thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Appeals court rules DOJ must disclose secret Mueller grand jury details to House Democrats

An appeals court upheld a lower court ruling on Tuesday , ordering the Justice Department to give the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee access to secretive redacted grand jury materials contained within former special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report .
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit ruled in a 2-1 vote to uphold U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell ’ s October 2019 ruling that House investigators should be given access to the grand jury material redacted within and underlying Mueller ’ s report .
The 26-page appeals court opinion said , “ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the Department of Justice , that controls access to the grand jury materials at issue here.
” The Justice Department objected to disclosure because of “ general purposes and policies of grand jury secrecy , '' but the court said the arguments “ do not outweigh the Committee ’ s compelling need for disclosure.
” The appeals court said “ requests for grand jury materials ” of this sort “ necessarily require resolution by the courts.
” Howell wrote last fall amid the Ukraine-related impeachment efforts that “ the need for continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by [ House Judiciary Committee 's ] compelling need for the material.
” The judge added that “ tipping the scale even further toward disclosure is the public ’ s interest in a diligent and thorough investigation into , and in a final determination about , potentially impeachable conduct by the president described in the Mueller Report.
” Judge Judith Rogers , appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton in 1993 , wrote Tuesday 's opinion and was joined by Judge Thomas Griffith , a President George W. Bush appointee in 2005 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who joined the court after an appointment from President Trump in 2019 .
“ We are reviewing the decision , ” DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told the Washington Examiner .
Democrats initiated their effort to gain access to the Mueller grand jury information last summer and claimed the material might “ demonstrate the President ’ s motives for obstructing the Special Counsel ’ s investigation ” and “ also could reveal that Trump was aware of his campaign ’ s contacts with WikiLeaks.
” The Justice Department countered that “ the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair trials and the need to preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations far outweigh the [ Judiciary ] Committee ’ s asserted need for the requested materials ” and argued congressional impeachment proceedings are not official “ judicial proceedings ” and so the demand by the Democrats should be rejected .
“ These arguments are foreclosed by our precedent and are unpersuasive in any event , ” Rogers wrote .
“ The term ‘ judicial proceeding ’ has long and repeatedly been interpreted broadly , and courts have authorized the disclosure of grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial and quasi-judicial contexts ’ outside of Article III court proceedings.
” Rogers said , “ Federal courts have authorized the disclosure of grand jury materials to the House for use in impeachment investigations involving two presidents and three federal judges.
” The judge concluded that “ the district court did not abuse its discretion ” and “ Mueller prepared his Report with the expectation that Congress would review it.
” The majority opinion noted Mueller ’ s report was cited by Democrats in their two articles of impeachment against Trump .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abused his power in soliciting Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 presidential election to benefit him .
That portion concluded with a reference to Trump ’ s comments during the 2016 campaign , claiming his Ukraine actions “ were consistent with President Trump ’ s previous invitations of foreign interference in United States elections.
” Mueller that his investigation “ identified numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign ” but did not find that Trump ’ s campaign “ conspired or coordinated with the Russian government.
” The second article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by using executive power to block subpoenas and witness testimony .
That section ended with the claim that “ these actions were consistent with President Trump ’ s previous efforts to undermine U.S. government investigations into foreign interference in United States elections.
” Mueller ’ s report , which laid out 10 possible instances of obstruction of justice , noted that “ while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime , it also does not exonerate him.
” Attorney General William Barr and then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Democrats argued Mueller 's report gave them a road map .
The Democrat-led House impeached Trump on Dec. 18 , and the GOP-controlled Senate acquitted the president on Feb. 5 .
Rao asked in her dissent : “ Why is this controversy not moot ?
” “ A reasonable observer might wonder why we are deciding this case at this time .
After all , the Committee sought these materials preliminary to an impeachment proceeding and the Senate impeachment trial has concluded , ” she said in her 45-page dissent .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these very public events.
” Rao concluded , “ The House lacks standing to seek compulsory process against the executive branch in this context ” and said that , if it was up to her , she “ would vacate the part of the district court ’ s order directing DOJ to disclose the grand jury materials .
”

An appeals court upheld a lower court ruling on Tuesday, ordering the Justice Department to give the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee access to secretive redacted grand jury materials contained within former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in a 2-1 vote to uphold U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell’s October 2019 ruling that House investigators should be given access to the grand jury material redacted within and underlying Mueller’s report.
The 26-page appeals court opinion said, “It is the district court, not the Executive or the Department of Justice, that controls access to the grand jury materials at issue here.”
The Justice Department objected to disclosure because of “general purposes and policies of grand jury secrecy," but the court said the arguments “do not outweigh the Committee’s compelling need for disclosure.”
The appeals court said “requests for grand jury materials” of this sort “necessarily require resolution by the courts.”
Howell wrote last fall amid the Ukraine-related impeachment efforts that “the need for continued secrecy is minimal and thus easily outweighed by [House Judiciary Committee's] compelling need for the material.” The judge added that “tipping the scale even further toward disclosure is the public’s interest in a diligent and thorough investigation into, and in a final determination about, potentially impeachable conduct by the president described in the Mueller Report.”
Judge Judith Rogers, appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton in 1993, wrote Tuesday's opinion and was joined by Judge Thomas Griffith, a President George W. Bush appointee in 2005. The dissenter was Judge Neomi Rao, who joined the court after an appointment from President Trump in 2019.
“We are reviewing the decision,” DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told the Washington Examiner.
Democrats initiated their effort to gain access to the Mueller grand jury information last summer and claimed the material might “demonstrate the President’s motives for obstructing the Special Counsel’s investigation” and “also could reveal that Trump was aware of his campaign’s contacts with WikiLeaks.”
The Justice Department countered that “the need to ensure that all charged defendants receive fair trials and the need to preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations far outweigh the [Judiciary] Committee’s asserted need for the requested materials” and argued congressional impeachment proceedings are not official “judicial proceedings” and so the demand by the Democrats should be rejected.
“These arguments are foreclosed by our precedent and are unpersuasive in any event,” Rogers wrote. “The term ‘judicial proceeding’ has long and repeatedly been interpreted broadly, and courts have authorized the disclosure of grand jury materials ‘in an array of judicial and quasi-judicial contexts’ outside of Article III court proceedings.”
Rogers said, “Federal courts have authorized the disclosure of grand jury materials to the House for use in impeachment investigations involving two presidents and three federal judges.” The judge concluded that “the district court did not abuse its discretion” and “Mueller prepared his Report with the expectation that Congress would review it.”
The majority opinion noted Mueller’s report was cited by Democrats in their two articles of impeachment against Trump.
The first article detailed the Democratic allegations Trump abused his power in soliciting Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 presidential election to benefit him. That portion concluded with a reference to Trump’s comments during the 2016 campaign, claiming his Ukraine actions “were consistent with President Trump’s previous invitations of foreign interference in United States elections.”
Mueller that his investigation “identified numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign” but did not find that Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated with the Russian government.”
The second article detailed Democratic claims of obstruction of Congress by using executive power to block subpoenas and witness testimony. That section ended with the claim that “these actions were consistent with President Trump’s previous efforts to undermine U.S. government investigations into foreign interference in United States elections.”
Mueller’s report, which laid out 10 possible instances of obstruction of justice, noted that “while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.”
Attorney General William Barr and then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded that Trump hadn’t obstructed, but Democrats argued Mueller's report gave them a road map.
The Democrat-led House impeached Trump on Dec. 18, and the GOP-controlled Senate acquitted the president on Feb. 5.
Rao asked in her dissent: “Why is this controversy not moot?”
“A reasonable observer might wonder why we are deciding this case at this time. After all, the Committee sought these materials preliminary to an impeachment proceeding and the Senate impeachment trial has concluded,” she said in her 45-page dissent. “The majority simply turns a blind eye to these very public events.”
Rao concluded, “The House lacks standing to seek compulsory process against the executive branch in this context” and said that, if it was up to her, she “would vacate the part of the district court’s order directing DOJ to disclose the grand jury materials.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Rand Paul: $8.3B in emergency funds to fight coronavirus should come from 'foreign welfare'

