thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Sen. Michael Bennet Ends 2020 Democratic Presidential Bid

“ I am going to do absolutely everything I can do as one human being to make sure that Donald Trump is a one-term president , ” Bennet told supporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday .
“ I will support the nominee of my party no matter who it is.
” Michael Bennet drops out of the race .
“ I love you , New Hampshire .
Whether you knew it or not , we were having a great time together ...
I think it ’ s fitting for us to end the campaign tonight.
” pic.twitter.com/diTFtyqvv7 — Dave Weigel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 The self-described “ pragmatic idealist ” charted a politically centrist path while many of his Democratic opponents veered further to the left .
While job creation and affordable health insurance featured prominently in his platform , Bennet stopped short of advocating for “ Medicare for All ” like rival Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and , to a lesser extent , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass. )
.
After participating in the first two Democratic debates in June and July 2019 , Bennet failed to qualify for any subsequent appearances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lesser-known candidates ― and tried to use it to his advantage .
“ I ’ m not as well-known , ” he told Quad Cities public radio in an early December interview .
“ I ’ m not a celebrity politician , and I don ’ t raise money as well as some of these other people do on the internet because I ’ m not going to make empty promises to the American people .
I ’ m going to tell them the truth , and I think that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win.
” With limited resources compared with his better-funded rivals , Bennet went “ all-in ” on New Hampshire , where his campaign aimed to finish among the top three candidates in the state ’ s primary .
Early returns showed that was not happening .
Bennet ’ s campaign emphasized restoring “ American values , ” including by reversing some of the policies implemented by Trump ’ s administration .
He advocated reforming the immigration and criminal justice systems and reestablishing “ U.S .
global leadership ” economically and politically .
Bennet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists ’ “ most aggressive targets , ” aspiring for “ net-zero emissions as soon as possible , ” or by 2050 .
He also vowed to tackle corruption in politics , including by passing a Constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling that blocked limits on corporate or union donations to political campaigns .
But his Senate experience and more moderate stances were not enough to make his run competitive .
Bennet ’ s campaign couldn ’ t pick up the steam it needed to compete with household names like former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He launched his bid in May after doctors declared him cancer-free , committing to confront “ two enormous challenges ” facing the United States : a “ lack of economic mobility ” and “ the need to restore integrity to our government.
” “ If we keep going down this road , we ’ re going to be the first generation of Americans to leave less opportunity , not more , to the next generation , ” he told “ CBS This Morning ” while announcing his candidacy .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) has dropped out of the 2020 presidential race.
Bennet’s announcement came late Tuesday as polls closed in New Hampshire.
“I am going to do absolutely everything I can do as one human being to make sure that Donald Trump is a one-term president,” Bennet told supporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday. “I will support the nominee of my party no matter who it is.”
Michael Bennet drops out of the race. “I love you, New Hampshire. Whether you knew it or not, we were having a great time together... I think it’s fitting for us to end the campaign tonight.” pic.twitter.com/diTFtyqvv7 — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) February 12, 2020
Advertisement
The self-described “pragmatic idealist” charted a politically centrist path while many of his Democratic opponents veered further to the left. While job creation and affordable health insurance featured prominently in his platform, Bennet stopped short of advocating for “Medicare for All” like rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and, to a lesser extent, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
After participating in the first two Democratic debates in June and July 2019, Bennet failed to qualify for any subsequent appearances. He was aware that he was one of the lesser-known candidates ― and tried to use it to his advantage.
“I’m not as well-known,” he told Quad Cities public radio in an early December interview. “I’m not a celebrity politician, and I don’t raise money as well as some of these other people do on the internet because I’m not going to make empty promises to the American people. I’m going to tell them the truth, and I think that’s how I’m going to win.”
With limited resources compared with his better-funded rivals, Bennet went “all-in” on New Hampshire, where his campaign aimed to finish among the top three candidates in the state’s primary. Early returns showed that was not happening.
Advertisement
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) is no longer running for president. Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press
Bennet’s campaign emphasized restoring “American values,” including by reversing some of the policies implemented by Trump’s administration. He advocated reforming the immigration and criminal justice systems and reestablishing “U.S. global leadership” economically and politically.
Bennet’s climate change plan concurred with scientists’ “most aggressive targets,” aspiring for “net-zero emissions as soon as possible,” or by 2050. He also vowed to tackle corruption in politics, including by passing a Constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling that blocked limits on corporate or union donations to political campaigns.
But his Senate experience and more moderate stances were not enough to make his run competitive. Bennet’s campaign couldn’t pick up the steam it needed to compete with household names like former Vice President Joe Biden or Sanders.
The senator underwent surgery for prostate cancer in April 2019, which delayed his entrance in the race and potentially hampered fundraising efforts.
Advertisement
He launched his bid in May after doctors declared him cancer-free, committing to confront “two enormous challenges” facing the United States: a “lack of economic mobility” and “the need to restore integrity to our government.”
“If we keep going down this road, we’re going to be the first generation of Americans to leave less opportunity, not more, to the next generation,” he told “CBS This Morning” while announcing his candidacy.
Bennet served as superintendent of Denver Public Schools from 2005 through 2009, when former Gov. Bill Ritter (D-Colo.) appointed him to fill the Senate seat vacated by incoming Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (D-Colo.).


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Hillary Clinton Hits Donald Trump Over His Judge Intimidation Tweets

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton likened President Donald Trump ’ s behavior to that of “ failed-state fascists ” after he went after a federal judge on Twitter .
Trump on Tuesday used his favorite social media platform to attack U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson , who is presiding over the criminal case against his longtime adviser Roger Stone .
The president posted a slew of tweets criticizing prosecutors ’ recommendation that Stone should face seven to nine years behind bars for witness tampering and lying to Congress , charges stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 election .
Senior Department of Justice officials have now walked back the sentencing recommendation , prompting all four federal prosecutors who ran the trial to quit .
“ Do you realize intimidating judges is the behavior of failed-state fascists ?
” Clinton asked her 2016 election rival Trump on Twitter .
Do you realize intimidating judges is the behavior of failed-state fascists ?
Just asking !
https : //t.co/kcEzirsGUF — Hillary Clinton ( @ HillaryClinton ) February 12 , 2020 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) , meanwhile , accused Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the sentencing of Stone .
“ It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation , ” Pelosi tweeted .
“ Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated.
” By tweet @ realDonaldTrump engaged in political interference in the sentencing of Roger Stone .
It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation .
Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated .
— Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton likened President Donald Trump’s behavior to that of “failed-state fascists” after he went after a federal judge on Twitter.
Trump on Tuesday used his favorite social media platform to attack U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who is presiding over the criminal case against his longtime adviser Roger Stone.
Advertisement
The president posted a slew of tweets criticizing prosecutors’ recommendation that Stone should face seven to nine years behind bars for witness tampering and lying to Congress ― charges stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Senior Department of Justice officials have now walked back the sentencing recommendation, prompting all four federal prosecutors who ran the trial to quit.
“Do you realize intimidating judges is the behavior of failed-state fascists?” Clinton asked her 2016 election rival Trump on Twitter.
Do you realize intimidating judges is the behavior of failed-state fascists? Just asking! https://t.co/kcEzirsGUF — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 12, 2020
Advertisement
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), meanwhile, accused Trump of engaging “in political interference in” the sentencing of Stone.
“It is outrageous that DOJ has deeply damaged the rule of law by withdrawing its recommendation,” Pelosi tweeted. “Stepping down of prosecutors should be commended & actions of DOJ should be investigated.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Ex-Labor Secretary Exposes The Truth Behind One Of Donald Trump’s ‘Biggest Whoppers’

Robert Reich in a new video breaks down how President Donald Trump has failed to deliver on one of his @ @ @ @ @ to “ drain the swamp ” by eliminating government corruption .
It “ seems like @ @ @ @ @ made the vow , the former Labor Secretary in President Bill Clinton ’ s administration @ @ @ @ @ that he released online Tuesday .
“ It turns out that was one of the @ @ @ @ @ politics , ” continues Reich , who has become a fierce critic of the Trump @ @ @ @ @ five ways in which Trump has “ made the swamp even swampier ” — from @ @ @ @ @ lobbyists and corporate executives to catering to mega-donors instead of the American people .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Robert Reich in a new video breaks down how President Donald Trump has failed to deliver on one of his big 2016 campaign promises — to “drain the swamp” by eliminating government corruption.
It “seems like forever ago” that Trump made the vow, the former labor secretary in President Bill Clinton’s administration says in the four-minute explainer that he posted online Tuesday.
Advertisement
“It turns out that was one of the biggest whoppers in modern American politics,” continues Reich, who has become a fierce critic of the Trump administration.
He then notes five ways Trump has “made the swamp even swampier” — from packing his administration with former lobbyists and corporate executives to catering to megadonors and industry titans instead of the American people.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Trump's Remaining GOP Challenger Fails To Clear Delegate Threshold In New Hampshire

