thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--Biden path to nomination rests on avoiding Clinton's 2016 war with Sanders

Joe Biden finally found his footing on Super Tuesday , besting Bernie Sanders in 10 of 14 states .
But he has a long way to go to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination .
To win the right to take on President Trump , the former vice president must keep up his energy and aura of momentum and avoid another nasty 2016-like primary fight against socialist Sanders .
“ He has to keep doing what he 's been doing to a large extent .
Be a good politician .
Work networks of relationships , ” said George Mason University political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that corporate forces and an insider party establishment are what is leading Biden to victory , but Biden coalesced centrist support largely because he proved to be hugely popular with black voters .
Black voters led Biden to victory in South Carolina , prompting other candidates to drop out and then endorse him , creating a wave of earned media momentum that brought out voters on Super Tuesday .
He won by double digits over Sanders in Virginia , North Carolina , Alabama , Tennessee , Arkansas , and Oklahoma ( which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls in Super Tuesday states showed that Biden had a 41-point lead with black voters .
He also won voters older than 45 , white voters , college-educated voters , and those who decided whom to vote for in the last few days .
Biden ’ s advantage with black voters is poised to boost his odds of winning a large chunk of Southern delegates , such as Georgia ’ s 105 delegates on March 24 and Mississippi ’ s 36 delegates on March 10 .
“ In every year since 1968 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nomination has been the one favorited by African Americans , ” Mayer said .
“ It 's what killed Sanders in 2016 .
It 's what killed him on Super Tuesday — was n't money .
It was n't media .
It was his weakness with African American voters.
” Biden and his campaign proclaim that he is rebuilding President Barack Obama ’ s winning electoral coalition .
`` He showed tonight that he is the only candidate tonight that can put together the Obama-Biden coalition , '' top Biden aide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The challenge for Biden , though , is that Sanders has the most support from the other half of the Obama coalition : young voters and Hispanic voters .
Sanders had a 43-point lead with voters aged 18 to 29 , an 18-point lead with those 30 to 44 , and a 9-point advantage over Biden with Hispanic and Latino voters .
His advantage in those groups led the Associated Press to call California for Sanders as soon as polls closed .
Instead , Biden ’ s base of support looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Super Tuesday delegate allocation is still being calculated , but the New York Times projects that Biden will have a slight lead over Sanders — with both of them around one-third of the way to securing a 1,991 delegate majority .
“ This is n't over , ” Mayer said .
“ Bernie Sanders showed in 2016 that he 's willing to go right to the end , even if it 's mathematically impossible for him to win.
” As Biden ’ s surge in media attention and endorsements wanes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his lead .
Keeping energy and an aura of authority is essential .
Voters are choosing Biden “ because they 're so afraid of Bernie and they really want to beat Trump , ” Mayer said .
To keep from having a long , drawn-out primary like 2016 , Biden will have to keep Sanders from amassing a big lead in Midwestern states .
There are 125 delegates up for grabs in Michigan on March 10 and 251 between Illinois and Ohio on March 17 .
Trade will be a major subject in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against free trade agreements that Biden supported .
As he tries to gain support from portions of the electorate more inclined to support Sanders , Biden could benefit from praising them rather than attacking them for vicious online attacks — a subject that came up in several Democratic presidential debates .
“ One thing I think he would be smart to do is really be nice to Bernie supporters , ” Mayer said .
“ Talk about their passion , talk about how excited he is by young people who are with Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that fervor , and he 's going to need that support .
And he desperately needs to be in charge of a united party.
” Depending on whether and how long Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts stays in the race , and what delegates allocated to candidates who dropped out do , there is a possibility that neither Sanders nor Biden wins the 1,991 pledged delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination , creating a contested convention .
In that case , it ’ s Biden ’ s task to ensure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he does not think superdelegates should crown a nominee who got fewer votes than another candidate .
That could force Sanders into a position of having to support Biden , and a win on the second ballot may actually benefit him .
“ It 's the disaster they just may need , ” Mayer argued , “ because it will be such high profile TV viewing unlike conventions in the last 50 years .

Joe Biden finally found his footing on Super Tuesday, besting Bernie Sanders in 10 of 14 states. But he has a long way to go to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination.
To win the right to take on President Trump, the former vice president must keep up his energy and aura of momentum and avoid another nasty 2016-like primary fight against socialist Sanders.
“He has to keep doing what he's been doing to a large extent. Be a good politician. Work networks of relationships,” said George Mason University political science professor Jeremy Mayer.
Sanders asserted Wednesday that corporate forces and an insider party establishment are what is leading Biden to victory, but Biden coalesced centrist support largely because he proved to be hugely popular with black voters.
Black voters led Biden to victory in South Carolina, prompting other candidates to drop out and then endorse him, creating a wave of earned media momentum that brought out voters on Super Tuesday. He won by double digits over Sanders in Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma (which Sanders won in 2016).
Exit polls in Super Tuesday states showed that Biden had a 41-point lead with black voters. He also won voters older than 45, white voters, college-educated voters, and those who decided whom to vote for in the last few days.
Biden’s advantage with black voters is poised to boost his odds of winning a large chunk of Southern delegates, such as Georgia’s 105 delegates on March 24 and Mississippi’s 36 delegates on March 10.
“In every year since 1968, with one exception, the winner of the Democratic nomination has been the one favorited by African Americans,” Mayer said. “It's what killed Sanders in 2016. It's what killed him on Super Tuesday — wasn't money. It wasn't media. It was his weakness with African American voters.”
Biden and his campaign proclaim that he is rebuilding President Barack Obama’s winning electoral coalition.
"He showed tonight that he is the only candidate tonight that can put together the Obama-Biden coalition," top Biden aide Kate Bedingfield said on CNN early Wednesday morning.
The challenge for Biden, though, is that Sanders has the most support from the other half of the Obama coalition: young voters and Hispanic voters.
Sanders had a 43-point lead with voters aged 18 to 29, an 18-point lead with those 30 to 44, and a 9-point advantage over Biden with Hispanic and Latino voters. His advantage in those groups led the Associated Press to call California for Sanders as soon as polls closed.
Instead, Biden’s base of support looks more like what Hillary Clinton had in 2016.
Super Tuesday delegate allocation is still being calculated, but the New York Times projects that Biden will have a slight lead over Sanders — with both of them around one-third of the way to securing a 1,991 delegate majority.
“This isn't over,” Mayer said. “Bernie Sanders showed in 2016 that he's willing to go right to the end, even if it's mathematically impossible for him to win.”
As Biden’s surge in media attention and endorsements wanes, he could have a hard time keeping his lead. Keeping energy and an aura of authority is essential. Voters are choosing Biden “because they're so afraid of Bernie and they really want to beat Trump,” Mayer said.
To keep from having a long, drawn-out primary like 2016, Biden will have to keep Sanders from amassing a big lead in Midwestern states. There are 125 delegates up for grabs in Michigan on March 10 and 251 between Illinois and Ohio on March 17.
Trade will be a major subject in those states: Sanders has long been against free trade agreements that Biden supported.
As he tries to gain support from portions of the electorate more inclined to support Sanders, Biden could benefit from praising them rather than attacking them for vicious online attacks — a subject that came up in several Democratic presidential debates.
“One thing I think he would be smart to do is really be nice to Bernie supporters,” Mayer said. “Talk about their passion, talk about how excited he is by young people who are with Bernie. Because he's going to need that fervor, and he's going to need that support. And he desperately needs to be in charge of a united party.”
Depending on whether and how long Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts stays in the race, and what delegates allocated to candidates who dropped out do, there is a possibility that neither Sanders nor Biden wins the 1,991 pledged delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination, creating a contested convention.
In that case, it’s Biden’s task to ensure a plurality, since Sanders has said that he does not think superdelegates should crown a nominee who got fewer votes than another candidate. That could force Sanders into a position of having to support Biden, and a win on the second ballot may actually benefit him.
“It's the disaster they just may need,” Mayer argued, “because it will be such high profile TV viewing unlike conventions in the last 50 years.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--'Feel the Bern': Bernie Sanders campaign uses old Obama praise in new ad

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders released a new ad featuring old , positive quotes from former President Barack Obama .
After a strong performance from former Vice President Joe Biden on Super Tuesday , the independent socialist attempted to draw himself closer to Obama , playing clips where he praises Sanders for being a `` fearless '' standard-bearer of liberal values .
`` Bernie is somebody who has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes , great authenticity , great passion , and is fearless , '' Obama says .
The quote comes from a January 2016 podcast in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , noting that he also knows Clinton better than he does Sanders .
`` They want honest leadership who cares about them .
They want somebody who is going to fight for them , and they will find it in Bernie , '' Obama also says .
But those comments come from Obama in 2006 while he campaigned for Sanders 's Senate run .
At the end of the ad , Obama says , `` That 's right .
Feel the Bern . ''
The clip comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama endorsed and introduced Clinton as the Democratic nominee for president .
Sanders holds second place in the Democratic nomination process for president , with 501 delegates pledging their support .
However , 1,991 pledged delegates are needed to secure the party 's nomination for president .

