thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Eight brave Senate Republicans put Constitution over party with Iran war powers resolution

It ’ s easy to vote to constrain the executive branch ’ s power when the Office Oval is held by a member of the opposite party .
It 's harder when it involves voting against your own party .
So yes , the 47 Senate Democrats who voted Thursday to pass a war powers resolution restricting President Trump ’ s ability to wage war against Iran without the constitutionally required congressional approval do deserve credit ( although it ’ s worth noting how many of them weren ’ t willing to do the same with former President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s really the eight Senate Republicans who broke with their party in the Thursday vote and helped pass the resolution who deserve the most praise .
Led by outspoken constitutional conservatives Sens .
Rand Paul and Mike Lee , other Republicans who voted for the resolution include Sens .
Lamar Alexander , Jerry Moran , Susan Collins , Todd Young , Lisa Murkowski , and Bill Cassidy .
Paul the vote as “ a fundamental constitutional debate ” that is “ bigger than any one senator , bigger than any one president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that limiting the president ’ s ability to wage unconstitutional war “ doesn ’ t show weakness .
... That shows strength.
” They ’ re both spot on .
Voting for the war powers resolution isn ’ t about being pro-Trump or anti-Trump or being Republican versus Democrat .
It ’ s a vote for upholding the Constitution and the limits it wisely imposes on the executive branch .
The “ directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.
” The enforcement of these kinds of guardrails is long overdue .
After all , the Constitution is : “ The Congress shall have power to … declare war.
” Yes , as commander in chief , the president does have the lawful power to respond to imminent attacks or take protective action .
But the executive is simply not supposed to be able to start wars or engage in protracted military offensives on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly , illegal wars have become the status quo : Take , for instance , Obama launching a military intervention into Libya without authorization .
( Guess how that worked out ?
Libya is now a failed state . )
Those Republicans reasserting this right with respect to Iran are doing the right thing , even though the conflict fortunately seems to have de-escalated on its own .
As Washington Examiner contributor Daniel DePetris , it ’ s important that Congress have this responsibility and be forced to debate military action rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at will because “ only a national discussion about military force can serve as a guardrail to hasty , reckless interventions that create more problems than they solve and saddle our country with more endless , expensive , and purposeless foreign commitments.
” Sadly , some hyperpartisan critics will almost certainly blast Paul , Lee , and the other Republicans for their supposedly insufficient loyalty to Trump and the Republican Party after this vote .
But senators do not swear an oath to Trump or the Grand Old Party .
They swear their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this country .
Trump has promised a veto .
But still , kudos to these eight Republicans for fulfilling their oath this week in the face of enormous pressure .

It’s easy to vote to constrain the executive branch’s power when the Office Oval is held by a member of the opposite party. It's harder when it involves voting against your own party.
So yes, the 47 Senate Democrats who voted Thursday to pass a war powers resolution restricting President Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran without the constitutionally required congressional approval do deserve credit (although it’s worth noting how many of them weren’t willing to do the same with former President Barack Obama and Libya). But it’s really the eight Senate Republicans who broke with their party in the Thursday vote and helped pass the resolution who deserve the most praise.
Led by outspoken constitutional conservatives Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee, other Republicans who voted for the resolution include Sens. Lamar Alexander, Jerry Moran, Susan Collins, Todd Young, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy. Paul described the vote as “a fundamental constitutional debate” that is “bigger than any one senator, bigger than any one president, bigger than any political party.” Lee added that limiting the president’s ability to wage unconstitutional war “doesn’t show weakness. ... That shows strength.”
They’re both spot on. Voting for the war powers resolution isn’t about being pro-Trump or anti-Trump or being Republican versus Democrat. It’s a vote for upholding the Constitution and the limits it wisely imposes on the executive branch.
The resolution “directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.” The enforcement of these kinds of guardrails is long overdue.
After all, the Constitution is quite clear : “The Congress shall have power to … declare war.” Yes, as commander in chief, the president does have the lawful power to respond to imminent attacks or take protective action. But the executive is simply not supposed to be able to start wars or engage in protracted military offensives on his own without proper congressional authorization. Sadly, illegal wars have become the status quo: Take, for instance, Obama launching a military intervention into Libya without authorization. (Guess how that worked out? Libya is now a failed state.)
Those Republicans reasserting this right with respect to Iran are doing the right thing, even though the conflict fortunately seems to have de-escalated on its own.
As Washington Examiner contributor Daniel DePetris wrote , it’s important that Congress have this responsibility and be forced to debate military action rather than a president being able to launch conflict at will because “only a national discussion about military force can serve as a guardrail to hasty, reckless interventions that create more problems than they solve and saddle our country with more endless, expensive, and purposeless foreign commitments.”
Sadly, some hyperpartisan critics will almost certainly blast Paul, Lee, and the other Republicans for their supposedly insufficient loyalty to Trump and the Republican Party after this vote. But senators do not swear an oath to Trump or the Grand Old Party. They swear their oath to the Constitution and the people of this country.
Trump has promised a veto. But still, kudos to these eight Republicans for fulfilling their oath this week in the face of enormous pressure.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--GOP lawmaker: Redo Roger Stone trial after Hillary Clinton gets one

A Republican congressman who sits on the House Judiciary Committee condemned the trial of longtime GOP operative Roger Stone .
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert called for a redo of the Stone case before saying he believes former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Joe Biden should have to go through a trial first .
`` When you have a juror like that , just like you 're talking about , and it 's the foreperson person of the jury , the one who can tell people to quiet or it 's your turn or let me tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury , '' said Gohmert during an interview Thursday with Trish Reagan on Fox Business .
`` You have a runaway jury that has violated their oath , and this needs to be all redone again .
This should have never come to this ; maybe have his [ Stone ] trial right after the one for Hillary Clinton , Joe Biden , Hunter Biden , all these other people . ''
Stone , a longtime friend of Trump , was convicted last year of witness tampering and lying to Congress from charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia investigation .
Earlier this week , the Justice Department walked back its initial sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years , saying it was too excessive .
Afterwards a juror from Stone 's trial , Tomeka Hart , said in a Facebook that she could not “ keep quiet , '' and offered support for the prosecutors who dropped from the case after DOJ intervention .
Gohmert , who is one of the president 's staunchest defenders , blasted Mueller in 2019 for his investigation of possible coordination between the Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painted an apocalyptic picture of the House impeachment investigation into Trump , saying the end of the country was `` now in sight . ''
`` Figuratively speaking , the jury is still out on whether or not we will ever , our federal justice system will ever recover from the damage that 's been done during the Obama years and during these last three years with the FBI , DOJ , Intel , and it turns out DOD was paying a professor in England , there are so many , State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the corruption of justice in the United States . ''

A Republican congressman who sits on the House Judiciary Committee condemned the trial of longtime GOP operative Roger Stone.
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert called for a redo of the Stone case before saying he believes former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Joe Biden should have to go through a trial first.
"When you have a juror like that, just like you're talking about, and it's the foreperson person of the jury, the one who can tell people to quiet or it's your turn or let me tell you, then you have a corrupt jury," said Gohmert during an interview Thursday with Trish Reagan on Fox Business. "You have a runaway jury that has violated their oath, and this needs to be all redone again. This should have never come to this; maybe have his [Stone] trial right after the one for Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, all these other people."
Stone, a longtime friend of Trump, was convicted last year of witness tampering and lying to Congress from charges stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Earlier this week, the Justice Department walked back its initial sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years, saying it was too excessive.
Afterwards a juror from Stone's trial, Tomeka Hart, said in a Facebook that she could not “keep quiet," and offered support for the prosecutors who dropped from the case after DOJ intervention.
Gohmert, who is one of the president's staunchest defenders, blasted Mueller in 2019 for his investigation of possible coordination between the Trump's 2016 campaign and Moscow. The congressman painted an apocalyptic picture of the House impeachment investigation into Trump, saying the end of the country was "now in sight."
"Figuratively speaking, the jury is still out on whether or not we will ever, our federal justice system will ever recover from the damage that's been done during the Obama years and during these last three years with the FBI, DOJ, Intel, and it turns out DOD was paying a professor in England, there are so many, State Department, there are so many corrupt places involved in the corruption of justice in the United States."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Zogby: Voters reluctant to back ‘married’ gay candidate like Pete Buttigieg

A large swath of voters are not keen on voting for a gay married presidential candidate such as former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , according to Democratic pollster John Zogby .
The key issues for many of those voters , notably males and blacks , is his marriage and less so Buttigieg ’ s sexual orientation , Zogby added .
“ These are the problems that even Buttigieg is hearing all ready in his own focus groups and in other research , that males , African American males , older African American females ” have “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zogby in his weekly podcast .
He said that those voters who are in “ traditional ” relationships “ have expressed not even so much a problem with a gay president as someone who is married and gay.
” The pollster added , “ Even if it is unspoken , that could be a problem for Pete Buttigieg , 38 , especially in a close battle like this.
” A new Economist/YouGov poll said that the nation is split on voting for a gay candidate .
President Trump said this week that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor sometimes appears with his husband , Chasten Buttigieg , and some conservative figures have expressed displeasure .
While the president has called their marriage “ great , ” Rush Limbaugh , the top radio host who the president gave the Medal of Freedom to during the recent State of the Union address , recently said , “ Then they ’ re sitting there , and they ’ re looking at Mayor Pete , a 37-year-old gay guy , mayor of South Bend , loves to kiss his husband on the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'OK , how ’ s this gon na look , a 37-year-old gay guy kissing his husband onstage next to Mr. Man Donald Trump ?
What ’ s gon na happen there ?
”

