skynewsus--2020-10-09--Promises, promises: Which ones has Trump kept in his presidency?

His supporters take him seriously but not literally , his opponents in reverse .
So it was wisely said of Donald Trump before he took office .
There is a limit to how seriously we take his promises .
They all have an element of hyperbole .
So that makes it harder judging if he 's achieved them or not .
But behind each boast and promise we can discern a clear intent on his part to help judge how well he has delivered .
On Israel and the Middle East , Donald Mr Trump has done some of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he would move the US embassy to `` the eternal capital of the Jewish people Jerusalem '' despite warnings it would lead to an eruption of fresh violence .
He did and it did n't .
The move broke one of the golden rules of Middle East policy making .
Another shibboleth of the foreign policy establishment is the maxim is that peace between Israel and the Arabs can only start with peace between Israel and the Palestinians .
But the Mr Trump administration has managed to broker peace , or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel and the UAE and Bahrain , in spite of Palestinian objections .
Saudi Arabia most likely approved the idea behind the scenes too .
Having said that , he has not produced the `` deal of the century '' Israeli/Palestinian peace agreement that he has long promised .
Supporters say his other Middle East achievements make that more likely .
Palestinians strongly disagree .
Donald Mr Trump promised to appoint a conservative judge and by his election is likely to have appointed three .
Mr Trump may not be that ideologically motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are .
By tilting the balance on the Supreme Court bench firmly in favour of conservatives he knows he will earn the undying loyalty of millions of Americans .
Whereas Barack Obama held back from filling a vacant Supreme Court seat until after the last election , Mr Trump is showing no such qualms .
He was determined to expedite the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ruth Bader Ginsberg .
Her appointment means a 6-3 conservative-liberal balance among Supreme Court judges .
That raises the prospect of key pieces of legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And if the outcome of the election in November is indecisive and ends up in the Supreme Court and Chief Justice John Roberts abstains , the casting vote will be in the hands of a judge whose appointment will be seen by many to have been rushed through in the face of controversy .
When Donald Trump was elected , it was said that once in office wiser counsels would prevail .
Advisers would talk him out of some of the more alarming parts of his electoral programme .
Foreign policy experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his threat to withdraw from a deal on Iran 's nuclear weapons programme and the Paris Climate Change Agreement but hoped he could be persuaded not to .
He has ended up pulling out of both .
His administration abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the Iran deal was catchily called , saying it sent a message that `` the United States no longer makes empty threats '' .
And last November his government began the year-long process to exit the Paris deal making it the only country in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That process ends the day after the election .
Mr Trump 's opponent Joe Biden has promised to reverse the decision and many like it that he says endangers the planet .
Mr Trump 's record on this is mixed .
America is still deploying troops pretty much everywhere it was before he took office .
He has reduced the US military presence in Afghanistan and in northeast Syria , but there his withdrawal was seen as a betrayal of America 's staunch allies the Kurds , who were left at the mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any fresh military adventures abroad but critics say he has certainly risked doing so .
The assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani could have led to open conflict with Iran , for instance .
His supporters say his willingness to take such action has made America stronger , more feared and therefore less likely to need to send troops abroad to defend its interests .
Donald Trump said he would obliterate Islamic State .
On his watch its caliphate has been dismantled and its self appointed caliph , Abu Bakr al Baghdadi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the foundations of much of that were laid by the previous administration .
Destroying Islamic State as a geographic entity has been a long grinding process .
But credit where it 's due .
Having said that , the organisation is not destroyed .
Many of its members have been killed or captured but many others have been dispersed to fight another day across Iraq and Syria .
Donald Trump provoked outrage by promising a `` total and complete '' shutdown on Muslims entering the US before his campaign to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downgraded to extreme vetting once he had clinched the nomination .
As president he tried a number of travel bans .
Two got stuck in the courts but a third went into effect on travellers from a number of predominantly Muslim countries .
The list of proscribed countries was expanded in January .
It has never been a total and complete shutdown of Muslims if that was ever Mr Trump 's intention .
That was Mr Trump 's promise and his boast , but does it stand up to scrutiny ?
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he would produce national economic growth of 4 % , but he has failed to meet that target .
A huge tax cut in 2017 did energise the economy but at its best it reached an annual rate of 2.9 % .
Even on a quarterly basis the US economy did not hit this figure - with a highest increase of 3.9 % in two quarters , according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis .
And it 's worth pointing out that Barack Obama enjoyed similar jobs growth in his last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did in his first three years before the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Trump 's growth rates are all in line with the average since 2000 .
And they 've come with a huge increase in debt as the federal government has borrowed to pump money into the economy .
He promised millions of masks , `` more ventilators than we need '' , and easily available testing .
He said the country may overcome the pandemic by late summer as it `` washes through '' .
He also predicted a vaccine might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up in hospital with the virus himself while America remained the country worst affected by it .
But worse than unfulfilled promises are claims that the president played down the threat from the virus publicly while knowing how severe it really was .
In his book Rage Bob Woodward documents the president told him he knew the coronavirus was deadlier than flu - `` deadly stuff '' - while two weeks later telling a press conference : `` This is a flu .
This is like a flu . ''
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why his White House ended up riddled with the virus by early October .
Mr Trump has made a lot of claims about the border wall he said he would build along the border with Mexico to keep out immigrants .
But until the beginning of the year it had made little progress .
Since then US Customs and Border Protection says it 's picked up pace extending a barrier along the border .
350 miles of border wall has gone up , according to US Customs and Border Protection , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 miles a week .
Another 300 miles is under construction .
Mr Trump has resorted to using defence funds to build the wall , after battling through the courts for the right to do so .
Congress only stumped up just over a billion dollars so the president invoked a national emergency to divert Pentagon funds without congressional approval .
So only a few hundred miles built and not paid for by Mexico .

