hotair--2020-12-01--Election rhetoric from some big-name Trumpers starting to turn sinister; <span class='red'>Update: W

Election rhetoric from some big-name Trumpers starting to turn sinister; Update: WH slams diGenova

I mean , it ’ s been sinister from the start inasmuch as the core claims of rampant election fraud have been made in bad faith , designed to delegitimize Biden and protect Trump ’ s ego rather than win in court .
But until now most of the rhetorical energy has been channeled into lawsuits .
Rudy and Jenna Ellis are aiming to appeal to the Supreme Court , Sidney Powell ’ s going to expose the great Venezuelan election scam with her “ Kraken ” complaints , and so forth .
The allegations may be bogus but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by litigating them in a courtroom , is perfectly fair .
But inevitably we ’ ll reach the point where all legal options have been exhausted .
SCOTUS either won ’ t hear Giuliani ’ s appeal or they ’ ll laugh him out of court .
Powell ’ s lawsuit will end up being tossed in Georgia .
What happens to the “ fight ” when lawsuits aren ’ t working ?
Maybe nothing .
Maybe Trump just keeps filing lawsuits all the way up to Inauguration Day ( or beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand on .
He has an incentive to do so : This legal battle has turned into a very lucrative grift for him , raising more than $ 150 million online since Election Day ostensibly for his “ Official Election Defense Fund ” but in reality for the RNC , the Trump campaign , and for his new Super PAC .
If he keeps this up for another month or two he might crack half a billion dollars .
Which would be fine if that ’ s all this was , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s White House sources ( which I don ’ t ) , the president himself knows that he ’ s lost but is keeping up appearances partly because he doesn ’ t want to face the hard truth but partly too because of the money pouring in .
The flaw in wanting to keep this “ election fraud ” kabuki going because it ’ s a sweet payday , though , is that lots of people don ’ t realize it ’ s kabuki .
They believe it sincerely and some have concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intolerable for the country to allow such an audacious crime to go unpunished by swearing in Biden on the 20th .
And so , as the legal options fade , true believers will start getting noisier about extra-legal solutions .
That seems to have picked up in the last 24 hours , starting with this pungent comment from Trump lawyer Joe diGenova yesterday : Attorney Lin Wood , a favorite of Sidney Powell fans , seems to be done with courtrooms as well : Eric Metaxas insists that Jesus is on Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s willing to “ die ” if it comes to that : If Biden ends up being sworn in on January 20 , asks Jonathan Last , will Metaxas conclude that Jesus was on Biden ’ s side all along ?
Some of the rhetoric isn ’ t explicitly violent so much as fascist , whether vaguely or overtly .
Last night Lou Dobbs had Powell on and argued that Trump should take “ drastic action , dramatic action ” to expose the alleged crimes that have been committed during the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t want to do it , if the FBI can not do it , then we have to find other resources within the federal government.
” I don ’ t know what “ other resources ” he has in mind but maybe this deep thought retweeted by Powell provides a clue : That ’ s where we are today , segueing predictably from “ we ’ ll overturn this election in court ” to “ we ’ ll overturn this election by any means necessary ” as the court battles reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s case .
People like Chris Krebs and entities like Dominion Voting Systems have been admirably patient as this tidal wave of demagoguery crashes down on them day after day but it may be time for them to pursue some legal remedies of their own : There ’ s no appeal to decency that ’ ll make a demagogue stop .
If you want to stop them , you have to make it costly for them to continue to defame and threaten you .
Once the election lawyers are done defeating Giuliani and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some pro bono defamation work Krebs ’ s way .
Dominion , I assume , can take care of itself .

I mean, it’s been sinister from the start inasmuch as the core claims of rampant election fraud have been made in bad faith, designed to delegitimize Biden and protect Trump’s ego rather than win in court. But until now most of the rhetorical energy has been channeled into lawsuits. Rudy and Jenna Ellis are aiming to appeal to the Supreme Court, Sidney Powell’s going to expose the great Venezuelan election scam with her “Kraken” complaints, and so forth. The allegations may be bogus but the preferred method for challenging the election results, by litigating them in a courtroom, is perfectly fair.
But inevitably we’ll reach the point where all legal options have been exhausted. SCOTUS either won’t hear Giuliani’s appeal or they’ll laugh him out of court. Powell’s lawsuit will end up being tossed in Georgia. What happens to the “fight” when lawsuits aren’t working?
Maybe nothing. Maybe Trump just keeps filing lawsuits all the way up to Inauguration Day (or beyond?) knowing he has no leg to stand on. He has an incentive to do so: This legal battle has turned into a very lucrative grift for him, raising more than $150 million online since Election Day ostensibly for his “Official Election Defense Fund” but in reality for the RNC, the Trump campaign, and for his new Super PAC. If he keeps this up for another month or two he might crack half a billion dollars.
Which would be fine if that’s all this was, a scam. If you believe CNN’s White House sources (which I don’t), the president himself knows that he’s lost but is keeping up appearances partly because he doesn’t want to face the hard truth but partly too because of the money pouring in. The flaw in wanting to keep this “election fraud” kabuki going because it’s a sweet payday, though, is that lots of people don’t realize it’s kabuki. They believe it sincerely and some have concluded as a result that it would be intolerable for the country to allow such an audacious crime to go unpunished by swearing in Biden on the 20th.
And so, as the legal options fade, true believers will start getting noisier about extra-legal solutions. That seems to have picked up in the last 24 hours, starting with this pungent comment from Trump lawyer Joe diGenova yesterday:
VIDEO of former U.S. Attorney Joe diGenova, who is now a member of the Trump legal team, saying on Newsmax that former Trump cybersecurity chief Chris Krebs “should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot.” pic.twitter.com/hbJUy76ixQ — Daniel Chaitin (@danielchaitin7) December 1, 2020
Attorney Lin Wood, a favorite of Sidney Powell fans, seems to be done with courtrooms as well:
⚠Lin Wood, a member of Trump’s legal team, stating we are headed for civil war and calling for martial law.⚠ This man is a legitimate threat to our country. pic.twitter.com/Cbv3cu4Miv — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) December 1, 2020
Eric Metaxas insists that Jesus is on Trump’s side in this and that he’s willing to “die” if it comes to that:
Conservative radio host Eric Metaxas tells Donald Trump "I'd be happy to die in this fight. This is a fight for everything. God is with us" pic.twitter.com/f4OgidBJsp — Jason Campbell (@JasonSCampbell) November 30, 2020
If Biden ends up being sworn in on January 20, asks Jonathan Last, will Metaxas conclude that Jesus was on Biden’s side all along?
Some of the rhetoric isn’t explicitly violent so much as fascist, whether vaguely or overtly. Last night Lou Dobbs had Powell on and argued that Trump should take “drastic action, dramatic action” to expose the alleged crimes that have been committed during the election and that “if the Justice Department doesn’t want to do it, if the FBI cannot do it, then we have to find other resources within the federal government.”
"This is no longer about just voter fraud or electoral fraud. This is something much bigger," Lou Dobbs said tonight, urging Trump to take "drastic action" because of "the crimes that have been committed against him and against the American people." pic.twitter.com/968kR6nMp8 — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 1, 2020
I don’t know what “other resources” he has in mind but maybe this deep thought retweeted by Powell provides a clue:
Donald Trump's former lawyer literally retweets a call for a coup and "military tribunals" in the United States instead of recognizing the results of the 2020 election pic.twitter.com/HazZvXrixW — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) December 1, 2020
That’s where we are today, segueing predictably from “we’ll overturn this election in court” to “we’ll overturn this election by any means necessary” as the court battles reveal there’s nothing to Trump’s case. People like Chris Krebs and entities like Dominion Voting Systems have been admirably patient as this tidal wave of demagoguery crashes down on them day after day but it may be time for them to pursue some legal remedies of their own:
Are you worried about your safety? @SavannahGuthrie asks Christopher Krebs, the ousted cybersecurity official who has received death threats pic.twitter.com/O2nctDi8xm — TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 1, 2020
Dominion Voting Systems CEO laying out a roadmap to a successful defamation lawsuit based on easily-verified facts (eg, the use of Smartmatic software) in this WSJ op-ed.https://t.co/V8pXAx0FRF pic.twitter.com/L6FLLp4i2b — Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) December 1, 2020
There’s no appeal to decency that’ll make a demagogue stop. If you want to stop them, you have to make it costly for them to continue to defame and threaten you. Once the election lawyers are done defeating Giuliani and Powell, hopefully they’ll throw some pro bono defamation work Krebs’s way. Dominion, I assume, can take care of itself.
Update: This is a start.


hotair--2020-12-01--Another working paper finds student debt forgiveness is a 'highly regressive policy'

