washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Recep Tayyip Erdogan interference worries Turkey friends, angers foes

Turkey ’ s military adventurism in Syria and Iraq has long spurred talk that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to reclaim areas of the former Ottoman Empire , but a string of more recent clashes has sparked mounting concern in Washington that a key NATO ally has become a potentially dangerous and destabilizing geopolitical force .
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia , Turkey seems embroiled in clashes wherever one looks : a military escalation with Greece over Mediterranean drilling rights , siding heavily with Azerbaijan in its suddenly hot war with Armenia , an angry political exchange with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politician rights .
The Trump administration has struggled for four years to influence Turkey ’ s behavior as a NATO ally , with limited success despite the personal bond forged between Mr. Erdogan and President Trump .
Turkey ’ s claims to oil and natural gas fields in the Mediterranean have frustrated Western Europe and Israel , and its shipment of Syrian jihadis to Libya has outraged Egypt and the United Arab Emirates .
Then there is Turkey ’ s downright confusing relationship with traditional rival Russia .
The Erdogan government is engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Syria , Libya and now Azerbaijan — despite its defiance last year of NATO and the U.S. by proceeding with the purchase of Russia ’ s S-400 missile defense system for the Turkish military .
Mr. Erdogan , who came to power nearly two decades ago with a reputation as a moderate Islamist , has consolidated his power and sharpened Turkey ’ s bid for greater influence its region since winning reelection as president in 2018 .
Having survived a military coup attempt in 2016 , he has cemented increasingly authoritarian powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The period has also been one of historic economic downturn in Turkey .
The Turkish lira has plummeted to an all-time low against the dollar over the past three years , and regional analysts say Turkey ’ s aggressive foreign policy is a bid by Mr. Erdogan to reverse , or at least distract from , the country ’ s domestic challenges .
“ Erdogan is using this overseas adventurism to draw the Turkish public ’ s attention away from how poorly the Turkish economy is doing , ” said Rachel Ellehuus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington .
The standoff between Turkey and Greece this summer began after Ankara dispatched a research vessel accompanied by Turkish warships to search for energy reserves off Greece ’ s coast .
The the two NATO members engaged in competing military exercises that nearly led to a clash in mid-August when a Turkish and a Greek warship collided .
“ We will not back down in the face of sanctions and threats , ” the blunt-speaking Mr. Erdogan said in August .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelf.
” Ms. Ellehuus said in an interview that the aggressive claims fit with Mr. Erdogan ’ s aim to stir up nationalistic fervor inside Turkey , reviving long-standing territorial disputes with Greece .
“ Erdogan is all about staying in power , and in order to do that , he needs the support of Turkish nationalists , ” Ms. Ellehuus said .
She noted the Turkish president ’ s outspoken backing for right-wing Turkish Cypriot nationalist Ersin Tatar , who was elected leader of Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus this month .
Mr. Tartar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish Cypriot independence and abandon long-running United Nations-led efforts to reunify northern Cyprus with the Greek Cypriot in the south of the divided island .
Away from the friction with Greece , Ms. Ellehuus said , the Erdogan government ’ s move are likely also driven by a desire to make money for an elite sector of Turkish companies .
Part of Ankara ’ s motivation for getting militarily involved in Libya and Azerbaijan , she said , is a desire to line up key Turkish weapons sales and maintenance contracts with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ’ s economy continue to struggle .
Steven A. Cook , a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations , said there is a sentiment within Mr. Erdogan ’ s ruling Justice and Development Party — a nationalist party known by its Turkish acronym , AKP — that Turkey should exert its influence in conflicts across the region and “ should be a leading Muslim power.
” As Arab Gulf states have softened their hostility toward Israel in recent months , Turkey remains an outspoken champion of the Palestinian cause , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Middle East policies and a supporter of the Palestinian group Hamas , despite the State Department ’ s designation of it as a terrorist organization .
Turkey has steadfastly backed the Tripoli-based Libyan government despite criticism in the region that it has links to the Muslim Brotherhood .
Turkey also has been outspoken in support for Azerbaijan , a largely Muslim state , in its deadly clash with Christian Armenia over control of the Armenian-controlled enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh , even as Russia and the U.S. try to forge a cease-fire .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Nagorno-Karabakh tension , and the right side is Azerbaijan , ” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on a visit early last month .
“ The international community treats the occupier , Armenia , and the victim , Azerbaijan , the same .
This approach does not lead to a solution to the conflict.
” The catch , Mr. Cook said , is that while Mr. Erdogan ’ s stands may be playing well with his core constituency in Turkey , Ankara ’ s destabilizing role in the region is bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wouldn ’ t say Turkey is the principled party here by any stretch of the imagination , ” Mr. Cook said .
“ Turkey has done quite a bit to undermine stability in the region and to undermine U.S. efforts to mediate in the Eastern Mediterranean , as well as to undermine U.S. efforts in the fight against [ the Islamic State group ] in Syria.
” Turkey ’ s intervention in the Syrian war across its borders , which has sent millions fleeing to refugee camps inside Turkey , has unnerved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kurds , who have proved the Pentagon ’ s most effective allies in defeating the Islamic State , as closely tied to the long-running Kurdish separatist movement inside Turkey .
Turkish military forces reportedly have been shipping militants from jihadi groups previously active in Syria to Libya to battle a Russia-backed rebel movement that Mr. Trump once personally praised as a key ground-level force against terrorism in North Africa .
More recent reports say Ankara has been transporting hundreds of battle-hardened Syrian fighters to aid Azerbaijan ’ s fight with Armenia .
Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them “ pure Russian propaganda.
” The Armenian-Azerbaijani war , re-igniting a frozen conflict that dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union , has the potential to draw Turkey into an even more momentous foreign policy clash .
Russia has close security ties with Armenia , and the fighting jeopardizes key oil and gas pipelines that bypass Russia and connect to Turkey .
Analysts warn of the rising prospect of an all-out regional war that could draw in other players , most notably Iran .
Mr. Erdogan has inflamed the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia — the three chairs of the Minsk Group , which was set up in 1992 to find a diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — for what he calls their failure to resolve the issue for 30 years .
The U.S. , Russia and France struggled throughout October to mediate a solution to the conflict .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosted his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts for talks in Washington late last month , but a cease-fire appeared to break down quickly as each side accused the other of violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antagonist and that Mr. Erdogan won ’ t respond to the Trump administration ’ s overtures because of the ill will over the Russian S-400 missile defense purchase .
The U.S. has sent mixed signals of its own .
Mr. Trump reportedly has a strong rapport with Mr. Erdogan , but many in his administration and on Capitol Hill take a much dimmer view of the Turkish president .
Mr. Erdogan recently appeared to be taunting the U.S. over threats of new sanctions over the S-400 deal and over a possible Turkish intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not a tribal state , ” he told a gathering of his ruling party Oct. 25 .
“ We are Turkey.
” U.S. officials have warned that Turkey could use the S-400 to gather data on the capabilities of the American-made F-35 stealth fighter jet and that such information in turn could end up in Russian hands .
The U.S. kicked Turkey out of the F-35 development program last year , and the Pentagon slammed Ankara last week after Mr. Erdogan confirmed that Turkey had tested the S-400 .
But the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite pressure from Republican and Democratic lawmakers who say the White House is required by law to act .
Mr. Cook told The Times that the legislation is “ very specific ” in this regard but Mr. Trump has “ blown it off.
” Mr. Cook said a potential Biden administration in Washington might impose the sanctions and be tougher on Turkey on other issues as well .
Whoever wins the presidential election , he said , should “ recognize that Turkey views the world differently and has different goals and priorities than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t necessarily see the U.S.-led order in the region as very good for Turkey ’ s power.
” The U.S. , he added , should embrace a policy of working “ against the Turks in some areas and cooperating with them in others , ” and keep in mind that “ Erdogan tends to respond to tough messages and not efforts to placate him .
”

