitt said .
In his speech , Clinton addressed Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , accusing him of ignoring the experts , dodging responsibility and creating `` chaos '' instead of providing leadership .
`` Now you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire someone else .
If you want a president who defines the job as spending hours a day watching TV and zapping people on social media , he 's your man , '' said Clinton .
`` Denying , distracting , and demeaning works great if you 're trying to entertain and inflame .
But in a real crisis , it collapses like a house of cards . ''
The RNC hit back on Twitter by criticizing two of Clinton 's major policies while in office , both of which Biden supported : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like NAFTA , and the 1994 crime bill , which the RNC said `` lead to mass incarceration , '' citing experts .
The group said Trump `` righted those wrongs '' with the USMCA , a revised trade agreement with Canada and Mexico , and the First Step Act , which aimed to reduce prison overcrowding and stiff drug sentences .
But the Trump campaign and many other commentators focused on the scandals and accusations of sexual impropriety surrounding Clinton to question his credibility and his suitability as a convention speaker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Clinton `` the poster child for the # MeToo movement . ''
`` The last person in the world I 'm taking a lecture from on how the Oval Office should be used is the person who abused the Oval Office the way he did , '' Gidley said .
`` Excuse me but @ BillClinton should not be lecturing anyone about chaos in the Oval Office , '' tweeted former Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker , along with a photo of Clinton with Monica Lewinsky .
Tuesday night 's roll call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as representatives from each state announced how their delegates voted .
The segment was widely praised as an improvement from the traditional convention format by providing a more engaging mosaic of the diverse U.S. states and territories .
`` The roll-call of the states was such a snooze , that if Joe Biden – if he was n't asleep already , he certainly fell asleep during the roll-call of the states , '' Cortes said .
Convention goes digital : DNC draws fewer TV viewers , but gets an online boost with virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former acting United States Attorney General whom Trump fired after she refused to implement the president 's travel ban on predominantly Muslim nations , as part of the `` deep state . ''
An hour after the convention ended Tuesday , Trump tweeted that Yates `` was a terrible A.G. '' Sen. Marsha Blackburn , R-Tenn. , wrote , `` Just weeks ago , Sally Yates testified in front of the Senate defending the FBI ’ s operation to spy on President Trump .
Tonight , she ’ s speaking at the DNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn for lying to investigators about his contacts with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak .
She defended the prosecution of Flynn as legitimate , adding that she was `` surprised '' the Justice Department under Attorney General William Barr dropped the case despite Flynn 's guilty plea .
Some Republicans have pointed to a Jan. 5 , 2017 , Oval Office meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden , which was attended by Yates , where the investigation into Russian election interference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden had orchestrated the investigation to hurt the incoming administration .
Yates insisted Obama and Biden made no attempt to target Flynn for prosecution or to undermine the new president But Republicans who denounced her convention speech were not persuaded .
`` Yates was part of the Obama-Biden team that spied on Pres .
Trump & covered it up , '' the Republican National Committee said on its official Twitter account .
`` Now she is speaking at the DNC Convention & applauded by Dems . ''
'No such thing happened ' : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden did not urge Flynn inquiry The RNC also said Yates `` refused to defend the law because she was upset Pres .
Trump won in 2016 . ''
Brigette Gabriel , founder of the pro-Trump group ACT for America , tweeted , `` Sally Yates should be in a prison cell , NOT speaking at the DNC . ''
The Anti-Defamation League calls ACT for America the largest anti-Muslim group in the U.S. Former Secretary of State and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry took on Trump 's handling of foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president goes overseas , it is n't a goodwill mission , it 's a blooper reel . ''
Kerry touted the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate agreement as examples of major accomplishments of the Obama administration that Trump has n't embraced .
`` Donald Trump inherited a growing economy and a more peaceful world , '' Kerry said .
`` And like everything else he inherited , he bankrupted it . ''
Trump has long railed against both the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris agreement and has pulled the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign pledge .
For his supporters , Kerry 's praise of those deals only highlighted their concerns about a potential Biden administration .
`` Do n't forget , John Kerry was the architect of the Iran deal , '' said Rep. Liz Cheney , R-Wy.
, on `` Fox & Friends '' Wednesday morning .
Although an August 2015 report from the nonpartisan Arms Control Association said the deal included `` intrusive monitoring and verification '' of Iran 's weapons program , and a 2018 Congressional Research Service report drew a similar conclusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely no verification mechanisms in it . ''
`` John Kerry is an example of the failed past , and I 'm frankly pretty surprised that the Democrats have chosen to highlight so many of the failed leaders of the past at their convention this week , '' Cheney said on Fox .
She also said the deal , which delayed Iranian weapons development for at least 15 years , `` gave the Iranian a pathway toward a nuclear weapon . ''
`` Will John Kerry remind American voters that Biden supported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash to the world 's largest state sponsor of terrorism ? ''
Schlapp tweeted .
`` He even thanked Iran for capturing our soldiers , '' McDaniel tweeted , referring to a 2016 incident where Iran briefly held U.S. sailors who it claimed had entered its territorial waters .
Colin Powell who served under four presidents – three of them Republican – as national security adviser , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state , said Biden would be `` a president we will all be proud to salute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cortes , along with Deputy Communications Director Ali Pardo , lumped Powell in with Kerry and Clinton as examples of the `` globalist '' elites Trump had displaced .
`` They remind me of that same lack of strength that led to countries taking advantage of us , '' Pardo said .
Epshteyn referred to Powell as the `` architect of the Iraq War . ''
Other conservatives argued there was nothing interesting about Powell – who has been a fierce critic of Trump and who endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Big deal , Powell backed Obama over McCain and Romney , '' said radio host Mark Levin .
Jill Biden was the final speaker after her husband officially became the nominee .
And , for some conservatives , she was one of the evening 's few bright spots .
Graham , who did not hold back in his criticism of other speakers , praised her performance .
`` Tonight , Jill Biden did a very good job representing herself and Joe in the causes they believe in , '' tweeted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an outstanding person who has led a consequential life . ''
Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume said Jill Biden `` came across as very likable '' and `` highlighted things about Joe Biden ’ s character and temperament , '' like him being `` a very decent guy '' who is willing `` make friends '' and `` to do business with political adversaries . ''
Hume strongly preferred her remarks to those from former first lady Michelle Obama the previous night .
