Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 362

SF Giants send controversial City Connect uniforms out with a whimper in loss to Brewers

SAN FRANCISCO — For the vitriol that they prompted from some portions of the fan base, and then the positive vibes that quickly became associated with them, the Giants’ controversial City Connect uniforms went out with a whimper on an appropriately foggy Tuesday night.

A tad more than 25,000 paying fans watched the Giants fall to the Brewers, 3-2, in the opening game of their series and their final time wearing the bright white and orange uniforms. Officially announced as 25,096, it was the fifth-lowest paid attendance of the season.

The Giants brought the potential winning run to the plate against Brewers closer Devin Williams in the ninth, with Heliot Ramos representing the tying run on second base, but Tyler Fitzgerald struck out swinging, unable to tap into the powers of the uniforms that once acted as good-luck charms.

Introduced before the 2021 season, the special set of uniforms are being phased out in favor of a new design for 2025. With the loss coming in the final Tuesday home game of the year, the team confirmed that it was also the official farewell to the current iteration of their City Connects.

“Most of the City Connects I’ve found to be a little unique,” manager Bob Melvin, who wore the Padres’ pink-and-green version the past two years, said politely before the game. “I think the winning percentage has been pretty good in them, so there’s always that risk, right?”

The Giants were part of the initial roll out of the Nike-designed concept that made its way to each of the 30 teams. The designs take inspiration from the defining characteristics of a team’s hometown, and designers focused on San Francisco’s famous fog, incorporating gradients meant to represent the marine layer on their numbers and the logo on their chest.

Indeed, the uniforms initially received mixed reactions but developed a fond spot within the fan base as the team kept winning while wearing them. In 46 contests since they were introduced, the Giants piled up a record of 30-16 with a run differential of plus-46, going 8-1 in them during their 107-win 2021 season.

Their fortune has faded this year, however, as the loss dropped the Giants to 4-6 in them. Production delays prevented them from wearing them for the first two Tuesday home games, eventually debuting the new Fanatics-made version May 13 in a 6-4 loss to the Dodgers.

The Giants fell behind early and never found the old magic to mount a comeback.

Pulling a homer just to the left of the right-field foul pole to lead off the bottom of the sixth, Mike Yastrzemski cut the Giants’ deficit to 3-2, but it represented only their third of four eventual hits. Matt Chapman doubled home Ramos in the first, but only after Milwaukee had opened a 2-0 lead.

Pushing back Hayden Birdsong by two days, the Giants tapped right-hander Landen Roupp for the first start of his major-league career after 19 relief appearances.

Celebrating his 26th birthday, Roupp allowed the Brewers to build a 2-0 lead before the Giants came to bat but settled in to complete a career-high five innings without issuing a walk or surrendering another run. After allowing four of the first five Brewers to reach base in the first, Roupp retired 13 of the final 14 batters he faced.

The lack of free passes was notable after Roupp issued at least one walk in 11 of his first 19 appearances, including two while tossing four shutout innings of relief Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

“I feel like I was pounding the zone, and that could have been the reason I gave up so many hits in the first inning,” Roupp said. “I’d rather give up hits than walk guys and let them score. … I came in yesterday on the off day and they told me I was starting today, so couldn’t have a better birthday present.”

Melvin called on Tristan Beck to relieve Roupp at the start of the sixth inning, and he served up a solo shot to the first batter he faced, Garrett Mitchell, who connected with a first-pitch curveball at 109.7 mph off the bat and sent it 411 feet to straightaway center field.

The home run proved decisive as the Giants finished the game 1-for-13 after Yastrzemski’s homer.

“He’s trying to drop a curveball in for a strike there, and he was ready for it,” Melvin said. “I don’t know if he was looking for it, but he put a really good swing on it. Typically guys aren’t sitting on 0-0 breaking balls. Other than that, he was pretty good, too. It’s just offensively we didn’t do enough. Four hits isn’t going to win you too many games even though we scratched a couple runs out of it.”

Up next

LHP Blake Snell (2-3, 3.62) faces RHP Colin Rea (12-4, 3.72) in the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

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Published on September 10, 2024 20:52

Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taylor Swift, one of the music industry’s biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the debate ended on Tuesday night.

“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote in an Instagram post, which included a link to a voter registration website.

Swift has a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election, and her latest tour has generated more than $1 billion in ticket sales. In a half hour, the post received more than 2.3 million likes.

She included a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button, and she signed the message “Childless Cat Lady.” The remark is a reference to three-year-old comments made by JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, about women without children not having an equal stake in the country’s future.

Swift wrote that her endorsement was partially prompted by Trump’s decision to post AI-generated pictures suggesting that she had endorsed him. One showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, and the text said “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”

Trump’s posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”

The Trump campaign dismissed Swift’s endorsement.

“This is further evidence that the Democrat Party has unfortunately become a party of the wealthy elites,” said spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

“There’s many Swifties for Trump out there in America,” she said, herself included.

Swift’s endorsement was not exactly a surprise. In 2020, she supported President Joe Biden, and she cheered for Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also was openly critical of Trump, saying he had stoked “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”

Swift is a popular figure nationwide, but especially among Democrats. An October 2023 Fox News poll found that 55% of voters overall, including 68% of Democrats, said they had a favorable view of Swift. Republicans were divided, with 43% having a favorable opinion and 45% an unfavorable one.

