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President Trump has unloaded on Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) after the congressman held up the Senates $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill by threatening to raise a procedural objection. Lawmakers had largely left the Capitol and were expecting to do a voice vote, but Massie decided to express his displeasure with the bill by demanding a roll-call vote that would hold up the process. In a series of tweets on Friday, Massie confirmed that he would demand lawmakers be present for the vote. He said he opposed the bill, approved unanimously by the Senate on Wednesday, because he thought it added to the national debt, increased secrecy around the Federal Reserve and had unnecessary inclusions, like provisions for artists. It shouldnt be stuffed full of Nancy Pelosis pork, he wrote. I am not delaying the bill like Nancy Pelosi did last week... The bill that was worked on in the Senate late last week was much better before Speaker Pelosi showed up to destroy it and add days and days to the process. He said more money should go to individuals, rather than corporations, and to expanding the availability of tests.

Trump exploded on Twitter on Friday, calling Massie a third rate Grandstander who should be expelled from the Republican Party. He called the delay both dangerous and costly. Several lawmakers begrudgingly returned to the Capitol on Friday to vote on the package.

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Trump Unloads on Thomas Massie After the Republican Rep Stalls Coronavirus Relief Bill - The Daily Beast

Republican strategists believe President Trump is not stuck on his idea to begin reopening the country by Easter, as epidemiologists counsel a longer wait.

According to our models, deaths and new cases will still be increasing at Easter, said Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Things will be getting to their absolute peak. The public and most governors and most people in the federal government will be extremely anxious because there will be more demand on hospitals than capacity and more deaths.

Trump allies are worried about this possible outcome. But many stressed that the presidents talk of quarantines ending at Easter is more flexible, and the actual policies implemented are likely to be more data-driven than his critics suppose.

"I think most people understand that Easter is an aspirational goal and that local and state officials will be making the decision, not the federal government, Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak said. The problem is that four states are dealing with severe outbreaks [California, New York, Washington state, and New Jersey], and the other 46 states mostly have it managed right now. A nationwide shelter-at-home approach makes no sense for vast swaths of the country. At some point, we have to return to work. Trump is trying to balance these competing desires. There is no road map."

Republican strategist Nicholas Everhart agreed. "The presidents Easter goal of economic and life normalcy, if you would, is really more of a throwaway aspirational idea to make people feel good," he said. "The day has little bearing on reality. Also, while he continues to reference it, when the Easter normalcy doesnt come to fruition, the foil or reason the date isnt met he can say was the decision of individual state governors.

By eyeing Easter as a possible target for a return to normalcy, President Trump is employing a business strategy known as a stretch goal, said a third GOP strategist. Unlike a commit goal, stretch goals are flexible and do not necessarily have to be met. Rather, stretch goals are motivational tools to make success seem closer, but it also psychologically urges people to work harder to try to achieve it. Add in the fact that Easter itself is premised upon resurrection, and Trump has given the American public hope and mental light at the end of the tunnel.

What if nothing substantial changes next month? If by the time we get to Easter, and the medical data and experts suggest a return to normalcy is not feasible at that time, Trumps next stretch date could be Memorial Day or July 4 a rebirth of normalcy to pair with the birth of America, this strategist said. The reason why Trump cant just say I will solely rely on the experts is because it takes a psychological arrow out of his quiver, and it creates a sense of depression among the American people. So, this is a very wise tactic by Trump despite the media grousing.

Trump has implied as much himself. Every decision we make is grounded solely on the health, safety, and well-being of our citizens, he assured reporters at a White House coronavirus press briefing. This is a medical crisis; this isn't a financial crisis. But he acknowledged liking the imagery of packed churches on Easter Sunday according to his beautiful timeline. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, called on Friday for Trump to level with the American people about what lies ahead.

Lets say we open up Easter Sunday regardless of the facts on the ground, said Ashish Jha, director of Harvards Global Health Institute. For the first couple of weeks, it will be fine nobody will notice the difference. Then, in three to four weeks, people going to emergency rooms will spike.

Murray indicated Trump would have to wait at least another month. There may be options in May that allow you to frequently test people and people who are not infected will be able to go back to work, he said.

