mercurynews--2020-10-05--Election 2020: Biden looks to expand map against Trump

By Will Weissert and Bill Barrow | Associated Press MIAMI — As President Donald Trump recovers from the coronavirus , Joe Biden is capitalizing on having the campaign trail largely to himself by hitting critical swing states and investing in longtime Republican bastions that he hopes might expand his path to victory .
The Democratic presidential nominee made his second trip to Florida in a little over two weeks on Monday .
His visit to Miami was designed to encroach on some of Trump ’ s turf , even swinging through Little Havana , a typically conservative area known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Fidel Castro installed in Cuba .
He ’ ll follow up with a trip later this week to Arizona , which hasn ’ t backed a Democratic presidential candidate since 1996 .
Biden is complementing the expanded campaign travel with a late-stage ad push , reserving more than $ 6 million in television airtime in Texas — for decades deeply red — through the end of October , according to an Associated Press analysis of CMAG data .
He also plans to spend $ 4 million on advertising in Georgia , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
Trump , meanwhile , has scaled back advertising in both states and has begun doing the same in Ohio , which he also won in 2016 .
Sitting on a massive pile of campaign cash less than a month before Election Day , Biden is trying to put Trump on defense across the country and build an advantage in the Electoral College so large that the president might struggle to contest it .
That ’ s especially important since Trump , who lost the popular vote in 2016 , has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year and has raised unfounded allegations that the increased use of mail-in voting amid the coronavirus pandemic could lead to fraud .
“ 2020 is not 2016 .
The ‘ Dems in disarray , ’ fretting that we ’ re going to go too far , that ’ s not the reality this time , ” said Kelly Dietrich , founder of the National Democratic Training Committee , which has worked with around 1,500 of the party ’ s candidates for offices nationwide this cycle .
“ They are running a solid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to win but now have excess resources to expand the map.
” As Election Day nears , Democrats are still stung by the 2016 campaign , when Hillary Clinton focused on Republican-leaning states like North Carolina and Arizona in the final weeks , only to lose ones that long supported Democrats , including Michigan , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
Democratic strategist Brad Bannon said , “ It would be a mistake for Biden to take his foot off the pedal , ” but added , “ I wouldn ’ t want Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I ’ d be careful , if I was Biden , about expanding the map too much , ” Bannon said .
Biden ’ s advisers say they have been confident for months they can expand the electoral map while never wavering from their promise to have their candidate travel only when local health guidelines allowed for it .
Adhering to that plan has allowed them to expand into other parts of the country at the most critical of moments .
Speaking Monday in Little Havana , Biden was careful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also criticized his administration ’ s response to the pandemic .
“ I was glad to see the president speaking and recording videos over the weekend , ” Biden said .
“ Now that ’ s he ’ s busy tweeting campaign messages , I ’ d encourage him to do this : Listen to the scientists.
” Biden also diverted from his usual campaign speech about rebuilding the economy after the pandemic to add , “ The richness and beauty of Miami is built with the connections of family , culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
” Trump left the hospital Monday night .
Although it ’ s not clear when he ’ ll be well enough for a full travel schedule , he ’ s already thinking about one .
“ Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon !
!
!
” the president tweeted .
Biden advisers say they never considered dialing back his campaigning even while the president was hospitalized , especially with Vice President Mike Pence having taken on a larger role , including at Wednesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate , Kamala Harris , in Salt Lake City .
“ The Trump campaign continues to run their presidential campaign , and we are going to continue to run our presidential campaign , ” said Biden campaign senior strategist Anita Dunn .
“ Clearly , both campaigns are continuing to move forward.
” Still , Biden faces lingering questions about whether he was exposed to the virus .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends quarantining for two weeks after a person ’ s exposure to the virus .
Biden shared a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during last week ’ s first presidential primary debate .
Biden says he ’ s since been tested three times , all with negative results .
His campaign has promised he will be tested regularly and has committed to releasing all results , but they ’ ve refused to comment on whether quarantine was considered after the debate and they haven ’ t said how often Biden will undergo tests .
• Opinion : New campaign contributor finds we can ’ t afford our democracy • Letters : Yes on Prop .
22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ format | Admiration diminished Since the president tested positive for the virus , Biden ’ s campaign has been even more disciplined about minimizing its candidate ’ s risk .
The former vice president has begun keeping on his face mask even when giving speeches .
And when he stopped to answer questions before boarding his plane to Miami , Biden ’ s wife , Jill , physically pulled him back to prevent him from moving too close to reporters , despite everyone wearing masks .
“ We are not going to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political campaign , ” Dunn said , “ but we are going to campaign as vigorously as we can .
”

By Will Weissert and Bill Barrow | Associated Press
MIAMI — As President Donald Trump recovers from the coronavirus, Joe Biden is capitalizing on having the campaign trail largely to himself by hitting critical swing states and investing in longtime Republican bastions that he hopes might expand his path to victory.
The Democratic presidential nominee made his second trip to Florida in a little over two weeks on Monday. His visit to Miami was designed to encroach on some of Trump’s turf, even swinging through Little Havana, a typically conservative area known for its staunch opposition to the communist government that Fidel Castro installed in Cuba.
He’ll follow up with a trip later this week to Arizona, which hasn’t backed a Democratic presidential candidate since 1996.
Biden is complementing the expanded campaign travel with a late-stage ad push, reserving more than $6 million in television airtime in Texas — for decades deeply red — through the end of October, according to an Associated Press analysis of CMAG data. He also plans to spend $4 million on advertising in Georgia, another Republican-leaning state that Democrats are feeling bullish about.
Trump, meanwhile, has scaled back advertising in both states and has begun doing the same in Ohio, which he also won in 2016.
Sitting on a massive pile of campaign cash less than a month before Election Day, Biden is trying to put Trump on defense across the country and build an advantage in the Electoral College so large that the president might struggle to contest it. That’s especially important since Trump, who lost the popular vote in 2016, has said he may not accept the election results this year and has raised unfounded allegations that the increased use of mail-in voting amid the coronavirus pandemic could lead to fraud.
“2020 is not 2016. The ‘Dems in disarray,’ fretting that we’re going to go too far, that’s not the reality this time,” said Kelly Dietrich, founder of the National Democratic Training Committee, which has worked with around 1,500 of the party’s candidates for offices nationwide this cycle. “They are running a solid race focused on the swing states we need to win but now have excess resources to expand the map.”
As Election Day nears, Democrats are still stung by the 2016 campaign, when Hillary Clinton focused on Republican-leaning states like North Carolina and Arizona in the final weeks, only to lose ones that long supported Democrats, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Democratic strategist Brad Bannon said, “It would be a mistake for Biden to take his foot off the pedal,” but added, “I wouldn’t want Biden to make the same mistake Clinton did.”
“I’d be careful, if I was Biden, about expanding the map too much,” Bannon said.
Biden’s advisers say they have been confident for months they can expand the electoral map while never wavering from their promise to have their candidate travel only when local health guidelines allowed for it. Adhering to that plan has allowed them to expand into other parts of the country at the most critical of moments.
Speaking Monday in Little Havana, Biden was careful to continue to wish Trump a speedy recovery but also criticized his administration’s response to the pandemic.
“I was glad to see the president speaking and recording videos over the weekend,” Biden said. “Now that’s he’s busy tweeting campaign messages, I’d encourage him to do this: Listen to the scientists.”
Biden also diverted from his usual campaign speech about rebuilding the economy after the pandemic to add, “The richness and beauty of Miami is built with the connections of family, culture, values that we share with our friends throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.”
Trump left the hospital Monday night. Although it’s not clear when he’ll be well enough for a full travel schedule, he’s already thinking about one.
“Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!!” the president tweeted.
Biden advisers say they never considered dialing back his campaigning even while the president was hospitalized, especially with Vice President Mike Pence having taken on a larger role, including at Wednesday’s debate with Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, in Salt Lake City.
“The Trump campaign continues to run their presidential campaign, and we are going to continue to run our presidential campaign,” said Biden campaign senior strategist Anita Dunn. “Clearly, both campaigns are continuing to move forward.”
Still, Biden faces lingering questions about whether he was exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends quarantining for two weeks after a person’s exposure to the virus. Biden shared a stage with the president for 90 minutes during last week’s first presidential primary debate.
Biden says he’s since been tested three times, all with negative results. His campaign has promised he will be tested regularly and has committed to releasing all results, but they’ve refused to comment on whether quarantine was considered after the debate and they haven’t said how often Biden will undergo tests.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ National News | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 Since the president tested positive for the virus, Biden’s campaign has been even more disciplined about minimizing its candidate’s risk. The former vice president has begun keeping on his face mask even when giving speeches. And when he stopped to answer questions before boarding his plane to Miami, Biden’s wife, Jill, physically pulled him back to prevent him from moving too close to reporters, despite everyone wearing masks.
“We are not going to put people’s health at risk for a political campaign,” Dunn said, “but we are going to campaign as vigorously as we can.”
Weissert reported from Washington.