Turkey’s military adventurism in Syria and Iraq has long spurred talk that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to reclaim areas of the former Ottoman Empire, but a string of more recent clashes has sparked mounting concern in Washington that a key NATO ally has become a potentially dangerous and destabilizing geopolitical force.
At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey seems embroiled in clashes wherever one looks: a military escalation with Greece over Mediterranean drilling rights, siding heavily with Azerbaijan in its suddenly hot war with Armenia, an angry political exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron over Islam and politician rights.
The Trump administration has struggled for four years to influence Turkey’s behavior as a NATO ally, with limited success despite the personal bond forged between Mr. Erdogan and President Trump. Turkey’s claims to oil and natural gas fields in the Mediterranean have frustrated Western Europe and Israel, and its shipment of Syrian jihadis to Libya has outraged Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Then there is Turkey’s downright confusing relationship with traditional rival Russia. The Erdogan government is engaged with Moscow in three proxy wars — in Syria, Libya and now Azerbaijan — despite its defiance last year of NATO and the U.S. by proceeding with the purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system for the Turkish military.
Mr. Erdogan, who came to power nearly two decades ago with a reputation as a moderate Islamist, has consolidated his power and sharpened Turkey’s bid for greater influence its region since winning reelection as president in 2018. Having survived a military coup attempt in 2016, he has cemented increasingly authoritarian powers since winning a controversial national referendum.
The period has also been one of historic economic downturn in Turkey. The Turkish lira has plummeted to an all-time low against the dollar over the past three years, and regional analysts say Turkey’s aggressive foreign policy is a bid by Mr. Erdogan to reverse, or at least distract from, the country’s domestic challenges.
“Erdogan is using this overseas adventurism to draw the Turkish public’s attention away from how poorly the Turkish economy is doing,” said Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
The standoff between Turkey and Greece this summer began after Ankara dispatched a research vessel accompanied by Turkish warships to search for energy reserves off Greece’s coast. The the two NATO members engaged in competing military exercises that nearly led to a clash in mid-August when a Turkish and a Greek warship collided.
“We will not back down in the face of sanctions and threats,” the blunt-speaking Mr. Erdogan said in August. “We will never bow to banditry on our continental shelf.”
Ms. Ellehuus said in an interview that the aggressive claims fit with Mr. Erdogan’s aim to stir up nationalistic fervor inside Turkey, reviving long-standing territorial disputes with Greece.
“Erdogan is all about staying in power, and in order to do that, he needs the support of Turkish nationalists,” Ms. Ellehuus said.
She noted the Turkish president’s outspoken backing for right-wing Turkish Cypriot nationalist Ersin Tatar, who was elected leader of Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus this month. Mr. Tartar ran on a promise to push for Turkish Cypriot independence and abandon long-running United Nations-led efforts to reunify northern Cyprus with the Greek Cypriot in the south of the divided island.
Away from the friction with Greece, Ms. Ellehuus said, the Erdogan government’s move are likely also driven by a desire to make money for an elite sector of Turkish companies. Part of Ankara’s motivation for getting militarily involved in Libya and Azerbaijan, she said, is a desire to line up key Turkish weapons sales and maintenance contracts with both of those nations as a cushion should Turkey’s economy continue to struggle.
The ‘leading Muslim power’
Steven A. Cook, a senior fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, said there is a sentiment within Mr. Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party — a nationalist party known by its Turkish acronym, AKP — that Turkey should exert its influence in conflicts across the region and “should be a leading Muslim power.”
As Arab Gulf states have softened their hostility toward Israel in recent months, Turkey remains an outspoken champion of the Palestinian cause, a critic of the Trump administration’s Middle East policies and a supporter of the Palestinian group Hamas, despite the State Department’s designation of it as a terrorist organization. Turkey has steadfastly backed the Tripoli-based Libyan government despite criticism in the region that it has links to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Turkey also has been outspoken in support for Azerbaijan, a largely Muslim state, in its deadly clash with Christian Armenia over control of the Armenian-controlled enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, even as Russia and the U.S. try to forge a cease-fire.
“The world must support the right side in the Nagorno-Karabakh tension, and the right side is Azerbaijan,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on a visit early last month. “The international community treats the occupier, Armenia, and the victim, Azerbaijan, the same. This approach does not lead to a solution to the conflict.”
The catch, Mr. Cook said, is that while Mr. Erdogan’s stands may be playing well with his core constituency in Turkey, Ankara’s destabilizing role in the region is bringing sharp and rising criticism abroad.
“I wouldn’t say Turkey is the principled party here by any stretch of the imagination,” Mr. Cook said. “Turkey has done quite a bit to undermine stability in the region and to undermine U.S. efforts to mediate in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as to undermine U.S. efforts in the fight against [the Islamic State group] in Syria.”
Turkey’s intervention in the Syrian war across its borders, which has sent millions fleeing to refugee camps inside Turkey, has unnerved U.S. officials. Turks see the Syrian Kurds, who have proved the Pentagon’s most effective allies in defeating the Islamic State, as closely tied to the long-running Kurdish separatist movement inside Turkey.
Turkish military forces reportedly have been shipping militants from jihadi groups previously active in Syria to Libya to battle a Russia-backed rebel movement that Mr. Trump once personally praised as a key ground-level force against terrorism in North Africa.
More recent reports say Ankara has been transporting hundreds of battle-hardened Syrian fighters to aid Azerbaijan’s fight with Armenia. Azerbaijan has strongly denied those reports and called them “pure Russian propaganda.”
The Armenian-Azerbaijani war, re-igniting a frozen conflict that dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union, has the potential to draw Turkey into an even more momentous foreign policy clash. Russia has close security ties with Armenia, and the fighting jeopardizes key oil and gas pipelines that bypass Russia and connect to Turkey.
Analysts warn of the rising prospect of an all-out regional war that could draw in other players, most notably Iran.
Mr. Erdogan has inflamed the situation by openly criticizing France, the U.S. and Russia — the three chairs of the Minsk Group, which was set up in 1992 to find a diplomatic solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — for what he calls their failure to resolve the issue for 30 years.
The U.S., Russia and France struggled throughout October to mediate a solution to the conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hosted his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts for talks in Washington late last month, but a cease-fire appeared to break down quickly as each side accused the other of violations.
Mixed signals
Some argue that Turkey remains the antagonist and that Mr. Erdogan won’t respond to the Trump administration’s overtures because of the ill will over the Russian S-400 missile defense purchase.
The U.S. has sent mixed signals of its own. Mr. Trump reportedly has a strong rapport with Mr. Erdogan, but many in his administration and on Capitol Hill take a much dimmer view of the Turkish president.
Mr. Erdogan recently appeared to be taunting the U.S. over threats of new sanctions over the S-400 deal and over a possible Turkish intervention in the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict.
“We are not a tribal state,” he told a gathering of his ruling party Oct. 25. “We are Turkey.”
U.S. officials have warned that Turkey could use the S-400 to gather data on the capabilities of the American-made F-35 stealth fighter jet and that such information in turn could end up in Russian hands. The U.S. kicked Turkey out of the F-35 development program last year, and the Pentagon slammed Ankara last week after Mr. Erdogan confirmed that Turkey had tested the S-400.
But the U.S. administration has stopped short of imposing sanctions despite pressure from Republican and Democratic lawmakers who say the White House is required by law to act.
Mr. Cook told The Times that the legislation is “very specific” in this regard but Mr. Trump has “blown it off.”
Mr. Cook said a potential Biden administration in Washington might impose the sanctions and be tougher on Turkey on other issues as well.
Whoever wins the presidential election, he said, should “recognize that Turkey views the world differently and has different goals and priorities than the United States and that Turkey doesn’t necessarily see the U.S.-led order in the region as very good for Turkey’s power.”
The U.S., he added, should embrace a policy of working “against the Turks in some areas and cooperating with them in others,” and keep in mind that “Erdogan tends to respond to tough messages and not efforts to placate him.”
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Patriot Express passengers subjected to random COVID-19 testing

Military passengers flying on Department of Defense-contracted flights will now be randomly tested for COVID-19 when they arrive at Seattle-Tacoma and Baltimore-Washington international airports , Pentagon officials announced Sunday .
Troops and their families boarding Patriot Express flights for overseas travel at the two airports will be subject to rapid , onsite testing for the novel coronavirus .
Prior to the policy change , military travelers were screened for COVID-19 with a questionnaire and temperature checks .
Now , 10-15 percent of the passengers - even those not experiencing symptoms - will undergo the onsite testing , Department of Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on-site testing for Patriot Express passengers at our BWI and SEATAC terminals , Air Mobility Command is establishing a common baseline across the services to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 , ” said Brig .
Gen. Norman West , Air Mobility Command ’ s surgeon general .
Testing will take place at the airport and is expected to last about 15 minutes .
Once cleared , the passenger will resume boarding the flight , Pentagon officials said .
If a member of the armed forces traveling with family or dependents test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be referred to a liaison for further information , which could include medical care and lodging during a prescribed isolation period which will be added to the allowed travel time .
Any passenger who has completed a valid COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the flight will not be required to complete the test at the airport , officials said .
“ Through our ‘ Total Force ’ team , ( Air Mobility Command ) is committed to doing everything in our power to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among our Patriot Express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brig .
Gen. West said .

Military passengers flying on Department of Defense-contracted flights will now be randomly tested for COVID-19 when they arrive at Seattle-Tacoma and Baltimore-Washington international airports, Pentagon officials announced Sunday.
Troops and their families boarding Patriot Express flights for overseas travel at the two airports will be subject to rapid, onsite testing for the novel coronavirus. Prior to the policy change, military travelers were screened for COVID-19 with a questionnaire and temperature checks. Now, 10-15 percent of the passengers - even those not experiencing symptoms - will undergo the onsite testing, Department of Defense officials said.
“By implementing rapid, on-site testing for Patriot Express passengers at our BWI and SEATAC terminals, Air Mobility Command is establishing a common baseline across the services to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Brig. Gen. Norman West, Air Mobility Command’s surgeon general.
Testing will take place at the airport and is expected to last about 15 minutes. Once cleared, the passenger will resume boarding the flight, Pentagon officials said.
If a member of the armed forces traveling with family or dependents test positive, the entire travel party will be referred to a liaison for further information, which could include medical care and lodging during a prescribed isolation period which will be added to the allowed travel time.
Any passenger who has completed a valid COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the flight will not be required to complete the test at the airport, officials said.
“Through our ‘Total Force’ team, (Air Mobility Command) is committed to doing everything in our power to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among our Patriot Express passengers traveling to overseas locations,” Brig. Gen. West said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--High winds, up to 10 inches of snow headed for New York

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - A wintry weather system is expected to dump up to 10 inches of @ @ @ @ @ to 50 mph across parts of New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Sunday @ @ @ @ @ winds will likely make travel treacherous through Tuesday morning , Cuomo said .
Parts of @ @ @ @ @ , the Finger Lakes , North Country and Mohawk Valley are expected to see 3 @ @ @ @ @ , while some lake-effect snowfall areas of central and northern New York may get up @ @ @ @ @ National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches and advisories for areas around the state @ @ @ @ @ area east of Lake Ontario , a winter storm watch is in effect Monday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ accumulations of 6 to 10 inches possible .
In eastern New York , including the @ @ @ @ @ the weather service has posted a high wind advisory for Monday with northwest winds gusting @ @ @ @ @

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A wintry weather system is expected to dump up to 10 inches of snow accompanied by winds up to 50 mph across parts of New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday evening.
Snow and high winds will likely make travel treacherous through Tuesday morning, Cuomo said. Parts of western and central New York, the Finger Lakes, North Country and Mohawk Valley are expected to see 3 to 7 inches of snow, while some lake-effect snowfall areas of central and northern New York may get up to 10 inches.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches and advisories for areas around the state. In the Tug Hill area east of Lake Ontario, a winter storm watch is in effect Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning with snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches possible.
In eastern New York, including the Hudson Valley and Catskills, the weather service has posted a high wind advisory for Monday with northwest winds gusting up to 50 mph.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Sheriff shuts down rowdy Halloween party at Bronx warehouse

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Deputy sheriffs shut down an illegal Halloween party early Sunday that drew more than @ @ @ @ @ warehouse .
Authorities charged nearly two dozen organizers with operating without a liquor license and @ @ @ @ @ ban on large gatherings .
Partygoers wore costumes , but many were not wearing proper @ @ @ @ @ Post reported .
Deputies went into the warehouse on Seabury Avenue about 1:30 a.m. and @ @ @ @ @ The venue had a large walk-up bar , food truck and two DJs , the @ @ @ @ @ up a similar bash the night before inside a warehouse in the East Williamsburg section @ @ @ @ @ 400 people .
Nine organizers were charged in that bust .

