thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'Are they mean to people?': Book claims Trump asked Reince Priebus lots of questions about badgers

President Trump often spoke of badgers during conversations with chief of staff Reince Priebus , according to a new book .
During Priebus ’ s six-month White House tenure in 2017 , the president would often “ waste Priebus ’ s time ” in briefings about foreign and domestic policy by asking questions about the furry animal , according to Sinking In The Swamp : How Trump ’ s Minions and Misfits Poisoned Washington by Daily Beast reporters Lachlan Markay and Asawin Suebsaeng .
The badger is the state animal of Priebus ’ s home state , Wisconsin .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Badger State animal seemingly at random , according to the book .
“ Are they mean to people ? ''
he would ask .
“ Or are they friendly creatures ?
” Priebus was also asked if he had any photos of badgers to show the president and if he could explain how badgers “ work.
” Priebus was also asked to explain why Wisconsin was obsessed with the critter , how badgers behave and function , what they eat , and how aggressive and deadly they could be .
He also wondered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal and asked if it was “ boring.
” According to the book , Trump has a habit of catechizing advisers on topics that are interesting to him , including , for example , garbage .
“ Where does it go ?
” “ What exactly is up there , circling the globe ?
” and , “ Is this a national security threat ?
” were among the questions he would ask .
Priebus was replaced by then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly at the end of July 2017 .
Kelly was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the Office of Management and Budget , in the beginning of 2019 .
He remains active in both roles .
[ Read more : Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus return to Trumpworld with posts on White House fellows commission ]

President Trump often spoke of badgers during conversations with chief of staff Reince Priebus, according to a new book.
During Priebus’s six-month White House tenure in 2017, the president would often “waste Priebus’s time” in briefings about foreign and domestic policy by asking questions about the furry animal, according to Sinking In The Swamp: How Trump’s Minions and Misfits Poisoned Washington by Daily Beast reporters Lachlan Markay and Asawin Suebsaeng.
The badger is the state animal of Priebus’s home state, Wisconsin.
Trump made a point to bring up the Badger State animal seemingly at random, according to the book. “Are they mean to people?" he would ask. “Or are they friendly creatures?” Priebus was also asked if he had any photos of badgers to show the president and if he could explain how badgers “work.”
Priebus was also asked to explain why Wisconsin was obsessed with the critter, how badgers behave and function, what they eat, and how aggressive and deadly they could be. He also wondered about the “personality” of the animal and asked if it was “boring.”
According to the book, Trump has a habit of catechizing advisers on topics that are interesting to him, including, for example, garbage.
“Where does it go?” “What exactly is up there, circling the globe?” and, “Is this a national security threat?” were among the questions he would ask.
Priebus was replaced by then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly at the end of July 2017. Kelly was then replaced by Mick Mulvaney, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, in the beginning of 2019. He remains active in both roles.
[Read more: Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus return to Trumpworld with posts on White House fellows commission]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'Best Valentine's Day gift ever': Sean Spicer recording personalized messages for 50% off

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer has a new gig , and he is selling his services at a steep discount for Valentine 's Day .
`` Hey guys , it ’ s Sean Spicer with an amazing deal .
This month , for the entire month of February , my videos that normally cost $ 400 — over 50 percent off , '' Spicer said in a Tuesday Instagram post .
`` $ 199 is going to give you the best Valentine 's Day gift ever .
What way to say , ' I love you .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Valentine ’ s Day than a video from me ? ''
Spicer is selling his services on the platform Cameo .
The former Trump spokesman said 100 % of the money will go to the Independence Fund , an organization that helps wounded veterans .
`` You get the best way to tell someone you love them ( a video from me ) , and to do some good at the same time- a win-win ! ''
he said in the caption to the video .
[ Related : Sean Spicer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on White House fellows commission ] The former press secretary is not the only former White House official to sell videos on Cameo .
Anthony Scaramucci sells custom videos for $ 100 , which he pitches as him saying `` anything '' people want .
Omarosa Manigault also sell videos on the platform .
Spicer , 48 , participated in Dancing with the Stars last fall .
He was eliminated despite attempts by Trump supporters to keep his run going .
Judges were frustrated at his extended run on the show despite a @ @ @ @

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer has a new gig, and he is selling his services at a steep discount for Valentine's Day.
"Hey guys, it’s Sean Spicer with an amazing deal. This month, for the entire month of February, my videos that normally cost $400 — over 50 percent off," Spicer said in a Tuesday Instagram post. "$199 is going to give you the best Valentine's Day gift ever. What way to say, 'I love you. I’m thinking of you,' this Valentine’s Day than a video from me?"
Spicer is selling his services on the platform Cameo. The former Trump spokesman said 100% of the money will go to the Independence Fund, an organization that helps wounded veterans.
"You get the best way to tell someone you love them (a video from me), and to do some good at the same time- a win-win!" he said in the caption to the video.
[Related: Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus return to Trumpworld with posts on White House fellows commission]
The former press secretary is not the only former White House official to sell videos on Cameo. Anthony Scaramucci sells custom videos for $100, which he pitches as him saying "anything" people want. Omarosa Manigault also sell videos on the platform.
Spicer, 48, participated in Dancing with the Stars last fall. He was eliminated despite attempts by Trump supporters to keep his run going. Judges were frustrated at his extended run on the show despite a lack of talent.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta defends brother after Trump tweet: ‘YOUR Justice Department c

Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta defends brother after Trump tweet: ‘YOUR Justice Department closed the case’

Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 campaign chairman John Podesta came to his brother ’ s defense Wednesday after President Trump ripped him on Twitter .
On Tuesday night , Trump tweeted , “ Whatever happened to Hillary campaign manager Podesta ’ s BROTHER ?
Wasn ’ t he caught , forced to leave his firm , with BIG BAD things to happen ?
Why did nothing ever happen to him , only to the ‘ other ’ side ?
” Trump ’ s tweet was likely tied to the controversy surrounding the Department of Justice ’ s announcement that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roger Stone , a longtime friend of Trump ’ s , after he was sentenced to seven to nine years in prison .
Trump called Stone ’ s sentence a “ miscarriage of justice ” but denied that he told Barr to change the sentence .
Tony Podesta was to testify against Paul Manafort after he was caught up in Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
Podesta had allegedly violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act , which was uncovered when Muller was looking into Manafort ’ s ties to Russia .
Several people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In response to Trump ’ s tweet , John Podesta wrote , “ What happened ?
YOUR Justice Department closed the case because , unlike your pal Roger Stone , my brother did n't lie to Congress , intimidate a witness , and obstruct a federal investigation.
” Three of the prosecutors who worked on Mueller ’ s team removed themselves from the case when the department announced the shortened sentence for Stone , including two who resigned from the department completely .
Stone ’ s sentence will be finalized on Feb. 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 2016 campaign .
He had not worked for his brother 's firm , the Podesta group , .

Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign chairman John Podesta came to his brother’s defense Wednesday after President Trump ripped him on Twitter.
On Tuesday night, Trump tweeted, “Whatever happened to Hillary campaign manager Podesta’s BROTHER? Wasn’t he caught, forced to leave his firm, with BIG BAD things to happen? Why did nothing ever happen to him, only to the ‘other’ side?”
Whatever happened to Hillary campaign manager Podesta’s BROTHER? Wasn’t he caught, forced to leave his firm, with BIG BAD things to happen? Why did nothing ever happen to him, only to the “other” side? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
Trump’s tweet was likely tied to the controversy surrounding the Department of Justice’s announcement that they would seek a more lenient sentence for Roger Stone, a longtime friend of Trump’s, after he was sentenced to seven to nine years in prison. Trump called Stone’s sentence a “miscarriage of justice” but denied that he told Barr to change the sentence.
Tony Podesta was reportedly offered immunity to testify against Paul Manafort after he was caught up in Robert Mueller’s investigation. Podesta had allegedly violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which was uncovered when Muller was looking into Manafort’s ties to Russia. Several people have questioned how Podesta managed to “vanish” without punishment.
In response to Trump’s tweet, John Podesta wrote, “What happened? YOUR Justice Department closed the case because, unlike your pal Roger Stone, my brother didn't lie to Congress, intimidate a witness, and obstruct a federal investigation.”
What happened? YOUR Justice Department closed the case because, unlike your pal Roger Stone, my brother didn't lie to Congress, intimidate a witness, and obstruct a federal investigation. https://t.co/KR8wkDxxtF — John Podesta (@johnpodesta) February 12, 2020
Three of the prosecutors who worked on Mueller’s team removed themselves from the case when the department announced the shortened sentence for Stone, including two who resigned from the department completely. Stone’s sentence will be finalized on Feb. 20.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Trump faces more lawsuits from states than Obama administration did in eight years

