thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Trump campaign to hustle for female votes with high-profile 'Women for Trump' bus tour

An arm of the Trump campaign that bills itself as `` Women for Trump '' will tour Iowa by bus from Jan. 16 to 17 , setting up a split screen as senators in Washington gear up for President Trump 's impeachment trial .
Lara Trump , senior campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp , and campaign National Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany will meet with supporters at events scheduled in Des Moines , Sioux City , and Davenport .
The Senate trial is expected to begin by the end of January .
The campaign has consistently sought to secure support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in far fewer numbers than men , often wielding the president 's daughter-in-law Lara Trump .
Winning the votes of women who did n't vote for Trump in 2016 is what Lara described last year as her biggest challenge going into 2020 .
Trump has been widely excoriated for his remarks about women and has been accused of rape and harassment .
A judge ruled Friday that a defamation suit against the president by writer E. Jean Carroll , who accuses him of raping her , will move forward .
A North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuable emissary for the Trump campaign .
At a Buckeye State warm-up event for Trump 's Thursday night rally , she described the president 's Iran strategy as `` peace through strength '' or there could be `` hell to pay . ''
She appears weekly in news round up videos on the campaign 's website .
And she is popular with voters .
A Club for Growth poll in November registered overwhelming support for her in a hypothetical primary match-up , winning by 30 points in New York 's second congressional district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In an interview last year , King shared his favorable impression of her from a fundraising event they attended together .
`` She handles herself very well .
She ’ s good with people , ” he said .
`` Women for Trump '' includes campaign officials and advisers , as well as outside supporters such as Trump 's personal pastor Paula White and entertainers Diamond and Silk .
Attendees registering for next week 's event are invited to join a Trump Leadership Victory Day , which will feature political organizing events @ @ @ @ @ @

An arm of the Trump campaign that bills itself as "Women for Trump" will tour Iowa by bus from Jan. 16 to 17, setting up a split screen as senators in Washington gear up for President Trump's impeachment trial.
Lara Trump, senior campaign adviser Mercedes Schlapp, and campaign National Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany will meet with supporters at events scheduled in Des Moines, Sioux City, and Davenport.
The Senate trial is expected to begin by the end of January.
The campaign has consistently sought to secure support for the president among women, who back him in far fewer numbers than men, often wielding the president's daughter-in-law Lara Trump. Winning the votes of women who didn't vote for Trump in 2016 is what Lara described last year as her biggest challenge going into 2020.
Trump has been widely excoriated for his remarks about women and has been accused of rape and harassment. A judge ruled Friday that a defamation suit against the president by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accuses him of raping her, will move forward.
A North Carolina native, Lara Trump has proven a valuable emissary for the Trump campaign. At a Buckeye State warm-up event for Trump's Thursday night rally, she described the president's Iran strategy as "peace through strength" or there could be "hell to pay." She appears weekly in news round up videos on the campaign's website. And she is popular with voters.
A Club for Growth poll in November registered overwhelming support for her in a hypothetical primary match-up, winning by 30 points in New York's second congressional district, Steve King's soon-to-be vacated seat. In an interview last year, King shared his favorable impression of her from a fundraising event they attended together. "She handles herself very well. She’s good with people,” he said.
"Women for Trump" includes campaign officials and advisers, as well as outside supporters such as Trump's personal pastor Paula White and entertainers Diamond and Silk.
Attendees registering for next week's event are invited to join a Trump Leadership Victory Day, which will feature political organizing events programmed to mobilize potential voters.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--ANALYSIS: Sanders and Warren voters could unite the Left to defeat Biden

As Bernie Sanders targets Joe Biden 's supporters in a series of new campaign speeches , the Vermont senator is hoping to get a boost in Iowa and New Hampshire from Elizabeth Warren 's struggling campaign .
When she first announced her White House run , Sanders 's campaign and his supporters were initially dismissive , particularly after her abysmal early fundraising .
Conversely , Warren 's campaign was perfectly happy letting Sanders take the brunt of criticism from centrists in the party over his Medicare for All plan , which she co-sponsored .
After Warren began rising in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the Sanders campaign began fretting that they had no strategy to counteract her message of policy-driven populism .
At one point in the race , in October , some polls showed Warren enjoying a double-digit lead over Sanders .
Members of liberal groups began questioning if Warren had secured the left-wing mantle from Sanders and whether it was time for him to drop out .
For a brief few weeks this fall , just after Sanders suffered his heart attack in October , the Massachusetts senator made an aggressive push to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise considered safely in Sanders 's camp .
Those concerned about the left-wing vote being split increasingly began blaming Sanders 's stubbornness and insistence on remaining in the race .
Yet , Sanders quickly recovered from his health problems and began holding rallies that far outnumbered Warren 's at the peak of her support .
Members of the Democratic Party such as popular Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar announced endorsements of his candidacy , signaling that the liberal base of the party still supported him .
At the same time , left-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's sincerity about her commitment to Medicare for All .
For now , Biden maintains a sizable lead over Sanders in national polls , even as Sanders surges in Iowa .
Surveys released this month show Biden beating Sanders by anywhere from seven to 13 points .
In those same polls , Warren has clung to the top of the pack with about 15 points but is still behind Sanders , who averages 20 % support .
According to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls , Sanders and Warren have more than 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 29.3 % .
Other polls released late last year also show that Warren voters rank Sanders as their second-choice pick .
Those same polls also show that a high number of Biden 's supporters are also open to voting for him , meaning Sanders could form a majority coalition of Democratic primary voters to secure the nomination .
For now , however , Sanders and Warren are victims of their success .
Each campaign is planning on the demise of the other to defeat front-runner Biden .
Both sides have also hesitated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of alienating their supporters .
`` I 've been in talks with the Working Families Party , which endorsed Warren , on agreeing that neither campaign will attack one another , '' said liberal activist Randy Bryce , who supports Sanders .
`` It 's a cordial relationship .
I do n't look at her campaign as a threat , we want the best progressive to win . ''
Because Warren 's campaign strategy requires a bulk of Sanders supporters to join its side , they have remained focused on attacking Pete Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that strategy has seemingly backfired on Warren as the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor has only seen his numbers rise , while hers continue to fall .
Warren 's task will also prove more difficult as her pitch to Buttigieg voters seems less ideological and more personal .
Whereas Sanders has been attacking Biden for his voting history and positions on issues , Warren 's attacks on Buttigieg 's fundraising appears increasingly desperate as she moves to the back of the front-runner pack .
Meanwhile , Biden continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his rivals jockey for support , no candidate has yet to maintain a national lead over him .

As Bernie Sanders targets Joe Biden's supporters in a series of new campaign speeches, the Vermont senator is hoping to get a boost in Iowa and New Hampshire from Elizabeth Warren's struggling campaign.
When she first announced her White House run, Sanders's campaign and his supporters were initially dismissive, particularly after her abysmal early fundraising. Conversely, Warren's campaign was perfectly happy letting Sanders take the brunt of criticism from centrists in the party over his Medicare for All plan, which she co-sponsored.
After Warren began rising in the polls, however, individuals in and close to the Sanders campaign began fretting that they had no strategy to counteract her message of policy-driven populism. At one point in the race, in October, some polls showed Warren enjoying a double-digit lead over Sanders. Members of liberal groups began questioning if Warren had secured the left-wing mantle from Sanders and whether it was time for him to drop out.
For a brief few weeks this fall, just after Sanders suffered his heart attack in October, the Massachusetts senator made an aggressive push to court unions and liberal groups that were otherwise considered safely in Sanders's camp. Those concerned about the left-wing vote being split increasingly began blaming Sanders's stubbornness and insistence on remaining in the race.
Yet, Sanders quickly recovered from his health problems and began holding rallies that far outnumbered Warren's at the peak of her support. Members of the Democratic Party such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar announced endorsements of his candidacy, signaling that the liberal base of the party still supported him. At the same time, left-wing members of the party began questioning Warren's sincerity about her commitment to Medicare for All.
For now, Biden maintains a sizable lead over Sanders in national polls, even as Sanders surges in Iowa. Surveys released this month show Biden beating Sanders by anywhere from seven to 13 points. In those same polls, Warren has clung to the top of the pack with about 15 points but is still behind Sanders, who averages 20% support.
According to a RealClearPolitics average of recent polls, Sanders and Warren have more than 35% combined support, compared with Biden's 29.3%. Other polls released late last year also show that Warren voters rank Sanders as their second-choice pick. Those same polls also show that a high number of Biden's supporters are also open to voting for him, meaning Sanders could form a majority coalition of Democratic primary voters to secure the nomination.
For now, however, Sanders and Warren are victims of their success. Each campaign is planning on the demise of the other to defeat front-runner Biden. Both sides have also hesitated from criticizing one another out of fear of alienating their supporters.
"I've been in talks with the Working Families Party, which endorsed Warren, on agreeing that neither campaign will attack one another," said liberal activist Randy Bryce, who supports Sanders. "It's a cordial relationship. I don't look at her campaign as a threat, we want the best progressive to win."
Because Warren's campaign strategy requires a bulk of Sanders supporters to join its side, they have remained focused on attacking Pete Buttigieg on issues such as transparency and donors. But that strategy has seemingly backfired on Warren as the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor has only seen his numbers rise, while hers continue to fall.
Warren's task will also prove more difficult as her pitch to Buttigieg voters seems less ideological and more personal. Whereas Sanders has been attacking Biden for his voting history and positions on issues, Warren's attacks on Buttigieg's fundraising appears increasingly desperate as she moves to the back of the front-runner pack.
Meanwhile, Biden continues to benefit from a crowded field. As his rivals jockey for support, no candidate has yet to maintain a national lead over him.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-10--Sanders storms to lead in Iowa as Biden slumps to fourth

