usatoday--2020-09-25--Many suburban women in Michigan have message for Trump: We want security, not chaos

DETROIT – Aditi Bagchi is a dentist , lives in the Detroit suburbs and is worried about her children ’ s safety .
No , she ’ s not afraid of low-income housing in her Northville neighborhood .
Or protesters breaking windows and clashing with police down the street .
The Michigan native and daughter of Indian immigrants is scared about the underlying message inherent in these themes — championed by President Donald Trump and his supporters — and their real impact on the safety of her family .
“ I feel that in the last four years , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normalize racism in a way that hadn ’ t felt so mainstream in my ... life before he became president , ” said Bagchi , 41 .
“ It ’ s worrisome for me .
I have a 13-year-old son .
I worry about his safety , and it wasn ’ t necessarily something that I worried about too much before then .
We ’ re not Black , so obviously I know that we ’ re not targeted in that way .
But still , having a son who is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” More : Trump lashes out at Michigan SOS Benson over military ballot snafu More : Whitmer calls Trump 'the biggest threat to the American people' Trump peddles in the politics of fear , but perhaps never more so than when he tries to appeal to “ suburban housewives , ” a phrase he has used frequently in tweets and campaign speeches .
During his recent trip to Michigan , the president accused Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and others in his party of wanting to “ destroy the suburbs.
” “ Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your suburbs .
You know what I ’ ve done .
You know what I ’ ve done .
Does anybody want to have somebody from Antifa as a member and as a resident of your suburb ?
I don ’ t think so too much , ” Trump said , referring to the group of left-leaning activists who routinely protest against racism and the president .
Moments later , at the same event , he said : “ The suburbs are the American dream , and I will tell you , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I got rid of a regulation that played with your zoning and played with other things , where they force projects into the suburbs of our great country .
And I got rid of it.
” Trump 's reference was to an Obama-era policy canceled in July that required local governments to study and address racist housing patterns in their community .
For some , the fact that the president 's statements are misleading or racist does not matter .
Fear is a powerful motivator .
There ’ s a chance Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a voting bloc where he ca n't afford to lose any electoral ground .
The campaign needs these voters to see him as the “ law and order ” president and cast a ballot in his favor .
But analysts , experts and Trump ’ s opponents agree many of his comments aimed at suburban voters are racist and out-of-touch .
A new poll conducted for the Free Press shows Michigan women have the same top issues as men this election season : both ranked restoring the economy and jobs lost because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their top concerns .
The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will also likely drive voters to the polls , due to concerns about the court 's composition and previous rulings on anything from abortion to marriage equality .
There 's a far greater chance that Trump ’ s outdated message imploring so-called soccer moms to support him will actually motivate suburban women — already trending toward Democrats — to vote for Biden .
And while Detroit 's suburbs are demographically less diverse than bedroom communities in other regions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted many people who identify as Black , Latino , Asian or a different ethnicity already call these areas home .
“ When he says ‘ suburban housewives ’ I think he ’ s making a call to action ... for white women and not for somebody like me , or the many minority women who live in the suburbs .
We have concerns too and certainly we don ’ t like to feel that our children or our spouses are a threat because they live in the suburbs , or that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color of our skin , ” Bagchi said .
“ So that , to me , was a pretty strong dog whistle .
I don ’ t know if he used the word ‘ invade , ’ but he seemed to imply that people of color would be invading the suburbs .
We already live here .
We ’ ve been living here.
” More : Kid Rock performs at Trump rally in Macomb , announces 'one last monster tour ' coming The rhetoric will also likely energize voters in Detroit and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Democrats .
In short , the president 's tactic could backfire .
`` But this is who Trump is .
He doesn ’ t seem to calculate necessarily .
He goes with his gut instinct more than evidence , clearly , '' said Sue Carroll , a senior scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University .
`` He doesn ’ t necessarily look at the empirical evidence and formulate a strategy based on that .
He works more off the cuff .
It ’ s his notion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than anything that a demographer would tell you about what the suburbs look like . ''
The strategy propelled Trump to victory in Michigan in 2016 , when his message resonated to at least some degree with suburbanites .
Trump won all but eight of Michigan 's 83 counties in 2016 , including Macomb County and Kent County , where traditionally strong GOP suburban support canceled out Democratic votes from Grand Rapids .
While CNN exit polls from 2016 do not break down voters by county , they do show Trump in Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white female voters and 57 % of white female voters who did not have a college education .
But recent election trends in the suburbs , both in Michigan and around the country , are not in the president ’ s favor .
A new Free Press poll shows Biden leading Trump among all Michigan women by 20 percentage points .
Only 37 % of women had a favorable view of Trump , compared with 58 % for Biden .
More : Legal weed , slam dunk for women and your Michigan results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his plan for workers as he visits Warren That comes after Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and other Democratic candidates trounced their Republican counterparts in Michigan 's 2018 election , with many suburban counties moving away from the GOP .
Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox is intimately familiar with the swing ; she lost a close race to represent Livonia , Plymouth and Northville in the Michigan Senate two years ago .
Today , she agrees that suburban women will be key in deciding who the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud to run on Trump 's record , she said , specifically pointing to the economy before the pandemic .
`` Under President Trump ’ s leadership , female unemployment hit an all-time low prior to COVID-19 , and jobs were being created amongst women at a record pace .
Currently , the stock market is back near all-time highs and last month unemployment plummeted nationally , '' Cox said .
While unemployment rates for women were down in early 2020 , they were lower in the early 1950s and have been decreasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reserve Bank of St. Louis , which tracks national economic data .
Cox also is not bothered by the president 's use of the term `` suburban housewives '' or how it might resonate with suburban women in Michigan .
`` As a woman , I care far more about President Trump ’ s commonsense polices and record of results than anything he says on Twitter , '' Cox said .
The latest Free Press poll shows only 7 % of voters are not sure who they will pick for president , echoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already made up their minds about the election .
But both parties are fighting for the final few undecided voters , especially in a state decided by the slimmest of margins last presidential cycle .
For years , campaigns have battled over suburban women .
They are seen as politically pliable , Carroll said : While they traditionally lean Republican , Democrats could win them over .
From the campaigns of Bill Clinton to George W. Bush , this pursuit resulted in something of a characterization , creating a largely fictional character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburbs — namely , so-called soccer moms .
“ There was an interest in so-called suburban voters , but at that point they were called soccer moms .
And so they were basically white , middle class , fairly well-educated mothers who had kids .
The characterizations went beyond the data in the sense that they would talk about these women who drove minivans and took their kids to soccer practice , '' Carroll said .
`` This is very similar to what George W. Bush did with security moms .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different sense of security .
It wasn ’ t law and order , it was 'we ’ re going to protect you from terrorism and terrorists . '
...
The nature of the threat is different , that they ’ re trying to sell.
” More : VP pick Kamala Harris , an AKA and HBCU grad , connects with Black community on many levels In theory , one could reasonably expect a presidential candidate who is a woman to fare well with suburban female voters .
But that did n't happen with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least not to the degree she needed to win .
Carroll noted there was `` a significant chunk of women voters who just didn ’ t like Hillary Clinton . ''
And the last presidential election still demonstrates that just because a woman — U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California — is a member of the Democratic ticket , it does n't mean suburban women will stampede the polls to vote for her .
However , she could help mobilize volunteers in the city and suburbs , Carroll said .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that could translate to people actively working to help the campaign , she said .
Stacey Reynolds , 51 , is white and lives in New Boston , a small community in the western corner of Wayne County .
A Clinton voter in 2016 , she said she 's thrilled Harris is the vice presidential nominee .
`` Her nomination breathes a fresh air and welcome change .
I am tired of rich white men being in charge , '' said Reynolds , a customer service representative .
`` The majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the idea of Kamala being vice president .
A major change is needed in our government and this would be a step in the right direction . ''
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel embraced being a suburban housewife during her party 's national convention , describing herself as `` a real housewife and a mom from Michigan , with two wonderful kids in public school who happens to be only the second woman in 164 years to run the Republican Party . ''
In theory , Katie MacKinnon fits the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans in Michigan .
She 's 40 , white , lives in Royal Oak and stays at home with her four children when she 's not volunteering .
She 's concerned about the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court , health care and her children 's education .
But she eschews the title `` suburban housewife '' and the connotations she believes Trump associates with the phrase .
`` The term itself feels like a relic , and the concept feels implicitly racist .
I resent the assumption that I would be likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices , '' MacKinnon said .
`` Suburbs aren ’ t homogeneous spaces , and the women I know who could be classified as suburban housewives are a diverse group — I don ’ t think these comments resonate with many people in my community . ''
Cox defended the president 's comments , arguing , `` the largest investment most Americans make is purchasing a home , and policies which threaten home values are a legitimate issue . ''
More : Trump got several things wrong at Michigan rally : Here 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era of Trump , Michigan 's political map is changing .
Here 's how But the president 's messaging portrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the suburbs , said Karyn Lacy , a sociologist at the University of Michigan who has extensively studied the dynamics of U.S. suburbs .
Suburban communities were not forced to build housing projects .
And the majority of every demographic in the U.S. , including Black , Latino and Asian residents , live in a suburb , Lacy said .
Though that is n't the case in metro Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predominantly white , Lacy said it still does n't bode well for Trump .
She believes his rhetoric is `` woefully out-of-date '' and risks alienating any woman .
`` I don ’ t think this messaging will appeal to women of color , who for too long were excluded from the suburbs .
I don ’ t think it will appeal to most middle-class white women who are less likely to be worried about property values than more financially strained women might be , '' Lacy said .
She specifically examined Macomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate .
While Barack Obama won the county by about four percentage points in 2012 , Trump won it by almost 12 percentage points in 2016 .
Yet in 2018 , Whitmer and Stabenow both won the county .
Trump campaigned in the county days before the 2016 election , promising — incorrectly , it would turn out — that if he was elected no automotive manufacturing plants would close .
Last week , Biden visited a UAW hall in the county .
`` Warren , Macomb County ’ s largest city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opening for an influx of Black residents .
The Black population increased significantly in the 2000s , from a mere 3,700 people at the beginning of the decade to over 18,000 by the end .
The Asian population is growing there too .
With a poverty rate of around 19 % ( in Warren ) , Trump ’ s message may resonate with white residents of this lower-middle class suburb , '' Lacy said .
`` But GOP gains in places like Warren will be offset by voters in places like Flint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis with long-term damaging effects for the city ’ s children . ''
Lacy also refuted assertions she said the president is trying to make regarding Black entry to the suburbs and lowering property values .
The first Black family in a predominantly white neighborhood typically increases local home values , Lacy said , noting long-standing racist impediments to Black home ownership frequently result in those who are able to buy paying an above market rate .
Still , Lacy acknowledged the president 's message may find receptive ears .
`` But some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logic , and those homeowners will worry about losing their asset , about not having anything to pass down to their kids , '' Lacy said Shannon Epps is a suburban woman offended by the president 's comments and actions .
The 44-year-old middle school teacher said Trump 's divisiveness has led her to no longer speak with some of her Canton neighbors and former friends .
Epps , who identifies as multiracial , said anyone who supports Trump `` is accepting of discrimination and hostility toward minorities . ''
`` During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten worse , I believe , due to that awful person in office and the racist rhetoric he spews , '' Epps said .
`` In my community , my children have to listen to peers repeat his racist remarks and embrace division and support .
This has led to stress , anger and sadness which has caused my family to stop talking to neighbors and friends due to their support of someone that embraces white supremacy . ''
More : A second term for Donald Trump ?
Michigan is at the center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man : Yard sign meant to call out white supremacy — not promote it Joyce Peralta said she has lost friends as well over the president .
Peralta is , in theory , another prime target for the GOP — she 's 66 , white , retired and lives in Beverly Hills in Oakland County .
But she said she can not stand his words or his deeds .
She said she can no longer write off her property taxes because of the 2017 tax reform bill Trump championed .
Peralta wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stability in funding for Social Security .
And , like many of the women interviewed for this article , she is concerned about the lack of a concerted national strategy to battle the novel coronavirus , which causes the disease COVID-19 .
`` Trump 's denial of the expert 's recommendations has prolonged the pandemic and cost more illness and many more deaths than there needed to be , '' said Peralta , a snowbird who typically stays in Florida until April .
`` This year , we stayed until the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rates ) improved greatly just as Florida cases were exploding .
It was great to return to Michigan where masks and social distancing was practiced by the great majority of residents .
Good leadership that follows medical science makes a big difference in fighting COVID . ''
Tina Oldford and Jennifer Hay live in Howell , but made the roughly 90-minute trip recently to see Trump speak in Freeland .
Neither joined more than 65,000 of their Livingston County neighbors in voting for the president in 2016 .
But both plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first either say they 've cast in a presidential election , for Trump .
“ Sure , we had a downfall .
Everybody knows that we had a downfall , ” said Oldford , 59 , referencing the economic collapse that coincided with the coronavirus pandemic .
“ This could have happened to anybody .
But the economy was great .
“ I just felt more secure than I ’ ve ever felt in my life with Trump . ''
Hay agrees .
She said Biden can not become president , and dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulgar and inappropriate conduct should disqualify him as a candidate .
“ He puts the people first , not himself , ” said Hay , 53 .
But many in Michigan 's suburbs and throughout the country blame the president for poorly handling the response to the pandemic .
Multiple polls show Michigan voters favor Whitmer over Trump .
Her approval rating is 56 % as of the new Free Press poll , 13 percentage points higher than the president 's .
That disparity is even greater when just looking at women polled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Michigan women polled , compared with 37 % for Trump .
The poll was conducted between Sept. 10 and Sept. 15 by EPIC-MRA of Lansing for the Free Press and other media partners .
It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points .
Many of the women interviewed for this artcle support Whitmer 's actions on the pandemic .
Bagchi , the Northville dentist , said she understands some people are frustrated with some of the governor 's decisions .
But she thinks Whitmer 's hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of national strategy to fight the pandemic .
`` I just wish that there had been more of a clear direction from the top for those of us who are just looking to kind of go back to normalcy , '' Bagchi said .
It 's a simple ask .
Yes , Bacghi wants a president who can work toward ensuring her children and everyone 's kids have access to a quality education .
She also wants to make sure Medicare and Social Security are protected , and that the U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , she 's trying to be a teacher and mother for two children while running a small business .
At the moment , she 'd settle for stability and returning to a life that feels normal .
Something she , and many other women in Michigan 's suburbs , said they do not believe Trump is able to deliver .
Contact Dave Boucher : dboucher @ freepress.com or 313-938-4591 .
Follow him on Twitter @ Dave_Boucher1 .

