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Obama hits campaign trail as Trump spins migrant caravan comments – as it happened Obama hits campaign trail as Trump spins migrant caravan comments – as it happened
(about 20 hours later)
We’re going to wind down the blog for the day, but before we go here’s what you may have missed.We’re going to wind down the blog for the day, but before we go here’s what you may have missed.
Trump and former president Obama delivered very tonally different remarks today on the campaign trail for candidates in West Virginia and Florida, respectively. Donald Trump and former president Barack Obama delivered very tonally different remarks today on the campaign trail for candidates in West Virginia and Florida, respectively.
Trump is scheduled to speak again in Indianapolis tonight, and in Montana tomorrow afternoon.Trump is scheduled to speak again in Indianapolis tonight, and in Montana tomorrow afternoon.
Donald Trump’s recently convicted former lawyer, and increasingly disloyal one-time confidant Michael Cohen told Vanity Fair that Trump “repeatedly used racist language before his presidency”. Trump’s recently convicted former lawyer, and increasingly disloyal one-time confidant Michael Cohen told Vanity Fair that Trump “repeatedly used racist language before his presidency”.
The US added 250,000 new jobs in October – well ahead of the 188,000 Wall Street had been expecting. That’s good news for Trump and the GOP.The US added 250,000 new jobs in October – well ahead of the 188,000 Wall Street had been expecting. That’s good news for Trump and the GOP.
The Trump administration announced it would be restoring sanctions against Iran and Trump marked the news, which will imperil the health of many in that country, with a parody image invoking the HBO show Game of Thrones.The Trump administration announced it would be restoring sanctions against Iran and Trump marked the news, which will imperil the health of many in that country, with a parody image invoking the HBO show Game of Thrones.
The Nigerian army, accused of killing 45 demonstrators earlier this week during what Amnesty International called “peaceful protests”, seized on Donald Trump’s remarks about migrants yesterday in defense of its actions. It later deleted the relevant tweet. The Nigerian army, accused of killing 45 demonstrators earlier this week during what Amnesty International called “peaceful protests”, seized on Trump’s remarks about migrants yesterday in defense of its actions. It later deleted the relevant tweet.
We’ll have continuing midterm coverage all weekend - thanks for reading! We’ll have continuing midterm coverage all weekend thanks for reading!
Fascinating map of what themes TV viewers are seeing in political ads - note health care plays prominently pic.twitter.com/PKw8p5HLv5Fascinating map of what themes TV viewers are seeing in political ads - note health care plays prominently pic.twitter.com/PKw8p5HLv5
Earlier this afternoon Trump tweeted a photoshopped image of himself with the slogan “sanctions are coming”. The tweet used typography from the HBO series Game of Thrones, playing on the show’s repeated refrain: “winter is coming”. Earlier this afternoon Trump tweeted a photoshopped image of himself with the slogan “Sanctions are coming”. The tweet used typography from the HBO series Game of Thrones, playing on the show’s repeated refrain “Winter is coming”.
Stars of the show have started to respond. Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark on the series, tweeted a snarky “Not today” in response. Her co-star and on-screen sister Sophie Turner simply said: “Ew.”Stars of the show have started to respond. Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark on the series, tweeted a snarky “Not today” in response. Her co-star and on-screen sister Sophie Turner simply said: “Ew.”
How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?
HBO have requested that their imagery “not be misappropriated for political purposes.” In a tweet from their official account, they joked: “How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?” HBO has requested that their imagery “not be misappropriated for political purposes”. In a tweet from their official account, they joked: “How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?”
Bloomberg has this wrap up of candidates twisting and bending their positions, and taking unexpected shots and opponents, at the eve of the election. Bloomberg has this wrap-up of candidates twisting and bending their positions, and taking unexpected shots and opponents, at the eve of the election.
“The attempted role reversals in this campaign are just bonkers,” said Jack Pitney, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in Southern California. “Kind of like Bonnie and Clyde portraying themselves as champions of bank security.”“The attempted role reversals in this campaign are just bonkers,” said Jack Pitney, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in Southern California. “Kind of like Bonnie and Clyde portraying themselves as champions of bank security.”
