Two questioners at Joe Biden's ABC town hall had Democratic Party ties, while 'nodding woman' seated behind Donald Trump on NBC event was ardent supporter of his
Two questioners from Thursday night's ABC News town hall with former vice president Joe Biden have been revealed to have Democratic Party ties.
One of the questioners is a former Obama administration agency speech writer – although his question helped bring about one of Biden's most newsworthy comments, about his stance on packing the Supreme Court.
Another's husband is a county Democratic Party figure in Pennsylvania, where the event was held.
Fox News reported on the questioners' party ties – even as a masked woman who nodded vigorously during President Donald Trump's separate town hall on NBC was revealed to have been a fervent Trump supporter and former candidate for office.
Democratic Presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden fielded questions from two people with Democratic Party connections at ABC's town hall, although he also responded to Trump supporters and independents
One questioner, Nathan Osburn, is a former Commerce Department speechwriter under President Barack Obama.
His question brought up Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, who never got a hearing, a move that infuriates Democrats to this day, and mentioned how Trump's nominee Amy Coney Barrett was being pushed through 'at the last minute.'
'So what do you think about ideas from people like Pete Buttigieg and others to put in place safeguards that will help insure more long term balance and stability? And what do you say to LBGTQ Americans and others who are very worried right now about erosions of their rights and our democracy as a whole?' he asked.
Osburn's LinkedIn page identifies him as a Philadelphia 'Communications Leader' who was director of speechwriting at the agency's office of public affairs from 2012 - 2014.
Nathan Osburn served as a speechwriter at the Commerce Department in the Obama administration
Miecke Haeck asks a question to Joe Biden
'Nodding Lady' (pictured in the background in a white blouse and red mask) became the breakout star of NBC's town hall event with President Trump in Miami, Florida
Just two years ago, Joli ran for Congress as an independent, pro-Trump candidate, but lost to her Democratic opponent
The Miami woman frequently voices her support for the president on social media and even shared photos with the Trump women at Thursday's event
Joli posed for a selfie with the president's youngest daughter, Tiffany Trump
'Nodding Lady' was identified as Mayra Joli (left and right), a vocal Trump supporter and former congressional candidate
Pictured: Mayra Joli (left) and Don Jr., the President's oldest son (right)
Under follow-up questioning by moderator George Stephanopoulos, Biden allowed that he has not ruled out expanding the court, but would provide an answer before Election Day.
Osburn's profession was identified as 'communications' on screen.
Another questioner, Miecke Haeck, asked Biden a personal question about transgender policy and mentioned her daughter is transgender.
'The Trump administration has attacked the rights of transgender people, banning them from military service, weakening non discrimination protections and even removing the word transgender from some government websites,' she asked.
'There is no reason to suggest that there should be any right denied your daughter,' Biden responded.
Haeck is married to Ezra Nanes, who is a member of the Centre County Democratic Committee in the county that includes State College, where Haeck is a physical therapist.
Stephanopoulos said at the top of the event regarding the questioners: 'Some are voting for you, some have said they're voting for President Trump, some are still undecided, and we're going to try to take questions from as many as we can tonight.'
Over on rival ABC, a woman who became an Internet meme for vigorously nodding behind President Trump has been identified as Mayra Joli, a lawyer and fervent Trump supporter.
Joli, who was wearing a red face mask and a white blouse, caught viewers' attention after nodding in approval at nearly every statement as Trump spoke to host Savannah Guthrie.
Just two years ago, Joli ran as a candidate for Florida's 27th Congressional District but lost to Democratic opponent Donna Shalala after gaining just 2.5 per cent of the vote, The Miami-Herald reported.
Joli, who is from the Dominican Republic, is also a five-time beauty queen who sometimes serves as a pundit on Spanish networks.
She appears to have landed in the seat behind the president without having been deliberately chosen.
While she described herself as a non-party affiliate and ran as an independent, campaign videos show her platform was closely aligned with conservative views.
During her 2018 campaign she revealed Trump had inspired her congressional bid.
She even managed to speak with the president after the town hall event and shared a video of the interaction on her Facebook page.
'We have your back! You see, you see you are the best,' she told Trump in the video.
When asked where she's from Joli told Trump, 'I'm from the Dominican Republic, but I'm American, I'm an American.'
'Hey, Sammy Sosa?' Trump replied, referring to the famed Dominican baseball player. He imitated a baseball swing as Joli continued to praise him.
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