talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Trump Finally Brings COVID Statements More In Line With Public Health Pros

President Donald Trump struck a new tone Monday during a press conference with the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
Whereas the President in recent weeks has sought to assure Americans that the pandemic “ will disappear , ” on Monday his message had changed — though it did so quite a while after such a change was warranted by the facts on the ground .
“ I ’ ve spoken actually , with my son , ” Trump said from the White House briefing room .
“ He says , ‘ How bad is this ?
’ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The President ’ s typical bluster and self-congratulation was evident at times .
For example , he asserted at one point that that “ there are some places in our nation that are not very affected at all , ” even though the current nation-wide testing shortage for COVID-19 means the disease may be present in large numbers in places where there are currently little or no confirmed infections .
And separately , he said “ We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about.
” But Trump on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the disease .
He announced clearly that young people and people with milder symptoms “ can easily spread this virus , and they will spread it , indeed , putting countless others in harm ’ s way.
” He read CDC guidelines that emphasized “ social distancing , ” which public health authorities have stressed is the surest way of slowing the disease without a vaccine .
“ My administration is recommending that all Americans , including the young and healthy , work to engage in schooling from home when possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten people , avoid discretionary travel , and avoid eating and drinking at bars , restaurants , and public food courts , ” he said .
And he dropped his talk of a breezy end to the public health crisis .
“ If we do a really good job , we ’ ll not only hold the death down to a level that is much lower than the other way , had we not done a good job , but people are talking about July , August , something like that , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage of the pandemic , he said for the fist time , “ has been very fair.
” And , asked about a potential recession , Trump said one “ may ” be on the way — a contrast from Friday ’ s head-in-the-sand bullishness , when he sent an autographed print-out of a stock market chart to Lou Dobbs .
Given where things stand — the market gains he bragged of Friday were wiped out within minutes of Monday ’ s opening — there appeared to be little economic news on which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus is really on getting rid of this problem , ” he said .
“ This virus problem .
Once we do that , everything else is going to fall into place.
” “ The market will take care of itself , ” he added separately .
“ The market will be very strong as soon as we take care of the virus .
”

“It’s bad.”
President Donald Trump struck a new tone Monday during a press conference with the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Whereas the President in recent weeks has sought to assure Americans that the pandemic “will disappear,” on Monday his message had changed — though it did so quite a while after such a change was warranted by the facts on the ground.
“I’ve spoken actually, with my son,” Trump said from the White House briefing room. “He says, ‘How bad is this?’ It’s bad. It’s bad.”
The President’s typical bluster and self-congratulation was evident at times.
For example, he asserted at one point that that “there are some places in our nation that are not very affected at all,” even though the current nation-wide testing shortage for COVID-19 means the disease may be present in large numbers in places where there are currently little or no confirmed infections.
And separately, he said “We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about.”
But Trump on Monday dropped some of his usual optimism about the disease. He announced clearly that young people and people with milder symptoms “can easily spread this virus, and they will spread it, indeed, putting countless others in harm’s way.”
He read CDC guidelines that emphasized “social distancing,” which public health authorities have stressed is the surest way of slowing the disease without a vaccine. “My administration is recommending that all Americans, including the young and healthy, work to engage in schooling from home when possible, avoid gathering in groups of more than ten people, avoid discretionary travel, and avoid eating and drinking at bars, restaurants, and public food courts,” he said.
And he dropped his talk of a breezy end to the public health crisis.
“If we do a really good job, we’ll not only hold the death down to a level that is much lower than the other way, had we not done a good job, but people are talking about July, August, something like that,” he said.
The media’s coverage of the pandemic, he said for the fist time, “has been very fair.”
And, asked about a potential recession, Trump said one “may” be on the way — a contrast from Friday’s head-in-the-sand bullishness, when he sent an autographed print-out of a stock market chart to Lou Dobbs.
Given where things stand — the market gains he bragged of Friday were wiped out within minutes of Monday’s opening — there appeared to be little economic news on which he wanted to dwell.
“My focus is really on getting rid of this problem,” he said. “This virus problem. Once we do that, everything else is going to fall into place.”
“The market will take care of itself,” he added separately. “The market will be very strong as soon as we take care of the virus.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--‘You’re Supposed To Be The President’: Cuomo And Trump Squabble Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Just what the doctor ordered : Two old leaders bickering with one another on Twitter as COVID-19 ripples throughout the country .
In a tweet touting his “ very good ” conference call on Monday with state governors on the coronavirus outbreak , President Donald Trump took a swipe at New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) .
“ Cuomo of New York has to ‘ do more , ' ” Trump wrote .
“ I have to do more ?
” Cuomo tweeted .
“ No — YOU have to do something !
You ’ re supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tweet and re-posted it an hour later , presumably to correct the “ Nations ’ s ” typo in the original tweet .
“ Happy to do your job , too , ” he tweeted .
“ Just give me control of the Army Corps of Engineers and I ’ ll take it from there.
” The governor ’ s tweet included a link to his New York Times op-ed in which he urged Trump to allow New York to use the Army Corps of Engineers to assist in creating temporary medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s singling out of Cuomo marks yet another instance of the President attacking New York , where state officials have been investigating and filing lawsuits against his businesses .
In February , Trump went as far as issuing a veiled threat against his former home state , tweeting that New York “ must stop all of unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment [ sic ] ” in the same post in which he mentioned his administration ’ s freeze on the state ’ s “ Trusted Travelers ” program .
Trump ’ s Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York passed a law that blocked federal immigration officials from accessing the state ’ s DMV records .

Just what the doctor ordered: Two old leaders bickering with one another on Twitter as COVID-19 ripples throughout the country.
In a tweet touting his “very good” conference call on Monday with state governors on the coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump took a swipe at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
“Cuomo of New York has to ‘do more,'” Trump wrote.
The New York governor fired back shortly afterward.
“I have to do more?” Cuomo tweeted. “No — YOU have to do something! You’re supposed to be the President.”
Trump deleted his tweet and re-posted it an hour later, presumably to correct the “Nations’s” typo in the original tweet.
Cuomo responded with a new retort.
“Happy to do your job, too,” he tweeted. “Just give me control of the Army Corps of Engineers and I’ll take it from there.”
The governor’s tweet included a link to his New York Times op-ed in which he urged Trump to allow New York to use the Army Corps of Engineers to assist in creating temporary medical centers in the state.
Trump’s singling out of Cuomo marks yet another instance of the President attacking New York, where state officials have been investigating and filing lawsuits against his businesses.
In February, Trump went as far as issuing a veiled threat against his former home state, tweeting that New York “must stop all of unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment [sic]” in the same post in which he mentioned his administration’s freeze on the state’s “Trusted Travelers” program. Trump’s Department of Homeland Security enacted the freeze after New York passed a law that blocked federal immigration officials from accessing the state’s DMV records.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Ohio Governor Recommends That In-Person Primary Voting Be Postponed

Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) announced Monday that he is recommending that in-person voting in the state ’ s primary — scheduled for Tuesday , March 17 — be postponed until June 2 .
DeWine announced his recommendation from the statehouse in Columbus Monday afternoon .
He recommended that absentee voting be allowed until the in-person vote in June .
Precautions around the coronavirus outbreak made in-person voting in Tuesday ’ s primary untenable , DeWine said .
“ It is clear that tomorrow ’ s in person voting does not conform and can not conform with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after reading out precautions .
“ We can not conduct this election tomorrow , the in-person voting for 13 hours tomorrow , and conform to these guidelines.
” He said that after consultation with the Secretary of State , Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor , he ’ d decided to recommend the delay .
“ I do not have the power to extend an election as I am suggesting , ” DeWine said .
State law only allows Ohio ’ s governor to alter an election date in the case of an invasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he seeks to impose the election change is a lawsuit to be filed in common pleas court in Franklin County Monday by voters either too old or too sick to vote safely amid the outbreak .
A judge will ultimately decide whether or not to postpone the election .
In a press release following the governor ’ s announcement , Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose also recommended a suspension of in-person voting , adding that the shift must be enacted by either the state legislature or through legal order .
DeWine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state from people who feel “ conflicted ” about voting due to their advanced age , or underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19 .
“ We should not force them to make this choice : a choice between their health and their constitutional rights and duties as American citizens , ” he added .