State attorneys general are moving at a rapid pace in their legal fight to slow or block President Trump ’ s agenda .
States have banded together and filed more joint lawsuits against the Trump administration in three years than against any other administration in decades , according to a new study that looked back as far as 1980 .
Marquette University assistant professor Paul Nolette found that state attorneys general had filed 103 multistate lawsuits against the federal government since Trump ’ s first day in office through Feb. 1 .
The amount of multistate lawsuits against Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than what President Barack Obama faced in his first term .
Over the course of two terms , Obama faced the second-most multistate lawsuits at 78 .
Former President George W. Bush faced 76 .
Coalitions of Democratic attorneys general have filed the vast majority of lawsuits against the Trump administration .
Democratic coalitions are responsible for 96 of the 103 lawsuits .
Republican coalitions have filed six .
One lawsuit came from a bipartisan coalition .
Nolette said the high number of lawsuits is not due to heightened partisanship or Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly using the court system to push their own agendas .
`` It has much less to do with the Trump administration itself than it does with the attorneys general and how they ’ ve realized how effective their lawsuits are and how many incentives they have to bring these lawsuits in the first place , '' Nolette told the Hill .
`` This is a more permanent part of the landscape now . ''
According to Nolette ’ s data , lawsuits pushed by Democrats have had an 80 % success rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican-led lawsuits against the Obama administration .
`` That ’ s a very high success rate , much higher than most litigants , actually .
Even if they ultimately lose , there ’ s a real benefit to the lawsuit , '' Nolette said .
`` There ’ s pretty much all upside and not much downside to bringing these suits . ''

State attorneys general are moving at a rapid pace in their legal fight to slow or block President Trump’s agenda.
States have banded together and filed more joint lawsuits against the Trump administration in three years than against any other administration in decades, according to a new study that looked back as far as 1980. Marquette University assistant professor Paul Nolette found that state attorneys general had filed 103 multistate lawsuits against the federal government since Trump’s first day in office through Feb. 1.
The amount of multistate lawsuits against Trump in his first term is over four times higher than what President Barack Obama faced in his first term. Over the course of two terms, Obama faced the second-most multistate lawsuits at 78. Former President George W. Bush faced 76.
Coalitions of Democratic attorneys general have filed the vast majority of lawsuits against the Trump administration. Democratic coalitions are responsible for 96 of the 103 lawsuits. Republican coalitions have filed six. One lawsuit came from a bipartisan coalition.
Nolette said the high number of lawsuits is not due to heightened partisanship or Trump. Rather, state attorneys general are increasingly using the court system to push their own agendas.
"It has much less to do with the Trump administration itself than it does with the attorneys general and how they’ve realized how effective their lawsuits are and how many incentives they have to bring these lawsuits in the first place," Nolette told the Hill. "This is a more permanent part of the landscape now."
According to Nolette’s data, lawsuits pushed by Democrats have had an 80% success rate against Trump, 20% higher than Republican-led lawsuits against the Obama administration.
"That’s a very high success rate, much higher than most litigants, actually. Even if they ultimately lose, there’s a real benefit to the lawsuit," Nolette said. "There’s pretty much all upside and not much downside to bringing these suits."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'Trump has corrupted the Justice Department': Obama ethics director rips Barr intervention in Roger

'Trump has corrupted the Justice Department': Obama ethics director rips Barr intervention in Roger Stone case

Attorney General William Barr is using the Department of Justice to carry out favors for President Trump , according to former President Barack Obama ’ s director of the Office of Government Ethics .
Walter Shaub , who was the White House ’ s ethics director during Obama ’ s last term , criticized Barr for interceding in Roger Stone ’ s case after Trump called the sentence “ disgraceful ” and a “ miscarriage of justice.
” “ A corrupt authoritarian and his henchmen are wielding the Justice Department as a shield for friends and a sword for political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is impossible to overstate the danger.
” Shaub ’ s remarks came after Trump congratulated Barr for “ taking charge ” of Stone ’ s case .
The DOJ announced on Tuesday that it would be scaling back the recommended sentence of seven to nine years for Trump ’ s longtime associate .
Stone was found guilty in November on seven charges related to his behavior during the 2016 election and throughout the investigations that followed .
“ Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps should not have even been brought , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted .
Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress !
” Shaub tweeted a screenshot of Trump ’ s tweet with the caption , “ The fascist gloats and fumes.
” The president claimed that he did not speak with Barr or others at the Department of Justice before it was announced that Stone ’ s sentencing would be reconsidered .
Following Barr ’ s decision , three prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team left the case , including two who outright resigned from their positions as U.S. attorneys .
Shaub addressed the resignations , tweeting , “ To put DOJ 's politicization in context , remember its mission is to defend the rule of law and it 's full of lawyers whose lives are focused on law .
Having toppled the institution dedicated to law , it 'll be easier to topple the ones devoted to things like energy , money and killing.
” He added , “ To citizens of free countries , Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the subjects of totalitarian regimes , who are accustomed to men like Barr .
The consistency is found in the guiding principle of his authoritarian partisanship : ‘ Justice for us , punishment for them.
’ '' Shaub also jabbed the Republican Party by tweeting a quote from Italian fascist Benito Mussolini , “ The morning after learning that Trump has corrupted the Justice Department , Republican Senators will teach him a lesson .
It 'll be the same lesson they taught when they acquitted him last week .
‘ The truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Shaub worked under Obama in the Office of Government Ethics from 2013 to 2017 .
When he was replaced by the Trump administration , he claimed the president would turn the United States into a “ laughingstock ” when it came to ethics .

Attorney General William Barr is using the Department of Justice to carry out favors for President Trump, according to former President Barack Obama’s director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Walter Shaub, who was the White House’s ethics director during Obama’s last term, criticized Barr for interceding in Roger Stone’s case after Trump called the sentence “disgraceful” and a “miscarriage of justice.”
“A corrupt authoritarian and his henchmen are wielding the Justice Department as a shield for friends and a sword for political rivals,” Shaub tweeted Wednesday morning. “It is impossible to overstate the danger.”
A corrupt authoritarian and his henchmen are wielding the Justice Department as a shield for friends and a sword for political rivals. It is impossible to overstate the danger. — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 12, 2020
Shaub’s remarks came after Trump congratulated Barr for “taking charge” of Stone’s case. The DOJ announced on Tuesday that it would be scaling back the recommended sentence of seven to nine years for Trump’s longtime associate. Stone was found guilty in November on seven charges related to his behavior during the 2016 election and throughout the investigations that followed.
“Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought,” Trump tweeted. “Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!”
Shaub tweeted a screenshot of Trump’s tweet with the caption, “The fascist gloats and fumes.”
The fascist gloats and fumes. pic.twitter.com/ROHqpNBC7c — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 12, 2020
The president claimed that he did not speak with Barr or others at the Department of Justice before it was announced that Stone’s sentencing would be reconsidered. Following Barr’s decision, three prosecutors who worked on Robert Mueller’s team left the case, including two who outright resigned from their positions as U.S. attorneys.
Shaub addressed the resignations, tweeting, “To put DOJ's politicization in context, remember its mission is to defend the rule of law and it's full of lawyers whose lives are focused on law. Having toppled the institution dedicated to law, it'll be easier to topple the ones devoted to things like energy, money and killing.”
He added, “To citizens of free countries, Barr's position seems hypocritical. Not so for the subjects of totalitarian regimes, who are accustomed to men like Barr. The consistency is found in the guiding principle of his authoritarian partisanship: ‘Justice for us, punishment for them.’"
To put DOJ's politicization in context, remember its mission is to defend the rule of law and it's full of lawyers whose lives are focused on law. Having toppled the institution dedicated to law, it'll be easier to topple the ones devoted to things like energy, money and killing. — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 12, 2020
To citizens of free countries, Barr's position seems hypocritical. Not so for the subjects of totalitarian regimes, who are accustomed to men like Barr. The consistency is found in the guiding principle of his authoritarian partisanship: "Justice for us, punishment for them." https://t.co/igJWC1Wzci — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 12, 2020
Shaub also jabbed the Republican Party by tweeting a quote from Italian fascist Benito Mussolini, “The morning after learning that Trump has corrupted the Justice Department, Republican Senators will teach him a lesson. It'll be the same lesson they taught when they acquitted him last week. ‘The truth is that men are tired of liberty.’”
The morning after learning that Trump has corrupted the Justice Department, Republican Senators will teach him a lesson. It'll be the same lesson they taught when they acquitted him last week.
"The truth is that men are tired of liberty."
— Benito Mussolini — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 12, 2020
Shaub worked under Obama in the Office of Government Ethics from 2013 to 2017. When he was replaced by the Trump administration, he claimed the president would turn the United States into a “laughingstock” when it came to ethics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Trump targets swing states with base-friendly message on guns

