August 26, 2016

Hillary Clinton Eviscerates Donald Trump's Alt-Right Ties In Reno Speech

August 26, 2016/ Anne Enke

Hillary Clinton Says 'Radical Fringe' Is Taking Over GOP Under Donald Trump New York Times

Hillary Clinton found that low register, totally calm, 'we're in this together' voice in Reno just now. It was the same voice from her San Diego trouncing of Trump on foreign policy -- or an 'evisceration' as some pundits called it. And she was brutal, surpassing the expectations of pundits who had an advance preview of her speech.

Related: Hillary Clinton Microwaves Donald Trump's Axis of Tinfoil The Daily Beast

“Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down,” Republican nominee Donald Trump told InfoWars radio host Alex Jones, who believes the Sandy Hook shooting was staged by the government, in a December appearance on his show.

Eight months later, Hillary Clinton reminded a crowd in Reno, Nevada, that Jones, a friend of former Trump adviser Roger Stone and a major booster of his campaign, is not only a conspiracy peddler whose site frequently purports that Clinton is near death and sells snake-oil pills and bulk survival food for the end times, but that he also believes the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary were planted by the government in a longtail effort to take away Americans’ guns.

Clinton’s speech was an effort to force Trump to disavow the innumerable fringe groups that have fully embraced his campaign—or face the consequences of aligning with leaders like Jones, who once told his InfoWars viewership that government programs are producing “people with gills” and “humanoids crossed with fish.”

Trump's White Boys Army

What Is the 'Alt-Right? A Guide to the White Nationalist Movement Now Leading Conservative Media Media Matters

Over the last few months, the so-called “alt-right” has become one of the most prominent factions of the conservative media. The movement’s leading outlet is Breitbart News, whose chairman, Stephen Bannon, has just become the CEO of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

In many ways the “alt-right” is a rebranding of classic white nationalism for the 21st century. As BuzzFeed described the movement: “In short, it’s white supremacy perfectly tailored for our times: 4chan-esque racist rhetoric combined with a tinge of Silicon Valley–flavored philosophizing, all riding on the coattails of the Trump boom.”

The “alt-right” opposes diversity and immigration, arguing that those policies are a form of “white genocide.” It embraces racism, sexism, anti-Muslim bigotry, and anti-Semitism and sees its goal as usurping the traditional conservative movement, which it views as feckless and weak, in favor of a brand of nationalism.

With the ascension of Trump, the “alt-right’s” chosen candidate, as the nominee of the Republican Party, its mission is all but accomplished.

The following is a survey of the key concepts of the “alt-right,” the major figures and media outlets in the movement, and reaction to the "alt-right."'

A new poll showing Hillary Clinton up 10 points gives insight into why Donald Trump's campaign is faltering Washington Post

The pollsters asked respondents to address the topic of whether Trump's campaign rhetoric promotes bigotry. 59% answered affirmatively, with a plurality of every demographic -- except Republicans weighing in at 29% -- saying that Trump appealed to bigotry. Subgroups answering affirmatively included majorities of independents, men, women, whites with or without college degrees, people aged 64 or younger and both whites and nonwhites. Among all whites, 54% felt that Trump appeals to bigotry (with 50% of white men agreeing). Among nonwhites, the figure was 72%.

Is Rudy Giuliani okay? Washington Post

WE ARE a little worried about Rudy Giuliani, the Republican former mayor of New York. Is “America’s mayor” okay?

During his 15-minute speech at the GOP convention last month in Cleveland, it was notable that when he said Donald Trump loves “all people, from the top to the bottom,” Mr. Giuliani animatedly gestured toward his knees as he said “top,” and above his head as he said “bottom.” Also, why did he say that he and his wife, Judith, have been friends with Mr. Trump for 30 years, though he met his wife in 1999, only 17 years ago?

Also — we’re noting this purely out of concern — during his speech he often licked his lips, indicating dry mouth, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, can be a symptom of nerve damage, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease. At the end of his address, beads of sweat were visible on his pate — did that not suggest heart disease?

Mr. Giuliani is just 72, but he seemed slightly stooped as he walked to the lectern, where his wide stance made us wonder if he’s unsteady on his feet. Then there was his slurred diction, as when he referred to “jushtified” police shootings and Syrian “refyoongees.” More evidence of a stroke?

Yes, all of the above is ludicrous — as ludicrous as Mr. Giuliani’s own loathsome smears and innuendo about Hillary Clinton’s health, which follow Mr. Trump’s. In recent days, indulging a grudge he has evidently held for years, he has urged people to watch Internet videosthat purport to prove Ms. Clinton is ill. He doubled down after that, saying the Democratic presidential nominee appeared “tired” and “sick.”

Hillary Clinton Headlines August 26, 2016

The Clinton Foundation Is Not a Scandal. It's a Phenomenal, Life-saving Success. Slate

Citigroup: A Trump Victory in November Could Cause a Global Recession Bloomberg

Bad Omens for Bernie's Political Revolution The Atlantic

There Is No Horse Race Slate

A Regular Liberal Critic Goes All In On Clinton's Presidential Run Huff Po

Jorge Ramos Urges Fellow Journalists Not To 'Stay Silent On' Media Matters

CNN Melts Down After Hillary Holds Her Ground in Anderson Cooper Interview BNR

Trump's campaign CEO once charged in domestic violence case Politico

How American Muslim Women Are Taking on Trump The Atlantic

August 25, 2016

AP Writers Stephen Braun & Elizabeth Sullivan Do Total Hatchet Job On Longtime Clinton Friend Dr. Muhammad Yunus

August 25, 2016/ Anne Enke

The AP's Big Expose on Hillary Meeting With Clinton Foundation Donors Is a Mess VOX

The media would like you to believe that the Clinton-Trump campaign has hit rock bottom but they can hold their heads high as ethical professionals just trying to promote truth.

