thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Doug Collins tells CPAC: 'Swamp' couldn't stop Trump

A top House Republican said President Trump has triumphed over the `` swamp '' at a gathering of conservative activists .
Rep. Doug Collins , who is the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee , talked about the FBI 's alleged abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act during an appearance Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor , Maryland .
`` This was something that was done — it was calculated .
It was something that they had begun , this process and these investigations , '' said Collins , speaking with Fox News contributor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate Trump , but really and truly , you know , what they were trying to stop is you .
And you would not let them .
And I think that 's what we got to remember .
They wanted to stop you .
The swamp wanted to stop you .
They wanted to stop you from electing this president , and they could n't . ''
Trump often said he wanted to `` drain the swamp '' while running for president in 2016 , referring to problems in the federal government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the FBI and Justice Department misled the FISA court to obtain warrants to wiretap onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page during the Russia investigation .
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that found at least 17 `` significant errors or omissions '' in the Page FISA process .
The watchdog was particularly critical of the FBI 's reliance on the unverified anti-Trump dossier compiled by British ex-spy Christopher Steele .
The DOJ later determined that at least two of the four warrants were invalid .
Several provisions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than a month .
As Congress considers reauthorization , a bipartisan group of lawmakers is working on a number of potential reforms to the surveillance law , including mandatory , random audits of applications and requiring that the bureau turn over exculpatory evidence when pursuing warrants .
The FBI and the FISA court itself have also been considering and implementing reforms following the inspector general 's investigation .
`` When you look at it and you go forward , you really have to wonder : [ How ] did the politicization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's what we 've been exposing when we started , when I started releasing transcripts a little over a year ago .
You started ... peel [ ing ] back the page on what we 're seeing here , '' Collins said .
`` When you take in the Mueller report , what a waste of time ... and taxpayer dollars — to come to something we knew already based on faulty information from a faulty dossier [ that ] was brought before a court and should 've never been there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ often called a `` witch hunt , '' is now under review by U.S. Attorney John Durham , who was appointed by Attorney General William Barr .
Collins , one of Trump 's staunchest defenders during the impeachment process who is now running for Senate , also mocked House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and former FBI Director James Comey in front of the CPAC crowd .
`` It just transitioned then into this sham impeachment from this fall .
Like I 've said , I 've come to the conclusion — I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He may not like it .
I do n't care — Adam Schiff ca n't spell truth , much less tell it , '' Collins remarked .

A top House Republican said President Trump has triumphed over the "swamp" at a gathering of conservative activists.
Rep. Doug Collins, who is the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, talked about the FBI's alleged abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act during an appearance Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.
"This was something that was done — it was calculated. It was something that they had begun, this process and these investigations," said Collins, speaking with Fox News contributor Sara Carter. "They went after candidate Trump, but really and truly, you know, what they were trying to stop is you. And you would not let them. And I think that's what we got to remember. They wanted to stop you. The swamp wanted to stop you. They wanted to stop you from electing this president, and they couldn't."
Trump often said he wanted to "drain the swamp" while running for president in 2016, referring to problems in the federal government.
Republican allies of the president have long claimed the FBI and Justice Department misled the FISA court to obtain warrants to wiretap onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page during the Russia investigation. DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that found at least 17 "significant errors or omissions" in the Page FISA process. The watchdog was particularly critical of the FBI's reliance on the unverified anti-Trump dossier compiled by British ex-spy Christopher Steele.
The DOJ later determined that at least two of the four warrants were invalid.
Several provisions of the law are set to expire in less than a month.
As Congress considers reauthorization, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is working on a number of potential reforms to the surveillance law, including mandatory, random audits of applications and requiring that the bureau turn over exculpatory evidence when pursuing warrants. The FBI and the FISA court itself have also been considering and implementing reforms following the inspector general's investigation.
"When you look at it and you go forward, you really have to wonder: [How] did the politicization of this process become — and I think that's what we've been exposing when we started, when I started releasing transcripts a little over a year ago. You started ... peel[ing] back the page on what we're seeing here," Collins said. "When you take in the Mueller report, what a waste of time ... and taxpayer dollars — to come to something we knew already based on faulty information from a faulty dossier [that] was brought before a court and should've never been there."
The Russia investigation, which Trump often called a "witch hunt," is now under review by U.S. Attorney John Durham, who was appointed by Attorney General William Barr.
Collins, one of Trump's staunchest defenders during the impeachment process who is now running for Senate, also mocked House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and former FBI Director James Comey in front of the CPAC crowd.
"It just transitioned then into this sham impeachment from this fall. Like I've said, I've come to the conclusion — I've said this many times before. He may not like it. I don't care — Adam Schiff can't spell truth, much less tell it," Collins remarked.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Elizabeth Warren has the Senate's gridlock problem all wrong

Elizabeth Warren wants to end gridlock in the Senate , and she believes eliminating the filibuster is the way to do it .
In South Carolina ’ s presidential debate , Warren that Democrats such as Bernie Sanders were empowering Republicans to block the next president ’ s agenda by supporting the filibuster .
She that , in doing so , they were giving Republicans a veto over legislative priorities such as gun safety legislation and comprehensive immigration reform .
Warren declared that Democrats would be unable to get their agenda through the Senate as long as they are unwilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , Pete Buttigieg joined Warren in opposing the filibuster .
He pointedly Sanders , the Democratic front-runner , to square his support for the filibuster with his promise to start a revolution in the nation ’ s capital if elected president .
Like Warren , Buttigieg appears to believe that the filibuster causes gridlock and that doing away with it will usher in an era of legislative productivity for Democrats .
Notwithstanding the persuasive simplicity of their argument , Warren and Buttigieg overstate the ability of a minority party to block a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the filibuster .
In doing so , they overlook the underlying reason why the Senate is mired in gridlock .
That is , senators are unwilling to exert the effort required to legislate successfully on controversial issues .
The Constitution empowers a majority ( typically 51 senators ) to determine the Senate ’ s rules .
Specifically , the stipulates , “ Each House [ of Congress ] may determine the Rules of its Proceedings.
” Those rules have long required a three-fifths majority ( typically 60 senators ) to end a filibuster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority ( typically 60 senators ) to end a filibuster on proposals to change the Senate ’ s rules .
Warren and Buttigieg want to eliminate those supermajority requirements , thereby depriving a minority of the Senate ’ s members of the opportunity to prolong debate over the majority ’ s objections .
They argued that doing away with the filibuster will end gridlock in the Senate and , by extension , Congress .
Implicit in their position is the assumption that the actions of a minority of senators are able to neutralize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to their logic , gridlock happens when a minority does not want to cooperate with the majority and instead filibusters , or blocks , the majority from legislating .
Yet that is impossible .
Absent a veto on one side , opposing actions cancel each other out only when they are evenly balanced .
In all other instances , the actions of the stronger , or larger , group of senators will eventually overwhelm the actions of the weaker , or smaller , group .
In the Senate , the majority and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unevenly matched .
The fact that the majority party has more members than the minority party is what makes it the “ majority ” party in the first place .
Given this , the only way to level the playing field between the two parties is to give the latter a veto over when the former acts .
But the filibuster is not a veto .
It does not automatically level the playing field between the majority and minority parties .
It merely grants a senator ( or senators ) the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is able .
Using the filibuster to obstruct the majority on a systematic basis requires minority-party senators to exert Herculean effort to succeed or majority party senators to believe their minority-party colleagues are willing and capable of doing so .
The filibuster can not cause gridlock in a real legislative debate because the majority and minority parties are unevenly matched in terms of the effort their members are willing to exert to win .
Whichever group that prevails , in the end , is , by definition , the group with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority party prevails , its members merely altered the terms of the debate such that a majority of senators were unwilling to do what it takes to win .
In such instances , a minority of senators changed the balance of power , thereby depriving the majority party of a majority of senators .
Instead of calling on their fellow Democrats to eliminate the filibuster , Warren and Buttigieg should call on them to legislate .
Senators ’ unwillingness to do so , more than any other factor , explains why the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ jiwallner ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner 's Beltway Confidential blog .
He is a senior fellow at the R Street Institute .
Previously , he was a Senate aide and a former group vice president for research at the Heritage Foundation .

