talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Biden Takes Aim At WH’s ‘Deadly Admission’ That It Won’t Be Able To Control COVID

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Monday excoriated White House chief of staff Mark Meadows ’ off-handed admission that the Trump administration is “ not going to control ” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans .
While visiting a voter activation center in Chester , Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon , Biden began his remarks outside of the building by taking aim at Meadows ’ admission that the Trump administration “ wasn ’ t even trying anymore to deal with the pandemic.
” Biden then cited a Washington Post report that quoted Meadows ’ remarks on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence ’ s aides that emerged over the weekend .
“ The Washington Post headline says White House gives up on trying to slow virus spread — no caveats , just a deadly admission , ” Biden said .
Biden went on to bash Trump ’ s characterization of himself as a “ wartime president ” who is “ fighting a war against an invisible enemy ” early on in the pandemic .
“ I have been saying for months , as you well know , that he waved the white flag all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t doing much at all , ” Biden said .
“ Some people said I was being harsh , that I was being unfair .
The White House is coming right out now and admitting what I said months ago was absolutely true.
” Noting that more than 220,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 under the Trump administration , Biden torched Trump for being “ the worst possible president.
” “ The worst possible person to try to lead us through this pandemic , ” Biden added .
“ And I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have any idea what to do or he just doesn ’ t care.
” Biden cited White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s recent acknowledgment that the President has not met with the team in months and Trump ’ s insistence that COVID-19 was “ leveling out ” amid surging cases nationwide .
The former VP then ripped Trump for pushing an unfounded conspiracy theory to his supporters during a campaign rally in Waukesha , Wisconsin on Saturday that “ doctors get more money and hospitals get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died from COVID-19 rather than a comorbidity .
“ He suggested the doctors were inflating the numbers — catch this — because doctors get more money .
What in the hell is the matter with this man ?
” Biden said .
“ A thousand doctors and nurses have given their lives trying to save lives .
And he ’ s saying the reason they ’ re talking about testing is that they want to make more money.
” Biden added that more than 1,000 health care workers have lost their lives fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not profiting , they ’ re dying.
” “ And you remember , during the debate —well if you want to call it that — during the debate Trump said that we ’ re learning to live with this COVID , ” Biden said , referring to his remarks during the final presidential debate last week .
“ No , he ’ s asking us to learn to die with it .
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Monday excoriated White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ off-handed admission that the Trump administration is “not going to control” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans.
While visiting a voter activation center in Chester, Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon, Biden began his remarks outside of the building by taking aim at Meadows’ admission that the Trump administration “wasn’t even trying anymore to deal with the pandemic.”
Biden then cited a Washington Post report that quoted Meadows’ remarks on Sunday and the COVID-19 outbreak among several of Pence’s aides that emerged over the weekend.
“The Washington Post headline says White House gives up on trying to slow virus spread — no caveats, just a deadly admission,” Biden said.
Biden went on to bash Trump’s characterization of himself as a “wartime president” who is “fighting a war against an invisible enemy” early on in the pandemic.
“I have been saying for months, as you well know, that he waved the white flag all the way back then. He wasn’t doing much at all,” Biden said. “Some people said I was being harsh, that I was being unfair. The White House is coming right out now and admitting what I said months ago was absolutely true.”
Noting that more than 220,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 under the Trump administration, Biden torched Trump for being “the worst possible president.”
“The worst possible person to try to lead us through this pandemic,” Biden added. “And I don’t think he just either doesn’t have any idea what to do or he just doesn’t care.”
Biden cited White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recent acknowledgment that the President has not met with the team in months and Trump’s insistence that COVID-19 was “leveling out” amid surging cases nationwide.
The former VP then ripped Trump for pushing an unfounded conspiracy theory to his supporters during a campaign rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin on Saturday that “doctors get more money and hospitals get more money” if they say patients died from COVID-19 rather than a comorbidity.
“He suggested the doctors were inflating the numbers — catch this — because doctors get more money. What in the hell is the matter with this man?” Biden said. “A thousand doctors and nurses have given their lives trying to save lives. And he’s saying the reason they’re talking about testing is that they want to make more money.”
Biden added that more than 1,000 health care workers have lost their lives fighting COVID-19 before stating that “they’re not profiting, they’re dying.”
“And you remember, during the debate —well if you want to call it that — during the debate Trump said that we’re learning to live with this COVID,” Biden said, referring to his remarks during the final presidential debate last week. “No, he’s asking us to learn to die with it.”
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Pompeo Facing Yet Another Ethics Probe, This Time For Jerusalem RNC Speech

Ethics officials are probing yet another potential violation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , this time in the speech he gave to the Republican National Convention in August during a diplomatic trip to the Middle East .
The Office of Special Counsel has opened a case file on Pompeo ’ s speech , the chairs of the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations committees said in a statement .
“ As we get closer to both this year ’ s election and his own inevitable return to electoral politics , Mike Pompeo has grown even more brazen in misusing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund it as vehicles for the Administration ’ s , and his own , political ambitions , ” said the chairs , Reps. Eliot Engel ( D-NY ) and Nita Lowey ( D-NY ) , in a statement .
OSC investigates the use executive branch offices for politics , which is prohibited under a law known as the Hatch Act .
Pompeo ’ s speech , from Jerusalem , was delivered virtually to a White House-based Republican National Convention .
Recently , OSC confirmed to a watchdog group that it was also looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act on another occasion — an interview in which the secretary claimed that the department had possession of unreleased emails by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , and that “ I certainly think there ’ ll be more to see before the election.
” The State Department did not provide comment on the probe Monday .
But Pompeo defended the speech last month , saying that “ all I can say in my role as secretary of state is the State Department reviewed this , it was lawful.
” The speech came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multi-country diplomatic trip through the Middle East .
Speaking to the Republican Party with the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock in the background , Pompeo introduced himself without using his official title , instead opting for a familiar workaround for Trump administration officials at this year ’ s GOP convention .
“ I have a big job , ” the secretary said before a corny pause .
“ …as Susan ’ s husband and Nick ’ s dad.
” Pompeo ’ s speech from Jerusalem violated his own reminder to State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Associated Press reported at the time .
“ [ T ] he department ’ s longstanding policy is that U.S. citizen employees and family members may not engage in partisan political activity while posted or on [ temporary duty ] abroad , even on personal time , ” he ’ d written in July to department staff in July .
Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington , which wrote the complaint that led to the other Hatch Act probe into Pompeo ’ s behavior , emphasized last week that the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts that have been found to have violated the Hatch Act — have been fast , furious , and sustained .
“ Trump administration officials continue to run roughshod over the 81 year old statute to boost President Trump ’ s electoral prospects even as Americans are already voting , ” a report from the group read .

Ethics officials are probing yet another potential violation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, this time in the speech he gave to the Republican National Convention in August during a diplomatic trip to the Middle East.
The Office of Special Counsel has opened a case file on Pompeo’s speech, the chairs of the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations committees said in a statement.
“As we get closer to both this year’s election and his own inevitable return to electoral politics, Mike Pompeo has grown even more brazen in misusing the State Department and the taxpayer dollars that fund it as vehicles for the Administration’s, and his own, political ambitions,” said the chairs, Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Nita Lowey (D-NY), in a statement.
OSC investigates the use executive branch offices for politics, which is prohibited under a law known as the Hatch Act. Pompeo’s speech, from Jerusalem, was delivered virtually to a White House-based Republican National Convention.
A state department spokesperson called the Hatch Act request a “political stunt by House Democrats eight days before an election” and said they believed OSC would dismiss the complaint.
Recently, OSC confirmed to a watchdog group that it was also looking into whether Pompeo had violated the Hatch Act on another occasion — an interview in which the secretary claimed that the department had possession of unreleased emails by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and that “I certainly think there’ll be more to see before the election.”
The State Department did not provide comment on the probe Monday. But Pompeo defended the speech last month, saying that “all I can say in my role as secretary of state is the State Department reviewed this, it was lawful.”
The speech came in the middle of a multi-day, multi-country diplomatic trip through the Middle East.
Speaking to the Republican Party with the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock in the background, Pompeo introduced himself without using his official title, instead opting for a familiar workaround for Trump administration officials at this year’s GOP convention.
“I have a big job,” the secretary said before a corny pause. “…as Susan’s husband and Nick’s dad.”
Pompeo’s speech from Jerusalem violated his own reminder to State Department employees about the Hatch Act, the Associated Press reported at the time.
“[T]he department’s longstanding policy is that U.S. citizen employees and family members may not engage in partisan political activity while posted or on [temporary duty] abroad, even on personal time,” he’d written in July to department staff in July.
Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington, which wrote the complaint that led to the other Hatch Act probe into Pompeo’s behavior, emphasized last week that the Trump administration’s ethics violations — including acts that have been found to have violated the Hatch Act — have been fast, furious, and sustained.
“Trump administration officials continue to run roughshod over the 81 year old statute to boost President Trump’s electoral prospects even as Americans are already voting,” a report from the group read.
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--NYPD Chief Says Cop Who Chanted ‘Trump 2020’ Over Loudspeaker Has Been Suspended

