alternet--2020-10-03--Former West Wing official on POTUS COVID: 'It’s as if the campaign ended yesterday'

The redoubtable Gabriel Sherman has a post-POTUS-COVID dispatch from the wondrous , maskless land of the West Wing , where @ @ @ @ @ from a coronavirus that 's already killed more than 200,000 Americans .
Oh , and @ @ @ @ @ n't have to watch another train wreck of a debate .
Is n't that nice @ @ @ @ @ this asshole ca n't stop being an asshole now .
The best he can hope @ @ @ @ @ of weeks is being a sick asshole .
Oh , and Hope Hicks , who @ @ @ @ @ , ca n't be happy with her boss 's blasé attitude toward everyone else 's @ @ @ @ @ will never blame himself .
Sorry , Hope .
COVID can be a bastard to @ @ @ @ @ you 're trying to do it under a bus .

The redoubtable Gabriel Sherman has a post-POTUS-COVID dispatch from the wondrous, maskless land of the West Wing, where no one ever gets sick from a coronavirus that's already killed more than 200,000 Americans.
(Guess this all makes sense. Washington, D.C., is a blue jurisdiction, and the administration doesn't really care about such places.)
Oh, and hey! We probably won't have to watch another train wreck of a debate. Isn't that nice?
Vanity Fair:
Campaign advisers are also gaming out how Trump's COVID diagnosis will play out with only 32 days left until the election. Sources I spoke with are doubtful the next two debates will happen. "There really can be nothing for 14 days. It's as if the campaign ended yesterday," a second former West Wing official told me. Republicans close to Trump are discussing what kind of message Trump should put out that might limit the political damage. "He could come out and say, 'Look, I had COVID and it wasn't that bad. It just shows that I'm strong and we should open up the country,'" the former West Wing official said. "He could make a mockery of it."
He could. Because this asshole can't stop being an asshole now. The best he can hope for for the next couple of weeks is being a sick asshole.
Oh, and Hope Hicks, who tested positive before Trump did, can't be happy with her boss's blasé attitude toward everyone else's well-being:
Meanwhile, Hicks has experienced more pronounced symptoms than the president. Two sources said she has had a high fever and a cough, with one source adding she lost her sense of smell. Hicks is said to be frustrated with Trump for taking such a cavalier approach to the virus. She was one of the few West Wing staffers to wear a mask in meetings, which her colleagues chided her for. "She was made fun of because she wore a mask," a friend said. Sources told me Hicks is also upset that news coverage has made it appear that she gave Trump the virus, when in fact no one knows where he got it. "It's so unfair she's sort of being blamed," the friend told me.
Well, Trump will never blame himself. Sorry, Hope. COVID can be a bastard to recover from, especially when you're trying to do it under a bus.


alternet--2020-10-03--Trump's history of misinformation is making it difficult for some people to believe he is ill with C

Trump's history of misinformation is making it difficult for some people to believe he is ill with COVID-19

President Donald Trump 's COVID-19 illness has been met with scrutiny and skepticism of his health given his long history of coronavirus misinformation and the White House 's ongoing lack of transparency .
Since Trump tweeted to confirm he had tested positive for coronavirus , the White House has released multiple contradictory statements that raise questions about the extent of the president 's illness .
Initially , ex-White House doctor Ronny Jackson told Fox News the president appeared to be `` asymptomatic right now . ''
Despite testing positive for coronavirus and having comorbidities , Jackson also insisted the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Shortly after , another report spurned Jackson 's remarks as a White House official confirmed Trump was exhibiting `` mild symptoms '' of coronavirus .
In fact , that official also admitted that Trump seemed `` tired '' on Wednesday .
By Thursday , Trump reportedly seemed `` lethargic . ''
Just hours after telling an unmasked audience at his campaign fundraiser that `` the end of the pandemic is in sight , '' the president announced he and the first lady had tested positive .
Throughout the day on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany , claimed the president was experiencing `` mild symptoms '' and was in `` good spirits . ''
Later in the day , it was revealed he had had a fever the entire day .
It was also confirmed that doctors administered Regeneron to the president .
The White House medical staff 's use of the experimental therapy , which does not have Food and Drug Administration is a Federal ( FDA ) emergency authorization , immediately raised questions about the severity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of downplaying the president 's condition , White House officials announced he would be airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center .
The abrupt decision signaled a much bigger problem than the White House desired to admit .
But despite all that has transpired over the last two days , there are still many Americans who are n't buying that the president is really ill .
Since Trump has a history of spreading misinformation and playing cat-and-mouse with the media , many have raised questions about the timing of Trump 's diagnosis as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor performance during the first presidential debate .
Overnight , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden received his `` biggest swing in six months '' following the seemingly chaotic debate which signaled trouble for the Trump campaign , reports NewsWeek .
In fact , Trump 's behavior so disturbing and unhinged he was faced with criticism from both Democratic and Republican leaders .
Due to Trump 's illness , there is a strong possibility he may not be able to participate in the last two debates .
Some Twitter users believe the timing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe the president is sick unless they see the test results .
Trump is also being ridiculed because he appears to have become the embodiment of his own handling of the pandemic .
Trump is currently hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda , Md .
No further updates about his health have been released , as of yet .

President Donald Trump's COVID-19 illness has been met with scrutiny and skepticism of his health given his long history of coronavirus misinformation and the White House's ongoing lack of transparency.
Since Trump tweeted to confirm he had tested positive for coronavirus, the White House has released multiple contradictory statements that raise questions about the extent of the president's illness. Initially, ex-White House doctor Ronny Jackson told Fox News the president appeared to be "asymptomatic right now."
Despite testing positive for coronavirus and having comorbidities, Jackson also insisted the president is "in great physical health otherwise." Shortly after, another report spurned Jackson's remarks as a White House official confirmed Trump was exhibiting "mild symptoms" of coronavirus. In fact, that official also admitted that Trump seemed "tired" on Wednesday.
By Thursday, Trump reportedly seemed "lethargic." Just hours after telling an unmasked audience at his campaign fundraiser that "the end of the pandemic is in sight," the president announced he and the first lady had tested positive.
Throughout the day on Friday, multiple White House officials, including Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, claimed the president was experiencing "mild symptoms" and was in "good spirits."
Later in the day, it was revealed he had had a fever the entire day. It was also confirmed that doctors administered Regeneron to the president. The White House medical staff's use of the experimental therapy, which does not have Food and Drug Administration is a Federal (FDA) emergency authorization, immediately raised questions about the severity of the president's illness.
After hours of downplaying the president's condition, White House officials announced he would be airlifted to Walter Reed Medical Center. The abrupt decision signaled a much bigger problem than the White House desired to admit.
But despite all that has transpired over the last two days, there are still many Americans who aren't buying that the president is really ill. Since Trump has a history of spreading misinformation and playing cat-and-mouse with the media, many have raised questions about the timing of Trump's diagnosis as it came just days after the president's poor performance during the first presidential debate.
Overnight, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden received his "biggest swing in six months" following the seemingly chaotic debate which signaled trouble for the Trump campaign, reports NewsWeek. In fact, Trump's behavior so disturbing and unhinged he was faced with criticism from both Democratic and Republican leaders.
Trump and Biden spar over face masks www.youtube.com
Due to Trump's illness, there is a strong possibility he may not be able to participate in the last two debates. Some Twitter users believe the timing is not a coincidence and insist they will not believe the president is sick unless they see the test results. Trump is also being ridiculed because he appears to have become the embodiment of his own handling of the pandemic.
Trump is currently hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. No further updates about his health have been released, as of yet.


