freebeacon--2020-10-06--Campus Coronavirus Shutdowns May Hurt Dems in Swing States

College campuses that once reliably boosted Democratic candidates in key swing states have seen voter registration rates plunge amid coronavirus shutdowns , public data show .
Universities across the country have embraced online-only classes or `` hybrid '' learning models in response to the pandemic .
Those restrictions , a Washington Free Beacon review of voter registration data found , have likely dealt a blow to Democrats in some of the most competitive election races in the country .
New voter registrations in the vicinity of seven major public universities in Wisconsin , Michigan , Ohio , and North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked-down college campus , in other words , could help determine the 2020 election , as thousands of students either vote from their home states or do not register at all .
That could be a setback for Democratic contender Joe Biden , and for Democrats down-ballot , given the party 's overwhelming popularity with America 's most liberal and least politically engaged age group .
Official data show that voter registrations have plummeted across seven large public universities that boast a cumulative population of more than 270,000 voting-age students in four swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading up to the November election was a key time for voter sign-ups , with the seven colleges averaging 100 to 200 new registrations every week following the resumption of fall classes .
One , the University of Wisconsin Madison , saw more than 1,700 new registrations in the first week of October alone .
What was once a river has become a trickle with average weekly registrations dropping below 40 on campuses .
In the weeks since the start of the semester , cumulative registrations fell 94 percent at Ohio University and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voter enthusiasm was high at many of the same schools prior to pandemic shutdowns .
The early spring saw registration figures that matched or outpaced 2016—suggesting that were it not for the pandemic and ensuing restrictions , campuses would have proved a ripe source of voters yet again .
To reach these conclusions , the Free Beacon analyzed publicly available voter registration data .
College students were identified based on their precinct of registration , which was either determined based on proximity to campus or from information published by the universities themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it affords a reasonable proxy for comparing 2020 's trends with the 2016 election .
The seven colleges for which the Free Beacon obtained data have responded to the pandemic differently .
Some , like the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill , have gone entirely remote , while others , like Ohio State University , have adapted a partially in-person , partially online `` hybrid '' model .
In all cases , however , the start of these measures—whether at the start of the semester or when schools officially went remote—coincided with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with the same week in 2016 .
Campus political activists have felt the phenomenon as they work to turn out the roughly 6 in 10 college students who do not vote .
One College Democrats president and two College Republicans board members confirmed to the Free Beacon that their respective groups have struggled with on-campus registration since the start of the semester .
Madi Mrzygod , president of the College Democrats at North Carolina State University , agreed that voter registration numbers looked better in 2016 .
`` It is sad to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go vote by literally handing them a registration form and watching them fill it out , but we do have social media on our side , '' she said .
The collapse of campus registrations could prove a major challenge to Biden , whose path to the White House likely runs through at least a few of the four states .
Trump defeated Hillary Clinton thanks in particular to narrow victories in Wisconsin and Michigan , where he won by 23,000 and 11,000 votes , respectively .
By comparison , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,300 Michigan State students registered by the end of 2016 ; less than half as many have registered so far this year , which could set Biden further back in states he needs desperately to win .
The decline in registrations could hurt Biden and Democrats more generally because theirs is the party with which young people and the college-educated are overwhelmingly more likely to affiliate .
In the 2018 midterms , for example , 18- to 29-year-olds broke for Democrats by a 49-percentage-point margin , while college grads generally favored them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk is Rep. Elissa Slotkin ( D. , Mich. ) , whose district is home to Michigan State University .
Slotkin , a freshman Democrat , is seen as a rising star in her party but faces a serious challenge in a district that went for Trump by 7 percentage points in 2016 .
That tension was apparent late last year when Slotkin attracted ire from her constituents for saying she would vote for the House 's impeachment of Trump .
Jack Harrison , communications director for the Michigan State College Republicans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of energy for Republicans in the district , and he predicts high turnout in spite of the restrictions .
`` We have clearly seen more Republican candidates knocking doors and contacting voters , which I believe will translate into strong turnout for Republican candidates , '' Harrison said .
`` Specific to [ our ] youth vote , I know Senate candidate John James continues to be popular . ''
College shutdowns may have already helped shape the 2020 election cycle .
A progressive candidate for Ohio 's Third Congressional District—home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cancel in-person classes for her campaign 's ultimate defeat .
Candidate Morgan Harper , who lost by more than 21,000 votes , said campus shutdowns were a form of voter suppression .

College campuses that once reliably boosted Democratic candidates in key swing states have seen voter registration rates plunge amid coronavirus shutdowns, public data show.
Universities across the country have embraced online-only classes or "hybrid" learning models in response to the pandemic. Those restrictions, a Washington Free Beacon review of voter registration data found, have likely dealt a blow to Democrats in some of the most competitive election races in the country. New voter registrations in the vicinity of seven major public universities in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and North Carolina have plummeted compared with 2016.
The locked-down college campus, in other words, could help determine the 2020 election, as thousands of students either vote from their home states or do not register at all. That could be a setback for Democratic contender Joe Biden, and for Democrats down-ballot, given the party's overwhelming popularity with America's most liberal and least politically engaged age group.
Official data show that voter registrations have plummeted across seven large public universities that boast a cumulative population of more than 270,000 voting-age students in four swing states. In 2016, the fall leading up to the November election was a key time for voter sign-ups, with the seven colleges averaging 100 to 200 new registrations every week following the resumption of fall classes. One, the University of Wisconsin Madison, saw more than 1,700 new registrations in the first week of October alone.
What was once a river has become a trickle with average weekly registrations dropping below 40 on campuses. In the weeks since the start of the semester, cumulative registrations fell 94 percent at Ohio University and 93 percent at Michigan State University.
Voter enthusiasm was high at many of the same schools prior to pandemic shutdowns. The early spring saw registration figures that matched or outpaced 2016—suggesting that were it not for the pandemic and ensuing restrictions, campuses would have proved a ripe source of voters yet again.
To reach these conclusions, the Free Beacon analyzed publicly available voter registration data. College students were identified based on their precinct of registration, which was either determined based on proximity to campus or from information published by the universities themselves. Though this approach offers imperfect identification, it affords a reasonable proxy for comparing 2020's trends with the 2016 election.
The seven colleges for which the Free Beacon obtained data have responded to the pandemic differently. Some, like the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, have gone entirely remote, while others, like Ohio State University, have adapted a partially in-person, partially online "hybrid" model. In all cases, however, the start of these measures—whether at the start of the semester or when schools officially went remote—coincided with a conspicuous drop in weekly registrations, compared with the same week in 2016.
Campus political activists have felt the phenomenon as they work to turn out the roughly 6 in 10 college students who do not vote. One College Democrats president and two College Republicans board members confirmed to the Free Beacon that their respective groups have struggled with on-campus registration since the start of the semester.
Madi Mrzygod, president of the College Democrats at North Carolina State University, agreed that voter registration numbers looked better in 2016.
"It is sad to see that we cannot encourage people to go vote by literally handing them a registration form and watching them fill it out, but we do have social media on our side," she said.
The collapse of campus registrations could prove a major challenge to Biden, whose path to the White House likely runs through at least a few of the four states. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton thanks in particular to narrow victories in Wisconsin and Michigan, where he won by 23,000 and 11,000 votes, respectively. By comparison, more than 5,000 University of Wisconsin students and more than 1,300 Michigan State students registered by the end of 2016; less than half as many have registered so far this year, which could set Biden further back in states he needs desperately to win.
The decline in registrations could hurt Biden and Democrats more generally because theirs is the party with which young people and the college-educated are overwhelmingly more likely to affiliate. In the 2018 midterms, for example, 18- to 29-year-olds broke for Democrats by a 49-percentage-point margin, while college grads generally favored them by a 17-point advantage.
Similarly at risk is Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D., Mich.), whose district is home to Michigan State University. Slotkin, a freshman Democrat, is seen as a rising star in her party but faces a serious challenge in a district that went for Trump by 7 percentage points in 2016. That tension was apparent late last year when Slotkin attracted ire from her constituents for saying she would vote for the House's impeachment of Trump.
Jack Harrison, communications director for the Michigan State College Republicans, told the Free Beacon there is still plenty of energy for Republicans in the district, and he predicts high turnout in spite of the restrictions.
"We have clearly seen more Republican candidates knocking doors and contacting voters, which I believe will translate into strong turnout for Republican candidates," Harrison said. "Specific to [our] youth vote, I know Senate candidate John James continues to be popular."
College shutdowns may have already helped shape the 2020 election cycle. A progressive candidate for Ohio's Third Congressional District—home to Ohio State University—blamed the university's decision to cancel in-person classes for her campaign's ultimate defeat. Candidate Morgan Harper, who lost by more than 21,000 votes, said campus shutdowns were a form of voter suppression.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Liberals Turn to ‘Decoy’ Group To Defend Montana’s Bullock on Guns

