alternet--2020-10-28--Trump says report that he failed to pay $287 million debt tied to failing hotel shows he’s a 'smart

Trump says report that he failed to pay $287 million debt tied to failing hotel shows he’s a 'smart guy'

President Donald Trump had $ 287 million in debt forgiven by his lenders after failing to repay loans tied to his Chicago hotel and other projects , according to a new report .
Trump 's federal income tax returns obtained by The News Times showed that most of the debt was tied to Trump International Hotel & Tower — `` another disappointment in a portfolio filled with them . ''
Lenders gave Trump years of extra time to repay the debt , and Deutsche Bank even loaned him $ 99 million — more than previously known — to pay off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division of the bank , according to The Times .
But Trump still did not repay the debt , and lenders ultimately forgave much of what he owed .
The New York Attorney General 's Office is now investigating the debt forgiveness as part of a larger probe into Trump 's company , according to the report .
The IRS considers canceled debts as income , but Trump , who paid no federal income tax for years , appears to have paid no taxes on the funds .
`` These were all arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into between sophisticated parties many years ago in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis and the resulting collapse of the real estate markets , '' he told the outlet .
But Trump publicly insisted that he had made a `` great deal '' with his lenders in order to avoid having to cover his hotel 's losses .
`` I was able to make an appropriately great deal with the numerous lenders on a large and very beautiful tower '' he tweeted .
`` Does n't that make me a smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' When Trump set out to build the tower in 2001 , he arranged for two of his LLCs to borrow more than $ 700 million for the project , according to The Times .
Most of the money came from Deutsche Bank , which was one of the few lenders willing to do business with Trump after a series of bankruptcies and defaults .
The bank agreed to lend the LLC $ 640 million after Trump said that his daughter Ivanka would be in charge of the project , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million of the loan .
Another firm , a hedge fund called the Fortress Investment Group , agreed to loan Trump an additional $ 130 million , which he would pay back once the first loan was repaid .
Lenders could seize the building if Trump defaulted under the terms of the agreement , according to the report .
Deutsche later sold off parts of the loans to overseas banks , while Fortress sold off parts of the loans to other equity and hedge funds , including Dune Capital Management , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump was projected to earn income from the property by 2008 when the loans came due , but delays left the residential part of the project under construction by the time it was time to repay .
Trump reportedly cited the 2008 financial crisis to ask for an additional six months to pay .
When Trump attended a ceremony to mark the property 's upcoming opening in 2008 , at least 150 units were still unsold , leaving the Trump Organization hundreds of millions short of what they owed .
Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Deutsche and $ 130 million to Fortress , asked for another extension but was rebuffed .
Trump reportedly sent a letter to Deutsche insisting that the financial crisis contributed to a `` force majeure '' which `` entitled him to extra time to repay the loans . ''
Days later , Trump filed a lawsuit against the two lenders and the companies who bought parts of his debt .
He accused Deutsche of `` predatory lending practices '' and demanded the bank pay his $ 3 billion in damages .
The bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing Trump of being a `` habitual deadbeat '' and demanding `` immediate repayment of the now-defaulted loans . ''
The lenders ultimately chose not to pursue the litigation and informed the court they had reached an undisclosed settlement in 2010 .
Trump 's tax returns show that he had about $ 270 million in debt forgiven , according to The Times .
The generous move was one `` few American companies or individuals could ever expect to receive , especially without filing for bankruptcy protection . ''
Fortress ultimately settled for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more years to sell space in the building to repay the loan , according to the report .
The Trump Organization ultimately raised enough money to pay off about $ 235 million .
But Trump reportedly still owed the bank $ 99 million when Rosemary Vrablic , who was Jared Kushner 's personal wealth manager at the bank , agreed to loan him $ 99 million .
The funds , which were backed by a personal guarantee , were used to repay the outstanding debt .
The Trump Organization repaid parts of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions in additional loans to fund Trump 's Doral golf resort and his Washington hotel .
Trump 's tax returns show he has personally guaranteed $ 421 million in loans from Deutsche Bank , according to The Times .
Trump 's investments allowed him to declare losses which helped him avoid paying federal income tax .
Though Trump 's ascent to the White House has helped his business drum up millions in business from supporters , it has not been enough to help them overcome massive losses .
His golf courses alone have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the retail space at the Chicago tower has never been occupied , and profits fell from $ 16.3 million in 2014 to only $ 1.8 million in 2018 , according to The Real Deal .
The hotel faced even more losses after the coronavirus pandemic hit , and the Trump Organization asked for additional financial relief from Deutsche and other lenders , according to The Times .
The bank offered to let the company pause interest payments on the debt , but the Trump Organization `` decided the bank 's proposal was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The debts come due in 2023 and 2024 .

President Donald Trump had $287 million in debt forgiven by his lenders after failing to repay loans tied to his Chicago hotel and other projects, according to a new report.
Trump's federal income tax returns obtained by The News Times showed that most of the debt was tied to Trump International Hotel & Tower — "another disappointment in a portfolio filled with them."
Lenders gave Trump years of extra time to repay the debt, and Deutsche Bank even loaned him $99 million — more than previously known — to pay off his $99 million debt to another division of the bank, according to The Times. But Trump still did not repay the debt, and lenders ultimately forgave much of what he owed.
The New York Attorney General's Office is now investigating the debt forgiveness as part of a larger probe into Trump's company, according to the report. The IRS considers canceled debts as income, but Trump, who paid no federal income tax for years, appears to have paid no taxes on the funds.
Alan Garten, the Trump Organization's chief legal officer, denied any impropriety.
"These were all arm's length transactions that were voluntarily entered into between sophisticated parties many years ago in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis and the resulting collapse of the real estate markets," he told the outlet.
But Trump publicly insisted that he had made a "great deal" with his lenders in order to avoid having to cover his hotel's losses.
"I was able to make an appropriately great deal with the numerous lenders on a large and very beautiful tower" he tweeted. "Doesn't that make me a smart guy rather than a bad guy?"
When Trump set out to build the tower in 2001, he arranged for two of his LLCs to borrow more than $700 million for the project, according to The Times. Most of the money came from Deutsche Bank, which was one of the few lenders willing to do business with Trump after a series of bankruptcies and defaults.
The bank agreed to lend the LLC $640 million after Trump said that his daughter Ivanka would be in charge of the project, according to the outlet. Trump personally guaranteed $40 million of the loan.
Another firm, a hedge fund called the Fortress Investment Group, agreed to loan Trump an additional $130 million, which he would pay back once the first loan was repaid. Lenders could seize the building if Trump defaulted under the terms of the agreement, according to the report.
Deutsche later sold off parts of the loans to overseas banks, while Fortress sold off parts of the loans to other equity and hedge funds, including Dune Capital Management, which was then run by now-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Trump was projected to earn income from the property by 2008 when the loans came due, but delays left the residential part of the project under construction by the time it was time to repay. Trump reportedly cited the 2008 financial crisis to ask for an additional six months to pay.
When Trump attended a ceremony to mark the property's upcoming opening in 2008, at least 150 units were still unsold, leaving the Trump Organization hundreds of millions short of what they owed.
Trump, who by then owed $334 million to Deutsche and $130 million to Fortress, asked for another extension but was rebuffed. Trump reportedly sent a letter to Deutsche insisting that the financial crisis contributed to a "force majeure" which "entitled him to extra time to repay the loans."
Days later, Trump filed a lawsuit against the two lenders and the companies who bought parts of his debt. He accused Deutsche of "predatory lending practices" and demanded the bank pay his $3 billion in damages. The bank reportedly responded with its own lawsuit, accusing Trump of being a "habitual deadbeat" and demanding "immediate repayment of the now-defaulted loans."
The lenders ultimately chose not to pursue the litigation and informed the court they had reached an undisclosed settlement in 2010. Trump's tax returns show that he had about $270 million in debt forgiven, according to The Times. The generous move was one "few American companies or individuals could ever expect to receive, especially without filing for bankruptcy protection."
Fortress ultimately settled for $48 million. Deutsche allowed Trump two more years to sell space in the building to repay the loan, according to the report. The Trump Organization ultimately raised enough money to pay off about $235 million.
But Trump reportedly still owed the bank $99 million when Rosemary Vrablic, who was Jared Kushner's personal wealth manager at the bank, agreed to loan him $99 million. The funds, which were backed by a personal guarantee, were used to repay the outstanding debt. The Trump Organization repaid parts of that loan as it took on hundreds of millions in additional loans to fund Trump's Doral golf resort and his Washington hotel.
Trump's tax returns show he has personally guaranteed $421 million in loans from Deutsche Bank, according to The Times. Trump's investments allowed him to declare losses which helped him avoid paying federal income tax.
Though Trump's ascent to the White House has helped his business drum up millions in business from supporters, it has not been enough to help them overcome massive losses. His golf courses alone have reportedly lost hundreds of millions.
Most of the retail space at the Chicago tower has never been occupied, and profits fell from $16.3 million in 2014 to only $1.8 million in 2018, according to The Real Deal.
The hotel faced even more losses after the coronavirus pandemic hit, and the Trump Organization asked for additional financial relief from Deutsche and other lenders, according to The Times. The bank offered to let the company pause interest payments on the debt, but the Trump Organization "decided the bank's proposal was insufficiently generous and turned it down."
The debts come due in 2023 and 2024.


