thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--It's not complicated: John Bolton must testify

It is n't complicated .
Public interest demands John Bolton testimony at the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump .
That 's the necessary response to the New York Times report on Sunday — namely , its reporting that Bolton 's upcoming book will allege that Trump tied the release of military aid to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnky opening investigations into the business dealings of Joe Biden 's son , Hunter .
If accurately reported — and that does appear to be the case — Bolton 's claims undercut the president 's defense of his conduct .
Trump 's legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to extract a politically damaging investigation of his primary rival 's family .
Bolton apparently says the opposite .
Bolton is thus a critical component of this impeachment trial .
As Trump 's national security adviser during the withholding of U.S. aid during the spring and summer of 2019 , Bolton is exceptionally well placed to know what Trump said and why that aid was withheld .
We should recognize as much .
And as the Washington Examiner 's Susan Ferrechio reports , Republicans are increasingly predisposed to hear Bolton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton is just one individual in an executive branch full of individuals who worked on the Ukraine issue .
And by saving his testimony for publication in a multimillion-dollar book deal rather than presenting it early and openly , Bolton has opened himself to challenges that his motive is shaped by profit .
Still , Bolton is a long-serving public official with intimate experience of executive policy .
The views of this former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations are obviously debatable , but his patriotism and intellect are not .
Again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security official during the relevant period of the military aid suspension .
Bolton is thus well placed to be judged as a credible and first-hand witness to the president 's conduct .
Senators can draw their own conclusions from what Bolton may or may not say and weigh that testimony against what others more favorable to the president have said .
But to not call Bolton as a witness would be at best an act of political cowardice .
At worse , it would be a betrayal of senators ' solemn oaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the people , then let senators weigh his words alongside all the other evidence .

It isn't complicated. Public interest demands John Bolton testimony at the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.
That's the necessary response to the New York Times report on Sunday — namely, its reporting that Bolton's upcoming book will allege that Trump tied the release of military aid to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnky opening investigations into the business dealings of Joe Biden's son, Hunter. If accurately reported — and that does appear to be the case — Bolton's claims undercut the president's defense of his conduct. Trump's legal team says he did not withhold aid in order to extract a politically damaging investigation of his primary rival's family. Bolton apparently says the opposite.
Bolton is thus a critical component of this impeachment trial. As Trump's national security adviser during the withholding of U.S. aid during the spring and summer of 2019, Bolton is exceptionally well placed to know what Trump said and why that aid was withheld. We should recognize as much. And as the Washington Examiner's Susan Ferrechio reports, Republicans are increasingly predisposed to hear Bolton's testimony.
Do not misunderstand me. Bolton is just one individual in an executive branch full of individuals who worked on the Ukraine issue. And by saving his testimony for publication in a multimillion-dollar book deal rather than presenting it early and openly, Bolton has opened himself to challenges that his motive is shaped by profit.
Still, Bolton is a long-serving public official with intimate experience of executive policy.
The views of this former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations are obviously debatable, but his patriotism and intellect are not. Again, Bolton was Trump's No. 1 national security official during the relevant period of the military aid suspension. Bolton is thus well placed to be judged as a credible and first-hand witness to the president's conduct.
Senators can draw their own conclusions from what Bolton may or may not say and weigh that testimony against what others more favorable to the president have said. But to not call Bolton as a witness would be at best an act of political cowardice. At worse, it would be a betrayal of senators' solemn oaths of office.
Compel Bolton to speak before the people, then let senators weigh his words alongside all the other evidence.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Mother of journalist believed to be held hostage in Syria accuses top US official of ‘stalling’ on f

Mother of journalist believed to be held hostage in Syria accuses top US official of ‘stalling’ on freeing son

The mother of Austin Tice , the American journalist and former Marine who is believed to be held hostage in Syria , blamed a senior U.S. government official for standing in the way of bringing her son home .
Debra Tice said Monday she was given a message from a high-ranking Syrian official in March 2014 who said the official would not meet with her but would discuss her son 's situation with “ a United States government official of appropriate title.
” Debra Tice said she shared the message with the U.S. government and asked for a meeting between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity for understanding why this request has not been met .
Almost six years ago , the Syrian government opened the door for a discussion , ” Debra Tice said Monday during a news conference in Washington .
“ President Trump is committed to bringing Americans home and [ has ] proven that commitment through action .
We know that commitment extends to our son , ” she continued .
“ The president has directed his team to make it happen .
We know with certainty there are those in his administration who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
Apparently , somewhere in the chain , there is a senior U.S. government official who is hesitating or stalling .
There is no possible way for me to understand why anyone would defy the president ’ s will.
” Debra Tice did not name the official , saying she is not certain about the official 's identity .
“ Whoever you are , stand down or stand up for Austin .
One or the other , ” she said .
Austin Tice , 38 , disappeared in Syria in 2012 while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Marine Corps veteran and Georgetown law student illegally entered Syria to report on the civil war , which was then in its second year .
He intended to leave in August 2012 but was detained at a checkpoint .
Five weeks later , a short video titled “ Austin Tice still alive ” was posted on a Syrian pro-government website .
The video showed him blindfolded in a rocky mountainside being forced to recite a prayer Muslims say before dying .
He then said in English , “ Oh , Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capture , the State Department said it believed the journalist was in the custody of the Syrian government , which has not admitted to holding him .
In 2017 , it was reported that the Trump administration tried to set up a back channel with Syria to free Austin Tice .
The talks elevated to the highest levels of the CIA , when the agency ’ s director , Mike Pompeo , who is now secretary of state , had a phone call with Ali Mamlouk , the head of Syria 's National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to free Austin Tice stalled after the Syrian government ’ s nerve gas attack on civilians led Trump to approve missile strikes against a Syrian air base .
The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner .

The mother of Austin Tice, the American journalist and former Marine who is believed to be held hostage in Syria, blamed a senior U.S. government official for standing in the way of bringing her son home.
Debra Tice said Monday she was given a message from a high-ranking Syrian official in March 2014 who said the official would not meet with her but would discuss her son's situation with “a United States government official of appropriate title.”
Debra Tice said she shared the message with the U.S. government and asked for a meeting between both governments.
“We have no capacity for understanding why this request has not been met. Almost six years ago, the Syrian government opened the door for a discussion,” Debra Tice said Monday during a news conference in Washington.
“President Trump is committed to bringing Americans home and [has] proven that commitment through action. We know that commitment extends to our son,” she continued. “The president has directed his team to make it happen. We know with certainty there are those in his administration who are working to make this essential meeting happen. Apparently, somewhere in the chain, there is a senior U.S. government official who is hesitating or stalling. There is no possible way for me to understand why anyone would defy the president’s will.”
Debra Tice did not name the official, saying she is not certain about the official's identity.
“Whoever you are, stand down or stand up for Austin. One or the other,” she said.
Austin Tice, 38, disappeared in Syria in 2012 while he was working as a freelance journalist. The Marine Corps veteran and Georgetown law student illegally entered Syria to report on the civil war, which was then in its second year.
He intended to leave in August 2012 but was detained at a checkpoint. Five weeks later, a short video titled “Austin Tice still alive” was posted on a Syrian pro-government website. The video showed him blindfolded in a rocky mountainside being forced to recite a prayer Muslims say before dying. He then said in English, “Oh, Jesus. Oh, Jesus.”
After his capture, the State Department said it believed the journalist was in the custody of the Syrian government, which has not admitted to holding him.
In 2017, it was reported that the Trump administration tried to set up a back channel with Syria to free Austin Tice. The talks elevated to the highest levels of the CIA, when the agency’s director, Mike Pompeo, who is now secretary of state, had a phone call with Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syria's National Security Bureau intelligence service. The efforts to free Austin Tice stalled after the Syrian government’s nerve gas attack on civilians led Trump to approve missile strikes against a Syrian air base.
"Recovering American hostages is a top priority for this Administration and President Trump continues to successfully secure the release of American hostages , " a State Department representative said in a statement Tuesday. "We work tirelessly on each and every case of an American being held hostage abroad and we will continue to do so in the case of Austin Tice until he is back home with his family and loved ones."
The White House did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--What on Earth is wrong with Paula White, Trump’s spiritual guru?

