Trump’s escape from disaster by mere inches reveals a tiny margin with seismic impact

posted in: Politics | 0

By DEEPTI HAJELA Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Jarring, chaotic and sudden, the bullet whizzed toward the stage where former President Donald Trump stood behind a podium speaking. In its wake: the potential for a horrifying and tragic chapter in American history.

But the Republican presidential candidate had a narrow escape — mere inches, possibly less — in Saturday’s assassination attempt. The projectile from the shooter on a nearby rooftop left Trump with just a bloodied right ear, initially shaken but otherwise unharmed as he dropped down and Secret Service swarmed, his campaign continuing as the Republican National Convention got underway.

A tiny margin for survival, with a potentially seismic impact. And an unforgettable example of something many were talking about Monday — a hard truth about the events that shape us, our daily lives, and our society:

Sometimes, it’s all about chance, about circumstances falling in one direction and not another, about interventions in the nick of time or missteps that allow for disruption.

Sometimes history can come down to inches.

Near misses and the hinge of history

It’s a truth that often gets obscured as we look over dates, places, people and events with the perspective of hindsight and blanket media coverage. The past gets covered with a patina of inevitability — as if it could have only occurred the way it did.

But “what just happened to us is a kind of humbling lesson about how contingent all of this is,” says Susan Schulten, a history professor at the University of Denver. “And nothing’s foreordained.”

Related Articles

National Politics |


The Democratic National Committee says it’s investing $15 million in 7 swing state parties

National Politics |


Biden is trying to sharpen the choice voters face in November as Republicans meet in Milwaukee

National Politics |


What to watch as the Republican National Convention enters its second day in Milwaukee

National Politics |


Biden says ‘bullseye’ remark was mistake, but that Trump is guilty of worse rhetoric

National Politics |


Lawmakers are moving quickly to launch investigations into the Trump assassination attempt

No matter what, of course, there will be fallout and an impact from the attempted assassination of Trump on Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally, where an attendee was killed and two others wounded, and law enforcement killed the shooter. But what it will be, in this election year and in the years to come, will unfold differently than it would have in an America where events had gone differently.

History is filled with examples of chance, randomness or luck playing a part in how things turn out, says Mark Rank, a professor of social welfare at Washington University in St. Louis and author of “The Random Factor: How Chance and Luck Profoundly Shape Our Lives and the World around Us.”

In his book, he recounts an incident during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when a submarine from what was then the Soviet Union came close to firing a nuclear-tipped torpedo at U.S. forces out of a belief it was being attacked. But a circumstantial delay in getting the order carried out allowed enough time for another officer to recognize that wasn’t the case.

There are plenty of other moments where there can be endless “what-if” discussions, from assassinations of figures like Abraham Lincoln and John and Robert Kennedy to other attempted killings such as the attack on President Ronald Reagan in 1981, two months after he assumed the presidency.

It’s also events like the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, Rank points out, when there were ordinary people who “missed their subway connection or were late or were early and just missed being killed in that disaster, whereas other folks were not as lucky.”

Trying to find meaning

Often, people respond to events like these by trying to make sense of them through a belief in coherence — to summon some kind of universal meaning, or divine plan.

That’s because people want a sense of control, says Daryl Van Tongeren, a professor of psychology at Hope College in Michigan. It’s too unnerving, he says, to admit that life is random and chance-filled. “It’s safer for us to think that we can just control everything that happens.”

And in the United States of America, where part of the national mythology is the idea that we are masters of our own destinies — that we can pull ourselves up by our own efforts — the idea of randomness can land as particularly unnerving, Rank says.

“In the United States, we’re really steeped in the idea of rugged individualism and self-reliance and meritocracy and you do it on your own, and you’re in control, and you have agency,” he says. “And to some extent, we are in control. We do make decisions. But another aspect of life is that … there are things that happen to you that you have no control over.

“That’s kind of unsettling,” he says. “But that’s the way life plays out. That’s the world.”

Elon Musk to give $45 million a month to pro-Trump super PAC

posted in: News | 0

By Jennifer Jacobs and Bill Allison, Bloomberg News

Elon Musk is pledging to pour $45 million a month into a pro-Donald Trump political group, a move that would flood the Republican nominee’s reelection effort with cash through the November election.

Musk’s planned cash infusion could help build Trump’s fundraising advantage over President Joe Biden, who has suffered from a donor revolt in recent weeks, with some calling for him to step aside for a new nominee. The billionaire entrepreneur endorsed Trump in a post on X after the former president was wounded while addressing a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening.

Palantir’s Joe Lonsdale and crypto billionaires Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss are among other big donors to the group, America PAC, which is working to reach out to voters to convince them to show up to the polls in November.