alternet--2020-10-03--The White House under a black sky

The White House under a black sky

After months of unscientific experimentation , the president of the United States has completed his transformation into a biological weapon .
Infected with the coronavirus because he rejected the advice of government experts , Donald Trump can no longer evade the consequences of the policy and political choices he has made since last winter .
With every wrong move , he brought himself and the country closer to this fateful moment .
How many lives his terrible exercise in deception and self-deception will cost remains to be seen , but we now know that he does not hesitate to endanger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insecurities have rendered Trump and his followers so resistant to every measure that stems the infection , especially wearing a mask , their selfish recalcitrance was on public display at the first presidential debate .
Seated at the front of the hall , members of the Trump family brazenly refused to wear a mask — despite an explicit request from a staffer of the Cleveland Clinic , which was overseeing health and safety at the event .
For a moment during the debate , Trump tried to sound responsible , as he occasionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask when I think I need it , '' he told moderator Chris Wallace .
But he could n't resist mocking Biden , whose entire party entered the hall wearing masks and kept them on , except for Biden .
`` I do n't wear masks like him , '' Trump barked , indicating Biden .
`` Every time you see him , he 's got a mask .
You could be speaking 200 feet away from them , and he shows up with the biggest mask I 've ever seen !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump distorted the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top government epidemiologist , who , like every other reputable expert , has urged universal masking and other basic safety measures for many months .
His infantile attitude has done untold damage .
According to a new study released by Cornell University , which analyzed over 38 million articles in English-language media around the world , the American president is this planet 's single most toxic source of misinformation about the pandemic .
Trump 's viral spewing of lies and myths about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread of the disease itself .
In New York , where Gov .
Andrew Cuomo seized public attention to deliver a strong daily message of masking and social distancing , directly contradicting Trump , the upward curve of infections was `` flattened , '' and many lives were saved .
In too many other places , where Trumpian rejection of science ruled , the virus continues to rage .
At first , the president pretended that the virus was a `` Democratic hoax '' or a mere variation of the seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would go away , `` like a miracle , '' even though he knew and confided to Bob Woodward that it was extremely dangerous and could kill many thousands .
Rather than mobilize government against the pandemic , Trump did nothing .
Or next to nothing .
As the pandemic took hold , he became preoccupied by scientifically questionable tangents , such as hydroxychloroquine , and even his own bizarre speculation that injecting disinfectant might restore health ( it is much more likely to inflict death ) .
Trump and his doctors even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as his case should now persuade him , does not work .
As the final weeks of this election unfold , we are going to learn in detail how Trump 's arrogance , vanity and irresponsibility have endangered hundreds of people around him , from the White House staff to the donors and supporters who attended his most recent events in New Jersey and Minnesota .
Let 's hope that neither he nor anyone around him suffers the worst effects of the disease — like the late Herman Cain , who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defiantly unmasked .
But let 's not forget that such casualties are only a microcosm of the American carnage caused by this catastrophic presidency .
The sky over the White House is black with chickens coming home to roost , and there is only one way for our country to emerge from the darkness .
To find out more about Joe Conason and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists , visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com .

After months of unscientific experimentation, the president of the United States has completed his transformation into a biological weapon.
Infected with the coronavirus because he rejected the advice of government experts, Donald Trump can no longer evade the consequences of the policy and political choices he has made since last winter. With every wrong move, he brought himself and the country closer to this fateful moment. How many lives his terrible exercise in deception and self-deception will cost remains to be seen, but we now know that he does not hesitate to endanger even those closest to him.
Whatever insecurities have rendered Trump and his followers so resistant to every measure that stems the infection, especially wearing a mask, their selfish recalcitrance was on public display at the first presidential debate. Seated at the front of the hall, members of the Trump family brazenly refused to wear a mask — despite an explicit request from a staffer of the Cleveland Clinic, which was overseeing health and safety at the event.
For a moment during the debate, Trump tried to sound responsible, as he occasionally does. "I'll put on a mask when I think I need it," he told moderator Chris Wallace. But he couldn't resist mocking Biden, whose entire party entered the hall wearing masks and kept them on, except for Biden. "I don't wear masks like him," Trump barked, indicating Biden. "Every time you see him, he's got a mask. You could be speaking 200 feet away from them, and he shows up with the biggest mask I've ever seen!"
Trump's debate performance showcased the only thing his cult cares about Trump's debate performance showcased the only thing his cult cares about MSNBC
To excuse his rejection of masking, Trump distorted the advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top government epidemiologist, who, like every other reputable expert, has urged universal masking and other basic safety measures for many months. His infantile attitude has done untold damage. According to a new study released by Cornell University, which analyzed over 38 million articles in English-language media around the world, the American president is this planet's single most toxic source of misinformation about the pandemic.
Trump's viral spewing of lies and myths about the coronavirus has rendered society helpless to stop the spread of the disease itself. In New York, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo seized public attention to deliver a strong daily message of masking and social distancing, directly contradicting Trump, the upward curve of infections was "flattened," and many lives were saved. In too many other places, where Trumpian rejection of science ruled, the virus continues to rage.
At first, the president pretended that the virus was a "Democratic hoax" or a mere variation of the seasonal flu. Then, he promised it would go away, "like a miracle," even though he knew and confided to Bob Woodward that it was extremely dangerous and could kill many thousands. Rather than mobilize government against the pandemic, Trump did nothing. Or next to nothing. As the pandemic took hold, he became preoccupied by scientifically questionable tangents, such as hydroxychloroquine, and even his own bizarre speculation that injecting disinfectant might restore health (it is much more likely to inflict death). Trump and his doctors even claimed that he took hydroxychloroquine — which, as his case should now persuade him, does not work.
As the final weeks of this election unfold, we are going to learn in detail how Trump's arrogance, vanity and irresponsibility have endangered hundreds of people around him, from the White House staff to the donors and supporters who attended his most recent events in New Jersey and Minnesota. Let's hope that neither he nor anyone around him suffers the worst effects of the disease — like the late Herman Cain, who died weeks after attending the Tulsa Trump rally defiantly unmasked. But let's not forget that such casualties are only a microcosm of the American carnage caused by this catastrophic presidency.
The sky over the White House is black with chickens coming home to roost, and there is only one way for our country to emerge from the darkness.
To find out more about Joe Conason and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.


alternet--2020-10-03--Matt Gaetz argues Trump catching COVID after ignoring CDC guidance means coronavirus rules don’t wor

Matt Gaetz argues Trump catching COVID after ignoring CDC guidance means coronavirus rules don’t work

Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) argued on Fox News that President Donald Trump catching coronavirus means that the guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control do n't work .
Gaetz made his argument to Tucker Carlson after Trump was airlifted to Walter Reed Hospital .
`` What I can tell you is if this virus can get into the Oval , into the body of the president , there is no place where it could not possibly infect one of our fellow Americans , '' Gaetz argued , ignoring the fact that Trump had constantly engaged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country while refusing to wear a mask .
`` And that 's why it 's so important to continue executing on President Trump 's strategy to allow our country to open up , but then to ensure we protect the vulnerable because there is no lockdown that can be a panacea to save everyone from everything -- and this is proof-positive that 's the case , '' he argued , doubling down on the approach that resulted in Trump 's hospitalization .
Carlson agreed .
`` It 's such a smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president can get this virus , then it tells you a lot about our ability to protect ourselves from it , '' Carlson said , ignoring the fact that Trump defiantly ignored all the protections to protect oneself from COVID-19 .
https : //twitter.com/NikkiMcR/status/13121932050985 ...

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) argued on Fox News that President Donald Trump catching coronavirus means that the guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control don't work.
Gaetz made his argument to Tucker Carlson after Trump was airlifted to Walter Reed Hospital.
"What I can tell you is if this virus can get into the Oval, into the body of the president, there is no place where it could not possibly infect one of our fellow Americans," Gaetz argued, ignoring the fact that Trump had constantly engaged in risky behavior like holding packed campaign rallies across the country while refusing to wear a mask.
"And that's why it's so important to continue executing on President Trump's strategy to allow our country to open up, but then to ensure we protect the vulnerable because there is no lockdown that can be a panacea to save everyone from everything -- and this is proof-positive that's the case," he argued, doubling down on the approach that resulted in Trump's hospitalization.
Carlson agreed.
"It's such a smart point. I mean, if the president can get this virus, then it tells you a lot about our ability to protect ourselves from it," Carlson said, ignoring the fact that Trump defiantly ignored all the protections to protect oneself from COVID-19.
https://twitter.com/NikkiMcR/status/13121932050985...


alternet--2020-10-03--Jimmy Kimmel takes aim at Trump for catching COVID-19 after mocking Biden over mask wearing