`` I think this speech tonight by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense that it didn ’ t have a hard , angry edge that we heard last night to a considerable extent from Michelle Obama , '' Hume said .

Jeanine Santucci, Savannah Behrmann and William Cummings, USA TODAY

Trump campaign bashes Tuesday at DNC as 'loser night,' targeting Sally Yates, AOC
Republicans reacted to the night Vice President Joe Biden officially became the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party with attacks on convention speakers and knocks on the former vice president's ability to lead.
Democrats rolled out a series of past and present party leaders, from former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, to 17 "rising stars," such as Stacey Abrams, on the second night of the Democratic National Convention in an effort to highlight their diversity and unity.
But conservative critics and the Trump campaign assailed the lineup as a collection of "losers."
Fox News host Laura Ingraham described it as a "veritable who's who of failures, each of whom have done immense damage to our country."
"I thought it was a sad night," said Trump campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn in a video critiquing the second night of the convention. "They sort of rolled out the losers."
"Are we going to call it the loser night?" asked campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp.
Here's a look at the Republican reactions to some of Tuesday night's conventions speakers:
AOC and the left's 'extreme agenda'
Ahead of the roll-call vote that officially gave Biden the nomination, first-term Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seconded the nomination of fellow democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders in a short speech that drew the attention of many Republicans.
Many GOP critics suggested her short speech signaled that a Biden administration would be driven by progressives, even though Biden has resisted calls by progressives to adopt a Medicare for All platform, among other ideological differences.
"Putting AOC in the corner at the #DemocraticConvention will not hide the fact that she’s the co-pilot, along with other liberals, driving the agenda," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on Twitter.
In another tweet, Graham said it was "painfully obvious" that Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders and other progressives like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., "are in control of the Democratic Party's legislative agenda."
"Joe Biden is merely along for the ride," Graham said.
It’s painfully obvious The Squad with @AOC, @BernieSanders, and Elizabeth Warren are in control of the Democratic Party's legislative agenda.
Joe Biden is merely along for the ride. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 19, 2020
"AOC’s remarks represent the fact that the Democrat Party has been taken over by the radical left, and Joe Biden is an empty vessel for their extreme agenda," the Trump campaign said in a statement.
Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt said he played Ocasio-Cortez's speech twice Wednesday morning.
"Everyone should hear it. Not only is it radical, it is representative of where the Democratic Party is today," Hewitt said.
I’ve played @AOC speech last night twice this AM. Everyone should hear it. Not only is it radical, it is representative of where the Democratic Party is today. — Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) August 19, 2020
Bill Clinton
In his speech, Clinton addressed Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing him of ignoring the experts, dodging responsibility and creating "chaos" instead of providing leadership.
"Now you have to decide whether to renew his contract or hire someone else. If you want a president who defines the job as spending hours a day watching TV and zapping people on social media, he's your man," said Clinton. "Denying, distracting, and demeaning works great if you're trying to entertain and inflame. But in a real crisis, it collapses like a house of cards."
The RNC hit back on Twitter by criticizing two of Clinton's major policies while in office, both of which Biden supported: Clinton's embrace of free trade agreements like NAFTA, and the 1994 crime bill, which the RNC said "lead to mass incarceration," citing experts.
The group said Trump "righted those wrongs" with the USMCA, a revised trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, and the First Step Act, which aimed to reduce prison overcrowding and stiff drug sentences.
Pres. Trump has spent his presidency righting the wrongs of Bill Clinton & Joe Biden’s record of failed policies.
Biden & Clinton rammed through NAFTA which resulted in 850k American jobs lost.
Meanwhile, POTUS scrapped NAFTA & signed the USMCA into law. #DemConvention — GOP (@GOP) August 19, 2020
But the Trump campaign and many other commentators focused on the scandals and accusations of sexual impropriety surrounding Clinton to question his credibility and his suitability as a convention speaker.
Trump 2020 National Press Secretary Hogan Gidley called Clinton "the poster child for the #MeToo movement."
"The last person in the world I'm taking a lecture from on how the Oval Office should be used is the person who abused the Oval Office the way he did," Gidley said.
"Excuse me but @BillClinton should not be lecturing anyone about chaos in the Oval Office," tweeted former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, along with a photo of Clinton with Monica Lewinsky.
Excuse me but @BillClinton should not be lecturing anyone about chaos in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/7Du4nmdoJI — Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) August 19, 2020
The delegate roll-call
Tuesday night's roll call featured a montage of video clips, as representatives from each state announced how their delegates voted. The segment was widely praised as an improvement from the traditional convention format by providing a more engaging mosaic of the diverse U.S. states and territories.
But Trump campaign adviser Steve Cortes didn't agree.
"The roll-call of the states was such a snooze, that if Joe Biden – if he wasn't asleep already, he certainly fell asleep during the roll-call of the states," Cortes said.
Convention goes digital: DNC draws fewer TV viewers, but gets an online boost with virtual program
Sally Yates
Republicans attacked Sally Yates, the former acting United States Attorney General whom Trump fired after she refused to implement the president's travel ban on predominantly Muslim nations, as part of the "deep state."
An hour after the convention ended Tuesday, Trump tweeted that Yates "was a terrible A.G."
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., wrote, "Just weeks ago, Sally Yates testified in front of the Senate defending the FBI’s operation to spy on President Trump. Tonight, she’s speaking at the DNC Convention."
Yates testified Aug. 5 about the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn for lying to investigators about his contacts with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. She defended the prosecution of Flynn as legitimate, adding that she was "surprised" the Justice Department under Attorney General William Barr dropped the case despite Flynn's guilty plea.
Some Republicans have pointed to a Jan. 5, 2017, Oval Office meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, which was attended by Yates, where the investigation into Russian election interference was discussed as evidence that Obama and Biden had orchestrated the investigation to hurt the incoming administration.
Democratic Convention speaker: Former Deputy AG Sally Yates Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates addresses the Democratic National Convention to warn Americans about the threat of Donald Trump. USA TODAY
Yates insisted Obama and Biden made no attempt to target Flynn for prosecution or to undermine the new president
But Republicans who denounced her convention speech were not persuaded.
