washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Mike Pompeo confronts 'Asian NATO' hurdles in Asian allies meeting

The Trump administration ’ s push for U.S. allies in Asia to take collective new steps to counter China is expected to dominate discussions as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with his Japanese , Indian and Australian counterparts in Tokyo on Tuesday .
Mr. Pompeo ’ s trip to the region this week has been shortened because of President Trump ’ s COVID-19 hospitalization .
Stops planned in South Korea and Mongolia are no longer on the schedule .
Tuesday ’ s gathering of top diplomats from the “ Quad ” countries , however , remained a priority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing the group into an “ Asian NATO ” in the face of China ’ s growing economic and military might .
But those hopes face a test this week to see whether the Australians , Indians or Japanese , all of whom have frictions of their own with leaders in Beijing , are ready to talk openly about a more formal defense grouping .
Australia has appeared the most aligned with the Trump administration .
Japan and India remain guarded out of fear that such an alliance would trigger punitive economic backlash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to host the ministerial meeting , just days after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took office , is seen as a sign that Tokyo may be warming to the idea .
The Quad was initiated in 2007 by Mr. Suga ’ s predecessor , Shinzo Abe .
Japanese officials say they want to focus the talks this week on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as issues pertaining to freedom in the wider Indo-Pacific .
U.S. and Japanese officials back an initiative known as Free and Open Indo-Pacific , which aims to expand security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing together countries that are “ like-minded ” — essentially pro-democracy and pro-market .
Before departing from Washington , Mr. Pompeo told reporters that he hoped Tuesday ’ s meetings would provide some unspecified “ significant announcements ” and “ significant achievements.
” Although skeptical of multilateral institutions , the Trump administration has embraced the Quad as part of its 2017 Indo-Pacific strategy , particularly as China steps up its aggressive behavior in the region .
Past efforts for an East Asian security alliance , such as the post-World War II Southeast Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communism , lost traction , but that was before China ’ s emergence as a rising superpower .
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said China is “ fundamentally shifting the global balance of power ” in ways that should motivate NATO to “ become more global.
” The Trump administration is keen to seize upon regional unease over China ’ s construction of military bases on artificial islands in disputed areas of the South China Sea , as well as Beijing ’ s growing use of “ wolf warrior ” diplomacy and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Hong Kong and Xinjiang .
Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun recently suggested that the Quad could be the beginning of a NATO-style alliance in Asia .
“ It ’ s something that I think in the second term of the Trump administration or , were the president not to win , the first term of the next president , it could be something that would be very much worthwhile to be explored , ” Mr. Biegun said at a U.S.-Indian strategic dialogue on Aug. 31 .
Mr. Biegun also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than countering China and could broadly coordinate militaries and economies of the region ’ s smaller nations around a rules-based value system .
“ It is a reality that the Indo-Pacific region is actually lacking in strong multilateral structures .
They don ’ t have anything of the fortitude of NATO or the European Union .
The strongest institutions in Asia oftentimes are not inclusive enough , ” he said .
“ There is certainly an invitation there at some point to formalize a structure like this.
” The catch is that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military exercises in recent years , have struggled over long-term steps .
Some members hesitate to create a more formal alliance or be drawn into a U.S.-led effort to confront and contain Beijing .
The Japan Times reported that Tokyo , which has clashed with Beijing over sovereignty of islands in the East China Sea , “ will have to walk a fine line on the subject of China ” on Tuesday , given Japan ’ s economic relationship with China .
India also has traditionally resisted formal NATO-style security alliances , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ altered by bloody border clashes with Chinese forces high in the Himalayas .
Daniel S. Markey , a former State Department official now at Johns Hopkins University ’ s School of Advanced International Studies , said Chinese-Indian tensions could create an opening for Washington .
The border dispute , coupled with the recent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong , “ may be shifting attitudes in India ” in a manner that “ makes the American job of convincing Indians that China is a threat easier.
” The Indian Embassy in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although an Indo-Pacific source familiar with India ’ s position recently told The Times that recent events have made India a bit more open to the Quad idea .
“ To talk about an Asian NATO is definitely jumping the gun , ” the source said , “ because it puts out a narrative of a military grouping , which Delhi is against.
” Analysts often point to South Korea in discussions about what other nations might be asked to join an expanded Quad .
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has toed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late September that Seoul would likely resist a U.S.-led alliance aimed at containing China .
“ We don ’ t think anything that automatically shuts out , and is exclusive of , the interests of others is a good idea , ” Ms. Kang said , according to South Korea ’ s Yonhap News Agency .
“ If that ’ s a structured alliance , we will certainly think very hard whether it serves our security interests , ” she said .
Ms. Kang also said South Korea has never been invited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul is “ ready to have discussion with whoever has an approach that is inclusive , open and in accordance with international norms.
” The English-language Korea Times reported Monday that South Korean leaders were privately relieved that Mr. Pompeo scrubbed a visit with the U.S. elections less than a month away and Seoul reluctant to offend either Washington or Beijing until the situation is clearer .
Mr. Pompeo ’ s itinerary has attracted considerable attention .
The secretary of state refused to answer questions from the traveling press about a rumored surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been siding with Taiwan more openly in recent months as relations with China deteriorate .
Meanwhile , the proceedings in Tokyo will be a test for the new Japanese prime minister .
Mr. Suga will be making his diplomatic debut as Japan ’ s leader when he attends part of the Quad meeting .
Analysts say Mr. Suga , who is slated to hold separate talks with Mr. Pompeo , faces a tough task in balancing Tokyo ’ s relations between the U.S. , which is Japan ’ s main security ally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner .
“ The challenges of Japan-U.S. relations are not in themselves , but in where Japan stands when U.S.-China disputes intensify , ” said Yasushi Watanabe , an expert on U.S. diplomacy at Japan ’ s Keio University .
“ It would be best for Japan to take a pragmatic approach to China while maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance as a cornerstone , ” Mr. Watanabe told The Associated Press .
“ And it is indispensable for Japan to strengthen cooperation with the EU , Britain , Australia and ASEAN.
” Some think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premature .
“ A shared threat perception of China does not mean shared views on what to do and if it ’ s possible to build the Quad into something along the lines of NATO , ” said Jeff Kingston , director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan .

