facebook-pixel

Political Cornflakes: Joe Biden strikes back at Trump after caustic rally

(Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP photo) Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Power of our Pride Town Hall Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. The LGBTQ-focused town hall featured nine 2020 Democratic presidential candidates.

Happy Friday!

After President Donald Trump said Thursday that Joe Biden "was only a good vice president because he knew how to kiss Barack Obama’s ass,” Biden fought back with a tweet just before midnight. “I spent my night at the HRC forum talking about the fundamental respect every human being deserves. You spent yours showing how little respect for anyone else you have. America is so much stronger than your weakness.” [TheHill]

Topping the news: Sen. Mitt Romney says everybody knows it is wrong to ask a foreign government to probe a political rival, but says he has not talked with other senators about impeachment of President Donald Trump. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Salt Lake City mayoral candidates spar in a debate over their records on the inland port. [Trib]

-> Utah leaders have created a strategic plan they hope will help make a homeless person’s time on the streets “rare, brief and nonrecurring.” [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @BjaminWood: “State Sen. Cullimore says that high school kids don’t call them ‘bathrooms’ any more, they call them ‘vape rooms.’ Any high school-aged tweeps who can confirm?”

-> From @mattpacenza: “Actually, yes. My teenage son makes this joke. I won’t say which school. He extends the joke to saying, when he does go to the bathroom, he’s asked, ‘Why are you peeing in the vape room?’”

-> From @DylanCMcDonnell: “Interesting. I’ve heard Utahns don’t call it the ‘State Senate’ anymore, they call it ‘The anecdotal echo chamber.’”

Happy Birthday: to former state Rep. Ben Ferry.

Behind the Headlines: Tribune reporter Taylor Stevens, government and politics editor Dan Harrie and columnist Robert Gehrke join KCPW guest host Marcie Young Cancio to talk about the week’s top stories, including the intensifying race for Salt Lake City mayor and the heated war of words between the president and Senator Mitt Romney.

Every Friday at 9 a.m., stream “Behind the Headlines” at kcpw.org, or tune in to KCPW 88.3 FM or Utah Public Radio for the broadcast. Join the live conversation by calling (801) 355-TALK.

News Quiz: Last week, 91% of you know off-road vehicles will be allowed in Utah’s national parks, but only 37% of you know Rush Limbaugh claimed Utah Sen. Mitt Romney told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the Senate had enough votes to remove President Trump from office. Think you kept up with the news this week? Take our quiz to find out. [Trib]

Also in the news: The newly appointed Utah Inland Port Authority Board executive director said the public’s view will help to shape the project. [Trib]

-> A Lehi official has been fired amid an investigation of up to $791,000 that was paid to a business owned by the official’s cousin for materials that apparently were never delivered. [Trib]

-> If you vape, Utah experts warn that you should watch out for severe flu symptoms — which can be similar to deadly vaping problems. [Trib]

-> Adventure photographer Christine Kenyon just started a foundation called Save a Star that’s dedicated to preserving and protecting dark skies. [Trib]

-> Media too often ignore faith persecution, international religion journalists say at a Utah conference. [Trib]

-> After her first and only term as Salt Lake City’s first openly gay mayor, Jackie Biskupski is reflecting on her triumphs and regrets. [KUER]

-> Robert Gehrke weighs in on the billboard industry’s current domination in Sale Lake City politics. [Trib]

-> The attorney general’s office is weighing in on a case regarding the issue of transgender people’s gender marker changes on birth certificates following an order from the Utah Supreme Court. [Fox13]

Nationally: Two Florida businessmen tied to Rudy Guiliani, President DonaldTrump’s lawyer, and the Ukraine investigation were charged with federal campaign finance violations relating to a $325,000 donation to a group supporting the President’s reelection. [AP] [CNN] [NYTimes]

-> Energy Secretary Rick Perry has been subpoenaed by House Democrats for documents relating to Ukraine in ongoing impeachment inquiry efforts. [CNN] [NYtimes]

-> Trump lashed out against Democrats at a combative campaign rally on Thursday night. He said Joe Biden "was only a good vice president because he knew how to kiss Barack Obama’s ass.” [NYTimes]

-> Ahead of that rally, President Trump bickered with Minnesota officials and threatened to sue the Target Center in Minneapolis, where the rally was held. [CNN]

-> Trump’s decision with Syria is testing Republican support, but he’s still demanding steadfast solidarity on impeachment. [WaPost]

-> Following a subpoena by the House earlier this year, Deutsche Bank told federal appeals court that it does not hold Trump’s tax returns. [CNN]

-> Trump is awarding a posthumous pardon to a leading metal scientist whose work helped secure an Allied victory in World War II. [AP]

-> Nine Democratic presidential hopefuls promoted their plans to push for LGBTQ rights at a CNN/Human Rights Campaign town hall on Thursday. [TheHill]

-> Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of Ethiopia, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, for his work in restarting peace talks with neighboring Eritrea, ending a long stalemate between the two countries.[NYTimes]

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven’t already, sign up here for our weekday email to get this sent directly to your inbox.

-- Lee Davidson and Clara Hatcher