Many suburban women in Michigan have message for Trump: We want security, not chaos
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump's Electoral College hopes hinge on suburbs The campaign to re-elect US President Donald Trump is targeting suburban voters in key battleground states where the Republican party lost support during the midterm elections two years ago. (September 8) AP
DETROIT – Aditi Bagchi is a dentist, lives in the Detroit suburbs and is worried about her children’s safety.
No, she’s not afraid of low-income housing in her Northville neighborhood. Or protesters breaking windows and clashing with police down the street.
The Michigan native and daughter of Indian immigrants is scared about the underlying message inherent in these themes — championed by President Donald Trump and his supporters — and their real impact on the safety of her family.
“I feel that in the last four years, the current administration’s rhetoric has begun to normalize racism in a way that hadn’t felt so mainstream in my ... life before he became president,” said Bagchi, 41.
“It’s worrisome for me. I have a 13-year-old son. I worry about his safety, and it wasn’t necessarily something that I worried about too much before then. We’re not Black, so obviously I know that we’re not targeted in that way. But still, having a son who is a brown child, I worry for him.”
More: Trump lashes out at Michigan SOS Benson over military ballot snafu
More: Whitmer calls Trump 'the biggest threat to the American people'
Trump peddles in the politics of fear, but perhaps never more so than when he tries to appeal to “suburban housewives,” a phrase he has used frequently in tweets and campaign speeches. During his recent trip to Michigan, the president accused Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and others in his party of wanting to “destroy the suburbs.”
“Look at what I’ve done for your suburbs. You know what I’ve done. You know what I’ve done. Does anybody want to have somebody from Antifa as a member and as a resident of your suburb? I don’t think so too much,” Trump said, referring to the group of left-leaning activists who routinely protest against racism and the president.
Moments later, at the same event, he said: “The suburbs are the American dream, and I will tell you, I have protected your suburbs. You know, I got rid of a regulation that played with your zoning and played with other things, where they force projects into the suburbs of our great country. And I got rid of it.”
Trump's reference was to an Obama-era policy canceled in July that required local governments to study and address racist housing patterns in their community.
For some, the fact that the president's statements are misleading or racist does not matter. Fear is a powerful motivator. There’s a chance Trump's message will resonate with suburban women, a voting bloc where he can't afford to lose any electoral ground. The campaign needs these voters to see him as the “law and order” president and cast a ballot in his favor.
But analysts, experts and Trump’s opponents agree many of his comments aimed at suburban voters are racist and out-of-touch. A new poll conducted for the Free Press shows Michigan women have the same top issues as men this election season: both ranked restoring the economy and jobs lost because of the pandemic and managing COVID-19 as their top concerns. The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will also likely drive voters to the polls, due to concerns about the court's composition and previous rulings on anything from abortion to marriage equality.
There's a far greater chance that Trump’s outdated message imploring so-called soccer moms to support him will actually motivate suburban women — already trending toward Democrats — to vote for Biden.
Trump: Democrats want to 'abolish the suburbs' President Donald Trump echoed recent claims that Democrats want to "abolish the suburbs," while speaking in Midland, Texas on Wednesday. (July 29) AP
And while Detroit's suburbs are demographically less diverse than bedroom communities in other regions of the country, Bagchi and an expert noted many people who identify as Black, Latino, Asian or a different ethnicity already call these areas home.
“When he says ‘suburban housewives’ I think he’s making a call to action ... for white women and not for somebody like me, or the many minority women who live in the suburbs. We have concerns too and certainly we don’t like to feel that our children or our spouses are a threat because they live in the suburbs, or that we’re a threat because of the color of our skin,” Bagchi said.
“So that, to me, was a pretty strong dog whistle. I don’t know if he used the word ‘invade,’ but he seemed to imply that people of color would be invading the suburbs. We already live here. We’ve been living here.”
More: President Trump and Michigan's Black voters: Not a love story
More: Kid Rock performs at Trump rally in Macomb, announces 'one last monster tour' coming
The rhetoric will also likely energize voters in Detroit and other Michigan cities expected to turn out heavily for Democrats.
In short, the president's tactic could backfire.
"But this is who Trump is. He doesn’t seem to calculate necessarily. He goes with his gut instinct more than evidence, clearly," said Sue Carroll, a senior scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
"He doesn’t necessarily look at the empirical evidence and formulate a strategy based on that. He works more off the cuff. It’s his notion of what the suburbs look like rather than anything that a demographer would tell you about what the suburbs look like."
Trump's strategy worked in 2016
The strategy propelled Trump to victory in Michigan in 2016, when his message resonated to at least some degree with suburbanites. Trump won all but eight of Michigan's 83 counties in 2016, including Macomb County and Kent County, where traditionally strong GOP suburban support canceled out Democratic votes from Grand Rapids.
While CNN exit polls from 2016 do not break down voters by county, they do show Trump in Michigan managed to win 51% of all white female voters and 57% of white female voters who did not have a college education.
But recent election trends in the suburbs, both in Michigan and around the country, are not in the president’s favor.
A new Free Press poll shows Biden leading Trump among all Michigan women by 20 percentage points. Only 37% of women had a favorable view of Trump, compared with 58% for Biden.
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That comes after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and other Democratic candidates trounced their Republican counterparts in Michigan's 2018 election, with many suburban counties moving away from the GOP.
Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox is intimately familiar with the swing; she lost a close race to represent Livonia, Plymouth and Northville in the Michigan Senate two years ago.
Today, she agrees that suburban women will be key in deciding who the state elects this year. The party is proud to run on Trump's record, she said, specifically pointing to the economy before the pandemic.
"Under President Trump’s leadership, female unemployment hit an all-time low prior to COVID-19, and jobs were being created amongst women at a record pace. Currently, the stock market is back near all-time highs and last month unemployment plummeted nationally," Cox said.
While unemployment rates for women were down in early 2020, they were lower in the early 1950s and have been decreasing since 2011, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which tracks national economic data.
Cox also is not bothered by the president's use of the term "suburban housewives" or how it might resonate with suburban women in Michigan.
"As a woman, I care far more about President Trump’s commonsense polices and record of results than anything he says on Twitter," Cox said.
The latest Free Press poll shows only 7% of voters are not sure who they will pick for president, echoing other poll findings that show most voters have already made up their minds about the election. But both parties are fighting for the final few undecided voters, especially in a state decided by the slimmest of margins last presidential cycle.
Trump warns Democrats will 'destroy' suburbs President Donald Trump is threatening to eliminate an Obama-era program designed to promote fair housing, saying it is "destroying our great suburbs" and warning that under Democratic control, suburbia will "go to hell." (July 16) AP
'Soccer moms' and the suburbs
For years, campaigns have battled over suburban women. They are seen as politically pliable, Carroll said: While they traditionally lean Republican, Democrats could win them over.
From the campaigns of Bill Clinton to George W. Bush, this pursuit resulted in something of a characterization, creating a largely fictional character perpetuating stereotypes about who lives in the suburbs — namely, so-called soccer moms.
“There was an interest in so-called suburban voters, but at that point they were called soccer moms. And so they were basically white, middle class, fairly well-educated mothers who had kids. The characterizations went beyond the data in the sense that they would talk about these women who drove minivans and took their kids to soccer practice," Carroll said.
"This is very similar to what George W. Bush did with security moms. It was just a different kind of, a different sense of security. It wasn’t law and order, it was 'we’re going to protect you from terrorism and terrorists.' ...The nature of the threat is different, that they’re trying to sell.”
More: VP pick Kamala Harris, an AKA and HBCU grad, connects with Black community on many levels
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In theory, one could reasonably expect a presidential candidate who is a woman to fare well with suburban female voters. But that didn't happen with 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, at least not to the degree she needed to win.