Elizabeth Warren wants to end gridlock in the Senate, and she believes eliminating the filibuster is the way to do it.
In South Carolina’s presidential debate, Warren asserted that Democrats such as Bernie Sanders were empowering Republicans to block the next president’s agenda by supporting the filibuster. She argued that, in doing so, they were giving Republicans a veto over legislative priorities such as gun safety legislation and comprehensive immigration reform. Warren declared that Democrats would be unable to get their agenda through the Senate as long as they are unwilling to eliminate the filibuster.
During the debate, Pete Buttigieg joined Warren in opposing the filibuster. He pointedly asked Sanders, the Democratic front-runner, to square his support for the filibuster with his promise to start a revolution in the nation’s capital if elected president. Like Warren, Buttigieg appears to believe that the filibuster causes gridlock and that doing away with it will usher in an era of legislative productivity for Democrats.
Notwithstanding the persuasive simplicity of their argument, Warren and Buttigieg overstate the ability of a minority party to block a determined majority from enacting its agenda using the filibuster. In doing so, they overlook the underlying reason why the Senate is mired in gridlock.
That is, senators are unwilling to exert the effort required to legislate successfully on controversial issues.
The Constitution empowers a majority (typically 51 senators) to determine the Senate’s rules. Specifically, the Rules and Expulsion Clause stipulates, “Each House [of Congress] may determine the Rules of its Proceedings.” Those rules have long required a three-fifths majority (typically 60 senators) to end a filibuster on legislation and an even greater two-thirds majority (typically 67 senators) to end a filibuster on proposals to change the Senate’s rules.
Warren and Buttigieg want to eliminate those supermajority requirements, thereby depriving a minority of the Senate’s members of the opportunity to prolong debate over the majority’s objections. They argued that doing away with the filibuster will end gridlock in the Senate and, by extension, Congress. Implicit in their position is the assumption that the actions of a minority of senators are able to neutralize the actions of a Senate majority. According to their logic, gridlock happens when a minority does not want to cooperate with the majority and instead filibusters, or blocks, the majority from legislating.
Yet that is impossible. Absent a veto on one side, opposing actions cancel each other out only when they are evenly balanced. In all other instances, the actions of the stronger, or larger, group of senators will eventually overwhelm the actions of the weaker, or smaller, group. In the Senate, the majority and minority parties are, by definition, unevenly matched. The fact that the majority party has more members than the minority party is what makes it the “majority” party in the first place. Given this, the only way to level the playing field between the two parties is to give the latter a veto over when the former acts.
But the filibuster is not a veto. It does not automatically level the playing field between the majority and minority parties. It merely grants a senator (or senators) the opportunity to speak for as long as he or she is able. Using the filibuster to obstruct the majority on a systematic basis requires minority-party senators to exert Herculean effort to succeed or majority party senators to believe their minority-party colleagues are willing and capable of doing so.
The filibuster cannot cause gridlock in a real legislative debate because the majority and minority parties are unevenly matched in terms of the effort their members are willing to exert to win. Whichever group that prevails, in the end, is, by definition, the group with the most senators. In debates where the minority party prevails, its members merely altered the terms of the debate such that a majority of senators were unwilling to do what it takes to win.
In such instances, a minority of senators changed the balance of power, thereby depriving the majority party of a majority of senators.
Instead of calling on their fellow Democrats to eliminate the filibuster, Warren and Buttigieg should call on them to legislate. Senators’ unwillingness to do so, more than any other factor, explains why the Senate is mired in gridlock.
James Wallner (@jiwallner) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He is a senior fellow at the R Street Institute. Previously, he was a Senate aide and a former group vice president for research at the Heritage Foundation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--'Our Agent Orange': Veterans who served at toxic Uzbekistan base want help from Congress

As he flew on the first special operations aircraft to Afghanistan on Oct. 19 , 2001 , Air Force Master Sgt .
PJ Widener knew that hunting down the terrorists responsible for 9/11 would involve risk .
He did not know the greatest risk he faced could be from radiologic and toxic chemical exposure at his Department of Defense air base in Karshi-Khanabad , Uzbekistan .
“ I ’ ve been to 124 countries , and I ’ ve never really smelled someplace where when I stepped off the plane I said , ‘ This is really not good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot , who flew dozens of support missions between October 2001 and 2005 from the base known as K2 .
“ There were just weird things that were happening there , and things that did not seem right , ” Widener told the Washington Examiner ahead of a House Oversight and Reform hearing this afternoon .
The Air Force veteran will testify alongside another K2 veteran and a widow who plan to describe the ailments , diseases , and cancers predominant in those deployed to the northern staging point for Afghanistan operations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public in a 2019 story by McClatchy 's Tara Copp .
The story reported that K2 was built on the site of a bombed-out Soviet missile factory with chemical munitions buried in the ground , uranium radiation in the air , and fuel contamination everywhere .
Years after serving at K2 , Widener said he learned that the special-fitting oxygen mask and hoses that he routinely strapped on before a flight were contaminated by droplets of mustard gas rising from beneath the base .
During the rainy season , the water he walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby abandoned chemical weapons bunker .
And when he woke in the morning , the ash that had caked on his face was from a Soviet-era chemical plant three miles upwind .
Now , Widener can ’ t remember his age when asked .
The missions Widener flew were crucial for infiltration , exfiltration , and resupplying special operations forces fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda and working with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom .
But within months , the mission planner said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops at K2 and that the Defense Department knew the hazards , according to a November 2001 report cited by McClatchy that Widener said he saw .
“ By the spring of 2002 , most of Afghanistan had been pacified , we had access to large former Soviet airfields that we were routinely operating out of , ” he said , including Mazar-i-Sharif , Jalalabad , Kandahar , and Bagram .
When not suffering from daily , prolonged and severe migraines , skin rashes , and gastrointestinal problems , the colon cancer survivor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ K2 veterans in his cohort group seeking proper attention from the Department of Veterans Affairs .
“ I feel betrayed , ” said Widener , 55 , who said he was medically discharged from the Air Force in 2011 and now is fully disabled .
“ We ’ re not trying to fight and give the DOD a black eye .
We understood that we needed to go fight and take down the terrorists and to do what needed to be done.
” “ What we want is justice , we want the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Widener told the Washington Examiner Tuesday on his drive up from Jacksonville , North Carolina , near Camp Lejeune , to the Capitol for today 's hearing before the House .
Widener plans to speak on behalf of himself , the 30 or so veterans in his cohort with brain cancer , and the many hundreds suffering from wide-ranging cancers and diseases and who he claims can not get toxicology and radiology studies because the Department of Defense says K2 was not a contaminated area .
The VA Secretary Robert Wilkie addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance at the National Press Club .
“ What I am telling veterans – and I said this to the Secretary of Defense last week – I want all veterans who have been there and who feel they need to see us , to come forward , ” he said .
The Defense Department said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that it recognized the development of some cardiopulmonary ailments but not cancer .
“ We did not find any evidence that there were hazards capable of increasing the cancer risks faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement read .
“ The results of environmental sampling do not support either radiological or toxic chemical exposure hazards existing at K-2.
” Asked how the Defense Department is working to get K2 veterans the screenings they need , the Pentagon said it transmitted a database of all known personnel deployed to K2 to the VA. “ The VA is planning to conduct appropriate epidemiological research using this new data , ” read the response from Defense Department spokeswoman Jessica R. Maxwell .
Widener told the Washington Examiner that he will ask Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radiologic and toxic exposures location , inform those at risk , provide them with screenings and healthcare for life , and open a joint congressional and independent investigation on K2 .
“ We understand that it was necessary in the early days to assume risk to close upon the terrorist forces that slaughtered over 3,000 Americans and bring them to justice , ” Widener said .
“ However , as the government became aware of what was going on , the government has a duty to protect its soldiers that it sends off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives are not forfeited for an unworthy cause.
” He added : “ This is our Agent Orange .
”