Liberal megadonors in Washington , D.C. , and California are bankrolling an astroturf campaign designed to deflect criticism of Montana Democratic governor Steve Bullock 's embrace of gun control .
Montana Hunters and Anglers Leadership Fund recently released an ad saying Bullock `` took on liberals in his own party '' to protect gun rights .
The group 's website claims to be `` all about ensuring that Montanans have places to hunt and fish , '' asking for donations from `` Montana sportsmen and women '' in order to `` stand up for your unique world class Montana outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anglers is funded almost exclusively by liberal interest groups and liberal megadonors in D.C. and California .
It has raised $ 100,000 in the 2020 cycle , with all of the money coming from Silicon Valley physician Karla Jurvetson , who has spent more than $ 31 million backing Democrats in the last two decades .
The group 's treasurer , Barrett Kaiser , is a partner at Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions and previously served as a `` senior advisor '' to Bullock 's 2012 gubernatorial campaign , according to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running to unseat Republican senator Steve Daines , has scrambled to defend his record on guns in conservative Montana .
The Democrat embraced an array of gun-control measures during a failed presidential campaign , in which he told CNN that he supports banning assault weapons , restricting magazine sizes , and instituting red flag laws .
Those positions earned Bullock an `` F '' rating from the National Rifle Association , while Daines received an `` A+ '' rating .
Montana Shooting Sports Association president Gary Marbut called Montana Hunters and Anglers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grassroots , pro-Second Amendment organization in order to undermine gun rights .
`` They 're a decoy group that operates in Montana only during election season , '' Marbut told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` They 're resurrected to try and generate political cover for liberal candidates . ''
The group did not return request for comment .
While Montana Hunters and Anglers ' latest financial disclosure only shows Jurvetson 's $ 100,000 donation , the group has spent more than $ 400,000 in 2020 to produce ads and mailers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top vendor is Progressive Strategies , a Democratic consulting firm that also assists Planned Parenthood and the shadowy liberal donors club Democracy Alliance .
Montana Hunters and Anglers ' most recent ad features Jock Conyngham , a Montana resident who calls himself a `` gun guy '' and says he is `` tired of all the lies about Steve Bullock 's record . ''
Conyngham donated $ 500 to Bullock 's Senate campaign in May and also contributed to his presidential campaign in August 2019 .
He is a frequent critic of Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump—who won Montana by more than 20 points in 2016—an `` embarrassment '' whose `` assholicism will catch up to him '' in a 2018 tweet .
Montana Hunters and Anglers Leadership Fund was launched in the 2012 cycle and has helped to siphon votes from Republican candidates in past elections .
It spent more than $ 1.1 million to boost libertarian Senate candidate Dan Cox—whom the group labeled the `` true conservative '' of the race ; nearly all of its funds came from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of left-wing advocacy groups based in Washington , D.C. Cox went on to receive nearly 32,000 votes despite raising less than $ 50,000 during the campaign .
After winning the election by roughly 18,000 votes , Sen. John Tester ( D. , Mont . )
told ProPublica that groups like Montana Hunters and Anglers `` were helpful '' in delivering his victory .
The group 's ad echoed the message that Bullock has used to defend his record on the campaign trail .
In an August ad , Bullock said he `` believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bear arms '' and `` took on Democrats in Washington to defend it . ''
Daines criticized Bullock on the issue weeks later during a September debate .
`` I have an A+ from the NRA , '' Daines said .
`` Steve Bullock has an F. '' The Bullock campaign did not return request for comment .

Liberal megadonors in Washington, D.C., and California are bankrolling an astroturf campaign designed to deflect criticism of Montana Democratic governor Steve Bullock's embrace of gun control.
Montana Hunters and Anglers Leadership Fund recently released an ad saying Bullock "took on liberals in his own party" to protect gun rights. The group's website claims to be "all about ensuring that Montanans have places to hunt and fish," asking for donations from "Montana sportsmen and women" in order to "stand up for your unique world class Montana outdoor heritage."
But Montana Hunters and Anglers is funded almost exclusively by liberal interest groups and liberal megadonors in D.C. and California. It has raised $100,000 in the 2020 cycle, with all of the money coming from Silicon Valley physician Karla Jurvetson, who has spent more than $31 million backing Democrats in the last two decades. The group's treasurer, Barrett Kaiser, is a partner at Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions and previously served as a "senior advisor" to Bullock's 2012 gubernatorial campaign, according to his online biography.
Bullock, who is running to unseat Republican senator Steve Daines, has scrambled to defend his record on guns in conservative Montana. The Democrat embraced an array of gun-control measures during a failed presidential campaign, in which he told CNN that he supports banning assault weapons, restricting magazine sizes, and instituting red flag laws. Those positions earned Bullock an "F" rating from the National Rifle Association, while Daines received an "A+" rating.
Montana Shooting Sports Association president Gary Marbut called Montana Hunters and Anglers a "decoy group" that poses as a grassroots, pro-Second Amendment organization in order to undermine gun rights.
"They're a decoy group that operates in Montana only during election season," Marbut told the Washington Free Beacon. "They're resurrected to try and generate political cover for liberal candidates."
The group did not return request for comment.
While Montana Hunters and Anglers' latest financial disclosure only shows Jurvetson's $100,000 donation, the group has spent more than $400,000 in 2020 to produce ads and mailers that support Bullock and attack Daines. Its top vendor is Progressive Strategies, a Democratic consulting firm that also assists Planned Parenthood and the shadowy liberal donors club Democracy Alliance.
Montana Hunters and Anglers' most recent ad features Jock Conyngham, a Montana resident who calls himself a "gun guy" and says he is "tired of all the lies about Steve Bullock's record." Conyngham donated $500 to Bullock's Senate campaign in May and also contributed to his presidential campaign in August 2019. He is a frequent critic of Republicans on social media, calling President Donald Trump—who won Montana by more than 20 points in 2016—an "embarrassment" whose "assholicism will catch up to him" in a 2018 tweet.
Montana Hunters and Anglers Leadership Fund was launched in the 2012 cycle and has helped to siphon votes from Republican candidates in past elections. It spent more than $1.1 million to boost libertarian Senate candidate Dan Cox—whom the group labeled the "true conservative" of the race; nearly all of its funds came from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and America Votes Action Fund, a pair of left-wing advocacy groups based in Washington, D.C. Cox went on to receive nearly 32,000 votes despite raising less than $50,000 during the campaign. After winning the election by roughly 18,000 votes, Sen. John Tester (D., Mont.) told ProPublica that groups like Montana Hunters and Anglers "were helpful" in delivering his victory.
The group's ad echoed the message that Bullock has used to defend his record on the campaign trail. In an August ad, Bullock said he "believe[s] in our individual right to bear arms" and "took on Democrats in Washington to defend it." Daines criticized Bullock on the issue weeks later during a September debate.
"I have an A+ from the NRA," Daines said. "Steve Bullock has an F."
The Bullock campaign did not return request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-10-06--Chuck Schumer Wanted a Boring White Dude Locked in a Basement. Cal Cunningham Had Other Ideas.

Lesson learned .
The next time Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) tries to lock a male Democrat in a basement , he 'll make sure to take away his cell phone .
Cal Cunningham was Schumer 's handpicked candidate to run for Senate in North Carolina .
Reports indicated Schumer 's ideal candidate to challenge incumbent senator Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) would be as boring as possible and spend the entire campaign `` in a windowless basement raising money '' for `` negative ads about Tillis . ''
Apparently , Schumer forgot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side chicks because Cunningham—a married father of two—was recently caught exchanging flirty messages with a married woman in California .
In fairness to Cunningham , the sexts themselves are rather boring , especially compared with the antics of the Democratic Party 's more prominent philanderers .
`` You are historically sexy , '' Cunningham texted his secret mistress , reported to be Arlene Guzman Todd , who is married to an Army sergeant who served in Iraq and Afghanistan .
`` I want to kiss you , '' she responded .
Cunningham replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot . ''
They discussed ditching his family and campaign staff to meet up for a night and `` kiss a lot , '' which Cunningham said sounded `` wonderful '' and was something he wanted `` very badly . ''
The Washington Free Beacon alum who unearthed the sexting scandal late last week reported Monday that Cunningham may have had an extramarital relationship with a second woman .
Cunningham , who admitted sending the sexts and apologized for having `` hurt my family , '' has refused to drop out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eager to show his face in public .
A town hall event scheduled for Monday afternoon was canceled after Cunningham backed out .
The North Carolina Senate race , already one of the most hotly contested of the cycle , has experienced a sudden infusion of drama over the past few days .
In addition to the Cunningham sext scandal , Tillis announced last week that he tested positive for COVID-19 .
The outcome of the race could ultimately determine which party controls the Senate in 2021 .
Schumer and the Democratic establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was already a qualified candidate in the race even before Cunningham announced his campaign .
Erica Smith , a state senator and former Boeing engineer , tried to become the first black woman to win a statewide election in North Carolina but lost the primary after the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee endorsed Cunningham .
Smith alleged that Democratic officials explicitly promised her that they would n't endorse in the primary and suggested that race was a factor in the decision to back Cunningham .
`` Sen. Schumer , for whatever reason , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Senate in North Carolina , '' Smith said during a campaign event in January .
Schumer got exactly what he wanted .
In light of recent events , however , he might be starting to regret his decision to value racial purity above all else .
Lesson learned .