alternet--2020-10-28--Armed Biden and Trump supporters involved in violent clash outside Georgia Democratic rally

Supporters of President Donald Trump were involved in a physical confrontation with supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden outside a rally for the Democratic candidate in Warm Springs , Georgia on Tuesday .
Video of the incident was captured by Twitter user AlliB77 , who describes herself as an `` unapologetic conservative . ''
As the video begins , a Biden supporter wearing a face mask can be see charging at a mask-less Trump supporter .
An armed Trump supporter then puts the Biden supporter in a chokehold before tossing him to the ground .
At that point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the fight .
The two armed men then square off .
`` This is peaceful ! ''
someone shouts .
`` We 've got enough violence .
This is peaceful . ''
A woman with a Biden sign then becomes angry and claims that one of the men involved in the skirmish is autistic .
`` You want to talk about my boy ? ''
she exclaims .
`` You want to call my boy a retard ?
I will slap the god damn taste out of your mouth . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bastard , '' the woman adds before walking away .

Supporters of President Donald Trump were involved in a physical confrontation with supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden outside a rally for the Democratic candidate in Warm Springs, Georgia on Tuesday.
Video of the incident was captured by Twitter user AlliB77, who describes herself as an "unapologetic conservative."
As the video begins, a Biden supporter wearing a face mask can be see charging at a mask-less Trump supporter.
An armed Trump supporter then puts the Biden supporter in a chokehold before tossing him to the ground.
At that point, an armed Biden supporter tries to break up the fight.
"I will fucking hurt you!" a woman yells.
The two armed men then square off.
"Back up!" the armed Biden supporter demands.
"This is peaceful!" someone shouts. "We've got enough violence. This is peaceful."
A woman with a Biden sign then becomes angry and claims that one of the men involved in the skirmish is autistic.
"You want to talk about my boy?" she exclaims. "You want to call my boy a retard? I will slap the god damn taste out of your mouth."
"Let me tell you something you aborted bastard," the woman adds before walking away.
Watch the video below.


alternet--2020-10-28--Trump’s Omaha rally disaster may have tanked his chances for a single electoral vote in Nebraska

Donald Trump may have helped seal a key electoral vote from Nebraska last night : For Joe Biden and Kamala Harris .
In a disastrous turn of events that 's a metaphor for the Trump Administration , Trump 's rally at Omaha 's Eppley Airfield in freezing temperatures resulted in multiple people hospitalized and thousands stranded on highways .
Many among those waiting in the cold were elderly .
`` Following President Donald Trump 's rally Tuesday night at Eppley Airfield , many attendees struggled to leave the area and multiple people were taken to the hospital , '' KETV-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` More details are expected to be released later Wednesday . ''
As one of Trump 's super-spreader events , the rally had been widely panned by Democrats as others a health risk to Omaha residents , where COVID-19 numbers have spiked to recent levels in recent weeks .
Apparently , frostbite needs to get added to the risk factors .
Wind-chill levels fell to the 20s , the station reported .
That apparently did n't dampen supporters ' enthusiasm for Trump , nor Trump 's enthusiasm for misstating simple facts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ large crowd which was chanting 'four more years , '' KETV reported .
'Is there any place you would rather be than a Trump rally on about a 10-degree evening ? ''
the president asked on the 31-degree night .
The one-hour rally ended at 9:00 , but it took until well after midnight to clear the area .
`` Thousands who had gathered to hear him speak were stuck in traffic , many left without a way to get back to their vehicles on the other side of the airport . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ NewsWatch 7 that there were n't enough buses for all of the people .
A reporter tweeted that he heard an Omaha officer say , `` We need at least 30 more buses . ''
The Washington Post was there , as well .
`` As long lines of MAGA-clad attendees queued up for buses to take them to distant parking lots , it quickly became clear something was wrong '' the Post reported .
`` Thousands who had gathered to hear him speak were stuck in traffic , many left without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other side of the airport . ''
It was reported .
Attendees told KETV NewsWatch 7 that there were n't enough buses for all of the people .
A reporter tweeted that he heard an Omaha officer say , `` We need at least 30 more buses . ''
The Washington Post was there , as well .
`` As long lines of MAGA-clad attendees queued up for buses to take them to distant parking lots , it quickly became clear something was wrong '' the Post reported .
`` Leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captures the entire Trump administration , ' she told the newspaper .
`` I hope those responsible for the poor planning to feed Trump 's ego will be held accountable and that fellow Nebraskans turn out to vote to end this chaos . ''
And there was this : `` Supporters of the President were brought in , but buses were n't able to get back to transport people out .
It 's freezing and snowy in Omaha tonight , '' tweeted Nebraska state Sen. Megan Hunt ( D ) .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' For their part , Trump supporters , who had been willing to expose themselves to COVID-19 for an hour of presidential assurance that `` we 've turned the corner '' on the pandemic , were at least openly fine with the chaotic scene .
Kris Beckenbach of Lincoln , who volunteered to help at the rally , said she did n't blame organizers .
`` How do you practice for that ? ''
she told the World Herald , noting the thousands of people who attended .
( The crowd was estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper quoted the Trump supporter as saying she would do it all again : '' I would go up early and stand there all those hours .
It was an adventure , '' she said .
`` It was absolutely an adventure . ''
Trump went to Omaha because Nebraska is just one of two states ( Maine being the other ) that portions its vote by congressional district .
Polls have shown Biden leading in the 2nd district anchored by Omaha and suburbs .
Were Biden to hold Hilary Clinton 's 232 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post polling shows him up a whopping 17 points today ) and Michigan ( where he 's consistently maintained 7-to-10 point leads ) , he would need only 12 electoral votes to win the presidency by heating the 270 mark .
The one scenario that would bring Nebraska 's one electoral vote into play is Trump winning Pennsylvania and holding Ohio and the battleground southern states of North Carolina , Georgia and Florida .
In that event , Arizona 's 11 electoral votes–for which Biden is still leading–would only put the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he also holds his lead for the single vote of Nebraska 's 2nd congressional district .
Trump probably did n't lose any of his base voters by literally freezing them .
But with local news coverage and chatter among neighbors dominated by tales of the rally fiasco , if there are many fence-leaners in Omaha , they probably were n't too impressed .
The president may have just left himself out in the cold again .