The Trump administration’s push for U.S. allies in Asia to take collective new steps to counter China is expected to dominate discussions as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with his Japanese, Indian and Australian counterparts in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Mr. Pompeo’s trip to the region this week has been shortened because of President Trump’s COVID-19 hospitalization. Stops planned in South Korea and Mongolia are no longer on the schedule.
Tuesday’s gathering of top diplomats from the “Quad” countries, however, remained a priority. The administration recently floated the idea of developing the group into an “Asian NATO” in the face of China’s growing economic and military might.
But those hopes face a test this week to see whether the Australians, Indians or Japanese, all of whom have frictions of their own with leaders in Beijing, are ready to talk openly about a more formal defense grouping.
Australia has appeared the most aligned with the Trump administration. Japan and India remain guarded out of fear that such an alliance would trigger punitive economic backlash from Beijing. The fact that Japan agreed to host the ministerial meeting, just days after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took office, is seen as a sign that Tokyo may be warming to the idea.
The Quad was initiated in 2007 by Mr. Suga’s predecessor, Shinzo Abe. Japanese officials say they want to focus the talks this week on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as issues pertaining to freedom in the wider Indo-Pacific.
U.S. and Japanese officials back an initiative known as Free and Open Indo-Pacific, which aims to expand security and economic cooperation throughout the region by bringing together countries that are “like-minded” — essentially pro-democracy and pro-market.
Before departing from Washington, Mr. Pompeo told reporters that he hoped Tuesday’s meetings would provide some unspecified “significant announcements” and “significant achievements.”
Although skeptical of multilateral institutions, the Trump administration has embraced the Quad as part of its 2017 Indo-Pacific strategy, particularly as China steps up its aggressive behavior in the region.
Unease over China
Past efforts for an East Asian security alliance, such as the post-World War II Southeast Asia Treaty Organization to guard against Cold War-era communism, lost traction, but that was before China’s emergence as a rising superpower. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said China is “fundamentally shifting the global balance of power” in ways that should motivate NATO to “become more global.”
The Trump administration is keen to seize upon regional unease over China’s construction of military bases on artificial islands in disputed areas of the South China Sea, as well as Beijing’s growing use of “wolf warrior” diplomacy and its crackdown on domestic dissent in places such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun recently suggested that the Quad could be the beginning of a NATO-style alliance in Asia.
“It’s something that I think in the second term of the Trump administration or, were the president not to win, the first term of the next president, it could be something that would be very much worthwhile to be explored,” Mr. Biegun said at a U.S.-Indian strategic dialogue on Aug. 31.
Mr. Biegun also said an Asian NATO would be about more than countering China and could broadly coordinate militaries and economies of the region’s smaller nations around a rules-based value system.
“It is a reality that the Indo-Pacific region is actually lacking in strong multilateral structures. They don’t have anything of the fortitude of NATO or the European Union. The strongest institutions in Asia oftentimes are not inclusive enough,” he said. “There is certainly an invitation there at some point to formalize a structure like this.”
The catch is that the Quad nations, while stepping up joint military exercises in recent years, have struggled over long-term steps. Some members hesitate to create a more formal alliance or be drawn into a U.S.-led effort to confront and contain Beijing.
The Japan Times reported that Tokyo, which has clashed with Beijing over sovereignty of islands in the East China Sea, “will have to walk a fine line on the subject of China” on Tuesday, given Japan’s economic relationship with China.
India also has traditionally resisted formal NATO-style security alliances, though New Delhi’s thinking may be altered by bloody border clashes with Chinese forces high in the Himalayas.
Daniel S. Markey, a former State Department official now at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, said Chinese-Indian tensions could create an opening for Washington.
The border dispute, coupled with the recent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, “may be shifting attitudes in India” in a manner that “makes the American job of convincing Indians that China is a threat easier.”
The Indian Embassy in Washington declined to comment for this article, although an Indo-Pacific source familiar with India’s position recently told The Times that recent events have made India a bit more open to the Quad idea.
“To talk about an Asian NATO is definitely jumping the gun,” the source said, “because it puts out a narrative of a military grouping, which Delhi is against.”
Wooing South Korea
Analysts often point to South Korea in discussions about what other nations might be asked to join an expanded Quad.
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has toed a delicate line. He suggested in late September that Seoul would likely resist a U.S.-led alliance aimed at containing China.
“We don’t think anything that automatically shuts out, and is exclusive of, the interests of others is a good idea,” Ms. Kang said, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. “If that’s a structured alliance, we will certainly think very hard whether it serves our security interests,” she said.
Ms. Kang also said South Korea has never been invited to be part of the Quad and that Seoul is “ready to have discussion with whoever has an approach that is inclusive, open and in accordance with international norms.”
The English-language Korea Times reported Monday that South Korean leaders were privately relieved that Mr. Pompeo scrubbed a visit with the U.S. elections less than a month away and Seoul reluctant to offend either Washington or Beijing until the situation is clearer.
Mr. Pompeo’s itinerary has attracted considerable attention. The secretary of state refused to answer questions from the traveling press about a rumored surprise stop in Taiwan. The Trump administration has been siding with Taiwan more openly in recent months as relations with China deteriorate.
Meanwhile, the proceedings in Tokyo will be a test for the new Japanese prime minister. Mr. Suga will be making his diplomatic debut as Japan’s leader when he attends part of the Quad meeting.
Analysts say Mr. Suga, who is slated to hold separate talks with Mr. Pompeo, faces a tough task in balancing Tokyo’s relations between the U.S., which is Japan’s main security ally, and China, its top trading partner.
“The challenges of Japan-U.S. relations are not in themselves, but in where Japan stands when U.S.-China disputes intensify,” said Yasushi Watanabe, an expert on U.S. diplomacy at Japan’s Keio University.
“It would be best for Japan to take a pragmatic approach to China while maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance as a cornerstone,” Mr. Watanabe told The Associated Press. “And it is indispensable for Japan to strengthen cooperation with the EU, Britain, Australia and ASEAN.”
Some think talk of an Asian NATO is distinctly premature.
“A shared threat perception of China does not mean shared views on what to do and if it’s possible to build the Quad into something along the lines of NATO,” said Jeff Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Group challenges amendment language of graduated tax plan

CHICAGO ( AP ) - A group aligned with the Republican Party filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the language of a proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that creates a graduated-rate income tax .
The Illinois Policy Institute contends in the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court that the explanation of the amendment on the ballot for voter approval is misleading and needs court-ordered clarification .
The amendment would change the state ’ s mandated flat-rate income tax to a graduated-rate tax with rates that increase along with income .
The Illinois General Assembly in May approved the language in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 ballot that explains the pros and cons of adding a graduated rate to the income tax system .
The lawsuit contends misleading statements in the ballot explanation and pamphlet are dangerous to retirees .
“ Like the ballot explanation , the arguments in favor include several misleading statements including , among others , a misleading statement that , upon information and belief , will induce retirees into voting to impose on themselves a tax on retirement income , ” the lawsuit , filed by the group along with three retirees , contends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fulks said the lawsuit is an attempt by an organization bankrolled by the wealthiest people in the state to ensure the burden remains on middle- and working-class families while millionaires and billionaires avoid paying their fair share .
“ When the facts aren ’ t on your side , you ’ re forced to rely on blatant stunts and outright lies and that ’ s exactly what we ’ re seeing from the Illinois Policy Institute today , ” Fulks said in a statement .
Fulks said his organization will continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fair Tax will help them and their families .

CHICAGO (AP) - A group aligned with the Republican Party filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the language of a proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that creates a graduated-rate income tax.
The Illinois Policy Institute contends in the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court that the explanation of the amendment on the ballot for voter approval is misleading and needs court-ordered clarification. The amendment would change the state’s mandated flat-rate income tax to a graduated-rate tax with rates that increase along with income.
The Illinois General Assembly in May approved the language in the proposed amendment that is atop the Nov. 3 ballot that explains the pros and cons of adding a graduated rate to the income tax system. The lawsuit contends misleading statements in the ballot explanation and pamphlet are dangerous to retirees.
“Like the ballot explanation, the arguments in favor include several misleading statements including, among others, a misleading statement that, upon information and belief, will induce retirees into voting to impose on themselves a tax on retirement income,” the lawsuit, filed by the group along with three retirees, contends.
Vote Yes for Fairness chairman Quentin Fulks said the lawsuit is an attempt by an organization bankrolled by the wealthiest people in the state to ensure the burden remains on middle- and working-class families while millionaires and billionaires avoid paying their fair share.
“When the facts aren’t on your side, you’re forced to rely on blatant stunts and outright lies and that’s exactly what we’re seeing from the Illinois Policy Institute today,” Fulks said in a statement.
Fulks said his organization will continue to be focused on educating voters on how the Fair Tax will help them and their families.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Biden rips Trump over coronavirus tweets

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Monday criticized President Trump ’ s tweets about the coronavirus , following the president ’ s discharge from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
“ Instead of talking about , the only thing I heard was one of the tweets saying that ‘ don ’ t be so concerned about all this ’ essentially .
There ’ s a lot to be concerned about , ” Mr. Biden said at a town hall conducted by NBC .
“ Two-hundred-and-ten million , 210,000 people have died.
” While Mr. Biden did not identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets on Monday angered him , the president announced his exit from the hospital while encouraging the American people to be not afraid .
“ I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 p.m .
Feeling really good !
” Mr. Trump tweeted .
“ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life .
We have developed , under the Trump administration , some really great drugs & knowledge .
I feel better than I did 20 years ago.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Mr. Trump feeling better but decided not to reach out to the president out of fear of being “ intrusive .
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Monday criticized President Trump’s tweets about the coronavirus, following the president’s discharge from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“Instead of talking about, the only thing I heard was one of the tweets saying that ‘don’t be so concerned about all this’ essentially. There’s a lot to be concerned about,” Mr. Biden said at a town hall conducted by NBC. “Two-hundred-and-ten million, 210,000 people have died.”
While Mr. Biden did not identify which of Mr. Trump’s 20-plus tweets on Monday angered him, the president announced his exit from the hospital while encouraging the American people to be not afraid.
“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 p.m. Feeling really good!” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago.”
Mr. Biden said he was glad to see Mr. Trump feeling better but decided not to reach out to the president out of fear of being “intrusive.”
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--DC unveils plan to open public school buildings in November

