thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Refugees cost taxpayers $60K-$133K — more than for illegal immigrants

Even more than immigrants , especially those in the United States illegally , refugees who enter the country and tap into social welfare programs cost taxpayers $ 60,000- $ 133,000 , according to a new analysis .
In its latest report on the costs to U.S. citizens for its welcoming immigration and refugee policies , the Center for Immigration Studies said it was bringing accuracy to the issue of costs to help policymakers in the immigration field .
It said that the reports on refugee costs are inaccurate , do not include all programs refugees tap , and do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new arrivals , a key to whether they will be a burden or not .
“ In reality , the fiscal impact of refugee resettlement is just one aspect of a more complex issue involving economic , social , and political considerations .
The purpose of this report is not to argue that all refugee resettlement is wrong , but rather to remind policymakers that there are costs associated with the program , ” said the authors of The Fiscal Impact of Refugee Resettlement : No Free Lunch for Taxpayers .
“ Specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cost around $ 60,000 in net present value over his or her lifetime , with adult refugees costing upwards of $ 133,000 .
These costs are due mainly to the low levels of education possessed by refugees upon their arrival , ” they added .
The refugee issue has been a hot one under President Trump .
He has cut the numbers of refugees allowed into the U.S. each year and has asked states to say if they want refugees .
In addition , over time , the federal government has shifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In its report , CIS said that some reports on refugee costs are inaccurate because they do not include all programs refugees tap .
Further , the reports lump the more educated refugees who arrived a generation ago , with today ’ s refugees who arrive much less educated .
The report states that refugees who arrived a generation or two ago were often quite educated , but government data indicates that today ’ s refugees only have nine years of schooling on average .
Steven Camarota , the center 's director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` The low education attainment level of so many of today 's refugees means they need a great deal of government assistance .
Given these costs , policymakers have to decide if it makes more sense to settle a modest number here or help many more people overseas . ''
His key points pulled from the report : • `` The National Academies of Sciences , Engineering , and Medicine developed a model that estimates the lifetime fiscal impact of new immigrants , counting all taxes paid and services consumed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels .
Educational attainment is the most important predictor in the model .
Generally speaking , highly educated immigrants will contribute more in taxes than they consume in services , while immigrants with low levels of education will contribute less than they consume . ''
• `` Based on data from the Annual Survey of Refugees , one-third of refugees between the ages of 25 and 64 completed no more than the sixth grade before their arrival in the United States .
About 53 percent have less than a high school diploma .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ school . ''
• `` Because the National Academies model is based on all immigrants at each education level , some adjustments are required for refugees who , unlike most immigrants , impose administrative costs for resettlement and can access welfare payments immediately .
After these adjustments , our cost estimate rises to $ 60,000 per refugee . ''
• `` Although the fiscal impact of refugees is negative overall , it differs significantly across age groups .
Refugees who enter as adults ( age 25 and over ) have a large negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who enter as children may have a positive impact , although this requires optimistic assumptions about mobility . ''
• `` No plausible model , not even the National Academies ’ best-case scenario , comes close to suggesting that refugees who enter as adults will be net fiscal contributors .
Refugee-specific costs add about 22 % over and above the cost of other immigrants , but low education by itself is enough to push adult refugees ' estimated fiscal impact well into negative territory .
The National Academies is more optimistic about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the model assumes will surpass their parents ' education levels .
But even with favorable assumptions about refugee children , the overall impact ( all age groups combined ) is still clearly negative . ''

Even more than immigrants, especially those in the United States illegally, refugees who enter the country and tap into social welfare programs cost taxpayers $60,000-$133,000, according to a new analysis.
In its latest report on the costs to U.S. citizens for its welcoming immigration and refugee policies, the Center for Immigration Studies said it was bringing accuracy to the issue of costs to help policymakers in the immigration field.
It said that the reports on refugee costs are inaccurate, do not include all programs refugees tap, and do not take into account the education level of new arrivals, a key to whether they will be a burden or not.
“In reality, the fiscal impact of refugee resettlement is just one aspect of a more complex issue involving economic, social, and political considerations. The purpose of this report is not to argue that all refugee resettlement is wrong, but rather to remind policymakers that there are costs associated with the program,” said the authors of The Fiscal Impact of Refugee Resettlement: No Free Lunch for Taxpayers.
“Specifically, we find that the average refugee will cost around $60,000 in net present value over his or her lifetime, with adult refugees costing upwards of $133,000. These costs are due mainly to the low levels of education possessed by refugees upon their arrival,” they added.
The refugee issue has been a hot one under President Trump. He has cut the numbers of refugees allowed into the U.S. each year and has asked states to say if they want refugees.
In addition, over time, the federal government has shifted some of the costs to states.
In its report, CIS said that some reports on refugee costs are inaccurate because they do not include all programs refugees tap. Further, the reports lump the more educated refugees who arrived a generation ago, with today’s refugees who arrive much less educated. The report states that refugees who arrived a generation or two ago were often quite educated, but government data indicates that today’s refugees only have nine years of schooling on average.
Steven Camarota, the center's director of research and co-author of the report, said, "The low education attainment level of so many of today's refugees means they need a great deal of government assistance. Given these costs, policymakers have to decide if it makes more sense to settle a modest number here or help many more people overseas."
His key points pulled from the report:


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Buzz: ‘Electability’ a top debate issue, Martha McSally’s bragging rights, change at CFPB

More than healthcare or the economy , “ electability ” has emerged as the No .
3 issue in the 2020 Democratic debates .
Pollster David Winston shared with us his latest tally of debate questions and issues and said the issue had been asked 12 % of the time and followed social issues and national security in the top three categories .
Surprisingly , he found that there have been no questions on Social Security and retirement or the debt .
• Arizona Sen. Martha McSally has something to brag about .
She tied veteran Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and she ’ s a first-year senator .
Of her seven bills , six had bipartisan co-sponsors , proving Washington can come together for some things .
The Republican also authored more legislation — 46 bills in 2019 — than any other senator .
… • Attorney General William Barr will be a featured speaker at the 16th annual National Capital Prayer Breakfast on March 30 .
He ’ s to receive the Christifideles Laici Award , given to those whose “ good works ” serve the church .
… • Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , is departing this month .
He is credited with helping revitalize the office of innovation and helped Director Kathy Kraninger set up the “ Start Small Save Up ” initiative .

More than healthcare or the economy, “electability” has emerged as the No. 3 issue in the 2020 Democratic debates.
Pollster David Winston shared with us his latest tally of debate questions and issues and said the issue had been asked 12% of the time and followed social issues and national security in the top three categories.
Surprisingly, he found that there have been no questions on Social Security and retirement or the debt.
Arizona Sen. Martha McSally has something to brag about. She tied veteran Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley for the most bills signed into law, and she’s a first-year senator. Of her seven bills, six had bipartisan co-sponsors, proving Washington can come together for some things. The Republican also authored more legislation — 46 bills in 2019 — than any other senator. …
Attorney General William Barr will be a featured speaker at the 16th annual National Capital Prayer Breakfast on March 30. He’s to receive the Christifideles Laici Award, given to those whose “good works” serve the church. …


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--WATCH LIVE: President Trump's North Carolina rally ahead of Super Tuesday

President Trump will hold a `` Keep America Great '' rally in North Carolina at 7 p.m. EST on Monday @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday when 14 states and one U.S. territory will vote in the 2020 presidential @ @

President Trump will hold a "Keep America Great" rally in North Carolina at 7 p.m. EST on Monday night, the eve of Super Tuesday when 14 states and one U.S. territory will vote in the 2020 presidential primaries.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--LIST: Major 2020 Democratic primary endorsements

Endorsements are pouring in as the stable of candidates seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination shrinks .
Below is a @ @ @ @ @ the candidates who remain in the race : • Former Rep. Sen. Mike Gravel of @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ) .
• Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , former chairwoman of @ @ @ @ @ Texas Rep. Ron Paul , who said Gabbard was the “ very best ” Democratic @ @ @ @ @ be updated .
Spencer Neale , Mike Brest , Zachary Halaschak , and Daniel Chaitin @ @

Endorsements are pouring in as the stable of candidates seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination shrinks.
Below is a list of high-profile endorsements for the candidates who remain in the race:
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, former 2020 presidential candidate
Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, former 2020 presidential candidate (co-endorsement with Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard)
Author and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson, former 2020 presidential candidate
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz
Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega
Singer Cardi B
Actor Danny DeVito
Actor Donald Glover
Singer Ariana Grande
Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt (for Democratic primary only)
Rapper Killer Mike
Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore
Comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan
Left-wing activist Linda Sarsour
The Young Turks founder and co-host Cenk Uygur
founder and co-host Cenk Uygur Actor and comedian Dick Van Dyke
Actress Shailene Woodley
American Federation of Teachers (co-endorsement with former Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren)
American Postal Workers Union
National Nurses United
The Nation
San Francisco Bay Guardian
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former 2020 presidential candidate
Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, former 2020 presidential candidate
Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, former 2020 presidential candidate
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former 2020 presidential candidate
California Sen. Kamala Harris, former 2020 presidential candidate
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, former 2020 presidential candidate
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee
Former California Sen. Barbara Boxer
Former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle
Former Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln
Former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid
Former Virginia Sen. John Warner, a Republican
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina
Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former chairwoman of the DNC
Former Secretary of State John Kerry
Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Former national security adviser Susan Rice
Delaware Gov. John Carney
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe
Singer Cher
Actor Tom Hanks
Retired Air Force pilot and airline captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger
Amalgamated Transit Union
American Federation of Teachers (co-endorsement with Sanders and Warren)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers
International Association of Firefighters
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
National Association of Government Employees
Las Vegas Sun
San Diego Union-Tribune
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, former 2020 presidential candidate (co-endorsement with Sanders)
Former Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson
Former Texas Rep. Ron Paul
This list will be updated. Mike Brest, Daniel Chaitin, Zachary Halaschak, Spencer Neale, and Tim Pearce contributed.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Democrats' stop-Sanders push shifts into top gear — rivals sacrifice themselves to help Biden

