thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Bernie Sanders Wins The New Hampshire Democratic Primary

“ The reason I believe we are going to win is that we have an unprecedented grassroots movement from coast to coast of millions of people , ” Sanders told supporters at his victory party on Tuesday night .
“ The reason we are going to win is that we are putting together an unprecedented multigenerational , multiracial movement.
” “ In this point in the campaign , we are taking on billionaires and we are taking on campaigns funded by billionaires , but we are going to win because we have an agenda that speaks to the needs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
But the next leg of the presidential campaign will look very different from what ’ s come so far .
Iowa and New Hampshire are both overwhelmingly white states , while Nevada and South Carolina ― which come later this month ― are significantly more diverse .
“ We ’ re moving [ into ] an especially important phase because , up until now , we haven ’ t heard from the most committed constituents of the Democratic Party , the African American community .
And the fastest-growing segment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Biden told the crowd down South .
But there ’ s no doubt that the first two states have dealt a significant blow to Biden ’ s candidacy .
In New Hampshire , voters who liked him said they were nervous about him after his showing in Iowa , where he appears to have come in fourth .
Many said they were taking a look at candidates like Buttigieg and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg instead .
“ I took a hit in Iowa and I ’ ll probably take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday at the Democratic debate in Manchester .
The comment disappointed and frustrated many of his supporters , who felt like he was writing off the state and giving up too early .
But that supposed advantage never materialized for Warren , even though many of her backers from Massachusetts came in to get out the vote for her in New Hampshire .
Her campaign , which seems to be grasping for ways to reverse her slow slide in the polls , is playing up its operations in key Super Tuesday states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was far better positioned than Buttigieg and Klobuchar to net delegates in states like California and Texas .
“ Our campaign has been organizing in traditionally red and blue areas of Nevada , South Carolina and states voting in March for months , and in some places nearly a year , and we are confident that we ’ ll continue to show strength by competing everywhere , not just in pockets that reflect one segment of our party or another , ” Warren campaign manager Roger Lau said in the memo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re willing to burn down the rest of the party in order to be the last man standing , ” Warren said of recent battles between Sanders , Buttigieg and Biden .
“ They might work if you don ’ t worry about leaving our party and our politics worse off than how you found it .
They might work if you think only you have all the answers and only you are the solution to all our problems.
” “ But if we ’ re going to beat Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need huge turnout within our party , and to get that turnout , we will need a nominee that the broadest coalition of our party feels they can get behind , ” she said , continuing to present herself as the “ unity ” candidate .
At last week ’ s debate in Manchester , New Hampshire , Klobuchar went after Buttigieg , blasting the 38-year-old former mayor of a city with just over 100,000 people for saying he found the coverage of the Senate impeachment trial so “ exhausting ” that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is the projected winner of the New Hampshire primary, according to NBC News and ABC News.
His victory in the Granite State, combined with his strong showing in the chaotic Iowa caucuses, places him as the front-runner in the Democratic presidential race.
Advertisement
“The reason I believe we are going to win is that we have an unprecedented grassroots movement from coast to coast of millions of people,” Sanders told supporters at his victory party on Tuesday night. “The reason we are going to win is that we are putting together an unprecedented multigenerational, multiracial movement.”
“In this point in the campaign, we are taking on billionaires and we are taking on campaigns funded by billionaires, but we are going to win because we have an agenda that speaks to the needs of the working people of this country,” he added.
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg appeared headed for a second-place finish in New Hampshire, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) in third and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and former Vice President Joe Biden trailing behind.
The results of the first two states have thrown the Democratic race into a tailspin, with front-runners dropping and lower-tier candidates surging.
Advertisement
The person struggling most after Iowa and New Hampshire is Biden, who was the leader of the race and considered so formidable that other more moderate or establishment candidates decided not to run.
But the next leg of the presidential campaign will look very different from what’s come so far. Iowa and New Hampshire are both overwhelmingly white states, while Nevada and South Carolina ― which come later this month ― are significantly more diverse.
Joe Biden skipped his own party in New Hampshire to head to South Carolina. Gerald Herbert/Associated Press
Those are the states where Biden is hoping to perform better. Instead of waiting for the results in New Hampshire Tuesday night, he flew to South Carolina and held a party there.
“We’re moving [into] an especially important phase because, up until now, we haven’t heard from the most committed constituents of the Democratic Party, the African American community. And the fastest-growing segment of society, the Latino community,” Biden told the crowd down South.
Advertisement
“So when you hear all these pundits and experts, cable TV talkers, talk about the race, tell them: It ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started,” he added.
But there’s no doubt that the first two states have dealt a significant blow to Biden’s candidacy. In New Hampshire, voters who liked him said they were nervous about him after his showing in Iowa, where he appears to have come in fourth. Many said they were taking a look at candidates like Buttigieg and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg instead.
Biden knew New Hampshire wouldn’t be good for him.
“I took a hit in Iowa and I’ll probably take a hit here,” Biden said Friday at the Democratic debate in Manchester. The comment disappointed and frustrated many of his supporters, who felt like he was writing off the state and giving up too early.
He and his team argued that candidates like Sanders and Warren had a bit of a home-field advantage, coming from nearby states.
But that supposed advantage never materialized for Warren, even though many of her backers from Massachusetts came in to get out the vote for her in New Hampshire.
Advertisement
Despite being from a neighboring state, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) did not make the top tier in New Hampshire's primary. Elise Amendola/Associated Press
Warren has consistently been in the top tier of the field. But her finish in New Hampshire, which will give her zero delegates, alarmed some of her supporters.
Her campaign, which seems to be grasping for ways to reverse her slow slide in the polls, is playing up its operations in key Super Tuesday states and released a lengthy memo on Tuesday arguing she was far better positioned than Buttigieg and Klobuchar to net delegates in states like California and Texas.
“Our campaign has been organizing in traditionally red and blue areas of Nevada, South Carolina and states voting in March for months, and in some places nearly a year, and we are confident that we’ll continue to show strength by competing everywhere, not just in pockets that reflect one segment of our party or another,” Warren campaign manager Roger Lau said in the memo.
In her speech Tuesday night, Warren chastised her fellow candidates for fighting with one another.
“These harsh tactics might work if you’re willing to burn down the rest of the party in order to be the last man standing,” Warren said of recent battles between Sanders, Buttigieg and Biden. “They might work if you don’t worry about leaving our party and our politics worse off than how you found it. They might work if you think only you have all the answers and only you are the solution to all our problems.”
Advertisement
“But if we’re going to beat Donald Trump in November, we are going to need huge turnout within our party, and to get that turnout, we will need a nominee that the broadest coalition of our party feels they can get behind,” she said, continuing to present herself as the “unity” candidate.
Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, right, celebrates with his husband, Chasten, at an election night party in New Hampshire. Mary Altaffer/Associated Press
Buttigieg is leading in the delegate count in the Iowa caucuses, although both he and Sanders requested a recanvass of the results Monday. The Associated Press did not declare a winner in that race.
After his surprise victory in Iowa, Buttigieg immediately began taking increased fire from his competitors, with attacks on his support from wealthy donors and his lack of national experience.
One person who took advantage of this dynamic was Klobuchar, who had struggled to break into the top tier until New Hampshire.
Advertisement
At last week’s debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, Klobuchar went after Buttigieg, blasting the 38-year-old former mayor of a city with just over 100,000 people for saying he found the coverage of the Senate impeachment trial so “exhausting” that it made him want to watch cartoons instead.
“You said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons,” Klobuchar said, telling Buttigieg that the remark may have made him look “like a cool newcomer” but that it wasn’t appropriate.
“I don’t think that’s what people want right now. We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us,” she said.
But Klobuchar has not built up the national campaign operation that other candidates have. And both she and Buttigieg could struggle to maintain their momentum in Nevada and South Carolina.
A Quinnipiac University poll released Monday found Klobuchar polling at 0% among African Americans. Buttigieg was at 4%, far below both Biden (27%) and Sanders (19%).
Advertisement
“I think Biden is really strong in South Carolina,” Charles Whetstone, the Calhoun County Democratic Party chair, said in an interview Tuesday. “It’s his to lose.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Andrew Yang Ends His 2020 Presidential Campaign

