alternet--2020-09-30--Former White House insiders break down the 'f**king mess' of debating Trump

After months of contentious debate at long distance due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump will stand beside Democratic rival Joe Biden on stage for the first debate of the 2020 cycle on Tuesday night in Cleveland .
The much-anticipated face-to-face matchup will set in motion the final countdown to one of the most consequential elections in modern history .
Members of the two candidates ' inner circles predict that the winner of debate night will be decided by contrasts of competence and character , and they view the competition as Biden 's to lose .
Salon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Biden associates — as well as campaign veterans , including Omarosa Manigault-Newman , Michael Cohen , A.J .
Delgado and Philippe Reines — to find out how each candidate can come out on top .
Each interview painted a portrait of an incumbent on shaky ground , one who 's as unsure of his opponent as he is of himself .
Although the themes of this election cycle are nothing like 2016 , Trump has done little but remix his winning formula from four years ago .
Given Trump 's state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overperform , according to the group of insiders who spoke with Salon .
Instead , the former vice president needs to stick to the issues , offer a competing vision of leadership and allow the contrast to speak for itself .
Philippe Reines , the longtime Democratic strategist who played the role of Trump in 2016 during Hillary Clinton 's debate preparation , told Salon that Biden needed to keep top of mind that the president was `` the most predictable , unpredictable person . ''
`` After four years now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impersonate Donald Trump , but if you do n't know Joe Biden , that does n't do much good , '' he said .
`` But remember that Trump is the most predictable , unpredictable person .
In 2016 , I told the Clinton team that 100 % of what I 'm about to say is going to sound insane , but 95 % of it are the things he says all the time .
Five percent he has said before but does n't repeat often , and only the last 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say . ''
`` We mostly know what he 's going to say , '' Reines added , `` because he 's told us what he 's going to say . ''
Reines also pointed out that the debate could have several significant contextual differences from 2016 , chiefly the fact that outside of press conferences and a few fairly soft interviews , Trump has not had personally faced a sustained public challenge of his record over the last four years .
`` Trump only has his rants , his rallies and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reines said .
Of contentious exchanges with reporters , `` hardly any of it is a debate , '' and Trump `` often ends press conferences in the middle of a question by walking out of the room . ''
Given this record , Reines found it shocking that some pundits still predict that Trump could deliver a competent performance .
`` Everything about him debating is a f**king mess , '' he said .
`` It 's 2020 .
We 've been through this for four years now , and I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plant who are saying , 'Will tonight be the night ?
Will he be presidential ? '
'' `` If you just plug in the guy we 've all seen on TV for the last four years , take that guy and plug him into an audience a thousand times larger than what he 's had on cable news — that 's not going to go well for him , '' Reines said .
Former Trump 2016 campaign adviser A.J .
Delgado said Trump no longer had a fastball to pitch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Remix . ''
`` Trump is losing .
He knows it .
His campaign knows it , so he 's under a lot of pressure to turn the tide , '' she said .
`` He 'll try to obfuscate tonight and turn the conversation to non-issues and fluff . ''
`` He does n't win on the economy — one recent study said Biden 's jobs plan would create 7 million more jobs than Trump 's , '' she continued .
`` He does n't win on his handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any substantive issue .
So he will try to spin , spin , spin and hope to sow confusion . ''
`` And the campaign itself is so desperate now that it 's resorting to tweeting conspiracy theories about Biden wearing an earpiece — it 's the same thing we tried with Hillary in 2016 , '' she added .
`` He has the most low-energy campaign team in history , with no new ideas , so we get what we 're seeing now : 'Trump Campaign , The Remix . '
'' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Omarosa Manigault-Newman shared the same view : Trump will not be able to stand on his own record .
`` Trump will probably be very aggressive and try to make Biden look weak in contrast , '' she told Salon .
`` He will not discuss policy specifics but will rely on personal attacks and falsehoods . ''
Manigault-Newman also highlighted a few area where she viewed Trump as particularly weak .
`` Trump will be reluctant to talk about Russian bounties , lack of a health care alternative and his disastrous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Oh , and of course , taxes .
He will stick to his audit lie . ''
Trump 's former personal attorney Michael Cohen appeared to agree on that front .
He told Salon that Sunday 's bombshell New York Times report about Trump 's tax returns — which revealed that the president , who brags about his billions , paid only $ 750 in income tax in 2016 and 2017 — is probably taking up valuable psychological space .
`` Donald Trump 's financial records are the Rosetta Stone for understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the more it is unraveled the more he will unravel , '' Cohen said .
`` It 's the reason he 's fought so hard to keep it under wraps : His entire image and self-worth is based on an inflated financial worth . ''
Reines said that Trump while Trump 's tax answers might be misleading , he has rehearsed for this moment for years .
`` His tax response is particularly refined .
It was the easiest response for me to simulate in 2016 , and it was really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reines said .
`` Not because I was doing it well , but he just had it down . ''
Moderator Chris Wallace may `` press him on it , and he 'll call it fake news , say that he 's paid hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes over the years , which obviously is n't true , but he can fudge it a bit , '' Reines added .
`` Everyone thinks he 's going to collapse at the tax question , but he probably wo n't . ''
Delgado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dearth of campaign veterans who had lost control of an already-erratic candidate .
`` There 's no preparing him and , to be frank , he does n't have top brass , top talent available to prep him anyway , '' she said .
`` We can already see they have nothing .
They 're out on social media tweeting lazy memes and questions like , 'Where 's Hunter ? '
Look : No one cares about Hunter . ''
`` And it 's foolish , anyway , to open up that door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jared 's inability to obtain security clearances , the Trump Organization 's foreign entanglements and on and on , '' she said .
Longtime Biden confidant and Democratic strategist Moe Vela , the first Latino to hold two senior White House roles — during the Clinton and Obama administrations , when he served as director of administration for then-Vice President Biden — told Salon that the Democratic candidate 's mission tonight was to showcase those contrasts .
`` Knowing the vice president — having worked for him , what you 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , '' Vela said .
`` He 's going to take this opportunity with a huge audience to demonstrate the contrast of leadership styles , of demeanor , dispositions , the way they carry themselves .
Steady-as-he-goes Joe Biden versus the petulant , petty bully of Trump .
Trump ca n't help himself .
He 'll pull it all out , but there 's going to be an adult in the room . ''
Asked whether Trump would be able to throw Biden off his game with insults , given cryptic allusions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's baseless allegations that Biden was taking drugs to boost his cognition , Vela dismissed the idea out of hand .
`` I know Joe well enough to say he wo n't be bullied .
It 's not in his nature to be victimized , and on behalf of all people who have been bullied , he wo n't allow that , '' Vela said .
`` But he wo n't get into the name-calling and the ugliness . ''
`` Joe will instead focus on sharing with the American people his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do to get us out of the mess the other guy on stage got us into , '' he added .
`` Let him be the good debater he is , and that will in itself dispel this ridiculous notion . ''
Reines agreed , adding that while voters likely desired civility and sobriety , it did not mean that they wanted to see Trump 's opponent turn the other cheek .
`` If I were advising , in a perfect world , Biden opens up by saying , 'Thank you Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Case Western University for hosting us .
I now yield the rest of the evening to my opponent . '
''