"Yates was part of the Obama-Biden team that spied on Pres. Trump & covered it up," the Republican National Committee said on its official Twitter account. "Now she is speaking at the DNC Convention & applauded by Dems."
'No such thing happened': Former acting AG Sally Yates says Obama, Biden did not urge Flynn inquiry
Just weeks ago, Sally Yates testified in front of the Senate defending the FBI’s operation to spy on President Trump. Tonight, she’s speaking at the DNC Convention. — Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) August 19, 2020
The RNC also said Yates "refused to defend the law because she was upset Pres. Trump won in 2016."
Brigette Gabriel, founder of the pro-Trump group ACT for America, tweeted, "Sally Yates should be in a prison cell, NOT speaking at the DNC." The Anti-Defamation League calls ACT for America the largest anti-Muslim group in the U.S.
John Kerry
Former Secretary of State and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry took on Trump's handling of foreign policy, saying, "when this president goes overseas, it isn't a goodwill mission, it's a blooper reel."
Kerry touted the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate agreement as examples of major accomplishments of the Obama administration that Trump hasn't embraced.
"Donald Trump inherited a growing economy and a more peaceful world," Kerry said. "And like everything else he inherited, he bankrupted it."
Trump has long railed against both the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris agreement and has pulled the U.S. out of both, fulfilling a 2016 campaign pledge. For his supporters, Kerry's praise of those deals only highlighted their concerns about a potential Biden administration.
"Don't forget, John Kerry was the architect of the Iran deal," said Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wy., on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday morning.
Although an August 2015 report from the nonpartisan Arms Control Association said the deal included "intrusive monitoring and verification" of Iran's weapons program, and a 2018 Congressional Research Service report drew a similar conclusion, Cheney claimed the deal "had absolutely no verification mechanisms in it."
"John Kerry is an example of the failed past, and I'm frankly pretty surprised that the Democrats have chosen to highlight so many of the failed leaders of the past at their convention this week," Cheney said on Fox.
She also said the deal, which delayed Iranian weapons development for at least 15 years, "gave the Iranian a pathway toward a nuclear weapon."
The disastrous Iran Deal had no verification mechanisms & put Iran on the path to a nuclear weapon.@realDonaldTrump's maximum pressure campaign is succeeding where Joe Biden and John Kerry failed: https://t.co/LKe7IyY0bb pic.twitter.com/PVuULsgc65 — Rep. Liz Cheney (@RepLizCheney) August 19, 2020
"Will John Kerry remind American voters that Biden supported the Iran nuclear deal and sent pallets of cash to the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism?" Schlapp tweeted.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel shot back that Kerry "epitomizes WEAK foreign policy."
"He even thanked Iran for capturing our soldiers," McDaniel tweeted, referring to a 2016 incident where Iran briefly held U.S. sailors who it claimed had entered its territorial waters.
John Kerry epitomizes WEAK foreign policy.
He even thanked Iran for capturing our sailors.
Thanks to @realDonaldTrump, the days of Obama-Biden’s failed foreign policy are over! https://t.co/5qaxQUx1Xn — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) August 19, 2020
Colin Powell
Colin Powell who served under four presidents – three of them Republican – as national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state, said Biden would be "a president we will all be proud to salute."
But Trump campaign advisers Epshteyn and Cortes, along with Deputy Communications Director Ali Pardo, lumped Powell in with Kerry and Clinton as examples of the "globalist" elites Trump had displaced.
"They remind me of that same lack of strength that led to countries taking advantage of us," Pardo said.
Epshteyn referred to Powell as the "architect of the Iraq War."
Other conservatives argued there was nothing interesting about Powell – who has been a fierce critic of Trump and who endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 – endorsing Biden at the convention.
"Big deal, Powell backed Obama over McCain and Romney," said radio host Mark Levin.
Jill Biden
Jill Biden was the final speaker after her husband officially became the nominee. And, for some conservatives, she was one of the evening's few bright spots.
Graham, who did not hold back in his criticism of other speakers, praised her performance.
"Tonight, Jill Biden did a very good job representing herself and Joe in the causes they believe in," tweeted the South Carolina Republican. "She’s an outstanding person who has led a consequential life."
Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume said Jill Biden "came across as very likable" and "highlighted things about Joe Biden’s character and temperament," like him being "a very decent guy" who is willing "make friends" and "to do business with political adversaries."
Hume strongly preferred her remarks to those from former first lady Michelle Obama the previous night.
"I think this speech tonight by Jill Biden was tremendously effective in the sense that it didn’t have a hard, angry edge that we heard last night to a considerable extent from Michelle Obama," Hume said.
Contributing: John Fritze and Kevin Johnson


Diversity and inclusion

Our greatest vulnerabilities have been exposed by a relentless global pandemic .
Our country 's gravest sins were brought into the glaring light of a Memorial Day sun as the final breaths of one man were snuffed out by the inhumanity of another .
Will this be the year when everything changes ?
Will that change be lasting ?
At USA TODAY and Gannett ’ s 260 other local daily news organizations , we are working hard to document the story as it unfolds .
But our job as journalists does not end at the first draft of history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shining a light on injustices , celebrating good works , curating experts who help identify solutions to our greatest challenges , journalism plays a vital role in creating a brighter future .
In sustaining our democracy .
And so , at a time when the impact of quality journalism has never been clearer or in greater demand , thoughtful introspection is required .
There is broad consensus among business leaders and public officials that the values of diversity and inclusion are moral imperatives .
There ’ s a growing understanding that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This has always been true , especially in journalism .
How can we hope to fully understand the issues and needs of our communities if our newsrooms don ’ t reflect the people we serve ?
And yet , across the nation , newsrooms continue to struggle with a lack of diversity –– especially in leadership ranks , including some of our own .
We must do better .
Diversity and inclusion are choices , not just words .
Today , USA TODAY and our local newsrooms are publishing a census that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are female , Black , Indigenous and people of color , putting our staffs in context of our communities ' demographics .
We are committing to achieving gender , racial and ethnic parity by 2025 and will report our progress annually .
As a whole , our news organization has much work to do to achieve this goal , but there are clear signs of progress among many of our newsrooms , including : • Newsrooms such as El Paso and Corpus Christi in Texas are now majority diverse .
