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| Trump has 'particular venom for people of color', Al Sharpton says – live | Trump has 'particular venom for people of color', Al Sharpton says – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| That’s it from me today. Vivian Ho will take the blog over from our West Coast office. | |
| Here is where the day stands so far: | |
| Trump renewed his attacks on representative Elijah Cummings and his congressional district in Baltimore, which he had previously called “a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” | |
| While visiting Baltimore, Al Sharpton accused Trump of attacking Cummings and his constituents “in the most bigoted and racist way.” “He attacks everybody,” the longtime activist said of the president. “But he has a particular venom for blacks and people of color. He doesn’t refer to any of his other opponents or critics as ‘infested.’ He does not attack their districts.” | |
| Kamala Harris released her long-awaited health care plan, which was quickly criticized by both Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Biden will likely bring up the issue when he and Harris | |
| Representative Mark Meadows, a close congressional ally of Trump’s, put out a statement praising both the president and fellow congressman Elijah Cummings. | |
| “He’s passionate about the people he represents, and no, Elijah is not a racist” Meadows said of Cummings in his statement, which former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum read live on CNN. “I am friends with both men, President Trump and Chairman Cummings, and I know them both well, and neither is a racist.” | |
| A CNN reporter noted this: | |
| There have been questions about why @MarkMeadows has not come out publicly to defend his friend @RepCummings from @POTUS attacks like Cummings did for him months ago. Just now on our air Meadows texted @RickSantorum a defense of Cummings, three days after Trump’s attacks started. | |
| Trump issued an endorsement of Daniel Cameron, a Republican candidate for Kentucky attorney general who is black. | |
| ....He is tough on Crime, Strong on Borders, and will fight for our Second Amendment. Daniel will never let you down. He has my Full and Complete Endorsement! | |
| Trump’s praise of Cameron for being “touch on Crime” and “Strong on Borders” comes after he has repeatedly slammed representative Elijah Cummings’s majority-black district in Baltimore as crime-ridden. | |
| Mitch McConnell took to the Senate floor to lambaste those who criticized the majority leader for refusing to take up election security bills. | Mitch McConnell took to the Senate floor to lambaste those who criticized the majority leader for refusing to take up election security bills. |
| Here's Mitch McConnell using "modern day McCarthyism" and complaining about alleged liberal efforts to "gaslight" about his record on Russia in the same video clip pic.twitter.com/QSueNwKauG | Here's Mitch McConnell using "modern day McCarthyism" and complaining about alleged liberal efforts to "gaslight" about his record on Russia in the same video clip pic.twitter.com/QSueNwKauG |
| The Kentucky Republican attracted a slew of negative headlines last week for twice rejecting consideration of election security bills, despite special counsel Robert Mueller’s warning that Russian election interference continues “as we sit here”. | The Kentucky Republican attracted a slew of negative headlines last week for twice rejecting consideration of election security bills, despite special counsel Robert Mueller’s warning that Russian election interference continues “as we sit here”. |
| Comparing the criticisms to “modern-day McCarthyism,” McConnell said he would not be “intimidated” into taking up the legislation. “For decades, I’ve used my Senate seat to stand up to Russia and protect the United States of America,” McConnell said. “I’m proud of my record … and liars cannot gaslight it away.” | Comparing the criticisms to “modern-day McCarthyism,” McConnell said he would not be “intimidated” into taking up the legislation. “For decades, I’ve used my Senate seat to stand up to Russia and protect the United States of America,” McConnell said. “I’m proud of my record … and liars cannot gaslight it away.” |
| A Washington Post reporter tweeted this about his remarks: | A Washington Post reporter tweeted this about his remarks: |
| Have not seen McConnell this angry in public in some time - now on floor defending his decision to block election security bills last week when Ds tried to bring it up by UC | Have not seen McConnell this angry in public in some time - now on floor defending his decision to block election security bills last week when Ds tried to bring it up by UC |
| A Democratic congressman revealed he and his wife were attending the Gilroy garlic festival when last night’s shooting occurred. | A Democratic congressman revealed he and his wife were attending the Gilroy garlic festival when last night’s shooting occurred. |
| Representative Dan Lipinski of Illinois said he and his wife Judy were “okay” and that they were praying for those killed and injured in the attack. | Representative Dan Lipinski of Illinois said he and his wife Judy were “okay” and that they were praying for those killed and injured in the attack. |