A large swath of voters are not keen on voting for a gay married presidential candidate such as former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, according to Democratic pollster John Zogby.
The key issues for many of those voters, notably males and blacks, is his marriage and less so Buttigieg’s sexual orientation, Zogby added.
“These are the problems that even Buttigieg is hearing all ready in his own focus groups and in other research, that males, African American males, older African American females” have “reluctance” to support him, said Zogby in his weekly podcast.
He said that those voters who are in “traditional” relationships “have expressed not even so much a problem with a gay president as someone who is married and gay.”
The pollster added, “Even if it is unspoken, that could be a problem for Pete Buttigieg, 38, especially in a close battle like this.”
A new Economist/YouGov poll said that the nation is split on voting for a gay candidate.
President Trump said this week that he would vote for a gay president.
The mayor sometimes appears with his husband, Chasten Buttigieg, and some conservative figures have expressed displeasure.
While the president has called their marriage “great,” Rush Limbaugh, the top radio host who the president gave the Medal of Freedom to during the recent State of the Union address, recently said, “Then they’re sitting there, and they’re looking at Mayor Pete, a 37-year-old gay guy, mayor of South Bend, loves to kiss his husband on the debate stage. And they’re saying, 'OK, how’s this gonna look, a 37-year-old gay guy kissing his husband onstage next to Mr. Man Donald Trump? What’s gonna happen there?”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Buzz: 'Keep America Great' hat debuts, Ambassador Jim Gilmore reveals new Twitter handle

President Trump has told friends that he will never get rid of his original 2016 “ Make America Great Again ” motto , but new “ Keep America Great ” red hats have shown up in the Oval Office .
A fresh dozen were seen sitting on a table during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno Garces .
The hats are decorated with the American flag and the president ’ s number , 45 .
Word is he ’ ll even autograph them .
… • Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Ron Coleman , only the second black three-star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Battlefield Trust to highlight the achievements of the United States Colored Troops at the Battle of New Market Heights , near Richmond , Virginia .
In a new video shared with Secrets , he is shown walking the hallowed ground .
“ Without them , I wouldn ’ t be here — I ’ m standing on a lot of shoulders , ” he said on the video , one in the group ’ s “ Warrior Legacy Project.
” … • Jim Gilmore , the U.S. permanent representative to the Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has opened a new Twitter account to help in his efforts on several fronts , including fighting anti-Semitism in Europe and Russia ’ s campaign in Ukraine .
The Twitter handle is @ USAmbOSCE .
But the former Virginia governor will also keep using his other handle , @ gov_gilmore .
…

President Trump has told friends that he will never get rid of his original 2016 “Make America Great Again” motto, but new “Keep America Great” red hats have shown up in the Oval Office.
A fresh dozen were seen sitting on a table during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno Garces.
#KAGA hats in Oval Office (Pres. Trump meeting yesterday with Ecuador President Lenin Moreno) pic.twitter.com/sLSEX4ESw4 — Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) February 13, 2020
The hats are decorated with the American flag and the president’s number, 45. Word is he’ll even autograph them. …
Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Ron Coleman, only the second black three-star in the service, has joined the American Battlefield Trust to highlight the achievements of the United States Colored Troops at the Battle of New Market Heights, near Richmond, Virginia. In a new video shared with Secrets, he is shown walking the hallowed ground. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here — I’m standing on a lot of shoulders,” he said on the video, one in the group’s “Warrior Legacy Project.” …
Jim Gilmore, the U.S. permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has opened a new Twitter account to help in his efforts on several fronts, including fighting anti-Semitism in Europe and Russia’s campaign in Ukraine. The Twitter handle is @USAmbOSCE. But the former Virginia governor will also keep using his other handle, @gov_gilmore. …


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Paid: $340,000 to hunt deer with Don Trump Jr. in fundraising record

An Alaska “ dream hunt ” with Donald Trump Jr. likely set an auction record this month in a fundraiser for Safari Club International , the preeminent high-end gun and hunting advocacy group .
Two bidders paid a combined $ 340,000 to hunt with Trump and his son for fabled Sitka blacktailed deer , according to the club .
At the Reno , Nevada , convention , Trump spoke about his hunting roots , and then , one hunt was offered in auction .
Once the bidding started , it soared quickly , ending at $ 190,000 .
Then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise move , Mr. Trump announced that the outfitter was offering another slot on the hunt , and bidding began again , topping out at $ 150,000 and bringing a grand total of $ 340,000 for the first auction item alone.
” The money will fund SCI Foundation Sables and its efforts to promote the importance of hunting .
SCI described Trump ’ s participation this way : Keynote speaker Donald Trump Jr. wowed the crowd throughout the evening , generously posing for selfies on the floor before the dinner began and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With a mix of humor and seriousness , he spoke of his unlikely beginnings as a `` son of a New York billionaire '' to the world of the outdoors in general and hunting in particular .
He revealed that his maternal grandfather took him to Communist Czechoslovakia in summers to teach him the basics of woodcraft and expose him to the harsh realities of other , less fortunate parts of the world .
He credits a teacher at his private school for mentoring him in the skills of hunting and sparking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his many vocal critics .

An Alaska “dream hunt” with Donald Trump Jr. likely set an auction record this month in a fundraiser for Safari Club International, the preeminent high-end gun and hunting advocacy group.
Two bidders paid a combined $340,000 to hunt with Trump and his son for fabled Sitka blacktailed deer, according to the club.
At the Reno, Nevada, convention, Trump spoke about his hunting roots, and then, one hunt was offered in auction.
Once the bidding started, it soared quickly, ending at $190,000.
Then, said the club, “In a surprise move, Mr. Trump announced that the outfitter was offering another slot on the hunt, and bidding began again, topping out at $150,000 and bringing a grand total of $340,000 for the first auction item alone.”
The money will fund SCI Foundation Sables and its efforts to promote the importance of hunting.
SCI described Trump’s participation this way:
Keynote speaker Donald Trump Jr. wowed the crowd throughout the evening, generously posing for selfies on the floor before the dinner began and then galvanizing the crowd with his speech. With a mix of humor and seriousness, he spoke of his unlikely beginnings as a "son of a New York billionaire" to the world of the outdoors in general and hunting in particular.
He revealed that his maternal grandfather took him to Communist Czechoslovakia in summers to teach him the basics of woodcraft and expose him to the harsh realities of other, less fortunate parts of the world. He credits a teacher at his private school for mentoring him in the skills of hunting and sparking the passion he continues to follow, despite his many vocal critics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Surge in hoax attacks blaming Trump and MAGA, Smollett the template: Book

Jussie Smollett , the TV actor who almost got away with blaming President Trump ’ s supporters for a late-night beating that temporarily boosted his career before Chicago police blew the whistle on it , is back in legal trouble , indicted for lying to authorities about the February 2019 hoax .
The case again raised the question of what the Empire star was thinking in staging the attack and blaming Trump .
Now , thanks to a new book that documents dozens of cases of “ privileged victims ” who ’ ve made similar , and false , claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attacking them , we have an answer : Blaming Trump is the template to success .
“ He took a short cut to the top using the social justice formula for the oppressed : virtuous minority + attack by bigoted whites ( Trump supporters ) = $ $ $ , ” wrote Eddie Scarry in his latest book , Privileged Victims , being released later this month .
Scarry , a Washington Examiner politics and culture writer , added : “ Smollett ’ s story isn ’ t even original or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims made before his .
White Trump supporters committing crimes against minorities is a fairy tale told time and time again.
” His book , out this month and published by Bombardier , richly details how some have seized on social justice for “ victims ” and how the Trump era and the charges on the Left that he and his supporters are evil have supercharged the trend .
“ Where there is Trump , so too must there be victims , ” wrote Scarry , detailing several examples of mostly minorities making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to gain celebrity , money , or advancement before revealing them as fake news .
Scarry , whose prior work , Fraud and Fiction , debunked the falsehoods in the anti-Trump book Fire and Fury , blamed the left-leaning media for fostering the victim climate .
“ The fictions , falsehoods , and fabrications about politically driven hate crimes continue uninterrupted and with great assist from the news media , ” he wrote .
Coincidentally , as I wrote about Scarry ’ s book , the Washington Post published a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullying in schools .
The story used examples nearly identical to the “ Trump-related hate crimes ” Scarry cited in more than 289 pages of Privileged Victims .
In one of his examples , Scarry cited a report days after Trump ’ s 2016 election in which somebody hung a whiteboard in the hall of an Elon University dorm that read , “ Bye Bye Latinos Hasta La Vista , ” apparently a reference to Trump ’ s promised crackdown on illegal border crossings .
Shortly after the North Carolina campus went into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was a hoax perpetrated by a Latino .
In a line that provides a theme for many of his examples of people using the anti-Trump template to stir things up , Scarry wrote : “ With Trump-related hate crimes , the formula is always the same .
“ ‘ Hasta la vista ’ becomes ‘ El engaño era bueno ’ : The scam was good .
”

