freebeacon--2020-04-29--New York Times Says Biden Campaign Inaccurately Citing Report on Sexual Assault Allegation

The New York Times is pushing back against talking points circulated by presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's presidential campaign that the paper says inaccurately cite its reporting to rebut a sexual assault allegation .
The talking points , whose existence was first reported Monday evening by BuzzFeed News , `` inaccurately suggest '' that the paper 's investigation into the allegation detailed by a former Biden aide , Tara Reade , did not happen , the Times said Wednesday .
`` BuzzFeed reported on the existence of talking points being circulated by the Biden campaign that inaccurately suggest a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade ’ s allegation ‘ did not happen , ' '' Danielle Rhoades Ha , the paper 's vice president of communications , told the Washington Free Beacon in an email .
`` Our investigation made no conclusion either way . ''
The Biden campaign is asking supporters to lean into the Times report as evidence of Biden ’ s innocence .
`` In this case , a thorough review by the New York Times has led to the truth : this incident did not happen , '' they say .
The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 12 story on the allegations that it was unable to reach a definitive conclusion about the veracity of Reade 's claims .
The paper 's reporters spoke both to former colleagues of the alleged victim who said they did n't recall the incident as well as to friends who said that Reade detailed Biden 's sexual advances at the time .
`` As BuzzFeed correctly reported , our story found three former Senate aides whom Reade said she complained to contemporaneously , all of whom either did not remember the incident or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Rhoades Ha said .
`` The story also included former interns who remembered Reade suddenly changing roles and no longer overseeing them , which took place during the same time period that Reade said she was abruptly reassigned .
The Times also spoke to a friend who said Reade told her the details of the allegation at the time ; another friend and Reade ’ s brother say she told them of a traumatic sexual incident involving Biden . ''
Though Biden has yet to comment directly on the allegations , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign 's talking points have been parroted by Biden supporters Stacey Abrams and Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , who are under consideration as vice presidential nominees .
Both women referenced the Times report in when offering statements of support for the embattled vice president .
Since the Times story was published , additional witnesses have emerged to corroborate Reade 's claims in on-the-record interviews .
Reade 's former neighbor , Lynda LaCasse , told Business Insider that Reade confided in her about the sexual assault in the mid-1990s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did because I remember talking about it , '' LaCasse said , adding that she nonetheless plans to vote for Biden in the upcoming election .
The Times report on Reade 's allegation was edited after its publication to remove a reference to Biden 's `` hugs , kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable . ''
Dean Baquet , the paper 's executive editor , said the edit was made after a request from the Biden campaign , which `` thought that the phrasing was awkward and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he had been accused of sexual misconduct . ''

The New York Times is pushing back against talking points circulated by presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's presidential campaign that the paper says inaccurately cite its reporting to rebut a sexual assault allegation.
The talking points, whose existence was first reported Monday evening by BuzzFeed News, "inaccurately suggest" that the paper's investigation into the allegation detailed by a former Biden aide, Tara Reade, did not happen, the Times said Wednesday.
"BuzzFeed reported on the existence of talking points being circulated by the Biden campaign that inaccurately suggest a New York Times investigation found that Tara Reade’s allegation 'did not happen,'" Danielle Rhoades Ha, the paper's vice president of communications, told the Washington Free Beacon in an email. "Our investigation made no conclusion either way."
The Biden campaign is asking supporters to lean into the Times report as evidence of Biden’s innocence. "In this case, a thorough review by the New York Times has led to the truth: this incident did not happen," they say.
The Times, however, made clear in its April 12 story on the allegations that it was unable to reach a definitive conclusion about the veracity of Reade's claims. The paper's reporters spoke both to former colleagues of the alleged victim who said they didn't recall the incident as well as to friends who said that Reade detailed Biden's sexual advances at the time.
"As BuzzFeed correctly reported, our story found three former Senate aides whom Reade said she complained to contemporaneously, all of whom either did not remember the incident or said that it did not happen," Rhoades Ha said. "The story also included former interns who remembered Reade suddenly changing roles and no longer overseeing them, which took place during the same time period that Reade said she was abruptly reassigned. The Times also spoke to a friend who said Reade told her the details of the allegation at the time; another friend and Reade’s brother say she told them of a traumatic sexual incident involving Biden."
Though Biden has yet to comment directly on the allegations, his campaign has vigorously denied them. The campaign's talking points have been parroted by Biden supporters Stacey Abrams and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), who are under consideration as vice presidential nominees. Both women referenced the Times report in when offering statements of support for the embattled vice president.
Since the Times story was published, additional witnesses have emerged to corroborate Reade's claims in on-the-record interviews.
Reade's former neighbor, Lynda LaCasse, told Business Insider that Reade confided in her about the sexual assault in the mid-1990s.
"This happened, and I know it did because I remember talking about it," LaCasse said, adding that she nonetheless plans to vote for Biden in the upcoming election.
The Times report on Reade's allegation was edited after its publication to remove a reference to Biden's "hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable." Dean Baquet, the paper's executive editor, said the edit was made after a request from the Biden campaign, which "thought that the phrasing was awkward and made it look like there were other instances in which he had been accused of sexual misconduct."


freebeacon--2020-04-29--Cruz Introduces Bill to Halt Government Cooperation With China-Subordinate Movie Studios

Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) introduced legislation Tuesday that would cut off cooperation between the Pentagon and movie studios that alter their films to appease Chinese censors .
The bill , referred to as the `` SCRIPT Act , '' limits or prohibits the use of Defense Department resources for films that self-censor in order to be screened in China .
`` From buying media outlets to broadcast propaganda into America to coercing Hollywood studios and sports leagues to self-censor by threatening to cut off access to one of the biggest markets for sports and entertainment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spends billions and billions of dollars to mislead Americans about China and shape what our citizens see , hear , and think , '' Cruz said in a statement .
He described the act as a `` wakeup call '' that could force Hollywood studios to choose between receiving aid from the American government and benefiting from the Chinese moviegoing market .
Major Hollywood studios have edited films to appeal to Chinese audiences and get past Chinese censors .
American-produced films , however , saw their share of the Chinese box office shrink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among the top-10 highest grossing films in China last year .
Disney-owned Marvel Studios , which has produced the highest grossing film series in Hollywood history , has repeatedly edited films to appeal to the Chinese market .
Doctor Strange changed a prominent comic-book character 's origins from Tibetan to Celtic to avoid clashes with the Chinese government .
Iron Man 3 inserted scenes specifically for the Chinese release .
20th Century Fox , which was recently acquired by Disney , removed one minute of content from Bohemian Rhapsody , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
Paramount 's Top Gun : Maverick , scheduled for release later this year , altered the title character 's jacket to remove two patches with the Taiwanese and Japanese flags .
Tencent , a Chinese conglomerate , is a partner in producing the film .
MGM spent $ 1 million reediting the Red Dawn remake , released in 2012 , to change the film 's villains from Chinese to North Korean .

Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) introduced legislation Tuesday that would cut off cooperation between the Pentagon and movie studios that alter their films to appease Chinese censors.
The bill, referred to as the "SCRIPT Act," limits or prohibits the use of Defense Department resources for films that self-censor in order to be screened in China.
"From buying media outlets to broadcast propaganda into America to coercing Hollywood studios and sports leagues to self-censor by threatening to cut off access to one of the biggest markets for sports and entertainment in the world, the Chinese Communist Party spends billions and billions of dollars to mislead Americans about China and shape what our citizens see, hear, and think," Cruz said in a statement.
He described the act as a "wakeup call" that could force Hollywood studios to choose between receiving aid from the American government and benefiting from the Chinese moviegoing market.
Major Hollywood studios have edited films to appeal to Chinese audiences and get past Chinese censors. American-produced films, however, saw their share of the Chinese box office shrink in 2019. Only two Hollywood films were among the top-10 highest grossing films in China last year.
Disney-owned Marvel Studios, which has produced the highest grossing film series in Hollywood history, has repeatedly edited films to appeal to the Chinese market. Doctor Strange changed a prominent comic-book character's origins from Tibetan to Celtic to avoid clashes with the Chinese government. Iron Man 3 inserted scenes specifically for the Chinese release.
20th Century Fox, which was recently acquired by Disney, removed one minute of content from Bohemian Rhapsody, including a same-sex kiss, to secure a release in China.
Paramount's Top Gun: Maverick, scheduled for release later this year, altered the title character's jacket to remove two patches with the Taiwanese and Japanese flags. Tencent, a Chinese conglomerate, is a partner in producing the film.
MGM spent $1 million reediting the Red Dawn remake, released in 2012, to change the film's villains from Chinese to North Korean.


freebeacon--2020-04-29--Justice Dems Trounced in Bid to Oust Congressional Black Caucus Leader

