memeorandum: Trump Administration Eyes Defining Transgender Out of Existence (New York Times)

3:30 PM ET, October 21, 2018

Top Items:

Marwa Rashad / Reuters:

Amid skepticism, Saudi official provides another version of Khashoggi death — RIYADH (Reuters) - As Saudi Arabia faced intensifying international scepticism over its story about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a senior government official laid out a new version of the death inside …

Discussion: The Guardian, TheBlaze, New York Times, POLITICUSUSA, Middle East Eye and The Week, more at Mediagazer »

Washington Post:

White House privately doubts Saudi account of journalist's killing — President Trump and his aides have begun to privately express doubts about Saudi Arabia's explanation for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi even as the administration stands publicly in support of the oil-rich monarchy, according to U.S. officials.

Discussion: Wall Street Journal, Axios, Politico, ABC News, HuffPost, IJR, The Daily Beast, New York Times, POLITICUSUSA, CNN, The Week, YouTube and Raw Story, more at Mediagazer »

Maureen Dowd / New York Times:

Step Away From the Orb — WASHINGTON — I was having dinner here once with a Saudi muck-a-muck. Midway through the interview, he passed an oblong velvet box across the table. Inside I found an expensive piece of jewelry. — I began laughing and explained that I was a reporter and could not take such baubles.

Discussion: twitchy.com and Althouse

Washington Post:

Khashoggi's death was a ‘rogue operation’ that the crown prince was not aware of, Saudi foreign minister says — ISTANBUL — Saudi Arabia's foreign minister denied on Sunday that the kingdom's crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, had any prior knowledge of an operation …

Discussion: Political Wire and Joe.My.God.

DailySabah: Erdoan says will reveal details of Khashoggi case Tuesday

Martin Chulov / The Guardian: Jamal Khashoggi: murder in the consulate

Patrick Temple-West / Politico:
Corker says Saudi prince likely directed journalist's murder

Discussion: Washington Post, One America News Network, The Week, Politico, CNN and Breitbart

Jon Gambrell / Associated Press: AP Analysis: Saudi prince likely to survive worst crisis yet

Elizabeth Zwirz / Fox News:
Khashoggi death account not ‘credible,’ lawmakers across aisle say

Discussion: The Daily Caller, Joe.My.God., HuffPost, Mediaite, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WORLD and Task & Purpose

Josh Dawsey / Washington Post:
In Post interview, Trump calls Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed a ‘strong person’ who ‘truly loves his country’

Discussion: Politico, New York Times, CNN, Talking Points Memo, The Guardian, One America News Network, Joe.My.God., The Week and Breitbart

The Guardian:
Khashoggi murder exposes Trump administration's dependency on Saudis

Discussion: Spectator USA and Press Association

Alan Rappeport / New York Times: Mnuchin Will Attend Saudi Meetings on Terror Financing, Despite Khashoggi Uproar

Roey Hadar / ABC News:
On Khashoggi, we ‘see where this is headed’ — Trump will accept Saudi 'crown prince's denials': Schiff

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Washington Post and POLITICUSUSA

Joe Scarborough / Washington Post: Trump's sure bet turned out to be his biggest foreign policy crisis

Kevin Sullivan / Washington Post: Amid Khashoggi uproar, many Saudis see a foreign plot and rally around their prince

New York Times:

Trump Administration Eyes Defining Transgender Out of Existence — WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering narrowly defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth, the most drastic move yet in a governmentwide effort to roll back recognition …

Brett Samuels / The Hill:
Trump administration considering narrowing legal definition of gender: report

Discussion: Louder With Crowder and Law & Crime

Janet Hook / Wall Street Journal:

Interest in Midterms Surges, Boosting Trump Approval Rating — Democrats' still favored by voters in latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll as the party to lead Congress — Voter interest in the midterm elections has surged to record highs within both parties, helping to drive …

Discussion: Political Wire, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Booman Tribune

Mark Murray / NBC News:

NBC/WSJ Poll: Democrats hold nine-point advantage for midterm elections — Two weeks out, Democrats retain an edge but “unprecedented enthusiasm” is fueling both parties. — WASHINGTON — Fueled by increased enthusiasm from women, Latinos and young voters for the upcoming midterm election …

Discussion: New York Times, Washington Monthly and Political Wire

CNN:

CNN Poll: Democrats up in Florida with two weeks to go — Poll: Women powering Democrats' lead in Florida — WASHINGTON (CNN)As the final two weeks of campaigning begin, Democrats hold an edge in both the gubernatorial and Senate contests in the key state of Florida, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS.

Discussion: Political Wire

John Harwood / CNBC: Democrats appear more likely to vote in midterms than GOP: NBC-WSJ poll

Arizona Republic:

Don't believe the attack ads. Here's who Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally really are — Opinion: If you're tired of the vitriol on Congress (and all those attack ads on TV), there's something you can do about it. — CONNECT — Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally have been in campaign mask.

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Axios, The Hill and Political Wire

Missoulian:

Williams is by far the better candidate for US House — Not to be too dramatic about it, but Kathleen Williams is the congressional candidate Montana has been waiting for. — Experienced. Knowledgeable. Thoughtful. Measured. Most remarkably, Williams exudes that unique combination …

Ben Jacobs / The Guardian:

2020 vision: Democratic hopefuls warm up for White House race — Biden spars with Trump in Nevada, Booker and Harris are in South Carolina. The field is already crowded — It's a crisp fall weekend and more than a half-dozen prominent Democrats are in states that hold early primaries.

Discussion: New York Times

Michael Goodwin / New York Post: Count on Hillary Clinton running again in 2020

Jim VandeHei / Axios:

4 ways to fix “fake news” — Axios CEO Jim VandeHei — speaking at his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — was asked by several students how to restore faith and trust in media. — The big picture: VandeHei offered four fairly provocative ideas — one each for politicians, social media, reporters and individuals.

David Edwards / Raw Story:

‘I was wrong’: Matt Gaetz admits his ‘caravan’ conspiracy video is based on a lie — but defends it anyway — Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) admitted on Sunday that he had provided false information when he tweeted a video of a “caravan” of Latinos who he suggested had been paid by liberal billionaire George Soros.

Adam Smith / Tampa Bay Times:

Ron DeSantis is ‘uniquely dislikable candidate,’ says Andrew Gillum — The Democrat uses tough language to criticize his Republican opponent's negative campaign tactics — When Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis join one another for an 8 p.m. CNN debate tonight at 8 p.m., it will be their first time meeting.

Burgess Everett / Politico:

‘Campaign gold’: McConnell delivers election gift to Manchin and red-state Dems — The majority leader's comments on entitlements allow Democrats to change the conversation from Brett Kavanaugh. — MARTINSBURG, W.Va — Joe Manchin looked like a solid bet for reelection after he voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh.

Discussion: USA Today and Daily Kos

Doug Pagitt / USA Today:

Evangelicals are paying high moral price for anti-abortion gains. What would Jesus do? — White evangelicals are trading their moral core for anti-abortion gains. Time to rethink support for Trump, Republicans and policies that are inhumane. — CONNECT

Discussion: Raw Story

Associated Press:

Migrant caravan swells to 5,000 resumes advance toward US — CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico (AP) — Despite Mexican efforts to stop them at the border, a growing throng of Central American migrants resumed their advance toward the U.S. border early Sunday in southern Mexico.