Jussie Smollett, the TV actor who almost got away with blaming President Trump’s supporters for a late-night beating that temporarily boosted his career before Chicago police blew the whistle on it, is back in legal trouble, indicted for lying to authorities about the February 2019 hoax.
The case again raised the question of what the Empire star was thinking in staging the attack and blaming Trump.
Now, thanks to a new book that documents dozens of cases of “privileged victims” who’ve made similar, and false, claims of Trump disciples targeting, bullying, and attacking them, we have an answer: Blaming Trump is the template to success.
“He took a short cut to the top using the social justice formula for the oppressed: virtuous minority + attack by bigoted whites (Trump supporters) = $$$,” wrote Eddie Scarry in his latest book, Privileged Victims, being released later this month.
Scarry, a Washington Examiner politics and culture writer, added: “Smollett’s story isn’t even original or in any way different from nearly dozens of claims made before his. White Trump supporters committing crimes against minorities is a fairy tale told time and time again.”
His book, out this month and published by Bombardier, richly details how some have seized on social justice for “victims” and how the Trump era and the charges on the Left that he and his supporters are evil have supercharged the trend.
“Where there is Trump, so too must there be victims,” wrote Scarry, detailing several examples of mostly minorities making up claims of attacks from Trump supporters in an attempt to gain celebrity, money, or advancement before revealing them as fake news.
Complete and total TDS meltdown.https://t.co/zbUxs1x4ML — LawEnforcementToday (@LawEnforceToday) February 13, 2020
Scarry, whose prior work, Fraud and Fiction, debunked the falsehoods in the anti-Trump book Fire and Fury, blamed the left-leaning media for fostering the victim climate.
“The fictions, falsehoods, and fabrications about politically driven hate crimes continue uninterrupted and with great assist from the news media,” he wrote.
Coincidentally, as I wrote about Scarry’s book, the Washington Post published a report blaming Trump for a rise in bullying in schools. The story used examples nearly identical to the “Trump-related hate crimes” Scarry cited in more than 289 pages of Privileged Victims.
In one of his examples, Scarry cited a report days after Trump’s 2016 election in which somebody hung a whiteboard in the hall of an Elon University dorm that read, “Bye Bye Latinos Hasta La Vista,” apparently a reference to Trump’s promised crackdown on illegal border crossings.
Shortly after the North Carolina campus went into an understandable uproar, campus authorities discovered that it was a hoax perpetrated by a Latino.
In a line that provides a theme for many of his examples of people using the anti-Trump template to stir things up, Scarry wrote: “With Trump-related hate crimes, the formula is always the same. “‘Hasta la vista’ becomes ‘El engaño era bueno’: The scam was good.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Bernie Sanders leads Democratic field in Nevada: Poll

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is leading the Democratic field in Nevada .
A survey from the Nevada Poll , conducted from Feb.11-13 , shows Sanders at 25 % support , holding a seven-point lead over former Vice President Joe Biden .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren trails in third place with 13 % , while billionaire Tom Steyer polls just behind with 11 % .
Sanders 's lead is approximately 3.5 % ahead of the RealClearPolitics average but reflects his increasing momentum over Biden .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
The poll also shows that 8 % of caucusgoers remain undecided .
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has not actively campaigned in the state and received 0 % .
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not on the ballot in Nevada but is scheduled to appear in the next Democratic debate on Feb. 19 , just before the Feb. 22 Nevada caucus .
Bloomberg 's success comes from his massive campaign war chest of $ 62 billion .
Though he did not participate in the Iowa caucuses or the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money into television ads .
The survey polled 413 likely Democratic voters , and the margin of error was 4.8 % .

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is leading the Democratic field in Nevada.
A survey from the Nevada Poll, conducted from Feb.11-13, shows Sanders at 25% support, holding a seven-point lead over former Vice President Joe Biden. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren trails in third place with 13%, while billionaire Tom Steyer polls just behind with 11%. Sanders's lead is approximately 3.5% ahead of the RealClearPolitics average but reflects his increasing momentum over Biden.
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar are tied for fifth place, each holding 10%. The poll also shows that 8% of caucusgoers remain undecided.
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has not actively campaigned in the state and received 0%. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not on the ballot in Nevada but is scheduled to appear in the next Democratic debate on Feb. 19, just before the Feb. 22 Nevada caucus.
Bloomberg's success comes from his massive campaign war chest of $62 billion. Though he did not participate in the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary, he has steadily poured money into television ads.
The survey polled 413 likely Democratic voters, and the margin of error was 4.8%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Bernie Sanders plans to leverage vice president to pass big proposals in Senate

Sen. Bernie Sanders is banking on a special procedural maneuver to move left-wing proposals past the Senate if he becomes elected president in 2020 .
The Vermont independent 's team believes it can bypass the filibuster by employing budget reconciliation rules , according to an Axios report on Friday .
Sanders would dictate that his vice president then would throw out any challenges to the `` Green New Deal '' and `` Medicare for all '' that were not germane under Senate rules , assuming Sanders could muster up 50 senators to go along with the plans .
The idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned they would stand up to the democratic socialist 's policies .
`` He ’ s not gon na get that , '' West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said about Sanders 's most left-wing proposals .
`` Bernie has a little different , unusual approach to fixing [ the country ’ s problems ] , more so than what I could be acceptable with . ''
Sen. Doug Jones , another red-state Democrat , said he did not believe Sanders would be able to get proposals such as jobs for all and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I ca n't imagine any of those getting the sufficient votes to even get a majority , '' Jones said .
`` Much less getting 60 votes . ''

Sen. Bernie Sanders is banking on a special procedural maneuver to move left-wing proposals past the Senate if he becomes elected president in 2020.
The Vermont independent's team believes it can bypass the filibuster by employing budget reconciliation rules, according to an Axios report on Friday. Sanders would dictate that his vice president then would throw out any challenges to the "Green New Deal" and "Medicare for all" that were not germane under Senate rules, assuming Sanders could muster up 50 senators to go along with the plans.
The idea comes as moderate Democrats in the Senate have warned they would stand up to the democratic socialist's policies. "He’s not gonna get that," West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said about Sanders's most left-wing proposals. "Bernie has a little different, unusual approach to fixing [the country’s problems], more so than what I could be acceptable with."
Sen. Doug Jones, another red-state Democrat, said he did not believe Sanders would be able to get proposals such as jobs for all and college for all passed in the Senate. "I can't imagine any of those getting the sufficient votes to even get a majority," Jones said. "Much less getting 60 votes."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Republicans mocks Doug Collins for trying to challenge GOP incumbent

`` This week for # PrimaryWatch we bring you ( NOT ) Primary Watch — for the Georgia Special Election , '' the group tweeted out Friday .
`` *There is no primary* , and @ kloeffler is running to keep her Senate seat and keep Georgians first .
# GASen # gapol . ''
Collins announced last month that he was going to challenge Loeffler for her Georgia Senate seat , which she was appointed to recently .
Since his announcement , the NRSC has blasted Collins for his `` shortsightedness . ''
” The shortsightedness in this decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selfishness will hurt David Perdue , Kelly Loeffler , and President Trump , '' Kevin McLaughlin , the group 's head , said .
Collins is a top ally of Trump 's , and he said his goal in running was `` to keep defending this president . ''
`` We just need to have a process that lets people decide , lets them choose for themselves how they want to see this vision , '' the congressman said about the potential for a divisive race that could allow a Democrat to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , we fought for our state , and we fought for this country , and we 're going to continue to do that .
I look forward to a good exchange of ideas and look forward to this election . ''

The National Republican Senatorial Committee mocked Rep. Doug Collins's continued attempt to unseat current Georgia Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler.
"This week for #PrimaryWatch we bring you (NOT) Primary Watch — for the Georgia Special Election," the group tweeted out Friday. "*There is no primary*, and @kloeffler is running to keep her Senate seat and keep Georgians first. #GASen #gapol."
This week for #PrimaryWatch we bring you (NOT) Primary Watch — for the Georgia Special Election...
where *𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲*, and @kloeffler is running to keep her Senate seat and keep Georgians first. #GASen #gapol pic.twitter.com/FDeTYMwVs5 — The Senate Majority (@NRSC) February 14, 2020
Collins announced last month that he was going to challenge Loeffler for her Georgia Senate seat, which she was appointed to recently. Since his announcement, the NRSC has blasted Collins for his "shortsightedness."
For months, I have given serious deliberation to the role I should serve that would best benefit GA, the country and @realDonaldTrump. Today, I have officially launched my campaign for Senate to do just that. I invite you to join our campaign here:https://t.co/xubaYUr5RP — Doug Collins (@CollinsforGA) January 29, 2020
”The shortsightedness in this decision is stunning. Doug Collins’s selfishness will hurt David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler, and President Trump," Kevin McLaughlin, the group's head, said.
Collins is a top ally of Trump's, and he said his goal in running was "to keep defending this president." "We just need to have a process that lets people decide, lets them choose for themselves how they want to see this vision," the congressman said about the potential for a divisive race that could allow a Democrat to win. "I think we fought for the president, we fought for our state, and we fought for this country, and we're going to continue to do that. I look forward to a good exchange of ideas and look forward to this election."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Elizabeth Warren is fading fast

Elizabeth Warren is fading fast

After placing third in the Iowa caucuses and landing an in New Hampshire , Elizabeth Warren has lost any pretensions to leading the presidential race .
In fact , she may be preparing to drop out .
Warren clearly doesn ’ t expect much success in the upcoming caucuses in Nevada ( Feb. 22 ) and South Carolina ( Feb. 29 ) .
As ABC , “ In the past week , the Warren campaign has canceled or moved more than $ 1.2 million worth of television ads in Nevada and South Carolina , which are scheduled to cast votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her campaign has been desperately pleading for more funds , for $ 7 million by the Nevada caucuses on Twitter .
She also about taking $ 3 from a broke college student saddled with so much debt that she had only $ 6 in her bank account .
( Make that $ 3 now . )
After spending just $ 1 million on the next states hosting primaries , Warren has put all of her eggs in two baskets : Nevada and South Carolina , with a small portion of advertising dollars spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Super Tuesday ( March 3 ) .
The question is now : When will Warren drop out ?
If she ends her campaign in the next couple of weeks , she avoids the embarrassment of a poor performance in her home state of Massachusetts on Super Tuesday .
If she waits until then , she can at least stage her farewell from her own turf .
Either way , the Warren White House bid is quickly withering , and despite the media ’ s , she ’ s lost the momentum she @ @ @ @ @ @

