This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/us/elections/biden-vs-trump.html

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
2020 Election Live Updates: Why Democrats Believe Trump’s Anti-Protest Tactics Won’t Work 2020 Election Live Updates: Democrats Plan for Daily Virus Tests at Convention
(about 1 hour later)
Democrats on Monday laid out plans to limit prime-time programming and increase testing for the coronavirus at their national convention next month, and the University of Notre Dame withdrew from hosting the first presidential debate in September, underscoring how the pandemic is upending some of the highest-profile events still to come on the 2020 campaign calendar.
Anyone who attends next month’s Democratic National Convention, a roster that is expected to be narrowed to about 300 people, must test negative for the coronavirus when they arrive in Milwaukee and agree to be tested daily for the virus, convention planners said Monday.
The new health protocols illustrate the extraordinary nature of hosting a national political convention amid a public health pandemic that continues to spread across the country. In addition to submitting to daily testing, convention attendees will be required to self-isolate for 72 hours before traveling to Milwaukee, wear a mask “at all times” in Milwaukee and “avoid bars, restaurants and other locations where social distancing is not possible or not practiced.”
Convention planners did not indicate how they would build the capacity to test every convention attendee every day.
“All attendees must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times until departing unless their job function specifically requires temporary removal of the P.P.E.,” the protocols said. “In addition, eye protection such as goggles or a face shield are strongly recommended.”
Democratic planners will establish a “health and safety” perimeter outside the Wisconsin Center, the Milwaukee convention center where the scaled-down event has been moved. It had originally been scheduled for the city’s professional basketball arena, which can hold thousands of visitors.
The Democratic convention, which in almost any other year would be an hourslong event for each of its four days, now will be limited to two hours a night, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., and be arranged to serve a virtual television and online audience. Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. “intends” to accept the party’s nomination in Milwaukee, according to convention organizers, but other party surrogates most likely will participate remotely from other locations.
The University of Notre Dame said Monday that it had withdrawn as the host of the first presidential debate in September, citing concerns about bringing campaign officials and volunteers to the campus outside South Bend, Ind., amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The first presidential debate instead will be held in Cleveland and be co-hosted by Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic, an academic medical center, according to the Commission on Presidential Debates, which oversees debates in a presidential general-election race.
“I am grateful to the many members of the University community who put in countless hours planning for this event, and to the Commission on Presidential Debates leadership for their professionalism and understanding,” the Rev. John I. Jenkins, the president of the university, said in a statement. “But in the end, the constraints the coronavirus pandemic put on the event — as understandable and necessary as they are — have led us to withdraw.”
This would have been the university’s first presidential debate, though it has hosted six presidents at commencement ceremonies.
Notre Dame’s decision followed a similar announcement from the University of Michigan, which said last month that it was withdrawing from hosting the second presidential debate. That debate, scheduled for Oct. 15, was moved to Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, according to the commission.
The third presidential debate is still scheduled for Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville, and the lone vice-presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Presidential debates are prestigious events that cost millions of dollars, and host universities typically raise that money from donors. But the pandemic has strained budgets and made large gatherings risky, raising new questions about the value in hosting a major debate.
“I hope we will all remain attuned to the many important issues facing our nation during this election year,” said Father Jenkins in his statement on Monday. “And, please, let’s exercise our right and privilege to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.”
President Trump seems insistent on making the protests in the streets of America’s cities — including those in response to the deployment of federal agents in Portland, Ore. — a key focus of his re-election campaign: in remarks from the White House briefing room, in his television ads and across his Twitter account.President Trump seems insistent on making the protests in the streets of America’s cities — including those in response to the deployment of federal agents in Portland, Ore. — a key focus of his re-election campaign: in remarks from the White House briefing room, in his television ads and across his Twitter account.
But while Democrats have expressed dismay at the use of federal law enforcement in Portland, Ore., advisers to Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his Democratic allies seem mostly unconcerned about the impact of Mr. Trump’s tactics politically, even as protests escalated and spread over the weekend.But while Democrats have expressed dismay at the use of federal law enforcement in Portland, Ore., advisers to Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his Democratic allies seem mostly unconcerned about the impact of Mr. Trump’s tactics politically, even as protests escalated and spread over the weekend.
