freebeacon--2020-06-16--Pressured Into Senate Race by Top Dems, Montana’s Bullock Says He ‘Won’t Answer to Party Bosses’

Montana governor Steve Bullock kicked off his Senate campaign by claiming that he `` wo n't answer to party bosses , '' just months after reports emerged that the Democrat bowed to pressure from Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) to break his pledge not to run in 2020 .
Bullock emphasized in his first TV ad that he would not be beholden to party leaders after bowing to pressure from top Democrats to jump in the race .
Though Bullock repeatedly dismissed a Senate bid during his unsuccessful presidential campaign—it was `` something that never really got me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed-door meetings in February with Schumer and former president Barack Obama .
The Montana governor campaigned as a centrist when he was elected in 2012 , but embraced several left-wing positions during his ill-fated presidential campaign .
In June 2019 , for example , Bullock flipped on his long-standing support for the state 's coal plants , citing a U.N. recommendation to transition away from the energy source .
He also expressed support for an assault weapons ban .
Jessica Taylor , Senate editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image , and to distance himself from top party leaders , is essential to the success of his campaign against incumbent Republican senator Steve Daines .
Montana voters may be willing to elect a Democrat to the governorship , but sending one to Washington is `` very different , '' according to Taylor .
`` The way Republicans win in Montana is by reminding people that [ Bullock ] is a Democrat , and that voters see state races very differently than they see federal races , '' Taylor told the Washington Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remind voters that [ Bullock ] would caucus with Democrats at the federal level and would give Chuck Schumer a Senate majority . ''
While Bullock could be bolstered by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which earned him a 70 percent approval rating in a May Montana State University poll , Taylor said it is `` typically much harder '' to translate that support to a Senate race .
Shortly after the ad 's release , the National Republican Senatorial Committee responded with a video showing how Bullock had reversed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One former veteran GOP strategist said Bullock 's national campaign `` exposed him as a total hypocrite . ''
`` On issues like guns , he 's flip-flopped from his position as governor to try and please the liberal activist base while running for president .
He 's rendered himself too liberal for Montana , '' the former strategist told the Free Beacon .
Bullock also claimed in his new ad that he `` wo n't take a dime from corporate PACs , '' though his campaign has benefited from corporate largesse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions from corporate PACs and some of the nation 's wealthiest liberals—has spent $ 700,000 on ads targeting Sen. Daines .
In addition , liberal dark money group Protect Our Care announced in March that it will spend $ 250,000 supporting Bullock through TV ads .
The group is affiliated with Arabella Advisors , a shadowy network that spent $ 600 million backing Democrats in 2018 without revealing the source of its funds .
`` The only reason Steve Bullock is in this race is because his party bosses told him he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montana Republican Party told the Free Beacon .
`` And Bullock 's hypocrisy on corporate PAC money is even worse , having taken nearly $ 200,000 from Democratic Leadership PACs , which are funded by corporate PACs . ''
`` Schumer and Obama felt comfortable recruiting Bullock for Senate behind the scenes at a time when he was publicly denying interest because they knew the truth—they knew he was interested , '' the operative told the Free Beacon .
`` Bullock 's decision to run for two Washington , D.C. , offices in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his desire to get out of Montana and into D.C. as fast as possible . ''

Montana governor Steve Bullock kicked off his Senate campaign by claiming that he "won't answer to party bosses," just months after reports emerged that the Democrat bowed to pressure from Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) to break his pledge not to run in 2020.
Bullock emphasized in his first TV ad that he would not be beholden to party leaders after bowing to pressure from top Democrats to jump in the race. Though Bullock repeatedly dismissed a Senate bid during his unsuccessful presidential campaign—it was "something that never really got me excited," he said—Bullock buckled after closed-door meetings in February with Schumer and former president Barack Obama.
The Montana governor campaigned as a centrist when he was elected in 2012, but embraced several left-wing positions during his ill-fated presidential campaign. In June 2019, for example, Bullock flipped on his long-standing support for the state's coal plants, citing a U.N. recommendation to transition away from the energy source. He also expressed support for an assault weapons ban.
Jessica Taylor, Senate editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said that Bullock's attempt to cultivate an independent image, and to distance himself from top party leaders, is essential to the success of his campaign against incumbent Republican senator Steve Daines. Montana voters may be willing to elect a Democrat to the governorship, but sending one to Washington is "very different," according to Taylor.
"The way Republicans win in Montana is by reminding people that [Bullock] is a Democrat, and that voters see state races very differently than they see federal races," Taylor told the Washington Free Beacon. "Republicans are going to remind voters that [Bullock] would caucus with Democrats at the federal level and would give Chuck Schumer a Senate majority."
While Bullock could be bolstered by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which earned him a 70 percent approval rating in a May Montana State University poll, Taylor said it is "typically much harder" to translate that support to a Senate race.
Bullock's spokeswoman Olivia Bercow said that Bullock has "made it clear" that his decision to run was shaped by "conversations with his family and the many Montanans who don't feel like Washington works," adding that he "doesn't take marching orders from anyone in Washington." Former Montana Democratic senator Max Baucus said that Bullock's meeting with Schumer was "key to the decision" to run following the governor's campaign launch in March, according to the Associated Press.
Shortly after the ad's release, the National Republican Senatorial Committee responded with a video showing how Bullock had reversed his positions since launching his failed presidential bid. One former veteran GOP strategist said Bullock's national campaign "exposed him as a total hypocrite."
"On issues like guns, he's flip-flopped from his position as governor to try and please the liberal activist base while running for president. He's rendered himself too liberal for Montana," the former strategist told the Free Beacon.
Bullock also claimed in his new ad that he "won't take a dime from corporate PACs," though his campaign has benefited from corporate largesse. Schumer's Senate Majority PAC—which takes millions from corporate PACs and some of the nation's wealthiest liberals—has spent $700,000 on ads targeting Sen. Daines. In addition, liberal dark money group Protect Our Care announced in March that it will spend $250,000 supporting Bullock through TV ads. The group is affiliated with Arabella Advisors, a shadowy network that spent $600 million backing Democrats in 2018 without revealing the source of its funds.
"The only reason Steve Bullock is in this race is because his party bosses told him he had to," a spokesperson for the Montana Republican Party told the Free Beacon. "And Bullock's hypocrisy on corporate PAC money is even worse, having taken nearly $200,000 from Democratic Leadership PACs, which are funded by corporate PACs."
One top GOP Senate operative called Bullock the "quintessential central casting politician."
"Schumer and Obama felt comfortable recruiting Bullock for Senate behind the scenes at a time when he was publicly denying interest because they knew the truth—they knew he was interested," the operative told the Free Beacon. "Bullock's decision to run for two Washington, D.C., offices in the last year has to do with his desire to get out of Montana and into D.C. as fast as possible."


freebeacon--2020-06-16--Pelosi Pours $180,000 Into Facebook Ads While Calling for Advertisers to Boycott Site

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on advertisers to boycott social media networks unless the outlets agree to restrict `` dangerous '' political speech , even as her campaign spent over $ 180,000 on Facebook ads over the past week .
`` Advertisers are in a position , they have power to discourage platforms from amplifying dangerous and even life-threatening disinformation , '' said Pelosi at an online conference on social media hosted by George Washington University on Tuesday .
Pelosi said advertisers should use `` a combination '' of tactics to pressure social media companies to change their policies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 182,528 on Facebook ads over the past seven days , according to Facebook ’ s public database .
The spending shows the value Democrats place on the platform as a political fundraising and organizing tool , even as they call for tighter speech restrictions on the site .
Pelosi 's comments appear to correspond with Joe Biden 's public pressure campaign against Facebook .
Last week , the Democratic presidential candidate called on supporters to protest Facebook and demand that the website restrict `` misinformation '' posted on the platform by Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media conference , Pelosi also read remarks from former Facebook employees who claimed the website `` weaponized hatred '' and `` is n't neutral . ''
`` You know , [ Facebook founder ] Mark [ Zuckerberg ] said it 's neutral .
It is n't neutral , '' said Pelosi .
A spokesperson for Pelosi did not respond to a request for comment .
Facebook did not respond to a request for comment .
Biden spent over $ 4.7 million on Facebook ads this month , the Washington Free Beacon reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing `` threatening behavior and the spread of misinformation '' from Trump .
The Biden campaign has been privately lobbying Facebook for stricter speech policies for months , but deployed its supporters against the social network last week after its demands were rebuffed , the New York Times reported .
On Tuesday , Biden ’ s deputy communications director Bill Russo sent out an email blast asking supporters to sign an open letter to Zuckerberg `` to help us pressure Facebook to do the right thing . ''
`` We called on Facebook—in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our supporters—to change its policies by finally preventing rampant disinformation before it influences our election , '' the campaign said in the email .
`` Facebook responded , and I will spare you the details , because honestly , it did n't even make sense . ''
`` [ R ] ight now , Facebook is letting Donald Trump write the terms of what ’ s acceptable online in this election , and we wo n't stand for it , '' the email continued .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on advertisers to boycott social media networks unless the outlets agree to restrict "dangerous" political speech, even as her campaign spent over $180,000 on Facebook ads over the past week.
"Advertisers are in a position, they have power to discourage platforms from amplifying dangerous and even life-threatening disinformation," said Pelosi at an online conference on social media hosted by George Washington University on Tuesday.
Pelosi said advertisers should use "a combination" of tactics to pressure social media companies to change their policies, including pulling ad revenue.
Pelosi spent $182,528 on Facebook ads over the past seven days, according to Facebook’s public database. The spending shows the value Democrats place on the platform as a political fundraising and organizing tool, even as they call for tighter speech restrictions on the site.
Pelosi's comments appear to correspond with Joe Biden's public pressure campaign against Facebook. Last week, the Democratic presidential candidate called on supporters to protest Facebook and demand that the website restrict "misinformation" posted on the platform by Donald Trump and his supporters.
During the social media conference, Pelosi also read remarks from former Facebook employees who claimed the website "weaponized hatred" and "isn't neutral."
"You know, [Facebook founder] Mark [Zuckerberg] said it's neutral. It isn't neutral," said Pelosi.
A spokesperson for Pelosi did not respond to a request for comment. Facebook did not respond to a request for comment.
Biden spent over $4.7 million on Facebook ads this month, the Washington Free Beacon reported, while blasting the website for allegedly allowing "threatening behavior and the spread of misinformation" from Trump.
The Biden campaign has been privately lobbying Facebook for stricter speech policies for months, but deployed its supporters against the social network last week after its demands were rebuffed, the New York Times reported.
On Tuesday, Biden’s deputy communications director Bill Russo sent out an email blast asking supporters to sign an open letter to Zuckerberg "to help us pressure Facebook to do the right thing."
"We called on Facebook—in an open letter, co-signed by you, our supporters—to change its policies by finally preventing rampant disinformation before it influences our election," the campaign said in the email. "Facebook responded, and I will spare you the details, because honestly, it didn't even make sense."
"[R]ight now, Facebook is letting Donald Trump write the terms of what’s acceptable online in this election, and we won't stand for it," the email continued.


