Bundle of JUICE Joy
The JUICE took a break all of last week because the latest addition to the family was born. Thanks for understanding. FYI the beautiful bundle of joy is doing just fine and keeping dad busy with diaper duty (10 per day).
Biden, Kamala, and Radical Islam
The Republican Party of Florida is spending big money to get President Trump elected next week.
Mailings after mailings have been sent out to voters, and the one that landed this weekend takes a “yuge” swipe at Sen. Kamala Harris’ ties to the controversial Muslim group CAIR.
The RPOF also target’s the Biden campaign’s ties to anti-Semitism. MUST READ
HANDLE WITH CAIR? >>> Democrats Murphy, Soto endorsed controversial Muslim group CAIR
AXIS OF EVIL, PART 2 >>> Venezuela: Socialism’s new launching point to destabilize the U.S.
Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell @RepDMP-The president has already started dismantling our health care. And if his lawsuit is successful, he will dismantle it completely, leaving millions uninsured. His actions are dangerous.
Marco Rubio @marcorubio- I stand with @MPlainDS and our friends around the world in demanding the immediate release of the 12 Hong Kongers arrested at sea while fleeing CCP persecution in #HongKong.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets- Amazing energy & clear skies at today's Equality Voters to the Polls march. The South Florida LGBTQ+ community is out in full force for #BidenHarris2020! Big thanks to @Todd_Delmay & @JeffDelmay & the Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council for their work organizing & fighting for equality.
Nikki Fried @nikkifried-“We are going to take back our country, we are going to tackle systemic racism, we are going to beat COVID-19, and we are going to build back better.”
Rick Scott @SenRickScott-Judge Amy Coney Barrett advances to a final confirmation vote. Tomorrow (Today) will be an exciting day as Judge Barrett becomes the next Justice on the US Supreme Court!
Rep. Carlos G Smith @CarlosGSmith-This morning we joined @DemsUCF to welcome Latina leader @AmericaFerrera to East Orlando’s Alafaya branch early voting site and help get out the message for @JoeBiden and Democrats down ballot. So much energy and enthusiasm in this election! VOTE!
Amy Klobuchar @amyklobuchar-First stop today for @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris in the shine state of Florida in Tampa! And I finally got to follow a Senator Cruz (as in Tampa’s incredible State Senator Janet Cruz) who I didn’t have to rebut.
“Florida Republican Party ties Kamala Harris to anti-Semitic, anti-Israel group CAIR” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) has unleashed a barrage of campaign mailings over the past several weeks, many of which have been supportive of President Donald Trump, while others attack former Vice President Joe Biden and his contrasting vision for America. The latest mailing that hit mailboxes this past Saturday not only target Biden but vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris for her past support for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group tied to radical Islamic terrorism and for the promotion of an anti-Semitic agenda by some of its leaders. The RPOF contends that “In a Biden-Harris administration, ant-Semites will have more than just a seat at the table…They’ll have control.” The mailer focuses on the “close ties” Sen. Harris allegedly has with the “anti-Semitic organization CAIR” and has received funding from the group. Republicans claim that Harris has had a “longstanding relationship with a radical Muslim advocacy group” in CAIR, claiming that she has “accepted thousands of dollars in contributions from CAIR PAC.”
THE WET DREAM >>> Gaetz: Joe Biden is the Establishment’s ‘wet dream’
“Palm Beach Democrats and Frankel exposed for pushing anti-Loomer election hoax” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Anti-Establishment Congressional candidate and free speech activist Laura Loomer is attracting support and votes from disgruntled and disillusioned Democrats just as a Democrat voter guide has been distributed with Loomer being listed as the preferred candidate in District 21, and not Democrat Rep. Lois Frankel. The voter guide in question is a hoax, paid for and distributed by Democrats in the district. The Floridian has revealed that the guide was designed to make Loomer appear as though she’s spreading misinformation to voters. The Palm Beach Democrat Party is accusing Loomer of distributing the guides, calling them “fake” and “a hatchet job” that is unlike their official guide. “PSA: BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FAKE DEM VOTER GUIDES!” the Palm Beach County Democrat Party posted. “Ours are professionally printed, double-sided, unlike this hatchet job. We endorse & support Lois Frankel, NOT Laura Loomer.”- Facebook posting by PB Democratic Party. This is an image of a side-by-side comparison of the alleged fake guide with the alleged authentic Democrat voter guide. Earlier today, The Floridian spoke to a source within the Frankel campaign who said that it was the Frankel campaign itself that printed the guides in hopes cause this kind of controversy in order to damage Loomer at the ballot box.