There’s the Republican candidate arguing that his Democratic opponent won’t stand up to President Donald Trump. An ad by the party aligned with the fossil fuel industry tells voters that a candidate of the party that’s antagonistic to coal is weak on climate change. A Democrat promises to back tougher immigration enforcement while several Republicans depict themselves as defenders of Obamacare rules.There’s the Republican candidate arguing that his Democratic opponent won’t stand up to President Donald Trump. An ad by the party aligned with the fossil fuel industry tells voters that a candidate of the party that’s antagonistic to coal is weak on climate change. A Democrat promises to back tougher immigration enforcement while several Republicans depict themselves as defenders of Obamacare rules.
Scrapping for every vote in intensely competitive races, candidates are shading, twisting and recasting their own records and those of their opponents, aligning with causes popular in their district or state and distancing themselves from stances that aren’t. It’s a common tactic for candidates, but it’s reached unusual levels this year.Scrapping for every vote in intensely competitive races, candidates are shading, twisting and recasting their own records and those of their opponents, aligning with causes popular in their district or state and distancing themselves from stances that aren’t. It’s a common tactic for candidates, but it’s reached unusual levels this year.
Law enforcement officials intercepted a second suspicious package addressed to California billionaire Tom Steyer Thursday at a mailing facility in Burlingame just south of San Francisco.Law enforcement officials intercepted a second suspicious package addressed to California billionaire Tom Steyer Thursday at a mailing facility in Burlingame just south of San Francisco.
Authorities said the latest package appeared to be of the same variety as the more than one dozen packages sent to prominent Democratic politicians, funders and celebrities in recent weeks culminating with the arrest of Cesar Sayoc.Authorities said the latest package appeared to be of the same variety as the more than one dozen packages sent to prominent Democratic politicians, funders and celebrities in recent weeks culminating with the arrest of Cesar Sayoc.
Politco has this dispatch from midwestern soybean country, where despite the fact that his tariffs are hurting their wallets, farmers are still behind Trump.Politco has this dispatch from midwestern soybean country, where despite the fact that his tariffs are hurting their wallets, farmers are still behind Trump.
Sitting atop his combine harvester on a clear fall day, Garrett Hawkins can add up just how much President Donald Trump’s tariffs are hitting his bottom line, from the lower price he’ll get for his soybean crop to the steeper prices he’ll pay for metal grain bins and other equipment.Sitting atop his combine harvester on a clear fall day, Garrett Hawkins can add up just how much President Donald Trump’s tariffs are hitting his bottom line, from the lower price he’ll get for his soybean crop to the steeper prices he’ll pay for metal grain bins and other equipment.
But like many of his fellow farmers in southern Illinois’ sprawling 12th Congressional District, Hawkins, 37, is still planning to vote Republican on Election Day. But like many of his fellow farmers in southern Illinois’ sprawling 12th congressional district, Hawkins, 37, is still planning to vote Republican on election day.
Democrats pinpointed the district this year as one of their most likely opportunities to pick up a House seat, betting, in part, that farmers would abandon the GOP as Trump’s global trade war hits the Midwest. The district went for Obama in 2012, though Trump carried it by 15 points in 2016. But the race is turning into a showcase for how that economic argument alone may not be enough to prevail among voters, even in swing districts.Democrats pinpointed the district this year as one of their most likely opportunities to pick up a House seat, betting, in part, that farmers would abandon the GOP as Trump’s global trade war hits the Midwest. The district went for Obama in 2012, though Trump carried it by 15 points in 2016. But the race is turning into a showcase for how that economic argument alone may not be enough to prevail among voters, even in swing districts.
After running neck-and-neck with his Democratic challenger for months, incumbent Mike Bost began to pull ahead after the divisive September Senate hearings to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. After running neck-and-neck with his Democratic challenger for months, incumbent Mike Bost began to pull ahead after the divisive September Senate hearings to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the supreme court.
There’s a disconnect between the negative effect of Trump’s policies on his voters in farm country and their unwavering support for him. That could limit the size of the Democratic majority widely expected to take control of the House next year and give Trump cover to prolong his aggressive moves against U.S. trading partners. There’s a disconnect between the negative effect of Trump’s policies on his voters in farm country and their unwavering support for him. That could limit the size of the Democratic majority widely expected to take control of the House next year and give Trump cover to prolong his aggressive moves against US trading partners.
