thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Warren Fires Back At Sanders Campaign Criticism: 'I Hope Bernie Reconsiders'

“ I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me , ” Warren told reporters after a town hall on Sunday .
“ Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time ...
I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction.
” Warren and Sanders , longtime friends whose presidential campaigns hold up similar progressive values and policies , have until recently abided by a non-aggression pact , refraining from attacking one other on the campaign trail .
In September , some Sanders aides began blasting Warren on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died down , reportedly at the behest of Warren ’ s team .
Sanders and his campaign have continued to abstain from blasting Warren in public .
But as campaigns tend to do , his has crafted a customized pitch for Warren supporters that Politico obtained and published on Friday night .
( The campaign also has special pitches for supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , according to the Politico report . )
The script reportedly directs Sanders volunteers to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her are highly educated , more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what ” and that she ’ s “ bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party.
” It immediately sparked accusations that the Sanders campaign had begun to rethink its light-touch approach .
“ We were told never to go negative or contrast with other candidates , ” the person said .
“ Bernie would let us know when it was OK .
So if that ’ s happening , he ’ s aware.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his “ Medicare for All ” plan from Warren ’ s , which the Massachusetts senator would implement in two stages .
Warren plans to pass a public health insurance option first and introduce a single-payer or Medicare for All bill only once the public option is law , in the third year of her presidency .
Sanders would introduce the bill , which he is fond of noting that he “ wrote , ” right away .
As the race tightens ahead of the caucuses , it was becoming more and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders had his first-ever lead in Iowa in the Des Moines Register/CNN poll that came out on Friday night .
But the influential survey also showed Warren trailing him within the margin of error , with Buttigieg and Biden hot on her trail .
But there are at least some left-wing Iowans who are deciding between the two New England senators , according to David Yepsen , an Iowa politics specialist and former Des Moines Register campaign reporter .
Jeff Link , an unaligned Democratic strategist based in Des Moines , warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday morning , noting that Sanders has benefited from a united front with Warren in the debates and that he has successfully avoided negative attack ads of any kind .
“ The Sanders campaign has been served well by staying very close to Senator Warren , even in the fall when it looked like that was a dangerous decision , ” said Link , a veteran of Democratic presidential campaigns .
“ Now that he ’ s got momentum and is ahead , it ’ s easier to stand with her .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change now.
” As it played out , Warren found a way to frame Sanders ’ comments as a direct validation of her candidacy .
Warren and her allies have been trying recently to cast her as the contender uniquely capable of uniting the Democratic Party ’ s progressive and moderate wings .
Former Housing Secretary Julián Castro made the case explicitly on Sunday , speaking ahead of Warren in an elementary school auditorium .
Castro , who endorsed Warren last week after he dropped out of the primary , referenced polls showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unhappy voting for Biden and Sanders in the general election .
Her absence from the Clinton-Sanders brawl offers Warren an advantage as she seeks to cobble together a coalition of progressives who cast ballots for Sanders , as well as former Clinton supporters who nurse resentment over Sanders ’ critiques of Clinton , which they believe weakened her against then-candidate Donald Trump .
“ Democrats need to unite our party .
And that means pulling in all parts of the Democratic coalition , ” Warren said .
“ It means building a grassroots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who door knock .
... We need someone who will excite every part of the Democratic Party , someone that every Democrat can believe in .
”

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MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa ― Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Sunday responded to talking points circulated by the campaign of fellow progressive presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that portray her as a candidate of the elite.
“I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me,” Warren told reporters after a town hall on Sunday. “Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time ... I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction.”
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Although the Sanders campaign initially declined HuffPost’s request for comment on Warren’s remarks, Sanders subsequently blamed the portrayal on a staff error. Speaking to reporters after a rally in Iowa City later on Sunday, he called the entire back-and-forth “a little bit of a media blow-up.”
“We have hundreds of employees. Elizabeth Warren has hundreds of employees. And people sometimes say things that they shouldn’t,” Sanders said. You have heard me give many speeches. Have I ever said a negative word about Elizabeth Warren?”
Packed house for Warren and Castro in Marshalltown. pic.twitter.com/P8emWrtL7a — Daniel Marans (@danielmarans) January 12, 2020
Warren and Sanders, longtime friends whose presidential campaigns hold up similar progressive values and policies, have until recently abided by an informal non-aggression pact, refraining from attacking one other on the campaign trail. In September, some Sanders aides began blasting Warren on social media, but the sniping subsequently died down, reportedly at the behest of Warren’s team.
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Sanders and his campaign have continued to abstain from blasting Warren in public. But as campaigns tend to do, his has crafted a customized pitch for Warren supporters that Politico obtained and published on Friday night. (The campaign also has special pitches for supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, according to the Politico report.)
The script reportedly directs Sanders volunteers to tell Warren-leaning voters that “people who support her are highly educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what” and that she’s “bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party.” It immediately sparked accusations that the Sanders campaign had begun to rethink its light-touch approach.
A person close to Sanders’ campaign told Politico that the senator was likely aware of the script critical of Warren.
“We were told never to go negative or contrast with other candidates,” the person said. “Bernie would let us know when it was OK. So if that’s happening, he’s aware.”
Some of Warren’s supporters have rallied in her defense in the wake of Politico’s report.
Nelini Stamp, the national organizing director for Working Families Party, a progressive group focused on labor issues that has endorsed Warren, appeared to push back on the Sanders campaign’s talking points in a tweet Sunday.
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“I don’t have a high school diploma,” Stamp wrote. “I am not affluent. And I support Elizabeth Warren.”
Warren says she was “disappointed” in Bernie’s script criticizing her.
“I hope Bernie reconsiders.” pic.twitter.com/Kpyvzx3rE5 — Daniel Marans (@danielmarans) January 12, 2020
Of course, the line between acceptable contrasts and negative campaigning of the kind Sanders admonished his supporters against after entering the race in February ― and has since reiterated on the campaign trail ― is fuzzy.
Sanders has already been comfortable distinguishing his “Medicare for All” plan from Warren’s, which the Massachusetts senator would implement in two stages. Warren plans to pass a public health insurance option first and introduce a single-payer or Medicare for All bill only once the public option is law, in the third year of her presidency. Sanders would introduce the bill, which he is fond of noting that he “wrote,” right away.
As the race tightens ahead of the caucuses, it was becoming more and more likely that the unspoken truce would fray. Sanders had his first-ever lead in Iowa in the Des Moines Register/CNN poll that came out on Friday night. But the influential survey also showed Warren trailing him within the margin of error, with Buttigieg and Biden hot on her trail.
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In the past, the Sanders campaign has insisted that it is courting Biden’s supporters, who skew more working class, more heavily than Warren’s.
But there are at least some left-wing Iowans who are deciding between the two New England senators, according to David Yepsen, an Iowa politics specialist and former Des Moines Register campaign reporter.
“Of course Bernie and Elizabeth Warren are competing with each other for progressive votes,” Yepsen said in an interview on Saturday.
But whether it was wise for Sanders to throw the first punch is another question.
Jeff Link, an unaligned Democratic strategist based in Des Moines, warned Sanders strongly against it in an interview Sunday morning, noting that Sanders has benefited from a united front with Warren in the debates and that he has successfully avoided negative attack ads of any kind.
“The Sanders campaign has been served well by staying very close to Senator Warren, even in the fall when it looked like that was a dangerous decision,” said Link, a veteran of Democratic presidential campaigns. “Now that he’s got momentum and is ahead, it’s easier to stand with her. I don’t understand why they would change now.”
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Whether Sanders, in fact, instigated a skirmish with Warren, however, is a matter of some debate, especially after Sanders’ comments late Sunday implying he had no knowledge of the script.
From the moment she responded to the Politico report on Sunday afternoon, Warren found a way to frame Sanders’ comments as a direct validation of her candidacy.
Warren’s campaign has been trying recently to cast her as the contender uniquely capable of uniting the Democratic Party’s progressive and moderate wings. Former Housing Secretary Julián Castro made the case explicitly on Sunday, speaking ahead of Warren in an elementary school auditorium. Castro, who endorsed Warren last week after he dropped out of the primary, referenced polls showing that high percentages of Democrats would be unhappy voting for Biden and Sanders in the general election.
“She could bring this party together!” Castro declared over the cheers of the audience. “She could unify Democrats to defeat Donald Trump in November of 2020!”
Warren was more subtle in her remarks to reporters, but her meaning was clear, particularly since she referenced the acrimonious 2016 contest between Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
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“Democrats want to win in 2020,” she said. “We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016 and we can’t have a repeat of that.”
Warren both refused entreaties to run in that race and later, to the consternation of many Sanders partisans, declined to endorse Sanders.
Her absence from the Clinton-Sanders brawl offers Warren an advantage as she seeks to cobble together a coalition of progressives who cast ballots for Sanders, as well as former Clinton supporters who nurse resentment over Sanders’ critiques of Clinton, which they believe weakened her against then-candidate Donald Trump.
“Democrats need to unite our party. And that means pulling in all parts of the Democratic coalition,” Warren said. “It means building a grassroots movement with face-to-face conversations, with people who door knock. ... We need someone who will excite every part of the Democratic Party, someone that every Democrat can believe in.”
After Warren’s comments, her campaign began using the remarks from Sanders’ campaign in fundraising emails.
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“This type of attack isn’t about disagreeing on issues — it’s about dismissing the potency of our grassroots movement,” the email said.
The @ewarren campaign is now fundraising off of the @BernieSanders’ volunteer script questioning her ability to beat Trump –>
“This type of attack isn’t about disagreeing on issues — it’s about dismissing the potency of our grassroots movement,” @RogerLau writes. pic.twitter.com/bL22P5vVhi — Kevin Robillard (@Robillard) January 13, 2020
What remains to be seen is whether the dispute between the field’s two most progressive presidential hopefuls will continue on the debate stage in Des Moines on Tuesday night.
At the very least, Sanders’ lead in Iowa is likely to make him the target of attacks ― whether they come from Warren or other candidates like Biden, whom the Sanders campaign has been hammering relentlessly.
“It’s going to be really good. It’s going to matter,” Link said of the upcoming debate. “The stakes are high.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Adam Schiff Says House Intelligence Committee May Subpoena John Bolton

