alternet--2020-10-22--Why silencing Trump's mic won’t stop him from short-circuiting the democratic process

New rules will mute the microphones of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden for parts of the next presidential debate , but it may not be enough to solve the problems that arose in the chaotic first presidential debate .
The candidates will still be able to hear each other , potentially interrupting their train of thought – and , as The New York Times reported , anything a candidate says while his own microphone is muted may still be picked up by the other candidate 's mic .
And in late September , after the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to “ ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues , '' President Donald Trump said he would defy any new rules .
By promising to dominate rather than debate , Trump made clear that he would continue his signature strategy for campaigning and governing : undermining democratic institutions .
That leaves one big question : Is a debate even possible ?
As a professor of political communication and former college debate coach , I 've spent 20 years teaching students how to learn from presidential debates .
I teach them that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , require participants who respect the process and follow mutually agreed-upon rules .
The rules are often mundane – what the time limits are , whether candidates can directly question each other and when rebuttals are allowed – but they make it possible for political opponents to engage one another , answer tough questions and give voters a way to evaluate contrasting arguments .
Trump broke the rules , abused the process and treated the notion of democratic debate with disdain .
This microphone change may not prevent him from doing so again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't follow academic debate rules , but they can serve important functions for the public .
They demonstrate candidates ' ability to react under pressure , address a broad range of policy questions and connect with voters .
The Pew Research Center reports that in many election cycles , large majorities of voters have said the debates help them choose whom to support .
What happened on Sept. 29 achieved none of that .
Trump launched a 90-minute blitz of outbursts , interruptions and attacks , which was roundly denounced across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News repeatedly inserted himself into the barrage of cross-talk , but was unsuccessful in his efforts to get Trump to abide by the rules .
Joe Biden expressed exasperation , using language unprecedented for a presidential debate , telling Trump to “ shut up '' and calling him a “ clown . ''
Political scientist Jennifer Piscopo described the scene as one in which both candidates were “ goading each other with performative masculinity . ''
The Washington Post 's Jill Filipovic speculated that one reason the 2016 debates did n't devolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a woman , Hillary Clinton would have subjected herself to sexist criticisms if she had taken the bait .
Can this be fixed with a simple technological adjustment , like cutting speakers ' mics ?
If only .
The problem is that Trump did n't just speak too long or out of turn .
He adopted an anti-democratic stance and sabotaged the entire process .
Muting his mic would n't force Trump to participate in the debate in good faith .
Moreover , it would give him the opportunity to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he considers a hostile media establishment .
The televised presidential debates were designed to ensure that American voters could evaluate presidential and vice presidential candidates in a live , unscripted context – one that exposed them to questions from journalists and citizens and enabled them to engage one another on the issues .
[ Deep knowledge , daily .
Sign up for The Conversation 's newsletter . ]
They were not designed with a saboteur in mind .
Trump 's response to these debates is emblematic of his approach to the presidency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respond to voters .
What he values most of all is having the mic to himself .
Editor 's note : This is an updated version of an article originally published Oct. 2 , 2020 , adding information about specific new rules for the next presidential debate .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

by Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University
New rules will mute the microphones of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden for parts of the next presidential debate, but it may not be enough to solve the problems that arose in the chaotic first presidential debate.
The candidates will still be able to hear each other, potentially interrupting their train of thought – and, as The New York Times reported, anything a candidate says while his own microphone is muted may still be picked up by the other candidate's mic.
And in late September, after the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates promised to add “additional structure" to “ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," President Donald Trump said he would defy any new rules.
By promising to dominate rather than debate, Trump made clear that he would continue his signature strategy for campaigning and governing: undermining democratic institutions.
That leaves one big question: Is a debate even possible?
As a professor of political communication and former college debate coach, I've spent 20 years teaching students how to learn from presidential debates. I teach them that functional political debates, like healthy democracies, require participants who respect the process and follow mutually agreed-upon rules. The rules are often mundane – what the time limits are, whether candidates can directly question each other and when rebuttals are allowed – but they make it possible for political opponents to engage one another, answer tough questions and give voters a way to evaluate contrasting arguments.
Trump broke the rules, abused the process and treated the notion of democratic debate with disdain. This microphone change may not prevent him from doing so again.
Debates have a purpose
Scholars lament that televised presidential debates don't follow academic debate rules, but they can serve important functions for the public.
They demonstrate candidates' ability to react under pressure, address a broad range of policy questions and connect with voters. The Pew Research Center reports that in many election cycles, large majorities of voters have said the debates help them choose whom to support.
What happened on Sept. 29 achieved none of that.
Trump launched a 90-minute blitz of outbursts, interruptions and attacks, which was roundly denounced across thepolitical spectrum. Moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News repeatedly inserted himself into the barrage of cross-talk, but was unsuccessful in his efforts to get Trump to abide by the rules.
Joe Biden expressed exasperation, using language unprecedented for a presidential debate, telling Trump to “shut up" and calling him a “clown." Political scientist Jennifer Piscopo described the scene as one in which both candidates were “goading each other with performative masculinity."
The Washington Post's Jill Filipovic speculated that one reason the 2016 debates didn't devolve into that level of chaos was that, as a woman, Hillary Clinton would have subjected herself to sexist criticisms if she had taken the bait.
Sabotaging democracy
Can this be fixed with a simple technological adjustment, like cutting speakers' mics? If only.
The problem is that Trump didn't just speak too long or out of turn. He adopted an anti-democratic stance and sabotaged the entire process. Muting his mic wouldn't force Trump to participate in the debate in good faith. Moreover, it would give him the opportunity to claim that he's being censored by what he considers a hostile media establishment.
The televised presidential debates were designed to ensure that American voters could evaluate presidential and vice presidential candidates in a live, unscripted context – one that exposed them to questions from journalists and citizens and enabled them to engage one another on the issues.
[Deep knowledge, daily.Sign up for The Conversation's newsletter.]
They were not designed with a saboteur in mind. Trump's response to these debates is emblematic of his approach to the presidency. He wants to command an audience, not respond to voters. What he values most of all is having the mic to himself.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published Oct. 2, 2020, adding information about specific new rules for the next presidential debate.
Karrin Vasby Anderson, Professor of Communication Studies, Colorado State University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


alternet--2020-10-22--Explosive report reveals Russian hacking that could presage electoral chaos to help Trump

The New York Times has just published a bombshell report , alleging Russian hackers `` in recent days '' were able to access state and local computer networks , in an effort to help President Donald Trump win re-election .
These `` breaches…could allow Moscow broader access to American voting infrastructure . ''
The revelation is in keeping with Russia 's stated goal of undermining confidence in the U.S. elections system .
`` The discovery of the hacks came as American intelligence agencies , infiltrating Russian networks themselves , have pieced together details of what they believe are Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its final days or immediately after the election on Nov. 3 , '' the Times reports .
`` Officials did not make clear what Russia planned to do , but they said its operations would be intended to help President Trump , potentially by exacerbating disputes around the results , especially if the race is too close to call . ''
For months Trump has been sowing seeds to allow himself and his supporters to claim the election was not free or fair , repeatedly calling it `` rigged . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Russians have changed any vote tallies or voter registration information . ''
But experts say this is n't over .
`` This could be the reconnaissance for disruptive activity , '' says John Hultquist , the director of threat analysis at the security firm FireEye .
`` American officials expect that if the presidential race is not called on election night , Russian groups could use their knowledge of the local computer systems to deface websites , release nonpublic information or take similar steps that could sow chaos and doubts about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to American officials briefed on the intelligence . ''

The New York Times has just published a bombshell report, alleging Russian hackers "in recent days" were able to access state and local computer networks, in an effort to help President Donald Trump win re-election. These "breaches…could allow Moscow broader access to American voting infrastructure."
The revelation is in keeping with Russia's stated goal of undermining confidence in the U.S. elections system.
"The discovery of the hacks came as American intelligence agencies, infiltrating Russian networks themselves, have pieced together details of what they believe are Russia's plans to interfere in the presidential race in its final days or immediately after the election on Nov. 3," the Times reports.
"Officials did not make clear what Russia planned to do, but they said its operations would be intended to help President Trump, potentially by exacerbating disputes around the results, especially if the race is too close to call."
For months Trump has been sowing seeds to allow himself and his supporters to claim the election was not free or fair, repeatedly calling it "rigged."
The Times claims there is "no evidence that the Russians have changed any vote tallies or voter registration information."
But experts say this isn't over.
"This could be the reconnaissance for disruptive activity," says John Hultquist, the director of threat analysis at the security firm FireEye.
"American officials expect that if the presidential race is not called on election night, Russian groups could use their knowledge of the local computer systems to deface websites, release nonpublic information or take similar steps that could sow chaos and doubts about the integrity of the results, according to American officials briefed on the intelligence."


alternet--2020-10-22--NBC News fires back at Tucker Carlson for 'dangerously and dishonestly' attacking a journalist