AP VoteCast suggests that a partisan divide on Swift was apparent as early as 2018. That’s the year Swift made her first political endorsement, supporting Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen for Senate over Republican Marsha Blackburn.

VoteCast found that among Tennessee voters that year, 55% of Democrats and just 19% of Republicans said they had a favorable opinion of Swift. Blackburn won by a comfortable margin in the deep red state.

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Philadelphia contributed to this report.

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Published on September 10, 2024 20:14

Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement

By STEVE PEOPLES, JONATHAN J. COOPER and NICHOLAS RICCARDI

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first — and possibly the last — time.

The Democratic vice president opened the faceoff with a power move, marching across the stage to Trump’s lectern to shake his hand.

“Kamala Harris,” she said, introducing herself as the pair met for the first time ever. “Let’s have a good debate.”

“Nice to see you. Have fun,” the former Republican president responded.

The exchange set the tone for the 90-minute debate to come: Harris controlled the conversation at times, baiting Trump with jabs at his economic policy, his refusal to concede his 2020 election loss and even his performance at his rallies.

Trump, while measured early on, grew more annoyed as the night went on. And one significant moment played out after the two candidates left the stage, when megastar Taylor Swift said she’ll vote for Harris.

Some takeaways on a historic debate:

From the opening handshake, Harris took the fight to Trump in a way that Biden could not

In her first answer, the former prosecutor said Trump’s tariffs would effectively create a sales tax on the middle class. She soon accused Trump of presiding over the worst attack on American democracy since the Civil War — the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. She charged him with telling women what they could do with their bodies. And she mocked Trump’s praise of dictators “who would eat you for lunch.”

Harris effectively controlled much of the conversation with such attacks and baited Trump into responses that were at times vents, and at others, reminders of his wild rhetoric and fixation on the past.

“You did in fact lose that election,” Harris said of the 2020 race that Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden but still insists he won. “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people,” she said, referring to Biden’s winning vote total.

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

ABC News Hosts Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump And VP Kamala Harris At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, debates Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. president Donald Trump, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, debates Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump is interviewed in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris is facing off with Trump in what may be their only debate of the 2024 campaign for the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

California Governor Gavin Newsom talks to journalists in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris is facing off with Trump in what may be their only debate of the 2024 campaign for the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Vivek Ramaswamy talks to journalists in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris is facing off with Trump in what may be their only debate of the 2024 campaign for the White House. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Journalists and members of the media watch from the spin room as US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participate in a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER / AFP) (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images)

The Democratic National Committee Displays Signage In Support Of Kamala Harris During The Presidential Debate Outside The National Constitution Center

The Democratic National Committee displays signage in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during the Presidential Debate outside of The National Constitutional Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for DNC)

A supporter of former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sits outside of the National Constitution Center, ahead of the presidential debate between US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Trump in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by andrew thomas / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Americans Watch The First Debate Between Donald Trump And Kamala Harris

People watch the ABC News presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at a debate watch party at The Abbey on September 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. Harris and Trump are facing off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential cycle. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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But Harris may have got under her opponent’s skin the most when she went after his performance at his rallies, noting that people often leave early.

Growing visibly irritated, Trump insisted that his rallies were larger than hers.

A smiling Harris frequently shifted her message from Trump back to the American people.

“You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams and your needs and your desires,” Harris said. “And I’ll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first.”

Trump had a label for Harris: ‘She is Biden’

Trump was often on defense, but he did drive the core message of his campaign: inflation and immigration are hammering Americans.

Immigrants, Trump said, have “destroyed the fabric of our country.”

He repeatedly tied Harris to Biden.

“She is Biden,” he said.

“The worst inflation we’ve ever had,” Trump added. “A horrible economy because inflation has made it so bad. And she can’t get away with that.”

Harris responded: “Clearly, I am not Joe Biden and I am certainly not Donald Trump. And what I do offer is a new generation of leadership for our country.”

Trump also went after Harris for moving away from some of the progressive positions she took in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, urging voters not to believe the more moderate tone she’s striking in this campaign.

“She’s going to my philosophy now. In fact, I was going to send her a MAGA hat,” he said, referring to the red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps that many of his supporters wear. “But if she ever got elected, she’d change it.”

Swift gets off the sideline

One of the most consequential moments came in a post on one of the most-followed accounts on Instagram moments after the debate ended.

Swift has a loyal following among young women, a demographic that Harris needs to turn out in big numbers. She called Harris a “gifted leader,” telling her fans to do their research and make their own decisions, but “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”

Trump on race and Harris on the attack

ABC moderator David Muir asked Trump point blank about his allegation last month that Harris had belatedly “ turned Black.” Harris is Black and South Asian and a graduate of Howard University a historically Black school in Washington.

Trump tried to play down the matter. “I don’t care what she is, you make a big deal out of something, I couldn’t care less,” Trump said.

Harris, however, had her opening and she rattled off a long list of Trump’s racial controversies: his legal settlement for discrimination against prospective Black tenants at his New York apartment buildings in the 1970s; his ad calling for the execution of Black and Latino teenagers — who were wrongly arrested — in the Central Park jogger case in the 1980s; and his false claims that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

“I think the American people want something better than that, want better than this,” Harris said.

Trump accused Harris of trying to “divide” people and dismissed her claims as dated and irrelevant.

