freebeacon--2020-11-04--2 Close 2 Curious: No Winner Yet as Trump Exceeds Expectations

Few questions were answered on Election Night 2020 , but one thing was clear : The Joe Biden landslide predicted by political experts failed to materialize .
Once again , President Donald Trump managed to exceed expectations in key states , many of which remained too close to call as of late Tuesday .
`` We were winning everything , and all of a sudden it was just called off , '' Trump said .
`` The results tonight have been phenomenal . ''
Biden , meanwhile , urged supporters to have patience as the election results come in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote is counted , '' Biden said in Delaware .
Other social media users sounded a more ominous and racially charged message : The president got off to a hot start with a strong performance in Florida , where he was projected to win by several percentage points .
The New York Times also projected Trump to win in North Carolina , where most polls had anticipated a Biden victory .
The Senate race between incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) and Cal `` Side Piece '' Cunningham ( D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call , with Tillis clinging to a slight lead with more than 80 percent of precincts reporting .
Preliminary data suggested Trump 's strength was driven in large part by a double-digit increase in support among Hispanic voters , particularly in and around Miami .
Liberal pundits reacted as you might expect—by declaring that Hispanics who vote for Trump are actually white .
In a sign that a Biden landslide was not on the cards , Trump was projected to win Georgia , a state Democrats had targeted as a potential pickup opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meanwhile , was too close to call , though Trump led by 8 percentage points with 90 percent of precincts reporting .
Biden was projected to win in Arizona , an outcome predicted by polls but significant nevertheless given that Trump won the state by more than 3 percentage points in 2016 .
The unique circumstances of this year 's election—in the midst of a global pandemic—mean that some states , including crucial swing-states such as Pennsylvania , may not be able to produce a definitive outcome for days as mail-in ballots are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State did not appear to bode well for Biden .
Doing what he does best , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) easily won reelection , defeating challenger Amy McGrath in a race that was promptly called .
Hopes of a Democratic upset in red states such as Alabama , South Carolina , and Texas were dashed when the Associated Press called those races for the Republican candidates fairly early in the evening .
In general , the tone of the Election Night media coverage was eerily similar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gradual descent into madness after realizing the expert predictions were wrong .
Betting markets swung decisively toward an expected Trump victory as the night wore on .
Just as it was too early to call the race for either candidate , it was also too early to rule out the possibility of a 269-269 Electoral College tie , which is probably the outcome we deserve .
On the bright side , the lack of a decisive Trump victory meant that Antifa radicals did not immediately take to the street to burn down @ @ @

Few questions were answered on Election Night 2020, but one thing was clear: The Joe Biden landslide predicted by political experts failed to materialize. Once again, President Donald Trump managed to exceed expectations in key states, many of which remained too close to call as of late Tuesday.
"We were winning everything, and all of a sudden it was just called off," Trump said. "The results tonight have been phenomenal." Biden, meanwhile, urged supporters to have patience as the election results come in. "It ain't over til every vote is counted," Biden said in Delaware.
Other social media users sounded a more ominous and racially charged message:
If Trump wins re-election, it’s on white people. No one else. — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) November 4, 2020
The president got off to a hot start with a strong performance in Florida, where he was projected to win by several percentage points. The New York Times also projected Trump to win in North Carolina, where most polls had anticipated a Biden victory. The Senate race between incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) and Cal "Side Piece" Cunningham (D., N.C.) was too close to call, with Tillis clinging to a slight lead with more than 80 percent of precincts reporting.
Preliminary data suggested Trump's strength was driven in large part by a double-digit increase in support among Hispanic voters, particularly in and around Miami. Liberal pundits reacted as you might expect—by declaring that Hispanics who vote for Trump are actually white.
A lot of those 'brown people" are white https://t.co/18j869KDuB — Jonathan Myerson Katz (@KatzOnEarth) November 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1323788477071302657
In a sign that a Biden landslide was not on the cards, Trump was projected to win Georgia, a state Democrats had targeted as a potential pickup opportunity thanks to changing demographics. Ohio, meanwhile, was too close to call, though Trump led by 8 percentage points with 90 percent of precincts reporting. Biden was projected to win in Arizona, an outcome predicted by polls but significant nevertheless given that Trump won the state by more than 3 percentage points in 2016.
The unique circumstances of this year's election—in the midst of a global pandemic—mean that some states, including crucial swing-states such as Pennsylvania, may not be able to produce a definitive outcome for days as mail-in ballots are counted. Early returns from the Keystone State did not appear to bode well for Biden.
An ominous sign for Biden in Pennsylvania: Trump running ahead of his 2016 performance in Trumbull County (Warren, near Youngstown and on the west PA border) with nearly all of the vote counted — Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) November 4, 2020
Doing what he does best, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) easily won reelection, defeating challenger Amy McGrath in a race that was promptly called. Hopes of a Democratic upset in red states such as Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas were dashed when the Associated Press called those races for the Republican candidates fairly early in the evening.
In general, the tone of the Election Night media coverage was eerily similar to 2016, when many professional journalists experienced a gradual descent into madness after realizing the expert predictions were wrong. Betting markets swung decisively toward an expected Trump victory as the night wore on.
https://twitter.com/AmandaMarcotte/status/1323832281161732097
Just as it was too early to call the race for either candidate, it was also too early to rule out the possibility of a 269-269 Electoral College tie, which is probably the outcome we deserve. On the bright side, the lack of a decisive Trump victory meant that Antifa radicals did not immediately take to the street to burn down our cities.


freebeacon--2020-11-04--Joni Ernst Prevails in Tight Iowa Senate Race

Sen. Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) prevailed over Democratic opponent Theresa Greenfield in an unexpectedly competitive race that became a priority for national liberals .
Ernst led Greenfield by 6 points when the Associated Press called the race early Wednesday morning .
Republicans successfully undermined Greenfield 's efforts to portray herself as a champion of small business , highlighting the Democrat 's decision to evict local businesses from an Iowa shopping center in favor of a multinational corporation as a real estate executive in 2015 .
Iowa small business owners called the decision `` deeply troubling '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary win , questioning whether the Democrat `` would prioritize our needs as a U.S .
Senator . ''
Greenfield also struggled to win the support of Iowa 's farmers despite centering her campaign on her background as a `` scrappy farm kid . ''
Ernst was backed by the Iowa Farm Bureau , the Iowa Corn Growers Association , and the Iowa Cattlemen 's Association , the state 's three largest agricultural groups .
Ernst 's win came in the second most expensive Senate race in U.S. history .
Greenfield 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 140 million on the race , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .

Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) prevailed over Democratic opponent Theresa Greenfield in an unexpectedly competitive race that became a priority for national liberals.
Ernst led Greenfield by 6 points when the Associated Press called the race early Wednesday morning. Republicans successfully undermined Greenfield's efforts to portray herself as a champion of small business, highlighting the Democrat's decision to evict local businesses from an Iowa shopping center in favor of a multinational corporation as a real estate executive in 2015.
Iowa small business owners called the decision "deeply troubling" in a letter to Greenfield after her June primary win, questioning whether the Democrat "would prioritize our needs as a U.S. Senator."
Greenfield also struggled to win the support of Iowa's farmers despite centering her campaign on her background as a "scrappy farm kid." Ernst was backed by the Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, the state's three largest agricultural groups.
Ernst's win came in the second most expensive Senate race in U.S. history. Greenfield's campaign and liberal outside groups combined to spend at least $140 million on the race, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.


freebeacon--2020-11-04--Latinx Voters Deliver Florida for Trump

Latinx Voters Deliver Florida for Trump

President Donald Trump clinched the key swing state of Florida on Tuesday night thanks to a strong turnout among the Sunshine state 's Latino community .
Trump secured the state 's 29 electoral votes by a margin of 51.3 percent to 47.8 percent , with 96 percent reporting , thanks in large part to improved performance among Hispanic and Cuban voters in particular , while opponent Joe Biden fell far behind 2016 counterpart Hillary Clinton in vital Miami-Dade County .
Trump 's Hispanic-backed victory follows the Republican 's stronger-than-expected support among black and Hispanic men in polling leading in to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grassroots support for Trump among Florida Latinos .
Conversely , Biden 's performance Tuesday night augurs poorly for his chances in other critical swing states as votes continue to pour in .
That may reflect the failure of progressive messaging to key Hispanic demographics , who polling shows are less than inured by the politically correct language which has suffused the upper echelons of the Democratic party .
Editor 's Note : The Washington Free Beacon agrees with 99 percent of Florida Latino Democrats that ‘ Latinx ' is not a real word @

President Donald Trump clinched the key swing state of Florida on Tuesday night thanks to a strong turnout among the Sunshine state's Latino community.
Trump secured the state's 29 electoral votes by a margin of 51.3 percent to 47.8 percent, with 96 percent reporting, thanks in large part to improved performance among Hispanic and Cuban voters in particular, while opponent Joe Biden fell far behind 2016 counterpart Hillary Clinton in vital Miami-Dade County.
Trump's Hispanic-backed victory follows the Republican's stronger-than-expected support among black and Hispanic men in polling leading in to the election, as well as strong grassroots support for Trump among Florida Latinos.
Conversely, Biden's performance Tuesday night augurs poorly for his chances in other critical swing states as votes continue to pour in. That may reflect the failure of progressive messaging to key Hispanic demographics, who polling shows are less than inured by the politically correct language which has suffused the upper echelons of the Democratic party.
Editor's Note: The Washington Free Beacon agrees with 99 percent of Florida Latino Democrats that 'Latinx' is not a real word.