With 24 days until the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses , Bernie Sanders leads the Democratic presidential field in the state 's most respected poll while Joe Biden lags in fourth place .
The Vermont senator has 20 % support in the Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom poll of likely Democratic caucusgoers , a five-point jump in support since the last time the institution polled Iowa voters in November .
Fellow candidate Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in second place with 17 % .
Pete Buttigieg , the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor , came in third with 16 % , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish in November .
Biden held 15 % support in the poll , the same percentage as in November .
The poll results came from 701 registered Iowa voters reached by phone from Jan. 2 to 8 who said they would definitely or probably attend the Democratic caucuses on Feb. 3 .
It has a maring of error of plus or minus 3.7 % .
A first-place finish in Iowa accompanied by a Biden drop is key to Sanders 's path to the Democratic presidential nomination , but preferences of Iowa voters can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no denying that this is a good poll for Bernie Sanders .
He leads , but it ’ s not an uncontested lead , ” said pollster J. Ann Selzer , president of the company that conducted the poll .
“ He ’ s got a firmer grip on his supporters than the rest of his compatriots.
” Only a minority of the likely caucusgoers , 40 % , said that they are settled on their preferred candidate , while 45 % said they could be persuaded to support someone else , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite candidate .
Before Friday 's poll , Sanders led Iowa in the RealClearPolitics average of primary polls at 22 % , followed by Buttigieg at 21.7 % , Biden at 20.3 % , and Warren at 15.3 % .

With 24 days until the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, Bernie Sanders leads the Democratic presidential field in the state's most respected poll while Joe Biden lags in fourth place.
The Vermont senator has 20% support in the Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom poll of likely Democratic caucusgoers, a five-point jump in support since the last time the institution polled Iowa voters in November. Fellow candidate Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in second place with 17%.
Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor, came in third with 16%, a 9-point drop from his 22% first-place finish in November. Biden held 15% support in the poll, the same percentage as in November.
The poll results came from 701 registered Iowa voters reached by phone from Jan. 2 to 8 who said they would definitely or probably attend the Democratic caucuses on Feb. 3. It has a maring of error of plus or minus 3.7%.
A first-place finish in Iowa accompanied by a Biden drop is key to Sanders's path to the Democratic presidential nomination, but preferences of Iowa voters can change quickly.
“There’s no denying that this is a good poll for Bernie Sanders. He leads, but it’s not an uncontested lead,” said pollster J. Ann Selzer, president of the company that conducted the poll. “He’s got a firmer grip on his supporters than the rest of his compatriots.”
Only a minority of the likely caucusgoers, 40%, said that they are settled on their preferred candidate, while 45% said they could be persuaded to support someone else, and 13% have not yet picked a favorite candidate.
Before Friday's poll, Sanders led Iowa in the RealClearPolitics average of primary polls at 22%, followed by Buttigieg at 21.7%, Biden at 20.3%, and Warren at 15.3%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Blunder or brilliance? Pelosi’s impeachment delay gets mixed reviews

Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s decision to hold onto the two articles of impeachment against President Trump , delaying a Senate trial by a month , won only subdued praise from Democrats , some of whom were eager for her to drop the tactic .
Other Democrats questioned the move , while Republicans proclaimed that her plan backfired by undercutting the urgency Democrats proclaimed when they impeached Trump on Dec. 19 .
“ There is no way to spin it , ” Rep. Mark Meadows , a North Carolina Republican and a key Trump ally , said Friday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks playing games with what is effectively their attempt at overturning an American election.
” Democrats mostly defended Pelosi , including those who were eager to start the trial .
“ I think she ’ s done very well with it , ” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein , a California Democrat and longtime Pelosi friend .
Feinstein was among several Democrats in Congress this week to call on Pelosi to send the articles to the Senate so lawmakers in the upper chamber can start a trial likely to last several weeks .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she should send them over , '' Feinstein said earlier this week .
But Feinstein , in a hallway interview , described Pelosi ’ s tactic as “ shrewd ” and said she supported Pelosi ’ s goal of trying to force the Senate to guarantee that the trial includes certain witnesses .
Some of Pelosi ’ s own House Democrats were never fully on board with the tactic .
A few were willing to say privately that it made more sense to end the delay and send over the articles so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decide on witnesses once and for all .
“ The Senate is either going to have witnesses , which will incriminate the president , or they are going to give it short shrift , which will make them look irresponsible , ” a House Democrat , who requested anonymity , said .
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith , a Democrat from Washington , told CNN on Thursday that Pelosi should end the delay and send over the articles .
But he quickly backtracked after hearing from constituents .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the interview .
“ I do believe we should do everything we can to force the Senate to have a fair trial .
If the speaker believes that holding on to the articles for a longer time will help force a fair trial in the Senate , then I wholeheartedly support that decision.
” Most of the intraparty pressure on Pelosi came from Democrats in the Senate , where a handful of lawmakers joined Feinstein in expressing their desire for Pelosi to send over the articles so senators could hold the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and able , ” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal , a Connecticut Democrat .
House Democrats voted last month to impeach Trump on two articles accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Pelosi delayed sending the articles to try to force the Senate GOP to agree to summon key Trump administration witnesses who have information about the decision to delay sending Ukraine $ 391 million in security aid .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , said the delay was worth it for the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP to agree to their witness list .
The extra time , Schumer said , allowed for “ a cascade of evidence ” to surface , including a trove of Trump administration emails surrounding the decision to withhold security aid from Ukraine .
During the delay , former national security adviser John Bolton , one of the witnesses sought by Democrats , announced he would agree to testify if called .
“ I think she 's done a very , very good job , and it 's helped our case.
” Schumer said @

Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to hold onto the two articles of impeachment against President Trump, delaying a Senate trial by a month, won only subdued praise from Democrats, some of whom were eager for her to drop the tactic.
Other Democrats questioned the move, while Republicans proclaimed that her plan backfired by undercutting the urgency Democrats proclaimed when they impeached Trump on Dec. 19.
“There is no way to spin it,” Rep. Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican and a key Trump ally, said Friday. “Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat Caucus spent weeks playing games with what is effectively their attempt at overturning an American election.”
Democrats mostly defended Pelosi, including those who were eager to start the trial.
“I think she’s done very well with it,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat and longtime Pelosi friend.
Feinstein was among several Democrats in Congress this week to call on Pelosi to send the articles to the Senate so lawmakers in the upper chamber can start a trial likely to last several weeks.
"If we're going to do it, she should send them over," Feinstein said earlier this week.
But Feinstein, in a hallway interview, described Pelosi’s tactic as “shrewd” and said she supported Pelosi’s goal of trying to force the Senate to guarantee that the trial includes certain witnesses.
“I’m a great believer in Speaker Pelosi,” Feinstein said.
Some of Pelosi’s own House Democrats were never fully on board with the tactic.
A few were willing to say privately that it made more sense to end the delay and send over the articles so the Senate could take up the case and decide on witnesses once and for all.
“The Senate is either going to have witnesses, which will incriminate the president, or they are going to give it short shrift, which will make them look irresponsible,” a House Democrat, who requested anonymity, said.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, told CNN on Thursday that Pelosi should end the delay and send over the articles.
But he quickly backtracked after hearing from constituents.
“I misspoke this morning,” Smith tweeted after the interview. “I do believe we should do everything we can to force the Senate to have a fair trial. If the speaker believes that holding on to the articles for a longer time will help force a fair trial in the Senate, then I wholeheartedly support that decision.”
Most of the intraparty pressure on Pelosi came from Democrats in the Senate, where a handful of lawmakers joined Feinstein in expressing their desire for Pelosi to send over the articles so senators could hold the trial.
“We are ready, willing, and able,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat.
House Democrats voted last month to impeach Trump on two articles accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Pelosi delayed sending the articles to try to force the Senate GOP to agree to summon key Trump administration witnesses who have information about the decision to delay sending Ukraine $391 million in security aid.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said the delay was worth it for the party even though it did not force the GOP to agree to their witness list. The extra time, Schumer said, allowed for “a cascade of evidence” to surface, including a trove of Trump administration emails surrounding the decision to withhold security aid from Ukraine.
During the delay, former national security adviser John Bolton, one of the witnesses sought by Democrats, announced he would agree to testify if called.
“I think she's done a very, very good job, and it's helped our case.” Schumer said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Weekly Trump Report Card: ‘Dizzying,’ with wins on border wall and deregulation