The Democratic Party 's anti-Sanders crusade switched into high gear Monday , on the eve of the most critical day in the presidential primary season .
Two of the highest profile Democratic contenders , Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg , ended their presidential bids within a day of each other and moved instantly to endorse Joe Biden .
For weeks , candidates have refused to coalesce around a clear alternative to socialist Bernie Sanders , even though they and the party have been aghast and increasingly alarmed by his march toward victory .
But now , they have finally snapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventing him from collecting a motherlode of Super Tuesday delegates .
There are 1,357 delegates at stake in the 14 Super Tuesday states — Alabama , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Maine , Massachusetts , Minnesota , North Carolina , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Texas , Utah , Vermont , and Virginia , along with Democrats abroad , and caucuses in American Samoa .
[ LIST : Democrats saying what a terrible nominee Bernie Sanders would be ] Buttigieg , the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor , and Klobuchar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single-digit finishes in Saturday 's South Carolina primary .
Each is expected to announce endorsements for the former vice president at a Biden rally in Dallas on Monday evening .
Candidates and analysts warned that Sanders , a socialist Vermont senator , is slated to gain a large lead in delegates on Super Tuesday that would be nearly impossible to stop with Klobuchar , Buttigieg , Biden , and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg splintering support among centrist voters .
After failing to gain traction for their own candidacies by attacking Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates took action beyond vague warnings of Sanders endangering Democratic White House hope in acts of self-sacrifice .
Buttigieg , in his drop-out speech , warned against making a left-wing ideologue the party 's nominee , reiterating one of his main messages from the last few weeks of his campaign .
`` We need a broad-based agenda that can truly deliver for the American people , not one that gets lost in ideology , '' Buttigieg said Sunday .
`` I urge everyone who supported me to continue in the cause of ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and working to win the absolutely critical down-ballot races playing out across the country this year . ''
Bloomberg is now the only centrist other than Biden left in the race , but his capacity to spend his $ 56 billion fortune on his bid was not enough to keep Buttigieg and Klobuchar from waiting to endorse a candidate or endorsing him instead — particularly after two stiff debate performances in Nevada and South Carolina .
The threat of Sanders , it seems , is too big to wait until after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 3 Super Tuesday contests .
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , who declined to endorse a candidate before the Feb. 22 caucuses in his home state of Nevada , also endorsed Biden on Monday .
`` Joe Biden ’ s strength of character and deep experience stand in the starkest contrast to Trump ’ s amorality , corruption and utter incompetence , ” the Nevada Democrat said in a statement .
His endorsement , along with a wave of other elected officials that Biden 's nearly 30-point win the South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishment and centrist-favorite alternative to Bernie Sanders .
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth , former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , former Democratic National Committee chairwoman and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , and several other members of Congress endorsed Biden following his win in South Carolina .
With candidate drop-outs and subsequent endorsements , Biden is finally evolving from a fragile and flailing front-runner to running the campaign that his team wanted all along : the clear , normal , experienced candidate who is good enough to represent the majority of Democrats across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several other former Democratic presidential candidates have endorsed Biden : Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney , Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton , and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan .

The Democratic Party's anti-Sanders crusade switched into high gear Monday, on the eve of the most critical day in the presidential primary season.
Two of the highest profile Democratic contenders, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg, ended their presidential bids within a day of each other and moved instantly to endorse Joe Biden.
For weeks, candidates have refused to coalesce around a clear alternative to socialist Bernie Sanders, even though they and the party have been aghast and increasingly alarmed by his march toward victory. But now, they have finally snapped into crisis management mode in hopes of preventing him from collecting a motherlode of Super Tuesday delegates.
There are 1,357 delegates at stake in the 14 Super Tuesday states — Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia, along with Democrats abroad, and caucuses in American Samoa.
[LIST: Democrats saying what a terrible nominee Bernie Sanders would be]
Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor, and Klobuchar, a Minnesota senator, dropped out after single-digit finishes in Saturday's South Carolina primary. Each is expected to announce endorsements for the former vice president at a Biden rally in Dallas on Monday evening.
Candidates and analysts warned that Sanders, a socialist Vermont senator, is slated to gain a large lead in delegates on Super Tuesday that would be nearly impossible to stop with Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Biden, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg splintering support among centrist voters.
After failing to gain traction for their own candidacies by attacking Sanders in last week's debate, the candidates took action beyond vague warnings of Sanders endangering Democratic White House hope in acts of self-sacrifice.
Buttigieg, in his drop-out speech, warned against making a left-wing ideologue the party's nominee, reiterating one of his main messages from the last few weeks of his campaign.
"We need a broad-based agenda that can truly deliver for the American people, not one that gets lost in ideology," Buttigieg said Sunday. "I urge everyone who supported me to continue in the cause of ensuring that we bring change to the White House and working to win the absolutely critical down-ballot races playing out across the country this year."
Bloomberg is now the only centrist other than Biden left in the race, but his capacity to spend his $56 billion fortune on his bid was not enough to keep Buttigieg and Klobuchar from waiting to endorse a candidate or endorsing him instead — particularly after two stiff debate performances in Nevada and South Carolina. The threat of Sanders, it seems, is too big to wait until after a third of nominating delegates are allocated in March 3 Super Tuesday contests.
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who declined to endorse a candidate before the Feb. 22 caucuses in his home state of Nevada, also endorsed Biden on Monday.
"Joe Biden’s strength of character and deep experience stand in the starkest contrast to Trump’s amorality, corruption and utter incompetence,” the Nevada Democrat said in a statement.
His endorsement, along with a wave of other elected officials that Biden's nearly 30-point win the South Carolina primary, cements Biden as the clear establishment and centrist-favorite alternative to Bernie Sanders.
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairwoman and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and several other members of Congress endorsed Biden following his win in South Carolina.
With candidate drop-outs and subsequent endorsements, Biden is finally evolving from a fragile and flailing front-runner to running the campaign that his team wanted all along: the clear, normal, experienced candidate who is good enough to represent the majority of Democrats across ideologies in a fight against President Trump.
Several other former Democratic presidential candidates have endorsed Biden: Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Boxer, Lincoln, Reid, and Warner: K Street rallies behind Biden

Did you hear about Joe Biden ’ s slew of recent bipartisan endorsements from former U.S. senators of all ideological stripes ?
California liberal Barbara Boxer , Arkansas centrist Democrat Blanche Lincoln , five-term Republican Sen. John Warner , and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid all endorsed Biden in the aftermath of his South Carolina win .
It ’ s a geographically and ideologically diverse crew lining up behind Biden , or so it seems .
From another perspective , though , it ’ s just the K-Street gang , lining up behind K Street-connected Joe Biden and against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own lobbying firm , and her endorsement of Biden should be understood in that light .
Her clients include Pfizer , Comcast , the National Association of Chain Drug Stores , and plenty of others .
Pfizer has every reason to oppose Bernie Sanders , and as of today , that means supporting Joe Biden .
Barbara Boxer , a few weeks ago , joined Mercury Public Affairs , whose clients include Lockheed Martin , the government of Qatar , and Blue Cross/Blue Shield chapters .
Boxer is not registered as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on federal policy with corporate clients .
John Warner left the U.S. Senate to become a lobbyist at K Street 's Hogan & Hartson ( now called Hogan Lovells ) .
He lobbied on behalf of foreign satellite makers against export controls aimed at preventing the Chinese military from copying American technology and potentially using it to make weapons .
Warner had supported those very export restrictions as a senator .
“ When hard decisions must be made , national security must always be the paramount consideration , ” Warner said in 2001 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restrictions : `` I am afraid there are those , including people in the corporate boardrooms across this country , who sometimes are not mindful about what serves as the foundation of our economic strength and their ability to project beyond our shores . ''
By 2009 , lobbyist Warner was singing a different tune .
`` I remember the Strom Thurmond Act — that 's fine , '' he told me .
`` I stand by whatever I said .
I do n't remember what I said , but I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ column tomorrow .
But I know this is an industry that needs help , and I 'm privileged to be in a position to try and help them . ''
Warner , then , knows where his bread is buttered .
Now he 's backing Biden .
Harry Reid isn ’ t a lobbyist , but it ’ s hard to find a senator more bound up with K Street than Reid .
His Senate chiefs of staff became lobbyists .
His sons became lobbyists .
Reid did what the lobbyists want .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , K Street is home territory for Joe Biden , who was almost as tied up with lobbyists as Reid was .
Hunter Biden founded a lobbying firm .
Joe 's top White House and Senate staffers are all revolving-door lobbyists .
His campaign chairman is a revolving-door lobbyist .
Many congressmen-turned lobbyists and senators-turned lobbyists have endorsed Biden already , including Chris Dodd , Bill Delahunt , and Al Wynn .
Other K Street Democrats were undecided when their options included Pete Buttigieg , Amy Klobuchar , Cory Booker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now it seems their choices are Bernie and Biden .
That 's not a hard call for the corporate lobbyists .