Carroll noted there was "a significant chunk of women voters who just didn’t like Hillary Clinton." And the last presidential election still demonstrates that just because a woman — U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California — is a member of the Democratic ticket, it doesn't mean suburban women will stampede the polls to vote for her.
However, she could help mobilize volunteers in the city and suburbs, Carroll said. There is clear excitement among Democrats for the choice, and that could translate to people actively working to help the campaign, she said.
Stacey Reynolds, 51, is white and lives in New Boston, a small community in the western corner of Wayne County. A Clinton voter in 2016, she said she's thrilled Harris is the vice presidential nominee.
"Her nomination breathes a fresh air and welcome change. I am tired of rich white men being in charge," said Reynolds, a customer service representative.
"The majority of the people I know are excited about the idea of Kamala being vice president. A major change is needed in our government and this would be a step in the right direction."
Misunderstanding the suburbs
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel embraced being a suburban housewife during her party's national convention, describing herself as "a real housewife and a mom from Michigan, with two wonderful kids in public school who happens to be only the second woman in 164 years to run the Republican Party."
In theory, Katie MacKinnon fits the same mold and is a prime target for Republicans in Michigan. She's 40, white, lives in Royal Oak and stays at home with her four children when she's not volunteering. She's concerned about the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court, health care and her children's education.
But she eschews the title "suburban housewife" and the connotations she believes Trump associates with the phrase.
"The term itself feels like a relic, and the concept feels implicitly racist. I resent the assumption that I would be likely to be in favor of discriminatory housing practices," MacKinnon said.
"Suburbs aren’t homogeneous spaces, and the women I know who could be classified as suburban housewives are a diverse group — I don’t think these comments resonate with many people in my community."
Cox defended the president's comments, arguing, "the largest investment most Americans make is purchasing a home, and policies which threaten home values are a legitimate issue."
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But the president's messaging portrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the suburbs, said Karyn Lacy, a sociologist at the University of Michigan who has extensively studied the dynamics of U.S. suburbs.
Ahead of election, Black women seize the spotlight Cobb County, Georgia has recently transformed: from a once reliably Republican suburb to a place where more Black women are demonstrating their political power. For many, this election – amid the pandemic and nationwide protests – is do or die. (Aug. 3) AP
Suburban communities were not forced to build housing projects. And the majority of every demographic in the U.S., including Black, Latino and Asian residents, live in a suburb, Lacy said.
Though that isn't the case in metro Detroit, where the suburbs continue to be predominantly white, Lacy said it still doesn't bode well for Trump.
She believes his rhetoric is "woefully out-of-date" and risks alienating any woman.
"I don’t think this messaging will appeal to women of color, who for too long were excluded from the suburbs. I don’t think it will appeal to most middle-class white women who are less likely to be worried about property values than more financially strained women might be," Lacy said.
She specifically examined Macomb County, a must-win for either presidential candidate.
While Barack Obama won the county by about four percentage points in 2012, Trump won it by almost 12 percentage points in 2016. Yet in 2018, Whitmer and Stabenow both won the county. Trump campaigned in the county days before the 2016 election, promising — incorrectly, it would turn out — that if he was elected no automotive manufacturing plants would close. Last week, Biden visited a UAW hall in the county.
"Warren, Macomb County’s largest city, is experiencing white population loss, leaving an opening for an influx of Black residents. The Black population increased significantly in the 2000s, from a mere 3,700 people at the beginning of the decade to over 18,000 by the end. The Asian population is growing there too. With a poverty rate of around 19% (in Warren), Trump’s message may resonate with white residents of this lower-middle class suburb," Lacy said.
"But GOP gains in places like Warren will be offset by voters in places like Flint, where Republican leadership created a water crisis with long-term damaging effects for the city’s children."
Lacy also refuted assertions she said the president is trying to make regarding Black entry to the suburbs and lowering property values. The first Black family in a predominantly white neighborhood typically increases local home values, Lacy said, noting long-standing racist impediments to Black home ownership frequently result in those who are able to buy paying an above market rate.
Still, Lacy acknowledged the president's message may find receptive ears.
"But some people will believe Trump’s misguided logic, and those homeowners will worry about losing their asset, about not having anything to pass down to their kids," Lacy said
Neighbor vs. neighbor
Shannon Epps is a suburban woman offended by the president's comments and actions. The 44-year-old middle school teacher said Trump's divisiveness has led her to no longer speak with some of her Canton neighbors and former friends.
Epps, who identifies as multiracial, said anyone who supports Trump "is accepting of discrimination and hostility toward minorities."
"During the last four years, my life has gotten worse, I believe, due to that awful person in office and the racist rhetoric he spews," Epps said.
"In my community, my children have to listen to peers repeat his racist remarks and embrace division and support. This has led to stress, anger and sadness which has caused my family to stop talking to neighbors and friends due to their support of someone that embraces white supremacy."
More: A second term for Donald Trump? Michigan is at the center of the political universe
More: Livonia man: Yard sign meant to call out white supremacy — not promote it
Joyce Peralta said she has lost friends as well over the president. Peralta is, in theory, another prime target for the GOP — she's 66, white, retired and lives in Beverly Hills in Oakland County.
But she said she cannot stand his words or his deeds. She said she can no longer write off her property taxes because of the 2017 tax reform bill Trump championed. Peralta wants to see improvements to the Affordable Care Act and stability in funding for Social Security.
And, like many of the women interviewed for this article, she is concerned about the lack of a concerted national strategy to battle the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
"Trump's denial of the expert's recommendations has prolonged the pandemic and cost more illness and many more deaths than there needed to be," said Peralta, a snowbird who typically stays in Florida until April.
"This year, we stayed until the end of May, when Michigan COVID (infection rates) improved greatly just as Florida cases were exploding. It was great to return to Michigan where masks and social distancing was practiced by the great majority of residents. Good leadership that follows medical science makes a big difference in fighting COVID."
Trump supporters among women
Tina Oldford and Jennifer Hay live in Howell, but made the roughly 90-minute trip recently to see Trump speak in Freeland. Neither joined more than 65,000 of their Livingston County neighbors in voting for the president in 2016.
But both plan to cast their ballots this fall, the first either say they've cast in a presidential election, for Trump.
“Sure, we had a downfall. Everybody knows that we had a downfall,” said Oldford, 59, referencing the economic collapse that coincided with the coronavirus pandemic. “This could have happened to anybody. But the economy was great.
“I just felt more secure than I’ve ever felt in my life with Trump."
Hay agrees. She said Biden cannot become president, and dismissed the idea that the president's at-times vulgar and inappropriate conduct should disqualify him as a candidate.
“He puts the people first, not himself,” said Hay, 53.
But many in Michigan's suburbs and throughout the country blame the president for poorly handling the response to the pandemic.
Multiple polls show Michigan voters favor Whitmer over Trump. Her approval rating is 56% as of the new Free Press poll, 13 percentage points higher than the president's.
That disparity is even greater when just looking at women polled. Whitmer received positive marks from 61% of Michigan women polled, compared with 37% for Trump.
The poll was conducted between Sept. 10 and Sept. 15 by EPIC-MRA of Lansing for the Free Press and other media partners. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Many of the women interviewed for this artcle support Whitmer's actions on the pandemic. Bagchi, the Northville dentist, said she understands some people are frustrated with some of the governor's decisions.
But she thinks Whitmer's hands were tied, largely because of a lack of national strategy to fight the pandemic.
"I just wish that there had been more of a clear direction from the top for those of us who are just looking to kind of go back to normalcy," Bagchi said.
It's a simple ask. Yes, Bacghi wants a president who can work toward ensuring her children and everyone's kids have access to a quality education. She also wants to make sure Medicare and Social Security are protected, and that the U.S. Postal Service functions properly.
But right now, she's trying to be a teacher and mother for two children while running a small business. At the moment, she'd settle for stability and returning to a life that feels normal.
Something she, and many other women in Michigan's suburbs, said they do not believe Trump is able to deliver.
Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.