freebeacon--2020-06-16--Media: Donald Trump Is Distracting You

Media: Donald Trump Is Distracting You

A favorite media talking point over the past three years : Whatever President Donald Trump is doing on any given @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

A favorite media talking point over the past three years: Whatever President Donald Trump is doing on any given day is a distraction.


freebeacon--2020-06-16--Boring White Man Cal Cunningham Is Exactly What Chuck Schumer Wanted for NC Senate Candidate

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) was perfectly clear about the kind of candidate he wanted North Carolina Democrats to nominate to face incumbent senator Thom Tillis ( R. ) in 2020 .
Last year , when state senator Jeff Jackson—a relatively young , white , male veteran—was being courted to enter the race , Schumer reportedly laid out his vision for a winning campaign strategy .
After rejecting Jackson 's suggestion of holding town halls to interact with voters , Schumer said he wanted the Democratic nominee to `` spend the next 16 months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then we 're going to spend 80 percent of it on negative ads about Tillis . ''
Though Jackson ultimately passed on the race , Schumer found a willing candidate in Cal Cunningham—a relatively young , white , male veteran who might be the most boring political figure of the 2020 cycle .
But that 's exactly what Democrats are looking for in a presidential election year in which the party 's central campaign message amounts to little more than `` Not Trump . ''
Schumer and Democratic Party leaders certainly have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a boring white man , or because they see him as the most amenable to doing what he 's told .
For the most part , Cunningham has followed Schumer 's orders , while outside groups spend millions on ads attacking his opponent .
Majority Forward , a Democrat-aligned PAC , on Tuesday launched a seven-figure ad campaign criticizing Tillis 's record on health care .
Cunningham has even received help from the Lincoln Project , an anti-Trump PAC founded by failed Republican strategists .
The group released a 30-second television spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyal to the president , a primary theme of Cunningham 's campaign .
The North Carolina Senate race has already been the target of nearly $ 14 million in outside spending , more than any other statewide campaign this cycle .
Leading super PACs are expected to spend nearly $ 50 million in the state , which will be crucial to the Democratic Party 's efforts to promote Chuck Schumer to Senate majority leader .
While the coronavirus pandemic has shielded Cunningham from criticism he might otherwise receive for staying put in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just enough to keep his name in the news via livestreams and the occasional local news interview .
Not that he was particularly eager to take a firm position on hot-button issues before coronavirus .
Cunningham declined , for example , to take a firm position on impeachment back in December 2019 , saying only that `` we ought to be very deeply troubled '' by President Trump 's `` deeply , deeply troubling '' actions , adding that `` the facts are pretty deeply troublesome . ''
Schumer started backing Cunningham before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign for the Democratic nomination .
The Senate minority leader helped Cunningham raise more than $ 150,000 from New York-based donors before entering the race , a clear indication Cunningham would be the Democratic establishment 's preferred candidate .
Schumer 's not-so-subtle preference for Cunningham became a source of controversy in the Democratic primary .
For some , it was an indication that the Democratic Party 's commitment to racial and gender diversity extends only so far .
Also seeking the nomination was state senator Erica Smith , a former Boeing engineer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman elected to the U.S. Senate .
Smith was not pleased with the way Schumer and Democratic Party officials conducted themselves in the primary .
When the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee ( DSCC ) formally endorsed Cunningham in October 2019 , Smith was livid , alleging in a statement that DSCC executives had told her `` unequivocally , that they were not , had not , did not intend to endorse in the primary . ''
Smith , who announced her candidacy before Cunningham and had been leading Tillis in statewide polling , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thumb on the scale of our democracy '' and robbing North Carolina voters of the chance to make their own decisions .
She even suggested that her race was a factor in Schumer 's decision to embrace Cunningham .
`` Sen. Schumer , for whatever reason , did not want an African American running for Senate in North Carolina , '' Smith said during a campaign event in January .
She added that Democrats deserved a candidate who would n't be `` beholden to Chuck Schumer and New York millionaires and billionaires .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 points when votes were cast in early March .
It was n't the first time the DSCC had intervened on Cunningham 's behalf during a Senate primary against a female opponent .
The Democratic campaign apparatus formally endorsed him in 2010 , but Cunningham ended up losing to North Carolina secretary of state Elaine Marshall in a run-off .
Marshall , who went on to lose to incumbent Sen. Richard Burr ( R. , N.C. ) , had also complained that `` North Carolina Democrats do not appreciate Washington trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' And the North Carolina race is n't the only one in which the DSCC has been accused of trying to undermine qualified black candidates .
A group representing thousands of black Democrats in Texas recently accused party leaders of trying to `` cheat '' state senator Royce West of a chance to become the state 's first African-American U.S. senator .
According to the Houston Chronicle , the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats alleges that the DSCC , which has already endorsed West 's white opponent , has been contacting donors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give money to West 's campaign .
`` It 's the same basic problem we have broadly speaking in America—whenever African-Americans have an opportunity to advance , they get undercut , '' said Carroll Robinson , the group 's chairman .
`` And it 's sad that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is doing it , and I wish they would stop . ''

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) was perfectly clear about the kind of candidate he wanted North Carolina Democrats to nominate to face incumbent senator Thom Tillis (R.) in 2020.
Last year, when state senator Jeff Jackson—a relatively young, white, male veteran—was being courted to enter the race, Schumer reportedly laid out his vision for a winning campaign strategy. After rejecting Jackson's suggestion of holding town halls to interact with voters, Schumer said he wanted the Democratic nominee to "spend the next 16 months in a windowless basement raising money, and then we're going to spend 80 percent of it on negative ads about Tillis."
Though Jackson ultimately passed on the race, Schumer found a willing candidate in Cal Cunningham—a relatively young, white, male veteran who might be the most boring political figure of the 2020 cycle. But that's exactly what Democrats are looking for in a presidential election year in which the party's central campaign message amounts to little more than "Not Trump."
Schumer and Democratic Party leaders certainly have a thing for Cunningham. Perhaps because he's a boring white man, or because they see him as the most amenable to doing what he's told. For the most part, Cunningham has followed Schumer's orders, while outside groups spend millions on ads attacking his opponent. Majority Forward, a Democrat-aligned PAC, on Tuesday launched a seven-figure ad campaign criticizing Tillis's record on health care.
Cunningham has even received help from the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC founded by failed Republican strategists. The group released a 30-second television spot in May accusing Tillis of being too loyal to the president, a primary theme of Cunningham's campaign.
The North Carolina Senate race has already been the target of nearly $14 million in outside spending, more than any other statewide campaign this cycle. Leading super PACs are expected to spend nearly $50 million in the state, which will be crucial to the Democratic Party's efforts to promote Chuck Schumer to Senate majority leader.
While the coronavirus pandemic has shielded Cunningham from criticism he might otherwise receive for staying put in his basement, the candidate has been doing just enough to keep his name in the news via livestreams and the occasional local news interview. Not that he was particularly eager to take a firm position on hot-button issues before coronavirus.
Cunningham declined, for example, to take a firm position on impeachment back in December 2019, saying only that "we ought to be very deeply troubled" by President Trump's "deeply, deeply troubling" actions, adding that "the facts are pretty deeply troublesome."
Schumer started backing Cunningham before the former one-term state senator even announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination. The Senate minority leader helped Cunningham raise more than $150,000 from New York-based donors before entering the race, a clear indication Cunningham would be the Democratic establishment's preferred candidate.
Schumer's not-so-subtle preference for Cunningham became a source of controversy in the Democratic primary. For some, it was an indication that the Democratic Party's commitment to racial and gender diversity extends only so far. Also seeking the nomination was state senator Erica Smith, a former Boeing engineer attempting to become just the third African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
Smith was not pleased with the way Schumer and Democratic Party officials conducted themselves in the primary. When the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) formally endorsed Cunningham in October 2019, Smith was livid, alleging in a statement that DSCC executives had told her "unequivocally, that they were not, had not, did not intend to endorse in the primary."
Smith, who announced her candidacy before Cunningham and had been leading Tillis in statewide polling, accused Democratic officials of putting "their thumb on the scale of our democracy" and robbing North Carolina voters of the chance to make their own decisions. She even suggested that her race was a factor in Schumer's decision to embrace Cunningham.
"Sen. Schumer, for whatever reason, did not want an African American running for Senate in North Carolina," Smith said during a campaign event in January. She added that Democrats deserved a candidate who wouldn't be "beholden to Chuck Schumer and New York millionaires and billionaires." Smith ultimately lost to Cunningham by more than 20 points when votes were cast in early March.
It wasn't the first time the DSCC had intervened on Cunningham's behalf during a Senate primary against a female opponent. The Democratic campaign apparatus formally endorsed him in 2010, but Cunningham ended up losing to North Carolina secretary of state Elaine Marshall in a run-off. Marshall, who went on to lose to incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R., N.C.), had also complained that "North Carolina Democrats do not appreciate Washington trying to handpick or anoint their candidate."
And the North Carolina race isn't the only one in which the DSCC has been accused of trying to undermine qualified black candidates. A group representing thousands of black Democrats in Texas recently accused party leaders of trying to "cheat" state senator Royce West of a chance to become the state's first African-American U.S. senator.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats alleges that the DSCC, which has already endorsed West's white opponent, has been contacting donors in the state and urging them not to give money to West's campaign.
"It's the same basic problem we have broadly speaking in America—whenever African-Americans have an opportunity to advance, they get undercut," said Carroll Robinson, the group's chairman. "And it's sad that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is doing it, and I wish they would stop."