Donald Trump may have helped seal a key electoral vote from Nebraska last night: For Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
In a disastrous turn of events that's a metaphor for the Trump Administration, Trump's rally at Omaha's Eppley Airfield in freezing temperatures resulted in multiple people hospitalized and thousands stranded on highways. Many among those waiting in the cold were elderly.
"Following President Donald Trump's rally Tuesday night at Eppley Airfield, many attendees struggled to leave the area and multiple people were taken to the hospital," KETV-7, Omaha's ABC-TV affiliate, reported. "More details are expected to be released later Wednesday."
As one of Trump's super-spreader events, the rally had been widely panned by Democrats as others a health risk to Omaha residents, where COVID-19 numbers have spiked to recent levels in recent weeks. Apparently, frostbite needs to get added to the risk factors.
Wind-chill levels fell to the 20s, the station reported. That apparently didn't dampen supporters' enthusiasm for Trump, nor Trump's enthusiasm for misstating simple facts.
"The president was greeted by a large crowd which was chanting 'four more years," KETV reported. 'Is there any place you would rather be than a Trump rally on about a 10-degree evening?" the president asked on the 31-degree night.
The one-hour rally ended at 9:00, but it took until well after midnight to clear the area.
"Thousands who had gathered to hear him speak were stuck in traffic, many left without a way to get back to their vehicles on the other side of the airport." It was reported.
Attendees told KETV NewsWatch 7 that there weren't enough buses for all of the people. A reporter tweeted that he heard an Omaha officer say, "We need at least 30 more buses."
The Washington Post was there, as well.
"As long lines of MAGA-clad attendees queued up for buses to take them to distant parking lots, it quickly became clear something was wrong" the Post reported.
"Thousands who had gathered to hear him speak were stuck in traffic, many left without a way to get back to their vehicles on the other side of the airport." It was reported.
Attendees told KETV NewsWatch 7 that there weren't enough buses for all of the people. A reporter tweeted that he heard an Omaha officer say, "We need at least 30 more buses."
The Washington Post was there, as well.
"As long lines of MAGA-clad attendees queued up for buses to take them to distant parking lots, it quickly became clear something was wrong" the Post reported.
"Leaving thousands of Nebraskans stranded in the cold captures the entire Trump administration,' she told the newspaper. "I hope those responsible for the poor planning to feed Trump's ego will be held accountable and that fellow Nebraskans turn out to vote to end this chaos."
And there was this: "Supporters of the President were brought in, but buses weren't able to get back to transport people out. It's freezing and snowy in Omaha tonight," tweeted Nebraska state Sen. Megan Hunt (D). "He truly does not care about you."
For their part, Trump supporters, who had been willing to expose themselves to COVID-19 for an hour of presidential assurance that "we've turned the corner" on the pandemic, were at least openly fine with the chaotic scene.
Kris Beckenbach of Lincoln, who volunteered to help at the rally, said she didn't blame organizers.
"How do you practice for that?" she told the World Herald, noting the thousands of people who attended. (The crowd was estimated at more than 6,000). The newspaper quoted the Trump supporter as saying she would do it all again:
"I would go up early and stand there all those hours. It was an adventure," she said. "It was absolutely an adventure."
Trump went to Omaha because Nebraska is just one of two states (Maine being the other) that portions its vote by congressional district. Polls have shown Biden leading in the 2nd district anchored by Omaha and suburbs.
Were Biden to hold Hilary Clinton's 232 votes and flip Wisconsin (where new Washington Post polling shows him up a whopping 17 points today) and Michigan (where he's consistently maintained 7-to-10 point leads), he would need only 12 electoral votes to win the presidency by heating the 270 mark.
The one scenario that would bring Nebraska's one electoral vote into play is Trump winning Pennsylvania and holding Ohio and the battleground southern states of North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
In that event, Arizona's 11 electoral votes–for which Biden is still leading–would only put the former vice president over the top only if he also holds his lead for the single vote of Nebraska's 2nd congressional district.
Trump probably didn't lose any of his base voters by literally freezing them. But with local news coverage and chatter among neighbors dominated by tales of the rally fiasco, if there are many fence-leaners in Omaha, they probably weren't too impressed.
The president may have just left himself out in the cold again.


alternet--2020-10-28--'I am screwed no matter what happens': The untold story of the day James Comey changed America

Four years ago , during the 2016 presidential election , Republican nominee Donald J. Trump got the `` October surprise '' his campaign was hoping for : James Comey , FBI director at the time , announced that he was reopening the investigation of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 's e-mails .
Journalist/author and New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt looks back on that October 2016 bombshell in his book , `` Donald Trump v. the United States : Inside the Struggle to Stop a President '' — and according to Schmidt , one person who urged Comey not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Patrice Comey .
Schmidt , in an article published on NBC News ' website on October 28 and adapted from his book , explains , `` FBI Director Jim Comey 's decision to reopen the Clinton e-mail investigation 11 days before the 2016 election will likely go down in history as one of America 's most dramatic October surprises .
In the four years since that decision , it has become cemented in the minds of Clinton supporters and many political analysts as the turning point for her doomed campaign . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` turned to '' his wife `` as he searched for answers '' in 2016 — and Patrice Comey advised against announcing the Clinton investigation .
`` Patrice was an ardent Clinton supporter and had long dreamt of seeing a woman elected president , '' Schmidt notes .
`` She believed Trump was an existential threat and must never sit in the Oval Office .
An argument between couples is normal .
But in this argument , the Comeys — armed with knowledge that only a handful of Americans were privy to — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incalculable decision .
And of course , the stakes felt impossibly high .
And as it turns out , they were . ''
Schmidt 's piece describes , in detail , the conversations the Comeys had in October 2016 in their home in McLean , Virginia .
On October 27 , 2016 , Schmidt explains , `` There were less than two weeks to go before the presidential election , and now , the Clinton e-mail investigation that Comey had taken the rare step of personally and publicly closing in July was about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a shit show , ' he told Patrice .
'They told me that there 's thousands of e-mails . '
It would fall to the director to make the final decision about what to do . ''
Patrice Comey told her husband , `` You ca n't do this this close to the election .
You ca n't do this to a candidate . ''
And the then-FBI director told his wife , `` I am screwed no matter what happens .
If I disclose this , I 'm screwed .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm screwed . ''
James Comey made his Clinton e-mails announcement , and that `` October surprise '' — just as his wife predicted — seriously damaged Clinton 's campaign .
On Election Day 2016 , Schmidt did n't vote in the presidential election ; he believed that by not voting for either Clinton or Trump , he was showing his neutrality or objectivity as a law enforcement agent .
`` Patrice , on the other hand , was excited to vote , '' Schmidt writes .
`` She had waited decades to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her eyes brimmed with tears as she selected Clinton . ''
Schmidt goes on to describe Election Night 2016 , writing , `` After the Associated Press called Florida for Trump at 10:50 p.m. , Jim went to bed , still thinking Clinton would win .
At 2:30 a.m. , when the AP called the race for Donald Trump , Patrice cried on the phone with her daughters , not giving voice to what she feared : that their father might be blamed for Trump 's election .
Patrice finally went upstairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband to tell him the news .
Jim sat right up .
'Oh , God , ' he said . ''

Four years ago, during the 2016 presidential election, Republican nominee Donald J. Trump got the "October surprise" his campaign was hoping for: James Comey, FBI director at the time, announced that he was reopening the investigation of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's e-mails. Journalist/author and New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt looks back on that October 2016 bombshell in his book, "Donald Trump v. the United States: Inside the Struggle to Stop a President" — and according to Schmidt, one person who urged Comey not to publicly announce his investigation was his wife, Patrice Comey.
Schmidt, in an article published on NBC News' website on October 28 and adapted from his book, explains, "FBI Director Jim Comey's decision to reopen the Clinton e-mail investigation 11 days before the 2016 election will likely go down in history as one of America's most dramatic October surprises. In the four years since that decision, it has become cemented in the minds of Clinton supporters and many political analysts as the turning point for her doomed campaign."
The then-FBI director, Schmidt explains, "turned to" his wife "as he searched for answers" in 2016 — and Patrice Comey advised against announcing the Clinton investigation.
"Patrice was an ardent Clinton supporter and had long dreamt of seeing a woman elected president," Schmidt notes. "She believed Trump was an existential threat and must never sit in the Oval Office. An argument between couples is normal. But in this argument, the Comeys — armed with knowledge that only a handful of Americans were privy to — had to weigh what felt like an incalculable decision. And of course, the stakes felt impossibly high. And as it turns out, they were."
Schmidt's piece describes, in detail, the conversations the Comeys had in October 2016 in their home in McLean, Virginia. On October 27, 2016, Schmidt explains, "There were less than two weeks to go before the presidential election, and now, the Clinton e-mail investigation that Comey had taken the rare step of personally and publicly closing in July was about to roar back to life. 'It's a shit show,' he told Patrice. 'They told me that there's thousands of e-mails.' It would fall to the director to make the final decision about what to do."
Patrice Comey told her husband, "You can't do this this close to the election. You can't do this to a candidate." And the then-FBI director told his wife, "I am screwed no matter what happens. If I disclose this, I'm screwed. If I don't disclose this, I'm screwed."
James Comey made his Clinton e-mails announcement, and that "October surprise" — just as his wife predicted — seriously damaged Clinton's campaign. On Election Day 2016, Schmidt didn't vote in the presidential election; he believed that by not voting for either Clinton or Trump, he was showing his neutrality or objectivity as a law enforcement agent.
"Patrice, on the other hand, was excited to vote," Schmidt writes. "She had waited decades to vote for a woman presidential candidate, and her eyes brimmed with tears as she selected Clinton."
Schmidt goes on to describe Election Night 2016, writing, "After the Associated Press called Florida for Trump at 10:50 p.m., Jim went to bed, still thinking Clinton would win. At 2:30 a.m., when the AP called the race for Donald Trump, Patrice cried on the phone with her daughters, not giving voice to what she feared: that their father might be blamed for Trump's election. Patrice finally went upstairs to their dark bedroom and woke up her husband to tell him the news. Jim sat right up. 'Oh, God,' he said."


alternet--2020-10-28--Here are 6 ways the last days of Trump's term could be the wildest yet: 'I am absolutely expecting h