After placing third in the Iowa caucuses and landing an abysmal fourth in New Hampshire, Elizabeth Warren has lost any pretensions to leading the presidential race. In fact, she may be preparing to drop out.
Warren clearly doesn’t expect much success in the upcoming caucuses in Nevada (Feb. 22) and South Carolina (Feb. 29). As ABC reports , “In the past week, the Warren campaign has canceled or moved more than $1.2 million worth of television ads in Nevada and South Carolina, which are scheduled to cast votes later this month.”
This comes as her campaign has been desperately pleading for more funds, begging for $7 million by the Nevada caucuses on Twitter. She also bragged about taking $3 from a broke college student saddled with so much debt that she had only $6 in her bank account. (Make that $3 now.)
After spending just $1 million on the next states hosting primaries, Warren has put all of her eggs in two baskets: Nevada and South Carolina, with a small portion of advertising dollars spent in Maine, which will hold primaries on Super Tuesday (March 3).
The question is now: When will Warren drop out? If she ends her campaign in the next couple of weeks, she avoids the embarrassment of a poor performance in her home state of Massachusetts on Super Tuesday. If she waits until then, she can at least stage her farewell from her own turf.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Texas poll points to extended primary fight with brokered convention possible

Polling out of the second-largest Super Tuesday state indicates that the fight to be a dominant front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary may go on well into late spring or early summer .
The latest University of Texas/ Texas Tribune Poll of Democratic voters in Texas shows a race where no candidate is close to earning a majority of delegates following the state 's primary on March 3 .
The poll found that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont leads with 24 % support , with former Vice President Joe Biden closely behind at 22 % , Sen. Elizabeth Warren at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at 10 % .
Although Sanders 's support constitutes a 6-point jump since the last poll of the state was taken in January , he still remains far from collecting a majority of the delegates .
Sanders 's current 24-point support actually represents a 2-point drop from a separate survey also conducted in the beginning of January .
Biden 's resilience in Texas despite handily losing the first two primary contests should give his campaign some confidence that the race remains tight .
The fact that he 's no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that his Southern strategy is in serious jeopardy .
“ Most of the movement has been Sanders and Bloomberg , with Biden [ holding ] still , ” said Joshua Blank , research director for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin .
“ To be unable to increase his vote share is pretty telling for Biden.
” The Super Tuesday map is near evenly split between Northern and Southern states .
The demographics of states such as Minnesota and Colorado , with heavy pockets of urban liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders before he pulled off wins in Iowa and New Hampshire .
But states with large black populations , such as Alabama and Virginia , were initially slated to go for Biden .
That no longer seems to be the case .
A principle reason former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was able to fend off Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary was her ability to win by double digits in the South .
That cycle , Clinton earned 65.19 % of the vote in Texas to Sanders 's 33.19 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates in this cycle 's primary means that it 's very likely that no candidate will emerge from Super Tuesday as a clear leader .
As Iowa and New Hampshire have shown , a candidate such as former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg can receive thousands fewer votes than Sanders and wind up with more delegates .
That dynamic , particularly given that no candidate appears to clear over 50 % in any large Super Tuesday state yet , will make it very unlikely that many candidates will drop out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all delegates have been awarded , it will likely be statistically impossible for any candidate to walk into the Democratic convention with a clear majority .
An electoral model by FiveThirtyEight put Sanders 's chances of earning a majority of pledged delegates at 38 % , with a 52 % chance of winning a plurality of delegates .
Sanders 's clear path to a win still remains murky , with his base of support significantly contracting from his 2016 run .
Polls out of California show Sanders pulling away from the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late January showing Sanders at 30 % support and Warren at 16 % — but still far from the 50 % he would need to emerge as a clear winner of the state .

Polling out of the second-largest Super Tuesday state indicates that the fight to be a dominant front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary may go on well into late spring or early summer.
The latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll of Democratic voters in Texas shows a race where no candidate is close to earning a majority of delegates following the state's primary on March 3. The poll found that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont leads with 24% support, with former Vice President Joe Biden closely behind at 22%, Sen. Elizabeth Warren at 15%, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at 10%.
Although Sanders's support constitutes a 6-point jump since the last poll of the state was taken in January, he still remains far from collecting a majority of the delegates. Sanders's current 24-point support actually represents a 2-point drop from a separate survey also conducted in the beginning of January.
Biden's resilience in Texas despite handily losing the first two primary contests should give his campaign some confidence that the race remains tight. The fact that he's no longer leading, however, is further evidence that his Southern strategy is in serious jeopardy.
“Most of the movement has been Sanders and Bloomberg, with Biden [holding] still,” said Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. “To be unable to increase his vote share is pretty telling for Biden.”
The Super Tuesday map is near evenly split between Northern and Southern states. The demographics of states such as Minnesota and Colorado, with heavy pockets of urban liberals, already favored a candidate such as Sanders before he pulled off wins in Iowa and New Hampshire. But states with large black populations, such as Alabama and Virginia, were initially slated to go for Biden.
That no longer seems to be the case.
A principle reason former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was able to fend off Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary was her ability to win by double digits in the South. That cycle, Clinton earned 65.19% of the vote in Texas to Sanders's 33.19% of the vote.
But the proportional awarding of delegates in this cycle's primary means that it's very likely that no candidate will emerge from Super Tuesday as a clear leader. As Iowa and New Hampshire have shown, a candidate such as former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg can receive thousands fewer votes than Sanders and wind up with more delegates.
That dynamic, particularly given that no candidate appears to clear over 50% in any large Super Tuesday state yet, will make it very unlikely that many candidates will drop out next month. Even after a third of all delegates have been awarded, it will likely be statistically impossible for any candidate to walk into the Democratic convention with a clear majority.
An electoral model by FiveThirtyEight put Sanders's chances of earning a majority of pledged delegates at 38%, with a 52% chance of winning a plurality of delegates. Sanders's clear path to a win still remains murky, with his base of support significantly contracting from his 2016 run.
Polls out of California show Sanders pulling away from the rest of the field, with one taken in late January showing Sanders at 30% support and Warren at 16% — but still far from the 50% he would need to emerge as a clear winner of the state.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--The View hosts tout Bloomberg wealth as Trump's 'Achilles' heel'

The hosts of The View cast doubt on the depth of President Trump 's wealth while praising Michael Bloomberg as having more money .
`` To me , Trump ’ s Achilles ' heel is his money , '' co-host Joy Behar said Friday during a segment on the ABC show about Trump and Bloomberg 's recent Twitter fight .
`` He inherited $ 40 million from his father .
He kind of blew it .
He ’ s bankrupted casinos , which is impossible to do .
Nobody does that . ''
`` Bloomberg is worth $ 61 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion , '' Behar added .
Co-host Sunny Hostin jumped in and said that `` we do n't even know if he 's worth that much . ''
`` It feels like a New Yorker 'yo mama ' contest between two rich white guys , '' co-host Ana Navarro said .
`` I ’ m so here for it .
I would love to see it on a debate stage .
But part of the thing is , Mike Bloomberg is so unflappable and unbothered . ''
`` You would be too if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That makes you feel secure , you know ? ''
Behar replied .
Navarro said that `` it 's not the size that matters '' but the `` size of that bank account is impressive . ''
`` I do n't care how short he is , '' Behar concurred .
The discussion came after Trump called Bloomberg `` Mini Mike '' on Twitter .
The former New York City mayor responded by calling the president `` a carnival barking clown . ''
The View has recently given favorable coverage to Bloomberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday 's show of `` schilling '' for the former mayor .
Hostin was cut off Wednesday from bringing up Bloomberg 's controversial comments regarding stop and frisk .
The former mayor has been surging in the polls recently , with 14 % support according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls .
So far , Bloomberg has dumped more than a quarter of a billion dollars into his campaign .