El Paso ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black , Indigenous , people of color ) .
More than half the El Paso newsroom and its entire leadership team is Latino — while Corpus Christi 's is 52 % diverse .
• Many of our newsrooms have women in top leadership and management roles .
USA TODAY , for instance , is the only major national newspaper with a female editor-in-chief and has a leadership team that is 57 % female .
• Of the 11 promotions this year into top editor jobs throughout our local network or senior leadership at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seven are women .
I want to acknowledge the gaps in these reported demographics .
They do not completely represent our diversity nor do they quantify fully how far we must yetgo to be truly representative .
Specifically , these numbers fail to capture sexual orientation or gender identity .
These statistics have not been previously incorporated into our human resource reporting or in the U.S. Census .
Gannett is committed to creating a culture where every employee feels safe , included and championed for their full identity .
This week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our demographic data to be more inclusive by providing employees the opportunity to be heard and voluntarily self-identify as diverse in ways beyond race and ethnicity , such as identifying as LGBTQ .
In addition to setting this important parity goal , we are making significant investments in our coverage of race , equality and social justice .
By the end of the year , we will have created 20 national and 40 local jobs focused on social justice , disparities and inclusion to augment our coverage of race at the intersection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care , criminal justice and the environment .
More than a third of this investment will come from incremental hiring , and the rest will result from a reprioritization of existing reporting and editing resources .
These new hires and jobs serve to underscore our commitment to diverse staffing and news coverage at USA TODAY and our local newsrooms .
And it ’ s a commitment that starts at the top .
“ Educating , informing and empowering our local communities is at the core of what our newsrooms do every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better reflect who we serve , ” Gannett CEO Mike Reed said .
“ I ’ m committed to providing our journalists with the company support and financial investment necessary to improve the diversity of our news organizations to mirror our communities.
” We give voice to the voiceless .
And we will do this with newsrooms that reflect our communities and news coverage that roots out injustice in all forms and lights the path to a more equitable future .
A look at staff diversity at USA TODAY Network news sites : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Gannett Media and publisher of USA TODAY .

Gannett news president: Diversity and inclusion are choices, not just words. Today we reaffirm our mission.
Corrections and clarifications: An early version of this story had incorrect figures for Corpus Christi's newsroom. It has since been updated.
Our greatest vulnerabilities have been exposed by a relentless global pandemic. Our country's gravest sins were brought into the glaring light of a Memorial Day sun as the final breaths of one man were snuffed out by the inhumanity of another.
Will this be the year when everything changes? Will that change be lasting?
At USA TODAY and Gannett’s 260 other local daily news organizations, we are working hard to document the story as it unfolds.
But our job as journalists does not end at the first draft of history. Far from it.
In exposing wrongs, shining a light on injustices, celebrating good works, curating experts who help identify solutions to our greatest challenges, journalism plays a vital role in creating a brighter future. In sustaining our democracy.
And so, at a time when the impact of quality journalism has never been clearer or in greater demand, thoughtful introspection is required.
There is broad consensus among business leaders and public officials that the values of diversity and inclusion are moral imperatives. There’s a growing understanding that they are equally vital to better business results.
This has always been true, especially in journalism. How can we hope to fully understand the issues and needs of our communities if our newsrooms don’t reflect the people we serve?
And yet, across the nation, newsrooms continue to struggle with a lack of diversity –– especially in leadership ranks, including some of our own. We must do better.
Diversity and inclusion are choices, not just words.
Today, USA TODAY and our local newsrooms are publishing a census that documents the number of our journalists who are female, Black, Indigenous and people of color, putting our staffs in context of our communities' demographics.
We are committing to achieving gender, racial and ethnic parity by 2025 and will report our progress annually.
As a whole, our news organization has much work to do to achieve this goal, but there are clear signs of progress among many of our newsrooms, including:
Newsrooms such as El Paso and Corpus Christi in Texas now have majority diverse leadership teams. El Paso’s newsroom is 58% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color). More than half the El Paso newsroom and its entire leadership team is Latino — while Corpus Christi's is 47% diverse with 60% diversity in leadership.
More than half the El Paso newsroom and its entire leadership team is Latino — while Corpus Christi's is 47% diverse with 60% diversity in leadership. Many of our newsrooms have women in top leadership and management roles. USA TODAY, for instance, is the only major national newspaper with a female editor-in-chief and has a leadership team that is 57% female.
Of the 11 promotions this year into top editor jobs throughout our local network or senior leadership at USA TODAY, eight employees are BIPOC and seven are women.
I want to acknowledge the gaps in these reported demographics. They do not completely represent our diversity nor do they quantify fully how far we must yet go to be truly representative. Specifically, these numbers fail to capture sexual orientation or gender identity. These statistics have not been previously incorporated into our human resource reporting or in the U.S. Census.
Gannett is committed to creating a culture where every employee feels safe, included and championed for their full identity. This week, the company announced important steps to expand our demographic data to be more inclusive by providing employees the opportunity to be heard and voluntarily self-identify as diverse in ways beyond race and ethnicity, such as identifying as LGBTQ.
In addition to setting this important parity goal, we are making significant investments in our coverage of race, equality and social justice.
By the end of the year, we will have created 20 national and 40 local jobs focused on social justice, disparities and inclusion to augment our coverage of race at the intersection of every critical institution, including education, health care, criminal justice and the environment. More than a third of this investment will come from incremental hiring, and the rest will result from a reprioritization of existing reporting and editing resources.
These new hires and jobs serve to underscore our commitment to diverse staffing and news coverage at USA TODAY and our local newsrooms. And it’s a commitment that starts at the top.
“Educating, informing and empowering our local communities is at the core of what our newsrooms do every day. To do this, we must better reflect who we serve,” Gannett CEO Mike Reed said. “I’m committed to providing our journalists with the company support and financial investment necessary to improve the diversity of our news organizations to mirror our communities.”
Today, we reaffirm our mission.
We give voice to the voiceless.
We hold the powerful accountable.
And we will do this with newsrooms that reflect our communities and news coverage that roots out injustice in all forms and lights the path to a more equitable future.