Four-term incumbent Rep. Joyce Beatty ( D. , Ohio ) defeated far-left Democrat Morgan Harper in a race that highlighted a rift between the party 's African-American leadership and the progressive insurgents working to unseat them .
Beatty coasted to victory early Wednesday morning , receiving 68 percent of the vote to Harper 's 32 percent .
The result sends a message to liberal outsiders targeting Congressional Black Caucus ( CBC ) members .
Harper was backed by Justice Democrats , the progressive group behind Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 's ( D. , N.Y. ) and Ilhan Omar 's ( D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to Harper , Justice Democrats endorsed Cori Bush this cycle , who fell to CBC member Rep. Lacy Clay ( D. , Mo . )
in 2018 despite the group 's support .
CBC leaders responded by allocating additional resources to the caucus 's political arm .
Rep. Gregory Meeks ( D. , N.Y. ) warned potential challengers that `` if they want to come after members of the Black Caucus , it 's two ways . ''
Justice Democrats is known primarily for attacking relatively conservative members of the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
and Dan Lipinski ( Ill. ) .
In 2020 , it faced criticism from CBC members for targeting Beatty , who has served as the caucus 's vice chair since 2018 .
Veteran members rallied behind the Ohio incumbent , accusing Justice Democrats of undermining minority members with progressive voting records .
The primary challenges threatened the party 's ability to maintain a House majority , according to CBC member Rep. Donald McEachin ( D. , Va. ) .
`` I think challenging other Democrats in the primary when we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong unless the person is so far out of bounds , so far away from Democratic orthodoxy , but that 's not what 's going on here , '' McEachin said in July .
Harper pushed back on the criticism leading up to Tuesday 's primary , telling Politico that her campaign was not meant to target Beatty , but rather present `` an alternative policy platform to the people of the 3rd District . ''
Rep. Cedric Richmond ( D. , La . )
, a CBC member , dismissed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bunch of rhetoric '' that fails to deliver results for constituents .
`` Being ‘ anti ' is not enough .
This is about results and not just rhetoric , '' Richmond said .
`` And just because you run with a bunch of rhetoric does not mean you can get results .
There are people here that are effective members of Congress . ''
Ohio State University political scientist Paul Beck questioned Justice Democrats ' decision to target Beatty , saying the incumbent 's progressive record and local ties made her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Beatty really is a progressive .
That 's important , '' Beck told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` She has very deep ties with the local business community and with the African-American community .
She also has very strong ties to the church community in the district , which is pretty well-organized to support candidates that they like .
So Beatty was in a strong position to withstand this challenge . ''
The coronavirus scuttled CBC members ' plans to join Beatty on the campaign trail , but Reps. Richmond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Val Demings ( D. , Fla. ) joined Beatty 's virtual get-out-the-vote event on Sunday .
The CBC also hosted lucrative fundraisers for Beatty , who spent more than $ 2.1 million on the race , including $ 750,000 on TV and radio ads , according to FEC filings .
Harper spent just $ 700,000 on the race and $ 50,000 on ads as of early April .
`` Beatty took this challenge very seriously , '' Beck said .
`` She had a substantial war chest of campaign funds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local newspapers and local television .
So she was n't caught by surprise like AOC 's opponent in New York . ''
While Harper received national attention through Justice Democrats , her fundraising fell short of other primary challengers .
She also lacked key endorsements from high-profile liberal leaders , such as Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass. )
.
Jessica Cisneros and Marie Newman , who challenged Cuellar and Lipinski , respectively , both touted endorsements from Sanders and Warren , helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 million each .
Cuellar narrowly defeated Cisneros in early March , but Newman knocked off Lipinski two weeks later .
Ohio 's primary , initially scheduled for March 17 , was postponed and held almost exclusively by mail due to the pandemic .
Harper 's campaign used the change to downplay expectations , as it relied on youth turnout to secure victory .
With in-person classes canceled , thousands of Ohio State students were not in the district during the election , though the state did extend its absentee ballot deadline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure , saying it `` could potentially disenfranchise certain populations of voters , including Ohio State students . ''
The postponement also meant Sanders 's presidential campaign was not active on primary day , stifling the enthusiasm of progressive voters .
Beck agreed that the delay in voting hampered the Harper campaign , but noted that Sanders had previously failed in his bid to challenge the state 's Democratic establishment .
He lost the state to Hillary Clinton by about 13 points in 2016 .
`` Sanders has challenged the Democratic Party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those challenges have by and large failed , '' he said .
`` Ohio is a strong party state and the party mainstream in Ohio has repulsed those kinds of challenges . ''
Clinton went on to defeat President Donald Trump by 39 points in Beatty 's district four years ago .
The Ohio Democrat is now widely expected to defeat her Republican opponent in November .

Four-term incumbent Rep. Joyce Beatty (D., Ohio) defeated far-left Democrat Morgan Harper in a race that highlighted a rift between the party's African-American leadership and the progressive insurgents working to unseat them.
Beatty coasted to victory early Wednesday morning, receiving 68 percent of the vote to Harper's 32 percent.
The result sends a message to liberal outsiders targeting Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members. Harper was backed by Justice Democrats, the progressive group behind Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D., N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar's (D., Minn.) 2018 campaigns. In addition to Harper, Justice Democrats endorsed Cori Bush this cycle, who fell to CBC member Rep. Lacy Clay (D., Mo.) in 2018 despite the group's support. CBC leaders responded by allocating additional resources to the caucus's political arm. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D., N.Y.) warned potential challengers that "if they want to come after members of the Black Caucus, it's two ways."
Justice Democrats is known primarily for attacking relatively conservative members of the Democratic Party including pro-life Reps. Henry Cuellar (Tex.) and Dan Lipinski (Ill.). In 2020, it faced criticism from CBC members for targeting Beatty, who has served as the caucus's vice chair since 2018. Veteran members rallied behind the Ohio incumbent, accusing Justice Democrats of undermining minority members with progressive voting records. The primary challenges threatened the party's ability to maintain a House majority, according to CBC member Rep. Donald McEachin (D., Va.).
"I think challenging other Democrats in the primary when we're trying to hold on to the majority is wrong unless the person is so far out of bounds, so far away from Democratic orthodoxy, but that's not what's going on here," McEachin said in July.
Harper pushed back on the criticism leading up to Tuesday's primary, telling Politico that her campaign was not meant to target Beatty, but rather present "an alternative policy platform to the people of the 3rd District." Rep. Cedric Richmond (D., La.), a CBC member, dismissed the defense, calling Harper's platform "a bunch of rhetoric" that fails to deliver results for constituents.
"Being 'anti' is not enough. This is about results and not just rhetoric," Richmond said. "And just because you run with a bunch of rhetoric does not mean you can get results. There are people here that are effective members of Congress."
Ohio State University political scientist Paul Beck questioned Justice Democrats' decision to target Beatty, saying the incumbent's progressive record and local ties made her well-equipped to fend off a challenge.
"Beatty really is a progressive. That's important," Beck told the Washington Free Beacon. "She has very deep ties with the local business community and with the African-American community. She also has very strong ties to the church community in the district, which is pretty well-organized to support candidates that they like. So Beatty was in a strong position to withstand this challenge."
The coronavirus scuttled CBC members' plans to join Beatty on the campaign trail, but Reps. Richmond, Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), and Val Demings (D., Fla.) joined Beatty's virtual get-out-the-vote event on Sunday. The CBC also hosted lucrative fundraisers for Beatty, who spent more than $2.1 million on the race, including $750,000 on TV and radio ads, according to FEC filings. Harper spent just $700,000 on the race and $50,000 on ads as of early April.
"Beatty took this challenge very seriously," Beck said. "She had a substantial war chest of campaign funds and used it heavily, advertising both in local newspapers and local television. So she wasn't caught by surprise like AOC's opponent in New York."
While Harper received national attention through Justice Democrats, her fundraising fell short of other primary challengers. She also lacked key endorsements from high-profile liberal leaders, such as Sens. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.). Jessica Cisneros and Marie Newman, who challenged Cuellar and Lipinski, respectively, both touted endorsements from Sanders and Warren, helping the progressive pair raise more than $2 million each. Cuellar narrowly defeated Cisneros in early March, but Newman knocked off Lipinski two weeks later.
Ohio's primary, initially scheduled for March 17, was postponed and held almost exclusively by mail due to the pandemic. Harper's campaign used the change to downplay expectations, as it relied on youth turnout to secure victory. With in-person classes canceled, thousands of Ohio State students were not in the district during the election, though the state did extend its absentee ballot deadline. Harper fundraised off of the university's closure, saying it "could potentially disenfranchise certain populations of voters, including Ohio State students." The postponement also meant Sanders's presidential campaign was not active on primary day, stifling the enthusiasm of progressive voters.
Beck agreed that the delay in voting hampered the Harper campaign, but noted that Sanders had previously failed in his bid to challenge the state's Democratic establishment. He lost the state to Hillary Clinton by about 13 points in 2016.
"Sanders has challenged the Democratic Party's mainstream in Ohio in the past, and those challenges have by and large failed," he said. "Ohio is a strong party state and the party mainstream in Ohio has repulsed those kinds of challenges."
Clinton went on to defeat President Donald Trump by 39 points in Beatty's district four years ago. The Ohio Democrat is now widely expected to defeat her Republican opponent in November.


freebeacon--2020-04-29--Senators Probe Whether Banks Denied Coronavirus Relief to Gun, Energy Businesses