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced Monday that he is recommending that in-person voting in the state’s primary — scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 — be postponed until June 2.
It is my recommendation that we postpone in-person voting until June 2, 2020. #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady — Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 16, 2020
DeWine announced his recommendation from the statehouse in Columbus Monday afternoon. He recommended that absentee voting be allowed until the in-person vote in June.
Precautions around the coronavirus outbreak made in-person voting in Tuesday’s primary untenable, DeWine said.
“It is clear that tomorrow’s in person voting does not conform and cannot conform with these CDC guidelines,” he said after reading out precautions. “We cannot conduct this election tomorrow, the in-person voting for 13 hours tomorrow, and conform to these guidelines.”
He said that after consultation with the Secretary of State, Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor, he’d decided to recommend the delay.
“I do not have the power to extend an election as I am suggesting,” DeWine said. State law only allows Ohio’s governor to alter an election date in the case of an invasion, DeWine said.
The vehicle by which he seeks to impose the election change is a lawsuit to be filed in common pleas court in Franklin County Monday by voters either too old or too sick to vote safely amid the outbreak. A judge will ultimately decide whether or not to postpone the election.
In a press release following the governor’s announcement, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose also recommended a suspension of in-person voting, adding that the shift must be enacted by either the state legislature or through legal order.
DeWine spoke of receiving calls from across the state from people who feel “conflicted” about voting due to their advanced age, or underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19.
“We should not force them to make this choice: a choice between their health and their constitutional rights and duties as American citizens,” he added.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Buy Low… Lower… Lower! Larry Kudlow Keeps Up The Investment Advice

As the market dips ever lower , the White House ’ s top economic authority offers the same advice : Buy low !
Former CNBC pundit Larry Kudlow kept up that advice on Monday as markets continued to plunge all around him .
“ To me , when you see these big dips , these big drops , they ’ re buying opportunities if you ’ re a long-term investor , ” he told reporters from the White House driveway , according to a pool report .
During the same press gaggle , he paraphrased , purposefully or not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R-AZ ) infamous pre-recession prediction : “ The fundamentals of the economy are strong.
” Earlier Monday in an interview on CNBC , where he used to be a contributor , Kudlow said “ for long-term investors , I think it affords a great opportunity to buy.
” It was similar to the advice Kudlow has given multiple times over the past month as the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe and sent the global economy hurtling toward recession .
Each time , Kudlow ’ s advice has implied the market is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as COVID-19 cases grew outside of China , Kudlow told The Washington Post that long term investors “ should seriously consider buying these dips.
” The market kept dropping .
The next day , Feb. 25 , he said the same thing .
“ The virus story is not going to last forever , ” he told CNBC .
“ To me , if you are an investor out there and you have a long-term point of view I would suggest very seriously taking a look at the market , the stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than it was a week or two ago.
” In the same interview , Kudlow falsely said that the World Health Organization director general had urged people to not “ overreact ” — something the director general had not said .
Kudlow also claimed , referring to COVID-19 , “ We have contained this .
I won ’ t say airtight , but pretty close to airtight.
” There were 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States at the time ; that number is now past 4,000 , according to Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy side , difficult , horrible , ” Kudlow added .
“ The economic side , there is no tragedy in the United States .
China is going to take an awfully big hit.
” Earlier this month , on March 6 , Kudlow kept up the same investment advice on CNBC .
“ Long term investors should think seriously about buying these dips , ” he said .
The known COVID-19 cases in the United States numbered around 230 at the time .
“ I think it is relatively contained , ” @ @ @

As the market dips ever lower, the White House’s top economic authority offers the same advice: Buy low!
Former CNBC pundit Larry Kudlow kept up that advice on Monday as markets continued to plunge all around him.
“To me, when you see these big dips, these big drops, they’re buying opportunities if you’re a long-term investor,” he told reporters from the White House driveway, according to a pool report.
During the same press gaggle, he paraphrased, purposefully or not, the late Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) infamous pre-recession prediction: “The fundamentals of the economy are strong.”
Earlier Monday in an interview on CNBC, where he used to be a contributor, Kudlow said “for long-term investors, I think it affords a great opportunity to buy.”
It was similar to the advice Kudlow has given multiple times over the past month as the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe and sent the global economy hurtling toward recession. Each time, Kudlow’s advice has implied the market is at its bottom.
On Feb. 24, as COVID-19 cases grew outside of China, Kudlow told The Washington Post that long term investors “should seriously consider buying these dips.”
The market kept dropping. The next day, Feb. 25, he said the same thing.
“The virus story is not going to last forever,” he told CNBC. “To me, if you are an investor out there and you have a long-term point of view I would suggest very seriously taking a look at the market, the stock market, that is a lot cheaper than it was a week or two ago.”
In the same interview, Kudlow falsely said that the World Health Organization director general had urged people to not “overreact” — something the director general had not said. Kudlow also claimed, referring to COVID-19, “We have contained this. I won’t say airtight, but pretty close to airtight.”
There were 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States at the time; that number is now past 4,000, according to Johns Hopkins’ count.
“The human tragedy side, difficult, horrible,” Kudlow added. “The economic side, there is no tragedy in the United States. China is going to take an awfully big hit.”
Earlier this month, on March 6, Kudlow kept up the same investment advice on CNBC.
“Long term investors should think seriously about buying these dips,” he said.
The known COVID-19 cases in the United States numbered around 230 at the time.
“I think it is relatively contained,” he said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Trump Tells Governors To ‘Try Getting’ Respirators Themselves

President Trump advised a group of governors during a conference call Monday morning to acquire key supplies such as respirators and ventilators themselves amid the coronavirus outbreak , according to the New York Times .
The Times reported Monday that Trump told the governors in the conference call to “ try getting it yourselves ” when it comes to “ respirators , ventilators , all of the equipment.
” “ We will be backing you , but try getting it yourselves , ” Trump said , according to the Times .
“ Point of sales , much better , much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself.
” According to the Times , some governors were astonished by Trump ’ s remarks given how they ’ re looking to the federal government to provide assistance in acquiring equipment , personnel and financial aid .
During the call , Trump particularly drew fire from Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee and New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham for his administration ’ s response to the outbreak .
“ If one state doesn ’ t get the resources and materials they need , the entire nation continues to be at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Times .
The Times noted that Trump repeated his optimistic rhetoric regarding the coronavirus outbreak during the call by telling governors that “ we ’ re going to get it remedied and hopefully very quickly.
” Shortly after the Times published its report , the President tweeted about his “ very good tele-conference ” with the governors while also throwing New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo — who announced Sunday that New York state will close public schools in New York City , Westchester , Suffolk and Nassau — under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater federal response as New York and other states come under increased stress from the COVID-19 spread .
Trump ’ s latest remarks come a day after he advised against panic-buying in response to the outbreak during a White House press briefing .
“ You don ’ t have to buy so much , ” Trump said Sunday .
“ Take it easy , just relax .
People are going in and buying more .
”

President Trump advised a group of governors during a conference call Monday morning to acquire key supplies such as respirators and ventilators themselves amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to the New York Times.
The Times reported Monday that Trump told the governors in the conference call to “try getting it yourselves” when it comes to “respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment.”
“We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves,” Trump said, according to the Times. “Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
According to the Times, some governors were astonished by Trump’s remarks given how they’re looking to the federal government to provide assistance in acquiring equipment, personnel and financial aid.
During the call, Trump particularly drew fire from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for his administration’s response to the outbreak.
“If one state doesn’t get the resources and materials they need, the entire nation continues to be at risk,” Lujan Grisham said, according to the Times.
The Times noted that Trump repeated his optimistic rhetoric regarding the coronavirus outbreak during the call by telling governors that “we’re going to get it remedied and hopefully very quickly.”
Shortly after the Times published its report, the President tweeted about his “very good tele-conference” with the governors while also throwing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who announced Sunday that New York state will close public schools in New York City, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau — under the bus. Cuomo has called for a greater federal response as New York and other states come under increased stress from the COVID-19 spread.
Just had a very good tele-conference with Nations’s Governors. Went very well. Cuomo of New York has to “do more”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020
Trump’s latest remarks come a day after he advised against panic-buying in response to the outbreak during a White House press briefing.
“You don’t have to buy so much,” Trump said Sunday. “Take it easy, just relax. People are going in and buying more.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--The Many Things Trump’s Friday COVID-19 Presser Got Wrong

Just how bad was it ?
If you ’ re measuring as compared to reality , President Trump ’ s Friday presser missed the mark by a very , very wide margin .
Let ’ s break it down into two key areas .
President Trump and his gathered officials and CEOs made claims about two broad topics : the supposedly impending availability of mass coronavirus testing , and a website which would help effectuate that .
The first area saw President Trump insist that the Food and Drug Administration had granted expedited approval to Swiss drugmaker Roche for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million additional tests ” available by early this week , according to Trump .
The tests offer quick results , with the company advertising a 3.5 hour turnaround time .
Well , it is now early this week .
And according to a CNBC appearance by Roche CEO Severin Schwan this morning , around 400 tests will be available this week .
But a large part of the press conference dealt also with what appeared to be a national plan to install drive-through testing sites around the country , with a website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained , would be available on Sunday ( yesterday ) , and would be capable of showing Americans where their nearing drive-through testing site would be .
It would done via a public-private partnership with Google , Trump explained , quickly delivering much-needed information to Americans who wish to get tested .
That was also a gross mischaracterization .
Google itself said in a statement on Monday , issued by the CEO of its parent company Alphabet , that the site would be focused on information and education .
The site is addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t offer testing locations : rather , it will display “ links to authoritative information from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) , and helpful tips and tools from Google for individuals , teachers and businesses.
” Useful !
But not what was promised .
A website similar to the one Trump described , and created by Google subsidiary Verily , does exist , in a fashion .
But it only works for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
And , even then , users who click through the site to the stage that supposedly shows where to get tested land on a page saying that it ’ s impossible to schedule any testing .

