thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--'Probably no': Schumer concedes Democrats unlikely to get witnesses they want

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Senate Democrats and House impeachment managers are unlikely to convince the four Republican senators they need to vote for additional witnesses in President Trump 's impeachment trial .
“ The president and Mitch McConnell put huge pressure on these folks , ” Schumer told reporters Wednesday .
“ So I hope we can get witnesses and documents .
It ’ s an uphill fight .
Is it more likely than not ?
Probably no .
But is it a decent , good chance ?
Yes.
” Impeachment managers have spent the last week arguing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the House impeachment investigation into Trump should be included in the evidence senators consider before voting on whether to remove him from office .
House Democrats impeached Trump on two charges , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , after an investigation found Trump pressured a foreign leader to investigate his political rivals .
The top witness Democrats want to hear from is John Bolton , Trump 's national security adviser , who claims the president discussed a freeze on military aid to the country with him .
Democrats say Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` quid pro quo '' Trump engaged in .
Trump has called his impeachment a `` hoax '' and threatened potential Republican defectors on Twitter .
Before the trial began , the New York Democrat forced votes during a hearing on the rules of the road for the trial , asking that additional witnesses be called .
`` Well , look , it 's clear that McConnell 's rules caused the trial to be rushed with as little evidence as possible in the dark of night , '' Schumer has said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come out . ''
House impeachment manager Rep. Jerry Nadler has said if Republicans do not allow for additional witnesses , they are complicit in covering up the crimes Trump is alleged to have committed .
`` The Senate is on trial , '' Nadler warned before the proceedings began .
After several days of opening arguments , Schumer said House managers made `` a really compelling case for why the Senate should call witnesses and documents.
” Still , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has promised to bring the trial to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what he and other defenders of Trump have called a `` sham '' impeachment process that lacks in merit .
McConnell indicated Tuesday he did not yet have the votes to kill additional witness testimony , but multiple reports since have suggested he is getting closer to achieving that goal .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , another leading Trump defender , predicted the trial will come to an end as soon as the end of the week .
A vote on whether to call additional witnesses is expected Friday .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Senate Democrats and House impeachment managers are unlikely to convince the four Republican senators they need to vote for additional witnesses in President Trump's impeachment trial.
“The president and Mitch McConnell put huge pressure on these folks,” Schumer told reporters Wednesday. “So I hope we can get witnesses and documents. It’s an uphill fight. Is it more likely than not? Probably no. But is it a decent, good chance? Yes.”
Impeachment managers have spent the last week arguing that additional witnesses and documents not gathered during the House impeachment investigation into Trump should be included in the evidence senators consider before voting on whether to remove him from office.
House Democrats impeached Trump on two charges, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, after an investigation found Trump pressured a foreign leader to investigate his political rivals.
The top witness Democrats want to hear from is John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, who claims the president discussed a freeze on military aid to the country with him.
Democrats say Bolton's claims are a clear example of a "quid pro quo" Trump engaged in.
Trump has called his impeachment a "hoax" and threatened potential Republican defectors on Twitter.
Remember Republicans, the Democrats already had 17 witnesses, we were given NONE! Witnesses are up to the House, not up to the Senate. Don’t let the Dems play you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020
Before the trial began, the New York Democrat forced votes during a hearing on the rules of the road for the trial, asking that additional witnesses be called.
"Well, look, it's clear that McConnell's rules caused the trial to be rushed with as little evidence as possible in the dark of night," Schumer has said. "They do not want the evidence to come out."
House impeachment manager Rep. Jerry Nadler has said if Republicans do not allow for additional witnesses, they are complicit in covering up the crimes Trump is alleged to have committed.
"The Senate is on trial," Nadler warned before the proceedings began.
After several days of opening arguments, Schumer said House managers made "a really compelling case for why the Senate should call witnesses and documents.”
Still, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has promised to bring the trial to a quick conclusion and put an end to what he and other defenders of Trump have called a "sham" impeachment process that lacks in merit.
McConnell indicated Tuesday he did not yet have the votes to kill additional witness testimony, but multiple reports since have suggested he is getting closer to achieving that goal.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, another leading Trump defender, predicted the trial will come to an end as soon as the end of the week.
A vote on whether to call additional witnesses is expected Friday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Rand Paul rips foreign aid recipients: Most ‘are crooks and have stolen it’

President Trump ’ s efforts to use foreign aid to win anti-corruption concessions and changes in policy from foreign governments should be applauded because many of those who receive U.S. tax dollars are “ crooks , ” according to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul .
Addressing a key issue in the impeachment and Senate trial of President Trump and claims the president sought a Ukraine corruption investigation of the Bidens in exchange for promised U.S. aid , the Republican said presidents have the “ latitude ” to withhold funding — and that several have .
Noting that President Barack Obama delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Do presidents have the latitude to play some games with foreign aid ?
Sure.
” Paul , a noted foe of foreign aid programs , added to Secrets , “ I think the whole point is that aid is supposed to be conditional .
We want something if we give them money .
I don ’ t want to give them money anyway because I don ’ t think we have any money to give , nor do I think anywhere in the Constitution is it authorized to give foreign aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ withholding any aid any time he can.
” What ’ s more , he noted that Trump has “ done it before , ” as with Latin American nations that were forced to change immigration policies the administration didn ’ t like .
Paul said that the United States should push for anti-corruption policies in return for foreign aid because , in the past , governments receiving the money have stolen some .
“ We should all be very wary of giving them money .
It ’ s true of foreign aid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say just all Ukrainians are crooks — most people in foreign governments who receive our money , or a lot of them , are crooks and have stolen it , ” he said .
“ They skim it off the top .
They ’ re thieves , ” Paul said , citing a study that found that “ the most corrupt people in the world get the most foreign aid.
” Paul referred to the series of audits of U.S. aid to Afghanistan covering billions of dollars in spending .
The audits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reconstruction have detailed scams and theft for years .
Paul said that the reports show that the U.S. flooded so much money into Afghanistan so fast that “ it had to be stolen ” because it couldn ’ t be spent so hastily on infrastructure .

President Trump’s efforts to use foreign aid to win anti-corruption concessions and changes in policy from foreign governments should be applauded because many of those who receive U.S. tax dollars are “crooks,” according to Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Addressing a key issue in the impeachment and Senate trial of President Trump and claims the president sought a Ukraine corruption investigation of the Bidens in exchange for promised U.S. aid, the Republican said presidents have the “latitude” to withhold funding — and that several have.
Noting that President Barack Obama delayed aid to Ukraine, he said, “Do presidents have the latitude to play some games with foreign aid? Sure.”
Paul, a noted foe of foreign aid programs, added to Secrets, “I think the whole point is that aid is supposed to be conditional. We want something if we give them money. I don’t want to give them money anyway because I don’t think we have any money to give, nor do I think anywhere in the Constitution is it authorized to give foreign aid. So I’m proud of him withholding any aid any time he can.”
What’s more, he noted that Trump has “done it before,” as with Latin American nations that were forced to change immigration policies the administration didn’t like.
Paul said that the United States should push for anti-corruption policies in return for foreign aid because, in the past, governments receiving the money have stolen some.
“We should all be very wary of giving them money. It’s true of foreign aid in particular. I don’t want to say just all Ukrainians are crooks — most people in foreign governments who receive our money, or a lot of them, are crooks and have stolen it,” he said.
“They skim it off the top. They’re thieves,” Paul said, citing a study that found that “the most corrupt people in the world get the most foreign aid.”
Paul referred to the series of audits of U.S. aid to Afghanistan covering billions of dollars in spending. The audits from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction have detailed scams and theft for years.
Paul said that the reports show that the U.S. flooded so much money into Afghanistan so fast that “it had to be stolen” because it couldn’t be spent so hastily on infrastructure.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Twenty-three nations embrace Trump peace plan, 7 in Middle East

Nearly two dozen world leaders have signaled their openness to President Trump ’ s sweeping new peace plan for Israel and Palestine , ignoring claims in the U.S. media that it was dead on arrival to focus on it as a beefy starting point .
A statement from Bahrain was typical of the reaction that has flooded into the White House since Trump unveiled the plan Wednesday .
“ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commends the United States of America for its determined efforts to advance the peace process , ” Bahrain said .
Qatar said in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and the current U.S. administration to find solutions for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
” The plan has been three years in the making and is considered the most detailed ever by an American administration .
It came on a very busy week that included the signing of the new North American free trade agreement , a major immigration victory in the Supreme Court , and the continued impeachment debate .
With 23 governments applauding the peace plan , the world is “ showing a willingness to receive our plan , ” said an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the Middle East .
But the plan has also sparked violent protests in Palestinian areas such as the West Bank .
Trump ’ s “ Peace to Prosperity ” plan links diplomatic and economic policy in a bid to settle the border issue between Israel and Palestine and provide a path to economic wealth for citizens .
The president announced it with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side , leading officials in Palestine and Iran to dismiss it , but prompting nations in Europe , Asia , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Australia , for example , said it “ welcomes the release of the U.S. ‘ Vision for Peace ’ by President Trump today .
We welcome any initiative that can assist the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians for an end to this conflict , and the agreement of a durable and resilient peace settlement.
” Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner , who led the peace project , met with 190 ambassadors to review the plan .
While some in the media have dismissed the plan , others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have given the White House credit for jump-starting the peace process and leveraging support from key players .
The paper wrote : “ The Trump administration has wooed officials from Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates , Oman , Bahrain , and other nations in the region in an effort to transcend the political impasse , and to some extent they are responding .
The most important regional players—Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.—both urged Palestinian leaders to accept the Trump plan as a basis for new talks with Israel , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant concessions , such as Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley.
” And the Moroccan foreign ministry echoed that .
It said : “ The resolution of the Palestinian question is the key to stability in the Middle East .
It is for that reason that the Kingdom of Morocco appreciates the constructive peace efforts of the Trump administration with a view to achieving a just , lasting , and equitable solution to this conflict .
”