S.V .
Date/HuffPost Former Massachusettes Gov .
Bill Weld speaks to supporters following the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday .
Weld is challenging President Donald Trump for the nomination but failed to hit the vote threshold to win any delegates in New Hampshire .
“ We are here to reclaim the Republican Party , ” said Betty Tamposi , who was a State Department official in the President George H.W .
Bush administration .
“ Mr .
Trump does not own this party.
” Weld told the several dozen staff , volunteers and supporters that former White House aide Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ Svengali and Robespierre ” — had recently pointed out that Trump could not be reelected if he lost more than 3 % or 4 % of Republicans .
For a short period last autumn , there were three Republicans hoping to take the party ’ s nomination away from Trump .
But the Republican National Committee , as well as the state parties , worked hard to keep their members in line behind Trump ’ s reelection .
A handful of states canceled primaries and caucuses outright , while some others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but impossible for challengers to make the ballot .
Mark Sanford , a former South Carolina governor and congressman , dropped out in November after only two months in the race .
And former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh ended his campaign last week , days after winning just 348 votes in the Iowa caucuses , despite having campaigned there nearly nonstop for weeks .
“ Weld is a good man .
But Trump can ’ t be beat in the Republican Party .
Because the party is Trump ’ s Party .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walsh said Tuesday , not long after television networks had called the Republican primary for Trump based on exit polls and the first returns .
“ Which is what I realized a while ago .
Which is why I ’ m focused on stopping Trump in the general.
” Weld did only slightly better than Walsh in Iowa , winning 424 votes to Trump ’ s 31,422 .
But the second-place finish was enough to win a single delegate to this summer ’ s nominating convention in Charlotte , North Carolina .
Weld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire on Tuesday , but needed a minimum of 10 % of the vote to qualify for any delegates .
Because he did not , Trump wins all 22 delegates the state had in play .
Both Nevada and South Carolina canceled their contests this month , so the next opportunity for Weld to pick up delegates is on Super Tuesday on March 3 .
However , rather than awarding delegates proportionally to the share of the statewide vote , as in New Hampshire , most of the coming contests are either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both methods make it difficult for Weld to earn more delegates .
Winning a number of delegates could give Weld the ability to criticize Trump or ask for platform changes at the Republication nominating convention this summer .
However , the party formally adopts the rules for the convention as one of its first tasks — meaning the GOP could quash any possible voice Weld might be hoping for .
Weld was a top Justice Department official under President Ronald Reagan before winning two terms as governor of Massachusetts .
That background , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party now in the firm control of a man best known for hosting a reality game show prior to running for president , his first attempt at elected office .

Former Massachusettes Gov. Bill Weld speaks to supporters following the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday. Weld is challenging President Donald Trump for the nomination but failed to hit the vote threshold to win any delegates in New Hampshire. S.V. Date/HuffPost
MANCHESTER, N.H. — President Donald Trump’s sole remaining Republican challenger appeared to fail to hit the vote threshold required to win any delegates in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.
With 79% of the precincts tallied, Trump was leading former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld 86% to 9%.
Candidates in the GOP primary had to win 10% to get a proportional share of the 22 delegates at stake.
Advertisement
During a gathering of his supporters at a restaurant beside the Merrimack River, Weld and his top campaign staff remained defiant.
“We are here to reclaim the Republican Party,” said Betty Tamposi, who was a State Department official in the President George H.W. Bush administration. “Mr. Trump does not own this party.”
Weld told the several dozen staff, volunteers and supporters that former White House aide Steve Bannon — whom Weld called Trump’s “Svengali and Robespierre” — had recently pointed out that Trump could not be reelected if he lost more than 3% or 4% of Republicans.
“So looking at these numbers, he can’t be reelected,” Weld said. “On to Super Tuesday!”
For a short period last autumn, there were three Republicans hoping to take the party’s nomination away from Trump. But the Republican National Committee, as well as the state parties, worked hard to keep their members in line behind Trump’s reelection. A handful of states canceled primaries and caucuses outright, while some others rigged the rules to make it all but impossible for challengers to make the ballot.
Advertisement
Mark Sanford, a former South Carolina governor and congressman, dropped out in November after only two months in the race. And former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh ended his campaign last week, days after winning just 348 votes in the Iowa caucuses, despite having campaigned there nearly nonstop for weeks.
“Weld is a good man. But Trump can’t be beat in the Republican Party. Because the party is Trump’s Party. And it’s a cult,” Walsh said Tuesday, not long after television networks had called the Republican primary for Trump based on exit polls and the first returns. “Which is what I realized a while ago. Which is why I’m focused on stopping Trump in the general.”
Weld did only slightly better than Walsh in Iowa, winning 424 votes to Trump’s 31,422. But the second-place finish was enough to win a single delegate to this summer’s nominating convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Weld had hoped to pick up more in New Hampshire on Tuesday, but needed a minimum of 10% of the vote to qualify for any delegates. Because he did not, Trump wins all 22 delegates the state had in play.
Both Nevada and South Carolina canceled their contests this month, so the next opportunity for Weld to pick up delegates is on Super Tuesday on March 3. However, rather than awarding delegates proportionally to the share of the statewide vote, as in New Hampshire, most of the coming contests are either winner-take-all or winner-take-all by congressional district. Both methods make it difficult for Weld to earn more delegates.
Advertisement
“He may be done winning delegates,” said Joshua Putnam, a political scientist who closely follows the parties’ nomination schemes. “It gets much, much tougher after today.”
Winning a number of delegates could give Weld the ability to criticize Trump or ask for platform changes at the Republication nominating convention this summer. However, the party formally adopts the rules for the convention as one of its first tasks — meaning the GOP could quash any possible voice Weld might be hoping for.
Weld was a top Justice Department official under President Ronald Reagan before winning two terms as governor of Massachusetts. That background, however, holds little sway in a party now in the firm control of a man best known for hosting a reality game show prior to running for president, his first attempt at elected office.
“It’s been a hostile takeover,” said Fergus Cullen, a former state party chairman in New Hampshire and a vocal Trump critic. “I don’t think many thought Weld would get double digits. Especially with the Democratic race attracting the independents.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Biden's New Hampshire Backers 'Feel A Bit Abandoned,' But Hope For The Best