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders released a new ad featuring old, positive quotes from former President Barack Obama.
After a strong performance from former Vice President Joe Biden on Super Tuesday, the independent socialist attempted to draw himself closer to Obama, playing clips where he praises Sanders for being a "fearless" standard-bearer of liberal values.
"Bernie is somebody who has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless," Obama says. The quote comes from a January 2016 podcast in which the president praised both Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, noting that he also knows Clinton better than he does Sanders.
"They want honest leadership who cares about them. They want somebody who is going to fight for them, and they will find it in Bernie," Obama also says. But those comments come from Obama in 2006 while he campaigned for Sanders's Senate run.
At the end of the ad, Obama says, "That's right. Feel the Bern." The clip comes from the 2016 Democratic Convention, just before Obama endorsed and introduced Clinton as the Democratic nominee for president.
Sanders holds second place in the Democratic nomination process for president, with 501 delegates pledging their support. However, 1,991 pledged delegates are needed to secure the party's nomination for president.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--Symone Sanders on tackling Biden protester: 'It was a split-second' decision

Symone Sanders , a senior adviser to Joe Biden 's presidential campaign , said she `` did n't think '' much before she tackled a protester who had rushed the stage at the former vice president 's campaign event .
`` It was a split-second moment , '' Sanders said Wednesday on Fox News .
`` Our security acted very quickly , and then a number of staffers , including myself , jumped in to have Vice President Biden , Dr. Biden , and Valerie Biden Owens ’ s back as they were on the stage .
And so I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought .
We just saw what was happening and jumped in .
We 're happy no one was hurt . ''
Sanders joked about breaking a fingernail but said she planned on getting it fixed `` right after '' the interview .
Two anti-dairy protesters rushed the stage Tuesday night as Biden declared victory over his Super Tuesday performance .
“ Let dairy die !
” the protesters shouted before one was intercepted by a security guard and taken away and Sanders rushed to stop the other one .
A similar protest happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada last month .
Two women ran on the stage topless and poured milk on themselves to protest the dairy industry .
The latest protest was quickly drowned out by Biden 's crowd , which booed the demonstrators .
Symone Sanders was widely lauded for her quick reaction to the situation .

Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to Joe Biden's presidential campaign, said she "didn't think" much before she tackled a protester who had rushed the stage at the former vice president's campaign event.
"It was a split-second moment," Sanders said Wednesday on Fox News. "Our security acted very quickly, and then a number of staffers, including myself, jumped in to have Vice President Biden, Dr. Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens’s back as they were on the stage. And so I don’t think we even really thought. We just saw what was happening and jumped in. We're happy no one was hurt."
Sanders joked about breaking a fingernail but said she planned on getting it fixed "right after" the interview.
Two anti-dairy protesters rushed the stage Tuesday night as Biden declared victory over his Super Tuesday performance. “Let dairy die!” the protesters shouted before one was intercepted by a security guard and taken away and Sanders rushed to stop the other one.
A similar protest happened at a Sen. Bernie Sanders rally in Nevada last month. Two women ran on the stage topless and poured milk on themselves to protest the dairy industry.
The latest protest was quickly drowned out by Biden's crowd, which booed the demonstrators. Symone Sanders was widely lauded for her quick reaction to the situation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--Bernie Sanders bashes media 'venom' and establishment 'working frantically to try and defeat us'

Bernie Sanders criticized the media as much as his last Democratic primary rival , Joe Biden , in his first remarks to the press after losing 10 Super Tuesday states to the former vice president .
`` There has never been a campaign in recent history that has taken on the entire political establishment , and that is an establishment which is working frantically to try and defeat us , '' the Vermont senator said in a press conference on Wednesday .
`` And there 's not been a campaign , I think , that has been having to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing from some in the corporate media . ''
He referenced a CNN segment with the chyron `` Can Either Coronavirus or Bernie Sanders Be Stopped ? ''
and then-MSNBC host Chris Matthews comparing Sanders 's Nevada caucuses win to the 1940 Nazi invasion of France .
`` This campaign has been compared to the coronavirus on television .
We have been described as the Nazi army marching across France , '' Sanders said .
Sanders then turned his aim to the former vice president , acknowledging that he and Biden are `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Super Tuesday .
Results from the contests are still being calculated , but the Associated Press projects that Biden now has 566 delegates while Sanders has 501 .
A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot .
Sanders called Biden , 77 , a `` decent human being '' but asserted he is `` heavily supported by the corporate establishment . ''
Sanders , 78 , noted their differing records and Biden 's support for a `` dysfunctional and cruel '' healthcare system compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would eliminate private insurance .
`` What this campaign , I think , is increasingly about is , which side are you on ? ''
Sanders said .
`` Does anyone seriously believe that a president backed by the corporate world is going to bring about the changes in this country that working families and the middle class and lower-income people desperately need ? ''
`` I look forward to a serious debate on the serious issues facing this country , and I would hope that the media will help us do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take place , '' Sanders said .

Bernie Sanders criticized the media as much as his last Democratic primary rival, Joe Biden, in his first remarks to the press after losing 10 Super Tuesday states to the former vice president.
"There has never been a campaign in recent history that has taken on the entire political establishment, and that is an establishment which is working frantically to try and defeat us," the Vermont senator said in a press conference on Wednesday. "And there's not been a campaign, I think, that has been having to deal with the kind of venom we're seeing from some in the corporate media."
He referenced a CNN segment with the chyron "Can Either Coronavirus or Bernie Sanders Be Stopped?" and then-MSNBC host Chris Matthews comparing Sanders's Nevada caucuses win to the 1940 Nazi invasion of France.
"This campaign has been compared to the coronavirus on television. We have been described as the Nazi army marching across France," Sanders said.
Sanders then turned his aim to the former vice president, acknowledging that he and Biden are "basically neck and neck" in delegates after Super Tuesday. Results from the contests are still being calculated, but the Associated Press projects that Biden now has 566 delegates while Sanders has 501. A candidate needs 1,991 delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot.
Sanders called Biden, 77, a "decent human being" but asserted he is "heavily supported by the corporate establishment." Sanders, 78, noted their differing records and Biden's support for a "dysfunctional and cruel" healthcare system compared to Sanders's Medicare for All government-funded plan that would eliminate private insurance.
"What this campaign, I think, is increasingly about is, which side are you on?" Sanders said. "Does anyone seriously believe that a president backed by the corporate world is going to bring about the changes in this country that working families and the middle class and lower-income people desperately need?"
"I look forward to a serious debate on the serious issues facing this country, and I would hope that the media will help us do that, allow that kind of debate to take place," Sanders said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--Lara Trump: Questioning Biden's 'cognitive function' is fair game

Trump reelection campaign adviser Lara Trump thinks misstatements , embellishments , and other verbal fumbles by 2020 Democrat Joe Biden are fair game for criticism .
“ It seems like if you ’ re a Democrat in this country , your choice right now looks to be a socialist who is a communist sympathizer or Joe Biden , who I think a lot of folks legitimately question his cognitive function in many cases , ” the president 's daughter-in-law said Wednesday on Fox News 's America 's Newsroom .
Trump said she , as someone who is supposed to root @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he might say when he takes the stage to make a speech .
“ And if I feel that way , I think Democrat voters out there probably feel very nervous about him , ” she said .
Biden has been on the receiving end of ribbing from critics who have questioned his mental health and fitness for office , including President Trump , since he announced his candidacy .
`` For sleepy Joe , he doesn ’ t even know where he is , what he is doing , or what office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president said at a rally in North Carolina this week .
`` It doesn ’ t matter .
Maybe he gets in — because he is a little more moderate — so maybe he gets in , but he ’ s not going to be running it .
Other people are going to . ''
Biden 's allies worried in the early days of the Democratic primary that his missteps could haunt him as he seeks the party 's nomination .
Mike Lux , a Democratic strategist who worked for Biden 's 1988 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times last year that `` it felt like he was a step slow .
If Joe comes back strong in the next few debates , I think it ’ ll be fine .
But I do think he looked kind of old in this debate.
” The former vice president , 77 , dismissed concerns about his mental health or stamina during an interview with Stephen Colbert in September .
“ I think it ’ s fair to go after a political figure for anything .
OK ?
I mean we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that comes with the territory , ” Biden said .
`` But here ’ s the deal .
Any gaffe that I have made — and I ’ ve made gaffes just like any politician I know has — have been not about a substantive issue.
” In recent weeks , Biden has made more mistakes on the campaign trail , including claiming more than 150 million people have been killed by guns since 2007 , all while winning key primary victories in South Carolina last week and in multiple states on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his Tuesday victories , he confused his wife for his sister while introducing them to a crowd in Los Angeles .
Lara Trump said her father-in-law 's 2020 campaign is not concerned with Biden 's recent surge to take the delegate lead in the Democratic primary .
`` The results only increase the likelihood that no candidate will have enough delegates for a first-ballot victory at their convention , '' she said .
`` Which only means more chaos . ''

