hotair--2020-08-11--Seattle Police Chief to resign and the Mayor has "a heavy heart"

When Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan named Carmen Best as the city ’ s next Chief of Police in 2018 , Best was the first Black female to ever hold the position .
But her tenure is coming to a premature end in a couple of weeks .
Chief Best has tendered her resignation and notice of her intent to retire to the Mayor , who accepted it “ with a very heavy heart.
” Best ’ s resignation came on the same day that the City Council approved plans to reduce the size of the police force by 100 officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force ’ s budget .
Despite having plenty of ammunition to complain about the city ’ s treatment of her force , Chief Best ’ s resignation message was nothing but professional .
( Associated Press ) “ I am confident the department will make it through these difficult times , ” Best said in the letter .
“ You truly are the best police department in the country , and please trust me when I say , the vast majority of people in Seattle support you and appreciate you .
… I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves forward through the process of re-envisioning public safety .
I relish the work that will be done by all of you.
” In an email to police Mayor Jenny Durkan said she she accepted Best ’ s decision “ with a very heavy heart.
” “ I regret deeply that she concluded that the best way to serve the city and help the department was a change in leadership , in the hope that would change the dynamics to move forward with the City Council , ” Durkan wrote .
The Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint press conference later this morning .
If the members of the press are up to the task , some of the questions should be interesting , to say the least .
What did they think was going to happen ?
The City Council had already slashed Best ’ s salary last week .
At some point , a person has to conclude that they ’ ve taken enough abuse and it ’ s time to move on to greener pastures .
Perhaps even worse was the characterization of the Chief by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s describing Best ’ s decision as one of offering “ a change in leadership ” and the opportunity for the city to “ move forward with the City Council.
” Maybe it ’ s just me , but that makes it sound as if the problems they ’ ve been encountering were somehow Carmen Best ’ s fault .
In reality , she ’ s been trying to tamp down the violence in her city while not only lacking the support of the Mayor and the City Council but their active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s residents are looking for somewhere to point the finger of blame there are plenty of candidates .
The Mayor has been more interested in coddling the rioters than maintaining order and the rule of law .
The City Council has almost unanimously blamed the police for everything and sought to punish them more than the criminals ripping the city apart .
And underlying all of this , there are the hoodlums themselves who are burning , looting and setting fire to the Emerald City on a nightly basis .
Now Mayor Durkan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to take the job as Chief of Police .
She ’ s named Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz as an interim replacement , but is he really going to want the job permanently ?
For that matter , who in their right mind would want that job at this juncture ?
Diaz would be inheriting a department that ’ s being downsized and having its budget slashed right in the middle of a law enforcement crisis .
And the moment any of his officers arrest one of the rioters , he ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shame to apologize .
I ’ d wish the residents of Seattle good luck with this mess , but I ’ m fresh out of sympathy .
They keep electing the same people to the City Council so they ’ re getting precisely what they asked for .
You made your bed .
Now you can sleep in it , assuming someone doesn ’ t set it on fire in the middle of the night .

When Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan named Carmen Best as the city’s next Chief of Police in 2018, Best was the first Black female to ever hold the position. But her tenure is coming to a premature end in a couple of weeks. Chief Best has tendered her resignation and notice of her intent to retire to the Mayor, who accepted it “with a very heavy heart.” Best’s resignation came on the same day that the City Council approved plans to reduce the size of the police force by 100 officers and slash four million dollars from the force’s budget. Despite having plenty of ammunition to complain about the city’s treatment of her force, Chief Best’s resignation message was nothing but professional. (Associated Press)
“I am confident the department will make it through these difficult times,” Best said in the letter. “You truly are the best police department in the country, and please trust me when I say, the vast majority of people in Seattle support you and appreciate you. … I look forward to seeing how this department moves forward through the process of re-envisioning public safety. I relish the work that will be done by all of you.” In an email to police Mayor Jenny Durkan said she she accepted Best’s decision “with a very heavy heart.” “I regret deeply that she concluded that the best way to serve the city and help the department was a change in leadership, in the hope that would change the dynamics to move forward with the City Council,” Durkan wrote.
The Mayor and the soon-to-be ex-Police Chief are planning a joint press conference later this morning. If the members of the press are up to the task, some of the questions should be interesting, to say the least.
What did they think was going to happen? The City Council had already slashed Best’s salary last week. At some point, a person has to conclude that they’ve taken enough abuse and it’s time to move on to greener pastures.
Perhaps even worse was the characterization of the Chief by the Mayor in her response. She’s describing Best’s decision as one of offering “a change in leadership” and the opportunity for the city to “move forward with the City Council.” Maybe it’s just me, but that makes it sound as if the problems they’ve been encountering were somehow Carmen Best’s fault. In reality, she’s been trying to tamp down the violence in her city while not only lacking the support of the Mayor and the City Council but their active opposition at times.
If Seattle’s residents are looking for somewhere to point the finger of blame there are plenty of candidates. The Mayor has been more interested in coddling the rioters than maintaining order and the rule of law. The City Council has almost unanimously blamed the police for everything and sought to punish them more than the criminals ripping the city apart. And underlying all of this, there are the hoodlums themselves who are burning, looting and setting fire to the Emerald City on a nightly basis.
Now Mayor Durkan has to come up with a new person to take the job as Chief of Police. She’s named Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz as an interim replacement, but is he really going to want the job permanently? For that matter, who in their right mind would want that job at this juncture? Diaz would be inheriting a department that’s being downsized and having its budget slashed right in the middle of a law enforcement crisis. And the moment any of his officers arrest one of the rioters, he’ll be hauled out for a walk of shame to apologize.
I’d wish the residents of Seattle good luck with this mess, but I’m fresh out of sympathy. They keep electing the same people to the City Council so they’re getting precisely what they asked for. You made your bed. Now you can sleep in it, assuming someone doesn’t set it on fire in the middle of the night.


hotair--2020-08-10--Is Kristi Noem helping President Trump add his image to Mount Rushmore?

Mount Rushmore has been the topic of news stories this year , ranging from the controversial ( for anti-Trumpers ) fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July with President Trump to the possibility that the angry mob of woke rioters wants to remove the monument altogether .
Some Trump deranged Democrats even called the Mount Rushmore celebration a “ White Supremacy ” event .
The latest story is that President Trump wants to find a way to put his own image on Mount Rushmore .
Trump is pooh-poohing the story but there may be at least a little something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
Kristi Noem was elected Governor of South Dakota that year .
She began lobbying President Trump to come to South Dakota , preferably to celebrate the 4th of July with a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore .
Fireworks shows were canceled in 2010 by the Obama administration for environmental and fire risks and Noem was ready for that to change .
During their first meeting in the Oval Office , Noem says that Trump approached the subject of his image on Mount Rushmore when she asked him to visit South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , apparently to entice him to come .
“ He said , ‘ Kristi , come on over here .
Shake my hand , ' ” Noem said .
“ I shook his hand , and I said , ‘ Mr .
President , you should come to South Dakota sometime .
We have Mount Rushmore.
’ And he goes , ‘ Do you know it ’ s my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore ?
’ ” “ I started laughing , ” she said .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was totally serious.
” This wasn ’ t the first time Trump brought up the idea .
In July 2017 he spoke about his dream during a rally in Youngstown , Ohio .
A year before Trump became president , an editorial cartoonist for the Tulsa World published a caricature of Trump , taking a dig at his ego and vanity .
As the story in the South Dakota newspaper points out , there isn ’ t room to add another president to Mount Rushmore .
Also , Trump isn ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument .
It is being reported that Trump ’ s staff reached out and asked about what the process would be to add an image to the monument .
It shouldn ’ t be a surprise that presidents have egos .
Just running for president shows a large ego , right ?
Trump is just more out in the open about his ego .
He puts his name of the buildings he builds and owns , so why would assuming he entertains a dream of a spot on Mount Rushmore be a stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Mount Rushmore , said workers are asked daily whether any president can be added .
And for years , people have suggested Franklin Roosevelt , John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan , among others .
A website – MakeRoomonRushmore.com – advocates for Obama .
“ There is no more carvable space up on the sculpture , ” McGee-Ballinger said .
“ When you are looking on the sculpture , it appears there might be some space on the left next to Washington or right next to Lincoln .
You are either looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sculpture ( on the right ) , which is an optical illusion , or on the left , that is not carvable.
” Ms. McGee-Ballinger went on to say Mount Rushmore “ a work of art .
You wouldn ’ t change an artist ’ s vision.
” Gov .
Noem jokes that she told the president that he could “ Come pick out a mountain.
” That ’ s a thought .
When Trump went to South Dakota , Noem presented him with a four-foot-tall replica of Mount Rushmore that did include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rumors were swirling that she was angling for replacing Mike Pence on the ticket .
The transition team had offered Noem a spot in the president ’ s cabinet but she turned that offer down to pursue her run for governor .
Her political star has been rising , especially during the coronavirus pandemic , and she is now looked at as a future presidential candidate , along with other rising Republicans .
Less than three weeks after the 4th of July celebration , Noem flew to D.C. to meet with Pence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over and assured him that she wasn ’ t trying to take his job .
Is Noem just looking to keep raising her profile and stay in the good graces of the Trump administration ?
Or is she pursuing something more ?
That ’ s the question .
She certainly poured on the praise as she introduced Trump at the holiday celebration .
I don ’ t think Pence has anything to worry about .
His job is secure as Trump ’ s 2020 running mate .
No one has been more loyal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noem will have to wait until 2024 to go for a higher office .
The field is already warming up so she must know she needs to keep her presence known .
President Trump denies the story and labels it all as fake news .
In his own way , you ’ ll notice he says it ’ s a good idea .