mercurynews--2020-10-05--Preview: ‘Due Process’ adds procedurally generated maps to keep tactical shooter fresh

“ Due Process ” looks like a retro game but the gameplay behind it is advanced .
On the surface , the simplistic graphics of this tactical shooter don ’ t look impressive .
It will remind some of “ Rainbow 6 Siege , ” but after playing a few matches , they ’ ll discover unique differences .
The 5-versus-5 shooter pits defenders , who set up explosives in a locale , against attackers who try to stop them .
It echoes “ Counter-Strike ” , but where “ Due Process ” sets itself apart is that it features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It creates a situation where players can ’ t memorize maps and go through predetermined strategies .
To make up for that gameplay wrinkle , squads have two minutes to plan out strategies and talk with teammates .
They can draw on the screen and recommend loadouts before the match starts .
“ Due Process ” is all about creating a plan and executing it .
Players need to know about the sight lines and covering areas of the map .
They have to figure out what the opponent is trying to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t work right .
Although the maps are originally procedurally generated , the developers at Giant Enemy Crab add a human touch by looking over the layout the code created and modifying them .
“ With rogue-likes that use procedurally generation , most of what comes out is mediocre , and we put a human-curated element to it , ” said creative director Alexander Baard .
That means looking over the map and taking out parts that don ’ t make sense or could be problematic .
It adds some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high as players figure out the ins and outs of each level type .
Players will battle in convenience stores , factories and kill houses archetypes initially .
Each map has features tied to the specific molds and gamers will come to recognize and work around the distinct idiosyncracies .
Some map types have windows on the roof , which is an inviting entry point .
Other maps will have breakable walls or doors that should be looked after .
Many have electricity boxes that can be shut off .
Once they understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the layout , players can come up with tactics .
In the planning stage , players can draw out routes and circle important areas of the map .
They can tell players to breach a wall and toss in smoke grenades and see the route and plan scribbled out on the floor as they execute it .
On a few stages as the attacker , my team and I donned night vision goggles and cut the power .
The ensuing darkness gave us an advantage because the defenders don ’ t have NVG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the option to lay down barbed wire , toss Molotov cocktails and use other tools .
In addition , they can pick up items from fallen attackers and carry that over to other missions .
That means a good player can actual hijack a set of night vision goggles so they can use it later on .
Defense is all about anticipating what the offense will do and preparing for it .
That could mean posting up teammates next to a door or using a sniper to hold a large room .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the right sight lines and fall back plans .
Players will have the option of going through a ranked mode , which features a best of nine competition , or casual mode , which is a best of six .
At the moment , “ Due Process ” is still in the development .
Giant Enemy Crab is scheduling an Early Access soon on Steam .

“Due Process” looks like a retro game but the gameplay behind it is advanced. On the surface, the simplistic graphics of this tactical shooter don’t look impressive. It will remind some of “Rainbow 6 Siege,” but after playing a few matches, they’ll discover unique differences.
The 5-versus-5 shooter pits defenders, who set up explosives in a locale, against attackers who try to stop them. It echoes “Counter-Strike”, but where “Due Process” sets itself apart is that it features maps that are originally procedurally generated. It creates a situation where players can’t memorize maps and go through predetermined strategies.
"Due Process" lets teams plan and then execute plans to defeat rival teams. (Annapurna Interactive)
The visuals of "Due Process" aren't cutting edge but the gameplay has some forward-thinking ideas. (Annapurna Interactive)
The convenience store is one of three map archetypes in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Players can breach walls in "Due Process" to go after enemies inside. (Annapurna Interactive)
The factory levels in "Due Process" have long sight lines and are built for sniper rifles. (Annapurna Interactive)
"Due Process" is scheduled to release soon in Early Access. (Annapurna Interactive)
Players will have different options to enter buildings in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Defenders can toss Molotov cocktails to slow down attackers in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
The blue lines on the floor help guide teammates so they can follow attack plans in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Sniper rifles are important in some situations in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Covering different zones and protecting sight lines are important in the factory level in "Due Process."
Attackers have to gear up before battling the other team in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Defenders can lay out barbed wire to slow down foes in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Players can surprise rivals by breaching walls in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
""Due Process" is scheduled to release soon in Early Access. (Annapurna Interactive)
Breaching walls is an important tactic for attackers in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Attackers can shut off power to a building and use night vision goggles to gain an advantage in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Players can hold off attackers by tossing Molotov cocktails and shooting them from afar with a sniper rifle. (Annapurna Interactive)
A defender runs for cover in the convenience store in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Teammates plan out a strategy before the match begins in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Attackers can shut off power to a building and use night vision goggles to gain an advantage in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
Attackers can shut off power to a building and use night vision goggles to gain an advantage in "Due Process." (Annapurna Interactive)
To make up for that gameplay wrinkle, squads have two minutes to plan out strategies and talk with teammates. They can draw on the screen and recommend loadouts before the match starts. “Due Process” is all about creating a plan and executing it. Players need to know about the sight lines and covering areas of the map. They have to figure out what the opponent is trying to do, anticipate that move and adapt if that doesn’t work right.
Although the maps are originally procedurally generated, the developers at Giant Enemy Crab add a human touch by looking over the layout the code created and modifying them.
“With rogue-likes that use procedurally generation, most of what comes out is mediocre, and we put a human-curated element to it,” said creative director Alexander Baard. That means looking over the map and taking out parts that don’t make sense or could be problematic. It adds some controlled unpredictability.
The learning curve is high as players figure out the ins and outs of each level type. Players will battle in convenience stores, factories and kill houses archetypes initially. Each map has features tied to the specific molds and gamers will come to recognize and work around the distinct idiosyncracies. Some map types have windows on the roof, which is an inviting entry point. Other maps will have breakable walls or doors that should be looked after. Many have electricity boxes that can be shut off.
Once they understand how to read a map and trace the layout, players can come up with tactics. In the planning stage, players can draw out routes and circle important areas of the map. They can tell players to breach a wall and toss in smoke grenades and see the route and plan scribbled out on the floor as they execute it. On a few stages as the attacker, my team and I donned night vision goggles and cut the power. The ensuing darkness gave us an advantage because the defenders don’t have NVG tech while attackers do.
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Players will have the option of going through a ranked mode, which features a best of nine competition, or casual mode, which is a best of six.
At the moment, “Due Process” is still in the development. Giant Enemy Crab is scheduling an Early Access soon on Steam.


mercurynews--2020-10-07--Obit: ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ singer Nash dead at 80

Johnny Nash , best known for his 1972 hit “ I Can See Clearly Now , ” died Tuesday morning @ @ @ @ @ Nash , told CNN .
He was 80 years old .
The American reggae and @ @ @ @ @ from natural causes at his home in Houston , his son said .
Johnny Nash @ @ @ @ @ pop singer in the 1950 ’ s .
The reggae-influenced “ I Can See Clearly @ @ @ @ @ 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 4 , 1972 , and stayed in @ @ @ @ @ weeks , according to Billboard .
The song returned to the Billboard charts when it @ @ @ @ @ star Jimmy Cliff for the 1993 “ Cool Runnings ” movie soundtrack .
Cliff ’ @ @ @ @ @ No .
11 on the Billboard charts .
Nash also sang the opening theme song @ @ @ @ @ Mighty Hercules , ” which aired in the 1960 ’ s .
According to his @ @ @ @ @ of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae music in Kingston , Jamaica .