Republican senators are launching a new inquiry into the troubled coronavirus relief program to ensure that banks are not discriminating against small businesses in the gun and energy industries among others .
A group of 19 GOP lawmakers sent a letter to the Small Business Administration , Treasury Department , and Federal Reserve late on Tuesday to ensure that banks are not withholding loans from certain industries .
The senators , led by Kevin Cramer ( R. , N.D. ) , expressed concerns that some of the biggest banks administering the Paycheck Protection Program have previously refused to do business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coal , prison , and—especially—gun industries , according to a copy of the letter obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon .
Ted Cruz ( Texas ) , Tom Cotton ( Ark . )
, Rick Scott ( Fla. ) , Josh Hawley ( Mo . )
, and Ben Sasse ( Neb . )
were among the Republicans who signed the letter .
`` A vocal but small minority has weaponized federally-backed banks against politically disfavored businesses that operate in good faith and compliance with the law , by denying them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have nothing to do with creditworthiness , '' the senators wrote .
`` Small business creation and ownership are the backbone of many of these industries and access to competitive and predictable capital , loans , and other financial services are critical as they seek to recover from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic . ''
In the past , some of the country 's biggest corporations have publicly announced they would not do business with gun companies that did not comply with demands to stop making or selling certain guns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with gun companies that legally sold guns to adults under the age of 21 .
Banks are already facing scrutiny over their handling of the program following revelations that at least $ 800 million in loans went to publicly traded companies , rather than the small businesses PPP was meant to serve .
Banks have already been hit with lawsuits alleging that they favored larger businesses because of the increased fees they could withdraw from the fund , which ran out of its initial $ 349 billion funding .
The program has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Second Amendment activists have said the gun industry is already being shut out of major credit markets and fear that the coronavirus could be exploited by financial institutions to damage small businesses .
`` Lawful , compliant and in some cases , Constitutionally protected industries have been the subject of discriminatory policies enacted by big businesses in the marketing , communications , internet service and financial services sectors for years , '' Lawrence G. Keane , general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation , said in a statement .
`` Corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now attempting to use a global pandemic to advance their strategy of shutting down businesses that they find objectionable . ''
Senate Banking Committee member Kevin Cramer ( R. , N.D. ) , who has introduced legislation to protect the industry from financial discrimination in the past , spearheaded the new inquiry .
The senators are asking regulators to take steps to ensure that banks are not using their prior public commitments to deny certain industries access to the relief program .
`` We find it extremely disconcerting that , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not promote financial discrimination policies , many of the nation ’ s largest institutions currently do , '' the senators said in the letter .
The letter was also signed by Sens .
John Cornyn ( R. , Texas ) , Rand Paul ( R. , Ky. ) , Steve Daines ( R. , Mont . )
, Mike Lee ( R. , Utah ) , Shelley Moore Capito ( R. , W.V . )
, Cindy Hyde Smith ( R. , Miss . )
, Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
, Mike Braun ( R. , Ind . )
, John Thune ( R. , S.D . )
, John Hoeven ( R. , N.D. ) , Lisa Murkowski ( R. , Alaska ) , and James Inhofe ( R. , Okla. ) .

Republican senators are launching a new inquiry into the troubled coronavirus relief program to ensure that banks are not discriminating against small businesses in the gun and energy industries among others.
A group of 19 GOP lawmakers sent a letter to the Small Business Administration, Treasury Department, and Federal Reserve late on Tuesday to ensure that banks are not withholding loans from certain industries. The senators, led by Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.), expressed concerns that some of the biggest banks administering the Paycheck Protection Program have previously refused to do business with companies in the oil, gas, coal, prison, and—especially—gun industries, according to a copy of the letter obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon. Ted Cruz (Texas), Tom Cotton (Ark.), Rick Scott (Fla.), Josh Hawley (Mo.), and Ben Sasse (Neb.) were among the Republicans who signed the letter.
"A vocal but small minority has weaponized federally-backed banks against politically disfavored businesses that operate in good faith and compliance with the law, by denying them financial services based on political reasons that have nothing to do with creditworthiness," the senators wrote. "Small business creation and ownership are the backbone of many of these industries and access to competitive and predictable capital, loans, and other financial services are critical as they seek to recover from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic."
In the past, some of the country's biggest corporations have publicly announced they would not do business with gun companies that did not comply with demands to stop making or selling certain guns. In 2018, Citibank threatened to stop working with gun companies that legally sold guns to adults under the age of 21.
Banks are already facing scrutiny over their handling of the program following revelations that at least $800 million in loans went to publicly traded companies, rather than the small businesses PPP was meant to serve. Banks have already been hit with lawsuits alleging that they favored larger businesses because of the increased fees they could withdraw from the fund, which ran out of its initial $349 billion funding. The program has since received an additional $310 billion.
Second Amendment activists have said the gun industry is already being shut out of major credit markets and fear that the coronavirus could be exploited by financial institutions to damage small businesses.
"Lawful, compliant and in some cases, Constitutionally protected industries have been the subject of discriminatory policies enacted by big businesses in the marketing, communications, internet service and financial services sectors for years," Lawrence G. Keane, general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, said in a statement. "Corporate leaders projecting their biases through discriminatory policies are now attempting to use a global pandemic to advance their strategy of shutting down businesses that they find objectionable."
Senate Banking Committee member Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.), who has introduced legislation to protect the industry from financial discrimination in the past, spearheaded the new inquiry. The senators are asking regulators to take steps to ensure that banks are not using their prior public commitments to deny certain industries access to the relief program.
"We find it extremely disconcerting that, while the vast majority of SBA program lenders do not promote financial discrimination policies, many of the nation’s largest institutions currently do," the senators said in the letter.
The letter was also signed by Sens. John Cornyn (R., Texas), Rand Paul (R., Ky.), Steve Daines (R., Mont.), Mike Lee (R., Utah), Shelley Moore Capito (R., W.V.), Cindy Hyde Smith (R., Miss.), Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), John Barrasso (R., Wy.), Mike Braun (R., Ind.), John Thune (R., S.D.), John Hoeven (R., N.D.), Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska), and James Inhofe (R., Okla.).


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Dem Sen. Coons Claims Biden Has Been Exonerated on Sexual Assault Claim

Delaware senator and Joe Biden supporter Chris Coons ( D. ) said the former vice president has already been exonerated by the press 's investigation into Tara Reade 's accusation of sexual assault .
`` [ Biden ] and his campaign urged that these allegations be fully investigated .
They have been , '' Coons said Wednesday on MSNBC 's Meet the Press Daily .
`` The New York Times , the Washington Post , the Associated Press have dedicated weeks of reporters ' time to digging in , calling people , contacting people , researching .
And they all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substance to these allegations . ''
The Times disagreed strongly with the Biden campaign 's assessment that the paper 's investigation refuted Reade 's claim of assault .
`` Our investigation made no conclusion either way , '' the newspaper said , saying the campaign has `` inaccurately '' described the investigation as an exoneration .
Coons pushed back against the idea that the situation is a `` he said , she said '' dispute , arguing it has `` been thoroughly investigated by the independent media . ''
`` I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , she said , ' '' he said .
`` I think it 's a ‘ he said , she said , the press thoroughly investigated and found there 's nothing there . '
'' Since March 24 , the day Reade came forward to make the accusation , Biden has not faced a direct question from the media about the alleged assault .
He has done 19 interviews spanning nearly 4 hours in the 5 weeks in that timeframe .
The campaign has denied the allegation .
Reade 's former neighbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the assault in the mid-1990s , and footage emerged of a woman who appeared to be Reade 's mother calling Larry King Live on CNN to discuss an instance of harassment toward her daughter .
Coons also said Biden 's good character and advocacy for women indicate the accusation is false .
`` I know Joe .
I know his life , his character , his record , '' he said .
`` As you know well … he 's dedicated decades of his life and his career in public service to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes , and in particular , for the Violence Against Women Act . ''

Delaware senator and Joe Biden supporter Chris Coons (D.) said the former vice president has already been exonerated by the press's investigation into Tara Reade's accusation of sexual assault.
"[Biden] and his campaign urged that these allegations be fully investigated. They have been," Coons said Wednesday on MSNBC's Meet the Press Daily. "The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Associated Press have dedicated weeks of reporters' time to digging in, calling people, contacting people, researching. And they all three have concluded that there was no substance to these allegations."
The Times disagreed strongly with the Biden campaign's assessment that the paper's investigation refuted Reade's claim of assault.
"Our investigation made no conclusion either way," the newspaper said, saying the campaign has "inaccurately" described the investigation as an exoneration.
Coons pushed back against the idea that the situation is a "he said, she said" dispute, arguing it has "been thoroughly investigated by the independent media."
"I don't think it's just a 'he said, she said,'" he said. "I think it's a 'he said, she said, the press thoroughly investigated and found there's nothing there.'"
Since March 24, the day Reade came forward to make the accusation, Biden has not faced a direct question from the media about the alleged assault. He has done 19 interviews spanning nearly 4 hours in the 5 weeks in that timeframe.
The campaign has denied the allegation. Reade's former neighbor told Business Insider that Reade told her about the assault in the mid-1990s, and footage emerged of a woman who appeared to be Reade's mother calling Larry King Live on CNN to discuss an instance of harassment toward her daughter.
Coons also said Biden's good character and advocacy for women indicate the accusation is false.
"I know Joe. I know his life, his character, his record," he said. "As you know well ... he's dedicated decades of his life and his career in public service to advocating for women, for women's causes, and in particular, for the Violence Against Women Act."


freebeacon--2020-05-01--WFB’s Alana Goodman Discusses Chloroquine Death on Inside Edition

Washington Free Beacon reporter Alana Goodman on Thursday spoke to Inside Edition about the death of an Arizona man who consumed soda mixed with a chemical used in fish tank cleaner .
Goodman said homicide detective Teresa Van Galder requested her audio interview with Gary Lenius 's wife , Wanda , which the Washington Free Beacon provided .
`` A homicide detective with the Mesa City Police Department reached out to me earlier this week and asked for audio recordings of my interview with Wanda Lenius and we turned over materials related to the case , '' Goodman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ division has an open investigation into the death , which has not been ruled a homicide .
Retired NYPD detective sergeant Joseph Giacalone told Inside Edition that the questions surrounding Lenius 's death warrant an investigation .
`` There 's a couple of red flags that have shown up in this investigation , '' Giacalone said .
`` I think that 's what 's warranting a closer [ look ] . ''
Initial media reports characterized the couple 's ingestion of the substance as a foolish attempt to listen to President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus .
But Goodman 's investigation found the deceased Lenius 's friends remembered him as levelheaded .
Wanda Lenius said their decision did not come after a discussion but was `` spontaneous . ''
`` I mean , it was really kind of a spur of the moment thing , '' she said , adding that the couple ingested `` one teaspoon and some soda '' each , which is at least four times the lethal limit .