Jimmy Kimmel did not hold back when he weighed in on President Donald Trump 's hospitalization .
Although the president is reportedly battling coronavirus , Kimmel took a moment to reflect on Trump and the White House 's handling of the coronavirus as he reiterated why the president has arrived at this point .
On Friday night , Kimmel acknowledged that Trump is considered `` high-risk '' for coronavirus as he took the moment as an opportunity to highlight the contradiction in Trump 's war on Obamacare and pre-existing conditions .
Although the president is receiving top-notch health care at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be so fortunate if Trump manages to strike down Obamacare and change laws regarding insurance for people with pre-existing conditions .
`` Just when you thought 2020 could n't get any 2020ier… '' Kimmel said at the top of his show , adding , `` He 's high-risk because of his age and his weight .
Fortunately , he does have Obamacare , so he 's covered with those pre-existing conditions . ''
Kimmel recalled Trump 's repeated attacks aimed at Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
On multiple occasions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask in public .
The president also insulted Biden at the first presidential debate for his decision to wear masks .
`` You ca n't look past the fact that over and over again , Trump has made fun of Joe Biden for wearing a mask , '' Kimmel argued .
The late night talk show host went on to stress the importance of masks and how contact tracing will be critical to mitigate the spread of the virus .
`` Ha , ha , and ha .
Here 's the thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They protect us from getting it , and spreading it .
That 's a fact .
If everyone wore a mask , we might not have any of this anymore .
We would definitely have less of this , '' Kimmel said .
Kimmel also quipped about the coronavirus outbreak at the White House comparing it to `` a summer camp with lice . ''
At this point , every White House staffer that the president has come in contact with has potentially been exposed to the coronavirus .
`` But this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and so now he has the virus , his wife has it , and every staffer who may have come into contact with the president is at risk .
Basically , right now the White House is like a summer camp with lice . ''
Over the last two days , several people who work closely with the president have now tested positive for coronavirus .
White House Advisor Hope Hicks was the first positive case reported before Trump 's COVID-19 test results were confirmed .
Now , the president along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Bill Stepien , his former White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway , two Republican senators , Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins , and others have all tested positive for coronavirus , according to Politico .
The White House is now contact tracing to mitigate the spread of the virus .
However , that has been a relatively difficult feat due to the number of public events Trump attended this week and the number of people he came in contact with failing to wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center .

Jimmy Kimmel did not hold back when he weighed in on President Donald Trump's hospitalization. Although the president is reportedly battling coronavirus, Kimmel took a moment to reflect on Trump and the White House's handling of the coronavirus as he reiterated why the president has arrived at this point.
On Friday night, Kimmel acknowledged that Trump is considered "high-risk" for coronavirus as he took the moment as an opportunity to highlight the contradiction in Trump's war on Obamacare and pre-existing conditions.
Although the president is receiving top-notch health care at Walter Reed Medical Center, most Americans would not be so fortunate if Trump manages to strike down Obamacare and change laws regarding insurance for people with pre-existing conditions.
"Just when you thought 2020 couldn't get any 2020ier…" Kimmel said at the top of his show, adding, "He's high-risk because of his age and his weight. Fortunately, he does have Obamacare, so he's covered with those pre-existing conditions."
Kimmel recalled Trump's repeated attacks aimed at Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. On multiple occasions, Trump has mocked Biden for always wearing a mask in public. The president also insulted Biden at the first presidential debate for his decision to wear masks.
"You can't look past the fact that over and over again, Trump has made fun of Joe Biden for wearing a mask," Kimmel argued.
Jimmy Kimmel on Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis www.youtube.com
The late night talk show host went on to stress the importance of masks and how contact tracing will be critical to mitigate the spread of the virus.
"Ha, ha, and ha. Here's the thing: masks protect us from the coronavirus. They protect us from getting it, and spreading it. That's a fact. If everyone wore a mask, we might not have any of this anymore. We would definitely have less of this," Kimmel said.
Kimmel also quipped about the coronavirus outbreak at the White House comparing it to "a summer camp with lice." At this point, every White House staffer that the president has come in contact with has potentially been exposed to the coronavirus.
"But this president doesn't think they look good, and so now he has the virus, his wife has it, and every staffer who may have come into contact with the president is at risk. Basically, right now the White House is like a summer camp with lice."
Over the last two days, several people who work closely with the president have now tested positive for coronavirus. White House Advisor Hope Hicks was the first positive case reported before Trump's COVID-19 test results were confirmed. Now, the president along with First Lady Melania Trump, his campaign manager Bill Stepien, his former White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, two Republican senators, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins, and others have all tested positive for coronavirus, according to Politico.
The White House is now contact tracing to mitigate the spread of the virus. However, that has been a relatively difficult feat due to the number of public events Trump attended this week and the number of people he came in contact with failing to wear a mask or social distance.
Trump is currently hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center.


alternet--2020-10-03--Montana GOP senator got influx of cash after vote to extend investor visa program “rampant” with fra

Montana GOP senator got influx of cash after vote to extend investor visa program “rampant” with fraud

Republicans have attacked Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock for encouraging Chinese investment in his state even though Sen. Steve Daines , a GOP incumbent , voted to reauthorize a visa program that had been criticized for `` rampant '' fraud .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee recently released an ad alleging that Bullock , who is challenging Daines in a neck-and-neck race that could decide control of the Senate , has a `` dangerous relationship '' with China because he urged investment in Montana under the EB-5 visa program , which provides visas to immigrants who invest at least $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video in the ad was first reported by National Review , which noted that Bullock has called for reforms to the program .
The report also noted that the top beneficiary of the fraud-plagued program in Montana has been the Yellowstone Club , a resort in Big Sky , Montana , whose owner has donated to Bullock and where the governor has hosted fundraisers .
The article added that the top executive at CrossHarbor Capital Partners , which owns the club , also donated to Daines , who `` has not co-sponsored legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Investor Brian Su , who advocates for EB-5 visas , donated tens of thousands to Daines and other Republicans after Daines voted to extend the program without any reforms to address potential fraud .
Daines reportedly met with Su , a major Republican donor , at the Yellowstone Club at the invitation of CrossHarbor Capital Partners before voting for the extension .
He received an influx of donations from the company 's executives two days after the vote .
Daines , who has extensive ties to China , and then-Rep. Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as President Trump 's Interior secretary , met with Su at the Yellowstone Club in 2016 to court Chinese investment in Montana .
They promised to provide investors with maximum support and assistance , according to a translation of an article published in the Chinese media outlet Chuansongme .
Su is the founder of the Artisan Business Group , which helps Chinese investors establish relationships in the U.S. , and is a `` leading authority on EB-5 marketing and promotion . ''
Su visited the Yellowstone Club at the invitation of CrossHarbor Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donated $ 3,000 to Daines ' Big Sky Committee around the time of the meeting , the only individual contribution on the committee 's September 2016 Federal Election Commission report .
Su has donated $ 6,500 to Daines ' campaign , leadership PAC and super PAC since 2016 .
He has also donated $ 10,000 to the Montana Republican Party and more than $ 59,000 to the NRSC and Republican candidates and political committees .
Su did not respond to questions from Salon .
In September 2016 , Daines voted in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the EB-5 Regional Center Program without any reforms .
Daines voted for the bill despite bipartisan opposition from Sen. Pat Leahy , D-Vt. , and Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , who were opposed because the measure failed to implement necessary changes to a program described as `` rampant '' with fraud .
The senators sent a letter to Senate leaders citing `` fraud , securities violations , money laundering , investor exploitation and failed projects as evidence of the need for reforms . ''
Executives at CrossHarbor Capital Partners and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sept. 30 , two days after the bill passed .
William Kremer , the company 's co-founder and managing partner , donated $ 5,400 to Daines ' campaign .
Tracey Byrne , the wife of co-founder Sam Byrne , donated $ 5,400 as well .
Matthew Kidd , the company 's managing director , and his wife Sheena donated another $ 5,400 to Daines ' campaign .
Jay Hart , another managing partner , donated $ 2,500 .
The executives and spouses have donated a total of $ 32,000 to the Zinke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , it appears , had donated to Daines before he voted for the bill .
Daines ' campaign did not respond to questions from Salon .
`` Steve Daines has made pay-to-play his trademark in Congress .
Instead of focusing on helping his constituents during a pandemic , Daines uses his office to reward his friends and wealthy donors , '' Zach Hudson , a spokesman for the Democratic PAC American Bridge , said in a statement to Salon .
`` Montana families are sick and tired of crooked politicians like Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bidder . ''
Igor Derysh is a staff writer at Salon .
His work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times , Chicago Tribune , Boston Herald and Baltimore Sun .

