newsweek--2020-11-18--Democrats and Activists Say It's Time for a Black Woman as Press Secretary

Two of the top choices to fill the high-profile position of press secretary in President-elect Joe Biden 's administration are Black women , spotlighting for Democrats and activists how significant it would be for the White House to have its first African-American press secretary .
Symone Sanders , a senior advisor for Biden since his campaign began in 2019 , and one of his most stalwart defenders during the campaign , has been mentioned as one of the top choices since Biden 's victory , along with deputy campaign manager and communications director Kate Bedingfield .
But an NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ' chief of staff , Karine Jean-Pierre , to the shortlist , saying that she `` has emerged as a top candidate '' for White House press secretary job .
Democrats and activists talked to Newsweek about why the first Black press secretary in history would fit the focus on race and racial justice the Biden administration has embraced .
`` I think both Symone and Karine would be amazing press secretaries , '' said Aimee Allison , president of She The People , which works to increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Unlike in 2016 , there is broad acknowledgement that Black women had a broad and central role in delivering the White House and we 're the trusted voices . ''
During the Obama years , Bill Burton , the deputy press secretary , was considered for the role but never held it .
`` It 's been a long time coming to have an African-American at the podium full time speaking on behalf of the country , '' said Jamal Simmons , a Democratic strategist and CBS political commentator .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Obama administration and it would be another forward-leaning move by Joe Biden to appoint a Black press secretary . ''
The press secretary briefing the American people on a daily basis was the norm before the Trump administration took over , and Biden 's team has said daily briefings will return .
In that setup , the press secretary often emerged as the public face of the administration , which is why those who spoke to Newsweek said having someone who can authentically speak about issues of race , from African-Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fight for criminal justice reform , would be a boon for Biden after both issues were central to the election .
But Simmons , who was press secretary for former Senator Max Cleland in Georgia , as well as for the presidential runs of Bob Graham and Wesley Clark , added that `` for too long , the political class has looked for Black people to only speak on Black issues . ''
If Sanders or Jean-Pierre assume the mantle , Simmons said , it perhaps would be more important to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trade , as well as business investments and data privacy .
`` Just like having an African-American president , it means every issue is being discussed by a Black voice , '' he said .
Activists—those who supported other candidates during the primary and chose Biden with the full knowledge that they would push him on policy should he defeat Trump—can be expected to fight the administration on a host of issues .
But on this one , at least , they said having a Black woman as the top spokesperson for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's not a role an activist would challenge , '' said Alicia Garza , co-founder of Black Lives Matter and principal at Black Futures Lab .
She said it would be incredible not just to see a Black woman in the role , but a Black woman who reflects the values of the country behind the podium .
`` After the last four years of misinformation and disinformation , I would be relieved to see someone like Karine behind that podium , someone who has a track record of being honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But some Democrats want the incoming Biden administration to remember that prioritizing diversity and the inclusion of African-Americans in senior roles should not fade away because Harris will be vice president and a Black woman might be press secretary .
Angela Rye , who co-wrote a Washington Post op-ed with Garza and others about the need for Biden to choose a Black woman as his running mate , said she was disappointed by the rollout of Biden 's senior staff , noting that for all the transition team made of the diversity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color work for Dr. Jill Biden , and the three senior roles closest to the president , including chief of staff , went to white men .
`` I love Cedric Richmond , but I would argue he should have been chief of staff , '' she said .
`` It was great to see Julie Rodriguez , she 's absolutely qualified to fill the role [ of director of intergovernmental affairs ] but most importantly , where were the Black women ?
It was egregious and ought not to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A Black woman in the press secretary role would receive endless scrutiny—some motivated by race—Democrats and activists said .
In Georgia , when he filled a similar but lower profile role , Simmons said people called the Senate office to make threats against him .
But others said its been plain to see that high-profile Black people , from LeBron James to Michelle Obama , are always going to receive added criticism , which should n't change how they approach the job .
`` We can not go forward in fear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration did hold briefings , they were characterized by the `` ugliness '' of right-wing groups being allowed in , which `` lowered the bar for the whole country . ''
`` We ca n't be afraid of right-wing crazies anymore , '' she said .
`` They 've had too much influence during the Trump administration . ''

Two of the top choices to fill the high-profile position of press secretary in President-elect Joe Biden's administration are Black women, spotlighting for Democrats and activists how significant it would be for the White House to have its first African-American press secretary.
Symone Sanders, a senior advisor for Biden since his campaign began in 2019, and one of his most stalwart defenders during the campaign, has been mentioned as one of the top choices since Biden's victory, along with deputy campaign manager and communications director Kate Bedingfield.
But an NBC News report Wednesday added Biden senior adviser and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' chief of staff, Karine Jean-Pierre, to the shortlist, saying that she "has emerged as a top candidate" for White House press secretary job.
Democrats and activists talked to Newsweek about why the first Black press secretary in history would fit the focus on race and racial justice the Biden administration has embraced.
"I think both Symone and Karine would be amazing press secretaries," said Aimee Allison, president of She The People, which works to increase the political power of women of color. "Unlike in 2016, there is broad acknowledgement that Black women had a broad and central role in delivering the White House and we're the trusted voices."
During the Obama years, Bill Burton, the deputy press secretary, was considered for the role but never held it.
I think both Symone and Karine would be amazing press secretaries. Unlike in 2016, there is broad acknowledgement that Black women had a broad and central role in delivering the White House and we're the trusted voices. Aimee Allison, president of She The People
"It's been a long time coming to have an African-American at the podium full time speaking on behalf of the country," said Jamal Simmons, a Democratic strategist and CBS political commentator. "We were on the verge of that happening during the Obama administration and it would be another forward-leaning move by Joe Biden to appoint a Black press secretary."
The press secretary briefing the American people on a daily basis was the norm before the Trump administration took over, and Biden's team has said daily briefings will return.
In that setup, the press secretary often emerged as the public face of the administration, which is why those who spoke to Newsweek said having someone who can authentically speak about issues of race, from African-Americans being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, to the fight for criminal justice reform, would be a boon for Biden after both issues were central to the election.
But Simmons, who was press secretary for former Senator Max Cleland in Georgia, as well as for the presidential runs of Bob Graham and Wesley Clark, added that "for too long, the political class has looked for Black people to only speak on Black issues."
If Sanders or Jean-Pierre assume the mantle, Simmons said, it perhaps would be more important to see them speaking about issues like foreign policy and trade, as well as business investments and data privacy.
"Just like having an African-American president, it means every issue is being discussed by a Black voice," he said.
Activists—those who supported other candidates during the primary and chose Biden with the full knowledge that they would push him on policy should he defeat Trump—can be expected to fight the administration on a host of issues. But on this one, at least, they said having a Black woman as the top spokesperson for the administration would be a plus.
"It's not a role an activist would challenge," said Alicia Garza, co-founder of Black Lives Matter and principal at Black Futures Lab. She said it would be incredible not just to see a Black woman in the role, but a Black woman who reflects the values of the country behind the podium.
"After the last four years of misinformation and disinformation, I would be relieved to see someone like Karine behind that podium, someone who has a track record of being honest and direct," she added.
But some Democrats want the incoming Biden administration to remember that prioritizing diversity and the inclusion of African-Americans in senior roles should not fade away because Harris will be vice president and a Black woman might be press secretary.
Angela Rye, who co-wrote a Washington Post op-ed with Garza and others about the need for Biden to choose a Black woman as his running mate, said she was disappointed by the rollout of Biden's senior staff, noting that for all the transition team made of the diversity of the hires, two of the four people of color work for Dr. Jill Biden, and the three senior roles closest to the president, including chief of staff, went to white men.
"I love Cedric Richmond, but I would argue he should have been chief of staff," she said. "It was great to see Julie Rodriguez, she's absolutely qualified to fill the role [of director of intergovernmental affairs] but most importantly, where were the Black women? It was egregious and ought not to be a sign of things to come."
A Black woman in the press secretary role would receive endless scrutiny—some motivated by race—Democrats and activists said.
In Georgia, when he filled a similar but lower profile role, Simmons said people called the Senate office to make threats against him. But others said its been plain to see that high-profile Black people, from LeBron James to Michelle Obama, are always going to receive added criticism, which shouldn't change how they approach the job.
"We cannot go forward in fear," Allison said, arguing that when the Trump administration did hold briefings, they were characterized by the "ugliness" of right-wing groups being allowed in, which "lowered the bar for the whole country."
"We can't be afraid of right-wing crazies anymore," she said. "They've had too much influence during the Trump administration."


newsweek--2020-11-18--'The Mandalorian' Fans Once Again Petition Disney to Fire Gina Carano Over Offensive Tweets