Trump ’ s spiritual adviser , White has a long history of religiously tinged absurdity .
The televangelist is a professed Christian and prosperity gospel preacher , and to those who send her and her ministry money , she promises “ visions ” from God .
“ We aren ’ t buying a miracle , ” she during one cash grab .
“ We ’ re simply being obedient.
” She may say that her first allegiance is to the Lord , but she just might have him confused with Donald J. Trump .
“ To say 'no ' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to God , ” she said of her decision to join the administration .
“ And I wo n't do that . ''
In her latest controversy , the supposedly pro-life White prayed for “ satanic pregnancies ” to miscarry : “ We command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now .
We declare that anything that ’ s been conceived in satanic wombs , that it ’ ll miscarry , it will not be able to carry forth any plan of destruction , any plan of harm.
” When a clip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded that everyone who thought she was calling for the death of innocent babies simply misunderstood .
“ I do n't normally respond but clearly this has been taken out of context , ” she Sunday .
“ I was praying Eph 6:12 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood .
Anything that has been conceived by demonic plans , for it to be cancelled and not prevail in your life … That is — any plans to hurt people .
Let 's be clear what is really going on ... this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of context for political gain .
I will just keep praying !
” The Bible verse that White references , Ephesians 6:12 , says this : “ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood , but against the rulers , against the authorities , against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
” The apostle Paul is discussing the existence of spiritual warfare ; when Christians face conflict , they should remember that their decisions have eternal , not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case this wasn ’ t clear , the verse does not mean that you should pray for the miscarriage of “ satanic pregnancies , ” whatever that means .
It 's actually pretty hard to figure out how she got from point A to point B here .
Theological studies professor Andre Gagne that he thought White 's comment was metaphorical .
“ White is commanding that Satan 's plans be aborted , ” he said .
But even if he ’ s right , does that really make her language a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that White paints “ Satan ’ s plans ” with a pretty broad brush .
If White wanted to pray against “ any plans to hurt people , ” she could have done so .
Instead , she made it clear what she thinks of her political enemies , and that ’ s not incompatible with her previous behavior .
It might be one thing for this to be a slip of the tongue or a one-off misstep .
But White has made it evident what she thinks of the opponents of herself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , let every demonic network who has aligned itself against the purpose , against the calling of President Trump , let it be broken , let it be torn down in the name of Jesus !
” she proclaimed at a Trump rally .
In her `` satanic pregnancies '' speech , she said , `` We declare that any strange winds — any strange winds that have been sent to hurt the church , sent against this nation , sent against our president , sent against myself , sent against others — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jesus right now . ''
While many prominent evangelicals have distanced themselves from White and her outlandish beliefs , others have .
Even if Christian leaders make clear that they want no association with her , White still has one prominent ally — in the White House .

Paula White needs to stop talking.
Trump’s spiritual adviser, White has a long history of religiously tinged absurdity. The televangelist is a professed Christian and prosperity gospel preacher, and to those who send her and her ministry money, she promises “visions” from God.
“We aren’t buying a miracle,” she said during one cash grab. “We’re simply being obedient.”
She may say that her first allegiance is to the Lord, but she just might have him confused with Donald J. Trump. “To say 'no' to President Trump would be saying 'no' to God,” she said of her decision to join the administration. “And I won't do that."
In her latest controversy, the supposedly pro-life White prayed for “satanic pregnancies” to miscarry: “We command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now. We declare that anything that’s been conceived in satanic wombs, that it’ll miscarry, it will not be able to carry forth any plan of destruction, any plan of harm.”
“We command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now” — Special Adviser to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative Paula White pic.twitter.com/gtdZyGfkxy — Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons (@GuthrieGF) January 25, 2020
When a clip of her message began circulating online, White responded that everyone who thought she was calling for the death of innocent babies simply misunderstood.
“I don't normally respond but clearly this has been taken out of context,” she tweeted Sunday. “I was praying Eph 6:12 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Anything that has been conceived by demonic plans, for it to be cancelled and not prevail in your life … That is — any plans to hurt people. Let's be clear what is really going on ... this is a disingenuous attempt to use words out of context for political gain. I will just keep praying!”
Oh, a metaphorical miscarriage. Common mistake.
The Bible verse that White references, Ephesians 6:12, says this: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
The apostle Paul is discussing the existence of spiritual warfare; when Christians face conflict, they should remember that their decisions have eternal, not just temporal, consequences. But, just in case this wasn’t clear, the verse does not mean that you should pray for the miscarriage of “satanic pregnancies,” whatever that means. It's actually pretty hard to figure out how she got from point A to point B here.
Theological studies professor Andre Gagne tweeted that he thought White's comment was metaphorical. “White is commanding that Satan's plans be aborted,” he said. But even if he’s right, does that really make her language a good idea? It’s clear that White paints “Satan’s plans” with a pretty broad brush.
If White wanted to pray against “any plans to hurt people,” she could have done so. Instead, she made it clear what she thinks of her political enemies, and that’s not incompatible with her previous behavior. It might be one thing for this to be a slip of the tongue or a one-off misstep. But White has made it evident what she thinks of the opponents of herself and the president.
“Right now, let every demonic network who has aligned itself against the purpose, against the calling of President Trump, let it be broken, let it be torn down in the name of Jesus!” she proclaimed at a Trump rally.
In her "satanic pregnancies" speech, she said, "We declare that any strange winds — any strange winds that have been sent to hurt the church, sent against this nation, sent against our president, sent against myself, sent against others — we break it by the superior blood of Jesus right now."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--FBI exploring evidence that Ilhan Omar may have married her brother: Report

The FBI is reportedly looking into whether Rep. Ilhan Omar married her brother .
FBI agents held an October meeting with a concerned party who gave the agency documents related to the Minnesota Democrat 's marriage to British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi , Omar 's second husband , according to a New York Post report on Sunday .
The meeting was first reported earlier this month by the Blaze .
A source told the New York Post that the two FBI agents at the meeting agreed to give the documents they had received to the U.S. Department of Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They did not confirm they would be opening an investigation into Omar themselves .
The lawmaker has been accused of marrying Elmi , who is alleged to be her brother , in 2009 so he could gain a green card or scholarship benefits .
An investigation by the Washington Examiner last summer found dozens of documents that indicate discrepancies within the congresswoman 's marriage statements .
Omar , 38 , has said she married her first husband , Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi , in 2002 before they `` decided to end our relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Omar , she then married her second husband , Elmi , before getting divorced in 2011 and reconciling the same year with Hirsi .
The Washington Examiner found , based on legal documents , that there is no evidence that Hirsi and Omar ever separated between 2008 and 2011 , and instead continued to live together during that time period .
She did , however , file for divorce from Hirsi in October last year .
Omar has declined to answer questions from the Washington Examiner on the matter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available to talk on the subject .
Conviction for marriage fraud could result in a $ 250,000 fine , along with five years in prison .

The FBI is reportedly looking into whether Rep. Ilhan Omar married her brother.
FBI agents held an October meeting with a concerned party who gave the agency documents related to the Minnesota Democrat's marriage to British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, Omar's second husband, according to a New York Post report on Sunday. The meeting was first reported earlier this month by the Blaze.
A source told the New York Post that the two FBI agents at the meeting agreed to give the documents they had received to the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They did not confirm they would be opening an investigation into Omar themselves.
The lawmaker has been accused of marrying Elmi, who is alleged to be her brother, in 2009 so he could gain a green card or scholarship benefits.
An investigation by the Washington Examiner last summer found dozens of documents that indicate discrepancies within the congresswoman's marriage statements. Omar, 38, has said she married her first husband, Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi, in 2002 before they "decided to end our relationship in our faith tradition" in 2008.
According to Omar, she then married her second husband, Elmi, before getting divorced in 2011 and reconciling the same year with Hirsi. The Washington Examiner found, based on legal documents, that there is no evidence that Hirsi and Omar ever separated between 2008 and 2011, and instead continued to live together during that time period. She did, however, file for divorce from Hirsi in October last year.
Omar has declined to answer questions from the Washington Examiner on the matter, and her office said she would not be available to talk on the subject. Conviction for marriage fraud could result in a $250,000 fine, along with five years in prison.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Trump ally invokes Schumer's intelligence 'revenge' warning after Bolton manuscript leaks

A top Republican called attention to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 's warning to President Trump about crossing the intelligence community .
Rep. Andy Biggs recalled a quote by Schumer after details of former national security adviser John Bolton 's book , a draft of which was submitted to the National Security Council for a review , leaked to the media , and shook up the impeachment debate over calling witnesses .
`` As more leaks & hearsay are ushered into the # ImpeachmentTrial , remember Chuck Schumer 's warning about the revenge of the intel community , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He quoted Schumer 's suggestion to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow in early January 2017 that intelligence officials have ways to strike back after Trump , then the president-elect , alleged there was a delay in his briefing on `` so-called Russian hacking . ''
`` Let me tell you : You take on the intelligence community — they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you , '' the New York Democrat said after Maddow informed him that intelligence sources told NBC News that the briefing had not actually been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a practical , supposedly hard-nosed businessman , he 's being really dumb to do this , '' he added .
Biggs , the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and a vocal defender of the president , also shared a Breitbart News report that cited a source who said Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman , a senior ethics lawyer for the National Security Council , is the official in charge of reviewing manuscripts by current and former NSC officials .
Vindman is the identical twin brother of Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testified during House impeachment proceedings that he raised national security concerns about Trump 's July 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
According to a report by the New York Times late Sunday , Bolton wrote in a draft that Trump told him in August that a hold on nearly $ 400 million in congressionally approved military aid was tied to his efforts to pressure Kyiv into assisting with investigations into his political rivals , including presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Trump , who faces two Ukraine-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the security aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations .
`` If John Bolton said this , it was only to sell a book , '' he tweeted just after midnight on Monday .
The report quickly stirred up speculation about who was behind the leak , which broke out during the Senate impeachment trial .
Democrats have used the disclosure to push moderate Republican senators to vote in favor of summoning Bolton and other Trump administration officials to testify .
Bolton left the White House in September and announced earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate impeachment trial if subpoenaed by lawmakers .
Trump signaled that he would block Bolton from testifying , claiming it would be to protect executive privilege for himself and future presidents .
Sarah Tinsley , an adviser to Bolton , said that the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations sent the draft manuscript to the White House weeks ago for a prepublication review by the NSC .
`` The ambassador has not passed the draft manuscript to anyone else .
Period , '' she said .
Bolton 's attorney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decrying a `` corrupted '' review process and shared a copy of a cover letter showing the draft was submitted to the NSC 's Records Management Division for a standard prepublication security review for classified information on Dec. 30 .
On Monday , Bolton and his publisher denied allegations that they leaked excerpts of his book to the New York Times .