| Last night was frightening. I thank Gilroy’s law enforcement for their quick action and the Garlic Festival’s staff for the tremendous job they did in the aftermath. My wife and I are ok. We pray for those killed and injured and for their families. pic.twitter.com/arPdHiKAT5 | Last night was frightening. I thank Gilroy’s law enforcement for their quick action and the Garlic Festival’s staff for the tremendous job they did in the aftermath. My wife and I are ok. We pray for those killed and injured and for their families. pic.twitter.com/arPdHiKAT5 |
| A pastor who met with Trump today said he finds it “hard to believe” that the president is a racist. | A pastor who met with Trump today said he finds it “hard to believe” that the president is a racist. |
| “I find that hard to believe” that Trump is racist, Pastor Bill Owens tells us outside WH after meeting with Trump. Owens, 80, said he suffered from racism in his life, “so I know it when i see it.”He learned of WH invitation last Wednesday, he says. 20 pastors in mtg. pic.twitter.com/vMfGi8KpqK | “I find that hard to believe” that Trump is racist, Pastor Bill Owens tells us outside WH after meeting with Trump. Owens, 80, said he suffered from racism in his life, “so I know it when i see it.”He learned of WH invitation last Wednesday, he says. 20 pastors in mtg. pic.twitter.com/vMfGi8KpqK |
| Pastor Bill Owens participated in a White House meeting with the president that did not initially appear on Trump’s public schedule. But Owens said the meeting had been planned for several days and included about 20 pastors. | Pastor Bill Owens participated in a White House meeting with the president that did not initially appear on Trump’s public schedule. But Owens said the meeting had been planned for several days and included about 20 pastors. |
| Some had speculated on whether the meeting was called at the last minute to change the narrative after Trump’s racist attacks on representative Elijah Cummings and his Baltimore district. | Some had speculated on whether the meeting was called at the last minute to change the narrative after Trump’s racist attacks on representative Elijah Cummings and his Baltimore district. |
| Senator Rand Paul, a Republican of Kentucky, offered to help pay for a plane ticket to Somalia for representative Ilhan Omar so that the Minnesota Democrat could learn to “appreciate America more”. | Senator Rand Paul, a Republican of Kentucky, offered to help pay for a plane ticket to Somalia for representative Ilhan Omar so that the Minnesota Democrat could learn to “appreciate America more”. |
| The comments, made last week during an interview with the far-right outlet Breitbart News, came after Trump tweeted that Omar and three other minority congresswomen should “go back” to where they came from. That comment precipitated a “send her back” chant at one of Trump’s campaign rallies. | The comments, made last week during an interview with the far-right outlet Breitbart News, came after Trump tweeted that Omar and three other minority congresswomen should “go back” to where they came from. That comment precipitated a “send her back” chant at one of Trump’s campaign rallies. |
| “I’m not saying we forcibly send her anywhere,” Paul told Breitbart. “I’m willing to contribute to buy her a ticket to go visit Somalia. I think she can look and maybe learn a little bit about the disaster that is Somalia.” | “I’m not saying we forcibly send her anywhere,” Paul told Breitbart. “I’m willing to contribute to buy her a ticket to go visit Somalia. I think she can look and maybe learn a little bit about the disaster that is Somalia.” |
| Slamming the country where Omar was born for having “no capitalism” or “God-given rights” under a constitution, Paul said the congresswoman “might come back and appreciate America more” after visiting Somalia. | Slamming the country where Omar was born for having “no capitalism” or “God-given rights” under a constitution, Paul said the congresswoman “might come back and appreciate America more” after visiting Somalia. |
| Omar did not respond directly to Paul’s comments but did reshare tweets about them, including this one: | Omar did not respond directly to Paul’s comments but did reshare tweets about them, including this one: |
| 1) Paul claims Omar called America a ‘terrible country’. She never said it. A lie.2) Paul hails America’s refugee record, ignoring the Muslim ban. 2) Omar has visited Somalia more than Paul has - & knows far more about it.3) Paul’s dad published a white nationalist news letter https://t.co/jnZocmV9Pu | 1) Paul claims Omar called America a ‘terrible country’. She never said it. A lie.2) Paul hails America’s refugee record, ignoring the Muslim ban. 2) Omar has visited Somalia more than Paul has - & knows far more about it.3) Paul’s dad published a white nationalist news letter https://t.co/jnZocmV9Pu |
| Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker mocked Trump for attacking Al Sharpton after the president claimed the longtime activist was “a con man, a troublemaker, always looking for a score.” | Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker mocked Trump for attacking Al Sharpton after the president claimed the longtime activist was “a con man, a troublemaker, always looking for a score.” |