“Scott Calls out IOC for Winter Olympics in Beijing” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) released a statement today on Twitter slamming the Communist Party of China for “committing a genocide against its people.” Earlier this month, the former Governor of Florida introduced the China Backed Media Accountability Act, expressing that “for years, the Communist government in China has tried to push its propaganda in America through state-owned media outlets, while refusing to treat American journalists in China fairly.” In the new statement, the Florida lawmaker reaffirms his stance that China is violating human rights and posing a threat to democracy worldwide. “They’re torturing and enslaving more than 1 million Uyghurs simply because of their religion,” he explained, pointing out the genocide that has been taking place in China and that has been condemned by a number of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. “A genocide is happening in Communist China,” he warned, noting that “the International Olympic Committee is allowing China to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.” “We can’t let this happen,” he admitted. In sharing the message on his Twitter account, Senator Scott commented that “Communist China has stripped away the human rights of the people of #HongKong & established concentration camps to imprison, torture & enslave #Uyghurs” before making the call that “the IOC should move the 2022 Olympics out of Beijing and join us in standing up for human rights.”
“Gaetz Reaffirms Stance on Ending “Forever Wars”” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – After last night’s presidential debate, Republicans are in full swing, supporting President Trump (R) and asserting that he won the debate. Moreover, one issue that Republicans are now proudly touting online is the President’s handling of the military. Taking to Twitter, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie (R) highlighted the “US Military casualties in the war in Afghanistan” of the Trump administration and the last two administrations. Questioning “why won’t the press report this?” Massie concluded that there were 630 casualties during the Bush administration, 1758 casualties during the Obama administration and 63 casualties during the current Trump administration. Noting that “one more US casualty in this war is one too many,” the Kentucky Republican thanked the President “for winding this war down,” ultimately making a call to “End #endlesswars.” Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) retweeted the message, and earlier this year the Florida lawmaker joined Massie in backing a resolution that would limit President Trump’s future military. Action against the Islamic State of Iran, which was ultimately passed in a vote count of 224-194. In explaining his vote across party lines, Gaetz detailed that “this resolution lays out the case for self-defense, at times even preemptive self-defense, and it dictates congress to do its job and vote for or against these forever wars.”
“Biden references Hitler during debate with Trump” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – It’s never a good idea to invoke or reference Adolf Hitler in any argument or conversation, but former Vice President Joe Biden did just that during the third and final debate with President Donald Trump. When the issue of foreign policy came up, Trump said that he had a working or civil relationship with North Korea’s Dictator Kim Jong Un, saying that “We’re not in a war, we have a good relationship.” “Having a good relationship with leaders of other countries is a good thing,” Trump added. Trump’s thoughts did not sit well with Biden, as the former vice president, for whatever reason, felt like mentioning Hitler would score him debate points. “That’s like saying we had a good relationship with Hitler before he in fact invaded Europe.” Quipped Biden. The Floridian, like many other media outlets, immediately began to fact check Biden’s claim that the U.S. had a good relationship with Hitler’s Nazi Germany before World War II. Biden was partly wrong, as the U.S. ignored the growing Nazi threat to the world by simply playing nice. According to a George Washington University “History News Network” entry, during the years leading up to WWII, then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) tried to “maintain cordial diplomatic and economic relations” with Hitler.