His supporters take him seriously but not literally, his opponents in reverse.
So it was wisely said of Donald Trump before he took office.
There is a limit to how seriously we take his promises. They all have an element of hyperbole.
So that makes it harder judging if he's achieved them or not.
But behind each boast and promise we can discern a clear intent on his part to help judge how well he has delivered.
MIDDLE EAST
On Israel and the Middle East, Mr Trump has done some of what he promised and then some.
He said he would move the US embassy to "the eternal capital of the Jewish people Jerusalem" despite warnings it would lead to an eruption of fresh violence.
He did and it didn't.
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The move broke one of the golden rules of Middle East policy making.
Image: The deal normalising relations between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain is signed at the White House
Another shibboleth of the foreign policy establishment is the maxim is that peace between Israel and the Arabs can only start with peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
But the Trump administration has managed to broker peace, or a normalisation of relations at least, between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain, in spite of Palestinian objections.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:32 Middle East accords signed at White House
Saudi Arabia most likely approved the idea behind the scenes too.
Having said that, he has not produced the "deal of the century" Israeli/Palestinian peace agreement that he has long promised.
Supporters say his other Middle East achievements make that more likely. Palestinians strongly disagree.
THE SUPREME COURT
Donald Trump promised to appoint a conservative judge, and by the election has appointed three.
Mr Trump may not be that ideologically motivated but he knows many of his voters are.
Image: Judge Amy Coney Barrett has filled the vacant Supreme Court position
By tilting the balance on the Supreme Court bench firmly in favour of conservatives he knows he will earn the undying loyalty of millions of Americans.
Whereas Barack Obama held back from filling a vacant Supreme Court seat until after the last election, Mr Trump is showing no such qualms.
He was determined to expedite the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her appointment means a 6-3 conservative-liberal balance among Supreme Court judges.
That raises the prospect of key pieces of legislation being overturned, not least abortion laws.
And if the outcome of the election in November is indecisive and ends up in the Supreme Court and Chief Justice John Roberts abstains, the casting vote will be in the hands of a judge whose appointment will be seen by many to have
been rushed through in the face of controversy.
PULLING OUT FROM INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
When Donald Trump was elected, it was said that once in office wiser counsels would prevail. Advisers would talk him out of some of the more alarming parts of his electoral programme.
Foreign policy experts were worried he would follow through on his threat to withdraw from a deal on Iran's nuclear weapons programme and the Paris Climate Change Agreement but hoped he could be persuaded not to.
He has ended up pulling out of both.
Image: Protesters outside the White House in 2017 after Donald Trump withdrew US from Paris climate deal
His administration abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the Iran deal was catchily called, saying it sent a message that "the United States no longer makes empty threats".
And last November his government began the year-long process to exit the Paris deal making it the only country in the world not to participate in the pact.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:51 'The US no longer makes empty threats'
That process ends the day after the election.
Mr Trump's opponent Joe Biden has promised to reverse the decision and many like it that he says endangers the planet.
END AMERICA'S 'FOREVER WARS' AND BRING THE TROOPS HOME
Mr Trump's record on this is mixed.
America is still deploying troops pretty much everywhere it was before he took office.
He has reduced the US military presence in Afghanistan and in northeast Syria, but there his withdrawal was seen as a betrayal of America's staunch allies the Kurds, who were left at the mercy of Turkey.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 'Soleimani's no longer a monster... he's dead'
He hasn't started any fresh military adventures abroad but critics say he has certainly risked doing so.
The assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani could have led to open conflict with Iran, for instance.
His supporters say his willingness to take such action has made America stronger, more feared and therefore less likely to need to send troops abroad to defend its interests.
ISLAMIC STATE OBLITERATED
Donald Trump said he would obliterate Islamic State.
On his watch its caliphate has been dismantled and its self appointed caliph, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi is dead.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Trump vows to 'extinguish' IS
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:43 Trump: 'Terror leader died like a dog'
It has to be said that the foundations of much of that were laid by the previous administration.
Destroying Islamic State as a geographic entity has been a long grinding process. But credit where it's due.
Having said that, the organisation is not destroyed. Many of its members have been killed or captured but many others have been dispersed to fight another day across Iraq and Syria.
BAN ON MUSLIMS
Donald Trump provoked outrage by promising a "total and complete" shutdown on Muslims entering the US before his campaign to become his party's candidate.
That was downgraded to extreme vetting once he had clinched the nomination.
Image: A woman protests against the ban Muslim immigration into the US in San Francisco
As president he tried a number of travel bans. Two got stuck in the courts but a third went into effect on travellers from a number of predominantly Muslim countries.
The list of proscribed countries was expanded in January.
It has never been a total and complete shutdown of Muslims if that was ever Mr Trump's intention.
'THE GREATEST ECONOMY IN AMERICAN HISTORY'
That was Mr Trump's promise and his boast, but does it stand up to scrutiny?
In this case he made a specific promise. He said he would produce national economic growth of 4%, but he has failed to meet that target.
A huge tax cut in 2017 did energise the economy but at its best it reached an annual rate of 2.9%. Even on a quarterly basis the US economy did not hit this figure - with a highest increase of 3.9% in two quarters, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
And it's worth pointing out that Barack Obama enjoyed similar jobs growth in his last three years in office as Mr Trump did in his first three years before the coronavirus pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
Mr Trump's growth rates are all in line with the average since 2000.
And they've come with a huge increase in debt as the federal government has borrowed to pump money into the economy.
COVID-19
Mr Trump made many promises on coronavirus.
He promised millions of masks, "more ventilators than we need", and easily available testing.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 Mask off: Trump back at White House
He said the country may overcome the pandemic by late summer as it "washes through". He also predicted a vaccine might be approved by October.
Instead the president ended up in hospital with the virus himself while America remained the country worst affected by it.
But worse than unfulfilled promises are claims that the president played down the threat from the virus publicly while knowing how severe it really was.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:58 Trump's most controversial COVID comments
In his book Rage Bob Woodward documents the president told him he knew the coronavirus was deadlier than flu - "deadly stuff" - while two weeks later telling a press conference: "This is a flu. This is like a flu."
The president's complacency is no doubt one reason why his White House ended up riddled with the virus by early October.
BIG BEAUTIFUL WALL, PAID FOR BY MEXICO
Mr Trump has made a lot of claims about the border wall he said he would build along the border with Mexico to keep out immigrants.
But until the beginning of the year it had made little progress.
Since then US Customs and Border Protection says it's picked up pace extending a barrier along the border.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 Trump: We will build Mexico wall
350 miles of border wall has gone up, according to US Customs and Border Protection, and more is being built at the rate of 10 miles a week. Another 300 miles is under construction.
Mr Trump has resorted to using defence funds to build the wall, after battling through the courts for the right to do so.
Image: Mr Trump looks a plaque marking the 200th mile of border wall construction in San Luis, Arizona
Congress only stumped up just over a billion dollars so the president invoked a national emergency to divert Pentagon funds without congressional approval.
So only a few hundred miles built and not paid for by Mexico.


skynewsus--2020-10-29--Facebook, Twitter and Google face changes to online speech protection

Twitter , Facebook and Google have been warned their platforms face new restrictions after they were criticised by Republican senators for alleged anti-conservative bias .
Politicians from both US parties are looking to challenge legal protections for online speech granted to all three platforms .
The Trump administration has asked Congress to strip some of the protections that have generally shielded tech companies from legal responsibility for what people post on their platforms .
Senator Roger Wicker , chairman of the Senate Commerce , Science and Transportation Committee , said : `` The time has come for that free pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws governing online speech must be updated because `` the openness and freedom of the internet are under attack '' .
Mr Wicker cited moves earlier this month by Facebook and Twitter to block sharing of an unverified political story from the New York Post about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
The story claimed to present evidence that his son Hunter had introduced a Ukrainian businessman to his father when he was vice president .
The Biden election campaign has denied that a meeting alleged in the documents obtained by the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and the Republicans have accused the social media platforms of deliberately suppressing conservative , religious and anti-abortion views .
They have not provided evidence of this , however .
Both US parties say that immunity under Section 230 enables social media companies to abdicate responsibility to impartially moderate content .
Twitter 's Jack Dorsey , Facebook 's Mark Zuckerberg and Google 's Sundar Pichai appeared before the committee via video link .
The Facebook chief executive acknowledged that the law should be updated `` to make sure it 's working as intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Undermining Section 230 will result in far more removal of online speech and impose severe limitations on our collective ability to address harmful content and protect people online . ''
Google chief executive Mr Pichai appealed for politicians to be `` very thoughtful '' about any changes , and `` to be very aware of the consequences those changes might have on businesses and consumers '' .
Republican senator Ted Cruz said Twitter 's move to block the Biden story was part of `` a pattern of censorship and silencing Americans with whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also under scrutiny over their efforts to police misinformation about the US election .
Both Twitter and Facebook have used a misinformation label on content from the president , who has around 80 million followers .
This week , Facebook stopped accepting any new political advertising from Tuesday .
Google will also halt political ads after the polls close and Twitter banned all political ads last year .
Democrats have criticised the sites over hate speech , misinformation and content that could incite violence , stop people from voting or spread falsehoods @ @ @

Twitter, Facebook and Google have been warned their platforms face new restrictions after they were criticised by Republican senators for alleged anti-conservative bias.
Politicians from both US parties are looking to challenge legal protections for online speech granted to all three platforms.
The Trump administration has asked Congress to strip some of the protections that have generally shielded tech companies from legal responsibility for what people post on their platforms.
Image: Donald Trump has accused the social media platforms of deliberately suppressing conservative views
Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said: "The time has come for that free pass to end."
He added that laws governing online speech must be updated because "the openness and freedom of the internet are under attack".
Mr Wicker cited moves earlier this month by Facebook and Twitter to block sharing of an unverified political story from the New York Post about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The story claimed to present evidence that his son Hunter had introduced a Ukrainian businessman to his father when he was vice president.
The Biden election campaign has denied that a meeting alleged in the documents obtained by the New York Post ever took place.
Donald Trump and the Republicans have accused the social media platforms of deliberately suppressing conservative, religious and anti-abortion views. They have not provided evidence of this, however.
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Both US parties say that immunity under Section 230 enables social media companies to abdicate responsibility to impartially moderate content.
Image: Facebook and Twitter blocked sharing of an unverified story surrounding Joe Biden and his son Hunter
Twitter's Jack Dorsey, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai appeared before the committee via video link.
The Facebook chief executive acknowledged that the law should be updated "to make sure it's working as intended".
Image: Zuckerberg admitted the law needed to be 'updated'
Mr Dorsey said: "Undermining Section 230 will result in far more removal of online speech and impose severe limitations on our collective ability to address harmful content and protect people online."
Google chief executive Mr Pichai appealed for politicians to be "very thoughtful" about any changes, and "to be very aware of the consequences those changes might have on businesses and consumers".
Republican senator Ted Cruz said Twitter's move to block the Biden story was part of "a pattern of censorship and silencing Americans with whom Twitter disagrees".
Image: Google and Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai urged politicians to be 'thoughtful' about legal changes, (below) Twitter's Jack Dorsey
Social media platforms are also under scrutiny over their efforts to police misinformation about the US election.
Both Twitter and Facebook have used a misinformation label on content from the president, who has around 80 million followers.
This week, Facebook stopped accepting any new political advertising from Tuesday. Google will also halt political ads after the polls close and Twitter banned all political ads last year.
Democrats have criticised the sites over hate speech, misinformation and content that could incite violence, stop people from voting or spread falsehoods about coronavirus.


