freebeacon--2020-08-27--Cotton’s RNC Speech Set to Blast Joe Biden’s Foreign Policy Record

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
will savage Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s track record on foreign policy issues in a speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night , according to an advance copy obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
The Arkansas senator , who has become a top ally of President Donald Trump ’ s , will focus on Biden ’ s decision making in three major areas : China , the Middle East , and his overall grand strategy .
In the Middle East and otherwise , Biden ’ s caution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Republicans as places of Biden ’ s potential vulnerability .
On China , Cotton sees Biden 's record as even more shaky .
`` China ’ s not giving up—in fact , they ’ re rooting for Joe Biden , '' the speech reads .
`` America ’ s other enemies won ’ t give up either .
But Joe Biden would be as wrong and weak over the next four years as he has been for the last 50 .
We need a president who stands up for America—not one who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s record includes a long list of left-wing positions , but particularly striking is his stance on China .
For decades , Biden has aligned with engaging China , moving to reward it for behavior consistent with international norms , arguing for Beijing 's status as `` Most Favored Nation '' in 2001 .
Biden has also repeatedly spurned prospects of a closer relationship with Taiwan in favor of the status quo in cross-strait relations .
Biden also opposed the killing of prominent terrorist leaders in the Middle East .
In the days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden loudly opposed the operation .
As vice president , Biden was one of the few in Barack Obama 's decision room who opposed the strike that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011 .
Over the years , Biden has given differing accounts of his reaction to the strike , at times denying that he opposed it .
Biden ’ s opposition is clearly documented , however , in the memoirs of former defense secretary Robert Gates and then-CIA chief Leon Panetta .
Biden showed similar reticence about Trump 's decision to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling PBS he `` wouldn ’ t have done it '' without a broader deal in place .
Other Obama-Biden administration officials roundly criticized the decision , which has since opened the door to this month 's historic peace agreement between Israel and the UAE , the first time in over two decades that another Middle Eastern nation diplomatically recognized Israel .
Cotton is set to lambast Biden 's record on these points as well .
Biden was first elected to the Senate when American troops were still stationed in Vietnam .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is `` wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades . ''

Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) will savage Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s track record on foreign policy issues in a speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, according to an advance copy obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
The Arkansas senator, who has become a top ally of President Donald Trump’s, will focus on Biden’s decision making in three major areas: China, the Middle East, and his overall grand strategy. In the Middle East and otherwise, Biden’s caution and weakness on defense spending stand out to Republicans as places of Biden’s potential vulnerability. On China, Cotton sees Biden's record as even more shaky.
"China’s not giving up—in fact, they’re rooting for Joe Biden," the speech reads. "America’s other enemies won’t give up either. But Joe Biden would be as wrong and weak over the next four years as he has been for the last 50. We need a president who stands up for America—not one who takes a knee."
Biden’s record includes a long list of left-wing positions, but particularly striking is his stance on China. For decades, Biden has aligned with engaging China, moving to reward it for behavior consistent with international norms, arguing for Beijing's status as "Most Favored Nation" in 2001. Biden has also repeatedly spurned prospects of a closer relationship with Taiwan in favor of the status quo in cross-strait relations.
Biden also opposed the killing of prominent terrorist leaders in the Middle East. In the days following the strike against Qassem Soleimani, Biden loudly opposed the operation. As vice president, Biden was one of the few in Barack Obama's decision room who opposed the strike that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011. Over the years, Biden has given differing accounts of his reaction to the strike, at times denying that he opposed it. Biden’s opposition is clearly documented, however, in the memoirs of former defense secretary Robert Gates and then-CIA chief Leon Panetta.
Biden showed similar reticence about Trump's decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, telling PBS he "wouldn’t have done it" without a broader deal in place. Other Obama-Biden administration officials roundly criticized the decision, which has since opened the door to this month's historic peace agreement between Israel and the UAE, the first time in over two decades that another Middle Eastern nation diplomatically recognized Israel. Cotton is set to lambast Biden's record on these points as well.
Biden was first elected to the Senate when American troops were still stationed in Vietnam. Robert Gates said in 2014 that Joe Biden is "wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades."


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Virginia Democrats Pass Bill That Eases Sentencing for Assaulting Police

The Virginia Senate passed a new bill that would weaken sentencing for assaulting a police officer , the Associated Press reported Wednesday .
The bill would strike down Virginia 's six-month mandatory minimum sentence for striking an officer and provide judges the discretion to lower charges to a misdemeanor in less severe cases .
Despite vehement opposition from Republicans , Democratic lawmakers fast-tracked the passage of the bill with a party-line vote .
Republican members argued that the bill undercuts police officers who are confronting a nationwide crime wave .
The new legislation follows Virginia governor Ralph Northam 's ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant parole to convicted murderers , including Vincent Martin , who was serving a life sentence for murdering a police officer .
`` That the parole board would even consider Mr. Martin a suitable candidate for release is cause for serious concern , '' Republican lawmakers wrote to Northam earlier this year .
Northam also offered a series of policy proposals in January that decriminalized marijuana use and lessened penalties for theft .
`` Doubling the amount you can steal from your neighbor without serious consequence is unfortunately a prime example of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals , '' said Virginia House of Delegates minority leader Todd Gilbert ( R. ) .

The Virginia Senate passed a new bill that would weaken sentencing for assaulting a police officer, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
The bill would strike down Virginia's six-month mandatory minimum sentence for striking an officer and provide judges the discretion to lower charges to a misdemeanor in less severe cases.
Despite vehement opposition from Republicans, Democratic lawmakers fast-tracked the passage of the bill with a party-line vote. Republican members argued that the bill undercuts police officers who are confronting a nationwide crime wave.
The new legislation follows Virginia governor Ralph Northam's (D.) administration's recent decisions to grant parole to convicted murderers, including Vincent Martin, who was serving a life sentence for murdering a police officer.
"That the parole board would even consider Mr. Martin a suitable candidate for release is cause for serious concern," Republican lawmakers wrote to Northam earlier this year.
Northam also offered a series of policy proposals in January that decriminalized marijuana use and lessened penalties for theft.
"Doubling the amount you can steal from your neighbor without serious consequence is unfortunately a prime example of the Democrats' looming agenda on crime and criminals," said Virginia House of Delegates minority leader Todd Gilbert (R.).


freebeacon--2020-08-27--U.S. Mulls Repercussions for Europe’s Alliance With Iran

Multiple European nations ' diplomatic priorities may be on the line as the Trump administration examines a range of options to pressure these countries after their refusal to back the United States in its efforts to expand sanctions on Iran , according to current and former U.S. officials .
U.S. diplomats are seeking to force European allies to split with Iran and its allies , Russia and China .
Multiple sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon outlined a range of European priorities the administration could leverage in this pressure campaign , including a free trade agreement sought by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed by the French , and a range of items the Germans have sought to revive ties with America .
These sources spoke only on background about ongoing discussions in the administration about how to respond to Europe 's intransigence on Iran .
Relations between the United States and its European allies are at historic lows following a failed vote at the United Nations Security Council earlier this month to indefinitely extend a ban on Iran 's purchase of advanced weaponry .
With the embargo set to lift in mid-October , the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tehran that were lifted under the nuclear deal—an effort that traditional allies France , Germany , and the United Kingdom publicly oppose .
These European nations joined with Russia and China in opposing the United States .
Senior U.S. officials told the Free Beacon earlier this month that they are livid with Europe for abandoning America as it sought to extend the Iran weapons ban .
The dispute spilled into public view on Tuesday , when U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft accused European allies of `` standing in the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no signs of backing down from the diplomatic fight , which is likely to elevate foreign policy issues in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election .
U.S. ties to Europe have chilled in recent years due to the Trump administration 's bid to pressure NATO allies into paying a greater share of the alliance 's costs .
`` The Europeans are clearly upset with the Americans for leaving the [ Iran nuclear deal ] , but that does n't seem like a good enough reason to essentially greenlight an influx of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat familiar with discussions at the U.N. told the Free Beacon .
`` That 's got to be quite difficult to explain to their citizens . ''
Trump administration allies in Congress remain angry with Europe and acknowledge that relations with the United States could crumble over the Iran dispute .
A spokesman for Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , an Iran hawk , said `` the fecklessness shown over the last few weeks by Britain , France , and Germany will obviously and unfortunately complicate our relations . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies should stand with us and not with Iran 's regime that chants ‘ death to America ' and wants to build nuclear weapons to incinerate American cities , '' the spokesman said .
To boost pressure on France , Germany , and the United Kingdom—the E3—the United States could move forward with plans to impose sanctions on a financial body known as INSTEX , which has been used by Europe to circumvent sanctions on Iran .
The United States could also freeze assets and deny visas to European diplomats who work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash assets , according to a former senior administration official familiar with the matter .
Trump administration officials are particularly outraged with U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson , who has been seeking a revamped free trade agreement with the United States that could be used as leverage in the Iran fight .
The United States could also apply pressure on Johnson to rid Britain of China 's Huawei on an earlier timetable than is currently being considered .
Germany and France are also seeking U.S. cooperation on several items , including Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a U.N. force agreement in Lebanon .
France and the United States are reportedly on a `` collision course '' over the Lebanon deal due to American demands that the number of troops stationed in the country be reduced and that U.N. forces are granted access to areas where the Iranian terror group Hezbollah is believed to be operating .
Europe 's alliance with Iran is not likely to end anytime soon .
International nuclear inspectors working for the U.N. inked a new pact with Tehran this week that grants them permission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long been off limits .
This concession by Iran shores up Europe 's continued commitment to the nuclear accord that was abandoned by President Donald Trump in 2018 .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , during remarks in New York City last week after the failed U.N. vote , warned the E3 that its concessions to Iran endanger the continent .
`` Our friends in Germany , France , and the United Kingdom—the E3—all told me privately that they do n't want the arms embargo lifted either , '' Pompeo said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they provided no alternatives , no options .
No country but the United States had the courage and conviction to put forward a resolution .
Instead , they chose to side with ayatollahs .
Their actions endanger the people of Iraq , of Yemen , of Lebanon , of Syria—and indeed , their own citizens as well . ''