Last week I wrote about two different reports looking at student debt forgiveness , both of which argued it was a lousy idea .
One report argued it would a ) cost a lot of money and b ) mostly benefit people at the top who are doing relatively well .
The other report made the case that it would provide relatively little stimulus to the economy because most of the debt being forgiven was going to be paid off over decades .
So the actual savings in the form of monthly payments would only be a few hundred a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another working paper was published which came to similar conclusions .
One of the authors highlighted the bottom line on Twitter : The paper itself goes into more detail about how this works .
It turns out debt forgiveness , especially limited debt forgiveness of the kind Joe Biden has been talking about recently , doesn ’ t do much for people at the bottom because many of them already benefit from a form of debt forgiveness in the form of Income-Driven Repayment plans : While direct debt discharge has dominated many public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misses the fact that significant targeted debt forgiveness already exists in the United States for some borrowers .
Importantly for most borrowers , Income-Driven Repayment ( IDR ) plans also offer substantial loan forgiveness to low-income borrowers who have balances remaining after twenty to twenty-five years , depending on a borrowers ’ specific plan… Under current IDR plans , borrowers pay 10 or 15 percent of their discretionary income , above 150 percent of the poverty line .
After 20 or 25 years , remaining balances are forgiven .
IDR plans thus have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more general forgiveness options , IDR targets forgiveness towards lower income borrowers .
Indeed , some persistently low-income borrowers in IDR plans can end up paying nothing at all .
Borrowers who earn below 150 percent of the poverty line for the duration of repayment will end up making no payments and receiving full loan cancellation .
Hopefully you can see how forgiving $ 10,000 of what someone at the bottom of the income scale owes won ’ t help them much if they were never going to pay it anyway .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full benefit of that debt forgiveness .
Now if Democrats want to push a program that eliminates a lot of student debt , and it seems they do , there ’ s no doubt some people will benefit from that , but they ’ ll mostly be people in the top of the income scale .
You ’ re essentially handing money to people who are already doing pretty well .
In the midst of a pandemic with millions of people out of work and small businesses struggling to hang on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of billions of dollars .
Apart from being a distinctly non-progressive way to redistribute money , there are also plenty of questions about what this kind of debt forgiveness would do to future students .
Do they also get debt forgiveness at some point ?
Do they spend more on college in the expectation of not having to pay that money back ?
Does a rush of new spending drive the cost of college up even higher in the near term ?
Forgiving student debt could have a lot of secondary impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those need to be considered as well .

Last week I wrote about two different reports looking at student debt forgiveness, both of which argued it was a lousy idea. One report argued it would a) cost a lot of money and b) mostly benefit people at the top who are doing relatively well. The other report made the case that it would provide relatively little stimulus to the economy because most of the debt being forgiven was going to be paid off over decades. So the actual savings in the form of monthly payments would only be a few hundred a month for many people. Yesterday, another working paper was published which came to similar conclusions. One of the authors highlighted the bottom line on Twitter:
Our main graph shows that the average person in the bottom 10% would receive $3000 in balance forgiveness, which is only worth $1,100 in present value terms (in actual savings). Someone in the top three deciles would receive roughly $8,000 in present value terms. 2/15 pic.twitter.com/lw7vsrYaWR — Sylvain Catherine (@sc_cath) November 30, 2020
The paper itself goes into more detail about how this works. It turns out debt forgiveness, especially limited debt forgiveness of the kind Joe Biden has been talking about recently, doesn’t do much for people at the bottom because many of them already benefit from a form of debt forgiveness in the form of Income-Driven Repayment plans:
While direct debt discharge has dominated many public discussions, much of the public discourse misses the fact that significant targeted debt forgiveness already exists in the United States for some borrowers. Importantly for most borrowers, Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans also offer substantial loan forgiveness to low-income borrowers who have balances remaining after twenty to twenty-five years, depending on a borrowers’ specific plan… Under current IDR plans, borrowers pay 10 or 15 percent of their discretionary income, above 150 percent of the poverty line. After 20 or 25 years, remaining balances are forgiven. IDR plans thus have a significant forgiveness component, but unlike more general forgiveness options, IDR targets forgiveness towards lower income borrowers. Indeed, some persistently low-income borrowers in IDR plans can end up paying nothing at all. Borrowers who earn below 150 percent of the poverty line for the duration of repayment will end up making no payments and receiving full loan cancellation.
Hopefully you can see how forgiving $10,000 of what someone at the bottom of the income scale owes won’t help them much if they were never going to pay it anyway. Meanwhile, the people at the top get the full benefit of that debt forgiveness.
Now if Democrats want to push a program that eliminates a lot of student debt, and it seems they do, there’s no doubt some people will benefit from that, but they’ll mostly be people in the top of the income scale. You’re essentially handing money to people who are already doing pretty well. In the midst of a pandemic with millions of people out of work and small businesses struggling to hang on, there are arguably better ways to spend tens of billions of dollars.
Apart from being a distinctly non-progressive way to redistribute money, there are also plenty of questions about what this kind of debt forgiveness would do to future students. Do they also get debt forgiveness at some point? Do they spend more on college in the expectation of not having to pay that money back? Does a rush of new spending drive the cost of college up even higher in the near term? Forgiving student debt could have a lot of secondary impacts that aren’t all positive. Those need to be considered as well.


hotair--2020-12-01--Trump to Kemp: Call off the election, we already won! <span class='red'>Update: RNC pledges $20M to

Trump to Kemp: Call off the election, we already won! Update: RNC pledges $20M to support GOP runoff campaigns

Give the man credit for consistency — Donald Trump ’ s entire legal strategy in the post-election challenge is to call off elections .
The problem is that his arguments aren ’ t finding buyers in state legislatures .
This call is even more unsupportable than attempts to throw elector selection to state houses rather than through the popular vote , and more undermining for GOP hopes to control the Senate : First off , there are two Senate runoff races .
Trump appears to be arguing that the kind of audit he demands would put David Perdue over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a runoff against Jon Ossoff .
However , that still leaves the runoff from the open election for the other seat — where Raphael Warnock won a 31 % plurality .
In other words , “ we ” would not “ all win ” at all .
Kemp would still need to hold an election for that seat on January 5 , so exhorting him to “ call off election ” is just plain ignorant , as well as obviously self-defeating .
Next , as has been explained ad nauseam , Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks on mail-in ballots .
Their voter-ID statute required the check on both the application and the receipt of the ballot , which is then also matched against the application before submission .
At that point , the ballots are separated from the envelopes because Georgia ’ s constitution requires secret balloting .
Even if a mismatch can be found , it can ’ t be linked to a specific ballot .
There is no way to go back and redo that part of the process , and everyone knows it or should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drum is nothing but demagoguery .
The timing here couldn ’ t be more exquisitely stupid , either .
At the same time that Trump is telling Georgia it doesn ’ t need an election , the Republican Party is sending his son out to tell voters they have to get out and vote in the election his dad wants called off .
A six-figure ad buy features Don Jr telling Trump supporters that Don Sr is practically on the ballot himself : In a six-figure radio ad being released in Georgia today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s voters that the U.S. Senate — and his father ’ s accomplishments — are on the line during January ’ s special election , according to audio obtained by Axios .
Why it matters : Trump Jr. ’ s first of many advertisements in the Georgia Senate races argues the race isn ’ t just about electing the Republican incumbents , but also about preserving President Trump ’ s agenda .
… The one-minute radio ad is sponsored by a new super PAC , Save the U.S. Senate , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid growing concerns that Trump voters will boycott the Georgia Senate runoffs .
Why wouldn ’ t they boycott the election ?
Donald Sr ’ s telling them it ’ s not necessary and that their election got stolen !
As I wrote yesterday , they ’ d have been better off spending the money on a covert Donald Jr mission to take Donald Sr ’ s smartphone and Twitter app away from him .
Instead , they ’ re running ads from a gamely determined Donald Jr that have no prayer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And even worse for Don Jr , his dad ’ s making him look like a sap with MAGA-land voters for engaging in the runoffs , which won ’ t help with Don Jr ’ s own ambitions for office once his father ’ s off the stage .
Meanwhile , Democrats haven ’ t gotten this lucky since MAGA voters revolted in Alabama and nominated Roy Moore over the Trump-endorsed Luther Strange .
This time , though , it ’ s Trump himself leading them down the primrose path to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sneak the presidential Twitter device out of the Oval Office and hide it for the next few weeks .
Call it an early test for her own planned Senate run .
Update : Jim Geraghty has a reminder about the signature-matching process in Georgia : Once again , every signature of every absentee voter in Georgia was checked twice .
When a registered voter requests an absentee ballot , the signature on the ballot request is compared to the signature on the voter-registration card .
Then , when the absentee ballot arrives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absentee ballot oath envelope is compared a second time to the signature on the voter registration card and to the signature on the absentee-ballot request .
The consent decree signed earlier this year requires Georgia election officials to consult with their peers on mismatching signatures , to ensure one official isn ’ t making subjective assessments of a signature match .
“ A mail-in absentee ballot shall not be rejected unless a majority of the registrars , deputy registrars , or absentee ballot clerks reviewing the signature agree that the signature does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s signatures on file in eNet or on the absentee ballot application.
” If the absentee ballot is rejected , officials are required to notify the voter within three days with an “ opportunity to cure ” — that is , sort out whether they really are who they say they are , and work out whatever problem led to the rejection of the ballot .
Again , this has been repeated ad nauseam , and the Trump campaign has yet to produce any direct evidence of specific mismatches — and certainly not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be found to call the results into question .
Trump wants the impossible to prove the unreal or expects Kemp to prove a negative .
It ’ s absurd , and it ’ s not at all how elections or the law works .
Which is why Trump ’ s making these demands on Twitter and not in court .
Update : This is good news , but it may end up being insufficient : The Republican National Committee has sent more than 500 staffers and thousands of volunteers to Georgia for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending at least $ 20 million in the Peach State in support of GOP Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler ahead of the Jan. 5 runoffs , Fox News has learned .
An RNC official told Fox News Tuesday that in addition to the “ substantial team ” already in Georgia for the general election , they have sent additional staff and recruited volunteers to deploy the GOP ’ s “ data-driven GOTV operation.
” … “ We are barnstorming the state to turn out the vote for the January 5th runoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground is absolutely incredible , ” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told Fox News Tuesday .
“ In just a little over a week , we surpassed one and a half million voter contacts for Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue , ” McDaniel said , referring to efforts on the ground in the week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday .
Great , but they ’ re going to have to make those contacts all over again to counter Trump ’ s messaging .
And that assumes that he ’ ll stop undermining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two Republican candidates after this .
What if Trump keeps this up until January 5 ?

