mercurynews--2020-12-03--California a first-time homebuyer’s nightmare

How hard is it for a first-time house hunter to succeed in the Golden State ?
Well , five metros in California topped the list of the areas most out of reach : Los Angeles-Orange County , where homes were 12.1 times the median first-time buyer income , followed by San Diego ( 8.6 ) , San Jose ( 7.9 ) , San Francisco ( 7.4 ) and Sacramento ( 6.8 ) .
NerdWallet ’ s third quarterly report analyzing affordability for first-time buyers shows no relief for those trying to squeeze into a market that continues to be characterized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of “ affordability.
” Across the 50 most populous metro areas , the paltry number of homes hitting the market meant sellers could continue to price high in the third quarter , with no cooling-off period in sight .
Finding a home listed at three times their income — a long-standing gauge of home affordability — proved difficult once again for first-time buyers in the third quarter .
Continuing the second-quarter trend , in the most populous metro areas , median list prices remained about 5.2 times first-time home buyer income in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of home purchases in April were made by first-time buyers , that fell to a more typical 31 % in September , according to the National Association of Realtors .
Though homes became more expensive across nearly all of the most populous metropolitan areas , Pittsburgh was most affordable — homes were typically listed at 3.3 times median first-time home buyer income in the third quarter .
Then came St. Louis ( 3.3 ) , Buffalo , New York ( 3.6 ) , Hartford , Connecticut ( 3.6 ) and Cleveland ( 3.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage rates have been enticing enough to persuade well-qualified , experienced buyers to brave a highly competitive housing market , even in the midst of a pandemic .
But for many first-time home buyers — who typically have less of a credit track record , smaller down payments and less flexible budgets — the third quarter of this year likely looked particularly daunting .
On average , U.S. list prices rose 3 % in the summer quarter from teh spring .
Sellers generally list homes higher when the market heats up in spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose later than usual this year , due to the pandemic hitting right when traditional “ homebuying season ” would be getting underway .
Prices rose in 41 of the 50 metros analyzed , quarter-over-quarter , climbing the most in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , where prices were 9 % higher than in the second quarter .
Prices in L.A.-O.C .
and the Inland Empire rose 7 % .
Not only are the homes available often listed at higher prices than many first-time buyers can stretch to spend , there are very few options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most populous metros were down 38 % in the third quarter compared with last year at this time , and down 13 % from last quarter .
Five U.S. metros saw list counts fall more than 50 % from the third quarter of 2019 — 57 % in Salt Lake City ; 54 % in the Inland Empire ; 53 % in Indianapolis ; and 51 % in Baltimore and Providence .
Home shoppers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are seeing roughly 7,230 listings to browse when they were seeing 15,670 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes L.A.-O.C .
seem almost flush with homes to buy — its inventory is only down 26 % .
Ordinarily , inventory across the country would begin a seasonal decline in October .
But this year never saw the typical spring and summer influx of listings , and fewer and fewer homes are hitting the market as the year goes on .
Nationally , active listings fell 2 % in the second quarter , and 14 % in the third .
Among the largest metros , supply fell 13 % quarter-over-quarter .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their homes are moving quickly from newly listed to sold .
Metro area homes in the third quarter spent roughly six days less on the market than they did one year ago , and eight days less than in the second quarter .
Average days-on-market fell from 52 in the third quarter of 2019 to 46 this year ’ s third quarter among the largest metros .
And a similar acceleration was seen nationally , where days-on-market fell from 62 to 56 year-over-year .
• Thinking small : How coronavirus is changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @

By Elizabeth Renter
2020 will go down in history for many things, but one thing it won’t be recognized for: being the easiest year to buy a first home.
This year’s super-low mortgage rates have been enticing enough to persuade well-qualified, experienced buyers to brave a highly competitive housing market, even in the midst of a pandemic. But for many first-time home buyers — who typically have less of a credit track record, smaller down payments and less flexible budgets — the third quarter of this year likely looked particularly daunting.
Mortgage rates have been low and going lower all year, which has helped keep the U.S. homebuying market afloat amid global economic uncertainty. But not everyone can qualify for them, and bargain rates don’t do shoppers much good when there aren’t enough homes to buy.
In NerdWallet’s third quarterly report analyzing affordability for first-time buyers, there was no relief for those trying to squeeze into a market that continues to be characterized by unusually low inventory and ongoing unaffordability. Across the 50 most populous metro areas, the paltry number of homes hitting the market meant sellers could continue to price high in the third quarter, with no cooling-off period in sight.
‘3X income’ guideline still eludes first-timers
Finding a home listed at three times their income — a long-standing gauge of home affordability — proved difficult once again for first-time buyers in the third quarter. Continuing the second-quarter trend, in the most populous metro areas, median list prices remained about 5.2 times first-time home buyer income in July through September.
Though 36% of home purchases in April were made by first-time buyers, that fell to a more typical 31% in September, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Click here for the Q2 2020 First-Time Home Buyer Metro Affordability Report
Though homes became more expensive across nearly all of the most populous metropolitan areas, those locales deemed the most affordable in the second quarter topped the list again: Pittsburgh, the most affordable, where homes were typically listed at 3.3 times median first-time home buyer income in the third quarter, followed by St. Louis (3.3), Buffalo, New York (3.6), Hartford, Connecticut (3.6) and Cleveland (3.7).
Likewise, five metros in California remained the areas most out of reach for first-timers: Los Angeles, where homes were 12.1 times the median first-time buyer income, followed by San Diego (8.6), San Jose (7.9), San Francisco (7.4) and Sacramento (6.8).
Click here for a table containing affordability data for all 50 metros analyzed.
First-time home buyer guidance: Mortgages are more difficult to get this year, as lenders are approving only the most qualified applicants. However, first-time buyers may still have a way in if they’re lucky enough to find a home they love that’s in their budget. First-time home buyer programs, including home loans with more forgivable standards and down payment assistance programs, are still available.
Prices continue rising in third quarter
On average, list prices rose 3% quarter-over-quarter and 7% from last year at this time. Sellers generally list homes higher when the market heats up in spring and summer months. But home prices rose later than usual this year, due to the pandemic hitting right when traditional “homebuying season” would be getting underway.
Prices rose in 41 of the 50 metros analyzed, quarter-over-quarter, climbing the most in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where prices were 9% higher than in the second quarter.
In year-over-year changes, homes were listed 23% higher in Pittsburgh in the third quarter of 2020, though the area remains one of the most affordable for first-time buyers. List prices were up from last year in all but two metro areas analyzed — Miami and Orlando, Florida, where homes were listed just 1% less than the third quarter of 2019, after adjusting for inflation.
First-time buyer guidance: Broadly speaking, home prices are rising faster than incomes (and have been for quite some time), so buyers early in their careers may find that what constitutes a “starter home” is increasingly out of reach, particularly in large metro areas. People in fields where they may be able to work remotely even after the pandemic subsides might have better luck looking outside of commuting distance or even in a different metro entirely.
Finding a home even harder in Q3
Not only are the homes available often listed at higher prices than many first-time buyers can stretch to spend, there are very few options available at all. Active listings in the most populous metros were down 38% in the third quarter compared with last year at this time, and down 13% from last quarter.
Five metros saw list counts fall more than 50% from the third quarter of 2019 — 57% in Salt Lake City; 54% in Riverside, California; 53% in Indianapolis; and 51% in Baltimore and Providence, Rhode Island.
Just how this looks to buyers browsing real estate apps: Those who were used to seeing more than 9,230 homes on the market in any given month of the third quarter of 2019 in Denver, for example, are now seeing 5,860 this year (-37%). In Kansas City, the average monthly active listings fell from 6,750 to 3,500 (-48%). And in Riverside, California, home shoppers are seeing roughly 7,230 when they were seeing 15,670 (-54%) last year at this time.
Ordinarily, inventory across the country would begin a seasonal decline in October. But this year never saw the typical spring and summer influx of listings, and fewer and fewer homes are hitting the market as the year goes on.
Nationally, active listings fell 2% in the second quarter, and 14% in the third. Among the largest metros, supply fell 13% quarter-over-quarter.
First-time buyer guidance: The chances of your dream first home coming onto the market are slimmer in 2020, so if finding “the one” is a priority over finding one-that-will-do, consider waiting out the scarcity. Sellers are listing homes at higher prices, and stiff competition among buyers means they’re less likely to negotiate. It isn’t clear how long supply will be this thin, so be aware that waiting to buy could mean waiting until next year or beyond. But with extra time to save, you’ll be going to market with a healthier down payment and potentially bigger budget.
Homes on and off the market in a blink
Sellers are having a heyday, and their homes are moving quickly from newly listed to sold. Metro area homes in the third quarter spent roughly six days less on the market than they did one year ago, and eight days less than in the second quarter.
Average days-on-market fell from 52 in the third quarter of 2019 to 46 this year’s third quarter among the largest metros. And a similar acceleration was seen nationally, where days-on-market fell from 62 to 56 year-over-year.
First-time buyer guidance: Home shoppers need to be ready when they spot a new listing they like. It isn’t unusual for new listings to have multiple offers within a matter of hours in the most competitive markets. Working with a real estate agent who knows the local market is especially valuable when buyers are facing stiff competition — agents may even get tipped off to homes before they hit the MLS, which means you stand to be one of the first offers written if you decide to take the plunge.
METHODOLOGY
Monthly median list price and list count figures are from monthly Inventory Data from the Realtor.com residential listings database as of September 2020. The nominal list prices were adjusted to September 2020 dollars using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index. All monthly median figures were compiled into quarterly averages.
When comparing new quarterly data with affordability data in the previous quarter, we used figures adjusted to the period in which they were first analyzed. For example, first-quarter list prices and incomes were not adjusted to Q3 dollars when comparing quarter-over-quarter changes. This was done for consistency’s sake between the previous report and the current one.
The median age of first-time home buyers is 33, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2020 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Estimated income for first-time home buyers was derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey median household income for householders ages 25-44 — the range likely to include most first-time home buyers — and escalated to September 2020 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Cost Index.
This quarter the 50 metros selected were updated to reflect the latest (2019) income estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Interpret quarter-over-quarter changes in affordability ratios with caution, as changes in income could be due to newer, potentially more precise income estimates.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is among the 50 most populous metros but was excluded from the analysis due to insufficient inventory data.
Interpret metro rankings with caution. Due to margins of error in income data and rounding, there may be overlap in affordability ratios.
About the author: Elizabeth Renter’s work as a senior writer and data analyst at NerdWallet has been cited by The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNBC and elsewhere.