“ I am so incredibly proud of this campaign and what we ’ ve accomplished together , ” Yang said Tuesday night in Manchester , New Hampshire .
“ We have touched and improved millions of lives and moved this country we love so much in the right direction .
And while there is great work left to be done — you know I am the math guy — it is clear tonight from the numbers that we are not going to win this race.
” Yang said Tuesday he would support whomever won the Democratic nomination , but urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump as they craft their visions for America .
He told The Washington Post he had not made a decision regarding any endorsements , but would be open to joining another candidate as a running mate or serving in a Democratic Cabinet .
“ Donald Trump is not the cause of all of the problems , ” Yang said .
“ He is a symptom of a disease that has been building up in our communities for years .
We must address the real problems that affect our people and offer solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech executive , Yang officially declared his candidacy through the Federal Election Commission in 2017 , but his campaign gained most of its momentum in early 2018 as news outlets and voters inquired about the details of his plan to provide Americans with what is known as a “ Universal Basic Income.
” As automation increasingly replaces American workers , Yang campaigned on solving the problem by using the federal government to distribute $ 1,000 per month to Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 .
Yang called the payments a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change we have to make , ” Yang said during a debate with other Democratic candidates in June 2019 .
“ Technology is now automating away millions of American jobs.
” He touted efforts to bring such conversations to the forefront of the Democratic debate during his speech on Tuesday , saying his efforts to pay 13 families the dividend was one of the things he was “ most proud of ” during the race .
“ Our signature proposal , universal basic income , has become part of the mainstream conversation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt , we accelerated the eradication of poverty by years , maybe even generations.
” Yang ’ s $ 1,000 stimulus was not the only divergent aspect of his campaign .
Much in the mold of a “ political outsider , ” Yang differentiated himself from fellow Democratic candidates in temperament as well as policy .
Throughout his campaign , Yang ’ s polling numbers hovered around the low single digits .
He tried to distance himself from the Democratic Party , saying his stances were “ not left or right , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eagerness to engage conservative and far-right media outlets than most of his competitors in the Democratic field .
As a candidate , he sat for interviews on Fox News , Breitbart and with conservative podcast host Ben Shapiro .
“ Endings are hard , New Hampshire , but this is not an ending , this is a beginning , ” Yang said .
“ This is just the starting line .
This campaign has awakened something fundamental in this country , and in ourselves .
The Yang Gang has fundamentally shifted the direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we are only continuing to grow .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang is ending his presidential campaign.
“I am so incredibly proud of this campaign and what we’ve accomplished together,” Yang said Tuesday night in Manchester, New Hampshire. “We have touched and improved millions of lives and moved this country we love so much in the right direction. And while there is great work left to be done — you know I am the math guy — it is clear tonight from the numbers that we are not going to win this race.”
The announcement came as polls closed in the state, the first Democratic primary of the 2020 race.
I am so proud of this campaign. Thank you to everyone who got us here. 🙏 — Andrew Yang🧢 (@AndrewYang) February 12, 2020
Advertisement
Yang said Tuesday he would support whomever won the Democratic nomination, but urged his fellow candidates to look beyond President Donald Trump as they craft their visions for America. He told The Washington Post he had not made a decision regarding any endorsements, but would be open to joining another candidate as a running mate or serving in a Democratic Cabinet.
“Donald Trump is not the cause of all of the problems,” Yang said. “He is a symptom of a disease that has been building up in our communities for years. We must address the real problems that affect our people and offer solutions to actually solve them.”
A former tech executive, Yang officially declared his candidacy through the Federal Election Commission in 2017, but his campaign gained most of its momentum in early 2018 as news outlets and voters inquired about the details of his plan to provide Americans with what is known as a “Universal Basic Income.”
As automation increasingly replaces American workers, Yang campaigned on solving the problem by using the federal government to distribute $1,000 per month to Americans between the ages of 18 and 64. Yang called the payments a “Freedom Dividend.”
Advertisement
“This is a change we have to make,” Yang said during a debate with other Democratic candidates in June 2019. “Technology is now automating away millions of American jobs.”
He touted efforts to bring such conversations to the forefront of the Democratic debate during his speech on Tuesday, saying his efforts to pay 13 families the dividend was one of the things he was “most proud of” during the race.
“Our signature proposal, universal basic income, has become part of the mainstream conversation,” Yang said. “Without a doubt, we accelerated the eradication of poverty by years, maybe even generations.”
Yang’s $1,000 stimulus was not the only divergent aspect of his campaign. Much in the mold of a “political outsider,” Yang differentiated himself from fellow Democratic candidates in temperament as well as policy.
Throughout his campaign, Yang’s polling numbers hovered around the low single digits. He tried to distance himself from the Democratic Party, saying his stances were “not left or right,” but “forward.” Yang showed more eagerness to engage conservative and far-right media outlets than most of his competitors in the Democratic field. As a candidate, he sat for interviews on Fox News, Breitbart and with conservative podcast host Ben Shapiro.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Trump Suggests Military Should Discipline Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman

President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that the military should consider taking disciplinary action against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , whom Trump fired from his National Security Council last week in apparent retaliation for his role in the president ’ s impeachment .
Trump ’ s remarks came in response to a reporter asking him if he was calling for disciplinary action against Vindman , whose dismissal from the NSC set off widespread outrage .
“ That ’ s gon na be up to the military .
We ’ ll have to see , ” Trump said .
“ If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly — I would imagine take a look at that.
” Trump then created more confusion about his stance by adding , “ But , no , I think what he did was just reported a false call.
” Trump says the military should look at disciplining Lt. Col. Vindman for his Ukraine testimony .
`` That will be up to the military .
If you look at what happened , they are certainly — I would imagine take a look at that .
But , no , I think what he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pic.twitter.com/UgPvKS55uR — Justin Baragona ( @ justinbaragona ) February 11 , 2020 Vindman , a wounded veteran of the Iraq war , was a key witness in the House ’ s impeachment investigation into Trump ’ s efforts to prod the Ukraine government to open a probe targeting one of his Democratic political rivals , former Vice President Joe Biden .
Vindman was the first to testify during the hearings and told lawmakers he expressed concerns to other administration officials about Trump ’ s comments during a July 25 phone call in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch the investigation .
At the same time , the Trump administration was withholding congressionally approved military aid for Ukraine .
Trump has defended his call as “ perfect.
” But Vindman ’ s testimony was widely viewed as some of the most damning during the trial .
Two days after the Senate voted against convicting Trump on either of two articles of impeachment , Trump dismissed both Vindman and his twin brother , Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman , from the NSC on Friday .
The two remain in the military .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sondland , who told the House Intelligence Committee that Trump ’ s actions amounted to a “ clear quid pro quo.
” Sondland , a businessman before Trump appointed him the envoy post , contributed $ 1 million to Trump ’ s inaugural committee .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that the military should consider taking disciplinary action against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, whom Trump fired from his National Security Council last week in apparent retaliation for his role in the president’s impeachment.
Trump’s remarks came in response to a reporter asking him if he was calling for disciplinary action against Vindman, whose dismissal from the NSC set off widespread outrage.
Advertisement
“That’s gonna be up to the military. We’ll have to see,” Trump said. “If you look at what happened, they are certainly — I would imagine take a look at that.”
Trump then created more confusion about his stance by adding, “But, no, I think what he did was just reported a false call.”
Trump says the military should look at disciplining Lt. Col. Vindman for his Ukraine testimony.
"That will be up to the military. If you look at what happened, they are certainly — I would imagine take a look at that. But, no, I think what he did was reported a false call." pic.twitter.com/UgPvKS55uR — Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) February 11, 2020
Vindman, a wounded veteran of the Iraq war, was a key witness in the House’s impeachment investigation into Trump’s efforts to prod the Ukraine government to open a probe targeting one of his Democratic political rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Advertisement
Vindman was the first to testify during the hearings and told lawmakers he expressed concerns to other administration officials about Trump’s comments during a July 25 phone call in which he pressured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch the investigation. At the same time, the Trump administration was withholding congressionally approved military aid for Ukraine.
Trump has defended his call as “perfect.” But Vindman’s testimony was widely viewed as some of the most damning during the trial.
Two days after the Senate voted against convicting Trump on either of two articles of impeachment, Trump dismissed both Vindman and his twin brother, Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, from the NSC on Friday. The two remain in the military.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Bernie Sanders Is The Front-Runner For Democratic Nomination