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Public Schools in Washington , D.C. , will partially reopen their buildings to select students beginning Nov. 9 in a multi-pronged approach as the nation ’ s capital struggles to return to normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser had planned to start the 2020 school year offering a hybrid model combining distance learning with two days a week of in-school instruction .
But the city was forced to abandon that plan in late summer amid strong safety objections from the teacher ’ s union .
Bowser said Monday there was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to school buildings safely .
She has repeatedly cited the schools issue as a fundamental step in the District ’ s return from a pandemic-fueled shutdown .
“ We shouldn ’ t expect life to go back to normal until kids are back in school , ” she said in September .
The new plan , announced Monday , brings back certain students from pre-K through fifth grade .
D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said students in sixth grade and above would continue with full-time distance learning until the next school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our youngest students have been the most challenged ” by the long-distance computer instruction , Ferebee said .
Those students offered the chance to return to school buildings would be classified in two primary groupings .
Students in the “ in-person learning classroom ” level would receive traditional classroom instruction from a teacher .
This would be offered to students with special-education needs , those learning English , and students experiencing homelessness or otherwise deemed to be at-risk .
Ferebee said the program would begin on Nov. 9 and there would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at every elementary school .
The second grouping , dubbed the “ CARE ” model , would bring in groups of students who would continue to work virtually via laptop under adult supervision .
The students would be able to socialize safely with their peers during breaks , recess and lunch .
Priority here would be given to the children of DCPS teachers and staff , and to students whose siblings have already been accepted .
But it would otherwise be open to the wider student body and participants will be selected via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for CARE students would begin on Nov. 16 .
Second through fifth grades would start on Nov. 30 .
Ferebee said the school administration would select students for both programs and offer seats to parents .
“ We will reach out to the families , ” he said , adding there was no need for parents to apply .
Students who are not chosen for either program or who prefer to continue full-time distance learning will continue to participate from home .
Instead of the original two-day-a-week hybrid model , students will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday as a half-day .
The “ in-person classroom ” model appears to resemble that pursued by a handful of local charter schools .
About a dozen public charters , which are largely independent and educate about 46 percent of public school students , have been bringing in select groups of students using similar criteria for in-person instruction .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Public Schools in Washington, D.C., will partially reopen their buildings to select students beginning Nov. 9 in a multi-pronged approach as the nation’s capital struggles to return to normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser had planned to start the 2020 school year offering a hybrid model combining distance learning with two days a week of in-school instruction. But the city was forced to abandon that plan in late summer amid strong safety objections from the teacher’s union.
Bowser said Monday there was “a real urgency” to get students back to school buildings safely. She has repeatedly cited the schools issue as a fundamental step in the District’s return from a pandemic-fueled shutdown.
“We shouldn’t expect life to go back to normal until kids are back in school,” she said in September.
The new plan, announced Monday, brings back certain students from pre-K through fifth grade. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee said students in sixth grade and above would continue with full-time distance learning until the next school term, which starts in early 2021.
“Our youngest students have been the most challenged” by the long-distance computer instruction, Ferebee said.
Those students offered the chance to return to school buildings would be classified in two primary groupings. Students in the “in-person learning classroom” level would receive traditional classroom instruction from a teacher. This would be offered to students with special-education needs, those learning English, and students experiencing homelessness or otherwise deemed to be at-risk.
Ferebee said the program would begin on Nov. 9 and there would be one such class per grade level at every elementary school.
The second grouping, dubbed the “CARE” model, would bring in groups of students who would continue to work virtually via laptop under adult supervision. The students would be able to socialize safely with their peers during breaks, recess and lunch. Priority here would be given to the children of DCPS teachers and staff, and to students whose siblings have already been accepted. But it would otherwise be open to the wider student body and participants will be selected via randomized algorithm.
Pre-K though first grade for CARE students would begin on Nov. 16. Second through fifth grades would start on Nov. 30.
Ferebee said the school administration would select students for both programs and offer seats to parents. “We will reach out to the families,” he said, adding there was no need for parents to apply.
Students who are not chosen for either program or who prefer to continue full-time distance learning will continue to participate from home. Instead of the original two-day-a-week hybrid model, students will be in school all five weekdays, with Wednesday as a half-day.
The “in-person classroom” model appears to resemble that pursued by a handful of local charter schools. About a dozen public charters, which are largely independent and educate about 46 percent of public school students, have been bringing in select groups of students using similar criteria for in-person instruction.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Judge: Video voting OK if necessary due to disability

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona election officials can allow voters to cast ballots through video conferencing if necessary to accommodate a disability , a judge ruled Monday .
Citing the COVID-19 pandemic , Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes had sought a court order explicitly allowing “ special election boards ” to use video to assist voters in a hospital or long-term care facility who don ’ t have a trusted relative or caregiver to help .
Gov .
Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich , both Republicans , said that was illegal because special election boards must meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner agreed that state law requires an in-person meeting .
But he said that ’ s trumped by a federal law requiring that voters with disabilities are accommodated .
He declined to issue an order explicitly authorizing video voting , however , saying the determination must be made on a case-by-case basis .
“ That does not mean the county recorder is free to use video voting whenever he wants or for any voter who asks , ” Warner wrote .
“ ( The law ) still requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only yields to federal law when necessary to allow a disabled person to vote.
” Bipartisan special election boards are a method of helping voters cast a ballot if they ’ re unable to mark it themselves .
One Republican and one Democrat deliver a ballot and fill it out according to the voter ’ s instructions .
To avoid potentially exposing vulnerable people to the coronavirus , Fontes , a Democrat , used video conferencing for 10 special election boards during the primaries in August .
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 15 county recorders with procedures for video voting .
That prompted a tense exchange of letters between Hobbs and Ducey over the legality of the practice .
“ This is a win for accessibility , ” Fontes said in a statement .
“ We will continue to provide this option to the most vulnerable population of Maricopa County voters when necessary , ensuring compliance with all applicable law.
” A spokesman for Ducey , Ben Petersen , said the governor ’ s office is reviewing the ruling .

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona election officials can allow voters to cast ballots through video conferencing if necessary to accommodate a disability, a judge ruled Monday.
Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes had sought a court order explicitly allowing “special election boards” to use video to assist voters in a hospital or long-term care facility who don’t have a trusted relative or caregiver to help. Gov. Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich, both Republicans, said that was illegal because special election boards must meet with the voter in person.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner agreed that state law requires an in-person meeting. But he said that’s trumped by a federal law requiring that voters with disabilities are accommodated. He declined to issue an order explicitly authorizing video voting, however, saying the determination must be made on a case-by-case basis.
“That does not mean the county recorder is free to use video voting whenever he wants or for any voter who asks,” Warner wrote. “(The law) still requires personal contact, and that statutory requirement only yields to federal law when necessary to allow a disabled person to vote.”
Bipartisan special election boards are a method of helping voters cast a ballot if they’re unable to mark it themselves. One Republican and one Democrat deliver a ballot and fill it out according to the voter’s instructions. To avoid potentially exposing vulnerable people to the coronavirus, Fontes, a Democrat, used video conferencing for 10 special election boards during the primaries in August.
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, also a Democrat, issued guidance to all 15 county recorders with procedures for video voting. That prompted a tense exchange of letters between Hobbs and Ducey over the legality of the practice.
“This is a win for accessibility,” Fontes said in a statement. “We will continue to provide this option to the most vulnerable population of Maricopa County voters when necessary, ensuring compliance with all applicable law.”
A spokesman for Ducey, Ben Petersen, said the governor’s office is reviewing the ruling.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--NYC Council expels Councilman Andy King over ethics issues

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The New York City Council on Monday voted out Councilman Andy King , who had come under multiple ethics inquiries in recent years including for his treatment of women staffers and accusations of questionable use of a financial transaction .
King ’ s “ behavior is unfixable , ” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson at the meeting , where the vote to expel the Bronx Democrat was 48-2 , with King voting against it along with another Bronx Democrat , Councilman Rubén Díaz Sr .
Speaking in his defense , King , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of his race , among other things , and said he should not be expelled for behavior that wasn ’ t a crime .
“ Why am I being attacked like this ?
” he said .
“ I do not want to be a martyr .
I just want to continue to serve the residents of the 12th district.
” The council ’ s ethics committee had recommended last week that King be expelled , following the third probe into his actions in the last couple of years .
Following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal court in Manhattan against the City Council over the expulsion .

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City Council on Monday voted out Councilman Andy King, who had come under multiple ethics inquiries in recent years including for his treatment of women staffers and accusations of questionable use of a financial transaction.
King’s “behavior is unfixable,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson at the meeting, where the vote to expel the Bronx Democrat was 48-2, with King voting against it along with another Bronx Democrat, Councilman Rubén Díaz Sr.
Speaking in his defense, King, who is Black, said he was being targeted because of his race, among other things, and said he should not be expelled for behavior that wasn’t a crime.
“Why am I being attacked like this?” he said. “I do not want to be a martyr. I just want to continue to serve the residents of the 12th district.”
The council’s ethics committee had recommended last week that King be expelled, following the third probe into his actions in the last couple of years.
Following the vote, King filed a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan against the City Council over the expulsion.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Congressional debate turns fiery between Barr, Hicks

Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and his Democratic opponent Josh Hicks clashed over the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic in a fiery debate that turned personal Monday night .
The televised faceoff in the hotly contested 6th District race came as absentee ballot voting has begun in Kentucky and early in-person voting starts next week ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
The congressional district covers portions of central and east-central Kentucky .
Barr touted his record in office , including his work on a bill that recently passed the House to create national medication and safety standards for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed to his rural roots and background as a Marine and police officer while projecting a populist message .
The back-and-forth became personal when each accused the other of distorting his record .
Hicks , a Lexington attorney , said that Barr lied about some lawsuits he filed as part of his practice .
Barr said his challenger lied about his stances on health care policy , with the congressman saying he supports protecting coverage for people with pre-existing health conditions .
Barr has voted multiple times to repeal the Affordable Care Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-existing conditions .
Barr said the law drove up health insurance premiums and forced some to give up their doctors .
Hicks supports the health care law but said it can be improved .
Much of the hourlong debate revolved around the coronavirus outbreak .
The discussion came as Kentucky is in the midst of another spike in COVID-19 cases .
Barr defended the federal response to the health crisis while Hicks gave President Donald Trump ’ s administration a failing grade during the debate , held in Lexington .
Barr said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional response , saying a virus relief package passed earlier this year pumped financial support to shore up businesses .
Those federal loans provided a “ lifeline that has saved countless Kentuckians ’ jobs , ” the congressman said .
Hicks countered that lives are still being lost to the virus , businesses are “ still half open , half closed ” and the country lacks “ good federal guidance ” to combat the threat .
He also mentioned the virus outbreak that has infected Trump and some in his inner circle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your White House and your press secretary gets it and the first lady gets it , and the president gets it and three Republican senators get it and all these other folks get it , I don ’ t know how you can give that anything other than an F , ” Hicks said .
The debate also turned testy and personal during a lengthy discussion about health care .
Barr said it was “ downright offensive ” to claim that he doesn ’ t support protecting coverage for people with pre-existing health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in June from a pre-existing condition and his sister lives with a chronic illness .
Hicks called access to health care a human right , and said it ’ s under attack from the latest effort - now before the U.S. Supreme Court - to dismantled the Affordable Care Act .
Hicks , a former Republican , said the GOP lacks a plan to replace the law .
“ They just want to get rid of it , ” he said .
Meanwhile , Barr touted his work on legislation to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horse racing industry He called it a “ transformational ” measure to preserve the key sector ’ s future .
The 6th District is in the heart of Kentucky ’ s thoroughbred industry .
Hicks downplayed Barr ’ s role , saying the bill “ was never going to happen until Mitch McConnell approved it and you know that because you worked on it for six years .
Until he came down and patted you on the head and told you to go , you never got it passed.
” McConnell , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader .
The bill ’ s passage in the Democratic-controlled House sent it to the Senate .
Hicks closed the debate by offering a populist message while referring to himself as “ a kid from Fleming County ” in rural Kentucky who went on to serve as a Marine and police officer .
He said he got in the race in part because he ’ s “ sick and tired of politicians selling us out to pharmaceutical companies , to Wall Street , to payday lenders .
”

BRUCE SCHREINER and PIPER HUDSPETH BLACKBURN

A fiery debate between Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and his Democratic opponent Josh Hicks turned personal as they clashed over the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The televised faceoff in the hotly contested 6th District race came as absentee ballot voting has begun in Kentucky and early in-person voting starts next week ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The congressional district covers portions of central and east-central Kentucky.
Barr touted his record in office, including his work on a bill that recently passed the House to create national medication and safety standards for the signature horse racing industry. Hicks pointed to his rural roots and background as a Marine and police officer while projecting a populist message.
The back-and-forth became personal when each accused the other of distorting his record.
Hicks, a Lexington attorney, said that Barr lied about some lawsuits he filed as part of his practice. Barr said his challenger lied about his stances on health care policy, with the congressman saying he supports protecting coverage for people with pre-existing health conditions.
Barr has voted multiple times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which includes protections for those with pre-existing conditions. Barr said the law drove up health insurance premiums and forced some to give up their doctors. Hicks supports the health care law but said it can be improved.
Much of the hourlong debate Monday night revolved around the coronavirus outbreak. The discussion came as Kentucky is in the midst of another spike in COVID-19 cases.
Barr defended the federal response to the health crisis while Hicks gave President Donald Trump’s administration a failing grade during the debate, held in Lexington.
Barr said he was “particularly proud” of the congressional response, saying a virus relief package passed earlier this year pumped financial support to shore up businesses. Those federal loans provided a “lifeline that has saved countless Kentuckians’ jobs,” the congressman said.
Hicks countered that lives are still being lost to the virus, businesses are “still half open, half closed” and the country lacks “good federal guidance” to combat the threat. He also mentioned the virus outbreak that has infected Trump and some in his inner circle.
“If you have an outbreak in your White House and your press secretary gets it and the first lady gets it, and the president gets it and three Republican senators get it and all these other folks get it, I don’t know how you can give that anything other than an F,” Hicks said.
The debate also turned testy and personal during a lengthy discussion about health care.
Barr said it was “downright offensive” to claim that he doesn’t support protecting coverage for people with pre-existing health conditions. Barr noted that his wife died in June from a pre-existing condition and his sister lives with a chronic illness.
Hicks called access to health care a human right, and said it’s under attack from the latest effort - now before the U.S. Supreme Court - to dismantled the Affordable Care Act. Hicks, a former Republican, said the GOP lacks a plan to replace the law.
“They just want to get rid of it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Barr touted his work on legislation to create national medication and safety standards for the horse racing industry He called it a “transformational” measure to preserve the key sector’s future. The 6th District is in the heart of Kentucky’s thoroughbred industry.
Hicks downplayed Barr’s role, saying the bill “was never going to happen until Mitch McConnell approved it and you know that because you worked on it for six years. Until he came down and patted you on the head and told you to go, you never got it passed.” McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, is the Senate majority leader.
The bill’s passage in the Democratic-controlled House sent it to the Senate.
Hicks closed the debate by offering a populist message while referring to himself as “a kid from Fleming County” in rural Kentucky who went on to serve as a Marine and police officer.
He said he got in the race in part because he’s “sick and tired of politicians selling us out to pharmaceutical companies, to Wall Street, to payday lenders.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Kristi Noem emerges as political contender for keeping South Dakota open

When most state governors spouted doom and gloom , enforcing strict stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic , South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem saw an opportunity and it appears to be paying off .
Whether by design or as a happy coincidence , Ms. Noem is basking in a national spotlight and has emerged as one to watch for a potential 2024 run .
She kept her state open and even hosted President Trump for his first major campaign rally since the nationwide shutdowns — an Independence Day fireworks spectacular at Mount Rushmore .
Critics said the event was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a spike in coronavirus cases in the state .
Instead of folding , Ms. Noem doubled down .
She aired commercials nationally that tell Americans to visit South Dakota where it ’ s wide open , courting tourists and business to her state .
“ 2020 has been a wild year , but during this time Gov .
Kristi Noem has stood out as a shining star amongst all GOP leaders — standing against the coronavirus fear and also holding the line on limited government by limiting the need for the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan Rhodes , a Republican strategist .
“ She has a very bright future now and potentially as a presidential contender , ” he said .
Her political opponents accuse her of using the TV ads , which were paid for with $ 5 million of federal coronavirus relief aid , as a shameless self-promotion stunt .
Nikki Gronli , the vice chairwoman of the South Dakota Democratic Party , said Ms. Noem did the same thing in her speech at Republican National Convention in August when the governor failed to mention her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would highlight us as a state — some of the great things about our state — and we really weren ’ t mentioned at all , and I think people were disappointed in that .
When she had the nation ’ s eyes on her , our state was ignored , ” Ms. Gronli said .
She also said the relief money should have been better spent .
“ Those dollars should be used for our frontline workers .
They should be used for businesses impacted ” by the virus , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s spokesman , Ian Fury , said state promoted tourism for strictly economic reasons .
“ That ’ s how people put food on the table , ” he told CBS News .
Republican Party leaders and grassroots activists have taken notice of the 48-year-old rancher who boasts a compelling political and personal story .
At 22 , Ms. Noem lost her father in a grain bin accident , quit school and move home to help run the family ranch and farm .
After expanding her family business and obtaining her degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful campaigns for state representative and then for the state ’ s sole seat in Congress .
She served in the nation ’ s capital for eight years and then won the state governorship in 2018 .
“ She has a different look than the old white guy of the Republican Party , ” said Corey Lewandowski , a GOP strategist and former Trump 2016 campaign manager .
Under Ms. Noem ’ s leadership , South Dakota has capitalized on the strict shutdowns in states such as Minnesota , where she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her state .
“ When it comes to supporting companies and eliminating heavy-handed government interference , South Dakota means business , ” the governor says in a 60-second spot airing in Minnesota .
“ We offer freedom from red tape.
” “ Here in South Dakota , we trust our people .
We respect their rights .
We won ’ t shut them down , ” she says into the camera .
States such as Minnesota saw strict shutdown orders that shuttered businesses and kept many closed even longer due to weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late May .
Minnesota leaders saw it as a cheap shot .
Steve Grove , the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development , said Ms. Noem was being “ cute ” with her anti-Minnesota campaign .
He noted that CNBC ranked Minnesota seventh on its list of best states for businesses in the U.S. , while South Dakota ranked 28th .
“ @ Forbes best quality of life : MN=3rd , SD=28th .
@ usnews best states : MN=3rd , SD=27th .
We [ love ] being neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all succeed # MidwestPride , ” Mr. Grove tweeted .
South Dakota Democrats also insist their state ’ s economic picture isn ’ t entirely bright under Ms. Noem .
Restaurants and retail shops suffered a new round of closings in South Dakota amid the spike in cases .
The state suffered an increase in COVID-19 positive tests since large in-person gatherings were allowed at the president ’ s Mount Rushmore rally and at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally , which typically attracts 500,000 bikers to the small town in western South Dakota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the motorcycle rally led to more than 260,000 COVID-19 cases across the country .
Ms. Noem called that study , published by professors at San Diego State University ’ s Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies , “ fiction.
” Johns Hopkins University researchers also questioned the study , saying there may be a spike in cases from the motorcycle gathering but not necessarily the huge number cited in the analysts .