mercurynews--2020-12-03--Oakland A’s agree to terms with key player, tender contracts to all those arb-eligible

The Oakland A ’ s tendered contracts to all 10 players eligible , the team announced .
So far , four of the 10 players have agreed to terms on one-year deals .
All-Star first baseman Matt Olson agreed to a reported $ 5 million deal and Tony Kemp signed for a reported $ 1.05 million on Wednesday .
Utility player Chad Pinder signed for $ 2.275 million and reliever Burch Smith for $ 705,000 .
The A ’ s tendered contracts to third baseman Matt Chapman , outfielder Mark Canha , RHP Chris Bassitt , LHP Sean Manaea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No deals for the remaining six have been announced .
Olson , in his first year of arbitration at age 26 , is coming off a rough 2020 campaign in which he slashed .195/.310/.424 with a .734 OPS , missing out on his third Gold Glove .
Still , Olson ’ s ceiling is as one of the game ’ s most naturally powerful hitters and best first baseman .
In 49 games , Kemp slashed .247/.363/.301 with a .664 OPS — a stat line demonstrating his lack of power with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in his first year of arbitration at age 28 , played primarily at second base , though he ’ s a natural outfield option , too .
• Pinder , Smith agree to terms with A ’ s — what does it mean for Oakland ’ s other arb-eligible players ?
• Oakland A ’ s select two pitchers & outfielder , leave others off 40-man roster • Four former A ’ s , two Giants with World Series rings among newcomers to 2021 Hall of Fame ballot • Marlins hire Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman in MLB A league-wide effort to cut costs and payroll due to the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic-impacted season prompted a number of players non-tendered .
The A ’ s , though , are in no position to let their cost-controlled players slip away with 10 free agents up in the air .
Mike Minor signed with the Kansas City Royals , which leaves nine remaining : Marcus Semien , Liam Hendriks , Yusmeiro Petit , Joakim Soria , Tommy La Stella , Robbie Grossman , Jake Lamb , Mike Fiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s might have a smaller budget , but a huge canvas to work with .
With Pinder , Smith , Kemp and Olson ’ s reported contracts now included , the A ’ s have a total of seven players on the books .
That includes Khris Davis ( slated to make $ 16.75 million ) , Stephen Piscotty ( $ 7.5 million ) and Jake Diekman ( $ 4 million ) .
Terms for the other contracts tendered should trickle in through the coming days .

The Oakland A’s tendered contracts to all 10 players eligible, the team announced.
So far, four of the 10 players have agreed to terms on one-year deals. All-Star first baseman Matt Olson agreed to a reported $5 million deal and Tony Kemp signed for a reported $1.05 million on Wednesday. Utility player Chad Pinder signed for $2.275 million and reliever Burch Smith for $705,000.
The A’s tendered contracts to third baseman Matt Chapman, outfielder Mark Canha, RHP Chris Bassitt, LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Frankie Montas and reliever Lou Trivino. No deals for the remaining six have been announced.
Olson, in his first year of arbitration at age 26, is coming off a rough 2020 campaign in which he slashed .195/.310/.424 with a .734 OPS, missing out on his third Gold Glove. Still, Olson’s ceiling is as one of the game’s most naturally powerful hitters and best first baseman.
In 49 games, Kemp slashed .247/.363/.301 with a .664 OPS — a stat line demonstrating his lack of power with a knack for getting on base. Kemp, in his first year of arbitration at age 28, played primarily at second base, though he’s a natural outfield option, too.
A league-wide effort to cut costs and payroll due to the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic-impacted season prompted a number of players non-tendered. The A’s, though, are in no position to let their cost-controlled players slip away with 10 free agents up in the air. Mike Minor signed with the Kansas City Royals, which leaves nine remaining: Marcus Semien, Liam Hendriks, Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria, Tommy La Stella, Robbie Grossman, Jake Lamb, Mike Fiers, T.J. McFarland. The A’s might have a smaller budget, but a huge canvas to work with.
With Pinder, Smith, Kemp and Olson’s reported contracts now included, the A’s have a total of seven players on the books. That includes Khris Davis (slated to make $16.75 million), Stephen Piscotty ($7.5 million) and Jake Diekman ($4 million). Terms for the other contracts tendered should trickle in through the coming days.


mercurynews--2020-12-03--President’s grievances stoke post-election division

By Colleen Long and Calvin Woodward | Associated Press WASHINGTON — The last throes of Donald Trump ’ s presidency have turned ugly — even dangerous .
Death threats are on the rise .
Local and state election officials are being hounded into hiding .
A Trump campaign lawyer is declaring publicly that a federal official who defended the integrity of the election should be “ drawn and quartered ” or simply shot .
Neutral public servants , Democrats and growing number of Republicans who won ’ t do what Trump wants are being caught in a menacing postelection undertow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election he lost .
“ Death threats , physical threats , intimidation — it ’ s too much , it ’ s not right , ” said Gabriel Sterling , a Republican elections official in Georgia who implored Trump to “ stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence.
” Trump in response only pressed his groundless case that he lost unfairly , neither discouraging trouble nor explicitly calling for it .
The triggering of emotions has always been a Trump staple .
His political movement was born in arenas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lock her up.
” Support was animated over the past four years by his relentlessly mocking ways , his slams against the “ enemy of the people , ” and his raw talent for belittling political foes with insulting nicknames like “ Sleepy Joe ” Biden .
That ’ s one of the nicer ones .
But in the last weeks of Trump ’ s presidency , the tenor has taken on an even more toxic edge as state after state has affirmed Biden ’ s victory , judge after judge has dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s cadre of loyalists has played to his frustrations .
As Biden builds the foundation of his new administration , Trump is commanding attention for the agitations he is likely to carry forward when he is gone from office .
“ I do not think this goes away on January 20 , ” Eric Coomer , security director for Dominion Voting Systems , said from the secret location where he is hiding out from death threats .
“ I think it will continue for a long time.
” Tough beans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state officials who are fearing for their safety .
“ They ’ re the one who should have the courage to step up , ” Giuliani said Wednesday in Michigan .
“ You have got to get them to remember that their oath to the Constitution sometimes requires being criticized .
Sometimes it even requires being threatened.
” For Coomer , the trouble began around the time Trump campaign lawyers falsely claimed that his company had rigged the election .
Far-right chat rooms posted his photo , details about his family and address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost immediately , ” he told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
“ For the first couple days it was your standard online Twitter threats , ‘ hang him , he ’ s a traitor . '
” But then came targeted phone calls , text messages and a handwritten letter to his father , an Army veteran , from a presumed militia group saying : “ How does it feel to have a traitor for a son ?
” Even now , weeks later and relocated to a secret locale , Coomer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what town he has fled to and vowing to find him .
“ It ’ s terrifying , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve worked in international elections in all sorts of post-conflict countries where election violence is real and people end up getting killed over it .
And I feel that we ’ re on the verge of that.
” This week Joe diGenova , a Trump campaign lawyer , told a radio show that the federal election official who was fired for disputing Trump ’ s claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taken out at dawn and shot.
” This , as election officials and voting-system contractors in Georgia , Arizona , Michigan and elsewhere have been subjected to sinister threats for doing their jobs .
“ Threats like these trigger an avalanche of them , ” said Louis Clark , executive director and CEO of the Government Accountability Project , an organization to protect whistleblowers .
Of diGenova , Clark said : “ It ’ s behavior befitting a mob attorney.
” DiGenova later said he was joking .
The fired official , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in The Washington Post : “ My lawyers will do the talking , they ’ ll do it in court .
… They ’ re going to be busy.
” As “ Anonymous , ” former Homeland Security official Miles Taylor wrote a searing insider account of the Trump administration , prompting Trump to tell his rallies that “ very bad things ” would happen to this “ traitor.
” Now Taylor ’ s identity is known and he ’ s been assigned a security detail as the Secret Service recommended because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is unprecedented in America , ” Taylor said .
“ This is not who we are .
This is not what an open society is supposed to look like.
” Taylor said intimidation has proved an effective tool to quash dissent .
“ I spoke to very senior former officials who wanted to come out to tell the truth during the presidential campaign , and many were afraid that it would put their families in harm ’ s way.
” But such pressure has not silenced some Republicans in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found on the property of GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , who has defended the integrity of his state ’ s election , which resulted in a narrow Biden victory .
And a young Dominion systems contractor has been harassed with death threats and a video showing him working with election data .
Dominion is the sole voting system provider in Georgia , so the company has been a lightning rod .
“ There ’ s a noose out there with his name on it , ” Sterling said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric and threats in the election ’ s aftermath .
“ This is just sickening , ” he said .
“ Every conversation I have with election folks , we start with death threats we ’ ve gotten .
There ’ s no excuse for this no matter who the target is , but going after the on-the-ground technicians and other staff is a new low .
Have you no shame ?
” Said Sterling , the Republican Georgia election officiall : “ Someone ’ s going to get hurt .
Someone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to get killed .
And it ’ s not right.
” Trump last week called Raffensperger an “ enemy of the people , ” Sterling noted , adding , “ That helped open the floodgates to this kind of crap.
” In addition to seeing people drive by and come on to his property , Raffensperger ’ s wife has been getting obscene threats on her cellphone , Sterling said .
Both men have police stationed outside their homes , and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their credibility .
In Arizona , Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said that she ’ s faced threats of violence directed at her family and her office , which she blamed on disinformation .
Hobbs , Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey and other officials certified Arizona ’ s election results on Monday , showing a narrow victory for Biden .
Since then , Trump , the state Republican leader and a legion of online supporters have heaped criticism on Ducey for certifying results that the president baselessly disputes .
Trump spokeswoman Kayleigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
“ What I will say though , too , is that the president ’ s lawyers ( had ) their private information put out , ” she said , blaming “ leftist organizations.
” “ So we ’ re seeing that happen to people on both sides of the argument and there ’ s no place for that ever anywhere , ” she said .
Indeed , GOP poll watchers said in their affidavits in election litigation that they felt threatened and were jeered by Democrats .
A key difference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll workers or officials by Trump ’ s opponents did not come from the top .
Biden has largely stayed out of the fray even as Trump systematically maligns the process , the election workers , the state officials who resist his pressure and some of the judges .
He ’ s gone repeatedly after Dominion Voting Systems , falsely branding it a “ radical left company ” responsible for a “ stolen ” election — in contrast to the assurances of state and federal officials that the election was run fairly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , with none of the massive fraud alleged by the president .
Attorney General William Barr affirmed the legitimacy of the process Tuesday when he told AP the Justice Department found nothing untoward in the election that could change the outcome — Trump ’ s defeat .
That began a drumbeat of discontent by Trump loyalists over Barr , himself a longtime Trump loyalist .
For Coomer , Dominion ’ s director of product strategy and security , “ this election was incredibly smooth across the board.
” • Sources : New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook next week • Trump uses military funding as leverage in tech fight • H-1B : Bay Area Council , Stanford win as Trump administration ’ s new visa rules shot down But he started hearing himself named in empty conspiracy theories shortly after AP and other news organizations called the race for Biden .
Sometime around Eric Trump ’ s post-election tweets about Coomer and a bizarre news conference where Trump lawyers Giuliani and Sidney Powell spun fabrications about Dominion and called him out by name , the real trouble started .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he was told not to go back to his house because there were credible threats to his safety .
A few nights ago , he said , he was told in a series of texts that people were watching him , that they ’ d rented a house in the same town where he is hiding , and that they would find him .
“ It ’ s a daily thing , ” he said , “ and no , I have not had a decent night ’ s sleep since all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brumback in Atlanta , David Eggert in Lansing , Michigan , and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix contributed to this report .