Either Gina Carano really enjoys riling up fans of Disney 's The Mandalorian , or she feels particularly compelled to exercise her First Amendment rights , because comments she 's posted on Twitter have gotten # FireGinaCarano to trend once again .
And like other times in the past , the actress and former mixed martial arts fighter has fended off critics with yet another offensive tweet .
The tweet that set people off this week was an attack on Democratic leaders , about the wearing of masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Sent out on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the text : `` Democratic government leaders now recommends [ sic ] we all wear blindfolds along with masks so we ca n't see what 's going on . ''
Here are a few of the responses : However , she does have her defenders , like this commenter : Being a trained fighter , she 's certainly not used to backing down from a fight , and she was n't about to do so this time , either .
She followed the next day with another anti-mask tweet .
Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses .
On Monday , Carano seemed to send one final message ( at least for now ) to her detractors .
Here 's that not-so-subtle post : Although , she did respond on Wednesday with a show of camaraderie for someone else who said she 's been the victim of cancel culture .
Controversy has followed the 38-year-old Carano around all summer , after she suddenly began sharing controversial opinions on social media .
Matters first reached a fever pitch at the beginning of August , when the hashtag # Ginacaranoisoverparty began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she posted of a famous black-and-white photo showing a collective Nazi Salute , where one man is n't saluting .
After some initially stunned responses and others calling her racist , she posted an article about the photo and wrote : `` Heartbreaking and powerful story of a man who changed his ways for the woman he loved.. love changes the world , one person at a time . ''
Other people on Twitter then accused her of blocking accounts that support the Black Lives Matter movement .
Carano followed up with various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` bullies '' and `` trolls . ''
Then , in September , the Disney+ star urged churches and businesses to re-open amid the pandemic .
Needless to say , that did n't sit well with many people , though there were a fair share of likeminded people who agreed with her .
Just about a week after that , though , she was accused of transphobia by seemingly mocking people who write their preferred pronouns in their Twitter bios when she put `` beep/bop/boop '' next to her name .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I decided to put 3 VERY controversial words in my bio.. beep/bop/boop .
I 'm not against trans lives at all .
They need to find less abusive representation . ''
( She has since deleted the words next to her name . )
While her bosses at Disney likely do n't appreciate all of the attention Carano draws , it seems unlikely she will be going anywhere soon , especially since The Mandalorian is only a few episodes into its second season and it has n't even reintroduced her character @ @ @ @ @ @

Either Gina Carano really enjoys riling up fans of Disney's The Mandalorian, or she feels particularly compelled to exercise her First Amendment rights, because comments she's posted on Twitter have gotten #FireGinaCarano to trend once again. And like other times in the past, the actress and former mixed martial arts fighter has fended off critics with yet another offensive tweet.
Gina Carano at the premiere of Disney+'s "The Mandalorian" in 2019. Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic/Getty
The tweet that set people off this week was an attack on Democratic leaders, about the wearing of masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Sent out on Saturday, the tweet depicts a picture with the text: "Democratic government leaders now recommends [sic] we all wear blindfolds along with masks so we can't see what's going on."
Here are a few of the responses:
Anyway here's the thing: I loved Cara Dune very much. She was easily one of my favorite Star Wars characters in recent years. The fact that Gina Carano is sharing conspiracy theories and has mocked pronouns as well as promoting anti-mask rhetoric has ruined a character I loved. — rachel leishman (@RachelLeishman) November 15, 2020
Wuh? Who’s wearing the blindfold?
‘One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear.’
>245, 000 deaths later. — Brendan Fehr (@unrealfehr) November 15, 2020
However, she does have her defenders, like this commenter:
It’s amazing how the #FireGinaCarano folks, don’t even see that their cancelation campaigns only verify many of the things she’s fighting against. Bullies.
I #StandWithGinaCarano and I’m no conservative. Also Baby Yoda digs her. @ginacarano keep doing your thing ♥ pic.twitter.com/YslYVvwgVc — Andy Signore (@andysignore) November 15, 2020
Being a trained fighter, she's certainly not used to backing down from a fight, and she wasn't about to do so this time, either. She followed the next day with another anti-mask tweet.
Of course, that message drew its own share of responses.
Gina has has gone all in crazy. That's okay though, i just don't want to see it. @Disney #FireGinaCarano — Lucho B. (@Grip33000817) November 16, 2020
It's just honestly really disappointing seeing Gina Carano's Twitter account https://t.co/InLdt1dVnQ — The Mary Sue (@TheMarySue) November 17, 2020
On Monday, Carano seemed to send one final message (at least for now) to her detractors. Here's that not-so-subtle post:
Although, she did respond on Wednesday with a show of camaraderie for someone else who said she's been the victim of cancel culture.
Cancel party table for two! 😂✊💖 pic.twitter.com/vS82LHo4BZ — Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) November 18, 2020
Controversy has followed the 38-year-old Carano around all summer, after she suddenly began sharing controversial opinions on social media. Matters first reached a fever pitch at the beginning of August, when the hashtag #Ginacaranoisoverparty began trending. This came following a tweet she posted of a famous black-and-white photo showing a collective Nazi Salute, where one man isn't saluting. After some initially stunned responses and others calling her racist, she posted an article about the photo and wrote: "Heartbreaking and powerful story of a man who changed his ways for the woman he loved.. love changes the world, one person at a time."
Other people on Twitter then accused her of blocking accounts that support the Black Lives Matter movement. Carano followed up with various tweets calling her critics "cowards," "bullies" and "trolls." Then, in September, the Disney+ star urged churches and businesses to re-open amid the pandemic. Needless to say, that didn't sit well with many people, though there were a fair share of likeminded people who agreed with her.
Just about a week after that, though, she was accused of transphobia by seemingly mocking people who write their preferred pronouns in their Twitter bios when she put "beep/bop/boop" next to her name. When criticized for doing so, she tweeted: "I decided to put 3 VERY controversial words in my bio.. beep/bop/boop. I'm not against trans lives at all. They need to find less abusive representation." (She has since deleted the words next to her name.)
While her bosses at Disney likely don't appreciate all of the attention Carano draws, it seems unlikely she will be going anywhere soon, especially since The Mandalorian is only a few episodes into its second season and it hasn't even reintroduced her character, Cara Dune, yet.


newsweek--2020-11-18--'No Nuance November' TikTok Trend Started as Reaction to Popular Right-Wing Trend

If you 've scrolled through TikTok since the beginning of the month , you may have come across videos of people sharing hot takes on a variety of issues , taking part in a trend called `` No Nuance November . ''
But , believe it or not , the trend began as a reaction to a popular right-wing meme known as `` No Nut November . ''
( A word to those unfamiliar : No Nut November is a viral challenge , in which people abstain from masturbation or sex , for debunked health reasons or as a show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nuance November trend , a number of TikTokkers have shared their mostly benign hot takes .
Author and social media personality Hank Green gained over 3 million views when he shared a No Nuance November post explaining how he believes that drinking juice is n't healthier than drinking soda .
Green and many others have used TikTok 's stitch feature to include a description of the challenge ( `` Post your hot takes with no context and run '' ) by a user named @ ediblesrex , who rapid-fired a bunch of hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including `` becoming a social media celebrity before 21 will give you brain damage . ''
While many people have used the hashtag and trend to offer takes on mundane subjects , the person who seems to have started it—a 22-year-old college student named Tomás who has the username @ abolish_ice—began the trend on November 2 to share opinions about leftism and political ideology .
While Tomás does n't get into the right-wing ideology surrounding No Nut November in their first video , they do position the clip as a direct response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No Nut November ?
I 'm gon na do No Nuance November , '' they said in the first video , explaining that they intended to post a one-sentence hot take per day for the month , sans nuance and with no further discussion in the comment section .
`` I just wan na be inflammatory , '' Tomás said before posting their first hot take , which was simply : `` The only good cop is a dead cop , and not just in the U.S. '' Some other hot takes they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't exist .
If it did , it still would n't be good to seek out '' or `` Fatphobia is rooted in anti-Blackness . ''
Despite mostly keeping with the theme of delivering short hot-takes , Tomás does occasionally expand on their takes in follow-up TikToks or offer slightly more context with things like recommended reading .
Tomás said that they 'd been trying to share similar sorts of ideas on TikTok before , but they started the trend as a joke after suggesting it to mutuals in a group chat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No Nuance November ] would be funny to have a little bit of a personal challenge of getting my hot takes , without feeling the need to write paragraphs about it , or a mini-essay about it every time , '' Tomás told Newsweek in a phone call .
Tomás explained that one of the more rewarding aspects was `` not having to hold people 's hands through topics '' and get them actually involved in the conversation .
`` I originally intended it to just be a funny and inflammatory thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will get people—to get views , 'cause it could be controversial .
What it turned into is that I could give these takes , and I 'd see a lot of people commenting that they were actually trying to do the work themselves , to think about it critically and do research themselves , '' they explained .
While No Nuance November has little in common with the meme No Nut November besides the names being similar , Tomás ' method of promoting discussion around leftist ideology is a clever subversion of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not how they meant it .
`` In leftist circles , no one even really jokes about No Nut November , because it seems like a dumb , very masculine joke to be making .
I do n't know if I intended it to be [ a subversion ] , but I think it 's interesting : I 've started seeing it more recently encroaching into the right-wing spaces to talk about No Nuance November instead , and maybe it could be better for them to be doing that than No Nut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly being framed as a simple meme , joke or challenge encouraging abstinence or celibacy from masturbation or sex throughout November , No Nut November has become something of a misogynistic far-right staple .
While most may see it as an opportunity to not let themselves be distracted by sex or masturbation during the month , the stance against masturbating has , like so much else in our culture , become politicized .
`` There 's a real and concerning connection between the far right , racism , white nationalism , and anti-masturbation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 , noting that groups like The Proud Boys have spoken out against masturbation .
As The New Statesman points out , many people in forums , Discord servers and subreddits for No Nut November often use sexist and misogynistic language .
Porn site xHamster also posted that some of the ideology rooted in the No Nut November community was rooted in `` anti-gay , anti-woman , [ and ] anti-semitic blogs , '' after people attacked the porn site for making light of the trend with mock hashtag campaigns .
Threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must die . ''
The site also pointed out that the images used to attack it could be traced back to a forum claiming to belong to `` a group of Right-Wing advocates of freedom & liberty . ''
As No Nuance November may end up providing a new outlet for some right-wing groups , Tomás said over the phone that some of the takes they 've seen coming from the right for No Nuance November are alarming .
`` I think it 's troubling for the right wing to give no-nuanced takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's very typical to lean into simple , more fear-based stuff , '' they said , also arguing that many people on the left have been offering more `` thought-provoking takes . ''
But the idea of No-Nuanced takes has expanded beyond Tomás ' initial idea , and beyond politics even .
It now includes not only right-wing beliefs , but also sillier takes like Hank Green 's about juice vs. soda .
Tomás said that they think the joke-y ideas are fun , but they 'd like people to acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I do n't necessarily care about attaching it to my name , '' the said .
`` I think it 's really important to see the roots of it as being in a political sphere , just 'cause I 'm interested in obviously expanding leftism—but I think it 's fun , ultimately . ''