Just how bad was it?
If you’re measuring as compared to reality, President Trump’s Friday presser missed the mark by a very, very wide margin.
Let’s break it down into two key areas.
President Trump and his gathered officials and CEOs made claims about two broad topics: the supposedly impending availability of mass coronavirus testing, and a website which would help effectuate that.
The first area saw President Trump insist that the Food and Drug Administration had granted expedited approval to Swiss drugmaker Roche for a test, making “up to half a million additional tests” available by early this week, according to Trump.
The tests offer quick results, with the company advertising a 3.5 hour turnaround time.
Well, it is now early this week. And according to a CNBC appearance by Roche CEO Severin Schwan this morning, around 400 tests will be available this week.
Okay, okay.
But a large part of the press conference dealt also with what appeared to be a national plan to install drive-through testing sites around the country, with a website to boot! The site, Trump explained, would be available on Sunday (yesterday), and would be capable of showing Americans where their nearing drive-through testing site would be.
It would done via a public-private partnership with Google, Trump explained, quickly delivering much-needed information to Americans who wish to get tested.
That was also a gross mischaracterization.
Google itself said in a statement on Monday, issued by the CEO of its parent company Alphabet, that the site would be focused on information and education.
The site is addressed to the entire U.S., but won’t offer testing locations: rather, it will display “links to authoritative information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and helpful tips and tools from Google for individuals, teachers and businesses.”
Useful! But not what was promised.
A website similar to the one Trump described, and created by Google subsidiary Verily, does exist, in a fashion.
But it only works for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in California, without offering information about anywhere else in the country.
And, even then, users who click through the site to the stage that supposedly shows where to get tested land on a page saying that it’s impossible to schedule any testing.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Judge Blocks DeWine’s Election Delay Request, Citing Worrisome Precedent It Would Set

A judge blocked Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s ( R ) request to delay Tuesday ’ s election until June 2 as the coronavirus outbreak shut down everyday life across America , expressing unease with the precedent such an 11-hour decision would set .
“ There are too many factors to balance in this unchartered territory to say that we ought to take this away from the legislature and elected statewide officials , and throw it to a common pleas court judge in Columbus 12 hours before the election , ” Franklin County Judge Richard Frye said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office nor that of Secretary of State Frank LaRose immediately confirmed or denied if LaRose would mount an appeal .
Frye also said that he ’ s seen no medical evidence to suggest that the outbreak will abate by June .
“ To the contrary , it ’ s my understanding from the briefings we ’ ve seen in the national media that it may be months before we get to a point of stability or a peak of the virus and its transmission rates , ” he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an address saying it would be impossible to conduct Tuesday ’ s primary and also stay in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control about containing the virus .
The late Monday decision may throw the logistics of the election into turmoil as well — per a local reporter , some poll workers have already been told not to show up to work .
DeWine , backed up by LaRose , suggested that the in-person voting be delayed until June 2 .
He recommended that absentee ballot voting be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the governor can only extend an election in the case of an “ invasion , ” per DeWine .
Only state legislation or a court order had the power to make that change .
So , he and LaRose used a lawsuit lodged by two women over 65 who ’ d be at high risk of serious illness if they contracted COVID-19 as a vehicle to getting the necessary allowance .
As of late Monday evening , the primary is full steam ahead .
Polls in Ohio are open from 6:30 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @

A judge blocked Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) request to delay Tuesday’s election until June 2 as the coronavirus outbreak shut down everyday life across America, expressing unease with the precedent such an 11-hour decision would set.
“There are too many factors to balance in this unchartered territory to say that we ought to take this away from the legislature and elected statewide officials, and throw it to a common pleas court judge in Columbus 12 hours before the election,” Franklin County Judge Richard Frye said, per the Columbus Dispatch.
Neither DeWine’s office nor that of Secretary of State Frank LaRose immediately confirmed or denied if LaRose would mount an appeal.
Frye also said that he’s seen no medical evidence to suggest that the outbreak will abate by June. “To the contrary, it’s my understanding from the briefings we’ve seen in the national media that it may be months before we get to a point of stability or a peak of the virus and its transmission rates,” he said.
The decision comes hours after the governor gave an address saying it would be impossible to conduct Tuesday’s primary and also stay in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control about containing the virus.
The late Monday decision may throw the logistics of the election into turmoil as well — per a local reporter, some poll workers have already been told not to show up to work.
DeWine, backed up by LaRose, suggested that the in-person voting be delayed until June 2. He recommended that absentee ballot voting be allowed to proceed in the meantime.
In Ohio, the governor can only extend an election in the case of an “invasion,” per DeWine. Only state legislation or a court order had the power to make that change. So, he and LaRose used a lawsuit lodged by two women over 65 who’d be at high risk of serious illness if they contracted COVID-19 as a vehicle to getting the necessary allowance.
As of late Monday evening, the primary is full steam ahead. Polls in Ohio are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--WH Press Sec Is Now Working At Home ‘Out Of An Abundance Of Caution’

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told CNN Monday that she ’ s working from home in light of President @ @ @ @ @ members of a Brazilian delegation earlier this month , which included individuals who tested positive @ @ @ @ @ told CNN that the decision was made “ out of an abundance of caution ” @ @ @ @ @ appearances at White House coronavirus task force briefings .
Last Thursday , Trump told reporters @ @ @ @ @ concerned ” about recently coming into contact with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the coronavirus after both he and the Brazilian president met the President @ @ @ @ @ at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month .
Since then , three members of the Brazilian delegation @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Bolsonaro , however , tested negative .
On Saturday , Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in a memo that the President tested negative for COVID-19 .

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told CNN Monday that she’s working from home in light of President Trump’s meeting with members of a Brazilian delegation earlier this month, which included individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Grisham told CNN that the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” amid Trump’s increased appearances at White House coronavirus task force briefings.
Last Thursday, Trump told reporters that he was “not concerned” about recently coming into contact with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s press aide Fabio Wajngarten, who tested positive for the coronavirus after both he and the Brazilian president met the President and Vice President Mike Pence at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month.
Since then, three members of the Brazilian delegation have tested positive for the coronavirus. Bolsonaro, however, tested negative.
On Saturday, Trump’s physician Sean P. Conley said in a memo that the President tested negative for COVID-19.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Trump Adviser Shills For Money During Coronavirus Prayer Session

Paula White , President Donald Trump ’ s spiritual adviser and head of the White House ’ s “ Faith and Opportunity Initiative ” program , asked for money Tuesday during a coronavirus prayer session .
As soft music played in the background , White monologued about the importance of churches in a time of crisis before asking for donations to her personal ministry .
“ Maybe you ’ d like to sow a $ 91 seed , and that ’ s just putting your faith with Psalm 91 , ” White said .
“ Or maybe $ 9 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you want to be a blessing to Paula White Ministry or City of Destiny , we would love for you to help us and stand with us .
We ’ d love for you to stand with your church.
” Earlier this week , White was scheduled to headline a conference in Phoenix , Arizona that reportedly offered “ supernatural protections ” against the coronavirus .
The Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote to Arizona ’ s attorney general to shut down the event and cited promotional materials that have since been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of scuttling a large mid-April gathering at the Phoenix Convention Center , organizers of the ‘ Decade of Awakening ’ gala featuring megapreacher Paula White have sent out a fresh advertisement for nonrefundable tickets , along with assurances that the event will include ‘ supernatural protections ’ against the coronavirus , as well as a ‘ cure for every virus and plague , ” they wrote .
The event has since been cancelled .
White is a televangelist from Florida who was Trump ’ s friend and personal pastor for many years before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She is a believer in the “ prosperity gospel , ” that personal wealth and good health are a direct result of God ’ s will .
Per the New York Times , she has set up meetings for White House officials and conservative pastors , in an attempt to help Trump keep his evangelical bloc firmly behind him ahead of 2020 .

Paula White, President Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser and head of the White House’s “Faith and Opportunity Initiative” program, asked for money Tuesday during a coronavirus prayer session.
Trump’s “spiritual adviser” (and head of the White House’s “Faith and Opportunity Initiative” program) Paula White asked for cash during a coronavirus-related prayer session this afternoon. “Maybe you’d like to sow a $91 seed… Or maybe $9. Or whatever God tells you to do.” pic.twitter.com/zUoeufRhda — Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) March 17, 2020
As soft music played in the background, White monologued about the importance of churches in a time of crisis before asking for donations to her personal ministry.
“Maybe you’d like to sow a $91 seed, and that’s just putting your faith with Psalm 91,” White said. “Or maybe $9. Or whatever God tells you to do. If you want to be a blessing to Paula White Ministry or City of Destiny, we would love for you to help us and stand with us. We’d love for you to stand with your church.”
Earlier this week, White was scheduled to headline a conference in Phoenix, Arizona that reportedly offered “supernatural protections” against the coronavirus.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote to Arizona’s attorney general to shut down the event and cited promotional materials that have since been removed from the website.
“Instead of scuttling a large mid-April gathering at the Phoenix Convention Center, organizers of the ‘Decade of Awakening’ gala featuring megapreacher Paula White have sent out a fresh advertisement for nonrefundable tickets, along with assurances that the event will include ‘supernatural protections’ against the coronavirus, as well as a ‘cure for every virus and plague,” they wrote.
The event has since been cancelled.
White is a televangelist from Florida who was Trump’s friend and personal pastor for many years before formally joining his administration in 2019. She is a believer in the “prosperity gospel,” that personal wealth and good health are a direct result of God’s will. Per the New York Times, she has set up meetings for White House officials and conservative pastors, in an attempt to help Trump keep his evangelical bloc firmly behind him ahead of 2020.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Duncan Hunter Gets 11 Months In Prison Over Misuse Of Campaign Funds