Lesson learned. The next time Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) tries to lock a male Democrat in a basement, he'll make sure to take away his cell phone.
Cal Cunningham was Schumer's handpicked candidate to run for Senate in North Carolina. Reports indicated Schumer's ideal candidate to challenge incumbent senator Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) would be as boring as possible and spend the entire campaign "in a windowless basement raising money" for "negative ads about Tillis."
Apparently, Schumer forgot to throw in a prohibition on sexting side chicks because Cunningham—a married father of two—was recently caught exchanging flirty messages with a married woman in California. In fairness to Cunningham, the sexts themselves are rather boring, especially compared with the antics of the Democratic Party's more prominent philanderers.
"You are historically sexy," Cunningham texted his secret mistress, reported to be Arlene Guzman Todd, who is married to an Army sergeant who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I want to kiss you," she responded. Cunningham replied that he would "kiss back ... a lot." They discussed ditching his family and campaign staff to meet up for a night and "kiss a lot," which Cunningham said sounded "wonderful" and was something he wanted "very badly."
The Washington Free Beacon alum who unearthed the sexting scandal late last week reported Monday that Cunningham may have had an extramarital relationship with a second woman. Cunningham, who admitted sending the sexts and apologized for having "hurt my family," has refused to drop out of the race, but doesn't appear eager to show his face in public. A town hall event scheduled for Monday afternoon was canceled after Cunningham backed out.
The North Carolina Senate race, already one of the most hotly contested of the cycle, has experienced a sudden infusion of drama over the past few days. In addition to the Cunningham sext scandal, Tillis announced last week that he tested positive for COVID-19. The outcome of the race could ultimately determine which party controls the Senate in 2021.
Schumer and the Democratic establishment didn't have to pick Cunningham. There was already a qualified candidate in the race even before Cunningham announced his campaign. Erica Smith, a state senator and former Boeing engineer, tried to become the first black woman to win a statewide election in North Carolina but lost the primary after the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee endorsed Cunningham.
Smith alleged that Democratic officials explicitly promised her that they wouldn't endorse in the primary and suggested that race was a factor in the decision to back Cunningham. "Sen. Schumer, for whatever reason, did not want an African American running for Senate in North Carolina," Smith said during a campaign event in January.
Schumer got exactly what he wanted. In light of recent events, however, he might be starting to regret his decision to value racial purity above all else. Lesson learned.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Tides Center Funnels $170 Million in Taxpayer Money to Left-Wing Groups

Nearly $ 170 million in government grants has passed through a liberal dark money behemoth that houses numerous left-wing groups , including the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation , tax forms show .
The taxpayer-funded grants were disbursed to groups through the Tides Center , a San Francisco-based nonprofit incubator that wealthy liberal donors use to bankroll progressive causes .
A number of radical left-wing groups have fallen under the auspices of the Tides Center , which acts as a `` fiscal sponsor '' to nonprofits by providing its 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) tax and legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under its umbrella avoid registering with the IRS .
The grants went to liberal initiatives housed at the Tides Center over a 17-year span between 2001 and 2018 and have steadily increased over time , according to a review of the center 's tax data .
`` The Tides Center is as liberal and politically active as they come ; its entire purpose is to create new activist groups , '' said Scott Walter , president of the Capital Research Center .
`` For example , we recently revealed that the Tides Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , one of the top groups in the Marxist-led BLM movement .
It 's fair to question whether tax dollars sourced from all Americans should flow to nonprofits that have such an open ideological axe to grind . ''
Walter noted that the Tides Center 's recipient profile on USASpending.gov , which posts government grants , shows $ 34 million in federal funding since 2008 .
The grants were primarily from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Health and Human Services .
While USASpending is meant to inform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from and where they are going , it contains incomplete data .
During the period of time in which the website says the Tides Center received $ 34 million in federal funding , the group 's own tax forms show that it had received $ 139 million in government grants .
The total annual sum of government grants awarded to projects at the Tides Center has steadily risen over the years .
In 2001 , the Tides Center reported $ 3.4 million in such grants on its tax forms .
By 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19.2 million , which was nearly 15 percent of the $ 137 million it reported in total grants and contributions that year .
The $ 170 million in government funding was disbursed to projects between that time .
Due to the Tides Center 's set up as a fiscal sponsor with numerous nonprofits that fall below it , it is virtually impossible to pinpoint where the government grants end up .
Tides did not respond to an inquiry on the funding .
The Tides Center was launched in 1996 as an offshoot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established for the left to utilize the practice of dark money spending .
It has since spawned a plethora of left-wing groups and has acted as an anonymous funding avenue for some of the nation 's most prolific Democratic donors .
In addition to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation , the Tides Center also acts as a fiscal sponsor to the Alliance for Safety and Justice , a social justice organization that benefited from $ 2 million in grants awarded from the National Football League in 2019 .
It has acted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anti-free trade , gun-control , and abortion-rights groups .
Since its inception in 1976 , Tides has `` scaled more than 1,400 social ventures , fueled social change in 120+ countries , and mobilized more than $ 3 billion for impact , '' according to its website .
The far-reaching network—referred to as the Tides Nexus—is a complex set up of eight nonprofit entities .
Each of these entities serves a different purpose—from fiscally sponsoring progressive groups to advocacy efforts—and include the Tides Foundation , Tides Center , Tides Network , Tides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivers Fund , Tides Canada Foundation , and the Harding Rock Fund .
Oftentimes these groups pass funds among each other .
The Tides Center 's 2018 tax forms show that it pushed seven figures over to the Tides Foundation for general support and projects .
The Tides Foundation , likewise , pushed millions to both Tides Advocacy and the Tides Center .
Hundreds of thousands more went to the Tides Network , the controlling organization of the Tides Center and Tides Foundation .
The Tides Foundation itself shelled out $ 291 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefited numerous outside left-wing groups such as America Votes , Center for Community Change , Center for Popular Democracy , Indivisible Project , and Planned Parenthood , among many others .
Democratic donors have pushed large sums to Tides primarily through their own grant-making foundations .
Millions have been given from the likes of George Soros 's Open Society Foundations , Ford Foundation , Robert Wood Johnson Foundation , Rockefeller Brothers Fund , W.K .
Kellogg Foundation , and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation .
The Tides setup has also been emulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including those at Arabella Advisors , a D.C.-based consulting company that manages four nonprofits that act as fiscal sponsors to liberal groups and initiatives .
The Arabella-managed funds—the Sixteen Thirty Fund , New Venture Fund , Hopewell Fund , and the Windward Fund—have facilitated more than a billion dollars in anonymous funding to liberal groups and causes since President Trump took office .
In fact , the Tides Foundation reported sending hundreds of thousands to the Hopewell Fund , nearly $ 1 million to the New Venture Fund , and tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its most recent tax forms .

Nearly $170 million in government grants has passed through a liberal dark money behemoth that houses numerous left-wing groups, including the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, tax forms show.
The taxpayer-funded grants were disbursed to groups through the Tides Center, a San Francisco-based nonprofit incubator that wealthy liberal donors use to bankroll progressive causes. A number of radical left-wing groups have fallen under the auspices of the Tides Center, which acts as a "fiscal sponsor" to nonprofits by providing its 501(c)(3) tax and legal status. This arrangement lets the groups under its umbrella avoid registering with the IRS.
The grants went to liberal initiatives housed at the Tides Center over a 17-year span between 2001 and 2018 and have steadily increased over time, according to a review of the center's tax data.
"The Tides Center is as liberal and politically active as they come; its entire purpose is to create new activist groups," said Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center. "For example, we recently revealed that the Tides Center sponsors the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, one of the top groups in the Marxist-led BLM movement. It's fair to question whether tax dollars sourced from all Americans should flow to nonprofits that have such an open ideological axe to grind."
Walter noted that the Tides Center's recipient profile on USASpending.gov, which posts government grants, shows $34 million in federal funding since 2008. The grants were primarily from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Health and Human Services. While USASpending is meant to inform the public of where government grants are coming from and where they are going, it contains incomplete data. During the period of time in which the website says the Tides Center received $34 million in federal funding, the group's own tax forms show that it had received $139 million in government grants.
The total annual sum of government grants awarded to projects at the Tides Center has steadily risen over the years. In 2001, the Tides Center reported $3.4 million in such grants on its tax forms. By 2018, the number shot up to $19.2 million, which was nearly 15 percent of the $137 million it reported in total grants and contributions that year. The $170 million in government funding was disbursed to projects between that time. Due to the Tides Center's set up as a fiscal sponsor with numerous nonprofits that fall below it, it is virtually impossible to pinpoint where the government grants end up. Tides did not respond to an inquiry on the funding.
The Tides Center was launched in 1996 as an offshoot of the Tides Foundation, the first network established for the left to utilize the practice of dark money spending. It has since spawned a plethora of left-wing groups and has acted as an anonymous funding avenue for some of the nation's most prolific Democratic donors.
In addition to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the Tides Center also acts as a fiscal sponsor to the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a social justice organization that benefited from $2 million in grants awarded from the National Football League in 2019. It has acted as an incubation house for numerous environmental, anti-free trade, gun-control, and abortion-rights groups.
Since its inception in 1976, Tides has "scaled more than 1,400 social ventures, fueled social change in 120+ countries, and mobilized more than $3 billion for impact," according to its website. The far-reaching network—referred to as the Tides Nexus—is a complex set up of eight nonprofit entities. Each of these entities serves a different purpose—from fiscally sponsoring progressive groups to advocacy efforts—and include the Tides Foundation, Tides Center, Tides Network, Tides Advocacy, Tides Inc., Tides Two Rivers Fund, Tides Canada Foundation, and the Harding Rock Fund.
Oftentimes these groups pass funds among each other. The Tides Center's 2018 tax forms show that it pushed seven figures over to the Tides Foundation for general support and projects. The Tides Foundation, likewise, pushed millions to both Tides Advocacy and the Tides Center. Hundreds of thousands more went to the Tides Network, the controlling organization of the Tides Center and Tides Foundation. The Tides Foundation itself shelled out $291 million in grants that year, which primarily benefited numerous outside left-wing groups such as America Votes, Center for Community Change, Center for Popular Democracy, Indivisible Project, and Planned Parenthood, among many others.
Democratic donors have pushed large sums to Tides primarily through their own grant-making foundations. Millions have been given from the likes of George Soros's Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
The Tides setup has also been emulated by other large-scale liberal dark money networks, including those at Arabella Advisors, a D.C.-based consulting company that manages four nonprofits that act as fiscal sponsors to liberal groups and initiatives.
The Arabella-managed funds—the Sixteen Thirty Fund, New Venture Fund, Hopewell Fund, and the Windward Fund—have facilitated more than a billion dollars in anonymous funding to liberal groups and causes since President Trump took office. In fact, the Tides Foundation reported sending hundreds of thousands to the Hopewell Fund, nearly $1 million to the New Venture Fund, and tens of thousands to the Sixteen Thirty Fund on its most recent tax forms.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Colorado Dem Campaigns as a Moderate, Obscuring Radical Record