Infections have to be reasonably under control, you cant have a spiking number, said Jha. You've got to have very extensive testing set up in your community. Then, you can open up, and you have to have a very aggressive testing regime.

The Trump administration is currently working on new federal guidelines.

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Republican strategists believe Trump flexible on wish to unlock the country by Easter - Washington Examiner

The former Republican senator Tom Coburn has died at 72, according to a newspaper in his native Oklahoma.

The Oklahoman published a statement from the senators family and said he died after a long fight with prostate cancer. Coburn, the paper said, "served in the Senate from 2005 to 2015 and in the US House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001. After leaving the Senate, he pushed for a constitutional convention and advocated for a range of conservative fiscal causes.

Mike Pence, the vice-president, wrote on Twitter: Tom Coburn was a great conservative voice in the United States Congress and American physician whose legacy will live on. Karen and I send our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family during this tough time.

Coburn was a doctor who resigned his Senate seat following his cancer diagnosis.

This decision isnt about my health, my prognosis or even my hopes and desires, he said then. As a citizen, I am now convinced that I can best serve my own children and grandchildren by shifting my focus elsewhere.

One such effort was in support of rightwing efforts to call a Constitutional Convention, in an attempt to dramatically restrict the powers of the US federal government.

Were in a battle for the future of our country, Coburn told the annual convention of the American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec) in New Orleans in August 2018. Were either going to become a socialist, Marxist country like western Europe, or were going to be free. As far as me and my family and my guns, Im going to be free.

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Former Republican senator Tom Coburn dies aged 72 - The Guardian

Rep. Michael McCaulMichael Thomas McCaulHillicon Valley: Apple rolls out coronavirus screening app, website | Pompeo urged to crack down on coronavirus misinformation from China | Senators push FTC on price gouging | Instacart workers threaten strike House Republican urges Pompeo to take steps to limit misinformation from China on coronavirus Hillicon Valley: Facebook reports huge spike in usage during pandemic | Democrats push for mail-in voting funds in coronavirus stimulus | Trump delays deadline to acquire REAL ID MORE (R-Texas) is urging Secretary of StateMike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoCoronavirus response reveals deep fractures in global partnerships Hillicon Valley: Apple rolls out coronavirus screening app, website | Pompeo urged to crack down on coronavirus misinformation from China | Senators push FTC on price gouging | Instacart workers threaten strike COVID-19 intensifies the case for blacklisting Khalifa Haftar MORE to take steps to limit the spread of online Chinese misinformation around the coronavirus pandemic.

McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Pompeo on Thursday requesting that Pompeo intensify efforts to counter disinformation around the coronavirus spread by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The CCP is carrying out a disinformation campaign in an attempt to transfer blame to the United States that is exacerbating this dire situation, McCaul wrote. The State Department has demonstrated considerable flexibility and ingenuity in responding to the CCPs information warfare, and I urge you and your team to continue these efforts and to coordinate with willing allies.

The congressman asked that the State Department pursue an investigation into the CCPs coronavirus coverup, including disinformation spread aboutwhere the virus originated, and that Pompeo brief Congress about the CCPs disinformation efforts.

The CCPs information warfare against the United States on coronavirus and other matters underscores the Departments counter disinformation and public diplomacy efforts are more important than ever, McCaul wrote.

The letter to Pompeo was sent on the heels of a separate one McCaul sent to the CEOs of Google, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook earlier this week, in which he called on the social media platforms to ban all CCP media outlets and their officials from posting due to the disinformation they spread,as well as Beijing recently expellingAmerican journalists in China.

A spokesperson for McCaul told The Hill that the companies were working with him to address his concerns, with the spokesperson adding they hoped the companies would do the right thing and take this propaganda down.

Pompeo has called out China and other countries in recent weeks for spreading disinformation around the coronavirus pandemic.

"There are coordinated efforts to disparage what America is doing and our activity to do all the things President TrumpDonald John TrumpWith VP pick, Biden can't play small ball in a long ball world Coronavirus hits defense contractor jobs Wake up America, your country doesn't value your life MORE has set into motion," Pompeo said during a press briefing on the pandemic last week.

It is pretty diffused, unfortunately, Pompeo added. But we have certainly seen it come from places like China, and Russia and Iran.