For one thing, the president’s dire warnings of a dark Democratic-run future is in dissonance with the reality that the current unrest is happening during his own Republican tenure.For one thing, the president’s dire warnings of a dark Democratic-run future is in dissonance with the reality that the current unrest is happening during his own Republican tenure.
“The sense of disorder that Trump is promoting as a national threat actually works against him because it reinforces a sense that America under Donald Trump is a country in disorder and disarray,” said Geoff Garin, a pollster who works for a leading Democratic super PAC, Priorities USA.“The sense of disorder that Trump is promoting as a national threat actually works against him because it reinforces a sense that America under Donald Trump is a country in disorder and disarray,” said Geoff Garin, a pollster who works for a leading Democratic super PAC, Priorities USA.
For another, Democrats believe the issue of violence at protests is being perceived by many voters as a distraction by Mr. Trump from his faltering pandemic response and the economic downturn.For another, Democrats believe the issue of violence at protests is being perceived by many voters as a distraction by Mr. Trump from his faltering pandemic response and the economic downturn.
“It’s not geared toward quelling the violence,” Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said of Mr. Trump’s response to unrest in the streets. “It’s geared toward creating clashes that create the imagery he can use in the election.”“It’s not geared toward quelling the violence,” Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said of Mr. Trump’s response to unrest in the streets. “It’s geared toward creating clashes that create the imagery he can use in the election.”
One particular challenge for Mr. Trump is that his “law and order” focus is not necessarily the current obsession of the voting public. As Jared Leopold, another Democratic strategist, put it, “It’s very hard to take an issue that’s not on people’s top five issues on their plate and turn it into something they give a damn about.”One particular challenge for Mr. Trump is that his “law and order” focus is not necessarily the current obsession of the voting public. As Jared Leopold, another Democratic strategist, put it, “It’s very hard to take an issue that’s not on people’s top five issues on their plate and turn it into something they give a damn about.”
With less than 100 days until the election, the Biden campaign is intensifying its efforts to cast the contest as a choice about character and leadership “in times of extreme peril and struggle,” according to a campaign memo circulated over the weekend, arguing that Mr. Trump has failed the nation at a critical juncture.With less than 100 days until the election, the Biden campaign is intensifying its efforts to cast the contest as a choice about character and leadership “in times of extreme peril and struggle,” according to a campaign memo circulated over the weekend, arguing that Mr. Trump has failed the nation at a critical juncture.
The memo, sent by Kate Bedingfield, a deputy campaign manager, and obtained by The New York Times, lacerated Mr. Trump’s stewardship of the coronavirus crisis, the economic challenges facing the country and the national outcry over systemic racism, and noted his struggles to negatively define Mr. Biden.The memo, sent by Kate Bedingfield, a deputy campaign manager, and obtained by The New York Times, lacerated Mr. Trump’s stewardship of the coronavirus crisis, the economic challenges facing the country and the national outcry over systemic racism, and noted his struggles to negatively define Mr. Biden.
“The conclusion voters continue to draw is straightforward and clear: Joe Biden cares about you and your family, and Donald Trump only cares about himself, the super-wealthy, and corporations — and he doesn’t care who he hurts,” the memo said.“The conclusion voters continue to draw is straightforward and clear: Joe Biden cares about you and your family, and Donald Trump only cares about himself, the super-wealthy, and corporations — and he doesn’t care who he hurts,” the memo said.
The campaign announced a new one-minute ad on Monday that featured a Wisconsin woman lamenting the death of her grandmother from Covid-19. “I felt like our elderly have not been a priority for this administration. That they don’t matter. And I feel like my grandmother didn’t matter,” she said, holding back tears over the fact that her grandmother died alone.The campaign announced a new one-minute ad on Monday that featured a Wisconsin woman lamenting the death of her grandmother from Covid-19. “I felt like our elderly have not been a priority for this administration. That they don’t matter. And I feel like my grandmother didn’t matter,” she said, holding back tears over the fact that her grandmother died alone.