New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Sunday that an officer who was filmed using his cruiser ’ s loudspeaker to repeatedly yell “ Trump 2020 ” in several viral videos has been suspended without pay .
“ The police officer from this incident has been identified and suspended without pay , ” Shea tweeted .
“ To repeat , law enforcement MUST remain apolitical , reassuring the public that we will enforce the law fairly and without prejudice regardless of anyone ’ s political beliefs.
” Several hours before his announcement , Shea stated that the then-unidentified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundred percent unacceptable .
Period.
” The officer is under investigation , according to the official NYPD news Twitter account .
On Saturday night , a Twitter user named Brandon Hines posted a video of a police car parked in a street in Brooklyn from which the officer could be heard cheering on President Donald Trump through the loudspeaker and goading bystanders into filming him .
“ Trump 2020 .
Put it on YouTube .
Put it on Facebook .
Trump 2020 , ” he says .
“ Take a picture , take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Put it on Facebook .
Put it on YouTube .
Have some fun.
” Several others officers could be seen standing nearby .
Independent reporter Talia Jane posted another video of the incident filmed from a closer angle : The officer ’ s actions are prohibited by the NYPD ’ s code of conduct , which bans the endorsement of political candidates “ while on duty or in uniform.
” It is unclear whether the other officers present at the scene will also be investigated .
The NYPD did not respond to TPM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy support behind cops , including the NYPD , amid a national reckoning with police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd .
The NYPD openly embraced Trump in kind through an unusual endorsement by its union , the Police Benevolent Association ( PBA ) , in August .
PBA President Pat Lynch noted , “ I can not remember when we ’ ve ever endorsed for the office of President of the United States until now .
That ’ s how important this is.
” Less than a week ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns of NYPD cops working to boost Trump while on duty as “ hysterical nonsense .
”

New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Sunday that an officer who was filmed using his cruiser’s loudspeaker to repeatedly yell “Trump 2020” in several viral videos has been suspended without pay.
“The police officer from this incident has been identified and suspended without pay,” Shea tweeted. “To repeat, law enforcement MUST remain apolitical, reassuring the public that we will enforce the law fairly and without prejudice regardless of anyone’s political beliefs.”
Several hours before his announcement, Shea stated that the then-unidentified officer’s actions were “one hundred percent unacceptable. Period.”
The officer is under investigation, according to the official NYPD news Twitter account.
On Saturday night, a Twitter user named Brandon Hines posted a video of a police car parked in a street in Brooklyn from which the officer could be heard cheering on President Donald Trump through the loudspeaker and goading bystanders into filming him.
“Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube. Put it on Facebook. Trump 2020,” he says. “Take a picture, take a picture. Take a video. Put it on Facebook. Put it on YouTube. Have some fun.”
Several others officers could be seen standing nearby.
How the NYPD rolling up in Black communities these days (on my block): “Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube. Put it on Facebook…”
Aight MFers… it’s on TWITTER TOO! BI-DEN! ???#Vote #nypdfinest #bidenharris2020 pic.twitter.com/hmXdY8ivbM — Brandon K Hines (@thumpio) October 25, 2020
Independent reporter Talia Jane posted another video of the incident filmed from a closer angle:
NYPD officers in Flatbush were allegedly saying “Trump 2020” over and over again on their patrol car’s speaker tonight. They stopped when someone started filming but couldn’t resist one more — in violation of the NYPD’s policy against endorsing candidates on duty. pic.twitter.com/BJMv4UCvnd — talia ‘stop filming faces’ jane (@itsa_talia) October 25, 2020
The officer’s actions are prohibited by the NYPD’s code of conduct, which bans the endorsement of political candidates “while on duty or in uniform.”
It is unclear whether the other officers present at the scene will also be investigated. The NYPD did not respond to TPM’s inquiry.
Trump has thrown heavy support behind cops, including the NYPD, amid a national reckoning with police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
The NYPD openly embraced Trump in kind through an unusual endorsement by its union, the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), in August. PBA President Pat Lynch noted, “I cannot remember when we’ve ever endorsed for the office of President of the United States until now. That’s how important this is.”
Less than a week ago, the PBA’s Twitter account mocked concerns of NYPD cops working to boost Trump while on duty as “hysterical nonsense.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Trump Appointee Resigns Over Executive Order Stripping Civil Servants Protections

President Trump ’ s recent executive order removing protections for career federal employees deemed disloyal has triggered the resignation of one of his administration ’ s appointees , who had led a commission that looks at how salaries differ between the public and private sector , the Washington Post reported on Monday .
In his letter of resignation from the Federal Salary Council issued Sunday , Ronald Sanders decried the executive order that could impact tens of thousands or more employees in policy roles across the government .
Sander wrote that Trump ’ s executive order “ is nothing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly an attempt to require the political loyalty of those who advise the President , or failing that , to enable their removal with little if any due process , ” according to the Washington Post .
The Post also reported that Sanders argued in his resignation letter that he “ simply can not be part of an Administration that seeks .
.
.
to replace apolitical expertise with political obeisance ” and that career federal employees are “ legally and duty-bound to be nonpartisan.
” “ They take an oath to preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law .
.
.
not to be loyal to a particular President or Administration , ” Sanders wrote , according to the Post .
Sanders was appointed by the Trump administration in 2018 to head the salary council .
Sanders now serves as the director of the School of Public Affairs at the University of South Florida after working in federal personnel positions for four decades , including for the Office of Personnel Management .
According to the Post , Sanders issued his resignation letter just days after the Federal Salary Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Sanders argued for what he called the management point of view on several issues such as granting higher pay to federal employees working in certain areas .
Sanders also questioned the methods the council uses in determining the “ pay gap ” with the private sector , the Post reported .
Later Friday , the President issued an executive order to redesignate career employees in “ confidential , policy-determining , policymaking , and policy-advocating positions ” under rules that primarily apply to political appointees , which drew criticism from civil service experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an effort to force political loyalty tests on a nonpartisan workforce .
According to the Post , the White House praised Trump in a statement on Monday for “ increasing accountability.
” The statement did not directly respond to Sanders ’ resignation letter .
“ It should surprise no one that President Trump is increasing accountability in Washington , ” the statement said , according to the Post .
“ This much-needed reform will improve the effectiveness of the federal government in essential policy-making positions.
” The White House did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .

President Trump’s recent executive order removing protections for career federal employees deemed disloyal has triggered the resignation of one of his administration’s appointees, who had led a commission that looks at how salaries differ between the public and private sector, the Washington Post reported on Monday.
In his letter of resignation from the Federal Salary Council issued Sunday, Ronald Sanders decried the executive order that could impact tens of thousands or more employees in policy roles across the government.
Sander wrote that Trump’s executive order “is nothing more than a smoke screen for what is clearly an attempt to require the political loyalty of those who advise the President, or failing that, to enable their removal with little if any due process,” according to the Washington Post.
The Post also reported that Sanders argued in his resignation letter that he “simply cannot be part of an Administration that seeks . . . to replace apolitical expertise with political obeisance” and that career federal employees are “legally and duty-bound to be nonpartisan.”
“They take an oath to preserve and protect our Constitution and the rule of law . . . not to be loyal to a particular President or Administration,” Sanders wrote, according to the Post.
While Trump’s executive order is almost certain to be reversed under a Biden administration, if the President wins re-election the directive could potentially hand him more leverage to places his cronies at all levels of the government. Trump is known for valuing personal loyalty above all else. The news of Sanders’ resignation comes after Axios reported that Trump is expected to boot Defense Secretary Mark Esper, FBI Director Christopher Wray and CIA Director Gina Haspel right after Election Day if he emerges victorious on November 3.
Sanders was appointed by the Trump administration in 2018 to head the salary council. Sanders now serves as the director of the School of Public Affairs at the University of South Florida after working in federal personnel positions for four decades, including for the Office of Personnel Management.
According to the Post, Sanders issued his resignation letter just days after the Federal Salary Council’s annual meeting on Friday, where Sanders argued for what he called the management point of view on several issues such as granting higher pay to federal employees working in certain areas. Sanders also questioned the methods the council uses in determining the “pay gap” with the private sector, the Post reported.
Later Friday, the President issued an executive order to redesignate career employees in “confidential, policy-determining, policymaking, and policy-advocating positions” under rules that primarily apply to political appointees, which drew criticism from civil service experts and union leaders who view the order as an effort to force political loyalty tests on a nonpartisan workforce.
According to the Post, the White House praised Trump in a statement on Monday for “increasing accountability.” The statement did not directly respond to Sanders’ resignation letter.
“It should surprise no one that President Trump is increasing accountability in Washington,” the statement said, according to the Post. “This much-needed reform will improve the effectiveness of the federal government in essential policy-making positions.”
The White House did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--‘Racist Garbage’: Kushner Roasted After Jaw-Dropping Advice For Black People

