Stark contrast in style and substance highlighted on Monday evening

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What does "America First" really mean? The nationalists would tell you that it means abandoning our international responsibilities and closing off our borders to anyone who doesn't fit their narrow idea of an American. So it's not surprising that the term has long been associated with racist movements in the U.S. But in the spirit of repurposing terms to suit more inclusive and honorable causes, I would propose a new America First definition—one that reflects our first principles, rather than fear, cynicism, and chauvinism. Building on common ground with Americans of other political affiliations to defend our democracy and mutual well-being is how we truly put America—its people and the ideals it stands for—first. It's also the only way out of the morass of hostility and mistrust that is tearing America apart. Let's choose leaders who embrace this far better version of "America First." —Melissa Amour, Managing Editor

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** 'We are going to bring all these interests together'
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If the Donald Trump coronavirus drama was a little too much for you last night, then the Joe Biden town hall was likely a welcome respite. The Democratic presidential nominee sat with NBC's Lester Holt and an audience of socially distanced, undecided voters in Miami, Fla. Biden contrasted his positions on a number of pressing topics with those of his opponent in the upcoming election, now less than a month away. ([link removed])
* — On COVID-19. "I would hope that the president having gone through what he went through—and I'm glad he seems to be coming along pretty well—would communicate the right lesson to the American people," he said. "Masks matter. These masks, they matter. It matters. It saves lives. It prevents the spread of the disease." ([link removed])
*
* — On racial equality. Biden said that one of the reasons he decided to run for president was due to the "constant dog whistle" to racists coming from Trump and his supporters. He also promised to bring together "peaceful protesters, police chiefs, police officers, police unions, as well as a civil rights groups" at the White House to find solutions to systemic racism in policing. ([link removed])
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* — On the debate. Reflecting on last week's chaotic presidential debate, Biden said he was "trying to figure out how I could possibly have [Trump] respect the debate, respect the evening, respect the moderator, and get us an opportunity to speak." He continued, "The one thing that became absolutely clear... he didn't want to answer any questions. He did not want to talk about substance." —Axios ([link removed])

MORE: Trump 'looking forward' to next debate, but CDC says he may still be contagious —Forbes ([link removed])


** Meanwhile, at the White House...
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In 34 states, the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases is higher now than it was a month ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its official guidance to confirm that the virus is airborne. But at the White House, where he continues his convalescence from the virus, President Trump says there's nothing to fear. In fact, there isn't even a plan to contact-trace guests at a Rose Garden ceremony 10 days ago that looks suspiciously like a super-spreader event. Purposely contracting the virus appears to be the president's latest bizarre spin on "leadership," and it threatens to put staffers, reporters, and others in jeopardy. —The New York Times ([link removed])
* — Joint Chiefs in quarantine. Several of the nation's top uniformed military officers have gone into quarantine after attending meetings at the Pentagon with a Coast Guard commander, Adm. Charles Ray, who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday after exhibiting symptoms. —The Wall Street Journal ([link removed])
*
* — Stimulus talks halted. The "master negotiator" has given up on negotiations...again—and this time, Americans' pandemic relief is being held hostage. "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," Trump tweeted today. To sum up: he doesn't care who gets sick, and he doesn't care who's struggling. —Bloomberg ([link removed])
*
* — Get a hold of the virus to get a hold of the economy. That's been the message from former Vice President Joe Biden throughout the pandemic, and the chair of the Federal Reserve concurs. A second wave of coronavirus could "more significantly limit economic activity, not to mention the tragic effects on lives and well-being," Jerome Powell said this morning. "Managing this risk as the expansion continues will require following medical experts' guidance, including using masks and social-distancing measures." If only the president would listen. —CNN ([link removed])

MORE: Facebook, Twitter block Trump post that falsely claims coronavirus is less deadly than flu —CNBC ([link removed])


** Hasen: Preparing for the unthinkable
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"With coronavirus infections raging through the White House and the state of the president's health unclear, it's time to face up to an unsettling reality. We need to start thinking about what to do if the disease incapacitates...President Trump or his opponent, Joe Biden—or even both of them—between now and January 6, 2021, when Congress meets to count Electoral College votes. These scenarios may be unlikely, but they need to be considered because being unprepared for any of them would be a calamity for our democracy." —CNN ([link removed])

Ed. Note: Richard Hasen is a professor of law and political science at the University of California, Irvine, and the author of "Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy."

