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Gary Johnson and Jill Stein excluded from presidential debates – live Michelle Obama: 'being president isn’t anything like reality TV' – live
(35 minutes later)
9.36pm BST
21:36
Lauren Gambino
The choice for president is “excruciatingly clear”, First Lady Michelle Obama said during her campaign trail debut, urging the college audience to support Hillary Clinton this November.
Obama cast the election as a choice between “one of the most qualified people who has ever endeavored to become president” and someone who doesn’t “take the job seriously”. Ticking off a list of accomplishments of her husband’s administration, Obama argued that with the past eight years as a guide, Trump is neither prepared nor qualified to be president.
“A candidate is not going to suddenly change when they get into office – it’s the opposite,” Obama told the crowd of mostly students and young people at George Mason University in Virginia. “In fact, because the minute that individual takes that oath, they are under the hottest, harshest light there is.”
She referenced her moving speech at the Democratic National Convention, “when they go low, we go high,” going after the Republican nominee without mentioning his name.
“Being president isn’t anything like reality TV,” she said, drawing loud cheers and applause.
Obama recalled the 2008 campaign, reminding the audience that raising questions about a president’s experience, qualifications and judgments is all part of a very public vetting process to be president.
“And then there were those who questioned and continued to question for the past eight years and to this day whether my husband was even born in this country,” she said, alluding to the Republican nominee without mentioning him by name.
Trump helped fan the flames of birtherism, a conspiracy theory that President Obama was not born in the US but in Kenya, and used the issue to help propel his political ambitions.
Facing dismal approval ratings among minority voters, Trump admitted on Friday morning for the first time that Barack Obama was born in the US.
Obama is a powerful and popular ally for Clinton, especially among young voters. New polling shows that millennials, disappointed by their options for president have turned toward third-party candidates.
The First Lady’s appearance on a college campus in the battleground state of Virginia, the First Lady’s event is part of a broader push by the Clinton campaign to win back some of the millennial voters who have strayed in recent weeks. Next week, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, the Democratic challenger whose campaign was powered by young people and students, will campaign for Clinton in the coming days.
“Elections aren’t just about who votes but who doesn’t vote,” she said, imploring the young people in the crowd to support Clinton. She encouraged them to fight the urge to want to “hide under the bed” and avoid the election altogether. She also addressed a complaint many young people who felt inspired by Sander’s underdog campaign have leveled at Clinton.
“I hear folks saying they don’t feel inspired in this election,” Obama said. “Well let me tell you, I disagree. I am inspired. Because for eight years, I’ve had the privilege to see what it takes to actually do this job, and here is what I absolutely know for sure. Listen to this: Right now we have an opportunity to elect one of the most qualified people who has ever endeavored to become president.”
Perhaps above all, the campaign event was a testament to Obama’s enduring popularity.
“It is so hard to believe that it is less than 2 months until election and that my family is almost at the end of term,” Obama said. The crowd broke into a raucous round of chanting: “Four more years” chant. “No,” Obama protested, waving her hand at the crowd as the chant continued. “No!”
“I promise you,” she said, “Barack and I will continue to work for you for the rest of our lives.”
Updated
at 9.51pm BST
9.16pm BST9.16pm BST
21:1621:16
Donald Trump’s campaign is attempting to prove the false allegation that Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign ignited the birther rumors about then-opponent Barack Obama’s citizenship with an interview transcript from a CNN phoner with Clinton’s former campaign manager.Donald Trump’s campaign is attempting to prove the false allegation that Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign ignited the birther rumors about then-opponent Barack Obama’s citizenship with an interview transcript from a CNN phoner with Clinton’s former campaign manager.
The transcript falls short of this claim:The transcript falls short of this claim:
PATTI SOLIS DOYLE: There was a volunteer coordinator, I believe in late 2007, I think in December, one of our volunteer coordinators in one of the counties in Iowa. I don’t recall whether they an actual paid staffer, but they did forward an e-mail that promoted the conspiracy.PATTI SOLIS DOYLE: There was a volunteer coordinator, I believe in late 2007, I think in December, one of our volunteer coordinators in one of the counties in Iowa. I don’t recall whether they an actual paid staffer, but they did forward an e-mail that promoted the conspiracy.
WOLF BLITZER: The birther conspiracy?WOLF BLITZER: The birther conspiracy?
DOYLE: Yeah. Hillary made the decision immediately to let that person go. We let that person go.DOYLE: Yeah. Hillary made the decision immediately to let that person go. We let that person go.
