White Supremacy
Democrats across the nation are harping on the narrative that President Donald Trump is a racist because he did not denounce white supremacists (he did though) at the debate with Vice President Joe Biden, and are pressing the fact that the president stated “stand down and stand by” when asked to denounce the “Proud Boys” organization.
In looking at Trump’s body language and the tone in which he made the remark, it appears that Trump misspoke, but that doesn’t matter.
This is politics and it’s fair game.
Biden misspeaks all the time and Republicans hammer him every time he sticks his foot in his mouth (every day).
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is angling to run for governor against Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, has asked DeSantis, CFP Jimmy Patronis, and Attorney General Ashley Moody, to condemn the president’s refusal to denounce white supremacy.
“Last night’s debate represents one of the lowest moments in history for an American president. As the nation watched, Donald Trump’s complete failure to condemn white supremacy renders him further unfit for office. Trump’s use of coded language in asking white supremacist terrorists to “stand by” opens a dangerous new chapter in his desperation to retain power by any means. There is only one acceptable answer: white supremacy is a cancer on America, is a domestic terrorism threat to law and order, and must be denounced by every leader across our land."
While Fried calls Trump “unfit for office,” what do she and Democrats make of Biden’s past and blatant racially-charged and divisive comments?
We all heard Biden’s “You ain’t black” remark from a couple of months ago, right? Yep.
Here are some more of his past racially-tinged remarks:
August 2019: “Poor kids” just as bright as “white kids”
June 2019: “The kid wearing a hoodie.”
“We’ve got to recognize that the kid wearing a hoodie may very well be the next poet laureate and not a gangbanger,” Biden said.
June 2019: Biden touts his work with segregationist senators
“I was in a caucus with James O. Eastland,” Biden said as he briefly imitated the late senator’s southern drawl. “He never called me boy. He always called me son.”
August 2012: “Put y’all back in chains”
“He said in the first 100 days, he’s going to let the big banks once again write their own rules,” Biden said. “Unchain Wall Street! They’re gonna put y’all back in chains.”
Here is a list of past remarks Biden has made:
February 2007: Obama is “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean”
2006: “You can’t go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent”
Oh, and Biden has yet to denounce the criminal actions of Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA…
We are waiting for Republicans now to call for Biden to denounce hate and racism… READ MORE
Rep. Lois Frankel @RepLoisFrankel-@
Rep. Ted Deutch @RepTedDeutch-Sure, because for @GovRonDeSantis.the pandemic is over, no one is suffering anymore, and everyone can pay their rent and mortgage. He really should get out more.
Shevrin Jones @ShevrinJones-You will never be defeated by what they say about you. You will be defeated by what YOU say about YOU! #GM #happyTHURSDAY #speakwellofyourself
Janet Cruz @SenJanetCruz-The CDC’s order is not only being challenged in federal courts, but doesn’t apply to those w/o a federally backed mortgage.This comes right after massive layoffs at Disney and throughout the tourism industry. Florida continues to leave people behind in the midst of a crisis.
Audrey Gibson @SenAudrey2eet-Trump mails his ballot but he wants you to think yours is not safe. #poppycock
Mario Diaz-Balart @MarioDB-@realDonaldTrump has kept the promise he made in Miami in 2017 to end financial transactions with the Cuban military. No president has done more to support the Cuban people in their struggle for freedom than President Trump, who has vigorously denied revenue to their oppressors.
Rick Scott @SenRickScott-Today, I introduced a resolution condemning the human rights abuses in Communist China & demanding the IOC move the 2022 @Olympics games.
Unfortunately, @SenatorMenendez & @SenateDems chose to play politics & blocked it. Human rights isn't partisan & we must all stand up for it.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz @RepDWStweets-I'm happy to see money flowing out the door to build necessary ecosystem restoration projects in our beautiful River of Grass after I worked so hard with my colleagues on @AppropsD to deliver historic funding for the Everglades.
Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto push Speaker Pelosi for bipartisan COVID relief bill >>> Murphy, Soto urge Pelosi to “continue bipartisan” COVID-19 relief talk
“Donna Shalala accuses Salazar of supporting white supremacy” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – One of the most contentious moments in the first debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden was when Fox News anchor and debate moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump to denounce white supremacy. Trump said that he “was willing to do that” before the recent rioting and unrest on groups like Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA.
Wallace: Are you willing to condemn tonight white supremacists and militia groups, and to say that they need to stand down, and not add to the violence in a number of these cities we saw in Kenosha, and as we’ve seen in Portland?
Trump: Sure, I’m willing to do that. I would say almost everything I see is from the Left Wing, not from the Right Wing. I’m willing to do anything, I want to see peace. What do you want to call them? Give me a name. Proud Boys — Stand back and stand by, but I tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about ANTIFA and the Left because this is not a Right Wing problem. This is a Left Wing problem.
Democrats are now trying to capitalize on what Donald J Trump, Jr says was a “misspeak” by his father, who did tell the Proud Boys to “stand down.”
“Telemundo Poll Declares Trump Winner of Debate” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Last night, all eyes were on the first presidential debate between President Trump (R) and former Vice President Joe Biden (D). The debate, moderated by FOX News’ Chris Wallace, lasted for an hour and a half, and the topics discussed included the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent movement calling for defunding the police. In a heated debacle, both Biden and Trump exchanged words, interrupted each other, and President Trump even had a contentious back and forth with Wallace. Ultimately, polls have been released and Americans are speaking on who they believe won the first debate. CBS reported that independents gave the edge to Trump while a CNN debate watch group argued that Biden had won the debate. Seeing that both candidates have been vying for Hispanic-American support, it has just been announced that a new Telemundo poll declared President Trump as the winner with 66% of viewers saying the President was the winner compared to 34% that declared Vice President Biden the winner.
“Biden doesn’t support the Green New Deal, but his website says he does” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – When Vice President Joe Biden said that the “Green New Deal” was not his plan, stating that “ I don’t support the Green New Deal,” if caused Republicans and Democrats alike to take a pause for a split second. No sooner than Biden said he didn’t support the plan, President Donald Trump pounced. “Oh, you don’t? Well, that’s a big statement,” Trump said “That means you just lost the radical left. It’s gone.” Biden broke with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) signature piece of legislation along time ago but has brought her along to help him frame his broader climate change plane. But just as the former vice president said he didn’t support Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s climate change initiative, Biden’s website states that the Green New Deal “is a crucial framework for meeting the climate change challenges we face.” “Biden believes the Green New Deal is a crucial framework for meeting the climate challenges we face. It powerfully captures two basic truths, which are at the core of his plan: (1) the United States urgently needs to embrace greater ambition on an epic scale to meet the scope of this challenge, and (2) our environment and our economy are completely and totally connected.” Does Joe Biden support the Green New Deal or not? Florida Rep. Kathy Castor (D), who tweeted that “Trump’s answer to climate change is dangerous and ignorant,” defended Biden’s “detailed plan for the clean energy economy” and Biden’s apparent support for the two climate change proposals the former vice president is putting forward.
“New law that can increase penalties for criminals scamming veterans in Florida goes into effect Thursday” by WOKV’s Steven Ponson – It’s called the Florida Veterans Protection Act and starting Thursday a new law that can increase penalties against people who target veterans for scams goes into effect. The new law will add the victimization of 10 or more veterans to the already existing White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act. According to the bill anyone who scams, or tries to scam, 10 or more veterans out of at least $50,000 will then be charged with a first-degree felony. According to the bill’s analysis the Federal Trade Commission in 2018 ranked Florida as first in the U.S. in fraud and fourth in identity theft. The analysis says one-third of the victims of investment fraud are veterans even through they make up less than 10% of the population in the U.S. The bill passed both the Florida House and Senate unanimously back in March.
“Joe and Jill Biden set to visit Florida in October” by WTSP – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are set to head back to the sunshine state in October. The duo will be heading to South Florida on Oct. 5 for an event, but explicit details and a location were not immediately available. This latest visit is Biden's second stop in Florida in 20 days. The former vice president was in Tampa on Sept. 15 to hold a round table with military veterans. During his sit-down with military veterans, he tackled topics like VA hospital access and meaningful employment for veterans and their spouses as well as mental health. Florida is a well-known battleground state and as of the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, four points stand between President Trump and Biden from being tied in the state.
