thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Record GOP voting enthusiasm breaks pattern, topping Democrats

Voting enthusiasm among Republicans is at a record high , significantly over 2016 , when Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton , and even higher than for Democrats , according to a new survey out Friday .
Gallup said that the GOP 's 64 % enthusiasm at this stage of the election is higher than “ any election since Gallup first measured this in 2000.
” Significantly , it breaks the recent pattern of the party not in the White House having higher voter enthusiasm in a reelection year .
Currently , 58 % of Democratic voters are enthusiastic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In some years when only one party had a competitive race for the nomination , that party was the more enthusiastic : Republicans in 2012 and Democrats in 2004 .
By contrast , although President Donald Trump is seeking reelection this year and Democrats are waging a nomination contest , Republicans are the more enthusiastic , ” said the polling outfit .
In 2012 , when President Barack Obama faced Republican nominee Mitt Romney , the GOP was more enthusiastic , 53 % -45 % , at this stage of the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush faced Democratic nominee John Kerry , the Democrats had the edge , 59 % -53 % .
“ The current 64 % feeling more enthusiastic easily beats the prior high of 53 % in 2012 and 2004 for this time of year , ” said the Gallup analysis .
Democrats , though , are more enthusiastic now than when they were in 2016 , when Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders were fighting for the nomination .
“ Democrats ' enthusiasm ( 58 % ) , in turn , well exceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in 2016 ( 43 % in May ) and in February 2012 ( 45 % ) and March 2000 ( 33 % ) .
It matches the level recorded in January/February 2004 ( 59 % ) but is considerably lower than in February 2008 ( 79 % ) , ” said Gallup .
Unclear is whether enthusiasm will deliver Trump a victory .
The record is split , with the party with the most enthusiasm winning two of the last four presidential elections .

Voting enthusiasm among Republicans is at a record high, significantly over 2016, when Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, and even higher than for Democrats, according to a new survey out Friday.
Gallup said that the GOP's 64% enthusiasm at this stage of the election is higher than “any election since Gallup first measured this in 2000.”
Significantly, it breaks the recent pattern of the party not in the White House having higher voter enthusiasm in a reelection year. Currently, 58% of Democratic voters are enthusiastic, a 6-point gap with the GOP.
“In some years when only one party had a competitive race for the nomination, that party was the more enthusiastic: Republicans in 2012 and Democrats in 2004. By contrast, although President Donald Trump is seeking reelection this year and Democrats are waging a nomination contest, Republicans are the more enthusiastic,” said the polling outfit.
In 2012, when President Barack Obama faced Republican nominee Mitt Romney, the GOP was more enthusiastic, 53%-45%, at this stage of the election. In 2004, when former President George W. Bush faced Democratic nominee John Kerry, the Democrats had the edge, 59%-53%.
“The current 64% feeling more enthusiastic easily beats the prior high of 53% in 2012 and 2004 for this time of year,” said the Gallup analysis.
Democrats, though, are more enthusiastic now than when they were in 2016, when Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders were fighting for the nomination.
“Democrats' enthusiasm (58%), in turn, well exceeds where it stood at a slightly later point in 2016 (43% in May) and in February 2012 (45%) and March 2000 (33%). It matches the level recorded in January/February 2004 (59%) but is considerably lower than in February 2008 (79%),” said Gallup.
Unclear is whether enthusiasm will deliver Trump a victory. The record is split, with the party with the most enthusiasm winning two of the last four presidential elections.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Bernie Sanders demands Biden apologize for surrogate after CNN clash over MLK

Sen. Bernie Sanders called for his 2020 rival Joe Biden to apologize to one of his campaign 's top aides after she and a Biden surrogate were in a heated exchange on cable news .
Nina Turner , the national co-chairwoman for Sen. Bernie Sanders 's presidential campaign , and Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen , who has endorsed Biden for president , engaged in a tense exchange regarding Martin Luther King Jr. 's statements about white centrists on Thursday 's edition of Cuomo Prime Time on CNN .
`` [ Biden ] must accept responsibility for his surrogate telling our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't have standing to invoke the words of Dr. King , '' Sanders tweeted Friday .
`` That is unacceptable and Joe must apologize to Nina and all the people of color supporting our campaign . ''
During the interview on CNN , Turner invoked MLK 's `` Letter from a Birmingham Jail , '' noting the reverend said that `` the white moderate , who is more devoted to 'order ' than to justice , '' is the `` Negro 's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , linking MLK 's remarks to Sanders 's platform .
`` Nina referenced Dr. Martin Luther King before , saying that he said from the Birmingham jail that we should be concerned about white moderates .
That ’ s actually not what Martin Luther King said , '' she said .
`` What he said was we should be worried about the silence of white moderates . ''
Turner responded , `` Do n't tell me what kind of standing I have as a black woman in America .
How dare you ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media Friday morning .
`` I unequivocally know I disrespected her and I wanted to make it right by telling disgusting white folks to stop .
Wow did that tweet go wrong .
I am so sorry , '' she wrote .
`` I ’ ve called Nina to apologize directly .
Whether or not she takes my call , I am still humbly sorry . ''
Sanders apologized to Biden in January for an opinion piece written by one of his campaign supporters that claimed the former vice president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes him a weak candidate .
”

Sen. Bernie Sanders called for his 2020 rival Joe Biden to apologize to one of his campaign's top aides after she and a Biden surrogate were in a heated exchange on cable news.
Nina Turner, the national co-chairwoman for Sen. Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign, and Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen, who has endorsed Biden for president, engaged in a tense exchange regarding Martin Luther King Jr.'s statements about white centrists on Thursday's edition of Cuomo Prime Time on CNN.
"[Biden] must accept responsibility for his surrogate telling our campaign co-chair Senator @NinaTurner that she doesn't have standing to invoke the words of Dr. King," Sanders tweeted Friday. "That is unacceptable and Joe must apologize to Nina and all the people of color supporting our campaign."
.@JoeBiden must accept responsibility for his surrogate telling our campaign co-chair Senator @NinaTurner that she doesn't have standing to invoke the words of Dr. King. That is unacceptable and Joe must apologize to Nina and all the people of color supporting our campaign. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 6, 2020
During the interview on CNN, Turner invoked MLK's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," noting the reverend said that "the white moderate, who is more devoted to 'order' than to justice," is the "Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom."
Rosen protested Turner, who is black, linking MLK's remarks to Sanders's platform.
"Nina referenced Dr. Martin Luther King before, saying that he said from the Birmingham jail that we should be concerned about white moderates. That’s actually not what Martin Luther King said," she said. "What he said was we should be worried about the silence of white moderates."
Turner responded, "Don't tell me what kind of standing I have as a black woman in America. How dare you?"
Rosen issued an apology to Turner on social media Friday morning.
2/2 I unequivocally know I disrespected her and I wanted to make it right by telling disgusting white folks to stop. Wow did that tweet go wrong. I am so sorry. — Hilary Rosen (@hilaryr) March 6, 2020
"I unequivocally know I disrespected her and I wanted to make it right by telling disgusting white folks to stop. Wow did that tweet go wrong. I am so sorry," she wrote. "I’ve called Nina to apologize directly. Whether or not she takes my call, I am still humbly sorry."
Sanders apologized to Biden in January for an opinion piece written by one of his campaign supporters that claimed the former vice president has a “big corruption problem, and it makes him a weak candidate.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Jill Biden hints odds are against Kamala Harris as Joe Biden veepstakes pick up

Jill Biden opened an old wound with Kamala Harris as the California senator 's name circulates as a possible running mate for Joe Biden .
Harris 's standout moment during the 2020 Democratic primary was her takedown of Joe Biden during last summer 's opening debate in Miami .
The political grenade caught the two-term vice president 's campaign off-guard because of her friendship with his son Beau Biden .
The pair were the attorneys general of California and Delaware , respectively , at the same time .
Jill Biden , during a breakfast fundraiser in upscale Glencoe , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris took him to task for opposing federally mandated busing during the 1960s and the 1970s .
Harris was bused to school as a child growing up in Northern California , but she dampened the attack after confusing her own position on the issue .
“ Our son , Beau , spoke so highly of her and , you know , and how great she was .
And not that she isn ’ t , I ’ m not saying that .
But it was just like a punch to the gut .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former second lady said Friday of her late son .
Jill Biden brought up the exchange while discussing vice presidential choices with the fundraiser 's attendees .
Harris , along with former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , was name-dropped by donors in the crowd .
`` Everyone you mentioned would be a great pick , '' the community college professor said .
On Friday , Jill Biden added her husband 's team was planning to work on “ engaging the youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocacy . ''
Her comments were in response to a question raised after Bernie Sanders , Joe Biden 's chief rival to become the party 's next standard-bearer , has so far dominated with Democrats younger than 45 this cycle .
Biden himself has floated Harris as a potential vice presidential or Supreme Court choice .
“ We lost a really good one , the senator from California , ” Biden said after Harris bowed out of contention last December .
“ She is capable of being president or vice president or on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her capacity is unlimited.
” Harris , who is yet to endorse , quipped when asked last May about whether she was tired of speculation that she 'd make a good No .
2 while she was still in the race .
`` I think that Joe Biden would be a great running mate , '' she said .
`` As vice president , he 's proven that he knows how to do the job . ''
Since dropping out , she 's polled as a popular choice for the second slot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the ticket in November .
Biden leads Sanders in the delegate count heading into Tuesday 's round of primaries .
The former vice president has 596 to the Vermont senator 's 526 .
A total of 1,991 delegates are needed to secure the 2020 nomination outright .
Illinois Democrats will cast their ballots on March 17 .