Did you hear about Joe Biden’s slew of recent bipartisan endorsements from former U.S. senators of all ideological stripes?
California liberal Barbara Boxer, Arkansas centrist Democrat Blanche Lincoln, five-term Republican Sen. John Warner, and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid all endorsed Biden in the aftermath of his South Carolina win. It’s a geographically and ideologically diverse crew lining up behind Biden, or so it seems.
From another perspective, though, it’s just the K-Street gang, lining up behind K Street-connected Joe Biden and against the socialist guy.
Blanche Lincoln runs her own lobbying firm, and her endorsement of Biden should be understood in that light. Her clients include Pfizer, Comcast, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and plenty of others. Pfizer has every reason to oppose Bernie Sanders, and as of today, that means supporting Joe Biden.
Barbara Boxer, a few weeks ago, joined Mercury Public Affairs, whose clients include Lockheed Martin, the government of Qatar, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield chapters. Boxer is not registered as a lobbyist, but she is still working on federal policy with corporate clients.
John Warner left the U.S. Senate to become a lobbyist at K Street's Hogan & Hartson (now called Hogan Lovells). He lobbied on behalf of foreign satellite makers against export controls aimed at preventing the Chinese military from copying American technology and potentially using it to make weapons.
Warner had supported those very export restrictions as a senator.
“When hard decisions must be made, national security must always be the paramount consideration,” Warner said in 2001. He attacked the companies opposed to the restrictions: "I am afraid there are those, including people in the corporate boardrooms across this country, who sometimes are not mindful about what serves as the foundation of our economic strength and their ability to project beyond our shores."
By 2009, lobbyist Warner was singing a different tune. "I remember the Strom Thurmond Act — that's fine," he told me. "I stand by whatever I said. I don't remember what I said, but I'll be delighted to read it in your column tomorrow. But I know this is an industry that needs help, and I'm privileged to be in a position to try and help them."
Warner, then, knows where his bread is buttered. Now he's backing Biden.
Harry Reid isn’t a lobbyist, but it’s hard to find a senator more bound up with K Street than Reid. His Senate chiefs of staff became lobbyists. His sons became lobbyists. Reid did what the lobbyists want. He raised his money from lobbyists.
Of course, K Street is home territory for Joe Biden, who was almost as tied up with lobbyists as Reid was. Hunter Biden founded a lobbying firm. Joe's top White House and Senate staffers are all revolving-door lobbyists. His campaign chairman is a revolving-door lobbyist.
Many congressmen-turned lobbyists and senators-turned lobbyists have endorsed Biden already, including Chris Dodd, Bill Delahunt, and Al Wynn.
Other K Street Democrats were undecided when their options included Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren. Now it seems their choices are Bernie and Biden. That's not a hard call for the corporate lobbyists.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Eric Trump on Biden: 'My father would destroy that guy on the debate stage'

Eric Trump said President Trump would easily win a debate against former Vice President Joe Biden .
“ My father would destroy that guy on the debate stage , ” the younger Trump said Monday on Fox & Friends .
He mentioned recent missteps by Biden , including him mistakenly saying his late son Beau was U.S. attorney general and incorrectly saying he is running for U.S. Senate instead of president .
The president also makes fun of Biden for his mistakes .
`` If I did that once , it would be the end of the road , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina last week .
Eric Trump additionally criticized other Democrats , including Pete Buttigieg .
He said the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , dropping out of the presidential race on Sunday proved he `` sold his soul '' to the Democratic Party .
`` He campaigns for a year , what was he promised by the [ Democratic National Committee ] ? ''
Trump said .
`` This proves my father 's entire thesis , which is they are against Bernie Sanders . ''
Sanders leads the Democratic field in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina on Saturday by Biden closed the gap .
People in fourteen states and American Samoa will vote March 3 as part of Super Tuesday contests , in which 1,357 delegates are up for grabs .
[ Read more : Buttigieg set to endorse Biden as centrists hope to stop Sanders surge ]

Eric Trump said President Trump would easily win a debate against former Vice President Joe Biden.
“My father would destroy that guy on the debate stage,” the younger Trump said Monday on Fox & Friends.
He mentioned recent missteps by Biden, including him mistakenly saying his late son Beau was U.S. attorney general and incorrectly saying he is running for U.S. Senate instead of president.
The president also makes fun of Biden for his mistakes. "If I did that once, it would be the end of the road," Trump said at a rally in South Carolina last week.
Eric Trump additionally criticized other Democrats, including Pete Buttigieg. He said the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, dropping out of the presidential race on Sunday proved he "sold his soul" to the Democratic Party.
"He campaigns for a year, what was he promised by the [Democratic National Committee]?" Trump said. "This proves my father's entire thesis, which is they are against Bernie Sanders."
Sanders leads the Democratic field in delegates, but a key win in South Carolina on Saturday by Biden closed the gap. People in fourteen states and American Samoa will vote March 3 as part of Super Tuesday contests, in which 1,357 delegates are up for grabs.
[Read more: Buttigieg set to endorse Biden as centrists hope to stop Sanders surge]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Mike Pence tells AIPAC: Bernie Sanders would be 'the most anti-Israel president' in US history

Vice President Mike Pence slammed Sen. Bernie Sanders for his decision to boycott the high-profile conference of a top pro-Israel lobbying group .
Addressing attendees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference on Monday , Pence described Sanders , a top candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination , as being no friend of Israel .
`` It is wrong to boycott and slander AIPAC , '' Pence said .
`` And I say from my heart , in the days ahead , we must ensure the most pro-Israel president in history must not be replaced by one who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of this nation.
” Sanders , who is Jewish , announced his plans not to attend the conference last month , arguing that AIPAC provides a platform `` for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights .
For that reason , I will not attend their conference . ''
`` Senator Sanders has never attended our conference , and that is evident from his outrageous comment , '' the group 's statement said .
`` Senator Sanders is insulting his very own colleagues and the millions of Americans who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' “ Today , the leading candidate for the presidential nomination of the party of Harry S. Truman openly and repeatedly attacks Israel as a racist state and defames AIPAC as , of all things , as he said , a ... platform for bigotry , ” Pence said .
“ Gathered here with each one of you , friends of Israel from all over this country , Republicans , Democrats , independents , Jews and Christians , liberals and conservatives , if we can agree on one thing , it should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s enemies must never be allowed to call themselves friends of Israel , ” Pence added .
Former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg also took shots at Sanders for skipping AIPAC .
“ Unfortunately , not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference .
One of them , Sen. Sanders , has spent 30 years boycotting this event .
And , as you ’ ve heard by now , he called AIPAC a racist platform , '' Bloomberg said .
`` Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s dead wrong . ''

Vice President Mike Pence slammed Sen. Bernie Sanders for his decision to boycott the high-profile conference of a top pro-Israel lobbying group.
Addressing attendees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference on Monday, Pence described Sanders, a top candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, as being no friend of Israel.
"It is wrong to boycott and slander AIPAC," Pence said. "And I say from my heart, in the days ahead, we must ensure the most pro-Israel president in history must not be replaced by one who would be the most anti-Israel president in the history of this nation.”
Sanders, who is Jewish, announced his plans not to attend the conference last month, arguing that AIPAC provides a platform "for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason, I will not attend their conference."
AIPAC rebuked the Vermont senator's accusation.
"Senator Sanders has never attended our conference, and that is evident from his outrageous comment," the group's statement said. "Senator Sanders is insulting his very own colleagues and the millions of Americans who stand with Israel. Truly shameful."
“Today, the leading candidate for the presidential nomination of the party of Harry S. Truman openly and repeatedly attacks Israel as a racist state and defames AIPAC as, of all things, as he said, a ... platform for bigotry,” Pence said.
“Gathered here with each one of you, friends of Israel from all over this country, Republicans, Democrats, independents, Jews and Christians, liberals and conservatives, if we can agree on one thing, it should be this: Those who side with Israel’s enemies must never be allowed to call themselves friends of Israel,” Pence added.
Former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg also took shots at Sanders for skipping AIPAC.
“Unfortunately, not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference. One of them, Sen. Sanders, has spent 30 years boycotting this event. And, as you’ve heard by now, he called AIPAC a racist platform," Bloomberg said. "Well, let me tell you, he’s dead wrong."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Buttigieg set to endorse Biden as centrists hope to stop Sanders surge

Pete Buttigieg plans to former rival Joe Biden for president , bolstering the former vice president as the preferred alternative to socialist Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential race .
The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor ended his presidential campaign on Sunday , a day after South Carolina primary voters delivered fellow centrist candidate Biden a nearly 30-point win over the Vermont senator , while Buttigieg dropped to single digits after narrowly winning the Iowa caucuses and placing second in the New Hampshire primary .
In his speech announcing the end of his candidacy , Buttigieg dissuaded Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's nominee — an implicit jab at Sanders .
`` We need leadership to heal a divided nation , not drive us further apart .
We need a broad-based agenda that can truly deliver for the American people , not one that gets lost in ideology , '' Buttigieg said .
`` I urge everyone who supported me to continue in the cause of ensuring that we bring change to the White House and working to win the absolutely critical down ballot races playing out across the country this year . ''
Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden came minutes after Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar dropped out of the race and said she 's endorsing Biden , a two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator .
Buttigieg reportedly spoke to Biden and former President Barack Obama on the phone the night he ended his campaign .
Biden asked for Buttigieg 's support , and the former mayor said that he would consider it , while Obama noted that Buttigieg now had significant influence and should think about how to use it , without specifically encouraging Buttigieg to endorse anyone .