“Trump’s Proud Boy moment sparks Black outrage in Florida” by Politico’s Matt Dixon – President Donald Trump’s shoutout to the far-fight hate group Proud Boys is energizing black voters to turn out against him in the must-win state of Florida. “His call to the white supremacist group Proud Boys to ‘stand by,’ and telling his followers to go to the polls and watch them, that is straight up voter suppression,” said incoming state Minority Leader Bobby DuBose, a Black Broward County Democrat. DuBose made his comments during a conference call to roll out Democrat Joe Biden’s “Black men, VOTE!” campaign, a push to secure what has been an important but inconsistent Florida voting bloc. The Biden call was scheduled before Trump stood on the debate stage in Cleveland and ordered the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by,” creating a sense of urgency and outrage that could work in Biden’s favor. “He had an opportunity to sort of dim the views of the underbelly of the country,” said former Florida Rep. Alan Williams, a strategic adviser to Biden’s campaign and former head of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. “I was watching with my son last night and my daughter was with us on Facetime. That was hard.” Florida’s Black vote has been consequential in recent election cycles, delivering an outsized impact on outcomes in a battleground where every vote matters. Trump’s remark on Tuesday could motivate Black voters, which overwhelmingly support Democrats, in a state he almost certainly has to take to win reelection.
“Central Florida’s Puerto Ricans Could Cast Swing State’s Swing Votes” by Spectrum News’ Pete Reinwald – The voting power of Central Florida’s Puerto Rican population came to full light two weeks ago. During a campaign stop in Kissimmee on September 16, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden expressed support for Puerto Rican statehood and pledged disaster relief and investment in the island’s continued efforts to recover from Hurricane Maria. Two days later, the administration of President Donald Trump said it would provide $13 billion in aid to help the U.S. commonwealth rebuild. “We are being recognized as an important voting force,” said Arnaldo Oliveras, a Puerto Rico native and Orlando businessman. “There’s potential here for changing the outcome, I think, if we vote.” Central Florida’s Puerto Rican voters indeed could determine the next president. As perhaps the ultimate swing state, Florida has voted for the winner in the past six presidential elections, University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett pointed out to Spectrum News this week. Jewett called the I-4 corridor the swing region of the swing state. The numbers suggest that Puerto Rican residents could provide the swing vote. According to 2018 data from UCF’s Puerto Rico Research Hub, the counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia boasted a combined Puerto Rican population of 413,835 — some 35 percent of Florida’s Puerto Rican residents.
“Advocates Ask Governor to Stop Florida Utility Shutoffs During Pandemic” by Spectrum News’ Molly Duerig – It’s easier to play a game of Uno by daylight than candlelight, as Sharona Barnes and her two sons recently learned. Their electricity has been disconnected by Orlando Utilities Commission five times during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company confirmed. Barnes said the longest outage lasted about a week. “We just told stories like it was a spooky night,” Barnes said, laughing. The reality of losing power for an extended period of time in Central Florida’s subtropical climate is a real concern for some people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In Barnes’s case, the pandemic forced her to choose between feeding her family and paying for electricity. Her food stamps were up for recertification right around the time when offices closed across the state, Barnes said, making it impossible for her to keep receiving her benefits. Barnes does not have a computer or internet access at home. “I didn’t know what to do,” Barnes said. “I'm not going to let my kids starve, so I had to feed them. And that's what got me behind.” Dilemmas like hers are what’s prompted a coalition of Florida organizations to band together as Connected in Crisis, a group that’s called on Governor Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide moratorium on utility disconnections. The group, together with Florida Housing Justice Alliance, sent a letter to the governor’s office September 23 requesting the utility moratorium, as well as an extension of the state’s eviction moratorium, which is set to expire Wednesday at midnight. DeSantis indicated he would let the eviction moratorium expire.