By Colleen Long and Calvin Woodward | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The last throes of Donald Trump’s presidency have turned ugly — even dangerous.
Death threats are on the rise. Local and state election officials are being hounded into hiding. A Trump campaign lawyer is declaring publicly that a federal official who defended the integrity of the election should be “drawn and quartered” or simply shot.
Neutral public servants, Democrats and growing number of Republicans who won’t do what Trump wants are being caught in a menacing postelection undertow stirred by Trump’s grievances about the election he lost.
“Death threats, physical threats, intimidation — it’s too much, it’s not right,” said Gabriel Sterling, a Republican elections official in Georgia who implored Trump to “stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence.” Trump in response only pressed his groundless case that he lost unfairly, neither discouraging trouble nor explicitly calling for it.
The triggering of emotions has always been a Trump staple. His political movement was born in arenas that echoed with supporters’ chants of “lock her up.” Support was animated over the past four years by his relentlessly mocking ways, his slams against the “enemy of the people,” and his raw talent for belittling political foes with insulting nicknames like “Sleepy Joe” Biden. That’s one of the nicer ones.
But in the last weeks of Trump’s presidency, the tenor has taken on an even more toxic edge as state after state has affirmed Biden’s victory, judge after judge has dismissed his campaign’s legal challenges and Trump’s cadre of loyalists has played to his frustrations. As Biden builds the foundation of his new administration, Trump is commanding attention for the agitations he is likely to carry forward when he is gone from office.
“I do not think this goes away on January 20,” Eric Coomer, security director for Dominion Voting Systems, said from the secret location where he is hiding out from death threats. “I think it will continue for a long time.”
Tough beans, Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said of the state officials who are fearing for their safety.
“They’re the one who should have the courage to step up,” Giuliani said Wednesday in Michigan. “You have got to get them to remember that their oath to the Constitution sometimes requires being criticized. Sometimes it even requires being threatened.”
For Coomer, the trouble began around the time Trump campaign lawyers falsely claimed that his company had rigged the election.
Far-right chat rooms posted his photo, details about his family and address. “The first death threats followed almost immediately,” he told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “For the first couple days it was your standard online Twitter threats, ‘hang him, he’s a traitor.'”
But then came targeted phone calls, text messages and a handwritten letter to his father, an Army veteran, from a presumed militia group saying: “How does it feel to have a traitor for a son?” Even now, weeks later and relocated to a secret locale, Coomer is getting messages from people saying they know what town he has fled to and vowing to find him.
“It’s terrifying,” he said. “I’ve worked in international elections in all sorts of post-conflict countries where election violence is real and people end up getting killed over it. And I feel that we’re on the verge of that.”
This week Joe diGenova, a Trump campaign lawyer, told a radio show that the federal election official who was fired for disputing Trump’s claims of fraud “should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot.” This, as election officials and voting-system contractors in Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and elsewhere have been subjected to sinister threats for doing their jobs.
“Threats like these trigger an avalanche of them,” said Louis Clark, executive director and CEO of the Government Accountability Project, an organization to protect whistleblowers. Of diGenova, Clark said: “It’s behavior befitting a mob attorney.”
DiGenova later said he was joking. The fired official, Christopher Krebs, wrote in an Op-Ed in The Washington Post: “My lawyers will do the talking, they’ll do it in court. … They’re going to be busy.”
As “Anonymous,” former Homeland Security official Miles Taylor wrote a searing insider account of the Trump administration, prompting Trump to tell his rallies that “very bad things” would happen to this “traitor.” Now Taylor’s identity is known and he’s been assigned a security detail as the Secret Service recommended because of the nature of the threats against him.
“This is unprecedented in America,” Taylor said. “This is not who we are. This is not what an open society is supposed to look like.”
Taylor said intimidation has proved an effective tool to quash dissent. “I spoke to very senior former officials who wanted to come out to tell the truth during the presidential campaign, and many were afraid that it would put their families in harm’s way.”
But such pressure has not silenced some Republicans in Georgia, with telling results.
Intruders have been found on the property of GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who has defended the integrity of his state’s election, which resulted in a narrow Biden victory. And a young Dominion systems contractor has been harassed with death threats and a video showing him working with election data. Dominion is the sole voting system provider in Georgia, so the company has been a lightning rod.
“There’s a noose out there with his name on it,” Sterling said of the contractor, in a broadside against the rhetoric and threats in the election’s aftermath.
Election security expert Matt Blaze tweeted angrily about the threats.
“This is just sickening,” he said. “Every conversation I have with election folks, we start with death threats we’ve gotten. There’s no excuse for this no matter who the target is, but going after the on-the-ground technicians and other staff is a new low. Have you no shame?”
Said Sterling, the Republican Georgia election officiall: “Someone’s going to get hurt. Someone’s going to get shot. Someone’s going to get killed. And it’s not right.”
Trump last week called Raffensperger an “enemy of the people,” Sterling noted, adding, “That helped open the floodgates to this kind of crap.” In addition to seeing people drive by and come on to his property, Raffensperger’s wife has been getting obscene threats on her cellphone, Sterling said.
Both men have police stationed outside their homes, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said it’s investigating threats against officials to determine their credibility.
In Arizona, Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said that she’s faced threats of violence directed at her family and her office, which she blamed on disinformation. Hobbs, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and other officials certified Arizona’s election results on Monday, showing a narrow victory for Biden. Since then, Trump, the state Republican leader and a legion of online supporters have heaped criticism on Ducey for certifying results that the president baselessly disputes.
Trump spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said the White House condemns any violence. “What I will say though, too, is that the president’s lawyers (had) their private information put out,” she said, blaming “leftist organizations.”
“So we’re seeing that happen to people on both sides of the argument and there’s no place for that ever anywhere,” she said. Indeed, GOP poll watchers said in their affidavits in election litigation that they felt threatened and were jeered by Democrats.
A key difference, though, is that intimidation against Republican poll workers or officials by Trump’s opponents did not come from the top. Biden has largely stayed out of the fray even as Trump systematically maligns the process, the election workers, the state officials who resist his pressure and some of the judges.
He’s gone repeatedly after Dominion Voting Systems, falsely branding it a “radical left company” responsible for a “stolen” election — in contrast to the assurances of state and federal officials that the election was run fairly and remarkably smoothly in the midst of a pandemic, with none of the massive fraud alleged by the president.
Attorney General William Barr affirmed the legitimacy of the process Tuesday when he told AP the Justice Department found nothing untoward in the election that could change the outcome — Trump’s defeat. That began a drumbeat of discontent by Trump loyalists over Barr, himself a longtime Trump loyalist.
For Coomer, Dominion’s director of product strategy and security, “this election was incredibly smooth across the board.”
But he started hearing himself named in empty conspiracy theories shortly after AP and other news organizations called the race for Biden. Sometime around Eric Trump’s post-election tweets about Coomer and a bizarre news conference where Trump lawyers Giuliani and Sidney Powell spun fabrications about Dominion and called him out by name, the real trouble started.
Dominion hired third-party security for him, and he was told not to go back to his house because there were credible threats to his safety.
A few nights ago, he said, he was told in a series of texts that people were watching him, that they’d rented a house in the same town where he is hiding, and that they would find him.
“It’s a daily thing,” he said, “and no, I have not had a decent night’s sleep since all of this.”
Associated Press writers Kate Brumback in Atlanta, David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan, and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-03--In video, Trump rehashes litany of baseless election claims