On Wednesday night , Fox News ' Tucker Carlson brought on a guest , Darren Beattie — a former speechwriter for the president — to slam NBC News reporter Brandy Zadrozny for her story on harassment campaigns that Donald Trump supporters have conducted online .
And NBC News , in an official statement issued on Thursday , struck out to `` vigorously '' defend Zadrozny .
NBC News said , `` Over the past several years , journalists from news organizations around the world have put themselves at risk in order to shine a light in the dark corners of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the realm of conspiracy theories and online extremism .
Last night on Fox News Channel , Tucker Carlson dangerously and dishonestly targeted one of those journalists : Brandy Zadrozny .
Brandy represents the best of investigative journalism and of NBC News .
She is relentlessly well-researched and sophisticated in her understanding of disinformation and conspiracy theories on the internet and within some social media communities . ''
NBC News went on to say , `` Fox News has chosen to smear Brandy .
In doing so , they have shamefully encouraged harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to intimidate Brandy is doomed to failure .
NBC News could n't be prouder of Brandy , and we will continue to vigorously support her work . ''
Beattie left the White House in 2018 after CNN reported that in 2016 , he had attended an event that included white nationalists .
The former Trump speechwriter has accused Zadrozny of using `` data search engines to dox the personal information of anonymous Trump supporters online . ''
But Ben Collins , one of Zadrozny 's colleagues at NBC News , tweeted that Beattie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday night , Collins tweeted , `` Tucker Carlson is devoting an entire segment to attacking my colleague , Brandy Zadrozny , for doing actual reporting , like using public records to confirm identities of people who create harassment campaigns .
It 's disgraceful .
She 's the best reporter I know .
I 'm with her 1000 % . ''
Collins , in a Twitter thread , went on to say , `` That was a hideously unethical segment by Tucker Carlson , framing using basic reporting tools like public records searches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To do it to a mom , and one of the best people I know , is disgusting .
I wo n't forget it . ''

On Wednesday night, Fox News' Tucker Carlson brought on a guest, Darren Beattie — a former speechwriter for the president — to slam NBC News reporter Brandy Zadrozny for her story on harassment campaigns that Donald Trump supporters have conducted online. And NBC News, in an official statement issued on Thursday, struck out to "vigorously" defend Zadrozny.
NBC News said, "Over the past several years, journalists from news organizations around the world have put themselves at risk in order to shine a light in the dark corners of society and the internet — specifically, in the realm of conspiracy theories and online extremism. Last night on Fox News Channel, Tucker Carlson dangerously and dishonestly targeted one of those journalists: Brandy Zadrozny. Brandy represents the best of investigative journalism and of NBC News. She is relentlessly well-researched and sophisticated in her understanding of disinformation and conspiracy theories on the internet and within some social media communities."
NBC News went on to say, "Fox News has chosen to smear Brandy. In doing so, they have shamefully encouraged harassment and worse. Fortunately, any effort to intimidate Brandy is doomed to failure. NBC News couldn't be prouder of Brandy, and we will continue to vigorously support her work."
Beattie left the White House in 2018 after CNN reported that in 2016, he had attended an event that included white nationalists. The former Trump speechwriter has accused Zadrozny of using "data search engines to dox the personal information of anonymous Trump supporters online." But Ben Collins, one of Zadrozny's colleagues at NBC News, tweeted that Beattie seriously distorted Zadrozny's reporting.
On Wednesday night, Collins tweeted, "Tucker Carlson is devoting an entire segment to attacking my colleague, Brandy Zadrozny, for doing actual reporting, like using public records to confirm identities of people who create harassment campaigns. It's disgraceful. She's the best reporter I know. I'm with her 1000%."
Collins, in a Twitter thread, went on to say, "That was a hideously unethical segment by Tucker Carlson, framing using basic reporting tools like public records searches as some sort of evil act. To do it to a mom, and one of the best people I know, is disgusting. I won't forget it."


alternet--2020-10-22--How BlackRock is on track to infiltrate a Biden administration

The Democratic base , still scarred from the 2016 election , is frantic not to count its chickens before they hatch .
But Wall Street and corporate America have no such qualms .
As Joe Biden leads in national polls and swing states , the most powerful firms in the country are seeking assurances that his administration wo n't crack down on their crimes .
For many , that means tapping the Obama-era alumni and other well-connected Democrats whom they 've strategically hired to see who 's ready to take a trip through the revolving door .
This is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katie Porter have called on Biden to ban corporate appointees from his administration .
The bellwether for corporate infiltration of a Democratic administration is BlackRock , the world 's largest asset manager in charge of $ 7.32 trillion across the global economy .
Hillary Clinton 's campaign actively courted BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in 2016 , and he quietly built out a full Treasury Department-in-waiting of well-established Democrats ready to keep oversight of mischievous financiers light .
In the years since , BlackRock has only gotten larger , which means it only has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
So what does BlackRock care about from the next administration , and whom might they seed in a Biden administration to get it ?
BlackRock is the world 's largest investor in fossil fuels , an industry ( ironically ) gasping for air during the pandemic .
Yet BlackRock is currently trying to close a massive new stake in Saudi Aramco , the mostly state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia .
Saudi Arabia 's atrocities in Yemen and the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi did nothing to slow Fink 's business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Saudi finance minister in Riyadh six months after Khashoggi 's death , and one day after Mohammed bin Salman 's government executed 37 people , including one via crucifixion .
Biden 's promises on environmental and foreign policy run counter to protecting a Saudi oil pipeline just because an American investment titan has a stake in it .
Yet BlackRock Investment Institute Chairman Tom Donilon is reportedly in the running to be Biden 's secretary of state .
Donilon was Obama 's national security adviser , and his brother Mike is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why might a top investment firm hire someone with no apparent prior money-management experience to run a major division ?
Perhaps it is the possibility of political influence .
Donilon is n't the only prominent Democrat at BlackRock who is talking to the Biden campaign .
It was reported in August that BlackRock 's Brian Deese has `` been working with '' Biden 's campaign .
Before he came to BlackRock , Deese helped negotiate the Paris climate accord for Obama .
As global head of sustainable investing at BlackRock , Deese analyzes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrase does n't necessarily mean steering clients away from investments that destroy the planet .
It means , in the words of the New Republic 's John Patrick Leary , `` making sure that your investment portfolio earns the highest returns despite climate change or even from climate change . ''
Then there 's Mike Pyle , the chief investment strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute and a former Obama economic aide .
He advised Senator Kamala Harris during her primary run for the presidency , giving him an insider connection to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser to Peter Orszag , a prominent austerity advocate of the early Obama years .
BlackRock 's CEO is big on balancing the budget ; Fink was on the billionaire-backed Campaign to Fix the Debt from day one , and while he seems to have accepted deficit spending to deal with the immediate pandemic , `` in the next 10-15 years , it [ deficit spending ] could be a problem , '' he said in September .
Those of us who recognize massive public investment is indispensable to preventing irreversible climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad to hear that , in BlackRock 's eyes , we just ca n't afford to stop a climate apocalypse .
But it is n't just the Orszag connection that could make Pyle valuable to BlackRock—he was also a senior adviser in Obama 's Treasury Department to Lael Brainard , who 's now the likeliest candidate for Treasury Secretary .
Among other duties , the treasury secretary chairs the board of regulators who designate firms `` systemically important , '' aka too big to fail .
BlackRock waged a multiyear lobbying war under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing more than twice the total assets of JPMorgan Chase .
These days , people are paying more attention to what happens at obscure ( but important ) regulatory meetings , but insider figures like Pyle could help BlackRock maintain that lack of accountability under Biden .
BlackRock has also done plenty of business with the federal government itself during the pandemic .
The Federal Reserve has pushed billions of dollars out the door to prop up corporate stocks , and it hired BlackRock to help do it .
In fact , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own investment products in its effort to save American big business—unsurprisingly , this has been very good for BlackRock 's bottom line .
Expect plenty of backroom lobbying from BlackRock over any potential appointees who would ask questions about the conflicts of interest baked into this business model .
Some might say that Donilon , Deese , and Pyle are merely giving advice to Biden and Harris on a handful of policy issues .
But advice is n't often offered out of the kindness of one 's heart in Washington or on Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden 's campaign has remained remarkably obscure on any number of policy issues , making it hard for those outside of the back rooms to tell what the candidate actually wants to do besides win .
Take , for example , campaign adviser Jake Sullivan telling Bloomberg that Biden will retain a `` laser focus on the long-term fiscal health of the United States '' in August , and then telling Politico that `` we are going to need a significant magnitude of investment '' in September .
Is Biden a deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer seems to shift with the wind .
All of this means it 's even more important for Biden to lock the revolving door and commit to public-minded appointees across his executive-branch-to-be .
Every nominee will be a signal of where the candidate ultimately stands , which is perhaps why his personnel deliberations have attracted unusually high attention from the press for a campaign that has n't even won yet .
BlackRock is among those likely to be closely watching those deliberations , which means the enemies of BlackRock 's regressive policy preferences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel .
Max Moran is a research assistant at the Center for Economic and Policy Research ( CEPR ) 's Revolving Door Project , which aims to increase scrutiny on executive branch appointments .
This article was produced in partnership by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Economy for All , a project of the Independent Media Institute .