“This is a person that has to stretch back 40, 50 years ago because there’s nothing now,” he said.

Harris and Trump dug in on abortion positions

Harris came out swinging in defense of abortion rights, perhaps the strongest issue for Democrats since Trump’s nominees created a Supreme Court majority to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. Her sharp arguments provided a vivid contrast to President Joe Biden’s rambling comments on the issue during his June debate with Trump.

“The government, and Donald Trump, certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body,” Harris said. She painted a vivid picture of women facing medical complications, gut-wrenching decisions and having travel out of state for an abortion.

Trump was just as fierce in defense, saying he returned the issue to the states, an outcome he said many Americans wanted. He struggled with accuracy, however, repeating the false claim that Democrats support abortion even after babies are born. He stuck to that even after he was corrected by moderator Lynsey Davis.

“I did a great service in doing that. It took courage to do it,” Trump said of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its constitutional protections for abortion. “And the Supreme Court had great courage in doing it. And I give tremendous credit to those six justices.”

Polls has shown significant opposition to overturning Roe and voters have punished Republicans in recent elections for it.

Who’s talking now?

Trump took a Harris talking point and directed it right back at her. It happened when he objected after Harris interrupted him.

“Wait a minute, I’m talking now,” Trump said. “Sound familiar?”

He was putting his own spin on a line Harris used famously against Mike Pence in the 2020 vice presidential debate when she rebuked Pence for interrupting, saying: “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.”

A message to the middle

In a divided nation, the election will ultimately be decided by a small slice of swing voters in only a handful of states. And in a nod toward that fact, Harris made an explicit appeal to voters across the political spectrum — including Republicans.

She noted that she is a gun owner. She cited the “late, great John McCain,” a reference to the Arizona Republican senator and war hero whom Trump criticized for being captured by enemy soldiers. And she listed the many Republicans who formerly served in the Trump administration who have now endorsed her campaign.

Trump, meanwhile, offered little outreach to voters in the middle, ignoring the calls for unity that framed his summertime convention speech.

Harris seized on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to make another explicit appeal to undecided voters.

“It’s time to turn the page,” she said. “And if that was a bridge too far for you, well, there is a place in our campaign for you.”

A restrained Trump — except when he wasn’t

Democrats hoped and Republicans feared that Trump would lose his cool on stage. At first he didn’t, but as Harris increasingly got under his skin, he went to some dark places.

Trump amplified false rumors that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating pets — ABC’s Muir noted that local officials say that is not happening — as he argued that the Biden-Harris administration was admitting dangerous immigrants.

When Harris pressed him on the array of criminal and civil cases against him, Trump similarly fumed. He accused Harris and Biden of planting all the cases.

“I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things they said about me,” Trump said, referencing the assassination attempt in July by a gunman whose motives are unknown.

When pressed on whether he had any responsibility for Capitol riot, Trump raised his voice, blaming both Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, who was the House speaker at the time, and the Democratic mayor of Washington. He said the rioters have “been treated so badly” and once again denied he lost the 2020 election.

Harris replied: “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people, let’s be clear about that, and clearly he’s having a very difficult time processing that.”

An early skirmish on the economy

The debate opened with an unexpectedly wonky exchange on the economy: Harris took on Trump for his plan to put in place sweeping tariffs and for the trade deficit he ran as president; Trump slammed Harris for inflation that he incorrectly said was the worst in the country’s history.

Trump said people look back on his presidency’s economy fondly. “I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country,” he said. Harris flatly told viewers: “Donald Trump has no plan for you.”

Americans are slightly more likely to trust Trump over Harris when it comes to handling the economy, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll from August.

Gender an afterthought

Harris would be the nation’s first female president. But her gender was an afterthought during the debate.

She made no references to the historic nature of her candidacy. Neither did Trump.

And there were no performative moments in which gender was an issue. Who could forget Trump’s decision to stand behind his last female opponent, Hillary Clinton, during a 2016 debate? He also called Clinton a “nasty woman.” Afterward, Clinton said she was creeped out.

But on Tuesday night, both candidates stayed behind their podiums as instructed and there were no explicit jabs regarding gender.

Riccardi reported from Denver.

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Published on September 10, 2024 19:35

Trump falsely accuses immigrants in Ohio of abducting and eating pets

By MIKE CATALINI, JULIE CARR SMYTH and BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday amplified false rumors that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were abducting and eating pets, repeating during a televised debate the type of inflammatory and anti-immigrant rhetoric he has promoted throughout his campaigns.

There is no evidence that Haitian immigrants in an Ohio community are doing that, officials say. But during the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump specifically mentioned Springfield, Ohio, the town at the center of the claims, saying that immigrants were taking over the city.

“They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” he said.

Harris called Trump “extreme” and laughed after his comment. Debate moderators pointed out that city officials have said the claims are not true.

Trump’s comments echoed claims made by his campaign, including his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and other Republicans. The claims attracted attention this week when Vance posted on social media that his office has “received many inquiries” about Haitian migrants abducting pets. Vance acknowledged Tuesday it was possible “all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”

Officials have said there have been no credible or detailed reports about the claims, even as Trump and his allies use them to amplify racist stereotypes about Black and brown immigrants.