Give the man credit for consistency — Donald Trump’s entire legal strategy in the post-election challenge is to call off elections. The problem is that his arguments aren’t finding buyers in state legislatures. This call is even more unsupportable than attempts to throw elector selection to state houses rather than through the popular vote, and more undermining for GOP hopes to control the Senate:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1333773762374807553
First off, there are two Senate runoff races. Trump appears to be arguing that the kind of audit he demands would put David Perdue over the 50% mark, voiding the need for a runoff against Jon Ossoff. However, that still leaves the runoff from the open election for the other seat — where Raphael Warnock won a 31% plurality. In other words, “we” would not “all win” at all. Kemp would still need to hold an election for that seat on January 5, so exhorting him to “call off election” is just plain ignorant, as well as obviously self-defeating.
Next, as has been explained ad nauseam, Georgia already did not one but two signature checks on mail-in ballots. Their voter-ID statute required the check on both the application and the receipt of the ballot, which is then also matched against the application before submission. At that point, the ballots are separated from the envelopes because Georgia’s constitution requires secret balloting. Even if a mismatch can be found, it can’t be linked to a specific ballot. There is no way to go back and redo that part of the process, and everyone knows it or should know it by now. Beating this drum is nothing but demagoguery.
The timing here couldn’t be more exquisitely stupid, either. At the same time that Trump is telling Georgia it doesn’t need an election, the Republican Party is sending his son out to tell voters they have to get out and vote in the election his dad wants called off. A six-figure ad buy features Don Jr telling Trump supporters that Don Sr is practically on the ballot himself:
In a six-figure radio ad being released in Georgia today, Donald Trump Jr. tells the state’s voters that the U.S. Senate — and his father’s accomplishments — are on the line during January’s special election, according to audio obtained by Axios. Why it matters: Trump Jr.’s first of many advertisements in the Georgia Senate races argues the race isn’t just about electing the Republican incumbents, but also about preserving President Trump’s agenda. … The one-minute radio ad is sponsored by a new super PAC, Save the U.S. Senate, which was recently formed by advisers to Trump Jr. amid growing concerns that Trump voters will boycott the Georgia Senate runoffs.
Why wouldn’t they boycott the election? Donald Sr’s telling them it’s not necessary and that their election got stolen! As I wrote yesterday, they’d have been better off spending the money on a covert Donald Jr mission to take Donald Sr’s smartphone and Twitter app away from him. Instead, they’re running ads from a gamely determined Donald Jr that have no prayer of getting around Donald Sr’s demagoguery. And even worse for Don Jr, his dad’s making him look like a sap with MAGA-land voters for engaging in the runoffs, which won’t help with Don Jr’s own ambitions for office once his father’s off the stage.
Meanwhile, Democrats haven’t gotten this lucky since MAGA voters revolted in Alabama and nominated Roy Moore over the Trump-endorsed Luther Strange. This time, though, it’s Trump himself leading them down the primrose path to an unnecessary defeat. Maybe Lara Trump can sneak the presidential Twitter device out of the Oval Office and hide it for the next few weeks. Call it an early test for her own planned Senate run.
Update: Jim Geraghty has a reminder about the signature-matching process in Georgia:
Once again, every signature of every absentee voter in Georgia was checked twice. When a registered voter requests an absentee ballot, the signature on the ballot request is compared to the signature on the voter-registration card. Then, when the absentee ballot arrives to the county clerk, the signature on the absentee ballot oath envelope is compared a second time to the signature on the voter registration card and to the signature on the absentee-ballot request. The consent decree signed earlier this year requires Georgia election officials to consult with their peers on mismatching signatures, to ensure one official isn’t making subjective assessments of a signature match. “A mail-in absentee ballot shall not be rejected unless a majority of the registrars, deputy registrars, or absentee ballot clerks reviewing the signature agree that the signature does not match any of the voter’s signatures on file in eNet or on the absentee ballot application.” If the absentee ballot is rejected, officials are required to notify the voter within three days with an “opportunity to cure” — that is, sort out whether they really are who they say they are, and work out whatever problem led to the rejection of the ballot.
Again, this has been repeated ad nauseam, and the Trump campaign has yet to produce any direct evidence of specific mismatches — and certainly not the 12,700 or so that would need to be found to call the results into question. Trump wants the impossible to prove the unreal or expects Kemp to prove a negative. It’s absurd, and it’s not at all how elections or the law works. Which is why Trump’s making these demands on Twitter and not in court.
Update: This is good news, but it may end up being insufficient:
The Republican National Committee has sent more than 500 staffers and thousands of volunteers to Georgia for the holidays, and has committed to spending at least $20 million in the Peach State in support of GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler ahead of the Jan. 5 runoffs, Fox News has learned. An RNC official told Fox News Tuesday that in addition to the “substantial team” already in Georgia for the general election, they have sent additional staff and recruited volunteers to deploy the GOP’s “data-driven GOTV operation.” … “We are barnstorming the state to turn out the vote for the January 5th runoffs and the energy we are seeing on the ground is absolutely incredible,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told Fox News Tuesday. “In just a little over a week, we surpassed one and a half million voter contacts for Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue,” McDaniel said, referring to efforts on the ground in the week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Great, but they’re going to have to make those contacts all over again to counter Trump’s messaging. And that assumes that he’ll stop undermining the RNC, his own son, and the two Republican candidates after this. What if Trump keeps this up until January 5?


hotair--2020-12-01--Two more California officials caught breaking their own COVID rules

Part of me grudgingly admires the balls it takes for a public servant to flout social-distancing rules in Cali after weeks of the governor being lambasted for doing that very thing and with the state now on the brink of another lockdown , crushing businesses near and far .
There ’ s an almost exhibitionist quality to it .
Letting down your guard on social distancing is like being naked in your home and unthinkingly strolling past a window .
It ’ s embarrassing if someone outside happens to notice , but everyone can relate to an absentminded moment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you know people are watching — when the media is on the lookout for this stuff , relishing stories about official hypocrisy on COVID restrictions — is more like heading down to the park in a trenchcoat and flashing people .
Do these A-holes want to get caught ?
Are they getting a weird thrill from it , a little power trip derived from their notoriety as policymakers ?
First up : The mayor of San Jose .
The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit has learned [ Mayor Sam ] Liccardo celebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their Saratoga home with an unknown number of other guests .
While the mayor ’ s staff did confirm the dinner took place , they have not disclosed how many other people attended , how many different households were present , and whether any of those in attendance wore masks while not eating… Last week , Liccardo urged his more than 33,000 Twitter followers to cancel “ big gatherings this year ” and noted the importance of following safety protocols , even with friends and family… “ Keep your holiday gatherings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody during a November 14 virtual town hall .
“ I can not emphasize enough , gathering with friends and family who are not in your household is not safe.
” Initially Liccardo ’ s office told the media he was staying home for Thanksgiving before correcting that statement .
His spokesman then assured reporters that the Thanksgiving gathering at his parents ’ home was held outdoors and was socially distanced , but he also emphasized repeatedly that it was a “ private event — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why ?
What ’ s that got to do with the guidance about limiting holiday meals to one ’ s own household ?
The virus travels when households mix , not just when they mix in public .
Up next : Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl , who cast the deciding vote last Tuesday in ordering all outdoor dining in the county to be discontinued and who decided to celebrate that vote by heading out to Santa Monica for a little , uh , outdoor dining .
A spokesperson for Kuehl provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ She did dine al fresco at Il Forno on the very last day it was permissible .
She loves Il Forno , has been saddened to see it , like so many restaurants , suffer from a decline in revenue .
She ate there , taking appropriate precautions , and sadly will not dine there again until our Public Health Orders permit.
” During Tuesday ’ s L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting , Kuehl referred to outside dining as “ a most dangerous situation ” over what she described as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposing their servers to the coronavirus .
“ This is a serious health emergency and we must take it seriously , ” Kuehl said .
The ban on outdoor dining didn ’ t take effect until the following evening so she wasn ’ t technically breaking the rules , but obviously it ’ s idiotic and hypocritical to partake in a practice which you deem so hazardous that it needs to be banned imminently .
It reminds me of Bill de Blasio warning back in March as NYC was locking down that bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then advising New Yorkers that “ If you love your neighborhood bar , go there now ” before it closed .
One last big virus-spreading hurrah before the new rules take effect , in other words .
Evidently that was Kuehl ’ s “ logic ” in opting for a last meal outdoors at an L.A. eatery as well .
One local restaurant may have found the secret to avoiding the new restrictions .
Since California ’ s politicians evidently aren ’ t bound by the same rules as everyone else , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself to those politicians and you can stay open .
Question : Are we being too hard on people like Liccardo and Kuehl ?
My strong instinct is to say “ f*** no , we ’ re not being hard enough , ” but everyone ’ s struggling with the burdens of social distancing after nine months .
As odious as they are , our leadership class is still made up of human beings .
These people crave normalcy just as we all do and are prone to lapses just as we all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They leave the leadership class by resigning from office and we stop hounding them for their hypocrisy .
Seems like a square deal to me .
Speaking of brazenly flouting good social-distancing practices , the White House will host numerous Christmas and holiday parties this year despite the fact that multiple outbreaks have already been seeded inside that building and there are many more cases circulating in the population now than there were when Trump got infected .
Can ’ t call that hypocrisy , though : The president and his political aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t care how much the virus spreads .
So what more fitting way to end Trump ’ s presidency and the year 2020 than with a new round of COVID pox parties at the presidential mansion ?
Exit quotation from WaPo : “ Most guests will not be tested in advance , an official said .
”