The Democratic base, still scarred from the 2016 election, is frantic not to count its chickens before they hatch. But Wall Street and corporate America have no such qualms. As Joe Biden leads in national polls and swing states, the most powerful firms in the country are seeking assurances that his administration won't crack down on their crimes.
For many, that means tapping the Obama-era alumni and other well-connected Democrats whom they've strategically hired to see who's ready to take a trip through the revolving door. This is why prominent House progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Katie Porter have called on Biden to ban corporate appointees from his administration.
The bellwether for corporate infiltration of a Democratic administration is BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager in charge of $7.32 trillion across the global economy. Hillary Clinton's campaign actively courted BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in 2016, and he quietly built out a full Treasury Department-in-waiting of well-established Democrats ready to keep oversight of mischievous financiers light. In the years since, BlackRock has only gotten larger, which means it only has more to lose from a muscular Biden administration. So what does BlackRock care about from the next administration, and whom might they seed in a Biden administration to get it?
BlackRock is the world's largest investor in fossil fuels, an industry (ironically) gasping for air during the pandemic. Yet BlackRock is currently trying to close a massive new stake in Saudi Aramco, the mostly state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's atrocities in Yemen and the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi did nothing to slow Fink's business with the Kingdom—he personally attended a confab with the Saudi finance minister in Riyadh six months after Khashoggi's death, and one day after Mohammed bin Salman's government executed 37 people, including one via crucifixion.
Biden's promises on environmental and foreign policy run counter to protecting a Saudi oil pipeline just because an American investment titan has a stake in it. Yet BlackRock Investment Institute Chairman Tom Donilon is reportedly in the running to be Biden's secretary of state. Donilon was Obama's national security adviser, and his brother Mike is a longtime confidante of Biden's. Why might a top investment firm hire someone with no apparent prior money-management experience to run a major division? Perhaps it is the possibility of political influence.
Donilon isn't the only prominent Democrat at BlackRock who is talking to the Biden campaign. It was reported in August that BlackRock's Brian Deese has "been working with" Biden's campaign. Before he came to BlackRock, Deese helped negotiate the Paris climate accord for Obama. As global head of sustainable investing at BlackRock, Deese analyzes "climate risk." That company phrase doesn't necessarily mean steering clients away from investments that destroy the planet. It means, in the words of the New Republic's John Patrick Leary, "making sure that your investment portfolio earns the highest returns despite climate change or even from climate change."
Then there's Mike Pyle, the chief investment strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute and a former Obama economic aide. He advised Senator Kamala Harris during her primary run for the presidency, giving him an insider connection to the would-be vice president.
Pyle was an adviser to Peter Orszag, a prominent austerity advocate of the early Obama years. BlackRock's CEO is big on balancing the budget; Fink was on the billionaire-backed Campaign to Fix the Debt from day one, and while he seems to have accepted deficit spending to deal with the immediate pandemic, "in the next 10-15 years, it [deficit spending] could be a problem," he said in September. Those of us who recognize massive public investment is indispensable to preventing irreversible climate change over the next 10 years will be sad to hear that, in BlackRock's eyes, we just can't afford to stop a climate apocalypse.
But it isn't just the Orszag connection that could make Pyle valuable to BlackRock—he was also a senior adviser in Obama's Treasury Department to Lael Brainard, who's now the likeliest candidate for Treasury Secretary. Among other duties, the treasury secretary chairs the board of regulators who designate firms "systemically important," aka too big to fail. BlackRock waged a multiyear lobbying war under Obama to avoid that designation, despite managing more than twice the total assets of JPMorgan Chase. These days, people are paying more attention to what happens at obscure (but important) regulatory meetings, but insider figures like Pyle could help BlackRock maintain that lack of accountability under Biden.
BlackRock has also done plenty of business with the federal government itself during the pandemic. The Federal Reserve has pushed billions of dollars out the door to prop up corporate stocks, and it hired BlackRock to help do it. In fact, the Fed has been buying up BlackRock's own investment products in its effort to save American big business—unsurprisingly, this has been very good for BlackRock's bottom line. Expect plenty of backroom lobbying from BlackRock over any potential appointees who would ask questions about the conflicts of interest baked into this business model.
Some might say that Donilon, Deese, and Pyle are merely giving advice to Biden and Harris on a handful of policy issues. But advice isn't often offered out of the kindness of one's heart in Washington or on Wall Street.
And for a presidential front-runner, Biden's campaign has remained remarkably obscure on any number of policy issues, making it hard for those outside of the back rooms to tell what the candidate actually wants to do besides win. Take, for example, campaign adviser Jake Sullivan telling Bloomberg that Biden will retain a "laser focus on the long-term fiscal health of the United States" in August, and then telling Politico that "we are going to need a significant magnitude of investment" in September. Is Biden a deficit hawk or a big spender? The answer seems to shift with the wind.
All of this means it's even more important for Biden to lock the revolving door and commit to public-minded appointees across his executive-branch-to-be. Every nominee will be a signal of where the candidate ultimately stands, which is perhaps why his personnel deliberations have attracted unusually high attention from the press for a campaign that hasn't even won yet. BlackRock is among those likely to be closely watching those deliberations, which means the enemies of BlackRock's regressive policy preferences need to keep their eyes peeled on personnel.
Max Moran is a research assistant at the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)'s Revolving Door Project, which aims to increase scrutiny on executive branch appointments.
This article was produced in partnership by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute.


alternet--2020-10-22--'Many, many red flags': NPR explains why it’s refusing to take the Hunter Biden attacks seriously

Supporters of President Donald Trump were hoping that a New York Post report on a hard drive allegedly belonging to former Vice President Joe Biden 's son , Hunter Biden , would be the `` October surprise '' that doomed the older Democrats ' presidential campaign .
But Biden voters appear unfazed by the Post 's highly questionable story : Biden is still leading in many national and state polls .
And National Public Radio is among the media outlets that has refused to take the smear campaign of the Bidens seriously .
In an NPR newsletter , NPR 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listener Carolyn Abbott , who said , `` Someone please explain why NPR has apparently not reported on the Joe Biden , Hunter Biden story in the last week or so that Joe did know about Hunter 's business connections in Europe that Joe had previously denied having knowledge ? ''
And McBride laid out some reasons why NPR found the Post 's reporting problematic .
The Post , owned by Fox News ' Rupert Murdoch , reported that the hard drive that allegedly belonged to Hunter Biden contained what the Post described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent to the younger Biden by a Ukrainian business executive — and those e-mails , Trump allies have been claiming , show that the former vice president is compromised .
The story was given to the Post by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani , who is now a personal attorney for Trump .
Responding to Abbott 's question , McBride stressed that the Post 's story was full of holes .
McBride noted , `` There are many , many red flags in that New York Post investigation… .
Intelligence officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep the story of Hunter Biden in the spotlight .
Even if Russia ca n't be positively connected to this information , the story of how Trump associates Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani came into a copy of this computer hard drive has not been verified and seems suspect .
And if that story could be verified , the NY Post did no forensic work to convince consumers that the e-mails and photos that are the basis for their report have not been altered . ''
McBride added that the `` biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR about the Post story is that the assertions do n't amount to much . ''
And she quotes Terence Samuel , NPR 's managing new editor , as saying , `` We do n't want to waste our time on stories that are not really stories , and we do n't want to waste the listeners ' and readers ' time on stories that are just pure distractions .
And quite frankly , that 's where we ended up .
This was… .
a politically driven event , and we decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's David Folkenflik , in an article published on October 17 , also offered some reasons why the Post 's reporting on Hunter Biden was badly flawed .
Folkenflik explained , `` This week , the New York Post published a story based on what it says are e-mails — 'smoking gun ' e-mails , it calls them — sent by a Ukrainian business executive to the son of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The story fits snugly into a narrative from President Trump and his allies that Hunter Biden 's zealous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president .
Yet this was a story marked more by red flags than investigative rigor . ''
Folkenflik laid out what those `` red flags '' are , noting , `` The e-mails have not been verified as authentic .
They were said to have been extracted from a computer assumed — but not proven — to have belonged to the younger Biden .
They were said to have been given to the Post by Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who is known for making discredited claims about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The venue is also suspect .
The pro-Trump New York Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch , a steady supporter of the president despite recently casting doubt on Trump 's reelection prospects .
The lead reporter was a former producer for Sean Hannity , Trump 's best friend on his favorite news network , Fox News , also controlled by the Murdochs . ''