skynewsus--2020-10-30--Rival Trump and Biden supporters hurl insults at each other outside rally - some resort to spitting

In the tightly contested state of Florida , emotions are running high .
Outside a Joe Biden rally in Tampa , small but vocal groups of Democrats and Republicans are facing off .
`` Why are you so dumb ? ''
a Biden supporter shouts out of his car window , with an equally furious Trump fan yelling back .
On Thursday , both presidential candidates went head to head at rallies in the US - and so too did some of their supporters .
Separate tribes line either side of a busy highway , each armed with brightly coloured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vote for Trump like true Americans .
You want socialism move to Cuba , '' a heavily tattooed biker named Ghost shouts to the chorus of beeping trucks .
`` We 've been getting middle fingers showed at us [ by Democrats ] for the past hour and a half that we have been here , '' he tells me .
He 's passionate and angry - saying he 's voting Republican for the first time to protect his children 's futures .
He disputes that he could be accused of being intimidating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose who they vote for .
And he claimed that , when Biden supporters showed up at Donald Trump 's rally earlier in the day , no one abused them .
In fact , we saw a Democratic voter being heckled that morning , and Trump fans are definitely unwelcome guests at the evening 's Biden rally .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker We watch as one man leans into Democrats ' cars to question them .
Eventually , aggravation sparks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He kept coming in our car .
We told him not to , we had to do something to get him away , '' Dee and driver Phil say as another argument breaks out in the background .
`` My president is a racist , '' one man shouts .
`` Trump is not a racist , '' someone chants back .
The polls in Florida are uncomfortably close and divisions are deepening .
`` This is not going to be the worst , '' warns Phil .
`` When Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say that it 's rigged and he 's going to tell all his people with guns to go out and start protecting their liberties , '' Dee claims .
If there was any doubt about just how bitter this election fight has become , this teatime showdown makes it brutally clear .
There are just a few days to go until the election and in a battle this tight , tensions are growing .

In the tightly contested state of Florida, emotions are running high.
Outside a Joe Biden rally in Tampa, small but vocal groups of Democrats and Republicans are facing off.
"Why are you so dumb?" a Biden supporter shouts out of his car window, with an equally furious Trump fan yelling back.
Image: Outside a Joe Biden rally in Tampa, small but vocal groups of Democrats and Republicans faced off
On Thursday, both presidential candidates went head to head at rallies in the US - and so too did some of their supporters.
Separate tribes line either side of a busy highway, each armed with brightly coloured opposing banners backing their man.
"Vote for Trump like true Americans. You want socialism move to Cuba," a heavily tattooed biker named Ghost shouts to the chorus of beeping trucks.
"We've been getting middle fingers showed at us [by Democrats] for the past hour and a half that we have been here," he tells me.
He's passionate and angry - saying he's voting Republican for the first time to protect his children's futures.
A towering figure with huge muscles, he's an imposing sight.
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Image: Ghost says he's voting Republican for the first time to protect his children's futures.
He disputes that he could be accused of being intimidating, saying everyone has the right to choose who they vote for.
And he claimed that, when Biden supporters showed up at Donald Trump's rally earlier in the day, no one abused them.
In fact, we saw a Democratic voter being heckled that morning, and Trump fans are definitely unwelcome guests at the evening's Biden rally.
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We watch as one man leans into Democrats' cars to question them.
Eventually, aggravation sparks confrontation and a driver spits at him.
"He kept coming in our car. We told him not to, we had to do something to get him away," Dee and driver Phil say as another argument breaks out in the background.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:20 What if the US election result is contested?
"My president is a racist," one man shouts.
"Trump is not a racist," someone chants back.
The polls in Florida are uncomfortably close and divisions are deepening.
"This is not going to be the worst," warns Phil.
"When Biden wins next week, Trump's going to say that it's rigged and he's going to tell all his people with guns to go out and start protecting their liberties," Dee claims.
If there was any doubt about just how bitter this election fight has become, this teatime showdown makes it brutally clear.
There are just a few days to go until the election and in a battle this tight, tensions are growing.


skynewsus--2020-10-30--Four more years? A Biden landslide? What could happen on election day?

Only five days to go until election day and the scenarios for what next week might look like are endless @ @ @ @ @ A blue wave ?
Too close to call ?
US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington @ @ @ @ @ game the possible outcomes as campaigns draw to a close , with the help of @ @ @ @ @ Persily .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @

Only five days to go until election day and the scenarios for what next week might look like are endless. A red mirage? A blue wave? Too close to call?
US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Washington bureau chief Emily Purser Brown game the possible outcomes as campaigns draw to a close, with the help of nonpartisan election expert Professor Nate Persily.
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker


skynewsus--2020-10-30--Rapper Lil Wayne endorses Trump and backs 'platinum plan'

Lil Wayne has tweeted his support for Donald Trump after meeting with him to discuss his plan to help black Americans - just four days before the election .
The rapper praised the US president 's work on criminal justice reform and said his `` platinum plan '' will `` give the community real ownership '' .
Alongside a picture of the two smiling and giving a thumbs up , Lil Wayne wrote : `` He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done . ''
The president , who famously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with a response but retweeted the rapper 's post .
Mr Trump 's `` platinum plan '' was unveiled in September , with the president claiming it was specifically designed to provide an economic boost to the black community .
One of the many proposals includes marking `` Juneteenth '' - or June 19th - as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US .
His plans also include prosecuting the white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan as a terrorist organisation .
However , at a presidential debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to condemn white supremacy and violent right-wing groups - despite several requests by moderator Chris Wallace .
He instead urged far-right group Proud Boys - known for street brawling - to `` stand by '' .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In 2016 , Mr Trump won just 8 % of the black vote - compared to his rival candidate Hillary Clinton who secured 88 % - according to the Edison Research for the National Election Pool .
The Lollipop rapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star to endorse the president 's work .
Rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube defended his role in advising Mr Trump with the proposals , saying `` black progress is a bipartisan issue '' .
Kanye West has also publicly supported the president , though he later launched his own bid to become president .

Lil Wayne has tweeted his support for Donald Trump after meeting with him to discuss his plan to help black Americans - just four days before the election.
The rapper praised the US president's work on criminal justice reform and said his "platinum plan" will "give the community real ownership".
Alongside a picture of the two smiling and giving a thumbs up, Lil Wayne wrote: "He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done."
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The president, who famously tweets regularly, did not follow the meeting with a response but retweeted the rapper's post.
Mr Trump's "platinum plan" was unveiled in September, with the president claiming it was specifically designed to provide an economic boost to the black community.
One of the many proposals includes marking "Juneteenth" - or June 19th - as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US.
His plans also include prosecuting the white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan as a terrorist organisation.
Image: Lil Wayne said Trump 'listened to what we had to say' about black issues
However, at a presidential debate last month, Mr Trump repeatedly declined to condemn white supremacy and violent right-wing groups - despite several requests by moderator Chris Wallace.
He instead urged far-right group Proud Boys - known for street brawling - to "stand by".
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In 2016, Mr Trump won just 8% of the black vote - compared to his rival candidate Hillary Clinton who secured 88% - according to the Edison Research for the National Election Pool.
The Lollipop rapper is not the only famous hip hop star to endorse the president's work.
Image: Kanye West previously expressed support for Trump but later launched his own presidential bid
Rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube defended his role in advising Mr Trump with the proposals, saying "black progress is a bipartisan issue".
Kanye West has also publicly supported the president, though he later launched his own bid to become president.


skynewsus--2020-10-30--Trump's desperate for the 'housewives' - but will suburban white women shun him this time?

