Who’s Running For President In 2020
Former Vice President Joe Biden is challenging President Donald Trump.
Following Democrats’ sweeping victories in the House of Representatives during the 2018 midterm elections, many in the party were eagerly anticipating the 2020 presidential election and the opportunity to unseat President Donald Trump.
The field of candidates was large — even as some candidates dropped out, more seemed to throw their hats in the ring. In November, for example, two people who had earlier ruled out 2020 runs launched presidential campaigns.
Following Super Tuesday, the Democrats still in the running were former Vice President Joe Biden, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Gabbard suspended her campaign on March 19 and in April, Sanders suspended his campaign amid the novel coronavirus pandemic that roiled the 2020 election cycle.
Three Republican challengers also declared their intention to run, even as some state party officials were canceling their nominating contests. All three have since suspended their runs in the Republican primary.
Here’s who is running:
Biden And Trump Backers Priorities Expectations About Voter Access
Trump supporters overwhelmingly say it is very important that ineligible voters are prevented from casting ballots in the presidential election, yet far fewer are confident that this will happen: 93% say it is at least somewhat important , but only about a third say they are confident that ineligible voters will be prevented from voting this year.
Among Biden supporters, in contrast, more than eight-in-ten say they are at least somewhat confident that ineligible voters will be prevented from voting modestly larger than the 78% who say this is at least somewhat important.
Conversely, although about three-quarters of Biden voters say they are at least somewhat confident that all voters who are legally qualified and want to vote will be able to cast a ballot, nearly all say it is important that they be able to do so. Among Trump supporters, more than nine-in-ten say both that they are confident that all eligible voters will be able to cast ballots and that this is important .
Among Biden supporters, White voters are somewhat more likely than Black and Hispanic voters to say it is very important that all eligible voters be allowed to vote and are somewhat less likely to say they are very confident that this will be the case .
Trump Hoarded Gossip On World Leaders He Didnt Like
Donald Trump relished collecting personal details about fellow world leaders during his time as president, according to a new report.
Insiders tell the New York Times that during intelligence briefings, the otherwise-bored commander-in-chief would perk up when security agencies relayed the innermost details they had gleaned about the lives of Canadas Justin Trudeau, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys then-chancellor Angela Merkel.
Johanna Chisholm has the story.
Insiders claim Trump perked up when personal details about his counterparts were mentioned in intelligence briefings
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Mike Pence Went To Lengths To Distance Himself From His Former Boss
Just hours earlier, former US vice-president Mike Pence delivered his own address nearby, and used his time to distance himself from Mr Trump.
While Mr Trump remained consumed by the election he falsely claims was stolen from him, Mr Pence urged conservatives to stop looking backwards and focus on the future.
Some people may choose to focus on the past, but elections are about the future, Mr Pence said to a conservative student group, the Young Americas Foundation.
I believe conservatives must focus on the future to win back America. We cant afford to take our eyes off the road in front of us because whats at stake is the very survival of our way of life.
In order to win, conservatives need to do more than criticise and complain. We must unite our movement behind a bold, optimistic agenda, he said.
In his speech, he repeatedly touted the Trump-Pence administration.
But the first question he received during a brief question-and-answer session was about his growing split with Mr Trump, which is particularly stark given the years he spent as the former presidents most loyal sidekick.
Mr Pence denied the two differ on issues, but acknowledged, we may differ on focus.
ABC/wires
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Is Donald Trump Under Investigation
For almost the first time in his presidency, the answer appears to be no. The first two years of his administration were defined by the looming investigation of the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who in March 2019 wrapped up his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mr. Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether Mr. Trump illegally obstructed justice, but found no evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Mr. Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives months after the Russia investigation concluded, for seeking to pressure Ukraine to smear his political rivals. In February, after five months of hearings, Mr. Trump was acquitted in the Senate, along party lines, of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
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“I get the audacity of somebody like me talking about running for this office, but frankly it’s a leap for anybody,” Buttigieg said on ABC’s “This Week” in February. “And yet all of the people who had that job have been mortals who just bring their experience to the table. My experience is that of guiding a city through transformation, and I think a mayor at any level has the kind of executive frontline government experience and, by the way, problem-solving experience that we need more in Washington right now.”
Late on March 1, following the South Carolina primary and ahead of Super Tuesday, he said “the path has narrowed to a close” and announced that he was suspending his 2020 presidential campaign.
Whos Running For President In 2020
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Trump in the 2020 race.
The field of Democratic presidential candidates was historically large, but all others have dropped out. Mr. Trump had also picked up a few Republican challengers, but they have also ended their campaigns.
Running
Has run for president twice before.
Is known for his down-to-earth personality and his ability to connect with working-class voters.
His eight years as Barack Obamas vice president are a major selling point for many Democrats.
