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Amy Coney Barrett committee vote due before Trump and Biden head for debate – US politics live Amy Coney Barrett committee vote due before Trump and Biden head for debate – live
(32 minutes later)
Democrats to boycott Senate judiciary committee vote on Barrett nominationDemocrats to boycott Senate judiciary committee vote on Barrett nomination
We had a live online panel discussion this week featuring our senior political reporters Daniel Strauss and Lauren Gambino and the Guardian’s US columnist Richard Wolffe discussing the US election. Jonathan Freedland was in the chair. If you missed it, then it is now available as a podcast.
The president is up and tweeting – his first couple of tweets were ‘Depression!’ and ‘Virginia!’. Amazing! He’s just returned to the theme of the CBS interview that he abruptly ended the taping of this week.
Describing it as a “vicious attempted ‘takeout’ interview”, he complains that he was frequently interrupted and is promising again to share the footage before the actual air date of the interview.
Trump will be taking part in the final televised debate today, where he can be reassured that thanks to new rules on mic muting, Joe Biden will not be able to interrupt or talk across him for at least two minutes during each of the topic segments.
Barack Obama has just tweeted that he has voted by mail, along with an instructional video about how to vote.
“Generally I don’t share my ballot,” says the former president, “In this case though I think you all know, I’m voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
In an attempt to demystify the voting by mail process, he also urges the American public to vote ‘back and front’ on their ballots.
Obama also lays on the line what he sees is at stake during the 2020 election, saying that voting is “part of our responsibility as a democracy”.
He also adds that the voting pack includes instructions for how to peel the “I voted” sticker that comes with it. “I didn’t really actually have to read” jokes Obama.
The video release was carefully co-ordinated with the Biden campaign, with the nominee sharing the video almost immediately after.
CNN have a piece this morning looking at how the two major parties are preparing their respective armies of ‘poll watchers’ for election day.CNN have a piece this morning looking at how the two major parties are preparing their respective armies of ‘poll watchers’ for election day.
There’s clearly a useful reason for having poll watchers, although the roll has been abused in the past – in 1981 a Republican ‘task force’ intimidated voters at the polls.There’s clearly a useful reason for having poll watchers, although the roll has been abused in the past – in 1981 a Republican ‘task force’ intimidated voters at the polls.
However, this year there is a particular concern about the way that the president has been mobilising his support.However, this year there is a particular concern about the way that the president has been mobilising his support.
Read more here: CNN – How the campaigns are preparing to deploy thousands of poll watchersRead more here: CNN – How the campaigns are preparing to deploy thousands of poll watchers
The TASS news agency in Russia has cited Edward Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena saying that Russia has granted the US whistleblower permanent residency rights.The TASS news agency in Russia has cited Edward Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena saying that Russia has granted the US whistleblower permanent residency rights.
Snowden flew to Russia from Hong Kong in June 2013. At first, because his US passport had been cancelled, authorities compelled him to stay in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. After 39 days he was allowed to leave, and has since been relying on repeatedly extended temporary asylum to stay in the country.Snowden flew to Russia from Hong Kong in June 2013. At first, because his US passport had been cancelled, authorities compelled him to stay in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport. After 39 days he was allowed to leave, and has since been relying on repeatedly extended temporary asylum to stay in the country.
There’s been quite the online reaction to the scenes of Rudy Giuliani in the new Borat movie. In the film the former New York mayor and current personal attorney to Donald Trump is seen reaching into his trousers and apparently touching his genitals while reclining on a bed in the presence of the actor playing Borat’s daughter, who is posing as a TV journalist.There’s been quite the online reaction to the scenes of Rudy Giuliani in the new Borat movie. In the film the former New York mayor and current personal attorney to Donald Trump is seen reaching into his trousers and apparently touching his genitals while reclining on a bed in the presence of the actor playing Borat’s daughter, who is posing as a TV journalist.
It’s just one release in the run-up to the US election seeking to make a political impact. Charles Bramesco writes for us this morning asking can entertainment really affect an election?It’s just one release in the run-up to the US election seeking to make a political impact. Charles Bramesco writes for us this morning asking can entertainment really affect an election?