“Gov. DeSantis to allow Florida's eviction moratorium to expire” by Axios’ Jacob Knutson – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he would let the state's moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expire Thursday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Why it matters: The governor's office said it is allowing the moratorium to expire because the Centers Disease Control and Prevention issued an order that temporarily halts some residential evictions through the end of the year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. What they're saying: DeSantis' spokesperson Fred Piccolo said terminating the state order will "avoid any confusion over whether the CDC’s evictions order should apply in a particular circumstance," according to the Times. The big picture: To obtain assistance, the CDC's order requires renters earn less than $99,000 annually and submit a report showing they are unable to pay rent or are likely to become homeless if evicted. Renters must also show that they tried to obtain all government assistance available for rent or housing and they are unable to make payments due to loss of household income, a layoff or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“Florida mayor's right-hand man caught seeking political activist protesters to disrupt DeSantis event” by Fox News’ Nick Givas – St. Petersburg, Fla., Mayor Rick Kriseman’s right-hand man reportedly sent out a Facebook message last week asking for political activists to show up and disrupt an event being held by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Governor apparently coming to St Pete around noon at Birchwood to cause trouble if you feel like secretly getting a group together,” Kevin King wrote to Susan McGrath, former chair of the Pinellas County Democratic Party, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “Could use some Wear a Mask signs," King continued. His title is chief of policy and public engagement and he is considered an integral part of the daily operations of the Mayor's office, according to the city's official website. The website also states that he "directs the day-to-day activities." DeSantis appeared in St. Petersburg on Friday to announce he was moving the state into phase three of it's planned reopening, following the coronavirus outbreak. Kriseman, a Democrat, has been publicly critical of DeSantis' policies when it comes to COVID-19. The news about King’s social media messages was first reported by Politico and later referenced by the Times. "We mobilize advocates for causes all the time,” King told Politico. “We wanted people to remind the governor it’s important to wear a mask.” “It was policy-focused,” he added. “We would never encourage political activity from city hall.” Mayor Kriseman spoke with the Times and did not say if there would be any disciplinary action taken against King, but would only say he has been "counseled" and will behave differently going forward.
“Thousands of South Florida airline workers hoping to stay employed as PSP expiration looms” by Local 10’S Janine Stanwood – As furloughs loom, the fate of thousands of Miami-based airline employees is up in the air. On a flight from Miami to LaGuardia airport Wednesday morning, a flight attendant made a personal announcement over the intercom. “To our passengers, it’s been an honor and a privilege to have served you,” she said. “Until then, safe travels. Hope to see you soon.” Since the pandemic hit, thousands of flight attendants, baggage handlers, gate agents and others have been getting at least partial pay through $25 billion in grants and loans to the nation’s airlines. To receive the aid, companies agreed not to lay off employees through Sept. 30. That Payroll Support Program, or PSP, helped many stay employed, and keep health care and other benefits. The program is set to expire on Thursday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met Wednesday in an 11th-hour attempt to come up with a coronavirus relief plan, but no deal was immediately struck.
“Police: Florida woman left 7 children alone for months; kids said they'd rather go to foster care” by Fox 13 – A Florida woman has been charged with child neglect after she was accused of leaving her seven children home alone for months. North Miami Beach police arrested 35-year-old Elidiesneins Perez on Wednesday, WSVN reports. According to a police report, officers received a 911 call on Aug. 27 from a boy who said his mother had not enrolled him in school. Investigators say the boy and his six siblings, who ranged in ages between 4 and 17, were left home alone since around July 17. The day before, on July 16, Perez's current husband was arrested for child abuse involving her 16 and 17-year-old children. When he was released from jail, a stay-away order was issued. But instead of staying home with her children, police said she opted to stay with her husband instead, leaving the kids to fend for themselves. According to WSVN, Perez did not leave any contact information for the children to be able to find her. Detectives said the children had very little food in the house, and told investigators they had to eat rice for breakfast because they didn't have anything else. The kids also told officers they didn't have any clean clothes because they hadn't been to the laundromat in two months. The older children told police they'd rather live in foster care than in their current situation. They said a family friend in San Diego had offered to take care of them, but the children said their mother refused to give up her parental rights because she gets a monthly check for two of them.