Mount Rushmore has been the topic of news stories this year, ranging from the controversial (for anti-Trumpers) fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July with President Trump to the possibility that the angry mob of woke rioters wants to remove the monument altogether. Some Trump deranged Democrats even called the Mount Rushmore celebration a “White Supremacy” event.
The latest story is that President Trump wants to find a way to put his own image on Mount Rushmore. Trump is pooh-poohing the story but there may be at least a little something to it, according to a report in 2018. Kristi Noem was elected Governor of South Dakota that year. She began lobbying President Trump to come to South Dakota, preferably to celebrate the 4th of July with a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore. Fireworks shows were canceled in 2010 by the Obama administration for environmental and fire risks and Noem was ready for that to change.
During their first meeting in the Oval Office, Noem says that Trump approached the subject of his image on Mount Rushmore when she asked him to visit South Dakota. She mentioned Mount Rushmore at the time, apparently to entice him to come.
“He said, ‘Kristi, come on over here. Shake my hand,'” Noem said. “I shook his hand, and I said, ‘Mr. President, you should come to South Dakota sometime. We have Mount Rushmore.’ And he goes, ‘Do you know it’s my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore?’ ” Noem thought he was joking. “I started laughing,” she said. “He wasn’t laughing, so he was totally serious.”
This wasn’t the first time Trump brought up the idea. In July 2017 he spoke about his dream during a rally in Youngstown, Ohio.
“I’d ask whether or not you think I will someday be on Mount Rushmore, but here’s the problem: If I did it joking, totally joking, having fun, the fake news media will say ‘he believes he should be on Mount Rushmore,'” he said. “So I won’t say it, OK? I won’t say it.”
A year before Trump became president, an editorial cartoonist for the Tulsa World published a caricature of Trump, taking a dig at his ego and vanity.
trump on mount rushmore pic.twitter.com/UMsNVNCP5l — vera kowalska (@dialtfortrouble) July 26, 2017
As the story in the South Dakota newspaper points out, there isn’t room to add another president to Mount Rushmore. Also, Trump isn’t the first addition to be suggested to the monument. It is being reported that Trump’s staff reached out and asked about what the process would be to add an image to the monument. It shouldn’t be a surprise that presidents have egos. Just running for president shows a large ego, right? Trump is just more out in the open about his ego. He puts his name of the buildings he builds and owns, so why would assuming he entertains a dream of a spot on Mount Rushmore be a stretch?
Maureen McGee-Ballinger, public information officer at Mount Rushmore, said workers are asked daily whether any president can be added. And for years, people have suggested Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, among others. A website – MakeRoomonRushmore.com – advocates for Obama. “There is no more carvable space up on the sculpture,” McGee-Ballinger said. “When you are looking on the sculpture, it appears there might be some space on the left next to Washington or right next to Lincoln. You are either looking at the rock that is beyond the sculpture (on the right), which is an optical illusion, or on the left, that is not carvable.”
Ms. McGee-Ballinger went on to say Mount Rushmore “a work of art. You wouldn’t change an artist’s vision.” Gov. Noem jokes that she told the president that he could “Come pick out a mountain.” That’s a thought.
When Trump went to South Dakota, Noem presented him with a four-foot-tall replica of Mount Rushmore that did include his likeness. At the time, rumors were swirling that she was angling for replacing Mike Pence on the ticket. The transition team had offered Noem a spot in the president’s cabinet but she turned that offer down to pursue her run for governor. Her political star has been rising, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and she is now looked at as a future presidential candidate, along with other rising Republicans. Less than three weeks after the 4th of July celebration, Noem flew to D.C. to meet with Pence. It is reported that she smoothed things over and assured him that she wasn’t trying to take his job.
Is Noem just looking to keep raising her profile and stay in the good graces of the Trump administration? Or is she pursuing something more? That’s the question. She certainly poured on the praise as she introduced Trump at the holiday celebration.
Introducing Mr. Trump against the floodlit backdrop of his carved predecessors, the governor played to the president’s craving for adulation by noting that in just three days more than 125,000 people had signed up for only 7,500 seats; she likened him to Theodore Roosevelt, a leader who “braves the dangers of the arena”; and she mimicked the president’s rhetoric by scorning protesters who she said were seeking to discredit the country’s founders.
I don’t think Pence has anything to worry about. His job is secure as Trump’s 2020 running mate. No one has been more loyal to the president than Mike Pence. Noem will have to wait until 2024 to go for a higher office. The field is already warming up so she must know she needs to keep her presence known.
President Trump denies the story and labels it all as fake news. In his own way, you’ll notice he says it’s a good idea.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1292628590425759747


hotair--2020-08-11--Trump on China's Hong Kong crackdown: Hey, one less competitor for us

This is an interesting ( and familiar ) counterpoint to what he said last week about Biden wanting to “ hurt the Bible , hurt God.
” When he ’ s pandering to evangelicals or some other core constituency , Trump will nod at their concerns but with the bare-minimum effort .
He ’ s not going to make anything resembling a complex policy argument against Biden to appeal to Christian voters , certainly not in unscripted remarks , but he ’ ll cut to the chase by highlighting the subtext of those policy arguments .
Biden is anti-Christian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His rhetoric on gun rights is similar , thin on specifics but filled with references to “ our wonderful Second Amendment.
” It ’ s political signaling in its purest form , just nodding at the concerns of different groups without betraying any genuine interest in them .
When he ’ s not pandering to a core constituency , though , he won ’ t bother to nod .
He tends to speak his mind on foreign policy because few voters have such deeply held views on that subject that their votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So whereas Trump might pay lip service to the idea that his Democratic opponent wants to “ hurt God , ” he won ’ t bother to pay lip service to the American idea that it ’ s necessarily bad when a totalitarian regime grabs a small democratic satellite by the throat .
He has diplomats for that , after all .
Here ’ s Mike Pompeo with a perfectly traditional American denunciation of China ’ s arrest of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai : Now here ’ s Trump sounding almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is under China ’ s boot , giving investors a reason to come here instead : Maybe we ’ ll get lucky and some terrorist group will set off a nuke in London , decimating their finance markets too .
That ’ s a baby-soft softball that was tossed to him by interviewer Clay Travis , teeing him up to condemn China .
Trump has every incentive to do it too , as being tough on China is a core part of his campaign message and speaking up in defense of Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some brownie points with voters here who dislike his illiberal tendencies .
He just can ’ t do it .
Or rather , it doesn ’ t even occur to him to sympathize with them .
Not only that , but he persists in the belief ( which he strongly displays when discussing trade , especially trade deficits ) that international economics is a zero sum game , with less for Country A necessarily meaning more for Country B.
There ’ s no sense here of how Hong Kong ’ s fall might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no sense of how it might be damage America ’ s long-term strategic interests to have the one outpost of liberalism in a sinister surveillance state brought low .
Hong Kong ’ s western-style freedom and economic success were a counterpoint on mainland China ’ s doorstep to Beijing ’ s insistence that communism is the only path to greatness .
That ’ s gone now .
For the second time in the past week , Ben Sasse felt obliged to criticize Trump : If that ’ s “ who we are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Why ’ d we nominate him in the first place ?
“ Who we are ” arguments are uniquely unpersuasive in 2020 .
It must be noted , though : As with Russia , while Trump speaks like someone who doesn ’ t care a whit about western values , he sometimes governs differently .
A month ago he slapped sanctions on China for imposing its draconian new security law on Hong Kong .
Four days ago his administration added individual sanctions for Hong Kong ’ s puppet governor and 10 other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Brien , also harshly criticized Lai ’ s detention by Chinese authorities : “ These arrests are also a clear effort to intimidate pro-democracy and political opposition figures and suppress Hong Kong ’ s free and independent media , which have played key roles in the city ’ s character and success.
” That strange disjunction between Trump ’ s words and his White House ’ s deeds has recurred throughout his presidency .
Remember Nikki Haley railing against Russia on the floor of the UN while Trump was busy trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency has always had a split personality on foreign policy , with one personality that of the president himself and the other that of the many traditional Republican hawks who staff his Pentagon and State Department .
Who can begin to guess how they sold him on the idea of sanctioning China over Hong Kong when he seems to think it was in America ’ s interest for the Chinese to have behaved as they did ?
Presumably it was enough for him that the sanctions would polish his anti-China cred so soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t guess .
But it ’ s the split personality at work once again .
Here ’ s the audio of him and Travis discussing Hong Kong today .