Washington Free Beacon reporter Alana Goodman on Thursday spoke to Inside Edition about the death of an Arizona man who consumed soda mixed with a chemical used in fish tank cleaner.
Goodman said homicide detective Teresa Van Galder requested her audio interview with Gary Lenius's wife, Wanda, which the Washington Free Beacon provided.
"A homicide detective with the Mesa City Police Department reached out to me earlier this week and asked for audio recordings of my interview with Wanda Lenius and we turned over materials related to the case," Goodman said.
The Mesa City Police Department's homicide division has an open investigation into the death, which has not been ruled a homicide.
Retired NYPD detective sergeant Joseph Giacalone told Inside Edition that the questions surrounding Lenius's death warrant an investigation.
"There's a couple of red flags that have shown up in this investigation," Giacalone said. "I think that's what's warranting a closer [look]."
Initial media reports characterized the couple's ingestion of the substance as a foolish attempt to listen to President Donald Trump about the effectiveness of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus. But Goodman's investigation found the deceased Lenius's friends remembered him as levelheaded.
Wanda Lenius said their decision did not come after a discussion but was "spontaneous."
"I mean, it was really kind of a spur of the moment thing," she said, adding that the couple ingested "one teaspoon and some soda" each, which is at least four times the lethal limit.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Biden Set to Face Hard-Hitting Questions From Character Witness Mika Brzezinski

Former vice president Joe Biden is finally ready to talk about Tara Reade , the woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in 1993 .
Five weeks after Reade 's allegation was made public , Biden will appear on MSNBC 's Morning Joe on Friday and is `` expected to be asked '' about his former Senate staffer , according to New York Times media columnist Ben Smith .
Biden 's campaign , the senior members of which are well-versed in the art of flacking for creeps , could not be happier with the outcome .
After sitting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question about Reade 's allegation , Biden will get to discuss the issue with MSNBC 's Mika Brzezinski , who has been one of the most reliable defenders of prominent men accused of sexual misconduct .
After her former MSNBC colleague Mark Halperin was fired amid allegations of sexual misconduct , Brzezinski suggested that Halperin 's accusers were engaged in `` hypocrisies '' by refusing to meet with Halperin so he could apologize .
`` They do n't want to talk to him , '' she said .
`` If we just want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or for anger , we 're not going to get anywhere . ''
She was forced to apologize .
Brzezinski and her cohost husband Joe Scarborough were among the few people who attempted to help revive Halperin 's career .
According to a Daily Beast report published in May 2019 , the couple sought to produce an online show with Halperin on the 2018 midterm elections .
The plan did not go over well with NBC execs , who were not consulted about the proposed collaboration and had recently dismissed Halperin as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been described by President Donald J. Trump as `` dumb as a rock , '' also lamented the 2018 resignation of Sen. Al Franken ( D. , Minn. ) , dismissing his accuser—who provided photographic evidence of Franken pretending to grope her as she slept—as a `` Playboy model who goes on Hannity , who voted for Trump , '' and who was primarily motivated by politics .
`` In this # MeToo environment , you must always just believe the women , and I think that there ’ s a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the women seriously and believe them , '' Brzezinski said .
`` I ’ m just wondering if all women need to be believed . ''
More recently , Brzezinski came to Chris Matthews 's defense after the longtime Hardball host abruptly announced his resignation in March amid allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior .
While acknowledging the `` important changes around this so-called cancel culture , '' Brzezinski wondered if `` there might be a better way '' to handle situations in which powerful men are accused of misconduct .
Brzezinski has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of aggressively touching women and girls , describing the former VP as `` extremely flirtatious in a completely safe way . ''
On one occasion , she took particular issue with a woman who said she felt uncomfortable when Biden smelled her hair .
`` He 's not interested in your hair , okay ? ''
Brzezinski said .
`` He was going on stage , he took a deep breath before he went on stage and you took it deeply personal . ''
Friday 's interview will be the first time MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broadcast , according to an IQ Media search .

Former vice president Joe Biden is finally ready to talk about Tara Reade, the woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in 1993. Five weeks after Reade's allegation was made public, Biden will appear on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Friday and is "expected to be asked" about his former Senate staffer, according to New York Times media columnist Ben Smith.
Biden's campaign, the senior members of which are well-versed in the art of flacking for creeps, could not be happier with the outcome. After sitting for 20 interviews without being asked a single question about Reade's allegation, Biden will get to discuss the issue with MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski, who has been one of the most reliable defenders of prominent men accused of sexual misconduct.
After her former MSNBC colleague Mark Halperin was fired amid allegations of sexual misconduct, Brzezinski suggested that Halperin's accusers were engaged in "hypocrisies" by refusing to meet with Halperin so he could apologize. "They don't want to talk to him," she said. "If we just want to strike people down for political motivation or for anger, we're not going to get anywhere." She was forced to apologize.
Brzezinski and her cohost husband Joe Scarborough were among the few people who attempted to help revive Halperin's career. According to a Daily Beast report published in May 2019, the couple sought to produce an online show with Halperin on the 2018 midterm elections. The plan did not go over well with NBC execs, who were not consulted about the proposed collaboration and had recently dismissed Halperin as an on-air political analyst.
Brzezinski, who has been described by President Donald J. Trump as "dumb as a rock," also lamented the 2018 resignation of Sen. Al Franken (D., Minn.), dismissing his accuser—who provided photographic evidence of Franken pretending to grope her as she slept—as a "Playboy model who goes on Hannity, who voted for Trump," and who was primarily motivated by politics.
"In this #MeToo environment, you must always just believe the women, and I think that there’s a lot of reasons why we need to look at the women seriously and believe them," Brzezinski said. "I’m just wondering if all women need to be believed."
More recently, Brzezinski came to Chris Matthews's defense after the longtime Hardball host abruptly announced his resignation in March amid allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior. While acknowledging the "important changes around this so-called cancel culture," Brzezinski wondered if "there might be a better way" to handle situations in which powerful men are accused of misconduct.
Brzezinski has even defended Joe Biden's long history of aggressively touching women and girls, describing the former VP as "extremely flirtatious in a completely safe way." On one occasion, she took particular issue with a woman who said she felt uncomfortable when Biden smelled her hair. "He's not interested in your hair, okay?" Brzezinski said. "He was going on stage, he took a deep breath before he went on stage and you took it deeply personal."
Friday's interview will be the first time Tara Reade's name has been mentioned during a Morning Joe broadcast, according to an IQ Media search.
UPDATE: Friday, 11:52 A.M.: This article previously stated Reade's name hadn't been mentioned on MSNBC before Friday. It was specifically Morning Joe that hadn't mentioned her.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Deficit Politics Is Back