While president, Trump questioned why the U.S. would accept people from “s—-hole” countries such as Haiti and some in Africa. His 2024 campaign has focused heavily on illegal immigration, often referencing in his speeches crimes committed by migrants. He argues immigrants are responsible for driving up crime and drug abuse in the United States and taking resources from American citizens.

Here’s a closer look at how the false claims have spread.

How did this get started?

On Sept. 6, a post surfaced on X that shared what looked like a screengrab of a social media post apparently out of Springfield. The retweeted post talked about the person’s “neighbor’s daughter’s friend” seeing a cat hanging from a tree to be butchered and eaten, claiming without evidence that Haitians lived at the house. The accompanying photo showed a Black man carrying what appeared to be a Canada goose by its feet. That post continued to get shared on social media.

On Monday, Vance posted on X. “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country. Where is our border czar?” he said. The next day, Vance posted again on X about Springfield, saying his office had received inquires from residents who said “their neighbors’ pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants. It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”

Other Republicans shared similar posts. Among them was Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who posted a photo of kittens with a caption that said to vote for Trump “So Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.”

Hours before Trump’s debate with Harris, he posted two related photos on his social media site. One Truth Social post was a photo of Trump surrounded by cats and geese. Another featured armed cats wearing MAGA hats.

What do officials in Ohio say?

The office of the Springfield city manager, Bryan Heck, issued a statement knocking down the rumors.

“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” Heck’s office said in an emailed statement.

Springfield police on Monday told the Springfield News-Sun that they had received no reports of stolen or eaten pets.

Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, held a news conference Tuesday to address the influx of Haitian immigrants to Springfield. He said he will send state troopers to Springfield to help local law enforcement deal with traffic issues and is earmarking $2.5 million over two years to provide more primary health care to immigrant families.

DeWine declined to address the allegations, deferring comment to local officials. But he repeatedly spoke in support of the people of Haiti, where his family has long operated a charity.

What do we know about a separate case 175 miles (281 km) away?

An entirely unrelated incident that occurred last month in Canton, Ohio, quickly and erroneously conflated into the discussion.

On Aug. 26, Canton police charged a 27-year-old woman with animal cruelty and disorderly conduct after she “did torture, kill, and eat a cat in a residential area in front (of) multiple people,” according to a police report.

But Allexis Ferrell is not Haitian. She was born in Ohio and graduated from Canton’s McKinley High School in 2015, according to public records and newspaper reports. Court records show she has been in and out of trouble with the law since at least 2017. Messages seeking comment were not returned by several attorneys who have represented her.

She is being held in Stark County jail pending a competency hearing next month, according to the prosecutor’s office.

What do advocates for Haitian immigrants say?

The posts create a false narrative and could be dangerous for Haitians in the United States, according to Guerline Jozef, founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a group that supports and advocates for immigrants of African descent

“We are always at the receiving end of all kind of barbaric, inhumane narratives and treatments, specifically when it comes to immigration,” Jozef said in a phone interview.

Her comments echoed White House national security spokesman John Kirby.

“There will be people that believe it, no matter how ludicrous and stupid it is,” Kirby said. “And they might act on that kind of information, and act on it in a way where somebody could get hurt. So it needs to stop.”

What is the broader context of Haitians in Ohio and the United States?

Springfield, a city of roughly 60,000, has seen its Haitian population grow in recent years. It’s impossible to give an exact number, according to the city, but it estimates Springfield’s entire county has an overall immigrant population of 15,000.

The city also says that the Haitian immigrants are in the country legally under a federal program that allows for them to remain in the country temporarily. Last month the Biden administration granted eligibility for temporary legal status to about 300,000 Haitians already in the United States because conditions in Haiti are considered unsafe for them to return. Haiti’s government has extended a state of emergency to the entire country due to endemic gang violence.

Another matter cropping up and raised by Trump in an email Monday is the August 2023 death of an 11-year-old boy after a vehicle driven by an immigrant from Haiti hit the boy’s school bus. After that, residents demanding answers about the immigrant community spoke out at city council meetings.

Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Shipkowski from Toms River, New Jersey.

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Published on September 10, 2024 18:57

PHOTOS: Harris and Trump meet in presidential debate

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met for the first time face-to-face Tuesday night for perhaps their only debate before November’s presidential election, a high-pressure opportunity to showcase their starkly different visions for the country after a tumultuous campaign summer.

The matchup offeed Americans their most detailed look at a campaign that’s dramatically changed since the last debate in June. In rapid fashion, President Joe Biden bowed out of the race after his disastrous performance, Trump survived an assassination attempt and both sides chose their running mates.

Here’s a look at the debate through photos:

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attend a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris shakes hands with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a presidential debate.