Mitsch Bush backed Green New Deal , Medicare for All in failed 2018 run Colorado Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush has backtracked on her past support for Medicare for All and the Green New Deal in an effort to win over voters in a highly contested swing district .
When Mitsch Bush ran for Colorado 's Third Congressional District in 2018 , she pushed for a Green New Deal and Medicare for All .
Bush now condemns both policies , removing them from her current platform in order to campaign as a `` pragmatic progressive '' on the trail .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect our environment and prevent climate change , so it ’ s a triple whammy , '' she said of a Green New Deal in 2018 .
Mitsch Bush now says otherwise , claiming the radical environmentalist legislation `` does nothing . ''
`` [ The Green New Deal ] shows remarkable insensitivity to the kinds of issues we face in rural Colorado , '' she told Colorado Public Radio on Friday .
The candidate employed similar rhetoric as she backed away from her past support for Medicare for All .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care a `` right , '' assuring voters she would work toward expanding national health care policy .
Mitsch Bush has walked back that stance , emphasizing that she would only fight to safeguard Obamacare , rather than push for a public option .
Mitsch Bush did not respond to a request for comment .
The Colorado Republican Party accused Mitsch Bush of misrepresenting her record , as well as dodging public debates with Republican nominee Lauren Boebert .
`` Diane Mitsch Bush is refusing to leave her basement or debate Lauren Boebert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend her extreme campaign platform , which is based on her support for the costly Green New Deal and Medicare for All , '' Colorado GOP spokesman Joe Jackson told the Washington Free Beacon .
Mitsch Bush has painted herself as a `` pragmatic progressive '' since winning the Democratic primary by running to the left of her primary opponents .
She has said in interviews she spent her career as a legislator reaching across the aisle .
Her support for radical causes , however , stretches beyond 2018 .
As early as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These Times , a pro-union magazine founded by an avowed socialist .
Mitsch Bush donated for at least two more years , until 2003 .
She further pledged to never accept any corporate PAC money for her campaign to demonstrate her commitment to Colorado residents .
The longtime state lawmaker 's record , however , does not hold up to her claims of bipartisanship and pragmatism , nor does her previous campaign financing .
Her last congressional bid netted thousands from liberal groups such as Swing Left , EdPAC , Emily ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In April 2020 , federal filings showed that Mitsch Bush took donations from Planned Parenthood Action Fund—the political arm of the billion-dollar abortion provider .
Mitsch Bush lost her 2018 race to Rep. Scott Tipton ( R. , Colo. ) by 8 points .
She is now running against political outsider and pro-gun mother Lauren Boebert , who edged out Tipton in the GOP primary .
Cook Political Report rates the race , `` leans Republican . ''

Colorado Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush has backtracked on her past support for Medicare for All and the Green New Deal in an effort to win over voters in a highly contested swing district.
When Mitsch Bush ran for Colorado's Third Congressional District in 2018, she pushed for a Green New Deal and Medicare for All. Bush now condemns both policies, removing them from her current platform in order to campaign as a "pragmatic progressive" on the trail.
"You’re creating jobs and helping to protect our environment and prevent climate change, so it’s a triple whammy," she said of a Green New Deal in 2018. Mitsch Bush now says otherwise, claiming the radical environmentalist legislation "does nothing."
"[The Green New Deal] shows remarkable insensitivity to the kinds of issues we face in rural Colorado," she told Colorado Public Radio on Friday.
The candidate employed similar rhetoric as she backed away from her past support for Medicare for All. In 2018, the candidate called affordable health care a "right," assuring voters she would work toward expanding national health care policy. Mitsch Bush has walked back that stance, emphasizing that she would only fight to safeguard Obamacare, rather than push for a public option.
Mitsch Bush did not respond to a request for comment.
The Colorado Republican Party accused Mitsch Bush of misrepresenting her record, as well as dodging public debates with Republican nominee Lauren Boebert.
"Diane Mitsch Bush is refusing to leave her basement or debate Lauren Boebert because she knows that she can't defend her extreme campaign platform, which is based on her support for the costly Green New Deal and Medicare for All," Colorado GOP spokesman Joe Jackson told the Washington Free Beacon.
Mitsch Bush has painted herself as a "pragmatic progressive" since winning the Democratic primary by running to the left of her primary opponents. She has said in interviews she spent her career as a legislator reaching across the aisle. Her support for radical causes, however, stretches beyond 2018. As early as 1999, Mitsch Bush donated to In These Times, a pro-union magazine founded by an avowed socialist. Mitsch Bush donated for at least two more years, until 2003.
She further pledged to never accept any corporate PAC money for her campaign to demonstrate her commitment to Colorado residents. The longtime state lawmaker's record, however, does not hold up to her claims of bipartisanship and pragmatism, nor does her previous campaign financing. Her last congressional bid netted thousands from liberal groups such as Swing Left, EdPAC, Emily’s List, and the Sierra Club. In April 2020, federal filings showed that Mitsch Bush took donations from Planned Parenthood Action Fund—the political arm of the billion-dollar abortion provider.
Mitsch Bush lost her 2018 race to Rep. Scott Tipton (R., Colo.) by 8 points. She is now running against political outsider and pro-gun mother Lauren Boebert, who edged out Tipton in the GOP primary. Cook Political Report rates the race, "leans Republican."


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Iranian Terror Proxies Prop Up Venezuela’s Maduro, Report Says

A network of Iranian terror proxy groups operating in Latin America , including Hezbollah , are providing the resources necessary for dictator Nicolas Maduro 's regime in Venezuela to flourish , according to a new investigation released on Wednesday .
Maduro 's oppressive regime has faced down months of U.S. opposition and sanctions by forming `` an extensive relationship with several foreign terrorist organizations , including Hezbollah and its terror sponsor the Islamic Republic of Iran , '' according to a new report published by the Atlantic Council and the Center for a Secure Free Society , a national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on keeping the anti-U.S. Maduro in power and solidifying Iran 's terrorist footprint in Latin America , which has long served as an operational hub for Hezbollah forces .
Iran has found an ally in Maduro , who has accepted millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil in recent months—a central lifeline for the isolated Venezuelan regime .
In return , Maduro has opened Venezuela 's borders to Iranian operatives and terror affiliates like Hezbollah , according to the report .
Details about this relationship are likely to renew concerns about Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which could pose a direct threat to the American homeland .
Hezbollah 's operations in Latin America—which include drug trafficking and other illicit activities—have provided the group with significant cash resources and the ability to evade international sanctions .
The blossoming relationship with Maduro has fortified the Iranian terror group 's operations in the region and paved the way for Hezbollah 's External Security Organization to embed itself into Venezuela 's economy .
`` The Hezbollah support network in Venezuela is embedded to the Maduro regime 's illicit economies of drugs , weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving through a trade-based money-laundering network ( TBML ) based out of Colombia and Panama , '' according to the report .
The relationship between Iran and Venezuela has grown in concert with Hezbollah , as evidenced earlier this year by Iran 's sanctions-busting voyage into North American waters .
Iranian oil tankers arrived in Venezuela in late May , fueling worries about a potential confrontation between the Trump administration and Tehran .
Iran , through its national Mahan Air , made 17 trips to Venezuela in the span of two months this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran nearly half a billion dollars in gold bars as part of a scheme known as `` oil for gold . ''
`` For far too long , the mounting presence of Iran and Hezbollah in Venezuela and Latin America has been ignored by the international community , '' Joseph Humire , the report 's author and executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society , told the Free Beacon .
`` This presence is now part of the tragedy in Venezuela , in a similar way that Iran and Hezbollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst refugee crisis .
Venezuela is not yet there , but unless circumstances change , the Maduro regime will continue to benefit from the illicit network that props up his regime and prolong the Western Hemisphere 's worst humanitarian crisis . ''
Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is also active in Venezuela and Latin America .
The regime 's paramilitary force is able to operate in Venezuela `` due to the heightened capability of Hezbollah ’ s support network , '' according to the report .
`` Hezbollah 's influence within , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives Iran a gateway to grow its footprint in Venezuela . ''
Much of this operation hinges on Venezuela 's petroleum industry , which has welcomed Hezbollah into the fold .
Tareck El Aissami Maddah , Venezuela 's minister of petroleum , is said to have facilitated this illicit network , according to the report .
By integrating itself into Venezuela 's rogue economy , Hezbollah and other Iranian affiliates have been able to launder the money needed to fund their operations .
Hezbollah has gained the ability to obtain `` countless government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , allowing the terror group 's operatives unfettered travel across the region .
Portions of this network were exposed by the Trump administration 's Department of Justice in late May when it indicted Adel El Zabayar , a former member of Venezuela 's National Assembly , for allegedly working to establish `` a crime-terror pipeline that the Maduro regime used to facilitate a ‘ cocaine-for-weapons ' scheme between Hezbollah and Colombia 's FARC . ''
Over several years , Hezbollah has formed a network of independent cells in Venezuela that use the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including drug trafficking .
This is done with the Maduro regime 's protection , according to the report .