Deficit Politics Is Back

A dispute among Republican lawmakers is brewing as government spending to combat the coronavirus pandemic has once again raised the long-dormant specter of trillion-dollar deficits .
Recent reports projecting the federal budget deficit will swell to nearly $ 4 trillion this year have left some , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) , wary of dropping more cash indiscriminately on the crisis .
But others , including President Donald Trump , have signaled a thirst for more borrowing , especially as global demand for safe-haven assets has driven interest rates on U.S. debt near zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the whole economy are likely to be front and center as Congress reconvenes next week to weigh more stimulus spending .
While all parties agree that appropriations thus far were necessary , the GOP 's debt-hawk wing may soon rear its head—making the deficit a central issue for the first time since Trump took office .
That cadre had appeared defunct , at least since a Republican took the White House and former speaker of the House Paul Ryan departed .
Deficits were already slated to swell in 2020 , pushing $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending hikes boosted by a president eager for economic growth and signed on to by both sides of the aisle .
Deficit hawks , then , may not find the same support they did in the wake of the last recession .
Rather , experts tell the Washington Free Beacon , the real fight even among Republicans is between those who fear what happens if we spend too much , and a growing faction , inspired by the Great Recession , who are afraid of what happens if we do n't spend enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orgy of spending , as the federal government pours trillions of dollars into both fighting the deadly disease and staving off the economic calamity that comes with an all-of-nation shutdown .
That , in turn , entails running up large bills .
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget , a nonpartisan think tank , has projected the deficit will exceed $ 3.8 trillion this year , three-quarters of which is caused by the crisis .
That translates , CRFB senior policy director Marc Goldwein told the Free Beacon , into 15 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` unheard of outside of World War II . ''
Goldwein emphasized that the current catastrophe made those appropriations `` an appropriate use of borrowing '' —a view with which even longstanding Republican deficit hawks have agreed .
Their appetite for unlimited spending , however , appears to be waning .
McConnell in a recent radio appearance noted , `` We have n't had much discussion about adding $ 2.7 trillion to the national debt , and the way that could indeed also threaten the future of the country . ''
Sen. Pat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long seen as a leading budget hawk , told the Free Beacon that he `` supported [ coronavirus ] funding because it was the right thing to do at the time in order to prevent a disaster . ''
But , Toomey added , there are real risks that come with a high deficit and debt—chief among them is higher interest rates and spiraling inflation , which can emerge from unchecked spending .
`` We should be careful , '' Toomey said .
`` Before moving to the next phase , we ought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our needs really are .
The first four phases of funding will have a tremendous impact , but government spending can never be a substitute for a functioning economy . ''
While Toomey recommends caution , others are gung-ho for more borrowing .
The ink on the most recent stimulus had barely dried when Trump called for an added $ 2 trillion in debt-funded infrastructure , citing historically low interest rates .
Trump is not alone .
Jerome Powell , chairman of the Federal Reserve , has committed to aggressively purchasing government debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be equally aggressive .
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. , Mo . )
has floated a stimulus plan that would see the government picking up most of America 's payrolls , a proposal that would likely dwarf many of the appropriations made by Congress so far .
The support for more deficit spending—from the White House , members of Congress , and a Republican-appointed Fed chair—represents a surprising departure from the last major financial crisis .
During the Great Recession , Republicans largely opposed then-president Barack Obama 's stimulus plan , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they saw as wasteful and driving up the debt .
Criticism of unsustainable federal debt was also a hallmark of the Tea Party movement , which reshaped Congress in the 2010 elections .
By contrast , Goldwein said `` there 's less caution all around '' during the coronavirus crisis— '' a lot of the fiscal hawks in both parties are gone . ''
Instead , many lawmakers were both eager to spend during good times—Goldwein notes that Trump signed both Republican tax cuts and bipartisan spending increases—and took away from the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do much more to fight crises than previously thought .
Karl Smith , vice president of federal tax and economic policy at the right-leaning Tax Foundation , echoed Goldwein 's analysis of the Great Recession .
He noted that many deficit fears were formed in the 1980s when high global growth made the risks of borrowing much higher .
During the Great Recession , by contrast , an aging population and global economy kept interest rates low , allowing the government to take on a level of debt similar to the deficits incurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer time period ) without facing rising interest rates or inflation .
That changed some economists ' thinking—and explains why some lawmakers , especially younger ones like Hawley , might be more open to aggressive spending in a crisis .
Smith emphasized that while fiscal responsibility matters , without a growing economy the United States may be unable to tackle even its pre-coronavirus debt load .
`` Even if your concern is a more philosophical concern about putting more burden on the future , where you 're going to get more bang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis we have right now , '' Smith said .
`` That will create a stronger economy that 's more able to pay back the debt .
If the economy is weak , if we have an ongoing public health crisis , even maintaining the debt that we had before is going to be more difficult . ''
Goldwein agreed that the government should not take its foot off the fiscal gas prematurely .
He emphasized , however , that sustained high levels of borrowing come with risks—higher government interest costs , lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Borrowing is necessary right now .
It 's stopping us from being in a depression , '' Goldwein said .
`` But it 's not free , it 's not costless . ''

A dispute among Republican lawmakers is brewing as government spending to combat the coronavirus pandemic has once again raised the long-dormant specter of trillion-dollar deficits.
Recent reports projecting the federal budget deficit will swell to nearly $4 trillion this year have left some, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), wary of dropping more cash indiscriminately on the crisis. But others, including President Donald Trump, have signaled a thirst for more borrowing, especially as global demand for safe-haven assets has driven interest rates on U.S. debt near zero.
Renewed fears of a debt larger than the whole economy are likely to be front and center as Congress reconvenes next week to weigh more stimulus spending. While all parties agree that appropriations thus far were necessary, the GOP's debt-hawk wing may soon rear its head—making the deficit a central issue for the first time since Trump took office.
That cadre had appeared defunct, at least since a Republican took the White House and former speaker of the House Paul Ryan departed. Deficits were already slated to swell in 2020, pushing $1 trillion thanks to tax cuts and spending hikes boosted by a president eager for economic growth and signed on to by both sides of the aisle.
Deficit hawks, then, may not find the same support they did in the wake of the last recession. Rather, experts tell the Washington Free Beacon, the real fight even among Republicans is between those who fear what happens if we spend too much, and a growing faction, inspired by the Great Recession, who are afraid of what happens if we don't spend enough.
The coronavirus crisis has instigated an orgy of spending, as the federal government pours trillions of dollars into both fighting the deadly disease and staving off the economic calamity that comes with an all-of-nation shutdown.
That, in turn, entails running up large bills. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan think tank, has projected the deficit will exceed $3.8 trillion this year, three-quarters of which is caused by the crisis. That translates, CRFB senior policy director Marc Goldwein told the Free Beacon, into 15 to 20 percent of GDP, a deficit "unheard of outside of World War II."
Goldwein emphasized that the current catastrophe made those appropriations "an appropriate use of borrowing"—a view with which even longstanding Republican deficit hawks have agreed.
Their appetite for unlimited spending, however, appears to be waning. McConnell in a recent radio appearance noted, "We haven't had much discussion about adding $2.7 trillion to the national debt, and the way that could indeed also threaten the future of the country."
Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.), long seen as a leading budget hawk, told the Free Beacon that he "supported [coronavirus] funding because it was the right thing to do at the time in order to prevent a disaster." But, Toomey added, there are real risks that come with a high deficit and debt—chief among them is higher interest rates and spiraling inflation, which can emerge from unchecked spending.
"We should be careful," Toomey said. "Before moving to the next phase, we ought to see what's working and what our needs really are. The first four phases of funding will have a tremendous impact, but government spending can never be a substitute for a functioning economy."
While Toomey recommends caution, others are gung-ho for more borrowing. The ink on the most recent stimulus had barely dried when Trump called for an added $2 trillion in debt-funded infrastructure, citing historically low interest rates.
Trump is not alone. Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, has committed to aggressively purchasing government debt through the crisis and privately pressured lawmakers to be equally aggressive. Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) has floated a stimulus plan that would see the government picking up most of America's payrolls, a proposal that would likely dwarf many of the appropriations made by Congress so far.
The support for more deficit spending—from the White House, members of Congress, and a Republican-appointed Fed chair—represents a surprising departure from the last major financial crisis. During the Great Recession, Republicans largely opposed then-president Barack Obama's stimulus plan, in part due to concerns over spending hikes they saw as wasteful and driving up the debt. Criticism of unsustainable federal debt was also a hallmark of the Tea Party movement, which reshaped Congress in the 2010 elections.
By contrast, Goldwein said "there's less caution all around" during the coronavirus crisis—"a lot of the fiscal hawks in both parties are gone." Instead, many lawmakers were both eager to spend during good times—Goldwein notes that Trump signed both Republican tax cuts and bipartisan spending increases—and took away from the Great Recession a sense that the government can do much more to fight crises than previously thought.
Karl Smith, vice president of federal tax and economic policy at the right-leaning Tax Foundation, echoed Goldwein's analysis of the Great Recession. He noted that many deficit fears were formed in the 1980s when high global growth made the risks of borrowing much higher. During the Great Recession, by contrast, an aging population and global economy kept interest rates low, allowing the government to take on a level of debt similar to the deficits incurred during the current crisis (albeit over a longer time period) without facing rising interest rates or inflation. That changed some economists' thinking—and explains why some lawmakers, especially younger ones like Hawley, might be more open to aggressive spending in a crisis.
Smith emphasized that while fiscal responsibility matters, without a growing economy the United States may be unable to tackle even its pre-coronavirus debt load.
"Even if your concern is a more philosophical concern about putting more burden on the future, where you're going to get more bang for your buck is solving the economic crisis we have right now," Smith said. "That will create a stronger economy that's more able to pay back the debt. If the economy is weak, if we have an ongoing public health crisis, even maintaining the debt that we had before is going to be more difficult."
Goldwein agreed that the government should not take its foot off the fiscal gas prematurely. He emphasized, however, that sustained high levels of borrowing come with risks—higher government interest costs, lower investment, and less growth among them.
"Borrowing is necessary right now. It's stopping us from being in a depression," Goldwein said. "But it's not free, it's not costless."


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Seven Top Democratic Women Asked About Alleged Assault as Biden Remains Silent

Seven leading female Democratic politicians have had to publicly defend Joe Biden against a sexual assault allegation even as the presumptive Democratic nominee has remained silent .
Progressive activists and women 's rights advocates are putting pressure on Biden to personally address former aide Tara Reade 's accusation that he penetrated her with his fingers in a Senate hallway in 1993 .
While Biden 's campaign has denied the allegation , the candidate has not been pushed to comment on the matter despite conducting 19 different interviews since the allegation surfaced in March .
Top supporters , including House Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D. , N.Y. ) , Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer ( D. ) , and former California senator Barbara Boxer , have all defended Biden when asked about the alleged incident .
Abrams , Harris , Klobuchar , and Whitmer are reportedly on Biden 's shortlist to be his 2020 running mate , who he has pledged will be a woman .
Pelosi has twice said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's denial of the charge , although the former vice president has not personally addressed the accusation .
When a reporter asked her during a weekly briefing Thursday how she squared her support for Brett Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford with her defense of Biden , Pelosi appeared irritated .