Supporters of President Donald Trump were hoping that a New York Post report on a hard drive allegedly belonging to former Vice President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, would be the "October surprise" that doomed the older Democrats' presidential campaign. But Biden voters appear unfazed by the Post's highly questionable story: Biden is still leading in many national and state polls. And National Public Radio is among the media outlets that has refused to take the smear campaign of the Bidens seriously.
In an NPR newsletter, NPR's Kelly McBride responded to a question from listener Carolyn Abbott, who said, "Someone please explain why NPR has apparently not reported on the Joe Biden, Hunter Biden story in the last week or so that Joe did know about Hunter's business connections in Europe that Joe had previously denied having knowledge?" And McBride laid out some reasons why NPR found the Post's reporting problematic.
The Post, owned by Fox News' Rupert Murdoch, reported that the hard drive that allegedly belonged to Hunter Biden contained what the Post described as "smoking gun e-mails" supposedly sent to the younger Biden by a Ukrainian business executive — and those e-mails, Trump allies have been claiming, show that the former vice president is compromised. The story was given to the Post by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is now a personal attorney for Trump.
Responding to Abbott's question, McBride stressed that the Post's story was full of holes.
McBride noted, "There are many, many red flags in that New York Post investigation…. Intelligence officials warn that Russia has been working overtime to keep the story of Hunter Biden in the spotlight. Even if Russia can't be positively connected to this information, the story of how Trump associates Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani came into a copy of this computer hard drive has not been verified and seems suspect. And if that story could be verified, the NY Post did no forensic work to convince consumers that the e-mails and photos that are the basis for their report have not been altered."
McBride added that the "biggest reason you haven't heard much on NPR about the Post story is that the assertions don't amount to much." And she quotes Terence Samuel, NPR's managing new editor, as saying, "We don't want to waste our time on stories that are not really stories, and we don't want to waste the listeners' and readers' time on stories that are just pure distractions. And quite frankly, that's where we ended up. This was…. a politically driven event, and we decided to treat it that way."
NPR's David Folkenflik, in an article published on October 17, also offered some reasons why the Post's reporting on Hunter Biden was badly flawed.
Folkenflik explained, "This week, the New York Post published a story based on what it says are e-mails — 'smoking gun' e-mails, it calls them — sent by a Ukrainian business executive to the son of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The story fits snugly into a narrative from President Trump and his allies that Hunter Biden's zealous pursuit of business ties abroad also compromised the former vice president. Yet this was a story marked more by red flags than investigative rigor."
Folkenflik laid out what those "red flags" are, noting, "The e-mails have not been verified as authentic. They were said to have been extracted from a computer assumed — but not proven — to have belonged to the younger Biden. They were said to have been given to the Post by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who is known for making discredited claims about the Bidens."
Folkenflik added, "The venue is also suspect. The pro-Trump New York Post is owned by Rupert Murdoch, a steady supporter of the president despite recently casting doubt on Trump's reelection prospects. The lead reporter was a former producer for Sean Hannity, Trump's best friend on his favorite news network, Fox News, also controlled by the Murdochs."


alternet--2020-10-22--Trump is creating a huge problem for one of his key Senate allies

Poll after poll on Arizona 's 2020 U.S. Senate race has showed incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally losing to her Democratic challenger , Mark Kelly .
And according to Washington Post columnist David Byler , President Donald Trump will bear some of the responsibility if McSally loses .
`` The suburbs represent McSally 's biggest Trump-induced struggle , '' Byler explains in his column this week .
`` The vast majority of Arizona 's votes come from Maricopa and Pima counties , which roughly correspond to Phoenix and Tucson . ''
The possibility that Arizona could end up with two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , if he wins , Kelly — is downright shocking in light of how deeply Republican Arizona was for many years .
Arizona is closely identified with the conservative politics of Sen. Barry Goldwater and Sen. John McCain , and McSally is fighting to hold onto the Senate seat once held by , at different points , both men .
But in recent years , Arizona has evolved into a swing state .
In the past , Goldwater and McCain had no problem performing well in Maricopa County or Pima County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling in those counties , where Trumpism is hurting her campaign .
`` For years , these counties were n't problems for Republicans , '' Byler notes .
`` Maricopa used to be staunchly Republican , with older voters , immigration hardliners and well-educated suburbanites coming together to vote for GOP politicians who ranged from immigration restrictionists such as former Gov .
Jan Brewer to relative moderates such as the famously bipartisan Sen. John McCain .
Democrats won Tucson , but not by margins large enough to overcome Phoenix and GOP-friendly rural areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up suburban votes , losing ground in both counties . ''
In 2018 , Byler adds , Sinema `` won Maricopa County by four points and notched a two-point statewide victory over McSally , giving the seat to the blue team for the first time since 1988 . ''
McSally has never won a U.S. Senate race in Arizona , but Gov .
Doug Ducey appointed her to the seat that McCain , who died in 2018 , held for many years .
Sen. McCain detested Trump , and his widow , Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election .
`` The suburbs are n't McSally 's only problem , '' Byler observes .
`` Trump has also closed off many of her most plausible avenues for pushing back on the suburban blue wave .
Americans above age 65 have turned sharply toward Joe Biden ; so , she ca n't easily appeal to the state 's solid senior population .
Trump has turned off many Mormons , which probably is n't helping McSally rally the state 's small but notable LDS population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters will help only so much in Arizona , where 90 % of the fast-growing Hispanic population is Mexican-American and Republican-leaning Cuban-Americans are scarce . ''
McSally , Byler stresses , finds herself in an `` unenviable position '' because she `` has to stay somewhat close to the president to cater to the state 's Trumpian base '' but must also `` find ways to distance herself from Trump to appeal to voters who backed McCain '' in 2008 's presidential election '' and Mitt Romney in 2012 but do n't support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second half of October have found McSally trailing Kelly by 11 % ( CBS News/YouGov and CNBC/Change Research ) , 4 % ( Morning Consult ) , 8 % ( Ipsos ) or 7 % ( RMG Research ) .
`` If Trump manages to push back against these demographic forces and win Arizona , McSally might have a chance , '' Byler writes .
`` But if McSally loses , at least part of the blame will rest on Trump . ''

Poll after poll on Arizona's 2020 U.S. Senate race has showed incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally losing to her Democratic challenger, Mark Kelly. And according to Washington Post columnist David Byler, President Donald Trump will bear some of the responsibility if McSally loses.
"The suburbs represent McSally's biggest Trump-induced struggle," Byler explains in his column this week. "The vast majority of Arizona's votes come from Maricopa and Pima counties, which roughly correspond to Phoenix and Tucson."
The possibility that Arizona could end up with two Democratic U.S. senators — Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and, if he wins, Kelly — is downright shocking in light of how deeply Republican Arizona was for many years. Arizona is closely identified with the conservative politics of Sen. Barry Goldwater and Sen. John McCain, and McSally is fighting to hold onto the Senate seat once held by, at different points, both men.
But in recent years, Arizona has evolved into a swing state.
In the past, Goldwater and McCain had no problem performing well in Maricopa County or Pima County. But McSally, Byler notes, is struggling in those counties, where Trumpism is hurting her campaign.
"For years, these counties weren't problems for Republicans," Byler notes. "Maricopa used to be staunchly Republican, with older voters, immigration hardliners and well-educated suburbanites coming together to vote for GOP politicians who ranged from immigration restrictionists such as former Gov. Jan Brewer to relative moderates such as the famously bipartisan Sen. John McCain. Democrats won Tucson, but not by margins large enough to overcome Phoenix and GOP-friendly rural areas. But in 2016, Trump gave up suburban votes, losing ground in both counties."
In 2018, Byler adds, Sinema "won Maricopa County by four points and notched a two-point statewide victory over McSally, giving the seat to the blue team for the first time since 1988."
McSally has never won a U.S. Senate race in Arizona, but Gov. Doug Ducey appointed her to the seat that McCain, who died in 2018, held for many years. Sen. McCain detested Trump, and his widow, Republican Cindy McCain, has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
"The suburbs aren't McSally's only problem," Byler observes. "Trump has also closed off many of her most plausible avenues for pushing back on the suburban blue wave. Americans above age 65 have turned sharply toward Joe Biden; so, she can't easily appeal to the state's solid senior population. Trump has turned off many Mormons, which probably isn't helping McSally rally the state's small but notable LDS population. And Trump's relative resilience with Hispanic voters will help only so much in Arizona, where 90% of the fast-growing Hispanic population is Mexican-American and Republican-leaning Cuban-Americans are scarce."
McSally, Byler stresses, finds herself in an "unenviable position" because she "has to stay somewhat close to the president to cater to the state's Trumpian base" but must also "find ways to distance herself from Trump to appeal to voters who backed McCain" in 2008's presidential election" and Mitt Romney in 2012 but don't support Trump in 2020.
Polls released during the second half of October have found McSally trailing Kelly by 11% (CBS News/YouGov and CNBC/Change Research), 4% (Morning Consult), 8% (Ipsos) or 7% (RMG Research).
"If Trump manages to push back against these demographic forces and win Arizona, McSally might have a chance," Byler writes. "But if McSally loses, at least part of the blame will rest on Trump."


alternet--2020-10-22--Joe Biden goes into the 2020 election with a key advantage Hillary Clinton was missing

A substantial number of voters opted to cast their ballots for third-party candidates during the 2016 presidential election , but poll results indicate that may change this time around .
Many people who vote for a third party in 2016 are opting to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , according to Morning Consult polling .
While 14 percent of third-party voters insist they would still support a third-party candidate in the upcoming election , tracking statistics compiled from October 16-18 found `` 53 percent of likely voters who opted for someone other than a major-party nominee in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's election . ''
Statistics project that Trump will only manage to snag approximately 21 percent of the vote .
The report also indicates that Biden 's popularity among formerly third-party voters has increased by nearly 10 percent from May to mid-October .
Morning Consult 's latest poll comes months after their previous poll report which found that voters who supported candidates other than Trump and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 accounted for 18 percent of voters who shared an unfavorable sentiments toward both candidates .
The polling indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of the fact that people have a more favorable opinion of him compared to Clinton .
The poll also suggests the overall desire to support third-party candidates had decreased in battleground states , which could ultimately lead to more voters casting their ballots for the two top candidates : This time around , very few voters in key battleground states are indicating their interest in voting third party , with Libertarian nominee Jo Jorgensen and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins lacking the prominence of their 2016 predecessors , and Kanye West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been pushed by Republican operatives — on the ballot in a handful of states and just two competitive battlegrounds ( Iowa and Minnesota ) .
As of Thursday , October 22 , more than 35 million Americans have already cast their ballots for the 2020 election .

