freebeacon--2020-04-30--‘I’m Gonna Vote for Him’: Mark Kelly Sticks With Biden in Face of Sexual Assault Allegation

Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly said Wednesday that he stands by his endorsement of Joe Biden despite growing scrutiny into a sexual assault allegation against Biden by Tara Reade , a former staffer in his Senate office .
`` I think [ Biden ] has the right experience and has the leadership ability , what our country needs right now , '' Kelly , who is running for the Senate , said during a radio interview on KTAR News .
`` So I 'm gon na vote for him in November . ''
Kelly said that while Biden 's accuser should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the allegation should be looked into , he remains committed to voting for Biden in November .
`` I strongly believe that everybody deserves to be heard and needs to be heard and that these allegations should be looked into , '' Kelly said .
`` You know , these are often very complicated issues and I think it 's really important that the person who 's making these allegations has an opportunity to state the case and then have it looked into . ''
Kelly went on to say that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time '' and he has a `` strong sense of his character . ''
Kelly is the latest Biden supporter to address the allegation before the candidate , who still has not answered any questions on the claim by Reade .
Biden 's campaign has flatly denied that the incident happened and has directed his supporters to say that it `` did not happen . ''
Kelly officially endorsed Biden on March 2 ahead of Arizona 's Democratic primary , which was carried by Biden .

Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly said Wednesday that he stands by his endorsement of Joe Biden despite growing scrutiny into a sexual assault allegation against Biden by Tara Reade, a former staffer in his Senate office.
"I think [Biden] has the right experience and has the leadership ability, what our country needs right now," Kelly, who is running for the Senate, said during a radio interview on KTAR News. "So I'm gonna vote for him in November."
Kelly said that while Biden's accuser should have the opportunity to make her case and the allegation should be looked into, he remains committed to voting for Biden in November.
"I strongly believe that everybody deserves to be heard and needs to be heard and that these allegations should be looked into," Kelly said. "You know, these are often very complicated issues and I think it's really important that the person who's making these allegations has an opportunity to state the case and then have it looked into."
Kelly went on to say that he has known Biden "for a long time" and he has a "strong sense of his character."
Kelly is the latest Biden supporter to address the allegation before the candidate, who still has not answered any questions on the claim by Reade. Biden's campaign has flatly denied that the incident happened and has directed his supporters to say that it "did not happen."
Kelly officially endorsed Biden on March 2 ahead of Arizona's Democratic primary, which was carried by Biden.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--‘I’m Satisfied’: Pelosi Praises Biden’s Non-Existent Response to Sexual Assault Allegation

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) said Thursday that she was `` satisfied '' with Joe Biden 's response to the sexual assault allegation against the presumptive Democratic nominee , even though he has not personally addressed the accusation .
`` I 'm a big , strong supporter of the MeToo movement , '' Pelosi told CNN on Thursday .
`` 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 .
I know him , I was proud to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endorse him , and so I 'm satisfied with that . ''
Former Senate staffer Tara Reade accused Biden of forcibly penetrating her with his fingers in 1993 .
Biden 's campaign staff has denied the charge , but the former vice president has yet to discuss the allegation .
Biden conducted 19 interviews since Reade went public with the allegation on March 24 but has yet to face a single question about the accusation .
Pelosi is one of several prominent Democratic supporters of Biden who previously called for survivors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota noted Biden had not directly spoken about the charge , Pelosi said it was a `` matter he has to deal with . ''
`` I am impressed with the people who worked for him at the time saying they 've absolutely never heard one iota of information about this , '' Pelosi said .
`` Nobody ever brought forth a claim or had anybody else tell them about such a claim . ''
While Christine Blasey Ford 's accusation of sexual assault in 2018 against Supreme Court nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she believed her .
Reade was one of eight women who last year said Biden had touched her in ways that made her uncomfortable , but she did not make the more serious charge against Biden until a podcast interview in March .
Friends and family members of Reade , however , recall her saying Biden harassed her at the time .
Reade 's former neighbor , Lynda LaCasse , told Business Insider on Monday that Reade told her in the mid-1990s about the assault .
The Biden campaign has circulated talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 12 New York Times investigation of Reade 's allegation as proof the assault did not occur .
The Times said its report , however , made no conclusion as to the credibility of the charge .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said Thursday that she was "satisfied" with Joe Biden's response to the sexual assault allegation against the presumptive Democratic nominee, even though he has not personally addressed the accusation.
"I'm a big, strong supporter of the MeToo movement," Pelosi told CNN on Thursday. "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. I know him, I was proud to endorse him on Monday, very proud to endorse him, and so I'm satisfied with that."
Former Senate staffer Tara Reade accused Biden of forcibly penetrating her with his fingers in 1993. Biden's campaign staff has denied the charge, but the former vice president has yet to discuss the allegation. Biden conducted 19 interviews since Reade went public with the allegation on March 24 but has yet to face a single question about the accusation. Pelosi is one of several prominent Democratic supporters of Biden who previously called for survivors of sexual assault to be believed.
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
When CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota noted Biden had not directly spoken about the charge, Pelosi said it was a "matter he has to deal with."
"I am impressed with the people who worked for him at the time saying they've absolutely never heard one iota of information about this," Pelosi said. "Nobody ever brought forth a claim or had anybody else tell them about such a claim."
While Christine Blasey Ford's accusation of sexual assault in 2018 against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh lacked corroborating evidence, Pelosi said she believed her.
Reade was one of eight women who last year said Biden had touched her in ways that made her uncomfortable, but she did not make the more serious charge against Biden until a podcast interview in March. Friends and family members of Reade, however, recall her saying Biden harassed her at the time. Reade's former neighbor, Lynda LaCasse, told Business Insider on Monday that Reade told her in the mid-1990s about the assault.
The Biden campaign has circulated talking points to surrogates to point to an April 12 New York Times investigation of Reade's allegation as proof the assault did not occur. The Times said its report, however, made no conclusion as to the credibility of the charge.


freebeacon--2020-04-30--Goodman Discusses Investigation of Arizona Man’s Death From Drinking Fish Tank Cleaner

Washington Free Beacon reporter Alana Goodman appeared on Fox News Wednesday to discuss her investigation of the strange death of an Arizona man who consumed a cocktail that included a chemical used in fish tank cleaner .
`` The early reports in the case sounded odd , and we started digging into it to see what we could find , '' Goodman said on The Ingraham Angle .
`` We found that the man 's wife was actually a big Democratic donor .
She had given thousands of dollars to Democratic causes candidates over the last few years , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gary Lenius , 68 , died on March 22 after taking a soda mixed with a lethal dose of chloroquine phosphate from his wife , Wanda .
She also drank the cocktail and became ill , but survived .
Media reports initially characterized the couple as having foolishly followed President Donald Trump 's touting of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus , but Goodman 's investigation found the deceased Lenius was considered too levelheaded and intelligent by his friends to take such a risk .
Goodman said the fact Wanda Lenius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the emerging media narrative assigning blame to Trump .
`` This raised some questions about her claim that she was going , you know , was she acting on Trump 's advice here ? ''
Goodman said .
She added that friends described Lenius 's ingestion of the cleaner as `` out of character '' for someone who was an engineer .
`` There were also court records that showed his wife had been previously charged with domestic violence against him , '' Goodman said .
The Mesa Police Department is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been ruled a homicide .

Washington Free Beacon reporter Alana Goodman appeared on Fox News Wednesday to discuss her investigation of the strange death of an Arizona man who consumed a cocktail that included a chemical used in fish tank cleaner.
"The early reports in the case sounded odd, and we started digging into it to see what we could find," Goodman said on The Ingraham Angle. "We found that the man's wife was actually a big Democratic donor. She had given thousands of dollars to Democratic causes candidates over the last few years, including most recently a pro-science resistance PAC."
Gary Lenius, 68, died on March 22 after taking a soda mixed with a lethal dose of chloroquine phosphate from his wife, Wanda. She also drank the cocktail and became ill, but survived. Media reports initially characterized the couple as having foolishly followed President Donald Trump's touting of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, but Goodman's investigation found the deceased Lenius was considered too levelheaded and intelligent by his friends to take such a risk.
Goodman said the fact Wanda Lenius had been a Democratic donor raised questions about the emerging media narrative assigning blame to Trump.
"This raised some questions about her claim that she was going, you know, was she acting on Trump's advice here?" Goodman said.
She added that friends described Lenius's ingestion of the cleaner as "out of character" for someone who was an engineer.
"There were also court records that showed his wife had been previously charged with domestic violence against him," Goodman said.
The Mesa Police Department is currently investigating Lenius's death, which has not been ruled a homicide.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--The End of History And ‘The Last Dance’

The End of History And ‘The Last Dance’