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter ( R-CA ) was sentenced on Tuesday to 11 months in prison and three years of parole for corruption charges , which resulted from his use of campaign funds for personal expenses , including several extramarital affairs .
Hunter pleaded guilty in December but waited several weeks to formally resign his House seat in mid-January .
“ Unfortunately , in our country , too many people have come to embrace the notion that the individuals who write the laws feel they ’ re above the laws , ” Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Halpern , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the sentence was handed down .
“ Duncan Hunter came to embody the very notion that politicians thought they were above the law , ” he added .
From the start , the then-congressman painted the prosecution of his campaign finance violations as a political witch hunt against him .
“ This is the new Department of Justice .
This is the Democrats ’ arm of law enforcement , ” he said after being charged .
“ It ’ s happening to Trump and it ’ s happening to me.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violations at first , saying “ she handled my finances throughout my entire military career and that continued on when I got to Congress since I ’ m gone five days and home for two.
” But as details of his conduct came out in court filings — showing the congressman billing his campaign for everything from drunken nights out to to a ski trip plane tickets for the family ’ s pet rabbit — Hunter began losing ground .
For his efforts , a panel of judges awarded Hunter TPM ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June of last year , just before prosecutors publicly revealed evidence showing that Hunter had used campaign funds to carry out affairs , Margaret Hunter , who was also indicted for the violations , pleaded guilty and began working with prosecutors .
Hunter won re-election in 2018 despite the charges against him being announced in August of that year , in part by falsely casting his opponent , a Christian ex-Obama administration staffer of Mexican-Palestinian descent , as a “ radical Muslim ” who was “ trying to infiltrate the government.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work at the White House , and Duncan Hunter was indicted by the FBI , ” a spokesperson for Hunter ’ s then-opponent , Ammar Campa-Najjar , told TPM at the time .
Campa-Najjar is running again in 2020 , and after a successful primary campaign will face the former congressman Darrell Issa in November to fill Hunter ’ s seat .
( Issa has spoken openly about how a presidential commutation of Hunter ’ s sentence would have “ a certain ability to balance the public good.
” ) In July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former major who served in Afghanistan , to stop using its emblem on Islamophobic campaign mailers , which included images of Campa-Nahhar and Reps. Ilhan Omar ( D-MN ) and Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI ) .
“ These three radical Democrats want you to forget their Anti-Semitism or Terrorist Ties , ” Hunter ’ s mailer read .

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) was sentenced on Tuesday to 11 months in prison and three years of parole for corruption charges, which resulted from his use of campaign funds for personal expenses, including several extramarital affairs.
Hunter pleaded guilty in December but waited several weeks to formally resign his House seat in mid-January.
“Unfortunately, in our country, too many people have come to embrace the notion that the individuals who write the laws feel they’re above the laws,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Halpern, of the Southern District of California, told reporters after the sentence was handed down.
“Duncan Hunter came to embody the very notion that politicians thought they were above the law,” he added.
From the start, the then-congressman painted the prosecution of his campaign finance violations as a political witch hunt against him.
“This is the new Department of Justice. This is the Democrats’ arm of law enforcement,” he said after being charged. “It’s happening to Trump and it’s happening to me.”
He also essentially blamed his wife Margaret for the violations at first, saying “she handled my finances throughout my entire military career and that continued on when I got to Congress since I’m gone five days and home for two.”
But as details of his conduct came out in court filings — showing the congressman billing his campaign for everything from drunken nights out to to a ski trip plane tickets for the family’s pet rabbit — Hunter began losing ground. For his efforts, a panel of judges awarded Hunter TPM’s 2019 Golden Duke award.
In June of last year, just before prosecutors publicly revealed evidence showing that Hunter had used campaign funds to carry out affairs, Margaret Hunter, who was also indicted for the violations, pleaded guilty and began working with prosecutors.
Hunter won re-election in 2018 despite the charges against him being announced in August of that year, in part by falsely casting his opponent, a Christian ex-Obama administration staffer of Mexican-Palestinian descent, as a “radical Muslim” who was “trying to infiltrate the government.”
“Ammar passed an FBI background check to work at the White House, and Duncan Hunter was indicted by the FBI,” a spokesperson for Hunter’s then-opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, told TPM at the time.
Campa-Najjar is running again in 2020, and after a successful primary campaign will face the former congressman Darrell Issa in November to fill Hunter’s seat. (Issa has spoken openly about how a presidential commutation of Hunter’s sentence would have “a certain ability to balance the public good.”)
In July, the Marine Corps directed Hunter, a former major who served in Afghanistan, to stop using its emblem on Islamophobic campaign mailers, which included images of Campa-Nahhar and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
“These three radical Democrats want you to forget their Anti-Semitism or Terrorist Ties,” Hunter’s mailer read.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Why The Checks-For-Everyone Idea To Ward Off A Recession Is Gaining Steam

It ’ s an idea that has aligned former Obama administration economists , the Trump White House , and lawmakers of both parties .
The proposal gaining momentum in Washington , D.C. , as it grapples with coming economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is a direct cash transfer to millions of Americans .
There are disagreements in size , scope and design among those pushing the idea , but the proponents come from across the ideological spectrum , making those differences easier to overcome .
The quick coalescing around the approach speaks to the economic fears about the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well the political dynamics specific to this moment that make an idea typically pushed by the left more attractive to Republicans .
President Obama ’ s chief economist Jason Furman was among the first to prominently pitch the idea of the government just writing a check to every American as quickly as possible .
His initial proposal was $ 1,000 to individual Americans ( $ 500 for each child ) , though he and other proponents are now pushing for cash transfers of a larger size .
A few House Democrats quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it also got the early backing of conservative senators like Tom Cotton and Mitt Romney .
Soon enough , Senate Democrats were trotting out their own proposals for implementing the idea .
The White House hasn ’ t backed away from the Trump-favored approach of a payroll tax cut , but on Tuesday Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said direct payments were also an option the administration was considering .
“ We are looking at sending checks to Americans immediately , ” Mnuchin said at a White House press conference .
“ What we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many companies are now shut down whether its bars or restaurants , Americans gave cash now and the president wants to get cash now .
I mean now in the next two weeks.
” The idea already appears to have less headwinds in the GOP Senate than Trump ’ s payroll tax cut proposal .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for “ direct assistance ” for American workers in his Tuesday morning floor remarks , though in remarks to reporters later Tuesday , he declined to get into the details of what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embrace any massive stimulus package is remarkable in itself , and is hard to divorce from the political realities of the upcoming election .
It also points to how much more dire the economic situation looks now than it did a week ago , when GOP lawmakers were giving President Trump ’ s payroll tax cut push a cold shoulder .
There were several aspects of a payroll tax cut that made it ill-designed to address the current circumstances , economists told TPM .
For one it doesn ’ t help the Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the slowdown in industries like travel , entertainment and restaurants .
Only those still getting a paycheck get the boost in cash .
Furthermore , the financial benefit grows the more money you make , making it an inefficient way to boost the Americans — low wage hourly workers and service industry employees — most vulnerable in the current crisis .
It is also not particularly helpful for workers in the gig economy whose income will be hurt by Americans staying in .
An analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income earners would reap two-third of the benefit of a payroll tax cut , while the bottom fifth of income earners would receive only 2 percent of the benefit .
A direct cash transfer , particularly one phased out at a higher income levels , would would shift more of the financial benefit to lower earners .
The downside of mean-testing the benefit is that doing so would likely slow down the time it takes to get the money out the door and into people ’ s pockets .
Regardless , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief than a payroll tax holiday , making it a better match for the sharp drop off that many sectors of the economy are about to experience due to the pandemic .
But the proposal is no silver bullet .
The extra cash won ’ t prompt Americans to buy airline tickets or won ’ t get them in restaurants — particularly as the government is instructing Americans to stay home to limit the virus ’ spread .
But it will help workers in the industries most affected to continue to pay their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending in other sectors , hopefully preventing a full scale collapse of the economy .