NEW YORK (AP) - Deputy sheriffs shut down an illegal Halloween party early Sunday that drew more than 500 revelers to a Bronx warehouse.
Authorities charged nearly two dozen organizers with operating without a liquor license and violating the city’s ban on large gatherings.
Partygoers wore costumes, but many were not wearing proper masks, the New York Post reported.
Deputies went into the warehouse on Seabury Avenue about 1:30 a.m. and dispersed the tightly-packed crowd. The venue had a large walk-up bar, food truck and two DJs, the Post reported.
Deputies broke up a similar bash the night before inside a warehouse in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn that drew nearly 400 people. Nine organizers were charged in that bust.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Edward Blum: Colleges shouldn't use race as factor for admissions

An occasional interview series with Americans who are challenging the status quo .
For a man who is not a lawyer , Edward Blum sure does spend a lot of time in the federal courts .
But that ’ s the venue you ’ re aiming for when , like Mr. Blum , you seek to change what you see as a distorted admissions process at America ’ s top colleges .
“ We do not believe race should be a consideration when it comes to determining who gets into a college , ” said Mr. Blum , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe it is unconstitutional.
” That might appear a radical stance , particularly at a time when California voters this week will reconsider the state ’ s Proposition 209 , which bans race as a consideration in the decisions of public institutions , and Black Lives Matter protests have become frequent in America ’ s cities .
Yet most Americans think Students for Fair Admissions is picking an average person ’ s fight .
When the Pew Research Center asked about the subject last year , 73 % of Americans said race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college admissions , and only 7 % said it should be a major factor .
“ The easiest part of my job is convincing people that race shouldn ’ t be an issue , period , ” said Mr. Blum , a conservative legal strategist and fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington .
“ The people we represent aren ’ t children of hedge fund CEOs .
They are the sons and daughters of hotel workers , grocery clerks , families in which both Mom and Dad work.
” Students for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many are still ongoing .
It represented Abigail Fisher in her lawsuit against the University of Texas , a case that went to the Supreme Court twice and ended with Justice Anthony Kennedy green lighting the school ’ s consideration of race in applications .
The nonprofit group also got involved in cases against the University of Michigan , two of which also led to Supreme Court arguments , and took on the crown jewel of colleges , Harvard University .
Harvard prevailed against Mr. Blum ’ s outfit , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did uncover some remarkable information , he said .
The lawsuit against Harvard , now in the 1st U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , involved Asian American applicants who contend Harvard discriminated against them in admissions .
For example , in an outcome suggesting a quota system , Asian Americans comprised a remarkably steady 18 % of incoming Harvard students from 1992 to 2013 .
In 2014 , Students for Fair Admissions sued Harvard .
That fall , the Asian American component of the new freshman class climbed to 23 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dig into those numbers and they testified the likelihood of that increase coming out of the blue , or being random , is basically zero , ” Mr. Blum said .
Documents pried loose from Harvard during the suit showed many Asian American applicants had test scores and grades that put them in the highest ranks , but they repeatedly fell short on intangibles .
In interviews , many Asian Americans were deemed lacking in charisma , personality and leadership ability .
Harvard just didn ’ t like the cut of their jib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred about a hundred years ago in Cambridge circles .
“ What happened to Jews at Harvard in the 1920s happens to Asians today , ” Mr. Blum said .
“ They supposedly lack courage .
They are one-dimensional.
” The Harvard case has been argued before the 1st Circuit but , in an unfortunate twist , one of the three judges who heard the case died in October .
While that may put the Harvard matter in temporary limbo , the Crimson is not alone in allegedly discriminating against some applicants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which last month sued Yale on similar grounds .
“ Yale discriminated against applicants to Yale College on the grounds of race and national origin , and … Yale ’ s discrimination imposes undue and unlawful penalties on racially disfavored applicants , including in particular most Asian and White applicants , ” the Justice Department said .
Students for Fair Admissions filed court documents to join the lawsuit , a move several legal experts said is well-grounded as both law and an insurance policy .
Should Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new attorney general would move to dismiss the Yale lawsuit and the judge most likely would accept the motion .
If Students for Fair Admissions is granted status as a co-plaintiff , however , that could keep the lawsuit alive .
The group is free to file its own suit in any case , but Mr. Blum said it made more sense to join the one already in motion .
It isn ’ t only Harvard and Yale .
In 2014 , Students for Fair Admissions also filed a lawsuit against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising the bar higher for white applicants .
The case is expected to go to trial in November .
“ It ’ s likely going on all over the map , ” he said .
History appears to support that contention .
In 2004 , then-Chancellor of the University of California Board of Regents John Moores ignited a firestorm when he revealed that , absent discrimination , the incoming class at the flagship campus in Berkeley would be 100 % Asian American .
The various cases Students for Fair Admissions are involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Blum maintains a link with AEI , he was appointed president of the group in 2014 .
The goal is to cut the tangled knot that race and ethnicity wrap around college admissions .
A Supreme Court ruling to declare race-based admissions unconstitutional is needed now , Mr. Blum said .
He ’ s not sure America will get it .
“ You never know what they ’ re going to do , ” he said , pointing to the six times he ’ s been involved in a case before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Admissions were to win , Mr. Blum said his role would transition to one of being a watchdog .
With 23,000 dues-paying members and counting , he does not envision the issue disappearing .
Students for Fair Admissions can ’ t really offer a victory to those it believes were victimized .
The lawsuits don ’ t seek any monetary awards , and presumably , those who applied to college 15 years or so ago have moved on .
“ But they ’ ll know , ” Mr. Blum said .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or sister ?
What about their own children , or grandchildren ?
This would let them know that those people won ’ t suffer , like they did , because of their race .
”

An occasional interview series with Americans who are challenging the status quo.
For a man who is not a lawyer, Edward Blum sure does spend a lot of time in the federal courts.
But that’s the venue you’re aiming for when, like Mr. Blum, you seek to change what you see as a distorted admissions process at America’s top colleges.
“We do not believe race should be a consideration when it comes to determining who gets into a college,” said Mr. Blum, the president of Students for Fair Admissions. “We believe it is unconstitutional.”
That might appear a radical stance, particularly at a time when California voters this week will reconsider the state’s Proposition 209, which bans race as a consideration in the decisions of public institutions, and Black Lives Matter protests have become frequent in America’s cities.
Yet most Americans think Students for Fair Admissions is picking an average person’s fight. When the Pew Research Center asked about the subject last year, 73% of Americans said race and ethnicity should play no part in college admissions, and only 7% said it should be a major factor.
“The easiest part of my job is convincing people that race shouldn’t be an issue, period,” said Mr. Blum, a conservative legal strategist and fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. “The people we represent aren’t children of hedge fund CEOs. They are the sons and daughters of hotel workers, grocery clerks, families in which both Mom and Dad work.”
Students for Fair Admissions launched multiple court battles, and many are still ongoing. It represented Abigail Fisher in her lawsuit against the University of Texas, a case that went to the Supreme Court twice and ended with Justice Anthony Kennedy green lighting the school’s consideration of race in applications.
The nonprofit group also got involved in cases against the University of Michigan, two of which also led to Supreme Court arguments, and took on the crown jewel of colleges, Harvard University.
Harvard prevailed against Mr. Blum’s outfit, but the trial in federal district court in Massachusetts did uncover some remarkable information, he said.
The lawsuit against Harvard, now in the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, involved Asian American applicants who contend Harvard discriminated against them in admissions. For example, in an outcome suggesting a quota system, Asian Americans comprised a remarkably steady 18% of incoming Harvard students from 1992 to 2013.
In 2014, Students for Fair Admissions sued Harvard. That fall, the Asian American component of the new freshman class climbed to 23%.
“We had expert economists and statisticians dig into those numbers and they testified the likelihood of that increase coming out of the blue, or being random, is basically zero,” Mr. Blum said.
Documents pried loose from Harvard during the suit showed many Asian American applicants had test scores and grades that put them in the highest ranks, but they repeatedly fell short on intangibles. In interviews, many Asian Americans were deemed lacking in charisma, personality and leadership ability.
Harvard just didn’t like the cut of their jib, it seemed.
Something very similar occurred about a hundred years ago in Cambridge circles.
“What happened to Jews at Harvard in the 1920s happens to Asians today,” Mr. Blum said. “They supposedly lack courage. They are one-dimensional.”
The Harvard case has been argued before the 1st Circuit but, in an unfortunate twist, one of the three judges who heard the case died in October.
While that may put the Harvard matter in temporary limbo, the Crimson is not alone in allegedly discriminating against some applicants, according to the Department of Justice, which last month sued Yale on similar grounds.
“Yale discriminated against applicants to Yale College on the grounds of race and national origin, and … Yale’s discrimination imposes undue and unlawful penalties on racially disfavored applicants, including in particular most Asian and White applicants,” the Justice Department said.
Students for Fair Admissions filed court documents to join the lawsuit, a move several legal experts said is well-grounded as both law and an insurance policy. Should Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden win the presidency, Mr. Blum and others assume the new attorney general would move to dismiss the Yale lawsuit and the judge most likely would accept the motion.
If Students for Fair Admissions is granted status as a co-plaintiff, however, that could keep the lawsuit alive. The group is free to file its own suit in any case, but Mr. Blum said it made more sense to join the one already in motion.
It isn’t only Harvard and Yale.
In 2014, Students for Fair Admissions also filed a lawsuit against the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for unfairly raising the bar higher for white applicants. The case is expected to go to trial in November.
“It’s likely going on all over the map,” he said.
History appears to support that contention. In 2004, then-Chancellor of the University of California Board of Regents John Moores ignited a firestorm when he revealed that, absent discrimination, the incoming class at the flagship campus in Berkeley would be 100% Asian American.
The various cases Students for Fair Admissions are involved in are a full-time job, and while Mr. Blum maintains a link with AEI, he was appointed president of the group in 2014.
The goal is to cut the tangled knot that race and ethnicity wrap around college admissions. A Supreme Court ruling to declare race-based admissions unconstitutional is needed now, Mr. Blum said.
He’s not sure America will get it.
“You never know what they’re going to do,” he said, pointing to the six times he’s been involved in a case before the highest court.
If Students for Fair Admissions were to win, Mr. Blum said his role would transition to one of being a watchdog. With 23,000 dues-paying members and counting, he does not envision the issue disappearing.
Students for Fair Admissions can’t really offer a victory to those it believes were victimized. The lawsuits don’t seek any monetary awards, and presumably, those who applied to college 15 years or so ago have moved on.
“But they’ll know,” Mr. Blum said. “And what if they have a younger brother or sister? What about their own children, or grandchildren? This would let them know that those people won’t suffer, like they did, because of their race.”
• James Varney can be reached at jvarney@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Donald Trump, Joe Biden focus on Pennsylvania voters