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul wants to funnel the $ 8.3 billion that will be spent to combat the coronavirus out of the money spent on foreign aid .
After passing through both chambers of Congress , President Trump signed legislation that makes $ 8.3 billion in emergency funding available to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
Paul , who was the only senator to vote against the spending package , views the funding as necessary to address the spreading illness , but he did not want to take out the taxpayers ' checkbook without saving money elsewhere .
“ I support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just think we should take it from somewhere else in the budget where it 's not being used wisely .
So I had an amendment that would have said the $ 8 billion should come from foreign welfare that we send to foreign countries in the form of foreign aid .
I think really we ought to concentrate on our country . ''
He added , `` I think really we ought to concentrate on our country , instead of borrowing more money from China .
The virus came from there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend on it .
Why do n't we take it from the money we 're actually sending overseas and spend that money here ? ''
As Paul noted , the coronavirus outbreak has been traced back to Wuhan , China .
Since the outbreak began late last year , more than 116,000 people have been infected worldwide , and more than 4,000 have died .
In the United States , 27 people have died , and more than 750 have been infected .
Paul last week , citing how the package did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent on fighting the coronavirus .
He argued that even more money could have been allocated to stop the disease , but that he could not support a funding package that did not have an adjacent spending cut .
“ I think we could allocate more money , but we should pay for it , ” Paul said .
“ If you don ’ t follow through and you say , well , we should pay for it , but I ’ ll vote for it anyway , then that just gives them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again .
And that ’ s what happens.
” The U.S. spent nearly $ 40 billion on foreign aid in 2019 , which was less than 1 % of the federal budget .
In 2017 , China received more than $ 53 million in foreign aid from the U.S .
The countries receiving the most foreign aid from the U.S. are Afghanistan , Iraq , and Israel .

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul wants to funnel the $8.3 billion that will be spent to combat the coronavirus out of the money spent on foreign aid.
After passing through both chambers of Congress, President Trump signed legislation that makes $8.3 billion in emergency funding available to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Paul, who was the only senator to vote against the spending package, views the funding as necessary to address the spreading illness, but he did not want to take out the taxpayers' checkbook without saving money elsewhere.
“I support the money," Paul told WDRB. "I just think we should take it from somewhere else in the budget where it's not being used wisely. So I had an amendment that would have said the $8 billion should come from foreign welfare that we send to foreign countries in the form of foreign aid. I think really we ought to concentrate on our country."
He added, "I think really we ought to concentrate on our country, instead of borrowing more money from China. The virus came from there. Now we're borrowing from China to spend on it. Why don't we take it from the money we're actually sending overseas and spend that money here?"
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
As Paul noted, the coronavirus outbreak has been traced back to Wuhan, China. Since the outbreak began late last year, more than 116,000 people have been infected worldwide, and more than 4,000 have died. In the United States, 27 people have died, and more than 750 have been infected.
Paul voted against the emergency funding last week, citing how the package did not include spending cuts to counter the money spent on fighting the coronavirus. He argued that even more money could have been allocated to stop the disease, but that he could not support a funding package that did not have an adjacent spending cut.
“I think we could allocate more money, but we should pay for it,” Paul said. “If you don’t follow through and you say, well, we should pay for it, but I’ll vote for it anyway, then that just gives them license to do it again and again and again. And that’s what happens.”
The U.S. spent nearly $40 billion on foreign aid in 2019, which was less than 1% of the federal budget. In 2017, China received more than $53 million in foreign aid from the U.S. The countries receiving the most foreign aid from the U.S. are Afghanistan, Iraq, and Israel.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--GOP congressmen introduce simple plan to save taxpayers $15B

Given their propensity for and , government bureaucrats aren ’ t exactly known for putting taxpayer money to good use .
But even with its wasteful reputation , the federal government 's mismanagement of public properties is far more shocking .
Thankfully , two Republican congressmen have a plan that could address this issue once and for all — and pass the savings on to taxpayers .
On Monday , Reps. Greg Murphy and Ted Budd introduced the “ Eliminate Agency Excess Space Act.
” The two North Carolina Republicans ’ would ease restrictions and eliminate red tape , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell off unused buildings and properties .
Right now , there ’ s an that makes it almost impossible to do so .
Right now , federal government buildings sit vacant , while almost 8,000 are partially empty or underutilized .
According to Citizens Against Government Waste , selling off these unused properties would save .
Under the bill , this money is deposited in the U.S. Treasury and used to pay down the federal debt .
That ’ s $ 106 in debt relief for every U.S. taxpayer .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reining in government waste and paying down the more than $ 23 trillion national debt will require thousands of small reforms such as this .
It ’ s unclear whether Democrats , and notably , Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , will block this bill or join forces with its Republican sponsors .
But eliminating obvious waste really shouldn ’ t be partisan or controversial .
“ Nothing should be more frustrating to a taxpayer than to see their hard-earned dollars pay to lease vacant buildings that the federal government has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a .
“ This is a prime example of what happens when federal agencies are not held accountable for failing to use basic best practices from the private sector.
” The congressman makes a good point : It ’ s hard to imagine a private business letting valuable property rot away unused without selling it off .
Yet this sort of thing regularly happens in our government because , sadly , bureaucrats just don ’ t have the same kind of profit incentives forcing them to work efficiently .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of commonsense waste-reduction legislation are both urgently needed .

Given their propensity for subsidizing Serbian cheese and propping up the Pakistani film industry , government bureaucrats aren’t exactly known for putting taxpayer money to good use. But even with its wasteful reputation, the federal government's mismanagement of public properties is far more shocking.
Thankfully, two Republican congressmen have a plan that could address this issue once and for all — and pass the savings on to taxpayers.
On Monday, Reps. Greg Murphy and Ted Budd introduced the “Eliminate Agency Excess Space Act.” The two North Carolina Republicans’ bill would ease restrictions and eliminate red tape, making it much easier for federal agencies to sell off unused buildings and properties. Right now, there’s an extremely cumbersome process that makes it almost impossible to do so.
Taxpayers currently pay for thousands of unused federal buildings and offices.
Agencies should be able to sell off excess space and save up to $15 billion. @RepGregMurphy and I have a bill that does just that. @GovWaste https://t.co/y2B957wate — Ted Budd (@RepTedBudd) March 9, 2020
This is a real problem.
Right now, 3,120 federal government buildings sit vacant, while almost 8,000 are partially empty or underutilized. According to Citizens Against Government Waste, selling off these unused properties would save $15 billion over five years . Under the bill, this money is deposited in the U.S. Treasury and used to pay down the federal debt.
That’s $106 in debt relief for every U.S. taxpayer. It’s just a start, sure, but reining in government waste and paying down the more than $23 trillion national debt will require thousands of small reforms such as this.
It’s unclear whether Democrats, and notably, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, will block this bill or join forces with its Republican sponsors. But eliminating obvious waste really shouldn’t be partisan or controversial.
“Nothing should be more frustrating to a taxpayer than to see their hard-earned dollars pay to lease vacant buildings that the federal government has no intention of ever using,” Budd said in a statement . “This is a prime example of what happens when federal agencies are not held accountable for failing to use basic best practices from the private sector.”
The congressman makes a good point: It’s hard to imagine a private business letting valuable property rot away unused without selling it off. Yet this sort of thing regularly happens in our government because, sadly, bureaucrats just don’t have the same kind of profit incentives forcing them to work efficiently. This is why more congressional oversight and the passage of commonsense waste-reduction legislation are both urgently needed.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Congressional Republicans earn higher approval ratings than Democrats after impeachment: Poll

The impeachment of President Trump didn ’ t boost approval ratings for congressional Democrats .
According to released Tuesday , approval for Republicans in Congress surpassed that of their Democratic colleagues , with the parties earning 40 % approval and 35 % approval , respectively .
Republicans had trailed Democrats in this poll for several years , and it has been more than 15 years since either party has exceeded 50 % approval .
Impeachment seems to have played a role in Republicans surpassing Democrats in the poll .
Republicans gained 6 percentage points in their approval ratings from October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , gaining 5 percentage points in their disapproval polling .
in the Democratic-controlled House in December and acquitted by the in February .
Democrats have a historically higher approval rating in the poll .
Since the poll began in 1999 , they hold an average 41 % approval — Republicans have an average 35 % approval .
Part of the uptick for Republicans came from an increase in approval from members of their own party .
Since October , Republican respondents ’ approval of GOP lawmakers jumped 13 percentage points .
Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not change .
This was reflected in approval for party leadership as well .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s favorability climbed 6 percentage points since October , landing the Kentucky Republican at his highest favorability rating on record from Gallup .
The uptick again was driven by Republican respondents , whose approval for McConnell grew by 15 percentage points .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s approval rating was unfazed by impeachment , but her unfavorable rating grew by 5 percentage points to 55 % .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rating and an increase in unfavorability .
The poll included responses from 1,020 adults living in the United States .
It was conducted from Feb. 17-28 and yielded a margin of error of 4 percentage points .