It’s an idea that has aligned former Obama administration economists, the Trump White House, and lawmakers of both parties.
The proposal gaining momentum in Washington, D.C., as it grapples with coming economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is a direct cash transfer to millions of Americans.
There are disagreements in size, scope and design among those pushing the idea, but the proponents come from across the ideological spectrum, making those differences easier to overcome.
The quick coalescing around the approach speaks to the economic fears about the coronavirus outbreak that have arisen almost overnight, as well the political dynamics specific to this moment that make an idea typically pushed by the left more attractive to Republicans.
President Obama’s chief economist Jason Furman was among the first to prominently pitch the idea of the government just writing a check to every American as quickly as possible. His initial proposal was $1,000 to individual Americans ($500 for each child), though he and other proponents are now pushing for cash transfers of a larger size.
A few House Democrats quickly adopted the principle, and surprisingly, it also got the early backing of conservative senators like Tom Cotton and Mitt Romney. Soon enough, Senate Democrats were trotting out their own proposals for implementing the idea.
The White House hasn’t backed away from the Trump-favored approach of a payroll tax cut, but on Tuesday Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said direct payments were also an option the administration was considering.
“We are looking at sending checks to Americans immediately,” Mnuchin said at a White House press conference. “What we’ve heard from hardworking Americans, many companies are now shut down whether its bars or restaurants, Americans gave cash now and the president wants to get cash now. I mean now in the next two weeks.”
The idea already appears to have less headwinds in the GOP Senate than Trump’s payroll tax cut proposal. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for “direct assistance” for American workers in his Tuesday morning floor remarks, though in remarks to reporters later Tuesday, he declined to get into the details of what the Senate was considering.
At Senate GOP lunches Tuesday, Mnuchin GOP reportedly presented a $250 billion plan that would send American workers checks by the end of April. The White House proposal is means-tested, Politico reported, meaning that the Americans with higher incomes will receive less assistance or no money altogether. The details remain unclear, but Mnuchin alluded to means-testing in the press conference. “We don’t need to send people who make a million dollars a year checks,” Mnuchin said.
For Republicans to embrace any massive stimulus package is remarkable in itself, and is hard to divorce from the political realities of the upcoming election. It also points to how much more dire the economic situation looks now than it did a week ago, when GOP lawmakers were giving President Trump’s payroll tax cut push a cold shoulder.
There were several aspects of a payroll tax cut that made it ill-designed to address the current circumstances, economists told TPM. For one it doesn’t help the Americans who have lost their jobs due to the slowdown in industries like travel, entertainment and restaurants. Only those still getting a paycheck get the boost in cash.
Furthermore, the financial benefit grows the more money you make, making it an inefficient way to boost the Americans — low wage hourly workers and service industry employees — most vulnerable in the current crisis. It is also not particularly helpful for workers in the gig economy whose income will be hurt by Americans staying in.
An analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that the top 20 percent of income earners would reap two-third of the benefit of a payroll tax cut, while the bottom fifth of income earners would receive only 2 percent of the benefit. A direct cash transfer, particularly one phased out at a higher income levels, would would shift more of the financial benefit to lower earners.
The downside of mean-testing the benefit is that doing so would likely slow down the time it takes to get the money out the door and into people’s pockets.
Regardless, it’s a much quicker way to provide relief than a payroll tax holiday, making it a better match for the sharp drop off that many sectors of the economy are about to experience due to the pandemic.
But the proposal is no silver bullet. The extra cash won’t prompt Americans to buy airline tickets or won’t get them in restaurants — particularly as the government is instructing Americans to stay home to limit the virus’ spread. But it will help workers in the industries most affected to continue to pay their bills, while encouraging others to keep spending in other sectors, hopefully preventing a full scale collapse of the economy.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--NYC Mayor Says City Should Be ‘Prepared’ For Shelter In Place Order

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon that residents should be “ prepared right now for the possibility of a shelter in place order ” but added that the decision has yet to be determined .
After acknowledging that everyone is “ deeply concerned about the direction and the trajectory ” of the worsening crisis , de Blasio said that he thinks it ’ s the “ right guidance ” to give New Yorkers the heads up of a possible shelter in place order , despite how a decision has not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
The New York City mayor added that it ’ s “ definitely a possibility at this point , ” before saying that he estimates a decision being made in the next 48 hours .
“ It ’ s a very , very difficult decision — I want to emphasize that , ” de Blasio said .
“ It is difficult anywhere in the United States of America , it is particularly difficult in a city with such a large population , so densely populated together .
But I think the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be made.
” De Blasio said that he will be “ communicating closely ” with the state .
Earlier Tuesday , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) warned that the coronavirus outbreak in New York is likely to peak 45 days out and that more aggressive measures are “ likely ” to come if the curve shows no signs of flattening .
The New York officials ’ remarks were made a day after six Bay Area counties in northern California announced its “ shelter in place ” order Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice social distancing by staying home for the next three weeks in an effort for public health officials to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
The order went into place at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday .

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon that residents should be “prepared right now for the possibility of a shelter in place order” but added that the decision has yet to be determined.
After acknowledging that everyone is “deeply concerned about the direction and the trajectory” of the worsening crisis, de Blasio said that he thinks it’s the “right guidance” to give New Yorkers the heads up of a possible shelter in place order, despite how a decision has not yet been made by the city or by the state.
The New York City mayor added that it’s “definitely a possibility at this point,” before saying that he estimates a decision being made in the next 48 hours.
“It’s a very, very difficult decision — I want to emphasize that,” de Blasio said. “It is difficult anywhere in the United States of America, it is particularly difficult in a city with such a large population, so densely populated together. But I think the point has come where that decision does have to be made.”
De Blasio said that he will be “communicating closely” with the state.
Earlier Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) warned that the coronavirus outbreak in New York is likely to peak 45 days out and that more aggressive measures are “likely” to come if the curve shows no signs of flattening.
The New York officials’ remarks were made a day after six Bay Area counties in northern California announced its “shelter in place” order Monday for all residents, directing them to practice social distancing by staying home for the next three weeks in an effort for public health officials to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The order went into place at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--At Last, Trump Admin Grants First Emergency Medicaid Change Due To COVID

Weeks into the coronavirus pandemic , the first U.S. state received approval from the Trump administration for an emergency change to its Medicaid program .
Florida received a waiver from Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services on Tuesday , and was the first state to do so .
The change — known in Medicaid-speak as a section 1135 waiver — was only possible pursuant to an emergency declaration from President Trump , issued on Friday .
States and health-care organizations spent the past few weeks clamoring for the declaration , saying it would be needed to address the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , before the declaration was issued , that the virus-stricken state needed the waiver to alleviate overcrowding at its hospitals .
Florida ’ s waiver appears to be partly aimed at helping its large population of elderly retirees , who are particularly susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
The state ’ s Medicaid program will now allow more people to check into nursing homes , and ease the process by which Florida officials can offer government-backed care in new locations , should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The waiver will also remove requirements in place that made it more difficult for people and health-care providers to enroll in the state ’ s Medicaid program .
Though Florida is the first state to receive approval for an emergency change to its Medicaid program , dozens of other states are expected to apply for the shifts .
It ’ s not clear exactly when Florida applied for the waiver .
A CMS press release said that the state asked for the changes “ shortly after ” President Trump ’ s Friday emergency @ @

Weeks into the coronavirus pandemic, the first U.S. state received approval from the Trump administration for an emergency change to its Medicaid program.
Florida received a waiver from Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services on Tuesday, and was the first state to do so.
The change — known in Medicaid-speak as a section 1135 waiver — was only possible pursuant to an emergency declaration from President Trump, issued on Friday.
States and health-care organizations spent the past few weeks clamoring for the declaration, saying it would be needed to address the crisis.
A Washington state health official told TPM last week, before the declaration was issued, that the virus-stricken state needed the waiver to alleviate overcrowding at its hospitals.
Florida’s waiver appears to be partly aimed at helping its large population of elderly retirees, who are particularly susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The state’s Medicaid program will now allow more people to check into nursing homes, and ease the process by which Florida officials can offer government-backed care in new locations, should existing hospitals have to be evacuated.
The waiver will also remove requirements in place that made it more difficult for people and health-care providers to enroll in the state’s Medicaid program.
Though Florida is the first state to receive approval for an emergency change to its Medicaid program, dozens of other states are expected to apply for the shifts.
It’s not clear exactly when Florida applied for the waiver. A CMS press release said that the state asked for the changes “shortly after” President Trump’s Friday emergency declaration.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Maryland Gov Postpones Primary Until June, Will Fill Cummings’ Seat By Mail-In Election

Governor Maryland Larry Hogan ( R ) announced Tuesday that he ’ d delay the state ’ s April 28 primary until June 2 , and hold a mail-in special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings ( D-MD ) .
After banning gatherings of over 50 people and shuttering bars and restaurants Monday , he said that in-person voting had become untenable .
“ It would endanger public heath to allow thousands of people to assemble in places like schools and senior centers , ” he said in a press conference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges are “ retirees , ” part of the most “ vulnerable population ” when it comes to serious illness from COVID-19 .
As to filling Cummings ’ seat , he has directed the state board of elections to implement a vote-by-mail system , for which he said ballots could be prepared in time for the April election .
“ Free and fair elections are the very foundation of American democracy , ” he said .
“ While there are many valid reasons for unease and uncertainty right now , ensuring the voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be one of them.
” He also directed the board of elections to have a comprehensive plan for conducting the delayed primary by April 3 .
Earlier in the week , Hogan was seriously considering making the April 28 primary election mail-in as well .
Maryland enjoys a robust absentee ballot system , and allows for ballot applications online , which would make the transition more doable than in some other states .
Per state law , Hogan could ’ ve made the decision to go all mail-in unilaterally .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state board of elections told him that it would ’ ve been unable to make the whole state mail-in before the April election .
As John Fortier , director of the Bipartisan Policy Center ’ s Democracy Project , told TPM , it ’ s “ not so easy to ramp up the system.
” The switch would likely result in a lengthy ballot tabulation and delayed reporting times .
Michael Hanmer , director of graduate studies in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland , added that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system ” and would require a comprehensive plan to educate the voting public about the change .
Maryland has now joined Georgia , Louisiana , Ohio and Kentucky in delaying their primaries .
Ohio ’ s delay came yesterday after a judge initially shot down an attempt by the governor to postpone the election through the courts .
Later that night , and Ohio health director declared the coronavirus a health emergency and ordered the polls be closed .
The state Supreme Court protected that move , denying a legal challenge to the @ @ @ @ @