Sanders , with a win Tuesday night in New Hampshire and a contested victory in Iowa under his belt , is in the strongest position to seize the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in July , clearly separating himself from former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass. )
.
He is also the candidate in the field with the second-greatest resources ― in the form of money , staffers and volunteers ― to power his efforts as the campaign continues .
His strongest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are struggling , and the moderate candidates elevated by the nearly universally white electorates in the first two primary states have demonstrated almost no ability to appeal to the more diverse electorates casting ballots in Nevada , South Carolina and in a host of states on Super Tuesday , on March 3 .
In a crowded field , Sanders ― a democratic socialist who long declined to officially join the Democratic Party and is running on a platform of Medicare For All , a massive infrastructure program to combat climate change and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diverse coalition beyond his base of the youngest and most liberal Democratic primary voters , according to public polling .
A Quinnipiac University poll found him leading the field among “ somewhat liberal voters ” and placing third among Democrats who considered themselves “ moderate or conservative.
” He is third among Black voters .
Among white voters without a college degree , he has a large lead and is essentially tied for the lead among college-educated white voters .
Though the poll does not break out Latino voters , other surveys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two candidates competing for their votes .
There are still ways the party ’ s moderate wing could attempt to stop Sanders , and there are weaknesses in his coalition .
In the Quinnipiac poll , Sanders is the only candidate with a significant gender gap : He has the support of 32 % of men and just 20 % of women .
And the oldest voters in the field remain resistant to him : His support among voters ages 18 to 34 is nearly seven times greater than his support among voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of the Democratic primary electorate , and the oldest voters turn out at the most reliable levels .
And though Sanders won the most votes in Iowa , Democratic Majority for Israel , a pro-Israel group whose affiliated super PAC ran ads attacking him , asserted that their ad , which questioned Sanders ’ s electability and health , provided a blueprint for stopping his momentum , noting he performed much worse among voters who decided late .
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has already spent more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the election , obviously dwarfs the financial resources of Sanders .
But no other candidate comes close .
That will provide Sanders with a potentially key advantage as the race moves into more expensive states , including California , Texas , Massachusetts and Virginia , on Super Tuesday .
Klobuchar may present a more significant threat than Buttigieg .
Unlike Buttigieg , she is only now fully entering the national spotlight , and primary voters who have been following the race only casually could discover her in the coming days .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison to Buttigieg and Sanders , she has raised $ 4.5 million in the days since Friday night ’ s Democratic primary debate .
Her campaign plans to deploy additional staffers to Nevada , South Carolina and key Super Tuesday states .
But if the race does turn into a showdown between Bloomberg and Sanders , there ’ s evidence most Democratic voters would lean in Sanders ’ s direction .
He ’ s the top second choice of Warren supporters and is essentially tied with Bloomberg as the top second choice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s poll .
And Democrats ’ views of Sanders ― 76 % view him favorably , while just 18 % have a negative opinion ― are more positive than those of Bloomberg .
Just 58 % have a positive opinion of the former mayor .
And on the key questions that Democratic primary voters are weighing , Sanders performs well .
He ’ s the candidate most trusted on health care , the No .
1 issue for both primary and general election voters .
Despite moderate Democrats ’ worries about his ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats believe he is capable of beating Trump ― and public polling on a Sanders vs. Trump race backs them up .
Front-runner status after two states does not guarantee a victory .
Bloomberg ’ s money , or Klobuchar ’ s momentum or Biden ’ s deep ties to Black voters could all , in one way or another , prove too much for Sanders to overcome .
And the results in Iowa and New Hampshire did little to winnow the field .
The only candidates to leave the race after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Bennet ( D-Colo. ) and entrepreneur Andrew Yang .
Neither attracted significant support .
The crowded field , where both surging candidates like Klobuchar and Buttigieg and seemingly fading ones like Warren and Biden could be in position to grab delegates in three weeks , is likely to lead to an extended primary battle .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
MANCHESTER, N.H. ― Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is the front-runner for the Democratic Party’s nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November.
Sanders, with a win Tuesday night in New Hampshire and a contested victory in Iowa under his belt, is in the strongest position to seize the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in July, clearly separating himself from former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). He is also the candidate in the field with the second-greatest resources ― in the form of money, staffers and volunteers ― to power his efforts as the campaign continues.
Advertisement
His strongest potential rivals ― Biden and Warren ― are struggling, and the moderate candidates elevated by the nearly universally white electorates in the first two primary states have demonstrated almost no ability to appeal to the more diverse electorates casting ballots in Nevada, South Carolina and in a host of states on Super Tuesday, on March 3.
In a crowded field, Sanders ― a democratic socialist who long declined to officially join the Democratic Party and is running on a platform of Medicare For All, a massive infrastructure program to combat climate change and a $15 minimum wage ― is assembling a diverse coalition beyond his base of the youngest and most liberal Democratic primary voters, according to public polling.
“We are putting together an unprecedented multicultural, multigenerational political movement,” Sanders told a roaring crowd here at the Southern New Hampshire University Fieldhouse.
A Quinnipiac University poll found him leading the field among “somewhat liberal voters” and placing third among Democrats who considered themselves “moderate or conservative.” He is third among Black voters. Among white voters without a college degree, he has a large lead and is essentially tied for the lead among college-educated white voters. Though the poll does not break out Latino voters, other surveys show him as one of the top two candidates competing for their votes.
Advertisement
There are still ways the party’s moderate wing could attempt to stop Sanders, and there are weaknesses in his coalition. In the Quinnipiac poll, Sanders is the only candidate with a significant gender gap: He has the support of 32% of men and just 20% of women. And the oldest voters in the field remain resistant to him: His support among voters ages 18 to 34 is nearly seven times greater than his support among voters older than 65. Women make up the majority of the Democratic primary electorate, and the oldest voters turn out at the most reliable levels.
And though Sanders won the most votes in Iowa, Democratic Majority for Israel, a pro-Israel group whose affiliated super PAC ran ads attacking him, asserted that their ad, which questioned Sanders’s electability and health, provided a blueprint for stopping his momentum, noting he performed much worse among voters who decided late.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has already spent more than $300 million of his own money on the election, obviously dwarfs the financial resources of Sanders. But no other candidate comes close. That will provide Sanders with a potentially key advantage as the race moves into more expensive states, including California, Texas, Massachusetts and Virginia, on Super Tuesday.
Sanders’s other rivals at the moment ― Klobuchar and Buttigieg ― are both poorly positioned to capitalize on Biden’s struggles. Buttigieg, despite months in the national spotlight, is still polling in the single digits among Black voters. Quinnipiac’s poll didn’t find a single Black supporter for Klobuchar.
“This victory is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.” - Sen. Bernie Sanders
Advertisement
Klobuchar may present a more significant threat than Buttigieg. Unlike Buttigieg, she is only now fully entering the national spotlight, and primary voters who have been following the race only casually could discover her in the coming days. While her fundraising so far has paled in comparison to Buttigieg and Sanders, she has raised $4.5 million in the days since Friday night’s Democratic primary debate. Her campaign plans to deploy additional staffers to Nevada, South Carolina and key Super Tuesday states.
But if the race does turn into a showdown between Bloomberg and Sanders, there’s evidence most Democratic voters would lean in Sanders’s direction. He’s the top second choice of Warren supporters and is essentially tied with Bloomberg as the top second choice of Biden supporters, according to Quinnipiac’s poll. And Democrats’ views of Sanders ― 76% view him favorably, while just 18% have a negative opinion ― are more positive than those of Bloomberg. Just 58% have a positive opinion of the former mayor.
And on the key questions that Democratic primary voters are weighing, Sanders performs well. He’s the candidate most trusted on health care, the No. 1 issue for both primary and general election voters. Despite moderate Democrats’ worries about his ability to win over swing voters, most Democrats believe he is capable of beating Trump ― and public polling on a Sanders vs. Trump race backs them up.
“This victory is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump,” Sanders told the crowd, who respond with a chant of “Bernie beats Trump! Bernie beats Trump!”
Front-runner status after two states does not guarantee a victory. Bloomberg’s money, or Klobuchar’s momentum or Biden’s deep ties to Black voters could all, in one way or another, prove too much for Sanders to overcome.
Advertisement
Even as Sanders was delivering his victory speech, another potential obstacle was appearing: A powerful union in Nevada, the next state to vote, was signaling opposition to his candidacy and his push for “Medicare for All.”
And the results in Iowa and New Hampshire did little to winnow the field. The only candidates to leave the race after the first primary results so far are Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Neither attracted significant support. The crowded field, where both surging candidates like Klobuchar and Buttigieg and seemingly fading ones like Warren and Biden could be in position to grab delegates in three weeks, is likely to lead to an extended primary battle.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Trump Attacks Mike Bloomberg, Doesn't Seem To Realize He Wasn't Running

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night attacked former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for having a “ very bad night @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primary results came rolling in .
Just one problem : Bloomberg wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) eventually won a plurality in the Granite State , @ @ @ @ @ Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg coming in a close second , followed by Sen. Amy @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg is focusing on the March 3 “ Super Tuesday ” primary states and was @ @ @ @ @ either New Hampshire or last week ’ s caucuses in Iowa .
However , he @ @ @ @ @ of sorts in the unincorporated New Hampshire community of Dixville Notch , which traditionally votes @ @ @ @ @ results immediately .
There were just five ballots cast .
Bloomberg won the lone GOP @ @ @ @ @ the four on the Democratic side , both via write-in ― giving him a victory @ @ @ @ @ remote community .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump on Tuesday night attacked former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for having a “very bad night” as the New Hampshire Democratic primary results came rolling in.
Just one problem: Bloomberg wasn’t even on the ballot.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) eventually won a plurality in the Granite State, with former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg coming in a close second, followed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
Advertisement
Trump tweeted:
A very bad night for Mini Mike! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
Bloomberg is focusing on the March 3 “Super Tuesday” primary states and was not on the ballot in either New Hampshire or last week’s caucuses in Iowa.
However, he did win an unusual victory of sorts in the unincorporated New Hampshire community of Dixville Notch, which traditionally votes at midnight and tallies the results immediately.
There were just five ballots cast.
Bloomberg won the lone GOP vote, and two of the four on the Democratic side, both via write-in ― giving him a victory in both parties in the remote community.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Fox News Host Calls Out Trump's Stop-And-Frisk Hypocrisy Over Bloomberg Remarks