The House Intelligence Committee is “ considering ” subpoenaing former National Security Adviser John Bolton to testify about his knowledge of President Donald Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine , committee chairman Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) said Sunday .
“ It ’ s certainly something that we are considering , ” Schiff said during an appearance on CBS ’ “ Face The Nation ” when asked whether the committee would subpoena Bolton .
“ Look , Americans want to see a fair trial in the Senate , ” he continued .
“ They want to see a trial that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to see a trial that ’ s fair to the American people , that brings all the facts forward.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) , who hasn ’ t yet sent the articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate , told ABC ’ s “ This Week ” earlier Sunday that the lower chamber hasn ’ t ruled out subpoenaing Bolton .
“ So if the Senate does not subpoena John Bolton and other witnesses , will the House move to subpoena them ?
” asked host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not excluded , but we ’ ll see what they do , ” Pelosi said .
“ But we do think that there ’ s enough evidence to remove the president from office .
But we ’ ve done our job .
We ’ ve defended the Constitution of the United States .
We would hope that the Senate would do that as well.
” House impeachment investigators asked ― but did not subpoena ― Bolton to testify during its impeachment inquiry late last year ; however , he refused to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should follow congressional testimony requests or the White House ’ s orders not to appear .
Bolton , who served as Trump ’ s national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019 , has direct knowledge of the president ’ s interactions with Ukraine .
He was on the infamous July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , which later became the focus of the whistleblower complaint that prompted the impeachment investigation .
Bolton said earlier this month that he ’ s prepared to testify before the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has so far indicated that he will not have witnesses at the trial and hopes to end the impeachment process as quickly as possible .
“ There ’ s little sense in bringing Bolton into the House and not allowing the senators to see his testimony , ” Schiff said Sunday .
“ If they ’ re going to be the triers of fact ― and they will be ― they should hear from the witness directly .
[ Bolton ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is no reason not to have him testify unless you just want to cover up the president ’ s wrongdoing .
”

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The House Intelligence Committee is “considering” subpoenaing former National Security Adviser John Bolton to testify about his knowledge of President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, committee chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Sunday.
“It’s certainly something that we are considering,” Schiff said during an appearance on CBS’ “Face The Nation” when asked whether the committee would subpoena Bolton.
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“Look, Americans want to see a fair trial in the Senate,” he continued. “They want to see a trial that’s fair to the president and they want to see a trial that’s fair to the American people, that brings all the facts forward.”
NEWS: .@RepAdamSchiff tells @margbrennan that the House Intelligence committee is “considering” subpoenaing John Bolton, who has previously said he would testify if subpoenaed in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/pUkXGLqdoh — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 12, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who hasn’t yet sent the articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate, told ABC’s “This Week” earlier Sunday that the lower chamber hasn’t ruled out subpoenaing Bolton.
“So if the Senate does not subpoena John Bolton and other witnesses, will the House move to subpoena them?” asked host George Stephanopoulos.
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“It’s not excluded, but we’ll see what they do,” Pelosi said. “But we do think that there’s enough evidence to remove the president from office. But we’ve done our job. We’ve defended the Constitution of the United States. We would hope that the Senate would do that as well.”
House impeachment investigators asked ― but did not subpoena ― Bolton to testify during its impeachment inquiry late last year; however, he refused to do so unless a judge ruled on whether witnesses should follow congressional testimony requests or the White House’s orders not to appear.
Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has direct knowledge of the president’s interactions with Ukraine. He was on the infamous July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which later became the focus of the whistleblower complaint that prompted the impeachment investigation.
Bolton reportedly objected to Trump’s pressure campaign to get Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race.
Bolton said earlier this month that he’s prepared to testify before the Senate should lawmakers call witnesses during a potential impeachment trial. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has so far indicated that he will not have witnesses at the trial and hopes to end the impeachment process as quickly as possible.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Nancy Pelosi Says Senators Opposed To Fair Impeachment Trial Will 'Pay A Price'

Speaking with host George Stephanopoulos on ABC ’ s “ This Week , ” the California Democrat criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) and others for their attempts to hold a trial without witnesses and even forgo an impeachment trial altogether .
“ Very unusually , the leader of the Senate , Mitch McConnell , has signed on to a resolution to dismiss the case , ” Pelosi said .
On Thursday , McConnell backed a resolution that would allow the Senate to dismiss articles of impeachment against Trump if they are not delivered from the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cover-up , ” Pelosi added .
“ The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not , they will have to be accountable for not having a fair trial.
” JUST IN : Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells @ GStephanopoulos that `` very unusually '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell `` has signed on to a resolution to dismiss the case '' against President Trump .
`` Dismissing is a cover up , '' she adds .
https : //t.co/P6iz1jjwYE pic.twitter.com/8KelOtjpRG — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) January 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centered on Trump ’ s dealings with the president of Ukraine and subsequent actions , charge Trump with abusing the power of his office to further his political ambitions and blocking congressional investigations .
Pelosi has delayed sending the impeachment articles to the Senate , saying she wants to receive assurances about the rules governing the ensuing trial .
She sought a guarantee that witnesses will be allowed to testify and that the rules of the trial will be made public before it starts .
But on Friday , Pelosi announced she will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate next week , despite not receiving those assurances .
For weeks , the speaker has grown increasingly vocal about McConnell ’ s protection of Trump from investigations of presidential misconduct , and on Sunday , she mused about his motivation for doing so in the past and present .
Asked about a recent report that Russia may intend to meddle on Trump ’ s behalf again in the 2020 election , Pelosi wondered aloud why McConnell rejected previous efforts to protect U.S. election systems .
“ Sometimes I wonder about Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all of that ?
” she said on Sunday .
NEW : `` No , and the president is in complete denial about Russia 's role , '' Pelosi tells @ GStephanopoulos when asked if the U.S. is doing enough to stop 2020 meddling .
`` Sometimes I wonder about Mitch McConnell , too ... why is he an accomplice to all of that ? ''
https : //t.co/G6Ef3GUsED pic.twitter.com/Id9VTzmY9f — This Week ( @ ThisWeekABC ) January 12 , 2020

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that senators who don’t support a fair impeachment trial will “pay a price.”
Speaking with host George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week,” the California Democrat criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and others for their attempts to hold a trial without witnesses and even forgo an impeachment trial altogether.
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“Very unusually, the leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, has signed on to a resolution to dismiss the case,” Pelosi said.
On Thursday, McConnell backed a resolution that would allow the Senate to dismiss articles of impeachment against Trump if they are not delivered from the House within 25 days.
“Dismissing is a cover-up,” Pelosi added. “The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not, they will have to be accountable for not having a fair trial.”
JUST IN: Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells @GStephanopoulos that "very unusually" Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell "has signed on to a resolution to dismiss the case" against President Trump.
"Dismissing is a cover up," she adds. https://t.co/P6iz1jjwYE pic.twitter.com/8KelOtjpRG — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 12, 2020
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The two impeachment articles, centered on Trump’s dealings with the president of Ukraine and subsequent actions, charge Trump with abusing the power of his office to further his political ambitions and blocking congressional investigations.
Pelosi has delayed sending the impeachment articles to the Senate, saying she wants to receive assurances about the rules governing the ensuing trial. She sought a guarantee that witnesses will be allowed to testify and that the rules of the trial will be made public before it starts.
But on Friday, Pelosi announced she will move to send the articles to the Senate next week, despite not receiving those assurances.
For weeks, the speaker has grown increasingly vocal about McConnell’s protection of Trump from investigations of presidential misconduct, and on Sunday, she mused about his motivation for doing so in the past and present. Asked about a recent report that Russia may intend to meddle on Trump’s behalf again in the 2020 election, Pelosi wondered aloud why McConnell rejected previous efforts to protect U.S. election systems.
“Sometimes I wonder about Mitch McConnell too ― why is he an accomplice to all of that?” she said on Sunday.
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“It’s all of a piece with them,” she added.
Watch the full exchange below.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s New PAC Is Already Raising Big Money