A substantial number of voters opted to cast their ballots for third-party candidates during the 2016 presidential election, but poll results indicate that may change this time around.
Many people who vote for a third party in 2016 are opting to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to Morning Consult polling.
While 14 percent of third-party voters insist they would still support a third-party candidate in the upcoming election, tracking statistics compiled from October 16-18 found "53 percent of likely voters who opted for someone other than a major-party nominee in 2016 said they're backing Biden in this year's election." Statistics project that Trump will only manage to snag approximately 21 percent of the vote.
The report also indicates that Biden's popularity among formerly third-party voters has increased by nearly 10 percent from May to mid-October. Morning Consult's latest poll comes months after their previous poll report which found that voters who supported candidates other than Trump and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 accounted for 18 percent of voters who shared an unfavorable sentiments toward both candidates. The polling indicates that Biden's increase in support is a result of the fact that people have a more favorable opinion of him compared to Clinton.
The poll also suggests the overall desire to support third-party candidates had decreased in battleground states, which could ultimately lead to more voters casting their ballots for the two top candidates:
This time around, very few voters in key battleground states are indicating their interest in voting third party, with Libertarian nominee Jo Jorgensen and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins lacking the prominence of their 2016 predecessors, and Kanye West — the well-known musician whose candidacy has been pushed by Republican operatives — on the ballot in a handful of states and just two competitive battlegrounds (Iowa and Minnesota).
As of Thursday, October 22, more than 35 million Americans have already cast their ballots for the 2020 election.


alternet--2020-10-22--A watchdog zeroes in on Pompeo's shady email practices — even as he continues to slam Clinton

A watchdog report has revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo frequently used his personal email address for correspondence while he served as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency .
The American Oversight , a Washington , D.C.-based non-profit ethical organization , noted that while it managed to review approximately 400 pages of Pompeo 's personal email exchanges during his tenure as CIA director from 2017 to 2018 , it has still been unable to obtain access to Pompeo 's more recent emails , per Newsweek .
According to the watchdog report , Pompeo `` appears to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email account . ''
The ethical outfit also offered a comparison of Pompeo 's personal email usage while heading a government agency to Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton doing the same during her tenure under Former President Barack Obama 's administration .
`` This extensive use of personal email for agency business raises questions about what other activities Pompeo conducted over personal email , including at the State Department—and about whether efforts need to be undertaken to preserve government records in personal accounts , '' the report said .
Although the uncovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CIA , it is still unclear whether or not he has continued the potentially damaging practice during his time as Secretary of State .
In July 2019 , the American Oversight noted a lawsuit filed to gain access to Pompeo 's emails .
`` The State Department has not yet produced documents in response to our litigation for his personal emails while serving as secretary , even as Pompeo 's pledge to declassify former Secretary Clinton 's emails has publicly underscored his purported commitment to transparency , '' the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to the publication 's requests for comments on the report .

A watchdog report has revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo frequently used his personal email address for correspondence while he served as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
The American Oversight, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit ethical organization, noted that while it managed to review approximately 400 pages of Pompeo's personal email exchanges during his tenure as CIA director from 2017 to 2018, it has still been unable to obtain access to Pompeo's more recent emails, per Newsweek. According to the watchdog report, Pompeo "appears to have regularly received official schedules at his personal email account."
The ethical outfit also offered a comparison of Pompeo's personal email usage while heading a government agency to Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton doing the same during her tenure under Former President Barack Obama's administration.
"This extensive use of personal email for agency business raises questions about what other activities Pompeo conducted over personal email, including at the State Department—and about whether efforts need to be undertaken to preserve government records in personal accounts," the report said.
Although the uncovered emails stem from Pompeo's time with the CIA, it is still unclear whether or not he has continued the potentially damaging practice during his time as Secretary of State. In July 2019, the American Oversight noted a lawsuit filed to gain access to Pompeo's emails.
"The State Department has not yet produced documents in response to our litigation for his personal emails while serving as secretary, even as Pompeo's pledge to declassify former Secretary Clinton's emails has publicly underscored his purported commitment to transparency," the report said.
However, the State Department has yet to respond to the publication's requests for comments on the report.


alternet--2020-10-22--Rudy Giuliani calls NSFW Borat hotel room scene a 'hit job' in retaliation for recent Biden smear

Former LifeLock spokesperson Rudy Giuliani is defending his unwitting cameo in the `` Borat '' sequel as a `` hit job '' in retaliation for his recent smears on Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's son , Hunter .
In the controversial appearance , the man once called `` America 's Mayor '' appears to be touching himself under his pants while on a hotel bed beside an actress posing as a young journalist .
After news of the scene first broke on Wednesday , the former New York mayor called in to radio station WABC to explain that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani suggested that the scene might have been `` added , doctored , [ or ] manipulated '' — allegations which he denies about his own dubious accusations against Biden .
`` I had to take off the electronic equipment , '' the former assistant U.S. attorney claimed .
`` And when the electronic equipment came off , some of it was in the back .
And my shirt came a little out , although my clothes were entirely on .
I leaned back , and I tucked my shirt in .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have this picture they take which looks doctored .
But , in any event , I 'm tucking my shirt in .
I assure you that 's all I was doing . ''
In the sequel to the hit mockumentary , 24-year-old actress Maria Balakova , who poses as Borat 's teenage daughter , Tutar , scores a one-on-one sit-down with Giuliani in a Manhattan hotel suite .
According to Giuliani — whose work representing President Donald Trump 's personal interests in Ukraine led directly to his own client 's impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a legitimate interview '' with a `` young woman . ''
`` At one point , she explained to me some problems she had .
I actually prayed with her , '' he said .
`` And then , I had to leave .
I had my jacket on .
I was fully clothed at all times . ''
However , that description omitted some relevant details .
Throughout the scene , `` Tutar '' flirts heavily with Giuliani , and she reaches out to touch his knee several times .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus pandemic , he agrees to eat a bat with her .
After Sacha Baron Cohen , in the role of Borat , interrupts the interview costumed as an audio tech to `` save '' his daughter , the scene cuts to Tutar inviting Giuliani to `` have a drink in the bedroom . ''
Giuliani , whom U.S. officials reportedly warned the White House had been a target of Russian intelligence , follows her out .
The next scene appears to be captured on hidden cameras .
Giuliani , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removes Tutar 's microphone , sits on the bed and asks for her address and phone number .
She removes his microphone , touching his pants , and he pats her backside .
Giuliani then lies back on the bed and puts his hands down his pants for longer than he suggested in his later radio interview .
At that point , Borat , dressed in pink neglige which Giuliani later described as a `` pink transgender outfit , '' bursts into the room .
Borat screams , `` Put down your chram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She 's 15 !
She 's too old for you ! ''
Giuliani , who had been given no information about the woman 's age , attempts to leave as quickly as possible .
He is hounded by Borat , who shouts after him , `` Rudy , Trump will be disappoint !
You are leaving hotel without golden shower ! ''
After Wednesday 's radio spot , Giuliani posted a series tweets in his defense , attacking Baron Cohen , the film 's star and director , as a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video is a complete fabrication .
I was tucking in my shirt after taking off the recording equipment , '' Giuliani wrote .
`` At no time before , during , or after the interview was I ever inappropriate .
If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar . ''
`` In fact , the NY Post today reports 'it looks to me like an exaggeration through editing , ' '' he continued , citing a review from the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid — an echo of his allegation of possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floated in his radio interview .
`` Now let me tell you why I know this is a hit job that happens because , it 's not an accident that it happens that I turn in all this evidence on their prince and darling Joe Biden who 's one of the biggest crooks in the last thirty years , and since I have the courage to say that I 'm the target , '' Giuliani added , neglecting to mention that the scene was filmed in July .
`` Everybody in Hollywood hates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he asked .
`` I 'm a devil in Hollywood .
Nothing about me comes out in that period of time , nothing sensational about me in the movie .
Now all of a sudden there 's all this sensational stuff about me in the movie .
Do n't know if it was added , doctored , manipulated , whatever . ''
In July , Giuliani told The New York Post — the same outlet he recently handed what he claimed were Hunter Biden 's emails — that he had called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When pressed later that month in a WABC radio interview about whether he did anything `` regretful , '' Giuliani replied , `` I do n't think so .
I 'm trying to remember . ''
The movie , `` Borat Subsequent Moviefilm , '' will be released Friday on Amazon Prime .

