crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Members Of Historically Black Church Turn Their Backs As Michael Bloomberg Speaks About 'Bloody Sund

Members Of Historically Black Church Turn Their Backs As Michael Bloomberg Speaks About 'Bloody Sunday'

Parishioners at a historically black church in Selma , Alabama protested Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg as his spoke on @ @ @ @ @ while Bloomberg was speaking about the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday at Brown Chapel AME @ @ @ @ @ introducing Bloomberg , Rev .
Harry L. Seawright noted that the former New York mayor @ @ @ @ @ to speak at the church because he said he was too busy trying to defeat @ @ @ @ @ photos and video of the protest from Twitter below .

Parishioners at a historically black church in Selma, Alabama protested Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg as his spoke on Sunday.
The protest occurred while Bloomberg was speaking about the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday at Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma.
While introducing Bloomberg, Rev. Harry L. Seawright noted that the former New York mayor had initially declined an invitation to speak at the church because he said he was too busy trying to defeat President Donald Trump.
View photos and video of the protest from Twitter below.
Today is the 'Bloody Sunday' commemoration in Selma.
Participating by walking across the bridge: Biden, Bloomberg, Warren, Klobuchar and Buttigieg.
NOT participating but campaigning in CA? Sanders.
(even Steyer, who's dropped out is in Selma)https://t.co/GrjKJpwyfs — Gary Armstrong (@vanityman) March 1, 2020
Michael Bloomberg, architect and godfather of Stop-and-Frisk, being in Selma, AL this morning makes me want to VOMIT. — CCM (@CMURRAY17) March 1, 2020
Ok wow. The Rt. Reverend Seawright of Brown AME is giving a scathing “introduction” of Bloomberg, saying that at first Bloomberg said he can’t come to the church because he needs to beat Donald Trump. And the Reverend went on after that to speak his truth. — Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) March 1, 2020
Pastor of Brown Chapel AME in Selma introducing presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/M0DTYmAQ3W — Tara White (@curator_tw) March 1, 2020
Some in the church in Selma, where Bloomberg is speaking are standing up with their backs toward him. pic.twitter.com/LUuvJeL2NZ — Tarini Parti (@tparti) March 1, 2020
Some Brown AME church attendees are turning their backs to Mike Bloomberg. More are joining. pic.twitter.com/gTAaTNiew1 — Vanita Gupta (@vanitaguptaCR) March 1, 2020
Rough intro for Bloomberg at historic Brown AME Chapel
The man introing says he invited him, but Bloomberg responded he didn’t have time bc he’s too busy trying to beat Trump
As Bloomberg is abt to speak, he cuts back in to say it’s important he’s here bc it shows he can change pic.twitter.com/b5EwsXa3u2 — Daniel Newhauser (@dnewhauser) March 1, 2020
Several in the congregation here at Brown Chapel in Selma have stood and turned their backs on Mayor Bloomberg. pic.twitter.com/nXuzh6q3CS — Henry Thornton (@HenryThornton95) March 1, 2020
As Bloomberg spoke at Brown Chapel AME church, several people stood and turned their backs to him in protest. pic.twitter.com/RtPaefTkEA — Cleve R. Wootson Jr. (@CleveWootson) March 1, 2020
During @MikeBloomberg’s remarks at Brown AME Church on this 55th Anniversary Bridge Crossing Jubilee, several parishioners stood up and turned their backs to Bloomberg in a silent protest. Photo via @BenPu_nbc’s feed pic.twitter.com/ZkaeHJi445 — Maura Barrett (@MauraBarrettNBC) March 1, 2020
Civil rights activists commemorating Bloody Sunday in Selma turn their backs on presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg as he speaks at the historic Brown Chapel AME church. Others applaud Bloomberg. pic.twitter.com/bGHYioLJAh — Jenny Jarvie (@JennyJarvie) March 1, 2020
As Michael Bloomberg laid out some of his plans to help black Americans at Brown AME church in Selma, some audience members stood and turned their backs on him pic.twitter.com/FB3muz5Hou — Joseph Ax (@josephax) March 1, 2020
As he speaks several people in the crowd stand up and turn their backs in protest pic.twitter.com/LLxbNDAW1l — Daniel Newhauser (@dnewhauser) March 1, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Rep. Clyburn: Jaime Harrison Is A 'Great Candidate'

It turns out Clyburn takes a little bit of credit for Harrison ’ s candidacy .
Clyburn explained to Joy Reid that he met Harrison as an 11th grader and knew even then Graham ’ s future challenger would make a terrific politician .
“ He called me and asked would I come and install him the new president of his honor society , ” Clyburn recollected .
He was so impressed by Harrison ’ s moxie , “ I said this is a young man I 'm going to hold on to .
And he will make a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the South Carolina primary , Clyburn was part of a discussion about the importance of down-ballot races , particularly Harrison ’ s .
Reid ’ s other guests , LaTosha Brown and Anton Gunn , noted that it ’ s important to focus on what black voters care about beyond just beating Donald Trump .
Gunn said black women , especially married black women , are “ the top barometer ” of the election .
From what he hears , “ health care is critical ” to them .
Thousands of South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the Affordable Care Act have none because the state did not expand Medicaid , he said .
“ That 's why it 's important for these down ballot races because you might have a great president , whoever that president may be , but if you do n't have a House and a Senate , nothing will get done , ” Gunn continued .
Brown agreed .
She said that while beating Trump “ is really high on the list , ” black voters also care about “ how fundamentally their conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She called it “ a major mistake ” if the Democratic Party only focuses on beating Trump .
That brought Reid back to Harrison .
“ It ’ s not just that Lindsey Graham will do whatever Trump says ” but “ it ’ s also that he ’ s ignoring home , ” she said .
“ He actually spends all his time on the golf course with Donald Trump and does n't spend time here working on the problems that people here have.
” Clyburn added that he has put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Making America ’ s greatness accessible and affordable for all.
” That ’ s what he works on every day , all day , he said .
“ It does nobody any good to have all these great systems and they 're inaccessible and unaffordable.
” It would be great to see Harrison defeat one of Trump ’ s top toadies but it would be even better to have a South Carolina senator actually working for its citizens .

It turns out Clyburn takes a little bit of credit for Harrison’s candidacy.
Clyburn explained to Joy Reid that he met Harrison as an 11th grader and knew even then Graham’s future challenger would make a terrific politician. “He called me and asked would I come and install him the new president of his honor society,” Clyburn recollected. He was so impressed by Harrison’s moxie, “I said this is a young man I'm going to hold on to. And he will make a great candidate.”
During MSNBC’s coverage of the South Carolina primary, Clyburn was part of a discussion about the importance of down-ballot races, particularly Harrison’s. Reid’s other guests, LaTosha Brown and Anton Gunn, noted that it’s important to focus on what black voters care about beyond just beating Donald Trump. Gunn said black women, especially married black women, are “the top barometer” of the election. From what he hears, “health care is critical” to them. Thousands of South Carolinians who would otherwise have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act have none because the state did not expand Medicaid, he said.
“That's why it's important for these down ballot races because you might have a great president, whoever that president may be, but if you don't have a House and a Senate, nothing will get done,” Gunn continued.
Brown agreed. She said that while beating Trump “is really high on the list,” black voters also care about “how fundamentally their conditions in their community are going to change.” She called it “a major mistake” if the Democratic Party only focuses on beating Trump.
That brought Reid back to Harrison. “It’s not just that Lindsey Graham will do whatever Trump says” but “it’s also that he’s ignoring home,” she said. “He actually spends all his time on the golf course with Donald Trump and doesn't spend time here working on the problems that people here have.”
Clyburn added that he has put up billboards around Charleston saying, “Making America’s greatness accessible and affordable for all.” That’s what he works on every day, all day, he said. “It does nobody any good to have all these great systems and they're inaccessible and unaffordable.”
It would be great to see Harrison defeat one of Trump’s top toadies but it would be even better to have a South Carolina senator actually working for its citizens.


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--HHS Secretary Throws Cold Water On Trump Plan To Close Southern Border

Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar threw cold water on President Donald Trump 's proposal to close the Mexico @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
In an interview on CBS News , host Margaret Brennan asked Azar @ @ @ @ @ that he 's `` strongly considering '' a closure of the southern border .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the highest priority areas , '' Azar admitted .
`` Mexico only has a couple @ @ @ @ @ What the president is making clear , though , is we 'll always be looking @ @ @ @ @ protections , '' he continued .
`` We will take whatever measures are appropriate and @ @ @ @ @ people . ''
`` We do n't forecast doing that anytime soon , '' the @ @ @ @

Health and Human Service Secretary Alex Azar threw cold water on President Donald Trump's proposal to close the Mexico border as a measure against the coronavirus.
In an interview on CBS News, host Margaret Brennan asked Azar about the president's statement that he's "strongly considering" a closure of the southern border.
"That's not one of the highest priority areas," Azar admitted. "Mexico only has a couple of cases."
"What the president is making clear, though, is we'll always be looking at travel restrictions, border protections," he continued. "We will take whatever measures are appropriate and necessary to protext the American people."
"We don't forecast doing that anytime soon," the HHS secretary added.