As he flew on the first special operations aircraft to Afghanistan on Oct. 19, 2001, Air Force Master Sgt. PJ Widener knew that hunting down the terrorists responsible for 9/11 would involve risk.
He did not know the greatest risk he faced could be from radiologic and toxic chemical exposure at his Department of Defense air base in Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan.
“I’ve been to 124 countries, and I’ve never really smelled someplace where when I stepped off the plane I said, ‘This is really not good,’” said the former MC-130E airborne radio operator, who flew dozens of support missions between October 2001 and 2005 from the base known as K2.
“There were just weird things that were happening there, and things that did not seem right,” Widener told the Washington Examiner ahead of a House Oversight and Reform hearing this afternoon. The Air Force veteran will testify alongside another K2 veteran and a widow who plan to describe the ailments, diseases, and cancers predominant in those deployed to the northern staging point for Afghanistan operations.
The debate about K2 contamination was made public in a 2019 story by McClatchy's Tara Copp. The story reported that K2 was built on the site of a bombed-out Soviet missile factory with chemical munitions buried in the ground, uranium radiation in the air, and fuel contamination everywhere.
Years after serving at K2, Widener said he learned that the special-fitting oxygen mask and hoses that he routinely strapped on before a flight were contaminated by droplets of mustard gas rising from beneath the base. During the rainy season, the water he walked through at the chow hall flowed from a nearby abandoned chemical weapons bunker. And when he woke in the morning, the ash that had caked on his face was from a Soviet-era chemical plant three miles upwind.
Now, Widener can’t remember his age when asked.
The missions Widener flew were crucial for infiltration, exfiltration, and resupplying special operations forces fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda and working with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom.
But within months, the mission planner said it no longer logistically was necessary to keep troops at K2 and that the Defense Department knew the hazards, according to a November 2001 report cited by McClatchy that Widener said he saw.
“By the spring of 2002, most of Afghanistan had been pacified, we had access to large former Soviet airfields that we were routinely operating out of,” he said, including Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, Kandahar, and Bagram.
When not suffering from daily, prolonged and severe migraines, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal problems, the colon cancer survivor now helps 3,700 of the estimated 7,000 K2 veterans in his cohort group seeking proper attention from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I feel betrayed,” said Widener, 55, who said he was medically discharged from the Air Force in 2011 and now is fully disabled. “We’re not trying to fight and give the DOD a black eye. We understood that we needed to go fight and take down the terrorists and to do what needed to be done.”
“What we want is justice, we want the government to do the right thing,” Widener told the Washington Examiner Tuesday on his drive up from Jacksonville, North Carolina, near Camp Lejeune, to the Capitol for today's hearing before the House.
Widener plans to speak on behalf of himself, the 30 or so veterans in his cohort with brain cancer, and the many hundreds suffering from wide-ranging cancers and diseases and who he claims cannot get toxicology and radiology studies because the Department of Defense says K2 was not a contaminated area.
The VA Secretary Robert Wilkie addressed the accusations head-on at a Feb. 5 appearance at the National Press Club.
“What I am telling veterans – and I said this to the Secretary of Defense last week – I want all veterans who have been there and who feel they need to see us, to come forward,” he said.
The Defense Department said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that it recognized the development of some cardiopulmonary ailments but not cancer.
“We did not find any evidence that there were hazards capable of increasing the cancer risks faced by our Service members,” the statement read. “The results of environmental sampling do not support either radiological or toxic chemical exposure hazards existing at K-2.”
Asked how the Defense Department is working to get K2 veterans the screenings they need, the Pentagon said it transmitted a database of all known personnel deployed to K2 to the VA.
“The VA is planning to conduct appropriate epidemiological research using this new data,” read the response from Defense Department spokeswoman Jessica R. Maxwell.
Widener told the Washington Examiner that he will ask Congress to designate the area properly as a radiologic and toxic exposures location, inform those at risk, provide them with screenings and healthcare for life, and open a joint congressional and independent investigation on K2.
“We understand that it was necessary in the early days to assume risk to close upon the terrorist forces that slaughtered over 3,000 Americans and bring them to justice,” Widener said. “However, as the government became aware of what was going on, the government has a duty to protect its soldiers that it sends off to the battlefield to ensure that our lives are not forfeited for an unworthy cause.”
He added: “This is our Agent Orange.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--John Ratcliffe: House Intelligence Committee members ‘consistently' leaking to hurt Trump

Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe accused fellow members of the House Intelligence Committee of leaking information from classified briefings .
The Republican lawmaker was asked to address the contradictory reports about Russia ’ s election interference strategy in 2020 during an appearance Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference .
Ratcliffe argued the leaks were bad for the country and damaging to the work conducted by the U.S. Intelligence Community .
He noted that all the information being discussed was supposed to be “ classified.
” “ It ’ s funny that we ’ re having a discussion about what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed doors , and you ’ re asking me about a report in the New York Times about what specifically was said , '' Ratcliffe explained .
“ I can ’ t tell you how many reporters have asked me to go into detail about it .
It ’ s still classified.
” Ratcliffe stressed that it is illegal for him to discuss any part of a classified briefing , but yet , leaks have often sprung from House Intelligence Committee proceedings since President Trump has taken office .
“ It would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifics to this crowd right now , and yet everyone knows most of the details as you have now correctly laid them out , ” Ratcliffe said .
“ Unfortunately , you just gave the most recent instance .
This has happened for the last three years.
” He referenced “ real-time ” leaks from Donald Trump Jr. ’ s testimony that hit the press before he had even concluded his remarks related to the investigation into Trump ’ s campaign .
“ You have folks that have access to classified information that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it deserves , ” Ratcliffe said .
“ So folks are real clear — when something gets classified at the top-secret level , it ’ s information that provides a grave national security risk if it ’ s out to the public , but it ’ s not being treated that way .
And we have seen that , unfortunately , consistently since Donald Trump has been president of the United States.
” He added , “ And ironically , or not so ironically .
Why is it always the case when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly damaging to Donald Trump .
...
It ’ s a one-way street.
” Trump accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of about Russia ’ s 2020 election plans , which included helping Trump get reelected in 2020 , along with several other stories over the last few years .
He justified his refusal to alert Congress about his raid to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani on the basis that he couldn ’ t trust Schiff not to leak the information .
Ratcliffe , who has been one of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Texas Republican is again under consideration to be Trump 's nominee for director of national intelligence after he dropped from consideration last year .

Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe accused fellow members of the House Intelligence Committee of leaking information from classified briefings.
The Republican lawmaker was asked to address the contradictory reports about Russia’s election interference strategy in 2020 during an appearance Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ratcliffe argued the leaks were bad for the country and damaging to the work conducted by the U.S. Intelligence Community. He noted that all the information being discussed was supposed to be “classified.”
“It’s funny that we’re having a discussion about what is still a classified briefing, information behind closed doors, and you’re asking me about a report in the New York Times about what specifically was said,'' Ratcliffe explained. “I can’t tell you how many reporters have asked me to go into detail about it. It’s still classified.”
Ratcliffe stressed that it is illegal for him to discuss any part of a classified briefing, but yet, leaks have often sprung from House Intelligence Committee proceedings since President Trump has taken office.
“It would be a crime for me to give the specifics to this crowd right now, and yet everyone knows most of the details as you have now correctly laid them out,” Ratcliffe said. “Unfortunately, you just gave the most recent instance. This has happened for the last three years.”
He referenced “real-time” leaks from Donald Trump Jr.’s testimony that hit the press before he had even concluded his remarks related to the investigation into Trump’s campaign.
“You have folks that have access to classified information that are not treating it with the respect that it deserves,” Ratcliffe said. “So folks are real clear — when something gets classified at the top-secret level, it’s information that provides a grave national security risk if it’s out to the public, but it’s not being treated that way. And we have seen that, unfortunately, consistently since Donald Trump has been president of the United States.”
He added, “And ironically, or not so ironically. Why is it always the case when it’s information that’s allegedly damaging to Donald Trump. ... It’s a one-way street.”
Trump accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of leaking the story about Russia’s 2020 election plans, which included helping Trump get reelected in 2020, along with several other stories over the last few years. He justified his refusal to alert Congress about his raid to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani on the basis that he couldn’t trust Schiff not to leak the information.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Pelosi: House campaigns may split from Bernie Sanders agenda

