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Biden attacks Trump's 'rushed and unprecedented' confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett – US politics live | Biden attacks Trump's 'rushed and unprecedented' confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett – US politics live |
(32 minutes later) | |
President hosted Barrett for swearing-in ceremony outside White House administered by Clarence Thomas | President hosted Barrett for swearing-in ceremony outside White House administered by Clarence Thomas |
The president is again asserting that the media will stop talking about Coronavirus on 4 November, as it is only being reported in the context of the election. | |
Here’s a contrary view in the replies to Trump’s tweet this morning. | |
And here are the latest figures, which show that contrary to the president’s assertion, the numbers do not appear to be rounding the turn. Daily new cases are currently 40% higher than they were two weeks ago. Daily deaths are currently 14% higher than they were two weeks ago. | |
On Sunday, Democratic nominee Joe Biden appeared to be confused about who he was contesting next week’s election against. The Trump campaign and Fox News seized on Biden’s hesitant and stuttering delivery when talking about ‘Four more years of, uh, George’, in an apparent reference to one of the George Bush’s. But all may not be as it initially appears. | |
In the interview segment, during Biden’s 25 October “I Will Vote” concert, appearing alongside his wife, the 77 year old Democratic nominee says: | |
“Not because I’m running, but because who I’m running against, this is the most consequential election in a long, long, long tim,” the Democratic nominee says. And the character of the country in my view is literally on the ballot. What kind of country we’re gonna be? Four more years of George, er, George eh... we’re gonna find ourselves in a position where if Trump gets elected we’re going to be in a different world.” | |
However, Biden supporters have been keen to explain the wider context of the clip – that Joe Biden was in the middle of being interviewed by George Lopez, and that the references to George are simply him responding to the interviewer by name. | |
In the full sequence, Lopez had just asked Biden why undecided Americans should vote and vote for him. | |
“He was addressing George Lopez, the interviewer, as is a common practice,” Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said of the row, then referenced Trump’s recent walk out on a 60 Seconds interview recording. “That is, unless, like Donald Trump, you blow a gasket and storm out because you can’t stomach being fact-checked.” | |
Donald Trump has given this explanation short shrift, tweeting yesterday that “The Fake News Cartel is working overtime to cover it up!”. | |
Steve Guest, the Republican’s rapid response director also defended his interpretation, telling the Washington Post: “Biden was talking about ‘four more years’ of President Trump and said the name ‘George’ instead. His wife is mouthing ‘Trump’ next to him in an attempt to save him and remind him who is currently president. Which explanation makes more sense? That Biden was expressing concern for 4 years of George Lopez as President.” | |
With two septuagenarian’s in the race to lead the world’s most powerful nation, the mental acuity of the candidates has been made into a campaign issue. The Trump campaign have repeatedly asserted, without evidence, that Biden has dementia or senility, and that he take performance-enhancing drugs in order to take part in TV debates. | |
And Trump invited derision upon himself earlier in the year when he explained that being able to remember the phrase ‘Person, woman, man, camera, TV’ was a very difficult part of a cognitive test he had taken. | |
We’ve got an online event you can take part in later today. Two-time Pulitzer prize winner Bob Woodward will talk about Rage, his revelatory book about the Trump presidency. | |
During hours of on-the-record interviews and presidential tours of the White House over seven volatile months, Trump talked to Woodward about the pandemic, race relations, the economy and many other subjects relating to his presidency. Rage is a vivid and revealing portrait of the president who, in Woodward’s final line, is “the wrong man for the job”. | |
As the election approaches, join the veteran investigative reporter to hear his insights of the Trump presidency, its turmoil, contradictions and risks. He’ll be talking to our Washington DC bureau chief, David Smith. In this livestreamed event, you will also have the chance to ask your own questions. | |
It all starts at 3pm if you are in New York, or 7pm if – like me – you are in London. You can find out more and book tickets here. | |
Here’s what the Economist has to say about the short, and long-term prospects, of Amy Coney Barrett’s judgements from the US supreme court bench. | Here’s what the Economist has to say about the short, and long-term prospects, of Amy Coney Barrett’s judgements from the US supreme court bench. |
Read more here: The Economist – Amy Coney Barrett is set to transform America’s Supreme Court | Read more here: The Economist – Amy Coney Barrett is set to transform America’s Supreme Court |
The president is awake, and suggesting that people change their already cast mailed-in votes from Democrat to Republican. | The president is awake, and suggesting that people change their already cast mailed-in votes from Democrat to Republican. |