Matthews , a quality assurance manager , took the day off work so he could knock on doors for the former vice president to try to help him win the Granite State vote .
He did so for about five hours and hoped to celebrate with the candidate and other campaign volunteers at an election night party in Nashua .
But the 64-year-old from Chelmsford wasn ’ t aware as his stumping was ending that Biden had already left the state for South Carolina ― the place that he ’ s hoping will reignite his struggling campaign , in large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black population .
“ My wife calls about 6:30 p.m. and she goes , ‘ I don ’ t think he ’ s here , he ’ s in South Carolina , ’ ” Matthews said at the Biden gathering .
“ I have to admit , I feel a bit abandoned .
He should still be here .
I know he ’ s under new pressure , but I am a bit disappointed.
” Biden struggled to gain traction in New Hampshire , acknowledging last Friday at the candidate debate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do well in the primary .
And as voters headed to the polls Tuesday morning , Biden ’ s campaign announced that he and his wife , Jill , would be holding an event in Columbia , South Carolina , a few hours later , sending a clear signal that the night wouldn ’ t go well for him .
With most of the vote counted late Tuesday night , he not only was in fifth place ― far behind the winner , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont ― but he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent threshold needed to earn any national convention delegates from New Hampshire .
The crowd of roughly 100 people at Tuesday night ’ s event resembled that of many of Biden ’ s campaign rallies : elderly voters who believe he offers the best chance of beating President Donald Trump in November .
Though the alcohol was flowing , it felt like less of a party and more of a gathering of concerned family members who worried about “ Uncle Joe ” and his campaign going forward .
A pair of attendees stared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results came in , commenting on footage showing the size of the election night party for the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , Pete Buttigieg ― the neophyte in national politics who ran a strong second in the primary .
The Biden supporters and volunteers who mingled in a ballroom at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua on Tuesday night said they were disappointed he didn ’ t appear in person , but gave him a pass .
They also agreed he needed to do well in other states in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s strength is really more in the South and the Rust Belt , ” said Lenny Golder , a Massachusetts native who phone-banked for Biden .
“ Given where he is now , it ’ s probably better he spends his time in South Carolina.
” Joe Biden supporters listen to the former vice president speak via live stream at his New Hampshire primary party on Tuesday night .
Even before his poor showing in the state became clear , Biden and his wife , Jill , had traveled to South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 29 and has become a virtual must-win for him .
Biden appeared with his wife via a brief video from South Carolina during the night , thanking attendees for their support and promising to come back to the Granite State as his party ’ s nominee .
“ I do love New Hampshire , I really mean it , ” he assured the crowd nearly 1,000 miles away , calling the race a marathon that he was positioned to do well going into Super Tuesday and beyond .
“ So when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cable TV talkers , talk about the race , tell them : It ain ’ t over , man .
We ’ re just getting started , ” he said .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
NASHUA, N.H. ― Gary Matthews drove from his Massachusetts home to volunteer for Joe Biden’s Democratic presidential campaign in New Hampshire on Tuesday as the state conducted its traditional first-in-the-nation primary.
Matthews, a quality assurance manager, took the day off work so he could knock on doors for the former vice president to try to help him win the Granite State vote. He did so for about five hours and hoped to celebrate with the candidate and other campaign volunteers at an election night party in Nashua.
Advertisement
But the 64-year-old from Chelmsford wasn’t aware as his stumping was ending that Biden had already left the state for South Carolina ― the place that he’s hoping will reignite his struggling campaign, in large part to the state’s large Black population.
“My wife calls about 6:30 p.m. and she goes, ‘I don’t think he’s here, he’s in South Carolina,’” Matthews said at the Biden gathering. “I have to admit, I feel a bit abandoned. He should still be here. I know he’s under new pressure, but I am a bit disappointed.”
Biden struggled to gain traction in New Hampshire, acknowledging last Friday at the candidate debate in the state that he didn’t expect to do well in the primary. And as voters headed to the polls Tuesday morning, Biden’s campaign announced that he and his wife, Jill, would be holding an event in Columbia, South Carolina, a few hours later, sending a clear signal that the night wouldn’t go well for him.
With most of the vote counted late Tuesday night, he not only was in fifth place ― far behind the winner, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont ― but he was falling well short of the 15% percent threshold needed to earn any national convention delegates from New Hampshire.
Advertisement
The crowd of roughly 100 people at Tuesday night’s event resembled that of many of Biden’s campaign rallies: elderly voters who believe he offers the best chance of beating President Donald Trump in November. Though the alcohol was flowing, it felt like less of a party and more of a gathering of concerned family members who worried about “Uncle Joe” and his campaign going forward.
A pair of attendees stared at a pair of televisions as the results came in, commenting on footage showing the size of the election night party for the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg ― the neophyte in national politics who ran a strong second in the primary.
“It looks like a stadium,” a man said.
The volume was quickly turned down after a CNN commentator observed that Biden had gotten “clobbered” in New Hampshire and last week’s Iowa caucuses.
The Biden supporters and volunteers who mingled in a ballroom at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua on Tuesday night said they were disappointed he didn’t appear in person, but gave him a pass. They also agreed he needed to do well in other states in order to remain viable in the race.
“Biden’s strength is really more in the South and the Rust Belt,” said Lenny Golder, a Massachusetts native who phone-banked for Biden. “Given where he is now, it’s probably better he spends his time in South Carolina.”
Advertisement
Joe Biden supporters listen to the former vice president speak via live stream at his New Hampshire primary party on Tuesday night. Even before his poor showing in the state became clear, Biden and his wife, Jill, had traveled to South Carolina, which holds its primary on Feb. 29 and has become a virtual must-win for him. Igor Bobic/ HuffPost
Biden appeared with his wife via a brief video from South Carolina during the night, thanking attendees for their support and promising to come back to the Granite State as his party’s nominee.
“I do love New Hampshire, I really mean it,” he assured the crowd nearly 1,000 miles away, calling the race a marathon that he was positioned to do well going into Super Tuesday and beyond.
Moments later, at his campaign event in South Carolina, he declared that the Democratic race had only just started.
“So when you hear all these pundits and experts, cable TV talkers, talk about the race, tell them: It ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started,” he said.
Advertisement
Back in Nashua, Jeff Dumond, 48, said he was “slightly disappointed″ Biden bailed on the party at the last minute.
“I’m like, Oh you’ve gotta be kidding me,” he said, summing up his reaction when he found out. “But I can kind of understand. We’ve gotta put up a tough fight in South Carolina.”
Connie Daniels, 72, insisted she wasn’t deterred by Biden’s departure or by his lackluster performance on Tuesday.
Daniels, who is from Amherst, Massachusetts, conceded, “It doesn’t look too good.” Still, she added, “But I’m going to keep on going.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Trump’s Budget Would Gut Global Health Programs