President Trump exhorted voters Sunday in a five-state blitz from Iowa to Florida to keep his “ America First ” movement alive with a wave of Republican voters on Election Day , while Democrat Joseph R. Biden campaigned closer to home in Pennsylvania as the race , roiled by a year of riots , a pandemic and economic turmoil , headed into its final day .
Even as teams of attorneys for both sides geared up for a drawn-out battle over ballot counting in key states , the candidates urged their supporters to deliver a decisive victory and erase any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned voters in Dubuque , Iowa , that Mr. Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala D. Harris would destroy all the progress of the past four years with more economic lockdowns in response to a surge in cases of COVID-19 .
“ Everything ends , ” Mr. Trump said of a Biden win .
“ These people are crazy.
” Referring to economic growth at an annualized rate of 33.1 % in the third quarter , Mr. Trump said , “ We ’ ve got a thing that ’ s rocking and rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Biden , speaking at a “ Souls to Polls ” event in Philadelphia , warned that Republicans are trying to suppress the vote in the heavily Democratic city .
“ President Trump is terrified of what will happen in Pennsylvania , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ He knows if the people of Pennsylvania get to have their say , he doesn ’ t stand a chance.
” While the candidates sought to seal victory in 14 battleground states , Pennsylvania emerged as the focus of the final push for both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday after seven rallies in the state in the past week .
Mr. Biden also will campaign again in his native state Monday , this time with singer Lady Gaga .
The Trump campaign called the Democrat ’ s celebrity assist a “ desperate effort to drum up enthusiasm for his lackluster candidacy ” from an opponent of the state ’ s natural gas fracking industry .
“ Nothing exposes Joe Biden ’ s disdain for the forgotten working men and women of Pennsylvania like campaigning with anti-fracking activist Lady Gaga , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murtaugh .
A major newspaper in Pennsylvania , the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , endorsed Mr. Trump on Sunday , the first time it has gone for a Republican candidate for president since 1972 .
The paper favored Mr. Trump ’ s economic policies and called into question Mr. Biden ’ s fitness for office , saying the 77-year-old “ is too old for the job , and fragile.
” Mr. Trump would win 279 Electoral College votes , enough to clinch a second term in office , under a “ Republican surge ” Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS News released Sunday .
It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency .
Among the more than 93 million people who have already voted , Mr. Biden holds a more than 2-1 edge , 66 % to 32 % , but the president leads among voters who plan to show up on Election Day , 69 % to 27 % , according to CBS/YouGov polling .
Under a baseline scenario , Mr. Biden has 279 electoral votes in his column among states he is likely to win or are leaning his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge ” scenario on Election Day , Mr. Trump would carry key battlegrounds Pennsylvania , Florida , Arizona and North Carolina and end up with 279 electoral votes to Mr. Biden ’ s 259 .
Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller predicted Sunday that the president will have clinched or will hold clear leads in states tallying more than 290 Electoral College votes on election night Tuesday .
“ If you speak with many smart Democrats , they believe that President Trump will be ahead on election night , probably getting 280 electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range , and then they ’ re going to try to steal it back after the election , ” Mr. Miller said on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ We believe that we will be over 290 electoral votes on election night , ” he said .
“ So no matter what they try to do , what kind of high jinks or lawsuits or whatever kind of nonsense they try to pull off , we ’ re still going to have enough electoral votes to get President Trump reelected.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win just one out of Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , Michigan and Minnesota to win reelection .
Of the four , Mr. Trump lost only Minnesota in 2016 .
“ The fact that Joe Biden had to go back to Minnesota , a state that Republicans haven ’ t won since 1972 , just the other day shows how they ’ re worried about states shifting , ” he said .
Mr. Trump has protested recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that will allow absentee and mail-in ballots to be counted even if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Pennsylvania and North Carolina .
State officials and election projection experts have warned that it might not be possible to declare a clear winner Tuesday given the expansion in absentee and vote-by-mail options during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The president suggested that he might declare victory on election night if he is ahead in enough states rather than wait for uncounted ballots .
“ We should know the result of the election on the evening of Nov. 3 , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ That ’ s the way it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way it should be.
” Mr. Biden told reporters on Sunday , “ The president is not going to steal this election.
” Mr. Trump , though , denied that he would jump the gun in proclaiming victory .
“ We ’ ll look at what happens , ” the president told reporters .
“ I think it ’ s a terrible thing when ballots can be collected after an election .
I think it ’ s terrible when we can ’ t know the results of an election the night of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer.
” The final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll before Election Day showed Mr. Biden holding a 10-point lead over Mr. Trump among registered voters nationwide , 52 % to 42 % .
But Republican pollster Bill McInturff noted that Mr. Trump had a nearly 2-1 edge among the 28 % of voters who say they plan to vote on Election Day .
In the survey released Sunday , Mr. Biden had a 6-point lead , 51 % to 45 % , over Mr. Trump across 12 battleground states : Arizona , Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , Minnesota , North Carolina , New Hampshire , Nevada , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
While Mr. Biden limited his campaigning to Pennsylvania on Sunday , the president barnstormed five battleground states — Michigan , Iowa , North Carolina , Georgia and Florida — in about 12 hours .
His last rally of the day in Miami began near midnight .
Even some Democrats expressed amazement at Mr. Trump ’ s pace .
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov .
John Fetterman , in whose state the president held four rallies Saturday , said Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to maximize his chances ” of winning the state .
“ Donald Trump is doing things that have never been done in Pennsylvania politics in terms of the raw barnstorming across small-county Pennsylvania , so it ’ s hard to predict with certainty how that ’ s going to activate not only his base of voters from 2016 , but also those that sat it out , too , ” Mr. Fetterman said on CNN .
Anita Dunn , a senior adviser to the Biden campaign , said the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ He showed people what a responsible president does and how a responsible president acts , ” Ms. Dunn said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” She said Mr. Trump , by holding large rallies , is putting “ communities [ and ] first responders at risk for his political gains , and that has been something Vice President Biden has never been willing to do.
” Campaigning in Michigan on Sunday , the president said Mr. Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs overseas .
“ The corrupt establishment hates me because I don ’ t answer to them ; I answer to you , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ They want to close down your factory , ship your jobs to China.
” Mr. Trump has attacked his Democratic rival for planning to vastly increase refugee quotas and has warned that thousands from the Middle East would resettle in Michigan .
But the president , standing in a 26-degree wind chill with snow flurries , couldn ’ t resist joking that refugees from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live there .
“ You don ’ t have to worry about it ; they ’ re never coming , ” Mr. Trump said , interrupting himself with guffaws .
“ It ’ s freezing up here .
This is terrible .
Syria never looked so good.
” Mr. Trump won Michigan , a state worth 16 electoral votes , in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point .
Mr. Biden has a 6.2-point advantage in the Real Clear Politics average of polls heading into Tuesday .