Pete Buttigieg plans to former rival Joe Biden for president, bolstering the former vice president as the preferred alternative to socialist Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential race.
The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor ended his presidential campaign on Sunday, a day after South Carolina primary voters delivered fellow centrist candidate Biden a nearly 30-point win over the Vermont senator, while Buttigieg dropped to single digits after narrowly winning the Iowa caucuses and placing second in the New Hampshire primary.
In his speech announcing the end of his candidacy, Buttigieg dissuaded Democrats from making a left-wing ideologue the party's nominee — an implicit jab at Sanders.
"We need leadership to heal a divided nation, not drive us further apart. We need a broad-based agenda that can truly deliver for the American people, not one that gets lost in ideology," Buttigieg said. "I urge everyone who supported me to continue in the cause of ensuring that we bring change to the White House and working to win the absolutely critical down ballot races playing out across the country this year."
Reuters reported plans of Buttigieg's announcement to Biden came minutes after Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar dropped out of the race and said she's endorsing Biden, a two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator.
Buttigieg reportedly spoke to Biden and former President Barack Obama on the phone the night he ended his campaign. Biden asked for Buttigieg's support, and the former mayor said that he would consider it, while Obama noted that Buttigieg now had significant influence and should think about how to use it, without specifically encouraging Buttigieg to endorse anyone.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Bloomberg on why he entered race: Trump would 'eat' every other 2020 Democrat 'for lunch'

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he chose to run for the White House because the Democratic primary field looked too weak .
“ I started watching and listening to the candidates , and they had ideas that made no sense to me whatsoever , '' Bloomberg told 60 Minutes on Sunday .
`` Donald Trump ’ s going to eat them for lunch.
” Bloomberg , one of the 10 richest people in the world , has spent more than $ 500 million of his own money on advertising to flood the airwaves with commercials attacking Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can defeat Trump in the November general election .
A late addition to the now shrinking Democratic field , Bloomberg is banking on a strong Super Tuesday performance .
As he rose in the polls , Bloomberg was hit with criticism over his record with women and minorities .
In the last two debates , Sen. Elizabeth Warren attacked him for allegedly telling a female employee at his company , who was pregnant , to `` kill it . ''
His implementation and defense of the controversial stop-and-frisk policing practice during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also provided fodder for his Democratic competitors , despite Bloomberg 's apology .
Bloomberg aims to position himself as a moderate option for Democratic voters compared with more liberal candidates in the field , such as Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren .
Trump has nicknamed Bloomberg `` Mini Mike '' and argued the billionaire 's money ca n't `` buy '' him the nomination .

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he chose to run for the White House because the Democratic primary field looked too weak.
“I started watching and listening to the candidates, and they had ideas that made no sense to me whatsoever," Bloomberg told 60 Minutes on Sunday. "Donald Trump’s going to eat them for lunch.”
Bloomberg, one of the 10 richest people in the world, has spent more than $500 million of his own money on advertising to flood the airwaves with commercials attacking Trump and insisting he is the only candidate who can defeat Trump in the November general election.
A late addition to the now shrinking Democratic field, Bloomberg is banking on a strong Super Tuesday performance. As he rose in the polls, Bloomberg was hit with criticism over his record with women and minorities.
In the last two debates, Sen. Elizabeth Warren attacked him for allegedly telling a female employee at his company, who was pregnant, to "kill it." His implementation and defense of the controversial stop-and-frisk policing practice during his tenure as mayor of New York City have also provided fodder for his Democratic competitors, despite Bloomberg's apology.
Bloomberg aims to position himself as a moderate option for Democratic voters compared with more liberal candidates in the field, such as Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Trump has nicknamed Bloomberg "Mini Mike" and argued the billionaire's money can't "buy" him the nomination.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--Jeff Sessions bid for Senate return tops Super Tuesday congressional primary ballots

Super Tuesday is more than just a battle for the Democratic presidential nomination .
House and Senate primary candidates are also on the ballot in many of the 14 Super Tuesday states , and several key races are worth watching , particularly in Texas , California , and Alabama .
Alabama , U.S. Senate Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is hoping to reclaim the Senate seat he held for two decades before his ill-fated turn as the nation ’ s top law enforcement officer .
Sessions is running against a slew of Republican competitors in the March 3 GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville and Rep. Bradley Byrne .
Trump has not endorsed Sessions , who he has criticized for recusing himself from the two-year Robert Mueller investigation into alleged Russian collusion with Trump ’ s 2016 campaign .
An Alabama Daily News/Mason-Dixon poll showed Sessions narrowly leading Tuberville 31 % to 29 % .
Byrne trails the two with 17 % of the vote .
If no candidate wins 50 % on Tuesday , the state will hold a March 31 runoff to determine a winner from the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a position to reclaim the seat .
Analysts say Democrat Doug Jones will have a hard time winning reelection in Alabama .
President Trump is extremely popular in the state , and Jones won in an unusual special election in 2017 against a weak GOP candidate , Roy Moore .
North Carolina , U.S. Senate Four Democrats are battling for a chance in November to defeat incumbent GOP Sen. Thom Tillis , whose seat is rated very competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report .
Leading the fight for a spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cunningham , an Army war veteran from Raleigh who is backed by the the Senate Democratic campaign arm .
Cunningham is running against state Sen. Erica D. Smith , a more liberal candidate , who trails him in second place by double digits .
Two other Democratic candidates on the ballot , Trevor Fuller of and Atul Goel , poll in the low single digits .
Texas ’ s 28th Congressional District Rep. Henry Cuellar , a Democrat , is fighting a more liberal primary challenger who once served as his intern .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by House star freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a New York Democrat , is battling for a spot on the November ballot and hopes to defeat Cuellar , a more moderate incumbent .
While the seven-term Cuellar does not always vote with his liberal Democratic leadership in the House , he has the full support of Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who traveled to Laredo last week to visit a Cuellar campaign office and offer her full-throated endorsement .
Texas ’ s 12th Congressional District Incumbent GOP Rep. Kay Granger is fending off a primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council member Chris Putnam .
Granger , the top Republican on the powerful House Appropriations Committee who has served 12 terms , has the critical backing of President Trump .
Putnam , who is attacking Granger from the right , has the support of the conservative Club for Growth , which has criticized Granger for not cutting spending .
Texas ’ s 22nd Congressional District Pierce Bush , who is the grandson of the late former President George H.W .
Bush , is running in the GOP primary to replace Rep. Pete Olson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed Bush , but there are 14 other candidates on the ballot , including Greg Hill , who won the backing of the Texas Municipal Police Association and Kathleen Wall , who is backed by the Texas Agriculture Commissioner .
California ’ s 25th Congressional District The district will hold a primary election and special election on March 3 to fill the seat vacated by Katie Hill , a Democrat who resigned last year after the House Ethics Committee began investigating reports she was having an affair with a congressional office employee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a spot on the November ballot , about half of them Republicans .
The two candidates with the most votes will appear on the November ballot .
Democratic candidate Christy Smith is endorsed by California Sens .
Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris as well as Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Former House Republican Darrell Issa is hoping for a comeback by filling the vacancy left when Rep. Duncan Hunter resigned earlier this year .
Issa is among 10 Republicans , Democrats and Independents on the March 3 ballot .
The top two candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ballot .
The district includes San Diego and parts of Riverdale County .
Issa retired after nine terms from serving in the House representing a nearby congressional district where the electorate has become less conservative .
In his attempt to return to the House , Issa faces off against Brian Jones and Carl DeMaio , both Republicans , and Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar , a former Obama administration Department of Labor official , among other candidates .
The GOP candidates are running as advocates of the Trump agenda , particularly on border security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ independent voice ” in Congress .
Moderate Democratic incumbent Jim Costa faces challenges in the state 's all-party primary from his left from three candidates , Esmerelda Soria , and Kim Williams , both Democrats , and Kevin Cookingham , a Republican .
The top two candidates will end up on the November ballot in this heavily Democratic district .
Costa enjoys the support of top congressional Democrats and California Gov .
Gavin Newsom while Soria was endorsed by labor and conservation groups .
Williams , the most liberal of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , free college and the Green New Deal .
Seven GOP candidates are running to replace Republican Rep. Martha Roby in this deep red district .
Among the candidates is Jeff Coleman , a moving and storage company owner who the rights of gun owners and Trump ’ s efforts to secure the border .
Coleman is leading in the polls .
Other candidates include Jessica Taylor , a self-described conservative and small business owner , Barry Moore , a conservative , two-term state House legislator and former state Attorney General Troy King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Second Amendment .
A candidate must break the 50 % voter threshold to avoid a March 31 runoff with the candidate who comes in second .
Five candidates seek the GOP spot on the November ballot to fill the solidly Republican seat now held by Rep. Bradley Byrne , who is running in the Alabama ’ s Senate GOP primary .
The candidates are Chris Pringle , Wes Lambert , Jerry Carl , John Castorani and Bill Hightower .
The Tuscaloosa News identified Carl , a county commissioner , Pringle , a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state senator , as the three frontrunners “ in a close race , ” to succeed Byrne .