The proposed cuts include a 34 % reduction to the State Department and USAID ’ s global health funding and a 7 % cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Trump ’ s budget wants to gut funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria with a 58 % cut , and decrease U.S. funding for the World Health Organization by 50 % .
Although there are some boosts in funding ― such as a $ 50 million increase for the CDC ’ s global health security activities and $ 15 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak ― they are paltry in comparison with the billions of dollars the administration seeks to take away .
Like all presidential budgets , it ’ s a statement of priorities that ’ s unlikely to go into effect .
But the statement made in this one is deeply troubling to lawmakers and public health experts , particularly given the current threat from the virus that has killed nearly a thousand people since it emerged in Wuhan , China , and spread to over 25 countries around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been working to keep in close touch with our health officials as they need to respond to the novel coronavirus , and I can tell you no one has suggested the thing they really need right now is a budget cut , ” Sen. Patty Murray ( D-Wash. ) told HuffPost .
The proposed budget cuts come as health officials and medical experts urge greater funding and cooperation to deal with emerging threats to global health , such as the recent coronavirus outbreak .
Although international health authorities have rapidly mobilized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts warn that pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks are a growing threat .
They argue the only way to address these future diseases is through international cooperation rather than implementing nativist policies and turning away from global health .
“ We can ’ t build a border wall that will prevent microbes from getting in .
They ’ re going to travel the world as they always have , ” said Dr. Stephen Morse , a professor of epidemiology at Columbia Medical University and leading expert on emerging diseases .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this reality , and it ’ s only proof that we can ’ t isolate ourselves.
” “ It will all work out well , ” Trump tweeted in January , one of only a few mentions of the virus .
Trump claimed on Monday that “ a lot of people think ” the virus “ goes away in April with the heat , ” and assured “ we ’ re in great shape.
” But the extent to which the coronavirus outbreak will “ work out ” has very little to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous attempts to slash health programs each year in office and forced out top experts in preparing for pandemics .
The White House has repeatedly tried to implement deep budget cuts to global health programs in the past , including those that specifically targeted programs on emerging and infectious diseases such as Ebola and coronaviruses .
The Trump administration attempted to cut $ 2.5 billion overall for the 2020 fiscal year from the State Department and USAID ’ s global health programs , as well as $ 50 million from pandemic preparedness operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of activities from research and monitoring of emerging diseases to immunization .
Trump ’ s apparent disengagement contrasts with his fervent criticism of the Obama administration ’ s handling of the 2014 Ebola outbreak , when he groundlessly accused Obama of not doing enough to prevent the virus from spreading to the United States and spouted conspiracy theories about the virus on Fox News .
But as president , Trump worked to eliminate the emergency funds that Obama implemented for combating Ebola along with his other proposed cuts .
Members of Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead managed to increase funding .
But there ’ s still the question of who in the administration will coordinate a broad interagency response to an outbreak such as Covid-19 if it starts to spread rapidly in the United States .
Right now , there is nobody who would be in an obvious position to do that after former national security adviser John Bolton disbanded the National Security Council team in charge of global health security and effectively pushed out its well-respected director Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer .
“ We are losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government who are frustrated with some of [ the administration ’ s actions ] , ” said Dr. Paul Spiegel , director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at John Hopkins .
“ We ’ re losing some pretty important technical leaders in the field which will have a longer-term impact.
” Trump ’ s attempted cuts in global health programs have taken place as experts warn of a persistent threat from infectious diseases , as we ’ ve seen in recent decades from SARS , MERS , Ebola and other outbreaks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these to highlight why turning away from international health commitments is dangerous policy .
“ It ’ s a reminder yet again of the importance of strengthening public health capacities , nationally and globally , ” said Dr. James M. Hughes , former chief of infectious diseases at the CDC and a professor emeritus of medicine at Emory University .
“ If we don ’ t do that , we ’ ll continue to see these kinds of tragic events occuring.
” Former Vice President Joe Biden , now running for president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead our country through a global health challenge ” in an op-ed last month and fellow presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
announced a plan for combating infectious diseases that includes increasing funding for health agencies and developing vaccines .
Sens .
Gary Peters ( D-Mich. ) , Patrick Leahy ( D-Vt. ) , Patty Murray ( D-Wash. ) and Bob Menendez ( D-N.J. ) issued an open letter last week calling on the president to fully fund global health efforts .
“ In light of the current novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global pandemics , we urge you to fully fund infectious disease and pandemic preparedness and response efforts in your fiscal year 2021 proposed budget , ” the senators wrote .
“ A failure to do so would not only be a danger to the health and welfare of all Americans , but also a threat to our national security.
” “ We ’ ve come to expect that they cut programs that either they don ’ t know about and therefore wrongly assume are not important , or that they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief foreign policy aide to Leahy .
“ They don ’ t give us justifications , other than that the White House ordered it .
Instead , they dress up the cuts with happy talk that everyone who works on these programs knows is meaningless .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for 2021 seeks deep and widespread cuts to global health, slashing over $3 billion in funding.
The proposed cuts include a 34% reduction to the State Department and USAID’s global health funding and a 7% cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trump’s budget wants to gut funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria with a 58% cut, and decrease U.S. funding for the World Health Organization by 50%.
Advertisement
Although there are some boosts in funding ― such as a $50 million increase for the CDC’s global health security activities and $15 million for a USAID Global Health Security programs to target the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak ― they are paltry in comparison with the billions of dollars the administration seeks to take away.
Like all presidential budgets, it’s a statement of priorities that’s unlikely to go into effect. But the statement made in this one is deeply troubling to lawmakers and public health experts, particularly given the current threat from the virus that has killed nearly a thousand people since it emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread to over 25 countries around the world in recent weeks.
“I’ve been working to keep in close touch with our health officials as they need to respond to the novel coronavirus, and I can tell you no one has suggested the thing they really need right now is a budget cut,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) told HuffPost.
Warning sign with text reading "Novel Coronavirus Alert," referring to quarantine and screening procedures for patients at a John Muir Health medical center in Walnut Creek, California, Feb. 9, 2020. Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images
Advertisement
Cuts Come During Global Health Fears
The proposed budget cuts come as health officials and medical experts urge greater funding and cooperation to deal with emerging threats to global health, such as the recent coronavirus outbreak. Although international health authorities have rapidly mobilized to mitigate the damage from the Covid-19 outbreak, experts warn that pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks are a growing threat. They argue the only way to address these future diseases is through international cooperation rather than implementing nativist policies and turning away from global health.
“We can’t build a border wall that will prevent microbes from getting in. They’re going to travel the world as they always have,” said Dr. Stephen Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia Medical University and leading expert on emerging diseases. “We’re going to be living with this reality, and it’s only proof that we can’t isolate ourselves.”
Trump has been largely silent and vaguely dismissive of the virus.
“It will all work out well,” Trump tweeted in January, one of only a few mentions of the virus. Trump claimed on Monday that “a lot of people think” the virus “goes away in April with the heat,” and assured “we’re in great shape.”
But the extent to which the coronavirus outbreak will “work out” has very little to do with Trump, whose administration has made numerous attempts to slash health programs each year in office and forced out top experts in preparing for pandemics.
“We can’t build a border wall that will prevent microbes from getting in.” - Dr. Stephen Morse, professor of epidemiology
Advertisement
The White House has repeatedly tried to implement deep budget cuts to global health programs in the past, including those that specifically targeted programs on emerging and infectious diseases such as Ebola and coronaviruses. The Trump administration attempted to cut $2.5 billion overall for the 2020 fiscal year from the State Department and USAID’s global health programs, as well as $50 million from pandemic preparedness operations. These programs carry out a wide range of activities from research and monitoring of emerging diseases to immunization.
Trump’s apparent disengagement contrasts with his fervent criticism of the Obama administration’s handling of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when he groundlessly accused Obama of not doing enough to prevent the virus from spreading to the United States and spouted conspiracy theories about the virus on Fox News. But as president, Trump worked to eliminate the emergency funds that Obama implemented for combating Ebola along with his other proposed cuts.
Members of Congress came together to vote against budget proposals and instead managed to increase funding. But there’s still the question of who in the administration will coordinate a broad interagency response to an outbreak such as Covid-19 if it starts to spread rapidly in the United States. Right now, there is nobody who would be in an obvious position to do that after former national security adviser John Bolton disbanded the National Security Council team in charge of global health security and effectively pushed out its well-respected director Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer.
“We are losing some really good people in the U.S. government who are frustrated with some of [the administration’s actions],” said Dr. Paul Spiegel, director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at John Hopkins. “We’re losing some pretty important technical leaders in the field which will have a longer-term impact.”
Trump’s attempted cuts in global health programs have taken place as experts warn of a persistent threat from infectious diseases, as we’ve seen in recent decades from SARS, MERS, Ebola and other outbreaks. The Covid-19 virus is the latest of these to highlight why turning away from international health commitments is dangerous policy.
Advertisement
“It’s a reminder yet again of the importance of strengthening public health capacities, nationally and globally,” said Dr. James M. Hughes, former chief of infectious diseases at the CDC and a professor emeritus of medicine at Emory University. “If we don’t do that, we’ll continue to see these kinds of tragic events occuring.”
A patient solves a Rubik's cube at a temporary hospital converted from "Wuhan Livingroom" in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 10, 2020. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Lawmakers Condemn Cuts
Lawmakers, political candidates and the public health community have spoken out against Trump’s attempts to cut funding for global health programs.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, now running for president, called Trump the “worst possible person to lead our country through a global health challenge” in an op-ed last month and fellow presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced a plan for combating infectious diseases that includes increasing funding for health agencies and developing vaccines. Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued an open letter last week calling on the president to fully fund global health efforts.
“In light of the current novel coronavirus outbreak and the persistent threat of global pandemics, we urge you to fully fund infectious disease and pandemic preparedness and response efforts in your fiscal year 2021 proposed budget,” the senators wrote. “A failure to do so would not only be a danger to the health and welfare of all Americans, but also a threat to our national security.”
Advertisement
The Trump administration’s proposed cuts have also frustrated staffers who work on health and aid policies, as the budget decisions appear to lack any rationale beyond blunt cost-cutting measures.
Trump’s proposed reductions in funding make little sense even as a means of saving money, health experts argue, since they act as a relatively low-cost insurance policy against diseases and outbreaks which can wreak economic havoc as they disrupt trade, tourism, and many other aspects of the global economy.
“We’ve come to expect that they cut programs that either they don’t know about and therefore wrongly assume are not important, or that they don’t care about,” said Tim Rieser, chief foreign policy aide to Leahy. “They don’t give us justifications, other than that the White House ordered it. Instead, they dress up the cuts with happy talk that everyone who works on these programs knows is meaningless.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Elizabeth Warren's Campaign Moves Ad Buys From South Carolina to Nevada

JOSEPH PREZIOSO via Getty Images Sen. Elizabeth Warren greets supporters during the New Hampshire primary at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua , New Hampshire , on Feb. 11 , 2020 .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s presidential campaign is pulling down its television ad buys in South Carolina and moving the money plus additional funds to Nevada and Maine , a source with knowledge of the moves told HuffPost on Tuesday night .
The campaign will also start airing radio and print ads in South Carolina , and will continue to target the state with digital advertisements .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , but her campaign has been stagnant for a week following a third-place finish behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Iowa .
Warren is stuck between third and fourth place in polls both nationally and in Tuesday ’ s New Hampshire primary .
The advertising move has both short-term and long-term implications .
Moving money forward to Nevada could help the Warren campaign perform better in the next state to cast its ballots .
And sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s insistence that the race is a long battle for delegates , not a short-term fight for media attention .
Public polling in all three states is limited , though former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s strength with Black voters has long made him the favorite in South Carolina .
The Warren campaign , which is skeptical of traditional campaign practices , has long spent less on television ads than its rivals .
The campaign was heavily outspent on the airwaves in both Iowa and New Hampshire , choosing instead to pour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizing .
The shift in ad buying strategy comes on the same day Roger Lau , Warren ’ s campaign manager , sent a memo to supporters asserting that the Massachusetts senator remains in a strong position for Super Tuesday , when roughly one-third of the delegates to July ’ s Democratic National Convention will be awarded .
“ After New Hampshire tonight , 98 % of pledged delegates will still be up for grabs , ” Lau wrote .
“ And as the race consolidates after Super Tuesday , we expect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consensus choice of the widest coalition of Democrats in every corner of the country.
” The campaign asserted that its internal data shows Warren hitting or exceeding the 15 % vote threshold necessary to receive delegates in more than two-thirds of the districts that will cast ballots on Super Tuesday , compared to 98 % for Sanders and 96 % for Biden .
But the other candidates , including Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — who could both perform better than Warren in New Hampshire — are eligible to receive delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the campaign claims .
“ If the early states deliver mixed results for the field , and no seismic event shakes up the top three , the remaining viable candidates for the Democratic nomination as of Super Tuesday will be Joe Biden , Bernie Sanders , and Elizabeth Warren , ” Lau wrote .
“ In that three-way race , Elizabeth Warren is the candidate with the highest potential ceiling of support and the one best positioned to unite the party and lead the Democratic ticket to defeat Donald Trump .
”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren greets supporters during the New Hampshire primary at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Feb. 11, 2020. JOSEPH PREZIOSO via Getty Images
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign is pulling down its television ad buys in South Carolina and moving the money plus additional funds to Nevada and Maine, a source with knowledge of the moves told HuffPost on Tuesday night.
The campaign will also start airing radio and print ads in South Carolina, and will continue to target the state with digital advertisements.
Advertisement
Warren has long been one of the leading contenders for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but her campaign has been stagnant for a week following a third-place finish behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Iowa. Warren is stuck between third and fourth place in polls both nationally and in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.
The advertising move has both short-term and long-term implications. Moving money forward to Nevada could help the Warren campaign perform better in the next state to cast its ballots. And sending money to Maine reinforces the campaign’s insistence that the race is a long battle for delegates, not a short-term fight for media attention.
Public polling in all three states is limited, though former Vice President Joe Biden’s strength with Black voters has long made him the favorite in South Carolina.
The Warren campaign, which is skeptical of traditional campaign practices, has long spent less on television ads than its rivals. The campaign was heavily outspent on the airwaves in both Iowa and New Hampshire, choosing instead to pour its money into digital advertisements and field organizing.
Advertisement
The shift in ad buying strategy comes on the same day Roger Lau, Warren’s campaign manager, sent a memo to supporters asserting that the Massachusetts senator remains in a strong position for Super Tuesday, when roughly one-third of the delegates to July’s Democratic National Convention will be awarded.
“After New Hampshire tonight, 98% of pledged delegates will still be up for grabs,” Lau wrote. “And as the race consolidates after Super Tuesday, we expect the results to show that Elizabeth Warren is the consensus choice of the widest coalition of Democrats in every corner of the country.”
The campaign asserted that its internal data shows Warren hitting or exceeding the 15% vote threshold necessary to receive delegates in more than two-thirds of the districts that will cast ballots on Super Tuesday, compared to 98% for Sanders and 96% for Biden.
But the other candidates, including Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — who could both perform better than Warren in New Hampshire — are eligible to receive delegates in just a tiny number of districts, the campaign claims.
“If the early states deliver mixed results for the field, and no seismic event shakes up the top three, the remaining viable candidates for the Democratic nomination as of Super Tuesday will be Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren,” Lau wrote. “In that three-way race, Elizabeth Warren is the candidate with the highest potential ceiling of support and the one best positioned to unite the party and lead the Democratic ticket to defeat Donald Trump.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-11--Vape-Related Deaths Rise To 64 As Experts Worry That Danger Remains