Ocasio-Cortez ’ s campaign , which shared in the proceeds from email and Twitter fundraising appeals for the PAC , also raked in about $ 100,000 on Saturday according to official data that Ocasio-Cortez ’ s campaign shared with HuffPost .
“ It ’ s a very exciting launch , ” Ocasio-Cortez campaign spokesman Corbin Trent said .
“ When I see so many people stand up and say they are ready to change not just D.C. , but the country , it fills me with hope.
” Ocasio-Cortez launched Courage to Change to support both progressive incumbent Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own .
( She has thus far endorsed progressives taking on conservative Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas and Dan Lipinski of Illinois . )
In two fundraising emails and a tweet , Ocasio-Cortez and her campaign framed the PAC explicitly as an alternative to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , which is House Democrats ’ official campaign fundraising arm .
“ We ’ re paving a different path , ” her campaign wrote in the first fundraising email .
“ The DCCC has been an entrenched tool in a system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and protects out of touch incumbents.
” Although she is a fundraising powerhouse , Ocasio-Cortez has refused to pay $ 250,000 in dues that the DCCC asks of members of the House Democratic Caucus over a two-year period .
In the 2020 election , the DCCC plans to use those funds to protect the Democratic majority in the House and pick up Republican-held seats .
And on Friday , several of her Democratic colleagues , including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York , ripped her abstention from the process in a story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meeks succeeded former Rep. Joe Crowley , whom Ocasio-Cortez ousted , as head of the Queens County Democratic Party and supported a candidate running against the one Ocasio-Cortez backed for Queens district attorney . )
Ocasio-Cortez defended the decision ― as she has done in the past ― on the grounds that she has raised $ 300,000 for incumbent members directly , half of them in swing seats , and that she takes issue with the DCCC ’ s policy of blacklisting consultants and other groups that work with primary challengers .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in giving a quarter-million dollars to an organization that has clearly told people like me that we ’ re not welcome , ” she told Fox News .
Ocasio-Cortez is taking steps to mount an independent political operation capable of rivaling the establishment party organs with which she has jousted .
The mere creation of a PAC to support other candidates ― an entity commonly known as a “ leadership PAC ” ― is typically the type of endeavor limited to members of party leadership or other seasoned members of Congress .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways as well .
A PAC allows her to contribute a larger figure to candidates than she otherwise would be able to give .
Candidates can give only up to $ 2,000 a year from their own campaign to another candidate per election cycle , but PACs can contribute up to $ 5,000 per election cycle .
Since the primary and the general elections are considered separate cycles , she can transfer $ 10,000 to a candidate from the start of a primary to the close of a general election .

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New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s new political action committee raised over $69,000 on Saturday, its first day of public fundraising, showcasing her influence amid a feud with senior House Democrats.
Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign, which shared in the proceeds from email and Twitter fundraising appeals for the PAC, also raked in about $100,000 on Saturday according to official data that Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign shared with HuffPost.
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On its own, the PAC, Courage to Change, received over 4,600 donations, as of late Saturday night, in amounts that averaged under $15.
“It’s a very exciting launch,” Ocasio-Cortez campaign spokesman Corbin Trent said. “When I see so many people stand up and say they are ready to change not just D.C., but the country, it fills me with hope.”
Ocasio-Cortez launched Courage to Change to support both progressive incumbent Democrats and primary challengers whose positions are close to her own. (She has thus far endorsed progressives taking on conservative Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas and Dan Lipinski of Illinois.)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is building an independent political operation capable of competing with the Democratic Party establishment. ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
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In two fundraising emails and a tweet, Ocasio-Cortez and her campaign framed the PAC explicitly as an alternative to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is House Democrats’ official campaign fundraising arm.
“We’re paving a different path,” her campaign wrote in the first fundraising email. “The DCCC has been an entrenched tool in a system that blocks working-class candidates from running for office, and protects out of touch incumbents.”
Although she is a fundraising powerhouse, Ocasio-Cortez has refused to pay $250,000 in dues that the DCCC asks of members of the House Democratic Caucus over a two-year period. In the 2020 election, the DCCC plans to use those funds to protect the Democratic majority in the House and pick up Republican-held seats.
And on Friday, several of her Democratic colleagues, including Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, ripped her abstention from the process in a story on Fox News’ website. (Meeks succeeded former Rep. Joe Crowley, whom Ocasio-Cortez ousted, as head of the Queens County Democratic Party and supported a candidate running against the one Ocasio-Cortez backed for Queens district attorney.)
Ocasio-Cortez defended the decision ― as she has done in the past ― on the grounds that she has raised $300,000 for incumbent members directly, half of them in swing seats, and that she takes issue with the DCCC’s policy of blacklisting consultants and other groups that work with primary challengers.
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For Ocasio-Cortez, who got to the House through a successful primary run against an incumbent, the fight has a personal quality.
“I don’t see the sense in giving a quarter-million dollars to an organization that has clearly told people like me that we’re not welcome,” she told Fox News.
Ocasio-Cortez is taking steps to mount an independent political operation capable of rivaling the establishment party organs with which she has jousted. The mere creation of a PAC to support other candidates ― an entity commonly known as a “leadership PAC” ― is typically the type of endeavor limited to members of party leadership or other seasoned members of Congress.
The PAC expands her reach in more tangible ways as well. A PAC allows her to contribute a larger figure to candidates than she otherwise would be able to give. Candidates can give only up to $2,000 a year from their own campaign to another candidate per election cycle, but PACs can contribute up to $5,000 per election cycle. Since the primary and the general elections are considered separate cycles, she can transfer $10,000 to a candidate from the start of a primary to the close of a general election.
The legal structure of a PAC also allows her political operation to coordinate directly with a campaign for whatever purposes it wishes.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--'Dumbest' Trump Lie Of 2020: White House Nailed Over Bizarre Weather Tweet

The White House of President Donald Trump is coming under fire Sunday after a tweet that critics are already slamming as the “ dumbest ” lie of 2020 .
And it ’ s all about the weather .
In what would on most days be a non-controversial message , the White House tweeted about snow : The problem ?
It not only didn ’ t snow in Washington on Sunday , but it was also unseasonably warm , with temperatures reaching a high of 68 .
And if it did snow , it wouldn ’ t have been the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s possibly the tweet was written Tuesday , but not sent as the Iran crisis unfolded .
If that ’ s the case , it ’ s not clear why it was then sent on Sunday , when it was so clearly not snowing in Washington .
The Washington Post reported last month that Trump has unleashed a blizzard of lies , with more than 15,000 false or misleading claims since taking office in 2017 .
Several have been about the weather .
At one point , Trump showed off a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nonexistent hurricane threat .
But critics on Twitter say his administration lying about an even more easily verifiable weather event should have a special place on the list : It 's 52 degrees .
It 's snowing in DC to the same extent that Trump is innocent .
These folks are n't even competent at lying .
https : //t.co/yviQcyY5B0 — Neal Katyal ( @ neal_katyal ) January 13 , 2020 This White House lied about rain at Trump 's inauguration .
They used a Sharpie to change a weather map to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And they continue to lie about climate change .
Why would n't they lie about the first snow of the year when it 's 53 degrees in DC ?
pic.twitter.com/QmunL6ySjA — Keith Boykin ( @ keithboykin ) January 13 , 2020 It was 70 degrees in DC .
WTF is wrong with these people .
They literally lie about the dumbest things .
https : //t.co/Lt9mXUw6d0 — Josh Kail ( @ THATJoshKail ) January 13 , 2020 they 're doing the stupidest lies possible on purpose to underline that you ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why https : //t.co/RjF9UADetZ — Nathan Bernhardt ( @ jonbernhardt ) January 13 , 2020 This is indeed the truest form of gaslighting , to lie about the stupidest , most disprovable thing , only to cause division and prove to the most suggestible in society that there are no such things as objective facts .
https : //t.co/OxJMCtUuse — E.J .
Kalafarski ( @ ejkalafarski ) January 13 , 2020