Part of me grudgingly admires the balls it takes for a public servant to flout social-distancing rules in Cali after weeks of the governor being lambasted for doing that very thing and with the state now on the brink of another lockdown, crushing businesses near and far.
There’s an almost exhibitionist quality to it. Letting down your guard on social distancing is like being naked in your home and unthinkingly strolling past a window. It’s embarrassing if someone outside happens to notice, but everyone can relate to an absentminded moment. Letting down your guard on social distancing when you know people are watching — when the media is on the lookout for this stuff, relishing stories about official hypocrisy on COVID restrictions — is more like heading down to the park in a trenchcoat and flashing people.
Do these A-holes want to get caught? Are they getting a weird thrill from it, a little power trip derived from their notoriety as policymakers?
First up: The mayor of San Jose.
The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit has learned [Mayor Sam] Liccardo celebrated [Thanksgiving] with his elderly parents at their Saratoga home with an unknown number of other guests. While the mayor’s staff did confirm the dinner took place, they have not disclosed how many other people attended, how many different households were present, and whether any of those in attendance wore masks while not eating… Last week, Liccardo urged his more than 33,000 Twitter followers to cancel “big gatherings this year” and noted the importance of following safety protocols, even with friends and family… “Keep your holiday gatherings to your immediate household members only,” warned Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody during a November 14 virtual town hall. “I cannot emphasize enough, gathering with friends and family who are not in your household is not safe.”
Initially Liccardo’s office told the media he was staying home for Thanksgiving before correcting that statement. His spokesman then assured reporters that the Thanksgiving gathering at his parents’ home was held outdoors and was socially distanced, but he also emphasized repeatedly that it was a “private event — not public.” Which should matter … why? What’s that got to do with the guidance about limiting holiday meals to one’s own household? The virus travels when households mix, not just when they mix in public.
Up next: Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who cast the deciding vote last Tuesday in ordering all outdoor dining in the county to be discontinued and who decided to celebrate that vote by heading out to Santa Monica for a little, uh, outdoor dining.
A spokesperson for Kuehl provided FOX 11 the following brief statement: “She did dine al fresco at Il Forno on the very last day it was permissible. She loves Il Forno, has been saddened to see it, like so many restaurants, suffer from a decline in revenue. She ate there, taking appropriate precautions, and sadly will not dine there again until our Public Health Orders permit.” During Tuesday’s L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting, Kuehl referred to outside dining as “a most dangerous situation” over what she described as a risk of tables of unmasked patrons potentially exposing their servers to the coronavirus. “This is a serious health emergency and we must take it seriously,” Kuehl said.
The ban on outdoor dining didn’t take effect until the following evening so she wasn’t technically breaking the rules, but obviously it’s idiotic and hypocritical to partake in a practice which you deem so hazardous that it needs to be banned imminently. It reminds me of Bill de Blasio warning back in March as NYC was locking down that bars could be shuttered at any moment — and then advising New Yorkers that “If you love your neighborhood bar, go there now” before it closed. One last big virus-spreading hurrah before the new rules take effect, in other words. Evidently that was Kuehl’s “logic” in opting for a last meal outdoors at an L.A. eatery as well.
One local restaurant may have found the secret to avoiding the new restrictions. Since California’s politicians evidently aren’t bound by the same rules as everyone else, all you need to do is market yourself to those politicians and you can stay open.
This Redondo Beach restaurant has a not so subtle message for CA. Owner Alex says he’s defying LA County orders to close outdoor dining because it’s not about him, it’s about all the workers that rely on him for livelihoods, and he can’t leave them stranded right before Christmas pic.twitter.com/rRlUGlKbkR — Christina Pascucci (@ChristinaKTLA) November 29, 2020
Question: Are we being too hard on people like Liccardo and Kuehl? My strong instinct is to say “f*** no, we’re not being hard enough,” but everyone’s struggling with the burdens of social distancing after nine months. As odious as they are, our leadership class is still made up of human beings. These people crave normalcy just as we all do and are prone to lapses just as we all are.
I propose a compromise: They leave the leadership class by resigning from office and we stop hounding them for their hypocrisy. Seems like a square deal to me.
Speaking of brazenly flouting good social-distancing practices, the White House will host numerous Christmas and holiday parties this year despite the fact that multiple outbreaks have already been seeded inside that building and there are many more cases circulating in the population now than there were when Trump got infected. Can’t call that hypocrisy, though: The president and his political aides have been abundantly clear for months that they don’t care how much the virus spreads. So what more fitting way to end Trump’s presidency and the year 2020 than with a new round of COVID pox parties at the presidential mansion? Exit quotation from WaPo: “Most guests will not be tested in advance, an official said.”


hotair--2020-12-01--Atlas shrugged off? Lightning-rod Trump adviser gets an early exit

Why now ?
As Fox News reported late yesterday , Dr. Scott Atlas ’ official days at the White House as a COVID-19 adviser to Donald Trump were numbered anyway — more numbered than Trump ’ s .
Atlas resigned days ahead of the end of his assignment , providing a slightly earlier end to a controversial and contentious tenure on Trump ’ s policy squad : Dr. Scott Atlas , President Trump ’ s special adviser on the coronavirus pandemic , formally resigned from his post on Monday , Fox News has learned .
Atlas , who spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration in August , and was considered a Special Government Employee ( SGE ) , serving a 130-day detail .
Atlas ’ role is set to expire this week .
Fox News exclusively obtained Atlas ’ s resignation letter Monday , which was dated Dec. 1 .
In it , Atlas touted the Trump administration ’ s work on the coronavirus pandemic , while wishing “ all the best ” to the incoming Biden administration .
The Washington Post notes that the deadline wasn ’ t exactly hard and fast , either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 130 days if he so chose .
Given that he has fewer than 60 days left in office anyway , the move should raise some eyebrows : Although Atlas , a neuroradiologist with no infectious-disease or public health background , fell out of favor with senior White House advisers in recent weeks , he was the only medical adviser the president met with regularly for several months , according to several senior administration officials .
Trump ’ s son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner brought in Atlas , who was officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 130-day detail , which expires this week .
Aides noted , however , that the president could have extended Atlas ’ s tenure if he had desired to do so .
Neither the New York Times nor the WaPo offers any direct explanation for the early exit .
Both detail Atlas ’ controversial career as Trump ’ s key advisor in some detail , and both report that Atlas was not popular within the White House for his counterintuitive — and some would argue counter-scientific — advice to Trump about COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feuded with , Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx , both of whom had built up considerable credibility in the crisis , and whose participation lent that credibility to Trump .
When Atlas pushed the pair out of Trump ’ s orbit and became the administration ’ s public medical face of the response , he broke those credibility links as well .
That might have been the reason for his early exit now .
One hint of what might have propelled Atlas out of the Trump orbit can be found in the Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Birx and to a lesser extent with Fauci , as well as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield , former White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway and several other aides , according to another senior administration official .
“ He was the worst thing to happen to Trump in 2020 from a personnel perspective , ” said a former senior administration official who regularly sparred with Atlas , who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss a former colleague .
Did Atlas cost Trump the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among several , but being part of the chaos didn ’ t help matters , at least .
Atlas certainly makes for a high-profile scapegoat for a Trump loss , especially for Trump himself , who seems unable to process his defeat at the polls .
Perhaps this is an early step toward doing just that .
Of course , this might be no more than a personnel move to ease the transition to Joe Biden ’ s COVID-19 team over the next eight weeks .
Even that , though , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is drawing to a close .
It would also serve as a tacit admission that Atlas is far more trouble than he is worth even for the short period still left for Trump to manage this crisis .
Too bad Trump didn ’ t stick with Fauci and Birx in the first place .

