“How Trump can win.”

With just 16 days left until the election, there is growing concern and criticism from within the Republican Party regarding the state of President Trump's campaign. Several high-profile Republicans, including former Trump advisors and senators, have publicly expressed their concerns about Trump's leadership and character. The mood inside the Trump administration has been described as grim, and advisors are reportedly bracing for a loss. Senator Ben Sasse was particularly critical, condemning Trump for ignoring human rights abuses, treating women poorly, and mocked evangelicals behind closed doors. These statements come as Trump faces mounting challenges in the polls and growing scrutiny over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his business dealings. The potential for a Republican bloodbath in the Senate is also a concern. While it's better late than never for these Republicans to speak out, their criticisms could have been made earlier and more forcefully.

While there are many criticisms against political figures like John Kelly and Ben Sasse for their past or present involvement with the Trump administration, their comments and criticisms, whether made publicly or privately, hold significance. For those who have spoken out against Trump for the country, their actions are appreciated as they provide a distraction and potentially influence undecided voters. However, it is crucial for these figures to put their faces on camera and speak out openly, rather than making half-assed comments anonymously. The distinction between speaking out for the country and for the record is important, and it matters that these criticisms are made publicly and not just privately. The political landscape in America in 2020 demands transparency and bravery from public figures, and their actions and words have the power to make a difference.

The 2020 US Presidential election is a competitive race, and the Republican party is facing internal conflicts. Ben Sasse, a Republican Senator known for his intellectual honesty, has publicly criticized Donald Trump, potentially attracting voters who disagree with Trump but share similar policy views. However, being against Trump doesn't guarantee political success, as shown by Sasse's transformation into a less effective politician. The Trump campaign's loss is not solely due to campaign spending or strategy decisions but primarily results from Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his public criticisms of health officials like Dr. Fauci. Trump's mockery of scientists and disregard for expert advice is damaging his campaign and contributing to the rise in new coronavirus cases. The bigger problem for the Republican party is the lack of trust in science and experts, which could have severe consequences for public health and the election outcome.

The Trump campaign's handling of the pandemic response, as evidenced by their refusal to expand testing and distribute masks, has been a major misstep. Meanwhile, Joe Biden holds a significant financial advantage in key battleground states, allowing him to spread his message more effectively through advertising. Despite these challenges, both campaigns believe they have viable paths to victory, with Trump focusing on Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, and Biden looking to Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The close race has been downplayed by some pundits, but the key battleground states remain neck and neck. Trump's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, remains optimistic about their chances, while Biden's team acknowledges the closeness of the race. Ultimately, the outcome of the election will depend on a multitude of factors beyond just advertising spending and campaign strategy.

The 2016 presidential election taught us that state elections are interconnected, and surprises can occur. The Trump campaign feels good about their chances in Florida but is concerned about Wisconsin. They see tight races in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada. Trump's dominance of the news cycle, potential voter suppression, disinformation, and voter registration trends are some of the factors that could impact the outcome. Trump's past victories have relied heavily on winning Florida, while Biden's easiest path is through Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. New developments include $75 million in campaign spending from Sheldon Adelson and $1 billion in free advertising from Fox News. The chaos and floundering operations of the Trump campaign in 2016, as well as the registration of new Republican voters, are concerns for Biden's campaign.

The 2020 presidential race is expected to be closer than some polls suggest, despite Biden's current lead. Jen Rakower, a Democratic strategist, warns against complacency and emphasizes the importance of increasing turnout among white working-class voters in swing states and decreasing turnout among voters of color in those same states. This could potentially make the race a razor's edge, according to data from Priorities USA, a Democratic Super PAC. Additionally, the unprecedented nature of voting in a pandemic and the potential for rejected ballots add uncertainty to the outcome. The Biden campaign is urging people to continue donating and volunteering, reminding everyone that polls are imperfect and that the race could still go either way.

The allegations against Joe Biden regarding his involvement with his son Hunter's business dealings in Ukraine have been thoroughly investigated by Republican-led congressional committees and found to be untrue. The latest twist in the story involves suggestions that Joe Biden himself may have received money from these deals, but this is highly unlikely given that he has released decades' worth of tax returns with no signs of such income. The emails at the center of the controversy, which allegedly show evidence of wrongdoing, have not been confirmed as authentic and the Biden campaign has refused to engage with the issue to avoid validating Rudy Giuliani's claims. Overall, the story seems suspect due to the lack of concrete evidence and the history of baseless allegations against the Bidens.