Republicans have attacked Montana Gov. Steve Bullock for encouraging Chinese investment in his state even though Sen. Steve Daines, a GOP incumbent, voted to reauthorize a visa program that had been criticized for "rampant" fraud.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee recently released an ad alleging that Bullock, who is challenging Daines in a neck-and-neck race that could decide control of the Senate, has a "dangerous relationship" with China because he urged investment in Montana under the EB-5 visa program, which provides visas to immigrants who invest at least $500,000 in the United States.
The video in the ad was first reported by National Review, which noted that Bullock has called for reforms to the program. The report also noted that the top beneficiary of the fraud-plagued program in Montana has been the Yellowstone Club, a resort in Big Sky, Montana, whose owner has donated to Bullock and where the governor has hosted fundraisers.
The article added that the top executive at CrossHarbor Capital Partners, which owns the club, also donated to Daines, who "has not co-sponsored legislation" that would implement reforms to the program. Investor Brian Su, who advocates for EB-5 visas, donated tens of thousands to Daines and other Republicans after Daines voted to extend the program without any reforms to address potential fraud.
Daines reportedly met with Su, a major Republican donor, at the Yellowstone Club at the invitation of CrossHarbor Capital Partners before voting for the extension. He received an influx of donations from the company's executives two days after the vote.
Daines, who has extensive ties to China, and then-Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., who later served as President Trump's Interior secretary, met with Su at the Yellowstone Club in 2016 to court Chinese investment in Montana. They promised to provide investors with maximum support and assistance, according to a translation of an article published in the Chinese media outlet Chuansongme.
Su is the founder of the Artisan Business Group, which helps Chinese investors establish relationships in the U.S., and is a "leading authority on EB-5 marketing and promotion." Su visited the Yellowstone Club at the invitation of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, according to Chuansongme.
Su donated $3,000 to Daines' Big Sky Committee around the time of the meeting, the only individual contribution on the committee's September 2016 Federal Election Commission report. Su has donated $6,500 to Daines' campaign, leadership PAC and super PAC since 2016. He has also donated $10,000 to the Montana Republican Party and more than $59,000 to the NRSC and Republican candidates and political committees.
Su did not respond to questions from Salon.
In September 2016, Daines voted in favor of a spending bill that included an extension of the EB-5 Regional Center Program without any reforms.
Daines voted for the bill despite bipartisan opposition from Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who were opposed because the measure failed to implement necessary changes to a program described as "rampant" with fraud. The senators sent a letter to Senate leaders citing "fraud, securities violations, money laundering, investor exploitation and failed projects as evidence of the need for reforms."
Executives at CrossHarbor Capital Partners and their spouses donated nearly $19,000 to Daines on Sept. 30, two days after the bill passed. William Kremer, the company's co-founder and managing partner, donated $5,400 to Daines' campaign. Tracey Byrne, the wife of co-founder Sam Byrne, donated $5,400 as well. Matthew Kidd, the company's managing director, and his wife Sheena donated another $5,400 to Daines' campaign. Jay Hart, another managing partner, donated $2,500. The executives and spouses have donated a total of $32,000 to the Zinke Daines Victory Account. None of those people, it appears, had donated to Daines before he voted for the bill.
Daines' campaign did not respond to questions from Salon.
"Steve Daines has made pay-to-play his trademark in Congress. Instead of focusing on helping his constituents during a pandemic, Daines uses his office to reward his friends and wealthy donors," Zach Hudson, a spokesman for the Democratic PAC American Bridge, said in a statement to Salon. "Montana families are sick and tired of crooked politicians like Steve Daines doling out favors to the highest bidder."
Igor Derysh
Igor Derysh is a staff writer at Salon. His work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald and Baltimore Sun.


alternet--2020-10-03--Medical experts puzzled by Trump taking experimental drugs Remdesivir and Regeneron

Medical experts are raising serious questions about President Donald Trump 's health as the White House scrambles to justify many of the speculative decisions being made .
During a panel discussion on MSNBC , multiple medical experts weighed in on Trump being treated with Remdesivir and Regeneron .
Although its not uncommon for patients to be treated with Remdesivir , what is uncommon is the use of it for mild symptoms which the White House has claimed the president has .
The use of Regeneron has also raised concerns due to the lack of evidence to prove its effectiveness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the president 's condition , medical experts are not sure he is doing as well as officials claim he is .
Dr. Vin Gupta , MSNBC Medical Contributor weighed in with his concerns about the choice of treatment .
`` There 's what we see which is a president on that short video which suggested ... he looked pretty good , '' one of the doctors said , admitting he was `` encouraged '' by that .
`` What 's a little puzzling and I 've gotten some push back on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this notion of why he is getting the antibody cocktail from Regeneron . ''
He continued , `` Why are they giving him ... he is the first person outside of a cellular protocol — a cellu-protocol from Regeneron that only has less than 300 patients enrolled .
to receive this experimental drug .
Why are they doing that ? ''
Although Trump appeared physically fine , The Washington Post is reporting that the abrupt decision to move the president to Walter Reed Medical Center was done for the purpose of optics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved while he could still walk .
`` As Trump 's condition deteriorated during the day Friday , the president and his team ultimately made the decision to send him to Walter Reed preemptively — and , from a public relations perspective , when he was still able to walk to Marine One on his own , according to one outside adviser in frequent contact with White House officials .
They feared the possibility of a further decline , and what that might mean , both for the president 's health and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post The president is said to have a fever , shortness of breath , and fatigue which are all common coronavirus symptoms .

Medical experts are raising serious questions about President Donald Trump's health as the White House scrambles to justify many of the speculative decisions being made.
During a panel discussion on MSNBC, multiple medical experts weighed in on Trump being treated with Remdesivir and Regeneron. Although its not uncommon for patients to be treated with Remdesivir, what is uncommon is the use of it for mild symptoms which the White House has claimed the president has. The use of Regeneron has also raised concerns due to the lack of evidence to prove its effectiveness.
Since the White House has remained opaque about the president's condition, medical experts are not sure he is doing as well as officials claim he is. Dr. Vin Gupta, MSNBC Medical Contributor weighed in with his concerns about the choice of treatment.
"There's what we see which is a president on that short video which suggested... he looked pretty good," one of the doctors said, admitting he was "encouraged" by that. "What's a little puzzling and I've gotten some push back on this from supporters of the president which is this notion of why he is getting the antibody cocktail from Regeneron."
He continued, "Why are they giving him... he is the first person outside of a cellular protocol — a cellu-protocol from Regeneron that only has less than 300 patients enrolled. to receive this experimental drug. Why are they doing that?"
Although Trump appeared physically fine, The Washington Post is reporting that the abrupt decision to move the president to Walter Reed Medical Center was done for the purpose of optics. The publication reports that the president was moved while he could still walk.
"As Trump's condition deteriorated during the day Friday, the president and his team ultimately made the decision to send him to Walter Reed preemptively — and, from a public relations perspective, when he was still able to walk to Marine One on his own, according to one outside adviser in frequent contact with White House officials. They feared the possibility of a further decline, and what that might mean, both for the president's health and his political optics." - The Washington Post
The president is said to have a fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue which are all common coronavirus symptoms.


alternet--2020-10-04--Participants in Amy Coney Barrett's introduction were encouraged to take off their masks and mingle

A day after Donald Trump admitted to testing positive for COVID-19 , the Rose Garden ceremony formally introducing Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for the Supreme Court has emerged as a super-spreader event .
In addition to Trump , at least 11 others — including former White House press secretary Kellyanne Conway , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , Republican Senator Mike Lee , and Republican Senator Thom Tillis have tested positive following Barrett 's introduction .
While others—including Hope Hicks , who did not appear at the event , it seems clear that this was the nexus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , someone had an active case of COVID-19 , and it spread .
It spread because , as The Washington Post notes , the event was treated like `` a triumphal flashback to the Before Times . ''
Though some guests—notably those who sat near the back of the affair—chose to wear masks , most of those front and center came in mask-free .
There was also little effort to demonstrate any form of social distancing , with ecstatic Republicans hugging , shaking hands , and generally celebrating at close range their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice who was at that moment still awaiting her funeral .
The Barrett introduction was certainly not the only event over the past week at which people in contact with Trump and his entourage became sick .
Following the debate on Tuesday night in Cleveland , at least 11 cases of COVID-19 have been found among those involved with debate preparations .
These cases appear to be either members of the prep team who were not actually present at the debate , or members of the media .
It 's unclear at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If they were infected by a member of Trump 's team , then the White House hotspot has generated at least 25 cases to date .
The explosion of cases associated with the Barrett appearance is serious and still expanding .
And , as with Hicks and the debate workers in Cleveland , a second wave of cases may have already begun to develop from this event .
As this article was being written on Saturday morning came word that Republican Senator Ron Johnson has also tested positive .
Though Johnson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Lee and Tillis are .
If Lee and Tillis are unable to participate , it 's possible that Barrett 's nomination could fail to emerge from committee .
If it reaches the floor , and both Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski stick to their refusals to vote ( which is a big assumption ) , Barrett 's nomination could actually fail before the full Senate .
At this point , that failure would be by a single vote , but there were other Republican Senators who were present at the Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fundraisers over the last week that also reportedly failed to enforce wearing of masks or social distancing .
Meanwhile , Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham continue to insist that the timeline for rushing Barrett 's nomination through the Senate is unchanged , with a goal of having a vote no later than October 22 .
McConnell insists that the Senate will sit down for business on Monday , despite what appears to be a rapidly spreading contagion .
McConnell is still refusing to say whether he has even been tested for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative on Friday night .
The contrast between what the Post called the `` carefree , cavalier attitude toward the virus on display in the Rose Garden last Saturday '' and the somber roll call of test results a week later is shocking , but what happened at the White House was only one of thousands of such outbreaks that have happened across the nation .
And no matter what they apparently believed , no one is immune .
The red death had long devastated the country .
… But Prince Prospero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When his dominions were half depopulated , he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court … — From Edgar Allan Poe 's , `` Masque of the Red Death ''