freebeacon--2020-11-04--Dems Spend More Than Quarter Billion to Lose Longshot Senate Races

Democrats spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars in a futile bid to pick up longshot Senate seats in Kentucky , South Carolina , and Texas .
The campaigns of Kentucky 's Amy McGrath , South Carolina 's Jaime Harrison , and Texas 's M.J. Hegar burned through nearly $ 200 million , and outside groups backing them spent an additional $ 60 million boosting the three candidates .
The figure dwarfs the total amount spent in the 1996 presidential race—Bill Clinton , Bob Dole , and Ross Perot combined to spend less than $ 240 million .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to woo voters , as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) , Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R. , S.C. ) , and Sen. John Cornyn ( R. , Texas ) each won their races by double digits .
• Winners and Losers of The 2020 Election ( So Far ) The money could have been put to use in North Carolina .
Democratic Senate nominee Cal Cunningham—who spent less than $ 47 million on his race as of October 14—trailed Sen. Thom Tillis ( R. ) by less @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Democrats spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars in a futile bid to pick up longshot Senate seats in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas.
The campaigns of Kentucky's Amy McGrath, South Carolina's Jaime Harrison, and Texas's M.J. Hegar burned through nearly $200 million, and outside groups backing them spent an additional $60 million boosting the three candidates.


freebeacon--2020-11-04--Kansas Dem Loses Senate Race After Endorsing Gun Confiscation

Kansas Democrat Barbara Bollier lost her Senate bid on Tuesday after video of her supporting Australian-style gun confiscation surfaced in @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Free Beacon .
The AP declared Republican Roger Marshall the victor in the @ @ @ @ @ senator Pat Roberts .
Bollier trailed by a 52-43 margin as of 11 p.m. Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ to flip another seat .
Bollier endorsed the idea of taking away Kansans ' guns @ @ @ @ @ obtained in October .
She pointed to Australia 's confiscation as a positive example .
@ @ @ @ @ .
They don ’ t allow them .
They just took them all away , @ @ @ @ @ And , you know what , it ’ s pretty darn safe .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ '' Bollier reacted to the publication of the video by attempting to walk back her @ @ @ @ @ does n't support gun confiscation and never has .
The Marshall campaign slammed Bollier 's @ @ @ @ @ touch with Kansas voters and called gun confiscation `` an alarming concept . ''

Kansas Democrat Barbara Bollier lost her Senate bid on Tuesday after video of her supporting Australian-style gun confiscation surfaced in October—a video first obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
The AP declared Republican Roger Marshall the victor in the race to replace retiring GOP senator Pat Roberts. Bollier trailed by a 52-43 margin as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, costing Democrats an opportunity to flip another seat. Bollier endorsed the idea of taking away Kansans' guns in a video that was obtained in October. She pointed to Australia's confiscation as a positive example.
"They have no guns. They don’t allow them. They just took them all away," she said. "And, you know what, it’s pretty darn safe. It’s this amazing thing."
Bollier reacted to the publication of the video by attempting to walk back her comments. She tweeted she doesn't support gun confiscation and never has.
The Marshall campaign slammed Bollier's initial comments as out of touch with Kansas voters and called gun confiscation "an alarming concept."


freebeacon--2020-11-04--Graham Triumphs in Reelection Bid

Graham Triumphs in Reelection Bid

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R. , S.C. ) defeated liberal challenger Jaime Harrison in a race that became an unlikely target for Democratic leaders working to flip the upper chamber .
Graham led by roughly 10 points when the Associated Press called the race Tuesday evening .
The Republican was expected to cruise to reelection in a state President Donald Trump won by 14 points in 2016 .
But after Harrison—a former lobbyist with ties to top congressional Democrats—twice reported raising more than $ 1 million a day in September , Graham himself discussed his vulnerability in a slew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge in part by portraying Harrison as out of touch with South Carolina voters .
The Democrat racked up millions in assets during his time at the now-defunct Podesta Group , which saw him lobby for a number of corporate giants and even counsel foreign lobbyists at a Turkish `` lobbying school . ''
Graham also benefited from October 's highly visible Supreme Court confirmation hearings , where he guided Amy Coney Barrett to the nation 's top court as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
Harrison 's campaign at times faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrat 's top staffers for making anti-Semitic , sexist , and homophobic remarks online .
Just weeks later , campaign representatives referred to Graham as `` Lady G , '' a reference to an unsubstantiated claim that the Republican has solicited male prostitutes .
In the campaign 's closing days , Harrison and liberal activist groups spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads and mailers boosting Constitution Party nominee Bill Bledsoe in an attempt to funnel votes away from Graham .
The effort proved unsuccessful .
The third-party candidate had received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race was called .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) defeated liberal challenger Jaime Harrison in a race that became an unlikely target for Democratic leaders working to flip the upper chamber.
Graham led by roughly 10 points when the Associated Press called the race Tuesday evening. The Republican was expected to cruise to reelection in a state President Donald Trump won by 14 points in 2016. But after Harrison—a former lobbyist with ties to top congressional Democrats—twice reported raising more than $1 million a day in September, Graham himself discussed his vulnerability in a slew of television appearances.
Graham fended off the challenge in part by portraying Harrison as out of touch with South Carolina voters. The Democrat racked up millions in assets during his time at the now-defunct Podesta Group, which saw him lobby for a number of corporate giants and even counsel foreign lobbyists at a Turkish "lobbying school." Graham also benefited from October's highly visible Supreme Court confirmation hearings, where he guided Amy Coney Barrett to the nation's top court as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Harrison's campaign at times faced internal turmoil. Republicans criticized two of the Democrat's top staffers for making anti-Semitic, sexist, and homophobic remarks online. Just weeks later, campaign representatives referred to Graham as "Lady G," a reference to an unsubstantiated claim that the Republican has solicited male prostitutes.
In the campaign's closing days, Harrison and liberal activist groups spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads and mailers boosting Constitution Party nominee Bill Bledsoe in an attempt to funnel votes away from Graham. The effort proved unsuccessful. The third-party candidate had received just 1 percent of the vote when the race was called.


freebeacon--2020-11-04--McConnell Wins Reelection After Confirming Historic Number of Conservative Judges

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) secured reelection Tuesday after confirming more than 200 conservative judges to the federal courts under President Donald Trump , the fastest confirmation pace in nearly four decades .
The Associated Press called the race on Tuesday evening as McConnell led twice-failed congressional candidate Amy McGrath by 24 points Tuesday evening .
The win comes after the Kentucky Republican successfully confirmed 220 of Trump 's judicial nominees—including three Supreme Court justices—in fewer than 1,400 days .
Former president Barack Obama , by comparison , saw just 160 nominees confirmed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only former president Jimmy Carter saw more federal judges confirmed to the bench over the same period of time .
McConnell often touted his leadership role in his campaign against McGrath .
In an October Courier-Journal op-ed , the Republican noted that he is the only congressional leader not from New York or California , arguing that he gives `` Kentucky the opportunity to punch above its weight and bring home big wins we would not otherwise get if we had a rookie senator . ''
McGrath raised more than $ 90 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the funds coming from out of state , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
The Democrat , whose campaign launch video did not include the word `` Kentucky , '' ran national fundraising ads that omitted her opposition to far-left policies such as Medicare for All .
Libertarian Party nominee Brad Barron received 3.5 percent of the vote after Democrats spent millions boosting his candidacy in an attempt to siphon votes from McConnell .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) secured reelection Tuesday after confirming more than 200 conservative judges to the federal courts under President Donald Trump, the fastest confirmation pace in nearly four decades.
The Associated Press called the race on Tuesday evening as McConnell led twice-failed congressional candidate Amy McGrath by 24 points Tuesday evening. The win comes after the Kentucky Republican successfully confirmed 220 of Trump's judicial nominees—including three Supreme Court justices—in fewer than 1,400 days. Former president Barack Obama, by comparison, saw just 160 nominees confirmed at the same point in his first term. Only former president Jimmy Carter saw more federal judges confirmed to the bench over the same period of time.
McConnell often touted his leadership role in his campaign against McGrath. In an October Courier-Journal op-ed, the Republican noted that he is the only congressional leader not from New York or California, arguing that he gives "Kentucky the opportunity to punch above its weight and bring home big wins we would not otherwise get if we had a rookie senator."
McGrath raised more than $90 million in the loss, with 97 percent of the funds coming from out of state, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The Democrat, whose campaign launch video did not include the word "Kentucky," ran national fundraising ads that omitted her opposition to far-left policies such as Medicare for All.
Libertarian Party nominee Brad Barron received 3.5 percent of the vote after Democrats spent millions boosting his candidacy in an attempt to siphon votes from McConnell.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Pro-Gun Montana Ballot Referendum Passes Despite Millions Spent by Gun-Control Activists

Montana voters blocked localities from instituting their own gun restrictions on Tuesday despite a massive spending campaign by gun-control advocates .
The referendum , which passed with 51 percent support , bars localities from exercising `` any power that applies to or affects the right to keep or bear arms . ''
Cities , counties , and other local authorities will no longer be able to regulate where Montanans with state permits can concealed-carry their firearms , restrict people from owning guns beyond what state or federal law says , or limit where they can openly carry firearms outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to legislation that Gov .
Steve Bullock ( D. ) vetoed in 2019 .
Everytown for Gun Safety and other gun-control groups spent more than $ 1.4 million trying to defeat the measure—27 times more than the NRA spent to support it .
Gary Marbut , president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association , said grassroots support was key to the victory by pro-gun advocates .
`` As Duke Nukem said , ‘ It 's time to kick ass or chew bubblegum , and I 'm all out of bubblegum , ' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the results came in .
`` MSSA and its grassroots activists simply ran out of bubblegum ( and tolerance for gun control ) . ''
The results could help explain why Bullock lost his Senate bid to Republican Steve Daines by roughly 10 percent .
Bullock vetoed previous attempts to rein in local regulators at the urging of Everytown .
He called the legislation a `` dramatic [ departure ] from Montana history , '' echoing gun-control activists .
Everytown labeled the policy `` dangerous '' and urged voters to reject the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NRA said the referendum fixes a gap in state authority to ensure there is not a `` confusing patchwork '' of local gun laws .
`` Reflecting the state ’ s overwhelming respect for the Second Amendment , Montana ’ s gun laws generally respect gun ownership and the Right-to-Carry for self-defense , '' the gun-rights group told supporters .
`` However , a deficiency in the state ’ s firearms preemption statute has permitted politically motivated local governments to undermine the Second Amendment by creating a confusing patchwork of laws that places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for exercising their Right-to-Carry . ''
The referendum will go into effect on January 1 , 2021 .
At that point , localities will no longer be able to enforce policies that conflict with state and federal laws .