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The White House of President Donald Trump came under fire Sunday after a tweet that critics are already slamming as the “dumbest” lie of 2020.
And it’s all about the weather.
In what would on most days be a uncontroversial message, the White House tweeted about snow:
The White House The White House
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The problem? It not only didn’t snow in Washington on Sunday, but it was also unseasonably warm, with temperatures reaching a high of 68. And if it did snow, it wouldn’t have been the first of the year for the capital.
It’s possibly the tweet was written Tuesday, but not sent as the Iran crisis unfolded. If that’s the case, it’s not clear why it was then sent on Sunday, when it was so clearly not snowing in Washington.
The Washington Post reported last month that Trump has unleashed a blizzard of lies, with more than 15,000 false or misleading claims since taking office in 2017.
Several have been about the weather.
At one point, Trump showed off a doctored map to make false claims about a nonexistent hurricane threat.
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But critics on Twitter say his administration lying about an even more easily verifiable weather event should have a special place on the list:
It's 52 degrees.
It's snowing in DC to the same extent that Trump is innocent.
These folks aren't even competent at lying. https://t.co/yviQcyY5B0 — Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) January 13, 2020
This is the dumbest lie and I am furious. https://t.co/eeRJpRzlP7 — Emily Keller (@egkeller) January 13, 2020
Narrator: it’s 53 degrees in Washington DC right now. https://t.co/gFH3HOqYUK — Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) January 13, 2020
This White House lied about rain at Trump's inauguration. They used a Sharpie to change a weather map to lie about a hurricane headed to Alabama. And they continue to lie about climate change. Why wouldn't they lie about the first snow of the year when it's 53 degrees in DC? pic.twitter.com/QmunL6ySjA — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 13, 2020
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Early entry for stupidest Trump lie of 2020. https://t.co/amEKgkjveV — JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) January 13, 2020
First snow of the year! ❄ pic.twitter.com/VF0IpARVtn — Matt Ford (@fordm) January 13, 2020
Possibly the stupidest lie since the Bowling Green Massacre. 🤥 pic.twitter.com/zKE3LJ1X0A — Cosmichomicide (@Cosmichomicide) January 13, 2020
It was 70 degrees in DC. WTF is wrong with these people. They literally lie about the dumbest things. https://t.co/Lt9mXUw6d0 — Josh Kail (@THATJoshKail) January 13, 2020
It is currently clear and well above freezing in Washington, DC. https://t.co/iXHZ2nULHm — Adam Lance Garcia (@AdamLanceGarcia) January 13, 2020
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they're doing the stupidest lies possible on purpose to underline that you can't do anything about it, that's why https://t.co/RjF9UADetZ — Nathan Bernhardt (@jonbernhardt) January 13, 2020
Why. Why would you lie about THIS. — Jessica Ellis (@baddestmamajama) January 13, 2020
It’s been snowing in Russia for two weeks — Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) January 13, 2020
This is indeed the truest form of gaslighting, to lie about the stupidest, most disprovable thing, only to cause division and prove to the most suggestible in society that there are no such things as objective facts. https://t.co/OxJMCtUuse — E.J. Kalafarski (@ejkalafarski) January 13, 2020
It's 54 degrees. Is there anything you don't lie about? — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) January 13, 2020
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It was 70 degrees today. There is no snow out there. https://t.co/XqoRgpiRZZ — Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) January 13, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Trump Moans About 'Stigma' Of Impeachment; Pelosi Taunts He's Already 'Impeached For Life'

Donald Trump complained about the awful “ stigma ” of impeachment on Twitter Sunday just hours before Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) crowed that no matter what the Senate does , the president is already “ impeached for life.
” Trump lashed the impeachment process in a series of tweets Sunday .
But the “ stigma ” message perhaps most clearly revealed his frustration and pain over the black mark on his presidency .
Why should I have the stigma of Impeachment attached to my name when I did NOTHING wrong ?
Read the Transcripts !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
House Republicans voted 195-0 , with three Dems voting with the Republicans .
Very unfair to tens of millions of voters !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 12 , 2020 But nothing will remove Trump ’ s impeachment , passed last month by the House , Pelosi later told George Stephanopoulos on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ This president is impeached for life , regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell , ” she said .
“ We ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution of the United States .
We would hope that the Senate would do that as well.
” She said the House believes there is “ enough evidence ” for the Senate now to “ remove the president from office.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has indicated that the upcoming Senate trial will be a speedy affair that won ’ t include any witnesses .
McConnell even backed a resolution that would allow the Senate to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump if the House fails to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pressing the Senate to hold a full trial with witnesses .
“ Why are they afraid of the truth ?
” Pelosi asked Stephanopoulos .
Former national security adviser John Bolton has said he would testify at the Senate trial if subpoenaed — though Trump has threatened to invoke executive privilege to block his testimony .
Bolton was present during talks with Ukrainian officials at the time Trump was pressuring the nation ’ s president to open an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden — while Trump was withholding military funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gain a personal political advantage is at the heart of his impeachment .
The House Intelligence Committee may subpoena Bolton if the Senate doesn ’ t , committee chair Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) said Sunday .
That plan is “ not excluded , ” Pelosi emphasized on ABC .

That phrase quickly trended on Twitter.
Trump lashed the impeachment process in a series of tweets Sunday. But the “stigma” message perhaps most clearly revealed his frustration and pain over the black mark on his presidency.
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Why should I have the stigma of Impeachment attached to my name when I did NOTHING wrong? Read the Transcripts! A totally partisan Hoax, never happened before. House Republicans voted 195-0, with three Dems voting with the Republicans. Very unfair to tens of millions of voters! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020
But nothing will remove Trump’s impeachment, passed last month by the House, Pelosi later told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week.”
“This president is impeached for life, regardless of any gamesmanship on the part of Mitch McConnell,” she said. “We’ve done our job; we have defended the Constitution of the United States. We would hope that the Senate would do that as well.” She said the House believes there is “enough evidence” for the Senate now to “remove the president from office.”
The President has been impeached – and no amount of gamesmanship from Leader McConnell will erase that fact. #DefendOurDemocracy @ThisWeekABC pic.twitter.com/SWPASPFqeB — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 12, 2020
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has indicated that the upcoming Senate trial will be a speedy affair that won’t include any witnesses. McConnell even backed a resolution that would allow the Senate to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump if the House fails to deliver them within 25 days.
The House is pressing the Senate to hold a full trial with witnesses. “Why are they afraid of the truth?” Pelosi asked Stephanopoulos.
Former national security adviser John Bolton has said he would testify at the Senate trial if subpoenaed — though Trump has threatened to invoke executive privilege to block his testimony. Bolton was present during talks with Ukrainian officials at the time Trump was pressuring the nation’s president to open an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden — while Trump was withholding military funds. Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to gain a personal political advantage is at the heart of his impeachment.
The House Intelligence Committee may subpoena Bolton if the Senate doesn’t, committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Sunday. That plan is “not excluded,” Pelosi emphasized on ABC.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-13--Bernie Sanders Spells It Out For Donald Trump: 'You're Going To Lose'

President Donald Trump mocked strong polling news for “ crazy ” Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) Sunday , and wondered in pretend confusion what it all means .
Sanders shot back : “ It means you ’ re going to lose.
” Trump was responding to poll results showing Sanders taking the lead among Democratic presidential candidates with Iowa voters just weeks before the state caucus .
The highly regarded Des Moines Register/CNN poll found that Sanders has the support of 20 % of likely Iowa Democratic caucus-goers , compared to 17 % for Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and 15 % for former Vice President Joe Biden .
Winning the first state to hold a primary boosts the profile of a candidate that can sway future contests .
Barack Obama ’ s former director of communications , Jennifer Palmieri , tweeted that the winner in Iowa became the nominee in the “ last six cycles.
” Trump really isn ’ t taking Sanders as lightly as he might pretend .
At an Ohio rally earlier this month , the president lashed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fossil fuel-guzzling millionaire ” who “ lectures Americans on how to live their lives while doing the exact opposite.
” Trump failed to provide any details .
On a lighter note Sunday , Sanders quipped that look-alike and sound-alike actor-comedian Larry David — who has delivered dead-on impersonations of the senator on “ Saturday Night Live ” — will “ have a good job for the next four years ” if Sanders is elected president , the candidate vowed .
As part of our federal jobs guarantee , if I am president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the next four years .
pic.twitter.com/EHxqAE9wOE — Bernie Sanders ( @ BernieSanders ) January 13 , 2020