I and about six million other people have been enjoying The Last Dance , the Michael Jordan documentary currently on ESPN .
It tells the story of the Chicago Bulls ' 1997-1998 season and contains many pleasures .
There is incredible imagery , new interviews with Jordan , Scottie Pippen , Phil Jackson , and Dennis Rodman , gossip and intrigue , and , above all , the presence on television , albeit commemorative , of professional sports .
The Last Dance offers a double escapism .
Not only does it allow the audience to spend two hours a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The film is also a time capsule , chockfull of highlights and characters from a previous historical epoch .
Every so often one is reminded , subtly and unintentionally , that Jordan 's rise to glory took place against the backdrop of the self-demolition of America 's preeminent adversary , the marshaling of American military and diplomatic strength in Operation Desert Storm , and the tech boom .
Jordan becomes both the exemplar and symbol of American achievement .
His past glories coincided with national ones .
Indeed , in the case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1992 summer Olympics , they were one and the same .
This exercise in nostalgia transports the viewer back to the `` unipolar moment '' when , after the collapse of the Soviet Union , there existed `` a single pole of world power that consists of the United States at the apex of the industrial West . ''
So wrote Charles Krauthammer in late 1990 , developing Francis Fukuyama 's argument from the year before that the world had arrived at `` the end of History , '' with the victory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its ideological competitors .
The end of History was short-lived .
After 9/11 , Krauthammer took to calling the 1990s not an end but a `` holiday from history . ''
What a pleasant holiday it was .
And how large a part Michael Jordan played in it .
I ca n't be the only child of the Reagan years for whom memories of Stormin ' Norman Schwarzkopf , Bill Clinton and Gennifer Flowers , and H. Ross Perot are intermixed with recollections of Bulls Starter Jackets , pairs of Air Jordan sneakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stuff with Ahmad Rashad on Saturday mornings .
To watch The Last Dance is to revisit America before the fall of the World Trade Center , before Afghanistan and Iraq , before the global financial crisis , Syria , Ukraine , and the rise of China .
It was a stronger , more self-confident place .
And a naïve and superficial one .
This historical reflection is not meant to diminish the star of the show .
Jordan is as beguiling and charming today as he was back then .
His cigar stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side during the recent interviews , he offers a reassuring presence during a global emergency .
And the archival footage remains jaw-dropping .
His athleticism and performance under pressure is thrilling .
He really did fly .
What comes across most is Jordan 's drive and willpower .
Jonathan V. Last put it well in an essay on the star in the January 25 , 1999 , issue of The Weekly Standard .
`` The secret of Michael Jordan 's greatness—of all competitive greatness—is not merely , as we now instruct our children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last wrote .
`` It is to make your best superior to everyone else 's .
You must cultivate your own talent , yes ; but you must also search out and exploit the weaknesses of your opponent .
Somebody must lose so you can win . ''
In Jordan is found intelligence , determination , talent , and an overwhelming competitive streak .
At the so-called end of History , when the world was thought to be converging , flattening , homogenizing , he personified inequality , difference , greatness , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieved .
But there is more than one way to thirst for recognition .
Jordan is not the only human type on display in The Last Dance .
The filmmakers do a wonderful job of communicating the pathos and ambivalence of Scottie Pippen and the equanimity and discernment of Phil Jackson .
The latest episodes have focused on the character of Dennis Rodman .
This skilled athlete , with his complicated and troubled personality , represents another facet of the 1990s : its obsession with gloss and celebrity .
The hijinks that scandalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlandish fashions , the piercings , the crossdressing , the flings with Madonna and marriage to Carmen Electra—are commonplace in 2020 .
That is because Rodman was a pioneer .
His shocking displays of a fluid individuality pushed the boundaries of acceptable public behavior until there was no boundary at all .
Where Jordan was elitist , Rodman was nihilist .
And if Jordan is the consummate athlete of his era , Rodman , in his eccentricity , materialism , transgression , and media savvy , defines that era itself .
When the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulls had another championship .
Jordan headed off to a second retirement before his final stint with the Washington Wizards .
Rodman played a few more seasons .
Then he left the NBA for wrestling , international stardom , and a stint on Celebrity Apprentice .
Where he worked for , and was fired by , the man who ended the end of History .

I and about six million other people have been enjoying The Last Dance, the Michael Jordan documentary currently on ESPN. It tells the story of the Chicago Bulls' 1997-1998 season and contains many pleasures. There is incredible imagery, new interviews with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and Dennis Rodman, gossip and intrigue, and, above all, the presence on television, albeit commemorative, of professional sports.
The Last Dance offers a double escapism. Not only does it allow the audience to spend two hours a week thinking about something other than coronavirus. The film is also a time capsule, chockfull of highlights and characters from a previous historical epoch. Every so often one is reminded, subtly and unintentionally, that Jordan's rise to glory took place against the backdrop of the self-demolition of America's preeminent adversary, the marshaling of American military and diplomatic strength in Operation Desert Storm, and the tech boom. Jordan becomes both the exemplar and symbol of American achievement. His past glories coincided with national ones. Indeed, in the case of the "Dream Team" at the 1992 summer Olympics, they were one and the same.
This exercise in nostalgia transports the viewer back to the "unipolar moment" when, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there existed "a single pole of world power that consists of the United States at the apex of the industrial West." So wrote Charles Krauthammer in late 1990, developing Francis Fukuyama's argument from the year before that the world had arrived at "the end of History," with the victory of the liberal democratic model of governance over its ideological competitors.
The end of History was short-lived. After 9/11, Krauthammer took to calling the 1990s not an end but a "holiday from history." What a pleasant holiday it was. And how large a part Michael Jordan played in it. I can't be the only child of the Reagan years for whom memories of Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf, Bill Clinton and Gennifer Flowers, and H. Ross Perot are intermixed with recollections of Bulls Starter Jackets, pairs of Air Jordan sneakers, All-Star Weekend, and NBA Inside Stuff with Ahmad Rashad on Saturday mornings. To watch The Last Dance is to revisit America before the fall of the World Trade Center, before Afghanistan and Iraq, before the global financial crisis, Syria, Ukraine, and the rise of China. It was a stronger, more self-confident place. And a naïve and superficial one.
This historical reflection is not meant to diminish the star of the show. Jordan is as beguiling and charming today as he was back then. His cigar stand and magically refilling whiskey glass at his side during the recent interviews, he offers a reassuring presence during a global emergency. And the archival footage remains jaw-dropping. His athleticism and performance under pressure is thrilling. He really did fly.
What comes across most is Jordan's drive and willpower. Jonathan V. Last put it well in an essay on the star in the January 25, 1999, issue of The Weekly Standard. "The secret of Michael Jordan's greatness—of all competitive greatness—is not merely, as we now instruct our children, to do your best," Last wrote. "It is to make your best superior to everyone else's. You must cultivate your own talent, yes; but you must also search out and exploit the weaknesses of your opponent. Somebody must lose so you can win."
In Jordan is found intelligence, determination, talent, and an overwhelming competitive streak. At the so-called end of History, when the world was thought to be converging, flattening, homogenizing, he personified inequality, difference, greatness, and the desire for recognition. Which he achieved.
But there is more than one way to thirst for recognition. Jordan is not the only human type on display in The Last Dance. The filmmakers do a wonderful job of communicating the pathos and ambivalence of Scottie Pippen and the equanimity and discernment of Phil Jackson. The latest episodes have focused on the character of Dennis Rodman. This skilled athlete, with his complicated and troubled personality, represents another facet of the 1990s: its obsession with gloss and celebrity.
The hijinks that scandalized America 30 years ago—the chameleon-like hair and outlandish fashions, the piercings, the crossdressing, the flings with Madonna and marriage to Carmen Electra—are commonplace in 2020. That is because Rodman was a pioneer. His shocking displays of a fluid individuality pushed the boundaries of acceptable public behavior until there was no boundary at all. Where Jordan was elitist, Rodman was nihilist. And if Jordan is the consummate athlete of his era, Rodman, in his eccentricity, materialism, transgression, and media savvy, defines that era itself.
When the "last dance" finished, the Bulls had another championship. Jordan headed off to a second retirement before his final stint with the Washington Wizards. Rodman played a few more seasons. Then he left the NBA for wrestling, international stardom, and a stint on Celebrity Apprentice. Where he worked for, and was fired by, the man who ended the end of History.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Continetti: Media Should Demand Biden Make Evidence Public in Tara Reade Case

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti on Thursday said the media ought to pressure Joe Biden to publicize his archives to shed light on the sexual assault accusation against him .
`` I think it ’ s important that Biden finally be asked .
But the question is : What ’ s the follow-up question ? ''
Continetti said on Fox News 's Special Report .
`` He will deny the initial charge , but the real question is , will he open his archive so that we can search for more evidence of the case ? ''
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate were given to the University of Delaware and are being kept private .
The university has said it will not release them before the presidential election in November .
Biden 's former staff assistant Tara Reade has accused then-senator Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993 .
She served in his Senate office at the time and claims she filed a complaint .
The Biden campaign denies the allegation , and the candidate himself has not spoken publicly on the matter , as he has yet to face a single question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood up for Biden , and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) on Wednesday said she was confident in Biden 's character .
She also pushed back on a reporter for asking whether it is fair for Democrats to cast doubt on Reade 's story when they were quick to assume the guilt of Brett Kavanaugh during his politically charged Supreme Court confirmation battle in 2018 .
`` I respect your question , and I do n't need a lecture or a speech , '' Pelosi told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's a lot of excitement around the idea that women will be heard and be able to be listened to , '' Pelosi said .
`` There is also due process , and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden . ''
Reade on Thursday said she is willing to testify under oath about the assault .
Biden is expected to address the allegation for the first time Friday on MSNBC ’ s Morning Joe .

