How Trump plowed through $1 billion, losing cash advantage
This time around, though, he was betting on a massive cash advantage to negatively define Biden and to defend his own record. Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien insisted money was no issue. And itโs just not a good sign for the Trump campaign,โ Ridout said. โ Over $7.4 million spent at Trump-branded properties since 2017. โ At least $35.9 million spent on Trump merchandise.
Iowa again a battleground, sign of Trump's Midwest obstacles
But there are signs Iowa may be competitive again. Deep concerns about the economy and dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of the coronavirus have changed dynamics of the race. However, Iowa, where Trump won by 9.4 percentage points in 2016, echoes the trend in Ohio, where Trump won by 8 but is now in a pitched battle with Biden. โI believe it is a close race in Iowa," former Iowa Gov. In 2018, Democrats showed signs of resurgence, even though Republican Kim Reynolds became the first woman to be elected Iowa governor.
Chipping in? Trump may put up his own cash on reelection
Trump also is grappling with the political fallout from the mounting number of coronavirus deaths and the pandemic's economic toll. Trump spent more than $60 million of his own money on his 2016 run for the White House. Eberhart said he was skeptical that Trump will spend $100 million of his own money and questioned whether money was significantly hampering the presidents campaign. He echoed the president in saying that the Trump campaign, which was outspent in 2016, has more resources to use between now and Election Day than it did four years ago. Still, Trump added in his comments to reporters that he was prepared to spend his own cash to help his cause.
Trump embraces immigration court fight as election boost
In this June 11, 2020 photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion about "Transition to Greatness: Restoring, Rebuilding, and Renewing," at Gateway Church Dallas in Dallas. Trump has asserted without evidence that expanded mail-in voting will lead to the greatest Rigged Election in history. Trump, who often attempts to shift the nation's focus to immigration when forced to defend himself on other fronts, said Friday he would renew his legal effort. His immigration push is risky, even for someone who has built his political career on defying conventional wisdom. Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh says, Conservative judges were a huge issue in 2016 and will be again this November."
GOP candidates balance pros, cons of running with Trump
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, facing a competitive North Carolina reelection contest, is looking forward to campaigning" with Trump, Tillis' spokesperson said. GOP Sen. Steve Daines tweeted, Montana cant wait to have you back, Mr. President! after Trump promised to help him battle a strong Democratic challenger. Republican candidates are hostages, said Trump critic Tim Miller, an aide to past GOP presidential contenders including Jeb Bush. Anyone who wants to win in November should be running with the president, said Trump campaign spokesperson Erin Perrine. In the House, Democrats hope to use allegiance to Trump that GOP candidates touted in primaries against them in general elections.
Biden aims to move left without abandoning centrist roots
But they left many of the partys strongest liberals worried that little progress would be made toward their sweeping goals. Asked whether his recent moves mean hell govern as a progressive, Biden retorted on CNBC: Im going to be Joe Biden. Biden aides say hes uniquely positioned for a wide Biden coalition because voters prioritize experience and temperament, along with policy. Republicans who dislike Trump the kind who cut deals with Sen. Biden or Vice President Biden arent likely to back President Biden's proposed public option health insurance expansion when theyve never embraced the Affordable Care Act. Winning back just that cohort back could be enough to secure Biden to the presidency alone this cycle, he said.
Oil legend T. Boone Pickens dies
(CNN) - Legendary oil man T. Boone Pickens, whose investments helped shape the American energy industry going back to the 1950s, has died at the age of 91. Pickens announced his retirement from the oil and gas industry in January 2018 due to his poor health. A longtime maverick in the US energy industry, Pickens began a campaign in 2008 to help the US lessen its dependence on oil from OPEC nations. I have always believed that maintaining the status quo inevitably leads to failure," Pickens wrote in an op-ed for Forbes in 2017. "Back then, the notion that shareholders own the companies and managements were employees was foreign to big oil companies that would rather operate like empires.