Kudlow: August is always a quirky month

White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow talks with reporters outside the White House, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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UPDATED 12:56 PM PT — Friday, September 6, 2019

White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the Trump administration is happy with the August jobs report despite growth coming in lower than expected. The Labor Department revealed the U.S. added 130,000 new jobs in August, with the unemployment rate unchanged at 3.7-percent.

The Economy is great. The only thing adding to “uncertainty” is the Fake News!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2019

In an interview Friday, Kudlow said that’s a “very solid number,” and pointed out that August is always “a quirky month.” The economic adviser said seasonal factors usually impact the initial August report, with upward revisions happening later.
Kudlow touted the wage growth seen in Friday’s report, suggesting it showed “blowout” numbers.
“American workers are getting paid. Now, average hourly earnings, 12 month change, is 3.2-percent, but in the last  three months average hourly earnings have picked up to four-percent, 4.2-percent, at an annual rate, ” he explained. “And by the way, that’s what the productivity of numbers is showing, so look, this actually was a blowout number.”
The professional and business services sector saw the most growth, closely followed by the government as the U.S. hired temporary workers for the 2020 census.

Biden calls environmental activist 'kiddo' as he defends fundraiser with fossil-fuel company's founder

NEW CASTLE, NH – Joe Biden on Friday forcefully defended his appearance the previous evening at a top-dollar campaign fundraising event in New York City that was held at the home of a supporter who helped found a natural gas company.
And standing right next to the environmental activist who challenged him for attending the fundraiser -- after he'd vowed not to take contributions from the fossil fuel industry -- Biden asked the young woman , whom he called “kiddo,” to “look in my eyes” as he pledged to wean Americans off fossil fuels by 2050.
Twenty-four hours earlier, the former vice president and frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination attended an event with donors co-hosted by Andrew Goldman – one of the founders of the Texas-based natural gas company LNG Western.

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks with environmental activist Rebecca Beaulieu during a town hall in New Castle, New Hampshire on Friday, Sept. 6

On Friday, at a town hall in New Castle, N.H., with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, 24-year-old environmental activist Rebecca Beaulieu from nearby Newmarket, asked Biden, "How can we trust that you’re going to act on the climate crisis if you’re still attending fundraisers that fossil fuel executives like Andy Goldman are at?”

'Here's the deal, folks'

Biden quickly denied there were any executives there, acknowledging that Goldman did co-found the company, “but he’s not on the board or any of it. He does not run it at all.”

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden pumps his fist as he speaks during a campaign stop, Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in Laconia, N.H. (Associated Press)

But LNG Western still lists on its company website that Goldman is part of its “leadership” team and his LinkedIn profile lists that he still works for the company.
Biden then reiterated his pledge not to take contributions from fossil fuel companies, a vow that nearly every candidate in the record-setting field of Democratic White House contenders has also taken.
“Here’s the deal, folks. I have never taken money from the industry,” Biden told the crowd.
Biden highlighted his decades of work in trying to combat climate change, emphasizing “I’m incredibly proud of my record.” And he touted his climate change plan that he unveiled this summer, saying “it’s gotten rave reviews from the vast majority of all of the major environment groups.”
Then, moving in close and holding Beaulieu’s hand, he said “Kiddo. I want you to just take a look. You don’t have to agree. But I want you to look in my eyes. I guarantee you. I guarantee you we’re going to end fossil fuel … before 2050, God willing.”
Beaulieu later told reporters she appreciated that Biden seriously answered her question - but that she thinks his plan to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050 wasn’t adequate.
She also said she found Biden's use of "kiddo" patronizing.

Blunt advice

Hours earlier, Biden received some blunt advise from one of his top supporters in New Hampshire. Longtime state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, known as the ‘Lion of the state Senate,’ met one-on-one with the former vice president ahead of Biden’s town hall Friday afternoon in Laconia, N.H.
D’Allesandro - who has known Biden for years and last month endorsed the former vice president’s White House bid -- said that he urged Biden to be more concise on the campaign trail.
“I said that he’s got to leave them wanting more and be specific and right on point. He’s got a great message but he’s got to condense it and get it out there,” D’Allesandro told Fox News and the Concord Monitor.
Asked if Biden agreed with his critique, D’Allesandro noted, “I think he concurred. He understood what I was saying, clearly.”
The state senator stuck around for the town hall – where Biden spoke and answered questions from the audience for just over an hour.
Asked if Biden was concise during the event, D’Allesandro said, “I think there were moments he was concise and the people appreciated that. But there were other times when he was way too long.”