This is an interesting (and familiar) counterpoint to what he said last week about Biden wanting to “hurt the Bible, hurt God.” When he’s pandering to evangelicals or some other core constituency, Trump will nod at their concerns but with the bare-minimum effort. He’s not going to make anything resembling a complex policy argument against Biden to appeal to Christian voters, certainly not in unscripted remarks, but he’ll cut to the chase by highlighting the subtext of those policy arguments. Biden is anti-Christian, he says. He’s anti-God. His rhetoric on gun rights is similar, thin on specifics but filled with references to “our wonderful Second Amendment.” It’s political signaling in its purest form, just nodding at the concerns of different groups without betraying any genuine interest in them.
When he’s not pandering to a core constituency, though, he won’t bother to nod. He tends to speak his mind on foreign policy because few voters have such deeply held views on that subject that their votes in November might turn on it. So whereas Trump might pay lip service to the idea that his Democratic opponent wants to “hurt God,” he won’t bother to pay lip service to the American idea that it’s necessarily bad when a totalitarian regime grabs a small democratic satellite by the throat.
He has diplomats for that, after all. Here’s Mike Pompeo with a perfectly traditional American denunciation of China’s arrest of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai:
I’m deeply troubled by reports of the arrest of @JimmyLaiApple under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law. Further proof that the CCP has eviscerated Hong Kong’s freedoms and eroded the rights of its people. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 10, 2020
Now here’s Trump sounding almost tickled that a major foreign finance hub is under China’s boot, giving investors a reason to come here instead:
Fox Sports Radio host Clay Travis bashed the NBA for not speaking up against human rights abuses by China, then asked Trump why Americans should care about its crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong. Trump's response: pic.twitter.com/VwyFbXKMmS — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 11, 2020
Maybe we’ll get lucky and some terrorist group will set off a nuke in London, decimating their finance markets too.
That’s a baby-soft softball that was tossed to him by interviewer Clay Travis, teeing him up to condemn China. Trump has every incentive to do it too, as being tough on China is a core part of his campaign message and speaking up in defense of Hong Kong’s courageous resistance would earn him some brownie points with voters here who dislike his illiberal tendencies. He just can’t do it. Or rather, it doesn’t even occur to him to sympathize with them.
Not only that, but he persists in the belief (which he strongly displays when discussing trade, especially trade deficits) that international economics is a zero sum game, with less for Country A necessarily meaning more for Country B. There’s no sense here of how Hong Kong’s fall might adversely affect American business interests. And no sense of how it might be damage America’s long-term strategic interests to have the one outpost of liberalism in a sinister surveillance state brought low. Hong Kong’s western-style freedom and economic success were a counterpoint on mainland China’s doorstep to Beijing’s insistence that communism is the only path to greatness. That’s gone now.
For the second time in the past week, Ben Sasse felt obliged to criticize Trump:
“There shouldn’t be a shred of doubt about this,” the Nebraska Republican told the Washington Examiner. “The American people are on the side of Hong Kong’s freedom-seekers and against the communist thugs committing human rights abuses. We are Americans, and we take the side of freedom — that’s who we are.”
If that’s “who we are,” why’d we elect Trump? Why’d we nominate him in the first place? “Who we are” arguments are uniquely unpersuasive in 2020.
It must be noted, though: As with Russia, while Trump speaks like someone who doesn’t care a whit about western values, he sometimes governs differently. A month ago he slapped sanctions on China for imposing its draconian new security law on Hong Kong. Four days ago his administration added individual sanctions for Hong Kong’s puppet governor and 10 other high-ranking officials. His NSA, Robert O’Brien, also harshly criticized Lai’s detention by Chinese authorities: “These arrests are also a clear effort to intimidate pro-democracy and political opposition figures and suppress Hong Kong’s free and independent media, which have played key roles in the city’s character and success.”
That strange disjunction between Trump’s words and his White House’s deeds has recurred throughout his presidency. Remember Nikki Haley railing against Russia on the floor of the UN while Trump was busy trying to broker detente with Putin? His presidency has always had a split personality on foreign policy, with one personality that of the president himself and the other that of the many traditional Republican hawks who staff his Pentagon and State Department. Who can begin to guess how they sold him on the idea of sanctioning China over Hong Kong when he seems to think it was in America’s interest for the Chinese to have behaved as they did? Presumably it was enough for him that the sanctions would polish his anti-China cred so soon before the election. Beyond that, I can’t guess. But it’s the split personality at work once again.
Here’s the audio of him and Travis discussing Hong Kong today.


hotair--2020-08-11--Politico: Harris' failed attack on Biden shows her to be "incredibly effective in a debate"

Want to see a media narrative hatch in an incubator and emerge cute and cuddly under the lamps ?
Look no further than this ludicrous take about Kamala Harris after the announcement that Joe Biden selected her as his running mate .
Politico ’ s Holly Otterbein argued that Harris has the right stuff to take on Mike Pence in the single VP debate on the schedule , having proven her mettle in her attack on Joe Biden in the first Democratic primary debate .
For the record , here ’ s the attack that Otterbein recalls for its incredible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist over his past work with segregationists in the Senate as well as his opposition to busing .
“ I do not believe you are a racist , ” Harris begins , but then accuses Biden of appeasing racists and standing in the way of little girls like herself : We ’ ll get back to Harris ’ strategy and its “ effectiveness ” in a moment .
Joe Biden fought back vigorously after Harris ’ attack , one of the few moments in which Biden demonstrated a pulse on stage , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This touched off a fight between Biden and Harris that lasted all the way to the next debate , in which time it emerged that Harris backtracked on the necessity for federally mandated busing , ending up at Biden ’ s position within a week .
During that period , presidential also-ran Tulsi Gabbard released an attack ad aimed at Harris , which should have put Biden ’ s now-running mate on alert before the second debate .
Instead , Harris got caught in nearly a full Dan Quayle mode when Gabbard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Watch Harris ’ reaction , especially after Gabbard ’ s redirect : How badly did that hurt Harris ?
Not long after that debate , the bottom started falling out of her polling ; three weeks later , Harris had gone from top tier to nearly statistical noise , never having once threatened Joe Biden ’ s formidable lead in the race .
Four months later , Harris tried attacking Gabbard to reverse the damage , and ended up flopping all over again .
Again , wait for Harris ’ response after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could offer is “ Kamala Harris for the people ” : How “ incredibly effective ” was that attack on Gabbard ?
Two weeks later , Harris withdrew from the race , polling at 3.5 % to Joe Biden ’ s 28.7 % .
Gabbard stuck around three more months , only dropping out in mid-March while contending in primaries .
And what was the purpose of Harris ’ attack on Biden ?
Harris wanted to peel black voters away from him , voters that many people would line up behind Harris at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was Harris at that strategy ?
It utterly flopped ; Harris had peaked in March before the debate at 12.3 % in the RCP aggregate average , and bounced up to 15 % briefly after the June debate .
Biden dropped to a low of 26 % , not far off of his normal polling band for the cycle ( except for a big peak in April when Biden officially entered the race ) .
Polls in that period showed Biden remaining strong with black voters : And that was when Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first debate .
If Harris was truly “ incredibly effective ” as a debater , it would be Harris making a running-mate decision , not waiting by the phone pining away for a call from Biden .
To suggest otherwise isn ’ t just in contradiction to the facts — it ’ s clearly an attempt to rewrite the history of the campaign to falsely boost perceptions of Harris .
It ’ s almost literally fake news .
Does that mean Mike Pence will wipe the floor with Harris ?
Not necessarily , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tulsi Gabbard .
I doubt the Vice President will lose any sleep tonight about facing off against Harris .