The backlash was swift against Jared Kushner Monday shortly after he suggested on that Black people must “ want to be successful ” so that his father-in-law ’ s policies can help them .
After telling “ Fox and Friends ” that he had an “ in-depth and respectful policy discussion ” with rapper Ice Cube — who told the network the day before that he had spoken with Trump administration officials recently to collaborate on its Platinum Plan that aims to invest $ 500 million into Black communities — Kushner launched into a tone-deaf lecture .
Kushner suggested that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the President ’ s policies , which requires Black people wanting to be “ successful ” if Trump ’ s policies are going to work for them .
“ Again , one thing that we have seen in a lot of the Black community , which is mostly Democrat , is that President Trump ’ s policies are the policies that can help people break out of the problems that they ’ re complaining about , ” Kushner said .
“ But he can ’ t want them to be successful more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Shortly after Kushner appeared on “ Fox and Friends , ” he received backlash for his remarks on the Black community , which White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany quickly dismissed .
“ It ’ s disgusting to see internet trolls taking Senior Advisor Jared Kushner out of context as they try to distract from President Trump ’ s undeniable record of accomplishment for the Black community , ” McEnany said in a statement shared with TPM on Monday .
“ From criminal justice reform and record HBCU funding to record low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is simply no disputing that President Trump accomplished what Democrats merely talked about.
” Kushner ’ s jaw-dropping suggestion comes on the heels of the President — who has repeatedly defended Confederate symbols and refused to directly condemn white supremacy — boasting that he ’ s the “ least racist person in the room ” during the final presidential debate last week .
Twitter users , elected officials and the Biden campaign swiftly decried Kushner ’ s remarks shortly after his “ Fox and Friends ” interview concluded :

The backlash was swift against Jared Kushner Monday shortly after he suggested on that Black people must “want to be successful” so that his father-in-law’s policies can help them.
After telling “Fox and Friends” that he had an “in-depth and respectful policy discussion” with rapper Ice Cube — who told the network the day before that he had spoken with Trump administration officials recently to collaborate on its Platinum Plan that aims to invest $500 million into Black communities — Kushner launched into a tone-deaf lecture.
Kushner suggested that the Black community should be more appreciative of the President’s policies, which requires Black people wanting to be “successful” if Trump’s policies are going to work for them.
“Again, one thing that we have seen in a lot of the Black community, which is mostly Democrat, is that President Trump’s policies are the policies that can help people break out of the problems that they’re complaining about,” Kushner said. “But he can’t want them to be successful more than that they want to be successful.”
Shortly after Kushner appeared on “Fox and Friends,” he received backlash for his remarks on the Black community, which White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany quickly dismissed.
“It’s disgusting to see internet trolls taking Senior Advisor Jared Kushner out of context as they try to distract from President Trump’s undeniable record of accomplishment for the Black community,” McEnany said in a statement shared with TPM on Monday. “From criminal justice reform and record HBCU funding to record low Black unemployment and record high income increases, there is simply no disputing that President Trump accomplished what Democrats merely talked about.”
Kushner’s jaw-dropping suggestion comes on the heels of the President — who has repeatedly defended Confederate symbols and refused to directly condemn white supremacy — boasting that he’s the “least racist person in the room” during the final presidential debate last week.
Twitter users, elected officials and the Biden campaign swiftly decried Kushner’s remarks shortly after his “Fox and Friends” interview concluded:
It wouldn’t be Monday without Jared Kushner saying racist garbage. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 26, 2020
Just watched Jared Kushner stand in front of a camera and say that DJT wants black people to be successful more than black people want success for themselves. When people say racism is not a problem, or they're not racist, apparently they literally don't know what racism means. — Catherine Ryan Hyde (@cryanhyde) October 26, 2020
Born on third base, thinks he hit a triple. Few in US history have been given as much wealth or power without having to earn a thing as Jared Kushner. His father-in-law gave him the position he is failing at miserably, with deadly consequences. We will remember his casual racism. https://t.co/V8pZxFsfow — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) October 26, 2020
This how the 1% look at minorities. I was a classmate of Kushner let me tell you what I did to get into Harvard compared to what he did. Yes a thread. https://t.co/efjtTuhdbW — Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) October 26, 2020
Jared Kushner is a condescending douchebag. https://t.co/J8y3KzDxtJ — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 26, 2020
This guy is a fucking SLUMLORD
Oh wow can he fuck off into the sun forever https://t.co/zvnmSBBZqQ — (((Rachel Sklar))) ❄ (@rachelsklar) October 26, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-26--Pence Hijacks ‘Essential Worker’ Title To Excuse Himself From Quarantining

COVID-19 is ripping through the White House again , as at least five aides to Vice President Mike Pence have tested positive .
They include his chief of staff Marc Short , top outside advisor Marty Obst and three more unnamed staffers , per the New York Times .
Despite the wildfire spread and very real possibility that he could be infectious himself , Pence has refused to stop campaigning .
The White House and Trump-Pence campaign have decided that their way around losing one of their principals to a pesky stint in quarantine just before the election is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a title previously reserved for those like first responders and health care workers whose critical jobs simply could not be done from home .
Apparently , Pence ’ s political rallies now rate that same level of importance .
“ It ’ s extremely irresponsible for the Vice President to refuse to heed CDC guidelines , ” Leana Wen , an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at George Washington University , told TPM .
The CDC advises normal workers , whether or not they test positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days after exposure .
That ’ s due to the virus ’ long incubation period , and the possibility that someone who has tested negative may be just days away from displaying symptoms and testing positive — possibly spreading the infection all the while .
Per the White House , Pence tested negative Saturday , the day Short got his positive diagnosis , as well as Sunday .
The CDC ’ s essential workers guidance allows exposed people to return to their critical jobs as long as they are constantly masked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long pooh-poohed ) , asymptomatic and keeping socially distanced as much as possible .
That exception , Wen said , is for people like doctors and nurses who , in the midst of a pandemic that has killed over 225,000 Americans , have to come in to work .
“ Situations as in , there is so much coronavirus in the community that doctors and nurses are constantly exposed to people with the virus and you can ’ t say that none of these health care workers should work for 14 days after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It just wouldn ’ t be feasible.
” And still , Dr. Susan Hassig , an epidemiologist at Tulane University , added to TPM , those essential workers should also quarantine for a time , even if it ’ s a lesser five to seven days since the exposure .
Pence , of course , is not treating patients sick with a COVID-19 infection .
He ’ s embarking on a string of campaign events to try to save his reelection effort a week out from Election Day .
That included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stop in Minnesota on Monday and an event in South Carolina Tuesday .
“ The fact that he ’ s trotting around the country and then rallying without a mask on , even if he ’ s ‘ essential , ’ that ’ s just so inappropriate in terms of the possible problems he might be posing to everyone who has to travel with him and everyone who comes in contact with him , ” Hassig said .
“ It ’ s a great deal of casualness about the potential impact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a kind of callous disregard for the impact their behavior has on others.
” It ’ s also a clear continuation of President Donald Trump ’ s attitude , even after being infected himself earlier this month .
“ It baffles me that those who would dismiss science ( and the evidence-based guidance it unearths ) are so eager to benefit from it when it suits them , ” Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck , a former CDC epidemic intelligence service member and former head of the Illinois Department of Public Health , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with only mild symptoms , Trump happily consumed every treatment , experimental therapeutic , and compassionate use protocol to save himself.
” National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien tried to cover Pence ’ s clear political calculus Sunday by claiming that “ essential workers going out and campaigning and voting are about as essential as things we can do as Americans.
” “ Essential personnel , whether it ’ s the Vice President of the United States or anyone else , has to continue on , ” added White House Chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day , just before admitting that the administration is “ not going to control the pandemic.
” Campaigning is not even an official part of Pence ’ s duties as Vice President , Lawrence Gostin , a public health expert at Georgetown University law school , pointed out .
“ Pence is not an essential worker , ” Gostin told TPM .
“ He is a politician .
Even if his work as Vice President was essential , he could do that work remotely.
” “ Campaigning certainly is not essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of Americans , ” he added .
Wen agreed , calling Pence ’ s decision to campaign rather than conduct his official business from quarantine in the residence “ irresponsible and reckless.
” “ He ’ s also setting an example for his staff , who are very likely not abiding by the requirements of quarantine either , ” she added .