A look at staff diversity at USA TODAY Network news sites:
USA TODAY
The Arizona Republic
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Columbus Dispatch
Detroit Free Press
The Record
Cincinnati Enquirer
The Indianapolis Star
Austin American-Statesman
The Palm Beach Post
The Tennessean
The Courier-Journal
The Oklahoman
Des Moines Register
Asbury Park Press
Akron Beacon Journal
The Journal News
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
The Repository
The Post-Crescent
Providence Journal
South Bend Tribune
Knoxville News Sentinel
Democrat & Chronicle
Naples Daily News
Lansing State Journal
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The Desert Sun
Commercial Appeal
The News Journal
Cape Cod Times
Florida Times-Union
Metrowest Daily News
The Greenville News
Treasure Coast Newspapers
Bucks County Courier
Daytona News Journal
Hagerstown Herald Mail
Florida Today
Tallahassee Democrat
Erie Times-News
Peoria Journal Star
Patriot Ledger
Times Herald-Record
Fayetteville Observer
Wilmington Star News
Portsmouth Herald
El Paso Times
Statesman Journal
News-Leader
Evansville Courier & Press
Wooster Daily Record
York Daily Record
Ventura County Star
Press-Gazette
Augusta Chronicle
Bloomington Herald Times
Eugene Register Guard
Utica Observer-Dispatch
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Reno Gazette-Journal
The Daily Advertiser
Montgomery Advertiser
Pensacola News Journal
Citizen-Times
Gainesville Sun
Savannah Morning News
Fort Collins Coloradoan
Clarion Ledger
The Burlington Free Press
Argus Leader
Northwest Florida Daily News
Lakeland Ledger
Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Springfield State Journal-Register
Beaver County Times
St. Cloud Times
Rockford Register Star
Somerset Daily American
Southwest Times-Record
Topeka Capital-Journal
Courier-Post
Kitsap Sun
Redding Record Searchlight
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Panama City News Herald
The Stockton Record
Press & Sun-Bulletin
The Daily Times
Poughkeepsie Journal
Pueblo Chieftain
Aberdeen American News
Columbia Daily Tribune
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usatoday--2020-08-20--Kamala Harris makes history, Obama accuses Trump of treating presidency like a 'reality show:' DNC t

WASHINGTON – The third night of the Democratic National Convention focused on women , with a lineup that included vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris , former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Democrats highlighted policy goals that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has promised to pursue , including stopping the separation of immigrant families , preventing gun violence and addressing climate change .
President Barack Obama gave a blistering speech criticizing President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy and Kamala Harris capped off the night with a speech in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including her mother , and talked about her record as a prosecutor .
Are you registered to vote ?
Check now , request an early ballot Former President Barack Obama made his most scathing remarks to date about Trump , accusing him of neglecting his obligations to American citizens and of using the presidency to get `` the attention he craves . ''
`` He ’ s shown no interest in putting in the work , no interest in finding common ground , no interest in using the awesome power of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friends , no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves , '' he said .
`` Donald Trump hasn ’ t grown into the job because he can ’ t , '' said Obama , who delivered his speech standing in Philadelphia 's Museum of the American Revolution with the words of the Constitution behind him on the wall .
`` And the consequences of that failure are severe .
170,000 Americans dead .
Millions of jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our worst impulses unleashed , our proud reputation around the world badly diminished , and our democratic institutions threatened like never before . ''
One of the biggest moments of the night came as Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , officially accepted the vice presidential nomination to run on the ticket in November , becoming the first Black woman and first Asian American woman to appear on a major presidential party ticket .
She spoke at length about her mother , Shyamala Gopalan Harris , a doctor and single mother who , Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` strong Black women '' who were also `` proud of our Indian heritage . ''
She said her mother instilled in her values including `` a vision of our nation as a beloved community – where all are welcome , no matter what we look like , where we come from , or who we love .
A country where we may not agree on every detail , but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth , deserving of compassion , dignity and respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prosecutor , saying she had taken on big banks and gang members and fought for children and survivors of sexual assault .
In a pointed moment , she said , “ I know a predator when I see one . ''
She said that vision of our country `` feels distant '' due to Trump 's leadership .
She slammed his leadership , saying it was marked by `` chaos '' and `` callousness . ''
`` Right now , we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one week after Biden named her his vice-presidential pick .
`` Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose . ''
More:11 names , 120 hours of interviews : Inside the grueling VP search that led Joe Biden to Kamala Harris Kamala 's private army : Why Harris ' HBCU , AKA affiliations could help Biden 's campaign Hillary Clinton , the former secretary of state and 2016 presidential nominee , discussed the election four years ago in which she won the popular vote but was defeated by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polls ahead of the election had shown her ahead of Trump but she narrowly lost the battleground states of Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin that had backed Democrats for decades .
She urged people to vote in November and said no one should take the outcome for granted .
`` For four years , people have said to me , ' I didn ’ t realize how dangerous he was . '
' I wish I could go back and do it over . '
Or worst , ' I should have voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , this can ’ t be another woulda coulda shoulda election . ''
`` Remember : Joe and Kamala can win 3 million more votes and still lose .
Take it from me , '' she said .
`` We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can ’ t sneak or steal his way to victory . ''
Clinton blasted Trump , saying he had failed the country .
`` I wish Donald Trump had been a better president , '' Clinton said .
`` Because America needs a better president than this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the country 's first woman president had she been elected , also talked about the importance of breaking down barriers .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, pitched Biden to progressive voters by highlighting some of his policy proposals .
`` I love a good plan , and Joe Biden has some really good plan s— plans to bring back union jobs in manufacturing and create new union jobs in clean energy , '' said Warren , a primary rival to Biden who had touted her own detailed policy plans .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social Security benefits , cancel billions in student loan debt , and make our bankruptcy laws work for families instead of the creditors who cheat them , '' she said .
Warren promoted Biden 's child-care platform , pledging that he would `` make high-quality child care affordable for every family , make preschool universal , and raise the wages for every child care worker . ''
A mother whose son was hit by a stray bullet and former Rep. Gabby Giffords , who survived being shot in the head , headlined a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mass shootings over the years that have killed school children , nightclub patrons , moviegoers and shoppers at grocery stores .
DeAndra Dycus shared how one bullet has forever changed her life and that of her son , who was shot while dancing at a friend 's birthday party at age 13 .