In our weekly White House Report Card , President Trump is capping another “ dizzying ” period that included settling war fears with Iran , a continuing improving jobs record , a strike at Obama-era regulations , and the approval of border wall spending .
On the other side is the likelihood that the Senate will begin his impeachment trial this month now that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to stop holding up the process .
Democratic pollster John Zogby , who this week began a new weekly podcast with his son and business partner Jeremy , called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C-.
’ National security analyst Jed Babbin gave the president an ‘ A ’ and said that against the president 's success this week it was the Democrats who were left “ dizzy.
” President Trump is the disruptor in chief .
He is actually redefining the meaning of polling numbers .
At the beginning of the week , he turned trash talk about Iran into an act of war .
Trump apparently does n't even need 'maximum deniability.
’ The assassination of a terror leader was supported by only 41 % but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest not sure .
However , the president 's approval rating average is at 45 % , which is just one point less than the percentage of the vote he received in 2016 .
Horse race matchups nationally and in some key states this week show him losing to at least the major contenders for the Democratic nomination — but the Democrats are still far away from choosing a nominee , and perhaps even further away from uniting the party against Trump .
An act of war against war scared a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor Department gave people something to cheer about : 145,000 new jobs and an unemployment rate holding at just 3.5 % .
There is plenty of steam in this economy .
My job here is not moralizing , just to assess the numbers .
And his numbers in polling and on the economy are in his favor and keep him competitive .
Meanwhile , he may very well go trial in the Senate this month .
Dizzying .
President Trump had another terrific week with wins on Iran , building his long-promised border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war to limit the impact of environmental laws on economic growth .
After last week ’ s drone strike that killed Iran ’ s chief terrorist , the ayatollahs were making nearly hysterical threats of revenge .
In what was little more than a face-saving move , after warning us of an impending attack on bases in Iraq , the Iranians launched about 15 short-range ballistic missiles that , as the Iranians said , were aimed carefully to not kill any U.S. or Iraqi troops .
Trump , sticking with his “ red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed without a U.S. military response , wisely didn ’ t order a response to that attack .
The Iranians are still very dangerous and will soon resume their attacks .
But for now , they stood down .
The Democrats are still dizzy , trying to figure out how to oppose Trump on Iran without sounding sympathetic to terrorists .
They ’ d apparently be happy if World War III erupted if it were enough to remove Trump .
Some , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , wanted to brand Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani a war crime , which it obviously wasn ’ t .
In a meek harrumph , Pelosi obtained passage of a congressional resolution purporting to limit any other military action on Iran .
It will be ignored by the Senate .
Amid calls in Iraq to withdraw troops , Trump said the United States will not leave until the Iraqis pay for the cost of building the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and U.S. military bases .
They don ’ t have enough money to do that .
Trump should just pull out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a huge win for Trump , the 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals freed $ 3.6 billion in military money for the border wall .
There probably will be other attempts at legal obstruction , but it looks like wall construction will go forward quickly .
In another great move , the president announced reforms to environmental regulations to make the dreaded environmental impact statements easier and quicker to obtain .
The process has taken years in many cases , and the president wants to limit both the time it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There will be lawsuits to tie up the regulatory effort , but the president ’ s move is a good start .
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies .
His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here .
Follow him on Twitter @ TheJohnZogby Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W .
Bush .
Follow him on Twitter @ jedbabbin

In our weekly White House Report Card, President Trump is capping another “dizzying” period that included settling war fears with Iran, a continuing improving jobs record, a strike at Obama-era regulations, and the approval of border wall spending.
On the other side is the likelihood that the Senate will begin his impeachment trial this month now that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to stop holding up the process.
Democratic pollster John Zogby, who this week began a new weekly podcast with his son and business partner Jeremy, called it “dizzying” and graded a ‘C-.’
National security analyst Jed Babbin gave the president an ‘A’ and said that against the president's success this week it was the Democrats who were left “dizzy.”
John Zogby
Grade C-
President Trump is the disruptor in chief. He is actually redefining the meaning of polling numbers. At the beginning of the week, he turned trash talk about Iran into an act of war. Trump apparently doesn't even need 'maximum deniability.’ The assassination of a terror leader was supported by only 41% but opposed by 37% — with the rest not sure.
However, the president's approval rating average is at 45%, which is just one point less than the percentage of the vote he received in 2016. Horse race matchups nationally and in some key states this week show him losing to at least the major contenders for the Democratic nomination — but the Democrats are still far away from choosing a nominee, and perhaps even further away from uniting the party against Trump.
An act of war against war scared a lot of folks, but new numbers from the Labor Department gave people something to cheer about: 145,000 new jobs and an unemployment rate holding at just 3.5%. There is plenty of steam in this economy.
My job here is not moralizing, just to assess the numbers. And his numbers in polling and on the economy are in his favor and keep him competitive. Meanwhile, he may very well go trial in the Senate this month. Dizzying.
Jed Babbin
Grade A
President Trump had another terrific week with wins on Iran, building his long-promised border wall and the start of a regulatory war to limit the impact of environmental laws on economic growth.
After last week’s drone strike that killed Iran’s chief terrorist, the ayatollahs were making nearly hysterical threats of revenge. In what was little more than a face-saving move, after warning us of an impending attack on bases in Iraq, the Iranians launched about 15 short-range ballistic missiles that, as the Iranians said, were aimed carefully to not kill any U.S. or Iraqi troops. Trump, sticking with his “red line” that no Americans can be killed without a U.S. military response, wisely didn’t order a response to that attack.
The Iranians are still very dangerous and will soon resume their attacks. But for now, they stood down.
The Democrats are still dizzy, trying to figure out how to oppose Trump on Iran without sounding sympathetic to terrorists. They’d apparently be happy if World War III erupted if it were enough to remove Trump. Some, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, wanted to brand Trump’s action in killing Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani a war crime, which it obviously wasn’t. In a meek harrumph, Pelosi obtained passage of a congressional resolution purporting to limit any other military action on Iran. It will be ignored by the Senate.
Amid calls in Iraq to withdraw troops, Trump said the United States will not leave until the Iraqis pay for the cost of building the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and U.S. military bases. They don’t have enough money to do that. Trump should just pull out the troops and send them a bill.
In a huge win for Trump, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals freed $3.6 billion in military money for the border wall. There probably will be other attempts at legal obstruction, but it looks like wall construction will go forward quickly.
In another great move, the president announced reforms to environmental regulations to make the dreaded environmental impact statements easier and quicker to obtain. The process has taken years in many cases, and the president wants to limit both the time it takes and the volume of paperwork. There will be lawsuits to tie up the regulatory effort, but the president’s move is a good start.
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here. Follow him on Twitter @TheJohnZogby
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Iowa Democrat presses Sanders on his health

NEWTON , Iowa — Bernie Sanders had to reassure a concerned Democrat that he was in good health during a town hall in Iowa .
`` My health is great , '' Sanders said in Newton , Iowa , in response to the supporter .
The Vermont senator , 78 , suffered a heart attack last October while on the campaign trail in Las Vegas and quickly received two stents to fix a blocked artery .
On Saturday , he said the care he was given at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center made him `` appreciate that not everybody would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Following the release of a new CNN/Des Moines Register poll that showed him leading a tight four-way race in the first-in-the-nation state , Sanders described his final push before the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3 as `` vigorous . ''
“ I would not be here asking for your support if I did not believe I had the strength to run this campaign , ” he said .
Sanders is the oldest presidential primary candidate vying for the 2020 Democratic nomination .
If he makes it to the White House , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve in office .
Last week , his team disclosed four pages of doctors ' notes documenting his medical history .
He had earlier suggested he would `` probably not '' provide more details about his health before caucusgoers gather next month .