Whether that is a wise move seven days out in an election where the Trump administration have been accused of gutting the USPS to slow down votes, and Republicans are actively trying to restrict the counting of mail-in ballots in the courts, well that’s for you to judge. | Whether that is a wise move seven days out in an election where the Trump administration have been accused of gutting the USPS to slow down votes, and Republicans are actively trying to restrict the counting of mail-in ballots in the courts, well that’s for you to judge. |
As Philadelphia experienced unrest last night over a police shooting, and Seattle marked 150 days of protest, Sam Levin in Los Angeles and Maanvi Singh in Phoenix bring us this report today on how, five months after the police killing of George Floyd, hundreds face trials and prison in America’s protest crackdown. | As Philadelphia experienced unrest last night over a police shooting, and Seattle marked 150 days of protest, Sam Levin in Los Angeles and Maanvi Singh in Phoenix bring us this report today on how, five months after the police killing of George Floyd, hundreds face trials and prison in America’s protest crackdown. |
Read more here: America’s protest crackdown: five months after George Floyd, hundreds face trials and prison | Read more here: America’s protest crackdown: five months after George Floyd, hundreds face trials and prison |
More here on events overnight in Philadelphia where hundreds took to the street to protest at the fatal shooting by police of 27 year old Walter Wallace, a Black man, yesterday. | More here on events overnight in Philadelphia where hundreds took to the street to protest at the fatal shooting by police of 27 year old Walter Wallace, a Black man, yesterday. |
Video of the confrontation between the police and Wallace recorded by a bystander and posted on social media shows officers pointing their guns at him as he walks in the street and around a car. He walks toward the officers as they back away from him in the street, guns still aimed at him. They yell at him to put his knife down. | Video of the confrontation between the police and Wallace recorded by a bystander and posted on social media shows officers pointing their guns at him as he walks in the street and around a car. He walks toward the officers as they back away from him in the street, guns still aimed at him. They yell at him to put his knife down. |
Some people spoke with city Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who arrived at the scene a short time after the shooting occurred, reports the Associated press | Some people spoke with city Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who arrived at the scene a short time after the shooting occurred, reports the Associated press |
“I heard and felt the anger of the community,” Outlaw said in a statement, adding that the video “raises many questions” and that “those questions will be fully addressed by the investigation.” | “I heard and felt the anger of the community,” Outlaw said in a statement, adding that the video “raises many questions” and that “those questions will be fully addressed by the investigation.” |
Wallace’s father, Walter Wallace Sr., told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his son was also a father, was on medication and struggled with mental health issues. | Wallace’s father, Walter Wallace Sr., told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his son was also a father, was on medication and struggled with mental health issues. |
“Why didn’t they use a taser?” he asked. “His mother was trying to defuse the situation. He has mental issues. Why you have to gun him down?” | “Why didn’t they use a taser?” he asked. “His mother was trying to defuse the situation. He has mental issues. Why you have to gun him down?” |
The shooting occurred before 4pm. as officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon, police spokesperson Tanya Little said. Officers were called to the Cobbs Creek neighborhood and encountered the man who was holding a knife, Little said. | The shooting occurred before 4pm. as officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon, police spokesperson Tanya Little said. Officers were called to the Cobbs Creek neighborhood and encountered the man who was holding a knife, Little said. |
Officers ordered Wallace to drop the knife, but he instead “advanced towards” them. Both officers then fired “several times,” Little said. | Officers ordered Wallace to drop the knife, but he instead “advanced towards” them. Both officers then fired “several times,” Little said. |
Wallace was hit in the shoulder and chest. One of the officers then put him in a police vehicle and drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Little said. | Wallace was hit in the shoulder and chest. One of the officers then put him in a police vehicle and drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Little said. |
One witness told the Inquirer that Wallace was on the street talking to his aunt when he saw police arrive. Wallace had a knife and was standing on the porch of his home, Maurice Holloway said, and officers immediately drew their guns. | One witness told the Inquirer that Wallace was on the street talking to his aunt when he saw police arrive. Wallace had a knife and was standing on the porch of his home, Maurice Holloway said, and officers immediately drew their guns. |
Hollaway said Wallace’s mother chased after him as he walked down the steps of his porch, still holding the knife, and then tried to shield Wallace and tell police he was her son. | Hollaway said Wallace’s mother chased after him as he walked down the steps of his porch, still holding the knife, and then tried to shield Wallace and tell police he was her son. |