The impeachment of President Trump didn’t boost approval ratings for congressional Democrats.
According to a Gallup poll released Tuesday, approval for Republicans in Congress surpassed that of their Democratic colleagues, with the parties earning 40% approval and 35% approval, respectively. Republicans had trailed Democrats in this poll for several years, and it has been more than 15 years since either party has exceeded 50% approval.
Impeachment seems to have played a role in Republicans surpassing Democrats in the poll. Republicans gained 6 percentage points in their approval ratings from October to February while Democrats lost 3 percentage points, gaining 5 percentage points in their disapproval polling. Trump was impeached in the Democratic-controlled House in December and acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate in February.
Democrats have a historically higher approval rating in the poll. Since the poll began in 1999, they hold an average 41% approval — Republicans have an average 35% approval. Part of the uptick for Republicans came from an increase in approval from members of their own party. Since October, Republican respondents’ approval of GOP lawmakers jumped 13 percentage points. Democratic respondents’ approval of congressional Democrats did not change.
This was reflected in approval for party leadership as well. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s favorability climbed 6 percentage points since October, landing the Kentucky Republican at his highest favorability rating on record from Gallup. The uptick again was driven by Republican respondents, whose approval for McConnell grew by 15 percentage points.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s approval rating was unfazed by impeachment, but her unfavorable rating grew by 5 percentage points to 55%. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saw the same trend of a steady favorability rating and an increase in unfavorability.
The poll included responses from 1,020 adults living in the United States. It was conducted from Feb. 17-28 and yielded a margin of error of 4 percentage points.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--2020 campaign spending could top $10B, new record

The explosion of 2020 political fundraising and interest by outside groups such as those backed by Michael Bloomberg and George Soros could push spending past $ 10 billion , more than the total GDP of several nations , including Rwanda , Guam , and Haiti .
At $ 10 billion , 2020 would be the most expensive race in U.S. history , easily topping the $ 6.8 billion spent in 2016 , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
The spending will likely be led by $ 6 billion for advertising among those running for federal offices , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Tuesday during a hearing for President Trump ’ s long-stalled nominee to the Federal Election Commission , Texas elections attorney James E. ( Trey ) Trainor III .
And it came from a senator with lots of presidential election experience , former Democratic 2020 candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
“ Experts project that at least $ 6 billion will be spent in the 2020 election on advertisements alone , ” she said at the hearing during which she objected to Trainor ’ s nomination .
“ That doesn ’ t count the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns themselves and the additional billions spent by dark money groups , ” she added .
Trump ’ s campaign and the Republican National Committee , for example , are expected to raise $ 2.5 billion , Secrets recently reported .
The Democratic nominee and party are expected to raise a bit shy of that .
Plus Bloomberg , who spent over $ 500 million on his short , losing campaign , is expected to spend heavily for Democrats and Joe Biden , as is Soros .

The explosion of 2020 political fundraising and interest by outside groups such as those backed by Michael Bloomberg and George Soros could push spending past $10 billion, more than the total GDP of several nations, including Rwanda, Guam, and Haiti.
At $10 billion, 2020 would be the most expensive race in U.S. history, easily topping the $6.8 billion spent in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The spending will likely be led by $6 billion for advertising among those running for federal offices, including presidential candidates.
The eye-popping number spilled out Tuesday during a hearing for President Trump’s long-stalled nominee to the Federal Election Commission, Texas elections attorney James E. (Trey) Trainor III.
And it came from a senator with lots of presidential election experience, former Democratic 2020 candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
“Experts project that at least $6 billion will be spent in the 2020 election on advertisements alone,” she said at the hearing during which she objected to Trainor’s nomination.
“That doesn’t count the billions that will be spent by the campaigns themselves and the additional billions spent by dark money groups,” she added.
Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee, for example, are expected to raise $2.5 billion, Secrets recently reported.
The Democratic nominee and party are expected to raise a bit shy of that.
Plus Bloomberg, who spent over $500 million on his short, losing campaign, is expected to spend heavily for Democrats and Joe Biden, as is Soros.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Buzz: New White House fence in operation, Jared and Ivanka fete Charlie Kirk, Bush called mom 'Blurt

Buzz: New White House fence in operation, Jared and Ivanka fete Charlie Kirk, Bush called mom 'Blurter'

Parts of the new $ 64 million , 13-foot-tall fence around the White House have gone into operation .
Trucks and cars have started to roll through the northwest gate , and the media and appointments gatehouse is in operation .
Gone is the temporary gate for the media .
This week , several pallets of sod were delivered to cover the lawn that was torn up during the installation of the black fencing along Pennsylvania Avenue .
• Former President George W. Bush has a nickname for his mother , the late former first lady Barbara Bush .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new book , Pearls of Wisdom : Little Pieces of Advice , a collection of her sayings and diary notes .
Bush said he inherited his mother ’ s blurting .
“ I ’ ve always said I inherited my daddy ’ s eyes and my mother ’ s mouth , ” he said in the book .
Bush wrote of his last call to her , in which she lightened up the gloom , saying , “ You ’ re my favorite son — on the phone.
” • Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells us that the administration has told 3M to put the pedal to the metal in producing more face masks .
He said the company was starting to produce 35 million masks .
Asked how fast it will happen , he said the firm would produce that many “ a week.
” • Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk got a royal welcome at Washington ’ s Trump International Hotel during a party for his new book , The MAGA Doctrine .
Hosts Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner described the leader of Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he was gracious in thanking them .
Others at the party included acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell , Sen. Mike Lee , Kellyanne Conway , Sean Spicer , and Reps. Matt Gaetz and Dan Crenshaw .

Parts of the new $64 million, 13-foot-tall fence around the White House have gone into operation.
Trucks and cars have started to roll through the northwest gate, and the media and appointments gatehouse is in operation. Gone is the temporary gate for the media.
Sod is stacked inside the new White House gate and fence. Paul Bedard
This week, several pallets of sod were delivered to cover the lawn that was torn up during the installation of the black fencing along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Former President George W. Bush has a nickname for his mother, the late former first lady Barbara Bush. “Blurter,” he called her in the new book, Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice, a collection of her sayings and diary notes. Bush said he inherited his mother’s blurting. “I’ve always said I inherited my daddy’s eyes and my mother’s mouth,” he said in the book. Bush wrote of his last call to her, in which she lightened up the gloom, saying, “You’re my favorite son — on the phone.”
Vice President Mike Pence, the coronavirus czar, tells us that the administration has told 3M to put the pedal to the metal in producing more face masks. He said the company was starting to produce 35 million masks. Asked how fast it will happen, he said the firm would produce that many “a week.”
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was featured at a party for his new book, MAGA Doctrine, by Ivanka Trump. Paul Bedard


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--'Terrible monster' or ‘caring father’?: Mulvaney tells on Trump