Montana voters blocked localities from instituting their own gun restrictions on Tuesday despite a massive spending campaign by gun-control advocates.
The referendum, which passed with 51 percent support, bars localities from exercising "any power that applies to or affects the right to keep or bear arms." Cities, counties, and other local authorities will no longer be able to regulate where Montanans with state permits can concealed-carry their firearms, restrict people from owning guns beyond what state or federal law says, or limit where they can openly carry firearms outside of government buildings.
The referendum is identical to legislation that Gov. Steve Bullock (D.) vetoed in 2019. Everytown for Gun Safety and other gun-control groups spent more than $1.4 million trying to defeat the measure—27 times more than the NRA spent to support it.
Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, said grassroots support was key to the victory by pro-gun advocates.
"As Duke Nukem said, 'It's time to kick ass or chew bubblegum, and I'm all out of bubblegum,'" Marbut said in a message to supporters after the results came in. "MSSA and its grassroots activists simply ran out of bubblegum (and tolerance for gun control)."
The results could help explain why Bullock lost his Senate bid to Republican Steve Daines by roughly 10 percent.
Bullock vetoed previous attempts to rein in local regulators at the urging of Everytown. He called the legislation a "dramatic [departure] from Montana history," echoing gun-control activists. Everytown labeled the policy "dangerous" and urged voters to reject the proposal at the ballot box.
The NRA said the referendum fixes a gap in state authority to ensure there is not a "confusing patchwork" of local gun laws.
"Reflecting the state’s overwhelming respect for the Second Amendment, Montana’s gun laws generally respect gun ownership and the Right-to-Carry for self-defense," the gun-rights group told supporters. "However, a deficiency in the state’s firearms preemption statute has permitted politically motivated local governments to undermine the Second Amendment by creating a confusing patchwork of laws that places well-meaning gun owners in legal peril simply for exercising their Right-to-Carry."
The referendum will go into effect on January 1, 2021. At that point, localities will no longer be able to enforce policies that conflict with state and federal laws.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Far-Left ‘Squad 2.0’ Set to Join Congress

After a series of electoral wins for far-left candidates Tuesday night , a `` Squad 2.0 '' prepares to join Congress .
`` Squad 2.0 let 's go , '' tweeted incoming congresswoman Cori Bush ( D. , Mo . )
to congratulate fellow representatives-elect Jamaal Bowman ( D. , N.Y. ) and Mondaire Jones ( D. , N.Y. ) on their victories .
Justice Democrats , a PAC that backs far-left Democratic candidates , endorsed both Bush and Bowman during their congressional bids .
The group also endorsed the entire incumbent `` squad , '' which includes Reps. Alexandria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ayanna Pressley ( D. , Mass . )
, Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) , and Rashida Tlaib ( D. , Mich. ) .
The views of the self-identified `` Squad 2.0 '' largely align with those of the current squad .
A former Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) campaign aide , Bush defeated a 10-term incumbent Democratic congressman in her primary race on a platform that supported the Green New Deal , universal basic income , and abolishing ICE .
In recent weeks , Bush also championed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowman , a longtime schoolteacher , has explicitly supported defunding the police , and although he claims to denounce the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement , Bowman has embraced the support of anti-Israel activists .
Bowman bested Rep. Eliot Engel ( D. , N.Y. ) , a staunch Israel ally , in the Democratic primary .
Current squad members such as Tlaib , Omar , and Ocasio-Cortez have touted support from anti-Semitic causes and organizations that have called for the destruction of Israel .
A former Justice Department official during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defunding police and reinvesting this money in health , education , and alternatives to incarceration . ''
The incoming congressman also supports the Green New Deal , codifying Roe v. Wade , and cutting the defense budget .
Among the many areas where far-left Democrats may break with a potential Biden administration and Democratic House leadership is defense spending .
Rep. Adam Smith ( D. , Wash. ) , who chairs the House Armed Services Committee—the lead committee in developing the budget for the Department of Defense—anticipates a `` big fight coming '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope to slash by as much as 20 percent .

After a series of electoral wins for far-left candidates Tuesday night, a "Squad 2.0" prepares to join Congress.
"Squad 2.0 let's go," tweeted incoming congresswoman Cori Bush (D., Mo.) to congratulate fellow representatives-elect Jamaal Bowman (D., N.Y.) and Mondaire Jones (D., N.Y.) on their victories.
Justice Democrats, a PAC that backs far-left Democratic candidates, endorsed both Bush and Bowman during their congressional bids. The group also endorsed the entire incumbent "squad," which includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (D., Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.).
The views of the self-identified "Squad 2.0" largely align with those of the current squad. A former Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) campaign aide, Bush defeated a 10-term incumbent Democratic congressman in her primary race on a platform that supported the Green New Deal, universal basic income, and abolishing ICE. In recent weeks, Bush also championed the idea of defunding the Pentagon.
Bowman, a longtime schoolteacher, has explicitly supported defunding the police, and although he claims to denounce the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, Bowman has embraced the support of anti-Israel activists.
Bowman bested Rep. Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.), a staunch Israel ally, in the Democratic primary. Current squad members such as Tlaib, Omar, and Ocasio-Cortez have touted support from anti-Semitic causes and organizations that have called for the destruction of Israel.
A former Justice Department official during the Obama administration, Jones also supports "defunding police and reinvesting this money in health, education, and alternatives to incarceration." The incoming congressman also supports the Green New Deal, codifying Roe v. Wade, and cutting the defense budget.
Among the many areas where far-left Democrats may break with a potential Biden administration and Democratic House leadership is defense spending. Rep. Adam Smith (D., Wash.), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee—the lead committee in developing the budget for the Department of Defense—anticipates a "big fight coming" over defense funding, which far-left lawmakers hope to slash by as much as 20 percent.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--House Democrats Meeting Devolves into Chaos

In a post-election phone call , Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairwoman Cheri Bustos ( D. , Ill. ) and other House Democrats were irate that a forecasted blue wave `` never materialized . ''
`` I 'm furious , '' Bustos told her Democratic House colleagues .
`` Something went wrong here across the entire political world .
Our polls , Senate polls , gov polls , presidential polls , Republican polls , public polls , turnout modeling , and prognosticators all pointed to one political environment—that environment never materialized . ''
The meeting soon devolved into chaos .
Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over her name being mispronounced .
Virginia representative Abigail Spanberger lashed out against leftists ' push to defund the police , which she said almost cost her reelection , and said that Democrats should never say `` socialism '' again .
New Jersey representative Bill Pascrell called out Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer for not being present during election week and said House speaker Nancy Pelosi had `` one hand tied behind her back . ''
House Democrats on the call allegedly leaked details on the call late Thursday afternoon to reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who then tweeted the details .
Trump and congressional Republicans have been outperforming the polls , drawing ire from Democrats .
Fifty of the DCCC 's 51 Red-to-Blue program candidates lost on Tuesday , while Republicans flipped 10 House seats .
Major national polls predicted Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden winning over President Donald Trump by wide margins for over a year .
On Monday morning , Biden was up 7.2 points nationally , according to a RealClearPolitics national poll , and Democrats were favored to flip Senate seats in Iowa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has garnered more Electoral College votes as of Thursday afternoon , Trump 's vote count is up in Alaska , Georgia , North Carolina , and Pennsylvania .
Republicans have so far defended their Senate majority and , despite losing races in Arizona and Colorado , picked up one seat in Alabama and successfully defended five `` tossup '' seats .
As DCCC head , Bustos is tasked with securing Democratic victories in Congress .
Bustos , who won reelection to her congressional seat Tuesday , was first elected to lead the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle , the DCCC raised $ 6 million less than in 2018 , bringing in $ 290,590,400 for congressional Democrats .

