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Former Vice President of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden attends a CNN town hall moderated by Anderson Cooper in Moosic, Pa., On Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 (AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster)
MOOSIC, Pennsylvania – Joe Biden on Thursday attacked President Donald Trump over and over again for his handling of COVID-19, calling Trump and his administration’s downplaying of the pandemic “totally irresponsible” as “criminal.”
“You have to catch up with the American people, shoot from the shoulder. There hasn’t been a time when they haven’t been able to step up. The president should resign, ”the Democratic presidential candidate said to the applause of a crowd at CNN’s town hall in Moosic, outside his hometown of Scranton.
Speaking on Trump’s admission that he publicly downplayed the impact of the virus while being aware of its severity, Biden stated: “I knew it and did nothing. It’s almost criminal. “
Later, Biden condemned the loss of basic “freedoms” for Americans as the United States has struggled to contain the pandemic, such as the ability to go to a ball game or walk through its neighborhoods. “I never ever thought that I would see such a complete and totally irresponsible administration,” he said.
Biden faced a half dozen questions about the coronavirus and a possible vaccine in town hall from moderator Anderson Cooper and members of the audience. The pandemic wasn’t just the main theme of the night, it was the cause of the event’s unusual format: a 35-car drive-in outside PNC Field.
Cars were parked around the stage, each with small groups of people standing outside or leaning or sitting on the hoods to watch Cooper and Biden on stage.
The network placed blue and red spotlights over the dirt and gravel parking lot to make it easier to see, and each parking space was marked with white chalk in large rectangles to ensure that each group stayed more than 6 feet (1, 8 meters) away.
The city council marked the first time that Biden faced live, unscripted questions from voters since winning the nomination.
Trump participated in a town hall Tuesday at an auditorium in Philadelphia.
The appearances have been seen as adjustments ahead of all three presidential debates, the first scheduled for September 29. The uneven performances in Biden’s debates during the Democratic primaries contributed to his initial struggles in the polls and early primary voting, and Trump has pushed unfounded conspiracy theories about Biden taking performance-enhancing drugs and raised questions about mental acuity. of Biden.
Meanwhile, Biden has promised to be an “on-stage fact-checker” with Trump, but has said he does not want to be involved in a “fight” with the Republican.
On Thursday, Biden said he was beginning to prepare for the upcoming debate by reviewing Trump’s comments and preparing his own.
Biden was also pressured about his stance on the Green New Deal, the broad proposal by progressives in Congress calling for net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the economy by 2030. Biden’s proposal doesn’t go that far, but it does point. to reduce emissions to zero by 2050 and aims to achieve a completely carbon-free energy sector by 2035.
Biden interrupted an interrogator who suggested his climate plan adopts the Green New Deal to insist, “No, it doesn’t,” but when asked by the moderator if he supports the proposal, he said, “I don’t think it’s too much.”
Still, Biden added, “I have my own deal,” which he noted that the Democratic Party has incorporated as part of its platform.
Biden also weighed in on foreign policy issues, promising to reduce America’s military footprint abroad and saying that any attempt to interfere in elections by a foreign power is a “violation of our sovereignty.”
He promised that if he is elected and it becomes clear after the elections that Russia interfered in the elections, “they will pay a price for it, and it will be an economic price.”
Biden described Russia as an “opponent” but declined to use the same word when asked about China. Instead, he called the nation a “competitor” and vowed to improve trade policy with China.
Trump noted that he had been observing city hall before taking the stage for a rally in Misonee, Wisconsin, on Thursday night.
“I just see he’s up there tonight getting softball questions from Anderson Cooper. They don’t ask me questions like that, ”Trump told the crowd gathered at the airport. “They have cars … it’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Trump’s town hall on ABC was held inside a half-empty auditorium, with socially estranged and masked attendees.
The format of Biden’s event was a stark reminder of the theme that has been a central focus of Biden’s campaign: that the pandemic continues, affecting the lives of Americans in ways big and small, and that stronger leadership in the House Blanca could have alleviated the crisis. More than 195,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus, by far the highest death toll in the world.
Earlier in the day, Biden joined Senate Democrats for a conference call and told allies that he takes nothing for granted in the race for the White House and the negative vote effort to wrest majority control of the Senate. to the Republicans.
He answered questions, particularly from senators facing re-election, about his strategy to win back the chamber and defeat Trump.
“He just said, ‘You know what we’re up against. You know why this is so important, ‘”said Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said he encouraged Biden to remind workers how much he has been on their side during his many years in office.
“I’ve said, ‘Joe, people need to know that you recognize the dignity of work, people have built this country,'” Manchin told reporters. “They need to know that you fought for their pensions, you fought for their health care … and you are not going to leave them behind.”
Biden’s campaign team has come under scrutiny in recent days for its outreach efforts, particularly for what some see as little attention among Latino voters.
At the same time, Democrats have conflicting views on the party’s effort to get the vote that largely bypasses traditional door knocks to avoid health risks during the pandemic, and instead relies on virtual reach. .
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