When he became the acting White House chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney was more familiar with the media ’ s critical portrayal of President Trump the family man than the first dad himself .
That changed on one of his first trips with Trump , and it was another eye-opening case of how the media was dead wrong .
“ The first trip I went with him , '' he said at the Conservative Political Action Conference , “ I bet he called his son [ Barron ] three times , four times on the trip.
” He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only 13 years old .
We don ’ t think that about him because the kid ’ s a giant , like 6-foot-4 , 6-foot-5.
” Mulvaney , who has since become the envoy to Northern Ireland , explained : “ The president is just a really caring father , and you don ’ t see that .
The press would never show you that because it doesn ’ t fit that image of him , that the press wants him to be a terrible monster .
But he feels about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

When he became the acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney was more familiar with the media’s critical portrayal of President Trump the family man than the first dad himself.
That changed on one of his first trips with Trump, and it was another eye-opening case of how the media was dead wrong.
President Donald Trump walks with First Lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, right, on the south lawn of the White House as they head to Marine One for a trip to Florida, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Steve Helber/AP
“The first trip I went with him," he said at the Conservative Political Action Conference, “I bet he called his son [Barron] three times, four times on the trip.”
He added, “People forget that Barron’s only 13 years old. We don’t think that about him because the kid’s a giant, like 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5.”
Mulvaney, who has since become the envoy to Northern Ireland, explained: “The president is just a really caring father, and you don’t see that. The press would never show you that because it doesn’t fit that image of him, that the press wants him to be a terrible monster. But he feels about his children the same way everybody else does.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Bye-bye baby-kissing and rallies: Coronavirus poised to upend traditional campaigning

Advertising instead of arenas and text messaging instead of door knocking ; this is the very near future of a 2020 campaign under the cloud of the coronavirus .
Veteran political operatives in both parties predict the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , to force candidates up and down the ticket and their grassroots supporters to suspend typical , in-person campaigning .
Out : rallies , town hall meetings , and a staple of tried-and-true get-out-the-vote activities .
In : virtual campaigning — appeals that rely on advertising across television and digital platforms and electronic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smartphone apps .
“ Prepare for a POTUS campaign in which , for a month or two at least , there will be few if any events with large numbers of people , ” tweeted Dana Houle , a Democratic operative in the Midwest .
“ Campaigns may be TV/digital/mail/texting/phones & little else.
” The spread of the coronavirus has sparked the cancellation of big-crowd events such as South by Southwest in Austin , Texas , while pushing several corporations to cancel conferences and nonessential travel .
The major professional sports leagues in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Collegiate Athletic Association , are preparing contingency plans for playing games without fans in attendance .
Some members of Congress who might have been exposed have quarantined themselves .
On Monday , President Trump maintained his schedule of fundraisers in Florida .
Meanwhile , ahead of critical primaries on Tuesday , Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden and their prominent supporters fanned out across key states , especially Michigan .
But , late Tuesday afternoon , the Sanders and Biden campaigns both canceled evening rallies in Ohio amid concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Democratic and Republican operatives advising the various campaigns are grappling with how aggressively to respond .
“ I think the coronavirus will absolutely force campaigns to eventually pull back on public events , '' said a Republican consultant for a GOP congressional candidate .
`` But I think the public will understand .
We 're just at the tip of the iceberg , right now .
The impact will drive campaigns to spend more on digital , television , and probably mail .
That 's voter contact without the actual physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relies on person-to-person contact is often underappreciated .
To be sure , much of it is the familiar photo-op staged for public consumption that is likely to be significantly curtailed .
“ There ’ s going to be a lot less baby-kissing and very little handshaking , ” said a Republican strategist counseling several 2020 candidates .
But the impact of the coronavirus on campaigns is expected to be greater than what is readily visible .
Eliminating public events means canceled or delayed fundraisers , which could reduce access to resources , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ability to finance the advertising that is supposed to replace campaign rallies .
In terms of voter turnout , campaigns could be compelled to dial back door-to-door canvassing , generally believed to be the most effective way to persuade and motivate .
All campaigns , regardless of party , could take a hit .
However , Trump could be particularly affected .
The president attracts overflow crowds in the tens of thousands to his campaign rallies , consistently filling major arenas .
These “ Keep America Great ” events are the linchpin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters , motivating existing supporters , and driving his message in targeted , electoral battlegrounds .
“ It would hurt to not have the rallies , especially if the virus returns , say , late September and early October following a relative dormant period over the summer , ” a Republican pollster said , speculating that Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale was developing contingency plans .
“ I have no idea what Brad is cooking up , but I guarantee he is thinking about it , ” the GOP insider said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African American vote that could also be hampered if people don ’ t want to come out and play or work.
” As an alternative , the Trump campaign could lean on its new Army for Trump website designed to allow supporters to boost the president ’ s reelection bid remotely .
An app that allows for ease of use with smartphones is on the way .
So far , the Trump campaign has canceled a “ Women for Trump ” bus tour through the Midwest while first lady Melania Trump has canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for next week .
Both moves have been attributed to scheduling conflicts .
In a series of tweets over the past few days , Trump has signaled that he has no intention of adjusting his campaign strategy in reaction to the coronavirus , although there are currently no campaign rallies on his schedule .
“ The campaign is proceeding normally , ” Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine said .

Advertising instead of arenas and text messaging instead of door knocking; this is the very near future of a 2020 campaign under the cloud of the coronavirus.
Veteran political operatives in both parties predict the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, to force candidates up and down the ticket and their grassroots supporters to suspend typical, in-person campaigning. Out: rallies, town hall meetings, and a staple of tried-and-true get-out-the-vote activities. In: virtual campaigning — appeals that rely on advertising across television and digital platforms and electronic communications fueled by old-fashioned telephone calls and smartphone apps.
“Prepare for a POTUS campaign in which, for a month or two at least, there will be few if any events with large numbers of people,” tweeted Dana Houle, a Democratic operative in the Midwest. “Campaigns may be TV/digital/mail/texting/phones & little else.”
The spread of the coronavirus has sparked the cancellation of big-crowd events such as South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, while pushing several corporations to cancel conferences and nonessential travel. The major professional sports leagues in the United States, as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, are preparing contingency plans for playing games without fans in attendance. Some members of Congress who might have been exposed have quarantined themselves.
On Monday, President Trump maintained his schedule of fundraisers in Florida. Meanwhile, ahead of critical primaries on Tuesday, Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden and their prominent supporters fanned out across key states, especially Michigan. But, late Tuesday afternoon, the Sanders and Biden campaigns both canceled evening rallies in Ohio amid concerns about contributing to the proliferation of the coronavirus.
Democratic and Republican operatives advising the various campaigns are grappling with how aggressively to respond.
“I think the coronavirus will absolutely force campaigns to eventually pull back on public events," said a Republican consultant for a GOP congressional candidate. "But I think the public will understand. We're just at the tip of the iceberg, right now. The impact will drive campaigns to spend more on digital, television, and probably mail. That's voter contact without the actual physical contact.”
The extent to which campaigning relies on person-to-person contact is often underappreciated. To be sure, much of it is the familiar photo-op staged for public consumption that is likely to be significantly curtailed. “There’s going to be a lot less baby-kissing and very little handshaking,” said a Republican strategist counseling several 2020 candidates. But the impact of the coronavirus on campaigns is expected to be greater than what is readily visible.
Eliminating public events means canceled or delayed fundraisers, which could reduce access to resources, which in turn could affect a campaign’s ability to finance the advertising that is supposed to replace campaign rallies. In terms of voter turnout, campaigns could be compelled to dial back door-to-door canvassing, generally believed to be the most effective way to persuade and motivate. All campaigns, regardless of party, could take a hit.
However, Trump could be particularly affected. The president attracts overflow crowds in the tens of thousands to his campaign rallies, consistently filling major arenas. These “Keep America Great” events are the linchpin of his campaign strategy for reaching new voters, motivating existing supporters, and driving his message in targeted, electoral battlegrounds.
“It would hurt to not have the rallies, especially if the virus returns, say, late September and early October following a relative dormant period over the summer,” a Republican pollster said, speculating that Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale was developing contingency plans.
“I have no idea what Brad is cooking up, but I guarantee he is thinking about it,” the GOP insider said. “There are aggressive plans to court the African American vote that could also be hampered if people don’t want to come out and play or work.”
As an alternative, the Trump campaign could lean on its new Army for Trump website designed to allow supporters to boost the president’s reelection bid remotely. An app that allows for ease of use with smartphones is on the way. So far, the Trump campaign has canceled a “Women for Trump” bus tour through the Midwest while first lady Melania Trump has canceled a California fundraiser that had been scheduled for next week.
Both moves have been attributed to scheduling conflicts. In a series of tweets over the past few days, Trump has signaled that he has no intention of adjusting his campaign strategy in reaction to the coronavirus, although there are currently no campaign rallies on his schedule.
“The campaign is proceeding normally,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Biden ready to knock out Sanders: Latest primary updates