President Trump exhorted voters Sunday in a five-state blitz from Iowa to Florida to keep his “America First” movement alive with a wave of Republican voters on Election Day, while Democrat Joseph R. Biden campaigned closer to home in Pennsylvania as the race, roiled by a year of riots, a pandemic and economic turmoil, headed into its final day.
Even as teams of attorneys for both sides geared up for a drawn-out battle over ballot counting in key states, the candidates urged their supporters to deliver a decisive victory and erase any doubt about the outcome.
The president warned voters in Dubuque, Iowa, that Mr. Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala D. Harris would destroy all the progress of the past four years with more economic lockdowns in response to a surge in cases of COVID-19.
“Everything ends,” Mr. Trump said of a Biden win. “These people are crazy.”
Referring to economic growth at an annualized rate of 33.1% in the third quarter, Mr. Trump said, “We’ve got a thing that’s rocking and rolling. Let’s not blow it.”
Mr. Biden, speaking at a “Souls to Polls” event in Philadelphia, warned that Republicans are trying to suppress the vote in the heavily Democratic city.
“President Trump is terrified of what will happen in Pennsylvania,” Mr. Biden said. “He knows if the people of Pennsylvania get to have their say, he doesn’t stand a chance.”
While the candidates sought to seal victory in 14 battleground states, Pennsylvania emerged as the focus of the final push for both campaigns. Mr. Trump will visit Scranton on Monday after seven rallies in the state in the past week.
Mr. Biden also will campaign again in his native state Monday, this time with singer Lady Gaga. The Trump campaign called the Democrat’s celebrity assist a “desperate effort to drum up enthusiasm for his lackluster candidacy” from an opponent of the state’s natural gas fracking industry.
“Nothing exposes Joe Biden’s disdain for the forgotten working men and women of Pennsylvania like campaigning with anti-fracking activist Lady Gaga,” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh.
A major newspaper in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, endorsed Mr. Trump on Sunday, the first time it has gone for a Republican candidate for president since 1972. The paper favored Mr. Trump’s economic policies and called into question Mr. Biden’s fitness for office, saying the 77-year-old “is too old for the job, and fragile.”
Mr. Trump would win 279 Electoral College votes, enough to clinch a second term in office, under a “Republican surge” Election Day scenario, according to projections from CBS News released Sunday. It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Among the more than 93 million people who have already voted, Mr. Biden holds a more than 2-1 edge, 66% to 32%, but the president leads among voters who plan to show up on Election Day, 69% to 27%, according to CBS/YouGov polling.
Under a baseline scenario, Mr. Biden has 279 electoral votes in his column among states he is likely to win or are leaning his way. But under the “Republican surge” scenario on Election Day, Mr. Trump would carry key battlegrounds Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona and North Carolina and end up with 279 electoral votes to Mr. Biden’s 259.
Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller predicted Sunday that the president will have clinched or will hold clear leads in states tallying more than 290 Electoral College votes on election night Tuesday.
“If you speak with many smart Democrats, they believe that President Trump will be ahead on election night, probably getting 280 electoral [votes], somewhere in that range, and then they’re going to try to steal it back after the election,” Mr. Miller said on ABC’s “This Week.”
“We believe that we will be over 290 electoral votes on election night,” he said. “So no matter what they try to do, what kind of high jinks or lawsuits or whatever kind of nonsense they try to pull off, we’re still going to have enough electoral votes to get President Trump reelected.”
Mr. Miller said Mr. Trump needs to win just one out of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota to win reelection. Of the four, Mr. Trump lost only Minnesota in 2016.
“The fact that Joe Biden had to go back to Minnesota, a state that Republicans haven’t won since 1972, just the other day shows how they’re worried about states shifting,” he said.
Mr. Trump has protested recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that will allow absentee and mail-in ballots to be counted even if they are received after Election Day in key states including Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
State officials and election projection experts have warned that it might not be possible to declare a clear winner Tuesday given the expansion in absentee and vote-by-mail options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The president suggested that he might declare victory on election night if he is ahead in enough states rather than wait for uncounted ballots.
“We should know the result of the election on the evening of Nov. 3,” Mr. Trump said. “That’s the way it’s been, and that’s the way it should be.”
Mr. Biden told reporters on Sunday, “The president is not going to steal this election.”
Mr. Trump, though, denied that he would jump the gun in proclaiming victory.
“We’ll look at what happens,” the president told reporters. “I think it’s a terrible thing when ballots can be collected after an election. I think it’s terrible when we can’t know the results of an election the night of the election in a modern-day age of computer.”
The final NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll before Election Day showed Mr. Biden holding a 10-point lead over Mr. Trump among registered voters nationwide, 52% to 42%. But Republican pollster Bill McInturff noted that Mr. Trump had a nearly 2-1 edge among the 28% of voters who say they plan to vote on Election Day.
In the survey released Sunday, Mr. Biden had a 6-point lead, 51% to 45%, over Mr. Trump across 12 battleground states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
While Mr. Biden limited his campaigning to Pennsylvania on Sunday, the president barnstormed five battleground states — Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida — in about 12 hours. His last rally of the day in Miami began near midnight.
Even some Democrats expressed amazement at Mr. Trump’s pace. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, in whose state the president held four rallies Saturday, said Mr. Trump “is doing everything that he can to maximize his chances” of winning the state.
“Donald Trump is doing things that have never been done in Pennsylvania politics in terms of the raw barnstorming across small-county Pennsylvania, so it’s hard to predict with certainty how that’s going to activate not only his base of voters from 2016, but also those that sat it out, too,” Mr. Fetterman said on CNN.
Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, said the former vice president has been keeping an “active schedule.”
“He showed people what a responsible president does and how a responsible president acts,” Ms. Dunn said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” She said Mr. Trump, by holding large rallies, is putting “communities [and] first responders at risk for his political gains, and that has been something Vice President Biden has never been willing to do.”
Campaigning in Michigan on Sunday, the president said Mr. Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he blamed for closing Michigan factories and sending jobs overseas.
“The corrupt establishment hates me because I don’t answer to them; I answer to you,” Mr. Trump said. “They want to close down your factory, ship your jobs to China.”
Mr. Trump has attacked his Democratic rival for planning to vastly increase refugee quotas and has warned that thousands from the Middle East would resettle in Michigan. But the president, standing in a 26-degree wind chill with snow flurries, couldn’t resist joking that refugees from a warm climate wouldn’t want to live there.
“You don’t have to worry about it; they’re never coming,” Mr. Trump said, interrupting himself with guffaws. “It’s freezing up here. This is terrible. Syria never looked so good.”
Mr. Trump won Michigan, a state worth 16 electoral votes, in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point. Mr. Biden has a 6.2-point advantage in the Real Clear Politics average of polls heading into Tuesday.
• Alex Swoyer contributed to this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Pro-Trump caravans snarl traffic, spur NY protest

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Vehicles draped with banners supporting President Donald Trump snarled traffic around the New York @ @ @ @ @ Election day and anti-Trump protesters clashed with police in Manhattan , leading to 11 arrests @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of vehicles at a standstill around noon Sunday in the northbound express lanes of @ @ @ @ @ Lakewood , New Jersey .
Police said the caravan caused a 5-mile traffic backup .
@ @ @ @ @ supporters was also seen on New York ’ s Mario Cuomo Bridge on Sunday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ the Palisades Center in the Rockland County community of West Nyack .
Anti-Trump demonstrators gathered @ @ @ @ @ Manhattan to confront anticipated pro-Trump caravans that didn ’ t end up traveling through the @ @ @ @ @ New York Post showed police shoving protesters , who hurled insults at officers .
Although @ @ @ @ @ of journalists being among those arrested at the protest , police said none had official @ @ @ @ @ city .

NEW YORK (AP) - Vehicles draped with banners supporting President Donald Trump snarled traffic around the New York metropolitan area two days before Election day and anti-Trump protesters clashed with police in Manhattan, leading to 11 arrests.
Videos posted online showed hundreds of vehicles at a standstill around noon Sunday in the northbound express lanes of the Garden State Parkway near Lakewood, New Jersey. Police said the caravan caused a 5-mile traffic backup.
A large caravan of Trump supporters was also seen on New York’s Mario Cuomo Bridge on Sunday afternoon prior to a rally at the Palisades Center in the Rockland County community of West Nyack.
Anti-Trump demonstrators gathered at Madison Square Park in Manhattan to confront anticipated pro-Trump caravans that didn’t end up traveling through the area. Video by the New York Post showed police shoving protesters, who hurled insults at officers.
Although there were reports on Twitter of journalists being among those arrested at the protest, police said none had official press credentials issued by the city.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Trump warns of 'Biden lockdown' as he seeks to flip coronavirus narrative

