HC Wake-Up Call: Joe Biden Might Run With Beto O’Rourke In 2020, Paul Ryan’s Irish Immigration Bill, & Melania Trumps Spokesperson Fires Back In A CNN Op-Ed

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds — we’re all only human, after all. 

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.) 

Joe Biden & Beto O’Rourke 2020 Just Might Be A Thing

Now that the midterm elections are finally over and the beginning of 2019 is fast approaching, the 2020 presidential elections seem to be on all our minds. According to The Hill, former Vice President Joe Biden and his advisors have tossed around the idea of a Biden-O’Rourke ticket for the 2020 president elections. 

But for the former vice president, his biggest roadblock to victory could be his age. The Associated Press reports that Biden has discussed with his inner circle about whether his age might be a problem, if he ran for the White House. Biden is currently 76 and would be 78 at the time of his swearing in if elected in 2020. 

A.B. Stoddard from Real Clear Politics’ thinks a 2020 Biden-O’Rourke ticket is Democrats’ “strongest chance at victory.” During the midterms, O’Rourke has generated significant voter enthusiasm. He narrowly lost to Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. According to Stoddard, O’Rourke could increase the Democratic Party’s appeal.

Further fueling the speculations, both men recently topped an Iowa voter poll aimed at gauging support for Democratic 2020 candidates. CNN reports that 32 percent of voters said Biden would be their first choice, 19 percent said Sen. Bernie Sanders, and 11 percent said O’Rourke.

As of right now, Biden has not officially announced whether or not he will will run against President Trump. 

Paul Ryan Faces Intense Backlash For Pushing More Irish Visas Bill

Before Rep. Paul Ryan leaves office in January, he hopes to give current citizens of Ireland a little holiday gift. According to the Huffington Post, Ryan recently pushed a bill through the House that would give Irish citizens access to thousands of unused U.S. work visas. 

The bill easily passed through the House last month, and it would give Irish citizens access to any E-3 visas that are unused or unclaimed in the previous year.  According to the current E-3 program, 10,500 visas are set aside for Australians offered employment in “specialty occupations” that require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The State Department records find that people haven’t come close to claiming the full amount for the last five years. The bill could give under 5,000 visas to Irish citizens each year. According to Irish Special Envoy to the U.S. John Deasy to Politico, the bill is a “reciprocal” with Ireland offering additional visas to Americans in exchange for unused E-3 visas. 

But Ryan’s Irish immigration bill has received intense backlash for only advocating for white immigrants. On multiple occasions, Ryan has said he promises to create a “good, humane” immigration reform. He ultimately, though, never allowed for a vote on legislation that would have protected immigrants coming into the U.S. 

Melania Trump’s Spokesperson Speaks Out Against Criticism In A CNN Op-Ed

In a new op-ed published by CNN on Sunday, Melania Trump’s spokesperson says the media coverage of the first lady has been unfair. The op-ed was in response to a piece written by author Kate Anderson Brower who said the first lady has “proved that she doesn’t understand what it means to be first lady.” 

Stephanie Grisham, who is Melania’s deputy chief of staff for communications, called Brower’s analysis both “condescending” and “another unnecessary attack.” She also said that the op-ed would be “framed as another assault on the press” but said she is just speaking on behalf of her boss. 

In the op-ed, Grisham said how the media continues to ignore the first lady’s work for the country. “This holiday season, Mrs. Trump has made every effort to spread joy and good cheer to citizens across the country,” she said. According to CNN, she has volunteered at Toys for Tots drive at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., as well as her visit to patients at the Children’s National hospital on Thursday. 

Grisham also wrote that Brower’s op-ed and CNN’s poll that showed Melania’s approval rating dropping by double digits was “to willfully ignore” her activities as first lady since January 2017. The spokesperson cited the state dinner Melania hosted for French President Emmanuel  Macron and Melania’s attendance to the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush in Houston. 

Grisham ended the op-ed begging the media to “learn to celebrate a woman who, through all the noise, is able to hold steadfast to her mission and stay true to herself.” 

What To Look Out For…

You know what I love to pair with my pancakes, waffles, and french toast? Maple Syrup. And on National Maple Syrup Day, you can have all your favorite breakfast foods and condiments all day.