usatoday--2020-09-25--Trump attorney fights to block disclosure of tax returns, but judges appear skeptical

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's attorney faced a skeptical group of judges Friday as he sought to get a lower court 's decision thrown out which would require the disclosure of Trump 's tax returns to a Manhattan prosecutor .
Trump 's attorney William Consovoy argued in a hearing before the 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals that the grand jury subpoena seeking Trump 's tax returns was `` an overbroad fishing expedition and issued in bad faith '' to harass the president .
Judge Pierre Leval said allegations that the subpoena was issued in bad faith were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katzmann said grand juries have broad authority and wondered whether the president 's attorney is asking them to change the way grand juries have always operated .
And Judge Raymond Lohier pressed Consovoy on whether there 's a version of the subpoena he would not view as too broad .
Trump is seeking to overturn a decision last month by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero , who rejected the president 's latest efforts to block the grand jury subpoena for his tax returns .
Marrero 's ruling was a major loss for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's investigation as a political `` witch hunt '' and has fought all the way to the Supreme Court to keep his financial records private .
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is investigating hush money payments allegedly made to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump before the 2016 presidential election .
Vance 's office suggested in court documents last month that prosecutors are also looking broadly at `` allegations of possible criminal activity '' at the Trump Organization .
Trump 's tax returns : Trump investigation goes beyond hush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests Carey Dunne , Vance 's general counsel , said allegations from the president 's legal team are based on politics and speculations about the scope of the district attorney 's investigation .
He added that Vance has never made any public statements about his office 's political motivation to target Trump and his business .
`` Absent those kinds of facts , to simply say , 'Sometimes prosecutors act with political motivations ' ... that 's not how it works , '' Dunne said .
Consovoy argued that the subpoena was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply `` photocopied '' a congressional subpoena issued by House Democrats who were seeking the same documents .
Doing so is `` totally unacceptable , '' Consovoy said .
Consovoy also said the time period and geographic reach covered by the subpoena prove it is overly broad .
The subpoena is seeking eight years of Trump 's personal and business tax records and covers financial documents outside of New York City .
`` If you would 've looked at the definition of a fishing expedition , this is it , '' Consovoy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were appointed by Democratic presidents , did not seem persuaded .
Trump 's tax returns:2nd Circuit appeals court declines – for now – to block ruling requiring disclosure of Trump 's tax returns High court rules against Trump : Supreme Court says President Trump can not keep tax , financial records from prosecutors Leval said he does not think documents spanning several years and covering operations in many places is overly broad , especially for a global company like the Trump Organization .
`` When one is investigating the lawfulness and propriety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operates worldwide , all the worldwide operations are pertinent ...
The same is true with respect to years because there 's an important linkage ... especially with real estate when depreciation is such an important matter ... on what is reported for certain years and what is reported for prior years , '' Leval said .
Vance 's office has agreed to hold off on enforcing the subpoena until after the appeals court reaches its decision .
In July , the Supreme Court ruled that the president can not keep his tax returns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rejecting Trump 's claims of absolute immunity from criminal investigations .