After months of contentious debate at long distance due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump will stand beside Democratic rival Joe Biden on stage for the first debate of the 2020 cycle on Tuesday night in Cleveland. The much-anticipated face-to-face matchup will set in motion the final countdown to one of the most consequential elections in modern history.
Members of the two candidates' inner circles predict that the winner of debate night will be decided by contrasts of competence and character, and they view the competition as Biden's to lose. Salon reached out to a number of Trump and Biden associates — as well as campaign veterans, including Omarosa Manigault-Newman, Michael Cohen, A.J. Delgado and Philippe Reines — to find out how each candidate can come out on top.
Each interview painted a portrait of an incumbent on shaky ground, one who's as unsure of his opponent as he is of himself. Although the themes of this election cycle are nothing like 2016, Trump has done little but remix his winning formula from four years ago. Given Trump's state of mind, Biden should not feel pressure to overperform, according to the group of insiders who spoke with Salon. Instead, the former vice president needs to stick to the issues, offer a competing vision of leadership and allow the contrast to speak for itself.
Philippe Reines, the longtime Democratic strategist who played the role of Trump in 2016 during Hillary Clinton's debate preparation, told Salon that Biden needed to keep top of mind that the president was "the most predictable, unpredictable person."
"After four years now, there are a million people who can impersonate Donald Trump, but if you don't know Joe Biden, that doesn't do much good," he said. "But remember that Trump is the most predictable, unpredictable person. In 2016, I told the Clinton team that 100% of what I'm about to say is going to sound insane, but 95% of it are the things he says all the time. Five percent he has said before but doesn't repeat often, and only the last 5% is my guessing of what he might say."
"We mostly know what he's going to say," Reines added, "because he's told us what he's going to say."
Reines also pointed out that the debate could have several significant contextual differences from 2016, chiefly the fact that outside of press conferences and a few fairly soft interviews, Trump has not had personally faced a sustained public challenge of his record over the last four years.
"Trump only has his rants, his rallies and his press conferences" to draw on, Reines said. Of contentious exchanges with reporters, "hardly any of it is a debate," and Trump "often ends press conferences in the middle of a question by walking out of the room."
Given this record, Reines found it shocking that some pundits still predict that Trump could deliver a competent performance.
"Everything about him debating is a f**king mess," he said. "It's 2020. We've been through this for four years now, and I really hope there are no humans left on the plant who are saying, 'Will tonight be the night? Will he be presidential?'"
"If you just plug in the guy we've all seen on TV for the last four years, take that guy and plug him into an audience a thousand times larger than what he's had on cable news — that's not going to go well for him," Reines said.
Former Trump 2016 campaign adviser A.J. Delgado said Trump no longer had a fastball to pitch. Instead, 2020 is "Trump Campaign: The Remix."
"Trump is losing. He knows it. His campaign knows it, so he's under a lot of pressure to turn the tide," she said. "He'll try to obfuscate tonight and turn the conversation to non-issues and fluff."
"He doesn't win on the economy — one recent study said Biden's jobs plan would create 7 million more jobs than Trump's," she continued. "He doesn't win on his handling of COVID. He doesn't win on any substantive issue. So he will try to spin, spin, spin and hope to sow confusion."
"And the campaign itself is so desperate now that it's resorting to tweeting conspiracy theories about Biden wearing an earpiece — it's the same thing we tried with Hillary in 2016," she added. "He has the most low-energy campaign team in history, with no new ideas, so we get what we're seeing now: 'Trump Campaign, The Remix.'"
Former Trump campaign aide and White House adviser Omarosa Manigault-Newman shared the same view: Trump will not be able to stand on his own record.
"Trump will probably be very aggressive and try to make Biden look weak in contrast," she told Salon. "He will not discuss policy specifics but will rely on personal attacks and falsehoods."
Manigault-Newman also highlighted a few area where she viewed Trump as particularly weak.
"Trump will be reluctant to talk about Russian bounties, lack of a health care alternative and his disastrous COVID response," she predicted. "Oh, and of course, taxes. He will stick to his audit lie."
Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen appeared to agree on that front. He told Salon that Sunday's bombshell New York Times report about Trump's tax returns — which revealed that the president, who brags about his billions, paid only $750 in income tax in 2016 and 2017 — is probably taking up valuable psychological space.
"Donald Trump's financial records are the Rosetta Stone for understanding the depth of his corruption and crimes, and the more it is unraveled the more he will unravel," Cohen said. "It's the reason he's fought so hard to keep it under wraps: His entire image and self-worth is based on an inflated financial worth."
Reines said that Trump while Trump's tax answers might be misleading, he has rehearsed for this moment for years.
"His tax response is particularly refined. It was the easiest response for me to simulate in 2016, and it was really near impossible to get over," Reines said. "Not because I was doing it well, but he just had it down."
Moderator Chris Wallace may "press him on it, and he'll call it fake news, say that he's paid hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes over the years, which obviously isn't true, but he can fudge it a bit," Reines added. "Everyone thinks he's going to collapse at the tax question, but he probably won't."
Delgado contended that Trump was hurting from a dearth of campaign veterans who had lost control of an already-erratic candidate.
"There's no preparing him and, to be frank, he doesn't have top brass, top talent available to prep him anyway," she said. "We can already see they have nothing. They're out on social media tweeting lazy memes and questions like, 'Where's Hunter?' Look: No one cares about Hunter."
"And it's foolish, anyway, to open up that door to discussion of Ivanka's Chinese trademarks, Jared's inability to obtain security clearances, the Trump Organization's foreign entanglements and on and on," she said.
Longtime Biden confidant and Democratic strategist Moe Vela, the first Latino to hold two senior White House roles — during the Clinton and Obama administrations, when he served as director of administration for then-Vice President Biden — told Salon that the Democratic candidate's mission tonight was to showcase those contrasts.
"Knowing the vice president — having worked for him, what you're going to see tonight is another high-profile contrasting event," Vela said. "He's going to take this opportunity with a huge audience to demonstrate the contrast of leadership styles, of demeanor, dispositions, the way they carry themselves. Steady-as-he-goes Joe Biden versus the petulant, petty bully of Trump. Trump can't help himself. He'll pull it all out, but there's going to be an adult in the room."
Asked whether Trump would be able to throw Biden off his game with insults, given cryptic allusions to a "guest list" and Trump's baseless allegations that Biden was taking drugs to boost his cognition, Vela dismissed the idea out of hand.
"I know Joe well enough to say he won't be bullied. It's not in his nature to be victimized, and on behalf of all people who have been bullied, he won't allow that," Vela said. "But he won't get into the name-calling and the ugliness."
"Joe will instead focus on sharing with the American people his plans for the future — what he will do to get us out of the mess the other guy on stage got us into," he added. "Let him be the good debater he is, and that will in itself dispel this ridiculous notion."
Reines agreed, adding that while voters likely desired civility and sobriety, it did not mean that they wanted to see Trump's opponent turn the other cheek.
"If I were advising, in a perfect world, Biden opens up by saying, 'Thank you Chris [Wallace], and thank you Case Western University for hosting us. I now yield the rest of the evening to my opponent.'"


alternet--2020-09-30--Here are 2 key elements Biden needs to highlight from the Trump tax bombshell

The first presidential debate is sure to be a bananarama full of bonkers .
As anyone who has been watching the current presidency already knows , Joe Biden will have to deal with a torrent of lies and personal attacks from The Man Who Lost the Popular Vote—often packaged together in the same word salad jumble of an answer .
But one thing we did n't know—until about 48 hours ago—was that the entirety of Trump 's decades-long tax scam , as well as his utter failure as a businessman , would be laid out in The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote , `` it 's worse than anyone could 've imagined . ''
Worse for Trump , but perhaps better for the American people … if it helps sink him further in the polls .
In terms of the debate , there 's one effective way for Biden to talk about this issue .
The key is for the former vice president to boil down the whole sordid story into two central elements , each of which connects to one powerful emotion Biden wants evoke in voters .
The first targeted emotion should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's already done in ads—the injustice of Trump living a life of luxury while getting away with paying little to nothing in income taxes .
This should be a straightforward , relatively simple thing for Biden—who grew up in modest circumstances himself—to accomplish .
The second element connects to voters ' fear .
Trump owes what finance experts soberly refer to as a shit ton of money , and most of it will come due in a would-be second presidential term .
Having a president who is that compromised should scare the bejeezus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krugman explained .
To be clear , Biden should not have to carry the ball by himself tonight on Trump 's tax shenanigans .
This is a topic of vital importance , and no matter what else moderator Chris Wallace had planned to focus on , he needs to address it .
After Wallace ( hopefully ) brings up that question , and Trump offers whatever flailing response he can muster , Biden will have his chance .
There are very few undecided voters at this point in any campaign .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting president , and it appears to be even more true this time than usual .
Frankly , the most effective way to motivate undecided voters is to either to piss them off or to scare the shit out of them .
Biden needs to seize the opportunity provided by the latest bombshell about Trump 's tax scam , and do both .

The first presidential debate is sure to be a bananarama full of bonkers. As anyone who has been watching the current presidency already knows, Joe Biden will have to deal with a torrent of lies and personal attacks from The Man Who Lost the Popular Vote—often packaged together in the same word salad jumble of an answer.
But one thing we didn't know—until about 48 hours ago—was that the entirety of Trump's decades-long tax scam, as well as his utter failure as a businessman, would be laid out in The New York Times. As Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas wrote, "it's worse than anyone could've imagined." Worse for Trump, but perhaps better for the American people … if it helps sink him further in the polls.
In terms of the debate, there's one effective way for Biden to talk about this issue.
The key is for the former vice president to boil down the whole sordid story into two central elements, each of which connects to one powerful emotion Biden wants evoke in voters. The first targeted emotion should be anger. Biden should emphasize—as he's already done in ads—the injustice of Trump living a life of luxury while getting away with paying little to nothing in income taxes. This should be a straightforward, relatively simple thing for Biden—who grew up in modest circumstances himself—to accomplish.
The second element connects to voters' fear. Trump owes what finance experts soberly refer to as a shit ton of money, and most of it will come due in a would-be second presidential term. Having a president who is that compromised should scare the bejeezus out of every American, as Paul Krugman explained.
Personal financial trouble has always been a red flag when it comes to filling sensitive government positions, because it's an open invitation to corruption.
So the confirmation that the nation's chief law enforcement and national security official — whose business empire already offers many opportunities for undue influence — is drowning in debt is chilling.
[...] So now we have a deeply indebted business owner with every incentive to engage in malfeasance — except that in addition to running his business, he's running the United States of America.
To be clear, Biden should not have to carry the ball by himself tonight on Trump's tax shenanigans. This is a topic of vital importance, and no matter what else moderator Chris Wallace had planned to focus on, he needs to address it.
After Wallace (hopefully) brings up that question, and Trump offers whatever flailing response he can muster, Biden will have his chance.
There are very few undecided voters at this point in any campaign. That's especially true when one candidate is a sitting president, and it appears to be even more true this time than usual. Frankly, the most effective way to motivate undecided voters is to either to piss them off or to scare the shit out of them.
Biden needs to seize the opportunity provided by the latest bombshell about Trump's tax scam, and do both.


alternet--2020-09-30--GOP senator gets torched after dismissing report 1 million Texans could lose health insurance