“Murphy, Waltz Request Briefing on Election Interference” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – This week, both Florida Reps. Michael Waltz (R) and Stephanie Murphy (D) directed a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe and Attorney General Bill Barr requesting an official briefing on Russian and Iranian interference in the 2020 election. Ahead of the final presidential debate, Ratcliffe made the announcement that both Iran and Russia had obtained American’s voter registration information, and they were directing emails to Democratic voters, instructing them to switch to the Republican party and to also vote for President Donald Trump (R). Ratcliffe warned that the emails were designed “to incite social unrest and damage” the President. In response, the bipartisan letter comments that “as United States Representatives from Florida, former national security professionals, sponsors of the Achieving Lasting Electoral Reforms on Transparency and Security (ALERTS) Act and requestors of the May 16, 2019 Florida delegation briefing on 2016 election interference, we respectfully request a classified briefing for the Florida delegation on the nature and extent of Iranian and Russian efforts to interfere with the 2020 election in our state.” Moreover, “this request is in direct response to reporting from your offices yesterday, October 21, 2020, that Iran and Russia have targeted voter registration data, including in the State of Florida.” The lawmakers noted that “according to multiple County Supervisor of Elections in Florida, ‘spoofing,’ or threatening emails have been sent to registered voters in Flagler County, Brevard County and Alachua County.”
“Biden alienates swing states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, says he’ll end oil industry” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – The third and final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice president Joe Biden is over and it was clear to everyone, even some skeptical media pundits, that President Trump stole the show as Biden distanced himself from two key swing states. Vice President Biden did a good job sticking to his talking points, the script that he rehearsed during his debate prep, but a different, less combative Trump owned the former vice president. Biden supporters and hard-lined Democrats like Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell believe that Biden won the debate, but that was not the case. Trump’s repeated attack on Biden in questioning why for 8 years in the Obama administration he did none of the things he now says he will do if elected president, was Trump’s most effective point of attack. ABC’s Jake Tapper agreed. “Biden struggled when Trump confronted him with the question of ‘you’ve been in politics for 47 years, you were Vice President for 8 years, why didn’t you do that then?” said Tapper. But while both men appeared to control their emotions and not talk over one another like they did in the first debate, the moment may have tipped the scales in favor of Trump was when the men were asked about the environment.
“Biden Pledges ‘Bipartisan Commission’ To Reform ‘Out Of Whack’ Court System” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes” said if elected, he will put together a “bipartisan commission” of legal scholars that will be tasked to study and provide recommendations to reform the “out of whack” judicial system, his latest punt on taking a clear position as to whether he would pack the Supreme Court. “If elected, what I will do is I’ll put together a national commission of — bipartisan commission of scholars, constitutional scholars, Democrats, Republicans, liberal, conservative,” Biden said in the 60 Minutes preview with the full interview scheduled to air Sunday. “And I will ask them to over 180 days come back to me with recommendations as to how to reform the court system because it’s getting out of whack — the way in which it’s being handled and it’s not about court-packing.” “There’s a number of other things that our constitutional scholars have debated and I’ve looked to see what recommendations that commission might make,” Biden added. The issue to take a stance regarding court-packing has become front in center after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. President Trump shortly after nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett in late September and Senate Republicans pledged to confirm the nominee before Election Day.
“Biden says America has “never lived up” to what it was founded on” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Former Vice President Joe Biden has enraged many Americans after posting a campaign advertisement where he stated that Americans have “never lived up” to its true potential, or the “idea” the nation was built on. “America was an idea, an idea,” said Biden.”We’ve never lived up to it but we’ve never walked away from it before.” Interestingly enough, Biden appears to have walked away from the “idea” of America by referring to the nation in the past tense, so you can imagine how social media has blown up over the former vice president’s controversial remark. Evan Power, a member of the Florida Republican Party, is “disappointed” that Biden is not “proud” of what America has done. Others mentioned those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of that great American “idea.”
“Trump: ‘Joe, I ran because of you’” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – President Trump slammed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for doing a “poor job” as Vice President under the Obama Administration, saying this attributed to the former real estate developer in mounting a run for the presidency in 2015. “You know Joe, I ran because of you,” Trump said during the second and final presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee. “I ran because of Barack Obama, because you did a poor job. If I thought you did a good job, I would’ve never run. I would’ve never run. I ran because of you.” Trump’s remark came during the debate portion segment on “Race in America” where he took aim at Biden for his role when he was senator in crafting the 1994 crime bill. The controversial bill known in the past as “Biden Bill” that was the catalyst for mass incarceration that disproportionately impacted the minority communities, especially Blacks. “He’s been in government 47 years, he never did a thing, except in 1994, when he did such harm to the black community, and he called them superpredators,” Trump said. “Criminal justice reform, Obama and Joe didn’t do it. I don’t even think they tried because they had no chance at doing it.” Biden didn’t defend his past action in creating this controversial bill, instead steering the conversation to propose what he would do if he’s elected to reform the criminal justice system that he help formatted. His plan calls for offering $20 billion to states to change their mandatory minimum laws for non-violent crimes and to set up drug courts to divert those convicted on drug charges.