When most state governors spouted doom and gloom, enforcing strict stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem saw an opportunity and it appears to be paying off.
Whether by design or as a happy coincidence, Ms. Noem is basking in a national spotlight and has emerged as one to watch for a potential 2024 run.
She kept her state open and even hosted President Trump for his first major campaign rally since the nationwide shutdowns — an Independence Day fireworks spectacular at Mount Rushmore.
Critics said the event was reckless during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributed to a spike in coronavirus cases in the state.
Instead of folding, Ms. Noem doubled down. She aired commercials nationally that tell Americans to visit South Dakota where it’s wide open, courting tourists and business to her state.
“2020 has been a wild year, but during this time Gov. Kristi Noem has stood out as a shining star amongst all GOP leaders — standing against the coronavirus fear and also holding the line on limited government by limiting the need for the federal government in her state,” said Ryan Rhodes, a Republican strategist.
“She has a very bright future now and potentially as a presidential contender,” he said.
Her political opponents accuse her of using the TV ads, which were paid for with $5 million of federal coronavirus relief aid, as a shameless self-promotion stunt.
Nikki Gronli, the vice chairwoman of the South Dakota Democratic Party, said Ms. Noem did the same thing in her speech at Republican National Convention in August when the governor failed to mention her state.
“People kind of thought she would highlight us as a state — some of the great things about our state — and we really weren’t mentioned at all, and I think people were disappointed in that. When she had the nation’s eyes on her, our state was ignored,” Ms. Gronli said.
She also said the relief money should have been better spent.
“Those dollars should be used for our frontline workers. They should be used for businesses impacted” by the virus, she told The Washington Times.
The governor’s spokesman, Ian Fury, said state promoted tourism for strictly economic reasons.
“That’s how people put food on the table,” he told CBS News.
Republican Party leaders and grassroots activists have taken notice of the 48-year-old rancher who boasts a compelling political and personal story.
At 22, Ms. Noem lost her father in a grain bin accident, quit school and move home to help run the family ranch and farm.
After expanding her family business and obtaining her degree through online education, Ms. Noem ran successful campaigns for state representative and then for the state’s sole seat in Congress. She served in the nation’s capital for eight years and then won the state governorship in 2018.
“She has a different look than the old white guy of the Republican Party,” said Corey Lewandowski, a GOP strategist and former Trump 2016 campaign manager.
Under Ms. Noem’s leadership, South Dakota has capitalized on the strict shutdowns in states such as Minnesota, where she’s airing TV ads to lure businesses to her state.
“When it comes to supporting companies and eliminating heavy-handed government interference, South Dakota means business,” the governor says in a 60-second spot airing in Minnesota. “We offer freedom from red tape.”
“Here in South Dakota, we trust our people. We respect their rights. We won’t shut them down,” she says into the camera.
States such as Minnesota saw strict shutdown orders that shuttered businesses and kept many closed even longer due to weeks of rioting following George Floyd’s death in late May.
Minnesota leaders saw it as a cheap shot.
Steve Grove, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, said Ms. Noem was being “cute” with her anti-Minnesota campaign.
He noted that CNBC ranked Minnesota seventh on its list of best states for businesses in the U.S., while South Dakota ranked 28th.
“@Forbes best quality of life: MN=3rd, SD=28th. @usnews best states: MN=3rd, SD=27th. We [love] being neighbors though. When you succeed, we all succeed #MidwestPride,” Mr. Grove tweeted.
South Dakota Democrats also insist their state’s economic picture isn’t entirely bright under Ms. Noem.
Restaurants and retail shops suffered a new round of closings in South Dakota amid the spike in cases. The state suffered an increase in COVID-19 positive tests since large in-person gatherings were allowed at the president’s Mount Rushmore rally and at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which typically attracts 500,000 bikers to the small town in western South Dakota.
A study released in September said the motorcycle rally led to more than 260,000 COVID-19 cases across the country.
Ms. Noem called that study, published by professors at San Diego State University’s Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies, “fiction.”
Johns Hopkins University researchers also questioned the study, saying there may be a spike in cases from the motorcycle gathering but not necessarily the huge number cited in the analysts.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--200K in US have died from virus. Now Trump says he 'gets it'

WASHNGTON ( AP ) - Now that he has contracted COVID-19 , President Donald Trump says he does “ get it.
” That revelation , seven months into the pandemic and after almost 210,000 American deaths , is not the first time he has relied on personal experience to shape his views .
He said he now “ understands ” the virus .
But because of his own experience , as a patient at one of the nation ’ s finest medical facilities with treatment options available to very few , the president also reinforced that he has struggled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus .
Instead , as he has in relationships with other countries , he has prioritized his own personal experience over that of experts .
He has been reluctant , for instance , to call out Russian President Vladimir Putin over interference in American elections in the face of clear evidence from the U.S. intelligence community that it has occurred .
He has also drawn frequently on his experience with the business world or his own family to set the White House agenda .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land a deal for the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem , and he said he understands the airline industry because of his time running the failed Trump Shuttle .
Despite months of briefings from the nation ’ s leading infectious disease experts , it was the onset of his own symptoms , as he was brought low by a lethal virus , that he said gave him a greater understanding .
That understanding , however , seemed very much in conflict with expert public health guidance about how the virus behaves and the precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher risk group like the president , need to take .
“ It ’ s been a very interesting journey , ” Trump said in a video released Sunday night .
“ I learned a lot about COVID .
I learned it by really going to school .
This is the real school .
And I get it , and I understand it , and it ’ s a very interesting thing , and I ’ m going to be letting you know about it.
” But it soon became clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it .
Trump took a surprise ride in a motorcade to pay tribute to his supporters , potentially exposing the Secret Service agents who rode in the vehicle with him .
The next day , when announcing that he would be returning to the White House , he took a tone that suggested he was out of touch with suffering Americans who could not receive the same level of presidential care .
“ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the Trump Administration , some really great drugs & knowledge .
I feel better than I did 20 years ago !
” At no point since he tested positive for the virus has Trump acknowledged others afflicted with the deadly disease .
His general election foe , Democrat Joe Biden , on Monday urged him to fundamentally change how he manages the pandemic .
“ I was glad to see the president speaking and recording videos over the weekend , ” Biden said in Miami .
“ Now that he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask him to do this : Listen to the scientists , support masks.
” Even when the virus struck longtime friends , like Stanley Chera , a New Jersey developer who died of the disease in April , Trump did not change his approach and continued to talk about the virus as though it would soon be a thing of the past .
“ We ’ ve always said that he has no capacity for empathy .
His sense of self-regard is so overwhelming , he views everything that passes through the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him , ” said Eddie Glaude , chair of the department of African American Studies at Princeton University .
“ Even though more than 200,000 Americans are dead , the nature of the crisis doesn ’ t come home unless it actually touches him , ” Glaude said .
“ Could he ever represent anyone other than himself ?
” Trump has said he could deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un because he had established a personal rapport with the authoritarian figure in ways that his predecessors could not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so was he .
And then we would go back and forth , ” Trump said at a 2018 rally .
“ And then we fell in love .
No really .
He wrote me beautiful letters.
” Since Trump has in effect declared his battle with the disease successful - an assessment that available medical evidence suggests is premature - it remains doubtful that Trump would take his personal experience battling COVID-19 and rethink his administration ’ s policies or attitudes toward the pandemic , especially given the competing imperative of continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had difficulty embracing a central role of the American presidency : consoling people dealing with intense grief , regardless of their political affiliation or support for the White House ’ s agenda .
It ’ s a quality rarely debated or analyzed during a campaign , yet one that can shape the way people view the success of their president .
But in 2020 , it has become a central issue .
The president has rarely mentioned the toll of the virus on the nation , instead focusing on an economic recovery or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has largely eschewed wearing a mask and mocked those who have .
And he has ignored his own federal government ’ s guidelines when holding rallies and large-scale White House events .
Trump may draw lessons from his own experiences but will rarely ever acknowledge a misstep , said former campaign adviser Sam Nunberg .
“ He once said , ‘ It is what it is ’ about the impact of COVID .
His video ( Sunday night ) was better than that , it was probably the closest he is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Nunberg .
“ That ’ s not who he is.
” “ He has experience now fighting the coronavirus as an individual , ” said Erin Perrine , a campaign spokeswoman .
“ Joe Biden doesn ’ t have that .
”