A top Republican called attention to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's warning to President Trump about crossing the intelligence community.
Rep. Andy Biggs recalled a quote by Schumer after details of former national security adviser John Bolton's book, a draft of which was submitted to the National Security Council for a review, leaked to the media, and shook up the impeachment debate over calling witnesses.
"As more leaks & hearsay are ushered into the #ImpeachmentTrial, remember Chuck Schumer's warning about the revenge of the intel community," the Arizona Republican said in a tweet Monday.
As more leaks & hearsay are ushered into the #ImpeachmentTrial, remember Chuck Schumer's warning about the revenge of the intel community:
“Let me tell you, you take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you,” https://t.co/McMZdQTWfw — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 27, 2020
He quoted Schumer's suggestion to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow in early January 2017 that intelligence officials have ways to strike back after Trump, then the president-elect, alleged there was a delay in his briefing on "so-called Russian hacking."
"Let me tell you: You take on the intelligence community — they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you," the New York Democrat said after Maddow informed him that intelligence sources told NBC News that the briefing had not actually been delayed.
"So, even for a practical, supposedly hard-nosed businessman, he's being really dumb to do this," he added.
Biggs, the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and a vocal defender of the president, also shared a Breitbart News report that cited a source who said Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, a senior ethics lawyer for the National Security Council, is the official in charge of reviewing manuscripts by current and former NSC officials. Vindman is the identical twin brother of Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, another member of the NSC who testified during House impeachment proceedings that he raised national security concerns about Trump's July 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to a report by the New York Times late Sunday, Bolton wrote in a draft that Trump told him in August that a hold on nearly $400 million in congressionally approved military aid was tied to his efforts to pressure Kyiv into assisting with investigations into his political rivals, including presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden. Trump, who faces two Ukraine-related articles of impeachment, denied telling Bolton that the security aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations.
"If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book," he tweeted just after midnight on Monday.
The report quickly stirred up speculation about who was behind the leak, which broke out during the Senate impeachment trial. Democrats have used the disclosure to push moderate Republican senators to vote in favor of summoning Bolton and other Trump administration officials to testify.
Bolton left the White House in September and announced earlier this month that he was willing to testify in the Senate impeachment trial if subpoenaed by lawmakers. Trump signaled that he would block Bolton from testifying, claiming it would be to protect executive privilege for himself and future presidents.
Sarah Tinsley, an adviser to Bolton, said that the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations sent the draft manuscript to the White House weeks ago for a prepublication review by the NSC. "The ambassador has not passed the draft manuscript to anyone else. Period," she said.
Bolton's attorney, Charles Cooper, also released a statement decrying a "corrupted" review process and shared a copy of a cover letter showing the draft was submitted to the NSC's Records Management Division for a standard prepublication security review for classified information on Dec. 30.
On Monday, Bolton and his publisher denied allegations that they leaked excerpts of his book to the New York Times.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Ken Starr: Impeachment has become a 'weapon to be wielded against one’s political opponent'

Impeachment has become a political weapon rather than a legal remedy for presidential misconduct , President Trump impeachment defense team member Ken Starr lamented .
`` It won ’ t be a once-in-a-generation act , but an every administration act , '' Starr said on the Senate floor Monday .
`` Democrats will regret it when Republicans are handing out the pens , the pens of the signing ceremony . ''
Starr is one of several lawyers defending Trump during his Senate impeachment trial .
He was previously appointed independent counsel in the investigation that preceded the impeachment of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Senate in 1999 .
House Democrats impeached Trump on two charges , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , last year .
The trial is now underway , with House impeachment managers arguing that Trump used his power as president to pressure Ukraine into investigating his political rival , former Vice President Joe Biden .
`` In the world ’ s longest-standing constitutional republic , '' Starr argued .
`` Instead of a once-in-a-century phenomenon , which it had been , presidential impeachment has become a weapon to be wielded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump and his Republican defenders in Congress have said Democrats are impeaching the president based on their dislike of him rather than his conduct .
Democrats , on the other hand , have argued that Trump has shown a disregard for the constitution and is a danger to national security .
`` Some courageous people came forward .
Courageous people that risked their entire careers , '' lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said as he closed his opening remarks last week .
`` They risked everything , their careers .
And yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide may risk yours too .
But if they could show the courage , so could we . ''

Impeachment has become a political weapon rather than a legal remedy for presidential misconduct, President Trump impeachment defense team member Ken Starr lamented.
"It won’t be a once-in-a-generation act, but an every administration act," Starr said on the Senate floor Monday. "Democrats will regret it when Republicans are handing out the pens, the pens of the signing ceremony."
Starr is one of several lawyers defending Trump during his Senate impeachment trial. He was previously appointed independent counsel in the investigation that preceded the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, who was later acquitted by the Senate in 1999.
House Democrats impeached Trump on two charges, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, last year. The trial is now underway, with House impeachment managers arguing that Trump used his power as president to pressure Ukraine into investigating his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.
"In the world’s longest-standing constitutional republic," Starr argued. "Instead of a once-in-a-century phenomenon, which it had been, presidential impeachment has become a weapon to be wielded against one’s political opponent."
Trump and his Republican defenders in Congress have said Democrats are impeaching the president based on their dislike of him rather than his conduct. Democrats, on the other hand, have argued that Trump has shown a disregard for the constitution and is a danger to national security.
"Some courageous people came forward. Courageous people that risked their entire careers," lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said as he closed his opening remarks last week. "They risked everything, their careers. And yes, I know what you're asked to decide may risk yours too. But if they could show the courage, so could we."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--GOP senator: Bolton revelation 'may move the needle' on support for impeachment trial witnesses

Senate Republicans said Monday that new information from former national security adviser John Bolton may lead the GOP to call for witness testimony at the impeachment trial .
`` In this case , it may move the needle in one direction or another , '' Sen. Mike Braun , an Indiana Republican , told reporters Monday .
Senators will vote Friday on whether to call witnesses or simply vote whether to convict President Trump on two impeachment articles accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
`` I 'm not going to deny that it 's going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intensity by which we go about talking about witnesses , '' Braun said .
Senate Democrats want Bolton as well as acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to testify .
Democrats control 47 votes and are seeking four GOP senators to vote with them to call witnesses .
Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah have signaled they are likely to vote to call witnesses .
Braun warned that if the Senate agrees to call witnesses , `` certainly we will have witnesses , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , son of former Vice President Joe Biden , and other witnesses to argue that Trump had legitimate concerns about providing security aid to Ukraine because of corruption that has plagued the country .
The president 's defense team will argue against the impeachment charges for a second day beginning Monday afternoon .
It 's not clear whether it will address the revelations from the leaked Bolton book draft , which were first reported Sunday .
Sen. John Barrasso , a GOP leader from Wyoming , said `` every ear will be tuned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Republicans Monday were caught by surprise by revelations in Bolton 's book .Sens .
Mitt Romney , of Utah , and Susan Collins , of Maine , who were already leaning toward a vote to call witnesses , said Bolton 's claims could sway other GOP Senators to vote for witnesses .

Senate Republicans said Monday that new information from former national security adviser John Bolton may lead the GOP to call for witness testimony at the impeachment trial.
"In this case, it may move the needle in one direction or another," Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, told reporters Monday.
Senators will vote Friday on whether to call witnesses or simply vote whether to convict President Trump on two impeachment articles accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
"I'm not going to deny that it's going to change the decibel level and probably the intensity by which we go about talking about witnesses," Braun said.
Senate Democrats want Bolton as well as acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to testify. Democrats control 47 votes and are seeking four GOP senators to vote with them to call witnesses.
Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah have signaled they are likely to vote to call witnesses.
Braun warned that if the Senate agrees to call witnesses, "certainly we will have witnesses, too."
Republicans want to call Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden, and other witnesses to argue that Trump had legitimate concerns about providing security aid to Ukraine because of corruption that has plagued the country.
The president's defense team will argue against the impeachment charges for a second day beginning Monday afternoon.
It's not clear whether it will address the revelations from the leaked Bolton book draft, which were first reported Sunday.
Sen. John Barrasso, a GOP leader from Wyoming, said "every ear will be tuned as we hear that defense."
Senate Republicans Monday were caught by surprise by revelations in Bolton's book .Sens. Mitt Romney, of Utah, and Susan Collins, of Maine, who were already leaning toward a vote to call witnesses, said Bolton's claims could sway other GOP Senators to vote for witnesses.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Senate Democrats believe 'stunning' Bolton revelation will pressure GOP to back witness testimony