Nearly two dozen world leaders have signaled their openness to President Trump’s sweeping new peace plan for Israel and Palestine, ignoring claims in the U.S. media that it was dead on arrival to focus on it as a beefy starting point.
A statement from Bahrain was typical of the reaction that has flooded into the White House since Trump unveiled the plan Wednesday. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs commends the United States of America for its determined efforts to advance the peace process,” Bahrain said.
Qatar said in a statement that it “appreciates the endeavors of President Trump and the current U.S. administration to find solutions for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
UPDATE - Latest countries to voice their support for the Trump Middle East peace plan:
✅ Paraguay 🇵🇾
✅ Denmark 🇩🇰
✅ Chile 🇨🇱
✅ Czech Republic 🇨🇿
✅ Hungary 🇭🇺
✅ Japan 🇯🇵
✅ South Korea 🇰🇷 https://t.co/MKP37RilEt — Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) January 30, 2020
The plan has been three years in the making and is considered the most detailed ever by an American administration. It came on a very busy week that included the signing of the new North American free trade agreement, a major immigration victory in the Supreme Court, and the continued impeachment debate.
With 23 governments applauding the peace plan, the world is “showing a willingness to receive our plan,” said an administration official. Some seven of those are in the Middle East.
But the plan has also sparked violent protests in Palestinian areas such as the West Bank.
Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan links diplomatic and economic policy in a bid to settle the border issue between Israel and Palestine and provide a path to economic wealth for citizens.
The president announced it with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side, leading officials in Palestine and Iran to dismiss it, but prompting nations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to express openness to it.
Reactions: Worldwide Support Grows for President Trump’s Bold Middle East Peace Vision https://t.co/xbYMuuNooK — Avi Berkowitz (@aviberkow45) January 29, 2020
Australia, for example, said it “welcomes the release of the U.S. ‘Vision for Peace’ by President Trump today. We welcome any initiative that can assist the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians for an end to this conflict, and the agreement of a durable and resilient peace settlement.”
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, who led the peace project, met with 190 ambassadors to review the plan.
While some in the media have dismissed the plan, others, such as the Wall Street Journal, have given the White House credit for jump-starting the peace process and leveraging support from key players.
The paper wrote: “The Trump administration has wooed officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, and other nations in the region in an effort to transcend the political impasse, and to some extent they are responding. The most important regional players—Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E.—both urged Palestinian leaders to accept the Trump plan as a basis for new talks with Israel, a move that would force them to make significant concessions, such as Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley.”
And the Moroccan foreign ministry echoed that. It said: “The resolution of the Palestinian question is the key to stability in the Middle East. It is for that reason that the Kingdom of Morocco appreciates the constructive peace efforts of the Trump administration with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and equitable solution to this conflict.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--US think tanks top global best list, Heritage No. 1 for ‘impact’

American policy think tanks dominate a new global list of the best , with Washington ’ s conservative Heritage Foundation taking the prize for having the “ most significant impact on policy.
” The “ 2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report ” put nine U.S. think tanks on its top 20 list , and six are Washington-based , led by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , which was ranked No .
1 .
The report and list is set to be released Friday .
Secrets received a copy in advance .
It is produced by the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanks globally .
For a third year , Heritage won the top spot for impact on policy , a significant showing and indicator of how valuable it has been to President Trump ’ s administration .
It also was No .
2 in another key category , think tanks “ to watch , ” and followed Italy ’ s Institute for International Political Studies .
Heritage President Kay C. James welcomed her organization ’ s rankings , especially for policy and social media strategy .
“ The Heritage Foundation is honored to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row as the number one think tank in the world for our impact on public policy , ” she told Secrets , adding , “ from our analysts to our communications staff to everyone on the Heritage team who supports their efforts , we strive to lead the way in finding solutions to the issues America faces , and we work every day with our leaders and the American people to turn them into realities.
” Heritage ’ s impact on the Trump White House has been significant , and the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think tank ’ s recommendations .
In addition to listing the global top think tanks , the report also ranked U.S. think tanks :

American policy think tanks dominate a new global list of the best, with Washington’s conservative Heritage Foundation taking the prize for having the “most significant impact on policy.”
The “2019 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report” put nine U.S. think tanks on its top 20 list, and six are Washington-based, led by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which was ranked No. 1.
The report and list is set to be released Friday. Secrets received a copy in advance. It is produced by the University of Pennsylvania and covers some 8,000 think tanks globally.
For a third year, Heritage won the top spot for impact on policy, a significant showing and indicator of how valuable it has been to President Trump’s administration.
It also was No. 2 in another key category, think tanks “to watch,” and followed Italy’s Institute for International Political Studies.
Heritage President Kay C. James welcomed her organization’s rankings, especially for policy and social media strategy.
“The Heritage Foundation is honored to be ranked for the third year in a row as the number one think tank in the world for our impact on public policy,” she told Secrets, adding, “from our analysts to our communications staff to everyone on the Heritage team who supports their efforts, we strive to lead the way in finding solutions to the issues America faces, and we work every day with our leaders and the American people to turn them into realities.”
Heritage’s impact on the Trump White House has been significant, and the president’s team has adopted several of the think tank’s recommendations.
In addition to listing the global top think tanks, the report also ranked U.S. think tanks:
1. Center for Strategic and International Studies.
2. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
3. Heritage Foundation.
4. Peterson Institute for International Economics.
5. Urban Institute.
6. Wilson Center, FKA Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
7. Center for American Progress.
8. Atlantic Council.
9. RAND Corporation.
10. Hudson Institute.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--'Ready to vote': GOP prepared to acquit but impeachment trial poised to drag on until early next wee

'Ready to vote': GOP prepared to acquit but impeachment trial poised to drag on until early next week

The impeachment trial of President Trump was inching toward a conclusion but is now expected to spill into next week , with Monday the most likely day things will draw to a close .
Disinclined to subpoena witnesses and prepared to acquit Trump on the two articles against him , most Senate Republicans on Thursday were eyeing a few more days for closing arguments and procedural motions before rendering a verdict .
If 51 votes for a resolution to call witnesses fail to materialize in an expected Friday evening roll call , the trial would be on the fast-track to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping the proceedings might finish on Friday , but trial rules and procedural hurdles could make that impossible .
“ It always takes longer than you think it should take — until suddenly it doesn ’ t take any time at all , ” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri , one of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s deputies .
“ I ’ m ready to vote , ” Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota added .
“ It ’ s time to bring this to an end.
” Late Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second day of questioning , during which senators were able to submit queries to the House impeachment managers and White House defense team .
Next up , scheduled for Friday afternoon , are closing arguments , after which the Senate would finally weigh in on witnesses with a vote on a resolution to determine if consideration of new testimony would be in order at trial .
Earlier this week , it appeared fresh revelations from John Bolton would push reluctant Republicans to subpoena the former White House national security adviser .
Bolton claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump admitted withholding military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate Joe Biden , a top contender for the Democratic nomination , and his son , Hunter Biden .
But after a few days , a vast majority of 53 Senate Republicans resolved that even if Bolton is telling the truth , Trump 's actions would be insufficient to warrant conviction and expulsion from office .
The president was charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
With acquittal a certainty , most Republicans oppose extending the trial longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks to the proceedings .
“ Why would we waste our time ?
” Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said .
“ The outcome ’ s not going to change .
Everyone knows that , ” Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma added .
Just a few Republicans have signaled they might vote with Democrats to subpoena witnesses .
If that number does not increase and the measure fails— a 50-50 tie would equal failure — a subsequent session allowing for almost any resolution or motion to be submitted for a floor vote could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among those motions would surely include a Republican proposal to move to a vote of guilty or not guilty , effectively ending the trial .
“ I wonder if any Republican would vote to convict , ” Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana said .

