October 27, 2020

The Senate has adjourned: The #Republicans have abandoned the #pandemic victims.............

No more help from the Republicans for the millions of Americans suffering under the worst pandemic in one hundred years—even as infections surge. The callousness is astounding.
https://twitter.com/DavidCornDC/status/1320912700977938433?s=20

October 27, 2020

Junior's mom is the new My Pillow........

beyond
weird.


https://twitter.com/JeffreyLuscombe/status/1320879030292414471?s=20



https://twitter.com/DwntwnDave/status/1320868209701101569?s=20


https://twitter.com/dantastic773/status/1320868330778087424?s=20

October 27, 2020

The headline news here is that, by a 5-3 vote, SCOTUS made it harder for Wisconsin residents to cast

More bad news




The headline news here is that, by a 5–3 vote, SCOTUS made it harder for Wisconsin residents to cast a ballot and make sure it's counted.

But arguably the bigger news is that Brett Kavanaugh endorsed a theory so radical that the court refused to adopt it in Bush v. Gore. My God.

https://twitter.com/mjs_DC/status/1320875211844190209?s=20






This is VERY BAD NEWS for voting rights. Appallingly bad. Brett Kavanaugh used a footnote to throw his support behind an extreme theory that would severely limit state courts' ability to protect voting rights. It's the revenge of Bush. v. Gore. Actually, it's much worse.

https://twitter.com/mjs_DC/status/1320875743132504066?s=20




How radical is Kavanaugh's theory? John Roberts felt compelled to reject it in a separate opinion, correctly noting that federal courts should keep their noses out of a state court's interpretation of its own state's election laws.

Roberts is now the moderate on voting rights.


https://twitter.com/mjs_DC/status/1320876263440027649?s=20





Gorsuch also endorsed Rehnquist's position in Bush v. Gore. And Kavanaugh joined his opinion. Both want to prevent governors, state courts, and state agencies from expanding voting rights—and have federal courts decide what how the legislature *really* wanted elections to be run.

https://twitter.com/mjs_DC/status/1320877115034710016?s=20



As fate would have it, I wrote about this exact issue in an article that published minutes before SCOTUS handed down this order. I urge you to read it, because this is the next fight. It's already here. We're staring down the barrel of Bush v. Gore II.


https://twitter.com/mjs_DC/status/1320878426178363393?s=20



condensed version
https://twitter.com/moonbreeze2/status/1320890964425216000?s=20











https://twitter.com/SadieMaeTN/status/1320884775096373249?s=20



One of Trump’s justices just suggested blocking state courts from protecting voting rights: analysis


https://www.rawstory.com/2020/10/one-of-trumps-justices-just-suggested-blocking-state-courts-from-protecting-voting-rights-analysis/

Published 8 mins ago on October 26, 2020

By Matthew Chapman

Accused rapist Brett Kavanaugh testifies during a rage-filled hearing about his fitness for office/Screenshot

On Monday, the Republican-appointed justices on the Supreme Court rejected a push to expand Wisconsin’s ballot processing deadline so that votes received after Election Day will count, as long as they are postmarked by the proper day.

But according to Slate legal journalist Mark Joseph Stern, Justice Brett Kavanaugh signaled he would have been willing to go even further — and embrace a legal theory saying that not only should federal judges be blocked from expansion of voting rights ahead of elections, but state judges should be as well.

Such a theory, Stern noted, was suggested by right-wing former Chief Justice William Rehnquist in the Bush v. Gore ruling that decided the 2000 presidential election — but not even all the other conservative justices agreed with it.


https://twitter.com/mjs_DC/status/1320873994032205824?s=20

October 27, 2020

Ladies and Gents--your next VP of the USA..........

I know I know. I am counting my chicks before they are hatch.

But............this is lovely to see

PS--seems Ms Peggy n was having a hissy fit about something. I ignored it






https://twitter.com/AAPolicyForum/status/1320504022659436551?s=20





https://twitter.com/solusnan1/status/1320585599770910720?s=20



https://twitter.com/Lee_in_Iowa/status/1320660365785661440?s=20



https://twitter.com/angelakissesu/status/1320711065336901633?s=20

October 26, 2020

Democrats in Pennsylvania urge Supreme Court to allow ballot extension to stand

Source: cnn




From CNN's Ariane de Vogue 3 hr 11 min ago




Pennsylvania Democrats asked the Supreme Court on Monday to deny a request from Republicans in the battleground state to block a ballot receipt deadline.

Last Friday, Republicans asked the justices to reverse the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that allowed the counting of ballots three days after the election even if the postmark is illegible.

They asked the justices to decide the issue before next week’s election and reinstate an election day deadline.

In the new petition, former Solicitor General Don Verrilli, a lawyer for the Democrats, urged the justices to deny the Republican party’s “extraordinary and unjustified request for expedition” and allow Pennsylvania “to hold its federal elections under existing rules.”

Some more context:...........................

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/webview/politics/live-news/us-election-news-10-26-2020/h_11164c1839d7b49b3eb0919833fdaf8c

---

If you want more (there is a little of the context), please scroll down until you see the headline in the OP. It is one of those updated web pages.

October 26, 2020

chuckle. I saw this pic and thought

it was Sen Amy Klobuchar.

Amy McCrath of kentucky usually has more curls in her hair.




Amy McGrath, the Democrat challenging for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's seat in Kentucky, joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss the outbreak in her home state. McGrath says "The coronavirus cases here in Kentucky are on the rise. We have over 1,400 of our fellow Kentuckians dead. And Senator McConnell is refusing to work on this crisis at hand. It's a dereliction of duty at the highest levels."
https://twitter.com/moonbreeze2/status/1320807996398718982?s=20

October 26, 2020

@HillaryClinton: It's my birthday. Here's my one wish: that you reach out to one person in your life

This I can and will do.



