🗳 2020 Primary Election

dragonfly9 · August 13, 2020, 5:46am

More conspiracies being drummed up by Fox…(CNN Reliable Sources Newsletter)

Pirro floats crazy conspiracy theory

Oliver Darcy writes: " Jeanine Pirro is emerging as one of Fox’s top conspiracy theorists. On Wednesday, after the Biden-Harris appearance, she floated a baseless conspiracy theory that Biden won’t be on the Democratic Party ticket come November."

>> “I just have this feeling that Joe Biden isn’t going to be on the ticket,” Pirro said. “I have a sense that something is going to happen before the election & he’s not even going to be on the ticket.” The remark drew a rebuke from Bret Baier , and Pirro later clarified that she hopes Biden “lives forever.” But she appeared to stand by her remarks that he won’t actually be on the ballot…

>> It’s not the first time Pirro has floated conspiratorial thinking. On Tuesday night, after Harris was announced as Biden’s running mate, the Fox News host suggested Biden didn’t actually make the selection himself. Pirro wondered aloud who did pick Harris. And not too long ago, Pirro came out against a Covid-19 vaccine. When I pinged Fox for a comment on whether the network was OK with one of its hosts floating conspiracies, I didn’t get a comment…

National Review corrects error after lie goes viral

Oliver Darcy writes: "The National Review published a story based on false info Wednesday, sending a lie about a Twitter spokesperson viral before ultimately acknowledging it had made an error and issuing a weak correction. The initial story from the conservative magazine implied something insidious: That Harris’ former press secretary is the ‘top censor’ at Twitter responsible for the site’s recent action against Trump’s tweets. But that claim is simply not true. The Twitter employee, Nick Pacilio , is a spokesperson. Yes, he served as Harris’ press secretary more than five years ago when she was California attorney general. But, as Twitter pointed out, he has no actual role or input in the Twitter enforcement process. "

>> As Twitter’s chief spokesperson Brandon Borrman tweeted, the piece was “completely factually inaccurate.” Borrman also pointed out that National Review “never so much as called to fact check” its claim before publishing it…

>> Darcy adds: "National Review did the bare minimum to correct the piece. It’s worth noting that many of the people who peddled the lie would not be so forgiving if a mainstream outlet published a falsehood like this and then only issued a weak correction after being called out…"

FOR THE RECORD, PART TWO

– Trump’s anti-Harris comment in an interview with Sinclair’s Eric Bolling : “I think people will fall out of love with her very quickly…” (Sinclair)

https://view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/15972886508904a95c66b4a7b/raw?utm_term=15972886508904a95c66b4a7b&utm_source=Reliable+Sources+-+Aug+12%2C+2020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=235734_1597288650891&bt_ee=lFL0F0fS60Ze1ZDI9YHrQE0l1UJggU9ulLGNX2dykHc%2B2CKV94d7DjclKoivSD71&bt_ts=1597288650891

Windthin · August 13, 2020, 8:16am

Speaking of ACTUAL conspiracies…

Exclusive new details on the ongoing conversations between the rap-and-sneaker mogul and “my boy,” the president’s son-in-law, just as his spoiler campaign heats up.

Jared Kushner met privately with Kanye West, reports say

Previously unreported meeting comes after rapper indicates his campaign is aiming to siphon votes from Joe Biden

Group working to get Kanye West on state ballot to ‘help Trump’

https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/group-working-to-get-kanye-west-on-state-ballot-to-help-trump/article_9a6f6ef1-80c8-568c-8d4d-3b65852903f8.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

Kanye West meets with Jared Kushner amid White House bid: report

They’re not even hiding it well.

celena · August 13, 2020, 8:16am

Didn’t Kanye meet with everyone there at some point? Like, openly, that we know about, because he was invited for saying Trump is great?

Windthin · August 13, 2020, 8:17am

Yes, but with this, they’re openly running him as a spoiler. Like, Republican operatives and lawyers are pushing the petitions and paperwork, and a group in Montana outright stated they’re trying to draw votes away from Biden to get Trump re-elected.