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is what happens when you have a worn-out bigot who has never had a single good idea in his life continue to be a U.S. senator .
Cornyn may not be as overtly off-putting as Sen. Ted Cruz , but his ideas and actions are equally horrific .
One of the Texas senator 's most recent claims to fame was an entirely noncommittal answer concerning what he would do if Donald Trump decided he was going to enact a coup d'etat and abolish our country 's Constitution in order to begin a dictatorship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Senate .
As a result , Cornyn finds himself in a close Senate race against veteran MJ Hegar , and so far his big `` policy '' attacks on her have seemed to be based on the fact that she … has tattoos ?
On Friday , The Texas Tribune reported that one of the many `` high stakes '' issues presented by the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was that if a Texas Republican-led lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act were to succeed at the highest court 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would lose their subsidized health care .
The problem would be doubly compounded by the fact that after decades of sitting on their hands , Republicans in Texas and abroad have yet to come up with anything that might possibly replace it .
Cornyn decided to chime in with his deepest thought of the day , tweeting : `` This is pure scare tactics .
Why ? ''
Is the story a scare tactic ?
Does he not understand why 1 million people would lose their insurance ?
It 's hard to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for thinking , or doing good things for people .
But Twitter saw these 33 characters of idiocracy and responded with one of the largest ratios we 've seen in quite some time .
Firstly , a reporter attempted to get the scoop since Cornyn clearly has some amazing insurance policy he 's been sitting on for ( checks notes ) 18 years .
Then someone attempted to figure out if they could answer his question .
A reminder of who to vote for if you vote in Texas .
And another attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also , someone made sure to educate Cornyn on what is and what is not a `` scare tactic . ''

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas is what happens when you have a worn-out bigot who has never had a single good idea in his life continue to be a U.S. senator. Cornyn may not be as overtly off-putting as Sen. Ted Cruz, but his ideas and actions are equally horrific. One of the Texas senator's most recent claims to fame was an entirely noncommittal answer concerning what he would do if Donald Trump decided he was going to enact a coup d'etat and abolish our country's Constitution in order to begin a dictatorship. That's what Cornyn brings to the U.S. Senate. As a result, Cornyn finds himself in a close Senate race against veteran MJ Hegar, and so far his big "policy" attacks on her have seemed to be based on the fact that she … has tattoos?
On Friday, The Texas Tribune reported that one of the many "high stakes" issues presented by the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was that if a Texas Republican-led lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act were to succeed at the highest court's level, at least 1 million Texans would lose their subsidized health care. The problem would be doubly compounded by the fact that after decades of sitting on their hands, Republicans in Texas and abroad have yet to come up with anything that might possibly replace it. Cornyn decided to chime in with his deepest thought of the day, tweeting: "This is pure scare tactics. Why?" Is the story a scare tactic? Does he not understand why 1 million people would lose their insurance? It's hard to say, but Cornyn isn't a man for thinking, or doing good things for people. But Twitter saw these 33 characters of idiocracy and responded with one of the largest ratios we've seen in quite some time.
Firstly, a reporter attempted to get the scoop since Cornyn clearly has some amazing insurance policy he's been sitting on for (checks notes) 18 years.
Then someone attempted to figure out if they could answer his question.
And the harsh Republican reality.
A reminder of who to vote for if you vote in Texas.
And another attempt at parsing Cornyn's attempt at inquiry.
Also, someone made sure to educate Cornyn on what is and what is not a "scare tactic."
Another fact alert.
A reminder.
And finally.


alternet--2020-10-01--Trump's antics forced the presidential debate commission to reconsider its rules

How bad was Tuesday night 's debate ?
So bad that the above-the-fray Commission on Presidential Debates is planning on rule changes for the next debates .
`` Last night 's debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues , '' the CPD said in a statement .
`` The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly . ''
As recently as Sunday , the co-chair of the CPD insisted there would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Commission 's function is to put on television before the people of the United States with the two candidates .
They will act as they 're going to act .
We have no control over that .
And it is for [ voters ] to make judgement based upon what they have seen . ''
And then Donald Trump came out on Tuesday with an intentional strategy of interruptions , personal attacks , and absolute distraction from any discussion of the issues , and blew up that determination to act like decorum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Slate 's Jeremy Stahl counted Trump interrupting 128 times .
It was a 90-minute debate .
Wallace asked Trump to stop interrupting 25 separate times .
In one exchange , Wallace chided Trump for not adhering to the rules his campaign had agreed he would follow , saying `` Why do n't you observe what your campaign agreed to as a ground rule , okay , sir ? ''
And then Trump interrupted him , forcing Wallace to clarify , `` that was a rhetorical question . ''
Then there were interruptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden tried to talk about his late son Beau , only to have Trump break in to attack Biden 's other son , Hunter , including his substance abuse problem .
While that led to one of the best moments of the debate , when Biden seized the floor and talked about his love for and pride in Hunter , it was gross that it came to that .
For his part , Biden told reporters Wednesday , `` I just hope there 's a way in which the debate commission can control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question without interruption .
I 'm not going to speculate on what happens in the second or third debate . ''
No matter how the CPD changes the rules for the next debates , though , it wo n't change the substance of what Trump says , as when he said the white supremacist group the Proud Boys should `` stand back and stand by '' in response to a question about whether he would denounce white supremacist groups .

How bad was Tuesday night's debate? So bad that the above-the-fray Commission on Presidential Debates is planning on rule changes for the next debates.
"Last night's debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," the CPD said in a statement. "The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly."
As recently as Sunday, the co-chair of the CPD insisted there would be no need for changes, saying "The Commission's function is to put on television before the people of the United States with the two candidates. They will act as they're going to act. We have no control over that. And it is for [voters] to make judgement based upon what they have seen."
And then Donald Trump came out on Tuesday with an intentional strategy of interruptions, personal attacks, and absolute distraction from any discussion of the issues, and blew up that determination to act like decorum and tradition are meaningful things these days. Slate's Jeremy Stahl counted Trump interrupting 128 times. It was a 90-minute debate. Wallace asked Trump to stop interrupting 25 separate times.
In one exchange, Wallace chided Trump for not adhering to the rules his campaign had agreed he would follow, saying "Why don't you observe what your campaign agreed to as a ground rule, okay, sir?" And then Trump interrupted him, forcing Wallace to clarify, "that was a rhetorical question."
Then there were interruptions to levy personal attacks, as when Biden tried to talk about his late son Beau, only to have Trump break in to attack Biden's other son, Hunter, including his substance abuse problem. While that led to one of the best moments of the debate, when Biden seized the floor and talked about his love for and pride in Hunter, it was gross that it came to that.
For his part, Biden told reporters Wednesday, "I just hope there's a way in which the debate commission can control the ability of us to answer the question without interruption. I'm not going to speculate on what happens in the second or third debate."
No matter how the CPD changes the rules for the next debates, though, it won't change the substance of what Trump says, as when he said the white supremacist group the Proud Boys should "stand back and stand by" in response to a question about whether he would denounce white supremacist groups.


alternet--2020-09-30--'An embarrassment': Critics slam Tim Scott for defending Trump's white supremacy debate blunder

Sen. Tim Scott ( R-S.C. ) is caught in the middle of a massive Twitter storm after his attempt to defend President Donald Trump 's failure to denounce white supremacy during his first presidential rally ahead of the 2020 election .
In the aftermath of Trump 's turbulent debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , the American public was left reeling over the stark takeaways from the political clash .
However , the biggest controversy centers on Trump avoiding the calls to disavow white supremacy .
Instead of doing so , Trump offered a loaded statement to the Proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand by . ''
Although the Proud Boys have praised Trump for his remarks because they , too , are aware of what the president 's words suggested , Scott offered a different perspective .
When asked about the president 's remarks during an appearance on NBC News Wednesday morning , he immediately offered an explanation on behalf of the president .
Scott seems to think the president `` misspoke . ''
`` I think he misspoke in response to Chris Wallace 's comment , '' Scott answered .
`` He was asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think he misspoke .
I think he should correct it .
If he does n't correct it , I guess he did n't misspeak . ''
In similar fashion , the president 's son Donald Trump Jr. also had an argument almost identical to Scott 's .
When asked about the ordeal , he said , `` I do n't know if that was a misspeak , but he was talking about having them stand down , '' Trump Jr. told `` CBS This Morning '' co-host Gayle King .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It did not take long for Twitter users to go after Scott .
Although Scott insisted the president should offer clarity if he did misspeak , Twitter users and many others still are n't buying it .
Since this is not Trump 's first time side-stepping a question about this critical issue , Scott is being criticized for parsing the president 's remarks while failing to take Trump at his word .
Scott 's latest remarks come months after he made headlines for authoring Senate Republicans ' proposed bill for police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was widely criticized by Democratic lawmakers for producing a `` watered down '' version of police reform that failed to effectively address real concerns regarding law enforcement practices .
`` Tim Scott 's bill is a half-assed bill that does n't do what we should be doing , which is doing honest police reform , '' Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D-Hawaii ) .
`` The Republican bill is really just disastrously weak it betrays the demands for justice and change that I have seen , day after day in Connecticut , '' Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed bill was ultimately struck down by Senate Democrats .