freebeacon--2020-06-16--Trump Admin Targets VOA Persian, Alleging Pro-Iran Bias

The Trump administration is seeking to implement a series of major reforms at Voice of America 's Persian News Network , an effort that comes after years of complaints alleging the outlet has exhibited a pro-Iran bias in its reporting , senior U.S. officials told the Washington Free Beacon .
VOA Persian , a taxpayer-funded news service that broadcasts in Farsi with the mission of countering the hardline Iranian regime 's anti-U.S. propaganda , has long been a source of frustration for Iranian dissidents and anti-regime voices in Congress .
Its broadcasts , critics allege , consistently portray Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlet 's mission of providing an unvarnished view of the Middle East .
After years of complaints and investigations by Congress , the Trump administration is taking action , according to Brian Hook , the State Department 's top Iran envoy .
Hook and other senior U.S. officials told the Free Beacon that the administration is pushing a series of reforms at VOA Persian that include a change in leadership , a complete overhaul of its programming , and new mandates to ensure coverage no longer fetes the Iranian regime .
Hook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pack as the new head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , VOA 's governing body , has paved the way for the administration to root out corruption and mismanagement at VOA .
Pack , a conservative filmmaker and Trump ally , has been viewed with contempt by top VOA officials .
Since his appointment earlier this month , two top VOA executives stepped down , citing concerns the outlet would no longer retain its editorial independence .
Trump supporters , however , view Pack as an agent for change at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of liberal bias .
Trump has been vocal about his distaste for VOA 's coverage , which is often critical of his administration and its policies .
`` I hear often from the [ Iranian ] diaspora about problems at VOA , and I know the value that VOA 's Farsi language service can have if run properly and , conversely , how detrimental it can be if run improperly , '' Hook told the Free Beacon .
`` I look forward to a new day for VOA 's Persian service as new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ensure accurate , effective , and engaging content worthy of taxpayer dollars . ''
Last year , VOA Persian received $ 17 million in funding from the U.S. government .
While VOA news outlets are free to pursue stories without intervention by the government , the Persian service has put considerable resources into stories that paint the regime in a favorable light , critics say .
It has banned prominent anti-regime voices from appearing on-air and canceled shows that are popular among dissidents and Iranian expats living in America .
The time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for VOA Persian , '' particularly as `` misinformation , disinformation , and Iranian regime propaganda is at an all-time high , '' Hook said .
`` We are confident that tangible changes will be made so that taxpayer money spent on providing news and information to the rest of the world about America 's policies is accurate , reliable , and counters disinformation by regimes , like Iran , which are harmful to U.S .
interests . ''
A VOA spokesperson disputed claims of bias at the outlet , telling the Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the forefront of confronting the disinformation efforts of the Iranian regime and enhancing U.S. efforts to speak directly to the Iranian people and the global Persian diaspora . ''
Since its establishment in 1979 , VOA Persian has been one of the only U.S. agencies to communicate directly with the Iranian people , the spokesperson said .
The spokesperson cited numerous interviews with Hook as evidence it is not biased but did not address bans of anti-regime voices .
Hook has appeared on the network 26 times , including for seven exclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his live speeches and aired 24 reports that included his recorded statements .
It has also interviewed a variety of GOP congressional hawks to present their views to the Iranian people .
A senior U.S. official who spoke to the Free Beacon about reform efforts said VOA Persian is among the least effective U.S.-funded news bureaus .
Concerns , the official said , reached a tipping point in 2014 when the Free Beacon first reported that a prominent Iran critic had been banned from the network over his anti-regime rhetoric .
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers petitioned then-secretary of State John Kerry to investigate allegations that VOA Persian 's leadership routinely censored negative coverage of Iran 's ruling government .
`` This has been a problem for a long time but really became a huge problem in 2014 , '' the senior U.S. official , speaking only on background about ongoing reform efforts , told the Free Beacon .
`` VOA Persian went significantly downhill in quality , content , programming , and became rife with management issues and personnel problems . ''
Trump , the source said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
The proposed reforms , many of which are likely to be pursued by Pack in his new role , include ousting VOA Persian 's current leadership and revamping the network 's coverage to erase instances of pro-government bias .
This would also include a `` mandate for accurate and timely reporting of U.S. policy , '' an area where the outlet has significantly lagged behind competitors , according to the senior administration official .
Saeed Ghasseminejad , an Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , said these reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` failed to deliver timely , well-crafted objective news and reports , to explain Trump administration 's Iran-policy , and to be a good representative of American values , '' Ghasseminejad said , citing systemic mismanagement and politicization at the highest levels .
`` Over the years , VOA Persian 's management has managed to shut down its most successful shows and send capable hosts and producers into exile or marginalize them , '' he said .

The Trump administration is seeking to implement a series of major reforms at Voice of America's Persian News Network, an effort that comes after years of complaints alleging the outlet has exhibited a pro-Iran bias in its reporting, senior U.S. officials told the Washington Free Beacon.
VOA Persian, a taxpayer-funded news service that broadcasts in Farsi with the mission of countering the hardline Iranian regime's anti-U.S. propaganda, has long been a source of frustration for Iranian dissidents and anti-regime voices in Congress. Its broadcasts, critics allege, consistently portray Iran's government in a glowing light, undermining the outlet's mission of providing an unvarnished view of the Middle East.
After years of complaints and investigations by Congress, the Trump administration is taking action, according to Brian Hook, the State Department's top Iran envoy. Hook and other senior U.S. officials told the Free Beacon that the administration is pushing a series of reforms at VOA Persian that include a change in leadership, a complete overhaul of its programming, and new mandates to ensure coverage no longer fetes the Iranian regime.
Hook said the recent Senate confirmation of Michael Pack as the new head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA's governing body, has paved the way for the administration to root out corruption and mismanagement at VOA. Pack, a conservative filmmaker and Trump ally, has been viewed with contempt by top VOA officials. Since his appointment earlier this month, two top VOA executives stepped down, citing concerns the outlet would no longer retain its editorial independence. Trump supporters, however, view Pack as an agent for change at a taxpayer-funded organization that has long faced accusations of liberal bias.
Trump has been vocal about his distaste for VOA's coverage, which is often critical of his administration and its policies.
"I hear often from the [Iranian] diaspora about problems at VOA, and I know the value that VOA's Farsi language service can have if run properly and, conversely, how detrimental it can be if run improperly," Hook told the Free Beacon. "I look forward to a new day for VOA's Persian service as new leadership comes in under Michael Pack who can ensure accurate, effective, and engaging content worthy of taxpayer dollars."
Last year, VOA Persian received $17 million in funding from the U.S. government. While VOA news outlets are free to pursue stories without intervention by the government, the Persian service has put considerable resources into stories that paint the regime in a favorable light, critics say. It has banned prominent anti-regime voices from appearing on-air and canceled shows that are popular among dissidents and Iranian expats living in America.
The time has come for a "new direction for VOA Persian," particularly as "misinformation, disinformation, and Iranian regime propaganda is at an all-time high," Hook said. "We are confident that tangible changes will be made so that taxpayer money spent on providing news and information to the rest of the world about America's policies is accurate, reliable, and counters disinformation by regimes, like Iran, which are harmful to U.S. interests."
A VOA spokesperson disputed claims of bias at the outlet, telling the Free Beacon that the network "has been on the forefront of confronting the disinformation efforts of the Iranian regime and enhancing U.S. efforts to speak directly to the Iranian people and the global Persian diaspora."
Since its establishment in 1979, VOA Persian has been one of the only U.S. agencies to communicate directly with the Iranian people, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson cited numerous interviews with Hook as evidence it is not biased but did not address bans of anti-regime voices.
Hook has appeared on the network 26 times, including for seven exclusive interviews. VOA Persian also carried 17 of his live speeches and aired 24 reports that included his recorded statements. It has also interviewed a variety of GOP congressional hawks to present their views to the Iranian people.
A senior U.S. official who spoke to the Free Beacon about reform efforts said VOA Persian is among the least effective U.S.-funded news bureaus. Concerns, the official said, reached a tipping point in 2014 when the Free Beacon first reported that a prominent Iran critic had been banned from the network over his anti-regime rhetoric.
Following that report, a bipartisan group of lawmakers petitioned then-secretary of State John Kerry to investigate allegations that VOA Persian's leadership routinely censored negative coverage of Iran's ruling government.
"This has been a problem for a long time but really became a huge problem in 2014," the senior U.S. official, speaking only on background about ongoing reform efforts, told the Free Beacon. "VOA Persian went significantly downhill in quality, content, programming, and became rife with management issues and personnel problems."
Trump, the source said, has made reforming the network a priority.
The proposed reforms, many of which are likely to be pursued by Pack in his new role, include ousting VOA Persian's current leadership and revamping the network's coverage to erase instances of pro-government bias. This would also include a "mandate for accurate and timely reporting of U.S. policy," an area where the outlet has significantly lagged behind competitors, according to the senior administration official.
Saeed Ghasseminejad, an Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said these reforms are long overdue.
VOA Persian has "failed to deliver timely, well-crafted objective news and reports, to explain Trump administration's Iran-policy, and to be a good representative of American values," Ghasseminejad said, citing systemic mismanagement and politicization at the highest levels.
"Over the years, VOA Persian's management has managed to shut down its most successful shows and send capable hosts and producers into exile or marginalize them," he said.


