Category: Michigan Democratic Party

Trump has made clear that he has no interest in the human and economic toll of a pandemic that continues to ravage the country and wreck our economy because of his failed response. In a tweet yesterday, Trump abruptly walked away from stimulus talks until after the election, once again abandoning millions of Americans who are in need of relief. 

Trump abruptly cancelled coronavirus relief talks until after the election, putting millions of struggling Americans and our economy at further risk.

TRUMP: “I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business.”

Bloomberg: “U.S. Faces a New Wave of Economic Pain as Trump Halts Aid Talks”

Washington Post: “Trump just crushed stimulus talks, endangering the U.S. economy and 26 million on unemployment”

New York Times: “U.S. economy without more stimulus is nearing a dangerous ‘tipping point.’”

As Trump closes the door on more stimulus, even his appointees and top aides warn it could do lasting economic damage.

Washington Post: “Powell warns of severe, ongoing risks to the economy hours before Trump ends stimulus negotiations until after election”

Bloomberg: “Tyler Goodspeed, acting director, United States Council of Economic Advisers, says the economy could use some more support.”

Washington Post: “Mnuchin, as well as members of Congress from both parties, have said more stimulus is needed, a point bolstered by an unexpectedly weak September jobs report on Friday.”

CNN’s Harlow: “Stimulus talks are dead. It’s a tragedy for millions of Americans.  Here’s what it means for the U.S. economy Kevin Hassett — Former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors to  @realDonaldTrump  — tells me tonight: ‘We remain close to the edge of an economic calamity.’”

Americans across the country were already struggling from the pandemic made worse by Trump’s failed response — now he’s abandoned them again.

“I was stunned. Completely stunned. What are we supposed to do? … These small businesses, we are hurting.” – Small business owner

“[Trump’s] forgetting about true American economic recovery and the people.” – Laid-off flight attendant

“I don’t have enough, unfortunately, to get by. No one knows what’s going to come next and how to prepare.” – Flight attendant on the verge of being furloughed

“Knowing that I may not have insurance benefits, I feel like I have failed. I’m the primary breadwinner in this family.” – Worker facing a layoff

“We’re crying for help and no one is hearing.” – Airline worker

“We can’t afford our mortgage, our car payment, our other utilities… there really isn’t anything out there for us right now.” – Airline worker

“At this point I don’t have a Plan B.” – Flight attendant facing layoffs

“I’m still kind of worried about going back to work. My youngest is 10 months and my oldest is autistic. The program my autistic child was in has not opened back up yet.” – Unemployed mother

“I get $247 a week in unemployment. Who can live on that? Who? Nobody I know. I haven’t been this poor since I was a teenager.” – Unemployed worker

“You don’t want to cry, but sometimes you have no choice. People need to know how unfair this has been.” – Worker behind on his bills after losing work

“I want to make sure the kids get food. If there’s anything left in their bowls, I’ll eat. I never eat before they do. I want to make sure they’re full.” – Unemployed single mother

“Everything is upside down in our world.” – Laid-off worker 

The post Trump Abandons Struggling Americans And Puts Our Economy At Further Risk appeared first on Democrats.

The post DNC on Trump’s Child Separation Policy appeared first on Democrats.

MEMORANDUM

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: DNC War Room

DATE: Wednesday, October 7, 2020

RE: During VP Debate, Pence Must Answer for Failed COVID-19 Response

The Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus has been a failure by every measure, and Mike Pence owns that record more than anyone but his boss in the Oval Office. As chair of the White House Coronavirus Task Force since late February, Pence oversees the federal response to the pandemic. As President Trump put it when he announced Pence’s role, “I’m having everybody report to Mike … Mike will report to me.” Since then, 210,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, more than 7 million have been infected, more than 400,000 small businesses have closed, and millions of Americans have lost their jobs.

From the start of the pandemic, Pence and the Trump administration left states and health care workers without necessary protective equipment, failed to implement a national testing or contact tracing strategy, refused to follow the most basic health guidelines, and lied to the American public about the threat of the virus. Now, cases are surging across the country again, hospitalizations are rising, there is an outbreak in their own White House — and Pence and the administration still do not have a plan to protect their own workplace, much less the country.