If you've scrolled through TikTok since the beginning of the month, you may have come across videos of people sharing hot takes on a variety of issues, taking part in a trend called "No Nuance November." But, believe it or not, the trend began as a reaction to a popular right-wing meme known as "No Nut November." (A word to those unfamiliar: No Nut November is a viral challenge, in which people abstain from masturbation or sex, for debunked health reasons or as a show of self-control.)
For the No Nuance November trend, a number of TikTokkers have shared their mostly benign hot takes. Author and social media personality Hank Green gained over 3 million views when he shared a No Nuance November post explaining how he believes that drinking juice isn't healthier than drinking soda.
Green and many others have used TikTok's stitch feature to include a description of the challenge ("Post your hot takes with no context and run") by a user named @ediblesrex, who rapid-fired a bunch of hot takes touching on a variety of subjects, including "becoming a social media celebrity before 21 will give you brain damage."
While many people have used the hashtag and trend to offer takes on mundane subjects, the person who seems to have started it—a 22-year-old college student named Tomás who has the username @abolish_ice—began the trend on November 2 to share opinions about leftism and political ideology.
While Tomás doesn't get into the right-wing ideology surrounding No Nut November in their first video, they do position the clip as a direct response to that meme. "Y'all know No Nut November? I'm gonna do No Nuance November," they said in the first video, explaining that they intended to post a one-sentence hot take per day for the month, sans nuance and with no further discussion in the comment section.
"I just wanna be inflammatory," Tomás said before posting their first hot take, which was simply: "The only good cop is a dead cop, and not just in the U.S."
Some other hot takes they've shared are things like "Objectivity doesn't exist. If it did, it still wouldn't be good to seek out" or "Fatphobia is rooted in anti-Blackness." Despite mostly keeping with the theme of delivering short hot-takes, Tomás does occasionally expand on their takes in follow-up TikToks or offer slightly more context with things like recommended reading.
Tomás said that they'd been trying to share similar sorts of ideas on TikTok before, but they started the trend as a joke after suggesting it to mutuals in a group chat. "I purely just thought [No Nuance November] would be funny to have a little bit of a personal challenge of getting my hot takes, without feeling the need to write paragraphs about it, or a mini-essay about it every time," Tomás told Newsweek in a phone call.
Tomás explained that one of the more rewarding aspects was "not having to hold people's hands through topics" and get them actually involved in the conversation. "I originally intended it to just be a funny and inflammatory thing, just to give takes that I think will get people—to get views, 'cause it could be controversial. What it turned into is that I could give these takes, and I'd see a lot of people commenting that they were actually trying to do the work themselves, to think about it critically and do research themselves," they explained.
While No Nuance November has little in common with the meme No Nut November besides the names being similar, Tomás' method of promoting discussion around leftist ideology is a clever subversion of the right wing meme, even if that's not how they meant it. "In leftist circles, no one even really jokes about No Nut November, because it seems like a dumb, very masculine joke to be making. I don't know if I intended it to be [a subversion], but I think it's interesting: I've started seeing it more recently encroaching into the right-wing spaces to talk about No Nuance November instead, and maybe it could be better for them to be doing that than No Nut November," they said.
Despite mostly being framed as a simple meme, joke or challenge encouraging abstinence or celibacy from masturbation or sex throughout November, No Nut November has become something of a misogynistic far-right staple. While most may see it as an opportunity to not let themselves be distracted by sex or masturbation during the month, the stance against masturbating has, like so much else in our culture, become politicized. "There's a real and concerning connection between the far right, racism, white nationalism, and anti-masturbation or anti-porn beliefs," Vice reported in 2018, noting that groups like The Proud Boys have spoken out against masturbation.
As The New Statesman points out, many people in forums, Discord servers and subreddits for No Nut November often use sexist and misogynistic language.
Porn site xHamster also posted that some of the ideology rooted in the No Nut November community was rooted in "anti-gay, anti-woman, [and] anti-semitic blogs," after people attacked the porn site for making light of the trend with mock hashtag campaigns. Threats to xHamster said things like "Pornographers must die." The site also pointed out that the images used to attack it could be traced back to a forum claiming to belong to "a group of Right-Wing advocates of freedom & liberty."
It was no surprise to find that the so-called #NoFap movement had its roots in anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-semitic blogs. pic.twitter.com/NAbkkaM4pX — xHamster (@xhamstercom) November 6, 2018
As No Nuance November may end up providing a new outlet for some right-wing groups, Tomás said over the phone that some of the takes they've seen coming from the right for No Nuance November are alarming.
"I think it's troubling for the right wing to give no-nuanced takes, especially when it gets more fascist-leaning. It's very typical to lean into simple, more fear-based stuff," they said, also arguing that many people on the left have been offering more "thought-provoking takes."
But the idea of No-Nuanced takes has expanded beyond Tomás' initial idea, and beyond politics even. It now includes not only right-wing beliefs, but also sillier takes like Hank Green's about juice vs. soda. Tomás said that they think the joke-y ideas are fun, but they'd like people to acknowledge the trend's origins a little more.
"I don't necessarily care about attaching it to my name," the said. "I think it's really important to see the roots of it as being in a political sphere, just 'cause I'm interested in obviously expanding leftism—but I think it's fun, ultimately."


newsweek--2020-11-18--In the Battle for Control of the Democratic Party, Progressives Are Gaining Ground