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats would campaign on a “ mainstream , nonmenacing agenda ” and would not tout the socialist proposals put forward by Bernie Sanders if he is chosen as the party ’ s presidential nominee .
Pelosi , a California Democrat , told reporters Thursday the responsibility of House party lawmakers “ is to win the House ” and said her caucus won back the majority from Republicans in 2018 “ by owning the ground with our mobilization , not yielding one grain of sand by messaging a bold , progressive agenda that was mainstream and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our cause with our message and our ground game.
” Pelosi said the party would unify behind whichever candidate wins the nomination , including Sanders , the socialist Vermont senator who has proposed free healthcare , free college , elimination of student loans , and free child care , among other programs that would be funded with higher taxes .
Sanders may not win the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the nomination through the caucus and primary contests .
Pelosi appeared to reject the idea that Sanders should be the winner if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fewer than a majority but more pledged delegates than the remaining Democratic candidates .
[ LIST : Democrats saying what a terrible nominee Bernie Sanders would be ] “ The person who will be nominated will be the person who has the majority plus one , ” Pelosi said .
“ That may happen before they even get to the convention , but we 'll see .
The people will speak , and that 's what we 're listening to , and it 's a pretty exciting thing.
” Democratic National Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their role as superdelegates , who will have a vote on the nominee if nobody wins the 1,991 pledged delegates .
“ It ’ s merely housekeeping , ” Pelosi told reporters who asked if the meeting would focus on whether to endorse Sanders if he captures a plurality , but not a majority , of pledged delegates .
“ That ’ s not what this meeting is about . ''
Sanders ’ s growing lead has provoked quiet concern among House Democrats , who won the majority in 2018 by seizing swing-state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear a Sanders-led ticket will hurt the freshmen Democrats seeking reelection in those seats .
Majority Whip James Clyburn , a prominent South Carolina House member , announced his support for moderate Joe Biden , telling reporters he ’ s backing the former vice president because he is “ concerned about the House.
” Pelosi insisted Democrats support any of the candidates as the presidential nominee , although she did not mention Sanders by name .
She said she was not “ hearing from anybody ” the concerns about Sanders ’ s impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all unified , ” Pelosi said .
“ Whoever the nominee is of our party , we ’ ll wholeheartedly support .
Our gospel is one of unity , unity , unity .
”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats would campaign on a “mainstream, nonmenacing agenda” and would not tout the socialist proposals put forward by Bernie Sanders if he is chosen as the party’s presidential nominee.
Pelosi, a California Democrat, told reporters Thursday the responsibility of House party lawmakers “is to win the House” and said her caucus won back the majority from Republicans in 2018 “by owning the ground with our mobilization, not yielding one grain of sand by messaging a bold, progressive agenda that was mainstream and nonmenacing and having the money to advance our cause with our message and our ground game.”
Pelosi said the party would unify behind whichever candidate wins the nomination, including Sanders, the socialist Vermont senator who has proposed free healthcare, free college, elimination of student loans, and free child care, among other programs that would be funded with higher taxes.
Sanders may not win the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the nomination through the caucus and primary contests.
Pelosi appeared to reject the idea that Sanders should be the winner if he arrives at the July Democratic National Convention with fewer than a majority but more pledged delegates than the remaining Democratic candidates.
[LIST: Democrats saying what a terrible nominee Bernie Sanders would be]
“The person who will be nominated will be the person who has the majority plus one,” Pelosi said. “That may happen before they even get to the convention, but we'll see. The people will speak, and that's what we're listening to, and it's a pretty exciting thing.”
Democratic National Committee officials will brief House Democrats Thursday on their role as superdelegates, who will have a vote on the nominee if nobody wins the 1,991 pledged delegates.
“It’s merely housekeeping,” Pelosi told reporters who asked if the meeting would focus on whether to endorse Sanders if he captures a plurality, but not a majority, of pledged delegates. “That’s not what this meeting is about."
Sanders’s growing lead has provoked quiet concern among House Democrats, who won the majority in 2018 by seizing swing-state districts held by Republicans.
Some Democrats fear a Sanders-led ticket will hurt the freshmen Democrats seeking reelection in those seats.
Majority Whip James Clyburn, a prominent South Carolina House member, announced his support for moderate Joe Biden, telling reporters he’s backing the former vice president because he is “concerned about the House.”
Pelosi insisted Democrats support any of the candidates as the presidential nominee, although she did not mention Sanders by name. She said she was not “hearing from anybody” the concerns about Sanders’s impact on House races.
“We are all unified,” Pelosi said. “Whoever the nominee is of our party, we’ll wholeheartedly support. Our gospel is one of unity, unity, unity.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Trump approval rating catches the flu, crashes overnight

President Trump ’ s sky-high approval rating took a beating overnight after a stocks crashed amid a wave of negative @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus epidemic .
Trump ’ s favorite pollster , Rasmussen Reports , said that @ @ @ @ @ rating dropped from 52 % to 47 % .
“ The drop in Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ news about the spreading coronavirus and the steep drop in the stock market , ” @ @ @ @ @ with Secrets .
“ The latest figures include 35 % who ‘ Strongly Approve ’ @ @ @ @ @ doing and 44 % who ‘ Strongly Disapprove.
’ This gives him a Presidential Approval @ @ @ @ @ ” it added .

President Trump’s sky-high approval rating took a beating overnight after a stocks crashed amid a wave of negative stories on his handling of the coronavirus epidemic.
Trump’s favorite pollster, Rasmussen Reports, said that the president’s approval rating dropped from 52% to 47%.
“The drop in Trump’s approval rating follows more news about the spreading coronavirus and the steep drop in the stock market,” said the polling analysis shared with Secrets.
“The latest figures include 35% who ‘Strongly Approve’ of the job Trump is doing and 44% who ‘Strongly Disapprove.’ This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -9,” it added.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--White House: Media hope virus will ‘bring down’ Trump

Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney defended the administration 's response to the growing coronavirus epidemic and blamed the media for hyping the issue to damage President Trump .
Appearing as the first speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday , Mulvaney said that the administration has been working a counter-virus plan for six weeks , including meetings on Capitol Hill and flight bans from Asia .
He noted , for example , that in a meeting six weeks ago with lawmakers , just five senators and about 10 House members showed up .
“ We took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why didn ’ t we hear about it ?
What was going on four or five weeks ago ?
Impeachment .
And that ’ s all the press wanted to talk about .
So while real news was happening and we were dealing with it in a way , I think that you would be extraordinarily proud of , ” Mulvaney said .
“ But the press is covering [ impeachment ] because they thought ... it would bring down the president , ” he added .
“ The reason they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that they think this is going to bring down the president , that ’ s what this is all about , ” said Mulvaney .
He said that a reporter emailed him today to ask what the president planned to do to “ calm the markets , ” which have been in a free fall over worries the virus will hurt the global economy .
Mulvaney said , “ Turn off your televisions for 24 hours .
”

Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney defended the administration's response to the growing coronavirus epidemic and blamed the media for hyping the issue to damage President Trump.
Appearing as the first speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, Mulvaney said that the administration has been working a counter-virus plan for six weeks, including meetings on Capitol Hill and flight bans from Asia.
He noted, for example, that in a meeting six weeks ago with lawmakers, just five senators and about 10 House members showed up.
“We took extraordinary steps four or five weeks ago. Why didn’t we hear about it? What was going on four or five weeks ago? Impeachment. And that’s all the press wanted to talk about. So while real news was happening and we were dealing with it in a way, I think that you would be extraordinarily proud of,” Mulvaney said.
“But the press is covering [impeachment] because they thought ... it would bring down the president,” he added.
“The reason they are paying so much attention to it today is that they think this is going to bring down the president, that’s what this is all about,” said Mulvaney.
He said that a reporter emailed him today to ask what the president planned to do to “calm the markets,” which have been in a free fall over worries the virus will hurt the global economy.
Mulvaney said, “Turn off your televisions for 24 hours.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Pandemic preppers arm up, 'person with the most ammo wins'