“Republicans crash Florida early vote, eating into Democrats’ lead” by Politico’s Marc Caputo and Sabrina Rodriguez – Florida Republicans are pouring out of the trenches. After weeks of Democrats outvoting them by mail, Republican voters stormed early voting precincts in person this week, taking large bites out of their opponents’ historic lead in pre-Election Day ballots. The Democratic advantage was still huge as of Saturday morning: 387,000 ballots. But that’s a 21 percent reduction from Democrats’ high water mark, set three days prior. The election is in 10 days. President Donald Trump was one of those GOP voters going to the polls, kicking off Florida’s statewide in-person early voting period Saturday by casting his ballot in West Palm Beach and livestreaming an event to urge supporters to show up and catch Democrats. Further south, in Miami, former President Barack Obama held a rally for his former vice president, Joe Biden, at Florida International University. The split-screen schedule of the two presidents, each of whom carried Florida with different voter coalitions, shed light on the different strategies of the two campaigns in Trump’s must-win state, with the president trying to supersize older and white voter turnout and Obama seeking to boost young Black and Latino voting. “One of the biggest shortcomings in 2016 was Hillary Clinton was unable to assemble the Obama coalition, especially among younger Black voters and especially among younger Black men. The Biden campaign has accurately identified that that’s a challenge they need to overcome this time,” said Tom Bonier, CEO of the Democratic data firm TargetSmart. “So Obama [going] there is probably one of the items on the checklist and why the Obama visit makes sense.”
“Florida convicted felons allowed to vote for 1st time in presidential election after completing sentences” by ABC News’ Jenni Goldstein – Convicted felons in Florida who completed their sentences are voting for the first time under Florida's Amendment 4, and experts say the change could potentially swing the presidential election. Under the amendment, which was passed in 2018, a person convicted of a felony in the state as of is eligible to vote after completing all terms of his or her sentence. ABC News' Lionel Moise spoke with Tampa resident pastor Clifford Tyson, who voted in a presidential election for the first time in 42 years. "It felt wonderful because I had my 90-year-old father with me, also I had my 26-year-old son," said Tyson. Voters overwhelmingly approved the ballot initiative in 2018. Previously, the state of Florida disenfranchised everyone who had a felony conviction. "Florida used to have the worst system in the country when it came to felony disenfranchisement," said Julie Ebenstein, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union's voting rights project. According to Ebenstein, when Amendment 4 was passed, about 1.6 million convicted felons who completed their sentences in the state were not allowed to vote. "Politicians in Florida, unfortunately, in 2019 passed a law that interpreted all terms of sentence to include payment of legal financial obligation," said Ebenstein. Like in many other states, people in Florida are charged various fines when they are convicted of an offense. The ACLU, along with several other groups, sued to block the financial requirement, but this September, a federal appeals court ruled that former felons are required to pay all expenses before they can vote. But even those willing to pay their fees often find it difficult to do so due to the alleged lack of justice in the system.
“Florida police chief piloting plane killed in crash” by Associated Press – Authorities say a Florida police chief died when the plane he was piloting crashed into an open field. Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn confirmed the death of Ocala Police Chief Greg Graham Sunday. Marion County Fire Rescue says the plane crashed around 11:30 a.m. into an open field, not far from the Marion County Airport. A Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman says no one else was injured. Guinn says Graham was “fascinated” with flying and recently received his pilot’s license. Graham became chief in January 2012. Guinn says Ocala Deputy Chief Mike Balken will be named interim police chief.
