Category: black electoral politics

3 of the 4 ‘executive orders’ Trump signed weren’t actually executive orders

Trump, of course, is his most stunning when he’s off-book, and not in the “my eldest daughter is stunning” kind of way. Sure, the scripts that Trump’s handlers and yes-people write for him are not heralded for excellence in speechwriting, but there’s nothing like the rambling we hear when the gold-plated Republican is given a chance to freestyle.

Pelosi Is Playing Hardball on Coronavirus Relief. She Thinks She’ll Win.

WASHINGTON — As the clock ticked down Thursday on a self-imposed deadline for a breakthrough in coronavirus relief talks with no deal in sight, Jim Cramer, the brash CNBC host, had an on-air proposal for Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.Why not try invoking the memory of the late civil rights icon John Lewis to try

US sets COVID-19 record as cases top 5 million

The United States set a record for coronavirus cases on Saturday, with more than 5 million people now infected, according to a Reuters tally, as the country’s top infectious diseases official offered hope earlier this week that an effective vaccine might be available by year-end. With one out of every 66 residents infected, the United

Trump would reportedly ‘show off’ the capabilities of different weapons systems he was briefed on to impress billionaires

Intelligence officials have had a difficult time briefing President Trump on matters throughout his presidency, The New York Times reports. He reportedly often loses interest, unless the subject is heavy on economics or could intrigue other wealthy people, which tended to concern the intelligence community.In the latter scenario, one former senior administration official told The

Trump Team Calls Biden A ‘Very Good Debater’ As They Desperately Try To Lower Own Expectations

After spending much of the campaign trying – and failing – to paint Joe Biden as senile and off his game, the Trump team now claims the former vice president is a skilled debater. “Joe Biden is actually a very good debater. He doesn’t have as many gaffes as he does in his everyday interviews,”

Joe Biden “Is No Longer Worthy of the Black Vote”

Donald Trump continued his criticism of Joe Biden on Friday following the former Vice President’s remarks about diversity in the African American community. The President has repeatedly tried to frame Biden’s comments as evidence that he does not deserve votes from Black Americans. He made the claim again on Twitter. “After yesterday’s statement, Sleepy Joe

Biden risks alienating young Black voters after race remarks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden’s controversial remarks about race this week risk alienating young Black voters who despise President Donald Trump but are not inspired by his Democratic rival.When pressed by Errol Barnett of CBS News on whether he’d taken a cognitive test, Biden responded that the question was akin to asking the Black reporter

Postal Service Leader Sets Reorganization Amid Scrutiny Over Mail Ballots

WASHINGTON — The Postal Service on Friday announced a substantial reorganization meant to increase efficiency as Democratic lawmakers demanded an inquiry into whether changes by President Trump’s postal officials could threaten the effective use of mail-in ballots for the November election.Louis DeJoy, the postmaster general and a major donor to Mr. Trump’s campaigns, was named

China, Iran favor Biden, Russia favors Trump

The Trump administration’s top counterintelligence official warned Friday that China and Iran are trying to help Joe Biden defeat President Trump, but that Russia appears to be opposing the presumptive Democratic nominee. National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina issued the unusual assessment after Senate Democrats clamored for more awareness of foreign interventions. Evanina

Brent Scowcroft, a Force on Foreign Policy for 40 Years, Dies at 95

Long after his retirement, Mr. Scowcroft remained a pillar of the Republican national security establishment. In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, he joined more than 120 other Republican foreign policy veterans who crossed party lines and endorsed Hillary Clinton. Mr. Scowcroft said she possessed “truly unique experience and perspective” to “lead our country

In Saturday primary, Honolulu voters may choose new path on criminal justice

Seven candidates are competing here, but recent polls show that only three of them have a good chance to advance to an all-but-certain second round in November: public defender Jacquie Esser; defense attorney Megan Kau, who is a former local prosecutor; and former Hawaii Circuit Court Judge Steve Alm, who served as U.S. attorney during

Obama’s eulogy of John Lewis—and the right-wing response to it—highlight the power of his legacy

At Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on July 30, Obama spoke in terms that broadly reflect a quarter century of his public commentary on our country and its history of grappling with injustice. He has consistently praised the successes and progress won on civil rights and racial justice while also—as he did in January 2008 for

Rachel Maddow Tells The Corrupt NRA That Not Even Trump Can Save It

Donald Trump offered some thoughts on how the corrupt National Rifle Association (NRA) can remain in business after the New York attorney general filed a lawsuit against the organization on Thursday, but Rachel Maddow said not even the president will be able to save it. “The president said today publicly that the NRA should reconstitute

A 4th Presidential Debate? Commission Says No to Trump

Members of the Commission on Presidential Debates on Thursday rejected the Trump campaign’s request for changes to the fall debate schedule, declining to shift the debates earlier or add a fourth debate to the calendar.President Trump and his campaign had argued that the current debate schedule, which calls for three debates between Mr. Trump and

Democrats confront Trump officials over new policies slowing mail delivery

Campaign Action That postmaster general/donor, Louis DeJoy, has cut overtime for postal workers, ensuring backlogs, and has told workers to leave mail behind to wait until the next day under expanded circumstances. He’s also looking at instituting a much broader one-day delay on mail sorting and delivery. There can be no doubt that DeJoy is intentionally

Trump campaign, RNC suing Nevada over mail-in ballots bill

President Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee are suing the state of Nevada over a new bill that creates mass mail-in voting in the state. The lawsuit against Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske centers on a bill passed on Sunday, which mandates that every registered voter receive a mail-in ballot and reduces

State Department watchdog resigns after predecessor’s ouster

The State Department’s acting inspector general resigned abruptly on Wednesday following the firing of his predecessor in circumstances now being investigated by Congress. Stephen Akard announced his resignation just two days after Democrats issued subpoenas for several of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s top aides to answer questions about the shakeup in the watchdog’s office.