The impeachment trial of President Trump was inching toward a conclusion but is now expected to spill into next week, with Monday the most likely day things will draw to a close.
Disinclined to subpoena witnesses and prepared to acquit Trump on the two articles against him, most Senate Republicans on Thursday were eyeing a few more days for closing arguments and procedural motions before rendering a verdict.
If 51 votes for a resolution to call witnesses fail to materialize in an expected Friday evening roll call, the trial would be on the fast track to final adjournment.
Some Republicans were still hoping the proceedings might finish on Friday, but trial rules and procedural hurdles could make that impossible.
“It always takes longer than you think it should take — until suddenly it doesn’t take any time at all,” said Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, one of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s deputies.
“I’m ready to vote,” Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota added. “It’s time to bring this to an end.”
Late Thursday, the Senate was to finish the second day of questioning, during which senators were able to submit queries to the House impeachment managers and White House defense team. Next up, scheduled for Friday afternoon, are closing arguments, after which the Senate will finally weigh in on witnesses with a vote on a resolution to determine if consideration of new testimony would be in order at trial.
Earlier this week, it appeared that fresh revelations from John Bolton would push reluctant Republicans to subpoena the former White House national security adviser. Bolton claims in the manuscript of his forthcoming book that Trump admitted to withholding military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate Joe Biden, a top contender for the Democratic nomination, and his son, Hunter Biden.
But after a few days, a vast majority of 53 Senate Republicans resolved that even if Bolton is telling the truth, Trump's actions would be insufficient to warrant conviction and expulsion from office. The president was charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. With acquittal a certainty, most Republicans oppose extending the trial longer than necessary. Calling witnesses could add weeks to the proceedings.
“Why would we waste our time?” Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said.
“The outcome’s not going to change. Everyone knows that,” Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma added.
Just a few Republicans have signaled they might vote with Democrats to subpoena witnesses.
If that number does not increase and the measure fails— a 50-50 tie would equal failure — a subsequent session allowing for almost any resolution or motion to be submitted for a floor vote could push the trial into early next week. Among those motions would surely include a Republican proposal to move to a vote of guilty or not guilty, effectively ending the trial.
“I wonder if any Republican would vote to convict,” Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--'Same Washington playbook': Buttigieg blasts Biden as yesterday's man

Pete Buttigieg singled out Democratic primary rivals Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders by name while arguing he 's best positioned to take on President Trump in 2020 , a notable shift from his usual indirect swipes .
`` I hear Vice President Biden saying that this is no time to take a risk on someone new .
But history has shown us that the biggest risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Bend , Indiana , and the youngest candidate in the race at 38 , said during a campaign stop in Decorah , Iowa , on Thursday .
Buttigieg has pitched himself as a happy medium with the best elements of both the Vermont senator , 78 , and the former vice president , 77 , in that he is a fresh face that can inspire enthusiasm , but not so radical that he will alienate voters with a purist left-wing policy approach .
`` Then I hear Sen. Sanders calling for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to go all the way here and nothing else counts , '' Buttigieg continued .
`` And it 's coming at the very moment when we actually have a historic majority , not just aligned around what it is we 're against , but agreeing on what it is we 're for .
A majority ready to make sure that the public sector steps up and delivers healthcare , just not so sure about the idea of forcing everybody onto that public plan .
A majority that 's ready for a game-changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not so sure about the idea of covering every last penny for the tuition of the children of millionaires and billionaires . ''
[ Read more : Buttigieg draws electability contrasts with Biden and Sanders in late Iowa pitch ] While Sanders proposes free college tuition regardless of income and a `` Medicare for all '' healthcare system that would eliminate private insurance , Buttigieg proposes making college tuition-free for families earning less than $ 100,000 and a public option for healthcare that would keep much of the private insurance sector intact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to name his rivals when criticizing their candidacies .
However , his campaign sent out fundraising emails in the last week targeting Sanders .
One fundraiser email highlighted a New York Times story that said Trump 's advisers see Sanders as `` their ideal Democratic opponent '' in November .
`` If things stay steady until the Iowa Caucuses in just nine days , Bernie Sanders could be the nominee of our party .
But we need a candidate who can beat Donald Trump , '' another fundraising email said .
Buttigieg on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters asked him multiple questions about the emails .
`` I stand by any of the communications that have come out from my campaign on this , '' Buttigieg said in Boone , Iowa .
Biden and Sanders are Buttigieg 's biggest competitors for a strong showing in Iowa , which analysts believe is essential for his path to the Democratic presidential nomination .
The RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls has Sanders leading the field at 23.8 % , Biden at 20.2 % , and Buttigieg at 15.8 % .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , followed by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar in a distant third at 9.6 % .

Pete Buttigieg singled out Democratic primary rivals Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders by name while arguing he's best positioned to take on President Trump in 2020, a notable shift from his usual indirect swipes.
"I hear Vice President Biden saying that this is no time to take a risk on someone new. But history has shown us that the biggest risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump," Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and the youngest candidate in the race at 38, said during a campaign stop in Decorah, Iowa, on Thursday.
Buttigieg has pitched himself as a happy medium with the best elements of both the Vermont senator, 78, and the former vice president, 77, in that he is a fresh face that can inspire enthusiasm, but not so radical that he will alienate voters with a purist left-wing policy approach.
"Then I hear Sen. Sanders calling for a kind of politics that says you've got to go all the way here and nothing else counts," Buttigieg continued. "And it's coming at the very moment when we actually have a historic majority, not just aligned around what it is we're against, but agreeing on what it is we're for. A majority ready to make sure that the public sector steps up and delivers healthcare, just not so sure about the idea of forcing everybody onto that public plan. A majority that's ready for a game-changing transformation in the affordability of college, but not so sure about the idea of covering every last penny for the tuition of the children of millionaires and billionaires."
[Read more: Buttigieg draws electability contrasts with Biden and Sanders in late Iowa pitch]
While Sanders proposes free college tuition regardless of income and a "Medicare for all" healthcare system that would eliminate private insurance, Buttigieg proposes making college tuition-free for families earning less than $100,000 and a public option for healthcare that would keep much of the private insurance sector intact.
Until Thursday, Buttigieg had declined to name his rivals when criticizing their candidacies. However, his campaign sent out fundraising emails in the last week targeting Sanders.
One fundraiser email highlighted a New York Times story that said Trump's advisers see Sanders as "their ideal Democratic opponent" in November. "If things stay steady until the Iowa Caucuses in just nine days, Bernie Sanders could be the nominee of our party. But we need a candidate who can beat Donald Trump," another fundraising email said.
Buttigieg on Monday refused to name Sanders when several reporters asked him multiple questions about the emails.
"I stand by any of the communications that have come out from my campaign on this," Buttigieg said in Boone, Iowa.
Biden and Sanders are Buttigieg's biggest competitors for a strong showing in Iowa, which analysts believe is essential for his path to the Democratic presidential nomination. The RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls has Sanders leading the field at 23.8%, Biden at 20.2%, and Buttigieg at 15.8%. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in fourth place with 14.6%, followed by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar in a distant third at 9.6%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Photos: Trump tweets nearly two dozen images of southern border construction

President Trump tweeted a series of photographs Thursday of what appears to be enhanced fencing and barriers along the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ `` Great photos from a SOUTHERN BORDER WALL Briefing with Secretary of Defense , '' @ @ @ @ @ read : Strong winds blow down new sections of US-Mexico border wall ] Captions on @ @ @ @ @ taken near Tuscon , Arizona , and Douglas , New Mexico .
Trump has made @ @ @ @ @ curbing illegal immigration a pillar of his policy platform as president .
The president is @ @ @ @ @ state of Michigan , touring a manufacturing plant before heading to Des Moines , Iowa @ @ @ @ @ later the same day .

President Trump tweeted a series of photographs Thursday of what appears to be enhanced fencing and barriers along the U.S. southwest border with Mexico.
"Great photos from a SOUTHERN BORDER WALL Briefing with Secretary of Defense," Trump said.
[Also read: Strong winds blow down new sections of US-Mexico border wall]
Great photos from a SOUTHERN BORDER WALL Briefing with Secretary of Defense, Mark @EsperDoD! pic.twitter.com/rpGHpdoIa6 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2020
Captions on the photos indicate they were taken near Tuscon, Arizona, and Douglas, New Mexico. Trump has made enhancing the southern border and curbing illegal immigration a pillar of his policy platform as president.
The president is spending Thursday in the battleground state of Michigan, touring a manufacturing plant before heading to Des Moines, Iowa, for a campaign rally later the same day.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Bernie Sanders praised George Wallace as 'sensitive' in 1972