Some Washington big shots like others around the country are readying for the potential further outbreak of the coronavirus by stocking up on “ prepper ” goods , including pistols , rifles , and ammo , and reaching out to camps where they can hide out .
“ We 've had a huge surge in interest from the virus , ” said Drew Miller , who runs the Fortitude Ranch camp in West Virginia .
Miller said his “ survival community ” in Colorado has filled up , and he is close to selling out memberships in West Virginia as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sell freeze-dried food and bullets have also seen a surge in sales .
Justin Anderson , the marketing director for Hyatt Guns in Charlotte , N.C. , one of the nation ’ s largest , said ammo is the top seller .
“ I ’ ve seen a notable spike in the purchase of bulk ammo , which is usually a barometer of people ’ s fear in these types of situations , ” he said , adding , “ The person with the most ammo wins.
” Miller started warning about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions on how to prepare , including stocking up on AR-15 ammo , flashlights , and fresh gasoline .
“ We have always been prepared for a pandemic , ” he told us , explaining that his camps keep families apart so an infection won ’ t spread but are behind a wall for defense .
“ Lots of spread out buildings and shallow shelters ( we have NO deep underground shelters ) lets our members grab weapons and get to their assigned defensive position on the outer wall in a minute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent out two notices to members that set out what they should do to prepare if chaos unfolds .
From one email : Members will get direct email/text alerts if this turns into a U.S. pandemic .
At this time we agree with the Center for Disease Control that there is little immediate risk .
Nonetheless , a pandemic here is quite possible and we recommend the following preparations : • If you are a FR member or have a bug out location , keep your car tank near full and keep gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to use ( you can rotate this gas into your car every 3 months , it stays usable well beyond this ) .
• Do NOT go to gas stations or supermarkets if this pandemic does erupt and there is panic buying — you want to stay out of public to avoid the virus and to avoid possible looting/marauding which can happen immediately .
• If you don ’ t have big stocks of ammunition ( .223 and 12 gauge best for FR members ) , buy now before more people start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Check your bug out bags and prepper materials , stock up .
LED flashlights are best — if you ’ ve got old bulbs , consider getting LED .
Even if you are a FR member and have supplies stored at your FR base camp , best to bring everything you can fit in your car of survival value .
• At this time there is no need to avoid public places , but as this virus spreads , you may want to both limit your time in mass public places/events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see in big Asian cities—where a viral face mask when out in public .
• Avoid touching anything in public places ( on a subway , I always practice never touch anything ) , and wash your hands often .

Some Washington big shots like others around the country are readying for the potential further outbreak of the coronavirus by stocking up on “prepper” goods, including pistols, rifles, and ammunition, and reaching out to camps where they can hide out.
“We've had a huge surge in interest from the virus,” said Drew Miller, who runs the Fortitude Ranch camp in West Virginia. Miller said his “survival community” in Colorado has filled up, and he is close to selling out memberships in West Virginia as concerns about the virus increase.
Stores that sell freeze-dried food and bullets have also seen a surge in sales.
Justin Anderson, the marketing director for Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the nation’s largest, said ammunition is the top seller. “I’ve seen a notable spike in the purchase of bulk ammo, which is usually a barometer of people’s fear in these types of situations,” he said, adding, “The person with the most ammo wins.”
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Miller started warning about the virus last month and sent members suggestions on how to prepare, including stocking up on AR-15 ammunition, flashlights, and fresh gasoline.
“We have always been prepared for a pandemic,” he told us, explaining that his camps keep families apart so an infection won’t spread but are behind a wall for defense. “Lots of spread out buildings and shallow shelters (we have NO deep underground shelters) lets our members grab weapons and get to their assigned defensive position on the outer wall in a minute,” he said.
Miller has recently sent out two notices to members that set out what they should do to prepare if chaos unfolds. From one email:
Members will get direct email/text alerts if this turns into a U.S. pandemic. At this time we agree with the Center for Disease Control that there is little immediate risk. Nonetheless, a pandemic here is quite possible and we recommend the following preparations:


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Fauci: Chinese cat 'feasts' linked to virus

A top U.S. medical official on Thursday said the coronavirus could have spread in China through cat feasts .
In a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence , who is heading the anti-virus effort , and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , Anthony Fauci explained `` the science behind '' the virus : that it spreads from a bat , to a cat , and then to humans in China .
According to a press pool report on the meeting , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said the disease jumped from species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science behind the coronavirus , saying it jumped from a bat to a ‘ civic cat ’ served at feasts in China and then humans , ” said the pool report , referring to “ civet cats , ” which are considered a delicacy in parts of China .
“ ‘ Lo and behold now ... we have a new Coronavirus , ’ Fauci said .
He said they are ‘ almost certain ’ the virus jumped species .
‘ This virus has adapted extremely well to human species ... this one has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to human , ’ Fauci said , ” according to the report of the meeting at HHS .
Reports have linked both bats and the cats to the virus .
The cat was also linked to the 2003 SARS epidemic .

A top U.S. medical official on Thursday said the coronavirus could have spread in China through cat feasts.
In a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence, who is heading the anti-virus effort, and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Anthony Fauci explained "the science behind" the virus: that it spreads from a bat, to a cat, and then to humans in China.
According to a press pool report on the meeting, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said the disease jumped from species to species.
H/T @maggieNYT From VP pool: Fauci described the science behind the #coronavirus, saying it jumped from a bat to a “civet cat” served at feasts in China and then humans. A civet cat pictured here. Also known as a “skunk”. Fauci saying the virus almost certainly jumped specifies. pic.twitter.com/ZO39lnKTWQ — Scott Gottlieb, MD (@ScottGottliebMD) February 27, 2020
“Fauci described the science behind the coronavirus, saying it jumped from a bat to a ‘civic cat’ served at feasts in China and then humans,” said the pool report, referring to “civet cats,” which are considered a delicacy in parts of China.
“‘Lo and behold now ... we have a new Coronavirus,’ Fauci said. He said they are ‘almost certain’ the virus jumped species. ‘This virus has adapted extremely well to human species ... this one has the capability of spreading readily from human to human,’ Fauci said,” according to the report of the meeting at HHS.
Reports have linked both bats and the cats to the virus. The cat was also linked to the 2003 SARS epidemic.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Green New Deal: $75,000 per house in first year, $40,000 after

The Green New Deal is going to put a lot of Americans in the red .
According to a new analysis , the liberal plan backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will cost households an average of $ 75,000 in the first year and $ 40,000 extra every year after .
The study of 11 states found that the initial year of the program will be especially high because businesses and households will have to get new equipment .
The price tag includes increased costs for electricity , upgrading vehicles and housing , and shipping .
Alaska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an initial first-year price tag per household at over $ 84,000 .
“ The Green New Deal is a politically motivated policy that will saddle households with exorbitant costs and wreck our economy .
Our analysis shows that , if implemented , the Green New Deal would cost for American households at least tens of thousands of dollars annually on a permanent basis , ” said Competitive Enterprise Institute President Kent Lassman .
“ The Green New Deal would effectively destroy America ’ s energy industry , and with it , our entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director of Power the Future .
And Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty research director Will Flanders said , “ The Green New Deal would eliminate that , driving middle class families into poverty by imposing staggering annual costs of more than $ 40,000 per household.
” All three groups joined in producing the report , `` What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household . ''
Liberals and progressives have galvanized around the plan to end the use of fossil fuels .
But many centrists have avoided it because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studied the potential high costs , and the new report is the latest .