Governor Maryland Larry Hogan (R) announced Tuesday that he’d delay the state’s April 28 primary until June 2, and hold a mail-in special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).
After banning gatherings of over 50 people and shuttering bars and restaurants Monday, he said that in-person voting had become untenable.
“It would endanger public heath to allow thousands of people to assemble in places like schools and senior centers,” he said in a press conference, adding that many poll workers and election judges are “retirees,” part of the most “vulnerable population” when it comes to serious illness from COVID-19.
As to filling Cummings’ seat, he has directed the state board of elections to implement a vote-by-mail system, for which he said ballots could be prepared in time for the April election.
“Free and fair elections are the very foundation of American democracy,” he said. “While there are many valid reasons for unease and uncertainty right now, ensuring the voices of Maryland citizens are heard shouldn’t be one of them.”
He also directed the board of elections to have a comprehensive plan for conducting the delayed primary by April 3.
Earlier in the week, Hogan was seriously considering making the April 28 primary election mail-in as well. Maryland enjoys a robust absentee ballot system, and allows for ballot applications online, which would make the transition more doable than in some other states.
Per state law, Hogan could’ve made the decision to go all mail-in unilaterally. But he said after his remarks Tuesday that the state board of elections told him that it would’ve been unable to make the whole state mail-in before the April election.
As John Fortier, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Democracy Project, told TPM, it’s “not so easy to ramp up the system.” The switch would likely result in a lengthy ballot tabulation and delayed reporting times.
Michael Hanmer, director of graduate studies in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, added that it would be a “stress on the system” and would require a comprehensive plan to educate the voting public about the change.
Maryland has now joined Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio and Kentucky in delaying their primaries.
Ohio’s delay came yesterday after a judge initially shot down an attempt by the governor to postpone the election through the courts. Later that night, and Ohio health director declared the coronavirus a health emergency and ordered the polls be closed. The state Supreme Court protected that move, denying a legal challenge to the state’s delay.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Out-Trolled: DOJ, Sick Of Russian Firm’s Antics, Bails On Its Own Election Meddling Case

The two years of fractious proceedings were a lesson in the downside of engaging with the trolls .
Ahead of an April 1 trial start date in the Justice Department ’ s case against Russia ’ s election-meddling internet trolls , prosecutors sought to dismiss the case against the company that had shown up in court to fight the charges .
In a court filing Monday evening , prosecutors cited the company ’ s “ eager and aggressive ” efforts to use the judicial system “ to gather information about how the United States detects and prevents foreign election interference.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ must weigh the benefits of securing a guilty verdict against the costs of presenting the case at trial , including the potential harms of exposing information and sensitive techniques of great importance to law enforcement , the intelligence community , or both , ” the DOJ ’ s request for dismissal said .
The judge granted the dismissal Monday night .
Soon after , the company told Reuters it was planning a $ 50 billion lawsuit against the U.S. for unlawful prosecutions and the sanctions that have been imposed on it .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 grand jury indictment against Russian individuals and companies accused of using social media to tamper in the 2016 election , no one ever thought the case would go to trial .
But how that prediction finally came true Monday was not in the way that any legal observers foresaw .
Concord Management — a company run by a Kremlin-aligned oligarch that Mueller charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. — made the unexpected move of hiring American lawyers who showed up in court to fight the charges .
From the get-go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were drawn intro several spats over discovery , Mueller ’ s authority and the validity of the case .
Prosecutors said Monday that they had been “ skeptical ” of Concord ’ s initial appearance in court , that the company ’ s presence in the case continued to be “ ephemeral , ” and that , if convicted , the company faced “ no exposure to meaningful punishment.
” The final straw for prosecutors was when the company in recent weeks appeared to blow off a court-approved trial subpoena , by allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows Concord possessed .
“ In short , Concord has demonstrated its intent to reap the benefits of the Court ’ s jurisdiction while positioning itself to evade any real obligations or responsibility , ” prosecutors said Monday .
In a statement to reporters , Concord ’ s lawyer Eric Dubelier , of the U.S. firm Reed Smith , pushed back on the prosecutors ’ Monday assertions .
“ The government can spin this result however they want but it will not change the fact that we won and they lost , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots at Concord and its owner on their way out of the case is abusive and improper .
We were ready to try and win the case .
It is now apparent that they were not.
” Concord Management is run by Yevgeniy Prigozhin , a Russian restauranteur who has been nicknamed “ Putin ’ s chef ” due to his links to the Russian president .
Prigozhin was also an individual defendant in the February 2018 indictment , but had not himself submitted to the court ’ s jurisdiction .
His involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive tactics became increasingly clear , culminating in a declaration defending the firm ’ s handling of the trial subpoenas .
Prosecutors said Monday that Prigozhin ’ s declaration contained “ false and misleading statements ” and that it was “ evidently calculated to conceal facts that are relevant to this case and that a typical defendant would be required to reveal or else face sanctions .
” Prosecutors had previously raised concerns about sharing discovery with the company , for fear that handing the materials over to Prigozhin would expose sensitive U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , the Justice Department said that that the proceedings had incurred the “ costs of disclosing sensitive non-public information in discovery that has gone to Russia.
” Going to trial , the Justice Department concluded , “ would expose additional details about law enforcement ’ s tools and techniques for investigating malign foreign influence , among other crimes , potentially undermining their effectiveness.
” While the Justice Department also sought dismissal of the case against another Prigozhin company , Concord Catering , it noted Monday that it had not dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which include Prigozhin .
“ The United States will continue its efforts to apprehend the individual defendants and bring them before this Court to face the pending charges , ” the filing said .

The two years of fractious proceedings were a lesson in the downside of engaging with the trolls.
Ahead of an April 1 trial start date in the Justice Department’s case against Russia’s election-meddling internet trolls, prosecutors sought to dismiss the case against the company that had shown up in court to fight the charges.
In a court filing Monday evening, prosecutors cited the company’s “eager and aggressive” efforts to use the judicial system “to gather information about how the United States detects and prevents foreign election interference.”
“[T]he government must weigh the benefits of securing a guilty verdict against the costs of presenting the case at trial, including the potential harms of exposing information and sensitive techniques of great importance to law enforcement, the intelligence community, or both,” the DOJ’s request for dismissal said.
The judge granted the dismissal Monday night. Soon after, the company told Reuters it was planning a $50 billion lawsuit against the U.S. for unlawful prosecutions and the sanctions that have been imposed on it.
When special counsel Robert Mueller unveiled the February 2018 grand jury indictment against Russian individuals and companies accused of using social media to tamper in the 2016 election, no one ever thought the case would go to trial.
But how that prediction finally came true Monday was not in the way that any legal observers foresaw. Concord Management — a company run by a Kremlin-aligned oligarch that Mueller charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. — made the unexpected move of hiring American lawyers who showed up in court to fight the charges.
From the get-go, their defense was confrontational, as prosecutors were drawn intro several spats over discovery, Mueller’s authority and the validity of the case.
Prosecutors said Monday that they had been “skeptical” of Concord’s initial appearance in court, that the company’s presence in the case continued to be “ephemeral,” and that, if convicted, the company faced “no exposure to meaningful punishment.”
The final straw for prosecutors was when the company in recent weeks appeared to blow off a court-approved trial subpoena, by allegedly withholding relevant documents the government says it knows Concord possessed.
“In short, Concord has demonstrated its intent to reap the benefits of the Court’s jurisdiction while positioning itself to evade any real obligations or responsibility,” prosecutors said Monday.
In a statement to reporters, Concord’s lawyer Eric Dubelier, of the U.S. firm Reed Smith, pushed back on the prosecutors’ Monday assertions.
“The government can spin this result however they want but it will not change the fact that we won and they lost,” Dubelier said. “And taking cheap shots at Concord and its owner on their way out of the case is abusive and improper. We were ready to try and win the case. It is now apparent that they were not.”
Concord Management is run by Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a Russian restauranteur who has been nicknamed “Putin’s chef” due to his links to the Russian president. Prigozhin was also an individual defendant in the February 2018 indictment, but had not himself submitted to the court’s jurisdiction. His involvement behind the scenes of Concord’s aggressive tactics became increasingly clear, culminating in a declaration defending the firm’s handling of the trial subpoenas.
Prosecutors said Monday that Prigozhin’s declaration contained “false and misleading statements” and that it was “evidently calculated to conceal facts that are relevant to this case and that a typical defendant would be required to reveal or else face sanctions. ”
Prosecutors had previously raised concerns about sharing discovery with the company, for fear that handing the materials over to Prigozhin would expose sensitive U.S. law enforcement techniques to the Russian government.
On Monday, the Justice Department said that that the proceedings had incurred the “costs of disclosing sensitive non-public information in discovery that has gone to Russia.”
Going to trial, the Justice Department concluded, “would expose additional details about law enforcement’s tools and techniques for investigating malign foreign influence, among other crimes, potentially undermining their effectiveness.”
While the Justice Department also sought dismissal of the case against another Prigozhin company, Concord Catering, it noted Monday that it had not dropped the case against the individual defendants, which include Prigozhin.
“The United States will continue its efforts to apprehend the individual defendants and bring them before this Court to face the pending charges,” the filing said.
Read the dismissal request below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--READ: The Alarming Report That Seems To Have Jump-Started Trump’s COVID Response