freebeacon--2020-06-16--Nebraska Dem Refuses to Bow Out of Senate Race Amid Sexual Harassment Scandal

The Nebraska Democratic Party 's nominee for Senate on Monday refused calls from his own party to resign his candidacy following a sexual harassment allegation .
Chris Janicek denied the party 's request that he drop out over text messages in which he made sexually explicit remarks about another staffer , the Omaha World-Herald reports .
In a group text with at least five people , Janicek mocked a staffer by saying he wanted to `` get her laid . ''
According to the World-Herald , Janicek described lining up men for group sex with the staffer , suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a moment in time where I made a terrible mistake in a text message , '' he said .
The party requested Janicek withdraw after reviewing the text messages , which were revealed by a staff member who filed a formal complaint about the incident Monday .
Janicek 's campaign claimed he apologized soon after sending the initial message .
`` I hope everyone understands , including you … that this is a joke , '' he texted the group .
`` I 'm going on no sleep and a bunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was out of line now that I read my text back I apologize . ''
Following Janicek 's refusal to withdraw on Monday , the state 's party unanimously voted to deny him any party resources .
`` Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment , '' state party chairwoman Jane Kleeb said after the vote .
`` Our Party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn ’ t treat men and women with the dignity and respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary race on May 12 and is seeking to unseat Nebraska 's junior senator Ben Sasse ( R. ) in the November election .

Janicek won't resign candidacy despite opposition from his own state party
The Nebraska Democratic Party's nominee for Senate on Monday refused calls from his own party to resign his candidacy following a sexual harassment allegation.
Chris Janicek denied the party's request that he drop out over text messages in which he made sexually explicit remarks about another staffer, the Omaha World-Herald reports. In a group text with at least five people, Janicek mocked a staffer by saying he wanted to "get her laid."
According to the World-Herald, Janicek described lining up men for group sex with the staffer, suggesting that the men could be paid.
"Thoughts?!money" he wrote.
Janicek admitted the messages are authentic.
"This is a moment in time where I made a terrible mistake in a text message," he said.
The party requested Janicek withdraw after reviewing the text messages, which were revealed by a staff member who filed a formal complaint about the incident Monday.
Janicek's campaign claimed he apologized soon after sending the initial message.
"I hope everyone understands, including you ... that this is a joke," he texted the group. "I'm going on no sleep and a bunch of exuberant excitement and I think I was out of line now that I read my text back I apologize."
Following Janicek's refusal to withdraw on Monday, the state's party unanimously voted to deny him any party resources.
"Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment," state party chairwoman Jane Kleeb said after the vote. "Our Party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn’t treat men and women with the dignity and respect they deserve."
Janicek won his primary race on May 12 and is seeking to unseat Nebraska's junior senator Ben Sasse (R.) in the November election.


freebeacon--2020-06-16--‘Defund the Police’ Critique Costs Professor Job at Fed Reserve Bank

Activists targeting a University of Chicago academic for criticizing the `` defund the police '' movement saw early success on June 12 when a prominent economics journal put him on leave and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago cut ties with him .
The prestigious Journal of Political Economy suspended economist Harald Uhlig in the wake of a petition drive organized by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement .
The journal 's advisory board announced online that it placed Uhlig `` on leave from his role as editor , '' pending the results of an investigation into his comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension could lead to his firing from the journal .
The announcement said the board is investigating whether it will be `` appropriate for [ Uhlig ] to continue in [ an editorial ] role given recent accusations of discriminatory conduct . ''
Uhlig has already lost one job after criticizing the `` defund the police '' movement that has been embraced by many protesters associated with Black Lives Matter .
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago also fired Uhlig on Friday .
A bank spokeswoman said that Uhlig 's views were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values and our commitment to diversity , equity and inclusion . ''
Uhlig told the Washington Free Beacon that he was both terminated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and placed on leave by the Journal of Political Economy on June 12 but could not comment further on the pending investigations .
The controversy erupted when Uhlig , in a tweet thread , critiqued Black Lives Matter 's association with the radical `` # defundthepolice '' movement , saying that national protests , initially sparked by the murder of George Floyd in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by people who wish to push radical , left-wing policies .
Students and professors submitted a petition to the University of Chicago and the journal accusing Uhlig of `` trivializing the Black Lives Matter movement . ''
Uhlig 's trouble may not be limited to his off-campus appointments .
The University of Chicago is now investigating a separate allegation that emerged in the aftermath of the petition drive .
University of Pennsylvania Law School research fellow and former University of Chicago student , Bocar Ba , alleged Uhlig made fun of Dr. Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ba claims he was the only black student in the classroom and Uhlig singled him out when he allegedly asked Ba if it was okay to reschedule class on Martin Luther King Jr. Day .
Uhlig told the Free Beacon that he does not recall the described incident .
The professor is not on academic leave from the University of Chicago at this time .
`` My best guess is that this was all an unfortunate misunderstanding .
As described , it feels so much at odds with my core values and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It grieves me that we did not get a chance to talk about it 6 years ago .
… We need to find ways so that a student like him feels entirely comfortable to flag such an incidence right away to the appropriate people in the university , and that there is a sincere follow-up .
I hope this will happen now and I hope that we can do things right . ''
Ba has not disclosed further details about the allegation publicly .
Alejandro Hoyos Suarez , who received his doctorate from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter to say that he remembered the incident .
Neither Ba nor Suarez returned requests for comment .
Ba 's comments are now at the center of a university investigation .
University of Chicago spokesman Gerald McSwiggan described Uhlig 's alleged comments as `` intimidating , '' `` hostile , '' and `` discriminatory '' behavior that specifically targets minority groups .
`` Such behavior is in direct contradiction to the University 's values that everyone must have the opportunity to participate fully in an open and questioning environment .
The University is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race in a University classroom , '' he told the Free Beacon .

Activists targeting a University of Chicago academic for criticizing the "defund the police" movement saw early success on June 12 when a prominent economics journal put him on leave and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago cut ties with him.
The prestigious Journal of Political Economy suspended economist Harald Uhlig in the wake of a petition drive organized by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement. The journal's advisory board announced online that it placed Uhlig "on leave from his role as editor," pending the results of an investigation into his comments online and in the classroom. That suspension could lead to his firing from the journal. The announcement said the board is investigating whether it will be "appropriate for [Uhlig] to continue in [an editorial] role given recent accusations of discriminatory conduct."
Uhlig has already lost one job after criticizing the "defund the police" movement that has been embraced by many protesters associated with Black Lives Matter. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago also fired Uhlig on Friday. A bank spokeswoman said that Uhlig's views were not "compatible with the Chicago Fed's values and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion."
Uhlig told the Washington Free Beacon that he was both terminated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and placed on leave by the Journal of Political Economy on June 12 but could not comment further on the pending investigations.
The controversy erupted when Uhlig, in a tweet thread, critiqued Black Lives Matter's association with the radical "#defundthepolice" movement, saying that national protests, initially sparked by the murder of George Floyd in police custody, should not be hijacked by people who wish to push radical, left-wing policies. Students and professors submitted a petition to the University of Chicago and the journal accusing Uhlig of "trivializing the Black Lives Matter movement."
Uhlig's trouble may not be limited to his off-campus appointments. The University of Chicago is now investigating a separate allegation that emerged in the aftermath of the petition drive.
University of Pennsylvania Law School research fellow and former University of Chicago student, Bocar Ba, alleged Uhlig made fun of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a 2014 lecture. Ba claims he was the only black student in the classroom and Uhlig singled him out when he allegedly asked Ba if it was okay to reschedule class on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
@haralduhlig, I sat in your class in Winter 2014:
(1) You talked about scheduling a class on MLK Day
(2) You made fun of Dr. King and people honoring him
(3) You sarcastically asked me in front of everyone whether I was offended
Here is the receipt: @JustinWolfers @and_joy_ — Bocar A. Ba (@bocar_a) June 12, 2020
Uhlig told the Free Beacon that he does not recall the described incident. The professor is not on academic leave from the University of Chicago at this time.
"My best guess is that this was all an unfortunate misunderstanding. As described, it feels so much at odds with my core values and beliefs," Uhlig said. "It grieves me that we did not get a chance to talk about it 6 years ago. ... We need to find ways so that a student like him feels entirely comfortable to flag such an incidence right away to the appropriate people in the university, and that there is a sincere follow-up. I hope this will happen now and I hope that we can do things right."
Ba has not disclosed further details about the allegation publicly. Alejandro Hoyos Suarez, who received his doctorate from the University of Chicago, took to Twitter to say that he remembered the incident. Neither Ba nor Suarez returned requests for comment.
Ba's comments are now at the center of a university investigation. University of Chicago spokesman Gerald McSwiggan described Uhlig's alleged comments as "intimidating," "hostile," and "discriminatory" behavior that specifically targets minority groups.
"Such behavior is in direct contradiction to the University's values that everyone must have the opportunity to participate fully in an open and questioning environment. The University is currently reviewing claims that a faculty member engaged in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race in a University classroom," he told the Free Beacon.