NEWTON, Iowa — Bernie Sanders had to reassure a concerned Democrat that he was in good health during a town hall in Iowa.
"My health is great," Sanders said in Newton, Iowa, in response to the supporter.
The Vermont senator, 78, suffered a heart attack last October while on the campaign trail in Las Vegas and quickly received two stents to fix a blocked artery. On Saturday, he said the care he was given at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center made him "appreciate that not everybody would get that same quality of care."
Following the release of a new CNN/Des Moines Register poll that showed him leading a tight four-way race in the first-in-the-nation state, Sanders described his final push before the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3 as "vigorous."
“I would not be here asking for your support if I did not believe I had the strength to run this campaign,” he said.
Sanders is the oldest presidential primary candidate vying for the 2020 Democratic nomination. If he makes it to the White House, he would be the oldest president ever to serve in office.
Last week, his team disclosed four pages of doctors' notes documenting his medical history. He had earlier suggested he would "probably not" provide more details about his health before caucusgoers gather next month.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Sanders invites more Trump swipes: 'Our campaign is the campaign that can and will defeat them'

NEWTON , Iowa — Bernie Sanders welcomed attacks from President Trump and his team after the camps clashed over the White House 's handling of the Iran crisis .
`` They are catching on that our campaign is the campaign that can and will defeat them , '' Sanders said in Newton , Iowa .
This week Sanders , Trump , and their aides exchanged barbs after the president ordered a drone strike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
`` Since Soleimani was brought to justice , Sanders has refused to acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated talking points straight from Iran ’ s Ayatollahs , '' a post read on Trump 's reelection website .
Sanders has distinguished himself from the rest of the Democratic 2020 primary field by ripping the Trump administration for ratcheting up tensions in the Middle East .
He has refrained from calling Soleimani a `` terrorist '' among other descriptors , like his opponents .
The Vermont senator , whose presidential bid is based on leveling the playing field for working people , slammed the influence of billionaires in modern-day politics , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination , Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer .
`` That is not democracy .
That is oligarchy , '' he said .
Sanders , who suffered a heart attack last October and hurt his head in the shower last March , also joked about trying not to slip in Iowa 's snow this weekend during his three-day swing .
Friday 's events were canceled due to bad weather .
The socialist 's trip to the first-in-the-nation state less than a month out from the caucuses coincides with the release of a new CNN/Des @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pack in a tight four-way race to Iowa 's finish line .

NEWTON, Iowa — Bernie Sanders welcomed attacks from President Trump and his team after the camps clashed over the White House's handling of the Iran crisis.
"They are catching on that our campaign is the campaign that can and will defeat them," Sanders said in Newton, Iowa.
This week Sanders, Trump, and their aides exchanged barbs after the president ordered a drone strike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
"Since Soleimani was brought to justice, Sanders has refused to acknowledge the American blood on his hands and repeated talking points straight from Iran’s Ayatollahs," a post read on Trump's reelection website.
Sanders has distinguished himself from the rest of the Democratic 2020 primary field by ripping the Trump administration for ratcheting up tensions in the Middle East. He has refrained from calling Soleimani a "terrorist" among other descriptors, like his opponents.
The Vermont senator, whose presidential bid is based on leveling the playing field for working people, slammed the influence of billionaires in modern-day politics, not naming some of his rivals for the nomination, Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer.
"That is not democracy. That is oligarchy," he said.
Sanders, who suffered a heart attack last October and hurt his head in the shower last March, also joked about trying not to slip in Iowa's snow this weekend during his three-day swing. Friday's events were canceled due to bad weather.
The socialist's trip to the first-in-the-nation state less than a month out from the caucuses coincides with the release of a new CNN/Des Moines Register poll that showed him leading the pack in a tight four-way race to Iowa's finish line.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--WATCH: Bernie Sanders appears with Saturday Night Live impersonator Larry David

Bernie Sanders ran into his Saturday Night Live impersonator Larry David during a TV appearance and joked that he gave him a job .
Appearing next to each other Friday on the Today Show , the two men , who have only met a few times , exchanged jokes .
The segment began with host Al Roker introducing Sanders , 78 , as the 72-year-old comedian .
“ I ’ m here with Curb Your Enthusiasm ’ s Larry David !
” Roker said of Sanders before the camera panned out to reveal David standing nearby .
Roker pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely have to do a lot of traveling to play him on the weekly comedy show .
“ It ’ s true , it ’ s not going to be easy for me !
” David said while channeling Sanders .
“ It will be great for the country , terrible for me , ” he added .
Sanders shot back , “ I ’ m getting you a good job for four years , and you ’ re complaining !
” The two men are distantly related , and both descend from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other , they reportedly address one another as “ cousin .
”

Bernie Sanders ran into his Saturday Night Live impersonator Larry David during a TV appearance and joked that he gave him a job.
Appearing next to each other Friday on the Today Show, the two men, who have only met a few times, exchanged jokes. The segment began with host Al Roker introducing Sanders, 78, as the 72-year-old comedian.
“I’m here with Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David!” Roker said of Sanders before the camera panned out to reveal David standing nearby.
Roker pointed out that should Sanders win, David would likely have to do a lot of traveling to play him on the weekly comedy show.
“It’s true, it’s not going to be easy for me!” David said while channeling Sanders.
“It will be great for the country, terrible for me,” he added.
Sanders shot back, “I’m getting you a good job for four years, and you’re complaining!”
The two men are distantly related, and both descend from Polish Jews. When they run into each other, they reportedly address one another as “cousin.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Yang and Booker complain about missing 'all-white' Iowa debate stage

Andrew Yang and Cory Booker are irate with the Democratic Party after the pair failed to qualify for next week 's final debate before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses .
The absence of Yang , 44 , who made the stage last month in Los Angeles , means the cast of qualifying presidential candidates — Joe Biden , Pete Buttigieg , Amy Klobuchar , Bernie Sanders , Tom Steyer , and Elizabeth Warren — will take part in the first `` all-white '' debate of the 2020 primary .
Yang , who met the donor threshold but had only two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic National Committee of trying to `` dictate who they wish to see as the nominee and deny the will of the people . ''
`` The issues that will decide this election , and the future of our country , are too important to ignore for the sake of staged political bickering .
The DNC tried to run this same play in 2016 , and they paid for it with a loss in the general , ” Yang campaign chief Nick Ryan said in a statement Saturday after the DNC released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling conducted over the holidays had been a bone of contention for White House hopefuls .
In December , Yang appealed to the DNC to put its own surveys in the field and , when that request was rejected , paid for his own research to demonstrate there was momentum behind the entrepreneur 's bid .
Booker , 50 , who has n't debated since the November round in Atlanta , ripped the lack of diversity , arguing it did n't reflect the party .
`` I don ’ t doubt that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the outcomes are undeniable : These thresholds have effectively kept people of color from the national stage , '' the New Jersey senator wrote .
He added , `` Meanwhile , the billionaires in this race have been able to spend literally hundreds of millions on ads .
This shouldn ’ t be about who has the most money , '' referring to Steyer , 62 , a hedge-fund-manager-turned-Democratic-megadonor , who qualified one day before last week 's deadline on the back of strong Nevada and South Carolina polls .
Steyer spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two early voting states .
The contenders who made the January debate will take the stage in Des Moines on Tuesday .

Andrew Yang and Cory Booker are irate with the Democratic Party after the pair failed to qualify for next week's final debate before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses.
The absence of Yang, 44, who made the stage last month in Los Angeles, means the cast of qualifying presidential candidates — Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, and Elizabeth Warren — will take part in the first "all-white" debate of the 2020 primary.
Yang, who met the donor threshold but had only two of the four required polls, accused the Democratic National Committee of trying to "dictate who they wish to see as the nominee and deny the will of the people."
"The issues that will decide this election, and the future of our country, are too important to ignore for the sake of staged political bickering. The DNC tried to run this same play in 2016, and they paid for it with a loss in the general,” Yang campaign chief Nick Ryan said in a statement Saturday after the DNC released the final list.
The dearth of polling conducted over the holidays had been a bone of contention for White House hopefuls. In December, Yang appealed to the DNC to put its own surveys in the field and, when that request was rejected, paid for his own research to demonstrate there was momentum behind the entrepreneur's bid.
Booker, 50, who hasn't debated since the November round in Atlanta, ripped the lack of diversity, arguing it didn't reflect the party.
"I don’t doubt that the rules our party set were well-intentioned, but the outcomes are undeniable: These thresholds have effectively kept people of color from the national stage," the New Jersey senator wrote.
He added, "Meanwhile, the billionaires in this race have been able to spend literally hundreds of millions on ads. This shouldn’t be about who has the most money," referring to Steyer, 62, a hedge-fund-manager-turned-Democratic-megadonor, who qualified one day before last week's deadline on the back of strong Nevada and South Carolina polls. Steyer spent $23 million advertising heavily in those two early voting states.
The contenders who made the January debate will take the stage in Des Moines on Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-11--Warren: 2020 election ‘may well be about the survival of our planet’

Elizabeth Warren claimed that the upcoming presidential election may be about “ the survival of our planet.
” The Democratic senator from Massachusetts told supporters in New Hampshire that the fate of the 2020 election could have global implications .
“ I think we all know that 2020 election is not just about the next four years , not just about the next eight years , ” Warren said .
“ The 2020 election may well be about the survival of the planet.
” She also said that the addition of more nuclear weapons to the American arsenal does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I also have been opposed to the direction that the Trump administration has taken and certain folks in Congress to expanding our nuclear arsenal so that there are more nuclear weapons , for example , on submarines , so there are more short-range nuclear weapons , ” Warren said .
“ Actually , there are people in Congress who talk about ‘ usable nuclear weapons.
’ I don ’ t want ‘ usable nuclear weapons . '
That does not make us safer , ” she said to applause .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in polling since a peak in October .
A national average of polls by RealClearPolitics has her support at 14.8 % nationally , trailing behind front-runner Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .

Elizabeth Warren claimed that the upcoming presidential election may be about “the survival of our planet.”
The Democratic senator from Massachusetts told supporters in New Hampshire that the fate of the 2020 election could have global implications.
“I think we all know that 2020 election is not just about the next four years, not just about the next eight years,” Warren said. “The 2020 election may well be about the survival of the planet.”
She also said that the addition of more nuclear weapons to the American arsenal does not make the United States a safer country.
“I also have been opposed to the direction that the Trump administration has taken and certain folks in Congress to expanding our nuclear arsenal so that there are more nuclear weapons, for example, on submarines, so there are more short-range nuclear weapons,” Warren said.
“Actually, there are people in Congress who talk about ‘usable nuclear weapons.’ I don’t want ‘usable nuclear weapons.' That does not make us safer,” she said to applause.
Warren: "I don’t want usable nuclear weapons, that does not make us safer.” pic.twitter.com/idYlnDefUp — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 11, 2020
Warren, 70, has seen a dip in polling since a peak in October. A national average of polls by RealClearPolitics has her support at 14.8% nationally, trailing behind front-runner Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--Trump tweet in Farsi 'the most liked Persian tweet' in history of Twitter

President Trump 's tweet in Farsi expressing his support for Iranians protesting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already earned over 200,000 likes , making it the `` most liked Persian tweet '' in the social media giant 's history , according to a leading think tank adviser .
On Saturday , protesters in the country called upon Khamenei to step down after Iran admitted to shooting down a commercial airliner on which dozens of Iranian citizens were traveling .
That evening , the president sent out a tweet in Farsi , saying that he stands with their efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people : I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you .
We are following your protests closely .
Your courage is inspiring , ” Trump wrote .
After just one hour , the tweet had received over 100,000 likes and has since more than doubled that number .
`` This tweet by @ realDonaldTrump with more than 100k likes is already the most liked Persian tweet in the history of Twitter , '' Saeed Ghasseminejad , senior adviser and financial economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , claimed .
`` A strong show of support by Iranians for Trump 's Iran policy , something the MSM does not and will not report . ''
FDD is a policy institute based in Washington , D.C. , that focuses on national security and foreign policy .
Described as hawkish , the group is highly critical of Tehran 's theocratic regime , and its members advise the Trump administration on its Iran policy .
Born and raised in Iran , Ghasseminejad also teaches finance at Baruch College of New York .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news shortly after , with Dan Scavino Jr. , the assistant to the president and director of the White House 's social media , tweeting in Farsi , `` Excellent . ''
Iran responded to the U.S. ' recent killing of its top Gen. Qassem Soleimani by firing off over a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases housing American troops in Iraq this week .
While the missiles were being launched , a Boeing 737 carrying over 176 people from Tehran to Kyiv , Ukraine , crashed , killing everyone on board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` unintentionally '' shooting down the plane after originally claiming there was a mechanical problem and blamed `` human error , '' sparking the protests .

President Trump's tweet in Farsi expressing support for Iranians protesting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already earned over 200,000 likes, making it the "most liked Persian tweet" in the social media giant's history, according to a leading think tank adviser.
On Saturday, protesters in the country called upon Khamenei to step down after Iran admitted to shooting down a commercial airliner on which dozens of Iranian citizens were traveling. That evening, the president sent out a tweet in Farsi, saying that he stands with their efforts.
“To the brave and suffering Iranian people: I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely. Your courage is inspiring,” Trump wrote.
به مردم شجاع و رنج کشیده ایران: من از ابتدای دوره ریاست جمهوریم با شما ایستاده‌ام و دولت من همچنان با شما خواهد ایستاد. ما اعتراضات شما را از نزدیک دنبال می کنیم. شجاعت شما الهام بخش است. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020
After just one hour, the tweet had received over 100,000 likes and has since more than doubled that number.
"This tweet by @realDonaldTrump with more than 100k likes is already the most liked Persian tweet in the history of Twitter," Saeed Ghasseminejad, senior adviser and financial economist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, claimed. "A strong show of support by Iranians for Trump's Iran policy, something the MSM does not and will not report."
This tweet by @realDonaldTrump with more than 100k likes is already the most liked Persian tweet in the history of Twitter. A strong show of support by Iranians for Trump's Iran policy, something the MSM does not and will not report. https://t.co/4tZ0IgDZmx — Saeed Ghasseminejad (@SGhasseminejad) January 11, 2020
FDD is a policy institute based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on national security and foreign policy. Described as hawkish, the group is highly critical of Tehran's theocratic regime, and its members advise the Trump administration on its Iran policy. Born and raised in Iran, Ghasseminejad also teaches finance at Baruch College of New York.
The president's inner circle began celebrating the news shortly after, with Dan Scavino Jr., assistant to the president and director of the White House's social media operation, tweeting in Farsi, "Excellent."
Iran responded to the United States's recent killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani by firing off over a dozen ballistic missiles at two military bases housing American troops in Iraq. An Iranian missile took down a Boeing 737 carrying well over a hundred people from Tehran to Kyiv, Ukraine, killing everyone on board.
On Friday, Iran admitted to "unintentionally" shooting down the plane, blaming "human error" after originally claiming there was a mechanical problem, sparking the protests.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--Strong economy provides path for Trump’s reelection if he'll take it

The first jobs report of the year confirmed that the economy closed out an excellent 2019 in strong shape .
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the U.S. unemployment rate has persisted at a 50-year low of 3.5 % , with real wage growth up by 2.9 % in the past year .
The report didn ’ t blow out expectations , but it didn ’ t have to .
It ’ s evidence that the longest bull market in history isn ’ t just continuing — it ’ s doing so while benefiting every class in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case for President Trump ’ s reelection .
The data wasn ’ t all great news for Trump .
Manufacturing job growth once again missed expectations , in no small part due to his trade war .
But his deregulatory agenda and tax cuts have instilled confidence in the economy and have helped pull record numbers of adults back into employment .
Trump has managed to continue the post-Great Recession trend of increasing the employment of workers from outside of the labor force but also keep those in the labor force from leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has culminated in the economy achieving its lowest average unemployment rate under Trump than any other president at a comparable point in office since the figure started being officially recorded in 1948 .
There are certainly many ways that the economy can still weaken ahead of the election .
Corporate debt incurred by highly leveraged loans , the student loan bubble , and the skyrocketing national debt are among the potential risk factors .
But markets , employers , and consumers , who are largely responsible for our year-end economic momentum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , there ’ s no indication that they will .
On Friday , the Dow Jones Industrial Average breached a record 29,000 , and a tightened labor market has led companies such as Taco Bell to announce they ’ ll try issuing six-figure salaries for managers .
Most importantly , disaffected workers are increasingly returning to the labor force and employment as real wage increases for low-income workers have soared above those of their higher-income counterparts .
Regardless of how much credit one wants to give to Trump , the reality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bull market of this length , an unemployment rate of this low , or wage growth of this relative proportion under any other president .
It will present a challenge to Democrats , especially those running on the idea of blowing up the system , to portray the economy as struggling .
But there ’ s something else historic about Trump ’ s presidency : He has the lowest average approval rating of any of his predecessors , going back to Harry Truman .
Trump has averaged just 40 % approval in Gallup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans approve of his job performance .
This points to the significant disconnect between people ’ s personal assessments of Trump and the stellar economic performance he has presided over .
This is all the more reason why , if Trump wants to secure his reelection , he should spend much more time talking about job growth and a lot less time getting distracted by igniting infantile flame wars on Twitter .
The economy will be the closing statement for Trump ’ s reelection as long as he doesn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @

The first jobs report of the year confirmed that the economy closed out an excellent 2019 in strong shape. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the U.S. unemployment rate has persisted at a 50-year low of 3.5%, with real wage growth up by 2.9% in the past year. The report didn’t blow out expectations, but it didn’t have to. It’s evidence that the longest bull market in history isn’t just continuing — it’s doing so while benefiting every class in the country. It’s also the single-best case for President Trump’s reelection.
The data wasn’t all great news for Trump. Manufacturing job growth once again missed expectations, in no small part due to his trade war. But his deregulatory agenda and tax cuts have instilled confidence in the economy and have helped pull record numbers of adults back into employment. Trump has managed to continue the post-Great Recession trend of increasing the employment of workers from outside of the labor force but also keep those in the labor force from leaving or losing their jobs. All of this has culminated in the economy achieving its lowest average unemployment rate under Trump than any other president at a comparable point in office since the figure started being officially recorded in 1948.
There are certainly many ways that the economy can still weaken ahead of the election. Corporate debt incurred by highly leveraged loans, the student loan bubble, and the skyrocketing national debt are among the potential risk factors. But markets, employers, and consumers, who are largely responsible for our year-end economic momentum, have not yet balked, and thus far, there’s no indication that they will.
On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average breached a record 29,000, and a tightened labor market has led companies such as Taco Bell to announce they’ll try issuing six-figure salaries for managers. Most importantly, disaffected workers are increasingly returning to the labor force and employment as real wage increases for low-income workers have soared above those of their higher-income counterparts.
Regardless of how much credit one wants to give to Trump, the reality is that we haven’t gotten a bull market of this length, an unemployment rate of this low, or wage growth of this relative proportion under any other president. It will present a challenge to Democrats, especially those running on the idea of blowing up the system, to portray the economy as struggling.
But there’s something else historic about Trump’s presidency: He has the lowest average approval rating of any of his predecessors, going back to Harry Truman. Trump has averaged just 40% approval in Gallup polling and has never had a majority of Americans approve of his job performance. This points to the significant disconnect between people’s personal assessments of Trump and the stellar economic performance he has presided over.
This is all the more reason why, if Trump wants to secure his reelection, he should spend much more time talking about job growth and a lot less time getting distracted by igniting infantile flame wars on Twitter. The economy will be the closing statement for Trump’s reelection as long as he doesn’t get in his own way.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--'More billionaires than black people on the debate stage': Rich candidates stoke anger as Steyer mak