Signature issues: Restoring Americas standing on the global stage adding a public option to the Affordable Care Act strengthening economic protections for low-income workers in industries like manufacturing and fast food.
Main legislative accomplishment as president: a sweeping tax cut that chiefly benefited corporations and wealthy investors.
Has focused on undoing the policies of the Obama administration, including on health care, environmental regulation and immigration.
Was impeached by the House of Representatives for seeking to pressure Ukraine to smear his political rivals, but was acquitted by the Senate.
Signature issues: Restricting immigration and building a wall at the Mexican border renegotiating or canceling international deals on trade, arms control and climate change withdrawing American troops from overseas.
Ended her campaign in March 2020 and said she would back Mr. Biden.
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Promotion Of Conspiracy Theories
Before and throughout his presidency, Trump has promoted numerous conspiracy theories, including , the theory, , the theory, , a involving , linking talk show host to the death of a staffer, alleged foul-play in the death of Justice , , and that and Obama and Biden had members of killed. In at least two instances, Trump clarified to press that he also believed the conspiracy theory in question.
During and since the 2020 presidential election, Trump has promoted various conspiracy theories for his defeat including dead people voting, voting machines changing or deleting Trump votes, fraudulent mail-in voting, throwing out Trump votes, and “finding” suitcases full of Biden votes.
Trump Sues Cnn For Defamation May Act Against Jan 6 Panel
Former US president Donald Trump sued CNN on Monday, accusing the cable television news network of defamation and seeking $475 million in punitive damages.
Trump, in the lawsuit filed in a US District Court in Florida, accused CNN of waging a campaign of “libel and slander” against him because it “fears” he will run for president again in 2024.
“CNN has sought to use its massive influence — purportedly as a ‘trusted’ news source — to defame the plaintiff in the minds of its viewers and readers for the purpose of defeating him politically,” Trump’s lawyers said in the 29-page complaint.
In a follow-up statement laced with outrage, Trump said Monday that “in the coming weeks and months we will also be filing lawsuits against a large number of other Fake News Media Companies for their lies, defamation, and wrongdoing,” notably regarding coverage of the 2020 election.
The 76-year-old Republican also said his team “may bring appropriate action against” the congressional committee currently investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters, saying the panel refused to probe “the massive Presidential Election Fraud” which he insists occurred.
Trump, who requested a jury trial, had a caustic relationship with CNN and other major news outlets like The New York Times during his term, branding them “fake news” and repeatedly raging against them on social media.
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Lafayette Square Protester Removal And Photo Op
On June 1, 2020, federal law enforcement officials used batons, rubber bullets, projectiles, , and smoke to remove a largely peaceful crowd of protesters from , outside the . Trump then walked to , where protesters had set a small fire the night before he posed for photographs holding a Bible, with senior administration officials later joining him in photos. Trump said on June 3 that the protesters were cleared because “they tried to burn down the church and almost succeeded”, describing the church as “badly hurt”.
Religious leaders condemned the treatment of protesters and the photo opportunity itself. Many retired military leaders and defense officials condemned Trump’s proposal to use the U.S. military against anti-police brutality protesters. The chairman of the , General , later apologized for accompanying Trump on the walk and thereby “creat the perception of the military involved in domestic politics”.
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On Feb. 7, three days after the Iowa caucuses, Walsh ended his long-shot bid.
“Iâve suspended my campaign because Iâve concluded that no one can beat Trump in a Republican nomination — not me, not anyone,” Walsh said in a statement. “That was crystal clear to me this week when I stood in front of 3,000 Iowa Republicans and was booed and jeered at for saying we deserve a president who is honest, decent and puts the country first. The Republican party has become a cult.”
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Rachel Maddow: Merrick Garland Gave Donald Trump A Reason To Announce 2024 Presidential Run Early
Attorney General Merrick Garland is extending a policy that mandates he sign off personally on any Department of Justice investigations of presidential candidates and their affiliates, citing âelection year sensitivities.â The previously unprecedented policy was first instated in February 2020 by former AG William Barr and was largely seen at the time as a means of protecting Donald Trump.
The news broke Monday night with exclusive excerpts of the memo on âThe Rachel Maddow Show,â where the host revealed that Garland first sent the memo in May 2022.