In a post-election phone call, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairwoman Cheri Bustos (D., Ill.) and other House Democrats were irate that a forecasted blue wave "never materialized."
"I'm furious," Bustos told her Democratic House colleagues. "Something went wrong here across the entire political world. Our polls, Senate polls, gov polls, presidential polls, Republican polls, public polls, turnout modeling, and prognosticators all pointed to one political environment—that environment never materialized."
The meeting soon devolved into chaos.
Florida congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell cried over her loss and over her name being mispronounced. Virginia representative Abigail Spanberger lashed out against leftists' push to defund the police, which she said almost cost her reelection, and said that Democrats should never say "socialism" again. New Jersey representative Bill Pascrell called out Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer for not being present during election week and said House speaker Nancy Pelosi had "one hand tied behind her back."
House Democrats on the call allegedly leaked details on the call late Thursday afternoon to reporters, including one from the Washington Post, who then tweeted the details.
Trump and congressional Republicans have been outperforming the polls, drawing ire from Democrats. Fifty of the DCCC's 51 Red-to-Blue program candidates lost on Tuesday, while Republicans flipped 10 House seats.
Major national polls predicted Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden winning over President Donald Trump by wide margins for over a year. On Monday morning, Biden was up 7.2 points nationally, according to a RealClearPolitics national poll, and Democrats were favored to flip Senate seats in Iowa, Maine, and North Carolina.
While Biden has garnered more Electoral College votes as of Thursday afternoon, Trump's vote count is up in Alaska, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Republicans have so far defended their Senate majority and, despite losing races in Arizona and Colorado, picked up one seat in Alabama and successfully defended five "tossup" seats.
As DCCC head, Bustos is tasked with securing Democratic victories in Congress.
Bustos, who won reelection to her congressional seat Tuesday, was first elected to lead the DCCC in 2012. In this election cycle, the DCCC raised $6 million less than in 2018, bringing in $290,590,400 for congressional Democrats.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Courts Unlikely to Decide Presidential Election

A battery of lawsuits from the Trump campaign in battleground states is not likely to tip the outcome of the election .
The multi-pronged legal attack in Pennsylvania , Michigan , and Georgia does not involve issues that are likely to change vote tallies .
The campaign 's lawsuits have mostly involved modest claims that seek to ensure election procedures are followed .
The actions do not seek to invalidate large numbers of votes or stop the canvassing process .
A dispute over a grace period for mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania is currently pending before the Supreme Court , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in question will be decisive to the outcome in the Keystone State .
All told , apart from the dispute over Pennsylvania 's post-Election Day ballots , the Trump campaign does not have an obvious path for the Supreme Court showdown President Donald Trump advocated on election night .
The Trump campaign registered a victory in Pennsylvania Thursday , where it claimed Republican election monitors have not been able to closely watch the canvassing in Philadelphia , a Democratic stronghold .
Lawyers for Philadelphia argued that the mere presence of Republican observers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Trump campaign countered that their observers must have a meaningful ability to scrutinize the process and criticized election officials for configuring tables and other items to hinder observation .
A Pennsylvania appeals court sided with Trump , saying election law requires vote counters to give Trump 's watchers some `` observational leeway to ascertain sufficient details of the canvassing process . ''
Philadelphia officials appealed to the state 's highest court , but a decision has not yet come down .
Trump campaign lawyer Pam Bondi said Thursday night that officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals court order , so they will file a lawsuit in federal court .
Trump campaign lawyers also sued Michigan secretary of state Jocelyn Benson ( D ) , claiming that GOP vote challengers were being kept away from absentee vote counting boards and surveillance video of ballot drop boxes .
The Trump plaintiffs named only one GOP challenger allegedly kept away from the canvassing process and did not explain the circumstances for his removal , nor did they connect the incident to a broader pattern of malfeasance .
In a Thursday-afternoon hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephens said she will dismiss the Trump campaign 's lawsuit in a written decision by Friday afternoon .
Stephens said the suit lacked specificity , and it seemed to her that the campaign was suing the wrong person .
Rather than bringing a suit against Benson , Stephens said the campaign should have filed against local election officials , who are legally empowered to give the campaign the access it was allegedly denied .
She also noted that the absentee vote canvass has effectively been completed .
Events were similar in Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that about 50 late-arriving absentee ballots had been mixed with lawful votes in Democratic Chatham County .
They sought an order confirming that tardy votes can not be counted under Georgia law .
Lawyers for the county countered that the contested votes were actually valid ones that were set aside while officials confirmed they were legitimate .
During a Thursday-morning hearing , Superior Court judge James Bass found no evidence of illegal commingling and dismissed the case .
The Trump campaign has also asked the Supreme Court for permission to take over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day .
The Court asked Democrats to respond to Trump 's request by 5:00 p.m. Thursday .
Pennsylvania 's highest court directed that any ballot received by Friday , Nov. 6 , should be counted , unless it appears likely that the ballot was put in the mail after Election Day .
Republican leaders first asked the Supreme Court to put that decision on hold , then asked the justices to take the case and decide it in full before Election Day .
A short-handed quote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility that the justices could revisit the issue later .
Lawyers for the state requested that post-Election Day ballots be segregated from all other votes in case they are subject to further litigation .
It 's not clear how many mail-in votes have arrived since Tuesday night , nor is it obvious that one candidate would be able to overcome the winner 's margin of victory on the strength of those votes .
Pennsylvania secretary of state Kathy Boockvar ( D. ) said Thursday night that very few ballots have arrived since Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a `` fraction '' of the 60,000 late-arriving ballots cast in the June primary .
The Trump campaign has also announced plans to file a lawsuit in Nevada , where Joe Biden is clinging to a narrow lead .
No action had appeared by press time .
Canvassing in Nevada is expected to continue well into the weekend .

A battery of lawsuits from the Trump campaign in battleground states is not likely to tip the outcome of the election.
The multi-pronged legal attack in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia does not involve issues that are likely to change vote tallies. The campaign's lawsuits have mostly involved modest claims that seek to ensure election procedures are followed. The actions do not seek to invalidate large numbers of votes or stop the canvassing process.
A dispute over a grace period for mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania is currently pending before the Supreme Court, but it is not clear that the votes in question will be decisive to the outcome in the Keystone State. All told, apart from the dispute over Pennsylvania's post-Election Day ballots, the Trump campaign does not have an obvious path for the Supreme Court showdown President Donald Trump advocated on election night.
The Trump campaign registered a victory in Pennsylvania Thursday, where it claimed Republican election monitors have not been able to closely watch the canvassing in Philadelphia, a Democratic stronghold.
Lawyers for Philadelphia argued that the mere presence of Republican observers in canvassing centers was sufficient under Pennsylvania law. The Trump campaign countered that their observers must have a meaningful ability to scrutinize the process and criticized election officials for configuring tables and other items to hinder observation. A Pennsylvania appeals court sided with Trump, saying election law requires vote counters to give Trump's watchers some "observational leeway to ascertain sufficient details of the canvassing process."
Philadelphia officials appealed to the state's highest court, but a decision has not yet come down. Trump campaign lawyer Pam Bondi said Thursday night that officials in Philadelphia are not complying with the appeals court order, so they will file a lawsuit in federal court.
Trump campaign lawyers also sued Michigan secretary of state Jocelyn Benson (D), claiming that GOP vote challengers were being kept away from absentee vote counting boards and surveillance video of ballot drop boxes. The Trump plaintiffs named only one GOP challenger allegedly kept away from the canvassing process and did not explain the circumstances for his removal, nor did they connect the incident to a broader pattern of malfeasance.
In a Thursday-afternoon hearing, Michigan Court of Claims judge Cynthia Stephens said she will dismiss the Trump campaign's lawsuit in a written decision by Friday afternoon. Stephens said the suit lacked specificity, and it seemed to her that the campaign was suing the wrong person. Rather than bringing a suit against Benson, Stephens said the campaign should have filed against local election officials, who are legally empowered to give the campaign the access it was allegedly denied. She also noted that the absentee vote canvass has effectively been completed.
Events were similar in Georgia, where Republican vote-watchers came forward and raised concerns that about 50 late-arriving absentee ballots had been mixed with lawful votes in Democratic Chatham County. They sought an order confirming that tardy votes cannot be counted under Georgia law.
Lawyers for the county countered that the contested votes were actually valid ones that were set aside while officials confirmed they were legitimate. During a Thursday-morning hearing, Superior Court judge James Bass found no evidence of illegal commingling and dismissed the case.
The Trump campaign has also asked the Supreme Court for permission to take over a lawsuit first raised by Pennsylvania Republicans involving mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. The Court asked Democrats to respond to Trump's request by 5:00 p.m. Thursday.
Pennsylvania's highest court directed that any ballot received by Friday, Nov. 6, should be counted, unless it appears likely that the ballot was put in the mail after Election Day. Republican leaders first asked the Supreme Court to put that decision on hold, then asked the justices to take the case and decide it in full before Election Day.
A short-handed Court denied both requests but left open the possibility that the justices could revisit the issue later. Lawyers for the state requested that post-Election Day ballots be segregated from all other votes in case they are subject to further litigation.
It's not clear how many mail-in votes have arrived since Tuesday night, nor is it obvious that one candidate would be able to overcome the winner's margin of victory on the strength of those votes. Pennsylvania secretary of state Kathy Boockvar (D.) said Thursday night that very few ballots have arrived since Election Day, and she expects to see only a "fraction" of the 60,000 late-arriving ballots cast in the June primary.
The Trump campaign has also announced plans to file a lawsuit in Nevada, where Joe Biden is clinging to a narrow lead. No action had appeared by press time. Canvassing in Nevada is expected to continue well into the weekend.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Dem Strategists Scrub Internet of South Carolina Failure