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is caught in the middle of a massive Twitter storm after his attempt to defend President Donald Trump's failure to denounce white supremacy during his first presidential rally ahead of the 2020 election.
In the aftermath of Trump's turbulent debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, the American public was left reeling over the stark takeaways from the political clash. However, the biggest controversy centers on Trump avoiding the calls to disavow white supremacy. Instead of doing so, Trump offered a loaded statement to the Proud Boys saying, "stand back and stand by."
Although the Proud Boys have praised Trump for his remarks because they, too, are aware of what the president's words suggested, Scott offered a different perspective. When asked about the president's remarks during an appearance on NBC News Wednesday morning, he immediately offered an explanation on behalf of the president. Scott seems to think the president "misspoke."
"I think he misspoke in response to Chris Wallace's comment," Scott answered. "He was asking Chris what he wanted to say, I think he misspoke. I think he should correct it. If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak."
In similar fashion, the president's son Donald Trump Jr. also had an argument almost identical to Scott's. When asked about the ordeal, he said, "I don't know if that was a misspeak, but he was talking about having them stand down," Trump Jr. told "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King. "He's more than happy to condemn that."
It did not take long for Twitter users to go after Scott. Although Scott insisted the president should offer clarity if he did misspeak, Twitter users and many others still aren't buying it . Since this is not Trump's first time side-stepping a question about this critical issue, Scott is being criticized for parsing the president's remarks while failing to take Trump at his word.
Trump Supporters: "We love him because he says exactly what he means!" Also Trump Supporters, "he misspoke, was joking or didn't really mean it."
— Mike Wolford (@Mike1178) September 30, 2020
Scott's latest remarks come months after he made headlines for authoring Senate Republicans' proposed bill for police reform. At the time, Scott was widely criticized by Democratic lawmakers for producing a "watered down" version of police reform that failed to effectively address real concerns regarding law enforcement practices.
"Tim Scott's bill is a half-assed bill that doesn't do what we should be doing, which is doing honest police reform," Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).
"The Republican bill is really just disastrously weak it betrays the demands for justice and change that I have seen, day after day in Connecticut," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
That proposed bill was ultimately struck down by Senate Democrats.


alternet--2020-09-30--Extremist hate group ‘Proud Boys’ merchandise with Trump order to ‘stand by’ — already on Amazon

President Donald Trump fueled the far right extremist , neo-fascist , misogynistic , transphobic , Islamophobic , white nationalist , @ @ @ @ @ Boys '' during Tuesday night 's debate when he refused to condemn white supremacism .
@ @ @ @ @ direct order : `` Proud Boys , stand back and stand by , '' and @ @ @ @ @ taking him at his word .
Experts say Trump 's remarks effectively made him their @ @ @ @ @ '' the Proud Boys are only too happy to have .
Immediately the group took @ @ @ @ @ them into their logo .
Now that logo , the logo of a dangerous hate @ @ @ @ @ directive – is appearing on merchandise at Amazon .
His former counterterrorism chief at DHS @ @ @ @ @ denounce white supremacism last night .

President Donald Trump fueled the far right extremist, neo-fascist, misogynistic, transphobic, Islamophobic, white nationalist, violence-promoting hate group "Proud Boys" during Tuesday night's debate when he refused to condemn white supremacism.
Trump gave the group a direct order: "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by," and they are thrilled – and taking him at his word.
Experts say Trump's remarks effectively made him their leader, an "honor" the Proud Boys are only too happy to have.
Immediately the group took Trump's words and incorporated them into their logo.
Now that logo, the logo of a dangerous hate group – including Trump's directive – is appearing on merchandise at Amazon.
President Trump has helped normalize extremism.
His former counterterrorism chief at DHS condemned him for refusing to denounce white supremacism last night.


alternet--2020-09-30--CDC report shows millions of Americans were losing health insurance before COVID-19

During last night 's debate , one of the places where Joe Biden was able to cut through the strange excitable barking that was going on to his right was during the somehow interminable , somehow brief , debate question surrounding the health insurance .
During that section , Biden attempted to explain the need to rebuild the Affordable Care Act and improve upon it while Donald Trump literally just barked out words like `` socialist , '' and lied about making insulin as `` cheap as water . ''
The most glaring point , something that even moderator Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that Donald Trump continues to have zero plans or ideas for replacing the health insurance that will be lost if the ACA is fully dismantled .
As it is , the problem of high health insurance coverage was n't fixed by the first iteration of the ACA and a lot more work needs to be done .
The Republican Party and Trump are not up for that task and after almost four years in office , matters have only gotten worse .
Biden pointed that out that Trump and his Republicans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , they have been doing quite the opposite .
Trump would `` never look you in the eye and tell you he wants to take it away .
He wants to take it away . ''
Before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit our shores and spread due to corrupt and impotent federal policy makers , people were losing their health insurance .
The CDC released a report this month , which looked into rising numbers of uninsured Americans .
Here 's what they found : `` In 2019 , 14.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States . ''
The Hill reports that this is up from the previous year 's number of 13.3 % .
In total , between 2018 and 2019 at least 2.5 million people became uninsured under Trump and the Republican Party 's magical thinking , nonexistent plan .
The number one reason people were losing their insurance was because it had become unaffordable .
Some other awful numbers the CDC released is that under Trump the people who have lost their insurance because of cost increased based on age , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 80.9 % among those aged 50–64 . ''
And , of course , as Biden pointed out , Trump 's activities as president have disproportionately hurt communities of color more than anyone else , with `` Hispanic adults '' being more than 30 percent more likely to lose their insurance than their white counterparts due to their ineligibility .
As with the rising rate of children under six without insurance , these awful numbers were before COVID-19 .
This was before tens of millions of people became unemployed , losing their work-subsidized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gallup poll showed that the numbers of uninsured Americans was consistently dropping under the Affordable Care Act .
A lot of work needed to be done .
Instead , Republicans fought and continue to fight to claw back public healthcare options , while offering up zilch to replace it .
The bottom line is that affordable health care is possible but not under Trump .
As Biden said while Trump rattle off lies in the background , `` He does n't know how to do that .
He has not done a single @ @ @

During last night's debate, one of the places where Joe Biden was able to cut through the strange excitable barking that was going on to his right was during the somehow interminable, somehow brief, debate question surrounding the health insurance. During that section, Biden attempted to explain the need to rebuild the Affordable Care Act and improve upon it while Donald Trump literally just barked out words like "socialist," and lied about making insulin as "cheap as water."
The most glaring point, something that even moderator Chris Wallace wasn't able to hide, was that Donald Trump continues to have zero plans or ideas for replacing the health insurance that will be lost if the ACA is fully dismantled. As it is, the problem of high health insurance coverage wasn't fixed by the first iteration of the ACA and a lot more work needs to be done. The Republican Party and Trump are not up for that task and after almost four years in office, matters have only gotten worse. Biden pointed that out that Trump and his Republicans have no interest in creating affordable health care. In fact, they have been doing quite the opposite. Trump would "never look you in the eye and tell you he wants to take it away. He wants to take it away."
Before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit our shores and spread due to corrupt and impotent federal policy makers, people were losing their health insurance. The CDC released a report this month, which looked into rising numbers of uninsured Americans. Here's what they found: "In 2019, 14.5% of adults aged 18–64 were uninsured in the United States." The Hill reports that this is up from the previous year's number of 13.3%. In total, between 2018 and 2019 at least 2.5 million people became uninsured under Trump and the Republican Party's magical thinking, nonexistent plan. The number one reason people were losing their insurance was because it had become unaffordable.
Some other awful numbers the CDC released is that under Trump the people who have lost their insurance because of cost increased based on age, "from 66.8% among those aged 18–29 to 80.9% among those aged 50–64." And, of course, as Biden pointed out, Trump's activities as president have disproportionately hurt communities of color more than anyone else, with "Hispanic adults" being more than 30 percent more likely to lose their insurance than their white counterparts due to their ineligibility.
As with the rising rate of children under six without insurance, these awful numbers were before COVID-19. This was before tens of millions of people became unemployed, losing their work-subsidized healthcare insurance. In 2014, a Gallup poll showed that the numbers of uninsured Americans was consistently dropping under the Affordable Care Act. A lot of work needed to be done. Instead, Republicans fought and continue to fight to claw back public healthcare options, while offering up zilch to replace it.
The bottom line is that affordable health care is possible but not under Trump. As Biden said while Trump rattle off lies in the background, "He doesn't know how to do that. He has not done a single thing."


alternet--2020-09-30--Fox Business host gives Kayleigh McEnany a brutal reality check: ‘Biden won the debate’

Following Trump 's presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday night , September 29 , Fox Business host Stuart Varney was honest enough to admit that Biden won the debate .
And he was clearly in disagreement with White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany when she tried to convince him that Trump was the winner .
McEnany , appearing on Fox Business , told Varney that Trump was `` in very good spirits '' following the debate and `` brought the fight that I think the American people wanted to see . ''
But Varney responded that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own good during the debate , which was moderated by Fox News ' Chris Wallace .
`` His style , the frequent interruptions — I mean , the insults came from Biden — but the frequent interruptions and the talking over everybody , that was a lot from President Trump , '' Varney argued .
`` And I think that 's what the audience did n't like and will turn off . ''
After McEnany claimed that Trump 's `` offense style '' was necessary to get answers from Biden , Varney told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this ?
Biden won simply because he got through the whole 90 minutes — no gaffe , no senior moments , no lack of focus , and reasonable amount of energy all the way through .
Therefore , he survived .
He won . ''
But McEnany maintained that Trump won the debate , resorting to bogus talking points about Biden and Antifa .
`` No gaffes — that 's a really subjective interpretation , '' McEnany told Varney .
`` I would consider it a pretty big gaffe when asked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans and targeted police officers — and there 's no condemnation of that group .
I consider that a pretty big gaffe , along with many others . ''
Biden , in fact , has been stressing that he condemns violence from either the left or right .
And Trump is drawing a great deal of criticism for , during the debate , expressing his solidarity the Proud Boys — a white nationalist group that openly promotes violence .
Trump said , `` Proud Boys , stand back and stand by . ''