WASHNGTON (AP) - Now that he has contracted COVID-19, President Donald Trump says he does “get it.” That revelation, seven months into the pandemic and after almost 210,000 American deaths, is not the first time he has relied on personal experience to shape his views.
He said he now “understands” the virus. But because of his own experience, as a patient at one of the nation’s finest medical facilities with treatment options available to very few, the president also reinforced that he has struggled to relate with everyday Americans, millions of whom have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus.
Instead, as he has in relationships with other countries, he has prioritized his own personal experience over that of experts. He has been reluctant, for instance, to call out Russian President Vladimir Putin over interference in American elections in the face of clear evidence from the U.S. intelligence community that it has occurred.
He has also drawn frequently on his experience with the business world or his own family to set the White House agenda. He cited his business acumen as helping him land a deal for the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, and he said he understands the airline industry because of his time running the failed Trump Shuttle.
Despite months of briefings from the nation’s leading infectious disease experts, it was the onset of his own symptoms, as he was brought low by a lethal virus, that he said gave him a greater understanding.
That understanding, however, seemed very much in conflict with expert public health guidance about how the virus behaves and the precautions that people infected, particularly those in a higher risk group like the president, need to take.
“It’s been a very interesting journey,” Trump said in a video released Sunday night. “I learned a lot about COVID. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. And I get it, and I understand it, and it’s a very interesting thing, and I’m going to be letting you know about it.”
But it soon became clear that he did not, in fact, get it.
Trump took a surprise ride in a motorcade to pay tribute to his supporters, potentially exposing the Secret Service agents who rode in the vehicle with him. The next day, when announcing that he would be returning to the White House, he took a tone that suggested he was out of touch with suffering Americans who could not receive the same level of presidential care.
“Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life,” Trump tweeted. “We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”
At no point since he tested positive for the virus has Trump acknowledged others afflicted with the deadly disease. His general election foe, Democrat Joe Biden, on Monday urged him to fundamentally change how he manages the pandemic.
“I was glad to see the president speaking and recording videos over the weekend,” Biden said in Miami. “Now that he’s busy tweeting campaign messages, I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists, support masks.”
Even when the virus struck longtime friends, like Stanley Chera, a New Jersey developer who died of the disease in April, Trump did not change his approach and continued to talk about the virus as though it would soon be a thing of the past.
“We’ve always said that he has no capacity for empathy. His sense of self-regard is so overwhelming, he views everything that passes through the world through the lens of what it does for him,” said Eddie Glaude, chair of the department of African American Studies at Princeton University.
“Even though more than 200,000 Americans are dead, the nature of the crisis doesn’t come home unless it actually touches him,” Glaude said. “Could he ever represent anyone other than himself?”
Trump has said he could deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un because he had established a personal rapport with the authoritarian figure in ways that his predecessors could not.
“I was being really tough and so was he. And then we would go back and forth,” Trump said at a 2018 rally. “And then we fell in love. No really. He wrote me beautiful letters.”
Since Trump has in effect declared his battle with the disease successful - an assessment that available medical evidence suggests is premature - it remains doubtful that Trump would take his personal experience battling COVID-19 and rethink his administration’s policies or attitudes toward the pandemic, especially given the competing imperative of continuing his presidential campaign.
Trump often has had difficulty embracing a central role of the American presidency: consoling people dealing with intense grief, regardless of their political affiliation or support for the White House’s agenda. It’s a quality rarely debated or analyzed during a campaign, yet one that can shape the way people view the success of their president.
But in 2020, it has become a central issue. The president has rarely mentioned the toll of the virus on the nation, instead focusing on an economic recovery or a rise in the stock market.
He has largely eschewed wearing a mask and mocked those who have. And he has ignored his own federal government’s guidelines when holding rallies and large-scale White House events.
Trump may draw lessons from his own experiences but will rarely ever acknowledge a misstep, said former campaign adviser Sam Nunberg.
“He once said, ‘It is what it is’ about the impact of COVID. His video (Sunday night) was better than that, it was probably the closest he is going to get to an apology,” said Nunberg. “That’s not who he is.”
The White House sees it differently.
“He has experience now fighting the coronavirus as an individual,” said Erin Perrine, a campaign spokeswoman. “Joe Biden doesn’t have that.”
___
Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Los Angeles Times executive editor to resign

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Los Angeles Times Executive Editor Norman Pearlstine plans to resign after two years heading a newspaper battered by layoffs , mismanagement and questions about its commitment to newsroom diversity .
Pearlstine , 78 , announced Monday that he will stay in his post and help in the search for a new top editor , then will continue as an adviser after his successor is named , the Times reported .
Pearlstine made the announcement during a meeting with top editors and in a note to staffers , the paper said .
“ It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive editor since Patrick and Michele Soon-Shiong acquired the Los Angeles Times in June of 2018 , ” Pearlstine wrote .
“ Now , we have agreed that it ’ s time to begin an open search for my successor.
” Pearlstine previously held top editing jobs with Time Inc. , the Wall Street Journal and Forbes magazine .
He also was a senior executive at Bloomberg News .
Pearlstine helped rebuild a paper battered by years of cost-cutting , layoffs and mismanagement under its previous owner , Tribune Publishing , and led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 journalists , the Times said .
But in the past six months , the paper faced a series of controversies as journalists worked from home to cover major events , including the COVID-19 pandemic and protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Staff members took leadership to task over the Times ’ historic neglect in covering communities of color and a failure to better diversify staff during the hiring surge , the paper said .
In a Sept. 27 letter to readers , Patrick Soon-Shiong said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city and its diverse population , or covered them in one-dimensional , sometimes racist ways.
” “ We have committed to hiring more reporters and editors of color and to building an organizational culture that truly values representation and equity .
We will strive to retain , mentor and promote journalists of color , ” Soon-Shiong wrote .
In his note to staff , Pearlstine wrote that he was “ proud of what we have accomplished .
I also recognize it ’ s the right time to find a successor - an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue The Times ’ revival .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles Times Executive Editor Norman Pearlstine plans to resign after two years heading a newspaper battered by layoffs, mismanagement and questions about its commitment to newsroom diversity.
Pearlstine, 78, announced Monday that he will stay in his post and help in the search for a new top editor, then will continue as an adviser after his successor is named, the Times reported.
Pearlstine made the announcement during a meeting with top editors and in a note to staffers, the paper said.
“It has been an honor to serve as your executive editor since Patrick and Michele Soon-Shiong acquired the Los Angeles Times in June of 2018,” Pearlstine wrote. “Now, we have agreed that it’s time to begin an open search for my successor.”
Pearlstine previously held top editing jobs with Time Inc., the Wall Street Journal and Forbes magazine. He also was a senior executive at Bloomberg News.
Pearlstine helped rebuild a paper battered by years of cost-cutting, layoffs and mismanagement under its previous owner, Tribune Publishing, and led a hiring spree that added more than 120 journalists, the Times said.
But in the past six months, the paper faced a series of controversies as journalists worked from home to cover major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Staff members took leadership to task over the Times’ historic neglect in covering communities of color and a failure to better diversify staff during the hiring surge, the paper said.
In a Sept. 27 letter to readers, Patrick Soon-Shiong said the Times “has ignored large swaths of the city and its diverse population, or covered them in one-dimensional, sometimes racist ways.”
“We have committed to hiring more reporters and editors of color and to building an organizational culture that truly values representation and equity. We will strive to retain, mentor and promote journalists of color,” Soon-Shiong wrote.
In his note to staff, Pearlstine wrote that he was “proud of what we have accomplished. I also recognize it’s the right time to find a successor - an editor who embodies the qualities needed to continue The Times’ revival.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--John Hagee, prominent megachurch pastor, ill with COVID-19