Jill Biden opened an old wound with Kamala Harris as the California senator's name circulates as a possible running mate for Joe Biden.
Harris's standout moment during the 2020 Democratic primary was her takedown of Joe Biden during last summer's opening debate in Miami. The political grenade caught the two-term vice president's campaign off-guard because of her friendship with his son Beau Biden. The pair were the attorneys general of California and Delaware, respectively, at the same time.
Jill Biden, during a breakfast fundraiser in upscale Glencoe, Illinois, recalled her husband's shock when Harris took him to task for opposing federally mandated busing during the 1960s and the 1970s. Harris was bused to school as a child growing up in Northern California, but she dampened the attack after confusing her own position on the issue.
“Our son, Beau, spoke so highly of her and, you know, and how great she was. And not that she isn’t, I’m not saying that. But it was just like a punch to the gut. It was a little unexpected," the former second lady said Friday of her late son.
Jill Biden brought up the exchange while discussing vice presidential choices with the fundraiser's attendees. Harris, along with former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, was name-dropped by donors in the crowd.
"Everyone you mentioned would be a great pick," the community college professor said.
On Friday, Jill Biden added her husband's team was planning to work on “engaging the youth vote and coming up with some youth advocacy." Her comments were in response to a question raised after Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden's chief rival to become the party's next standard-bearer, has so far dominated with Democrats younger than 45 this cycle.
Biden himself has floated Harris as a potential vice presidential or Supreme Court choice.
“We lost a really good one, the senator from California,” Biden said after Harris bowed out of contention last December. “She is capable of being president or vice president or on the Supreme Court or attorney general. Her capacity is unlimited.”
Harris, who is yet to endorse, quipped when asked last May about whether she was tired of speculation that she'd make a good No. 2 while she was still in the race.
"I think that Joe Biden would be a great running mate," she said. "As vice president, he's proven that he knows how to do the job."
Since dropping out, she's polled as a popular choice for the second slot. She's also leading betting odds to be on the ticket in November.
Biden leads Sanders in the delegate count heading into Tuesday's round of primaries. The former vice president has 596 to the Vermont senator's 526. A total of 1,991 delegates are needed to secure the 2020 nomination outright. Illinois Democrats will cast their ballots on March 17.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Biden could wrap up nomination on Tuesday

Joe Biden could lock up the Democratic nomination on Tuesday — not in a technical sense , but a substantive one .
Now that a chaotic , volatile primary with more than two dozen contenders is essentially a two-man race , Tuesday ’ s round of primaries will test if there is any appetite among Democratic voters for a replay of the drawn-out primary fight between Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Some delegates from California and other Super Tuesday primaries have yet to be allocated as states tally final results , but Biden has about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are about 30 % of the way to the 1,991 pledged delegates needed to secure the nomination on the first ballot .
FiveThirtyEight ’ s primary now gives Biden an 88 % chance of winning a majority of pledged delegates , while Sanders has a 2 % chance of doing so .
Holding that trajectory depends on whether Biden can sustain the momentum that started with his blowout victory in South Carolina , which prompted his centrist rivals to drop out of the race and endorse him , leading Biden to victory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s four .
Contests in Idaho , Michigan , Mississippi , Missouri , North Dakota , and Washington on Tuesday account for 352 delegates .
Washington state , which has 89 delegates , is expected to tilt toward Sanders , but the last there were conducted weeks before Biden ’ s resurgence after South Carolina .
Biden could close the gap between him and Sanders to make the delegate allocation relatively even .
Biden is favored to win in Idaho , Mississippi , Missouri , and North Dakota .
Michigan , with 125 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Sanders won Michigan in an upset in 2016 , beating Clinton by 1.4 percentage points .
To keep any hope of winning the nomination , Sanders must perform well there and prove that a substantive anti-establishment base is still prominent among the Democratic electorate .
In his first comments to the press after Super Tuesday , Sanders went on the attack against an establishment that “ heavily supports ” Biden and is “ working frantically to defeat us ” and complained of “ venom ” in the “ corporate media ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s contest is the first test of a two-man race between Sanders and Biden , and it is not clear how effective Sanders ’ s outsider pitch will be against a well-liked Democratic figure who mounted a in the race after being written off because of poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Sanders also hopes that his criticism of Biden ’ s support for free trade and Sanders ’ s pro-union position will resonate in Michigan .
But United Food and Commercial Workers Union Locals 876 and 951 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , endorsed Biden on Friday .
Losing Michigan and other states on Tuesday would deny Sanders of the momentum he needs to challenge Biden seriously and signal that the Democratic base is ready to move on from Sanders 's anti-establishment crusade , giving him little hope of turning attitudes around in remaining states to catch up to Biden 's lead .
Biden is demonstrating continued centrist and establishment coalescing of support among party leaders and voters .
Eight prominent Michigan Democrats jumped on the Biden bandwagon after his Super Tuesday victories : Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic response to President Trump ’ s State of the Union address last month ; Lt. Gov .
Garlin Gilchrist II , the first black politician to hold that office ; and freshman swing-district Reps. Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens , among others .

Joe Biden could lock up the Democratic nomination on Tuesday — not in a technical sense, but a substantive one.
Now that a chaotic, volatile primary with more than two dozen contenders is essentially a two-man race, Tuesday’s round of primaries will test if there is any appetite among Democratic voters for a replay of the drawn-out primary fight between Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Some delegates from California and other Super Tuesday primaries have yet to be allocated as states tally final results, but Biden has about 75 more delegates than Sanders. Both candidates are about 30% of the way to the 1,991 pledged delegates needed to secure the nomination on the first ballot.
FiveThirtyEight’s primary forecast now gives Biden an 88% chance of winning a majority of pledged delegates, while Sanders has a 2% chance of doing so.
Holding that trajectory depends on whether Biden can sustain the momentum that started with his blowout victory in South Carolina, which prompted his centrist rivals to drop out of the race and endorse him, leading Biden to victory in 10 Super Tuesday states to Sanders’s four.
Contests in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington on Tuesday account for 352 delegates.
Washington state, which has 89 delegates, is expected to tilt toward Sanders, but the last polls there were conducted weeks before Biden’s resurgence after South Carolina. Biden could close the gap between him and Sanders to make the delegate allocation relatively even. Biden is favored to win in Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, and North Dakota.
Michigan, with 125 delegates, is the biggest battleground on Tuesday.
Sanders won Michigan in an upset in 2016, beating Clinton by 1.4 percentage points. To keep any hope of winning the nomination, Sanders must perform well there and prove that a substantive anti-establishment base is still prominent among the Democratic electorate.
In his first comments to the press after Super Tuesday, Sanders went on the attack against an establishment that “heavily supports” Biden and is “working frantically to defeat us” and complained of “venom” in the “corporate media” directed toward Sanders and his campaign.
Tuesday’s contest is the first test of a two-man race between Sanders and Biden, and it is not clear how effective Sanders’s outsider pitch will be against a well-liked Democratic figure who mounted a stunning comeback in the race after being written off because of poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Sanders also hopes that his criticism of Biden’s support for free trade and Sanders’s pro-union position will resonate in Michigan. But United Food and Commercial Workers Union Locals 876 and 951, which represent 51,000 workers in the state, endorsed Biden on Friday.
Losing Michigan and other states on Tuesday would deny Sanders of the momentum he needs to challenge Biden seriously and signal that the Democratic base is ready to move on from Sanders's anti-establishment crusade, giving him little hope of turning attitudes around in remaining states to catch up to Biden's lead.
Biden is demonstrating continued centrist and establishment coalescing of support among party leaders and voters. Eight prominent Michigan Democrats jumped on the Biden bandwagon after his Super Tuesday victories: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who gave the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address last month; Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, the first black politician to hold that office; and freshman swing-district Reps. Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens, among others.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--’People don’t like her’: Trump trashes claims that sexism cratered Warren campaign

Days after Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren abandoned her campaign for the highest office in the United States , President Trump rejected claims that sexism was a factor .
Speaking to reporters at the White House after signing an $ 8 billion coronavirus aid package , Trump slammed Warren 's `` lack of talent '' and suggested Americans do n't like her as a person .
`` I think lack of talent was her problem , '' Trump said .
`` She had a tremendous lack of talent .
She was a good debater .
She destroyed Mike Bloomberg very quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy for her , but people do n't like her .
She 's a very mean person and people do n't like her .
People do n't want that . ''
Contrasting himself with Warren , Trump finished his statement by claiming people like him because he 's not mean .
A day after Warren announced she would shutter her campaign for president , dozens of articles were written opining the state of gendered relationships in the U.S .
Outlets such as Vox , the Nation , USA Today , and the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the primary states she participated in were the result of gender-related discrimination .
Trump and Warren have fought bitterly against one another , with the president repeatedly mocking the Massachusetts senator for her claims to Native American ancestry .
Warren announced the end of her presidential campaign on Thursday .
Speaking to reporters afterward , she dodged what she called a `` trap question '' about whether sexism was to blame .
“ If you say , 'Yeah , there was sexism in this race , ' everyone says , 'Whiner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you say , 'No , there was no sexism , ' about a bazillion women think , 'What planet do you live on ? '
''