The ad was part of what the memo described as “a new $14.5 million ad buy in Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania — six states Donald Trump won in 2016.”The ad was part of what the memo described as “a new $14.5 million ad buy in Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania — six states Donald Trump won in 2016.”
The Biden campaign has made it a priority to solidify its incursions into Mr. Trump’s base of older voters.The Biden campaign has made it a priority to solidify its incursions into Mr. Trump’s base of older voters.
In the memo, the campaign highlighted several tactical steps it is taking to reach them and other key elements of Mr. Biden’s coalition: “voters in the suburbs, seniors, African Americans, and independent voters.”In the memo, the campaign highlighted several tactical steps it is taking to reach them and other key elements of Mr. Biden’s coalition: “voters in the suburbs, seniors, African Americans, and independent voters.”
Mr. Trump is hoping to cut into those constituencies by seeking to paint Mr. Biden — who does not support defunding the police — as radical on matters of law enforcement, and by arguing that he remains the best leader on the economy.Mr. Trump is hoping to cut into those constituencies by seeking to paint Mr. Biden — who does not support defunding the police — as radical on matters of law enforcement, and by arguing that he remains the best leader on the economy.
The Democratic coordinated campaign will “have well over 2,000 staff on board in August and tens of thousands of additional volunteers across the country,” according to the memo.The Democratic coordinated campaign will “have well over 2,000 staff on board in August and tens of thousands of additional volunteers across the country,” according to the memo.
And the Biden campaign, which began organizing in the battleground states later than Mr. Trump and the coordinated Republican effort did — an advantage of incumbency — now “has staff in 17 battleground states and recently added Texas as the seventh state Donald Trump won in 2016 where we are running ads on television and across digital platforms,” the memo noted.And the Biden campaign, which began organizing in the battleground states later than Mr. Trump and the coordinated Republican effort did — an advantage of incumbency — now “has staff in 17 battleground states and recently added Texas as the seventh state Donald Trump won in 2016 where we are running ads on television and across digital platforms,” the memo noted.
The memo was first reported by NBC News.The memo was first reported by NBC News.
Representative John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia and a civil rights icon, on Monday became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, one of the highest American honors.Representative John Lewis, Democrat of Georgia and a civil rights icon, on Monday became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, one of the highest American honors.
Mr. Lewis, a 17-term congressman from Georgia and the senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus, died July 17 after battling pancreatic cancer.Mr. Lewis, a 17-term congressman from Georgia and the senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus, died July 17 after battling pancreatic cancer.
With the Capitol closed to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Lewis was to spend only a few hours lying in state under the Capitol dome after an invitation-only ceremony on Monday afternoon.With the Capitol closed to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Lewis was to spend only a few hours lying in state under the Capitol dome after an invitation-only ceremony on Monday afternoon.
Among those scheduled to pay their respects later were Vice President Mike Pence and Mr. Biden, according to their public schedules. Mr. Trump told reporters on Monday that he would not visit Mr. Lewis at the Capitol.Among those scheduled to pay their respects later were Vice President Mike Pence and Mr. Biden, according to their public schedules. Mr. Trump told reporters on Monday that he would not visit Mr. Lewis at the Capitol.
The ceremony on Monday included remarks from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, and Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader.The ceremony on Monday included remarks from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, and Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader.
“John firmly focused on the future — on how to inspire the next generation to join the fight for justice,” Ms. Pelosi said.“John firmly focused on the future — on how to inspire the next generation to join the fight for justice,” Ms. Pelosi said.
“John Lewis lived and worked with urgency because the task was urgent,” Mr. McConnell said. “But even though the world around him gave him every cause for bitterness, he stubbornly treated everyone with respect and love.”“John Lewis lived and worked with urgency because the task was urgent,” Mr. McConnell said. “But even though the world around him gave him every cause for bitterness, he stubbornly treated everyone with respect and love.”