Senate Democrats said leaked information from former national security adviser John Bolton ’ s forthcoming book will lead to the Senate summoning him and other Trump administration officials to testify at the impeachment trial .
“ This is stunning , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , said Monday .
“ It goes right to the heart of the impeachment charges.
” The Senate is expected to vote this week on whether to call witnesses .
Two Republicans , Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah , have said they are inclined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure , ” Schumer said .
“ The eyes of America are on the Republicans in the Senate . ''
But four Republicans would have to vote with all Democrats to provide the 51 vote majority to call witnesses .
“ It ’ s gut-check time for members of the United States Senate , ” Sen. Tammy Baldwin , a Wisconsin Democrat , told reporters Monday .
The draft of Bolton ’ s book was leaked in part Sunday , revealing Bolton ’ s claim that President Trump told him to block security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic Party officials .
Schumer added , `` It 's an uphill fight , '' to call witnesses , `` but every few days something else happens that makes it clearer and clearer we need the truth . ''
Top Senate Republicans said if Bolton and other witnesses sought by Democrats are called , Trump ’ s defense team should also have the right to call witnesses .
The list is likely to include Hunter Biden , son of Joe Biden , who took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while his father was the country ’ s point person for the Obama administration .
“ If there is a desire and decision by the Senate to call Democratic witnesses , then at a minimum the Senate should allow President Trump to call all relevant witnesses he has requested , ” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , said on Twitter .
Democrats said the GOP will have a hard time denying that Bolton ’ s claims show direct evidence the president engaged in behavior that led to the abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president abused the power of his office by withholding the Ukraine aid to pressure the government to conduct the investigations .
“ There is now a very strong reason for them to vote to call witnesses , ” Sen. Ben Cardin , a Maryland Democrat , said .

Senate Democrats said leaked information from former national security adviser John Bolton’s forthcoming book will lead to the Senate summoning him and other Trump administration officials to testify at the impeachment trial.
“This is stunning,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Monday. “It goes right to the heart of the impeachment charges.”
The Senate is expected to vote this week on whether to call witnesses.
Two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah, have said they are inclined to call witnesses.
“There is increased pressure,” Schumer said. “The eyes of America are on the Republicans in the Senate."
But four Republicans would have to vote with all Democrats to provide the 51 vote majority to call witnesses.
“It’s gut-check time for members of the United States Senate,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, told reporters Monday.
The draft of Bolton’s book was leaked in part Sunday, revealing Bolton’s claim that President Trump told him to block security aid to Ukraine until the government promised to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic Party officials.
Schumer added, "It's an uphill fight," to call witnesses, "but every few days something else happens that makes it clearer and clearer we need the truth."
Top Senate Republicans said if Bolton and other witnesses sought by Democrats are called, Trump’s defense team should also have the right to call witnesses. The list is likely to include Hunter Biden, son of Joe Biden, who took a lucrative job with a Ukrainian gas company while his father was the country’s point person for the Obama administration.
“If there is a desire and decision by the Senate to call Democratic witnesses, then at a minimum the Senate should allow President Trump to call all relevant witnesses he has requested,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said on Twitter.
Democrats said the GOP will have a hard time denying that Bolton’s claims show direct evidence the president engaged in behavior that led to the abuse of power impeachment article.
Democrats say the president abused the power of his office by withholding the Ukraine aid to pressure the government to conduct the investigations.
“There is now a very strong reason for them to vote to call witnesses,” Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Liberal Media Scream: CNN ridicules Trump, supporters are ‘boomer rubes’

This week ’ s Liberal Media Scream is brought to you by CNN , again , and host Don Lemon and a panel of Trump haters that laughed themselves into tears ridiculing supporters of the president .
Lemon , on Saturday night , dabbed a tissue to dry his eyes as he and two guests mocked President Trump and his supporters as rural southern dummies .
The exchanges came during a segment on the conflict between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly , whom Pompeo asked to point to Ukraine on a map .
CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump couldn ’ t find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter ‘ U ’ and the picture of an actual physical crane next to it.
” As Lemon fell forward in laughter , Wilson claimed Pompeo was trying to please “ the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump , ” before he broke into an impersonation to make fun of a Trump supporter : “ Donald Trump ’ s the smart one , and y ’ all – y ’ all elitists are dumb !
” CNN contributor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an impersonation : “ You elitists with your geography and your maps and your spelling !
” From CNN Tonight with Lemon on Saturday evening : DON LEMON : Kelly has a master 's degree in European studies from Cambridge University .
Also , [ Pompeo ] doesn ’ t really say that she couldn ’ t identify Ukraine on a map , he insinuates it ’ s just a — it ’ s just a petty attempt to put her down , right ?
Is that what this is ?
RICK WILSON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s just trying to demean her , and obviously , it ’ s false .
And , look , he also knows , deep in his heart , that Donald Trump couldn ’ t find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter ‘ u ’ and a picture of an actual physical crane next to it .
He knows that this is a , you know , an administration defined by ignorance of the world , and so that ’ s partly him playing to their base and playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump — that wants to think that [ does impersonation ] 'Donald Trump ’ s the smart one , and y ’ all – y ’ all elitists are dumb ! '
'' WAJAHAT ALI : You elitists with your geography and your maps and your spelling !
WILSON : Your math and your reading !
ALI : Yeah , your reading , you know , your geography , knowing other countries , sipping your latte !
WILSON : All those lines on the map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Ukraine is !
[ ending impersonation ] Sorry , I apologize .
ALI : But it was Rick ’ s fault .
I blame Rick .
But , in all honesty — LEMON : Hold on — hold on — hold on .
That was good , sorry .
Rick , that was a good one — I needed that .
Media Research Center Vice President of Research Brent Baker explains our weekly pick : “ Lemon and his cohorts could not have done a better job demonstrating the disdain of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into derogatory impersonations as they admiringly laugh at what they see as their own profundity .
President Trump would have a hard time finding better evidence of the level of contempt CNN has for the president and anyone who supports him.
” Rating : Five out of five SCREAMS .

This week’s Liberal Media Scream is brought to you by CNN, again, and host Don Lemon and a panel of Trump haters that laughed themselves into tears ridiculing supporters of the president.
Lemon, on Saturday night, dabbed a tissue to dry his eyes as he and two guests mocked President Trump and his supporters as rural southern dummies.
The exchanges came during a segment on the conflict between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly, whom Pompeo asked to point to Ukraine on a map.
CNN contributor Rick Wilson charged that “Donald Trump couldn’t find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter ‘U’ and the picture of an actual physical crane next to it.” As Lemon fell forward in laughter, Wilson claimed Pompeo was trying to please “the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump,” before he broke into an impersonation to make fun of a Trump supporter: “Donald Trump’s the smart one, and y’all – y’all elitists are dumb!”
CNN contributor Wajahat Ali jumped in, also making an impersonation: “You elitists with your geography and your maps and your spelling!”
From CNN Tonight with Lemon on Saturday evening:
DON LEMON: Kelly has a master's degree in European studies from Cambridge University. Also, [Pompeo] doesn’t really say that she couldn’t identify Ukraine on a map, he insinuates it’s just a — it’s just a petty attempt to put her down, right? Is that what this is?
RICK WILSON: Of course, of course. He’s just trying to demean her, and obviously, it’s false. And, look, he also knows, deep in his heart, that Donald Trump couldn’t find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter ‘u’ and a picture of an actual physical crane next to it. He knows that this is a, you know, an administration defined by ignorance of the world, and so that’s partly him playing to their base and playing to their audience, you know, the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump — that wants to think that [does impersonation] 'Donald Trump’s the smart one, and y’all – y’all elitists are dumb!'"
WAJAHAT ALI: You elitists with your geography and your maps and your spelling!
WILSON: Your math and your reading!
ALI: Yeah, your reading, you know, your geography, knowing other countries, sipping your latte!
WILSON: All those lines on the map!
ALI: Only them elitists know where Ukraine is! [ending impersonation] Sorry, I apologize.
LEMON, laughing: Oh, my God!
ALI: But it was Rick’s fault. I blame Rick. But, in all honesty —
LEMON: Hold on — hold on — hold on. That was good, sorry. Rick, that was a good one — I needed that.
Media Research Center Vice President of Research Brent Baker explains our weekly pick: “Lemon and his cohorts could not have done a better job demonstrating the disdain of the media elite for the masses, breaking into derogatory impersonations as they admiringly laugh at what they see as their own profundity. President Trump would have a hard time finding better evidence of the level of contempt CNN has for the president and anyone who supports him.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Rand Paul: ‘Disgruntled, angry’ Bolton using leak to ‘make a lot more money’

Republican Sen. Rand Paul dismissed claims that former Trump national security adviser John Bolton ’ s testimony would add anything new to the impeachment case and charged that parts of Bolton 's book critical of the president were leaked so he could make more money .
“ He ’ s a disgruntled , angry man who was fired .
So you ’ d have to take him with a grain of salt .
He wants to sell a book , ” the Kentucky senator told Secrets Monday in comments that echoed those of President Trump .
Paul suggested that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times were part of a scheme to rally calls that the Senate call witnesses , especially Bolton , which would help the former aide cash in even more on his book , The Room Where It Happened .
Mocking Democrats for calling Trump corrupt , Paul told Secrets : “ It 's corrupt to use your government testimony to make money , don ’ t you think ?
So I think he ’ s doing this for mercantile reasons .
I think you can make a strong argument that he ’ s ginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his right , but he ’ s ginning up his book with the hopes of bringing it in for testimony .
He ’ ll make more money if he testifies .
He ’ ll make a lot more money ... if he gets it out pretty soon.
” Like some other GOP senators , Paul said that Bolton was unlikely to add anything to the impeachment case against Trump over a phone call in which he appeared to delay aid to Ukraine until it investigated corruption at a company former Vice President Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I know what he ’ s going to say .
He ’ s going to say the president wanted to hold up aid for an investigation into the Bidens , ” Paul said .
“ What ’ s he going to tell you that you don ’ t already know ?
” he added .
And , Paul said , even if the Senate does not vote to hear Bolton , he will probably get a hearing in the House and , “ He ’ ll be happy to come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s going to sell [ lots ] of books by coming in to testify.
” Paul also warned that Republicans considering voting with Democrats for witnesses are jeopardizing the political future , noting that they could lose their own GOP voting base .
“ They would be better off to have it over politically too because what they don ’ t understand and what I ’ ve tried to say through the media is that , if you live in a purple state , sure you need independent voters , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
So I really think that if anybody votes for impeachment [ conviction ] they won ’ t get their Republican base , ” Paul said .
“ The question is , will voting for witnesses , which looks like a vote that ’ s sympathetic to [ Rep. ] Adam Schiff , [ the lead House impeachment manager ] , is that going to be a vote that the base abandons you over ?
” Paul asked .