By Sarah Moon | CNN
Johnny Nash, best known for his 1972 hit “I Can See Clearly Now,” died Tuesday morning, his son, John Nash, told CNN. He was 80 years old.
The American reggae and pop music singer-songwriter passed away from natural causes at his home in Houston, his son said.
Johnny Nash began his career as a pop singer in the 1950’s.
The reggae-influenced “I Can See Clearly Now” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 4, 1972, and stayed in the top spot for four weeks, according to Billboard.
The song returned to the Billboard charts when it was recorded by Jamaican reggae star Jimmy Cliff for the 1993 “Cool Runnings” movie soundtrack. Cliff’s version made it to No. 11 on the Billboard charts.
Nash also sang the opening theme song for cartoon series “The Mighty Hercules,” which aired in the 1960’s.
According to his website, Nash was one of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.


mercurynews--2020-10-07--Biden calls for unity in Gettysburg campaign stop

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden warned of the “ cost of division ” Tuesday in a speech in Gettysburg , Pennsylvania , delivering a call to turn past a moment he said is “ neither good nor normal ” and unify .
In a speech that recalled Abraham Lincoln ’ s famous address there , Biden pointed to racial division , economic inequality and doubt being cast by President Donald Trump on the effectiveness of masks and social distancing in combating the coronavirus pandemic .
Reciting the opening words of Lincoln ’ s Gettysburg Address , Biden said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided could not stand .
That is a great and timeless truth .
Today , once again , we ’ re at a house divided .
But that , my friends , can no longer be .
We are facing too many crises , we have too much work to do , we have too bright a future to have it shipwrecked on the shores of anger and hate and division.
” “ The country is in a dangerous place .
Our trust in each other is ebbing .
Hope seems elusive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioned Trump but frequently alluded to his presidency .
“ Too many Americans seek not to overcome our divisions , but to deepen them , ” Biden said .
“ We must seek not to build walls , but bridges .
We must seek not to have our fists clinched but our arms open .
We have to seek not to tear each other apart .
We have to seek to come together.
” The speech underscored Biden ’ s desire to offer a unifying message in the closing weeks of a presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown that he is leading among older and independent voters , groups that favored Trump in 2016 , and that suburbanites and White women have tilted heavily in his direction compared to four years ago .
In Gettysburg , his message was that he could end the chaos of Trump ’ s presidency .
It was a stark contrast with Trump , who earlier Tuesday afternoon had tweeted that he was ending negotiations for a stimulus package to boost an economy battered by the pandemic , saying he did not want to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high crime , Democrat States.
” Biden ’ s speech came the day a Monmouth University poll showed him leading Trump by 11 percentage points in Pennsylvania , a critical swing state that could tip the winner over 270 electoral votes on November 3 .
Pennsylvania has long been a focal point for the campaign of Biden , who was born in Scranton .
He kicked off his campaign in April 2019 with a speech in Philadelphia and made several stops in the state during a whistle-stop train tour last week .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 million on television advertising there to Trump ’ s $ 21 million , according to the ad-tracking firm CMAG .
Biden also included Pennsylvania labor leaders in his development of stimulus proposals that would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the clean energy economy .
Biden , who wore a mask to the podium and then took it off to deliver his outdoor speech to a small , socially distanced crowd , was critical of how Trump — who revealed last week that he had tested positive for coronavirus , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to the White House — is handling the pandemic , saying Tuesday that “ we can do so much better.
” “ Wearing a mask is not a political statement , it ’ s a scientific recommendation .
Social distancing isn ’ t a political statement , it ’ s a scientific recommendation , ” Biden said .
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Now what ?
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We can be better starting today , ” Biden said .
“ We can have a national strategy that puts politics aside and saves lives .
We can have a national strategy that makes it possible for schools and businesses to open safely .
… This pandemic is not a red state or blue state issue .
”

By Eric Bradner | CNN
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden warned of the “cost of division” Tuesday in a speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, delivering a call to turn past a moment he said is “neither good nor normal” and unify.
In a speech that recalled Abraham Lincoln’s famous address there, Biden pointed to racial division, economic inequality and doubt being cast by President Donald Trump on the effectiveness of masks and social distancing in combating the coronavirus pandemic.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/06/biden-trump-americans-stimulus-coronavirus-pkg-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Biden says, ‘We can’t go back. We can do so much better.’
Reciting the opening words of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Biden said, “He taught us this: A house divided could not stand. That is a great and timeless truth. Today, once again, we’re at a house divided. But that, my friends, can no longer be. We are facing too many crises, we have too much work to do, we have too bright a future to have it shipwrecked on the shores of anger and hate and division.”
“The country is in a dangerous place. Our trust in each other is ebbing. Hope seems elusive,” he said in remarks that rarely mentioned Trump but frequently alluded to his presidency.
“Too many Americans seek not to overcome our divisions, but to deepen them,” Biden said. “We must seek not to build walls, but bridges. We must seek not to have our fists clinched but our arms open. We have to seek not to tear each other apart. We have to seek to come together.”
The speech underscored Biden’s desire to offer a unifying message in the closing weeks of a presidential race that he leads. Polls have shown that he is leading among older and independent voters, groups that favored Trump in 2016, and that suburbanites and White women have tilted heavily in his direction compared to four years ago. In Gettysburg, his message was that he could end the chaos of Trump’s presidency.
It was a stark contrast with Trump, who earlier Tuesday afternoon had tweeted that he was ending negotiations for a stimulus package to boost an economy battered by the pandemic, saying he did not want to spend money to “bailout poorly run, high crime, Democrat States.”
Biden’s speech came the day a Monmouth University poll showed him leading Trump by 11 percentage points in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that could tip the winner over 270 electoral votes on November 3.
Pennsylvania has long been a focal point for the campaign of Biden, who was born in Scranton. He kicked off his campaign in April 2019 with a speech in Philadelphia and made several stops in the state during a whistle-stop train tour last week. His campaign has also spent more than $48 million on television advertising there to Trump’s $21 million, according to the ad-tracking firm CMAG.
Biden also included Pennsylvania labor leaders in his development of stimulus proposals that would pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the clean energy economy.
Biden, who wore a mask to the podium and then took it off to deliver his outdoor speech to a small, socially distanced crowd, was critical of how Trump — who revealed last week that he had tested positive for coronavirus, was hospitalized for three days and has since returned to the White House — is handling the pandemic, saying Tuesday that “we can do so much better.”
“Wearing a mask is not a political statement, it’s a scientific recommendation. Social distancing isn’t a political statement, it’s a scientific recommendation,” Biden said.
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“It’s a virus. It’s not a political weapon,” Biden said.


mercurynews--2020-10-07--Athletics, Astros call on young starters to pitch Game 3

In their quest to continue on in the postseason , the Oakland Athletics are turning to rookie Jesús Luzardo , a team spokesperson confirmed Tuesday evening .
A ’ s manager Bob Melvin will trust the young lefty with starting Game 3 of their best-of-five series against the Houston Astros , who hold a 2-0 lead and can clinch with a win Wednesday after defeating Oakland 5-2 on Tuesday .
Luzardo last pitched in the A ’ s wild-card series opener against the Chicago White Sox last Monday .
He struggled in that game , if only because he left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White Sox belted for home runs .
The rookie went 3 1/3 innings and gave up three runs .
He was saddled with the loss pitching against Lucas Giolito , who took a perfect game into the seventh inning .
Luzardo did well in two starts against the Astros this regular season and fared well , allowing four earned runs over 12 2/3 innings , including seven-inning , seven-strikeout performance in a 3-2 win Sept. 9 .
The loss last week is not the entirety of Luzardo ’ s postseason experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He pitched in the wild-card game last year , going three scoreless innings to keep the A ’ s within striking distance before they eventually lost to the Tampa Bay Rays .
• What the A ’ s , Astros are saying after Houston takes a 2-0 series lead • Analysis : The Oakland A ’ s haven ’ t been unlucky .
The Houston Astros are the better team .
• Bombs away : Athletics , Astros hit another flurry of home runs in Game 2 Luzardo has also thrown at Dodger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sixth inning of a Sept. 24 in a 5-1 loss to the Dodgers , and gave up three runs over three innings .
Urquidy , a 25-year-old Mexican national who made his MLB debut just last July , got the nod over established veteran and former All-Star Zack Greinke .
Baker said Greinke has been dealing with soreness in his arm and is being evaluated by a doctor .