Trump reelection campaign adviser Lara Trump thinks misstatements, embellishments, and other verbal fumbles by 2020 Democrat Joe Biden are fair game for criticism.
“It seems like if you’re a Democrat in this country, your choice right now looks to be a socialist who is a communist sympathizer or Joe Biden, who I think a lot of folks legitimately question his cognitive function in many cases,” the president's daughter-in-law said Wednesday on Fox News's America's Newsroom.
Trump said she, as someone who is supposed to root against Biden, gets worried about what he might say when he takes the stage to make a speech.
“And if I feel that way, I think Democrat voters out there probably feel very nervous about him,” she said.
Biden has been on the receiving end of ribbing from critics who have questioned his mental health and fitness for office, including President Trump, since he announced his candidacy.
"For sleepy Joe, he doesn’t even know where he is, what he is doing, or what office he is running for," the president said at a rally in North Carolina this week. "It doesn’t matter. Maybe he gets in — because he is a little more moderate — so maybe he gets in, but he’s not going to be running it. Other people are going to."
Biden's allies worried in the early days of the Democratic primary that his missteps could haunt him as he seeks the party's nomination.
Mike Lux, a Democratic strategist who worked for Biden's 1988 presidential campaign in Iowa, told the New York Times last year that "it felt like he was a step slow. If Joe comes back strong in the next few debates, I think it’ll be fine. But I do think he looked kind of old in this debate.”
The former vice president, 77, dismissed concerns about his mental health or stamina during an interview with Stephen Colbert in September.
“I think it’s fair to go after a political figure for anything. OK? I mean we’re — we stand up, and that comes with the territory,” Biden said. "But here’s the deal. Any gaffe that I have made — and I’ve made gaffes just like any politician I know has — have been not about a substantive issue.”
In recent weeks, Biden has made more mistakes on the campaign trail, including claiming more than 150 million people have been killed by guns since 2007, all while winning key primary victories in South Carolina last week and in multiple states on Super Tuesday. As he addressed supporters after his Tuesday victories, he confused his wife for his sister while introducing them to a crowd in Los Angeles.
Lara Trump said her father-in-law's 2020 campaign is not concerned with Biden's recent surge to take the delegate lead in the Democratic primary.
"The results only increase the likelihood that no candidate will have enough delegates for a first-ballot victory at their convention," she said. "Which only means more chaos."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--Joe Biden notches 10th Super Tuesday win by eking out Maine primary victory

Joe Biden is projected to win the Maine primary narrowly .
The Associated Press made the call Wednesday afternoon , making it the 10th victory for the former vice president on Super Tuesday .
The tight race between Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders made the race too close to call until nearly every vote had been counted .
With 95 % of precincts reporting , Biden carried a lead of just 1 percentage point over Sanders .
Sanders , who is a senator from the nearby state of Vermont , to Biden on Tuesday night .
Biden had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who dropped out of the 2020 race in the days before Super Tuesday .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren came in a distant third place with 15.8 % of the vote , enough to earn a few delegates from the state .
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who announced he was dropping out of the race and endorsing Biden on Wednesday morning , landed in fourth with 12 % of the vote .
Maine has a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary .

Joe Biden is projected to win the Maine primary narrowly.
The Associated Press made the call Wednesday afternoon, making it the 10th victory for the former vice president on Super Tuesday.
The tight race between Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders made the race too close to call until nearly every vote had been counted. With 95% of precincts reporting, Biden carried a lead of just 1 percentage point over Sanders.
Sanders, who is a senator from the nearby state of Vermont, lost his delegate lead to Biden on Tuesday night. Biden had a strong showing after being endorsed by former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who dropped out of the 2020 race in the days before Super Tuesday.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren came in a distant third place with 15.8% of the vote, enough to earn a few delegates from the state. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who announced he was dropping out of the race and endorsing Biden on Wednesday morning, landed in fourth with 12% of the vote.
Maine has a total of 24 pledged delegates in the Democratic primary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-05--FISA court bans officials involved in Carter Page wiretaps from seeking surveillance

Justice Department and FBI officials under review for their role in the flawed wiretaps of former Trump campaign associate Carter Page are banned from having any involvement in the pursuit of electronic monitoring through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court .
Judge James Boasberg issued a 19-page opinion on Wednesday , ordering that “ no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications shall participate in drafting , verifying , reviewing , or submitting such applications to the Court.
” “ Any finding of misconduct relating to the handling of FISA applications shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the U.S. District Court judge added .
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that criticized the DOJ and the FBI for at least 17 “ significant errors and omissions ” related to the FISA surveillance of Page , who was suspected of being an agent for Russia but was never charged with wrongdoing , and for its heavy reliance on British ex-spy Christopher Steele ’ s salacious and unverified dossier .
Steele put his research together in 2016 at the behest of the opposition research firm Fusion GPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the Perkins Coie law firm .
All the FBI employees mentioned in the FISA report were referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility , which is the bureau 's disciplinary arm , FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers last month .
Boasberg said , “ The frequency and seriousness '' of the errors found by the DOJ independent watchdog `` called into question the reliability of the information proffered in other FBI applications . ''
The judge said the government has been “ acknowledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remedial measures ” in response to Horowitz ’ s report and to court orders but also noted that “ the errors the OIG pointed out can not be solved through procedures alone ” and that everyone at the DOJ and FBI “ must fully understand and embrace the heightened duties of probity and transparency ” in the secret court proceedings .
Boasberg touched on three main areas of the FBI ’ s internal FISA reforms : improvements to procedures for preparing FISA applications , improvements to training and other efforts to institutionalize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight more broadly .
“ While more rigorous procedures for preparing FISA applications should prove helpful , the Court is also mindful that changes in culture will require more than checklists , ” Boasberg said .
Horowitz recommended that the FBI conduct performance reviews of all employees in the chain of command who had responsibility for the FISA applications .
Wray pledged to take appropriate disciplinary action and vowed individual accountability .
“ Yet , the integrity of the FISA process must be protected while those disciplinary reviews are ongoing , ” Boasberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DOJ officials under any review related to the Page saga should not participate in the FISA process at this time .
The judge also ordered new oaths to be sworn by DOJ and FBI officials working on FISA applications going forward .
FBI applicants and DOJ attorneys will now be required to affirm , `` To the best of my knowledge , this application fairly reflects all information that might reasonably call into question the accuracy of the information or the reasonableness of any FBI assessment in the application , or otherwise raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also ordered the FBI to provide it with a copy of its updated confidential human source checklist , a description of the specific responsibilities that FBI Office of the General Counsel lawyers have during the FISA process , and a report on any other proposed FISA reforms by later this month .
The judge noted two controversies were advancing on a “ separate track ” and were not addressed in much detail in the Wednesday opinion .
Those controversies comprise scrutiny of all the filings touched by FBI lawyer Kevin Clinsemith and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the intelligence gleaned through the Page FISA monitoring .
Clinesmith , who altered a document in FISA filings to say Page was “ not a source ” for the CIA when he was , is the only person publicly known to be under criminal investigation by U.S. Attorney John Durham , who is conducting a review of the Russia investigation .
The Justice Department said at least the final two of four Page FISA warrants were “ not valid ” and that the FBI sought to “ sequester ” the information obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the behavior of some in the DOJ and the FBI was “ utterly unacceptable ” and agreed that there had been at least some illegal surveillance .
He said he was working to “ claw back ” the FISA information .

Justice Department and FBI officials under review for their role in the flawed wiretaps of former Trump campaign associate Carter Page are banned from having any involvement in the pursuit of electronic monitoring through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Judge James Boasberg issued a 19-page opinion on Wednesday, ordering that “no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications shall participate in drafting, verifying, reviewing, or submitting such applications to the Court.”
“Any finding of misconduct relating to the handling of FISA applications shall be promptly reported to the Court,” the U.S. District Court judge added.
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report in December that criticized the DOJ and the FBI for at least 17 “significant errors and omissions” related to the FISA surveillance of Page, who was suspected of being an agent for Russia but was never charged with wrongdoing, and for its heavy reliance on British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s salacious and unverified dossier. Steele put his research together in 2016 at the behest of the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which was funded by Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the Perkins Coie law firm.
All the FBI employees mentioned in the FISA report were referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility, which is the bureau's disciplinary arm, FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers last month.
Boasberg said, “The frequency and seriousness" of the errors found by the DOJ independent watchdog "called into question the reliability of the information proffered in other FBI applications." The judge said the government has been “acknowledging its deficiencies” and “undertaking multiple remedial measures” in response to Horowitz’s report and to court orders but also noted that “the errors the OIG pointed out cannot be solved through procedures alone” and that everyone at the DOJ and FBI “must fully understand and embrace the heightened duties of probity and transparency” in the secret court proceedings.
Boasberg touched on three main areas of the FBI’s internal FISA reforms: improvements to procedures for preparing FISA applications, improvements to training and other efforts to institutionalize the importance of accuracy and completeness, and oversight more broadly.
“While more rigorous procedures for preparing FISA applications should prove helpful, the Court is also mindful that changes in culture will require more than checklists,” Boasberg said.
Horowitz recommended that the FBI conduct performance reviews of all employees in the chain of command who had responsibility for the FISA applications. Wray pledged to take appropriate disciplinary action and vowed individual accountability.
“Yet, the integrity of the FISA process must be protected while those disciplinary reviews are ongoing,” Boasberg said, ruling that any FBI or DOJ officials under any review related to the Page saga should not participate in the FISA process at this time. The judge also ordered new oaths to be sworn by DOJ and FBI officials working on FISA applications going forward.
FBI applicants and DOJ attorneys will now be required to affirm, "To the best of my knowledge, this application fairly reflects all information that might reasonably call into question the accuracy of the information or the reasonableness of any FBI assessment in the application, or otherwise raise doubts about the requested findings.”
Boasberg also ordered the FBI to provide it with a copy of its updated confidential human source checklist, a description of the specific responsibilities that FBI Office of the General Counsel lawyers have during the FISA process, and a report on any other proposed FISA reforms by later this month.
The judge noted two controversies were advancing on a “separate track” and were not addressed in much detail in the Wednesday opinion. Those controversies comprise scrutiny of all the filings touched by FBI lawyer Kevin Clinsemith and a review of the government’s handling of the intelligence gleaned through the Page FISA monitoring.
Clinesmith, who altered a document in FISA filings to say Page was “not a source” for the CIA when he was, is the only person publicly known to be under criminal investigation by U.S. Attorney John Durham, who is conducting a review of the Russia investigation.
The Justice Department said at least the final two of four Page FISA warrants were “not valid” and that the FBI sought to “sequester” the information obtained from that surveillance.
Wray testified that the behavior of some in the DOJ and the FBI was “utterly unacceptable” and agreed that there had been at least some illegal surveillance. He said he was working to “claw back” the FISA information.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-05--DOJ watchdog audit finds 'weaknesses' in FBI fight against 'jihad-inspired' homegrown terrorists