Why now? As Fox News reported late yesterday, Dr. Scott Atlas’ official days at the White House as a COVID-19 adviser to Donald Trump were numbered anyway — more numbered than Trump’s. Atlas resigned days ahead of the end of his assignment, providing a slightly earlier end to a controversial and contentious tenure on Trump’s policy squad:
Dr. Scott Atlas, President Trump’s special adviser on the coronavirus pandemic, formally resigned from his post on Monday, Fox News has learned. Atlas, who spoke with the president on Monday, joined the administration in August, and was considered a Special Government Employee (SGE), serving a 130-day detail. Atlas’ role is set to expire this week. Fox News exclusively obtained Atlas’s resignation letter Monday, which was dated Dec. 1. In it, Atlas touted the Trump administration’s work on the coronavirus pandemic, while wishing “all the best” to the incoming Biden administration.
https://twitter.com/ScottWAtlas/status/1333574072756682752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1333574072756682752%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2020%2F11%2F30%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fscott-atlas-trump-coronavirus-adviser-resigns.html
The Washington Post notes that the deadline wasn’t exactly hard and fast, either. Trump could have extended it for another 130 days if he so chose. Given that he has fewer than 60 days left in office anyway, the move should raise some eyebrows:
Although Atlas, a neuroradiologist with no infectious-disease or public health background, fell out of favor with senior White House advisers in recent weeks, he was the only medical adviser the president met with regularly for several months, according to several senior administration officials. Trump’s son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner brought in Atlas, who was officially made a special government employee this summer with a 130-day detail, which expires this week. Aides noted, however, that the president could have extended Atlas’s tenure if he had desired to do so.
Neither the New York Times nor the WaPo offers any direct explanation for the early exit. Both detail Atlas’ controversial career as Trump’s key advisor in some detail, and both report that Atlas was not popular within the White House for his counterintuitive — and some would argue counter-scientific — advice to Trump about COVID-19. Atlas eclipsed, and also publicly feuded with, Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, both of whom had built up considerable credibility in the crisis, and whose participation lent that credibility to Trump. When Atlas pushed the pair out of Trump’s orbit and became the administration’s public medical face of the response, he broke those credibility links as well.
That might have been the reason for his early exit now. One hint of what might have propelled Atlas out of the Trump orbit can be found in the Post’s report:
He fought fiercely with Birx and to a lesser extent with Fauci, as well as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, former White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway and several other aides, according to another senior administration official. “He was the worst thing to happen to Trump in 2020 from a personnel perspective,” said a former senior administration official who regularly sparred with Atlas, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss a former colleague.
Did Atlas cost Trump the election? He may have been one factor among several, but being part of the chaos didn’t help matters, at least. Atlas certainly makes for a high-profile scapegoat for a Trump loss, especially for Trump himself, who seems unable to process his defeat at the polls. Perhaps this is an early step toward doing just that.
Of course, this might be no more than a personnel move to ease the transition to Joe Biden’s COVID-19 team over the next eight weeks. Even that, though, would be a recognition that Trump’s time is drawing to a close. It would also serve as a tacit admission that Atlas is far more trouble than he is worth even for the short period still left for Trump to manage this crisis. Too bad Trump didn’t stick with Fauci and Birx in the first place.


hotair--2020-12-01--Biden's inaugural committee will accept big bucks from corporations... but none from this industry

Joe Biden ’ s newly formed inaugural committee was announced on Monday .
The challenge is how to put on a presidential inauguration during a pandemic .
The committee will accept donations from individuals up to $ 500,000 and corporate donations up to $ 1 million .
Is the Democrat Party the party of millionaires and billionaires now ?
I ’ m old enough to remember when Democrats eagerly criticized Republican presidential inaugural committees for big-money donations .
President Trump ’ s inaugural committee even drew multiple investigations , including from the US Attorney ’ s office in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Oversight Committee .
I ’ m sure everything will be totally legit with million-dollar corporate donations floating around for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ’ s inauguration festivities , right ?
And those individuals contributing $ 500,000 probably aren ’ t expecting any quid pro quo either .
In order to stay woke , though , the incoming administration will maintain its ban on anything having to do with the fossil fuel industry .
No contributions will be accepted from fossil fuel companies , their executives , and political action committees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foreign agents .
This is a continuation of the rules put in place by Biden during the campaign .
Initially , a limit of $ 100,000 was announced but that was later explained as the limit allowed by the ActBlue fundraising platform that the inaugural committee is using for online donations .
The inaugural committee didn ’ t set that limit .
During the campaign a ban on donations from registered lobbyists and foreign agents , and anything over $ 200 from fossil fuel company employees.was in place .
The new ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ fossil fuel companies ( i.e.
, companies whose primary business is the extraction , processing , distribution or sale of oil , gas or coal ) , their executives , or from PACs organized by them.
” But , by allowing million-dollar corporate donations from other industries , a green light has been given for businesses to come out and show their support for the Biden-Harris administration .
While most workers in the oil and gas industry tend to be conservative voters , executives and upper management of the big oil companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that looks to be heading for the White House .
It ’ s a business decision .
In this case , though , the oil and gas executives must know if they support the Biden-Harris administration , they are supporting renewed restrictions and regulations , probably even more so than what happened during the Obama-Biden administration .
The Obama-Biden administration did their best to completely cripple the fossil fuel industry .
With the industry already struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic and less fuel being consumed , the last thing the industry needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show again .
The fossil fuel industry has been a part of finding alternative energy solutions for many years , by the way , yet to hear the woke crowd disparage fossil fuel executives as criminals destroying the planet , you wouldn ’ t know that .
But , in the case of Status Quo Joe , it ’ s all about appearance so as not to upset the far-left .
If it makes Democrats feel better to pick winners and losers in industry , that is what they will do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced .
As with other personnel announcements , Biden is sticking with keeping those familiar to him close by .
The Biden team is preening about setting limits on corporate contributions and the media is happy to contrast that decision to the Trump inauguration committee ’ s decision to not limit contributions .
There probably isn ’ t a need to raise such a large amount of money this time since the festivities will have to be scaled back to accommodate mitigation orders in place for the coronavirus pandemic .
It seems a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way to lecture about taking safety precautions against the spread of the virus , because he thinks it makes him look better than Trump , yet he is continuing on with inauguration activities .
Shouldn ’ t such a self-righteous scold just cancel the celebrations until the pandemic leaves us ?
Has science changed ?
Incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain says the inauguration may be planned more like the Democrat convention was planned to accommodate the pandemic – with virtual events .
I don ’ t know if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was truly dreadful .
“ They ’ re going to try to have an inauguration that honors the importance and the symbolic meaning of the moment , but also does not result in the spread of disease .
That ’ s our goal , ” Klain said during a Nov. 22 appearance on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ You know , we ran a very effective and I think engaging Democratic convention this year in August , in a way that was safe for the people to participate and watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the American people , ” Klain added .
Joe Biden is finally getting his presidential inauguration , after three attempts and several decades of trying to become president , and now he ’ s limited by a pandemic .
If “ containing ” the virus is his top priority and he ’ s going to tackle it on Day One , as he has pledged to do , it seems odd that he ’ s moving forward on public celebrations .
I guess only Trump celebrations and events are the ones that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ?