President Donald Trump ’ s hypocrisy was highlighted on Fox News Tuesday after he had joined the outcry against Michael Bloomberg ’ s comments several years ago defending the stop-and-frisk policing policy ― for which Trump has been a vocal advocate .
Bloomberg , the former New York City mayor now seeking the Democratic presidential nomination , faced backlash on Tuesday when an old audio clip resurfaced from a speech he gave in Colorado in 2015 .
In the recording , he defends the policy that was in place during his 2002-13 mayoral administration as a way to reduce violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the streets , he said one way to do that was to throw kids from minority neighborhoods “ up against the walls and frisk them.
” In joining the criticism targeting Bloomberg on Tuesday , Trump slammed him as a “ total racist ” in a since-deleted tweet .
And both his eldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , and campaign manager Brad Parscale pushed the Bloomberg recording on Twitter .
On Fox News ’ “ The Daily Briefing , ” Parscale also blasted Bloomberg , telling host Dana Perino , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money in the world could undo that.
” “ It was very demeaning , the characterization ” of minority neighborhoods , Parscale said .
“ I think he ’ s in a very difficult spot.
” Perino then noted to Parscale that Trump had vocally supported the policy , showing a clip of the president speaking at a police convention in Orlando , Florida , in 2018 .
In the video , Trump praises Bloomberg ’ s mayoral predecessor , Rudy Giuliani , for his “ very strong program of stop and frisk.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1994-2001 , started the policy .
Trump in his 2018 remarks said New York went from “ unacceptably dangerous to one of the safest cities in the country ...
So it works .
It ’ s got to be properly applied but stop-and-frisk works.
” Parscale dodged addressing the president ’ s support of the policy , and did not explain why Trump backtracked on his tweet about Bloomberg .
“ I can ’ t talk to you about exactly why he deleted the tweet , but I ’ ll tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy .
Listen to that comment , the demeaning , the characterization ... it ’ s a very demoralizing thing , ” he said .
While the stop-and-frisk tactic was first introduced by Giuliani , it expanded significantly under Bloomberg ’ s administration .
The policy allowed police officers to temporarily detain , question and search civilians for potential weapons or contraband , and statistics show that Black and Latin communities were the overwhelming focus of the practice .
In his statement Tuesday , Bloomberg said his past comments about stop-and-frisk “ do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform and racial equity.
” He denounced Trump ’ s tweet as an effort to divide Americans , claiming the attack “ clearly reflects his fear over the growing strength of my campaign .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump’s hypocrisy was highlighted on Fox News Tuesday after he had joined the outcry against Michael Bloomberg’s comments several years ago defending the stop-and-frisk policing policy ― for which Trump has been a vocal advocate.
Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor now seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, faced backlash on Tuesday when an old audio clip resurfaced from a speech he gave in Colorado in 2015. In the recording, he defends the policy that was in place during his 2002-13 mayoral administration as a way to reduce violence. Touting his push to get guns off the streets, he said one way to do that was to throw kids from minority neighborhoods “up against the walls and frisk them.”
Advertisement
In joining the criticism targeting Bloomberg on Tuesday, Trump slammed him as a “total racist” in a since-deleted tweet. And both his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and campaign manager Brad Parscale pushed the Bloomberg recording on Twitter.
On Fox News’ “The Daily Briefing,” Parscale also blasted Bloomberg, telling host Dana Perino, “I don’t think all the money in the world could undo that.”
“It was very demeaning, the characterization” of minority neighborhoods, Parscale said. “I think he’s in a very difficult spot.”
Perino then noted to Parscale that Trump had vocally supported the policy, showing a clip of the president speaking at a police convention in Orlando, Florida, in 2018.
Advertisement
In the video, Trump praises Bloomberg’s mayoral predecessor, Rudy Giuliani, for his “very strong program of stop and frisk.” Giuliani, who served as mayor from 1994-2001, started the policy.
Trump in his 2018 remarks said New York went from “unacceptably dangerous to one of the safest cities in the country... So it works. It’s got to be properly applied but stop-and-frisk works.”
Parscale dodged addressing the president’s support of the policy, and did not explain why Trump backtracked on his tweet about Bloomberg.
“I can’t talk to you about exactly why he deleted the tweet, but I’ll tell you it’s not about just the policy. Listen to that comment, the demeaning, the characterization... it’s a very demoralizing thing,” he said.
While the stop-and-frisk tactic was first introduced by Giuliani, it expanded significantly under Bloomberg’s administration. The policy allowed police officers to temporarily detain, question and search civilians for potential weapons or contraband, and statistics show that Black and Latin communities were the overwhelming focus of the practice.
Advertisement
In his statement Tuesday, Bloomberg said his past comments about stop-and-frisk “do not reflect my commitment to criminal justice reform and racial equity.” He denounced Trump’s tweet as an effort to divide Americans, claiming the attack “clearly reflects his fear over the growing strength of my campaign.”
Bloomberg had apologized for his administration’s enforcement of the policy last November, days before announcing his 2020 presidential bid.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Democrats Demand Answers For Roger Stone's Reduced Sentencing Recommendation

Democratic leaders are demanding answers after the Department of Justice abruptly reduced the recommended sentence for Roger Stone on Tuesday following President Donald Trump ’ s public criticism of the length of his longtime adviser ’ s original recommended sentence .
All four federal prosecutors who ran Stone ’ s trial dropped out of the case earlier Tuesday after senior Justice Department leadership intervened to walk back the prosecutors ’ sentencing recommendation , a rare step that marked the latest sign of Trump ’ s appointees further politicizing the department in charge of federal law enforcement .
In a newer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office for the District of Columbia said an 87- to 108-month sentence for Stone “ could be considered excessive and unwarranted , ” neglecting to recommend another specific length of time in prison .
NBC reported on Thursday that Attorney General William Barr has become unusually and personally involved in a number of investigations of interest to Trump .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) sent a letter to the Justice Department ’ s inspector general requesting an investigation and subsequent report regarding the department ’ s decision to reduce Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation has all the indicia of improper political interference in a criminal prosecution , ” Schumer wrote to Inspector General Michael Horowitz .
“ The American people must have confidence that justice in this country is dispensed impartially .
That confidence can not be sustained if the president or his political appointees are permitted to interfere in prosecution and sentencing recommendations in order to protect their friends and associates.
” “ It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation , ” she tweeted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & actions of DOJ should be investigated.
” By tweet @ realDonaldTrump engaged in political interference in the sentencing of Roger Stone .
It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation .
Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated .
— Nancy Pelosi ( @ SpeakerPelosi ) February 12 , 2020 Prosecutors Aaron S.J .
Zelinsky , Adam C. Jed , Jonathan Kravis and Michael Marando told the court on Monday that Stone should receive seven to nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president raged on Twitter against the proposed sentence , calling it a “ miscarriage of justice ” that could not be allowed .
The Justice Department ― led by Trump appointee Barr ― then reportedly overruled the career prosecutors , walking back their sentencing request and prompting them to resign from the case .
Eric Holder , who served as attorney general during the Obama administration , said the Justice Department ’ s decision to seek a shorter sentence for Stone is “ unprecedented , wrong and ultimately dangerous.
” AUSA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guts-and an adherence to the rule of law-than too many now serving in Washington .
What Main DOJ is trying to do-and at whose behest ?
-is unprecedented , wrong and ultimately dangerous .
DOJ independence is critical https : //t.co/NWRMxtohK9 — Eric Holder ( @ EricHolder ) February 11 , 2020 The prosecutors who resigned on Tuesday “ have shown more guts - and an adherence to the rule of law - than too many now serving in Washington , ” Holder tweeted .
“ DOJ independence is critical.
” A jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included witness tampering , lying to Congress and obstructing an official proceeding .
Stone was one of Trump ’ s highest-profile allies to face prosecution in response to former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
A Justice Department spokesperson told Fox News that the decision to reduce Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation was made before Trump tweeted his disdain and that the department has not had contact with the White House on the matter .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Democratic leaders are demanding answers after the Department of Justice abruptly reduced the recommended sentence for Roger Stone on Tuesday following President Donald Trump’s public criticism of the length of his longtime adviser’s original recommended sentence.
All four federal prosecutors who ran Stone’s trial dropped out of the case earlier Tuesday after senior Justice Department leadership intervened to walk back the prosecutors’ sentencing recommendation, a rare step that marked the latest sign of Trump’s appointees further politicizing the department in charge of federal law enforcement.
Advertisement
In a newer memo, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said an 87- to 108-month sentence for Stone “could be considered excessive and unwarranted,” neglecting to recommend another specific length of time in prison.
NBC reported on Thursday that Attorney General William Barr has become unusually and personally involved in a number of investigations of interest to Trump.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to the Justice Department’s inspector general requesting an investigation and subsequent report regarding the department’s decision to reduce Stone’s sentencing recommendation.
JUST IN: Senate Minority Leader Schumer sends letter to DOJ inspector general requesting an investigation into the reduced sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone. https://t.co/ZUCwZUPk3p pic.twitter.com/tZDrxXcg3I — NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) February 11, 2020
Advertisement
“This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference in a criminal prosecution,” Schumer wrote to Inspector General Michael Horowitz. “The American people must have confidence that justice in this country is dispensed impartially. That confidence cannot be sustained if the president or his political appointees are permitted to interfere in prosecution and sentencing recommendations in order to protect their friends and associates.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) joined Schumer’s calls for an investigation later Tuesday evening, saying Trump “engaged in political interference” via tweet in Stone’s sentencing.
“It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation,” she tweeted. “Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated.”
By tweet @realDonaldTrump engaged in political interference in the sentencing of Roger Stone. It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation. Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 12, 2020
Prosecutors Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, Adam C. Jed, Jonathan Kravis and Michael Marando told the court on Monday that Stone should receive seven to nine years in prison. But overnight, the president raged on Twitter against the proposed sentence, calling it a “miscarriage of justice” that could not be allowed.
Advertisement
The Justice Department ― led by Trump appointee Barr ― then reportedly overruled the career prosecutors, walking back their sentencing request and prompting them to resign from the case.
Eric Holder, who served as attorney general during the Obama administration, said the Justice Department’s decision to seek a shorter sentence for Stone is “unprecedented, wrong and ultimately dangerous.”
AUSA’s Kravis and Zelinsky have shown more guts-and an adherence to the rule of law-than too many now serving in Washington. What Main DOJ is trying to do-and at whose behest?-is unprecedented, wrong and ultimately dangerous. DOJ independence is critical https://t.co/NWRMxtohK9 — Eric Holder (@EricHolder) February 11, 2020
The prosecutors who resigned on Tuesday “have shown more guts - and an adherence to the rule of law - than too many now serving in Washington,” Holder tweeted. “DOJ independence is critical.”
A jury convicted Stone in November on charges that included witness tampering, lying to Congress and obstructing an official proceeding. Stone was one of Trump’s highest-profile allies to face prosecution in response to former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Bill O'Reilly's Andrew Yang Taunt Backfires Spectacularly On Twitter