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Steve Bannon: Even Michelle Obama Would Lose In 2020 Because Pandemic 'Is Trump's Churchill Moment'

Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon predicted on Sunday that President Donald Trump will win reelection because of his handling of the coronavirus .
Bannon made the remarks on Fox News after host Maria Bartiromo asked about the Democratic presidential primary .
According to the former White House adviser , black voters in the Democratic Party are `` not buying '' Sen. Bernie Sanders ' candidacy .
`` They 're not buying the socialism , '' he opined .
`` They 're not buying the radicalism , they 're not buying the revolution .
These are very practical , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to try to steal the nomination from Bernie again , '' Bannon continued .
`` That 's why I think many Bernie supporters will come to President Trump at the end of the day . ''
After Bannon theorized that Hillary Clinton might make a last-minute run for president , Bartiromo suggested Democrats might pick Michelle Obama at a contested convention .
Bannon replied : `` I think if they go to the convention and they 're desperate and Bernie is way behind Donald Trump , the Obamas and the Clintons will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat president Trump . ''
`` This is Trump 's Churchill moment , '' he added .
`` He 's got to bring the country together , which he 's doing .
He 's got to confront not just the virus , but the economic contagion that 's coming out of China ...
He does that , you do n't need to worry about 2020 . ''

Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon predicted on Sunday that President Donald Trump will win reelection because of his handling of the coronavirus.
Bannon made the remarks on Fox News after host Maria Bartiromo asked about the Democratic presidential primary.
According to the former White House adviser, black voters in the Democratic Party are "not buying" Sen. Bernie Sanders' candidacy.
"They're not buying the socialism," he opined. "They're not buying the radicalism, they're not buying the revolution. These are very practical, pragmatic people."
"They are going to try to steal the nomination from Bernie again," Bannon continued. "That's why I think many Bernie supporters will come to President Trump at the end of the day."
After Bannon theorized that Hillary Clinton might make a last-minute run for president, Bartiromo suggested Democrats might pick Michelle Obama at a contested convention.
Bannon replied: "I think if they go to the convention and they're desperate and Bernie is way behind Donald Trump, the Obamas and the Clintons will look for any alternative to try to defeat president Trump."
"This is Trump's Churchill moment," he added. "He's got to bring the country together, which he's doing. He's got to confront not just the virus, but the economic contagion that's coming out of China... He does that, you don't need to worry about 2020."


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Trump Plays The Fool At CPAC

Trump Plays The Fool At CPAC

Mercedes Schlapp really wanted Fox News to play a clip of Trump from his CPAC speech as the South Carolina Democratic Primary was unfolding .
Trump 's speech was not about policy or issues , but one of high buffoonery and imbecilic nonsense .
And of course Fox News obliged because Trump was attacking Mike Bloomberg in his usual juvenile fashion .
Former Trump official and the wife to the always odious Matt Schlapp ( who organizes CPAC ) , Mercedes `` Mercy '' Schlapp , joined Bret Baier and Fox News ' coverage of the Democratic South Carolina Primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take center stage .
Bret Baier is supposed to be Fox News ' premiere straight newsman , but instead of steering the discussion forward as a reporter , he acquiesced and joined in the hijinks .
As she laughed , Baier , `` All right we got ta show it -- we have this tape -- '' Schlapp said , `` It 's too good , it 's too good . ''
Baier explains that Trump was discussing Elizabeth Warren going after Mike Bloomberg during one of their debates .
`` And this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump started out by calling Bloomberg `` mini- Mike '' and then slowly shrunk behind the podium to mock his size .
After they finished airing the short clip Brett Baier began laughing and said , `` I mean , wow . ''
He 's quite happy that the President of the United States acted like a teenager hurling insults in the schoolyards of New York like a juvenile imbecile .
To defend him Mercedes said Trump `` feels right at home at CPAC . ''
This was unfolding after the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
Maybe Trump can do one of his rallies for the folks from the Diamond Princess ?
You know , just to reassure us that there 's nothing to see here .

Mercedes Schlapp really wanted Fox News to play a clip of Trump from his CPAC speech as the South Carolina Democratic Primary was unfolding. Trump's speech was not about policy or issues, but one of high buffoonery and imbecilic nonsense.
And of course Fox News obliged because Trump was attacking Mike Bloomberg in his usual juvenile fashion.
Former Trump official and the wife to the always odious Matt Schlapp (who organizes CPAC), Mercedes "Mercy" Schlapp, joined Bret Baier and Fox News' coverage of the Democratic South Carolina Primary Saturday night where Trump always has to take center stage.
Bret Baier is supposed to be Fox News' premiere straight newsman, but instead of steering the discussion forward as a reporter, he acquiesced and joined in the hijinks.
As she laughed, Baier, "All right we gotta show it -- we have this tape --"
Schlapp said, "It's too good, it's too good." Baier explains that Trump was discussing Elizabeth Warren going after Mike Bloomberg during one of their debates.
"And this is what happened," he said.
Trump started out by calling Bloomberg "mini- Mike" and then slowly shrunk behind the podium to mock his size.
After they finished airing the short clip Brett Baier began laughing and said, "I mean, wow."
Really? Wow?
He's quite happy that the President of the United States acted like a teenager hurling insults in the schoolyards of New York like a juvenile imbecile.
To defend him Mercedes said Trump "feels right at home at CPAC."
This was unfolding after the first US death from the coronavirus hit the news.
Maybe Trump can do one of his rallies for the folks from the Diamond Princess?
You know, just to reassure us that there's nothing to see here.


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Trump Does A Yelp Review On Twitter For A MAGA Restaurant

America is on the brink of a coronavirus pandeimic , and Donald Trump 's main focus continues to be his Twitter feed .
Sunday morning he spit out this craptastic review of Sammy ’ s Mexican Grill in Phoenix , Arizona : FOX News also gave them free advertising in their Sunday morning news block in the clip above .
Why , you ask ?
Because the owners are reportedly facing `` backlash '' for being Trump supporters .
And by backlash , they mean their customers have decided to boycott their restaurant .
They are also upset that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things on Facebook and Google reviews .
Here is the thing - customers are under no obligation to come to this restaurant .
If they find out the owners have views they do not support , and if that concerns them , they can spend their money elsewhere .
I would never go to a restaurant run by a Nazi , a Trump supporter or a white nationalist .
I guess that could describe one whole person , but you know what I mean .
This is the best one : How far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is now resorting to doing free endorsements of restaurant he has never been to and will never go to only because they support him .
Shameful pandering .

America is on the brink of a coronavirus pandeimic, and Donald Trump's main focus continues to be his Twitter feed. Sunday morning he spit out this craptastic review of Sammy’s Mexican Grill in Phoenix, Arizona:
The food is GREAT at Sammy’s Mexican Grill in Phoenix, Arizona. Congratulations to Betty & Jorge Rivas on doing such a wonderful job. I will try hard to stop by the next time I am in Phoenix. Support Sammy’s! @foxandfriends — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2020
FOX News also gave them free advertising in their Sunday morning news block in the clip above. Why, you ask? Because the owners are reportedly facing "backlash" for being Trump supporters. And by backlash, they mean their customers have decided to boycott their restaurant. They are also upset that people on social media are posting not nice things on Facebook and Google reviews.
Here is the thing - customers are under no obligation to come to this restaurant. If they find out the owners have views they do not support, and if that concerns them, they can spend their money elsewhere. I would never go to a restaurant run by a Nazi, a Trump supporter or a white nationalist. I guess that could describe one whole person, but you know what I mean.
Twitter had thoughts:
Instead of dealing with the worldwide pandemic or collapsing economy, this guy’s just tweeting out Yelp reviews now. — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) March 1, 2020
"and some, I assume, are good people"
— our president, ten seconds after calling Mexicans rapists — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) March 1, 2020
Details, details:
Except the restaurant is in Catalina, Arizona... 110 miles away from Phoenix. — Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) March 1, 2020
This made me snort laugh:
It's about time! I've been waiting all weekend for you to update us on the food at Sammy's.
Phew! I can travel with no fear now! — Lisa (@JoyfullyDazed) March 1, 2020
A+
This is a clear cry for Yelp. — Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) March 1, 2020
This is the best one:
Since @realDonaldTrump is now tweeting restaurant reviews, here’s what @tina_nguyen had to say about the Trump Grill in 2016. https://t.co/JLKIrlDLeU https://t.co/PvPBhNZD0p — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) March 1, 2020
How far the office of the President* has fallen. He is now resorting to doing free endorsements of restaurant he has never been to and will never go to only because they support him. Shameful pandering.


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge To Affordable Care Act This Fall

The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will hear a challenge from Republican states to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act 's individual mandate , the court 's third whack at the law .
It will hear the case in October or November , likely before the election , but will be unlikely to hand down a decision until 2021 .
Democratic state legislatures and the House of Representatives , which are defending the law , asked for expedited consideration , while the challenging states , led by Texas and backed by Trump 's Department of Justice , wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge reconsidered his decision from last fall that struck down the entire law .
This puts into question the entirety of the law , during a potential public health crisis in an election year .
So that 's not at all fraught .
The idea that perhaps Chief Justice John Roberts would n't want to take on such a political case at this moment in time is out the window .
What 's at stake is coverage for millions of people .
It 's Medicaid expansion , it 's protections for people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screenings and immunization and flu shots without a copay , and billions in savings to the Medicare system .
It 's a lot , and at a time when the ACA has never been more popular nor the American voters more focused on health care .

