politicalwire--2020-09-03--Barr Pushes Antitrust Charges Against Google

“ The Justice Department plans to bring an antitrust case against Google as soon as this month , after Attorney @ @ @ @ @ lawyers who said they needed more time to build a strong case against one of @ @ @ @ @ , most formidable technology companies , ” the New York Times reports .
“ Justice @ @ @ @ @ in the antitrust inquiry into Alphabet , the parent company of Google and YouTube , @ @ @ @ @ by the end of September… Most of the 40-odd lawyers who had been working on @ @ @ @ @ .
Some said they would not sign the complaint , and several of them left @ @ @ @ @ ”

“The Justice Department plans to bring an antitrust case against Google as soon as this month, after Attorney General William Barr overruled career lawyers who said they needed more time to build a strong case against one of the world’s wealthiest, most formidable technology companies,” the New York Times reports.
“Justice Department officials told lawyers involved in the antitrust inquiry into Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube, to wrap up their work by the end of September… Most of the 40-odd lawyers who had been working on the investigation opposed the deadline. Some said they would not sign the complaint, and several of them left the case this summer.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Twitter Puts New Warnings on Trump Tweets

“ A New York judge has ordered lawyers for President Trump ’ s company and his son , Eric , @ @ @ @ @ to explain why they should not be subject to subpoenas…

“At least two brands have said they will suspend advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after their ads and those of other companies were run on an…


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Sowing Distrust Is Trump’s Goal

Sowing Distrust Is Trump’s Goal

New York Times : “ For decades , President Trump has sown distrust in almost everything he touches .
From Native Americans and business competition in New York to President Barack Obama ’ s birthplace to America ’ s intelligence agencies to the special counsel investigation he calls the ‘ Russia hoax , ’ Mr. Trump ’ s goal has been to undermine the opposition , rely on conspiracy theories to discount any evidence that might discredit him — and , above all , leave people uncertain about what to believe.
” “ In the last week alone , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real death toll from the coronavirus was only around 9,000 and not 185,000 , talked cryptically about a planeload of ‘ thugs ’ in black uniforms flying to Washington to disrupt the Republican National Convention and asserted without a shred of evidence that his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , was ‘ on some kind of an enhancement ’ drug.
” “ People who have known the president for years say one of his most sustained assaults , on the integrity of the 2020 election , is straight from his New York tactics @ @

New York Times: “For decades, President Trump has sown distrust in almost everything he touches. From Native Americans and business competition in New York to President Barack Obama’s birthplace to America’s intelligence agencies to the special counsel investigation he calls the ‘Russia hoax,’ Mr. Trump’s goal has been to undermine the opposition, rely on conspiracy theories to discount any evidence that might discredit him — and, above all, leave people uncertain about what to believe.”
“In the last week alone, Mr. Trump has reposted messages asserting that the real death toll from the coronavirus was only around 9,000 and not 185,000, talked cryptically about a planeload of ‘thugs’ in black uniforms flying to Washington to disrupt the Republican National Convention and asserted without a shred of evidence that his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, was ‘on some kind of an enhancement’ drug.”
“People who have known the president for years say one of his most sustained assaults, on the integrity of the 2020 election, is straight from his New York tactics.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--70% of New Coronavirus Cases Are In Red States

Philip Bump : “ When the pandemic was at its high , about three-quarters of new cases were in blue @ @ @ @ @ 7-in-10 new cases are in red states.
” “ It ’ s still the case @ @ @ @ @ of those new cases are in blue counties .
While more new cases are emerging @ @ @ @ @ Trump , those outbreaks were often in places that voted for Clinton .
But here @ @ @ @ @ s been a shift .
For the first time , about half of new cases @ @ @ @ @ voted for Trump .
”

Philip Bump: “When the pandemic was at its high, about three-quarters of new cases were in blue states. Now, about 7-in-10 new cases are in red states.”
“It’s still the case, though, that many of those new cases are in blue counties. While more new cases are emerging in states that voted for Trump, those outbreaks were often in places that voted for Clinton. But here, too, there’s been a shift. For the first time, about half of new cases are also in counties that voted for Trump.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Trump to Release List of Possible Supreme Court Nominees


politicalwire--2020-09-03--NRA Insider Says Corruption Would Shock Gun Owners

“ A former high-ranking official within the National Rifle Association is breaking ranks with the powerful gun lobby , publishing @ @ @ @ @ leaders of decades worth of mismanagement and fraud that he says has left the organization @ @ @ @ @ and moral disarray , ” ABC News reports .
“ Joshua Powell , who formerly @ @ @ @ @ to longtime NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre , said the lawsuit filed by New York Attorney @ @ @ @ @ dissolve the NRA for an array of ‘ illegal conduct ’ merely scratches the surface @ @ @ @ @ of corruption .
”

“A former high-ranking official within the National Rifle Association is breaking ranks with the powerful gun lobby, publishing a book that accuses its leaders of decades worth of mismanagement and fraud that he says has left the organization in a state of financial and moral disarray,” ABC News reports.
“Joshua Powell, who formerly served as chief of staff to longtime NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre, said the lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking to dissolve the NRA for an array of ‘illegal conduct’ merely scratches the surface of a much deeper culture of corruption.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Man Asks City Council to Rename ‘Boneless’ Chicken Wings

Ander Christensen went viral after calling on the city council in Lincoln , Nebraska to consider renaming boneless chicken wings @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln has the opportunity to be a social leader in this country .
We have @ @ @ @ @ that has gotten so out of control that our children are throwing around names and @ @ @ @ @ true meaning , treating things as though they ’ re normal .
”

Ander Christensen went viral after calling on the city council in Lincoln, Nebraska to consider renaming boneless chicken wings.
Said Christensen: “Lincoln has the opportunity to be a social leader in this country. We have been casually ignoring a problem that has gotten so out of control that our children are throwing around names and words without even understanding their true meaning, treating things as though they’re normal.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Biden Holds Small Lead In Florida

Biden Holds Small Lead In Florida

A new Quinnipiac poll in Florida shows Joe Biden leading Donald Trump in the presidential race , 48 % to @ @ @ @ @ .
Said pollster Tim Malloy : “ Ain ’ t no sunshine if it ’ @ @ @ @ @ s re-election team faces the reality that the Trump era could end at sun splashed @ @ @ @ @ Biden captures Florida .
”

A new Quinnipiac poll in Florida shows Joe Biden leading Donald Trump in the presidential race, 48% to 45% among likely voters.
Said pollster Tim Malloy: “Ain’t no sunshine if it’s gone… The president’s re-election team faces the reality that the Trump era could end at sun splashed Mar-a-Lago in November if Joe Biden captures Florida.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Biden Holds Clear Lead In Pennsylvania

Biden Holds Clear Lead In Pennsylvania

A new Quinnipiac poll in Pennsylvania shows Joe Biden leading Donald Trump in the presidential race , 52 % to @ @ @ @ @ .
Said pollster Mary Snow : “ The economy is key in Pennsylvania and a @ @ @ @ @ of the way President Trump is handling it , but it ’ s overshadowed by @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus and his overall job approval .
Both are registering double digit deficits .
@

A new Quinnipiac poll in Pennsylvania shows Joe Biden leading Donald Trump in the presidential race, 52% to 44% among likely voters.
Said pollster Mary Snow: “The economy is key in Pennsylvania and a majority of likely voters approve of the way President Trump is handling it, but it’s overshadowed by Trump’s handling of the coronavirus and his overall job approval. Both are registering double digit deficits.”


politicalwire--2020-09-03--Member Briefing: The Future of Our Postal Service

This event is only available to Political Wire members .
Your support makes this site possible .
Join today for @ @ @ @ @ and get exclusive analysis , new features and no advertising .
Sign in to your @ @ @ @ @ If you ’ re already signed in and still seeing this message , your subscription @ @ @ @ @ your membership , navigate to your account , adjust your credit card information and click @ @ @ @ @ just $ 6 a month or $ 60 a year .

An invite for members: The Future of Our Postal Service in an Election Year and Beyond: A Conversation with Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
The conversation is on Wednesday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m. ET and is sponsored by Cornell’s Institute of Politics and Global Affairs.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Unemployment Declines as Slow Recovery Continues

Stephen Collinson : “ There have been many weeks when the Trump train has looked like it ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ But in the seven days since the Republican convention , the…


politicalwire--2020-09-04--What the National Polls Can Tell Us

What the National Polls Can Tell Us

Amy Walter : “ At the same time , high-quality national polls are more consistently fielded than high-quality state polls @ @ @ @ @ the criticism of polling in the 2016 election , the national polls were also the @ @ @ @ @ such , the best way to think of the national polls is that they can @ @ @ @ @ right neighborhood , but not necessarily to the correct address .
The bigger the margin @ @ @ @ @ important that we get the exact address .
For example , a seven or eight-point @ @ @ @ @ to put Georgia or Texas into Biden ’ s column .
But , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ the states he needs to hit 270 .
The closer the margin is to four @ @ @ @ @ back in March ) , the less helpful the national polls become .
And , @ @ @ @ @ assume a close contest for the Electoral College .
”

Amy Walter: “At the same time, high-quality national polls are more consistently fielded than high-quality state polls. And, for all the criticism of polling in the 2016 election, the national polls were also the most accurate.”
“As such, the best way to think of the national polls is that they can help get us in the right neighborhood, but not necessarily to the correct address. The bigger the margin for Biden, the less important that we get the exact address. For example, a seven or eight-point margin may not be enough to put Georgia or Texas into Biden’s column. But, it’s enough to get him the states he needs to hit 270. The closer the margin is to four points (like we saw back in March), the less helpful the national polls become. And, the more we should just assume a close contest for the Electoral College.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Xi Moves to Tighten His Grip on Power

Xi Moves to Tighten His Grip on Power

The Nikkei Asian Review has a good report on Chinese president Xi Jinping ’ s preparations for what it describes @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Most Chinese public security and police organizations have long been affiliated with the @ @ @ @ @ synonymous with the government .
The party ’ s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission @ @ @ @ @ has broken this system by putting the nation ’ s police forces under the direct @ @ @ @ @ where the military already resides .
”