Seven years after Martin Luther King , Jr. referred to George Wallace as `` perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today , '' a young Bernie Sanders praised the segregationist Alabama governor .
In an interview with the Brattleboro Reformer in 1972 , Sanders , then 31 , said Wallace `` advocates some outrageous approaches to our problems , but at least he is sensitive to what people feel they need . ''
Sanders , now a Vermont senator and 2020 Democrat , said , `` What we need are more active politicians working for the people . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , who wrote that `` even though [ Sanders ] has been labeled a 'leftist radical ' by some persons , Sanders had some praise for [ Wallace ] . ''
At the time , Sanders was in the midst of his first political bid , as a gubernatorial candidate for the socialist Liberty Union Party .
During that race , Sanders garnered only single-digit support — the first in a series of losses in bids for political office , before winning the Burlington mayor 's office , Vermont 's single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current Senate seat in 2006 .
Wallace was among the most well-known segregationists of his era .
Wallace declared in his 1963 inaugural address as governor — he served three different non-consecutive terms — that he stood for `` segregation now , segregation tomorrow , segregation forever . ''
Wallace won further infamy for standing in the front of the entrance of the University of Alabama , blocking the paths of black students .
He died in 1998 at 79 , after becoming a born-again Christian and apologizing to black Americans for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's comments come after many Democrats begin fearing his rise in the presidential primary .
For nearly a year , most of Sanders 's rivals have refrained from directly targeting his long paper trail of controversial statements and positions .
While there was a bipartisan consensus in the 1970s and 1980s against the totalitarian policies of the Soviet Union and Cuba , Sanders regularly touted what he saw as positive aspects of the regimes .
And last year , the Washington Examiner reported on Sanders 's history campaigning for the Marxist Socialist Workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one point , Sanders 's involvement with the SWP led to an FBI investigation when he was mayor of Burlington , Vermont .
Never an official member of the Democratic Party until his presidential bids in 2016 and 2020 , many primary voters view his presidential bids with suspicion .
Sanders never endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate until 1988 , when he first had his eyes on federal office .
That year , he backed Jesse Jackson .
Sanders was first elected to Congress as an independent in 1990 after a failed House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals attempting to capitalize on Sanders 's past , other Democratic White House hopefuls have their own racial-tinged history to grapple with .
In 1975 , then-Delaware Sen. Joe Biden told the Philadelphia Enquirer that `` the Democratic Party could stand a liberal George Wallace . ''
The following year , however , Biden vowed not to back Wallace should he win the Democratic Party 's nomination .
`` If Wallace got the [ Democratic nomination ] , I would support the Republican nominee , if it were Gerald Ford , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth year of his 36-year Senate career , which preceded two terms as President Barack Obama 's vice president .
In 1974 , Biden also pledged to stop Wallace from winning the nomination in the next presidential race .
`` Over my dead political body is George Wallace going to get it , '' Biden said .

Seven years after Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to George Wallace as "perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today," a young Bernie Sanders praised the segregationist Alabama governor.
In an interview with the Brattleboro Reformer in 1972, Sanders, then 31, said Wallace "advocates some outrageous approaches to our problems, but at least he is sensitive to what people feel they need."
Sanders, now a Vermont senator and 2020 Democrat, said, "What we need are more active politicians working for the people."
The 1972 remarks surprised the interviewer at the time, who wrote that "even though [Sanders] has been labeled a 'leftist radical' by some persons, Sanders had some praise for [Wallace]."
On other occasions, Sanders was more critical of Wallace and warned about the allure of white identity politics.
At the time, Sanders was in the midst of his first political bid, as a gubernatorial candidate for the socialist Liberty Union Party. During that race, Sanders garnered only single-digit support — the first in a series of losses in bids for political office, before winning the Burlington mayor's office, Vermont's single House seat in 1990, and his current Senate seat in 2006.
Wallace was among the most well-known segregationists of his era. Wallace declared in his 1963 inaugural address as governor — he served three different non-consecutive terms — that he stood for "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." Wallace won further infamy for standing in the front of the entrance of the University of Alabama, blocking the paths of black students.
He died in 1998 at 79, after becoming a born-again Christian and apologizing to black Americans for his previous policies.
The resurfacing of Sanders's comments come after many Democrats begin fearing his rise in the presidential primary. For nearly a year, most of Sanders's rivals have refrained from directly targeting his long paper trail of controversial statements and positions.
While there was a bipartisan consensus in the 1970s and 1980s against the totalitarian policies of the Soviet Union and Cuba, Sanders regularly touted what he saw as positive aspects of the regimes.
And last year, the Washington Examiner reported on Sanders's history campaigning for the Marxist Socialist Workers party in 1980 and 1984. At one point, Sanders's involvement with the SWP led to an FBI investigation when he was mayor of Burlington, Vermont.
Never an official member of the Democratic Party until his presidential bids in 2016 and 2020, many primary voters view his presidential bids with suspicion.
Sanders never endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate until 1988, when he first had his eyes on federal office. That year, he backed Jesse Jackson. Sanders was first elected to Congress as an independent in 1990 after a failed House bid two years earlier.
In other writings, Sanders expressed concern about the racist fervor of Wallace’s supporters.
"I came away from these Wallace interviews with two basic feelings. First, that democracy in America (in any sense of the word) just might not make it," Sanders wrote in 1972. "My mind flashed to scenes of Germany in the late 1920's. Confusion, rebellion, frustration, economic instability, a wounded national pride, ineffectual political leadership -- and the desire for a strong man who would do something, who would bring order out of the chaos."
The interview and subsequent writings demonstrate the balancing act many on the left faced when dealing with segregationists.
Despite his rivals attempting to capitalize on Sanders's past, other Democratic White House hopefuls have their own racial-tinged history to grapple with.
In 1975, then-Delaware Sen. Joe Biden told the Philadelphia Enquirer that "the Democratic Party could stand a liberal George Wallace."
The following year, however, Biden vowed not to back Wallace should he win the Democratic Party's nomination.
"If Wallace got the [Democratic nomination], I would support the Republican nominee, if it were Gerald Ford," said Biden, then 34 and in the fourth year of his 36-year Senate career, which preceded two terms as President Barack Obama's vice president.
In 1974, Biden also pledged to stop Wallace from winning the nomination in the next presidential race.
"Over my dead political body is George Wallace going to get it," Biden said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include other comments Sanders made about Wallace.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Life sentence for black teenager prompts calls for Klobuchar to end presidential bid

Questions about Amy Klobuchar 's handling of a 17-year-old case when she was a prosecutor are rocking the Minnesota Democrat 's presidential bid just days before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses .
Before being elected to the Senate in 2006 , Klobuchar was district attorney for Minnesota 's Hennepin County .
She sent Myon Burrell , a black teenager , to prison for life for the 2002 death of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards , who was killed by a stray bullet while doing homework in her house .
An Associated Press investigation published Tuesday raised questions about the integrity of the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Related : Target Amy : Klobuchar has 'fair share of hits ' coming over prosecutor record ] There was no physical evidence , such as DNA , fingerprints , or a gun , linking Burrell to the crime , and other evidence was never obtained .
Police relied on testimony from those in jail who have since recanted their statements .
A different man , Ike Tyson , has said that he is the man who actually pulled the trigger .
In response to the story , several racial justice groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis NAACP , Communities United Against Police Brutality , called on Thursday for Klobuchar to suspend her campaign .
`` This is a situation that happens all around America .
This is a situation that happens right here in Minnesota , '' said Leslie Redmond , president of the Minneapolis NAACP .
`` Young people , young adults , were given life sentences to rot away in prison .
This benefits no one .
However , it does benefit politicians who have used the criminal justice system to enhance their political careers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism .
`` Senator Klobuchar has advocated for reforms to our criminal justice system over the years , including during her time as Hennepin County Attorney , '' the Klobuchar campaign said in a statement .
`` If there is new evidence in this case , it should be immediately reviewed by the court.
” The Minnesota senator has seen a surge in support in recent weeks , and she sits in fifth place with 9.6 % in the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls .

Questions about Amy Klobuchar's handling of a 17-year-old case when she was a prosecutor are rocking the Minnesota Democrat's presidential bid just days before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses.
Before being elected to the Senate in 2006, Klobuchar was district attorney for Minnesota's Hennepin County. She sent Myon Burrell, a black teenager, to prison for life for the 2002 death of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards, who was killed by a stray bullet while doing homework in her house.
An Associated Press investigation published Tuesday raised questions about the integrity of the investigation and suggested Burrell could be innocent.
[Related: Target Amy: Klobuchar has 'fair share of hits' coming over prosecutor record]
There was no physical evidence, such as DNA, fingerprints, or a gun, linking Burrell to the crime, and other evidence was never obtained. Police relied on testimony from those in jail who have since recanted their statements. A different man, Ike Tyson, has said that he is the man who actually pulled the trigger.
In response to the story, several racial justice groups, including Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, Minneapolis NAACP, Communities United Against Police Brutality, called on Thursday for Klobuchar to suspend her campaign.
"This is a situation that happens all around America. This is a situation that happens right here in Minnesota," said Leslie Redmond, president of the Minneapolis NAACP. "Young people, young adults, were given life sentences to rot away in prison. This benefits no one. However, it does benefit politicians who have used the criminal justice system to enhance their political careers."
The Klobuchar campaign responded to the criticism.
"Senator Klobuchar has advocated for reforms to our criminal justice system over the years, including during her time as Hennepin County Attorney," the Klobuchar campaign said in a statement. "If there is new evidence in this case, it should be immediately reviewed by the court.”
The Minnesota senator has seen a surge in support in recent weeks, and she sits in fifth place with 9.6% in the RealClearPolitics average of Iowa polls.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Trump's Super Bowl ad previews his best possible campaign strategy: The economy and national securit