Following Trump's presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday night, September 29, Fox Business host Stuart Varney was honest enough to admit that Biden won the debate. And he was clearly in disagreement with White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany when she tried to convince him that Trump was the winner.
McEnany, appearing on Fox Business, told Varney that Trump was "in very good spirits" following the debate and "brought the fight that I think the American people wanted to see." But Varney responded that Trump was much too abrasive for his own good during the debate, which was moderated by Fox News' Chris Wallace.
"His style, the frequent interruptions — I mean, the insults came from Biden — but the frequent interruptions and the talking over everybody, that was a lot from President Trump," Varney argued. "And I think that's what the audience didn't like and will turn off."
After McEnany claimed that Trump's "offense style" was necessary to get answers from Biden, Varney told her, "What's your response to this? Biden won simply because he got through the whole 90 minutes — no gaffe, no senior moments, no lack of focus, and reasonable amount of energy all the way through. Therefore, he survived. He won."
But McEnany maintained that Trump won the debate, resorting to bogus talking points about Biden and Antifa.
"No gaffes — that's a really subjective interpretation," McEnany told Varney. "I would consider it a pretty big gaffe when asked about Antifa — an organization that has killed Americans and targeted police officers — and there's no condemnation of that group. I consider that a pretty big gaffe, along with many others."
Biden, in fact, has been stressing that he condemns violence from either the left or right. And Trump is drawing a great deal of criticism for, during the debate, expressing his solidarity the Proud Boys — a white nationalist group that openly promotes violence. Trump said, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by."
Watch the video below:


alternet--2020-09-30--Barr's DOJ offers talking points for Trump amid speculation of political motives

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr is facing backlash for the Department of Justice 's ( DOJ ) declassification and disclosure of various pieces of unverified , sensitive information , giving President Donald Trump more talking points to weaponize for his political agenda .
Barr and the DOJ unveiled a cascade of information about multiple seemingly unrelated topics , according to Politico .
From the Michael Flynn 's prosecution and the Russian intelligence investigation to the Senate 's investigation into the Steele Dossier origin and information on one of Trump 's latest arguments : the federal investigation into the discarded absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now has quite a bit to voice complaints about .
At a glance , the investigations and proceedings have no connection or correlation but that has not stopped Trump from using the sensitive details to his political advantage .
`` A new trove of documents -- and you have to go home , you got ta ' read these documents -- they now prove that Russia interfered in 2016 .
Unfortunately it was on behalf of Hillary Clinton , not Donald Trump , '' the president said during a campaign rally in Newport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Newly released text messages make 100 percent clear the FBI knew that Democrats purchased Russian disinformation targeting me , your favorite president , which then formed the basis of the witch hunt , '' Trump also said on Friday .
Now , Barr is accused of using the Department of Justice for Trump 's re-election campaign and political aspiration and many legal experts are concerned about the impact his actions could have on the integrity of campaign and election practices .
William Jeffress , the veteran defense lawyer who represented former President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , weighed in on Barr 's claims .
Although the attorney general argues that his actions were not politically motivated , Jeffress highlighted the typical deadline for the Department of Justice to refrain from actions that could be `` politically sensitive '' ahead of an election .
`` These actions are not typical , '' Jeffress said .
`` Tradition is that politically sensitive actions by DOJ go dark at least 60 days before an election . ''
Gene Rossi , a former Virginia federal prosecutor , also echoed similar sentiments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions signal a distinct conflict of interest with his ties to the White House and Trump 's re-election campaign .
`` The attorney general is working hand in glove with the White House and the Trump reelection campaign , '' Rossi said .
`` We have not seen that level of unseemly coordination since Attorney General John Mitchell . ''

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr is facing backlash for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) declassification and disclosure of various pieces of unverified, sensitive information, giving President Donald Trump more talking points to weaponize for his political agenda.
Barr and the DOJ unveiled a cascade of information about multiple seemingly unrelated topics, according to Politico. From the Michael Flynn's prosecution and the Russian intelligence investigation to the Senate's investigation into the Steele Dossier origin and information on one of Trump's latest arguments: the federal investigation into the discarded absentee ballots found in Pennsylvania, the president now has quite a bit to voice complaints about.
At a glance, the investigations and proceedings have no connection or correlation but that has not stopped Trump from using the sensitive details to his political advantage.
"A new trove of documents -- and you have to go home, you gotta' read these documents -- they now prove that Russia interfered in 2016. Unfortunately it was on behalf of Hillary Clinton, not Donald Trump," the president said during a campaign rally in Newport News, Va., on Friday.
"Newly released text messages make 100 percent clear the FBI knew that Democrats purchased Russian disinformation targeting me, your favorite president, which then formed the basis of the witch hunt," Trump also said on Friday.
Now, Barr is accused of using the Department of Justice for Trump's re-election campaign and political aspiration and many legal experts are concerned about the impact his actions could have on the integrity of campaign and election practices.
William Jeffress, the veteran defense lawyer who represented former President Richard Nixon after his tenure in the White House, weighed in on Barr's claims. Although the attorney general argues that his actions were not politically motivated, Jeffress highlighted the typical deadline for the Department of Justice to refrain from actions that could be "politically sensitive" ahead of an election.
"These actions are not typical," Jeffress said. "Tradition is that politically sensitive actions by DOJ go dark at least 60 days before an election."
Gene Rossi, a former Virginia federal prosecutor, also echoed similar sentiments. According to Rossi, Barr's actions signal a distinct conflict of interest with his ties to the White House and Trump's re-election campaign.
"The attorney general is working hand in glove with the White House and the Trump reelection campaign," Rossi said. "We have not seen that level of unseemly coordination since Attorney General John Mitchell."


alternet--2020-09-30--Here's proof that Amy Coney Barrett is unqualified for the Supreme Court

Senate Republicans are likely to have a lot of meetings to rush to Wednesday morning , when reporters try to grab them for comment on Tuesday night 's debate and the performance of the guy at the top of their ticket .
The guy who will do anything to win again .
Including naming a Supreme Court nominee who would hand the presidency over to him , whether or not his claim before the court is legitimate .
He sure has found his candidate in Amy Coney Barrett .
The nominee completed her Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire , and refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election cases .
In that , she proved herself unqualified for the job .
The reality is , any federal court nominee—at any level—worthy of the seat would decline the invitation from Trump right now , for any number of reasons .
The number one , though , is Trump standing on a debate stage and reiterating that he has no intention of allowing for a peaceful transition of government should he lose in November .
Trump has made it blindingly clear that he 'll do anything to `` win , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it Tuesday night .
Wallace asked specifically , `` are you counting on the Supreme Court , including a Justice Barrett , to settle any dispute ? ''
Trump answered `` Yeah .
I think I 'm counting on them to look at the ballots , definitely .
[ … ] But for the ballots , I think so . ''
Barrett is the second of Trump 's nominees to have legal experience stealing the White House .
Both she and Brett Kavanaugh were on George W. Bush 's legal team in Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counting on them to look at the ballots '' think `` hanging chads '' in Broward County in 2000 .
That 's bad enough .
What followed was even worse , because when Wallace asked `` Will you urge your supporters to stay calm during this extended period , not to engage in any civil unrest ?
[ … ] And will you pledge tonight that you will not declare victory until the election has been independently certified ? ''
Trump refused .
`` I 'm urging my supporters to go in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` Because that 's what has to happen .
I am urging them to do it . ''
In her Senate questionnaire , Barrett said she would recuse herself from cases in which her husband and/or sister were involved .
Yes , it 's a whole family of wing-nut lawyers .
She would also recuse herself from any cases involving Notre Dame University , since she has taught there , and from any cases in which she participated while on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would recuse herself from cases related to the 2020 presidential election .
That drew fire from Democrats before the debate .
`` The underlying fault here is with the timing , which makes it a sham , but certainly she should recuse herself .
In a normal world , there would be no question about it , '' Sen. Richard Blumenthal , a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee , told reporters .
Now ?
Now that Trump has put the violent white supremacist Proud Boys on `` stand by '' for `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he 's said , expressly , he is `` counting on '' the Supreme Court to decide the election for him ?
The questionnaire also reveals that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone contacted Barrett the day after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died .
The day after .
Three days later , she met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and Trump offered it that day .
She accepted it that day .
Three days after RBG died .
There was really no one else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed the person who is unprincipled enough to be willing to be installed on the court for the primary purpose of establishing his autocracy .
It does n't hurt that she 's a far-right evangelicals ' wet dream .
At the very least Barrett would to recuse herself from election cases , if she were actually worthy of the job .
What the moment really demands is that she entirely withdraw from consideration until after the election , at the earliest .
It 's a testament to how much of partisan , extremist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this in the first place—the day after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died .