COVID-19 is ripping through the White House again, as at least five aides to Vice President Mike Pence have tested positive.
They include his chief of staff Marc Short, top outside advisor Marty Obst and three more unnamed staffers, per the New York Times.
Despite the wildfire spread and very real possibility that he could be infectious himself, Pence has refused to stop campaigning. The White House and Trump-Pence campaign have decided that their way around losing one of their principals to a pesky stint in quarantine just before the election is to call Pence an “essential worker,” a title previously reserved for those like first responders and health care workers whose critical jobs simply could not be done from home. Apparently, Pence’s political rallies now rate that same level of importance.
“It’s extremely irresponsible for the Vice President to refuse to heed CDC guidelines,” Leana Wen, an emergency physician and visiting professor of health policy and management at George Washington University, told TPM.
The CDC advises normal workers, whether or not they test positive for the infection themselves, to stay home for 14 days after exposure. That’s due to the virus’ long incubation period, and the possibility that someone who has tested negative may be just days away from displaying symptoms and testing positive — possibly spreading the infection all the while. Per the White House, Pence tested negative Saturday, the day Short got his positive diagnosis, as well as Sunday.
The CDC’s essential workers guidance allows exposed people to return to their critical jobs as long as they are constantly masked (something Pence and the administration have long pooh-poohed), asymptomatic and keeping socially distanced as much as possible.
That exception, Wen said, is for people like doctors and nurses who, in the midst of a pandemic that has killed over 225,000 Americans, have to come in to work. “Situations as in, there is so much coronavirus in the community that doctors and nurses are constantly exposed to people with the virus and you can’t say that none of these health care workers should work for 14 days after coming in once,” she said. “It just wouldn’t be feasible.”
And still, Dr. Susan Hassig, an epidemiologist at Tulane University, added to TPM, those essential workers should also quarantine for a time, even if it’s a lesser five to seven days since the exposure.
Pence, of course, is not treating patients sick with a COVID-19 infection. He’s embarking on a string of campaign events to try to save his reelection effort a week out from Election Day. That included a Sunday rally in North Carolina, a stop in Minnesota on Monday and an event in South Carolina Tuesday.
“The fact that he’s trotting around the country and then rallying without a mask on, even if he’s ‘essential,’ that’s just so inappropriate in terms of the possible problems he might be posing to everyone who has to travel with him and everyone who comes in contact with him,” Hassig said. “It’s a great deal of casualness about the potential impact that this virus can have on people, and a kind of callous disregard for the impact their behavior has on others.”
It’s also a clear continuation of President Donald Trump’s attitude, even after being infected himself earlier this month.
“It baffles me that those who would dismiss science (and the evidence-based guidance it unearths) are so eager to benefit from it when it suits them,” Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, a former CDC epidemic intelligence service member and former head of the Illinois Department of Public Health, told TPM. “After his positive test with only mild symptoms, Trump happily consumed every treatment, experimental therapeutic, and compassionate use protocol to save himself.”
National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien tried to cover Pence’s clear political calculus Sunday by claiming that “essential workers going out and campaigning and voting are about as essential as things we can do as Americans.”
“Essential personnel, whether it’s the Vice President of the United States or anyone else, has to continue on,” added White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in a CNN interview the same day, just before admitting that the administration is “not going to control the pandemic.”
Campaigning is not even an official part of Pence’s duties as Vice President, Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University law school, pointed out.
“Pence is not an essential worker,” Gostin told TPM. “He is a politician. Even if his work as Vice President was essential, he could do that work remotely.”
“Campaigning certainly is not essential work, and that is clear to the vast majority of Americans,” he added.
Wen agreed, calling Pence’s decision to campaign rather than conduct his official business from quarantine in the residence “irresponsible and reckless.”
“He’s also setting an example for his staff, who are very likely not abiding by the requirements of quarantine either,” she added.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Biden Decries ‘Rushed And Unprecedented’ Barrett Confirmation

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden late on Monday tore into Senate Republicans for the “ rushed and unprecedented ” confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court amid the election , pointing at its potentially damaging blow to the health care provisions of millions of Americans as the high court prepares for a hearing on the Affordable Care Act .
“ The rushed and unprecedented confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court , in the middle of an ongoing election , should be a stark reminder to every American that your vote matters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Senate Republicans have pushed to quickly confirm Trump ’ s nominee to the Supreme Court , Democrats and health care advocates have pointed at the newly-confirmed justice ’ s likelihood of voting to strike down what has become a key election issue amid the coronavirus pandemic — the Affordable Care Act which protects the health care of at least 20 million people in the United States .
“ Just a few days after Election Day next week , the Supreme Court will hear the case on the Affordable Care Act , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has “ been crystal clear ” on his desire to wipe out the Obama-era health care policy .
During a CBS interview on “ 60 Minutes ” that the President leaked last week , when asked about the policy of his predecessor Trump said “ I hope that they end it.
” “ It will be so good if they end it because we will come up with a plan , ” Trump told correspondent Lesley Stahl in the interview of his yet-to-be-achieved campaign goal of four years ago do away with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal — the goal of the Republican Party for ten years — was a litmus test in selecting this nominee , regardless of the damage done to the U.S. Senate , to Americans ’ faith in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court , and to our democracy , and regardless of how the Affordable Care Act has protected hundreds of millions of people before and during the pandemic , ” Biden said .
“ Vote for a president , for Members of Congress , and candidates up and down the ticket who actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who will build on the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage , bring down costs , and give you more choices , ” the Democratic nominee said .
Closing with a more emotional tone , Biden urged voters to consider casting their ballot honor “ the legacy of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ” whose death in September set off the hurried effort to replace her with the more ideologically conservative Barrett .
“ She was proof that courage , conviction , and moral clarity can change not just the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us continue to be voices for justice in her name , ” Biden said .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden late Monday tore into Senate Republicans for the “rushed and unprecedented” confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court amid the election, pointing at its potentially damaging blow to health care provisions for millions of Americans as the high court prepares for a hearing on the Affordable Care Act.
“The rushed and unprecedented confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, in the middle of an ongoing election, should be a stark reminder to every American that your vote matters,” Biden said in a statement.
As Senate Republicans have pushed to quickly confirm Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Democrats and health care advocates have pointed at the newly-confirmed justice’s likelihood of voting to strike down what has become a key election issue amid the coronavirus pandemic — the Affordable Care Act, which protects the health care of at least 20 million people in the United States.
“Just a few days after Election Day next week, the Supreme Court will hear the case on the Affordable Care Act,” Biden said, adding that President Donald Trump has “been crystal clear” on his desire to wipe out the Obama-era health care policy.
During a CBS interview on “60 Minutes” that the President leaked last week, when asked about the policy of his predecessor, Trump said “I hope that they end it.”
“It will be so good if they end it because we will come up with a plan,” Trump told correspondent Lesley Stahl in the interview of his yet-to-be-achieved campaign goal of four years ago do away with the health care policy.
“This goal — the goal of the Republican Party for ten years — was a litmus test in selecting this nominee, regardless of the damage done to the U.S. Senate, to Americans’ faith in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and to our democracy, and regardless of how the Affordable Care Act has protected hundreds of millions of people before and during the pandemic,” Biden said.
“Vote for a president, for Members of Congress, and candidates up and down the ticket who actually have a plan for health care, and who will build on the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage, bring down costs, and give you more choices,” the Democratic nominee said.
Closing with a more emotional tone, Biden urged voters to consider casting their ballot to honor “the legacy of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” whose death in September set off the hurried effort to replace her with the more ideologically conservative Barrett.
“She was proof that courage, conviction, and moral clarity can change not just the law, but also the world. Let us continue to be voices for justice in her name,” Biden said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--McConnell Crows That ACB Will Be A ‘Political Asset’ For GOP Candidates

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) took a victory lap on Monday night after Republican senators successfully confirmed @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court justice nominee , Amy Coney Barrett .
During an interview with Fox News @ @ @ @ @ brushed off the notion that Barrett ’ s rushed confirmation would potentially come back to @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you recall , we had a Supreme Court fight a month before @ @ @ @ @ and we actually gained seats , ” the GOP leader told Bream .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ a political asset for our candidates around the country , ” he continued .
“ @ @ @ @ @ an asset.
” Barrett ’ s addition to the Supreme Court further cemented the court @ @ @ @ @ reinforced fears among liberals that Trump will weaponize SCOTUS to sway the elections in his @ @ @ @ @ potential defeat in the courts .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took a victory lap on Monday night after Republican senators successfully confirmed President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court justice nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.
During an interview with Fox News anchor Shannon Bream, McConnell brushed off the notion that Barrett’s rushed confirmation would potentially come back to bite Republicans on Election Day.
“If you recall, we had a Supreme Court fight a month before the election in 2018, and we actually gained seats,” the GOP leader told Bream.
“I think this nominee will be a political asset for our candidates around the country,” he continued. “Not a liability, but an asset.”
Barrett’s addition to the Supreme Court further cemented the court’s conservative majority and reinforced fears among liberals that Trump will weaponize SCOTUS to sway the elections in his favor should he contest his potential defeat in the courts.
Watch McConnell below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--‘It’s Got To Stop’: Biden Swipes At Perdue Over His Racist Mocking Of Harris’ Name