The hosts of The View cast doubt on the depth of President Trump's wealth while praising Michael Bloomberg as having more money.
"To me, Trump’s Achilles' heel is his money," co-host Joy Behar said Friday during a segment on the ABC show about Trump and Bloomberg's recent Twitter fight. "He inherited $40 million from his father. He kind of blew it. He’s bankrupted casinos, which is impossible to do. Nobody does that."
"Bloomberg is worth $61 billion and this guy is worth $3.1 billion," Behar added. Co-host Sunny Hostin jumped in and said that "we don't even know if he's worth that much."
"It feels like a New Yorker 'yo mama' contest between two rich white guys," co-host Ana Navarro said. "I’m so here for it. I would love to see it on a debate stage. But part of the thing is, Mike Bloomberg is so unflappable and unbothered."
"You would be too if you were worth $61 billion. That makes you feel secure, you know?" Behar replied. Navarro said that "it's not the size that matters" but the "size of that bank account is impressive." "I don't care how short he is," Behar concurred.
The discussion came after Trump called Bloomberg "Mini Mike" on Twitter. The former New York City mayor responded by calling the president "a carnival barking clown."
The View has recently given favorable coverage to Bloomberg, and co-host Meghan McCain accused Behar on Friday's show of "schilling" for the former mayor. Hostin was cut off Wednesday from bringing up Bloomberg's controversial comments regarding stop and frisk.
The former mayor has been surging in the polls recently, with 14% support according to a RealClearPolitics average of polls. So far, Bloomberg has dumped more than a quarter of a billion dollars into his campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--'It's critical': Megadonor sticks with Biden but warns he must win South Carolina

A Democratic megadonor is sticking with Joe Biden despite the former vice president 's recent primary losses but urged that he must perform well in South Carolina .
Alan Patricof , a Biden donor and venture capitalist , said donors to the 36-year Delaware senator and two-term vice president are excited about the candidate but warned that a win in the Feb. 29 South Carolina Democratic primary is `` critical . ''
Biden must also perform well in the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses , Patricof said .
`` Everybody 's sticking with Joe until they see what happens there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Biden , 77 , will continue needing the support of donors to make it to Super Tuesday , where 14 states and Democrats Abroad are scheduled to hold primaries .
Patricof also said former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg 's entrance into the race has `` confused a lot of people . ''
`` The kind of people who would be supportive to Mike are the same people who would be supportive to Biden , I believe , '' he said before concluding , `` In the end , the voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent success comes from his personal fortune of at least $ 50 billion .
Though he did not participate in the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary , he has steadily poured money into television ads nationally .

A Democratic megadonor is sticking with Joe Biden despite the former vice president's recent primary losses but urged that he must perform well in South Carolina.
Alan Patricof, a Biden donor and venture capitalist, said donors to the 36-year Delaware senator and two-term vice president are excited about the candidate but warned that a win in the Feb. 29 South Carolina Democratic primary is "critical." Biden must also perform well in the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses, Patricof said.
"Everybody's sticking with Joe until they see what happens there," Patricof said. He later added that Biden, 77, will continue needing the support of donors to make it to Super Tuesday, where 14 states and Democrats Abroad are scheduled to hold primaries.
Patricof also said former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's entrance into the race has "confused a lot of people."
"The kind of people who would be supportive to Mike are the same people who would be supportive to Biden, I believe," he said before concluding, "In the end, the voters are what counts."
Bloomberg's recent success comes from his personal fortune of at least $50 billion. Though he did not participate in the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary, he has steadily poured money into television ads nationally.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--'A slap in the face': Oracle employees dismayed over Trump fundraiser hosted by boss

Oracle employees expressed dismay on learning that co-founder and Chairman Larry Ellison would host a high-dollar fundraiser for President Trump at his California home .
When employees learned on Thursday that billionaire Ellison would host the president and supporters at Porcupine Creek , his 249-acre property by the Santa Rosa mountains , they began to express frustration among themselves and with outside friends , sharing links to stories about the event , according to a report .
`` Oracle is not supposed to be political , but yet our CEO is doing something very political , no ? ''
said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraiser is a slap in the face to all of us , especially as Larry champions the environment and is building a hospital , '' the person said , citing Ellison 's philanthropic efforts .
`` This shows that he cares about money over all else .
And that is what matters .
But what is the average employee to do ? ''
The event on Wednesday is part of Trump 's fundraising and campaign swing through California , Arizona , and Nevada next week .
The high-profile appearances he will stage are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sails of the Democrats duking it out ahead of the Nevada caucus and high-delegate Super Tuesday states .
The 18,430-square-foot home 's golf course was designed by billionaire former owner Tim Blixseth and professional golfers Tom Weiskopf , Dave Stockton , and Annika Sorenstam .
When the property hit the market in 2010 , Trump was floated as a potential buyer .
`` It signals what I and many others have always feared , '' one current employee told Recode .
`` Culturally , Oracle is the type of place where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who you share common ideals with , but those ideals have to be left at the door in service of the company . ''
Ellison has given to Republican candidates and causes since 1993 , including at least $ 4 million to super PACs supporting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in 2016 .
The event is a joint fundraiser with the Republican National Committee , with several donor tiers .
For $ 250,000 , supporters can join a roundtable discussion , a golf outing , and take a photo with the president .

Oracle employees expressed dismay on learning that co-founder and Chairman Larry Ellison would host a high-dollar fundraiser for President Trump at his California home.
When employees learned on Thursday that billionaire Ellison would host the president and supporters at Porcupine Creek, his 249-acre property by the Santa Rosa mountains, they began to express frustration among themselves and with outside friends, sharing links to stories about the event, according to a report.
"Oracle is not supposed to be political, but yet our CEO is doing something very political, no?" said one current Oracle employee. "This fundraiser is a slap in the face to all of us, especially as Larry champions the environment and is building a hospital," the person said, citing Ellison's philanthropic efforts. "This shows that he cares about money over all else. And that is what matters. But what is the average employee to do?"
The event on Wednesday is part of Trump's fundraising and campaign swing through California, Arizona, and Nevada next week. The high-profile appearances he will stage are also designed to take some wind from the sails of the Democrats duking it out ahead of the Nevada caucus and high-delegate Super Tuesday states.
The 18,430-square-foot home's golf course was designed by billionaire former owner Tim Blixseth and professional golfers Tom Weiskopf, Dave Stockton, and Annika Sorenstam. When the property hit the market in 2010, Trump was floated as a potential buyer.
"It signals what I and many others have always feared," one current employee told Recode. "Culturally, Oracle is the type of place where you’ll work with many lovely people who you share common ideals with, but those ideals have to be left at the door in service of the company."
Ellison has given to Republican candidates and causes since 1993, including at least $4 million to super PACs supporting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in 2016.
The event is a joint fundraiser with the Republican National Committee, with several donor tiers. For $250,000, supporters can join a roundtable discussion, a golf outing, and take a photo with the president.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Warren proposes 'Blue New Deal' to 'save our oceans'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren told a fired-up crowd that she `` believes in science '' before proposing a `` tenfold '' increase in science funding if she is elected president .
The Massachusetts Democrat , who struggled in the first two primary contests of the 2020 election season , said the proposed `` Green New Deal '' does not go far enough to deal with climate change .
`` I 'm all for a 'Green New Deal , ' but it 's not enough , '' Warren said .
`` We got ta have a 'Blue New Deal ' to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey , both Democrats , unveiled the Green New Deal on Feb. 7 , 2019 , calling for the United States to prioritize 100 % renewable , zero-emission energy sources .
The freshman lawmaker was mocked for the proposal , which conservatives likened to a `` socialist Christmas list . ''
Warren was once considered the front-runner of the 2020 Democratic nominee race but has struggled in the early voting states and released a video yesterday pleading for supporters to donate `` critical funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm going to increase by tenfold the money we put into science — basic science , applied science , every part of this .
We got ta innovate out of this problem , '' Warren said .
This month , Warren vowed to allow a `` young trans person '' to vet her secretary of education and proudly described receiving a donation from a person who only had $ 6 in her bank account .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren told a fired-up crowd that she "believes in science" before proposing a "tenfold" increase in science funding if she is elected president.
The Massachusetts Democrat, who struggled in the first two primary contests of the 2020 election season, said the proposed "Green New Deal" does not go far enough to deal with climate change.
"I'm all for a 'Green New Deal,' but it's not enough," Warren said. "We gotta have a 'Blue New Deal' to save our oceans as well."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, both Democrats, unveiled the Green New Deal on Feb. 7, 2019, calling for the United States to prioritize 100% renewable, zero-emission energy sources. The freshman lawmaker was mocked for the proposal, which conservatives likened to a "socialist Christmas list."
Warren was once considered the front-runner of the 2020 Democratic nominee race but has struggled in the early voting states and released a video yesterday pleading for supporters to donate "critical funds" to her campaign.
"I'm going to increase by tenfold the money we put into science — basic science, applied science, every part of this. We gotta innovate out of this problem," Warren said.
This month, Warren vowed to allow a "young trans person" to vet her secretary of education and proudly described receiving a donation from a person who only had $6 in her bank account.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-14--Libertarian group accuses Bernie Sanders campaign of stealing door-knocking brand

A libertarian organization is threatening to sue Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , claiming his campaign stole its intellectual property .
Young Americans for Liberty , a nonprofit student activist organization , sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Sanders campaign , accusing it of stealing the organization 's brand `` Operation Win at the Door '' by calling its door-knocking operation the same thing .
`` YAL launched Operation Win at the Door in 2018 .
Operation Win at the Door has knocked on over 1.5 million doors and secured 56 election victories , '' writes Dan Backer , counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has expended substantial resources in developing the name and goodwill associated with Operation Win at the Door .
Your bastardization of our clients ’ intellectual property and flagrant attempt to redistribute their hard-won goodwill — a product of tremendous labor on the part of our client — is unauthorized and un-American . ''
The Washington Times obtained text messages from someone claiming to represent the Sanders campaign that encouraged people to join `` the largest grassroots campaign in the country — Operation Win at the Door.
” YAL claims that the Sanders campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believing it has endorsed the socialist 's campaign , something it says is antithetical to the organization 's belief system .
It further argued that the campaign 's use of the brand violates the law .
`` This bald-faced deceit violates laws that prohibit such deceptive solicitations and protect donations for their intended use as well as infringes on the intellectual property rights of YAL , '' the letter said .
The group plans to pursue legal action unless the Sanders campaign discontinues its use of the brand .
“ Bernie ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Operation Win at the Door ’ branding to solicit door knockers via text message — branding that we ’ ve spent three years building .
They must be realizing how much our strategy of engaging voters directly at the doorstep is impacting elections , '' YAL president Cliff Maloney told the Washington Examiner in a statement .
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Sanders campaign but did not receive a response for publication .
The letter follows recent news that supporters of the Sanders campaign sent threatening messages to Culinary Union officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone calls .
On Twitter , union officials were called names such as “ bitches , ” “ whore , ” “ f -- -ing scab , ” and “ evil , entitled assholes.
” Over email , union officials were referred to as “ corrupt mother f -- -ers ” and were threatened that it was “ time for people like me to go after you.
” Sanders has denounced the behavior and distanced himself from the incident .
“ Obviously , that is not acceptable to me .
And I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are .
You know , we are living in a strange world on the internet .
… Anybody making personal attacks against anybody else in my name is not part of our movement , ” he told PBS in an interview .