McCaul is not the first lawmaker to criticize China for its actions around the coronavirus crisis.

Sen. Ben SasseBenjamin (Ben) Eric SasseHouse Republican urges Pompeo to take steps to limit misinformation from China on coronavirus How much damage? The true cost of the Senate's coronavirus relief bill Senate rejects GOP attempt to change unemployment benefits in coronavirus stimulus bill MORE (R-Neb.) and Rep. Mike GallagherMichael (Mike) John GallagherHouse Republican urges Pompeo to take steps to limit misinformation from China on coronavirus Twitter comes under fire over Chinese disinformation on coronavirus Hillicon Valley: Senators press Amazon over workplace safety amid outbreak | Lyft expands to deliveries | Dems seek election security funds in stimulus package MORE (R-Wis.) sent a joint letter to Twitter last week asking the platform to block CCP content. Twitter latertold The Hillthat official government accounts engaging in conversation about the origins of the virus would not be taken down.

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House Republican urges Pompeo to take steps to limit misinformation from China on coronavirus | TheHill - The Hill

The Moffat County Republican Party assembly took on a different look Saturday afternoon.

Public health orders to limit meetings to 10 people or less amid COVID-19 concerns threw a wrench into the Republican partys annual county assembly plans, but thanks to a change in state legislature and delegate flexibility, the Moffat County Republican Party pulled off a historic first for the area, holding a drive-through county assembly Saturday afternoon at Craig Middle School.

According to Moffat County Republican Party Chairman Doug Winters, all 76 delegates that were selected at the March 7 caucus showed up to vote Saturday.

District 57 representative Perry Will also showed up to support local Republicans Saturday, as did Republican Debra Irvine, who is running against Senator Bob Rankin in District 8.

There were different platforms to hold voting that we looked at, Winters said. Weld County had something set up that we took a look at, and we felt it would work best for us. We felt the drive-through assembly was the best way for us to be as close to a county assembly as possible.

It worked wonderfully today, Winters added. We received a lot of positive comments. Obviously, we still like the traditional method, but this worked out beautifully. Everyone was safe, wore latex gloves, and were mindful of social distancing. The delegates stayed in their vehicles and voted, so we really stressed maintaining social distancing.

In District 1, incumbent County Commissioner Don Cook received 22 votes, which fell one short of the necessary 23 votes to hold a spot on the primary ballot in late June. Current City Councilor Tony Bohrer, who is running against Cook in District 1, earned 54 votes, pushing him onto the ballot for the primary.

While the number of votes Bohrer received Saturday was pleasing to him, he was more impressed with the turnout and the overall job the Republican Party did in holding the drive-through assembly.

I thought the Republican Executive Committee and Doug Winters did a great job with the adversity they had to go through, Bohrer said. Doing something that theyve never done before, which had never been done, and pulling it off without any hiccups the way they did was impressive; that was pretty cool.

It was definitely different than what weve ever done or experienced; it was different but good, Bohrer added. Id rather get to speak in front of everybody and tell them why youre running and all those things. We didnt get to do that this time, but I definitely felt like it was without flaw today.

Bohrer will be on the only Republican or Democrat to appear on the primary ballot in late June for the District 1 seat. According to Winters, unaffiliated candidates can still be on the election ballot through petition. Major party candidates are only allowed to be write-in candidates as of now.

In District 2, former County Commissioner Chuck Grobe received 40 votes, while Melody Villard received 35 votes. One delegate abstained in District 2s voting. Grobe and Villard are running to fill Commissioner Ray Becks seat.

It was very different, Grobe said. I just wanted to be out there if anyone had any questions or had any comments. I thought it was important for me to be out there to make that possible.

It was really smooth today despite being something new, Grobe added. People drove through, picked up a ballot, and voted. It was greatand then it started snowing at the end.

With both receiving enough votes to land on the primary ballot in late June, the pair will continue to hit the campaign trail leading up to the primaries.

The next steps for me is just to continue to reach out to people and start to ramp up the campaign now that Im on the primary ballot, Villard said. I want to share my thoughts with people, and really listen to what voters are looking for.

jcarney@craigdailypress.com

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Drive-through voting a first for Moffat County Republican Party - Craig Daily Press