2020 Archives - Tennessee Star

In 2020, Democrats Used Filibuster 327 Times; Republican Used it Only Once

March 31, 2021March 30, 2021 Admin

As the debate regarding the future of the Senate filibuster heats up, a recent report has confirmed that the Democrats, who are now advocating for its abolition, utilized the procedural stalling tactic exponentially more times than the Republicans did over the course of 2020, as reported by Breitbart.

With the Senate evenly-divided at 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, most legislation will not be able to pass without at least 60 votes in favor due to the filibuster. As such, Democrats – who technically maintain control with Vice President Kamala Harris able to serve as the tie-breaking vote – have begun advocating for eliminating the filibuster in order to rush through some of the most radical items on their agenda without any Republican support.

160 Confederate Monuments Were Taken Down in 2020

February 25, 2021February 24, 2021 Admin

At least 160 Confederate symbols including statues were removed from public spaces following the death of George Floyd in 2020, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Of the symbols removed 94 were Confederate monuments, including a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that was removed from the U.S. Capitol building after 111 years, according to Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) data. The left-leaning SPLC keeps track of around 2,100 public parks, buildings and statues devoted to the Confederacy through a database called “Whose Heritage?”

Border Patrol Seized 470,000 Pounds of Drugs in 2020 Using New Screening Tech

February 8, 2021February 7, 2021 Admin

Customs and Border Protection seized nearly half a million pounds of illegal narcotics at the border in 2020 using new screening technology, agency officials announced Thursday.

Over half of the narcotics found last year, or around 470,000 pounds, were discovered through so-called non-intrusive inspection technology, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The agency seized a total of 808,522 pounds of illegal narcotics in 2020.

Nation’s Largest Cities Suffered 30 Percent Increase in Homicides in 2020, Report Finds

February 4, 2021February 3, 2021 Admin

Homicides spiked 30% in 34 of the United States’ largest cities in 2020, according to a report conducted by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice.

Of the cities studied in the report, Chula Vista, California, saw the greatest increase in homicides, with 150% more in 2020 than the previous year. Madison and Milwaukee, the two largest cities in Wisconsin, saw increases of 100% and 85%, respectively, while only four cities – Raleigh, North Carolina; Baltimore; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Virginia Beach – saw declines in 2020.

Economy Shrank More in 2020 Than Any Year Since the End of WWII Despite Fourth Quarter Growth

January 29, 2021January 28, 2021 Admin

The U.S. economy contracted 3.5% in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, marking the nation’s worst economic performance since the end of World War II.

The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), which measures net services and goods produced by a country, fell 3.5% in 2020 compared to the 2.2% increase in 2019, according to a Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) report released Thursday. The overall decline came despite 4% growth in the fourth quarter, the period from October to December, and 38.3% growth in the third quarter, the period from July to September.

Reports: Largest Increase of Year-over-Year Opioid Overdoses Ever Recorded in 2020

January 11, 2021January 10, 2021 The Center Square

In a year marred by death from an ongoing pandemic, 2020 also saw record overdose deaths.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 2020 saw a record year-over-year number of opioid overdose deaths.

Rep. London Lamar Files Bill To Investigate Tennesseans Participating in January 6 Events in DC and Remove Elected Officials from Office

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021 Laura Baigert

Rep. London Lamar (D-Memphis) filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session beginning Tuesday that calls for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to investigate Tennesseans suspected of participating in seditious or treasonous acts at the federal Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on January 6, and clarifies that such acts committed by state elected officials constitutes their removal from office.

The proposed legislation was filed Friday, after Lamar took to her state representative Facebook page the day prior in a post titled “The Line Has Been Drawn” which accused President Trump and his supporters of engaging in acts of sedition and treason to promote white supremacy.

Amazon, Walmart Saw Profits Surge in 2020 as Small Businesses Decimated by Pandemic

January 3, 2021January 2, 2021 Admin

Globally dominant retailers Amazon and Walmart saw profits soar in 2020 on the strength of surging online sales amid a traditional retail environment decimated by COVID-19 closures and shoppers too nervous to venture out into brick-and-mortar establishments.

Commentary: Trump’s Top 10 Accomplishments of 2020

January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 RealClearWire

This year has been dominated by the pain and suffering thrust upon the globe by the criminal acts of the Chinese Communist Party. Even amid these harsh challenges, President Trump persevered to reach historic achievements. Therefore, as the year draws to its conclusion, it is worth detailing his 2020 accomplishments, as I have previously cataloged for each of the last three years.

Commentary: 2020’s Never Before (and Never Again?) Milestones

January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 RealClearWire

We’ve all been deluged with lists of 2020 winners, losers, and reasons why everyone is saying good riddance to this challenging, tragic, chaotic, and unusual year.