The Nikkei Asian Review has a good report on Chinese president Xi Jinping’s preparations for what it describes as “another brutal purge.”
“Most Chinese public security and police organizations have long been affiliated with the State Council, which is synonymous with the government. The party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission exercises oversight.”
“Xi has broken this system by putting the nation’s police forces under the direct control of the party, where the military already resides.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Senate GOP Divided Again Over Relief Bill

“ A fight over Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ’ s plan to subsidize private school tuition is threatening to derail @ @ @ @ @ write a slimmed-down coronavirus relief bill , people involved in the talks said this week @ @ @ @ @ reports .
“ The $ 5 billion tax credit proposal has long been championed by @ @ @ @ @ has offered his support for school choice as part of his reelection campaign .
Now @ @ @ @ @ behind the scenes by Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) who wants the proposal included @ @ @ @ @ bill that aims to address economic fallout from the coronavirus .
”

“A fight over Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s plan to subsidize private school tuition is threatening to derail a Senate GOP effort to write a slimmed-down coronavirus relief bill, people involved in the talks said this week,” the Washington Post reports.
“The $5 billion tax credit proposal has long been championed by DeVos, and President Trump has offered his support for school choice as part of his reelection campaign. Now the measure is being pushed behind the scenes by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) who wants the proposal included in an emerging Senate GOP bill that aims to address economic fallout from the coronavirus.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--North Carolina Kicks Off Mail Voting

North Carolina Kicks Off Mail Voting

“ Mail balloting in the presidential election is set to begin Friday as North Carolina starts sending out more than @ @ @ @ @ responding to a massive spike in requests that has played out across the country as @ @ @ @ @ way to cast ballots during the pandemic , ” the AP reports .

“Mail balloting in the presidential election is set to begin Friday as North Carolina starts sending out more than 600,000 ballots to voters — responding to a massive spike in requests that has played out across the country as voters look for a safer way to cast ballots during the pandemic,” the AP reports.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Trump’s Focus on ‘Law and Order’ Not Working

A new ABC News/Ipsos poll finds a significant majority of Americans believe President Trump ’ s rhetoric on the unrest @ @ @ @ @ is making matters worse — with even members of his own party divided on his @ @ @ @ @ of the country — 55 % — in the new poll said they think Trump @ @ @ @ @ while just over one in 10 Americans , 13 % , said they think he @ @ @ @ @ “ Among his base , 30 % of Republicans say the president is improving the @ @ @ @ @ % who say he ’ s having an adverse impact .
Only 18 % of @ @ @ @ @ , another core constituency for the president , believe he is having a positive effect @ @ @ @ @ 41 % view his comments on the demonstrations amid the debate over racial equality as @ @ @ @ @ ”

A new ABC News/Ipsos poll finds a significant majority of Americans believe President Trump’s rhetoric on the unrest in parts of the country is making matters worse — with even members of his own party divided on his approach.
“Over half of the country — 55% — in the new poll said they think Trump is aggravating the situation, while just over one in 10 Americans, 13%, said they think he is making it better.”
“Among his base, 30% of Republicans say the president is improving the situation, compared to 26% who say he’s having an adverse impact. Only 18% of white, non-college educated Americans, another core constituency for the president, believe he is having a positive effect on the protests, while 41% view his comments on the demonstrations amid the debate over racial equality as having a negative influence.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Trump Looks Close to Full Derailment

Trump Looks Close to Full Derailment

Stephen Collinson : “ There have been many weeks when the Trump train has looked like it ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ But in the seven days since the Republican convention , the President has come perhaps @ @ @ @ @ has to a full derailment.
” “ The outrages , conspiracy theories and drama have @ @ @ @ @ ’ s almost impossible to believe Donald Trump can keep this up for another eight @ @ @ @ @ But as Democratic nominee Joe Biden begins to travel and to offer an alternative vision @ @ @ @ @ events of the last few days have clarified the personality clash and issues that will @ @ @ @ @

Stephen Collinson: “There have been many weeks when the Trump train has looked like it’s going to jump the tracks. But in the seven days since the Republican convention, the President has come perhaps as close as he ever has to a full derailment.”
“The outrages, conspiracy theories and drama have come so fast that it’s almost impossible to believe Donald Trump can keep this up for another eight weeks until Election Day. But as Democratic nominee Joe Biden begins to travel and to offer an alternative vision of sober presidential-style leadership, events of the last few days have clarified the personality clash and issues that will decide the race.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Kanye West Knocked Off Arizona Ballot

Kanye West Knocked Off Arizona Ballot

“ A judge has barred Kanye West from appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot in Arizona , concluding that a @ @ @ @ @ had shown he would probably prevail and had established the possibility of an irreparable harm @ @ @ @ @ name were to appear on the ballot , ” Fox News reports .

“A judge has barred Kanye West from appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot in Arizona, concluding that a voter who challenged his candidacy had shown he would probably prevail and had established the possibility of an irreparable harm if the rapper’s name were to appear on the ballot,” Fox News reports.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Trump Team Plots How to Bust Biden In Debates

Politico : “ The Trump team has been studying Biden ’ s idiosyncrasies in debates and other venues and preparing @ @ @ @ @ noticed the way he says , ‘ C ’ mon , man , ’ whenever @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re trying to identify words or phrases that trigger him to ‘ reboot @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the planning described it.
” “ Essentially , Trump aides are looking for @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to spur an incoherent or unsatisfactory response — bolstering a key Trump @ @ @ @ @ his age .
”

Politico: “The Trump team has been studying Biden’s idiosyncrasies in debates and other venues and preparing tactics for Trump… Some have noticed the way he says, ‘C’mon, man,’ whenever he feels frustrated, and they’re trying to identify words or phrases that trigger him to ‘reboot,’ as one person familiar with the planning described it.”
“Essentially, Trump aides are looking for ways to trip up Biden in an effort to spur an incoherent or unsatisfactory response — bolstering a key Trump argument against Biden built around his age.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--More Than 400K Dead By End of Year

More Than 400K Dead By End of Year


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Trump on John McCain

Trump on John McCain

“ I never called John a loser and swear on whatever , or whoever , I was asked to swear @ @ @ @ @ called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES.
” — President Trump , denying @ @ @ @ @ ever called Sen. John McCain a loser .
“ He was a war hero because @ @ @ @ @ people who weren ’ t captured… He lost and let us down .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ much after that .
I don ’ t like losers.
” — Trump , quoted @ @ @ @ @ McCain in July 2015 .

“I never called John a loser and swear on whatever, or whoever, I was asked to swear on, that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES.”
— President Trump, denying on Twitter tonight that he ever called Sen. John McCain a loser.
“He was a war hero because he was captured… I like people who weren’t captured… He lost and let us down. I’ve never liked him as much after that. I don’t like losers.”
— Trump, quoted by NPR, talking about McCain in July 2015.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Trump Urges Pennsylvania Supporters to Vote Twice

President Trump “ expanded on remarks that caused a firestorm Wednesday , when he urged supporters to vote by mail @ @ @ @ @ in person , ” The Hill reports .
“ The president reiterated that this is @ @ @ @ @ vote is tabulated .
”

President Trump “expanded on remarks that caused a firestorm Wednesday, when he urged supporters to vote by mail and then attempt to vote in person,” The Hill reports.
“The president reiterated that this is necessary to ensure that their vote is tabulated.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Sources Confirm Trump Remarks on Fallen Soldiers

President Trump denied in series of tweets that he had called fallen soldiers “ losers ” and “ suckers , @ @ @ @ @ a blockbuster article in The Atlantic earlier in the evening .
The Associated Press , @ @ @ @ @ who confirmed the president ’ s disparaging remarks .

President Trump denied in series of tweets that he had called fallen soldiers “losers” and “suckers,” as was reported in a blockbuster article in The Atlantic earlier in the evening.
The Associated Press, however, has multiple sources who confirmed the president’s disparaging remarks.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--The Trump Era Sucks and Needs to Be Over

Matt Taibbi : “ Trump blew through the Republican primaries in 2015-2016 .
His opponents , a slate of mannequins hired by energy companies and weapons contractors to be pretend-patriots and protectors of ‘ family values , ’ had no answer for his insults and offer-everything-to-everyone tactics .
Like most politicians , they ’ d been protected their whole lives by donors , party hacks , and pundits who ’ d turned campaigns into a club system designed to insulate paid lackeys from challenges to their phony gravitas .
Trump had no institutional loyalty to the club , shat all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontmen , and walked to the nomination.
” “ So long as he was never going to win the actual presidency , this was funny .
The Republicans deserved it .
Watching GOP chair Reince Priebus try to pretend he wasn ’ t being forced to eat the biggest-in-history shit sandwich by embracing his obese conqueror at the 2016 convention was a delicious scene , similar to what most Americans probably felt watching Bill Belichick squirm at the podium after the Eagles pummeled him in the Super Bowl.
” “ The Democrats aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the spectacle of ‘ inevitable ’ Hillary Clinton being too shocked to ascend to the Javits Center podium , instead sending writhing campaign creature John Podesta to announce through a forced smile that the mortified audience shouldn ’ t worry and should get some sleep instead , was also high comedy , not that I really saw it at the time.
” “ They all deserved it , every last politician ruined that year .
The country did not , however , which is why the last four years have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up being on us .
”

Matt Taibbi: “Trump blew through the Republican primaries in 2015-2016. His opponents, a slate of mannequins hired by energy companies and weapons contractors to be pretend-patriots and protectors of ‘family values,’ had no answer for his insults and offer-everything-to-everyone tactics. Like most politicians, they’d been protected their whole lives by donors, party hacks, and pundits who’d turned campaigns into a club system designed to insulate paid lackeys from challenges to their phony gravitas. Trump had no institutional loyalty to the club, shat all over it in addition to its silly frontmen, and walked to the nomination.”
“So long as he was never going to win the actual presidency, this was funny. The Republicans deserved it. Watching GOP chair Reince Priebus try to pretend he wasn’t being forced to eat the biggest-in-history shit sandwich by embracing his obese conqueror at the 2016 convention was a delicious scene, similar to what most Americans probably felt watching Bill Belichick squirm at the podium after the Eagles pummeled him in the Super Bowl.”
“The Democrats aren’t much better, though, and the spectacle of ‘inevitable’ Hillary Clinton being too shocked to ascend to the Javits Center podium, instead sending writhing campaign creature John Podesta to announce through a forced smile that the mortified audience shouldn’t worry and should get some sleep instead, was also high comedy, not that I really saw it at the time.”
“They all deserved it, every last politician ruined that year. The country did not, however, which is why the last four years have been a nightmare beyond all recognition. The joke ended up being on us.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Kanye West Files First Campaign Finance Report

Kanye West has filed his first campaign finance report with the FEC .
He ’ s spent quite a bit @ @ @ @ @ disbursements , with about $ 8 million in debt .