MORE: The murky legal concept that could swing the election —Politico ([link removed])


** Eric Trump testifies in NY case
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President Trump's son Eric, an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, was questioned under oath by the New York attorney general's office yesterday. He was deposed via video-conference per an order by state Justice Arthur Engoron, to enforce seven subpoenas for documents and testimony that the Trump Organization was withholding. The judge rejected Trump's argument that he was too busy working on his father's re-election campaign to submit to questioning. ([link removed])
* — The probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James is investigating whether the family's real-estate company falsely reported property values to get loans or tax benefits. They're focusing on a property outside New York City called Seven Springs, as well as several other transactions. The company has denied wrongdoing. ([link removed])
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* — The attorney general's office also advised Engoron in a court filing that former Trump land-use lawyer Charles Martabano, who was subpoenaed in the case, had provided an updated log of hundreds of documents related to the Seven Springs property. ([link removed])
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* — The state says Martabano previously withheld the documents and communications with the full knowledge and consent of the Trump Organization. "The court should consider the reliability of the Trump Organization's other factual representations in this matter," the AG's office concluded. —Bloomberg ([link removed])

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** Millies: A de-escalating solution for SCOTUS?
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"The roiling, polarizing dynamics of our abortion politics have politicized the judicial branch to a dangerous degree, and the time has come for a solution that will carve out some nonpartisan, deliberative space for the Supreme Court. Rather than packing the court with more liberal justices, a President Biden could convene a bipartisan, blue-ribbon commission to study how Congress might regulate and limit the court's appellate jurisdiction to slow the pace of the partisan struggle over the Constitution's meaning. This would reduce or remove the passion from the tumult over Supreme Court appointments. A court that does less and takes more time to do it would be a much less inviting object of partisan struggle." — ([link removed]) The Hill ([link removed])

Ed. Note:
Steven Millies is an associate professor of public theology and director of The Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

MORE: Senate panel announces Oct 12 Supreme Court confirmation hearing —Reuters ([link removed])


** SCOTUS sides with GOP on mail-in ballots
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In one of several battles over voting procedure in the presidential election this year, the Supreme Court last night agreed with South Carolina Republicans and said mail-in ballots must contain a witness' signature. Federal courts has previously ruled that the requirement should be waived because of the coronavirus pandemic. ([link removed])
* — Republicans argued that the legislature expanded absentee voting because of the pandemic but intentionally did not suspend the witness requirement, "deeming it an important tool for deterring fraud and promoting confidence." ([link removed])
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— Democrats said that because the witness requirement was not in place during the state's primary, imposing it in the general election "would risk substantial voter confusion." ([link removed])
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* — Though the court sided with Republican lawmakers, it made one concession. Since more than 150,000 absentee ballots have already been mailed out, any ballots cast before the court's action and received within two days of the order will not be rejected for failing to comply with the witness requirement. —The Washington Post ([link removed])

MORE: On-time delivery of first-class mail, which contains ballots, plummets —CNN ([link removed])


** Orr: The conservative case for Biden
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"Across the country, Republicans, former Republicans who've left the party, and conservative-leaning voters have simply been sickened by the unethical, disgraceful, and harmful conduct of Trump. As Trump now aggressively lies about voting by mail alternatives in the upcoming election, he refuses to acknowledge the fundamental concept of the peaceful transfer of power after an election. It's overt threats to the underpinnings of our democratic system like that, that result in so many Republicans and former Republicans making the decision to support Joe Biden—not Trump." — ([link removed]) Raleigh News & Observer ([link removed])

Ed. Note: Robert Orr is a retired justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina chair of Republicans for a New President.

MORE: Applebaum: A citizen's guide to defending the election —The Atlantic ([link removed])


** 'I think we can do it'
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Bea Lumpkin is no ordinary voter. At 102, she is among the U.S.'s 90,000 centenarians. And she has a message for the millions of Americans younger than she is who are eligible to vote: if she can do it, so can you. ([link removed])
* — Well-protected against the coronavirus pandemic, the petite Chicagoan just cast her mail-in ballot for the 2020 election. ([link removed])
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* — "I had my grandson take a photo of me, because if I could come out at the age of 102 and face a pandemic [to vote], nobody should have an excuse," Lumpkin said. ([link removed])
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* — "I think that in this election, more than any other that I've taken part in, the only way we can answer it is for the people to come out and vote and stay active to a degree we've never seen before," she said. Wise words. We agree. —ABC News ([link removed])

Ed. Note: Would you like to suggest "An American Story" from your local news? If so, please forward a link to the story to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Thank you!

Bankruptcy didn't make Trump more empathetic to the poor. Why does anyone think being infected will make Trump more empathetic with the sick? —Leonard C., Texas

Trump's statement that Americans shouldn't "let COVID dominate their lives" is a snapshot of why he is unfit to be president: he repeatedly proves himself incapable of thinking of anyone but himself. What are Americans who have been impacted by, or suffered from, or lost a loved one due to COVID-19 supposed to take from that statement? Certainly not the solidarity, comfort, and empathy that you would expect from someone who finds themselves suddenly walking around in your shoes. Unfortunately, at this point, none of us can be surprised when he continues to prove his narcissism. —Meredith D., Alabama
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** The views expressed in "What's Your Take?" are submitted by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff or the Stand Up Republic Foundation.
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Got feedback about THE TOPLINE? Send it to Melissa Amour, Managing Editor, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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