In their quest to continue on in the postseason, the Oakland Athletics are turning to rookie Jesús Luzardo, a team spokesperson confirmed Tuesday evening.
A’s manager Bob Melvin will trust the young lefty with starting Game 3 of their best-of-five series against the Houston Astros, who hold a 2-0 lead and can clinch with a win Wednesday after defeating Oakland 5-2 on Tuesday.
Luzardo last pitched in the A’s wild-card series opener against the Chicago White Sox last Monday. He struggled in that game, if only because he left two middle-middle fastballs over the plate that the White Sox belted for home runs. The rookie went 3 1/3 innings and gave up three runs. He was saddled with the loss pitching against Lucas Giolito, who took a perfect game into the seventh inning.
Luzardo did well in two starts against the Astros this regular season and fared well, allowing four earned runs over 12 2/3 innings, including seven-inning, seven-strikeout performance in a 3-2 win Sept. 9.
The loss last week is not the entirety of Luzardo’s postseason experience, despite his status as a rookie. He pitched in the wild-card game last year, going three scoreless innings to keep the A’s within striking distance before they eventually lost to the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Astros manager Dusty Baker named Jose Urquidy as Houston’s Game 3 starter shortly after Game 2.
Urquidy, a 25-year-old Mexican national who made his MLB debut just last July, got the nod over established veteran and former All-Star Zack Greinke. Baker said Greinke has been dealing with soreness in his arm and is being evaluated by a doctor.


mercurynews--2020-10-07--Memorial for slain Latina soldier Guillen vandalized

The League of United Latin American Citizens , the country ’ s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization , posted surveillance video footage of the vandalism to Facebook last Friday .
A person dressed in all dark clothing can be seen running through the memorial located in the parking lot of a tattoo parlor outside Fort Hood ’ s East Gate in Killeen , Texas .
The person kicks the candles , flowers and memorabilia left to remember Guillen .
The footage was provided by Sick Made Tattoo Parlor , according to LULAC .
The Killeen Police Department told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a response to the incident .
The defacement of the memorial took place in the early morning of October 1 , just hours after the day that would have been Guillen ’ s 21st birthday .
Part of the memorial was a mural painted by artist Cherine Mendoza in early July so that soldiers could see and remember Guillen ’ s face each time they left through fort ’ s East Gate , LULAC social media director Carlos Martinez told CNN .
The organization is asking the public to help provide information that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person caught on camera defacing the site , LULAC said in the Facebook post .
Guillen , 20 , vanished in April and her remains were discovered June 30 in a shallow grave , according to family attorney Natalie Khawam .
She was bludgeoned to death and her body was moved from the military base by her killer , said Khawam , who cited details the family learned from Army investigators .
Officials named the main suspect in Guillen ’ s disappearance as Spc .
Aaron David Robinson .
According to US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect killed himself on July 1 , after police confronted him in Killeen .
According to Khawam , Guillen ’ s family said she planned to file a harassment complaint against Robinson the day after she was killed , and they believe Robinson became enraged when she told him .
Previously , Fort Hood officials said they were unaware of reports of sexual harassment involving Robinson , but there is an ongoing investigation , according to the Army .
“ I would ask that we focus on reminding the community that the mural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bring awareness to sexual assault , sexual harassment and its prevention , ” said Analuisa Tapia , LULAC district director , in a press release .
• Facebook says it will ban QAnon groups • Ex-social security employee gets one year in Oakland fraud case , but her husband avoids jail “ Our community has already been damaged by the loss of one too many soldiers .
We ask that we collectively take care of the mural as we honor our service members who live in that silent combat.
” On September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I Am Vanessa Guillen Act ” was introduced by a group of US House lawmakers in memory of Guillen .
According to the bill ’ s sponsors , the act would make sexual harassment a crime within the Uniform Code of Military Justice and move prosecution decisions of sexual assault and harassment cases out of the military chain of command .

By Kelsie Smith | CNN
A surveillance camera caught someone damaging a memorial to slain Fort Hood soldier Spc. Vanessa Guillen.
The League of United Latin American Citizens, the country’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, posted surveillance video footage of the vandalism to Facebook last Friday.
A person dressed in all dark clothing can be seen running through the memorial located in the parking lot of a tattoo parlor outside Fort Hood’s East Gate in Killeen, Texas. The person kicks the candles, flowers and memorabilia left to remember Guillen. The footage was provided by Sick Made Tattoo Parlor, according to LULAC.
The Killeen Police Department told CNN the department was not aware of a response to the incident.
The defacement of the memorial took place in the early morning of October 1, just hours after the day that would have been Guillen’s 21st birthday.
Part of the memorial was a mural painted by artist Cherine Mendoza in early July so that soldiers could see and remember Guillen’s face each time they left through fort’s East Gate, LULAC social media director Carlos Martinez told CNN.
The organization is asking the public to help provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person caught on camera defacing the site, LULAC said in the Facebook post.
Guillen, 20, vanished in April and her remains were discovered June 30 in a shallow grave, according to family attorney Natalie Khawam. She was bludgeoned to death and her body was moved from the military base by her killer, said Khawam, who cited details the family learned from Army investigators.
Officials named the main suspect in Guillen’s disappearance as Spc. Aaron David Robinson. According to US Army Criminal Investigation Command, the 20-year-old suspect killed himself on July 1, after police confronted him in Killeen.
According to Khawam, Guillen’s family said she planned to file a harassment complaint against Robinson the day after she was killed, and they believe Robinson became enraged when she told him.
Previously, Fort Hood officials said they were unaware of reports of sexual harassment involving Robinson, but there is an ongoing investigation, according to the Army.
“I would ask that we focus on reminding the community that the mural is there to bring the community together and bring awareness to sexual assault, sexual harassment and its prevention,” said Analuisa Tapia, LULAC district director, in a press release.
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On September 16, a bipartisan bill named the “I Am Vanessa Guillen Act” was introduced by a group of US House lawmakers in memory of Guillen. According to the bill’s sponsors, the act would make sexual harassment a crime within the Uniform Code of Military Justice and move prosecution decisions of sexual assault and harassment cases out of the military chain of command.


mercurynews--2020-10-07--What the A’s, Astros are saying after Houston takes a 2-0 series lead

