thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--Sen. Rick Scott's Impeachment ‘Hostage’ Video Goes Viral For All The Wrong Reasons

Sen. Rick Scott ( R-Fla. ) drew ire on Twitter after he released a video in which he claimed he was being held hostage during the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
“ As you may have heard , I ’ ve been taken hostage along with 99 other people in the U.S. Capitol , ” Scott said in the 2-minute clip shared to Twitter on Tuesday .
“ We are receiving only milk and water and we are being subjected to the cruel and unusual punishment of listening to the rantings of ( Democratic congressman ) Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universe , ” Scott continued .
He later dismissed the impeachment of Trump as “ political theater ” that should have been conducted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and claimed the Democrats ’ case against the president is “ absurd.
” I ’ ve been held hostage with 99 other people in the U.S. Capitol .
Why ?
Because the Democrats hate @ realDonaldTrump and are trying to cover up @ JoeBiden ’ s corruption .
Watch the full story ⬇ pic.twitter.com/MdFvHl5lb5 — Rick Scott ( @ ScottforFlorida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitably went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons , where many critics bashed Scott for complaining about doing his job : 320 million Americans are held hostage to the cowardice of you and 52 other people .
So , like , welcome to the club .
— Elie Mystal ( @ ElieNYC ) January 29 , 2020 So you ’ re saying if we keep this thing going , you ’ ll be forced to stay in the Senate chambers ?
What do we have to do to cut off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M. Kruse ( @ KevinMKruse ) January 29 , 2020 Gee Rick , thanks for upholding your oat of impartiality .
Impeachment Oath : '' I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of [ person ] , now pending , I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws : So help me God . ''
— UJ_roc ( @ UJ_roc ) January 28 , 2020 You are one miserable SOB @ SenRickScott .
Held hostage ?
No , held hostage is what happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape the killer in her school .
You remember that , do n't you ?
You are not held hostage .
You are doing your job .
If you do not like your job , resign .
https : //t.co/KhqAH4htB6 — Fred Guttenberg ( @ fred_guttenberg ) January 29 , 2020 But 47 of those 99 are Dems ... ao you 're saying nearly half of the hostages are taking themselves hostage .
Is this another shitty M Night Shyamalan pitch ?
https : //t.co/uDq3p9RrLZ — david cross ( @ davidcrosss ) January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to go to work and fulfill the clearly defined duties of his role means he ’ s being held hostage .
https : //t.co/a8wvl14bA4 — Ashlee Explains It All ( @ ash_says_what ) January 29 , 2020 You 're being paid by us to sit there & do your job which is to honor the constitution and your oath of office .
So stop whining like a spoiled entitled brat and drink your damn milk .
— Nancy Lee Grahn ( @ NancyLeeGrahn ) January 29 , 2020 You ’ re paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your ass and drink milk all day while listening to a legal arguments .
Most Americans would love the privilege of being such a “ hostage.
” https : //t.co/Lz8WN4aDcE — John Aravosis🇺🇸 ( @ aravosis ) January 29 , 2020 If doing your job is being `` held hostage , '' you should resign and find another job .
https : //t.co/vZ3fPGiG83 — Dennis Mersereau ( @ wxdam ) January 29 , 2020 for values of `` held hostage '' = `` doing a job I actively sought , actually spent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to do , part of which is the constitutionally-mandated oversight of the executive branch '' https : //t.co/xy1DaKpJjP — Laura Lorson ( @ prairielaura ) January 29 , 2020

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Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) drew scorn on Twitter after he posted a video on social media claiming he was being held hostage during the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
“As you may have heard, I’ve been taken hostage along with 99 other people in the U.S. Capitol,” Scott said in the two-minute clip shared to Twitter on Tuesday.
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“We are receiving only milk and water and we are being subjected to the cruel and unusual punishment of listening to the rantings of (Democratic Rep.) Adam Schiff, a person from a parallel universe,” Scott continued.
He dismissed the impeachment of Trump as “political theater” that should have been staged at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and claimed the Democrats’ case against the president is “absurd.”
Check out the video here:
I’ve been held hostage with 99 other people in the U.S. Capitol. Why? Because the Democrats hate @realDonaldTrump and are trying to cover up @JoeBiden’s corruption.
Watch the full story ⬇ pic.twitter.com/MdFvHl5lb5 — Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) January 28, 2020
The clip inevitably went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons, where many critics bashed Scott for complaining about doing his job:
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320 million Americans are held hostage to the cowardice of you and 52 other people. So, like, welcome to the club. — Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) January 29, 2020
So you’re saying if we keep this thing going, you’ll be forced to stay in the Senate chambers?
What do we have to do to cut off your internet access too? — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) January 29, 2020
Gee Rick, thanks for upholding your oat of impartiality.
Impeachment Oath:
"I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of [person], now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God." — UJ_roc (@UJ_roc) January 28, 2020
You are one miserable SOB @SenRickScott. Held hostage? No, held hostage is what happened to my daughter when she could not escape the killer in her school. You remember that, don't you? You are not held hostage. You are doing your job. If you do not like your job, resign. https://t.co/KhqAH4htB6 — Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) January 29, 2020
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But 47 of those 99 are Dems...ao you're saying nearly half of the hostages are taking themselves hostage. Is this another shitty M Night Shyamalan pitch? https://t.co/uDq3p9RrLZ — david cross (@davidcrosss) January 29, 2020
Rick Scott thinks him having to go to work and fulfill the clearly defined duties of his role means he’s being held hostage. https://t.co/a8wvl14bA4 — Ashlee Explains It All (@ash_says_what) January 29, 2020
You're being paid by us to sit there & do your job which is to honor the constitution and your oath of office. So stop whining like a spoiled entitled brat and drink your damn milk. — Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) January 29, 2020
I'm ashamed that you are my Senator. — Ben. No More, No Less. (@BJS_quire) January 29, 2020
Oh good, more histrionics. — Brooke Binkowski (@brooklynmarie) January 29, 2020
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Resign if you don't want to do your job. — PCR RitesGood (@pcrritesgood) January 29, 2020
You’re paid $174,000 a year to sit on your ass and drink milk all day while listening to a legal arguments. Most Americans would love the privilege of being such a “hostage.” https://t.co/Lz8WN4aDcE — John Aravosis🇺🇸 (@aravosis) January 29, 2020
If doing your job is being "held hostage," you should resign and find another job. https://t.co/vZ3fPGiG83 — Dennis Mersereau (@wxdam) January 29, 2020
Tfw you denounce political theater by ... filming a fake hostage video. https://t.co/ceNzy51y7Z — David Litt (@davidlitt) January 29, 2020
Forced to show up for work. The horror. https://t.co/9jmw1OOqvI — Steve Yelvington (@yelvington) January 29, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-28--Alan Dershowitz In 2016: Trump Is Corrupt, Will Likely Be Corrupt As President

Alan Dershowitz , a lawyer on the president ’ s impeachment defense team , said just a few years ago that he believed Donald Trump had engaged in corruption and would likely continue to be corrupt if he took office .
In a Trending Today USA radio show interview from 2016 , unearthed by CNN ’ s KFILE , the Harvard law professor emeritus discusses Trump and his Democratic opponent for president at the time , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .
When asked about the Democratic candidate ’ s family charity , The Clinton Foundation , for which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dershowitz said it was nothing compared to Trump ’ s misconduct .
“ When you compare that to what Trump has done with Trump University , with so many other things , I think there ’ s no comparison between who has engaged in more corruption and who is more likely to continue that if elected president of the United States , ” Dershowitz said .
“ So I think what we ’ re doing is we ’ re comparing , we ’ re saying , look , neither candidate is anywhere close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the less bad candidate.
” When asked for comment on his past remarks , Dershowitz told CNN : “ I was campaigning for Clinton .
That ’ s what I believed at the time based on media reports .
I didn ’ t know Trump .
I knew Clinton.
” It ’ s not the first time Dershowitz has fallen victim to his own past comments since joining Trump ’ s legal team .
Days ago , NBC noted that the lawyer called Trump a “ destabilizing and unpredictable candidate ” who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by extremists ” in his 2016 book .
He clarified to NBC that the views in his book were just “ typical campaign rhetoric.
” Last week , the veteran defense lawyer “ retracted ” his old views on impeachment after CNN dug up a 1998 interview in which he declared that there “ certainly doesn ’ t have to be a crime ” when President Bill Clinton faced impeachment .
That view contradicts his current claims that “ without a crime , there can be no impeachment.
” During an appearance Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network ’ s chief legal analyst , Jeff Toobin , over a New York Times article picking at his defense strategy .
The op-ed , penned by Harvard Law School assistant professor Nikolas Bowie , supported Dershowitz in saying impeachment requires a crime ― but argued “ that belief hardly supports the president ’ s defense or Mr. Dershowitz ’ s position.
” “ President Trump has been accused of a crime .
Two in fact : “ abuse of power ” and “ obstruction of Congress , ’ ” Bowie wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday with Toobin , arguing that the article “ agrees with me ” despite stating he was wrong overall .
“ And that ’ s why it makes his argument so much stronger , ” Dershowitz said .