Multiple European nations' diplomatic priorities may be on the line as the Trump administration examines a range of options to pressure these countries after their refusal to back the United States in its efforts to expand sanctions on Iran, according to current and former U.S. officials.
U.S. diplomats are seeking to force European allies to split with Iran and its allies, Russia and China. Multiple sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon outlined a range of European priorities the administration could leverage in this pressure campaign, including a free trade agreement sought by the British, increased coordination on Lebanon needed by the French, and a range of items the Germans have sought to revive ties with America. These sources spoke only on background about ongoing discussions in the administration about how to respond to Europe's intransigence on Iran.
Relations between the United States and its European allies are at historic lows following a failed vote at the United Nations Security Council earlier this month to indefinitely extend a ban on Iran's purchase of advanced weaponry. With the embargo set to lift in mid-October, the administration is now pushing to reimpose all sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the nuclear deal—an effort that traditional allies France, Germany, and the United Kingdom publicly oppose. These European nations joined with Russia and China in opposing the United States.
Senior U.S. officials told the Free Beacon earlier this month that they are livid with Europe for abandoning America as it sought to extend the Iran weapons ban. The dispute spilled into public view on Tuesday, when U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft accused European allies of "standing in the company of terrorists." The administration shows no signs of backing down from the diplomatic fight, which is likely to elevate foreign policy issues in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. U.S. ties to Europe have chilled in recent years due to the Trump administration's bid to pressure NATO allies into paying a greater share of the alliance's costs.
"The Europeans are clearly upset with the Americans for leaving the [Iran nuclear deal], but that doesn't seem like a good enough reason to essentially greenlight an influx of weapons to Iran," one U.S. diplomat familiar with discussions at the U.N. told the Free Beacon. "That's got to be quite difficult to explain to their citizens."
Trump administration allies in Congress remain angry with Europe and acknowledge that relations with the United States could crumble over the Iran dispute.
A spokesman for Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), an Iran hawk, said "the fecklessness shown over the last few weeks by Britain, France, and Germany will obviously and unfortunately complicate our relations."
"Sen. Cruz believes that America's allies should stand with us and not with Iran's regime that chants 'death to America' and wants to build nuclear weapons to incinerate American cities," the spokesman said.
To boost pressure on France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—the E3—the United States could move forward with plans to impose sanctions on a financial body known as INSTEX, which has been used by Europe to circumvent sanctions on Iran. The United States could also freeze assets and deny visas to European diplomats who work with INSTEX to help Iran gain access to cash assets, according to a former senior administration official familiar with the matter.
Trump administration officials are particularly outraged with U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson, who has been seeking a revamped free trade agreement with the United States that could be used as leverage in the Iran fight. The United States could also apply pressure on Johnson to rid Britain of China's Huawei on an earlier timetable than is currently being considered.
Germany and France are also seeking U.S. cooperation on several items, including Russia's contested Nord Stream 2 energy pipeline and a U.N. force agreement in Lebanon. France and the United States are reportedly on a "collision course" over the Lebanon deal due to American demands that the number of troops stationed in the country be reduced and that U.N. forces are granted access to areas where the Iranian terror group Hezbollah is believed to be operating.
Europe's alliance with Iran is not likely to end anytime soon. International nuclear inspectors working for the U.N. inked a new pact with Tehran this week that grants them permission to visit two contested nuclear sites that had long been off limits. This concession by Iran shores up Europe's continued commitment to the nuclear accord that was abandoned by President Donald Trump in 2018.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during remarks in New York City last week after the failed U.N. vote, warned the E3 that its concessions to Iran endanger the continent.
"Our friends in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—the E3—all told me privately that they don't want the arms embargo lifted either," Pompeo said. "And yet today, in the end, they provided no alternatives, no options. No country but the United States had the courage and conviction to put forward a resolution. Instead, they chose to side with ayatollahs. Their actions endanger the people of Iraq, of Yemen, of Lebanon, of Syria—and indeed, their own citizens as well."


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Pelosi Calls for Canceling the Presidential Debates

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) said on Thursday that the 2020 presidential debates should @ @ @ @ @ n't tell anybody I told you this , especially do n't tell Joe Biden : @ @ @ @ @ should be any debates , '' she said in a press conference .
She argued @ @ @ @ @ a conversation '' with President Donald Trump , whom she called `` disgraceful '' for @ @ @ @ @ Clinton in 2016 .

'I don’t think there should be any debates'
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said on Thursday that the 2020 presidential debates should be canceled.
"Don't tell anybody I told you this, especially don't tell Joe Biden: I don't think there should be any debates," she said in a press conference.
She argued that nobody should "legitimize a conversation" with President Donald Trump, whom she called "disgraceful" for the way he debated Hillary Clinton in 2016.


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Riots Break Out in Minneapolis After Rumors That Police Killed Man Who Shot Himself

A murder suspect killed himself as police surrounded him in Minneapolis on Wednesday—sparking another wave of rioting and looting as misinformation spread that police had killed him .
The man , who allegedly killed another man in a parking garage just hours before , fatally shot himself as police surrounded him .
But rumors led many to believe that police killed him , leading rioters to swarm downtown Minneapolis , where they looted and vandalized local businesses .
Police quickly released video evidence , which showed that they did not open fire on the man , in an attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D. ) then imposed a curfew and called in the National Guard .
Minneapolis police have not yet released the name of the man .
`` What our city needs right now is healing , '' Frey said .
`` We do not need more destruction .
We do not need property damage that is unacceptable in every way , shape , and form , and I want to be very clear : It will not be tolerated . ''
Protests began in May following the death of George Floyd , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In some cities , demonstrations have continued nightly throughout the summer—which in many cities , including Portland , Seattle , and Chicago , have turned violent .

A murder suspect killed himself as police surrounded him in Minneapolis on Wednesday—sparking another wave of rioting and looting as misinformation spread that police had killed him.
The man, who allegedly killed another man in a parking garage just hours before, fatally shot himself as police surrounded him. But rumors led many to believe that police killed him, leading rioters to swarm downtown Minneapolis, where they looted and vandalized local businesses.
Police quickly released video evidence, which showed that they did not open fire on the man, in an attempt to quell the violence. Mayor Jacob Frey (D.) then imposed a curfew and called in the National Guard. Minneapolis police have not yet released the name of the man.
Frey condemned the violence in a press conference Wednesday night.
"What our city needs right now is healing," Frey said. "We do not need more destruction. We do not need property damage that is unacceptable in every way, shape, and form, and I want to be very clear: It will not be tolerated."
Protests began in May following the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis. In some cities, demonstrations have continued nightly throughout the summer—which in many cities, including Portland, Seattle, and Chicago, have turned violent.


freebeacon--2020-08-27--With Mitchell Death, Trump Admin Oversees Most Executions Since Eisenhower

The Federal Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday evening carried out the execution of convicted murderer Lezmond Mitchell , meaning President Donald Trump 's administration has now conducted the most federal executions since Dwight Eisenhower 's terms in office .
Mitchell was put to death just after 6 p.m. at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind.
, according to the Department of Justice .
His execution comes nearly two decades after he brutally murdered and dismembered 63-year-old Alyce Slim and her nine-year-old granddaughter , and follows myriad appeals , all of which were denied .
`` Nearly 19 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two people , destroying the lives of many others , justice finally has been served , '' DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said .
Mitchell 's execution was witnessed by several members of Slim 's family , who have publicly supported his capital punishment , according to DOJ .
Asked whether he had any last words for family members just before his death , Mitchell responded , `` No , I 'm good . ''
Mitchell 's execution is the fourth in just two months , part of Trump and Attorney General William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machinery of death .
Unlike the executions conducted in July , Mitchell 's was not forestalled by last-minute legal maneuvering .
It did occur over the objection of Jonathan Nez , president of the Navajo Nation , of which Mitchell was a member .
The past two months have seen more federal executions than have been conducted cumulatively since 1963 , a period of time which encompasses the entire history of the death penalty after its temporary judicial abolition between 1972 and 1976 .
Since the 1963 death of kidnapper Victor Feguer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President George W. Bush , who carried out three death sentences , including Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh 's .
Eisenhower oversaw nine executions , including Soviet spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg .
The Trump administration has moved aggressively on the death penalty , undoing legal roadblocks erected during the Obama era by changing the drug protocol the BOP uses to carry out lethal injection .
A fifth execution is scheduled for Friday ; that will leave 56 people still on federal death row .
Barr and Trump have also sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of the mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart , Trump called for the use of the death penalty for certain hate crimes ; earlier this month , Barr announced that he will pursue another death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev after the first was overturned by a federal appeals court .
These late-in-term executions are in character for Trump , who has been a prominent supporter of capital punishment for decades .
But they may also be part of a broader campaign goal of appearing tougher on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports death penalty abolition and has remained publicly mum on whether or not he would seek to execute Tsarnaev .