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (R) shakes hands with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, debates Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. president Donald Trump, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) ABC News Hosts Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump And VP Kamala Harris At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, debates Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) ABC News Hosts Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump And VP Kamala Harris At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) US-VOTE-POLITICS-DEBATE-HARRIS-TRUMP

Journalists and members of the media watch from the spin room as US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participate in a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images) Americans Watch The First Debate Between Donald Trump And Kamala Harris

People watch the ABC News presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at a debate watch party at The Abbey on September 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Americans Watch The First Debate Between Donald Trump And Kamala Harris

People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Americans Watch The First Debate Between Donald Trump And Kamala Harris

People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) ABC News Hosts Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump And VP Kamala Harris At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia

Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump is interviewed in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) ABC News Hosts Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump And VP Kamala Harris At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia

California Governor Gavin Newsom talks to journalists in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) ABC News Hosts Presidential Debate Between Donald Trump And VP Kamala Harris At The National Constitution Center In Philadelphia

Vivek Ramaswamy talks to journalists in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Democratic National Committee displays signage in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during the Presidential Debate outside of The National Constitutional Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for DNC) US-VOTE-POLITICS-HARRIS-TRUMP-DEBATE

A supporter of former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sits outside of the National Constitution Center, ahead of the presidential debate between US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Trump in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Published on September 10, 2024 18:37

SF Giants injury notes: Tom Murphy reflects on ‘tough’ year, updates on Birdsong, Hicks, Ray

SAN FRANCISCO — Since spraining a ligament in his left knee five weeks into the season, Tom Murphy has mostly been a ghost. He comes to the ballpark each day, puts in his rehab and goes home. He doesn’t travel with the team, and when they are at home, manager Bob Melvin will go days without interacting with or even seeing the veteran backstop signed to be their No. 2 catcher this season.

That’s by design, Murphy explained.

“It’s been tough,” the 33-year-old catcher said Tuesday from his locker inside the home clubhouse. “I try to stay out of people’s way for the most part because I’m not playing. The last thing I want to do is get in the way of the product out there.”

Giving chase to a pitch in the dirt on a soggy May day in Philadelphia, Murphy felt a pop in his left knee and was given an initial diagnosis of a sprained MCL. He wouldn’t need surgery and could be back in six weeks, the team said.

More than four months later, Murphy has still not resumed catching and isn’t expected back before the end of the season. But progress made in the past week gives him more than just hope that he will be physically able to fulfill the second year of two-year, $8 million contract he signed before this season.

“In my mind there’s no could,” he said. “You know, like, none of those questions exist. There’s no question about it.”

The one time Murphy accompanied the team on the road since the injury was in Los Angeles after the All-Star break, making a brief cameo in the visitors’ clubhouse at Dodger Stadium. The primary objective of the trip, though, was to get a second scan on his knee, which revealed the ligament had not healed at all in 10 weeks since the initial injury.

Murphy was able to hit, he was able to throw, he was able to run. But he could not — and still can’t — do the one task essential to his position: squat.

“That’s what really prompted us to get another look at it,” Murphy said.

After his follow-up appointment in Los Angeles, Murphy opted to receive an injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that, in effect, restarted the healing process. He was told it would take another 2-3 months for the PRP to fully repair the ligament and six weeks before he would feel it having an effect.

Right on cue, Murphy ramped up his base running this week, about six weeks since receiving the injection.

“That’s never really been the issue in all this,” Murphy said of running the bases. “It felt like I couldn’t do my job before. Whereas now I can start to be able to do those things.”

While “deep flexion” in his knee — or, in layman’s terms, assuming the squat — remains an issue, the first sign of the PRP going to work makes Murphy optimistic that the rest of the treatment will meet its estimated timeline, too. He expects to be fully recovered when pitchers and catchers report to Arizona in February.

After batting just .118 in 34 at-bats before suffering the injury, he’s confident he’ll make a better impression next year, too.

“My big years have always come after years like this,” said Murphy, who was a .292 hitter with an .879 OPS in his previous two seasons in Seattle after missing all of 2020 with a fractured foot. “I’m sure nobody trusts that. But as long as I trust myself, that’s all I need.”

The Giants sure hope so, given their catching situation after Patrick Bailey, who has also faded at the plate in the second half for the second straight season.

Curt Casali, hastily signed to be his backup after Murphy’s injury, will be a free agent and entering his age-36 season. Blake Sabol, the Rule 5 darling from 2023, has struggled at the plate for Triple-A Sacramento and hasn’t convinced anybody of his ability to handle the position full-time. Jakson Reetz, who has filled in whenever Bailey or Casali is sidelined, was undesirable enough that all 29 other teams let him pass through waivers last month.

Meanwhile, Joey Bart, who was waived about a month prior to Murphy’s injury, earned the starting job in Pittsburgh and run with it, posting an .851 OPS that is better than any catcher in the major leagues with as many at-bats.

No matter what, next year can’t be any worse for Murphy, who has had to attempt to integrate himself among a new set of teammates and coaches in a new city while being physically unable to contribute on the field.

“It’s the worst thing in the world,” he said.

Pitching update

Hayden Birdsong was originally scheduled to start the Giants’ series opener against the Brewers on Tuesday night but was pushed back two days to Thursday’s series finale. The decision, Melvin said, had less to do with the 23-year-old rookie right-hander than it did with Landen Roupp, who hadn’t pitched since his four shutout innings of relief Thursday against the Diamondbacks and was chosen make the start instead.

The Giants have already shut down one rookie starter past his previous career-high in innings in Kyle Harrison, but Melvin said Birdsong wasn’t feeling any fatigue — “Not at all” — with 109⅓ innings between the majors and minors, past his previous career-high of 100⅔ that he logged last year.

LHP Robbie Ray (hamstring) is anticipated to assume his spot in the rotation the next time through if all goes well in a simulated game Wednesday. Ray will throw four innings in what Melvin said the Giants will treat as a rehab start. “We’ll move him around some, make him do some PFP, go through all the rigors he would in a game,” Melvin said, “and then hopefully his next time will be in a game for us.”