“Commission on Presidential Debates ‘carefully considering’ format changes after first Trump, Biden debate” by Fox News’ Brooke Singman – The Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday said the highly contentious first debate between President Trump and Joe Biden “made clear” that “additional structure” should be added to the format of the remaining debates in order to “ensure” a “more orderly discussion” of issues. The commission’s comments came after Tuesday night’s debate in Cleveland, Ohio, included repeated interruptions and both candidates hurling charges and insults at each other. “The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate,” the CPD said in a statement Wednesday. “Last night’s debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.” The commission added that it will be “carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly.” “The commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night’s debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates,” the commission said of the Fox News anchor, who moderated the debate. Both candidates interrupted each other frequently. According to a Fox News analysis, Biden interrupted Trump 49 times and Wallace 18 times for a total of 67 times. Trump, meanwhile, interrupted Biden 71 times, Wallace 74 times for a total of 145 times, according to the analysis. The CPD is sponsoring two more debates for Trump and Biden, one on Oct. 15 in Miami, Fla., and one on Oct. 22 in Nashville, Tenn. A vice presidential debate is set for Oct. 7.
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don't want to talk about changes to the Supreme Court” by CNN’s Dan Merica – Joe Biden and Kamala Harris made it clear on Tuesday night that they don't want to talk about changes to the Supreme Court, including expanding the current nine-justice bench. Asked directly at the first presidential debate if he supported "packing the court" in response to President Donald Trump possibly confirming a third Supreme Court justice before the election, Biden openly acknowledged he was dodging the question, saying "Whatever position I take on that, that'll become the issue." Trump seized on the comment, asking Biden repeatedly if he was "going to pack the court," leading Biden to say, "I'm not going to answer the question." Biden's running mate, Harris, also dodged the query in an interview after the debate. "We are 35 days away from an election ... probably the most important election of our lifetime and our children's lifetime, and there is nothing about these next 35 days that Joe or I will take for granted," Harris told CNN's Jake Tapper. "The focus right now is on reminding people that we have this election that is very much in play ... we are in the midst of an election." Harris added that she and Biden would "deal with that later." The exchanges highlighted the difference between the Democratic ticket and some on the left of the party who have been invigorated by calls for sweeping change in the face of another Supreme Court pick by Trump. Most on the left didn't expect Biden to be the leader of their cause, but Tuesday's exchange highlighted the extent to which they wanted to avoid making it a topic of discussion before the election and instead focus on what the Supreme Court fight could mean for the future of the Affordable Care Act.
“House Delays Vote on $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Bill Lacking GOP Backing” by WSJ’s Natalie Andrews and Kristina Peterson – The House of Representatives postponed a vote on a $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package as Democrats tried to find common ground with the White House on a bipartisan agreement, though they remained far apart on key issues. Democratic aides said the delay was to allow the two sides one more day to keep talking before a vote. As written now, the legislation has no hope of advancing in the GOP-controlled Senate, but many centrist Democrats were eager to pass a new bill before they returned to campaigning in their home districts. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) met Wednesday afternoon for 90 minutes and failed to reach an agreement. “We found areas where we are seeking further clarification,” Mrs. Pelosi said as she announced plans to hold a vote. “Our conversations will continue.” The updated legislation released earlier this week shaved the price tag of economic relief to $2.2 trillion, compared with the $3.5 trillion bill the House passed in May. In an interview with Fox Business Network Wednesday night, Mr. Mnuchin said he had a productive conversation with Mrs. Pelosi about the administration’s new relief proposal, which he said is in the neighborhood of $1.5 trillion. The proposal includes additional aid for small businesses, the airline industry and schools, Mr. Mnuchin said. He said he and Mrs. Pelosi have also agreed that any deal will include another round of stimulus checks. Asked why his outlook for a deal had improved, Mr. Mnuchin noted that today’s meeting was the first time in weeks the two sides had seriously engaged in relief discussions.