“I’m yelling, ‘Put down the gun, put down the gun,’ and everyone is saying, ‘Don’t shoot him, he’s gonna put it down, we know him,’” said Holloway, 35 to the paper. | “I’m yelling, ‘Put down the gun, put down the gun,’ and everyone is saying, ‘Don’t shoot him, he’s gonna put it down, we know him,’” said Holloway, 35 to the paper. |
The Inquirer reports that at least one police vehicle was set on fire Monday night and destroyed, and several police officers were injured by bricks or other objects hurled from the crowd. One officer was hospitalized after getting run over by a speeding truck. | The Inquirer reports that at least one police vehicle was set on fire Monday night and destroyed, and several police officers were injured by bricks or other objects hurled from the crowd. One officer was hospitalized after getting run over by a speeding truck. |
Mayor Jim Kenney, in a statement Monday night, pledged a full investigation into the shooting that sparked the night. “My prayers are with the family and friends of Walter Wallace,” he said. “I have watched the video of this tragic incident and it presents difficult questions that must be answered. I spoke tonight with Mr. Wallace’s family, and will continue to reach out to hear their concerns firsthand, and to answer their questions to the extent that I am able.” | Mayor Jim Kenney, in a statement Monday night, pledged a full investigation into the shooting that sparked the night. “My prayers are with the family and friends of Walter Wallace,” he said. “I have watched the video of this tragic incident and it presents difficult questions that must be answered. I spoke tonight with Mr. Wallace’s family, and will continue to reach out to hear their concerns firsthand, and to answer their questions to the extent that I am able.” |
Reid Wilson offers this analysis for The Hill on why Biden holds a national lead going into the last week of the election campaign: People find him likeable. He also notes this is one of the reasons that 2020 is not a simple re-run of 2016. | Reid Wilson offers this analysis for The Hill on why Biden holds a national lead going into the last week of the election campaign: People find him likeable. He also notes this is one of the reasons that 2020 is not a simple re-run of 2016. |
Read more here: The Hill – The secret to Biden’s lead: People find him likable | Read more here: The Hill – The secret to Biden’s lead: People find him likable |
Our Today in Focus podcast this morning is looking at the US election and asking are Democrats taking black voters for granted in Wisconsin? | Our Today in Focus podcast this morning is looking at the US election and asking are Democrats taking black voters for granted in Wisconsin? |
Wisconsin has come to play a crucial role in deciding the presidential election. In 2008 and 2012, Barack Obama comfortably won there. But in 2016, Donald Trump took the state by a margin of just 23,000 votes. That year, 93,000 black voters in the city of Milwaukee stayed home on election day. | Wisconsin has come to play a crucial role in deciding the presidential election. In 2008 and 2012, Barack Obama comfortably won there. But in 2016, Donald Trump took the state by a margin of just 23,000 votes. That year, 93,000 black voters in the city of Milwaukee stayed home on election day. |
Our reporter Kenya Evelyn grew up in Milwaukee. She recently returned to see how this year’s pandemic, recession and Black Lives Matter protests are shifting the city’s politics. | Our reporter Kenya Evelyn grew up in Milwaukee. She recently returned to see how this year’s pandemic, recession and Black Lives Matter protests are shifting the city’s politics. |
She tells Mythili Rao what she heard when she spoke to black voters about what this election means to them. The Democrats had expected to hold their convention in Milwaukee – but when the pandemic forced the party to go virtual, an anticipated $200m economic boom instead spiralled into a substantial loss. The pivot was also the final straw for many of the city’s African American residents. Many activists told Evelyn that it could stifle local efforts to solicit enthusiasm for Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris. | She tells Mythili Rao what she heard when she spoke to black voters about what this election means to them. The Democrats had expected to hold their convention in Milwaukee – but when the pandemic forced the party to go virtual, an anticipated $200m economic boom instead spiralled into a substantial loss. The pivot was also the final straw for many of the city’s African American residents. Many activists told Evelyn that it could stifle local efforts to solicit enthusiasm for Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris. |
Talking of India, Sudarshan Varadhan reports for Reuters this morning from Thulasendrapuram, which he describes as a lush, green south Indian village that is praying for a Democratic Party’s victory in the presidential election. Why? Because the village, located about 320 km (200 miles) south of the city of Chennai, is where Kamala Harris’s maternal grandfather was born more than a century ago. The village is proudly displaying banners of Harris. | Talking of India, Sudarshan Varadhan reports for Reuters this morning from Thulasendrapuram, which he describes as a lush, green south Indian village that is praying for a Democratic Party’s victory in the presidential election. Why? Because the village, located about 320 km (200 miles) south of the city of Chennai, is where Kamala Harris’s maternal grandfather was born more than a century ago. The village is proudly displaying banners of Harris. |