RHP Jordan Hicks (shoulder) is also expected to return before the end of the season if all goes well in a rehab outing Tuesday night for Single-A San Jose. He was scheduled to throw 25-30 pitches in his first game action since landing on the IL on Aug. 27 with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

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Published on September 10, 2024 17:48

Pearsall shooting: Teen suspect’s lawyer says new evidence supports lesser charge for shooting 49ers rookie

By JANIE HAR

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The attorney for a 17-year-old high school senior charged in the daytime shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall said Tuesday that new video evidence supports his theory that the teenager should not be charged with attempted murder.

San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap said after a pretrial hearing where the teen waived his right to a speedy trial that the evidence he found showed that what happened the afternoon of Aug. 31 at Union Square was an attempted robbery, not attempted murder.

He said the footage he has shared with prosecutors showed “it was a rather extended struggle” between the two, with Pearsall getting the better of the teen.

“It supports what’s always been my belief and theory in this case, that this is an attempted robbery, not an attempted murder,” Dunlap said.

Pearsall, 23, was walking alone to his car after shopping at luxury stores in Union Square on Aug. 31 when the suspect allegedly saw the NFL player was wearing a Rolex watch and other expensive jewelry and tried to rob him at gunpoint, San Francisco police said.

A struggle ensued, and gunfire from the suspect’s firearm struck both Pearsall and the teenager, who was shot in the arm, they said.

The teen, who lives in Tracy was arrested about a block away from where he allegedly confronted Pearsall.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins charged the teen last week with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery. Her office later added several gun-related charges.

Jenkins has not decided whether to try the juvenile as an adult and said her office needs time to investigate further and, if appropriate, petition the court to transfer the case to adult court. California law prevents prosecutors from charging a minor as an adult without judicial approval.

The 49ers rookie was shot through the chest at close range, officials said. His mother, Erin Pearsall, posted on social media that the bullet went through the right side of her son’s chest and out his back without striking any vital organs.

Pearsall was released from the hospital a day later. Two days after the attempted robbery, he was back at the team’s facility.

He was at the team’s season opener at Levi’s Stadium Monday night when first responders who helped him after the shooting were honored and received signed jerseys from him.

Pearsall’s shooting in an upscale shopping district downtown put the national spotlight again on a city that struggled with brazen shoplifting, empty storefronts and assaults on Asian-American seniors before voters choose a new mayor. Mayor London Breed, a Democrat, is in a tight reelection contest in November.

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Published on September 10, 2024 15:58

49ers report card: Defense, special teams can’t be overlooked in Week 1 rout

SANTA CLARA – Here is how the 49ers graded in Monday night’s season-opening 32-19 win over the New York Jets:

PASS OFFENSE: B+

Brock Purdy avoided sacks, committed no turnovers, threw for 231 yards (19-of-29) and produced points on each of his eight drives after the opening three-and-out. Brandon Aiyuk’s part-time role was tarnished by an end zone drop, but he did make a third-down conversion amid the second-half scoring spree. Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel each had five receptions and combined for 118 yards. George Kittle chipped in with four catches for 40 yards, and Kyle Juszczyk’s 34-yard reception set up Jordan Mason’s touchdown run. Trent Williams, despite no training camp and just a few practices, did not allow a pressure on 33 pass-blocking snaps and his first such pressure-free game in two years, per NextGen Stats. Right guard Dom Puni acquitted himself well in his NFL debut, too.

RUN OFFENSE: A

Mason filled in admirably for game-time scratch Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) and Mason’s first start in three seasons produced 147 yards on 23 carries, the third-most by a 49ers’ first-time starter. That was all highlighted by a 5-yard touchdown run. The 49ers deployed Deebo Samuel to share the backfield load with Mason, and Samuel’s 20th career rushing touchdown is the most be a NFL receiver since 1960. Racking up 38 carries for 180 yards is the 49ers’ favored recipe for success, even without McCaffrey. “They still have a stable of backs but, at the same time they’re very, very good upfront and from an efficiency standpoint they beat us up front. Plain and simple,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said.

PASS DEFENSE: A

Any win over Aaron Rodgers should be celebrated, even if this didn’t come with the stakes like the 49ers’ 4-0 efforts during his Packers tenure. Rodgers had a couple of nice throws (13-of-21, 167 yards) and his touchdown pass to Allen Lazard beat safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum. But Rodgers didn’t look like a four-time MVP, and his lone interception came when Deommodore Lenior broke up a pass that Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles snared. The 49ers’ pass rush only produced one sack, but it was a doozy of things to come this season: Nick Bosa beat the left tackle (Tyron Smith, who was called for holding) while Leonard Floyd crashed from the other side to drop Rodgers on third down. The 49ers’ other takeaway came when Fred Warner punched the ball free from Breece Hall and Maliek Collins recovered on the Jets’ fourth snap (last year, Rodgers’ Achilles was torn on snap No. 4).