A network of Iranian terror proxy groups operating in Latin America, including Hezbollah, are providing the resources necessary for dictator Nicolas Maduro's regime in Venezuela to flourish, according to a new investigation released on Wednesday.
Maduro's oppressive regime has faced down months of U.S. opposition and sanctions by forming "an extensive relationship with several foreign terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah and its terror sponsor the Islamic Republic of Iran," according to a new report published by the Atlantic Council and the Center for a Secure Free Society, a national security think tank.
The relationship is centered on keeping the anti-U.S. Maduro in power and solidifying Iran's terrorist footprint in Latin America, which has long served as an operational hub for Hezbollah forces. Iran has found an ally in Maduro, who has accepted millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil in recent months—a central lifeline for the isolated Venezuelan regime. In return, Maduro has opened Venezuela's borders to Iranian operatives and terror affiliates like Hezbollah, according to the report. Details about this relationship are likely to renew concerns about Iran's operations near the U.S. southern border, which could pose a direct threat to the American homeland.
Hezbollah's operations in Latin America—which include drug trafficking and other illicit activities—have provided the group with significant cash resources and the ability to evade international sanctions. The blossoming relationship with Maduro has fortified the Iranian terror group's operations in the region and paved the way for Hezbollah's External Security Organization to embed itself into Venezuela's economy.
"The Hezbollah support network in Venezuela is embedded to the Maduro regime's illicit economies of drugs, weapons, gold, contraband, etc. moving through a trade-based money-laundering network (TBML) based out of Colombia and Panama," according to the report.
The relationship between Iran and Venezuela has grown in concert with Hezbollah, as evidenced earlier this year by Iran's sanctions-busting voyage into North American waters. Iranian oil tankers arrived in Venezuela in late May, fueling worries about a potential confrontation between the Trump administration and Tehran. Iran, through its national Mahan Air, made 17 trips to Venezuela in the span of two months this year. Maduro's regime reportedly paid Iran nearly half a billion dollars in gold bars as part of a scheme known as "oil for gold."
"For far too long, the mounting presence of Iran and Hezbollah in Venezuela and Latin America has been ignored by the international community," Joseph Humire, the report's author and executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society, told the Free Beacon. "This presence is now part of the tragedy in Venezuela, in a similar way that Iran and Hezbollah helped turn Syria into the world's worst refugee crisis. Venezuela is not yet there, but unless circumstances change, the Maduro regime will continue to benefit from the illicit network that props up his regime and prolong the Western Hemisphere's worst humanitarian crisis."
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is also active in Venezuela and Latin America. The regime's paramilitary force is able to operate in Venezuela "due to the heightened capability of Hezbollah’s support network," according to the report. "Hezbollah's influence within, and infiltration of, Lebanese expat communities gives Iran a gateway to grow its footprint in Venezuela."
Much of this operation hinges on Venezuela's petroleum industry, which has welcomed Hezbollah into the fold. Tareck El Aissami Maddah, Venezuela's minister of petroleum, is said to have facilitated this illicit network, according to the report. By integrating itself into Venezuela's rogue economy, Hezbollah and other Iranian affiliates have been able to launder the money needed to fund their operations.
Hezbollah has gained the ability to obtain "countless government ID documents" from the Maduro regime, allowing the terror group's operatives unfettered travel across the region.
Portions of this network were exposed by the Trump administration's Department of Justice in late May when it indicted Adel El Zabayar, a former member of Venezuela's National Assembly, for allegedly working to establish "a crime-terror pipeline that the Maduro regime used to facilitate a 'cocaine-for-weapons' scheme between Hezbollah and Colombia's FARC."
Over several years, Hezbollah has formed a network of independent cells in Venezuela that use the country as a hub for illegal activities, including drug trafficking. This is done with the Maduro regime's protection, according to the report.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--AOC Incorrectly Credits Black Panthers for Founding School Lunch Programs

New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. ) incorrectly attributed the founding of free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs in public schools to the radical Black Panther Party on Wednesday .
Ocasio-Cortez posted a photo to her Instagram story with a caption that said the Black Panthers ' Free Breakfast for School Children Program , which began in 1969 , created a national push to provide elementary students with free meals .
`` Did you know : If you or anyone you know ever benefited from free & reduced school lunch , you ’ ve likely benefited from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Ocasio-Cortez said in the post .
Federal programs to provide both breakfast and lunch to students , especially those in need , began years before the Panthers launched their free breakfast program in 1969 .
The National School Lunch Program , which provides free or reduced-price lunches to impoverished students , began in 1946 under President Harry S. Truman .
And the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 allocated federal funding through Health and Human Services to provide funding to public schools to serve breakfast to students .
The Black Panther Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1966 and is known for embracing radical ideology—one of its founders said the `` Black Power '' movement that the group embodied sought to `` smash '' Western civilization—and repeatedly clashing with police .
While civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and others condemned the group 's violent tactics , some , such as Ocasio-Cortez , praise the militant organization for providing free meals and medical services to the black community as the United States desegregated .
The FBI still calls the Panthers a `` black extremist '' organization that `` advocated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overthrow the U.S .
government . ''
Other falsehoods about the Black Panther Party ’ s role in creating federal assistance programs spread in 2018 , when a photo crediting the group for creating the WIC program , which provides food assistance to women and children , circulated online .
Ocasio-Cortez , one of four far-left House Democrats known as `` the Squad , '' was first elected to represent New York 's 14th Congressional District in 2018 .
Since then , she and her fellow leftist `` Squad '' members have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D. , Calif. ) and more moderate Democrats .

New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.) incorrectly attributed the founding of free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs in public schools to the radical Black Panther Party on Wednesday.
Ocasio-Cortez posted a photo to her Instagram story with a caption that said the Black Panthers' Free Breakfast for School Children Program, which began in 1969, created a national push to provide elementary students with free meals.
"Did you know: If you or anyone you know ever benefited from free & reduced school lunch, you’ve likely benefited from the work and legacy of the Black Panthers?" Ocasio-Cortez said in the post.
Federal programs to provide both breakfast and lunch to students, especially those in need, began years before the Panthers launched their free breakfast program in 1969. The National School Lunch Program, which provides free or reduced-price lunches to impoverished students, began in 1946 under President Harry S. Truman. And the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 allocated federal funding through Health and Human Services to provide funding to public schools to serve breakfast to students.
The Black Panther Party began in Oakland, Calif., in 1966 and is known for embracing radical ideology—one of its founders said the "Black Power" movement that the group embodied sought to "smash" Western civilization—and repeatedly clashing with police. While civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and others condemned the group's violent tactics, some, such as Ocasio-Cortez, praise the militant organization for providing free meals and medical services to the black community as the United States desegregated.
The FBI still calls the Panthers a "black extremist" organization that "advocated the use of violence and guerilla tactics to overthrow the U.S. government." Other falsehoods about the Black Panther Party’s role in creating federal assistance programs spread in 2018, when a photo crediting the group for creating the WIC program, which provides food assistance to women and children, circulated online.
Ocasio-Cortez, one of four far-left House Democrats known as "the Squad," was first elected to represent New York's 14th Congressional District in 2018. Since then, she and her fellow leftist "Squad" members have repeatedly squabbled with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and more moderate Democrats.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Bombshell WaPo Investigation Reveals Amy Coney Barrett Is a Christian

A blockbuster Washington Post investigation revealed that Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett served `` on the board of a @ @ @ @ @ '' affiliated with the group People of Praise .
The group 's shocking beliefs include @ @ @ @ @ between men and women should be respected and given cultural expression . ''
It even @ @ @ @ @ Barrett to `` give advice to other women on issues such as child rearing and @ @ @

A blockbuster Washington Post investigation revealed that Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett served "on the board of a network of private Christian schools" affiliated with the group People of Praise.
The group's shocking beliefs include the idea that "differences between men and women should be respected and given cultural expression." It even expects female leaders such as Barrett to "give advice to other women on issues such as child rearing and marriage."


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Georgia Dem Undermines Promise to Reject Corporate PAC Money, Taking Thousands From the Groups They

Georgia Dem Undermines Promise to Reject Corporate PAC Money, Taking Thousands From the Groups They Fund

Those donations to Warnock include $ 10,000 from Sen. Chris Coons 's ( Del . )
Blue Hen PAC , Sen. Tim Kaine 's ( Va. ) Common Ground PAC , Sen. Brian Schatz 's ( Hawaii ) Hawaii PAC , and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse 's ( R.I. ) Oceans PAC , all of which have been powered by corporate PAC money , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Corporate PAC-backed leadership PACs affiliated with Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) , Sen. Ed Markey ( D. , Mass . )
, Rep. Adam Schiff ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen other Democrats have also pumped thousands to Warnock .
Warnock has boasted on Twitter he will not accept corporate cash , and his campaign website also says he rejects it because of the influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies in Washington .
Those same leadership PACs that have donated to Warnock , however , have accepted more than $ 650,000 from PACs affiliated with the pharmaceutical and health product industries .
Warnock did not respond to a request for comment .
He is the leading Democrat in the crowded jungle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R. , Ga. ) seat , which is likely headed to a runoff between the top two finishers on Nov. 3 .
The race is critical to determining party control of the U.S. Senate .
Fellow Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff , who is running in a separate race against Sen. David Perdue ( R. , Ga. ) , has also campaigned on his opposition to corporate PAC money , but he too has accepted leadership PAC donations funded by corporate PAC cash .
Warnock raised $ 12.8 million in the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attract more national attention .
Among his supporters are Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .

Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock has accepted more than $140,000 from Democratic leadership PACs funded by corporate PAC money he claims to reject.
Those donations to Warnock include $10,000 from Sen. Chris Coons's (Del.) Blue Hen PAC, Sen. Tim Kaine's (Va.) Common Ground PAC, Sen. Brian Schatz's (Hawaii) Hawaii PAC, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's (R.I.) Oceans PAC, all of which have been powered by corporate PAC money, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Corporate PAC-backed leadership PACs affiliated with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.), Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.), and more than a dozen other Democrats have also pumped thousands to Warnock.
Warnock has boasted on Twitter he will not accept corporate cash, and his campaign website also says he rejects it because of the influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies in Washington. Those same leadership PACs that have donated to Warnock, however, have accepted more than $650,000 from PACs affiliated with the pharmaceutical and health product industries.
Warnock did not respond to a request for comment. He is the leading Democrat in the crowded jungle election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R., Ga.) seat, which is likely headed to a runoff between the top two finishers on Nov. 3. The race is critical to determining party control of the U.S. Senate.
Fellow Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff, who is running in a separate race against Sen. David Perdue (R., Ga.), has also campaigned on his opposition to corporate PAC money, but he too has accepted leadership PAC donations funded by corporate PAC cash.
Warnock raised $12.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 as he began to attract more national attention. Among his supporters are Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--FLASHBACK: Highlight of Kamala Harris’s Debating Career Was DESTROYING Joe Biden

Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) will face off against Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday in perhaps the most consequential VP debate in American history .
It 's possible that one of them could end up being sworn in as president in January 2021 .
President Donald Trump recently waged a historically successful campaign to defeat the coronavirus inside of his own body .
Joe Biden 's old age and cognitive deficiencies are well documented , but he lacks critical firsthand experience with the Chinese virus that has ravaged the globe .
As a result , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , and both campaigns are pulling out all the stops .
Harris comes into the debate on Wednesday fresh off a failed campaign for president in which she did n't receive a single vote despite being widely praised in the media for `` inspiring '' voters .
Her performances in the Democratic primary debates were unmemorable save for two moments that briefly captured the public 's attention : 1 ) the time she OWNED her future running mate for cavorting with racists and 2 ) the time Tulsi Gabbard OWNED Harris with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Beacon .
Harris briefly joined the `` top tier '' of Democratic primary candidates after slamming Biden 's record on race relations during a June 2019 debate .
`` It was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations on the segregation of race in this country , '' Harris told Biden .
`` You also worked with them to oppose busing . ''
Biden had repeatedly cited his work with lawmakers who supported racial segregation as an example of why he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When pressed on the issue , Biden refused to apologize or back down despite widespread condemnation from the rest of the Democratic field .
`` That 's a [ incomprehensible ] of my position across the board , '' Biden said in response to Harris 's attack .
`` I did not praise racists . ''
The exchange redounded to Harris 's benefit and briefly propelled her to second place in the RealClearPolitics polling average .
Alas , her campaign utterly collapsed in the months that followed .
Biden , meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decidedly mediocre campaign .
Racism likely played a role , according to experts .
The demise of Harris 's campaign was precipitated in part by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard 's ( D. , Hawaii ) dismantling of the former California attorney general 's record on criminal justice , particularly as it related to marijuana-involved convictions .
Citing a Free Beacon report , Gabbard attacked Harris for putting more than 1,500 people in jail for marijuana offenses while joking about smoking pot herself during a podcast interview .
`` Senator Harris said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that she 'll be a prosecutor president but I 'm deeply concerned about this record , '' Gabbard said during a primary debate on July 31 , 2019 .
Harris ended her campaign just four months later , while Gabbard remained in the race until March 2020 .

Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) will face off against Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday in perhaps the most consequential VP debate in American history. It's possible that one of them could end up being sworn in as president in January 2021.
President Donald Trump recently waged a historically successful campaign to defeat the coronavirus inside of his own body. Joe Biden's old age and cognitive deficiencies are well documented, but he lacks critical firsthand experience with the Chinese virus that has ravaged the globe. As a result, the VP candidates are actually somewhat relevant this year, and both campaigns are pulling out all the stops.
The Trump campaign is leaving a ticket for Tupac Shakur at tonight’s VP debate because Kamala Harris called him her favorite rapper alive — Amber Athey (@amber_athey) October 7, 2020
Harris comes into the debate on Wednesday fresh off a failed campaign for president in which she didn't receive a single vote despite being widely praised in the media for "inspiring" voters. Her performances in the Democratic primary debates were unmemorable save for two moments that briefly captured the public's attention: 1) the time she OWNED her future running mate for cavorting with racists and 2) the time Tulsi Gabbard OWNED Harris with marijuana facts first reported by the Washington Free Beacon.
Harris briefly joined the "top tier" of Democratic primary candidates after slamming Biden's record on race relations during a June 2019 debate. "It was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations on the segregation of race in this country," Harris told Biden. "You also worked with them to oppose busing."
Biden had repeatedly cited his work with lawmakers who supported racial segregation as an example of why he was the most qualified candidate in the race. When pressed on the issue, Biden refused to apologize or back down despite widespread condemnation from the rest of the Democratic field. "That's a [incomprehensible] of my position across the board," Biden said in response to Harris's attack. "I did not praise racists."
The exchange redounded to Harris's benefit and briefly propelled her to second place in the RealClearPolitics polling average. Alas, her campaign utterly collapsed in the months that followed. Biden, meanwhile, managed to win the primary despite running a decidedly mediocre campaign. Racism likely played a role, according to experts.
The demise of Harris's campaign was precipitated in part by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's (D., Hawaii) dismantling of the former California attorney general's record on criminal justice, particularly as it related to marijuana-involved convictions. Citing a Free Beacon report, Gabbard attacked Harris for putting more than 1,500 people in jail for marijuana offenses while joking about smoking pot herself during a podcast interview.
"Senator Harris said she was proud of her record as a prosecutor and that she'll be a prosecutor president but I'm deeply concerned about this record," Gabbard said during a primary debate on July 31, 2019. Harris ended her campaign just four months later, while Gabbard remained in the race until March 2020.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--DOJ Brings Charges Over Mail-In Ballots Found in Dumpsters

A New Jersey postal worker was arrested Wednesday for dumping almost a hundred mail-in ballots into dumpsters in multiple towns .
The Justice Department charged Nicholas Beauchene , a 26-year-old mail carrier with `` one count of delay , secretion , or detention of mail and one count of obstruction of mail '' for discarding approximately 1,875 pieces of mail on his route .
The discarded mail included `` 99 general election ballots '' and was recovered from dumpsters in two different New Jersey townships .
Beauchene faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $ 250,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months in prison and a $ 5,000 fine for obstruction of mail .
And with weeks left until Election Day , problems with mail-in ballots are flaring up in other parts of New Jersey and across the country , intensifying concerns about errors and fraud affecting results in November .
On Monday , almost 7,000 voters in Teaneck , N.J. , received misprinted mail-in ballots that swapped their congressional district 's race for a neighboring one , rendering the ballots useless .
Bergen County election officials are working to rectify the mistakes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will soon be sent out .
They recommended voters shred the misprinted ballots .
These are just the latest problems in the Garden State regarding the efficacy and authenticity of mail-in voting , as elected leaders were charged with fraud in a special election in Paterson this summer .
A judge eventually nullified the entire process , ruling that a new vote would take place in November .
New Jersey is also not the only state making news this week for its mishandling of mail-in ballots .
Over the weekend in Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ localities were broken into .
Virginia election officials announced the break-ins Monday .
`` Six outdoor mail collection boxes were broken into sometime between Saturday afternoon and this morning , '' Virginia officials said in a statement .
`` At this time , the United States Postal Service is investigating .
Neither the Department nor USPS has any information about whether any election mail was contained in the boxes . ''
Officials urged voters to contact USPS if they dropped mail into the boxes between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning .
Mail-in ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battles around the country as Election Day nears .
The Nevada Republican Party asked federal law enforcement to investigate a Culinary Union chapter for illegally tampering with mailboxes while canvassing for Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Republicans are also challenging election officials in Minnesota and Michigan for saying they would allow ballots to be counted past Election Day even if they are not postmarked .