Her son , DeAndre , is now a nonverbal quadriplegic .
`` My Dre does not talk .
He does not walk , '' she said .
`` I know he knows me by the smile he shows when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm unsure if he knows a gunshot has changed his life . ''
Giffords , who was shot while in office in a 2011 assassination attempt during an event in Tucson , Ariz. and still struggles with speaking and walking , told convention supporters about her fight to recover and the need to stand up and show grit .
`` My recovery is a daily fight , but fighting makes me stronger , '' she said .
`` Words that once came easily , today , I struggle to speak , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' She urged changes to gun laws and backed Biden , saying he was `` on the right side of history '' with his policies .
Gabby Giffords : What I learned fighting for my life .
And why it can help America now .
The power of women played a central role as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi greeted convention watchers Thursday .
Before her remarks noting the history of her career and the work of House Democrats that is frequently opposed by the GOP-controlled Senate , the DNC aired a video highlighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic path she has paved , a passage that has helped other women rise in politics as well .
The video included pivotal moments from Pelosi 's career , including her declaration that they had `` broken the marble ceiling '' after she was elected Speaker of the House , the first woman to do so .
But then the calm music that carried behind the video changed .
`` But not everyone was on board , '' a narrator said , as rock music started to play and Trump appeared on screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video then showed a montage chronicling the tensions between Trump and Pelosi and some of the moments that went viral , including her saying the president was having a `` temper tantrum '' after a White House meeting .
It also showed moments from Saturday Night Live and an appearance she did on the `` Late Show '' with Stephen Colbert , where she told the host , `` If you want to go into the arena , you have to be prepared to take a punch .
But you also have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the children . ''
In her remarks , Pelosi said more women were needed in elected office .
She also expressed her dismay with the president .
`` As speaker , I ’ ve seen firsthand Donald Trump ’ s disrespect for facts , for working families , and for women in particular – disrespect written into his policies toward our health and our rights , not just his conduct , ” Pelosi said .
“ But we know what he doesn ’ t : that when women succeed , America succeeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke about family separation policies under the Trump administration .
Estela , an 11-year-old whose mother was deported , read from a letter criticizing Trump 's immigration policies .
`` My mom is gone , and she 's been taken away from us , '' she said .
`` Every day that passes , you deport more moms and dad and take them away from kids like me . ''
An unprecedented 69,550 migrant children were held in U.S. government custody in 2019 , up 42 percent from 2018 .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will bring people together , not tear them apart .
Sincerely , Estela , '' she said .
The segment also featured remarks from Sylvia , a young person brought to the country as a child .
Sylvia 's mother , who also appeared in the clip , came to America undocumented in order to seek medical care for her daughter .
`` I was born with spina bifida , which means my spinal cord did n't form like it should have , '' Sylvia said .
`` My mother did what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life . ''

Christal Hayes and Jason Lalljee, USA TODAY

Kamala Harris makes history, Obama accuses Trump of treating presidency like a 'reality show:' DNC takeaways
Show Caption Hide Caption Kamala Harris accepts Democratic Party nomination for VP An excerpt from Kamala Harris's speech accepting the Democratic Party nomination to be Vice President. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The third night of the Democratic National Convention focused on women, with a lineup that included vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Democrats highlighted policy goals that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has promised to pursue, including stopping the separation of immigrant families, preventing gun violence and addressing climate change.
President Barack Obama gave a blistering speech criticizing President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy and Kamala Harris capped off the night with a speech in which she hailed influential women in her life, including her mother, and talked about her record as a prosecutor.
Are you registered to vote? Check now, request an early ballot
Obama accuses Trump of treating presidency like a 'reality show'
Former President Barack Obama made his most scathing remarks to date about Trump, accusing him of neglecting his obligations to American citizens and of using the presidency to get "the attention he craves."
"He’s shown no interest in putting in the work, no interest in finding common ground, no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends, no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves," he said.
More: Former President Barack Obama delivers a rousing eulogy: 'America was built by John Lewises'
"Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t," said Obama, who delivered his speech standing in Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution with the words of the Constitution behind him on the wall.
"And the consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone," Obama said. "Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before."
DNC 2020: Pres. Obama calls on all Americans to vote in DNC speech President Obama calls out President Trump for his lack of leadership and called on Americans to vote in his DNC remarks. USA TODAY
Kamala Harris accepts the VP nomination
One of the biggest moments of the night came as Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., officially accepted the vice presidential nomination to run on the ticket in November, becoming the first Black woman and first Asian American woman to appear on a major presidential party ticket.
She spoke at length about her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a doctor and single mother who, Harris said, raised her daughters to be "strong Black women" who were also "proud of our Indian heritage."
She said her mother instilled in her values including "a vision of our nation as a beloved community – where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love. A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth, deserving of compassion, dignity and respect."
She discussed her record as a prosecutor, saying she had taken on big banks and gang members and fought for children and survivors of sexual assault.
In a pointed moment, she said, “I know a predator when I see one."
She said that vision of our country "feels distant" due to Trump's leadership. She slammed his leadership, saying it was marked by "chaos" and "callousness."
"Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons," Harris said in the speech – just one week after Biden named her his vice-presidential pick. "Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose."
More: 11 names, 120 hours of interviews: Inside the grueling VP search that led Joe Biden to Kamala Harris
Kamala's private army: Why Harris' HBCU, AKA affiliations could help Biden's campaign
Hillary Clinton: Can't have 'woulda coulda shoulda election'
Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and 2016 presidential nominee, discussed the election four years ago in which she won the popular vote but was defeated by President Donald Trump in the Electoral College.
Polls ahead of the election had shown her ahead of Trump but she narrowly lost the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin that had backed Democrats for decades. She urged people to vote in November and said no one should take the outcome for granted.
"For four years, people have said to me, 'I didn’t realize how dangerous he was.' 'I wish I could go back and do it over.' Or worst, 'I should have voted,'" Clinton said. "Well, this can’t be another woulda coulda shoulda election."
"Remember: Joe and Kamala can win 3 million more votes and still lose. Take it from me," she said. "We need numbers so overwhelming Trump can’t sneak or steal his way to victory."
Clinton blasted Trump, saying he had failed the country.