By Aamer Madhani and Kevin Freking | Associated Press WASHINGTON — Increasingly detached from reality , President Donald Trump stood before a White House lectern and delivered a 46-minute diatribe against the election results that produced a win for Democrat Joe Biden , unspooling one misstatement after another to back his baseless claim that he really won .
Trump called his address , released Wednesday only on social media and delivered in front of no audience , perhaps “ the most important speech ” of his presidency .
But it was largely a recycling of the same litany of misinformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has been making for the past month .
Trump , who spoke from the Diplomatic Room , kept up his futile pushback against the election even as state after state certifies its results and as Biden presses ahead with shaping his Cabinet in advance of his inauguration on Jan. 20 .
Trump ’ s remarks raised questions about how far he may be willing to go in his campaign to overturn Biden ’ s win , including whether he might press Republicans in Congress to block certification of the vote , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s allies .
Biden received a record 81 million votes compared to 74 million for Trump .
The Democrat also won 306 electoral votes compared to 232 for Trump .
The Electoral College split matches Trump ’ s victory over Hillary Clinton four years ago , which he described then as a “ landslide.
” Trump dug further into his contention of a “ rigged election ” even though members of his own administration , including Attorney General William Barr , say that no proof of widespread voter fraud has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have thrown out a barrage of lawsuits filed on behalf of the president .
“ This is not just about honoring the votes of 74 million Americans who voted for me , ” Trump said .
“ It ’ s about ensuring that Americans can have faith in this election .
And in all future elections.
” In fact , his baseless claims are having the opposite effect — undermining public faith in the integrity of U.S. elections .
About an hour after it was posted , Trump ’ s video had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook and shared by more than 60,000 Facebook users .
Both Facebook and Twitter flagged the president ’ s posting as problematic , with Twitter noting that Trump ’ s claims about election fraud are disputed .
Julian Zelizer , a professor of political history at Princeton University , said the nation has seen close elections before — 1800 , 1876 and , most recently , 2000 .
But this year ’ s election does not fit in that category .
“ This is just a random baseless attack on the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has no turning point .
I often say there are parallels or precedents , but there aren ’ t in this case .
He keeps bending norms.
” Trump said the election results should be “ overturned immediately ” in several battleground states and suggested the Supreme Court should intervene in his favor , saying , “ Hopefully , they will do what ’ s right for our country because our country can ’ t live with this kind of an election.
” But chances are remote that the Supreme Court would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been filed at the high court .
Pennsylvania Republicans want the justices to prevent certification of Biden ’ s win in the state , but their appeal alleges Pennsylvania ’ s vote-by-mail law is unconstitutional , not fraud .
The state Supreme Court already has dismissed the lawsuit .
Many of Trump ’ s claims have been debunked repeatedly in recent weeks .
His overarching claim : “ This election is about great voter fraud , fraud that has never been seen like this before.
” In fact , Christopher Krebs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security ’ s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , voiced confidence in the integrity of the election ahead of the November vote .
And afterward , he knocked down allegations that the count was tainted by fraud .
Barr , in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday , said the Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the election outcome .
Trump , in his speech , delved into a series of baseless claims about voting in battleground states including Pennsylvania , Michigan and beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ large amounts of mail-in and absentee ballots were processed illegally and in secret in Philadelphia and Allegheny County without our observers present.
” In fact , no one tried to ban poll watchers representing each side in the election .
And Democrats did not try to stop Republican representatives from being able to observe the process .
The main issue was how close observers representing the parties could get to election workers who were processing mail-in ballots in Philadelphia .
The Trump campaign sued to allow the observers to get closer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of that request .
Trump also zeroed in on the high use of mail-in ballots this year , citing the “ Democrat Party ’ s relentless push to print and mail out tens of millions of ballots sent to unknown recipients with virtually no safeguards of any kind.
” In fact , mail-in ballots have a series of built-in safeguards to verify voter identity and prevent fraud .
Some states mail ballots to every registered voter , while other states mail ballots only to voters who request them .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s verification requirements in either case .
Use of mail-in ballots soared this year as Democrats encouraged their use to reduce in-person voting during a pandemic .
At another point , Trump held up a chart that tracked the vote count in Wisconsin on election night and into the wee hours the following day .
He claimed “ a massive dump of votes ” that came in at 3:42 a.m. was suspect .
In fact , Milwaukee election officials finished counting the city ’ s roughly 169,000 absentee ballots around 3 a.m. Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots be reported all at once .
The count of the absentee ballots was livestreamed on YouTube for anyone to watch .
Milwaukee police escorted the city ’ s elections director from a central counting location to the county courthouse to deliver thumb drives with the ballot data .
Madhani reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writers Mark Sherman in Washington , Amanda Seitz in Chicago and Ali Swenson in Seattle contributed to this report .

By Aamer Madhani and Kevin Freking | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Increasingly detached from reality, President Donald Trump stood before a White House lectern and delivered a 46-minute diatribe against the election results that produced a win for Democrat Joe Biden, unspooling one misstatement after another to back his baseless claim that he really won.
Trump called his address, released Wednesday only on social media and delivered in front of no audience, perhaps “the most important speech” of his presidency. But it was largely a recycling of the same litany of misinformation and unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud that he has been making for the past month.
Trump, who spoke from the Diplomatic Room, kept up his futile pushback against the election even as state after state certifies its results and as Biden presses ahead with shaping his Cabinet in advance of his inauguration on Jan. 20.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/12/03/trump-speech-gop-cuomo-opening-statement-sot-cpt-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Cuomo explains why CNN won’t air Trump’s 46-minute speech
Trump’s remarks raised questions about how far he may be willing to go in his campaign to overturn Biden’s win, including whether he might press Republicans in Congress to block certification of the vote, a move that’s been floated by the president’s allies.
Biden received a record 81 million votes compared to 74 million for Trump. The Democrat also won 306 electoral votes compared to 232 for Trump. The Electoral College split matches Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton four years ago, which he described then as a “landslide.”
Trump dug further into his contention of a “rigged election” even though members of his own administration, including Attorney General William Barr, say that no proof of widespread voter fraud has been uncovered. Courts in multiple battleground states have thrown out a barrage of lawsuits filed on behalf of the president.
“This is not just about honoring the votes of 74 million Americans who voted for me,” Trump said. “It’s about ensuring that Americans can have faith in this election. And in all future elections.”
In fact, his baseless claims are having the opposite effect — undermining public faith in the integrity of U.S. elections.
About an hour after it was posted, Trump’s video had been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook and shared by more than 60,000 Facebook users. Both Facebook and Twitter flagged the president’s posting as problematic, with Twitter noting that Trump’s claims about election fraud are disputed.
Julian Zelizer, a professor of political history at Princeton University, said the nation has seen close elections before — 1800, 1876 and, most recently, 2000. But this year’s election does not fit in that category.
“This is just a random baseless attack on the entire election,” Zelizer said. “Trump has no turning point. I often say there are parallels or precedents, but there aren’t in this case. He keeps bending norms.”
Trump said the election results should be “overturned immediately” in several battleground states and suggested the Supreme Court should intervene in his favor, saying, “Hopefully, they will do what’s right for our country because our country can’t live with this kind of an election.”
But chances are remote that the Supreme Court would get involved. No appeals claiming fraud have been filed at the high court. Pennsylvania Republicans want the justices to prevent certification of Biden’s win in the state, but their appeal alleges Pennsylvania’s vote-by-mail law is unconstitutional, not fraud. The state Supreme Court already has dismissed the lawsuit.
Many of Trump’s claims have been debunked repeatedly in recent weeks.
His overarching claim: “This election is about great voter fraud, fraud that has never been seen like this before.”
In fact, Christopher Krebs, the director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, voiced confidence in the integrity of the election ahead of the November vote. And afterward, he knocked down allegations that the count was tainted by fraud.
Krebs was fired by Trump weeks ago.
Barr, in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, said the Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the election outcome.
Trump, in his speech, delved into a series of baseless claims about voting in battleground states including Pennsylvania, Michigan and beyond.
He alleged that in Pennsylvania, “large amounts of mail-in and absentee ballots were processed illegally and in secret in Philadelphia and Allegheny County without our observers present.”
In fact, no one tried to ban poll watchers representing each side in the election. And Democrats did not try to stop Republican representatives from being able to observe the process.
The main issue was how close observers representing the parties could get to election workers who were processing mail-in ballots in Philadelphia. The Trump campaign sued to allow the observers to get closer than the guidelines allowed. A court ruled in favor of that request.
Trump also zeroed in on the high use of mail-in ballots this year, citing the “Democrat Party’s relentless push to print and mail out tens of millions of ballots sent to unknown recipients with virtually no safeguards of any kind.”
In fact, mail-in ballots have a series of built-in safeguards to verify voter identity and prevent fraud. Some states mail ballots to every registered voter, while other states mail ballots only to voters who request them. But the ballots are subject to that state’s verification requirements in either case.
Use of mail-in ballots soared this year as Democrats encouraged their use to reduce in-person voting during a pandemic.
At another point, Trump held up a chart that tracked the vote count in Wisconsin on election night and into the wee hours the following day. He claimed “a massive dump of votes” that came in at 3:42 a.m. was suspect.
In fact, Milwaukee election officials finished counting the city’s roughly 169,000 absentee ballots around 3 a.m.
Wisconsin law requires the results of those absentee ballots be reported all at once. The count of the absentee ballots was livestreamed on YouTube for anyone to watch. Milwaukee police escorted the city’s elections director from a central counting location to the county courthouse to deliver thumb drives with the ballot data.
Madhani reported from Chicago. Associated Press writers Mark Sherman in Washington, Amanda Seitz in Chicago and Ali Swenson in Seattle contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-03--Raiders’ COVID-19 list is clear, but injuries are everywhere — Maliek Collins will go on injured res