Days after Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren abandoned her campaign for the highest office in the United States, President Trump rejected claims that sexism was a factor.
Speaking to reporters at the White House after signing an $8 billion coronavirus aid package, Trump slammed Warren's "lack of talent" and suggested Americans don't like her as a person.
"I think lack of talent was her problem," Trump said. "She had a tremendous lack of talent. She was a good debater. She destroyed Mike Bloomberg very quickly like it was nothing, that was easy for her, but people don't like her. She's a very mean person and people don't like her. People don't want that."
Contrasting himself with Warren, Trump finished his statement by claiming people like him because he's not mean.
A day after Warren announced she would shutter her campaign for president, dozens of articles were written opining the state of gendered relationships in the U.S. Outlets such as Vox, the Nation, USA Today, and the New York Times suggested Warren's abysmal performances in the primary states she participated in were the result of gender-related discrimination.
Trump and Warren have fought bitterly against one another, with the president repeatedly mocking the Massachusetts senator for her claims to Native American ancestry.
Warren announced the end of her presidential campaign on Thursday. Speaking to reporters afterward, she dodged what she called a "trap question" about whether sexism was to blame.
“If you say, 'Yeah, there was sexism in this race,' everyone says, 'Whiner," Warren said. "And if you say, 'No, there was no sexism,' about a bazillion women think, 'What planet do you live on?'"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Trump town hall on Fox News is most-watched in cable news history

President Trump 's town hall on Fox News was the most-watched town hall in cable news history .
The Thursday evening event moderated by Special Report host Bret Baier and The Story 's Martha MacCallum garnered 4.2 million viewers and 744,000 in the key 25-54 age demographic , according to Nielsen Media Research .
It took place at the Scranton Cultural Center in Scranton , Pennsylvania .
The president 's town hall had more than 1.5 million more viewers than any of the Democratic primary candidates ' town halls on Fox News , CNN , or MSNBC .
The most-watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats also took place on Fox News : The event with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , which took place in April 2019 , had nearly 2.6 million viewers .
“ We are pleased to host incumbent President Donald Trump for his first town hall of the 2020 election cycle , '' Jay Wallace , president and executive editor of Fox News Media , said in a press release when the event was first announced .
`` As Americans continue deliberating their choice for president , FOX News Channel is proud to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectrum to inform the public on their stances .
”

President Trump's town hall on Fox News was the most-watched town hall in cable news history.
The Thursday evening event moderated by Special Report host Bret Baier and The Story's Martha MacCallum garnered 4.2 million viewers and 744,000 in the key 25-54 age demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research. It took place at the Scranton Cultural Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The president's town hall had more than 1.5 million more viewers than any of the Democratic primary candidates' town halls on Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC.
The most-watched town hall for any of the 2020 Democrats also took place on Fox News: The event with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, which took place in April 2019, had nearly 2.6 million viewers.
“We are pleased to host incumbent President Donald Trump for his first town hall of the 2020 election cycle," Jay Wallace, president and executive editor of Fox News Media, said in a press release when the event was first announced. "As Americans continue deliberating their choice for president, FOX News Channel is proud to provide a platform for candidates across the political spectrum to inform the public on their stances.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Top Bernie Sanders aide clashes with Democratic strategist: 'How dare you, as a white woman' lecture

Top Bernie Sanders aide clashes with Democratic strategist: 'How dare you, as a white woman' lecture me about MLK Jr.

A top campaign aide to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders got into a dust-up with Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen after Turner brought up Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's statements about white moderates .
The clash took place on CNN Thursday evening .
“ It ’ s very much in the tradition of President FDR .
That is the kind of democratic socialism that [ Bernie Sanders is ] talking about , '' Nina Turner , the national co-chairwoman for Sanders 's campaign , said about her boss .
`` It ’ s in the same spirit — it 's in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luther King Jr. who , in his letter to the Birmingham jail , warned us , us being the black community , about white moderates.
” Turner , who is black , was reacting to a remark King made in his April 1963 letter from Birmingham city jail , in which he wrote : `` I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro ’ s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen ’ s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner , but the white moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' than to justice ; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice . ''
`` Nina referenced Dr. Martin Luther King before , saying that he said from the Birmingham jail that we should be concerned about white moderates .
That ’ s actually not what Martin Luther King said , '' she said .
`` What he said was we should be worried about the silence of white moderates . ''
Turner responded , `` Do n't tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a black woman in America .
How dare you ? ''
`` Listen , don ’ t dip into what I have to say about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. How dare you , as a white woman , sit up here and try to tell me ... what I ’ m supposed to feel and what I ’ m doing right now , '' she continued .
The back-and-forth ended when CNN host Chris Cuomo interjected to say they were out of time for the segment .
Rosen later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would take `` full responsibility . ''

A top campaign aide to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders got into a dust-up with Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen after Turner brought up Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s statements about white moderates.
The clash took place on CNN Thursday evening.
“It’s very much in the tradition of President FDR. That is the kind of democratic socialism that [Bernie Sanders is] talking about," Nina Turner, the national co-chairwoman for Sanders's campaign, said about her boss. "It’s in the same spirit — it's in the spirit of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who, in his letter to the Birmingham jail, warned us, us being the black community, about white moderates.”
Turner, who is black, was reacting to a remark King made in his April 1963 letter from Birmingham city jail, in which he wrote: "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to 'order' than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice."
Rosen protested Turner linking King's remarks to Sanders's platform.
"Nina referenced Dr. Martin Luther King before, saying that he said from the Birmingham jail that we should be concerned about white moderates. That’s actually not what Martin Luther King said," she said. "What he said was we should be worried about the silence of white moderates."
Turner responded, "Don't tell me what kind of standing I have as a black woman in America. How dare you?"
"Listen, don’t dip into what I have to say about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. How dare you, as a white woman, sit up here and try to tell me ... what I’m supposed to feel and what I’m doing right now," she continued.
The back-and-forth ended when CNN host Chris Cuomo interjected to say they were out of time for the segment.
Rosen later apologized for her comments and said she would take "full responsibility."
Good morning. I have nothing but the upmost respect for Nina, her experience as a person of color, and the fight she’s waging in this election. Wake up this morning to this: I apologized + I take full responsibility. I look forward to the rest of the primary seeking common ground — Hilary Rosen (@hilaryr) March 6, 2020
I’m horrified that anyone would think i would call Nina Turner “an angry black woman” I would NEVER!! After the TV hit last night, I was getting tons of ugly messages to keep fighting her using that phrase. I was trying to tell people to STOP. Cause I KNEW I needed to apologize. — Hilary Rosen (@hilaryr) March 6, 2020
2/2 I unequivocally know I disrespected her and I wanted to make it right by telling disgusting white folks to stop. Wow did that tweet go wrong. I am so sorry. — Hilary Rosen (@hilaryr) March 6, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-06--Former 2020 candidate John Delaney flexes for Biden

John Delaney became the latest failed 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to throw support behind former Vice President Joe Biden .
The 56-year old former Maryland congressman and entrepreneur followed former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota in backing Biden .
“ Joe is the right person to beat Donald Trump , because he is everything Trump is not — Joe is a good , decent person , who cares about others and understands the struggles that so many Americans face every day , '' a statement from Delaney read .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaining the expertise necessary to lead our nation and reestablish the United States as a global leader , reversing course on the isolationism , nationalism , and global retreat of the Trump Administration . ''
[ Read more : Democrats ' stop-Sanders push shifts into top gear — rivals sacrifice themselves to help Biden ] Delaney , despite never gaining much traction , was quick to take shots at more liberal candidates ' policy proposals .
He frequently attacked Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , who dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other candidates who were making promises to voters on healthcare and the environment that he did n't think could be fulfilled .
`` Joe understands that we make progress through pragmatism and reaching across the aisle when possible and that yelling the loudest or having the most extreme opinions doesn ’ t actually accomplish any goals , '' the self-made multimillionaire added .
`` Joe is the person to unite our party and our nation to tackle the challenges we face and seize the opportunities that our great nation has .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything in our power to help him secure the nomination and win the general election in November.
” Delaney , who gave the Washington Examiner an exclusive look into his intense fitness routine , ended his presidential campaign at the end of January , about two and a half years after he became the first Democrat to officially declare his or her candidacy .