Want to see a media narrative hatch in an incubator and emerge cute and cuddly under the lamps? Look no further than this ludicrous take about Kamala Harris after the announcement that Joe Biden selected her as his running mate. Politico’s Holly Otterbein argued that Harris has the right stuff to take on Mike Pence in the single VP debate on the schedule, having proven her mettle in her attack on Joe Biden in the first Democratic primary debate.
Er … who picked whom today?
How does everyone think Harris will do in a VP debate against Pence? @hollyotterbein notes that Harris had one of the most memorable primary debate moments…attacking Biden. “She’s shown she can be incredibly effective in a debate.” More live analysis: https://t.co/0C4YmbNvBV — POLITICO (@politico) August 11, 2020
For the record, here’s the attack that Otterbein recalls for its incredible effectiveness. Harris suggested that Biden is racist over his past work with segregationists in the Senate as well as his opposition to busing. “I do not believe you are a racist,” Harris begins, but then accuses Biden of appeasing racists and standing in the way of little girls like herself:
We’ll get back to Harris’ strategy and its “effectiveness” in a moment. Joe Biden fought back vigorously after Harris’ attack, one of the few moments in which Biden demonstrated a pulse on stage, and coherently rebutted Harris — convincingly or not. This touched off a fight between Biden and Harris that lasted all the way to the next debate, in which time it emerged that Harris backtracked on the necessity for federally mandated busing, ending up at Biden’s position within a week.
During that period, presidential also-ran Tulsi Gabbard released an attack ad aimed at Harris, which should have put Biden’s now-running mate on alert before the second debate. Instead, Harris got caught in nearly a full Dan Quayle mode when Gabbard shredded Harris for her attack on Biden. Watch Harris’ reaction, especially after Gabbard’s redirect:
How badly did that hurt Harris? Not long after that debate, the bottom started falling out of her polling; three weeks later, Harris had gone from top tier to nearly statistical noise, never having once threatened Joe Biden’s formidable lead in the race.
Four months later, Harris tried attacking Gabbard to reverse the damage, and ended up flopping all over again. Again, wait for Harris’ response after Gabbard blasts back, when all she could offer is “Kamala Harris for the people”:
How “incredibly effective” was that attack on Gabbard? Two weeks later, Harris withdrew from the race, polling at 3.5% to Joe Biden’s 28.7%. Gabbard stuck around three more months, only dropping out in mid-March while contending in primaries.
And what was the purpose of Harris’ attack on Biden? Harris wanted to peel black voters away from him, voters that many people would line up behind Harris at some point. How “incredibly effective” was Harris at that strategy? It utterly flopped; Harris had peaked in March before the debate at 12.3% in the RCP aggregate average, and bounced up to 15% briefly after the June debate. Biden dropped to a low of 26%, not far off of his normal polling band for the cycle (except for a big peak in April when Biden officially entered the race). Polls in that period showed Biden remaining strong with black voters:
Economist/YouGov: Biden 46% among black voters, Harris 9%
Quinnipiac: Biden 53%, Harris 7%
The Hill/Harris: Biden 38%, Harris 11%
And that was when Harris was peaking in the race after the first debate. If Harris was truly “incredibly effective” as a debater, it would be Harris making a running-mate decision, not waiting by the phone pining away for a call from Biden. To suggest otherwise isn’t just in contradiction to the facts — it’s clearly an attempt to rewrite the history of the campaign to falsely boost perceptions of Harris. It’s almost literally fake news.
Does that mean Mike Pence will wipe the floor with Harris? Not necessarily, but Harris flopped against both Joe Biden and Tulsi Gabbard. I doubt the Vice President will lose any sleep tonight about facing off against Harris.


hotair--2020-08-11--Joe Rogan: 'Defund the police' is a silly, utopian mantra

This clip is nearly two weeks old but I hadn ’ t seen it until today .
That doesn ’ t matter though because what Rogan says here is just as relevant now .
In fact it will probably be relevant for several months to come .
He ’ s interviewing a Cal State Fullerton professor of psychology named Nancy Panza who has a “ side gig ” as a forensic and police psychologist , meaning she works with police to help them with their mental health .
“ All this defunding the police talk scares the s**t out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued , “ I see what ’ s going on right now in New York City and it ’ s a god***n shooting gallery .
It ’ s crazy .
And the reason why is because the police officers have no trust in the mayor .
They want to quit .
They don ’ t feel like they get any respect .
They feel like they have all been lumped in with this one murderous cop from Minneapolis .
“ Now they ’ re all bad cops and there ’ s a license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrible things at them when they ’ ve done nothing wrong .
They ’ re just there to protect and serve .
A lot of them are good people .
The vast majority.
” Rogan went on to criticize the social justice advocates who he says are living in a utopian fantasy world .
“ There ’ s so many people out there that have this very narrow-minded perspective .
They just have blinders on and there idea—it ’ s like racial justice , social justice , defund the police—like this mantra that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it .
They don ’ t understand the consequences of saying such a thing or implementing such a thing.
” “ You obviously need police .
This idea that you don ’ t need police—are criminals just going to go away ?
Is crime going to go away ?
” Rogan said .
He added , “ And all those people who are out there protesting that think they ’ re immune from it because they ’ re the ones saying defund the police .
Hey man , they ’ ll f**kin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world that they ’ re trying to push—defund the police , we ’ re going to put that money into the community and everything ’ s going to be fine…It ’ s not going to be fine .
You need to fund the police more , ” Rogan said .
“ You can ’ t blame all cops and you can ’ t say defund the police because that ’ s nonsense .
That is a silly…like a version of life that…it ’ s not real.
” At this point Rogan returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the beginning of the inerview , i.e .
increasing the amount of training for officers so that it makes up 20 percent of their time .
This would cost a lot more obviously but he argued that if it solved the problem of people not trusting the police and decreased crime because more people were arrested and caught , that would be worth it .
But they key here is that what we should be talking about is better policing not slashing budgets .
The direction BLM is taking us is exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this clip , there are already people out trying to self-police in some areas and that ’ s definitely not going to be an improvement .
It will fail everywhere it ’ s tried , just as it did in CHAZ/CHOP .
Here ’ s the excerpt which is about 9 minutes long .
If you want to hear more , the full interview this was pulled from is here .

This clip is nearly two weeks old but I hadn’t seen it until today. That doesn’t matter though because what Rogan says here is just as relevant now. In fact it will probably be relevant for several months to come. He’s interviewing a Cal State Fullerton professor of psychology named Nancy Panza who has a “side gig” as a forensic and police psychologist, meaning she works with police to help them with their mental health.
“All this defunding the police talk scares the s**t out of me,” Rogan said. He continued, “I see what’s going on right now in New York City and it’s a god***n shooting gallery. It’s crazy. And the reason why is because the police officers have no trust in the mayor. They want to quit. They don’t feel like they get any respect. They feel like they have all been lumped in with this one murderous cop from Minneapolis.
“Now they’re all bad cops and there’s a license to call them bad cops, scream terrible things at them when they’ve done nothing wrong. They’re just there to protect and serve. A lot of them are good people. The vast majority.”
Rogan went on to criticize the social justice advocates who he says are living in a utopian fantasy world. “There’s so many people out there that have this very narrow-minded perspective. They just have blinders on and there idea—it’s like racial justice, social justice, defund the police—like this mantra that they have to say with no depth to it. They don’t understand the consequences of saying such a thing or implementing such a thing.”
“You obviously need police. This idea that you don’t need police—are criminals just going to go away? Is crime going to go away?” Rogan said. He added, “And all those people who are out there protesting that think they’re immune from it because they’re the ones saying defund the police. Hey man, they’ll f**kin rob you too.”
“This utopian world that they’re trying to push—defund the police, we’re going to put that money into the community and everything’s going to be fine…It’s not going to be fine. You need to fund the police more,” Rogan said. “You can’t blame all cops and you can’t say defund the police because that’s nonsense. That is a silly…like a version of life that…it’s not real.”
At this point Rogan returned to an idea that he and Panza discussed from the beginning of the inerview, i.e. increasing the amount of training for officers so that it makes up 20 percent of their time. This would cost a lot more obviously but he argued that if it solved the problem of people not trusting the police and decreased crime because more people were arrested and caught, that would be worth it.
But they key here is that what we should be talking about is better policing not slashing budgets. The direction BLM is taking us is exactly the wrong direction. As Panza mentions in this clip, there are already people out trying to self-police in some areas and that’s definitely not going to be an improvement. It will fail everywhere it’s tried, just as it did in CHAZ/CHOP.
Here’s the excerpt which is about 9 minutes long. If you want to hear more, the full interview this was pulled from is here.


hotair--2020-08-11--Wow: Big 10, PAC-12 pull the plug on fall sports; <span class='red'>Update: SEC hanging in there?</s

Wow: Big 10, PAC-12 pull the plug on fall sports; Update: SEC hanging in there?