“Florida Secretary Of State Laurel Lee: Russian & Iranian Election Interference ‘Is A Very Serious Threat’ But State’s ‘Systems Are Secure’” by CBS Miami’s Jim DeFede – There are nine days left in this campaign and more than 50 million Americans have already voted. There have been some concerning stories about foreign interference in the 2020 election. Voters in Florida, and at least two other states, received a disturbing email supposedly from the notorious group the Proud Boys. The email promised violence against Democrats who vote for Biden. However, according to the FBI, the Proud Boys didn’t send the email. It came from the Iranians, who along with the Russians have been trying to weaponize voter registration information to sow chaos and undermine confidence in voting. Facing South Florida host Jim DeFede went one-on-one with Secretary of State Laurel Lee, who oversees Florida’s election, to discuss this serious matter. DeFede started the interview by playing a clip from Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe’s press conference briefing the public about the threat. “When did you first become aware that Florida voter registration information had been accessed by either the Iranians or the Russians? And do we know how they obtained it?” DeFede asked her. “Well, first, it’s important to understand that our systems are secure. What we saw last week were foreign actors who used publicly available information in an effort to mislead and intimidate voters. What Florida voters need to know is that first, our database is secure. They used publicly available information. And second, our ballot is secret. No one will ever know how a voter chooses to vote or who they vote for,” she said.
“Florida adds 2,387 new cases of coronavirus” by CBS 12’s Anna Commander – The upswing of new cases of coronavirus continues on Sunday. The Florida Department of Health reported a total of 778,636 cases, an increase of 2,387 from Saturday. The positive percentage rate for the state on Sunday is 4.71 percent. Here's a county-by-county look at the latest data…
“Florida: Biden and Trump virtually tied” by You Gov’s Candice Jaimungal – The Democrat is edging the Republican by 50% to 48% among the state’s likely voters. The latest CBS News/YouGov Battleground Tracker shows Joe Biden and Donald Trump virtually tied (50% vs. 48%) among likely voters in Florida. The President has the overwhelming backing of White voters without a college degree (64% to 34%) while the candidates are neck-and-neck among White voters with college degrees (49% Biden, 48% Trump). The Democratic nominee has the support of nine in ten (92%) Black voters in the state and leads Donald Trump by 63% to 37% among Hispanic voters. The President has a nine-point edge among seniors (53% vs. 44%) while Joe Biden has a large majority of the voters under the age of 30 (68% to 29%). The Democrat’s support is divided between those backing him in order to oppose Donald Trump (45%), those supporting him because they like him (39%), and those who plan to vote for him because he is the Democratic nominee (16%). But that is not the case for the President's supporters. They are primarily motivated to vote for him because they like him (70%), with notably smaller groups voting for him in order to oppose Joe Biden (21%) or because he is the Republican nominee (9%). Among likely voters who have not yet voted, half (49%) plan to vote in person on 3 November - a figure that is made up by half (56%) of Republicans and Independents (50%) and over a third (37%) of Democrats. Two in five (43%) plan to vote in person before Election Day, including half (51%) of Democrats, two in five (41%) Independents and around the same proportion of Republicans (38%). The remaining 8% say they are voting by mail or absentee ballot.
“Florida appeals court throws out $16 million in punitive damages awarded in smoker's death” by News Service of Florida – In a case involving a woman who died at age 52 of smoking-caused lung cancer, a state appeals court Friday tossed out a $16 million punitive-damages award against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. An Orange County jury ruled in favor of the estate of Lois Stucky in a wrongful-death lawsuit and awarded $300,000 in compensatory damages to her adult children and $16 million in punitive damages, according to Friday’s ruling by a panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal. The compensatory damages amount was reduced to $150,000 because Stucky was found partly at fault. In the appeal, R.J. Reynolds contended that the punitive-damages amount was excessive, at least in part because it was so much larger than the amount of compensatory damages. The panel Friday said evidence in the trial “demonstrated significant reprehensibility by Reynolds in designing its cigarettes. It used a tobacco curing process designed to make the smoke ‘smoother’ and manipulated the levels of nicotine and other additives to make its product easily inhalable, and thus, addictive. Too, its advertising efforts, particularly those advertisements produced in the early years of Ms. Stucky’s addiction, were intended to entice young people to begin smoking and to suggest, if not convince, consumers that smoking was safe, or reasonably so.” But the panel agreed that the punitive-damages award was excessive and sent the case back to circuit court to determine a lower amount or to hold a new trial on punitive damages. “(We) emphasize that it is not the actual dollar amount of the punitive damages award that is excessive,” the 14-page opinion said. “Punitive damages awards even greater than $16 million have been affirmed in other tobacco cases. Rather, it is the dollar amount of the punitive damages award compared to the dollar amount of the compensatory damages award that requires a remittitur (a legal process that involves setting a lower amount).”