Raiders’ COVID-19 list is clear, but injuries are everywhere — Maliek Collins will go on injured reserve

The Raiders are free of COVID-19 for the moment , but that doesn ’ t mean they ’ re healthy .
Right tackle Trent Brown , slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner and practice squad running back Theo Reddick all came off the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday , making it the first time in nearly a month the Raiders had no player who was unavailable because they either had the virus or were on the list for contact tracing purposes .
The injury report , however , was a lengthy one , and includes defensive tackle Maliek Collins going on injured reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ten players did not participate , eight due to injury , and all of them are either starters or have had extensive playing time : running back Josh Jacobs ( ankle ) , safety Johnathan Abram ( knee ) , wide receiver Nelson Agholor ( ankle ) , cornerback Damon Arnette ( concussion ) , Collins ( hamstring/ankle ) , defensive tackle Maurice Hurst ( ankle/calf ) , guard Denzelle Good ( ankle ) and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski ( ankle ) .
It remains to be seen which players will be available for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the road against the winless New York Jets .
Center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson also did not participate , but it was their day off as part of their normal routine as veteran players .
Collins , an off-season signing at defensive tackle , won ’ t be available in the best case scenario until the final two games of the season .
Collins has been listed with a shoulder injury and Wednesday ’ s list had him with hamstring and ankle issues .
Cited in training camp as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther after signing a one-year contract , Collins has been a non-factor .
In 10 starts and 432 snaps , Collins has had no more than three tackles in any game and has no sacks or tackles for losses .
Collins , who played in Dallas under Raiders current line coach Rod Marinelli , signed a one-year contract worth $ 6 million with an eye toward having a big year and getting a multi-year deal with the Raiders or elsewhere next season .
“ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gruden said .
“ I just know that he ’ s had some shoulder problems , he ’ s had a number of issues , and we ’ re going to shut him down for a few weeks , try get him right and hopefully have him at some point before the end of the season.
” If Collins were to miss the minimum three games , he would return to play against Miami in Week 16 and Denver in the regular-season finale .
Being without Collins would ideally give Hurst more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third year player was unable to practice .
Hurst played 16 snaps against Atlanta after missing three previous days due to injury and a stint on the COVID-19 reserve list .
Available interior linemen at the moment are Johnathan Hankins , Kendal Vickers and Daniel Ross with Ferrell also able to move inside .
They also have Chris Smith on the practice squad .
“ We ’ ll have to find some help from some place , ” Gruden said .
If you know somebody , call me.
” Players who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ribs ) , safety Erik Harris ( calf ) and tackle Sam Young ( knee ) .
The Raiders have had a player or players on the COVID-19 list since Nov. 5 , the day Brown went on for the second time for complications resulting from his earlier bout with the virus .
Over the next 28 days , 12 players would be on the list , with linebacker Cory Littleton , Ferrell and Joyner spending the most time and presumably testing positive , with eight others missing practice time for contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs and Falcons games , was cleared to travel to Atlanta but didn ’ t play .
“ It ’ s been a tough last two weeks .
Finding out you ’ ve got the virus , I was worried about the potential people I could have infected like my teammates .
Ferrell said in a video conference .
“ Thankfully , I think it was me and ( Joyner ) were the only ones that really had it .
That was tough .
Also , I had to deal with the symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whew , this thing is really real.
’ ” Brown went through some individual work but didn ’ t participate in team sessions , and Gruden reiterated he didn ’ t expect the right tackle to play against the Jets .
Brown has not played since Week 5 when he went the distance against Kansas City .
Wednesday was the first time the Raiders met as a group since flying home after Sunday ’ s 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons as all NFL teams were barred from their facilities except in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Raiders coaches put together the game plan they will utilize against the Jets from their own homes , which Gruden described in good humor .
“ It was weird yesterday doing a game plan with your coaches from your house , ” Gruden said .
“ Not all of us coaches are very technological .
We ’ re not sound .
Greg Olson has bad wi-fi .
Another coach has a dog barking .
Another guy ’ s wife is yelling at him .
It was hard , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game plan , but around the league I ’ m sure you ’ ll hear a lot of similar stories.
” • Focus on Jets : Raiders can ’ t help but bounce back this week , right ?
• Raiders mailbag : Panic level rises as Jon Gruden ’ s play-calling , job security are called in to question • Will Raiders remain on Bay Area TV the rest of this season ?
• Raiders ’ Jon Gruden relives the agony of defeat , compares loss to Falcons to having his teeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game against Miami will be in prime time on Saturday night Raiders quarterback Derek Carr , who said following the Atlanta he thought practices had been “ flat ” in the days leading up to the loss , amended his comments Wednesday .
Sort of .
On one hand , Carr said the preparation was fine , but he also reiterated the “ juice ” wasn ’ t there .
“ I should probably say it better .
I was a little angry , ” Carr said .
“ We always prepare hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think we ’ ll bring more juice this time , this week in practice .
I think us as players want to take more of a stand on that .
.
.
we ’ ll take it upon ourselves to make things better .
I probably could have said it a little better .
”

