This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/aug/18/us-politics-michelle-obama-joe-biden-kamala-harris-democratic-national-convention-dnc-donald-trump-coronavirus-live-updates

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
US politics: Trump tells Michelle Obama 'sit back and watch' after DNC speech - live updates US politics: Trump tells Michelle Obama 'sit back and watch' after DNC speech - live updates
(32 minutes later)
First lady’s blistering attack on president Trump is main talking point from opening night of the virtual DNCFirst lady’s blistering attack on president Trump is main talking point from opening night of the virtual DNC
Donald Trump just pardoned Susan B. Anthony, an icon of the US women’s suffrage movement, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for voting when laws prohibited women from voting.
Anthony died at 86 in 1906, 14 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified.
Reporters are saying that those with Trump at the signing of the pardon are members of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group. Though Anthony never publicly spoke out for or against abortion, her legacy has been appropriated by anti-abortion groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List. While some have attributed anti-abortion writing from a writer who went by the acronym “A” to Anthony, the activist’s connections to the writing is dubious at best.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the head of the US Postal Service (USPS), will testify even earlier than expected, testifying before the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday, the Washington Post is reporting this morning.Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the head of the US Postal Service (USPS), will testify even earlier than expected, testifying before the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday, the Washington Post is reporting this morning.
The move is likely an attempt from Senate Republicans to get the first word in before DeJoy testifies in front of the House. House Democrats had announced yesterday that they called DeJoy to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee on Monday.The move is likely an attempt from Senate Republicans to get the first word in before DeJoy testifies in front of the House. House Democrats had announced yesterday that they called DeJoy to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee on Monday.
DeJoy, who was appointed by Trump as postmaster general earlier this summer, has come under fire for cost-cutting measures like reducing overtime and extra trips that ensured on-time delivery. Democrats have particularly sounded the alarm over the cuts in service as USPS prepares to conduct the largest mail-in voting operation in US history.DeJoy, who was appointed by Trump as postmaster general earlier this summer, has come under fire for cost-cutting measures like reducing overtime and extra trips that ensured on-time delivery. Democrats have particularly sounded the alarm over the cuts in service as USPS prepares to conduct the largest mail-in voting operation in US history.
Just a little bit of economics news in from Reuters. US homebuilding picked up for a third straight month in July in the latest sign the housing sector is emerging as one of the few areas of strength in an economy suffering a record slowdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.Just a little bit of economics news in from Reuters. US homebuilding picked up for a third straight month in July in the latest sign the housing sector is emerging as one of the few areas of strength in an economy suffering a record slowdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Housing starts increased 22.6% - far more than expected - to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.496 million units last month, the Commerce Department said.Housing starts increased 22.6% - far more than expected - to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.496 million units last month, the Commerce Department said.
And that’s the lot from me, Martin Belam, today in London. I’m handing over to my colleague Lauren Aratani, and I’ll be back for more tomorrow.And that’s the lot from me, Martin Belam, today in London. I’m handing over to my colleague Lauren Aratani, and I’ll be back for more tomorrow.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been doing the media round this morning talking about last night’s DNC opening. She said she felt it was pretty clear to everyone that “Michelle Obama knocked it out of the ballpark.”Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been doing the media round this morning talking about last night’s DNC opening. She said she felt it was pretty clear to everyone that “Michelle Obama knocked it out of the ballpark.”
She also spoke a little bit about the experience of appearing at a virtual convention, which is such an unprecedented oddity in this year’s election campaign. Michigan’s governor said that Michelle Obama had managed in her speech to talk “one on one to the American people” which she said was hard to do in the unusual situation.She also spoke a little bit about the experience of appearing at a virtual convention, which is such an unprecedented oddity in this year’s election campaign. Michigan’s governor said that Michelle Obama had managed in her speech to talk “one on one to the American people” which she said was hard to do in the unusual situation.
And she again attacked the president over his coronavirus record, saying:And she again attacked the president over his coronavirus record, saying:
Kyle Daly has a slightly different take on QAnon this morning for Axios, analysing claims that the reason it has taken off successfully online is because it resembles a videogame.Kyle Daly has a slightly different take on QAnon this morning for Axios, analysing claims that the reason it has taken off successfully online is because it resembles a videogame.
And I did enjoy this play-off in the last paragraphAnd I did enjoy this play-off in the last paragraph
Read it here: Axios – How QAnon works like a video game to hook peopleRead it here: Axios – How QAnon works like a video game to hook people
Some caution from political scientists Adam E Enders and Joseph E Uscinski this morning to reporters like me when covering the QAnon conspiracy theory, and just how widespread belief in it in the US actually is:Some caution from political scientists Adam E Enders and Joseph E Uscinski this morning to reporters like me when covering the QAnon conspiracy theory, and just how widespread belief in it in the US actually is:
Read it here: Is QAnon taking over America? Not so fastRead it here: Is QAnon taking over America? Not so fast
Yesterday, you may recall that a former senior member of the Trump administration – Miles Taylor – endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential race.Yesterday, you may recall that a former senior member of the Trump administration – Miles Taylor – endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential race.