After years of toying with the idea of tougher gun controls , President Trump is campaigning for reelection as a champion of the Second Amendment amid new evidence that the stance could help deliver key swing states .
The president defended the right to bear arms in his State of the Union address last week and in recent tweets that took aim at his potential Democratic opponents .
It is part of a strategy that positions him as the champion of those who feel overlooked by metropolitan elites .
Surveys conducted by the pro-Trump super PAC , America First Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the target swing states of North Carolina , Georgia , Michigan , and Iowa .
Respondents were asked whether they would be more or less likely to support a Democratic presidential candidate who “ supports much stronger gun control laws and , in some cases , gun confiscation , even for guns owned by citizens with no criminal record.
” In each case , a majority , from 59 % to 63 % in the different states , said they would be less likely .
Kelly Sadler , the America First Action communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no stronger supporter of the Second Amendment than President Donald Trump .
The Democrats running for president want to strip the American public of this right . ''
“ This is a key policy difference we will be highlighting on the campaign trail , especially in swing states , '' Sadler said .
Trump demonstrated how he will frame the issue on Monday night at a rally in New Hampshire .
He set the right to bear arms alongside rights to free speech , religious freedom , and privacy .
He deployed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Union .
“ Just as we believe in the First Amendment , we also believe in another constitutional right that is under siege all across our country , '' he said .
`` So long as I am president , I will always protect your Second Amendment right.
” It marks a departure from Trump 's frequent flirtation with tighter laws on gun ownership , such as in the wake of the 2018 Parkland shooting and again last year after mass killings in Ohio and Texas .
The approach sets him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made gun control a central theme of their campaigns .
Former Vice President Joe Biden took the lead for the Obama administration in its ultimately failed effort to secure tighter controls after the Sandy Hook shooting , and Michael Bloomberg has given millions of dollars to gun advocacy groups .
The former mayor of New York City , in particular , has been on the receiving end of Trump ’ s attacks .
“ Now Mini Mike Bloomberg is critical of Jack Wilson , who saved perhaps hundreds of people in a Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and knew how to use it , ” he wrote of the man who shot dead a gunman in a Texas church at the end of last year .
“ Jack quickly killed the shooter , who was beginning a rampage .
Mini is against the 2nd A .
His ads are Fake , just like him !
” Aides hope that the stance can help swing states such as Minnesota , New Mexico , and New Hampshire get behind Trump .
Robert Spitzer , professor of political science at the State University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The Politics of Gun Control , said Trump was unlikely to propose new protections for gun rights .
Instead , by highlighting Democratic threats , he was able to craft a message that resonated with his base .
“ He ’ s not really about issues , about the details of policy .
Frankly , I don ’ t think he cares very much about gun policy , ” he said .
“ He cares much more about the feeling , about sense of identity , about how the East Coast and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Middle America , including gun owners and gun rights people , and that ’ s why the messaging is very broad-brush , why it is all about , 'They don ’ t like you .
They want to take away all your guns .
They want to take away your rights . '
”

After years of toying with the idea of tougher gun controls, President Trump is campaigning for reelection as a champion of the Second Amendment amid new evidence that the stance could help deliver key swing states.
The president defended the right to bear arms in his State of the Union address last week and in recent tweets that took aim at his potential Democratic opponents.
It is part of a strategy that positions him as the champion of those who feel overlooked by metropolitan elites.
Surveys conducted by the pro-Trump super PAC, America First Action, found it a winning issue in the target swing states of North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, and Iowa.
Respondents were asked whether they would be more or less likely to support a Democratic presidential candidate who “supports much stronger gun control laws and, in some cases, gun confiscation, even for guns owned by citizens with no criminal record.” In each case, a majority, from 59% to 63% in the different states, said they would be less likely.
Kelly Sadler, the America First Action communications director, said: “There's no stronger supporter of the Second Amendment than President Donald Trump. The Democrats running for president want to strip the American public of this right."
“This is a key policy difference we will be highlighting on the campaign trail, especially in swing states," Sadler said.
I will NEVER allow our great Second Amendment to go unprotected, not even a little bit! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2020
Trump demonstrated how he will frame the issue on Monday night at a rally in New Hampshire. He set the right to bear arms alongside rights to free speech, religious freedom, and privacy. He deployed it in a similar way during the State of the Union.
“Just as we believe in the First Amendment, we also believe in another constitutional right that is under siege all across our country," he said. "So long as I am president, I will always protect your Second Amendment right.”
It marks a departure from Trump's frequent flirtation with tighter laws on gun ownership, such as in the wake of the 2018 Parkland shooting and again last year after mass killings in Ohio and Texas.
The approach sets him in opposition to leading Democratic contenders who made gun control a central theme of their campaigns. Former Vice President Joe Biden took the lead for the Obama administration in its ultimately failed effort to secure tighter controls after the Sandy Hook shooting, and Michael Bloomberg has given millions of dollars to gun advocacy groups.
The former mayor of New York City, in particular, has been on the receiving end of Trump’s attacks.
“Now Mini Mike Bloomberg is critical of Jack Wilson, who saved perhaps hundreds of people in a Church because he was carrying a gun, and knew how to use it,” he wrote of the man who shot dead a gunman in a Texas church at the end of last year. “Jack quickly killed the shooter, who was beginning a rampage. Mini is against the 2nd A. His ads are Fake, just like him!”
Aides hope that the stance can help swing states such as Minnesota, New Mexico, and New Hampshire get behind Trump.
Robert Spitzer, professor of political science at the State University of New York at Cortland and author of The Politics of Gun Control, said Trump was unlikely to propose new protections for gun rights. Instead, by highlighting Democratic threats, he was able to craft a message that resonated with his base.
“He’s not really about issues, about the details of policy. Frankly, I don’t think he cares very much about gun policy,” he said.
“He cares much more about the feeling, about sense of identity, about how the East Coast and the West Coast looks down its nose at Middle America, including gun owners and gun rights people, and that’s why the messaging is very broad-brush, why it is all about, 'They don’t like you. They want to take away all your guns. They want to take away your rights.'”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'South Carolinians don’t want socialism': Democrat slams Bernie Sanders ahead of state primary

A Democratic congressman from South Carolina said his state has no interest in the brand of `` socialism '' that Sen. Bernie Sanders would have to offer as president .
Rep. Joe Cunningham , one of two Democratic congressmen in South Carolina , criticized Sanders on Wednesday after his narrow primary win in New Hampshire , asserting the far-left candidate will never become the nominee .
“ South Carolinians don ’ t want socialism , ” Cunningham told local media .
“ We want to know how you are going to get things done and how you are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the low country wants and not something I ’ d ever support.
” Cunningham , who unseated a Republican in 2018 by campaigning as a centrist Democrat , said he will not endorse a candidate in the 2020 race before the Feb. 29 primary in South Carolina .
When asked if he 'd support Sanders should he become the party 's nominee for president , Cunningham rejected the premise .
“ Bernie Sanders will not be the nominee , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses , falling just behind former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
In South Carolina , former Vice President Joe Biden holds a commanding lead with 31 % support , according to the RealClearPolitics polling average .

A Democratic congressman from South Carolina said his state has no interest in the brand of "socialism" that Sen. Bernie Sanders would have to offer as president.
Rep. Joe Cunningham, one of two Democratic congressmen in South Carolina, criticized Sanders on Wednesday after his narrow primary win in New Hampshire, asserting the far-left candidate will never become the nominee.
“South Carolinians don’t want socialism,” Cunningham told local media. “We want to know how you are going to get things done and how you are going to pay for them. Bernie’s proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the low country wants and not something I’d ever support.”
Cunningham, who unseated a Republican in 2018 by campaigning as a centrist Democrat, said he will not endorse a candidate in the 2020 race before the Feb. 29 primary in South Carolina.
When asked if he'd support Sanders should he become the party's nominee for president, Cunningham rejected the premise. “Bernie Sanders will not be the nominee,” he said.
Sanders took second place in the Iowa caucuses, falling just behind former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. In South Carolina, former Vice President Joe Biden holds a commanding lead with 31% support, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Barr to testify before House Judiciary Committee