The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will hear a challenge from Republican states to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate, the court's third whack at the law. It will hear the case in October or November, likely before the election, but will be unlikely to hand down a decision until 2021. Democratic state legislatures and the House of Representatives, which are defending the law, asked for expedited consideration, while the challenging states, led by Texas and backed by Trump's Department of Justice, wanted a delay while a 5th Circuit Court judge reconsidered his decision from last fall that struck down the entire law.
This puts into question the entirety of the law, during a potential public health crisis in an election year. So that's not at all fraught. The idea that perhaps Chief Justice John Roberts wouldn't want to take on such a political case at this moment in time is out the window. What's at stake is coverage for millions of people. It's Medicaid expansion, it's protections for people with pre-existing conditions, it's preventive health screenings and immunization and flu shots without a copay, and billions in savings to the Medicare system. It's a lot, and at a time when the ACA has never been more popular nor the American voters more focused on health care.
Published with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Roger Stone Is Completely Unhinged During Disturbing Deposition

This is a very disturbing deposition of Roger Stone apparently recorded on February 12 , 2020 .
He insults opposing counsel Larry Klayman , calling him a `` little bitch , '' while dismissing him with a flick of the wrist .
Then he crosses his arms , grimaces and starts threatening Klayman , saying they can `` go back to the judge . ''
Then , after some more questions he does n't like , Stone says `` I am not going to be badgered by this asshole '' , apparently a comment to his attorney , sitting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the 0:27 mark of the video , a narrator comes in to describe some very disturbing , seemingly uncontrollable physical problems Stone is having : teeth clenching , full on facial grimacing , clenching and unclenching his hands , smacking the table .
He can not control his face - that is the most alarming part of this video .
His face contorts into extreme facial grimaces .
Is he on drugs ?
Is he feeling such anxiety and anger that he can not control himself ?
It is hard to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the cause of this extreme response is .
He has never displayed this in public , which makes this even more alarming .
Is he this way in private ?
Is it because he is doing something he feels forced to do - a very confrontational deposition ?
Who knows .
Disturbing , nonetheless .
Ed .
Note : How ironic that Stone is facing someone as pathological as himself .
My personal guess is that he is never held to account for anything , and when Larry Klayman is the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him .
- Karoli

This is a very disturbing deposition of Roger Stone apparently recorded on February 12, 2020. He insults opposing counsel Larry Klayman, calling him a "little bitch," while dismissing him with a flick of the wrist. Then he crosses his arms, grimaces and starts threatening Klayman, saying they can "go back to the judge." Then, after some more questions he doesn't like, Stone says "I am not going to be badgered by this asshole", apparently a comment to his attorney, sitting out of the frame to his right.
At the 0:27 mark of the video, a narrator comes in to describe some very disturbing, seemingly uncontrollable physical problems Stone is having: teeth clenching, full on facial grimacing, clenching and unclenching his hands, smacking the table. He cannot control his face - that is the most alarming part of this video. His face contorts into extreme facial grimaces. Is he on drugs? Is he feeling such anxiety and anger that he cannot control himself? It is hard to tell from this clip.
Here is a longer clip, a full 6 minutes:
Roger Stone's criminal trial crimped his usual style, but it was back with a vengeance in a deposition just before his sentencing https://t.co/NEbmATEd9B pic.twitter.com/4qHACdMlpv — POLITICO (@politico) February 28, 2020
It is unclear what the cause of this extreme response is. He has never displayed this in public, which makes this even more alarming. Is he this way in private? Is it because he is doing something he feels forced to do - a very confrontational deposition? Who knows. Disturbing, nonetheless.
Ed. Note: How ironic that Stone is facing someone as pathological as himself. My personal guess is that he is never held to account for anything, and when Larry Klayman is the one trying, it's all too much for him. - Karoli


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Record Turnout In Primary Elections Bodes Well For Democrats

Never mind the results , or the botched vote count .
This was the most alarming story for Democrats after the Iowa caucuses : Turnout for the Iowa caucuses fell far short of expectations .
The leading campaigns were prepared for as many as 300,000 people to show up — 60,000 more than the record set in 2008 .
Instead just 176,000 showed up , less than 3 percent more than in 2016 .
While that ’ s higher than 2016 , it ’ s a striking change from just a few years ago , when turnout in the midterm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century and Democrats took control of the House of Representatives ... .
Now , at the moment when they need their ground troops the most , there are signs that the past three years may have depleted some of their reserves for organizing , activism and fund-raising .
But after Joe Biden 's big win in South Carolina yesterday , it appears that Democrats have a turnout problem only in caucuses .
Nevada caucus turnoutr ?
Also not great .
For South Carolina , there was ... a near-record primary turnout .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final 6 percent nearly finished with their tallies , South Carolina ’ s Election Commission has found 524,000 voters cast ballots in Saturday ’ s primary .
That total would appear to put the state on track to nearly match — or perhaps surpass — the turnout record set during Barack Obama ’ s first presidential race in 2008 , when 532,000 voters participated ... .
In New Hampshire , a total of 300,622 ballots were cast , besting the previous record of 288,672 votes in 2008 .
I was worried after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm not worried now .
The enthusiasm is there .
Now we just need a candidate .
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog

Never mind the results, or the botched vote count. This was the most alarming story for Democrats after the Iowa caucuses:
Turnout for the Iowa caucuses fell far short of expectations. The leading campaigns were prepared for as many as 300,000 people to show up — 60,000 more than the record set in 2008. Instead just 176,000 showed up, less than 3 percent more than in 2016. While that’s higher than 2016, it’s a striking change from just a few years ago, when turnout in the midterm elections reached the highest level in a century and Democrats took control of the House of Representatives.... Now, at the moment when they need their ground troops the most, there are signs that the past three years may have depleted some of their reserves for organizing, activism and fund-raising.
But after Joe Biden's big win in South Carolina yesterday, it appears that Democrats have a turnout problem only in caucuses. Nevada caucus turnoutr? Also not great.
Officials say about 84,000 Nevada Democrats participated in Saturday's caucuses, which is nearly 30 percent fewer than in 2008.
South Carolina and New Hampshire primary turnout? Pretty great:
For South Carolina, there was ... a near-record primary turnout. With 94 percent of precincts reporting, and the final 6 percent nearly finished with their tallies, South Carolina’s Election Commission has found 524,000 voters cast ballots in Saturday’s primary. That total would appear to put the state on track to nearly match — or perhaps surpass — the turnout record set during Barack Obama’s first presidential race in 2008, when 532,000 voters participated.... In New Hampshire, a total of 300,622 ballots were cast, besting the previous record of 288,672 votes in 2008.
I was worried after those Iowa numbers came out, but I'm not worried now. The enthusiasm is there. Now we just need a candidate.
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Trump Insists His Rallies Are 'Very Safe' From Coronavirus

President Donald Trump has insisted that there is no danger of contracting the coronavirus at his campaign rallies .
The @ @ @ @ @ the White House on Monday morning , according to a pool report .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ safe , ” Trump said of his campaign events .
The president also indicated that @ @ @ @ @ industry to accelerate development of a vaccine for the virus known as COVID-19 .

President Donald Trump has insisted that there is no danger of contracting the coronavirus at his campaign rallies.
The president made the remarks at the White House on Monday morning, according to a pool report.
“I think it’s very safe,” Trump said of his campaign events.
Trump asked about safety of attending campaign rallies amid virus spread: "I think it's very safe." — Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) March 2, 2020
“I think it’s very safe," President Trump says when asked if it is safe to hold a campaign rally amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/66GbJM569G — MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 2, 2020
The president also indicated that he would press the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate development of a vaccine for the virus known as COVID-19.
In the Oval Office, Trump says he'll press pharmaceutical execs to "accelerate" efforts to develop a vaccine against novel coronavirus. Asked whether it's safe to hold campaign rallies, he says "I think it's very safe." — Olivier Knox (@OKnox) March 2, 2020
President Trump says he's going to ask major pharmaceutical companies to "accelerate whatever they're doing" in terms of a Coronavirus vaccine. — Jacqueline Fell (@jackiefell) March 2, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Amy Klobuchar Drops Out, Will Endorse Biden

Big moves ahead of Super Tuesday , as both Buttigieg and Klobuchar drop out on consecutive days .
Minnesota Sen. @ @ @ @ @ presidential campaign on Monday and plans to endorse rival Joe Biden in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ former vice president ’ s White House bid .
She is flying to Dallas and @ @ @ @ @ his rally Monday night , according to her campaign .
Klobuchar was the second presidential @ @ @ @ @ in less than 24 hours , following Pete Buttigieg ’ s departure late Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ push among moderates to consolidate behind Biden as a counter to progressive rival Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ and better-funded Democrats , thanks to a better-than-expected third-place finish in New Hampshire .
But @ @ @ @ @ that into success elsewhere , as she struggled to build out a campaign that could @ @ @ @ @ had poor showings in the next contests .

Big moves ahead of Super Tuesday, as both Buttigieg and Klobuchar drop out on consecutive days.
Source: Associated Press
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ended her Democratic presidential campaign on Monday and plans to endorse rival Joe Biden in an effort to unify moderate voters behind the former vice president’s White House bid.
She is flying to Dallas and plans to join Biden at his rally Monday night, according to her campaign.
Klobuchar was the second presidential candidate to exit the race in less than 24 hours, following Pete Buttigieg’s departure late Sunday. Their decisions reflect an urgent push among moderates to consolidate behind Biden as a counter to progressive rival Bernie Sanders.
Klobuchar outlasted several better-known and better-funded Democrats, thanks to a better-than-expected third-place finish in New Hampshire. But she couldn’t turn that into success elsewhere, as she struggled to build out a campaign that could compete across the country and had poor showings in the next contests.


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Mike Pompeo Offers Only Vague Answers On Taliban Peace Deal

The United States has just signed a very tentative peace deal with the Taliban , which if successful , will remove all American troops from Afghanistan .
That 's a very big deal and you would think the US Secretary of State would have all of the details about the agreement well in hand before announcing the agreement , right ?
Any step taken by any American leader for peace is a good thing , however ...
The Trump administration has been incompetent in so many foreign and domestic theaters like North Korea and the coronavirus press conference .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liar .
It 's essential to check out what they 've agreed to .
And it appears there 's hardly any real agreements between our sides , especially when the Afghanistan government was not included in the talks .
Margaret Brennan on CBS 's Face The Nation asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to explain elements of the peace deal .
As usual , Mike Pompeo provided no concrete information , but handed out vague assurances and proclamations .
Already a major point of hard-line contention is the alleged agreement to release 5000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. pledged in this agreement , which is public , as you say , that it will help to get up to five thousand Taliban prisoners released .
The president of Afghanistan , Ashraf Ghani , says no way , no how .
Did the U.S. agree to help release five thousand prisoners ? ''
It 's a simple yes-or-no question .
Pompeo should 've had a clear response ready , but instead , he refused to answer and spoke prepared talking points and jingoistic hyperbole to fill up the time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It says , we will work with all relevant -- , '' Brennan replied , `` So Ghani -- what he is saying is wrong ? ''
`` It says that we will work with all relevant parties to build on confidence , to create confidence-building measures among all of the parties , the Afghan government , non-Taliban , and others in the Afghan .
We -- we want this to be an inclusive process , '' Pompeo said .
She countered by asking if this can be accomplished in the ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by criticizing the Afghanistan president , `` There will be lots of noise .
Everyone is competing for attention and time in the media . ''
That 's not media attention at all .
Ghani should be very worried and furious that the US agreed to release 5000 Taliban prisoners without their consent .
After she tried to interrupt him , the CBS host let him finish his unserious monologue .
He said , `` We 've built an important base where we can begin to bring American soldiers home , reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any American in Afghanistan , and , hopefully , set the conditions so the Afghan people can build out a peaceful resolution to their , now what for them is a forty-year struggle .
Brennan replied , `` Well , putting five thousand or up to five thousand fighters back on the field is , obviously -- would have a significant impact on -- on any of the implementation , one would think .
So , are -- are -- `` His response was to tell her that `` there have been prisoner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not of this magnitude and not when the Afghanistan government has n't even been consulted .
This past year while negotiations were ongoing , it was a year of record violence from both sides .
And calling the president of Afghanistan , Ashraf Ghani , `` an attention seeker '' is not a smart way to negotiate with the government of Afghanistan .
It appears the so-called Secretary of State fails at Diplomacy 101 .