| Projecting much? pic.twitter.com/5aORSGUgsv | Projecting much? pic.twitter.com/5aORSGUgsv |
| Another House Democrat has come out in favor of impeachment, as the caucus inches closer to a majority level of support for launching an inquiry. | Another House Democrat has come out in favor of impeachment, as the caucus inches closer to a majority level of support for launching an inquiry. |
| The time has come for the House to open an impeachment inquiry into President Trump's misconduct. My statement here:https://t.co/y1ZiBeiFS3 | The time has come for the House to open an impeachment inquiry into President Trump's misconduct. My statement here:https://t.co/y1ZiBeiFS3 |
| “When looking at the evidence presented, there is obviously enough smoke to investigate the potential fire of corruption,” representative Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri said in a statement. “Congress has a constitutional responsibility to further investigate the evidence presented by the Special Counsel.” | “When looking at the evidence presented, there is obviously enough smoke to investigate the potential fire of corruption,” representative Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri said in a statement. “Congress has a constitutional responsibility to further investigate the evidence presented by the Special Counsel.” |
| Joe Biden’s advisers fear another shaky debate performance could do lasting damage to his presidential campaign – particularly given that he will once again share a stage with Kamala Harris. | Joe Biden’s advisers fear another shaky debate performance could do lasting damage to his presidential campaign – particularly given that he will once again share a stage with Kamala Harris. |
| Specifically, they are worried that more halting answers from the former vice president could shine a spotlight on concerns about his age. | Specifically, they are worried that more halting answers from the former vice president could shine a spotlight on concerns about his age. |
| The New York Times reports: | The New York Times reports: |
| [I]nterviews recently with more than 50 Democratic voters and party officials across four states, as well as with political strategists and some of Mr. Biden’s own donors, revealed significant unease about Mr. Biden’s ability to be a reliably crisp and effective messenger against Mr. Trump. ... | [I]nterviews recently with more than 50 Democratic voters and party officials across four states, as well as with political strategists and some of Mr. Biden’s own donors, revealed significant unease about Mr. Biden’s ability to be a reliably crisp and effective messenger against Mr. Trump. ... |
| Some voters couched their misgivings in euphemisms about wanting ‘new ideas’ or ‘new people.’ Some expressed fears of appearing ‘ageist’ — a reflection of the good will Mr. Biden enjoys with much of the Democratic rank-and-file. Others referenced their own lives: If they have ‘slowed down’ upon reaching a certain age, the thinking goes, Mr. Biden must have as well. And a few people were blunt. | Some voters couched their misgivings in euphemisms about wanting ‘new ideas’ or ‘new people.’ Some expressed fears of appearing ‘ageist’ — a reflection of the good will Mr. Biden enjoys with much of the Democratic rank-and-file. Others referenced their own lives: If they have ‘slowed down’ upon reaching a certain age, the thinking goes, Mr. Biden must have as well. And a few people were blunt. |
| ‘Seventy-plus is too old,’ said John Hampel, 68, of West Des Moines, Iowa, who said he would like to support a centrist candidate. Mr. Biden would fit that ideological bill, but Mr. Hampel, citing his own age, continued, ‘I think he should pass the torch.’ | ‘Seventy-plus is too old,’ said John Hampel, 68, of West Des Moines, Iowa, who said he would like to support a centrist candidate. Mr. Biden would fit that ideological bill, but Mr. Hampel, citing his own age, continued, ‘I think he should pass the torch.’ |
| The latest Quinnipiac national poll confirms that Joe Biden’s numbers are bouncing back after a temporary stumble following the first debates. | The latest Quinnipiac national poll confirms that Joe Biden’s numbers are bouncing back after a temporary stumble following the first debates. |
| Biden attracted the support of 34 percent of Democratic respondents, compared to Elizabeth Warren’s 15 percent, Kamala Harris’ 12 percent and Bernie Sanders’ 11 percent. | Biden attracted the support of 34 percent of Democratic respondents, compared to Elizabeth Warren’s 15 percent, Kamala Harris’ 12 percent and Bernie Sanders’ 11 percent. |
| Those numbers represent a 12-point bump for Biden and an 8-point dip for Harris since the university’s July 2 poll, while Warren and Sanders have remained relatively stable since then. | Those numbers represent a 12-point bump for Biden and an 8-point dip for Harris since the university’s July 2 poll, while Warren and Sanders have remained relatively stable since then. |