Weather agency now backs Trump, says Dorian could have impacted Alabama

The federal agency that monitors hurricanes said Friday that Hurricane Dorian could have impacted Alabama, backing claims by President Trump that he was right to tweet a warning over the weekend about the storm affecting the state.
In an unsigned statement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that "information provided by NOAA and the National Hurricane Center to President Trump and the wider public demonstrated that tropical-storm-force winds from Hurricane Dorian could impact Alabama." The advisories in question were dated from Wednesday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 2, the agency said.
The statement points to a few graphics issued by the National Hurricane Center to support Trump's claims. The maps show percentage possibility of tropical storm force winds in the United States. Parts of Alabama were covered, usually with 5 percent to 10 percent chances, between Aug. 27 and Sept. 3. Maps on Aug. 30 grew to cover far more of Alabama, but for only 12 hours, and the highest percentage hit 20 percent to 30 percent before quickly shrinking back down.
The controversy began Sunday morning when Trump tweeted that Florida, "South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, will most likely be hit [much] harder than anticipated" by Dorian. In response, the National Weather Service's Birmingham office tweeted that Alabama “will NOT see any impacts from Dorian.”
“We repeat, no impacts from Hurricane Dorian will be felt across Alabama. The system will remain too far east," the office said in response to Trump's comments.
But on Friday, NOAA said that the NWS tweet "spoke in absolute terms that were inconsistent with probabilities from the best forecast products available at the time."
The statement from NOAA contrasts with comments the agency's spokesman, Chris Vaccaro, made Sunday. "The current forecast path of Dorian does not include Alabama," Vaccaro said at the time.
Dan Sobien, president of the union representing weather service employees, tweeted Friday, "Let me assure you the hard working employees of the NWS had nothing to do with the utterly disgusting and disingenuous tweet sent out by NOAA management tonight."
Other meteorologists also voiced concerns about NOAA's actions Friday. University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd, former president of the American Meteorology Society, simply responded, "OMG."
"I am very disappointed to see this statement come out from NOAA," Oklahoma University meteorology professor Jason Furtado told The Associated Press. "I am thankful for the folks at NWS Birmingham for their work in keeping the citizens of Alabama informed and up to date on weather hazards."
Furtado said NOAA's statement and the president's Twitter "war on weather" are undermining confidence in meteorologists, adding, "The job just got harder because of this issue."
Trump has defended his comments repeatedly this week, insisting that the information he gave Sunday was accurate. On Wednesday, the president held up a map in the Oval Office showing the “cone of uncertainty” over areas possibly affected by the storm. A part of Alabama appeared to be circled in black marker.
The media criticized the president over his claims, causing Trump to say Thursday that the coverage was meant to “demean” him, adding, “What I said was accurate!” He posted images of NOAA graphics that at one point projected Dorian’s possible impact on Alabama.
On Thursday afternoon, Trump invited Fox News into the Oval Office to emphasize his point that forecasts for Dorian last week had Alabama in the warning cone, providing a graphic from the National Hurricane Center and a screenshot of a news report on NBC.
Fox News was also told that Trump was shown a graphic prior to a briefing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week that appeared to show an older forecast track with Dorian going north through the Florida peninsula and just grazing Alabama.
When asked why his Sunday morning tweet mentioning Alabama came after the forecast track had moved much farther east, the president seemed to agree that the forecast track had moved but was adamant that at some point, Alabama had been at risk. He also emphasized that on occasions in the past, forecast tracks have changed dramatically.
Also Thursday, the White House released a statement from Rear Adm. Peter J. Brown, the president’s homeland security and counterterrorism adviser, who said he briefed the president on Sunday about the storm, including “possible storm impacts well outside the official forecast cone.”
“The president’s comments were based on that morning’s Hurricane Dorian briefing, which included the possibility of tropical storm-force winds in southeastern Alabama,” Brown said.
On Friday, Trump tweeted: “The Fake News Media was fixated on the fact that I properly said, at the beginnings of Hurricane Dorian, that in addition to Florida & other states, Alabama may also be grazed or hit. They went Crazy, hoping against hope that I made a mistake (which I didn’t). Check out maps.....”
He followed up hours later by tweeting: "Just as I said, Alabama was originally projected to be hit. The Fake News denies it!"
Fox News’ Brooke Singman, John Roberts and Alex Pappas contributed to this report, along with the Associated Press.