Republican Sen. Rand Paul dismissed claims that former Trump national security adviser John Bolton’s testimony would add anything new to the impeachment case and charged that parts of Bolton's book critical of the president were leaked so he could make more money.
“He’s a disgruntled, angry man who was fired. So you’d have to take him with a grain of salt. He wants to sell a book,” the Kentucky senator told Secrets Monday in comments that echoed those of President Trump.
Paul suggested that the book excerpts leaked to the New York Times were part of a scheme to rally calls that the Senate call witnesses, especially Bolton, which would help the former aide cash in even more on his book, The Room Where It Happened.
I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination. If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book. With that being said, the... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 27, 2020
Mocking Democrats for calling Trump corrupt, Paul told Secrets: “It's corrupt to use your government testimony to make money, don’t you think? So I think he’s doing this for mercantile reasons. I think you can make a strong argument that he’s ginning up his book. That’s his right, but he’s ginning up his book with the hopes of bringing it in for testimony. He’ll make more money if he testifies. He’ll make a lot more money ... if he gets it out pretty soon.”
Like some other GOP senators, Paul said that Bolton was unlikely to add anything to the impeachment case against Trump over a phone call in which he appeared to delay aid to Ukraine until it investigated corruption at a company former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter consulted for.
“I know what he’s going to say. He’s going to say the president wanted to hold up aid for an investigation into the Bidens,” Paul said. “What’s he going to tell you that you don’t already know?” he added.
And, Paul said, even if the Senate does not vote to hear Bolton, he will probably get a hearing in the House and, “He’ll be happy to come in because he’s just decided that he’s going to sell [lots] of books by coming in to testify.”
Paul also warned that Republicans considering voting with Democrats for witnesses are jeopardizing the political future, noting that they could lose their own GOP voting base.
“They would be better off to have it over politically too because what they don’t understand and what I’ve tried to say through the media is that, if you live in a purple state, sure you need independent voters, but you cannot win without your Republican base. So I really think that if anybody votes for impeachment [conviction] they won’t get their Republican base,” Paul said.
“The question is, will voting for witnesses, which looks like a vote that’s sympathetic to [Rep.] Adam Schiff, [the lead House impeachment manager], is that going to be a vote that the base abandons you over?” Paul asked.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Race relations and ‘position’ of minorities better under Trump than Obama

Satisfaction with race relations in the United States has jumped under President Trump , the latest indication that the Republican is making significant inroads with blacks and other minorities in advance of the 2020 presidential election .
New details from a Gallup survey on satisfaction said race relations and the “ position ” of minorities under Trump are far higher than they were under President Barack Obama , the nation ’ s first black president .
Race relations scored the highest satisfaction advance , 14 points , from 22 % at the end of the Obama administration to 36 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The position of blacks and other racial minorities in the nation ” jumped 9 points , from 37 % in January 2017 to 46 % now .
The poll bolsters several others that have shown Trump picking up support from blacks and Hispanics 10 months before Election Day .
Some notable polls have shown black support at up to 34 % , though GOP pollsters suggest that once the Democrats pick a nominee support for Trump will drop back to 12 % -14 % .
But that would be historic for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race for Trump , they added .
White House officials have credited the rise in support from African Americans and other minorities to the improved economy , historically low unemployment for blacks , Hispanics , and women , prison reform , and urban renewal programs .
What ’ s more , Gallup said that the nation ’ s average satisfaction rate is at a 15-year high .
“ Americans ' average satisfaction rating for the 27 issues Gallup has tracked consistently since 2001 is now 47 % .
This is up three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest since the January 2005 poll .
“ Today 's average satisfaction is roughly on par with the level of the early 2000s .
Only in 2002 was the average for this metric substantially higher than it is today .
The average 53 % recorded that year reflected heightened satisfaction as Americans were in full ‘ rally around the flag ’ mode shortly after the 9/11 attacks .
”

Satisfaction with race relations in the United States has jumped under President Trump, the latest indication that the Republican is making significant inroads with blacks and other minorities in advance of the 2020 presidential election.
New details from a Gallup survey on satisfaction said race relations and the “position” of minorities under Trump are far higher than they were under President Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president.
Race relations scored the highest satisfaction advance, 14 points, from 22% at the end of the Obama administration to 36% this month, said Gallup.
And, “The position of blacks and other racial minorities in the nation” jumped 9 points, from 37% in January 2017 to 46% now.
Gallup
The poll bolsters several others that have shown Trump picking up support from blacks and Hispanics 10 months before Election Day.
Some notable polls have shown black support at up to 34%, though GOP pollsters suggest that once the Democrats pick a nominee support for Trump will drop back to 12%-14%. But that would be historic for a Republican presidential candidate and could turn the race for Trump, they added.
White House officials have credited the rise in support from African Americans and other minorities to the improved economy, historically low unemployment for blacks, Hispanics, and women, prison reform, and urban renewal programs.
What’s more, Gallup said that the nation’s average satisfaction rate is at a 15-year high.
Said the survey analysis:
“Americans' average satisfaction rating for the 27 issues Gallup has tracked consistently since 2001 is now 47%. This is up three points from a year ago and is the highest since the January 2005 poll.
“Today's average satisfaction is roughly on par with the level of the early 2000s. Only in 2002 was the average for this metric substantially higher than it is today. The average 53% recorded that year reflected heightened satisfaction as Americans were in full ‘rally around the flag’ mode shortly after the 9/11 attacks.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Michael Bloomberg supports Puerto Rico statehood: 'Most candidates for president have been too afrai

Michael Bloomberg supports Puerto Rico statehood: 'Most candidates for president have been too afraid to back it'

Michael Bloomberg supports making Puerto Rico a U.S. state , breaking with most other Democratic presidential hopefuls who say that they would let the territory decide its own fate .
“ For decades , Puerto Ricans and their interests have been ignored by Washington .
And there ’ s a simple reason why : They don ’ t have a vote in Congress .
And so politicians don ’ t have to care how they feel , ” the billionaire financial services mogul and former New York City mayor , 77 , said in an Orlando Sentinel op-ed published Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution to this challenge that a majority of Puerto Ricans support .
And it ’ s a solution that , polls show , two-thirds of all Americans also support : statehood .
But most candidates for president have been too afraid to back it .
They tip-toe around it to avoid alienating any voters . ''
There are two other Democratic presidential candidates who support statehood for Puerto Rico : entrepreneur Andrew Yang and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney .
Former Vice President Joe Biden 's stance is unclear .
All other candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own fate with regard to statehood , such as through a ballot measure .
Some who argue in favor of statehood for Washington and Puerto Rico explicitly note that it would likely add four more Democratic senators to Congress and change the Electoral College map to add more reliably Democratic electoral votes .
`` Until Puerto Rico becomes a state , it will continue to lack the tools and resources needed to build a stronger economy and recover from disasters — and Congress will continue sending just enough money to put Band-Aids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Bloomberg said .
Puerto Rico has been ravaged by hurricanes in recent years .
Earlier this month , President Trump lifted a hold on aid to Puerto Rico , which was held in part due to the administration 's concerns about corruption and mishandling of funds .

