Members phkrause Posted October 1, 2024 Author Members Posted October 1, 2024 Donald Trump suggests ‘one rough hour’ of policing will end theft COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Donald Trump has suggested that “one rough hour” of law enforcement action would tamp down retail theft, an echo of his longstanding support for more aggressive and potentially violent policing. https://apnews.com/article/trump-police-law-enforcement-kamala-harris-jd-vance-766351074cc53c543e89966651ba0614? ps:Right!! Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 2, 2024 Author Members Posted October 2, 2024 ⏱️ Trump rejects "60 Minutes" Earlier "60 Minutes" interviews. Photos: CBS News Former President Trump turned down a "60 Minutes" offer of back-to-back conversations with both presidential nominees, with his campaign saying he didn't want interruptions for fact checks. Vice President Harris will appear on the show, airing Oct. 7. "60 Minutes," the highest-rated news program on TV, says the invitation to Trump stands. Why it matters: With Trump saying it's "too late" for another debate with Harris, the show could have been a final chance for both candidates to reach a mass audience, 29 days before Election Day. 👓 Between the lines: CBS says Trump accepted an interview with Scott Pelley, then pulled out. Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign communications director, told me: "There were discussions but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They insisted on cutting out of the interview to do fact-checking." The Trump campaign said CBS wouldn't give assurances the candidates would be fact-checked equally. CBS wouldn't comment on that. Bill Whitaker is scheduled to interview Harris on the trail this week. Tim Walz will participate. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 3, 2024 Author Members Posted October 3, 2024 Harris and Trump are tested by the Mideast, Helene and the port strike in the campaign’s final weeks WASHINGTON (AP) — A trio of new trials — a devastating hurricane, expanding conflict in the Mideast and a dockworkers strike that threatens the U.S. economy — are looming over the final weeks of the presidential campaign and could help shape the public mood as voters decide between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-mideast-dockworkers-hurricane-biden-a17bb5abe3c9bcfbea58a6ed17eb0ba6? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 4, 2024 Author Members Posted October 4, 2024 Trump describes traumatic brain injuries sustained by U.S. troops in Iraq as a ‘headache’ WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that U.S. troops who suffered traumatic brain injuries after Iranian rocket fire in Iraq in 2020 only experienced a “headache,” dismissing the experiences of dozens of American soldiers who were later awarded the Purple Heart. https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/02/trump-describes-traumatic-brain-injuries-sustained-by-u-s-troops-in-iraq-as-a-headache/? ps:What a piece of work!!!!! Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 4, 2024 Author Members Posted October 4, 2024 J.D. Vance Blamed Immigrants for the Housing Crisis. Corporate Greed Is the Real Culprit. During the first and only vice presidential debate of this election cycle, Republican Sen. J.D. Vance’s lies and misinformation about immigrants went largely unchecked, including a claim that undocumented immigrants are to blame for rising housing costs. https://theintercept.com/2024/10/02/jd-vance-immigrants-debate/? Haunted by 2016, some Michigan Democrats worry that Harris remains ill-defined in swing state EASTPOINTE, Mich. (AP) — Bill Clinton stood with Michigan Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell outside a suburban Detroit grocery store two days before the 2016 election when it was clear to both that Hillary Clinton would lose the state. “They didn’t listen to you,” Dingell recalled the former president saying. https://apnews.com/article/michigan-democrats-harris-election-voters-46306c264cd27fa553eda0c2df55ced7? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 4, 2024 Author Members Posted October 4, 2024 Assassination attempts and new threats have reshaped how Donald Trump campaigns As Donald Trump returns to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday for a rally at the site where a gunman opened fire in July, grazing his ear with a bullet, the scare underscores the lasting fallout for the candidate and his campaign even as much of the national attention has shifted to other crises. Read more. Why this matters: Trump staffers are on edge. There have been death threats directed at his aides, and his team isn’t as able to quickly organize the mass rallies that have always been the signature of his campaigns. Armed security officers now stand guard at the campaign’s Florida headquarters, and staff have been told to remain vigilant and alert. Events have been canceled and moved around because the U.S. Secret Service lacked the resources to safely secure them. Trump has accused President Joe Biden’s administration of intentionally denying security resources to help Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, by preventing him from addressing large crowds. Trump’s campaign also faces continued threats from Iran in presumed retaliation for his administration’s killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. In August, a Pakistani man alleged to have links to Iran was charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil. Law enforcement did not name the targets of the alleged plot, but legal filings suggest Trump was a potential target. Iranian hackers have also been charged with stealing information from Trump’s campaign and trying to pass it along to news organizations. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Filing in Trump case details remarkable schism with Pence over rejecting 2020 election loss Pennsylvania town grapples with Trump assassination attempt ahead of his return Departures in House create crucial Republican targets in the fight for majority control Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 5, 2024 Author Members Posted October 5, 2024 🏡 YIMBYs' high hopes for Harris YIMBYs — advocates for building more, denser housing — say they've never seen a national politician as explicitly pro-housing as Vice President Harris, Axios' Emily Peck reports. Catch up quick: NIMBYs (the "not in my backyard" crew) have fought denser housing, large buildings and public facilities for decades, often successfully, especially in suburbs. YIMBYs — "yes in my backyard" — are a relatively new movement, motivated by the shortage of U.S. affordable housing, who advocate for all the things NIMBYs oppose. 📣 The intrigue: The politics can be a little scrambled. YIMBYism started out as a fairly lefty movement. But many conservatives like the idea of relaxing regulations, and it's been gaining traction on the right. In terms of 2024 politics, however, the dividing lines are pretty clear. Former President Trump said at a recent rally: "I will save America's suburbs by protecting single-family zoning ... I will end this Marxist crusade." Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 5, 2024 Author Members Posted October 5, 2024 Trump refused to give California wildfire aid until told how many people there voted for him, ex-aide says In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, former President Donald Trump has blasted the Biden administration for its handling of the disaster — going so far as to accuse Democratic leaders of ignoring the needs of Republican storm victims. https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3618840084832-trump-refused-to-give-california-wildfire-aid-until-told-how-many-people-there-voted-for-him-ex-aide-says? Donald Trump’s foul-mouthed migrant rant captured in private pitch to donors Donald Trump unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade about undocumented immigrants and predicted that this “could be the last election we ever have” if Kamala Harris wins during a private fundraising dinner this summer. https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3619520636873-donald-trumps-foul-mouthed-migrant-rant-captured-in-private-pitch-to-donors? Obama will campaign with Harris in key swing states next week WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama is planning to hit key swing states to boost Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign for the White House, starting next Thursday in Pittsburgh. https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-2024-election-democrats-e7d7fa00961acbfdcb3abd0adbc34010? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 6, 2024 Author Members Posted October 6, 2024 Harris and Trump on housing By Emily Peck Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios Cost of living is top of mind for voters, making housing a key issue in the presidential election. Why it matters: High housing costs mean less money to spend on other things, Axios' Emily Peck reports. The big picture: Vice President Kamala Harris frames the housing shortage mostly as a problem of supply. Her solution, broadly, is to build more homes. Former President Donald Trump frames this mostly as a demand problem. He and his running mate blame the housing shortage on immigrants. Harris acknowledged the housing shortage in her September debate. "We know that we have a shortage of homes and housing, and the cost of housing is too expensive for far too many people." Her housing plan includes tax breaks and incentives for affordable home builders. She says it would boost U.S. supply by about 3 million more homes; in line with a Moody's estimate of the shortfall. She also wants to give first-time buyers a $25,000 tax credit, which would increase homebuying demand. Trump doesn't have a detailed plan, but he's talking about the shortage. He talked about slashing mortgage rates and easing regulations to let builders build. Neither are things he would be able to control from the White House. He also wants to curb demand for housing by limiting undocumented immigrants' ability to buy or rent homes, as well as end the practice of providing shelter for migrants. Go deeper Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 6, 2024 Author Members Posted October 6, 2024 Bookman: Trump’s lie that Biden didn’t offer Georgia storm relief a disastrous pattern Hours after the terror attacks on Sept. 11 brought down the Twin Towers, killing thousands of Americans, Donald Trump was bragging that suddenly he owned the tallest building in Manhattan. So yes, we have already established that there is no national calamity so great that Trump won’t try to squeeze personal advantage from it. https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/10/03/bookman-trumps-lie-that-biden-didnt-offer-georgia-storm-relief-a-disastrous-pattern/? Damning news report revives questions about Trump, the NC legislature and flood protections Former President Donald Trump will be in Fayetteville today for an event that’s described as a “townhall,”so it seems at least possible that he and the North Carolina Republican officials who are usually at such events to support him might be asked a question or two by those in attendance. If that’s the case, and there’s an audience member with a bit of gumption, here’s a question that deserves to be asked: Why did both the Trump administration and the North Carolina legislature repeatedly block rules that would have strengthened flood protections and storm standards of the kind that might have saved lives and property during Hurricane Helene? https://ncnewsline.com/2024/10/04/damning-news-report-revives-questions-about-trump-the-nc-legislature-and-flood-protections/? 🔮 If Trump loses Illustration: Megan Robinson/Axios An identity crisis. A brutal power struggle. Years in the wilderness. If Trump is defeated in next month's election, the Republican Party will face a reckoning unprecedented in modern political history. Why it matters: Never before has a party's identity been so deeply entwined with the fate, fortunes and flaws of one man. Four consecutive poor election cycles would unleash a wave of sustained scrutiny that the GOP, as it currently exists, may not survive. The big picture: Right now, it's difficult to see through the November fog. As we told you last week, Trump is laying the groundwork to deny the results of the election, again spreading a litany of baseless fraud claims in anticipation of his potential defeat. Election challenges are inevitable — Republicans already have filed over 100 lawsuits. Voting results may not be finalized for weeks, if not months. Now put that to one side. If Vice President Kamala Harris ultimately is inaugurated in January, a rudderless Republican Party will be forced — for the first time — to move on from Trump, who has said he won't seek the 2028 nomination. At last week's VP debate, Sen. JD Vance gave us a window of what MAGA sans Trump could look like — presenting a polished case for economic populism without the cult of personality. But any ideological successor would face challenges: Even the Trumpiest candidates have historically underperformed the former president, whose unique appeal to disaffected voters has proven hard to replicate. What to watch: Anti-Trump Republicans — a cohort that swelled in the aftermath of Jan. 6 — are salivating at the prospect of reclaiming their party. Former Rep. Liz Cheney, who campaigned for Harris last week, would be among the conservative leaders seeking to restore democracy as a core Republican value. So would Nikki Haley, the former UN ambassador and presidential candidate who has been a harsh critic of Trump's isolationist foreign policy (though she says she'll vote for him). But given the years of hostility toward establishment Republicans— and the probable entrenchment of pro-MAGA forces, even if Trump fades away — the most likely outcome is a deeply fractured party. Flashback: We saw glimpses of that after the 2022 midterms, when Republicans' underwhelming performance led to recriminations and a fleeting push to abandon Trump. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a conservative culture warrior who had won re-election in a landslide, appeared set to inherit the MAGA throne, backed by the Murdoch media empire. Then it all came crashing down: Republicans rallied around Trump after his indictments, and DeSantis' presidential campaign imploded under a vengeful onslaught from the former president and his allies. Reality check: Trump could still win. Every battleground state is polling within the margin of error. Harris so far is failing to match President Biden's 2020 support among key demographic groups. Even if he loses, Trump's criminal trials will hang over the nation for potentially years to come — making it extremely difficult for the GOP to fully move on. 🔮 Stay tuned for an in-depth look at the future of the Democratic Party if Harris loses. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 7, 2024 Author Members Posted October 7, 2024 The Reason Netanyahu and Putin Both Want a Trump Victory THE OUTCOMES OF the two biggest wars in the world hang in the balance of the American presidential election, even though U.S. troops are not involved in combat in either one. https://theintercept.com/2024/10/03/netanyahu-putin-israel-russia-trump-election/? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 7, 2024 Author Members Posted October 7, 2024 🎧 Harris: "I urge all the Daddy Gang..." "Call Her Daddy" host Alex Cooper interviews Vice President Harris. Photo: Call Her Daddy During a 40-minute conversation on the hugely popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Vice President Harris blasted former President Trump for calling himself a "protector" of women, Axios' Rebecca Falconer writes. The show, hosted by Alex Cooper, is the most popular podcast for women, with about 10 million listeners per episode. Why it matters: Research continues to show many voters don't feel like they know Harris — partly because of the compressed campaign, and partly because she's been running so cautiously. Liz Cheney and Vice President Harris in Wisconsin with Bill Whitaker of "60 Minutes." Photo: CBS News 🔮 What's next: The Harris-Walz ticket, which was doing fewer interviews than any major party's presidential pairing in modern American history, is embarking on a coast-to-coast media blitz 29 days before Election Day. Harris and Tim Walz sat for "60 Minutes" interviews airing tonight (8 p.m. ET) in an hour-long special edition of the show. Bill Whitaker interviews Tim Walz. Photo: CBS News Harris also has interviews this week with "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "The View" and "The Howard Stern Show." She'll appear at a town hall hosted by Univision on Thursday. "60 Minutes" preview clip ... Listen to Harris on "Call Her Daddy" ... Read key quotes. Presidential race Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are ramping up campaign trail and media appearances this week in the race to Election Day, now less than a month away. Trump on Sunday told his supporters that it could be the "last election" if Democrats remain in the White House. Billionaire Elon Musk made similar claims at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Harris made headlines with a sit-down interview released Sunday on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast where she dismissed attacks from Republicans over not having biological children. "It's not the 1950s anymore," Harris said in the interview. The Democratic presidential nominee also blasted Trump over abortion rights and for casting himself as a "protector" of women. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 8, 2024 Author Members Posted October 8, 2024 Harris to voters: Watch Trump's rallies Vice President Harris needled former President Trump on "60 Minutes" for backing out of an interview for last night's special, telling voters they should "watch his rallies": "What you will not hear is anything about you, the listener. You will not hear about how he is gonna try to bring the country together, find common ground." Zoom in: Harris, asked about her flip-flops on policy issues from her 2020 presidential campaign, suggested that her time as vice president has led her to find more moderate positions, Axios' Erin Doherty writes: "I have been traveling our country. And I have been listening to folks and seeking what is possible in terms of common ground." Instead, Trump went on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle." Watch a clip. Full Harris interview ... Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 8, 2024 Author Members Posted October 8, 2024 What polling shows about Black voters’ views of Harris and Trump Black registered voters have an overwhelmingly positive view of Kamala Harris, according to an AP-NORC poll of 1,771 registered voters conducted in mid-September. Their opinions of Donald Trump, by contrast, were overwhelmingly negative, underscoring the challenges he faces as he seeks to erode Harris’ support among Black men. The margin of sampling error for registered voters is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. Read more. Key findings: Despite this gap in views, the poll also found that many Black voters don’t see Harris as a candidate who will set the country on a better trajectory or make a substantial difference in their own lives. Seven in 10 Black voters have a somewhat or very favorable view of Harris, it found, with few differences between Black men and women voters on how they view the Democratic candidate. When asked which candidate would do a better job handling their top issues, including the economy, health care and crime, Black voters had the same answer: Harris. About 8 in 10 Black voters said the economy is one of the most important issues to their vote. In all of those areas, as well as on other topics like abortion and climate change, Harris held a commanding advantage over Trump among Black voters. But the size of that edge was bigger on some issues than others. Black voters are an important Democratic constituency, and few are aligned with the Republican Party. Relatively few Black voters have a positive view of Trump or see him as a candidate who has important qualities for the presidency. About 7 in 10 Black voters say the phrase “will say anything to win the election” describes Trump at least very well. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ More Black and Latina women are leading unions — and transforming how they work Biden makes rare dip into battleground state fray with visit to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Oregon strikes an additional 302 people from voter rolls over lack of citizenship proof Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 10, 2024 Author Members Posted October 10, 2024 Campaign cash Vice President Kamala Harris' political team has raised $1 billion since entering the presidential race in late July, two sources told CNN — marking a massive fundraising milestone in her 2024 campaign. A surge in giving from prospective voters has recently helped Harris rocket past the sums collected by former President Donald Trump. His team has announced collecting roughly $430 million jointly with the Republican Party during the three months between the start of July and the end of September. At this rate, the former president could struggle to even match what his political operation raised during the 2020 campaign, a nonpartisan research group noted in a report this week. Presidential campaigns will report full details of their September fundraising and spending to the Federal Election Commission later this month. Harris faces urgency to more forcefully signal a break from Biden Vice President Kamala Harris’ struggle to present herself both as a candidate of change while demonstrating loyalty to the politician she serves under was made clear this week. When pressed on ABC’s “The View” to identify a decision made by President Joe Biden that she would have taken another way, she demurred. “There is not a thing that comes to mind,” she said. Read more. Why this matters: Harris has so far largely relied on her age and biography to signal a break from the 82-year-old Biden and her 78-year-old Republican opponent, Donald Trump. Now, in a tight race, she is being forced to reassess how she talks about her boss and how she might strike out on her own should she win. Aides say Harris is deeply loyal to Biden and resistant to publicly doing anything that could be construed as criticizing his presidency, though his favorability ratings remain underwater. Harris’ team has tried to keep Biden at a distance on the campaign trail, yet she has been pulled into appearing by his side to address emergencies. In private, some allies question what she should break with Biden on. Harris was a central partner to Biden throughout, and they worry a break now could be viewed as preelection opportunism. Her presence at the top of the ticket resolves what had been the biggest Democratic vulnerability in November — Biden’s age. Related coverage ➤ Trump lashes out at Harris and 'The View' co-hosts Former MLB star Garvey makes play for Latino votes in longshot bid for California US Senate seat Yes, voter fraud happens. But it's rare and there are safeguards to catch it Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 11, 2024 Author Members Posted October 11, 2024 Campaign trail With less than a month until Election Day, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are racing to make their final pitches to voters on the campaign trail. Trump visited the battleground state of Michigan on Thursday, where he spoke at the Detroit Economic Club and compared the city to a "developing nation." Harris outlined her plans for immigration reform at a Univision town hall in Nevada as she tried to appeal to Latino voters. Former President Barack Obama also headlined a rally for Harris in the key state of Pennsylvania, where he furiously expressed concerns about Trump's potential return to the White House. "Whether this election is making you feel excited or scared, or hopeful or frustrated, or anything in between, do not just sit back and hope for the best. Get off your couch and vote," Obama said. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 13, 2024 Author Members Posted October 13, 2024 Trump's war on experts Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images A second Donald Trump presidency would usher in a new type of class warfare — empowering populists to steamroll mainstream experts on climate change, economics and public health, Axios' Zachary Basu writes. Why it matters: This year's devastating hurricane season has exposed the perils of Trump's war on climate experts, who have long warned that human-caused global warming is exacerbating extreme weather. 🌀 Through warming ocean and air temperatures, climate change makes hurricanes like Helene and Milton more destructive — and more likely to rapidly intensify all the way through landfall. The catastrophic back-to-back storms tore through the Southeast just weeks after climate scientists reported Earth's hottest summer on record. Trump, who is potentially 24 days from winning back the White House, has sought to weaponize the Biden administration's hurricane response while still downplaying the existence of climate change. He has called climate change a "hoax" and "scam," railed against President Biden's clean energy policies, and urged oil executives to fund his campaign in exchange for him slashing fossil fuel regulations. "Remember when they used to say 'global warming'?' They don't say that anymore," Trump falsely claimed at a rally last month. "They say 'climate change' because the planet's actually getting cooler." Flashback: As president, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and publicly disavowed a landmark climate report by his own government — a preview of how he's likely to treat climate experts in a second term. Trump stunned his advisers by suggesting that national security officials explore the use of nuclear bombs to stop hurricanes from hitting the U.S., as Axios scooped in 2019. 🧠 The big picture: The MAGA movement's crusade against experts has become fundamental to its anti-establishment identity. Take Trump's populist trade policies: Mainstream economists overwhelmingly oppose his plans for massive tariffs. But the disaffected MAGA base considers that criticism a badge of honor. Between the lines: Anti-expert sentiment exploded during the pandemic, a crisis in which many Americans felt betrayed by health authorities they once trusted. 29% of U.S. adults in 2021 expressed a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public, down from 40% in November 2020, according to Pew Research Center. Vaccine skepticism is especially partisan: Just 52% of Republicans believe the COVID vaccine is "very" or "somewhat" safe, compared to 91% of Democrats, according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll last year. Trump has seized on that phenomenon, forging an unusual alliance with anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. grounded in their supporters' mutual distrust of public health experts. Harris releases medical info Image: The White House Vice President Harris today released a two-page letter saying she's in "excellent health," in an effort to spotlight former President Trump's refusal to release detailed health information. Why it matters: If he won in November, Trump would be the oldest president in U.S. history by the end of his term. He hasn't released medical information beyond a doctor's note saying his "overall health is excellent." Harris' report, from Col. Joshua Simmons of the White House Military Office, physician to the vice president, says she "possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief." The letter says Harris is a "healthy 59-year-old female who has a medical history notable for seasonal allergies ... Vice President Harris has mild myopia (nearsightedness). She wears corrective contact lenses with resultant 20/20 vision. She is able to read comfortably without contacts or glasses." Her family history "is notable for a maternal history of colon cancer," the letter adds. "She has no personal history of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, neurological disorders, cancer or osteoporosis." See Harris' 2-page letter. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 14, 2024 Author Members Posted October 14, 2024 Tension on Harris, Biden teams The relationship between Vice President Harris' team and President Biden's White House has been increasingly fraught in the final weeks before Election Day, 10 people familiar with the situation tell Axios' Alex Thompson. Why it matters: Biden's team wants Harris to win. But many senior Biden aides remain wounded by the president being pushed out of his re-election bid, and are still adjusting to being in a supporting campaign role. "They're too much in their feelings," a close Harris ally said of the president's team — a sentiment shared even by some White House aides. Some on the Harris team say top White House aides aren't sufficiently coordinating Biden's messaging and schedule to align with what's best for the vice president's campaign. Biden gave an impromptu press conference in the White House briefing room Friday just as Harris was about to do an event in Michigan — ensuring her event would get less TV coverage than it otherwise would have. Earlier in the week, Harris criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for not taking her call about the recent hurricanes — only for Biden to praise DeSantis soon after for being "gracious" and "cooperative." (A person familiar with the situation told Axios that Biden hadn't been briefed on Harris' comments.) Biden has been eager to boast about a robust jobs report, helping to end the strike by the longshoremen's union and other perceived victories recently. Harris has been trying to focus on voters' pocketbook concerns, including inflation. A person involved with Harris' campaign told Axios: "The White House is lacking someone in the room thinking first and foremost about how things would affect the campaign." The tensions have played out at the staff level, too. Harris' team has been trying to add staff to the vice president's office to handle the bigger workload. And it's been frustrated at the White House's pace in getting people detailed for that, according to two people familiar with the matter. The White House has been working to help Harris' team, but has been frustrated by rules about who can be detailed and when. Story continues below. 🗳️ Part 2: Wariness in the trenches Several Biden aides joined Harris' campaign, but some feel like they've been labeled as disloyal by the president's team for leaving or even considering it, Alex Thompson reports. A White House official told Axios: "Everyone from the president on down knows how important the election is, and we always anticipated a number of staff would want to transition from the administration to the campaign for the final stretch." Some on Harris' team are wary of the Biden campaign crew they're now working with. After all, Biden's team publicly argued that Harris was less electable than Biden in the weeks after the president's disastrous debate in June. White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Axios: "President Biden endorsed Vice President Harris immediately after leaving the race, rejecting other approaches that would divide the party, and has attested to her leadership abilities and continually made clear his support for her." Bates added: "While ensuring that all critical White House functions are fully staffed, we have made significant changes to guarantee the vice president's team has all of the support and resources that they need." Harris' office and her campaign declined to comment. 💡 Reality check: Tensions between the Biden and Harris teams were likely inevitable. Beyond Democratic leaders' historic push for Biden to step aside so late in the campaign, every sitting vice president running for the White House has had staff infighting with the current Oval Office occupant. This often-uncomfortable dynamic — a vice president running to replace the president they've served — also was evident with Al Gore and Bill Clinton in 2000, and George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan in 1988. Despite the sore feelings among some Biden aides, much of the president's staff is actively rooting for and trying to work toward a Harris victory. Amid frustration about coordination among senior staffers on both sides, much of the mid-level staff is working well together, people familiar with the dynamic told Axios. 🎙️ Why candidates ❤️ podcasts Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Presidential candidates eager to reach new audiences in a more relaxed environment are flocking to podcasts. Why it matters: Cord cutting, the rise of TikTok and the scattering of audiences have made podcasts a favorite platform for the Harris and Trump campaigns, Axios' Sara Fischer and Neal Rothschild report. The big picture: While podcasts don't offer the same reach as a network news interview, they can deliver a specific message to a narrower slice of the electorate. 🎧 Vice President Harris' recent media blitz included stops with popular podcasts "Call Her Daddy" with Alex Cooper and "All the Smoke," hosted by two former NBA players. The "Daddy gang" is 70% women and 76% under 35, according to Edison Research data obtained by NPR. "All the Smoke" is popular among Black men. Trump has worn out podcast microphones in recent months, joining "All-In," Lex Fridman, Theo Von and Logan Paul — audiences laden with young men. In podcast interviews, Trump showed a rarely seen softer side when he discussed his brother's alcoholism and his own mortality. Harris talked about memories of her late mother. Keep reading. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 14, 2024 Author Members Posted October 14, 2024 Trump tested the limits on using the military at home. If elected again, he plans to go further WASHINGTON (AP) — During his first term as president, Donald Trump tested the limits of how he could use the military to achieve policy goals. If given a second term, the Republican and his allies are preparing to go much further, reimagining the military as an all-powerful tool to deploy on U.S. soil. https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-border-civil-unrest-domestic-use-a136c69cc85184b07f161c4c09b46c50? Doctor deems Harris in ‘excellent health.’ Her team aims to contrast with Trump’s scant medical info WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is in “excellent health” and “possesses the physical and mental resiliency” required to serve as president, her doctor said in a letter released Saturday that summarizes her medical history and status. https://apnews.com/article/harris-medical-records-trump-903d7c1654ca0236a4b08f9b59b4e2b8? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 14, 2024 Author Members Posted October 14, 2024 Harris calls out hurricane misinformation in North Carolina visit Kamala Harris used an appearance Sunday before a largely Black church audience in battleground North Carolina to call out Donald Trump and others for spreading misinformation about the government’s hurricane response. President Joe Biden visited Florida for the second time this month to survey storm damage. Read more. Key points: Harris did not mention Trump’s name, but he is most prominent among those promoting false claims about the Biden administration’s response to Hurricanes Milton and Helene, including saying that Washington was intentionally withholding aid from Republicans in need across the Southeast. The former president falsely claimed the Federal Emergency Management Agency had run out of money to help them because it was spent on programs to help immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Harris' North Carolina appearance marks the start of a week in which Harris will work to shore up support among Black voters. She is counting on Black turnout in competitive states such as North Carolina to help her defeat Trump, who has focused on energizing men of all races and has tried to make inroads with Black men in particular. With a little more than three weeks before the election, the hurricanes have added another dimension to the closely contested presidential race. Trump has said the Biden administration’s storm response was lacking, particularly in western North Carolina after Helene. “They blame me for everything. It’s OK,” Trump told Fox. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ FACT FOCUS: A look at the false information around Hurricanes Helene and Milton Harris is laying out a new plan to empower Black men as she tries to energize them to vote for her Florida neighbors band together to recover after one-two punch from hurricanes Helene and Milton Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 14, 2024 Author Members Posted October 14, 2024 Presidential race The latest CNN Poll of Polls average of national polling finds no clear leader in the presidential race, with an average of 50% of likely voters supporting Kamala Harris and 47% backing Donald Trump. The deadlock extends to key battleground states — including Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — where both candidates will focus their energy in the remaining 22 days of the race. Over the weekend, Trump campaigned in Arizona and announced a plan to expand the Border Patrol. His pitch to crack down on illegal immigration was filled with dehumanizing rhetoric that leaned into stereotypes of foreigners from poorer countries. Harris, meanwhile, focused on North Carolina at a rally in Greenville, where she again slammed Trump for spreading misinformation regarding hurricane response efforts. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 14, 2024 Author Members Posted October 14, 2024 War-gaming a Trump sweep Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Chandan Khanna and Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty Images First in a series If former President Trump wins the election, and Republicans keep the House and flip the Senate, the U.S. would witness a dramatic consolidation of new right-wing populist power at scale, Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen write in a "Behind the Curtain" column. Why it matters: A Washington fully controlled by Trump and his allies would institutionalize the MAGA movement, with massive consequences for governance, civil rights and international relations. This period, lasting at least two years, until the next congressional races, would allow Republicans to move ambitiously — with few brakes beyond the Senate filibuster. The vast majority of congressional leaders are now Trump loyalists. The days of empowered never-Trumpers are basically over, at least in Congress. Trump would pursue a dramatic expansion of presidential power — gutting the federal bureaucracy and installing thousands of executive branch loyalists to rip off the guardrails that restrained his first term. 🖼️ The big picture: We got our hands on a fascinating private presentation by FGS Global, a worldwide communications and public affairs consultancy advising huge clients on how to prep for various election outcomes. The presentation is based on a CIA method of anticipating, understanding and navigating geopolitical outcomes. FGS uses it to help corporations brace for big, potentially sweeping, changes to policies or regulations in the new government. We realized it would also help Axios readers brace for what's next. This is the first of four columns exploring the most likely outcomes — and consequences — of the election. It combines our reporting with the FGS "Alternative Futures" analysis. 👀 What to watch in FGS' "MAGA momentum" scenario, with Republicans controlling both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue: 1. Immigration, border control Trump's immigration policies would echo nationally — and quickly. The wall along the Southwest border would likely be expanded. Efforts to curb both legal and illegal immigration would accelerate. New barriers would be placed on asylum-seekers. Deportation would intensify. And there could be pushes to cut refugee admissions significantly. Trump has promised to round up and expel millions of people here illegally, possibly using the U.S. military. His advisers privately predict a more tempered version of this draconian threat. Running mate JD Vance said in a New York Times interview: "I think it's certainly reasonable to deport around a million people per year." Expect legislation that codifies restrictive immigration measures, possibly including mandatory E-Verify for businesses and stronger penalties for sanctuary cities. This aggressive approach could drastically reduce the flow of immigrants into the U.S. — altering labor markets, especially in industries reliant on immigrant workers. It could also exacerbate tensions with Mexico and Central American countries. 2. Health care, social spending The Affordable Care Act (ACA) would likely be weakened through legislative and administrative actions. Republicans might focus on restructuring key elements of the ACA: Medicaid could see new work requirements and eligibility restrictions, particularly in GOP-controlled states. Reproductive rights would come under further attack at the state level, though Trump says he'd veto a national ban. Vulnerable populations — low-income families, women, the elderly and LGBTQ+ people — would face increasing barriers to access. 3. Trade, economic policy Trump's return would likely see the resurrection of his combative trade policies, with an even more aggressive approach to tariffs as a blunt instrument to reshape the global economy. Publicly, he's calling for 10% to 20% blanket tariffs on all U.S. imports and 60% tariffs on China — a historic pivot toward protectionism that would test free-market Republicans in Congress and on Wall Street. Imposing new tariffs would rattle global supply chains and could lead to trade wars with allies like the EU, disrupting everything from consumer prices to international relations. Trump's administration would roll back free trade agreements, and instead negotiate bilateral deals focused on U.S. agricultural and manufacturing interests. Deregulation across sectors would allow industries — especially fossil fuels — to operate with fewer environmental or safety restrictions. Trump could repeal President Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act, clawing back massive investments in green technologies. Domestic manufacturing may see a temporary boost. But long-term effects on global markets could strain, or change, relationships with key allies. Column continues below. 