The Federal Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday evening carried out the execution of convicted murderer Lezmond Mitchell, meaning President Donald Trump's administration has now conducted the most federal executions since Dwight Eisenhower's terms in office.
Mitchell was put to death just after 6 p.m. at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., according to the Department of Justice. His execution comes nearly two decades after he brutally murdered and dismembered 63-year-old Alyce Slim and her nine-year-old granddaughter, and follows myriad appeals, all of which were denied.
"Nearly 19 years after Lezmond Mitchell brutally ended the lives of two people, destroying the lives of many others, justice finally has been served," DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said.
Mitchell's execution was witnessed by several members of Slim's family, who have publicly supported his capital punishment, according to DOJ. Asked whether he had any last words for family members just before his death, Mitchell responded, "No, I'm good."
Mitchell's execution is the fourth in just two months, part of Trump and Attorney General William Barr's effort to restart the federal machinery of death. Unlike the executions conducted in July, Mitchell's was not forestalled by last-minute legal maneuvering. It did occur over the objection of Jonathan Nez, president of the Navajo Nation, of which Mitchell was a member.
The past two months have seen more federal executions than have been conducted cumulatively since 1963, a period of time which encompasses the entire history of the death penalty after its temporary judicial abolition between 1972 and 1976. Since the 1963 death of kidnapper Victor Feguer, the only other federal executions were overseen by President George W. Bush, who carried out three death sentences, including Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh's. Eisenhower oversaw nine executions, including Soviet spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.
The Trump administration has moved aggressively on the death penalty, undoing legal roadblocks erected during the Obama era by changing the drug protocol the BOP uses to carry out lethal injection. A fifth execution is scheduled for Friday; that will leave 56 people still on federal death row.
Barr and Trump have also sought to expand that population. Last August, in the wake of the mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart, Trump called for the use of the death penalty for certain hate crimes; earlier this month, Barr announced that he will pursue another death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev after the first was overturned by a federal appeals court.
These late-in-term executions are in character for Trump, who has been a prominent supporter of capital punishment for decades. But they may also be part of a broader campaign goal of appearing tougher on crime than opponent Joe Biden, who supports death penalty abolition and has remained publicly mum on whether or not he would seek to execute Tsarnaev.


freebeacon--2020-08-27--California Faces Legal Battle Over Coronavirus Restrictions

Grace Community Church is attempting to return to in-person services over the objections of local regulators .
Paul Jonna , special counsel for the Thomas More Society , a religious liberty law firm , told the Washington Free Beacon the state government should be consistent in how it regards First Amendment activity .
He pointed to the permissiveness of local and state leaders who publicly condoned and supported large public gatherings to protest George Floyd 's death in police custody .
A judge rejected Los Angeles County 's bid to shut down a California megachurch that is challenging the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting the stage for a protracted battle over coronavirus orders .
`` First Amendment activity is First Amendment activity .
Certainly , protesting is protected First Amendment activity , but so is worshiping God in church .
It 's a double standard , '' Jonna said .
Los Angeles is not the only county facing legal challenges from religious institutions over its handling coronavirus .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D. ) put in place a waiver application system that requires elementary schools to apply for a waiver to reopen , provided the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom 's administration had removed Santa Cruz county from the state 's watchlist because of the improving coronavirus situation .
Despite the state 's guidance , the county is not permitting schools to reopen for in-person classes because of insufficient virus testing resources , according to a county health officer .
First Liberty Institute , another religious law firm , sent a letter on behalf of St. Abraham ’ s Classical Christian Academy to county health officials arguing that shutting down the parochial school `` violates the school ’ s right to free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autonomy . ''
`` The experts at the CDC have concluded that in-person schooling is in the best interests of students .
The County of Santa Cruz should not stand in the way of parents who simply want to follow the CDC ’ s evidence-based recommendations for their children , '' senior counsel for First Liberty Institute Stephanie Taub told the Free Beacon .
The letter threatened potential legal action if the county did not change its policy .
If the school takes legal action , it will join Grace Community Church in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on communal activities during the coronavirus .
The Santa Cruz Health Agency did not respond to a request for comment .
Both the school and Grace Community Church are looking to adjust to providing services in the midst of a pandemic .
The coronavirus situation in California has improved , but health experts are warning of a resurgence in the fall after the state broke records for having the highest case count in the nation .
Jonna argued that the state of California is targeting the church .
`` The second you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoors or dares to challenge any of these health orders , not only do they send them a threatening letter from a law firm , but they go in court and try to get a temporary restraining order and harass this church , '' Jonna said .
Neither Newsom nor Democratic attorney general Xavier Becerra returned requests for comment .

Grace Community Church is attempting to return to in-person services over the objections of local regulators. Paul Jonna, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, a religious liberty law firm, told the Washington Free Beacon the state government should be consistent in how it regards First Amendment activity. He pointed to the permissiveness of local and state leaders who publicly condoned and supported large public gatherings to protest George Floyd's death in police custody.
A judge rejected Los Angeles County's bid to shut down a California megachurch that is challenging the state's restrictions on in-person religious gatherings, setting the stage for a protracted battle over coronavirus orders.
"First Amendment activity is First Amendment activity. Certainly, protesting is protected First Amendment activity, but so is worshiping God in church. It's a double standard," Jonna said.
Los Angeles is not the only county facing legal challenges from religious institutions over its handling coronavirus.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) put in place a waiver application system that requires elementary schools to apply for a waiver to reopen, provided the school's counties reach certain benchmarks. Newsom's administration had removed Santa Cruz county from the state's watchlist because of the improving coronavirus situation. Despite the state's guidance, the county is not permitting schools to reopen for in-person classes because of insufficient virus testing resources, according to a county health officer. First Liberty Institute, another religious law firm, sent a letter on behalf of St. Abraham’s Classical Christian Academy to county health officials arguing that shutting down the parochial school "violates the school’s right to free speech, free exercise, and religious autonomy."
"The experts at the CDC have concluded that in-person schooling is in the best interests of students. The County of Santa Cruz should not stand in the way of parents who simply want to follow the CDC’s evidence-based recommendations for their children," senior counsel for First Liberty Institute Stephanie Taub told the Free Beacon.
The letter threatened potential legal action if the county did not change its policy. If the school takes legal action, it will join Grace Community Church in taking California officials to court over local restrictions on communal activities during the coronavirus.
The Santa Cruz Health Agency did not respond to a request for comment.
Both the school and Grace Community Church are looking to adjust to providing services in the midst of a pandemic. The coronavirus situation in California has improved, but health experts are warning of a resurgence in the fall after the state broke records for having the highest case count in the nation.
Jonna argued that the state of California is targeting the church.
"The second you have a church who dares to gather indoors or dares to challenge any of these health orders, not only do they send them a threatening letter from a law firm, but they go in court and try to get a temporary restraining order and harass this church," Jonna said.
Neither Newsom nor Democratic attorney general Xavier Becerra returned requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-08-27--REVIEW: ‘She Will Rise’ By Disgraced Former Congresswoman Katie Hill

Former representative Katie Hill ( D. , Calif. ) made history last year when she became the youngest and highest-ranking female politician to resign due to a sex scandal .
She also introduced the term `` throuple '' into the national discourse—something even the Democratic Party 's most prolific ( male ) sexual deviants , including Bill Clinton , Ted Kennedy , and Anthony Weiner , never managed to accomplish .
Hill , 33 , may have been snubbed out of a speaking slot at last week 's Democratic convention , but that does n't mean she 's no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party .
On the contrary , her new memoir , She Will Rise : Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality , suggests a political comeback is imminent .
As she makes clear in the book , Hill remains conflicted about her decision to resign , which came after nude photos of her were published in RedState and the Daily Mail , along with revelations that she had been part of a romantic `` throuple '' involving her now ex-husband and a female member of her campaign staff .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of her Democratic colleagues urged her not to—was the right thing to do , or whether she was forced to resign because of misogyny .
`` I , like so many other women , was used to show what happens when we scorn men , '' she writes .
Hill is also apparently conflicted about whether the # MeToo movement 's `` zero-tolerance policy '' is a good thing ( when applied to men ) , or whether it 's really fair to punish women like her for `` any transgression whatsoever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who urged Sen. Al Franken ( D. , Minn. ) to step down in 2017 after photos emerged of the former comedian pretending to grope a female colleague , which many Democrats did not believe should have cost the senator his job .
So her position is n't entirely clear .
`` A gray area does exist , '' she writes in defense of her relationship with the campaign staffer .
`` But right now , there 's no space for gray , and I take full responsibility for what I did .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times review of She Will Rise was underwhelmed by Hill 's lack of `` self-reflection '' and her `` glaring '' `` unwillingness '' to own up to the `` unambiguous ethical violation '' of her relationship with the staffer .
The thing she feels the most guilty about is the fact that a Republican won the special election to replace her .
The substance of Hill 's book is best explained by a profile , also published in the Times , which describes it as `` full of platitudes about shattering glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what it ’ s going to take ‘ to claim our rightful seats at every leadership table . '
'' There 's also an abundance of data and familiar talking points cribbed from the research farms of liberal activist groups .
At the very least , per the Times , the book is `` a decent primer '' for `` politically disaffected young women . ''
Not all women , obviously .
That would be crazy .
Because despite Hill 's all-caps exhortation to vote for women `` BECAUSE THEY ARE WOMEN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` progressive '' ones—not the ones who suffer from an `` internalized sexism '' that `` causes so many women to vote against our own interests . ''
She envisions a mass political movement modeled after the Women 's March that took place after Donald Trump was elected , which inspired her and dozens of other women to run for Congress in 2018 .
As powerful as such a movement could be in theory , it is destined to fail in practice thanks to the prevailing `` wokeness '' among young liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't help but get consumed by `` intersectional '' concerns that reject Hill 's rather conventional definition of `` women 's issues '' as offensively narrow .
Hence the infighting over anti-Semitism , Louis Farrakhan , and the culpability of white women in preserving structural racism .
She Will Rise is full of problematic material that could end up excluding Hill ( and many others ) from any political movement ostensibly dedicated to women 's rights .
She admits to `` heavily fangirling '' over Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacy .
She suggests that porn might not be entirely good—a controversial opinion in some feminist circles—and laments that working women have `` lost out on money we might have made if only we had penises . ''
Hill should know better than to suggest that women do n't have penises , which is about as ridiculous as saying men ca n't have periods .
Hill may still have a place in the Democratic Party 's future .
Notwithstanding the Times ‘ s criticism of her book , the mainstream media has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political rehabilitation , so she might as well give it a shot .
`` Right now it ’ s hard for me to imagine running again , '' Hill said in a recent interview .
`` But that doesn ’ t mean there ’ s not a scenario where things line up . ''