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Alan Dershowitz, a lawyer on the president’s impeachment defense team, said just a few years ago that he believed Donald Trump had engaged in corruption and would likely continue to be corrupt if he took office.
In a Trending Today USA radio show interview from 2016, unearthed by CNN’s KFILE, the Harvard law professor emeritus discusses Trump and his Democratic opponent for president at the time, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
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When asked about the Democratic candidate’s family charity, The Clinton Foundation, for which she faced accusations of possible impropriety, Dershowitz said it was nothing compared to Trump’s misconduct.
“When you compare that to what Trump has done with Trump University, with so many other things, I think there’s no comparison between who has engaged in more corruption and who is more likely to continue that if elected president of the United States,” Dershowitz said.
“So I think what we’re doing is we’re comparing, we’re saying, look, neither candidate is anywhere close to perfect, let’s vote for the less bad candidate.”
When asked for comment on his past remarks, Dershowitz told CNN: “I was campaigning for Clinton. That’s what I believed at the time based on media reports. I didn’t know Trump. I knew Clinton.”
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It’s not the first time Dershowitz has fallen victim to his own past comments since joining Trump’s legal team. Days ago, NBC noted that the lawyer called Trump a “destabilizing and unpredictable candidate” who “openly embraces fringe conspiracy theories peddled by extremists” in his 2016 book.
He clarified to NBC that the views in his book were just “typical campaign rhetoric.”
“I would not repeat that characterization today having met him,” he told the network.
Last week, the veteran defense lawyer “retracted” his old views on impeachment after CNN dug up a 1998 interview in which he declared that there “certainly doesn’t have to be a crime” when President Bill Clinton faced impeachment. That view contradicts his current claims that “without a crime, there can be no impeachment.”
During an appearance Tuesday on CNN, Dershowitz parried with the network’s chief legal analyst, Jeff Toobin, over a New York Times article picking at his defense strategy. The op-ed, penned by Harvard Law School assistant professor Nikolas Bowie, supported Dershowitz in saying impeachment requires a crime ― but argued “that belief hardly supports the president’s defense or Mr. Dershowitz’s position.”
“President Trump has been accused of a crime. Two in fact: “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress,’” Bowie wrote.
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Dershowitz cited the piece in his debate Tuesday with Toobin, arguing that the article “agrees with me” despite stating he was wrong overall. “And that’s why it makes his argument so much stronger,” Dershowitz said.
Toobin fired back: “The best you can do is quote a scholar who thinks you’re wrong?”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-28--GOP Senators Ready To Acquit Trump Despite ‘Unknown Unknowns’ About New Evidence

WASHINGTON ― Half a century after House Republicans voted to protect Richard Nixon , ultimately leading to an electoral bloodbath for the party , Senate Republicans appear ready to protect Donald Trump even as new and damning evidence continues to dribble out .
Fellow South Carolinian Sen. Lindsey Graham said that if Democrats insist on calling Bolton , he and others would demand witnesses whom Trump wants .
“ If you call John Bolton , we ’ re calling everybody , ” he told HuffPost .
“ We ’ re not just going to call one witness.
” A month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his forthcoming book to the White House to ensure no classified information would be released .
On Sunday , published reports revealed that Bolton writes in the book that Trump told him he wanted to continue withholding military aid to Ukraine until its leaders opened investigations into the Democrat he most feared as a 2020 challenger , former Vice President Joe Biden ― the precise allegation behind Trump ’ s impeachment in the House .
Just days earlier , Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump ’ s lawyer Rudy Giuliani , released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine upon hearing that she was not a supporter .
“ Get her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
OK ?
Do it , ” Trump says on the tape .
The situation parallels what happened in 1974 , when most Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee voted against all of the proposed articles of impeachment against Nixon .
Days later , a taped conversation was made public showing that Nixon knew from the start about his campaign ’ s involvement in the break-in at Democratic National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few days after that , Nixon resigned .
That fall , House Republicans lost 25 % of their seats ― and among those 10 on the judiciary committee who voted against all three articles of impeachment , half of their seats flipped to Democrats in the November election .
Of the seven who voted in favor of at least one of the articles , only one lost his seat that autumn .
Joe Walsh , a former Republican congressman and one of two candidates running long-shot bids to take the 2020 GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Republicans in Congress will suffer a similar fate this fall .
“ Republicans will lose control of the Senate and they will lose more seats in the House , ” Walsh said .
“ Republicans will pay a big price for putting Trump before country.
” “ It is a fool ’ s errand to stick with a guilty president when the guilt is clear , ” said Norman Ornstein , a congressional scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute .
“ And the election loss is accompanied by a stain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indelible.
” In 1974 , Ornstein was teaching at Catholic University and friendly with the House Judiciary Committee ’ s Democratic chairman , New Jersey ’ s Peter Rodino .
He said a major difference between then and now is that the GOP is no longer a true political party .
“ It is a cult , ” he said , with members afraid and unwilling to criticize Trump .
Former Trump campaign strategist Jason Miller , however , said that Democrats ’ hopes of new revelations have not worked .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said , adding that impeachment has also angered Trump supporters to the point that they are now as energized about the coming election as Trump opponents .
“ He is at his strongest positioning of his presidency .
Further , this process will lead to Speaker Pelosi losing control of the House this fall .
”

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WASHINGTON ― Half a century after House Republicans voted to protect Richard Nixon, ultimately leading to an electoral bloodbath for the party, Senate Republicans appear ready to protect Donald Trump even as new and damning evidence continues to dribble out.
In closing arguments by the president’s legal team Tuesday, Trump’s personal lawyer Jay Sekulow dismissed the latest such material as “unsourced manuscripts” ― a characterization of former national security adviser John Bolton’s claims that GOP senators appeared eager to accept.
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Asked if he had any concerns about not hearing directly from Bolton in the Senate impeachment trial, South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott replied: “None.”
Fellow South Carolinian Sen. Lindsey Graham said that if Democrats insist on calling Bolton, he and others would demand witnesses whom Trump wants. “If you call John Bolton, we’re calling everybody,” he told HuffPost. “We’re not just going to call one witness.”
A month ago, Bolton submitted a manuscript for his forthcoming book to the White House to ensure no classified information would be released. On Sunday, published reports revealed that Bolton writes in the book that Trump told him he wanted to continue withholding military aid to Ukraine until its leaders opened investigations into the Democrat he most feared as a 2020 challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden ― the precise allegation behind Trump’s impeachment in the House.
Just days earlier, Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, released video of Trump demanding that his staff fire the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine upon hearing that she was not a supporter. “Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it,” Trump says on the tape.
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The situation parallels what happened in 1974, when most Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee voted against all of the proposed articles of impeachment against Nixon. Days later, a taped conversation was made public showing that Nixon knew from the start about his campaign’s involvement in the break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters two years earlier. And a few days after that, Nixon resigned.
That fall, House Republicans lost 25% of their seats ― and among those 10 on the judiciary committee who voted against all three articles of impeachment, half of their seats flipped to Democrats in the November election. Of the seven who voted in favor of at least one of the articles, only one lost his seat that autumn.
Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman and one of two candidates running long-shot bids to take the 2020 GOP nomination away from Trump, said today’s Republicans in Congress will suffer a similar fate this fall. “Republicans will lose control of the Senate and they will lose more seats in the House,” Walsh said. “Republicans will pay a big price for putting Trump before country.”
“It is a fool’s errand to stick with a guilty president when the guilt is clear,” said Norman Ornstein, a congressional scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. “And the election loss is accompanied by a stain on one’s character that is indelible.”
In 1974, Ornstein was teaching at Catholic University and friendly with the House Judiciary Committee’s Democratic chairman, New Jersey’s Peter Rodino. He said a major difference between then and now is that the GOP is no longer a true political party. “It is a cult,” he said, with members afraid and unwilling to criticize Trump.
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Former Trump campaign strategist Jason Miller, however, said that Democrats’ hopes of new revelations have not worked. “The American public sees right through it,” he said, adding that impeachment has also angered Trump supporters to the point that they are now as energized about the coming election as Trump opponents. “He is at his strongest positioning of his presidency. Further, this process will lead to Speaker Pelosi losing control of the House this fall.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-28--What The Polls Show About How Electability Is Playing Out In 2020 Primary

Just days away from the first contest of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary , most of the leading candidates are making electability a cornerstone of their final pitches .
And it ’ s easy to see why : For months , Democratic voters have made it evident in the polls that they ’ re particularly focused on taking down President Donald Trump .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is running ads in Iowa showing the results of head-to-head polls that pit him against Trump .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg ’ s commercials include an Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most capable of winning the general election .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , whose campaign previously emphasized her policy chops , is now running a spot with the title “ Why She Will Beat Him.
” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has placed less emphasis on electability ahead of the Iowa caucuses , but it ’ s an issue his campaign has touted in the past .
WHICH CANDIDATES DO VOTERS THINK ARE ELECTABLE ?
In the abstract , Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters see candidates who are white , male and not too old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new HuffPost/YouGov survey , although a sizable share of them say they don ’ t think demographic traits would affect voters ’ choices .
( All of that is roughly in line with polling taken last spring . )
Roughly 3 in 10 voters think that most of the electorate would be less likely to vote for a female candidate because of her gender , compared to just 2 % who think a male candidate would face a similar disadvantage .
Similarly , 30 % think a nonwhite candidate would face more difficulty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who say a white candidate would be disadvantaged .
And 28 % say they suspect the electorate would penalize a candidate over age 70 .
Candidates , of course , are more than a collection of demographics , and voters ’ opinions about the specific 2020 options don ’ t always line up with their general sense of what makes someone electable .
Apparent concerns about an older candidate , for instance , haven ’ t stopped Biden , Sanders and Warren from rising to the top tier of the field ― although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman can beat Trump ― or prevented Biden from regularly leading polls on perceived electability .
A 63 % majority of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters see Biden as capable of defeating Trump in the general election , a second new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , with 54 % saying the same of Sanders and 52 % of Warren .
Fewer than a quarter say the same of any other candidate , including Buttigieg .
There ’ s another important distinction to be made here : Although Democratic voters may have ideas about which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hopes pinned entirely on just one person .
Instead , the vast majority think that multiple top-tier candidates would be able to defeat Trump .
To look at that question from a different angle , most of the voters who think Biden can win also say the same of Sanders and Warren .
Most who think Sanders can win think that Biden and Warren can , too .
And most who consider Warren electable think that her two biggest rivals are also electable .
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY VOTE BASED ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic-leaning voters , the second poll finds , say they ’ re planning to simply vote for their favorite candidate .
But a substantial minority , 23 % , say they ’ re planning to choose someone who isn ’ t their favorite but has a better shot at winning .
The rest are unsure or not planning to vote .
Those findings are similar to polling from December when 24 % said they planned to vote based on electability .
HOW DO VOTERS FEEL ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS ?
The voters are most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nominating Warren ( 42 % say they ’ d be enthusiastic if she were the nominee ) , Sanders ( 40 % ) and Biden ( 39 % ) , followed by Buttigieg at 21 % .
Twenty-three percent would be upset if Biden were nominated , with 19 % saying the same of Sanders and Buttigieg , and 14 % saying it of Warren .
The candidates generating the most unease are Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D-Hawaii ) and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg .

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Just days away from the first contest of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, most of the leading candidates are making electability a cornerstone of their final pitches. And it’s easy to see why: For months, Democratic voters have made it evident in the polls that they’re particularly focused on taking down President Donald Trump.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is running ads in Iowa showing the results of head-to-head polls that pit him against Trump. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s commercials include an Iowa state senator praising him as the one most capable of winning the general election. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose campaign previously emphasized her policy chops, is now running a spot with the title “Why She Will Beat Him.” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has placed less emphasis on electability ahead of the Iowa caucuses, but it’s an issue his campaign has touted in the past.
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Both voters and candidates have made it clear that electability matters. But the precise role that the subject plays in voters’ decision-making is less cut and dried, as new HuffPost/YouGov polling shows.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders participate in the seventh Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 14, 2020. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
WHICH CANDIDATES DO VOTERS THINK ARE ELECTABLE?
In the abstract, Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters see candidates who are white, male and not too old as more electable, according to one new HuffPost/YouGov survey, although a sizable share of them say they don’t think demographic traits would affect voters’ choices. (All of that is roughly in line with polling taken last spring.)
In other words, voters feel better about people who largely look like the vast majority of past U.S. presidents.
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Roughly 3 in 10 voters think that most of the electorate would be less likely to vote for a female candidate because of her gender, compared to just 2% who think a male candidate would face a similar disadvantage. Similarly, 30% think a nonwhite candidate would face more difficulty with voters, compared to 2% who say a white candidate would be disadvantaged. And 28% say they suspect the electorate would penalize a candidate over age 70.
In other words, voters feel better about candidates who largely look like the vast majority of past U.S. presidents. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Candidates, of course, are more than a collection of demographics, and voters’ opinions about the specific 2020 options don’t always line up with their general sense of what makes someone electable. Apparent concerns about an older candidate, for instance, haven’t stopped Biden, Sanders and Warren from rising to the top tier of the field ― although there has been significant talk about whether a woman can beat Trump ― or prevented Biden from regularly leading polls on perceived electability.
A 63% majority of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters see Biden as capable of defeating Trump in the general election, a second new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, with 54% saying the same of Sanders and 52% of Warren. Fewer than a quarter say the same of any other candidate, including Buttigieg.
Majorities of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters see Biden, Sanders and Warren as capable of defeating Trump in this November's general election. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
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There’s another important distinction to be made here: Although Democratic voters may have ideas about which candidate is most electable, few have their hopes pinned entirely on just one person. Instead, the vast majority think that multiple top-tier candidates would be able to defeat Trump.
To look at that question from a different angle, most of the voters who think Biden can win also say the same of Sanders and Warren. Most who think Sanders can win think that Biden and Warren can, too. And most who consider Warren electable think that her two biggest rivals are also electable.
Most Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters think the party has multiple options for beating Trump this year. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY VOTE BASED ON ELECTABILITY?
Sixty-five percent of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, the second poll finds, say they’re planning to simply vote for their favorite candidate. But a substantial minority, 23%, say they’re planning to choose someone who isn’t their favorite but has a better shot at winning. The rest are unsure or not planning to vote. Those findings are similar to polling from December when 24% said they planned to vote based on electability.
HOW DO VOTERS FEEL ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS?
Overall impressions of the field are positive: 43% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters say they’re enthusiastic about the state of the Democratic primary field, 38% are satisfied, 10% are dissatisfied, and just 1% are upset.
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The voters are most likely to be excited about the prospect of nominating Warren (42% say they’d be enthusiastic if she were the nominee), Sanders (40%) and Biden (39%), followed by Buttigieg at 21%. Twenty-three percent would be upset if Biden were nominated, with 19% saying the same of Sanders and Buttigieg, and 14% saying it of Warren. The candidates generating the most unease are Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters are most likely to be excited about the prospect of nominating Warren, Sanders or Biden. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Two-thirds of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters now say they have at least “a good idea” of whom they’ll vote for, up from 55% in December ― although many are still less than firmly decided.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups:
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The first HuffPost/YouGov poll cited consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Jan. 14-16 among U.S. adults, including 369 Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters. The second HuffPost/YouGov poll cited consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted Jan. 16-18 among U.S. adults, including 300 Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters. Both used a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-28--Arizona Bill Would Ban Transgender Girls, Women From Sports Teams

PHOENIX ( AP ) — Transgender girls and women would be barred from participating in sports on the team that aligns with their gender identity under a proposed Arizona law .
The proposal announced by GOP Rep. Nancy Barto on Friday is co-sponsored by 22 other Republican House members and is the latest on a growing list of more than a dozen states with bills that focus on transgender young people .
The Arizona legislation allows only biological women or girls to play on female teams , and requires a doctor ’ s note to prove a person is female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It allows lawsuits by students who believe they ’ ve missed opportunities because a transgender person is on a school team .
The measure is intended to prevent female athletes from being forced to compete against biological males , Barto said in a statement .
It would apply to K-12 schools , community colleges and state universities but only to female teams .
“ When this is allowed , it discourages female participation in athletics and , worse , it can result in women and girls being denied crucial educational and financial opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barto said she is working with the ADF and the Center for Arizona Policy , a powerful group at the state Capitol that lobbies for religious freedom and anti-abortion legislation , to push the proposal , Several national women ’ s rights and sports organizations are pushing back , saying in a letter distributed by the American Civil Liberties Union that barring transgender people from sports teams aligning with their gender identity often means they are “ excluded from participating altogether.
” The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a federal discrimination complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in track-and-field .
The girls say the state ’ s inclusive policy on transgender athletes has cost them top finishes and possibly college scholarships .
“ Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males isn ’ t fair and destroys their athletic opportunities , ” attorney Matt Sharp , the ADF ’ s state government relations director told The Associated Press in an interview for a recent news report .
“ Likewise , every child deserves a childhood that allows them to experience puberty and other natural changes that shape who they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine why state legislators have decided to prioritize barring transgender young people from sharing in the benefit of secondary school athletics or disrupting medical treatment consistent with prevailing standards of care , ” Strangio said .
“ But here we are , the start of the session , a time to fight.
” The measure doesn ’ t apply to males , Barto said , because they are “ biologically different from females in terms of bone density , lung capacity , strength , and other respects , are not disadvantaged by females @ @ @ @ @ @

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PHOENIX (AP) — Transgender girls and women would be barred from participating in sports on the team that aligns with their gender identity under a proposed Arizona law.
The proposal announced by GOP Rep. Nancy Barto on Friday is co-sponsored by 22 other Republican House members and is the latest on a growing list of more than a dozen states with bills that focus on transgender young people.
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The Arizona legislation allows only biological women or girls to play on female teams, and requires a doctor’s note to prove a person is female if their birth sex is disputed. It allows lawsuits by students who believe they’ve missed opportunities because a transgender person is on a school team.
The measure is intended to prevent female athletes from being forced to compete against biological males, Barto said in a statement. It would apply to K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities but only to female teams.
She said most people view the issue as one of basic fairness.
“When this is allowed, it discourages female participation in athletics and, worse, it can result in women and girls being denied crucial educational and financial opportunities,” Barto’s statement said.
Republicans make up the majority in the state House and Senate.
Similar legislation has been proposed in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Washington state, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
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The measures are part of a national campaign backed by the Scottsdale-based Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative religious freedom group.
Barto said she is working with the ADF and the Center for Arizona Policy, a powerful group at the state Capitol that lobbies for religious freedom and anti-abortion legislation, to push the proposal,
Several national women’s rights and sports organizations are pushing back, saying in a letter distributed by the American Civil Liberties Union that barring transgender people from sports teams aligning with their gender identity often means they are “excluded from participating altogether.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a federal discrimination complaint on behalf of Connecticut girls who competed in track-and-field. The girls say the state’s inclusive policy on transgender athletes has cost them top finishes and possibly college scholarships.
“Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males isn’t fair and destroys their athletic opportunities,” attorney Matt Sharp, the ADF’s state government relations director told The Associated Press in an interview for a recent news report. “Likewise, every child deserves a childhood that allows them to experience puberty and other natural changes that shape who they will become.”
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Conservative groups are also pushing bills that would bar doctors from providing them certain gender-related medical treatment.
The proposed laws, if enacted, “would bring devastating harms to the transgender community,” Chase Strangio, a transgender-rights lawyer with the ACLU.
“It is hard to imagine why state legislators have decided to prioritize barring transgender young people from sharing in the benefit of secondary school athletics or disrupting medical treatment consistent with prevailing standards of care,” Strangio said. “But here we are, the start of the session, a time to fight.”
The measure doesn’t apply to males, Barto said, because they are “biologically different from females in terms of bone density, lung capacity, strength, and other respects, are not disadvantaged by females in boys’ sports.”
She had no Arizona examples of girls or young women impacted but pointed to issues in Connecticut and the ADF lawsuit.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--Mike Bloomberg Had A Weird Encounter With A Dog On The Campaign Trail