Seven leading female Democratic politicians have had to publicly defend Joe Biden against a sexual assault allegation even as the presumptive Democratic nominee has remained silent.
Progressive activists and women's rights advocates are putting pressure on Biden to personally address former aide Tara Reade's accusation that he penetrated her with his fingers in a Senate hallway in 1993. While Biden's campaign has denied the allegation, the candidate has not been pushed to comment on the matter despite conducting 19 different interviews since the allegation surfaced in March.
Top supporters, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.), Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer (D.), and former California senator Barbara Boxer, have all defended Biden when asked about the alleged incident. Abrams, Harris, Klobuchar, and Whitmer are reportedly on Biden's shortlist to be his 2020 running mate, who he has pledged will be a woman.
Pelosi has twice said that she is "satisfied" with Biden's denial of the charge, although the former vice president has not personally addressed the accusation. When a reporter asked her during a weekly briefing Thursday how she squared her support for Brett Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford with her defense of Biden, Pelosi appeared irritated.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Biden Taps Former Senator Who Made Waitress Sandwich With Ted Kennedy to VP Selection Committee

Joe Biden , who has been doing his best to avoid confronting allegations of sexual assault levied against him , has formed a committee to help him choose a ( female ) running mate .
In light of those unanswered allegations , the former VP 's decision , announced Thursday , to make his former Senate buddy Chris Dodd ( D. , Conn. ) a cochair of that committee is somewhat problematic .
Dodd is no stranger to allegations of sexual misconduct .
His alcohol-fueled bromance with the late senator Ted Kennedy ( D. , Mass . )
is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deviant behavior .
GQ magazine recounted a 1985 incident in which Kennedy and Dodd allegedly sexually assaulted a waitress during a drunken night out at La Brasserie , a Washington , D.C. , restaurant .
As Kennedy and Dodd were wrapping up a long dinner with their dates— '' two very young blondes '' —the senators requested the presence of their waitress , Carla Gaviglio .
While the young blondes were in the bathroom , Kennedy reportedly grabbed Gaviglio and threw her on the table , shattering plates and glasses .
Kennedy then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lap and began `` rubbing his genital area against hers . ''
Gaviglio screamed and managed to escape when another waitress entered the room .
`` It 's not my fault , '' Dodd reportedly said .
The senators then exited the restaurant promptly , dates in tow .
Dodd 's selection to the VP search committee was met with criticism from both sides of the political spectrum .
`` Chris freakin ' Dodd ?
Are you kidding me ? ''
wrote the feminist writer Jill Filipovic .
`` I am not joking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop running men for office . ''
The long night at La Brasserie was n't the only scandal attached to Dodd .
He was also embroiled in a 2008 mortgage controversy involving Angelo Mozilo , the CEO of Countrywide , the mortgage giant that nearly went bankrupt during the financial crisis before being acquired by Bank of America .
Dodd was one of several prominent politicians to receive favorable mortgage financing through Countrywide , as well as thousands of dollars in campaign contributions , while promoting legislation that would benefit the mortgage lender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodd and others as `` Friends of Angelo , '' was charged with insider trading and securities fraud the following year .
Upon leaving the Senate , Dodd became the chief lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association of America , where he was able to maintain a friendship with Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein , who has since been convicted on rape charges .
Dodd was the largest recipient of Weinstein campaign donations over the course of his political career .
Biden 's vice presidential selection committee also includes Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti , and former White House counsel Cynthia Hogan .
Biden is expected to announce a decision on a running mate by July .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

Joe Biden, who has been doing his best to avoid confronting allegations of sexual assault levied against him, has formed a committee to help him choose a (female) running mate. In light of those unanswered allegations, the former VP's decision, announced Thursday, to make his former Senate buddy Chris Dodd (D., Conn.) a cochair of that committee is somewhat problematic.
Dodd is no stranger to allegations of sexual misconduct. His alcohol-fueled bromance with the late senator Ted Kennedy (D., Mass.) is, on its own, damning evidence of deviant behavior. GQ magazine recounted a 1985 incident in which Kennedy and Dodd allegedly sexually assaulted a waitress during a drunken night out at La Brasserie, a Washington, D.C., restaurant.
As Kennedy and Dodd were wrapping up a long dinner with their dates—"two very young blondes"—the senators requested the presence of their waitress, Carla Gaviglio. While the young blondes were in the bathroom, Kennedy reportedly grabbed Gaviglio and threw her on the table, shattering plates and glasses. Kennedy then threw Gaviglio on top of Dodd's lap and began "rubbing his genital area against hers."
Gaviglio screamed and managed to escape when another waitress entered the room. "It's not my fault," Dodd reportedly said. The senators then exited the restaurant promptly, dates in tow.
Dodd's selection to the VP search committee was met with criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. "Chris freakin' Dodd? Are you kidding me?" wrote the feminist writer Jill Filipovic. "I am not joking when I say that we should just stop running men for office."


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Steve Bullock, Who Called to Ban Super PACs, Linked to New Super PAC

Montana 's Democratic governor , Steve Bullock , who has called for eliminating super PACs , appears to have a new outside super PAC backing his Senate run .
The Big Sky Voters PAC—a Montana-based super PAC—was created April 23 and looks positioned to boost Bullock 's Senate bid against incumbent Republican senator Steve Daines .
Its treasurer previously held the same role for Bullock 's similarly named Big Sky Values leadership PAC .
The super PAC can collect unlimited sums from donors and could provide pivotal outside assistance in a race that will help determine which party controls the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new super PAC does , in fact , back Bullock , it would run counter to the promises the governor made during his stint as a presidential candidate .
Bullock 's `` One Big Idea '' for his presidential platform last year was campaign finance reform .
He used the issue to criticize his Democratic rivals and their use of super PACs .
Holly Giarraputo , owner of the Montana-based Campaign Compliance Inc. , filed the super PAC 's statement of organization to the Federal Election Commission and is listed as its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed Bullock 's gubernatorial campaign as one of its clients , but the affiliation was removed from the site following a Washington Free Beacon inquiry .
`` Big Sky Voters PAC … was created to do work in Federal Races in Montana , '' Giarraputo told the Free Beacon .
`` It is not affiliated with Governor Bullock or anyone on his team .
My firm stopped doing compliance for Big Sky Values PAC in August of 2019 .
Given that the slogan for Montana is The Big Sky State , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conservatives . ''
When asked if the super PAC would be used to aid Bullock 's candidacy , Giarraputo said `` decisions regarding how funds will be spent have not yet been made . ''
Since 2017 , Bullock 's leadership PAC paid Giarraputo 's company $ 52,290 , with a payment going to her group as recently as March .
The firm also collected nearly $ 50,000 from Bullock 's gubernatorial campaign and was reimbursed for software from Bullock 's failed presidential committee .
Bullock promised to make `` the toxic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national priority if elected president .
The plan posted on his campaign website included a call `` to ban Super PACs from American elections . ''
Bullock attacked Joe Biden over his candidacy benefiting from an outside super PAC .
`` Joe Biden 's senior allies just launched a SuperPAC to spend MILLIONS on his behalf , '' Bullock wrote in a November 13 Facebook post that was promoted by his campaign .
`` We 're disappointed—Democrats should stand for getting Big Money OUT of our elections , not opening the floodgates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from corporate PACs . ''
Bullock criticized Biden in a second Facebook ad , writing , `` Democrats need to focus on getting Big Money OUT of our elections—regardless of how it impacts their campaign . ''
Last month , Bullock received help from a liberal dark money group despite spending years deriding the influence of hidden money in politics .
Protect Our Care , a Washington , D.C.-based group housed at Arabella Advisors , one of the nation 's largest Democratic dark money networks , has poured six-figures into ads attacking Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to inquiries on the super PAC .

Montana's Democratic governor, Steve Bullock, who has called for eliminating super PACs, appears to have a new outside super PAC backing his Senate run.
The Big Sky Voters PAC—a Montana-based super PAC—was created April 23 and looks positioned to boost Bullock's Senate bid against incumbent Republican senator Steve Daines. Its treasurer previously held the same role for Bullock's similarly named Big Sky Values leadership PAC.
The super PAC can collect unlimited sums from donors and could provide pivotal outside assistance in a race that will help determine which party controls the Senate following the November elections. If the new super PAC does, in fact, back Bullock, it would run counter to the promises the governor made during his stint as a presidential candidate. Bullock's "One Big Idea" for his presidential platform last year was campaign finance reform. He used the issue to criticize his Democratic rivals and their use of super PACs.
Holly Giarraputo, owner of the Montana-based Campaign Compliance Inc., filed the super PAC's statement of organization to the Federal Election Commission and is listed as its treasurer. Her company's website also listed Bullock's gubernatorial campaign as one of its clients, but the affiliation was removed from the site following a Washington Free Beacon inquiry.
"Big Sky Voters PAC ... was created to do work in Federal Races in Montana," Giarraputo told the Free Beacon. "It is not affiliated with Governor Bullock or anyone on his team. My firm stopped doing compliance for Big Sky Values PAC in August of 2019. Given that the slogan for Montana is The Big Sky State, it is frequently used in naming by both progressives and conservatives."
When asked if the super PAC would be used to aid Bullock's candidacy, Giarraputo said "decisions regarding how funds will be spent have not yet been made." Since 2017, Bullock's leadership PAC paid Giarraputo's company $52,290, with a payment going to her group as recently as March. The firm also collected nearly $50,000 from Bullock's gubernatorial campaign and was reimbursed for software from Bullock's failed presidential committee.
Bullock promised to make "the toxic influence of money in politics" a national priority if elected president. The plan posted on his campaign website included a call "to ban Super PACs from American elections."
Bullock attacked Joe Biden over his candidacy benefiting from an outside super PAC.
"Joe Biden's senior allies just launched a SuperPAC to spend MILLIONS on his behalf," Bullock wrote in a November 13 Facebook post that was promoted by his campaign. "We're disappointed—Democrats should stand for getting Big Money OUT of our elections, not opening the floodgates. That's why Governor Bullock refuses money from corporate PACs."
Bullock criticized Biden in a second Facebook ad, writing, "Democrats need to focus on getting Big Money OUT of our elections—regardless of how it impacts their campaign."
Last month, Bullock received help from a liberal dark money group despite spending years deriding the influence of hidden money in politics. Protect Our Care, a Washington, D.C.-based group housed at Arabella Advisors, one of the nation's largest Democratic dark money networks, has poured six-figures into ads attacking Sen. Daines.
Bullock's campaign did not respond to inquiries on the super PAC.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--‘I Do Not Need a Lecture’: Pelosi Snaps at Reporter Asking About Biden Allegation