Senate Republicans are likely to have a lot of meetings to rush to Wednesday morning, when reporters try to grab them for comment on Tuesday night's debate and the performance of the guy at the top of their ticket. The guy who will do anything to win again. Including naming a Supreme Court nominee who would hand the presidency over to him, whether or not his claim before the court is legitimate. He sure has found his candidate in Amy Coney Barrett. The nominee completed her Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire, and refused to commit to recusing herself from any 2020 election cases. In that, she proved herself unqualified for the job.
The reality is, any federal court nominee—at any level—worthy of the seat would decline the invitation from Trump right now, for any number of reasons. The number one, though, is Trump standing on a debate stage and reiterating that he has no intention of allowing for a peaceful transition of government should he lose in November. Trump has made it blindingly clear that he'll do anything to "win," and Barrett is key. He repeated it Tuesday night. Wallace asked specifically, "are you counting on the Supreme Court, including a Justice Barrett, to settle any dispute?" Trump answered "Yeah. I think I'm counting on them to look at the ballots, definitely. […] But for the ballots, I think so."
Barrett is the second of Trump's nominees to have legal experience stealing the White House. Both she and Brett Kavanaugh were on George W. Bush's legal team in Florida. When Trump says he's "counting on them to look at the ballots" think "hanging chads" in Broward County in 2000. That's bad enough. What followed was even worse, because when Wallace asked "Will you urge your supporters to stay calm during this extended period, not to engage in any civil unrest? […] And will you pledge tonight that you will not declare victory until the election has been independently certified?" Trump refused. "I'm urging my supporters to go in to the polls and watch very carefully," he said. "Because that's what has to happen. I am urging them to do it."
In her Senate questionnaire, Barrett said she would recuse herself from cases in which her husband and/or sister were involved. Yes, it's a whole family of wing-nut lawyers. She would also recuse herself from any cases involving Notre Dame University, since she has taught there, and from any cases in which she participated while on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. But she would not say she would recuse herself from cases related to the 2020 presidential election.
That drew fire from Democrats before the debate. "The underlying fault here is with the timing, which makes it a sham, but certainly she should recuse herself. In a normal world, there would be no question about it," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee, told reporters. Now? Now that Trump has put the violent white supremacist Proud Boys on "stand by" for "poll watching" this election? Now that he's said, expressly, he is "counting on" the Supreme Court to decide the election for him?
The questionnaire also reveals that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone contacted Barrett the day after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. The day after. Three days later, she met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and Trump offered it that day. She accepted it that day. Three days after RBG died. There was really no one else on the list for Trump. He needed the person who is unprincipled enough to be willing to be installed on the court for the primary purpose of establishing his autocracy. It doesn't hurt that she's a far-right evangelicals' wet dream.
At the very least Barrett would to recuse herself from election cases, if she were actually worthy of the job. What the moment really demands is that she entirely withdraw from consideration until after the election, at the earliest. It's a testament to how much of partisan, extremist ideologue she is that she agreed to this in the first place—the day after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died.


alternet--2020-09-30--‘Propaganda’: Experts blast DNI for declassifying ‘unverified’ anti-Clinton ‘Russian disinformation’

The Director of National Intelligence , pro-Trump former MAGA congressman John Ratcliffe , has just declassified and released what is being described as `` unverified '' Russian chatter and `` disinformation '' that suggests Hillary Clinton may have been in touch with the Russians in an attempt to help her 2016 presidential campaign .
Ratcliffe , just hours before Tuesday night 's presidential debate , sent a letter to Republican Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham , who is facing his own major re-election challenge .
The letter claims in 2016 `` U.S. intelligence agencies obtained insight into Russian intelligence analysis alleging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved a campaign plan to stir up a scandal against U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump by tying him to Putin and the Russians ; hacking of the Democratic National Committee . ''
The DNI 's letter then clearly says the intelligence community `` does not know the accuracy of this allegation or the extent to which the Russian intelligence analysis may reflect fabrication . ''
The Director of National Intelligence heads all 17 U.S. intel agencies and offices .
It took the President 's son , Donald Trump Jr. , no time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reporters are furious that Ratcliffe would declassify and release what they see as unverified Russian propaganda .
Former U.S. intelligence officer , current NBC News national security and intelligence analyst Ned Price :

The Director of National Intelligence, pro-Trump former MAGA congressman John Ratcliffe, has just declassified and released what is being described as "unverified" Russian chatter and "disinformation" that suggests Hillary Clinton may have been in touch with the Russians in an attempt to help her 2016 presidential campaign.
Ratcliffe, just hours before Tuesday night's presidential debate, sent a letter to Republican Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, who is facing his own major re-election challenge.
The letter claims in 2016 "U.S. intelligence agencies obtained insight into Russian intelligence analysis alleging that U.S. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had approved a campaign plan to stir up a scandal against U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump by tying him to Putin and the Russians; hacking of the Democratic National Committee."
The DNI's letter then clearly says the intelligence community "does not know the accuracy of this allegation or the extent to which the Russian intelligence analysis may reflect fabrication."
The Director of National Intelligence heads all 17 U.S. intel agencies and offices.
(Ratcliffe's installation as Director of National Intelligence was, according to some, illegal. Congress passed a law requiring the DNI to have prior "extensive national security expertise," which Ratcliffe, like his two predecessors, lacks.)
It took the President's son, Donald Trump Jr., no time to try to weaponize it:
Intelligence experts and reporters are furious that Ratcliffe would declassify and release what they see as unverified Russian propaganda.
Intelligence analyst Eric Garland:
CNN national security reporter Jeremy Herb:
U.S. intel and terrorism expert Malcolm Nance:
Politico Congressional reporter Andrew Desiderio:
Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko:
Former U.S. intelligence officer, current NBC News national security and intelligence analyst Ned Price:


alternet--2020-09-30--Members of Trump’s family broke venue rules by not wearing face masks during debate

Although the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 1 million people worldwide and over 206,000 in the United States — according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore — not wearing a protective face mask continues to be a badge of honor for President Donald Trump and many other Republicans .
Trump , in fact , criticized former Vice President Joe Biden during the presidential debate on Tuesday night , September 29 for wearing a mask too often .
And according to Business Insider reporter Sinéad Baker , masks were few and far between among members of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump 's children — Ivanka , Donald Jr. , Eric and Tiffany — sat in the front row and did not wear masks , '' Baker reports .
`` First Lady Melania Trump was pictured wearing one while sitting with them .
But Tyler Pager , a Bloomberg News political reporter at the event , said she removed her mask after she sat down . ''
According to Baker , Trump 's family members were in violation of the debate 's social distancing guidelines by not wearing masks throughout the event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seen wearing masks while walking to their seats but removed them after sitting down .
`` Guests were told to wear masks throughout the debate , held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio , '' Baker explains .
`` NBC News reported that a Cleveland Clinic doctor tried to approach the Trump children to ask them to wear masks as they entered the venue , but that she ultimately could n't get to them . ''
Baker also points out that at the debate , `` The seats were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines . ''
Unlike Melania Trump , Biden 's wife , Jill Biden was seen wearing a mask when she greeted her husband on stage after the debate .
The coronavirus pandemic was a prominent topic during the debate , and Biden slammed the president repeatedly for publicly downplaying the severity of the crisis .

Although the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 1 million people worldwide and over 206,000 in the United States — according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore — not wearing a protective face mask continues to be a badge of honor for President Donald Trump and many other Republicans. Trump, in fact, criticized former Vice President Joe Biden during the presidential debate on Tuesday night, September 29 for wearing a mask too often. And according to Business Insider reporter Sinéad Baker, masks were few and far between among members of Trump's family during the debate.
"Four of Trump's children — Ivanka, Donald Jr., Eric and Tiffany — sat in the front row and did not wear masks," Baker reports. "First Lady Melania Trump was pictured wearing one while sitting with them. But Tyler Pager, a Bloomberg News political reporter at the event, said she removed her mask after she sat down."
According to Baker, Trump's family members were in violation of the debate's social distancing guidelines by not wearing masks throughout the event. Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. were seen wearing masks while walking to their seats but removed them after sitting down.
"Guests were told to wear masks throughout the debate, held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio," Baker explains. "NBC News reported that a Cleveland Clinic doctor tried to approach the Trump children to ask them to wear masks as they entered the venue, but that she ultimately couldn't get to them."
Baker also points out that at the debate, "The seats were set far apart to adhere to social distancing guidelines."
Unlike Melania Trump, Biden's wife, Jill Biden was seen wearing a mask when she greeted her husband on stage after the debate.
The coronavirus pandemic was a prominent topic during the debate, and Biden slammed the president repeatedly for publicly downplaying the severity of the crisis.


alternet--2020-09-30--Former RNC chair and Montana governor spurns his party to endorse Joe Biden

Former Republican Montana Gov .
Marc Racicot , who also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee for two @ @ @ @ @ his party and is endorsing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The Helena Independent Record @ @ @ @ @ endorsement on Tuesday evening in an interview with Yellowstone Public Radio .
`` Even as @ @ @ @ @ not be supporting Donald Trump for president , and I will not be voting for @ @ @ @ @ Montana governor said before making an argument in favor of Biden 's moral character .
@ @ @ @ @ to march lockstep with him every step of the way or with the administration , @ @ @ @ @ I 'll have disagreements , I 'm certain .
But the content of a man @ @ @ @ @ 's character to serve in that capacity is more important than any other issue that @ @ @ @ @ a matter of conscience . ''
Other former Republican governors who have endorsed Biden in @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey Gov .
Christine Todd Whitman and Michigan Gov .
Rick Snyder .