Donald Trump has been making increasingly desperate pleas to one crucial group of voters - but America 's `` suburban housewives '' seem determined to send him packing from the White House .
The US president 's last-minute appeals - and even his use of the phrase `` suburban housewives '' - appear to have backfired spectacularly in the closing weeks of the presidential race .
Polls show that Joe Biden leads Mr Trump among suburban white women by almost double-figures - and that was a group the president won in 2016 .
While women who opposed Mr Trump four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist movements , many of those who originally supported him are now abandoning the president .
Kate Rabinovitch voted Republican in the swing state of Ohio in 2016 , but will vote Democrat this time .
She said : `` When Joe Biden wins this election , it 'll be because of suburban women . ''
How has Trump lost support of women ?
On the day after Mr Trump 's inauguration in 2017 , millions of people took part in marches across the US in protest at the president 's treatment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had voted for him in the election .
Notably , a large number of white women , and those in the suburbs , had fallen his way .
The mid-term elections in 2018 , and the so-called `` blue wave '' of Democrat wins , revealed women and the suburbs deserting the president 's agenda and that has continued in this year 's campaign .
Many who voted for him , hoping he would pivot to a more presidential style in office , have been disappointed by his rhetoric .
His response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reckoning on racial inequality have been the final straw .
Groups like `` Red , Wine and Blue '' in Ohio have sprung up among women who are fed-up with the words and actions of their president .
The wine part , founder Katie Paris says , is the fun way for women to get together and figure out problems .
`` So many of us are moms and we 're just worried about the future .
We see the country through the eyes of our children , in whom we 're trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another , kindness in how you treat people every day and we do n't see that reflected in the president of the United States , '' she says .
`` We can not even have him on TV if the children are in the room . ''
How has Trump tried to win women voters ?
He has n't bothered with subtlety .
In recent rallies he has implored `` suburban women '' to `` please like me '' .
In Michigan he told them he was `` getting their husbands back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message of ensuring safety and security in the suburbs , which , he says , is a contrast to what a Biden presidency would bring .
Mr Trump says he is `` saving suburbia '' and protecting communities .
Why are Trump 's appeals not working ?
Many women in the suburbs resent being lumped together as a single voting bloc and , bearing in mind more women have lost their jobs in the pandemic than men , are angry at the suggestion it is just their husbands who go out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coupled with Mr Trump 's rolling back of an Obama-era policy aimed at encouraging low-income housing , has gone down badly .
`` Many of the appeals have been very blatant racist dog whistles , '' said Katie Paris .
`` Suburban women are not all white , we 're diverse in the suburbs and that 's something we love .
It shows a complete disconnection .
`` When he refers to women who live in the suburbs as housewives , it 's like we 're some kind of 1950s figment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's former supporters believe now ?
In 2016 , they say , it was a distrust of politicians , a dislike of Hillary Clinton and a hope for some business pragmatism that drove many to vote Trump .
Thera Parks did .
A mother-of-six , she says she is better informed this time , and is tired after four years of the president .
`` If my nine-year-old behaved how he behaves , he 'd be expelled from school .
He 's a bully , he makes fun of people , talks down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's horrible , '' she says .
Recent developments have confirmed her feelings : `` The pandemic was my ' I ca n't stand you ' moment .
He 's supposed to care about everybody , not just the states that support him . ''
Kate Rabinovitch , a first-time voter in 2016 , says becoming a mother has changed her perceptions .
Race and the pandemic for her too were decisive .
She said : `` The George Floyd thing happened pretty much in succession to the pandemic and that was my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous Trump being in office was , realising that our kids are not safe in the world we elected him to build . ''
They are being welcomed by those who have never been fans of the president .
Susan Polakoff Shaw founded a group called Grass Roots Resistance - `` GRR '' is pronounced `` Grrrrrr '' - in her frustration at Mr Trump 's election .
She says women have engineered political change at all levels of American society since 2016 .
She is n't surprised the president 's pleas have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reality of who this person really is .
You know the saying , 'When someone shows you who they are , believe them ' ?
I think they 're believing it now , they 've seen how he behaves , how he treats women .
It was a wake-up call for a lot of women , '' she said .
Her colleague Nora Kelly drives us along Granton Street in the West Park suburb of Cleveland .
The lawns are festooned with rival Trump and Biden signs - one house has both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says , were doomed to fail : `` It 's a fundamental misunderstanding of who we are as a society in terms of the role women play in the workforce , in the communities , in terms of being key opinion leaders and decision makers . ''
So , will 'suburban women ' decide the election ?
All of them are wary of the polls , especially after the experience of 2016 .
Robin Green , who voted for Hillary Clinton then , has become more active politically .
She said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 . ''
This time , she says : `` I think we got it . ''
If Mr Biden 's lead among women in the polls - currently more than 20 percentage points - were to become a reality , it would represent a record-breaking gender gap in presidential history .
And America 's women will have delivered a damning verdict on Donald Trump .

Donald Trump has been making increasingly desperate pleas to one crucial group of voters - but America's "suburban housewives" seem determined to send him packing from the White House.
The US president's last-minute appeals - and even his use of the phrase "suburban housewives" - appear to have backfired spectacularly in the closing weeks of the presidential race.
Polls show that Joe Biden leads Mr Trump among suburban white women by almost double-figures - and that was a group the president won in 2016.
While women who opposed Mr Trump four years ago had already mobilised blooming grassroots activist movements, many of those who originally supported him are now abandoning the president.
Kate Rabinovitch voted Republican in the swing state of Ohio in 2016, but will vote Democrat this time. She said: "When Joe Biden wins this election, it'll be because of suburban women."
Image: Kate Rabinovitch is switching support and backing Biden in 2020
How has Trump lost support of women?
On the day after Mr Trump's inauguration in 2017, millions of people took part in marches across the US in protest at the president's treatment of women. But millions of American women had voted for him in the election. Notably, a large number of white women, and those in the suburbs, had fallen his way.
The mid-term elections in 2018, and the so-called "blue wave" of Democrat wins, revealed women and the suburbs deserting the president's agenda and that has continued in this year's campaign.
Many who voted for him, hoping he would pivot to a more presidential style in office, have been disappointed by his rhetoric. His response to the COVID-19 pandemic and pressure for a reckoning on racial inequality have been the final straw.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:29 Podcast: Who'll be president next week?
Groups like "Red, Wine and Blue" in Ohio have sprung up among women who are fed-up with the words and actions of their president. The wine part, founder Katie Paris says, is the fun way for women to get together and figure out problems.
"So many of us are moms and we're just worried about the future. We see the country through the eyes of our children, in whom we're trying to instil good values of respect for one another, kindness in how you treat people every day and we don't see that reflected in the president of the United States," she says.
"We cannot even have him on TV if the children are in the room."
Image: Katie Paris is disillusioned by the actions of President Trump
How has Trump tried to win women voters?
He hasn't bothered with subtlety. In recent rallies he has implored "suburban women" to "please like me".
In Michigan he told them he was "getting their husbands back to work".
He has repeated a message of ensuring safety and security in the suburbs, which, he says, is a contrast to what a Biden presidency would bring. Mr Trump says he is "saving suburbia" and protecting communities.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Jon Bon Jovi performs at Biden campaign rally
Why are Trump's appeals not working?
See above.
Many women in the suburbs resent being lumped together as a single voting bloc and, bearing in mind more women have lost their jobs in the pandemic than men, are angry at the suggestion it is just their husbands who go out to work.
The safety and security message, coupled with Mr Trump's rolling back of an Obama-era policy aimed at encouraging low-income housing, has gone down badly.
"Many of the appeals have been very blatant racist dog whistles," said Katie Paris. "Suburban women are not all white, we're diverse in the suburbs and that's something we love. It shows a complete disconnection.
"When he refers to women who live in the suburbs as housewives, it's like we're some kind of 1950s figment of his imagination."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 Biden votes and calls for looting to end
What do Trump's former supporters believe now?
In 2016, they say, it was a distrust of politicians, a dislike of Hillary Clinton and a hope for some business pragmatism that drove many to vote Trump.
Thera Parks did. A mother-of-six, she says she is better informed this time, and is tired after four years of the president.
Image: Thera Parks says Donald Trump sets a bad example to her children
"If my nine-year-old behaved how he behaves, he'd be expelled from school. He's a bully, he makes fun of people, talks down to them, the racism, it's horrible," she says.
Recent developments have confirmed her feelings: "The pandemic was my 'I can't stand you' moment. He's supposed to care about everybody, not just the states that support him."
Kate Rabinovitch, a first-time voter in 2016, says becoming a mother has changed her perceptions. Race and the pandemic for her too were decisive.
She said: "The George Floyd thing happened pretty much in succession to the pandemic and that was my emotional breaking point, just realising how dangerous Trump being in office was, realising that our kids are not safe in the world we elected him to build."
They are being welcomed by those who have never been fans of the president. Susan Polakoff Shaw founded a group called Grass Roots Resistance - "GRR" is pronounced "Grrrrrr" - in her frustration at Mr Trump's election.
She says women have engineered political change at all levels of American society since 2016. She isn't surprised the president's pleas have fallen flat.
"They have seen the reality of who this person really is. You know the saying, 'When someone shows you who they are, believe them'? I think they're believing it now, they've seen how he behaves, how he treats women. It was a wake-up call for a lot of women," she said.
Her colleague Nora Kelly drives us along Granton Street in the West Park suburb of Cleveland. The lawns are festooned with rival Trump and Biden signs - one house has both.
Mr Trump's recent pleas, she says, were doomed to fail: "It's a fundamental misunderstanding of who we are as a society in terms of the role women play in the workforce, in the communities, in terms of being key opinion leaders and decision makers."
Image: Nora Kelly is a member of 'Grass Roots Resistence'
So, will 'suburban women' decide the election?
All of them are wary of the polls, especially after the experience of 2016.
Robin Green, who voted for Hillary Clinton then, has become more active politically. She said: "Suburban women let us down in 2016." This time, she says: "I think we got it."
Image: Robin Green is hopeful that women's votes will be decisive in 2020
If Mr Biden's lead among women in the polls - currently more than 20 percentage points - were to become a reality, it would represent a record-breaking gender gap in presidential history.
And America's women will have delivered a damning verdict on Donald Trump.