The United States has just signed a very tentative peace deal with the Taliban, which if successful, will remove all American troops from Afghanistan.
That's a very big deal and you would think the US Secretary of State would have all of the details about the agreement well in hand before announcing the agreement, right?
Any step taken by any American leader for peace is a good thing, however...
The Trump administration has been incompetent in so many foreign and domestic theaters like North Korea and the coronavirus press conference. They're also headed up by a compulsive liar. It's essential to check out what they've agreed to.
And it appears there's hardly any real agreements between our sides, especially when the Afghanistan government was not included in the talks.
Margaret Brennan on CBS's Face The Nation asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to explain elements of the peace deal.
As usual, Mike Pompeo provided no concrete information, but handed out vague assurances and proclamations.
Already a major point of hard-line contention is the alleged agreement to release 5000 Taliban prisoners.
Brennan said, "The U.S. pledged in this agreement, which is public, as you say, that it will help to get up to five thousand Taliban prisoners released. The president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, says no way, no how. Did the U.S. agree to help release five thousand prisoners?"
It's a simple yes-or-no question. Pompeo should've had a clear response ready, but instead, he refused to answer and spoke prepared talking points and jingoistic hyperbole to fill up the time.
"You saw what the document says. It says, we will work with all relevant--,"
Brennan replied, "So Ghani-- what he is saying is wrong?"
"It says that we will work with all relevant parties to build on confidence, to create confidence-building measures among all of the parties, the Afghan government, non-Taliban, and others in the Afghan. We-- we want this to be an inclusive process," Pompeo said.
She countered by asking if this can be accomplished in the ten days that he promised.
He replied by criticizing the Afghanistan president, "There will be lots of noise. Everyone is competing for attention and time in the media."
That's not media attention at all. Ghani should be very worried and furious that the US agreed to release 5000 Taliban prisoners without their consent.
After she tried to interrupt him, the CBS host let him finish his unserious monologue.
He said, "We've built an important base where we can begin to bring American soldiers home, reduce the risk of the loss of life of any American in Afghanistan, and, hopefully, set the conditions so the Afghan people can build out a peaceful resolution to their, now what for them is a forty-year struggle.
Brennan replied, "Well, putting five thousand or up to five thousand fighters back on the field is, obviously-- would have a significant impact on-- on any of the implementation, one would think. So, are-- are-- "
His response was to tell her that "there have been prisoner releases from both sides before."
Not of this magnitude and not when the Afghanistan government hasn't even been consulted.
This past year while negotiations were ongoing, it was a year of record violence from both sides.
In just the last quarter of 2019, the Taliban carried out 8,204 attacks, the highest for that period over the past decade. The United States dropped 7,423 bombs and missiles during the year, a record since the Air Force began recording the data in 2006.
And calling the president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, "an attention seeker" is not a smart way to negotiate with the government of Afghanistan.
It appears the so-called Secretary of State fails at Diplomacy 101.


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Stupid ABC Caves To Meaningless James O'Keefe Smear

Journalists on Wednesday condemned ABC News for its suspension of David Wright , a 20-year veteran political correspondent , after reviewing an undercover video in which Wright spoke openly about his personal political views and his objections to some of the network 's coverage .
The video was released Wednesday morning by the right-wing organization Project Veritas , which has targeted a number of media organizations in an effort to prove that they are biased against Republicans and President Donald Trump .
In the video , Wright and his colleague , producer Andy Fies , expressed what one critic viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate news coverage of Washington , D.C. and political campaigns .
The two journalists did not appear to know they were being filmed .
Critics of ABC 's decision suggested the network is playing into O'Keefe 's narrative that journalists ' privately-expressed editorial and personal opinions call a news outlet 's credibility into question .
`` Wright 's comments are n't damning at all , '' tweeted Washington Post opinion columnist Radley Balko .
`` And the notion that journalists should never express opinions in private is absurd .
O'Keefe is a fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting his premise . ''
ABC and other corporate news networks are not `` terribly interested in voters , '' Wright said , and `` the truth suffers [ and ] the voters are poorly informed '' as a result .
Wright and Fies expressed empathy for news viewers and voters who may benefit from seeing more serious examination of issues like economic inequality and the weak social safety net .
`` Real people talk about practical issues when they 're thinking about a candidate , '' Fies said .
`` ' I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ca n't afford childcare , I need medical care . '
Those things are n't TV-friendly things . ''
`` I do n't think we have the bandwidth to give everyone a fair shot , '' added Wright .
`` And we should . ''
It was unclear if Fies was also reprimanded for his comments in the video .
Wright also said the network largely is n't `` doing the job we 're supposed to do , which is to speak truth to power and hold people to account '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in covering `` the outrage of the day '' and `` the horse race '' of the 2020 election rather than `` telling stories that we need to tell that are maybe hard to tell . ''
`` We all presumably got into this industry because we care about the country , '' tweeted The Young Turks correspondent Emma Vigeland .
`` ABC just suspended David Wright for that . ''
Several observers pointed to Wright 's comments about his own political beliefs as a main reason for his suspension .
Wright identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video , expressed concern about wealth inequality , and said he supported `` reining in corporations '' and universal healthcare .
`` Would ' I consider myself a capitalist ' be a suspendable offense at any news outlet ? ''
asked James Poniewozikof the New York Times .
In its statement about the suspension , ABC indicated that Wright , who led coverage of the 2016 election and has reported from the Middle East and Europe , will no longer cover politics when he returns to the network `` to avoid any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wright in the video criticized the network for making questionable editorial decisions out of fear that conservatives and Trump will accuse ABC of bias .
`` We second-guess ourselves because we 're sensitive to the accusation that we 're in the tank for the Democrats , '' Wright said .
`` And it feels like every time we take the bait on the outrage , we enable him . ''

[Above: video from 2017 showing a failed James O'Keefe scam.]
Journalists on Wednesday condemned ABC News for its suspension of David Wright, a 20-year veteran political correspondent, after reviewing an undercover video in which Wright spoke openly about his personal political views and his objections to some of the network's coverage.
The video was released Wednesday morning by the right-wing organization Project Veritas, which has targeted a number of media organizations in an effort to prove that they are biased against Republicans and President Donald Trump.
In the video, Wright and his colleague, producer Andy Fies, expressed what one critic viewed as "generic conventional wisdom" about corporate news coverage of Washington, D.C. and political campaigns. The two journalists did not appear to know they were being filmed.
it's terrible that ABC News suspended David Wright for this. a) are journalists not allowed to express a political opinion even privately? b) his comments on how TV news works are basically generic conventional wisdom https://t.co/WQXS4rmIn2 — Rosie Gray (@RosieGray) February 26, 2020
Critics of ABC's decision suggested the network is playing into O'Keefe's narrative that journalists' privately-expressed editorial and personal opinions call a news outlet's credibility into question.
"Wright's comments aren't damning at all," tweeted Washington Post opinion columnist Radley Balko. "And the notion that journalists should never express opinions in private is absurd. O'Keefe is a fraud who operates in bad faith. Stop accepting his premise."
Watch the video below:
ABC and other corporate news networks are not "terribly interested in voters," Wright said, and "the truth suffers [and] the voters are poorly informed" as a result.
Wright and Fies expressed empathy for news viewers and voters who may benefit from seeing more serious examination of issues like economic inequality and the weak social safety net.
"Real people talk about practical issues when they're thinking about a candidate," Fies said. "'I want to go back to the workforce, I can't afford childcare, I need medical care.' Those things aren't TV-friendly things."
"I don't think we have the bandwidth to give everyone a fair shot," added Wright. "And we should."
It was unclear if Fies was also reprimanded for his comments in the video.
Wright also said the network largely isn't "doing the job we're supposed to do, which is to speak truth to power and hold people to account" and that ABC News is overly interested in covering "the outrage of the day" and "the horse race" of the 2020 election rather than "telling stories that we need to tell that are maybe hard to tell."
"We all presumably got into this industry because we care about the country," tweeted The Young Turks correspondent Emma Vigeland. "ABC just suspended David Wright for that."
We all presumably got into this industry because we care about the country. ABC just suspended David Wright for that. Project Veritas caught him criticizing Disney, the media's coverage of Trump and the wealth gap. ABC sees that as unacceptable. Gross. https://t.co/kuQqo5J7bU — Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) February 26, 2020
Several observers pointed to Wright's comments about his own political beliefs as a main reason for his suspension. Wright identified himself as a "socialist" in the video, expressed concern about wealth inequality, and said he supported "reining in corporations" and universal healthcare.
"Would 'I consider myself a capitalist' be a suspendable offense at any news outlet?" asked James Poniewozikof the New York Times.
This is fucking infuriating. ABC News suspended David Wright for telling an undercover right-wing operative that he considers himself a socialist and a wealth gap exists. https://t.co/sxARTWf7j9 — aída chávez (@aidachavez) February 26, 2020
"David Wright has been suspended, and to avoid any possible appearance of bias, he will be reassigned away from political coverage when he returns." But capitalists in media are completely neutral, unbiased beacons of light, right? — aída chávez (@aidachavez) February 26, 2020
Solidarity with @WrightUps. Disgusting behavior by @ABC. All David said was " "I would consider myself a socialist; there should be national health insurance. I’m fine with reigning in corporations, ABC News workers need a union https://t.co/ComQJZCiCh — Brett Banditelli (@banditelli) February 26, 2020
In its statement about the suspension, ABC indicated that Wright, who led coverage of the 2016 election and has reported from the Middle East and Europe, will no longer cover politics when he returns to the network "to avoid any possible appearance of bias."
Ironically, Wright in the video criticized the network for making questionable editorial decisions out of fear that conservatives and Trump will accuse ABC of bias.
"We second-guess ourselves because we're sensitive to the accusation that we're in the tank for the Democrats," Wright said. "And it feels like every time we take the bait on the outrage, we enable him."
Republished from Common Dreams (Julia Conley, staff writer) under a Creative Commons License.