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden threw jabs at both President Trump and Sen. David Perdue ( R-GA ) during a drive-in campaign rally for their tactic of mocking Democrats amid their re-election bids .
Earlier this month , Perdue — who sits on the Senate Budget Committee with Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) — appeared to mock Biden ’ s VP pick by referring to her as “ Kamala , -mala , -mala , I don ’ t know , whatever , ” to jeers of laughter from the crowd at a Trump rally in Macon , Georgia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” dismissal of Harris ’ name swiftly drew backlash given how Harris ’ parents immigrated to the country .
Perdue ’ s campaign quickly brushed off the backlash by saying that the lawmaker had “ simply mispronounced Sen. Harris ’ s name , and he didn ’ t mean anything by it.
” Perdue himself told reporters that he meant “ absolutely no disrespect ” to Biden ’ s VP pick .
Perdue ’ s racist mockery of Harris ’ first name during a Trump campaign rally in Macon appeared to have worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor .
A few days after Perdue mocked Harris ’ name , Ossoff raised more than $ 1.8 million in campaign funds from at least 42,000 donors .
On Tuesday , Biden threw his jab at Perdue shortly after he first took aim at Trump .
“ But look , it doesn ’ t take long for people to figure out when the game is up .
When the Carney show goes through town the first time and people find out there ’ s no P under any of the three shells , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t get very much attention , ” Biden said .
“ Well that ’ s what the Trump administration has done.
” Biden then told attendees at his drive-in campaign rally in Atlanta on Tuesday to “ give the people of Georgia two new senators who will fight for your interest , not for Donald Trump ’ s interests ” — which was met with cheers , applause and car honks — before directly taking aim at Perdue for mocking his VP pick .
“ And not continue , as Perdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my running mate .
I love how these guys try to degrade everything and everybody , ” Biden sarcastically said , appearing to align Perdue with Trump ’ s frequent mockery of the former VP .
“ It ’ s got to stop and it ’ s going to stop with us .
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden threw jabs at both President Trump and Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) during a drive-in campaign rally for their tactic of mocking Democrats amid their re-election bids.
Earlier this month, Perdue — who sits on the Senate Budget Committee with Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) — appeared to mock Biden’s VP pick by referring to her as “Kamala, -mala, -mala, I don’t know, whatever,” to jeers of laughter from the crowd at a Trump rally in Macon, Georgia.
Perdue’s butchering and “whatever” dismissal of Harris’ name swiftly drew backlash given how Harris’ parents immigrated to the country.
Perdue’s campaign quickly brushed off the backlash by saying that the lawmaker had “simply mispronounced Sen. Harris’s name, and he didn’t mean anything by it.” Perdue himself told reporters that he meant “absolutely no disrespect” to Biden’s VP pick.
Perdue’s racist mockery of Harris’ first name during a Trump campaign rally in Macon appeared to have worked in Democratic rival Jon Ossoff’s favor. A few days after Perdue mocked Harris’ name, Ossoff raised more than $1.8 million in campaign funds from at least 42,000 donors.
On Tuesday, Biden threw his jab at Perdue shortly after he first took aim at Trump.
“But look, it doesn’t take long for people to figure out when the game is up. When the Carney show goes through town the first time and people find out there’s no P under any of the three shells, the next time it comes back it doesn’t get very much attention,” Biden said. “Well that’s what the Trump administration has done.”
Biden then told attendees at his drive-in campaign rally in Atlanta on Tuesday to “give the people of Georgia two new senators who will fight for your interest, not for Donald Trump’s interests” — which was met with cheers, applause and car honks — before directly taking aim at Perdue for mocking his VP pick.
“And not continue, as Perdue and others have, to make fun of my running mate. I love how these guys try to degrade everything and everybody,” Biden sarcastically said, appearing to align Perdue with Trump’s frequent mockery of the former VP. “It’s got to stop and it’s going to stop with us.”
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--‘Husbands Back To Work?!’ Trump’s Last-Ditch Plea To Suburban Women Falls Flat

It appears that President Trump ’ s latest desperate appeal to “ suburban women ” during a campaign in Lansing , Michigan on Tuesday has once again prompted more mockery as he continues lagging behind Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the polls among suburban voters .
Trump took a whack again at appealing to suburban women during a campaign rally in Lansing , Michigan on Tuesday by throwing in some misogynistic messaging this time around .
“ Your husbands , they want to get back to work , ” Trump said on Tuesday .
“ We ’ re getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And everybody wants it.
” Earlier this month , the President expressed puzzlement during a campaign rally in Duluth , Minnesota over the fact that his blatantly racist attempts to win over suburban women aren ’ t cutting it as he attempts to portray Biden as a threat to what he falsely assumed are poverty-free suburban neighborhoods .
“ They talk about the suburbs , women in the suburbs .
I ended a regulation that nobody would have done , ” Trump said during his Duluth rally , referring to his repeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AFFH ) rule that required cities receiving federal housing funds to probe potential housing discrimination against protected groups .
Weeks later , Trump tried to rehash his glaringly racist appeal to suburban women during a rally in Johnstown , Pennsylvania .
“ I ask you to do me a favor .
Suburban women : will you please like me ?
Please , ” he begged .
“ Please .
I saved your damn neighborhood , OK ?
” Twitter users were quick to pan Trump ’ s ill-advised attempt to gain support @ @ @ @ @ @

It appears that President Trump’s latest desperate appeal to “suburban women” during a campaign in Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday has once again prompted more mockery as he continues lagging behind Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the polls among suburban voters.
Trump took a whack again at appealing to suburban women during a campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday by throwing in some misogynistic messaging this time around.
“Your husbands, they want to get back to work,” Trump said on Tuesday. “We’re getting your husband’s back to work. And everybody wants it.”
Earlier this month, the President expressed puzzlement during a campaign rally in Duluth, Minnesota over the fact that his blatantly racist attempts to win over suburban women aren’t cutting it as he attempts to portray Biden as a threat to what he falsely assumed are poverty-free suburban neighborhoods.
“They talk about the suburbs, women in the suburbs. I ended a regulation that nobody would have done,” Trump said during his Duluth rally, referring to his repeal of the Obama-era Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule that required cities receiving federal housing funds to probe potential housing discrimination against protected groups.
Weeks later, Trump tried to rehash his glaringly racist appeal to suburban women during a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
“I ask you to do me a favor. Suburban women: will you please like me? Please,” he begged. “Please. I saved your damn neighborhood, OK?”
Twitter users were quick to pan Trump’s ill-advised attempt to gain support from suburban women on Tuesday:
A century after the 19th Amendment, Trump tells Lansing crowd, “We’re getting your husbands back to work." — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) October 27, 2020
He really does think America is leave it to beaver… which he grabs without asking https://t.co/6t0aMl3xS6 — Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 27, 2020
Hmmmmm let me just go through my Suburban Woman Checklist: 1. "Please like me"
2. "I saved your neighborhood" from "the projects" & "Cory Booker"
3. "Suburban housewives"
4. "Getting your husbands back to work"
5. Years of bigotry, bullying, & bumbling no thank you
bye now https://t.co/BQmN8EZhG6 — Melissa Hillman (@bittergertrude) October 27, 2020
"We're getting your husbands back to work." – the president of the United States in the year 2020 — JackiSchechner (@JackiSchechner) October 27, 2020
Your husbands back to work?!? Someone tell him that in 2020 women have jobs outside the home, too. ??♂#Vote #SuburbanWomen https://t.co/O97MrwQD15 — Krishna “Wear a damn mask” Komanduri ?? (@drkomanduri) October 27, 2020
Just choked on the sandwich my husband made me. President Trump today "we are getting your husbands back to work, so make them a sandwich". pic.twitter.com/oBi1OD3JGt — Trisha Greenhalgh ? #BlackLivesMatter (@trishgreenhalgh) October 27, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Trump Wonders If Alleged Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Was Really A Problem After All