The official number of people who have died after suffering from lung injuries linked to the use of vape pens and e-cigarettes has risen to 64 .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the deaths have been confirmed in 28 states and the District of Columbia as of Feb. 4 .
Four of those deaths occurred in the last three weeks , and more deaths are currently under investigation .
A total of 2,758 hospitalizations have been reported to the CDC from across all 50 states , and D.C. , Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more than five dozen , the CDC says that emergency hospital visits for vaping-related illnesses are declining since they peaked in September .
However , some researchers say they continue to see a steady flow of patients coming in with lung injuries after vaping .
Dr. Laura Crotty Alexander , a pulmonologist at the University of California , San Diego , who has been studying the effects of e-cigarettes since 2013 , said she still consistently receives patients suffering from EVALI .
“ When I look at the numbers on the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been this huge dropoff [ in EVALI cases ] since October .
I ’ m not convinced that that is accurate , ” Alexander told HuffPost , adding that she sees at least two patients with these conditions per week at UCSD ’ s School of Medicine .
“ We are still seeing so many cases here [ in San Diego ] , ” she added .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s over yet.
” In November , the CDC identified vitamin E acetate , an ingredient added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chemical in marijuana that produces a “ high , ” as a possible culprit in the illnesses and deaths .
On its website , the CDC notes that the ingredient , an oil , is “ strongly linked ” to the outbreak .
“ Vitamin E acetate has been found in product samples tested by FDA and state laboratories and in patient lung fluid samples tested by CDC from geographically diverse states , ” the CDC writes .
The CDC now recommends that manufacturers and vape users refrain from adding vitamin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alexander is concerned that the sense of urgency surrounding the dangers of vape products was quickly dying out while the health risks remain .
“ In addition , some patients are dying within two to three days of being discharged from the hospital ― which is terrifying , ” Alexander told HuffPost .
And though the CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a problematic ingredient in vape products , Alexander said many of her patients still use products containing vitamin E. The Food and Drug Administration placed a nationwide ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fruit flavoring in an attempt to make vape products and e-cigarettes less appealing to minors in early January .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The official number of people who have died after suffering from lung injuries linked to the use of vape pens and e-cigarettes has risen to 64.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the deaths have been confirmed in 28 states and the District of Columbia as of Feb. 4. Four of those deaths occurred in the last three weeks, and more deaths are currently under investigation.
Advertisement
A total of 2,758 hospitalizations have been reported to the CDC from across all 50 states, and D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The federal agency now refers to these injuries as EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury).
Though the death toll has risen to more than five dozen, the CDC says that emergency hospital visits for vaping-related illnesses are declining since they peaked in September.
However, some researchers say they continue to see a steady flow of patients coming in with lung injuries after vaping.
Advertisement
UPDATE: As of 2/4, 2,758 cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) or deaths reported from all 50 states, DC, & 2 US territories (Puerto Rico & USVI). 64 deaths confirmed in 28 states & DC. https://t.co/C2yOBR2GmX pic.twitter.com/tsP25Yxrno — CDC (@CDCgov) February 11, 2020
Dr. Laura Crotty Alexander, a pulmonologist at the University of California, San Diego, who has been studying the effects of e-cigarettes since 2013, said she still consistently receives patients suffering from EVALI.
“When I look at the numbers on the CDC website, it looks like there’s been this huge dropoff [in EVALI cases] since October. I’m not convinced that that is accurate,” Alexander told HuffPost, adding that she sees at least two patients with these conditions per week at UCSD’s School of Medicine.
“We are still seeing so many cases here [in San Diego],” she added. “I don’t think it’s over yet.”
In November, the CDC identified vitamin E acetate, an ingredient added to some vaping products that use THC, the chemical in marijuana that produces a “high,” as a possible culprit in the illnesses and deaths.
On its website, the CDC notes that the ingredient, an oil, is “strongly linked” to the outbreak.
“Vitamin E acetate has been found in product samples tested by FDA and state laboratories and in patient lung fluid samples tested by CDC from geographically diverse states,” the CDC writes.
Advertisement
The CDC now recommends that manufacturers and vape users refrain from adding vitamin E acetate to any of their products.
Alexander is concerned that the sense of urgency surrounding the dangers of vape products was quickly dying out while the health risks remain.
“Patients with EVALI can become incredibly ill,” she said, adding that treatment sometimes requires highly invasive procedures, including lung transplants.
“In addition, some patients are dying within two to three days of being discharged from the hospital ― which is terrifying,” Alexander told HuffPost.
And though the CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a problematic ingredient in vape products, Alexander said many of her patients still use products containing vitamin E.
Advertisement
The Food and Drug Administration placed a nationwide ban on vaping products that contain sweet, mint or fruit flavoring in an attempt to make vape products and e-cigarettes less appealing to minors in early January.
Among 2,668 cases of lung illness reported by the CDC as of Jan. 14, 52% involved patients who were 24 or younger.
Fifteen percent of those cases involved patients who were 18 or younger.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--CBP Chief Says Officials Who Detained Iranian-Americans At Border Were 'Overzealous'

SEATTLE ( AP ) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said Tuesday that border officials in Washington state “ got a little overzealous ” when they detained Iranian and Iranian-American travelers at the U.S.-Canada border last month .
As many as 200 people of Iranian descent were held up for as long as 12 hours as they crossed the border from Canada into Washington state the weekend of Jan. 5-6 , following a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general .
Many of those detained were U.S. citizens .
Some had even been cleared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelers .
The federal agency said at the time it had not targeted Iranian Americans based on their country of origin or issued any such directive to its officers .
But an immigration attorney in Blaine , Washington , obtained a copy of a directive apparently issued by the agency ’ s Seattle field office that said agents should “ conduct vetting ” on Iranian , Lebanese and Palestinian nationals born between 1961 and 2001 .
It also said anyone else who had traveled to Iran or Lebanon should be screened .
Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference in Washington , D.C. , on Tuesday that officials in the region imposed additional security screening on people from Iran following the drone strike .
The agency does not target people based on nationality , and there was no agency-wide directive to do so , Morgan said Tuesday .
“ In that one instance , leadership just got a little overzealous , and we corrected that right away , ” he said .
Border agents typically have discretion to refer a traveler for additional inspection , such as when their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something raises the agent ’ s suspicion .
But immigrant rights groups and lawmakers , including U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal , a Seattle Democrat , said singling out Iranian Americans absent such factors was wrong and violated their right to equal protection under the law .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
SEATTLE (AP) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan said Tuesday that border officials in Washington state “got a little overzealous” when they detained Iranian and Iranian-American travelers at the U.S.-Canada border last month.
As many as 200 people of Iranian descent were held up for as long as 12 hours as they crossed the border from Canada into Washington state the weekend of Jan. 5-6, following a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general.
Advertisement
Many of those detained were U.S. citizens. Some had even been cleared to participate in a program for trusted travelers.
The federal agency said at the time it had not targeted Iranian Americans based on their country of origin or issued any such directive to its officers.
But an immigration attorney in Blaine, Washington, obtained a copy of a directive apparently issued by the agency’s Seattle field office that said agents should “conduct vetting” on Iranian, Lebanese and Palestinian nationals born between 1961 and 2001. It also said anyone else who had traveled to Iran or Lebanon should be screened.
Without mentioning anyone by name, Morgan told a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday that officials in the region imposed additional security screening on people from Iran following the drone strike.
Advertisement
The agency does not target people based on nationality, and there was no agency-wide directive to do so, Morgan said Tuesday.
“In that one instance, leadership just got a little overzealous, and we corrected that right away,” he said.
Border agents typically have discretion to refer a traveler for additional inspection, such as when their paperwork is not in order or if something raises the agent’s suspicion.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Cable News Just Can't Bring Itself To Admit That Bernie Sanders Won