skynewsus--2020-10-29--'Knucklehead' Trump won the rust belt vote, but bitter divisions remain

I remember election night 2016 well .
I was in the bar of the Holiday Inn , Johnstown in the heart of the Pennsylvanian rust belt .
There is remarkable passion in American politics and it was palpable that evening as I joined locals to watch the results come in .
I 'd spent time with them over the previous few days in their workplace and their homes and we 'd all gathered at the hotel - a bit of a focal point in this small town - to see if it would be Hillary Clinton 's night or if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls and clinch an historic victory .
It was a night of hope and of anxiety for both sides .
As a Republican red wave swept across Pennsylvania and those other key swing states , I saw the jubilation and the despair .
Ever since , I 've wondered how they have all viewed the subsequent four years .
Had their hopes and their fears materialised ?
Driving back into the town , it does n't look like much has changed .
Steel has been the lifeblood here for generations .
The one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown area .
It 's still open but others around it have been shut for years .
Along the gridded streets are a noticeable number of boarded-up businesses .
Retail had been trickling out of Johnstown for years .
It was just the sort of place targeted hard by Donald Trump four years ago .
`` We are putting Pennsylvania back to work ... '' he told voters at a huge 2016 rally in the town .
`` When I 'm president , we 're going to start making things again in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local steelworkers ' syndicate , is with Jeff Rininger .
Four years ago we had met at the local powder metal plant .
I remember arriving thinking `` surely they 'll all be voting for Mr Trump '' , given the promises he was making .
But no .
Jeff , a blue-collar worker all his life , told me back then that he saw though the `` rhetoric '' .
`` He 's just telling them what they want to hear ... '' he had told me .
Four years on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created and retail has even recovered a little in the city .
Yet , Jeff 's views have hardened .
`` Everything I thought was decent ... and 'you do n't go there ' , this president has gone there and he 's created a lot of divisiveness to the tune that I never thought I 'd see in my lifetime , '' he says .
`` But what about trade ? ''
I ask .
Did n't he prioritise `` Made in America '' ?
`` He did do some things on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty hard bargain with China but what it did was put tariffs on our products , '' says Jeff .
`` He came here four years ago and he packed the war memorial downtown .
Forty-five hundred seat venue .
And they were lined up outside .
And I , of course , I did n't go in .
I drove by .
`` Trump 's saying , ' I 'm going to open up all these steel mills .
I 'm going to open up the mines .
I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , today , none of those steel mills opened up .
None of the existing ones opened . ''
Across town , Eric Kabler is a local financial advisor .
I 'd met him crossing the finishing line of the Johnstown Fun Run four years ago .
What he 'd told me about Clinton and Trump back then still resonates .
`` I feel that both of them are knuckleheads however , you know Hillary - the analogy is that it 's an old dog that you ca n't teach new tricks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopefully , hopefully we can teach new tricks , '' he had said .
Acknowledging to me back then that it was a risk , he chose Mr Trump for president .
So is Mr Trump still a `` knucklehead '' ?
Has the `` new dog '' been taught new tricks ?
We meet at his office .
`` From my perspective I think Donald did a very good job .
Unfortunately , he had to deal with the impeachment .
He had to deal with the corona crisis .
And both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum that we 've had .
And I 'm not just talking about the economy or the stock market .
I feel a lot of people felt more comfortable with his leadership .
`` One of the things that President Trump did early on was lower corporate tax rates , which made corporations more profitable , hence that made their stock prices more attractive . ''
But what about his rhetoric ?
What about his divisiveness ?
`` I said four years ago , he 's a knucklehead and I am not changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's not just that ... it 's his platform of things that he is for , whether it 's pro-life , he 's all about business , about the economy , getting people back to work .
And that 's more from where I 'm looking at from voting for him ... '' Eric has no regrets .
Will he vote for President Trump more enthusiastically this time ?
`` Absolutely ...
I vote for the platform and what they stand for .
And at the time , I was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he would be standing with some things . ''
He continued : `` You know ... he 's been rude .
You know , you see him in the debates and ... he 's been disrespectful to a lot of folks .
He has a track record of filing for bankruptcy and all of that kind of stuff ... and so we would n't vote for him to , you know , be on the school board in our local area !
`` But because he has the ability and the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the areas that we want changes to be made in the country , that 's why we 're voting for him . ''
In 2016 , Donald Trump won this state by just 44,292 votes out of more than six million cast - a margin of just 0.72 % .

I remember election night 2016 well. I was in the bar of the Holiday Inn, Johnstown in the heart of the Pennsylvanian rust belt.
There is remarkable passion in American politics and it was palpable that evening as I joined locals to watch the results come in.
I'd spent time with them over the previous few days in their workplace and their homes and we'd all gathered at the hotel - a bit of a focal point in this small town - to see if it would be Hillary Clinton's night or if the maverick Donald Trump could defy the polls and clinch an historic victory.
It was a night of hope and of anxiety for both sides.
Image: Not much has changed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania since the last election
As a Republican red wave swept across Pennsylvania and those other key swing states, I saw the jubilation and the despair.
Ever since, I've wondered how they have all viewed the subsequent four years. Had their hopes and their fears materialised?
Driving back into the town, it doesn't look like much has changed.
Steel has been the lifeblood here for generations. The one million square foot Gautier Mill dominates the downtown area. It's still open but others around it have been shut for years.
Along the gridded streets are a noticeable number of boarded-up businesses. Retail had been trickling out of Johnstown for years.
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It was just the sort of place targeted hard by Donald Trump four years ago.
"We are putting Pennsylvania back to work..." he told voters at a huge 2016 rally in the town.
"When I'm president, we're going to start making things again in America..."
My first reunion, at the local steelworkers' syndicate, is with Jeff Rininger.
Image: Jeff Rininger talks to Mark Stone during the US election campaign in 2016
Image: Jeff Rininger and Mark Stone reunited ahead of the 2020 election
Four years ago we had met at the local powder metal plant. I remember arriving thinking "surely they'll all be voting for Mr Trump", given the promises he was making.
But no. Jeff, a blue-collar worker all his life, told me back then that he saw though the "rhetoric".
"He's just telling them what they want to hear..." he had told me.
Four years on? Well, some jobs have been created and retail has even recovered a little in the city. Yet, Jeff's views have hardened.
"Everything I thought was decent... and 'you don't go there', this president has gone there and he's created a lot of divisiveness to the tune that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime," he says.
Image: Jeff Rininger says President Trump has failed to deliver on his promises to open steel mills in Pennsylvania
"But what about trade?" I ask. Didn't he prioritise "Made in America"?
"He did do some things on trade. He tried to drive a pretty hard bargain with China but what it did was put tariffs on our products," says Jeff.
"He came here four years ago and he packed the war memorial downtown. Forty-five hundred seat venue. And they were lined up outside. And I, of course, I didn't go in. I drove by.
"Trump's saying, 'I'm going to open up all these steel mills. I'm going to open up the mines. I'm going to bring these jobs back'. Well, today, none of those steel mills opened up. None of the existing ones opened."
Across town, Eric Kabler is a local financial advisor. I'd met him crossing the finishing line of the Johnstown Fun Run four years ago.
Image: Eric Kabler remains a Trump supporter from when we met in 2016
What he'd told me about Clinton and Trump back then still resonates.
"I feel that both of them are knuckleheads however, you know Hillary - the analogy is that it's an old dog that you can't teach new tricks. Whereas Donald is a new dog that hopefully, hopefully we can teach new tricks," he had said.
Acknowledging to me back then that it was a risk, he chose Mr Trump for president.
So is Mr Trump still a "knucklehead"? Has the "new dog" been taught new tricks?
Image: Businessman Eric Kabler: 'The president did a good job'
We meet at his office. "From my perspective I think Donald did a very good job. Unfortunately, he had to deal with the impeachment. He had to deal with the corona crisis. And both of those things kind of wrecked the momentum that we've had. And I'm not just talking about the economy or the stock market. I feel a lot of people felt more comfortable with his leadership.
"One of the things that President Trump did early on was lower corporate tax rates, which made corporations more profitable, hence that made their stock prices more attractive."
But what about his rhetoric? What about his divisiveness?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 14:29 Sky's US team discusses next week's election. Who will be US president this time next week?
"I said four years ago, he's a knucklehead and I am not changing my mind four years later... However, it's not just that... it's his platform of things that he is for, whether it's pro-life, he's all about business, about the economy, getting people back to work. And that's more from where I'm looking at from voting for him..."
Eric has no regrets. Will he vote for President Trump more enthusiastically this time?
"Absolutely... I vote for the platform and what they stand for. And at the time, I wasn't sure about President Trump coming in and where he would be standing with some things."
He continued: "You know... he's been rude. You know, you see him in the debates and... he's been disrespectful to a lot of folks. He has a track record of filing for bankruptcy and all of that kind of stuff... and so we wouldn't vote for him to, you know, be on the school board in our local area!
"But because he has the ability and the power to be able to make changes in the areas that we want changes to be made in the country, that's why we're voting for him."
In 2016, Donald Trump won this state by just 44,292 votes out of more than six million cast - a margin of just 0.72%.