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--If Only The Trump Administration Was Competent Enough For This Crisis

The Trump administration , as you might expect , was completely unprepared for the coronavirus , despite having weeks to get ready .
After all , John Bolton fired all the experts and Trump cut the CDC 's pandemic funding .
And the CDC refused to test people who do n't meet a limited frame of symptoms .
It 's almost as if they thought keeping the numbers down would stabilize the stock market !
Now they 're permitting testing , but the number of tests being sent out are nowhere near enough : The FDA announced Saturday that testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , giving laboratories and hospitals around the country the go-ahead to conduct tests that had until now been severely limited to those analyzed by the CDC https : //t.co/HDZC4uwGct Meanwhile , in the civilized world , South Korea is offering drive-through testing : South Korea is testing tens of thousands of people for Coronavirus .
The US has only tested a few hundred ( which may give us a false sense that only a few Americans have it ) .
Why are we so far behind ?
https : //t.co/JoTBwYRHr5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea : 68,000 Italy : 9,462 UK : 7,132 Japan : 5,450 US : 445 Most states are reporting they do not have the coronavirus test kits on hand .
@ HHSGov needs to explain this discrepancy to the American people .
Why are we so far behind ?
A Florida man tested negative for coronavirus but was billed $ 3,270 -- so many will avoid testing .
We need universal health coverage : It protects all of us .
Same for paid sick leave : You want a sick person to stagger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My column https : //t.co/x0ReCjqLLT pic.twitter.com/kPkauLNCz1 Thread : # COVID19 # Coronavirus updates & data .
I will repeat this , but really important : cases coming out of the US WILL EXPLODE in the coming days .
This is NOT a cause for panic .
These EXISTING cases are finally being diagnosed , since testing is now more broadly available .
1/

The Trump administration, as you might expect, was completely unprepared for the coronavirus, despite having weeks to get ready. After all, John Bolton fired all the experts and Trump cut the CDC's pandemic funding.
And the CDC refused to test people who don't meet a limited frame of symptoms. It's almost as if they thought keeping the numbers down would stabilize the stock market! Now they're permitting testing, but the number of tests being sent out are nowhere near enough:
The FDA announced Saturday that testing for the coronavirus would be greatly expanded in the U.S., giving laboratories and hospitals around the country the go-ahead to conduct tests that had until now been severely limited to those analyzed by the CDC https://t.co/HDZC4uwGct — The New York Times (@nytimes) March 2, 2020
Meanwhile, in the civilized world, South Korea is offering drive-through testing:
South Korea launches 'drive-thru' coronavirus testing facilities as demand soars | The Japan Times https://t.co/4jhoMLDTFd — ForJusticeNow (@now_justice) March 2, 2020
As it improvises its way through a public health crisis, the United States has never been less prepared for a pandemic. https://t.co/vxFBeKMNS5 — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) March 2, 2020
South Korea is testing tens of thousands of people for Coronavirus. The US has only tested a few hundred (which may give us a false sense that only a few Americans have it).
Why are we so far behind? https://t.co/JoTBwYRHr5 — David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) February 28, 2020
UK has tested 7000 , South Korea 12000 . https://t.co/3pURqZDtsA — Hippiecrypt (@retrohippie861) March 2, 2020
Coronavirus testing by the numbers...
South Korea: 68,000
Italy: 9,462
UK: 7,132
Japan: 5,450
US: 445
Most states are reporting they do not have the coronavirus test kits on hand.@HHSGov needs to explain this discrepancy to the American people. Why are we so far behind? — Rob Wagner 🆘 (@wagner_rob) March 2, 2020
A Florida man tested negative for coronavirus but was billed $3,270--so many will avoid testing. We need universal health coverage: It protects all of us. Same for paid sick leave: You want a sick person to stagger to work to prepare your food? My column https://t.co/x0ReCjqLLT pic.twitter.com/kPkauLNCz1 — Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) March 1, 2020
The incompetence of the @realDonaldTrump Administration is staggering.
“When you miss cases, you can’t isolate them, test their families or get a hold on this before it keeps spreading,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiology expert ....”https://t.co/7ettGrQ6WQ — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 29, 2020
"I came in, I'm sick - I have symptoms like coronavirus, but I'm not tested, which means I don't have coronavirus. If you're not testing anybody, then no one's infected, right?." https://t.co/xm5Vrws19Y pic.twitter.com/2U6xTRk3GI — Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) March 1, 2020
And those assumptions set the frame for the testing failures.
The key question is not "why didn't CDC's test kits work?"
It's "why were flawed CDC test kits allowed to bottleneck all US testing capacity when alternatives were available?"https://t.co/cEb4P0wzAU — Jeremy Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) March 1, 2020
Thread: #COVID19 #Coronavirus updates & data.
I will repeat this, but really important: cases coming out of the US WILL EXPLODE in the coming days. This is NOT a cause for panic. These EXISTING cases are finally being diagnosed, since testing is now more broadly available. 1/ — (((Howard Forman))) (@thehowie) March 1, 2020
This information bubbled up through a reddit post confirmed by local reporters... https://t.co/Fqxvel1kCR — southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) February 29, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Dr. Anthony Fauci: Community Spread Is Here, Making It Harder To Track Contacts

Dr. Anthony Fauci , member of the coronavirus task force , was on CNN New Day to talk about how community spread is here .
`` Obviously , Americans wake up every morning .
They have new concerns .
There are currently 89 cases .
So how much of that are you seeing this morning ? ''
'' Alysin Camerota said .
`` Well , we 're seeing the beginning of community spread , which you know is concerning .
When you have community spread , you do n't know the real source , '' he said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contact tracing much more difficult .
So , you know , unfortunately this is something that we expected .
Whenever you have a respiratory disease that 's easily transmissible , you 're going to get community spread and it 's going to become difficult to pinpoint the source of each and every infection .
and that 's exactly what we 're seeing in Washington state , and now in several other states throughout the country .
It 's going to make our job much more challenging . ''
He explained there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` So it is n't as if you have a specific therapy .
What you do is , you give supportive therapy to people .
The vast majority of people , about 80 % will do well without any specific intervention .
Obviously it 's an illness .
They generally and almost always recover .
`` But then there 's a percentage , 15 % to 20 % who get advanced disease , requiring in cases sometimes intensive care therapy .
Which is involving helping people with breathing , with oxygen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no specific treatment that anyone knows about .
it 's the underlying supportive care for these people . ''

Dr. Anthony Fauci, member of the coronavirus task force, was on CNN New Day to talk about how community spread is here.
"Obviously, Americans wake up every morning. They have new concerns. There are currently 89 cases. So how much of that are you seeing this morning?"" Alysin Camerota said.
"Well, we're seeing the beginning of community spread, which you know is concerning. When you have community spread, you don't know the real source," he said.
"The idea and the concept and the implementation of contact tracing much more difficult. So, you know, unfortunately this is something that we expected. Whenever you have a respiratory disease that's easily transmissible, you're going to get community spread and it's going to become difficult to pinpoint the source of each and every infection. and that's exactly what we're seeing in Washington state, and now in several other states throughout the country. It's going to make our job much more challenging."
He explained there is no direct antiviral drug for the coronavirus.
"So it isn't as if you have a specific therapy. What you do is, you give supportive therapy to people. The vast majority of people, about 80% will do well without any specific intervention. Obviously it's an illness. They generally and almost always recover.
"But then there's a percentage, 15% to 20% who get advanced disease, requiring in cases sometimes intensive care therapy. Which is involving helping people with breathing, with oxygen, and even intubation at times. So there is no specific treatment that anyone knows about. it's the underlying supportive care for these people."


crooksandliars--2020-03-02--Fox & Friends Toadies To Trump At The Expense Of Viewers' Health