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President Donald Trump mocked strong polling news for “crazy” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Sunday, and wondered in pretend confusion what it all means. Sanders shot back: “It means you’re going to lose.”
Trump was responding to poll results showing Sanders taking the lead among Democratic presidential candidates with Iowa voters just weeks before the state caucus. The highly regarded Des Moines Register/CNN poll found that Sanders has the support of 20% of likely Iowa Democratic caucus-goers, compared to 17% for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), 16% for former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and 15% for former Vice President Joe Biden.
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It means you’re going to lose. https://t.co/CVBKoKq8DT — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 12, 2020
Winning the first state to hold a primary boosts the profile of a candidate and can sway future contests. Barack Obama’s former director of communications, Jennifer Palmieri, tweeted that the winner in Iowa became the nominee in the “last six cycles.”
Trump really isn’t taking Sanders as lightly as he might pretend. At an Ohio rally earlier this month, the president lashed the Vermont senator as a “wealthy, fossil fuel-guzzling millionaire” who “lectures Americans on how to live their lives while doing the exact opposite.” Trump failed to provide any details.
On a lighter note Sunday, Sanders quipped that look-alike and sound-alike actor-comedian Larry David — who has delivered dead-on impersonations of the senator on “Saturday Night Live” — will “have a good job for the next four years” if Sanders is elected president, the candidate vowed.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Trump Called Out For His Hypocrisy Championing A Free Press — In Iran

President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up to defend the free press — in Iran .
Yet he relentlessly criticizes American media as “ fake news ” and “ the enemy of the people , ” GOP presidential challenger Bill Weld complained on CNN .
Trump warned Iran in a tweet not to “ kill your protesters ” and “ let reporters roam free ” amid ongoing demonstrations over that nation ’ s deadly downing of a Ukrainian airliner .
To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS .
Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More importantly , the USA is watching .
Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free !
Stop the killing of your great Iranian people !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 12 , 2020 “ The one bit of good news today is we know that he wants reporters to roam free in Iran , ” Weld , the former governor of Massachusetts , told Brian Stelter .
“ The only problem is he doesn ’ t want them to roam free in the U.S. because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the ‘ enemy of the people.
’ ” Weld also criticized the president for demanding “ not only loyalty but exclusive loyalty from everybody .
You not only got to be loyal to him , you got to not be loyal to the truth , ” he added .
Weld wasn ’ t the only one to notice Trump ’ s contradictory messages — and not only about the press .
Trump earlier this month threatened to bomb cultural sites in Iran , which would likely risk the lives of the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The guy who just threatened to bomb Iran ’ s cultural sights warns that the world is watching , before demanding that reporters , whom he regularly attacks as the “ enemy of the people , ” be allowed to roam free .
And he wonders why no one in the world takes him seriously .
— Brian Tyler Cohen ( @ briantylercohen ) January 12 , 2020

President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up to defend the free press — in Iran. Yet he relentlessly criticizes American media as “fake news” and “the enemy of the people,” GOP presidential challenger Bill Weld complained on CNN.
Trump warned Iran in a tweet not to “kill your protesters” and “let reporters roam free” amid ongoing demonstrations over that nation’s deadly downing of a Ukrainian airliner.
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To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020
“The one bit of good news today is we know that he wants reporters to roam free in Iran,” Weld, the former governor of Massachusetts, told Brian Stelter. “The only problem is he doesn’t want them to roam free in the U.S. because he says to us a free press is the ‘enemy of the people.’”
Weld also criticized the president for demanding “not only loyalty but exclusive loyalty from everybody. You not only got to be loyal to him, you got to not be loyal to the truth,” he added.
Weld wasn’t the only one to notice Trump’s contradictory messages — and not only about the press. Trump earlier this month threatened to bomb cultural sites in Iran, which would likely risk the lives of the Iranian citizens Trump spoke up for on Sunday.
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guy who threatened to bomb 52 cultural sites in the middle of civilian population centers says what — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) January 12, 2020
Donald Trump banned Iranians from entering America and threatened to bomb their cultural sites — Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) January 12, 2020
let reporters run free? Except in the United States. LOL — Sandi Bachom (@sandibachom) January 12, 2020
The guy who just threatened to bomb Iran’s cultural sights warns that the world is watching, before demanding that reporters, whom he regularly attacks as the “enemy of the people,” be allowed to roam free.
And he wonders why no one in the world takes him seriously. — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) January 12, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-13--5 Killed In Baltimore During Spate Of Weekend Shootings

BALTIMORE ( AP ) — Authorities say 12 people were shot , five of them fatally , in eight separate weekend shootings in Baltimore .
The first of Saturday ’ s shootings was reported at about 2:30 a.m. and involved three female victims , all found with apparent gunshot wounds in a car in a northeastern section of the city .
One victim , a 28-year-old woman , died shortly after arriving at a hospital .
A few hours later , police responding to a shooting in southeast Baltimore found a 46-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 40-year-old man , walked into a hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg .
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Saturday , police found a man fatally shot in southeast Baltimore .
That was followed less than half an hour later by a shooting in central Baltimore that left a 37-year-old man wounded .
A shooting in southwest Baltimore about an hour later left one man wounded and another dead .
More gunfire a few minutes later in northeast Baltimore left a 37-year-old man fatally wounded .
The city recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive year with more than 300 murders and the most violent year ever on a per-capita basis .
“ A day that should have been met with pride and community was once again flooded with violence and loss , ” Scott wrote , an apparent reference to an NFL divisional playoff game hosted by the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night .
“ This violence is heartbreaking and must stop now , ” added Scott , who said he plans to question Baltimore ’ s police commissioner and other agency heads about what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and after the shootings .

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BALTIMORE (AP) — Authorities say 12 people were shot, five of them fatally, in eight separate weekend shootings in Baltimore.
The first of Saturday’s shootings was reported at about 2:30 a.m. and involved three female victims, all found with apparent gunshot wounds in a car in a northeastern section of the city. One victim, a 28-year-old woman, died shortly after arriving at a hospital.
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A few hours later, police responding to a shooting in southeast Baltimore found a 46-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg. Then, a second shooting victim, a 40-year-old man, walked into a hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, police found a man fatally shot in southeast Baltimore. That was followed less than half an hour later by a shooting in central Baltimore that left a 37-year-old man wounded.
A 38-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound around 7 p.m. Saturday in northeast Baltimore.
A shooting in southwest Baltimore about an hour later left one man wounded and another dead. More gunfire a few minutes later in northeast Baltimore left a 37-year-old man fatally wounded.
Saturday’s violence ended shortly before 11 p.m., when officers found a 24-year-old man fatally wounded in northwest Baltimore.
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The city recorded 348 homicides last year, its fifth consecutive year with more than 300 murders and the most violent year ever on a per-capita basis.
City council president Brandon Scott, a Democrat running for mayor, issued a statement Sunday condemning the violence.
“A day that should have been met with pride and community was once again flooded with violence and loss,” Scott wrote, an apparent reference to an NFL divisional playoff game hosted by the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-12--Trump Trying To Reopen Talks With North Korea's Kim Jong Un: Report

The Trump administration is attempting to resume talks with North Korea regarding the country ’ s antagonistic nuclear program after months of stalled negotiations and a new barrage of threats that Pyongyang would soon restart weapons testing , Axios reported Sunday .
White House national security advisor Robert O ’ Brien told the outlet that President Donald Trump had resumed his overtures towards North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in an attempt to convince the country to continue a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and ballistic missile testing .
“ We ’ ve reached out to the North Koreans and let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue the negotiations in Stockholm that were last undertaken in early October , ” O ’ Brien told Axios on Friday .
“ We ’ ve been letting them know , through various channels , that we would like to get those [ negotiations ] back on track.
” Pyongyang hasn ’ t conducted any such tests in more than two years amid a burgeoning relationship with the United States .
Trump and Kim have meet three times in recent years : The United States hoping to convince North Korea to end its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. to roll back a series of crippling economic sanctions as well as get validation on an international stage .
Trump has touted his relationship with Kim since their first summit in June 2018 as a key diplomatic accomplishment , saying the pair “ fell in love ” and have a “ good relationship.
” But those discussions have largely floundered in recent months , and North Korea had set a Dec. 31 deadline to restart them or it would delve back into its weapons development .
As the deadline passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic weapon ” in the near future , saying Pyongyang would no longer abide by the testing moratorium .
Kim had also promised to deliver an ominous “ Christmas gift ” to the United States , although both threats have been vague .
South Korea ’ s Yonhap News reported this weekend that a former North Korean nuclear envoy said the country would only resume talks if the U.S came to the negotiating table prepared to meet the country ’ s demands to end economic sanctions .
“ There is no need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in which there is only unilateral pressure , ” Kim Kye-gwan , the envoy , told the outlet .
He also said the North had been “ deceived by the U.S , ” saying a history of failed negotiations amounted to “ lost time.
” O ’ Brien , however , told Axios this month the administration was encouraged that Kim hadn ’ t yet followed through on the gift delivery .
“ All we know is we were told we were going to get a Christmas gift and the Christmas gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Brien said .
“ And so I think that was an encouraging sign .
But , again , that doesn ’ t mean we won ’ t see some sort of test in the future.
” Trump , for his part , has also shrugged off Kim ’ s threats , saying at the end of last month that the chairman “ likes me ” and was a “ man of his word.
” The president also sent a birthday letter to Kim , who is believed to have turned 36 on @ @