Disgraced former Fox News host Bill O ’ Reilly resurfaced on Twitter to send off Andrew Yang , who ended his presidential campaign on Tuesday after an 8th place finish in the New Hampshire primary .
Although Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) won in the Granite State , O ’ Reilly suggested that Yang should still follow through with his proposed universal basic income idea of giving all Americans $ 1,000 a month ― and pay for it himself : Andrew Yang dropped out but he should still give everyone a thousand bucks .
— Bill O'Reilly ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that O ’ Reilly has paid at least $ 45 million to settle multiple sexual harassment claims ― including $ 32 million to a former Fox News analyst ― the tweet didn ’ t exactly go over well : That ’ s usually you paying out the NDA in millions — Denise Wu ( @ denisewu ) February 12 , 2020 Mr. $ 32 million , you should sit this one out !
pic.twitter.com/HuGYFx056e — Danielle Harr ( @ freespirit74 ) February 12 , 2020 I think you still owe at least a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever met you .
— Baker ( @ TheRyanBaker ) February 12 , 2020 That ’ s nothing compared to your 32 million in payouts huh Bill — Not Impeached** O ’ s Girl ( @ terrij68 ) February 12 , 2020 At least Yang was talking about giving everyone money for a good reason .
Not because he sexually harassed them to the tune of 45 million dollars .
— J. Strand ( @ DJ_Ajaxx ) February 12 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Disgraced former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly resurfaced on Twitter to send off Andrew Yang, who ended his presidential campaign on Tuesday after an 8th place finish in the New Hampshire primary.
Although Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) won in the Granite State, O’Reilly suggested that Yang should still follow through with his proposed universal basic income idea of giving all Americans $1,000 a month ― and pay for it himself:
Advertisement
Andrew Yang dropped out but he should still give everyone a thousand bucks. — Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) February 12, 2020
Given that O’Reilly has paid at least $45 million to settle multiple sexual harassment claims ― including $32 million to a former Fox News analyst ― the tweet didn’t exactly go over well:
That’s usually you paying out the NDA in millions — Denise Wu (@denisewu) February 12, 2020
Shhhh remember why you don't have a job anymore? pic.twitter.com/CEWpt4aZxV — Chris Hennessey (@chrishennessey) February 12, 2020
Advertisement
Mr. $32 million, you should sit this one out! pic.twitter.com/HuGYFx056e — Danielle Harr (@freespirit74) February 12, 2020
I think you still owe at least a thousand bucks to every woman that's ever met you. — Baker (@TheRyanBaker) February 12, 2020
That’s nothing compared to your 32 million in payouts huh Bill — Not Impeached** O’s Girl (@terrij68) February 12, 2020
Andrew Yang is an honorable man who doesn’t harass women, Bill! — LaVonne Bray (@Bluestocking66) February 12, 2020
At least Yang was talking about giving everyone money for a good reason.
Not because he sexually harassed them to the tune of 45 million dollars. — J. Strand (@DJ_Ajaxx) February 12, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Fox News' Laura Ingraham Fears Bernie Sanders Is A Donald Trump-Level Juggernaut

Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night likened the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) to President Donald Trump ’ s “ juggernaut ” of a campaign in 2016 .
“ The Ingraham Angle ” host , commenting on Sanders ’ projected win in the New Hampshire primary , recalled how the failure of Trump ’ s moderate rivals in the Republican primary to get behind one person ultimately helped propel him towards the GOP nomination .
Ingraham , who frequently uses her widely watched show on the conservative network to advocate for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year with Sanders .
“ The Trump juggernaut passed South Carolina kept rolling along and then it was too late , ” she said .
“ The same will happen with Bernie .
He ’ ll become the juggernaut .
The new anti-establishment juggernaut of the Democrat party.
” Trump , meanwhile , on Tuesday said he ’ d rather run against billionaire media mogul and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in November than Sanders because the latter “ has real followers , whether you like them or not , whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night likened the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to President Donald Trump’s “juggernaut” campaign victory in 2016.
“The Ingraham Angle” host, commenting on Sanders’ projected win in the New Hampshire primary, recalled how the failure of Trump’s moderate rivals in the 2016 Republican primary to get behind one person helped propel him to the GOP nomination.
Advertisement
Ingraham, who frequently uses her widely watched show on the conservative network to advocate for Trump, feared the same could happen this year with Sanders.
“The Trump juggernaut passed South Carolina, kept rolling along, and then it was too late,” she said. “The same will happen with Bernie. He’ll become the juggernaut. The new anti-establishment juggernaut of the Democrat party.”
Check out the clip here:
Trump, meanwhile, on Tuesday said he’d rather run against billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg in November than Sanders because Sanders “has real followers, whether you like them or not, whether you agree with them or not.”
Advertisement
Check out the clip here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Prosecutors Quit Roger Stone Case After DOJ Top Brass Meddles In Sentencing

All four federal prosecutors who ran the Roger Stone trial abruptly dropped out of the case on Tuesday after senior Department of Justice leadership intervened to take the rare step of walking back the prosecutors ’ sentencing recommendation .
The extraordinary series of events marks the latest sign of President Donald Trump and his appointees politicizing DOJ .
On Tuesday afternoon , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the District of Columbia filed a new recommendation asking that Stone , a longtime Trump adviser , be sentenced to prison but not suggesting any particular length of time .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after federal prosecutors Aaron S.J .
Zelinsky , Adam C. Jed , Jonathan Kravis and Michael Marando told the court on Monday that Stone should face seven to nine years behind bars for witness tampering and lying to Congress .
But that was before Trump publicly raged against the proposed sentence , tweeting that “ this miscarriage of justice ” can not be allowed .
A jury convicted Stone in November on seven counts , including witness tampering , lying to Congress and obstructing an official proceeding .
He was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Prosecutors in the U.S. attorney ’ s office had intensely debated what sentence to recommend for Stone , according to The Washington Post , ultimately settling on 87 to 108 months to reflect the severity of his crimes .
They cited federal guidelines that call for longer sentences if the offender has threatened physical harm or property damage , which Stone did when he told prosecution witness Randy Credico that he should “ prepare to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer sentence would send the message that Stone ’ s crimes , which took place “ in the context of a congressional investigation on matters of critical national importance , ” should not be taken lightly .
But following Trump ’ s overnight tweet , which he sent just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning , the Justice Department reportedly decided to overrule the career prosecutors .
Higher-ups at DOJ were not accurately briefed on the initial recommendation , a Fox News source claimed .
( DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec told Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new sentencing recommendation was reached before Trump ’ s tweet and that DOJ has had no contact with the White House on the matter . )
Zelinsky ’ s resignation as a prosecutor on the Stone case Tuesday afternoon was the first dramatic response to the reports of DOJ walking back the sentencing request .
He was one of Mueller ’ s top prosecutors during the Russia investigation and had been a Supreme Court clerk for both liberal and conservative justices .
As part of his withdrawal from the Stone case , Zelinsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney on loan to the U.S. attorney ’ s office in D.C. , but he retained his position with the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the District of Maryland .
Kravis included in his withdrawal filing that he was resigning as an assistant U.S. attorney serving in the D.C. office .
Jed is another former member of Mueller ’ s team who , like Zelinsky , moved to the U.S. attorney ’ s office in D.C. for the Stone trial .
“ The American people must have confidence that justice in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That confidence can not be sustained if the president or his political appointees are permitted to interfere in prosecution and sentencing recommendations in order to protect their friends and associates.
” Trump has repeatedly claimed he was exonerated in the special counsel ’ s investigation and has lashed out at anyone or anything that implicated him in wrongdoing .
In his early Tuesday tweet , he claimed that “ the real crimes were on the other side.
” The Mueller investigation led to numerous indictments , guilty pleas and convictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s former attorney Michael Cohen , former campaign manager Paul Manafort and Stone .
Trump has not ruled out pardoning Stone , a Republican operative going back to the Nixon years who has affiliations with conspiracy theorists and far-right extremists and who was one of Trump ’ s most loyal advocates during the Russia probe .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
All four federal prosecutors who ran the Roger Stone trial abruptly dropped out of the case on Tuesday after senior Department of Justice leadership intervened to take the rare step of walking back the prosecutors’ sentencing recommendation. The extraordinary series of events marks the latest sign of President Donald Trump and his appointees politicizing DOJ.
On Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia filed a new recommendation asking that Stone, a longtime Trump adviser, be sentenced to prison but not suggesting any particular length of time.
Advertisement
The more lenient recommendation was a rapid turnaround after federal prosecutors Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, Adam C. Jed, Jonathan Kravis and Michael Marando told the court on Monday that Stone should face seven to nine years behind bars for witness tampering and lying to Congress. But that was before Trump publicly raged against the proposed sentence, tweeting that “this miscarriage of justice” cannot be allowed.
This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020
A jury convicted Stone in November on seven counts, including witness tampering, lying to Congress and obstructing an official proceeding. He was one of the highest-profile Trump allies to face prosecution as a result of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office had intensely debated what sentence to recommend for Stone, according to The Washington Post, ultimately settling on 87 to 108 months to reflect the severity of his crimes. They cited federal guidelines that call for longer sentences if the offender has threatened physical harm or property damage, which Stone did when he told prosecution witness Randy Credico that he should “prepare to die.”
Advertisement
The prosecutors also wrote that a longer sentence would send the message that Stone’s crimes, which took place “in the context of a congressional investigation on matters of critical national importance,” should not be taken lightly.
But following Trump’s overnight tweet, which he sent just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the Justice Department reportedly decided to overrule the career prosecutors. Higher-ups at DOJ were not accurately briefed on the initial recommendation, a Fox News source claimed. (DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec told Fox News that the decision to make a new sentencing recommendation was reached before Trump’s tweet and that DOJ has had no contact with the White House on the matter.)
Zelinsky’s resignation as a prosecutor on the Stone case Tuesday afternoon was the first dramatic response to the reports of DOJ walking back the sentencing request. He was one of Mueller’s top prosecutors during the Russia investigation and had been a Supreme Court clerk for both liberal and conservative justices. As part of his withdrawal from the Stone case, Zelinsky also resigned as a special assistant U.S. attorney on loan to the U.S. attorney’s office in D.C., but he retained his position with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Kravis included in his withdrawal filing that he was resigning as an assistant U.S. attorney serving in the D.C. office. Jed is another former member of Mueller’s team who, like Zelinsky, moved to the U.S. attorney’s office in D.C. for the Stone trial.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for an investigation into the reduced sentencing recommendation in a letter to the DOJ’s Inspector General.
Advertisement
“The American people must have confidence that justice in this country is dispensed impartially,” Schumer said. “That confidence cannot be sustained if the president or his political appointees are permitted to interfere in prosecution and sentencing recommendations in order to protect their friends and associates.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed he was exonerated in the special counsel’s investigation and has lashed out at anyone or anything that implicated him in wrongdoing. In his early Tuesday tweet, he claimed that “the real crimes were on the other side.” The Mueller investigation led to numerous indictments, guilty pleas and convictions of Trump world figures such as the president’s former attorney Michael Cohen, former campaign manager Paul Manafort and Stone.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Joe Biden Declares 'It Ain't Over, Man' After Weak New Hampshire Showing