The most memorable remarks, though, came from Mr. Lewis himself, through a recording of a speech that was introduced by Ms. Pelosi. His deep voice booming in the silent rotunda, Mr. Lewis recounted his upbringing and his work during the civil rights movement, and he exhorted citizens to vote and to pursue social justice. When the recording ended, some of those seated nearby wiped away tears, and Ms. Pelosi led the assembled lawmakers — representing both parties — in a standing ovation.The most memorable remarks, though, came from Mr. Lewis himself, through a recording of a speech that was introduced by Ms. Pelosi. His deep voice booming in the silent rotunda, Mr. Lewis recounted his upbringing and his work during the civil rights movement, and he exhorted citizens to vote and to pursue social justice. When the recording ended, some of those seated nearby wiped away tears, and Ms. Pelosi led the assembled lawmakers — representing both parties — in a standing ovation.
After the ceremony, Mr. Lewis’s coffin was to be moved outside to the Capitol steps. Members of the public will be able to line up — with masks required and social distancing enforced — to view it from the plaza below on Monday evening and all day Tuesday.After the ceremony, Mr. Lewis’s coffin was to be moved outside to the Capitol steps. Members of the public will be able to line up — with masks required and social distancing enforced — to view it from the plaza below on Monday evening and all day Tuesday.
Last year, Representative Elijah E. Cummings became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol, though he was honored in Statuary Hall, not in the Rotunda, where presidents and other statesmen have lain. Rosa Parks, the civil rights pioneer, lay in honor there in 2005, receiving the highest honor afforded to a private citizen.Last year, Representative Elijah E. Cummings became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol, though he was honored in Statuary Hall, not in the Rotunda, where presidents and other statesmen have lain. Rosa Parks, the civil rights pioneer, lay in honor there in 2005, receiving the highest honor afforded to a private citizen.
Mr. Biden is nearing his rough deadline of Aug. 1 for announcing a vice-presidential candidate, but there is little expectation at this point that he will stick to that timetable. Susan E. Rice, 55, is now among a handful of women under consideration to become Mr. Biden’s running mate. It is the latest stage in a path to power that has seen Ms. Rice chosen to be a Rhodes scholar at 21, an assistant secretary of state at 32 and ambassador to the United Nations little more than a decade later.
His search committee has completed thorough vetting reports on several candidates and Mr. Biden said he intended to conduct personal interviews with all of the most serious contenders. That could take a while, and Mr. Biden is not exactly known for his quick decision-making process. If picked, Ms. Rice would be on a ballot for the first time. It wouldn’t be the first time she has thought about running. In 2018, she publicly considered a bid for the Senate from Maine, a state where she had family roots but did not live.
There is no particular sense of impatience within Mr. Biden’s campaign or the Democratic Party at large, since the current state of the presidential race is so favorable for Mr. Biden. He and his advisers see no urgent need for him to shake up the race, and few Democrats are prodding him to rush toward a vice-presidential announcement. The questions that faced Ms. Rice in 2018 presaged, in some respects, those that now surround her as a vice-presidential contender: How much do voters prize government experience, or care about the international stage? Is the country ready, just years after seeming to reject elite expertise with the election of Mr. Trump, to embrace a candidate defined chiefly as an analytical policy mind?
Still, many voters — and not only Democrats — are eager to see whom Mr. Biden selects as his chief political and governing partner in a moment of national crisis. Ms. Rice is up against multiple candidates who have run for president themselves, including Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, and others, like Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, who have endured grueling statewide campaigns.
A few of the women under consideration by Mr. Biden have been widely recognized as formidable candidates since the start of the search, like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, while others have emerged in the public eye as serious contenders, like Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Karen Bass and Susan Rice, the former national security adviser. Allies of Ms. Rice have argued privately to Biden advisers that the learning curve for a first-time candidate might be smoother than normal given the strictures of a pandemic-era campaign. If a town-hall meeting or rally might be a relatively new setting for Ms. Rice, a television studio or webinar surely would not. They point, too, to the electoral inexperience on the opposing ticket: Ms. Rice, after all, has won exactly as many elections as Mr. Trump did before defeating Hillary Clinton in 2016.
But it is tricky to game out the prospects of each candidate when the decision is ultimately expected to be made by one person, guided by a distinctive sense of the vice presidency and a hunger for personal chemistry with his running mate — Mr. Biden.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, is seeking to block federal funding for the military to recruit in middle and high schools and request data about students.Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, is seeking to block federal funding for the military to recruit in middle and high schools and request data about students.