Tuesday 's primary contests will either cement Joe Biden 's wide path to the Democratic presidential nomination or give Bernie Sanders some hope of catching up to his lead .
Michigan is the biggest contest of the day .
Without a win there , it will be difficult for the Vermont senator to forge a path to the nomination .
The former vice president had double-digit leads in state polls on Monday .
Sanders has a glimmer of hope in that he won Michigan 's primary in an upset in 2016 after polls showed Hillary Clinton more than 20 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday will show whether there is any appetite for another drawn-out primary fight between an establishment figure and a socialist candidate .
Biden 's primary day got off to a rough start when a worker at a Detroit automobile plant confronted him , accusing the former vice president of `` actively trying to end our Second Amendment right and take away our guns . ''
Biden told the man that he was `` full of shit '' and referred to an `` AR-14 . ''
Results in Michigan could be delayed due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 353 delegates at stake in Tuesday 's six primary contests , which will be proportionally allocated based on both statewide results and results in congressional districts .
A candidate needs 1,991 pledged delegates to secure the Democratic presidential nomination .
As of Tuesday afternoon , Biden has 670 delegates , and Sanders has 574 , but about 90 delegates from Super Tuesday contests have yet to be allocated .
Seven things to watch for during Tuesday 's primaries Here are the states voting and poll closing times : Most polls close at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , while nine northern counties in the Pacific time zone close 11 p.m. EDT ( 8 p.m. PDT ) .
North Dakota 's contest functions like a primary with secret ballots but is run by the state Democratic party rather than the state government .
Voters in Washington must return mail-in ballots by 11 p.m. EDT ( 8 p.m. PDT ) .

Tuesday's primary contests will either cement Joe Biden's wide path to the Democratic presidential nomination or give Bernie Sanders some hope of catching up to his lead.
Michigan is the biggest contest of the day. Without a win there, it will be difficult for the Vermont senator to forge a path to the nomination. The former vice president had double-digit leads in state polls on Monday. Sanders has a glimmer of hope in that he won Michigan's primary in an upset in 2016 after polls showed Hillary Clinton more than 20 points ahead of him. Democratic voters on Tuesday will show whether there is any appetite for another drawn-out primary fight between an establishment figure and a socialist candidate.
Biden's primary day got off to a rough start when a worker at a Detroit automobile plant confronted him, accusing the former vice president of "actively trying to end our Second Amendment right and take away our guns." Biden told the man that he was "full of shit" and referred to an "AR-14."
Results in Michigan could be delayed due to a backlog of absentee votes.
There are 353 delegates at stake in Tuesday's six primary contests, which will be proportionally allocated based on both statewide results and results in congressional districts. A candidate needs 1,991 pledged delegates to secure the Democratic presidential nomination. As of Tuesday afternoon, Biden has 670 delegates, and Sanders has 574, but about 90 delegates from Super Tuesday contests have yet to be allocated.
Seven things to watch for during Tuesday's primaries
Here are the states voting and poll closing times:
Idaho — 20 delegates
Most polls close at 10 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. MDT), while nine northern counties in the Pacific time zone close 11 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. PDT).
Michigan — 125 delegates
Polls in Michigan close at 9 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. CDT).
Mississippi — 36 delegates
Polls in Mississippi close at 8 p.m. EDT.
Missouri — 68 delegates
Polls in Missouri close at 8 p.m. EDT (7 p.m. CDT).
North Dakota — 14 delegates
Polls close in North Dakota at 8 p.m. EDT (7 p.m. CDT).
North Dakota's contest functions like a primary with secret ballots but is run by the state Democratic party rather than the state government.
Washington — 89 delegates
Voters in Washington must return mail-in ballots by 11 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. PDT).


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Sanders campaign calls imam supporter's Israel comments 'offensive and toxic'

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 's campaign condemned comments by an imam who accused Israel of working alongside the Islamic State a day after he spoke at an event for the Vermont senator .
Imam Sayed Hassan al Qazwini , founder of the Islamic Institute of America based in Michigan , praised Sanders ahead of Tuesday 's Democratic primary in Michigan , but the campaign has since rebuked him for previous remarks .
`` The campaign has been made aware of offensive and toxic past statements by Imam Qazwini .
These statements are dangerous , hateful , and violate the principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on values of equality and dignity for all people , '' Sanders 's campaign manager Faiz Shakur told the Washington Post .
`` Senator Sanders stands with those in Israel , Palestine , and across the region who work for peace , and unequivocally rejects antisemitic conspiracy theories that seek to blame Israel for all the region 's problems , and well as any bigoted statements against any group . ''
During a sermon in November 2015 , Qazwini argued Israel and ISIS have the same motivation and are working together .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated by an agenda run by the enemies of Islam , ” he stated at Detroit ’ s Az-Zahraa Islamic Center .
He expressed support for Sanders in 2016 , noting , `` even though he is a Jew . ''
“ An honorable man , I truly consider him an honorable man , even though he is a Jew , but you know we have no problem with the Jewish people , ” Qazwini said .
“ We have a problem with the Zionists , not with the Jewish people , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one who was honest , and who did not even bow to the pro-Israeli lobby . ''
He also said the “ number one beneficiary of all these atrocities ” was “ the Zionist regime.
” ISIS has threatened Israel with violence for years .

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders's campaign condemned comments by an imam who accused Israel of working alongside the Islamic State a day after he spoke at an event for the Vermont senator.
Imam Sayed Hassan al Qazwini, founder of the Islamic Institute of America based in Michigan, praised Sanders ahead of Tuesday's Democratic primary in Michigan, but the campaign has since rebuked him for previous remarks.
"The campaign has been made aware of offensive and toxic past statements by Imam Qazwini. These statements are dangerous, hateful, and violate the principles of our movement, which is based on values of equality and dignity for all people," Sanders's campaign manager Faiz Shakur told the Washington Post. "Senator Sanders stands with those in Israel, Palestine, and across the region who work for peace, and unequivocally rejects antisemitic conspiracy theories that seek to blame Israel for all the region's problems, and well as any bigoted statements against any group."
During a sermon in November 2015, Qazwini argued Israel and ISIS have the same motivation and are working together. “I have no doubt that ISIS is motivated by an agenda run by the enemies of Islam,” he stated at Detroit’s Az-Zahraa Islamic Center.
He expressed support for Sanders in 2016, noting, "even though he is a Jew."
“An honorable man, I truly consider him an honorable man, even though he is a Jew, but you know we have no problem with the Jewish people,” Qazwini said. “We have a problem with the Zionists, not with the Jewish people, like Bernie Sanders. He was the only one who was honest, and who did not even bow to the pro-Israeli lobby."
He also said the “number one beneficiary of all these atrocities” was “the Zionist regime.”
ISIS has threatened Israel with violence for years.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--As coronavirus spreads, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders should cancel campaign events