A day after Donald Trump admitted to testing positive for COVID-19, the Rose Garden ceremony formally introducing Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for the Supreme Court has emerged as a super-spreader event. In addition to Trump, at least 11 others — including former White House press secretary Kellyanne Conway, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, Republican Senator Mike Lee, and Republican Senator Thom Tillis have tested positive following Barrett's introduction. While others—including Hope Hicks, who did not appear at the event, it seems clear that this was the nexus of transmission. At that event one week ago, someone had an active case of COVID-19, and it spread.
It spread because, as The Washington Post notes, the event was treated like "a triumphal flashback to the Before Times." Though some guests—notably those who sat near the back of the affair—chose to wear masks, most of those front and center came in mask-free. There was also little effort to demonstrate any form of social distancing, with ecstatic Republicans hugging, shaking hands, and generally celebrating at close range their hunger to replace a legendary Supreme Court Justice who was at that moment still awaiting her funeral.
The Barrett introduction was certainly not the only event over the past week at which people in contact with Trump and his entourage became sick. Following the debate on Tuesday night in Cleveland, at least 11 cases of COVID-19 have been found among those involved with debate preparations. These cases appear to be either members of the prep team who were not actually present at the debate, or members of the media. It's unclear at this point where and when they became infected. If they were infected by a member of Trump's team, then the White House hotspot has generated at least 25 cases to date.
The explosion of cases associated with the Barrett appearance is serious and still expanding. And, as with Hicks and the debate workers in Cleveland, a second wave of cases may have already begun to develop from this event. As this article was being written on Saturday morning came word that Republican Senator Ron Johnson has also tested positive. Though Johnson is not on the Senate Judiciary Committee, both Lee and Tillis are.
If Lee and Tillis are unable to participate, it's possible that Barrett's nomination could fail to emerge from committee. If it reaches the floor, and both Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski stick to their refusals to vote (which is a big assumption), Barrett's nomination could actually fail before the full Senate. At this point, that failure would be by a single vote, but there were other Republican Senators who were present at the Rose Garden event, as well as potential participants in fundraisers over the last week that also reportedly failed to enforce wearing of masks or social distancing.
Meanwhile, Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham continue to insist that the timeline for rushing Barrett's nomination through the Senate is unchanged, with a goal of having a vote no later than October 22. McConnell insists that the Senate will sit down for business on Monday, despite what appears to be a rapidly spreading contagion. McConnell is still refusing to say whether he has even been tested for COVID-19 following the Barrett event. Graham reportedly tested negative on Friday night.
The contrast between what the Post called the "carefree, cavalier attitude toward the virus on display in the Rose Garden last Saturday" and the somber roll call of test results a week later is shocking, but what happened at the White House was only one of thousands of such outbreaks that have happened across the nation. And no matter what they apparently believed, no one is immune.
The red death had long devastated the country. … But Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court …
— From Edgar Allan Poe's, "Masque of the Red Death"


alternet--2020-10-04--Lindsey Graham taken to task in South Carolina debate: ‘How good is your word?’

Senator Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) met with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison Saturday for the first of three debates in @ @ @ @ @ was publicly challenged to defend his own word .
Speaking on the subject of confirming @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Supreme Court , Harrison pushed Graham to defend himself to the American people @ @ @ @ @ 2016 was no judicial nominees should be considered for approval or what have you in @ @ @ @ @ election , '' Harrison said .
`` Senator , how good is your word ?
@ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Senator from South Carolina , a seat he has held since 2003 , @ @ @ @ @ Committee on the Judiciary since 2019 .
A Sept. 30 poll shows a tie between @ @ @ @ @ 48 percent .

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) met with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison Saturday for the first of three debates in Columbia, S.C. where he was publicly challenged to defend his own word.
Speaking on the subject of confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, Harrison pushed Graham to defend himself to the American people.
"Your promise in 2016 was no judicial nominees should be considered for approval or what have you in the last year of the election," Harrison said. "Senator, how good is your word?"
Graham is the senior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, a seat he has held since 2003, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary since 2019. A Sept. 30 poll shows a tie between Graham and Harrison, at 48 percent.


alternet--2020-10-04--Timeline of Trump's illness confounds experts, but it's clear he 'knowingly exposed people' to COVID

Timeline of Trump's illness confounds experts, but it's clear he 'knowingly exposed people' to COVID-19

Journalists and public health experts on Saturday raised questions over the mixed messages coming out of the White House and President Donald Trump 's medical team after Dr. Sean Conley , the president 's physician , told reporters Trump was `` 72 hours into the diagnosis '' of Covid-19 .
Observers quickly noted that this would mean the president first tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday , the day after the first presidential debate .
`` Did he attend a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday and then a fundraiser in New Jersey on Thursday AFTER his doctor thought he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali Velshi .
An anonymous White House official told the Washington Post shortly after Conley 's briefing that the doctor `` misspoke , '' but even the White House 's attempts to correct Conley regarding whether Trump was diagnosed 72 hours before the Saturday press conference led to more confusion , as NBC News reported : '' The problem is that we should know , we should have a better idea of what the actual status is of the president , '' Dr. Craig Spencer , an emergency medicine physician at Columbia University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Times .
`` We need more of a scientific update , as opposed to a political one . ''
The confusion led some Minnesota residents who attended the president 's outdoor rally Wednesday night in Duluth to reconsider the gathering in hindsight , the Times reported— '' thinking back on how tightly the crowd was spaced , whom they might have spoken to , and whether the coronavirus precautions that organizers had arranged were sufficient . ''
Other Trump supporters who were in attendance dismissed safety concerns , taking on the attitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that he knew as early as February and March that the coronavirus was deadly and highly contagious through airborne transmission .
`` We 're not mask wearers , '' one attendee who was standing directly in front of Trump at the rally told the Times .
Kris Ehresmann , director of the Minnesota Department of Health 's Infectious Disease Epidemiology , Prevention , and Control Division , advised anyone who came near the president at the Duluth event to get tested for Covid-19 .
`` There is a potential risk that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other events associated with President Trump 's visit , '' Ehresmann said in a statement .
Trump critics wrote on social media that beyond potentially exposing well-connected Republican members of his circle to the virus by holding a White House event last Saturday in honor of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett , in what has been called a `` superspreader event , '' the president and his team apparently this week exposed hundreds in not thousands of other people with far fewer resources to cope with the disease if they become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed , some critics said , the president doubtlessly attended a fundraiser in Bedminster , New Jersey on Thursday after being exposed to his advisor Hope Hicks , who tested positive for Covid-19 that day .
`` This is a judgment issue , a fitness to lead issue , and Trump failed the test , '' tweeted former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance .
Journalist Rebecca Traister tweeted that Trump 's approach to the coronavirus crisis as well as a number of other closely-watched political issues during his presidency—with the Washington Post counting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since he took office , as of July—has led to an inability among public health experts and journalists to take the White House 's claims about Trump 's condition and prognosis at face value .
`` A thing that happens when you lie compulsively for years , '' tweeted Traister , `` is that NO ONE FUCKING BELIEVES YOU . ''