COLUMBIA , S.C. — Joe Biden started his day in Manchester , New Hampshire , passing out Dunkin Donuts to voters at the polling sites .
He ended it more than 900 miles away , in Columbia , South Carolina , as if the New Hampshire primary was already a distant memory .
The former vice president didn ’ t bother hanging around New Hampshire to see how he would do .
And the fact that he left the state ― and ditched his own campaign party in New Hampshire ― showed that he knew it wasn ’ t going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results Tuesday night showed him coming in below the top three , a poor showing for the man who was presumed to be the front-runner .
“ They ’ re losing , so there ’ s no point of them being there , ” said Dalhi Myers , a South Carolina County Council member who had supported Biden but recently switched to Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) .
“ They are probably going to move to South Carolina to stop the bleeding.
” Biden instead hosted a “ South Carolina Launch Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and campaign co-chair Rep. Cedric Richmond ( D-La. )
.
The refurbished textile factory , just across the street from the University of South Carolina , wasn ’ t big , but it was crammed with supporters , gospel singers , South Carolina state legislators and the press .
“ We ’ re moving in an especially important phase because , up until now , we haven ’ t heard from the most committed constituents of the Democratic Party , the African American community .
And the fastest-growing segment of society , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ all to think of a number : 99.9 % .
That ’ s the percentage of African American voters who have not yet had a chance to vote in America .
One more number ?
99.8 .
That ’ s the percentage of Latino voters that haven ’ t had a chance to vote.
” “ I ’ m glad he came here and stopped wasting his time in Iowa and New Hampshire .
I ’ m from central South Carolina .
We have more Black people in Sumter than in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referring to his city of about 40,000 people .
Biden had downplayed expectations for the New Hampshire primary after his weak showing in the Iowa caucuses last week , where he finished fourth behind former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
, although the final results are still not official .
On the debate stage last week , he said he expected to take a “ hit ” in the first-in-the-nation primary .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states ― Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina ― need to be viewed as a package , especially since Nevada and South Carolina are significantly more diverse than the first two .
“ The contending issue is the quality of the campaign in the first place , ” David Redlawsk , a political scientist at the University of Delaware , said of Biden ’ s organizing efforts in Iowa .
“ There ’ s some evidence that the Biden campaign is not all that good at it.
” Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the start of his campaign for president .
His closeness with former President Barack Obama — which he brought up repeatedly Tuesday night , including an anecdote about Obama ’ s kids being friends with his grandchildren — is big among voters .
And Biden was a frequent visitor even before his presidential bid , often vacationing on Kiawah Island and having a personal relationship with former governor , and President Donald Trump ’ s former United Nations ambassador , Nikki Haley .
When Jill Biden took the stage in Columbia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state in 2015 to heal from losing their son Beau Biden .
“ I hope you love me as much as I love you guys , ” he said to cheers .
“ I ’ ve been coming here a long time .
When I die , I want to be reborn in Charleston , actually .
I like the low country , you know what I mean ?
” Though , what was once a 36 percentage point lead in the polls is now looking narrower as candidates including Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a bigger play in the state .
And voters are noticing that Biden is slipping .
At least one supporter wasn ’ t bothered by Biden ’ s decision to skip the New Hampshire election night party : state Sen. Lou D ’ Allesandro ( D ) .
Now , he said , he gets to take his wife out to dinner to thank her for hosting three campaign staffers at their home in the run-up to the primary .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Joe Biden started his day in Manchester, New Hampshire, passing out Dunkin Donuts to voters at the polling sites. He ended it more than 900 miles away, in Columbia, South Carolina, as if the New Hampshire primary was already a distant memory.
The former vice president didn’t bother hanging around New Hampshire to see how he would do. And the fact that he left the state ― and ditched his own campaign party in New Hampshire ― showed that he knew it wasn’t going to be good. Indeed, the results Tuesday night showed him coming in below the top three, a poor showing for the man who was presumed to be the front-runner.
Advertisement
“They’re losing, so there’s no point of them being there,” said Dalhi Myers, a South Carolina County Council member who had supported Biden but recently switched to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). “They are probably going to move to South Carolina to stop the bleeding.”
Biden instead hosted a “South Carolina Launch Party” with his wife, Jill Biden, and campaign co-chair Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.). The refurbished textile factory, just across the street from the University of South Carolina, wasn’t big, but it was crammed with supporters, gospel singers, South Carolina state legislators and the press.
Arriving on stage to chants of “Joe! Joe! Joe!” Biden declared that the Democratic primary had only just started.
“So when you hear all these pundits and experts, cable TV talkers, talk about the race, tell them: It ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started.” - Joe Biden
Advertisement
“We’re moving in an especially important phase because, up until now, we haven’t heard from the most committed constituents of the Democratic Party, the African American community. And the fastest-growing segment of society, the Latino community. I want y’all to think of a number: 99.9%. That’s the percentage of African American voters who have not yet had a chance to vote in America. One more number? 99.8. That’s the percentage of Latino voters that haven’t had a chance to vote.”
“So when you hear all these pundits and experts, cable TV talkers, talk about the race, tell them: It ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started,” he added.
“I’m glad he came here and stopped wasting his time in Iowa and New Hampshire. I’m from central South Carolina. We have more Black people in Sumter than in Iowa,” said Joseph Brown, 50, referring to his city of about 40,000 people.
Biden had downplayed expectations for the New Hampshire primary after his weak showing in the Iowa caucuses last week, where he finished fourth behind former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), although the final results are still not official. On the debate stage last week, he said he expected to take a “hit” in the first-in-the-nation primary.
His campaign argued that the first four voting states ― Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina ― need to be viewed as a package, especially since Nevada and South Carolina are significantly more diverse than the first two.
Advertisement
Biden polls significantly better with Black voters, and South Carolina ― where African Americans make up a large portion of Democratic Party voters ― is key to his strategy to prove his viability.
But some warn it’s not just bad demographics at play — there have been warning signs in the Biden campaign’s ability to organize in the first two states.
“The contending issue is the quality of the campaign in the first place,” David Redlawsk, a political scientist at the University of Delaware, said of Biden’s organizing efforts in Iowa. “There’s some evidence that the Biden campaign is not all that good at it.”
Biden has held a competitive advantage in South Carolina from the start of his campaign for president. His closeness with former President Barack Obama — which he brought up repeatedly Tuesday night, including an anecdote about Obama’s kids being friends with his grandchildren — is big among voters.
And Biden was a frequent visitor even before his presidential bid, often vacationing on Kiawah Island and having a personal relationship with former governor, and President Donald Trump’s former United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley. When Jill Biden took the stage in Columbia, she started with a memory: coming to the state in 2015 to heal from losing their son Beau Biden.
Advertisement
And Joe Biden opened by reminding voters that he loves the state and has a long history there.
“I hope you love me as much as I love you guys,” he said to cheers. “I’ve been coming here a long time. When I die, I want to be reborn in Charleston, actually. I like the low country, you know what I mean?”
“I think Biden is really strong in South Carolina,” said Charles Whetstone, the Calhoun County Democratic Party chair. “It’s his to lose.”
Though, what was once a 36 percentage point lead in the polls is now looking narrower as candidates including Sanders and California billionaire Tom Steyer look to make a bigger play in the state. And voters are noticing that Biden is slipping.
“Biden, he’s not going to make it — he’s backing up. He ain’t going to make it,” said Charlie Tillman, a farmhand in Chester, South Carolina, who is supporting Steyer.
At least one supporter wasn’t bothered by Biden’s decision to skip the New Hampshire election night party: state Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D). Now, he said, he gets to take his wife out to dinner to thank her for hosting three campaign staffers at their home in the run-up to the primary.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Jill Biden Intercepts Heckler As He Approaches Joe Biden At New Hampshire Rally