Super Tuesday is more than just a battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.
House and Senate primary candidates are also on the ballot in many of the 14 Super Tuesday states, and several key races are worth watching, particularly in Texas, California, and Alabama.
Alabama, U.S. Senate
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is hoping to reclaim the Senate seat he held for two decades before his ill-fated turn as the nation’s top law enforcement officer. Sessions is running against a slew of Republican competitors in Tuesday's GOP primary, and his top challengers are former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville and Rep. Bradley Byrne.
President Trump has not endorsed Sessions, who he has criticized for recusing himself from the two-year Robert Mueller investigation into alleged Russian collusion with Trump’s 2016 campaign.
An Alabama Daily News/Mason-Dixon poll showed Sessions narrowly leading Tuberville 31% to 29%. Byrne trails the two with 17% of the vote. If no candidate wins 50% on Tuesday, the state will hold a March 31 runoff to determine a winner from the top three candidates.
Whoever wins the primary is in a position to reclaim the seat. Analysts say Democratic Sen. Doug Jones will have a hard time winning reelection in Alabama. Trump is extremely popular in the state, and Jones won in an unusual special election in 2017 against a weak GOP candidate, Roy Moore.
North Carolina, U.S. Senate
Four Democrats are battling for a chance in November to defeat incumbent GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, whose seat is rated very competitive by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Leading the fight for a spot on the ballot is state Sen. Cal Cunningham, an Army war veteran from Raleigh who is backed by the Senate Democratic campaign arm. Cunningham is running against state Sen. Erica D. Smith, a more liberal candidate who trails him in second place by double digits.
Two other Democratic candidates on the ballot, Trevor Fuller and Atul Goel, poll in the low single digits.
Texas’s 28th Congressional District
Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat, is fighting a more liberal primary challenger who once served as his intern.
Jessica Cisneros, an immigration lawyer backed by House star freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, is battling for a spot on the November ballot and hopes to defeat Cuellar, a more centrist incumbent.
While the seven-term Cuellar does not always vote with his liberal Democratic leadership in the House, he has the full support of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who traveled to Laredo, Texas, last week to visit a Cuellar campaign office and offer her full-throated endorsement.
Texas’s 12th Congressional District
Incumbent GOP Rep. Kay Granger is fending off a primary challenge from former Colleyville, Texas, city council member Chris Putnam.
Granger, the top Republican on the powerful House Appropriations Committee who has served 12 terms, has the critical backing of Trump. Putnam, who is attacking Granger from the right, has the support of the conservative Club for Growth, which has criticized Granger for not cutting spending.
Texas’s 22nd Congressional District
Pierce Bush, who is the grandson of the late former President George H.W. Bush, is running in the GOP primary to replace Rep. Pete Olson, who is retiring.
Olson has endorsed Bush, but there are 14 other candidates on the ballot, including Greg Hill, who won the backing of the Texas Municipal Police Association and Kathleen Wall, who is backed by the Texas agriculture commissioner.
California’s 25th Congressional District
The district will hold a primary election and a special election on Tuesday to fill the seat vacated by Katie Hill, a Democrat who resigned last year after the House Ethics Committee began investigating reports she was having an affair with a congressional office employee.
More than a dozen candidates are vying for a spot on the November ballot, about half of them Republicans. The two candidates with the most votes will appear on the November ballot.
Democratic candidate Christy Smith is endorsed by California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris as well as Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
California’s 50th Congressional District
Former House Republican Darrell Issa is hoping for a comeback by filling the vacancy left when Rep. Duncan Hunter resigned earlier this year.
Issa is among 10 Republicans, Democrats, and independents on Tuesday's ballot. The top two candidates will compete for the seat on the November ballot.
The district includes San Diego and parts of Riverdale County.
Issa retired after nine terms in the House representing a nearby congressional district where the electorate has become less conservative.
In his attempt to return to the House, Issa faces off against Brian Jones and Carl DeMaio, both Republicans, and Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, a former Obama administration Department of Labor official, among other candidates.
The GOP candidates are running as advocates of the Trump agenda, particularly on border security. Campa-Najjar is running as a pro-union, “independent voice” in Congress.
California’s 16th Congressional District
Centrist Democratic incumbent Jim Costa faces challenges in the state's all-party primary from three candidates, Esmerelda Soria, and Kim Williams, both Democrats, and Kevin Cookingham, a Republican.
The top two candidates will end up on the November ballot in this heavily Democratic district.
Costa enjoys the support of top congressional Democrats and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, while Soria was endorsed by labor and conservation groups.
Williams, the most liberal of the Democratic candidates, backs "Medicare for all," free college, and the Green New Deal.
Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District
Seven GOP candidates are running to replace Republican Rep. Martha Roby in this deep-red district.
Among the candidates is Jeff Coleman, a moving and storage company owner who supports the rights of gun owners and Trump’s efforts to secure the border. Coleman is leading in the polls. Other candidates include Jessica Taylor, a self-described conservative and small business owner, Barry Moore, a conservative, two-term state House legislator, and former state Attorney General Troy King, who describes himself as pro-life and pro-Second Amendment.
A candidate must break the 50% voter threshold to avoid a March 31 runoff with the candidate who comes in second.
Alabama’s 1st Congressional District
Five candidates seek the GOP spot on the November ballot to fill the solidly Republican seat now held by Rep. Bradley Byrne, who is running in Alabama’s Senate GOP primary.
The candidates are Chris Pringle, Wes Lambert, Jerry Carl, John Castorani, and Bill Hightower.
The Tuscaloosa News identified Carl, a county commissioner, Pringle, a state lawmaker, and Hightower, a former state senator, as the three front-runners “in a close race” to succeed Byrne.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--'Hit piece': Devin Nunes sues Washington Post for $250M over Russia intelligence briefing story

Rep. Devin Nunes filed a lawsuit for $ 250 million in damages against the Washington Post and intelligence reporter Shane Harris , alleging that a story from the paper related to a classified House Intelligence Committee briefing on Russian interference amounted to defamation .
“ This action arises out of a WaPo hit piece that was manufactured out of whole cloth , ” the California Republican ’ s 23-page Monday complaint said .
“ Billionaire Jeff Bezos purchased WaPo in 2013 for the purpose of using WaPo ’ s mighty pen to influence Federal elections . ''
It continued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian ‘ collusion ’ hoax between 2017 and 2019 , in spite of the fact that there was no evidence that any member of the Trump campaign colluded with any ‘ Russian ’ to influence the 2016 Presidential Election .
This is 2020 .
As this case illustrates , Bezos and his printing press remain desperate to defame the President of the United States and his allies in Congress .
This defamation must end.
” Kris Coratti Kelly , the Washington Post ’ s vice president of communications , defended the paper and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the reporting of Shane Harris and his colleagues , ” Kelly said in a statement to the Washington Examiner .
“ We will vigorously defend our work against the claims made in Rep. Nunes ’ s lawsuit.
” The Washington Post story in question was published on Feb. 20 and revolved around leaked details from a classified Feb. 13 briefing conducted in part by Shelby Pierson , the intelligence community election threats executive under then-acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire .
Sources cited by the New York Times claimed Pierson warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 campaign to try to get President Trump reelected.
” But a spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told the Washington Examiner , “ Shelby did not say Russia is aiding the reelection of President Trump.
” The Washington Post wrote , “ Maguire , a career official who is respected by the intelligence rank and file , was considered a leading candidate to be nominated to the post of DNI , White House aides had said ” but that Trump ’ s opinion “ shifted ” when “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official ’ s remarks.
” The newspaper further claimed , “ Trump learned about Pierson ’ s remarks from Rep. Devin Nunes ( Calif. ) , the committee ’ s ranking Republican and a staunch Trump ally , said one person familiar with the matter.
” The paper cited a source who claimed the briefing “ was the catalyst ” that led Trump to replace Maguire with U.S .
Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as acting director of national intelligence .
But the New York Times cited two administration officials who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that “ Mr .
Grenell had been in discussions with the administration about taking on new roles , ” and that “ Mr .
Trump had never felt a kinship with Mr. Maguire.
” And national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien said Trump did n't make the personnel switch because of the briefing .
“ I was in that meeting , and the president was not angry with Joe Maguire .
He thinks very highly of , of Admiral , Adm. Maguire and would 've liked him to stay in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you know , Adm. Maguire ’ s time as the acting DNI was up in a week or two , ” O ’ Brien told ABC News .
He added , “ Adm .
Maguire is held in the highest regard .
I 've never heard anyone criticize Adm. Maguire , including the president , for briefing him … I think the president thinks very highly of him.
” The Washington Post wrote , “ Trump erroneously believed that Pierson had given the assessment exclusively to Rep. Adam B. Schiff ( D-Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Committee , people familiar with the matter said.
” Nunes criticized the alleged “ intentional misrepresentations ” and said he pointed to “ the truth.
” “ Devin Nunes never told the President or anyone else that Shelby Pierson had given an exclusive briefing to Schiff .
Devin Nunes , did not meet or speak with the President on February 13 , 2020 — the day of the ‘ classified hearing ’ — or on February 14 , 2020 , and never conveyed to him any indication that Schiff was given an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nunes lawyer Steven Biss wrote .
The complaint also said , “ Nunes did not say or do anything to ‘ ruin ’ Maguire ’ s chances of becoming the permanent intelligence chief.
” Nunes claimed that “ the WaPo Hit Piece ” imputed to him “ criminal conduct ” as well as “ dishonesty , deceit , sharp , and unethical practices , ” which he said “ impugn ” his “ integrity ” and “ prejudice ” him in the performance of his congressional duties .
The GOP congressman accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in concert with House Democrats ” and attacked Harris as a “ well-known puppet of the FBI and CIA.
” Nunes cited as proof the fact that the reporter incorrectly claimed in January 2018 that British ex-spy Christopher Steele ’ s dossier “ was not used as the basis for a FISA warrant on Carter Page.
” Nunes claimed the article in question was a “ reprisal ” for the findings of the DOJ watchdog report on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse , which “ exposed ” the Washington Post and Harris as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horowitz concluded in December that the FBI ’ s Trump-Russia investigation was flawed .
The watchdog criticized the DOJ and the FBI for 17 “ significant errors and omissions ” related to the surveillance of Page and its heavy reliance on Steele ’ s salacious and unverified dossier .