A Democratic super PAC that funneled more than $ 750,000 to its consultants ' firms scrubbed its website as it failed to unseat Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R. , S.C. ) .
Lindsey Must Go PAC raised nearly $ 3.8 million in its bid to replace Graham `` with a leader who will stand for something more than partisanship . ''
Graham , however , went on to secure reelection by double digits , and the super PAC 's website no longer lists its staff .
The group 's `` About Us '' page boasted a roster of `` veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political campaign experience '' in the days leading up to the election .
The page has since been removed .
Former staffers of Hillary Clinton , Mike Bloomberg , and Beto O'Rourke 's failed presidential campaigns—Stephen Groves , Brice Barnes , and Tyler Jones—launched Lindsey Must Go PAC in May .
Other PAC strategists include former MSNBC contributor Jimmy Williams and C-Street Strategies founder Alex Hoffman .
The group promised to `` defeat Lindsey Graham in November , '' so long as it received `` every last retweet and dollar you can step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent nearly $ 3 million as of October 14 , with more than $ 750,000 going to consulting firms tied to its own staffers .
Roughly $ 718,000 was funneled to PDG Strategies—where Groves , the PAC ’ s chair , works as a senior adviser—for `` fundraising consulting '' and other expenses .
More than $ 35,000 , meanwhile , was sent to SPEAK Strategic , a consulting firm founded by Jones , the PAC ’ s spokesman .
Lindsey Must Go PAC did not return a request for comment .
Much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Pritzker , who sent the group $ 1.5 million in September .
The group spearheaded a last-minute push to boost Constitution Party nominee Bill Bledsoe , spending more than $ 133,000 on mailers calling him `` the only true conservative on the ballot '' in an attempt to siphon votes from Graham .
The strategy fell flat—Graham quickly launched his own ad campaign touting Bledsoe 's endorsement , and the third-party candidate received just 1.3 percent of the vote .
Lindsey Must Go PAC was far from the only outside group that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win a longshot Senate seat .
Ditch Mitch Fund and Fire Mitch Save America combined to raise at least $ 25 million in Kentucky , where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. ) won reelection by 21 points .
In Texas , Future Forward USA spent more than $ 11.2 million to unseat Sen. John Cornyn ( R. ) , who won his race by 10 points .
In total , more than a quarter of a billion dollars was spent in the three historically red states .

A Democratic super PAC that funneled more than $750,000 to its consultants' firms scrubbed its website as it failed to unseat Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.).
Lindsey Must Go PAC raised nearly $3.8 million in its bid to replace Graham "with a leader who will stand for something more than partisanship." Graham, however, went on to secure reelection by double digits, and the super PAC's website no longer lists its staff. The group's "About Us" page boasted a roster of "veteran" strategists with years of "high-profile political campaign experience" in the days leading up to the election. The page has since been removed.
Former staffers of Hillary Clinton, Mike Bloomberg, and Beto O'Rourke's failed presidential campaigns—Stephen Groves, Brice Barnes, and Tyler Jones—launched Lindsey Must Go PAC in May. Other PAC strategists include former MSNBC contributor Jimmy Williams and C-Street Strategies founder Alex Hoffman. The group promised to "defeat Lindsey Graham in November," so long as it received "every last retweet and dollar you can step up with."
The super PAC spent nearly $3 million as of October 14, with more than $750,000 going to consulting firms tied to its own staffers. Roughly $718,000 was funneled to PDG Strategies—where Groves, the PAC’s chair, works as a senior adviser—for "fundraising consulting" and other expenses. More than $35,000, meanwhile, was sent to SPEAK Strategic, a consulting firm founded by Jones, the PAC’s spokesman.
Lindsey Must Go PAC did not return a request for comment. Much of its activity was bankrolled by billionaire John Pritzker, who sent the group $1.5 million in September.
The group spearheaded a last-minute push to boost Constitution Party nominee Bill Bledsoe, spending more than $133,000 on mailers calling him "the only true conservative on the ballot" in an attempt to siphon votes from Graham. The strategy fell flat—Graham quickly launched his own ad campaign touting Bledsoe's endorsement, and the third-party candidate received just 1.3 percent of the vote.
Lindsey Must Go PAC was far from the only outside group that raised millions in a futile bid to win a longshot Senate seat. Ditch Mitch Fund and Fire Mitch Save America combined to raise at least $25 million in Kentucky, where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.) won reelection by 21 points. In Texas, Future Forward USA spent more than $11.2 million to unseat Sen. John Cornyn (R.), who won his race by 10 points.
In total, more than a quarter of a billion dollars was spent in the three historically red states.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Pundits Pointed to Blue Wave and Landslide Win for Biden

Pundits and prognosticators foresaw a landslide victory for Joe Biden and a blue wave in 2020 , but the mixed @ @ @ @ @ of a purple ripple .
Republicans have gained House seats and appear poised to maintain @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election remains undecided .
Numerous national polls showed Biden with a double-digit lead @ @ @ @ @ but they vastly underestimated Trump support .

Pundits and prognosticators foresaw a landslide victory for Joe Biden and a blue wave in 2020, but the mixed results so far indicate more of a purple ripple.
Republicans have gained House seats and appear poised to maintain their Senate majority, while the presidential election remains undecided. Numerous national polls showed Biden with a double-digit lead over President Donald Trump, but they vastly underestimated Trump support.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Bloomberg Comes Up Short

Bloomberg Comes Up Short

Never in the field of political conflict has so much been spent by one man to gain so little in return .
Democratic oligarch Michael Bloomberg poured more than a billion dollars into the 2020 election and accomplished next to nothing .
Most of that money funded losing campaigns as well as pro-Biden advertising in states won by Donald Trump .
Even if Joe Biden ends up winning , Bloomberg has made a strong case for himself as the election 's biggest loser .
After spending more than $ 1 billion on his failed primary campaign , Bloomberg threw his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three states Trump won in 2016—Florida , Ohio , and Texas—spending $ 115 million in an effort to boost Biden 's chances of turning them blue .
It did n't work .
Trump won all three states by several percentage points and expanded his 2016 margin in Florida , which is where Bloomberg spent the most money , including $ 36 million in the final two months of the campaign .
In a move that might have even cost the Democrats votes , he spent more than $ 16 million in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying off their fines and court fees .
Perhaps they were n't as receptive to Bloomberg 's radical anti-gun messaging as he assumed .
Bloomberg , who has a net worth of almost $ 50 billion , also spent millions in support of Democratic candidates in state and local races across the country but has little to show for it .
He spent $ 2.6 million , for example , in support of Chrysta Castañeda , the Democratic candidate for railroad commissioner in Texas .
She lost .
The historically diminutive oligarch poured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina lieutenant governor 's race .
The Democratic candidate lost there as well by 3 percentage points , even as incumbent governor Roy Cooper ( D. , N.C. ) cruised to reelection .
He spent another $ 6.4 million backing the three Democratic candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission , only one of which was on track to win as of Thursday .
Bloomberg also spent millions via his anti-gun super PAC , Everytown for Gun Safety , which was somewhat more successful in terms of the candidates it supported , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions , for example , trying to unseat GOP incumbent senators Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) and Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) .
Ernst has already been declared the winner , while Tillis holds a 1.8 percentage point lead with 94 percent of the vote counted .
In any event , backing a few successful Democratic Senate challengers in states like Colorado and Arizona can hardly be considered a success in terms of the bigger picture .
The PAC , whose mission is to elect politicians who support strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much legislative action as even the best case for Democrats would leave them with the thinnest of majorities .
Gun sales , meanwhile , reached an all-time high in 2020 .
Congrats , Mini Mike !
You might be one of the smallest human beings on the planet , but you are definitely the biggest loser of the 2020 election .

Never in the field of political conflict has so much been spent by one man to gain so little in return. Democratic oligarch Michael Bloomberg poured more than a billion dollars into the 2020 election and accomplished next to nothing.
Most of that money funded losing campaigns as well as pro-Biden advertising in states won by Donald Trump. Even if Joe Biden ends up winning, Bloomberg has made a strong case for himself as the election's biggest loser.
After spending more than $1 billion on his failed primary campaign, Bloomberg threw his support behind Joe Biden. He targeted three states Trump won in 2016—Florida, Ohio, and Texas—spending $115 million in an effort to boost Biden's chances of turning them blue.
It didn't work. Trump won all three states by several percentage points and expanded his 2016 margin in Florida, which is where Bloomberg spent the most money, including $36 million in the final two months of the campaign. In a move that might have even cost the Democrats votes, he spent more than $16 million in the state to register convicted felons to vote by paying off their fines and court fees. Perhaps they weren't as receptive to Bloomberg's radical anti-gun messaging as he assumed.
Bloomberg, who has a net worth of almost $50 billion, also spent millions in support of Democratic candidates in state and local races across the country but has little to show for it. He spent $2.6 million, for example, in support of Chrysta Castañeda, the Democratic candidate for railroad commissioner in Texas. She lost.
The historically diminutive oligarch poured a whopping $8.5 million into the North Carolina lieutenant governor's race. The Democratic candidate lost there as well by 3 percentage points, even as incumbent governor Roy Cooper (D., N.C.) cruised to reelection. He spent another $6.4 million backing the three Democratic candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission, only one of which was on track to win as of Thursday.
Bloomberg also spent millions via his anti-gun super PAC, Everytown for Gun Safety, which was somewhat more successful in terms of the candidates it supported, but not by much. The PAC spent millions, for example, trying to unseat GOP incumbent senators Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and Thom Tillis (R., N.C.). Ernst has already been declared the winner, while Tillis holds a 1.8 percentage point lead with 94 percent of the vote counted.
In any event, backing a few successful Democratic Senate challengers in states like Colorado and Arizona can hardly be considered a success in terms of the bigger picture. The PAC, whose mission is to elect politicians who support strict gun-control measures, is unlikely to see much legislative action as even the best case for Democrats would leave them with the thinnest of majorities. Gun sales, meanwhile, reached an all-time high in 2020.
Congrats, Mini Mike! You might be one of the smallest human beings on the planet, but you are definitely the biggest loser of the 2020 election.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Malawi Will Be First African Country in Decades to Open Embassy in Jerusalem