John Delaney became the latest failed 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to throw support behind former Vice President Joe Biden.
The 56-year old former Maryland congressman and entrepreneur followed former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota in backing Biden.
“Joe is the right person to beat Donald Trump, because he is everything Trump is not — Joe is a good, decent person, who cares about others and understands the struggles that so many Americans face every day," a statement from Delaney read. "He has spent years as a public servant gaining the expertise necessary to lead our nation and reestablish the United States as a global leader, reversing course on the isolationism, nationalism, and global retreat of the Trump Administration."
[Read more: Democrats' stop-Sanders push shifts into top gear — rivals sacrifice themselves to help Biden]
Delaney, despite never gaining much traction, was quick to take shots at more liberal candidates' policy proposals. He frequently attacked Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who dropped out of the race earlier this week, and other candidates who were making promises to voters on healthcare and the environment that he didn't think could be fulfilled.
"Joe understands that we make progress through pragmatism and reaching across the aisle when possible and that yelling the loudest or having the most extreme opinions doesn’t actually accomplish any goals," the self-made multimillionaire added. "Joe is the person to unite our party and our nation to tackle the challenges we face and seize the opportunities that our great nation has. April and I look forward to doing everything in our power to help him secure the nomination and win the general election in November.”
Delaney, who gave the Washington Examiner an exclusive look into his intense fitness routine, ended his presidential campaign at the end of January, about two and a half years after he became the first Democrat to officially declare his or her candidacy.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Lindsey Graham pushing 'child welfare' bill that would destroy free speech online

A bipartisan group of senators , including Sens .
Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal , just introduced legislation intended to combat child exploitation online .
Unfortunately , their bill not only undermines the entire point of Section 230 , the law many credit for creating the internet as we know it , it also undermines its own stated goals .
The Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act , or the EARN IT Act , creates a commission tasked with developing recommended best practices for online services `` to prevent , reduce , and respond to the online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best practices are made official after approval by several agency heads , including the attorney general , and following a period of congressional review .
To its credit , the EARN IT Act notes that the best practices ought to account for the size , model , and goals of different kinds of companies as well as the “ technical limitations ” of implementation and the effects on competition and service quality .
A process to create “ best practices ” sounds benign enough , but the bill ’ s enforcement provisions would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governs online platforms and allows them to flourish .
This is particularly true because the law applies to any “ interactive computer service , ” which , as defined , can include everything from Twitter to your mom ’ s child care blog if it allows comments .
The problem stems from how the EARN IT Act treats the decadesold internet law commonly known as Section 230 .
By guaranteeing that online services are not liable for “ any action voluntarily taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid liability for moderating content .
For platforms that host user-generated posts , a human moderator or an algorithm will moderate , edit , or delete users ’ posts based on certain criteria .
This keeps the platform desirable and safe for users .
Section 230 ensures that platforms are not held liable for this practice , which is crucial for small platforms that have little time or resources to moderate meticulously as well as large ones such as Twitter , with billions of posts — an impossible amount of content to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ user .
The EARN IT Act would partially condition Section 230 protections on either compliance with these best practices or on a platform implementing “ reasonable measures relating to ” objectives listed in the bill , which include “ prevent [ ing ] , reduc [ ing ] , and respond [ ing ] to the online sexual exploitation of children.
” While those objectives are clearly defined , “ reasonable ” is not .
The law also requires providers to submit evidence to the attorney general in writing that states the provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best practices and is complying with those practices .
The law says that no part of the act “ shall be construed to require [ platforms ] to search , screen , or scan for instances of online child sexual exploitation.
” However , that is almost certainly what the law would end up demanding .
No platform of small or moderate size will want to take on the legal risk and exposure resulting from loss of Section 230 protection .
Thus , the bill effectively compels platforms to implement the “ recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that almost certainly will be included will require platforms to match images against a government database run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children .
If platforms aren ’ t required to search for and address the abusive content , then the bill is essentially useless .
Furthermore , the lack of Section 230 protections , combined with the bill 's stricter standards , would likely incentivize more moderating and less freedom for posting , depending on the platform size .
As written , the EARN IT Act would apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms such as Facebook would likely have to divert resources away from other goals , such as fighting abusive speech or even terrorism , toward the EARN IT Act ’ s best practices .
Medium-sized platforms with less staff would likely have to limit the amount of people who may post to fewer , trusted users so that the burden of moderating would not be impossible .
Small platforms with little or no staff will likely ban user posts altogether .
This will subvert a stated goal of the commission : to preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have a crushing effect on free expression online .
What ’ s more , the law could theoretically generate millions of applications .
The attorney general is not technically required to go through the applications of all these platforms .
That would be impossible .
So , the attorney general will likely selectively focus on the applications of websites with bad reputations or , potentially , ones he just dislikes .
Such a system is rife for abuse .
Finally , without enough cybersecurity expert members , there is likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s work and in the best practices it produces , and the EARN IT Act would require the inclusion of only two data security experts on the commission .
There would be much merit to a well-crafted law that effectively protects child safety online .
However , the EARN IT Act doesn ’ t earn that honor .
Disincentivizing moderation , adding excessive bureaucracy , and forgetting the vital role of cybersecurity is not how we will protect children in the cybersphere .
If anything , such a bill might actually put them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senior manager of digital media and a fellow at the R Street Institute .
Daisy Soderberg-Rivkin is resident fellow in children and technology at R Street .

A bipartisan group of senators, including Sens. Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, just introduced legislation intended to combat child exploitation online. Unfortunately, their bill not only undermines the entire point of Section 230, the law many credit for creating the internet as we know it, it also undermines its own stated goals.
The Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act, or the EARN IT Act, creates a commission tasked with developing recommended best practices for online services "to prevent, reduce, and respond to the online exploitation of children." The recommended best practices are made official after approval by several agency heads, including the attorney general, and following a period of congressional review.
To its credit, the EARN IT Act notes that the best practices ought to account for the size, model, and goals of different kinds of companies as well as the “technical limitations” of implementation and the effects on competition and service quality.
A process to create “best practices” sounds benign enough, but the bill’s enforcement provisions would be catastrophic to the legal structure that governs online platforms and allows them to flourish. This is particularly true because the law applies to any “interactive computer service,” which, as defined, can include everything from Twitter to your mom’s child care blog if it allows comments.
The problem stems from how the EARN IT Act treats the decadesold internet law commonly known as Section 230.
By guaranteeing that online services are not liable for “any action voluntarily taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of material,” the law allows online platforms to avoid liability for moderating content. For platforms that host user-generated posts, a human moderator or an algorithm will moderate, edit, or delete users’ posts based on certain criteria. This keeps the platform desirable and safe for users. Section 230 ensures that platforms are not held liable for this practice, which is crucial for small platforms that have little time or resources to moderate meticulously as well as large ones such as Twitter, with billions of posts — an impossible amount of content to moderate perfectly to the liking of every user.
The EARN IT Act would partially condition Section 230 protections on either compliance with these best practices or on a platform implementing “reasonable measures relating to” objectives listed in the bill, which include “prevent[ing], reduc[ing], and respond[ing] to the online sexual exploitation of children.” While those objectives are clearly defined, “reasonable” is not. The law also requires providers to submit evidence to the attorney general in writing that states the provider has thoroughly reviewed its implementation of the best practices and is complying with those practices.
The law says that no part of the act “shall be construed to require [platforms] to search, screen, or scan for instances of online child sexual exploitation.” However, that is almost certainly what the law would end up demanding.
No platform of small or moderate size will want to take on the legal risk and exposure resulting from loss of Section 230 protection. Thus, the bill effectively compels platforms to implement the “recommended” best practices, and the typical one that almost certainly will be included will require platforms to match images against a government database run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If platforms aren’t required to search for and address the abusive content, then the bill is essentially useless.
Furthermore, the lack of Section 230 protections, combined with the bill's stricter standards, would likely incentivize more moderating and less freedom for posting, depending on the platform size.
As written, the EARN IT Act would apply to platforms of all sizes. Larger platforms such as Facebook would likely have to divert resources away from other goals, such as fighting abusive speech or even terrorism, toward the EARN IT Act’s best practices. Medium-sized platforms with less staff would likely have to limit the amount of people who may post to fewer, trusted users so that the burden of moderating would not be impossible. Small platforms with little or no staff will likely ban user posts altogether.
This will subvert a stated goal of the commission: to preserve competition among online platforms. It would also have a crushing effect on free expression online.
What’s more, the law could theoretically generate millions of applications. The attorney general is not technically required to go through the applications of all these platforms. That would be impossible. So, the attorney general will likely selectively focus on the applications of websites with bad reputations or, potentially, ones he just dislikes. Such a system is rife for abuse.
Finally, without enough cybersecurity expert members, there is likely to be a blind spot in the commission’s work and in the best practices it produces, and the EARN IT Act would require the inclusion of only two data security experts on the commission.
There would be much merit to a well-crafted law that effectively protects child safety online. However, the EARN IT Act doesn’t earn that honor. Disincentivizing moderation, adding excessive bureaucracy, and forgetting the vital role of cybersecurity is not how we will protect children in the cybersphere. If anything, such a bill might actually put them in more danger.
Shoshana Weissmann is the senior manager of digital media and a fellow at the R Street Institute. Daisy Soderberg-Rivkin is resident fellow in children and technology at R Street.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--White House Report Card: Taking charge of virus, buoyed by big jobs numbers