A New Jersey postal worker was arrested Wednesday for dumping almost a hundred mail-in ballots into dumpsters in multiple towns.
The Justice Department charged Nicholas Beauchene, a 26-year-old mail carrier with "one count of delay, secretion, or detention of mail and one count of obstruction of mail" for discarding approximately 1,875 pieces of mail on his route. The discarded mail included "99 general election ballots" and was recovered from dumpsters in two different New Jersey townships.
Beauchene faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for delay of mail and six months in prison and a $5,000 fine for obstruction of mail. And with weeks left until Election Day, problems with mail-in ballots are flaring up in other parts of New Jersey and across the country, intensifying concerns about errors and fraud affecting results in November.
On Monday, almost 7,000 voters in Teaneck, N.J., received misprinted mail-in ballots that swapped their congressional district's race for a neighboring one, rendering the ballots useless. Bergen County election officials are working to rectify the mistakes and say they will only count corrected ballots that will soon be sent out. They recommended voters shred the misprinted ballots.
These are just the latest problems in the Garden State regarding the efficacy and authenticity of mail-in voting, as elected leaders were charged with fraud in a special election in Paterson this summer. A judge eventually nullified the entire process, ruling that a new vote would take place in November.
New Jersey is also not the only state making news this week for its mishandling of mail-in ballots. Over the weekend in Virginia, mail collection boxes in three different localities were broken into. Virginia election officials announced the break-ins Monday.
"Six outdoor mail collection boxes were broken into sometime between Saturday afternoon and this morning," Virginia officials said in a statement. "At this time, the United States Postal Service is investigating. Neither the Department nor USPS has any information about whether any election mail was contained in the boxes."
Officials urged voters to contact USPS if they dropped mail into the boxes between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.
Mail-in ballots are also the subject of various legal battles around the country as Election Day nears.
The Nevada Republican Party asked federal law enforcement to investigate a Culinary Union chapter for illegally tampering with mailboxes while canvassing for Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Republicans are also challenging election officials in Minnesota and Michigan for saying they would allow ballots to be counted past Election Day even if they are not postmarked.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Cuomo Uses 14-Year-Old Photo to Accuse Orthodox Jews of Violating Coronavirus Restrictions

New York governor Andrew Cuomo ( D. ) used a 14-year-old photo of a large Orthodox Jewish gathering to criticize the religious community for failing to abide by his coronavirus health guidelines .
The photo , which was taken at a funeral in 2006 , was included in a slide show at a press conference on Monday , during which Cuomo announced new restrictions on schools , businesses , and religious gatherings .
He wrongly said the photo was taken in the `` past couple of weeks '' and said it was `` emblematic '' of religious groups refusing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` These are pictures from the past couple of weeks and these are just emblematic , '' Cuomo said .
`` You ’ ve all seen pictures like this for weeks .
What did you think was going to happen ?
What did you think was going to happen ?
Religious institutions are mass gatherings and raise the greatest potential . ''
A reporter quickly pointed out the governor ’ s error on Twitter , sharing a screenshot of a 2007 Jerusalem Post article that included the same photo Cuomo included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took the photo at a 2006 funeral for a rabbi in Orange County , New York .
During the press conference , one of the governor ’ s staffers said the other photo was `` more recent . ''
A spokesman for the governor later tweeted that the mistake was a `` staff error . ''
Cuomo implemented additional restrictions on Tuesday .
Gatherings , including religious services , in some communities are limited to 10 or 25 people , based on the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the area .
Hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night , burning masks in the middle of a street in Brooklyn .
Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio ( D. ) have repeatedly sparred with the Jewish community over coronavirus regulations since the pandemic began this spring .
De Blasio threatened to crack down on Jews specifically in a tweet in April , in which he said the NYPD had authority to arrest those participating in large gatherings—though the mayor himself participated in a large gathering in July .
Some Jews in New York have said they 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions , and a group of Jewish lawmakers called the most recent restrictions `` appalling '' and `` unconstitutional '' in a joint statement .

New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D.) used a 14-year-old photo of a large Orthodox Jewish gathering to criticize the religious community for failing to abide by his coronavirus health guidelines.
The photo, which was taken at a funeral in 2006, was included in a slide show at a press conference on Monday, during which Cuomo announced new restrictions on schools, businesses, and religious gatherings. He wrongly said the photo was taken in the "past couple of weeks" and said it was "emblematic" of religious groups refusing to abide by mask and social distancing rules.
"These are pictures from the past couple of weeks and these are just emblematic," Cuomo said. "You’ve all seen pictures like this for weeks. What did you think was going to happen? What did you think was going to happen? Religious institutions are mass gatherings and raise the greatest potential."
A reporter quickly pointed out the governor’s error on Twitter, sharing a screenshot of a 2007 Jerusalem Post article that included the same photo Cuomo included in his slide show. The Associated Press took the photo at a 2006 funeral for a rabbi in Orange County, New York.
Apparently the picture @NYGovCuomo put up in his presentation today of a 'recent" large gathering in Satmar Kiryas Joel is from 2006 — the funeral of Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum in Kiryas Joel! pic.twitter.com/CxGtHhyZUj — Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) October 5, 2020
During the press conference, one of the governor’s staffers said the other photo was "more recent." A spokesman for the governor later tweeted that the mistake was a "staff error."
Cuomo implemented additional restrictions on Tuesday. Gatherings, including religious services, in some communities are limited to 10 or 25 people, based on the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the area. Hundreds of Orthodox Jews protested against the restrictions Tuesday night, burning masks in the middle of a street in Brooklyn.
Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio (D.) have repeatedly sparred with the Jewish community over coronavirus regulations since the pandemic began this spring. De Blasio threatened to crack down on Jews specifically in a tweet in April, in which he said the NYPD had authority to arrest those participating in large gatherings—though the mayor himself participated in a large gathering in July. Some Jews in New York have said they've felt "singled out" by the restrictions, and a group of Jewish lawmakers called the most recent restrictions "appalling" and "unconstitutional" in a joint statement.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Cal Cunningham Threatens to Unseat John Edwards As North Carolina’s Horniest Democrat

Cal Cunningham , the Democratic Party 's controversial nominee for Senate in North Carolina , is threatening to unseat disgraced former Sen. John Edwards ( D. , N.C. ) as the horniest Democrat in the history of the Tar Heel State .
Cunningham , a married father of two , has gone into hiding since becoming embroiled in an extramarital sex scandal that has grown increasingly problematic with each passing day as new information comes to light .
On Tuesday , for example , the Associated Press spoke to one of Cunningham 's alleged mistresses , Arlene Guzman Todd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weird '' sexual relations in Cunningham 's home in North Carolina .
Guzman Todd , who is herself married , also confirmed the authenticity of text messages in which she acknowledged having `` naked photos '' of the Senate candidate in her possession .
The text exchanges , between Guzman Todd and an unnamed friend , reveal that the secret lovers were in contact as recently as August , when Guzman Todd said she wished Cunningham a happy birthday .
`` I want to unwrap you today , '' the candidate responded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was growing frustrated with her relationship with Cunningham , whom she described as `` not even cute enough for me '' and not deserving of her `` p—y . ''
She also described `` trying to make plans to see the politician so I can give him the f— of his life and then walk away . ''
Guzman Todd , who is married to Army Sergeant Jeremy Todd , said the affair with Cunningham , an officer in the Army Reserve , occurred `` during a period of marital separation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgment . ''
The U.S. military considers adultery to be `` unacceptable conduct '' that could be `` service discrediting . ''
On Wednesday , the Army Reserve said it had opened an investigation into Cunningham , who has frequently invoked his service in an effort to portray himself as the `` integrity '' candidate .
Cunningham has dropped off the map since last Friday , when he issued a statement apologizing for having `` hurt my family '' and urging the media to respect his `` privacy . ''
He has declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled an appearance at a town hall event on Monday .
Cunningham is scheduled to appear Wednesday at a virtual fundraiser with Sen. Tammy Duckworth ( D. , Ill. ) .
Cunningham 's opponent , Sen. Thom Tillis ( R. , N.C. ) , has said the Democratic candidate owes voters a `` full and thorough explanation '' of his deviant behavior , a sentiment shared by the Charlotte Observer editorial board .
The newspaper 's editors on Tuesday urged Cunningham to break his silence and `` explain himself . ''
The candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local reporter spotted Cunningham out in public , but the Democrat declined to elaborate on his infidelity .
`` Look , I 've made it clear that I 've hurt my family , and that I 've disappointed my supporters , '' Cunningham said .
`` This campaign is n't about my personal life , it 's about the people of North Carolina . ''
Meanwhile , GOP-aligned outside groups have hit the airwaves with a series of attack ads focused on the sex scandal , including one that suggests North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edwards in the Senate , '' a reference to the legendary philanderer who fathered a love child with a former campaign aide while his wife was undergoing treatment for breast cancer .
Edwards , a Democrat who served as a senator from North Carolina from 1999 to 2005 , and as John Kerry 's running mate in 2004 , was in the running to be Barack Obama 's pick for U.S. attorney general before Edwards admitted to the affair in August 2008 .
Edwards did n't admit to fathering the love child with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010 , less than a year before his wife 's death from cancer .
At the rate things are progressing in the Cunningham scandal , Edwards may have to relinquish his title as North Carolina 's horniest Democrat .
Condolences !