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) got testy Thursday morning with a reporter who asked her why Democrats are treating the sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden differently than they treated the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh .
`` I respect your question , and I do n't need a lecture or a speech , '' Pelosi said to the Washington Examiner ‘ s Kerry Picket during a press conference .
`` I have complete respect for the whole MeToo movement—I have four daughters and one son .
There is a lot of excitement around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be listened to .
There is also due process , and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden . ''
The speaker stressed that she was `` proud '' to endorse Biden for president and said the former vice president `` is a person of great integrity '' and a longstanding advocate of women .
Pelosi 's comments come after more than a month of silence by the presumptive Democratic nominee while prominent media outlets have hesitated to ask him about sexual assault allegations brought forward by Tara Reade , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand in stark contrast with the speaker 's statements in 2018 during the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
At the time , she praised Christine Blasey Ford , who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault , and urged people to `` Believe Survivors . ''
`` We must # BelieveSurvivors .
I ’ m proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford , '' the speaker said in a tweet .
While the Biden campaign has argued the candidate was exonerated by press investigations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached no conclusions about Reade 's accusation .
`` Our investigation made no conclusion either way , '' Times vice president of communications Danielle Rhoades Ha told the Washington Free Beacon .
Biden campaign surrogates continued using the Times report to claim Biden was exonerated , however , even as Biden himself has avoided answering any questions about the accusation directly .
On Thursday Pelosi joined other Democrats in praising Biden 's response to the allegation , even though Biden has not addressed it himself .
`` I think it 's made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do support Joe Biden .
I 'm satisfied with how he has responded , '' Pelosi told CNN .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) got testy Thursday morning with a reporter who asked her why Democrats are treating the sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden differently than they treated the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.
"I respect your question, and I don't need a lecture or a speech," Pelosi said to the Washington Examiner's Kerry Picket during a press conference. "I have complete respect for the whole MeToo movement—I have four daughters and one son. There is a lot of excitement around the idea that women will be heard and be listened to. There is also due process, and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden."
The speaker stressed that she was "proud" to endorse Biden for president and said the former vice president "is a person of great integrity" and a longstanding advocate of women.
Pelosi's comments come after more than a month of silence by the presumptive Democratic nominee while prominent media outlets have hesitated to ask him about sexual assault allegations brought forward by Tara Reade, a former Biden Senate staffer.
Pelosi's comments stand in stark contrast with the speaker's statements in 2018 during the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At the time, she praised Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, and urged people to "Believe Survivors."
"We must #BelieveSurvivors. I’m proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford," the speaker said in a tweet.
We must #BelieveSurvivors. I’m proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. pic.twitter.com/brXUZev23i — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 26, 2018
While the Biden campaign has argued the candidate was exonerated by press investigations, the New York Times said its reporting reached no conclusions about Reade's accusation.
"Our investigation made no conclusion either way," Times vice president of communications Danielle Rhoades Ha told the Washington Free Beacon.
Biden campaign surrogates continued using the Times report to claim Biden was exonerated, however, even as Biden himself has avoided answering any questions about the accusation directly. On Thursday Pelosi joined other Democrats in praising Biden's response to the allegation, even though Biden has not addressed it himself.
"I think it's made a great contribution to our country, and I do support Joe Biden. I'm satisfied with how he has responded," Pelosi told CNN.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Lawmakers Probe NIH Over Chinese Espionage Targeting U.S. Medical Research

Two Republican members of Congress have launched an investigation into Chinese espionage operations targeting confidential medical research performed by the National Institutes of Health , according to communications obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon .
Reps. Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
and Mike Gallagher ( R. , Wis. ) are petitioning NIH leaders to disclose how researchers with ties to adversarial regimes such as China continue to participate in confidential research projects and receive American grant money , according to a letter sent Thursday to NIH director Francis Collins .
The lawmakers express concerns about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they say might have allowed foreign spies to gain access to critical research .
Chinese infiltration of the American medical research community has been a concern for federal authorities , including the FBI , for years .
China has been responsible for multiple large-scale hacks on the health care industry , including patient data and medical research into cancer and other diseases .
As the coronavirus has swept the globe and amid revelations of China 's efforts to deceive the world about the virus , lawmakers are beginning to conduct audits on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party-backed spy operations .
These investigations have become especially critical in light of revelations that NIH may have funded the Wuhan-based lab near where the coronavirus emerged .
Banks and Gallagher are asking NIH to provide Congress with information about individuals they may have identified as having undisclosed ties to foreign countries .
This includes some 250 NIH researchers identified in recent years as having `` suspicious foreign ties '' that could trace back to a state-sponsored spy ring .
China has long attempted to steal U.S. government-sponsored research , including from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In some instances , Chinese spies have successfully smuggled proprietary information back to the Chinese government .
NIH has emerged as a particular concern for Banks and Gallagher due to lax policies that rarely punish those discovered to have undisclosed ties to foreign governments .
`` This pandemic has raised significant questions about Francis Collins 's leadership at NIH , '' said one senior GOP congressional aide , speaking only on background about the ongoing probe into the agency .
`` We are finding more and more instances of American taxpayer dollars improperly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to take these instances seriously , only acting when cases come to light .
Clearly , we need additional congressional oversight to make sure our tax dollars are being spent wisely over there . ''
Michael Lauer , director of NIH 's extramural research program , recently told Science magazine that China has stolen the agency 's research by infiltrating its grant review process and then sharing this information with the communist government .
Using this stolen information , China sets up what are known as `` shadow labs '' to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the lawmakers ' letter .
In August 2018 , `` nearly two years after being alerted of possible foreign espionage by the FBI , the NIH launched investigations into 250 NIH researchers with suspicious foreign ties , '' according to the letter .
At the University of Texas 's M.D .
Anderson Cancer Center , investigations concluded that at least `` five different scientists '' had been flagged for `` sending confidential information to China . ''
`` Emails were uncovered suggesting a scientist sent confidential research data to China in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an appointment to the regime 's Thousand Talents Program , a massive initiative to recruit medical researchers and experts .
Investigators also discovered cases in which researchers at U.S. medical schools that received NIH grants failed to disclose their ties to the Chinese government , even after repeated questioning .
In some cases , these schools and individuals continue to receive NIH funding .
While the names of the institutions and individuals were withheld in public reports , investigators discovered that one American medical research institute funded by NIH failed to disclose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
The `` institution allowed the individual to continue as a principal investigator on the NIH grant and NIH has yet to take any further action , '' according to information provided to Congress .
NIH 's handling of these repeated incidents has caused concern .
`` None of the case studies resulted in immediate , decisive disciplinary action by NIH , '' according to Banks and Gallagher .
`` The repeated deceptions outlined over these seven case studies call for an immediate administrative response .
But in most cases , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , a Senate Committee on Homeland Security investigation found that NIH contacted at least `` 70 institutions regarding more than 130 individuals '' over undisclosed foreign funding .
`` All in all , '' according to the lawmakers , `` the Senate report contains seven NIH case studies , all of which involve a researcher failing to disclose a financial or contractual relationship with the Chinese government . ''
To help Congress address the issue , Banks and Gallagher are requesting the NIH disclose its criteria for grant applications and explain what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against grant recipients who have failed to disclose foreign ties . ''
They also are seeking to determine if the NIH has taken disciplinary action against U.S. academic institutions that failed to report potential violations by their employees .
This information could help the lawmakers enact legislation to combat China 's espionage and ensure U.S. grant dollars are not allocated to foreign agents .