| As FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver reported last week, Harris appears to have lost about a third of what she had gained after the debate, and Biden seems to have regained about two-fifths of what he had lost. | As FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver reported last week, Harris appears to have lost about a third of what she had gained after the debate, and Biden seems to have regained about two-fifths of what he had lost. |
| So even though Harris is in better shape than she was before the first debates, Biden is still the clear frontrunner. But this week’s debates could change that. | So even though Harris is in better shape than she was before the first debates, Biden is still the clear frontrunner. But this week’s debates could change that. |
| Former intelligence officials warned that Trump’s nomination of representative John Ratcliffe to replace Dan Coats as director of national intelligence was an attempt to “neutralise” US spy agencies. | Former intelligence officials warned that Trump’s nomination of representative John Ratcliffe to replace Dan Coats as director of national intelligence was an attempt to “neutralise” US spy agencies. |
| Julian Borger has more: | Julian Borger has more: |
| Trump has indicated that he might not wait for [Ratcliffe] to receive Senate confirmation before wresting control over the office of the director of national intelligence, which coordinates the work of the other 16 intelligence agencies. | Trump has indicated that he might not wait for [Ratcliffe] to receive Senate confirmation before wresting control over the office of the director of national intelligence, which coordinates the work of the other 16 intelligence agencies. |
| ‘The Acting Director will be named shortly,’ Trump tweeted on Sunday, announcing the departure of Coats, and his choice of Ratcliffe, who has been a staunch defender of Trump in Congress. | ‘The Acting Director will be named shortly,’ Trump tweeted on Sunday, announcing the departure of Coats, and his choice of Ratcliffe, who has been a staunch defender of Trump in Congress. |
| However, the statute that established the role of DNI states that in case of a vacancy, the principal deputy director acts in the role until a replacement is confirmed. That would be Sue Gordon, a career official with three decades’ experience in intelligence. An attempt to break the rules and oust her will probably heighten the sense in the intelligence agencies that they are under attack. ... | However, the statute that established the role of DNI states that in case of a vacancy, the principal deputy director acts in the role until a replacement is confirmed. That would be Sue Gordon, a career official with three decades’ experience in intelligence. An attempt to break the rules and oust her will probably heighten the sense in the intelligence agencies that they are under attack. ... |
| ‘I fear that there is a slow takeover of the norms and procedures of governance by this president, amassing unprecedented executive power,’ Mowatt-Larssen, now at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, added. ‘To do that he needs to neutralise or at least silence the intelligence community. He has been doing that for three years, but this takes it to the new level.’ | ‘I fear that there is a slow takeover of the norms and procedures of governance by this president, amassing unprecedented executive power,’ Mowatt-Larssen, now at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, added. ‘To do that he needs to neutralise or at least silence the intelligence community. He has been doing that for three years, but this takes it to the new level.’ |
| The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus issued a statement endorsing Kamala Harris’s presidential bid just one day before the second round of debates are set to start in Detroit. | The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus issued a statement endorsing Kamala Harris’s presidential bid just one day before the second round of debates are set to start in Detroit. |
| “The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus is proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President,” said Keith Williams, the chairman of the caucus. “She is a proven leader who has given a voice to the voiceless and championed our community as District Attorney, Attorney General, and United States Senator. Her plans to close the racial wealth gap, invest in our classrooms and higher education is a clear investment in our future but also America’s future and her continued economic growth.” | “The Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus is proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President,” said Keith Williams, the chairman of the caucus. “She is a proven leader who has given a voice to the voiceless and championed our community as District Attorney, Attorney General, and United States Senator. Her plans to close the racial wealth gap, invest in our classrooms and higher education is a clear investment in our future but also America’s future and her continued economic growth.” |
| Williams had previously said Harris was his favorite candidate “because she’s a sister,” but had declined to formally endorse her until today. | Williams had previously said Harris was his favorite candidate “because she’s a sister,” but had declined to formally endorse her until today. |