The Toronto Star’s Washington correspondent Daniel Dale is usually a live fact checking machine anytime Trump is speaking and today in West Virginia is no different.The Toronto Star’s Washington correspondent Daniel Dale is usually a live fact checking machine anytime Trump is speaking and today in West Virginia is no different.
Trump repeats his regular lie that San Diego was begging him for the wall. Its city council passed a formal resolution of opposition to the wall. Even the Republican mayor is opposed.Trump repeats his regular lie that San Diego was begging him for the wall. Its city council passed a formal resolution of opposition to the wall. Even the Republican mayor is opposed.
Trump lies of the wall: "San Diego, we're just about finishing it up." They are not building his wall in San Diego.Trump lies of the wall: "San Diego, we're just about finishing it up." They are not building his wall in San Diego.
Trump repeats his regular claim, which no expert agrees with, that the U.S. steel industry would have quickly vanished if not for his tariffs.Trump repeats his regular claim, which no expert agrees with, that the U.S. steel industry would have quickly vanished if not for his tariffs.
Trump lies that U.S. Steel is "building seven new plants." It has made significant new investments in two existing plants. Trump sometimes claims it is six plants, sometimes seven, sometimes eight, once "eight or nine."Trump lies that U.S. Steel is "building seven new plants." It has made significant new investments in two existing plants. Trump sometimes claims it is six plants, sometimes seven, sometimes eight, once "eight or nine."
From the Associated Press:From the Associated Press:
Nine months after 17 classmates and teachers were gunned down at their Florida school, Parkland students are finally facing the moment they’ve been leading up to with marches, school walkouts and voter-registration events throughout the country: their first Election Day. Nine months after 17 classmates and teachers were gunned down at their Florida school, Parkland students are finally facing the moment they’ve been leading up to with marches, school walkouts and voter-registration events throughout the country: their first election day.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student activists set their sights on the 4 million US citizens turning 18 this year. They’re hoping to counteract the voter apathy that’s especially prevalent among the youth during midterm elections. Many of the activists, now household names like David Hogg, postponed college plans to mobilize young voters. Many of them support gun reform, in the name of their fallen classmates. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school student activists set their sights on the 4 million US citizens turning 18 this year. They’re hoping to counteract the voter apathy that’s especially prevalent among the youth during midterm elections. Many of the activists, now household names like David Hogg, postponed college plans to mobilize young voters. Many of them support gun reform, in the name of their fallen classmates.
“It is kind of the culmination of everything we’ve been working for,” said senior Jaclyn Corin, one of the founders of the March For Our Lives group. “This is truly the moment that young people are going to make the difference in this country.” Corin, who voted along with her dad at an early polling site on her 18th birthday, visited a half-dozen cities in just a handful of days last week, getting up at 3 a.m. to board planes. “It is kind of the culmination of everything we’ve been working for,” said senior Jaclyn Corin, one of the founders of the March for Our Lives group. “This is truly the moment that young people are going to make the difference in this country.” Corin, who voted along with her dad at an early polling site on her 18th birthday, visited a half-dozen cities in just a handful of days last week, getting up at 3am to board planes.
It has been a whirlwind for the students, with celebrity support from Oprah to Kim Kardashian, a Time magazine cover, late night TV spots and book deals but all of it misses their main target unless it motivates students to cast ballots by the end of Tuesday. It has been a whirlwind for the students, with celebrity support from Oprah Winfrey to Kim Kardashian, a Time magazine cover, late night TV spots and book deals but all of it misses their main target unless it motivates students to cast ballots by the end of Tuesday.
At a University of Central Florida event during the final week of election campaigning, Stoneman Douglas graduate and current UCF student Bradley Thornton escorted fellow students to the campus’ early voting site. UCF student Tiffany McKelton said she wouldn’t have voted if the Parkland activists hadn’t shown up on campus.At a University of Central Florida event during the final week of election campaigning, Stoneman Douglas graduate and current UCF student Bradley Thornton escorted fellow students to the campus’ early voting site. UCF student Tiffany McKelton said she wouldn’t have voted if the Parkland activists hadn’t shown up on campus.
“I’ve never voted in a primary election. I actually did it because of them,” said McKelton, a psychology major from West Palm Beach.“I’ve never voted in a primary election. I actually did it because of them,” said McKelton, a psychology major from West Palm Beach.