President Trump sought to turn his greatest vulnerability — the novel coronavirus issue — into a strength during his final weekend campaign blitz , repeatedly raising the specter of economic ruin under a “ Biden lockdown ” despite the protests from the Democrat ’ s camp .
Mr. Trump ’ s mind-boggling 72-hour marathon of 14 rallies in seven states , including Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , featured a surge in predictions of societal devastation from a virus-driven shutdown under former Vice President Joseph R. Biden .
“ You know , Biden ’ s all about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Trump told a crowd at a freezing , wind-whipped rally in Washington , Michigan .
Not so , insists Mr. Biden , who has struggled for months to walk back his Aug. 21 comment about how he would “ shut it down ” to fight the spread of COVID-19 if scientists advised him to do so .
The Democrat tweeted Saturday that “ I ’ m not going to shut down the economy .
I ’ m going to shut down the virus , ” which had zero impact on Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden lockdown will mean no school , no graduations , no weddings , no Thanksgivings , no Easters , no Christmases , no Fourth of Julys , and no future , ” said Mr. Trump .
“ Under Biden ’ s lockdown , you will be living in a prison state .
That ’ s what it is .
They want to lock it down .
Let ’ s lock our country down for a couple of years and let it go away.
” The president ’ s lockdown focus comes as polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 issue , but also with lockdowns back in the forefront amid a rising rate of new cases in the U.S. and worldwide , triggering a new round of restrictions in Western Europe .
French President Emmanuel Macron enacted a nationwide shutdown Friday , declaring that the nation had been “ overpowered by a second wave , ” while Germany implemented a four-week closure of bars , restaurants and theaters .
“ Europe proposed draconian lockdowns and cases were surging and deaths were surging .
Think of it — draconian , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over again , ” said Mr. Trump on Sunday .
“ What the hell are they doing ?
I think I ’ m going to go over and explain it to them.
” Meanwhile , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced last week new “ resurgence mitigations , ” including a ban on indoor restaurant and bar service as well as social-gathering limits , raising questions about the possibility of a new stay-at-home order .
Other states , including Idaho and Michigan , have recently tightened restrictions as total U.S. cases hit 9.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as universities and schools reopen and colder weather keeps people indoors .
Mr. Biden has continued to hammer the president on the coronavirus , blaming him for the spread of COVID-19 and vowing that under a Biden administration , “ we ’ re going to act to get COVID under control ” without mentioning shutdowns .
“ On day one of my presidency , we ’ ll put into action a plan I ’ ve been talking about for months , ” Mr. Biden said at a Saturday drive-in rally in Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , tracing .
A plan for full and fair and free distribution of therapeutics and vaccines when we get one .
Imagine where we ’ d be if we had a president who had worn a mask instead of mocked it.
” Lockdowns aside , the issue remains his strong suit .
A Fox News survey of registered voters released Sunday showed that 56 % trusted Mr. Biden to do a better job on the novel coronavirus versus 40 % for Mr. Trump , while 51 % said that the virus was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We have a president that ’ s given up , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ I ’ ll never raise the white flag of surrender .
We ’ re going to beat this virus , we ’ re going to get it under control .
And the first step to beating this virus is defeating Donald Trump.
” At the same time , the poll showed Mr. Trump with a 49-48 % advantage on the economy , which he has argued would take a direct hit under Mr. Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Biden supports lockdowns , ” said free-market economist Stephen Moore , a member of the White House economic revival panel , in an email .
“ It may not be a one-year lockdown .
Might be three months , six months .
But lockdowns are MUCH more likely with Biden than Trump .
Remember he said that if the scientists tell him to , he will lock down.
” Mr. Biden has said that he would favor a national mask mandate on federal properties , while Mr. Trump has left those decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat has also been criticized for failing to offer more details on his coronavirus plan .
After Mr. Biden tweeted Saturday that the president has “ no plan to address COVID-19 , ” he drew a rebuke from investigative reporter Alex Berenson , author of “ Unreported Truths About Covid-19 and Lockdowns.
” “ What ’ s your plan ?
More lockdowns ?
Please , be specific , ” tweeted Mr. Berenson .
Polling in recent months on the popularity of stay-at-home orders and business closures has been scant , but it appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters , judging from the Democratic reluctance to embrace the shutdown strategy .
Mr. Trump has taken some flak for holding large rallies , albeit outdoors , amid the pandemic .
But Trump campaign surrogate Richard Grenell , the former U.S. ambassador to Germany , said that the crowds are fueled in part by frustration over the shutdowns .
“ I don ’ t think the president is taking a lot of hits for these rallies , ” said Mr. Grenell on Fox News .
“ I see massive numbers of people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shut down.
” At the same time , scientists have increasingly raised doubts about the effectiveness of shutdowns in combating the virus .
World Health Organization envoy Dr. David Nabarro warned last month that nations should “ stop using lockdowns as your primary control method , ” while more than 44,000 self-identified medical practitioners and scientists have signed the anti-lockdown Great Barrington Declaration .
The seemingly indefatigable Mr. Trump has maintained an exhausting campaign schedule in the last few weeks even after contracting COVID-19 on Oct. 2 , which represents in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease in spite of at least two comorbidities — his age and his weight — Mr. Trump comes as living , breathing proof that a return to normal is possible after COVID-19 , even for a “ perfect physical specimen ” like himself , as he jokes .
“ Here I am , ” he told the crowd Sunday .
“ I took something that was pretty good , because I woke up and I said , I feel great .
Boom , Superman , folks .
”

President Trump sought to turn his greatest vulnerability — the novel coronavirus issue — into a strength during his final weekend campaign blitz, repeatedly raising the specter of economic ruin under a “Biden lockdown” despite the protests from the Democrat’s camp.
Mr. Trump’s mind-boggling 72-hour marathon of 14 rallies in seven states, including Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, featured a surge in predictions of societal devastation from a virus-driven shutdown under former Vice President Joseph R. Biden.
“You know, Biden’s all about lockdowns. He loves a lockdown,” Mr. Trump told a crowd at a freezing, wind-whipped rally in Washington, Michigan.
Not so, insists Mr. Biden, who has struggled for months to walk back his Aug. 21 comment about how he would “shut it down” to fight the spread of COVID-19 if scientists advised him to do so.
The Democrat tweeted Saturday that “I’m not going to shut down the economy. I’m going to shut down the virus,” which had zero impact on Mr. Trump’s message.
“The Biden lockdown will mean no school, no graduations, no weddings, no Thanksgivings, no Easters, no Christmases, no Fourth of Julys, and no future,” said Mr. Trump. “Under Biden’s lockdown, you will be living in a prison state. That’s what it is. They want to lock it down. Let’s lock our country down for a couple of years and let it go away.”
The president’s lockdown focus comes as polls show Mr. Biden ahead with voters on the COVID-19 issue, but also with lockdowns back in the forefront amid a rising rate of new cases in the U.S. and worldwide, triggering a new round of restrictions in Western Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron enacted a nationwide shutdown Friday, declaring that the nation had been “overpowered by a second wave,” while Germany implemented a four-week closure of bars, restaurants and theaters.
“Europe proposed draconian lockdowns and cases were surging and deaths were surging. Think of it — draconian, and now they have to do it all over again,” said Mr. Trump on Sunday. “What the hell are they doing? I think I’m going to go over and explain it to them.”
Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced last week new “resurgence mitigations,” including a ban on indoor restaurant and bar service as well as social-gathering limits, raising questions about the possibility of a new stay-at-home order.
Other states, including Idaho and Michigan, have recently tightened restrictions as total U.S. cases hit 9.2 million Sunday, and deaths reached 230,522, as universities and schools reopen and colder weather keeps people indoors.
Mr. Biden has continued to hammer the president on the coronavirus, blaming him for the spread of COVID-19 and vowing that under a Biden administration, “we’re going to act to get COVID under control” without mentioning shutdowns.
“On day one of my presidency, we’ll put into action a plan I’ve been talking about for months,” Mr. Biden said at a Saturday drive-in rally in Detroit. “Masking, social distancing, testing, tracing. A plan for full and fair and free distribution of therapeutics and vaccines when we get one. Imagine where we’d be if we had a president who had worn a mask instead of mocked it.”
Lockdowns aside, the issue remains his strong suit.
A Fox News survey of registered voters released Sunday showed that 56% trusted Mr. Biden to do a better job on the novel coronavirus versus 40% for Mr. Trump, while 51% said that the virus was “not at all” under control.
“We have a president that’s given up,” Mr. Biden said. “I’ll never raise the white flag of surrender. We’re going to beat this virus, we’re going to get it under control. And the first step to beating this virus is defeating Donald Trump.”
At the same time, the poll showed Mr. Trump with a 49-48% advantage on the economy, which he has argued would take a direct hit under Mr. Biden’s plan to combat the disease.
The free-market Committee to Unleash Prosperity released a report Friday saying that a one-year national shutdown would cost the more economically competitive Southern states $330 billion over 10 years.
“Biden supports lockdowns,” said free-market economist Stephen Moore, a member of the White House economic revival panel, in an email. “It may not be a one-year lockdown. Might be three months, six months. But lockdowns are MUCH more likely with Biden than Trump. Remember he said that if the scientists tell him to, he will lock down.”
Mr. Biden has said that he would favor a national mask mandate on federal properties, while Mr. Trump has left those decisions to governors and mayors. But the Democrat has also been criticized for failing to offer more details on his coronavirus plan.
After Mr. Biden tweeted Saturday that the president has “no plan to address COVID-19,” he drew a rebuke from investigative reporter Alex Berenson, author of “Unreported Truths About Covid-19 and Lockdowns.”
“What’s your plan? More lockdowns? Please, be specific,” tweeted Mr. Berenson.
Polling in recent months on the popularity of stay-at-home orders and business closures has been scant, but it appears they may be losing their luster with voters, judging from the Democratic reluctance to embrace the shutdown strategy.
Mr. Trump has taken some flak for holding large rallies, albeit outdoors, amid the pandemic. But Trump campaign surrogate Richard Grenell, the former U.S. ambassador to Germany, said that the crowds are fueled in part by frustration over the shutdowns.
“I don’t think the president is taking a lot of hits for these rallies,” said Mr. Grenell on Fox News. “I see massive numbers of people that are really angry that America is trying to shut down.”
At the same time, scientists have increasingly raised doubts about the effectiveness of shutdowns in combating the virus.
World Health Organization envoy Dr. David Nabarro warned last month that nations should “stop using lockdowns as your primary control method,” while more than 44,000 self-identified medical practitioners and scientists have signed the anti-lockdown Great Barrington Declaration.
The seemingly indefatigable Mr. Trump has maintained an exhausting campaign schedule in the last few weeks even after contracting COVID-19 on Oct. 2, which represents in some respects his best card.
Having defeated the disease in spite of at least two comorbidities — his age and his weight — Mr. Trump comes as living, breathing proof that a return to normal is possible after COVID-19, even for a “perfect physical specimen” like himself, as he jokes.
“Here I am,” he told the crowd Sunday. “I took something that was pretty good, because I woke up and I said, I feel great. Boom, Superman, folks.”
• Alex Swoyer contributed to this article, which was also based in part on wire service reports.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--States look to ban noncitizen voting, adopt ranked-choice ballots