Fox & Friends deemed it more important to make Trump look good by validating his `` Coronavirus a hoax '' lie – and to demonize Democrats - than to make sure Americans get potentially life-saving information .
The coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) has spread to more than 30 countries , killed nearly 3,000 and sickened more than 84,000 , including more than 60 cases in the U.S .
The first American death was reported as I was writing this .
But Crybaby-in-Chief Trump portrays himself as the real victim .
He said Friday night : TRUMP : One of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Mr. President , they tried to beat you on Russia , Russia , Russia .
That did n't work out too well . ''
They could n't do it .
They tried the impeachment hoax .
They tried it over and over .
They ’ ve been doing it since you got in .
It 's all turning .
They lost .
It 's all turning .
Think of it .
Think of it .
And this is their new hoax .
Saturday morning , the Pavlovian lickspittles on Fox & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wellbeing in mind .
Never mind that the coronavirus is deadliest for older people , which is the Fox demographic .
Media Matters caught the disinformation .
First , guest Stuart Varney suggested Iran is to blame for the global spread of the disease .
Then he explicitly agreed with Trump : VARNEY : Look , I agree with that .
Look , Russia , Russia , Russia .
Impediment to justice .
Impeachment , and now the virus .
One thing after another to denigrate and slime our president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part to validate the lie : PETE HEGSETH ( COHOST ) : You see the misinformation , too .
Democrats -- the AP had to fact check Democrats who were saying that the president 's cut the CDC budget which it has n't been reduced under the Trump presidency .
They 're seizing on anything .
VARNEY : And you have this irrational criticism of the president .
[ Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ] , for example , denigrating Vice President [ Mike ] Pence who is in charge of the containment effort saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Come on .
JEDEDIAH BILA ( COHOST ) : Yeah .
And the reality , I mean , the truth is -- VARNEY : And Senator [ Elizabeth ] Warren was talking about the mess of this containment effort .
Excuse me , show me the mess .
FACT CHECK : It ’ s true the AP found that Democrats had distorted the picture and that the CDC ’ s budget has not been cut .
But what the sycophants didn ’ t tell viewers is that Trump has sabotaged the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also , Fox 's own Jessica Tarlov explained how Pence 's anti-science stance has previously harmed public health .
Oh , and just a few hours later , Varney may have to eat this bit of propaganda : You can watch Fox & Friends put Trump and his politics over the lives of their own viewers above , from the February 29 , 2020 Fox & Friends , via Media Matters .

Fox & Friends deemed it more important to make Trump look good by validating his "Coronavirus a hoax" lie – and to demonize Democrats - than to make sure Americans get potentially life-saving information.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to more than 30 countries, killed nearly 3,000 and sickened more than 84,000, including more than 60 cases in the U.S. The first American death was reported as I was writing this.
But Crybaby-in-Chief Trump portrays himself as the real victim. He said Friday night:
TRUMP: One of my people came up to me and said, "Mr. President, they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia. That didn't work out too well." They couldn't do it. They tried the impeachment hoax. They tried it over and over. They’ve been doing it since you got in. It's all turning. They lost. It's all turning. Think of it. Think of it. And this is their new hoax.
Saturday morning, the Pavlovian lickspittles on Fox & Friends, only seemed to have Trump’s wellbeing in mind. Never mind that the coronavirus is deadliest for older people, which is the Fox demographic.
Media Matters caught the disinformation. First, guest Stuart Varney suggested Iran is to blame for the global spread of the disease. Then he explicitly agreed with Trump:
VARNEY: Look, I agree with that. Look, Russia, Russia, Russia. Impediment to justice. Impeachment, and now the virus. One thing after another to denigrate and slime our president. Utterly wrong.
The others did their part to validate the lie:
PETE HEGSETH (COHOST): You see the misinformation, too. Democrats -- the AP had to fact check Democrats who were saying that the president's cut the CDC budget which it hasn't been reduced under the Trump presidency. They're seizing on anything. VARNEY: And you have this irrational criticism of the president. [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez], for example, denigrating Vice President [Mike] Pence who is in charge of the containment effort saying he is a science denier. Please. Come on. JEDEDIAH BILA (COHOST): Yeah. And the reality, I mean, the truth is -- VARNEY: And Senator [Elizabeth] Warren was talking about the mess of this containment effort. Excuse me, show me the mess. BILA: Yeah.
FACT CHECK: It’s true the AP found that Democrats had distorted the picture and that the CDC’s budget has not been cut. But what the sycophants didn’t tell viewers is that Trump has sabotaged the coronavirus response by dismantling the federal management system. Also, Fox's own Jessica Tarlov explained how Pence's anti-science stance has previously harmed public health.
Oh, and just a few hours later, Varney may have to eat this bit of propaganda:
VARNEY: I don't see any deaths. I see a good strong containment effort.
You can watch Fox & Friends put Trump and his politics over the lives of their own viewers above, from the February 29, 2020 Fox & Friends, via Media Matters.
Published with permission of NewsHounds


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--Pence's COVID-19 Task Force Is Missing Something

Not much to add to this : Not a surprise , since `` being in a room with a woman @ @ @ @ @ for the so-called Vice President .
BUT it is reminiscent of The Republican Party 's @ @ @ @ @ .
Remember when 13 White Republican Men drafted the `` alternative '' ACHA bill to @ @ @ @ @ ( # FAIL ) Will this kind of BS lead to a gender gap in @ @ @ @ @ You betcha .
Take heart , friend : '' In a new poll , a @ @ @ @ @ who are registered to vote say they are not likely to support President Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ , setting him up with a gender gap that may prove difficult to overcome .
@ @ @ @

Not much to add to this:
This is a critical moment in American policy-making and not a single woman is at the table.
That’s despite the fact that women are the health care future: They account for the majority of epidemiologists, make up the majority of doctors under 44 and outnumber men at med school. https://t.co/zm1gf4CwRp — Emily Ramshaw (@eramshaw) March 1, 2020
Where are the women? Where are Dr. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director CDC?
Dr. Leandris Liburd, Assoc Dir, Office of Minority Health? Dr.Robin Ikeda, Associate Director for Policy & Strategy CDC? Dr. Katherine Daniel, Deputy Director for Public Health Service? — Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) March 1, 2020
Not a surprise, since "being in a room with a woman" is allegedly a no-no for the so-called Vice President.
BUT it is reminiscent of The Republican Party's approach to healthcare all along. Remember when 13 White Republican Men drafted the "alternative" ACHA bill to "replace" Obamacare? (#FAIL)
Trumpcare is now in the hands of 13 Republican men in the Senate, who are working to get it ready for a vote. https://t.co/dFiWzi8y6q pic.twitter.com/cqeMH2QuLA — PFAW (@peoplefor) May 9, 2017
Will this kind of BS lead to a gender gap in the vote in November? You betcha.


crooksandliars--2020-03-04--Super Tuesday Open Thread

Super Tuesday Open Thread

We are not likely to get results from California until days from now .
That 's democracy .
The times @ @ @ @ @ .
What are you seeing in the results ?
Virginia goes to Biden in the @ @ @ @ @ hard to say for sure what that translates to because of how viability plays in @ @ @ @ @ other candidates , but he will have at least 16 of the 99 delegates at @ @ @ @ @ for Bernie .
I 'm not going to add delegates to the totals because it @ @ @ @ @ they 're going to fall , though I 'm sure Vermont 's 16 will go @ @ @

We are not likely to get results from California until days from now. That's democracy. The times on this map are EASTERN.
Super Tuesday poll closing times pic.twitter.com/Tw1uaRSnw5 — Bruce Mehlman (@bpmehlman) March 3, 2020
What are you seeing in the results?
UPDATE 1:
Virginia goes to Biden in the early projections. It's hard to say for sure what that translates to because of how viability plays in and what that means for other candidates, but he will have at least 16 of the 99 delegates at stake.
Vermont is called for Bernie. I'm not going to add delegates to the totals because it's impossible to know how they're going to fall, though I'm sure Vermont's 16 will go to Bernie.
UPDATE 2:
North Carolina has called it for Biden. I will just say that these calls, in my opinion, influence states still voting -- like CA.
UPDATE 3:
American Samoa goes to Bloomberg, acing Tulsi out.
UPDATE 4:
Alabama is called for Biden. Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Maine are too early to call. Oklahoma too early to call.
UPDATE 5:
Every damn thing is too early to call. Here's a good article about why they should quit pushing early results and calls.
UPDATE 6: Oklahoma is called for Biden
UPDATE 7: Tennessee and Minnesota called for Biden
UPDATE 8: Utah called for Sanders. Maine, Massachusetts, Texas and California too early to call.
UPDATE 9: Massachusetts called for Biden. Colorado called for Sanders.
UPDATE 10: With long lines of voters still voting, the AP has called California for Bernie Sanders based upon early vote by mail ballots. With record turnout and Texas breaking for Joe Biden (still too early to call), I think they may have made a mistake. (Karoli)


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--RNC Stopped Paying Data Firm After Serious Breach. Then Paid A Mysterious LLC With Same Address.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
Last fall the Republican National Committee paid $ 900,000 for “ data services ” to a Delaware-registered limited liability corporation that had existed for only three weeks .
The company receiving the money has no online presence and has not been used by other campaigns or committees .
But there is one clue about the company , Howler Insights LLC , in paperwork the RNC filed with the Federal Election Commission .
Howler ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number are the same as a conservative data firm whose work for the RNC was placed on hold nearly three years ago after a massive data breach .
The incident left personal information such as voter registration details , names , addresses , phone numbers and potential ethnicities of about 200 million Americans accessible to anyone on the internet .
At the time , the security consultant who identified the breach called it the “ largest known data exposure of its kind.
” The RNC said then that it would halt business with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it “ takes the security of voter information very seriously and we require vendors to do the same.
” Although Deep Root does business with other campaigns and committees , the RNC has not directly paid the company since August 2017 , shortly after the breach occurred , FEC filings show .
Sara Fagen , Deep Root ’ s chief executive , said in a brief email that Howler Insights is “ related ” to Deep Root , which uses data to help Republican political campaigns and organizations target their digital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Howler ’ s work or its relationship with the RNC .
“ I formed it b/c it ’ s a new product offering that I plan to keep separate from our traditional TV analytics work , ” she wrote .
The Howler transaction occurred under Richard Walters , the RNC ’ s chief of staff , whose many responsibilities include executing all of the organization ’ s vendor contracts .
In 2019 , the RNC raised and spent record-breaking sums , taking in $ 241 million and dolling out $ 192 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the RNC paid Walters and a small group of party operatives , one of whom Walters previously worked for , through a number of opaque business entities .
In Walters ’ case , he received $ 135,000 through a shell company , in addition to a salary that earned him more than $ 200,000 .
The arrangement obscured Walters ’ total compensation last year , which allowed him to take in more cash than his boss , chairwoman Ronna McDaniel .
Larry Noble , a former FEC general counsel , told ProPublica that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Wave Strategies LLC , amounted to a “ serious reporting violation.
” The RNC disputed the allegation , but hasn ’ t addressed why it steered money through Red Wave from April to December of 2019 .
The most recently filed FEC reports show the RNC did not pay the company in January , the same month ProPublica first inquired about the arrangement .
The organization has defended Walters ’ compensation and top officials commended his abilities and work as chief of staff .
Glenn McCall , the RNC ’ s budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably underpaid for his position , ” and McDaniel said Walters had overseen “ massive new investments ” in the RNC ’ s data , political and digital teams .
Chris Vickery , the researcher who first identified Deep Root ’ s data breach , told ProPublica that Deep Root ’ s failure to protect its data had huge implications .
“ There ’ s no end to the amount of scams and fraud and harassment and stalking with that kind of concentrated collection of data — both publicly available and private , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response to a Florida lawsuit brought against the company on behalf of voters whose data was exposed , lawyers for Deep Root said in court papers that since the breach Deep Root “ has imposed additional security protocols and restrictions on its data.
” The lawsuit was voluntarily withdrawn in 2017 .
After ProPublica asked Mike Reed , an RNC spokesman , about Howler , Deep Root and the change in Walters ’ compensation arrangement , he provided a statement .
“ It is obvious that ProPublica has a severe bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest in reporting on this fairly , ” he said .
“ So we aren ’ t going to waste any more breath explaining these innocuous issues to you.
” Reed told ProPublica last week that in addition to Walters , the organization ’ s budget is approved by two committees and voted on by its 168 members .