This week ’ s White House Report Card finds President Trump and Vice President Pence steadily working the coronavirus issue which has yet to settle down .
Our graders , Democratic pollster John Zogby and conservative analyst Jed Babbin , gave the president average grades this week .
Trump has also been buoyed by the big new jobs report , steadying polls and continued turmoil in the Democratic Party , both the 2020 race and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ’ s attack on two conservative Supreme Court justices .
President Trump had an almost good week featuring a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong response to the coronavirus problem , though his apparent successes were dimmed by a nose diving stock market .
Trump spoke of the Taliban deal by saying that both sides were tired of war and that he had a good relationship with the Taliban ’ s leader .
That may not be nearly enough .
Secretary of Defense Mar Esper had a more realistic view , saying that the deal -- under which U.S. and coalition troops would begin withdrawing in 120 days and be fully withdrawn in 14 months — was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to hold up the U.S.-backed Kabul government for much longer than it takes for the U.S. and coalition forces to withdraw because the Taliban can not be expected to live up to any of the promises they made in the agreement .
The echoes of Vietnam are loud .
Trump ’ s appointment of Vice President Pence and the promise of a “ whole of government ” response to the coronavirus problem appears to have a good chance of preventing a widespread epidemic .
The manufacture of coronavirus testing kits is accelerating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be met sooner than expected .
The Israelis have said they are weeks away from creating a vaccine .
The question is whether they , or U.S. researchers , can speed its development and production in time to stem the tide of the growing global epidemic .
The stock markets are roiled .
A continuation of the losses , and a more widespread coronavirus epidemic in the U.S. may even threaten Trump 's reelection .
Another bifurcated week for President Trump .
The economic news was mixed and very strange .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were created and unemployment dropped to 3.5 % .
But the stock market is puzzling and troubling because of the coronavirus which is already having a direct impact on travel and tourism , worker productivity , and numerous industries .
Americans expect things to get worse but no one knows exactly how much or exactly when .
Hence we can feel and see the panic setting in .
Forgive me , Examiner readers , but this is when you need an FDR -- someone to generate confidence , inspiration , and clarity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and named the vice president to lead it , thus revealing how important it is to him ( and to us ) .
But then he tweets about fake news reports about the numbers of deaths in China and Italy -- which undermines public confidence and in his own leadership .
This is a time for unity and trust-building , not insurgency .
This week the U.S. signed a long-awaited peace with the Taliban that was rejected by U.S. allies in Afghanistan and undermined by Taliban attacks against allied forces in several villages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombing raids against the Taliban .
So the jobs report and the president 's approval numbers are good -- but not much else .
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W .
Bush .
Follow him on Twitter @ jedbabbin John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies .
His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here .
Follow him on Twitter @ TheJohnZogby

This week’s White House Report Card finds President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence steadily working the coronavirus issue, which has yet to settle down. Our graders, Democratic pollster John Zogby and conservative analyst Jed Babbin, gave the president average grades this week.
Trump has also been buoyed by the big new jobs report, steadying polls and continued turmoil in the Democratic Party, both the 2020 race and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attack on two conservative Supreme Court justices.
Jed Babbin
Grade C+
President Trump had an almost good week featuring a new peace deal with the Taliban, a strong response to the coronavirus problem, though his apparent successes were dimmed by a nose-diving stock market.
Trump spoke of the Taliban deal by saying that both sides were tired of war and that he had a good relationship with the Taliban’s leader. That may not be nearly enough. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper had a more realistic view, saying that the deal — under which U.S. and coalition troops would begin withdrawing in 120 days and be fully withdrawn in 14 months — was “aspirational.” The deal is very unlikely to hold up the U.S.-backed Kabul government for much longer than it takes for the United States and coalition forces to withdraw because the Taliban cannot be expected to live up to any of the promises they made in the agreement. The echoes of Vietnam are loud.
Trump’s appointment of Pence and the promise of a “whole of government” response to the coronavirus problem appears to have a good chance of preventing a widespread epidemic. The manufacture of coronavirus testing kits is accelerating, and the promise of a coronavirus vaccine may be met sooner than expected. The Israelis have said they are weeks away from creating a vaccine. The question is whether they, or U.S. researchers, can speed its development and production in time to stem the tide of the growing global epidemic.
Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren, who was going nowhere except into Mini Mike’s head, just dropped out of the Democrat Primary...THREE DAYS TOO LATE. She cost Crazy Bernie, at least, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas. Probably cost him the nomination! Came in third in Mass. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2020
The stock markets are roiled. A continuation of the losses, and a more widespread coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., may even threaten Trump's reelection.
John Zogby
Grade C-
Another bifurcated week for Trump. The economic news was mixed and very strange. The Labor Department shows that 273,000 new jobs were created and unemployment dropped to 3.5%. But the stock market is puzzling and troubling because of the coronavirus, which is already having a direct impact on travel and tourism, worker productivity, and numerous industries.
When you call anything inconvenient to you a "hoax," when you undermine facts and truth, and when you rid the government of experts who are loyal to science rather than to you, you're going to have some problems. https://t.co/KdQRFMyEfZ — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 4, 2020
The people expect things to get worse, but no one knows exactly how much or exactly when. Hence, we can feel and see the panic setting in. Forgive me, Washington Examiner readers, but this is when you need an FDR — someone to generate confidence, inspiration, and clarity. Trump has formed his virus task force and named the vice president to lead it, thus revealing how important it is to him (and to us). But then he tweets about fake news reports about the numbers of deaths in China and Italy — which undermines public confidence and in his own leadership. This is a time for unity and trust-building, not insurgency.
This week, the U.S. signed a long-awaited peace with the Taliban that was rejected by U.S. allies in Afghanistan and undermined by Taliban attacks against allied forces in several villages. And now, the U.S. is conducting bombing raids against the Taliban. So the jobs report and the president's approval numbers are good — but not much else.
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here. Follow him on Twitter @TheJohnZogby


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Bojangles' manager who allegedly locked Trump supporters out of store no longer employed

A manager at a Bojangles restaurant in Charlotte , North Carolina , is no longer employed following a viral Facebook post that appeared to show supporters of President Trump being denied entry following a nearby rally .
“ Bojangles locked the doors to the Trump rally last night and denied service , ” Michael Furick wrote on Facebook earlier this week .
“ Ironic because the rally was at Bojangles arena .
@ bojangles this is pretty distasteful .
I walk up to the door and people are gathered around and stated they would not serve trump supporters.
” Bojangles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation by saying the restaurant had become inundated with customers and the “ young shift manager ” made the “ bad decision ” to close down temporarily .
The statement also said that the drive-thru remained open and the main part of the restaurant was opened up again 30 minutes later .
The company provided an update on Friday and informed the public that the manager in question no longer works for Bojangles .
`` We apologize , '' the company tweeted from its official Twitter account .
`` The manager on duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bojangles ' welcomes ALL customers . ''
It was not immediately clear whether or not the manager resigned or was terminated .
It is estimated that over 10,000 people attended Trump ’ s rally at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte on Monday .

A manager at a Bojangles restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, is no longer employed following a viral Facebook post that appeared to show supporters of President Trump being denied entry following a nearby rally.
“Bojangles locked the doors to the Trump rally last night and denied service,” Michael Furick wrote on Facebook earlier this week. “Ironic because the rally was at Bojangles arena. @bojangles this is pretty distasteful. I walk up to the door and people are gathered around and stated they would not serve trump supporters.”
Bojangles issued a statement Tuesday trying to explain the situation by saying the restaurant had become inundated with customers and the “young shift manager” made the “bad decision” to close down temporarily. The statement also said that the drive-thru remained open and the main part of the restaurant was opened up again 30 minutes later.
An incident happened at our store near Bojangles' Coliseum earlier this week. A manager made a bad decision to close the dining room. We apologize. That manager is no longer employed by us. At a different store, a customer posted a sign that is not true. We welcome ALL customers. — Bojangles' (@Bojangles) March 5, 2020
The company provided an update on Friday and informed the public that the manager in question no longer works for Bojangles.
"We apologize," the company tweeted from its official Twitter account. "The manager on duty is no longer employed by us. Bojangles' welcomes ALL customers."
We apologize. The manager on duty is no longer employed by us. Bojangles' welcomes ALL customers. — Bojangles' (@Bojangles) March 6, 2020
It was not immediately clear whether or not the manager resigned or was terminated.
It is estimated that over 10,000 people attended Trump’s rally at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte on Monday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Trump campaign: Lawsuit against CNN is meant to 'hold the fake news accountable'

A spokeswoman for President Trump 's reelection campaign explained that its lawsuits against a multitude of major news publications were designed to hold them accountable .
Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany discussed the libel suits on Friday 's edition of Hannity , hours after the campaign filed a suit against CNN .
The suit , which centers on an opinion piece from June 2019 regarding the Russia collusion theory , comes on the heels of suits filed against the Washington Post and New York Times .
`` Look , we think it will be successful because there is no denying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that the New York Times have all displayed malicious intent .
They knowingly published false information , '' she explained .
`` The libel laws essentially now allow you to slander anyone , libel anyone , '' McEnany added .
`` And that 's why Justice Antonin Scalia said they need to change .
But we have to work within the structure we have right now .
And you can not go out there and lie knowingly do so , peddle the Russian collusion narrative , and think you can get away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effort to hold the fake news accountable .
Bottom line . ''
The piece at the center of the campaign 's lawsuit against CNN was written by former Federal Election Commission general counsel Larry Noble and titled , “ Soliciting dirt on your opponents from a foreign government is a crime .
Mueller should have charged Trump campaign officials with it . ''
Noble argued in the piece that special counsel Robert Mueller was wrong not to charge members of the Trump campaign with conspiring with Russia to win the 2016 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued CNN was aware the statements in the article were false “ because there was an extensive record of statements from the Campaign and the administration expressly disavowing any intention to seek Russian assistance ” and still published it .