Her proposal, which would be added to the annual defense spending bill, comes days after she introduced a related amendment that would block funding for “the Armed Forces to maintain a presence on Twitch.tv or any video game, esports, or livestreaming platform.”Her proposal, which would be added to the annual defense spending bill, comes days after she introduced a related amendment that would block funding for “the Armed Forces to maintain a presence on Twitch.tv or any video game, esports, or livestreaming platform.”
Struggling to hit recruiting goals, the Army has begun expanding its recruitment techniques, including seeking to enlist gamers. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez argues the military is using the novel tactics to recruit too heavily from low-income communities.Struggling to hit recruiting goals, the Army has begun expanding its recruitment techniques, including seeking to enlist gamers. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez argues the military is using the novel tactics to recruit too heavily from low-income communities.
“Whether through recruitment stations in their lunchrooms, or now through e-sports teams, children in low-income communities are persistently targeted for enlistment,” she said in a statement.“Whether through recruitment stations in their lunchrooms, or now through e-sports teams, children in low-income communities are persistently targeted for enlistment,” she said in a statement.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said that the military “can for some provide a rewarding career,” but added that “low-income Americans are not being given anywhere near the same information or access to trade schools, college or other post graduate opportunities.”Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said that the military “can for some provide a rewarding career,” but added that “low-income Americans are not being given anywhere near the same information or access to trade schools, college or other post graduate opportunities.”
“In many public high schools where military recruiters have a daily presence, there is not even a counselor,” she said. “As a result, the military stops feeling like a ‘choice’ and starts feeling like the only option for many young, low-income Americans.”“In many public high schools where military recruiters have a daily presence, there is not even a counselor,” she said. “As a result, the military stops feeling like a ‘choice’ and starts feeling like the only option for many young, low-income Americans.”
It is not clear whether Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s proposals will receive a vote. The House Rules Committee will consider them on Tuesday, ahead of action on the defense spending measure later this week.It is not clear whether Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s proposals will receive a vote. The House Rules Committee will consider them on Tuesday, ahead of action on the defense spending measure later this week.
Millions of Americans relying on enhanced unemployment benefits are set to see their $600-a-week unemployment insurance expansion expire at the end of this week.Millions of Americans relying on enhanced unemployment benefits are set to see their $600-a-week unemployment insurance expansion expire at the end of this week.
Republicans are now seeking to slash that jobless benefit by two-thirds, to $200, in a new $1 trillion economic stimulus proposal, according to officials familiar with the talks.Republicans are now seeking to slash that jobless benefit by two-thirds, to $200, in a new $1 trillion economic stimulus proposal, according to officials familiar with the talks.
Democrats, congressional Republicans and the White House remain far apart in their efforts to craft and agree upon a new round of pandemic-inspired stimulus. Democrats are proposing to spend three times as much to stabilize the economy.Democrats, congressional Republicans and the White House remain far apart in their efforts to craft and agree upon a new round of pandemic-inspired stimulus. Democrats are proposing to spend three times as much to stabilize the economy.
“This is an emergency,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” as she and other Democrats accused Republicans of foot-dragging.“This is an emergency,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” as she and other Democrats accused Republicans of foot-dragging.
The stimulus is now both a critical relief package for millions of Americans and a political football with less than 100 days until the election.The stimulus is now both a critical relief package for millions of Americans and a political football with less than 100 days until the election.
Democrats want the program extended, while Republicans have complained that the initial $600-a-week benefits “went too far,” as Larry Kudlow, a Trump economic adviser put it on Sunday, arguing that they incentivized people to stay away from work.Democrats want the program extended, while Republicans have complained that the initial $600-a-week benefits “went too far,” as Larry Kudlow, a Trump economic adviser put it on Sunday, arguing that they incentivized people to stay away from work.
But rolling back an economic stimulus program less than four months before the election would hurt whatever fragile economic recovery is underway, meaning the White House itself is incentivized to strike some kind of deal.But rolling back an economic stimulus program less than four months before the election would hurt whatever fragile economic recovery is underway, meaning the White House itself is incentivized to strike some kind of deal.