Trump attorney fights to block disclosure of tax returns, but judges appear skeptical
Show Caption Hide Caption Trumps slams NY probe as 'witch hunt' continued President Donald Trump has dismissed reports of a NY prosecutor's attempts to get his tax returns, saying it is a continuation of the "witch hunt" against him. (Aug. 3) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's attorney faced a skeptical group of judges Friday as he sought to get a lower court's decision thrown out which would require the disclosure of Trump's tax returns to a Manhattan prosecutor.
Trump's attorney William Consovoy argued in a hearing before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the grand jury subpoena seeking Trump's tax returns was "an overbroad fishing expedition and issued in bad faith" to harass the president.
Judge Pierre Leval said allegations that the subpoena was issued in bad faith were "highly contrived." Judge Robert Katzmann said grand juries have broad authority and wondered whether the president's attorney is asking them to change the way grand juries have always operated. And Judge Raymond Lohier pressed Consovoy on whether there's a version of the subpoena he would not view as too broad.
Trump is seeking to overturn a decision last month by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, who rejected the president's latest efforts to block the grand jury subpoena for his tax returns. Marrero's ruling was a major loss for Trump, who has dismissed the Manhattan prosecutor's investigation as a political "witch hunt" and has fought all the way to the Supreme Court to keep his financial records private.
Trump Supreme Court rulings don't mean transparency on his finances The Supreme Court's rulings on President Trump's financial documents will not produce public information, or his tax returns, before the elections. USA TODAY
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is investigating hush money payments allegedly made to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump before the 2016 presidential election. Vance's office suggested in court documents last month that prosecutors are also looking broadly at "allegations of possible criminal activity" at the Trump Organization.
Trump's tax returns: Trump investigation goes beyond hush money to alleged mistresses, Manhattan DA suggests
Carey Dunne, Vance's general counsel, said allegations from the president's legal team are based on politics and speculations about the scope of the district attorney's investigation. He added that Vance has never made any public statements about his office's political motivation to target Trump and his business.
"Absent those kinds of facts, to simply say, 'Sometimes prosecutors act with political motivations' ... that's not how it works," Dunne said.
Consovoy argued that the subpoena was "retaliatory," saying Vance's office simply "photocopied" a congressional subpoena issued by House Democrats who were seeking the same documents. Doing so is "totally unacceptable," Consovoy said.
Consovoy also said the time period and geographic reach covered by the subpoena prove it is overly broad. The subpoena is seeking eight years of Trump's personal and business tax records and covers financial documents outside of New York City.
"If you would've looked at the definition of a fishing expedition, this is it," Consovoy said.
Still, the judges, who were appointed by Democratic presidents, did not seem persuaded.
Trump's tax returns: 2nd Circuit appeals court declines – for now – to block ruling requiring disclosure of Trump's tax returns
High court rules against Trump: Supreme Court says President Trump cannot keep tax, financial records from prosecutors
Leval said he does not think documents spanning several years and covering operations in many places is overly broad, especially for a global company like the Trump Organization.
"When one is investigating the lawfulness and propriety of tax returns of individuals or organizations that operates worldwide, all the worldwide operations are pertinent ... The same is true with respect to years because there's an important linkage ... especially with real estate when depreciation is such an important matter ... on what is reported for certain years and what is reported for prior years," Leval said.
Vance's office has agreed to hold off on enforcing the subpoena until after the appeals court reaches its decision.
In July, the Supreme Court ruled that the president cannot keep his tax returns and financial records from Vance's office, rejecting Trump's claims of absolute immunity from criminal investigations.