A spokeswoman for President Trump's reelection campaign explained that its lawsuits against a multitude of major news publications were designed to hold them accountable.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany discussed the libel suits on Friday's edition of Hannity, hours after the campaign filed a suit against CNN. The suit, which centers on an opinion piece from June 2019 regarding the Russia collusion theory, comes on the heels of suits filed against the Washington Post and New York Times.
"Look, we think it will be successful because there is no denying that CNN, that the Washington Post, that the New York Times have all displayed malicious intent. They knowingly published false information," she explained.
"The libel laws essentially now allow you to slander anyone, libel anyone," McEnany added. "And that's why Justice Antonin Scalia said they need to change. But we have to work within the structure we have right now. And you cannot go out there and lie knowingly do so, peddle the Russian collusion narrative, and think you can get away with it. This lawsuit is in an effort to hold the fake news accountable. Bottom line."
The piece at the center of the campaign's lawsuit against CNN was written by former Federal Election Commission general counsel Larry Noble and titled, “Soliciting dirt on your opponents from a foreign government is a crime. Mueller should have charged Trump campaign officials with it." Noble argued in the piece that special counsel Robert Mueller was wrong not to charge members of the Trump campaign with conspiring with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election.
The Trump campaign's complaint argued CNN was aware the statements in the article were false “because there was an extensive record of statements from the Campaign and the administration expressly disavowing any intention to seek Russian assistance” and still published it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--A question of integrity for CNN

A question of integrity for CNN

CNN ’ s Jim Acosta is a smart , insightful , and savvy journalist .
But he should not be a beat reporter , at least not at the Trump White House .
He has violated the two inviolable rules of journalism : He allows his bias to show , and he becomes part of the story he is assigned to cover .
At President Trump ’ s recent press conference in India , Acosta said this to the president , who accused his network of being dishonest : “ I think our record on delivering the truth is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one can blame Acosta for defending his network ’ s integrity and the veracity of its reporting against an unprovoked and gratuitous attack from a habitually dishonest , press-hating president .
But Acosta went far beyond that .
It is simply not appropriate for a White House reporter to call the president a liar to his face at a press conference .
It 's not just rude — it 's also not what reporters should do .
They should report — on what a president does , says , or thinks .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do or say anything one way or another .
Like all reporters and citizens in this country , Acosta is entitled to his opinion .
He is not entitled to let it color his reporting .
Being a journalist here and being given access to public airwaves , especially now , carries with it a special responsibility to be as objective and unbiased as humanly possible .
Asking politicians tough questions and calling them out for questionable actions or statements is good journalism .
If reporters don ’ t hold politicians accountable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a critical part of our democracy .
But it is the role of citizens , not reporters .
Some defenders of Acosta have suggested that veteran ABC News White House reporter Sam Donaldson behaved similarly towards President Ronald Reagan .
I served in the Reagan White House Press Office for all eight years of his presidency , and I can assure you Donaldson was never rude , disrespectful , or sought to one-up Reagan .
Yes , he often shouted tough questions , but that ’ s what he was supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different from what Acosta did recently .
On the one occasion when Donaldson went too far and likened first lady Nancy Reagan to “ a smiling mamba , ” he quickly realized he was out of line and wrote her a letter of apology .
He was one of the most credible and trusted journalists in Washington because he knew what reporters should and should not do .
He knew that columns and talk shows are where opinions belong — not in what should be a straightforward reporting of facts .
He never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He never abused his position as a White House reporter and maintained his credibility .
One has to go back more than more than four decades to find a time when a network reporter mouthed off to a president at a news conference .
In 1974 , CBS White House correspondent Dan Rather was called on to ask President Richard Nixon ( in many ways , his nemesis ) a question .
Just after Rather identified himself , and before he could pose his inquiry , there were jeers and applause from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask : “ Are you running for something ?
” to which Rather snarked , “ No , sir , Mr. President .
Are you ?
” Not quite the same as accusing the president of being a liar , but still not the right thing to do .
Acosta has every reason to dislike Trump .
No doubt the feeling is mutual .
Yet the fact remains that Acosta ’ s contempt for the president infects his reporting .
And that ’ s a problem .
Not just for CNN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is impossible to overstate the importance of a free press to a democracy .
An unintimidated free press is as essential to the life of a democracy as is oxygen to humans .
As vigorously as we must guard against any forces that would threaten the constitutionally protected freedom of the press , so too , should reporters themselves — especially those on beats — strive to put their personal feelings aside and report facts .
Ultimately , if reporters are viewed as nothing more than advocates of one side or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appetite to defend their freedom will likely diminish .
CNN criticizes Fox News for allowing a pro-Trump bias to flavor its reporting .
But if CNN becomes the anti-Fox and therefore the anti-Trump network , then it is no better than its right-wing rival .
The management of CNN has a decision to make .
It ’ s not complicated .
They should ask themselves if anyone believes Acosta is genuinely objective anymore .
The answer is obvious .
So give Acosta his own show where he can share his insights — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawn of the White House .
Mark Weinberg , a communications consultant and executive speechwriter , who served as special assistant to the president and assistant press secretary in Ronald Reagan ’ s White House and as director of public affairs in the former president 's office , is the author of the best-selling memoir Movie Nights with the Reagans .

CNN’s Jim Acosta is a smart, insightful, and savvy journalist. But he should not be a beat reporter, at least not at the Trump White House. He has violated the two inviolable rules of journalism: He allows his bias to show, and he becomes part of the story he is assigned to cover.
At President Trump’s recent press conference in India, Acosta said this to the president, who accused his network of being dishonest: “I think our record on delivering the truth is a lot better than yours sometimes.”
No one can blame Acosta for defending his network’s integrity and the veracity of its reporting against an unprovoked and gratuitous attack from a habitually dishonest, press-hating president. But Acosta went far beyond that. It is simply not appropriate for a White House reporter to call the president a liar to his face at a press conference.
It's not just rude — it's also not what reporters should do. They should report — on what a president does, says, or thinks. That does not include causing a president to do or say anything one way or another. Like all reporters and citizens in this country, Acosta is entitled to his opinion. He is not entitled to let it color his reporting. Being a journalist here and being given access to public airwaves, especially now, carries with it a special responsibility to be as objective and unbiased as humanly possible. Asking politicians tough questions and calling them out for questionable actions or statements is good journalism. If reporters don’t hold politicians accountable, who will?
Speaking truth to power is a critical part of our democracy. But it is the role of citizens, not reporters.
Some defenders of Acosta have suggested that veteran ABC News White House reporter Sam Donaldson behaved similarly towards President Ronald Reagan. I served in the Reagan White House Press Office for all eight years of his presidency, and I can assure you Donaldson was never rude, disrespectful, or sought to one-up Reagan. Yes, he often shouted tough questions, but that’s what he was supposed to do, and that’s entirely different from what Acosta did recently.
On the one occasion when Donaldson went too far and likened first lady Nancy Reagan to “a smiling mamba,” he quickly realized he was out of line and wrote her a letter of apology. He was one of the most credible and trusted journalists in Washington because he knew what reporters should and should not do. He knew that columns and talk shows are where opinions belong — not in what should be a straightforward reporting of facts. He never allowed his views to color his reporting. He never abused his position as a White House reporter and maintained his credibility.
One has to go back more than more than four decades to find a time when a network reporter mouthed off to a president at a news conference. In 1974, CBS White House correspondent Dan Rather was called on to ask President Richard Nixon (in many ways, his nemesis) a question. Just after Rather identified himself, and before he could pose his inquiry, there were jeers and applause from the audience, prompting a smiling Nixon to ask: “Are you running for something?” to which Rather snarked, “No, sir, Mr. President. Are you?” Not quite the same as accusing the president of being a liar, but still not the right thing to do.
Acosta has every reason to dislike Trump. No doubt the feeling is mutual. Yet the fact remains that Acosta’s contempt for the president infects his reporting. And that’s a problem. Not just for CNN, but for the country as a whole.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of a free press to a democracy. An unintimidated free press is as essential to the life of a democracy as is oxygen to humans. As vigorously as we must guard against any forces that would threaten the constitutionally protected freedom of the press, so too, should reporters themselves — especially those on beats — strive to put their personal feelings aside and report facts. Ultimately, if reporters are viewed as nothing more than advocates of one side or the other’s political agenda, the appetite to defend their freedom will likely diminish.
CNN criticizes Fox News for allowing a pro-Trump bias to flavor its reporting. But if CNN becomes the anti-Fox and therefore the anti-Trump network, then it is no better than its right-wing rival. The management of CNN has a decision to make. It’s not complicated. They should ask themselves if anyone believes Acosta is genuinely objective anymore. The answer is obvious.
So give Acosta his own show where he can share his insights — just not one airing from the north lawn of the White House.
Mark Weinberg, a communications consultant and executive speechwriter, who served as special assistant to the president and assistant press secretary in Ronald Reagan’s White House and as director of public affairs in the former president's office, is the author of the best-selling memoir Movie Nights with the Reagans.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--'Contribute something good': Melania Trump hits back at tennis pavilion critics

WEST PALM BEACH , Florida — Melania Trump hit back at critics who accused her of lacking empathy by posting photographs of work on a new White House tennis pavilion , urging them to make a more positive contribution to life .
Her social media post on Thursday provoked a withering array of mockery from social media users who ridiculed her for wearing a hard hat and accusing her of a Marie Antoinette moment , focusing on tennis at a time when the nation is battling the coronavirus outbreak .
“ Let them lob serves , ” ran one critique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat cake ” advice of the 18th-century French queen to the starving masses .
On Saturday , the first lady ’ s office hit back .
“ I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative & question my work at the @ WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good & productive in their own communities .
# BeBest , ” said the message posted on her account .
It referenced her `` Be Best '' public awareness campaign against cyberbullying and promoting well-being for young people .
The first lady has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which she says she hopes will become a place for first families to spend time together in the future .
It is being built on the South Lawn of the White House , near the Children 's Garden .
On Thursday , she shared photographs of herself looking over architectural plans .
`` I am excited to share the progress of the Tennis Pavillion at @ WhiteHouse .
Thank you to the talented team for their hard work and dedication , '' she wrote on Twitter .
The first lady has frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the administration , and her tweet prompted complaints that she should be focused on more important matters and was out of touch with ordinary people in the United States .
The actor Mia Farrow tweeted : `` 29 people were killed by a tornado in Tennessee , the world is shuddering as a pandemic expands and what is a tennis pavilion ? ''
And Connie Schultz , wife of Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio , wrote : `` Millions of Americans seek assurance that this administration is doing all that it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the First Lady wants us to know she 's 'excited ' about her new tennis court .
`` People are scared , @ FLOTUS .
Flaunting a lack of empathy inflicts further harm . ''