The Oakland Athletics have their backs against the wall for the second week in a row .
But this test is even steeper .
They must win three in a row against the Houston Astros in order to advance after losing Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series 5-2 on Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium .
Here ’ s what both the A ’ s and Astros said after Game 2 : On lack of timely hitting : “ It ’ s two games , but it ’ s the postseason and those have been our best innings– I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inning on , we ’ ve gotten better.
” On Dodger Stadium ’ s late-afternoon shadows : “ You need to score your runs earlier if the shadows come into play.
” On any mentality changes becoming the “ road ” team in Game 3 : “ Doesn ’ t matter if we ’ re in light uniforms or gray uniforms , we have to put everything into it and come out with a win.
” On A ’ s hitting issues with runners in scoring position : “ We do have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have tomorrow and we ’ ve got ta keep fighting.
” On shadows late : Some of the swings , it looked like the ball was just getting on people .
On facing the Astros lineup : “ You got ta make your pitches count and they hit mistake pitches .
If they put a good swing on it , probably going to get a good result .
Just makes it a bit more difficult.
” On the difference between regular season and postseason : “ I think they were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d say .
That ’ s the biggest thing.
” On George Springer : “ He ’ s a pretty good hitter .
If you hang a slider , he ’ s gon na hit it far.
” On this year vs. last year , when he took a postseason loss hard : “ The same .
It ’ s my job to go out there and pitch , and just didn ’ t do that today .
It sucks but this team ’ s going to figure things out and turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He ’ s somebody who comes to expect it .
This guy is a tremendous ballplayer , tremendous athlete and his concentration level rises in these times .
He ’ s not missing pitches .
It ’ s fun to watch him perform like this.
” On Astros Game 2 starter Framber Valdez : “ His performance was great and he only made one mistake .
He hung a curve ball to Khris Davis , and that was it .
… He was awesome today.
” On confidence in his club : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
With every victory , the energy and the confidence grows .
We expect good things to happen , we expect to win .
When you ’ re batting like we have for so long , you start looking at what would have been adversity as positive .
But what kept us in that game was defense.
” On being up 2-0 in best of five : “ I ’ ve been up 2-0 before , and you got to put them away when you got a chance .
These guys know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to win it tomorrow and not get any drama in Game 4 and 5 .
We know [ the A ’ s ] have been here before and we know it ’ s not complete and it ’ s not done yet until the final out , hopefully , tomorrow.
” On getting the start : “ It means a lot that I have the ball tomorrow , I ’ m feeling very good .
I can ’ t wait to do a good job tomorrow .
I ’ m very focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On urgency to close out the series tomorrow : “ I don ’ t feel any kind of extra pressure , I ’ m just focused on doing what I have to do tomorrow and doing my job for the team.
” On being locked in in postseason : “ One , I ’ m just trying to help the team win and , two , it ’ s the playoffs .
This is supposed to be fun .
You ’ ve got to enjoy it .
You never know if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so the times that you are here , you might as well try to have fun.
” On being up 2-0 in the best of five series : “ Yeah , obviously it ’ s big for us but that ’ s an outstanding team over there .
Again , it ’ s about inning by inning , pitch by pitch .
.. We ’ ll see what happens.
” On records : “ I don ’ t know .
I don ’ t really pay attention to that stuff .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d rather us win .
So again I don ’ t really pay any attention to it.
” On did he ever lose confidence during a tough regular season : “ No , I played with all these guys my whole career .
I know what they can do , I ’ ve seen it day-in and day-out for six-plus years .
I believe in them , and us , as a team , believe in each other .
Yes , we had a harder year this year .
We expect to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t it ’ s a little hard .
But it ’ s fun .
This is a team that believes in each other .
The playoffs are the playoffs .
Every team starts over again , it doesn ’ t matter if you ’ re the one seed or the eight seed .
You ’ re in , and anything can happen.
” On playoff experience paying off : “ I was always taught that there ’ s no substitute for experience .
Understanding what you have to do emotionally all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunate enough to be in this position a few times , our team understands how to navigate the day , how to stay in the moment , don ’ t get too high , don ’ t get too low .
And I think it shows.
” On how the ball is carrying in this weather : “ I don ’ t play here all year , so I don ’ t know if this is normal or not as opposed to night-day , whatever .
It ’ s hot — that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” • Bombs away : Athletics , Astros hit another flurry of home runs in Game 2 • What the A ’ s , Astros are saying before AL Divisional Series Game 2 • What the Athletics and Astros are saying after Houston wins ALDS Game 1 On the identity of the Astros : “ I really , really like the guys who are here now .
There ’ s a lot of younger faces that have really stepped up this year and it ’ s been fun .
These guys are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being here , the whole experience of the big stadiums and all this .
It ’ s been an interesting dynamic for us .
But this is our team , and this is what we ’ re going to roll with.
” On Springer calling Valdez ’ s play “ unbelievable ” in his national TV interview : “ It means a lot to me .
Obviously these first two years in Houston weren ’ t the best for me , they were unstable .
I came in this year with a really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difficult situation , I show focus and concentration .
I feel like I ’ m playing the best baseball of my life right now .
”

The Oakland Athletics have their backs against the wall for the second week in a row.
But this test is even steeper.
They must win three in a row against the Houston Astros in order to advance after losing Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series 5-2 on Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Here’s what both the A’s and Astros said after Game 2:
A’s manager Bob Melvin
On lack of timely hitting: “It’s two games, but it’s the postseason and those have been our best innings– I said that yesterday, from the sixth inning on, we’ve gotten better.”
On Dodger Stadium’s late-afternoon shadows: “You need to score your runs earlier if the shadows come into play.”
On any mentality changes becoming the “road” team in Game 3: “Doesn’t matter if we’re in light uniforms or gray uniforms, we have to put everything into it and come out with a win.”
A’s third baseman Chad Pinder
On A’s hitting issues with runners in scoring position: “We do have to be better about it as a collective. We have tomorrow and we’ve gotta keep fighting.”
On shadows late: Some of the swings, it looked like the ball was just getting on people.
A’s pitcher Sean Manaea
On facing the Astros lineup: “You gotta make your pitches count and they hit mistake pitches. If they put a good swing on it, probably going to get a good result. Just makes it a bit more difficult.”
On the difference between regular season and postseason: “I think they were just mostly sitting on my changeup, I’d say. That’s the biggest thing.”
On George Springer: “He’s a pretty good hitter. If you hang a slider, he’s gonna hit it far.”
On this year vs. last year, when he took a postseason loss hard: “The same. It’s my job to go out there and pitch, and just didn’t do that today. It sucks but this team’s going to figure things out and turn it around.”
Astros manager Dusty Baker
On George Springer: “He’s somebody who comes to expect it. This guy is a tremendous ballplayer, tremendous athlete and his concentration level rises in these times. He’s not missing pitches. It’s fun to watch him perform like this.”
On Astros Game 2 starter Framber Valdez: “His performance was great and he only made one mistake. He hung a curve ball to Khris Davis, and that was it. … He was awesome today.”
On confidence in his club: “Well that’s what you do. With every victory, the energy and the confidence grows. We expect good things to happen, we expect to win. When you’re batting like we have for so long, you start looking at what would have been adversity as positive. But what kept us in that game was defense.”
On being up 2-0 in best of five: “I’ve been up 2-0 before, and you got to put them away when you got a chance. These guys know how to win. We’d like to win it tomorrow and not get any drama in Game 4 and 5. We know [the A’s] have been here before and we know it’s not complete and it’s not done yet until the final out, hopefully, tomorrow.”
Astros Game 3 starter Jose Urquidy
On getting the start: “It means a lot that I have the ball tomorrow, I’m feeling very good. I can’t wait to do a good job tomorrow. I’m very focused, very concentrated on doing my job.”
On urgency to close out the series tomorrow: “I don’t feel any kind of extra pressure, I’m just focused on doing what I have to do tomorrow and doing my job for the team.”
Center fielder George Springer
On being locked in in postseason: “One, I’m just trying to help the team win and, two, it’s the playoffs. This is supposed to be fun. You’ve got to enjoy it. You never know if you’re going to get back here, so the times that you are here, you might as well try to have fun.”
On being up 2-0 in the best of five series: “Yeah, obviously it’s big for us but that’s an outstanding team over there. Again, it’s about inning by inning, pitch by pitch. .. We’ll see what happens.”
On records: “I don’t know. I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. I’d rather win, I’d rather us win. So again I don’t really pay any attention to it.”
On did he ever lose confidence during a tough regular season: “No, I played with all these guys my whole career. I know what they can do, I’ve seen it day-in and day-out for six-plus years. I believe in them, and us, as a team, believe in each other. Yes, we had a harder year this year. We expect to play well all the time and when you don’t it’s a little hard. But it’s fun. This is a team that believes in each other. The playoffs are the playoffs. Every team starts over again, it doesn’t matter if you’re the one seed or the eight seed. You’re in, and anything can happen.”
On playoff experience paying off: “I was always taught that there’s no substitute for experience. Understanding what you have to do emotionally all day, mentally, physically. Being fortunate enough to be in this position a few times, our team understands how to navigate the day, how to stay in the moment, don’t get too high, don’t get too low. And I think it shows.”
On how the ball is carrying in this weather: “I don’t play here all year, so I don’t know if this is normal or not as opposed to night-day, whatever. It’s hot — that’s all I can really speak to.”
On the identity of the Astros: “I really, really like the guys who are here now. There’s a lot of younger faces that have really stepped up this year and it’s been fun. These guys are a breath of fresh air. They enjoy being here, the whole experience of the big stadiums and all this. It’s been an interesting dynamic for us. But this is our team, and this is what we’re going to roll with.”
Starting pitcher Framber Valdez
On Springer calling Valdez’s play “unbelievable” in his national TV interview: “It means a lot to me. Obviously these first two years in Houston weren’t the best for me, they were unstable. I came in this year with a really positive mindset. Whenever I get into a difficult situation, I show focus and concentration. I feel like I’m playing the best baseball of my life right now.”


mercurynews--2020-10-07--2020 election: Trump is out of the hospital. Now what?