Michael Bloomberg supports making Puerto Rico a U.S. state, breaking with most other Democratic presidential hopefuls who say that they would let the territory decide its own fate.
“For decades, Puerto Ricans and their interests have been ignored by Washington. And there’s a simple reason why: They don’t have a vote in Congress. And so politicians don’t have to care how they feel,” the billionaire financial services mogul and former New York City mayor, 77, said in an Orlando Sentinel op-ed published Monday. "There’s a clear solution to this challenge that a majority of Puerto Ricans support. And it’s a solution that, polls show, two-thirds of all Americans also support: statehood. But most candidates for president have been too afraid to back it. They tip-toe around it to avoid alienating any voters."
There are two other Democratic presidential candidates who support statehood for Puerto Rico: entrepreneur Andrew Yang and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney. Former Vice President Joe Biden's stance is unclear. All other candidates say that they support Puerto Rico deciding its own fate with regard to statehood, such as through a ballot measure.
Every Democratic candidate, including Bloomberg, supports statehood for Washington.
Some who argue in favor of statehood for Washington and Puerto Rico explicitly note that it would likely add four more Democratic senators to Congress and change the Electoral College map to add more reliably Democratic electoral votes.
"Until Puerto Rico becomes a state, it will continue to lack the tools and resources needed to build a stronger economy and recover from disasters — and Congress will continue sending just enough money to put Band-Aids on problems without actually fixing them," Bloomberg said.
Puerto Rico has been ravaged by hurricanes in recent years. Earlier this month, President Trump lifted a hold on aid to Puerto Rico, which was held in part due to the administration's concerns about corruption and mishandling of funds.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--'Scares the living devil out of people': Biden lays into Sanders healthcare plan

CEDAR FALLS , Iowa — Former Vice President Joe Biden delivered some of his most detailed criticism of Sen. Bernie Sanders 's `` Medicare for all '' healthcare plan at a town hall in eastern Iowa .
`` I believe that healthcare is on the ballot .
Obamacare is on the ballot , '' Biden said Monday to a crowd of roughly 200 at the University of Northern Iowa .
Biden served under President Barack Obama for eight years and is a vocal advocate and defender of the administration 's signature domestic achievement .
Without mentioning Sanders , 78 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lit into the 'Medicare for all ' concept , which would effectively abolish private health insurance in favor of a government-run program .
`` As one of the leaders of the 'Medicare for all ' effort said , ' I do n't know how much it 's going to cost , but we have to do it , ' '' said Biden , a Delaware senator for 36 years .
`` Others out there propose they ’ re going to spend $ 60 trillion over the next 10 years , more than doubling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explanation that they 'll tell you how they ’ re going to pay for it later .
I think it scares the living devil out of people . ''
Biden also said `` Medicare for all '' would take too long to give Americans proper access to healthcare .
`` It 's going to take at least four years to get it passed , and after that , we have to have a structure .
It might take as much as 10 years to actually make it work , '' Biden said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , 'Well , in the long term we ’ ll all be dead , ' '' Biden said .

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Former Vice President Joe Biden delivered some of his most detailed criticism of Sen. Bernie Sanders's "Medicare for all" healthcare plan at a town hall in eastern Iowa.
"I believe that healthcare is on the ballot. Obamacare is on the ballot," Biden said Monday to a crowd of roughly 200 at the University of Northern Iowa. Biden served under President Barack Obama for eight years and is a vocal advocate and defender of the administration's signature domestic achievement.
Without mentioning Sanders, 78, by name, Biden, 77, lit into the 'Medicare for all' concept, which would effectively abolish private health insurance in favor of a government-run program.
[Related: 'A flat lie': Biden and Bernie Sanders fight over Social Security]
"As one of the leaders of the 'Medicare for all' effort said, 'I don't know how much it's going to cost, but we have to do it,'" said Biden, a Delaware senator for 36 years. "Others out there propose they’re going to spend $60 trillion over the next 10 years, more than doubling all the federal spending, with an explanation that they'll tell you how they’re going to pay for it later. I think it scares the living devil out of people."
Biden also said "Medicare for all" would take too long to give Americans proper access to healthcare.
"It's going to take at least four years to get it passed, and after that, we have to have a structure. It might take as much as 10 years to actually make it work," Biden said. "Well there’s that old saying, 'Well, in the long term we’ll all be dead,'" Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Hunter Biden spotted in Beverly Hills driving $129K Porsche

Amid a court battle with the mother of one of his soon-to-be five children , Hunter Biden has been cruising around Beverly Hills in a Porsche boasting a six-figure price tag .
Photos obtained by the New York Post show Biden , son of White House hopeful and former Vice President Joe Biden , with his wife Melissa at the Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria next to a Porsche Panamera GTS , which has a starting price of $ 129,300 .
The Bidens enjoyed lunch at the southern California hotel , where the two restaurants on the premises feature cuisine by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brunch is listed at costing $ 89 per person .
The photos were snapped while Hunter Biden faces a court order to disclose his financial information in a paternity lawsuit filed by his former lover , Lunden Alexis Roberts of Arkansas .
The Washington Examiner revealed that Biden and his wife are currently renting a $ 3.8 million designer home in Hollywood Hills for $ 12,000 a month .
Last week , a judge ordered Biden to appear in court on Wednesday to `` show cause , if any exists , as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contempt '' for withholding the court-ordered financial information .
Roberts has also accused Biden of providing `` no support for [ their ] child for over a year , '' despite a court-ordered paternity test proving that Biden was the father .
The two reportedly met at a strip club in Washington .
Revelations of Biden 's taste for expensive cars and homes come after reports of financial difficulties in recent years .
In 2017 , Biden 's ex-wife , the mother of three of his children , claimed in a divorce filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs , alcohol , prostitutes , strip clubs , and gifts for women with whom he had sexual relations . ''
Biden 's lucrative business dealings , most notably his role sitting on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings , has been a source of intrigue for Republicans .
GOP senators say that if Democratic House managers are allowed to call witnesses in President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial , Hunter Biden should also be called as a witness .
`` As to the Bidens , I can promise you no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a conflict of interest , and no one has taken the time to explain how Hunter Biden got rich in the Ukraine and his father didn ’ t know anything about it , '' Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said Thursday .
`` As much as I like Joe Biden , if it were Lindsey Graham or Mike Pence or Donald Trump , you would be looking . ''
Trump 's attorneys have also pledged to `` address '' Biden 's role at Burisma during their defense arguments in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close race in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary , has repeatedly denied that his only surviving son has engaged in anything improper .

Amid a court battle with the mother of one of his soon-to-be five children, Hunter Biden has been cruising around Beverly Hills in a Porsche boasting a six-figure price tag.
Photos obtained by the New York Post show Biden, son of White House hopeful and former Vice President Joe Biden, with his wife Melissa at the Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria next to a Porsche Panamera GTS, which has a starting price of $129,300.
The Bidens enjoyed lunch at the southern California hotel, where the two restaurants on the premises feature cuisine by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The weekend brunch is listed at costing $89 per person.
The photos were snapped while Hunter Biden faces a court order to disclose his financial information in a paternity lawsuit filed by his former lover, Lunden Alexis Roberts of Arkansas. The Washington Examiner revealed that Biden and his wife are currently renting a $3.8 million designer home in Hollywood Hills for $12,000 a month.
Last week, a judge ordered Biden to appear in court on Wednesday to "show cause, if any exists, as to why he should not be held in contempt" for withholding the court-ordered financial information. Roberts has also accused Biden of providing "no support for [their] child for over a year," despite a court-ordered paternity test proving that Biden was the father. The two reportedly met at a strip club in Washington.
Revelations of Biden's taste for expensive cars and homes come after reports of financial difficulties in recent years. In 2017, Biden's ex-wife, the mother of three of his children, claimed in a divorce filing that he incurred debts due to “drugs, alcohol, prostitutes, strip clubs, and gifts for women with whom he had sexual relations."
Biden's lucrative business dealings, most notably his role sitting on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma Holdings, has been a source of intrigue for Republicans. GOP senators say that if Democratic House managers are allowed to call witnesses in President Trump's Senate impeachment trial, Hunter Biden should also be called as a witness.
"As to the Bidens, I can promise you no one has looked at whether or not there was a conflict of interest, and no one has taken the time to explain how Hunter Biden got rich in the Ukraine and his father didn’t know anything about it," Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said Thursday. "As much as I like Joe Biden, if it were Lindsey Graham or Mike Pence or Donald Trump, you would be looking."
Trump's attorneys have also pledged to "address" Biden's role at Burisma during their defense arguments in the impeachment trial.
Joe Biden, in a close race in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, has repeatedly denied that his only surviving son has engaged in anything improper.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Biden says Trump 'worst possible person' to deal with coronavirus outbreak

Joe Biden said President Trump is the `` worst possible person '' to deal with the recent coronavirus outbreak that has killed dozens in China and spread quickly to other countries .
In an op-ed for USA Today , Biden recalled Trump 's behavior on Twitter during the 2014 Ebola outbreak , blasting him for calling President Barack Obama a `` dope '' and `` incompetent . ''
Biden said the Obama administration saved hundreds of lives and that Trump is `` unqualified ' to handle a public health emergency .
`` To be blunt , I am concerned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have left us unprepared for a dangerous epidemic which will come sooner or later , '' Biden wrote .
`` Diseases do not stop at borders . ''
In 2014 , Trump voiced strong opposition to the Obama administration 's handling of the Ebola epidemic .
`` President Obama — close down the flights from Ebola infected areas right now , before it is too late !
What the hell is wrong with you ? ''
he once tweeted .
Trump addressed the new coronavirus outbreak on Twitter last Friday , assuring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese government and that the situation `` will all work out well . ''
`` China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus .
The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency .
It will all work out well .
In particular , on behalf of the American People , I want to thank President Xi , '' the president said .
[ Related : 'Pandemics like coronavirus ' : Warren accuses Trump of attempting to limit virus research ] Over 100 people are being investigated in the U.S. for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness in China , and 50 million people have been placed in quarantine by the country 's government .