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.
Last fall the Republican National Committee paid $900,000 for “data services” to a Delaware-registered limited liability corporation that had existed for only three weeks.
The company receiving the money has no online presence and has not been used by other campaigns or committees. But there is one clue about the company, Howler Insights LLC, in paperwork the RNC filed with the Federal Election Commission. Howler’s Arlington, Virginia, address and suite number are the same as a conservative data firm whose work for the RNC was placed on hold nearly three years ago after a massive data breach.
The incident left personal information such as voter registration details, names, addresses, phone numbers and potential ethnicities of about 200 million Americans accessible to anyone on the internet. At the time, the security consultant who identified the breach called it the “largest known data exposure of its kind.”
The RNC said then that it would halt business with the company, Deep Root Analytics, because it “takes the security of voter information very seriously and we require vendors to do the same.” Although Deep Root does business with other campaigns and committees, the RNC has not directly paid the company since August 2017, shortly after the breach occurred, FEC filings show.
Sara Fagen, Deep Root’s chief executive, said in a brief email that Howler Insights is “related” to Deep Root, which uses data to help Republican political campaigns and organizations target their digital and television messaging. She offered few details about Howler’s work or its relationship with the RNC. “I formed it b/c it’s a new product offering that I plan to keep separate from our traditional TV analytics work,” she wrote.
The Howler transaction occurred under Richard Walters, the RNC’s chief of staff, whose many responsibilities include executing all of the organization’s vendor contracts. In 2019, the RNC raised and spent record-breaking sums, taking in $241 million and dolling out $192 million. Last week, ProPublica reported that the RNC paid Walters and a small group of party operatives, one of whom Walters previously worked for, through a number of opaque business entities.
In Walters’ case, he received $135,000 through a shell company, in addition to a salary that earned him more than $200,000. The arrangement obscured Walters’ total compensation last year, which allowed him to take in more cash than his boss, chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
Larry Noble, a former FEC general counsel, told ProPublica that the payments to the shell company, Red Wave Strategies LLC, amounted to a “serious reporting violation.” The RNC disputed the allegation, but hasn’t addressed why it steered money through Red Wave from April to December of 2019. The most recently filed FEC reports show the RNC did not pay the company in January, the same month ProPublica first inquired about the arrangement.
The organization has defended Walters’ compensation and top officials commended his abilities and work as chief of staff. Glenn McCall, the RNC’s budget committee chair, said Walters is “probably underpaid for his position,” and McDaniel said Walters had overseen “massive new investments” in the RNC’s data, political and digital teams.
Chris Vickery, the researcher who first identified Deep Root’s data breach, told ProPublica that Deep Root’s failure to protect its data had huge implications.
“There’s no end to the amount of scams and fraud and harassment and stalking with that kind of concentrated collection of data — both publicly available and private, non-publicly available data,” he said.
In response to a Florida lawsuit brought against the company on behalf of voters whose data was exposed, lawyers for Deep Root said in court papers that since the breach Deep Root “has imposed additional security protocols and restrictions on its data.” The lawsuit was voluntarily withdrawn in 2017.
After ProPublica asked Mike Reed, an RNC spokesman, about Howler, Deep Root and the change in Walters’ compensation arrangement, he provided a statement.
“It is obvious that ProPublica has a severe bias against conservatives and President Trump and zero interest in reporting on this fairly,” he said. “So we aren’t going to waste any more breath explaining these innocuous issues to you.”
Reed told ProPublica last week that in addition to Walters, the organization’s budget is approved by two committees and voted on by its 168 members.


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--No, Really:  Trump 2020 Plans A Campaign Blimp

As Gawd is my waitress , this is not from The Onion : Team Evil has so much money that @ @ @ @ @ around asking for more money ?
How is that going to bring in more , @ @ @ @ @ na raffle off getting a ride in the ol ’ gas bag .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ Hollar into a balloon to float away .
It ’ s the return trip that @ @ @ @ @ they should consider setting sail on the Trumptanic , too ?
Will it hold more @ @ @ @

4th Reich 2020 Innovation: Blimps!
As Gawd is my waitress, this is not from The Onion:
The Trump campaign’s newest plan: A swing-state blimp The president’s team hopes to use the blimp to reach supporters and ask for their votes and donations.
Team Evil has so much money that they want to float blimps around asking for more money? How is that going to bring in more, exactly?
The campaign is exploring the possibility of holding contests that would allow winners to fly in the blimp.
They are gonna raffle off getting a ride in the ol’ gas bag.
I’m all for loading Possum Hollar into a balloon to float away. It’s the return trip that bums me out.
Maybe they should consider setting sail on the Trumptanic, too? Will it hold more of ’em?
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--Fox News' Donna Brazile To RNC's Chairwoman: 'Go To Hell'

Former DNC chairwoman and Fox News contributor Donna Brazile laced into Ronna McDaniel , the head of the RNC , on America 's Newsroom earlier today .
It 's likely Fox did n't bargain for this kind of anger , not to mention language when they hired Donna Brazile .
It could n't happen to a nicer network .
McDaniel , as with most Republicans , tried to sow discontent in the Democratic primary by claiming the process will be `` rigged '' against Bernie Sanders if no one enters the convention with enough delegates to win on the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claptrap in a video clip from the RNC Chairwoman .
Her response was direct and angry : `` Stay the hell out of our race ! ''
Donna continued , `` I get sick and tired , Ed and Sandra , of listening to Republicans tell me and the Democrats about our process . ''
Donna then really let loose .
`` And for people to use Russian talking points to sow division among Americans , that is stupid -- -so , Ronna , go to hell.
” '' No , go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m tired of it , Ed .
We ’ re not trying to prevent anyone from becoming the nominee .
If you have the delegates and win , you will win.
” And she did n't stop there .
`` The idea that Democrats are trying to put hurdles or roadblocks to stop one candidate is stupid , '' Brazile said .
`` Stop using Russian talking points , Madame chairwoman .
Period .
Stop using them ! ''
Sandra Smith tried to defend Ronna 's opinion and Brazile said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairwoman -- any proof Mister President , that we are trying to change this process for one candidate , show the proof . ''

Former DNC chairwoman and Fox News contributor Donna Brazile laced into Ronna McDaniel, the head of the RNC, on America's Newsroom earlier today.
It's likely Fox didn't bargain for this kind of anger, not to mention language when they hired Donna Brazile. It couldn't happen to a nicer network.
McDaniel, as with most Republicans, tried to sow discontent in the Democratic primary by claiming the process will be "rigged" against Bernie Sanders if no one enters the convention with enough delegates to win on the first ballot.
Brazile listened to the ridiculous claptrap in a video clip from the RNC Chairwoman. Her response was direct and angry: "Stay the hell out of our race!"
Donna continued, "I get sick and tired, Ed and Sandra, of listening to Republicans tell me and the Democrats about our process."
Donna then really let loose.
"And for people to use Russian talking points to sow division among Americans, that is stupid---so, Ronna, go to hell.”
Off-camera Ed Henry said, “Whoa!”
"No, go to hell!” Brazile repeated. “I’m tired of it, Ed. We’re not trying to prevent anyone from becoming the nominee. If you have the delegates and win, you will win.”
And she didn't stop there.
"The idea that Democrats are trying to put hurdles or roadblocks to stop one candidate is stupid," Brazile said.
"Stop using Russian talking points, Madame chairwoman. Period. Stop using them!"
Sandra Smith tried to defend Ronna's opinion and Brazile said, "If there's any proof Madam Chairwoman -- any proof Mister President, that we are trying to change this process for one candidate, show the proof."