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg had an odd encounter on the campaign trail this week .
He met a dog .
But instead of petting the animal , Bloomberg grabbed the dog ’ s muzzle and gave it a shake in what seemed like an odd spin on a handshake .
The dog wagged its tail and seemed happy enough to meet the former mayor of New York .
Gothamist cheekily asked Bloomberg spokesperson Stu Loeser if the candidate knew how to pet a dog .
“ You know that he ’ s playing with the dog , right ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an ASPCA article about “ mouthing ” that doesn ’ t quite explain why Bloomberg was shaking the dog ’ s muzzle .
A number of websites also refer to “ muzzle-grabbing ” behavior between dogs but are mixed about whether humans should or should not attempt it .
So was Twitter : I rise to defend Bloomberg 's dog interaction .
I have no idea what his dog experience level is but many dogs , especially dogs at least part retriever or other `` mouthy '' sporting/gun dogs , love that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how they play with each other .
🐶 — Clara Jeffery ( @ ClaraJeffery ) January 29 , 2020 Anyone criticizing this is absolutely just envious of Bloomberg ’ s dog handling instincts .
This is just a textbook example of correctly reading a new pup ’ s body language and delivering some aggressive but obviously welcome snout play .
https : //t.co/299hrdeInv — Daniel Foster ( @ DanFosterType ) January 28 , 2020 Apparently this is not even the first time Mike Bloomberg has greeted a dog by shaking its snout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AaronBlake ) January 28 , 2020 Is ... is this the first dog Mike Bloomberg has ever met ?
https : //t.co/CogHuMzoMH — Shaker Samman ( @ ShakerSamman ) January 28 , 2020 Awkward as this is , this improved Bloomberg ’ s likability rating with me .
🤣 https : //t.co/4Jj6vA2kw0 — Terence ( @ TOPolk ) January 28 , 2020 Bloomberg is a monster but it sounds to me like some of you do n't know how to say hi to a mouthy herding dog https : //t.co/kcyvMxSmSX — Gwen Snyder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 , 2020 There 's a lot of things we can slam Bloomberg on , but this ai n't one of them .
I do this to my dog all the time and he knows that means I 'm being playful .
https : //t.co/rv0wnAfFTS — Brandon Morse ( @ TheBrandonMorse ) January 28 , 2020 at first I thought Bloomberg ’ s way of shaking a dogs face was not that weird but then I watched it seven more times and actually it ’ s the weirdest thing anyone has ever done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) January 29 , 2020

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Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg had an odd encounter on the campaign trail this week.
He met a dog. But instead of petting the animal, Bloomberg grabbed the dog’s muzzle and gave it a shake in what seemed like an odd spin on a handshake.
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The dog wagged its tail and seemed happy enough to meet the former mayor of New York.
Gothamist cheekily asked Bloomberg spokesperson Stu Loeser if the candidate knew how to pet a dog.
“You know that he’s playing with the dog, right?” Loeser said, adding a link to an ASPCA article about “mouthing” that doesn’t quite explain why Bloomberg was shaking the dog’s muzzle.
A number of websites also refer to “muzzle-grabbing” behavior between dogs, but are mixed about whether humans should or should not attempt it.
So was Twitter:
I regret to inform you that Mike Bloomberg attempted to shake a dog’s mouth. pic.twitter.com/hKsagJ4xAf — Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) January 28, 2020
I rise to defend Bloomberg's dog interaction. I have no idea what his dog experience level is but many dogs, especially dogs at least part retriever or other "mouthy" sporting/gun dogs, love that because it's what they do, and how they play with each other. 🐶 — Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) January 29, 2020
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Anyone criticizing this is absolutely just envious of Bloomberg’s dog handling instincts. This is just a textbook example of correctly reading a new pup’s body language and delivering some aggressive but obviously welcome snout play. https://t.co/299hrdeInv — Daniel Foster (@DanFosterType) January 28, 2020
Apparently this is not even the first time Mike Bloomberg has greeted a dog by shaking its snout. pic.twitter.com/oTxMY2M40Y — Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) January 28, 2020
Is ... is this the first dog Mike Bloomberg has ever met? https://t.co/CogHuMzoMH — Shaker Samman (@ShakerSamman) January 28, 2020
Awkward as this is, this improved Bloomberg’s likability rating with me. 🤣 https://t.co/4Jj6vA2kw0 — Terence (@TOPolk) January 28, 2020
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“So, what line of business are you in?” - Michael Bloomberg meeting a dog — Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) January 28, 2020
Bloomberg is a monster but it sounds to me like some of you don't know how to say hi to a mouthy herding dog https://t.co/kcyvMxSmSX — Gwen Snyder is uncivil (@gwensnyderPHL) January 28, 2020
Has Mike Bloomberg ever been around a dog before? https://t.co/vChIiSAr4D — Jeff Schogol (@JeffSchogol) January 28, 2020
There's a lot of things we can slam Bloomberg on, but this ain't one of them. I do this to my dog all the time and he knows that means I'm being playful. https://t.co/rv0wnAfFTS — Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) January 28, 2020
Michael Bloomberg... just greeted a dog... by giving it a handshake... on its face. https://t.co/CsctwXX5ms — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) January 28, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--Evangelical Singer Calls Out Trump's Christian Supporters In Scathing New Song

An evangelical Christian musician is calling out his fellow members of the faith for their widespread support of President Donald Trump in a new song titled : “ Hymn For The 81 % .
” “ This song might ruffle some feathers , but maybe some feathers need to be ruffled , ” Daniel Deitrich told Religion News Service ( RNS ) , adding : “ Maybe some tables need to be turned over .
Hear me on this , though : It is because I was taught to take the words of Jesus and the prophets seriously that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s title refers to the 81 percent of evangelicals who voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election .
Since then , they ’ ve remained one of his most consistent group of supporters despite the chasm between core biblical tenets and the president ’ s behavior and policies .
“ Even after enacting deliberately cruel policies to rip families apart and put children in cages at the southern border , evangelical support is as fervent as ever , ” Deitrich , who is listed as the pastor for arts and worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wrote on YouTube .
“ I learned to take the words of Jesus seriously - love God , love your neighbor , feed the hungry , fight for justice for the oppressed .
I thought that things like love , kindness , gentleness , and self-control MATTERED , ” he wrote .
“ I have been so confused and deeply saddened by the unflinching loyalty to a man who so clearly embodies the opposite of these values.
” Deitrich told RNS that while the song was a rebuke , it “ comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indeed , one line of the song is : “ You said to love the lost , so I ’ m loving you now.
” But the next line puts evangelical Christians who support Trump on notice : Deitrich said the song ’ s bridge originally was “ an angry middle finger to the listener ” that he found cathartic , but he toned it down in the final version .
“ I remember gearing up for that angry bridge but being hit with a wave of sadness instead , ” he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you taught me better than this ’ came out .
That ’ s the take in the finished recording .
”

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An evangelical Christian musician is calling out his fellow members of the faith for their widespread support of President Donald Trump in a new song titled: “Hymn For The 81%.”
“This song might ruffle some feathers, but maybe some feathers need to be ruffled,” Daniel Deitrich told Religion News Service, adding:
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Maybe some tables need to be turned over. Hear me on this, though: It is because I was taught to take the words of Jesus and the prophets seriously that I cannot stay silent.
The song’s title refers to the 81% of evangelicals who voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Since then, they’ve remained one of his most consistent group of supporters despite the chasm between core biblical tenets and the president’s behavior and policies.
“Even after enacting deliberately cruel policies to rip families apart and put children in cages at the southern border, evangelical support is as fervent as ever,” Deitrich, who is listed as the pastor for arts and worship at South Bend City Church in Indiana, wrote on YouTube.
Deitrich also noted that he was raised on Christian values.
“I learned to take the words of Jesus seriously ― love God, love your neighbor, feed the hungry, fight for justice for the oppressed. I thought that things like love, kindness, gentleness, and self-control MATTERED,” he wrote. “I have been so confused and deeply saddened by the unflinching loyalty to a man who so clearly embodies the opposite of these values.”
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Deitrich told RNS that while the song was a rebuke, it “comes from a deep well of love.”
Indeed, one line of the song is: “You said to love the lost, so I’m loving you now.” But the next line puts evangelical Christians who support Trump on notice:
You said speak the truth I’m calling you out
Why don’t you live the words
That you put in my mouth
Deitrich said the song’s bridge originally was “an angry middle finger to the listener” that he found cathartic, but he toned it down in the final version.
“I remember gearing up for that angry bridge but being hit with a wave of sadness instead,” he told RNS. ”‘Come home, you taught me better than this’ came out. That’s the take in the finished recording.”
Listen to the hymn below:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-28--Biden Won't Say If Sanders Would Unite Democrats As Nominee