By Jonathan Lemire , Zeke Miller and Bill Barrow | Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s return to the White House is poised to reshape the campaign ’ s final four weeks as aides debated Tuesday how to move past an extraordinary setback while grappling with how to send an infected president back on the road .
A race that had remained steady throughout the tumult of 2020 now threatens to slip away from the president after he spent 72 hours hospitalized with COVID-19 , the very disease that has fundamentally altered the country he leads and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And as Democrat Joe Biden stood on one of the nation ’ s most hallowed grounds to call for national unity , the president , in his first full day back in the executive mansion , plunged Washington into further chaos by abruptly ending coronavirus relief talks .
Trump had stage-managed his dramatic , if reckless , reentry to the White House — tearing off his mask before stepping back inside Monday — and was pushing aides to return to the campaign trail as soon as possible , including to next week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the president remained contagious , his health under careful watch , a division emerged between aides over how to manage the fallout .
Some believed the moment could act as a late reset , allowing the president to draw from his own experiences to at last show empathy for those affected by a pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 Americans , left millions unemployed and sent his poll numbers tumbling .
But others believed that abruptly changing course after seven months of projecting strength over the virus wouldn ’ t work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a means to further fire up the president ’ s supporters to turn out .
“ I am looking forward to the debate on the evening of Thursday , October 15th in Miami .
It will be great !
” he tweeted Tuesday , after previously posting an erroneous comparison between the dangers posed by COVID-19 and the flu .
“ Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon !
!
!
” Trump tweeted .
For months , the president had tried to make the race a choice election between himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , again , that his two safe harbors , the economy and the Supreme Court , were cast off the stage .
Trump added to that Tuesday by suddenly announcing that he was pulling out White House representatives from congressional COVID-19 relief negotiations , blasting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and seeming to accept the politically damaging responsibility for ending talks that were already on life support .
Almost immediately , the stock market fell .
The virus cast a long shadow over the White House , where more positive cases among staff were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were being converted into workspaces for the president .
Aides have noticed that while Trump was receiving wishes for his recovery , including from Democrats , there was little sympathy amid a sense that he had brought the virus on himself .
Trump has again played solely to his base , being the driving force behind a quick trip outside the hospital Sunday afternoon to greet fans from his armored SUV — a sojourn that energized supporters but unnecessarily jeopardized the health of the Secret Service agents guarding him .
Likewise , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his evening return to the White House , turning it into a made-for-TV moment that dominated evening newscasts .
Trump was eager to return to the campaign trail , telling aides that he wanted a series of mega rallies in Republican-friendly areas in battleground states to mark his recovery .
But it remained to be seen when Trump would be cleared to set foot on Air Force One again .
The president was still contagious , and the White House doctor , Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley , said they were regularly testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a risk to others .
And even once he ’ s no longer actively shedding the virus , Trump could still test positive for some time , putting his participation in next week ’ s debate in doubt despite his avowed plans to attend .
Biden said Tuesday that he and Trump “ shouldn ’ t have a debate ” as long as the president remains positive for the coronavirus .
The long-term effects of the virus on Trump ’ s health were not clear — White House doctors have not discussed them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear when Trump might feel up to resuming a fuller campaign schedule .
He appeared to be breathing heavily Monday evening after climbing stairs on his return to the White House .
But his aides feel that he can ’ t afford to be off the campaign trail for long .
“ If he had his druthers , I don ’ t know if he would have ever gotten off the trail , ” said campaign spokesperson Hogan Gidley .
“ He ’ s back , and when he ’ s well enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign trail.
” The president has faced steady deficits in the national polls and — while smaller — in the battleground states .
Aides have grown concerned about a slide in support after last week ’ s debate , one marked by Trump repeatedly interrupting and hectoring Biden while not offering a robust condemnation of white supremacists .
Although his campaign had felt confident about his standing in Florida , Arizona and North Carolina , he has faced stubborn deficits in Michigan and Wisconsin , putting an extraordinary emphasis on Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point state to give Biden or Trump the needed 270 electoral votes .
And it was in Pennsylvania where Biden on Tuesday delivered a sweeping speech , one that mentioned Trump not once but that marked the beginning of the divisive campaign ’ s stretch run with a call for the nation to heal .
He spoke in Gettysburg , site of the Civil War ’ s bloodiest battle and Abraham Lincoln ’ s most powerful call for unity , laying out plainly his belief that the purpose of the presidency was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and history call for presidents to provide for the common good , and I will .
It won ’ t be easy , ” Biden said .
“ Our divisions today are long-standing .
Economic and racial inequities have shaped us for generations , but I give you my word , if I ’ m elected president , I will marshal the ingenuity and goodwill of this nation to turn division into unity.
” Biden had pulled down negative ads after Trump ’ s diagnosis but , after Trump ’ s return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image of the two side by side , the Democrat wearing a mask and the Republican tearing his off .
But other Democrats have not been so reticent to go after the president .
In a video released by the Biden campaign Tuesday , Michelle Obama issued a scathing rebuke of Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , accusing him of being “ missing in action.
” “ Seven months later , he still won ’ t wear a mask consistently and encourage others to do the same —even when those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the former first lady said .
“ Instead , he continues to gaslight the American people by acting like this pandemic is not a real threat .
”