RUN DEFENSE: A

The 49ers yielded the second-fewest rushing yards of any defense in Week 1, allowing 68 on 19 carries. A 3-yard, first-quarter touchdown run by Hall seemed like the 49ers were simply being a kind host. Then they tightened the screws defensively. Warner (seven tackles) and De’Vondre Cambell (five tackles) thrived behind the new interior tandem of Collins and Javon Hargrave. Collins had two tackles for no gain and the fumble recovery.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A

Jake Moody made all six of his field-goal attempts (46, 51, 31, 53, 23, 42 yards) to match a 49ers’ record and bolster his confidence – and the 49ers’ belief in him — after a shaky end to his rookie season. Nothing alarming came from the NFL’s new kickoff rules. Of the 49ers’ nine kickoffs – nine! – six were touchbacks, and none of the three returned went for longer than 28 yards. All four of the Jets’ kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. Mitch Wishnowsky punted only once (58 yards on the opening series).

COACHING: A

Neither Shanahan nor Purdy said they knew they had scored on eight straight possessions. That should tell you the rhythm and mindset of what Samuel called a “move-the-ball offense” intended to keep churning out yards and points of any kind. Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen called a flawless game in his debut, Warner claimed. How to explain a lopsided win after seven drama-filled months? “Some crazy stuff can go on, but just our culture, our team, what we stand for and how we all come together and find ways to win and rally around each other — we do it right here,” Purdy said.

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Published on September 10, 2024 04:00

‘Determined to blow an election’: Things to watch at Trump-Harris debate

By John T. Bennett, CQ-Roll Call

Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will be face-to-face for the first time Tuesday night as they debate, aiming to keep the other out of the Oval Office.

Harris closed the polling gap on Trump after her surprise ascension to the Democratic nomination, but she still trails in some polls. She will have a chance to change that when the nominees square off in Philadelphia.

The vice president had narrow leads nationally in a list of polls released in the past few weeks, but her campaign got a surprise Sunday when a New York Times-Siena College survey put Trump up 1 percentage point — suggesting her surge after President Joe Biden dropped out has ended.

Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate

Final preparations are made in the spin room prior to the ABC News Presidential Debate on September 09, 2024 at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump will face off in their first debate at the Constitution Center. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Workers complete preparations on the media filing center and spin room for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former US President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 9, 2024. Harris and Trump made their final preparations on Monday, on the eve of their first — and possibly only — televised debate before the knife-edge 2024 US presidential election. With less than two months until election day, the face-off could be a turning point in a bitter contest between the Democratic vice president and Republican former president. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

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Final preparations are made in the spin room prior to the ABC News Presidential Debate on September 09, 2024 at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump will face off in their first debate at the Constitution Center. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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But a strong debate performance against the unpredictable, bare-knuckle debater Trump could give her White House bid a boost with less than two months until Election Day. The stakes couldn’t be higher in a race that shows ample signs of a photo finish on Nov. 5.

“If her momentum continues, Harris will probably win. But it may not. If she stumbles in the Sept. 10 debate, the momentum of the race may change,” according to William Galston of the Brookings Institution, a former White House aide under President Bill Clinton. “Trump’s campaign could regain its balance and sharpen its focus. And unforeseen events could shift the dynamic between the candidates.”

Polls suggest voters want to hear from Harris about policy, and prognosticators in Las Vegas say she has a better chance of winning the debate. “Latest odds reveal Harris has an implied probability of 57% of winning the debate, while Trump only holds a 53% chance,” according to Vegas Insider. “Kamala Harris’ past debate performance gives her a 55 percent chance of winning the debate, while Donald Trump has a 45 percent shot.”

Here are three things to watch as Harris and Trump debate.

Donald the distracted?

The nominees have taken different paths to Philadelphia, with Harris debate-prepping in Pittsburgh and Trump saying and posting more outlandish things — even threatening, if elected, to throw his opponents in the slammer.

“Therefore, the 2024 Election, where Votes have just started being cast, will be under the closest professional scrutiny and, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again,” Trump wrote in a post on Sunday. “Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country.”

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a Fox News Town Hall with Sean Hannity at the New Holland Arena on Sept. 4, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris continue to campaign across swing states as polls show a tight race prior to next week’s presidential debate in Philadelphia. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/TNS)

That followed a wild Friday press appearance in New York during which Trump repeatedly insulted several women who have accused him of sexual assault at a time when women voters could decide the election.

The former president’s antics in recent weeks led one Republican pollster to question whether his heart really is in the presidential race.

“I have never seen a candidate more determined to blow an election. Instead of talking about affordability and immigration security (the top public issues), Trump is once again screaming about prosecuting his opponents,” pollster Frank Luntz wrote on X. “Message to Donald: Focus on helping voters, not yourself.”

Abortion access

Harris has been telling supporters at her rallies for more than a month that the election likely will be extremely close and that Democrats have work to do to secure enough votes to put her in the White House.

She and her campaign are banking that access to abortion will help her with women voters, especially college-educated white suburban ones who often vote Republican.

“The impact of abortion on the 2022 midterms, when Democrats did much better than expected, is undeniable. But some evidence suggests that its impact may be more muted in this year’s contest,” Galston noted.

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at a Labor Day event at Northwestern High School in Detroit, on Sept. 2, 2024. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Abortion ranked second, at 15 percent, in the Times-Siena survey when likely voters were asked what issue was most important to them. The economy was first, at 22 percent, and immigration third, at 12 percent.

But, to Galston’s point, abortion ranked eighth when registered voters in seven swing states were asked by polling firm Blueprint about their top issues. Still, more of them said they trusted Harris more on abortion than Trump by an 11-point margin. Notably, among registered independent voters in those battlegrounds, the vice president’s advantage grew to 24 percentage points.