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The Trump administration is attempting to resume talks with North Korea regarding the country’s antagonistic nuclear program after months of stalled negotiations and a new barrage of threats that Pyongyang would soon restart weapons testing, Axios reported Sunday.
White House national security advisor Robert O’Brien told the outlet that President Donald Trump had resumed his overtures towards North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in an attempt to convince the country to continue a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and ballistic missile testing.
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“We’ve reached out to the North Koreans and let them know that we would like to continue the negotiations in Stockholm that were last undertaken in early October,” O’Brien told Axios on Friday. “We’ve been letting them know, through various channels, that we would like to get those [negotiations] back on track.”
Pyongyang hasn’t conducted any such tests in more than two years amid a burgeoning relationship with the United States. Trump and Kim have meet three times in recent years: The United States hoping to convince North Korea to end its nuclear ambitions and Kim trying to convince the U.S. to roll back a series of crippling economic sanctions as well as get validation on an international stage.
Trump has touted his relationship with Kim since their first summit in June 2018 as a key diplomatic accomplishment, saying the pair “fell in love” and have a “good relationship.”
But those discussions have largely floundered in recent months, and North Korea had set a Dec. 31 deadline to restart them or it would delve back into its weapons development. As the deadline passed, Kim vowed to demonstrate a “new strategic weapon” in the near future, saying Pyongyang would no longer abide by the testing moratorium. Kim had also promised to deliver an ominous “Christmas gift” to the United States, although both threats have been vague.
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It’s unclear how successful America’s overtures will be.
South Korea’s Yonhap News reported this weekend that a former North Korean nuclear envoy said the country would only resume talks if the U.S came to the negotiating table prepared to meet the country’s demands to end economic sanctions.
“There is no need for us to be present in such talks, in which there is only unilateral pressure,” Kim Kye-gwan, the envoy, told the outlet. He also said the North had been “deceived by the U.S,” saying a history of failed negotiations amounted to “lost time.”
O’Brien, however, told Axios this month the administration was encouraged that Kim hadn’t yet followed through on the gift delivery.
“All we know is we were told we were going to get a Christmas gift and the Christmas gift didn’t come,” O’Brien said. “And so I think that was an encouraging sign. But, again, that doesn’t mean we won’t see some sort of test in the future.”
Trump, for his part, has also shrugged off Kim’s threats, saying at the end of last month that the chairman “likes me” and was a “man of his word.” The president also sent a birthday letter to Kim, who is believed to have turned 36 on Wednesday.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-13--Ex-DOJ Official Dares Trump To ‘Say It Under Oath’ With Impeachment Testimony

A former top official in the Justice Department is daring President Donald Trump to testify during the upcoming Senate impeachment proceedings .
Neal Katyal , who was acting solicitor general under then-President Barack Obama and author of the book Impeach : The Case Against Donald Trump , said on Twitter that if Trump were innocent , he should be “ clamoring ” for a chance to clear his name .
Katyal was replying to a tweet in which Trump slammed the proceedings as a “ no evidence , no crime , read the transcripts , ‘ no pressure ’ Impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outright dismissal ” instead of a trial .
Katyal said that ’ s not the behavior of an innocent person and that if Trump really believed he was innocent , he should testify to clear his name under oath before the Senate and not via Twitter .
Katyal added a hashtag he ’ s used before for Trump : # SayItUnderOath : So come and testify and explain why 18 witnesses , many from your own Administration , have testified in Congress and thrown the book at you .
So far , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate .
If you are innocent you should have nothing to fear .
# SayItUnderOath https : //t.co/0CzfxX56zQ — Neal Katyal ( @ neal_katyal ) January 12 , 2020 If you really believed this , you ’ d be trying to clear your name—clamoring for a real trial , with witnesses+docs , and you would testify under oath that you did “ nothing wrong ” The fact that you don ’ t speaks volumes and far more than your protestations of innocence on , ahem , Twitter https : //t.co/S7lT750ZzC — Neal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 On Sunday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said dismissing impeachment ― as Trump and some Republicans are hoping for ― would amount to a cover-up .
“ The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not , they will have to be accountable for not having a fair trial , ” she warned on This Week .
She is expected to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate this week .

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A former top official in the Justice Department is daring President Donald Trump to testify during the upcoming Senate impeachment proceedings.
Neal Katyal, who was acting solicitor general under former President Barack Obama and author of the book “Impeach: The Case Against Donald Trump,” said on Twitter that if Trump were innocent, he should be “clamoring” for a chance to clear his name.
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“The fact that you don’t speaks volumes,” he wrote.
Katyal was replying to a tweet in which Trump slammed the proceedings as a “no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, ‘no pressure’ Impeachment Hoax” and called for an “outright dismissal” instead of a trial.
Katyal said that’s not the behavior of an innocent person and that if Trump really believed he was innocent, he should testify to clear his name under oath before the Senate and not via Twitter. Katyal added a hashtag he’s used before for Trump: #SayItUnderOath:
So come and testify and explain why 18 witnesses, many from your own Administration, have testified in Congress and thrown the book at you. So far, the count is 18-0.
Your party controls the Senate. If you are innocent you should have nothing to fear. #SayItUnderOath https://t.co/0CzfxX56zQ — Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) January 12, 2020
If you really believed this, you’d be trying to clear your name—clamoring for a real trial, with witnesses+docs, and you would testify under oath that you did “nothing wrong”
The fact that you don’t speaks volumes and far more than your protestations of innocence on,ahem,Twitter https://t.co/S7lT750ZzC — Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) January 12, 2020
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On Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said dismissing impeachment ― as Trump and some Republicans are hoping for ― would amount to a cover-up.
“The senators who are thinking now about voting for witnesses or not, they will have to be accountable for not having a fair trial,” Pelosi warned on “This Week.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-14--Top GOP Senator Says There Aren't Enough Votes To Dismiss Impeachment Charges

President Donald Trump called over the weekend for an “ outright dismissal ” of the impeachment charges against him — but several Republican senators , including members of the party ’ s leadership , have dismissed Trump ’ s suggestion , saying there wouldn ’ t be enough support for such a measure .
Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence , no crime , read the transcripts , “ no pressure ” Impeachment Hoax , rather than an outright dismissal , it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 12 , 2020 Republicans hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate , but several prominent GOP senators , including Mitt Romney of Utah , Susan Collins of Maine , Rob Portman of Ohio and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , have expressed opposition to the idea of an immediate dismissal of the impeachment charges against Trump .
“ We ’ re taking an oath to be impartial , ” Alexander told The New York Times .
“ And that to me means we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , ask our questions and then decide whether we want additional evidence in terms of documents or witnesses.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) and other top Republicans have indicated their preference for a vote of acquittal ― rather than dismissal ― as a way to more strongly vindicate the president , who has been impeached by the Democratic-led House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Trump is only the third U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives ; the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as this week , to determine whether to oust Trump from office based on the allegations .
“ Our members ... think both sides need to be heard , ” Blunt said on Monday of the trial .
“ They believe the president needs to be heard , for the first time , in a fair setting.
” But , as The New York Times noted , Republicans have not tossed out the possibility that a vote to dismiss the impeachment charges could come later in the proceedings .
McConnell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules and format of Trump ’ s impeachment trial would be “ similar ” to the one that governed President Bill Clinton ’ s 1999 trial .
In that earlier resolution , the then-Democratic-controlled Senate included a motion to dismiss the two impeachment charges against Clinton .
The motion to dismiss in that case ― which came after opening arguments from both sides and questions from senators ― ultimately failed to pass .
Clinton was acquitted a few weeks later .
“ We ’ re going to have a similar resolution ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to CNN .
“ It may not be word for word , exactly the same , but a similar resolution .
And we ’ ll be glad to show it to you when ― when we unveil it.
” Republicans are reportedly haggling over whether the dismissal clause should be included in the rules for Trump ’ s trial .
Blunt and other GOP senators have suggested , however , that such a provision would likely be omitted from the resolution .
“ I think the only reason it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just some argument for consistency , ” Blunt said , per the Post .