Two Republican members of Congress have launched an investigation into Chinese espionage operations targeting confidential medical research performed by the National Institutes of Health, according to communications obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon.
Reps. Jim Banks (R., Ind.) and Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.) are petitioning NIH leaders to disclose how researchers with ties to adversarial regimes such as China continue to participate in confidential research projects and receive American grant money, according to a letter sent Thursday to NIH director Francis Collins. The lawmakers express concerns about a lack of oversight at the agency that they say might have allowed foreign spies to gain access to critical research.
Chinese infiltration of the American medical research community has been a concern for federal authorities, including the FBI, for years. China has been responsible for multiple large-scale hacks on the health care industry, including patient data and medical research into cancer and other diseases.
As the coronavirus has swept the globe and amid revelations of China's efforts to deceive the world about the virus, lawmakers are beginning to conduct audits on a range of federal agencies to ferret out Communist Party-backed spy operations. These investigations have become especially critical in light of revelations that NIH may have funded the Wuhan-based lab near where the coronavirus emerged.
Banks and Gallagher are asking NIH to provide Congress with information about individuals they may have identified as having undisclosed ties to foreign countries. This includes some 250 NIH researchers identified in recent years as having "suspicious foreign ties" that could trace back to a state-sponsored spy ring.
China has long attempted to steal U.S. government-sponsored research, including from the medical community and military-industrial complex. In some instances, Chinese spies have successfully smuggled proprietary information back to the Chinese government.
NIH has emerged as a particular concern for Banks and Gallagher due to lax policies that rarely punish those discovered to have undisclosed ties to foreign governments.
"This pandemic has raised significant questions about Francis Collins's leadership at NIH," said one senior GOP congressional aide, speaking only on background about the ongoing probe into the agency. "We are finding more and more instances of American taxpayer dollars improperly going to foreign entities. Collins is failing to take these instances seriously, only acting when cases come to light. Clearly, we need additional congressional oversight to make sure our tax dollars are being spent wisely over there."
Michael Lauer, director of NIH's extramural research program, recently told Science magazine that China has stolen the agency's research by infiltrating its grant review process and then sharing this information with the communist government. Using this stolen information, China sets up what are known as "shadow labs" to "recreate the stolen NIH-funded research," according to the lawmakers' letter.
In August 2018, "nearly two years after being alerted of possible foreign espionage by the FBI, the NIH launched investigations into 250 NIH researchers with suspicious foreign ties," according to the letter.
At the University of Texas's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, investigations concluded that at least "five different scientists" had been flagged for "sending confidential information to China."
"Emails were uncovered suggesting a scientist sent confidential research data to China in exchange for $75,000" as well as an appointment to the regime's Thousand Talents Program, a massive initiative to recruit medical researchers and experts.
Investigators also discovered cases in which researchers at U.S. medical schools that received NIH grants failed to disclose their ties to the Chinese government, even after repeated questioning. In some cases, these schools and individuals continue to receive NIH funding.
While the names of the institutions and individuals were withheld in public reports, investigators discovered that one American medical research institute funded by NIH failed to disclose one of its researcher's ties to China. The "institution allowed the individual to continue as a principal investigator on the NIH grant and NIH has yet to take any further action," according to information provided to Congress.
NIH's handling of these repeated incidents has caused concern.
"None of the case studies resulted in immediate, decisive disciplinary action by NIH," according to Banks and Gallagher. "The repeated deceptions outlined over these seven case studies call for an immediate administrative response. But in most cases, the NIH took no action."
In fact, a Senate Committee on Homeland Security investigation found that NIH contacted at least "70 institutions regarding more than 130 individuals" over undisclosed foreign funding.
"All in all," according to the lawmakers, "the Senate report contains seven NIH case studies, all of which involve a researcher failing to disclose a financial or contractual relationship with the Chinese government."
To help Congress address the issue, Banks and Gallagher are requesting the NIH disclose its criteria for grant applications and explain what "administrative action [was taken] against grant recipients who have failed to disclose foreign ties."
They also are seeking to determine if the NIH has taken disciplinary action against U.S. academic institutions that failed to report potential violations by their employees.
This information could help the lawmakers enact legislation to combat China's espionage and ensure U.S. grant dollars are not allocated to foreign agents.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Biden Campaign Boasts Wealth of Experience Flacking for Creeps

Former vice president Joe Biden , despite being interviewed by several major media outlets , has yet to publicly address the allegations of a former Senate staffer , Tara Reade , who claims he sexually assaulted her in 1993 .
That does n't mean Biden 's campaign has n't been working hard to manage the crisis like a well-oiled public relations firm .
For example , the campaign has been circulating talking points to allies and surrogates suggesting a New York Times investigation into Reade 's accusation `` concluded '' that the alleged assault `` did not occur . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such thing has n't stopped Biden supporters such as Stacey Abrams—a potential VP nominee—from regurgitating the false assertion on national television .
Abrams , who has demonstrated a willingness to say and do anything to be Biden 's running mate , is one of many prominent Democrats whose position on sexual assault allegations has evolved since Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018 .
The same is true of the so-called women 's organizations that led the charge in opposing Kavanaugh 's nomination but are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Perhaps coincidentally , many of these organizations , such as NARAL , Emily 's List , Planned Parenthood , and Time 's Up , have ties to SKDKnickerbocker , where former Obama aide Anita Dunn works as managing director .
Dunn is currently a senior adviser to the Biden campaign and is plenty experienced when it comes to managing crises for accused sex criminals .
Dunn , who joined the Biden campaign in April 2019 , was among the team of legal and communications experts who provided `` damage control advice '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he confronted numerous accusations of criminal sexual behavior .
Weinstein was convicted of rape in February and sentenced to 23 years in prison .
Dunn is n't the only Biden adviser who has experience flacking on behalf of assorted creeps and perverts .
Campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon , for example , previously served as the deputy campaign manager for John Edwards 's 2008 presidential campaign .
Edwards cheated on his cancer-stricken wife , fathered a child with a former campaign staffer , and pressured another campaign staffer to falsely claim paternity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Edwards campaign as a spokesperson and went on to serve as vice president of communications for the Motion Picture Association of America .
That organization 's top lobbyist , former senator Chris Dodd ( D. , Conn. ) , described himself as a longtime `` friend '' of Weinstein 's and played a role in the problematic sexual escapades of the late senator Ted Kennedy ( D. , Mass. )
.
Dodd was recently announced as a co-chair of Biden 's vice presidential selection committee .
Biden 's press secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director for NBC News between 2018 and 2019 , when the network was dealing with the fallout from the numerous sexual assault allegations against disgraced host Matt Lauer .
Ronan Farrow has accused senior NBC News executives of not only tolerating Lauer 's inappropriate behavior , but also of derailing his efforts to expose Weinstein 's history of misconduct .
Ducklo also did public relations work for The Circus , the Showtime political reality series starring Mark Halperin , who was ousted from public life amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior .
Talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of Biden 's campaign staff have advised some of the most notorious perverts the world has ever known .
That experience should come in handy , but it 's not as if their job is hard .
The mere fact that Biden is a Democrat who has a chance of becoming president makes him the ideal client in terms of fending off allegations of sexual assault , which are inherently more credible when made against Republicans .
The media have not shown much interest in getting Biden to even acknowledge the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks since Tara Reade accused the former VP of sexually assaulting her .
In that time , Biden has been asked 142 questions over 19 interviews , but not a single one about Reade 's claim .

Former vice president Joe Biden, despite being interviewed by several major media outlets, has yet to publicly address the allegations of a former Senate staffer, Tara Reade, who claims he sexually assaulted her in 1993. That doesn't mean Biden's campaign hasn't been working hard to manage the crisis like a well-oiled public relations firm.
For example, the campaign has been circulating talking points to allies and surrogates suggesting a New York Times investigation into Reade's accusation "concluded" that the alleged assault "did not occur." The fact that the Times concluded no such thing hasn't stopped Biden supporters such as Stacey Abrams—a potential VP nominee—from regurgitating the false assertion on national television.
Abrams, who has demonstrated a willingness to say and do anything to be Biden's running mate, is one of many prominent Democrats whose position on sexual assault allegations has evolved since Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018. The same is true of the so-called women's organizations that led the charge in opposing Kavanaugh's nomination but are curiously silent on the allegation against Biden.
Perhaps coincidentally, many of these organizations, such as NARAL, Emily's List, Planned Parenthood, and Time's Up, have ties to SKDKnickerbocker, where former Obama aide Anita Dunn works as managing director. Dunn is currently a senior adviser to the Biden campaign and is plenty experienced when it comes to managing crises for accused sex criminals.
Dunn, who joined the Biden campaign in April 2019, was among the team of legal and communications experts who provided "damage control advice" to disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein as he confronted numerous accusations of criminal sexual behavior. Weinstein was convicted of rape in February and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Dunn isn't the only Biden adviser who has experience flacking on behalf of assorted creeps and perverts. Campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon, for example, previously served as the deputy campaign manager for John Edwards's 2008 presidential campaign. Edwards cheated on his cancer-stricken wife, fathered a child with a former campaign staffer, and pressured another campaign staffer to falsely claim paternity.
Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield also worked on the Edwards campaign as a spokesperson and went on to serve as vice president of communications for the Motion Picture Association of America. That organization's top lobbyist, former senator Chris Dodd (D., Conn.), described himself as a longtime "friend" of Weinstein's and played a role in the problematic sexual escapades of the late senator Ted Kennedy (D., Mass.). Dodd was recently announced as a co-chair of Biden's vice presidential selection committee.
Biden's press secretary, TJ Ducklo, was the senior communications director for NBC News between 2018 and 2019, when the network was dealing with the fallout from the numerous sexual assault allegations against disgraced host Matt Lauer. Ronan Farrow has accused senior NBC News executives of not only tolerating Lauer's inappropriate behavior, but also of derailing his efforts to expose Weinstein's history of misconduct.
Ducklo also did public relations work for The Circus, the Showtime political reality series starring Mark Halperin, who was ousted from public life amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.
Talk about a deep bench. The senior members of Biden's campaign staff have advised some of the most notorious perverts the world has ever known. That experience should come in handy, but it's not as if their job is hard. The mere fact that Biden is a Democrat who has a chance of becoming president makes him the ideal client in terms of fending off allegations of sexual assault, which are inherently more credible when made against Republicans.
The media have not shown much interest in getting Biden to even acknowledge the allegations against him. It's been five weeks since Tara Reade accused the former VP of sexually assaulting her. In that time, Biden has been asked 142 questions over 19 interviews, but not a single one about Reade's claim.