Joe Biden said President Trump is the "worst possible person" to deal with the recent coronavirus outbreak that has killed dozens in China and spread quickly to other countries.
In an op-ed for USA Today, Biden recalled Trump's behavior on Twitter during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, blasting him for calling President Barack Obama a "dope" and "incompetent." Biden said the Obama administration saved hundreds of lives and that Trump is "unqualified' to handle a public health emergency.
"To be blunt, I am concerned that the Trump administration’s short-sighted policies have left us unprepared for a dangerous epidemic which will come sooner or later," Biden wrote. "Diseases do not stop at borders."
In 2014, Trump voiced strong opposition to the Obama administration's handling of the Ebola epidemic. "President Obama — close down the flights from Ebola infected areas right now, before it is too late! What the hell is wrong with you?" he once tweeted.
President Obama - close down the flights from Ebola infected areas right now, before it is too late! What the hell is wrong with you? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2014
Trump addressed the new coronavirus outbreak on Twitter last Friday, assuring the public he was in communication with the Chinese government and that the situation "will all work out well."
"China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi," the president said.
[Related: 'Pandemics like coronavirus': Warren accuses Trump of attempting to limit virus research]
China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
Over 100 people are being investigated in the U.S. for potential infections of the virus. Nearly 3,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness in China, and 50 million people have been placed in quarantine by the country's government.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--'Nothing new': Top GOP senators dismiss Bolton allegation Trump sought Ukraine quid pro quo

Allegations by John Bolton that President Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate political rival Joe Biden is unlikely to alter the course of the impeachment trial underway in the Senate , top Republicans said .
Bolton alleges , according to leaks of a book manuscript , that Trump told him during his tenure as White House national security adviser that he was withholding $ 391 million in assistance to Ukraine until Kyiv agreed to investigate Biden , a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination .
In interviews Monday , deputies to Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not materially change the facts of the case .
“ There ’ s nothing new here .
It does seem to be an effort to sell books , ” said John Barrasso of Wyoming , the No .
3 ranked Senate Republican .
“ The basic dynamic of the obligation of the House to take the time they have to put a case together doesn ’ t change , ” added Roy Blunt of Missouri , the No .
4 ranked Senate Republican .
“ I don ’ t think it changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the basic case that the House has to put the case together.
” House Democrats impeached Trump in December on a virtual party-line vote , charging him with abuse of power in his dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress .
After the House impeachment managers finished their arguments in the Senate trial late last week , Senate Republicans signaled that they had heard no information that might cause them to head off an expected overwhelming GOP vote to acquit the president upon the conclusion of the proceedings .
Bolton 's allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause enough Republicans to change their minds about calling witnesses and lengthening the trial to accommodate new testimony .
But even if more Republicans decide to join senators like Susan Collins of Maine in a desire to hear from Bolton , they are likely to demand that a subpoena for the former White House national security be paired with a demand for testimony from Biden and his son , Hunter Biden .
“ What I ’ ve said all along is , if you ’ re going to add to the record , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a balanced way , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said .
“ I promise you this : If we add to the record , we ’ re going to call Hunter Biden and Joe Biden and all these other people.
” Senate Republicans were meeting private Monday to discuss Bolton in greater detail .
White House spokesman Tony Sayegh told the Washington Examiner that “ the facts of the case remain unchanged.
” Republican insiders were skeptical that Bolton ’ s claims would cause an avalanche of senators to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton .

Allegations by John Bolton that President Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate political rival Joe Biden is unlikely to alter the course of the impeachment trial underway in the Senate, top Republicans said.
Bolton alleges, according to leaks of a book manuscript, that Trump told him during his tenure as White House national security adviser that he was withholding $391 million in assistance to Ukraine until Kyiv agreed to investigate Biden, a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. In interviews Monday, deputies to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Bolton’s revelations do not materially change the facts of the case.
“There’s nothing new here. It does seem to be an effort to sell books,” said John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 3 ranked Senate Republican.
“The basic dynamic of the obligation of the House to take the time they have to put a case together doesn’t change,” added Roy Blunt of Missouri, the No. 4 ranked Senate Republican. “I don’t think it changes any fundamental information, nor does it change the basic case that the House has to put the case together.”
House Democrats impeached Trump in December on a virtual party-line vote, charging him with abuse of power in his dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress. After the House impeachment managers finished their arguments in the Senate trial late last week, Senate Republicans signaled that they had heard no information that might cause them to head off an expected overwhelming GOP vote to acquit the president upon the conclusion of the proceedings.
Bolton's allegations, which Trump has denied, could cause enough Republicans to change their minds about calling witnesses and lengthening the trial to accommodate new testimony. But even if more Republicans decide to join senators like Susan Collins of Maine in a desire to hear from Bolton, they are likely to demand that a subpoena for the former White House national security be paired with a demand for testimony from Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
“What I’ve said all along is, if you’re going to add to the record, we’re going to do it in a balanced way,” Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said. “I promise you this: If we add to the record, we’re going to call Hunter Biden and Joe Biden and all these other people.”
Senate Republicans were meeting private Monday to discuss Bolton in greater detail. White House spokesman Tony Sayegh told the Washington Examiner that “the facts of the case remain unchanged.” Republican insiders were skeptical that Bolton’s claims would cause an avalanche of senators to break with Trump and support a subpoena for Bolton.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Iraq veteran and former 2020 Democrat Seth Moulton backs Biden

Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton endorsed his former Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden for president , the second 2020 drop-out to do so .
`` There 's no better preparation for the White House than the decades Joe Biden has spent serving the country , especially his eight years as vice president , '' Moulton , 41 , said Monday .
`` His record is one of turning progressive ideas into laws like an assault rifle ban , the Violence Against Women Act , and health care reform that made the country safer and stronger .
Most importantly : Joe can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a short-lived presidential bid last year , launching in late April and ending his campaign in August after failing to gain traction in the historically crowded field of candidates .
Moulton is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran who did three tours in Iraq and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor .
Earlier this month , Moulton took a jab at presidential hopeful and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , a Navy Reserve veteran who has touted his experience as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling point for his candidacy .
“ There ’ s no combat veterans left in the race .
I have tremendous respect for Pete ’ s service as an analyst , but analysts don ’ t make decisions , ” Moulton said .
“ There ’ s only one candidate who has had to make life-or-death decisions involving American lives , and that ’ s Vice President Biden.
” While he supports Biden now , Moulton was critical of the former vice president during his brief campaign .
`` I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the generation that ’ s going to figure that out , '' he said in July .
Moulton joins Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan , who also ran a short-lived presidential campaign last year , in endorsing Joe Biden .
Former Housing Secretary Julian Castro earlier this month endorsed Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president shortly after ending his own bid , and he has campaigned for her in early voting states .
Spiritual author Marianne Williamson threw her support behind fellow political outsider and entrepreneur Andrew Yang after ending her long-shot bid @ @ @ @

Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton endorsed his former Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden for president, the second 2020 drop-out to do so.
"There's no better preparation for the White House than the decades Joe Biden has spent serving the country, especially his eight years as vice president," Moulton, 41, said Monday. "His record is one of turning progressive ideas into laws like an assault rifle ban, the Violence Against Women Act, and health care reform that made the country safer and stronger. Most importantly: Joe can win."
The Massachusetts congressman ran a short-lived presidential bid last year, launching in late April and ending his campaign in August after failing to gain traction in the historically crowded field of candidates. Moulton is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran who did three tours in Iraq and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor.
Earlier this month, Moulton took a jab at presidential hopeful and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Navy Reserve veteran who has touted his experience as an intelligence analyst in Afghanistan as a selling point for his candidacy.
“There’s no combat veterans left in the race. I have tremendous respect for Pete’s service as an analyst, but analysts don’t make decisions,” Moulton said. “There’s only one candidate who has had to make life-or-death decisions involving American lives, and that’s Vice President Biden.”
While he supports Biden now, Moulton was critical of the former vice president during his brief campaign. "I don’t think people look to the Vietnam generation as the generation that’s going to figure that out," he said in July.
.@JoeBiden is a proven and effective leader who has what it takes to beat Donald Trump and unify our country. I’m proud to endorse him. pic.twitter.com/fqoLlueHYt — Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 27, 2020
Moulton joins Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who also ran a short-lived presidential campaign last year, in endorsing Joe Biden.
Former Housing Secretary Julian Castro earlier this month endorsed Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president shortly after ending his own bid, and he has campaigned for her in early voting states.
Spiritual author Marianne Williamson threw her support behind fellow political outsider and entrepreneur Andrew Yang after ending her long-shot bid earlier this month.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Buttigieg draws electability contrasts with Biden and Sanders in late Iowa pitch