The Raiders are free of COVID-19 for the moment, but that doesn’t mean they’re healthy.
Right tackle Trent Brown, slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner and practice squad running back Theo Reddick all came off the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday, making it the first time in nearly a month the Raiders had no player who was unavailable because they either had the virus or were on the list for contact tracing purposes.
The injury report, however, was a lengthy one, and includes defensive tackle Maliek Collins going on injured reserve, according to coach Jon Gruden.
Ten players did not participate, eight due to injury, and all of them are either starters or have had extensive playing time: running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), safety Johnathan Abram (knee), wide receiver Nelson Agholor (ankle), cornerback Damon Arnette (concussion), Collins (hamstring/ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (ankle/calf), guard Denzelle Good (ankle) and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (ankle).
It remains to be seen which players will be available for the Raiders’ Week 13 game Sunday on the road against the winless New York Jets.
Center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson also did not participate, but it was their day off as part of their normal routine as veteran players.
Collins, an off-season signing at defensive tackle, won’t be available in the best case scenario until the final two games of the season. Collins has been listed with a shoulder injury and Wednesday’s list had him with hamstring and ankle issues.
Cited in training camp as a “key to the defense” Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther after signing a one-year contract, Collins has been a non-factor. In 10 starts and 432 snaps, Collins has had no more than three tackles in any game and has no sacks or tackles for losses.
Collins, who played in Dallas under Raiders current line coach Rod Marinelli, signed a one-year contract worth $6 million with an eye toward having a big year and getting a multi-year deal with the Raiders or elsewhere next season.
“I’m not going to get into the injury,” Gruden said. “I just know that he’s had some shoulder problems, he’s had a number of issues, and we’re going to shut him down for a few weeks, try get him right and hopefully have him at some point before the end of the season.”
If Collins were to miss the minimum three games, he would return to play against Miami in Week 16 and Denver in the regular-season finale.
Being without Collins would ideally give Hurst more time as the three-technique tackle, but the third year player was unable to practice. Hurst played 16 snaps against Atlanta after missing three previous days due to injury and a stint on the COVID-19 reserve list. Available interior linemen at the moment are Johnathan Hankins, Kendal Vickers and Daniel Ross with Ferrell also able to move inside. They also have Chris Smith on the practice squad.
“We’ll have to find some help from some place,” Gruden said. If you know somebody, call me.”
Players who were limited at practice were fullback Alec Ingold (ribs), safety Erik Harris (calf) and tackle Sam Young (knee).
The Raiders have had a player or players on the COVID-19 list since Nov. 5, the day Brown went on for the second time for complications resulting from his earlier bout with the virus. Over the next 28 days, 12 players would be on the list, with linebacker Cory Littleton, Ferrell and Joyner spending the most time and presumably testing positive, with eight others missing practice time for contact tracing.
Ferrell, who missed the Chiefs and Falcons games, was cleared to travel to Atlanta but didn’t play.
“It’s been a tough last two weeks. Finding out you’ve got the virus, I was worried about the potential people I could have infected like my teammates.
Ferrell said in a video conference. “Thankfully, I think it was me and (Joyner) were the only ones that really had it. That was tough. Also, I had to deal with the symptoms. So I was like, `Whew, this thing is really real.’ ”
Brown went through some individual work but didn’t participate in team sessions, and Gruden reiterated he didn’t expect the right tackle to play against the Jets. Brown has not played since Week 5 when he went the distance against Kansas City.
The virtual game plan
Wednesday was the first time the Raiders met as a group since flying home after Sunday’s 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons as all NFL teams were barred from their facilities except in cases of injury rehabilitation because of the worsening coronavirus pandemic.
Raiders coaches put together the game plan they will utilize against the Jets from their own homes, which Gruden described in good humor.
“It was weird yesterday doing a game plan with your coaches from your house,” Gruden said. “Not all of us coaches are very technological. We’re not sound. Greg Olson has bad wi-fi. Another coach has a dog barking. Another guy’s wife is yelling at him. It was hard, but we’re trying to put together a game plan, but around the league I’m sure you’ll hear a lot of similar stories.”
Carr backs off `flat’ practices
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who said following the Atlanta he thought practices had been “flat” in the days leading up to the loss, amended his comments Wednesday. Sort of. On one hand, Carr said the preparation was fine, but he also reiterated the “juice” wasn’t there.
“I should probably say it better. I was a little angry,” Carr said. “We always prepare hard, we always prepare tough . . . I think we’ll bring more juice this time, this week in practice. I think us as players want to take more of a stand on that . . . we’ll take it upon ourselves to make things better. I probably could have said it a little better.”


mercurynews--2020-12-03--Sources: New York, other states, to sue Facebook next week

WASHINGTON – A group of U.S. states led by New York is investigating Facebook Inc for possible antitrust violations and plans to file a lawsuit against the social media giant next week , four sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday .
The complaint would be the second major lawsuit filed against a Big Tech company this year .
The Justice Department sued Alphabet Inc ’ s Google in October .
More than 40 states plan to sign on to the lawsuit , one source said , without naming them .
Facebook declined to comment .
A spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office declined to comment .
The Federal Trade Commission , whose commissioners met on Wednesday , could file a related complaint with an administrative law judge or in district court .
It is not known what the states plan to include in their complaint .
One allegation often made against Facebook is that it has strategically sought to buy small potential rivals , often at a big premium .
These include Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 .
Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has argued in congressional testimony that the company has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech giants .
He has defended controversial acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp by saying the social media platform helped them expand from small , insignificant companies into powerhouses .
The Justice Department and FTC in 2019 began antitrust investigations into the four big tech companies , which also include Amazon.com Inc and Apple Inc .
Shortly after that , attorneys generals quickly joined together to probe Google and Facebook .

By Diane Bartz and Karen Freifeld | Reuters
WASHINGTON – A group of U.S. states led by New York is investigating Facebook Inc for possible antitrust violations and plans to file a lawsuit against the social media giant next week, four sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
The complaint would be the second major lawsuit filed against a Big Tech company this year. The Justice Department sued Alphabet Inc’s Google in October.
More than 40 states plan to sign on to the lawsuit, one source said, without naming them.
Facebook declined to comment. A spokesman for the New York attorney general’s office declined to comment.
The Federal Trade Commission, whose commissioners met on Wednesday, could file a related complaint with an administrative law judge or in district court.
It is not known what the states plan to include in their complaint. One allegation often made against Facebook is that it has strategically sought to buy small potential rivals, often at a big premium. These include Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.
Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has argued in congressional testimony that the company has a range of competitors, including other tech giants. He has defended controversial acquisitions like Instagram and WhatsApp by saying the social media platform helped them expand from small, insignificant companies into powerhouses.
The Justice Department and FTC in 2019 began antitrust investigations into the four big tech companies, which also include Amazon.com Inc and Apple Inc. Shortly after that, attorneys generals quickly joined together to probe Google and Facebook.


mercurynews--2020-12-03--Stanford announces basketball schedule changes in face of rising COVID-19 rates

STANFORD — Tara VanDerveer ’ s march toward becoming the all-time winningest women ’ s Division 1 basketball coach will continue Saturday at Nevada-Las Vegas as Stanford University released schedule changes because of Santa Clara County ’ s ban on contact sports to address the rise of COVID-19 case rates .
The second-ranked Cardinal ended last season in Vegas when losing the Pac-12 tournament final to Oregon 89-56 on March 8 .
The NCAA tournament was canceled the next week because of the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Eight months later schools are trying to start the 2020-21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of outbreaks .
Stanford opened the season with a 108-40 demolition of Cal Poly last week but had a four-game homestand canceled once the county ’ s tight limits went into effect on Monday .
School officials said Wednesday in a release that additional updates will be announced when they become available .
Once the Cardinal leaves for Las Vegas the team can not return to campus without undergoing a 14-day quarantine .
Stanford was scheduled to open the Pac-12 Conference on Friday and Sunday against Washington and Washington State , respectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
VanDerveer has 1,095 career victories in 42 seasons with the Cardinal , Ohio State and Idaho .
She needs three victories to tie the legendary Pat Summitt , her friend who coached at Tennessee before retiring in 2012 because of early-stage Alzheimer ’ s disease .
VanDerveer , 67 , also is 63 games short of the overall Division 1 record held by Duke men ’ s coach Mike Krzyzewski .
Connecticut women ’ s coach Geno Auriemma also is closing in on Summitt ’ s record with 1,091 victories .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 and play four games in eight days .
The Stanford men ’ s team traveled to Asheville , North Carolina , for the Maui Invitational , which was relocated from Hawaii .
The Cardinal , which lost to Indiana 79-63 on Wednesday , will stay in North Carolina for the time being .
The team will try to schedule regional non-conference games while there , the release said .
The team ’ s three home non-conference games in December have been canceled .
Officials are working on finding a location for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanford is scheduled to open league play on Dec. 13 at USC .
Also , the Stanford men ’ s and women ’ s swimming and diving teams are training for fall competition “ in accordance with the latest county guidelines.
” The teams had two non-scoring meets against Cal last month .
The rest of their calendar has not been released .
• With new health order , Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer ’ s quest for wins record hits speed bump • Where will Santa Clara County ’ s sports teams go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out School officials announced that all other sports are scheduled to begin training at the end of December or in early 2021 .
Those schedules remain unchanged , the release said .
Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said in a statement that school officials will monitor the local and national landscape while collaborating with school and county officials and health experts to “ make informed decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our student-athletes.
” Muir said the school will support any student who decides to opt-out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honoring their scholarship .
”

STANFORD — Tara VanDerveer’s march toward becoming the all-time winningest women’s Division 1 basketball coach will continue Saturday at Nevada-Las Vegas as Stanford University released schedule changes because of Santa Clara County’s ban on contact sports to address the rise of COVID-19 case rates.
The second-ranked Cardinal ended last season in Vegas when losing the Pac-12 tournament final to Oregon 89-56 on March 8. The NCAA tournament was canceled the next week because of the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Eight months later schools are trying to start the 2020-21 season in the midst of a new wave of outbreaks. Stanford opened the season with a 108-40 demolition of Cal Poly last week but had a four-game homestand canceled once the county’s tight limits went into effect on Monday.
School officials said Wednesday in a release that additional updates will be announced when they become available. Once the Cardinal leaves for Las Vegas the team cannot return to campus without undergoing a 14-day quarantine.
Stanford was scheduled to open the Pac-12 Conference on Friday and Sunday against Washington and Washington State, respectively. Those home games might be rescheduled.
VanDerveer has 1,095 career victories in 42 seasons with the Cardinal, Ohio State and Idaho. She needs three victories to tie the legendary Pat Summitt, her friend who coached at Tennessee before retiring in 2012 because of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
VanDerveer, 67, also is 63 games short of the overall Division 1 record held by Duke men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski. Connecticut women’s coach Geno Auriemma also is closing in on Summitt’s record with 1,091 victories. The third-ranked Huskies open the season on Dec. 15 and play four games in eight days.
The Stanford men’s team traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, for the Maui Invitational, which was relocated from Hawaii. The Cardinal, which lost to Indiana 79-63 on Wednesday, will stay in North Carolina for the time being. The team will try to schedule regional non-conference games while there, the release said.
The team’s three home non-conference games in December have been canceled. Officials are working on finding a location for the Dec. 19 Pac-12 matchup against Arizona. Stanford is scheduled to open league play on Dec. 13 at USC.
Also, the Stanford men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are training for fall competition “in accordance with the latest county guidelines.” The teams had two non-scoring meets against Cal last month. The rest of their calendar has not been released.
School officials announced that all other sports are scheduled to begin training at the end of December or in early 2021. Those schedules remain unchanged, the release said.
Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said in a statement that school officials will monitor the local and national landscape while collaborating with school and county officials and health experts to “make informed decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our student-athletes.”
Muir said the school will support any student who decides to opt-out of their current or upcoming season, “including honoring their scholarship.”


