September 2020 – Page 3

McConnell: 'No change of heart' on Roy Moore

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE (R-Ky.) insisted on Tuesday that he has not changed his position on Roy Moore, after saying over the weekend that Alabama voters would decide if the Republican nominee joins the Senate.

“There’s been no change of heart. I had hoped earlier he would withdraw as a candidate. That obviously is not going to happen,” McConnell told reporters, saying he has made his position on Moore “perfectly clear.”

McConnell came under fire over the weekend after he told ABC News’s “This Week” that he would “let the people of Alabama make the call” on Moore joining the Senate.

McConnell added on Tuesday that Republicans will have “no option” but to seat Moore if he wins, citing a 1960s Supreme Court case.

The Supreme Court ruled in Powell v. McCormack that while the Constitution gives Congress the ability to punish members for “disorderly” behavior, it couldn’t use an exclusion vote to refuse to seat a member who was legally elected.

The House refused to seat Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (D-N.Y.), who was facing misconduct allegations by voting to “exclude” him.

McConnell had previously called on Moore to step aside after multiple women accused the former judge of sexual misconduct when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s.

McConnell added on Tuesday that if Moore wins the Dec. 12 election, he would immediately face an “Ethics Committee case.”

“If he were to be elected, I think he would immediately have an issue with the Ethics Committee, which they would take up,” he said.

Moore has denied the allegations. He is currently polling ahead of Democratic candidate Doug Jones by an average of less than 2 percentage points, according to Real Clear Politics.

Though GOP senators have distanced themselves from Moore following the allegations, President Trump endorsed him this week and the Republican National Committee is restarting financial support for the race.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee isn’t expected to restart help after Sen. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Interior faces legal scrutiny for keeping controversial acting leaders in office | White House faces suit on order lifting endangered species protections | Lawmakers seek investigation of Park Police after clearing of protesters The Hill’s Campaign Report: Republicans go on attack over calls to ‘defund the police’ MORE (R-Colo.), the campaign arm’s chairman, called for an expulsion vote if Moore wins.

McConnell said it was his “expectation” that the NRSC would stay out of the race.

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Moore spokesperson dodges questions on views on Muslims, homosexuals, 9/11

Roy Moore’s spokeswoman late Wednesday appeared to dodge an array of questions on topics including the Republican Alabama Senate candidate’s views on Muslims, homosexuals and Sept. 11.

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“Does Judge Moore still believe that homosexual conduct should be illegal and that homosexuality is still the same thing as bestiality?” CNN host Anderson Cooper asked Janet Porter.

“I don’t have that answer, but I can tell you what he does believe regarding that issue. And regarding that issue, if you want to talk about making sure we don’t have sexual predators,” she responded.

“No, I’m not talking about sexual predators. I’m talking about anybody that’s homosexual — gay, lesbian people,” Cooper responded.

“Excuse me, Anderson, Mr. Anderson Cooper. Let me just say, he wants to put out a welcome mat in front of these young girls, if you are a junior high school girl or if you are a high school girl, what ‘abortion Jones’ is saying is we’re putting out a welcome mat to any boy who’s feeling like a girl that day, he’s free to walk into the bathroom, the locker room with his camera phone and shower with your daughter. People of Alabama aren’t going to take this radical position,” Porter responded, referring to Moore’s Democratic challenger, Doug Jones.

Cooper went on to ask Porter about Moore’s past remarks about the Sept. 11 attacks, in which the candidate said the U.S. had “distanced ourselves from God.”

“You know, this is the thing. That when — a lot of people talk about God and how they’re Christians. In fact if you look at the commercials of Doug — of Roy Moore’s opponent, he’s telling everybody what a great Christian he is and how he defends —,” she said, later adding that she did not have the answer to Sept. 11.

Cooper went on to ask Porter whether Moore still believed Muslims should not be allowed to serve in Congress, to which Cooper cited the concept of Sharia, or Islamic law.

“I think that what he’s getting at there is that we believe in the rule of law by the Constitution, not Sharia law. And I think that’s really the bottom line and what we’re looking at,” she said.

“I believe his position has to do with whether we follow the Constitution or the ridiculously oppressive to women Sharia law,” she later added.

And when asked whether Moore still believes former President Barack ObamaBarack Hussein ObamaHarris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Five ways America would take a hard left under Joe Biden Valerie Jarrett: ‘Democracy depends upon having law enforcement’ MORE was not born in the U.S., Porter said, “That is his position. I’m pretty sure — I can tell you with confidence that this is the guy that stood with the Constitution even when it cost him everything.”

The interview comes less than a week before Moore is set to face off with Jones for Attorney General Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsMcCabe, Rosenstein spar over Russia probe Rosenstein takes fire from Republicans in heated testimony Rosenstein defends Mueller appointment, role on surveillance warrants MORE’s former Senate seat.

Moore has faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct involving teenagers. President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE endorsed him earlier this month. The Republican National Committee also reinstated its support for Moore after originally saying they could not support him.

This report was updated at 9:52 a.m.

Leeds close in on £18m Bayern Munich midfielder

Leeds are closing in on an £18million move for Bayern Munich playmaker Michael Cuisance.

The German giants have given permission to the Frenchman to speak with the Premier League side after Cuisance told the European champions he wanted more game time.

With Bayern’s wealth of midfield resources he will likely be given limited opportunities should he remain at the Allianz Arena, and is thus close to agreeing a transfer to Leeds.

Prick of the Week No. 3: Arm-hating ref overlord David Elleray

The 21-year-old cost Bayern £9million when he moved from Borussia Monchengladbach last year. and has reportedly been scouted by Newcastle among others.

Leeds are discussing a five-year contract with the France U20 international, according to the Daily Mail, with a fee of £18million thought to be enough to secure his signature.

They are also reportedly interested in bringing in a winger before the October 5 deadline, with Gyrano Kerk from Utrecht and Leicester City’s Demarai Gray on their wishlist.

Tottenham interested in Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger

Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea.

The centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge this season following the arrival of Thiago Silva from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Germany international hasn’t featured in any of Chelsea’s opening three Premier League fixtures of the season.

READ MORE: Lampard should revive ‘big picture’ ploy to aid Chelsea signings

Despite Frank Lampard’s struggle to find a solid defensive pairing, the 27-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements and is said to be keen on a move away from Stamford Bridge for more game time ahead of the European Championships next summer.

Chelsea have Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Thiago Silva as centre-back options and may be willing to allow Rudiger to leave either on loan or in a permanent deal.

Sky Sports claim Tottenham are interested in Rudiger, though the Blues rarely do business with Spurs.

Rudiger alleged he was racially abused during Chelsea’s game at Tottenham last December. Both the Metropolitan Police and Tottenham found no evidence to support the allegation.

Ahead of Chelsea and Spurs’ Carabao Cup fourth-round meeting on Tuesday, Lampard warned that no assumptions should be made over Rudiger’s future.

“I wouldn’t assume anything,” Lampard said. “And I wouldn’t assume Antonio or any players in the squad (are leaving).”

Carra makes Arsenal top-four prediction despite Liverpool loss

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal have a good chance of securing Champions League football this season with Mikel Arteta at the helm.

The Gunners suffered their first defeat of the campaign on Monday as they were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield.

16 Conclusions: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

But Carragher says – despite the loss – Arsenal are progressing under Arteta, who is the right man to guide them into the top four.

“Arsenal stayed in the game which was important and they had a big chance and it can be completely different but Liverpool are a few years down the line,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

“I think it’s almost an identical job to what [Jurgen] Klopp came into. Klopp came into a Liverpool squad where they weren’t even qualifying for the Champions League. That’s what Arsenal haven’t done for the last few years.

“The first thing for Arsenal is to get back into the Champions League. I think there’s a good chance they can. I didn’t believe that before the start of the season.

“I like a lot of what Mikel Arteta is doing. I don’t think it’s possible for him to get any more out of the group of players he’s got.

“I don’t think that’s a top-four group but the way he’s organising them, I think they could get into the top four because of his management.

“Do I think Arsenal could win a title in four or five years? It’s still very difficult and probably shows what a good job Jurgen Klopp has done.

“But Arsenal have got a really good manager.”

Klopp reveals lengthy courting of Jota after debut Liverpool goal

Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Diogo Jota after he came off the bench to score on his Liverpool debut.

The former Wolves man could have had a hat-trick having come on with around ten minutes to play, eventually wrapping up the victory over Arsenal with the third goal in a 3-1 victory.

Klopp was delighted for his new signing, but insists it will take time for him to get used to their style of play.

16 Conclusions: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

“I’m really pleased for Diogo Jota. Top, top guy,” Klopp told the BBC. “It’s so difficult to improve a team like ours. He’s been on my list for two or three years, he’s here now.

“Diogo came on, played his natural football, tried to defend the way we defend and he’s only on about 20 per cent of information for what we do exactly.

“We had team meetings to talk about it, but it will take time.

“Today he had like 60 or 70 minutes time to watch how Sadio is doing it and he came on the pitch and played incredibly well.

“He scored a super goal, nice first game at Anfield. So he will never forget that and I will never forget it, so a cool start.”

Klopp dismissed an earlier incident in which Mohamed Salah appeared to steal the ball away from Jota, before hailing his full-back duo for their link-up play for the second goal.

“Mo didn’t take it off his foot, Mo played an absolutely exceptional game tonight,” Klopp added.

“Robbo, I don’t think Robbo’s goal was a reaction to the situation before (Arsenal’s first) but it was just his performance and the reaction was really good.

“And then the goal was a cross from the right full-back and then the left full-back finished it off, which is absolutely amazing, I love it.”

'Egregious Cover-Up': After Ruling on Pruitt Emails, Dems Demand Vote Delay

Democratic lawmakers and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers are mobilizing against Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt after a judge on Thursday ordered the release of thousands of emails between his office and fossil fuel companies—raising questions about whether the EPA nominee engaged in corruption.

In response to the order, Senate Democrats called for a delay on Pruitt’s confirmation hearing, which is still scheduled for Friday after he passed out of the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month amid a Democratic boycott. According to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), lawmakers will force a vote to extend the debate at 12:30pm.

Oklahoma County District Judge Aletia Haynes Timmons on Thursday gave Pruitt until February 21 to hand over more than 2,500 emails he withheld from the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a watchdog group that has been pursuing the documents since 2014. CMD and the Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit earlier this month which accused Pruitt of violating the state’s Open Records Act.

“[T]here was an abject failure to provide prompt and reasonable access to documents requested,” Timmons wrote in her ruling.

The emails are “essential to fair consideration of Pruitt’s nomination,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said Thursday. “But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is forcing the Senate to vote tomorrow on Pruitt even though his emails won’t be released until Tuesday. This is an egregious cover-up that must not stand.”

That call was echoed by others.

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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will embark on his first trip to Asia next week, visiting Japan, South Korea, and China. In what some journalists are calling an unprecedented move, he will not travel with members of the press.

“Not only does this situation leave the public narrative of the meetings up to the Chinese foreign ministry as well as Korea’s and Japan’s, but it gives the American people no window whatsoever into the views and actions of the nation’s leaders,” a dozen Washington bureau chiefs from major news organizations wrote in a letter to the State Department earlier this week.

CNN‘s Brian Stelter reported:

Journalists “are strenuously objecting to the plan,” Stelter reported, while Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) wrote to Tillerson on Friday also voicing his concern.

“Your decision to travel without reporters sends a dangerous signal to other countries about the U.S. commitment to freedom of the press,” Markey, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a letter (pdf) to Tillerson. “The presence of a traveling press corps is vital for keeping the American people informed about a trip with significant implications for U.S. national security and economic prosperity.”

Stelter noted that “Tillerson was similarly press-averse while running ExxonMobil,” citing Steve Coll, who authored Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power. He has yet to name a press secretary. The State Department held its first on-camera press briefing just this week—and Tillerson was not in attendance.

On Tuesday, NBC‘s Andrea Mitchell was swiftly ushered out of the room when she tried to get answers from Tillerson on foreign policy matters after a photo op with Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin:

Former Reuters correspondent Carol Giacomo, who now sits on the New York Times editorial board, wrote on Friday:

This retreat could have profound implications, she continued:

Meanwhile, there are other signs that Tillerson is being sidelined. Senate Democrats sent a letter to the secretary of state this week warning that his department is near a “tipping point.”

“The Department of State is experiencing significant management challenges, being cut out of important administration foreign policy decisions, and facing potentially devastating budget cuts,” wrote Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.), Tom Udall (N.M.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), and Chris Murphy (Conn.). “The department has reportedly been excluded from calls and meetings with key foreign leaders, and critical policy discussions are occurring without meaningful input from the Department of State.”

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The Hill reported that the letter came “amid multiple reports speculating that Tillerson is being overshadowed on foreign policy decisions by some in the president’s inner circle, including White House adviser Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.”

Indeed, Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray reportedly met Thursday at the White House with Kushner, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, and top economic aide Gary Cohn—without the State Department’s knowledge.

Month: September 2020