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President Donald Trump called over the weekend for an “outright dismissal” of the impeachment charges against him — but several Republican senators, including members of the party’s leadership, have dismissed Trump’s suggestion, saying there wouldn’t be enough support for such a measure.
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the fourth-ranking GOP senator, told reporters on Monday that “our members generally are not interested in a motion to dismiss,” The Washington Post reported.
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Blunt added there “certainly aren’t” enough votes for such a motion, which would require 51 votes.
Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, “no pressure” Impeachment Hoax, rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have. I agree! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020
Republicans hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate, but several prominent GOP senators, including Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Rob Portman of Ohio and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, have expressed opposition to the idea of an immediate dismissal of the impeachment charges against Trump.
“I would vote against a motion to dismiss immediately. Absolutely,” Collins told reporters on Monday.
“We’re taking an oath to be impartial,” Alexander told The New York Times. “And that to me means we have a constitutional duty to hear the case, ask our questions and then decide whether we want additional evidence in terms of documents or witnesses.”
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"I will not be supporting a motion to dismiss," Romney tells reporters, per @BresPolitico. Says the Ukraine allegations are "serious and deserve to be given consideration" and that Trump team needs to make its case too — Burgess Everett (@burgessev) January 13, 2020
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other top Republicans have indicated their preference for a vote of acquittal ― rather than dismissal ― as a way to more strongly vindicate the president, who has been impeached by the Democratic-led House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Trump is only the third U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives; the Senate is expected to launch a trial, as soon as this week, to determine whether to oust Trump from office based on the allegations.
“Our members ... think both sides need to be heard,” Blunt said on Monday of the trial. “They believe the president needs to be heard, for the first time, in a fair setting.”
But, as The New York Times noted, Republicans have not tossed out the possibility that a vote to dismiss the impeachment charges could come later in the proceedings.
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McConnell said last week that the Senate resolution dictating the rules and format of Trump’s impeachment trial would be “similar” to the one that governed President Bill Clinton’s 1999 trial.
In that earlier resolution, the then-Democratic-controlled Senate included a motion to dismiss the two impeachment charges against Clinton. The motion to dismiss in that case ― which came after opening arguments from both sides and questions from senators ― ultimately failed to pass. Clinton was acquitted a few weeks later.
“We’re going to have a similar resolution” to the Clinton trial, McConnell said, according to CNN. “It may not be word for word, exactly the same, but a similar resolution. And we’ll be glad to show it to you when ― when we unveil it.”
Republicans are reportedly haggling over whether the dismissal clause should be included in the rules for Trump’s trial. Blunt and other GOP senators have suggested, however, that such a provision would likely be omitted from the resolution.
“I think the only reason it would be in there is if there’s just some argument for consistency,” Blunt said, per the Post.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-14--U.S. Navy: We Have More UFO Stuff And You're Definitely Not Allowed To See It

The U.S. Navy reportedly has footage and documents related to a UFO video that caused a sensation when it was leaked in 2017 .
But it won ’ t reveal any of it because releasing the info and footage “ would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States , ” the Navy said in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by UFO researcher Christian Lambright .
Lambright sought more information about a 2004 sighting of an object off the California coast that is often referred to as the “ Tic Tac ” due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was tracked by U.S. military pilots in leaked footage : “ The part that drew our attention was how it wasn ’ t behaving within the normal laws of physics , ” pilot Chad Underwood , who filmed the encounter , told New York magazine last month .
The Navy wrote to Lambright saying it had found “ certain briefing slides that are classified TOP SECRET ” related to the incident as well as “ a video classified SECRET.
” As a result , it could not release the info .
Copies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Documenting The Evidence blog .
″ [ A ] s the investigation of UAP sightings is ongoing , we will not publicly discuss individual sighting reports/observations , ” Susan Gough , a Pentagon spokesperson , told the website .
The military does not refer to these sightings as UFOs but rather unidentified aerial phenomena .
Gough also said the military ’ s footage of the incident was of the same duration as the footage that was leaked , but she would not answer questions about the resolution or say if there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the military confirmed that the footage was indeed legit and should not have been leaked .
The clip was obtained by To The Stars Academy Of Arts And Science , the private research and media firm co-founded by rocker Tom DeLonge , formerly of Blink 182 .

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The U.S. Navy reportedly has footage and documents related to a UFO video that caused a sensation when it was leaked in 2017. But it won’t reveal any of it because releasing the info and footage “would cause exceptionally grave damage to the National Security of the United States,” the Navy said in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by UFO researcher Christian Lambright.
Vice independently confirmed the Navy’s response to the request.
Lambright sought more information about a 2004 sighting of an object off the California coast that is often referred to as the “Tic Tac” due to its shape. The fast-moving object was tracked by U.S. military pilots in leaked footage:
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The object descended from 60,000 feet to 50 feet in seconds.
“The part that drew our attention was how it wasn’t behaving within the normal laws of physics,” pilot Chad Underwood, who filmed the encounter, told New York magazine last month.
The Navy wrote to Lambright saying it had found “certain briefing slides that are classified TOP SECRET” related to the incident as well as “a video classified SECRET.” As a result, it could not release the info.
Copies of the letter were posted on the UFOs - Documenting The Evidence blog.
Vice verified the news with the Navy.
″[A]s the investigation of UAP sightings is ongoing, we will not publicly discuss individual sighting reports/observations,” Susan Gough, a Pentagon spokesperson, told the website. The military does not refer to these sightings as UFOs but rather unidentified aerial phenomena.
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Gough also said the military’s footage of the incident was of the same duration as the footage that was leaked, but she would not answer questions about the resolution or say if there was any additional accompany audio.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-14--Anti-Trump Republican Group Launches Blistering Attack Ad On ‘Weak’ GOP Senator

One of the most vulnerable Republicans in the U.S. Senate is coming under fire from members of his own party for failing to stand up to President Donald Trump .
The Lincoln Project released a blistering new attack ad this week that describes Sen. Cory Gardner ( R-Colo. ) as “ just another Trump servant : weak , frightened , impotent.
” The spot warns Gardner that he is heading for a humiliating defeat in November , with polls showing him behind potential Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper by double digits : The ad also calls Gardner a “ small man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portrays him as protecting Trump out of fear of being on the wrong end of angry presidential tweets .
The Lincoln Project is a group of prominent anti-Trump conservatives and includes attorney George Conway ― husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway ― as well as GOP strategists Rick Wilson , Jennifer Horn , Steve Schmidt and John Weaver .
Horn wrote on Twitter that Gardner “ betrayed his oath of office ” by protecting Trump over his constituents .
Conway tweeted : If @ SenCoryGardner can ’ t do his job , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath of office by considering the impeachment charges against Trump on their merits , then he should go .
And we at @ ProjectLincoln will make sure of it , with ads like this one : pic.twitter.com/K6M2Ft3euH — George Conway ( @ gtconway3d ) January 13 , 2020 A second group of anti-Trump conservatives , Republicans for the Rule of Law , also released a new video this week calling on the Senate to allow testimony during the impeachment proceedings from former national security adviser John Bolton : Bolton said last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Senate Republicans have not indicated if they will allow for any witnesses at all during the upcoming proceedings .

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One of the most vulnerable Republicans in the U.S. Senate is coming under fire from members of his own party for failing to stand up to President Donald Trump.
The Lincoln Project released a blistering new attack ad this week that describes Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) as “just another Trump servant: weak, frightened, impotent.” The spot warns Gardner that he is heading for a humiliating defeat in November, with polls showing him behind potential Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper by double digits:
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The ad also calls Gardner a “small man terrified of a political bully” and portrays him as protecting Trump out of fear of being on the wrong end of angry presidential tweets.
The Lincoln Project is a group of prominent anti-Trump conservatives and includes attorney George Conway ― husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway ― as well as GOP strategists Rick Wilson, Jennifer Horn, Steve Schmidt and John Weaver.
Horn wrote on Twitter that Gardner “betrayed his oath of office” by protecting Trump over his constituents. Conway tweeted:
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If @SenCoryGardner can’t do his job, and can’t comply with his oath of office by considering the impeachment charges against Trump on their merits, then he should go.
And we at @ProjectLincoln will make sure of it, with ads like this one: pic.twitter.com/K6M2Ft3euH — George Conway (@gtconway3d) January 13, 2020
A second group of anti-Trump conservatives, Republicans for the Rule of Law, also released a new video this week calling on the Senate to allow testimony during the impeachment proceedings from former national security adviser John Bolton:
Bolton said last week that he’d testify, if subpoenaed. However, Senate Republicans have not indicated if they will allow for any witnesses at all during the upcoming proceedings.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-14--Joe Scarborough Names 2020 Democrat Who's ‘Teflon’ Like Donald Trump