Former LifeLock spokesperson Rudy Giuliani is defending his unwitting cameo in the "Borat" sequel as a "hit job" in retaliation for his recent smears on Democratic nominee Joe Biden's son, Hunter.
In the controversial appearance, the man once called "America's Mayor" appears to be touching himself under his pants while on a hotel bed beside an actress posing as a young journalist.
After news of the scene first broke on Wednesday, the former New York mayor called in to radio station WABC to explain that he had merely been tucking in his shirt. Giuliani suggested that the scene might have been "added, doctored, [or] manipulated" — allegations which he denies about his own dubious accusations against Biden.
"I had to take off the electronic equipment," the former assistant U.S. attorney claimed. "And when the electronic equipment came off, some of it was in the back. And my shirt came a little out, although my clothes were entirely on. I leaned back, and I tucked my shirt in. And at that point — at that point, they have this picture they take which looks doctored. But, in any event, I'm tucking my shirt in. I assure you that's all I was doing."
In the sequel to the hit mockumentary, 24-year-old actress Maria Balakova, who poses as Borat's teenage daughter, Tutar, scores a one-on-one sit-down with Giuliani in a Manhattan hotel suite. According to Giuliani — whose work representing President Donald Trump's personal interests in Ukraine led directly to his own client's impeachment — he entered into what "seemed like a legitimate interview" with a "young woman."
"At one point, she explained to me some problems she had. I actually prayed with her," he said. "And then, I had to leave. I had my jacket on. I was fully clothed at all times."
However, that description omitted some relevant details.
Throughout the scene, "Tutar" flirts heavily with Giuliani, and she reaches out to touch his knee several times. At one point, after Giuliani blames China for the coronavirus pandemic, he agrees to eat a bat with her.
After Sacha Baron Cohen, in the role of Borat, interrupts the interview costumed as an audio tech to "save" his daughter, the scene cuts to Tutar inviting Giuliani to "have a drink in the bedroom." Giuliani, whom U.S. officials reportedly warned the White House had been a target of Russian intelligence, follows her out.
The next scene appears to be captured on hidden cameras. Giuliani, the president's former informal cybersecurity adviser, removes Tutar's microphone, sits on the bed and asks for her address and phone number. She removes his microphone, touching his pants, and he pats her backside. Giuliani then lies back on the bed and puts his hands down his pants for longer than he suggested in his later radio interview.
At that point, Borat, dressed in pink neglige which Giuliani later described as a "pink transgender outfit," bursts into the room. Borat screams, "Put down your chram!" — his word for penis. "She's 15! She's too old for you!"
Giuliani, who had been given no information about the woman's age, attempts to leave as quickly as possible. He is hounded by Borat, who shouts after him, "Rudy, Trump will be disappoint! You are leaving hotel without golden shower!"
After Wednesday's radio spot, Giuliani posted a series tweets in his defense, attacking Baron Cohen, the film's star and director, as a "stone-cold liar."
"The Borat video is a complete fabrication. I was tucking in my shirt after taking off the recording equipment," Giuliani wrote. "At no time before, during, or after the interview was I ever inappropriate. If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar."
"In fact, the NY Post today reports 'it looks to me like an exaggeration through editing,'" he continued, citing a review from the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid — an echo of his allegation of possible "doctored" footage, which he floated in his radio interview.
"Now let me tell you why I know this is a hit job that happens because, it's not an accident that it happens that I turn in all this evidence on their prince and darling Joe Biden who's one of the biggest crooks in the last thirty years, and since I have the courage to say that I'm the target," Giuliani added, neglecting to mention that the scene was filmed in July.
"Everybody in Hollywood hates me, you know, right?" he asked. "I'm a devil in Hollywood. Nothing about me comes out in that period of time, nothing sensational about me in the movie. Now all of a sudden there's all this sensational stuff about me in the movie. Don't know if it was added, doctored, manipulated, whatever."
In July, Giuliani told The New York Post — the same outlet he recently handed what he claimed were Hunter Biden's emails — that he had called the police after he left the hotel. When pressed later that month in a WABC radio interview about whether he did anything "regretful," Giuliani replied, "I don't think so. I'm trying to remember."
The movie, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," will be released Friday on Amazon Prime.


alternet--2020-10-22--Here are the questions that caused Trump to walk out of his ‘60 Minutes’ interview with Lesley Stahl

The reason President Donald Trump stormed out of a `` 60 Minutes '' interview with Lesley Stahl was that she asked about the Michigan rally in which his supporters began chanting `` lock her up '' about Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
Trump held the rally over the weekend attacking her for not opening up the state back up when he wanted it .
`` So you do n't want to lock her up ? ''
Stahl asked .
`` That 's such a vicious thing you just said , '' Trump claimed .
`` When did I say lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his audience chanted it and repeated the phrase .
He then said that he hopes they `` send her packing soon . ''
`` I never said lock up the governor of Michigan , '' Trump disputed .
`` I would never say that .
Why would I say that ?
Because she 's doing lockdowns . ''
`` You want to lock up the Bidens ? ''
Stahl asked Trump .
`` No , but they certainly should be looked at , '' Trump said .
Over the past several days he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chants at rallies talking about the Biden family .
`` You want to lock up Obama ? ''
Stahl asked .
`` No , I do n't want to lock him up but he spied on my campaign , '' Trump falsely claimed .
`` You know what that is ?
Do you know what they did ?
Do you know how horrible it is what they did ?
You do n't get it . ''
Trump never told Stahl what the FBI proved was done by Obama or Biden , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate it and Trump 's own Department of Justice has n't been able to find anything .
Trump said that Biden likely will because he 's `` dishonest '' and that Barr has been `` very nice '' and that he 's ignored the `` evidence . ''
He did n't clarify what the evidence was .
`` You know , I did n't want to have this kind of interview , '' Stahl then said .
`` Yes , you did .
Yes you did , '' Trump said .
`` Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subjects that were inappropriately brought up .
They were inappropriately brought up .
Right from the beginning .
No your first question was , 'This is going to be tough questions . '
Well– '' '' You 're president .
Do n't you think you think you should be accountable to the American people ? ''
she asked .
`` No , no , listen , your first statement to me , 'This is going to be tough questions , ' '' Trump said .
`` Well , I do n't mind that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview you did n't say that . ''
A staffer ultimately interviewed and said that they only had about five more minutes , but Trump said that they were finished and walked out .
See the video below – about the last five minutes .

The reason President Donald Trump stormed out of a "60 Minutes" interview with Lesley Stahl was that she asked about the Michigan rally in which his supporters began chanting "lock her up" about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Trump held the rally over the weekend attacking her for not opening up the state back up when he wanted it.
"So you don't want to lock her up?" Stahl asked.
"That's such a vicious thing you just said," Trump claimed. "When did I say lock her up?"
Trump laughed when his audience chanted it and repeated the phrase. He then said that he hopes they "send her packing soon."
"I never said lock up the governor of Michigan," Trump disputed. "I would never say that. Why would I say that? Because she's doing lockdowns."
"You want to lock up the Bidens?" Stahl asked Trump.
"No, but they certainly should be looked at," Trump said. Over the past several days he's encouraged "lock him up" chants at rallies talking about the Biden family.
"You want to lock up Obama?" Stahl asked.
"No, I don't want to lock him up but he spied on my campaign," Trump falsely claimed. "You know what that is? Do you know what they did? Do you know how horrible it is what they did? You don't get it."
Trump never told Stahl what the FBI proved was done by Obama or Biden, but he did bring in a special counsel to investigate it and Trump's own Department of Justice hasn't been able to find anything.
Trump said that Biden likely will because he's "dishonest" and that Barr has been "very nice" and that he's ignored the "evidence." He didn't clarify what the evidence was.
"You know, I didn't want to have this kind of interview," Stahl then said.
"Yes, you did. Yes you did," Trump said. "Well, you brought up a bunch of subjects that were inappropriately brought up. They were inappropriately brought up. Right from the beginning. No your first question was, 'This is going to be tough questions.' Well–"
"You're president. Don't you think you think you should be accountable to the American people?" she asked.
"No, no, listen, your first statement to me, 'This is going to be tough questions,'" Trump said. "Well, I don't mind that. But when you set up the interview you didn't say that."
A staffer ultimately interviewed and said that they only had about five more minutes, but Trump said that they were finished and walked out.
See the video below – about the last five minutes.


alternet--2020-10-22--Trump’s push for voter intimidation is working as armed Florida men claim to have been hired by his

Trump’s push for voter intimidation is working as armed Florida men claim to have been hired by his campaign

During his first debate with former Vice President Joe Biden on September 29 , President Donald Trump urged his supporters to serve as poll watchers .
Trump 's critics have been arguing that Trump was promoting voter intimidation and encouraging would-be vigilantes , and according to reporting from Vanity Fair and Florida 's WFLA News 8 , it appears to be working .
WFLA ( an NBC affiliate in Tampa ) reports that in St. Petersburg , Florida , two armed men dressed as security guards in a tent they set up outside an early voting site `` were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though they claimed to be .
Julie Marcus , supervisor of elections in Pinellas County , Florida , told WFLA that Sheriff Bob Gualtieri `` told me the persons that were dressed in these security uniforms had indicated to sheriff 's deputies that they belonged to a licensed security company , and they indicated — and this has not been confirmed yet — that they were hired by the Trump campaign . ''
Marcus , a Republican who was appointed by Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , also told WFLA , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously .
Voter intimidation , deterring voters from voting , impeding a voter 's ability to cast a ballot in this election is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way , shape or form . ''
During his debate with Biden , Trump said , `` I 'm urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully . ''
And Trump 's critics have been arguing that he was n't talking about official poll watchers , but rather , was encouraging his supporters to become vigilantes .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` at several sites across the country , including California and New Mexico , Trump supporters have gathered near polling sites — in some cases , worrying those waiting to vote . ''
In Florida , Lutz notes , an armed police officer named Daniel Ubeda `` was seen near a poll wearing a face mask that read 'TRUMP 2020 ' and 'NO MORE BULLSHIT ' on the front of it . ''
Attorney Steve Simeonidis , who chairs the Dade County Democratic Party , saw Ubeda near that polling place and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have been going to vote .
But he was in full uniform with the mask and a gun .
That 's voter intimidation . ''
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez , in response to that incident , said , `` It 's a violation of departmental orders .
A police officer is supposed to be impartial . ''
On October 21 , the Washington Post 's Joshua Partlow reported , `` A wide array of complaints have been reported around the country , many involving Trump supporters , according to tips reviewed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other news organizations , including the Washington Post . ''