Joe Biden’s newly formed inaugural committee was announced on Monday. The challenge is how to put on a presidential inauguration during a pandemic. The committee will accept donations from individuals up to $500,000 and corporate donations up to $1 million. Is the Democrat Party the party of millionaires and billionaires now?
I’m old enough to remember when Democrats eagerly criticized Republican presidential inaugural committees for big-money donations. President Trump’s inaugural committee even drew multiple investigations, including from the US Attorney’s office in New York’s Southern District and from the House Oversight Committee. I’m sure everything will be totally legit with million-dollar corporate donations floating around for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s inauguration festivities, right? And those individuals contributing $500,000 probably aren’t expecting any quid pro quo either.
In order to stay woke, though, the incoming administration will maintain its ban on anything having to do with the fossil fuel industry. No contributions will be accepted from fossil fuel companies, their executives, and political action committees. Also banned from contributing are registered lobbyists and foreign agents. This is a continuation of the rules put in place by Biden during the campaign. Initially, a limit of $100,000 was announced but that was later explained as the limit allowed by the ActBlue fundraising platform that the inaugural committee is using for online donations. The inaugural committee didn’t set that limit.
During the campaign a ban on donations from registered lobbyists and foreign agents, and anything over $200 from fossil fuel company employees.was in place. The new ban goes further by including a ban on “fossil fuel companies (i.e., companies whose primary business is the extraction, processing, distribution or sale of oil, gas or coal), their executives, or from PACs organized by them.” But, by allowing million-dollar corporate donations from other industries, a green light has been given for businesses to come out and show their support for the Biden-Harris administration. While most workers in the oil and gas industry tend to be conservative voters, executives and upper management of the big oil companies often support whichever side of the aisle that looks to be heading for the White House. It’s a business decision. In this case, though, the oil and gas executives must know if they support the Biden-Harris administration, they are supporting renewed restrictions and regulations, probably even more so than what happened during the Obama-Biden administration. The Obama-Biden administration did their best to completely cripple the fossil fuel industry. With the industry already struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic and less fuel being consumed, the last thing the industry needs is over zealous climate change scolds running the show again.
The fossil fuel industry has been a part of finding alternative energy solutions for many years, by the way, yet to hear the woke crowd disparage fossil fuel executives as criminals destroying the planet, you wouldn’t know that. But, in the case of Status Quo Joe, it’s all about appearance so as not to upset the far-left . If it makes Democrats feel better to pick winners and losers in industry, that is what they will do.
The committee’s leadership team was announced. As with other personnel announcements, Biden is sticking with keeping those familiar to him close by.
Also on Monday, the Biden transition announced the leadership team for the inaugural committee. Tony Allen, the president of Delaware State University, a prominent historically black college, was named chief executive officer of the committee. Former Biden campaign senior advisor and chief operating officer Manu Varghese will serve as the executive director, joined by two deputy executive directors: Erin Wilson, a former Biden campaign aide, and Yvanna Cancela, a Nevada state senator.
The Biden team is preening about setting limits on corporate contributions and the media is happy to contrast that decision to the Trump inauguration committee’s decision to not limit contributions.
Biden’s new fundraising rules represent a stark departure from the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Biden’s predecessor. Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee placed no limits on the amount of money corporations and individuals were permitted to donate, as long as they were not foreign. As a result, Trump raised a staggering $107 million for his inaugural events, which included three official inaugural balls and a bevy of VIP events in and around Trump’s Washington, D.C. hotel.
There probably isn’t a need to raise such a large amount of money this time since the festivities will have to be scaled back to accommodate mitigation orders in place for the coronavirus pandemic. It seems a bit ironic that Biden goes out of his way to lecture about taking safety precautions against the spread of the virus, because he thinks it makes him look better than Trump, yet he is continuing on with inauguration activities. Shouldn’t such a self-righteous scold just cancel the celebrations until the pandemic leaves us? Has science changed?
Incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain says the inauguration may be planned more like the Democrat convention was planned to accommodate the pandemic – with virtual events. I don’t know if you watched any of that convention but it was truly dreadful.
“They’re going to try to have an inauguration that honors the importance and the symbolic meaning of the moment, but also does not result in the spread of disease. That’s our goal,” Klain said during a Nov. 22 appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” “You know, we ran a very effective and I think engaging Democratic convention this year in August, in a way that was safe for the people to participate and watch it, in a way that communicates with the American people,” Klain added.
Joe Biden is finally getting his presidential inauguration, after three attempts and several decades of trying to become president, and now he’s limited by a pandemic. If “containing” the virus is his top priority and he’s going to tackle it on Day One, as he has pledged to do, it seems odd that he’s moving forward on public celebrations. I guess only Trump celebrations and events are the ones that must be condemned as potential superspreaders, right?


hotair--2020-12-01--Manchin: Ocasio-Cortez? The congresswoman from Twitter-01?

On one hand , Joe Manchin ’ s riposte to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez amounts to a sick burn in the Beltway .
However , Manchin might end up surprised to find out that Twitter matters more than the Beltway does to more Americans than the other way around .
The New York Times caught up with the man most likely to be the pivot point of the US Senate , and Manchin wasted few words in skewering Ocasio-Cortez for her attempt to criticize his position against “ defund the police.
” In case you ’ ve forgotten , here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago ( via Leah Barkoukis ) : When asked , Manchin told the NYT that not only hasn ’ t he ever met Ocasio-Cortez , but that he hears she hasn ’ t met any hard work on Capitol Hill yet , either : “ I guess she put the dagger stare on me , ” Mr. Manchin said .
“ I don ’ t know the young lady — I really don ’ t .
I never met her .
I ’ m understanding she ’ s not that active with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more active on Twitter than anything else.
” That amounts to a sharp insult in a chamber where legislative prowess is prized .
Mr. Manchin said he would stand firm against the agenda that the left flank of his party is pushing .
Zing !
Not that the senator from West Virginia is wrong to call AOC a dilettante , but … well , he ’ s not wrong at all .
He might just be missing the point .
These days , who really gets impressed by legislation ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideological warfare , and desperate resorts to the Supreme Court for actual legislating rather than taking tough votes on important issues .
Getting a House seat is a springboard to a Twitter career , not the other way around .
I ’ m no fan of Oliver Cromwell , but one does at times have a faint sympathy for his “ you are no Parliament ” sentiment .
That , however , is what Manchin wants to change .
Having come to the realization early that “ this place sucks , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the institution — and with the leverage to make it work again , or so he believes : Now , with President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. preparing to govern from the middle in a Congress whose thin majorities will force him to compromise on almost every priority , Mr. Manchin , a centrist , suddenly finds himself at the center of relevance in the nation ’ s capital .
… “ I think we have a golden opportunity to bring the country back together and for us to work in the middle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll tell you the reason why : The numbers are so close with what the Democratic House members lost .
For Nancy Pelosi , she ’ s going to have to work with people that have a more moderate view than some of the people that pushed her from the left.
” If Democrats are able to win two runoffs in Georgia in January and take control of the Senate , any plans to enact a liberal agenda — such as increasing the number of Supreme Court justices — will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if Republicans win at least one of the Georgia races , allowing them to maintain Senate control , they will need centrists in both parties to help block progressive items or pass compromise legislation .
That is the situation that Mr. Manchin said he considered more likely .
He is already preparing for a power dynamic that he asserted would give him and three moderate Republicans — Susan Collins of Maine , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah — a big role in determining what happens at the dawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Color me skeptical .
Manchin ’ s correct here too , but again seems to be missing the point .
Pelosi keeps talking about the election results as a progressive mandate and wants to double down on her agenda with that 9-seat majority .
Just as she was for months on the COVID-19 relief package , Pelosi ’ s more interested in virtue signaling to the progressive elites than in compromising with centrists .
One could make a similar case about both Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell ( signaling to the other pole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge donations , while compromises leaves those coffers empty .
Perhaps Manchin will succeed where others have failed .
The razor-thin majorities in both chambers certainly provide him a good opportunity to test his theories .
But perhaps he should start thinking about a Twitter career as a solid backup to his current one .

On one hand, Joe Manchin’s riposte to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez amounts to a sick burn in the Beltway. However, Manchin might end up surprised to find out that Twitter matters more than the Beltway does to more Americans than the other way around. The New York Times caught up with the man most likely to be the pivot point of the US Senate, and Manchin wasted few words in skewering Ocasio-Cortez for her attempt to criticize his position against “defund the police.”
In case you’ve forgotten, here’s the oh-so-substantive response AOC gave Manchin three weeks ago (via Leah Barkoukis):
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1326969135826427906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1326969135826427906%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftownhall.com%2Ftipsheet%2Fleahbarkoukis%2F2020%2F12%2F01%2Fmanchin-hits-back-at-aoc-after-viral-photo-n2580864
When asked, Manchin told the NYT that not only hasn’t he ever met Ocasio-Cortez, but that he hears she hasn’t met any hard work on Capitol Hill yet, either:
“I guess she put the dagger stare on me,” Mr. Manchin said. “I don’t know the young lady — I really don’t. I never met her. I’m understanding she’s not that active with her bills or in committee. She’s more active on Twitter than anything else.” That amounts to a sharp insult in a chamber where legislative prowess is prized. Mr. Manchin said he would stand firm against the agenda that the left flank of his party is pushing.
Zing! Not that the senator from West Virginia is wrong to call AOC a dilettante, but … well, he’s not wrong at all. He might just be missing the point. These days, who really gets impressed by legislation? It’s all posturing, zingers, ideological warfare, and desperate resorts to the Supreme Court for actual legislating rather than taking tough votes on important issues. Getting a House seat is a springboard to a Twitter career, not the other way around. I’m no fan of Oliver Cromwell, but one does at times have a faint sympathy for his “you are no Parliament” sentiment.
That, however, is what Manchin wants to change. Having come to the realization early that “this place sucks,” he suddenly finds himself in the center of the institution — and with the leverage to make it work again, or so he believes:
Now, with President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. preparing to govern from the middle in a Congress whose thin majorities will force him to compromise on almost every priority, Mr. Manchin, a centrist, suddenly finds himself at the center of relevance in the nation’s capital. … “I think we have a golden opportunity to bring the country back together and for us to work in the middle,” Mr. Manchin said excitedly. “I’ll tell you the reason why: The numbers are so close with what the Democratic House members lost. For Nancy Pelosi, she’s going to have to work with people that have a more moderate view than some of the people that pushed her from the left.” If Democrats are able to win two runoffs in Georgia in January and take control of the Senate, any plans to enact a liberal agenda — such as increasing the number of Supreme Court justices — will have to go through Mr. Manchin. Likewise, if Republicans win at least one of the Georgia races, allowing them to maintain Senate control, they will need centrists in both parties to help block progressive items or pass compromise legislation. That is the situation that Mr. Manchin said he considered more likely. He is already preparing for a power dynamic that he asserted would give him and three moderate Republicans — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah — a big role in determining what happens at the dawn of Mr. Biden’s presidency.
Color me skeptical. Manchin’s correct here too, but again seems to be missing the point. Pelosi keeps talking about the election results as a progressive mandate and wants to double down on her agenda with that 9-seat majority. Just as she was for months on the COVID-19 relief package, Pelosi’s more interested in virtue signaling to the progressive elites than in compromising with centrists. One could make a similar case about both Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell (signaling to the other pole, of course). Posturing nets huge donations, while compromises leaves those coffers empty.
Perhaps Manchin will succeed where others have failed. The razor-thin majorities in both chambers certainly provide him a good opportunity to test his theories. But perhaps he should start thinking about a Twitter career as a solid backup to his current one.