“ I ’ m not going to make judgments now , ” Biden told reporters in Muscatine , six days before the Iowa caucuses .
“ I just think that it depends upon how we treat one another between now and the time we have a nominee.
” Biden has previously promised to support the Democratic nominee , regardless of who it is .
At some stops along the campaign trail , Biden has pledged to “ work like hell ” to help any of his rivals defeat Trump .
The Biden campaign said Tuesday afternoon that the former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet tensions are rising between Biden and Sanders on the campaign trail .
The two men reflect the larger ideological battle between a Democratic establishment in which Biden has spent his career and the progressive left that has surged in influence since Sanders ’ failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 .
The two have jousted over their records on Social Security , foreign policy and trade .
Sanders recently apologized to Biden after one of the senator ’ s high-profile supporters penned a column asserting that Biden has a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up his suggestions in recent days , without naming Sanders , that the party will lose big in November if it makes a sharp leftward turn .
Asked later Tuesday whether he can defeat Sanders , a democratic socialist elected in Vermont as an independent , Biden smiled , nodded and then boarded his campaign bus .
Biden is in the middle of his final tour of the state before the Monday caucuses begin Democrats ’ 2020 voting .
Sanders is balancing his campaign with Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses suggest Sanders and Biden are in a tight race with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend , Indiana .
Sanders has confidently predicted victory in Iowa and in the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary that follows , telling his supporters that the party establishment is “ nervous ” about his strength .
His advisers argue that such momentum would dent Biden ’ s long-standing advantage in most national polls of Democratic voters .
Biden ’ s advisers maintain that the state is a toss-up , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president doesn ’ t have to win in Iowa because he maintains a wide advantage among nonwhite voters who will have strong sway over states that vote after Iowa and New Hampshire .
Last week , Sanders ’ 2016 rival for the Democratic nomination , Hillary Clinton , initially refused to say whether she would endorse the Vermont senator if he wins the 2020 nomination — “ I ’ m not going to go there yet , ” she said — and she offered a broad condemnation of his style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back her comments , saying her No .
1 priority was “ retiring Trump ” and that “ as I always have , I will do whatever I can to support our nominee.
” Corrects to reflect that Biden was questioned on whether Sanders could unite the party as nominee , not whether Biden would support Sanders if he ’ s the nominee .

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MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden wouldn’t say Tuesday whether he thinks Bernie Sanders could effectively unify the Democrats if the Vermont senator wins the party’s presidential nomination.
“I’m not going to make judgments now,” Biden told reporters in Muscatine, six days before the Iowa caucuses. “I just think that it depends upon how we treat one another between now and the time we have a nominee.”
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Yet Biden also said the Democrats have to unite as a party to defeat President Donald Trump.
Biden has previously promised to support the Democratic nominee, regardless of who it is. At some stops along the campaign trail, Biden has pledged to “work like hell” to help any of his rivals defeat Trump. The Biden campaign said Tuesday afternoon that the former vice president would support the eventual nominee.
Yet tensions are rising between Biden and Sanders on the campaign trail. The two men reflect the larger ideological battle between a Democratic establishment in which Biden has spent his career and the progressive left that has surged in influence since Sanders’ failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
The two have jousted over their records on Social Security, foreign policy and trade. Sanders recently apologized to Biden after one of the senator’s high-profile supporters penned a column asserting that Biden has a “corruption problem.” And Biden has ratcheted up his suggestions in recent days, without naming Sanders, that the party will lose big in November if it makes a sharp leftward turn.
Asked later Tuesday whether he can defeat Sanders, a democratic socialist elected in Vermont as an independent, Biden smiled, nodded and then boarded his campaign bus. Biden is in the middle of his final tour of the state before the Monday caucuses begin Democrats’ 2020 voting. Sanders is balancing his campaign with Trump’s Senate impeachment trial on Capitol Hill.
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Polls ahead of the Iowa caucuses suggest Sanders and Biden are in a tight race with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana. Sanders has confidently predicted victory in Iowa and in the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary that follows, telling his supporters that the party establishment is “nervous” about his strength. His advisers argue that such momentum would dent Biden’s long-standing advantage in most national polls of Democratic voters.
Biden’s advisers maintain that the state is a toss-up, and they’ve said for months that the former vice president doesn’t have to win in Iowa because he maintains a wide advantage among nonwhite voters who will have strong sway over states that vote after Iowa and New Hampshire.
Last week, Sanders’ 2016 rival for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton, initially refused to say whether she would endorse the Vermont senator if he wins the 2020 nomination — “I’m not going to go there yet,” she said — and she offered a broad condemnation of his style of politics. Later, she walked back her comments, saying her No. 1 priority was “retiring Trump” and that “as I always have, I will do whatever I can to support our nominee.”
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Corrects to reflect that Biden was questioned on whether Sanders could unite the party as nominee, not whether Biden would support Sanders if he’s the nominee.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--Cory Gardner Says He’ll Vote Against Witnesses In Trump Impeachment Trial

The electorally vulnerable senator , who is up for reelection in 2020 , had been viewed as a potential “ yes ” vote on the issue .
Four Republicans would have to side with Senate Democrats to reach the 51 votes needed to call witnesses .
With Gardner out , that leaves Sens .
Susan Collins ( Maine ) , Mitt Romney ( Utah ) and Lisa Murkowski ( Alaska ) as the most likely remaining Republican “ yes ” votes .
Democrats have pushed for the Senate to call witnesses , focusing in particular on former national security adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton ’ s forthcoming book lays out his recollection of President Donald Trump admitting that he was tying the release of aid withheld from Ukraine to that country investigating his political rival Joe Biden .
Bolton earlier chose not to comply with a request to testify during the impeachment investigation in the House , where Democrats hold a majority .
Should the Republican-controlled Senate decline to call any witnesses , it would represent a sharp break from historical precedent .
President Andrew Johnson ’ s Senate trial involved 25 witnesses for the prosecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Bill Clinton ’ s trial had three .
“ Today , after getting caught pushing his colleagues to not call for witnesses , Senator Gardner confirmed what we ’ ve known all along : he never wanted a fair trial , he was never an impartial juror , and he never wanted to get to the truth , ” spokesman David Pourshoushtari told HuffPost in an emailed statement .
“ The Senate holding a trial without direct witnesses or key documents isn ’ t a trial ― it ’ s a cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
“ Instead of upholding his oath , Senator Gardner viewed impeachment as a political calculation , and the people of Colorado will not forget .
”

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Gardner confirmed his stance in a statement to Colorado Politics on Wednesday.
The electorally vulnerable senator, who is up for reelection in 2020, had been viewed as a potential “yes” vote on the issue. Four Republicans would have to side with Senate Democrats to reach the 51 votes needed to call witnesses.
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With Gardner out, that leaves Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Mitt Romney (Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) as the most likely remaining Republican “yes” votes.
Democrats have pushed for the Senate to call witnesses, focusing in particular on former national security adviser John Bolton. A leaked draft of Bolton’s forthcoming book lays out his recollection of President Donald Trump admitting that he was tying the release of aid withheld from Ukraine to that country investigating his political rival Joe Biden.
Bolton earlier chose not to comply with a request to testify during the impeachment investigation in the House, where Democrats hold a majority.
Should the Republican-controlled Senate decline to call any witnesses, it would represent a sharp break from historical precedent. President Andrew Johnson’s Senate trial involved 25 witnesses for the prosecution and 16 for the defense, while President Bill Clinton’s trial had three.
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The Colorado Democratic Party blasted Gardner’s decision.
“Today, after getting caught pushing his colleagues to not call for witnesses, Senator Gardner confirmed what we’ve known all along: he never wanted a fair trial, he was never an impartial juror, and he never wanted to get to the truth,” spokesman David Pourshoushtari told HuffPost in an emailed statement.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--White House Issues Formal Threat To Bolton To Keep Him From Publishing Book

The White House has issued a formal threat to former national security adviser John Bolton warning him against publishing an upcoming book that alleges Trump abused the power of the presidency , according to a CNN report .
The warning ― which CNN says came in the form of a letter ― follows a New York Times report outlining key allegations of Trump ’ s misconduct believed to have been included in Bolton ’ s soon-to-be-released book , “ The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir.
” See the letter , via Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer claims his book as information classified at Top Secret level .
Bolton and lawyer had maintained they did n't believe the draft contained any classified info .
pic.twitter.com/TM395h7GHe — Zeke Miller ( @ ZekeJMiller ) January 29 , 2020 The letter shared by Miller claims the manuscript of Bolton ’ s book contains “ significant amounts of classified information , ” including information classified as “ top secret.
” Trump posted multiple derisive tweets about Bolton on Wednesday morning , criticizing Bolton ’ s time working for the administration and , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser ’ s book is “ untrue.
” For a guy who couldn ’ t get approved for the Ambassador to the U.N. years ago , couldn ’ t get approved for anything since , “ begged ” me for a non Senate approved job , which I gave him despite many saying “ Don ’ t do it , sir , ” takes the job , mistakenly says “ Libyan Model ” on T.V.
, and.. — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 29 , 2020 ... .many more mistakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if I listened to him , we would be in World War Six by now , and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book .
All Classified National Security .
Who would do this ?
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 29 , 2020 Bolton is widely seen as a possible key witness in Trump ’ s ongoing impeachment trial , which centers on allegations Trump withheld aid from Ukraine to pressure Ukrainian officials to investigate pro-Russia conspiracy theories and former Vice President Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House officials testified that Bolton disagreed with Trump ’ s conduct at the time and actively worked to stop it .
On Jan. 6 , Bolton announced he was willing to testify if called during the impeachment trial currently happening in the Senate .
Trump and some of his allies in Congress have argued against Bolton ’ s testimony , but on Monday , Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said it seems “ increasingly likely ” GOP senators will vote to have Bolton testify .
“ I think it ’ s important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Romney said .