President Donald Trump on Tuesday questioned the government ’ s case against a group of men accused of plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan , saying at a rally that it might not have been a “ problem ” in the first place .
It was just the latest in a string of Trump attacks against Gretchen Whitmer , the Democratic governor of a crucial swing state .
“ Hey , I ’ m the one — It was our people that helped her out with her problem , ” Trump told a rally in Lansing , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men have been charged federally and eight more face state terrorism charges .
“ And we ’ ll have to see if it ’ s a problem , right ?
People are entitled to say , ‘ Maybe it was a problem , maybe it wasn ’ t , ’ ” the President added .
“ It was our people , my people , our people , that helped her out .
And then she blamed me for it.
” Defense attorneys for some of the accused men say their clients never intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercover FBI sources and texts , pictures and video shared by prosecutors have shown the group taking steps including allegedly surveilling the governor ’ s home .
Trump has for months antagonized Whitmer over public health restrictions she ’ s used to slow the spread of COVID-19 in her state .
Whitmer on Tuesday wrote , “ Every time the President ramps up this violent rhetoric , every time he fires up Twitter to launch another broadside against me , my family and I see a surge of vicious attacks sent our way.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ my ” Justice Department saved the governor from harm , lashing out after she said that hate groups heard Trump ’ s rhetoric as a “ rallying cry.
” Last week , Trump cheered on a “ lock her up ” chant during a rally of his in Michigan , responding to the crowd : “ Lock them all up !
”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday questioned the government’s case against a group of men accused of plotting to kidnap the governor of Michigan, saying at a rally that it might not have been a “problem” in the first place.
It was just the latest in a string of Trump attacks against Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic governor of a crucial swing state.
“Hey, I’m the one — It was our people that helped her out with her problem,” Trump told a rally in Lansing, referring to the alleged kidnapping plot in which six men have been charged federally and eight more face state terrorism charges.
“And we’ll have to see if it’s a problem, right? People are entitled to say, ‘Maybe it was a problem, maybe it wasn’t,’” the President added. “It was our people, my people, our people, that helped her out. And then she blamed me for it.”
The FBI alleges a militia plotted to kidnap and kill Michigan Whitmer. Trump is telling a crowd of supporters in the state that "people are entitled to say maybe it was a problem, maybe it wasn't" pic.twitter.com/CiFkGEZU0C — Salvador Hernandez (@SalHernandez) October 27, 2020
Defense attorneys for some of the accused men say their clients never intended to actually abduct the governor, though undercover FBI sources and texts, pictures and video shared by prosecutors have shown the group taking steps including allegedly surveilling the governor’s home.
Trump has for months antagonized Whitmer over public health restrictions she’s used to slow the spread of COVID-19 in her state. Whitmer on Tuesday wrote, “Every time the President ramps up this violent rhetoric, every time he fires up Twitter to launch another broadside against me, my family and I see a surge of vicious attacks sent our way.”
The President has also argued that “my” Justice Department saved the governor from harm, lashing out after she said that hate groups heard Trump’s rhetoric as a “rallying cry.”
Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone, except her husband’s boating activities. The Federal Government provided tremendous help to the Great People of Michigan. My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2020
Last week, Trump cheered on a “lock her up” chant during a rally of his in Michigan, responding to the crowd: “Lock them all up!”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Americans Perceive Their Political Opposites As Ready For Violence, Poll Shows

Americans are eyeing fellow countrymen with suspicion these days , and new polling indicates that a significant number of Democrats believe Republicans would condone violence if Trump were to claim the election had been stolen .
Likewise , the poll from the research and civic non-profit More In Common found , a majority of Republicans believe Democrats would condone violence if the situation were reversed , and Biden claimed the election had been stolen .
In fact , far more Americans believe those of the opposite party would approve of election-related violence than would condone it themselves , the poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The numbers , which More In Common says showed that Americans “ significantly exaggerate the proportion of their political opponents who would justify election-related violence , ” comes just a week before the most fraught Election Day in recent history .
“ There ’ s a really , really high sense of perceived threat , ” said Dan Vallone , director of More In Common USA , in an interview Tuesday .
“ It ’ s become almost pervasive.
” The polling was relatively straightforward : 2,000 people were asked whether they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s presidential candidate appeared to have lost the election , but nonetheless declared that it had been “ stolen ” from them : Would they protest peacefully ?
Destroy property ?
Confront the opponent ’ s supporters online ?
In the street ?
Would they be justified in physically attacking their opponent ’ s supporters ?
Then , the same people were asked how they thought the other side of the aisle would answer the same questions .
The number of respondents who thought it justified to physically attack the other candidate ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 % of Republicans and 4 % of Democrats .
But both sides perceived the other as much more willing to condone violence : 49 % of Democrats estimated that Republicans would condone physically attacking Biden supporters if Trump claimed the election had been stolen .
And when the roles were reversed , 52 % of Republicans thought Democrats would condone the same attacks if Biden claimed the election had been stolen .
“ It ’ s really important to have an accurate understanding of peoples ’ willingness to condone violence , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , it ’ s really important to understand the universally shared commitment to peace , ” Vallone said .
“ The norm here is peace , ” he added .
“ Anybody who is contemplating something other than peace is doing so outside of what the vast majority of Americans consider to be the appropriate boundaries of action.
” More in Common , in partnership with YouGov , surveyed 2,000 people between Oct. 14 and Oct. 20 .
The poll was weighted using the 2018 American Community Survey and the 2016 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 2.37 % .

Americans are eyeing fellow countrymen with suspicion these days, and new polling indicates that a significant number of Democrats believe Republicans would condone violence if Trump were to claim the election had been stolen.
Likewise, the poll from the research and civic non-profit More In Common found, a majority of Republicans believe Democrats would condone violence if the situation were reversed, and Biden claimed the election had been stolen.
In fact, far more Americans believe those of the opposite party would approve of election-related violence than would condone it themselves, the poll, conducted by YouGov, found.
The numbers, which More In Common says showed that Americans “significantly exaggerate the proportion of their political opponents who would justify election-related violence,” comes just a week before the most fraught Election Day in recent history.
“There’s a really, really high sense of perceived threat,” said Dan Vallone, director of More In Common USA, in an interview Tuesday. “It’s become almost pervasive.”
The polling was relatively straightforward: 2,000 people were asked whether they would condone various actions if their party’s presidential candidate appeared to have lost the election, but nonetheless declared that it had been “stolen” from them: Would they protest peacefully? Destroy property? Confront the opponent’s supporters online? In the street? Would they be justified in physically attacking their opponent’s supporters?
Then, the same people were asked how they thought the other side of the aisle would answer the same questions.
The number of respondents who thought it justified to physically attack the other candidate’s supporters was relatively small: Just 3% of Republicans and 4% of Democrats.
But both sides perceived the other as much more willing to condone violence: 49% of Democrats estimated that Republicans would condone physically attacking Biden supporters if Trump claimed the election had been stolen. And when the roles were reversed, 52% of Republicans thought Democrats would condone the same attacks if Biden claimed the election had been stolen.
“It’s really important to have an accurate understanding of peoples’ willingness to condone violence, and even more importantly, from our vantage point, it’s really important to understand the universally shared commitment to peace,” Vallone said.
“The norm here is peace,” he added. “Anybody who is contemplating something other than peace is doing so outside of what the vast majority of Americans consider to be the appropriate boundaries of action.”
More in Common, in partnership with YouGov, surveyed 2,000 people between Oct. 14 and Oct. 20. The poll was weighted using the 2018 American Community Survey and the 2016 presidential vote tally. The margin of error is 2.37%.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Wohl, Burkman Indicted Again For Alleged Scheme To Intimidate Minority Voters

Rightwing troll duo Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman have been indicted again , this time in Ohio ’ s Cuyahoga County , for an alleged scheme to place robocalls that discourage minority communities from voting by mail .
The two were indicted on eight counts of telecommunications fraud and seven counts of bribery .
In Ohio , “ bribery ” covers attempts to intimidate or coerce a person not to vote .
A recording of the call , provided to TPM by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O ’ Malley ’ s office , matched a call that the two were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hi , this is Tomika Taylor from Project 1599 , the civil rights organization founded by Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl , ” a woman says on the robocall .
“ Mail-in voting sounds great , but did you know that if you vote by mail , your personal information will be part of a public database that will be used by police departments to track down old warrants and be used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts ?
” “ The CDC is even pushing to use records from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines , ” she adds .
“ Don ’ t be finessed into giving your private information to the man .
Stay safe and beware of vote by mail.
” O ’ Malley ’ s office alleges that the duo placed 67,000 calls across midwestern states ; 8,100 , prosecutors say , were placed to phone numbers in Cleveland and East Cleveland , both of which are in Cuyahoga County .
The Ohio Attorney General ’ s office got involved after receiving multiple complaints and referred the case to the county prosecutor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Burkman , O ’ Malley ’ s office said .
“ The right to vote is the most fundamental component of our nation ’ s democracy , ” O ’ Malley said in a statement .
“ These individuals clearly infringed upon that right in a blatant attempt to suppress votes and undermine the integrity of this election .
These actions will not be tolerated.
” The Cuyahoga County indictment is just the latest legal trouble for the pair , who have already been indicted in Michigan for promulgation of the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month that similar calls had been reported in New York , Pennsylvania , Ohio and Illinois .
For the Michigan indictment , the buffoonish duo brought a film crew and fistfuls of $ 100 bills to brandish as they turned themselves in .
They claim that they were not behind the calls , though a prosecutor said earlier this month that he had records from the robocall delivery company and evidence from witness testimony that Burkman sent it out .
Individuals who received the calls in New York have also filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On top of their robocall chicanery , Wohl is contending with felony charges in California over alleged violations of securities laws , and the two are being investigated by the FBI over a leak of jury questionnaires during Roger Stone ’ s trial .
The two have made a name for themselves by comically bungling half-baked attempts to go after Trump ’ s enemies .
Back in 2018 , they set up and hyped a press conference for a supposed victim of sexual assault by Robert Mueller to come forward with her accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , and Burkman and Wohl couldn ’ t even agree on the spelling of her name .
The dynamic duo have also concocted accusations against Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) and Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) , which fell apart upon the slightest investigation .
Recently , Burkman also staged a fake FBI raid on his own home .
The “ agent ” later said he was an actor who was hired on Craigslist .