mercurynews--2020-12-02--One dead, one hospitalized in East Oakland double shooting

CLICK HERE if you ’ re viewing on a mobile device .
OAKLAND — One person died and another was hospitalized Wednesday after gunfire broke out in East Oakland , police said , one of two shootings less than three hours apart in that area of the city .
Police did not immediately announce any arrests .
The gunfire happened around 2:49 p.m. in the 7600 block of International Boulevard , police said .
One of the shooting victims died at the scene .
Two relatives identified him to this news organization as Ronnie Green , 41 of Oakland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ronnie was a lovely person , ” said his mother , Cookie Woodfox .
“ He got along with everybody .
He was a great kid .
He helped people out.
” An ambulance took the other person to a hospital .
That person ’ s condition was not known immediately .
Police said they do not have a motive for the shooting .
The carnage came less than three hours after a man was shot more than once and hospitalized in stable condition .
That man , believed to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. in the 1900 block of 82nd Avenue , where police said they believe he made it on his own power after being shot in another location .

Harry Harris, Rick Hurd, Jason Green, Dylan Bouscher

OAKLAND, CA – December 2: People gather as officers investigate a double shooting that left one man dead and another wounded on the 7600 block of International Boulevard in East Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – December 2: People gather as officers investigate a double shooting that left one man dead and another wounded on the 7600 block of International Boulevard in East Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – December 2: People gather as officers investigate a double shooting that left one man dead and another wounded on the 7600 block of International Boulevard in East Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLAND, CA – December 2: People gather as officers investigate a double shooting that left one man dead and another wounded on the 7600 block of International Boulevard in East Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
OAKLAND — One person died and another was hospitalized Wednesday after gunfire broke out in East Oakland, police said, one of two shootings less than three hours apart in that area of the city.
Police did not immediately announce any arrests.
The gunfire happened around 2:49 p.m. in the 7600 block of International Boulevard, police said.
One of the shooting victims died at the scene. Two relatives identified him to this news organization as Ronnie Green, 41 of Oakland, the father of a one-year-old daughter.
“Ronnie was a lovely person,” said his mother, Cookie Woodfox. “He got along with everybody. He was a great kid. He helped people out.”
An ambulance took the other person to a hospital. That person’s condition was not known immediately.
Police said they do not have a motive for the shooting.
The carnage came less than three hours after a man was shot more than once and hospitalized in stable condition. That man, believed to be in his 20s, was found around 12:05 p.m. in the 1900 block of 82nd Avenue, where police said they believe he made it on his own power after being shot in another location.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-12-03--Couple arrested after allegedly traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii knowing they tested positive

Couple arrested after allegedly traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii knowing they tested positive for Covid-19

A couple from Hawaii was arrested over the weekend after allegedly flying home knowing that they both had tested positive for Covid-19 .
Wesley Moribe and Courtney Peterson of Wailua traveled with a child on a United Airlines flight out of San Francisco to Lihue , Hawaii , on November 29 .
According to a preliminary report , the couple had been instructed by the Quarantine Station at the San Francisco International Airport not to fly and to isolate , a Kaua ’ i Police Department news release said .
Fully aware of their positive Covid-19 test results , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers , according to the release .
Moribe , 41 , and Peterson , 46 , were arrested upon arrival in Lihue and charged with second-degree reckless endangering , the release said .
They were each released on $ 1,000 bail .
• Man allegedly brandishes gun after being asked to wear mask at Morgan Hill Target • Stanford announces basketball schedule changes in face of rising COVID-19 rates The child was released into the care of a family member and Child Protective Services was notified , the release said .
The child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not disclosed .
“ We continue to request visitors and residents alike to follow the Governor ’ s Emergency Rules and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , ” Kaua ’ i Police Chief Todd Raybuck said in the news release .
CNN was not able to find contact information nor an attorney listed for the couple on Wednesday evening .

A couple from Hawaii was arrested over the weekend after allegedly flying home knowing that they both had tested positive for Covid-19.
Wesley Moribe and Courtney Peterson of Wailua traveled with a child on a United Airlines flight out of San Francisco to Lihue, Hawaii, on November 29.
According to a preliminary report, the couple had been instructed by the Quarantine Station at the San Francisco International Airport not to fly and to isolate, a Kaua’i Police Department news release said.
Fully aware of their positive Covid-19 test results, they nevertheless boarded the flight, endangering other passengers, according to the release.
Moribe, 41, and Peterson, 46, were arrested upon arrival in Lihue and charged with second-degree reckless endangering, the release said. They were each released on $1,000 bail.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Crime and Public Safety | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge The child was released into the care of a family member and Child Protective Services was notified, the release said. The child’s relationship with the suspects was not disclosed.
“We continue to request visitors and residents alike to follow the Governor’s Emergency Rules and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Kaua’i Police Chief Todd Raybuck said in the news release.
CNN was not able to find contact information nor an attorney listed for the couple on Wednesday evening.
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mercurynews--2020-12-03--Vice President-elect Kamala Harris assembles staff as she builds her vice presidential portfolio

Kamala Harris is constructing the key team of senior staffers who will accompany her to the White House , announcing Thursday the hiring of three top roles including chief of staff .
The staffers , all of whom are women and two of whom are people of color — highlight the incoming administration ’ s commitment to diversity .
Harris tapped Hartina Flournoy , a Black woman , as her incoming chief of staff .
She currently serves as chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton .
“ Tina brings a strong commitment to serving the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we work to overcome the unprecedented challenges facing our nation , ” Harris said in a statement .
News of Flournoy ’ s hiring was first reported by journalist Yashar Ali late Monday night , and confirmed by CNN shortly after .
Rohini Kosoglu , a longtime Harris aide who currently serves as senior adviser to Harris on the transition team and held chief of staff titles in both the incoming vice president ’ s Senate office and past presidential campaign , will be her domestic policy adviser .
And Ambassador Nancy McEldowney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McEldowney has an extensive career in foreign service including serving as the US ambassador to Bulgaria during the George W. Bush administration .
“ Together with the rest of my team , today ’ s appointees will work to get this virus under control , open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans , and restore and advance our country ’ s leadership around the world , ” Harris said .
The all-women , majority of color trio will join at least two other women of color holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the latest high-profile appointments for an administration that has pledged to have its ranks reflect the diversity in America .
That includes Symone Sanders , an incoming senior adviser and chief spokesperson for the vice president-elect , and Ashley Etienne , who will serve as communications director for Harris .
The official announcement , first shared with CNN , is an early look at who Harris is surrounding herself with at the start of her new role , as she begins to build out her portfolio .
Harris has known Flournoy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a relatively new relationship , a source close to Harris told CNN .
The vice president-elect spoke to Flournoy soon after she was selected by President-elect Joe Biden in August , during a series of phone calls to various leaders and Democratic operatives .
At the time , Harris , 56 , leaned on her for advice , telling Flournoy , “ I hope that you will help me find good staff people , including yourself , ” according to the source .
Harris interviewed numerous leaders virtually , both men and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ rigorous process.
” She both identified individuals who she wanted to interview for the job and interviewed some provided to her by the transition team .
“ She did not start out saying , ‘ I want a Black woman.
’ She started out saying , ‘ I want the best person qualified for this job .
And that person just happens to be Black , ” Minyon Moore , a veteran political operative and current transition adviser tapped to help build out the vice president-elect ’ s staff , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end , Harris chose Flournoy , a well-respected Black woman and Democratic operative with decades of experience in Washington , DC , and an aligning vision that reflected the priorities of the administration and values Harris is looking to bring to her office .
Flournoy is part of the “ Colored Girls , ” a crew that stormed presidential politics in the late 1980 ’ s , that includes Donna Brazile , Moore , Leah Daughtry and Yolanda Caraway .
“ When they start speaking , everybody shuts the hell up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign told CNN earlier this year .
Before her current role with Clinton , Flournoy , a graduate of Georgetown Law , served in several roles in the Democratic Party , including senior adviser to then-Democratic National Convention Chairman Howard Dean in 2005 .
She was the traveling chief of staff to 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joseph Lieberman , finance director for then-Vice President Al Gore ’ s 2000 presidential campaign and deputy campaign manager in the 1992 Clinton and Gore Presidential Transition Office and served in the White House Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgetown University biography .
Kosoglu , who will be Harris ’ domestic policy adviser , has played a crucial part in her national political career , serving as a senior adviser since 2017 and sowing deep connections with her boss .
A Sri Lankan-American , she became the first South Asian American woman to serve as chief of staff in the US Senate — working for Harris , the first South Asian-American senator .
Kosolglu was a spring 2020 Harvard University Institute of Politics fellow and before joining Harris ’ campaign , held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennet of Colorado and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan .
As the primary campaign ’ s chief of staff , Kosoglu was instrumental in filling the team so it intentionally included a diverse group and shaped policy , a source familiar with campaign matters told CNN .
During the general election , Kosoglu often traveled with the then-vice presidential nominee .
In her statement , Harris nodded to Kosoglu ’ s vital role calling her , “ an expert on some of the most important issues facing the American people , but also one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Senate and presidential campaign.
” The third member of the team that Harris announced Thursday , McEldowney has served more than 30 years as a career foreign service servant and was also the chargé d ’ affaires and deputy chief of mission in Turkey and Azerbaijan as well as the State Department ’ s director of the Foreign Service Institute , where she led the foreign affairs training facility for the US government , according to her Georgetown biography .
While no official policy designations have been set , sources say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration ’ s rebuilding of small and medium businesses stripped by the pandemic , in part because they disproportionately affect women and people of color .
The vice president-elect is also eyeing a role in the administration ’ s education platform — as many children without proper access to broadband during the pandemic have fallen behind .
Harris has long focused on the welfare of children throughout her prosecutorial career , in the Senate and during her own presidential campaign .
Her first major policy proposal last year during the campaign pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she ’ ll look to solidify her foreign policy and national security accolades , leaning on her four years of experience as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee , a source adds .
That is in addition to Harris ’ possible role in any criminal justice and climate justice reform , drawing on her years as California ’ s attorney general and San Francisco district attorney .
The arsenal of key staff that Harris is surrounding herself with will be essential in securing the work that rounds out her record .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships with many top Biden advisers , having worked with them in her different capacities in Washington .
“ The White House is built up on many things , but relationships are paramount , ” a source said .
McEldowney , a veteran in the foreign policy arena , has deep ties to the community as well .
Kosgoulu , who spent many years on Capitol Hill , could serve as an emissary for Harris who , once inaugurated , will become the president of the Senate .
But the most important relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris builds with the President-elect .
“ The first obligation is to do what is asked by the President of the United States , ” Moore , who served as director of White House political affairs to Bill Clinton and watched his relationship to Gore flourish , said .
• Trump sues to overturn votes in Wisconsin after recount • Trump says he will leave White House if EC votes for Biden Harris has often called Biden a “ model ” for how she would shape her own vice presidency , calling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama an inspiration for how she will do her job .
Moore said from what she ’ s witnessed , the pair have been open and trusting .
“ Her voice is heard .
She has a complete seat at the table , not a half seat .
A complete seat .
Shirley Chisholm said if you don ’ t have a seat , bring a folding chair .
Well , she has a hard chair , ” Moore said .