The unified fight to oust President Donald Trump gave way to a battle between moderates and progressives over the fate of the Democratic Party , and former Vice President Joe Biden 's victory likely will only delay the shift of the party further left .
Biden claimed victory days after the election , an achievement for the party that was four years in the making .
Part of Biden 's victory is credited to progressive members of the party casting ballots for a candidate that was n't their first—or even second—choice , and now they 're expecting something in return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives , in particular , Latinos and African Americans , will be responsible for a Biden election victory , he 'll have no choice but to follow for their agendas , '' said Thomas Whalen , Boston University political historian and author .
`` The political momentum will be too great for him to ignore or he 'll be a one-term president . ''
While Biden won the presidency , Democrats lost seven seats and are fighting in Georgia 's Senate runoff elections to have a 50-50 split in the Senate , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as vice president , casting the tie-breaking vote .
A loss in one of the Georgia races will keep control in the Republicans ' hands , and in an election in which Democrats were expected to clean up , the party 's underwhelming performance down the ballot fostered arguments over who was to blame .
Moderates blamed progressives for opening them up to Republican socialist attacks and promoting unpopular messaging about defunding the police .
Progressives , such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , put the blame on Democrats for failing to campaign in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in office , Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the most well-known names on Capitol Hill .
She has mastered the art of connecting with voters digitally and criticized members of her party for not capitalizing on Facebook 's fundraising ability during an interview with the New York Times .
`` Our party is n't even online , not in a real way that exhibits competence , '' Ocasio-Cortez said .
`` And so , yeah , they were vulnerable to these messages , because they were n't even on the mediums where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you can point to the message , but they were also sitting ducks .
They were sitting ducks . ''
She also rejected that progressive messaging was the problem , noting that `` every single candidate that co-sponsored Medicare for All in a swing district kept their seat . ''
The pandemic thrust economic and health inequality into the spotlight and reignited talks about Medicare for All .
A Kaiser Family Foundation poll in October found that 53 percent of people supported Medicare for All and 63 percent of people in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage .
Despite clashes on policies and the direction to take the party , House Democrats opted to stay with the old guard for another Congress .
Representative Nancy Pelosi was nominated once again to serve as speaker of the House , and Democrats backed House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip James Clyburn to remain in their positions .
When asked if she accepted responsibility for the election losses , Pelosi told reporters , `` I take credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House . ''
Throughout the campaign , Biden defended himself against Republican attacks labeling him as the leader of a party with socialistic ideals .
He reminded voters that he beat Senator Bernie Sanders , a self-described Democratic Socialist , for the nomination , created a health care plan that stopped short of Medicare for All and released an economic recovery plan focusing on clean energy that utilized nationalist themes often associated with Trump 's `` America First '' plan .
`` Biden has been very effective at going back and forth between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I suspect that 's what his presidency will entail , as well , but the pressure will be significantly more the day after the votes are cast , '' Democratic strategist Michael Gordon said .
House progressives warned Biden about who he chose to bring into the fold of his administration ahead of the election and the inclusion of Neil MacBride drew criticism from progressives outside Capitol Hill .
Biden , who has signaled a willingness to reach across the aisle , also faced pushback from progressives over the potential appointment of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would indeed be quite divisive for Joe Biden , who along with Kamala Harris is nearly 5 million votes ahead of Donald Trump and Mike Pence , to revert to appointing Republicans in his Cabinet , '' Representative-elect Mondaire Jones told Politico .
The night before Biden was elected , Sanders , who endorsed Biden after ending his own presidential bid , reminded progressives of their impact on Biden 's victory and said he would present to the Senate an agenda that he would like to see passed in the first 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress for a meaningful presidency , Whalen said Biden will have to pay `` close attention to his left flank '' and wo n't have a choice but to pursue progressive measures .
Making the real question : How bold will they be ?
Andrew Feldman , a Democratic strategist , said Biden shifted his stance on certain issues as the campaign moved toward Election Day .
Policy proposals released in July that were crafted with the help of Sanders allies such as Ocasio-Cortez , showed a significant shift to the left from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate candidate .
Feldman foresaw Biden as becoming the `` most transformative president '' since Franklin D. Roosevelt and over time , policies would move closer to where `` the far left progressives want to be . ''
However , getting to that point requires the Democratic Party to address its branding problem , according to Gordon .
`` Democrats will need to learn how to sell progressive policies that are good for the country , good for American citizens in a way that does n't make the socialism tag stick , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them an `` easy target '' and a difficult sell .
Other experts agreed that Democrats need to improve their messaging and spend time convincing the American people to support their legislation but did n't see socialism as a major hurdle .
Given the struggles Americans are facing to pay their bills and secure health care during a period of high unemployment , they expected the socialist tag to have less of an impact than it once did .
`` We might have to shut down again so it 's going to require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country afloat and it 's going to require progressive reforms to prevent the economy from going over the cliff just as FDR did in the 1930s , '' Whalen said .
`` Families and individuals will forget about ideology if they ca n't feed themselves . ''
If the economic fallout of the pandemic is one driver of the Democratic Party 's push for progressive policies , Ocasio-Cortez is another .
She 's helping shape policy conversations and is representative of a rising generation of voters displeased with the political status quo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewpoints help drive support and attention , Kelly Dietrich , CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee said , and America as a whole has moved further to the left .
`` Demographics changing in Texas and in Georgia are evidence of that .
The youth of America always skew more liberal , but even more so recently , '' he said .
`` Their priorities are America 's priorities . ''
Since critics are likely to paint any of Biden 's policies as socialist , Dietrich said it is more reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their agenda .
However , in moving in that direction , Gordon , who sees a need to take a more moderate approach , cautioned Democrats to not overplay their hand .
If they fail to push legislation that effectively straddles the center and left that `` Biden 's danced between '' and are seen as overreaching in one direction or the other , `` they 're going to pay a price for it in two years . ''
It 's a concern shared by Representative Abigail Spanberger , a moderate Democrat who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than two points .
USA Today reported that she told colleagues on a call that Democrats `` lost members who should n't have lost '' and said it 's necessary to never use the words `` 'socialist ' or 'socialism ' ever again . ''
The shift left and progressives taking control of the party , however , is inevitable , according to experts .
While it might not be as distinct or fast as some Democrats want , Whalen said , moving further left is the long-term path of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election cycles it takes , '' he said .

The unified fight to oust President Donald Trump gave way to a battle between moderates and progressives over the fate of the Democratic Party, and former Vice President Joe Biden's victory likely will only delay the shift of the party further left.
Biden claimed victory days after the election, an achievement for the party that was four years in the making. Part of Biden's victory is credited to progressive members of the party casting ballots for a candidate that wasn't their first—or even second—choice, and now they're expecting something in return.
"Given the fact that younger progressives, in particular, Latinos and African Americans, will be responsible for a Biden election victory, he'll have no choice but to follow for their agendas," said Thomas Whalen, Boston University political historian and author. "The political momentum will be too great for him to ignore or he'll be a one-term president."
Given the fact that younger progressives, in particular, Latinos and African Americans, will be responsible for a Biden election victory, he'll have no choice but to follow for their agendas. The political momentum will be too great for him to ignore or he'll be a one-term president. Thomas Whalen, Boston University political historian and author
While Biden won the presidency, Democrats lost seven seats and are fighting in Georgia's Senate runoff elections to have a 50-50 split in the Senate, giving them control with Senator Kamala Harris, as vice president, casting the tie-breaking vote.
A loss in one of the Georgia races will keep control in the Republicans' hands, and in an election in which Democrats were expected to clean up, the party's underwhelming performance down the ballot fostered arguments over who was to blame.
Moderates blamed progressives for opening them up to Republican socialist attacks and promoting unpopular messaging about defunding the police. Progressives, such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, put the blame on Democrats for failing to campaign in the 21st century.
In her short time in office, Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the most well-known names on Capitol Hill. She has mastered the art of connecting with voters digitally and criticized members of her party for not capitalizing on Facebook's fundraising ability during an interview with the New York Times.
"Our party isn't even online, not in a real way that exhibits competence," Ocasio-Cortez said. "And so, yeah, they were vulnerable to these messages, because they weren't even on the mediums where these messages were most potent. Sure, you can point to the message, but they were also sitting ducks. They were sitting ducks."
She also rejected that progressive messaging was the problem, noting that "every single candidate that co-sponsored Medicare for All in a swing district kept their seat."
The pandemic thrust economic and health inequality into the spotlight and reignited talks about Medicare for All. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll in October found that 53 percent of people supported Medicare for All and 63 percent of people in a Pew Research poll from August believe the government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage.
Despite clashes on policies and the direction to take the party, House Democrats opted to stay with the old guard for another Congress. Representative Nancy Pelosi was nominated once again to serve as speaker of the House, and Democrats backed House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip James Clyburn to remain in their positions.
When asked if she accepted responsibility for the election losses, Pelosi told reporters, "I take credit for winning a majority and holding the House."
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden delivers remarks about the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 after attending a virtual coronavirus briefing with medical experts at The Queen theater on October 28 in Wilmington, Delaware. Drew Angerer/Getty
Throughout the campaign, Biden defended himself against Republican attacks labeling him as the leader of a party with socialistic ideals. He reminded voters that he beat Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist, for the nomination, created a health care plan that stopped short of Medicare for All and released an economic recovery plan focusing on clean energy that utilized nationalist themes often associated with Trump's "America First" plan.
"Biden has been very effective at going back and forth between the center and the base, and I suspect that's what his presidency will entail, as well, but the pressure will be significantly more the day after the votes are cast," Democratic strategist Michael Gordon said.
House progressives warned Biden about who he chose to bring into the fold of his administration ahead of the election and the inclusion of Neil MacBride drew criticism from progressives outside Capitol Hill. Biden, who has signaled a willingness to reach across the aisle, also faced pushback from progressives over the potential appointment of a Republican to a cabinet position.
"It would indeed be quite divisive for Joe Biden, who along with Kamala Harris is nearly 5 million votes ahead of Donald Trump and Mike Pence, to revert to appointing Republicans in his Cabinet," Representative-elect Mondaire Jones told Politico.
"This isn't even just about Republicans versus Democrats. This is about getting the right kinds of Democrats in leadership."
The night before Biden was elected, Sanders, who endorsed Biden after ending his own presidential bid, reminded progressives of their impact on Biden's victory and said he would present to the Senate an agenda that he would like to see passed in the first 100 days.
To successfully move policies through Congress for a meaningful presidency, Whalen said Biden will have to pay "close attention to his left flank" and won't have a choice but to pursue progressive measures. Making the real question: How bold will they be?
Andrew Feldman, a Democratic strategist, said Biden shifted his stance on certain issues as the campaign moved toward Election Day. Policy proposals released in July that were crafted with the help of Sanders allies such as Ocasio-Cortez, showed a significant shift to the left from where Biden previously stood as the most moderate candidate.
Feldman foresaw Biden as becoming the "most transformative president" since Franklin D. Roosevelt and over time, policies would move closer to where "the far left progressives want to be." However, getting to that point requires the Democratic Party to address its branding problem, according to Gordon.
"Democrats will need to learn how to sell progressive policies that are good for the country, good for American citizens in a way that doesn't make the socialism tag stick," he said, noting that it makes them an "easy target" and a difficult sell.
Other experts agreed that Democrats need to improve their messaging and spend time convincing the American people to support their legislation but didn't see socialism as a major hurdle. Given the struggles Americans are facing to pay their bills and secure health care during a period of high unemployment, they expected the socialist tag to have less of an impact than it once did.
"We might have to shut down again so it's going to require trillions of federal stimulus to keep the country afloat and it's going to require progressive reforms to prevent the economy from going over the cliff just as FDR did in the 1930s," Whalen said. "Families and individuals will forget about ideology if they can't feed themselves."
If the economic fallout of the pandemic is one driver of the Democratic Party's push for progressive policies, Ocasio-Cortez is another. She's helping shape policy conversations and is representative of a rising generation of voters displeased with the political status quo. Her popularity and efficacy in advocating her viewpoints help drive support and attention, Kelly Dietrich, CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee said, and America as a whole has moved further to the left.
"Demographics changing in Texas and in Georgia are evidence of that. The youth of America always skew more liberal, but even more so recently," he said. "Their priorities are America's priorities."
Demographics changing in Texas and in Georgia are evidence of that. The youth of America always skew more liberal, but even more so recently. Their priorities are America's priorities. Kelly Dietrich, CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee
Since critics are likely to paint any of Biden's policies as socialist, Dietrich said it is more reason for Democrats to be "bold" in their agenda. However, in moving in that direction, Gordon, who sees a need to take a more moderate approach, cautioned Democrats to not overplay their hand. If they fail to push legislation that effectively straddles the center and left that "Biden's danced between" and are seen as overreaching in one direction or the other, "they're going to pay a price for it in two years."
It's a concern shared by Representative Abigail Spanberger, a moderate Democrat who held on to her Virginia seat by less than two points. USA Today reported that she told colleagues on a call that Democrats "lost members who shouldn't have lost" and said it's necessary to never use the words "'socialist' or 'socialism' ever again."
The shift left and progressives taking control of the party, however, is inevitable, according to experts. While it might not be as distinct or fast as some Democrats want, Whalen said, moving further left is the long-term path of the party.
"It just depends how many election cycles it takes," he said.