freebeacon--2020-06-16--WHO Chief to Speak at Top Chinese University Graduation Ceremony

BEIJING ( Reuters ) – The head of the WHO is due to give a speech to Beijing university students this week , as the U.N. body seeks to manage a resurgence of the coronavirus in China amid hostility from its biggest donor , the United States .
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will deliver the graduation speech online to Tsinghua University ’ s School of Economics and Management on June 21 , according to a notice from the university .
Washington has suspended its funding to the WHO , which President Donald Trump has accused of becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has handled the coronavirus pandemic .
The WHO has rejected Trump ’ s assertions that it promoted `` disinformation '' about the virus from China , where a flare-up of COVID-19 cases has stoked fears of a second wave of infections .
The WHO said on Tuesday that Tedros had given hundreds of addresses since taking office nearly three years ago , including in the past two weeks a virtual speech to New York ’ s Columbia University and a recorded one for City University of New York .
More people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States than in any other country .

BEIJING (Reuters) - The head of the WHO is due to give a speech to Beijing university students this week, as the U.N. body seeks to manage a resurgence of the coronavirus in China amid hostility from its biggest donor, the United States.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will deliver the graduation speech online to Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management on June 21, according to a notice from the university.
Washington has suspended its funding to the WHO, which President Donald Trump has accused of becoming a puppet of China for the way it has handled the coronavirus pandemic.
The WHO has rejected Trump’s assertions that it promoted "disinformation" about the virus from China, where a flare-up of COVID-19 cases has stoked fears of a second wave of infections.
The WHO said on Tuesday that Tedros had given hundreds of addresses since taking office nearly three years ago, including in the past two weeks a virtual speech to New York’s Columbia University and a recorded one for City University of New York.
More people have died of the coronavirus in the United States than in any other country.
(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley; Editing by Tony Munroe and John Stonestreet)


freebeacon--2020-06-17--FSU Students Tap Anti-Semite for President After Ousting ‘Bigoted’ Catholic

Florida State University 's student government tapped a student who called an Israeli a `` stupid Jew , '' among other anti-Semitic online remarks , to replace as president a member they ousted for expressing his Catholic beliefs in leaked private messages .
FSU 's student senate impeached president Jack Denton for expressing Catholic teaching on abortion and transgenderism in conversations on the group messaging app GroupMe .
The student government appointed Ahmad Daraldik , who created a website calling Israel 's existence a continuation of the Holocaust , to take his place as student senate president .
In two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ f**k Israel , '' and `` stupid Jew , '' as captions .
He also created a website connecting the `` occupation of Palestine '' to the Holocaust .
Daraldik claimed that `` the Holocaust never ended , it just moved to Palestine . ''
The website also compares the Gaza strip—an area controlled by the Palestinian Authority and the terrorist organization Hamas—to concentration camps in Nazi Germany .
An anonymous FSU student created a Change.org petition calling for Daraldik to be removed from his leadership position .
`` These anti-semitic remarks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States , and most important on this Earth , '' the petition reads .
`` There is no justification for his remarks , and [ he ] needs to be removed from his position of power . ''
The university 's Hillel organization told the Washington Free Beacon they were concerned about the anti-Semitic claims made by Daraldik .
`` These claims go beyond legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and into modern reincarnations of centuries-old ‘ blood libels ' that have been used as the justification for the murder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said FSU 's Hillel executive director Dan Leshem .
`` We are calling on the Senate President to immediately address these issues and commit himself to learning how and why this type of discourse is so hurtful to Jews and damaging to public discourse . ''
Daraldik did not respond to a request for comment .
The FSU student senate will vote Wednesday on whether to remove Daraldik for his comments .
The scheduled vote comes less than two weeks after a vote of no confidence ousted Denton .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denton said that some policies embraced by Black Lives Matter , Reclaim the Block , the ACLU , and other left-wing groups `` advocate for things that are explicitly anti-Catholic . ''
He pointed to how some advocates defend laws protecting abortions and affirming transgenderism—both of which are at odds with the teachings of his faith .
`` I do n't mean to anger anyone.… It is important to know what you 're supporting when you 're Catholic .
If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sinned through my silence , '' Denton said .
`` I love you all , and I want us all to be aware of the truth . ''
Denton 's texts were posted in a student opinion newspaper that deemed his words `` disqualifying . ''
Both Denton and his lawyers at the religious liberty law firm Alliance Defending Freedom declined to comment .
A Change.org petition was started soon after Denton 's texts were published , calling on the student senate to remove Denton for his `` transphobic '' and `` racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FSU student who created the petition , told the Free Beacon that Denton 's views could not be justified with his role as student body president .
`` Denton 's use of the word ‘ transgenderism ' was an indication of his ignorance towards queer points of view and lack of understanding of the complexities many queer college students face , '' Callahan said .
She declined to answer questions about Daraldik 's anti-Semitic posts .

Florida State University's student government tapped a student who called an Israeli a "stupid Jew," among other anti-Semitic online remarks, to replace as president a member they ousted for expressing his Catholic beliefs in leaked private messages.
FSU's student senate impeached president Jack Denton for expressing Catholic teaching on abortion and transgenderism in conversations on the group messaging app GroupMe. The student government appointed Ahmad Daraldik, who created a website calling Israel's existence a continuation of the Holocaust, to take his place as student senate president.
In two separate posts, Daraldik wrote, "f**k Israel," and "stupid Jew," as captions. He also created a website connecting the "occupation of Palestine" to the Holocaust, writing that "the Holocaust never ended, it just moved to Palestine." The website also draws a comparison between the Gaza strip—an area controlled by the Palestinian Authority and the terrorist organization Hamas—and concentration camps in Nazi Germany.
An anonymous FSU student created a Change.org petition calling for Daraldik to be removed from his leadership position. "These anti-semitic remarks are not welcomed on FSU's campus, in the United States, and most important on this Earth," the petition reads. "There is no justification for his remarks, and [he] needs to be removed from his position of power." The university's Hillel organization told the Washington Free Beacon they were concerned about the anti-Semitic claims made by Daraldik.
"These claims go beyond legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and into modern reincarnations of centuries-old 'blood libels' that have been used as the justification for the murder of thousands of Jews over the past millennium," said FSU's Hillel executive director Dan Leshem. "We are calling on the Senate President to immediately address these issues and commit himself to learning how and why this type of discourse is so hurtful to Jews and damaging to public discourse."
Daraldik did not respond to a request for comment.
The FSU student senate will vote Wednesday on whether to remove Daraldik for his comments. The scheduled vote comes less than two weeks after a vote of no confidence ousted Denton.
In a Catholic student union GroupMe chat group, Denton said that some policies embraced by Black Lives Matter, Reclaim the Block, the ACLU, and other left-wing groups "advocate for things that are explicitly anti-Catholic." He pointed to how some advocates defend laws protecting abortions and affirming transgenderism—both of which are at odds with the teachings of his faith.
"I don't mean to anger anyone.… It is important to know what you're supporting when you're Catholic. If I stay silent while my brothers and sisters may be supporting an organization that promotes grave evils, I have sinned through my silence," Denton said. "I love you all, and I want us all to be aware of the truth."
Denton's texts were posted in a student opinion newspaper that deemed his words "disqualifying." Both Denton and his lawyers at the religious liberty law firm Alliance Defending Freedom declined to comment.
A Change.org petition was started soon after Denton's texts were published, calling on the student senate to remove Denton for his "transphobic" and "racist" remarks. Lauren Callahan, the FSU student who created the petition, told the Free Beacon that Denton's views could not be justified with his role as student body president.
"Denton's use of the word 'transgenderism' was an indication of his ignorance towards queer points of view and lack of understanding of the complexities many queer college students face," Callahan said. She declined to answer questions about Daraldik's anti-Semitic posts.