The New York Post story about Joe Biden and Ukraine has been met with skepticism from the media and social media platforms due to concerns about the story's credibility. The Biden campaign has denied any wrongdoing, and investigations by Republican-led senate committees found no evidence of wrongdoing. The author of the New York Post story has a questionable background, and the story was initially blocked on social media platforms for violating their rules. Some argue that this decision gave the right-wing a talking point, while others see it as a complex issue of balancing free speech and misinformation. The bigger story, according to some, is the role of Rudy Giuliani and Russian intelligence operations in spreading disinformation. The chain of custody of the information, Giuliani's motivations, and the implications for the media landscape are all important aspects of this story. Ultimately, the credibility of the New York Post story and its implications for the 2020 election remain subjects of ongoing debate.

The Biden campaign should address the human element of the private emails released by the New York Post regarding Hunter Biden's personal life, emphasizing the sensitivity and privacy concerns involved. While going on offense against the Trump campaign's use of the presidency as a business opportunity for their family members, Biden should avoid engaging in a mudslinging match and instead focus on the moral and ethical implications of publicly sharing personal information. The early voting turnout in Texas is significant as it indicates a high level of voter engagement and potential shift in the political landscape, especially considering the historically Republican-leaning state. However, the outcome of the election will ultimately depend on various factors, including voter turnout in other key battleground states and the overall voter sentiment towards the candidates.

While early voting turnout is an exciting sign of voter enthusiasm, it may not accurately reflect who is ahead in the elections due to the disparity between Democrats and Republicans in mail-in and in-person voting. Furthermore, the large number of people voting by mail this year makes it difficult to determine who's ahead based on early voting numbers alone. Regarding international affairs, if Biden wins the presidency, re-entering the Iran nuclear deal could be one of his first priorities, as the current situation poses a significant threat to global security. Lastly, donations to Senate candidates can still be effective in the final weeks of the campaign, as campaigns often make last-minute buys for advertising and field operations.

Grassroots organizing and preparation are crucial for political success. This was evident in the difference between Michigan Democrats' performances in the 2016 and 2018 elections. In 2016, the party lacked a ground game and was not adequately prepared. In response, they initiated Project 83, which aimed to organize in every county of the state. This effort paid off in 2018, with Democrats winning all counties and having meaningful conversations with voters about issues and Democratic responses. In 2020, despite the shift to virtual campaigns due to COVID-19, Michigan Democrats continue their ground game, showing up in every part of the state and engaging in conversations with voters. Additionally, the dangerous and divisive rhetoric from politicians, like President Trump's call to lock up Governor Whitmer, highlights the importance of having leaders who prioritize the safety and well-being of their constituents.

The Michigan Democratic Party is focusing on winning over Trump voters and energizing communities of color to secure a victory for Joe Biden in the 2020 election. This includes keeping community offices open, having ongoing conversations with voters, and addressing issues important to these communities. The pandemic has highlighted the stark contrast between Michigan's effective response and the federal government's lack of action, particularly for communities of color. Despite challenges with voter registration due to COVID-19, efforts are being made to make it easier for people to register online. The party aims to win over the full Trump-Whitmer voter and then some, with a goal of 2.2 additional votes per precinct. The experiences of the pandemic and its impact on Michigan residents, particularly communities of color, have heightened the importance of this election and the need for change in Washington.

The Michigan Democratic Party has seen a significant increase in voter registrations, with over 100,000 new registrants. Despite this progress, registration and voting continue to be prioritized due to the impact of COVID-19. While Joe Biden is consistently polling well in Michigan, Senator Gary Peters is currently trailing behind him. This gap is attributed to the well-funded and aggressive campaigning of the Republican candidate, as well as external support from wealthy donors and the GOP. Despite these challenges, Peters is breaking fundraising records and enjoying strong support on the campaign trail. However, there are concerns about a recent court ruling that disallows ballots arriving after Election Day from being counted. At this point, it is unclear if the Michigan Democratic Party will challenge this ruling due to potential voter confusion. Overall, the focus remains on encouraging early and safe voting to avoid long lines and potential health risks on Election Day.

The election in Michigan is expected to be closely contested, and there are concerns about potential voter suppression and efforts to block votes from being counted. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes emphasized the importance of getting ballots in early and following the rules to ensure they are counted. She also expressed worry about the actions of the Trump campaign and their potential disregard for the rules and the law. To prepare for potential scenarios, the Michigan Democratic Party has built a team of lawyers and is focusing on getting out the vote and protecting the democracy. Barnes urged listeners to make a plan to vote and to encourage others to do the same, emphasizing that the goal is not just to win, but to protect the democratic process.