💡 Part 2: What happens under "MAGA momentum" 4. Culture wars intensify Social and cultural issues would become legislative priorities, as Trump and the GOP lean heavily into the culture wars. Expect significant legislative attention on what the GOP calls "woke" policies in education and corporations. Efforts to defund diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives would gain traction. New restrictions on gender-affirming care, particularly for minors, would become central to the agenda. Republican lawmakers would push anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and may seek to impose restrictions on teaching race and gender in schools. A Justice Department stacked with Trump loyalists could prosecute political enemies, including in the corporate world. Republican-led investigations into tech companies, accusing them of anti-conservative bias, would likely intensify. Schools, workplaces and local governments would become battlegrounds on issues of race, gender and free speech. Washington Republicans would side with local Republicans. Corporate America, under pressure from both sides, would struggle to balance these demands, with risk to consumer relations. 5. Judicial appointments, courts With control over both chambers of Congress, Trump would have a clear path to nominate a new wave of conservative judges at every level of the federal judiciary. Expect multiple appointments to appellate courts and, potentially, another Supreme Court nomination. The federal bench would shift further right — making conservative rulings on abortion, voting rights and executive power more likely for decades to come. These judicial appointments would solidify conservative dominance in the courts, ensuring that many Republican-backed laws withstood legal challenges. Federal courts could reshape the landscape of civil rights, environmental regulation and immigration law for a generation. 6. Foreign policy, global relations An unrestrained Trump surrounded by "America First" loyalists — rather than the generals and establishment hawks who held key posts in the first term — would take U.S. foreign policy in unpredictable directions. He'd likely withdraw further from international institutions, opting for bilateral deals focused on U.S. advantage. U.S. relations with some key allies would become strained as Trump focused on a more transactional, quid pro quo foreign policy. A strong anti-China stance would dominate, with tariffs and sanctions becoming central. Tensions with Beijing could escalate as GOP hawks push a "decoupling" agenda, roiling global markets and trade. Trump would likely move to cut off U.S. funding for Ukraine, forcing Kyiv into a peace settlement that favors Russia. He'd pressure NATO countries to ramp up their military spending, while broadly disengaging from the alliance's strategic priorities. Trump would seek to reinstate his "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign against Iran and empower Israel to "finish the job" of eliminating Hamas in Gaza and crippling Hezbollah in Lebanon. An emerging axis of right-wing populists would give Trump new friends on the world stage, empowered to reshape the liberal international order, strengthen borders and challenge "globalist" priorities like fighting climate change. Post-election risks: This path could lead to significant instability. A close or contested election could mean protests or violence. Claims of voter fraud, particularly in key battleground states, could undermine confidence in the electoral system and inflame tensions. Protests — think the 2017 Women's March — are likely. Share this column ... Axios' Zachary Basu contributed reporting. Go deeper: Trump's "20 Core Promises" ... Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 14, 2024 Author Members Posted October 14, 2024 VP Kamala Harris to sit down with chief political anchor Bret Baier for first formal Fox News interview Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris will sit down with Fox News Channel’s chief political anchor Bret Baier for an interview on Wednesday in Pennsylvania. https://www.foxnews.com/media/vp-kamala-harris-sit-down-chief-political-anchor-bret-baier-first-formal-fox-news-interview? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 15, 2024 Author Members Posted October 15, 2024 If Harris sweeps Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Andre Malerba/Bloomberg/Getty Images Second in a series If Vice President Harris wins the election and Democrats flip the House and keep the Senate, the U.S. would witness a powerful resurgence of progressive policymaking across virtually every sector, Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen write in a "Behind the Curtain" column. Why it matters: A fully Democrat-controlled Washington would protect President Biden's legacy of vast domestic spending programs, including green-energy projects, and existing U.S. foreign policy. Democrats would race to make American courts less conservative, and hope for a Republican-appointed Supreme Court justice to retire. 🔎 Zoom in: This period of unified Democratic power would likely last two years, until the next congressional races — giving Democrats a rare window to advance ambitious reforms in the face of Republican opposition (including Senate filibusters). Democrats would be expected to move quickly on climate, health care and social justice reforms, and to reverse tax cuts for those making more than $400,000 a year. But big expansions would be tough: Even if Democrats defy expectations by keeping the Senate, a narrow majority may not be enough to override the filibuster on Harris' top priorities. The big picture: A private presentation by FGS Global — a communications and public affairs consultancy advising corporations on election outcomes — outlines potential policy shifts under a Harris administration that are fueled by a Democrat-controlled Congress. The firm's analysis is based on a CIA method of anticipating, understanding and navigating geopolitical outcomes and risk. This is the second of four columns exploring the most likely election outcomes, combining our reporting with the FGS "Alternative Futures" analysis. 👀 What to watch in FGS' "progressive push" scenario, where Democrats control the White House, Senate and House: 1. Climate, environmental policy Harris' administration would put climate change at the forefront, with major legislation focused on reducing emissions and advancing green energy initiatives. Expect aggressive regulatory action to combat climate change, build out clean energy infrastructure, and create green jobs. Democrats would likely expand clean energy subsidies, providing incentives for solar, wind and electric vehicle adoption. A carbon border adjustment mechanism could be implemented, imposing tariffs on imports from countries with weaker environmental standards. Major investments in public transportation, electric vehicle infrastructure and energy-efficient housing would be on the horizon. Fossil fuels and carbon-dependent industries would face stricter regulations. That could disrupt the energy market, boosting renewables and potentially hurting traditional energy sectors like oil and gas. The U.S. would show stronger leadership on global climate agreements. But an aggressive environmental push could meet fierce opposition from industries facing higher compliance costs. 