Kanye West has filed his first campaign finance report with the FEC.
He’s spent quite a bit: $5.9 million in disbursements, with about $8 million in debt.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Trump Reverses Decision to Shutter ‘Stars and Stripes’

“ No matter what he says or what he claims , you are not safer in Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ safe in Donald Trump ’ s America where people are dying at…

“At least two brands have said they will suspend advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after their ads and those of other companies were run on an…


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Fox News Confirms Trump Disparaged Veterans

Two former senior Trump administration officials confirmed to Fox News that President Trump regularly disparaged veterans .
According to one @ @ @ @ @ : “ When the President spoke about the Vietnam War , he said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone who went was a sucker ’ .
” He added : “ What @ @ @ @ @ them ?
They don ’ t make any money.
” Explained the source : “ @ @ @ @ @ of the President .
He could not understand why someone would die for their country @ @ @ @ @ ”

Two former senior Trump administration officials confirmed to Fox News that President Trump regularly disparaged veterans.
According to one former senior Trump administration official: “When the President spoke about the Vietnam War, he said, ‘It was a stupid war. Anyone who went was a sucker’.”
He added: “What’s in it for them? They don’t make any money.”
Explained the source: “It was a character flaw of the President. He could not understand why someone would die for their country, not worth it.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Extra Bonus Quote of the Day

Extra Bonus Quote of the Day


The Waiting Game

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This issue features updated analysis on dozens of competitive @ @ @ @ @ a spotlight on the battleground state of Georgia .
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politicalwire--2020-09-04--Biden Lights Into Trump for Calling War Dead ‘Losers’

Joe Biden lit into President Trump for his reported comments denigrating U.S. war dead as “ losers ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ .
Said Biden : “ It ’ s disgusting , and it affirms what most @ @ @ @ @ true : that Donald Trump is not fit to do the job of president , @ @ @ @ @ chief.
” He added : “ President Trump has demonstrated he has no sense of @ @ @ @ @ any cause other than himself .
”

Joe Biden lit into President Trump for his reported comments denigrating U.S. war dead as “losers” and “suckers,” Bloomberg reports.
Said Biden: “It’s disgusting, and it affirms what most of us believe to be true: that Donald Trump is not fit to do the job of president, to be the commander in chief.”
He added: “President Trump has demonstrated he has no sense of service, no loyalty to any cause other than himself.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Biden Takes Lead In Texas

Biden Takes Lead In Texas


politicalwire--2020-09-04--The Metastasizing Cancer Of Trump

The Metastasizing Cancer Of Trump

Andrew Sullivan : “ Every hoary stereotype leveled against the right for decades has been given credence by the GOP ’ s support for this monster of a human being .
If moderates have any chance of defanging the snake of wokeness , and its attempt to deconstruct our Enlightenment inheritance , we must begin with removing the cancer of Trump from the body politic .
It is not an ordinary cancer .
It is metastasizing across the republic and spreading to the lifeblood of our democracy itself .
Removing it will not be enough .
But not removing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way out of this spiral is an unlikely figure , Joe Biden .
An old-school moderate representing a party fast moving leftward , he is , quite simply , the least worst we ’ ve got .
I ’ m worried the far left will eat his lunch in office , but that is a less pressing worry than the potential destabilization of the entire system if Trump wins in November .
The potential for spiraling unrest in a Trump second term could prompt the dictatorial nightmare many of us have been worried @ @ @ @ @

Andrew Sullivan: “Every hoary stereotype leveled against the right for decades has been given credence by the GOP’s support for this monster of a human being. If moderates have any chance of defanging the snake of wokeness, and its attempt to deconstruct our Enlightenment inheritance, we must begin with removing the cancer of Trump from the body politic. It is not an ordinary cancer. It is metastasizing across the republic and spreading to the lifeblood of our democracy itself. Removing it will not be enough. But not removing it is democratic death…”
“The only way out of this spiral is an unlikely figure, Joe Biden. An old-school moderate representing a party fast moving leftward, he is, quite simply, the least worst we’ve got. I’m worried the far left will eat his lunch in office, but that is a less pressing worry than the potential destabilization of the entire system if Trump wins in November. The potential for spiraling unrest in a Trump second term could prompt the dictatorial nightmare many of us have been worried about for years.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Biden Hits Trump on Troop Comments

Biden Hits Trump on Troop Comments


politicalwire--2020-09-04--QAnon Is a ‘Collective Delusion’

QAnon Is a ‘Collective Delusion’

BuzzFeed News : “ The editors at BuzzFeed News have become uneasy about using conspiracy theory to describe QAnon , @ @ @ @ @ a whole alternative world of beliefs and signals .
The copydesk has to stay on @ @ @ @ @ when terms become stale and reductive ; QAnon has shifted , and so should how @ @ @ @ @ “ QAnon is a collective delusion , and that ’ s what BuzzFeed News will @ @ @ @ @ on .
”

BuzzFeed News: “The editors at BuzzFeed News have become uneasy about using conspiracy theory to describe QAnon, which has grown to encompass a whole alternative world of beliefs and signals. The copydesk has to stay on top of language and note when terms become stale and reductive; QAnon has shifted, and so should how we write about it.”
“QAnon is a collective delusion, and that’s what BuzzFeed News will be calling it from now on.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Bonus Quote of the Day

Bonus Quote of the Day

“ No matter what he says or what he claims , you are not safer in Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ safe in Donald Trump ’ s America where people are dying at a rate last @ @ @ @ @ in World War II .
”

“No matter what he says or what he claims, you are not safer in Donald Trump’s America. You are not safe in Donald Trump’s America where people are dying at a rate last seen when Americans were fighting in World War II.”
— Joe Biden, quoted by MSNBC.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Bolton Says Second Trump Term Could Be Even Worse

Former national security advisor John Bolton told CNBC that President Trump ’ s “ failure to think strategically worsened the @ @ @ @ @ the United States , and warned that his former boss ’ s decisions could actually @ @ @ @ @ is re-elected this fall.
” Said Bolton : “ I ’ m actually worried that @ @ @ @ @ worse than the first term .
In many cases , the president came to decisions @ @ @ @ @ that I agreed with .
But he did it not because of the merits of @ @ @ @ @ a particular policy , but because of the fear of the political blowback he would @ @ @ @ @ in a different direction.
” He added that if Trump is re-elected , “ that @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not eliminated entirely , it ’ s certainly minimized .
”

Former national security advisor John Bolton told CNBC that President Trump’s “failure to think strategically worsened the impact of the coronavirus in the United States, and warned that his former boss’s decisions could actually get worse if the president is re-elected this fall.”
Said Bolton: “I’m actually worried that the second term might be worse than the first term. In many cases, the president came to decisions in the national security space that I agreed with. But he did it not because of the merits of the argument in favor of a particular policy, but because of the fear of the political blowback he would get domestically if he went in a different direction.”
He added that if Trump is re-elected, “that political guardrail is, if it’s not eliminated entirely, it’s certainly minimized.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Russia’s Vaccine Showed Antibody Response


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

“ I don ’ t think that Trump , when he meets with Putin , receives a task list for @ @ @ @ @ I do think the president is compromised , that he is unable to put the @ @ @ @ @ , that he acts from hidden motives , because there is leverage over him , @ @ @ @ @ but potentially others as well.
” — Peter Strzok , in an interview with The @ @ @ @ @ book , Compromised : Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump .

“I don’t think that Trump, when he meets with Putin, receives a task list for the next quarter. But I do think the president is compromised, that he is unable to put the interests of our nation first, that he acts from hidden motives, because there is leverage over him, held specifically by the Russians but potentially others as well.”
— Peter Strzok, in an interview with The Atlantic, on his new book, Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump.


politicalwire--2020-09-04--GOP Lawmaker Praises Kenosha Shooter

GOP Lawmaker Praises Kenosha Shooter

Rep. Thomas Massie ( R-KY ) praised the the 17-year-old who fatally shot two protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , @ @ @ @ @ acted in self-defense and showed “ incredible restraint , ” the Louisville Courier Journal reports @ @ @ @ @ He also exhibited incredible restraint and presence and situational awareness .
He didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ crowd .
”

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) praised the the 17-year-old who fatally shot two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last week, saying he acted in self-defense and showed “incredible restraint,” the Louisville Courier Journal reports.
Said Massie: “He also exhibited incredible restraint and presence and situational awareness. He didn’t empty a magazine into a crowd.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Vaccine ‘Extremely Unlikely’ by Election Day

Moncef Slaoui , the chief adviser for the White House vaccine program , told NPR that it was “ extremely @ @ @ @ @ that a vaccine for the coronavirus could be available by the end of October .
@ @ @ @ @ firmly believe that we will have a vaccine available before the end of the year @ @ @ @ @ in quantities that can immunize patients , subjects at the highest risk .
”

Moncef Slaoui, the chief adviser for the White House vaccine program, told NPR that it was “extremely unlikely but not impossible” that a vaccine for the coronavirus could be available by the end of October.
He added: “I firmly believe that we will have a vaccine available before the end of the year and it will be available in quantities that can immunize patients, subjects at the highest risk.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Kanye West Does Not Qualify In Alabama

Kanye West Does Not Qualify In Alabama


politicalwire--2020-09-04--What Will You Do if Trump Doesn’t Leave?

David Brooks : “ If Trump claims a victory that is not rightly his , a few marches in the @ @ @ @ @ adequate response .
There may have to be a sustained campaign of civic action , @ @ @ @ @ Belarus , to rally the majority that wants to preserve democracy , that isolates those @ @ @ @ @ ”

David Brooks: “If Trump claims a victory that is not rightly his, a few marches in the streets will not be an adequate response. There may have to be a sustained campaign of civic action, as in Hong Kong and Belarus, to rally the majority that wants to preserve democracy, that isolates those who would undo it.”