Rightwing troll duo Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman have been indicted in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County, for an alleged scheme to place robocalls that discourage minority communities from voting by mail.
The two were indicted on eight counts of telecommunications fraud and seven counts of bribery. In Ohio, “bribery” covers attempts to intimidate or coerce a person not to vote.
A recording of the call, provided to TPM by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley’s office, matched a call that the two were indicted for allegedly placing in Michigan.
“Hi, this is Tomika Taylor from Project 1599, the civil rights organization founded by Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl,” a woman says on the robocall. “Mail-in voting sounds great, but did you know that if you vote by mail, your personal information will be part of a public database that will be used by police departments to track down old warrants and be used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts?”
“The CDC is even pushing to use records from mail-in voting to track people for mandatory vaccines,” she adds. “Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man. Stay safe and beware of vote by mail.”
O’Malley’s office alleges that the duo placed 67,000 calls across midwestern states; 8,100, prosecutors say, were placed to phone numbers in Cleveland and East Cleveland, both of which are in Cuyahoga County. The Ohio Attorney General’s office got involved after receiving multiple complaints and referred the case to the county prosecutor.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Wohl and Burkman, O’Malley’s office said.
“The right to vote is the most fundamental component of our nation’s democracy,” O’Malley said in a statement. “These individuals clearly infringed upon that right in a blatant attempt to suppress votes and undermine the integrity of this election. These actions will not be tolerated.”
The Cuyahoga County indictment is just the latest legal trouble for the pair, who have already been charged in Michigan for promulgation of the same robocall. The Michigan Attorney general said earlier this month that similar calls had been reported in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois.
For the Michigan arraignment, the buffoonish duo brought a film crew and fistfuls of $100 bills to brandish as they turned themselves in. They claim that they were not behind the calls, though a prosecutor said earlier this month that he had records from the robocall delivery company and evidence from witness testimony that Burkman sent it out.
Individuals who received the calls in New York have also filed a civil suit against the two.
On top of their robocall chicanery, Wohl is contending with felony charges in California over alleged violations of securities laws, and the two are being investigated by the FBI over a leak of jury questionnaires during Roger Stone’s trial.
The two have made a name for themselves by comically bungling half-baked attempts to go after Trump’s enemies. Back in 2018, they set up and hyped a press conference for a supposed victim of sexual assault by Robert Mueller to come forward with her accusations. The woman in question never showed up, and Burkman and Wohl couldn’t even agree on the spelling of her name.
The dynamic duo have also concocted accusations against Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), which fell apart upon the slightest investigation.
Recently, Burkman also staged a fake FBI raid on his own home. The “agent” later said he was an actor who was hired on Craigslist.
Read the Cuyahoga County indictment here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Whitmer Hits Back At Trump After Repeated Attacks: ‘He Has Only Lies, Vitriol, And Hate’

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) raked President Donald Trump over the coals on Tuesday in response to him persistently attacking her even after the FBI uncovered an alleged terror plot to kidnap her .
“ Every time the President ramps up this violent rhetoric , every time he fires up Twitter to launch another broadside against me , my family and I see a surge of vicious attacks sent our way , ” Whitmer wrote in an op-ed for the Atlantic .
“ This is no coincidence , and the president knows it .
He is sowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders , at risk .
And all because he thinks it will help his reelection.
” The governor ripped Trump for failing to adequately respond to the COVID-19 and instead offering “ only lies , vitriol , and hate.
” “ The past four years have been the worst version of America , ” she stated .
“ Ever since Donald Trump first stepped foot in the White House , we have moved away from the common ideals and values that are supposed to unify us as a country , putting leaders across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement charged 13 men for allegedly plotting to kidnap Whitmer earlier this month over her COVID-19 restrictions on businesses , Trump hurled insults at the governor and echoed the same grievances about her that the alleged attempted kidnappers had expressed in their private group chats .
“ She wants to be a dictator in Michigan , ” Trump said during an interview on Fox Business less than two weeks ago .
“ The people can ’ t stand her .
”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) raked President Donald Trump over the coals on Tuesday in response to him persistently attacking her even after the FBI uncovered an alleged terror plot to kidnap her.
“Every time the President ramps up this violent rhetoric, every time he fires up Twitter to launch another broadside against me, my family and I see a surge of vicious attacks sent our way,” Whitmer wrote in an op-ed for the Atlantic. “This is no coincidence, and the president knows it. He is sowing division and putting leaders, especially women leaders, at risk. And all because he thinks it will help his reelection.”
The governor ripped Trump for failing to adequately respond to the COVID-19 and instead offering “only lies, vitriol, and hate.”
“The past four years have been the worst version of America,” she stated. “Ever since Donald Trump first stepped foot in the White House, we have moved away from the common ideals and values that are supposed to unify us as a country, putting leaders across the country—including me—in danger.”
After law enforcement charged 13 men for allegedly plotting to kidnap Whitmer earlier this month over her COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, Trump hurled insults at the governor and echoed the same grievances about her that the alleged attempted kidnappers had expressed in their private group chats.
“She wants to be a dictator in Michigan,” Trump said during an interview on Fox Business less than two weeks ago. “The people can’t stand her.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Trump Spends Desperate Final Days Of Campaign Complaining About Fox

In a last-ditch attempt to distract from his disastrous handling of COVID-19 a week before the election , President Trump has now turned his ire toward his on-again-off-again favorite network Fox News for airing former President Barack Obama ’ s remarks at a campaign event for his former VP Joe Biden on Tuesday .
While speaking to reporters outside of the White House before departing for Lansing , Michigan , Trump griped about Fox News broadcasting Obama ’ s remarks during a drive-in campaign rally for Biden in Orlando , Florida .
In his speech , Obama threw more jabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with media coverage , which included arguing that Trump was “ jealous of COVID ’ s media coverage ” after the President complained in a tweet earlier Tuesday that “ all the fake news media wants to talk about is COVID , COVID , COVID ” amid surging cases nationwide .
Instead of directly responding to the contents of Obama ’ s remarks , Trump nit-picked at Fox News for airing the former President ’ s remarks in the first place .
“ I only saw he was on Fox , and Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said .
“ And they put ‘ Sleepy Joe ’ on all the time.
” Trump repeated his Biden-centric insult — which baselessly insinuates that the former VP is senile — as he continued criticizing Fox News for not covering the former VP ’ s surprise visit in Chester , Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon to his liking .
Biden ’ s remarks outside of a voter activation center in Chester took aim at White House chief of staff Mark Meadows ’ “ deadly admission ” that the Trump administration is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans .
“ What they should do is they should show the pictures of ‘ Sleepy Joe ‘ yesterday when he rushed to Pennsylvania because he saw that I had 25,000 people at each event , ” Trump said Tuesday .
“ When he rushed to Pennsylvania and he did a statement and he got lost in a fog .
They should show that.
” Earlier Tuesday , Trump took to Twitter to complain about Fox News .
Trump also suggested on Tuesday that Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) called me George , ” referring to a debunked tweet posted by Republican National Committee rapid response director Steve Guest on Sunday accusing Biden of mistaking Trump for former President George W. Bush in a video clip filmed for Biden ’ s “ I Will Vote ” concert .
“ He thought I was George and I guess he was talking about George Bush , but he thought I was George and they should show that , ” Trump said .
Trump then griped that “ Fox is very very disappointing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ( former Fox News CEO ) Roger Ailes .
”

In a last-ditch attempt to distract from his disastrous handling of COVID-19 a week before the election, President Trump has now turned his ire toward his on-again-off-again favorite network Fox News for airing former President Barack Obama’s remarks at a campaign event for his former VP Joe Biden on Tuesday.
While speaking to reporters outside of the White House before departing for Lansing, Michigan, Trump griped about Fox News broadcasting Obama’s remarks during a drive-in campaign rally for Biden in Orlando, Florida.
In his speech, Obama threw more jabs at the President for his unhealthy obsession with media coverage, which included arguing that Trump was “jealous of COVID’s media coverage” after the President complained in a tweet earlier Tuesday that “all the fake news media wants to talk about is COVID, COVID, COVID” amid surging cases nationwide.
Instead of directly responding to the contents of Obama’s remarks, Trump nit-picked at Fox News for airing the former President’s remarks in the first place.
“I only saw he was on Fox, and Fox puts him on all the time,” Trump said. “And they put ‘Sleepy Joe’ on all the time.”
Trump repeated his Biden-centric insult — which baselessly insinuates that the former VP is senile — as he continued criticizing Fox News for not covering the former VP’s surprise visit in Chester, Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon to his liking.
Biden’s remarks outside of a voter activation center in Chester took aim at White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ “deadly admission” that the Trump administration is “not going to control” the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 225,000 Americans.
“What they should do is they should show the pictures of ‘Sleepy Joe ‘yesterday when he rushed to Pennsylvania because he saw that I had 25,000 people at each event,” Trump said Tuesday. “When he rushed to Pennsylvania and he did a statement and he got lost in a fog. They should show that.”
Earlier Tuesday, Trump took to Twitter to complain about Fox News.
The biggest difference between now and 2016 is @FoxNews. They are a whole different deal. Despite this, our campaign is doing much better, with bigger crowds and even more (much!) enthusiasm, than we had in 2016. Big Debate & SCOTUS Win! Real Polls have us winning everywhere! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2020
And last week, Trump called Fox News’ polls “totally fake.”
.@FoxNews Polls are totally FAKE, just like they were in 2016. I am leading in all of the states mentioned, which you will soon see. I thought Fox was getting rid of its pollster. Sadly, it never happened! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2020
Trump also suggested on Tuesday that Fox News “show the picture where (Biden) called me George,” referring to a debunked tweet posted by Republican National Committee rapid response director Steve Guest on Sunday accusing Biden of mistaking Trump for former President George W. Bush in a video clip filmed for Biden’s “I Will Vote” concert.
“He thought I was George and I guess he was talking about George Bush, but he thought I was George and they should show that,” Trump said.
Trump then griped that “Fox is very very disappointing” and that “this would not happen with (former Fox News CEO) Roger Ailes.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-10-27--Wisconsinites Scramble To Get Votes In Early Following Supreme Court Ruling