I ’ m stunned even though we ’ ve known for more than 24 hours that the conference ’ s school presidents had voted overwhelmingly to postpone the season until spring .
I thought the ferocious pushback they got yesterday from college football players , coaches , and various Republican politicians , including Trump himself , would make them reconsider .
An ACC official told CBS last night that their conference absolutely intends to play this fall despite the Big 10 ’ s trepidation .
That would be the clincher in getting the Big 10 to reverse , I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferences on the field in September would be so demoralizing to Big Ten athletes that it might trigger a wave of transfers .
I was wrong .
Word came down a few hours ago that they ’ re really doing this .
In making its decision , which was based on multiple factors , the Big Ten Conference relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee .
“ Our primary responsibility is to make the best possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , faculty and staff , ” said Morton Schapiro , Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President .
“ The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward , ” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren .
“ As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee , it became abundantly clear that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall .
Is the Big 10 going to crack up because of this ?
Nebraska , one of the two schools that reportedly voted to proceed with sports yesterday , sounds like it ’ s still eyeing football this fall : As I was writing this post , word came down that the PAC-12 is done too : Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh pleaded with skeptics yesterday to let the season proceed , vowing that the virus can be controlled .
Ohio State ’ s athletic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be delayed but not postponed until spring .
( Why wait to begin play until the virus has had more time to build up a “ second wave ” this fall ? )
Trump wants everyone on the field , of course , as the reality of Americans missing out on a cornerstone of the country ’ s sports culture will drive home in an unusually stark way how vulnerable we ’ ve been , and continue to be , to the disease ’ s spread under his administration .
Tim Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was asked today in an interview with Clay Travis about getting football back this fall : What you didn ’ t hear in his answer , noted Miller , is any plan for making it safe for the players to play .
Nothing like the NBA “ bubble , ” for instance .
He ’ s either engaged in pure wishcasting that no one will get infected or , more likely , he thinks players getting infected will be no big deal — both quintessentially Trumpy responses to the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : They ’ re not liberating Europe , Lou , they ’ re providing people with a weekly excuse to tailgate .
And even if players don ’ t develop a serious illness , football teams are large-ish organizations that could set off chains of transmission in many directions , some of which might eventually reach people Holtz ’ s age .
The idea that football players are at near-zero risk for death is a red herring .
It ’ s true , but the universe of possible outcomes from COVID isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of fever.
” The Red Sox ’ top starting pitcher , Eduardo Rodriguez , has been shut down for the year because he developed heart inflammation after getting infected .
Sports Illustrated published a piece just two days ago about the worries over heart problems among college football ’ s powers that be : Of all the hurdles impeding a 2020 college football season , there is one roadblock that has gone mostly overshadowed , buried beneath the other more prominent obstacles , such as testing , travel , a bubble-less college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The heart .
“ That ’ s what has been the final straw , ” says a team doctor at a prominent college football program .
“ The commissioners are finally figuring it all out .
The commissioners are going , ‘ Oh my gosh !
’ And the doctors are like , ‘ Yeah… ’ ” In fact , the brewing heart issue is a topic on recent calls among the Power 5 conference medical task force , including commissioners and team doctors .
Fear over myocarditis has reached the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren having both privately expressed serious concern over the condition .
One Power 5 team doctor , who is privy to conference commissioner calls , says the heart condition is a primary topic during discussions .
“ We discuss it on every call , ” the doctor says under the condition of anonymity .
One team doctor told SI that he knows of around 10 post-COVID cardiac “ impacts ” across college football right now .
At least one player has developed an enlarged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s trainer .
How long these conditions will persist is unclear .
But you can imagine the backlash if a player gets infected during the season and loses a chance to play professionally because his heart never quite gets back to 100 percent — or , God forbid , if a player outright dies .
Asking guys to play during COVID is a bit like asking them to play wearing slightly sub-standard helmets .
Will most be okay ?
Sure .
Will everyone be okay ?
Maybe not .
Could we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to justify in hindsight ?
Yeah .
Now we wait to see what the SEC , ACC , and Big 12 do .
If Nebraska wants to join the Big 12 this year , can the Big 10 stop it ?
If USC wants to go play in the SEC , is that okay ?
If worse came to worst , I assume schools could just dispense with conferences this year and go their own way .
The top 16 programs in the country could cobble together a schedule in which they play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then the top four finishers play for the national title .
We can limit exposure by reducing the number of games and focusing resources to prevent infection among those 16 .
Update : This doesn ’ t sound like a man who ’ s preparing to cancel sports .

I’m stunned even though we’ve known for more than 24 hours that the conference’s school presidents had voted overwhelmingly to postpone the season until spring. I thought the ferocious pushback they got yesterday from college football players, coaches, and various Republican politicians, including Trump himself, would make them reconsider. An ACC official told CBS last night that their conference absolutely intends to play this fall despite the Big 10’s trepidation. That would be the clincher in getting the Big 10 to reverse, I thought — the sight of teams from other conferences on the field in September would be so demoralizing to Big Ten athletes that it might trigger a wave of transfers.
I was wrong. Word came down a few hours ago that they’re really doing this.
In making its decision, which was based on multiple factors, the Big Ten Conference relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee. “Our primary responsibility is to make the best possible decisions in the interest of our students, faculty and staff,” said Morton Schapiro, Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President. “The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. “As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.
Is the Big 10 going to crack up because of this? Nebraska, one of the two schools that reportedly voted to proceed with sports yesterday, sounds like it’s still eyeing football this fall:
A statement from Nebraska leadership. pic.twitter.com/tFMlYSfnWe — Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) August 11, 2020
As I was writing this post, word came down that the PAC-12 is done too:
Source: The Pac-12 has cancelled the fall football season. The league will attempt to play in spring. — Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 11, 2020
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh pleaded with skeptics yesterday to let the season proceed, vowing that the virus can be controlled. Ohio State’s athletic director believes the start of the season should be delayed but not postponed until spring. (Why wait to begin play until the virus has had more time to build up a “second wave” this fall?) Trump wants everyone on the field, of course, as the reality of Americans missing out on a cornerstone of the country’s sports culture will drive home in an unusually stark way how vulnerable we’ve been, and continue to be, to the disease’s spread under his administration.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1292873531382992901
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1292886763690745859
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1292964115003179008
Tim Miller of the Bulwark transcribed this Trump response when he was asked today in an interview with Clay Travis about getting football back this fall:
They want to play football and they know better than anyone else . . . One of the great doctors said these people are so powerful and so strong and not lots of body fat, maybe none in some cases, they’re very healthy people. People don’t realize it’s a tiny percent of people that get sick and they’re old and it just attacks old people especially old people with some kind of a physical problem, a weight problem…
What you didn’t hear in his answer, noted Miller, is any plan for making it safe for the players to play. Nothing like the NBA “bubble,” for instance. He’s either engaged in pure wishcasting that no one will get infected or, more likely, he thinks players getting infected will be no big deal — both quintessentially Trumpy responses to the pandemic. Here’s Lou Holtz sounding similar:
NBC News: According to California state records, President Trump — while a private citizen — twice donated to Kamala Harris while she was a candidate for state AG. A total of $6,000 in 2011 and 2013 combined. Image: pic.twitter.com/rbOiMbdQ4L — Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) August 11, 2020
They’re not liberating Europe, Lou, they’re providing people with a weekly excuse to tailgate. And even if players don’t develop a serious illness, football teams are large-ish organizations that could set off chains of transmission in many directions, some of which might eventually reach people Holtz’s age.
The idea that football players are at near-zero risk for death is a red herring. It’s true, but the universe of possible outcomes from COVID isn’t “death” and “three days of fever.” The Red Sox’ top starting pitcher, Eduardo Rodriguez, has been shut down for the year because he developed heart inflammation after getting infected. Sports Illustrated published a piece just two days ago about the worries over heart problems among college football’s powers that be:
Of all the hurdles impeding a 2020 college football season, there is one roadblock that has gone mostly overshadowed, buried beneath the other more prominent obstacles, such as testing, travel, a bubble-less college campus and quarantine requirements. That hurdle? The heart. “That’s what has been the final straw,” says a team doctor at a prominent college football program. “The commissioners are finally figuring it all out. The commissioners are going, ‘Oh my gosh!’ And the doctors are like, ‘Yeah…’” In fact, the brewing heart issue is a topic on recent calls among the Power 5 conference medical task force, including commissioners and team doctors. Fear over myocarditis has reached the top level of the sport, with Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby and Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren having both privately expressed serious concern over the condition. One Power 5 team doctor, who is privy to conference commissioner calls, says the heart condition is a primary topic during discussions. “We discuss it on every call,” the doctor says under the condition of anonymity.
One team doctor told SI that he knows of around 10 post-COVID cardiac “impacts” across college football right now. At least one player has developed an enlarged heart, according to one team’s trainer. How long these conditions will persist is unclear. But you can imagine the backlash if a player gets infected during the season and loses a chance to play professionally because his heart never quite gets back to 100 percent — or, God forbid, if a player outright dies. Asking guys to play during COVID is a bit like asking them to play wearing slightly sub-standard helmets. Will most be okay? Sure. Will everyone be okay? Maybe not. Could we have a very bad outcome that would be difficult to justify in hindsight? Yeah.
Now we wait to see what the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 do. If Nebraska wants to join the Big 12 this year, can the Big 10 stop it? If USC wants to go play in the SEC, is that okay? If worse came to worst, I assume schools could just dispense with conferences this year and go their own way. The top 16 programs in the country could cobble together a schedule in which they play 10 games against each other, say, and then the top four finishers play for the national title. We can limit exposure by reducing the number of games and focusing resources to prevent infection among those 16.
Update: This doesn’t sound like a man who’s preparing to cancel sports.


hotair--2020-08-11--Emerson: Trump, Biden in virtual tie in ... Minnesota?