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Melania Trump hit back at critics who accused her of lacking empathy by posting photographs of work on a new White House tennis pavilion, urging them to make a more positive contribution to life.
Her social media post on Thursday provoked a withering array of mockery from social media users who ridiculed her for wearing a hard hat and accusing her of a Marie Antoinette moment, focusing on tennis at a time when the nation is battling the coronavirus outbreak.
“Let them lob serves,” ran one critique, echoing the reputed “let them eat cake” advice of the 18th-century French queen to the starving masses.
On Saturday, the first lady’s office hit back.
“I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative & question my work at the @WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good & productive in their own communities. #BeBest,” said the message posted on her account.
It referenced her "Be Best" public awareness campaign against cyberbullying and promoting well-being for young people.
I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative & question my work at the @WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good & productive in their own communities. #BeBest https://t.co/03sx0rq2Nx — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 7, 2020
The first lady has taken the lead in building the tennis pavilion, which she says she hopes will become a place for first families to spend time together in the future.
It is being built on the South Lawn of the White House, near the Children's Garden.
On Thursday, she shared photographs of herself looking over architectural plans. "I am excited to share the progress of the Tennis Pavillion at @WhiteHouse. Thank you to the talented team for their hard work and dedication," she wrote on Twitter.
The first lady has frequently found herself a lightning rod for critics of the administration, and her tweet prompted complaints that she should be focused on more important matters and was out of touch with ordinary people in the United States.
Let them lob serves https://t.co/mGWU8SLUWO — Fiddler (@cFidd) March 5, 2020
The actor Mia Farrow tweeted: "29 people were killed by a tornado in Tennessee, the world is shuddering as a pandemic expands and what is a tennis pavilion?"
And Connie Schultz, wife of Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, wrote: "Millions of Americans seek assurance that this administration is doing all that it can to stem spread of the coronavirus, but the First Lady wants us to know she's 'excited' about her new tennis court.
"People are scared, @FLOTUS. Flaunting a lack of empathy inflicts further harm."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Al Franken: Trump has no 'credibility' to deal with coronavirus

Former Sen. Al Franken said that President Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus has been obstructed by the president ’ s lack of credibility .
Franken appeared on CNN on Friday and took the chance to bash Trump over his administration ’ s effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the United States .
Franken said that the chief asset of a leader during an emergency is `` credibility '' and that Trump has `` none . ''
`` We need to be talking about Donald Trump and how awful he is as , not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Franken said .
`` Right now , we have this coronavirus .
When you have a crisis like this , the strongest thing you can bring to it as a leader is credibility , and he has none . ''
Trump has assigned Vice President Mike Pence to lead the administration ’ s efforts to combat the coronavirus in the U.S. On Friday , Trump signed an $ 8.3 billion bill to fund efforts to fight the disease .
The president urged people to “ remain calm ” in a visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention in Atlanta later that day .
On people canceling travel plans because of the coronavirus , Trump said , `` I think it ’ s fine if they want to do it . ''
`` I don ’ t think it ’ s an overreaction .
But I wouldn ’ t be generally inclined to do it .
I really wouldn ’ t be , '' Trump said .
At a Feb. 28 rally in South Carolina , the president accused Democrats of using the coronavirus as a political tool to hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are politicizing the coronavirus , '' Trump said .
`` One of my people came up to me and said , 'Mr .
President , they tried to beat you on Russia , Russia , Russia . '
That did n't work out too well .
They could n't do it .
They tried the impeachment hoax , and this is their new hoax . ''

Former Sen. Al Franken said that President Trump’s response to the coronavirus has been obstructed by the president’s lack of credibility.
Franken appeared on CNN on Friday and took the chance to bash Trump over his administration’s effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. Franken said that the chief asset of a leader during an emergency is "credibility" and that Trump has "none."
"We need to be talking about Donald Trump and how awful he is as, not just a president, but as a human being," Franken said. "Right now, we have this coronavirus. When you have a crisis like this, the strongest thing you can bring to it as a leader is credibility, and he has none."
Trump has assigned Vice President Mike Pence to lead the administration’s efforts to combat the coronavirus in the U.S. On Friday, Trump signed an $8.3 billion bill to fund efforts to fight the disease. The president urged people to “remain calm” in a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta later that day.
On people canceling travel plans because of the coronavirus, Trump said, "I think it’s fine if they want to do it."
"I don’t think it’s an overreaction. But I wouldn’t be generally inclined to do it. I really wouldn’t be," Trump said.
At a Feb. 28 rally in South Carolina, the president accused Democrats of using the coronavirus as a political tool to hurt him.
"Now, the Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus," Trump said. "One of my people came up to me and said, 'Mr. President, they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia.' That didn't work out too well. They couldn't do it. They tried the impeachment hoax, and this is their new hoax."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Tlaib's pitch for Bernie Sanders: Would be nice to have candidate you didn't have to check 'all the

Tlaib's pitch for Bernie Sanders: Would be nice to have candidate you didn't have to check 'all the time'

Rep. Rashida Tlaib said during a campaign appearance for Bernie Sanders that she supports the Vermont socialist partially because she would like a president that you don ’ t have to check `` all the time.
” “ This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment in our country to elect someone who won ’ t sell us out , ” she said to cheers , .
“ It would feel good to have a president that you didn ’ t have to check him all the time.
” The Michigan Democrat added that 2020 is “ about showing up for others ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ kids caged at the border ” in mind when they head to the polls .
Tlaib has actively spoken out in support of Sanders several times in recent weeks , including a tweet attacking Joe Biden for his treatment of Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings , as well as outreach to Michigan 's Muslim community on behalf of the senator .
`` He does n't just see me as a Palestinian or Muslim , he sees me as someone who 's also against corporate greed , '' Tlaib told Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an equal . ''
`` I expect them to turn out , '' Tlaib said about Michigan Muslims .
`` I know that if they go to the polls , they 'll vote for Sen. Sanders .
I want them to deliver Michigan for Sen .
Sanders . ''
The state of Michigan will be holding its presidential primary on Tuesday , with 125 delegates at stake .
It is widely believed that Sanders needs to win the state if he intends to catch up to the former vice president in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2016 Michigan primary by roughly 1 percentage point .

Rep. Rashida Tlaib said during a campaign appearance for Bernie Sanders that she supports the Vermont socialist partially because she would like a president that you don’t have to check "all the time.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment in our country to elect someone who won’t sell us out,” she said to cheers, according to Breitbart News . “It would feel good to have a president that you didn’t have to check him all the time.”
The Michigan Democrat added that 2020 is “about showing up for others” and urged Sanders supporters to keep the “kids caged at the border” in mind when they head to the polls.
Tlaib has actively spoken out in support of Sanders several times in recent weeks, including a tweet attacking Joe Biden for his treatment of Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings, as well as outreach to Michigan's Muslim community on behalf of the senator.
"He doesn't just see me as a Palestinian or Muslim, he sees me as someone who's also against corporate greed," Tlaib told Middle East Eye. "He sees me as an equal."
"I expect them to turn out," Tlaib said about Michigan Muslims. "I know that if they go to the polls, they'll vote for Sen. Sanders. I want them to deliver Michigan for Sen. Sanders."
The state of Michigan will be holding its presidential primary on Tuesday, with 125 delegates at stake. It is widely believed that Sanders needs to win the state if he intends to catch up to the former vice president in the delegate count.
Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Michigan primary by roughly 1 percentage point.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Mark Levin calls for Schumer to be investigated over threat to Supreme Court

Fox News host and conservative radio pundit Mark Levin called for strong repercussions against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over his threats toward two Supreme Court justices .
Schumer said Wednesday that Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would `` pay the price '' if they choose to uphold a Louisiana law that mandates abortion doctors be preapproved to check their patients into a nearby hospital .
Both justices are Trump appointees .
Addressing the threat for which Schumer later apologized , Levin wrote earlier this week , `` Chuck Schumer ’ s direct threats today against two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Chief Justice said as much .
Schumer also insisted that the justices rule on an active case as he demands . ''
He added in another tweet , `` Schumer should be sanctioned by the Bar , admonished by the Senate , investigated by the Senate ethics committee , and even reviewed by the DOJ .
No individual , let alone the Senate Democrat leader , who is also a lawyer , should escape accountability for his loathsome conduct . ''
Landmark Legal Foundation , a national public interest law firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee requesting an investigation into whether Schumer `` has engaged in improper conduct warranting discipline . ''
The group , which says it 's committed `` to preserving the principles of limited government , separation of powers , and federalism , '' called for a reprimand and a potential censure of the New York senator .
The letter also notes that expulsion from the Senate is a potential remedy .
Levin , who served as the organization 's president for more than two decades , now currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Schumer 's remarks earned rebukes from both President Trump and Chief Justice John Roberts .