House Democrats announced on Wednesday that Attorney General William Barr agreed to testify before the Judiciary Committee .
The announcement of the March 31 hearing comes a day after the Justice Department scaled back a sentencing recommendation for longtime Trump associate Roger Stone , which provoked outrage among House and Senate Democrats .
“ In your tenure as Attorney General , you have engaged in a pattern of conduct in legal matters relating to the President that raises significant concerns for this Committee , ” House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler , a New York Democrat , wrote to Barr in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the past week alone , you have taken steps that raise grave questions about your leadership of the Department of Justice.
” Nadler said Democrats plan to address several recent actions taken by the Justice Department , including a decision announced Tuesday to scale back the seven- to nine-year prison sentence recommended by prosecutors for Stone , who was convicted of lying to Congress and other charges .
Democrats said they also want to question Barr about the decision to withdraw the nomination of former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury Department .
Liu oversaw the prosecution of Stone as well as former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who is charged with lying to the FBI .
President Trump has criticized the prosecution of both men .
Democrats also want Barr to explain the process the department has created for Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to provide information he said he had obtained from Ukraine related to corruption allegations against the Bidens .
In the letter , Nadler suggested Barr is guilty of using the department to serve Trump 's political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , we have repeatedly warned you and your predecessors that the misuse of our criminal justice system for political purposes is both dangerous to our democracy and unacceptable to the House Judiciary Committee , ” Nadler wrote .
“ Our Republican colleagues have warned the Department of the same .
We have been consistent — and bipartisan — in this message for years.
” Justice Department officials denied Trump played any role in the decision to reduce Stone ’ s sentence and said they made the move before Trump ’ s Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani was given an avenue to provide the information about Ukraine .
“ That is true for all information that comes to the department relating to the Ukraine , including anything Mr. Giuliani might provide , ” Barr said .

House Democrats announced on Wednesday that Attorney General William Barr agreed to testify before the Judiciary Committee.
The announcement of the March 31 hearing comes a day after the Justice Department scaled back a sentencing recommendation for longtime Trump associate Roger Stone, which provoked outrage among House and Senate Democrats.
“In your tenure as Attorney General, you have engaged in a pattern of conduct in legal matters relating to the President that raises significant concerns for this Committee,” House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, wrote to Barr in a letter confirming his appearance. “In the past week alone, you have taken steps that raise grave questions about your leadership of the Department of Justice.”
Nadler said Democrats plan to address several recent actions taken by the Justice Department, including a decision announced Tuesday to scale back the seven- to nine-year prison sentence recommended by prosecutors for Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress and other charges.
Democrats said they also want to question Barr about the decision to withdraw the nomination of former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu, who had been nominated to a position in the Treasury Department. Liu oversaw the prosecution of Stone as well as former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who is charged with lying to the FBI. President Trump has criticized the prosecution of both men.
Democrats also want Barr to explain the process the department has created for Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to provide information he said he had obtained from Ukraine related to corruption allegations against the Bidens.
In the letter, Nadler suggested Barr is guilty of using the department to serve Trump's political purposes.
“Since President Trump took office, we have repeatedly warned you and your predecessors that the misuse of our criminal justice system for political purposes is both dangerous to our democracy and unacceptable to the House Judiciary Committee,” Nadler wrote. “Our Republican colleagues have warned the Department of the same. We have been consistent — and bipartisan — in this message for years.”
Justice Department officials denied Trump played any role in the decision to reduce Stone’s sentence and said they made the move before Trump’s Monday night tweet denouncing it.
Barr said Giuliani was given an avenue to provide the information about Ukraine.
“That is true for all information that comes to the department relating to the Ukraine, including anything Mr. Giuliani might provide,” Barr said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Level the college athletics playing field with a federal name, image, and likeness law

For years , name , image , and likeness rights for college athletes have been a contentious issue in the sports world .
It has been debated across the country , but until recently , there was little to no real momentum pushing the idea to the forefront .
All this changed last October when California passed the Fair Pay to Play Act and threw the existing college sports system into confusion .
The California law created a state-level race to pass name , image , and likeness laws , with over 20 states proposing an inconsistent hodge-podge of legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletics going forward .
While the NCAA announced it is working to update its own policies to provide for name , image , and likeness rights , any NCAA rule change can not supersede the quickly approaching state-by-state reality .
Name , image , and likeness rights are no longer a debate of hypotheticals but are rather a real policy discussion .
To create certainty and enforce the appropriate guardrails that protect the system as a whole , Congress must enact a national standard that grants new economic opportunities for athletes in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , my time as a wide receiver at Ohio State University is among the most treasured experiences of my life .
Like many of my teammates , I arrived on campus immature , homesick , and a bit more confident than my talent warranted .
Four years later , when I left Ohio State as a graduate , I walked into my career certain that the lessons I learned on and off the field would shape me forever .
College athletics influence the lives of thousands of athletes across the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ college athletics provides a unique opportunity to attend college and earn a degree .
I saw this firsthand as a college athlete .
Many of my own teammates arrived on campus having overcome some of the most difficult childhoods that anyone could possibly imagine in our country .
That said , over the years , college athletics has morphed into a multibillion-dollar enterprise .
When the NCAA first formed in 1906 , few could have envisioned college athletics generating more than $ 10 billion in revenue — as it did in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent talking about the implications for high profile athletes in sports such as football and basketball , name , image , and likeness rights will be beneficial for the vast majority of college athletes across the country .
Athletes are barred from capitalizing on their names , images , and likenesses and face expulsion from the game as punishment if they do so .
In fact , student-athletes are the only students on campus who are subject to this restriction .
An award-winning , full-scholarship chemist can accept any financial rewards that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runner on the track team , whether on scholarship or not , is precluded from such activity .
In a free society , this discrepancy does not make sense .
Moreover , the reality for most athletes is that they are not on full scholarships and face the same financial pressures that students who are not athletes face — rising costs of attendance and exorbitant student loan debt .
By allowing swimmers to conduct swim lessons , wrestlers to coach summer camps , and rowers to produce instructional videos for compensation , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ensure student-athletes are better equipped to start their careers and raise their families .
Simply put , granting name , image , and likeness rights to college athletes is the right thing to do .
As Congress moves toward action , there are a handful of issues that we must grapple with as policymakers .
First , any federal legislation must prohibit true “ pay to play ” recruitment schemes .
High school students and their parents should not be bought and paid for by the highest bidder .
Pay to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fostering unfair recruitment and undermining competition .
Second , legislation must make clear that name , image , and likeness rights do not imply employment of the student-athlete .
A student-athlete who is an employee of a school can be hired and also fired .
For athletes who arrive on campus in need of more development , this would be a fate many of them could suffer before even stepping foot on the field or in the classroom .
Third , we must remember to protect what makes college sports great .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that college athletics provides to our student-athletes , we risk destroying the very thing that has lifted so many athletes to heights they never dreamed possible .
This would be a catastrophic mistake .
What should not be up for debate , though , is whether or not student-athletes should be able to capitalize on their name , image , and likeness .
Now is the time to grant this long overdue right while protecting our student-athletes and the nature of the college sports that we love .
Rep. Anthony Gonzalez , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District .
He is a former wide receiver , two-time Big Ten Champion , and Academic All-American at Ohio State University .
Gonzalez was a first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts and played five years in the NFL .