MSNBC ’ s Joe Scarborough on Monday explained to “ The Late Show ” host Stephen Colbert why he believes @ @ @ @ @ is , at least in one way , similar to President Donald Trump .
“ @ @ @ @ @ thing about Joe Biden , ” said Scarborough of the former vice president .
“ @ @ @ @ @ in that he ’ s Teflon .
It doesn ’ t matter how he does @ @ @ @ @ ’ t matter what clips you bring up about the guy , he just keeps @ @ @ @ @ in the interview , Scarborough ( himself a former GOP House member ) lambasted Republican @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
“ That ’ s what I don ’ t understand , what job @ @ @ @ @ soul for ?
” he asked .
“ You can look at the people who @ @ @ @ @ , and you can predict what they ’ re going to do .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ out the first and second parts of the interview here :

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MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough on Monday explained to “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert why he believes Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is, at least in one way, similar to President Donald Trump.
“Here’s the amazing thing about Joe Biden,” said Scarborough of the former vice president. “He’s like Trump in that he’s Teflon. It doesn’t matter how he does in debates, it doesn’t matter what clips you bring up about the guy, he just keeps on keeping on.”
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Elsewhere in the interview, Scarborough (himself a former GOP House member) lambasted Republican lawmakers for selling out to Trump.
“That’s what I don’t understand, what job is worth selling your political soul for?” he asked. “You can look at the people who are running in Republican primaries, and you can predict what they’re going to do. It’s very disappointing.”
Check out the first and second parts of the interview here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-14--Iran Announces Arrests Over Accidental Downing Of Ukrainian Jet

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) — Iran ’ s judiciary said Tuesday arrests have been made for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people on board just after takeoff from Tehran last week .
The announcement came amid an upswell of anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over the downing of the jetliner last Wednesday and apparent attempts by senior officials in Iran to cover up the cause of the crash .
Iran , which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the plane , acknowledged only on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of mounting evidence — that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States .
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said “ extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested.
” His statement on the judiciary ’ s website did not say how many individuals had been detained or name them .
“ The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts , ” President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not an ordinary case .
The entire the world will be watching this court.
” Iran shot down the plane as its forces were on alert for possible U.S. retaliation after Iran launched ballistic missiles on two military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq .
No one was hurt in that attack , which was carried out in response to the stunning killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike in Baghdad .
“ It was the U.S. that made for an agitated environment .
It was the U.S. that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. that threatened and took our beloved ( Soleimani ) , ” he said .
The plane , en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv , was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries , including 82 Iranians , 57 Canadians — including many Iranians with dual citizenship — and 11 Ukrainians , according to officials .
There were several children among the passengers , including an infant .
Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh , the head of the Guard ’ s aerospace division , said over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootdown .
He said when he learned about the downing of the plane , “ I wished I was dead.
” The incident raised questions about why Iran did not shut down its international airport or airspace the day it was on alert for U.S. military retaliation .
The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the country ’ s leadership .
Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets .
Also Tuesday , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been detained in the protests , and that some were released , without elaborating further .
An Iranian film director who ’ d called for protests in Tehran ’ s Azadi , or Freedom , Square is among those released .
Iranian authorities briefly arrested British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Saturday evening .
He ’ s said he went to a candlelight vigil to pay his respects for the victims of the Ukrainian plane shootdown and left as soon as the chanting began and it turned into a protest .

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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s judiciary said Tuesday arrests have been made for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people on board just after takeoff from Tehran last week.
The announcement came amid an upswell of anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over the downing of the jetliner last Wednesday and apparent attempts by senior officials in Iran to cover up the cause of the crash.
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Iran, which initially dismissed allegations that a missile had brought down the plane, acknowledged only on Saturday — three days after and in the face of mounting evidence — that its Revolutionary Guard had shot down the plane by mistake as the force braced for a possible military confrontation with the United States.
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said “extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested.” His statement on the judiciary’s website did not say how many individuals had been detained or name them.
Iran’s president on Tuesday also called for a special court to be set up to probe the incident.
“The judiciary should form a special court with a ranking judge and dozens of experts,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech televised in Iran. “This is not an ordinary case. The entire the world will be watching this court.”
Rouhani called the incident “a painful and unforgivable” mistake and promised that his administration would pursue the case “by all means.”
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“The responsibility falls on more than just one person,” he said, adding that those found culpable “should be punished.”
“There are others, too, and I want that this issue is expressed honestly,” he said, without elaborating.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that a special court should be formed to judge the accidental downing of a Ukrainian plane. More than 175 people perished in the crash. Brendan McDermid / Reuters
Iran shot down the plane as its forces were on alert for possible U.S. retaliation after Iran launched ballistic missiles on two military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq. No one was hurt in that attack, which was carried out in response to the stunning killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike in Baghdad.
While Rouhani pointed to mistakes and negligence, he also repeated the government’s line that the tragedy was ultimately rooted in U.S. aggression.
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“It was the U.S. that made for an agitated environment. It was the U.S. that created an unusual situation. It was the U.S. that threatened and took our beloved (Soleimani),” he said.
Rouhani called the government’s admission that Iranian forces shot down the plane a “first good step.”
He added that Iranian experts who retrieved the Ukrainian plane’s flight recorder, the so-called black box, have sent it to France for analysis.
The plane, en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from several countries, including 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians — including many Iranians with dual citizenship — and 11 Ukrainians, according to officials. There were several children among the passengers, including an infant.
Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guard’s aerospace division, said over the weekend his unit accepts full responsibility for the shootdown. He said when he learned about the downing of the plane, “I wished I was dead.”
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The incident raised questions about why Iran did not shut down its international airport or airspace the day it was on alert for U.S. military retaliation.
The shootdown and the lack of transparency around it has reignited anger in Iran at the country’s leadership. Online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets.
Also Tuesday, Iran’s judiciary said that 30 people had been detained in the protests, and that some were released, without elaborating further. An Iranian film director who’d called for protests in Tehran’s Azadi, or Freedom, Square is among those released.
Iranian authorities briefly arrested British Ambassador Rob Macaire on Saturday evening. He’s said he went to a candlelight vigil to pay his respects for the victims of the Ukrainian plane shootdown and left as soon as the chanting began and it turned into a protest.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador on Sunday to protest what it said was his presence at an illegal protest. Britain, in turn, summoned Iran’s ambassador on Monday “to convey our strong objections” over the weekend arrest.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-14--Chris Cuomo Exposes Trump’s 2020 Strategy: ‘Keep People Pissed Off And Frustrated’

Chris Cuomo says President Donald Trump is telegraphing his plan to win reelection , and it comes down to three words : “ Lie , deny , defy.
” On Monday night , the CNN host said that strategy was already in use on two key issues : the Iran crisis and health care .
On Iran , Trump and his administration have offered vague and shifting explanations as to why they believed there was an “ imminent ” threat to the United States which required the military to assassinate Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cuomo asked , holding up a hand to his ear .
“ Crickets .
No proof that it was , period.
” Trump later tweeted “ it doesn ’ t really matter ” if an attack was imminent .
“ Oh , it matters , ” Cuomo said , offering up a refresher on how Republicans responded to a shifting narrative following the 2012 attack in Benghazi , Libya .
Then , Cuomo turned to health care , where Trump has repeatedly claimed he ’ s working to protect preexisting conditions all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do just the opposite .
“ He needs to do it this way : Lie , deny , defy , ” Cuomo said .
“ Orwellian double-speak allows him to keep people pissed off and frustrated .
He can ’ t win without doing it ― he ’ s not liked enough .
”

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Chris Cuomo says President Donald Trump is telegraphing his plan to win reelection, and it comes down to three words: “Lie, deny, defy.”
On Monday night, the CNN host said that strategy was already in use on two key issues: the Iran crisis and health care.
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On Iran, Trump and his administration have offered vague and shifting explanations as to why they believed there was an “imminent” threat to the United States which required the military to assassinate Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike earlier this month.
“Why imminent?” Cuomo asked, holding up a hand to his ear. “Crickets. No proof that it was, period.”
Trump later tweeted “it doesn’t really matter” if an attack was imminent.
“Oh, it matters,” Cuomo said, offering up a refresher on how Republicans responded to a shifting narrative following the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya.
Then, Cuomo turned to health care, where Trump has repeatedly claimed he’s working to protect preexisting conditions all while his administration works in court to do just the opposite.
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“He needs to do it this way: Lie, deny, defy,” Cuomo said. “Orwellian double-speak allows him to keep people pissed off and frustrated. He can’t win without doing it ― he’s not liked enough.”