Rep. Devin Nunes filed a lawsuit for $250 million in damages against the Washington Post and intelligence reporter Shane Harris, alleging that a story from the paper related to a classified House Intelligence Committee briefing on Russian interference amounted to defamation.
“This action arises out of a WaPo hit piece that was manufactured out of whole cloth,” the California Republican’s 23-page Monday complaint said. “Billionaire Jeff Bezos purchased WaPo in 2013 for the purpose of using WaPo’s mighty pen to influence Federal elections."
It continued, "Bezos’ WaPo heavily promoted the Russian ‘collusion’ hoax between 2017 and 2019, in spite of the fact that there was no evidence that any member of the Trump campaign colluded with any ‘Russian’ to influence the 2016 Presidential Election. This is 2020. As this case illustrates, Bezos and his printing press remain desperate to defame the President of the United States and his allies in Congress. This defamation must end.”
Kris Coratti Kelly, the Washington Post’s vice president of communications, defended the paper and its reporters.
“The Post stands behind the reporting of Shane Harris and his colleagues,” Kelly said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “We will vigorously defend our work against the claims made in Rep. Nunes’s lawsuit.”
The Washington Post story in question was published on Feb. 20 and revolved around leaked details from a classified Feb. 13 briefing conducted in part by Shelby Pierson, the intelligence community election threats executive under then-acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. Sources cited by the New York Times claimed Pierson warned, “Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get President Trump reelected.”
But a spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told the Washington Examiner, “Shelby did not say Russia is aiding the reelection of President Trump.”
The Washington Post wrote, “Maguire, a career official who is respected by the intelligence rank and file, was considered a leading candidate to be nominated to the post of DNI, White House aides had said” but that Trump’s opinion “shifted” when “he heard from a Republican ally about the official’s remarks.” The newspaper further claimed, “Trump learned about Pierson’s remarks from Rep. Devin Nunes (Calif.), the committee’s ranking Republican and a staunch Trump ally, said one person familiar with the matter.”
The paper cited a source who claimed the briefing “was the catalyst” that led Trump to replace Maguire with U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as acting director of national intelligence. But the New York Times cited two administration officials who said that “the timing was coincidental,” that “Mr. Grenell had been in discussions with the administration about taking on new roles,” and that “Mr. Trump had never felt a kinship with Mr. Maguire.”
And national security adviser Robert O’Brien said Trump didn't make the personnel switch because of the briefing.
“I was in that meeting, and the president was not angry with Joe Maguire. He thinks very highly of, of Admiral, Adm. Maguire and would've liked him to stay in government in a different role. But, as you know, Adm. Maguire’s time as the acting DNI was up in a week or two,” O’Brien told ABC News. He added, “Adm. Maguire is held in the highest regard. I've never heard anyone criticize Adm. Maguire, including the president, for briefing him … I think the president thinks very highly of him.”
The Washington Post wrote, “Trump erroneously believed that Pierson had given the assessment exclusively to Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, people familiar with the matter said.”
Nunes criticized the alleged “intentional misrepresentations” and said he pointed to “the truth.”
“Devin Nunes never told the President or anyone else that Shelby Pierson had given an exclusive briefing to Schiff. Devin Nunes did not meet or speak with the President on February 13, 2020 — the day of the ‘classified hearing’ — or on February 14, 2020, and never conveyed to him any indication that Schiff was given an exclusive assessment of Russian actions,” Nunes lawyer Steven Biss wrote.
The complaint also said, “Nunes did not say or do anything to ‘ruin’ Maguire’s chances of becoming the permanent intelligence chief.”
Nunes claimed that “the WaPo Hit Piece” imputed to him “criminal conduct” as well as “dishonesty, deceit, [and] sharp and unethical practices,” which he said “impugn” his “integrity” and “prejudice” him in the performance of his congressional duties.
The GOP congressman accused the Washington Post and Harris of “acting in concert with House Democrats” and attacked Harris as a “well-known puppet of the FBI and CIA.” Nunes cited as proof the fact that the reporter incorrectly claimed in January 2018 that British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s dossier “was not used as the basis for a FISA warrant on Carter Page.” Nunes claimed the article in question was a “reprisal” for the findings of the DOJ watchdog report on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse, which “exposed” the Washington Post and Harris as “liars.”
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded in December that the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation was flawed. The watchdog criticized the DOJ and the FBI for 17 “significant errors and omissions” related to the surveillance of Page and its heavy reliance on Steele’s salacious and unverified dossier.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--Biden says he would ask Buttigieg to join his administration and calls Klobuchar 'a great talent'

Joe Biden said he would like former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be part of his administration should he win the presidency .
Speaking to a reporter in Texas on Monday , the former vice president praised both Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar after their exits from the race .
Buttigieg dropped out on Sunday , and Klobuchar followed suit Monday , the eve of Super Tuesday , which is the biggest night of the Democratic primary contest .
Both are expected to endorse Biden in an effort to deny Bernie Sanders the nomination .
“ I did speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to encourage him to stay engaged because he has enormous talent , and I indicated to him that if I became the nominee , I ’ d come and ask him to be part of an administration , ” Biden told KHOU 11 News .
“ He ’ d be engaged in moving things forward . ''
“ And I just heard , I didn ’ t know … I don ’ t know this to be a fact , that Amy has suspended her campaign , ” he continued .
“ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump blasted the decisions by Buttigieg and Klobuchar , both centrists , to step down and endorse Biden .
He called it “ a coup ” against Sanders , a self-avowed socialist who many of Trump ’ s allies think he has a better chance of beating than Biden .
On Monday , the president also accused the duo of dropping out of the race in order to secure posts in a Biden administration .
Trump has sent a number of tweets that appear to show support for Sanders , but the Vermont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump would provide his White House bid .

Joe Biden said he would like former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be part of his administration should he win the presidency.
Speaking to a reporter in Texas on Monday, the former vice president praised both Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar after their exits from the race. Buttigieg dropped out on Sunday, and Klobuchar followed suit Monday, the eve of Super Tuesday, which is the biggest night of the Democratic primary contest. Both are expected to endorse Biden in an effort to deny Bernie Sanders the nomination.
“I did speak to Pete Buttigieg a couple days ago to encourage him to stay engaged because he has enormous talent, and I indicated to him that if I became the nominee, I’d come and ask him to be part of an administration,” Biden told KHOU 11 News. “He’d be engaged in moving things forward."
“And I just heard, I didn’t know … I don’t know this to be a fact, that Amy has suspended her campaign,” he continued. “She is also a great talent.”
President Trump blasted the decisions by Buttigieg and Klobuchar, both centrists, to step down and endorse Biden. He called it “a coup” against Sanders, a self-avowed socialist who many of Trump’s allies think he has a better chance of beating than Biden.
On Monday, the president also accused the duo of dropping out of the race in order to secure posts in a Biden administration.
“That’s called a quid pro quo, right?” he quipped.
Trump has sent a number of tweets that appear to show support for Sanders, but the Vermont senator has rejected any “help” Trump would provide his White House bid.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--Clinton strategist: Trump 'guaranteed' to throw Pence 'under the bus' and tap Nikki Haley for VP