Read more here: Borat v Trump – can entertainment really affect an election?Read more here: Borat v Trump – can entertainment really affect an election?
The Washington Post’s over-worked fact-checkers have written this morning that in the run-up to the election, Trump is averaging more than 50 false or misleading claims a day. You’ve got to feel for them…The Washington Post’s over-worked fact-checkers have written this morning that in the run-up to the election, Trump is averaging more than 50 false or misleading claims a day. You’ve got to feel for them…
They’ve now classified as many as 48 things as “Bottomless Pinocchios” – false claims that have been repeated twenty times or more.They’ve now classified as many as 48 things as “Bottomless Pinocchios” – false claims that have been repeated twenty times or more.
Read more here: Trump is averaging more than 50 false or misleading claims a dayRead more here: Trump is averaging more than 50 false or misleading claims a day
Here’s a little run-down of some of the things we can expect to see later today.Here’s a little run-down of some of the things we can expect to see later today.
President Donald Trump heads from the White House at lunchtime to make his was to Nashville, Tennessee. He’ll have a roundtable with supporters at 4pm, and then at 9pm it’s the day’s main event: the TV debate with Joe Biden.President Donald Trump heads from the White House at lunchtime to make his was to Nashville, Tennessee. He’ll have a roundtable with supporters at 4pm, and then at 9pm it’s the day’s main event: the TV debate with Joe Biden.
Vice president Mike Pence meanwhile is campaigning at ‘Make America Great Again; events in Waterford Township, Michigan. That will be at 12.35pm. He’ll then be at Fort Wayne, Indiana at 4.30pm for a second event.Vice president Mike Pence meanwhile is campaigning at ‘Make America Great Again; events in Waterford Township, Michigan. That will be at 12.35pm. He’ll then be at Fort Wayne, Indiana at 4.30pm for a second event.
Joe Biden’s only engagement today is the debate, while Kamala Harris will takes part in a ‘Women Mobilize for Biden’ virtual rally.Joe Biden’s only engagement today is the debate, while Kamala Harris will takes part in a ‘Women Mobilize for Biden’ virtual rally.
Up on Capitol Hill the Senate judiciary committee debates and votes on nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be a justice on the supreme court from 9am. Chuck Schumer and other Democrats will hold a press conference at around 10.15am following their boycott of the markup.And Trump-Biden isn’t the only debate tonight. In Maine, in what is looking like a competitive race, Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Sara Gideon take part in a debate ahead of the US Senate election. The last couple of polls in the race have given Gideon the edge.Up on Capitol Hill the Senate judiciary committee debates and votes on nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be a justice on the supreme court from 9am. Chuck Schumer and other Democrats will hold a press conference at around 10.15am following their boycott of the markup.And Trump-Biden isn’t the only debate tonight. In Maine, in what is looking like a competitive race, Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Sara Gideon take part in a debate ahead of the US Senate election. The last couple of polls in the race have given Gideon the edge.
Xochitl Oseguera writes for us today about the secret weapon being used to reach Latino voters – WhatsApp.Xochitl Oseguera writes for us today about the secret weapon being used to reach Latino voters – WhatsApp.
Read more here: Xochitl Oseguera – Our secret weapon for reaching Latino voters? WhatsAppRead more here: Xochitl Oseguera – Our secret weapon for reaching Latino voters? WhatsApp
Susan Page for USA Today gives us this assessment of what the candidates need to do at tonight’s debate. She says for Joe Biden it’s a much simpler task: don’t rock the boat. She quotes Alan Schroeder, a Northeastern University professor and author of ‘Presidential Debates: 50 Years of High-Risk TV.’Susan Page for USA Today gives us this assessment of what the candidates need to do at tonight’s debate. She says for Joe Biden it’s a much simpler task: don’t rock the boat. She quotes Alan Schroeder, a Northeastern University professor and author of ‘Presidential Debates: 50 Years of High-Risk TV.’
But Page also points out that maybe there isn’t much chance of shifting the dial, because there isn’t much on offer to shift.But Page also points out that maybe there isn’t much chance of shifting the dial, because there isn’t much on offer to shift.
