Today's Liberal News

Why Biden Won

Updated at 10:20 p.m. ET on November 7, 2020.WILMINGTON, Del.—For half a century, across three presidential runs he made and three more he thought about making, Joe Biden had never won a single primary delegate before his South Carolina romp in February catapulted him to the Democratic nomination. But his strategy never changed. Biden won the White House the same way he won his first race, for New Castle County council in 1970: by being himself.

Photos: Celebrations in City Streets After Biden Win

After months of difficult campaigning, and days of waiting for the election results to be counted, Democrat Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States. People in cities across the U.S. hit the streets to celebrate, honking horns, hugging, and gathering in squares.Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET with eight additional photos.

The Atlantic Daily: Biden Won

Every weekday evening, our editors guide you through the biggest stories of the day, help you discover new ideas, and surprise you with moments of delight. Subscribe to get this delivered to your inbox.BRIAN SNYDER / REUTERSThe election of Joe Biden marks the end of one process and the start of another.For four years, President Donald Trump aggravated the nation’s fissures for political gain.

Trump Is the Loser

Donald Trump leaves the White House briefing room on November 5. (Carlos Barria / The Atlantic)“We’re going to win so much that you’re going to be sick and tired,” Donald Trump promised in 2016. Over the next four years, the American people did get sick (nearly 10 million of them so far from COVID-19), and they did get tired, and in the end they decided they’d had enough.

She Did It

When I interviewed Vice President–elect Kamala Harris last year at the Essence Festival, she had plenty of wisdom to share about the challenges a Black woman faces when pursuing national office. “Some might think that breaking barriers means you start off on one side of the barrier,” said Harris, who was running for president at the time, “and then you just turn up on the other side of the barrier. No, there’s breaking involved.

Joe Biden addresses the nation as networks resist making the final call

Though networks are still milking this moment of heightened attention for all the ratings points and ad dollars they can rake in, it’s clear tonight that the real drama is over. With that in mind, Joe Biden is going to address the nation. Kamala Harris is also at the Chase, and may also speak, though without a clear call from the networks, that’s not certain.

It will likely be brief, and don’t expect Biden to directly say what AP will not.

Friday Night Owls: Exit polls show most people want climate action. Why did so many vote for Trump?

Night Owls, a themed open thread, appears at Daily Kos seven days a week

Kate Aronoff at The New Republic writes—Voters Said They’re Worried About the Climate. Many Voted for Trump Anyway:

Early Tuesday night, Fox News gave Democratic viewers rare cause for optimism. Exit polls, the network reported, had found that 70 percent of voters support increased government spending on green and renewable energy.

Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows tests positive for coronavirus

Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested positive for the coronavirus. Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg News reported that “Meadows informed a close circle of advisers after the election.” Meadows becomes yet another member of the Trump administration to come down with the virus. Bloomberg also reports that Trump’s campaign Director of Battleground Strategy Nick Trainer has also tested positive for the virus.