The Green New Deal is going to put a lot of Americans in the red.
According to a new analysis, the liberal plan backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will cost households an average of $75,000 in the first year and $40,000 extra every year after.
The study of 11 states found that the initial year of the program will be especially high because businesses and households will have to get new equipment. The price tag includes increased costs for electricity, upgrading vehicles and housing, and shipping.
Source: CEI
Alaska would be hit the hardest, with an initial first-year price tag per household at over $84,000.
“The Green New Deal is a politically motivated policy that will saddle households with exorbitant costs and wreck our economy. Our analysis shows that, if implemented, the Green New Deal would cost for American households at least tens of thousands of dollars annually on a permanent basis,” said Competitive Enterprise Institute President Kent Lassman.
“The Green New Deal would effectively destroy America’s energy industry, and with it, our entire economy,” added Daniel Turner, executive director of Power the Future.
And Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty research director Will Flanders said, “The Green New Deal would eliminate that, driving middle class families into poverty by imposing staggering annual costs of more than $40,000 per household.”
All three groups joined in producing the report, "What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household."
Liberals and progressives have galvanized around the plan to end the use of fossil fuels. But many centrists have avoided it because of the costs.
Several groups have studied the potential high costs, and the new report is the latest.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Winning gap: Yes, say Republicans, no, say Democrats

Two new surveys have revealed that Republicans and Democrats are so divided in the Trump era that they can ’ t even agree on “ winning ” or the U.S. standing in the world .
Take the new Pew Research Center survey on “ winning.
” Despite some confidence in beating President Trump in the fall , Democrats are at their lowest ever , with just 18 % feeling like their side is winning .
Then there ’ s the Gallup “ satisfaction ” survey , which shows that an equally tiny 19 % feel good about the U.S. position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , haven ’ t felt as good in over a decade about what ’ s happening in the country and world .
Pew found that 69 % of Republicans feel their side is “ winning.
” That ’ s triple the number was in 2016 when polls showed Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton heading to victory over Trump .
And Gallup found a near-record 85 % feel satisfied with the U.S. position in the world under Trump , about equal with where they felt it was just after the 9/11 attacks when former President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban and al Qaeda .
Pew said , “ Republicans are far more upbeat about their party ’ s success than they were in 2016 — when 75 % said their side was losing more often than winning — or in 2018 , when 53 % said the same .
Four years ago , Democrats were divided on whether their side was winning more than losing .
But since then , large majorities have said their side has been losing politically.
” Gallup added , “ Partisans have been consistently divided in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position in the world over the last 20 years , with Republicans and Democrats expressing high levels of satisfaction when their party occupies the White House .
However , the current 66-point gap in Republicans ' and Democrats ' satisfaction levels is the largest recorded .
”

Two new surveys have revealed that Republicans and Democrats are so divided in the Trump era that they can’t even agree on “winning” or the U.S. standing in the world.
Take the new Pew Research Center survey on “winning.” Despite some confidence in beating President Trump in the fall, Democrats are at their lowest ever, with just 18% feeling like their side is winning.
Then there’s the Gallup “satisfaction” survey, which shows that an equally tiny 19% feel good about the U.S. position in the world.
Republicans, meanwhile, haven’t felt as good in over a decade about what’s happening in the country and world.
Pew found that 69% of Republicans feel their side is “winning.” That’s triple the number was in 2016 when polls showed Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton heading to victory over Trump.
And Gallup found a near-record 85% feel satisfied with the U.S. position in the world under Trump, about equal with where they felt it was just after the 9/11 attacks when former President George W. Bush led the war on the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Pew said, “Republicans are far more upbeat about their party’s success than they were in 2016 — when 75% said their side was losing more often than winning — or in 2018, when 53% said the same. Four years ago, Democrats were divided on whether their side was winning more than losing. But since then, large majorities have said their side has been losing politically.”
Gallup added, “Partisans have been consistently divided in their assessments of the United States' position in the world over the last 20 years, with Republicans and Democrats expressing high levels of satisfaction when their party occupies the White House. However, the current 66-point gap in Republicans' and Democrats' satisfaction levels is the largest recorded.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Mr. Conservative: Pence builds outreach team for 2020 and beyond

Vice President Mike Pence , already the administration ’ s point-person with conservatives , evangelicals , and advocates for religious freedom , is building up his team to keep them close as the president dives into the 2020 reelection .
Pence officials told Secrets that they have brought on Paul Teller , well-known and respected in conservative circles , to handle and maintain key relationships with conservative groups and lawmakers like those in the influential Freedom Caucus .
Teller , who has worked with Pence in the past , will leave his post in the White House Office of Legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide Sarah Makin who has joined the national security council to oversee the administration ’ s international religious freedom efforts , itself a campaign also pushed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that has won applause from conservatives and evangelicals .
Teller told us , “ It ’ s been a true privilege to have worked for President Trump and Vice President Pence these last three years in the White House Legislative Affairs office , and I ’ m excited for the honor to expand this collaboration with the larger conservative world on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Vice President .
The greatest and most consistent allies of this president and vice president are in the conservative movement , and I ’ m humbled by this new opportunity to do all I can to foster and grow these alliances.
” The vice president ’ s chief of staff , Marc Short , added , “ Paul has been a fixture of the conservative movement for more than two decades , so we are thrilled to have him in the office of the vice president , where we know he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advance this administration ’ s priorities.
” The move was embraced by conservatives , some of whom also saw it as a nod to a potential 2024 presidential run by Pence .
Tommy Binion , vice president of government relations at the Heritage Foundation , said , “ Paul Teller is a dynamic conservative leader who is trusted and respected by conservatives on Capitol Hill and amongst outside groups .
His role in the White House has been critical since the beginning and this step will make him even more effective.
” Teller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world for at least two decades .
He was a chief of staff for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and worked on his 2016 presidential bid .
He was an executive director for the House Republican Study Committee under seven chairmen , including Pence when he was an Indiana congressman , and worked for think tanks and in the media .
Pence has been the key to keeping conservatives on Trump 's team and has been the president 's most active outreach leader to the groups .
Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an instinctual trust that conservatives have with Vice President Pence that ’ s been built through nearly two decades of working together .
”

Vice President Mike Pence, already the administration’s point-person with conservatives, evangelicals, and advocates for religious freedom, is building up his team to keep them close as the president dives into the 2020 reelection.
Pence officials told Secrets that they have brought on Paul Teller, well-known and respected in conservative circles, to handle and maintain key relationships with conservative groups and lawmakers like those in the influential Freedom Caucus.
Teller, who has worked with Pence in the past, will leave his post in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.
He is replacing former Pence aide Sarah Makin who has joined the national security council to oversee the administration’s international religious freedom efforts, itself a campaign also pushed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that has won applause from conservatives and evangelicals.
Teller told us, “It’s been a true privilege to have worked for President Trump and Vice President Pence these last three years in the White House Legislative Affairs office, and I’m excited for the honor to expand this collaboration with the larger conservative world on and off the Hill from the Office of the Vice President. The greatest and most consistent allies of this president and vice president are in the conservative movement, and I’m humbled by this new opportunity to do all I can to foster and grow these alliances.”
The vice president’s chief of staff, Marc Short, added, “Paul has been a fixture of the conservative movement for more than two decades, so we are thrilled to have him in the office of the vice president, where we know he’ll continue to work tirelessly to advance this administration’s priorities.”
The move was embraced by conservatives, some of whom also saw it as a nod to a potential 2024 presidential run by Pence.
Tommy Binion, vice president of government relations at the Heritage Foundation, said, “Paul Teller is a dynamic conservative leader who is trusted and respected by conservatives on Capitol Hill and amongst outside groups. His role in the White House has been critical since the beginning and this step will make him even more effective.”
Teller has been a fixture in the conservative world for at least two decades. He was a chief of staff for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and worked on his 2016 presidential bid. He was an executive director for the House Republican Study Committee under seven chairmen, including Pence when he was an Indiana congressman, and worked for think tanks and in the media.
Pence has been the key to keeping conservatives on Trump's team and has been the president's most active outreach leader to the groups.
Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James recently told us, “There’s an instinctual trust that conservatives have with Vice President Pence that’s been built through nearly two decades of working together.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-26--Jared Kushner and Brad Parscale scramble for healthcare message amid coronavirus scare