Say what ?
Just two months after the killing of George Floyd set cities aflame across the country , Donald Trump has pulled into a virtual tie with Joe Biden in Minnesota — or so one pollster reports .
According to a new Emerson poll , Biden only leads 50/47 , while only a tiny percentage of voters claim to remain undecided : A new Emerson College Poll finds Minnesota is competitive again in 2020 , with 50 % of voters planning on supporting former VP Joe Biden and 47 % intending to vote for President Trump .
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voters remain undecided .
Of voters who plan to vote by mail , 91 % plan to vote for Biden , and of those who plan to vote in person , 68 % plan to vote for Trump .
President Trump ’ s approval rating amongst Minnesota voters is slightly underwater , with 46 % approval , and 51 % disapprove of his job performance , with 3 % remaining neutral .
Among independent voters , Trump ’ s approval is at 45 % approval , and 47 % disapproval .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skeptical about these results , strictly from an observational point of view .
However , this doesn ’ t appear to be much of an outlier .
RCP doesn ’ t have much on Minnesota ’ s presidential polling , but Emerson ’ s not far off from a Trafalgar poll taken a couple of weeks earlier .
The GOP-linked polling firm had a larger sample ( 1129 likely voters , compared to Emerson ’ s 733 registered voters ) , but found Biden only leading by five points , 49/44 .
Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 51/38 , which now looks like more of an outlier .
Emerson also gives us our first look at the US Senate race in Minnesota .
Former Rep. Jason Lewis has challenged interim appointment Tina Smith , and it looks like he ’ s in range of an upset as well : In the race for US Senate , the Democratic incumbent Senator Tina Smith leads by a margin similar to the Presidential race with a 3 point lead of 48 % to 45 % over the presumptive Republican challenger former Congressman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) of voters are still undecided .
Spencer Kimball , Director of the Emerson College Poll points out that “ in 2016 , the Senate races in each state were won by the same party that won the Presidential election in that state , and it appears that the same pattern might emerge in 2020.
” A win by Republicans in either race would be a huge upset ; a win in both races would be an epic takeaway from Democrats .
It would be so epic , in fact , that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I started .
Republicans haven ’ t won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006 , when Tim Pawlenty narrowly won re-election in a three-way race , 46.69/45.73 and the Independence Party picking up 6.43 % of the vote .
Since then , it ’ s hardly ever even been close .
Two years ago , Smith won the rest of her interim term by defeating Karin Housley by ten points , slightly narrower than Tim Walz ’ gubernatorial win over Republican Jeff Johnson .
The only reason the 2016 presidential election was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t turn out Barack Obama ’ s voters ; Trump only added 2,726 votes to Mitt Romney ’ s 2012 totals , while Hillary lost 178,451 votes from 2012 ’ s turnout .
Both Emerson and Trafalgar point to a much closer contest in November .
If so — and if this isn ’ t just some polling noise — then it might be due to the “ abolish the police ” push in Minneapolis and the sharp rise in crime over the last two months .
Trump and Lewis could very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deterioration of security in the Twin Cities might act to deflate enthusiasm for turnout in November .
That is the DFL ’ s power center when it comes to statewide elections , and any decline in turnout will increase the power of suburbs and “ outstate Minnesota ” in determining outcomes .
So yes , this might be an interesting year for elections in Minnesota .
I ’ d like to see more polling on these statewide races before moving Minnesota to battleground status , but I ’ d bet that Democrats might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shore up their standing here — and that ’ s not bad news for the GOP elsewhere .

Say what? Just two months after the killing of George Floyd set cities aflame across the country, Donald Trump has pulled into a virtual tie with Joe Biden in Minnesota — or so one pollster reports. According to a new Emerson poll, Biden only leads 50/47, while only a tiny percentage of voters claim to remain undecided:
A new Emerson College Poll finds Minnesota is competitive again in 2020, with 50% of voters planning on supporting former VP Joe Biden and 47% intending to vote for President Trump. While the race is close, only 3% of voters remain undecided. Of voters who plan to vote by mail, 91% plan to vote for Biden, and of those who plan to vote in person, 68% plan to vote for Trump. President Trump’s approval rating amongst Minnesota voters is slightly underwater, with 46% approval, and 51% disapprove of his job performance, with 3% remaining neutral. Among independent voters, Trump’s approval is at 45% approval, and 47% disapproval.
I’d tend to be a little skeptical about these results, strictly from an observational point of view. However, this doesn’t appear to be much of an outlier. RCP doesn’t have much on Minnesota’s presidential polling, but Emerson’s not far off from a Trafalgar poll taken a couple of weeks earlier. The GOP-linked polling firm had a larger sample (1129 likely voters, compared to Emerson’s 733 registered voters), but found Biden only leading by five points, 49/44. Fox had Biden up thirteen earlier in June, 51/38, which now looks like more of an outlier.
Emerson also gives us our first look at the US Senate race in Minnesota. Former Rep. Jason Lewis has challenged interim appointment Tina Smith, and it looks like he’s in range of an upset as well:
In the race for US Senate, the Democratic incumbent Senator Tina Smith leads by a margin similar to the Presidential race with a 3 point lead of 48% to 45% over the presumptive Republican challenger former Congressman Jason Lewis. Seven-percent (7%) of voters are still undecided. Spencer Kimball, Director of the Emerson College Poll points out that “in 2016, the Senate races in each state were won by the same party that won the Presidential election in that state, and it appears that the same pattern might emerge in 2020.”
A win by Republicans in either race would be a huge upset; a win in both races would be an epic takeaway from Democrats. It would be so epic, in fact, that it tends to reinforce the skepticism with which I started. Republicans haven’t won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006, when Tim Pawlenty narrowly won re-election in a three-way race, 46.69/45.73 and the Independence Party picking up 6.43% of the vote.
Since then, it’s hardly ever even been close. Two years ago, Smith won the rest of her interim term by defeating Karin Housley by ten points, slightly narrower than Tim Walz’ gubernatorial win over Republican Jeff Johnson. The only reason the 2016 presidential election was close here was because Hillary Clinton didn’t turn out Barack Obama’s voters; Trump only added 2,726 votes to Mitt Romney’s 2012 totals, while Hillary lost 178,451 votes from 2012’s turnout.
Both Emerson and Trafalgar point to a much closer contest in November. If so — and if this isn’t just some polling noise — then it might be due to the “abolish the police” push in Minneapolis and the sharp rise in crime over the last two months. Trump and Lewis could very well benefit from that, plus the deterioration of security in the Twin Cities might act to deflate enthusiasm for turnout in November. That is the DFL’s power center when it comes to statewide elections, and any decline in turnout will increase the power of suburbs and “outstate Minnesota” in determining outcomes.
So yes, this might be an interesting year for elections in Minnesota. I’d like to see more polling on these statewide races before moving Minnesota to battleground status, but I’d bet that Democrats might start moving resources around sooner than that to shore up their standing here — and that’s not bad news for the GOP elsewhere.


hotair--2020-08-11--NY Times editorial board: Freedom is losing in Hong Kong

Yesterday I wrote about the arrest of prominent pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong .
Lai publishes Apple Daily which is a newspaper that routinely supports protesters and is critical of the CCP .
He was arrested at his home and then 200 police officers entered his newspaper ’ s offices and searched for evidence of seditious behavior under the country ’ s new national security law .
Today the NY Times published an editorial which recounts what happened and somehow manages not to criticize President Trump ’ s reaction : Early on Monday , the police in Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the popular tabloid Apple Daily , on charges of collusion with a foreign country , one of the vaguely defined crimes under the anti-sedition law adopted this spring by Beijing .
It was the latest and clearest signal that China intends to make full use of that sweeping new legislation to stifle free expression and undermine Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy movement… What will happen next to the 71-year-old tycoon , a native of mainland China who made his fortune in apparel , is hard to predict .
The anti-sedition law is overarching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its scope , with penalties as severe as life in prison for crimes such as secession , subversion , terrorism and collusion with foreign forces .
It applies to Hong Kong residents and nonresidents alike , as well as Hong Kongers living abroad .
And it allows for certain cases to be tried behind closed doors in mainland China , where courts are obedient to the ruling party… On Friday , after pro-democracy candidates were disqualified from running for the legislative council , the Trump administration went further and ordered sanctions against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lam , the chief executive , effectively lumping them together with Communist officials on the mainland .
China promptly retaliated on Monday by sanctioning 11 Americans , including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz .
The United States also joined with Britain , Australia , Canada and New Zealand in a sharp statement charging that disqualifying candidates and postponing elections “ undermined the democratic process that has been fundamental to Hong Kong ’ s stability and prosperity.
” It is dubious that such sanctions and statements can have much effect , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel in one or the other direction due to the pandemic and probably have few assets that the other side can freeze .
Given Mr. Xi ’ s mind-set and China ’ s growing economic and military might , it is hard to imagine what actions the United States or its allies could do to help the brave people of Hong Kong .
That note of impotence gets repeated in the final paragraph : “ For now there is not much more the world can do.
” That ’ s not really true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world could do .
For instance , we could announce that instead of sanctions on a few leaders we are pulling business out of China for good .
In fact , it doesn ’ t even have to be the U.S. government that acts .
Individual businesses could take the lead .
If Apple said it was leaving China that might get the CCP ’ s attention but are people ready to start paying $ 2,500+ for an iphone ?
At the moment it seems the answer is no .
Saying there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a cop out .
Because ultimately there ’ s never anything we can do when an authoritarian communist state is intent on taking more territory .
Ultimately the only thing you can ever do in this situation is say no and , if necessary , back it up .
We ’ re not willing to do that for Hong Kong and we may come to regret that because this probably isn ’ t the last scene of this particular drama .
What will we do when China does the same thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to draw the line ?
The only thing that ’ s clear at this moment is that the answer is ‘ Not now.
’ And just like that , the relative freedom of 7.5 million people is a thing of the past .
Freedom is losing not because it can ’ t act but because it won ’ t .