The Justice Department ’ s independent watchdog criticized the FBI ’ s “ weaknesses ” in identifying homegrown violent extremists through its counterterrorism assessments .
The 47-page report released on Wednesday , which highlighted failures in preventing high-profile `` known wolf '' attacks such as the Fort Hood murders , the Boston Marathon bombing , and the Pulse nightclub attack , follows an examination of the FBI ’ s efforts from 2012 through 2018 to identify and stop “ global jihad-inspired individuals ” radicalized inside the United States without specific direction from a particular foreign terrorist organization .
DOJ Inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the FBI ’ s counterterrorism assessment process ” and determined the FBI did not adequately carry out a bureauwide review of closed counterterrorism assessments to see if previously investigated possible terrorists reemerged as threats .
The watchdog concluded the FBI “ should identify and address inconsistencies in its reevaluation of closed assessments ” and “ must address emerging challenges to assess potential HVEs , ” or homegrown violent extremists .
The investigation focused on the counterterrorism “ incidents and assessments ” within the FBI ’ s Guardian System , the bureau ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly 200 appraisals , interviewed over 100 FBI officials , and conducted audits associated with seven FBI field offices .
The FBI agreed to all of Horowitz ’ s recommended fixes .
“ The FBI has acknowledged that various weaknesses related to its assessment process may have impacted its ability to fully investigate certain counterterrorism assessment subjects who later committed terrorist attacks in the United States , ” Horowitz wrote .
“ Following these attacks , the FBI made various efforts to evaluate and improve its assessment process .
However , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were formalized and implemented into enhanced policies and procedures.
” Though the total numbers were redacted , Horowitz said the bureau found 6 % of its assessments required additional investigative steps , but , because of inefficient FBI oversight , nearly 40 % of the closed assessments that were later identified as requiring additional investigative action were n't addressed for 18 months .
Some delayed inquiries resulted in the FBI opening full counterterrorism investigations .
The DOJ watchdog ’ s audit pointed to six successful attacks in the U.S. `` by individuals who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who were subsequently categorized as HVEs . ''
The first was the Fort Hood attack of Nov. 5 , 2009 , carried out by U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan , who killed 14 people , including one unborn child , in what the Pentagon controversially classified as “ workplace violence . ''
The Senate called it “ the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11 , 2001.
” The FBI opened a counterterrorism lead on Hasan on June 17 , 2009 , but closed it shortly thereafter , assessing Hasan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security .
Hasan was in communication with Anwar al Awlaki , a former Virginian imam who joined al Qaeda and was killed in a U.S. drone strike in September 2011 .
The second was the Boston Marathon bombings of April 15 , 2013 , by Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev that killed three and wounded hundreds at the race ’ s finish line .
The FBI opened an assessment on Tamerlan in March 2011 but , on June 24 , 2011 , it was closed after determining he didn ’ t pose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the Garland , Texas , terrorist attack on May 30 , 2015 , with Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi targeting a “ Draw Mohammed ” event , where the duo showed up and opened fire on a police car at a security checkpoint , wounding guards before being killed by law enforcement .
The FBI investigated Simpson from Aug. 1 , 2006 , through Nov. 7 , 2014 , before closing the case , followed by various Guardian System incidents being looked at again in February 2015 before the investigation was reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth was the Orlando Pulse nightclub attack of June 12 , 2016 , carried out by Omar Mateen that killed 49 people and wounded dozens of others .
Mateen pledged his allegiance to then-Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi .
It was the deadliest attack by a single shooter in U.S. history until the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1 , 2017 , which killed 58 people .
The FBI opened a case on Mateen on May 20 , 2013 , based on statements indicative of radicalized ideology , but the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after the bureau determined the predicated information was unfounded .
The fifth was the New York and New Jersey bombings in September 2016 carried out by Ahmad Rahami , whose pipe bombs left nearly three dozen people wounded .
The government argued Rahimi was motivated to carry out the attack by terrorist propaganda .
The FBI had opened a Guardian System assessment on him on Aug. 27 , 2014 , but that was closed on Sept. 19 , 2014 , when no nexus to terrorism could be determined .
And the sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 6 , 2017 , by Esteban Santiago , who fatally shot five people .
Santiago was an Iraq War veteran who visited the FBI ’ s Anchorage field office in November 2016 and claimed the CIA was controlling his mind and forcing him to watch ISIS videos online .
The FBI opened an assessment on Nov. 8 , 2016 , which was closed three weeks later , concluding he did not pose a national security threat .
Santiago was taken to a psychiatric institute for evaluation .
Horowitz said , “ Through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that it has disrupted a substantial number of HVE attempts to conduct terrorist attacks and travel overseas to join FTOs ” and that , from 2015 to 2018 , “ it arrested 65 individuals ” in the U.S. planning ideologically motivated attacks .
These included thwarting an ISIS-inspired pressure cooker attack by Alexander Ciccolo in 2015 , a planned explosives attack by Marlonn Hicks , an ISIS-inspired lone wolf attack by Derrick Thompson , an attempted terrorist attack by Mahin Khan in 2016 , and an ISIS-linked would-be mass shooting by Everitt @ @ @ @

The Justice Department’s independent watchdog criticized the FBI’s “weaknesses” in identifying homegrown violent extremists through its counterterrorism assessments.
The 47-page report released on Wednesday, which highlighted failures in preventing high-profile "known wolf" attacks such as the Fort Hood murders, the Boston Marathon bombing, and the Pulse nightclub attack, follows an examination of the FBI’s efforts from 2012 through 2018 to identify and stop “global jihad-inspired individuals” radicalized inside the United States without specific direction from a particular foreign terrorist organization.
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz found “weaknesses existed in the FBI’s counterterrorism assessment process” and determined the FBI did not adequately carry out a bureauwide review of closed counterterrorism assessments to see if previously investigated possible terrorists reemerged as threats.
The watchdog concluded the FBI “should identify and address inconsistencies in its reevaluation of closed assessments” and “must address emerging challenges to assess potential HVEs,” or homegrown violent extremists.
The investigation focused on the counterterrorism “incidents and assessments” within the FBI’s Guardian System, the bureau’s threat-tracking database. His team reviewed roughly 200 appraisals, interviewed over 100 FBI officials, and conducted audits associated with seven FBI field offices. The FBI agreed to all of Horowitz’s recommended fixes.
“The FBI has acknowledged that various weaknesses related to its assessment process may have impacted its ability to fully investigate certain counterterrorism assessment subjects who later committed terrorist attacks in the United States,” Horowitz wrote. “Following these attacks, the FBI made various efforts to evaluate and improve its assessment process. However, it has not ensured that identified areas for improvement were formalized and implemented into enhanced policies and procedures.”
Though the total numbers were redacted, Horowitz said the bureau found 6% of its assessments required additional investigative steps, but, because of inefficient FBI oversight, nearly 40% of the closed assessments that were later identified as requiring additional investigative action weren't addressed for 18 months. Some delayed inquiries resulted in the FBI opening full counterterrorism investigations.
The DOJ watchdog’s audit pointed to six successful attacks in the U.S. "by individuals who the FBI had previously assessed or investigated and who were subsequently categorized as HVEs."
The first was the Fort Hood attack of Nov. 5, 2009, carried out by U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who killed 14 people, including one unborn child, in what the Pentagon controversially classified as “workplace violence." The Senate called it “the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001.” The FBI opened a counterterrorism lead on Hasan on June 17, 2009, but closed it shortly thereafter, assessing Hasan didn’t pose a threat to national security. Hasan was in communication with Anwar al Awlaki, a former Virginian imam who joined al Qaeda and was killed in a U.S. drone strike in September 2011.
The second was the Boston Marathon bombings of April 15, 2013, by Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev that killed three and wounded hundreds at the race’s finish line. The FBI opened an assessment on Tamerlan in March 2011 but, on June 24, 2011, it was closed after determining he didn’t pose a threat to national security.
The third was the Garland, Texas, terrorist attack on May 30, 2015, with Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi targeting a “Draw Mohammed” event, where the duo showed up and opened fire on a police car at a security checkpoint, wounding guards before being killed by law enforcement. The FBI investigated Simpson from Aug. 1, 2006, through Nov. 7, 2014, before closing the case, followed by various Guardian System incidents being looked at again in February 2015 before the investigation was reopened on March 2, 2015.
The fourth was the Orlando Pulse nightclub attack of June 12, 2016, carried out by Omar Mateen that killed 49 people and wounded dozens of others. Mateen pledged his allegiance to then-Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. It was the deadliest attack by a single shooter in U.S. history until the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1, 2017, which killed 58 people. The FBI opened a case on Mateen on May 20, 2013, based on statements indicative of radicalized ideology, but the case was closed on March 12, 2014, after the bureau determined the predicated information was unfounded.
The fifth was the New York and New Jersey bombings in September 2016 carried out by Ahmad Rahami, whose pipe bombs left nearly three dozen people wounded. The government argued Rahimi was motivated to carry out the attack by terrorist propaganda. The FBI had opened a Guardian System assessment on him on Aug. 27, 2014, but that was closed on Sept. 19, 2014, when no nexus to terrorism could be determined.
And the sixth was the Fort Lauderdale airport attack on Jan. 6, 2017, by Esteban Santiago, who fatally shot five people. Santiago was an Iraq War veteran who visited the FBI’s Anchorage field office in November 2016 and claimed the CIA was controlling his mind and forcing him to watch ISIS videos online. The FBI opened an assessment on Nov. 8, 2016, which was closed three weeks later, concluding he did not pose a national security threat. Santiago was taken to a psychiatric institute for evaluation.
Horowitz said, “Through its counterterrorism investigations, the FBI told us that it has disrupted a substantial number of HVE attempts to conduct terrorist attacks and travel overseas to join FTOs” and that, from 2015 to 2018, “it arrested 65 individuals” in the U.S. planning ideologically motivated attacks. These included thwarting an ISIS-inspired pressure cooker attack by Alexander Ciccolo in 2015, a planned explosives attack by Marlonn Hicks, an ISIS-inspired lone wolf attack by Derrick Thompson, an attempted terrorist attack by Mahin Khan in 2016, and an ISIS-linked would-be mass shooting by Everitt Jameson in 2017.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-05--'Wartime president': Allies say battling coronavirus will benefit Trump in November