Trump's Super Bowl ad previews his best possible campaign strategy: The economy and national security

Democrats boasted that a blue wave was headed toward the Capitol in 2018 , and on a whim , President Trump decided to hand it to them .
Rather than campaign on his success national security policy or the strong economy aided by his fiscal and deregulatory agenda , Trump decided to highlight his immigration messaging .
As one House Republican put it at the time , Trump `` hijacked the election , '' proving himself his own worst enemy as he clouded the airways with his polarizing protectionism rather than the very real assets that could have sold well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's $ 11 million ad buy on the Super Bowl provides us with a preview , he will not be making that same mistake again .
A far cry from the fearmongering immigration ads of two years ago , Trump 's latest pitch relies on the reality of his successes , not the fever dreams of his administration 's early mishaps .
The 30-second spot focuses first on national security , then the economy , and finally , on a note of necessary hope , that `` the best is yet to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just note overall improvements in wage growth , unemployment , and markets .
He specifically cites how they 've benefited black and Hispanic Americans .
It 's still populism , but of the positive variety .
It exudes confidence , and that 's just what the Trump campaign needs to win 2020 .
Joe Biden is a boring enough candidate that , if he were to secure the Democratic nomination , the general election would probably become a referendum on Trump , forcing the president to spend a lot of time answering for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But against the socialism of Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont or Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , this ad previews a strategy that could secure Trump 's second term .
Such a pitch asks voters : Do you want a safer and wealthier nation that allows you to take home more or your paycheck , or do you want a president who pals around with dictators to nationalize 30 % to 40 % of the economy and tax the majority of your paycheck ?
Trump may be personally unpopular , but Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents .
That he understands this in his most consequential ad buy of this election thus far bodes well for his campaign .

Democrats boasted that a blue wave was headed toward the Capitol in 2018, and on a whim, President Trump decided to hand it to them.
Rather than campaign on his success national security policy or the strong economy aided by his fiscal and deregulatory agenda, Trump decided to highlight his immigration messaging. As one House Republican put it at the time, Trump "hijacked the election," proving himself his own worst enemy as he clouded the airways with his polarizing protectionism rather than the very real assets that could have sold well to the suburbs.
But if Trump's $11 million ad buy on the Super Bowl provides us with a preview, he will not be making that same mistake again.
"STRONGER, SAFER, MORE PROSPEROUS": President Trump’s re-election campaign today released an ad that will air in Super Bowl LIV this Sunday, promoting the President’s record of accomplishment on behalf of the American people. pic.twitter.com/OiK5afbSgw — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 30, 2020
A far cry from the fearmongering immigration ads of two years ago, Trump's latest pitch relies on the reality of his successes, not the fever dreams of his administration's early mishaps. The 30-second spot focuses first on national security, then the economy, and finally, on a note of necessary hope, that "the best is yet to come."
Team Trump crucially doesn't just note overall improvements in wage growth, unemployment, and markets. He specifically cites how they've benefited black and Hispanic Americans. It's still populism, but of the positive variety. It exudes confidence, and that's just what the Trump campaign needs to win 2020.
Joe Biden is a boring enough candidate that, if he were to secure the Democratic nomination, the general election would probably become a referendum on Trump, forcing the president to spend a lot of time answering for his less savory conduct and comments.
But against the socialism of Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont or Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, this ad previews a strategy that could secure Trump's second term. Such a pitch asks voters: Do you want a safer and wealthier nation that allows you to take home more or your paycheck, or do you want a president who pals around with dictators to nationalize 30% to 40% of the economy and tax the majority of your paycheck?
Trump may be personally unpopular, but Trump's America has been quite good for its residents. That he understands this in his most consequential ad buy of this election thus far bodes well for his campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Bloomberg unveils plan to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination

Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg on Tuesday released his platform to enhance the rights of gay and transgender people in the United States .
`` I have been honored to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for equality and justice , from New York , where we won marriage equality in 2011 , to states across the country , '' Bloomberg said in a statement .
`` As president , I will work to protect every member of the LGBTQ+ community from hatred , violence , and discrimination .
We will close disparities in health care access and quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advocate for equal rights across the world .
We can not settle for anything less — and I won ’ t . ''
Combating hate crimes in the U.S. is also top of mind for the 2020 Democratic hopeful .
`` Mike will make hate and bias crimes a top federal priority , '' the campaign said .
`` As president , Mike will strengthen protections for transgender people by prioritizing investigations of hate crimes by the FBI , training local authorities to identify hate crimes more readily , supporting community violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on homicides against LGBTQ+ Americans . ''

Presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg on Tuesday released his platform to enhance the rights of gay and transgender people in the United States.
"I have been honored to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for equality and justice, from New York, where we won marriage equality in 2011, to states across the country," Bloomberg said in a statement. "As president, I will work to protect every member of the LGBTQ+ community from hatred, violence, and discrimination. We will close disparities in health care access and quality, stop violence against transgender people, and advocate for equal rights across the world. We cannot settle for anything less — and I won’t."
Combating hate crimes in the U.S. is also top of mind for the 2020 Democratic hopeful.
"Mike will make hate and bias crimes a top federal priority," the campaign said. "As president, Mike will strengthen protections for transgender people by prioritizing investigations of hate crimes by the FBI, training local authorities to identify hate crimes more readily, supporting community violence intervention programs, and improving data collection on homicides against LGBTQ+ Americans."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Dave Chappelle: Trump supporters are not 'my enemy'

Comedian Dave Chappelle is supporting Andrew Yang for president of the United States .
But that does not mean he does not sympathize with supporters of President Trump , he said .
`` I do n't look at Trump supporters as my enemy at all , '' Chappelle told reporters in Iowa .
`` I understand why people voted for Trump ; I understand people are desperate .
And I think that Andrew is right ; you run against the reasons that Trump got elected . ''
Chappelle is proud of the fact he has fans from both political parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
`` I got friends on both sides of the political aisle ; I got fans on both sides of the political aisle , '' he said .
`` A lot of people say professionally it 's not wise to support any candidate , but this idea is so good that I think it should exist . ''
Chappelle explained his support for Yang , as well .
`` And for some reason , no one 's paying attention [ to Yang ] , '' he complained .
`` This guy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does address where I think the country needs to go . ''
Chappelle on Sunday won a Grammy for his wildly popular new Netflix special Sticks and Stones , which featured several jokes about Trump and other leading political figures .

Comedian Dave Chappelle is supporting Andrew Yang for president of the United States.
But that does not mean he does not sympathize with supporters of President Trump, he said.
"I don't look at Trump supporters as my enemy at all," Chappelle told reporters in Iowa. "I understand why people voted for Trump; I understand people are desperate. And I think that Andrew is right; you run against the reasons that Trump got elected."
Dave Chappelle says why he is supporting @AndrewYang.
“I don’t look at Trump supporters as my enemy at all. I understand why people voted for Trump I understand people are desperate. And I think that Andrew is right you run against the reasons that Trump got elected.” pic.twitter.com/jcAb1cDfPQ — Armando Tonatiuh Torres-García (@GarciaReports) January 29, 2020
Chappelle is proud of the fact he has fans from both political parties at a time of heightened politicization in America.
"I got friends on both sides of the political aisle; I got fans on both sides of the political aisle," he said. "A lot of people say professionally it's not wise to support any candidate, but this idea is so good that I think it should exist."
Chappelle explained his support for Yang, as well.
"And for some reason, no one's paying attention [to Yang]," he complained. "This guy is the origin of a platform that really does address where I think the country needs to go."
Chappelle on Sunday won a Grammy for his wildly popular new Netflix special Sticks and Stones, which featured several jokes about Trump and other leading political figures.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--Sanders, a 'free college' 2020 Democrat, once slammed 'mind-destroying' schools