In West Virginia Trump concedes Democrats might win control of the house and says the ensuing political battle “will be ridiculous frankly, it will be bad for our country”.In West Virginia Trump concedes Democrats might win control of the house and says the ensuing political battle “will be ridiculous frankly, it will be bad for our country”.
Pres. Trump says Democrats taking power in midterm elections "could happen.""You know what you do? My whole life, you know what I say? 'Don't worry about it, I'll just figure it out." https://t.co/CFdzczE0fE pic.twitter.com/2oRP8AUEIKPres. Trump says Democrats taking power in midterm elections "could happen.""You know what you do? My whole life, you know what I say? 'Don't worry about it, I'll just figure it out." https://t.co/CFdzczE0fE pic.twitter.com/2oRP8AUEIK
Former president Barack Obama was in Florida stumping for gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum Friday afternoon, serving up a buffet of the kind of aspirational, “hopey, changey” rhetoric that put him on the political map in 2004 and won him the White House in 2008. Former president Barack Obama was in Florida stumping for gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum Friday afternoon, serving up a buffet of the kind of aspirational “hopey, changey” rhetoric that put him on the political map in 2004 and won him the White House in 2008.
“We have seen rhetoric designed to divide us,” Obama said. “In four days, you can be a check on that kind of behavior.”“We have seen rhetoric designed to divide us,” Obama said. “In four days, you can be a check on that kind of behavior.”
Obama’s speech broadly embraced themes of inclusivity and social justice. “You can choose a more generous vision of America... where love and hope conquer hate,” he said, sounding almost anachronistic in the Trump-era. Obama’s speech broadly embraced themes of inclusivity and social justice. “You can choose a more generous vision of America ... where love and hope conquer hate,” he said, sounding almost anachronistic in the Trump-era.
Obama also spoke more directly to the GOP and Trump specifically with remarks like these: Obama also spoke more directly to the GOP and Trump specifically with remarks such as these:
“When truth doesn’t matter, when people can just lie with abandon, democracy can’t work ... And that’s what’s happening at the highest levels. And the only check on that behavior is you. The only check on that behavior is you and your vote.”“When truth doesn’t matter, when people can just lie with abandon, democracy can’t work ... And that’s what’s happening at the highest levels. And the only check on that behavior is you. The only check on that behavior is you and your vote.”
“They’re telling you the existential threat to America is a bunch of poor refugees 1,000 miles away. They’re even taking our brave troops away from their families for a political stunt at the border. The men and women of our military deserve better than that.”“They’re telling you the existential threat to America is a bunch of poor refugees 1,000 miles away. They’re even taking our brave troops away from their families for a political stunt at the border. The men and women of our military deserve better than that.”
“Suddenly Republicans are saying they’re gonna protect your pre-existing conditions when they’ve literally been doing the opposite. That’s some kind of gall. That’s some kind of chutzpah. Let’s call it what it is: it’s a lie. They’re lying to you.”“Suddenly Republicans are saying they’re gonna protect your pre-existing conditions when they’ve literally been doing the opposite. That’s some kind of gall. That’s some kind of chutzpah. Let’s call it what it is: it’s a lie. They’re lying to you.”
Obama: "While you're distracted with all this stuff they're making up, they're also robbing you blind ... They will absolutely take health care away from millions the first chance they get while you are distracted with stuff that is not true." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/ETwt2MxqfiObama: "While you're distracted with all this stuff they're making up, they're also robbing you blind ... They will absolutely take health care away from millions the first chance they get while you are distracted with stuff that is not true." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/ETwt2Mxqfi
From Reuters:From Reuters:
Twitter deleted more than 10,000 automated accounts posting messages that discouraged people from voting in Tuesday’s U.S. election and wrongly appeared to be from Democrats, after the party flagged the misleading tweets to the social media company. Twitter deleted more than 10,000 automated accounts posting messages that discouraged people from voting in Tuesday’s US election and wrongly appeared to be from Democrats, after the party flagged the misleading tweets to the social media company.
“We took action on relevant accounts and activity on Twitter,” Twitter Inc spokesman Ian Plunkett said in an email. The removals took place in late September and early October “We took action on relevant accounts and activity on Twitter,” Twitter spokesman Ian Plunkett said in an email. The removals took place in late September and early October