Former representative Katie Hill (D., Calif.) made history last year when she became the youngest and highest-ranking female politician to resign due to a sex scandal. She also introduced the term "throuple" into the national discourse—something even the Democratic Party's most prolific (male) sexual deviants, including Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, and Anthony Weiner, never managed to accomplish.
Hill, 33, may have been snubbed out of a speaking slot at last week's Democratic convention, but that doesn't mean she's no longer considered a "rising star" within the party. On the contrary, her new memoir, She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality, suggests a political comeback is imminent.
As she makes clear in the book, Hill remains conflicted about her decision to resign, which came after nude photos of her were published in RedState and the Daily Mail, along with revelations that she had been part of a romantic "throuple" involving her now ex-husband and a female member of her campaign staff. She seems unsure as to whether resigning—even though many of her Democratic colleagues urged her not to—was the right thing to do, or whether she was forced to resign because of misogyny. "I, like so many other women, was used to show what happens when we scorn men," she writes.
Hill is also apparently conflicted about whether the #MeToo movement's "zero-tolerance policy" is a good thing (when applied to men), or whether it's really fair to punish women like her for "any transgression whatsoever." Hill was among those who who urged Sen. Al Franken (D., Minn.) to step down in 2017 after photos emerged of the former comedian pretending to grope a female colleague, which many Democrats did not believe should have cost the senator his job. So her position isn't entirely clear.
"A gray area does exist," she writes in defense of her relationship with the campaign staffer. "But right now, there's no space for gray, and I take full responsibility for what I did." However, even the New York Times review of She Will Rise was underwhelmed by Hill's lack of "self-reflection" and her "glaring" "unwillingness" to own up to the "unambiguous ethical violation" of her relationship with the staffer. The thing she feels the most guilty about is the fact that a Republican won the special election to replace her.
The substance of Hill's book is best explained by a profile, also published in the Times, which describes it as "full of platitudes about shattering glass ceilings, women as 'warriors' and what it’s going to take 'to claim our rightful seats at every leadership table.'" There's also an abundance of data and familiar talking points cribbed from the research farms of liberal activist groups. At the very least, per the Times, the book is "a decent primer" for "politically disaffected young women."
Not all women, obviously. That would be crazy. Because despite Hill's all-caps exhortation to vote for women "BECAUSE THEY ARE WOMEN," she is only interested in the "progressive" ones—not the ones who suffer from an "internalized sexism" that "causes so many women to vote against our own interests." She envisions a mass political movement modeled after the Women's March that took place after Donald Trump was elected, which inspired her and dozens of other women to run for Congress in 2018.
As powerful as such a movement could be in theory, it is destined to fail in practice thanks to the prevailing "wokeness" among young liberals. The Women's March organization couldn't help but get consumed by "intersectional" concerns that reject Hill's rather conventional definition of "women's issues" as offensively narrow. Hence the infighting over anti-Semitism, Louis Farrakhan, and the culpability of white women in preserving structural racism.
She Will Rise is full of problematic material that could end up excluding Hill (and many others) from any political movement ostensibly dedicated to women's rights. She admits to "heavily fangirling" over Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, renowned suffragettes whose accomplishments were sullied by white supremacy. She suggests that porn might not be entirely good—a controversial opinion in some feminist circles—and laments that working women have "lost out on money we might have made if only we had penises." Hill should know better than to suggest that women don't have penises, which is about as ridiculous as saying men can't have periods.
Hill may still have a place in the Democratic Party's future. Notwithstanding the Times's criticism of her book, the mainstream media has been more than willing to facilitate her political rehabilitation, so she might as well give it a shot. "Right now it’s hard for me to imagine running again," Hill said in a recent interview. "But that doesn’t mean there’s not a scenario where things line up."


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Maine Democrat’s Family Business Failed to Pay $57K In Taxes

Maine Senate Democratic candidate Sara Gideon 's family business failed to pay more than $ 57,000 in local property taxes , according to state records .
Ben Gideon , the Maine Democrat 's husband , served as one of two co-managers of Concord Brook , a Maine property development firm .
The company struggled financially , prompting the town of Freeport , Maine , to issue 77 tax liens against the company between 2008 and 2012 .
The company did not pay off the last of its lien until 2012 , one year after Concord Brook went out of business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Freeport town council between 2010 and 2012 , has attempted to distance herself from the company , telling reporters on Friday that she had nothing to do with her husband 's business .
The website registration for Concord Brook , however , lists Sara Gideon as a contact for the company , suggesting that she played some role in the firm .
Gideon 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Gideon has attempted to portray herself as an anti-corporate crusader on the campaign trail , pledging to roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is elected to office .
Her family company 's failure to pay taxes on time , however , threatens to undermine her image as a tough-on-business legislator .
`` No corporation should pay nothing in taxes while families are struggling to make ends meet , '' the candidate wrote on her campaign website .
Established in 2005 , Concord Brook purchased several properties in Freeport in pursuit of a redevelopment project to build a condominium in the area .
On multiple records from that year—including mortgage agreements and the government documents—Concord Brook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company address , indicating that the Gideons were early participants in the business .
The redevelopment scheme , however , started to go downhill in 2008 .
In March 2008 , a Freeport construction company accused Concord Brook of failing to pay for its services , racking up $ 81,000 in debt .
While Concord Brook paid back the debt to the company some time later that year , it failed to stabilize its finances , prompting Freeport to issue 21 liens against the company in October 2008 .
The company continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property taxes only to incur even more liens .
Perennially behind on its taxes , Concord Brook ultimately abandoned the redevelopment plan .
The company finally paid back all outstanding taxes in 2012 , after it sold its properties in a foreclosure sale in 2011 .
The redevelopment project might not have turned a profit , but it did help the Gideon family carve out a special corner in Maine history .
Concord Brook intended to build the condominium along a new cul-de-sac called `` Gideon 's Way . ''
To this day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Maine Senate Democratic candidate Sara Gideon's family business failed to pay more than $57,000 in local property taxes, according to state records.
Ben Gideon, the Maine Democrat's husband, served as one of two co-managers of Concord Brook, a Maine property development firm. The company struggled financially, prompting the town of Freeport, Maine, to issue 77 tax liens against the company between 2008 and 2012. The company did not pay off the last of its lien until 2012, one year after Concord Brook went out of business.
Sara Gideon, who served on the Freeport town council between 2010 and 2012, has attempted to distance herself from the company, telling reporters on Friday that she had nothing to do with her husband's business. The website registration for Concord Brook, however, lists Sara Gideon as a contact for the company, suggesting that she played some role in the firm.
Gideon's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Gideon has attempted to portray herself as an anti-corporate crusader on the campaign trail, pledging to roll back the 2017 Trump tax cuts if she is elected to office. Her family company's failure to pay taxes on time, however, threatens to undermine her image as a tough-on-business legislator. "No corporation should pay nothing in taxes while families are struggling to make ends meet," the candidate wrote on her campaign website.
Established in 2005, Concord Brook purchased several properties in Freeport in pursuit of a redevelopment project to build a condominium in the area. On multiple records from that year—including mortgage agreements and the government documents—Concord Brook listed the Gideon family residence as its company address, indicating that the Gideons were early participants in the business.
The redevelopment scheme, however, started to go downhill in 2008. In March 2008, a Freeport construction company accused Concord Brook of failing to pay for its services, racking up $81,000 in debt. While Concord Brook paid back the debt to the company some time later that year, it failed to stabilize its finances, prompting Freeport to issue 21 liens against the company in October 2008.
The company continued to struggle financially, paying off some overdue property taxes only to incur even more liens. Perennially behind on its taxes, Concord Brook ultimately abandoned the redevelopment plan. The company finally paid back all outstanding taxes in 2012, after it sold its properties in a foreclosure sale in 2011.
The redevelopment project might not have turned a profit, but it did help the Gideon family carve out a special corner in Maine history. Concord Brook intended to build the condominium along a new cul-de-sac called "Gideon's Way." To this day, the street has retained that name.