Coronavirus could provide President Trump with the ultimate chance to demonstrate his ability as commander in chief and pave the road to election victory , according to advisers who say Democratic fearmongering could backfire .
The unfolding health crisis brings a huge test to Trump ’ s presidency .
On Wednesday , the death toll in the United States rose to 11 , and a slew of new cases was reported .
But markets were rebounding after an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve a day earlier , and the White House coronavirus task force spent the day with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines and therapeutic medicines .
Jason Miller , a former campaign official , said the crisis represented a new type of all-encompassing battle .
“ Now , we are going to this true 21st-century war , ” he said on a recent episode of Steve Bannon ’ s War Room Pandemic podcast .
“ This is something that doesn ’ t have borders .
This is something that it doesn ’ t matter if it ’ s allies , if it ’ s foes .
It impacts the economy .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , altogether .
So , President Trump , in a way that we ’ ve never comprehended , is a wartime president now.
” “ The coronavirus is a serious situation that is changing hourly , which is exactly why Vice President [ Mike ] Pence , Secretary [ Alex ] Azar , and the entire task force continue to lead a whole-of-government response in partnership with state and local leaders that includes the best experts on infectious diseases , ” he said .
Allies have spotted areas where they can score wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coalition that helped him to the White House see vindication in an America First message that raised concerns about China and America ’ s growing reliance on foreign manufacturers .
And it represents a chance to highlight how Democrats plan to upend trusted healthcare systems , according to former officials .
A former senior administration official said : “ Democrats run the risk of overreaching by attempting to politicize the situation .
Furthermore , candidates running on major changes to the healthcare system could find their position to be an increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters say that Trump ’ s rapid response in closing travel from China and appointing Pence as head of the coronavirus task force made an impact , ensuring that the issue would be taken seriously .
Yet , there is only a limited upside from preventing the worst-case scenario .
Just ask computer engineers who worked hard to avert the effect of the Y2K bug only for much of the public to assume it was never a real threat .
A senior campaign adviser said it was possible Trump would benefit from cutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s some truth to it , but it ’ s also possible to overstate it , ” the adviser said .
“ With a global epidemic , there ’ s not a perfect way for any leader to solve the problem.
” Instead , the adviser said , a win for the president might look more like business as usual .
“ Markets are starting to get back to normal , and maybe people see that this thing may not turn into the terrible pandemic some expected , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It may become less of an issue overall , but two : Unless Trump does something to make the pandemic worse , which I don ’ t see , I don ’ t see a big long-term negative impact or a big positive impact.
” There have been missteps along the way .
Trump has at times contradicted his senior health officials , insisting the virus would die out soon while his director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci said on Monday : “ We 're dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease that has now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions . ''
White House officials chafe at the suggestion that Trump faces a do-or-die moment .
Instead , they point to successes in negotiating a new North America Free Trade Agreement or withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal or launching a strike to kill Tehran ’ s most powerful military general as decisive moments that provoked a backlash of criticism , plus dire warnings of catastrophe that never materialized .
In the same way , coronavirus sparked “ fearful rhetoric ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Judd Deere , deputy press secretary , which missed the point of a president simply getting on with the job in hand .

Coronavirus could provide President Trump with the ultimate chance to demonstrate his ability as commander in chief and pave the road to election victory, according to advisers who say Democratic fearmongering could backfire.
The unfolding health crisis brings a huge test to Trump’s presidency. On Wednesday, the death toll in the United States rose to 11, and a slew of new cases was reported.
But markets were rebounding after an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve a day earlier, and the White House coronavirus task force spent the day with airline chief executives and pharmaceutical chiefs pursuing vaccines and therapeutic medicines.
Jason Miller, a former campaign official, said the crisis represented a new type of all-encompassing battle.
“Now, we are going to this true 21st-century war,” he said on a recent episode of Steve Bannon’s War Room Pandemic podcast. “This is something that doesn’t have borders. This is something that it doesn’t matter if it’s allies, if it’s foes. It impacts the economy. It’s public health.
“This impacts everything, altogether. So, President Trump, in a way that we’ve never comprehended, is a wartime president now.”
“The coronavirus is a serious situation that is changing hourly, which is exactly why Vice President [Mike] Pence, Secretary [Alex] Azar, and the entire task force continue to lead a whole-of-government response in partnership with state and local leaders that includes the best experts on infectious diseases,” he said.
Allies have spotted areas where they can score wins. Members of the economic nationalist wing of the coalition that helped him to the White House see vindication in an America First message that raised concerns about China and America’s growing reliance on foreign manufacturers.
And it represents a chance to highlight how Democrats plan to upend trusted healthcare systems, according to former officials.
A former senior administration official said: “Democrats run the risk of overreaching by attempting to politicize the situation. Furthermore, candidates running on major changes to the healthcare system could find their position to be an increased liability.”
At the same time, supporters say that Trump’s rapid response in closing travel from China and appointing Pence as head of the coronavirus task force made an impact, ensuring that the issue would be taken seriously. Yet, there is only a limited upside from preventing the worst-case scenario. Just ask computer engineers who worked hard to avert the effect of the Y2K bug only for much of the public to assume it was never a real threat.
A senior campaign adviser said it was possible Trump would benefit from cutting an image as a decisive leader.
“There’s some truth to it, but it’s also possible to overstate it,” the adviser said. “With a global epidemic, there’s not a perfect way for any leader to solve the problem.”
Instead, the adviser said, a win for the president might look more like business as usual.
“Markets are starting to get back to normal, and maybe people see that this thing may not turn into the terrible pandemic some expected,” the adviser added. “So, one: It may become less of an issue overall, but two: Unless Trump does something to make the pandemic worse, which I don’t see, I don’t see a big long-term negative impact or a big positive impact.”
There have been missteps along the way. Trump has at times contradicted his senior health officials, insisting the virus would die out soon while his director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci said on Monday: “We're dealing with, clearly, an emerging infectious disease that has now reached outbreak proportions and likely pandemic proportions."
White House officials chafe at the suggestion that Trump faces a do-or-die moment. Instead, they point to successes in negotiating a new North America Free Trade Agreement or withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal or launching a strike to kill Tehran’s most powerful military general as decisive moments that provoked a backlash of criticism, plus dire warnings of catastrophe that never materialized.
In the same way, coronavirus sparked “fearful rhetoric” and stories about “palace intrigue," according to Judd Deere, deputy press secretary, which missed the point of a president simply getting on with the job in hand.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-05--Coronavirus highlights the threat of US-China integration