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Law Enforcement Officials Back Biden

Law Enforcement Officials Back Biden


politicalwire--2020-09-04--Study Finds Political Ads Have Little Persuasive Power

A new Yale study shows that , regardless of content , context , or audience , political ads do very @ @ @ @ @ Said political scientist Alexander Coppock : “ There ’ s an idea that a really @ @ @ @ @ delivered in just the right context to a targeted audience , can influence voters , @ @ @ @ @ ads have consistently small persuasive effects across a range of characteristics.
” He added : @ @ @ @ @ better than attack ads .
Republicans , Democrats , and independents respond to ads similarly @ @ @ @ @ states aren ’ t substantially more effective than those broadcast in non-swing states .
”

A new Yale study shows that, regardless of content, context, or audience, political ads do very little to persuade voters.
Said political scientist Alexander Coppock: “There’s an idea that a really good ad, or one delivered in just the right context to a targeted audience, can influence voters, but we found that political ads have consistently small persuasive effects across a range of characteristics.”
He added: “Positive ads work no better than attack ads. Republicans, Democrats, and independents respond to ads similarly. Ads aired in battleground states aren’t substantially more effective than those broadcast in non-swing states.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Suspects John Kelly Is Behind Story

President Trump said his former chief of staff , John Kelly , could have been one of the four anonymous @ @ @ @ @ in the publication ’ s report that the president made disparaging comments about military troops @ @ @ @ @ Trump : “ It could have been a guy like a John Kelly.
” An @ @ @ @ @ York Times : “ Mr .
Kelly refused on-the-record interview requests about his recollection of @ @ @ @ @ made when Mr. Kelly was with him on a 2018 trip to France.
” That @ @ @ @ @ been more than willing to talk “ off the-record .
”

President Trump said his former chief of staff, John Kelly, could have been one of the four anonymous sources used by The Atlantic in the publication’s report that the president made disparaging comments about military troops, CNN reports.
Said Trump: “It could have been a guy like a John Kelly.”
An amusing sentence from the New York Times: “Mr. Kelly refused on-the-record interview requests about his recollection of comments Mr. Trump had reportedly made when Mr. Kelly was with him on a 2018 trip to France.”
That makes it seem Kelly has been more than willing to talk “off the-record.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Few Military Officers Willing to Defend Trump

New York Times : “ The president privately raged about The Atlantic ’ s article on Friday morning , and @ @ @ @ @ to counter it .
They feared it was the beginning of a constant drip of @ @ @ @ @ officials that could sway voters .
While Mr. Trump demanded that allies knock down the @ @ @ @ @ few senior military officers were willing to openly defend the president .
”

New York Times: “The president privately raged about The Atlantic’s article on Friday morning, and advisers were panicked about how to counter it. They feared it was the beginning of a constant drip of negative stories from disenchanted former officials that could sway voters. While Mr. Trump demanded that allies knock down the article, aides recognized that few senior military officers were willing to openly defend the president.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Campaign Going Dark In Arizona

Trump Campaign Going Dark In Arizona

“ Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign is going off Arizona airwaves after the Labor Day holiday , and may @ @ @ @ @ the Grand Canyon State until early voting begins in early October , ” the Arizona @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , records filed with the Federal Communications Commission by Phoenix-area television stations showed that @ @ @ @ @ of its ads between Sept. 8 and Sept. 14 .
”

“Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is going off Arizona airwaves after the Labor Day holiday, and may not resume television advertising in the Grand Canyon State until early voting begins in early October,” the Arizona Mirror reports.
“On Thursday, records filed with the Federal Communications Commission by Phoenix-area television stations showed that the Trump campaign cancelled all of its ads between Sept. 8 and Sept. 14.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--John Kelly Stays Silent

John Kelly Stays Silent

“ John Kelly left the White House barely on speaking terms with President Trump .
In the months since , @ @ @ @ @ four-star general and former White House chief of staff , has stayed mostly silent as @ @ @ @ @ publicly and harshly criticized the president , ” the New York Times reports .
“ @ @ @ @ @ friends and associates who have been pushing him to speak out , Mr. Kelly continued @ @ @ @ @ a report in The Atlantic that the president had privately referred to American troops killed @ @ @ @ @ ’ and ‘ suckers . '
” “ Mr .
Kelly refused on-the-record interview requests @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump had reportedly made when Mr. Kelly was with him on a 2018 trip @ @ @ @

“John Kelly left the White House barely on speaking terms with President Trump. In the months since, Mr. Kelly, a retired four-star general and former White House chief of staff, has stayed mostly silent as other senior military figures have publicly and harshly criticized the president,” the New York Times reports.
“Much to the consternation of friends and associates who have been pushing him to speak out, Mr. Kelly continued his silence on Friday about a report in The Atlantic that the president had privately referred to American troops killed in combat as ‘losers’ and ‘suckers.'”
“Mr. Kelly refused on-the-record interview requests about his recollection of comments Mr. Trump had reportedly made when Mr. Kelly was with him on a 2018 trip to France.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Moves to Narrow Virus Testing

Trump Moves to Narrow Virus Testing

“ Just eight weeks from election day , the White House has stopped trying to contain the coronavirus — shifting @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most vulnerable groups and restoring a sense of normalcy , ” Politico reports @ @ @ @ @ part of a concerted effort by the White House to increase public approval of President @ @ @ @ @ response — and bolster his reelection chances — by sharply reducing Covid-19 case counts and @ @ @ @ @ hospitalizations attributed to virus .
”

“Just eight weeks from election day, the White House has stopped trying to contain the coronavirus — shifting instead to shielding the nation’s most vulnerable groups and restoring a sense of normalcy,” Politico reports.
“The change is part of a concerted effort by the White House to increase public approval of President Donald Trump’s pandemic response — and bolster his reelection chances — by sharply reducing Covid-19 case counts and the number of deaths and hospitalizations attributed to virus.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Sully Urges ‘Vote Him Out’ In Anti-Trump Tweetstorm

President Trump said his former chief of staff , John Kelly , could have been one of the four anonymous @ @ @ @ @ in the publication ’ s report that the president…

“At least two brands have said they will suspend advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after their ads and those of other companies were run on an…


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Says There’s No Proof of Russian Poisoning

President Trump said there is “ not any proof yet ” of Kremlin involvement in the poisoning of corruption fighter @ @ @ @ @ to focus their criticism on China instead , the Daily Beast reports .
Said Trump @ @ @ @ @ that everyone ’ s always mentioning Russia… but I think probably China at this point @ @ @ @ @ be talking about much more so than Russia.
” CNN : “ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ declining to condemn Russia and its president , Vladimir Putin , for authoritarian actions .
@ @ @ @ @ Navalny poisoning , leaders around the world , including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British @ @ @ @ @ offered strong condemnation and called for answers from the Russian government .
”

President Trump said there is “not any proof yet” of Kremlin involvement in the poisoning of corruption fighter Alexei Navalny and urged reporters to focus their criticism on China instead, the Daily Beast reports.
Said Trump: “It is interesting that everyone’s always mentioning Russia… but I think probably China at this point is a nation you should be talking about much more so than Russia.”
CNN: “It’s the latest example of Trump declining to condemn Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, for authoritarian actions. In the case of the Navalny poisoning, leaders around the world, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, offered strong condemnation and called for answers from the Russian government.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Cancels Agency Race-Related Training


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Fauci Not Sure What Trump Means on Virus

Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN that he ’ s not sure what President Trump meant when he said earlier that @ @ @ @ @ “ rounding the corner ” on the coronavirus pandemic .
Said Fauci : “ I @ @ @ @ @ he means .
”

Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN that he’s not sure what President Trump meant when he said earlier that evening that the country is “rounding the corner” on the coronavirus pandemic.
Said Fauci: “I’m not sure what he means.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Cohen Says Trump Sought Help from Russia

President Trump ’ s longtime lawyer and personal fixer , Michael Cohen , alleges in a new book that Trump @ @ @ @ @ attempts to get Russia to interfere in the 2016 election ” and that the future @ @ @ @ @ well aware of Cohen ’ s hush-money payoff to adult-film star Stormy Daniels during that @ @ @ @ @ reports .
In the book , Cohen lays out an alarming portrait of the constellation @ @ @ @ @ , likening the arrangement to the mafia and calling himself “ one of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ describes the president , meanwhile , as “ a cheat , a liar , a @ @ @ @ @ a racist , a predator , a con man.
” The memoir also describes episodes @ @ @ @ @ racism and his “ hatred and contempt ” of his predecessor , Barack Obama , @ @ @ @ @ African American president .

President Trump’s longtime lawyer and personal fixer, Michael Cohen, alleges in a new book that Trump made “overt and covert attempts to get Russia to interfere in the 2016 election” and that the future commander in chief was also well aware of Cohen’s hush-money payoff to adult-film star Stormy Daniels during that campaign, the Washington Post reports.
In the book, Cohen lays out an alarming portrait of the constellation of characters orbiting around Trump, likening the arrangement to the mafia and calling himself “one of Trump’s bad guys.” He describes the president, meanwhile, as “a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man.”
The memoir also describes episodes of Trump’s alleged racism and his “hatred and contempt” of his predecessor, Barack Obama, the nation’s only African American president.