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The White House has issued a formal threat to former national security adviser John Bolton warning him against publishing an upcoming book that alleges Trump abused the power of the presidency, according to a CNN report.
The warning ― which CNN says came in the form of a letter ― follows a New York Times report outlining key allegations of Trump’s misconduct believed to have been included in Bolton’s soon-to-be-released book, “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir.”
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See the letter, via Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller, below:
WH LETTER to Bolton lawyer claims his book as information classified at Top Secret level. Bolton and lawyer had maintained they didn't believe the draft contained any classified info. pic.twitter.com/TM395h7GHe — Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 29, 2020
The letter shared by Miller claims the manuscript of Bolton’s book contains “significant amounts of classified information,” including information classified as “top secret.”
Trump posted multiple derisive tweets about Bolton on Wednesday morning, criticizing Bolton’s time working for the administration and, without evidence, claiming the former national security adviser’s book is “untrue.”
For a guy who couldn’t get approved for the Ambassador to the U.N. years ago, couldn’t get approved for anything since, “begged” me for a non Senate approved job, which I gave him despite many saying “Don’t do it, sir,” takes the job, mistakenly says “Libyan Model” on T.V., and.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020
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....many more mistakes of judgement, gets fired because frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now, and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020
Bolton is widely seen as a possible key witness in Trump’s ongoing impeachment trial, which centers on allegations Trump withheld aid from Ukraine to pressure Ukrainian officials to investigate pro-Russia conspiracy theories and former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump’s political rival.
Several White House officials testified that Bolton disagreed with Trump’s conduct at the time and actively worked to stop it. On Jan. 6, Bolton announced he was willing to testify if called during the impeachment trial currently happening in the Senate. Trump and some of his allies in Congress have argued against Bolton’s testimony, but on Monday, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said it seems “increasingly likely” GOP senators will vote to have Bolton testify.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--Donald Trump Tweeted About 'World War Six' And All Hell Broke Loose

President Donald Trump ’ s tweet about “ World War Six ” on Wednesday morning immediately sent people on social media into a meltdown .
Trump tweeted “ we would be in World War Six by now ” if he had listened to his former national security adviser John Bolton , who reportedly makes the Democrats ’ case for his impeachment in his forthcoming book “ The Room Where It Happened.
” For a guy who couldn ’ t get approved for the Ambassador to the U.N. years ago , couldn ’ t get approved for anything since , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved job , which I gave him despite many saying “ Don ’ t do it , sir , ” takes the job , mistakenly says “ Libyan Model ” on T.V.
, and.. — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 29 , 2020 ... .many more mistakes of judgement , gets fired because frankly , if I listened to him , we would be in World War Six by now , and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book .
All Classified National Security .
Who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 29 , 2020 Critics reminded Trump that he hired Bolton in the first place and suggested his posts showed he feared his former aide being called to testify against him in his Senate impeachment trial .
Responded one : “ So , you would have had us fighting in FOUR more world wars before you figured out what the problem was ?
?
For such a great leader , you sure do pick some winners !
” “ I woke up to World War Six trending .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired back as the term went viral .
Check out a sample of the replies below : I saw that “ World War Six ” was trending and I honestly thought a new Call of Duty video game got released .
Silly me .
It ’ s just Trump and his tertiary syphilis vomiting psychotic paranoid maniacal delusional incriminating batshit lunacy all over Twitter again .
Carry on .
— The USA Singers ( @ TheUSASingers ) January 29 , 2020 Remember Republicans this is your president , who ’ s blaming someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s probably going to be the cause of World War Three pic.twitter.com/1MLeBUsEgH — David Leavitt ( @ David_Leavitt ) January 29 , 2020 You made a highly unqualified guy a National Security Advisor ?
!
?
You see how that makes you a complete and total moron , yes ?
— Jeremy Newberger ( @ jeremynewberger ) January 29 , 2020 There was no lower position you could graciously fit this guy in , against your best wise and unquestioned judgement ?
Mar-a-Lago bellhop ?
Stephen Miller ’ s armband dry cleaner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
You instead made him NSA ?
— Jeremy Newberger ( @ jeremynewberger ) January 29 , 2020 FWIW , World War Six is between the US and NPR .
— Jeremy Newberger ( @ jeremynewberger ) January 29 , 2020 World War One World War Two World War 2 Fast 2 Furious World War Tokyo Drift The World and the Warrious World War Six — The Volatile Mermaid ( @ OhNoSheTwitnt ) January 29 , 2020 Shit , are we up to World War Six already ?
I was still gearing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jenpocalypse17 ( @ Jenpocalypse17 ) January 29 , 2020 '' World War Six '' ?
?
!
?
!
?
So , you would have had us fighting in FOUR more world wars before you figured out what the problem was ?
?
For such a great leader , you sure do pick some winners !
pic.twitter.com/iH2JBF5XSn — Bot Detector Alpha ( @ alpha_detector ) January 29 , 2020 When something as stupid as World War Six is trending , 99 percent of the time it ’ s because of something idiotic that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ davidmweissman ) January 29 , 2020 Sees World War Six trending Me : `` please do n't be defending John Bolton , please do n't be defending John Bolton , oh god they 're defending John Bolton '' — Tim Pool ( @ Timcast ) January 29 , 2020 This crazy rant shows how scared Donald Trump is of John Bolton testifying at the Senate impeachment trial — Edward Hardy ( @ EdwardTHardy ) January 29 , 2020 You planned to skip past WW 3-5 ?
Remember when you wanted to invite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped you ?
https : //t.co/LhL0dDI5t3 — D Villella ❄ ( @ dvillella ) January 29 , 2020 I have to admit that I did not have `` World War Six '' on my Donald Trump Batshittery Bingo card — Jeff Tiedrich ( @ itsJeffTiedrich ) January 29 , 2020 Everyone : 2020 gon na be our year *WW3 memes happen* Everyone : That was just a hiccup .
Now 2020 is gon na be our ye -- Trending : World War Six pic.twitter.com/yEhW2KQ6YV — Aliza Noria ( @ AlizaNoria ) January 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trending and you can ’ t remember World Wars 3 thru 5 World War 6 pic.twitter.com/GFr1Fa7d1Q — Scott Williams ( @ jswilliams1962 ) January 29 , 2020 Trump makes himself look like more of a fuckup because 1 ) He hired the guy with all these blemishes on his record 2 ) He kept him on in spite of the mistakes 3 ) He just admitted he 'll give away an important post just because someone begs the right way .
World War Six indeed .
https : //t.co/DGioRaAK0l — Dan Winter ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War Six ?
Hmm .
You are n't very good at math are you ?
Your # TurdReich travesty is a tragicomedy of errors , idiocy and incompetence .
What a cretinous , criminal cockwaffle you are , an embarrassment not of riches , but of poorly educated peons proselytizing your propaganda .
Sad !
— Lesley Abravanel🆘 ( @ lesleyabravanel ) January 29 , 2020 If John Bolton was as bad a choice for National Security Adviser as Trump tweeted this morning -- someone who could have gotten us into World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately .
He did n't just put our national security at risk in Ukraine .
He 's doing it every single day .
— The Daily Edge ( @ TheDailyEdge ) January 29 , 2020 The Trump Model : 1 ) Inserts lying “ tell ” by calling himself “ sir ” 2 ) Twitter trashes his latest public critic 3 ) “ World War Six ” - childlike , immature logic and reasoning 4 ) “ Begging ” invective meant to subordinate someone who , in reality , has far more merit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 29 , 2020 World War Six has the same energy as this 😂 pic.twitter.com/SdoehooTQ5 — Kyol 🧢 ( @ LordJedburgh ) January 29 , 2020 I must have slept through WW3 and WW4 and somehow through WW5 too because I 'm seeing talks about World War Six ?
?
?
A good nights sleep can do that am I right ?
pic.twitter.com/mDNnVk5VT3 — Never need a bitch , I ’ m what a bitch needs ( @ Quotemeorelse ) January 29 , 2020 I can help .
I 'm Adjunct Professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Numberry Things .
Species Trumpus-Corruptus does n't know numbers .
Math Professor Emeritus Rick Perry was able to teach Trump a universal number 'Oops ' .
Any number larger than 2 is Oops .
Hence World War Six — Tomi T Ahonen ( @ tomiahonen ) January 29 , 2020 Let 's not lose sight of the fact that World War Six would be an awesome band name .
https : //t.co/PxbpldyAT2 — Jason Foster ( @ ByJasonFoster ) January 29 , 2020