While much of the memoâs contents were standard practice, the stipulation in question reads: âNo investigation may be opened or initiated by the Department or any of its law enforcement agencies: 1. Of a Declared candidate for president or vice president, a presidential campaign, or a senior presidential campaign staff member or advisor absent prior written notification to and consultation with the Assistant Attorney General and U.S. Attorney with jurisdiction over the matter and written approval of the Attorney General, through the Deputy Attorney General.â
Putting it in laymanâs terms, Maddow emphasized: âIn essence, nobodyâs allowed to investigate anybody connected to a presidential candidate without his permission, personally, as AG.â
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Fort Lee Lane Closure Scandal
On January 9, two days after nominating Stepien for the chairmanship of the New Jersey Republican Party, Christie announced that he had âlost my confidence in Billâs judgment,â and he asked Stepien to withdraw his name from consideration. The turnaround was a result of Stepienâs work on Christieâs re-election campaign, where he became embroiled in the to the . This was enacted by Christieâs staff as political retribution toward the Mayor of Fort Lee, NJ for his failure to support Christies campaign. The closure of the Fort Lee bridge entrance caused massive delays and gridlock in New Jersey traffic including that from Fort Lee. Deputy Chief of Staff for Christie and romantically involved with Stepien, Appointee to the , and Appointee to the were all found guilty. Stepien was fired.
In the trial in September 2016 about the lanes closures, federal prosecution witness said that Stepien was aware of the lane closures as they were happening.
Stepien then received a subpoena to submit documents to the panel investigating the lane closures. In a 19-page letter sent to Reid Schar, Special Counsel to the joint Senate and Assembly committee, Stepienâs lawyer cited Stepiens privilege against compelled self-incrimination, noting that in addition to the legislative probe, a federal criminal inquiry into the lane closures was also underway.
Republican reactions to Donald Trumpâs claims of 2020 election fraudTexas v. Pennsylvaniaamicus curiae
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Support From The Far Right
According to Michael Barkun, the Trump campaign was remarkable for bringing fringe ideas, beliefs, and organizations into the mainstream. During his presidential campaign, Trump was accused of pandering to white supremacists. He retweeted open racists, and repeatedly refused to condemn David Duke, the Ku Klux Klan or white supremacists, in an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, saying he would first need to “do research” because he knew nothing about Duke or white supremacists. Duke himself enthusiastically supported Trump throughout the 2016 primary and election, and has said he and like-minded people voted for Trump because of his promises to “take our country back”. Trump was later reported to have praised Adolf Hitler to his chief of staff John Kelly, opining that “Hitler did a lot of good things,” and also reportedly kept a volume of Hitler’s speeches on his bedside cabinet when he was younger, and was often compared to Hitler in the media during his 2016 campaign.
After repeated questioning by reporters, Trump said he disavowed David Duke and the KKK. Trump said on MSNBC‘s Morning Joe: “I disavowed him. I disavowed the KKK. Do you want me to do it again for the 12th time? I disavowed him in the past, I disavow him now.”
Sen Susan Collins Warns Of Murder Threat To Lawmakers Amid Violent Rhetoric
Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had made up his mind about whether he would seek to regain the White House in 2024, but declined to actually say whether he would launch yet another presidential campaign.
Youre not going to answer, but I have to ask, Fox News host Sean Hannity told Trump at a town hall event in Edinburg, Texas.
Where are you in the process, or let me ask you this, without giving the answer have you made up your mind?
Yes, Trump responded, generating applause from the friendly audience.
I think you got it right, Hannity told the crowd, referring to their presumption that the 45th president would enter the 2024 presidential sweepstakes.
Trump has laid the groundwork for a potential run in conventional and unconventional ways in recent months.
He addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida this past February and has held or is planning to hold campaign-style rallies in the battleground states of Florida, Georgia, Ohio and North Carolina.
The former president has also continued to rail against the 2020 election result, insisting without evidence that the outcome was fraudulent and taking aim at onetime political allies like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former Attorney General Bill Barr.
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Montana Gov Steve Bullock
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is most notably known for winning in 2016 as a Democrat in a state that helped elect Trump.
“As a Democratic governor in a state Trump won by 20 points, I don’t have the luxury of only talking to people who agree with me,” Bullock said in his May announcement video. “I go all across our state’s 147 thousand square miles and look for common ground to get things done.”
Election Deniers Who Say Trump Won In 2020 Are Running To Be Top Cop In 4 Battleground States
In four crucial battleground states, Republican candidates who falsely contend that Donald Trump won the 2020 election are running for state attorney general.
If they win, theyd serve as their states top law enforcement officers and would have the power to use their office to tilt the outcome of presidential elections. If Trump should run again in 2024, and the outcome is close in a handful of states, the actions attorneys general are able to take could also give Trump cover to claim falsely claim victory once again.
To the extent that election results are challenged, or that there are attempts to undermine results, it will be the state attorneys general representing the state and the results in court that perhaps matters most to protecting the will of the voters, said Joanna Lydgate, the CEO of States United Action, a nonpartisan group that tracks the races.
Along with the governor and, in most states, the secretary of state, the state attorney general is part of a trio of elected officials who oversee, administer, defend and certify elections and election results. Election deniers are also running in many states for secretary of state and governor.
It really matters that your attorney general is committed to defending the vote, no matter what the outcome is, Lydgate said.
This is what the election denying attorney general candidates in those states have said:
Georgia
Gordon didnt respond to questions from NBC News.
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