The first coronavirus death in the United States has taken place .
The fatality rate of coronavirus ( dubbed COVID-19 ) in China is 3 % ; elsewhere , it is 1 % .
We do not know how those figures will evolve , for how long , or with what consequences .
But the real story of coronavirus is not its statistics : COVID-19 is really only a symptom of a greater disaster .
The real story of this virus is that we are living in a world where fundamental security , our literal survival , depends on China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a bad actor .
Whether in allowing China into the World Trade Organization or cooperating on pharmaceutical research , U.S. policymakers have spent two decades insisting that integration will turn Beijing into a `` responsible stakeholder . ''
China has promised the same .
As we have learned over and over , and with special danger these past weeks , Beijing has not made good on its promise .
Instead , it has weaponized its integration .
China supplies 95 % of U.S. ibuprofen imports and 80 % of U.S. antibiotics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pig intestines — China produces 80 % of its global supply .
Now , if Beijing decides to dedicate all such supplies to domestic use , or if production stops as China enters pandemic lockdown , the rest of us are out of luck .
In fact , it ’ s already happening : On Feb. 27 , the FDA acknowledged the first China-induced key drug shortage .
That acknowledgment comes more than 15 years after China ’ s pharmaceutical cartels shuttered the last American penicillin plan .
What if China simply decides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send us penicillin ?
Or that it will only do so if we agree to its trade deal terms , or let Huawei into our information infrastructure , or stop engaging with Taiwan in one way or another ?
Beijing did this to Japan with rare earths in 2010 — an episode which , in retrospect , might have served as a cautionary tale .
China doesn ’ t simply control the bio-economy supply chain .
It also controls the coronavirus narrative .
We don ’ t actually know how many cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We don ’ t know , with any accuracy , how quickly the virus is spreading , or what the mortality rate has actually been : China is silencing and arresting whistleblowers , massaging statistics , and withholding critical information .
We do know that Beijing only alerted the international community to the virus on Jan. 20 , even though the Chinese Communist Party had known about the epidemic since at least Jan. 7 and had been holding emergency meetings since before Jan. 14 .
We also know that our epidemiologists are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus ’ s spread without good information : Modeling a disease ’ s spread requires trustworthy data .
China ’ s silence amplifies the global crisis .
China ’ s control of the supply chain means that we bear the consequences .
This story does not end with coronavirus and pharmaceuticals .
Chinese control over global systems and information extends across domains .
It stems from a decades-old Chinese grand strategy to capture networks , standards , and platforms that provide new-type , coercive , global power .
This is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” T-shirts and children ’ s toys .
This is not even the story of Made in China 2025 , industrial manipulation that hollows out the American economy .
This is exponentially bigger .
This is China Standards 2035 , a deliberate Chinese industrial strategy that converts U.S. dependence into Beijing ’ s coercive control over U.S. industry .
Chinese state-owned enterprises have won contracts for public transit systems from Boston to Los Angeles .
We depend on the goodwill of companies controlled by the Chinese Communist Party to move around our cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cannibalized the information systems for precision agriculture .
To grow our food , American farmers depend not just on Chinese hardware , but also on data sets controlled by Chinese companies .
For the past ten years , a dedicated Chinese national-level industrial plan has been hollowing out U.S. advanced manufacturing equipment capabilities .
We rely on China for the machine parts necessary to make cars , planes , tool and die machines , and military equipment .
The Department of the Interior uses Chinese drones for its monitoring programs because Beijing ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , has ensured that there is no affordable alternative .
Congress ’ s security cameras are China-made because Hikvision ’ s prices , propped up by the Chinese National Key Project for Advanced Core Technology , have decimated the market .
And your iPhone ’ s batteries ?
Probably made by Desay and Sunwoda , both recipients of Chinese subsidies , and both positioned to dominate the entire spectrum of battery segments .
Coronavirus is a crisis .
States , companies , and peoples ( including the U.S. and China ) should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what responsible stakeholders do in times of crisis .
But responsible parties also learn from what crises reveal .
Beijing ’ s malpractice vis-a-vis coronavirus should be a wake-up call .
So should the web of dependence that the epidemic outlines .
Emily de La Bruyere and Nathan Picarsic are co-founders of Horizon Advisory , a strategy consultancy documenting the military , economic , and technological implications of China ’ s approach to global competition .

The first coronavirus death in the United States has taken place. The fatality rate of coronavirus (dubbed COVID-19) in China is 3%; elsewhere, it is 1%. We do not know how those figures will evolve, for how long, or with what consequences.
But the real story of coronavirus is not its statistics: COVID-19 is really only a symptom of a greater disaster. The real story of this virus is that we are living in a world where fundamental security, our literal survival, depends on China, and Beijing is proving itself to be a bad actor.
Whether in allowing China into the World Trade Organization or cooperating on pharmaceutical research, U.S. policymakers have spent two decades insisting that integration will turn Beijing into a "responsible stakeholder." China has promised the same. As we have learned over and over, and with special danger these past weeks, Beijing has not made good on its promise. Instead, it has weaponized its integration.
China supplies 95% of U.S. ibuprofen imports and 80% of U.S. antibiotics. The drug heparin is made out of pig intestines — China produces 80% of its global supply.
Now, if Beijing decides to dedicate all such supplies to domestic use, or if production stops as China enters pandemic lockdown, the rest of us are out of luck. In fact, it’s already happening: On Feb. 27, the FDA acknowledged the first China-induced key drug shortage. That acknowledgment comes more than 15 years after China’s pharmaceutical cartels shuttered the last American penicillin plan.
What if China simply decides that it doesn’t want to send us penicillin? Or that it will only do so if we agree to its trade deal terms, or let Huawei into our information infrastructure, or stop engaging with Taiwan in one way or another? Beijing did this to Japan with rare earths in 2010 — an episode which, in retrospect, might have served as a cautionary tale.
China doesn’t simply control the bio-economy supply chain. It also controls the coronavirus narrative. We don’t actually know how many cases of coronavirus there have been in China. We don’t know, with any accuracy, how quickly the virus is spreading, or what the mortality rate has actually been: China is silencing and arresting whistleblowers, massaging statistics, and withholding critical information. We do know that Beijing only alerted the international community to the virus on Jan. 20, even though the Chinese Communist Party had known about the epidemic since at least Jan. 7 and had been holding emergency meetings since before Jan. 14. We also know that our epidemiologists are going to have a difficult time getting ahead of coronavirus’s spread without good information: Modeling a disease’s spread requires trustworthy data.
China’s silence amplifies the global crisis. China’s control of the supply chain means that we bear the consequences.
This story does not end with coronavirus and pharmaceuticals. Chinese control over global systems and information extends across domains. It stems from a decades-old Chinese grand strategy to capture networks, standards, and platforms that provide new-type, coercive, global power. This is not the old story of “Made in China” T-shirts and children’s toys. This is not even the story of Made in China 2025, industrial manipulation that hollows out the American economy. This is exponentially bigger. This is China Standards 2035, a deliberate Chinese industrial strategy that converts U.S. dependence into Beijing’s coercive control over U.S. industry.
Chinese state-owned enterprises have won contracts for public transit systems from Boston to Los Angeles. We depend on the goodwill of companies controlled by the Chinese Communist Party to move around our cities every day. Subsidized Chinese companies have cannibalized the information systems for precision agriculture. To grow our food, American farmers depend not just on Chinese hardware, but also on data sets controlled by Chinese companies. For the past ten years, a dedicated Chinese national-level industrial plan has been hollowing out U.S. advanced manufacturing equipment capabilities. We rely on China for the machine parts necessary to make cars, planes, tool and die machines, and military equipment.
The Department of the Interior uses Chinese drones for its monitoring programs because Beijing’s DJI, supported by the Shenzhen government, has ensured that there is no affordable alternative. Congress’s security cameras are China-made because Hikvision’s prices, propped up by the Chinese National Key Project for Advanced Core Technology, have decimated the market. And your iPhone’s batteries? Probably made by Desay and Sunwoda, both recipients of Chinese subsidies, and both positioned to dominate the entire spectrum of battery segments.
Coronavirus is a crisis. States, companies, and peoples (including the U.S. and China) should work together to face it. That’s what responsible stakeholders do in times of crisis. But responsible parties also learn from what crises reveal. Beijing’s malpractice vis-a-vis coronavirus should be a wake-up call. So should the web of dependence that the epidemic outlines.
Emily de La Bruyere and Nathan Picarsic are co-founders of Horizon Advisory, a strategy consultancy documenting the military, economic, and technological implications of China’s approach to global competition.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-04--328 Chinese nationals caught entering US illegally

At least 328 Chinese nationals trying to enter the United States illegally since January have been intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials as part of heightened awareness on the borders to block the coronavirus from slipping into the nation .
Officials told Secrets Wednesday that since January , 328 Chinese were “ apprehended ” and sent back across the border or repatriated consistent with existing policy and procedure .
Another three from South Korea , where the virus is also spreading , were also caught .
Some 227 foreign nationals from other nations who tried to enter through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 3 have been turned away due to the travel restriction ordered by the president and implemented by the Department of Homeland Security , officials said .
The White House previously announced travel restrictions for China , saying the U.S. would keep out any foreign national who 's been in China within 14 days .
Several agencies within the DHS have been enlisted into President Trump ’ s “ whole of government ” attack on the virus , and more than 700 officials have been deployed to the effort .
Senior administration officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on the border , the new wall , and the policy of keeping illegal immigrants in Mexico while awaiting permission to enter the U.S. , have gone a long way to keep the virus away , especially at the southern border .
But acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Tuesday raised concerns about a court challenge to the Migrant Protection Protocols policy of keeping migrants in Mexico , where the coronavirus has also landed .
“ MPP has an uncertain future .
We know from experience that the journey to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and they often arrive with no passports , medical histories , or travel manifests .
The administration will continue to closely monitor the virus globally , as well as in our hemisphere , and will adjust our proactive measures as necessary , ” he said .
Added a senior administration official : `` We have a unique public health threat posed by individuals arriving unlawfully at the border .
Any halting of MPP would exacerbate that threat . ''
DHS acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said , “ The department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people , and President Trump has directed an aggressive , coordinated interagency response to fulfill that mission.
” He told Secrets : “ The American people can be assured that we 're doing everything we can to protect our homeland .
While the general risk to the American public remains low , DHS has mobilized a departmentwide response to keep Americans safe , secure , and informed .
Fortunately , we were able to engage DHS assistance early to prevent the spread of this virus in the U.S. We remain locked arm-in-arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC health professionals , and state and local officials acting as one to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.
” Several agencies are part of the effort .
CBP and the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office are supporting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention entry screening at 11 major airports .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Coast Guard are also playing key roles .
Officials said that 150-200 CBP officers are involved in screening those coming into the United States at 11 locations .
CWMD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast Guard medical teams have screened 707 people at three airports , Detroit , Dallas-Fort Worth , Seattle , and remains responsible for all seaports .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working with the Department of Health and Human Services in “ incident management , resource planning , and federal interagency coordination , ” according to an official .
FEMA is readying 56 “ incident management assistance teams ” that can be deployed to trouble areas .
The numbers of those caught so far : Illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea : 3 Foreign nationals refused at land ports of entry by CBP from Feb. 2 to March 3 : Canada : 113 China : 90 India : 9 Mexico : 6 Germany : 4 Bangladesh : 2 Japan : 2 Norway : 1 Singapore : 1