9.12pm BST9.12pm BST
21:1221:12
Billionaire Fight!Billionaire Fight!
.1) @realDonaldTrump $10mm to the charity of YOUR choice if you let ME interview you for 4 hrs on YOUR policies and their substance..1) @realDonaldTrump $10mm to the charity of YOUR choice if you let ME interview you for 4 hrs on YOUR policies and their substance.
The whole thread is worth a gander.The whole thread is worth a gander.
9.08pm BST9.08pm BST
21:0821:08
Rush Limbaugh: ‘Are you admitting Trump is not a conservative? Damn right I am!’Rush Limbaugh: ‘Are you admitting Trump is not a conservative? Damn right I am!’
Bellicose bloviator Rush Limbaugh made a major concession this afternoon, telling listeners that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is not, in fact, a conservative.Bellicose bloviator Rush Limbaugh made a major concession this afternoon, telling listeners that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is not, in fact, a conservative.
“Can somebody point to me the conservative on the ballot?” Limbaugh asked his listeners this afternoon. “‘What do you mean, Rush? Are you admitting Trump is not a conservative?’ Damn right I am!” he thundered.“Can somebody point to me the conservative on the ballot?” Limbaugh asked his listeners this afternoon. “‘What do you mean, Rush? Are you admitting Trump is not a conservative?’ Damn right I am!” he thundered.
“Folks, when did I ever say that he was? Look, I don’t know how to tell you this. Conservatism lost, in the primary, if that’s how you want to look at it. We had Cruz; we had Rubio.”“Folks, when did I ever say that he was? Look, I don’t know how to tell you this. Conservatism lost, in the primary, if that’s how you want to look at it. We had Cruz; we had Rubio.”
Limbaugh sounded uncharacteristically defeated in the segment, expressing frustration with the nomination of Republicans who are not conservative enough.Limbaugh sounded uncharacteristically defeated in the segment, expressing frustration with the nomination of Republicans who are not conservative enough.
“Even what we’ve seen now, we haven’t seen anything,” Limbaugh said. “But the establishment’s gonna come together to protect themselves regardless of ideology. I wish conservatism was on the ballot.”“Even what we’ve seen now, we haven’t seen anything,” Limbaugh said. “But the establishment’s gonna come together to protect themselves regardless of ideology. I wish conservatism was on the ballot.”
8.39pm BST8.39pm BST
20:3920:39
Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson has reacted to the Commission on Presidential Debates’ announcement that only Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be invited to the first debate of the general-election campaign with frustration, but not with surprise.Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson has reacted to the Commission on Presidential Debates’ announcement that only Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be invited to the first debate of the general-election campaign with frustration, but not with surprise.
“I would say I am surprised that the CPD has chosen to exclude me from the first debate, but I’m not,” Johnson said in a statement. “After all, the commission is a private organization created 30 years ago by the Republican and Democratic parties for the clear purpose of taking control of the only nationally-televised presidential debates voters will see. At the time of its creation, the leaders of those two parties made no effort to hide the fact that they didn’t want any third party intrusions into their shows.”“I would say I am surprised that the CPD has chosen to exclude me from the first debate, but I’m not,” Johnson said in a statement. “After all, the commission is a private organization created 30 years ago by the Republican and Democratic parties for the clear purpose of taking control of the only nationally-televised presidential debates voters will see. At the time of its creation, the leaders of those two parties made no effort to hide the fact that they didn’t want any third party intrusions into their shows.”
“The CPD may scoff at a ticket that enjoys ‘only’ 9 or 10% in their hand-selected polls, but even 9% represents 13 million voters, more than the total population of Ohio and most other states. Yet, the Republicans and Democrats are choosing to silence the candidate preferred by those millions of Americans.”“The CPD may scoff at a ticket that enjoys ‘only’ 9 or 10% in their hand-selected polls, but even 9% represents 13 million voters, more than the total population of Ohio and most other states. Yet, the Republicans and Democrats are choosing to silence the candidate preferred by those millions of Americans.”
“It is unfortunate that the CPD doesn’t believe such a voice should be heard. There are more polls and more debates, and we plan to be on the debate stage in October.”“It is unfortunate that the CPD doesn’t believe such a voice should be heard. There are more polls and more debates, and we plan to be on the debate stage in October.”