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Strzok Says Russia Held Back In 2016

Strzok Says Russia Held Back In 2016

Peter Strzok , who has a new book about the Russia investigation coming out next week , told Politico that @ @ @ @ @ Russia did not leave it all on the table in 2016 .
Said Strzok : @ @ @ @ @ information and techniques and means of attacks that they could have used that they chose @ @ @ @ @ whatever reason didn ’ t do , in 2016 .
So not only did they @ @ @ @ @ then had several years to refine those techniques and gather more information that I think @ @ @ @ @ the runup , during , and after the election , to throw into doubt any @ @ @ @ @

Peter Strzok, who has a new book about the Russia investigation coming out next week, told Politico that classified intelligence he saw suggested Russia did not leave it all on the table in 2016.
Said Strzok: “We knew there was information and techniques and means of attacks that they could have used that they chose not to, or for whatever reason didn’t do, in 2016. So not only did they hold back, but they then had several years to refine those techniques and gather more information that I think they can use both in the runup, during, and after the election, to throw into doubt any number of things.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Harris Doesn’t Trust Trump in Vaccine

Harris Doesn’t Trust Trump in Vaccine

Sen. Kamala Harris criticized President Trump ’ s push to have a coronavirus vaccine ready for distribution before Election Day @ @ @ @ @ willing to use his power for political advantage , NBC News reports .
Said Harris @ @ @ @ @ trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that @ @ @ @ @ the reliability of whatever he ’ s talking about .
I will not take his @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Kamala Harris criticized President Trump’s push to have a coronavirus vaccine ready for distribution before Election Day, painting the president as willing to use his power for political advantage, NBC News reports.
Said Harris: “I would not trust Donald Trump and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he’s talking about. I will not take his word for it.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Biden Expands Transition Team

Biden Expands Transition Team

“ President Trump was proudly litigious before his victory in 2016 and has remained so in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ changed : He has drawn on campaign donations…


politicalwire--2020-09-05--At Least 4 Boats Sink During ‘Trump Boat Parade’

“ At least four boats sank at an event promoted as a Trump Boat Parade on Lake Travis in Texas @ @ @ @ @ New York Times reports .
“ The Sheriff ’ s Office in Travis County received @ @ @ @ @ boats in distress starting at 12:15 p.m. local time… Firefighters pulled some people out of @ @ @ @

“At least four boats sank at an event promoted as a Trump Boat Parade on Lake Travis in Texas on Saturday,” the New York Times reports.
“The Sheriff’s Office in Travis County received “multiple” calls of boats in distress starting at 12:15 p.m. local time… Firefighters pulled some people out of the water.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Anita Hill Will Vote for Joe Biden

Anita Hill Will Vote for Joe Biden

“ Anita Hill never pictured herself voting for Joe Biden .
But given the political reality the nation is facing @ @ @ @ @ only going to vote for Biden — she ’ s also willing to work with @ @ @ @ @ president , ” CNN reports .
Said Hill : “ Notwithstanding all of his limitations @ @ @ @ @ the mistakes that he made in the past , notwithstanding those — at this point @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , I think Joe Biden is the person who should be elected in @ @ @

“Anita Hill never pictured herself voting for Joe Biden. But given the political reality the nation is facing, she’s not only going to vote for Biden — she’s also willing to work with him, should he become president,” CNN reports.
Said Hill: “Notwithstanding all of his limitations in the past, and the mistakes that he made in the past, notwithstanding those — at this point, between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I think Joe Biden is the person who should be elected in November.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Boris Johnson Praised Trump to Diplomats

Boris Johnson privately told US diplomats that Donald Trump was “ making America great again ” , according to a @ @ @ @ @ during high-level UK-US meetings whose details have leaked to The Telegraph .
Johnson added Trump @ @ @ @ @ ” on foreign policy issues like China , Syria and North Korea .
“ Mr @ @ @ @ @ Mr Trump in private goes much further than he usually does in public , and @ @ @ @ @ show a majority of the British people disapprove of the US president .
Its disclosure @ @ @ @ @ get dragged into the US election campaign .
”

Boris Johnson privately told US diplomats that Donald Trump was “making America great again”, according to a cache of official notes taken during high-level UK-US meetings whose details have leaked to The Telegraph.
Johnson added Trump was doing “fantastic stuff” on foreign policy issues like China, Syria and North Korea.
“Mr Johnson’s praise for Mr Trump in private goes much further than he usually does in public, and is eye-catching given polls consistently show a majority of the British people disapprove of the US president. Its disclosure could see the Prime Minister get dragged into the US election campaign.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--How Trump Draws on Campaign Funds to Pay Legal Bills

“ President Trump was proudly litigious before his victory in 2016 and has remained so in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ changed : He has drawn on campaign donations as a piggy bank for his legal @ @ @ @ @ greater than any of his predecessors , ” the New York Times reports .
“ @ @ @ @ @ tendency to turn to the courts — and the legal issues that have stemmed from @ @ @ @ @ — helps explain how he and his affiliated political entities have spent at least $ @ @ @ @ @ legal and compliance work since 2015 .
”

“President Trump was proudly litigious before his victory in 2016 and has remained so in the White House. But one big factor has changed: He has drawn on campaign donations as a piggy bank for his legal expenses to a degree far greater than any of his predecessors,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Trump’s tendency to turn to the courts — and the legal issues that have stemmed from norm-breaking characteristics of his presidency — helps explain how he and his affiliated political entities have spent at least $58.4 million in donations on legal and compliance work since 2015.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Plays Defense with Military

Trump Plays Defense with Military

Politico : “ It ’ s a difficult situation for Trump , who from the beginning of his presidency has @ @ @ @ @ and boasted about ‘ rebuilding ’ the armed services .
Experts and former top military @ @ @ @ @ the article are dangerous not just for losing actual voters tied to the military — @ @ @ @ @ narrow slice of undecided voters who may not love either 2020 candidate but still revere @ @ @ @ @

Politico: “It’s a difficult situation for Trump, who from the beginning of his presidency has surrounded himself with military trappings and boasted about ‘rebuilding’ the armed services. Experts and former top military officials say the quotes from the article are dangerous not just for losing actual voters tied to the military — but potentially turning off a narrow slice of undecided voters who may not love either 2020 candidate but still revere troops and veterans.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Tillis Fights to Close Gap in North Carolina

Politico : “ Thom Tillis has struggled to mollify conservatives in North Carolina since joining the Senate six years ago @ @ @ @ @ addressing volunteers in a county Republican headquarters here this week , he had a message @ @ @ @ @ wary of him : You may not love me , but I guarantee you ’ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate .
”

Politico: “Thom Tillis has struggled to mollify conservatives in North Carolina since joining the Senate six years ago. But standing onstage and addressing volunteers in a county Republican headquarters here this week, he had a message for any base voters still wary of him: You may not love me, but I guarantee you’d hate Chuck Schumer running the Senate.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump’s Favorite Channel Employs Kremlin-Paid Journalist

Daily Beast : “ If the stories broadcast by the Trump-endorsed One America News Network sometimes look like outtakes from @ @ @ @ @ there may be a reason .
One of the on-air reporters at the 24-hour network @ @ @ @ @ the payroll of the Kremlin ’ s official propaganda outlet , Sputnik .
”

Daily Beast: “If the stories broadcast by the Trump-endorsed One America News Network sometimes look like outtakes from a Kremlin trolling operation, there may be a reason. One of the on-air reporters at the 24-hour network is a Russian national on the payroll of the Kremlin’s official propaganda outlet, Sputnik.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Cohen Says Trump Would Start a War to Help Him Win

Michael Cohen told NBC News he believes President Trump will “ do anything and everything ” to win reelection and @ @ @ @ @ as to start a war ” to remain in the White House .
Said Cohen @ @ @ @ @ is that there will not be a peaceful transition of power in 2020.
” Cohen @ @ @ @ @ out next week .

Michael Cohen told NBC News he believes President Trump will “do anything and everything” to win reelection and “even go so far as to start a war” to remain in the White House.
Said Cohen: “My biggest fear is that there will not be a peaceful transition of power in 2020.”
Cohen’s tell-all memoir comes out next week.


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Vaccine Developers Prepare Joint Pledge on Safety

Wall Street Journal : “ Several drug makers developing Covid-19 vaccines plan to issue a public pledge not to seek @ @ @ @ @ have proven to be safe and effective , an unusual joint move among rivals that @ @ @ @ @ address concerns over a rush to mass vaccination .
”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Republicans Not Coming to Trump’s Defense

Playbook : “ Amid all the furious responses to the Atlantic article alleging that President Trump had called American troops @ @ @ @ @ losers , ’ one thing leaps out : You didn ’ t see Republican members @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s character.
” “ Some of this may be the late summer @ @ @ @ @ ’ m told telephones and the internet still work outside of Washington — and Trump @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill did not exactly rally to his defense .
Sen. Lindsey Graham for one @ @ @ @ @ president for saving the military publication Stars & Stripes , but said nothing directly about @ @ @ @ @ aides and loyal alumni were scrambling to discredit .
Other prominent GOP members ignored the @ @ @ @

Playbook: “Amid all the furious responses to the Atlantic article alleging that President Trump had called American troops ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,’ one thing leaps out: You didn’t see Republican members of Congress leaping to defend the president’s character.”
“Some of this may be the late summer recess talking. But I’m told telephones and the internet still work outside of Washington — and Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill did not exactly rally to his defense. Sen. Lindsey Graham for one, managed to praise the president for saving the military publication Stars & Stripes, but said nothing directly about the big story White House aides and loyal alumni were scrambling to discredit. Other prominent GOP members ignored the subject altogether.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Aides Mount Curious Defense of Trump

Aides Mount Curious Defense of Trump

Daily Beast : “ Trump aides , Republican operatives , and former and current friends of the president , several @ @ @ @ @ defense of Trump .
Yes , they admitted , the commander in chief at times @ @ @ @ @ about American military personnel behind closed doors .
But it ’ s because he hates @ @ @ @ @ forced to fight , not the service members themselves.
” Said one senior administration official @ @ @ @ @ no disrespect to our troops ; it ’ s just that the way he speaks @ @ @ @ @ an asshole sometimes .
That ’ s how he is when the cameras are off… @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Daily Beast: “Trump aides, Republican operatives, and former and current friends of the president, several of them mounted a curious defense of Trump. Yes, they admitted, the commander in chief at times makes callous, tone-deaf comments about American military personnel behind closed doors. But it’s because he hates the wars they’re forced to fight, not the service members themselves.”
Said one senior administration official: “The president means no disrespect to our troops; it’s just that the way he speaks, he can sound like an asshole sometimes. That’s how he is when the cameras are off… It’s his style.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Biden Keeps Big Lead Nationally

Biden Keeps Big Lead Nationally


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Biden Leads In Key Battlegrounds

Biden Leads In Key Battlegrounds


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Ex-FBI Agent Says Trump Attacks Were ‘Cruel’

“ Peter Strzok spent his FBI career hunting Russian and Chinese spies , but after news broke of derogatory text @ @ @ @ @ President Trump , he came to feel like he was the one being hunted , @ @ @ @ @ “ There were menacing phone calls and messages from strangers , and anxious peeks out @ @ @ @ @ would leave the house .
FBI security experts advised him of best practices — walk @ @ @ @ @ , watch for unfamiliar vehicles in your neighborhood — more commonly associated with mob targets @ @ @ @ @ Said Strzok : “ Being subjected to outrageous attacks up to and including by the @ @ @ @ @ full of lies and mischaracterizations and just crude and cruel , is horrible .
There @ @ @ @ @ it.
” Strzok has a new book out which tells his story .

