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Amy Coney Barrett handled Supreme Court confirmation hearing with grace and poise, experts say
President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett withstood hours of questioning Tuesday with poise, civility and, at times, moments of humanity – countering the portrait of a right-wing extremist that Democrats have attempted to paint of her, experts argued.
Barrett's professional responses and pleasant demeanor before the Senate Judiciary Committee have undercut the narrative pushed by Democrats that she is threatening or radical, said Jeffrey McCall, a professor of communication at DePauw University.
"Judge Barrett has had a most impressive day," McCall told Fox News. "It is clear she is bright and sincere. Her poise and pleasant personality make her a natural for the television cameras, which will also make it increasingly difficult for her opponents on the committee to trash her without themselves coming off as uncivil."
Barrett, 48, responded to scholarly legal questions with ease and did so without hesitation. She didn’t bring any files to the hearing and at one point held up a blank pad of paper to reveal she wasn’t relying on any notes at all.
Through hours of answrs, the even-keeled Barrett sought to reassure senators and the American public she would dispatch justice fairly and independently and she’d come to each case without any political agenda. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR TOP STORY.
In other developments:
- 6 key moments from day two of Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearing
- Amy Coney Barrett's calm demeanor during hearings is her ‘superpower,’ Harmeet Dhillon says
- Judge Amy Coney Barrett flips the script on Democrats over health care, notes when she adopted daughter
- Barrett says Roe v. Wade is not a 'super precedent' that cannot be overturned
- Barrett apologizes after Democrat accuses her of using 'offensive and outdated term'
- Harris tells Barrett that Ginsburg was ‘far more forthcoming' about abortion views
Trump focuses on energy, fracking while attacking Biden at Pennsylvania rally
President Trump, speaking Tuesday at a campaign rally in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, warned that Democrat Joe Biden would destroy the state’s economy with his proposed energy agenda.
Speaking at Johnstown Airport, the president also took credit for his own actions in protecting steel and coal, both of which have historically contributed to the state's economy.
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"If he wins, the radical left will be running the country. He won't be running the country. The radical left will take over," Trump told the crowd. "And how about Pennsylvania? So, he says there will be no fracking. No fracking. This went on for a year and a half. No fracking. No fracking, no fracking ... You talk about [a] politician, no fracking for a year and a half, right? And then he goes to Pennsylvania -- says, no, no, there'll be fracking, like nothing happened."
Trump argued Pennsylvania would lose jobs under a Biden presidency: "There will be no petroleum products, there will be no fracking whatsoever. And did you see his party now is really angry at him because he's saying maybe there'll be fracking? ... But with me, you're going to frack. You're going to frack."
Both Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., indicated they would halt fracking in some way. But Biden has denied he would ban fracking.
"I know our Republican friends are trying to say I said that. I said I would not do any new leases on federal lands," he said. "Ninety percent of the leases are not on federal land, to begin with. I would make sure … the water is not being contaminated. But I would not shut it down, no." CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
In other developments:
- Fracking flip-flop? Harris' past remarks resurface after claiming Biden WH wouldn't issue ban
- Trump hits Biden on fracking: 'Pennsylvania will never go for him'
- Fracking, pandering to Pa. voters make their way to 'Saturday Night Live' VP debate cold open
Anchorage, Alaska, mayor resigns over sex scandal: 'I am deeply sorry'
Anchorage, Alaska, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz resigned Tuesday, a day after apologizing for what he described as a "consensual, inappropriate messaging relationship" with a local television anchor.
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Berkowitz, 58, who is married, announced his resignation in a statement read by his chief of staff during a meeting of the Anchorage Assembly. The Democrat will remain mayor until Oct. 23 at 6 p.m.
“It is with profound sadness and humility that I resign as Mayor of the Municipality of Anchorage," the statement said, according to the Anchorage Daily News. "My resignation results from unacceptable personal conduct that has compromised my ability to perform my duties with the focus and trust that is required."
"I know my conduct has done great injury to my family, my staff, to Municipal employees, and to the people of our community, and for that, I am deeply sorry," the statement continued. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
In other developments:
- North Carolina Dem Cal Cunningham apologizes for affair, sexting scandal: ‘I am deeply sorry’
- DSCC still supporting NC's Cal Cunningham despite sexting scandal
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TODAY'S MUST-READS:
- UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal backs Trump, claims Biden panders to Latinos
- Oprah Winfrey cold calls Texas voters, first person leaves her nearly speechless
- Pelosi lashes out at CNN's Wolf Blitzer as GOP 'apologist' during testy exchange on stalled COVID stimulus
- Sean Ono Lennon mocks Portland statue vandals: ‘The Pyramids should be torn down immediately’
- 'Unmasking' investigation closes without report or charges: report
- Titans beat Bills 42-16 as Tannehill throws for 3 TDs, runs for 1
THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS:
- Walmart extends Black Friday deals as spending habits change
- US economy, Fed policy in 'good position,' Daly says
- Apple says iPhone can now access Verizon 5G network
#TheFlashback: CLICK HERE to find out what happened on "This Day in History.
SOME PARTING WORDS
Tucker Carlson discussed the science behind wearing masks in public on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Tuesday night. Until recently, he said, wearing masks was illegal in many places, with the assumption being if you’re hiding who you are, you’re up to something bad and it made people nervous.
“What appears to be a flimsy cotton face covering is a holy amulet which protects us from disease more reliably than any modern medicine,” he said. “Science itself is harsh. Science has no regard for sentiment or public opinion. Science doesn’t care about your feelings. Science is about facts, data, measureable outcomes.”
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Fox News First was compiled by Fox News' Jack Durschlag. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Thursday.