At least 328 Chinese nationals trying to enter the United States illegally since January have been intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials as part of heightened awareness on the borders to block the coronavirus from slipping into the nation.
Officials told Secrets Wednesday that since January, 328 Chinese were “apprehended” and sent back across the border or repatriated consistent with existing policy and procedure. Another three from South Korea, where the virus is also spreading, were also caught.
Some 227 foreign nationals from other nations who tried to enter through legal border points from Feb. 2 through March 3 have been turned away due to the travel restriction ordered by the president and implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, officials said.
The White House previously announced travel restrictions for China, saying the U.S. would keep out any foreign national who's been in China within 14 days.
Several agencies within the DHS have been enlisted into President Trump’s “whole of government” attack on the virus, and more than 700 officials have been deployed to the effort.
Senior administration officials said that the president’s three-year focus on the border, the new wall, and the policy of keeping illegal immigrants in Mexico while awaiting permission to enter the U.S., have gone a long way to keep the virus away, especially at the southern border.
But acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Tuesday raised concerns about a court challenge to the Migrant Protection Protocols policy of keeping migrants in Mexico, where the coronavirus has also landed.
“MPP has an uncertain future. We know from experience that the journey to the U.S. border puts migrants in poor conditions — and they often arrive with no passports, medical histories, or travel manifests. The administration will continue to closely monitor the virus globally, as well as in our hemisphere, and will adjust our proactive measures as necessary,” he said.
Added a senior administration official: "We have a unique public health threat posed by individuals arriving unlawfully at the border. Any halting of MPP would exacerbate that threat."
DHS acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said, “The department’s top priority is the safety of the American people, and President Trump has directed an aggressive, coordinated interagency response to fulfill that mission.”
He told Secrets: “The American people can be assured that we're doing everything we can to protect our homeland. While the general risk to the American public remains low, DHS has mobilized a departmentwide response to keep Americans safe, secure, and informed. Fortunately, we were able to engage DHS assistance early to prevent the spread of this virus in the U.S. We remain locked arm-in-arm with our interagency partners, HHS and CDC health professionals, and state and local officials acting as one to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.”
Several agencies are part of the effort. CBP and the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office are supporting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention entry screening at 11 major airports. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Coast Guard are also playing key roles.
Officials said that 150-200 CBP officers are involved in screening those coming into the United States at 11 locations.
CWMD has more than 500 trained screeners.
Coast Guard medical teams have screened 707 people at three airports, Detroit, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, and remains responsible for all seaports.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working with the Department of Health and Human Services in “incident management, resource planning, and federal interagency coordination,” according to an official. FEMA is readying 56 “incident management assistance teams” that can be deployed to trouble areas.
The numbers of those caught so far:
Illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border since Jan. 1:
China: 328
South Korea: 3
Foreign nationals refused at land ports of entry by CBP from Feb. 2 to March 3:
Canada: 113
China: 90
India: 9
Mexico: 6
Germany: 4
Bangladesh: 2
Japan: 2
Norway: 1
Singapore: 1


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-05--List: Trump troll train rolls right though the Democratic campaign

President Trump has so effectively interjected himself into the Democratic primary that even Saturday Night Live could not lampoon the party ’ s White House contenders without imagining the commander-in-chief crashing one of their debates , as happened recently when the iconic television program satirized the campaign .
The leading Democratic candidates for months have fought among themselves for the right to challenge Trump in November .
But whether via social media , campaign rallies or barging in on Democratic campaign events , the president , along with allies and supporters , has found myriad ways to borrow , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Iowa caucus hotline number is posted publicly ( and prominently ) on the state Democratic party website .
It ’ s also easy to find with a quick Google search .
But after that phone number spread more widely online — including on the messaging board 4chan , according to NBC News — calls from internet trolls and supporters of President Trump reportedly started overwhelming workers answering the hotline.
” – McClatchy , February 6 , 2020 “ A Trump supporter briefly stole the show Saturday at an Iowa campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders , praising the president for doing a “ good job ” and warning attendees about the dangers of socialism.
” The Washington Times , December 16 , 2019 '' The only people in favor of Mini Mike continuing with his hapless campaign are me and his political consultants , who are getting richer and richer by the day ! ''
Trump Tweet , March 2 , 2020 '' Pete Buttigieg is OUT .
All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden .
Great timing .
This is the REAL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of play - NO NOMINATION , AGAIN ! ''
Trump tweet , March 1 , 2020 '' Mini Mike Bloomberg didn ’ t bring NYC back , as he said in his fake ad .
It was @ RudyGiuliani who brought NYC back and who also , with his endorsement , got Mini Mike elected ( with barely a thank you ) .
A boring mayor who the people couldn ’ t stand ! ''
Trump tweet , March 1 , 2020 .
`` To the people of South Carolina , Tom Steyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone , a total incompetent .
He made money in coal , now he “ hates ” coal .
Did you see him fawning over Crazy Bernie ?
Has no chance , a loser for South Carolina , doesn ’ t deserve your vote ! ''
Trump tweet , February , 28 , 2020 '' Crazy , chaotic Democrat Debate last night .
Fake News said Biden did well , even though he said half of our population was shot to death .
Would be OVER for most .
Mini Mike was weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his many commercials ( which are not supposed to be allowed ... .
... .during a debate ) .
Pocahontas was mean , & undisciplined , mostly aiming at Crazy Bernie and Mini Mike .
They don ’ t know how to handle her , but I know she is a 'chocker ' .
Steyer was a disaster who , along with Mini , are setting records in $ ’ s per vote .
Just give me an opponent ! ''
Trump tweet , February 26 , 2020 .
`` Congrats Mayor Pete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all know you ’ re getting because all they hire are disgraced former Obama officials and failed democrat presidential candidates ... '' Donald Trump Jr. tweet , March 1 , 2020 .
Trump appeared in several states just before the Democratic primary or caucus was held there , stealing away attention and news coverage .
“ No matter which Democrat candidate you ’ re talking about , and you understand that , any one of these candidates … And you see what ’ s happening , right ?
It ’ s being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s being rigged against Crazy Bernie .
Crazy Bernie is going to go crazy .
Crazy .
I think Crazy Bernie is going to be more crazy when they see what they ’ re doing .
I called it a long time ago .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Buttigieg , May Pete , he quit .
Out last night .
Then I hear a Senator from a state we ’ re going to win , we ’ re going to win that state , but she dropped out .
Sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both supported Sleepy Joe .
You know why ?
They made a deal . ''
Trump , during a campaign rally in Charlotte , North Carolina on March 2 , 2020 “ Now , Sleepy Joe .
Well , he ’ s running tomorrow .
No , but could you imagine if I said just a small fraction of the mistakes he makes , which are unbelievable ?
Every speech .
I actually said the other night , I was watching him when he said about half the population wiped out with guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a horrible thing .
That ’ s the end of his evening .
That ’ s the end of his political career . '
” Trump , during a campaign rally in Charleston , South Carolina , February 28 , 2020 “ I spent 70 [ million dollars , ] mini Mike so far has spent almost $ 500 million dollars in order to get embarrassed by Pocahontas .
Pocahontas .
And she ’ s mean , isn ’ t she ?
Did you see that ?
Do you see the anger on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s jumping up and down .
She ’ s a mess .
But no , no , she ’ s mean .
Right ?
Right ? ''
Trump during a campaign rally in Las Vegas , February 21 , 2020 “ The Democrat party wants to run your healthcare , but they can ’ t even run a caucus in Iowa .
.
.
Actually , I think they ’ re trying to take it away from Bernie again .
I think Bernie came in second .
Can you believe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you again , Bernie .
They ’ re doing it to you again.
” Trump during a campaign rally in Manchester , New Hampshire , February 10 , 2020 .
“ How about Buttigieg ?
Buttigieg .
They call him mayor Pete .
You know why ?
Because nobody can pronounce his name .
Nobody has any idea .
Buttigieg .
They say , “ Say edge edge.
” He presides over a city that ’ s failed .
It ’ s doing so badly , in a state that ’ s having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had , and they have a great governor also , and they had a great governor .
You just heard from him , right ?
The great state of Indiana . ''
Trump , during a campaign rally in Des Moines , January 30 , 2020 .