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President Donald Trump’s tweet about “World War Six” on Wednesday morning immediately sent people on social media into a meltdown.
Trump tweeted “we would be in World War Six by now” if he had listened to his former national security adviser John Bolton, who reportedly makes the Democrats’ case for his impeachment in his forthcoming book “The Room Where It Happened.”
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For a guy who couldn’t get approved for the Ambassador to the U.N. years ago, couldn’t get approved for anything since, “begged” me for a non Senate approved job, which I gave him despite many saying “Don’t do it, sir,” takes the job, mistakenly says “Libyan Model” on T.V., and.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020
....many more mistakes of judgement, gets fired because frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now, and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020
Critics reminded Trump that he hired Bolton in the first place and suggested his posts showed he feared his former aide being called to testify against him in his Senate impeachment trial.
Responded one: “So, you would have had us fighting in FOUR more world wars before you figured out what the problem was?? For such a great leader, you sure do pick some winners!”
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“I woke up to World War Six trending. How long was I asleep?” another fired back as the term went viral.
Check out a sample of the replies below:
I saw that “World War Six” was trending and I honestly thought a new Call of Duty video game got released.
Silly me.
It’s just Trump and his tertiary syphilis vomiting psychotic paranoid maniacal delusional incriminating batshit lunacy all over Twitter again.
Carry on. — The USA Singers (@TheUSASingers) January 29, 2020
Remember Republicans this is your president, who’s blaming someone else for World War Six when he’s probably going to be the cause of World War Three pic.twitter.com/1MLeBUsEgH — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) January 29, 2020
You made a highly unqualified guy a National Security Advisor?!? You see how that makes you a complete and total moron, yes? — Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) January 29, 2020
There was no lower position you could graciously fit this guy in, against your best wise and unquestioned judgement? Mar-a-Lago bellhop? Stephen Miller’s armband dry cleaner? Mike Pompeo’s milkshake stirrer? You instead made him NSA? — Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) January 29, 2020
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FWIW, World War Six is between the US and NPR. — Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) January 29, 2020
World War One
World War Two
World War 2 Fast 2 Furious
World War Tokyo Drift
The World and the Warrious
World War Six — The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) January 29, 2020
Shit, are we up to World War Six already?
I was still gearing up for the Second Civil War. — Jenpocalypse17 (@Jenpocalypse17) January 29, 2020
"World War Six"??!?!?
So, you would have had us fighting in FOUR more world wars before you figured out what the problem was??
For such a great leader, you sure do pick some winners! pic.twitter.com/iH2JBF5XSn — Bot Detector Alpha (@alpha_detector) January 29, 2020
When something as stupid as World War Six is trending, 99 percent of the time it’s because of something idiotic that Trump said. — David Weissman (@davidmweissman) January 29, 2020
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Sees World War Six trending
Me: "please don't be defending John Bolton, please don't be defending John Bolton, oh god they're defending John Bolton" — Tim Pool (@Timcast) January 29, 2020
This crazy rant shows how scared Donald Trump is of John Bolton testifying at the Senate impeachment trial — Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) January 29, 2020
You planned to skip past WW 3-5?
Remember when you wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David and he stopped you? https://t.co/LhL0dDI5t3 — D Villella ❄ (@dvillella) January 29, 2020
Wow. So much #Bolton fear, panic and desperation in this tweet... #ImpeachmentTrial — Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) January 29, 2020
I have to admit that I did not have "World War Six" on my Donald Trump Batshittery Bingo card — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) January 29, 2020
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Everyone: 2020 gonna be our year
*WW3 memes happen*
Everyone: That was just a hiccup. Now 2020 is gonna be our ye--
Trending: World War Six pic.twitter.com/yEhW2KQ6YV — Aliza Noria (@AlizaNoria) January 29, 2020
I woke up to World War Six trending.
How long was I asleep?! pic.twitter.com/q1iUthI0cF — Badwolfgirl (@IAmTheBadWolf57) January 29, 2020
When World War Six is trending and you can’t remember World Wars 3 thru 5
World War 6 pic.twitter.com/GFr1Fa7d1Q — Scott Williams (@jswilliams1962) January 29, 2020
Trump makes himself look like more of a fuckup because
1) He hired the guy with all these blemishes on his record
2) He kept him on in spite of the mistakes
3) He just admitted he'll give away an important post just because someone begs the right way.
World War Six indeed. https://t.co/DGioRaAK0l — Dan Winter (@Winter4America) January 29, 2020
World War Six? Hmm. You aren't very good at math are you? Your #TurdReich travesty is a tragicomedy of errors, idiocy and incompetence. What a cretinous, criminal cockwaffle you are, an embarrassment not of riches, but of poorly educated peons proselytizing your propaganda. Sad! — Lesley Abravanel🆘 (@lesleyabravanel) January 29, 2020
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If John Bolton was as bad a choice for National Security Adviser as Trump tweeted this morning--someone who could have gotten us into World War Six--then Trump should resign immediately. He didn't just put our national security at risk in Ukraine. He's doing it every single day. — The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) January 29, 2020
The Trump Model:
1) Inserts lying “tell” by calling himself “sir”
2) Twitter trashes his latest public critic
3) “World War Six” - childlike, immature logic and reasoning
4) “Begging” invective meant to subordinate someone who, in reality, has far more merit pic.twitter.com/1UxlslxqVc — NeuroPsychoPhD (@SethN12) January 29, 2020
World War Six has the same energy as this 😂 pic.twitter.com/SdoehooTQ5 — Kyol 🧢 (@LordJedburgh) January 29, 2020
I must have slept through WW3 and WW4 and somehow through WW5 too because I'm seeing talks about World War Six???
A good nights sleep can do that am I right? pic.twitter.com/mDNnVk5VT3 — Never need a bitch, I’m what a bitch needs (@Quotemeorelse) January 29, 2020
WWI
WWII
WWII - Champion Edition
WWII - Hyper Fighting
Super WWII
Super WWII Turbo
WW Alpha
WW Alpha 2
WW EX
WW III — Doors In The Labyrinth (@joshloughrey) January 29, 2020
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I can help. I'm Adjunct Professor at Trump Univ MNT Dept of Mathematics & Numberry Things. Species Trumpus-Corruptus doesn't know numbers. Math Professor Emeritus Rick Perry was able to teach Trump a universal number 'Oops'. Any number larger than 2 is Oops. Hence World War Six — Tomi T Ahonen (@tomiahonen) January 29, 2020
Trump complains about....the guy he hired almost starting world war six? pic.twitter.com/kUI2j37BO9 — Emily R (@ERahmanPhoto) January 29, 2020
He said World War Six.
Six.
Is that like World War Z? — mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) January 29, 2020
“World War Six” — We are living in an odd time, when Democrats are cheering for conservative war hawk John Bolton... and it’s our Republican President who is the one trashing him. https://t.co/S5CrJe8ZuM — Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) January 29, 2020
World War Six? I didn't like World War Two so gave up on that series. https://t.co/MWl2TbtOgN — Jonny Geller (@JonnyGeller) January 29, 2020
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"I know not with what weapons World War Six will be fought, but World War Seven will be fought with likes & RTs."
—Albert Einstein — TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) January 29, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--NPR's Mary Louise Kelly Defends Press Freedom After Mike Pompeo Interview

NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly wants to make sure “ the substance ” of her contentious interview with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo doesn ’ t get lost in the coverage of him attacking her .
“ There is a reason that freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution , ” the “ All Things Considered ” co-host wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday .
“ There is a reason it matters that people in positions of power — people charged with steering the foreign policy of entire nations — be held to account .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ impulses and decisions not to be examined in as thoughtful and rigorous an interview as is possible.
” Kelly pointed out that during her interview with Pompeo on Friday , he didn ’ t provide specific answers to her questions .
“ Journalists don ’ t sit down with senior government officials in the service of scoring political points , ” she wrote .
“ We do it in the service of asking tough questions , on behalf of our fellow citizens .
And then sharing the answers — or lack thereof — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interview with Kelly after dodging her questions about the removal of the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , Marie Yovanovitch .
According to Kelly , Pompeo berated her after the interview .
He accused her of lying about the parameters of the interview , used a string of expletives and challenged her to point out Ukraine on a map , she said .
On Saturday , Pompeo issued a statement that didn ’ t deny the exchange and escalated his attack on Kelly , apparently claiming the veteran national security reporter — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in European studies from Cambridge — pointed to Bangladesh .
Pompeo followed up on that statement Wednesday and attempted to defend his conduct by couching it in his displeasure with NPR ’ s 2015 reporting on the Iran nuclear deal .
NPR accepted $ 100,000 in funding that year from the Ploughshares Fund , an advocacy group that promotes nuclear arms control and supported the Iran deal .
An internal review found the funding didn ’ t influence NPR ’ s reporting on the deal .
Pompeo told The Associated Press at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR interview to push back on the Iran deal and was denied .
NPR says it has no record of these requests but did give airtime to 21 other congressional voices who opposed the deal .
In apparent retaliation , the State Department excluded NPR reporter Michele Kelemen from the core group of reporters covering Pompeo ’ s trip to Europe and Central Asia this week .
Pompeo , in his furious response to the interview , claimed Kelly “ is another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” His language echoed similar anti-press rhetoric from his boss .