Windthin · August 13, 2020, 9:34am

National Review corrects error after lie goes viral

Oliver Darcy writes: "The National Review published a story based on false info Wednesday, sending a lie about a Twitter spokesperson viral before ultimately acknowledging it had made an error and issuing a weak correction. The initial story from the conservative magazine implied something insidious: That Harris’ former press secretary is the ‘top censor’ at Twitter responsible for the site’s recent action against Trump’s tweets. But that claim is simply not true. The Twitter employee, Nick Pacilio , is a spokesperson. Yes, he served as Harris’ press secretary more than five years ago when she was California attorney general. But, as Twitter pointed out, he has no actual role or input in the Twitter enforcement process. "

dragonfly9 · August 14, 2020, 2:30am

Trump’s needs TRUMPS everyone elses…

CNN reporting

ActBlue Video of DeJoy’s interest in USPS’s competitor’s

Windthin · August 14, 2020, 2:45am

Trump And His Campaign Amplify ‘Birther’ Conspiracy Against Kamala Harris

President Trump stoked a controversial theory being promoted by supporters — and his campaign — that Sen. Kamala Harris of California is not eligible for the vice presidency.

The Democrat was born in California and therefore qualifies for the job.

Trump, who led a “birther” conspiracy movement against former President Barack Obama, told reporters Thursday that he heard a “highly qualified, very talented lawyer” opine that Harris didn’t qualify to serve as vice president but did not know if it were true or not. Trump was responding to a question and was referring to a Newsweek opinion piece by law professor John Eastman inaccurately calling into question Harris’ eligibility.

“I heard it today that she doesn’t meet the requirements,” Trump said. “I have no idea if that’s right. I would have assumed that the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president.”

Officials from Joe Biden’s campaign quickly denounced the remarks. Andrew Bates, a spokesperson for Biden, responded, calling Trump “the national leader of the grotesque, racist birther movement with respect to President Obama and has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart on every single day of his presidency.”

“So it’s unsurprising, but no less abhorrent,” Bates said, “that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched, demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation.”

“This is what racism sounds like,” Biden senior adviser Symone Sanders tweeted.

Harris was born in Oakland, Calif., on Oct., 20, 1964. Experts say anyone born in the United States is an American citizen, which makes them eligible for the presidency.

The 14th Amendment reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who died in 2009, was a cancer researcher from southern India who moved to California for graduate school before Harris was born. Her father, economist Donald Harris, emigrated from Jamaica.

This apparently started on Facebook, by the by:

dragonfly9 · August 14, 2020, 2:47am

Voters Highly Engaged, but Nearly Half Expect Difficulties Voting in 2020 Election | Pew Research Center

dragonfly9 · August 14, 2020, 2:58am

Not hard to imagine Sen Kamala Harris knocking this guy off his pedestal…no question.
You don’t even need to listen…body language alone says that there’s one VP choice up there who’s using all their marbles…and not sounding wooded.

video

Windthin · August 14, 2020, 3:20am

Windthin · August 14, 2020, 12:06pm

It would seem Trump is admitting he’s done with the GOP. He re-tweeted this:

Windthin · August 14, 2020, 2:19pm

dragonfly9 · August 14, 2020, 3:05pm

Reporter to T: After 3 1/2 years, do you regret, at all your lying, all the dishonesties to the American people?

T: And who is that?

Reporter: You have done

T: Next question please.

dragonfly9 · August 14, 2020, 10:26pm

And why is it only Sen Romney (R-U) who comes out swinging against the President interfering with USPS and thereby mail-in voiting?

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Sen. Mitt Romney said Friday that politicians attacking the vote by mail system are threatening global democracy but stopped short of criticizing President Donald Trump, who has been openly against an expected surge of mail-in ballots.

The United States must stand as an example to more fragile democratic nations to show that elections can be held in a free and fair manner, Romney said. He urged the federal government to make every effort to ensure that people are able to vote in the general election this November.

“That’s more important even than the outcome of the vote,” he said at a virtual event hosted by the conservative Utah-based Sutherland Institute. “We have got to preserve the principle of democracy or the trend we’re on is going to continue to get worse.”

Trump has suggested that increased mail-in voting because of the coronavirus pandemic could result in fraud and cost him reelection. This week he acknowledged that he’s starving the U.S. Postal Service of money to make it harder to process the expected flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places.

Romney said he has seen no evidence that voting by mail has led to fraud and that this voting method may be even more secure than electronic voting because it’s less likely to invite hacking interference by foreign entities. He said he would support providing additional funds to states to strengthen their voting systems.

dragonfly9 · August 14, 2020, 10:34pm

Latest Lincoln Project

“Unprecedented”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsLaAbzVb9E

dragonfly9 · August 16, 2020, 11:35pm

Watch the Democratic National Convention - Mon, Aug 17th - Thurs, Aug 20th.
(all times are EST)

How can I watch it?