Journalists and public health experts on Saturday raised questions over the mixed messages coming out of the White House and President Donald Trump's medical team after Dr. Sean Conley, the president's physician, told reporters Trump was "72 hours into the diagnosis" of Covid-19.
Observers quickly noted that this would mean the president first tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, the day after the first presidential debate.
"Did he attend a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday and then a fundraiser in New Jersey on Thursday AFTER his doctor thought he had coronavirus?" askedMSNBC anchor Ali Velshi.
An anonymous White House official told the Washington Post shortly after Conley's briefing that the doctor "misspoke," but even the White House's attempts to correct Conley regarding whether Trump was diagnosed 72 hours before the Saturday press conference led to more confusion, as NBC Newsreported:
Another doctor treating the president, Dr. Brian Garibaldi, said [Trump] had been treated "48 hours" ago—Thursday morning—with antibodies.
But a White House official later disputed the timeline, saying Trump had been diagnosed Thursday night and that the doctors meant Trump was on "day 3," not a full 72 hours in on his diagnosis.
The official also said that the antibody treatment was given later Thursday night, not a full 48 hours ago.
On Saturday afternoon, Conley issued a statement through the White House saying Trump had been diagnosed on Thursday night, and given the antibody treatment on Friday.
"I incorrectly used the term 'seventy-two hours' instead of 'day three' and 'forty eight hours' instead of 'day two' with regards to his diagnosis and the administration of the polyclonal antibody therapy," Conley said in a statement.
Conley wasn't the doctor who said Trump had been given antibodies 48 hours ago, though; Garibaldi said that.
"The problem is that we should know, we should have a better idea of what the actual status is of the president," Dr. Craig Spencer, an emergency medicine physician at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, told the Times. "We need more of a scientific update, as opposed to a political one."
The confusion led some Minnesota residents who attended the president's outdoor rally Wednesday night in Duluth to reconsider the gathering in hindsight, the Timesreported—"thinking back on how tightly the crowd was spaced, whom they might have spoken to, and whether the coronavirus precautions that organizers had arranged were sufficient."
Other Trump supporters who were in attendance dismissed safety concerns, taking on the attitude the president has publicly displayed for months—despite the fact that he knew as early as February and March that the coronavirus was deadly and highly contagious through airborne transmission.
"We're not mask wearers," one attendee who was standing directly in front of Trump at the rally told the Times.
Kris Ehresmann, director of the Minnesota Department of Health's Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division, advised anyone who came near the president at the Duluth event to get tested for Covid-19.
"There is a potential risk that transmission occurred at the Duluth rally and other events associated with President Trump's visit," Ehresmann said in a statement.
Trump critics wrote on social media that beyond potentially exposing well-connected Republican members of his circle to the virus by holding a White House event last Saturday in honor of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett, in what has been called a "superspreader event," the president and his team apparently this week exposed hundreds in not thousands of other people with far fewer resources to cope with the disease if they become infected.
Regardless of when Trump was diagnosed, some critics said, the president doubtlessly attended a fundraiser in Bedminster, New Jersey on Thursday after being exposed to his advisor Hope Hicks, who tested positive for Covid-19 that day.
"This is a judgment issue, a fitness to lead issue, and Trump failed the test," tweeted former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance.
Journalist Rebecca Traister tweeted that Trump's approach to the coronavirus crisis as well as a number of other closely-watched political issues during his presidency—with the Washington Post counting more than 20,000 false or misleading statements since he took office, as of July—has led to an inability among public health experts and journalists to take the White House's claims about Trump's condition and prognosis at face value.
"A thing that happens when you lie compulsively for years," tweeted Traister, "is that NO ONE FUCKING BELIEVES YOU."


alternet--2020-10-04--There's only one political party in the US — the other one has descended into madness

There is only one political party in the United States .
The between Joe Biden and Donald Trump demonstrated with hideous clarity that the Democratic Party is currently running against not a conservative public policy agenda or a coherent philosophy of governance , but a , channeled through an authoritarian demagogue who is equally propelled and crippled by his own neuroses.Gore Vidal , one of America 's best chroniclers of empire , once provided instruction to a British interviewer expressing confusion over the radical hostility Republicans showed toward Barack Obama , and the former president 's inability to react with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Party is a political party when in fact it 's a mindset , like Hitler Youth , based on hatred — religious hatred , racial hatred .
When you foreigners hear the word 'conservative ' you think of kindly old men hunting foxes .
They 're not , they 're fascists . ''
That mindset is now threatening to devour everything in its path , while its current figurehead , Donald Trump , to violent extremists , giving the — a militant far-right organization whose members have committed hate crimes — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand by . ''
The president 's refusal to reject white supremacist movements elicited almost no clear condemnation from Republican commentators in the immediate aftermath of the debate .
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina , the only Black Republican in the Senate ( and one of only two in Congress ) , pathetically speculated that Trump `` misspoke , '' and the few Republican members of Congress who spoke out against Trump 's dangerous remarks equivocated by drawing comparisons to antifa , the right wing 's favorite phantom hallucination .
Observers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts to fall into the familiar pattern of throwing their arms in the air , articulating incredulity at Trump 's malevolence and the Republican refusal to object , and conclude they are merely making a `` political calculation , '' proceeding with caution so as not to alienate Trump 's rabid base .
It 's certainly true that Republican officials are afraid of the bloodlust of the Trump cult .
But it is also true , and more important to recognize , that Trump 's hatred for democracy — which critics and commentators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asset for his supporters .
Many of those who hold office at the national level , as evident from the ghoulish statements of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida , Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and others , along with the voters who applaud Trump 's every act of cruelty , are glad to see him waging war on a system designed to give representation and power to a diverse group of citizens .
If Trump , Attorney General Bill Barr , and their enablers in Congress can succeed in subverting the presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' by enshrining the minority rule of white Christians , the average Republican will celebrate .
There is no other reasonable conclusion to draw from the fact that between 80 and 90 percent of Republicans approve of Trump 's performance in office .
Among Democrats , there is an ongoing , interesting and important argument between moderate figures like Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg , and progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding the expansion of the social welfare state , federal regulation of economic activity and the extent of measures necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Republican Party offers nothing to the American people .
They have no policy agenda .
Despite Trump 's meaningless and inane boasting of nonexistent `` plans , '' they articulate no agenda to address the converging crises of American life .
An American without health insurance , or who pays a high monthly premium for inadequate coverage , can expect nothing from the Republican Party .
Working parents who can not afford child care and have no disposable income after paying each month 's bills can expect nothing from the Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualify for a mortgage because he has tens of thousands of dollars in student debt can expect nothing from the Republican Party .
Poor children suffering through hunger and struggling to learn basic skills in a dysfunctional school can expect nothing from the Republican Party .
Finally , no one on planet Earth can expect anything from a Republican Party that is still in denial about climate change , even as it threatens to end all livable ecology within the next hundred years .
The Republican Party is actively anti-human .
It does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any definition of politics , no matter how elementary or esoteric .
In ancient Greece , politics roughly translated into `` matters pertaining to the city . ''
Aristotle wrote about the city as synonymous with `` community , '' and posited that all communities are established for the sake of the good life .
The ultimate end and ambition of the community is for happiness .
It was this Aristotelian conception of politics that influenced the American founders to write the words `` the pursuit of happiness , '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican National Convention was any mention of anything — save for occasional references to the mysterious issue conservatives call `` school choice '' — that might remotely assist people to live happier or better lives .
To the contrary , much of the Republican agenda is the obliteration of potential for happiness and the imposition of suffering on masses of immigrants , the poor , the sick , the disabled and anyone in a position outside the ownership class .
Even to the overwhelming majority of white Americans , the Republican Party offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massages for their atrophied egos — the ignorant insistence that they are the `` real Americans . ''
Only white Republicans are satisfied with this sad recognition in place of an actual politics that might actually give them more opportunities for security , prosperity and dignity .
Beyond the myth of white supremacy , Republican politicians on the national level give America various keys in which to scream the word `` freedom , '' and instructions on how to fit as many flags as possible on one small stage .
The Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and champion candidates and officials who are fighting to pull their country into the more humane and civilized world , alongside the countries of Western Europe , Canada , Japan and other social democracies , which for all of their current struggles with xenophobia , escalating inequality and populist revolt still provide their citizens with basic social services .
Even the moderates , while too meek in their advocacy for fairness and equality , and too cozy with multinational corporations , offer a political program responsive to the problems of ordinary citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an example , provided 18 million Americans with health coverage for the first time , and protects anyone with a pre-existing condition .
For all their disappointments , the moderates in the Democratic Party are committed to the laws and norms of the democratic system of governance .
Studies show that the Republican Party , on the other hand , is far off the spectrum of mainstream conservative parties in comparable countries .
The Trump and McConnell-led GOP is more extreme , more authoritarian and more hostile toward democracy than in other free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain popularity in Italy , France and other European countries .
It is n't as if there are no longer competing ideologies of governance .
One could easily imagine George Will debating an advocate of progressive economics .
It is that national Republicans have abandoned any connection to previous notions of `` conservative '' politics , as Will himself has argued in recent columns .
Trump was unable to debate Joe Biden , and could only interrupt , mock and descend into a tantrum familiar to anyone with teaching experience at a middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to debate .
Through their multi-decade commitment to shrinking government down so small that it can `` drown in a bathtub , '' to use the words of Grover Norquist , what was once a reasonably coherent pro-business conservative party has arrived at its logical endpoint — a fascist power grab under the guise of an incoherent personality cult .
The late Stanley Crouch warned Republicans of their trouble in the late 1990s , explaining to Charlie Rose that you `` can not assemble a group of lunatics '' to follow you without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to America in 2020 .