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) — Democrats and Republicans in the battleground state of Wisconsin were pushing Tuesday to get 320,000 outstanding absentee ballots returned by the close of polls on Election Day after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to extend the deadline to receive and count ballots , as Democrats had wanted .
“ This is an all-hands-on-deck final push , ” said Ben Wikler , who chairs the Wisconsin Democratic Party , which has been advocating absentee voting more aggressively than Republicans .
But the message is the same for Republicans who decided to mail in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin .
“ If you do it absentee , do it now , do it quickly , ” said Andrew Hitt , chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party .
Democrats argued in a federal lawsuit that more time should be allotted for ballots to arrive by mail and be counted because of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Republicans countered that voters had plenty of options to vote on time and that the rules shouldn ’ t be changed so close to the election .
The Supreme Court , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , affirmed an appellate court ruling that had blocked the extended count .
It ’ s not clear if the ruling will benefit one side or the other in Wisconsin , which President Donald Trump won by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016 , said Barry Burden , a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor and the director of the Elections Research Project .
Trump was campaigning in Wisconsin on Tuesday and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the state on Friday .
“ The fact that Democrats are using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Biden campaign would be hurt more by ballots that come in late , ” Burden said .
However , since the appellate ruling nearly three weeks ago , Democrats have been working under the assumption that the deadline for returning ballots would be 8 p.m. on Election Day and have helped shatter the state record for returning absentee ballots , Burden said .
As of Tuesday , more than 1.4 million absentee ballots , including 352,000 that were cast early in person , had been returned , which is 48 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 presidential election .
About 10 times more ballots have been returned by mail than in typical presidential elections .
Still , there were 320,000 outstanding ballots as of Tuesday , which amounts to 18 % of the nearly 1.7 million absentee ballots requested .
In the April presidential primary election , 9 % of all requested absentee ballots were not returned .
In that election , 1.7 % of all ballots returned were rejected due to missing signatures or other deficiencies that were not fixed in time by the voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day deadline for returning ballots means there will “ definitely ” be some that aren ’ t counted , Burden said .
In Wisconsin ’ s April primary , some 80,000 ballots arrived after Election Day .
That , along with uncertainties about the timeliness of mail delivery , has both Republicans and Democrats urging their voters to get their ballots in immediately .
“ The rules haven ’ t changed , ” Wikler said .
“ What changes is that there is now a certainty that ballots need to arrive by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wave of public attention on that fact.
” The Democratic effort to get ballots returned on time includes calling , texting , having people contact their friends , “ running digital ads on every conceivable platform , ” tracking down outstanding absentee ballots , TV ads , radio ads , newspaper ads , planes pulling banners , chalking on campuses and billboards , Wikler said .
Republicans , who opposed extending the counting deadline , were also urging voters to return ballots , or follow through on their plans to vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has outstanding ballots and we will push them hard this last week though text messages , robocalls , ” Hitt said .
Some of the 320,000 outstanding ballots could have been sent to people who requested them in the spring but have now decided to vote in person , Hitt said .
“ I suspect there will be quite a bit of that , especially on the conservative side , ” he said .
The Wisconsin Elections Commission said that Tuesday was the practical deadline for voters to return their absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week for it to be delivered .
Voters have until Thursday to request a ballot by mail , but that does not likely leave them enough time to receive it on time .
Voters have numerous options for returning the ballots , other than by mail , including at secure drop boxes , their municipal clerk ’ s office or dropping it off at their polling place on Election Day unless it is a city , like Milwaukee , where ballots are counted at a central location .
The Supreme Court ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t come from outside the county where they live .
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has been operating on the assumption that poll workers must come from the county where they live , said spokesman Reid Magney .
He noted that there are other jobs at the polls which do not require county residency , including greeting voters , managing lines and sanitizing surfaces and voting equipment .
Hitt and Wikler said they were not concerned about a shortage of poll workers .
Gov .
Tony Evers , a Democrat , has promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill any vacancies , as was done during two previous elections this year .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats and Republicans in the battleground state of Wisconsin were pushing Tuesday to get 320,000 outstanding absentee ballots returned by the close of polls on Election Day after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to extend the deadline to receive and count ballots, as Democrats had wanted.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck final push,” said Ben Wikler, who chairs the Wisconsin Democratic Party, which has been advocating absentee voting more aggressively than Republicans.
But the message is the same for Republicans who decided to mail in their ballots amid a surge in coronavirus cases in Wisconsin.
“If you do it absentee, do it now, do it quickly,” said Andrew Hitt, chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party.
Democrats argued in a federal lawsuit that more time should be allotted for ballots to arrive by mail and be counted because of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans countered that voters had plenty of options to vote on time and that the rules shouldn’t be changed so close to the election. The Supreme Court, in a 5-3 decision Monday along ideological lines, affirmed an appellate court ruling that had blocked the extended count.
It’s not clear if the ruling will benefit one side or the other in Wisconsin, which President Donald Trump won by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016, said Barry Burden, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor and the director of the Elections Research Project.
Trump was campaigning in Wisconsin on Tuesday and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the state on Friday.
“The fact that Democrats are using mail voting more than Republicans are suggests that the Biden campaign would be hurt more by ballots that come in late,” Burden said.
However, since the appellate ruling nearly three weeks ago, Democrats have been working under the assumption that the deadline for returning ballots would be 8 p.m. on Election Day and have helped shatter the state record for returning absentee ballots, Burden said.
As of Tuesday, more than 1.4 million absentee ballots, including 352,000 that were cast early in person, had been returned, which is 48% of the total Wisconsin votes cast in the 2016 presidential election. About 10 times more ballots have been returned by mail than in typical presidential elections.
Still, there were 320,000 outstanding ballots as of Tuesday, which amounts to 18% of the nearly 1.7 million absentee ballots requested. In the April presidential primary election, 9% of all requested absentee ballots were not returned. In that election, 1.7% of all ballots returned were rejected due to missing signatures or other deficiencies that were not fixed in time by the voters.
The ruling setting the 8 p.m. Election Day deadline for returning ballots means there will “definitely” be some that aren’t counted, Burden said. In Wisconsin’s April primary, some 80,000 ballots arrived after Election Day.
That, along with uncertainties about the timeliness of mail delivery, has both Republicans and Democrats urging their voters to get their ballots in immediately.
“The rules haven’t changed,” Wikler said. “What changes is that there is now a certainty that ballots need to arrive by the time polls close. There is now a wave of public attention on that fact.”
The Democratic effort to get ballots returned on time includes calling, texting, having people contact their friends, “running digital ads on every conceivable platform,” tracking down outstanding absentee ballots, TV ads, radio ads, newspaper ads, planes pulling banners, chalking on campuses and billboards, Wikler said.
Republicans, who opposed extending the counting deadline, were also urging voters to return ballots, or follow through on their plans to vote in person.
“We continue to monitor who has outstanding ballots and we will push them hard this last week though text messages, robocalls,” Hitt said.
Some of the 320,000 outstanding ballots could have been sent to people who requested them in the spring but have now decided to vote in person, Hitt said.
“I suspect there will be quite a bit of that, especially on the conservative side,” he said.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission said that Tuesday was the practical deadline for voters to return their absentee ballots by mail, which would allow one week for it to be delivered. Voters have until Thursday to request a ballot by mail, but that does not likely leave them enough time to receive it on time.
Voters have numerous options for returning the ballots, other than by mail, including at secure drop boxes, their municipal clerk’s office or dropping it off at their polling place on Election Day unless it is a city, like Milwaukee, where ballots are counted at a central location.
The Supreme Court’s ruling also means that poll workers can’t come from outside the county where they live. The Wisconsin Elections Commission has been operating on the assumption that poll workers must come from the county where they live, said spokesman Reid Magney. He noted that there are other jobs at the polls which do not require county residency, including greeting voters, managing lines and sanitizing surfaces and voting equipment.
Hitt and Wikler said they were not concerned about a shortage of poll workers. Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, has promised to call out the Wisconsin National Guard to fill any vacancies, as was done during two previous elections this year.