Former Republican Montana Gov. Marc Racicot, who also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee for two years, has broken with his party and is endorsing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The Helena Independent Record reports that Racicot made his endorsement on Tuesday evening in an interview with Yellowstone Public Radio.
"Even as a Republican, I will not be supporting Donald Trump for president, and I will not be voting for him," the former Montana governor said before making an argument in favor of Biden's moral character.
"I'm not going to march lockstep with him every step of the way or with the administration," he said. "I'll have disagreements, I'm certain. But the content of a man's character or a woman's character to serve in that capacity is more important than any other issue that I have to consider as a matter of conscience."
Other former Republican governors who have endorsed Biden in the 2020 race include former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.


alternet--2020-09-30--Government watchdog analysis warns Coney Barrett confirmation would 'supercharge' GOP agenda

A new analysis out Tuesday examining the federal judicial record of Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump 's controversial U.S. Supreme Court nominee , reveals a pattern of legal thought that critics charge reveals a deeply-held allegiance to right-wing and Republican Party ideology that places the supremacy of corporate power over the needs of both people and planet .
According to the government watchdog Accountable.US , Barrett sided with corporations 76 % of the time during the three years in which she 's served on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals .
Since being confirmed to the court in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled on at least 55 cases in which people challenged corporate malfeasance , including : • A case in which a woman sued pharma giant Teva North America over a faulty IUD .
• The case of a man who claimed his firing from the Chicago Stock Exchange violated whistleblower protections .
• A case in which a railroad employee claimed he had been injured at work using a piece of broken equipment .
Barrett ruled against the plaintiffs in all three of the above cases , as well as dozens more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg represents a agenda to favor corporations and the wealthy , said Accountable.US .
`` President Trump has consistently advanced the interests of the wealthy and well-connected at the expense of the American people , and his choice of Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court would supercharge that agenda , '' said Kyle Herrig , president of Accountable.US.
, in a statement .
`` Judge Barrett 's record of protecting corporate interests over people leaves no mystery about her priorities—priorities that could take the nation backwards on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court has already leaned corporate-friendly for years , and Trump 's appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh was criticized in 2018 by watchdog Public Citizen as one that elevated a judge with an `` overwhelming tendency to reach conclusions favorable to corporations and against the public interest . ''
`` This nominee would be no friend to the small businesses and workers who continue to struggle during the ongoing public health and economic crises , '' said Herrig of Barrett .
The Western Priorities Project , a project of Accountable.US , took note of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Barrett 's loyalty to corporate interests does not bode well for the environment .
Also included in Barrett 's decisions while serving on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals , the Western Values Project said in a statement , were a ruling blocking a park preservation group and Chicago residents to stop the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in the city 's Jackson Park , and a 2018 ruling which called on the Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider making 13 acres of Illinois wetlands off-limits to housing developers .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly siding with corporate interests over people , all signs point to her putting Trump 's personal agenda ahead of the health and safety of Americans and the nation 's public lands , '' said Western Values Project director Jayson O'Neill .
`` Trump has already rolled back a historic number of essential public land and environmental protections—earning him the dubious record of being the worst public lands and environmental president in history .
But if Barrett is confirmed to the high court , Trump 's actions could be upheld , enshrining a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lands and environmental well-being . ''

A new analysis out Tuesday examining the federal judicial record of Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's controversial U.S. Supreme Court nominee, reveals a pattern of legal thought that critics charge reveals a deeply-held allegiance to right-wing and Republican Party ideology that places the supremacy of corporate power over the needs of both people and planet.
According to the government watchdog Accountable.US, Barrett sided with corporations 76% of the time during the three years in which she's served on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Since being confirmed to the court in October 2017 by Trump, Barrett has ruled on at least 55 cases in which people challenged corporate malfeasance, including:
A case in which a woman sued pharma giant Teva North America over a faulty IUD.
The case of a man who claimed his firing from the Chicago Stock Exchange violated whistleblower protections.
A case in which a railroad employee claimed he had been injured at work using a piece of broken equipment.
Barrett ruled against the plaintiffs in all three of the above cases, as well as dozens more.
Trump's selection of Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg represents a agenda to favor corporations and the wealthy, said Accountable.US.
"President Trump has consistently advanced the interests of the wealthy and well-connected at the expense of the American people, and his choice of Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court would supercharge that agenda," said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US., in a statement. "Judge Barrett's record of protecting corporate interests over people leaves no mystery about her priorities—priorities that could take the nation backwards on many important issues."
The Supreme Court has already leaned corporate-friendly for years, and Trump's appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh was criticized in 2018 by watchdog Public Citizen as one that elevated a judge with an "overwhelming tendency to reach conclusions favorable to corporations and against the public interest."
"This nominee would be no friend to the small businesses and workers who continue to struggle during the ongoing public health and economic crises," said Herrig of Barrett.
The Western Priorities Project, a project of Accountable.US, took note of the group's analysis, pointing out that Barrett's loyalty to corporate interests does not bode well for the environment.
Also included in Barrett's decisions while serving on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Western Values Project said in a statement, were a ruling blocking a park preservation group and Chicago residents to stop the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in the city's Jackson Park, and a 2018 ruling which called on the Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider making 13 acres of Illinois wetlands off-limits to housing developers.
"With Amy Coney Barrett's history of repeatedly siding with corporate interests over people, all signs point to her putting Trump's personal agenda ahead of the health and safety of Americans and the nation's public lands," said Western Values Project director Jayson O'Neill. "Trump has already rolled back a historic number of essential public land and environmental protections—earning him the dubious record of being the worst public lands and environmental president in history. But if Barrett is confirmed to the high court, Trump's actions could be upheld, enshrining a lasting threat to our nation's public lands and environmental well-being."


alternet--2020-09-30--Fox News host grills Trump spokesman on his Proud Boys remark — and tells her ‘they’re celebrating i

Fox News host grills Trump spokesman on his Proud Boys remark — and tells her ‘they’re celebrating it’

President Donald Trump 's request that the far-right Proud Boys gang `` stand back and stand by '' is drawing heavy criticism , especially because the group itself is openly celebrating the president 's remark as an explicit endorsement .
Fox News host Sandra Smith on Wednesday grilled White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah about what the president meant and asked her if she wanted to walk back any of his statements .
`` The president saying , 'Proud Boys , stand back and stand by ' , does the White House or the president want to clarify or explain what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're celebrating it , the group , '' she said .
`` I do n't think there 's anything to clarify , '' Farah replied .
`` He 's told them to stand back .
This president has surged federal resources when violent crime surges in cities .
He 's leading — he does n't need any sort of vigilantism ! ''
In fact , Trump has egged on right-wing vigilantes in the past , and last month even defended teenager Kyle Rittenhouse , who has been arrested for murdering two Black Lives @ @ @

President Donald Trump's request that the far-right Proud Boys gang "stand back and stand by" is drawing heavy criticism, especially because the group itself is openly celebrating the president's remark as an explicit endorsement.
Fox News host Sandra Smith on Wednesday grilled White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah about what the president meant and asked her if she wanted to walk back any of his statements.
"The president saying, 'Proud Boys, stand back and stand by', does the White House or the president want to clarify or explain what he meant by that, because they're celebrating it, the group," she said.
"I don't think there's anything to clarify," Farah replied. "He's told them to stand back. This president has surged federal resources when violent crime surges in cities. He's leading — he doesn't need any sort of vigilantism!"
In fact, Trump has egged on right-wing vigilantes in the past, and last month even defended teenager Kyle Rittenhouse, who has been arrested for murdering two Black Lives Matter demonstrators.
Watch the video below.


alternet--2020-09-30--The only winner of last night's 'debate' was dictatorship and oligarchy

What we saw last night was the dictator 's playbook .
Tell violent white supremacist racists to `` stand by @ @ @ @ @ show up at polling places to intimidate voters .
Bully , bluster and threaten like @ @ @ @ @ brand as `` tough guy '' when in fact you 're a lazy coward .
@ @ @ @ @ is evil , like Hitler did , setting up excuses for state-run police violence and @ @ @ @ @ institutions , including the vote , like Hungary 's Victor Orban and and Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ do .
While millions of Americans are struggling with loss of jobs , lack of @ @ @ @ @ and an absolutely gutted social safety net after 40 years of Reaganomics , all Trump @ @ @ @ @ , and threaten .
The only winner of last night 's `` debate '' was @ @ @ @ @ , China and authoritarianism around the world were the big winners last night .
America @ @ @ @

What we saw last night was the dictator's playbook.
Tell violent white supremacist racists to "stand by" and encourage them to show up at polling places to intimidate voters.
Bully, bluster and threaten like Mussolini did, promoting your brand as "tough guy" when in fact you're a lazy coward.
Claim that the other side is evil, like Hitler did, setting up excuses for state-run police violence and vigilante brutality.
Trash-talk democratic institutions, including the vote, like Hungary's Victor Orban and and Saudi Arabia's dictator Mohammed bin Salman do.
While millions of Americans are struggling with loss of jobs, lack of healthcare during a pandemic, and an absolutely gutted social safety net after 40 years of Reaganomics, all Trump did was brag, yell, and threaten.
This is classic dictator's playbook.
The only winner of last night's "debate" was dictatorship and oligarchy.
Russia, China and authoritarianism around the world were the big winners last night. America was the loser.


alternet--2020-09-30--Portland sheriff fires back at Trump for falsely claiming he supports the president

Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese of Portland , OR .
quickly shut down President Donald Trump 's claim that he endorsed him for the upcoming presidential election .
During the first presidential debate on Tuesday night , Reese took to Twitter with his reaction to Trump 's remarks as he confirmed he has never supported Trump .
In addition , he also made it clear he has no intent on supporting the president going forward .
`` In tonight 's presidential debate the President said the 'Portland Sheriff ' supports him , '' Reese tweeted on Tuesday night , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have never supported Donald Trump and will never support him . ''
As he offered a more candid look at all that has transpired up to last night , Reese also revealed how Trump has impacted his personal and professional life as he tweeted , `` Donald Trump has made my job a hell of a lot harder since he started talking about Portland , but I never thought he 'd try to turn my wife against me ! ''
Reese 's remarks came shortly after Trump 's claim during the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's argued about law and order .
Trump falsely claimed to have overwhelming support among `` military leaders and generals '' and law enforcement groups .
Trump also claimed Biden could not utter the words law enforcement out of fear of losing his `` radical left supporters '' as he , himself , failed to denounce white supremacy .
`` Almost every law enforcement group in the United States -- I have Florida , I have Texas , I have Ohio , I have everyone -- excuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today and said I support President Trump .
I do n't think you have any law enforcement , '' Mr. Trump said to Biden .
`` You ca n't even say the word law enforcement because if you say those words , you 're going to lose all of your radical left supporters . ''
Trump has faced heightened scrutiny for his behavior during the chaotic first presidential debate .
However , the arguments are nowhere near over .
Trump and Biden 's next debates are scheduled for October 15 and 22 just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .

Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese of Portland, OR. quickly shut down President Donald Trump's claim that he endorsed him for the upcoming presidential election.
During the first presidential debate on Tuesday night, Reese took to Twitter with his reaction to Trump's remarks as he confirmed he has never supported Trump. In addition, he also made it clear he has no intent on supporting the president going forward.
"In tonight's presidential debate the President said the 'Portland Sheriff' supports him," Reese tweeted on Tuesday night, adding, "As the Multnomah County Sheriff I have never supported Donald Trump and will never support him."
As he offered a more candid look at all that has transpired up to last night, Reese also revealed how Trump has impacted his personal and professional life as he tweeted, "Donald Trump has made my job a hell of a lot harder since he started talking about Portland, but I never thought he'd try to turn my wife against me!"
Reese's remarks came shortly after Trump's claim during the presidential debate. During debate, the president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's argued about law and order. Trump falsely claimed to have overwhelming support among "military leaders and generals" and law enforcement groups.
Trump also claimed Biden could not utter the words law enforcement out of fear of losing his "radical left supporters" as he, himself, failed to denounce white supremacy.
"Almost every law enforcement group in the United States -- I have Florida, I have Texas, I have Ohio, I have everyone -- excuse me, Portland sheriff just came out today and said I support President Trump. I don't think you have any law enforcement," Mr. Trump said to Biden. "You can't even say the word law enforcement because if you say those words, you're going to lose all of your radical left supporters."
Trump claims in debate 'Portland Sheriff' gave him endorsement www.youtube.com
Trump has faced heightened scrutiny for his behavior during the chaotic first presidential debate. However, the arguments are nowhere near over. Trump and Biden's next debates are scheduled for October 15 and 22 just weeks before Election Day on November 3, 2020.


alternet--2020-09-30--Ted Cruz says Senate must confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee to ‘resolve any cases’ regarding elect

Ted Cruz says Senate must confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee to ‘resolve any cases’ regarding election

Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump 's far-right Supreme Court nominee , are scheduled to begin on Monday , October 12 — and prominent GOP senators like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham ( chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee ) are making it abundantly clear that they expect to see Barrett 's confirmation rammed through the Senate as soon as possible .
Two of the main reasons why Republicans are so anxious to see Barrett confirmed are Roe v. Wade and Obamacare .
But Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move quickly with her confirmation : Barrett could be a key vote on election disputes .
`` The entire reason the Senate should act and should act promptly to confirm a ninth justice is so that the Supreme Court can resolve any cases that arise in the wake of the election , '' Cruz told reporters .
Translation : if the 2020 presidential election is really close in key swing states such as Pennsylvania , Florida , North Carolina and Arizona and there any disputes with the vote count , Cruz would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court so that she could rule on the case .
Prominent Democrats , however , are saying that if Barrett is confirmed and the Supreme Court does end up ruling on any election disputes , Trump 's nominee needs to recuse herself — and that not doing so would be unethical .
During an appearance on NBC News ' `` Meet the Press '' on Sunday , September 27 , New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker — a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee — said of Barrett , `` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear that the Court will be further delegitimized . ''
Booker is among the Senate Democrats who has said that he is open to the possibility of expanding or `` packing '' the High Court with additional seats if Barrett 's nomination is rammed through before Election Day , which is Tuesday , November 3 .
Under the U.S. Constitution , the Supreme Court does not have to have nine justices — and Congress would have the power to vote to expand the number of justices to ten , 11 , 12 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand the number of Supreme Courts justices during the 1930s but was unsuccessful and encountered opposition from members of Congress .
Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware told National Public Radio that if Barrett is confirmed so close to a presidential election , she `` should recuse herself '' from voting on any election-related matters .
Cruz , however , does n't see it that way .
And Trump himself is making it clear that he believes Barrett should vote on election-related matters if she is confirmed by the Senate .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the Supreme Court , '' Trump said this week , `` and I think it 's very important that we have nine justices . ''

Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's far-right Supreme Court nominee, are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 12 — and prominent GOP senators like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham (chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee) are making it abundantly clear that they expect to see Barrett's confirmation rammed through the Senate as soon as possible. Two of the main reasons why Republicans are so anxious to see Barrett confirmed are Roe v. Wade and Obamacare. But Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is stressing that there is another reason to move quickly with her confirmation: Barrett could be a key vote on election disputes.
"The entire reason the Senate should act and should act promptly to confirm a ninth justice is so that the Supreme Court can resolve any cases that arise in the wake of the election," Cruz told reporters.
Translation: if the 2020 presidential election is really close in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina and Arizona and there any disputes with the vote count, Cruz would like to make sure that Barrett is on the Supreme Court so that she could rule on the case.
Prominent Democrats, however, are saying that if Barrett is confirmed and the Supreme Court does end up ruling on any election disputes, Trump's nominee needs to recuse herself — and that not doing so would be unethical.
During an appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday, September 27, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker — a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee — said of Barrett, "If she does not recuse herself, I fear that the Court will be further delegitimized."
Booker is among the Senate Democrats who has said that he is open to the possibility of expanding or "packing" the High Court with additional seats if Barrett's nomination is rammed through before Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 3. Under the U.S. Constitution, the Supreme Court does not have to have nine justices — and Congress would have the power to vote to expand the number of justices to ten, 11, 12 or more. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt hoped to expand the number of Supreme Courts justices during the 1930s but was unsuccessful and encountered opposition from members of Congress.
Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware told National Public Radio that if Barrett is confirmed so close to a presidential election, she "should recuse herself" from voting on any election-related matters.
Cruz, however, doesn't see it that way. And Trump himself is making it clear that he believes Barrett should vote on election-related matters if she is confirmed by the Senate.
"I think this (election) will end up in the Supreme Court," Trump said this week, "and I think it's very important that we have nine justices."


alternet--2020-09-30--'A crackhead’: Undecided voters weigh in on Trump’s debate performance

By the end of the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , a focus group of undecided voters had come to an agreement on one thing : Something is wrong with Trump .
On Tuesday evening , Frank Luntz , a Republican political consultant and pollster and pundit , asked the undecided voters to describe Trump in one word .
The group , which consisted of residents in the 17 key swing states at stake for the upcoming election , had quite a few colorful responses with many who noticed Trump 's magnified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a step further describing the president as `` un-American '' and `` arrogant . ''
A Wisconsin voter described Trump as `` obnoxious '' while a Pennsylvania voter even insisted Trump acted like `` a crackhead . ''
CBS News ' poll regarding the tone of the event also supports the viewpoint of the undecided voters with 83 % of viewers saying the tone of the debate was more negative than positive .
The critical presidential debate has led to heightened criticism and scrutiny of Trump as he appeared more unhinged , defensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate tactics were not much different than his combative tweeting , the visual likely added to the intensity many viewers witnessed first-hand on Tuesday evening , Throughout the debate , Trump had to be told to refrain from talking over and interrupting Biden .
Some viewers also expressed concern about the possibility of the debate being a chilling foreboding of what 's to come in America .
The debate chaos could be the prelude to more political mayhem if Trump can not accept the outcome of the election and opts to challenge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the debate , Trump 's message to the white supremacy group the `` Proud Boys '' also raised concerns and signaled the possibility of impending civil unrest in the coming weeks .
Last night 's presidential debate was the first of the .
The second debate between Trump and Biden is set for Thursday , October 15

By the end of the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, a focus group of undecided voters had come to an agreement on one thing: Something is wrong with Trump.
On Tuesday evening, Frank Luntz, a Republican political consultant and pollster and pundit, asked the undecided voters to describe Trump in one word. The group, which consisted of residents in the 17 key swing states at stake for the upcoming election, had quite a few colorful responses with many who noticed Trump's magnified negativity.
Some of the viewers went a step further describing the president as "un-American" and "arrogant." A Wisconsin voter described Trump as "obnoxious" while a Pennsylvania voter even insisted Trump acted like "a crackhead."
CBS News' poll regarding the tone of the event also supports the viewpoint of the undecided voters with 83% of viewers saying the tone of the debate was more negative than positive.
The critical presidential debate has led to heightened criticism and scrutiny of Trump as he appeared more unhinged, defensive, and combative. While Trump's debate tactics were not much different than his combative tweeting, the visual likely added to the intensity many viewers witnessed first-hand on Tuesday evening, Throughout the debate, Trump had to be told to refrain from talking over and interrupting Biden.
Some viewers also expressed concern about the possibility of the debate being a chilling foreboding of what's to come in America. The debate chaos could be the prelude to more political mayhem if Trump cannot accept the outcome of the election and opts to challenge the results of it.
At one point during the debate, Trump's message to the white supremacy group the "Proud Boys" also raised concerns and signaled the possibility of impending civil unrest in the coming weeks. Last night's presidential debate was the first of the. The second debate between Trump and Biden is set for Thursday, October 15