SAN ANTONIO ( AP ) - Prominent megachurch pastor and conservative activist John Hagee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 , his son announced during services at the church his father founded .
The 80-year-old pastor received the diagnosis Friday and was recovering after the illness was detected early , Matt Hagee said during Sunday morning services at Cornerstone Church .
John Hagee founded a ministry that the church says now has 22,000 members .
His sermons are broadcast throughout the United States and Canada and livestreamed online .
Hagee has been a committed supporter of Israel , founding Christians United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalwart backer of President Donald Trump , who with first lady Melania Trump also has been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Trump was discharged Monday from Walter Reed Military Medical Center and returned to the White House , where his doctors said he would continue receiving treatment .
State health officials reported 2,192 new Texas cases Monday of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , bringing to 769,303 the cases reported in Texas since tracking and tracing of the virus began in early March .
Of those , the state estimates 71,074 cases are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the health department said Monday in a note on its COVID-19 dashboard that the 1,217 older cases had been excluded from previous reports of newly confirmed cases .
The true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven ’ t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The state also reported eight new COVID-19 fatalities Monday , bringing the Texas death toll for the pandemic to 16,033 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Prominent megachurch pastor and conservative activist John Hagee has been diagnosed with COVID-19, his son announced during services at the church his father founded.
The 80-year-old pastor received the diagnosis Friday and was recovering after the illness was detected early, Matt Hagee said during Sunday morning services at Cornerstone Church.
John Hagee founded a ministry that the church says now has 22,000 members. His sermons are broadcast throughout the United States and Canada and livestreamed online.
Hagee has been a committed supporter of Israel, founding Christians United for Israel. He also is a stalwart backer of President Donald Trump, who with first lady Melania Trump also has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Trump was discharged Monday from Walter Reed Military Medical Center and returned to the White House, where his doctors said he would continue receiving treatment.
State health officials reported 2,192 new Texas cases Monday of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, bringing to 769,303 the cases reported in Texas since tracking and tracing of the virus began in early March. Of those, the state estimates 71,074 cases are now active, with 3,318 requiring hospitalization.
However, the health department said Monday in a note on its COVID-19 dashboard that the 1,217 older cases had been excluded from previous reports of newly confirmed cases.
The true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The state also reported eight new COVID-19 fatalities Monday, bringing the Texas death toll for the pandemic to 16,033.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Officials: Carbon capture project would be largest in world

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - One of the largest coal-fired power plants in the U.S. Southwest would undergo a $ 1.4 billion overhaul as part of a proposal to keep the plant operating for at least another decade while meeting stricter environmental requirements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions .
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes was in New Mexico on Monday to discuss the project , saying he believes carbon capture , use and storage technology - or CCUS - could be a game changer for fossil-fuel generation in the U.S. and around the world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce emissions , we drove emissions down while producing from these same fuels .
We want to build on that amazing process , ” he said .
“ CCUS is an an incredible example of innovation , one that has the potential to drive emissions down to zero , making fossil fuels as emission-free as renewables.
” Menezes released a report prepared for the Energy Department that concluded retrofitting the San Juan Generating Station would result in significantly more jobs for northwestern New Mexico than plans that involve replacing the plant with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and solar and battery storage systems .
The report also looked at the economic impacts of the different scenarios on the Navajo workforce that has depended on the plant and adjacent coal mine for decades .
The San Juan Generating Station is set to close in 2022 , and local elected leaders have warned that shuttering it will result in a loss of more than 1,500 jobs and $ 53 million in annual state and local tax revenues .
Enchant Energy and the city of Farmington are negotiating with Public Service Co. of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquire the plant and outfit it with new technology .
Under the plan , the company says 90 % of the carbon dioxide could be stripped from emissions , with some being sold to the oil and gas industry to use in the recovery process and some being injected into the ground as part of a research project .
The technology was used on a much smaller scale in Texas .
Company and government officials said if Enchant gets the green light , that would make the San Juan Generating Station the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , large-scale fossil fuel power plant in the world .
Menezes said the goal is to commercialize the technology and move it from the prototype stage to the market place where it could be used on power plants around the world .
He acknowledged that the cost is still a hurdle and that the work being done by Enchant and research by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology , national laboratories and others is helping to bring it down .
He said the Energy Department has made its own investments through grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the topic of a recent legislative meeting .
A bipartisan contingent of state lawmakers noted that the project has the potential to stave off negative economic effects on rural communities while meeting New Mexico ’ s environmental mandates to be emissions-free by 2045 .
“ If we make this happen here , all of a sudden we become the world leader in carbon capture , use and sequestration and I mean world leader .
There are places all over the world that are looking at this , thinking about it , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And this is where it can really happen , ” said Sen. Bill Sharer , a Republican whose district includes the power plant .
Enchant Energy CEO Cindy Crane said the San Juan plant was an attractive candidate because it has a stable coal source just next door at the San Juan Mine and already has low emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides , mercury and particulate matter .
It ’ s also situated at the center of the Southwest ’ s electricity transmission system and is close to a pipeline that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the busiest oilfields in the nation .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - One of the largest coal-fired power plants in the U.S. Southwest would undergo a $1.4 billion overhaul as part of a proposal to keep the plant operating for at least another decade while meeting stricter environmental requirements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes was in New Mexico on Monday to discuss the project, saying he believes carbon capture, use and storage technology - or CCUS - could be a game changer for fossil-fuel generation in the U.S. and around the world.
“Rather than driving out fuels that produce emissions, we drove emissions down while producing from these same fuels. We want to build on that amazing process,” he said. “CCUS is an an incredible example of innovation, one that has the potential to drive emissions down to zero, making fossil fuels as emission-free as renewables.”
Menezes released a report prepared for the Energy Department that concluded retrofitting the San Juan Generating Station would result in significantly more jobs for northwestern New Mexico than plans that involve replacing the plant with a mix of new natural gas-fired generating stations and solar and battery storage systems.
The report also looked at the economic impacts of the different scenarios on the Navajo workforce that has depended on the plant and adjacent coal mine for decades.
The San Juan Generating Station is set to close in 2022, and local elected leaders have warned that shuttering it will result in a loss of more than 1,500 jobs and $53 million in annual state and local tax revenues.
Enchant Energy and the city of Farmington are negotiating with Public Service Co. of New Mexico and the other owners to acquire the plant and outfit it with new technology. Under the plan, the company says 90% of the carbon dioxide could be stripped from emissions, with some being sold to the oil and gas industry to use in the recovery process and some being injected into the ground as part of a research project.
The technology was used on a much smaller scale in Texas. Company and government officials said if Enchant gets the green light, that would make the San Juan Generating Station the largest carbon capture project and the lowest carbon-emitting, large-scale fossil fuel power plant in the world.
Menezes said the goal is to commercialize the technology and move it from the prototype stage to the market place where it could be used on power plants around the world.
He acknowledged that the cost is still a hurdle and that the work being done by Enchant and research by New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, national laboratories and others is helping to bring it down. He said the Energy Department has made its own investments through grants and other funding.
The project also was the topic of a recent legislative meeting. A bipartisan contingent of state lawmakers noted that the project has the potential to stave off negative economic effects on rural communities while meeting New Mexico’s environmental mandates to be emissions-free by 2045.
“If we make this happen here, all of a sudden we become the world leader in carbon capture, use and sequestration and I mean world leader. There are places all over the world that are looking at this, thinking about it, but they want to see it really happen. And this is where it can really happen,” said Sen. Bill Sharer, a Republican whose district includes the power plant.
Enchant Energy CEO Cindy Crane said the San Juan plant was an attractive candidate because it has a stable coal source just next door at the San Juan Mine and already has low emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides, mercury and particulate matter. It’s also situated at the center of the Southwest’s electricity transmission system and is close to a pipeline that could funnel carbon dioxide to the some of the busiest oilfields in the nation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Ilhan Omar undercuts vulnerable Democrats in Minnesota