“Peter Strzok spent his FBI career hunting Russian and Chinese spies, but after news broke of derogatory text messages he had sent about President Trump, he came to feel like he was the one being hunted,” the AP reports.
“There were menacing phone calls and messages from strangers, and anxious peeks out window shades before his family would leave the house. FBI security experts advised him of best practices — walk around your car before entering, watch for unfamiliar vehicles in your neighborhood — more commonly associated with mob targets looking to elude detection.”
Said Strzok: “Being subjected to outrageous attacks up to and including by the president himself, which are full of lies and mischaracterizations and just crude and cruel, is horrible. There’s no way around it.”
Strzok has a new book out which tells his story.


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Democrats Hold Secret Edge If Election Is Close

Bloomberg : “ If the outcome of this November ’ s election comes down to fights over counting mail-in ballots @ @ @ @ @ President Trump , Democrat Joe Biden may have a quiet advantage : The top election @ @ @ @ @ key states that could decide the election are Democrats.
” “ In Michigan and Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ won in 2016 — the top elections officials belong to Biden ’ s party .
@ @ @ @ @ in Arizona , which Trump carried but Biden is now leading in the polls , @ @ @ @ @ president has targeted .
”

Bloomberg: “If the outcome of this November’s election comes down to fights over counting mail-in ballots and claims of fraud by President Trump, Democrat Joe Biden may have a quiet advantage: The top election officials in many of the key states that could decide the election are Democrats.”
“In Michigan and Pennsylvania — two Democratic-leaning states Trump won in 2016 — the top elections officials belong to Biden’s party. That’s also true in Arizona, which Trump carried but Biden is now leading in the polls, and Minnesota, which the president has targeted.”


politicalwire--2020-09-05--Trump Slams Reporters Over Fallen Soldiers Comments

President Trump lashed out at the journalist behind this week ’ s explosive report that claimed he had disparaged fallen @ @ @ @ @ reporter a “ slimeball.
” Trump also went after a Fox News reporter after she @ @ @ @ @ a bombshell story saying she should be fired .
Politico : “ Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the fallout from the bombshell report entered its third day after the president on Friday @ @ @ @ @ in two press conferences and on social media , including having current and former administration @ @ @ @ @ witnesses .
”

President Trump lashed out at the journalist behind this week’s explosive report that claimed he had disparaged fallen American soldiers, calling the reporter a “slimeball.”
Trump also went after a Fox News reporter after she backed up some details of a bombshell story saying she should be fired.
Politico: “Trump’s ongoing public effort to contain the fallout from the bombshell report entered its third day after the president on Friday attempted to repudiate the allegations in two press conferences and on social media, including having current and former administration officials speak out as character witnesses.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Pours Money Into YouTube

Trump Pours Money Into YouTube

Politico : “ As Trump ’ s reelection effort pulled back on television advertising over the past month , it @ @ @ @ @ time into Google ’ s video platform .
The campaign and its joint fund with @ @ @ @ @ spent over $ 65 million on YouTube and Google — about $ 30 million of @ @ @ @ @ Biden and the Democratic National Committee joint committee , by comparison , have spent about @ @ @ @ @ and Google during the entire campaign .
”

Politico: “As Trump’s reelection effort pulled back on television advertising over the past month, it is pouring money and staff time into Google’s video platform. The campaign and its joint fund with the Republican National Committee have spent over $65 million on YouTube and Google — about $30 million of it since July. Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee joint committee, by comparison, have spent about $33 million on YouTube and Google during the entire campaign.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Fixates in Promise of Vaccine

Trump Fixates in Promise of Vaccine

“ President Trump is so fixated on finding a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that in meetings about the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ captures his attention , ” the Washington Post reports .
“ Trump has pressed health @ @ @ @ @ vaccine timeline and urged them to deliver one by the end of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ questions about the development status and mass-distribution plans .
And , in recent days , @ @ @ @ @ and aides that a vaccine may arrive by Nov. 1 , which just happens to @ @ @ @ @ presidential election .
”

“President Trump is so fixated on finding a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that in meetings about the U.S. pandemic response, little else captures his attention,” the Washington Post reports.
“Trump has pressed health officials to speed up the vaccine timeline and urged them to deliver one by the end of the year. He has peppered them with questions about the development status and mass-distribution plans. And, in recent days, he has told some advisers and aides that a vaccine may arrive by Nov. 1, which just happens to be two days before the presidential election.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Biden Defends Lead Against Trump’s Onslaught

New York Times : “ Private polls conducted for both parties during and after their August conventions found the race largely stable but tightening slightly in some states , with Mr. Trump recovering some support from conservative-leaning rural voters who had drifted away over the summer amid the worsening pandemic .
Yet Mr. Biden continues to enjoy advantages with nearly every other group , especially in populous areas where the virus remains at the forefront for voters , according to people briefed on the data.
” “ No president has entered Labor Day weekend — the traditional kickoff of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underdog since George Bush in 1992 .
Mr. Trump has not led in public polls in such must-win states as Florida since Mr. Biden claimed the nomination in April , and there has been little fluctuation in the race .
Still , the president ’ s surprise win in 2016 weighs heavily in the thinking of nervous Democrats and hopeful Republicans alike.
” Washington Post : “ At the traditional Labor Day kickoff to the fall campaign , the race remains former vice president Joe Biden ’ s to lose — which of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried many things over the past months in an effort to avoid becoming a one-term president .
So far , nothing has proved to be the magic potion the president seems to believe is out there .
”

New York Times: “Private polls conducted for both parties during and after their August conventions found the race largely stable but tightening slightly in some states, with Mr. Trump recovering some support from conservative-leaning rural voters who had drifted away over the summer amid the worsening pandemic. Yet Mr. Biden continues to enjoy advantages with nearly every other group, especially in populous areas where the virus remains at the forefront for voters, according to people briefed on the data.”
“No president has entered Labor Day weekend — the traditional kickoff of the fall campaign — as such a clear underdog since George Bush in 1992. Mr. Trump has not led in public polls in such must-win states as Florida since Mr. Biden claimed the nomination in April, and there has been little fluctuation in the race. Still, the president’s surprise win in 2016 weighs heavily in the thinking of nervous Democrats and hopeful Republicans alike.”
Washington Post: “At the traditional Labor Day kickoff to the fall campaign, the race remains former vice president Joe Biden’s to lose — which of course could still happen. Trump has tried many things over the past months in an effort to avoid becoming a one-term president. So far, nothing has proved to be the magic potion the president seems to believe is out there.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Companies Recruit 350K Poll Workers for Election

“ Big employers including Gap Inc. ’ s Old Navy , Target Corp. and Warby Parker are telling employees they @ @ @ @ @ to volunteer as election workers this fall as they aim to help solve a national @ @ @ @ @ a way to find a sense of purpose , ” the Wall Street Journal reports @

“Big employers including Gap Inc.’s Old Navy, Target Corp. and Warby Parker are telling employees they can take paid time off to volunteer as election workers this fall as they aim to help solve a national poll-worker shortage and offer workers a way to find a sense of purpose,” the Wall Street Journal reports.


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

“ President Trump was proudly litigious before his victory in 2016 and has remained so in the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ changed : He has drawn on campaign donations…

“At least two brands have said they will suspend advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after their ads and those of other companies were run on an…


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Hired a ‘Faux-Bama’ to Belittle and Fire

“ Before Donald Trump ever sought the Oval Office , he was preoccupied by its occupant President Barack Obama , publicly questioning his birthplace and privately describing him as ‘ a Manchurian candidate ’ who obtained his Ivy League degrees only by way of affirmative action , according to a new book by Trump ’ s former attorney , Michael Cohen , ” CNN reports .
“ Trump ’ s disdain for Obama was so extreme that he took his fixation a step further , according to Cohen : Trump hired a ‘ Faux-Bama ’ to participate in a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first black president and then fired him . '
” “ Cohen ’ s book , Disloyal : A Memoir , doesn ’ t name the man who was allegedly hired to play Obama or provide a specific date for the incident , but it does include a photograph of Trump sitting behind a desk , facing a Black man wearing a suit with an American flag pin affixed to the lapel .
On Trump ’ s desk are two books , one displaying Obama ’ s name in large letters .
”

“Before Donald Trump ever sought the Oval Office, he was preoccupied by its occupant President Barack Obama, publicly questioning his birthplace and privately describing him as ‘a Manchurian candidate’ who obtained his Ivy League degrees only by way of affirmative action, according to a new book by Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen,” CNN reports.
“Trump’s disdain for Obama was so extreme that he took his fixation a step further, according to Cohen: Trump hired a ‘Faux-Bama’ to participate in a video in which Trump ‘ritualistically belittled the first black president and then fired him.'”
“Cohen’s book, Disloyal: A Memoir, doesn’t name the man who was allegedly hired to play Obama or provide a specific date for the incident, but it does include a photograph of Trump sitting behind a desk, facing a Black man wearing a suit with an American flag pin affixed to the lapel. On Trump’s desk are two books, one displaying Obama’s name in large letters.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--New York Coronavirus Infection Rate Stays Below 1%

Washington Post : “ Biden has been under intense pressure from allies to hasten his campaign pace — but from @ @ @ @ @ , with some favoring a strategy meant to…


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Trump Has Long History of Disparaging Military Service

Washington Post : “ Long before Trump ’ s views of the military would emerge as a flash point in @ @ @ @ @ before he would shock the political world with the more widely seen 2015 attack on @ @ @ @ @ said the senator was ‘ not a war hero ’ and declared , ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ t captured ’ — Trump had a long track record of incendiary and disparaging remarks @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Many of his remarks are memorialized in television interviews and the tapes of @ @ @ @ @ , dating to his years as a private citizen and businessman .
”