Fox News host and conservative radio pundit Mark Levin called for strong repercussions against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over his threats toward two Supreme Court justices.
Schumer said Wednesday that Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would "pay the price" if they choose to uphold a Louisiana law that mandates abortion doctors be preapproved to check their patients into a nearby hospital. Both justices are Trump appointees.
Addressing the threat for which Schumer later apologized, Levin wrote earlier this week, "Chuck Schumer’s direct threats today against two Supreme Court justices absolutely does endanger them. The Chief Justice said as much. Schumer also insisted that the justices rule on an active case as he demands."
He added in another tweet, "Schumer should be sanctioned by the Bar, admonished by the Senate, investigated by the Senate ethics committee, and even reviewed by the DOJ. No individual, let alone the Senate Democrat leader, who is also a lawyer, should escape accountability for his loathsome conduct."
1. Chuck Schumer’s direct threats today against two Supreme Court justices absolutely does endanger them. The Chief Justice said as much. Schumer also insisted that the justices rule on an active case as he demands. — Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) March 5, 2020
Landmark Legal Foundation, a national public interest law firm that has ties to Levin, sent a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee requesting an investigation into whether Schumer "has engaged in improper conduct warranting discipline." The group, which says it's committed "to preserving the principles of limited government, separation of powers, and federalism," called for a reprimand and a potential censure of the New York senator. The letter also notes that expulsion from the Senate is a potential remedy.
Levin, who served as the organization's president for more than two decades, now currently serves as the chairman of the board.
Schumer's remarks earned rebukes from both President Trump and Chief Justice John Roberts.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Massachusetts voters biggest losers after Warren drops out

Just about the only upside of Elizabeth Warren winning the presidential election would have been that my home state of Massachusetts would have finally gotten a senator who gave a damn about the job .
So while it ’ s good news for the country that Warren ’ s campaign failed , it ’ s bad news for Massachusetts residents — who are now stuck with one of the worst senators in America .
This isn ’ t an ideological or partisan criticism .
Sure , I disagree with just about everything the senator stands for policy-wise , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most Massachusetts voters are far more amenable than I to all of this .
Still , though , they deserve a progressive senator who is actually willing to perform the duties of the office , not just interested in using it as a stepping stone for higher ambitions or a microphone for attention-grabbing .
According to ProPublica , Warren has during this session of Congress .
This makes her the third-most absent member of the Senate .
( Remember : We lowly taxpayers pay Warren $ 175,000 for this job . )
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a valid excuse to neglect and ignore her Senate duties .
Yes , this despite the fact that she pretty much promised Massachusetts voters in 2018 that if they reelected her , she would not run for president .
Then , of course , she changed her mind just a few months later and decided to run and skip out on her current office to do so .
This is a slap in the face to the people of Massachusetts , who elected her to a six-year term just in 2018 , undoubtedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in mind .
Turns out , serving in the Senate was just a backup option for Warren in case her presidential aspirations didn ’ t work out .
Bay State voters deserve a senator who doesn ’ t view serving them in the nation ’ s capital as a fallback option .
And Warren ’ s negligence to the state of Massachusetts goes beyond just her duties as a senator .
As the Boston Herald ’ s Howie Carr : Plus , while Warren ’ s in a safely Democratic Senate seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly crazy about her .
She in 2018 compared to how Hillary Clinton fared in 2016 — despite the midterm election being a wave year for Democrats .
And in the 2020 Democratic primary , she finished just a in her home state .
Is it any wonder why ?
During her time in the national spotlight , Warren hasn ’ t exactly prioritized Massachusetts .
One Boston College political scientist telling Vox that “ she ’ s not prioritized a Massachusetts-based political persona … She ’ s had her sights on national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And now , Massachusetts voters are stuck with Warren for at least five more years , a senator seemingly determined to do anything other than actually represent them in Congress .

Just about the only upside of Elizabeth Warren winning the presidential election would have been that my home state of Massachusetts would have finally gotten a senator who gave a damn about the job. So while it’s good news for the country that Warren’s campaign failed, it’s bad news for Massachusetts residents — who are now stuck with one of the worst senators in America.
This isn’t an ideological or partisan criticism. Sure, I disagree with just about everything the senator stands for policy-wise, and I find both her never-ending woke pandering and rampant dishonesty repelling. But most Massachusetts voters are far more amenable than I to all of this. Still, though, they deserve a progressive senator who is actually willing to perform the duties of the office, not just interested in using it as a stepping stone for higher ambitions or a microphone for attention-grabbing.
According to ProPublica, Warren has missed 53.5% of her votes during this session of Congress. This makes her the third-most absent member of the Senate. (Remember: We lowly taxpayers pay Warren $175,000 for this job.)
She clearly decided that running for president was a valid excuse to neglect and ignore her Senate duties. Yes, this despite the fact that she pretty much promised Massachusetts voters in 2018 that if they reelected her, she would not run for president. Then, of course, she changed her mind just a few months later and decided to run and skip out on her current office to do so.
This is a slap in the face to the people of Massachusetts, who elected her to a six-year term just in 2018, undoubtedly with her promise to actually serve this term in mind. Turns out, serving in the Senate was just a backup option for Warren in case her presidential aspirations didn’t work out. Bay State voters deserve a senator who doesn’t view serving them in the nation’s capital as a fallback option.
And Warren’s negligence to the state of Massachusetts goes beyond just her duties as a senator. As the Boston Herald’s Howie Carr wrote :
It’s one thing to skip a few unimportant votes in the Senate. But some duties are required of anyone in public office, and she couldn’t even be bothered to attend the funeral Mass of Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard on Monday. Everybody else in state politics showed up — the governor, lieutenant governor and the AG. Ed Markey flew up from Maryland. His opponent, JoJoJo Kennedy, was likewise in attendance.
Plus, while Warren’s in a safely Democratic Senate seat in Massachusetts, voters aren’t exactly crazy about her. She underperformed in 2018 compared to how Hillary Clinton fared in 2016 — despite the midterm election being a wave year for Democrats. And in the 2020 Democratic primary, she finished just a humiliating third in her home state.
Is it any wonder why? During her time in the national spotlight, Warren hasn’t exactly prioritized Massachusetts. One Boston College political scientist confirmed this, telling Vox that “she’s not prioritized a Massachusetts-based political persona … She’s had her sights on national issues.”
Indeed, she has. And now, Massachusetts voters are stuck with Warren for at least five more years, a senator seemingly determined to do anything other than actually represent them in Congress.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--'The Squad' leads opposition against amendment preventing TSA from hiring sex criminals and terroris

'The Squad' leads opposition against amendment preventing TSA from hiring sex criminals and terrorists

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her three fellow members of `` the Squad '' stood in the way of an amendment Thursday that would prevent individuals convicted of sexual misconduct , violent crimes , or terrorism from being hired by the Transportation Safety Administration .
During a debate on a expanding TSA worker protections , Democratic Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood put forward an amendment that 174 Democrats voted against , which would have prevented the TSA from hiring people with sexual misconduct and terrorism convictions , according to the Washington Free Beacon .
Ocasio-Cortez declined to vote on the amendment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rashida Tlaib of Michigan , Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
“ We have two options today : Adopt the Underwood amendment and keep sexual predators off of the federal payroll , or reject it and reward sexual predators with a paycheck from the taxpayer , ” Republican Rep. Debbie Lesko said about the amendment .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy criticized Democrats for their position and labeled the dissenters as the “ socialist wing of the party.
” '' The amendment was pulled back by leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not want to have that amendment go forward on this bill , '' McCarthy said on Thursday .
`` When it was offered , overwhelmingly the majority of the House would like to see the TSA not hire terrorists or those who have been convicted of sexual misconduct with minors and others .
But the socialist wing of the party , that controls now the Democratic Party , said that that could not be offered . ''
Ultimately , the amendment was added , but only after Underwood and 41 other Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bill the House by a vote of 227-175 despite no votes from Ocasio-Cortez , Omar , Tlaib , and Pressley .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her three fellow members of "the Squad" stood in the way of an amendment Thursday that would prevent individuals convicted of sexual misconduct, violent crimes, or terrorism from being hired by the Transportation Safety Administration.
During a debate on a bill expanding TSA worker protections, Democratic Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood put forward an amendment that 174 Democrats voted against, which would have prevented the TSA from hiring people with sexual misconduct and terrorism convictions, according to the Washington Free Beacon .
Ocasio-Cortez declined to vote on the amendment, as did Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“We have two options today: Adopt the Underwood amendment and keep sexual predators off of the federal payroll, or reject it and reward sexual predators with a paycheck from the taxpayer,” Republican Rep. Debbie Lesko said about the amendment.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy criticized Democrats for their position and labeled the dissenters as the “socialist wing of the party.”
"The amendment was pulled back by leadership because the socialist wing of the party did not want to have that amendment go forward on this bill," McCarthy said on Thursday. "When it was offered, overwhelmingly the majority of the House would like to see the TSA not hire terrorists or those who have been convicted of sexual misconduct with minors and others. But the socialist wing of the party, that controls now the Democratic Party, said that that could not be offered."
Ultimately, the amendment was added, but only after Underwood and 41 other Democrats broke ranks and joined the Republicans.