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti on Thursday said the media ought to pressure Joe Biden to publicize his archives to shed light on the sexual assault accusation against him.
"I think it’s important that Biden finally be asked. But the question is: What’s the follow-up question?" Continetti said on Fox News's Special Report. "He will deny the initial charge, but the real question is, will he open his archive so that we can search for more evidence of the case?"
Biden's personal papers from his time in the Senate were given to the University of Delaware and are being kept private. The university has said it will not release them before the presidential election in November.
Biden's former staff assistant Tara Reade has accused then-senator Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993. She served in his Senate office at the time and claims she filed a complaint.
The Biden campaign denies the allegation, and the candidate himself has not spoken publicly on the matter, as he has yet to face a single question about it.
Many top Democrats have stood up for Biden, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) on Wednesday said she was confident in Biden's character. She also pushed back on a reporter for asking whether it is fair for Democrats to cast doubt on Reade's story when they were quick to assume the guilt of Brett Kavanaugh during his politically charged Supreme Court confirmation battle in 2018.
"I respect your question, and I don't need a lecture or a speech," Pelosi told the reporter during a press conference.
"There's a lot of excitement around the idea that women will be heard and be able to be listened to," Pelosi said. "There is also due process, and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden."
Reade on Thursday said she is willing to testify under oath about the assault.
Biden is expected to address the allegation for the first time Friday on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--MSNBC Host on Tara Reade Accusation: ‘The Right Is Running a Smear Campaign Against Joe Biden’

`` The right is n't running an intellectually honest operation to get to the bottom of whether Tara Reade was victimized , '' Wallace said .
`` The right is running a smear campaign against Joe Biden .
The right wants to create some sort of equal playing field on which Donald Trump 's nearly two dozen accusers sort of have some company on the other side . ''
Reade 's accusation is receiving significant attention across the political and media spectrum .
The story came to light in March , when Reade told progressive podcaster Katie Halper that Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional hallway in 1993 .
Additional reporting from The Intercept and Business Insider—neither of which is a conservative publication—showed that Reade told others she was mistreated by Biden in the 1990s .
New York Times media columnist Ben Smith called out television outlets for not booking Reade for interviews and pressed his own newspaper 's executive editor about why the paper waited nearly three weeks to report on her claim .
Biden has denied the charge , telling Morning Joe Friday that the incident Reade alleges `` never , never happened . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush White House , often reminds viewers she left the Republican Party out of disgust with Trump and has pledged to vote for the Democratic nominee in 2020 .
Biden was pressed Friday by MSNBC 's Mika Brzezinski on his prior statements that women who make sexual misconduct allegations should be believed .
Biden said he had always meant they should be taken seriously and have their claims investigated .
Numerous prominent Democrats have echoed Biden 's dismissal of Reade 's allegation despite declaring that women should be believed when Christine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018 .
Wallace , however , said Democrats are primarily concerned with `` consistency . ''
`` The right is not running the same operation that the Democrats are running , which is to try to have some consistency around statements that I think just about every elected Democrat has made about women in the context of the MeToo movement , '' she said .
Reade was one of eight women who accused Biden of inappropriate touching in 2019 , but she did not publicly make her more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .

MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace said Friday that calls to investigate the sexual assault accusation against Joe Biden are a "smear campaign" orchestrated by the political right.
"The right isn't running an intellectually honest operation to get to the bottom of whether Tara Reade was victimized," Wallace said. "The right is running a smear campaign against Joe Biden. The right wants to create some sort of equal playing field on which Donald Trump's nearly two dozen accusers sort of have some company on the other side."
Reade's accusation is receiving significant attention across the political and media spectrum. The story came to light in March, when Reade told progressive podcaster Katie Halper that Biden penetrated her with his fingers in a congressional hallway in 1993. Additional reporting from The Intercept and Business Insider—neither of which is a conservative publication—showed that Reade told others she was mistreated by Biden in the 1990s. New York Times media columnist Ben Smith called out television outlets for not booking Reade for interviews and pressed his own newspaper's executive editor about why the paper waited nearly three weeks to report on her claim. Biden has denied the charge, telling Morning Joe Friday that the incident Reade alleges "never, never happened."
Wallace, who briefly served in the George W. Bush White House, often reminds viewers she left the Republican Party out of disgust with Trump and has pledged to vote for the Democratic nominee in 2020.
Biden was pressed Friday by MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski on his prior statements that women who make sexual misconduct allegations should be believed. Biden said he had always meant they should be taken seriously and have their claims investigated. Numerous prominent Democrats have echoed Biden's dismissal of Reade's allegation despite declaring that women should be believed when Christine Blasey Ford accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault in 2018.
Wallace, however, said Democrats are primarily concerned with "consistency."
"The right is not running the same operation that the Democrats are running, which is to try to have some consistency around statements that I think just about every elected Democrat has made about women in the context of the MeToo movement," she said.
Reade was one of eight women who accused Biden of inappropriate touching in 2019, but she did not publicly make her more serious charge until her podcast appearance in March.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Biden’s Chickens Come Home to Roost

Biden’s Chickens Come Home to Roost

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden finally acknowledged on Friday former staffer Tara Reade 's allegations that he sexually assaulted her .
He denied them , adding his voice to the chorus of prominent Democrats from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams who have already been fighting the battle on his behalf .
This full-court press is only partly about helping Biden defeat President Donald Trump in November .
It is also a sign of wheels spinning as Democrats struggle to fight their own standards and parry the very rhetoric they used two years ago during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That , of course , was when an allegation of sexual assault was the only thing standing in the way of the solidification of a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and a major political victory for Trump .
Biden and his allies may now reap the rewards of decades spent working to lower the bar for such allegations : on university campuses , where Biden himself oversaw implementation of punitive rules for sexual assault investigations , and in the public square , where their treatment of Kavanaugh was the climax of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this approach two years ago .
Pelosi , who on Thursday emphasized the importance of `` due process , '' insisted `` we must # BelieveSurvivors . ''
A cadre of Senate Democrats , including a number of vice presidential contenders who have leapt to Biden 's defense , said then that the FBI must investigate `` all credible allegations '' against the now-justice , including the since-withdrawn claim that a teenage Kavanaugh organized gang rapes in his free time .
Biden himself said of Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford 's allegations : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the glaring lights of focus , nationally , you 've got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she 's talking about is real , whether or not she forgets facts , whether or not it 's been made worse or better over time . ''
Now Biden must struggle to explain why his words do not apply to Reade .
It 's hardly the first time Biden 's views on an issue changed with the partisan winds .
He oversaw the Senate investigation of Anita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clarence Thomas—an event Thomas would infamously label a `` high tech lynching '' —and eventually voted against the nomination .
Seven years later , Biden voted against impeaching Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal ; then , it was Biden who called accusations of sexual misconduct `` a partisan lynching . ''
Ironically , the hypocrisy of the Democrats is precisely why Biden should have expected to face his current conundrum .
They have eased the way for anybody to lodge such allegations , without question or consequence .
The same dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to argue that this time is different , as Pelosi has done .
( After all , she told reporters on Thursday , `` Joe Biden is Joe Biden . ''
) Maybe Biden is telling the truth , maybe he is n't .
But there is no reason for the public to believe that he and his defenders are motivated by honesty rather than partisanship .
That 's bad for victims and for the wrongly accused .
And it 's bad for future candidates .
When they lack the credibility to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can say is that they , like Biden , should have seen it coming .

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden finally acknowledged on Friday former staffer Tara Reade's allegations that he sexually assaulted her. He denied them, adding his voice to the chorus of prominent Democrats from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams who have already been fighting the battle on his behalf.
This full-court press is only partly about helping Biden defeat President Donald Trump in November. It is also a sign of wheels spinning as Democrats struggle to fight their own standards and parry the very rhetoric they used two years ago during then-judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings. That, of course, was when an allegation of sexual assault was the only thing standing in the way of the solidification of a conservative majority on the Supreme Court and a major political victory for Trump.
Biden and his allies may now reap the rewards of decades spent working to lower the bar for such allegations: on university campuses, where Biden himself oversaw implementation of punitive rules for sexual assault investigations, and in the public square, where their treatment of Kavanaugh was the climax of this campaign.
Democrats were all in on this approach two years ago. Pelosi, who on Thursday emphasized the importance of "due process," insisted "we must #BelieveSurvivors." A cadre of Senate Democrats, including a number of vice presidential contenders who have leapt to Biden's defense, said then that the FBI must investigate "all credible allegations" against the now-justice, including the since-withdrawn claim that a teenage Kavanaugh organized gang rapes in his free time.
Biden himself said of Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford's allegations: "For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you've got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she's talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts, whether or not it's been made worse or better over time."
Now Biden must struggle to explain why his words do not apply to Reade.
It's hardly the first time Biden's views on an issue changed with the partisan winds. He oversaw the Senate investigation of Anita Hill's allegations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas—an event Thomas would infamously label a "high tech lynching"—and eventually voted against the nomination. Seven years later, Biden voted against impeaching Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal; then, it was Biden who called accusations of sexual misconduct "a partisan lynching."
Ironically, the hypocrisy of the Democrats is precisely why Biden should have expected to face his current conundrum. They have eased the way for anybody to lodge such allegations, without question or consequence.
The same dynamics have also tied their hands when they try to argue that this time is different, as Pelosi has done. (After all, she told reporters on Thursday, "Joe Biden is Joe Biden.")
Maybe Biden is telling the truth, maybe he isn't. But there is no reason for the public to believe that he and his defenders are motivated by honesty rather than partisanship.
That's bad for victims and for the wrongly accused. And it's bad for future candidates. When they lack the credibility to face their own scandals, all we can say is that they, like Biden, should have seen it coming.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Joe Biden Will Sit Down With Al Sharpton Saturday. Will Anyone Understand a Word?

