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Biden news: Democrat campaign hit by 'Kremlin-backed' hackers as Harris heads to Florida touches down in Florida where race is neck and neck

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Gino Spocchia,Danielle Zoellner,Justin Vallejo
Thursday 10 September 2020 21:09 EDT
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Joe Biden has condemned Donald Trump over reported comments on coronavirus
Joe Biden has condemned Donald Trump over reported comments on coronavirus (Getty Images)

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Joe Biden's campaign was reportedly hit by suspected Russian state-backed hackers after they unsuccessfully tried to breach SKDKnickerbocker, a Washington-based strategy and communications firm that has been working with the campaign.  

The US Treasury also sanctioned Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Derkach for election interference against Mr Biden, including promoting “false and unsubstantiated” allegations.

It came as Democratic vice presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, visited Florida in an effort to drum up more support from voters in the battleground state.  

Mr Biden has faced struggles when attempting to garner support from Hispanic voters. Ms Harris in Miami could be the campaign’s latest effort to sway voters ahead of November.  

She may be hoping Florida voters wear Converse sneakers because the Senator's sartorial choices were all the rage on the campaign trail.

All the rage in the Beltway, meanwhile, was "Rage" itself, Bob Woodward's upcoming book. Biden said Donald Trump had 'no conception' of national security after revelations the president boasted about classified nuclear weapons systems to veteran journalist Bob Woodward.

Biden, meanwhile, will have a chance to face Trump more directly, with his campaign announcing the pair would hold competing events in Minnesota next Friday.

Trump has 'no conception' of national security – Biden

In his CNN interview, Joe Biden said Bob Woodward’s revelation that Donald Trump revealed a classified nuclear weapon showed the president has no conception of national security.

"You wonder why people in the intelligence community wondered from the very beginning whether you could share data with him, 'cause they don't trust him. They don't trust what he'll say or do," Mr Biden said. “He seems to have no conception of what constitutes national security, no conception of anything other than, what can he do to promote himself?”

Justin Vallejo10 September 2020 22:40

Biden campaign to pause TV ads on 9/11

The Biden campaign said on Thursday it would pause its TV advertising on Friday to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks in New York.

This comes via Politico, quoting a campaign aide. No word from the Trump side.

Justin Vallejo10 September 2020 22:30

‘Anything can happen’ - Biden puts his health and fitness up against Trump in new interview

Speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper, Joe Biden said to look at his fitness against Donald Trump in response to repeated attacks on his physical fitness, “Sleepy Joe”, “Slow Joe”, and “Joe Hidin”, among other.

"And when it comes to Donald Trump versus me, just look at us. OK? Just look at us. Who seems to be in shape? Who's able to move around?" Biden said

"Donald Trump -- just look at us both, watch us, and determine whether or not you think I'm misleading anyone. Not you personally, but the public."

He added: “Anything can happen. I've become a great respecter of fate -- a great respecter of fate. I've seen too much of it in my family related to accidents alone. And so I guarantee you, I guarantee you, I will be totally transparent in terms of my health, and all aspects of my health.”

Justin Vallejo10 September 2020 22:15

Do you even mask bro?

Justin Vallejo10 September 2020 22:04

Biden reacts to wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington

Joe Biden has reacted to the wildfires that have taken place across California, Oregon, and Washington. 

In multiple tweets, the Democratic presidential candidate said that he and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, were praising for those impacted. 

He then went on to state how the climate changes as real and how imperative it was for the country to take it seriously, all while slamming Donald Trump’s response to the crisis. 

Danielle Zoellner10 September 2020 21:35

Texas Democrat responds to Trump-backed opponent’s ‘transgender agenda' attacks: ‘You can’t teach courage, and you can’t teach class’

Chis Riotta with his exclusive interview with Gina Ortiz Jones: 

Gina Ortiz Jones responds to 'transgender agenda' attacks: 'You can't teach courage, and you can't teach class'

If elected, Gina Ortiz Jones will become the first openly-gay women of color from Texas to serve in Congress. She explains what it’s like running for office during a historic moment in this exclusive Independent profile.

Danielle Zoellner10 September 2020 21:11

Kamala Harris is praised for wearing converse on campaign trail

Kamala Harris is being praised for a recent fashion choice that many have deemed both inspirational and “relatable”.

On Monday, the Democratic vice presidential nominee arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a campaign appearance wearing a laid-back outfit consisting of a navy blazer, skinny jeans, and a black top.

However, it was the senator’s shoes, a pair of low-rise black Converse, that captured attention.

“Laced up and ready to win,” Ms Harris captioned an Instagram clip of her disembarking a plane in the iconic sneakers.

Chelsea Ritschel reports: 

‘Got my vote’: Kamala Harris praised for wearing Converse on campaign trail

Democratic vice presidential nominee says she has ‘whole collection of Chuck Taylors’

Danielle Zoellner10 September 2020 20:43

Joe Biden’s campaign firm is hit with suspected Kremlin hacking attack

Suspected Russian state-backed hackers have been accused of attempting to breach the systems at SKDKnickerbocker, a Washington-based strategy and communications firm that has been working with Joe Biden’s campaign. 

The hacking attacks, which have taken place over the last two months, were unsuccessful, Reuters reported.

The failed attack was first brought to SKDK’s attention by Microsoft. which reportedly gathered information identifying the hackers linked to the Kremlin as the likely suspects in the scheme. 

During the attacks, the main focus was phishing, which is commonly used to lure users to disclose sensitive material and hackers. This method was used by Russian hackers in 2016 to access Democratic National Convention emails, which were later linked online ahead of the presidential election. 

This report comes as intelligence experts have warned that outside forces, specifically in Russia, were working to again infiltrate the United State’s presidential election following success in 2016. 

Danielle Zoellner10 September 2020 20:18

Kamala Harris touches down in Florida 

Democratic vice president candidate Kamala Harris has landed in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, a key battleground state in the upcoming election. 

After landing, Ms Harris made a surprise visit to a Venezuelan arepa’s place near Donald Trump’s Doral property. 

Danielle Zoellner10 September 2020 20:00

US sanctions Ukrainian lawmaker for election interference against Biden

The US Treasury has added Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Derkach to its "Specially Designated Nationals" list for allegedly attempting to interfere with the upcoming presidential election. His interference included promoting “false and unsubstantiated” allegations against Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. 

Derkach has been “an active Russian agent for over a decade,” according to a statement released by the department about adding him to its list. 

Following the designation, Derkach’s assets will be frozen in the United States. 

"Andrii Derkach and other Russian agents employ manipulation and deceit to attempt to influence elections in the United States and elsewhere around the world,” Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement.

“The United States will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to counter these Russian disinformation campaigns and uphold the integrity of our election system.”

Derkach reportedly released edited audio tapes and other unsubstantiated claims in May and July in an effort to discredit specific US officials. 

He "almost certainly targeted the US voting populace, prominent U.S. persons, and members of the U.S. government," the department said. 

Three Russian nationals – Artem Lifshits, Anton Andreyev and Darya Aslanova – also received the same designation by the Treasury for leading social media disinformation operations. 

Danielle Zoellner10 September 2020 19:41

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