Michael Bloomberg , the former mayor of New York City who is pumping millions of dollars from his own fortune into the presidential race , was not on the ballot in New Hampshire .
Sanders ’ victory was narrower than it was in 2016′s primary , when he beat Hillary Clinton in the state .
But it was also just a two-person race that year .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg is currently leading in the delegate count from the chaotic Iowa caucuses , but Sanders won the popular vote there .
Both men have declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , both Sanders and Buttigieg will emerge with the same number of delegates .
Sanders maintains an online fundraising operation unmatched among the Democratic field .
And he is one of only a few candidates with significant support among black voters .
No one knows who will get the nomination , but Sanders is the frontrunner for now .
Yet cable news pundits went to great lengths to explain why even though Sanders won in New Hampshire , it was actually really bad news for him .
A few examples : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think you have to give Bernie Sanders amazing credit for winning because he did have a bunch of moderates who did really well up against him .
But one thing to look at in the rearview mirror is these exit polls on his positions on the issues .
Buttigieg ― the question was , Buttigieg ’ s positions on the issues were too liberal , not liberal enough or about right .
... Buttigieg , 68 % said about right .
For Bernie Sanders 43 % said about right .
For ( former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
...
But you can see that the Democratic Party , at least in New Hampshire , liked what Buttigieg was saying to them .
... You can ’ t discount how well the moderates did in this race tonight.
” - CNN , 2/11 “ There are warning signs in these first two races here , too .
We can say that he ’ s bringing the people along with him but 75 % of them didn ’ t come .
And that ’ s true in Iowa as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around whom people gravitate , there is a majority of voters there to take him on ― whether that happens is a big question .
We ’ ve got two moderate candidates who have come out of this in very strong shape tonight.
” - CNN , 2/11 Voters don ’ t neatly break into ideological boxes .
Plenty of voters in New Hampshire said they liked a number of the candidates , who were both moderate and progressive .
The Democratic field is not Sanders versus everyone else .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
But you might not know that if you were watching cable news.
“The big winner last night could be Mayor Bloomberg,” Jim Messina, Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign manager, said on MSNBC Wednesday.
Advertisement
Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City who is pumping millions of dollars from his own fortune into the presidential race, was not on the ballot in New Hampshire.
Sanders’ victory was narrower than it was in 2016′s primary, when he beat Hillary Clinton in the state. But it was also just a two-person race that year.
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is currently leading in the delegate count from the chaotic Iowa caucuses, but Sanders won the popular vote there. Both men have declared victories in the state. In New Hampshire, both Sanders and Buttigieg will emerge with the same number of delegates.
Sanders maintains an online fundraising operation unmatched among the Democratic field. And he is one of only a few candidates with significant support among black voters.
Advertisement
No one knows who will get the nomination, but Sanders is the frontrunner for now.
Yet cable news pundits went to great lengths to explain why even though Sanders won in New Hampshire, it was actually really bad news for him. A few examples:
The Moderates Are The Real Winners
“I think you have to give Bernie Sanders amazing credit for winning because he did have a bunch of moderates who did really well up against him. But one thing to look at in the rearview mirror is these exit polls on his positions on the issues. Buttigieg ― the question was, Buttigieg’s positions on the issues were too liberal, not liberal enough or about right. ... Buttigieg, 68% said about right. For Bernie Sanders 43% said about right. For (former Vice President Joe) Biden, 45%. ... But you can see that the Democratic Party, at least in New Hampshire, liked what Buttigieg was saying to them. ... You can’t discount how well the moderates did in this race tonight.” - CNN, 2/11
“I would almost argue that a third-place finish for (Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota) would be stronger and more important than a first-place finish for Bernie.” - MSNBC, 2/11
Third place is better than first place pic.twitter.com/yLFZUCe1kA — Sam Sacks (@SamSacks) February 11, 2020
“But Buttigieg and Klobuchar and Biden split the moderate vote, with their combined percentage overwhelming that of Sanders, who got 26%.” - MSNBC, 2/12
Advertisement
Wow this is bad news for Bernie Sanders when he runs against three people at once in the general. pic.twitter.com/t5mxnMPLwu — jordan (@JordanUhl) February 13, 2020
Sanders’ Win Wasn’t Big Enough
“There are warning signs in these first two races here, too. We can say that he’s bringing the people along with him but 75% of them didn’t come. And that’s true in Iowa as well. ... If there is a center-left candidate around whom people gravitate, there is a majority of voters there to take him on ― whether that happens is a big question. We’ve got two moderate candidates who have come out of this in very strong shape tonight.” - CNN, 2/11
“The story of the Sanders campaign so far this year is how much ground he’s lost from four years ago.” - MSNBC, 2/11
MSNBC already spinning it: “The story of the Sanders campaign so far this year is how much ground he's lost from four years ago." pic.twitter.com/Ufust8on5U — Ibrahim (@ibrahimpols) February 11, 2020
Voters don’t neatly break into ideological boxes. Plenty of voters in New Hampshire said they liked a number of the candidates, who were both moderate and progressive. The Democratic field is not Sanders versus everyone else.
Advertisement
The Sanders skepticism didn’t start on Tuesday. On Monday, MSNBC host Chuck Todd read an article asking whether Sanders supporters were akin to Nazis.
As we enter a contentious campaign season, it is incumbent upon leaders & pundits to refrain from using offensive comparisons to the Holocaust. Doing so only diminishes the memories of the 6M Jews who were killed by Nazis & Nazi sympathizers. https://t.co/iZT8QWLbu7 — ADL (@ADL) February 11, 2020
And last week, MSNBC host Chris Matthews expressed his skepticism of socialists, wondering whether Sanders would like to see people executed in Central Park.
One New Hampshire woman told MSNBC Tuesday afternoon that she was voting for Sanders. Why?
Because she was so fed up with MSNBC being so negative against him.
I love this woman. Said she was so fed up by MSNBC’s “Stop Bernie” campaign, she decided to vote for him. Glad some people see right through the Corporate media bias! #NHForBernie #NH4Bernie pic.twitter.com/fyPsv28K61 — Pepper Oceanna Lewis (@PepperOceanna) February 11, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Steve Mnuchin Grilled On 'Double Standard' For Biden, Trump Documents