usatoday--2020-09-24--15 helpful products you never knew existed

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
You ’ ve been shopping online so often this quarantine you can practically recite all of Amazon ’ s inventory .
But just when you thought you 've seen it all , you realize there are hundreds of hidden gems still waiting to be discovered .
A.k.a .
the internet is full of products you never knew existed , from brilliant kitchen gadgets to fitness devices , innovative tech gear , and more .
Below , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will improve your everyday life—and make for some great conversation starters .
You ’ ve heard of weighted blankets , but a weighted robe ?
Now that ’ s game-changing—and you can now get one from Gravity .
Featuring removable three-pound collar pads , this super-plush 100-percent fleece robe designed in collaboration with acclaimed designer Ron Chereskin applies light pressure to , well , pressure points , thereby relieving stress and helping you drift off faster .
Our style editor , Amanda Tarlton , tried it for herself and gave it high marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Get the Modernist X Gravity Weighted Robe from Gravity Blankets for $ 130 You ’ ve spent all of quarantine mixing messy bowls of oatmeal , avocado and honey to slather all over your face .
Take personalized skincare up a notch with Nectar ’ s DIY mask service .
First , choose your base ( clay , cream or gel ) , and up to six potent plant-based ingredients like açai , aloe vera and papaya .
Even if you ’ re familiar with your skin type , their quiz is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kit arrives , you ’ ll feel like a mad scientist mixing the extracts into your base and applying it onto your face with an included wand .
What you 're left with is a skin solution perfectly tailored to your needs .
Get the Mix-In Mask from Nectar USA for $ 38 3 .
This home DNA test for your cat I never knew how much I actually wanted to know about my cats until I discovered there was a way to find out .
The idea is that in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unique needs , it ’ s best to find out their breed ( which is especially tricky when they ’ re rescues like mine ) .
Using their comprehensive database of feline genetics , you ’ ll learn about your cat ’ s origins tracing back to more than twenty breed types and four breed regions .
Simply grab a saliva swab from the inside of your cat ’ s mouth , mail in the samples , and wait four to six weeks for a full report outlining your cat ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option of a one-on-one conversation with a vet to discuss your pet ’ s results .
You might just learn their funky meow has something to do with their relation to other big cat species like lions , tigers and cheetahs .
Get the Breed Groups Test from Basepaws for $ 99 Pizza wheel cutters are all fine and dandy until you need to messily lift up the slice only for the melted cheese to droop everywhere .
Featuring an attachable spatula , you can easily cut and serve pizza in one fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of happy customers : “ These pizza scissors are fantastic !
They are sharp and cut the pizza easily and comfortably .
They are sturdy , and well made , and seem to be built to last .
The offset design keeps your hands above the hot pizza so that you do n't burn your hands on the hot cheese or get sauce all over your hands.
” Get the Dreamfarm Scizza Scissors from Amazon for $ 29.95 5 .
This device to sanitize your phone and keys The brains behind PhoneSoap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we never wash. Ick !
Thankfully , it ’ s super easy to place your phone in this little case , set it and forget it , and come back to a germ-free device .
Tested by our own scientist , Julia MacDougall , she found the PhoneSoap ( which has nearly 1,300 reviews ) to be effective at removing bacteria and germs thanks to “ scientifically proven ” germicidal UV-C bulbs .
The fun doesn ’ t stop at phones : sanitize anything that fits inside like keys , watches and earbuds—all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ports .
Get the PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger from Amazon for $ 79.95 6 .
This personalized pillow that looks just like your pet Whether you ’ re going off to college or have recently lost a pet , going even a single day without your furry friend can be heartbreaking .
Fortunately on Etsy , you can get a double-sided , hyper-realistic illustration of your pet .
Simply upload an image along with any notes your designer should keep in mind , your size selection and indoor or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keepsake for years to come .
Of the pillow ’ s nearly 1,000 reviewers , many note how well it helped them grieve the loss of their pet : “ I ordered the large of my dog , who had recently passed away .
Receiving this gave me so much joy .
The quality is so good that I am sometimes surprised when I walk into a room and think he 's sitting there .
It gives me so much comfort to be able to hold my dog again at night .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have recently lost their furbaby.
” Get the Custom Pet Pillow from Etsy for $ 22.99 Cancel your premium gym membership because you ’ re not about to lock yourself in a small heated room with several other sweaty strangers .
Treat your body and mind to your own personal sauna that heats up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in just minutes .
Using far infrared ray heat , it targets muscle aches and joint pain , leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated .
With over 1,600 reviews on Amazon , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and read a book , watch TV , listen to music , or simply collect your thoughts .
You earned it !
Get the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa from Amazon for $ 189.99 Cleaning out a clogged drain might not technically be one of the most hated chores in America but it 's certainly at the top of my list .
And plenty of other people agree , which is why the Tubshroom is so popular .
According to its 18,000+ reviews , all you have to do is slip it into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other gross debris from going down .
Get the Tubshroom from Amazon for $ 12.99 If the yearly pumpkin you buy from the local farm looks a little intimidating in all its massive , heavy glory , fear not .
Here , you ’ ve got two handy utensils with stainless steel blades to make carving and designing a breeze .
Use them year round on melons , squash and more .
One of our editors owns the kit herself and says it 's lasted her family for years of pumpkin-carving fun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help prevent major messes ( and frustration ! )
.
Get the Chef ' n Pumpkin Carving Kit from Amazon for $ 12.99 If you ’ re lounging outside , chances are you ’ ll need to keep your drinks cool .
Use it either as a flat-top side table , or elevate the lid 10 inches to gain access to a hidden 7.5-gallon cooler .
With over 6,600 reviews , customers love how it looks and performs as well as something far more expensive : ” Looks fantastic for the price point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relax in while grilling at my beach home and since it 's just a garage I was n't looking to spend an arm and leg .
Put together , this looks like I paid five times what I did.
” Get the Keter Pacific Side Table and Wine Cooler on Amazon for $ 79.99 If you sleep with a partner who prefers a down duvet in the summer while you ’ re more of a single sheet kind of sleeper , your solution is in this dual-temperature duvet .
You get two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thickness , and their respective covers each feature magnets in order to fasten them together when you make your bed .
With a five-star rating , customers love how the duvet is giving them a better night ’ s sleep : “ It 's perfect for me and my hubby—we 've been sleeping snug as two bugs in a rug since we purchased it .
We love the magnetic inseams .
It separates in the night so when my husband tosses and turns I 'm not woken up .
The fabric is amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Get the Split-Duvet Covers at Ervet Bedding starting at $ 189 Between coffee , coffee , and more coffee , I 'm guilty of not drinking enough water , especially in the mornings .
This water bottle ( which also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker ) would put a stop to that .
Reviewers love how it lights up every hour to remind you to drink and that it has a very long battery life .
Get the ICEWATER 3-in-1 Smart Water Bottle for $ 19.99 How many times have you gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come back several hours later to realize that you ’ ve forgotten your combination or your key ?
Far too many .
Get with the times by using a fingerprint-activated padlock that uses biometric authentication technology to make your life more simple and secure .
It stores up to 10 fingerprints and unlocks 2,500 on a single USB charge .
Get the Sharper Image Fingerprint Padlock from Bed Bath and Beyond for $ 39.99 Wrinkles ?
Bad smells ?
Static cling ?
This product will fix all of that , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You do n't even need an iron or a washing machine—users say you just spray and go and that it makes your clothes look ( and smell ) as good as new .
Get the Downy Wrinkle Releaser ( 3-Pack ) from Amazon for $ 9.39 15 .
This light to help you find things in your purse Wait , this is actually genius .
If , like me , you struggle to find your keys and phone when you need them most because they ’ re buried in a bottomless pit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you need this pocket-sized lamp to help you get it together .
It has over 600 glowing ( pun intended ) reviews thanks to its lightweight design and powerful lighting capabilities .
“ Awesome product .
Lights up the inside of my large slouchy bag and allows me to see the contents that are hiding at the bottom .
No more digging around and trying to identify things by size and shape , and I can easily see items that are hidden in the corners .
Love it !
” Get the Wasserstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , product reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