“Trump campaign prepared to sue Philadelphia over claims poll watchers were banned” by Fox News’ Brittany De Lea – The Trump campaign is prepared to file a lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia, following a difficult first day of voting across multiple satellite election offices on Tuesday. A potential lawsuit would be filed against the Office of the Philadelphia City Commissioners over their alleged refusal to admit poll watchers into satellite offices to observe the voting process. “To the extent that your office prohibits the campaign from monitoring the casting of ballots, the campaign will seek court intervention,” a letter from an attorney representing the campaign read. A video posted to Twitter by Mike Roman from the Trump campaign appears to show an observer being removed. Trump 2020 deputy national press secretary Thea McDonald said in a statement that Philadelphia election officials are “intentionally avoiding accountability and hiding their voting system.” “The Trump Campaign—and of course, the Biden Campaign as well—has a statutory right to have watchers observe the voting process to ensure voting locations are being run properly and all rules are applied equally,” McDonald’s statement read. The attorney representing the campaign asked for a response to resolve the matter by 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Philadelphia city election officials did not return Fox News’ request for comment. Election lawyers say there is no right under Pennsylvania law, even for a certified poll watcher, to observe inside an election office where someone is registering to vote, applying for a mail-in ballot or filling one out.
“Commission on Presidential Debates says it will make changes to format to 'ensure a more orderly discussion'” by CNN’s Kate Sullivan and Sarah Mucha – The Commission on Presidential Debates said Wednesday it would be making changes to the format of the remaining presidential debates after the first debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump devolved into a chaotic disaster the night before. "The Commission on Presidential Debates sponsors televised debates for the benefit of the American electorate. Last night's debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues," a statement from the CPD reads. The CPD did not specify what changes were being considered or would be adopted, but said it would be "carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly." During the contentious 90-minute debate, Trump frequently interrupted and heckled Biden, ignoring repeated pleas from the debate moderator, Chris Wallace of Fox News, for Trump to stick to his allotted time. The debate was marked by frequent incoherent cross talk, and at one point, an exasperated Biden told the President, "Will you shut up, man?" The CPD said it was "grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night's debate," and said that it "intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates." Biden said Wednesday he hopes the CPD will find a way to control the amount of interruptions at future debates, and said the way Trump conducted himself at the debate was a "national embarrassment."
“Intelligence Officials Urged Trump Spy Chief Not to Disclose Unverified Russian Claims About Clinton” by WSJ’s Dustin Voltz and Warren P. Strobel – President Trump’s spy chief ignored urgings from senior U.S. officials not to release information about Russian intelligence material containing unverified allegations about Hillary Clinton and the 2016 election, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials at the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, as well as nonpolitical career personnel within the office of Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, feared that sharing the information with Congress would give credence to unsubstantiated Kremlin-backed material. They argued the claim was sourced to Russian intelligence services that interfered in the 2016 election to denigrate Mrs. Clinton, that year’s Democratic presidential nominee, and could have been deliberate disinformation, the people said. A CIA spokesman referred reporters to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which Mr. Ratcliffe runs. The NSA declined to comment and referred questions to the same office, known as the ODNI. “We don’t comment on internal [intelligence community] deliberations,” an ODNI spokeswoman said. On Tuesday, Mr. Ratcliffe sent a letter to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that disclosed that Russian intelligence analysis obtained by U.S. spy agencies claimed that Mrs. Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee for president, had approved a campaign plan that year to tie then-candidate Donald Trump to Moscow’s hacking of Democratic emails. Mr. Graham then released the letter publicly.