Related Articles

National Politics |


The Democratic National Committee says it’s investing $15 million in 7 swing state parties

National Politics |


Biden is trying to sharpen the choice voters face in November as Republicans meet in Milwaukee

National Politics |


What to watch as the Republican National Convention enters its second day in Milwaukee

National Politics |


Biden says ‘bullseye’ remark was mistake, but that Trump is guilty of worse rhetoric

National Politics |


Lawmakers are moving quickly to launch investigations into the Trump assassination attempt

The super political action committee raised $8.8 million in the second quarter, spent $7.8 million and started July with a little less than $1 million cash on hand, according to its most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission.

Musk — who didn’t contribute until July, according to a person familiar with the matter — wasn’t listed in the report, which includes donations made between the PAC’s founding on May 22 and the end of June.

Lonsdale gave $1 million through his company Lonsdale Enterprises Inc. The Winklevoss twins each gave $250,000. Other donors include Joe Craft, chief executive officer of Alliance Resource Partners, who gave $1 million. His wife, Kelly Craft, was US ambassador to the United Nations under Trump.

Douglas Leone of Sequoia Capital gave $1 million, as did Florida restaurateur James Liautaud.

The donations show the growing momentum Trump has among big donors in the technology and financial worlds, which started after his May 30 conviction by a Manhattan jury on felony charges related to hush-money payments to an adult-film star. Venture capitalist David Sacks hosted a fundraiser for Trump on June 6 that raised $12 million.

Citadel’s Ken Griffin and Paul Singer, founder of Elliott Investment Management, who’ve both been critics of Trump, met with the former president to discuss donating to his White House bid. Neither man has made a commitment to donate.

Biden’s disastrous performance in his June 27 debate with Trump, which plunged the Democratic Party into an internecine struggle between his supporters and those who would prefer a different standard bearer, accelerated the move to Trump.

America PAC is working mostly behind the scenes to bolster the Trump campaign’s ground game.

Though FEC disclosures don’t detail where the work is occurring, canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts are conducted most intensively in key battleground states that will determine the outcome of the election.

Democrats have invested heavily in field offices and staff in swing states, moves Biden regularly touts on the stump.

A super-PAC matching those efforts on Trump’s behalf gives Republicans a major cash advantage to spend official campaign money elsewhere, in what is shaping up to be the most expensive presidential election in US history.

Among outside organizations backing Trump, America PAC is the biggest spender on direct voter contacts. It has spent $15.8 million so far, with $13.1 million of that going for field operations, federal records show. It has also paid for digital media, texting and phone calls to reach voters.

The group focuses on door-to-door persuasion and get-out-the-vote efforts. A recent ruling by the FEC allows super-PACs to coordinate with campaigns on voter outreach.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The Democratic National Committee says it’s investing $15 million in 7 swing state parties

posted in: Politics | 0

By WILL WEISSERT Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are trying to offer political counterprograming to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, announcing $15 million to fund campaign operations in seven key swing states — even as some in the party have urged President Joe Biden to bow out of November’s election.

The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday that it is investing $15 million in state parties, meant to help them open more field offices and bolster staffing. The funding will let them add to the 217 existing coordinated campaign offices working jointly for Biden’s reelection bid and state parties that already employ 1,100-plus staffers in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the DNC said.

The investments will pump nearly $3 million into Wisconsin; nearly $2 million each into Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada; almost $1.5 million in Arizona; more than $1.2 million in North Carolina; and more than $1 million in Georgia.

The outlay was planned prior to former President Donald Trump being injured in an attempted assassination during his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, which prompted Biden and his campaign to temporarily shift its reelection strategy. Trump nonetheless is attending his party’s convention and will accept his party’s nomination on Thursday.

Trump’s campaign has spent recent weeks opening field offices, including those targeting key constituencies, in conjunction with the Republican National Committee.

“We have paid staffers and volunteer-powered field programs in every battleground state, and they are expanding daily,” Trump campaign spokesman Karoline Leavitt said. “Our aggressive and experienced operation is focused on turning out votes and highlighting the contrast” between Trump and Biden.

Related Articles

National Politics |


Biden says ‘bullseye’ remark was mistake, but that Trump is guilty of worse rhetoric

National Politics |


Lawmakers are moving quickly to launch investigations into the Trump assassination attempt

National Politics |


Who is JD Vance? Things to know about Donald Trump’s pick for vice president

National Politics |


Who is JD Vance? Things to know about Donald Trump’s pick for vice president

National Politics |


In wake of Trump shooting, calls come for Secret Service protection for RFK Jr.