DES MOINES , Iowa — Education , particularly free college , is a key pillar of Bernie Sanders 's resurgent second White House bid .
But as a private citizen four decades ago , the Vermont senator , an independent who rejoined the Democratic Party in order to seek its 2020 presidential nomination , decried schools as `` mind-destroying '' institutions shortly after leaving his home state 's main socialist political party at the time .
`` In 1978 , as in other years , I hope to be able to play some role in making working people aware that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage slavery and mind-destroying media and schools is not the only reality — but simply a pathetic presentation brought to us by a handful of power-hungry individuals who own and control our economy , '' Sanders , now 78 , said to the local newspaper Rutland Daily Herald that January for a New Year 's resolution story .
Sanders , who is on the precipice of winning a slew of delegates in Iowa on Monday , has built his campaign this cycle on the foundation he established in 2016 during his failed run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education platform and its central planks of `` College for All , '' canceling student debt , and investing heavily in public education .
`` What Bernie believes is that the American people deserve freedom — true freedom , '' his 2020 website states .
It adds , `` You are not truly free when you graduate college with hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt .
You are not truly free when you can not pursue your dream of becoming a teacher , environmentalist , journalist or nurse because you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monthly student loan payments .
And you are not truly free when the vast majority of good-paying jobs require a degree that requires taking out tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt to obtain . ''
The self-described mediocre student and former Head Start preschool teacher , who held a string of odd jobs before joining the Liberty Union and embarking on his political career in 1971 , mused about education and freedom in an essay for the Vermont Freeman , advocating against basic schooling standards .
“ State after state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minimum age , and more of our young people attend college than in any other country on earth , '' he wrote for the alternative publication in 1969 .
`` Nonetheless , people have little confidence in themselves and are fearful of freedom .
Mothers with twenty years of education are fearful of holding their children without ‘ consulting their physician ’ and ‘ experts ’ are assuming control everywhere . ''
He continued , `` Year after year the population receives more and more education , and year after year the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destinies . ''
Sanders later campaigned on the issue in 1972 during the first of his two ill-fated bids as Liberty Union 's gubernatorial nominee in Vermont .
He also unsuccessfully contested the state 's Senate seats as a third-party candidate before leaving the party in 1977 .
A spokeswoman for Sanders 's 2020 efforts did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner 's request for comment .
Sanders , first elected to the House in 1990 and the Senate in 2006 , likes to tout the fact that he 's Congress 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can sit on committees , has a rich history of making colorful statements .
Many of those remarks are being dredged up ahead of Iowa 's kickoff caucuses as he holds a 3 percentage-point lead on closest rival Joe Biden in the first-in-the-nation state , according to RealClearPolitics polling averages .
A recent example is a Daily Beast report into how the ex-mayor of Burlington once compared the experience of Vermont workers in the 1970s to that of black slaves in 18th and 19th centuries .

DES MOINES, Iowa — Education, particularly free college, is a key pillar of Bernie Sanders's resurgent second White House bid.
But as a private citizen four decades ago, the Vermont senator, an independent who rejoined the Democratic Party in order to seek its 2020 presidential nomination, decried schools as "mind-destroying" institutions shortly after leaving his home state's main socialist political party at the time.
"In 1978, as in other years, I hope to be able to play some role in making working people aware that the present day reality of poverty, wage slavery and mind-destroying media and schools is not the only reality — but simply a pathetic presentation brought to us by a handful of power-hungry individuals who own and control our economy," Sanders, now 78, said to the local newspaper Rutland Daily Herald that January for a New Year's resolution story.
Sanders, who is on the precipice of winning a slew of delegates in Iowa on Monday, has built his campaign this cycle on the foundation he established in 2016 during his failed run against Hillary Clinton. That includes his education platform and its central planks of "College for All," canceling student debt, and investing heavily in public education.
"What Bernie believes is that the American people deserve freedom — true freedom," his 2020 website states.
It adds, "You are not truly free when you graduate college with hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt. You are not truly free when you cannot pursue your dream of becoming a teacher, environmentalist, journalist or nurse because you cannot make enough money to cover your monthly student loan payments. And you are not truly free when the vast majority of good-paying jobs require a degree that requires taking out tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt to obtain."
The self-described mediocre student and former Head Start preschool teacher, who held a string of odd jobs before joining the Liberty Union and embarking on his political career in 1971, mused about education and freedom in an essay for the Vermont Freeman, advocating against basic schooling standards.
“State after state requires children to stay in school until a minimum age, and more of our young people attend college than in any other country on earth," he wrote for the alternative publication in 1969. "Nonetheless, people have little confidence in themselves and are fearful of freedom. Mothers with twenty years of education are fearful of holding their children without ‘consulting their physician’ and ‘experts’ are assuming control everywhere."
He continued, "Year after year the population receives more and more education, and year after year the people have less control over their own destinies."
Sanders later campaigned on the issue in 1972 during the first of his two ill-fated bids as Liberty Union's gubernatorial nominee in Vermont. He also unsuccessfully contested the state's Senate seats as a third-party candidate before leaving the party in 1977.
A spokeswoman for Sanders's 2020 efforts did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment.
Sanders, first elected to the House in 1990 and the Senate in 2006, likes to tout the fact that he's Congress's longest-serving independent despite caucusing with Democrats so he can sit on committees, has a rich history of making colorful statements. Many of those remarks are being dredged up ahead of Iowa's kickoff caucuses as he holds a 3 percentage-point lead on closest rival Joe Biden in the first-in-the-nation state, according to RealClearPolitics polling averages.
A recent example is a Daily Beast report into how the ex-mayor of Burlington once compared the experience of Vermont workers in the 1970s to that of black slaves in 18th and 19th centuries.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-30--WATCH LIVE: Trump impeachment trial wraps up question-and-answer session

The Senate plans to reconvene for President Trump 's impeachment trial Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m .
Senators have eight @ @ @ @ @ to both the House impeachment managers and the president 's defense team after they used @ @ @ @ @ allotted time Wednesday .

The Senate plans to reconvene for President Trump's impeachment trial Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. Senators have eight hours remaining to ask questions to both the House impeachment managers and the president's defense team after they used the first half of the allotted time Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump honors wife and son of Army soldier killed by Soleimani

Two of President Trump ’ s guests at the State of the Union address Tuesday were the wife and son of Army Staff Sgt .
Christopher Hake , who was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb planted with the help of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
“ On his second deployment to Iraq in 2008 , Sgt .
Hake wrote a letter to his 1-year-old son , Gage : ‘ I will be with you again , ’ he wrote to Gage .
‘ I will teach you to ride your first bike , build your first sandbox , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have kids also .
I love you , son ; take care of your mother .
I am always with you .
Daddy.
’ On Easter Sunday of 2008 , Chris was out on patrol in Baghdad when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb , ” Trump said .
“ That night , he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country .
Sgt .
Hake now rests in eternal glory in Arlington , and his wife Kelli is in the gallery tonight , joined by their son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , very well .
To Kelli and Gage : Chris will live in our hearts forever .
He is looking down on you now .
Thank you.
” The U.S. government concluded that Iran is responsible for the deaths of at least 603 American service members during the war in Iraq , with many of the deaths resulting from Iran-sourced improvised explosive devices and other attacks aided by Iran ’ s then-Soleimani-led Revolutionary Guard and its specialized Quds Force .
“ The terrorist responsible for killing Sgt .
Hake was Qassem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that took Chris 's life .
Soleimani was the Iranian regime 's most ruthless butcher , a monster who murdered or wounded thousands of American service members in Iraq .
As the world 's top terrorist , Soleimani orchestrated the deaths of countless men , women , and children .
He directed the December assault on United States Forces in Iraq and was actively planning new attacks , ” Trump said .
“ And we hit him very hard .
That is why , last month , at my direction , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that killed Soleimani and terminated his evil reign of terror forever.
” The Revolutionary Guard , which was led by Soleimani for years , supports terrorists around the world , carries out cyberattacks and assassinations , funds illicit missile development , and wields huge influence both inside the country and around the region .
It also plays an integral role in funding , training , and guiding Iran ’ s global proxies , including Hezbollah in Lebanon , Shiite militias in Iraq , and the Houthis in Yemen , and in propping up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent months , we have seen proud Iranians raise their voices against their oppressive rulers , ” Trump said .
“ The Iranian regime must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons , stop spreading terror , death , and destruction , and start working for the good of its own people .
”

Two of President Trump’s guests at the State of the Union address Tuesday were the wife and son of Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Hake, who was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb planted with the help of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
“On his second deployment to Iraq in 2008, Sgt. Hake wrote a letter to his 1-year-old son, Gage: ‘I will be with you again,’ he wrote to Gage. ‘I will teach you to ride your first bike, build your first sandbox, watch you play sports, and see you have kids also. I love you, son; take care of your mother. I am always with you. Daddy.’ On Easter Sunday of 2008, Chris was out on patrol in Baghdad when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb,” Trump said. “That night, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Sgt. Hake now rests in eternal glory in Arlington, and his wife Kelli is in the gallery tonight, joined by their son, who is now a 13-year-old and doing very, very well. To Kelli and Gage: Chris will live in our hearts forever. He is looking down on you now. Thank you.”
The U.S. government concluded that Iran is responsible for the deaths of at least 603 American service members during the war in Iraq, with many of the deaths resulting from Iran-sourced improvised explosive devices and other attacks aided by Iran’s then-Soleimani-led Revolutionary Guard and its specialized Quds Force.
“The terrorist responsible for killing Sgt. Hake was Qassem Soleimani, who provided the deadly roadside bomb that took Chris's life. Soleimani was the Iranian regime's most ruthless butcher, a monster who murdered or wounded thousands of American service members in Iraq. As the world's top terrorist, Soleimani orchestrated the deaths of countless men, women, and children. He directed the December assault on United States Forces in Iraq and was actively planning new attacks,” Trump said. “And we hit him very hard. That is why, last month, at my direction, the United States military executed a flawless precision strike that killed Soleimani and terminated his evil reign of terror forever.”
The Revolutionary Guard, which was led by Soleimani for years, supports terrorists around the world, carries out cyberattacks and assassinations, funds illicit missile development, and wields huge influence both inside the country and around the region. It also plays an integral role in funding, training, and guiding Iran’s global proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen, and in propping up Bashar Assad in Syria.
“In recent months, we have seen proud Iranians raise their voices against their oppressive rulers,” Trump said. “The Iranian regime must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, stop spreading terror, death, and destruction, and start working for the good of its own people.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump endorses bill allowing victims of illegal immigrant crimes to sue sanctuary cities