Former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala thinks President Trump is going to swap running mates in 2020 .
The CNN political analyst made the prediction during a Monday panel event at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee ’ s annual conference .
Begala , who was a chief strategist during Clinton ’ s 1992 campaign , said he thinks Pence will be replaced as vice president on Trump 's ticket with Nikki Haley , his former U.N. ambassador .
“ This is not a prediction .
It ’ s a certainty , ” Begala said .
“ On Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date the Democrat gives her or his acceptance address — on that day , to interrupt that narrative , Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago . ''
“ He ’ s going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms , ” he predicted .
Trump recently put Pence in charge of coordinating U.S. efforts to combat the new strain of coronavirus , COVID-19 .
Some have criticized Pence ’ s selection over his handling of an HIV outbreak in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been at least 100 infections in a dozen states and six deaths .
Meanwhile , a recent poll found that half of the country thinks the outbreak is likely to become a national crisis .
“ You watch .
Guaranteed , ” Begala said .
“ Trump put Pence in charge of coronavirus to throw him under the bus.
” Haley , who was Trump ’ s U.N. ambassador from January 2017 to December 2018 , has consistently tamped down rumors that she would replace Pence on the 2020 ticket .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concept , saying that Pence “ is a great vice president ” and “ our man 100 % , ” although he did say Haley would be involved in his reelection campaign .
“ She is a friend of mine .
She endorsed me with the most beautiful endorsement you ’ ve ever heard , ” he said .
“ She did a great job at the U.N .
”

Former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala thinks President Trump is going to swap running mates in 2020.
The CNN political analyst made the prediction during a Monday panel event at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual conference. Begala, who was a chief strategist during Clinton’s 1992 campaign, said he thinks Pence will be replaced as vice president on Trump's ticket with Nikki Haley, his former U.N. ambassador.
“This is not a prediction. It’s a certainty,” Begala said. “On Thursday, July 16 — that’s the date the Democrat gives her or his acceptance address — on that day, to interrupt that narrative, Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago."
“He’s going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms,” he predicted.
Trump recently put Pence in charge of coordinating U.S. efforts to combat the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19. Some have criticized Pence’s selection over his handling of an HIV outbreak in Indiana.
As of Monday evening, there have been at least 100 infections in a dozen states and six deaths. Meanwhile, a recent poll found that half of the country thinks the outbreak is likely to become a national crisis.
“You watch. Guaranteed,” Begala said. “Trump put Pence in charge of coronavirus to throw him under the bus.”
Haley, who was Trump’s U.N. ambassador from January 2017 to December 2018, has consistently tamped down rumors that she would replace Pence on the 2020 ticket. Trump has also distanced himself from the concept, saying that Pence “is a great vice president” and “our man 100%,” although he did say Haley would be involved in his reelection campaign.
“She is a friend of mine. She endorsed me with the most beautiful endorsement you’ve ever heard,” he said. “She did a great job at the U.N.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--Coronavirus saves the White House briefing room

President Trump spent the better part of an hour answering questions on the administration ’ s response to the coronavirus emergency , talking up the team of specialists at his side and attempting to reassure the public .
“ We 'll be doing this quite often , ” he said as he wrapped things up .
“ We 're going to keep you abreast of all the facts.
” For a president who brings a television producer mindset to everything he does , the location of his backdrop , the James Brady briefing room of the White House , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The room had been largely idle for the past year since the press secretary ’ s daily briefing ended , but Saturday ’ s appearance marked the second time in four days the president used its lectern .
Although aides said the location was based on the logistics of being able to accommodate quickly the White House press corps , the significance was not lost on watchers of Trump .
“ He ’ s a believer in central casting for his appointments , and he believes in the right location for the occasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official .
“ This is an issue that will need repeated briefing , and the briefing room is what they would be using in movies.
” The last daily press briefing was held on March 11 , 2019 , by Sarah Sanders .
For the past year , the room has been something of a storage space for tripods and camera gear , as well as a backdrop for visitor photos .
Instead , the president has preferred to address the media himself , taking questions for up to 45 minutes on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , he delivers remarks above the whir of the engines of Marine One before flying out from the White House .
Things changed last Wednesday when the president arrived back from India and promptly announced , via Twitter , that he would be holding a coronavirus news briefing to introduce his emergency task force .
Surprised aides scrambled to arrange logistics before announcing that it would be held in the briefing room , sending a wave of anticipation through waiting journalists .
Reporters crammed three-deep beside the 49 allocated seats to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of his emergency response and stamp White House authority on a crisis that had been marked by mixed messaging .
He left after 55 minutes with a hint that he would be back in the briefing room before long .
“ Yeah , we ’ ll do it , ” he said .
“ If you like it , we ’ ll do it.
” He was back on Saturday , again signaling the news conference with a tweet .
Confirmation that he would be delivering remarks in the briefing room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press team .
`` It 's nice to see the briefing room getting dusted off and cleaned up , '' said Martha Kumar , director of the Presidential Transition Project , who has covered eight presidents and their press conferences .
She added that each president came to understand that there was no better place to deliver credible , authoritative information in times of crisis .
`` The briefing room , in a way , is a nonpartisan setting , in that every president and his team have come to the podium to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear , '' she said .
On Monday , it was Pence 's turn to deliver a coronavirus update from its lectern .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the room was set up with cameras and sound equipment , making it the most practical place to reach as many journalists as possible .
“ You can certainly expect more briefings from various people regarding the coronavirus , ” she said .
“ The briefing room has been a convenient place to quickly assemble the media to speak on such an @ @ @ @

President Trump spent the better part of an hour answering questions on the administration’s response to the coronavirus emergency, talking up the team of specialists at his side and attempting to reassure the public.
“We'll be doing this quite often,” he said as he wrapped things up. “We're going to keep you abreast of all the facts.”
For a president who brings a television producer mindset to everything he does, the location of his backdrop, the James Brady briefing room of the White House, was almost as significant as the message.
The room had been largely idle for the past year since the press secretary’s daily briefing ended, but Saturday’s appearance marked the second time in four days the president used its lectern.
Although aides said the location was based on the logistics of being able to accommodate quickly the White House press corps, the significance was not lost on watchers of Trump.
“He’s a believer in central casting for his appointments, and he believes in the right location for the occasion,” said a former White House official. “This is an issue that will need repeated briefing, and the briefing room is what they would be using in movies.”
The last daily press briefing was held on March 11, 2019, by Sarah Sanders. For the past year, the room has been something of a storage space for tripods and camera gear, as well as a backdrop for visitor photos.
Instead, the president has preferred to address the media himself, taking questions for up to 45 minutes on the South Lawn. Once or twice a week, he delivers remarks above the whir of the engines of Marine One before flying out from the White House.
Things changed last Wednesday when the president arrived back from India and promptly announced, via Twitter, that he would be holding a coronavirus news briefing to introduce his emergency task force.
Surprised aides scrambled to arrange logistics before announcing that it would be held in the briefing room, sending a wave of anticipation through waiting journalists.
Reporters crammed three-deep beside the 49 allocated seats to see Trump introduce Vice President Mike Pence as the head of his emergency response and stamp White House authority on a crisis that had been marked by mixed messaging.
He left after 55 minutes with a hint that he would be back in the briefing room before long.
“Yeah, we’ll do it,” he said. “If you like it, we’ll do it.”
He was back on Saturday, again signaling the news conference with a tweet. Confirmation that he would be delivering remarks in the briefing room followed half an hour later from his press team.
"It's nice to see the briefing room getting dusted off and cleaned up," said Martha Kumar, director of the Presidential Transition Project, who has covered eight presidents and their press conferences.
She added that each president came to understand that there was no better place to deliver credible, authoritative information in times of crisis.
"The briefing room, in a way, is a nonpartisan setting, in that every president and his team have come to the podium to deliver information that the public is anxious to hear," she said.
On Monday, it was Pence's turn to deliver a coronavirus update from its lectern.
[Read more: Trump: Rallies are 'very safe' despite coronavirus]
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the room was set up with cameras and sound equipment, making it the most practical place to reach as many journalists as possible.
“You can certainly expect more briefings from various people regarding the coronavirus,” she said. “The briefing room has been a convenient place to quickly assemble the media to speak on such an important topic."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--Four things to watch for on Super Tuesday: Bloomberg's showtime, the Biden-Sanders divide, and Warre

Four things to watch for on Super Tuesday: Bloomberg's showtime, the Biden-Sanders divide, and Warren hanging on

Dynamics in the Democratic presidential race are about to shift from depending on polls and candidate posturing to hard numbers .
Between 14 states , plus the territory of American Samoa and Democrats voting abroad , contests in every region of the country on Tuesday will account for 1,357 pledged nominating delegates , about a third of the total .
The two biggest states voting are Texas , which has 228 delegates up for grabs , and California , with 415 delegates .
Candidates must obtain 15 % support statewide or in a district to earn delegates .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results are announced : Michael Bloomberg ’ s high-spending campaign put to the test Bloomberg , the former New York mayor , skipped the first four nominating contests in Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada , and South Carolina , opting instead to use his $ 56 billion fortune to try to scoop up support in delegate-rich Super Tuesday states and beyond .
His more than half a billion dollars spent on advertising since he entered the race in late November and large , high-paid campaign staff of more than 2,000 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RealClearPolitics average of primary polls at 15 % .
Tuesday is a test of whether Bloomberg ’ s mold-breaking , high-spending strategy translates into nominating delegates .
Demographic and ideological differences across geographic regions are set to boost the socialist Vermont senator in Western states and the former vice president in Southern states .
About 40 % of the electorate in California and Texas is expected to be Hispanic and Latino voters , a demographic that Sanders won by more than 30 points in the Nevada caucuses .
Sanders leads recent polls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads in North Carolina , Georgia , and Florida — states similar to South Carolina , where he bested Sanders by nearly 30 points , in that the voter base is more centrist and has a high percentage of black voters , demographics with which Biden usually leads .
After lackluster single-digit finishes in South Carolina on Saturday , the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor and Minnesota senator dropped out of the race within a day of each other and endorsed Biden on Monday in an apparent bid to stop Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is unclear , though , whether former Buttigieg and Klobuchar supporters will overwhelmingly migrate to Biden .
A Morning Consult poll found that Sanders was the top second-choice pick among Buttigieg supporters , while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was tied with Biden as the second-most popular second-choice pick .
Can Warren hold on to Massachusetts ?
The last viable female candidate in the race is struggling to stay the top presidential pick among Democrats in her own state of Massachusetts as Sanders moves in on her turf .
Hoping to cement himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held two rallies in the state on Friday and Saturday .
Sanders leads Warren by 4 points in the RealClearPolitics average of Massachusetts polls .
Warren ’ s campaign on Sunday published a memo explaining how it plans to win the Democratic presidential nomination , alluding to an expectation of a contested convention .
But if she does not win her home state , she will feel increasing pressure to exit the race .