Varadhan says residents beam with pride at what the first US senator of South Asian descent has already achieved, and many are rooting for an election result that will make her the second-most powerful person in the world’s richest country. | Varadhan says residents beam with pride at what the first US senator of South Asian descent has already achieved, and many are rooting for an election result that will make her the second-most powerful person in the world’s richest country. |
“From Thulasendrapuram to America”, declares one of the nearly dozen banners from where Harris smiles out in the village. “We, the people of Thulasendrapuram, wish for the electoral success of American vice president nominee Kamala Harris, whose ancestors were a native of Thulasendrapuram.” | “From Thulasendrapuram to America”, declares one of the nearly dozen banners from where Harris smiles out in the village. “We, the people of Thulasendrapuram, wish for the electoral success of American vice president nominee Kamala Harris, whose ancestors were a native of Thulasendrapuram.” |
Harris’s grandfather P.V. Gopalan and his family migrated to Chennai nearly 90 years ago, where he retired as a high-ranking government official. | Harris’s grandfather P.V. Gopalan and his family migrated to Chennai nearly 90 years ago, where he retired as a high-ranking government official. |
The banners, with messages written in Tamil, were put up on the directions of M. Gurunathan, the head of Thulasendrapuram’s village committee that oversees its more than 200 mostly farming families. | The banners, with messages written in Tamil, were put up on the directions of M. Gurunathan, the head of Thulasendrapuram’s village committee that oversees its more than 200 mostly farming families. |
“We are really hoping she wins,” said Gurunathan, who is planning to hold a special prayer at the local temple on election day. “The village has received global fame because of her. She is our pride.” | “We are really hoping she wins,” said Gurunathan, who is planning to hold a special prayer at the local temple on election day. “The village has received global fame because of her. She is our pride.” |
Harris’s name is also seen sculpted into a stone that lists public donations made to the temple, along with that of her grandfather who had donated decades ago. Her aunt offered 5,000 rupees ($67) in her name after she was appointed the attorney general of California, the temple’s caretaker, S.V. Ramanan, said. | Harris’s name is also seen sculpted into a stone that lists public donations made to the temple, along with that of her grandfather who had donated decades ago. Her aunt offered 5,000 rupees ($67) in her name after she was appointed the attorney general of California, the temple’s caretaker, S.V. Ramanan, said. |
Also on a foreign policy front, secretary of state Mike Pompeo is in India at the moment. He has paid respects at the National War Memorial, and then stated India and the United States are cooperating to take on all threats, including China. | Also on a foreign policy front, secretary of state Mike Pompeo is in India at the moment. He has paid respects at the National War Memorial, and then stated India and the United States are cooperating to take on all threats, including China. |
“Today is a new opportunity for two great democracies like ours to grow closer,” Pompeo said before the talks with Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh. | “Today is a new opportunity for two great democracies like ours to grow closer,” Pompeo said before the talks with Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh. |
“There is much more work to do for sure. We have a lot to discuss today: Our cooperation on the pandemic that originated in Wuhan, to confronting the Chinese Communist Party’s threats to security and freedom to promoting peace and stability throughout the region.* | “There is much more work to do for sure. We have a lot to discuss today: Our cooperation on the pandemic that originated in Wuhan, to confronting the Chinese Communist Party’s threats to security and freedom to promoting peace and stability throughout the region.* |
The two countries have signed an agreement on sharing geospatial data, which Singh has said is a “significant achievement”. | The two countries have signed an agreement on sharing geospatial data, which Singh has said is a “significant achievement”. |
On coronavirus, Pompeo said US companies are making efforts to sell Gilead’s Remdesivir drug to India. India is on course to shortly reach 8 million cases, and has the second highest case count in the world behind the US. | On coronavirus, Pompeo said US companies are making efforts to sell Gilead’s Remdesivir drug to India. India is on course to shortly reach 8 million cases, and has the second highest case count in the world behind the US. |
China, perhaps unsurprisingly, has not taken too kindly to Pompeo’s words. Reuters report that Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news briefing in Beijing. “We urge Pompeo to abandon his Cold War mentality, zero-sum mindset, and stop harping on the ‘China threat’”. | China, perhaps unsurprisingly, has not taken too kindly to Pompeo’s words. Reuters report that Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news briefing in Beijing. “We urge Pompeo to abandon his Cold War mentality, zero-sum mindset, and stop harping on the ‘China threat’”. |