From Fox News:
President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday formally announced he will nominate Judge Merrick Garland as his attorney general, as well as other key nominations to the Justice Department.
Sources told Fox News on Wednesday that Biden intended to nominate Garland, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to lead the Justice Department.
“Our first-rate nominees to lead the Justice Department are eminently qualified, embody character and judgment that is beyond reproach, and have devoted their careers to serving the American people with honor and integrity,” Biden said in a statement Thursday morning. “They will restore the independence of the Department so it serves the interests of the people not a presidency, rebuild public trust in the rule of law, and work tirelessly to ensure a more fair and equitable justice system.”
Biden added: “They are among the most accomplished legal minds in our country who also reflect the best of America’s full range of talents and background. I am honored they accepted this call to serve at such a critical time in our nation’s history.”
Garland rose to greater national prominence when then-President Obama nominated him for the U.S. Supreme Court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016. He never received a hearing, as Republicans chose to wait until after that year’s election, allowing President Trump to appoint Justice Neil Gorsuch instead.
Read the full report at Fox News.
AXELROD: Joe Biden in Serious Danger of ‘Serially Distorting His Own Record’
Former senior Obama advisor David Axelrod weighed-in on Joe Biden’s recent speaking gaffes on the campaign trail this week; saying the Democratic frontrunner is in serious danger of “serially distorting his own record.”
“It’s one thing to have a well-earned rep for goofy, harmless gaffes. It’s another if you serially distort your own record. @JoeBiden is in danger of creating a more damaging meme,” posted Axelrod on social media.
It’s one thing to have a well-earned rep for goofy, harmless gaffes. It’s another if you serially distort your own record. @JoeBiden is in danger of creating a more damaging meme.https://t.co/ThCVCz4Fjb
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 6, 2019
Axelrod made similar comments earlier this year, saying Biden can “either cut it or he can’t” after reports the former Vice President was reducing his campaign schedule to minimize mistakes.
“This is bad advice. You can’t cloister the candidate and win. He either can cut it or he can’t, and the only way he can prove he can is to be an active and vigorous candidate. He’s running for president of the United States, for God’s sake!” posted Axelrod on social media.
This is bad advice. You can’t cloister the candidate and win.
He either can cut it or he can’t, and the only way he can prove he can is to be an active and vigorous candidate.
He’s running for president of the United States, for God’s sake!https://t.co/SCZmqVYapF— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) August 15, 2019
Allies and political insiders close to Joe Biden are reportedly telling the former Vice President to scale back his campaign stops and speaking events; hoping the reduced schedule will minimize future speaking gaffes.
“Allies to Joe Biden have been floating the idea of altering the former vice president’s schedule in an effort to reduce the gaffes he has made in recent days,” reports The Hill. “The allies, growing increasingly nervous about Biden’s verbal flubs, have said it’s an approach that’s been suggested to campaign officials on the heels of the former vice president’s stumbles.”
“He needs to be a strong force on the campaign trail, but he also has to pace himself,” said one insider.
BIDEN AT PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: ‘I Am the Vice President of the United States’
Former Vice President Joe Biden continued his gaffe-filled campaign during Thursday night’s presidential debate; strangely informing the audience he’s the Vice President of the United States.
“The President did the best thing that could be done at the time,” said Biden when asked about President Obama’s immigration policies.”
“How about you?” asked moderator Jorge Ramos.
“I’m the Vice President of the United States,” Biden asserted.
Biden faced tough questions and jabs from his fellow Democratic challengers during Thursday’s debate; including Senator Elizabeth Warren whose poll numbers have risen in recent weeks.
“The 2020 candidate pulled off a rare showing in an Economist/YouGov poll published Wednesday, tying the largely untouchable former Vice President Joe Biden with 26 percent support among registered voters. It marks one of the few polls where Biden is within danger of losing his frontrunner status, and contains a dismal prediction for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.),” reports The Week magazine.
“Biden has only had a few close calls in previous polls, but Warren’s 2020 rise has seemingly been eating away at his support as well as Sanders’. In a late August poll from Monmouth University, Sanders and Warren topped the pool with 20 percent support, and Biden was just behind at 19 percent. In this Economist/YouGov poll, Biden is back up, but so is Warren, both leaving Sanders a full 10 points behind at 16 percent,” adds the website.