“Senior Democratic leadership urge Biden to continue with debates” by Fox News’ Caitlin McFall – Senior congressional leadership have urged Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden to continue with the next two scheduled debates, despite calls from some urging him to pull out. "This is a colossal waste of the American people’s time. If they are not going to cut his mic so we can have an exchange of ideas, then Biden should not attend any more debates," MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough said in a tweet Tuesday night of President Trump's frequent interruptions during Tuesday's debate. Reactions to the first 2020 presidential debate have been mixed, with many voicing their frustrations over the large number of interruptions made by President Trump and, to a lesser extent, Biden. But Democratic lawmakers say the stark differences on the debate stage between the two candidates will only help Biden’s campaign. “The American people saw what Donald Trump is all about and sometimes people just see clips on the news of his rallies. And I think it’s important for them to see that,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said in report by Politico. “So yes, I think that he should continue doing these debates.” Reactions to the first 2020 presidential debate have been mixed, with many voicing their frustrations over the large number of interruptions made by President Trump and, to a lesser extent, Biden. But Democratic lawmakers say the stark differences on the debate stage between the two candidates will only help Biden’s campaign. “The American people saw what Donald Trump is all about and sometimes people just see clips on the news of his rallies. And I think it’s important for them to see that,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said in report by Politico. “So yes, I think that he should continue doing these debates.”
“More than 1 million ballots have already been cast in the 2020 presidential election” by CNN’s Adam Levy – More than 1.2 million Americans have already cast their presidential ballots without waiting for the first scheduled debate Tuesday between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden in Cleveland, according to a CNN survey of election officials in 20 states that are making return data available. About 800,000 of those ballots cast come from eight of CNN's most competitive-rated states. In North Carolina and Wisconsin alone, more than 500,000 ballots have already been cast -- roughly a quarter of ballots requested. The high return rate suggests many voters have already made up their minds, and they're heeding the advice from politicians and election officials who are urging people to return their ballots quickly due to concerns of delays in mail delivery. These votes represent what will ultimately be a small fraction of the votes cast this year. Trump and Hillary Clinton received about 130 million votes combined in 2016. The majority of states are not yet reporting early ballot returns or have not sent ballots out domestically. Yet it also demonstrates an eagerness to vote, in a year when more Americans than ever will cast early ballots because of the pandemic.
Around the US, more than 30 million ballot requests have been made -- predominantly for mail-in ballots -- in the 36 states currently reporting. Another 43 million ballots have been or will soon be mailed to voters in the nine states -- along with Washington, DC -- that are automatically mailing ballots to eligible voters.
“Biden Unveils Ethics Rules for Transition Staff” by WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden unveiled new ethics rules to limit the number of registered lobbyists on his transition team, part of an effort to avoid conflicts of interest as the team begins planning for a possible Biden presidency. Under the new rules released on Wednesday, members of Mr. Biden’s transition team must commit to not working on policy matters that might represent a financial conflict of interest. Transition staff are also barred from buying or selling individual stocks without approval from the transition team’s general counsel, former Facebook lawyer Jessica Hertz. “The Plan aims to ensure that Transition team members abide by the highest ethical standards, act solely in furtherance of the public interest, and base all policy and personnel decisions on merit, free from individual conflicts of interest,” the ethics plan says. The rules, which take effect immediately, don’t impose a blanket ban on lobbyists. Instead, they mandate that individuals who are registered lobbyists, or have registered as lobbyists within the past year, must get approval from the general counsel to serve on the transition team. A transition official said the transition team had granted a handful of exceptions to the lobbying restrictions, including for “individuals with expertise in pandemic response who recently advocated on behalf of their public interest, nonprofit employers.” Federal law requires that presidential transition teams release a set of ethics rules, part of broader mandates meant to ensure a smooth transition of power. Whether they are formally registered as a lobbyist or not, transition staffers are barred by the new plan from working on policy issues on which they have lobbied in the past year or on which they anticipate lobbying in the year after the transition is over. The general counsel can also make exceptions to those restrictions. For a year after leaving the transition team, staffers cannot lobby federal departments or agencies on policy issues they worked on during their time on the transition.
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump- 100,000 DEFECTIVE BALLOTS IN NEW YORK. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THEM, BUT WHERE, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO, THE BALLOTS THAT WERE FIRST SENT? THEY WILL BE USED BY SOMEBODY. USA, END THIS SCAM - GO OUT AND VOTE!
Nancy Pelosi @SpeakerPelosi- It is a sign of President Trump’s disdain for America’s working families that he has spent years abusing the tax code while passing a GOP Tax Scam for the rich that gives 83 percent of the benefits to the wealthiest 1 percent.