Here are 6 ways the last days of Trump's term could be the wildest yet: 'I am absolutely expecting him to do something weird'

If President Donald Trump loses the 2020 presidential election to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , he will only have a total of 77 days left in office .
Faced with an impending departure from the White House , the American public could witness even more bizarre episodes of lame duck mischief from Trump in the days ahead .
With more than two months of time in between Election Day and Inauguration Day , Trump would have more than enough time to create controversy and make things more difficult for the incoming president .
According to Politico , conversations between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholars and national security officials have zeroed in on a number of key areas Trump could shift his focus to in the final days of 2020 .
1 .
Revenge Attack on the `` Deep State '' : It is no secret Trump has long blamed the so-called `` deep state '' for much of the alleged opposition he faced during his time in the White House , and the president will likely need multiple entities to blame if his presidency ends in defeat .
`` They 've actually given some thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit surprising .
I 'm even a little taken aback by the institutional-type things that have unfolded just in the last week , '' one legal observer noted .
2 .
An Avalanche of Top Official Terminations : Since Trump has a history of late Friday evening firings , there is speculation that more terminations could come post-election .
The president has long had a list of top-ranking officials he reportedly would not mind parting ways with including FBI Director Christopher Wray , Defense Secretary Mark Esper and CIA Director Gina Haspel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr for failing to launch certain investigations that might prove to be beneficial for his re-election .
In conversation , experts and scholars also discussed another nightmare scenario that could play out depending on the outcome of the election—an attempted firing of Dr. Anthony Fauci .
`` Trump , in theory , could order Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar or the head of the National Institutes of Health , Francis Collins , to fire Fauci — and fire them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil service protections would mean that Fauci could likely appeal and successfully run out the clock on the Trump administration before he would be forced to leave his office . ''
3 .
Pardons : In an effort to exercise his presidential power before it expires , Trump could opt to execute a significant number of pardons .
Many legal experts agree this may be the easiest exercise of power the president will still have .
`` The pardon power operates in the way he imagines the presidency to operate — you wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Quinta Jurecic , the managing editor of the blog Lawfare .
`` I 'm absolutely expecting him to do something weird . ''
`` The pardon power is the easiest to exercise , '' says law professor Jack Goldsmith , who previously headed Justice Department 's Office of Legal Counsel .
4 .
Destruction of Records : From the Trump administration 's move to bypass the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) 's hospital data for coronavirus-related reporting to its attempts to kneecap the U.S. Census , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstruction that might worsen in the days to come .
Although the Presidential Records Act and Federal Records Act typically requires previous administrations to maintain documentation and full record of White House work , out of defiance , this rule may not be followed by the Trump administrant .
If there is anything the Trump administration would like to keep from surfacing , they will likely get to work covering their tracks almost immediately after the election .
`` They 're just going to not care about the Records Act — just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
It falls into the category of nuisance laws that they just do n't think apply to them .
Like what 's going to happen to them if they do n't ? ''
a legal observer noted .
`` That 's less indicative of him and more about the type of people he has brought around him . ''
5 .
Obstruction of New Administration It has been said by many politicians on both sides of the fence that Trump will not leave quietly .
There is also a possibly that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next administration if he loses the election .
6 .
Military Attacks : Aggression and compulsion could lead to Trump to stir up more controversy .
Former national security advisors have also raised concerns about the possibility of Trump becoming aggressive and causing foreign conflicts before leaving office .
`` Up until the final minutes of a presidency , the so-called 'nuclear football ' remains close at hand for the commander-in-chief , and while presidents have traditionally delayed potentially escalatory actions during a transition to avoid hamstringing their successor , such restraint is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump could launch military strikes , initiate covert actions and even launch a full-scale nuclear war right up until 11:59 a.m. on Jan .
20 . ''

If President Donald Trump loses the 2020 presidential election to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, he will only have a total of 77 days left in office. Faced with an impending departure from the White House, the American public could witness even more bizarre episodes of lame duck mischief from Trump in the days ahead.
With more than two months of time in between Election Day and Inauguration Day, Trump would have more than enough time to create controversy and make things more difficult for the incoming president.
According to Politico, conversations between presidential legal experts, U.S. Constitutional scholars and national security officials have zeroed in on a number of key areas Trump could shift his focus to in the final days of 2020.
1. Revenge Attack on the "Deep State": It is no secret Trump has long blamed the so-called "deep state" for much of the alleged opposition he faced during his time in the White House, and the president will likely need multiple entities to blame if his presidency ends in defeat.
"They've actually given some thought to this already — it's a little bit surprising. I'm even a little taken aback by the institutional-type things that have unfolded just in the last week," one legal observer noted.
2. An Avalanche of Top Official Terminations: Since Trump has a history of late Friday evening firings, there is speculation that more terminations could come post-election. The president has long had a list of top-ranking officials he reportedly would not mind parting ways with including FBI Director Christopher Wray, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and CIA Director Gina Haspel. Most recently, the president has publicly criticized U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr for failing to launch certain investigations that might prove to be beneficial for his re-election.
In conversation, experts and scholars also discussed another nightmare scenario that could play out depending on the outcome of the election—an attempted firing of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
"Trump, in theory, could order Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar or the head of the National Institutes of Health, Francis Collins, to fire Fauci — and fire them if they refuse — but the current civil service protections would mean that Fauci could likely appeal and successfully run out the clock on the Trump administration before he would be forced to leave his office."
3. Pardons: In an effort to exercise his presidential power before it expires, Trump could opt to execute a significant number of pardons. Many legal experts agree this may be the easiest exercise of power the president will still have.
"The pardon power operates in the way he imagines the presidency to operate — you wave your hand and it's done," says Quinta Jurecic, the managing editor of the blog Lawfare. "I'm absolutely expecting him to do something weird."
"The pardon power is the easiest to exercise," says law professor Jack Goldsmith, who previously headed Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.
4. Destruction of Records: From the Trump administration's move to bypass the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s hospital data for coronavirus-related reporting to its attempts to kneecap the U.S. Census, the president has a history of destruction and obstruction that might worsen in the days to come. Although the Presidential Records Act and Federal Records Act typically requires previous administrations to maintain documentation and full record of White House work, out of defiance, this rule may not be followed by the Trump administrant.
If there is anything the Trump administration would like to keep from surfacing, they will likely get to work covering their tracks almost immediately after the election.
"They're just going to not care about the Records Act — just like they didn't care about the Hatch Act. It falls into the category of nuisance laws that they just don't think apply to them. Like what's going to happen to them if they don't?" a legal observer noted. "That's less indicative of him and more about the type of people he has brought around him."
5. Obstruction of New Administration It has been said by many politicians on both sides of the fence that Trump will not leave quietly. There is also a possibly that the president will refuse to cooperate with the next administration if he loses the election.
6. Military Attacks: Aggression and compulsion could lead to Trump to stir up more controversy. Former national security advisors have also raised concerns about the possibility of Trump becoming aggressive and causing foreign conflicts before leaving office.
"Up until the final minutes of a presidency, the so-called 'nuclear football' remains close at hand for the commander-in-chief, and while presidents have traditionally delayed potentially escalatory actions during a transition to avoid hamstringing their successor, such restraint is merely a norm.
In theory, Trump could launch military strikes, initiate covert actions and even launch a full-scale nuclear war right up until 11:59 a.m. on Jan. 20."


alternet--2020-10-28--Texas moves from ‘leans Republican’ to ‘toss up’ in 2020 presidential race: non-partisan election an

Texas moves from ‘leans Republican’ to ‘toss up’ in 2020 presidential race: non-partisan election analysis