newsweek--2020-11-18--Florida Becomes Third State to Top 900,000 Coronavirus Cases, Behind Texas and California

Florida health officials confirmed close to 8,000 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday , pushing the state 's overall infection count past 905,000 positive tests since the pandemic 's onset .
The most recent update follows weeks of increasing infections in Florida after transmission subsided notably between mid-July and late September .
With Wednesday 's additional diagnoses , Florida became the third U.S. state to record over 900,000 virus cases , after Texas and California .
As of Wednesday afternoon , Texas and California have confirmed more than 1.07 million and 1.05 million statewide infections , respectively , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , Texas and Florida are the nation 's most populous states .
Florida 's per capita rate of virus diagnoses , measured as the number of cases confirmed per 100,000 people , stood at 4,332 on Wednesday , according to the state 's Department of Health .
That ratio was lower than some recorded by health departments in less populous states where virus cases have also surged in recent weeks , such as North and South Dakota , Iowa , Wisconsin , Nebraska and others across the West and Midwest .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection numbers , coupled with its relatively high test-positivity rate , which exceeded 8 percent on Wednesday , is not without consequences .
A high volume of cases and subsequent hospitalizations are concentrated in denser areas , like Miami-Dade County , where an influx of COVID-19 patients have been admitted to local medical facilities .
Data showed that roughly 18 percent of the county 's intensive care unit beds remained available on Wednesday , while most counties statewide reported that a majority of their ICU beds were occupied .
Florida surpassed 900,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education commissioner , Richard Corcoran , announced new protocols that will give students the option to learn remotely through the end of the current academic school year .
An executive order issued in July allocated funding to Florida school districts that allows them to accommodate students who choose to attend school virtually .
The terms of the order extend through the end of the fall semester .
However , during a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday , Corcoran reportedly said officials are working to finalize an amended order that would continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic year ends .
He noted that details of the final order would likely be settled before Thanksgiving , according to local news outlets , including The Miami Herald and WPTV .
Newsweek reached out to the Florida Department of Health for further comment but did not receive a reply in time for publication .

Florida health officials confirmed close to 8,000 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, pushing the state's overall infection count past 905,000 positive tests since the pandemic's onset. The most recent update follows weeks of increasing infections in Florida after transmission subsided notably between mid-July and late September.
With Wednesday's additional diagnoses, Florida became the third U.S. state to record over 900,000 virus cases, after Texas and California. As of Wednesday afternoon, Texas and California have confirmed more than 1.07 million and 1.05 million statewide infections, respectively, according to Johns Hopkins University's data. California, Texas and Florida are the nation's most populous states.
Florida's per capita rate of virus diagnoses, measured as the number of cases confirmed per 100,000 people, stood at 4,332 on Wednesday, according to the state's Department of Health. That ratio was lower than some recorded by health departments in less populous states where virus cases have also surged in recent weeks, such as North and South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and others across the West and Midwest.
Even so, the uptick in Florida's infection numbers, coupled with its relatively high test-positivity rate, which exceeded 8 percent on Wednesday, is not without consequences. A high volume of cases and subsequent hospitalizations are concentrated in denser areas, like Miami-Dade County, where an influx of COVID-19 patients have been admitted to local medical facilities. Data showed that roughly 18 percent of the county's intensive care unit beds remained available on Wednesday, while most counties statewide reported that a majority of their ICU beds were occupied.
Florida surpassed 900,000 confirmed virus cases on the same day its education commissioner, Richard Corcoran, announced new protocols that will give students the option to learn remotely through the end of the current academic school year. An executive order issued in July allocated funding to Florida school districts that allows them to accommodate students who choose to attend school virtually.
A health care worker administers coronavirus diagnostic tests at a drive-through site in St. Petersburg, Florida, on July 24. Florida became the third U.S. state to confirm over 900,000 virus cases on Wednesday, following Texas and California. BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images
The terms of the order extend through the end of the fall semester. However, during a Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Corcoran reportedly said officials are working to finalize an amended order that would continue to fund schools' remote instruction until the academic year ends. He noted that details of the final order would likely be settled before Thanksgiving, according to local news outlets, including The Miami Herald and WPTV.
Newsweek reached out to the Florida Department of Health for further comment but did not receive a reply in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-18--Georgia Secretary of State Says Politicians Should 'Grow Up,' Stop Spinning Election Results to Misl

Georgia Secretary of State Says Politicians Should 'Grow Up,' Stop Spinning Election Results to Mislead Voters

Georgia 's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , on Wednesday , said that politicians should `` grow up , '' and urged them to stop spinning the results of the 2020 presidential election to mislead voters .
`` There 's just people who are really angry and they 're being spun up , '' Raffensperger said during an exclusive interview with the Hill .
`` It 's really the spinners that should be ashamed for playing with people 's emotions .
Politicians of both sides should never play with people 's emotions .
It 's one thing to motivate people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spin people up and play with their emotions , it 's emotional abuse and they ought to grow up and start acting with integrity . ''
Raffensperger 's comments come amid election turmoil following Joe Biden 's projected victory in the 2020 presidential race , while President Donald Trump has continued to make claims of widespread voter fraud with almost no evidence to back them up .
Following the results of the 2020 election , which show Biden ahead in Georgia , Raffensperger has become a target for Trump 's ongoing criticism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Republican in name only . ''
In response , Raffensperger declined to criticize Trump but told the Hill , `` I 'm a Republican , I 'm a conservative one , and I do n't like the idea that President Trump is not going to win , But at the end of the day , I want every voter to know we 're going to do our job and make sure every legal vote is counted . ''
During his interview with the Hill , Raffensperger also spoke about the forensic audit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans that the company that manufactured the voting systems in the state had rigged ballots to flip from Trump to Biden .
`` It turns out the machines were accurate , '' Raffensperger told the Hill .
`` Nothing had been flipped . ''
Raffensperger has continued to make headlines following the results of the election and Trump 's repeated criticism .
Earlier this month Senator David Perdue and Senator Kelly Loeffler called on Raffensperger to resign over the state 's handling of the election results , which he declined to do and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that is not going to happen .
The voters of Georgia hired me , and the voters will be the one to fire me . ''
On Tuesday , the Republican secretary of state said that Trump would have won Georgia if he did not criticize mail-in ballots .
Raffensperger told WSB-TV in Atlanta that roughly 24,000 Republicans in Georgia voted during the June primaries , but not in the fall .
`` They did not vote absentee because they were told by the president do n't go to absentee , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But then they did not come out and vote in person . ''
He made similar comments during his interview with the Hill and said , `` That 's 24,500 people that left the political battlefield , and that 's the reason why President Trump actually suppressed , depressed his vote , by telling people not to vote absentee . ''
Newsweek reached out to Raffensperger 's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication .

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, on Wednesday, said that politicians should "grow up," and urged them to stop spinning the results of the 2020 presidential election to mislead voters.
"There's just people who are really angry and they're being spun up," Raffensperger said during an exclusive interview with the Hill. "It's really the spinners that should be ashamed for playing with people's emotions. Politicians of both sides should never play with people's emotions. It's one thing to motivate people, I get that. But to spin people up and play with their emotions, it's emotional abuse and they ought to grow up and start acting with integrity."
Raffensperger's comments come amid election turmoil following Joe Biden's projected victory in the 2020 presidential race, while President Donald Trump has continued to make claims of widespread voter fraud with almost no evidence to back them up.
Following the results of the 2020 election, which show Biden ahead in Georgia, Raffensperger has become a target for Trump's ongoing criticism. Trump recently referred to Raffensperger as a "Republican in name only."
In response, Raffensperger declined to criticize Trump but told the Hill, "I'm a Republican, I'm a conservative one, and I don't like the idea that President Trump is not going to win, But at the end of the day, I want every voter to know we're going to do our job and make sure every legal vote is counted."
During his interview with the Hill, Raffensperger also spoke about the forensic audit his office has conducted following claims from Republicans that the company that manufactured the voting systems in the state had rigged ballots to flip from Trump to Biden.
Brad Raffensperger, Georgia secretary of state, speaks during 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service on January 20, in Atlanta. Raffensperger told the Hill, "It's one thing to motivate people, I get that. But to spin people up and play with their emotions, it's emotional abuse." Paras Griffin/Getty
"It turns out the machines were accurate," Raffensperger told the Hill. "Nothing had been flipped."
Raffensperger has continued to make headlines following the results of the election and Trump's repeated criticism.
Earlier this month Senator David Perdue and Senator Kelly Loeffler called on Raffensperger to resign over the state's handling of the election results, which he declined to do and said, "Let me start by saying that is not going to happen. The voters of Georgia hired me, and the voters will be the one to fire me."
On Tuesday, the Republican secretary of state said that Trump would have won Georgia if he did not criticize mail-in ballots.
Raffensperger told WSB-TV in Atlanta that roughly 24,000 Republicans in Georgia voted during the June primaries, but not in the fall.
"They did not vote absentee because they were told by the president don't go to absentee, it's not secure," Raffensperger said. "But then they did not come out and vote in person."
He made similar comments during his interview with the Hill and said, "That's 24,500 people that left the political battlefield, and that's the reason why President Trump actually suppressed, depressed his vote, by telling people not to vote absentee."
Newsweek reached out to Raffensperger's office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-11-18--Texas' Largest County Sends Emergency Alert Asking Residents to Cancel Holiday Plans Amid 250% COVID

Texas' Largest County Sends Emergency Alert Asking Residents to Cancel Holiday Plans Amid 250% COVID Case Increase

Texas 's largest county sent an emergency alert asking residents to cancel their holiday plans on Tuesday .
The alert came as coronavirus cases surge in the area .
The alert was sent over text to 4.7 million Harris County residents on November 17 asking them to ditch their holiday plans and opt to get tested for COVID-19 instead .
Harris County is home to Houston and several of the city 's suburbs .
`` COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across Harris County .
Stop gatherings .
Get tested .
Wear a mask , '' the alert said .
Statewide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases each day , according to data from The New York Times .
On November 17 , over 10,859 cases and 121 deaths were reported in the state .
As of afternoon on November 18 , there have been over 1,114,729 cases and 20,289 deaths in Texas since the start of the pandemic in March .
Harris County , which has the largest population in the state , has seen a 250 percent increase in the average number of new daily cases since late September , according to Harris County Judge Lina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now 8.2 percent .
`` Today I want to urge every resident in Harris County to do two things , said Hidalgo during a video of Tuesday press conference , emailed to Newsweek on November 18 .
`` First to cancel gatherings , large and small , unless you 're with your household .
This is simply not the time for gatherings and get-togethers with people you do n't share a home with . ''
She continued : `` We all have a desire to be together , particularly as the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war against this virus , things should n't be normal .
And if things feel normal , we know we 're doing something wrong . ''
Instead of large family gatherings , Hidalgo encouraged residents to celebrate within their immediate household and support local businesses with take-out and delivery options .
The judge then urged people to get tested , even if they do n't show symptoms of the novel virus .
Hidalgo also expressed her concern for the surge in cases in El Paso County noting that she does n't want the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I am concerned by what 's happening in El Paso and seeing that they 've got no recourse , that they 're having to pull up those mobile morgues , that hospitals are overwhelmed , stories of tragedy , '' Hidalgo said .
`` I do n't want that to happen here and that 's why we 're having this conversation to try and avoid that fate . ''
New cases of COVID-19 in El Paso began spiking in October , going from 132 average daily cases in September to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
El Paso 's health care system became overwhelmed as deaths and hospitalization surged in the county .

Texas's largest county sent an emergency alert asking residents to cancel their holiday plans on Tuesday. The alert came as coronavirus cases surge in the area.
The alert was sent over text to 4.7 million Harris County residents on November 17 asking them to ditch their holiday plans and opt to get tested for COVID-19 instead. Harris County is home to Houston and several of the city's suburbs.
"COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across Harris County. Stop gatherings. Get tested. Wear a mask," the alert said.
Texts going out tonight to all Harris County residents warning about #coronavirus spreading ahead of Thanksgiving holiday. Judge @LinaHidalgoTX asking residents to cancel gatherings and get tested. #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/2rwOq3Adwu — Grace White (@GraceWhiteKHOU) November 17, 2020
Statewide, Texas has seen an average of 10,635 new cases each day, according to data from The New York Times. On November 17, over 10,859 cases and 121 deaths were reported in the state. As of afternoon on November 18, there have been over 1,114,729 cases and 20,289 deaths in Texas since the start of the pandemic in March.
Harris County, which has the largest population in the state, has seen a 250 percent increase in the average number of new daily cases since late September, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. The county's positivity rate is now 8.2 percent.
"Today I want to urge every resident in Harris County to do two things, said Hidalgo during a video of Tuesday press conference, emailed to Newsweek on November 18. "First to cancel gatherings, large and small, unless you're with your household. This is simply not the time for gatherings and get-togethers with people you don't share a home with."
She continued: "We all have a desire to be together, particularly as the holidays approach, but we're in a war against this virus, things shouldn't be normal. And if things feel normal, we know we're doing something wrong."
El Paso Striken With Serious Surge Of Coronavirus Cases EL PASO, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 16: A 'Stay Home' sign is taped to a vehicle participating in a car caravan of nurses calling for people to stay inside amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in El Paso on November 16, 2020 in El Paso, Texas. Harris Country sent an emergency alert asking residents to cancel their holiday plans due to the rise in cases. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty
Instead of large family gatherings, Hidalgo encouraged residents to celebrate within their immediate household and support local businesses with take-out and delivery options. The judge then urged people to get tested, even if they don't show symptoms of the novel virus.
Hidalgo also expressed her concern for the surge in cases in El Paso County noting that she doesn't want the same to happen in Harris County.
"I am concerned by what's happening in El Paso and seeing that they've got no recourse, that they're having to pull up those mobile morgues, that hospitals are overwhelmed, stories of tragedy," Hidalgo said. "I don't want that to happen here and that's why we're having this conversation to try and avoid that fate."
New cases of COVID-19 in El Paso began spiking in October, going from 132 average daily cases in September to more than 1,120 daily cases in the past month. El Paso's health care system became overwhelmed as deaths and hospitalization surged in the county.


newsweek--2020-11-18--Four Indicted in LA-Based COVID-Relief Fraud Ring That Sought Millions in Fake PPP Loans

Four California residents were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to fraudulently obtain more than $ 5.6 million in coronavirus economic relief .
Richard Ayvazyan , Marietta Terabelian , Artur Ayvazyan and Tamara Dadyan of Encino were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud , four counts of bank fraud and six counts of wire fraud .
Richard Ayvazyan was also indicted for one count of aggravated identity theft .
According to the DOJ , the four were allegedly `` part of a disaster relief loan fraud ring '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Members of the ring submitted at least 35 fraudulent loan applications to receive funds from the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) through the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan ( EIDL ) program .
In some cases , the defendants used false names .
In others , they used their real names but submitted information about fictitious businesses .
When the funds were released , the money was deposited into bank accounts controlled by the defendants .
According to the indictment , the money was used partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one situation , $ 3,250,000 of fraudulently obtained funds were used as a down payment for a `` luxury home . ''
If convicted , the defendants could face up to 30 years for each count of conspiracy and bank fraud and up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud .
Richard Ayvazyan could also face a two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft .
Newsweek reached out to the SBA for further comment .
Relief funding from the PPP and EIDL were earmarked to assist business owners with expenses incurred during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for personal expenses is prohibited under the rules of those government programs .
Loans obtained from the PPP were subject to forgiveness with the caveat that business owners used the loan for business-related expenses , such as rent , payroll and utilities .
EIDL money was designed to be used for a wider range of business expenses including health care benefits and fixed debt payments .
If a business owner obtained loans from both programs , PPP and EIDL monies could not be used for the same purpose .
Information on the SBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August and is no longer accepting applications from lenders .
A separate group of individuals was indicted on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme which officials said was worth $ 16 million .
According to the DOJ , 7 individuals in Texas and Illinois submitted at least 80 false submissions for PPP funding .
The money was used by the defendants for items such as vehicles manufactured by Porsche and Lamborghini .
According to the DOJ , loan submissions allegedly submitted by the group included false tax records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money obtained through the loans was laundered through checks issued to fake employees from businesses that had received PPP money .
`` Some fraudsters create the most complicated schemes to steal money from the taxpayer , '' said Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick on Tuesday .
`` Just imagine how productive they could be if they put their creativity and effort into noble and useful work . ''