Mexico announces 56 percent drop in number of migrants arriving at US border

The Mexican government announced Friday that the number of migrants coming to its border with the U.S. had dropped by 56 percent over the past three months as the country tries to avert President Trump's threatened tariffs on Mexico's exports to its northern neighbor.
Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, citing data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the number of migrants apprehended at the frontier in August was 63,989 in August, down from 146,266 in May. Those numbers included people who presented themselves at U.S. ports of entry and were deemed inadmissible.
The Mexican government has deployed more than 20,000 police officers and National Guard troops across the country as part of an aggressive campaign meant to deter Central American migrants from passing through its territory en route to the United States. Ebrard said there had been seven formal complaints of human rights violations involving the National Guard, a relatively low number which he saw as another sign of success.
The U.S. and Mexico agreed in June to a 90-day window to allow Mexico to reduce the flow of migrants from Central America to the U.S. The agreement averted plans by Trump to impose a five percent tariff on Mexican goods in the U.S. that would have increased every month until it hit 25 percent.

Ebrard, is scheduled to meet with U.S. officials at the White House Tuesday to review the Mexican government's progress.
"We're showing that the strategy that Mexico put forward has been successful," Ebrard told reporters. "I don't expect a tariff threat Tuesday because it wouldn't make sense."
While drops in migration are typical during the summer months, officials denied any link between the drops in migration and seasonal trends.
Despite the apparent progress in stopping illegal migration, Ebrard repeated his government's refusal to become a so-called "third country,' as Trump has proposed. That would require migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to apply for such protections in Mexico instead.
"The Mexican strategy is working," said Ebrard, according to Agence-France Press. "We will not agree to be a safe third country ... because it goes against our interests. It is unfair to our country."
Trump has not yet responded to the latest figures, but on Wednesday he seemed very pleased by Mexican efforts. "I want to thank Mexico, the Mexican government, their great President of Mexico, for helping us," he told reporters. "They're helping us in a very big way. Far bigger than anybody thought even possible."
In addition to stopping U.S.-bound migrants, Mexico said it has been targetting smuggling networks, which it blames for instigating large migrant caravans bound for the U.S. which popped up earlier this year. Authorities have raided freight trains that migrants ride north, and pulled thousands off buses and out of the freight compartments of trucks. The government has warned bus and taxi drivers they could lose their permits if they transport migrants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sarah Sanders plans memoir about her time as Trump's press secretary; release set for late 2020

Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is writing a memoir reflecting on her two-year tenure working for the Trump administration that is expected to be released in the fall of 2020, her publisher, St. Martin’s Press, announced Thursday.
The book, which has yet to receive a title, will be about “the most dramatic and challenging moments” during her time in the White House and will address “the media, family, faith, and performing an all-consuming and highly visible job while raising her young family,” according to a news release.

Sarah Sanders is seen in the White House briefing room during her former role as White House press secretary, June 14, 2018. (Associated Press)

"From Arkansas to the White House and back, I’m excited to tell my story about the challenges of being a working mom at the highest level of American politics, and my role in the historic fight raging between the Trump administration and its critics for the future of our country," Sanders said in a statement.

"From Arkansas to the White House and back, I’m excited to tell my story about the challenges of being a working mom at the highest level of American politics, and my role in the historic fight raging between the Trump administration and its critics for the future of our country."
— Sarah Sanders, former White House press secretary

George White, editor-in-chief of St. Martin’s Press, added that the book “will offer a truly unique perspective on the most important issues, events, and both public and behind-the-scenes conversations inside the White House.”
Sanders worked on Trump’s presidential campaign before succeeding Sean Spicer as White House press secretary in July 2017. During her tenure, she was known for her contentious relationship with the White House press corps and eventually ended the decades-old tradition of formal daily White House press briefings, instead arranging for Trump to address reporters himself, the New York Times reported.
She stepped down from the role in June, and Stephanie Grisham was named to take her place. Announcing her departure, Trump tweeted that Sanders was “a very special person with extraordinary talents.” “We’ve been through a lot together. She’s tough and she’s good,” Trump said on stage at a separate White House event. Trump also called her a “warrior” and encouraged her to run for governor in Arkansas in 2022, a position once held by her father, Mike Huckabee.
Sanders launched a campaign-style website in August that features a lengthy bio and photos of her with President Trump but has yet to officially announce a bid for governor, Politico reported. She joined Fox News as a contributor this month.

San Francisco's branding of NRA as terror organization panned by Washington Post, LA Times

Two columnists on opposite coasts didn’t mince words Thursday in disagreeing with a San Francisco Board of Supervisors resolution labeling the National Rifle Association a domestic terrorist organization.
Los Angeles Times columnist Michael McGough said the label may be good politics but is “irresponsible.”
"It’s not the business of a county board of supervisors to designate terror organizations," he wrote, adding that it's also a First Amendment concern if officials try to blacklist contractors who work with the NRA.