Now a two-man battle , the race for the Democratic nomination is intensifying .
So is the spread of coronavirus .
The coronavirus has now made its way to the Midwest , where many of this week ’ s primary elections are scheduled to take place .
In Ohio , Gov .
Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency after three people near Columbus and Cleveland tested positive for the virus .
He ’ s urging Ohio residents to cancel events and vote absentee in next week ’ s primary election , and most concerned citizens are heeding his advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders .
Both candidates are scheduled to hold campaign rallies in the state this week , and neither plans to cancel .
The Sanders campaign released a statement on Tuesday urging older Americans , who are more likely to catch and disproportionately suffer from the virus , not to attend his upcoming rallies .
But he made it clear this weekend that he has no intention of slowing down .
Meanwhile , Biden has instructed volunteers to dollop hand sanitizer onto people ’ s hands as they enter his rallies .
This might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it won ’ t prevent attendees from catching the coronavirus .
For the sake of public health , Biden and Sanders should cancel their campaign events .
We might not know much about the COVID-19 virus , but we do know a few things : It spreads quickly and unnoticeably , and many of its victims remain asymptomatic for weeks .
It ’ s more than likely , then , that the coronavirus has claimed more than three victims in Ohio .
We ’ re just not sure how many — at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reducing public contact and encouraging distance helps prevent the spread of the virus .
This is why dozens of public events have been canceled or delayed over the past few weeks , and even more companies have been encouraging employees to work from home if possible .
Yet Sanders and Biden refuse to cancel events in which hundreds of people , some of whom could have been exposed to the virus , will be crammed together in a small space .
This is a problem that supersedes any political aspiration .
Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's and Sanders ’ s respective electoral chances ?
Probably .
Presence is important , especially on the campaign trail .
But the public ’ s well-being is even more important .
The bitter irony in all of this is that by continuing with business as usual , Biden and Sanders are committing the same crime for which they ’ ve attacked President Trump : They ’ re not taking this virus seriously .
Biden has said the president is not treating the coronavirus outbreak like the public threat it is , urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Sanders has criticized Trump for caring about the falling markets more than the lack of preparation for what could become a pandemic .
These criticisms are fair .
But neither Biden nor Sanders has proved himself to be any different .
Both candidates are putting the Democratic vote total ahead of the public ’ s health .
They ’ ve heard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s warnings about the health risks posed by public events , yet they refuse to commit to the one preventative action that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health warnings will not be enough .
Sanders and Biden must cancel their events and do what is best for the public , even if that means sacrificing what is best for themselves .
That ’ s what any good leader would do .

(Update: Bernie Sanders's campaign has announced it will cancel its rally in Cleveland, Ohio, since the publication of this article. Joe Biden's campaign followed suit shortly thereafter.)
Now a two-man battle, the race for the Democratic nomination is intensifying. So is the spread of coronavirus.
The coronavirus has now made its way to the Midwest, where many of this week’s primary elections are scheduled to take place. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency after three people near Columbus and Cleveland tested positive for the virus. He’s urging Ohio residents to cancel events and vote absentee in next week’s primary election, and most concerned citizens are heeding his advice — except for Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
Both candidates are scheduled to hold campaign rallies in the state this week, and neither plans to cancel. The Sanders campaign released a statement on Tuesday urging older Americans, who are more likely to catch and disproportionately suffer from the virus, not to attend his upcoming rallies. But he made it clear this weekend that he has no intention of slowing down.
Meanwhile, Biden has instructed volunteers to dollop hand sanitizer onto people’s hands as they enter his rallies. This might be a good sanitary precaution, but it won’t prevent attendees from catching the coronavirus.
For the sake of public health, Biden and Sanders should cancel their campaign events. We might not know much about the COVID-19 virus, but we do know a few things: It spreads quickly and unnoticeably, and many of its victims remain asymptomatic for weeks. It’s more than likely, then, that the coronavirus has claimed more than three victims in Ohio. We’re just not sure how many — at least, not yet.
We also know that reducing public contact and encouraging distance helps prevent the spread of the virus. This is why dozens of public events have been canceled or delayed over the past few weeks, and even more companies have been encouraging employees to work from home if possible.
Yet Sanders and Biden refuse to cancel events in which hundreds of people, some of whom could have been exposed to the virus, will be crammed together in a small space. This is a problem that supersedes any political aspiration. Will canceling events in important states affect Biden's and Sanders’s respective electoral chances? Probably. Presence is important, especially on the campaign trail. But the public’s well-being is even more important.
The bitter irony in all of this is that by continuing with business as usual, Biden and Sanders are committing the same crime for which they’ve attacked President Trump: They’re not taking this virus seriously.
Biden has said the president is not treating the coronavirus outbreak like the public threat it is, urging Trump to “just be quiet.” And Sanders has criticized Trump for caring about the falling markets more than the lack of preparation for what could become a pandemic.
These criticisms are fair. But neither Biden nor Sanders has proved himself to be any different. Both candidates are putting the Democratic vote total ahead of the public’s health. They’ve heard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s warnings about the health risks posed by public events, yet they refuse to commit to the one preventative action that is within their power.
Hand sanitizer and health warnings will not be enough. Sanders and Biden must cancel their events and do what is best for the public, even if that means sacrificing what is best for themselves. That’s what any good leader would do.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Don Trump Jr.: Biden exhibiting signs of Alzheimer's or dementia in 'snap back' at voter

Donald Trump Jr. said Joe Biden exhibited behavior associated with Alzheimer 's disease or dementia after a blowup with a voter on the campaign trail .
`` From the Alzheimers association webpage 'Aggressive or angry behaviors may occur in people with Alzheimer 's or other dementias , ' '' the president 's eldest son said Tuesday on Twitter in response to a video of Biden berating a Michigan man .
`` A 50 year career politician does n't snap back this way to a blue collar guy asking him a reasonable question given his parties stance on the issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral Tuesday , the former vice president told a Detroit auto plant worker he was `` full of shit '' for accusing him of trying to `` end our Second Amendment right . ''
`` I support the Second Amendment , '' Biden told the man .
At one point , the Delaware Democrat referred to an AR-15 as an `` AR-14 . ''
This was not the former vice president 's first hostile run-in with a voter on the 2020 campaign trail .
`` You 're a damn liar , man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who asked him about whether Hunter Biden made money off his father 's influence .
It appeared that Biden also called the Iowa man `` fat , '' but his campaign later denied the claim .
Biden got fourth place in the Iowa caucuses but since Super Tuesday has emerged as the Democratic front-runner .

Donald Trump Jr. said Joe Biden exhibited behavior associated with Alzheimer's disease or dementia after a blowup with a voter on the campaign trail.
"From the Alzheimers association webpage 'Aggressive or angry behaviors may occur in people with Alzheimer's or other dementias,'" the president's eldest son said Tuesday on Twitter in response to a video of Biden berating a Michigan man. "A 50 year career politician doesn't snap back this way to a blue collar guy asking him a reasonable question given his parties stance on the issue."
In a video clip that went viral Tuesday, the former vice president told a Detroit auto plant worker he was "full of shit" for accusing him of trying to "end our Second Amendment right."
From the Alzheimers association webpage
"Aggressive or angry behaviors may occur in people with Alzheimer's or other dementias"
A 50 year career politician doesn't snap back this way to a blue collar guy asking him a reasonable question given his parties stance on the issue. https://t.co/A6ZOee6TkM — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 10, 2020
"I support the Second Amendment," Biden told the man. At one point, the Delaware Democrat referred to an AR-15 as an "AR-14."
This was not the former vice president's first hostile run-in with a voter on the 2020 campaign trail.
"You're a damn liar, man," Biden told a voter in December who asked him about whether Hunter Biden made money off his father's influence.
It appeared that Biden also called the Iowa man "fat," but his campaign later denied the claim. Biden got fourth place in the Iowa caucuses but since Super Tuesday has emerged as the Democratic front-runner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Imam who spoke at Bernie Sanders rally once said 'ISIS somehow is connected to Israel'