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Montana Dem Goes Pro-Gun in Latest Ad Despite ‘F’ Rating From NRA

Montana Democratic Senate nominee Steve Bullock is campaigning as a fighter for gun rights despite his past support for strict new gun-control laws—a record that earned him an `` F '' rating from the National Rifle Association .
`` I believe in our individual right to bear arms , '' Bullock said in a recent ad , which featured pictures of him hunting .
`` I took on Democrats in Washington to defend it . ''
Bullock , a two-term governor , expressed support for universal background checks in the ad .
He failed to mention his past support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons .
Bullock has flip-flopped on gun issues over the years .
Though he previously opposed new gun-control measures like universal background checks during his 2016 gubernatorial reelection campaign , he embraced restrictions when he launched his failed presidential campaign .
`` You know , I would Jake , '' Bullock told CNN 's Jake Tapper in 2018 when asked if he 'd support an assault weapons ban .
`` Now , there are things that we can do immediately , everything from red flag laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universal background check , to making sure that we 're doing everything we can , some age restrictions , magazine restrictions . ''
The Bullock campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the ad or the candidate 's shift on the issue .
Bullock 's rhetoric on the Second Amendment has shifted as demand for guns reached an all-time high in 2020—with sales up 67 percent year-over-year in Montana , according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis .
It shows that while the Democratic presidential ticket has adopted historically strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in less-blue areas are beginning to moderate on the issue .
The driving force may be a historic rise in new gun owners , with one gun-industry group estimating that there have been more than 17 million gun sales this year and nearly 5 million new gun owners .
While Bullock has moderated his position since launching his Senate bid , his opponent , GOP incumbent Steve Daines , has attempted to portray him as in league with national Democrats .
Campaign spokeswoman Julia Doyle said the Democratic governor 's flip-flopping shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it can win him allies in Democratic leadership .
`` Governor Bullock has fully embraced Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer 's liberal gun-control agenda and Montanans know that Senator Daines will always protect our right to keep and bear arms and our Montana way of life , '' Doyle said .
While the NRA has given Bullock an `` F '' rating , Daines enjoys an `` A+ '' rating from the gun-rights group as well as its endorsement in the race .
The group pointed to Daines 's record of voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his vote against a universal background check proposal , and his co-sponsorship of a bill making state gun-carry permits valid nationwide as examples of the senator 's pro-gun bonafides .
`` During Bullock 's failed presidential campaign , he turned his back on Montana values and openly called for gun bans and confiscation , '' NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter told the Free Beacon .
`` Now he 's trying to walk it back because he knows gun rights matter to Montanans and that this issue is going to play a major role in @ @ @ @ @

Montana Democratic Senate nominee Steve Bullock is campaigning as a fighter for gun rights despite his past support for strict new gun-control laws—a record that earned him an "F" rating from the National Rifle Association.
"I believe in our individual right to bear arms," Bullock said in a recent ad, which featured pictures of him hunting. "I took on Democrats in Washington to defend it."
Bullock, a two-term governor, expressed support for universal background checks in the ad. He failed to mention his past support for a range of other gun-control proposals—including a ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons. Bullock has flip-flopped on gun issues over the years. Though he previously opposed new gun-control measures like universal background checks during his 2016 gubernatorial reelection campaign, he embraced restrictions when he launched his failed presidential campaign.
"You know, I would Jake," Bullock told CNN's Jake Tapper in 2018 when asked if he'd support an assault weapons ban. "Now, there are things that we can do immediately, everything from red flag laws to closing, sort of having a universal background check, to making sure that we're doing everything we can, some age restrictions, magazine restrictions."
The Bullock campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the ad or the candidate's shift on the issue.
Bullock's rhetoric on the Second Amendment has shifted as demand for guns reached an all-time high in 2020—with sales up 67 percent year-over-year in Montana, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis. It shows that while the Democratic presidential ticket has adopted historically strict positions on gun control, Democrats running in less-blue areas are beginning to moderate on the issue. The driving force may be a historic rise in new gun owners, with one gun-industry group estimating that there have been more than 17 million gun sales this year and nearly 5 million new gun owners.
While Bullock has moderated his position since launching his Senate bid, his opponent, GOP incumbent Steve Daines, has attempted to portray him as in league with national Democrats. Campaign spokeswoman Julia Doyle said the Democratic governor's flip-flopping shows that he is willing to sacrifice gun rights if it can win him allies in Democratic leadership.
"Governor Bullock has fully embraced Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer's liberal gun-control agenda and Montanans know that Senator Daines will always protect our right to keep and bear arms and our Montana way of life," Doyle said.
While the NRA has given Bullock an "F" rating, Daines enjoys an "A+" rating from the gun-rights group as well as its endorsement in the race. The group pointed to Daines's record of voting to appoint "pro-gun judges," his vote against a universal background check proposal, and his co-sponsorship of a bill making state gun-carry permits valid nationwide as examples of the senator's pro-gun bonafides.
"During Bullock's failed presidential campaign, he turned his back on Montana values and openly called for gun bans and confiscation," NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter told the Free Beacon. "Now he's trying to walk it back because he knows gun rights matter to Montanans and that this issue is going to play a major role in the upcoming election."


Pence’s Moment

The third night of the convention belonged to Vice President Mike Pence .
The former governor of Indiana has spent four years in the shadow of President Trump , and Wednesday evening 's address was an opportunity for him to make the case for a second term directly to the viewing public .
Out of all the talks this week , Pence 's most closely resembled one you might have heard at a pre-coronavirus convention .
He touted the administration 's record from an outdoor stage at Fort McHenry , and before a live audience that was eager to applaud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more different from the empty hall where Kamala Harris spoke last week .
It was n't just the setting that recalled an earlier time .
Mike Pence hails from the pre-Trump conservative wing of the Republican Party , and his manner of speech , line of argument , and method of delivery would have fit right in at the 2012 or 2008 conventions .
Indeed , it was Pence 's very conventionality that made him attractive to Trump as a running mate four years ago .
`` We came by very different routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we 're a little bit different , '' the vice president joked Tuesday .
Later , Pence said of his boss , `` He 's certainly kept things interesting .
But more important , President Donald Trump has kept his word to the American people . ''
Staid , dependable , calm , and reassuring , Pence hit all the marks .
He mentioned the Americans in danger from Hurricane Laura , he discussed the terrible toll of the coronavirus , he invoked law and order , he drew contrasts between Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election as a choice that will determine the future : `` To bring America all the way back , we need four more years of Donald Trump in the White House . ''
Four more years of Donald Trump are also critical to Pence 's future .
One of the subplots of this convention has been the emerging 2024 Republican field .
Nikki Haley , Donald Trump Jr. , and Mike Pompeo all made the case for the president , while also subtly introducing ( or re-introducing ) themselves to Republican voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the frontrunner to succeed him as leader of the GOP .
Winning reelection would boost that status .
He does n't want to be another Walter Mondale .
During Fox 's coverage , Chris Wallace mentioned that the Trump-Pence relationship is often compared to the Reagan-Bush partnership .
Reagan and Trump were both insurgents who selected members of the party establishment to balance the ticket .
Bush was able to ride the wave of the Reagan presidency to his own presidential term .
It 's safe to say Pence would like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment Wednesday .
Now he has to make it last .

The third night of the convention belonged to Vice President Mike Pence. The former governor of Indiana has spent four years in the shadow of President Trump, and Wednesday evening's address was an opportunity for him to make the case for a second term directly to the viewing public. Out of all the talks this week, Pence's most closely resembled one you might have heard at a pre-coronavirus convention. He touted the administration's record from an outdoor stage at Fort McHenry, and before a live audience that was eager to applaud. The scene couldn't have been more different from the empty hall where Kamala Harris spoke last week.
It wasn't just the setting that recalled an earlier time. Mike Pence hails from the pre-Trump conservative wing of the Republican Party, and his manner of speech, line of argument, and method of delivery would have fit right in at the 2012 or 2008 conventions. Indeed, it was Pence's very conventionality that made him attractive to Trump as a running mate four years ago. "We came by very different routes to this partnership, and some people think we're a little bit different," the vice president joked Tuesday. Later, Pence said of his boss, "He's certainly kept things interesting. But more important, President Donald Trump has kept his word to the American people."
Staid, dependable, calm, and reassuring, Pence hit all the marks. He mentioned the Americans in danger from Hurricane Laura, he discussed the terrible toll of the coronavirus, he invoked law and order, he drew contrasts between Trump and Biden, and he cast the election as a choice that will determine the future: "To bring America all the way back, we need four more years of Donald Trump in the White House."
Four more years of Donald Trump are also critical to Pence's future. One of the subplots of this convention has been the emerging 2024 Republican field. Nikki Haley, Donald Trump Jr., and Mike Pompeo all made the case for the president, while also subtly introducing (or re-introducing) themselves to Republican voters. As Trump's vice president, Pence is the frontrunner to succeed him as leader of the GOP. Winning reelection would boost that status. He doesn't want to be another Walter Mondale.
During Fox's coverage, Chris Wallace mentioned that the Trump-Pence relationship is often compared to the Reagan-Bush partnership. Reagan and Trump were both insurgents who selected members of the party establishment to balance the ticket. Bush was able to ride the wave of the Reagan presidency to his own presidential term. It's safe to say Pence would like to do the same. He seized the moment Wednesday. Now he has to make it last.


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Chinese Dissident: ‘The CCP Is an Enemy of Humanity’

Chen Guangcheng , a civil rights activist and Chinese dissident , said that the Chinese Communist Party `` is an @ @ @ @ @ `` The CCP is an enemy of humanity .
It is terrorizing its own people @ @ @ @ @ the well-being of the world , '' he said in a speech during Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ He added that China 's silencing of dissent made it all the more urgent for @ @ @ @ @ use its values of freedom , democracy , and the rule of law to gather @ @ @ @ @ to stop CCP 's aggression . ''

Chen Guangcheng, a civil rights activist and Chinese dissident, said that the Chinese Communist Party "is an enemy of humanity."
"The CCP is an enemy of humanity. It is terrorizing its own people, and it is threatening the well-being of the world," he said in a speech during Wednesday night's Republican National Convention.
He added that China's silencing of dissent made it all the more urgent for the United States to "use its values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law to gather a coalition of other democracies to stop CCP's aggression."


freebeacon--2020-08-27--Marsha Blackburn: If Dems Had Their Way, You’d Never Leave Your House

Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R. , Tenn. ) said Wednesday that Democrats want voters to `` become dependent on the @ @ @ @ @ `` If the Democrats had their way , they would keep you locked in your @ @ @ @ @ on the government for everything , '' she said .
Blackburn also heaped scorn on @ @ @ @ @ platform , which she claimed was trying to `` cancel our heroes . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ , and their radical allies try to destroy these heroes because if there are no @ @ @ @ @ government can control us , '' she added .

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) said Wednesday that Democrats want voters to "become dependent on the government for everything."
"If the Democrats had their way, they would keep you locked in your house until you become dependent on the government for everything," she said.
Blackburn also heaped scorn on the Democrats for their 2020 platform, which she claimed was trying to "cancel our heroes."
"Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and their radical allies try to destroy these heroes because if there are no heroes to inspire us, government can control us," she added.


freebeacon--2020-08-28--OUTFOXED: Sean Hannity Soars Past Brian ‘Humpty’ Stelter on Amazon Best Seller List

When it comes to ratings , Fox News legend Sean Hannity routinely crushes his rivals at CNN .
Turns out he 's also better at selling books .
Hannity 's most recent literary smash , Live Free or Die : America ( and the World ) on the Brink , has officially overtaken Hoax , the anti-Fox News diatribe authored by CNN personality Brian Stelter , on Amazon 's list of bestselling new releases .
After trailing Stelter 's book in the rankings earlier this week , Live Free or Die soared past Hoax to land at the number six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which had previously occupied the sixth position on the Amazon chart , fell all the way to ninth—behind Skinnytaste Meal Prep and A Little SPOT Learns Online : A Story About Virtual Classroom Expectations .
The disparity between the two books does not end there .
Live Free or Die enjoys a perfect five-star rating based on more than 2,000 reviews .
Hoax , by comparison , has a middling three-star rating based on just 29 reviews on Amazon .
Stelter 's book may have suffered from an unflattering review published in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the author 's incessant `` name calling '' and `` gratuitous gossip , '' including an anonymously sourced smear regarding a female anchor who `` knew how to use sex to get ahead . ''
The contents of Hoax appear to run counter to Stelter 's antipathy towards name calling—at least when it 's directed at him .
In one passage involving a personal interaction with Hannity , the Fox News host addresses Stelter by the nickname `` Humpty Dumpty . ''
Stelter does n't seem to like it , and asks Hannity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name-calling . ''
Hannity says no , and walks away .

When it comes to ratings, Fox News legend Sean Hannity routinely crushes his rivals at CNN. Turns out he's also better at selling books.
Hannity's most recent literary smash, Live Free or Die: America (and the World) on the Brink, has officially overtaken Hoax, the anti-Fox News diatribe authored by CNN personality Brian Stelter, on Amazon's list of bestselling new releases.
After trailing Stelter's book in the rankings earlier this week, Live Free or Die soared past Hoax to land at the number six spot as of Thursday afternoon. Hoax, which had previously occupied the sixth position on the Amazon chart, fell all the way to ninth—behind Skinnytaste Meal Prep and A Little SPOT Learns Online: A Story About Virtual Classroom Expectations.
The disparity between the two books does not end there. Live Free or Die enjoys a perfect five-star rating based on more than 2,000 reviews. Hoax, by comparison, has a middling three-star rating based on just 29 reviews on Amazon.
Stelter's book may have suffered from an unflattering review published in the New York Times, which slammed the author's incessant "name calling" and "gratuitous gossip," including an anonymously sourced smear regarding a female anchor who "knew how to use sex to get ahead."
The contents of Hoax appear to run counter to Stelter's antipathy towards name calling—at least when it's directed at him. In one passage involving a personal interaction with Hannity, the Fox News host addresses Stelter by the nickname "Humpty Dumpty." Stelter doesn't seem to like it, and asks Hannity "if he ever felt bad about the name-calling." Hannity says no, and walks away.


freebeacon--2020-08-28--BEASTMODE: Trump at White House: ‘We’re Here and They’re Not’

During his address accepting the Republican presidential nomination in 2020 , President Donald Trump pointed at the White House and @ @ @ @ @ here , and they 're not . ''

During his address accepting the Republican presidential nomination in 2020, President Donald Trump pointed at the White House and said, "We're here, and they're not."


A Trump In Full

President Trump accepted the Republican nomination Thursday night with his family flanking him on a dais constructed atop the South Lawn of the White House .
His speech hit all the marks of Trump-ism .
He said Joe Biden was inept and a vehicle for the socialist left , described how he 's fulfilled the MAGA agenda , and reasserted his opposition to political correctness .
`` We are not a nation of timid spirits , '' he said .
`` We are a nation of fierce , proud , and independent patriots . ''
The setting of the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump era has been .
Donald Trump appeared out of nowhere when he came down the escalator in June 2015 .
Since that moment , he has been the indefatigable element of American ( and world ) politics .
There is no getting around him .
We have been living in a world in which Donald Trump defines media coverage of his candidacy and administration , reshapes the Republican party , and tugs the government of the United States fitfully and persistently in a national populist direction .
Then the coronavirus struck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life for the last half decade metastasized .
And so we were left with a sitting president delivering a convention address from the White House for the first time since 1940 .
Donald Trump narrowly won the presidency four years ago because large swathes of America decided that the political class had failed them .
He represented an anti-politics , a rejection of the bipartisan consensus on foreign policy , immigration , and trade that had influenced public policy since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 .
Trump defied the consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norm that has governed presidential decorum since at least World War II .
As every pundit ( including me ) assailed his character and his methods , a plurality of Republican and then American voters gave him their assent .
Why ?
If you watched the Democratic convention , you would have no idea .
You would think that Trump was some atavistic demon , conjured up from the lower depths of American history to slash and burn the harmonious global civilization Barack Obama was bringing into being .
But that 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president because , since the end of the Cold War , American elites have been more concerned with their own self-interest than the condition of their fellow citizens who do not have college degrees .
There is no getting around this .
The Bobos spent 30 years getting rich , renovating their homes , and exporting their values through NGOs and trade and border policies that came back to haunt them .
The result was a public consensus that the American dream was no more , that economic conditions for the non-affluent were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patriotic young men and women to the Middle East for what many thought was no good purpose .
And so a wild man became our president .
Here we are four years later .
It has not been an easy ride .
And yet somehow Trump and the country survives .
His first administration was characterized by a roaring economy and a bitter politics , right up until the coronavirus appeared in America .
`` They are angry at me because instead of putting them first , I very simply said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said on Thursday .
Who would have thought , when the pandemic struck , that fear of the virus would be overwhelmed by the agenda of Black Lives Matter ?
And who could have anticipated , in January 2020 , that one of the most important issues in this election would be crime and disorder in the cities ?
I do n't pretend to know what will happen in November .
No one who lived through 2016 should be confident in their predictions .
I have a profound fear of what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of a sudden , legitimate concerns about racial equity and social justice are transmuted into justifications for vandalism , theft , violence , cancellation , and ostracization .
Random communities—Kenosha , Wis. , diners in Washington—become sites of revolution , rebuke , and disorder .
This can not last .
What Trump offers is n't so much the end of the chaos—federalism and prudence circumscribe his sphere of action—but at least a rhetorical and gestural rebuke of the idea that my country was originally , and fatally , diseased .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Constitution , and the principles that animated its Founders .
And I do n't think I 'm alone .
The Republican convention did a good job of demonstrating that white , black , Hispanic , and Asian Americans agree .
What Donald Trump has done is reframe the 2020 election as a referendum on the American idea .
And Joe Biden might not know how to answer .

President Trump accepted the Republican nomination Thursday night with his family flanking him on a dais constructed atop the South Lawn of the White House. His speech hit all the marks of Trump-ism. He said Joe Biden was inept and a vehicle for the socialist left, described how he's fulfilled the MAGA agenda, and reasserted his opposition to political correctness. "We are not a nation of timid spirits," he said. "We are a nation of fierce, proud, and independent patriots."
The setting of the convention was another reminder of how unusual the Trump era has been. Donald Trump appeared out of nowhere when he came down the escalator in June 2015. Since that moment, he has been the indefatigable element of American (and world) politics. There is no getting around him. We have been living in a world in which Donald Trump defines media coverage of his candidacy and administration, reshapes the Republican party, and tugs the government of the United States fitfully and persistently in a national populist direction. Then the coronavirus struck, and the oddities that have defined American life for the last half decade metastasized. And so we were left with a sitting president delivering a convention address from the White House for the first time since 1940.
Donald Trump narrowly won the presidency four years ago because large swathes of America decided that the political class had failed them. He represented an anti-politics, a rejection of the bipartisan consensus on foreign policy, immigration, and trade that had influenced public policy since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. Trump defied the consensus, and he also flouted every single norm that has governed presidential decorum since at least World War II. As every pundit (including me) assailed his character and his methods, a plurality of Republican and then American voters gave him their assent.
Why? If you watched the Democratic convention, you would have no idea. You would think that Trump was some atavistic demon, conjured up from the lower depths of American history to slash and burn the harmonious global civilization Barack Obama was bringing into being. But that's not what happened. Donald Trump is our president because, since the end of the Cold War, American elites have been more concerned with their own self-interest than the condition of their fellow citizens who do not have college degrees. There is no getting around this. The Bobos spent 30 years getting rich, renovating their homes, and exporting their values through NGOs and trade and border policies that came back to haunt them. The result was a public consensus that the American dream was no more, that economic conditions for the non-affluent were terrible, that the government had sent patriotic young men and women to the Middle East for what many thought was no good purpose. And so a wild man became our president.
Here we are four years later. It has not been an easy ride. And yet somehow Trump and the country survives. His first administration was characterized by a roaring economy and a bitter politics, right up until the coronavirus appeared in America. "They are angry at me because instead of putting them first, I very simply said, 'I put America first,'" Trump said on Thursday. Who would have thought, when the pandemic struck, that fear of the virus would be overwhelmed by the agenda of Black Lives Matter? And who could have anticipated, in January 2020, that one of the most important issues in this election would be crime and disorder in the cities?
I don't pretend to know what will happen in November. No one who lived through 2016 should be confident in their predictions. I have a profound fear of what is happening to my country, however. All of a sudden, legitimate concerns about racial equity and social justice are transmuted into justifications for vandalism, theft, violence, cancellation, and ostracization. Random communities—Kenosha, Wis., diners in Washington—become sites of revolution, rebuke, and disorder. This cannot last. What Trump offers isn't so much the end of the chaos—federalism and prudence circumscribe his sphere of action—but at least a rhetorical and gestural rebuke of the idea that my country was originally, and fatally, diseased.
It was not. I love my country, and the Constitution, and the principles that animated its Founders. And I don't think I'm alone. The Republican convention did a good job of demonstrating that white, black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans agree. What Donald Trump has done is reframe the 2020 election as a referendum on the American idea. And Joe Biden might not know how to answer.


freebeacon--2020-08-28--Dana White: Trump Went Above and Beyond to Bring Sports Back

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White lauded President Donald Trump Thursday for his push to bring back entertainment and live sporting events amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` President Trump recognized that one of the small ways to instill a sense of normalcy in people 's lives was to bring back entertainment options , '' he said in taped remarks at the Republican National Convention .
`` The president went above and beyond to help all sports leagues involved , figure out a way to overcome the challenges of staging live , professional sporting events in the middle of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did it .
The UFC was first to do it and we are continuing to do it .
Now other sports have joined us , and some of the lessons learned are being used to help reopen other types of businesses and schools . ''
Before White spoke , the RNC showed a video in honor of `` The American Athlete '' and depicted Trump 's interactions with various athletes and teams during his first term .
The pandemic canceled several iconic sporting events when it broke out in March , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since then , the NBA and NHL have resumed their seasons and playoffs , and Major League Baseball began an abbreviated season in July .
The NFL is on track to begin next month .

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White lauded President Donald Trump Thursday for his push to bring back entertainment and live sporting events amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"President Trump recognized that one of the small ways to instill a sense of normalcy in people's lives was to bring back entertainment options," he said in taped remarks at the Republican National Convention. "The president went above and beyond to help all sports leagues involved, figure out a way to overcome the challenges of staging live, professional sporting events in the middle of a pandemic, and you know what? We did it. The UFC was first to do it and we are continuing to do it. Now other sports have joined us, and some of the lessons learned are being used to help reopen other types of businesses and schools."
Before White spoke, the RNC showed a video in honor of "The American Athlete" and depicted Trump's interactions with various athletes and teams during his first term.
The pandemic canceled several iconic sporting events when it broke out in March, including the NCAA Tournament and College World Series. Since then, the NBA and NHL have resumed their seasons and playoffs, and Major League Baseball began an abbreviated season in July. The NFL is on track to begin next month.


freebeacon--2020-08-28--Harris: Democrats Embrace ‘Diversity’ of Radical and Moderate Views

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said Friday that Democrats welcome the `` diversity '' of `` radical '' and moderate views in their party .
`` The most important point I think that can be made about the diversity of who we are is an embrace for the diversity of who we are , '' Harris told NBC News .
`` That 's who we are as Democrats .
We embrace the diversity of who we are . ''
Although mainstream media have labeled the senator and former California attorney general as a moderate—the Associated Press noted Harris 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times called her a `` pragmatic moderate '' —Harris 's voting record is `` more liberal '' than 99 percent of the Senate , according to a VoteView analysis .
Earlier this month , Harris teamed up with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) to cosponsor environmental legislation that far-left groups praised as a precursor to the $ 94 trillion Green New Deal .
Harris is also the first candidate on a presidential ticket to openly support gun confiscations .
Among other left-wing views , Harris also supports eliminating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage to $ 15 per hour .
The candidate previously cosponsored socialist senator Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) Medicare for All bill .

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said Friday that Democrats welcome the "diversity" of "radical" and moderate views in their party.
"The most important point I think that can be made about the diversity of who we are is an embrace for the diversity of who we are," Harris told NBC News. "That's who we are as Democrats. We embrace the diversity of who we are."
Although mainstream media have labeled the senator and former California attorney general as a moderate—the Associated Press noted Harris's "centrist record" and the New York Times called her a "pragmatic moderate"—Harris's voting record is "more liberal" than 99 percent of the Senate, according to a VoteView analysis.
Earlier this month, Harris teamed up with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) to cosponsor environmental legislation that far-left groups praised as a precursor to the $94 trillion Green New Deal. Harris is also the first candidate on a presidential ticket to openly support gun confiscations.
Among other left-wing views, Harris also supports eliminating the Electoral College and increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. The candidate previously cosponsored socialist senator Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) Medicare for All bill.


freebeacon--2020-08-28--On C-SPAN, Dems Defect to Trump

On C-SPAN, Dems Defect to Trump

Self-described Democrats flooded the C-SPAN phone lines this week during the Republican National Convention to say they were switching their @ @ @ @ @ David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He was previously a @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post .
He graduated @ @ @ @ @ and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz .
He can @ @ @ @ @ freebeacon.com .

Self-described Democrats flooded the C-SPAN phone lines this week during the Republican National Convention to say they were switching their vote to Donald Trump.
Published under: Democrats , RNC , SUPERcuts , Video


freebeacon--2020-08-28--Establishment-Backed Dem Asks If It’s ‘Open Season’ on Trump and GOP Officials

An establishment-backed Democratic candidate asked whether it 's `` open season '' on President Donald Trump and other GOP officials .
In a June 10 tweet , Florida Democrat Pam Keith accused Republicans of implying that George Floyd 's killing was `` not a big deal '' because he `` was a ‘ bad guy . '
'' She went on to apply the logic to a list of prominent Republicans who she labeled `` bad , '' including President Donald Trump , Attorney General William Barr , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , and Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want ?
Killing is OK if it 's a ‘ bad guy ? '
'' Keith wrote .
`` Is it now open season on : Flynn , Manafort , Stone , Gates , Cohen , TRUMP , Barr , Kavanaugh , Lewandowski , Bolton , Pompeo , Papadopoulos , Parscale [ ? ]
'' Keith is running to unseat Rep. Brian Mast ( R. , Fla. ) and is backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) .
The group championed Keith in an August press release , claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the petty partisanship that gets in the way of delivering results for Floridians . ''
Committee chairwoman Rep. Cheri Bustos ( D. , Ill. ) also praised Keith , saying she `` has the experience and a record of fighting for what 's right . ''
The DCCC did not respond to a request for comment .
In addition to the June tweet , Keith called all Trump supporters `` racist '' in a July 2019 post .
`` Stop telling me that EVERY Trump supporter is not racist .
YES THEY ARE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word for someone who stands with , supports , votes for , justifies , disseminates and Co-signs on an avowed racist is… RACIST ! ''
The Washington Post ran a profile of Keith on Friday that failed to mention the controversial posts .
It did , however , write that Mast is `` swirling in social media controversy '' after a pair of 2009 and 2011 Facebook comments resurfaced .
In the comments , Mast joked about rape and told current campaign manager Rocco LeDonni that he hopes LeDonni `` hook [ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ in South Africa ] .
… It 's legel [ sic ] there right . ''
Mast apologized for the comments , saying that `` a decade ago when I was in the Army , and following my injury , I made disgusting and inappropriate jokes that I am embarrassed to have associated with my name today . ''
The Keith campaign told the Washington Free Beacon that Keith is a `` frequent and spirited Tweeter , which is inherently a forum designed to be provocative , '' adding that her posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among friends that we 've seen out of Brian Mast . ''
A decorated Afghanistan war veteran , Mast lost both legs and a finger when a bomb exploded underneath him in 2010 .
Update 8/28/2020 6:20 p.m. : This article has been updated with comment from the Keith campaign .