President Trump centered the immigration portion of his State of the Union speech on `` sanctuary cities , '' calling for Congress to pass a Senate bill that would allow victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants to sue the local or state government if it is a sanctuary .
`` The United States of America should be a sanctuary for law-abiding Americans — not criminal aliens , '' Trump said in his speech at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday evening .
He called for the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act , by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The president highlighted the story of Jody Jones , whose brother Rocky Jones was killed in December 2018 by a man who had been deported twice but illegally reentered the country .
`` Rocky was at a gas station when this vile criminal fired eight bullets at him from close range , murdering him in cold blood .
Rocky left behind a devoted family , including his brothers who loved him more than anything , '' Trump said .
The president called out California and New York , the former a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that includes sanctuary zones where local policies prohibit law enforcement from turning over criminals to federal immigration officers for deportation .
As a candidate and president , Trump has called for an end to this type of noncooperation between local and federal law enforcement .
He blamed Rocky Jones 's death on `` outrageous '' policies in California .
Trump also thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement , whose Enforcement and Removal Operations officers across the country make arrests of illegal immigrants who have been released from local jails in sanctuary zones and elsewhere @

President Trump centered the immigration portion of his State of the Union speech on "sanctuary cities," calling for Congress to pass a Senate bill that would allow victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants to sue the local or state government if it is a sanctuary.
"The United States of America should be a sanctuary for law-abiding Americans — not criminal aliens," Trump said in his speech at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday evening. He called for the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, by Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, to be passed "immediately."
The president highlighted the story of Jody Jones, whose brother Rocky Jones was killed in December 2018 by a man who had been deported twice but illegally reentered the country.
"Rocky was at a gas station when this vile criminal fired eight bullets at him from close range, murdering him in cold blood. Rocky left behind a devoted family, including his brothers who loved him more than anything," Trump said.
The president called out California and New York, the former a sanctuary state and the latter a state that includes sanctuary zones where local policies prohibit law enforcement from turning over criminals to federal immigration officers for deportation. As a candidate and president, Trump has called for an end to this type of noncooperation between local and federal law enforcement. He blamed Rocky Jones's death on "outrageous" policies in California.
Trump also thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose Enforcement and Removal Operations officers across the country make arrests of illegal immigrants who have been released from local jails in sanctuary zones and elsewhere.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Trump vows to put up 'substantially more than 500 miles' of border wall by early 2021

President Trump vowed during the State of the Union address to build more than 500 miles of wall on the southern border by early 2021 , blowing well past the 450 miles his administration has previously said would be created before the end of this year .
`` We have now completed over 100 miles and [ will ] have over 500 miles fully completed in a very short period of time .
Early next year , we will have substantially more than 500 miles completed , '' Trump said Tuesday night .
The Trump administration has more than 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pre-construction or under construction .
But even if the administration achieved its 2020 goal , it would only put 165 miles of fence in previously unsecured areas of the 2,000-mile border .
Other construction has occurred in areas where fencing already exists and is being replaced .
The progress nine months out from the 2020 election puts the Trump administration over budget and behind schedule on the president ’ s keystone campaign promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border .
On many occasions as a candidate in 2015 and 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles of “ wall ” at a total cost of $ 4 billion .
That campaign promise , which vastly understated what it would cost to build 1,000 miles of barrier , will not be met by December 2020 and has now cost $ 18 billion .
The Washington Examiner first reported in July that the administration had not constructed a single new mile of fencing , at that point only constructing replacement fencing .
Despite not meeting his goal , Trump has applauded his administration for building more border wall .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its primary messaging .
Trump 's 2020 campaign debuted the slogan , `` Finish the Wall , '' at his first rally of 2019 in El Paso , Texas .
At one point during his speech , the crowd began cheering , `` Build that wall . ''
Trump responded , `` Now , you really mean 'finish that wall , ' because we 've built a lot of it . ''
A senior administration official told the Washington Examiner in November that Border Patrol and the Army Corps of Engineers moved faster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the approval process for environmental and zoning permits was far less extensive than areas of the border with no barrier .
Other causes for delay include the need to acquire private land , lack of planning early on after Trump won in 2016 , and lawsuits .
Roughly 700 miles of the 2,000-mile border has some sort of barrier as a result of the Secure Fence Act , which was passed by Congress during the George W. Bush administration .
It was the first major piece of legislation that funded the construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roughly half is steel fencing , and the other half is Normandy style , which prevents vehicular traffic from getting by but not people .

President Trump vowed during the State of the Union address to build more than 500 miles of wall on the southern border by early 2021, blowing well past the 450 miles his administration has previously said would be created before the end of this year.
"We have now completed over 100 miles and [will] have over 500 miles fully completed in a very short period of time. Early next year, we will have substantially more than 500 miles completed," Trump said Tuesday night.
The Trump administration has more than 500 miles of fence funded and is either in pre-construction or under construction. But even if the administration achieved its 2020 goal, it would only put 165 miles of fence in previously unsecured areas of the 2,000-mile border. Other construction has occurred in areas where fencing already exists and is being replaced.
The progress nine months out from the 2020 election puts the Trump administration over budget and behind schedule on the president’s keystone campaign promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. On many occasions as a candidate in 2015 and 2016, Trump said he would build 1,000 miles of “wall” at a total cost of $4 billion. That campaign promise, which vastly understated what it would cost to build 1,000 miles of barrier, will not be met by December 2020 and has now cost $18 billion. The Washington Examiner first reported in July that the administration had not constructed a single new mile of fencing, at that point only constructing replacement fencing.
Despite not meeting his goal, Trump has applauded his administration for building more border wall. His 2020 campaign has made the border wall its primary messaging. Trump's 2020 campaign debuted the slogan, "Finish the Wall," at his first rally of 2019 in El Paso, Texas. At one point during his speech, the crowd began cheering, "Build that wall." Trump responded, "Now, you really mean 'finish that wall,' because we've built a lot of it."
A senior administration official told the Washington Examiner in November that Border Patrol and the Army Corps of Engineers moved faster on replacement projects than the new ones because the approval process for environmental and zoning permits was far less extensive than areas of the border with no barrier. Other causes for delay include the need to acquire private land, lack of planning early on after Trump won in 2016, and lawsuits.
Roughly 700 miles of the 2,000-mile border has some sort of barrier as a result of the Secure Fence Act, which was passed by Congress during the George W. Bush administration. It was the first major piece of legislation that funded the construction of barriers along the southern border. Roughly half is steel fencing, and the other half is Normandy style, which prevents vehicular traffic from getting by but not people.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--WATCH LIVE: Trump delivers third State of the Union address

President Trump addresses members of the House and the Senate in his State of the Union address on Tuesday at @ @ @ @ @ speech at the Capitol , which will be Trump 's third State of the Union @ @ @ @ @ president faces an impeachment trial .
He is expected to be acquitted of two Ukraine-related @ @ @ @ @ for Wednesday .

President Trump addresses members of the House and the Senate in his State of the Union address on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.
The speech at the Capitol, which will be Trump's third State of the Union address, comes as the president faces an impeachment trial. He is expected to be acquitted of two Ukraine-related charges in a vote scheduled for Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Melania breaks tradition and travels with Trump to State of the Union

First lady Melania Trump accompanied her husband to the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening , breaking her @ @ @ @ @ separate vehicle to the U.S. Capitol for the event .
President Trump and his wife @ @ @ @ @ about 8:30 p.m. EST for the two-mile drive down Pennsylvania Avenue .
Beginning in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ first State of the Union address , the couple 's decision to travel separately bucked @ @ @ @ @ of Barack Obama and George W. Bush .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham , @ @ @ @ @ lady ’ s communications director , said last year that Trump escorted her and the @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol “ so they can visit for awhile and to ensure they feel comfortable.
@ @ @ @ @ separate motorcade to the Capitol in 2018 , her marriage was under scrutiny amid reports @ @ @ @ @ tryst with porn star Stormy Daniels in the early days of their marriage .