freebeacon--2020-06-17--Death of Arizona Man from Chloroquine Ruled an Accident

The death of an Arizona man who ingested a lethal dose of fish tank treatment in March has been ruled an accidental overdose by the county medical examiner ’ s office , according to a copy of the report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
Gary Lenius , 68 , passed away on March 22 , after he and his wife drank a fish tank additive that contained the drug chloroquine .
The story drew national attention after the man ’ s wife , Wanda Lenius , said she and her husband ingested the substance because President Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
She subsequently told the Free Beacon that she had added a teaspoon of non-medicinal chloroquine powder , which is used to treat parasites in fish tanks , into glasses of soda that she and her husband drank .
The Mesa Police Department ’ s homicide unit has been investigating Lenius ’ s death since March .
Detective Teresa Van Galder , who is handling the case , said the investigation is ongoing , but she does not expect that her findings will differ from the medical examiner ’ s office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things to return prior to the investigation being officially completed , '' Van Galder told the Free Beacon .
`` Unless I come across something I do not already have , I do not foresee the finding of the OME changing . ''
The Free Beacon reported that homicide detectives were investigating Lenius 's death after Val Galder requested a recording of the Free Beacon ‘ s interview with Wanda Lenius .
In the wake of Gary Lenius 's death , friends told the Free Beacon that they found it difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxic chemical of his own volition .
They also described a rocky relationship between Lenius and his wife , who was charged with domestic domestic assault decades ago but found not guilty .
The Free Beacon also reported that Wanda Lenius had been a donor to Democratic causes .
Dr. William T. Stano III , a pathologist at the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner , found that Lenius died from `` ingestion of a non-prescription chloroquine phosphate as prophylaxis against COVID-19 infection , '' according to his June 10 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death as `` accident . ''
`` Upon emergency personnel arrival to [ the Lenius 's ] residence , the decedent had an altered level of consciousness and was subsequently transported to a local medical center where he was pronounced dead in the emergency department ( ED ) shortly after arrival , '' wrote Stano .
`` Based on the autopsy findings and all other investigative information , including medical records , received to date and as available to me , it is my opinion that the decedent died of an acute drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is further my opinion that the manner of death is accident . ''
`` As with all death investigations , opinions expressed herein are amenable to change should new , reliable , and pertinent information come to light , '' the report continued .
Lenius ’ s toxicology tests showed he had 17,000 nanograms per milliliter of chloroquine in his blood at the time of his death , indicating that he had ingested around 20 times the typical treatment dose .

The death of an Arizona man who ingested a lethal dose of fish tank treatment in March has been ruled an accidental overdose by the county medical examiner’s office, according to a copy of the report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Gary Lenius, 68, passed away on March 22, after he and his wife drank a fish tank additive that contained the drug chloroquine. The story drew national attention after the man’s wife, Wanda Lenius, said she and her husband ingested the substance because President Trump had praised chloroquine as a promising treatment for coronavirus. She subsequently told the Free Beacon that she had added a teaspoon of non-medicinal chloroquine powder, which is used to treat parasites in fish tanks, into glasses of soda that she and her husband drank.
The Mesa Police Department’s homicide unit has been investigating Lenius’s death since March. Detective Teresa Van Galder, who is handling the case, said the investigation is ongoing, but she does not expect that her findings will differ from the medical examiner’s office.
"I am still waiting on some other things to return prior to the investigation being officially completed," Van Galder told the Free Beacon. "Unless I come across something I do not already have, I do not foresee the finding of the OME changing." The Free Beacon reported that homicide detectives were investigating Lenius's death after Van Galder requested a recording of the Free Beacon's interview with Wanda Lenius.
In the wake of Gary Lenius's death, friends told the Free Beacon that they found it difficult to imagine the retired mechanical engineer ingesting the toxic chemical of his own volition. They also described a rocky relationship between Lenius and his wife, who was charged with domestic assault decades ago but found not guilty. The Free Beacon also reported that Wanda Lenius had been a donor to Democratic causes.
Dr. William T. Stano III, a pathologist at the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner, found that Lenius died from "ingestion of a non-prescription chloroquine phosphate as prophylaxis against COVID-19 infection," according to his June 10, 2020, report. He listed the manner of death as "accident."
"Upon emergency personnel arrival to [the Lenius's] residence, the decedent had an altered level of consciousness and was subsequently transported to a local medical center where he was pronounced dead in the emergency department (ED) shortly after arrival," wrote Stano.
"Based on the autopsy findings and all other investigative information, including medical records, received to date and as available to me, it is my opinion that the decedent died of an acute drug toxicity involving chloroquine," wrote Stano. "It is further my opinion that the manner of death is accident."
"As with all death investigations, opinions expressed herein are amenable to change should new, reliable, and pertinent information come to light," the report continued.
Lenius’s toxicology tests showed he had 17,000 nanograms per milliliter of chloroquine in his blood at the time of his death, indicating that he had ingested around 20 times the typical treatment dose.


freebeacon--2020-06-17--Black Law Students Association Presses Cornell Students to Boycott Professor

The Black Law Students Association is refusing to debate a Cornell University law professor over his criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement—and instead calling on students to boycott his classes .
The BLSA , which says it advocates for the interests of black law students , is waging a campaign against Cornell 's William Jacobson for remarks made about the Black Lives Matter movement on his popular blog , Legal Insurrection , which provides news commentary from a conservative perspective .
In an open letter posted to Facebook on Monday , and which is now circulating among Cornell law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pressing members and student allies to avoid Jacobson ’ s classes .
`` As the course selection period approaches , we encourage our membership and our allies to reconsider studying under an individual whose views perpetuate hatred towards their fellow students , '' the letter says .
The controversy erupted after Jacobson wrote earlier this month that the explosion of outrage from Black Lives Matter activists in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was part of a left-wing campaign `` to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That blog post and another critical of the activist movement have sparked calls for his dismissal , and nearly two dozen Cornell faculty members , in a letter published in the student newspaper , denounced what they characterize as a `` smear campaign against Black Lives Matter . ''
That letter , in which the faculty members expressed their solidarity with the BLSA , has drawn criticism from prominent legal scholars including George Washington University 's Jonathan Turley , who expressed concern about the censorious environment on university campuses that , he argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence those they disagree with rather than to engage with their arguments .
The BLSA letter goes beyond Jacobson himself , calling on Cornell administrators to screen prospective faculty members for evidence of views they deem racist .
`` We further urge the administration to critically examine the views of individuals they intend to employ , '' the letter states .
In the wake of the dust up , Jacobson challenged the BLSA to a public debate , an invitation the group declined , arguing that `` faculty members who challenge students to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting to preserve Black life are clearly more interested in amplifying their own agendas than engaging in thoughtful and reflective discourse . ''

Cornell University's Black Law Students Association has issued a call for fellow students to boycott Professor William Jacobson's classes in the wake of his criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement
The Black Law Students Association is refusing to debate a Cornell University law professor over his criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement—and instead calling on students to boycott his classes.
The BLSA, which says it advocates for the interests of black law students, is waging a campaign against Cornell's William Jacobson for remarks made about the Black Lives Matter movement on his popular blog, Legal Insurrection, which provides news commentary from a conservative perspective.
In an open letter posted to Facebook on Monday, and which is now circulating among Cornell law students and faculty members, the group is pressing members and student allies to avoid Jacobson’s classes. "As the course selection period approaches, we encourage our membership and our allies to reconsider studying under an individual whose views perpetuate hatred towards their fellow students," the letter says.
The controversy erupted after Jacobson wrote earlier this month that the explosion of outrage from Black Lives Matter activists in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was part of a left-wing campaign "to implement an anti-American, anti-Capitalist agenda."
That blog post and another critical of the activist movement have sparked calls for his dismissal, and nearly two dozen Cornell faculty members, in a letter published in the student newspaper, denounced what they characterize as a "smear campaign against Black Lives Matter."
That letter, in which the faculty members expressed their solidarity with the BLSA, has drawn criticism from prominent legal scholars including George Washington University's Jonathan Turley, who expressed concern about the censorious environment on university campuses that, he argued, has led activists to attempt to silence those they disagree with rather than to engage with their arguments.
The BLSA letter goes beyond Jacobson himself, calling on Cornell administrators to screen prospective faculty members for evidence of views they deem racist. "We further urge the administration to critically examine the views of individuals they intend to employ," the letter states.
In the wake of the dust up, Jacobson challenged the BLSA to a public debate, an invitation the group declined, arguing that "faculty members who challenge students to debate them on the motives of those fighting to preserve Black life are clearly more interested in amplifying their own agendas than engaging in thoughtful and reflective discourse."


freebeacon--2020-06-17--N.J. Official Claims He Was Fired for Refusing Coronavirus Tests to Family of Gov. Murphy’s Aide

A New Jersey health official says he was fired for refusing to give coronavirus tests to family members of Gov .
Phil Murphy 's ( D. ) top aide .
Christopher Neuwirth , an assistant commissioner for the state Division of Public Health , filed a complaint claiming he was let go for denying tests to relatives of the governor 's chief of staff , George Helmy , according to a report by NJ Advance Media .
`` Because I pursued an ethics complaint , I was terminated , '' Neuwirth said .
Neuwirth said in his lawsuit that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor 's chief of staff `` needs a favor '' and requested Neuwirth or a member of his staff go to the home of Helmy 's family to conduct coronavirus tests .
At the time , New Jersey used only scarce testing resources on people showing symptoms .
After he was asked for the `` favor , '' Neuwirth emailed the health commissioner 's chief of staff to warn her about the request .
`` Clearly , we can not say no , or advise them that this test does n't matter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an [ assistant commissioner 's ] time to spend literally 6-hours collecting one specimen , '' Neuwirth said in the email .
`` I 'm sharing this with you simply for documentation and , in case , this continues to spiral out of control . ''
Neuwirth said he also explained the matter to a member of his division 's Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance , who assured him it was a `` textbook ethics violation . ''
A spokesman for the governor said the lawsuit was a `` meritless complaint '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] forward to putting forth a vigorous defense . ''
Neuwirth was fired on May 28 , a month after he says he was asked for the `` favor , '' on grounds that he failed to disclose that he also worked for a private firm .
But NJ Advance Media reported that a recording revealed Judith Persichilli , New Jersey 's public health commissioner , said Neuwirth was fired because the governor 's office believed he had been leaking confidential information to the press .
When asked about Neuwirth 's firing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got no comment on Chris 's situation .
But I will say this , that folks are not—it 's par for the course that you 're not supposed to have another source of income , that 's just as a general matter . ''
Neuwirth denied leaking confidential information and said his outside work was mischaracterized .