EDEN PRAIRIE , Minn. — The Republican Party has unleashed a secret weapon against Democrats in Minnesota : Rep. Ilhan Omar .
The liberal firebrand has become such a polarizing figure that Rep. Collin C. Peterson , one of the more vulnerable incumbent Democrats , is distancing himself from Ms. Omar in a television ad in his competitive race against former Lt. Gov .
Michelle Fischbach .
In fact , the 15-term incumbent has said the freshman lawmaker “ doesn ’ t belong in our party.
” Former Rep. Jason Lewis , meanwhile , is airing an attack ad against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ms. Omar , who wears a hijab , shouting into a microphone , “ Dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.
” “ That is why Tina Smith endorsed Omar , ” the narrator says in the Lewis ad .
“ Jason Lewis supports the police .
If you do too , vote Jason Lewis for the Senate.
” The far left of the Democratic Party heralded Ms. Omar ’ s victory in the 2018 midterms as a sign of what the party could become and proof of the electoral power of liberal ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first woman of color to represent Minnesota in Congress and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress .
Since then , Ms. Omar , a naturalized U.S. citizen of Somali descent , has become a member of “ The Squad , ” a group of four decidedly liberal minority congresswomen , and become a vocal critic of President Trump and her own party .
She called out Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden for taking down attack ads against Mr. Trump after the president ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign when we know Trump would ’ ve had ads up by noon today ridiculing Biden for testing positive ?
” she said in a Twitter post .
“ Get it together.
” Ms. Omar survived a well-funded primary challenger and appears poised to win a second term in the 5th Congressional District , which includes Minneapolis .
The 37-year-old has been a headline-grabbing machine .
She has come under fire for comments about Israel and for a description of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks as “ some people did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month that Mr. Peterson undermined her campaign when asked why he defended her remarks .
“ I don ’ t defend her , ” he said .
“ She doesn ’ t belong in our party.
” Ms. Omar ’ s personal life also has been in the spotlight .
The FBI this year was reportedly investigating reports that she married her brother to help his immigration process .
Controversy followed her again after she married Tim Mynett , a political consultant , months after denying the two were having an affair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Republican Party .
Republicans in West Virginia circulated a poster last year linking Ms. Omar to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks .
It featured a photo of the World Trade Center in flames with a caption that read “ ‘ NEVER FORGET ’ — YOU SAID ” above a picture of Ms. Omar and the caption , “ I AM PROOF — YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN.
” Mr. Trump and his supporters have cast Ms. Omar as the true face of the Democratic Party .
At a campaign rally last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leader of the “ radical left maniacs.
” “ How about Omar of Minnesota ?
We are going to win the state of Minnesota because of her , they say , ” Mr. Trump told supporters in Pennsylvania .
“ She ’ s telling us how to run our country .
How did you do where you came from ?
” Professor Larry Jacobs said Republicans want Minnesota voters outside the 612 area code of Minneapolis to hear “ Omar ” whenever Mr. Petersen ’ s name is mentioned .
“ Rep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ of Minneapolis and its support of ultraliberal policies , ” Mr. Jacobs said .
“ How well that will work statewide is another question .
“ The 24/7 news is about the coronavirus uptick in Minnesota and the president ’ s health , ” he said .
Still , Ms. Omar ’ s rising national profile has created headaches for Democrats like Mr. Peterson in more competitive districts .
Mr. Peterson is airing a television ad highlighting his vote against the impeachment of Mr. Trump .
“ Calling Colin Peterson an ally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a narrator says in the Peterson ad .

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Republican Party has unleashed a secret weapon against Democrats in Minnesota: Rep. Ilhan Omar.
The liberal firebrand has become such a polarizing figure that Rep. Collin C. Peterson, one of the more vulnerable incumbent Democrats, is distancing himself from Ms. Omar in a television ad in his competitive race against former Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach.
In fact, the 15-term incumbent has said the freshman lawmaker “doesn’t belong in our party.”
Former Rep. Jason Lewis, meanwhile, is airing an attack ad against Sen. Tina Smith featuring a video clip of Ms. Omar, who wears a hijab, shouting into a microphone, “Dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.”
“That is why Tina Smith endorsed Omar,” the narrator says in the Lewis ad. “Jason Lewis supports the police. If you do too, vote Jason Lewis for the Senate.”
The far left of the Democratic Party heralded Ms. Omar’s victory in the 2018 midterms as a sign of what the party could become and proof of the electoral power of liberal ideas.
The victory made Ms. Omar the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in Congress and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.
Since then, Ms. Omar, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Somali descent, has become a member of “The Squad,” a group of four decidedly liberal minority congresswomen, and become a vocal critic of President Trump and her own party.
She called out Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden for taking down attack ads against Mr. Trump after the president’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
“Why would Biden delay or suspend his campaign when we know Trump would’ve had ads up by noon today ridiculing Biden for testing positive?” she said in a Twitter post. “Get it together.”
Ms. Omar survived a well-funded primary challenger and appears poised to win a second term in the 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis.
The 37-year-old has been a headline-grabbing machine.
She has come under fire for comments about Israel and for a description of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as “some people did something.”
The New York Post reported last month that Mr. Peterson undermined her campaign when asked why he defended her remarks.
“I don’t defend her,” he said. “She doesn’t belong in our party.”
Ms. Omar’s personal life also has been in the spotlight.
The FBI this year was reportedly investigating reports that she married her brother to help his immigration process.
Controversy followed her again after she married Tim Mynett, a political consultant, months after denying the two were having an affair.
She has been a top target of the Republican Party.
Republicans in West Virginia circulated a poster last year linking Ms. Omar to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It featured a photo of the World Trade Center in flames with a caption that read “‘NEVER FORGET’ — YOU SAID” above a picture of Ms. Omar and the caption, “I AM PROOF — YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN.”
Mr. Trump and his supporters have cast Ms. Omar as the true face of the Democratic Party.
At a campaign rally last month, Mr. Trump described the Somali native as a leader of the “radical left maniacs.”
“How about Omar of Minnesota? We are going to win the state of Minnesota because of her, they say,” Mr. Trump told supporters in Pennsylvania. “She’s telling us how to run our country. How did you do where you came from?”
Professor Larry Jacobs said Republicans want Minnesota voters outside the 612 area code of Minneapolis to hear “Omar” whenever Mr. Petersen’s name is mentioned.
“Rep. Omar represents the ‘612 values’ of Minneapolis and its support of ultraliberal policies,” Mr. Jacobs said. “How well that will work statewide is another question.
“The 24/7 news is about the coronavirus uptick in Minnesota and the president’s health,” he said.
Still, Ms. Omar’s rising national profile has created headaches for Democrats like Mr. Peterson in more competitive districts.
Mr. Peterson is airing a television ad highlighting his vote against the impeachment of Mr. Trump.
“Calling Colin Peterson an ally of Ilhan Omar is laughable,” a narrator says in the Peterson ad.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-05--Lawyers: Trump can't use job as a shield in defamation suit

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Lawyers for a woman who claims President Donald Trump raped her in a department store dressing room a quarter century ago said Monday that he can ’ t hurl insults at her and then cite his job as reason to remove himself as a defendant in a defamation lawsuit , forcing taxpayers to pay up if he loses .
“ Only in a world gone mad could it somehow be presidential , not personal , for Trump to slander a woman who he sexually assaulted , ” lawyers wrote in a Manhattan federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a media figure who hosted a daily “ Ask E. Jean ” advice show in the mid-1990s , when she now says she encountered Trump at a luxury store .
“ There is not a single person in the United States - not the President and not anyone else - whose job description includes slandering women who they sexually assaulted , ” the lawyers asserted .
The Justice Department last month tried to substitute the U.S. as the defendant , saying courts have recognized that elected officials “ act within the scope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the press , including with respect to personal matters.
” The move would put taxpayers on the hook for any potential payout in a lawsuit seeking damages and a retraction of the statements .
A message was left with a spokesperson for Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz , along with the Justice Department .
Attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Joshua Matz , representing Carroll , asked a judge to refuse the government ’ s request to replace Trump as a defendant or force it to prove that defaming Carroll three times in June 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was part of his job .
They wrote that the defamatory attacks included assertions that Carroll had falsely accused other men of rape , that she lied about him to advance a secret political conspiracy and sell books and that he had never met her even though they ’ d been photographed together .
The lawyers noted that Trump also had said : “ She ’ s not my type.
” And they said the move to substitute the U.S. as defendant and move the case from state to federal court was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay progression of the case , including Carroll ’ s effort to get a DNA sample from Trump to see if it matches male genetic material on a dress she says she wore the day of the alleged attack .
The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly .

NEW YORK (AP) - Lawyers for a woman who claims President Donald Trump raped her in a department store dressing room a quarter century ago said Monday that he can’t hurl insults at her and then cite his job as reason to remove himself as a defendant in a defamation lawsuit, forcing taxpayers to pay up if he loses.
“Only in a world gone mad could it somehow be presidential, not personal, for Trump to slander a woman who he sexually assaulted,” lawyers wrote in a Manhattan federal court filing on behalf of E. Jean Carroll, a media figure who hosted a daily “Ask E. Jean” advice show in the mid-1990s, when she now says she encountered Trump at a luxury store.
“There is not a single person in the United States - not the President and not anyone else - whose job description includes slandering women who they sexually assaulted,” the lawyers asserted.
The Justice Department last month tried to substitute the U.S. as the defendant, saying courts have recognized that elected officials “act within the scope of their office or employment when speaking with the press, including with respect to personal matters.” The move would put taxpayers on the hook for any potential payout in a lawsuit seeking damages and a retraction of the statements.
A message was left with a spokesperson for Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz, along with the Justice Department.
Attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Joshua Matz, representing Carroll, asked a judge to refuse the government’s request to replace Trump as a defendant or force it to prove that defaming Carroll three times in June 2019 with a “slew of lies” was part of his job.
They wrote that the defamatory attacks included assertions that Carroll had falsely accused other men of rape, that she lied about him to advance a secret political conspiracy and sell books and that he had never met her even though they’d been photographed together. The lawyers noted that Trump also had said: “She’s not my type.”
And they said the move to substitute the U.S. as defendant and move the case from state to federal court was part of a pattern of maneuvers designed to delay progression of the case, including Carroll’s effort to get a DNA sample from Trump to see if it matches male genetic material on a dress she says she wore the day of the alleged attack.
The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly.