Trump-backed candidates face scrutiny after minimal vetting
As former President Donald Trump has waded into contested primaries across the country, trying to exact revenge and remake the Republican Party in his image, he has endorsed a series of candidates facing serious allegations, especially concerning their treatment of women.
AP sources: Alabama senator has indicated he won't run again
“I would say that is his greatest accomplishment, to get money allocated to the state for many different projects,” former Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said. Still, the GOP primary could serve as a microcosm of the larger national tug of war over the direction of the Republican Party. While Shelby has amassed a conservative voting record, the measured Republican senator has not embraced the bombastic populist style of Trump and Trump-like candidates. I don’t think there is anyone who has meant more to the state of Alabama in that position in my lifetime,” former Gov. ___This story has been edited to correct that Bill Armistead is the former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
Doug Jones to miss vote on defense bill after wife's positive COVID-19 test
Senator Doug Jones of Alabama said Wednesday that he is quarantining after his wife tested positive for COVID-19. In a video posted to Twitter, Jones expressed regret that he would miss the vote to potentially override President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. "Colleagues in Washington, please, please vote to override that veto," Jones said in his video. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he'll push for a floor vote to complete the override of Mr. Trump's veto, after the House voted to override it Monday. The president vetoed the legislation largely due to his frustrations with social media companies that are unrelated to the defense policy bill.
cbsnews.comGOP’s Tuberville defeats US Sen. Jones, flips Alabama seat
Jones ran an ad showing Tuberville using the phrase to respond to student hecklers after leaving a coaching job. Three years ago, Jones became the first Alabama Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in a quarter-century. Although he was denied a full term in the Senate, Jones said there was important work to continue. Tuberville’s victory party was held in a hotel ballroom not far from the Alabama Capitol. Jones’ party was at an outside space in Birmingham where most people wore masks.
Alabama Senate race offers GOP its best chance to gain a seat as Democrat Doug Jones battles Tommy Tuberville
Jones, 66, is facing a tough reelection battle against former college football coach Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee. But instead of aggressively engaging with Jones, Tuberville has run a low-key campaign more typically suited to an incumbent who expects to win. And in Alabama, Trump holds a whopping average 15-percentage-point lead over former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, according to a recent Real Clear Politics review of polls. Jones' hopesA shocking resultAnalysts said that Jones has room to pick up some more ground on Tuberville among Alabama voters. Even with more Black voters, Jones would need help on several other fronts, Maxwell said.
cnbc.comJones fights for survival in Alabama as Tuberville coasts
Jones has been on a campaign blitz while Tuberville has adopted a strategy akin to running out the clock. Tuberville has announced fewer public campaign events, concentrated media appearances on conservative talk radio and has refused to debate Jones. Trump is expected to easily carry the state again, meaning Jones would have to win over some Trump voters. There are some discouraging signs for Jones, including that national Democratic groups haven't reported significant spending in Alabama, according to finance reports. But if Jones does win, McCrary said it would cement the possibility that Democrats can win in areas once thought impossible.
Giuliani caught in hotel bedroom scene in new ‘Borat’ film
Sacha Baron Cohen arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 4, 2018, left, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. on Nov. 20, 2016. Giuliani appears in a scene in the new Borat film. The scene, which was filmed in a New York hotel room in July, resulted in Giuliani calling police.
Giuliani shown in hotel bedroom scene in new ‘Borat’ film
The scene, which was filmed in a New York hotel room in July, resulted in Giuliani calling police. Giuliani went to the hotel room thinking he was being interviewed about the Trump administration's COVID-19 response. The young woman is flirtatious with him and invites him to the bedroom, which is rigged with hidden cameras. Baron Cohen, who was disguised as part of the crew, screams that the young woman is 15 years old. That leads to a second scheme involving Giuliani that ends up in the hotel room scene.
Alabama Senate race sets up to be contentious slugfest
Tuberville has never held public office but cast himself as a better match with Alabama voters in his victory speech. What Doug really means is one liberal Alabama, Tuberville said on election night. I think Tuberville is probably a two touchdown favorite, Mowery said. Although Trump is expected to win Alabama easily, his margin in November might be less than in 2016, McCrary said. ... Its going to be a battle, but we are going to win the war," Alabama Republican Party chair Terry Lathan said.
Sessions vies for Senate comeback in race shadowed by Trump
Do not trust Jeff Sessions, Trump tweeted this spring. Do not trust Jeff Sessions, Trump tweeted this spring. He let our Country down.Sessions safely held the Senate seat for 20 years before resigning to lead Trump's Justice Department. Their alliance solidified as Trump adopted the hard-line immigration proposals that Sessions had championed for years in the Senate. Sessions once held the Senate seat so securely he didnt even draw a challenger.
Sarah Palin says NY Times editor's animosity led to defamation
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sarah Palin said in an amended defamation lawsuit against the New York Times on Monday that the deep-seated animosity and ill-will of the newspapers editorial page editor toward her motivated him to falsely link her to a mass shooting. FILE PHOTO: Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin gets off the bus while campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore at the Historic Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2017. The Times later corrected the editorial, saying there was no link between political rhetoric and the Giffords shooting. Bennet has said he had not intended to blame Palin for the Giffords shooting, but was simply making a point about the political environment. The case is Palin v New York Times Co et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.
feeds.reuters.comFormer AG Jeff Sessions plans to run for his old Senate seat in Alabama
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions plans to run for his old Senate seat in Alabama, joining a jammed field in one of 2020's most important races. Folks in Alabama know that if we're going to help President Trump change this country then we've got to stop recycling the same old politicians. As attorney general, Jeff Sessions had his chance to have President Trump's back and take on the establishment politicians and he failed. I will bring a new voice for Alabama to the Senate and I will always have President Trump's back." Byrne also released a statement, saying: "From the Mueller investigation to this impeachment sham, President Trump has been under constant attack.
cnbc.comThere's a battle over Breitbart on Facebook's new journalism section, and Instagram's boss got involved
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri said on Twitter Sunday he doesn't want Breitbart to be part of Facebook's new journalism tab, but defended the company's choice to include it. In later responses, Mosseri clarified that he was not defending Breitbart and said he doesn't "even want Breitbart to be part of Facebook News." A Facebook spokesperson said Breitbart is not among the publishers the company will pay to host content in the Facebook News Tab. The spokesperson said Breitbart is "eligible to appear in the tab because their current content on Facebook meets the guidelines." Through the new product, Facebook will pay about 200 publishers included in the program to license their product.
cnbc.comCourt revives Sarah Palin defamation case vs NY Times over editorial on shootings
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks while campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore at the Historic Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2017. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the judge who dismissed Palins case ran afoul of federal rules designed to ensure fairness by first hearing testimony from Times editorial page editor James Bennet, and accepting it as credible. We are disappointed in the decision and intend to continue to defend the action vigorously, Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said in an email. The judge also said the Times decision to swiftly correct the editorial after a social media backlash suggested that readers might have perceived the false statements about Palin as based on fact. The case is Palin v New York Times Co, 2nd U.S.
feeds.reuters.comSarah Palin can pursue defamation case against NY Times: U.S. appeals court
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court revived former U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palins defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, over an editorial that she said maliciously linked her to the 2011 mass shooting that seriously wounded Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks while campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore at the Historic Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2017. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the lower court judge who dismissed Palins complaint erred by first hearing testimony from the Times editorial page editor. Palin, 55, was Republican presidential candidate John McCains running mate in 2008, and Alaskas governor from 2006 to 2009. The case is Palin v New York Times Co, 2nd U.S.
feeds.reuters.comSarah Palin can pursue defamation case against NY Times: U.S. court ruling
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks while campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore at the Historic Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2017. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the lower court judge who dismissed the complaint erred in hearing testimony from the Times editorial page editor before issuing the dismissal. We are disappointed in the decision and intend to continue to defend the action vigorously, Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said in an email. Palin was Republican presidential candidate John McCains running mate in 2008, and also served as Alaskas governor. In dismissing the case in August 2017, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff said the editorial included a few factual inaccuracies somewhat pertaining to Mrs. Palin that are very rapidly corrected.
feeds.reuters.comU.S. appeals court revives Sarah Palin's defamation lawsuit against NY Times: ruling
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks while campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore at the Historic Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Tami ChappellNEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Tuesday revived former U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palins lawsuit accusing the New York Times of defaming her in an editorial linking her to a 2011 mass shooting. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the lower court judge who dismissed the complaint erred in relying on facts outside the court pleadings. It also said Palin plausibly stated a claim for defamation, while taking no position on the claims merits.
feeds.reuters.comAlabama judge calls gay marriage ruling an “aberration”
Alabama judge calls gay marriage ruling an “aberration” Alabama counties were supposed to be able to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses Monday, but a message from the state's chief justice has confused matters. Chip Reid spoke with judge Roy Moore who insists gay-marriage is a violation of Alabama law.
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