It's my birthday. Here's my one wish: that you reach out to one person in your life who may not vote this year and encourage them to turn out for Biden-Harris.

All of us have more power than we know.
Birthday cake

https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/1320740412743688192?s=20




Happy Birthday @HillaryClinton



You changed the world, girl.

https://twitter.com/HillaryPix/status/1320677822193496064?s=20



https://twitter.com/ChelseaClinton/status/1320781124126281729?s=20

October 26, 2020

'A mass exodus': HHS staffers jumping ship amid pandemic, fears of Trump loss

Source: POLITICO



"I've personally seen people working on their resumes inside the office," a senior official added. "It's no secret."
Robert Redfield.

Many current and former officials told POLITICO that the coronavirus crisis has driven down morale at HHS and its agencies. | Alex Edelman-Pool/Getty Images

By DAN DIAMOND 10/26/2020 05:15 AM EDT

At least 27 political appointees have exited the embattled Health and Human Services department since the start of the Covid-19 crisis in February, according to a POLITICO review, and senior leaders are bracing for dozens more officials to depart swiftly if President Donald Trump loses re-election.

Such a wave of departures would leave only a shell staff shepherding the department through a uniquely challenging winter of coronavirus outbreaks and drug and vaccine authorizations until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, according to interviews with 17 current and former HHS officials, some of whom requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue.

"There will be a mass exodus should the election go the other way" against Trump, predicted a senior department official, warning that some of the 100-plus political appointees who remain at the health department are preparing to compete for a dwindling pool of jobs across Washington.

"I've personally seen people working on their resumes inside the office," the senior official added. "It's no secret."

While there are typically a slew of political departures in the run-up to an election, this year's HHS defections have been unusually prominent and have touched every corner of a health department that's been barraged by pandemic-linked pressures. Among the exits since the summer: the Centers for Disease Control's chief of staff, deputy chief of staff and a senior counselor to CDC Director Robert Redfield; the Food and Drug Administration's top policy official, its top legislative official, top communications official and a senior adviser to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn; and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' chief of staff and top communications officer.

........................................

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/26/employees-leaving-hhs-432115

---

I have no problem with Trumps political appointees hitting the road.


https://twitter.com/politico/status/1320768459354054656?s=20



https://twitter.com/18DChess/status/1320769228325212160?s=20

October 26, 2020

"unclear any of these positive tests would have been disclosed if we had not reported"

.............

...............

New leaks about new outbreak in Pence's orbit



On Saturday multiple news outlets were chasing the possibility of a new Covid-19 outbreak within the Trump admin, this time in VP Mike Pence's inner circle. Bloomberg News was the first to report Marty Obst's positive test, and then came word about Marc Short and others. By midday Sunday it was clear that at least five Pence aides have tested positive. The admin will not divulge the total number.



Bloomberg's Tyler Pager tweeted that it's "unclear any of these positive tests would have been disclosed if we had not reported" the news about Obst. Pager and Jennifer Jacobs shared the byline, harkening back to Jacobs' start-of-the-month scoop about Hope Hicks testing positive...



https://twitter.com/tylerpager/status/1320202984530345984?s=20



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElO6Y8jVcAANYv3?format=jpg&name=small


https://twitter.com/newcounterpoint/status/1320682393796145152?s=20

October 26, 2020

The book @PressSec gave to Lesley Stahl saying it was Trumps Health Plan was NOT a health plan!!

President Trump’s press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, gave us a heavy book that she described as the president’s health care plan. It was filled with executive orders and congressional initiatives, but no comprehensive healthcare plan. https://cbsn.ws/34qeB0b

https://twitter.com/McFaul/status/1320566324976779264?s=20





The 60 Minutes interview that President Trump cut short


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/president-trump-vice-president-pence-60-minutes-interview-lesley-stahl-2020-10-25/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7d&linkId=102842547



In an interview that's made headlines this week, Lesley Stahl presses President Trump on once-again rising coronavirus cases and what his priorities would be if re-elected. Stahl also speaks with Mr. Trump's running mate, Vice President Mike Pence.

2020 Oct 25 Correspondent Lesley Stahl


Tonight, in what has become an election year tradition for 60 Minutes — conversations with the major party candidates for president and vice president of the United States.

We begin with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. I spoke with the president on Tuesday in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.


We had prepared to talk about the many issues and questions facing the president, but in what has become an all-too-public dust-up, the conversation was cut short. It began politely, but ended regrettably, contentiously.

Lesley Stahl: Are you ready for some tough questions?

President Donald Trump: You're gonna be fair.

Lesley Stahl: Are you g--

President Donald Trump: Just be-

Lesley Stahl: I'm gonna be fair.

President Donald Trump: Just be fair.

Lesley Stahl: But you're okay with some tough questions?

President Donald Trump: No, I'm not. I mean--

Lesley Stahl: (LAUGH) You're not okay with tough questions?

President Donald Trump: I want them to be fair. You-- you don't ask Biden tough questions.

President Donald Trump: Okay. Are you ready--

Lesley Stahl: You ready? Everybody ready? So we have the pandemic. On your watch, we've had racial strife, we've had looting. Why do you want this job? Why do you wanna be president again?

President Donald Trump: Because we've done a great job and it's not finished yet. And when I finish, this country will be in a position like it hasn't been maybe ever. The economy is already roaring back. And-- other people aren't gonna bring it back, certainly the person that we're dealing with is not gonna bring it back. They're gonna raise taxes....................................