Yesterday I wrote about the arrest of prominent pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. Lai publishes Apple Daily which is a newspaper that routinely supports protesters and is critical of the CCP. He was arrested at his home and then 200 police officers entered his newspaper’s offices and searched for evidence of seditious behavior under the country’s new national security law. Today the NY Times published an editorial which recounts what happened and somehow manages not to criticize President Trump’s reaction:
Early on Monday, the police in Hong Kong arrested Jimmy Lai, founder of the popular tabloid Apple Daily, on charges of collusion with a foreign country, one of the vaguely defined crimes under the anti-sedition law adopted this spring by Beijing. It was the latest and clearest signal that China intends to make full use of that sweeping new legislation to stifle free expression and undermine Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement… What will happen next to the 71-year-old tycoon, a native of mainland China who made his fortune in apparel, is hard to predict. The anti-sedition law is overarching both in the definition of crimes and in its scope, with penalties as severe as life in prison for crimes such as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. It applies to Hong Kong residents and nonresidents alike, as well as Hong Kongers living abroad. And it allows for certain cases to be tried behind closed doors in mainland China, where courts are obedient to the ruling party… On Friday, after pro-democracy candidates were disqualified from running for the legislative council, the Trump administration went further and ordered sanctions against 11 Hong Kong officials, including Carrie Lam, the chief executive, effectively lumping them together with Communist officials on the mainland. China promptly retaliated on Monday by sanctioning 11 Americans, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. The United States also joined with Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in a sharp statement charging that disqualifying candidates and postponing elections “undermined the democratic process that has been fundamental to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.” It is dubious that such sanctions and statements can have much effect, given that the officials sanctioned are not likely to travel in one or the other direction due to the pandemic and probably have few assets that the other side can freeze. Given Mr. Xi’s mind-set and China’s growing economic and military might, it is hard to imagine what actions the United States or its allies could do to help the brave people of Hong Kong.
That note of impotence gets repeated in the final paragraph: “For now there is not much more the world can do.”
That’s not really true of course. There is a lot the world could do. For instance, we could announce that instead of sanctions on a few leaders we are pulling business out of China for good. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be the U.S. government that acts. Individual businesses could take the lead. If Apple said it was leaving China that might get the CCP’s attention but are people ready to start paying $2,500+ for an iphone? At the moment it seems the answer is no.
Saying there’s not much we can do is a cop out. Because ultimately there’s never anything we can do when an authoritarian communist state is intent on taking more territory. Ultimately the only thing you can ever do in this situation is say no and, if necessary, back it up.
We’re not willing to do that for Hong Kong and we may come to regret that because this probably isn’t the last scene of this particular drama. What will we do when China does the same thing to Taiwan? Where are we actually willing to draw the line? The only thing that’s clear at this moment is that the answer is ‘Not now.’ And just like that, the relative freedom of 7.5 million people is a thing of the past. Freedom is losing not because it can’t act but because it won’t.


hotair--2020-08-11--Civilian militias are no replacement for the police

Glenn Reynolds ( a.k.a .
The Blogfather ) has a word of warning this week for those who may feel that armed civilian militias roaming the streets of America ’ s cities are an improvement over the police .
The short version is , be careful what you wish for .
Glenn starts out by relating some of the stories that came to us from the CHOP Zone in Seattle as the protests and riots dragged on over the course of the late spring and early summer .
Filling the vacuum left by the cops after the Mayor had them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were supposedly there to help keep order .
Far from it .
Looting and assaults were commonplace and tactics reminiscent of the mafia quickly emerged .
One shopkeeper told of how he had been literally paying protection money to a self-styled “ guard ” who would keep his store safe , but that didn ’ t work out very well .
Even the guard was alarmed by and afraid of Antifa and their armed presence in the zone .
But that ’ s the overriding message that history has taught us and Reynolds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of real police , the public will turn where they must for some sort of security .
Failing that , they ’ ll take on the roles of judge , jury and executioner themselves or seek the protections of others willing to do so .
When the government doesn ’ t provide order , people either organize themselves or they pay organized crime for protection .
And while people complain — rightly — that police often fail to observe due process , armed neighborhood groups and mobsters are unlikely to do better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Minneapolis ’ s neighborhood patrols , you can see that : “ ‘ It got to the point where crime had no consequences , ’ said Tania Rivera , 30 , who runs a child-care center with her mother .
‘ It was being done deliberately out in the open .
Drive-through drug dealing , drive-through prostitution , everything from gunshots to assaults to sex out in the public .
Everything you didn ’ t want your neighborhood to look like.
’ So after a number of community meetings , neighbors began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocks of their street , first with trash cans , then debris .
For a while , a boat on a trailer protected one intersection .
Eventually , a nearby iron maker constructed a permanent gate .
I don ’ t want to conflate what Reynolds is discussing here with the presence of organized , peaceful militias who participate in protests around the country .
I don ’ t care if you ’ re talking about conservative groups or BLM activists .
If you have identified yourselves as licensed firearm owners who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that .
And if you are put in a position where you have to defend yourselves because there are no law enforcement officers around to maintain order , that ’ s also your right .
I ’ ve heard from many liberal contacts on social media who keep waiting for conservatives to complain about Black militia members marching at protests while carrying .
But I ’ ve yet to hear one serious conservative who supports the Second Amendment complaining .
Liberals simply seem to assume that we ’ re going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As long as everyone colors inside of the lines , I say the more the merrier .
But as I noted above , none of these activities are any replacement for the actual police when things go pear-shaped .
Reynold also notes that in times when there were no police to call on , fed-up citizens would being administering street justice on their own terms .
Such vigilante activity rarely offered much “ justice ” for the accused and it frequently went very badly for them .
We used to know what a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a lesson we seem to have forgotten over the generations , but we ’ re being reminded of it yet again in 2020 by the mobs taking over the streets .
And it ’ s not a pretty picture .

Glenn Reynolds (a.k.a. The Blogfather) has a word of warning this week for those who may feel that armed civilian militias roaming the streets of America’s cities are an improvement over the police. The short version is, be careful what you wish for.
Glenn starts out by relating some of the stories that came to us from the CHOP Zone in Seattle as the protests and riots dragged on over the course of the late spring and early summer. Filling the vacuum left by the cops after the Mayor had them pull back, were armed groups who were supposedly there to help keep order. Far from it. Looting and assaults were commonplace and tactics reminiscent of the mafia quickly emerged. One shopkeeper told of how he had been literally paying protection money to a self-styled “guard” who would keep his store safe, but that didn’t work out very well. Even the guard was alarmed by and afraid of Antifa and their armed presence in the zone.
But that’s the overriding message that history has taught us and Reynolds highlights these facts nicely. In the absence of real police, the public will turn where they must for some sort of security. Failing that, they’ll take on the roles of judge, jury and executioner themselves or seek the protections of others willing to do so.
When the government doesn’t provide order, people either organize themselves or they pay organized crime for protection. And while people complain — rightly — that police often fail to observe due process, armed neighborhood groups and mobsters are unlikely to do better. In a Wall Street Journal article on Minneapolis’s neighborhood patrols, you can see that: “‘It got to the point where crime had no consequences,’ said Tania Rivera, 30, who runs a child-care center with her mother. ‘It was being done deliberately out in the open. Drive-through drug dealing, drive-through prostitution, everything from gunshots to assaults to sex out in the public. Everything you didn’t want your neighborhood to look like.’ So after a number of community meetings, neighbors began constructing a barrier to close off two blocks of their street, first with trash cans, then debris. For a while, a boat on a trailer protected one intersection. Eventually, a nearby iron maker constructed a permanent gate.
I don’t want to conflate what Reynolds is discussing here with the presence of organized, peaceful militias who participate in protests around the country. I don’t care if you’re talking about conservative groups or BLM activists. If you have identified yourselves as licensed firearm owners who are lawfully carrying, I have zero issues with that. And if you are put in a position where you have to defend yourselves because there are no law enforcement officers around to maintain order, that’s also your right.
I’ve heard from many liberal contacts on social media who keep waiting for conservatives to complain about Black militia members marching at protests while carrying. But I’ve yet to hear one serious conservative who supports the Second Amendment complaining. Liberals simply seem to assume that we’re going to be upset about it. Not so. As long as everyone colors inside of the lines, I say the more the merrier.
But as I noted above, none of these activities are any replacement for the actual police when things go pear-shaped. Reynold also notes that in times when there were no police to call on, fed-up citizens would being administering street justice on their own terms. Such vigilante activity rarely offered much “justice” for the accused and it frequently went very badly for them. We used to know what a world without police looked like. It’s a lesson we seem to have forgotten over the generations, but we’re being reminded of it yet again in 2020 by the mobs taking over the streets. And it’s not a pretty picture.