Malawi 's foreign minister announced at a press conference Tuesday that his country will build its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem , the first African nation to do so in decades .
The placement in Jerusalem represents `` a bold and significant step '' in the relationship between Malawi and Israel , said Malawian foreign minister Eisenhower Mkaka , who sees a `` need for growing partnership and cooperation between the two countries . ''
Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi was also optimistic about Israel 's future relations with African countries .
`` I look forward to your embassy opening soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African leaders will follow this decision , '' Ashkenazi said , standing alongside Mkaka at the press conference .
Malawi has been a stalwart Israeli ally in a region in which the Jewish state has historically had few partners .
The east African country has continuously had diplomatic ties with Israel since 1964 , although it has never before had an Israeli embassy .
After the 1973 Yom Kippur War , 16 other African countries closed their embassies in Jerusalem , with some later reopening in Tel Aviv .
Malawi 's announcement makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Jerusalem embassy since then .
The African Union charged that Malawi 's decision could threaten peace in the Middle East , a claim of which Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera and his staff are skeptical .
`` Malawi has had very warm and cordial relations with various nations in the Arab world , '' said Chakwera communications director Sean Kampondeni .
`` President Chakwera continues to advocate for the same in the interest of peace in the region . ''
The move is just the latest in a string of Israeli diplomatic successes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration .
In October , Sudan joined Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as Muslim-majority countries that have normalized ties with Israel .
In exchange for normalization with the United States and Israel , Sudan , once a state supporter of terrorism , has agreed to crack down on terrorist groups within its borders .
The Trump administration hopes the diplomatic agreements will open the door to normalizing relations between Israel and even more countries , including Saudi Arabia .

Malawi's foreign minister announced at a press conference Tuesday that his country will build its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem, the first African nation to do so in decades.
The placement in Jerusalem represents "a bold and significant step" in the relationship between Malawi and Israel, said Malawian foreign minister Eisenhower Mkaka, who sees a "need for growing partnership and cooperation between the two countries."
Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi was also optimistic about Israel's future relations with African countries.
"I look forward to your embassy opening soon, and I'm sure that more African leaders will follow this decision," Ashkenazi said, standing alongside Mkaka at the press conference.
Malawi has been a stalwart Israeli ally in a region in which the Jewish state has historically had few partners. The east African country has continuously had diplomatic ties with Israel since 1964, although it has never before had an Israeli embassy.
After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, 16 other African countries closed their embassies in Jerusalem, with some later reopening in Tel Aviv.
Malawi's announcement makes it the first African country to open a Jerusalem embassy since then.
The African Union charged that Malawi's decision could threaten peace in the Middle East, a claim of which Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera and his staff are skeptical.
"Malawi has had very warm and cordial relations with various nations in the Arab world," said Chakwera communications director Sean Kampondeni. "President Chakwera continues to advocate for the same in the interest of peace in the region."
The move is just the latest in a string of Israeli diplomatic successes, many of which were mediated by the Trump administration.
In October, Sudan joined Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as Muslim-majority countries that have normalized ties with Israel.
In exchange for normalization with the United States and Israel, Sudan, once a state supporter of terrorism, has agreed to crack down on terrorist groups within its borders.
The Trump administration hopes the diplomatic agreements will open the door to normalizing relations between Israel and even more countries, including Saudi Arabia.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Public School Faces Lawsuit Over Ban on Religious Masks

A Mississippi public school is facing a lawsuit for prohibiting a third-grader from wearing a mask that read `` Jesus Loves Me . ''
The religious liberty law firm Alliance Defending Freedom ( ADF ) is suing Mississippi 's Simpson County School District because the school forced the third-grader , Lydia Booth , to remove a religious message from her face mask and retroactively changed its masking code .
When Booth 's mother asked for the specific policy that banned free expression on face masks , school officials responded with an updated copy of the school 's coronavirus plan that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been in the original plan .
The new policy prohibits messages on masks that are `` political , religious , sexual or inappropriate symbols , gestures or statements that may be offensive , disruptive or deemed distractive to the school environment . ''
ADF legal counsel Michael Ross said the school 's policy violates the First Amendment .
`` Officials simply ca n't … arbitrarily pick and choose messages that students can or ca n't express , '' Ross said .
`` Other students within the school district have freely worn masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even the words ‘ Black Lives Matter . '
'' The Simpson County School District is already enforcing the new masking policy .
Booth 's school told her family that the nine-year-old would be subject to escalating discipline , up to and including suspension , if she wears the mask again .
The lawsuit calls on the Mississippi state court to stop school officials from enforcing the ban .
ADF senior counsel Tyson Langhofer said that every student deserves an equal opportunity to express their beliefs without fear of punishment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for peacefully sharing her religious beliefs with fellow students , '' Langhofer said .

A Mississippi public school is facing a lawsuit for prohibiting a third-grader from wearing a mask that read "Jesus Loves Me."
The religious liberty law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is suing Mississippi's Simpson County School District because the school forced the third-grader, Lydia Booth, to remove a religious message from her face mask and retroactively changed its masking code.
When Booth's mother asked for the specific policy that banned free expression on face masks, school officials responded with an updated copy of the school's coronavirus plan that included a ban on religious messages—which had not been in the original plan.
The new policy prohibits messages on masks that are "political, religious, sexual or inappropriate symbols, gestures or statements that may be offensive, disruptive or deemed distractive to the school environment."
ADF legal counsel Michael Ross said the school's policy violates the First Amendment. "Officials simply can't … arbitrarily pick and choose messages that students can or can't express," Ross said. "Other students within the school district have freely worn masks with the logos of local sports teams or even the words 'Black Lives Matter.'"
The Simpson County School District is already enforcing the new masking policy. Booth's school told her family that the nine-year-old would be subject to escalating discipline, up to and including suspension, if she wears the mask again.
The lawsuit calls on the Mississippi state court to stop school officials from enforcing the ban. ADF senior counsel Tyson Langhofer said that every student deserves an equal opportunity to express their beliefs without fear of punishment.
"No public school student should be singled out for peacefully sharing her religious beliefs with fellow students," Langhofer said.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Israeli Minister Warns of War if Biden Brings Back Iran Deal

Israel 's minister for settlement affairs warned of war between Israel and Iran if a potential Biden administration returned to the Iran deal .
`` Biden has said openly for a long time that he will go back to the nuclear agreement , '' Tzachi Hanegbi told the Jerusalem Post .
`` I see that as something that will lead to a confrontation between Israel and Iran . ''
The Obama administration 's nuclear deal with Iran is widely considered a disaster by the conservative foreign policy establishment .
The Trump administration pulled out of the deal in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nuclear development and failure to discourage Iran ’ s efforts to destabilize the Middle East through supporting terror groups and militias .
There is reason to speculate that Biden may try to resuscitate the Iran deal if he becomes president .
Many top Biden surrogates , such as former Obama national security official Ned Price and Biden foreign policy aide Tony Blinken , have staunchly defended the Iran deal .
Price argued that the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was a result of President Donald Trump 's decision to abandon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iran to the `` brink of open conflict . ''
The Trump administration has taken a hard line against Tehran , enacting a `` maximum pressure '' campaign aimed at isolating Iran financially so that it will come to the table under more favorable circumstances for the United States .
Special envoy for Iran Elliott Abrams told the Washington Free Beacon that Iran is in extremely poor economic condition .
`` A lot of money is tied up in various ways by our sanctions , '' Abrams said .
A Biden administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regain ground , especially in its nuclear program , a major area of concern for Jerusalem .
The Iran deal ’ s logic from the Obama-Biden years , according to Hanegbi , was `` mistaken—and that ’ s an understatement . ''
`` If Biden stays with that policy , there will , in the end , be a violent confrontation between Israel and Iran , '' Hanegbi concluded .

Israel's minister for settlement affairs warned of war between Israel and Iran if a potential Biden administration returned to the Iran deal.
"Biden has said openly for a long time that he will go back to the nuclear agreement," Tzachi Hanegbi told the Jerusalem Post. "I see that as something that will lead to a confrontation between Israel and Iran."
The Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran is widely considered a disaster by the conservative foreign policy establishment. The Trump administration pulled out of the deal in 2018, citing its inability to deter Iran’s nuclear development and failure to discourage Iran’s efforts to destabilize the Middle East through supporting terror groups and militias.
There is reason to speculate that Biden may try to resuscitate the Iran deal if he becomes president. Many top Biden surrogates, such as former Obama national security official Ned Price and Biden foreign policy aide Tony Blinken, have staunchly defended the Iran deal. Price argued that the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was a result of President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the deal and would push the United States and Iran to the "brink of open conflict."
The Trump administration has taken a hard line against Tehran, enacting a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at isolating Iran financially so that it will come to the table under more favorable circumstances for the United States. Special envoy for Iran Elliott Abrams told the Washington Free Beacon that Iran is in extremely poor economic condition. "A lot of money is tied up in various ways by our sanctions," Abrams said.
A Biden administration could enable cash-strapped and isolated Iran to regain ground, especially in its nuclear program, a major area of concern for Jerusalem. The Iran deal’s logic from the Obama-Biden years, according to Hanegbi, was "mistaken—and that’s an understatement."
"If Biden stays with that policy, there will, in the end, be a violent confrontation between Israel and Iran," Hanegbi concluded.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Iran Says Next U.S. Admin Will ‘Surrender’

The next American administration will `` surrender to the Iranian nation , '' according to Hassan Rouhani , the Islamic Republic 's president .
Rouhani , in remarks Thursday about the contested American presidential election , said that no matter who comes out ahead when the votes are counted in several close states , the new U.S. president will have `` no choice but to surrender to the law , regulations , and pressure of public opinions and to the patience and resistance of this great nation . ''
Rouhani 's comments come as the world watches the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Iran , Russia , and China—which waged cyber operations to influence the election and slant its outcome—appear to be betting on former vice president Joe Biden to emerge victorious .
Iranian leaders have welcomed Biden 's comments to reenter the nuclear deal , saying that he will be forced to provide Iran with cash windfalls to achieve this goal .
Rouhani also blasted President Donald Trump , accusing the administration 's `` maximum pressure '' sanctions campaign of crippling the regime as it continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person in the White House who brutally intensified sanctions and war , even during the coronavirus era , '' Rouhani was quoted as saying in the country 's state-controlled press .
Meanwhile , Iran continues to build advanced weapons capable of striking Israel and other regional nations .
Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled new ballistic missile launchers that it says are capable of firing automated missiles .
These long-range systems have been an international source of concern due to the great distances they can travel .
While Trump has moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of weaponry , a Biden presidency could see restrictions on these missiles lifted , as the Obama administration did when it negotiated the nuclear accord .