This one has a different slant: Five “never before and never again” phenomena unique to 2020. (Yes, I know that one must “never say never,” but the following qualify as two-headed freaks of politics and economics.)

Commentary: Heroes, Villains, and Victims of the 2020 Horror Show

December 30, 2020December 29, 2020 Admin

The year began with so much optimism.

Record low unemployment, rising wages, and a strong stock market buoyed the outlook for business owners and consumers alike. The president earned all-time high approval ratings following the Democrats’ impeachment farce. In February 2020, Republicans enjoyed a seven-point lead over Democrats in party affiliation, an advantage the GOP hadn’t seen in at least 15 years. The Democratic presidential primary field was a clown show; party elders publicly worried that none of the candidates could prevail over President Trump in November.

Judson Phillips Commentary: What If We Are Wrong About 2020?

October 2, 2020October 1, 2020 Admin

Conservatives are looking at the 2020 elections and make a couple of assumptions. Without any dishonesty in the election process, President Trump will win a historic victory. The second assumption is they Democrats are going to try and steal the election and if they can’t, they will use the chaos from the attempt to tie the President down in his second term.

Kanye West Files to Appear on Ohio Ballot for 2020 Presidential Election

August 6, 2020August 5, 2020 Sam Medley

Kanye West, the popular rapper and social icon, has officially filed to appear on Ohio ballots for the 2020 presidential election, according to Fox 5.

West, who announced he would run for the presidency on July 4, submitted paperwork to the state on August 5.

Biden Adds Three Campaign Staffers in Minnesota

July 16, 2020July 15, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign hired three full-time staffers this week to oversee its campaign operations in Minnesota.

According to ABC News, Ryan Doyle, who managed Keith Ellison’s campaign for attorney general, will serve as Biden’s Minnesota state director.

Steve Bannon Urges Trump to Emphasize Action Over Rallies to Save Campaign

June 27, 2020June 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist, urged President Donald Trump to forget the rallies and instead emphasize “action” during the final four months of the presidential campaign.

“He is trying to get conservative commentators to go negative on the campaign so that they wake up and realize they are in bad shape before it is too late to do anything,” a former White House official told The Washington Examiner in regards to Bannon’s recent appearance on “The John Fredericks Show.”

Tom Cotton Runs Digital Ad in Minnesota, Says Biden ‘Too Confused to Lead’

June 26, 2020June 25, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), whom The Wall Street Journal recently described as the “heir to Trumpism,” has launched a new ad attacking Joe Biden for his failure to stand up to the “liberal mob.”

Cotton is running unopposed in his reelection bid and is considered a likely future presidential candidate for the Republicans.

Tennessee House Passes Resolution Inviting RNC to Host Convention in Nashville

June 5, 2020June 4, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Tennessee House passed a resolution Thursday inviting the Republican National Committee to host its August convention in Nashville.

The resolution was passed after President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he would be pulling the convention from Charlotte, North Carolina, whose Democratic governor refused to guarantee a full-scale convention amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden Blasts Trump’s ‘Narcissism’ in New Phase of Campaign

June 2, 2020June 2, 2020 The Associated Press

Joe Biden mounted one of his most aggressive attacks against President Donald Trump on Tuesday, deriding the commander in chief’s disregard of core constitutional values and blistering him for being “more interested in power, than in principle.”

“He thinks division helps him,” the presumptive Democratic nominee said in a speech at Philadelphia’s City Hall. “This narcissism has become more important than the nation’s wellbeing.”

Despite Allegations, Minnesota DFL Picks Joe Biden to Keynote State Convention

May 27, 2020May 26, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Minnesota DFL Party announced Tuesday that former Vice President Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker for its upcoming state convention.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two-day convention will be held virtually on Saturday and Sunday. During the convention, the DFL will announce its U.S. Senate endorsement, as well as Minnesota’s DNC representatives, presidential electors, and delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

New Poll Has Trump and Biden Tied in Ohio

April 29, 2020April 28, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new poll released Sunday has President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden statistically tied in Ohio, a critical state for the Trump campaign’s path to victory.

Jesse Ventura ‘Testing the Waters’ for Green Party Presidential Bid

April 28, 2020April 27, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura said Monday that he has decided to “test the waters” on a third-party presidential bid.

“If I were going to run for president, the Green Party would be my first choice. I’ve endorsed the party and I’m testing the waters,” the former professional wrestler said on Twitter.

Ventura said he hasn’t filed for candidacy but simply authorized a letter of interest sent to the Green Party on his behalf.

Fox News Poll Shows Biden/Klobuchar Ticket Beating Trump

April 2, 2020April 1, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new Fox News poll predicts that voters would support a Joe Biden/Amy Klobuchar ticket over reelecting President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

The poll was conducted between March 21 and 24 and shows Biden beating President Trump by nine percentage points in November. Since Biden promised to pick a female running mate, the poll examined his odds with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as vice president.