The interview will come a day after Biden directly addressed the sexual assault allegation by Tara Reade for the first @ @ @ @ @ Brzezinski .
Like Brzezinski , Sharpton is an open supporter of the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a sports reporter for two @ @ @ @ @ done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in @ @ @ @ @ , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can be reached at rutz @ @ @

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden will sit down on Saturday with a fellow frequently tongue-tied liberal: MSNBC's Al Sharpton.
The interview will come a day after Biden directly addressed the sexual assault allegation by Tara Reade for the first time with MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski. Like Brzezinski, Sharpton is an open supporter of the former vice president.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Time’s Up CEO Praises Biden After Declining to Aid Accuser Tara Reade

An organization created to help victims of sexual assault—but declined to aid Biden accuser Tara Reade earlier this year—is now praising her alleged assailant .
Time 's Up was created to support victims of sexual assault but declined to assist former Biden staffer Tara Reade , who accused the presumptive Democratic nominee of forcibly penetrating her in 1993 .
The organization 's CEO , Tina Tchen , who worked alongside Biden as a top official in the Obama White House , lauded Biden for his `` transparency '' in a Friday interview with MSNBC 's Stephanie Ruhle .
`` Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's called for records to come out—that 's what needs to happen every time these issues come up , and I would suggest that it needs to happen with other candidates who are running for president , '' Tchen said shortly after Biden broke his silence on the network .
During his MSNBC appearance Friday morning , Biden repeatedly rejected calls to release documents from his Senate career , which are currently sealed at the University of Delaware and may include records related to Reade .
Biden said the archive does not contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that he would not release the documents because they could include policy positions that would become `` fodder in a campaign at this time . ''
He also refused to conduct a more specific search of the documents for any mention of Reade 's name , saying , `` There is nothing.… I do n't understand the point you are trying to make . ''
Formed during the # MeToo movement to help victims of sexual assault with legal fees and public relations , the Time 's Up Legal Defense Fund declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , claiming his presidential candidacy would threaten its nonprofit status .
Tchen previously served as chief of staff to Michelle Obama—Biden said he would pick the former first lady as his running mate `` in a heartbeat '' on Monday .
In addition , the public relations firm working on behalf of Time 's Up , SKDKnickerbocker , is run by top Biden campaign adviser Anita Dunn .
Loyola Law School tax professor Ellen Aprill disputed the group 's reasoning for refusing to help Reade , telling the Intercept that as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criteria … being applied to individuals completely independent of their running for office , '' its nonprofit status would not be threatened by assisting Reade .
Ruhle did not ask Tchen about the group 's decision to turn down Reade 's case .
Tchen said that she did not believe the media have demonstrated a double standard in their treatment of sexual assault allegations against Biden and those against Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh .
She called media coverage of sexual assault allegations in the # MeToo era `` incredible . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement for the last two years , I have to say , investigative journalism has done an incredible job in digging into claims and believing women and giving them at least a form in which their allegations can be heard and listened to and investigated , '' Tchen said .
After Reade accused Biden of sexual assault in late March , the Deleware Democrat conducted 19 interviews without being asked to address the allegations .
He finally responded to them on Friday , telling MSNBC 's Morning Joe that `` these claims are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently distributed talking points citing a New York Times report as evidence of Biden 's innocence , saying the paper conducted a `` thorough review '' of Reade 's allegations before concluding that the `` incident did not happen . ''
The Times pushed back on the campaign 's assessment , saying the talking points `` inaccurately suggest '' that the paper 's investigation exonerated Biden .
In a statement issued before Biden 's MSNBC interview , the former vice president claimed that any sexual harassment complaint filed against him in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fair Employment Practices .
He said records from that office are held at the National Archives , calling on the agency to `` identify any record of the complaint [ Reade ] alleges she filed and make available to the press any such document . ''
A National Archives spokesman told Business Insider ‘ s Nicole Einbinder , however , that it does not hold records from that office and that any records containing `` personal privacy '' are closed for 50 years , meaning Reade 's complaint would remain sealed until 2043 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the alleged assault .
A National Archives spokesman disputed Biden 's assertion , telling the Washington Free Beacon that it does not handle such records .
`` Any records of Senate personnel complaints from 1993 would have remained under the control of the Senate .
Accordingly , inquiries related to these records should be directed to the Senate , '' the spokesman said .
*This post has been updated with a comment from the National Archives

An organization created to help victims of sexual assault—but declined to aid Biden accuser Tara Reade earlier this year—is now praising her alleged assailant.
Time's Up was created to support victims of sexual assault but declined to assist former Biden staffer Tara Reade, who accused the presumptive Democratic nominee of forcibly penetrating her in 1993. The organization's CEO, Tina Tchen, who worked alongside Biden as a top official in the Obama White House, lauded Biden for his "transparency" in a Friday interview with MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle.
"Biden has called for full transparency, he's called for records to come out—that's what needs to happen every time these issues come up, and I would suggest that it needs to happen with other candidates who are running for president," Tchen said shortly after Biden broke his silence on the network.
During his MSNBC appearance Friday morning, Biden repeatedly rejected calls to release documents from his Senate career, which are currently sealed at the University of Delaware and may include records related to Reade. Biden said the archive does not contain "personnel records by definition" but added that he would not release the documents because they could include policy positions that would become "fodder in a campaign at this time." He also refused to conduct a more specific search of the documents for any mention of Reade's name, saying, "There is nothing.… I don't understand the point you are trying to make."
Formed during the #MeToo movement to help victims of sexual assault with legal fees and public relations, the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund declined to assist Reade in her case against Biden, claiming his presidential candidacy would threaten its nonprofit status. Tchen previously served as chief of staff to Michelle Obama—Biden said he would pick the former first lady as his running mate "in a heartbeat" on Monday. In addition, the public relations firm working on behalf of Time's Up, SKDKnickerbocker, is run by top Biden campaign adviser Anita Dunn. Loyola Law School tax professor Ellen Aprill disputed the group's reasoning for refusing to help Reade, telling the Intercept that as long as Time's Up shows "neutral criteria … being applied to individuals completely independent of their running for office," its nonprofit status would not be threatened by assisting Reade.
Ruhle did not ask Tchen about the group's decision to turn down Reade's case.
Tchen said that she did not believe the media have demonstrated a double standard in their treatment of sexual assault allegations against Biden and those against Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh. She called media coverage of sexual assault allegations in the #MeToo era "incredible."
"I think the media, throughout the movement for the last two years, I have to say, investigative journalism has done an incredible job in digging into claims and believing women and giving them at least a form in which their allegations can be heard and listened to and investigated," Tchen said.
After Reade accused Biden of sexual assault in late March, the Deleware Democrat conducted 19 interviews without being asked to address the allegations. He finally responded to them on Friday, telling MSNBC's Morning Joe that "these claims are not true." The Biden campaign recently distributed talking points citing a New York Times report as evidence of Biden's innocence, saying the paper conducted a "thorough review" of Reade's allegations before concluding that the "incident did not happen." The Times pushed back on the campaign's assessment, saying the talking points "inaccurately suggest" that the paper's investigation exonerated Biden.
In a statement issued before Biden's MSNBC interview, the former vice president claimed that any sexual harassment complaint filed against him in the Senate would have gone through the Office of Fair Employment Practices. He said records from that office are held at the National Archives, calling on the agency to "identify any record of the complaint [Reade] alleges she filed and make available to the press any such document." A National Archives spokesman told Business Insider's Nicole Einbinder, however, that it does not hold records from that office and that any records containing "personal privacy" are closed for 50 years, meaning Reade's complaint would remain sealed until 2043 if it was filed at the time of the alleged assault.
A National Archives spokesman disputed Biden's assertion, telling the Washington Free Beacon that it does not handle such records.
"Any records of Senate personnel complaints from 1993 would have remained under the control of the Senate. Accordingly, inquiries related to these records should be directed to the Senate," the spokesman said.
*This post has been updated with a comment from the National Archives


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Trump Works to Disrupt Iranian Weapons Smuggling Operation With New Sanctions

The Trump administration on Friday issued new sanctions to disrupt a weapons smuggling operation run by Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) , the country 's elite military group .
The new sanctions target Amir Dianat , `` a longtime associate of senior officials '' of the IRGC , according to the Treasury Department .
Dianat is accused of running `` efforts to generate revenue and smuggle weapons abroad . ''
Sanctions also have been levied on Taif Mining Services , a company run by Dianat that the Treasury Department says violated `` sanctions and money laundering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was filed by the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the District of Columbia alleging `` that approximately $ 12 million is subject to forfeiture as funds involved in these crimes and as assets of a foreign terrorist organization . ''
The sanctions are part of the latest effort by the Trump administration to `` enforce and expand '' its maximum pressure campaign on Iran , as the Washington Free Beacon reported earlier this week .
More sanctions are likely to be issued as the administration works at the United Nations to ensure an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military equipment is not lifted later this year .
`` The Iranian regime and its supporters continue to prioritize the funding of international terrorist organizations over the health and well-being of the Iranian people , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement .
`` The United States remains committed to working with financial institutions , non-profit organizations , and international partners to facilitate humanitarian trade and assistance to the Iranian people . ''
Information provided by the Treasury Department indicates that Dianat and his company worked with IRGC officials to ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The IRGC 's Quds Force `` relied on Dianat to secure entry for vessels carrying IRGC-QF shipments and has used his business connections to facilitate logistics requirements . ''
This includes shipping weapons to Yemen , where Iranian-backed terror forces are stationed .
The Trump administration issued similar sanctions in late 2019 on an Iranian shipping network that smuggled `` lethal aid from Iran to Yemen '' on behalf of the IRGC .
Earlier this year , the administration designated 20 Iran- and Iraq-based companies for their work with the IRGC .