The next American administration will "surrender to the Iranian nation," according to Hassan Rouhani, the Islamic Republic's president.
Rouhani, in remarks Thursday about the contested American presidential election, said that no matter who comes out ahead when the votes are counted in several close states, the new U.S. president will have "no choice but to surrender to the law, regulations, and pressure of public opinions and to the patience and resistance of this great nation."
Rouhani's comments come as the world watches the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Adversarial regimes such as Iran, Russia, and China—which waged cyber operations to influence the election and slant its outcome—appear to be betting on former vice president Joe Biden to emerge victorious. Iranian leaders have welcomed Biden's comments to reenter the nuclear deal, saying that he will be forced to provide Iran with cash windfalls to achieve this goal.
Rouhani also blasted President Donald Trump, accusing the administration's "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign of crippling the regime as it continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
"During this period, there was a person in the White House who brutally intensified sanctions and war, even during the coronavirus era," Rouhani was quoted as saying in the country's state-controlled press.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to build advanced weapons capable of striking Israel and other regional nations.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled new ballistic missile launchers that it says are capable of firing automated missiles. These long-range systems have been an international source of concern due to the great distances they can travel. While Trump has moved to restrict Iran's access to this type of weaponry, a Biden presidency could see restrictions on these missiles lifted, as the Obama administration did when it negotiated the nuclear accord.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Libs Go FULL MELTDOWN Over Trump’s Historic Support Among Minority Voters

Champions of racial diversity were thrilled to see President Donald J. Trump significantly increase his support among minority voters .
Libs , on the other hand , threw a massive tantrum .
Trump , as of Wednesday , was on track to receive a larger share of the non-white vote than any Republican presidential candidate since 1960 .
He increased his support among black , Latino , and Asian voters .
He even doubled his support among LGBTQ voters .
The libs have responded to this triumph of diversity exactly as you might expect .
Having spent the last four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutal regime of `` white supremacy , '' their brains exploded .
Latinos who vote for Trump were immediately reclassified as `` white . ''
Easier to denounce them as racist that way .
Some elected Democrats , including Rep. Ruben Gallego ( D. , Ariz. ) , offered suggestions for how the party might improve its standing with Latino voters .
His first suggestion : Stop using the word `` Latinx , '' woke jargon that appeals to educated white liberals and other party elites but most Latino voters have never heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was promoted despite lying about hackers infiltrating her old blog to plant homophobic , Islamophobic , and anti-Semitic commentary under her byline , proved Gallego 's point by expressing surprise that `` Latinx '' was not `` the preferred term . ''
Trump 's surge of support among LGBTQ voters , meanwhile , was described as `` frightening . ''
Some attributed it to the malevolence of `` white gays '' who could n't be trusted .
New York Times columnist Charles Blow was hardly alone in expressing how `` personally devastating '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support among black men and double his support among black women .
His very normal and level-headed column about the election results was headlined : `` Exit Polls Point to the Power of White Patriarchy . ''
Democrats could ask themselves why minority voters are drifting away from the party and try to modify their behavior to strengthen their appeal among those voters , or they could keep screaming about white supremacy .
Their initial response suggests a preference for the latter option .

Champions of racial diversity were thrilled to see President Donald J. Trump significantly increase his support among minority voters. Libs, on the other hand, threw a massive tantrum.
Trump, as of Wednesday, was on track to receive a larger share of the non-white vote than any Republican presidential candidate since 1960. He increased his support among black, Latino, and Asian voters. He even doubled his support among LGBTQ voters.
The libs have responded to this triumph of diversity exactly as you might expect. Having spent the last four years insisting that Trump was enacting a brutal regime of "white supremacy," their brains exploded. Latinos who vote for Trump were immediately reclassified as "white." Easier to denounce them as racist that way.
A lot of those 'brown people" are white https://t.co/18j869KDuB — Jonathan Myerson Katz (@KatzOnEarth) November 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1323788477071302657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Some elected Democrats, including Rep. Ruben Gallego (D., Ariz.), offered suggestions for how the party might improve its standing with Latino voters. His first suggestion: Stop using the word "Latinx," woke jargon that appeals to educated white liberals and other party elites but most Latino voters have never heard.
MSNBC's Joy Reid, who was promoted despite lying about hackers infiltrating her old blog to plant homophobic, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic commentary under her byline, proved Gallego's point by expressing surprise that "Latinx" was not "the preferred term."
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/1324076121034543109?s=20
Trump's surge of support among LGBTQ voters, meanwhile, was described as "frightening." Some attributed it to the malevolence of "white gays" who couldn't be trusted.
This increase in LGBTQ+ support for Trump is frightening to see. https://t.co/2yveKiVVCW — Out Magazine (@outmagazine) November 4, 2020
Also, the percentage of LGBT voting for Trump doubled from 2016. DOUBLED!!! This is why LGBT people of color don’t really trust the white gays. Yes, I said what I said. Period. pic.twitter.com/4SS4c4z76f — Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) November 4, 2020
New York Times columnist Charles Blow was hardly alone in expressing how "personally devastating" it was to see Trump improve his support among black men and double his support among black women. His very normal and level-headed column about the election results was headlined: "Exit Polls Point to the Power of White Patriarchy."
This is so personally devastating to me: the black male vote for Trump INCREASED from 13% in 2016 to 18% this year. The black female vote for Trump doubled from 4% in 2016 to 8% this year. pic.twitter.com/PvIM26Pz19 — Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) November 4, 2020
Democrats could ask themselves why minority voters are drifting away from the party and try to modify their behavior to strengthen their appeal among those voters, or they could keep screaming about white supremacy. Their initial response suggests a preference for the latter option.
While we can analyze the uptick of support in certain ethnic groups, the story of this election is that the majority of white people chose to protect and enable white supremacy over what was best for the country. They chose racism, and cruelty. https://t.co/91934Ed7VU — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) November 4, 2020
If you’re focusing on and questioning why minorities who make up small outlier percentages in Miami or parts of Texas voted for Trump but ignoring the tens of millions of white people nationwide who voted for Trump, you might be missing an underlying and serious issue at play. — Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) November 4, 2020
What if they’re performing racist acts like supporting Trump? Then what do I do, white person? https://t.co/9D6Y8sWXeZ — Young Daddy (@Toure) November 4, 2020