hotair--2020-12-02--Breaking: UK first country to approve clinically-tested COVID-19 vaccine; w

Breaking: UK first country to approve clinically-tested COVID-19 vaccine; where's the FDA?

“ It ’ s the beginning of the end of the pandemic , ” says the inventor of the Pfizer vaccine .
The months-long race to find a way to immunize the world has reached its finish line , and the United Kingdom gets to break the tape .
Brits will start queuing up next week for vaccinations after Pfizer got emergency-use approval from the government : The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine , paving the way for mass vaccination .
Britain ’ s medicines regulator , the MHRA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 95 % protection against Covid-19 illness , is safe to be rolled out .
The first 800,000 doses will be available in the UK from next week , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said .
Boris Johnson offered his thanks in Parliament , noting that this will finally begin the process of getting back to normal .
It capped off a series of happy announcements from government officials , who both cheered the vaccine and exhorted the public to trust the science behind its development and the approval process : Health Secretary Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was “ very proud that the UK is the first place in the world to have a clinically authorised vaccine.
” That distinction addresses earlier efforts to rush not-fully-tested vaccine candidates into mass distribution , primarily in Russia and China .
Not much has been known about the performance of those compounds yet .
So far they do not appear to be on the radar screens of any Western nations , which might indicate that their effectiveness could be suspect — or just that those nations don ’ t plan on going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
That shouldn ’ t be a problem , given that we have two vaccines at the ready ( Pfizer and Moderna ) , one nearly so ( AstraZeneca ) , and another getting closer ( Johnson & Johnson ) .
With the buy-in of governments in the West , hundreds of millions and perhaps billions of doses will get produced and distributed over the next few months .
The finish line isn ’ t as important as the race itself ; everyone wins .
That doesn ’ t mean it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had assumed we ’ d break the tape , and one American in particular wants to know why we finished with the silver medal … or worse : A president who preached “ America First ” is demanding to know why the United States could end up third , or worse , in the global vaccine race .
President Donald Trump and his deputies are privately admonishing Food and Drug Administration officials for not moving faster to authorize promising coronavirus vaccines — a push partially motivated by Trump ’ s desire to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
HHS Secretary Alex Azar and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows grilled Commissioner Stephen Hahn and other top FDA officials in meetings this week on their decisions to require more rigorous review of initial data from the first vaccine candidates .
In particular , they questioned why the agency won ’ t authorize a vaccine until after Dec. 10 at the earliest — about a month after Pfizer first reported that its shot was more than 90 percent effective , and roughly three weeks after Moderna announced similarly impressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some career civil servants have argued that every day of delay could make a difference for the most vulnerable populations in a life-threatening pandemic .
Before anyone climbs all over Trump for politicizing the process — which he ’ s done — the UK ’ s approval today makes these questions pertinent .
Unless someone can point to a deficiency in British scientific review , one does have to wonder why we have to wait eight more days for an FDA meeting to act on an emergency-use application .
Did the FDA get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
That seems unlikely , given how much incentive Pfizer had to get ahead of Moderna in its own race to produce the first approved vaccine .
It ’ s a question worth asking , and more to this than jingoistic pride .
Critics have long complained about the FDA ’ s inefficiency and clumsy processes , and it looks like those might have cost us a couple of weeks of vaccinations , right as community spread is filling hospitals to the breaking point .
This is more than an emergency — it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FDA respond to it properly , or did it stumble over its own bureaucracy in the home stretch ?

“It’s the beginning of the end of the pandemic,” says the inventor of the Pfizer vaccine. The months-long race to find a way to immunize the world has reached its finish line, and the United Kingdom gets to break the tape. Brits will start queuing up next week for vaccinations after Pfizer got emergency-use approval from the government:
The United Kingdom granted emergency approval of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine overnight, and vaccinations there are set to begin next week. @RichardEngel has the latest. pic.twitter.com/5uunh9aZUP — TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 2, 2020
The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination. Britain’s medicines regulator, the MHRA, says the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe to be rolled out. The first 800,000 doses will be available in the UK from next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Boris Johnson offered his thanks in Parliament, noting that this will finally begin the process of getting back to normal. It capped off a series of happy announcements from government officials, who both cheered the vaccine and exhorted the public to trust the science behind its development and the approval process:
“I would like to thank all those who have made this possible” UK PM Boris Johnson welcomes the news of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine being approved in the UK saying it "will allow us to reclaim our lives and get our economy moving again”https://t.co/8l1eBxskhv pic.twitter.com/uY4e7e8i3y — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) December 2, 2020
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the approval, noting that he was “very proud that the UK is the first place in the world to have a clinically authorised vaccine.” That distinction addresses earlier efforts to rush not-fully-tested vaccine candidates into mass distribution, primarily in Russia and China. Not much has been known about the performance of those compounds yet. So far they do not appear to be on the radar screens of any Western nations, which might indicate that their effectiveness could be suspect — or just that those nations don’t plan on going through a normal trial process in the future.
That shouldn’t be a problem, given that we have two vaccines at the ready (Pfizer and Moderna), one nearly so (AstraZeneca), and another getting closer (Johnson & Johnson). With the buy-in of governments in the West, hundreds of millions and perhaps billions of doses will get produced and distributed over the next few months. The finish line isn’t as important as the race itself; everyone wins.
That doesn’t mean it’s entirely unimportant, though. Americans had assumed we’d break the tape, and one American in particular wants to know why we finished with the silver medal … or worse:
A president who preached “America First” is demanding to know why the United States could end up third, or worse, in the global vaccine race. President Donald Trump and his deputies are privately admonishing Food and Drug Administration officials for not moving faster to authorize promising coronavirus vaccines — a push partially motivated by Trump’s desire to claim credit for record-fast vaccine development, four officials said. HHS Secretary Alex Azar and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows grilled Commissioner Stephen Hahn and other top FDA officials in meetings this week on their decisions to require more rigorous review of initial data from the first vaccine candidates. In particular, they questioned why the agency won’t authorize a vaccine until after Dec. 10 at the earliest — about a month after Pfizer first reported that its shot was more than 90 percent effective, and roughly three weeks after Moderna announced similarly impressive findings. Multiple Trump appointees and even some career civil servants have argued that every day of delay could make a difference for the most vulnerable populations in a life-threatening pandemic.
Before anyone climbs all over Trump for politicizing the process — which he’s done — the UK’s approval today makes these questions pertinent. Unless someone can point to a deficiency in British scientific review, one does have to wonder why we have to wait eight more days for an FDA meeting to act on an emergency-use application. Did the FDA get the data from Pfizer eight days later? That seems unlikely, given how much incentive Pfizer had to get ahead of Moderna in its own race to produce the first approved vaccine.
It’s a question worth asking, and more to this than jingoistic pride. Critics have long complained about the FDA’s inefficiency and clumsy processes, and it looks like those might have cost us a couple of weeks of vaccinations, right as community spread is filling hospitals to the breaking point. This is more than an emergency — it’s a global disaster. Did the FDA respond to it properly, or did it stumble over its own bureaucracy in the home stretch?