President Trump ’ s surprisingly sober press conference on Monday was reportedly sparked by a British study suggesting that the U.S. could face 2.2 million fatalities if the coronavirus epidemic goes unabated .
The report — embedded below — was put together by a team of epidemiologists at Imperial College London .
Though it has not been peer-reviewed , the report made shockwaves after being sent to the White House on Sunday , its lead author , epidemiologist Neil Ferguson , told the Times .
Below are highlights from the report .
• An unmitigated epidemic could lead to 2.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peak of cases in late June or early July .
• Social distancing would likely be effective at slowing or preventing the spread of the epidemic , but such measures would have to remain in place until a vaccine is found and sufficient portions of the world population can be immunized to prevent further spread .
• Temporarily suppressing the spread of the epidemic through mass social distancing could lead to more people being infected later on .
The success of early efforts to limit the spread reduces herd immunity , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures like mitigation — which would mean that only vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with preexisting conditions socially distanced — would result in a catastrophic surge of the healthcare system .

President Trump’s surprisingly sober press conference on Monday was reportedly sparked by a British study suggesting that the U.S. could face 2.2 million fatalities if the coronavirus epidemic goes unabated.
The report — embedded below — was put together by a team of epidemiologists at Imperial College London.
Though it has not been peer-reviewed, the report made shockwaves after being sent to the White House on Sunday, its lead author, epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, told the Times.
Below are highlights from the report.
An unmitigated epidemic could lead to 2.2 million deaths in the U.S., with a peak of cases in late June or early July.
Social distancing would likely be effective at slowing or preventing the spread of the epidemic, but such measures would have to remain in place until a vaccine is found and sufficient portions of the world population can be immunized to prevent further spread.
Temporarily suppressing the spread of the epidemic through mass social distancing could lead to more people being infected later on. The success of early efforts to limit the spread reduces herd immunity, the report contends.
Even less extreme measures like mitigation — which would mean that only vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with preexisting conditions socially distanced — would result in a catastrophic surge of the healthcare system.
Read the report here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-17--Ohio Supreme Court Allows Polls To Be Closed On Tuesday In Chaotic Fight

After a chaotic 24 hours , polls will be closed in Ohio for Tuesday ’ s primary .
And on @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court denied a legal challenge to the state ’ s attempt to delay the @ @ @ @ @ after Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) announced on Monday night Acton ’ s @ @ @ @ @ DeWine ’ s announcement , Franklin County Judge Richard Frye had blocked the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ election .
That case is still pending .
Earlier Monday , DeWine recommended that the @ @ @ @ @ 2 , and absentee voting take place in the meantime , as a safety measure @ @ @ @ @ that he did not have the power to unilaterally delay the election , and he @ @ @ @ @ a lawsuit in Franklin County in conjunction with sick and/or old voters who argued they @ @ @ @ @ the polls on Tuesday .

After a chaotic 24 hours, polls will be closed in Ohio for Tuesday’s primary.
Late Monday night, Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton declared coronavirus a health emergency and ordered polls closed.
And on Tuesday morning, the Ohio Supreme Court denied a legal challenge to the state’s attempt to delay the election.
The decision came after Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced on Monday night Acton’s upcoming declaration.
Shortly before DeWine’s announcement, Franklin County Judge Richard Frye had blocked the governor’s lawsuit to postpone the election. That case is still pending.
Earlier Monday, DeWine recommended that the election be moved to June 2, and absentee voting take place in the meantime, as a safety measure against COVID-19. He admitted that he did not have the power to unilaterally delay the election, and he announced his intention to file a lawsuit in Franklin County in conjunction with sick and/or old voters who argued they were unable to go to the polls on Tuesday.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Conservative Think Tank Shifts On COVID From Dubious To Newfound Acceptance

Editor ’ s Note : This story has been substantially revised and updated after an interview with the principal author of the think tank ’ s COVID-19 work .
There ’ s a universe of opinion about the novel coronavirus .
But one think tank — the American Council on Science and Health — has pivoted over the course of the epidemic ’ s growth .
The group claimed in the early stages of the disease ’ s spread that it would be less deadly than influenza , and that the U.S. health care system would be able to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , it ’ s asking the same questions much of the media — and the scientific community — are wondering about : is it possible to contain COVID-19 ?
What ’ s the real fatality rate ?
It ’ s a pivot that has tracked much of the conservative media ecosystem , and even that of the president himself — from initial skepticism about the virus ’ potential impact to concern about its deadly potential .
“ We follow the data wherever the data goes , ” ACSH Vice President of Scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone call after this article ’ s initial publication .
“ And initially the data seemed to indicate that the virus would be something like what we saw with SARS or MERS , these were the previous coronaviruses that caused a major scare in the public health community.
” “ And so when I thought there was going to be another coronavirus , I thought it was probably going to replay what we saw before , ” Berezow added .
“ So that was my initial impression ; I was wrong .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus got here , we ’ d be able to squash the virus .
And it didn ’ t happen.
” The group is known in part for stances it has taken on climate change , and has faced criticism for that .
It has recently pointed out that winter is a deadlier season than summer ( “ this may seem counterintuitive , given how much the media hypes summer heat waves ” ) , and spent time over the years deeming global warming “ disputed hypothetical events ” while criticizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berezow , who holds a Ph.D in microbiology from the University of Washington , has called former Vice President Al Gore “ demented , ” but said that it is not an area he focuses much attention on .
“ Climate change is simply not in our area of expertise , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t cover it because we don ’ t have experts on that.
” The group has had a variety of funding sources over the years , including more than $ 900,000 from the right-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600,000 from the F.M .
Kirby Foundation .
But what ’ s interesting about the conservative think-tank is its shift from COVID contrarianism to what became the public health consensus about the effect the virus would have — one that is reflected in some areas of conservative discourse at large .
The flu is ‘ far deadlier ’ than coronavirus , read a January story that Berezow posted to the group ’ s website .
That put the group in line with the remarks of Rush Limbaugh , who compared the pandemic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in February , claimed that the country ’ s health care system was suited to handle the surge of a pandemic , noting that Ebola never spread widely in the U.S. Berezow pointed out to TPM , however , that in terms of overall fatality rates — not just the death rates of those infected — coronavirus could carry a far lighter death toll than the flu .
“ But still , when you want to say , what ’ s the biggest threat facing the world , you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — you look at the number of people that are going to be infected in total , ” he added .
“ And so , for instance , rabies kills about 100 percent of the people it infects , but it only infects a handful of people.
” “ It ’ s not adequate just to look at the case fatality rate , you have to look at the number of people who you think are actually going to get it , and I think that what we know right now influenza is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infects more people , it kills three hundred thousand , four hundred thousand , five hundred thousand , every year , ” he added .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ re gon na see that with COVID-19 this year.
” Berezow has been interviewed about coronavirus in major , mainstream news outlets like the Wall Street Journal , Yahoo News , New York Magazine , and others .
As time has worn on , the group has focused less on publishing about the comparative death rates of the flu and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. is not the next Italy , contra mainstream news reports , while reiterating that the virus itself is serious , and not a hoax .
Berezow emphasized to TPM that he still doesn ’ t anticipate the novel coronavirus killing more people than the flu on a year by year basis .
“ I hope we never see it with COVID-19 , ” Berezow said .
“ But I certainly don ’ t see it , and I think that influenza is the bigger threat .
”