During his first debate with former Vice President Joe Biden on September 29, President Donald Trump urged his supporters to serve as poll watchers. Trump's critics have been arguing that Trump was promoting voter intimidation and encouraging would-be vigilantes, and according to reporting from Vanity Fair and Florida's WFLA News 8, it appears to be working.
WFLA (an NBC affiliate in Tampa) reports that in St. Petersburg, Florida, two armed men dressed as security guards in a tent they set up outside an early voting site "were not hired by" Trump's campaign, even though they claimed to be.
Julie Marcus, supervisor of elections in Pinellas County, Florida, told WFLA that Sheriff Bob Gualtieri "told me the persons that were dressed in these security uniforms had indicated to sheriff's deputies that they belonged to a licensed security company, and they indicated — and this has not been confirmed yet — that they were hired by the Trump campaign."
Marcus, a Republican who was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, also told WFLA, "The sheriff and I take this very seriously. Voter intimidation, deterring voters from voting, impeding a voter's ability to cast a ballot in this election is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form."
During his debate with Biden, Trump said, "I'm urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully." And Trump's critics have been arguing that he wasn't talking about official poll watchers, but rather, was encouraging his supporters to become vigilantes.
In Vanity Fair, journalist Eric Lutz reports that "at several sites across the country, including California and New Mexico, Trump supporters have gathered near polling sites — in some cases, worrying those waiting to vote."
In Florida, Lutz notes, an armed police officer named Daniel Ubeda "was seen near a poll wearing a face mask that read 'TRUMP 2020' and 'NO MORE BULLSHIT' on the front of it."
Attorney Steve Simeonidis, who chairs the Dade County Democratic Party, saw Ubeda near that polling place and told the Miami Herald, "He may have been going to vote. But he was in full uniform with the mask and a gun. That's voter intimidation."
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, in response to that incident, said, "It's a violation of departmental orders. A police officer is supposed to be impartial."
On October 21, the Washington Post's Joshua Partlow reported, "A wide array of complaints have been reported around the country, many involving Trump supporters, according to tips reviewed by ProPublica's Electionland project and shared with other news organizations, including the Washington Post."


alternet--2020-10-22--The danger of laughing off Trump's fascist blather

`` As President Trump entered the final stretch of the election season , '' reports The Washington Post , `` he began making more than 50 false or misleading claims a day . ''
Since then , `` it 's only gotten worse — so much so that the Fact Checker team can not keep up . ''
Trump 's relentless mendacity and constant ridiculousness numbs reporters and the larger public to just how dangerous his inclinations are when paired with the power of the presidency .
Every day , he says something that would result in a major scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , and after years of hearing this stuff , there 's a natural tendency to dismiss it as 'Trump being Trump . '
On Wednesday , The Washington Post ran a story illustrating why this is so dangerous .
While we shake our heads at Trump 's favorite rhetorical gambit -- accusing political opponents and reporters who ask him questions he does n't like of committing unspecified crimes -- the report reveals that he says the same things in private ; it is more than just campaign gibberish .
Fortunately , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin and unlikely to occupy the Oval Office after January , nobody in law enforcement is fabricating bogus charges against Trump 's foes .
But keep in mind that Trump is hectoring the most corrupt Attorney General in memory -- a guy who has turned the country 's top law enforcement agency into Trump 's personal law firm and probably obstructed justice on Trump 's behalf -- for perceived disloyalty .
And recall that Trump picked Barr after his first choice , wingnut Matthew Whitaker , became a laughingstock when his past as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives Trump a one-in-eight likelihood of winning the Electoral College , and if he does , you can bet that Trump would find someone in MAGA world who would n't similarly frustrate his authoritarian impulses .
Trump 's clownishness would be comical if he were a fictional character .
But he controls the executive branch -- and holds the nuclear codes -- and we should take him both seriously and literally and understand that it 's no laughing matter .

"As President Trump entered the final stretch of the election season," reports The Washington Post, "he began making more than 50 false or misleading claims a day." Since then, "it's only gotten worse — so much so that the Fact Checker team cannot keep up."
Trump's relentless mendacity and constant ridiculousness numbs reporters and the larger public to just how dangerous his inclinations are when paired with the power of the presidency. Every day, he says something that would result in a major scandal for any other president, of either party, and after years of hearing this stuff, there's a natural tendency to dismiss it as 'Trump being Trump.'
On Wednesday, The Washington Postran a story illustrating why this is so dangerous. While we shake our heads at Trump's favorite rhetorical gambit--accusing political opponents and reporters who ask him questions he doesn't like of committing unspecified crimes--the report reveals that he says the same things in private; it is more than just campaign gibberish.
President Trump and his advisers have repeatedly discussed whether to fire FBI Director Christopher A. Wray after Election Day — a scenario that also could imperil the tenure of Attorney General William P. Barr as the president grows increasingly frustrated that federal law enforcement has not delivered his campaign the kind of last-minute boost that the FBI provided in 2016, according to people familiar with the matter.
The conversations among the president and senior aides stem in part from their disappointment that Wray in particular but Barr as well have not done what Trump had hoped — indicate that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden or other Biden associates are under investigation, these people say. Like others, they spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose internal discussions.
In the campaign's closing weeks, the president has intensified public calls for jailing his challenger, much as he did for Hillary Clinton, his opponent in 2016. Trump has called Biden a "criminal" without articulating what laws he believes the former vice president has broken.
People familiar with the discussions say Trump wants official action similar to the announcement made 11 days before the last presidential election by then-FBI Director James B. Comey, who informed Congress he had reopened an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while she was secretary of state after potential new evidence had been discovered.
[...]
The attorney general has been drawn into some of those disputes as the president has complained that a hoped-for report from Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham, who is scrutinizing the Russia investigation's origins, is not expected to surface before Election Day.
The president has stopped praising Barr and instead strikes a more critical tone toward him. Trump declined to answer a Newsmax reporter recently when asked if Barr would be kept around for a second term.
Trump was so focused on the Durham report that he would turn up the television volume when segments would air about it, people around him said. Trump has told allies that he once believed Barr would deliver "scalps" in the form of Durham's findings, according to an adviser who recently spoke to Trump about it. "But they aren't doing s---," the president said, according to this person.
Fortunately, with Trump trailing Joe Biden by a significant margin and unlikely to occupy the Oval Office after January, nobody in law enforcement is fabricating bogus charges against Trump's foes.
But keep in mind that Trump is hectoring the most corrupt Attorney General in memory--a guy who has turned the country's top law enforcement agency into Trump's personal law firm and probably obstructed justice on Trump's behalf--for perceived disloyalty. And recall that Trump picked Barr after his first choice, wingnut Matthew Whitaker, became a laughingstock when his past as a toilet-scammer became public. FiveThirtyEight currently gives Trump a one-in-eight likelihood of winning the Electoral College, and if he does, you can bet that Trump would find someone in MAGA world who wouldn't similarly frustrate his authoritarian impulses.
Trump's clownishness would be comical if he were a fictional character. But he controls the executive branch--and holds the nuclear codes--and we should take him both seriously and literally and understand that it's no laughing matter.


alternet--2020-10-22--Watch: Trump tells Lesley Stahl he’s not okay with her asking tough questions prior to trainwreck in

Watch: Trump tells Lesley Stahl he’s not okay with her asking tough questions prior to trainwreck interview

President Donald Trump has now released footage from his upcoming `` 60 Minutes '' interview — and it starts with @ @ @ @ @ he does n't want to deal with any tough questions .
Before the interview begins @ @ @ @ @ asking , `` Are you ready for some tough questions ? ''
`` Just be @ @ @ @ @ responded .
`` But last time [ I interviewed you ] , I remember you @ @ @ @ @ it on , ' '' Stahl replied .
`` I 'm not looking for that @ @ @ @ @ fairness , '' he replied .
`` You 're going to get fairness , '' @ @ @ @ @ you 're okay with some tough questions ? ''
`` No , '' the president @ @ @ @ @ n't ask Biden tough questions ! ''

President Donald Trump has now released footage from his upcoming "60 Minutes" interview — and it starts with the president warning her that he doesn't want to deal with any tough questions.
Before the interview begins, Stahl can be heard asking, "Are you ready for some tough questions?"
"Just be fair," the president responded.
"But last time [I interviewed you], I remember you saying to me, 'Bring it on,'" Stahl replied.
"I'm not looking for that, I'm looking for fairness," he replied.
"You're going to get fairness," she said. "But you're okay with some tough questions?"
"No," the president replied. "You don't ask Biden tough questions!"
Watch the video below.


alternet--2020-10-22--Trumpworld 'going all in on QAnon' with the election less than 2 weeks away: report