'More billionaires than black people on the debate stage': Rich candidates stoke anger as Steyer makes debate

Money in politics has been a punching bag for candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , but two billionaires are making their mark on the White House race in different ways .
Michael Bloomberg , 77 , and Tom Steyer , 62 , both late entrants into the contest , are proving to be political forces in a primary cycle where presidential hopefuls have come under extreme pressure to shun corporate political action committee cash and stigma being attached to exclusive , high-dollar fundraisers .
Bloomberg is entirely self-funding his White House bid , while Steyer is lining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Construction worker Eric Soderman , 49 , complained about the pair ’ s influence to the Washington Examiner on the sidelines of a Bernie Sanders rally in Venice Beach , California .
“ Billionaires buying stuff , ” the Orange County resident said dismissively .
“ It ’ s hard to find a candidate these days that actually doesn ’ t have this nasty history behind him of just bad decisions , and Bloomberg is one of those guys , ” he added , specifically regarding the former New York City mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her Democratic Party chapter in Santa Monica , California , to pass a housing bill , Patricia Hoffman , 71 , was uncomfortable with “ billionaires buying their way into the presidential race.
” “ We would really like to see democracy belonging to the people , not to the dollars , ” the retiree said after an Amy Klobuchar event in the Los Angeles County seaside city .
Yet the wealthy candidate duo is making inroads before delegate counting begins ahead of the Democratic National Convention in the summer .
Steyer this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opening Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3 thanks to a flurry of strong polls out of Nevada and South Carolina posting double-digit support that put him in the mix with top-tier contenders Joe Biden and Sanders .
He ’ ll join Biden , Sanders , as well as Klobuchar , Pete Buttigieg , and Elizabeth Warren , on stage in Des Moines on Jan. 14 .
“ Once again , it ’ s looking like there will be more billionaires than Black people on the debate stage .
And as it currently stands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color on stage .
Not a single one , ” Democratic rival Cory Booker emailed supporters in response .
Steyer , a hedge fund manager , environmentalist , and Democratic megadonor who boosted the push for President Trump ’ s impeachment , and has since flooded the airwaves in those two early voting states with more than $ 23 million worth of TV ads , bringing his total $ 99.5 million , including digital .
Despite twin controversies last November involving an aide stealing thousands of volunteer contacts from Kamala Harris in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions to Iowa politicians in exchange for endorsements , Steyer ’ s righting the ship , tapping professionals such as Jeff Berman , the delegate guru who helped engineer former President Barack Obama ’ s primary victory over Hillary Clinton in 2008 .
He ’ s also managed to turn his past investments in fossil fuel projects into a talking point by plugging how he ’ s used the profits to finance his climate change activism .
Meanwhile , Bloomberg , who threw his hat in the ring last November , is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first four contests in Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada , and South Carolina to strike , focusing instead on the 14 so-called “ Super Tuesday ” states that go to the polls on March 3 .
The and philanthropist has spent , including a , and , almost twice as much as Sanders and Warren .
Although his patchy record as a party-switcher , his flip-flop , and his response to lawsuits gave some Democrats pause , he has won others over with the promise to leverage any campaign infrastructure he builds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in the general election .
`` Bloomberg signaling today he will fund his organization through November with the singular goal of defeating Trump has won him a lot of praise from activists today , '' Christopher Hahn , Aggressive Progressive podcast host and former Democratic strategist , told the Washington Examiner Friday .
`` Primaries are funny .
People get mad at this or that , then they tend to unify for the general .
This didn ’ t happen in 2016 , and the results were a disaster for Democrats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent and former Republican now at the University of Southern California , the main ramification of Bloomberg 's and Steyer ’ s deep pockets was they reinforced preconceived notions .
“ If you already like Bloomberg or Steyer on the merits , then his money makes him his own man and independent .
If you oppose one of them for substantive reasons , then he ’ s just an obnoxious rich guy trying to buy an election , ” he said .

Money in politics has been a punching bag for candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but two billionaires are making their mark on the White House race in different ways.
Michael Bloomberg, 77, and Tom Steyer, 62, both late entrants into the contest, are proving to be political forces in a primary cycle where presidential hopefuls have come under extreme pressure to shun corporate political action committee cash and stigma being attached to exclusive, high-dollar fundraisers. Bloomberg is entirely self-funding his White House bid, while Steyer is lining his campaign coffers with his own money.
Construction worker Eric Soderman, 49, complained about the pair’s influence to the Washington Examiner on the sidelines of a Bernie Sanders rally in Venice Beach, California.
“Billionaires buying stuff,” the Orange County resident said dismissively. “It’s hard to find a candidate these days that actually doesn’t have this nasty history behind him of just bad decisions, and Bloomberg is one of those guys,” he added, specifically regarding the former New York City mayor.
Despite Steyer partly funding efforts by her Democratic Party chapter in Santa Monica, California, to pass a housing bill, Patricia Hoffman, 71, was uncomfortable with “billionaires buying their way into the presidential race.”
“We would really like to see democracy belonging to the people, not to the dollars,” the retiree said after an Amy Klobuchar event in the Los Angeles County seaside city.
Yet the wealthy candidate duo is making inroads before delegate counting begins ahead of the Democratic National Convention in the summer.
Steyer this week qualified for the last debate before the opening Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3 thanks to a flurry of strong polls out of Nevada and South Carolina posting double-digit support that put him in the mix with top-tier contenders Joe Biden and Sanders. He’ll join Biden, Sanders, as well as Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, and Elizabeth Warren, on stage in Des Moines on Jan. 14.
“Once again, it’s looking like there will be more billionaires than Black people on the debate stage. And as it currently stands, there will be no candidates of color on stage. Not a single one,” Democratic rival Cory Booker emailed supporters in response.
Steyer, a hedge fund manager, environmentalist, and Democratic megadonor who boosted the push for President Trump’s impeachment, announced his candidacy in July and has since flooded the airwaves in those two early voting states with more than $23 million worth of TV ads, bringing his total $99.5 million, including digital.
Despite twin controversies last November involving an aide stealing thousands of volunteer contacts from Kamala Harris in South Carolina and another staff member offering campaign contributions to Iowa politicians in exchange for endorsements , Steyer’s righting the ship, tapping professionals such as Jeff Berman, the delegate guru who helped engineer former President Barack Obama’s primary victory over Hillary Clinton in 2008. He’s also managed to turn his past investments in fossil fuel projects into a talking point by plugging how he’s used the profits to finance his climate change activism.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg, who threw his hat in the ring last November , is a dark horse, waiting until after the first four contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to strike, focusing instead on the 14 so-called “Super Tuesday” states that go to the polls on March 3. The media mogul and philanthropist has spent $202 million on ads to date , including a Super Bowl commercial , and pays his state field organizers $6,000 a month , almost twice as much as Sanders and Warren.
Although his patchy record as a party-switcher, his flip-flop on “stop-and-frisk” policies , and his response to lawsuits alleging he fostered hostile workplaces for women gave some Democrats pause, he has won others over with the promise to leverage any campaign infrastructure he builds to prop up the eventual nominee against Trump in the general election.
"Bloomberg signaling today he will fund his organization through November with the singular goal of defeating Trump has won him a lot of praise from activists today," Christopher Hahn, Aggressive Progressive podcast host and former Democratic strategist, told the Washington Examiner Friday. "Primaries are funny. People get mad at this or that, then they tend to unify for the general. This didn’t happen in 2016, and the results were a disaster for Democrats."
For political analyst Dan Schnur, an independent and former Republican now at the University of Southern California, the main ramification of Bloomberg's and Steyer’s deep pockets was they reinforced preconceived notions.
“If you already like Bloomberg or Steyer on the merits, then his money makes him his own man and independent. If you oppose one of them for substantive reasons, then he’s just an obnoxious rich guy trying to buy an election,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--Bernie Sanders campaign rips Biden revisionist history on Iraq War support