Four California residents were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to fraudulently obtain more than $5.6 million in coronavirus economic relief.
Richard Ayvazyan, Marietta Terabelian, Artur Ayvazyan and Tamara Dadyan of Encino were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud and six counts of wire fraud. Richard Ayvazyan was also indicted for one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to the DOJ, the four were allegedly "part of a disaster relief loan fraud ring" centered in the Los Angeles area. Members of the ring submitted at least 35 fraudulent loan applications to receive funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. In some cases, the defendants used false names. In others, they used their real names but submitted information about fictitious businesses.
When the funds were released, the money was deposited into bank accounts controlled by the defendants. According to the indictment, the money was used partially to purchase expensive real estate. In one situation, $3,250,000 of fraudulently obtained funds were used as a down payment for a "luxury home."
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 30 years for each count of conspiracy and bank fraud and up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud. Richard Ayvazyan could also face a two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
Newsweek reached out to the SBA for further comment.
A group of people was indicted Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly filing for more than $5 million in coronavirus economic relief through government programs. iStock/Getty
Relief funding from the PPP and EIDL were earmarked to assist business owners with expenses incurred during the coronavirus shutdown. Using relief money for personal expenses is prohibited under the rules of those government programs.
Loans obtained from the PPP were subject to forgiveness with the caveat that business owners used the loan for business-related expenses, such as rent, payroll and utilities. EIDL money was designed to be used for a wider range of business expenses including health care benefits and fixed debt payments. If a business owner obtained loans from both programs, PPP and EIDL monies could not be used for the same purpose.
Information on the SBA website says that the PPP closed in August and is no longer accepting applications from lenders.
A separate group of individuals was indicted on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme which officials said was worth $16 million. According to the DOJ, 7 individuals in Texas and Illinois submitted at least 80 false submissions for PPP funding. The money was used by the defendants for items such as vehicles manufactured by Porsche and Lamborghini.
According to the DOJ, loan submissions allegedly submitted by the group included false tax records and fraudulent payroll expenses. Some of the money obtained through the loans was laundered through checks issued to fake employees from businesses that had received PPP money.
"Some fraudsters create the most complicated schemes to steal money from the taxpayer," said Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick on Tuesday. "Just imagine how productive they could be if they put their creativity and effort into noble and useful work."


newsweek--2020-11-18--'The Bachelor' Might Air the Week After Tayshia Adams' 'Bachelorette' Season Ends

Tayshia Adams ' season of The Bachelorette is only just beginning , but the next season of The Bachelor is going to air so much sooner than you think .
The first teaser for Matt James ' reign as 2021 's Bachelor aired during Tuesday night 's premiere of the ABC drama Big Sky , and it revealed that James ' love story will premiere on January 4 .
Despite COVID , James ' filming schedule supports a normal Bachelor timeline .
The first week of January is usually when The Bachelor starts , so the series wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change is that Tayshia Adams ' season of The Bachelorette should just be ending .
Usually , The Bachelorette ends in early summer , leaving months without a Bachelor franchise series ( sans Bachelor in Paradise . )
This year , though , there may not even be a week between the Bachelorette finale and Bachelor premiere .
The end date for The Bachelorette has yet to be announced , but comparing it to a normal season , Adams ' show should air its finale either around December 22 or December 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes sense when examining past seasons .
Most Bachelorette seasons have between 11 and 13 episodes .
Season 15 , which starred Hannah Brown in 2019 , had 13 .
Adams ' season will air Episode 7 next week .
That would put the 12th episode for Season 16 on December 29 , just six days before James ' season debuts .
Fans are still waiting to see when exactly The Bachelorette will wrap up , though , as ABC has n't revealed how much is left to come .
Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season will continue to air alongside James ' , though this seems less likely .
The Bachelorette is filling a Tuesday timeslot , as it coincides with Dancing With the Stars , which airs on Mondays .
The Bachelor , however , will return to Monday nights , the premiere date implies , meaning that if Adams ' Bachelorette season is particularly long , it 's possible to show both franchises in one week .
After Tuesday 's episode , Adams only had 16 men left , and we 're certain a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmed , thanks to spoilers from Reality Steve .
It all means that Bachelor Nation should n't have more than a week or so between Adams ' ending and James ' beginning .
While this year 's pandemic meant a wild delay in filming for The Bachelorette , a silver lining appears to be that one series will roll right into the next .
This is nearly unprecedented , except for the usual transition from The Bachelorette to Bachelor in Paradise .
Adams ' season was filmed exclusively at a California resort called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' season will stay in isolation , too , though his filming is currently taking place on the other side of the country .
His location is the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington , Pennsylvania , Reality Steve confirmed in August .
It 's also the location of the `` Men Tell All '' special for Adams ' season , apparently .
James is still filming , so there 's no word yet on if he found true love .
Adams , on the other hand , might have a rocky road ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible ending are available here .

Tayshia Adams' season of The Bachelorette is only just beginning, but the next season of The Bachelor is going to air so much sooner than you think. The first teaser for Matt James' reign as 2021's Bachelor aired during Tuesday night's premiere of the ABC drama Big Sky, and it revealed that James' love story will premiere on January 4.
Despite COVID, James' filming schedule supports a normal Bachelor timeline. The first week of January is usually when The Bachelor starts, so the series won't be delayed in any way. The only change is that Tayshia Adams' season of The Bachelorette should just be ending.
Usually, The Bachelorette ends in early summer, leaving months without a Bachelor franchise series (sans Bachelor in Paradise.) This year, though, there may not even be a week between the Bachelorette finale and Bachelor premiere.
The end date for The Bachelorette has yet to be announced, but comparing it to a normal season, Adams' show should air its finale either around December 22 or December 29, according to Elite Daily. This math makes sense when examining past seasons. Most Bachelorette seasons have between 11 and 13 episodes. Season 15, which starred Hannah Brown in 2019, had 13.
TV reality star Tayshia Adams attends the ABC "TCA Summer Press Tour" Carpet Event at the Soho House, in West Hollywood, California, on August 5, 2019 Getty/VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
Adams' season will air Episode 7 next week. That would put the 12th episode for Season 16 on December 29, just six days before James' season debuts. Fans are still waiting to see when exactly The Bachelorette will wrap up, though, as ABC hasn't revealed how much is left to come.
Of course, it's also possible that Adams' season will continue to air alongside James', though this seems less likely. The Bachelorette is filling a Tuesday timeslot, as it coincides with Dancing With the Stars, which airs on Mondays. The Bachelor, however, will return to Monday nights, the premiere date implies, meaning that if Adams' Bachelorette season is particularly long, it's possible to show both franchises in one week.
After Tuesday's episode, Adams only had 16 men left, and we're certain a "Men Tell All" episode was already filmed, thanks to spoilers from Reality Steve.
It all means that Bachelor Nation shouldn't have more than a week or so between Adams' ending and James' beginning. While this year's pandemic meant a wild delay in filming for The Bachelorette, a silver lining appears to be that one series will roll right into the next. This is nearly unprecedented, except for the usual transition from The Bachelorette to Bachelor in Paradise.
Adams' season was filmed exclusively at a California resort called La Quinta Resort and Club. James' season will stay in isolation, too, though his filming is currently taking place on the other side of the country. His location is the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania, Reality Steve confirmed in August. It's also the location of the "Men Tell All" special for Adams' season, apparently.
(SPOILER): Might not be “Bachelorette,” but got some Matt James “Bachelor” filming news. His season will be filmed at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in PA, beginning end of Sept.
Same place they stayed in ep 4 of JoJo’s season. The one where Bad Chad got eliminated on his 2-on-1. — RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) August 21, 2020
James is still filming, so there's no word yet on if he found true love. Adams, on the other hand, might have a rocky road ahead of her. Spoilers for Adams' possible ending are available here.


newsweek--2020-11-18--Would Student Debt Cancellation Be Good for America? Here's What Economists Say