A New Jersey health official says he was fired for refusing to give coronavirus tests to family members of Gov. Phil Murphy's (D.) top aide.
Christopher Neuwirth, an assistant commissioner for the state Division of Public Health, filed a complaint claiming he was let go for denying tests to relatives of the governor's chief of staff, George Helmy, according to a report by NJ Advance Media.
"Because I pursued an ethics complaint, I was terminated," Neuwirth said.
Neuwirth said in his lawsuit that the state police superintendent told him that the governor's chief of staff "needs a favor" and requested Neuwirth or a member of his staff go to the home of Helmy's family to conduct coronavirus tests. At the time, New Jersey used only scarce testing resources on people showing symptoms.
After he was asked for the "favor," Neuwirth emailed the health commissioner's chief of staff to warn her about the request.
"Clearly, we cannot say no, or advise them that this test doesn't matter, and it's a complete waste of an [assistant commissioner's] time to spend literally 6-hours collecting one specimen," Neuwirth said in the email. "I'm sharing this with you simply for documentation and, in case, this continues to spiral out of control."
Neuwirth said he also explained the matter to a member of his division's Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance, who assured him it was a "textbook ethics violation."
A spokesman for the governor said the lawsuit was a "meritless complaint" and the governor "look[ed] forward to putting forth a vigorous defense."
Neuwirth was fired on May 28, a month after he says he was asked for the "favor," on grounds that he failed to disclose that he also worked for a private firm. But NJ Advance Media reported that a recording revealed Judith Persichilli, New Jersey's public health commissioner, said Neuwirth was fired because the governor's office believed he had been leaking confidential information to the press.
When asked about Neuwirth's firing, Gov. Murphy said, "I've got no comment on Chris's situation. But I will say this, that folks are not—it's par for the course that you're not supposed to have another source of income, that's just as a general matter."
Neuwirth denied leaking confidential information and said his outside work was mischaracterized.


freebeacon--2020-06-17--Trump Admin Escalates Sanctions on Syria’s Assad Regime

The Trump administration on Wednesday issued wide-ranging new sanctions on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad , sending a message to international companies that if they work with Assad ’ s regime they will face crippling penalties .
`` Today we begin a sustained campaign of sanctions against the Assad regime under the Caesar Act , which authorizes severe economic sanctions to hold the Assad regime and its foreign enablers accountable for their brutal acts against the Syrian people , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement .
The new sanctions target 24 individuals and entities who are actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's regime .
The designations are the first to be imposed under the Caesar Act , a bipartisan piece of legislation passed earlier this year instructing the Trump administration to target any business or individual that provides assistance to Assad and his backers , which include Russia and Iran .
The legislation is named after a Syrian dissident who , under the pseudonym Caesar , documented widespread atrocities by Assad , including the murder and poisoning of civilians .
A large portion of the new sanctions target companies that helped Assad destroy civilian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the construction of luxury properties .
Those companies include the Damascus Cham Holding Company and its affiliates .
Several Syria-based contractors and tourism companies also have been hit with sanctions for their dealings with the Assad regime .

The Trump administration on Wednesday issued wide-ranging new sanctions on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, sending a message to international companies that if they work with Assad’s regime they will face crippling penalties.
"Today we begin a sustained campaign of sanctions against the Assad regime under the Caesar Act, which authorizes severe economic sanctions to hold the Assad regime and its foreign enablers accountable for their brutal acts against the Syrian people," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
The new sanctions target 24 individuals and entities who are actively supporting reconstruction efforts on behalf of Assad's regime.
The designations are the first to be imposed under the Caesar Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation passed earlier this year instructing the Trump administration to target any business or individual that provides assistance to Assad and his backers, which include Russia and Iran. The legislation is named after a Syrian dissident who, under the pseudonym Caesar, documented widespread atrocities by Assad, including the murder and poisoning of civilians.
A large portion of the new sanctions target companies that helped Assad destroy civilian strongholds in order to pave the way for the construction of luxury properties. Those companies include the Damascus Cham Holding Company and its affiliates. Several Syria-based contractors and tourism companies also have been hit with sanctions for their dealings with the Assad regime.


freebeacon--2020-06-17--Dick Durbin Has a White Fragility Problem

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin ( D. , Ill. ) had some choice words to describe Sen. Tim Scott 's ( R. , S.C. ) police reform bill .
`` What we say on the Democratic side is we can not waste this historic moment , this singular opportunity , '' Durbin said on the Senate floor while discussing the legislation proposed by Scott , who is black .
`` Let 's not do something that is a token , half-hearted approach . ''
As Durbin is almost certainly aware , `` token '' is a problematic , racially charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color .
Scott responded by asking whether Democratic leaders were still wearing the kente cloths they donned for an embarrassing photo op earlier this month .
He also suggested that it was n't such a bad idea for a police reform bill to be drafted by `` a person who has faced racial profiling by police , been pulled over dozens of times , or been speaking out for YEARS '' on the issue .
It 's not the first time Durbin has experienced `` white fragility '' when forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the George W. Bush administration , for example , Durbin led the 2003 effort to filibuster U.S. court of appeals nominee Miguel Estrada , who was widely considered to be a top candidate to be nominated to the Supreme Court one day .
Emails revealed that as early as November 2001 , Democratic lawmakers and liberal activist groups had been debating whether to filibuster Bush 's judicial nominees .
At the time , a Durbin aide emailed his boss to note that liberals viewed Estrada as `` especially dangerous '' because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also unclear why Durbin is apparently afraid to stand close to his colleague Sen. Cory Booker ( D. , N.J. ) .
The following photo ( and accompanying visual analysis ) speaks for itself .

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) had some choice words to describe Sen. Tim Scott's (R., S.C.) police reform bill.
"What we say on the Democratic side is we can not waste this historic moment, this singular opportunity," Durbin said on the Senate floor while discussing the legislation proposed by Scott, who is black. "Let's not do something that is a token, half-hearted approach."
As Durbin is almost certainly aware, "token" is a problematic, racially charged term used to denigrate the accomplishments of people of color.
Scott responded by asking whether Democratic leaders were still wearing the kente cloths they donned for an embarrassing photo op earlier this month. He also suggested that it wasn't such a bad idea for a police reform bill to be drafted by "a person who has faced racial profiling by police, been pulled over dozens of times, or been speaking out for YEARS" on the issue.
https://twitter.com/SenatorTimScott/status/1273283190044721155?s=20
It's not the first time Durbin has experienced "white fragility" when forced to confront the accomplishments of a nonwhite Republican. During the George W. Bush administration, for example, Durbin led the 2003 effort to filibuster U.S. court of appeals nominee Miguel Estrada, who was widely considered to be a top candidate to be nominated to the Supreme Court one day.
Emails revealed that as early as November 2001, Democratic lawmakers and liberal activist groups had been debating whether to filibuster Bush's judicial nominees. At the time, a Durbin aide emailed his boss to note that liberals viewed Estrada as "especially dangerous" because "he is Latino."
It is also unclear why Durbin is apparently afraid to stand close to his colleague Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.). The following photo (and accompanying visual analysis) speaks for itself.


freebeacon--2020-06-17--Cuomo: If a Community Doesn’t Want Its Police Force, ‘They Shouldn’t Have It’

New York governor Andrew Cuomo ( D. ) told NPR on Monday that if a community doesn ’ t want its current police force , `` they shouldn ’ t have it . ''
`` What the community is now saying , all across this nation , ‘ We don ’ t want this type of police force.
’ And if they don ’ t want it , they shouldn ’ t have it , '' Cuomo said .
Last week , Cuomo signed a package of legislation on police reform following protests over racism and police brutality spurred by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police custody .
Regarding the movement for police reform , Cuomo said in the NPR interview that `` change comes when the people demand change and the government acts in that moment .
Seize the moment .
Carpe momentum . ''
Cuomo also signed an executive order requiring local governments to redesign their police departments `` based on community input . ''
Police chiefs must present plans on reforming their use of force to the public for comment .
These plans must then be approved by local councils or legislatures .
Departments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be defunded , Cuomo said on Friday .
Cuomo told NPR he believes more must be done to address police brutality , and that the country is undergoing a `` fundamental redefinition '' of what Americans want from their police forces .