A Muslim imam who spoke at a rally for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders once said Israel may be tied to the Islamic State terrorist group .
Imam Sayed Hassan Qazwini , founder of the Islamic Institute of America based in Michigan , praised Sanders ahead of Tuesday 's Democratic primary in Michigan .
“ I believe we need to send someone who cares about all Americans , and he treats them equally , ” Qazwini said shortly before the socialist appeared on stage , later noting that Sanders condemns `` white supremacy , '' `` Islamophobia , '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Qazwini accused Israel of having an affinity for ISIS because it once fought Iranian-backed militia .
“ This speaks out .
This speaks volumes : that ISIS somehow is connected to Israel and ISIS is playing the role of the arm of the Zionist in the Muslim world to kill more Muslims and non-Muslims so it can define the name of Islam , so people can blame Islam for its atrocities , '' he said .
He expressed support for Sanders a year later , `` even though he is a Jew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I truly consider him an honorable man , even though he is a Jew , but you know , we have no problem with the Jewish people , ” Qazwini said about Sanders .
“ We have a problem with the Zionists , not with the Jewish people , like Bernie Sanders .
He was the only one who was honest and who did not even bow to the pro-Israeli lobby.
” ISIS has threatened Israel with violence for years .
At the start of 2020 , ISIS released an audio recording calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` new stage '' in its war .
“ Today , we have begun a new stage in our war against you , ” an ISIS spokesman said .
“ Go for the Israeli settlements and marketplaces .
Turn them into lands for testing your weapons and chemical rockets and other types [ of weapons ] . ''
And prior to the terrorist group 's new strategy , ISIS penned an article its newspaper al Naba .
“ The apostate [ tyrants ] who rule the lands of Islam are graver infidels than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against them takes precedence over war against the original infidels , ” the article said , claiming the terrorists want to regain the two Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina , which are under Saudi control .

A Muslim imam who spoke at a rally for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders once said Israel may be tied to the Islamic State terrorist group.
Imam Sayed Hassan Qazwini, founder of the Islamic Institute of America based in Michigan, praised Sanders ahead of Tuesday's Democratic primary in Michigan. “I believe we need to send someone who cares about all Americans, and he treats them equally,” Qazwini said shortly before the socialist appeared on stage, later noting that Sanders condemns "white supremacy," "Islamophobia," and "anti-Semitism."
During a 2015 sermon, Qazwini accused Israel of having an affinity for ISIS because it once fought Iranian-backed militia.
“This speaks out. This speaks volumes: that ISIS somehow is connected to Israel and ISIS is playing the role of the arm of the Zionist in the Muslim world to kill more Muslims and non-Muslims so it can define the name of Islam, so people can blame Islam for its atrocities," he said.
He expressed support for Sanders a year later, "even though he is a Jew."
“An honorable man, I truly consider him an honorable man, even though he is a Jew, but you know, we have no problem with the Jewish people,” Qazwini said about Sanders. “We have a problem with the Zionists, not with the Jewish people, like Bernie Sanders. He was the only one who was honest and who did not even bow to the pro-Israeli lobby.”
ISIS has threatened Israel with violence for years.
At the start of 2020, ISIS released an audio recording calling on followers to attack Israel in the "new stage" in its war. “Today, we have begun a new stage in our war against you,” an ISIS spokesman said. “Go for the Israeli settlements and marketplaces. Turn them into lands for testing your weapons and chemical rockets and other types [of weapons]."
And prior to the terrorist group's new strategy, ISIS penned an article its newspaper al Naba. “The apostate [tyrants] who rule the lands of Islam are graver infidels than [the Jews], and war against them takes precedence over war against the original infidels,” the article said, claiming the terrorists want to regain the two Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina, which are under Saudi control.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--Kansas City mayor turned away from Missouri polling station despite having 'voted there for 11 years

Kansas City mayor turned away from Missouri polling station despite having 'voted there for 11 years’

The mayor of Missouri ’ s largest city couldn ’ t cast his primary vote because of `` human error '' in operating the registration system .
Missouri is one of six states holding primary elections across the nation on Tuesday .
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas arrived at his polling station early in the morning to film a video reminding citizens to go vote when the polling station rejected him because he was not included in its system .
“ I made a video this morning about the importance of voting and then got turned away because I wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve voted there for 11 years , including for myself four times !
Go figure , but that ’ s okay , ” Lucas tweeted .
“ We ’ ll be back later today !
” He added : “ By the way , me writing 'but that ’ s okay , ' was me being Midwestern and passive aggressive .
It ’ s really not okay .
Talked to the election director this AM and will be following up further .
If the mayor can get turned away , think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do better.
” Lucas was not the only voter facing problems in Missouri .
KMBC reporter Matt Evans described a similar problem in which voters were not appearing in the system .
At his polling station , however , voters were not turned away , and their registration was confirmed by a call to the state office .
Lucas ’ s situation outraged many who feared the registration system in the state was preventing valid voters from participating in the primary .
Kristen Clarke , president of the National Lawyers ' Committee for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Mayor of Kansas City went to vote at the site that he has been going to for the last 11 years and he was n't on the rolls .
This is Exhibit A when it comes to voter suppression in America today .
It 's outrageous and should never be tolerated.
” Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft addressed the incident that prevented Lucas from voting and blamed “ human error ” for the mistake .
His office tweeted , “ Mayor @ QuintonLucasKC was unable to vote this morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the poll worker typed his first name in the last name box .
Election officials have reached out to him and he will cast a ballot today.
” Former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to win Missouri ’ s 2020 Democratic primary .
According to the RealClearPolitics , Biden leads Sen. Bernie Sanders by more than 30 percentage points nationwide .

The mayor of Missouri’s largest city couldn’t cast his primary vote because of "human error" in operating the registration system.
Missouri is one of six states holding primary elections across the nation on Tuesday. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas arrived at his polling station early in the morning to film a video reminding citizens to go vote when the polling station rejected him because he was not included in its system.
“I made a video this morning about the importance of voting and then got turned away because I wasn’t in the system even though I’ve voted there for 11 years, including for myself four times! Go figure, but that’s okay,” Lucas tweeted. “We’ll be back later today!”
He added: “By the way, me writing 'but that’s okay,' was me being Midwestern and passive aggressive. It’s really not okay. Talked to the election director this AM and will be following up further. If the mayor can get turned away, think about everyone else... We gotta do better.”
By the way, me writing “but that’s okay,” was me being Midwestern and passive aggressive. It’s really not okay. Talked to the election director this AM and will be following up further. If the mayor can get turned away, think about everyone else... We gotta do better. https://t.co/0cblbstz5R — Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) March 10, 2020
Lucas was not the only voter facing problems in Missouri. KMBC reporter Matt Evans described a similar problem in which voters were not appearing in the system. At his polling station, however, voters were not turned away, and their registration was confirmed by a call to the state office.
We also saw some issues at the polling place where we were this morning (Central United Methodist), but poll workers called the KCEB and confirmed voters were on the rolls and they were allowed to vote. We’re looking into this on @kmbc https://t.co/0G4pw1DevF — Matt Evans (@MattEvansKMBC) March 10, 2020
Lucas’s situation outraged many who feared the registration system in the state was preventing valid voters from participating in the primary.
Kristen Clarke, president of the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, tweeted: “The Mayor of Kansas City went to vote at the site that he has been going to for the last 11 years and he wasn't on the rolls. This is Exhibit A when it comes to voter suppression in America today. It's outrageous and should never be tolerated.”
The Mayor of Kansas City went to vote at the site that he has been going to for the last 11 years and he wasn't on the rolls.
This is Exhibit A when it comes to #VoterSuppression in America today. It's outrageous and should never be tolerated. https://t.co/166d8JOf3h — Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) March 10, 2020
If they’re turning away the freaking mayor of Kansas City, imagine how many other people they’re unjustly turning away. https://t.co/mOB2QfqaLa — Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) March 10, 2020
This strikes me as evidence of voter suppression against the duly elected Mayor of KCMO. https://t.co/HXfqW4Jk1F — Jonathan Franks (@jonfranks) March 10, 2020
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft addressed the incident that prevented Lucas from voting and blamed “human error” for the mistake. His office tweeted, “Mayor @QuintonLucasKC was unable to vote this morning. Unfortunately, human error caused this — the poll worker typed his first name in the last name box. Election officials have reached out to him and he will cast a ballot today.”
In #KCMO, Mayor @QuintonLucasKC was unable to vote this morning. Unfortunately, human error caused this – the poll worker typed his first name in the last name box. Election officials have reached out to him and he will cast a ballot today. https://t.co/doEk628XGt — Missouri SOS Office (@MissouriSOS) March 10, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--'Please join us!': Bill de Blasio pressures Warren to endorse Sanders