By Jonathan Lemire, Zeke Miller and Bill Barrow | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s return to the White House is poised to reshape the campaign’s final four weeks as aides debated Tuesday how to move past an extraordinary setback while grappling with how to send an infected president back on the road.
A race that had remained steady throughout the tumult of 2020 now threatens to slip away from the president after he spent 72 hours hospitalized with COVID-19, the very disease that has fundamentally altered the country he leads and the campaign he wanted to run. And as Democrat Joe Biden stood on one of the nation’s most hallowed grounds to call for national unity, the president, in his first full day back in the executive mansion, plunged Washington into further chaos by abruptly ending coronavirus relief talks.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/10/06/brian-morgenstern-deputy-press-secretary-trump-covid-sot-ebof-vpx.cnn”]
Video: White House official shares how staff is interacting with Trump
Trump had stage-managed his dramatic, if reckless, reentry to the White House — tearing off his mask before stepping back inside Monday — and was pushing aides to return to the campaign trail as soon as possible, including to next week’s second debate against Biden. But as the president remained contagious, his health under careful watch, a division emerged between aides over how to manage the fallout.
Some believed the moment could act as a late reset, allowing the president to draw from his own experiences to at last show empathy for those affected by a pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 Americans, left millions unemployed and sent his poll numbers tumbling.
But others believed that abruptly changing course after seven months of projecting strength over the virus wouldn’t work and instead advocated for intensifying the message as a means to further fire up the president’s supporters to turn out.
Trump made clear want he wanted.
“I am looking forward to the debate on the evening of Thursday, October 15th in Miami. It will be great!” he tweeted Tuesday, after previously posting an erroneous comparison between the dangers posed by COVID-19 and the flu.
“Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!!” Trump tweeted.
For months, the president had tried to make the race a choice election between himself and Biden, but his diagnosis ensured, again, that his two safe harbors, the economy and the Supreme Court, were cast off the stage.
Trump added to that Tuesday by suddenly announcing that he was pulling out White House representatives from congressional COVID-19 relief negotiations, blasting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and seeming to accept the politically damaging responsibility for ending talks that were already on life support. Almost immediately, the stock market fell.
The virus cast a long shadow over the White House, where more positive cases among staff were reported Tuesday and rooms in the residence were being converted into workspaces for the president. Aides have noticed that while Trump was receiving wishes for his recovery, including from Democrats, there was little sympathy amid a sense that he had brought the virus on himself.
Trump has again played solely to his base, being the driving force behind a quick trip outside the hospital Sunday afternoon to greet fans from his armored SUV — a sojourn that energized supporters but unnecessarily jeopardized the health of the Secret Service agents guarding him. Likewise, Trump was intimately involved in the planning for his evening return to the White House, turning it into a made-for-TV moment that dominated evening newscasts.
Trump was eager to return to the campaign trail, telling aides that he wanted a series of mega rallies in Republican-friendly areas in battleground states to mark his recovery. But it remained to be seen when Trump would be cleared to set foot on Air Force One again.
The president was still contagious, and the White House doctor, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, said they were regularly testing Trump to determine whether he still posed a risk to others. And even once he’s no longer actively shedding the virus, Trump could still test positive for some time, putting his participation in next week’s debate in doubt despite his avowed plans to attend.
Biden said Tuesday that he and Trump “shouldn’t have a debate” as long as the president remains positive for the coronavirus.
The long-term effects of the virus on Trump’s health were not clear — White House doctors have not discussed them with the public. Nor was it clear when Trump might feel up to resuming a fuller campaign schedule. He appeared to be breathing heavily Monday evening after climbing stairs on his return to the White House.
But his aides feel that he can’t afford to be off the campaign trail for long.
“If he had his druthers, I don’t know if he would have ever gotten off the trail,” said campaign spokesperson Hogan Gidley. “He’s back, and when he’s well enough, he’ll be back on the campaign trail.”
The president has faced steady deficits in the national polls and — while smaller — in the battleground states. Aides have grown concerned about a slide in support after last week’s debate, one marked by Trump repeatedly interrupting and hectoring Biden while not offering a robust condemnation of white supremacists.
Although his campaign had felt confident about his standing in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina, he has faced stubborn deficits in Michigan and Wisconsin, putting an extraordinary emphasis on Pennsylvania, which was emerging as the potential tipping point state to give Biden or Trump the needed 270 electoral votes.
And it was in Pennsylvania where Biden on Tuesday delivered a sweeping speech, one that mentioned Trump not once but that marked the beginning of the divisive campaign’s stretch run with a call for the nation to heal.
He spoke in Gettysburg, site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle and Abraham Lincoln’s most powerful call for unity, laying out plainly his belief that the purpose of the presidency was to bring the nation together.
“Duty and history call for presidents to provide for the common good, and I will. It won’t be easy,” Biden said. “Our divisions today are long-standing. Economic and racial inequities have shaped us for generations, but I give you my word, if I’m elected president, I will marshal the ingenuity and goodwill of this nation to turn division into unity.”
Biden had pulled down negative ads after Trump’s diagnosis but, after Trump’s return to the White House, began promoting an image of the two side by side, the Democrat wearing a mask and the Republican tearing his off.
But other Democrats have not been so reticent to go after the president. In a video released by the Biden campaign Tuesday, Michelle Obama issued a scathing rebuke of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing him of being “missing in action.”
“Seven months later, he still won’t wear a mask consistently and encourage others to do the same —even when those simple actions could save countless lives,” the former first lady said. “Instead, he continues to gaslight the American people by acting like this pandemic is not a real threat.”


mercurynews--2020-10-07--ALDS analysis: The Oakland A’s haven’t been unlucky. The Houston Astros are the better team.

The 2020 American League West standings suggest the Oakland Athletics were clearly the best team in the division .
The regular season , however , only tells us so much .
The A ’ s won the West by seven games and went 7-3 against the second-place finisher , the Houston Astros , but it ’ s the Astros who have wasted little time exerting their dominance in this week ’ s American League Division Series .
Two games into this week ’ s best-of-five round , the Astros hold a 2-0 lead over the A ’ s that looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The Astros have the hottest hitter on either roster in center fielder George Springer , a deeper group of starting pitchers and a lineup that features more consistent offensive threats .
Houston entered the week with a target on its back because of a cheating scandal that left the A ’ s and the rest of baseball furious at the Astros ’ blatant disregard for MLB rules , but that target remains for another reason .
Even without the benefit of knowing what pitch is coming , the Astros are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re giving the A ’ s more than they can handle .
“ We knew this would be a dogfight , ” A ’ s third baseman Chad Pinder said postgame .
“ This is a team with experience in the postseason and great talent .
We ’ ve got to find a way to pull ourselves out of this.
” Springer hit a pair of home runs and the Astros received seven strong innings from left-handed starter Framber Valdez to lead Houston to its second straight win over Oakland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 playoffs .
After talking all season about the opportunity to get revenge on the Astros , an A ’ s team that ran away with the AL West must win three straight to advance and avoid the type of crushing heartbreak only a hated rival could inflict .
Despite regular-season success against Houston , Oakland is well aware the club it ’ s facing this week is finally at its best .
An Astros team that lost ace Gerrit Cole to free agency and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander to elbow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young and inexperienced pitchers to grow into their roles .
But Houston has received fantastic performances from starters in recent weeks , including a critical one from Valdez on Tuesday .
A number of veteran Astros hitters , headlined by second baseman José Altuve , appeared uncomfortable at the plate this season in the wake of a cheating scandal that dominated offseason storylines .
Houston also suffered early in the year because several key players missed time due to injury .
Manager Dusty Baker ’ s team is now about as healthy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season , and the Astros are hitting like it , too .
“ I think at different times during the season when we saw them , certain guys were injured , ” A ’ s manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday .
“ They ’ re not at this point right now and I ’ m sure they ’ re inspired about being in the postseason .
It ’ s a team that ’ s been in the postseason for several years now and they ’ ve done well.
” No player is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who already held the Astros all-time postseason home run mark before crushing one off Sean Manaea and another off reliever Yusmeiro Petit on Tuesday .
Springer ’ s days in an Astros uniform could be coming to an end as he ’ ll hit free agency at the end of the season , but he ’ s making every last game against the A ’ s count .
“ You ’ ve come to expect it , ” Baker said of Springer .
“ This guy is a tremendous ballplayer , tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time .
He ’ s not missing pitches that he should hit and he ’ s hitting them out .
Boy it ’ s fun to watch him perform like this.
” Despite Houston ’ s sub-.500 regular-season record , the Astros ’ postseason success isn ’ t the result of unlucky bounces for the A ’ s or the hitter-friendly nature of Dodger Stadium .
Baker ’ s roster is still loaded with motivated stars eager to prove they can win without artificial assistance and determined to quiet an A ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its best player , Matt Chapman .
Chapman may have been the A ’ s best answer for Springer , but a hip injury that required season-ending surgery has left Oakland to rely on too many boom-or-bust hitters who haven ’ t come close to keeping pace with the Astros .
As the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals proved with their 19-31 start last year , it ’ s a fool ’ s errand to put too much stock in small early-season sample sizes .
By October , the Nationals showed they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 postseason , the Astros are proving the same .
After finishing the regular season 29-31 , the Astros made quick work of the No .
3 seed Minnesota Twins and are threatening to sweep the A ’ s en route to another ALCS appearance .
An Oakland team that so desperately wanted to eliminate Houston from the postseason looks overmatched , and nothing from the first two games of this series suggests they A ’ s are the superior club .
“ You ’ ve got to put them away when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker said .
“ You let them get off the mat , these guys know how to win .
We ’ d like to win it tomorrow and not get any drama in Game 4 or 5 .
We know these guys have been here before and we know it ’ s not complete and not done yet .
”