“ It seems that Democrats ’ requests get shoved in the back of a filing cabinet while somehow Republican requests get the red carpet treatment , ” Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) said during a Senate Finance Committee hearing .
Mnuchin said the department thought it would have been illegal to grant the Democratic request for the president ’ s tax returns because of tax privacy laws , saying it was “ very different ” from the Republican request for reports by financial institutions regarding suspicious activities related to Hunter Biden .
“ That ’ s just not fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zooming in on the different details of the two requests .
Democrats sought Trump ’ s tax returns under a federal tax disclosure law granting certain committee chairs access to private tax information by request .
Mnuchin argued that the president ’ s personal returns would be “ subject to protection ” under the law .
But Democrats asked for the president ’ s taxes under a subsection of the tax code that delineates specific exceptions to the confidentiality of private tax information , including exceptions enacted by Congress as a check on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a request for tax returns , the law says , then the Treasury “ shall ” hand them over .
Instead of complying with the Democrats ’ request for Trump ’ s taxes last year , however , Treasury said it had concluded Democrats had no “ legitimate legislative purpose ” for their request , and they have continued that argument in federal court , where the case is currently stalled .
Mnuchin has not said if he thought Republicans ’ request for suspicious activity reports pertaining to Hunter Biden did have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to Wyden , Mnuchin said “ the applicable regulations provide that the Secretary of the Treasury may ‘ within his discretion ’ disclose this information ‘ for any reason consistent with the purposes ’ ” of the Bank Secrecy Act .
That 1970 law requires financial firms to file reports with Treasury if customer transactions exceed a certain monetary threshold or if there ’ s some reason to believe they ’ re connected to illegal activity .
Senate Republicans asked for reports filed on Biden and several associates as part of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used his office to benefit his son , who served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company while his father oversaw Ukraine policy .
The House impeached Trump in December for pressuring Ukraine to announce its own investigation into the Bidens ; Trump ’ s defense team during the Senate trial last month insisted the president had a good reason to want an investigation , though they didn ’ t say the Bidens had done anything illegal .
After the hearing on Wednesday , Mnuchin declined to say that the Senate Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose lacking in the Democratic request for the president ’ s taxes .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON ― Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin denied Wednesday that he is a toady for President Donald Trump.
Treasury recently gave Senate Republicans potentially damaging financial information related to former vice president Joe Biden’s son Hunter, but blocked a Democratic request for President Donald Trump’s tax returns.
Advertisement
“It seems that Democrats’ requests get shoved in the back of a filing cabinet while somehow Republican requests get the red carpet treatment,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said during a Senate Finance Committee hearing.
Mnuchin said the department thought it would have been illegal to grant the Democratic request for the president’s tax returns because of tax privacy laws, saying it was “very different” from the Republican request for reports by financial institutions regarding suspicious activities related to Hunter Biden.
Wyden interrupted him: “Mr. Secretary, you are stonewalling about stonewalling.”
“That’s just not fair,” Mnuchin said, before again zooming in on the different details of the two requests.
Democrats sought Trump’s tax returns under a federal tax disclosure law granting certain committee chairs access to private tax information by request. Mnuchin argued that the president’s personal returns would be “subject to protection” under the law.
Advertisement
But Democrats asked for the president’s taxes under a subsection of the tax code that delineates specific exceptions to the confidentiality of private tax information, including exceptions enacted by Congress as a check on the executive branch. If committee chairs make a request for tax returns, the law says, then the Treasury “shall” hand them over.
Instead of complying with the Democrats’ request for Trump’s taxes last year, however, Treasury said it had concluded Democrats had no “legitimate legislative purpose” for their request, and they have continued that argument in federal court, where the case is currently stalled.
Mnuchin has not said if he thought Republicans’ request for suspicious activity reports pertaining to Hunter Biden did have a legislative purpose. In a Tuesday letter to Wyden, Mnuchin said “the applicable regulations provide that the Secretary of the Treasury may ‘within his discretion’ disclose this information ‘for any reason consistent with the purposes’” of the Bank Secrecy Act.
That 1970 law requires financial firms to file reports with Treasury if customer transactions exceed a certain monetary threshold or if there’s some reason to believe they’re connected to illegal activity.
Senate Republicans asked for reports filed on Biden and several associates as part of their investigation into whether the former vice president used his office to benefit his son, who served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company while his father oversaw Ukraine policy.
Advertisement
The House impeached Trump in December for pressuring Ukraine to announce its own investigation into the Bidens; Trump’s defense team during the Senate trial last month insisted the president had a good reason to want an investigation, though they didn’t say the Bidens had done anything illegal.
Senate Republicans’ request to Treasury is just one part of a wide-ranging investigation launched last fall to bolster the president’s case.
After the hearing on Wednesday, Mnuchin declined to say that the Senate Republican investigation does have the kind legitimate legislative purpose lacking in the Democratic request for the president’s taxes.
“People are confusing these issues,” Mnuchin told HuffPost. “They’re completely different issues and different subjects in the code.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Senate Democrats Demand Barr Resign Or Face Impeachment Over Roger Stone Case

The prosecutors told the court on Monday that Stone should face seven to nine years behind bars for witness tampering and lying to Congress .
Trump , who has leaned on Stone as an adviser since the 1980s , tweeted that the sentencing recommendation was too long and called it a “ miscarriage of justice.
” After Trump ’ s tweet , which was sent around 2 a.m. on Tuesday , the Justice Department signaled that it planned to revise the sentencing recommendation .
The career prosecutors dropped out one by one soon after .
Trump appeared to confirm that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of tweets on Wednesday , praising the attorney general for “ taking charge.
” Trump had appointed Barr to head the Justice Department in 2018 after firing Jeff Sessions .
Meanwhile , White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley denied that Trump had interfered in Stone ’ s sentencing during an appearance Wednesday on Fox News .
“ Look , [ Trump ] is the chief law enforcement officer , ” Gidley said .
“ He has the right to do it .
He just didn ’ t .
He didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a conversation with the attorney general and that ’ s just ludicrous.
” “ I want to thank the Justice Department , ” he said .
“ They saw the horribleness of a nine-year sentence for doing nothing .
You have murderers and drug addicts — they don ’ t get nine years.
” “ The president is claiming that rigging the rules is perfectly legitimate , ” Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday .
“ He claims an absolute right to order the Justice Department to do whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his attorney general an enabler.
” “ The Rule of Law is gasping for breath , being suffocated by Trump and his personal henchman Bill Barr , ” tweeted Laurence Tribe , a constitutional law professor at Harvard University .
“ Not even a pretense of legality .
They ’ re doing it because they can .
It ’ s raw , naked , unprincipled , immoral power.
” Stone will “ probably go to jail , but I think a seven- [ to ] nine-year sentence wouldn ’ t be appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , however , that he doesn ’ t believe Trump should be tweeting about the ongoing case .
Barr has agreed to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on March 31 as part of the panel ’ s normal oversight .
Democratic committee members sent a letter to Barr on Wednesday outlining several issues they plan to ask him about , including Stone ’ s sentencing recommendation .
The chaos surrounding Stone ’ s sentencing follows the Senate ’ s vote to acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment regarding his efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden .
Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) was the only Republican to join Democrats in voting to remove Trump from office .
Some Senate Republicans said Trump ’ s efforts to seek foreign interference were “ wrong ” and “ inappropriate ” but that they believe he wouldn ’ t do it again after having gone through impeachment .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Senate Democrats have called on Attorney General William Barr to resign or face impeachment after President Donald Trump appeared to confirm that Barr had intervened in the case against the president’s longtime friend Roger Stone.
“Donald Trump is shredding the rule of law in this country,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) tweeted Wednesday. “Congress must act immediately to rein in our lawless Attorney General. Barr should resign or face impeachment.”
Advertisement
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, another Democrat, told NBC News earlier in the day that he believes Barr has “no choice” but to resign.
“He’s acting simply as a henchman of the president,” Blumenthal said.
All four federal prosecutors who ran Stone’s trial abruptly withdrew from the case on Tuesday after Justice Department leadership intervened to reduce their sentencing recommendation.
The prosecutors told the court on Monday that Stone should face seven to nine years behind bars for witness tampering and lying to Congress. Trump, who has leaned on Stone as an adviser since the 1980s, tweeted that the sentencing recommendation was too long and called it a “miscarriage of justice.”
After Trump’s tweet, which was sent around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the Justice Department signaled that it planned to revise the sentencing recommendation. The career prosecutors dropped out one by one soon after.
Advertisement
“He’s acting simply as a henchman of the president,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said of Attorney General William Barr. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trump appeared to confirm that Barr had intervened in the case in a series of tweets on Wednesday, praising the attorney general for “taking charge.” Trump had appointed Barr to head the Justice Department in 2018 after firing Jeff Sessions.
Meanwhile, White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley denied that Trump had interfered in Stone’s sentencing during an appearance Wednesday on Fox News. “Look, [Trump] is the chief law enforcement officer,” Gidley said. “He has the right to do it. He just didn’t. He didn’t make any comment, didn’t have a conversation with the attorney general and that’s just ludicrous.”
Asked whether he would pardon Stone, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that he doesn’t “want to say yet.”
“I want to thank the Justice Department,” he said. “They saw the horribleness of a nine-year sentence for doing nothing. You have murderers and drug addicts — they don’t get nine years.”
Advertisement
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has called on the Justice Department’s inspector general to investigate the revised sentencing recommendation and urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing on the matter.
“The president is claiming that rigging the rules is perfectly legitimate,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “He claims an absolute right to order the Justice Department to do whatever he wants. And the president has as his attorney general an enabler.”
“That is third-world behavior ― not American behavior,” Schumer continued. “This is not ordinary stuff. Never seen it before with any president.”
The DOJ Inspector General needs to investigate now.
The Senate Judiciary Committee needs to convene an emergency committee hearing to investigate why the Roger Stone sentencing recommendations were countermanded.
President Trump should not be able to rig the rules. pic.twitter.com/ukMeAbvoCB — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 12, 2020
Several Democratic senators, including Kamala Harris of California and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, echoed Schumer’s outrage, and legal experts warned of the potentially devastating consequences of Trump’s brazen coordination with the Justice Department.
Advertisement
“The Rule of Law is gasping for breath, being suffocated by Trump and his personal henchman Bill Barr,” tweeted Laurence Tribe, a constitutional law professor at Harvard University. “Not even a pretense of legality. They’re doing it because they can. It’s raw, naked, unprincipled, immoral power.”
But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of Trump’s fiercest defenders in Congress, told CNN on Wednesday that he didn’t believe his committee would investigate the issue.
Stone will “probably go to jail, but I think a seven- [to] nine-year sentence wouldn’t be appropriate here,” Graham said. He added, however, that he doesn’t believe Trump should be tweeting about the ongoing case.
“I’ve told him that,” he said.
Barr has agreed to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on March 31 as part of the panel’s normal oversight. Democratic committee members sent a letter to Barr on Wednesday outlining several issues they plan to ask him about, including Stone’s sentencing recommendation.
The chaos surrounding Stone’s sentencing follows the Senate’s vote to acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment regarding his efforts to get Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) was the only Republican to join Democrats in voting to remove Trump from office.
Advertisement
Some Senate Republicans said Trump’s efforts to seek foreign interference were “wrong” and “inappropriate” but that they believe he wouldn’t do it again after having gone through impeachment.
But Democrats warned that Trump would only feel more empowered to abuse his office.
“This is what we feared,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. “The message is now clear: If you commit a felony in support of the president’s reelection, there will be protection there for you. It’s really, really, really dangerous for the republic.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-02-12--Joe Biden Looks To South Carolina To Resurrect His Campaign