President Trump has so effectively interjected himself into the Democratic primary that even Saturday Night Live could not lampoon the party’s White House contenders without imagining the commander in chief crashing one of their debates, as happened recently when the television program satirized the campaign.
The leading Democratic candidates for months have fought among themselves for the right to challenge Trump in November. But whether via social media, campaign rallies, or barging in on Democratic campaign events, the president, along with allies and supporters, has found myriad ways to borrow, if not outright steal, the political spotlight.
Here is a sampling:
“The Iowa caucus hotline number is posted publicly (and prominently) on the state Democratic party website. It’s also easy to find with a quick Google search. But after that phone number spread more widely online — including on the messaging board 4chan, according to NBC News — calls from internet trolls and supporters of President Trump reportedly started overwhelming workers answering the hotline.” — McClatchy, Feb. 6, 2020
“A Trump supporter briefly stole the show Saturday at an Iowa campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernard Sanders, praising the president for doing a 'good job' and warning attendees about the dangers of socialism.” — the Washington Times, Dec. 16, 2019
"The only people in favor of Mini Mike continuing with his hapless campaign are me and his political consultants, who are getting richer and richer by the day!" — Trump tweet, March 2, 2020
WOW! Sleepy Joe doesn’t know where he is, or what he’s doing. Honestly, I don’t think he even knows what office he's running for! pic.twitter.com/454v9GFpgF — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2020
"Pete Buttigieg is OUT. All of his SuperTuesday votes will go to Sleepy Joe Biden. Great timing. This is the REAL beginning of the Dems taking Bernie out of play — NO NOMINATION, AGAIN!" — Trump tweet, March 1, 2020
Sleepy Joe Biden also said that guns killed 150 million Americans last year, wants to win Georgia on Super Tuesday (not up), and got his speaking location wrong again! https://t.co/INuGY214xa — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2020
"Mini Mike Bloomberg didn’t bring NYC back, as he said in his fake ad. It was @RudyGiuliani who brought NYC back and who also, with his endorsement, got Mini Mike elected (with barely a thank you). A boring mayor who the people couldn’t stand!" — Trump tweet, March 1, 2020
"To the people of South Carolina, Tom Steyer is a joke, laughed at by everyone, a total incompetent. He made money in coal, now he 'hates' coal. Did you see him fawning over Crazy Bernie? Has no chance, a loser for South Carolina, doesn’t deserve your vote!" — Trump tweet, Feb. 28, 2020
"Crazy, chaotic Democrat Debate last night. Fake News said Biden did well, even though he said half of our population was shot to death. Would be OVER for most. Mini Mike was weak and unsteady, but helped greatly by his many commercials (which are not supposed to be allowed ... during a debate). Pocahontas was mean, & undisciplined, mostly aiming at Crazy Bernie and Mini Mike. They don’t know how to handle her, but I know she is a 'chocker.' Steyer was a disaster who, along with Mini, are setting records in $’s per vote. Just give me an opponent!" — Trump tweet, Feb. 26, 2020
"Congrats Mayor Pete on your upcoming CNN contributor gig which we all know you’re getting because all they hire are disgraced former Obama officials and failed democrat presidential candidates." — Donald Trump Jr. tweet, March 1, 2020
Trump appeared in several states just before the Democratic primary or caucus was held there, stealing away attention and news coverage.
“No matter which Democrat candidate you’re talking about, and you understand that, any one of these candidates … And you see what’s happening, right? It’s being rigged against … It’s sad. It’s being rigged against Crazy Bernie. Crazy Bernie is going to go crazy. Crazy. I think Crazy Bernie is going to be more crazy when they see what they’re doing. I called it a long time ago. Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Buttigieg, Mayor Pete, he quit. Out last night. Then, I hear a senator from a state we’re going to win, we’re going to win that state, but she dropped out. Sounds like they made a deal. They both supported Sleepy Joe. You know why? They made a deal." — Trump, during a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 2, 2020
“Now, Sleepy Joe. Well, he’s running tomorrow. No, but could you imagine if I said just a small fraction of the mistakes he makes, which are unbelievable? Every speech. I actually said the other night, I was watching him when he said about half the population wiped out with guns. I said, 'That’s a horrible thing. That’s the end of his evening. That’s the end of his political career.'” — Trump, during a campaign rally in Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 28, 2020
“I spent 70 [million dollars,] Mini Mike so far has spent almost $500 million in order to get embarrassed by Pocahontas. Pocahontas. And she’s mean, isn’t she? Did you see that? Do you see the anger on her face? That nervous energy. She’s jumping up and down. She’s a mess. But no, no, she’s mean. Right? Right?" — Trump, during a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Feb. 21, 2020
“The Democrat party wants to run your healthcare, but they can’t even run a caucus in Iowa ... Actually, I think they’re trying to take it away from Bernie again. I think Bernie came in second. Can you believe it? They’re doing it to you again, Bernie. They’re doing it to you again.” — Trump, during a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Feb. 10, 2020
“How about Buttigieg? Buttigieg. They call him Mayor Pete. You know why? Because nobody can pronounce his name. Nobody has any idea. Buttigieg. They say, 'Say edge edge.' He presides over a city that’s failed. It’s doing so badly, in a state that’s having the greatest year they’ve ever had, and they have a great governor also, and they had a great governor. You just heard from him, right? The great state of Indiana." — Trump, during a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 30, 2020
WATCH: I added the the Curb Your Enthusiasm theme to Joe Biden forgetting Chris Wallace's name... And I can't tell if it's hilarious or super depressing...
"We'll see who's sleepy..."🤣 pic.twitter.com/fzgQO5OtKh — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 1, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-05--'I’m not going to say he and I are best friends': Bernie Sanders downplays relationship with Obama a

'I’m not going to say he and I are best friends': Bernie Sanders downplays relationship with Obama after releasing edited ad

Sen. Bernie Sanders downplayed his relationship with former President Barack Obama after releasing an edited ad of quotes in which Obama praised the Vermont senator .
“ We have worked with President Obama .
I ’ m not going to say he and I are best friends .
We talk every now and then , ” the Vermont independent said to reporters after former Vice President Joe Biden denounced the ad .
“ I wanted to make it clear because there ’ s a lot of statements about my relationship with Obama to say that I worked with him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him.
” After a strong performance from Biden on Super Tuesday , Sanders attempted to draw himself closer to Obama , playing clips where Obama praises Sanders for being a `` fearless '' standard-bearer of liberal values .
`` Bernie is somebody who has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes , great authenticity , great passion , and is fearless , '' Obama says in the ad .
The quote comes from a January 2016 podcast in which the president praised both Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cares about them .
They want somebody who is going to fight for them , and they will find it in Bernie , '' Obama also says in the ad .
Those comments come from Obama in 2006 while he campaigned for Sanders 's Senate run .
At the end of the ad , Obama says , `` That 's right .
Feel the Bern . ''
That clip comes from the 2016 Democratic Convention .
Sanders 's relationship with Obama was rocky over the years .
In 2008 , Sanders did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination for president , though the eventual president won Vermont with 59 % of the vote .
In 2011 , Sanders expressed disapproval with Obama 's performance as president while on Thom Hartmann 's radio show , accusing him of failing to live up to his campaign promises .
“ There are millions of Americans who are deeply disappointed in the president , who believe that , with regard to Social Security and a number of other issues , he said one thing as a candidate and is doing something very much else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe how weak he has been , for whatever reason , in negotiating with Republicans , and there ’ s deep disappointment , '' Sanders said .
In 2012 , Sanders also nearly challenged Obama in the Democratic primary for president out of disappointment with Obama , citing his willingness to work with Republicans in certain areas .

Sen. Bernie Sanders downplayed his relationship with former President Barack Obama after releasing an edited ad of quotes in which Obama praised the Vermont senator.
“We have worked with President Obama. I’m not going to say he and I are best friends. We talk every now and then,” the Vermont independent said to reporters after former Vice President Joe Biden denounced the ad.
“I wanted to make it clear because there’s a lot of statements about my relationship with Obama to say that I worked with him and respect him and look forward to working with him.”
After a strong performance from Biden on Super Tuesday, Sanders attempted to draw himself closer to Obama, playing clips where Obama praises Sanders for being a "fearless" standard-bearer of liberal values.
"Bernie is somebody who has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless," Obama says in the ad. The quote comes from a January 2016 podcast in which the president praised both Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"They want honest leadership who cares about them. They want somebody who is going to fight for them, and they will find it in Bernie," Obama also says in the ad. Those comments come from Obama in 2006 while he campaigned for Sanders's Senate run. At the end of the ad, Obama says, "That's right. Feel the Bern." That clip comes from the 2016 Democratic Convention.
Sanders's relationship with Obama was rocky over the years. In 2008, Sanders did not endorse Obama until he secured the Democratic nomination for president, though the eventual president won Vermont with 59% of the vote. In 2011, Sanders expressed disapproval with Obama's performance as president while on Thom Hartmann's radio show, accusing him of failing to live up to his campaign promises.
“There are millions of Americans who are deeply disappointed in the president, who believe that, with regard to Social Security and a number of other issues, he said one thing as a candidate and is doing something very much else as a president, who cannot believe how weak he has been, for whatever reason, in negotiating with Republicans, and there’s deep disappointment," Sanders said.
In 2012, Sanders also nearly challenged Obama in the Democratic primary for president out of disappointment with Obama, citing his willingness to work with Republicans in certain areas.