During tonight’s vice presidential debate, Pence must answer for the administration’s failed COVID-19 response that he oversees as chair of the Coronavirus Task Force. Here are some of the key questions he needs to answer for the American public:

1. As chair of the Task Force, do you agree with the president that Americans shouldn’t be afraid of COVID-19? What message does that send to the hundreds of thousands of American families who have lost a loved one to this virus?
2. You’re in charge of the federal response to the coronavirus, and now there’s an outbreak at the White House that’s reached the highest levels of government. Shouldn’t responsible leadership start at home?
3. Have you ever objected to Trump’s reckless gatherings, including the recent event in the Rose Garden with more than 150 mostly unmasked individuals who interacted indoors and outdoors for lengthy periods of time?
4. Once it became clear that there was an outbreak among White House staff and associates of the president, why wasn’t contact tracing immediately implemented?
5. Your own Coronavirus Task Force recommends mask wearing to help protect against the coronavirus. Should you have mandated masks at the White House before the current outbreak?
6. As chair of the Task Force, have you ever suggested to Trump that masks should be mandated at his rallies or your own rallies?
7. As chair of the Task Force, did you think it was wise for Trump to do a photo op while infected with COVID-19, which unnecessarily exposed Secret Service agents to the virus?
8. Why did the White House press secretary speak to reporters without a mask after multiple people she had contact with tested positive for the coronavirus?
9. Why did you write an op-ed back in June that declared victory on combating the coronavirus and claimed fears of a second wave were “overblown” when at the same time the White House was receiving increasingly dire warnings about “red zone” states that were facing skyrocketing cases and rising test positivity rates?
10. Why did you encourage governors to repeat the lie that cases were only spiking in states because of an increase in testing?
11. The GAO recently found that there is still a nationwide shortage of testing supplies. More than seven months into this crisis, why does the American public still not have reliable access to rapid testing?
12. Last week, six states reached record highs for hospitalizations. This week, Dr. Fauci said that he was “disturbed” by the number of new coronavirus cases in the United States, which is averaging around 40,000 each day. How can you claim to be meeting this moment when cases are moving in the wrong direction?
13. America leads the world in confirmed coronavirus cases and reported deaths, and the damage to our economy is among the worst in the world. Other countries have gotten control of COVID-19 through a national plan, including mask wearing and strict protocols, and are on the road to recovery. Why has the U.S. never had a national plan?

No matter how Pence answers these questions, here are the facts about the administration’s failed COVID-19 response: 

• Pence overstated the administration’s PPE program, and left states and health care workers without necessary protective equipment.
• Pence echoed Trump’s false claim that coronavirus spikes are only the result of an increase in testing.
• Experts agree far more tests are needed, with a recent report finding the U.S. needs nearly 200 million tests per month to control the pandemic.
• For 28 consecutive weeks, more people have filed for unemployment benefits than during the single worst week of the Great Recession as layoffs continue to mount.
• Trump and Pence let PPP funds meant for small businesses go to large corporations, Chinese firms, and companies owned by their donors and allies.
• The U.S. has the most coronavirus cases and the most coronavirus deaths in the world.
• Americans are about seven times more likely to die from coronavirus than citizens of other wealthy nations.

The post During VP Debate, Pence Must Answer for Failed COVID-19 Response appeared first on Democrats.

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after Donald Trump tweeted his reckless decision to pull out of negotiations over a COVID-19 relief package:

“Donald Trump has abandoned the American people yet again. First, he cut unemployment benefits. Now he’s playing politics with lifesaving COVID relief. This pandemic is not over — average Americans are still facing overwhelmed hospitals, mass layoffs, and an uncertain future. Over 210,000 Americans have died from this virus and counting, millions are still out of work, and Donald Trump thinks we’re out of the woods? Americans need relief. They need a president who understands their suffering and will act to end this pandemic, not someone who only cares about his election prospects. Donald Trump refuses to put the American people first. That’s why we need Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are committed to ending this pandemic, providing the American people with the relief they need and deserve, and helping our nation build back better.”

The post DNC on Trump Pulling Out of COVID-19 Relief Package Talks appeared first on Democrats.

This week, the DNC launched a new print and radio ad campaign reaching Black voters across eight battleground states. The ads, which direct voters to IWillVote.com, are running in local African American newspapers and radio stations in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Here’s what they’re saying about the ads across the country:

ABC News: ‘Our lives are on the ballot,’ DNC releases new radio and print ads targeting Black voters in battleground states. “The Democratic National Committee is trying to reach Black voters in battleground states with a new six-figure ad buy in Black publications, with less than a month left before Election Day.”

• “The new ads reference the triple threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy and national uprising focused on civil rights. They will run in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin, all critical battleground states Democrats hope to win in November.”

• “On Black radio stations in the eight critical states, listeners will hear an ad that says, ‘We are in the midst of a global pandemic, an economic collapse and a reckoning on civil rights, we need leaders with a plan to protect and expand our access to health care, invest in our community and fight for equal justice under the law to make that happen we all have to make a plan to vote.’ And in Black papers, readers will see an ad that says, ‘Our lives are on the ballot. Make a plan to vote.’”