One of the political shockers in 2020 's presidential race has been former Vice President Joe Biden 's performance in Texas , where some recent polls have found him slightly ahead of President Donald Trump and others have found him trailing the president by only 2 % , 3 % or 4 % .
And the Cook Political Report now considers Texas a `` toss up '' in the presidential race rather than a `` leans Republican '' or `` likely Republican '' state — and if Texas is seriously in play for Biden , as former Democratic Rep. Beto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to reelection is narrowing .
According to Cook Political 's Amy Walter , `` Texas is a state that Biden does n't need to win , but it is clear that it 's more competitive than ever .
Texas ' shift from 'lean republican ' to 'toss up ' should n't come as a surprise .
Recent polling in the state , both public and private , shows a 2-4 point race .
That 's pretty much in line with the hotly contested 2018 Senate race in the state where Sen. Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to 48 % . ''
When O'Rourke first announced that he was running for Senate , pundits expected him to lose to Cruz by about 8 % or 9 % .
Instead , he came within striking distance of Cruz — and O'Rourke is imploring Biden to visit Texas before Election Day .
The former congressman believes that a visit to the Lone Star State could tip the scales in Biden 's favor and help him win Texas ' 38 electoral votes .
Walter , however , notes , `` We do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Texas as a battleground state .
Neither do national pollsters .
In an analysis of polling errors in 2016 and 2018 , my colleague David Wasserman wrote this week that polls in the Southwest undershot Democrats ' final margin in 17 of 19 cases , including by an average of 1.4 points in 2016 and 4.2 points in 2018 . ''
If Biden wins every state that 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won four years ago and flips three Rust Belt States that Trump won — Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 270 electoral votes he needs to win the election .
Pennsylvania , which has 20 electoral votes , is the most challenging of the three for Biden : some polls are showing Biden ahead in the Keystone State , but Trump within striking distance .
And if Biden lost Pennsylvania , he would need some Sun Belt states to offset that loss .
At this point , Texas , like Georgia , is arguably a light red state rather than a deep red state .
Trump won Texas by 9 % in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other red states — for example , defeating Clinton by 46 % in Wyoming or 32 % in Idaho .
Before 2016 , double-digit victories in Texas were the norm for GOP presidential nominees .
In 2012 , for example , GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney —now a U.S. senator via Utah — defeated President Barack Obama by 16 % in Texas .
The Obama campaign never believed that Texas was in play for them ; so , Democratic efforts were concentrated in Florida , Ohio , Pennsylvania and other swing states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 .
Recent polls have shown Biden with narrow leads in Texas , including 3 % ( University of Texas at Tyler ) or 1 % ( Data for Progress ) .
However , a recent New York Times/Siena poll found Trump ahead by 4 % in the Lone Star State .
Walter explains , `` To win the election , Trump will need to win every state we currently have in the 'toss up ' column : Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , Iowa , Ohio , Maine 's 2nd CD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas .
Even then , Trump would be 22 electoral votes short of 270 .
He would need to win at least two of the seven states currently sitting in Lean Democrat : Arizona , Michigan , Minnesota , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , Arizona , Nevada and New Hampshire .
Trump carried all but Minnesota , Nevada and New Hampshire in 2016 . ''

One of the political shockers in 2020's presidential race has been former Vice President Joe Biden's performance in Texas, where some recent polls have found him slightly ahead of President Donald Trump and others have found him trailing the president by only 2%, 3% or 4%. And the Cook Political Report now considers Texas a "toss up" in the presidential race rather than a "leans Republican" or "likely Republican" state — and if Texas is seriously in play for Biden, as former Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke has been arguing, Trump's path to reelection is narrowing.
According to Cook Political's Amy Walter, "Texas is a state that Biden doesn't need to win, but it is clear that it's more competitive than ever. Texas' shift from 'lean republican' to 'toss up' shouldn't come as a surprise. Recent polling in the state, both public and private, shows a 2-4 point race. That's pretty much in line with the hotly contested 2018 Senate race in the state where Sen. Ted Cruz narrowly defeated Rep. Beto O'Rourke 51% to 48%."
When O'Rourke first announced that he was running for Senate, pundits expected him to lose to Cruz by about 8% or 9%. Instead, he came within striking distance of Cruz — and O'Rourke is imploring Biden to visit Texas before Election Day. The former congressman believes that a visit to the Lone Star State could tip the scales in Biden's favor and help him win Texas' 38 electoral votes.
Walter, however, notes, "We don't have a whole lot of experience with Texas as a battleground state. Neither do national pollsters. In an analysis of polling errors in 2016 and 2018, my colleague David Wasserman wrote this week that polls in the Southwest undershot Democrats' final margin in 17 of 19 cases, including by an average of 1.4 points in 2016 and 4.2 points in 2018."
If Biden wins every state that 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won four years ago and flips three Rust Belt States that Trump won — Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan — that would get him to the 270 electoral votes he needs to win the election. Pennsylvania, which has 20 electoral votes, is the most challenging of the three for Biden: some polls are showing Biden ahead in the Keystone State, but Trump within striking distance. And if Biden lost Pennsylvania, he would need some Sun Belt states to offset that loss.
At this point, Texas, like Georgia, is arguably a light red state rather than a deep red state. Trump won Texas by 9% in 2016 compared to the double-digit landslides he enjoyed in other red states — for example, defeating Clinton by 46% in Wyoming or 32% in Idaho.
Before 2016, double-digit victories in Texas were the norm for GOP presidential nominees. In 2012, for example, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney —now a U.S. senator via Utah — defeated President Barack Obama by 16% in Texas. The Obama campaign never believed that Texas was in play for them; so, Democratic efforts were concentrated in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other swing states that Obama won in both 2008 and 2012.
Recent polls have shown Biden with narrow leads in Texas, including 3% (University of Texas at Tyler) or 1% (Data for Progress). However, a recent New York Times/Siena poll found Trump ahead by 4% in the Lone Star State.
Walter explains, "To win the election, Trump will need to win every state we currently have in the 'toss up' column: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Maine's 2nd CD, as well as the newest addition, Texas. Even then, Trump would be 22 electoral votes short of 270. He would need to win at least two of the seven states currently sitting in Lean Democrat: Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and New Hampshire. Trump carried all but Minnesota, Nevada and New Hampshire in 2016."


alternet--2020-10-28--Top federal election official corrects Trump on what a 'proper' vote count looks like

Countering President Donald Trump 's false suggestion Tuesday that tallying votes after Election Day is unlawful , a top official at the U.S. Federal Election Commission said that in fact `` counting ballots—all of 'em—is the appropriate , proper , and very legal way to determine who won . ''
`` An election is not a reality show with a big reveal at the end , '' Ellen Weintraub , an election attorney and a Democratic commissioner at the FEC , tweeted in response to Trump 's insistence that a winner be officially declared on the night of November 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Night are projections from TV networks , '' Weintraub noted .
`` We never have official results on Election Night . ''
Trump 's comments Tuesday came amid growing fears that the president could attempt to take advantage of slower-than-usual vote counting—which is expected due to the unprecedented surge in mail-in voting amid the pandemic—to falsely declare victory on Election Night and dismiss as illegitimate legally submitted ballots counted after November 3 .
Those concerns were intensified by Trump-nominated Justice Brett Kavanaugh 's falsehood-riddled concurring opinion in the Supreme Court 's late Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin from extending its absentee ballot deadline .
The decision means that ballots received by Wisconsin officials after Election Day can not be counted , even if they are postmarked by November 3 .
In his opinion , Kavanaugh declared that absentee ballots arriving after Election Day—which is allowed in more than a dozen states—could `` flip the results of the election . ''
But as Justice Elena Kagan noted in her dissent ( pdf ) , `` there are no results to 'flip ' until all valid votes are counted . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ us ] ' or 'improp [ er ] ' than refusing to tally votes once the clock strikes 12 on Election Night , '' Kagan added .
`` To suggest otherwise , especially in these fractious times , is to disserve the electoral process . ''
Slate 's Mark Joseph Stern warned late Tuesday that `` by deploying so many falsehoods in his 18-page opinion , Kavanaugh sent a signal to lower court judges : Uphold voter suppression at all costs , even if you have to ignore or contort the factual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's dozens of hackish judicial nominees will hear this message loud and clear , '' Stern wrote .
`` At least one member of the Supreme Court is willing to construct a fantasy world that is utterly detached from our grim reality of mass disenfranchisement .
If we can not trust the justices to tell the truth now , why should we believe them if they decide the election next week ? ''

Countering President Donald Trump's false suggestion Tuesday that tallying votes after Election Day is unlawful, a top official at the U.S. Federal Election Commission said that in fact "counting ballots—all of 'em—is the appropriate, proper, and very legal way to determine who won."
"An election is not a reality show with a big reveal at the end," Ellen Weintraub, an election attorney and a Democratic commissioner at the FEC, tweeted in response to Trump's insistence that a winner be officially declared on the night of November 3.
"All we get on Election Night are projections from TV networks," Weintraub noted. "We never have official results on Election Night."
Trump's comments Tuesday came amid growing fears that the president could attempt to take advantage of slower-than-usual vote counting—which is expected due to the unprecedented surge in mail-in voting amid the pandemic—to falsely declare victory on Election Night and dismiss as illegitimate legally submitted ballots counted after November 3.
Those concerns were intensified by Trump-nominated Justice Brett Kavanaugh's falsehood-riddled concurring opinion in the Supreme Court's late Monday ruling that barred the battleground state of Wisconsin from extending its absentee ballot deadline. The decision means that ballots received by Wisconsin officials after Election Day cannot be counted, even if they are postmarked by November 3.
In his opinion, Kavanaugh declared that absentee ballots arriving after Election Day—which is allowed in more than a dozen states—could "flip the results of the election." But as Justice Elena Kagan noted in her dissent (pdf), "there are no results to 'flip' until all valid votes are counted."
"And nothing could be more 'suspicio[us]' or 'improp[er]' than refusing to tally votes once the clock strikes 12 on Election Night," Kagan added. "To suggest otherwise, especially in these fractious times, is to disserve the electoral process."
Slate's Mark Joseph Stern warned late Tuesday that "by deploying so many falsehoods in his 18-page opinion, Kavanaugh sent a signal to lower court judges: Uphold voter suppression at all costs, even if you have to ignore or contort the factual record to do it."
"Trump's dozens of hackish judicial nominees will hear this message loud and clear," Stern wrote. "At least one member of the Supreme Court is willing to construct a fantasy world that is utterly detached from our grim reality of mass disenfranchisement. If we cannot trust the justices to tell the truth now, why should we believe them if they decide the election next week?"