Jill Biden appears to have a new role on husband Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign : bouncer .
The longtime educator intercepted a heckler who was approaching her husband as he spoke at a campaign rally in Manchester , New Hampshire , on Monday .
Video from the event shows a man dressed in black walking toward the former vice president and appearing to record the situation on his cellphone .
“ We want Joe !
” the crowd chanted as the heckler made his way toward the lectern where the Democratic presidential hopeful was standing .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the man was shouting .
As the heckler closed in , Jill Biden calmly walked over and escorted him out of the room , prompting cheers and applause from the crowd .
“ I guess he ’ s going to follow me to South Carolina , ” Biden can be heard telling the rallygoers .
When a reporter asked her about the confrontation later that night , Jill Biden reportedly stated simply that she ’ s “ a good Philly girl.
” “ You can take the girl out of Philly ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During an appearance Tuesday on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe , ” Joe Biden said his wife told him after the Manchester rally that she was concerned the heckler had a gun .
“ I mean , what are you doing ?
” Biden said , demonstrating his disbelief that she would approach the stranger .
“ I ’ ll tell you what : I married way up , man .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Jill Biden appears to have a new role on husband Joe Biden’s presidential campaign: bouncer.
The longtime educator intercepted a heckler who was approaching her husband as he spoke at a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Monday.
Video from the event shows a man dressed in black walking toward the former vice president and appearing to record the situation on his cellphone.
Advertisement
“We want Joe!” the crowd chanted as the heckler made his way toward the lectern where the Democratic presidential hopeful was standing. It’s unclear from audio of the event what the man was shouting.
As the heckler closed in, Jill Biden calmly walked over and escorted him out of the room, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd.
“I guess he’s going to follow me to South Carolina,” Biden can be heard telling the rallygoers.
WATCH: Jill Biden Intercepts Heckler Who Rushed Former VP Joe Biden at Rally https://t.co/pS2eynPFif pic.twitter.com/LH7ohcNsuB — Tommy X-TrumpIsARacist-opher (@tommyxtopher) February 11, 2020
When a reporter asked her about the confrontation later that night, Jill Biden reportedly stated simply that she’s “a good Philly girl.”
Advertisement
“You can take the girl out of Philly...” she later tweeted about the incident.
During an appearance Tuesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Joe Biden said his wife told him after the Manchester rally that she was concerned the heckler had a gun.
“I mean, what are you doing?” Biden said, demonstrating his disbelief that she would approach the stranger. “I’ll tell you what: I married way up, man.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Amy Klobuchar Surges To Top Tier In New Hampshire Primary

Klobuchar , who has struggled to break into the top tier of the Democratic presidential field , finally did so Tuesday , as she was set to place in the top three candidates as results rolled in .
“ Thank you , New Hampshire !
” she said to an enthusiastic crowd gathered at her campaign party in Concord .
“ We love you , New Hampshire !
Hello , America !
I ’ m Amy Klobuchar , and I will beat Donald Trump.
” Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precincts were tallied , while Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
and former Vice President Joe Biden ― both considered front-runners at various times ― dropped below Klobuchar .
Klobuchar has seen a rise in the polls lately , with voters in New Hampshire saying they were especially impressed by her debate performance Friday .
“ I ’ ve been getting texts all day from friends who saw her at the debate , who saw her at a [ New Hampshire Democratic Party ] dinner , who are heading in her direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Manchester who backs Klobuchar , said at her event Sunday night .
“ She ’ s the little engine that could.
” Klobuchar ’ s big moments at the debate were when she took aim at Buttigieg , who is leading in the delegate count out of the Iowa caucuses .
( Klobuchar came in fifth , but the results aren ’ t yet official . )
She called into question his experience as a 38-year-old former mayor of a city with just over 100,000 people , and she blasted him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate impeachment trial so “ exhausting ” that it made him want to watch cartoons instead .
“ You said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons , ” Klobuchar said , telling Buttigieg that the remark may have made him look “ like a cool newcomer ” but that it wasn ’ t appropriate .
“ I don ’ t think that ’ s what people want right now .
We have a newcomer in the White House , and look what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Klobuchar ’ s path forward is tough .
She has not built up the national campaign operation that the other top-tier candidates have , and she so far has little support from communities of color ― a major problem because the upcoming states are far more diverse than Iowa and New Hampshire .
Though Klobuchar has had bursts of online donations , she doesn ’ t have the same base of small-dollar donors that candidates like Warren and Sanders possess .
“ Even though Amy Klobuchar had a great night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best night of the entire campaign for her , ” said David Plouffe , an architect of President Barack Obama ’ s wins , on MSNBC Tuesday night .
“ Because she has to put together a national campaign overnight.
” “ I don ’ t have that big bank account .
I don ’ t have that big name as some of the other people that are in this race .
And I am not a newcomer with no political record , ” Klobuchar said , referring to her rivals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ things done .
What I have is your back .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The surprise of the New Hampshire primary was Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
Klobuchar, who has struggled to break into the top tier of the Democratic presidential field, finally did so Tuesday, as she was set to place in the top three candidates as results rolled in.
“Thank you, New Hampshire!” she said to an enthusiastic crowd gathered at her campaign party in Concord. “We love you, New Hampshire! Hello, America! I’m Amy Klobuchar, and I will beat Donald Trump.”
Advertisement
“While there are ballots left to count, we have beaten the odds every step of the way,” she added.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg were leading as the majority of precincts were tallied, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former Vice President Joe Biden ― both considered front-runners at various times ― dropped below Klobuchar.
Klobuchar has seen a rise in the polls lately, with voters in New Hampshire saying they were especially impressed by her debate performance Friday.
“She was super, and I’d love to see a woman in office,” a voter at a town hall event for Buttigieg said Saturday in Keene, New Hampshire.
“I’ve been getting texts all day from friends who saw her at the debate, who saw her at a [New Hampshire Democratic Party] dinner, who are heading in her direction,” Rich Sigel, an attorney from Manchester who backs Klobuchar, said at her event Sunday night. “She’s the little engine that could.”
Advertisement
Klobuchar’s big moments at the debate were when she took aim at Buttigieg, who is leading in the delegate count out of the Iowa caucuses. (Klobuchar came in fifth, but the results aren’t yet official.)
She called into question his experience as a 38-year-old former mayor of a city with just over 100,000 people, and she blasted him for saying that he found the coverage of the Senate impeachment trial so “exhausting” that it made him want to watch cartoons instead.
“You said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons,” Klobuchar said, telling Buttigieg that the remark may have made him look “like a cool newcomer” but that it wasn’t appropriate.
“I don’t think that’s what people want right now. We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us,” she said.
But Klobuchar’s path forward is tough. She has not built up the national campaign operation that the other top-tier candidates have, and she so far has little support from communities of color ― a major problem because the upcoming states are far more diverse than Iowa and New Hampshire.
Advertisement
A Quinnipiac University poll released Monday found her polling at 0% among African Americans.
Though Klobuchar has had bursts of online donations, she doesn’t have the same base of small-dollar donors that candidates like Warren and Sanders possess.
“Even though Amy Klobuchar had a great night, it’s quite possible this is the best night of the entire campaign for her,” said David Plouffe, an architect of President Barack Obama’s wins, on MSNBC Tuesday night. “Because she has to put together a national campaign overnight.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Amy Klobuchar Under Fire For Case Involving Teen Sentenced To Life In Prison

NEW YORK ( AP ) — As voters made their way to the New Hampshire polls , Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar faced pointed questions Tuesday about her oversight of a high-profile murder case in which a black teen was sentenced to life after a flawed police investigation .
“ I mean , how do you defend something like that , to someone like me , who is the mother of a black boy , a black teenager ?
” asked Sunny Hostin , co-host of the ABC show “ The View.
” “ This case would be my worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has drawn enthusiastic crowds following her debate performance Friday night , said , “ All of the evidence needs to be immediately reviewed in that case .
The past evidence and also any new evidence.
” The back-and-forth between Hostin and Klobuchar , the former top prosecutor in Minneapolis , concerned an Associated Press investigation into the case of Myon Burrell .
Burrell was 16 when he was apprehended in the 2002 death of an 11-year-old African American girl , killed by a stray bullet while doing her homework .
No gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the case against Burrell relied on the testimony of a teen rival who offered conflicting stories when identifying the trigger man , who was standing 120 feet away , mostly behind a wall , the AP reported .
The AP also uncovered questionable police tactics in the case , including an investigator who offered cash for information , and interviewed a prison inmate who said that he was the triggerman and that Burrell was not on the scene when Tyesha Edwards was shot and killed .
Klobuchar , whose office prosecuted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout her political career — even during her 2020 presidential campaign — as an example of how she helped find justice for victims of violence .
After the AP ’ s story , Klobuchar said evidence in the case should be reviewed .
But her exchange with Hostin was especially heated and took place at a pivotal moment in her candidacy .
“ You ’ re a U.S. senator now , ” Hostin said .
“ You ’ re a powerful woman .
What do you intend to do to right this wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be reviewed .
Sunny , I think you know that I care so much about justice , and this case must be reviewed .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
NEW YORK (AP) — As voters made their way to the New Hampshire polls, Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar faced pointed questions Tuesday about her oversight of a high-profile murder case in which a black teen was sentenced to life after a flawed police investigation.
“I mean, how do you defend something like that, to someone like me, who is the mother of a black boy, a black teenager?” asked Sunny Hostin, co-host of the ABC show “The View.” “This case would be my worst nightmare.”
Advertisement
Klobuchar, a Minnesota senator who has drawn enthusiastic crowds following her debate performance Friday night, said, “All of the evidence needs to be immediately reviewed in that case. The past evidence and also any new evidence.”
The back-and-forth between Hostin and Klobuchar, the former top prosecutor in Minneapolis, concerned an Associated Press investigation into the case of Myon Burrell. Burrell was 16 when he was apprehended in the 2002 death of an 11-year-old African American girl, killed by a stray bullet while doing her homework.
No gun, fingerprints or DNA were ever recovered, and the case against Burrell relied on the testimony of a teen rival who offered conflicting stories when identifying the trigger man, who was standing 120 feet away, mostly behind a wall, the AP reported.
The AP also uncovered questionable police tactics in the case, including an investigator who offered cash for information, and interviewed a prison inmate who said that he was the triggerman and that Burrell was not on the scene when Tyesha Edwards was shot and killed.
Advertisement
Klobuchar, whose office prosecuted the case, has raised the case throughout her political career — even during her 2020 presidential campaign — as an example of how she helped find justice for victims of violence.
After the AP’s story, Klobuchar said evidence in the case should be reviewed. But her exchange with Hostin was especially heated and took place at a pivotal moment in her candidacy.
“You’re a U.S. senator now,” Hostin said. “You’re a powerful woman. What do you intend to do to right this wrong?”
Klobuchar replied: “It must be reviewed. Sunny, I think you know that I care so much about justice, and this case must be reviewed.”
___
McDowell reported from Minneapolis.
___
This story has been corrected to show “The View” airs on ABC, not CBS.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Elizabeth Warren Vows To Stay In The Race Despite Weak New Hampshire Result