Whenever President Donald Trump is asked about QAnon extremists , he will say a few nice things about them while insisting that he knows very little about the movement .
But journalist Will Sommer , in an article published by the Daily Beast on October 22 , reports that Trump 's allies are trying to use the QAnon conspiracy theory to get him reelected .
To say that QAnon 's beliefs are absurd would be an understatement .
According to the QAnon conspiracy theory , the U.S. government has been infiltrated by an international cabal of child sex traffickers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump was put in the White House to combat them .
An anonymous figure named Q , according to the theory , is giving them updates on Trump 's battle .
QAnon also believe that R & B superstar Beyoncé is really an Italian woman named Ann Marie Lastrassi and is working with billionaire George Soros as part of the conspiracy .
But as ridiculous as QAnon 's beliefs are , Trump 's allies are willing to promote the cult if it will help his reelection campaign .
One of those allies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Steve Bannon , who has been using QAnon-like rhetoric and claiming that at least some of their beliefs are true .
Bannon said of QAnon , `` How are they not at least — at least an aspect of their argument — at least appears , directionally to be correct ? ''
Sommer explains , `` With less than two weeks before Election Day and Trump lagging in the polls , some of the president 's most prominent allies are going all in on QAnon , while Trump and other top supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is , at its most innocent , a crass political calculation designed to keep a relatively modest , though loud and influential , chunk of the party 's base engaged .
At its worst , critics warn , it 's a green light of acceptance to dangerous conspiracy theorists and a normalization of their beliefs . ''
The Beast reporter goes on to say that Trump has `` refused to disavow QAnon , which the FBI considers a potential source of domestic terrorism . ''
And in Georgia , Sommer notes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own QAnon endorsements .
Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) touted the backing of Marjorie Taylor Greene , a Georgia Republican and outspoken QAnon supporter who 's set to win a House seat in Congress in November .
Loeffler 's challenger , Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) , meanwhile , rushed out his endorsement from former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn , a hero to QAnon believers who recently took the QAnon oath with members of his family . ''
Flynn , CNN 's Marshall Cohen reported on July 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the video , Flynn declared , `` Where we go one , we go all '' — which is a QAnon slogan .
Another QAnon slogan is , `` The storm is here . ''
And Sommer notes that Bannon has been using `` storm '' references when promoting conspiracy theories involving former Vice President Joe Biden 's son , Hunter Biden .
Bannon recently declared , `` It 's gon na be a storm .
The storm clouds are around the Biden camp .
The storm clouds are around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Whenever President Donald Trump is asked about QAnon extremists, he will say a few nice things about them while insisting that he knows very little about the movement. But journalist Will Sommer, in an article published by the Daily Beast on October 22, reports that Trump's allies are trying to use the QAnon conspiracy theory to get him reelected.
To say that QAnon's beliefs are absurd would be an understatement. According to the QAnon conspiracy theory, the U.S. government has been infiltrated by an international cabal of child sex traffickers, pedophiles, Satanists and cannibals — and Trump was put in the White House to combat them. An anonymous figure named Q, according to the theory, is giving them updates on Trump's battle. QAnon also believe that R&B superstar Beyoncé is really an Italian woman named Ann Marie Lastrassi and is working with billionaire George Soros as part of the conspiracy.
But as ridiculous as QAnon's beliefs are, Trump's allies are willing to promote the cult if it will help his reelection campaign. One of those allies, Sommer notes, is former Breitbart News Chairman Steve Bannon, who has been using QAnon-like rhetoric and claiming that at least some of their beliefs are true. Bannon said of QAnon, "How are they not at least — at least an aspect of their argument — at least appears, directionally to be correct?"
Sommer explains, "With less than two weeks before Election Day and Trump lagging in the polls, some of the president's most prominent allies are going all in on QAnon, while Trump and other top supporters refuse to denounce the conspiracy theory. It is, at its most innocent, a crass political calculation designed to keep a relatively modest, though loud and influential, chunk of the party's base engaged. At its worst, critics warn, it's a green light of acceptance to dangerous conspiracy theorists and a normalization of their beliefs."
The Beast reporter goes on to say that Trump has "refused to disavow QAnon, which the FBI considers a potential source of domestic terrorism." And in Georgia, Sommer notes, "Two Republican candidates are competing for their own QAnon endorsements. Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) touted the backing of Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and outspoken QAnon supporter who's set to win a House seat in Congress in November. Loeffler's challenger, Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), meanwhile, rushed out his endorsement from former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, a hero to QAnon believers who recently took the QAnon oath with members of his family."
Flynn, CNN's Marshall Cohen reported on July 7, posted a video using QAnon rhetoric. In the video, Flynn declared, "Where we go one, we go all" — which is a QAnon slogan.
Another QAnon slogan is, "The storm is here." And Sommer notes that Bannon has been using "storm" references when promoting conspiracy theories involving former Vice President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden.
Bannon recently declared, "It's gonna be a storm. The storm clouds are around the Biden camp. The storm clouds are around the Biden camp — a gathering storm."


alternet--2020-10-22--Biden surrogate destroys Fox News host for aiding Russian interference with ‘bogus’ Hunter Biden sto

Biden surrogate destroys Fox News host for aiding Russian interference with ‘bogus’ Hunter Biden story

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake , a surrogate for Democratic nominee Joe Biden , on Thursday blasted Fox News host Sandra Smith for repeatedly asking about unproven accusations against the candidate 's son , Hunter .
`` We can assume that the president is sharpening his attacks particularly when it comes to Hunter and Joe Biden , '' Smith told Rawlings-Blake .
`` How is Joe Biden preparing to respond and defend himself against those attacks , particularly now that Hunter Biden 's former business partner is coming forward . ''
`` The way the [ vice president ] is going to prepare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when this story first showed up , '' Rawlings-Blake explained , `` which is to turn it down . ''
`` We do n't know that , '' Smith complained .
`` That 's news to us . ''
`` It 's part of — as the FBI says — potentially a Russian conspiracy to interfere with our election , '' Rawlings-Blake continued .
`` And my hope is that our country will not be led down this road again by Putin and allow Russia to interfere with our election .
And my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the interference in our election by continuing to perpetuate a bogus story . ''
`` When you reference a bogus story that Fox turned down , we have no information on that , '' Smith said .
`` When this story surfaced , it was news to us . ''
`` This is the debate that 's going to take place on that stage tonight , '' the Fox News host remarked .
`` How does Joe Biden respond considering we have not seen him answer any questions about it ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the FBI did — that this is a bogus story , '' Rawlings-Blake replied , `` perpetuated and put out in the fake news network to interfere with the election .
These are desperate times .
President Trump sees the numbers .
Fox News sees the numbers , but I want to assure Fox News and all of the watchers , you 'll have advertisers after this election is over , you 'll have airtime after this election is over .
It will be OK. You will be able to report on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Smith pressed : `` What if the question comes up ?
Joe Biden , do you refuse the fact that these were real emails that were exchanged ?
Was this Hunter Biden 's laptop ?
I hear you calling it a false story .
There 's no evidence that it 's false or made up .
But how does Joe Biden respond to that ? ''
`` I 'm sure Vice President Biden is prepared to answer those questions , '' Rawlings-Blake insisted .
`` I 'm also sure that your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the FBI said — a possibility or an interest of the Russians to interfere with our election . ''
`` And I understand while it seems like an interesting story , I have no interest in helping Russia interfere with our election , '' she added .
`` They did it in 2016 and we will not have it done again . ''
Watch the video below from Fox News .

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, a surrogate for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, on Thursday blasted Fox News host Sandra Smith for repeatedly asking about unproven accusations against the candidate's son, Hunter.
"We can assume that the president is sharpening his attacks particularly when it comes to Hunter and Joe Biden," Smith told Rawlings-Blake. "How is Joe Biden preparing to respond and defend himself against those attacks, particularly now that Hunter Biden's former business partner is coming forward."
"The way the [vice president] is going to prepare is the same way that Fox prepared when this story first showed up," Rawlings-Blake explained, "which is to turn it down."
"We don't know that," Smith complained. "That's news to us."
"It's part of — as the FBI says — potentially a Russian conspiracy to interfere with our election," Rawlings-Blake continued. "And my hope is that our country will not be led down this road again by Putin and allow Russia to interfere with our election. And my hope is that Fox won't participate in the interference in our election by continuing to perpetuate a bogus story."
"When you reference a bogus story that Fox turned down, we have no information on that," Smith said. "When this story surfaced, it was news to us."
"This is the debate that's going to take place on that stage tonight," the Fox News host remarked. "How does Joe Biden respond considering we have not seen him answer any questions about it?"
"He responds by acknowledging — just like the FBI did — that this is a bogus story," Rawlings-Blake replied, "perpetuated and put out in the fake news network to interfere with the election. These are desperate times. President Trump sees the numbers. Fox News sees the numbers, but I want to assure Fox News and all of the watchers, you'll have advertisers after this election is over, you'll have airtime after this election is over. It will be OK. You will be able to report on real news without desperately needing a circus."
Smith pressed: "What if the question comes up? Joe Biden, do you refuse the fact that these were real emails that were exchanged? Was this Hunter Biden's laptop? I hear you calling it a false story. There's no evidence that it's false or made up. But how does Joe Biden respond to that?"
"I'm sure Vice President Biden is prepared to answer those questions," Rawlings-Blake insisted. "I'm also sure that your repeated bringing these emails up is — as the FBI said — a possibility or an interest of the Russians to interfere with our election."
"And I understand while it seems like an interesting story, I have no interest in helping Russia interfere with our election," she added. "They did it in 2016 and we will not have it done again."
Watch the video below from Fox News.