A libertarian organization is threatening to sue Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, claiming his campaign stole its intellectual property.
Young Americans for Liberty, a nonprofit student activist organization, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Sanders campaign, accusing it of stealing the organization's brand "Operation Win at the Door" by calling its door-knocking operation the same thing.
"YAL launched Operation Win at the Door in 2018. Operation Win at the Door has knocked on over 1.5 million doors and secured 56 election victories," writes Dan Backer, counsel for the libertarian group. "YAL has expended substantial resources in developing the name and goodwill associated with Operation Win at the Door. Your bastardization of our clients’ intellectual property and flagrant attempt to redistribute their hard-won goodwill — a product of tremendous labor on the part of our client — is unauthorized and un-American."
The Washington Times obtained text messages from someone claiming to represent the Sanders campaign that encouraged people to join "the largest grassroots campaign in the country — Operation Win at the Door.”
YAL claims that the Sanders campaign is able to mislead the public into believing it has endorsed the socialist's campaign, something it says is antithetical to the organization's belief system. It further argued that the campaign's use of the brand violates the law.
"This bald-faced deceit violates laws that prohibit such deceptive solicitations and protect donations for their intended use as well as infringes on the intellectual property rights of YAL," the letter said.
The group plans to pursue legal action unless the Sanders campaign discontinues its use of the brand.
“Bernie’s campaign is using YAL’s ‘Operation Win at the Door’ branding to solicit door knockers via text message — branding that we’ve spent three years building. They must be realizing how much our strategy of engaging voters directly at the doorstep is impacting elections," YAL president Cliff Maloney told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Sanders campaign but did not receive a response for publication.
The letter follows recent news that supporters of the Sanders campaign sent threatening messages to Culinary Union officials online, over email, and in phone calls. On Twitter, union officials were called names such as “bitches,” “whore,” “f---ing scab,” and “evil, entitled assholes.” Over email, union officials were referred to as “corrupt mother f---ers” and were threatened that it was “time for people like me to go after you.”
Sanders has denounced the behavior and distanced himself from the incident.
“Obviously, that is not acceptable to me. And I don’t know who these so-called supporters are. You know, we are living in a strange world on the internet. … Anybody making personal attacks against anybody else in my name is not part of our movement,” he told PBS in an interview.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-16--'Elevated by God': MSNBC host clashes with Republican over Trump 'authoritarianism'

MSNBC host Joy Reid went head-to-head with the leader of the Ohio Black Republican Association over whether President Trump is an authoritarian .
Reid claimed on the network Sunday that Trump has all the `` markers '' of autocracy and had caused a `` normalization of violence . ''
Tracey Winbush , the head of the Republican group , hit back at the host , saying Reid did not understand true leadership .
`` Everything that you said about the president 's authoritarianism , the thing about autocracy , none of that means anything because you ’ re not understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding , `` Journalists don ’ t want to cover the truth , they don ’ t want to cover the facts .
They do n't want to cover them .
They never have .
They have never told the truth and/or the facts about President Trump . ''
`` That 's actually not true , '' Reid responded to Winbush 's assertion about journalists not covering facts .
Near the end of the contentious segment , Reid asked the guest whether the president was `` sent by God . ''
`` All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winbush responded .
`` I believe Donald Trump is in office because God allowed him to be there to give America a reprieve so that they can reset and get back to normal . ''
The segment then came to a close when Winbush asserted that Trump is a `` king '' if he trusts in Jesus Christ .
The panel laughed at the Republican as Reid cut her off .
In November , Trump 's outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry said the president was `` the chosen one . ''
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama was used by God when he was in office .

MSNBC host Joy Reid went head-to-head with the leader of the Ohio Black Republican Association over whether President Trump is an authoritarian.
Reid claimed on the network Sunday that Trump has all the "markers" of autocracy and had caused a "normalization of violence." Tracey Winbush, the head of the Republican group, hit back at the host, saying Reid did not understand true leadership.
"Everything that you said about the president's authoritarianism, the thing about autocracy, none of that means anything because you’re not understanding leadership," she said, later adding, "Journalists don’t want to cover the truth, they don’t want to cover the facts. They don't want to cover them. They never have. They have never told the truth and/or the facts about President Trump."
"That's actually not true," Reid responded to Winbush's assertion about journalists not covering facts. Near the end of the contentious segment, Reid asked the guest whether the president was "sent by God."
"All power is elevated by God," Winbush responded. "I believe Donald Trump is in office because God allowed him to be there to give America a reprieve so that they can reset and get back to normal."
The segment then came to a close when Winbush asserted that Trump is a "king" if he trusts in Jesus Christ. The panel laughed at the Republican as Reid cut her off.
In November, Trump's outgoing Energy Secretary Rick Perry said the president was "the chosen one." He added that he also believes former President Barack Obama was used by God when he was in office.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-16--Bloomberg surpasses $400M in ad spending for 2020 race

Michael Bloomberg has spent more than double his nearest Democratic presidential primary rival on campaign ads .
Data from political ad tracker Kantar/CMAG shows the former New York City mayor spent roughly $ 417.7 million as of Sunday morning , which according to CNN 's David Wright , also includes futures reservations .
The amount is 10 times as much as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who leads the delegate race in the contest , have each spent .
The closest candidate to Bloomberg in spending is Tom Steyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , who poured about $ 193.6 million into ads .
As Bloomberg 's spending has increased , so has his poll numbers .
The former mayor has nearly doubled his support from 8 % to 14 % in just two weeks according to , RealClearPolitics national average .
Bloomberg 's rise has coincided with Joe Biden 's stumbling in early state contests .
The former vice president 's support has dropped nearly 10 % in the last two weeks .
Bloomberg has faced criticism from his fellow contenders for buying ads instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the billionaire 's strategy is `` to hide behind airwaves . ''

Michael Bloomberg has spent more than double his nearest Democratic presidential primary rival on campaign ads.
Data from political ad tracker Kantar/CMAG shows the former New York City mayor spent roughly $417.7 million as of Sunday morning, which according to CNN's David Wright, also includes futures reservations.
The amount is 10 times as much as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who leads the delegate race in the contest, have each spent.
Here's a look at ad spending through today (including future reservations:
Bloomberg: $417.7 million
Steyer: $193.6 million
Sanders: $41.8 million
Buttigieg: $40 millon
Warren: $21.4 million
Biden: $12.3 million
Klobuchar: $10.6 million
Gabbard $5.4 million — David Wright (@DavidWright_7) February 16, 2020
The closest candidate to Bloomberg in spending is Tom Steyer, a fellow billionaire who is self-funding his campaign, who poured about $193.6 million into ads.
As Bloomberg's spending has increased, so has his poll numbers. The former mayor has nearly doubled his support from 8% to 14% in just two weeks according to, RealClearPolitics national average.
Bloomberg's rise has coincided with Joe Biden's stumbling in early state contests. The former vice president's support has dropped nearly 10% in the last two weeks.
Bloomberg has faced criticism from his fellow contenders for buying ads instead of trying to qualify for debates. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the billionaire's strategy is "to hide behind airwaves."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-16--Klobuchar accuses Bloomberg of using money 'to hide behind airwaves'

Sen. Amy Klobuchar ripped into fellow 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg for attempting to avoid the Democratic presidential debates .
`` I think he has to come on a show like yours here , Dana , '' the Minnesota Democrat told CNN on Sunday .
`` He has not gone on any Sunday show since he announced .
She added , `` I don ’ t think you should be able to hide behind airwaves and huge ad buys .
He has to come on these shows , and I also am an advocate for him coming on the debate stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be able to beat him on the airwaves , but I can beat him on the debate stage . ''
Klobuchar 's comments came in response to CNN 's Dana Bash asking her about alleged sexist comments the former New York City mayor made throughout his business career .
Bloomberg has avoided qualifying for the Democratic presidential debates by spending his own money and refusing to solicit donations .
Instead , he has spent millions of dollars on ads to get his messaging out .
However , a recent rule change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way for him to make the debate stage .
Both Klobuchar and Bloomberg have seen their campaigns ' profiles rise in recent weeks as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden have underperformed in the first two states that have voted in the Democratic presidential primary .