President Trump , hit unexpectedly with the coronavirus scare and facing voter pressure to focus on healthcare , is hastily moving to push a package through Congress to help people facing growing medical costs , an agenda sidelined last year by the impeachment debate .
In an hourslong meeting with GOP senators , top aide Jared Kushner and Trump-Pence campaign manager Brad Parscale presented a plan to get behind reform bills with strong bipartisan support in the Senate and to push them across the finish line before Election Day .
The promise was embraced by key senators leading the healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP was entering the election with little to show on the issue that voters regularly put at the top of their list of concerns .
Indiana Sen. Mike Braun , one of those leaders and a former businessman who put in place a successful healthcare plan that hasn ’ t raised premiums in 13 years , said that healthcare was unexpectedly a top issue during the campaign briefing , attended for a while by Vice President Mike Pence .
“ I ’ m pleased that it doesn ’ t look like we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there could be leadership from the White House , ” Braun told Secrets after the meeting with Pence , Kushner , and Parscale in the offices of the National Senatorial Republican Committee .
Braun has been worried that a Trump-GOP message that `` Medicare for all '' and “ being anti-Bernie ” Sanders was weak .
And with the coronavirus slamming into the White House , he said it is critical for a strong healthcare message .
He said he has confidence that the White House will help shepherd through reform packages passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower healthcare costs , cut drug prices and add transparency .
“ Brad and Jared said that needs to be something they are talking about .
I ’ m hoping to get some synergy behind it and bring it in to where we at least have something to talk about in terms of what we ’ ve done and not let the Dems dominate the issue , ” said the first-term senator who has emerged as a GOP leader and Trump advocate .
“ It ’ s important that we are out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and defending a broken healthcare industry , ” he said .
During the briefing , Parscale said that healthcare is the top issue with battleground voters and that 95 % of them cite drug prices as a key worry .
They ’ ve also said that the GOP isn ’ t doing enough .
Trump has targeted drug prices and other issues , using executive orders to push reforms .
But those have been blocked by courts in many cases .
Braun said the White House agrees that there is no time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s got a lot going with a good economy , but we all know that , if we are silent on healthcare , the Dems are really good at saying that we don ’ t even cover preexisting conditions , so that will be the story if we don ’ t have something in place , ” he said .

President Trump, hit unexpectedly with the coronavirus scare and facing voter pressure to focus on healthcare, is hastily moving to push a package through Congress to help people facing growing medical costs, an agenda sidelined last year by the impeachment debate.
In an hourslong meeting with GOP senators, top aide Jared Kushner and Trump-Pence campaign manager Brad Parscale presented a plan to get behind reform bills with strong bipartisan support in the Senate and to push them across the finish line before Election Day.
The promise was embraced by key senators leading the healthcare reform campaign who had worried that the GOP was entering the election with little to show on the issue that voters regularly put at the top of their list of concerns.
Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, one of those leaders and a former businessman who put in place a successful healthcare plan that hasn’t raised premiums in 13 years, said that healthcare was unexpectedly a top issue during the campaign briefing, attended for a while by Vice President Mike Pence.
“I’m pleased that it doesn’t look like we will be mum on the subject, and there could be leadership from the White House,” Braun told Secrets after the meeting with Pence, Kushner, and Parscale in the offices of the National Senatorial Republican Committee.
Braun has been worried that a Trump-GOP message that "Medicare for all" and “being anti-Bernie” Sanders was weak. And with the coronavirus slamming into the White House, he said it is critical for a strong healthcare message.
He said he has confidence that the White House will help shepherd through reform packages passed with bipartisan support to promote competition, lower healthcare costs, cut drug prices and add transparency.
“Brad and Jared said that needs to be something they are talking about. I’m hoping to get some synergy behind it and bring it in to where we at least have something to talk about in terms of what we’ve done and not let the Dems dominate the issue,” said the first-term senator who has emerged as a GOP leader and Trump advocate.
“It’s important that we are out there reforming the industry, not being foot-draggers and defending a broken healthcare industry,” he said.
During the briefing, Parscale said that healthcare is the top issue with battleground voters and that 95% of them cite drug prices as a key worry. They’ve also said that the GOP isn’t doing enough.
Trump has targeted drug prices and other issues, using executive orders to push reforms. But those have been blocked by courts in many cases.
Braun said the White House agrees that there is no time to waste.
“I think Trump’s got a lot going with a good economy, but we all know that, if we are silent on healthcare, the Dems are really good at saying that we don’t even cover preexisting conditions, so that will be the story if we don’t have something in place,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-26--Betting odds show Sanders winning 13 of 14 Super Tuesday races

Gamblers are putting money on Sen. Bernie Sanders to sweep the Super Tuesday Democratic elections on March 3 .
The @ @ @ @ @ Secrets from Oddschecker show Sanders winning 13 of 14 contests .
Sen. Joe Biden is @ @ @ @ @ Biden , according to the site , is also slated to win South Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This trajectory is a continuation of Sanders ’ strong performance so far , @ @ @ @ @ caucuses and primaries so far pending a recount in Iowa , ” said Pete Watt @ @ @ @ @ that analyzes political bets in Britain , where it ’ s legal .
Asked about @ @ @ @ @ Michael Bloomberg 's chances , Watt said that he has n't caught fire yet with @ @ @ @ @ making very little progress in the betting markets — two debate performances have done little @ @ @ @ @ told us .

Gamblers are putting money on Sen. Bernie Sanders to sweep the Super Tuesday Democratic elections on March 3.
The latest betting odds provided to Secrets from Oddschecker show Sanders winning 13 of 14 contests. Sen. Joe Biden is the favorite in Alabama.
Biden, according to the site, is also slated to win South Carolina, as the polls have shown.
“This trajectory is a continuation of Sanders’ strong performance so far, having won all of the caucuses and primaries so far pending a recount in Iowa,” said Pete Watt, spokesman for the site that analyzes political bets in Britain, where it’s legal.
Asked about big-spending former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's chances, Watt said that he hasn't caught fire yet with gamblers. "Bloomberg's making very little progress in the betting markets — two debate performances have done little for him!" he told us.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-26--Poll: 55% say impeach Trump again

Poll: 55% say impeach Trump again

Despite a post-impeachment bump that has pushed President Trump to his highest approval rating since his inauguration , a solid majority of voters want his Democratic critics to take another shot at kicking him from office , according to a new survey .
Some 55 % support a second House impeachment of Trump , 45 % are against , in the latest Zogby Poll provided to Secrets by Zogby Analytics .
While the results seem to clash with others from Zogby , Gallup , Rasmussen Reports , and others that also show high approval ratings for Trump , the findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the president and a likely understanding that voters don ’ t mind if Trump gets scolded by Congress so long as he ’ s not removed .
Pollster Jonathan Zogby explained , “ The way I would look at it is , there 's always been a slight majority who do n't like Trump , and there were many polls where a majority supported impeachment .
Impeachment is n't removal , so a slim majority might still want answers to the Bolton drama or to hear witnesses .
I think half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But , he added , “ At the same time , close to 50 % approve of him , so the 55 % wanting him impeached is n't too far from the norm when it comes to Trump.
” Some House Democrats have already pledged to find something to impeach Trump on , claims that have helped to boost the president ’ s charge that liberals are on a “ witch hunt ” to destroy his administration .
In the survey , Zogby found some wide support , and from some unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support came even though voters don ’ t have a clue what the charges against Trump would be .
“ We asked likely voters , ‘ Do you support or oppose House Democrats impeaching the President again ?
’ There were obvious political leanings when it came to certain demographics , but there were also some surprises .
Majorities of men ( 56 % at least somewhat support/44 % at least somewhat oppose ) and women ( 54 % at least somewhat support/47 % at least somewhat oppose ) supported House Democrats impeaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any specific charges levied against Trump , ” said his analysis .
Still , he added , when focused on the suburbs , the findings change — and not in favor of Democrats .
Zogby ’ s analysis said : “ Suburban voters were split down the middle ; 50 % supported another impeachment ( strongly and somewhat combined ) and 50 % opposed another impeachment ( strongly and somewhat combined ) .
A majority of Independents ( 54 % at least somewhat support/46 % at least somewhat oppose ) supported another round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most surprising are women voters ’ opposition to the idea of the president getting impeached again , for instance ; a majority of suburban women ( 47 % at least somewhat support/54 % at least somewhat oppose ) are opposed to impeachment , and so are 47 % of all women likely voters .
If women are turned off by impeachment , along with half of suburban voters , then more impeachment could hurt Democrats come November .
”