skynewsus--2020-10-30--Black voters could swing US election - but what do they want?

The number of black Americans eligible to vote has spiked to 30 million and more than a third of them live in the key battleground states .
The enthusiasm this time is in stark contrast to 2016 when many black Americans stayed home .
There was a decline in turnout for the first time in 20 years after reaching a record high for Barack Obama 's re-election in 2012 .
More than a third of the 4.4 million Obama supporters that did n't turnout in 2016 were black .
Pennsylvania is one key state where black voters could make all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
In a state where Donald Trump won by fewer than 45,000 votes , they could be key in tipping the state back to the Democrats - whoever takes Pennsylvania will likely take the White House .
Are black votes up for grabs ?
While black Americans have traditionally voted Democrat - this generalisation hides the fact there is still significant diversity in their choices .
Black women remain the most loyal , but the ebb in support at the last election means the party has work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Trump took 8 % of the black vote in 2016 and some analysts expect him to increase that share this time .
Monique Campbell voted for Mr Trump last time but wishes she 'd voted for Mrs Clinton .
`` He was for the people .
I wanted to give Trump a chance .
A lot of people are n't happy with what he 's done . ''
Monique was waiting to catch a bus to her job as a store security guard in Philadelphia .
With two children to care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's better off than she was four years ago .
`` It 's got harder .
Obamacare was pretty good - medical care you did n't have to pay for .
That was really good .
I think Biden will be for the people ... .
with medicare and all that . ''
Will black voters turn out this time ?
While black voters are less likely to vote early - they have been turning out in their droves across the country .
More senior black voters have cast their ballots in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state 's history .
Joe Biden is at an advantage with the first black running mate on a presidential ticket in Kamala Harris .
The backing of Mr Obama on the campaign trail is also helping to energise this constituency of important voters .
But many of the votes could well be a protest vote against President Trump .
`` I did n't vote last time , '' says one elderly black woman at the same bus stop in downtown Philadelphia .
`` I 'm voting for Biden .
A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote last time .
We do n't want Donald Trump in there . ''
What issues are on the ballot ?
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 .
They are more than twice as likely to get it , five times more likely to be hospitalised , and twice as likely to die from coronavirus than white Americans .
For 35-year-old Unyke Williford the primary issue at this election is coronavirus .
President Trump 's handling of the pandemic wins Mr Biden her vote .
`` I know for sure I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really have proper answers .
And he thinks certain things are a joke like the coronavirus .
I do n't think that 's a joke .
I know some people that 's had it .
I know some people that 's passed away from it .
They 're finding more cases .
Why is that ?
Because everybody thinks it 's a game and a joke when there 's really people out here dying . ''
Unyke was accompanied by her five-year-old daughter Trust - the youngest of her six children .
Obamacare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
Mr Trump 's bid to overturn it is another big reason she 's voting for Biden .
`` I can take my kids to the doctors and get the proper treatment they need without spending so much money , '' she explains .
`` If you go to a doctors just for a visit you pay $ 55 just to sign your name on a piece of paper - not even to be seen .
So yes it does help a lot especially when you have a child with asthma .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in medication ?
Everybody do n't have that especially if you have a car , house , gas , electric , water .
You ca n't do that .
You 're already struggling . ''
Job insecurity has risen during the pandemic While job loss has been universal during the pandemic , it has been particularly devastating for black workers who are twice as likely to have lost their job .
They were already more likely to have lower paid jobs with far less savings to fall back on .
Their economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Trena Bell had to take unpaid time off work after she tested positive for COVID-19 .
More job security and more jobs in general are the biggest issue for her .
`` We need help school districts , more jobs and organisations to help the community .
We just need help , help , help , help , all over the place .
There 's just so many things .
We really need help . ''
For Walt who works in education and social work - he wants equal opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he made the White House , for the first time , fun to a lot of American people .
I think Joe Biden is going to take from Obama and make it fun again , '' he says .
`` The policies that matter most to me is reform for the black communities .
Like us being able to own our own communities .
That 's one thing we do n't do .
In African American communities we do n't own a lot of the businesses .
I 'm very big on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure that my children , just like any other child , has the right to live the American dream . ''
Racial injustice is a key issue at this election Romario De Four , 23 , is a first-time voter and works as a restaurant server in Chicago .
He 's voting Biden because he feels Donald Trump has made it harder to have his skin colour .
`` I feel it , '' he says .
`` The way he says things .
He seems very on the fence .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they asked him if he 'd condemn white supremacy , he 's like ' I can condemn whatever you just said ' so he 's not fully stating it .
Which is very clever . ''
Romario says a video that went viral in May of a woman calling the police in New York 's Central Park after a black man told her to put her dog on a lead had a real impact on him .
`` After watching that video , I used to walk to the park every morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became very super-aware .
If someone was walking their dog , I was very super attentive to what was going on around me with that in mind .
You do n't know what people are thinking a lot of the time . ''
He describes how his mum worries that he 's grown his hair recently so you can now see his afro curls which you could n't when his hair was short .
`` My mum hates it .
She says it 's not very professional .
I understand what she means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to worry about , the way my hair looks , but she tells me things like 'if you get pulled over make sure your hands are on the wheel ' .
Just small things like that that I probably should n't be worried about .
I just do n't think President Trump is the person for my future . ''

