memeorandum: Chris Christie checks into hospital as a precaution after positive Covid-19 test (CNN)

8:05 PM ET, October 3, 2020

Top Items:

Official: Next 48 hours critical for Trump on virus fight — BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care as he battles the coronavirus at a military hospital, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Saturday.

Discussion: BuzzFeed News, CNN, Washington Post, The Hill, POLITICUSUSA, Slate, The Daily Dot, Associated Press, STAT, The Sun, The Gateway Pundit, NPR, Twin Cities, KSNG-TV, KXAN-TV, The Guardian, Reuters, Political Wire and Politico, more at Mediagazer »

New York Magazine:

The White House Is Spreading Virus and Lies — The White House is at war with the virus, with itself, and with reality — though not necessarily in that order. — With President Trump hospitalized for COVID-19 at Walter Reed medical center, officials spent Saturday sowing doubt …

Discussion: Twin Cities, ABC7, Talking Points Memo, Mother Jones and Deadline

Isaac Chotiner / New Yorker:

Maggie Haberman on the Fallout from Trump's Hospitalization — On Saturday, the day after President Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with symptoms of covid-19, the country remained in a state of confusion about his medical status.

Discussion: New York Times, Raw Story, Denver Post and Associated Press

Jonathan Swan / Axios:

Covering a cover-up in real time — What is the actual state of President Trump's health — now and over the past 24 hours? — Why it matters: It's one of the most high-stakes questions in the world, and I cannot answer it, despite having spent since 5 a.m. on Friday on my phone with sources inside and close to the White House.

Discussion: Washington Post, Political Wire, The Daily Caller, STAT, POLITICUSUSA and Slate

New York Times:

A White House Long in Denial Confronts Reality — The infections were a byproduct, former aides said, of the recklessness and top-down culture of fear that President Trump created at the White House and throughout his administration. — WASHINGTON — As America locked down this spring during …

Discussion: POLITICUSUSA

CNN:

Advisers made last-minute push to get reluctant Trump to Walter Reed — Source tells reporters Trump's vitals are ‘very concerning’ — (CNN)Marine One was idling on the South Lawn Friday as President Donald Trump's advisers were inside the White House making a last-minute push to get him to board the helicopter.

Discussion: Vox, CNBC and The Daily Beast

New York Times:

Covid-19 Live Updates: Trump Is Hospitalized as More Aides Test Positive — The president is at the Walter Reed military hospital for what is expected to be a stay of a few days. His campaign manager is among the latest senior aides also found to be infected.

Discussion: Fox News, BuzzFeed News, Axios, Politico, Common Dreams, NPR, Breitbart, Mediaite, Daily Kos, New York Post, Gothamist, The Daily Caller, IJR, The Week, Conservative News Today, Al Jazeera, Balloon Juice, The Guardian, Twin Cities and ABC7

Reuters:

White House chief of staff says Trump is doing very well — (Reuters) - White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on Saturday that President Donald Trump is doing “very well” and that doctors are pleased with his vital signs. — “The president is doing very well.

Axios:

The GOP's great depression — It's the storyline of a Republican nightmare: A mask-disdaining President Trump gets the coronavirus on the eve of the election, against a political backdrop that looks dire for Republicans. — Driving the news: Some top GOP operatives, privy to data from swing states …

Discussion: The Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC News, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Raw Story and The Week

Associated Press:
Trump's diagnosis shows US vulnerability to the coronavirus

Discussion: Washington Post

Politico:
White House triggers questions and confusion about Trump's coronavirus case

Discussion: CNN, Fox News, ABC News, TheBlaze, Daily Kos, CBS News, Breitbart, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Raw Story, The Hill, Bloomberg and Eschaton

New York Times:
Trump's Symptoms Described as ‘Very Concerning’ Even as Doctors Offer Rosier Picture

Discussion: Axios, Real Clear Politics, Breitbart, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, UPI and Slate, more at Mediagazer »

Los Angeles Times: New questions emerge about timing and severity of President Trump's coronavirus infection

McKay Coppins / The Atlantic:
Pence in the Wings — Above the fireplace in the vice-presidential residence hangs a plaque …

Discussion: Daily Kos, CNN, Politico and The Daily Beast

Associated Press:
Eric Trump set to speak with N.Y. investigators Monday about family business

Discussion: Washington Post, Breitbart, The Hill, Political Wire, The Guardian, The American Spectator, Daily Kos, RochesterFirst and who13.com

Associated Press:
Trump said to be improving but next 48 hours ‘critical’

Discussion: Twin Cities and NBC Chicago

Maureen Dowd / New York Times:
Reality Bursts the Trumpworld Bubble

Discussion: The Sun, The Hill and Outside the Beltway

Deb Riechmann / Associated Press: Of presidents and health, history replete with secrecy, lies

Briana Reilly / madison.com:

After testing positive for COVID-19, Ron Johnson says he's still against mask mandates — After testing positive for COVID-19, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said his view on mask mandates hasn't changed, as Wisconsin Republican leaders have voiced their support for striking down the state's order requiring face coverings be worn.