Despite a post-impeachment bump that has pushed President Trump to his highest approval rating since his inauguration, a solid majority of voters want his Democratic critics to take another shot at kicking him from office, according to a new survey.
Some 55% support a second House impeachment of Trump, 45% are against, in the latest Zogby Poll provided to Secrets by Zogby Analytics.
While the results seem to clash with others from Zogby, Gallup, Rasmussen Reports, and others that also show high approval ratings for Trump, the findings highlight just how divided the nation is over the president and a likely understanding that voters don’t mind if Trump gets scolded by Congress so long as he’s not removed.
Pollster Jonathan Zogby explained, “The way I would look at it is, there's always been a slight majority who don't like Trump, and there were many polls where a majority supported impeachment. Impeachment isn't removal, so a slim majority might still want answers to the Bolton drama or to hear witnesses. I think half the population wants him removed no matter what.”
But, he added, “At the same time, close to 50% approve of him, so the 55% wanting him impeached isn't too far from the norm when it comes to Trump.”
Some House Democrats have already pledged to find something to impeach Trump on, claims that have helped to boost the president’s charge that liberals are on a “witch hunt” to destroy his administration.
In the survey, Zogby found some wide support, and from some unusual sources. And, he added, support came even though voters don’t have a clue what the charges against Trump would be.
“We asked likely voters, ‘Do you support or oppose House Democrats impeaching the President again?’ There were obvious political leanings when it came to certain demographics, but there were also some surprises. Majorities of men (56% at least somewhat support/44% at least somewhat oppose) and women (54% at least somewhat support/47% at least somewhat oppose) supported House Democrats impeaching the president again, but without knowing any specific charges levied against Trump,” said his analysis.
Still, he added, when focused on the suburbs, the findings change — and not in favor of Democrats.
Zogby’s analysis said: “Suburban voters were split down the middle; 50% supported another impeachment (strongly and somewhat combined) and 50% opposed another impeachment (strongly and somewhat combined). A majority of Independents (54% at least somewhat support/46% at least somewhat oppose) supported another round of impeachment hearings, but what’s most surprising are women voters’ opposition to the idea of the president getting impeached again, for instance; a majority of suburban women (47% at least somewhat support/54% at least somewhat oppose) are opposed to impeachment, and so are 47% of all women likely voters. If women are turned off by impeachment, along with half of suburban voters, then more impeachment could hurt Democrats come November.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Bloomberg: Bernie Sanders would ‘flip the House back to the Republicans’

Michael Bloomberg warned Bernie Sanders could cost the Democratic Party control of the House if he leads the ticket in November .
Bloomberg , a former New York City mayor who is running for the party 's presidential nomination , refused to accept that the Vermont senator and early front-runner is unstoppable during an interview that aired on MSNBC on Friday after being asked if he spent $ 400 million on his campaign just to lose to Sanders .
“ I believe that if Bernie Sanders gets the nomination , he will lose to Donald Trump .
He will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands , ” Bloomberg said .
“ He will flip the House back to the Republicans , and even down-ballot , he ’ s going to hurt the Democrats.
” The 78-year-old billionaire blamed gerrymandering for exacerbating threat to the Democrats ' election prospects .
“ So you will have a lot of gerrymandering down-ballot in states which will hurt the country for a long time .
But worse , at the federal level , you will have a whole bunch of judges , probably even two Supreme Court justices , that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that come out of that will be devastating for this country for decades , '' he said .
Bloomberg , who entered the 2020 race late and skipped the early primary contests to focus on Super Tuesday states , argued that Sanders is seen as the front-runner only because he has been running for president `` for years . ''
Despite his pessimistic outlook on a Sanders nomination , Bloomberg vowed to support whoever the Democratic Party nominates .
“ I ’ ve criticized the party loyalty where they say you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on board , 'of course , I ’ ll vote for him , ' and they don ’ t really mean it .
And I think Donald Trump got elected because of that kind of loyalty to the party , ” Bloomberg said .
“ A lot of people in the [ Republican ] party didn ’ t like him .
But in this case , the alternative to the Democratic candidates , even Bernie Sanders , is so bad I ’ ve said that I will vote for the Democratic candidate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bloomberg joked that he was “ off the hook ” for supporting Sanders ’ s campaign financially because the socialist said he would not accept the billionaire ’ s help to defeat President Trump if he is the nominee .
Bloomberg also acknowledged his promise to continue funding his massive campaign staff to work for the Democratic Party , even if he is not the nominee , to ensure that Trump is not reelected .
Bloomberg said he would consider “ everybody ” to be his running mate and was asked specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped out of the 2020 contest in December , and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
Bloomberg said he would consider Harris , but noted the former California attorney general holds the same “ tough on crime ” label that he earned while supporting the controversial stop-and-frisk policing practice as mayor of New York City .
As for Abrams , Bloomberg said he is one of her biggest supporters .
“ She ’ s very competent , ” Bloomberg said of Abrams .
“ I may be her biggest supporter , funder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the biggest supporters ] for her initiative to get out the vote and register people.
” He said it was “ too early ” to give formal consideration to any vice-presidential candidate .

Michael Bloomberg warned Bernie Sanders could cost the Democratic Party control of the House if he leads the ticket in November.
Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor who is running for the party's presidential nomination, refused to accept that the Vermont senator and early front-runner is unstoppable during an interview that aired on MSNBC on Friday after being asked if he spent $400 million on his campaign just to lose to Sanders.
“I believe that if Bernie Sanders gets the nomination, he will lose to Donald Trump. He will make sure that the Senate stays in Republican hands,” Bloomberg said. “He will flip the House back to the Republicans, and even down-ballot, he’s going to hurt the Democrats.”
The 78-year-old billionaire blamed gerrymandering for exacerbating threat to the Democrats' election prospects.
“So you will have a lot of gerrymandering down-ballot in states which will hurt the country for a long time. But worse, at the federal level, you will have a whole bunch of judges, probably even two Supreme Court justices, that the Republicans will appoint and those judicial decisions that come out of that will be devastating for this country for decades," he said.
Bloomberg, who entered the 2020 race late and skipped the early primary contests to focus on Super Tuesday states, argued that Sanders is seen as the front-runner only because he has been running for president "for years." Despite his pessimistic outlook on a Sanders nomination, Bloomberg vowed to support whoever the Democratic Party nominates.
“I’ve criticized the party loyalty where they say you have to vote for the candidate, everybody gets on board, 'of course, I’ll vote for him,' and they don’t really mean it. And I think Donald Trump got elected because of that kind of loyalty to the party,” Bloomberg said. “A lot of people in the [Republican] party didn’t like him. But in this case, the alternative to the Democratic candidates, even Bernie Sanders, is so bad I’ve said that I will vote for the Democratic candidate, even if it’s Bernie Sanders.”
Bloomberg joked that he was “off the hook” for supporting Sanders’s campaign financially because the socialist said he would not accept the billionaire’s help to defeat President Trump if he is the nominee. Bloomberg also acknowledged his promise to continue funding his massive campaign staff to work for the Democratic Party, even if he is not the nominee, to ensure that Trump is not reelected.
Bloomberg said he would consider “everybody” to be his running mate and was asked specifically about California Sen. Kamala Harris, who dropped out of the 2020 contest in December, and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Bloomberg said he would consider Harris, but noted the former California attorney general holds the same “tough on crime” label that he earned while supporting the controversial stop-and-frisk policing practice as mayor of New York City. As for Abrams, Bloomberg said he is one of her biggest supporters.
“She’s very competent,” Bloomberg said of Abrams. “I may be her biggest supporter, funder. I’m certainly one of [the biggest supporters] for her initiative to get out the vote and register people.”
He said it was “too early” to give formal consideration to any vice-presidential candidate.