Bernie Sanders 's campaign ratcheted up its attacks on Joe Biden 's claim that he did not support the Iraq War nearly as soon as it started .
“ It is appalling that after 18 years Joe Biden still refuses to admit he was dead wrong on the Iraq War , the worst foreign policy blunder in modern American history , '' Sanders senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement Saturday .
`` Unlike 23 of his Senate colleagues who got it right , Biden made explicitly clear that he was voting for war , and even after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t regret it . ''
Biden the Iraq War in 2002 while he was a Delaware senator , but he has claimed several times on the campaign trail that he “ from the moment ” the March 2003 invasion started .
The then-senator expressed support for the war , saying in July 2003 that he still thought the job was “ doable.
” In a Senate floor speech , Biden said , “ I voted to go into Iraq , and I 'd vote to do it again . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , Biden oversaw the withdrawal of nearly 150,000 troops from Iraq in 2011 , which many argue fueled the rise of the Islamic State .
`` Bernie Sanders saw the same information and had the judgment to vote against the Iraq War , '' Weaver said .
`` That ’ s the kind of commander in chief we need — someone with the toughness and judgment to get those calls right , not someone who undermined Democratic opposition , enthusiastically supported a disastrous war , refuses to admit mistakes , and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot to prominence in the Democratic presidential field after President Trump ordered a strike that killed of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 2 , changing the landscape of Middle East policy .
Sanders argued that the move puts the United States on the path to another war .
Despite flaunting in Iowa last week that his supporters `` have not heard me disparage any of the candidates , '' Sanders has been increasing his attacks on the former vice president as the the Feb. 3 first-in-the-nation Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden has been on the floor of the Senate , talking about the need to cut Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid , ” Sanders said in an interview on Monday .
“ Joe Biden pushed a bankruptcy bill , which has caused enormous financial problems for working families .
So , if we 're going to beat Trump , we need turnout .
And to get turnout , you need energy and excitement.
” With Sanders being the top second choice among likely Democratic primary voters who say they support Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic presidential nomination includes winning over a portion of those Biden supporters .
The most recent poll of likely Democratic caucusgoers in Iowa shows Sanders leading the field with 20 % support and Biden in fourth place with 15 % support .

Bernie Sanders's campaign ratcheted up its attacks on Joe Biden's claim that he did not support the Iraq War nearly as soon as it started.
“It is appalling that after 18 years Joe Biden still refuses to admit he was dead wrong on the Iraq War, the worst foreign policy blunder in modern American history," Sanders senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement Saturday. "Unlike 23 of his Senate colleagues who got it right, Biden made explicitly clear that he was voting for war, and even after the war started, he boasted that he didn’t regret it."
Biden voted for the Iraq War in 2002 while he was a Delaware senator, but he has claimed several times on the campaign trail that he opposed the effort “from the moment” the March 2003 invasion started. The then-senator expressed support for the war, saying in July 2003 that he still thought the job was “doable.” In a Senate floor speech, Biden said, “I voted to go into Iraq, and I'd vote to do it again."
He later changed his position. As vice president, Biden oversaw the withdrawal of nearly 150,000 troops from Iraq in 2011, which many argue fueled the rise of the Islamic State.
"Bernie Sanders saw the same information and had the judgment to vote against the Iraq War," Weaver said. "That’s the kind of commander in chief we need — someone with the toughness and judgment to get those calls right, not someone who undermined Democratic opposition, enthusiastically supported a disastrous war, refuses to admit mistakes, and then tries to rewrite history.”
Foreign policy shot to prominence in the Democratic presidential field after President Trump ordered a strike that killed of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 2, changing the landscape of Middle East policy. Sanders argued that the move puts the United States on the path to another war.
Despite flaunting in Iowa last week that his supporters "have not heard me disparage any of the candidates," Sanders has been increasing his attacks on the former vice president as the the Feb. 3 first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses loom.
“You know, Joe Biden has been on the floor of the Senate, talking about the need to cut Social Security or Medicare or Medicaid,” Sanders said in an interview on Monday. “Joe Biden pushed a bankruptcy bill, which has caused enormous financial problems for working families. So, if we're going to beat Trump, we need turnout. And to get turnout, you need energy and excitement.”
With Sanders being the top second choice among likely Democratic primary voters who say they support Biden, part of his strategy to securing the Democratic presidential nomination includes winning over a portion of those Biden supporters.
The most recent poll of likely Democratic caucusgoers in Iowa shows Sanders leading the field with 20% support and Biden in fourth place with 15% support.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--Rashida Tlaib: Bernie Sanders 'makes me feel less insane'

DAVENPORT , Iowa — Rep. Rashida Tlaib said socialist Bernie Sanders made her feel normal for being frustrated with the country 's political climate .
`` He makes me feel — and many of you know what I mean by this — he makes me feel less insane , '' the Michigan Democrat said in Davenport , Iowa , on Saturday , referring to gripes , for example , with the country 's healthcare system .
She added , `` We 're not insane folks .
We 're actually real .
We 're humanists . ''
Tlaib , a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats known as `` the Squad , '' joined New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in endorsing the Vermont senator , 78 , for president .
Only Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley defected to support her home state senator , Elizabeth Warren , to become the party 's 2020 nominee .
On Saturday , Tlaib , 43 , slammed President Trump and his leadership for lacking `` empathy , '' while touting Sanders ' ability to tap into many people 's `` pain of economic oppression . ''
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , including on policy issues such as `` Medicare for all , '' already felt like success less than a month out from Iowa 's opening caucuses on Feb. 3 .
“ I feel like we ’ ve already won just because he ’ s in the race , ” she said .
“ I have never heard of people saying , ‘ Well , I 'm not going to take corporate PAC money.
’ Now everybody is saying it !
” Tlaib is accompanying Sanders on his three-day swing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a `` Green New Deal '' rally on Sunday in Iowa City co-hosted with the Sunrise Movement .
The youth-led coalition of environmental activists last week announced they were endorsing Sanders in the Democratic contest for the right to challenge Trump in the fall .

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Rep. Rashida Tlaib said socialist Bernie Sanders made her feel normal for being frustrated with the country's political climate.
"He makes me feel — and many of you know what I mean by this — he makes me feel less insane," the Michigan Democrat said in Davenport, Iowa, on Saturday, referring to gripes, for example, with the country's healthcare system.
She added, "We're not insane folks. We're actually real. We're humanists."
Tlaib, a member of the quartet of first-term, female House Democrats known as "the Squad," joined New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar in endorsing the Vermont senator, 78, for president. Only Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley defected to support her home state senator, Elizabeth Warren, to become the party's 2020 nominee.
On Saturday, Tlaib, 43, slammed President Trump and his leadership for lacking "empathy," while touting Sanders' ability to tap into many people's "pain of economic oppression."
For Tlaib, Sanders' influence on the primary, including on policy issues such as "Medicare for all," already felt like success less than a month out from Iowa's opening caucuses on Feb. 3.
“I feel like we’ve already won just because he’s in the race,” she said. “I have never heard of people saying, ‘Well, I'm not going to take corporate PAC money.’ Now everybody is saying it!”
Tlaib is accompanying Sanders on his three-day swing of the first-in-the-nation state. The pair will appear at a "Green New Deal" rally on Sunday in Iowa City co-hosted with the Sunrise Movement. The youth-led coalition of environmental activists last week announced they were endorsing Sanders in the Democratic contest for the right to challenge Trump in the fall.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--Sanders undercuts Biden on climate change: The way we were is 'not good enough'

IOWA CITY , Iowa — Bernie Sanders took a veiled swipe at center-left rivals such as Joe Biden , warning that even if a Democrat were elected president this fall , climate change policy ca n't return to what it was in the past .
`` So if anyone tells you that , 'Hey , we 've got to beat Trump . '
Ok , but then we go back to where we were ?
Not good enough , '' he said in Iowa City , Iowa , Sunday .
Sanders , 78 , was in Iowa City for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The youth-led coalition of environmental activists , who frequently protest Biden 's campaign events , this week announced it was endorsing the Vermont senator for the 2020 nomination .
On Sunday , Sanders told supporters that he , like the Sunrise Movement , understood the `` fierce sense of urgency '' regarding the issue of climate change , citing Australia 's wildfires as an example of what could unfold around the globe without decisive action .
`` If you do not get our act together in a very bold and aggressive way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now will be common for countries all over the world in the years and decades to come , '' he said .
He added that he could n't fathom climate change deniers given the possibility that inaction could `` lead eventually to the deaths of over a million people a year throughout the world . ''
Sanders and Biden first clashed over their climate change proposals shortly before the former vice president , 77 , released his plan last summer when reports emerged that his platform would occupy the `` middle ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no middle ground , '' Sanders said in June .