"It’s not the business of a county board of supervisors to designate terror organizations."
— Michael McGough, Los Angeles Times columnist

Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen called the resolution “McCarthyism: pure and simple.”
“Words matter,” he wrote, “and there are few words that stigmatize a person faster than calling him or her a terrorist.”
He said that for the NRA is be a terrorist organization, it would have to “intentionally encourage and support the use of violent attacks on U.S. citizens with the intent of creating general fear so as to force submission to its political agenda.”
“The NRA clearly does not do that,” he said, sarcastically adding, "Congratulations, average NRA member: Your $30 one-year membership makes you a terrorist."
He called the resolution “slanderous” and “harmful” and said it worsens the already toxic political environment.
He wrote that Republicans are often asked to call out outrageous comments made by those on the right and now liberals must do the same.
“Democrats should immediately denounce the San Francisco board for its insulting and unconstitutional resolution,” he said in closing.

“Democrats should immediately denounce the San Francisco board for its insulting and unconstitutional resolution.”
— Henry Olsen, Washington Post columnist

The board passed the resolution Tuesday, urging the federal government to do the same after a recent spate of mass shootings across the country.

Buttigieg says those who eat burgers, use plastic straws are 'part of the problem' on climate change

If you eat hamburgers or use plastic drinking straws, consider yourself part of the climate-change problem. That was the assessment of Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Thursday during an appearance on CNN’s "New Day."
Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Ind.,  told host Alisyn Camerota he thinks many people view climate issues from "the perspective of guilt."
"You know, from using a straw to eating a burger. Am I part of the problem? In a certain way, yes," he said. "But the most exciting thing is that we can all be part of the solution."
Buttigieg said part of his climate-change proposal involves motivating the public.
"I think the downside to us facing just how colossal of a challenge this is, is it can feel paralyzing," Buttigieg said. "But we can rise to meet this and be proud of it. That's part of what my climate plan is about. It's not only about all of the things we've got to do technologically and with regulation and so on. It's about summoning the energies of this country to do something unbelievably hard.
"If you look at the moments when this country rose to a major challenge, overcoming the Great Depression, winning World War II, going to the moon, it required something out of all of us. And I think we could be standing taller," he continued.
Buttigieg made his remarks a day after he and other Democrats running for president discussed plans to combat climate change during a CNN town hall telecast Wednesday.
During the town hall, the 2020 hopeful claimed climate change was a national security issue and that the Syrian war was the first war “partly caused” by climate change. He also invoked God and religion in the climate change debate, saying environmentally irresponsible behavior was “kind of a sin.”

"Let's talk in language that is understood across the heartland about faith," Buttigieg said. "If you believe that God is watching as poison is being belched into the air of creation, and people are being harmed by it — countries are at risk of vanishing in low-lying areas — what do you suppose God thinks of that? I bet He thinks it's messed up."

He added, "You don't have to be religious to see the moral dimensions of this because frankly, every religious and non-religious tradition tell us that we have some responsibility of stewardship, some responsibility of taking care of what's around us- not to mention taking care of our neighbor... At least one way of talking about this is that it's a kind of sin."
Fox News Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.

Anti-ICE protesters block rush-hour traffic in Boston area; 12 arrested for trespassing at Amazon

Police in Massachusetts reportedly arrested 12 pro-immigration protesters Thursday after hundreds of demonstrators marched through the Boston area, blocking rush-hour traffic.
The group, arrested for trespassing at the Amazon building in nearby Cambridge, across the Charles River via the Longfellow Bridge, were advocating for private businesses to stop cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Cambridge police said, according to The Hill.
The unscheduled route frustrated passengers and police. “It’s rush hour, there’s only one way (on the bridge). Take some other way around,” a man said to WBZ-TV in Boston. The protesters reportedly refused to tell police their planned route.

“It’s rush hour, there’s only one way (on the bridge). Take some other way around.”

— Boston-area rush-hour commute

"Never Again Is Now" protesters rally at the New England Holocaust Memorial and then march across the Longfellow bridge into the Amazon local business building lobby, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 in Cambridge, Mass. (Associated Press)

The organizers, "Never Again Action: Jews Against ICE," posted on Facebook they were specifically protesting Amazon’s contracts with ICE and the company’s reported attempts to sell its facial recognition technology to the agency, The Hill reported.
Eighteen people were arrested at a similar "Never Again" protest in July.

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