Expect her to try to appeal to more voters in that crucial bloc on Tuesday night.

‘Old guard’

It’s doubtful anyone had this on their election-year bingo card: A Democratic presidential nominee praising Iraq War architect and staunch conservative Dick Cheney. In any other year, that might seem laughable.

After all, Democratic lawmakers and officials spent most of the super-hawkish Cheney’s run as vice president harshly criticizing him over his moves as President George W. Bush’s right-hand man on national security and foreign policy after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Yet, in this campaign, which already has been defined by twist and turns, it seems fitting and could add a twist to Tuesday’s debate. Harris on Saturday told reporters she is “proud” to have Cheney’s endorsement. Her campaign also released an ad Monday showing members of Trump’s administration, including former Vice President Mike Pence, saying they would not support him again this year.

It’s an effort to win over Republicans uncomfortable with Trump that Harris began by having GOP speakers at the Democratic convention last month. But bringing up Cheney could give Trump, who has struggled to settle on an anti-Harris message, a much-needed line of attack. In fact, Trump could opt to use the Cheney endorsement to try painting Harris as too much of a wild card on national and global security matters — especially amid worries of a regional Middle East war and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Cheney has long been a proponent of using U.S. military force, even starting preemptive wars. Trump is unabashedly anti-war, often calling them “stupid” and even appearing, at times, to harshly judge those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Well, he’s clearly the old guard, the guard that, you know, the country club Republicans that don’t support Donald Trump,” Corey Lewandowski, a Trump campaign adviser, told Fox News on Sunday.

“And so, look, I don’t really care what Dick Cheney says. We saw what happened to Liz Cheney in her last election,” he added. Cheney’s daughter Liz was ousted from House GOP leadership for questioning Trump’s false claims about election fraud and then lost her reelection bid in the 2022 Wyoming Republican primary by a more than 2-to-1 margin after serving as vice chair of the special committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. “She was absolutely destroyed. … So they’re bitter and they’re angry and they’re living in the past. It’s time to move forward.”

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Published on September 10, 2024 03:10

Horoscopes Sept. 10, 2024: Colin Firth, keep your life simple

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ryan Phillippe, 50; Colin Firth, 64; Amy Irving, 71; Joe Perry, 74.

Happy Birthday: Don’t let emotions lead you in the wrong direction or lose sight of common sense when dealing with domestic or partnership issues. Set boundaries and standards, and strive for equality. The wrong move or choice can hurt your reputation or financial future. Discipline and consistency are your ticket to success. Take your time, keep your life simple and keep your overhead within your means. Your numbers are 8, 14, 22, 27, 30, 36, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Create opportunities, discuss your plans and don’t wait for others to make the first move. Be direct, diligent and disciplined; you will discover something you want to pursue passionately. Don’t lose sight of the rules, regulations and red-tape issues necessary to move forward. Self-improvement is favored. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Mingle, share thoughts and intentions, and listen to suggestions. Uncertainty means you require more insight, research and proof that you are heading down the right path. Use your charm, not your money, to get the information you need to make the best choice. Personal growth is the objective. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Uncertainty and questioning and reevaluating your life, position and a subsequent move will motivate you to shoot for the stars and follow your dreams. Before you cast your fate to the wind, consider the consequences and the emotional fallout. Be wise and make choices based on facts, not feelings. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Structure your energy wisely. Refrain from fussing over something you cannot change. Focus on talking to experts and those you can count on for honesty and integrity. Address your pastimes and what you can do to live healthier. Rely on facts, not emotions. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Notice what’s happening around you. Get involved in events that grab your interest and encourage you to think before you spend. Generosity can make you feel good about yourself, but it can also lead to stress if you don’t take care of yourself first. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Prioritize detail and research. An offer may sound good, but it needs more substance to lead to success. Question everything and everyone before you agree to something that has costly proposals. Be realistic and forthright, ask questions and make adjustments that benefit you. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Research is necessary to avoid mistakes. Don’t act in haste regarding professional decisions, words or actions that can hurt your reputation. Take your time, consider your options and only make a move if it’s lucrative or beneficial to your health, lifestyle and happiness. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t be tempted by someone pressuring you to get involved in a joint venture or to spend on something they want more than you do. Focus on your long-term plans, stability and making sure you can fend for yourself regardless of what others do. Avoid emotional spending. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll be playing with fire if you let someone infiltrate and disrupt your plans. Stick to what you know and do best, and forgo pleasing someone looking out for their own interests. Opportunity begins with doing what’s best for you. Put your time into personal benefits. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Size up what’s entailed in your plans emotionally, physically and financially before you begin the change process. Question who and how others play a role in your success and the incentives you can offer to ensure smooth sailing. Use your strength and courage to reach your goal. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Pay attention to health, fitness and socializing with people who can enrich your life. Don’t let uncertainty set in or cause a lack of self-confidence. When in doubt, gather facts, assess situations and make choices that improve your life. It’s up to you to create personal contentment. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Excess and indulgence will set you back. Rethink your day, keep your schedule manageable and leave enough time to do things right the first time. Use your energy wisely and your mind acutely. It’s up to you to set the pace, boundaries and costs of whatever you pursue. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are changeable, curious and sensitive. You are persistent and imaginative.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Published on September 10, 2024 03:01