15 helpful products you never knew existed
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
You’ve been shopping online so often this quarantine you can practically recite all of Amazon’s inventory. But just when you thought you've seen it all, you realize there are hundreds of hidden gems still waiting to be discovered. A.k.a. the internet is full of products you never knew existed, from brilliant kitchen gadgets to fitness devices, innovative tech gear, and more. Below, we've uncovered 15 incredibly useful things that will improve your everyday life—and make for some great conversation starters.
1. The world’s first weighted robe
You’ve heard of weighted blankets, but a weighted robe? Now that’s game-changing—and you can now get one from Gravity. Featuring removable three-pound collar pads, this super-plush 100-percent fleece robe designed in collaboration with acclaimed designer Ron Chereskin applies light pressure to, well, pressure points, thereby relieving stress and helping you drift off faster. Our style editor, Amanda Tarlton, tried it for herself and gave it high marks for how cozy and comforting it is.
Get the Modernist X Gravity Weighted Robe from Gravity Blankets for $130
2. This customizable face mask
You’ve spent all of quarantine mixing messy bowls of oatmeal, avocado and honey to slather all over your face. Take personalized skincare up a notch with Nectar’s DIY mask service. First, choose your base (clay, cream or gel), and up to six potent plant-based ingredients like açai, aloe vera and papaya. Even if you’re familiar with your skin type, their quiz is super fun to fill out. When the kit arrives, you’ll feel like a mad scientist mixing the extracts into your base and applying it onto your face with an included wand. What you're left with is a skin solution perfectly tailored to your needs.
Get the Mix-In Mask from Nectar USA for $38
3. This home DNA test for your cat
I never knew how much I actually wanted to know about my cats until I discovered there was a way to find out. The idea is that in order to better cater to your cat’s unique needs, it’s best to find out their breed (which is especially tricky when they’re rescues like mine). Using their comprehensive database of feline genetics, you’ll learn about your cat’s origins tracing back to more than twenty breed types and four breed regions.
Simply grab a saliva swab from the inside of your cat’s mouth, mail in the samples, and wait four to six weeks for a full report outlining your cat’s genetic traits. You then have the option of a one-on-one conversation with a vet to discuss your pet’s results. You might just learn their funky meow has something to do with their relation to other big cat species like lions, tigers and cheetahs.
Get the Breed Groups Test from Basepaws for $99
4. These genius pizza scissors
Pizza wheel cutters are all fine and dandy until you need to messily lift up the slice only for the melted cheese to droop everywhere. Featuring an attachable spatula, you can easily cut and serve pizza in one fell swoop. Take it from one of hundreds of happy customers: “These pizza scissors are fantastic! They are sharp and cut the pizza easily and comfortably. They are sturdy, and well made, and seem to be built to last. The offset design keeps your hands above the hot pizza so that you don't burn your hands on the hot cheese or get sauce all over your hands.”
Get the Dreamfarm Scizza Scissors from Amazon for $29.95
5. This device to sanitize your phone and keys
The brains behind PhoneSoap call our phones our third hand that we never wash. Ick! Thankfully, it’s super easy to place your phone in this little case, set it and forget it, and come back to a germ-free device. Tested by our own scientist, Julia MacDougall, she found the PhoneSoap (which has nearly 1,300 reviews) to be effective at removing bacteria and germs thanks to “scientifically proven” germicidal UV-C bulbs. The fun doesn’t stop at phones: sanitize anything that fits inside like keys, watches and earbuds—all while charging your phone through its included ports.
Get the PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger from Amazon for $79.95
6. This personalized pillow that looks just like your pet
Whether you’re going off to college or have recently lost a pet, going even a single day without your furry friend can be heartbreaking. Fortunately on Etsy, you can get a double-sided, hyper-realistic illustration of your pet. Simply upload an image along with any notes your designer should keep in mind, your size selection and indoor or outdoor fabric, and enjoy this special keepsake for years to come. Of the pillow’s nearly 1,000 reviewers, many note how well it helped them grieve the loss of their pet: “I ordered the large of my dog, who had recently passed away. Receiving this gave me so much joy. The quality is so good that I am sometimes surprised when I walk into a room and think he's sitting there. It gives me so much comfort to be able to hold my dog again at night. I recommend this as a comforting tool for those who have recently lost their furbaby.”
Get the Custom Pet Pillow from Etsy for $22.99
7. This personal sauna
Cancel your premium gym membership because you’re not about to lock yourself in a small heated room with several other sweaty strangers. Treat your body and mind to your own personal sauna that heats up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in just minutes. Using far infrared ray heat, it targets muscle aches and joint pain, leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. With over 1,600 reviews on Amazon, it’s the perfect escape to relax and read a book, watch TV, listen to music, or simply collect your thoughts. You earned it!
Get the SereneLife Portable Infrared Home Spa from Amazon for $189.99
8. This gadget to prevent clogged drains
Cleaning out a clogged drain might not technically be one of the most hated chores in America but it's certainly at the top of my list. And plenty of other people agree, which is why the Tubshroom is so popular. According to its 18,000+ reviews, all you have to do is slip it into your drain and it prevents hair and other gross debris from going down.
Get the Tubshroom from Amazon for $12.99
9. This pumpkin-carving kit
If the yearly pumpkin you buy from the local farm looks a little intimidating in all its massive, heavy glory, fear not. Here, you’ve got two handy utensils with stainless steel blades to make carving and designing a breeze. Use them year round on melons, squash and more. One of our editors owns the kit herself and says it's lasted her family for years of pumpkin-carving fun. The tools are sharp and sturdy and help prevent major messes (and frustration!).
Get the Chef'n Pumpkin Carving Kit from Amazon for $12.99
10. This two-in-one cooler and table
If you’re lounging outside, chances are you’ll need to keep your drinks cool. Use it either as a flat-top side table, or elevate the lid 10 inches to gain access to a hidden 7.5-gallon cooler. With over 6,600 reviews, customers love how it looks and performs as well as something far more expensive: ”Looks fantastic for the price point. I wanted a makeshift lounge area to relax in while grilling at my beach home and since it's just a garage I wasn't looking to spend an arm and leg. Put together, this looks like I paid five times what I did.”
Get the Keter Pacific Side Table and Wine Cooler on Amazon for $79.99
11. This split-temperature duvet
If you sleep with a partner who prefers a down duvet in the summer while you’re more of a single sheet kind of sleeper, your solution is in this dual-temperature duvet. You get two separate personal-sized duvets of your choice of thickness, and their respective covers each feature magnets in order to fasten them together when you make your bed. With a five-star rating, customers love how the duvet is giving them a better night’s sleep: “It's perfect for me and my hubby—we've been sleeping snug as two bugs in a rug since we purchased it. We love the magnetic inseams. It separates in the night so when my husband tosses and turns I'm not woken up. The fabric is amazing too! What a cool product!”
Get the Split-Duvet Covers at Ervet Bedding starting at $189
12. This smart water bottle
Between coffee, coffee, and more coffee, I'm guilty of not drinking enough water, especially in the mornings. This water bottle (which also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker) would put a stop to that. Reviewers love how it lights up every hour to remind you to drink and that it has a very long battery life.
Get the ICEWATER 3-in-1 Smart Water Bottle for $19.99
13. This key-free lock
How many times have you gone to lock up your belongings, only to come back several hours later to realize that you’ve forgotten your combination or your key? Far too many. Get with the times by using a fingerprint-activated padlock that uses biometric authentication technology to make your life more simple and secure. It stores up to 10 fingerprints and unlocks 2,500 on a single USB charge.
Get the Sharper Image Fingerprint Padlock from Bed Bath and Beyond for $39.99
14. This spray that instantly removes wrinkles
Wrinkles? Bad smells? Static cling? This product will fix all of that, according to its high rating and glowing reviews. You don't even need an iron or a washing machine—users say you just spray and go and that it makes your clothes look (and smell) as good as new.
Get the Downy Wrinkle Releaser (3-Pack) from Amazon for $9.39
15. This light to help you find things in your purse
Wait, this is actually genius. If, like me, you struggle to find your keys and phone when you need them most because they’re buried in a bottomless pit of granola bar wrappers and lip gloss, you need this pocket-sized lamp to help you get it together. It has over 600 glowing (pun intended) reviews thanks to its lightweight design and powerful lighting capabilities. “Awesome product. Lights up the inside of my large slouchy bag and allows me to see the contents that are hiding at the bottom. No more digging around and trying to identify things by size and shape, and I can easily see items that are hidden in the corners. Love it!”
Get the Wasserstein Handbag Illuminator from Amazon for $12.99
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-09-26--Giraffe pedicures are a tall order for zookeepers at the Oakland Zoo

Giraffe pedicures are a tall order for zookeepers at the Oakland Zoo Zookeepers at the Oakland Zoo in California gave @ @ @ @ @ , a 'tall order . '

Giraffe pedicures include head pats and pampering
Zookeepers at the Oakland Zoo in California gave a resident giraffe a pedicure, a 'tall order.'
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-09-25--5 things you need to know about Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's likely Supreme Court nominee