Noncitizens don ’ t have the right to vote anywhere in Florida right now .
Voters on Tuesday will be asked to make sure that doesn ’ t change .
Same with Colorado and Alabama , which also have the same initiative on their own ballots , where voters will be asked to officially write into their state constitutions a rule that “ only a citizen ” can vote in elections there .
Backers say they ’ re mounting an early defense against what they expect to be a wave of attempts to grant voting privileges to noncitizens .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be keeping an eye on the votes to see which way the winds are blowing .
“ The constitutional amendment was necessitated due to a new and curious effort to give legal voting rights to noncitizens including illegal noncitizens and people here on foreign student visas , ” said John Loudon , who runs Citizen Voters Inc. , the force behind the amendments .
“ The home states of Kamala Harris , Barack Obama , Elizabeth Warren and [ Alexandria ] Ocasio-Cortez are all seeing serious efforts to turn noncitizens into voters.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had plenty to say this year about who can vote and how they can go about it .
The public is about to get its own say .
The citizen-voting initiatives aren ’ t likely to have much immediate impact , according to election officials .
But another voting innovation on ballots this year could .
Alaska and Massachusetts are both facing initiatives to adopt ranked-choice balloting systems for some future elections .
So are voters in Albany and Eureka in California , Bloomington and Minnetonka in Minnesota , and Boulder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever in one year , says Rob Richie , president of FairVote , which pushes for more voting choices and is a backer of ranked-choice voting .
Under ranked-choice , voters select the order in which they prefer candidates .
If no candidate is the majority choice , election officials hold an instant run-off , eliminating the lowest-performing candidate .
Those who listed that candidate as their top choice would then have their second choice counted .
The process repeats until someone crosses the threshold .
Alaska ’ s initiative would create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the top four vote-getters advancing to a general election , where ranked-choice balloting kicks in .
Ranked choice would also be used for the presidential election .
Massachusetts ’ system would be the traditional option of ranked-choice for both primaries and general elections .
It would apply to state offices and congressional elections .
Ranked choice is getting its first test in a presidential general election this year in Maine , though four states used it for the Democratic presidential primary .
Mr. Richie said he could see all seven ranked-choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are some stumbles , the movement will grow .
Young voters are particular fans , according to polling , and some universities are adopting it for student elections .
“ I think that embracing a culture of more political choice is one that I think a lot of younger people want to see .
It clearly has spoken to young people that way , ” he said .
Ballot initiatives are the closest the U.S. comes to a direct democracy , putting public policy questions directly to voters .
Among the issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in Florida ; sex education in schools in Washington ; tax hikes in Arizona , California and Illinois ; gun controls in Montana ; and abortion restrictions in Colorado and Louisiana .
Nebraska and Utah are also asking voters whether to officially remove provisions in their constitutions that still allow slavery as punishment for a crime .
The noncitizen voting issue has been quietly brewing for years .
Takoma Park , Maryland , eliminated U.S. citizenship as a requirement for voting in local elections decades ago — and also allows those ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear how often noncitizens do cast ballots even where it ’ s legal .
Opponents of this year ’ s initiatives said not only is noncitizen voting not practiced legally in the states where it ’ s on the ballot , but they said there are unintended consequences .
In Colorado , for example , it would revoke a provision that allows 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they would be 18 by the time of the general election .

Noncitizens don’t have the right to vote anywhere in Florida right now. Voters on Tuesday will be asked to make sure that doesn’t change.
Same with Colorado and Alabama, which also have the same initiative on their own ballots, where voters will be asked to officially write into their state constitutions a rule that “only a citizen” can vote in elections there.
Backers say they’re mounting an early defense against what they expect to be a wave of attempts to grant voting privileges to noncitizens. Those on both sides of the immigration debate will be keeping an eye on the votes to see which way the winds are blowing.
“The constitutional amendment was necessitated due to a new and curious effort to give legal voting rights to noncitizens including illegal noncitizens and people here on foreign student visas,” said John Loudon, who runs Citizen Voters Inc., the force behind the amendments. “The home states of Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, Elizabeth Warren and [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez are all seeing serious efforts to turn noncitizens into voters.”
Judges, election officials and legislatures have had plenty to say this year about who can vote and how they can go about it.
The public is about to get its own say.
The citizen-voting initiatives aren’t likely to have much immediate impact, according to election officials.
But another voting innovation on ballots this year could.
Alaska and Massachusetts are both facing initiatives to adopt ranked-choice balloting systems for some future elections. So are voters in Albany and Eureka in California, Bloomington and Minnetonka in Minnesota, and Boulder, Colorado.
That’s the most ever in one year, says Rob Richie, president of FairVote, which pushes for more voting choices and is a backer of ranked-choice voting.
Under ranked-choice, voters select the order in which they prefer candidates. If no candidate is the majority choice, election officials hold an instant run-off, eliminating the lowest-performing candidate. Those who listed that candidate as their top choice would then have their second choice counted. The process repeats until someone crosses the threshold.
Alaska’s initiative would create a unified ballot for state and congressional offices, with the top four vote-getters advancing to a general election, where ranked-choice balloting kicks in. Ranked choice would also be used for the presidential election.
Massachusetts’ system would be the traditional option of ranked-choice for both primaries and general elections. It would apply to state offices and congressional elections.
Ranked choice is getting its first test in a presidential general election this year in Maine, though four states used it for the Democratic presidential primary.
Mr. Richie said he could see all seven ranked-choice ballot initiatives passing, but even if there are some stumbles, the movement will grow.
Young voters are particular fans, according to polling, and some universities are adopting it for student elections.
“I think that embracing a culture of more political choice is one that I think a lot of younger people want to see. It clearly has spoken to young people that way,” he said.
Ballot initiatives are the closest the U.S. comes to a direct democracy, putting public policy questions directly to voters.
Among the issues on ballots this year are a minimum-wage increase in Florida; sex education in schools in Washington; tax hikes in Arizona, California and Illinois; gun controls in Montana; and abortion restrictions in Colorado and Louisiana.
Nebraska and Utah are also asking voters whether to officially remove provisions in their constitutions that still allow slavery as punishment for a crime.
The noncitizen voting issue has been quietly brewing for years.
Takoma Park, Maryland, eliminated U.S. citizenship as a requirement for voting in local elections decades ago — and also allows those ages 16 and 17 to vote.
San Francisco opened local school board elections to noncitizens in 2018.
It’s unclear how often noncitizens do cast ballots even where it’s legal.
Opponents of this year’s initiatives said not only is noncitizen voting not practiced legally in the states where it’s on the ballot, but they said there are unintended consequences.
In Colorado, for example, it would revoke a provision that allows 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they would be 18 by the time of the general election.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Trump at Hickory, North Carolina rally woos voters as an outsider

President Trump told his supporters Sunday in North Carolina that he is not a politician , contrasting himself with his opponent Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden who has been involved in politics for nearly 50 years .
He called Mr. Biden a “ die-hard globalist ” who outsourced jobs , opened the borders , and sacrificed Americans in endless wars .
“ Thankfully , I ’ m not a politician , ” the president told the crowd in Hickory , North Carolina .
“ I fight for you and there has never been anybody that fought harder for you.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement that he renegotiated during his first administration , producing the United States , Mexico , Canada Agreement .
Mr. Trump blamed Mr. Biden for being part of the Washington establishment supporting NAFTA that he said cost North Carolina nearly half of its manufacturing jobs .
“ Promises made , promises kept .
We did it all , ” the president said .
He said his administration had the best economy the country had seen before the coronavirus pandemic hit , noting a recent Gallup poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were better off now than they were just four years ago .
The president said Mr. Biden and the far left would ban American oil , natural gas , and fracking .
“ That will cripple our country - energy costs go up , ” Mr. Trump said .
According to the Real Clear Politics average , Mr. Biden is up by .3 % in North Carolina .
Mr. Trump was up by 1 % heading into Election Day in 2016 .
He defeated Hillary Clinton four years ago by roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina red to win the state ’ s 15 electoral votes .
“ The crowds are bigger , ” Mr. Trump said , dismissing polls suggesting he is down .
“ This is the most important election perhaps in the history of our country — get out and vote .
”

President Trump told his supporters Sunday in North Carolina that he is not a politician, contrasting himself with his opponent Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden who has been involved in politics for nearly 50 years.
He called Mr. Biden a “die-hard globalist” who outsourced jobs, opened the borders, and sacrificed Americans in endless wars.
“Thankfully, I’m not a politician,” the president told the crowd in Hickory, North Carolina. “I fight for you and there has never been anybody that fought harder for you.”
He told the crowd that Mr. Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement that he renegotiated during his first administration, producing the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement.
Mr. Trump blamed Mr. Biden for being part of the Washington establishment supporting NAFTA that he said cost North Carolina nearly half of its manufacturing jobs.
“Promises made, promises kept. We did it all,” the president said.
He said his administration had the best economy the country had seen before the coronavirus pandemic hit, noting a recent Gallup poll said more than 50% of people said they were better off now than they were just four years ago.
The president said Mr. Biden and the far left would ban American oil, natural gas, and fracking.
“That will cripple our country - energy costs go up,” Mr. Trump said.
According to the Real Clear Politics average, Mr. Biden is up by .3% in North Carolina. Mr. Trump was up by 1% heading into Election Day in 2016.
He defeated Hillary Clinton four years ago by roughly 3.5% and is hoping to keep North Carolina red to win the state’s 15 electoral votes.
“The crowds are bigger,” Mr. Trump said, dismissing polls suggesting he is down. “This is the most important election perhaps in the history of our country — get out and vote.”
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Iowa's Smith-Marsette arrested on suspicion of drunk driving

IOWA CITY , Iowa ( AP ) - Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Sunday and will be suspended for next weekend ’ s home game against Michigan State .
Smith-Marsette was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro when Iowa City police pulled him over for speeding about 1:30 a.m. , hours after the Hawkeyes ’ 21-20 loss to Northwestern .
A police report said Smith-Marsette was traveling 74 mph in a 30-mph zone , and the responding officer described Smith-Marsette as having bloodshot and watery eyes and smelling of alcohol .
Smith-Marsette failed field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was .13 .
The legal limit is .08 .
“ I was disappointed to learn that Ihmir Smith-Marsette made a number of dangerous and potentially harmful decisions early this morning , ” coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statement .
“ First and foremost , I am thankful no one was hurt .
“ Ihmir will be suspended for Saturday ’ s game against Michigan State .
His availability for future games will be determined as he goes through the University of Iowa Student Athlete Code of Conduct process , which includes counseling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Ferentz said Smith-Marsette was apologetic and disappointed in himself .
Smith-Marsette was the Hawks ’ leading receiver last season , and he had a team-leading seven catches for 84 yards against Northwestern .
The senior from Newark , New Jersey , went into the Northwestern game as the top kickoff returner in Big Ten history , averaging 29.4 yards on 48 career returns .