Page reports that Trump strategists predict he will moderate his rhetoric in this final debate, but she notes:Page reports that Trump strategists predict he will moderate his rhetoric in this final debate, but she notes:
Read more here: USA Today – Last chance for a long ball: Can Trump use the Nashville debate to shake up a race he’s losing to Biden?Read more here: USA Today – Last chance for a long ball: Can Trump use the Nashville debate to shake up a race he’s losing to Biden?
Here’s another clip from Barack Obama’s campaign appearances yesterday.Here’s another clip from Barack Obama’s campaign appearances yesterday.
Ahead of a drive-in rally for Joe Biden, during a discussion with black male community leaders, the former president praised young Black Lives Matter demonstrators, saying they gave him ‘optimism’.Ahead of a drive-in rally for Joe Biden, during a discussion with black male community leaders, the former president praised young Black Lives Matter demonstrators, saying they gave him ‘optimism’.
At his Philadelphia campaign event, Obama emphasized the need for young voters to make it to the polls to ensure a better future for the country.At his Philadelphia campaign event, Obama emphasized the need for young voters to make it to the polls to ensure a better future for the country.
As sure as night follows day, Russia has followed Iran in responding to the FBI assertion that it was interfering with the US election.As sure as night follows day, Russia has followed Iran in responding to the FBI assertion that it was interfering with the US election.
The Kremlin has this morning denied the allegations, calling the accusations of hacking unfounded.The Kremlin has this morning denied the allegations, calling the accusations of hacking unfounded.
Years before anti-mask and reopening demonstrations, vaccine opponents were working on reinventing their image around a rallying cry of civil liberties and medical freedom. Now, boosted by the coronavirus pandemic and current political climate, their rebranding is appealing to a different subset of society invested in civil liberties and, some health officials say, undercutting public health efforts during a critical moment for vaccines.Years before anti-mask and reopening demonstrations, vaccine opponents were working on reinventing their image around a rallying cry of civil liberties and medical freedom. Now, boosted by the coronavirus pandemic and current political climate, their rebranding is appealing to a different subset of society invested in civil liberties and, some health officials say, undercutting public health efforts during a critical moment for vaccines.
Beatrice Dupuy, part of the Associated Press’ news verification team, reports that a new analysis from several institutions has found that between 2009 to 2019, conversations around civil liberties in the anti-vaccine community had increased, with Facebook pages framing vaccines as an issue of values and civil rights.Beatrice Dupuy, part of the Associated Press’ news verification team, reports that a new analysis from several institutions has found that between 2009 to 2019, conversations around civil liberties in the anti-vaccine community had increased, with Facebook pages framing vaccines as an issue of values and civil rights.
Researchers reviewed over 200 Facebook pages supporting vaccine refusal for their paper published in the American Journal of Public Health this month. David A. Broniatowski, the paper’s lead author, said current protests against government lockdowns and masks took their pages directly from the anti-vaccine playbook.Researchers reviewed over 200 Facebook pages supporting vaccine refusal for their paper published in the American Journal of Public Health this month. David A. Broniatowski, the paper’s lead author, said current protests against government lockdowns and masks took their pages directly from the anti-vaccine playbook.
“We could’ve seen it coming,” said Broniatowski, an associate professor at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. “This was all happening right under our noses, and it’s continuing to happen.”“We could’ve seen it coming,” said Broniatowski, an associate professor at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. “This was all happening right under our noses, and it’s continuing to happen.”
Anita Garcia has been protesting vaccines for years and recently took part in protests against the flu mandate in Massachusetts, where she is from. Garcia is a member of a Facebook group called “Massachusetts for Medical Freedom.”Anita Garcia has been protesting vaccines for years and recently took part in protests against the flu mandate in Massachusetts, where she is from. Garcia is a member of a Facebook group called “Massachusetts for Medical Freedom.”
She said that with the flu mandate demonstrations, she is seeing protesters turn out to object to what they consider government overreach. “All you can do is try to fight for your freedom,” Garcia said. “We are for medical freedom, bodily autonomy. Our bodies are ours, not for someone else to govern.”She said that with the flu mandate demonstrations, she is seeing protesters turn out to object to what they consider government overreach. “All you can do is try to fight for your freedom,” Garcia said. “We are for medical freedom, bodily autonomy. Our bodies are ours, not for someone else to govern.”