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--Mika And Joe Poke Trump Over His Obvious Fear Of Facing Joe Biden

Morning Joe poked fun at Trump 's seeming panic over Joe Biden 's rising primary success .
Trump was in Charlotte , North Carolina last night , one of the states that votes today .
`` Here 's the political analyst in chief , '' Mika said .
It 's being rigged against , it is sad , being rigged against crazy Bernie .
Crazy Bernie is going to go crazy , crazy .
I think crazy Bernie will be more crazy when he sees what they 're doing .
I called it a long time ago .
`` Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his tweets , going after Bloomberg and Biden , going after the press , he is trying to bring up old videos , you know , concocting ways the candidates look like they 've said something terrible .
I mean , there is an all-on onslaught to take on the emerging candidate , '' Mika said .
`` You know , we talked about this for some time , Mika , it is fascinating how much Donald Trump fears , is petrified politically of Joe Biden , '' Scarborough said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show he must be doing badly in a lot of swing states against Joe Biden because again , Joe Biden was a man Donald Trump feared so much , he allowed himself to be impeached over Joe Biden , trying to dig up dirt from a foreign leader in exchange for military funding .
I mean , only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached and he did it to try to stop Joe Biden .
Now , of course , he goes to these rallies , he rants endlessly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Bernie Sanders .
He is again , obviously , really shaken and disturbed by the prospect of facing Joe Biden . ''
`` That 's the backdrop , he was impeached because of his behavior around Joe Biden , '' Mika said .

Morning Joe poked fun at Trump's seeming panic over Joe Biden's rising primary success.
Trump was in Charlotte, North Carolina last night, one of the states that votes today.
"Here's the political analyst in chief," Mika said.
It's being rigged against, it is sad, being rigged against crazy Bernie. Crazy Bernie is going to go crazy, crazy. I think crazy Bernie will be more crazy when he sees what they're doing. I called it a long time ago.
"Joe, he seems rattled. Just looking at his tweets, going after Bloomberg and Biden, going after the press, he is trying to bring up old videos, you know, concocting ways the candidates look like they've said something terrible. I mean, there is an all-on onslaught to take on the emerging candidate," Mika said.
"You know, we talked about this for some time, Mika, it is fascinating how much Donald Trump fears, is petrified politically of Joe Biden," Scarborough said.
"He obviously is seeing internal polls that show he must be doing badly in a lot of swing states against Joe Biden because again, Joe Biden was a man Donald Trump feared so much, he allowed himself to be impeached over Joe Biden, trying to dig up dirt from a foreign leader in exchange for military funding. I mean, only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached and he did it to try to stop Joe Biden. Now, of course, he goes to these rallies, he rants endlessly about the Democrats trying to steal the process from Bernie Sanders. He is again, obviously, really shaken and disturbed by the prospect of facing Joe Biden."
"That's the backdrop, he was impeached because of his behavior around Joe Biden," Mika said.


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--Paul Krugman Is 'Extremely Nervous' About The Economics Of Coronavirus

Paul Krugman appeared on CNN 's New Day to talk about the potential effects of coronavirus on the U.S. economy .
`` What do you think the economic impact or how much of an economic impact do you think the coronavirus will have ? ''
John Berman asked .
`` Okay .
We 're still waiting to get a sense of epidemiology , just how bad is this .
People have gamed out pandemic scenarios .
They are ugly .
They may be especially ugly right now , because I 've been saying for a while I do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is but I know the shock absorbers are shot .
We have no room to cut interest rates , Europeans have no room to cut interest rates , the normal policy offset to a shock is n't there .
I have to say , this is a way bigger shock than anything I saw coming down the pike , '' Krugman said .
Berman asked what he means by saying we do n't have as many tools in the toolbox as we did in 2008 .
`` In 2008 , we had interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % .
That meant you could do the standard -- in a standard recession , the Fed cut interest rates by 5 percentage points , '' Krugman said .
`` It turns out 2008 was a lot worse than the standard recession , so even that was n't enough to stop a severe slump .
Now we start with interest rates at 1.5 % .
We 've only 30 % of the room to cut we have in the face of a ordinary garden variety recession , and this could be worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has got negative interest rates which we did n't think was possible .
They ca n't go lower than they are now .
So this is -- that 's the first line of defense .
That 's the thing you do when the economy stumbles is the central banks , Fed , ECB , cut rates .
They 've got no room to cut . ''
`` What are you looking for here ?
When do you know , will you think , whether this is a blip or inconvenient , or something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Berman said .
`` If we start to see -- watch the spread of cases .
The problem right now is that we 're heading very incomplete testing and data collection .
We do n't really know .
A lot of what we see in the increase in cases is just better testing .
We want to see if this thing is peaking .
We want to see if the U.S. starts to look like South Korea , where the economy is largely in lockdown already .
If that 's happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it starts to fade out , then maybe it 's a one or two quarter blip , '' Krugman said .
`` But I have to say , I 'm extremely nervous about the economics . ''

Paul Krugman appeared on CNN's New Day to talk about the potential effects of coronavirus on the U.S. economy.
"What do you think the economic impact or how much of an economic impact do you think the coronavirus will have?" John Berman asked.
"Okay. We're still waiting to get a sense of epidemiology, just how bad is this. People have gamed out pandemic scenarios. They are ugly. They may be especially ugly right now, because I've been saying for a while I don't know what the next bump in the road is but I know the shock absorbers are shot. We have no room to cut interest rates, Europeans have no room to cut interest rates, the normal policy offset to a shock isn't there. I have to say, this is a way bigger shock than anything I saw coming down the pike," Krugman said.
Berman asked what he means by saying we don't have as many tools in the toolbox as we did in 2008.
"In 2008, we had interest rates that were on the order of 5%. That meant you could do the standard -- in a standard recession, the Fed cut interest rates by 5 percentage points," Krugman said.
"It turns out 2008 was a lot worse than the standard recession, so even that wasn't enough to stop a severe slump. Now we start with interest rates at 1.5%. We've only 30% of the room to cut we have in the face of a ordinary garden variety recession, and this could be worse than the garden variety recession. Europe has got negative interest rates which we didn't think was possible. They can't go lower than they are now. So this is -- that's the first line of defense. That's the thing you do when the economy stumbles is the central banks, Fed, ECB, cut rates. They've got no room to cut."
"What are you looking for here? When do you know, will you think, whether this is a blip or inconvenient, or something that will be a long-term lasting crisis?" Berman said.
"If we start to see -- watch the spread of cases. The problem right now is that we're heading very incomplete testing and data collection. We don't really know. A lot of what we see in the increase in cases is just better testing. We want to see if this thing is peaking. We want to see if the U.S. starts to look like South Korea, where the economy is largely in lockdown already. If that's happening, it's really bad. If it starts to fade out, then maybe it's a one or two quarter blip," Krugman said.
"But I have to say, I'm extremely nervous about the economics."
..


crooksandliars--2020-03-03--John Oliver Magnificently Shreds Trump And Fox News Economist Playing Coronavirus Expert

John Oliver was in top form Sunday night as he brutally exposed Donald Trump ’ s epic failure in responding to the coronavirus epidemic .
Caught up in the exposé was a Fox Business Network guest using the public health crisis to make a bigoted smear of the Chinese .
Oliver first offered a primer on the origins of COVID-19 , how and why it has spread and the reactions in various countries .
“ Trust is critical when trying to contain a possible pandemic , ” Oliver noted after he highlighted Iranians ' lack of trust in their government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` that brings us to the United States response to this virus and specifically to this guy.
” That guy was Trump , of course .
Oliver ’ s hilarious riff on Trump ’ s dishonesty and shocking lack of concern for Americans ’ welfare is , alone , worth watching the video .
Then , there was this : OLIVER : This is a bad time to have a president who can not speak clearly because there ’ s already enough bad information flying around and the president ’ s favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fox anchors and guests have repeatedly amplified false claims .
From the idea that the virus was created in a Chinese bio-weapons lab to the baseless internet rumor that it came from Chinese people eating bat soup which one commentator used as an excuse to say how he really feels .
The commentator was an economist named Don Luskin , a guest on the Fox Business Network ’ s Trish Regan Primetime show .
Luskin has no apparent credentials in public health but guest host David Asman had no problem letting Luskin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right before segueing into a bigoted smear of the Chinese .
LUSKIN : Bat soup may be delicious to certain people but unfortunately bats are the world 's greatest reservoir for viruses .
What are we gon na do about China ?
What are we gon na do about a totalitarian dictatorship where it 's OK to sell live virus-infected bats in open air marketplaces and then have business travel and tourists travel between that country and the civilized world ?
Oliver responded with a jab calling Luskin the “ Usain Bolt of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode above , from the March 1 , 2020 Last Week Tonight with John Oliver .

John Oliver was in top form Sunday night as he brutally exposed Donald Trump’s epic failure in responding to the coronavirus epidemic. Caught up in the exposé was a Fox Business Network guest using the public health crisis to make a bigoted smear of the Chinese.
Oliver first offered a primer on the origins of COVID-19, how and why it has spread and the reactions in various countries.
“Trust is critical when trying to contain a possible pandemic,” Oliver noted after he highlighted Iranians' lack of trust in their government. “Unfortunately," he continued, "that brings us to the United States response to this virus and specifically to this guy.” That guy was Trump, of course. Oliver’s hilarious riff on Trump’s dishonesty and shocking lack of concern for Americans’ welfare is, alone, worth watching the video.
Then, there was this:
OLIVER: This is a bad time to have a president who cannot speak clearly because there’s already enough bad information flying around and the president’s favorite channel has been a particular offender here.
Fox anchors and guests have repeatedly amplified false claims. From the idea that the virus was created in a Chinese bio-weapons lab to the baseless internet rumor that it came from Chinese people eating bat soup which one commentator used as an excuse to say how he really feels.
The commentator was an economist named Don Luskin, a guest on the Fox Business Network’s Trish Regan Primetime show. Luskin has no apparent credentials in public health but guest host David Asman had no problem letting Luskin opine on causes of the contagion – right before segueing into a bigoted smear of the Chinese.
LUSKIN: Bat soup may be delicious to certain people but unfortunately bats are the world's greatest reservoir for viruses. What are we gonna do about China? What are we gonna do about a totalitarian dictatorship where it's OK to sell live virus-infected bats in open air marketplaces and then have business travel and tourists travel between that country and the civilized world?
Oliver responded with a jab calling Luskin the “Usain Bolt of racism.”
Watch this frightening and funny episode above, from the March 1, 2020 Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Published with permission of NewsHounds