Kamala Harris is constructing the key team of senior staffers who will accompany her to the White House, announcing Thursday the hiring of three top roles including chief of staff.
The staffers, all of whom are women and two of whom are people of color — highlight the incoming administration’s commitment to diversity.
Harris tapped Hartina Flournoy, a Black woman, as her incoming chief of staff. She currently serves as chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton.
“Tina brings a strong commitment to serving the American people, and her leadership will be critical as we work to overcome the unprecedented challenges facing our nation,” Harris said in a statement.
News of Flournoy’s hiring was first reported by journalist Yashar Ali late Monday night, and confirmed by CNN shortly after.
Rohini Kosoglu, a longtime Harris aide who currently serves as senior adviser to Harris on the transition team and held chief of staff titles in both the incoming vice president’s Senate office and past presidential campaign, will be her domestic policy adviser. And Ambassador Nancy McEldowney will be Harris’ national security adviser. McEldowney has an extensive career in foreign service including serving as the US ambassador to Bulgaria during the George W. Bush administration.
“Together with the rest of my team, today’s appointees will work to get this virus under control, open our economy responsibly and make sure it lifts up all Americans, and restore and advance our country’s leadership around the world,” Harris said.
The all-women, majority of color trio will join at least two other women of color holding senior roles in Harris’ office, in the latest high-profile appointments for an administration that has pledged to have its ranks reflect the diversity in America. That includes Symone Sanders, an incoming senior adviser and chief spokesperson for the vice president-elect, and Ashley Etienne, who will serve as communications director for Harris.
The official announcement, first shared with CNN, is an early look at who Harris is surrounding herself with at the start of her new role, as she begins to build out her portfolio.
Building out her team
Harris has known Flournoy for a number of months, but it is a relatively new relationship, a source close to Harris told CNN. The vice president-elect spoke to Flournoy soon after she was selected by President-elect Joe Biden in August, during a series of phone calls to various leaders and Democratic operatives.
At the time, Harris, 56, leaned on her for advice, telling Flournoy, “I hope that you will help me find good staff people, including yourself,” according to the source.
Harris interviewed numerous leaders virtually, both men and women, in what those familiar called a “rigorous process.” She both identified individuals who she wanted to interview for the job and interviewed some provided to her by the transition team.
“She did not start out saying, ‘I want a Black woman.’ She started out saying, ‘I want the best person qualified for this job. And that person just happens to be Black,” Minyon Moore, a veteran political operative and current transition adviser tapped to help build out the vice president-elect’s staff, told CNN in an interview.
And in the end, Harris chose Flournoy, a well-respected Black woman and Democratic operative with decades of experience in Washington, DC, and an aligning vision that reflected the priorities of the administration and values Harris is looking to bring to her office.
Flournoy is part of the “Colored Girls,” a crew that stormed presidential politics in the late 1980’s, that includes Donna Brazile, Moore, Leah Daughtry and Yolanda Caraway.
“When they start speaking, everybody shuts the hell up,” said a source close to the campaign told CNN earlier this year.
Before her current role with Clinton, Flournoy, a graduate of Georgetown Law, served in several roles in the Democratic Party, including senior adviser to then-Democratic National Convention Chairman Howard Dean in 2005. She was the traveling chief of staff to 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joseph Lieberman, finance director for then-Vice President Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign and deputy campaign manager in the 1992 Clinton and Gore Presidential Transition Office and served in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, according to her Georgetown University biography.
Kosoglu, who will be Harris’ domestic policy adviser, has played a crucial part in her national political career, serving as a senior adviser since 2017 and sowing deep connections with her boss. A Sri Lankan-American, she became the first South Asian American woman to serve as chief of staff in the US Senate — working for Harris, the first South Asian-American senator. Kosolglu was a spring 2020 Harvard University Institute of Politics fellow and before joining Harris’ campaign, held senior leadership positions with Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.
As the primary campaign’s chief of staff, Kosoglu was instrumental in filling the team so it intentionally included a diverse group and shaped policy, a source familiar with campaign matters told CNN. During the general election, Kosoglu often traveled with the then-vice presidential nominee.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/11/24/joe-biden-cabinet-nominees-sot-vpx.cnn”]
In her statement, Harris nodded to Kosoglu’s vital role calling her, “an expert on some of the most important issues facing the American people, but also one of my closest and most trusted aides from the Senate and presidential campaign.”
The third member of the team that Harris announced Thursday, McEldowney has served more than 30 years as a career foreign service servant and was also the chargé d’affaires and deputy chief of mission in Turkey and Azerbaijan as well as the State Department’s director of the Foreign Service Institute, where she led the foreign affairs training facility for the US government, according to her Georgetown biography.
Building her portfolio
While no official policy designations have been set, sources say Harris wants to be a part of the administration’s rebuilding of small and medium businesses stripped by the pandemic, in part because they disproportionately affect women and people of color.
The vice president-elect is also eyeing a role in the administration’s education platform — as many children without proper access to broadband during the pandemic have fallen behind.
Harris has long focused on the welfare of children throughout her prosecutorial career, in the Senate and during her own presidential campaign. Her first major policy proposal last year during the campaign pledged to boost teacher pay.
Over time, she’ll look to solidify her foreign policy and national security accolades, leaning on her four years of experience as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, a source adds.
That is in addition to Harris’ possible role in any criminal justice and climate justice reform, drawing on her years as California’s attorney general and San Francisco district attorney.
The arsenal of key staff that Harris is surrounding herself with will be essential in securing the work that rounds out her record.
For her part, Flournoy has prior relationships with many top Biden advisers, having worked with them in her different capacities in Washington.
“The White House is built up on many things, but relationships are paramount,” a source said.
McEldowney, a veteran in the foreign policy arena, has deep ties to the community as well. Kosgoulu, who spent many years on Capitol Hill, could serve as an emissary for Harris who, once inaugurated, will become the president of the Senate.
But the most important relationship of them all, is the one Harris builds with the President-elect.
“The first obligation is to do what is asked by the President of the United States,” Moore, who served as director of White House political affairs to Bill Clinton and watched his relationship to Gore flourish, said.
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Opinion: Republican racism has finally weaponized Kamala Harris Election | VP Harris: Florida rules on Black history pushed by Gov. DeSantis are ‘propaganda’ Harris has often called Biden a “model” for how she would shape her own vice presidency, calling his leadership on significant issues to support then-President Barack Obama an inspiration for how she will do her job.
Moore said from what she’s witnessed, the pair have been open and trusting.
“Her voice is heard. She has a complete seat at the table, not a half seat. A complete seat. Shirley Chisholm said if you don’t have a seat, bring a folding chair. Well, she has a hard chair,” Moore said.
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