Trump Campaign Slammed for Running Ad Using Doctored Photo of Joe Biden

President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has come under fire for running an ad using a doctored photo of his opponent, Democrat Joe Biden. The ad falsely depicts Biden as “hiding” alone in his basement using an image that was edited to remove several other people. Deep in the heart of Delaware, Joe Biden sits in

Michelle Obama blames Trump for her ‘low-grade depression’

Former first lady Michelle Obama says she’s suffering from “low-grade depression” in part because of President Trump. “I’m dealing with some form of low-grade depression. Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife and just seeing this administration. Watching the hypocrisy of it day in and day out is dispiriting,” Obama

Another Inspector General Resigns Amid Questions About Pompeo

WASHINGTON — The State Department’s acting watchdog has resigned from his post less than three months after replacing the previous inspector general, whom President Trump fired in May, the department said on Wednesday.The departure of Stephen J. Akard came as Congress continued to investigate the firing of his predecessor, Steve A. Linick, who was pursuing inquiries

Newt Gingrich Lies About Mail-In Voting, Claims Democrats Are Trying to “Steal” November Election

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich repeated President Donald Trump’s own false claims about mail-in voting, saying that Democrats can’t win an “honest election” so they are trying “to set up an ability to steal it.” Gingrich pointed to the state of Nevada, which the president announced his administration will sue after its legislature

Tennessee Republicans, Once Moderate and Genteel, Turn Toxic in the Trump Era

In the 2016 presidential election, Mr. Hagerty first served as a delegate for Jeb Bush, then moved his support to Marco Rubio; only after Mr. Trump sealed the nomination did he come on board with the future president, serving as Tennessee finance chairman of the Trump Victory Committee. Mr. Trump later appointed Mr. Hagerty ambassador

Trump And The RNC Are Currently Trying To Limit Voting Access In 17 States

Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee are teaming up to wage war on voting access in more than a dozen states with 90 days until the November elections. As MSNBC’s Chris Hayes pointed out on Tuesday, Trump and the GOP aren’t even trying to hide this coordinated effort to “bar people from voting by

Kris Kobach Loses Kansas Senate Primary, Easing Republican Worries

Kansas Republicans on Tuesday rebuffed the Senate bid of Kris W. Kobach, a polarizing figure in state politics and a staunch ally of President Trump’s. The result was a major relief to party leaders in Kansas and Washington who had worried that he would uniquely jeopardize the seat in the general election.Representative Roger Marshall, a

Why Biden Won’t Find His Biden

Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host.Sign up here to get On Politics in your inbox every weekday.When it comes to the vice presidency, Joe Biden has a perfect candidate in mind: himself.Well, if he were Josephine Biden, of course.In comments about his search

Mary Trump Warns Don Jr. and Ivanka Could Be Future Republican Candidates

Mary Trump has candidly discussed the possibility that Donald Trump’s children could enter politics if he loses the White House in the November election. The President’s niece gave an interview to the UK’s Independent newspaper where she talked about the possibility of her cousins seeking elected office after Trump’s administration. Mary Trump suggested that Donald Jr. and

House Republicans prep for scratching each others’ eyes out to lead whatever’s left of their caucus

Let’s be clear, if Trump loses, House Republicans will undoubtedly be in the minority—in fact, they almost surely will no matter who wins the White House. But the main point here is that the House leadership team—Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steve Scalise, and GOP Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney—is already inspiring very little loyalty

Maxine Waters Criticizes Trump for His Attacks Against Mail-In Ballots

Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif) accused President Donald Trump of deliberately sabotaging the United States Postal Service as he’s mounted more attacks against vote-by-mail initiatives. “Trump put Postmaster DeJoy in charge of the postal service to dismantle the USPS & sabotage vote by mail. New procedures are causing massive delays,” Waters tweeted. She added: “Trump &

Trump Halfheartedly Urges Supporters To Wear Masks In Bizarre Campaign Email

In a bizarre email to his supporters with the subject line “Patriots Wear Face Masks,” Donald Trump halfheartedly endorsed the use of face coverings to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “I don’t love wearing them either,” Trump said in the campaign email. “Masks may be good, they may be just okay, or they may be

Kanye West plans to be on ballot in swing-state Wisconsin

Independent “Birthday Party” presidential candidate and rapper Kanye West is making a last-minute push to get on the ballot in the swing-state of Wisconin. The Rust Belt state helped elect President Trump in 2016, with a margin of fewer than 23,000 votes between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. West hired a petitioning firm to collect