There is only one political party in the United States.
The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump demonstrated with hideous clarity that the Democratic Party is currently running against not a conservative public policy agenda or a coherent philosophy of governance, but a collective psychotic episode , channeled through an authoritarian demagogue who is equally propelled and crippled by his own neuroses.Gore Vidal, one of America's best chroniclers of empire, once provided instruction to a British interviewer expressing confusion over the radical hostility Republicans showed toward Barack Obama, and the former president's inability to react with equal aggression: "Obama believes the Republican Party is a political party when in fact it's a mindset, like Hitler Youth, based on hatred — religious hatred, racial hatred. When you foreigners hear the word 'conservative' you think of kindly old men hunting foxes. They're not, they're fascists."
That mindset is now threatening to devour everything in its path, while its current figurehead, Donald Trump, provides encouragement to violent extremists, giving the Proud Boys — a militant far-right organization whose members have committed hate crimes — the chilling order, "Stand back and stand by."
The president's refusal to reject white supremacist movements elicited almost no clear condemnation from Republican commentators in the immediate aftermath of the debate. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate (and one of only two in Congress), pathetically speculated that Trump "misspoke," and the few Republican members of Congress who spoke out against Trump's dangerous remarks equivocated by drawing comparisons to antifa, the right wing's favorite phantom hallucination.
Observers of political debate can now expect journalists and analysts to fall into the familiar pattern of throwing their arms in the air, articulating incredulity at Trump's malevolence and the Republican refusal to object, and conclude they are merely making a "political calculation," proceeding with caution so as not to alienate Trump's rabid base.
This is wrong.
It's certainly true that Republican officials are afraid of the bloodlust of the Trump cult. But it is also true, and more important to recognize, that Trump's hatred for democracy — which critics and commentators view as a liability is largely an asset for his supporters. Many of those who hold office at the national level, as evident from the ghoulish statements of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and others, along with the voters who applaud Trump's every act of cruelty, are glad to see him waging war on a system designed to give representation and power to a diverse group of citizens.
If Trump, Attorney General Bill Barr, and their enablers in Congress can succeed in subverting the presidential election, and "making America great again" by enshrining the minority rule of white Christians, the average Republican will celebrate. There is no other reasonable conclusion to draw from the fact that between 80 and 90 percent of Republicans approve of Trump's performance in office.
Among Democrats, there is an ongoing, interesting and important argument between moderate figures like Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, and progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding the expansion of the social welfare state, federal regulation of economic activity and the extent of measures necessary to curb inequality and climate change.
The Republican Party offers nothing to the American people. They have no policy agenda. Despite Trump's meaningless and inane boasting of nonexistent "plans," they articulate no agenda to address the converging crises of American life.
An American without health insurance, or who pays a high monthly premium for inadequate coverage, can expect nothing from the Republican Party. Working parents who cannot afford child care and have no disposable income after paying each month's bills can expect nothing from the Republican Party. A young college graduate unable to qualify for a mortgage because he has tens of thousands of dollars in student debt can expect nothing from the Republican Party. Poor children suffering through hunger and struggling to learn basic skills in a dysfunctional school can expect nothing from the Republican Party.
Finally, no one on planet Earth can expect anything from a Republican Party that is still in denial about climate change, even as it threatens to end all livable ecology within the next hundred years.
The Republican Party is actively anti-human. It does not qualify as a political party according to any definition of politics, no matter how elementary or esoteric.
In ancient Greece, politics roughly translated into "matters pertaining to the city." Aristotle wrote about the city as synonymous with "community," and posited that all communities are established for the sake of the good life. The ultimate end and ambition of the community is for happiness. It was this Aristotelian conception of politics that influenced the American founders to write the words "the pursuit of happiness," in the Declaration of Independence.
Absent from the Republican National Convention was any mention of anything — save for occasional references to the mysterious issue conservatives call "school choice" — that might remotely assist people to live happier or better lives. To the contrary, much of the Republican agenda is the obliteration of potential for happiness and the imposition of suffering on masses of immigrants, the poor, the sick, the disabled and anyone in a position outside the ownership class.
Even to the overwhelming majority of white Americans, the Republican Party offers nothing with the sole exception of rhetorical massages for their atrophied egos — the ignorant insistence that they are the "real Americans." Only white Republicans are satisfied with this sad recognition in place of an actual politics that might actually give them more opportunities for security, prosperity and dignity. Beyond the myth of white supremacy, Republican politicians on the national level give America various keys in which to scream the word "freedom," and instructions on how to fit as many flags as possible on one small stage.
The Democratic Party should accelerate its drive toward progressive policies, and champion candidates and officials who are fighting to pull their country into the more humane and civilized world, alongside the countries of Western Europe, Canada, Japan and other social democracies, which for all of their current struggles with xenophobia, escalating inequality and populist revolt still provide their citizens with basic social services. Even the moderates, while too meek in their advocacy for fairness and equality, and too cozy with multinational corporations, offer a political program responsive to the problems of ordinary citizens. The Affordable Care Act, as an example, provided 18 million Americans with health coverage for the first time, and protects anyone with a pre-existing condition.
For all their disappointments, the moderates in the Democratic Party are committed to the laws and norms of the democratic system of governance. Studies show that the Republican Party, on the other hand, is far off the spectrum of mainstream conservative parties in comparable countries. The Trump and McConnell-led GOP is more extreme, more authoritarian and more hostile toward democracy than any right-leaning party with significant power in other free societies, even as anti-immigrant nationalist parties gain popularity in Italy, France and other European countries.
It isn't as if there are no longer competing ideologies of governance. One could easily imagine George Will debating an advocate of progressive economics. It is that national Republicans have abandoned any connection to previous notions of "conservative" politics, as Will himself has argued in recent columns.
Trump was unable to debate Joe Biden, and could only interrupt, mock and descend into a tantrum familiar to anyone with teaching experience at a middle school, because the Republicans have nothing to debate. Through their multi-decade commitment to shrinking government down so small that it can "drown in a bathtub," to use the words of Grover Norquist, what was once a reasonably coherent pro-business conservative party has arrived at its logical endpoint — a fascist power grab under the guise of an incoherent personality cult.
The late Stanley Crouch warned Republicans of their trouble in the late 1990s, explaining to Charlie Rose that you "cannot assemble a group of lunatics" to follow you without eventually following them into lunacy.
Welcome to America in 2020.


alternet--2020-10-04--Mitch McConnell's legacy is a conservative Supreme Court shaped by his calculated audacity

