NEW THINGS: @5:56, , 10/8/20

Campaigns Spar Over Debate Plan After Trump Rejects Virtual Face-Off

Michael M. Grynbaum and Maggie Haberman, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 34 minutes ago

The Trump campaign suggested new dates as Joe Biden made plans for a televised town hall. “American voters are the losers,” a member of the debate commission said.

Debates are conflicting opinions built on facts.

Verbal assault has no place in debate.

Trump and Pence defaulted.

Harris vs. Pence: Coronavirus Takes Center Stage in Debate

Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris met in a face-off that was more civil than the unruly presidential event but featured sharp exchanges over the virus, China policy, job creation and health care.

Pence does not know the facts.

Trump Fund-Raiser Elliott Broidy Charged in Lobbying Case

Kenneth P. Vogel, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

Federal authorities accused him of violating lobbying laws in his unsuccessful efforts to resolve an investigation into the embezzlement of the Malaysian investment fund 1MDB.

Trump's is the best government money can buy.

The head of the White House security office is critically ill with Covid-19.

Maggie Haberman and Helene Cooper, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

Wearing a mask helps everyone.

It is a democratic gesture.

Why Don’t Young People Vote?

Alexandria Symonds, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

They don’t outvote their elders anywhere in the world. But our analysis of global voter data found that in places where more older people vote, more younger people vote, too.

Children must learn to distrust perfection.

U.S. Unemployment Claims Remained Elevated Last Week

Ben Casselman, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

More than 800,000 Americans filed new applications for state unemployment benefits.

The economy is slow to implode.

Tech Platform Censorship & The Great QAnon Facebook Purge

Ian Welsh, Ian Welsh - 4 hours ago

So, Facebook has cracked down on QAnon, removing essentially all QAnon pages and groups. BOOM. Obviously QAnon is bunk. As I noted earlier it’s right in the broad sense: yes, we are ruled by pedophiles as any casual acquaintance with the Epstein case will tell you, no, Trump is not at war with them except […]

Censorship is always based in prejudice.

It occurs wherever there is thought.

Its use is thoughtless.

Mike Pence, Peerless Trump Defender, Confronts His Limits in Debate

Matt Flegenheimer and Annie Karni, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

During an orderly debate, the vice president deflected criticism of the Trump administration’s pandemic response, something Kamala Harris said “clearly” hasn’t worked.

Mike Pence does not have his own opinions.

He must clear things with his bosses.

What We Learned from the Mike Pence vs Kamala Harris Debate

Shane Goldmacher, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

Kamala Harris tried to make it about Trump and Mike Pence tried to make it about the economy, but in the end, a fly generated most of the buzz.

The fly out weighed Mike Pence.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/09/us/trump-vs-biden

Friends Recall Hearing Claims by Trump Accuser Amy Dorris in 1997

Jodi Kantor, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Amy Dorris recently went public with accusations that Donald J. Trump assaulted her at the U.S. Open that year. Two friends say she told them the same story shortly after she attended the event.

The reported events fit the reported Trump behavior pattern.

Under Pence, Politics Regularly Seeped Into the Coronavirus Task Force

Mark Mazzetti, Noah Weiland and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

In taking a leading role in managing the White House’s response to the pandemic, the vice president and his team had an agenda that extended beyond public health.

Trump does not command a viral infection. It is only mindlessly encouraged.

Kamala Harris faced a double standard on the debate stage.

Maggie Astor, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

Kamala Harris is doubly stereotyped.

Mike Pence, Kamala Harris and the Fly

Vanessa Friedman, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

It was a night of somber, serious suits and signals for both Kamala Harris and Mike Pence. Then the bug arrived.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_G._Harding

The Fly on Pence's Head, Memes and Tweets from the Vice Presidential Debate

Nick Corasaniti, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

What animated social media during the debate between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence? It was a fly, mostly.

"Don't shout and wave it about The rest will be wanting one too."

The Standout Video Moments of the Vice-Presidential Debate

Astead W. Herndon and Adam Nagourney, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

The vice-presidential matchup, far less combative than its presidential predecessor the week before, was marked by flashes of tension and political chess moves.

Only the fly.

Oh, the Memories of Normal Debates

Lisa Lerer, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

Remember when debates were staid, uneventful and just kind of boring? In many respects, last night’s vice-presidential matchup seemed like a blast from the past.

Debates do not predate Richard Nixon.

Lincoln - Douglas was not between candidates. it was not well reported.

Who Won the VP Debate? Experts Weigh In

Jeremy W. Peters, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

Compared with the presidential debate, this one was almost normal — including the sharply partisan divide over who came out on top.

Trump lost.

Pence Attacks Biden for Failing to Rescue Kayla Mueller

Glenn Thrush, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The policy was not to rescue hostages.

An exchange about Breonna Taylor and George Floyd crystallizes the candidates’ opposing views on racial justice.

Maggie Astor, NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

Trump is an overt racist.