No, dear media. You're in the cellar along with DC in terms of being loathed by Americans of all political persuasions. You will sugarcoat the truth, saying that your neutrality will always have people angry at you. But as VOX points out, the AP hit piece on Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation is a new low in journalism. At least Maureen Dowd's anti-Hillary diatribes are marketed as opinion.

The specific hit piece on the granting of favors between then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and donors to the Clinton Foundation has hit a new low for 'credentialed' media. I would expect it from Breitbart.

Nobel winner and founder of women's microfinance Muhammad Yunus receives 11 paragraphs in the AP story. I've met Dr. Yunus in conjunction with a Clinton Global Initiative event and have followed him for years. Many of us were concerned that Dr. Yunus would be imprisoned or worse yet -- executed -- when a new prime minister decided to take him on for trying to liberate' women in Bangladesh through his highly-acclaimed microfinance program. The highly decorated leader was accused of irregularity at Grameen Bank, not only for his efforts on behalf of women but over fears that he would start his own political party to try to clean up Bangladesh's government. The prime minister accused Dr. Yunus and his microlenders as being "bloodsuckers of the poor". Sounds like Trump, right?

NONE of this background is detailed in AP story, and only a few Americans would know the facts. Presumably, writers Stephen Braun and Eileen Sullivan have done no homework on why Dr. Yunus was reaching out to the Clintons for help OR the reality that they have been friends since Arkansas days.

Bill & Hillary Clinton brought Yunus to Arkansas in 1983 to learn more about how microfinance could be used in the state, and Bill Clinton talked about his work during his 1992 presidential campaign.

The vast majority -- if not all the money -- reported as donations by Yunus to CGI represent substantial membership fees that are paid to be a member of CGI.

Yesterday the authors threw their hands up in the air, saying they were only writing facts and not drawing any conclusions in their hit piece.

There may be NOWHERE else in the world with the caliber of professionals from business, education, philanthropy and activism who have gathered in New York every September for CHI meetings. I am furious with the AP story and all its insinuations -- and this is just one example. Melinda Gates, another of my heroes, was also hit.

These same media personalities then tee up the question for Hillary Clinton: why do voters think there's a perception problem with the Clinton Foundation?

You tell me, dear media. Why do you think??? ~ Anne

Quote from VOX: "More than a year ago, Jon Allen wrote for Vox about the special "Clinton Rules" that have governed much reporting on Bill and Hillary Clinton over the past 25 years. On the list are the notions that even the most ridiculous charges are worthy of massive investigation, that the Clintons’ bad faith will always be presumed, and that actions that would normally be deemed banal are newsworthy simply because the Clintons are involved.

The blockbuster AP story released Tuesday afternoon fits the model to a T."

Muhammad Yunus Is A Decades-Long Clinton Friend A Nobel Prize Winner. Donations Aren't Why She Met With Him Media Matters

Clinton Campaign Blasts 'Massive Misrepresentations' in AP Story Politico

No friend to Hillary Clinton, MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell also cautioned yesterday on how to interpret the AP story regarding people who support the Clinton Foundation seeking meetings or a phone call with Hillary Clinton. Those two orbits intersect every day of the week and not for nefarious reasons. On CNN Wednesday morning, the Clinton campaign responded to CNN's Chris Cuomo:

As far as Donald Trump is concerned, Benenson made note of the Republican nominee's past $100,000 contribution to the foundation, sarcastically asking if he was "paying for play," as it has been suggested of the other donors.

"People give donations to this foundation because they believe in the work of this foundation," Benenson said. "And to say that meeting with 84 [sic] people out of 3,000 people over the span of your tenure says something you know, even inappropriate is going on I think is a completely flawed premise. And that's the problem with the AP report looking at this data, lumping together 85 people out of 3,000 that she met with, including people like a Nobel prize winner who's been awarded by the president and Congress for his work in the developing world, helping entrepreneurs start businesses and improve their lives. If that's wrong, then Donald Trump's living on another planet, which he may be anyway."

Hillary Clinton Leads Donald Trump by 12 Points in New Poll Huffington Post

Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump by 12 percentage points among likely voters, her strongest showing this month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Tuesday.

The Aug. 18-22 poll results have 45% of voters supporting Clinton, while 33% back Trump ahead of the Nov. 8 election."

Trump Faces Hurdle With Minority Voters as Clinton Maintains Lead, Poll Shows NBC News

Hillary Clinton continues to hold a large national lead over Donald Trump, 50 percent to 42 percent, weeks after the Democratic National Convention.

Clinton's 8-pt advantage is in a steady state, virtually unchanged from her 9-point lead last week, in line with similar margins since the end of July. The latest NBC News|SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll among registered voters. The gender gap remains with Trump leading among men by 6 pts 49 pts to 43 pts and Clinton ahead among women by 21 pts -- 56 pts to 35 pts. Clinton's clear dominance among minority voters remains unchanged.