Unless Democrats win both the White House and the Senate in November , abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is about to finish his project of remaking the federal judiciary from top to bottom .
The impact of that achievement will outlive the 78-year-old Kentuckian , making it the biggest piece of his large legacy in Senate history .
This feat could hardly have been predicted when Senate Republicans elected McConnell their leader in 2006 .
For most of the 40-plus years I have watched McConnell , first as a reporter covering Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on rural issues , he seemed to have no great ambition or goals , other than gaining power and keeping it .
He always cared about the courts , though .
In 1987 , after Democrats defeated Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork , McConnell warned that if a Democratic president “ sends up somebody we do n't like '' to a Republican-controlled Senate , the GOP would follow suit .
He fulfilled that threat in 2016 , refusing to confirm Merrick Garland , Obama 's pick for the Supreme Court .
Keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two people could hardly be more different , but the taciturn McConnell and the voluble Trump have at least one thing in common : They want power .
Trump exercises his power with what often seems like reckless audacity , but McConnell 's 36-year Senate tenure is built on his calculated audacity .
It was audacious , back in 1977 , to think that a wonky lawyer who had been disqualified from his only previous campaign for public office could defeat a popular two-term county executive in Louisville .
It was audacious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local labor council to endorse him in that race , but he got it , by leading the members to believe he would help them get collective bargaining for public employees .
Seven years later , it was audacious to think that an urbanite who wore loafers to dusty , gravelly county fairs and lacked a compelling personality could unseat a popular two-term Kentucky senator , especially when he trailed by 40 points in August , but McConnell won .
As soon as he won a second term in 1990 , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitated in large measure by his willingness to be the point man on campaign finance issues , an area his colleagues feared .
They reacted emotionally to this touchy issue ; he studied it , owned it and moved higher in the leadership .
In politics , lack of emotion is usually a drawback .
McConnell makes up for that by having command of the rules and the facts and a methodical attitude .
The recording on his home phone once said , “ This is Mitch McConnell .
You 've reached my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business , please call my office . ''
Business .
Not something like “ my service to you in the United States Senate , '' but “ business . ''
This lack of emotion keeps McConnell disciplined .
I am not the only person he has told , “ The most important word in the English language is 'focus , ' because if you do n't focus , you do n't get anything done . ''
Last year , I spoke to the McConnell Scholars , the political-leadership program he started at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a letter opener bearing two words : focus and humility .
The first word was no surprise , because of McConnell 's well-known maxim ; the second one intrigued me .
The director of the program , Gary Gregg , says adding “ humility '' was his idea .
But it fits the founder .
With his studied approach and careful reticence , McConnell is the opposite of bombast , and that surely helped him gain the Republican leader 's job and stay there .
He has occasionally described his colleagues as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and see a president , something he claims to have never done .
When the colleagues in your party caucus know you are focused on their interests and not your own , you can keep getting reelected leader , as McConnell has done without opposition every two years since 2006 .
McConnell 's caucus trusts him .
When he saw Obama as an existential threat – someone who could bring back enough moderate Democrats to give the party a long-term governing majority – McConnell held the caucus together in opposition to Obamacare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rouse their base in the 2010 midterm election .
Meanwhile , McConnell was working on the federal judiciary .
He and his colleagues slow-walked and filibustered Obama 's nominees , requiring “ aye '' votes from 60 of the 100 senators to confirm each one .
The process consumed so much time that then-Majority Leader Harry Reid abolished the filibuster for nominations , except those to the Supreme Court .
That sped up the process , allowing Obama to appoint 323 judges , about as many as George W. Bush .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 105 vacancies for Trump to fill .
When Democrats weakened the filibuster , McConnell warned , “ You 'll regret this .
And you may regret it a lot sooner than you think . ''
Seven years later , Democrats may concede that point .
McConnell and Trump have put nearly 200 judges on the federal courts , making them all the more a white-male bastion of judicial conservatism .
[ Deep knowledge , daily .
Sign up for The Conversation 's newsletter . ]
When Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be filled until after the November election , it was another case of calculated audacity .
Democrats cried foul , but they were powerless to reverse his decision because Republicans stuck with him .
Trump 's victory preserved the Senate Republican majority , which then did away with the Supreme Court exception , allowing McConnell and his colleagues to install by simple majority vote the sort of Supreme Court justices they wanted : Neil Gorsuch , Brett Kavanaugh – and , now , it seems almost certain , Amy Coney Barrett .
Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Rural Journalism and Community Issues , University of Kentucky This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Unless Democrats win both the White House and the Senate in November, abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is about to finish his project of remaking the federal judiciary from top to bottom.
The impact of that achievement will outlive the 78-year-old Kentuckian, making it the biggest piece of his large legacy in Senate history.
This feat could hardly have been predicted when Senate Republicans elected McConnell their leader in 2006. For most of the 40-plus years I have watched McConnell, first as a reporter covering Kentucky politics and now as a journalism professor focused on rural issues, he seemed to have no great ambition or goals, other than gaining power and keeping it.
He always cared about the courts, though. In 1987, after Democrats defeated Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork, McConnell warned that if a Democratic president “sends up somebody we don't like" to a Republican-controlled Senate, the GOP would follow suit. He fulfilled that threat in 2016, refusing to confirm Merrick Garland, Obama's pick for the Supreme Court.
Keeping that vacancy open helped elect Donald Trump. Two people could hardly be more different, but the taciturn McConnell and the voluble Trump have at least one thing in common: They want power.
Trump exercises his power with what often seems like reckless audacity, but McConnell's 36-year Senate tenure is built on his calculated audacity.
McConnell's political rise
It was audacious, back in 1977, to think that a wonky lawyer who had been disqualified from his only previous campaign for public office could defeat a popular two-term county executive in Louisville.
McConnell ran anyway.
It was audacious to think that a Republican could get the local labor council to endorse him in that race, but he got it, by leading the members to believe he would help them get collective bargaining for public employees.
McConnell won the race. He didn't pursue collective bargaining.
Seven years later, it was audacious to think that an urbanite who wore loafers to dusty, gravelly county fairs and lacked a compelling personality could unseat a popular two-term Kentucky senator, especially when he trailed by 40 points in August, but McConnell won.
As soon as he won a second term in 1990, McConnell started climbing the Senate leadership ladder, facilitated in large measure by his willingness to be the point man on campaign finance issues, an area his colleagues feared. They reacted emotionally to this touchy issue; he studied it, owned it and moved higher in the leadership.
Business, not service
In politics, lack of emotion is usually a drawback. McConnell makes up for that by having command of the rules and the facts and a methodical attitude.
The recording on his home phone once said, “This is Mitch McConnell. You've reached my home. If this call is about business, please call my office."
Business. Not something like “my service to you in the United States Senate," but “business."
This lack of emotion keeps McConnell disciplined. I am not the only person he has told, “The most important word in the English language is 'focus,' because if you don't focus, you don't get anything done."
Last year, I spoke to the McConnell Scholars, the political-leadership program he started at the University of Louisville. One thank-you gift was a letter opener bearing two words: focus and humility. The first word was no surprise, because of McConnell's well-known maxim; the second one intrigued me.
The director of the program, Gary Gregg, says adding “humility" was his idea. But it fits the founder. With his studied approach and careful reticence, McConnell is the opposite of bombast, and that surely helped him gain the Republican leader's job and stay there. He has occasionally described his colleagues as prima donnas who look in the mirror and see a president, something he claims to have never done.
When the colleagues in your party caucus know you are focused on their interests and not your own, you can keep getting reelected leader, as McConnell has done without opposition every two years since 2006.
McConnell's Supreme Court
McConnell's caucus trusts him. When he saw Obama as an existential threat – someone who could bring back enough moderate Democrats to give the party a long-term governing majority – McConnell held the caucus together in opposition to Obamacare, and Republicans used that as an issue to rouse their base in the 2010 midterm election.
Meanwhile, McConnell was working on the federal judiciary. He and his colleagues slow-walked and filibustered Obama's nominees, requiring “aye" votes from 60 of the 100 senators to confirm each one. The process consumed so much time that then-Majority Leader Harry Reid abolished the filibuster for nominations, except those to the Supreme Court.
That sped up the process, allowing Obama to appoint 323 judges, about as many as George W. Bush. But Republicans' additional delaying tactics still left 105 vacancies for Trump to fill.
When Democrats weakened the filibuster, McConnell warned, “You'll regret this. And you may regret it a lot sooner than you think."
Seven years later, Democrats may concede that point. McConnell and Trump have put nearly 200 judges on the federal courts, making them all the more a white-male bastion of judicial conservatism.
[Deep knowledge, daily.Sign up for The Conversation's newsletter.]
When Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016 and McConnell said the seat wouldn't be filled until after the November election, it was another case of calculated audacity.
Democrats cried foul, but they were powerless to reverse his decision because Republicans stuck with him.
Trump's victory preserved the Senate Republican majority, which then did away with the Supreme Court exception, allowing McConnell and his colleagues to install by simple majority vote the sort of Supreme Court justices they wanted: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh – and, now, it seems almost certain, Amy Coney Barrett.
Al Cross, Director and Professor, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, University of Kentucky
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.