With more than three-quarters of precincts reporting , Warren was in fourth place after Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D-Minn. ) .
Though she was ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden , who made a face-saving exit from the state before the results came in , she did not stand to receive any delegates .
“ Results are still coming in from across the state , but right now it is clear that Sen. Sanders and Mayor Buttigieg had strong nights , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to congratulate my friend and colleague Amy Klobuchar for showing just how wrong the pundits can be when they count a woman out.
” Warren ’ s campaign tried to downplay expectations ahead of the results on Tuesday night .
Warren campaign manager Roger Lau circulated a lengthy memo making the case that she has a plan to win that reflects the fact that 55 states and territories worth 98 % of pledged delegates are still up for grabs after New Hampshire .
She “ is the consensus choice of the widest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , ” he wrote .
New Hampshire may indeed have some uniquely inhospitable qualities for Warren .
The state , which holds open primaries , has a large share of independent voters , among whom Sanders and other contenders are generally more popular .
And poll watchers increasingly believe that candidates reap limited benefits from regional proximity .
Even some of the left-wing groups that have stayed neutral in a contest that includes both Warren and Sanders , began sounding more favorable to Sanders on Tuesday night .
Democracy for America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear frontrunner.
” Justice Democrats called Sanders ’ s win a “ major victory for the progressive movement , ” predicting that he is “ likely ” to be the Democratic nominee .
Neither unaligned group mentioned Warren .
Mike Mikus , a Pittsburgh-based Democratic campaign strategist not aligned with any candidate , said that , fairly or not , Warren ’ s dismal showing in a state so close to her own is a particularly sharp blow to her prospects .
He likened it to the hypothetical effect of Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiped out in Pennsylvania .
“ The fact that she didn ’ t just lose New Hampshire , but she did so poorly , all but ends her campaign , ” he said .
” In reality , there ’ s still plenty of time to turn it around , but the perception kills your fundraising.
” It is difficult to overstate how far Warren ’ s fortunes have fallen in New Hampshire .
At her peak in mid-October , Warren led the field in the Granite State with the support of 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Real Clear Politics average of public polls .
By this week , her standing had dropped to just below Klobuchar , who has had far less success garnering national attention and campaign resources .
Warren ’ s momentum in New Hampshire over the summer and early fall was evident in the sizes of the crowds that flocked to see her ― she drew an estimated 800 people to a suburban backyard in Hampton Falls over Labor Day weekend ― and headlines raving about her prospects .
She was “ energizing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past Biden in the polls , and “ vying ” with Sanders for “ supremacy ” in their shared neighboring state .
As Warren began to lead in the polls in September and October , she faced increasing scrutiny from the media , which pressed her to explain whether her embrace of Sanders ’ s Medicare for All bill , including support for the middle-class tax increases that the Vermont senator had admitted he ’ s backing .
Buttigieg , who has championed a public health insurance option he calls “ Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chorus , demanding details of her funding plan during the mid-October debate .
“ Your signature is to have a plan for everything , except this , ” he said .
Caving to the pressure , Warren ended up releasing a plan in early November with a complex array of financing options that held middle-class taxpayers harmless but still included the most controversial element of Sanders ’ s plan : forcing people with private coverage onto a single federal plan .
Then a few weeks later , she revealed that she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , moving the transition away from private coverage into a separate bill that she promised to introduce by her third year in office .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren received a disappointingly small share of the votes in New Hampshire on Tuesday, marking a major slide for a Massachusetts senator who mere months ago topped polls in her neighboring state.
With more than three-quarters of precincts reporting, Warren was in fourth place after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Though she was ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden, who made a face-saving exit from the state before the results came in, she did not stand to receive any delegates.
Advertisement
Warren conceded defeat in the race in remarks to supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire.
“Results are still coming in from across the state, but right now it is clear that Sen. Sanders and Mayor Buttigieg had strong nights,” she said. “And I also want to congratulate my friend and colleague Amy Klobuchar for showing just how wrong the pundits can be when they count a woman out.”
Warren’s campaign tried to downplay expectations ahead of the results on Tuesday night. Warren campaign manager Roger Lau circulated a lengthy memo making the case that she has a plan to win that reflects the fact that 55 states and territories worth 98% of pledged delegates are still up for grabs after New Hampshire. She “is the consensus choice of the widest coalition of Democrats in every corner of the country,” he wrote.
Warren and allied progressive groups, like the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and the Working Families Party, which endorsed Warren during her ascent in September, reiterated that message Tuesday night.
“Our campaign is best positioned to beat Donald Trump in November ― because we can unite our party,” she said.
Advertisement
She even previewed a sharper effort to distinguish herself from rivals Sanders and Buttigieg, whose bitter squabbling she predicted would make it harder for Democrats to unify in November.
“These harsh tactics might work, if you are willing to burn down the rest of the party in order to be the last man standing,” she said.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) addresses her supporters Tuesday in Manchester, New Hampshire. She sought to put a positive spin on a disappointing outcome. Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
New Hampshire may indeed have some uniquely inhospitable qualities for Warren. The state, which holds open primaries, has a large share of independent voters, among whom Sanders and other contenders are generally more popular. And poll watchers increasingly believe that candidates reap limited benefits from regional proximity.
But following a months-long slide in fundraising and polling, and a third-place showing in the Iowa caucuses, Warren is certain to face real doubts about her ability to clinch the nomination.
Advertisement
Even some of the left-wing groups that have stayed neutral in a contest that includes both Warren and Sanders, began sounding more favorable to Sanders on Tuesday night. Democracy for America dubbed Sanders the race’s “clear frontrunner.” Justice Democrats called Sanders’s win a “major victory for the progressive movement,” predicting that he is “likely” to be the Democratic nominee. Neither unaligned group mentioned Warren.
Mike Mikus, a Pittsburgh-based Democratic campaign strategist not aligned with any candidate, said that, fairly or not, Warren’s dismal showing in a state so close to her own is a particularly sharp blow to her prospects. He likened it to the hypothetical effect of Joe Biden, a former senator from Delaware, getting wiped out in Pennsylvania.
“The fact that she didn’t just lose New Hampshire, but she did so poorly, all but ends her campaign,” he said. ”In reality, there’s still plenty of time to turn it around, but the perception kills your fundraising.”
It is difficult to overstate how far Warren’s fortunes have fallen in New Hampshire. At her peak in mid-October, Warren led the field in the Granite State with the support of 28% of likely primary voters, according to the Real Clear Politics average of public polls. By this week, her standing had dropped to just below Klobuchar, who has had far less success garnering national attention and campaign resources.
Warren’s momentum in New Hampshire over the summer and early fall was evident in the sizes of the crowds that flocked to see her ― she drew an estimated 800 people to a suburban backyard in Hampton Falls over Labor Day weekend ― and headlines raving about her prospects. She was “energizing” New Hampshire Democrats, “surging” past Biden in the polls, and “vying” with Sanders for “supremacy” in their shared neighboring state.
Advertisement
But Warren’s decline in New Hampshire mirrored a nationwide decline in the polls that began after she struggled to address questions about her “Medicare for All” plan.
As Warren began to lead in the polls in September and October, she faced increasing scrutiny from the media, which pressed her to explain whether her embrace of Sanders’s Medicare for All bill, including support for the middle-class tax increases that the Vermont senator had admitted he’s backing. Buttigieg, who has championed a public health insurance option he calls “Medicare for All Who Want It,” joined the chorus, demanding details of her funding plan during the mid-October debate. “Your signature is to have a plan for everything, except this,” he said.
Caving to the pressure, Warren ended up releasing a plan in early November with a complex array of financing options that held middle-class taxpayers harmless but still included the most controversial element of Sanders’s plan: forcing people with private coverage onto a single federal plan. Then a few weeks later, she revealed that she would be proposing the bill in two stages, moving the transition away from private coverage into a separate bill that she promised to introduce by her third year in office.
Warren’s effort to split the difference between left and center rankled some progressives while apparently winning her few new moderate supporters, according to Mikus.
Worse still for Warren, Sanders began to regain momentum after his October heart attack, picking up the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and a string of progressive elected officials and groups that Warren had also courted.
Advertisement
Warren’s problems grew after Iowans headed to their caucus sites on Feb. 3 as her rivals either outperformed her or exceeded expectations in ways that she did not.
Buttigieg’s strong showing in Iowa gave him a major polling bump in New Hampshire.
Klobuchar fared well enough in Iowa ― albeit behind Biden ― for Granite State voters to give her a second look. And the Minnesota senator came out swinging in the Democratic debate on Friday, deriding Buttigieg as an untested “newcomer.”
Irene Lin, a Democratic strategist running progressive Andru Volinsky’s bid for New Hampshire governor, had been leaning toward voting for Warren. But she ended up casting her ballot for Sanders on Tuesday after coming away impressed with his outreach to Latinos and other communities of color in Iowa.
Lin, who also specializes in progressive agricultural and economic policy, faulted Warren for failing to more clearly distinguish herself from Biden on signature issues like bankruptcy reform and for muddling her populist message with highfalutin language.
“‘Big structural change’ ― nobody talks like that in Real America,” Lin said. “She should have said she is for Main Street over Wall Street.”