Taylor, who served as chief of staff to former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, said in a video announcing his endorsement, “Given what I have experienced in the administration, I have to support Joe Biden for president.”Taylor, who served as chief of staff to former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, said in a video announcing his endorsement, “Given what I have experienced in the administration, I have to support Joe Biden for president.”
The endorsement made Taylor one of the most senior members of the Trump administration so far to publicly back Biden’s campaign. Activists immediately criticized Taylor, though, for not reckoning with his own complicity in separating kids from families.The endorsement made Taylor one of the most senior members of the Trump administration so far to publicly back Biden’s campaign. Activists immediately criticized Taylor, though, for not reckoning with his own complicity in separating kids from families.
Of course, the president has some views on the matter this morning too, claiming never to have heard of Taylor, but also describing him as “a real stiff”Of course, the president has some views on the matter this morning too, claiming never to have heard of Taylor, but also describing him as “a real stiff”
An interesting, if a little niche, poll has caught my eye via social media this morning – polling people in the rural areas of Pennsylvania about their response to the United States Postal Service crisis. The authors say:An interesting, if a little niche, poll has caught my eye via social media this morning – polling people in the rural areas of Pennsylvania about their response to the United States Postal Service crisis. The authors say:
There’s some caveats around the numbers and the small sample-size, but the authors seem to have gone out of their way to make the polling bi-partisan, even if we don’t know the source of the funding.There’s some caveats around the numbers and the small sample-size, but the authors seem to have gone out of their way to make the polling bi-partisan, even if we don’t know the source of the funding.
What is interesting is the poll finds thatWhat is interesting is the poll finds that
24% of people had noticed a deterioration in the USPS service, and over 50% polled say they are very or somewhat reliant on the service.24% of people had noticed a deterioration in the USPS service, and over 50% polled say they are very or somewhat reliant on the service.
57% of these likely voters report they’d be less likely to support a candidate who reduced the budget for the USPS, or privatized the agency – which includes Republicans57% of these likely voters report they’d be less likely to support a candidate who reduced the budget for the USPS, or privatized the agency – which includes Republicans
There’s still a massively partisan split on how to vote in November. 68% of Republicans report they are “not at all likely” to vote by mail while 53% of Democrats say they are “very likely.”There’s still a massively partisan split on how to vote in November. 68% of Republicans report they are “not at all likely” to vote by mail while 53% of Democrats say they are “very likely.”
88% of people questions in rural Pennsylvania approve or strongly approve of Trump’s handling of the pandemic88% of people questions in rural Pennsylvania approve or strongly approve of Trump’s handling of the pandemic
As I say, it is niche and a small polling size, which skews towards Republicans because of the demographic in the areas surveyed, but it asked some interesting questions.As I say, it is niche and a small polling size, which skews towards Republicans because of the demographic in the areas surveyed, but it asked some interesting questions.
Read it here: Niskanen Center – Poll shows rural voters oppose USPS cutsRead it here: Niskanen Center – Poll shows rural voters oppose USPS cuts
There’s been a huge focus on the mechanics and logistics of the November election, with Trump’s attempts to undermine voting by mail.There’s been a huge focus on the mechanics and logistics of the November election, with Trump’s attempts to undermine voting by mail.
Ed Pilkington has been looking for us about how some sports teams are stepping in to help out:Ed Pilkington has been looking for us about how some sports teams are stepping in to help out:
Read it in full here: Sports teams tackle voting crisis with plan to turn arenas into polling stationsRead it in full here: Sports teams tackle voting crisis with plan to turn arenas into polling stations
Politico are reporting that Roger Stone has dropped his appeal against his seven felony convictions. Last month Donald Trump sparked outrage by commuting Stone’s prison sentence.Politico are reporting that Roger Stone has dropped his appeal against his seven felony convictions. Last month Donald Trump sparked outrage by commuting Stone’s prison sentence.
At the time, special counsel Robert Mueller weighed in declaring that “Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”At the time, special counsel Robert Mueller weighed in declaring that “Roger Stone remains a convicted felon, and rightly so.”
Stone was convicted in November 2019 of obstructing a congressional investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.Stone was convicted in November 2019 of obstructing a congressional investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican of Utah, described Trump’s decision back then as “unprecedented, historic corruption”.Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican of Utah, described Trump’s decision back then as “unprecedented, historic corruption”.
In a statement Stone said:In a statement Stone said:
This could be a 2+2=5 situation, but Trump yesterday told reporters that he was planning to pardon someone important today... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯This could be a 2+2=5 situation, but Trump yesterday told reporters that he was planning to pardon someone important today... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen her security name. Martin Pengelly reports for us:Kamala Harris has reportedly chosen her security name. Martin Pengelly reports for us:
Read it here: Kamala Harris reportedly chooses very apt Secret Service code nameRead it here: Kamala Harris reportedly chooses very apt Secret Service code name