The Trump administration on Friday issued new sanctions to disrupt a weapons smuggling operation run by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the country's elite military group.
The new sanctions target Amir Dianat, "a longtime associate of senior officials" of the IRGC, according to the Treasury Department. Dianat is accused of running "efforts to generate revenue and smuggle weapons abroad."
Sanctions also have been levied on Taif Mining Services, a company run by Dianat that the Treasury Department says violated "sanctions and money laundering laws." A concurrent criminal lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia alleging "that approximately $12 million is subject to forfeiture as funds involved in these crimes and as assets of a foreign terrorist organization."
The sanctions are part of the latest effort by the Trump administration to "enforce and expand" its maximum pressure campaign on Iran, as the Washington Free Beacon reported earlier this week. More sanctions are likely to be issued as the administration works at the United Nations to ensure an embargo on Iran's purchase of advanced military equipment is not lifted later this year.
"The Iranian regime and its supporters continue to prioritize the funding of international terrorist organizations over the health and well-being of the Iranian people," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "The United States remains committed to working with financial institutions, non-profit organizations, and international partners to facilitate humanitarian trade and assistance to the Iranian people."
Information provided by the Treasury Department indicates that Dianat and his company worked with IRGC officials to ship weapons and missiles across the region. The IRGC's Quds Force "relied on Dianat to secure entry for vessels carrying IRGC-QF shipments and has used his business connections to facilitate logistics requirements." This includes shipping weapons to Yemen, where Iranian-backed terror forces are stationed.
The Trump administration issued similar sanctions in late 2019 on an Iranian shipping network that smuggled "lethal aid from Iran to Yemen" on behalf of the IRGC. Earlier this year, the administration designated 20 Iran- and Iraq-based companies for their work with the IRGC.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Iowa Dem Evicted Local Businesses to Make Way for Multinational Chain

As a Democratic Senate candidate , Iowa 's Theresa Greenfield is casting herself as a champion of small business .
Her job as president of a real estate firm , however , often pitted her against small businesses as she worked to clear out mom-and-pop stores from a shopping center to make way for a multinational corporation .
Greenfield , who is running to unseat GOP senator Joni Ernst , stressed the need to `` make sure small businesses are n't crowded out by big corporations '' in an April tweet .
She went on to criticize Ernst for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowans `` need a senator who will actually put workers first '' on Wednesday .
As president of a Des Moines-based real estate firm in 2015 , Greenfield led a project for big-box grocer Aldi that pitted her against small businesses in Windsor Heights , Iowa .
Her company , Colby Interests , `` blindsided '' the shopping center 's local tenants with eviction notices personally signed by Greenfield , according to small business owners who detailed the situation to the Des Moines Register and CBS affiliate KCCI at the time .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping center for decades , leaving them to scramble in search of a new location .
Greenfield 's plan to bring the German grocer to the shopping center was ultimately rejected by the Windsor Heights city council following pushback from residents .
The move came too late for the tenants , who had already been forced out after Greenfield hiked up rent in the location .
`` I hope they get what the city really wants , and I just do n't think the people of the city want another grocery store , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KCCI after relocating his fitness store from the shopping center in 2015 .
Greenfield has touted her role as a `` Des Moines business leader '' on the campaign trail , including in her June campaign announcement .
She received the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 's endorsement just three days after she announced .
And while Greenfield has cited her work in real estate as an example of her connection to Iowa entrepreneurs , the 2015 project shows a different side of her business dealings , potentially muddying her message against Ernst in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contested races .
Campaign spokesman Sam Newton defended Greenfield 's career as a real estate executive and called the eviction controversy part of the `` desperate attempts to smear Theresa ’ s strong record of running an Iowa family-owned small business . ''
Greenfield became president of real estate firm Colby Interests in 2012 .
She received a salary of nearly $ 230,000 in 2019 , according to candidate financial disclosures .
In September 2015 , Greenfield announced plans to revamp a retail center owned by Colby Interests , with Aldi anchoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demolition of the center 's west building to make way for the German grocer , as well as the renovation of the center 's east building .
Tenants of the west building had already received eviction notices from Greenfield in late July , and she acknowledged to the Des Moines Register that increased rents in the renovated east building may `` not fit into '' existing tenants ' budgets .
`` A lot of tenants were blindsided by the fact that they were going to have to move , '' small business owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice , which gave him 60 days to vacate .
`` We tried to stay here but the rent is just going to be too high in the new building and we could n't find anywhere else in Windsor Heights , otherwise we would have stayed , '' said the business owner Steve Bobenhouse .
In May 2016 , the Windsor Heights city council voted unanimously to kill the plan after local residents voiced objections .
The Aldi would have become the fourth big-box grocer within less than one mile , with Hy-Vee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located adjacent to its proposed location .
`` The overwhelming message we received was that they would like to see some new uses come into that area , '' zoning board chairman Dave Knau told KCCI after the council 's decision .
Nine people spoke out against Greenfield 's proposal at the council meeting , including one resident who started a petition to block the project .
Just one person spoke in favor of the plan .
Despite the council 's decision , Greenfield moved forward with plans to renovate the shopping center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling Iowa 's Business Record the project `` will improve the appearance and bones of the structure . ''
Greenfield also revealed she was seeking new tenants , including `` national and local restaurants . ''
At least five small businesses were forced to move as a result of the project , and one local bar located in the shopping center shut down for good .
New tenants include national pizza chains Marco 's Pizza and Papa Murphy 's .
Greenfield ran for Congress in Iowa 's Third Congressional District in 2018 but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign manager admitted to falsifying the petition signatures needed to qualify .
She will have to emerge from a crowded primary field before facing Ernst in a race crucial to the Senate majority .
The establishment-backed Democrat is currently the primary 's top fundraiser , taking in more than $ 5.6 million since her campaign launch in June .
Insurance executive Eddie Mauro , who has loaned his campaign millions , leads the race in spending with nearly $ 3.3 million .
The pair of Democrats will face three others in Iowa 's @ @ @

As a Democratic Senate candidate, Iowa's Theresa Greenfield is casting herself as a champion of small business. Her job as president of a real estate firm, however, often pitted her against small businesses as she worked to clear out mom-and-pop stores from a shopping center to make way for a multinational corporation.
Greenfield, who is running to unseat GOP senator Joni Ernst, stressed the need to "make sure small businesses aren't crowded out by big corporations" in an April tweet. She went on to criticize Ernst for the state's economic coronavirus response, saying Iowans "need a senator who will actually put workers first" on Wednesday.
As president of a Des Moines-based real estate firm in 2015, Greenfield led a project for big-box grocer Aldi that pitted her against small businesses in Windsor Heights, Iowa.
Her company, Colby Interests, "blindsided" the shopping center's local tenants with eviction notices personally signed by Greenfield, according to small business owners who detailed the situation to the Des Moines Register and CBS affiliate KCCI at the time. Many of the owners had operated in the shopping center for decades, leaving them to scramble in search of a new location. Greenfield's plan to bring the German grocer to the shopping center was ultimately rejected by the Windsor Heights city council following pushback from residents. The move came too late for the tenants, who had already been forced out after Greenfield hiked up rent in the location.
"I hope they get what the city really wants, and I just don't think the people of the city want another grocery store," local business owner Steve Bobenhouse told KCCI after relocating his fitness store from the shopping center in 2015.
Greenfield has touted her role as a "Des Moines business leader" on the campaign trail, including in her June campaign announcement. She received the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's endorsement just three days after she announced. And while Greenfield has cited her work in real estate as an example of her connection to Iowa entrepreneurs, the 2015 project shows a different side of her business dealings, potentially muddying her message against Ernst in one of the country's most hotly contested races.
Campaign spokesman Sam Newton defended Greenfield's career as a real estate executive and called the eviction controversy part of the "desperate attempts to smear Theresa’s strong record of running an Iowa family-owned small business."
Greenfield became president of real estate firm Colby Interests in 2012. She received a salary of nearly $230,000 in 2019, according to candidate financial disclosures.
In September 2015, Greenfield announced plans to revamp a retail center owned by Colby Interests, with Aldi anchoring the project. Her proposal called for the demolition of the center's west building to make way for the German grocer, as well as the renovation of the center's east building. Tenants of the west building had already received eviction notices from Greenfield in late July, and she acknowledged to the Des Moines Register that increased rents in the renovated east building may "not fit into" existing tenants' budgets.