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Bernie Sanders took a veiled swipe at center-left rivals such as Joe Biden, warning that even if a Democrat were elected president this fall, climate change policy can't return to what it was in the past.
"So if anyone tells you that, 'Hey, we've got to beat Trump.' Ok, but then we go back to where we were? Not good enough," he said in Iowa City, Iowa, Sunday.
Sanders, 78, was in Iowa City for a climate rally co-hosted by the Sunrise Movement. The youth-led coalition of environmental activists, who frequently protest Biden's campaign events, this week announced it was endorsing the Vermont senator for the 2020 nomination.
On Sunday, Sanders told supporters that he, like the Sunrise Movement, understood the "fierce sense of urgency" regarding the issue of climate change, citing Australia's wildfires as an example of what could unfold around the globe without decisive action.
"If you do not get our act together in a very bold and aggressive way, what you are seeing in Australia right now will be common for countries all over the world in the years and decades to come," he said.
He added that he couldn't fathom climate change deniers given the possibility that inaction could "lead eventually to the deaths of over a million people a year throughout the world."
Sanders and Biden first clashed over their climate change proposals shortly before the former vice president, 77, released his plan last summer when reports emerged that his platform would occupy the "middle ground" between idealism and pragmatism.
"There is no middle ground," Sanders said in June.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--'Disappointed': Warren hits back at Sanders for sending his volunteers to 'trash' her

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ripped efforts by Sen. Bernie Sanders 's campaign to attack her as only appealing to `` affluent '' and `` highly educated '' voters .
`` I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me , '' said Warren on Sunday .
`` Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time . ''
Warren , 70 , called for `` Democrats to unite '' and defended the `` grassroots coalition '' she is building ahead of the 2020 presidential election .
`` We can not nominate someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granted .
We need someone who can bring our party together , '' said the Massachusetts senator .
The Vermont senator 's campaign provided volunteers with a script talking points for when they encounter voters who prefer one of the other 2020 Democratic primary candidates .
Under Warren 's section , the memo highlighted her support among wealthier voters and suggested that she brings `` no new bases to the Democratic Party . ''
Warren 's campaign has attempted to appeal to the liberal wing of the Democratic Party , where Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every candidate in the race .
She called on Sanders to `` reconsider '' his strategy against her .
`` I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction , '' added Warren .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ripped efforts by Sen. Bernie Sanders's campaign to attack her as only appealing to "affluent" and "highly educated" voters.
"I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me," said Warren on Sunday. "Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time."
Warren, 70, called for "Democrats to unite" and defended the "grassroots coalition" she is building ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
"We cannot nominate someone who takes big chunks of Democratic coalition for granted. We need someone who can bring our party together," said the Massachusetts senator.
Warren hits back: “I was disappointed to hear that Bernie is sending his volunteers out to trash me. Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time...I hope bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction.” Also notes the “factionalism” caused by 2016 https://t.co/ER0Vm6sgJS pic.twitter.com/N8prZdeZk9 — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) January 12, 2020
The Vermont senator's campaign provided volunteers with a script talking points for when they encounter voters who prefer one of the other 2020 Democratic primary candidates. Under Warren's section, the memo highlighted her support among wealthier voters and suggested that she brings "no new bases to the Democratic Party."
Warren's campaign has attempted to appeal to the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, where Sanders, 78, holds a distinct advantage over every candidate in the race. She called on Sanders to "reconsider" his strategy against her.
"I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction," added Warren.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--'I wonder about Mitch McConnell': Pelosi accuses GOP leader of being 'accomplice' to Russian electio

'I wonder about Mitch McConnell': Pelosi accuses GOP leader of being 'accomplice' to Russian election interference

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said President Trump is `` in complete denial '' about Russia 's attempts to meddle in the 2020 election and accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of being an `` accomplice '' to Russian interference , claiming that she wonders about his allegiance to the United States .
The California Democrat made the comments on Sunday during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC 's This Week .
`` Bloomberg is reporting , this Friday , the possibility that there is an investigation now on whether or not the Russians are trying to help President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephanopoulos , later continuing , `` How worried are you about Russian interference in 2020 ; are we doing all we can to prevent it ? ''
`` No , and the president of the United States is in complete denial about Russia 's role , '' replied Pelosi .
`` As I have said , in terms of this president , all roads lead to Putin . ''
Pelosi , 79 , then pivoted to McConnell , saying he has `` resisted sources '' that suggest Russian meddling in American elections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , '' remarked Pelosi .
`` What 's he — why is he an accomplice to all of that ?
He has resisted sources going in a manner commensurate with the threat for state agencies , whichever they are in a state , could be the secretary of state or whatever , to protect our infrastructure , our critical infrastructure of elections . ''
Earlier in the interview , Pelosi claimed McConnell , 78 , was participating in a `` cover-up '' after the Kentucky Republican signed onto a measure to dismiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Pelosi does n't send the two articles of abuse and obstruction to the Senate within 25 days .
Democrats claimed Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election long before special counsel Robert Mueller 's report , which followed an investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin , determined Russia did interfere in the election but that the president 's campaign did not collude with the nation .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said President Trump is "in complete denial" about Russia's attempts to meddle in the 2020 election and accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of being an "accomplice" to Russian interference, claiming that she wonders about his allegiance to the United States.
The California Democrat made the comments on Sunday during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week.
"Bloomberg is reporting, this Friday, the possibility that there is an investigation now on whether or not the Russians are trying to help President Trump and hurt Joe Biden," said Stephanopoulos, later continuing, "How worried are you about Russian interference in 2020; are we doing all we can to prevent it?"
"No, and the president of the United States is in complete denial about Russia's role," replied Pelosi. "As I have said, in terms of this president, all roads lead to Putin."
Pelosi, 79, then pivoted to McConnell, saying he has "resisted sources" that suggest Russian meddling in American elections.
"Sometimes I wonder about Mitch McConnell too," remarked Pelosi. "What's he — why is he an accomplice to all of that? He has resisted sources going in a manner commensurate with the threat for state agencies, whichever they are in a state, could be the secretary of state or whatever, to protect our infrastructure, our critical infrastructure of elections."
NEW: "No, and the president is in complete denial about Russia's role," Pelosi tells @GStephanopoulos when asked if the U.S. is doing enough to stop 2020 meddling.
"Sometimes I wonder about Mitch McConnell, too...why is he an accomplice to all of that?" https://t.co/G6Ef3GUsED pic.twitter.com/Id9VTzmY9f — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) January 12, 2020
Earlier in the interview, Pelosi claimed McConnell, 78, was participating in a "cover-up" after the Kentucky Republican signed onto a measure to dismiss Trump's impeachment trial without witness presentations if Pelosi doesn't send the two articles of abuse and obstruction to the Senate within 25 days.
Democrats claimed Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election long before special counsel Robert Mueller's report, which followed an investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, determined Russia did interfere in the election but that the president's campaign did not collude with the nation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-12--Small showing for Bloomberg rally with Judge Judy despite campaign's big spending

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg claims he is ready to spend more than $ 1 billion in an effort to oust President Trump , but money may not be bringing supporters to his campaign .
Just 45 people showed up to Bloomberg 's latest rally with TV star Judge Judy Sheindlin in Texas on Saturday , according to the New York Post .
“ Unlike everyone else in this race , I think what ’ s important is beating Donald Trump , ” Bloomberg told the sparse crowd of fewer than 50 people in San Antonio .
Bloomberg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race late , forgoing attempts to make the debate stage , spending big out of his personal account , and focusing on the later states in an attempt to gain the 2020 Democratic nomination .
He has bought a $ 10 million TV spot that will air at this year 's Super Bowl , and his campaign 's digital ad buys are set to outpace Trump 4-to-1 .
During his 13-minute stump speech , Bloomberg highlighted efforts to increase teacher pay in New York and his plan to cut carbon emissions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would spend less time tweeting when he was president .
“ I can ’ t spell very well , so that ’ s relatively easy to do , ” stated Bloomberg .
The RealClearPolitics national average shows Bloomberg polling at 5.8 % , trailing former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , former Vice President Joe Biden , and Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont .
UPDATE : The Bloomberg campaign reached out to the Washington Examiner to dispute the number of attendees reported at events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser said 130 people attended the restaurant gathering while more than 700 people attended Bloomberg events throughout the day .

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg claims he is ready to spend more than $1 billion in an effort to oust President Trump, but money may not be bringing supporters to his campaign.
Just 45 people showed up to Bloomberg's latest rally with TV star Judge Judy Sheindlin in Texas on Saturday, according to the New York Post.
“Unlike everyone else in this race, I think what’s important is beating Donald Trump,” Bloomberg told the sparse crowd of fewer than 50 people in San Antonio.
Bloomberg, 77, has eschewed tradition by entering the race late, forgoing attempts to make the debate stage, spending big out of his personal account, and focusing on the later states in an attempt to gain the 2020 Democratic nomination.
He has bought a $10 million TV spot that will air at this year's Super Bowl, and his campaign's digital ad buys are set to outpace Trump 4 to 1.
During his 13-minute stump speech, Bloomberg highlighted efforts to increase teacher pay in New York and his plan to cut carbon emissions. He then attacked Trump, saying he would spend less time tweeting if he were president.
“I can’t spell very well, so that’s relatively easy to do,” stated Bloomberg.
The RealClearPolitics national average shows Bloomberg polling at 5.8%, trailing former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden, and Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
UPDATE: The Bloomberg campaign reached out to the Washington Examiner to dispute the number of attendees reported at events in Texas on Saturday. A campaign adviser said 130 people attended the restaurant gathering, while more than 700 people attended Bloomberg events throughout the day.