For years, name, image, and likeness rights for college athletes have been a contentious issue in the sports world. It has been debated across the country, but until recently, there was little to no real momentum pushing the idea to the forefront.
All this changed last October when California passed the Fair Pay to Play Act and threw the existing college sports system into confusion. The California law created a state-level race to pass name, image, and likeness laws, with over 20 states proposing an inconsistent hodge-podge of legislation that would govern the world of college athletics going forward.
While the NCAA announced it is working to update its own policies to provide for name, image, and likeness rights, any NCAA rule change cannot supersede the quickly approaching state-by-state reality. Name, image, and likeness rights are no longer a debate of hypotheticals but are rather a real policy discussion. To create certainty and enforce the appropriate guardrails that protect the system as a whole, Congress must enact a national standard that grants new economic opportunities for athletes in all college sports across the nation.
For me, my time as a wide receiver at Ohio State University is among the most treasured experiences of my life. Like many of my teammates, I arrived on campus immature, homesick, and a bit more confident than my talent warranted. Four years later, when I left Ohio State as a graduate, I walked into my career certain that the lessons I learned on and off the field would shape me forever.
College athletics influence the lives of thousands of athletes across the country. For many low-income and minority students, college athletics provides a unique opportunity to attend college and earn a degree. I saw this firsthand as a college athlete. Many of my own teammates arrived on campus having overcome some of the most difficult childhoods that anyone could possibly imagine in our country.
That said, over the years, college athletics has morphed into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. When the NCAA first formed in 1906, few could have envisioned college athletics generating more than $10 billion in revenue — as it did in 2018.
While the majority of attention has been spent talking about the implications for high profile athletes in sports such as football and basketball, name, image, and likeness rights will be beneficial for the vast majority of college athletes across the country. Athletes are barred from capitalizing on their names, images, and likenesses and face expulsion from the game as punishment if they do so.
In fact, student-athletes are the only students on campus who are subject to this restriction. An award-winning, full-scholarship chemist can accept any financial rewards that may come her way. But the fastest runner on the track team, whether on scholarship or not, is precluded from such activity.
In a free society, this discrepancy does not make sense.
Moreover, the reality for most athletes is that they are not on full scholarships and face the same financial pressures that students who are not athletes face — rising costs of attendance and exorbitant student loan debt. By allowing swimmers to conduct swim lessons, wrestlers to coach summer camps, and rowers to produce instructional videos for compensation, we will provide a meaningful financial benefit that will ensure student-athletes are better equipped to start their careers and raise their families. Simply put, granting name, image, and likeness rights to college athletes is the right thing to do.
As Congress moves toward action, there are a handful of issues that we must grapple with as policymakers. First, any federal legislation must prohibit true “pay to play” recruitment schemes. High school students and their parents should not be bought and paid for by the highest bidder. Pay to play would fundamentally undermine the college system by fostering unfair recruitment and undermining competition.
Second, legislation must make clear that name, image, and likeness rights do not imply employment of the student-athlete. A student-athlete who is an employee of a school can be hired and also fired. For athletes who arrive on campus in need of more development, this would be a fate many of them could suffer before even stepping foot on the field or in the classroom.
Third, we must remember to protect what makes college sports great. If we lose sight of the awesome opportunity that college athletics provides to our student-athletes, we risk destroying the very thing that has lifted so many athletes to heights they never dreamed possible. This would be a catastrophic mistake.
What should not be up for debate, though, is whether or not student-athletes should be able to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. Now is the time to grant this long overdue right while protecting our student-athletes and the nature of the college sports that we love.
Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, a Republican, represents Ohio's 16th Congressional District. He is a former wide receiver, two-time Big Ten Champion, and Academic All-American at Ohio State University. Gonzalez was a first-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts and played five years in the NFL.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'Not the time to show weakness': Trump urges Senate vote against effort to limit Iran war powers

President Trump urged senators not to vote for a resolution that would make his ability to combat Iran more difficult .
The Senate is set to approve a resolution on Thursday that requires congressional approval “ for hostilities ” against the Iranian regime .
It comes in the wake of an American drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Although the measure will likely not be enacted because of a veto , Trump said in a Wednesday tweet that its passage would be a show of weakness and would send “ a very bad signal ” to Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Country ’ s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution .
We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness .
Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani , ” Trump said .
“ If my hands were tied , Iran would have a field day , ” he continued .
“ Sends a very bad signal .
The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party .
Don ’ t let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine , a Virginia Democrat , and “ directs the president to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military , unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.
” Although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has urged other Republicans to reject the measure , GOP Sens .
Rand Paul of Kentucky , Susan Collins of Maine , Todd Young of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said they will support it .
The resolution only needs a simple majority to pass .
Soleimani , 62 , was killed last month when a U.S. drone struck the vehicle he was in outside Baghdad ’ s airport .
Soleimani led the Quds Force , an elite special operations unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard , and he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops during the Iraq War .
In retaliation for the killing , Iran launched missiles at Iraqi bases housing American troops last month .

President Trump urged senators not to vote for a resolution that would make his ability to combat Iran more difficult.
The Senate is set to approve a resolution on Thursday that requires congressional approval “for hostilities” against the Iranian regime. It comes in the wake of an American drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Although the measure will likely not be enacted because of a veto, Trump said in a Wednesday tweet that its passage would be a show of weakness and would send “a very bad signal” to Iran.
“It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani,” Trump said.
“If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day,” he continued. “Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen!”
....If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, and “directs the president to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.”
Although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has urged other Republicans to reject the measure, GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana, and Mike Lee of Utah have said they will support it. The resolution only needs a simple majority to pass.
Soleimani, 62, was killed last month when a U.S. drone struck the vehicle he was in outside Baghdad’s airport. Soleimani led the Quds Force, an elite special operations unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, and he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops during the Iraq War.
In retaliation for the killing, Iran launched missiles at Iraqi bases housing American troops last month.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Senate Republicans defend Barr intervention in Roger Stone sentencing recommendation

Senate Republicans defended Attorney General William Barr ’ s decision to intervene in lowering the sentencing recommendation for Trump ally Roger Stone , a move that prompted four prosecutors to quit the case .
`` Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought , '' President Trump tweeted one day after he criticized the original seven-to-nine-year sentencing recommendation of the federal prosecutors .
The tweet prompted Democrats to question if the president urged Barr to lean on prosecutors to seek a reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was convicted of obstruction , witness tampering , and lying to Congress .
At a press conference Tuesday , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Senate Democrats would investigate Stone ’ s sentence reduction .
The New York Democrat also asked Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to conduct an investigation into the reduced sentencing recommendation for Stone .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not comment on Stone 's sentence when pressed by reporters on Tuesday .
However , other Republicans were quick to point the finger at the prosecutors and away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schumer wants to investigate everything .
I love Chuck , but he 's like a teenager .
He hates everybody , including and especially the president , ” Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy told the Washington Examiner .
Kennedy said he thinks the sentencing recommendation change happened as a result of “ a miscommunication.
” “ It sounds to me like there was a miscommunication between the front-line prosecutors and the supervisors at Justice .
When a public figure is involved , front-line prosecutors can not just make the decisions themselves , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even indict without going to the appropriate supervisors and at Justice .
And based on the reporting I 've seen , it sounds as if the front-line prosecutors did not communicate their recommendations to their supervisors and their supervisors objected.
” He added , “ Now , if the front-line prosecutors want to quit , that 's their business .
This is America .
If you 've got options , you should n't stay in a job that you 're not happy in.
” Sen. Kevin Cramer , a North Dakota Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with whom he said the president has been “ generous over the years.
” “ I think the president 's been generous over the years with the bureaucracy — more generous than he probably should have been , but you know , that the Justice Department 's history going back to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , and right up till now has been that they have a strong bias against this president and people associated with this president , ” Cramer told reporters .
“ So , I think it 's entirely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see an injustice , either way , if they see either too harsh new penalties or are too light penalties if it 's appropriate for them , '' he added .
Sen. Kamala Harris , a California Democrat , demanded Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham call on Barr to answer questions about the sentencing recommendation change before the panel .
Graham , a South Carolina Republican , told reporters on Wednesday that Barr would eventually appear before the committee as part of its mission to conduct oversight , “ but we 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Senate Republicans defended Attorney General William Barr’s decision to intervene in lowering the sentencing recommendation for Trump ally Roger Stone, a move that prompted four prosecutors to quit the case.
"Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Barr for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought," President Trump tweeted one day after he criticized the original seven-to-nine-year sentencing recommendation of the federal prosecutors.
The tweet prompted Democrats to question if the president urged Barr to lean on prosecutors to seek a reduced sentence for his longtime friend. Stone was convicted of obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress.
At a press conference Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Senate Democrats would investigate Stone’s sentence reduction. The New York Democrat also asked Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to conduct an investigation into the reduced sentencing recommendation for Stone.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not comment on Stone's sentence when pressed by reporters on Tuesday. However, other Republicans were quick to point the finger at the prosecutors and away from Barr and the president.
“Schumer wants to investigate everything. I love Chuck, but he's like a teenager. He hates everybody, including and especially the president,” Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy told the Washington Examiner.
Kennedy said he thinks the sentencing recommendation change happened as a result of “a miscommunication.”
“It sounds to me like there was a miscommunication between the front-line prosecutors and the supervisors at Justice. When a public figure is involved, front-line prosecutors cannot just make the decisions themselves,” Kennedy said. “They can't even indict without going to the appropriate supervisors and at Justice. And based on the reporting I've seen, it sounds as if the front-line prosecutors did not communicate their recommendations to their supervisors and their supervisors objected.”
He added, “Now, if the front-line prosecutors want to quit, that's their business. This is America. If you've got options, you shouldn't stay in a job that you're not happy in.”
Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, blamed the bureaucracy at the Justice Department, with whom he said the president has been “generous over the years.”
“I think the president's been generous over the years with the bureaucracy — more generous than he probably should have been, but you know, that the Justice Department's history going back to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, and right up till now has been that they have a strong bias against this president and people associated with this president,” Cramer told reporters.
“So, I think it's entirely appropriate that leadership would intervene if they see an injustice, either way, if they see either too harsh new penalties or are too light penalties if it's appropriate for them," he added.
Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat, demanded Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham call on Barr to answer questions about the sentencing recommendation change before the panel.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican, told reporters on Wednesday that Barr would eventually appear before the committee as part of its mission to conduct oversight, “but we're not going to call him based on this."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--GOP senators rip Afghanistan War: $1 trillion spent and ‘we cannot show any progress’