“Teen sues Florida school district over his pickup truck's Trump elephant” by Associated Press – A high school student is suing his central Florida school district after his parking pass was revoked when he refused to remove a large elephant statue painted to promote President Donald Trump from the bed of his pickup truck. Tyler Maxwell, 18, told Fox 35 in Orlando that his grandfather gave him the elephant, which he bought from an old car dealership before the 2016 presidential election. He helped his father paint it as a red, white and blue Trump display four years ago. Now that he's old enough to drive, and vote, Maxwell said he put the elephant in his truck and parked it in the student lot at Spruce Creek High School on Sept. 14. "I've been pretty excited for the last four years to be able to vote," Maxwell said. Some 20 minutes into his first class, Maxwell said he was summoned to the principal's office. "I was told to I had to go ahead and take it off campus," Maxwell said. He told the television station that his father then drove to the school and asked for a reason in writing why his son could not leave the Trump elephant in his truck. He didn't get an answer in writing, so the son returned with the elephant to school the next day. "Tuesday morning, my parking pass was taken away," Tyler said. He then left school and switched to distance learning. His family hired an attorney who filed a federal lawsuit, accusing the school district of violating his freedom of speech. "It's a freedom of speech case. The question is should a student have to give up his free speech right when he drives onto school property. The answer to that is no and the school just needs to realize that," said Tyler's attorney, Jacob Heubert.
“Family describes horror as violent maskless rioters throw rocks, attack 'Jews for Trump' convoy” by Fox News’ Bradford Betz – A family of seven -- including four kids -- were pepper-sprayed by violent rioters on Sunday while participating in a “Jews For Trump” rally in New York City. A member of the family told Fox News that the unprovoked attack happened while the family was driving down 5th Ave with the car windows down and Trump flags displayed. The man, who wished to remain anonymous fearing his family could be targeted, said a car pulled up next to them and unleashed pepper spray into their vehicle. "Immediately the kids started crying and screaming and I jumped out of the car after I was peppered [sic] sprayed as well," the man said. The man said the culprit chased him down 5th Ave trying to pepper spray him again. His mother flagged down an officer and the suspect was arrested. The man told Fox News that the kids "are now left traumatized" and still "coughing from" the residue. The encounter was one of many violent confrontations between the rally's participants and protesters. The Jewish Telegraph Agency reported that a convoy was to take place in several Orthodox Jewish communities ahead of a planned event in Brooklyn’s Marine Park organized by Boris Epshteyn, an advisor to the Trump campaign and co-chair of Jewish Voices for Trump. Multiple disturbing video clips of the convoy posted on @NYScanner show crowds not taking too kindly to rows of vehicles with hoisted Trump 2020 flags.
“AOC isn't concerned Biden's opposition to fracking ban will hurt young voter turnout” by CNN’s Devan Cole – Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Sunday that she isn't concerned that Joe Biden's opposition to a nationwide ban on fracking will hurt young voter turnout, arguing that they will support the Democratic presidential nominee because they are "realistic and pragmatic in their vote." "I believe that young people right now have a very disciplined, activist mindset, and they are not here with the intent of voting for their favorite person or voting for, you know, someone that they think is perfect as president," Ocasio-Cortez told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" when asked about how Biden's position will play with younger voters. "I think young people are actually quite disciplined and quite realistic and pragmatic in their vote, and they want to vote for who they are going to lobby," she said.
The answer from the New York Democrat signals that for many in the party's rising progressive wing, the need to defeat President Donald Trump in November is of higher priority than focusing on differences they have with Biden's more moderate position on some issues. Biden has sought to clarify his position on fracking, a key issue that gained more attention during last week's debate when the former vice president was pressed by Trump about his position on it. Speaking to supporters in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Biden said: "I'm not banning fracking in Pennsylvania or anywhere else. I'm going to protect Pennsylvanian jobs, period."