In Florida:

Westside Gazette: “Part of a six-figure campaign across several battleground states, ads will run starting this week in the Westside Gazette and on WHQT-FM, reaching voters across the Miami-Fort Lauderdale media market.”

In Georgia:

The Atlanta Voice: #Election2020: Democratic Party launches new round of ads. “Today, the Democratic National Committee is announcing a new print and radio ad campaign to reach Black voters in Georgia. ‘Democrats are meeting Black voters where they are and making critical investments to ensure Georgians have the information they need to make their plan to vote,’ said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez.”

In Michigan: 

Macomb Daily: Democratic effort targets Michigan’s Black voters. “The Democratic National Committee Tuesday rolled out a new print and radio ad campaign to reach Black voters in Michigan … The ads, which were purchased through the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Radio One, will direct individuals to IWillVote.com — the DNC’s newly updated voter participation hub, where voters can register to vote, check their voter registration, and make a plan to vote, whether in person or by mail.”

In Minnesota: 

Star Tribune: “The DNC is launching a new radio and print campaign targeting Black voters in the state. The buy targets the Minneapolis-St. Paul media market.”

In Ohio:

Columbus Dispatch: “Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is airing ‘I Will Vote’ 30-second radio spots aimed at Black voters in Ohio. Print ads are being placed in newspapers serving primarily the Black communities in major cities carrying the message ‘Our Lives Are On The Ballot.’”

In Pennsylvania:

Philadelphia Tribune: New DNC ad campaign aims to ensure Pa.’s Black voters have a plan to cast ballots. “Starting this week, the Democratic National Committee is upping its courtship of Pennsylvania’s Black voters, a constituency whose support could well be determinative this voting season. In a new series of radio and print ads, the DNC wants to make sure they have a plan to vote.”

In Wisconsin:

WisPolitics: “Today, the Democratic National Committee is announcing a new print and radio ad campaign to reach Black voters in Wisconsin … ads will run starting this week on WHQG-FM and in the Milwaukee Community Journal, Milwaukee Courier, and Milwaukee Times Weekly, reaching voters across the Milwaukee media market.”

The post In The Battlegrounds: DNC Launches Print, Radio Ads Mobilizing Black Voters appeared first on Democrats.

Today, the Democratic National Committee is announcing a new print and radio ad campaign to reach Black voters in North Carolina.

“Democrats are meeting Black voters where they are and making critical investments to ensure North Carolinians have the information they need to make their plan to vote,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez. “The stakes have never been higher — especially for communities of color — and we are committed to making sure voters have the tools and information they need to make their voices heard at the ballot box, exercise their fundamental right to participate in our democracy, and elect leaders like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris who will get our country back on track.”

Part of a six-figure campaign across several battleground states, ads will run starting this week on WFXC-FM and in the Carolina Peacemaker and Charlotte Post, reaching voters across the Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro media markets. The ads, which were purchased through the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Radio One, will direct individuals to IWillVote.com — the DNC’s newly updated voter participation hub, where voters can register to vote, check their voter registration, and make a plan to vote, whether in person or by mail.

This ad campaign follows the recent rollout of new features on IWillVote.com that help voters easily request and return their ballot by mail, as well as learn important information about the voting process in their state as they make their plan to vote. In September, the DNC also announced a Black print advertising campaign around National Black Voter Day.

See the print advertisement below and listen to the radio ad here.

The post DNC Launches New Radio & Print Ad Campaign Reaching Black Voters in North Carolina appeared first on Democrats.

Today, the Democratic National Committee is announcing a new print and radio ad campaign to reach Black voters in Florida.

“Democrats are meeting Black voters where they are and making critical investments to ensure Floridians have the information they need to make their plan to vote,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez. “The stakes have never been higher — especially for communities of color — and we are committed to making sure voters have the tools and information they need to make their voices heard at the ballot box, exercise their fundamental right to participate in our democracy, and elect leaders like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris who will get our country back on track.”

Part of a six-figure campaign across several battleground states, ads will run starting this week in the Westside Gazette and on WHQT-FM, reaching voters across the Miami-Fort Lauderdale media market. The ads, which were purchased through the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Radio One, will direct individuals to IWillVote.com — the DNC’s newly updated voter participation hub, where voters can register to vote, check their voter registration, and make a plan to vote, whether in person or by mail.

This ad campaign follows the recent rollout of new features on IWillVote.com that help voters easily request and return their ballot by mail, as well as learn important information about the voting process in their state as they make their plan to vote. In September, the DNC also announced a Black print advertising campaign around National Black Voter Day.

See the print advertisement below and listen to the radio ad here.

The post DNC Launches New Radio & Print Ad Campaign Reaching Black Voters in Florida appeared first on Democrats.