'They knew what was happening, and they didn't tell you'

The lone debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City last night was calmer and more disciplined than last week's fight between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. Nevertheless, sparks flew from both sides of the stage on a range of issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, trade, jobs, and America's posture toward China and Russia. In a sweeping attack on the Trump Administration's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, Harris dropped the gloves from the outset, saying, "The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country."

• — Losers and suckers. When Harris tore into Trump over damning reports about his attitude and actions toward the U.S. Armed Forces, Pence refused to move on without completing his rebuttal, forcing a rebuke from moderator Susan Page. "You've had more time than she's had so far," she said. "I did not create the rules tonight." Pence insisted that the "slanders" against Trump regarding the military are "absurd." —CNBC
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• — "To protect the health and safety of all involved." In light of the president's COVID-19 diagnosis, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates has decided to shift to a virtual format for the second presidential debate on Oct. 15. Biden's campaign indicated he is prepared to participate and requested that the town hall format be rescheduled for Oct. 22. 
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• — "I'm not going to do a virtual debate." In an interview on Fox Business this morning, Trump insisted he's in "great shape" and called the idea of a debate other than face-to-face a "joke." So Zoom is good enough for you and your kids, but it's apparently beneath the President of the United States. Ugh. —Associated Press

Militia group planned to kidnap MI governor

State and federal law enforcement officials have charged 13 people with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, according to newly unsealed court records. The FBI became aware early in 2020, through social media, that a militia group was "discussing the violent overthrow of certain government and law enforcement components," and "agreed to take violent action."

• — Members of the group discussed "murdering ... tyrants" or "taking" a sitting governor, according to the affidavit. The group met for field exercises and training several times this year. At one such meeting, held on June 20 in Grand Rapids, the FBI was monitoring the group.
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• — Plans included using 200 men to "storm" the state capitol building in Lansing, kidnap Whitmer, and try her for treason. The group also discussed detonating explosive devices in other locations to divert police attention from the governor.
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• — "All of us can disagree about politics, but those disagreements should never, ever result in violence," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider in the Eastern District of Michigan. "The allegations in this complaint are deeply disturbing. We owe our thanks to the men and women of law enforcement who uncovered this plot and have worked so hard to protect Gov. Whitmer." —USA Today

Hill: We're our own worst enemy

"The Russian operation was sophisticated and audacious, but it took advantage of our mistakes and what Americans did to fellow Americans. Russian operatives did not invent our crude tribal politics; they invented internet personas to whip them up. American politicians reduced the country to red and blue states; Russian operatives purchased online ads to target voters on both sides of the domestic divide. American commentators pinned vitriolic labels on our national leaders; Russian bots spread the offensive comments around." —The New York Times

Ed. Note: Fiona Hill was senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council from 2017 to 2019.

MORE: Facebook to temporarily halt political ads in US after polls close, broadening earlier restrictions —The Washington Post

Let's talk about Russia

The divisive nature of U.S. politics is a big problem, and Russia has taken, and continues to take, advantage of it. A Department of Homeland Security report released this week concludes that "Moscow's primary objective is to increase its global standing and influence by weakening America—domestically and abroad—through efforts to sow discord, distract, shape public sentiment, and undermine trust in Western democratic institutions and processes." —Axios

• — Empty promises. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien says Russia "committed" not to meddle in the U.S. election after he warned his Russian counterpart that there would be "no tolerance" for interference. But O'Brien was focused on cyberattacks on election infrastructure. This is, of course, extremely important, but it does not include influence operations, which are still a favorite of Moscow. —TIME
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• — Switching platforms. This year, Russia's Internet Research Agency, which was active in 2016, appears to be behind a new operation targeting voters on Gab and Parler, social media platforms favored by the far-right. These platforms don't have the broad reach of Facebook or Twitter, but by focusing on niche platforms, Russia hopes to further radicalize a sliver of the American electorate and ratchet up domestic tensions. —Axios
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• — Hung up on 2016. Though U.S. intelligence is focused on 2020, President Trump is still trying to push the narrative that Russian interference in the last presidential election is all a "hoax." To that end, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe yesterday approved the release of almost 1,000 pages of materials to the Justice Department as part of an investigation of the FBI's probe of Russian interference in 2016. Current and former officials have criticized the move as a political maneuver designed to bolster Trump's claims that Obama Administration officials conspired to fabricate connections between his campaign and Russia. —The Washington Post

Klaas: Who's minding the store?