Breaking: It's Harris

I thought it would be , although I didn ’ t think the announcement would happen this afternoon .
Why not wait until morning ?
Answer , I assume : Because he thought the news would leak .
Once he ’ d decided , he had to come clean .
I think , as the reporting emerges , we ’ ll find that Susan Rice was the only other candidate seriously considered .
Why Harris ?
Because she was the “ safe ” pick and Biden has played it safe at every turn of the campaign .
If he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had to answer questions about the VP ’ s experience ( Abrams , Demings , Whitmer ) or radicalism ( Warren , Bass ) .
Harris is a senator and leftish but not scary-left like Warren .
She ’ ll adopt whatever ideology she needs to in the name of getting elected .
Rice , meanwhile , would have set righties barking about Benghazi , unmasking , the Iran nuclear deal , on and on .
It would have given Trump a rare opportunity during this campaign to go on offense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ VP nominee ’ s most important job is to do no harm .
Harris does the least harm .
Biden made the safe play .
More soon .
Stand by for updates .
Update : The VP ’ s second-most important job is to be effective in the vice-presidential debate .
I wonder if Harris ’ s attack on Biden in the first Democratic debate actually helped her in that regard .
She can slash when she wants to .
Biden ’ s going to have her slashing at Trump and Pence now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Update : Michael Brendan Dougherty ’ s right that this was no-win for Biden in one sense .
A younger nominee in better health could pick virtually everyone and not have voters worry .
Biden isn ’ t that nominee .
You can ’ t see a video of Biden these days without thinking : “ His veep pick really matters !
” One poll shows that more than half the public believes Biden will not serve the full length of his first term .
And I think this means it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick .
Someone who has too large a profile will look too much like a president-in-waiting and overshadow Biden .
Someone without a large profile , or too far to his left , will make Biden look like he ’ s taking the risk of marooning the country with a president who doesn ’ t have legitimacy .
Forced to choose between those options , he chose the one that won ’ t potentially cost him votes due to the VP being perceived as not ready for primetime .
He ’ d rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ overshadowed ” than lose .
Update : The also-rans are gracious in defeat : Rice has a better than even chance of being Secretary of State if Democrats regain control of the Senate , I ’ d guess .
Update : Ah , this ’ ll be fun .
Righties are digging up some the less kind things Harris had to say about Biden during the primaries .
This one ’ s of note : Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) said she believes the women who have come forward alleging that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without their consent .
“ I believe them , and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it , ” Harris told reporters at a presidential campaign stop in Nevada on Tuesday… Asked whether Biden should still run for president , Harris responded that it was up to him .
“ He ’ s going to have to make that decision for himself .
I wouldn ’ t tell him what to do , ” she said .
She ’ ll be his most ardent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
I ’ m curious to see how she walks back “ I believe them , ” though .
If the progressive default is to trust women even in a pure he said/she said situation , where neither side can produce evidence of guilt or innocence , on what basis does she retreat from that belief now ?
Update : I wonder if another factor in Harris ’ s favor was her law-enforcement pedigree .
That was a liability for her in the primary , most famously when Tulsi Gabbard tore into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s less of a liability to Biden right now when rising murder rates , looting , and whatever the hell ’ s going on in Portland today are nudging the Law And Order President back into contention in some swing states .
I thought Val Demings might be a dark-horse possibility because of her career as a cop , to give Biden a little extra crime-fighting cred .
But Harris does that to some extent too — if the left will let her .
She and Biden and stuck between wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centrists and not wanting to show them off too much lest progressives get after her again for not doing more to advance criminal justice reform .
Update : Speaking of Gabbard , I wonder if she ’ ll be deputized now as some sort of attack dog for Trump .
She ’ s always been chummy with the right ’ s nationalists and the Fox crowd despite her progressive beliefs .
She ’ s leaving Congress in six months too so she ’ s no longer beholden to Democrats .
Would she be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris for Trump ’ s benefit ?
Update : Man , the Lincoln Project really has gone full Democrat .

I thought it would be, although I didn’t think the announcement would happen this afternoon. Why not wait until morning?
Answer, I assume: Because he thought the news would leak. Once he’d decided, he had to come clean.
I think, as the reporting emerges, we’ll find that Susan Rice was the only other candidate seriously considered.
BREAKING: Joe Biden picks California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, making her the first Black woman on a major party presidential ticket. Harris, a 55-year-old first-term senator, is one of the party's most prominent figures. https://t.co/HAelD4v2ZH — The Associated Press (@AP) August 11, 2020
Why Harris? Because she was the “safe” pick and Biden has played it safe at every turn of the campaign. If he’d chosen anyone else, he would have had to answer questions about the VP’s experience (Abrams, Demings, Whitmer) or radicalism (Warren, Bass). Harris is a senator and leftish but not scary-left like Warren. She’ll adopt whatever ideology she needs to in the name of getting elected. Rice, meanwhile, would have set righties barking about Benghazi, unmasking, the Iran nuclear deal, on and on. It would have given Trump a rare opportunity during this campaign to go on offense.
You know what they say: The VP nominee’s most important job is to do no harm. Harris does the least harm. Biden made the safe play.
More soon. Stand by for updates.
Update: The VP’s second-most important job is to be effective in the vice-presidential debate. I wonder if Harris’s attack on Biden in the first Democratic debate actually helped her in that regard. She can slash when she wants to. Biden’s going to have her slashing at Trump and Pence now.
Update: There it is:
Biden website has been updated pic.twitter.com/EcCDvDDpti — Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 11, 2020
Back when Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau. I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 11, 2020
Update: Michael Brendan Dougherty’s right that this was no-win for Biden in one sense. A younger nominee in better health could pick virtually everyone and not have voters worry. Biden isn’t that nominee.
You can’t see a video of Biden these days without thinking: “His veep pick really matters!” One poll shows that more than half the public believes Biden will not serve the full length of his first term. And I think this means it’s impossible to make a “correct” pick. Someone who has too large a profile will look too much like a president-in-waiting and overshadow Biden. Someone without a large profile, or too far to his left, will make Biden look like he’s taking the risk of marooning the country with a president who doesn’t have legitimacy.
Forced to choose between those options, he chose the one that won’t potentially cost him votes due to the VP being perceived as not ready for primetime. He’d rather get elected and then worry about being “overshadowed” than lose.
Update: The also-rans are gracious in defeat:
My warmest congratulations to @KamalaHarris. I am confident Biden-Harris will prove to be a winning ticket. I will do my utmost to help them win and govern. 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/9pfJggZSV9 — Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) August 11, 2020
@KamalaHarris is a great choice for Vice President. Her tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now. 1/ pic.twitter.com/Fnv9SgWxDc — Karen Bass (@KarenBassTweets) August 11, 2020
California is better because of her work as Attorney General and stronger because of her work as Senator. Now all Americans will benefit from her work as Vice President. I will do everything I can to help her and @JoeBiden win in November. 3/3 — Karen Bass (@KarenBassTweets) August 11, 2020
Rice has a better than even chance of being Secretary of State if Democrats regain control of the Senate, I’d guess.
Update: Ah, this’ll be fun. Righties are digging up some the less kind things Harris had to say about Biden during the primaries. This one’s of note:
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said she believes the women who have come forward alleging that former Vice President Joe Biden touched them without their consent. “I believe them, and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it,” Harris told reporters at a presidential campaign stop in Nevada on Tuesday… Asked whether Biden should still run for president, Harris responded that it was up to him. “He’s going to have to make that decision for himself. I wouldn’t tell him what to do,” she said.
She’ll be his most ardent defender against Tara Reade and other accusers now. I’m curious to see how she walks back “I believe them,” though. If the progressive default is to trust women even in a pure he said/she said situation, where neither side can produce evidence of guilt or innocence, on what basis does she retreat from that belief now?
Update: I wonder if another factor in Harris’s favor was her law-enforcement pedigree. That was a liability for her in the primary, most famously when Tulsi Gabbard tore into her at a debate, but it’s less of a liability to Biden right now when rising murder rates, looting, and whatever the hell’s going on in Portland today are nudging the Law And Order President back into contention in some swing states. I thought Val Demings might be a dark-horse possibility because of her career as a cop, to give Biden a little extra crime-fighting cred. But Harris does that to some extent too — if the left will let her. She and Biden and stuck between wanting to show off her AG credentials to impress centrists and not wanting to show them off too much lest progressives get after her again for not doing more to advance criminal justice reform.
Update: Speaking of Gabbard, I wonder if she’ll be deputized now as some sort of attack dog for Trump. She’s always been chummy with the right’s nationalists and the Fox crowd despite her progressive beliefs. She’s leaving Congress in six months too so she’s no longer beholden to Democrats. Would she be willing to go back on offense against Harris for Trump’s benefit?
Update: Man, the Lincoln Project really has gone full Democrat.
Update: Heh.
NBC News: According to California state records, President Trump — while a private citizen — twice donated to Kamala Harris while she was a candidate for state AG. A total of $6,000 in 2011 and 2013 combined. Image: pic.twitter.com/rbOiMbdQ4L — Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) August 11, 2020
Update: Here’s Team Trump welcoming Harris to the race.