alternet--2020-10-28--Devin Nunes faces most significant re-election fight yet as constituents turn on him: report

On Wednesday , The Guardian profiled the congressional race of Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) , a longtime Central Valley representative who became a bogeyman of the left during his unflappably pro-Trump tenure as Intelligence Committee chairman — and revealed why his re-election could be even tougher now than his narrow victory in 2018 .
`` Two years ago , after 16 years in Congress , Nunes faced his first significant re-election battle when a local prosecutor , Andrew Janz , came within five percentage points of unseating him , '' reported Andrew Gumbel .
`` This year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arballo could come closer still with a campaign that has focused predominantly on the local issues that many constituents accuse Nunes of ignoring . ''
`` In a district that , until recently , was considered one of the few remaining safe Republican seats in California , Arballo is polling about five points behind Nunes but is rapidly closing in , according to a recent internal Democratic party poll , '' continued the report .
`` The Democrat has also managed to pull in a sizeable fundraising haul , largely from small donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to Nunes 's constant lawsuits .
( Nunes still enjoys a huge fundraising advantage , though ) . ''
`` Arballo 's coalition is built on two pillars : the changing demographics of the area , which is now almost 50 % Latino , and disaffection with Nunes , '' said the report .
`` As Nunes has focused his energies largely on Washington 's toxic political culture and made himself less visible in his district , that disaffection has only grown . ''
Some of the strongest organizing efforts against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick of his antics , including organic fruit farmer Paul Buxman .
The two got off on the wrong foot soon after Nunes ' first election , where he visited Buxman 's farm only to grab a photo-op .
`` Buxman never was able to arrange a meeting with Nunes , despite making multiple overtures .
Pretty soon , he stopped voting for him , '' said the report .
Buxman also began leaving complaints after Trump was elected and Nunes focused all his energies on investigating his political enemies , but `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a petition demanding that Nunes stop describing himself as a farmer on the electoral ballot '' — at which point Nunes sued him for defamation .
`` I 've said prayers for him , '' said Buxman .
`` The way I see it , the best thing that could happen to him is that he lose the election .
For his own sake .
Then he really could start farming .
I 'd be glad to help him do that . ''
You can read more here .

On Wednesday, The Guardianprofiled the congressional race of Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), a longtime Central Valley representative who became a bogeyman of the left during his unflappably pro-Trump tenure as Intelligence Committee chairman — and revealed why his re-election could be even tougher now than his narrow victory in 2018.
"Two years ago, after 16 years in Congress, Nunes faced his first significant re-election battle when a local prosecutor, Andrew Janz, came within five percentage points of unseating him," reported Andrew Gumbel. "This year, small business owner and civic activist Phil Arballo could come closer still with a campaign that has focused predominantly on the local issues that many constituents accuse Nunes of ignoring."
"In a district that, until recently, was considered one of the few remaining safe Republican seats in California, Arballo is polling about five points behind Nunes but is rapidly closing in, according to a recent internal Democratic party poll," continued the report. "The Democrat has also managed to pull in a sizeable fundraising haul, largely from small donations including hundreds of thousands of dollars raised in response to Nunes's constant lawsuits. (Nunes still enjoys a huge fundraising advantage, though)."
"Arballo's coalition is built on two pillars: the changing demographics of the area, which is now almost 50% Latino, and disaffection with Nunes," said the report. "As Nunes has focused his energies largely on Washington's toxic political culture and made himself less visible in his district, that disaffection has only grown."
Some of the strongest organizing efforts against Nunes come from constituents who have grown sick of his antics, including organic fruit farmer Paul Buxman.
The two got off on the wrong foot soon after Nunes' first election, where he visited Buxman's farm only to grab a photo-op. "Buxman never was able to arrange a meeting with Nunes, despite making multiple overtures. Pretty soon, he stopped voting for him," said the report. Buxman also began leaving complaints after Trump was elected and Nunes focused all his energies on investigating his political enemies, but "Nunes paid no attention until Buxman signed a petition demanding that Nunes stop describing himself as a farmer on the electoral ballot" — at which point Nunes sued him for defamation.
"I've said prayers for him," said Buxman. "The way I see it, the best thing that could happen to him is that he lose the election. For his own sake. Then he really could start farming. I'd be glad to help him do that."
You can read more here.


alternet--2020-10-28--Trump hangs Lindsey Graham out to dry as South Carolina Senate race tightens: report

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) may be on his own in the final days leading up to the election as the Daily Beast reports that President Donald Trump is unlikely to hold any campaign events to help rescue the embattled Republican senator as he fights for re-election .
In a likely a foreshadow of the days to come , Graham touted his relationship with President Donald Trump during a campaign rally Tuesday — even as the president was nowhere to be found .
`` We got off to a rocky start .
He beat me pretty badly , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaign rally in Greenville , South Carolina referencing his previous bid for the White House .
But , now , Graham said , `` we 've got something in common ; I like him and he likes me . ''
Vice President Mike Pence was the only White House official to appear on the Republican senator 's behalf .
As one of the most vulnerable senators up for re-election while Republicans desperately fight to retain control of his seat , it would seem like a no-brainer for Trump to go the extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , that is not the case in this election .
So why has n't Trump come to Graham 's rescue ?
Since Trump , himself , is also facing an uphill re-election battle , the president and his campaign team likely believe there are many other places he could be , rather than spending time campaigning in a historically red state that has not turned blue since 1976 .
Daily Beast reporters Sam Brodey and Hunter Woodall also echoed a similar stance .
`` Trump himself has not visited South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely will not before the Nov. 3 election , when Graham faces Democrat Jaime Harrison , '' they reported .
`` A former chair of the state 's Democratic Party , Harrison entered the race a long shot but has turned the Senate contest into a toss-up race , after raising a record $ 100 million sum for his campaign from a national liberal base that detests Graham . ''
In fact , not only has the president appeared to abandon Graham , he did not even so much as tweet his support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason for Trump 's ambivalence toward his South Carolina frenemy may be the president 's stance on `` suckers '' and `` losers . ''
Over the last few weeks , Graham has used his public appearances to complain about Harrison 's ability to outraise him .
In fact , Graham himself admitted that he is concerned about Harrison 's massive windfall and he has even been trolled by the Lincoln Project after he called for an investigation into Harrison 's small-dollar campaign donations through Act Blue .
It is no secret Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he describes as whining politicians .
On multiple occasions , the president criticized Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D-N.Y. ) as he insisted the governor was `` whining '' for simply asking the federal government to do its part to help provide ventilators during a deadly pandemic .
However , former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford offered a different perspective .
He believes Graham may not want to get tangled in a presidential visit and all that comes with it .
`` I think if anything , he 's probably wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he 's obviously been a fan , in hopes that he picks up some measure of support from suburban or working women that have been lost or some of the young millennials that have been lost , '' Sanford said .
Despite the suggestion , Sanford also declined to confirm whether or not he would be supporting Graham when he casts his ballot .
As of Tuesday , October 27 , the Five Thirty Eight poll suggests Graham and Harrison are tied which is likely an alarm bell for the Republican senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) may be on his own in the final days leading up to the election as the Daily Beast reports that President Donald Trump is unlikely to hold any campaign events to help rescue the embattled Republican senator as he fights for re-election.
In a likely a foreshadow of the days to come, Graham touted his relationship with President Donald Trump during a campaign rally Tuesday — even as the president was nowhere to be found.
"We got off to a rocky start. He beat me pretty badly," Graham told his crowd of supporters at a campaign rally in Greenville, South Carolina referencing his previous bid for the White House. But, now, Graham said, "we've got something in common; I like him and he likes me."
Vice President Mike Pence was the only White House official to appear on the Republican senator's behalf.
As one of the most vulnerable senators up for re-election while Republicans desperately fight to retain control of his seat, it would seem like a no-brainer for Trump to go the extra mile to show his support for Graham. However, that is not the case in this election. So why hasn't Trump come to Graham's rescue?
Since Trump, himself, is also facing an uphill re-election battle, the president and his campaign team likely believe there are many other places he could be, rather than spending time campaigning in a historically red state that has not turned blue since 1976. Daily Beast reporters Sam Brodey and Hunter Woodall also echoed a similar stance.
"Trump himself has not visited South Carolina to support his erstwhile ally, and likely will not before the Nov. 3 election, when Graham faces Democrat Jaime Harrison," they reported. "A former chair of the state's Democratic Party, Harrison entered the race a long shot but has turned the Senate contest into a toss-up race, after raising a record $100 million sum for his campaign from a national liberal base that detests Graham."
In fact, not only has the president appeared to abandon Graham, he did not even so much as tweet his support of the politically endangered senator.
Another reason for Trump's ambivalence toward his South Carolina frenemy may be the president's stance on "suckers" and "losers." Over the last few weeks, Graham has used his public appearances to complain about Harrison's ability to outraise him. In fact, Graham himself admitted that he is concerned about Harrison's massive windfall and he has even been trolled by the Lincoln Project after he called for an investigation into Harrison's small-dollar campaign donations through Act Blue.
It is no secret Trump has a deep level of disdain for what he describes as whining politicians. On multiple occasions, the president criticized Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) as he insisted the governor was "whining" for simply asking the federal government to do its part to help provide ventilators during a deadly pandemic.
However, former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford offered a different perspective. He believes Graham may not want to get tangled in a presidential visit and all that comes with it.
"I think if anything, he's probably wanting to be quiet on the Trump front, though he's obviously been a fan, in hopes that he picks up some measure of support from suburban or working women that have been lost or some of the young millennials that have been lost," Sanford said.
Despite the suggestion, Sanford also declined to confirm whether or not he would be supporting Graham when he casts his ballot. As of Tuesday, October 27, the Five Thirty Eight poll suggests Graham and Harrison are tied which is likely an alarm bell for the Republican senator with just six days until the election.