Amy Coney Barrett of South Bend , Indiana , may soon become a household name .
The appeals court judge and University of Notre Dame law professor is likely to be President Donald Trump ’ s pick to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Barrett was on the shortlist to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy when he retired in 2018 .
Trump instead chose conservative judge Brett Kavanaugh .
Here 's what you need to know about Barrett : Barrett , 48 , was born and raised in New Orleans , Louisiana .
Her mother was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer .
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame 's law school at the top of her class , she worked as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and other federal court justices before returning to her alma mater as a law teacher .
Barrett has been described by colleagues and friends as a dedicated mom of seven children , two of whom were adopted from Haiti .
Her youngest child has Down Syndrome .
In October 2017 , with just an hour to go until she was voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the U.S. Senate , Barrett was outside trick-or-treating with her kids .
Barrett ’ s strong Catholic faith has placed her firmly in the eye of the national debate over who will replace Ginsburg , and what ideology the new judge will bring .
Her confirmation hearing in 2017 became a lightning rod for conservative outcry after California Sen. Dianne Feinstein questioned whether or not Barrett could separate her religious faith from her duty as a judge .
`` The dogma lives loudly within you , '' Feinstein said during the hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her religious beliefs would be kept separate .
Amy Coney Barrett : What she said about politics in courts Three years later , Barrett 's rulings have invited similar questions .
But those who know her say it 's unfair to narrowly define her .
“ It ’ s been disorienting to see the smartest person I know reduced to how she might vote on [ abortion ] , when she is so much more than that , ” Alex Blair , an attorney and one of Barrett 's former University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bend Tribune .
At her home in South Bend , Barrett is far from a polemic figure .
She is an active community member who is highly regarded by students and staff at Notre Dame .
Barrett was named `` Distinguished Professor of the Year '' three separate years , a title decided by students .
She is also active in the community , having held a board position at South Bend 's Trinity School , and a spot on the St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Pastoral Council .
Notre Dame President Rev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday praising Barrett as a potential pick for the Supreme Court .
`` The same impressive intellect , character and temperament that made Professor Barrett a successful nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals would serve her equally well as a nominee for the nation 's highest court , '' said Jenkins .
Barrett is part of a Christian religious group called People of Praise that started in South Bend and now has a presence across the U.S. and in Canada and Jamaica .
The group itself is not a church , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charismatic renewal ” and believe in speaking in tongues and miracle healings .
They have been scrutinized in the media for using the title “ handmaiden ” to describe their women leaders , and for exerting control over the personal lives of their members .
Leaders of the group say they mostly function as a support network for their members and deny having any influence over the decisions of members in positions of power , like Barrett .
In her three years as a judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on cases that have come to her desk from across the Midwest .
In a case from June 2020 she was the sole voice on a three-judge panel that supported allowing federal enforcement of Trump ’ s public charge immigration law in Illinois , which prevents immigrants from getting legal residency in the United States if they rely on public benefits like food stamps or housing vouchers .
She also called for the re-hearing of a case that struck down former Indiana Gov .
Mike Pence 's 2016 abortion law , which prohibited @ @ @ @ @ @ @

5 things you need to know about Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's likely Supreme Court nominee
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump: Justice Ginsburg was 'an amazing woman' President Donald Trump says the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was “an amazing woman” who led an “amazing life.” (Sept. 18) AP
Amy Coney Barrett of South Bend, Indiana, may soon become a household name.
The appeals court judge and University of Notre Dame law professor is likely to be President Donald Trump’s pick to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Barrett was on the shortlist to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy when he retired in 2018. Trump instead chose conservative judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Here's what you need to know about Barrett:
A dedicated mother of seven
Barrett, 48, was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her mother was a French teacher and her father was a lawyer. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame's law school at the top of her class, she worked as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and other federal court justices before returning to her alma mater as a law teacher.
Barrett has been described by colleagues and friends as a dedicated mom of seven children, two of whom were adopted from Haiti. Her youngest child has Down Syndrome.
In October 2017, with just an hour to go until she was voted into the 7th District Court of Appeals by the U.S. Senate, Barrett was outside trick-or-treating with her kids.
A lightning rod on abortion issue
Barrett’s strong Catholic faith has placed her firmly in the eye of the national debate over who will replace Ginsburg, and what ideology the new judge will bring.
Her confirmation hearing in 2017 became a lightning rod for conservative outcry after California Sen. Dianne Feinstein questioned whether or not Barrett could separate her religious faith from her duty as a judge. "The dogma lives loudly within you," Feinstein said during the hearing. Barrett insisted that her professional beliefs and her religious beliefs would be kept separate.
Amy Coney Barrett: What she said about politics in courts
Three years later, Barrett's rulings have invited similar questions. But those who know her say it's unfair to narrowly define her. “It’s been disorienting to see the smartest person I know reduced to how she might vote on [abortion], when she is so much more than that,” Alex Blair, an attorney and one of Barrett's former University of Notre Dame students, told the South Bend Tribune.
Active in South Bend community
At her home in South Bend, Barrett is far from a polemic figure. She is an active community member who is highly regarded by students and staff at Notre Dame.
Barrett was named "Distinguished Professor of the Year" three separate years, a title decided by students. She is also active in the community, having held a board position at South Bend's Trinity School, and a spot on the St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Pastoral Council.
Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins issued a statement on Saturday praising Barrett as a potential pick for the Supreme Court. "The same impressive intellect, character and temperament that made Professor Barrett a successful nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals would serve her equally well as a nominee for the nation's highest court," said Jenkins.
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Controversy surrounds religious group
Barrett is part of a Christian religious group called People of Praise that started in South Bend and now has a presence across the U.S. and in Canada and Jamaica. The group itself is not a church, but its members follow a movement called “charismatic renewal” and believe in speaking in tongues and miracle healings.
They have been scrutinized in the media for using the title “handmaiden” to describe their women leaders, and for exerting control over the personal lives of their members. Leaders of the group say they mostly function as a support network for their members and deny having any influence over the decisions of members in positions of power, like Barrett.
Stands on immigration, abortion
In her three years as a judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Barrett has authored more than 100 opinions on cases that have come to her desk from across the Midwest.
In a case from June 2020 she was the sole voice on a three-judge panel that supported allowing federal enforcement of Trump’s public charge immigration law in Illinois, which prevents immigrants from getting legal residency in the United States if they rely on public benefits like food stamps or housing vouchers.
She also called for the re-hearing of a case that struck down former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's 2016 abortion law, which prohibited abortions if the fetus was disabled.
Contact IndyStar courts reporter Johnny Magdaleno at jmagdaleno@gannett.com or 317-273-3188.


usatoday--2020-09-25--Former Rep. Ron Paul 'doing fine' after apparent medical emergency on livestream

Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul , who ran for president three times , said he 's doing fine Friday after @ @ @ @ @ emergency that afternoon while he was speaking in a livestreamed video .
A photo of @ @ @ @ @ sitting in a hospital bed and flashing a thumbs-up was posted on his official Twitter @ @ @ @ @ .
ET .
Paul , a libertarian , is 85 years old .
The accompanying @ @ @ @ @ doing fine .
Thank you for your concern . ''
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul , @ @ @ @ @ public service and has represented the Bluegrass State in the Senate since since 2011 , @ @ @ @ @ a comment of his own : `` Thank God , Dad is doing well .
@ @ @ @ @ prayers today . ''

Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal

Former Rep. Ron Paul 'doing fine' after apparent medical emergency on livestream
Show Caption Hide Caption Ruth Bader Ginsburg's longtime trainer pays tribute with push-ups Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was well known for her rigorous exercise routine, working out even as she battled cancer. Associated Press, USA TODAY
Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, who ran for president three times, said he's doing fine Friday after he suffered an apparent medical emergency that afternoon while he was speaking in a livestreamed video.
A photo of the former congressman from Texas sitting in a hospital bed and flashing a thumbs-up was posted on his official Twitter account just before 3 p.m. ET. Paul, a libertarian, is 85 years old.
The accompanying message: "I am doing fine. Thank you for your concern."
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who followed his father into public service and has represented the Bluegrass State in the Senate since since 2011, shared that post along with a comment of his own: "Thank God, Dad is doing well. Thank you for all your prayers today."
Message from Ron Paul: "I am doing fine. Thank you for your concern." pic.twitter.com/aALmLn8xIj — Ron Paul (@RonPaul) September 25, 2020
Reach reporter Morgan Watkins: 502-582-4502; mwatkins@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @morganwatkins26.