Washington Post: “Long before Trump’s views of the military would emerge as a flash point in his 2020 reelection campaign — before he would shock the political world with the more widely seen 2015 attack on McCain, in which he said the senator was ‘not a war hero’ and declared, ‘I like people who weren’t captured’ — Trump had a long track record of incendiary and disparaging remarks about veterans and military service.”
“Many of his remarks are memorialized in television interviews and the tapes of radio conversations with shock jocks, dating to his years as a private citizen and businessman.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Trump Casts Himself as Defender of White America

“ After a summer when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets protesting racial injustice against Black Americans @ @ @ @ @ it clear over the last few days that , in his view , the country @ @ @ @ @ is bias against white Americans , ” the New York Times reports .
“ Not @ @ @ @ @ president so overtly declared himself the candidate of white America .
While Mr. Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ the culture war messaging at the Republican National Convention last month by showcasing Black and @ @ @ @ @ he is a racist , the president himself has increasingly made appeals to the grievances @ @ @ @ @ of his campaign to win a second term .
”

“After a summer when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets protesting racial injustice against Black Americans, President Trump has made it clear over the last few days that, in his view, the country’s real race problem is bias against white Americans,” the New York Times reports.
“Not in generations has a sitting president so overtly declared himself the candidate of white America. While Mr. Trump’s campaign sought to temper the culture war messaging at the Republican National Convention last month by showcasing Black and Hispanic supporters who denied that he is a racist, the president himself has increasingly made appeals to the grievances of white supporters a centerpiece of his campaign to win a second term.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Trump and Allies Ratchet Up Disinformation

Washington Post : “ For the president and his top supporters , it was a campaign push brimming with disinformation @ @ @ @ @ in obfuscation at a rapid clip , through the use of selectively edited videos , @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The slew of false and misleading tweets and videos stood in contrast to @ @ @ @ @ , the former vice president , who in 2019 took a pledge promising not to @ @ @ @ @ disinformation over social media , including rejecting the use of ‘ deep fake ’ videos.
@ @ @ @ @ a political career around falsehoods , issuing more than 20,000 false or misleading statements during @ @ @ @ @ his presidency .
But many experts said the onslaught of the disinformation efforts by Trump @ @ @ @ @ late weeks of the campaign make the deception particularly difficult to combat , not to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s democratic institutions .
”

Washington Post: “For the president and his top supporters, it was a campaign push brimming with disinformation — disseminating falsehoods and trafficking in obfuscation at a rapid clip, through the use of selectively edited videos, deceptive retweets and false statements.”
“The slew of false and misleading tweets and videos stood in contrast to the approach taken by Biden, the former vice president, who in 2019 took a pledge promising not to participate in the spread of disinformation over social media, including rejecting the use of ‘deep fake’ videos.”
“Trump has built a political career around falsehoods, issuing more than 20,000 false or misleading statements during the first three-plus years of his presidency. But many experts said the onslaught of the disinformation efforts by Trump and his team in the late weeks of the campaign make the deception particularly difficult to combat, not to mention dangerous to the country’s democratic institutions.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Sanders Warns Trump May Not Concede

Sanders Warns Trump May Not Concede

Sen. Bernie Sanders told Politico that Americans must ready themselves for the possibility that President Trump will refuse to leave @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s election .
Said Sanders : “ Trump was saying … ‘ the @ @ @ @ @ this election away from us is if this is a rigged election.
’ Now he @ @ @ @ @ a time when virtually every national poll has him behind .
”

Sen. Bernie Sanders told Politico that Americans must ready themselves for the possibility that President Trump will refuse to leave office even if he loses November’s election.
Said Sanders: “Trump was saying … ‘the only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election.’ Now he is making that statement at a time when virtually every national poll has him behind.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--McCarthy Says Trump’s War on Mail Ballots Could Backfire

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is privately encouraging voting by mail and warned President Trump the party could be “ @ @ @ @ @ against mail-in voting , Axios reports .
McCarthy said the party can ’ t afford @ @ @ @ @ , afraid of getting COVID-19 , while Democrats flood the field with mail-in ballots .
@ @ @ @ @ deterring senior citizens .

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is privately encouraging voting by mail and warned President Trump the party could be “screwed” by his fight against mail-in voting, Axios reports.
McCarthy said the party can’t afford for Republicans to sit home, afraid of getting COVID-19, while Democrats flood the field with mail-in ballots.
McCarthy is particularly worried about deterring senior citizens.


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Biden Settles on One Message for All

Biden Settles on One Message for All

Washington Post : “ Biden has been under intense pressure from allies to hasten his campaign pace — but from @ @ @ @ @ , with some favoring a strategy meant to attract some White working-class voters and others @ @ @ @ @ and calling for racial justice .
Amid the frenzy of recommendations , Biden has settled @ @ @ @ @ to appeal to everyone : Trump is the reason for all of America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ matter which one matters most to a specific audience .
”

Washington Post: “Biden has been under intense pressure from allies to hasten his campaign pace — but from there the advice has diverged, with some favoring a strategy meant to attract some White working-class voters and others Black voters who are mobilizing and calling for racial justice. Amid the frenzy of recommendations, Biden has settled on a through line meant to appeal to everyone: Trump is the reason for all of America’s most pressing ills, no matter which one matters most to a specific audience.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Hit with Barrage of Books

Trump Hit with Barrage of Books

“ Never before has a sitting president been hit by so many blistering books , so many times , in @ @ @ @ @ Axios reports .
Next up : “ Bob Woodward , armed with a reported 17 @ @ @ @ @ will be out Sept. 15 with Rage , which Trump is already attacking .
”

“Never before has a sitting president been hit by so many blistering books, so many times, in a one-month period,” Axios reports.
Next up: “Bob Woodward, armed with a reported 17 interviews with Trump himself, will be out Sept. 15 with Rage, which Trump is already attacking.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Attacks Laurene Powell Jobs

Trump Attacks Laurene Powell Jobs

President Trump is coming after Laurene Powell Jobs , the philanthropist billionaire who owns a majority stake in The Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her @ @ @ @ @ Magazine that is run by a con man ( Goldberg ) and spews FAKE NEWS @ @ @ @ @ , write her , let her know how you feel !
!
!
”

President Trump is coming after Laurene Powell Jobs, the philanthropist billionaire who owns a majority stake in The Atlantic.
Said Trump: “Steve Jobs would not be happy that his wife is wasting money he left her on a failing Radical Left Magazine that is run by a con man (Goldberg) and spews FAKE NEWS & HATE. Call her, write her, let her know how you feel!!!”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Editor of ‘The Atlantic’ Says More Is Coming

Jeffrey Goldberg , editor-in-chief of The Atlantic , told CNN his magazine ’ s story about Trump calling Americans who @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ suckers , ” was just the tip of the iceberg .
Said @ @ @ @ @ fully expect more reporting to come out about this and more confirmation and new pieces @ @ @ @ @ days and weeks .
We have a responsibility and we ’ re going to do @ @ @ @ @ says .
”

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, told CNN his magazine’s story about Trump calling Americans who died in battle “losers” and “suckers,” was just the tip of the iceberg.
Said Goldberg: “I would fully expect more reporting to come out about this and more confirmation and new pieces of information in the coming days and weeks. We have a responsibility and we’re going to do it regardless of what he says.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Michigan Ballots May Take a Week to Count

“ Michigan ’ s secretary of state said on Sunday her state ’ s full results of the Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ available on Election Day , advising voters it could take a week for a final @ @ @ @ @ .
Said Jocelyn Benson : “ We should be prepared for this to be closer @ @ @ @ @ opposed to an election day .
The bottom line is we are not going to @ @ @ @ @ a counting of all of our ballots on election night .
We already know that @ @ @ @ @ the legislature to make changes to the laws to give us more ability to be @ @ @ @ @ more efficiently .
”

“Michigan’s secretary of state said on Sunday her state’s full results of the Nov. 3 elections won’t be available on Election Day, advising voters it could take a week for a final tally,” Politico reports.
Said Jocelyn Benson: “We should be prepared for this to be closer to an election week as opposed to an election day. The bottom line is we are not going to have the full results and a counting of all of our ballots on election night. We already know that. We’ve asked the legislature to make changes to the laws to give us more ability to be prepared and count those ballots more efficiently.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--DeJoy Reimbursed Employees for GOP Donations

“ Louis DeJoy ’ s prolific campaign fundraising , which helped position him as a top Republican power broker in @ @ @ @ @ head of the U.S .
Postal Service , was bolstered for more than a decade @ @ @ @ @ many employees feeling pressured to make political contributions to GOP candidates — money DeJoy later @ @ @ @ @ employees say , ” the Washington Post reports .

“Louis DeJoy’s prolific campaign fundraising, which helped position him as a top Republican power broker in North Carolina and ultimately as head of the U.S. Postal Service, was bolstered for more than a decade by a practice that left many employees feeling pressured to make political contributions to GOP candidates — money DeJoy later reimbursed through bonuses, former employees say,” the Washington Post reports.


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Poached Art From Ambassador’s Home in Paris

During President Trump ’ s infamous 2018 visit to Paris , in which his planned trip to a French cemetery @ @ @ @ @ , he strolled around the lavish ambassador ’ s residence in Paris and took a @ @ @ @ @ pieces of artwork , including a bust of Benjamin Franklin and some Greek mythical figurines @ @ @ @ @ he ordered them removed from the residence and packed into Air Force One and brought @ @ @ @ @

During President Trump’s infamous 2018 visit to Paris, in which his planned trip to a French cemetery for fallen soldiers was canceled, he strolled around the lavish ambassador’s residence in Paris and took a fancy to a number of pieces of artwork, including a bust of Benjamin Franklin and some Greek mythical figurines, Bloomberg reports.
So he ordered them removed from the residence and packed into Air Force One and brought to the White House.