8.13pm BST8.13pm BST
20:1320:13
Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump to be sole candidates on debate stageHillary Clinton, Donald Trump to be sole candidates on debate stage
It’s official: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be the only candidates to appear on the stage at the first presidential debate of the general-election campaign, after Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green party nominee Jill Stein failed to reach the polling threshold necessary to merit an invitation.It’s official: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will be the only candidates to appear on the stage at the first presidential debate of the general-election campaign, after Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green party nominee Jill Stein failed to reach the polling threshold necessary to merit an invitation.
The Commission on Presidential Debates released a statement officially declaring that Clinton, Trump and their running mates will be the only people to appear in the first two debates:The Commission on Presidential Debates released a statement officially declaring that Clinton, Trump and their running mates will be the only people to appear in the first two debates:
The Board determined that the polling averages called for... are as follows: Hillary Clinton (43%), Donald Trump (40.4%), Gary Johnson (8.4%) and Jill Stein (3.2%). Accordingly, Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, and Donald Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, qualify to participate in the September 26 presidential debate and the October 4 vice-presidential debate, respectively. No other candidates satisfied the criteria for inclusion.The Board determined that the polling averages called for... are as follows: Hillary Clinton (43%), Donald Trump (40.4%), Gary Johnson (8.4%) and Jill Stein (3.2%). Accordingly, Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, and Donald Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence, qualify to participate in the September 26 presidential debate and the October 4 vice-presidential debate, respectively. No other candidates satisfied the criteria for inclusion.
The composition of the final two presidential debates will be decided upon polling in the future.The composition of the final two presidential debates will be decided upon polling in the future.
8.04pm BST8.04pm BST
20:0420:04
Here’s a video stream of first lady Michelle Obama campaigning for Clinton in northern Virginia:Here’s a video stream of first lady Michelle Obama campaigning for Clinton in northern Virginia:
7.54pm BST7.54pm BST
19:5419:54
Ben Carson launches ideas forumBen Carson launches ideas forum
Ben Carson, whose campaign used money raised in the name of the lord to pay political consultants for – what? – and who believes that Putin, Khameni and Abbas used the pyramids to store guns with which Jews could have prevented the Holocaust, or something, has launched an “ideas forum”:Ben Carson, whose campaign used money raised in the name of the lord to pay political consultants for – what? – and who believes that Putin, Khameni and Abbas used the pyramids to store guns with which Jews could have prevented the Holocaust, or something, has launched an “ideas forum”:
I'm pleased to announce the launch of the Carson Ideas Forum. pic.twitter.com/sapKET2BK8I'm pleased to announce the launch of the Carson Ideas Forum. pic.twitter.com/sapKET2BK8
7.45pm BST7.45pm BST
19:4519:45
Something’s falling apart. Not clear what it is.Something’s falling apart. Not clear what it is.
"I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me" pic.twitter.com/A537dShcnl"I would build a great wall, and nobody builds walls better than me" pic.twitter.com/A537dShcnl
7.17pm BST7.17pm BST
19:1719:17
The web site of the person who runs Trump’s campaign thinks it’s funny that Trump announces news conferences he doesn’t hold and seems to find Trump’s sudden reversal on the question of Barack Obama’s native birth funny, too. Harmless at least. Or funny in its harmfulness? And for some reason this Breitbart post includes a picture of Harambe the gorilla.The web site of the person who runs Trump’s campaign thinks it’s funny that Trump announces news conferences he doesn’t hold and seems to find Trump’s sudden reversal on the question of Barack Obama’s native birth funny, too. Harmless at least. Or funny in its harmfulness? And for some reason this Breitbart post includes a picture of Harambe the gorilla.
The person who runs this web site is currently running Donald Trump’s presidential campaign:The person who runs this web site is currently running Donald Trump’s presidential campaign:
uh guys that's not how this meme works pic.twitter.com/2xYgjmlMaZuh guys that's not how this meme works pic.twitter.com/2xYgjmlMaZ
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.18pm BSTat 7.18pm BST
7.03pm BST
19:03
Largest police union endorses Trump, calling him 'proven leader'
The national fraternal order of police, the largest union of police officers with more than 330,000 members, has endorsed Donald Trump for president.
The union withheld an endorsement in 2012, endorsed Republicans in ‘08, ‘04 and ‘00 and endorsed Bill Clinton in 1996.
In August the group issued a statement saying it was “disappointed and shocked” to hear Hillary Clinton would not seek their endorsement.
“Obviously, this is an unusual election,” a letter released by the group quotes group president Chuck Canterbury as saying. The letter says Clinton did not seek the endorsement and Trump “understands and supports our priorities and our members believe he will make America safe again.”