The events will stream online at the DNC’s website, and on social-media sites such as YouTube and Facebook. You can also tune in the old-fashioned way, on an actual television, but as the New York Times reports, coverage will be limited:

The major broadcast networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, plan to carry an hour of the convention live each night, from 10 to 11 p.m. on the East Coast. Cable news channels will air the two-hour nightly proceedings in full, but the Democrats’ jampacked schedule poses a risk that local affiliates in swing states could cut away at 11 p.m. if speakers aren’t wrapped up.

Monday, August 17 Lineup

Theme: “We the People.” Here’s what that means, according to the DNC:

This country is confronting a series of monumental challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic continues its rampage, tens of millions of people are out of work, and America is confronting the racial injustice that has marginalized too many people. Throughout our history, when we stand united, we can overcome anything. On Monday, we’ll hear from the many Americans who are rising up to take on these three crises, unite our country, and join Joe Biden in rebuilding the country and moving it forward.

9 p.m. ET: Speakers include Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Representative Jim Clyburn, Representative Gwen Moore, and Senator Doug Jones.

There will also be performances by Maggie Rogers and Leon Bridges.

10 p.m. ET: Keynote speeches from Senator Bernie Sanders and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Tuesday, August 18 Lineup

Theme: “Leadership Matters.” What that means, according to the DNC:

Leadership means rising to meet the nation’s challenges, not making them worse. To Joe Biden, it’s about putting the country ahead of yourself, and taking on the tough fights even when it’s unpopular. It’s about making sure the government — the military, the judiciary, the scientists, everyone — is working in the national interest, not a president’s political interests. Tuesday’s focus is on the leaders and the experts, the veterans and the activists, all those who seek to unite and not divide, and who step up — not back down — from a fight over what’s right.

9 p.m. ET: Speakers include former acting U.S. attorney general Sally Yates, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former secretary of State John Kerry, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, and former president Bill Clinton.

Tuesday night will also feature the “Roll Call Across America.” Per the DNC: “We’ll hear from voters, delegates, parents, teachers, small business owners, activists, and leaders in the Democratic Party as they officially cast votes to nominate Joe Biden to become the next president of the United States of America.”

The evening’s “keynote address” will feature 17 of the party’s “rising stars,” including Stacey Abrams, State Senator Raumesh Akbari of Tennessee, Congressman Colin Allred of Texas, Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, State Senator Yvanna Cancela of Nevada, former State Representative Kathleen Clyde of Ohio, Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried of Florida, Long Beach, California Mayor Robert Garcia, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta of Pennsylvania, State Senator Marlon Kimpson of South Carolina, Congressman Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, State Representative Mari Manoogian of Michigan, State Representative Victoria Neave of Texas, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, State Representative Sam Park of Georgia, State Representative Denny Ruprecht of New Hampshire, and Birmingham, Alabama Mayor Randall Woodfin.

10 p.m. ET: Keynote speech from former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Wednesday, August 19 Lineup

Theme: “A More Perfect Union.” What that means, according to the DNC:

America is not going back to where it was before Donald Trump’s mismanagement of the pandemic and subsequent economic crisis, because for too many people, that wasn’t good enough. As he leads us out of crisis, Joe Biden will help build back better. He will have a historic partner in these efforts: the first female vice-president. On Wednesday, you will hear from the vice-presidential nominee and many others who are committed to working alongside Joe Biden to achieve his goals to form a more perfect union.

9 p.m. ET: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Governor Tony Evers, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Billie Eilish is set to perform.

10 p.m. ET: Keynote speeches from Senator Kamala Harris and former president Barack Obama.

Thursday, August 20 Lineup

Theme: “America’s Promise.” What that means, according to the DNC:

A former public defender, a leading senator, and two-term vice-president, Joe Biden is one of the most experienced candidates to ever seek the office. Throughout his career, he has been tested by historic recessions, global conflicts, pandemics, divisive politics, and the never-ending quest for justice and fairness in America. Every step of the way, he has risen to the moment with steady and effective leadership. Being president doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are. Joe Biden is a man of character and decency, and of empathy and compassion who believes in America’s promise. On the final night of the convention, we will hear from those who can speak to Joe Biden’s leadership and character. Joe Biden will speak about his vision for uniting America to move us forward out of constant chaos and crisis, and for delivering on that promise for all.

8 p.m. ET: Pod Save America Live pre-show, in which podcast hosts Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, and Dan Pfeiffer will “lead us into the final night of the convention with a look back at the week’s highlights as well as classic moments from conventions past.” Watch at crooked.com/convention.

9 p.m. ET: Former vice-president Joe Biden, Senator Cory Booker, Governor Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Chris Coons, and Andrew Yang.

The Chicks are set to perform.

10 p.m. ET: Former vice-president Joe Biden’s acceptance speech.