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) — Joe Biden brought his wounded presidential campaign to South Carolina on Tuesday , staking his hopes for a comeback on the loyalty of black voters in the state after a dismal finish in the New Hampshire primary magnified his disappointing finish in Iowa .
“ I know this is going to be the fight of my life , ” Biden told about 200 enthusiastic supporters gathered near the South Carolina Capitol to hear the 77-year-old former vice president deliver an emotional appeal .
Biden eagerly looked ahead as the nomination fight moves beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Carolina and a Super Tuesday slate where African Americans and Latinos will hold considerable sway .
The candidate argued that no Democratic nominee has succeeded without significant support from African Americans , the core of his base in a fractured primary field .
The electorate in South Carolina ’ s Feb. 29 primary , the first in the South , is expected to be more than 60 % black and could approach 70 % , according to state party leaders .
Still , there is no Democratic precedent for the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
No Democrat has claimed the nomination in the modern primary system without winning either Iowa or New Hampshire .
Biden ’ s campaign had said for months they didn ’ t have to win either state , but that strategy didn ’ t necessarily consider finishing so far off the pace .
In recent days , Biden ’ s donor base has since grown nervous , raising questions about his financial viability if he doesn ’ t rebound quickly .
Biden boarded a private jet in Manchester on Tuesday evening — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — ending an eight-day whirlwind that saw the former vice president go from a national front-runner for the nomination to a battered underdog .
He finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses , and with votes still being tabulated in New Hampshire , Biden was vying for fourth alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Each was at risk of finishing without winning any delegates out of the nation ’ s first primary .
“ Do not let anyone take this election away from you , ” he said in a speech that touted his deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black community .
“ Too often your loyalty , your commitment , your support for this party has been taken for granted , ” he said .
“ I give you my word as a Biden that I never , ever , ever will.
” Biden was introduced by his campaign co-chairman , Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana congressman and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus .
Richmond recalled for the crowd the first question he asked himself when deciding who to support : “ Who do I trust ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nominee before .
Four years ago , Hillary Clinton and Sanders battled to a draw in Iowa and Sanders beat her in New Hampshire , prompting a round of hand-wringing from some party leaders and national media .
Clinton went on to crush Sanders in South Carolina and the diverse states that immediately followed , building a delegate lead he could never overcome .
Eight years earlier , it was Obama , the nation ’ s first black president , who used the black vote to put distance between his campaign and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-person race , though , and Biden is looking merely to return to contender status .
But 2020 already has proven unusual , with no candidate having demonstrated the ability to build a broad coalition across the party ’ s racial , ethnic and ideological factions .
Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg achieved a split decision in Iowa and Sanders barely edged out Buttigieg in New Hampshire .
Sanders , a Vermont senator and democratic socialist , has paltry support among the party ’ s establishment core , and for months he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , has struggled to corral meaningful support from black or Latino voters .
Biden does have competition for the black vote in South Carolina .
Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer has spent large sums on advertising , while Biden ’ s financial struggles have left him largely absent from the state ’ s airwaves .
The former vice president will depend on voters like Tina Herbert , a Columbia attorney who was eager to see him Tuesday night .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Joe Biden brought his wounded presidential campaign to South Carolina on Tuesday, staking his hopes for a comeback on the loyalty of black voters in the state after a dismal finish in the New Hampshire primary magnified his disappointing finish in Iowa.
“I know this is going to be the fight of my life,” Biden told about 200 enthusiastic supporters gathered near the South Carolina Capitol to hear the 77-year-old former vice president deliver an emotional appeal. Biden eagerly looked ahead as the nomination fight moves beyond the overwhelmingly white opening states to Nevada, South Carolina and a Super Tuesday slate where African Americans and Latinos will hold considerable sway.
Advertisement
“We just heard from the first two of 50 states. Two of them,” Biden said. “That’s the opening bell, not the closing bell.”
The candidate argued that no Democratic nominee has succeeded without significant support from African Americans, the core of his base in a fractured primary field. The electorate in South Carolina’s Feb. 29 primary, the first in the South, is expected to be more than 60% black and could approach 70%, according to state party leaders.
Still, there is no Democratic precedent for the kind of comeback Biden is trying to pull off. No Democrat has claimed the nomination in the modern primary system without winning either Iowa or New Hampshire.
Biden’s campaign had said for months they didn’t have to win either state, but that strategy didn’t necessarily consider finishing so far off the pace. In recent days, Biden’s donor base has since grown nervous, raising questions about his financial viability if he doesn’t rebound quickly.
Advertisement
Biden boarded a private jet in Manchester on Tuesday evening — even before New Hampshire primary polls closed — ending an eight-day whirlwind that saw the former vice president go from a national front-runner for the nomination to a battered underdog.
He finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses, and with votes still being tabulated in New Hampshire, Biden was vying for fourth alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Each was at risk of finishing without winning any delegates out of the nation’s first primary.
In his remarks Tuesday night, Biden praised Iowa’s and New Hampshire’s opening roles, but argued that 99.9% of African Americans and 99.8% of Latinos haven’t yet had the opportunity to cast Democratic primary ballots.
“Do not let anyone take this election away from you,” he said in a speech that touted his deep political ties to South Carolina and to the black community.
Biden mentioned his relationship with South Carolina’s lone Democratic congressman, Jim Clyburn, the highest ranking black lawmaker on Capitol Hill. He noted his service as President Barack Obama’s top lieutenant. He recalled meeting South African leader Nelson Mandela. And he promised black Americans a seat at the table in the Oval Office.
Advertisement
“Too often your loyalty, your commitment, your support for this party has been taken for granted,” he said. “I give you my word as a Biden that I never, ever, ever will.”
Biden was introduced by his campaign co-chairman, Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Richmond recalled for the crowd the first question he asked himself when deciding who to support: “Who do I trust?”
South Carolina has been a springboard for the nominee before. Four years ago, Hillary Clinton and Sanders battled to a draw in Iowa and Sanders beat her in New Hampshire, prompting a round of hand-wringing from some party leaders and national media. Clinton went on to crush Sanders in South Carolina and the diverse states that immediately followed, building a delegate lead he could never overcome. Eight years earlier, it was Obama, the nation’s first black president, who used the black vote to put distance between his campaign and Clinton.
This isn’t a two-person race, though, and Biden is looking merely to return to contender status. But 2020 already has proven unusual, with no candidate having demonstrated the ability to build a broad coalition across the party’s racial, ethnic and ideological factions. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg achieved a split decision in Iowa and Sanders barely edged out Buttigieg in New Hampshire.
Sanders, a Vermont senator and democratic socialist, has paltry support among the party’s establishment core, and for months he has trailed Biden in support among non-white Democrats. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has struggled to corral meaningful support from black or Latino voters.
Advertisement
The same is true for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who finished just behind Biden in Iowa but finished third in New Hampshire.
Biden does have competition for the black vote in South Carolina. Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer has spent large sums on advertising, while Biden’s financial struggles have left him largely absent from the state’s airwaves. The former vice president will depend on voters like Tina Herbert, a Columbia attorney who was eager to see him Tuesday night.
“I thought it was important that I showed my face and showed my support for him tonight,” she said. “I’ve been with him since Day One.”
Herbert said she wasn’t concerned about Biden’s finishes in any other early states.
“We are not really receptive to outsiders, so we don’t listen to their opinions, even when we should, good or bad,” she said.
—- Associated Press reporter Meg Kinnard contributed to this report.