hotair--2020-12-02--Louisville mayor: Racism is a public health crisis

The Democrat Mayor of Louisville , Greg Fischer , signed an executive order Tuesday declaring racism as a public health crisis .
The executive order declares that several of the city ’ s “ systems are more than broken ” .
They need to “ be dismantled and replaced.
” Mayor Fischer held a press conference to announce this odd action and explained that the death of Breonna Taylor made Louisville a “ focal point for America ’ s reckoning on racial justice.
” Fischer is serving in his third and last term as mayor .
He can not run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time limit in place , clearly , Fischer thinks the time is now to jump on the racial justice bandwagon and see how far he can push the envelope .
It isn ’ t a new subject for him , either .
The photo at the top of this post is of the mayor standing in front of the Confederate monument near the University of Louisville .
He and the university president addressed a crowd of people about the monument , capped with a statue of Jefferson Davis , and of the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood in that spot since 1895 .
The mayor ’ s correct in saying that the nation ’ s eyes focused on Louisville after the Breonna Taylor .
Louisville became a focus of news coverage , not just because her death was an unfortunate tragedy at the hands of police , but because the mayor allowed his city to be held hostage by protest marches , rioting , and looting .
The civil unrest continues even now , six months later , in the city .
Louisville has many problems .
About 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 155,000 people ) live in poverty .
That number is three times the number of white people living in poverty .
For home ownership , 73 % of white residents own their own homes while 36 % of black residents own their own homes .
He told the people of Louisville that there is “ no going back ” after the months of protests and violence .
The death of Breonna Taylor wasn ’ t about equity , though , it was about a raid on an apartment gone wrong .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her ex-boyfriend at her apartment .
In the confusion of the raid that night , her current boyfriend fired his gun at police when they were at the door .
That caused a defensive reaction from the police .
Taylor was shot multiple times and died .
Black Lives Matter groups hijack protests and marches and agitate crowds , which is where the demands of social justice come in .
What began as marching to remember Breonna and calls for the police to be held accountable turned into Black Lives Matter protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say how his executive order would heal Louisville ’ s racial divisions and solve racial equity issues .
He has a list of steps .
The list is a liberal ’ s dream list .
Police reform in favor of “ non-enforcement alternatives ” is at the top of the list .
Sorry , Louisville Police Department , the mayor is throwing you under the bus .
The mayor wants social workers to respond to police calls .
It sounds as though Mayor Fischer wants to turn Louisville into an East Coast version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not brought forward a budget proposal for his wish list of initiatives or a timeline to complete the tasks .
In other words , it ’ s all just talk at this point .
Even the president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League noted that words are nice but it ’ s the real work that matters .
She called out Fischer for his emphasis on all the feels , not any real actions , as Democrats are prone to do .
Fischer wants to double funding for the Affordable Housing Trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat evictions and homelessness .
Other actions will need the state ’ s help , such as changing state law to restore voting rights , instituting mail-in ballot options , and expanding early voting .
Some activists questioned if Fischer even bothered to get input from protesters or specific people in the black community at all .
Fischer admits his staff put the wish list together , not him .
He said that his staff came up with it after working with community partners and members of his Build Back Better Together team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor take Biden ’ s lame slogan and co-opt it for Louisville ?
The mayor said there are 400 years of history to make up for .
Louisville officials have said the city is already “ out front ” for its knowledge of how race affects residents ’ lives .
An executive order from the mayor isn ’ t going to do much in the way of change .
This was a photo op for the mayor to make himself and his supporters feel good , as though he is working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has less than two years left in office to erase 400 years of history and re-write those years as liberals with white guilt would like them to be .
Fischer has left some big topics unaddressed until he is about to walk out the door .

The Democrat Mayor of Louisville, Greg Fischer, signed an executive order Tuesday declaring racism as a public health crisis. The executive order declares that several of the city’s “systems are more than broken”. They need to “be dismantled and replaced.”
Mayor Fischer held a press conference to announce this odd action and explained that the death of Breonna Taylor made Louisville a “focal point for America’s reckoning on racial justice.”
“For too many Louisvillians, racism is a fact of daily life, a fact that was created and documented in our country’s laws and institutional policies like segregation, redlining, and urban renewal,” Fischer said. “Laws and policies that restrict the freedom of all Americans to exercise their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Fischer is serving in his third and last term as mayor. He cannot run for re-election in 2022. With a time limit in place, clearly, Fischer thinks the time is now to jump on the racial justice bandwagon and see how far he can push the envelope. It isn’t a new subject for him, either. The photo at the top of this post is of the mayor standing in front of the Confederate monument near the University of Louisville. He and the university president addressed a crowd of people about the monument, capped with a statue of Jefferson Davis, and of the decision to remove it. That statue had stood in that spot since 1895.
The mayor’s correct in saying that the nation’s eyes focused on Louisville after the Breonna Taylor. Louisville became a focus of news coverage, not just because her death was an unfortunate tragedy at the hands of police, but because the mayor allowed his city to be held hostage by protest marches, rioting, and looting. The civil unrest continues even now, six months later, in the city. Louisville has many problems. About 30% of Louisville’s black population (155,000 people) live in poverty. That number is three times the number of white people living in poverty. For home ownership, 73% of white residents own their own homes while 36% of black residents own their own homes. He told the people of Louisville that there is “no going back” after the months of protests and violence.
Writing that a “tremendous gap” exists in privileges and opportunities, Fischer signed an executive order targeting seven areas of racial injustice — public safety, children and families, employment, Black wealth, housing, health and voting. “There is no going, quote, ‘back to normal,'” Fischer said in a virtual speech. “The Louisville that we were in March wasn’t good enough, wasn’t equitable enough. Higher standards for equity must be the goal for every aspect of life in our city.”
The death of Breonna Taylor wasn’t about equity, though, it was about a raid on an apartment gone wrong. The police believed she had been storing drugs for her ex-boyfriend at her apartment. In the confusion of the raid that night, her current boyfriend fired his gun at police when they were at the door. That caused a defensive reaction from the police. Taylor was shot multiple times and died. Black Lives Matter groups hijack protests and marches and agitate crowds, which is where the demands of social justice come in. What began as marching to remember Breonna and calls for the police to be held accountable turned into Black Lives Matter protests.
The mayor didn’t specifically say how his executive order would heal Louisville’s racial divisions and solve racial equity issues. He has a list of steps. The list is a liberal’s dream list. Police reform in favor of “non-enforcement alternatives” is at the top of the list. Sorry, Louisville Police Department, the mayor is throwing you under the bus. The mayor wants social workers to respond to police calls.
Developing “behavioral health response teams” as a “non-enforcement” alternative or support to police;
Establishing a plan to ensure every home has broadband and Wi-Fi access;
Closing the Black pay gap and increasing Black employees in professional, managerial and technical positions;
Advocating for a boost to minimum wages to a “living” wage; and
Investing in homeowners and infrastructure improvements in disadvantaged neighborhoods such as in the West End.
It sounds as though Mayor Fischer wants to turn Louisville into an East Coast version of Seattle or Portland. He has not brought forward a budget proposal for his wish list of initiatives or a timeline to complete the tasks. In other words, it’s all just talk at this point. Even the president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League noted that words are nice but it’s the real work that matters. She called out Fischer for his emphasis on all the feels, not any real actions, as Democrats are prone to do.
“We don’t have the space to pretend like work is being done because people use good words,” Reynolds said. “It is urgent. It’s always been urgent; it is even more urgent now, because of the pandemic, because of the racial unrest, because people are really at their wits’ end. “We can’t just give people something that makes them feel good but doesn’t accomplish anything.”
Fischer wants to double funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and invest $21.2 million to combat evictions and homelessness. Other actions will need the state’s help, such as changing state law to restore voting rights, instituting mail-in ballot options, and expanding early voting.
Some activists questioned if Fischer even bothered to get input from protesters or specific people in the black community at all. Fischer admits his staff put the wish list together, not him. He said that his staff came up with it after working with community partners and members of his Build Back Better Together team. Build Back Better Together? Did the mayor take Biden’s lame slogan and co-opt it for Louisville?
The mayor said there are 400 years of history to make up for.
“In my lifetime, there has never been more conversation taking place or more action taking place in the community around racial equity and racial justice,” Fischer said. “Is it enough? It’s never going to be enough. We’ve got 400 years of history to make up for. “But this is a time when people are attuned to justice and making the type of investment and changes that are required to move us further in that direction.”
Louisville officials have said the city is already “out front” for its knowledge of how race affects residents’ lives. An executive order from the mayor isn’t going to do much in the way of change. This was a photo op for the mayor to make himself and his supporters feel good, as though he is working on the problems in race relations. He has less than two years left in office to erase 400 years of history and re-write those years as liberals with white guilt would like them to be. Fischer has left some big topics unaddressed until he is about to walk out the door.


hotair--2020-12-02--VIP Gold chat: Election news, media skew, vaccine views, Ohio's gun-control blues, and you!

Don ’ t miss the tremendous live , interactive VIP Gold chat with Bearing Arms ’ Cam Edwards and HotAir @ @ @ @ @ 1:30 pm ET today .
The duo will take VIP Gold members ’ questions and @ @ @ @ @ analysis of the top topics of the day .
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While Cam brings his A-game on 2nd Amendment and liberty issues and makes sure @ @ @ @ @ the way , Ed keeps pace with developments abroad , at home , and at @ @ @ @ @ .
We have plenty to discuss and lots of time to take your questions .
@ @ @ @ @ • The latest on the runoffs in Georgia With all the fast-moving developments , our @ @ @ @ @ the latest as it happens from Cam and Ed .

Did you miss the tremendous live, interactive VIP Gold chat with Bearing Arms’ Cam Edwards and HotAir’s Ed Morrissey today? The duo took VIP Gold members’ questions and comments and gave an in-depth analysis of the top topics of the day.
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