"I wish Donald Trump had been a better president," Clinton said. "Because America needs a better president than this."
Clinton, who would have been the country's first woman president had she been elected, also talked about the importance of breaking down barriers.
DNC: Hillary wishes 'Trump knew how to be a president' Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says she wishes President Trump knew how to be a president in her remarks at the 2020 DNC. USA TODAY
Elizabeth Warren: 'I love a good plan'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pitched Biden to progressive voters by highlighting some of his policy proposals.
"I love a good plan, and Joe Biden has some really good plans — plans to bring back union jobs in manufacturing and create new union jobs in clean energy," said Warren, a primary rival to Biden who had touted her own detailed policy plans.
"(Biden has) plans to increase Social Security benefits, cancel billions in student loan debt, and make our bankruptcy laws work for families instead of the creditors who cheat them," she said.
Warren promoted Biden's child-care platform, pledging that he would "make high-quality child care affordable for every family, make preschool universal, and raise the wages for every child care worker."
DNC speaker: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren delivers remarks to the Democratic National Convention on the struggle for equality in the face of challenges. USA TODAY
Gabby Giffords leads segment on gun violence
A mother whose son was hit by a stray bullet and former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived being shot in the head, headlined a powerful segment Wednesday about gun violence and the mass shootings over the years that have killed school children, nightclub patrons, moviegoers and shoppers at grocery stores.
DeAndra Dycus shared how one bullet has forever changed her life and that of her son, who was shot while dancing at a friend's birthday party at age 13. Her son, DeAndre, is now a nonverbal quadriplegic.
"My Dre does not talk. He does not walk," she said. "I know he knows me by the smile he shows when I walk in his room, but I'm unsure if he knows a gunshot has changed his life."
Giffords, who was shot while in office in a 2011 assassination attempt during an event in Tucson, Ariz. and still struggles with speaking and walking, told convention supporters about her fight to recover and the need to stand up and show grit.
"My recovery is a daily fight, but fighting makes me stronger," she said. "Words that once came easily, today, I struggle to speak, but I have not lost my voice."
She urged changes to gun laws and backed Biden, saying he was "on the right side of history" with his policies.
Gabby Giffords: What I learned fighting for my life. And why it can help America now.
Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks to the Democratic National Convention Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks to the Democratic National Convention. USA TODAY
Video highlights Trump-Pelosi clashes
The power of women played a central role as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi greeted convention watchers Thursday.
Before her remarks noting the history of her career and the work of House Democrats that is frequently opposed by the GOP-controlled Senate, the DNC aired a video highlighting Pelosi's rise in politics and the historic path she has paved, a passage that has helped other women rise in politics as well.
The video included pivotal moments from Pelosi's career, including her declaration that they had "broken the marble ceiling" after she was elected Speaker of the House, the first woman to do so.
But then the calm music that carried behind the video changed.
"But not everyone was on board," a narrator said, as rock music started to play and Trump appeared on screen saying Pelosi's name repeatedly.
The video then showed a montage chronicling the tensions between Trump and Pelosi and some of the moments that went viral, including her saying the president was having a "temper tantrum" after a White House meeting.
It also showed moments from Saturday Night Live and an appearance she did on the "Late Show" with Stephen Colbert, where she told the host, "If you want to go into the arena, you have to be prepared to take a punch. But you also have to be prepared to throw a punch – for the children."
In her remarks, Pelosi said more women were needed in elected office. She also expressed her dismay with the president.
"As speaker, I’ve seen firsthand Donald Trump’s disrespect for facts, for working families, and for women in particular – disrespect written into his policies toward our health and our rights, not just his conduct,” Pelosi said. “But we know what he doesn’t: that when women succeed, America succeeds."
Migrant families discuss Trump's policies
Undocumented immigrants and their families spoke about family separation policies under the Trump administration.
Estela, an 11-year-old whose mother was deported, read from a letter criticizing Trump's immigration policies. "My mom is gone, and she's been taken away from us," she said. "Every day that passes, you deport more moms and dad and take them away from kids like me."
An unprecedented 69,550 migrant children were held in U.S. government custody in 2019, up 42 percent from 2018.
"We are American families. We need a president who will bring people together, not tear them apart. Sincerely, Estela," she said.
The segment also featured remarks from Sylvia, a young person brought to the country as a child. Sylvia's mother, who also appeared in the clip, came to America undocumented in order to seek medical care for her daughter.
"I was born with spina bifida, which means my spinal cord didn't form like it should have," Sylvia said. "My mother did what any mother would do to save her life."


usatoday--2020-08-20--Opinion: Even in face of a deadly pandemic, Big Ten parents set to do unthinkable — protest for retu

At first blush , the idea sounds undeniably all-American : Parents traveling hundreds of miles to fight for their kids who play sports .
This protest , which centers on the diametrically opposed interests of playing college football and fighting COVID-19 , is planned for Friday at Big Ten headquarters in the Chicago suburbs .
I happened to mention this development Wednesday when speaking to a doctor I know .
“ They ’ re upset schools are making their kids play football during a global pandemic ?
” she asked .
“ No , they ’ re upset that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global pandemic.
” We ’ ve been watching parents obsess over their children ’ s sports for years , so we really shouldn ’ t be surprised that the day has finally come that moms and dads are taking to the streets to complain about the unthinkable .
They are actually angry that their sons are not being allowed to play a sport in which social distancing is impossible during the nation ’ s deadliest pandemic in 100 years .
Given a choice between watching their kid play a game , albeit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of money someday , and making sure he is as safe and healthy as he can be , they are not choosing the latter .
INSIDE THE STRUGGLE : Same data .
Same research .
But different conclusions on safety of college football GETTING WORK IN : Why college football players whose teams canceled fall season wo n't be sent home Six weeks after the Ivy League decided not to play fall sports , and one and a half weeks after the Big Ten and Pac-12 made the same call , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead a group of what he hopes will be dozens of other Big Ten football parents in protesting the conference ’ s decision to postpone football to the winter or spring , presuming it ’ s safe to play then .
Wade , whose son Shaun is a highly regarded cornerback for the Buckeyes , said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that he had heard from “ 70-100 people ” in the past few days from six of the conference ’ s 14 schools : Ohio State , Penn State , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How many will show up , he has no idea .