Two key Republican senators , channeling President Trump , this week decried the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan , arguing that , after 19 years , the goals are muddled , the costs in money and lives unjustifiably high , and the accomplishments unclear .
“ I want to find a way to end the war , ” said Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul , a longtime opponent of the war .
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley added , “ If we can not show any progress on any metric — we ’ ve invested $ 1 trillion .
We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t understand .
The American people have been hugely patient , hugely patient .
I just don ’ t see what ’ s going on here.
” Their comments came during a Tuesday afternoon Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing on the costs of the war and the hundreds of pages of audits showing deep corruption and waste in the nation .
Paul ’ s latest call for a troop withdrawal came just hours after he joined Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at Dover Air Force Base to honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene was grim , with grieving family members greeting the caskets .
Trump has privately been urging to withdraw troops , as he promised in his 2016 campaign , but has been stalled by Republicans worried about what will happen there in the aftermath .
In the meantime , he has been trying to work a peace deal that will ease the withdrawal of troops .
To make the point that the war hasn ’ t worked well , Paul invited several experts to testify , including John Sopko , the longtime auditor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction .
Sopko told Secrets that he is the “ eternal optimist ” and hopes for a peaceful solution to the constant battles in Afghanistan , but he couldn ’ t point to many achievements .
Asked “ what went right , ” he said that there are “ certain areas we have seen gains.
” He cited protection and advancements for women , improved healthcare and education , enhancements to the Afghan military and air force , and in some anti-corruption initiatives .
Paul said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the war .
“ We ’ re getting to the point where people on both sides of the aisle are saying , 'Enough is enough , ' ” he said .
Not focusing on the war with a goal of ending it is “ not fair to our soldiers and their families , to put them through this if there is not a vital interest.
” Paul also laid the blame on Congress .
“ I don ’ t really blame the generals , ” he said , adding , “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are in this lingering war because Congress hasn ’ t done its job .
”

Two key Republican senators, channeling President Trump, this week decried the continued U.S. presence in Afghanistan, arguing that, after 19 years, the goals are muddled, the costs in money and lives unjustifiably high, and the accomplishments unclear.
“I want to find a way to end the war,” said Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a longtime opponent of the war.
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley added, “If we cannot show any progress on any metric — we’ve invested $1 trillion. We’ve lost thousands of lives. I don’t understand. The American people have been hugely patient, hugely patient. I just don’t see what’s going on here.”
Their comments came during a Tuesday afternoon Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee hearing on the costs of the war and the hundreds of pages of audits showing deep corruption and waste in the nation.
Paul’s latest call for a troop withdrawal came just hours after he joined Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at Dover Air Force Base to honor two soldiers killed in Afghanistan. The scene was grim, with grieving family members greeting the caskets.
Trump has privately been urging to withdraw troops, as he promised in his 2016 campaign, but has been stalled by Republicans worried about what will happen there in the aftermath. In the meantime, he has been trying to work a peace deal that will ease the withdrawal of troops.
To make the point that the war hasn’t worked well, Paul invited several experts to testify, including John Sopko, the longtime auditor of the war in his role as the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction.
Sopko told Secrets that he is the “eternal optimist” and hopes for a peaceful solution to the constant battles in Afghanistan, but he couldn’t point to many achievements. Asked “what went right,” he said that there are “certain areas we have seen gains.”
He cited protection and advancements for women, improved healthcare and education, enhancements to the Afghan military and air force, and in some anti-corruption initiatives.
Paul said that he is seeing more bipartisan agreement to end the war. “We’re getting to the point where people on both sides of the aisle are saying, 'Enough is enough,'” he said.
Not focusing on the war with a goal of ending it is “not fair to our soldiers and their families, to put them through this if there is not a vital interest.”
Paul also laid the blame on Congress. “I don’t really blame the generals,” he said, adding, “It’s Congress’s fault. We are in this lingering war because Congress hasn’t done its job.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Huge: More ‘better off' under Trump than Clinton, Bush, and Obama

Another day , another positive Gallup headline for President Trump .
Today ’ s delivered more economic good news for Trump , that people feel “ better off ” than they did when the past four presidents were up for reelection .
A record 61 % said they are better off than they were three years ago when Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in a shocking election .
“ Six in 10 U.S. adults say they are better off than they were three years ago , more than reported this in prior presidential reelection years , ” said Gallup .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump much more credit for the improved economy than former President Barack Obama , who ’ s supporters have been claiming credit .
Some 26 % give Obama a `` great deal '' of credit compared to Trump at 37 % .
The poll was the latest in a string of good Gallup headlines for the administration .
Here are six from just the last three weeks : • Feb. 12 : More in U.S. Say They Are Better Off Than in Past Elections .
• Feb. 5 : Record-High Optimism on Personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Satisfaction Surpasses 40 % for First Time Since 2005 .
• Jan. 23 : U.S. Economic Confidence at Highest Point Since 2000 .
On the “ better off ” question comparing how voters feel at the reelection point for Trump compared to Obama , and former Presidents George W. Bush , Bill Clinton , and George H.W .
Bush , the numbers aren ’ t close .
• Trump : 61 % feel better off than three years ago .
• Obama : 45 % felt better off in 2012 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in 2004 .
• Clinton : 50 % felt better off in 1996 .
• Bush : 50 % felt better off in 1992 .

Another day, another positive Gallup headline for President Trump.
Today’s delivered more economic good news for Trump, that people feel “better off” than they did when the past four presidents were up for reelection.
A record 61% said they are better off than they were three years ago when Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in a shocking election.
“Six in 10 U.S. adults say they are better off than they were three years ago, more than reported this in prior presidential reelection years,” said Gallup.
What’s more, people give Trump much more credit for the improved economy than former President Barack Obama, who’s supporters have been claiming credit. Some 26% give Obama a "great deal" of credit compared to Trump at 37%.
The poll was the latest in a string of good Gallup headlines for the administration. Here are six from just the last three weeks:
Feb. 12: More in U.S. Say They Are Better Off Than in Past Elections.
Feb. 6: Small-Business Owner Optimism Dips but Still Strong.
Feb. 5: Record-High Optimism on Personal Finances in U.S.
Feb. 4: Trump Job Approval at Personal Best 49%.
Jan. 24: U.S. Satisfaction Surpasses 40% for First Time Since 2005.
Jan. 23: U.S. Economic Confidence at Highest Point Since 2000.
On the “better off” question comparing how voters feel at the reelection point for Trump compared to Obama, and former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush, the numbers aren’t close.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Sixty percent of Democrats ‘have a new respect’ for Romney, 39% of GOP want him expelled

President Trump isn ’ t the only one miffed with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , the lone Republican in Congress to vote to convict the president on a partisan impeachment charge .
A new national Rasmussen Reports survey found that 64 % of Republican voters do not approve of the first-term senator and 2012 GOP presidential nominee .
Worse , 39 % of likely Republican voters want him ejected from the Senate .
And not many more disagree , at 43 % .
“ Mitt Romney was the only Republican senator who voted guilty last week on one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats .
Many Republicans were furious at Romney , and a sizable number of GOP voters are ready to throw him out of the party , ” said the latest survey analysis .
Romney ’ s move further distanced him from Trump and the 94 % of Republicans who support Trump and his reelection .
In fact , Rasmussen said , “ 63 % of GOP voters think their party should be more like Trump than like Romney .
Thirty percent say it should be more like Romney.
” But Romney has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism .
Democrats , said the survey analysis , “ have a new respect for Romney .
Sixty percent ( 60 % ) now regard him favorably , up from 47 % last fall .
”

President Trump isn’t the only one miffed with Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the lone Republican in Congress to vote to convict the president on a partisan impeachment charge.
A new national Rasmussen Reports survey found that 64% of Republican voters do not approve of the first-term senator and 2012 GOP presidential nominee.
Worse, 39% of likely Republican voters want him ejected from the Senate. And not many more disagree, at 43%.
“Mitt Romney was the only Republican senator who voted guilty last week on one of the impeachment counts brought against President Trump by House Democrats. Many Republicans were furious at Romney, and a sizable number of GOP voters are ready to throw him out of the party,” said the latest survey analysis.
Romney’s move further distanced him from Trump and the 94% of Republicans who support Trump and his reelection. In fact, Rasmussen said, “63% of GOP voters think their party should be more like Trump than like Romney. Thirty percent say it should be more like Romney.”
But Romney has gained some new pals with his Trump criticism. Democrats, said the survey analysis, “have a new respect for Romney. Sixty percent (60%) now regard him favorably, up from 47% last fall.”
A poll in Utah found voters split on Romney.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Iowa Democratic Party chairman resigns after caucus mess

Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price resigned following the caucus reporting disaster that delayed and muddled results from the first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential nominating contest last week .
`` While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion , I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward , and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult .
Therefore , I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of my replacement , '' Price said in a resignation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official after an election on Saturday .
The first voting results in the Democratic presidential field were derailed by glitches in an app intended to report results from Iowa precincts to headquarters , with partial results only released the next day .
Later , a New York Times analysis revealed inconsistencies in the results in over 100 precincts , such as errors in allocating state delegate equivalents to results that should not have been possible under caucus rules .
On caucus night , the party was ill-prepared to handle the technical problems it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used as a backup to report results was allegedly clogged with prank calls from supporters of President Trump .
The delay was thought to stunt momentum of former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who won the most delegates and the popular vote , respectively , and were unable to claim decisive victory on caucus night .
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez last week called for a recanvass of results , but only the campaigns have the authority to request one .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each requested a partial recanvass , which amounted to 85 precincts .
It is unclear when the process will be complete .

Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price resigned following the caucus reporting disaster that delayed and muddled results from the first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential nominating contest last week.
"While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward, and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult. Therefore, I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of my replacement," Price said in a resignation letter Wednesday.
His resignation will be official after an election on Saturday.
The first voting results in the Democratic presidential field were derailed by glitches in an app intended to report results from Iowa precincts to headquarters, with partial results only released the next day. Later, a New York Times analysis revealed inconsistencies in the results in over 100 precincts, such as errors in allocating state delegate equivalents to results that should not have been possible under caucus rules.
On caucus night, the party was ill-prepared to handle the technical problems it faced. A phone line intended to be used as a backup to report results was allegedly clogged with prank calls from supporters of President Trump.
The delay was thought to stunt momentum of former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who won the most delegates and the popular vote, respectively, and were unable to claim decisive victory on caucus night.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez last week called for a recanvass of results, but only the campaigns have the authority to request one. The campaigns for Sanders and Buttigieg on Sunday each requested a partial recanvass, which amounted to 85 precincts. It is unclear when the process will be complete.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Tom Steyer spent more than $1,800 for each New Hampshire vote

Tom Steyer spent a whopping $ 19.2 million on TV and radio ads in New Hampshire , more than the next seven big spenders combined .
Yet Steyer received a measly 10,454 votes in the New Hampshire primaries on Tuesday night , to the Washington Post .
That means he spent about $ 1,837 for each vote .
Apparently , you really can ’ t buy an election .
The next biggest spenders were Bernie Sanders , Pete Buttigieg , and Andrew Yang , who of the race on Tuesday night .
Sanders and Buttigieg performed best , but certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders spent $ 5.3 million , less than a third of what Steyer paid for advertising .
Steyer , a billionaire hedge fund manager whose claim to fame is the anti-Trump Need to Impeach campaign , has struggled to carve a niche in the crowded 2020 field .
Developing electability is an art , not a science .
As Elizbaeth Warren , there ’ s no amount of positive media coverage that can guarantee voter turnout .
And , as Steyer should know , you can ’ t buy your way to popularity @ @ @ @ @ @

Tom Steyer spent a whopping $19.2 million on TV and radio ads in New Hampshire, more than the next seven big spenders combined. Yet Steyer received a measly 10,454 votes in the New Hampshire primaries on Tuesday night, according to the Washington Post.
That means he spent about $1,837 for each vote. Apparently, you really can’t buy an election.
Tom Steyer spent $19.2 million in New Hampshire on TV and radio, per @amandawgolden, and received about 10,272 votes, per WaPo. That's close to $1,900 spent per vote https://t.co/68tItqcrFB — Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 12, 2020
The next biggest spenders were Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and Andrew Yang, who dropped out of the race on Tuesday night. Sanders and Buttigieg performed best, but certainly not because they spent the most; Sanders spent $5.3 million, less than a third of what Steyer paid for advertising.
Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager whose claim to fame is the anti-Trump Need to Impeach campaign, has struggled to carve a niche in the crowded 2020 field. Developing electability is an art, not a science.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--ANALYSIS: What revolution? New Hampshire results show Bernie Sanders base of support shrinking

Bernie Sanders 's electoral pitch rests on the notion that only he can bring to the polls young people and those traditionally not engaged with politics , but his Iowa and New Hampshire performances raise questions about that approach .
Yes , the Vermont senator can claim he started out the 2020 Democratic nomination fight strongly .
Sanders , 78 , has enjoyed a raw vote victory over his closest rival , Pete Buttigieg , though he 's behind in pledged delegates from the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary .
Still , Sanders 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a left-wing movement remains elusive .
In numerous speeches at rallies in New Hampshire and Iowa , Sanders told supporters only his `` is the campaign of energy , is the campaign of excitement , is the campaign that can bring millions of people into the political process who normally do not vote . ''
But , while the most populous states have yet to hold primaries , there 's scant evidence to suggest the politically disengaged are coming out in droves .
Roughly 176,000 Iowans attended this month 's caucus , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By comparison , 236,000 turned out for the 2008 caucuses , a 50-year high , when upstart Democratic candidate Barack Obama beat establishment favorite Hillary Clinton .
Entrance polls from this year 's event showed a lower number of first-timers than in 2016 , at 35 % , compared to 44 % in 2008 .
That year , 57 % of Democrats polled said they were first-time caucusgoers .
Sanders did attempt to spin those facts his way , saying on Feb. 9 that he earned `` huge voter turnout . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ under 29 years of age , increased by 33 % over where it was four years ago and was even higher than Obama ’ s extraordinary victory in 2008 , '' he said , before adding that it was `` a great omen for the 2020 campaign . ''
But Sanders was not referring to the number of new voters , just the proportion .
As many as 10,300 fewer young people participated in the caucus this year .
In New Hampshire , Sanders 's victory was undoubtedly aided by first-time and younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new record at over 254,000 votes , exit polls found the Democratic electorate far less liberal than in 2016 .
Thirty-six percent of voters described themselves as moderate , a 9-point increase from 2016 .
That helps describe Sanders 's narrow victory of roughly 1.3 % over Buttigieg and the late surge of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
Sanders earned back the support of less than half of his 2016 voters , who delivered him a historic double-digit victory over Clinton .
Statistically , a vast number of those who ultimately supported Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last primary cycle .
Political independents , once thought of as Sanders 's strength , also broke in large numbers for Klobuchar and Buttigieg .
Sanders 's key to victory , in the primary , at least , may actually rest on the liberal base of politically active Democrats .
Heading into the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22 , the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29 , and Super Tuesday on March 3 , when 14 states and entities vote , Team Sanders can point to its enduring popularity among young people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boasts about in interviews .
With his heterodox coalition of supporters , Sanders may win a number of close primary victories , but it 's far from the most effective way to win a majority of delegates before the Democratic National Convention convenes in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , in July .

Bernie Sanders's electoral pitch rests on the notion that only he can bring to the polls young people and those traditionally not engaged with politics, but his Iowa and New Hampshire performances raise questions about that approach.
Yes, the Vermont senator can claim he started out the 2020 Democratic nomination fight strongly. Sanders, 78, has enjoyed a raw vote victory over his closest rival, Pete Buttigieg, though he's behind in pledged delegates from the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary.
Still, Sanders's vision of a Democratic electorate transforming into a left-wing movement remains elusive.
In numerous speeches at rallies in New Hampshire and Iowa, Sanders told supporters only his "is the campaign of energy, is the campaign of excitement, is the campaign that can bring millions of people into the political process who normally do not vote."
But, while the most populous states have yet to hold primaries, there's scant evidence to suggest the politically disengaged are coming out in droves.
Roughly 176,000 Iowans attended this month's caucus, which was about 5,000 more than in 2016. By comparison, 236,000 turned out for the 2008 caucuses, a 50-year high, when upstart Democratic candidate Barack Obama beat establishment favorite Hillary Clinton.
Entrance polls from this year's event showed a lower number of first-timers than in 2016, at 35%, compared to 44% in 2008. That year, 57% of Democrats polled said they were first-time caucusgoers.
Sanders did attempt to spin those facts his way, saying on Feb. 9 that he earned "huge voter turnout."
“The young vote, of people under 29 years of age, increased by 33% over where it was four years ago and was even higher than Obama’s extraordinary victory in 2008," he said, before adding that it was "a great omen for the 2020 campaign."
But Sanders was not referring to the number of new voters, just the proportion. As many as 10,300 fewer young people participated in the caucus this year.
In New Hampshire, Sanders's victory was undoubtedly aided by first-time and younger voters. Though that turnout set a new record at over 254,000 votes, exit polls found the Democratic electorate far less liberal than in 2016. Thirty-six percent of voters described themselves as moderate, a 9-point increase from 2016.
That helps describe Sanders's narrow victory of roughly 1.3% over Buttigieg and the late surge of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Sanders earned back the support of less than half of his 2016 voters, who delivered him a historic double-digit victory over Clinton.
Statistically, a vast number of those who ultimately supported Klobuchar or Buttigieg previously supported Sanders in the last primary cycle.
Political independents, once thought of as Sanders's strength, also broke in large numbers for Klobuchar and Buttigieg. Sanders's key to victory, in the primary, at least, may actually rest on the liberal base of politically active Democrats.
Heading into the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22, the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29, and Super Tuesday on March 3, when 14 states and entities vote, Team Sanders can point to its enduring popularity among young people, though not at the margins his campaign boasts about in interviews.
With his heterodox coalition of supporters, Sanders may win a number of close primary victories, but it's far from the most effective way to win a majority of delegates before the Democratic National Convention convenes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Joe Biden may not be any good at this campaigning thing