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Sunday and will be suspended for next weekend’s home game against Michigan State.
Smith-Marsette was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro when Iowa City police pulled him over for speeding about 1:30 a.m., hours after the Hawkeyes’ 21-20 loss to Northwestern.
A police report said Smith-Marsette was traveling 74 mph in a 30-mph zone, and the responding officer described Smith-Marsette as having bloodshot and watery eyes and smelling of alcohol. Smith-Marsette failed field sobriety tests, and his blood-alcohol content was .13. The legal limit is .08.
“I was disappointed to learn that Ihmir Smith-Marsette made a number of dangerous and potentially harmful decisions early this morning,” coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statement. “First and foremost, I am thankful no one was hurt.
“Ihmir will be suspended for Saturday’s game against Michigan State. His availability for future games will be determined as he goes through the University of Iowa Student Athlete Code of Conduct process, which includes counseling and other department protocols,” he said.
Ferentz said Smith-Marsette was apologetic and disappointed in himself.
Smith-Marsette was the Hawks’ leading receiver last season, and he had a team-leading seven catches for 84 yards against Northwestern.
The senior from Newark, New Jersey, went into the Northwestern game as the top kickoff returner in Big Ten history, averaging 29.4 yards on 48 career returns.
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Joe Biden would implement public mask mandate

Russia loomed over the U.S. elections four years ago , but here ’ s a 2020 twist no one saw coming : Vladimir Putin and Joseph R. Biden both want everyone in their vast nations to mask up in public .
Mr. Putin issued a mandate requiring masks on public transportation and other public spaces last week , as the coronavirus spreads across his country and Europe .
Mr. Biden , the Democratic nominee , is pushing for a similar move in the U.S. , calling for a “ nationwide mandate ” that amounts to a face-covering requirement on federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for every governor to issue a mask mandate .
If governors won ’ t do it , Mr. Biden plans to lean on mayors , hoping to make mask-wearing a social norm from coast to coast .
The push is winning support from public health experts — including Dr. Anthony Fauci — who say people need to buckle down as the coronavirus permeates the country and swamps Europe .
The U.S. is seeing record numbers of daily cases , but it ’ s not just from increased testing — hospital visits are peaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlike his Democratic foe , President Trump says he wants Americans to make their own choices as they navigate the pandemic .
He ’ s presiding over campaign crowds with sporadic mask use and ridiculing California for its strict rules .
“ You can not , under any circumstances , take it off .
You have to eat through the mask , ” Mr. Trump told Arizona supporters at a recent campaign rally .
Health experts say masks are a simple but effective tool in blocking infectious droplets , especially if someone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they talk , cough or sneeze in public .
Even if a mask-wearer does become infected , some scientists say a face covering may reduce the amount of virus they ’ re exposed to , giving them a better chance of having a mild case .
Mr. Biden initially pitched a sweeping federal mandate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August .
But the effort ran into immediate questions — vice-presidential pick Kamala D. Harris said no one would be punished for violating the mandate , dubbing it a federal “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he believed he had the legal power to enact one but couldn ’ t guarantee it .
“ It isn ’ t clear that the executive branch has such broad authority , ” said Josh Blackman , a professor at South Texas College of Law .
“ If you ’ re on federal property , you can probably do that — if you ’ re on an airplane or on Amtrak.
” Thirty-three states , plus the District of Columbia , have mask orders in place , according to AARP .
The mandates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spaces such as stores and restaurants or public transportation and offer exceptions for people with disabilities or specific circumstances , such as exercising or eating .
There are gaps in mask use , however , including in states that have seen a spike in cases and deaths in recent weeks .
North Dakota Gov .
Doug Burgum , a Republican , has pleaded with residents to mask up but will not mandate it .
His state has one of the highest seven-day averages of new cases per 100,000 residents in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors ’ arms would only extend so far , according to experts .
For instance , it would be difficult for his administration to threaten state or localities with a loss of funding for refusing to institute a mask mandate , according to Mr. Blackman .
A federal appeals court this year ruled against Mr. Trump ’ s push to withhold federal funds from “ sanctuary cities ” that don ’ t cooperate with federal immigration enforcement .
Heavy-handed efforts to induce mask-wearing might backfire , hardening the resistance of people who see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump officially recommends mask-wearing in cases where people can not socially distance .
But he hasn ’ t promoted their use and questioned whether servers are spreading germs by fiddling with their masks while serving food .
Mr. Trump appeared shocked to see Fox News personality Laura Ingraham wearing a mask at his Michigan rally on Friday .
“ Are you wearing a mask ?
” Mr. Trump called out incredulously to Ms. Ingraham , who was standing below the stage in the crowd .
“ I can ’ t recognize you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve never seen her in a mask .
Look at you .
Whoa !
Whoa !
” Mr. Trump told the crowd , “ She ’ s being very politically correct .
”

Russia loomed over the U.S. elections four years ago, but here’s a 2020 twist no one saw coming: Vladimir Putin and Joseph R. Biden both want everyone in their vast nations to mask up in public.
Mr. Putin issued a mandate requiring masks on public transportation and other public spaces last week, as the coronavirus spreads across his country and Europe.
Mr. Biden, the Democratic nominee, is pushing for a similar move in the U.S., calling for a “nationwide mandate” that amounts to a face-covering requirement on federal property and interstate transportation and a plea for every governor to issue a mask mandate.
If governors won’t do it, Mr. Biden plans to lean on mayors, hoping to make mask-wearing a social norm from coast to coast.
The push is winning support from public health experts — including Dr. Anthony Fauci — who say people need to buckle down as the coronavirus permeates the country and swamps Europe.
The U.S. is seeing record numbers of daily cases, but it’s not just from increased testing — hospital visits are peaking in more than a dozen states.
Unlike his Democratic foe, President Trump says he wants Americans to make their own choices as they navigate the pandemic. He’s presiding over campaign crowds with sporadic mask use and ridiculing California for its strict rules.
“You cannot, under any circumstances, take it off. You have to eat through the mask,” Mr. Trump told Arizona supporters at a recent campaign rally.
Health experts say masks are a simple but effective tool in blocking infectious droplets, especially if someone is infected and doesn’t know it as they talk, cough or sneeze in public. Even if a mask-wearer does become infected, some scientists say a face covering may reduce the amount of virus they’re exposed to, giving them a better chance of having a mild case.
Mr. Biden initially pitched a sweeping federal mandate ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August.
But the effort ran into immediate questions — vice-presidential pick Kamala D. Harris said no one would be punished for violating the mandate, dubbing it a federal “standard,” while Mr. Biden said he believed he had the legal power to enact one but couldn’t guarantee it.
“It isn’t clear that the executive branch has such broad authority,” said Josh Blackman, a professor at South Texas College of Law. “If you’re on federal property, you can probably do that — if you’re on an airplane or on Amtrak.”
Thirty-three states, plus the District of Columbia, have mask orders in place, according to AARP.
The mandates differ but generally apply to indoor public spaces such as stores and restaurants or public transportation and offer exceptions for people with disabilities or specific circumstances, such as exercising or eating.
There are gaps in mask use, however, including in states that have seen a spike in cases and deaths in recent weeks.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican, has pleaded with residents to mask up but will not mandate it. His state has one of the highest seven-day averages of new cases per 100,000 residents in the country.
Mr. Biden’s authority to twist governors’ arms would only extend so far, according to experts.
For instance, it would be difficult for his administration to threaten state or localities with a loss of funding for refusing to institute a mask mandate, according to Mr. Blackman. A federal appeals court this year ruled against Mr. Trump’s push to withhold federal funds from “sanctuary cities” that don’t cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Heavy-handed efforts to induce mask-wearing might backfire, hardening the resistance of people who see government pandemic rules as overreach.
Mr. Trump officially recommends mask-wearing in cases where people cannot socially distance. But he hasn’t promoted their use and questioned whether servers are spreading germs by fiddling with their masks while serving food.
Mr. Trump appeared shocked to see Fox News personality Laura Ingraham wearing a mask at his Michigan rally on Friday.
“Are you wearing a mask?” Mr. Trump called out incredulously to Ms. Ingraham, who was standing below the stage in the crowd. “I can’t recognize you. Is that a mask? I’ve never seen her in a mask. Look at you. Whoa! Whoa!”
Mr. Trump told the crowd, “She’s being very politically correct.”
• Dave Boyer contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.