freebeacon--2020-05-01--Biden Rejects Call to Open Delaware Archive

Former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden repeatedly rejected calls to open his archive at the University of Delaware in the wake of Tara Reade 's accusation of sexual assault .
He said there are no personnel documents from his Senate career in the university archive , telling MSNBC 's Morning Joe Friday that the Senate 's archive would be the only place a sexual harassment complaint would be kept .
`` There is nothing .
They are not there .
I do n't understand the point you are trying to make .
There are no personnel records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden pushed back against anchor Mika Brzezinski when she asked for a specific search for Reade 's name in the documents .
`` Who does that search ? ''
he said .
`` Look , Mika , she said she filed a report .
She has her employment records still .
She said she filed a report with the only office that would have a report in the United States Senate at the time .
If the report was ever filed , it was filed there , period , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ past speeches and policy positions that could be taken out of context to become `` fodder in a campaign at this time . ''
`` There are no personnel records in the Biden papers at the university , '' he said .
Despite his refusal to open the documents , Biden insisted he was not aware of any report of sexual harassment filed against him .
`` I am absolutely positive that no one I am aware of was ever made aware of a complaint , formal complaint made of or by Tara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly happened 27 years ago , '' he said .
Biden argued there 's a problem with the records being ready to be searched , but he donated them to the University of Delaware in 2011 .
The records were originally set to be released to the public two years after Biden 's exit from public office , but the university library said an updated agreement with Biden will hold the release until two years after he retires from public life .
The university is in possession of more than 1,850 boxes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Friday 's interview was the first time Biden addressed Reade 's allegation directly , after he was interviewed 19 other times in the five weeks since Reade came forward to accuse him of sexual assault .
In that time , seven top female Democratic politicians defended Biden while he remained silent on the allegation , although his campaign officially denied it .

Former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden repeatedly rejected calls to open his archive at the University of Delaware in the wake of Tara Reade's accusation of sexual assault.
He said there are no personnel documents from his Senate career in the university archive, telling MSNBC's Morning Joe Friday that the Senate's archive would be the only place a sexual harassment complaint would be kept.
"There is nothing. They are not there. I don't understand the point you are trying to make. There are no personnel records by definition," Biden said.
Biden pushed back against anchor Mika Brzezinski when she asked for a specific search for Reade's name in the documents.
"Who does that search?" he said.
"Look, Mika, she said she filed a report. She has her employment records still. She said she filed a report with the only office that would have a report in the United States Senate at the time. If the report was ever filed, it was filed there, period," he added.
He said the records would have his past speeches and policy positions that could be taken out of context to become "fodder in a campaign at this time."
"There are no personnel records in the Biden papers at the university," he said.
Despite his refusal to open the documents, Biden insisted he was not aware of any report of sexual harassment filed against him.
"I am absolutely positive that no one I am aware of was ever made aware of a complaint, formal complaint made of or by Tara Reade against me at the time this allegedly happened 27 years ago," he said.
Biden argued there's a problem with the records being ready to be searched, but he donated them to the University of Delaware in 2011. The records were originally set to be released to the public two years after Biden's exit from public office, but the university library said an updated agreement with Biden will hold the release until two years after he retires from public life.
The university is in possession of more than 1,850 boxes of records in addition to extensive electronic records.
Friday's interview was the first time Biden addressed Reade's allegation directly, after he was interviewed 19 other times in the five weeks since Reade came forward to accuse him of sexual assault. In that time, seven top female Democratic politicians defended Biden while he remained silent on the allegation, although his campaign officially denied it.


freebeacon--2020-05-02--REVIEW: TV Pundit Home Studios (Part 3)

REVIEW: TV Pundit Home Studios (Part 3)

The Washington Free Beacon is dedicated to holding the mainstream media accountable and continues to carry out this mission with @ @ @ @ @ of our commitment to journalistic justice , we present Part Three in an ongoing series @ @ @ @ @ the home studios of television pundits .
Not Even Trying Most Likely to Perform a @ @ @ @ @ Stops Rolling Most Likely to Have Been Abducted by Hipster ISIS Most Likely to Have @ @ @ @ @ His Bookshelf Most Likely to Have Hired the Same Consultant to Arrange a Different Bookshelf @ @ @ @ @ Get It , You Know How to Read Remember the Time O.J .
Simpson 's @ @ @ @ @ House Before a Jury Visit to Give It a More African Vibe ?
Best Locational @ @ @ @ @ Sounds on `` Creaky Stairs ''

The Washington Free Beacon is dedicated to holding the mainstream media accountable and continues to carry out this mission with Nixonian ruthlessness. In furtherance of our commitment to journalistic justice, we present Part Three in an ongoing series that renders scientific judgment on the home studios of television pundits.
REVIEW: TV Pundit Home Studios (Part 1)
REVIEW: TV Pundit Home Studios (Part 2)
Sparsest
Dr. Kavita Patel, MSNBC
Nerdiest
Dr. James Phillips, CNN
Most Flaccid
Phil Spencer, CNBC
Least Flaccid
Donald Trump, president of the United States
Worst Art
Ryan Nobles, CNN
Best Kitchen Fireplace
Tyler Mathisen, CNBC
Not Even Trying
Jeremy Peters, New York Times
Most Likely to Perform a Human Sacrifice When the Camera Stops Rolling
Dr. Phil, guru (unlicensed)
Most Likely to Have Been Abducted by Hipster ISIS
Beto O'Rourke, blogger
Most Likely to Have Hired a Consultant to Arrange His Bookshelf
Pete Buttigieg, unemployed
Most Likely to Have Hired the Same Consultant to Arrange a Different Bookshelf Using the Same Books
Pete Buttigieg, unemployed
We Get It, You Know How to Read
Matthew Continetti, former Free Beacon employee
Best Kitchen Howard Schultz's Money Can Buy
Steve Schmidt, former Sarah Palin associate
Worst Threesome
Nicolle Wallace / John Heilemann / Jennifer Palmieri, MSNBC
Remember the Time O.J. Simpson's Defense Team Completely Redecorated His House Before a Jury Visit to Give It a More African Vibe?
Paul Krugman, social media user
Best Locational Setup for Blaming Suspicious Fart-Like Sounds on "Creaky Stairs"
Eric Swalwell, fart denier


freebeacon--2020-05-02--Pennsylvania Governor Vetoes Telemedicine Bill Over Abortion Pills

Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf ( D. ) vetoed a telemedicine bill designed to alleviate a backlog of medical services because it restricted access to at-home abortion .
The Pennsylvania state legislature passed the bill , which sought to promote the use of remote , virtual medicine in the state amid the coronavirus quarantine .
The bill established guidelines for the provision of remote medical services , and also provided for reimbursements of insurance companies for remote services .
Gov .
Wolf , an outspoken abortion supporter , slammed the door shut on the bill because it did not apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuable option in the delivery of health care services , especially during these trying times .
However , it is crucially important to ensure this access is equitable and does not restrict medical treatment and services , '' Wolf said in a veto message released Wednesday .
He claimed the bill `` interferes with women 's health care and the crucial decision-making between patients and their physicians . ''
The Pennsylvania state legislature passed the bill after adding an amendment that indirectly regulated abortion-inducing drugs .
Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for procedures that are not approved under the Food and Drug Administration 's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy ( REMS ) .
The abortion drug mifeprex has not been approved under REMS , which requires patients to be informed about a drug 's side effects , along with the drug 's registration with an FDA safety program .
Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman ( R. ) said the bill was written to ensure the safety of patients and ease access to doctors without increasing travel or the use of personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to restrict abortion , since at-home abortions are already not allowed in the state .
He accused the governor of rewarding his political allies at the expense of public health .
`` In bending to his political interests , the Governor is denying access to medical care , increasing the cost of healthcare and decreasing the quality of life in our communities , '' Corman said in a statement .
`` This bill embraced federal guidelines for prescribing medications .
The bill changed nothing about how healthcare was being offered through an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an excuse to veto the bill is just a partisan falsehood . ''
Wolf has prioritized abortion throughout the pandemic .
Despite the state government 's ban on elective surgeries , Planned Parenthood Keystone , which operates in a significant portion of the state , said it would remain open `` for abortion services only . ''
It also put out a call for donations of personal protective equipment despite shortages in local hospitals .
Wolf 's office did not respond to requests for comment .
Pro-life groups denounced the governor 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mancini , president of March for Life , pointed out the heightened risks of self-administered abortions , which do not apply to other medical services that can be provided online .
`` While helpful in many situations , using telemedicine in the context of abortion eliminates critical aspects of medical oversight , for example the use of ultrasounds to rule out a deadly ectopic pregnancy , '' Mancini said .
`` That Governor Wolf , a close ally of our nation ’ s largest abortion provider , Planned Parenthood , would veto a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telemedicine is not only a politically motivated decision , but it defies common sense .
Sadly Pennsylvania residents will miss out on the positive aspects of virtual medicine because of it . ''
Wolf has received substantial support from abortion activists throughout his political career .
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC donated $ 26,500 to support Wolf 's reelection in 2018 , according to state campaign finance records .
Planned Parenthood Votes also donated $ 5,000 , while NARAL contributed $ 2,000 to Wolf in 2014 .
Twenty-one Democratic attorneys general called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus pandemic , arguing the restrictions are `` onerous and medically unnecessary . ''
The Susan B. Anthony List , a group that supports pro-life female candidates for public office , said Democrats are attempting to exploit the pandemic and advance abortion interests over those of constituents in need of necessary medical services and prescriptions .
`` The Pennsylvania legislature acted prudently to expand telemedicine while keeping in place regulations that protect women from the risks of dangerous abortion drugs , '' the Susan B. Anthony List told the Washington @ @ @

Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf (D.) vetoed a telemedicine bill designed to alleviate a backlog of medical services because it restricted access to at-home abortion.
The Pennsylvania state legislature passed the bill, which sought to promote the use of remote, virtual medicine in the state amid the coronavirus quarantine. The bill established guidelines for the provision of remote medical services, and also provided for reimbursements of insurance companies for remote services.
Gov. Wolf, an outspoken abortion supporter, slammed the door shut on the bill because it did not apply to at-home abortions.
"Telemedicine is a valuable option in the delivery of health care services, especially during these trying times. However, it is crucially important to ensure this access is equitable and does not restrict medical treatment and services," Wolf said in a veto message released Wednesday. He claimed the bill "interferes with women's health care and the crucial decision-making between patients and their physicians."
The Pennsylvania state legislature passed the bill after adding an amendment that indirectly regulated abortion-inducing drugs. Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill because the new amendment banned the use of telemedicine for procedures that are not approved under the Food and Drug Administration's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). The abortion drug mifeprex has not been approved under REMS, which requires patients to be informed about a drug's side effects, along with the drug's registration with an FDA safety program.
Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R.) said the bill was written to ensure the safety of patients and ease access to doctors without increasing travel or the use of personal protective equipment. He stressed that the bill did nothing to restrict abortion, since at-home abortions are already not allowed in the state. He accused the governor of rewarding his political allies at the expense of public health.
"In bending to his political interests, the Governor is denying access to medical care, increasing the cost of healthcare and decreasing the quality of life in our communities," Corman said in a statement. "This bill embraced federal guidelines for prescribing medications. The bill changed nothing about how healthcare was being offered through an in-person visit. To use that as an excuse to veto the bill is just a partisan falsehood."
Wolf has prioritized abortion throughout the pandemic. Despite the state government's ban on elective surgeries, Planned Parenthood Keystone, which operates in a significant portion of the state, said it would remain open "for abortion services only." It also put out a call for donations of personal protective equipment despite shortages in local hospitals.
Wolf's office did not respond to requests for comment.
Pro-life groups denounced the governor's decision to block the telemedicine legislation. Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, pointed out the heightened risks of self-administered abortions, which do not apply to other medical services that can be provided online.
"While helpful in many situations, using telemedicine in the context of abortion eliminates critical aspects of medical oversight, for example the use of ultrasounds to rule out a deadly ectopic pregnancy," Mancini said. "That Governor Wolf, a close ally of our nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, would veto a bill for not including chemical abortion in telemedicine is not only a politically motivated decision, but it defies common sense. Sadly Pennsylvania residents will miss out on the positive aspects of virtual medicine because of it."
Wolf has received substantial support from abortion activists throughout his political career. Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC donated $26,500 to support Wolf's reelection in 2018, according to state campaign finance records. Planned Parenthood Votes also donated $5,000, while NARAL contributed $2,000 to Wolf in 2014.
Twenty-one Democratic attorneys general called on the FDA to loosen restrictions on abortion pills because of the coronavirus pandemic, arguing the restrictions are "onerous and medically unnecessary." The Susan B. Anthony List, a group that supports pro-life female candidates for public office, said Democrats are attempting to exploit the pandemic and advance abortion interests over those of constituents in need of necessary medical services and prescriptions.
"The Pennsylvania legislature acted prudently to expand telemedicine while keeping in place regulations that protect women from the risks of dangerous abortion drugs," the Susan B. Anthony List told the Washington Free Beacon.


freebeacon--2020-05-03--Meet the Florida Firefighter Who Refused to Close His Gun Store

On the afternoon of March 24 , two Delray Beach , Fla. , code enforcement officials walked into Wex Gunworks and told owner Brandon Wexler that he had to shut down over concerns about coronavirus .
Wexler 's mind immediately went to the customers who had begun flooding his shop as the deadly virus spread .
Florida law requires stores to hold guns purchased by residents without gun-carry permits for at least five days .
Wexler had more than 500 people waiting on their purchases at the time .
`` You 're violating their rights .
They ca n't protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God forbid if this thing turned sideways , '' Wexler said .
`` I need to help these people .
I went into fireman mode . ''
In addition to running the gun shop , Wexler is a Palm Beach County firefighter .
The 13-year department veteran had already taken steps to keep his customers safe from the virus by canceling classes and enforcing social distancing .
He bristled at the notion that the store had to shutter completely .
Wexler sees no difference between his job as a first responder and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more essential than ever in times of crisis .
`` Forget me being a business owner , I 'm more concerned about my customers , '' he said .
`` This is stupid .
They are violating our constitutional rights . ''
After the March visit , Wexler reached out to the National Shooting Sports Foundation ( NSSF ) , which represents firearms manufacturers and retailers , for help as he prepared a lawsuit .
Mark Oliva , an NSSF spokesman , said the organization is working with gun stores across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes down to this : You do n't have the ability to exercise your fundamental Second Amendment rights unless you have the ability to buy a gun .
It all starts at the gun counter , '' Oliva told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` If you do n't have the ability to buy that gun , you ca n't exercise your right to keep and bear arms . ''
Delray Beach did not respond to a request for comment .
Most states and localities have allowed gun stores to operate as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoing federal guidelines released in March .
But a handful of areas have demanded the stores close .
Massachusetts , Los Angeles , and New Mexico have become legal battlegrounds for retailers and gun-rights groups alike .
The outcomes of those fights will set precedents on how to balance constitutionally protected rights and state emergency powers .
`` Right now , I think we 're looking at 45 states are open and able to do business , '' Oliva said .
`` Five states are giving us issues , and we 're working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even states that you thought would be easy , like Texas , have been problems.
`` Travis County , which includes Austin , did not exempt gun stores from its March shutdown order .
Michael Cargill , owner of Central Texas Gun Works , has refused to close his doors to customers regardless of the order .
`` What we 're saying is that we 're not going to close down at all , '' he told the Free Beacon .
`` I 've had people call me and threaten to contact the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that we 're not closing and I said , ‘ Fine , feel free to call because we 're not going to close because we are an essential business . '
People need food , they need water , they need medicine , they need medical care , and they also need firearms for personal protection . ''
The store has not yet received a visit from local authorities .
Travis County did not respond to a request for comment about whether the order applies to gun stores .
Cargill said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power to close his gun store .
`` Your cities , your counties , your municipalities do not have the authority to regulate the use or sale of firearms .
That is reserved for the state legislature , '' he said .
`` We have laws on the books right now to protect our gun rights .
These cities can not implement any gun laws at all that are stricter than the state law .
When it comes to firearms , I do n't recognize that ability . ''
Cargill 's opinion has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement official .
Following inquiries from lawmakers about the status of firearms retailers , Texas attorney general Ken Paxton ( R. ) released a legal opinion telling localities that they `` may not regulate or restrict the sale of firearms . ''
Wex Gunworks achieved a similar victory .
Code enforcement officials returned to the shop on March 25 to tell managers that the city had changed its policy .
`` Code enforcement came in .
I was n't there , I was on duty [ at the fire station ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , ‘ Okay , you guys are good .
You 're essential , ' with their tail between their legs .
So , it was resolved quickly . ''
Bob 's Little Sport Shop in Glassboro , N.J. , questioned the wisdom and legality of being ordered to shut down by Gov .
Phil Murphy ( D. ) .
`` I do n't understand how they can judge the liquor store an essential business , but your Second Amendment is n't essential , '' Wayne Viden , vice president of the store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What other recourse do you have to protect yourself ? ''
The store wanted to keep its doors open , but Murphy 's order extended beyond businesses : He shut down the state 's background check system as well .
The move prevented any New Jersey resident from purchasing a legal firearm .
The store supported three generations of the Viden family , all of whom were hurt by the shutdown order .
`` His agenda and the agenda of a majority of the New Jersey Democrats is that they do n't want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viden said .
`` So , if this cripples or destroys our stores , they 're fine with it .
They do n't really care about families that rely on this type of business . ''
Gun-store owners said they appreciated the severity of the coronavirus , which has claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Americans .
Viden 's store has now reopened on an appointment-only basis after Murphy backed away from his shutdown .
`` We get the dangers of it , '' Viden said .
`` My parents live above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My mother is 75 .
They 're the ones who are the most in danger . ''
All three stores have implemented enhanced cleaning and social distancing practices in an effort to keep customers as safe as possible .
`` We are obviously practicing social distancing , '' Wexler said .
`` We 're decontaminating .
We have Xs in the store .
No more than six people .
We 're wearing gloves .
We have masks .
We 're decontaminating the place .
Everything—the doors , the handles , the computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Everything . ''
Gun sales hit a record high in March as customers flocked to stores , but those sales provide low-margins for most firearms businesses .
Training classes and other courses—the types of activities they have eliminated to keep customers safe—are the real money-maker .
The owners who spoke to the Free Beacon said their efforts to stay open during the pandemic are driven less by profit and more by principle .
`` This is not a financial decision at all because we do n't make our money on selling guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make our money on training and classes .
I 'm actually not able to do those classes now because I ca n't have that many people in a class .
We 've had to postpone them . ''
`` I saw the wave of fear or panic that people needed to protect their person , property , and family , '' Wexler said .
`` I have a huge responsibility .
I need to help the people protecting their families . ''
He said that whatever happened , he was going to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers—especially first-time gun owners—who had passed a background check and bought them .
`` It 's about our constitutional right , '' Wexler said .
`` It 's about being an American . ''