The CNN chyron on primary night in New Hampshire stood out among all the other screen clutter and not in a good way : `` Joe Biden to speak from South Carolina . ''
While indeed an odd display , it was n't a surprise as Team Biden waved the white flag much earlier in the day , announcing it was packing its bags while supporters were likely still out in the cold , engaging in get-out-the-vote efforts .
Just three months ago , when Biden was filing to run in New Hampshire , he said , `` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never enter anything to come in second . ''
His comments were prescient , but not in the way he expected .
Biden finished a distant fifth in New Hampshire , not even reaching a total of 10 % .
It is difficult to fathom the candidate leading in national polling on Feb. 8 would fall behind Bernie Sanders just four days later .
Biden , seemingly afflicted with a similar case of entitlement as Hillary Clinton in 2016 , said during his remarks in South Carolina , `` We 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from me . ''
The issue for Biden is not that it 's getting taken from him , but he 's giving it away .
For all the talk of Bernie the radical ; Pete Buttigieg , the inexperienced mayor ; Elizabeth Warren , the slightly-less-extreme-than-Bernie senator ; and all the other candidates that have either quit or have no chance , Biden was tagged as the one guy that could beat President Trump .
`` Middle-class Joe '' was the guy who 'd bring the Trump voters who were Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back into the fold , especially in states such as Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , and Michigan .
The press spoke of Biden as the uncle who sometimes said some goofy stuff , but would still bring a sense of normalcy back to the White House .
Talking heads and pundits remarked on Biden 's ability to empathize with people , a sharp contrast from Trump .
Instead , we got the cantankerous retired uncle who shouts at the paperboy for delivering after 6 a.m. , berates neighbors because their dog peed on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for making a `` racket '' outside and nearly hitting his Lincoln Town Car with a tennis ball .
We 've witnessed Biden get snippy with his fellow Democrats , reporters , and even potential voters .
One Iowa voter who had the temerity to ask about Hunter Biden was on the receiving end of getting called `` Jack '' and a `` damn liar '' by the former vice president , in addition to Biden nearly losing it when he said , `` Look , fat , '' before composing himself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to IQ and push-up contests .
He bristles at any mention of his son Hunter and seems to think such questions should be off-limits .
But it was Joe Biden who signed off on the foolhardy idea of having Hunter Biden do an ABC News interview to deal with the issues stemming from what should have only been an issue for Trump and Trump alone .
He also appears to have trouble communicating a winning message .
If asked of voters , `` What does Joe Biden stand for ?
`` , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue ?
It was a question that eluded Hillary Clinton in 2016 : `` Why do you want to be president ? ''
The former vice president makes sure to mention he was vice president under Obama nearly any time he opens his mouth .
There are suggestions Biden 's support among blacks remains relatively stable because of Obama .
However , that support is likely transactional because of pragmatism .
Biden appeared to be the candidate who could win , so support fell his way .
But after two awful finishes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , that support may be starting to erode .
A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Biden 's support among black voters dropping , with a large percentage moving to Michael Bloomberg of the notorious `` stop and frisk '' crime-fighting strategy .
Perhaps it is time for people to conclude that Biden is n't all that good at this thing .
After all , it 's his third attempt since 1988 .
And forget about the nomination .
Biden , so far , has n't won a single primary contest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case to voters that you can beat Trump when you ca n't place higher than fourth in a match against fellow Democrats .
Biden and his campaign say South Carolina is the firewall .
It 's the state where he will win big and get the campaign on track .
He 'd better hope so .
With Bloomberg spending a gazillion dollars in Super Tuesday states and Sanders gaining momentum , anything less than a first-place finish , and Biden will have a long , sad Amtrak ride back to Delaware .

The CNN chyron on primary night in New Hampshire stood out among all the other screen clutter and not in a good way: "Joe Biden to speak from South Carolina."
While indeed an odd display, it wasn't a surprise as Team Biden waved the white flag much earlier in the day, announcing it was packing its bags while supporters were likely still out in the cold, engaging in get-out-the-vote efforts. Just three months ago, when Biden was filing to run in New Hampshire, he said, "I'm not here to come in second. I never enter anything to come in second."
His comments were prescient, but not in the way he expected. Biden finished a distant fifth in New Hampshire, not even reaching a total of 10%. It is difficult to fathom the candidate leading in national polling on Feb. 8 would fall behind Bernie Sanders just four days later.
Biden, seemingly afflicted with a similar case of entitlement as Hillary Clinton in 2016, said during his remarks in South Carolina, "We're not going to let anyone take this election away from me."
The issue for Biden is not that it's getting taken from him, but he's giving it away. For all the talk of Bernie the radical; Pete Buttigieg, the inexperienced mayor; Elizabeth Warren, the slightly-less-extreme-than-Bernie senator; and all the other candidates that have either quit or have no chance, Biden was tagged as the one guy that could beat President Trump.
"Middle-class Joe" was the guy who'd bring the Trump voters who were Barack Obama voters who were George W. Bush voters back into the fold, especially in states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The press spoke of Biden as the uncle who sometimes said some goofy stuff, but would still bring a sense of normalcy back to the White House. Talking heads and pundits remarked on Biden's ability to empathize with people, a sharp contrast from Trump.
Instead, we got the cantankerous retired uncle who shouts at the paperboy for delivering after 6 a.m., berates neighbors because their dog peed on his lawn, and chases away the kids for making a "racket" outside and nearly hitting his Lincoln Town Car with a tennis ball.
We've witnessed Biden get snippy with his fellow Democrats, reporters, and even potential voters. One Iowa voter who had the temerity to ask about Hunter Biden was on the receiving end of getting called "Jack" and a "damn liar" by the former vice president, in addition to Biden nearly losing it when he said, "Look, fat," before composing himself. That was aside from challenging the man to IQ and push-up contests.
He bristles at any mention of his son Hunter and seems to think such questions should be off-limits. But it was Joe Biden who signed off on the foolhardy idea of having Hunter Biden do an ABC News interview to deal with the issues stemming from what should have only been an issue for Trump and Trump alone.
He also appears to have trouble communicating a winning message. If asked of voters, "What does Joe Biden stand for?", would anyone know? What's his top issue? It was a question that eluded Hillary Clinton in 2016: "Why do you want to be president?"
The former vice president makes sure to mention he was vice president under Obama nearly any time he opens his mouth. There are suggestions Biden's support among blacks remains relatively stable because of Obama. However, that support is likely transactional because of pragmatism. Biden appeared to be the candidate who could win, so support fell his way. But after two awful finishes in the first two contests of the election season, that support may be starting to erode. A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Biden's support among black voters dropping, with a large percentage moving to Michael Bloomberg of the notorious "stop and frisk" crime-fighting strategy.
Perhaps it is time for people to conclude that Biden isn't all that good at this thing. After all, it's his third attempt since 1988. And forget about the nomination. Biden, so far, hasn't won a single primary contest. It's a challenge to make the case to voters that you can beat Trump when you can't place higher than fourth in a match against fellow Democrats.
Biden and his campaign say South Carolina is the firewall. It's the state where he will win big and get the campaign on track.
He'd better hope so. With Bloomberg spending a gazillion dollars in Super Tuesday states and Sanders gaining momentum, anything less than a first-place finish, and Biden will have a long, sad Amtrak ride back to Delaware.