An establishment-backed Democratic candidate asked whether it's "open season" on President Donald Trump and other GOP officials.
In a June 10 tweet, Florida Democrat Pam Keith accused Republicans of implying that George Floyd's killing was "not a big deal" because he "was a 'bad guy.'" She went on to apply the logic to a list of prominent Republicans who she labeled "bad," including President Donald Trump, Attorney General William Barr, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"Is that REALLY the new rule they want? Killing is OK if it's a 'bad guy?'" Keith wrote. "Is it now open season on: Flynn, Manafort, Stone, Gates, Cohen, TRUMP, Barr, Kavanaugh, Lewandowski, Bolton, Pompeo, Papadopoulos, Parscale[?]"
GOP: Yeah he’s dead. But it’s not a big deal because he was a 'bad guy." Is that REALLY the new rule they want? Killing is OK if it’s a 'bad guy?" Is it now open season on: Flynn
Manafort
Stone
Gates
Cohen
TRUMP
Barr
Kavanaugh
Lewandowski
Bolton
Pompeo
Papadopolous
Parscale — Pam Keith, Esq. (@PamKeithFL) June 10, 2020
Keith is running to unseat Rep. Brian Mast (R., Fla.) and is backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The group championed Keith in an August press release, claiming the Democrat would "put an end to the petty partisanship that gets in the way of delivering results for Floridians." Committee chairwoman Rep. Cheri Bustos (D., Ill.) also praised Keith, saying she "has the experience and a record of fighting for what's right."
The DCCC did not respond to a request for comment.
In addition to the June tweet, Keith called all Trump supporters "racist" in a July 2019 post.
"Stop telling me that EVERY Trump supporter is not racist. YES THEY ARE!" Keith wrote. "The word for someone who stands with, supports, votes for, justifies, disseminates and Co-signs on an avowed racist is… RACIST!"
The Washington Post ran a profile of Keith on Friday that failed to mention the controversial posts. It did, however, write that Mast is "swirling in social media controversy" after a pair of 2009 and 2011 Facebook comments resurfaced. In the comments, Mast joked about rape and told current campaign manager Rocco LeDonni that he hopes LeDonni "hook[s] up with at least fifteen 15-year-olds [in South Africa]. ... It's legel [sic] there right."
Mast apologized for the comments, saying that "a decade ago when I was in the Army, and following my injury, I made disgusting and inappropriate jokes that I am embarrassed to have associated with my name today."
The Keith campaign told the Washington Free Beacon that Keith is a "frequent and spirited Tweeter, which is inherently a forum designed to be provocative," adding that her posts "bear no resemblance to the joking among friends that we've seen out of Brian Mast."
A decorated Afghanistan war veteran, Mast lost both legs and a finger when a bomb exploded underneath him in 2010.
Update 8/28/2020 6:20 p.m.: This article has been updated with comment from the Keith campaign.


freebeacon--2020-08-28--California Gave $35 Million ‘Voter Outreach’ Contract to ‘Team Biden’ Firm

A consulting firm run by a top Biden campaign official is receiving $ 35 million from California for a voter outreach program linked to the state 's coronavirus response .
The state awarded Democratic public relations giant SKDKnickerbocker the lucrative deal as part of the state 's `` Vote Safe California '' program on Aug. 13 .
The program aims to `` educate the public on the safety , security , and ease of voting in the November General Election amid the COVID-19 pandemic '' and was launched following Democratic governor Gavin Newsom 's May decision to send every registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The $ 35 million comes in addition to the $ 2.1 million SKDK has collected from the Biden campaign since June 2019 .
According to documents obtained by the Sacramento Bee , the contract asks SKDK to give `` special attention '' to `` reaching first-time mail voters , '' as well as those with language barriers .
The state 's contract approval process was expedited for the November election .
SKDK has close ties to former president Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The firm 's managing director , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's White House communications director and is now leading Biden 's presidential campaign .
SKDK 's political consulting webpage says it is `` proud to be a part of Team Biden '' and touts previous campaign work with former president Bill Clinton , former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , and disgraced former congresswoman Katie Hill ( D. , Calif. ) , among other Democrats .
In addition , SKDK has advocated for police reform and expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement .
The firm on Thursday accused President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be afraid of Black and brown Americans , '' adding that recent police shootings are `` a direct result of 400 years of systemic racism in America and the last four years of Donald Trump 's failed leadership in the White House . ''
SKDK is also working as a `` pro-bono PR firm '' for Friday 's March on Washington led by Rev .
Al Sharpton .
The firm described the protest as `` counter-programming to the angry and hate-filled RNC Convention '' in a Thursday statement .
The Public Interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , argued that California 's local election authorities , not SKDK , should be spearheading the outreach campaign .
`` Voter education and outreach are core jobs of local governments in the lead-up to an election , '' spokesman Logan Churchwell told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` This is an admission on the part of California to not have the bandwidth to perform these sovereign duties . ''
The California secretary of state 's office addressed concerns over SKDK 's partisan ties by telling the Sacramento Bee that those working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side and the government side '' are `` nonpartisan and do not have ties to specific politicians . ''
Chief communications officer Paula Valle did not respond to a Free Beacon inquiry asking who is leading the campaign , nor did SKDK .
This is not the first time that a Democratic governor has awarded taxpayer-funded contracts to a campaign vendor .
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer , a onetime vice presidential hopeful , gave Democratic data giant NGP VAN and another campaign firm lucrative contracts for coronavirus contact tracing .
Michigan rescinded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties between Whitmer 's election campaign and the firms .
While California 's presidential race is unlikely to be competitive , there are a number of hotly contested congressional districts in the state that could determine control of the House .
According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report , two California legislators currently occupy `` toss-up '' seats—Reps .
Mike Garcia ( R. ) and T.J. Cox ( D. ) .

A consulting firm run by a top Biden campaign official is receiving $35 million from California for a voter outreach program linked to the state's coronavirus response.
The state awarded Democratic public relations giant SKDKnickerbocker the lucrative deal as part of the state's "Vote Safe California" program on Aug. 13. The program aims to "educate the public on the safety, security, and ease of voting in the November General Election amid the COVID-19 pandemic" and was launched following Democratic governor Gavin Newsom's May decision to send every registered voter in the state a mail-in ballot. The $35 million comes in addition to the $2.1 million SKDK has collected from the Biden campaign since June 2019.
According to documents obtained by the Sacramento Bee, the contract asks SKDK to give "special attention" to "reaching first-time mail voters," as well as those with language barriers. The state's contract approval process was expedited for the November election.
SKDK has close ties to former president Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The firm's managing director, Anita Dunn, previously served as Obama's White House communications director and is now leading Biden's presidential campaign. SKDK's political consulting webpage says it is "proud to be a part of Team Biden" and touts previous campaign work with former president Bill Clinton, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and disgraced former congresswoman Katie Hill (D., Calif.), among other Democrats.
In addition, SKDK has advocated for police reform and expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement. The firm on Thursday accused President Donald Trump of "telling white Americans they should be afraid of Black and brown Americans," adding that recent police shootings are "a direct result of 400 years of systemic racism in America and the last four years of Donald Trump's failed leadership in the White House." SKDK is also working as a "pro-bono PR firm" for Friday's March on Washington led by Rev. Al Sharpton. The firm described the protest as "counter-programming to the angry and hate-filled RNC Convention" in a Thursday statement.
The Public Interest Legal Foundation, an election integrity watchdog group, argued that California's local election authorities, not SKDK, should be spearheading the outreach campaign.
"Voter education and outreach are core jobs of local governments in the lead-up to an election," spokesman Logan Churchwell told the Washington Free Beacon. "This is an admission on the part of California to not have the bandwidth to perform these sovereign duties."
The California secretary of state's office addressed concerns over SKDK's partisan ties by telling the Sacramento Bee that those working on the contract "both on the firm side and the government side" are "nonpartisan and do not have ties to specific politicians." Chief communications officer Paula Valle did not respond to a Free Beacon inquiry asking who is leading the campaign, nor did SKDK.
This is not the first time that a Democratic governor has awarded taxpayer-funded contracts to a campaign vendor. Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, a onetime vice presidential hopeful, gave Democratic data giant NGP VAN and another campaign firm lucrative contracts for coronavirus contact tracing. Michigan rescinded the deal after the Free Beacon exposed the ties between Whitmer's election campaign and the firms.
While California's presidential race is unlikely to be competitive, there are a number of hotly contested congressional districts in the state that could determine control of the House. According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, two California legislators currently occupy "toss-up" seats—Reps. Mike Garcia (R.) and T.J. Cox (D.).