On the afternoon of March 24, two Delray Beach, Fla., code enforcement officials walked into Wex Gunworks and told owner Brandon Wexler that he had to shut down over concerns about coronavirus. Wexler's mind immediately went to the customers who had begun flooding his shop as the deadly virus spread. Florida law requires stores to hold guns purchased by residents without gun-carry permits for at least five days. Wexler had more than 500 people waiting on their purchases at the time.
"You're violating their rights. They can't protect their families, their property. And God forbid if this thing turned sideways," Wexler said. "I need to help these people. I went into fireman mode."
In addition to running the gun shop, Wexler is a Palm Beach County firefighter. The 13-year department veteran had already taken steps to keep his customers safe from the virus by canceling classes and enforcing social distancing. He bristled at the notion that the store had to shutter completely. Wexler sees no difference between his job as a first responder and his role as a shop owner. Both are more essential than ever in times of crisis.
"Forget me being a business owner, I'm more concerned about my customers," he said. "This is stupid. They are violating our constitutional rights."
After the March visit, Wexler reached out to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which represents firearms manufacturers and retailers, for help as he prepared a lawsuit. Mark Oliva, an NSSF spokesman, said the organization is working with gun stores across the country facing similar fights.
"It comes down to this: You don't have the ability to exercise your fundamental Second Amendment rights unless you have the ability to buy a gun. It all starts at the gun counter," Oliva told the Washington Free Beacon. "If you don't have the ability to buy that gun, you can't exercise your right to keep and bear arms."
Delray Beach did not respond to a request for comment.
Most states and localities have allowed gun stores to operate as "essential" businesses during the shutdowns, echoing federal guidelines released in March. But a handful of areas have demanded the stores close. Massachusetts, Los Angeles, and New Mexico have become legal battlegrounds for retailers and gun-rights groups alike. The outcomes of those fights will set precedents on how to balance constitutionally protected rights and state emergency powers.
"Right now, I think we're looking at 45 states are open and able to do business," Oliva said. "Five states are giving us issues, and we're working to get those figured out. But even states that you thought would be easy, like Texas, have been problems. "
Travis County, which includes Austin, did not exempt gun stores from its March shutdown order. Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works, has refused to close his doors to customers regardless of the order.
"What we're saying is that we're not going to close down at all," he told the Free Beacon. "I've had people call me and threaten to contact the city and the county and let them know that we're not closing and I said, 'Fine, feel free to call because we're not going to close because we are an essential business.' People need food, they need water, they need medicine, they need medical care, and they also need firearms for personal protection."
The store has not yet received a visit from local authorities. Travis County did not respond to a request for comment about whether the order applies to gun stores.
Cargill said he did not believe local authorities had the power to close his gun store.
"Your cities, your counties, your municipalities do not have the authority to regulate the use or sale of firearms. That is reserved for the state legislature," he said. "We have laws on the books right now to protect our gun rights. These cities cannot implement any gun laws at all that are stricter than the state law. When it comes to firearms, I don't recognize that ability."
Cargill's opinion has received backing from the state's highest law enforcement official. Following inquiries from lawmakers about the status of firearms retailers, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton (R.) released a legal opinion telling localities that they "may not regulate or restrict the sale of firearms."
Wex Gunworks achieved a similar victory. Code enforcement officials returned to the shop on March 25 to tell managers that the city had changed its policy.
"Code enforcement came in. I wasn't there, I was on duty [at the fire station]," Wexler said. "And they said, 'Okay, you guys are good. You're essential,' with their tail between their legs. So, it was resolved quickly."
Bob's Little Sport Shop in Glassboro, N.J., questioned the wisdom and legality of being ordered to shut down by Gov. Phil Murphy (D.).
"I don't understand how they can judge the liquor store an essential business, but your Second Amendment isn't essential," Wayne Viden, vice president of the store, told the Free Beacon. "What other recourse do you have to protect yourself?"
The store wanted to keep its doors open, but Murphy's order extended beyond businesses: He shut down the state's background check system as well. The move prevented any New Jersey resident from purchasing a legal firearm. The store supported three generations of the Viden family, all of whom were hurt by the shutdown order.
"His agenda and the agenda of a majority of the New Jersey Democrats is that they don't want our stores to be open," Viden said. "So, if this cripples or destroys our stores, they're fine with it. They don't really care about families that rely on this type of business."
Gun-store owners said they appreciated the severity of the coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Americans. Viden's store has now reopened on an appointment-only basis after Murphy backed away from his shutdown.
"We get the dangers of it," Viden said. "My parents live above our store. My father is 78. My mother is 75. They're the ones who are the most in danger."
All three stores have implemented enhanced cleaning and social distancing practices in an effort to keep customers as safe as possible.
"We are obviously practicing social distancing," Wexler said. "We're decontaminating. We have Xs in the store. No more than six people. We're wearing gloves. We have masks. We're decontaminating the place. Everything—the doors, the handles, the computer keyboards, the cabinets, the pens. Everything."
Gun sales hit a record high in March as customers flocked to stores, but those sales provide low-margins for most firearms businesses. Training classes and other courses—the types of activities they have eliminated to keep customers safe—are the real money-maker. The owners who spoke to the Free Beacon said their efforts to stay open during the pandemic are driven less by profit and more by principle.
"This is not a financial decision at all because we don't make our money on selling guns," Cargill said. "We make our money on training and classes. I'm actually not able to do those classes now because I can't have that many people in a class. We've had to postpone them."
"I saw the wave of fear or panic that people needed to protect their person, property, and family," Wexler said. "I have a huge responsibility. I need to help the people protecting their families."
He said that whatever happened, he was going to find a way to get guns to the customers—especially first-time gun owners—who had passed a background check and bought them.
"It's about our constitutional right," Wexler said. "It's about being an American."


freebeacon--2020-05-03--Tom Perez Dismisses Call to Investigate Biden Sexual Assault Claim, Concludes ‘Nothing There’

Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez dismissed calls to search Joe Biden 's University of Delaware Senate archive for evidence of Tara Reade 's sexual-assault allegation , saying there is `` nothing there . ''
`` When you ask the University of Delaware to take a look at something , you 're asking them to look for something that does n't exist , and the fact of the matter is that the president of the United States , the former president Barack Obama , conducted an exhaustive search , '' Perez said Sunday on ABC 's This Week .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The New York Times editorial board on Friday called on the DNC to form an `` unbiased , apolitical panel '' to investigate Biden 's Senate papers , saying `` the American people deserve at least the confidence that [ Biden ] , and the Democratic Party , have made every effort to bring the truth to light . ''
The Biden campaign previously said an April 12 Times investigation of Reade 's accusation concluded that the alleged sexual assault did not occur .
The paper later challenged the campaign talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made no conclusion either way . ''
Biden donated his Senate records to the University of Delaware in 2011 with the stipulation that the archive could not be released until two years after he left public office .
The agreement was later updated so that the records would not be released until after Biden leaves public life .
Biden repeatedly rejected calls to release the archives during an interview with MSNBC 's Morning Joe anchor Mika Brzezinski .
`` There are no personnel records in the Biden papers at the university , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate archive with the `` Hillary emails '' on Sunday , saying any evidence of a sexual assault would have surfaced during the Obama campaign 's vetting of the former vice president .
`` I 'm very familiar with [ the ] vice presidential vetting process .
They look at everything about you .
They looked at the entire history of Joe Biden , his entire career , '' Perez said .
`` I 'll tell you , if Barack Obama had any indication that there was an issue , Barack Obama would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
Barack Obama trusted Joe Biden .
I trust Joe Biden . ''

Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez dismissed calls to search Joe Biden's University of Delaware Senate archive for evidence of Tara Reade's sexual-assault allegation, saying there is "nothing there."
"When you ask the University of Delaware to take a look at something, you're asking them to look for something that doesn't exist, and the fact of the matter is that the president of the United States, the former president Barack Obama, conducted an exhaustive search," Perez said Sunday on ABC's This Week. "Joe Biden has been an open book."
The New York Times editorial board on Friday called on the DNC to form an "unbiased, apolitical panel" to investigate Biden's Senate papers, saying "the American people deserve at least the confidence that [Biden], and the Democratic Party, have made every effort to bring the truth to light."
The Biden campaign previously said an April 12 Times investigation of Reade's accusation concluded that the alleged sexual assault did not occur. The paper later challenged the campaign talking points, saying, "Our investigation made no conclusion either way."
Biden donated his Senate records to the University of Delaware in 2011 with the stipulation that the archive could not be released until two years after he left public office. The agreement was later updated so that the records would not be released until after Biden leaves public life.
Biden repeatedly rejected calls to release the archives during an interview with MSNBC's Morning Joe anchor Mika Brzezinski.
"There are no personnel records in the Biden papers at the university," Biden said.
Perez compared Biden's Senate archive with the "Hillary emails" on Sunday, saying any evidence of a sexual assault would have surfaced during the Obama campaign's vetting of the former vice president.
"I'm very familiar with [the] vice presidential vetting process. They look at everything about you. They looked at the entire history of Joe Biden, his entire career," Perez said. "I'll tell you, if Barack Obama had any indication that there was an issue, Barack Obama would not have had him as his vice president. Barack Obama trusted Joe Biden. I trust Joe Biden."