Dynamics in the Democratic presidential race are about to shift from depending on polls and candidate posturing to hard numbers.
Between 14 states, plus the territory of American Samoa and Democrats voting abroad, contests in every region of the country on Tuesday will account for 1,357 pledged nominating delegates, about a third of the total. The two biggest states voting are Texas, which has 228 delegates up for grabs, and California, with 415 delegates. Candidates must obtain 15% support statewide or in a district to earn delegates.
Here are four things to watch for as the results are announced:
Michael Bloomberg’s high-spending campaign put to the test
Bloomberg, the former New York mayor, skipped the first four nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, opting instead to use his $56 billion fortune to try to scoop up support in delegate-rich Super Tuesday states and beyond.
His more than half a billion dollars spent on advertising since he entered the race in late November and large, high-paid campaign staff of more than 2,000 people have propelled Bloomberg to third place in the RealClearPolitics average of primary polls at 15%.
Tuesday is a test of whether Bloomberg’s mold-breaking, high-spending strategy translates into nominating delegates.
East-West divide in Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders strongholds
Demographic and ideological differences across geographic regions are set to boost the socialist Vermont senator in Western states and the former vice president in Southern states.
About 40% of the electorate in California and Texas is expected to be Hispanic and Latino voters, a demographic that Sanders won by more than 30 points in the Nevada caucuses. Sanders leads recent polls in the two states.
Biden has polling leads in North Carolina — a state similar to South Carolina, where he bested Sanders by nearly 30 points, in that the voter base is more centrist and has a high percentage of black voters, demographics with which Biden usually leads.
Joe Biden boost from Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar endorsements
After lackluster single-digit finishes in South Carolina on Saturday, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor and Minnesota senator dropped out of the race within a day of each other and endorsed Biden on Monday in an apparent bid to stop Sanders from amassing a large delegate lead.
It is unclear, though, whether former Buttigieg and Klobuchar supporters will overwhelmingly migrate to Biden. A Morning Consult poll found that Sanders was the top second-choice pick among Buttigieg supporters, while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was tied with Biden as the second-most popular second-choice pick.
Can Warren hold on to Massachusetts?
The last viable female candidate in the race is struggling to stay the top presidential pick among Democrats in her own state of Massachusetts as Sanders moves in on her turf. Hoping to cement himself as the preferred left-wing candidate, Sanders held two rallies in the state on Friday and Saturday.
Sanders leads Warren by 4 points in the RealClearPolitics average of Massachusetts polls.
Warren’s campaign on Sunday published a memo explaining how it plans to win the Democratic presidential nomination, alluding to an expectation of a contested convention. But if she does not win her home state, she will feel increasing pressure to exit the race.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--It's the Democrats' turn for a hostile takeover

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery , then the Democratic Party of 2020 really admires the Republican Party of 2016 .
Each began a presidential campaign with a large , diverse field of attractive young people whom it saw as the face of a new generation .
Each saw this field blown away by some noisy , old man with a fanatical following who hailed from one of New York ’ s outer boroughs .
The speech of each man was loud , coarse , and grating , unlike the mellifluous tones of the Reagans and the Kennedys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hills .
Instead , Donald Trump and now Bernie Sanders have tended instead to carry on about grievances .
They denounce elites who they say look down upon the nation 's working people , sending jobs overseas while the Rust Belt suffers and the cities and towns decay .
But the difference between the two is that whereas Trump ’ s faults fell in the context of personal coarseness — attacks on war heroes , the dead , and anyone who ever had said a cross word about him — his politics were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hand , was and still is a bona fide socialist .
The Vermont senator wants a radical change in the country ’ s economy , and during the Cold War , he opposed his own country .
He is n't even a part of the whose nomination he seeks .
Both Trump and Sanders are extremely divisive , capable of repelling swing voters and critical factions within their own parties , but both are also fanatically supported by their respective bases .
Each party needs its own base added to swing voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big elections .
For the last three years , Democrats have been invoking Trump 's specter to get swing voters and centrists away from Republicans who are running in swing states and districts .
This worked to some extent in the 2018 elections when Democrats took back the House and scared many Republicans into retirement , a result and a tactic they hoped to repeat in this cycle .
But in Sanders , they may have found the one man in America who ’ s even more frightening than Trump to suburban white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s offenses are often stylistic and verbal , such as name-calling and hugging the flag : a mild and harmless if eccentric gesture that managed to drive some women on Twitter into total hysterics .
But socialism has managed to ruin whole countries , let alone 401 ( k ) s. Sanders has been on the scene for a long time .
His feat in 2016 , of scaring the hell out of Hillary Clinton , should have warned people as to his potential .
But the stunned realization that he really might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one that befell the Republican Party only a few months later in 2016 .
The main differences are that the Republican field remained stable through all the convulsions , whereas the Democrats ’ field has changed drastically , sucking in billionaires and other such amateurs who spent fortunes wildly while they seemed to have had no effect .
Today , the Democrats ’ opposition to hostile takeovers by autocratic outsiders appears to have ebbed .
Of course she ’ d accept Sanders as the nominee if he won the most delegates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , blaming Republicans for having done the same thing with Trump when he won his votes fairly .
`` Loyalty , loyalty , loyalty ! ''
she had shouted , meaning to her party .
Of course , it was something entirely different when the Republicans failed to stop Trump .
Near the end of the primaries in 2016 , the anti-Trump forces scored a win in Wisconsin , which turned out to have been their last gasp of resistance .
Will South Carolina be this year ’ s Wisconsin , or will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait until tonight and see .

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Democratic Party of 2020 really admires the Republican Party of 2016.
Each began a presidential campaign with a large, diverse field of attractive young people whom it saw as the face of a new generation. Each saw this field blown away by some noisy, old man with a fanatical following who hailed from one of New York’s outer boroughs.
The speech of each man was loud, coarse, and grating, unlike the mellifluous tones of the Reagans and the Kennedys. They never talked about cities on hills. Instead, Donald Trump and now Bernie Sanders have tended instead to carry on about grievances. They denounce elites who they say look down upon the nation's working people, sending jobs overseas while the Rust Belt suffers and the cities and towns decay.
But the difference between the two is that whereas Trump’s faults fell in the context of personal coarseness — attacks on war heroes, the dead, and anyone who ever had said a cross word about him — his politics were fairly conventional. Sanders, on the other hand, was and still is a bona fide socialist. The Vermont senator wants a radical change in the country’s economy, and during the Cold War, he opposed his own country. He isn't even a part of the whose nomination he seeks.
Both Trump and Sanders are extremely divisive, capable of repelling swing voters and critical factions within their own parties, but both are also fanatically supported by their respective bases.
Each party needs its own base added to swing voters and centrists in order to win most big elections. For the last three years, Democrats have been invoking Trump's specter to get swing voters and centrists away from Republicans who are running in swing states and districts. This worked to some extent in the 2018 elections when Democrats took back the House and scared many Republicans into retirement, a result and a tactic they hoped to repeat in this cycle.
But in Sanders, they may have found the one man in America who’s even more frightening than Trump to suburban white women in Fairfax County. Trump’s offenses are often stylistic and verbal, such as name-calling and hugging the flag: a mild and harmless if eccentric gesture that managed to drive some women on Twitter into total hysterics. But socialism has managed to ruin whole countries, let alone 401(k)s.
Sanders has been on the scene for a long time. His feat in 2016, of scaring the hell out of Hillary Clinton, should have warned people as to his potential. But the stunned realization that he really might win this thing was the same as the one that befell the Republican Party only a few months later in 2016. The main differences are that the Republican field remained stable through all the convulsions, whereas the Democrats’ field has changed drastically, sucking in billionaires and other such amateurs who spent fortunes wildly while they seemed to have had no effect.
Today, the Democrats’ opposition to hostile takeovers by autocratic outsiders appears to have ebbed. Of course she’d accept Sanders as the nominee if he won the most delegates, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said to reporters, blaming Republicans for having done the same thing with Trump when he won his votes fairly. "Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty!" she had shouted, meaning to her party. Of course, it was something entirely different when the Republicans failed to stop Trump.
Near the end of the primaries in 2016, the anti-Trump forces scored a win in Wisconsin, which turned out to have been their last gasp of resistance. Will South Carolina be this year’s Wisconsin, or will the script be rewritten? Let us wait until tonight and see.