The members have spoken, we have endorsed the @realDonaldTrump for President. #FOPforTrump pic.twitter.com/ENNMRAbmuw
Updated
at 7.06pm BST
6.53pm BST
18:53
The congressional black caucus political action committee is not impressed with Trump:
Rep. G. K. Butterfield of Congressional Black Caucus PAC on Trump: "This is a disgusting day. Donald Trump is a disgusting fraud."
6.40pm BST
18:40
Trump hotel full of China-manufactured stuff
The Trump Hotel is filled with items that were made everywhere but America. Here, a lamp made in China. pic.twitter.com/emyAg8yxLY
Inside the Trump Hotel in Washington, DC: a Trump Hotel bathrobe, made in China. pic.twitter.com/nxrLG7VfMN
There’s a lot more where that came from – branded umbrellas, duvets, ice buckets, beds, furniture, etc. Check out @American_Bridge for more.
6.36pm BST
18:36
Trump is asked whether he will apologize to the president for his five-year-long drumbeat of racist attacks which he now has stopped beating it. The drum. Trump ignores the question.
Just asked @realDonaldTrump if he was going to now apologize to @POTUS. He dodged my question twice. @ABCPolitics pic.twitter.com/5nIxcfmefh
6.32pm BST
18:32
Here’s the Guardian’s Steven Thrasher on Trump’s appearance on Jimmy Fallon last night:
On Thursday, Jimmy Fallon had Donald Trump on the Tonight Show and ended the segment by saying, “Donald I want to ask you, because the next time I see you you could be the President of the United States. I just want to know if there is something we could do that’s just not really presidential, really – can I mess your hair up?” Trump let him and the NBC audience roared with laughter. But, for many of us, this is very far from being a joke.
Giving comic cover to Trump just isn’t funny when he’s unleashed forces of anti-blackness and anti-immigrant sentiment. He’s labelled Mexicans rapists, raised the prospect of a ban on Muslims, patronized and insulted African Americans while pretending to be a potential new hope. As a result, Fallon managed to come over as one powerful white man protecting another.
Not only was it not funny. It didn’t do anything to take Trump down a notch (if it was even meant to). Instead, it humanized him, boosting him on that stupid metric so many Americans use when choosing a president: “Hey, he’s a guy I’d want to have a beer with! Look at him, letting Fallon have fun with him!”
6.29pm BST
18:29
Harry Reid isn’t slowing down today (see earlier):
"Trump is a liar and bully, what he said about Obama means nothing..."- Harry Reid to @HallieJackson just now
“What a liar. He never questioned the citizenship of anyone else running for president... he is just such a phony.”
REID INTVW: Trump "will never be elected" POTUS, calls him a "liar" and "immoral." Defends campaiging from floor. https://t.co/CNRxqZFQMd
6.24pm BST
18:24
Clinton is still going:
Trump’s birtherism stems from the same innate beliefs that led to discriminating against black tenants early in his career. Can't be undone.
What Trump should do: for once in his life, own up to his mistakes. Apologize to the President, and to the American people.
6.16pm BST
18:16
Gallup tracks Hillary Clinton’s favorability on a juggernaut streak to 40% while Trump languishes in the low 30s. Good times:
From Gallup... Hmm... pic.twitter.com/I9XSZjcWR5
Updated
at 9.10pm BST
6.10pm BST
18:10
Clinton decries Trump's 'years peddling racist conspiracy'
Clinton’s Twitter account is walloping Trump for having, again, falsely accused her of originating birtherism when he has been its top evangelist:
This shouldn't have to be said: You don’t just get to say someone else did the worst things you’ve done. It doesn’t work. No one buys it.
Trump has spent years peddling a racist conspiracy aimed at undermining the first African American president. He can't just take it back.
Updated
at 6.20pm BST
5.54pm BST
17:54
Actual billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is offering to give $10m to the charity of Donald Trump’s choice – or to Trump himself – if Trump lets Cuban interview him for four hours:
.1) @realDonaldTrump $10mm to the charity of YOUR choice if you let ME interview you for 4 hrs on YOUR policies and their substance.
2) @realDonaldTrump groundrules are that you cant mention the Clintons or discuss anything other than the details and facts of yr plans and
3) @realDonaldTrump and no one else is in the room to help. Just me, you and a broadcast crew. Deal ?
4)@realDonaldTrump I'll add an option.If you need it, I'll write you the check and you can keep the money rather than give it to charity
5) @realDonaldTrump In the inmortal words of YOU. “What do you have to lose ?”