Can we put this in Election 2020 please? @Pet_Proletariat @MissJava Thanks!

dragonfly9 · August 16, 2020, 11:36pm

What the voting by mail issue looks like now…

*“Can vote by mail” includes states that don’t require any excuse to vote absentee and states that will allow fear of the coronavirus as an excuse

As of now, over 180 million Americans who are eligible to vote would be able to cast a ballot by mail. Of those, 25 million live in states that will accept fear of the coronavirus as an excuse to vote absentee, or have switched to become “no excuse” states.

[Voting rules changed quickly for the primaries. But the battle over how Americans will cast ballots in the fall is just heating up.]

Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia already allowed anyone to vote absentee. But many of these places are making the process easier. California will start proactively mailing ballots to registered voters, joining universal vote-by-mail states such as Colorado. Many states will send every registered voter an absentee-ballot application.

These types of statewide expansions affect another 62 million eligible voters. In some states like Nebraska, individual counties are expanding access to mail-in voting in absence of a statewide directive.

For voters in seven states, in-person voting remains the only option unless they can provide an approved reason not related to fear of the coronavirus. Traditional absentee excuses include military deployments or illness.

…

President Trump has made numerous unfounded claims that mail-in voting will create widespread abuse and fraud. His suspicions are out of step with the views of election experts and many within his own party, who are building large-scale vote-by-mail programs. A recent analysis by The Washington Post found only 372 cases of potential fraud out of roughly 14.6 million ballots cast by mail in 2016 and 2018.

Can we move to Election 2020 please? Thanks @Pet_Proletariat and @MissJava

Windthin · August 17, 2020, 3:29pm

Interestingly, I just made this for a bunch of folks on twitter:

Thanks for the links above, though, all super-useful!

Windthin · August 17, 2020, 3:53pm

Crowd protests outside US Postmaster’s North Carolina home

More than 100 demonstrators descended on the North Carolina neighborhood of the U.S. Postmaster General to protest recent changes to the Postal Service that have created fears for mail-in voting ahead of the November presidential election

dragonfly9 · August 17, 2020, 8:44pm

Here come the Op-Eds and Republican testimonies that indeed DJT is a dangerous President and does govern by whim. There are a few others today who are coming out for BIden as well.
Gov. Kasich, Meg Whitman…and now someone formerly with DHS Miles Taylor

Video of Miles Taylor

After serving for more than two years in the Department of Homeland Security’s leadership during the Trump administration, I can attest that the country is less secure as a direct result of the president’s actions.

Like many Americans, I had hoped that Donald Trump, once in office, would soberly accept the burdens of the presidency — foremost among them the duty to keep America safe. But he did not rise to the challenge. Instead, the president has governed by whim, political calculation and self-interest.

I wasn’t in a position to judge how his personal deficiencies affected other important matters, such as the environment or energy policy, but when it came to national security, I witnessed the damning results firsthand.

Miles Taylor, the former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff under President Trump, endorsed Joe Biden for president in a video funded by Republican Voters Against Trump.

Why it matters: Taylor’s blistering criticism of Trump adds to the chorus of former top administration officials who have spoken out against the president after leaving office — most notably former national security adviser John Bolton and former Defense Secretary James Mattis.

Driving the news: Taylor alleged that Trump sought to stop the Federal Emergency Management Agency from sending wildfire relief funds to California because “he was so rageful that people in the state of California didn’t support him, and that politically it wasn’t a base for him.”

Taylor also claimed that Trump wanted to restart the “zero tolerance” policy that led to family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018, and wanted to go even further by having a “deliberate policy of ripping children away from their parents” in order to deter illegal immigration.

What he’s saying: “What we saw week in and week out, and for me after two and a half years in that administration, was terrifying. We would go in to try to talk to him about a pressing national security issue: A cyberattack, terrorism threat. He wasn’t interested in those things.”

“The president wanted to exploit the Department of Homeland Security for his own political purposes and to fuel his own agenda.”

“A lot of times the things he wanted to do not only were impossible but in many cases illegal. He didn’t want us to tell him it was illegal anymore because he knew, and these were his words, he knew that he had ‘magical authorities.’ He was one of the most unfocused and undisciplined senior executives I’ve ever encountered.”

“I came away completely convinced based on firsthand experience that the president was ill-equipped, wouldn’t become equipped to do his job effectively and what’s worse, was actively doing damage to our security.”

The bottom line: “Even though I’m not a Democrat, even though I disagree on key issues, I’m confident that Joe Biden will protect the country, and I’m confident he won’t make the same mistakes as this president,” Taylor said.

Gov Kasich endorsement of Biden