The DNC for months has argued that its and the Biden campaign’s growing on-the-ground operation could help swing an election expected to be close. Still, top Democrats are trying to move past questions from within their own party that have persisted about whether Biden is up to continuing to seek reelection in the weeks since his debate debacle and despite the race’s shifting dynamics after Trump was injured last weekend.

Biden and his team have furiously attempted to reassure jittery lawmakers and donors, as well as skeptical voters, that, at age 81, the Democratic president can still win in November and handle a second four-year term. Nearly 20 Democratic lawmakers have nonetheless publicly called on Biden to step aside.

The DNC said the investments will fund new field offices and help state parties get more accurate data and better coordinate party efforts for down-ballot races.

“Democrats are leaving nothing to chance and investing heavily on the ground to ensure Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win this election,“ Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement. “This election was always going to be close, and regardless of beltway media narratives, the entire election is going to come down to operation and turnout in the battleground states.”

Arizona Democratic Party chair Yolanda Bejarano said state officials and the Biden campaign opened a 15th coordinated campaign office in Arizona over the weekend, adding that, “This election is going to be won at the doors, talking to people about the issues that they care about.”

“This is perfect timing from my vantage point,” Bejarano said of the DNC investment. “We need the resources to do the work, to hire organizers, to have town halls across the state, to get the message out through media buys.”

Joe Mauer’s 2009 season was legendary. Where does it rank among the best ever?

posted in: News | 0

At first, 2009 looked like it could be a rough year for Twins catcher Joe Mauer. He missed all of spring training and the first month of the season recovering from surgery.

Then, on his first night back in the lineup, in his first at-bat, he launched a home run — to the opposite field, of course.

He never really stopped after that, going on to win his third batting title, another Gold Glove and the American League MVP award. It was the finest year of a career that will see him enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Was it the best season ever by a catcher?

Here are your candidates:

Roy Campanella, Brooklyn Dodgers, 1953

Roy Campanella (John Lindsay / Associated Press)

Campanella began the transition from all-star to legend in 1951, when he won his first MVP award, and then was just as amazing if not more in 1953. He hit .312 with a .395 on-base percentage and .611 slugging percentage, with 41 home runs, 103 runs and 142 RBI on his way to the second of his three MVPs. In the modern stats, he was worth 6.8 wins above replacement (Baseball-Reference.com credits him with an even-better mark of 6.9 in 1951), and the next time you’re sitting around talking about how the game has changed, you can point out that Campanella struck out only 58 times against 67 walks.

He caught 140 games — it was the first time in years he didn’t throw out more than 60 percent of attempted base stealers, but he still possessed the cannon arm and was still the best defensive catcher in the league.

Mauer is the greatest catcher from St. Paul. But “Campy” was probably the best catcher for St. Paul. Before he was one of Brooklyn’s Boys of Summer, he integrated the American Association when he arrived as a minor leaguer with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints in 1948. He didn’t play here long, but he made quite a mark.

Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants, 2012

Buster Posey (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

Mauer’s contemporary might be the next catcher to make the Hall of Fame. His 2012 season was Mauer-esque, winning a batting title at .336 (.408 OBP, .549 slugging) and National League MVP. He had career highs in home runs (24) and RBI (103). His defensive stats are solid, though he didn’t win any Gold Gloves until late in his career.

Baseball Reference gives Posey 7.6 wins above replacement for 2012. He appeared in 148 games, but caught only 114. He also picked up a second World Series ring.

2012 was quite a year for catchers — Yadier Molina of St. Louis had 7.2 WAR, and even though Mauer was having a somewhat down year by his standards (4.4 WAR), he led the American League in OBP at .416.

Joe Mauer, Twins, 2009

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer accepts his 2009 American League MVP award from former Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew, right, at Target Field in 2010. Louisville Slugger representative Chuck Schupp looks on. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

One thing’s for sure, at least: Mauer’s 2009 was the best season by a catcher the American League ever saw, and it’s a league that has been home to Yogi Berra, Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey and Carlton Fisk.

Mauer’s .365 batting average is probably the most likely stat from his 2009 season that a Twins fans could pull from memory, but beyond winning the batting title, he also led the league with a .444 on-base percentage and a .587 slugging percentage. He hit 28 home runs (he appeared in the Home Run Derby!) and scored 94 times with 96 RBI. And he had some numbers out of the 1940s, too, with 76 walks against just 63 strikeouts.  He was just about league average in throwing out base-stealers, but he still won the Gold Glove award.

What holds this year back just a little is that Mauer caught just 109 games. But once he returned from the rehab that cost him the first month of the year, he almost never took a day off, appearing in a total of 138 games.