Says there's been a 'fundamental redefinition' of what Americans want from police
New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D.) told NPR on Monday that if a community doesn’t want its current police force, "they shouldn’t have it."
"What the community is now saying, all across this nation, ‘We don’t want this type of police force.’ And if they don’t want it, they shouldn’t have it," Cuomo said.
Last week, Cuomo signed a package of legislation on police reform following protests over racism and police brutality spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Regarding the movement for police reform, Cuomo said in the NPR interview that "change comes when the people demand change and the government acts in that moment. Seize the moment. Carpe momentum."
Cuomo also signed an executive order requiring local governments to redesign their police departments "based on community input." Police chiefs must present plans on reforming their use of force to the public for comment. These plans must then be approved by local councils or legislatures.
Departments that fail to reform by April 1 will be defunded, Cuomo said on Friday.
Cuomo told NPR he believes more must be done to address police brutality, and that the country is undergoing a "fundamental redefinition" of what Americans want from their police forces.


freebeacon--2020-06-17--Small Business Owners Slam Iowa Dem’s ‘Concerning’ Record as Real Estate Executive

Iowa small business owners gathered on Wednesday at a shopping center that was cleared out by Democratic Senate nominee Theresa Greenfield to highlight her `` concerning '' business record .
`` We need someone in Washington who is going to be loyal and committed .
Not being loyal and committed to a company you worked with for 30 years , that 's concerning to me , '' Jacob Handsaker of Hands On Excavating LLC said at a press conference .
`` I 'm concerned that small business owners will be tossed to the side when the next big dollar sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vaughn of BDI Signs spoke in front of the Apple Valley Shopping Center in Windsor Heights , Iowa , where Greenfield in 2015 cleared out mom-and-pop stores in an attempt to make way for German grocer Aldi .
The pair appeared alongside Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann .
Both Handsaker and Vaughn said that they did not have a personal history with Kaufmann—Vaughn said that he was `` there to advocate for small businesses . ''
He also praised incumbent senator Joni Ernst ( R. , Iowa ) for `` stepping up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in securing funding for the Paycheck Protection Program .
The press conference came days after nearly a dozen Iowa entrepreneurs sent a letter to Greenfield on June 8 expressing concern over her tenure as president of the Des Moines real estate firm Colby Interests .
The local business owners criticized the Democrat 's 2015 project calling for the partial demolition of the Windsor Heights shopping center to accommodate Aldi .
Local tenants were `` blindsided '' by eviction notices signed by Greenfield that gave them 60 days to vacate .
`` How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given your record of favoring a multinational corporation over Iowa small businesses , you would prioritize our needs as a U.S .
Senator ? ''
the letter states .
While Greenfield 's proposal was eventually rejected by the Windsor Heights city council following opposition from local residents , the Democrat moved forward with rent-raising renovations that she acknowledged may `` not fit into '' existing tenants ' budgets .
At least five local businesses were displaced as a result of the project , and new tenants include national pizza chains Marco 's Pizza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not respond to a request for comment , has called the scrutiny of her record as a businesswoman a `` false smear . ''
She has yet to answer the call from small business owners to provide `` detailed records of the proposed agreement between [ Colby Interests ] and the German multinational corporation . ''
The controversy was highlighted in a new ad released Tuesday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee .
It accused Greenfield—who has campaigned as a champion of small business—of putting `` big corporations first '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb . ''
Kaufmann expressed confidence that the issue would lead to Greenfield 's defeat in November .
`` Des Moines real estate executive Theresa Greenfield has a clear record of turning her back on small businesses to line her own pockets , '' Kaufmann said in a statement following the press conference .
`` As more Iowans learn about Greenfield 's failed business record , it 's becoming clear that they simply ca n't trust her . ''

Iowa small business owners gathered on Wednesday at a shopping center that was cleared out by Democratic Senate nominee Theresa Greenfield to highlight her "concerning" business record.
"We need someone in Washington who is going to be loyal and committed. Not being loyal and committed to a company you worked with for 30 years, that's concerning to me," Jacob Handsaker of Hands On Excavating LLC said at a press conference. "I'm concerned that small business owners will be tossed to the side when the next big dollar sign comes in."
Handsaker and Mike Vaughn of BDI Signs spoke in front of the Apple Valley Shopping Center in Windsor Heights, Iowa, where Greenfield in 2015 cleared out mom-and-pop stores in an attempt to make way for German grocer Aldi. The pair appeared alongside Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann.
Both Handsaker and Vaughn said that they did not have a personal history with Kaufmann—Vaughn said that he was "there to advocate for small businesses." He also praised incumbent senator Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) for "stepping up for small business owners," citing her role in securing funding for the Paycheck Protection Program.
The press conference came days after nearly a dozen Iowa entrepreneurs sent a letter to Greenfield on June 8 expressing concern over her tenure as president of the Des Moines real estate firm Colby Interests. The local business owners criticized the Democrat's 2015 project calling for the partial demolition of the Windsor Heights shopping center to accommodate Aldi. Local tenants were "blindsided" by eviction notices signed by Greenfield that gave them 60 days to vacate.
"How can small business owners trust that, given your record of favoring a multinational corporation over Iowa small businesses, you would prioritize our needs as a U.S. Senator?" the letter states.
While Greenfield's proposal was eventually rejected by the Windsor Heights city council following opposition from local residents, the Democrat moved forward with rent-raising renovations that she acknowledged may "not fit into" existing tenants' budgets. At least five local businesses were displaced as a result of the project, and new tenants include national pizza chains Marco's Pizza and Papa Murphy's.
Greenfield, who did not respond to a request for comment, has called the scrutiny of her record as a businesswoman a "false smear." She has yet to answer the call from small business owners to provide "detailed records of the proposed agreement between [Colby Interests] and the German multinational corporation."
The controversy was highlighted in a new ad released Tuesday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. It accused Greenfield—who has campaigned as a champion of small business—of putting "big corporations first" and kicking "Iowa small businesses to the curb." Kaufmann expressed confidence that the issue would lead to Greenfield's defeat in November.
"Des Moines real estate executive Theresa Greenfield has a clear record of turning her back on small businesses to line her own pockets," Kaufmann said in a statement following the press conference. "As more Iowans learn about Greenfield's failed business record, it's becoming clear that they simply can't trust her."


freebeacon--2020-06-17--ABC News Lobs Softballs at Andrew Cuomo

ABC News Lobs Softballs at Andrew Cuomo

Good Morning America coanchor Amy Robach interviewed New York governor Andrew Cuomo ( D. ) about the first 100 days of his coronavirus response .
She did not exactly rake him over the coals .
Here are 10 of her questions from their two-part sitdown , which aired Wednesday .
`` In one word , can you describe the past 100 days ? ''
`` What still keeps you up at night ? ''
`` You 've been commended for your clear and your calm leadership .
People from all over the country and the world have tuned into your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a career-high 84 percent .
You came in second only to President Obama as the most trusted Democratic leader in America .
How do you intend on spending that political capital that you 've earned ? ''
`` If you had to give President Trump a grade on how he 's handled this pandemic , what would you give him ? ''
`` What grade would you give yourself ? ''
`` You 've said that you have no political aspirations beyond the job you 're in right now .
A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not think about something grander , bigger , presidential ? ''
`` Would you accept a cabinet position in the Biden administration ? ''
`` That was a quick no , why not ? ''
`` I know you 've been portrayed as some sort of a homecoming king of this crisis .
Headline from Jezebel , ‘ Help , I think I 'm in love with Andrew Cuomo . '
The New York Post dubbed you the new ‘ Luv Guv . '
Chelsea Handler wrote you a love letter essay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I want to be your first lady . '
Your reaction to all that ?
Your daughter 's reaction to all of that ? ''
`` When are you going to hug your mom again ? ''
While Robach did note Cuomo had received criticism for not closing down New York sooner , she did not ask about his controversial policy forcing nursing homes to accept coronavirus-positive patients .
One Democratic member of New York 's state assembly called the directive , which has been linked to thousands of deaths and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ error . ''
After the first portion of the interview ended , coanchor Michael Strahan praised Robach for her `` tough questions . ''

Good Morning America coanchor Amy Robach interviewed New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D.) about the first 100 days of his coronavirus response. She did not exactly rake him over the coals.
Here are 10 of her questions from their two-part sitdown, which aired Wednesday.
"In one word, can you describe the past 100 days?"
"What still keeps you up at night?"
"You've been commended for your clear and your calm leadership. People from all over the country and the world have tuned into your press conferences. Your statewide approval rating, a career-high 84 percent. You came in second only to President Obama as the most trusted Democratic leader in America. How do you intend on spending that political capital that you've earned?"
"If you had to give President Trump a grade on how he's handled this pandemic, what would you give him?"
"What grade would you give yourself?"
"You've said that you have no political aspirations beyond the job you're in right now. A lot of people are asking why. Why not think about something grander, bigger, presidential?"
"Would you accept a cabinet position in the Biden administration?"
"That was a quick no, why not?"
"I know you've been portrayed as some sort of a homecoming king of this crisis. Headline from Jezebel, 'Help, I think I'm in love with Andrew Cuomo.' The New York Post dubbed you the new 'Luv Guv.' Chelsea Handler wrote you a love letter essay in Vogue entitled, 'Dear Andrew Cuomo, I want to be your first lady.' Your reaction to all that? Your daughter's reaction to all of that?"
"When are you going to hug your mom again?"
While Robach did note Cuomo had received criticism for not closing down New York sooner, she did not ask about his controversial policy forcing nursing homes to accept coronavirus-positive patients. One Democratic member of New York's state assembly called the directive, which has been linked to thousands of deaths and not reversed until May, a "fatal error."
After the first portion of the interview ended, coanchor Michael Strahan praised Robach for her "tough questions."