Trump Campaign Digitized Entire Operation in 24 Hours, Contacted 100,000 Minnesota Voters Virtually

April 1, 2020March 31, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign digitized its entire field operation within 24 hours after staffers were forced to work from home because of the coronavirus pandemic, sources told The Minnesota Sun.

Ohio Democratic Party Sues Frank LaRose for Acting Without ‘Legal Authority’ in Setting New Primary Date

March 19, 2020March 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Ohio Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit against Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose over the state’s chaotic postponement of the presidential primary.

Trump Campaign Hits Biden for Swine-Flu Hysteria After His Coronavirus Speech

March 13, 2020March 19, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Trump campaign went after former Vice President Joe Biden Thursday for causing “panic during the swine flu outbreak in 2009.”

Michigan Democratic Party Files FEC Complaint Against John James Campaign

March 10, 2020March 9, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Michigan Democratic Party has filed an FEC complaint against Republican Senate candidate John James and a “dark money” group for alleged “illegal coordination.”

Collin Peterson Will Seek 16th Term in Congress

March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN-07) plans to seek a 16th term in Congress, various reports claimed Friday morning.

Poll: Michigan Dems Favor Biden Over Sanders, Name ‘Beating Trump’ Top Priority

March 6, 2020March 5, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new Michigan poll predicts former Vice President Joe Biden will emerge victorious over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in Michigan’s Democratic primary.

Biden Dominates Super Tuesday States, Upsets Sanders in Minnesota

March 4, 2020March 4, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former Vice President Joe Biden defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Tuesday night in Minnesota’s Democratic primary, a shocking upset in what was a tough night for the Vermont socialist.

Ilhan Omar Says She’s Tired of Being Called ‘Radical’ at Bernie’s St. Paul Rally

March 4, 2020March 3, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) spoke to a crowd of more than 6,000 supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Monday night in downtown St. Paul.

Klobuchar Endorses Biden at Dallas Rally: ‘Time to Join Hands Instead of Pointing Fingers’

March 3, 2020March 2, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) officially suspended her campaign and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden at a rally in Dallas, Texas Monday night.

Report Claims Superdelegates Want to Nominate Sherrod Brown at Brokered Convention

March 3, 2020March 2, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A recent report from The New York Times claimed that high-ranking Democrats are floating Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) as the party’s nominee in the event of a brokered convention.

The Times interviewed 93 superdelegates and found “overwhelming opposition to handing the Vermont senator [Sen. Bernie Sanders] the nomination if he arrived with the most delegates but fell short of a majority.”

Klobuchar Drops Outs, Will Endorse Biden

March 2, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has ended her presidential campaign and plans to endorse moderate rival Joe Biden, her campaign has confirmed.

Fracking Ban Would Cost Ohio 500,000 Jobs, Report Claims

March 2, 2020March 1, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A report released last week claims that a federal ban on fracking would cost the Ohio economy an estimated 500,000 jobs in a single year.

New Poll Shows Bernie with Big Leads in Michigan and Wisconsin

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A new poll shows Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) with significant leads over his Democratic primary opponents in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Recreational Marijuana Could Be on Ohio Ballot in 2020

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Ohioans might get another opportunity to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana this year.

Michigan Dem Chair Lavora Barnes Accuses Republicans of ‘Voter Suppression’ for Defending Election Laws

February 24, 2020February 23, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The chair of the Michigan Democratic Party accused Republicans of “voter suppression” after the Republican National Committee announced a $10 million effort to defend current election laws.

Klobuchar Ranked One of the Most Liberal in the Senate Despite Moderate Image

February 23, 2020February 22, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was recently ranked one of the most liberal members of the U.S. Senate despite the moderate image she projects on the campaign trail.

Commentary: Trump Will Be Judged by the Present State of the Economy in 2020

February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 Admin

“Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history.”

Keith Ellison Asks for Examples of Bernie Bros ‘Being Bad,’ Steve Scalise Responds

February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, said on Twitter this week that he has “never seen” a supporter of the Vermont socialist “being unusually mean or rude.”

Klobuchar Unable to Name Mexico’s President

February 17, 2020February 16, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was unable to name Mexico’s current president during an interview last week while campaigning in Nevada.

Michigan Democratic Party’s Black Caucus Endorses Biden After Initially Backing Harris

February 12, 2020February 11, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Michigan Democratic Party’s Black Caucus endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic Party, at least according to Biden’s campaign.

ACLU Calls on Hennepin County to Investigate Case of Black Teen Sent to Prison for Life by Klobuchar

February 9, 2020February 8, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The ACLU of Minnesota has called on Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to investigate the case of Myon Burrell and vacate his conviction. Burrell was sentenced to life in prison as a 16-year-old while Sen. Amy Klobuchar was serving as Hennepin County Attorney.