There was even an extra game for him that year — a memorable Game 163 victory over the Tigers to give the Twins the AL Central crown.

Gary Carter, Montreal Expos, 1982

Gary Carter tags out Brian Downing, despite Downing executing a fundamentally flawless slide. (Associated Press)

This season flies under the radar — is it because a lot of it happened in Canada? Does Canada not show up on our radar? Should someone look into that?

Even at the time, this all-time great season from Gary Carter was unappreciated. He finished 12th in NL MVP voting and didn’t get a single first-place vote (Dale Murphy won the award).

But here he was, playing some of the best defense ever seen behind the dish, and hitting .293 with a .381 on-base percentage and .510 slugging percentage. He scored 91 times with 97 RBI, and took 78 walks against just 64 punchouts. He played in 154 games and caught 153 of them. Baseball Reference credits him with 8.6 wins above replacement.

At least they couldn’t ignore the defense — he received his third straight Gold Glove award.

He had a 1984 season that was almost as good, too (7.5 WAR). Basically, from 1977 to 1986, he was about as good as a catcher can be. Why did it take six ballots to get this guy into the Hall of Fame?

Mike Piazza, Los Angeles Dodgers, 1997

Mike Piazza (Getty Images)

Somehow, it took four ballots to get Piazza into the Hall of Fame.

Piazza turned in the best offensive season by a catcher in National League history and still finished second for the MVP award (to Larry Walker).

Piazza’s 8.7 wins above replacement is the record for a catcher at Baseball Reference. He got there by hitting .362 with a .431 on-base percentage and .638 slugging percentage, belting 40 home runs with 104 runs and 124 RBI. He struck out 77 times vs. 69 walks.

He had a weak arm and wasn’t a great defender, but he wasn’t as hopeless as his reputation at the time. And he played: 152 games, 139 at catcher.

Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, 1972

Johnny Bench (Associated Press)

I mentioned 2012 as one of the best years for catchers, plural. 1972 is also a contender. In addition to Bench, the American League Rookie of the Year Carlton Fisk finished fourth in AL MVP voting in the best year of his career: He was worth 7.3 WAR and won his only Gold Glove Award.

Bench’s 1970 season could also be on this list, but he soared to yet another level in 1972. He was considered a revolution behind the plate and won the Gold Glove award. He wasn’t quite the monster Piazza was at the plate in ’97, but he still hit .270 with a .379 on-base percentage and .541 slugging, with 40 home runs, 125 RBI and 87 runs. He walked 100 times vs. 84 strikeouts.

His 8.6 WAR nearly equals Piazza’s 1997 total, and I still suspect the defense gets undercounted. He appeared in 147 games and caught 129, and when he wasn’t catching he was in the outfield or 3B.

He also collected the MVP award.

So it probably comes down to Piazza or Bench, right?

Well …

Josh Gibson, Homestead Grays, 1943

Josh Gibson (Associated Press)

The numbers are out of a video game, with cheat codes on. Mauer, in his greatest season, had a .444 on-base percentage. Gibson out-HIT that with a .466 batting average in 1943. His on-base percentage was .560. His slugging was .867.

Yes, he is officially listed with just 69 games — 62 at catcher. He drove in 109 runs with 116 hits. In 69 games.

Was he facing the best pitching? Not every day, surely. But neither was Ted Williams in 1941, never having to face Satchel Paige, Leon Day, Hilton Smith, Ray Brown or any of the other aces of the Negro Leagues who would have starred in the AL or NL, and we don’t discount his .406 average that year.

The numbers are the numbers we have, and it’s not Josh Gibson’s fault that we don’t have a clearer picture of how good he was. It does seem clear that he was the best hitter in the world at this time and possibly ever, and a great defensive catcher with a cannon for an arm.

Of all the seasons on this list, Gibson’s is the one I’d most like to go back in time and see in person, with one exception.

That would be 2009 Joe Mauer. What I, or any Twins fan, wouldn’t give to live that all over again.

“From St. Paul to the Hall”: The Pioneer Press chronicled the careers of Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Joe Mauer, and we’ve compiled the best of our coverage into a new hardcover book that celebrates the legendary baseball legacy of Minnesota’s capital city. Order your copy of “From St. Paul to the Hall.”

Related Articles

Minnesota Twins |


Speech written, Joe Mauer ‘excited, nervous’ for Hall of Fame induction weekend

Minnesota Twins |


Twins select shortstop Kaelen Culpepper in first round of draft

Minnesota Twins |


Louisville finishes off six-game sweep of Saints

Minnesota Twins |


Limping to the break: Twins rally late but fall in first half finale to Giants

Minnesota Twins |


Twins’ Carlos Correa diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, will not play in All-Star Game