"A small number of international election observers do monitor U.S. elections. But most missions pull their punches for geopolitical reasons, hoping not to anger the most powerful government on the planet. Still, they routinely chronicle flaws in American democracy, from gerrymandering to long lines for voting to opaque campaign financing. But this year, it's much worse. Several organizations aren't sending any observers because of the pandemic. Others have drastically pared back their missions to a few dozen people. With the election under unprecedented threat from the president himself, there will be fewer eyes watching." —The Washington Post

Ed. Note: Brian Klaas is an assistant professor of global politics at University College London, and the co-author of "How to Rig an Election."

MORE: Don't worry, we got this: FBI Director, NSA chief release video on election security —Business Insider

Trump tax case likely heading back to SCOTUS

A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that Donald Trump's accountant must turn over eight years' worth of the president's personal and corporate tax records to a New York state prosecutor, almost certainly setting up a second trip to the U.S. Supreme Court.

• — How'd we get here? In August, a district court judge rejected the Trump legal team's efforts to invalidate a subpoena that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., issued to Trump's accounting firm last year. The appellate court upheld the lower court's decision.
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  — What happened before that? In July, the high court ruled 7-2 against the president, rejecting Trump's arguments that he can't even be investigated, let alone charged with any crime, while he is in office. But the court said Trump can challenge the subpoena on other grounds, just like anyone else who receives a subpoena.
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• — Why do they want his taxes? Vance's office is investigating hush money paid in 2016 to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal about alleged extramarital affairs with Trump. But even if Vance gets a favorable SCOTUS ruling, don't expect any public disclosures. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and the issue is unlikely to be resolved before the November election in any case. —The Guardian

Israel & Molinari: Let's join forces to save democracy

"[W]e need a full-blown political campaign that supports the basic principles for democracy and opposes its adversaries. This is not a slick marketing campaign that hides what is broken, but a political battle that gives the best candidates the attention they deserve. If democracy is under siege by foreign adversaries and trolls, it is political malpractice to cede the message to them without fighting back. We need to use all such skills we have to defend democracy from attacks, discredit those who are weakening our norms, and offer a better alternative message." —The Hill

Ed. Note: Former U.S. Reps. Steve Israel (D) and Susan Molinari (R) represented New York in Congress.

MORE: What authoritarian countries can teach us about democracy —USA Today

People helping people...and horses

Kelley Stobie runs Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, a thoroughbred racehorse rehabilitation and rehoming facility, on her farm in Puerto Rico. Funding is a constant struggle—and even more so during a global pandemic. Luckily, a couple of organizations came together recently in a show of support for the work Stobie does at CTA, making a huge difference at just the right time.

• — Stobie is known for being super-resourceful. After Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, she won awards for her bravery and dedication by saving more than 800 horses at the demolished Camarero racetrack, where they were trapped in the wreckage. She got them out, arranged medical care, and coordinated emergency supplies and help from the U.S. mainland.
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• — Finding hay in Puerto Rico is a constant struggle. The island lacks the rich pastures like you'd see in Kentucky, so Stobie is always on the lookout for five bales here and 10 bales there. Each time she gets a new horse, she gets to work sourcing out funding and resources to support its care. That's been more difficult during the pandemic.
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• — Thankfully, After the Finish Line threw Stobie a lifeline. The non-profit funding source for thoroughbred racehorses awarded her a $3,000 grant to buy hay. All she needed was a way to get it from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico. That's where shipping and logistics company Trailer Bridge stepped in—delivering the hay free of charge, and showing what it means to be a good neighbor. —Good News Network

Hearing POTUS say to "...not let COVID dominate you..." sounds eerily familiar to how Fred Trump talked to the family, per Mary Trump's book. The concept of positive thinking being able to overcome anything—and that one was weak if one complained or was not able to do everything Fred thought one should do, regardless of circumstances—reflects a total absence of reality. No wonder there is no empathy or understanding from this administration on anything that might not match their virtual reality. —Harry G., Virginia

Trump has long derided, even demeaned, the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. 

But considering the cavalier, reckless, even dangerous behavior he demonstrated by hosting a largely maskless rally attended by his biggest supporters...after he knew one his closest aides, Hope Hicks, had tested positive for COVID-19, it's clear that to Trump...

Neither black nor white lives matter! —Jim V., New York

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