alternet--2020-10-28--Will Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation help or hurt Republicans in Senate races? An analysis

On Monday , October 26 , the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee , Judge Amy Coney Barrett — who has taken over the seat that was held for many years by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
The votes , as expected , came down along party lines : Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Senate Republican who voted against Barrett 's confirmation — and even the most centrist Democrats in the Senate , including Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona , voted against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a week away , a question that Republicans are contemplating is : will Barrett 's confirmation help or hurt the GOP 's battle to maintain control of the Senate ?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expressing no regrets whatsoever about ramming Barrett 's confirmation through the Senate .
McConnell , discussing the political ramifications of the confirmation , told Politico , `` In terms of the politics of it , I think it was helpful for us in 2016 and 2018 , and it is clearly , I think , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : good for the country and good for us politically as well . ''
Arguably , the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh hurt Republicans in the 2018 midterms : that year , Democrats enjoyed a major blue wave in the U.S. House of Representatives and flipped 40 GOP-held seats .
However , Republicans slightly increased their majority in the Senate two years ago .
McConnell is looking at the big picture and the long-term impact that Barrett 's confirmation could have .
Barrett is a 48-year-old Generation X-er , which means that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's entirely possible that she could still be on the Supreme Court 38 years from now .
McConnell told Politico , `` Permanency depends on the next election .
So , that 's the way legislation goes .
But in judicial appointments , you can have a longer-lasting positive impact . ''
On Sunday , October 25 — the day before Barrett was confirmed by the Senate — McConnell declared , `` A lot of what we 've done over the last four years will be undone sooner or later by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be able to do much about this for a long time to come . ''
With that statement , McConnell was acknowledging the possibility that Democrats might regain control of the U.S. Senate on November 3 .
Even if Democratic Sen. Doug Jones loses in Alabama ( which appears likely , according to polls ) , Democrats would obtain a Senate majority if they flipped several GOP-held seats .
Incumbent GOP senators who are considered vulnerable include Collins , Arizona 's Martha McSally , Colorado 's Cory Gardner , Iowa 's Joni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McConnell , however , obviously is n't losing any sleep over that possibility .
And his attitude is that even if Republicans lose their Senate majority and Trump loses the White House , so be it — Barrett will be on the Supreme Court for a very long time .
McConnell , according to polls , does n't appear to be among the Senate Republicans who is in danger of being voted out of office .
And if McConnell were among the GOP survivors in a `` President Joe Biden/Democratic Senate majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became Senate minority leader rather than Senate majority leader — he would become the face of the opposition and the most powerful Republican in Washington , D.C. Democrats , journalist Jacqueline Alemany reports in the Washington Post , are `` steaming mad '' over the way Trump and McConnell rammed Barrett 's confirmation through the Senate and have been quite aggressive in their fundraising for Senate races .
`` Democrats hope the Barrett court fight has energized their voters , as they obsessively argue that Barrett is a vote to overturn the Affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` SCOTUS , with Barrett on it , is slated to once again take up the ACA 's constitutionality during the week following the election… .
Democrats are convinced their voters are steaming mad at McConnell 's aggressive move to push through Barrett after denying even a confirmation hearing to President Barack Obama 's nominee , ( Judge Merrick Garland ) , much earlier in an election year , ( 2016 ) . ''
Replacing the liberal Ginsburg with Barrett — a far-right social conservative along the lines of Justice Clarence Thomas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definite game-changer for the Supreme Court .
Democratic fundraisers have been emphasizing that everything from Obamacare to abortion rights to same-sex marriage is on the line .
Barrett was quite evasive when Senate Democrats questioned her during her confirmation hearings , but given her extreme social conservatism and connection to the disturbing group People of Praise , it is n't hard to imagine her voting that key right-to-privacy decisions like Roe v. Wade , Lawrence v. Texas , Obergefell v. Hodges and Griswold v. Connecticut were wrongly decided .
Barrett 's confirmation could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate incumbents this year , although it could also inspire Democrats and swing voters to vote against them .
But whether Republicans keep or lose their Senate majority in 2020 , the United States could be stuck with Justice Amy Coney Barrett for 35 years or longer .

On Monday, October 26, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett — who has taken over the seat that was held for many years by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The votes, as expected, came down along party lines: Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Senate Republican who voted against Barrett's confirmation — and even the most centrist Democrats in the Senate, including Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, voted against her. With the 2020 election less than a week away, a question that Republicans are contemplating is: will Barrett's confirmation help or hurt the GOP's battle to maintain control of the Senate?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expressing no regrets whatsoever about ramming Barrett's confirmation through the Senate. McConnell, discussing the political ramifications of the confirmation, told Politico, "In terms of the politics of it, I think it was helpful for us in 2016 and 2018, and it is clearly, I think, a plus in 2020 as well. So: good for the country and good for us politically as well."
Arguably, the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh hurt Republicans in the 2018 midterms: that year, Democrats enjoyed a major blue wave in the U.S. House of Representatives and flipped 40 GOP-held seats. However, Republicans slightly increased their majority in the Senate two years ago.
McConnell is looking at the big picture and the long-term impact that Barrett's confirmation could have. Barrett is a 48-year-old Generation X-er, which means that if she lives as long as Ginsburg, it's entirely possible that she could still be on the Supreme Court 38 years from now. McConnell told Politico, "Permanency depends on the next election. So, that's the way legislation goes. But in judicial appointments, you can have a longer-lasting positive impact."
On Sunday, October 25 — the day before Barrett was confirmed by the Senate — McConnell declared, "A lot of what we've done over the last four years will be undone sooner or later by the next election…. (Democrats) won't be able to do much about this for a long time to come."
With that statement, McConnell was acknowledging the possibility that Democrats might regain control of the U.S. Senate on November 3. Even if Democratic Sen. Doug Jones loses in Alabama (which appears likely, according to polls), Democrats would obtain a Senate majority if they flipped several GOP-held seats. Incumbent GOP senators who are considered vulnerable include Collins, Arizona's Martha McSally, Colorado's Cory Gardner, Iowa's Joni Ernst and North Carolina's Thom Tillis.
McConnell, however, obviously isn't losing any sleep over that possibility. And his attitude is that even if Republicans lose their Senate majority and Trump loses the White House, so be it — Barrett will be on the Supreme Court for a very long time. McConnell, according to polls, doesn't appear to be among the Senate Republicans who is in danger of being voted out of office. And if McConnell were among the GOP survivors in a "President Joe Biden/Democratic Senate majority" scenario — one in which he became Senate minority leader rather than Senate majority leader — he would become the face of the opposition and the most powerful Republican in Washington, D.C.
Democrats, journalist Jacqueline Alemany reports in the Washington Post, are "steaming mad" over the way Trump and McConnell rammed Barrett's confirmation through the Senate and have been quite aggressive in their fundraising for Senate races.
"Democrats hope the Barrett court fight has energized their voters, as they obsessively argue that Barrett is a vote to overturn the Affordable Care Act," Alemany reports. "SCOTUS, with Barrett on it, is slated to once again take up the ACA's constitutionality during the week following the election…. Democrats are convinced their voters are steaming mad at McConnell's aggressive move to push through Barrett after denying even a confirmation hearing to President Barack Obama's nominee, (Judge Merrick Garland), much earlier in an election year, (2016)."
Replacing the liberal Ginsburg with Barrett — a far-right social conservative along the lines of Justice Clarence Thomas and the late Antonin Scalia — is a definite game-changer for the Supreme Court. Democratic fundraisers have been emphasizing that everything from Obamacare to abortion rights to same-sex marriage is on the line. Barrett was quite evasive when Senate Democrats questioned her during her confirmation hearings, but given her extreme social conservatism and connection to the disturbing group People of Praise, it isn't hard to imagine her voting that key right-to-privacy decisions like Roe v. Wade, Lawrence v. Texas, Obergefell v. Hodges and Griswold v. Connecticut were wrongly decided.
Barrett's confirmation could inspire Christian Right voters to support GOP Senate incumbents this year, although it could also inspire Democrats and swing voters to vote against them. But whether Republicans keep or lose their Senate majority in 2020, the United States could be stuck with Justice Amy Coney Barrett for 35 years or longer.