“Pence’s Chief of Staff and Other Key Aides Test Positive for Coronavirus” by WSJ’s Michael C. Bender, Sarah Toy and Daniela Hernandez – At least five people close to Vice President Mike Pence, including his chief of staff and a top campaign adviser, have tested positive for Covid-19, but with just days left until Election Day, President Trump’s running mate will maintain a busy campaign schedule. Mr. Pence, the head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, has been in close contact with his chief of staff Marc Short, who tested positive on Saturday, the vice president’s spokesman Devin O’Malley said. Marty Obst, Mr. Pence’s longtime political adviser, also recently tested positive, according to people familiar with the matter, and at least three additional staff in the vice president’s office also have tested positive, one person familiar with the matter said. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Sunday that multiple staff members close to Mr. Pence had tested positive but didn’t identify others beyond Mr. Short by name. He compared the contagion to the flu, and said the administration was aiming to contain the virus. “We are not going to control the pandemic,” Mr. Meadows said on CNN. “We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigation areas.” Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, said the Trump White House was “admitting defeat” and that Mr. Pence “should be following the guidelines” when it comes to campaign travel. Earlier this month, Ms. Harris canceled campaign events for several days after one of her top aides tested positive.
“Biden says in video he has created 'voter fraud organization'” by Fox News’ Evie Fordham – Democratic nominee Joe Biden said his team has created "the most extensive and inclusive voter fraud organization in the history of American politics" in a recent video. "We have put together, I think, the most extensive and inclusive voter fraud organization in the history of American politics," Biden said in the video. Democratic nominee Joe Biden said his team has created "the most extensive and inclusive voter fraud organization in the history of American politics" in a recent video. "We have put together, I think, the most extensive and inclusive voter fraud organization in the history of American politics," Biden said in the video. Biden may have been referring to his campaign's massive "election protection program," which includes former Attorney General Eric Holder and hundreds of other lawyers in preparation for a legal battle in the event of a contested election. The former vice president’s campaign told Fox News that over the past several months they have created the largest election protection program in presidential campaign history, involving integrated legal, communications and political strategies for what they anticipate to be an unprecedented election. Biden has a history of misstatements, including saying he was running for the Senate in mid-October and claiming 200 million Americans have died of coronavirus in mid-September, and President Trump has pulled no punches in criticizing him.
“How the country's law enforcement is bracing for Election Day” by CNN’s Vivian Salama – Secret Service officers are getting new laser-blocking sunglasses. LaFayette Park, that iconic center of protest, has been fenced off months before the usual Inauguration Day shut down. And within the White House gates, aides to President Donald Trump have held more than five dozen meetings to discuss contingency planning for the hours and days after the polls close, according to administration officials who requested anonymity to discuss the secretive plans.
City and federal authorities across the country, anticipating the high potential for unrest in the hours and days following this year's election, are making contingency plans for "worst-case scenarios," particularly if there is no clear winner come November 4. That includes -- in Washington, the capital -- reinforcing officers with new equipment and holding training drills that ensure law enforcement is prepared to quell any violence or looting that might occur, while also protecting people's right to protest, said a city official, who was not authorized to speak on the record. The stepped-up training schedules are in anticipation of the election, the official said. The immediate perimeters around the White House have been largely blocked off to the public this year for a range of reasons, from construction on the White House gate, to protests and looting that occurred in downtown Washington in the wake of the death of George Floyd this summer. Lafayette Park, across the street from the north side of the White House and a popular protest gathering spot, has also largely been fenced-in since police aggressively moved in on protesters alongside it in July.