The Biden campaign billed it as a “Celebration for Change.” But Sunday night’s livestream featuring Democratic politicians, celebrities and musicians — hosted by Jay Leno — felt more like a practice run for an all-digital convention that the party will hold in less than a month.The Biden campaign billed it as a “Celebration for Change.” But Sunday night’s livestream featuring Democratic politicians, celebrities and musicians — hosted by Jay Leno — felt more like a practice run for an all-digital convention that the party will hold in less than a month.
There were performances from Sara Bareilles, Andra Day and John Legend, and short cameos from Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton.There were performances from Sara Bareilles, Andra Day and John Legend, and short cameos from Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton.
And some Broadway music was remade to pitch Mr. Biden’s presidential bid.And some Broadway music was remade to pitch Mr. Biden’s presidential bid.
Mr. Leno served as M.C. in what felt at times like a telethon — “We’re up to $225,000!” “Donate now, right in your screen!” — shouting out the names of donors and bidding up small contributors all the way up to the $760,000 he said had been raised by the end of the event.Mr. Leno served as M.C. in what felt at times like a telethon — “We’re up to $225,000!” “Donate now, right in your screen!” — shouting out the names of donors and bidding up small contributors all the way up to the $760,000 he said had been raised by the end of the event.
It wasn’t always compelling viewing. But it did go off without any technical hitches as celebrity after celebrity railed against Mr. Trump.It wasn’t always compelling viewing. But it did go off without any technical hitches as celebrity after celebrity railed against Mr. Trump.
The talk show host Andy Cohen said he looked forward to having a president “who doesn’t lie every time he opens his mouth.” The singer Barbra Streisand gave a particularly long speech about Mr. Trump’s “blatant narcissism” and how he is “unfit mentally and morally.”The talk show host Andy Cohen said he looked forward to having a president “who doesn’t lie every time he opens his mouth.” The singer Barbra Streisand gave a particularly long speech about Mr. Trump’s “blatant narcissism” and how he is “unfit mentally and morally.”
“Thank you. Joe Biden all the way,” the singer Dave Matthews said at the end of the program.“Thank you. Joe Biden all the way,” the singer Dave Matthews said at the end of the program.
“What a night we’ve had,” Mr. Leno concluded.“What a night we’ve had,” Mr. Leno concluded.
The Biden campaign did not respond to an inquiry about the viewership of its livestream.The Biden campaign did not respond to an inquiry about the viewership of its livestream.
Democratic hopes for gaining a clear Senate majority depend in part on winning in conservative-leaning states where Mr. Trump may also prevail, even as he sags in the polls.Democratic hopes for gaining a clear Senate majority depend in part on winning in conservative-leaning states where Mr. Trump may also prevail, even as he sags in the polls.
That includes states like Montana, where Democrats are hoping their Senate candidate, Gov. Steve Bullock, can outperform Mr. Biden, and where ticket-splitting is as much a way of life as fly-fishing.That includes states like Montana, where Democrats are hoping their Senate candidate, Gov. Steve Bullock, can outperform Mr. Biden, and where ticket-splitting is as much a way of life as fly-fishing.
Montanans have supported Republican presidential candidates, with one exception, for more than a half-century. In that same period, though, they have elected a series of Democratic governors and senators.Montanans have supported Republican presidential candidates, with one exception, for more than a half-century. In that same period, though, they have elected a series of Democratic governors and senators.
Yet as Senator Steve Daines, the Republican incumbent, faces off against Mr. Bullock, whose popularity has risen as he leads the state’s coronavirus response, Mr. Daines is counting on Montanans to act a little more like voters everywhere else and stick with one party as they make their way down the ballot.Yet as Senator Steve Daines, the Republican incumbent, faces off against Mr. Bullock, whose popularity has risen as he leads the state’s coronavirus response, Mr. Daines is counting on Montanans to act a little more like voters everywhere else and stick with one party as they make their way down the ballot.