First lady Melania Trump accompanied her husband to the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, breaking her tradition of riding in a separate vehicle to the U.S. Capitol for the event.
President Trump and his wife departed the White House at about 8:30 p.m. EST for the two-mile drive down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pres. Trump and first lady Melania Trump are en route to the U.S. Capitol for the president's State of the Union address to Congress. https://t.co/2qpQQzd8sv pic.twitter.com/DcFjHly8AC — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 5, 2020
Beginning in 2018, when Trump delivered his first State of the Union address, the couple's decision to travel separately bucked customs established under the presidencies of Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who is also the first lady’s communications director, said last year that Trump escorted her and the president’s guests to the Capitol “so they can visit for awhile and to ensure they feel comfortable.”
When she took a separate motorcade to the Capitol in 2018, her marriage was under scrutiny amid reports that the president had a tryst with porn star Stormy Daniels in the early days of their marriage.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--Impeachment courses silently through Trump State of the Union appearance

The scars of the recent impeachment battle were on display in a divided Congress , even as President Trump avoided the subject and stuck to an upbeat State of the Union script .
It began with the president appearing to avoid the outstretched hand of Nancy Pelosi and ended with the House leader apparently ripping up a copy of the text .
In between , Republicans stood for multiple ovations , while Democrats , with the women in suffragette white , stayed silent .
Through it all , Trump delivered a rosy assessment of his wins so far and laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land him a second term in office .
“ America 's enemies are on the run , America 's fortunes are on the rise , and America 's future is blazing bright , '' he said , swapping his freewheeling campaign persona out for the more conventional role of a president addressing a joint session of Congress .
`` In just three short years , we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America 's destiny .
We are moving forward at a pace that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are never going back !
” Even by the unique yardstick of this presidency , the first days of February offered an extraordinary news cycle and backdrop for Trump to set out the themes he hopes will propel him to a second term .
A new Gallup poll found that 49 % of respondents approved of the job Trump is doing in office , beating his previous high by 3 points .
In the meantime , the Democrats ’ nomination race descended into a farce in Iowa , and , within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain to be acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial .
It made for striking optics as Trump delivered an upbeat message of progress while the speaker of the House looked over his shoulder .
The tension was evident from the start , when Pelosi changed the traditional wording , avoiding describing the “ high honor and distinct pleasure ” of introducing the 45th president .
But the president resisted the temptation to take the fight to his accusers in Congress .
Instead , he followed President Bill Clinton ’ s example from 1999 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment .
Supporters applauded the discipline on display .
Sam Nunberg , who worked on the 2016 Trump campaign , said : “ This was a smart move not to complicate the inevitable and perhaps bipartisan acquittal tomorrow.
” But that did not mean there were not partisan attacks .
As Trump talked up his work to reduce medical costs , he attacked what he described as plans for the “ socialist takeover of our healthcare system ” on the Left .
And there was a more coded message directed at supporters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the Democratic presidential primary front-runners , as Trump welcomed Juan Guaido , recognized by the U.S. as the president of Venezuela .
It afforded an opportunity for Trump to rail against the damage done by the regime of Nicolas Maduro .
“ Socialism destroys nations , ” he said .
“ But always remember , freedom unifies the soul.
” As ever , the presidential guests were carefully selected to accent his message .
The guests included immigration officers , victims of violent crime , and military families .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knack for reality TV-style moments , surprising a mother and two children by flying in Sgt .
1st Class Townsend Williams from Afghanistan for an emotional reunion .
But the night will be remembered for the friction on display between the president and Pelosi .
She recently told the New York Times she had not spoken to Trump since October , and , for his part , the president told Fox News on Super Bowl Sunday that he was not optimistic that Democrats would want to work with him .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be honest , '' he said .
As he left the podium , Pelosi could be seen tearing up her advance copy of the speech .
The president might not have mentioned impeachment , but its ripples extended all the way through the House chamber .

The scars of the recent impeachment battle were on display in a divided Congress, even as President Trump avoided the subject and stuck to an upbeat State of the Union script.
It began with the president appearing to avoid the outstretched hand of Nancy Pelosi and ended with the House leader apparently ripping up a copy of the text. In between, Republicans stood for multiple ovations, while Democrats, with the women in suffragette white, stayed silent.
Through it all, Trump delivered a rosy assessment of his wins so far and laid out the aspirations that he hopes will land him a second term in office.
“America's enemies are on the run, America's fortunes are on the rise, and America's future is blazing bright," he said, swapping his freewheeling campaign persona out for the more conventional role of a president addressing a joint session of Congress. "In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America's destiny. We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back!”
Even by the unique yardstick of this presidency, the first days of February offered an extraordinary news cycle and backdrop for Trump to set out the themes he hopes will propel him to a second term.
A new Gallup poll found that 49% of respondents approved of the job Trump is doing in office, beating his previous high by 3 points. In the meantime, the Democrats’ nomination race descended into a farce in Iowa, and, within 24 hours, Trump is all but certain to be acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial.
It made for striking optics as Trump delivered an upbeat message of progress while the speaker of the House looked over his shoulder.
The tension was evident from the start, when Pelosi changed the traditional wording, avoiding describing the “high honor and distinct pleasure” of introducing the 45th president.
But the president resisted the temptation to take the fight to his accusers in Congress. Instead, he followed President Bill Clinton’s example from 1999, when Clinton made no mention of impeachment.
Supporters applauded the discipline on display. Sam Nunberg, who worked on the 2016 Trump campaign, said: “This was a smart move not to complicate the inevitable and perhaps bipartisan acquittal tomorrow.”
But that did not mean there were not partisan attacks. As Trump talked up his work to reduce medical costs, he attacked what he described as plans for the “socialist takeover of our healthcare system” on the Left.
And there was a more coded message directed at supporters of Bernie Sanders, a socialist who is one of the Democratic presidential primary front-runners, as Trump welcomed Juan Guaido, recognized by the U.S. as the president of Venezuela. It afforded an opportunity for Trump to rail against the damage done by the regime of Nicolas Maduro.
“Socialism destroys nations,” he said. “But always remember, freedom unifies the soul.”
As ever, the presidential guests were carefully selected to accent his message. The guests included immigration officers, victims of violent crime, and military families. There was also one moment when Trump displayed his knack for reality TV-style moments, surprising a mother and two children by flying in Sgt. 1st Class Townsend Williams from Afghanistan for an emotional reunion.
But the night will be remembered for the friction on display between the president and Pelosi.
She recently told the New York Times she had not spoken to Trump since October, and, for his part, the president told Fox News on Super Bowl Sunday that he was not optimistic that Democrats would want to work with him.
"I'm not sure that they can do it, to be honest," he said.
As he left the podium, Pelosi could be seen tearing up her advance copy of the speech. The president might not have mentioned impeachment, but its ripples extended all the way through the House chamber.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-05--WATCH: Pelosi rips up Trump's State of the Union address manuscript

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her copy of President Trump 's State of the Union address after he finished delivering it to a joint session of Congress .
As the president concluded his nearly 90-minute speech , the California Democrat tore up the pages of Trump 's speech Tuesday evening .
Pelosi explained her decision to rip the speech up , saying , “ It was a courteous thing to do , ” and later called it a “ dirty speech . ''
Earlier in the evening , after Trump made his way up to the podium , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a handshake , leading her to smirk and shrug .
The president spoke before lawmakers for approximately 90 minutes , touting his accomplishments , including trade deals and criminal justice reform , and honoring conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh with a Presidential Medal of Freedom .
`` The best is yet to come , '' said the president , who is seeking reelection this year .
The White House Twitter account quickly responded to Pelosi 's statement , claiming her `` legacy '' will be centered on her ripping up a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surviving Tuskegee Airmen , '' `` the survival of a child born at 21 weeks , '' `` the mourning of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller , '' and the reunification of a service member and his family .
Trump 's third State of the Union address took place as his Senate impeachment trial winds down .
A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in which the president will likely be acquitted of two Ukraine-related charges .
Trump did not mention impeachment once during his speech .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her copy of President Trump's State of the Union address after he finished delivering it to a joint session of Congress.
As the president concluded his nearly 90-minute speech, the California Democrat tore up the pages of Trump's speech Tuesday evening.
Pelosi explained her decision to rip the speech up, saying, “It was a courteous thing to do,” and later called it a “dirty speech."
Earlier in the evening, after Trump made his way up to the podium, the president appeared to ignore Pelosi's offer of a handshake, leading her to smirk and shrug.
The president spoke before lawmakers for approximately 90 minutes, touting his accomplishments, including trade deals and criminal justice reform, and honoring conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. "The best is yet to come," said the president, who is seeking reelection this year.
The White House Twitter account quickly responded to Pelosi's statement, claiming her "legacy" will be centered on her ripping up a speech that mentioned "one of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen," "the survival of a child born at 21 weeks," "the mourning of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller," and the reunification of a service member and his family.
Speaker Pelosi just ripped up:
One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen.
The survival of a child born at 21 weeks.
The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller.
A service member's reunion with his family.
That's her legacy. — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 5, 2020
Trump's third State of the Union address took place as his Senate impeachment trial winds down. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in which the president will likely be acquitted of two Ukraine-related charges. Trump did not mention impeachment once during his speech.