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Seeks to ‘Rebrand’ Kamala Harris

Trump Seeks to ‘Rebrand’ Kamala Harris

Politico : “ The president and his allies are plotting ways to portray Harris as a serious threat to the @ @ @ @ @ to flip this fall , four years after many across the Rust Belt ditched Democrats @ @ @ @ @ ’ re digging up her comments from Democratic primary debates , hoping they can use @ @ @ @ @ Biden on defense.
” “ And despite Harris ’ lukewarm relationship with some anti-establishment progressive @ @ @ @ @ ways to cast her as a champion of the radical left by concentrating on positions @ @ @ @ @ run afoul of Biden-style centrism , one of the former vice president ’ s key @ @ @ @ @ ”

Politico: “The president and his allies are plotting ways to portray Harris as a serious threat to the working-class voters whom Biden hopes to flip this fall, four years after many across the Rust Belt ditched Democrats to support Trump. They’re digging up her comments from Democratic primary debates, hoping they can use them to put her and Biden on defense.”
“And despite Harris’ lukewarm relationship with some anti-establishment progressive groups, they are considering ways to cast her as a champion of the radical left by concentrating on positions she’s taken that run afoul of Biden-style centrism, one of the former vice president’s key appeals to swing voters.”


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Holds Small Lead In Texas

Trump Holds Small Lead In Texas


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Biden Leads in Wisconsin

Biden Leads in Wisconsin


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Biden Keeps Lead Nationally

Biden Keeps Lead Nationally


politicalwire--2020-09-06--Trump Fixates on Promise of Vaccine

Trump Fixates on Promise of Vaccine

“ President Trump is so fixated on finding a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that in meetings about the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ captures his attention , ” the Washington Post reports .
“ Trump has pressed health @ @ @ @ @ vaccine timeline and urged them to deliver one by the end of the year .
@ @ @ @ @ questions about the development status and mass-distribution plans .
And , in recent days , @ @ @ @ @ and aides that a vaccine may arrive by Nov. 1 , which just happens to @ @ @ @ @ presidential election .
”

“President Trump is so fixated on finding a vaccine for the novel coronavirus that in meetings about the U.S. pandemic response, little else captures his attention,” the Washington Post reports.
“Trump has pressed health officials to speed up the vaccine timeline and urged them to deliver one by the end of the year. He has peppered them with questions about the development status and mass-distribution plans. And, in recent days, he has told some advisers and aides that a vaccine may arrive by Nov. 1, which just happens to be two days before the presidential election.”


politicalwire--2020-09-08--Vaccine Is Latest Flashpoint In Campaign

The prospect of a vaccine to shield Americans from coronavirus infection emerged Monday as a point of contention in the @ @ @ @ @ Trump accused Democrats of “ disparaging ” for political gain a vaccine he repeatedly has @ @ @ @ @ the election , the AP reports .
Said Trump : “ It ’ s so @ @ @ @ @ what they say , but the vaccine will be very safe and very effective .
@

The prospect of a vaccine to shield Americans from coronavirus infection emerged Monday as a point of contention in the White House race as President Trump accused Democrats of “disparaging” for political gain a vaccine he repeatedly has said could be available before the election, the AP reports.
Said Trump: “It’s so dangerous for our country, what they say, but the vaccine will be very safe and very effective.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--How Trump’s Campaign Lost Its Cash Advantage

New York Times : “ Money was supposed to have been one of the great advantages of incumbency for President @ @ @ @ @ was for President Barack Obama in 2012 and George W. Bush in 2004 .
After @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump filed for re-election on the day of his inauguration — earlier than any @ @ @ @ @ that the head start would deliver him a decisive financial advantage this year.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ .
His rival , Joe Biden , was relatively broke when he emerged as the @ @ @ @ @ , and Mr. Trump and the Republican National Committee had a nearly $ 200 million @ @ @ @ @ months later , Mr. Trump ’ s financial supremacy has evaporated .
Of the $ @ @ @ @ @ the party raised from the beginning of 2019 through July , more than $ 800 @ @ @ @ @ .
Now some people inside the campaign are forecasting what was once unthinkable : a @ @ @ @ @ 60 days until the election .
”

New York Times: “Money was supposed to have been one of the great advantages of incumbency for President Trump, much as it was for President Barack Obama in 2012 and George W. Bush in 2004. After getting outspent in 2016, Mr. Trump filed for re-election on the day of his inauguration — earlier than any other modern president — betting that the head start would deliver him a decisive financial advantage this year.”
“It seemed to have worked. His rival, Joe Biden, was relatively broke when he emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee this spring, and Mr. Trump and the Republican National Committee had a nearly $200 million cash advantage.”
“Five months later, Mr. Trump’s financial supremacy has evaporated. Of the $1.1 billon his campaign and the party raised from the beginning of 2019 through July, more than $800 million has already been spent. Now some people inside the campaign are forecasting what was once unthinkable: a cash crunch with less than 60 days until the election.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Bonus Quote of the Day

Bonus Quote of the Day

“ I ’ m not saying the military ’ s in love with me , the soldiers are .
The @ @ @ @ @ probably aren ’ t , because they want to do nothing but fight wars so @ @ @ @ @ companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy @ @

“I’m not saying the military’s in love with me, the soldiers are. The top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t, because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”
— President Trump, quoted by CNN.


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Pastor Linked to Super-Spreader Event Defiant

“ I ’ m not saying the military ’ s in love with me , the soldiers are .
The @ @ @ @ @ probably aren ’ t , because they want to do nothing but fight wars so…

“At least two brands have said they will suspend advertising on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after their ads and those of other companies were run on an…


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Trump Is ‘Taking the High Road’ By Not Meeting Democrats

President Trump told reporters at a Labor Day briefing that he is “ taking the high road ” by not @ @ @ @ @ and other top Democrats to negotiate the next coronavirus stimulus package , Axios reports .
@ @ @ @ @ don ’ t need to meet with them to be turned down .
They don @ @ @ @ @ a deal because they think if the country does as badly as possible … that @ @ @ @ @ Democrats.
” He added : “ I am taking the high road .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ by not seeing them .
”

President Trump told reporters at a Labor Day briefing that he is “taking the high road” by not meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats to negotiate the next coronavirus stimulus package, Axios reports.
Said Trump: “I don’t need to meet with them to be turned down. They don’t want to make a deal because they think if the country does as badly as possible … that’s good for the Democrats.”
He added: “I am taking the high road. I’m taking the high road by not seeing them.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Trump Emerges as Inspiration for Germany’s Far Right

New York Times : “ Mr .
Trump was neither in the embassy nor in Germany that day — and @ @ @ @ @ His face was emblazoned on banners , T-shirts and even on Germany ’ s pre-1918 @ @ @ @ @ neo-Nazis in the crowd of 50,000 who had come to protest Germany ’ s pandemic @ @ @ @ @ invoked by many with messianic zeal.
” “ It was only the latest evidence that @ @ @ @ @ kind of cult figure in Germany ’ s increasingly varied far-right scene .
”

New York Times: “Mr. Trump was neither in the embassy nor in Germany that day — and yet there he was. His face was emblazoned on banners, T-shirts and even on Germany’s pre-1918 imperial flag, popular with neo-Nazis in the crowd of 50,000 who had come to protest Germany’s pandemic restrictions. His name was invoked by many with messianic zeal.”
“It was only the latest evidence that Trump is emerging as a kind of cult figure in Germany’s increasingly varied far-right scene.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Trump Demands Reporter Take Off Mask

Trump Demands Reporter Take Off Mask

President Trump demanded a reporter asking a question at a press conference remove his mask .
Said Trump : “ @ @ @ @ @ have to take that off , please .
You can take it off .
How @ @ @ @ @ ?
Well , if you don ’ t take it off , you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ you would take it off , it would be a lot easier .
”

President Trump demanded a reporter asking a question at a press conference remove his mask.
Said Trump: “You’re going to have to take that off, please. You can take it off. How many feet are you away? Well, if you don’t take it off, you’re very muffled, so if you would take it off, it would be a lot easier.”


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Boston Mayor Announces He Has a Challenger

Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu ( D ) called Boston Mayor Marty Walsh ( D ) to tell him she @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primary next year .
Walsh then called the Boston Globe to preempt her public @ @

Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu (D) called Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (D) to tell him she would challenge him in a Democratic primary next year.
Walsh then called the Boston Globe to preempt her public announcement.


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Most Won’t Get Vaccine When First Available

A new USA Today/Suffolk poll finds two-thirds of U.S. voters say they won ’ t try to get a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ becomes available , and one in four say they don ’ t want to ever @ @ @

A new USA Today/Suffolk poll finds two-thirds of U.S. voters say they won’t try to get a coronavirus vaccine as soon as it becomes available, and one in four say they don’t want to ever get it.


politicalwire--2020-09-07--Belarus Opposition Leader Disappears

Belarus Opposition Leader Disappears


politicalwire--2020-09-07--‘A Tough Way to Make a Living’

‘A Tough Way to Make a Living’

John Gruber points out footnote 1823 of the Senate Intelligence Committee report on Russian interference in the 2016 election which refers to testimony from Michael Cohen describing a night he spent with Donald Trump in Las Vegas in 2013 : “ It ’ s a club that puts on shows , and you never really know what the show is going to be .
In this specific case they brought out a young man who was in a leotard body suit , who , to me , I would diagnose him as a thalidomide baby .
And he was blind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pavarotti .
And while he was singing — I forget the song , it was like a ‘ God Bless America ’ -type song — there was a woman who was in a thong bikini , who was large , performing sex acts on him while he was singing .
Interesting , because I was with Mr. Trump at the time .
It was not really a place I expected to be with him at .
He looked over to me when he was finished , and I ’ ll never forget this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face .
He goes , ‘ That ’ s a tough way to make a living .
’ ”

John Gruber points out footnote 1823 of the Senate Intelligence Committee report on Russian interference in the 2016 election which refers to testimony from Michael Cohen describing a night he spent with Donald Trump in Las Vegas in 2013:
“It’s a club that puts on shows, and you never really know what the show is going to be. In this specific case they brought out a young man who was in a leotard body suit, who, to me, I would diagnose him as a thalidomide baby. And he was blind as well, but he sang like Pavarotti. And while he was singing — I forget the song, it was like a ‘God Bless America’-type song — there was a woman who was in a thong bikini, who was large, performing sex acts on him while he was singing. Interesting, because I was with Mr. Trump at the time. It was not really a place I expected to be with him at. He looked over to me when he was finished, and I’ll never forget this, he looked me right in the face. He goes, ‘That’s a tough way to make a living.’”