The race here will measure the political impact of the pandemic. Many governors have grown in stature for their handling of the virus, and Mr. Bullock is the only sitting governor running for the Senate. It will also test Montana’s iconoclastic identity in a time of encroaching red-and-blue homogeneity. But for Democrats, going on the offensive in a red-leaning state in an age of polarization is no easy task.The race here will measure the political impact of the pandemic. Many governors have grown in stature for their handling of the virus, and Mr. Bullock is the only sitting governor running for the Senate. It will also test Montana’s iconoclastic identity in a time of encroaching red-and-blue homogeneity. But for Democrats, going on the offensive in a red-leaning state in an age of polarization is no easy task.
By nominating the moderate Mr. Biden, though, Democrats hope they can at least lose more closely, if not win outright, in states where Mrs. Clinton was thrashed and her party’s Senate candidates went down with her.By nominating the moderate Mr. Biden, though, Democrats hope they can at least lose more closely, if not win outright, in states where Mrs. Clinton was thrashed and her party’s Senate candidates went down with her.
“The reason he was so strong in ’16 is because you could go up and down here — Democrats and Republicans would both tell you they hate Hillary,” Jon Tester, a Democrat who is Montana’s senior senator, said of Mr. Trump over an afternoon beer in Great Falls.“The reason he was so strong in ’16 is because you could go up and down here — Democrats and Republicans would both tell you they hate Hillary,” Jon Tester, a Democrat who is Montana’s senior senator, said of Mr. Trump over an afternoon beer in Great Falls.
For 150 years Lexington, Va., a picturesque city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has been known to the outside world as the final resting place of Robert E. Lee, the Confederacy’s commanding general during the Civil War, and Stonewall Jackson, whom Lee referred to as his “right arm.” Reporting was contributed by Reed Epstein, Alexander Burns, Luke Broadwater, Emily Cochrane, Reid J. Epstein, Jacey Fortin, Katie Glueck, Shane Goldmacher, Jonathan Martin and James Wagner.
They form the basis of a daily existence that has long been tethered to the iconography of the Civil War and its two most famous Confederate generals, whose legacy has seeped into the town’s culture like the July humidity.
But Lexington is no longer a bastion of conservatism. It is a liberal college town of about 7,000 people that voted 60 percent for Hillary Clinton four years ago, and in 2018 it gave 70 percent of its vote to the Democratic Senate candidate, Tim Kaine. Black Lives Matter signs dot the windows of downtown stores, and residents have not backed a Republican for president since Ronald Reagan.
These dueling sensibilities place Lexington at particularly delicate intersection of the national debate over Confederate monuments and emblems. As Americans protesting racial injustice have torn down statues and memorials to Confederates, the town finds itself reassessing its identity, divided between the growing imperative to eradicate symbols of slavery and decades of cultural and economic ties to the Confederates who fought to preserve it.
“When you’re surrounded by all of the symbols, it just is a way of life,” said Marilyn Alexander, 67, the lone Black member of the City Council. “It was not until recently that there was a realization for me that there was such an outcry from the community, that felt these symbols and signs needed to come down or be changed.”
Mr. Trump said he would no longer be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before a Yankees game on Aug. 15 — days after he said he would be doing so, causing a political stir.
Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday afternoon that he would not be in New York that day, when the Yankees will play the Boston Red Sox, because of his “strong focus” on the pandemic, “including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy and much else.” He added, “We will make it later in the season!”
During an event at the White House on Thursday that featured Mariano Rivera, the former star closer for the Yankees, Mr. Trump announced he had been asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The president said he had been invited by the Yankees’ president, Randy Levine, who used to work for Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, during Mr. Giuliani’s tenure as New York City mayor. Mr. Trump is a longtime Yankees fan and was friends with the Yankees’ former owner, George Steinbrenner, who died in 2010.
Trump’s announcement had drawn criticism from New York political figures, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, who wrote on Twitter on Saturday, “After CONDEMNING racism, the next step isn’t inviting it to your pitcher’s mound. To the players that knelt for the BLM movement, we applaud you. To the execs that have aligned with hatred, you are on the wrong side of history and morality.”
Reporting was contributed by Alexander Burns, Luke Broadwater, Emily Cochrane, Reid J. Epstein, Jacey Fortin, Katie Glueck, Shane Goldmacher, Jonathan Martin and James Wagner.