Discussion: Washington Post, New York Times, Law & Crime, The Hill, The Daily Beast, Raw Story, Breitbart and Politico

Justin Rohrlich / The Daily Beast:

GOP Sen. Ron Johnson Went to Oktoberfest Party While Awaiting COVID-19 Test Results — He insists he stayed 12 feet away from guests and only took his mask off when it was time to address the crowd. … U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson attended an Oktoberfest fundraising dinner on Friday evening …

Jake Sherman / Politico:

The virus slams into a broken Washington — Let's not mince words: Washington has been plunged into a crisis of historic proportions, frozen by a disease it is both unwilling and unable to control. — Washington crises typically conform to a predictable rhythm: They simmer, boil and come to their expected conclusion.

Discussion: The Hill

Claudia Grisales / NPR:
McConnell Seeks Agreement To Delay Senate's Return Amid Positive Coronavirus Tests

Discussion: Associated Press, Redstate, Bloomberg, Fox News, New York Times, Talking Points Memo, Esquire, Vox, Florida Politics, Roll Call, The Mahablog, The Hill, Al Jazeera, Washington Times, TheBlaze, Townhall and Political Wire

Brianne Pfannenstiel / Des Moines Register:
Sen. Chuck Grassley won't seek coronavirus test after attending meeting with infected senator

Discussion: ABC News, Breitbart, New York Post, USA Today and HillReporter.com

ABC News:
Trump COVID-19 live updates: President was on oxygen on Friday, sources say

Discussion: The Daily Beast, Political Wire, Associated Press, Task & Purpose and Al Jazeera

Bill Glauber / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: BILL GLAUBER , PATRICK MARLEY | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Jonathan H. Adler / Reason:
Will the Senate Have a Quorum to Confirm Judge Barrett? (Updated)

Discussion: American Prospect, Raw Story and Althouse

CNN:
Senate GOP's third positive Covid-19 case threatens quick Barrett confirmation

Discussion: Mother Jones, Politico, Florida Politics, The Guardian, Forbes, Occupy Democrats, UPI, Bangor Daily News, Slate, CNBC, The Hill, The Daily Caller, Law & Crime, Common Dreams, Axios, The Daily Beast, Daily Kos, LifeSiteNews and Bloomberg

Jennifer Rubin / Washington Post:
Looking for a single responsible Republican in the Senate

Discussion: Politico

Axios:
Senate postpones floor activity, but not Amy Coney Barrett confirmation hearings

Discussion: New York Post, The Hill, Reuters, Fox News, One America News Network, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion and Washington Post

CNN:

Attorney General Barr chooses not to quarantine despite possible exposure to Covid-19 — (CNN)Attorney General William Barr is choosing not to quarantine after recently coming in close contact with members of President Donald Trump's inner circle who have tested positive for Covid-19 …

Discussion: Law & Crime, The Daily Beast, ABC7, PinkNews, BuzzFeed News, Washington Post and Vox

Oliver Darcy / CNN:
ABC News says staff that came into contact with Christie will ‘self isolate for 14 days’

Discussion: Variety, Florida Politics and KXAN-TV, more at Mediagazer »

CNN:
Chris Christie checks into hospital as a precaution after positive Covid-19 test

Discussion: National Review, Townhall, Slate, The Dispatch, Deadline, KXAN-TV, Florida Politics, Vox and CBS News

Emma Newburger / CNBC:
Chris Christie tests positive for coronavirus, checks into hospital as precautionary measure

Discussion: Politico, Associated Press, The Hill, Forbes and CANNONFIRE

Apoorva Mandavilli / New York Times:
The White House relied on a rapid test, but used it in a way it was not intended.

Discussion: Raw Story, Slate, DCReport.org, The Dispatch and CNBC

Tony Plohetski / Austin American-Statesman:

Texas Attorney Ken Paxton took bribes, abused office, executives in his office say — Top aides of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have asked federal law enforcement authorities to investigate allegations of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential crimes against the state's top lawyer.

Miranda Devine / New York Post:

'I'm going to beat this,' Trump tells Rudy Giuliani of COVID-19 during phone call — President Donald Trump phoned Rudy Giuliani from his hospital bed Saturday afternoon to declare he feels so healthy, “I could get out of here right now.” — The former Big Apple mayor said his friend …

Discussion: Redstate and Raw Story

Nate Cohn / New York Times:

Poll Finds Voters in Two Crucial States Repelled by Trump's Debate Behavior — NEW YORK TIMES/ — SIENA COLLEGE POLL — Joe Biden leads Donald Trump in Florida and Pennsylvania. Both states are crucial to Mr. Trump's re-election chances. — 2016 Election Result NYT/Siena — Pennsylvania

Discussion: The Hill, POLITICUSUSA, The American Independent, Florida Politics, Raw Story, Politico and Slate

John Hinderaker / Power Line:

Sex Scandal Roils North Carolina Senate Race — North Carolina has played a key role in Democrats' hopes to take control of the Senate this year. Republican Thom Tillis is considered an uninspiring figure, while the Democrats seemed to have found a strong challenger in veteran Cal Cunningham.

Discussion: New York Times, The Daily Beast, NBC News and Vox