The number of black Americans eligible to vote has spiked to 30 million and more than a third of them live in the key battleground states.
The enthusiasm this time is in stark contrast to 2016 when many black Americans stayed home.
There was a decline in turnout for the first time in 20 years after reaching a record high for Barack Obama's re-election in 2012. More than a third of the 4.4 million Obama supporters that didn't turnout in 2016 were black.
Pennsylvania is one key state where black voters could make all the difference after many didn't turn out for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
In a state where Donald Trump won by fewer than 45,000 votes, they could be key in tipping the state back to the Democrats - whoever takes Pennsylvania will likely take the White House.
Are black votes up for grabs?
While black Americans have traditionally voted Democrat - this generalisation hides the fact there is still significant diversity in their choices. Black women remain the most loyal, but the ebb in support at the last election means the party has work to do to win other voters back.
Mr Trump took 8% of the black vote in 2016 and some analysts expect him to increase that share this time.
Monique Campbell voted for Mr Trump last time but wishes she'd voted for Mrs Clinton. "He was for the people. I wanted to give Trump a chance. A lot of people aren't happy with what he's done."
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Image: Monique Campbell voted for Donald Trump in 2016
Monique was waiting to catch a bus to her job as a store security guard in Philadelphia.
With two children to care for, she doesn't feel she's better off than she was four years ago. "It's got harder. Obamacare was pretty good - medical care you didn't have to pay for. That was really good. I think Biden will be for the people.... with medicare and all that."
Will black voters turn out this time?
While black voters are less likely to vote early - they have been turning out in their droves across the country. More senior black voters have cast their ballots in Texas than have ever voted in any election in the state's history.
Joe Biden is at an advantage with the first black running mate on a presidential ticket in Kamala Harris. The backing of Mr Obama on the campaign trail is also helping to energise this constituency of important voters. But many of the votes could well be a protest vote against President Trump.
"I didn't vote last time," says one elderly black woman at the same bus stop in downtown Philadelphia. "I'm voting for Biden. A lot of people are voting that didn't vote last time. We don't want Donald Trump in there."
What issues are on the ballot?
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. They are more than twice as likely to get it, five times more likely to be hospitalised, and twice as likely to die from coronavirus than white Americans.
For 35-year-old Unyke Williford the primary issue at this election is coronavirus. President Trump's handling of the pandemic wins Mr Biden her vote.
Image: Unyqe Williford says coronavirus is the main issue for her at this election
"I know for sure I'm voting for Biden because Trump doesn't really have proper answers. And he thinks certain things are a joke like the coronavirus. I don't think that's a joke. I know some people that's had it. I know some people that's passed away from it. They're finding more cases. Why is that? Because everybody thinks it's a game and a joke when there's really people out here dying."
Healthcare is a major concern for black voters
Unyke was accompanied by her five-year-old daughter Trust - the youngest of her six children. Obamacare has made a big difference to her family. Mr Trump's bid to overturn it is another big reason she's voting for Biden.
Image: Unyqe Williford and daughter Trust talk to Sky correspondent Sally Lockwood in Philadelphia
"I can take my kids to the doctors and get the proper treatment they need without spending so much money," she explains. "If you go to a doctors just for a visit you pay $55 just to sign your name on a piece of paper - not even to be seen. So yes it does help a lot especially when you have a child with asthma. Who can afford every month $90 in medication? Everybody don't have that especially if you have a car, house, gas, electric, water. You can't do that. You're already struggling."
Job insecurity has risen during the pandemic
While job loss has been universal during the pandemic, it has been particularly devastating for black workers who are twice as likely to have lost their job. They were already more likely to have lower paid jobs with far less savings to fall back on. Their economic and job insecurity has been magnified in the pandemic.
Trena Bell had to take unpaid time off work after she tested positive for COVID-19. More job security and more jobs in general are the biggest issue for her.
Image: Trena Bell is most concerned about job security
"We need help school districts, more jobs and organisations to help the community. We just need help, help, help, help, all over the place. There's just so many things. We really need help."
Many black voters want greater equality
For Walt who works in education and social work - he wants equal opportunity for his three children.
"Barack Obama, he made the White House, for the first time, fun to a lot of American people. I think Joe Biden is going to take from Obama and make it fun again," he says.
Image: Walt wants his children to live the American dream
"The policies that matter most to me is reform for the black communities. Like us being able to own our own communities. That's one thing we don't do. In African American communities we don't own a lot of the businesses. I'm very big on those reforms for the black communities - making sure that my children, just like any other child, has the right to live the American dream."
Racial injustice is a key issue at this election
Romario De Four, 23, is a first-time voter and works as a restaurant server in Chicago. He's voting Biden because he feels Donald Trump has made it harder to have his skin colour.
"I feel it," he says. "The way he says things. He seems very on the fence. For instance, in the first presidential debate when they asked him if he'd condemn white supremacy, he's like 'I can condemn whatever you just said' so he's not fully stating it. Which is very clever."
Image: Romario De Four is most concerned about racial injustice
Romario says a video that went viral in May of a woman calling the police in New York's Central Park after a black man told her to put her dog on a lead had a real impact on him.
"After watching that video, I used to walk to the park every morning during quarantine. I realised that I became very super-aware. If someone was walking their dog, I was very super attentive to what was going on around me with that in mind. You don't know what people are thinking a lot of the time."
He describes how his mum worries that he's grown his hair recently so you can now see his afro curls which you couldn't when his hair was short.
"My mum hates it. She says it's not very professional. I understand what she means. It's something you shouldn't have to worry about, the way my hair looks, but she tells me things like 'if you get pulled over make sure your hands are on the wheel'. Just small things like that that I probably shouldn't be worried about. I just don't think President Trump is the person for my future."


skynewsus--2020-10-30--Dermot Murnaghan's 7 things to watch on US election night

In 1791 - at the request of Thomas Jefferson - he assisted in the layout of modern Washington DC - the capital of a nation , currently undergoing the painful process of selecting its president and commander- in-chief for the next four years .
Banneker 's contribution to the design of America 's seat of power is now rather overlooked .
His legacy is marked in a nondescript park beside an expressway south of the National Mall .
The son of a freed slave , Banneker was most celebrated in his lifetime for publishing an almanac between the years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the year ahead , which became a staple of American homesteads .
In the spirit of Banneker , but without attempting to emulate his prescience , I 'm going to have a stab at seven pointers to watch out for in this most turbulent , bitter and crucial of elections .
The US is going to install its oldest ever president - by quite a long chalk .
Joe Biden would be 78 by inauguration day next January , Donald Trump 74 .
The founding fathers ( they were all men ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 were only concerned about the president being too youthful , not elderly .
Therefore Article II of the US Constitution specifies a minimum age of 35 , but no upper limit .
Previous oldest office holders were Donald Trump himself - he was 70 at his inauguration in 2016 .
Ronald Reagan was a shade younger at 69 in 1980 , and William Henry Harrison was 68 , on assuming power in 1841 .
And for the pub quizzers out there John F Kennedy was , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 .
Florida is going to be crucial - again With the joint third largest electoral college haul - 29 - for a candidate , this swing state is the crucible of the battle for power .
Trump won the sunshine state by just over 100,000 votes in 2016 .
Previously Barack Obama captured it twice for the Democrats .
But the disputed result of 2000 looms in the background .
It took several recounts and ultimately an adjudication by the Supreme Court to decide the outcome .
George W Bush captured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin of 537 votes .
This time both parties have legions of lawyers standing by .
Watch individual counties for early indicators on how Florida might go - Like Sumter county - it has a large postal vote ( 84 % in 2016 ) amongst its elderly population , which officials start counting before polls close .
If Sumter 's results show Biden making inroads into the over-65 vote , it could be a good night for him .
If Trump loses Florida , his path to power becomes much more difficult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hawk : Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , Michigan , North Carolina , Arizona , Iowa , Ohio and Georgia .
3 .
Do n't expect either to do the decent thing Watch out for reluctance by the candidates to concede .
The Democrats are haunted by that experience in 2000 .
They now believe it was a strategic error for Al Gore to originally concede the election to Bush after some US TV networks called Florida for the Republicans .
A few hours later Gore retracted , but had lost the initiative .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going to be picking up the phone early this time , and Donald Trump has made it quite clear in advance that he believes the vote could be rigged - particularly the postal vote .
Hillary Clinton conceded to Donald Trump in the early hours the day after the election in 2016 .
But she 's advised Joe Biden not to concede `` under any circumstances . ''
There 's no requirement to do so .
It 's a convention .
Do n't expect anyone to do the decent thing early this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here if Trump loses and refuses to respect the outcome .
Will the right-wing Proud Boys and others take to the streets to support him ?
His first tweets in the wee small hours will reveal plenty about his thinking on that , no doubt .
If Biden finds the polls have ultimately flattered to deceive once again , will outraged AntiFa protesters and others vent their frustrations ?
Sales of guns to worried suburban families are soaring .
There are shortages of ammunition .
And shops and offices are being boarded up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker There 's so much to absorb .
So many straws in the wind .
So many potential indicators .
But if you fix one number in your mind make it 270 .
That 's the minimum number of electoral college votes a candidate needs to win .
There are 538 electoral college votes available from the 50 states plus Washington DC .
Half 538 plus one - and you 're the victor .
Each state has a different number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of its population .
California has the most at 55 .
A swing state such as Pennsylvania has 20 .
It 's mostly winner takes all in a state , so even if a candidate wins narrowly they get all the electoral college votes - Trump won Michigan by 0.2 % in 2016 but captured all its 16 votes .
Who came up with this system ?
Yep - those founding fathers again .
They did n't really trust the voters to elect a president at all and were considering simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let the electors in individual states to get involved .
It 's not ideal as the Americans admit , particularly when a candidate gets more votes than their rival nationally - but then loses in the electoral college because of the vote distribution .
That was Clinton 's experience in 2016 .
She got about 3 million more votes than Trump overall , but they were piled up in populous Democrat friendly states like California and New York , not where she needed them - Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
But look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We get no direct say at all in who becomes prime minister - the last two in a row , Johnson and May , were installed by their parties before they ever faced the electorate .
Let me translate - and explain why it is so significant .
A week before election day the President Of The United States saw Amy Coney Barrett - a conservative judge appointed to the Supreme Court Of The United States to replace the liberal Ruth Bader Ginsberg who had died a month earlier .
If legal disputes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above , and the Supreme Court gets involved , Donald Trump has a healthy six to three conservative majority in the court now .
Amy Coney Barrett has refused to say whether she would recuse herself from any decisions about the election result .
There 's no getting away from it .
Its tentacles have reached into every aspect of the campaign - on health , the economy , foreign relations .
Mask wearing has become a potent political signifier .
Masked up on your own outside ?
Probably a Democrat .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ardent Trumpite .
And there 's something of a correlation between the swing states where COVID-19 is accelerating most and Biden 's poll lead , particularly in the Upper Midwest .
Watch for that when the results come in .
Or maybe ground control to Major Mark ?
This is the undercard so to speak to the main presidential event .
The battle for the Senate .
Any president faces huge obstacles in getting their programme implemented if the Senate is controlled by the opposition .
At the moment there 's a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to fast track the appointment of ACB to the Supreme Court .
Naturally the Democrats are trying to seize control , and have great expectations , which is where people like Major Mark Kelly come in .
A former Navy captain and NASA shuttle astronaut , he 's in a highly competitive race against Republican Martha McSally for a seat in Arizona .
If Kelly prevails he 'd become the fourth former astronaut to make it into Congress .
The Democrats would also need to win three or four more races in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina to win control of the Senate , which would either be a consolation prize if they lose the race for the White House - or a massive boost for a President Biden ?
So - a critical evening ( and maybe longer ) ahead for the United States and the world .
Just remember two things to keep front and centre - 270 and those swing states - we 'll guide you through the rest with our incredible team of experts .
Our coverage starts at 10pm on Tuesday , 3 November @ @ @ @ @ @