“Private Equity Smashes Its Campaign-Spending Record with 2020 Races” by WSJ’s Chris Cumming – Private equity has spent more on the 2020 political races than on any previous election, setting a new high for political donations at a time of fierce debate about greater regulation of the industry. Employees of private equity and other investment firms, excluding hedge funds, gave $132 million to candidates, parties, political-action committees and outside groups through Sept. 30, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit that reports on money in politics. The data were released Oct. 16 by the Federal Election Commission. That sum is the most the industry has ever spent on an election cycle, exceeding the $117.4 million spent on 2016 races. The surge comes as the buyout industry faces several important regulatory and legal issues that could hinge on the results of the election. Private equity has taken political heat in the past several years over issues including their role in bankruptcies of private equity-owned companies, job losses and surprise medical billing, among others. Campaign spending in many industries has been elevated this year largely because of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and the economy more generally, said David Stewart, a principal in the public-policy practice of law firm and lobbying shop Squire Patton Boggs LLP. “These are very unprecedented and uncertain times, and that is realigning the thinking across the board for a lot of industries,” he said. For private equity, the major tax-cut bill signed by President Trump in 2017 is a key piece of legislation that could be vulnerable in a Democratic majority, he said. “There’s a pretty clear mandate for revisiting large swaths, if not the entirety, of those tax cuts if Biden wins the presidency,” said Mr. Stewart.
“AOC won't say whether she'll support Pelosi for speaker” by Fox News’ Yael Halon – New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared to violate her truce with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday, sparking what could become renewed infighting between the progressive wing and moderate congressional Democrats if the party retains control of the House in 2020. Ocasio-Cortez told CNN host Jake Tapper Sunday morning that she plans to support the "most progressive" candidate for House speaker, and that she would consider other Democratic candidates to replace Pelosi's position if the California Democrat doesn't measure up. "If Speaker Pelosi runs again, as she just indicated she will, if the Democrats keep the House, will you support her?" Tapper asked. "I want to make sure that we win the House," the freshman congresswoman responded. "I do believe that we will, but it's critically important that we are supporting Democrats in tight swing races, making sure that not only all of them come back but that we grow our majority." But, she added, "I believe that we have to see those races as they come, see what candidates are there. I am committed to making sure that we have the most progressive candidate there. But, if Speaker Pelosi is that most progressive candidate, then I will be supporting her." Pelosi, 79, who has served in the House for more than 30 years, clashed with Ocasio-Cortez and allied freshmen lawmakers last year over their policy differences -- which span everything from their approach to immigration to their early calls for impeachment against President Trump. The lawmakers claimed to have reached an understanding after meeting privately in July 2019, and have publicly reamined in each other's good graces since.
“White House, Democrats Point Fingers on Stalled Coronavirus Stimulus Talks” by WSJ’s Natalie Andrews and Andrew Restuccia – Democrats said the White House needs to work harder to get Senate Republicans on board with a coronavirus stimulus package, while President Trump said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is dragging out talks for political benefit, highlighting the tensions that have blocked a deal for months. After reporting incremental progress in recent days, the two parties appeared no closer to a deal on Friday as the finger-pointing intensified and Election Day approached. Many on Capitol Hill are becoming increasingly resigned that the nearly $2 trillion package under discussion won’t be seriously considered until next month, and potentially not until next year and a new Congress. “The fact is that the president has been back and forth,” said Mrs. Pelosi, a California Democrat, on MSNBC on Friday. “He has to talk to the Senate Republicans.” At Thursday night’s debate, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden faulted Mr. Trump for not being more involved in the stimulus negotiations. “Instead of in a sand trap at his golf course, he should have been negotiating with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democrats and Republicans,” Mr Biden said, adding later, “Why isn’t he talking to his Republican friends?” Mr. Trump expressed pessimism that a deal can be inked before the election. He publicly blamed Mrs. Pelosi in the debate, saying she “doesn’t want to approve anything because she’d love to have some victories” on Election Day. He added Friday: “I don’t think she wants the people to get the money before the election.” In comments to reporters Friday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Mrs. Pelosi “on a number of issues is still dug in.” He said that if Mrs. Pelosi wanted a deal, there would be a deal.
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump- Three BIG Rallies today. Heading to Pennsylvania. I have plenty to say about the dishonesty of the Media and Sleepy Joe. A terrible coverup is happening in our Country!!!
Adam Schiff @RepAdamSchiff-This is what failed leadership looks like: “We’re not going to control the pandemic.” The scientists are idiots, Trump claims, even as thousands are dying.Trump never had a plan. He never will have a plan.