Sen. Amy Klobuchar ripped into fellow 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg for attempting to avoid the Democratic presidential debates.
"I think he has to come on a show like yours here, Dana," the Minnesota Democrat told CNN on Sunday. "He has not gone on any Sunday show since he announced.
She added, "I don’t think you should be able to hide behind airwaves and huge ad buys. He has to come on these shows, and I also am an advocate for him coming on the debate stage. I know I’m not going to be able to beat him on the airwaves, but I can beat him on the debate stage."
Klobuchar's comments came in response to CNN's Dana Bash asking her about alleged sexist comments the former New York City mayor made throughout his business career.
“I don’t think you should be able to hide behind airwaves and huge ad buys,” 2020 candidate @amyklobuchar says about Michael Bloomberg. “I know I’m not going to be able to beat him on the airwaves but I can beat him on the debate stage.” #CNNSOTUhttps://t.co/9C1VGGdqCN pic.twitter.com/slsZ1zMs2A — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) February 16, 2020
Bloomberg has avoided qualifying for the Democratic presidential debates by spending his own money and refusing to solicit donations. Instead, he has spent millions of dollars on ads to get his messaging out. However, a recent rule change from the Democratic National Committee could pave the way for him to make the debate stage.
Both Klobuchar and Bloomberg have seen their campaigns' profiles rise in recent weeks as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden have underperformed in the first two states that have voted in the Democratic presidential primary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-15--Trump critic Schwarzenegger thanks administration for efforts to combat California homelessness

Movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger thanked President Trump this week for his efforts to combat the homelessness crisis in California .
“ Everyone knows @ realDonaldTrump & I have our disagreements , ” Schwarzenegger , the state 's former Republican governor and a critic of the president , said on Twitter .
“ But I want to thank you for sending @ SecretaryCarson to our homelessness summit .
We ’ ll only solve this if everyone works together .
This issue is bigger than all of us .
Now it ’ s time for action.
” Housing and Urban Development Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday taking part in a homelessness summit .
“ U.S .
Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) Secretary Ben Carson today visited Carmelitos Public Housing Development and announced a $ 20 million investment to nine public housing agencies ( PHA ) to help public housing families increase their earned income and become self-sufficient , ” HUD said in a .
The president has made it a priority to address the homelessness situation in California despite disagreements with the state 's Democratic leadership about how to fix the problem .
Carson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s leadership on the issue thus far .
Trump also about the situation in December and said that California is doing a “ really bad job ” on the issue .
“ Governor Gavin N has done a really bad job on taking care of the homeless population in California , the president tweeted .
“ If he can ’ t fix the problem , the Federal Govt .
will get involved !
” The homelessness crisis in California continues to worsen despite the fact that California is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
The homeless population in California increased by 16.4 % from 2018 to 2019 , and 53 % of all recorded homeless people in America lived in the state as of January 2019 , .
California ’ s poverty rate is one of the , and census figures show about 1 in 6 residents live in poverty .
`` The middle class is fleeing California .
The ones staying are falling into the poverty , '' Fox News host Tucker Carlson said on his show while discussing the California homelessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest poverty rate in the United States .
California ’ s Gini coefficient , a measure of inequality is identical to that in the republic of Congo .
Literally .
”

Movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger thanked President Trump this week for his efforts to combat the homelessness crisis in California.
“Everyone knows @realDonaldTrump & I have our disagreements,” Schwarzenegger, the state's former Republican governor and a critic of the president, said on Twitter. “But I want to thank you for sending @SecretaryCarson to our homelessness summit. We’ll only solve this if everyone works together. This issue is bigger than all of us. Now it’s time for action.”
Everyone knows @realDonaldTrump & I have our disagreements. But I want to thank you for sending @SecretaryCarson to our homelessness summit. We’ll only solve this if everyone works together. This issue is bigger than all of us. Now it’s time for action https://t.co/gJVNs3h10f — Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) February 14, 2020
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson was in Los Angeles on Friday taking part in a homelessness summit.
“U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today visited Carmelitos Public Housing Development and announced a $20 million investment to nine public housing agencies (PHA) to help public housing families increase their earned income and become self-sufficient,” HUD said in a statement .
The president has made it a priority to address the homelessness situation in California despite disagreements with the state's Democratic leadership about how to fix the problem.
Carson said in December that he was disappointed with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership on the issue thus far.
Trump also spoke about the situation in December and said that California is doing a “really bad job” on the issue.
“Governor Gavin N has done a really bad job on taking care of the homeless population in California, the president tweeted. “If he can’t fix the problem, the Federal Govt. will get involved!”
Governor Gavin N has done a really bad job on taking care of the homeless population in California. If he can’t fix the problem, the Federal Govt. will get involved! https://t.co/2z8zM37PUA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 25, 2019
The homelessness crisis in California continues to worsen despite the fact that California is one of the highest-taxed and biggest-spending states in the country.
The homeless population in California increased by 16.4% from 2018 to 2019, and 53% of all recorded homeless people in America lived in the state as of January 2019, according to HUD .
California’s poverty rate is one of the highest in the nation , and census figures show about 1 in 6 residents live in poverty.
"The middle class is fleeing California. The ones staying are falling into the poverty," Fox News host Tucker Carlson said on his show while discussing the California homelessness crisis recently. "The state has the highest poverty rate in the United States. California’s Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality is identical to that in the republic of Congo. Literally.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-15--'Not true': Zelensky disputes Trump claim that Ukraine is a 'corrupt' country

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected claims that he governs a “ corrupt '' country in his first major interview since President Trump ’ s impeachment acquittal .
Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday , Zelensky was read comments by Trump about Ukrainian corruption , including the American leader ’ s claim that Ukraine was the “ third-most corrupt country ” in the world .
Zelensky said that was “ not true.
” “ When I had a meeting with President Trump , and he said that in previous years [ Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told him and was very open with him , I told him that we fight with corruption , we fight each day , ” Zelensky said .
`` Please , please stop saying that Ukraine is a corrupt country , because from now , it 's not true .
We want to change this image . ''
Zelensky , a former television comedian who was elected last year by running on an anti-corruption platform , said he is trying to “ change the image ” of Ukraine as being a corrupt country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the impeachment effort against Trump .
Democrats alleged the president improperly pressured Ukraine to announce investigations into his political rivals , including former Vice President Joe Biden , while withholding military aid and a White House meeting .
One of the key elements of impeachment was a July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelensky , which was the subject of a whistleblower complaint against the president .
A transcript of the call was later released , and Trump defended the conversation by calling it the `` perfect '' call .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment in the Senate earlier this month .
Despite the controversy , Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine maintains a “ very good relationship with the U.S. ” and said he is “ ready for the next call with Mr. Trump .
”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected claims that he governs a “corrupt" country in his first major interview since President Trump’s impeachment acquittal.
Speaking to CNN on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday, Zelensky was read comments by Trump about Ukrainian corruption, including the American leader’s claim that Ukraine was the “third-most corrupt country” in the world. Zelensky said that was “not true.”
“When I had a meeting with President Trump, and he said that in previous years [Ukraine] was such a corrupt country, I told him and was very open with him, I told him that we fight with corruption, we fight each day,” Zelensky said. "Please, please stop saying that Ukraine is a corrupt country, because from now, it's not true. We want to change this image."
Zelensky, a former television comedian who was elected last year by running on an anti-corruption platform, said he is trying to “change the image” of Ukraine as being a corrupt country.
Zelensky found himself at the center of the impeachment effort against Trump. Democrats alleged the president improperly pressured Ukraine to announce investigations into his political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden, while withholding military aid and a White House meeting.
One of the key elements of impeachment was a July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelensky, which was the subject of a whistleblower complaint against the president. A transcript of the call was later released, and Trump defended the conversation by calling it the "perfect" call.
Trump was acquitted of two Ukraine-related articles of impeachment in the Senate earlier this month.
Despite the controversy, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine maintains a “very good relationship with the U.S.” and said he is “ready for the next call with Mr. Trump.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-15--Pelosi says she is 'not counting Joe Biden out'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thinks it ’ s too soon to rule out a Joe Biden presidency .
The California Democrat said in an interview with CNN that the former vice president still has a chance to become the Democratic nominee despite his lackluster showings at the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary , where he finished fourth and fifth , respectively .
She said that although the party has come down to the “ winnowing process , ” she still sees “ everything as an opportunity.
” “ Quite frankly , with all the respect in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not counting Joe Biden out , ” she added .
“ There are still races ahead that are much more representative of the country.
” Pelosi also said that she thinks that any of the Democratic candidates would be a better choice than President Trump .
“ The differences of opinion are what we are about , ” she said .
Biden finished with just over 8 % of the vote in the New Hampshire primary , which was won by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg close behind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden at 19.2 % nationally .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thinks it’s too soon to rule out a Joe Biden presidency.
The California Democrat said in an interview with CNN that the former vice president still has a chance to become the Democratic nominee despite his lackluster showings at the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, where he finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
She said that although the party has come down to the “winnowing process,” she still sees “everything as an opportunity.”
“Quite frankly, with all the respect in the world for Iowa and New Hampshire, I’m not counting Joe Biden out,” she added. “There are still races ahead that are much more representative of the country.”
Pelosi also said that she thinks that any of the Democratic candidates would be a better choice than President Trump.
“The differences of opinion are what we are about,” she said.
Biden finished with just over 8% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary, which was won by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg close behind. A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Biden at 19.2% nationally.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-15--'Do I look white to you?' Tlaib accuses census director of 'erasing' people of Middle Eastern descen

'Do I look white to you?' Tlaib accuses census director of 'erasing' people of Middle Eastern descent

Rep. Rashida Tlaib accused Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham of “ erasing ” people of Middle Eastern descent during a House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee meeting .
The congresswoman from Michigan was upset that the 2020 census does not include “ Middle Eastern/North African ” as an option in the ethnicity category despite an Obama-era that recommended otherwise .
Dillingham began to explain that there is a write-in option on the census to compensate for people who don ’ t feel a category accurately depicts their background .
Tlaib cut him off and said that “ circling white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived experience as a person of color ” in the United States .
Tlaib explained that writing in identity on the census does not have the same impact as circling it and then accused Dillingham of trying to “ erase ” her .
`` Sir , it does not have the same impact , and you know that , ” Tlaib said .
“ You know that .
That ’ s why the community pushed to add the category 'MENA , ' and they did it right .
They went through the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And this administration decided to ignore them and make them invisible again.
” “ Right ?
That is what you are doing , you 're making us invisible , ” Tlaib continued .
“ No , the continued absence of this ethnic category contributes to erasing us.
” Tlaib then reiterated she is not white .
“ Director , we need to get it right because I am not white .
I 'm not .
And I don ’ t try to say to others that you should be this or that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I look at it , I don ’ t see myself represented on this form .
And I think that ’ s a huge issue for people like me.
” Tlaib also suggested that incorrectly identifying oneself on the census could negatively affect civil rights and minority businesses ’ likelihood of receiving a loan .
“ Congresswoman , I can assure you that we continue to study race and ethnicity and the options for self-reporting that , ” Dillingham said before being cut off again .
“ We ’ ve been studied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s “ too late ” when Dillingham suggested the change she ’ s requesting could possibly be made for the 2030 census .