Vaccines, though, save lives 2 to 3 million a year, according to World Health Organization estimates. And vaccines have all but eliminated from American life such childhood diseases as measles, which regularly infected 3 to 4 million people a year in the United States before a vaccine was developed.Vaccines, though, save lives 2 to 3 million a year, according to World Health Organization estimates. And vaccines have all but eliminated from American life such childhood diseases as measles, which regularly infected 3 to 4 million people a year in the United States before a vaccine was developed.
Historically, the anti-vaccine community has been known for its concerns around vaccine safety and the long debunked theory that vaccines cause autism. Broniatowski and researchers found, though, that civil liberties have emerged as a common narrative among vaccine refusal pages on Facebook, including those who also supported alternative medicine and conspiracy theories about the pharmaceutical industry and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.Historically, the anti-vaccine community has been known for its concerns around vaccine safety and the long debunked theory that vaccines cause autism. Broniatowski and researchers found, though, that civil liberties have emerged as a common narrative among vaccine refusal pages on Facebook, including those who also supported alternative medicine and conspiracy theories about the pharmaceutical industry and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
The rebranding to emphasize liberties is allowing vaccine opponents to exploit American reactions to the pandemic, said Dorit Reiss, a University of California Hastings law professor who specializes in policy issues related to vaccines.The rebranding to emphasize liberties is allowing vaccine opponents to exploit American reactions to the pandemic, said Dorit Reiss, a University of California Hastings law professor who specializes in policy issues related to vaccines.
“I do think we are seeing an increase in people in support of them just because more people are vulnerable, upset and distrustful,” Reiss said. “And the anti-vaccine movement knows exactly what to say.”“I do think we are seeing an increase in people in support of them just because more people are vulnerable, upset and distrustful,” Reiss said. “And the anti-vaccine movement knows exactly what to say.”
In May, a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 31 percent of Americans were unsure if they would get the Covid-19 vaccine once released.In May, a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 31 percent of Americans were unsure if they would get the Covid-19 vaccine once released.
“You can see the consequences to these groups sowing distrust around vaccines. And they really matter, and they are going to come out in this pandemic,” said Mark Dredze, associate professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University and one of the paper’s authors.“You can see the consequences to these groups sowing distrust around vaccines. And they really matter, and they are going to come out in this pandemic,” said Mark Dredze, associate professor of computer science at Johns Hopkins University and one of the paper’s authors.
Jessica Glenza has the latest coronavirus news for us, reporting that Covid cases continue to increase across the US as the upper midwest sees a rapid rise.Jessica Glenza has the latest coronavirus news for us, reporting that Covid cases continue to increase across the US as the upper midwest sees a rapid rise.
Read more here: Covid cases increase across US as upper midwest sees rapid riseRead more here: Covid cases increase across US as upper midwest sees rapid rise
Here are the latest numbers in graphic form.Here are the latest numbers in graphic form.
Just a little more on that Iran situation, there’s a quick snap from Reuters that Iran has summoned the Swiss envoy to protest against what it called “baseless” FBI claims that Tehran has tried to interfere with the 2020 presidential election.Just a little more on that Iran situation, there’s a quick snap from Reuters that Iran has summoned the Swiss envoy to protest against what it called “baseless” FBI claims that Tehran has tried to interfere with the 2020 presidential election.
“Iran’s strong rejection of American officials’ repetitive, baseless and false claims was conveyed to the Swiss ambassador...As we have said before, it makes no difference for Iran who wins the US election,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told state TV.“Iran’s strong rejection of American officials’ repetitive, baseless and false claims was conveyed to the Swiss ambassador...As we have said before, it makes no difference for Iran who wins the US election,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told state TV.
Switzerland represents US interests in Iran because Washington and Tehran have no formal official diplomatic ties.Switzerland represents US interests in Iran because Washington and Tehran have no formal official diplomatic ties.