Editor’s Note: This story has been substantially revised and updated after an interview with the principal author of the think tank’s COVID-19 work.
There’s a universe of opinion about the novel coronavirus.
But one think tank — the American Council on Science and Health — has pivoted over the course of the epidemic’s growth. The group claimed in the early stages of the disease’s spread that it would be less deadly than influenza, and that the U.S. health care system would be able to handle the virus.
In recent articles, however, it’s asking the same questions much of the media — and the scientific community — are wondering about: is it possible to contain COVID-19? What’s the real fatality rate?
It’s a pivot that has tracked much of the conservative media ecosystem, and even that of the president himself — from initial skepticism about the virus’ potential impact to concern about its deadly potential.
“We follow the data wherever the data goes,” ACSH Vice President of Scientific Affairs Alex Berezow told TPM in a phone call after this article’s initial publication. “And initially the data seemed to indicate that the virus would be something like what we saw with SARS or MERS, these were the previous coronaviruses that caused a major scare in the public health community.”
“And so when I thought there was going to be another coronavirus, I thought it was probably going to replay what we saw before,” Berezow added. “So that was my initial impression; I was wrong. I thought that in the U.S., when the virus got here, we’d be able to squash the virus. And it didn’t happen.”
The group is known in part for stances it has taken on climate change, and has faced criticism for that. It has recently pointed out that winter is a deadlier season than summer (“this may seem counterintuitive, given how much the media hypes summer heat waves”), and spent time over the years deeming global warming “disputed hypothetical events” while criticizing the “consensus science” behind it.
Berezow, who holds a Ph.D in microbiology from the University of Washington, has called former Vice President Al Gore “demented,” but said that it is not an area he focuses much attention on. “Climate change is simply not in our area of expertise,” he said. “We don’t cover it because we don’t have experts on that.”
The group has had a variety of funding sources over the years, including more than $900,000 from the right-wing John M. Olin Foundation and around $600,000 from the F.M. Kirby Foundation.
But what’s interesting about the free market-supporting think-tank is its shift from COVID contrarianism to what became the public health consensus about the effect the virus would have — one that is reflected in some areas of conservative discourse at large.
The flu is ‘far deadlier’ than coronavirus, read a January story that Berezow posted to the group’s website. That put the group in line with the remarks of Rush Limbaugh, who compared the pandemic to the common cold. Another Berezow story, in February, claimed that the country’s health care system was suited to handle the surge of a pandemic, noting that Ebola never spread widely in the U.S.
Berezow pointed out to TPM, however, that in terms of overall fatality rates — not just the death rates of those infected — coronavirus could carry a far lighter death toll than the flu.
“But still, when you want to say, what’s the biggest threat facing the world, you don’t just look at the case fatality rate — you look at the number of people that are going to be infected in total,” he added. “And so, for instance, rabies kills about 100 percent of the people it infects, but it only infects a handful of people.”
“It’s not adequate just to look at the case fatality rate, you have to look at the number of people who you think are actually going to get it, and I think that what we know right now influenza is still a bigger threat, because it infects more people, it kills three hundred thousand, four hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, every year,” he added. “I don’t think we’re gonna see that with COVID-19 this year.”
Berezow has been interviewed about coronavirus in major, mainstream news outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo News, New York Magazine, and others.
As time has worn on, the group has focused less on publishing about the comparative death rates of the flu and coronavirus. A recent post highlighted that the U.S. is not the next Italy, contra mainstream news reports, while reiterating that the virus itself is serious, and not a hoax.
Berezow emphasized to TPM that he still doesn’t anticipate the novel coronavirus killing more people than the flu on a year by year basis.
“I hope we never see it with COVID-19,” Berezow said. “But I certainly don’t see it, and I think that influenza is the bigger threat.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-18--Biden Continues To Dominate In Primary Races Overshadowed By Coronavirus

Former Vice President Joe Biden continued to barrel toward the Democratic nomination Tuesday as several states went to the polls under the cloud of the coronavirus .
Biden easily won in Florida and Illinois , with networks calling the races shortly after polls closed .
As of 10:30 p.m .
ET , Arizona was still too early to call .
Ohio , which was scheduled to hold its primary on Tuesday , pushed its in-person contest to June 2 .
By late Tuesday night , Biden increased his total delegate lead to 1,121 , with Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vote was still being tabulated , though Biden was well ahead in pre-election day polls .
Kyle Kondik , managing editor of the University of Virginia newsletter Sabato ’ s Crystal Ball , characterized the state of the race succinctly late Tuesday night .
“ Sanders has no practical path to overtaking Biden for the delegate lead in the primary season , ” he told TPM .
As COVID-19 spreads throughout the country , grinding public life in the U.S. to a halt , the presidential campaign has been in something of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking from his home in Wilmington , Delaware in front of a black curtain and two American flags , spent most of his live-streamed remarks focused on the pandemic , thanking health workers and reassuring the public .
He eventually turned to the election , trumpeting “ a very good night ” as results continued to stream in .
He also made a point to address Sanders ’ younger supporters , the Vermont senator ’ s strongest cohort , directly .
“ I hear you , ” Biden said .
“ I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what we have to do .
Our goal as a campaign and my goal as a candidate for president is to unify this party , then to unify the nation.
” In Florida , where many voters voted early and by mail rather than showing up to polling places on Election Day , Biden won in a landslide , with 62 % to Sanders ’ 23 % with 98 % of precincts reporting , according to the Associated Press .
Ahead of Tuesday ’ s vote , the state shifted polling places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers , and yet more polling locations were closed due to a lack of polling staff and other glitches .
In 2016 , Sanders won nine counties in Florida .
This time around , Biden swept the state .
According to a poll of primary voters , Biden dominated Florida with constituencies that have formed the core of his candidacy , including African-American voters , voters over 45 and moderate and conservative Democrats .
Illinois was a less instantaneous call , but the former Vice President scooped up that prize as well by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to preliminary breakdowns by CNN , Biden won 70 percent support from black voters in the state , continuing to flex the strength he has displayed most overwhelmingly in southern primaries .
He also won white voters , and showed his usual dominance with middle-aged and older groups .
In 2016 , the Illinois primary was a very different story .
Hillary Clinton only barely squeaked by the challenge mounted by Sanders , winning 50.6 percent to his 48.6 percent .
In one example of how things have changed , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , after Sanders took it by nearly the same margin four years ago .
In a clear indication of coronavirus outbreak ramifications , turnout in the state seemed well down from 2016 , as voters balked at casting their ballots in person .
Those numbers may serve as vindication for Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) , who threw his state into turmoil with an 11th-hour effort to postpone the primary .
In Arizona , where voting ended at 10 p.m .
ET , results were not yet tallied , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to polling averages ahead of primary day .
Not to say that was the day ’ s biggest story in the Grand Canyon State : Midday Tuesday , as voters crowded polling locations , the mayor of Arizona ’ s capital and economic center , Phoenix , declared a state of emergency requiring the closure of all bars and the transition of all restaurants to take-out only .
“ We are doing this to keep our community safe , ” Mayor Kate Gallego said .

Former Vice President Joe Biden continued to barrel toward the Democratic nomination Tuesday as several states went to the polls under the cloud of the coronavirus.
Biden easily won in Florida and Illinois, with networks calling the races shortly after polls closed.
As of 10:30 p.m. ET, Arizona was still too early to call. Ohio, which was scheduled to hold its primary on Tuesday, pushed its in-person contest to June 2.
By late Tuesday night, Biden increased his total delegate lead to 1,121, with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) earning 839. Arizona’s vote was still being tabulated, though Biden was well ahead in pre-election day polls.
Kyle Kondik, managing editor of the University of Virginia newsletter Sabato’s Crystal Ball, characterized the state of the race succinctly late Tuesday night.
“Sanders has no practical path to overtaking Biden for the delegate lead in the primary season,” he told TPM.
As COVID-19 spreads throughout the country, grinding public life in the U.S. to a halt, the presidential campaign has been in something of a state of suspension. Biden, speaking from his home in Wilmington, Delaware in front of a black curtain and two American flags, spent most of his live-streamed remarks focused on the pandemic, thanking health workers and reassuring the public.
He eventually turned to the election, trumpeting “a very good night” as results continued to stream in. He also made a point to address Sanders’ younger supporters, the Vermont senator’s strongest cohort, directly.
“I hear you,” Biden said. “I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do. Our goal as a campaign and my goal as a candidate for president is to unify this party, then to unify the nation.”
In Florida,where many voters voted early and by mail rather than showing up to polling places on Election Day, Biden won in a landslide, with 62% to Sanders’ 23% with 98% of precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press. Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, the state shifted polling places away from nursing homes and assisted living centers, and yet more polling locations were closed due to a lack of polling staff and other glitches.
In 2016, Sanders won nine counties in Florida. This time around, Biden swept the state.
According to a poll of primary voters, Biden dominated Florida with constituencies that have formed the core of his candidacy, including African-American voters, voters over 45 and moderate and conservative Democrats.
Illinois was a less instantaneous call, but the former Vice President scooped up that prize as well by about 59 percent to Sanders’ 36.
According to preliminary breakdowns by CNN, Biden won 70 percent support from black voters in the state, continuing to flex the strength he has displayed most overwhelmingly in southern primaries. He also won white voters, and showed his usual dominance with middle-aged and older groups.
In 2016, the Illinois primary was a very different story. Hillary Clinton only barely squeaked by the challenge mounted by Sanders, winning 50.6 percent to his 48.6 percent. In one example of how things have changed, Biden won McHenry County by 20 points Tuesday night, after Sanders took it by nearly the same margin four years ago.
In a clear indication of coronavirus outbreak ramifications, turnout in the state seemed well down from 2016, as voters balked at casting their ballots in person. Those numbers may serve as vindication for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who threw his state into turmoil with an 11th-hour effort to postpone the primary.
In Arizona, where voting ended at 10 p.m. ET, results were not yet tallied, though Biden was favored to do well, according to polling averages ahead of primary day.
Not to say that was the day’s biggest story in the Grand Canyon State: Midday Tuesday, as voters crowded polling locations, the mayor of Arizona’s capital and economic center, Phoenix, declared a state of emergency requiring the closure of all bars and the transition of all restaurants to take-out only.
“We are doing this to keep our community safe,” Mayor Kate Gallego said.