Benjamin Banneker was a self-taught African American surveyor, astronomer and horologist.
In 1791 - at the request of Thomas Jefferson - he assisted in the layout of modern Washington DC - the capital of a nation, currently undergoing the painful process of selecting its president and commander- in-chief for the next four years.
Banneker's contribution to the design of America's seat of power is now rather overlooked. His legacy is marked in a nondescript park beside an expressway south of the National Mall.
The son of a freed slave, Banneker was most celebrated in his lifetime for publishing an almanac between the years of 1792 and 1797 making remarkably accurate predictions about the year ahead, which became a staple of American homesteads.
Image: Dermot Murnaghan examines the significance of Benjamin Banneker
In the spirit of Banneker, but without attempting to emulate his prescience, I'm going to have a stab at seven pointers to watch out for in this most turbulent, bitter and crucial of elections.
1. America's oldest president
I'll start with a banker.
The US is going to install its oldest ever president - by quite a long chalk. Joe Biden would be 78 by inauguration day next January, Donald Trump 74.
The founding fathers (they were all men) when they were considering the age issue in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 were only concerned about the president being too youthful, not elderly. Therefore Article II of the US Constitution specifies a minimum age of 35, but no upper limit.
Previous oldest office holders were Donald Trump himself - he was 70 at his inauguration in 2016. Ronald Reagan was a shade younger at 69 in 1980, and William Henry Harrison was 68, on assuming power in 1841. And for the pub quizzers out there John F Kennedy was, of course, the youngest at 43.
2. Florida is going to be crucial - again
With the joint third largest electoral college haul - 29 - for a candidate, this swing state is the crucible of the battle for power.
Trump won the sunshine state by just over 100,000 votes in 2016. Previously Barack Obama captured it twice for the Democrats.
But the disputed result of 2000 looms in the background. It took several recounts and ultimately an adjudication by the Supreme Court to decide the outcome. George W Bush captured the state, and the presidency by a margin of 537 votes.
This time both parties have legions of lawyers standing by.
Image: Voters casting early ballots in Florida, one of the states in which voters received emails
Watch individual counties for early indicators on how Florida might go - Like Sumter county - it has a large postal vote (84% in 2016) amongst its elderly population, which officials start counting before polls close. If Sumter's results show Biden making inroads into the over-65 vote, it could be a good night for him.
If Trump loses Florida, his path to power becomes much more difficult. Other swing states to watch like a hawk: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, Iowa, Ohio and Georgia.
3. Don't expect either to do the decent thing
Watch out for reluctance by the candidates to concede.
The Democrats are haunted by that experience in 2000. They now believe it was a strategic error for Al Gore to originally concede the election to Bush after some US TV networks called Florida for the Republicans. A few hours later Gore retracted, but had lost the initiative.
If results are being contested, no one's going to be picking up the phone early this time, and Donald Trump has made it quite clear in advance that he believes the vote could be rigged - particularly the postal vote.
Hillary Clinton conceded to Donald Trump in the early hours the day after the election in 2016. But she's advised Joe Biden not to concede "under any circumstances." There's no requirement to do so. It's a convention. Don't expect anyone to do the decent thing early this time.
We're in uncharted territory here if Trump loses and refuses to respect the outcome. Will the right-wing Proud Boys and others take to the streets to support him? His first tweets in the wee small hours will reveal plenty about his thinking on that, no doubt.
If Biden finds the polls have ultimately flattered to deceive once again, will outraged AntiFa protesters and others vent their frustrations?
Sales of guns to worried suburban families are soaring. There are shortages of ammunition. And shops and offices are being boarded up in Washington as I write.
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4. Drowning in data
There's so much to absorb. So many straws in the wind. So many potential indicators. But if you fix one number in your mind make it 270.
That's the minimum number of electoral college votes a candidate needs to win.
There are 538 electoral college votes available from the 50 states plus Washington DC. Half 538 plus one - and you're the victor. Each state has a different number of votes allotted to it based on the size of its population. California has the most at 55. A swing state such as Pennsylvania has 20.
It's mostly winner takes all in a state, so even if a candidate wins narrowly they get all the electoral college votes - Trump won Michigan by 0.2% in 2016 but captured all its 16 votes.
Who came up with this system?
Yep - those founding fathers again. They didn't really trust the voters to elect a president at all and were considering simply appointing one, but eventually decided to let the electors in individual states get involved.
It's not ideal as the Americans admit, particularly when a candidate gets more votes than their rival nationally - but then loses in the electoral college because of the vote distribution. That was Clinton's experience in 2016. She got about 3 million more votes than Trump overall, but they were piled up in populous Democrat friendly states like California and New York, not where she needed them - Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
But look at the situation in the UK. We get no direct say at all in who becomes prime minister - the last two in a row, Johnson and May, were installed by their parties before they ever faced the electorate.
5. Acronyms
POTUS appoints ACB to SCOTUS to replace RBG.
Let me translate - and explain why it is so significant.
A week before election day the President Of The United States saw Amy Coney Barrett - a conservative judge appointed to the Supreme Court Of The United States to replace the liberal Ruth Bader Ginsberg who had died a month earlier.
Image: Conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett was sworn in at the White House
If legal disputes break out about the election as described above, and the Supreme Court gets involved, Donald Trump has a healthy six to three conservative majority in the court now. Amy Coney Barrett has refused to say whether she would recuse herself from any decisions about the election result.
6. Coronavirus
There's no getting away from it.
Its tentacles have reached into every aspect of the campaign - on health, the economy, foreign relations. Mask wearing has become a potent political signifier.
Masked up on your own outside? Probably a Democrat.
No mask, even in a group? Ardent Trumpite.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 Mask off: Trump back at White House
And there's something of a correlation between the swing states where COVID-19 is accelerating most and Biden's poll lead, particularly in the Upper Midwest. Watch for that when the results come in.
7. The urban spaceman
Or maybe ground control to Major Mark? This is the undercard so to speak to the main presidential event. The battle for the Senate.
Image: Mark Kelly is a former astronaut running to join the Senate
Any president faces huge obstacles in getting their programme implemented if the Senate is controlled by the opposition. At the moment there's a Republican majority. Which is why Trump was able to fast track the appointment of ACB to the Supreme Court.
Naturally the Democrats are trying to seize control, and have great expectations, which is where people like Major Mark Kelly come in.
A former Navy captain and NASA shuttle astronaut, he's in a highly competitive race against Republican Martha McSally for a seat in Arizona. If Kelly prevails he'd become the fourth former astronaut to make it into Congress.
The Democrats would also need to win three or four more races in states like Colorado, Maine and North Carolina to win control of the Senate, which would either be a consolation prize if they lose the race for the White House - or a massive boost for a President Biden.
So - a critical evening (and maybe longer) ahead for the United States and the world.
Just remember two things to keep front and centre - 270 and those swing states - we'll guide you through the rest with our incredible team of experts.
Our coverage starts at 10pm on Tuesday, 3 November. Do NOT miss it.