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NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly wants to make sure “the substance” of her contentious interview with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo doesn’t get lost in the coverage of him attacking her.
“There is a reason that freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution,” the “All Things Considered” co-host wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Wednesday. “There is a reason it matters that people in positions of power — people charged with steering the foreign policy of entire nations — be held to account. The stakes are too high for their impulses and decisions not to be examined in as thoughtful and rigorous an interview as is possible.”
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Kelly pointed out that during her interview with Pompeo on Friday, he didn’t provide specific answers to her questions.
“Journalists don’t sit down with senior government officials in the service of scoring political points,” she wrote. “We do it in the service of asking tough questions, on behalf of our fellow citizens. And then sharing the answers — or lack thereof — with the world.”
Pompeo abruptly ended the interview with Kelly after dodging her questions about the removal of the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch.
According to Kelly, Pompeo berated her after the interview. He accused her of lying about the parameters of the interview, used a string of expletives and challenged her to point out Ukraine on a map, she said.
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On Saturday, Pompeo issued a statement that didn’t deny the exchange and escalated his attack on Kelly, apparently claiming the veteran national security reporter — who has a master’s degree in European studies from Cambridge — pointed to Bangladesh.
Pompeo followed up on that statement Wednesday and attempted to defend his conduct by couching it in his displeasure with NPR’s 2015 reporting on the Iran nuclear deal.
NPR accepted $100,000 in funding that year from the Ploughshares Fund, an advocacy group that promotes nuclear arms control and supported the Iran deal. An internal review found the funding didn’t influence NPR’s reporting on the deal.
Pompeo told The Associated Press at the time he’d repeatedly sought an NPR interview to push back on the Iran deal and was denied. NPR says it has no record of these requests but did give airtime to 21 other congressional voices who opposed the deal.
In apparent retaliation, the State Department excluded NPR reporter Michele Kelemen from the core group of reporters covering Pompeo’s trip to Europe and Central Asia this week.
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A spokesperson for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday on Kelly’s op-ed.
Pompeo, in his furious response to the interview, claimed Kelly “is another example of how unhinged the media has become in its quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration.” His language echoed similar anti-press rhetoric from his boss.
Trump, who routinely attacks reporters and the press, on Tuesday praised Pompeo’s performance.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-29--At Trump Rally Down The Jersey Shore, Anger Over ‘Sham’ Impeachment

WILDWOOD , N.J. — Hours after his legal defense team delivered arguments in the impeachment trial , and just as news emerged that Senate Republicans don ’ t yet have the votes to block likely damning testimony from former White House adviser John Bolton , President Donald Trump stepped on stage at the Wildwoods Convention Center to an adoring crowd of thousands .
Although New Jersey is a blue state , 58 % of voters here in Cape May County voted for the president in 2016 .
And the House member representing this southern tip of the state , Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the GOP in December and , citing his disapproval of impeachment , pledged his “ undying support ” for Trump .
“ They ’ re trying to steal that election , ” Trump said of Democrats ’ impeachment , “ and Jeff had the guts to defy the left-wing fanatics in his own party and to stand tall in defense of our Constitution , our freedom and democracy itself !
” An army of people in red Make America Great Again hats invaded Wildwood on Tuesday , turning what ’ s usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the frontline — albeit for a few hours — of the president ’ s fight to discredit the historic effort to remove him from office .
Vendors hawking MAGA merchandise set up stands in front of shuttered ice cream shops , vacant hotels and empty mini-golf courses .
They took over part of Wildwood ’ s famed boardwalk , too , selling QAnon pins and “ Make Liberals Cry Again ” T-shirts , as men in bulldozers down on the desolate beach pushed around mounds of sand to beat back erosion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic lights back on .
With so little traffic during the winter , the town usually keeps the lights blinking yellow .
But on Tuesday , hordes of red hats in their cars were made to stop at red lights as they searched the tiny barrier island for parking .
They had come here to show their unwavering support for the president , even as it emerged this week that a forthcoming book from Trump ’ s former national security adviser John Bolton states that the president withheld crucial military aid from Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigating his Democratic rival Joe Biden .
That the president abused his power in this way is at the heart of the ongoing Senate impeachment trial .
On Tuesday evening , just as Trump was set to take the stage in Wildwood , news broke that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) told his fellow GOP senators he didn ’ t have enough votes to block Bolton from testifying at the trial , likely preventing the speedy acquittal the president desired .
But according to a report from the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was illegally withheld for months .
The president didn ’ t release the funds until a few days after a complaint from a government whistleblower ― the same complaint that kick-started the impeachment process in the House .
But legal scholars — including Dershowitz himself back in 1998 — widely agree that breaking a criminal code is not required in order for the president to be removed from office via impeachment .
Even Trump ’ s own attorney general , William Barr , argued in a 2018 memo that Congress can impeach a @ @ @ @ @ @

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WILDWOOD, N.J. — Hours after his legal defense team delivered arguments in the impeachment trial, and just as news emerged that Senate Republicans don’t yet have the votes to block likely damning testimony from former White House adviser John Bolton, President Donald Trump stepped on stage at the Wildwoods Convention Center to an adoring crowd of thousands.
He seemed happy to be in friendly territory.
Although New Jersey is a blue state, 58% of voters here in Cape May County voted for the president in 2016. And the House member representing this southern tip of the state, Jeff Van Drew, quit the Democratic Party for the GOP in December and, citing his disapproval of impeachment, pledged his “undying support” for Trump.
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The president rewarded Van Drew’s defection at the rally, inviting him on stage.
“They’re trying to steal that election,” Trump said of Democrats’ impeachment, “and Jeff had the guts to defy the left-wing fanatics in his own party and to stand tall in defense of our Constitution, our freedom and democracy itself!”
The crowd cheered.
An army of people in red Make America Great Again hats invaded Wildwood on Tuesday, turning what’s usually a ghost town this time of year into the frontline — albeit for a few hours — of the president’s fight to discredit the historic effort to remove him from office.
Vendors hawking MAGA merchandise set up stands in front of shuttered ice cream shops, vacant hotels and empty mini-golf courses. They took over part of Wildwood’s famed boardwalk, too, selling QAnon pins and “Make Liberals Cry Again” T-shirts, as men in bulldozers down on the desolate beach pushed around mounds of sand to beat back erosion.
Wildwood officials even had to turn the traffic lights back on. With so little traffic during the winter, the town usually keeps the lights blinking yellow. But on Tuesday, hordes of red hats in their cars were made to stop at red lights as they searched the tiny barrier island for parking.
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Supporters gather outside a Trump campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Jan. 28, 2020. Stephanie Keith / Reuters
Thousands of Trump supporters line up for his rally at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Jan. 28, 2020. Spencer Platt via Getty Images
They had come here to show their unwavering support for the president, even as it emerged this week that a forthcoming book from Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton states that the president withheld crucial military aid from Ukraine until that country’s government committed to investigating his Democratic rival Joe Biden.
That the president abused his power in this way is at the heart of the ongoing Senate impeachment trial. On Tuesday evening, just as Trump was set to take the stage in Wildwood, news broke that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told his fellow GOP senators he didn’t have enough votes to block Bolton from testifying at the trial, likely preventing the speedy acquittal the president desired.
But Trump’s supporters in Wildwood seemed unfazed by these developments. Asked by HuffPost about the impeachment, they repeatedly parroted a series of debunked talking points promoted by the president and his allies.
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“I think he’s the greatest president of my lifetime,” said Mark Marotta, a retired postal service worker and Army veteran from Oakwell, New Jersey. “And I wanted the opportunity to see him. I like everything he does.”
As for the president withholding military aid from Ukraine? Marotta said Ukraine “got all the money still before the deadline.”
This is a false claim the president has made on multiple occasions. “They got their money long before schedule, they got all their money,” Trump said at a recent press conference in Davos, Switzerland.
But according to a report from the Government Accountability Office, the aid to Ukraine was illegally withheld for months. The president didn’t release the funds until a few days after a complaint from a government whistleblower ― the same complaint that kick-started the impeachment process in the House.
Stephanie and Jim Richardson attend the Trump campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Jan. 28, 2020. Christopher Mathias for HuffPost
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Many at Tuesday’s rally claimed Democrats were railroading the president and depriving him of due process.
Jim Richardson, of Berlin, New Jersey, walked around the crowd with a sign hanging around his neck. “F Schiff,” it said, a reference to Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the lead House impeachment manager.
“They wouldn’t even let any cross-examinations go?” Richardson said. “What is that? It’s unbelievable.”
The Trump administration has also made this claim about cross-examinations on multiple occasions. On Monday, Jay Sekulow, one of the president’s attorneys, argued during the Senate impeachment trial that “the president was denied the right to cross-examine witnesses.”
This, too, is false. House Democrats offered the Trump administration the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, but the White House declined.
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Betty Fletcher, a lead customer service associate at a Wawa in Clayton, New Jersey, stood in line outside the convention center with a Trump flag draped across her back like a cape.
She held a sign listing “actual news outlets” and “other entertaining alternatives with conservative voices” that aren’t “fake news.” Among those outlets she trusts for news are the far-right website Blaze News and the pro-Trump personalities Diamond and Silk.
“I think it’s a sham,” Fletcher said of the impeachment. “He’s committed absolutely no crime. … This is the first impeachment trial that’s ever happened that no crime has been committed.”
Trump lawyers, including Alan Dershowitz, have repeatedly attempted during the Senate trial to push this same argument — that abuse of power isn’t a crime and therefore doesn’t warrant impeachment.
But legal scholars — including Dershowitz himself back in 1998 — widely agree that breaking a criminal code is not required in order for the president to be removed from office via impeachment. Even Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr, argued in a 2018 memo that Congress can impeach a president for abuse of power.
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Betty Fletcher waits to get inside the campaign rally for Trump on Jan. 28, 2020. Christopher Mathias for HuffPost
When Trump ended his rally Tuesday night, he told his supporters that “America is thriving like never before.”
“And ladies and gentlemen of New Jersey, a place I love, the best is yet to come.”
“We’ll make America wealthy again,” he said. “We’ll make America strong again. We’ll make America proud again. We’ll make America safe again. And we’ll make America great again!”
The crowd cheered and filed out of the convention center as the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” blared over the loudspeakers.
Trump spoke a mere 45-minute drive from Atlantic City, where he bankrupted multiple casinos he owned.
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Outside, Wildwood was beginning its transformation back into a seasonal ghost town. Cops from departments up and down the coast directed cars back over the bridge to the mainland. Teams of people picked up piles of trash left over from the retreating MAGA army.
Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron said the Trump campaign might stick the town with paying for all the costs of hosting the rally.
Byron, a Democrat who had welcomed the president and his supporters, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he’d been banned from even attending the event in his own town.
“I’ve been informed that Congressmen Van Drew and the President are upset with the fact that I said I think the city should be reimbursed,” Byron said.
“I have no way of knowing what these costs will be,” the mayor added. “These rallies can be pretty expensive.”
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