freebeacon--2020-11-05--All Eyes on Georgia

All Eyes on Georgia

Party control of the Senate appears likely to hinge on two Georgia runoff races in January , after all the candidates in both races failed to secure a majority of votes in Tuesday 's elections .
The two leading competitors for the Georgia special election seat—Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican senator Kelly Loeffler—are headed to a runoff race on Jan. 5 , 2021 .
Incumbent senator David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) appears he will also be forced to a January runoff with Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff as he has fallen below the 50-percent barrier .
Now the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peach State , as the two contests will determine Senate control if Joe Biden is elected president .
With Republicans ahead in the North Carolina and Alaska Senate contests , Democrats will have to win both Georgia contests to force a 50-50 tie , with a hypothetical Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tiebreaker .
The looming runoff elections are sure to bring massive campaign funding and national political muscle into the race with Senate control at stake .
The same scenario has played out in Georgia the last two times ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away Republican control of the White House .
On both occasions , the Republican Senate hopeful in Georgia won .
`` It 's the third time in a couple decades where you have a Senate runoff [ in Georgia ] right after the presidential election , that quick turnaround , that first test of what voters think of the new political alignment in Washington , '' NBC News analyst Steve Kornacki told the Washington Free Beacon .
Loeffler , a former business executive , was appointed to the seat earlier this year after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired for health reasons .
She spent much of the campaign ignoring Warnock while training fire on Republican congressman Doug Collins to secure her spot in the runoff .
Despite their attacks on one another during the campaign , Collins endorsed her after missing the runoff , a key sign of GOP unity .
Perdue and Ossoff , meanwhile , have been in a tight race for months .
In a statement , Perdue campaign manager Ben Fry touted Perdue 's popular vote advantage over Ossoff and predicted victory .
`` If overtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been counted , we 're ready , and we will win , '' he said .
`` It is clear that more Georgians believe that David Perdue ‘ s positive vision for the future direction of our country is better than Chuck Schumer 's radical , socialist agenda . ''
Georgia is no stranger to runoff elections .
In 2008 , a Democratic wave year , Sen. Saxby Chambliss ( R. , Ga. ) was forced into a runoff with Democrat Jim Martin .
Democrats , already delighted with Barack Obama 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punted on the race as Chambliss cruised to a 15-point victory .
In 1992 , the race also went to a runoff between Democratic senator Wyche Fowler and Republican challenger Paul Coverdell .
President-elect Bill Clinton had just carried Georgia three weeks earlier and visited the state again to help push Fowler over the finish line , but Coverdell prevailed by 1.3 points on Nov. 25 , 1992 .
It was a message that Georgia voters wanted a check on the president , who like Obama would enter office with healthy majorities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coverdell and Chambliss 's runoff victories , overall turnout , particularly among black voters , plummeted from the general election .
`` The real question in the runoff is what 's going to happen with the black voters , are they going to return , or is there going to be a drop-off with black turnout ? ''
University of Georgia political science professor Trey Hood told the Free Beacon .
`` There 's going to be money thrown at it no matter what because it 'll be the only thing going .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 105 million attacking or supporting Perdue and Ossoff during the general election , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
They spent about $ 20 million on Loeffler , Warnock , and Collins in a race that was always expected to go to a runoff .
Experts expect spending from both parties to be enormous for the final stretch .
`` I ca n't even begin to think of a number that would be big enough for what it would be , '' Kornacki said .
`` Everybody who has spent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in , day out , that compulsion is not going to go away . ''
No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Georgia since conservative Democrat Zell Miller in 2000 .
Trump has a narrow lead over Biden in Georgia , but the advantage is narrowing as more absentee ballots are counted .
Biden 's closeness in Georgia tracks with a long trend in favor of Democrats since 2000 .
President George W. Bush won the state by double digits in 2000 and 2004 , and John McCain and Mitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , respectively , despite losing their general elections .
But in 2016 , Trump won by only 5 points .
In 2018 , Democrat Stacey Abrams lost by just 1.4 points to Republican Brian Kemp in the state 's gubernatorial race .
Hood said not to call it a blue state just yet , though .
`` Republicans control the governorship , all statewide constitutional offices , majorities in the legislature , both U.S. Senate seats , '' said the University of Georgia professor .
`` I 've already heard people saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains to be seen .
It 's definitely a red state right now . ''
Georgia 's political change mirrors its demographic ones .
As its population has increased over the past generation , Georgia has become increasingly diverse .
It went from 69.1 percent white to 53.6 percent white from 1992 to 2020 , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
At the same time , the black percentage of the population increased from 27.3 to 31.4 .
A Woods & Poole Economics study estimated whites will be less than 50 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @

Party control of the Senate appears likely to hinge on two Georgia runoff races in January, after all the candidates in both races failed to secure a majority of votes in Tuesday's elections.
The two leading competitors for the Georgia special election seat—Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican senator Kelly Loeffler—are headed to a runoff race on Jan. 5, 2021. Incumbent senator David Perdue (R., Ga.) appears he will also be forced to a January runoff with Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff as he has fallen below the 50-percent barrier.
Now the political world's attention will focus on the Peach State, as the two contests will determine Senate control if Joe Biden is elected president. With Republicans ahead in the North Carolina and Alaska Senate contests, Democrats will have to win both Georgia contests to force a 50-50 tie, with a hypothetical Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tiebreaker.
The looming runoff elections are sure to bring massive campaign funding and national political muscle into the race with Senate control at stake. The same scenario has played out in Georgia the last two times (1992 and 2008) a Democrat wrested away Republican control of the White House. On both occasions, the Republican Senate hopeful in Georgia won.
"It's the third time in a couple decades where you have a Senate runoff [in Georgia] right after the presidential election, that quick turnaround, that first test of what voters think of the new political alignment in Washington," NBC News analyst Steve Kornacki told the Washington Free Beacon.
Loeffler, a former business executive, was appointed to the seat earlier this year after Georgia senator Johnny Isakson (R.) retired for health reasons. She spent much of the campaign ignoring Warnock while training fire on Republican congressman Doug Collins to secure her spot in the runoff. Despite their attacks on one another during the campaign, Collins endorsed her after missing the runoff, a key sign of GOP unity. Perdue and Ossoff, meanwhile, have been in a tight race for months.
In a statement, Perdue campaign manager Ben Fry touted Perdue's popular vote advantage over Ossoff and predicted victory.
"If overtime is required when all of the votes have been counted, we're ready, and we will win," he said. "It is clear that more Georgians believe that David Perdue's positive vision for the future direction of our country is better than Chuck Schumer's radical, socialist agenda."
Georgia is no stranger to runoff elections. In 2008, a Democratic wave year, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R., Ga.) was forced into a runoff with Democrat Jim Martin. Democrats, already delighted with Barack Obama's victory and large majorities in Congress, punted on the race as Chambliss cruised to a 15-point victory.
In 1992, the race also went to a runoff between Democratic senator Wyche Fowler and Republican challenger Paul Coverdell. President-elect Bill Clinton had just carried Georgia three weeks earlier and visited the state again to help push Fowler over the finish line, but Coverdell prevailed by 1.3 points on Nov. 25, 1992. It was a message that Georgia voters wanted a check on the president, who like Obama would enter office with healthy majorities in the House and Senate.
In both Coverdell and Chambliss's runoff victories, overall turnout, particularly among black voters, plummeted from the general election.
"The real question in the runoff is what's going to happen with the black voters, are they going to return, or is there going to be a drop-off with black turnout?" University of Georgia political science professor Trey Hood told the Free Beacon. "There's going to be money thrown at it no matter what because it'll be the only thing going."
Outside groups spent more than $105 million attacking or supporting Perdue and Ossoff during the general election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. They spent about $20 million on Loeffler, Warnock, and Collins in a race that was always expected to go to a runoff.
Experts expect spending from both parties to be enormous for the final stretch.
"I can't even begin to think of a number that would be big enough for what it would be," Kornacki said. "Everybody who has spent the last four years living and breathing politics day in, day out, that compulsion is not going to go away."
No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Georgia since conservative Democrat Zell Miller in 2000.
Trump has a narrow lead over Biden in Georgia, but the advantage is narrowing as more absentee ballots are counted. Biden's closeness in Georgia tracks with a long trend in favor of Democrats since 2000. President George W. Bush won the state by double digits in 2000 and 2004, and John McCain and Mitt Romney carried it by 6 and 8 points, respectively, despite losing their general elections.
But in 2016, Trump won by only 5 points. In 2018, Democrat Stacey Abrams lost by just 1.4 points to Republican Brian Kemp in the state's gubernatorial race.
Hood said not to call it a blue state just yet, though.
"Republicans control the governorship, all statewide constitutional offices, majorities in the legislature, both U.S. Senate seats," said the University of Georgia professor. "I've already heard people saying it's a purple state. That remains to be seen. It's definitely a red state right now."
Georgia's political change mirrors its demographic ones. As its population has increased over the past generation, Georgia has become increasingly diverse. It went from 69.1 percent white to 53.6 percent white from 1992 to 2020, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. At the same time, the black percentage of the population increased from 27.3 to 31.4. A Woods & Poole Economics study estimated whites will be less than 50 percent of the state population by 2033.


freebeacon--2020-11-05--Russia, China, Iran Mock American Election Returns

Russian and Iranian officials , along with Chinese media , continue to mock the uncertainty of the American presidential election .
`` Obvious shortcomings of the American electoral system are evident , '' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told CBS .
Those shortcomings , she said , are `` partly due to the archaic nature of the relevant legislation and the lack of regulation in a number of fundamental points . ''
Russia has made a serious and extended effort to undermine the American public 's confidence in the election .
In September , the FBI sanctioned a cabal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 and 2018 elections , and federal authorities continue to crack down on Russian efforts to spread disinformation .
`` The incumbent president , who is supposed to hold the elections , says this is the most-rigged U.S. election throughout history , '' Khamenei said , apparently not realizing that the American president does not administer the vote .
`` Such an empire will not last long . ''
On the eve of the election , Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told American media that Tehran sees Joe Biden as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also engaged in a disinformation campaign to undermine American foreign policy on Israel and Saudi Arabia .
Bloomberg News reported Thursday that U.S. authorities shut down 92 websites associated with Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for spreading disinformation .
While the Chinese Communist Party has made no official statement on the election 's ambiguous returns , institutions associated with Beijing have weighed in .
One state-owned Chinese periodical concluded that `` so-called US-style democracy has descended into a joke , '' and the state-affiliated Global Times claimed that Chinese citizens watch American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` comicalness . ''

Russian and Iranian officials, along with Chinese media, continue to mock the uncertainty of the American presidential election.
"Obvious shortcomings of the American electoral system are evident," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told CBS. Those shortcomings, she said, are "partly due to the archaic nature of the relevant legislation and the lack of regulation in a number of fundamental points."
Russia has made a serious and extended effort to undermine the American public's confidence in the election. In September, the FBI sanctioned a cabal of Russian hackers who had interfered in the 2016 and 2018 elections, and federal authorities continue to crack down on Russian efforts to spread disinformation.
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei also mocked the American election.
"The incumbent president, who is supposed to hold the elections, says this is the most-rigged U.S. election throughout history," Khamenei said, apparently not realizing that the American president does not administer the vote. "Such an empire will not last long."
On the eve of the election, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told American media that Tehran sees Joe Biden as the "more promising" candidate. Iran also engaged in a disinformation campaign to undermine American foreign policy on Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Bloomberg News reported Thursday that U.S. authorities shut down 92 websites associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for spreading disinformation.
While the Chinese Communist Party has made no official statement on the election's ambiguous returns, institutions associated with Beijing have weighed in.
One state-owned Chinese periodical concluded that "so-called US-style democracy has descended into a joke," and the state-affiliated Global Times claimed that Chinese citizens watch American election coverage for "laughs" and "comicalness."