2. Health care, social spending The Harris administration and a Democrat-controlled Congress would focus on expanding access to health care. You could expect legislation aimed at strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with particular emphasis on expanding Medicaid, and providing more robust subsidies for low- and middle-income Americans. Democrats would push to expand Medicare eligibility, possibly lowering age requirements and covering more services, including dental, vision care and home care for seniors. Federal investments in social safety nets — including child care, paid family leave and affordable housing — would be expanded to address growing inequality. Expect the child tax credit to be a top priority. Reproductive rights would likely be fortified, with the federal government defending access to abortion, contraception and gender-affirming care, especially in states that have passed restrictive laws. This push could lead to broader health care access for millions of Americans. But the cost could fuel a debate on higher taxes for corporations and wealthier households, which could stoke resistance from business. Column continues below. 💡 Part 2: What happens with a "progressive push" Harris supporters dance during a rally on Sunday at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images 3. Labor, economic policy Expect an aggressive push on worker rights and corporate regulation. Democrats would likely focus on raising the federal minimum wage, increasing labor protections and expanding union rights across industries. Harris and Democrats could pass legislation that strengthens collective bargaining, making it easier for workers to unionize — especially in tech, health care and retail. There'd be renewed efforts to curb corporate power through anti-monopoly regulations, plus increased scrutiny on large tech companies and private equity firms. Tax policies would shift to focus on wealth redistribution, including higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. These policies could lead to higher wages and greater labor protections for workers. But the proposals would likely create friction with corporations, especially in sectors heavily reliant on lower-wage labor. Progressive tax policies could redistribute wealth, but spark backlash from businesses and wealthy individuals. 4. Education, social equity Harris and a progressive Congress would likely focus on policies to advance racial and gender equity, in education and beyond. Expect initiatives aimed at closing the racial wealth gap, improving access to higher education and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Democrats would push for student loan forgiveness, particularly for low-income borrowers, alongside expanded access to free community college and vocational training. Legislation would target systemic inequalities, with an emphasis on improving access to affordable housing and health care. Anti-discrimination policies would be strengthened, including federal protections for LGBTQ+ people, expanded gender equality measures and DEI programs in workplaces and schools. 5. Judicial appointments, courts With control over both chambers of Congress, Harris could appoint a new generation of progressive judges, shifting the federal judiciary leftward. Her administration would prioritize diversifying the courts, with a focus on civil rights, gender equality and environmental protection. Harris could reshape the judiciary, appointing judges supportive of expanding civil liberties and environmental protections. Potential Supreme Court nominations could reshape the balance of power on reproductive rights, voting rights and labor protection. 6. Foreign policy, global relations, immigration Harris' foreign policy would build on the multilateral approach championed by President Biden, bolstering American leadership on global climate goals and strengthening alliances like NATO. Democratic control of Congress would allow Harris to continue sending military aid to Ukraine. New weapons systems and a green light to strike deeper inside Russia could improve Kyiv's leverage in peace negotiations, while also raising the risk of nuclear escalation. Harris has affirmed her ironclad support for Israel's right to defend itself, but she'd face pressure from progressives to condition military aid or find other ways to end the regional war in the Middle East. Tensions are likely to run high with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris would seek to rally U.S. allies to adopt a more hard-line approach toward China, which some experts fear could invade Taiwan as soon as 2027. She'd likely keep some tariffs on Chinese products and sanction human rights abusers, while also pursuing cooperation on areas of mutual interest like climate change and disrupting fentanyl supplies. After a years-long surge in migration, Harris has vowed to sign a bipartisan border bill that includes new restrictions on asylum. But with full control of Congress, progressives could rebel — or at least push for broader reforms to the immigration system, like a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children. Post-election risks: Trump and his allies have laid the groundwork for contesting the results of the election if they lose, preemptively spreading baseless claims of voter fraud. They've hired scores of lawyers, and are strategizing with friendly state officials on how to monitor elections and cry foul. Trump has a history of dismissing even election results confirmed by Republican officials. The bottom line: This divide could create a fragmented policy landscape, where federal laws are met with state-level resistance, further polarizing the nation. Expect legal battles in the courts over the balance of power between state and federal governments, particularly on civil rights and health care. Share this column ... Axios' Zachary Basu contributed reporting. Go deeper: Harris' "A New Way Forward" ... First column in this series. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted October 15, 2024 Author Members Posted October 15, 2024 Presidential race Vice President Kamala Harris slammed Republican rival Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Monday over the former president's comment that the US military should handle "the enemy from within" on Election Day. She portrayed Trump as dangerous and unstable following his remarks Sunday on Fox News, when he said he would call on US forces and the National Guard to suppress what he described as "radical left lunatics." Trump, who incited violence to try to stay in power after the 2020 election, also said he isn't worried about his supporters' actions on November 5. Harris' campaign plans to seize on his remarks with a new ad that features Trump repeatedly invoking the phrase "the enemy from within" on the campaign trail. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
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