In his last major national television appearance before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses , Pete Buttigieg 's closing arguments presented distinctions between himself and his two biggest competitors in the Democratic presidential field : Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
`` I 've heard some folks saying this is no time to take a risk .
And I agree .
But I think the biggest risk that we could take right now would be to try to go up against this president with the same old playbook that we 've been relying on that helps explain how we got here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's time for something completely different , '' the 38-year-old former South Bend , Indiana , mayor said in a Fox News town hall on Sunday .
With Democratic voters anxious about picking the best candidate to beat President Trump in 2020 , Buttigieg 's comments aimed to soothe voter hesitations about backing a candidate with no national political experience who , if elected , would be president .
But they were also a direct rebuke of Joe Biden 's electability pitch .
`` This is no time to take a risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We need our strongest candidate .
So let ’ s nominate the Democrat Trump fears the most . ''
Buttigieg is in third place in the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls with 19.3 % support , trailing Biden and Sanders tied at 23.3 % , while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is at 14.3 % .
The stakes are high .
Many analysts believe Buttigieg needs to place first or second in Iowa on Feb. 3 in order to have a viable path to the Democratic presidential nomination .
[ Read more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my question ' : Buttigieg grilled by anti-abortion Democrat ] While Biden campaigns on his nearly half-century of experience in elected office and the idea that he can win swing-state voters , Warren and Sanders pitch that Trump will be defeated by a wave of voters energized by their left-wing policies .
Buttigieg toes the line between two arguments in part by rejecting the idea that a radical , transformative agenda that includes a single-payer `` Medicare for all '' and free college tuition for everyone is the ticket to winning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg argued , cost `` a fraction of what some of my competitors in this primary are proposing .
I figured out a way to do that that is affordable . ''
`` We do n't have to choose between being bold and being unifying , '' Buttigieg said .
`` Some folks are saying you got to pick one or the other .
Or that you got to measure boldness by how many people you can turn off or turn away .
I think that actually , these bold ideas about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of how we 're going to unify the country .
And we have got to unify this country because it has become dangerously divided and frighteningly polarized . ''
The act of appearing in an hourlong Fox News town hall was itself a statement and point of distinction , true to the roots of a campaign that launched Buttigieg from national obscurity to a top-tier presidential candidate in one year due in part to a `` go everywhere '' media strategy .
The Democratic National Committee did not allow the network to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Democrats , such as Warren , refuse to appear on the channel .
Buttigieg said that his decision to go on Fox demonstrated how he will win over those in the opposite party in a general election .
`` We are doing it right now , '' Buttigieg said when asked how he would appeal to Republicans .
`` This network is known for having a lot of more conservative viewers .
But I do n't think that you have to be a Democrat to see what is wrong with this president @ @ @ @ @

In his last major national television appearance before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, Pete Buttigieg's closing arguments presented distinctions between himself and his two biggest competitors in the Democratic presidential field: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
"I've heard some folks saying this is no time to take a risk. And I agree. But I think the biggest risk that we could take right now would be to try to go up against this president with the same old playbook that we've been relying on that helps explain how we got here in the first place. I think it's time for something completely different," the 38-year-old former South Bend, Indiana, mayor said in a Fox News town hall on Sunday.
With Democratic voters anxious about picking the best candidate to beat President Trump in 2020, Buttigieg's comments aimed to soothe voter hesitations about backing a candidate with no national political experience who, if elected, would be president.
But they were also a direct rebuke of Joe Biden's electability pitch.
"This is no time to take a risk," a Biden ad released Friday said. "We need our strongest candidate. So let’s nominate the Democrat Trump fears the most."
Buttigieg is in third place in the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls with 19.3% support, trailing Biden and Sanders tied at 23.3%, while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is at 14.3%. The stakes are high. Many analysts believe Buttigieg needs to place first or second in Iowa on Feb. 3 in order to have a viable path to the Democratic presidential nomination.
[Read more: 'Didn't answer the second part of my question': Buttigieg grilled by anti-abortion Democrat]
While Biden campaigns on his nearly half-century of experience in elected office and the idea that he can win swing-state voters, Warren and Sanders pitch that Trump will be defeated by a wave of voters energized by their left-wing policies.
Buttigieg toes the line between two arguments in part by rejecting the idea that a radical, transformative agenda that includes a single-payer "Medicare for all" and free college tuition for everyone is the ticket to winning the White House.
His own plans, Buttigieg argued, cost "a fraction of what some of my competitors in this primary are proposing. I figured out a way to do that that is affordable."
"We don't have to choose between being bold and being unifying," Buttigieg said. "Some folks are saying you got to pick one or the other. Or that you got to measure boldness by how many people you can turn off or turn away. I think that actually, these bold ideas about how to make American life better are a part of how we're going to unify the country. And we have got to unify this country because it has become dangerously divided and frighteningly polarized."
The act of appearing in an hourlong Fox News town hall was itself a statement and point of distinction, true to the roots of a campaign that launched Buttigieg from national obscurity to a top-tier presidential candidate in one year due in part to a "go everywhere" media strategy. The Democratic National Committee did not allow the network to host a presidential primary debate, and some Democrats, such as Warren, refuse to appear on the channel.
Buttigieg said that his decision to go on Fox demonstrated how he will win over those in the opposite party in a general election.
"We are doing it right now," Buttigieg said when asked how he would appeal to Republicans. "This network is known for having a lot of more conservative viewers. But I don't think that you have to be a Democrat to see what is wrong with this president and this presidency."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-27--Parsing the polls: Why a Klobuchar surge would be unsurprising

Amy Klobuchar is making a mad dash in the home stretch of the Iowa caucuses if the latest Emerson College poll is accurate .
I , and other reporters , would be unsurprised if this surge is real .
That survey shows Klobuchar in third place , having gained 3 percentage points since December and having passed former Iowa front-runners Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg .
If Warren or Buttigieg finished fourth or fifth in Iowa , that could mean instant death for them .
The average reader may be surprised by this Klobucharge , but very few political reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant source of irritation to commentators on the Left ( see here and here for two examples ) that the political press have repeatedly suggested Klobuchar has some underlying strength .
Now , to be sure , one poll doesn ’ t prove anything .
And this Emerson poll should be read with two grains of salt : The margin of error is 4.6 percentage points , and the latest Suffolk poll , over the same period , shows Klobuchar down at 6 % and in fifth place , consistent with earlier polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , I found that basically every Democrat I spoke to loved Klobuchar .
( That said , I did n't visit any Bernie Sanders outposts . )
A Monmouth poll from earlier this month showed Klobuchar with the lowest unfavorable of all the candidates .
A December CNN focus group found widespread praise for Klobuchar 's debate performance .
Klobuchar is from Minnesota , which borders Iowa .
She has consistently shown herself to be reasonable in circumstances where other Democrats are clearly disingenuous , extreme , and untethered by facts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judiciary hearings about Brett Kavanaugh .
That Midwestern , practical , and centrist stance is the perfect formula for media love .
But it 's also appealing to the average Iowa Democrat .
The Iowa voters I spoke with consistently said they liked Klobuchar but weren ’ t seriously considering caucusing for her because she was so low in the polls — she consistently posted single digits in Iowa and low single digits elsewhere .
This is exactly what I heard about Barack Obama about two months before the caucuses in 2008 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't win .
We all heard about Rick Santorum a few weeks before the GOP caucuses in 2012 .
It ’ s a recipe for a late surge because it can be self-reinforcing .
Once a candidate such as that climbs into third place , lots of those other Amy-likers will abandon the other candidates and get on board with Klobuchar .
Again , until we see another poll with her in double digits and out of fifth place , it would be premature to predict a Klobucharge , but it wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @

Amy Klobuchar is making a mad dash in the home stretch of the Iowa caucuses if the latest Emerson College poll is accurate. I, and other reporters, would be unsurprised if this surge is real.
That survey shows Klobuchar in third place, having gained 3 percentage points since December and having passed former Iowa front-runners Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg. If Warren or Buttigieg finished fourth or fifth in Iowa, that could mean instant death for them.
The average reader may be surprised by this Klobucharge, but very few political reporters are. It’s been a constant source of irritation to commentators on the Left (see here and here for two examples) that the political press have repeatedly suggested Klobuchar has some underlying strength.
Now, to be sure, one poll doesn’t prove anything. And this Emerson poll should be read with two grains of salt: The margin of error is 4.6 percentage points, and the latest Suffolk poll, over the same period, shows Klobuchar down at 6% and in fifth place, consistent with earlier polls.
But on my recent trips to Iowa, I found that basically every Democrat I spoke to loved Klobuchar. (That said, I didn't visit any Bernie Sanders outposts.) A Monmouth poll from earlier this month showed Klobuchar with the lowest unfavorable of all the candidates. A December CNN focus group found widespread praise for Klobuchar's debate performance.
Klobuchar is from Minnesota, which borders Iowa. She has consistently shown herself to be reasonable in circumstances where other Democrats are clearly disingenuous, extreme, and untethered by facts, such as Democratic debates and the Senate Judiciary hearings about Brett Kavanaugh. That Midwestern, practical, and centrist stance is the perfect formula for media love. But it's also appealing to the average Iowa Democrat.
The Iowa voters I spoke with consistently said they liked Klobuchar but weren’t seriously considering caucusing for her because she was so low in the polls — she consistently posted single digits in Iowa and low single digits elsewhere. This is exactly what I heard about Barack Obama about two months before the caucuses in 2008 — I like him, but he can't win. We all heard about Rick Santorum a few weeks before the GOP caucuses in 2012. It’s a recipe for a late surge because it can be self-reinforcing. Once a candidate such as that climbs into third place, lots of those other Amy-likers will abandon the other candidates and get on board with Klobuchar.
Again, until we see another poll with her in double digits and out of fifth place, it would be premature to predict a Klobucharge, but it wouldn’t shock me a bit.