Cal Cunningham, the Democratic Party's controversial nominee for Senate in North Carolina, is threatening to unseat disgraced former Sen. John Edwards (D., N.C.) as the horniest Democrat in the history of the Tar Heel State.
Cunningham, a married father of two, has gone into hiding since becoming embroiled in an extramarital sex scandal that has grown increasingly problematic with each passing day as new information comes to light. On Tuesday, for example, the Associated Press spoke to one of Cunningham's alleged mistresses, Arlene Guzman Todd, who confirmed that the two had "weird" sexual relations in Cunningham's home in North Carolina.
Guzman Todd, who is herself married, also confirmed the authenticity of text messages in which she acknowledged having "naked photos" of the Senate candidate in her possession. The text exchanges, between Guzman Todd and an unnamed friend, reveal that the secret lovers were in contact as recently as August, when Guzman Todd said she wished Cunningham a happy birthday. "I want to unwrap you today," the candidate responded.
According to the texts, Guzman Todd was growing frustrated with her relationship with Cunningham, whom she described as "not even cute enough for me" and not deserving of her "p—y." She also described "trying to make plans to see the politician so I can give him the f— of his life and then walk away."
Guzman Todd, who is married to Army Sergeant Jeremy Todd, said the affair with Cunningham, an officer in the Army Reserve, occurred "during a period of marital separation," and apologized for her "lapse in judgment." The U.S. military considers adultery to be "unacceptable conduct" that could be "service discrediting." On Wednesday, the Army Reserve said it had opened an investigation into Cunningham, who has frequently invoked his service in an effort to portray himself as the "integrity" candidate.
Cunningham has dropped off the map since last Friday, when he issued a statement apologizing for having "hurt my family" and urging the media to respect his "privacy." He has declined interviews with local media outlets, and canceled an appearance at a town hall event on Monday. Cunningham is scheduled to appear Wednesday at a virtual fundraiser with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D., Ill.).
Cunningham's opponent, Sen. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.), has said the Democratic candidate owes voters a "full and thorough explanation" of his deviant behavior, a sentiment shared by the Charlotte Observer editorial board. The newspaper's editors on Tuesday urged Cunningham to break his silence and "explain himself."
The candidate finally broke his silence on Wednesday when a local reporter spotted Cunningham out in public, but the Democrat declined to elaborate on his infidelity. "Look, I've made it clear that I've hurt my family, and that I've disappointed my supporters," Cunningham said. "This campaign isn't about my personal life, it's about the people of North Carolina."
https://twitter.com/joannamrod/status/1313877570090397703
Meanwhile, GOP-aligned outside groups have hit the airwaves with a series of attack ads focused on the sex scandal, including one that suggests North Carolina voters "don't need another John Edwards in the Senate," a reference to the legendary philanderer who fathered a love child with a former campaign aide while his wife was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Edwards, a Democrat who served as a senator from North Carolina from 1999 to 2005, and as John Kerry's running mate in 2004, was in the running to be Barack Obama's pick for U.S. attorney general before Edwards admitted to the affair in August 2008. Edwards didn't admit to fathering the love child with former campaign aide Rielle Hunter until January 2010, less than a year before his wife's death from cancer.
At the rate things are progressing in the Cunningham scandal, Edwards may have to relinquish his title as North Carolina's horniest Democrat. Condolences!


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Iran Boosts Export of Illicit Oil, Watchdog Says

Iran significantly increased its illicit export of heavily sanctioned crude oil , busting through tough U.S. sanctions meant to halt the regime ’ s access to hard currency , according to a watchdog group .
Iranian oil exports peaked at 1.2 million barrels per day in September , a significant increase from the 70,000 barrels per day it was exporting in April , according to United Against Nuclear Iran ( UANI ) , an advocacy group tracking Tehran ’ s efforts to bust U.S. sanctions on its crude oil trade .
New satellite images show the National Iranian Tanker Company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil fleet , engaged in ship-to-ship transfers of crude in the middle of the Persian Gulf .
By offloading supplies in the ocean , Iran can obscure the origin of its crude oil and avoid detection by international observers , according to UANI , which released photographic evidence detailing Iran ’ s actions on Wednesday .
Oil is a key source of income for the Iranian regime , which has seen its access to hard currency dry up under the Trump administration ’ s `` maximum pressure '' campaign .
The Washington Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant uptick in the number of Iranian `` ghost ships '' navigating across the region .
This , too , is part of Iran ’ s efforts to hide ships from the international community and continue raking in profits from the sale of crude oil .
`` This month should serve as a warning to the U.S. Administration : Iran is clearly capable of continuing to export in large quantities despite tightening sanctions enforcement , '' UANI said in a report on its findings .
UANI discovered from satellite imagery that more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were conducted via ship-to-ship transfers around the country ’ s coastline .
At least 20 foreign vessels participated in these transfers with Iran , in direct violation of U.S. sanctions .
In early September , for instance , UANI tracked an Iranian tanker ’ s interaction with a Gabon-flagged ship .
The countries allegedly exchanged crude supplies , prompting UANI to lodge a formal complaint with the Gabonese maritime authority .
This resulted in Gabon removing its flag from the ship in question .
Other transfers have taken place with vessels showing flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Venezuela `` is also continuing to prove a significant and openly defiant destination for Iranian exports , '' according to UANI .
At least two million barrels of Iranian crude reached Venezuela in mid-September , underscoring the increasingly close relationship between Tehran and dictator Nicolas Maduro .

Iran significantly increased its illicit export of heavily sanctioned crude oil, busting through tough U.S. sanctions meant to halt the regime’s access to hard currency, according to a watchdog group.
Iranian oil exports peaked at 1.2 million barrels per day in September, a significant increase from the 70,000 barrels per day it was exporting in April, according to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), an advocacy group tracking Tehran’s efforts to bust U.S. sanctions on its crude oil trade.
New satellite images show the National Iranian Tanker Company, the regime’s heavily sanctioned oil fleet, engaged in ship-to-ship transfers of crude in the middle of the Persian Gulf. By offloading supplies in the ocean, Iran can obscure the origin of its crude oil and avoid detection by international observers, according to UANI, which released photographic evidence detailing Iran’s actions on Wednesday.
Oil is a key source of income for the Iranian regime, which has seen its access to hard currency dry up under the Trump administration’s "maximum pressure" campaign. The Washington Free Beacon first reported in August about a significant uptick in the number of Iranian "ghost ships" navigating across the region. This, too, is part of Iran’s efforts to hide ships from the international community and continue raking in profits from the sale of crude oil.
"This month should serve as a warning to the U.S. Administration: Iran is clearly capable of continuing to export in large quantities despite tightening sanctions enforcement," UANI said in a report on its findings.
UANI discovered from satellite imagery that more than one-third of Iran’s oil exports were conducted via ship-to-ship transfers around the country’s coastline. At least 20 foreign vessels participated in these transfers with Iran, in direct violation of U.S. sanctions.
In early September, for instance, UANI tracked an Iranian tanker’s interaction with a Gabon-flagged ship. The countries allegedly exchanged crude supplies, prompting UANI to lodge a formal complaint with the Gabonese maritime authority. This resulted in Gabon removing its flag from the ship in question.
Other transfers have taken place with vessels showing flags from Saint Kitts and Nevis and Panama.
Venezuela "is also continuing to prove a significant and openly defiant destination for Iranian exports," according to UANI. At least two million barrels of Iranian crude reached Venezuela in mid-September, underscoring the increasingly close relationship between Tehran and dictator Nicolas Maduro.


freebeacon--2020-10-07--Superintendent Who Closed Public Schools Enrolls Child in Private School

Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent Gregory Hutchings pulled one of his children out of his school system—which is conducting classes remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic—and enrolled her in a private school that has in-person teaching .
Hutchings 's daughter is now enrolled at Bishop Ireton , a Catholic high school in Alexandria , Va. , where students learn in person two days each week .
This comes after months of the coronavirus pandemic , which has forced some parents to balance working from home with helping their school-age children with virtual learning .
Hutchings said his family 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school didn ’ t undermine his `` commitment to public education '' but rather was a `` very personal '' choice .
`` Decisions like these are very personal family decisions and are not taken lightly , '' Hutchings said in a statement .
`` This in no way impacts my absolute lifelong commitment to public education , to which I remain as personally dedicated as ever . ''
Hutchings led conversations with other school officials this summer to decide whether the district would resume classes in person or online .
The superintendent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class remotely in part due to issues with school buses as health regulations drastically limit their capacity .
Tuition at Bishop Ireton is $ 16,700 per year for Catholic families and $ 21,100 for non-Catholics .
To maintain social distancing , half of the school 's 784 students attend in-person instruction for two consecutive days , followed by the other half of the student body for the next two days .
When not in class , students are required to log in to virtual classes .
Bishop Ireton has just a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school , T.C .
Williams , which has more than 4,000 enrolled students .
After schools across the country closed this spring following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak , school administrators and state governments this summer grappled with plans to reopen schools this fall .
Though schools in Arkansas , Florida , Iowa , and Texas were ordered to open , school districts in most other states were allowed the flexibility to design their reopening procedures with input from health officials .

Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent Gregory Hutchings pulled one of his children out of his school system—which is conducting classes remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic—and enrolled her in a private school that has in-person teaching.
Hutchings's daughter is now enrolled at Bishop Ireton, a Catholic high school in Alexandria, Va., where students learn in person two days each week. This comes after months of the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced some parents to balance working from home with helping their school-age children with virtual learning.
Hutchings said his family's decision to enroll his daughter in a private school didn’t undermine his "commitment to public education" but rather was a "very personal" choice.
"Decisions like these are very personal family decisions and are not taken lightly," Hutchings said in a statement. "This in no way impacts my absolute lifelong commitment to public education, to which I remain as personally dedicated as ever."
Hutchings led conversations with other school officials this summer to decide whether the district would resume classes in person or online. The superintendent previously said the district decided to conduct class remotely in part due to issues with school buses as health regulations drastically limit their capacity.
Tuition at Bishop Ireton is $16,700 per year for Catholic families and $21,100 for non-Catholics. To maintain social distancing, half of the school's 784 students attend in-person instruction for two consecutive days, followed by the other half of the student body for the next two days. When not in class, students are required to log in to virtual classes. Bishop Ireton has just a fraction of the student population of Alexandria's public high school, T.C. Williams, which has more than 4,000 enrolled students.
After schools across the country closed this spring following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, school administrators and state governments this summer grappled with plans to reopen schools this fall. Though schools in Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, and Texas were ordered to open, school districts in most other states were allowed the flexibility to design their reopening procedures with input from health officials.