Calls from Democratic lawmakers to forgive some or all student debt have grown , with President-elect Joe Biden backing at least $ 10,000 in loan forgiveness .
Student loan forgiveness remains a popular policy point for Democrats , and represented a significant campaign topic for Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont during their respective campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination .
Despite each bowing out of the race earlier this year , both have continued to support the student debt cancellation with other progressive lawmakers describing the situation as a `` crisis . ''
Current student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at over $ 1.7 trillion , and that number is expected to grow as the cost of college continues to increase and thousands of Americans are unable to repay their debt amid lost wages and lockdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , released a joint statement in September calling on the next president to cancel student debt using powers already granted to the Secretary of Education and the president .
Schumer reiterated his desire to cancel at least $ 50,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with journalist Anand Giridharadas earlier this month .
`` I think any sort of carte blanche forgiveness is misguided .
Although the cost of college has increased , at the same time the wage premium earned by college graduates is the highest it 's been this century , '' Patrick Gourley , an assistant professor of economics at the University of New Haven , told Newsweek .
However , proponents of student loan cancellation argue that it would boost the economy , arguing that the burden of debt has prevented millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families .
Critics question the need for the policy , saying students take on debt knowing it should be paid back in the future .
Some also say it would not be fair to Americans who have already completed student loan repayments .
Economists who spoke with Newsweek had mixed reactions .
While some said some form of student loan cancellation would benefit many Americans and boost the economy , others questioned whether it 's the best approach to address inequality and economic disparities .
`` Higher education , particularly on the 'prestigious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. versus many of our peer countries .
I think that we would need to have a long national conversation about college costs first , '' Hoyt Bleakley , a professor of economics at the University of Michigan told Newsweek in an email .
`` If the result of that dialogue were to be that college should be more heavily subsidized for current and future students , then perhaps we could talk about the unfairness to all the people who already paid the old , high prices .
Talking about student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horse , '' he said .
Elise Gould , a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute , told Newsweek she believes a form of student loan cancellation would be beneficial , particularly amid the widespread economic fallout of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I think it 's gon na be hugely beneficial to those who have taken on a lot of debt .
I 'm particularly concerned with those borrowers who did n't necessarily finish college and are racked with debt that is making their economic lives particularly difficult , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the burden of debt for a particular individual depends a lot on how much they 've borrowed and how much their annual income is .
She suggested it may be better to find a policy that `` balances '' these factors instead of blanket loan forgiveness .
The average level of student debt among Americans is estimated to be north of $ 32,000 .
But there are significant disparities as those who have pursued law , medical or other graduate degrees often having six-figures of debt .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn more than the average American .
`` Anything that sort of frees up individual pocketbooks and budgets toward something else has a positive impact , '' Mark Hamrick , a senior economic analyst at Bankrate told Newsweek .
Hamrick said that forgiveness might `` free up '' individuals to engage in other forms of `` consumer behavior . ''
He noted that Bankrate surveys have shown that `` important life decisions are delayed because of student loan debt in general . ''
Chloe Gibbs , an assistant professor at the economics department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that student loan cancellation would not be the best form of financial stimulus .
She explained that those holding the debt are generally not the people struggling the most in the current economy .
`` People with student loan debt are those who went to college , with most loan debt being held by college graduates and those with graduate school debt .
Those are not the people hurt the most by the current economic downturn , '' Gibbs said in an email .
`` It is also the case that removing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by reducing bills to pay but it does not necessarily free up financial resources right now for families that are already severely cash strapped . ''
Gourley shared a similar perspective , suggesting that there are other priorities that could benefit economically disadvantaged Americans more .
`` A large portion of student debt is owned by so-called HENRYs ( High Earners , Not Rich Yet ) , such as a young lawyer with $ 200,000 in debt and an annual salary of $ 150,000 .
To give these individuals any loan forgiveness would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Student debt is an important issue , '' he said , `` but based on who owes most of the debt , it seems prioritizing minimum wage and Medicare-for-all would be more effective in helping low-income Americans . ''
A report published by Moody 's Investors Service in October 2019 predicted that student loan cancellation would `` yield a tax-cut-like stimulus to economic activity , contributing to a modest increase in household consumption and investment . ''
However , the report noted that `` the magnitude of the stimulus would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief and income level of the beneficiaries . ''
Student loan cancellation could also cause the national deficit to `` widen , '' according to Moody 's analysis .
This would depend on how the cancellation was carried out and whether any `` offsets '' were put into place .
Gibbs said that she would be `` disappointed '' if the Biden administration prioritized student debt forgiveness ahead of `` stimulus and aid targeted to support those who have lost jobs or those who can not work as we get the public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that it may make sense `` as part of a package of policies to help people weather these difficult times . ''

Calls from Democratic lawmakers to forgive some or all student debt have grown, with President-elect Joe Biden backing at least $10,000 in loan forgiveness.
Student loan forgiveness remains a popular policy point for Democrats, and represented a significant campaign topic for Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont during their respective campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination. Despite each bowing out of the race earlier this year, both have continued to support the student debt cancellation with other progressive lawmakers describing the situation as a "crisis."
Current student loan debt in the United States sits at over $1.7 trillion, and that number is expected to grow as the cost of college continues to increase and thousands of Americans are unable to repay their debt amid lost wages and lockdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, released a joint statement in September calling on the next president to cancel student debt using powers already granted to the Secretary of Education and the president. Schumer reiterated his desire to cancel at least $50,000 in student debt for all Americans in an interview with journalist Anand Giridharadas earlier this month.
"I think any sort of carte blanche forgiveness is misguided. Although the cost of college has increased, at the same time the wage premium earned by college graduates is the highest it's been this century," Patrick Gourley, an assistant professor of economics at the University of New Haven, told Newsweek.
However, proponents of student loan cancellation argue that it would boost the economy, arguing that the burden of debt has prevented millions of millennials from purchasing homes and starting families. Critics question the need for the policy, saying students take on debt knowing it should be paid back in the future. Some also say it would not be fair to Americans who have already completed student loan repayments.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) speaks during a press conference about canceling student loan debt on July 23 in Washington, D.C. Win McNamee/Getty
Economists who spoke with Newsweek had mixed reactions. While some said some form of student loan cancellation would benefit many Americans and boost the economy, others questioned whether it's the best approach to address inequality and economic disparities.
"Higher education, particularly on the 'prestigious' side, costs more for students in the U.S. versus many of our peer countries. I think that we would need to have a long national conversation about college costs first," Hoyt Bleakley, a professor of economics at the University of Michigan told Newsweek in an email.
"If the result of that dialogue were to be that college should be more heavily subsidized for current and future students, then perhaps we could talk about the unfairness to all the people who already paid the old, high prices. Talking about student debt first puts the cart before the horse," he said.
Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, told Newsweek she believes a form of student loan cancellation would be beneficial, particularly amid the widespread economic fallout of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"I think it's gonna be hugely beneficial to those who have taken on a lot of debt. I'm particularly concerned with those borrowers who didn't necessarily finish college and are racked with debt that is making their economic lives particularly difficult," Gould said. The economist pointed out that the burden of debt for a particular individual depends a lot on how much they've borrowed and how much their annual income is. She suggested it may be better to find a policy that "balances" these factors instead of blanket loan forgiveness.
If we can provide over $1 trillion in tax breaks to the top 1% and large corporations and $740 billion for the bloated Pentagon, please don't tell me that we cannot afford to cancel all student debt and make public colleges and trade schools tuition-free and debt-free for all. https://t.co/vcjJzKGy4a — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 17, 2020
The average level of student debt among Americans is estimated to be north of $32,000. But there are significant disparities as those who have pursued law, medical or other graduate degrees often having six-figures of debt. At the same time, individuals with professional or higher education often earn more than the average American.
"Anything that sort of frees up individual pocketbooks and budgets toward something else has a positive impact," Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst at Bankrate told Newsweek. Hamrick said that forgiveness might "free up" individuals to engage in other forms of "consumer behavior." He noted that Bankrate surveys have shown that "important life decisions are delayed because of student loan debt in general."
Chloe Gibbs, an assistant professor at the economics department at the University of Notre Dame, said that student loan cancellation would not be the best form of financial stimulus. She explained that those holding the debt are generally not the people struggling the most in the current economy.
"People with student loan debt are those who went to college, with most loan debt being held by college graduates and those with graduate school debt. Those are not the people hurt the most by the current economic downturn," Gibbs said in an email. "It is also the case that removing debt may help some in the moment by reducing bills to pay but it does not necessarily free up financial resources right now for families that are already severely cash strapped."
Gourley shared a similar perspective, suggesting that there are other priorities that could benefit economically disadvantaged Americans more.
"A large portion of student debt is owned by so-called HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet), such as a young lawyer with $200,000 in debt and an annual salary of $150,000. To give these individuals any loan forgiveness would be terribly regressive," the academic said.
"Student debt is an important issue," he said, "but based on who owes most of the debt, it seems prioritizing minimum wage and Medicare-for-all would be more effective in helping low-income Americans."
A report published by Moody's Investors Service in October 2019 predicted that student loan cancellation would "yield a tax-cut-like stimulus to economic activity, contributing to a modest increase in household consumption and investment." However, the report noted that "the magnitude of the stimulus would depend on the size of the debt relief and income level of the beneficiaries."
Student loan cancellation could also cause the national deficit to "widen," according to Moody's analysis. This would depend on how the cancellation was carried out and whether any "offsets" were put into place.
Gibbs said that she would be "disappointed" if the Biden administration prioritized student debt forgiveness ahead of "stimulus and aid targeted to support those who have lost jobs or those who cannot work as we get the public health crisis under control." But she said that it may make sense "as part of a package of policies to help people weather these difficult times."