The regular season said the A’s were the best team in the A.L. West.
The postseason is saying otherwise, just as loudly if not moreso.
The A’s are on the brink of elimination, on the brink of being swept out of the American League Divsion series after their 5-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday. The A’s, who went 7-3 against the Astros this season, now need to go 3-0 against them to survive the best-of-five series.
“We knew this would be a dogfight,” A’s third baseman Chad Pinder said postgame. “This is a team with experience in the postseason and great talent. We’ve got to find a way to pull ourselves out of this.”
There is nothing fluky about what is happening.
The Astros have the hottest hitter on either roster in center fielder George Springer, a deeper group of starting pitchers and a lineup that features more consistent offensive threats. Houston entered the week with a target on its back because of a cheating scandal that left the A’s and the rest of baseball furious at the Astros’ blatant disregard for MLB rules, but that target remains for another reason.
Even without the benefit of knowing what pitch is coming, the Astros are still a well-rounded team capable of dominating and they’re giving the A’s more than they can handle.
Springer hit a pair of home runs and the Astros received seven strong innings from left-handed starter Framber Valdez to lead Houston to its second straight win over Oakland and its fourth consecutive victory to open the 2020 playoffs. After talking all season about the opportunity to get revenge on the Astros, an A’s team that ran away with the AL West must win three straight to advance and avoid the type of crushing heartbreak only a hated rival could inflict.
Despite regular-season success against Houston, Oakland is well aware the club it’s facing this week is finally at its best. An Astros team that lost ace Gerrit Cole to free agency and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander to elbow surgery needed a bit of time for young and inexperienced pitchers to grow into their roles. But Houston has received fantastic performances from starters in recent weeks, including a critical one from Valdez on Tuesday.
A number of veteran Astros hitters, headlined by second baseman José Altuve, appeared uncomfortable at the plate this season in the wake of a cheating scandal that dominated offseason storylines. Houston also suffered early in the year because several key players missed time due to injury.
Manager Dusty Baker’s team is now about as healthy as it can be at this point in the season, and the Astros are hitting like it, too.
“I think at different times during the season when we saw them, certain guys were injured,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday. “They’re not at this point right now and I’m sure they’re inspired about being in the postseason. It’s a team that’s been in the postseason for several years now and they’ve done well.”
No player is as inspired by October baseball as Springer, who already held the Astros all-time postseason home run mark before crushing one off Sean Manaea and another off reliever Yusmeiro Petit on Tuesday. Springer’s days in an Astros uniform could be coming to an end as he’ll hit free agency at the end of the season, but he’s making every last game against the A’s count.
“You’ve come to expect it,” Baker said of Springer. “This guy is a tremendous ballplayer, tremendous athlete and his concentration level rises during this time. He’s not missing pitches that he should hit and he’s hitting them out. Boy it’s fun to watch him perform like this.”
Despite Houston’s sub-.500 regular-season record, the Astros’ postseason success isn’t the result of unlucky bounces for the A’s or the hitter-friendly nature of Dodger Stadium. Baker’s roster is still loaded with motivated stars eager to prove they can win without artificial assistance and determined to quiet an A’s team that’s dearly missing its best player, Matt Chapman.
Chapman may have been the A’s best answer for Springer, but a hip injury that required season-ending surgery has left Oakland to rely on too many boom-or-bust hitters who haven’t come close to keeping pace with the Astros.
As the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals proved with their 19-31 start last year, it’s a fool’s errand to put too much stock in small early-season sample sizes. By October, the Nationals showed they were a juggernaut, and in the 2020 postseason, the Astros are proving the same.
After finishing the regular season 29-31, the Astros made quick work of the No. 3 seed Minnesota Twins and are threatening to sweep the A’s en route to another ALCS appearance. An Oakland team that so desperately wanted to eliminate Houston from the postseason looks overmatched, and nothing from the first two games of this series suggests they A’s are the superior club.
“You’ve got to put them away when you’ve got a chance,” Baker said. “You let them get off the mat, these guys know how to win. We’d like to win it tomorrow and not get any drama in Game 4 or 5. We know these guys have been here before and we know it’s not complete and not done yet.”


mercurynews--2020-10-06--What it is costing San Jose State football to practice at Humboldt State

The projected cost of temporarily relocating the San Jose State football team to Humboldt to prepare for the 2020 Mountain West season is $ 100,000 to $ 150,000 , a school official said Tuesday .
The expense will be paid through the school ’ s athletics ’ budget , “ similar to all football expenditures , ” said Kenneth Mashinchi , senior director of media relations .
San Jose State officials provided the figures after this news organization requested an accounting of the move that was done to get around Santa Clara County ’ s strict restrictions for outdoor activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total costs were calculated for meals , housing , use of Humboldt ’ s facilities and round-trip bus fare .
The school hired six , 56-seat buses from Royal Grand tours to ensure that everyone practiced social distancing during the 320-mile trip north , an athletics spokesman said last week .
The total cost will be determined by how long the contingent of 141 people remains at Humboldt State University .
The football team moved out of Santa Clara County because public health officials have yet to approve a return to play application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 24 .
Coach Brent Brennan said on Monday that San Jose State needed a place to practice because the rest of the conference schools began football drills the day after the Sept. 24 announcement about the season ’ s start .
The Spartans are scheduled to play host to Air Force at CEFCU Stadium in 18 days .
But the football team could remain in Humboldt until receiving clearance to hold contract drills and competitions at San Jose State .
Santa Clara County officials have not given an indication when SJSU and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games .
But the California State Department of Health gave the go-ahead last week in updated guidelines that list specific conditions that must be met before schools can return to play .
A San Jose State official said last week the football team would adhere to all of the state ’ s guidelines .
But schools also need local approval , which UCLA and USC received last week .
Cal needs an OK from the city of Berkeley whereas Stanford and SJSU are dealing with Santa Clara County , which is considering each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official said .
Stanford is not scheduled to play at home until Nov. 14 against Colorado .
While the move to Humboldt State is an unexpected expenditure for a budget-conscious athletics department , Brennan said the time away from San Jose has been valuable .
“ It eliminates some of the general distractions that come with being a college student in a big city , ” he said .
• San Jose State moved to Humboldt State campus because it needed to practice , coach says Officials expected the team to stay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the possibility of opening the season in Humboldt ’ s Redwood Bowl .
Humboldt State disbanded football two years ago because of budget issues .
The school is holding virtual classes during the fall semester leaving the campus to the Spartans .
Brennan said the players are not allowed to leave campus and pose little risk to the Humboldt County community .

The projected cost of temporarily relocating the San Jose State football team to Humboldt to prepare for the 2020 Mountain West season is $100,000 to $150,000, a school official said Tuesday.
The expense will be paid through the school’s athletics’ budget, “similar to all football expenditures,” said Kenneth Mashinchi, senior director of media relations.
San Jose State officials provided the figures after this news organization requested an accounting of the move that was done to get around Santa Clara County’s strict restrictions for outdoor activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The total costs were calculated for meals, housing, use of Humboldt’s facilities and round-trip bus fare. The school hired six, 56-seat buses from Royal Grand tours to ensure that everyone practiced social distancing during the 320-mile trip north, an athletics spokesman said last week.
The total cost will be determined by how long the contingent of 141 people remains at Humboldt State University.
The football team moved out of Santa Clara County because public health officials have yet to approve a return to play application with the season about to begin on Oct. 24.
Coach Brent Brennan said on Monday that San Jose State needed a place to practice because the rest of the conference schools began football drills the day after the Sept. 24 announcement about the season’s start.
The Spartans are scheduled to play host to Air Force at CEFCU Stadium in 18 days. But the football team could remain in Humboldt until receiving clearance to hold contract drills and competitions at San Jose State.
Santa Clara County officials have not given an indication when SJSU and Stanford could return to full practices and games. But the California State Department of Health gave the go-ahead last week in updated guidelines that list specific conditions that must be met before schools can return to play.
A San Jose State official said last week the football team would adhere to all of the state’s guidelines.
But schools also need local approval, which UCLA and USC received last week. Cal needs an OK from the city of Berkeley whereas Stanford and SJSU are dealing with Santa Clara County, which is considering each request on a case-by-case basis, an official said. Stanford is not scheduled to play at home until Nov. 14 against Colorado.
While the move to Humboldt State is an unexpected expenditure for a budget-conscious athletics department, Brennan said the time away from San Jose has been valuable.
“It eliminates some of the general distractions that come with being a college student in a big city,” he said.
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San Jose State football skips past health orders, officials to clear Humboldt path College Sports | San Jose State to open football season against Air Force Officials expected the team to stay for a week but Brennan did not rule out the possibility of opening the season in Humboldt’s Redwood Bowl. Humboldt State disbanded football two years ago because of budget issues.
Brennan said the players are not allowed to leave campus and pose little risk to the Humboldt County community.