He ’ s flying in from Jacksonville , Florida .
Taking advantage of confusion festering within some of the Big Ten ’ s more leadership-challenged athletic departments , combined with a dearth of information coming out of the office of the relatively new conference commissioner , Kevin Warren , until he strongly reaffirmed the Big Ten ’ s postponement Wednesday evening , Wade is jumping into the vacuum to try to give his son back his normal college football season .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understandable .
Who isn ’ t heartbroken for the children and young adults in our lives who have lost sports seasons and school musicals and graduations and so much more due to coronavirus ?
But then at least some of us say to ourselves : we are the adults here , and more than 170,000 Americans have died of this virus for which we still have no vaccine or treatments or national rules about wearing masks and social distancing .
So , we must use our brains and listen to the doctors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that college football has become part of the collateral damage of the virus in many places around the country .
Some , unfortunately , don ’ t have it in them to do that .
I asked Wade if instead of protesting at the Big Ten offices , he would consider protesting the do-nothing policies of President Donald Trump or other political leaders such as those in Florida who failed to act earlier to perhaps save football this fall .
He thought for a moment before answering .
“ Yes , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would , ” he said .
“ And maybe my state and local government politicians too , but Donald Trump does affect them , so that ’ s kind of crazy too .
To make change , yes , I would protest them.
” My guess is that Wade and other disgruntled Big Ten parents would quiet down immediately if the ACC , SEC and Big 12 did what they should do and postponed their fall sports as well .
It ’ s all about FOMO : fear of missing out .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when other peoples ’ kids are still playing — until those schools finally , inevitably , belatedly , pull the plug as well ?
Critics on social media have pummeled the Big Ten for its inability to control the renegades in its midst , but no one knows chaos like the ACC right now , with UNC and Notre Dame meekly tiptoeing around epic campus outbreaks while lacking the institutional fortitude to follow their heads , not their hearts , and simply stop fall sports for good this year .
Wade said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting if the other conferences postponed .
Whether it ’ s youth soccer or club basketball or the upper reaches of college athletics , competition among sports parents who take their kids ’ sports way too seriously reigns supreme , even in these dire times .
This awful pandemic is revealing many things .
Some of them we already knew .

Opinion: Even in face of a deadly pandemic, Big Ten parents set to do unthinkable — protest for return of fall football
At first blush, the idea sounds undeniably all-American: Parents traveling hundreds of miles to fight for their kids who play sports. This protest, which centers on the diametrically opposed interests of playing college football and fighting COVID-19, is planned for Friday at Big Ten headquarters in the Chicago suburbs.
I happened to mention this development Wednesday when speaking to a doctor I know.
“They’re upset schools are making their kids play football during a global pandemic?” she asked.
“No, they’re upset that their kids can’t play football during a global pandemic.”
We’ve been watching parents obsess over their children’s sports for years, so we really shouldn’t be surprised that the day has finally come that moms and dads are taking to the streets to complain about the unthinkable. They are actually angry that their sons are not being allowed to play a sport in which social distancing is impossible during the nation’s deadliest pandemic in 100 years. Given a choice between watching their kid play a game, albeit one in which some will make a lot of money someday, and making sure he is as safe and healthy as he can be, they are not choosing the latter.
INSIDE THE STRUGGLE: Same data. Same research. But different conclusions on safety of college football
GETTING WORK IN: Why college football players whose teams canceled fall season won't be sent home
Six weeks after the Ivy League decided not to play fall sports, and one and a half weeks after the Big Ten and Pac-12 made the same call, Ohio State football dad Randy Wade plans to lead a group of what he hopes will be dozens of other Big Ten football parents in protesting the conference’s decision to postpone football to the winter or spring, presuming it’s safe to play then.
Wade, whose son Shaun is a highly regarded cornerback for the Buckeyes, said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that he had heard from “70-100 people” in the past few days from six of the conference’s 14 schools: Ohio State, Penn State, Indiana, Purdue, Iowa and Nebraska. How many will show up, he has no idea. He’s flying in from Jacksonville, Florida.
Taking advantage of confusion festering within some of the Big Ten’s more leadership-challenged athletic departments, combined with a dearth of information coming out of the office of the relatively new conference commissioner, Kevin Warren, until he strongly reaffirmed the Big Ten’s postponement Wednesday evening, Wade is jumping into the vacuum to try to give his son back his normal college football season.
On a visceral level, that’s understandable. Who isn’t heartbroken for the children and young adults in our lives who have lost sports seasons and school musicals and graduations and so much more due to coronavirus?
But then at least some of us say to ourselves: we are the adults here, and more than 170,000 Americans have died of this virus for which we still have no vaccine or treatments or national rules about wearing masks and social distancing. So, we must use our brains and listen to the doctors and the scientists and deal with the sad fact that college football has become part of the collateral damage of the virus in many places around the country.
Some, unfortunately, don’t have it in them to do that.
I asked Wade if instead of protesting at the Big Ten offices, he would consider protesting the do-nothing policies of President Donald Trump or other political leaders such as those in Florida who failed to act earlier to perhaps save football this fall.
He thought for a moment before answering. “Yes, I would definitely protest Donald Trump, I would,” he said. “And maybe my state and local government politicians too, but Donald Trump does affect them, so that’s kind of crazy too. To make change, yes, I would protest them.”
My guess is that Wade and other disgruntled Big Ten parents would quiet down immediately if the ACC, SEC and Big 12 did what they should do and postponed their fall sports as well. It’s all about FOMO: fear of missing out. What parent wants their kid to sit out when other peoples’ kids are still playing — until those schools finally, inevitably, belatedly, pull the plug as well?
Critics on social media have pummeled the Big Ten for its inability to control the renegades in its midst, but no one knows chaos like the ACC right now, with UNC and Notre Dame meekly tiptoeing around epic campus outbreaks while lacking the institutional fortitude to follow their heads, not their hearts, and simply stop fall sports for good this year.
Wade said he “probably wouldn’t” be protesting if the other conferences postponed. Whether it’s youth soccer or club basketball or the upper reaches of college athletics, competition among sports parents who take their kids’ sports way too seriously reigns supreme, even in these dire times. This awful pandemic is revealing many things. Some of them we already knew.