Rep. Rashida Tlaib accused Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham of “erasing” people of Middle Eastern descent during a House of Representatives Oversight and Reform Committee meeting.
The congresswoman from Michigan was upset that the 2020 census does not include “Middle Eastern/North African” as an option in the ethnicity category despite an Obama-era study that recommended otherwise.
“Do I look white to you?” Tlaib asked Dillingham.
Dillingham began to explain that there is a write-in option on the census to compensate for people who don’t feel a category accurately depicts their background. Tlaib cut him off and said that “circling white” on the census changed her “lived experience as a person of color” in the United States.
Tlaib explained that writing in identity on the census does not have the same impact as circling it and then accused Dillingham of trying to “erase” her.
"Sir, it does not have the same impact, and you know that,” Tlaib said. “You know that. That’s why the community pushed to add the category 'MENA,' and they did it right. They went through the process, and they got it approved. And this administration decided to ignore them and make them invisible again.”
“Right? That is what you are doing, you're making us invisible,” Tlaib continued. “No, the continued absence of this ethnic category contributes to erasing us.”
Tlaib then reiterated she is not white.
“Director, we need to get it right because I am not white. I'm not. And I don’t try to say to others that you should be this or that. But when I sit on this form and I look at it, I don’t see myself represented on this form. And I think that’s a huge issue for people like me.”
Tlaib also suggested that incorrectly identifying oneself on the census could negatively affect civil rights and minority businesses’ likelihood of receiving a loan.
“Congresswoman, I can assure you that we continue to study race and ethnicity and the options for self-reporting that,” Dillingham said before being cut off again.
“We’ve been studied enough,” Tlaib said before adding that it’s “too late” when Dillingham suggested the change she’s requesting could possibly be made for the 2030 census.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-15--Senator threatens sanctions for Lebanon over detained American citizen

A U.S. senator is threatening Lebanon with sanctions over the arrest and imprisonment of a cancer-stricken American citizen .
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen , who is reportedly working on a sanctions bill , told Fox News that Amer Fakhoury is being held by authorities despite no proof of wrongdoing .
“ There has been no evidence to substantiate the charges against Amer Fakhoury , and his health condition is dire , ” the New Hampshire Democrat said .
“ Time is of the essence , and the Lebanese government needs to understand there will be consequences for his continued detention.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was arrested there during a visit last September after a Hezbollah-affiliated publication alleged that he tortured people imprisoned by the South Lebanon Army , a majority-Christian militia group backed by Israel in its fight against Hezbollah and Palestinian militias during the 1980s and 1990s .
He was held for six months before being charged with murder , kidnapping , and the torture of prisoners at Khiam detention center , which is located near Lebanon ’ s southern border with Israel .
Celine Atallah , Fakhoury ’ s lawyer , said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the names of SLA members accused of torture have been publicly released and do not include Fakhoury .
“ Amer ’ s only crime is that he is a United States citizen , which is making the Lebanese government hold him hostage to gain leverage over the United States , '' she said .
`` This is an egregious act of criminality by them.
” Tony Badran with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said that Hezbollah , a group that is aligned with Iran and opposed to Israel , is the driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hezbollah runs the entire political order in Lebanon .
Hence , any government which emerges from that order is a Hezbollah government , ” Badran said .
Fakhoury ’ s family members said they are grateful for Shaheen ’ s help in trying to push for his release and explained that Fakhoury is suffering from stage 4 B-cell lymphoma .
“ He is gravely ill , and the hospital lacks the basic medicine in order to treat him properly , ” the family said in a statement .
Fakhoury 's family has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting that he supported Trump during the 2016 presidential election .
“ The family calls on President Trump to help bring this innocent American citizen back home , ” the family said .
“ He is in critical condition , and every day , his health is deteriorating .
We fear that our father will die in Lebanon .
”

A U.S. senator is threatening Lebanon with sanctions over the arrest and imprisonment of a cancer-stricken American citizen.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is reportedly working on a sanctions bill, told Fox News that Amer Fakhoury is being held by authorities despite no proof of wrongdoing.
“There has been no evidence to substantiate the charges against Amer Fakhoury, and his health condition is dire,” the New Hampshire Democrat said. “Time is of the essence, and the Lebanese government needs to understand there will be consequences for his continued detention.”
Fakhoury, who was born in Lebanon, was arrested there during a visit last September after a Hezbollah-affiliated publication alleged that he tortured people imprisoned by the South Lebanon Army, a majority-Christian militia group backed by Israel in its fight against Hezbollah and Palestinian militias during the 1980s and 1990s.
He was held for six months before being charged with murder, kidnapping, and the torture of prisoners at Khiam detention center, which is located near Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.
Celine Atallah, Fakhoury’s lawyer, said that the charges are made up and noted that the names of SLA members accused of torture have been publicly released and do not include Fakhoury.
“Amer’s only crime is that he is a United States citizen, which is making the Lebanese government hold him hostage to gain leverage over the United States," she said. "This is an egregious act of criminality by them.”
Tony Badran with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said that Hezbollah, a group that is aligned with Iran and opposed to Israel, is the driving force behind the charges and detention.
“Hezbollah runs the entire political order in Lebanon. Hence, any government which emerges from that order is a Hezbollah government,” Badran said.
Fakhoury’s family members said they are grateful for Shaheen’s help in trying to push for his release and explained that Fakhoury is suffering from stage 4 B-cell lymphoma.
“He is gravely ill, and the hospital lacks the basic medicine in order to treat him properly,” the family said in a statement.
Fakhoury's family has also appealed to President Trump for help, noting that he supported Trump during the 2016 presidential election.
“The family calls on President Trump to help bring this innocent American citizen back home,” the family said. “He is in critical condition, and every day, his health is deteriorating. We fear that our father will die in Lebanon.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-15--Gaetz says 'a little swamp left to be drained' in Justice Department

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he still has confidence in the Justice Department despite the controversial decision not to pursue charges against former FBI acting Director Andrew McCabe but added that there ’ s a “ little swamp left to be drained.
” '' The disgrace is that Andrew McCabe is not going to be behind bars , '' Gaetz Fox News in response to seeing a clip showing McCabe suggesting that the mere thought of being charged with a crime was a “ disgrace.
” '' I still think there 's work to be done to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values that the senior leadership that the FBI have , '' Gaetz said regarding whether he felt let down by Barr .
`` I have total confidence in Bill Barr .
I think the Durham indictments will help to drain the swamp over there . ''
Gaetz then pointed out that there is work to be done to fulfill President Trump ’ s campaign promise to “ drain the swamp.
” '' I think there 's still probably a little swamp left to be drained at the Department of Justice , ” Gaetz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice will not pursue charges against McCabe for allegedly lying to investigators about media leaks .
“ We write to inform you that , after careful consideration , the government has decided not to pursue criminal charges against your client , Andrew G. McCabe , arising from the referral by the Office of Inspector General , ” prosecutors wrote to McCabe ’ s defense team .
“ Based on the totality of circumstances and all of the information known to the government at this time , we consider the matter closed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ instances in a 2018 report where McCabe “ lacked candor ” while speaking to investigators on four separate occasions , including three times under oath .

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he still has confidence in the Justice Department despite the controversial decision not to pursue charges against former FBI acting Director Andrew McCabe but added that there’s a “little swamp left to be drained.”
"The disgrace is that Andrew McCabe is not going to be behind bars," Gaetz told Fox News in response to seeing a clip showing McCabe suggesting that the mere thought of being charged with a crime was a “disgrace.”
"I still think there's work to be done to have folks who reflect the right views and values that the senior leadership that the FBI have," Gaetz said regarding whether he felt let down by Barr. "I have total confidence in Bill Barr. I think the Durham indictments will help to drain the swamp over there."
Gaetz then pointed out that there is work to be done to fulfill President Trump’s campaign promise to “drain the swamp.”
"I think there's still probably a little swamp left to be drained at the Department of Justice,” Gaetz said.
It was revealed Friday that the Department of Justice will not pursue charges against McCabe for allegedly lying to investigators about media leaks.
“We write to inform you that, after careful consideration, the government has decided not to pursue criminal charges against your client, Andrew G. McCabe, arising from the referral by the Office of Inspector General,” prosecutors wrote to McCabe’s defense team. “Based on the totality of circumstances and all of the information known to the government at this time, we consider the matter closed.”