alternet--2020-10-28--Trump Supreme Court advisor Leonard Leo tied to more than $80 mllion in dark money

President Donald Trump 's unofficial Supreme Court advisor who was actively involved in all three of his justice nominations has been revealed as the sole trustee of a perplexing group that generated more than $ 80 million in dark money in 2018 .
A unfiled tax return for Rule of Law Trust ( RLT ) shows the name of Federalist Society co-chairman Leonard Leo , according to CREW .
The mysterious tax return also includes a number of questionable details that raise alarms about the origin of the money .
In its first year of operation , there were no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main address which appears to be a virtual office located in Virginia .
The only people associated with RLT have statuses similar to Leo being Federalist Society officials who now work as `` consultants '' or have a long history of ties to companies circulating dark money .
The company 's mission statement also notes that it strives `` to advance conservative principles and causes through communications , research , strategy and assistance to other organizations . ''
In addition to the mysterious cash circulating and the business ' hallow history , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.7 million in company expenditures through another business known as the BH Group .
`` The filing vastly expands the amount of money known to be flowing into the growing constellation of dark money groups tied to Federalist Society co-chairman Leonard Leo . ''
Leo is also listed as the partial owner of that firm .
While there has been speculation of Leo 's affiliation with the company , his true status within the company had not been confirmed until recently .
The BH Group garnered attention back in 2016 after it donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first presidential election campaign .
The firm also has a history of funneling funds for the purpose of campaign contributions .
Wellspring Committee and Judicial Crisis Network ( JCN ) , both 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) social welfare groups relatively similar to RLT , also funneled money through the BH Group to sway elections and Supreme Court nominations .
Here is a quick timeline of how dark money has influenced politics over the last four years : • In 2016 , JCN shelled out millions of dollars to dissuade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last Supreme Court nominee , Judge Merrick Garland .
• In 2017 , JCN dumped millions into having Trump 's first Supreme Court nominee Justice Neil Gorsuch fill the seat Obama 's nominee was denied .
• In 2018 , the group repeated the same process to back Trump 's second nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
• Now , in 2020 , JNC has poured millions into the confirmation of Trump 's nomination , Amy Coney Barrett to quickly fill the seat of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg before the upcoming election @

President Donald Trump's unofficial Supreme Court advisor who was actively involved in all three of his justice nominations has been revealed as the sole trustee of a perplexing group that generated more than $80 million in dark money in 2018.
A unfiled tax return for Rule of Law Trust (RLT) shows the name of Federalist Society co-chairman Leonard Leo, according to CREW. The mysterious tax return also includes a number of questionable details that raise alarms about the origin of the money.
In its first year of operation, there were no employees or volunteers working the firm's main address which appears to be a virtual office located in Virginia. The only people associated with RLT have statuses similar to Leo being Federalist Society officials who now work as "consultants" or have a long history of ties to companies circulating dark money.
The company's mission statement also notes that it strives "to advance conservative principles and causes through communications, research, strategy and assistance to other organizations."
In addition to the mysterious cash circulating and the business' hallow history, it also appears to have funneled nearly $2.7 million in company expenditures through another business known as the BH Group.
"The filing vastly expands the amount of money known to be flowing into the growing constellation of dark money groups tied to Federalist Society co-chairman Leonard Leo."
Leo is also listed as the partial owner of that firm. While there has been speculation of Leo's affiliation with the company, his true status within the company had not been confirmed until recently. The BH Group garnered attention back in 2016 after it donated a cool $1 million to Trump's first presidential election campaign. The firm also has a history of funneling funds for the purpose of campaign contributions.
Wellspring Committee and Judicial Crisis Network (JCN), both 501(c)(4) social welfare groups relatively similar to RLT, also funneled money through the BH Group to sway elections and Supreme Court nominations.
Here is a quick timeline of how dark money has influenced politics over the last four years:


alternet--2020-10-28--Trump blasted by his own White House experts for ‘mind-boggling’ claim he ended COVID-19 pandemic

The leader of the free world on Tuesday continued the pattern of his administration spreading absurd and scientifically-inaccurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic .
President Donald Trump 's White House Office of Science and Technology Policy touted Trump `` ending the COVID-19 pandemic . ''
`` Health officials and scientists working on the Trump administration 's coronavirus response said on Tuesday they are personally offended by the White House 's announcement that it has successfully ended the COVID-19 pandemic—a pandemic that is , in fact , worsening , '' Daily Beast correspondent Erin Banco reported Tuesday .
`` Four officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force told The Daily Beast that they viewed the White House 's statement as a personal slight and a public rebuke of their efforts to try and get control of the virus . ''
`` It 's mind-boggling , '' one official said .
`` There 's no world in which anyone can think that [ statement ] is true .
Maybe the president .
But I do n't see how even he can believe that .
We have more than 70,000 new cases each day . ''
`` The White House is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the health agencies , '' one senior administration official said .
`` They 've all but given up on the idea that there is more to do in terms of getting a handle on these new cases that are popping up .
The rest of us still view the threat of those cases as the top concern . ''
Dr. Tom Frieden , former director of the Centers for Disease Control under Obama , went on record to discuss the claim .
`` We have exploding case counts .
Death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in a parallel universe that bears no relation to the reality that Americans are living , '' Dr. Frieden said .
`` And this idea that we should let it spread and protect the vulnerable is a really dangerous mistake .
The idea that it [ containing the virus ] ca n't be done ignores reality . ''
More than 225,000 people have died of coronavirus in America .

The leader of the free world on Tuesday continued the pattern of his administration spreading absurd and scientifically-inaccurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Donald Trump's White House Office of Science and Technology Policy touted Trump "ending the COVID-19 pandemic."
"Health officials and scientists working on the Trump administration's coronavirus response said on Tuesday they are personally offended by the White House's announcement that it has successfully ended the COVID-19 pandemic—a pandemic that is, in fact, worsening," Daily Beast correspondent Erin Banco reported Tuesday. "Four officials working with the White House coronavirus task force told The Daily Beast that they viewed the White House's statement as a personal slight and a public rebuke of their efforts to try and get control of the virus."
"It's mind-boggling," one official said. "There's no world in which anyone can think that [statement] is true. Maybe the president. But I don't see how even he can believe that. We have more than 70,000 new cases each day."
"The White House is operating on a completely different speed than the rest of the health agencies," one senior administration official said. "They've all but given up on the idea that there is more to do in terms of getting a handle on these new cases that are popping up. The rest of us still view the threat of those cases as the top concern."
Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control under Obama, went on record to discuss the claim.
"We have exploding case counts. Death rates will undoubtedly rise. They are living in a parallel universe that bears no relation to the reality that Americans are living," Dr. Frieden said. "And this idea that we should let it spread and protect the vulnerable is a really dangerous mistake. The idea that it [containing the virus] can't be done ignores reality."
More than 225,000 people have died of coronavirus in America.