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio pleaded with Sen. Elizabeth Warren to endorse her former 2020 presidential rival Sen. Bernie Sanders .
“ I deeply respect [ Warren ] .
Our nation + our party are better + more progressive because of her leadership .
Now our progressive movement needs her more than ever .
Senator , if the shoe was on the other foot Bernie Sanders would have endorsed you already .
Please join us !
” tweeted de Blasio , who ended his own presidential campaign in September , on Tuesday .
De Blasio endorsed Sanders nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands with working families.
” The move was a reversal from his endorsement of Hillary Clinton over Sanders four years ago and came after the Vermont senator 's New Hampshire victory and strong showing in Iowa .
“ I have called for a bold , progressive agenda , and that ’ s exactly what Sen. Sanders has championed for decades , ” de Blasio said at the time .
Sanders has since struggled to fend off former Vice President Joe Biden , who passed him in delegate count on Super Tuesday .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after concluding she had no realistic path to the Democratic nomination , leaving Sanders and Biden as the only two viable candidates remaining .
While speaking to the media outside her home in Massachusetts hours later , the state 's senator said that she does not yet plan to make an endorsement .
“ I need some space around this .
I want to take a little time to think a little more , ” she said .

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio pleaded with Sen. Elizabeth Warren to endorse her former 2020 presidential rival Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“I deeply respect [Warren]. Our nation + our party are better + more progressive because of her leadership. Now our progressive movement needs her more than ever. Senator, if the shoe was on the other foot Bernie Sanders would have endorsed you already. Please join us!” tweeted de Blasio, who ended his own presidential campaign in September, on Tuesday.
I deeply respect @ewarren. Our nation + our party are better + more progressive because of her leadership. Now our progressive movement needs her more than ever. Senator, if the shoe was on the other foot @BernieSanders would have endorsed you already. Please join us! — Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) March 10, 2020
De Blasio endorsed Sanders nearly a month ago, saying he “stands with working families.” The move was a reversal from his endorsement of Hillary Clinton over Sanders four years ago and came after the Vermont senator's New Hampshire victory and strong showing in Iowa.
“I have called for a bold, progressive agenda, and that’s exactly what Sen. Sanders has championed for decades,” de Blasio said at the time.
Sanders has since struggled to fend off former Vice President Joe Biden, who passed him in delegate count on Super Tuesday.
Warren dropped out of the race on Thursday after concluding she had no realistic path to the Democratic nomination, leaving Sanders and Biden as the only two viable candidates remaining. While speaking to the media outside her home in Massachusetts hours later, the state's senator said that she does not yet plan to make an endorsement.
“I need some space around this. I want to take a little time to think a little more,” she said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-10--All eyes on Sanders and Michigan: Seven things to watch for during Tuesday's primaries

This round of primaries for the Democratic presidential nomination is the time voters will decide between two remaining 2020 top-tier candidates , Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
Six states vote on Tuesday ( Idaho , Michigan , Mississippi , Missouri , North Dakota , and Washington ) , which account for 352 nominating delegates to the Democratic National Convention .
A total of 1,991 delegates is needed to win the Democratic nomination at the party 's convention this summer .
Here are seven things to watch for with Tuesday ’ s primaries .
Michigan , which has the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Vermont senator ’ s White House hopes .
Biden has a hold on Southern states , and Sanders ’ s best chance of catching up with the former vice president in delegates is rooted in the Upper Midwest state , which he won in 2016 in a surprise upset .
He hopes that a win there would translate to more wins in Illinois and Ohio , which hold primaries next Tuesday .
If , that may lock up the Democratic nomination for him — not in a technical sense , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with over Sanders in Michigan , eerily similar to the 25-point lead that Hillary Clinton had over Sanders the day before the 2016 Democratic primary , when the Vermont senator won the state by 1.4 percentage points .
Washington favored for Sanders , but full results won ’ t be known Washington state votes by mail-in ballot : The ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday , and about half of the ballots are expected by Wednesday .
Sanders is favored to win the state , which has 89 nominating delegates .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that after reviewing polling data , he is optimistic about his prospects in the state .
“ We feel really good about Washington state , where Bernie was predicted to walk away with it , ” Biden said on Friday , according to a pool report .
Since delegates are awarded proportionally based on statewide votes and votes within congressional districts , losing by a small margin is just as important for Sanders as winning in order to prevent Biden from drastically expanding a delegate lead .
While 102 delegates from Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden leads Sanders in delegates , 664 to 573 .
In addition to a close win in Michigan , Sanders won by double digits in Washington , Idaho , and North Dakota in 2016 , and Clinton beat him by less than half a percentage point in Missouri .
Biden wins in those states or a blowout in Missouri will add to the evidence that Sanders ’ s base of support is much smaller than it was four years ago .
Washington and Idaho converted from caucuses to primaries this year , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more participation in primaries .
Both Biden and Sanders have said they are keeping close eyes on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s recommendations for mitigating the risk of contracting the coronavirus at their rallies and in how they interact with voters .
There is a possibility that fears about the virus could affect turnout .
Officials in Washington state told voters to use a damp cloth rather than saliva to seal mail-in ballots .
The Vermont senator faced criticism over the weekend when he blamed former South Bend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ’ s exits from the race and their subsequent Super Tuesday-eve Biden endorsements on establishment pressure .
Aides for his former rivals rebuked his statements .
If Sanders faces disappointment on Tuesday , he is likely to point fingers at establishment forces again .

This round of primaries for the Democratic presidential nomination is the time voters will decide between two remaining 2020 top-tier candidates, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
Six states vote on Tuesday (Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington), which account for 352 nominating delegates to the Democratic National Convention. A total of 1,991 delegates is needed to win the Democratic nomination at the party's convention this summer.
Here are seven things to watch for with Tuesday’s primaries.
Michigan make-or-break for Sanders
Michigan, which has the largest delegate prize at 155, is essential for the Vermont senator’s White House hopes.
Biden has a hold on Southern states, and Sanders’s best chance of catching up with the former vice president in delegates is rooted in the Upper Midwest state, which he won in 2016 in a surprise upset. He hopes that a win there would translate to more wins in Illinois and Ohio, which hold primaries next Tuesday.
If Biden wins Michigan , that may lock up the Democratic nomination for him — not in a technical sense, but a substantive one .
Upset in Michigan?
Polls on Monday showed Biden with double-digit leads over Sanders in Michigan, eerily similar to the 25-point lead that Hillary Clinton had over Sanders the day before the 2016 Democratic primary, when the Vermont senator won the state by 1.4 percentage points.
Washington favored for Sanders, but full results won’t be known
Washington state votes by mail-in ballot: The ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, and about half of the ballots are expected by Wednesday.
Sanders is favored to win the state, which has 89 nominating delegates. Biden, however, told a group of donors that after reviewing polling data, he is optimistic about his prospects in the state.
“We feel really good about Washington state, where Bernie was predicted to walk away with it,” Biden said on Friday, according to a pool report.
Eye on the margins
Since delegates are awarded proportionally based on statewide votes and votes within congressional districts, losing by a small margin is just as important for Sanders as winning in order to prevent Biden from drastically expanding a delegate lead.
While 102 delegates from Super Tuesday contests have yet to be allocated, Biden leads Sanders in delegates, 664 to 573.
Pressure on Sanders to match 2016 performance
In addition to a close win in Michigan, Sanders won by double digits in Washington, Idaho, and North Dakota in 2016, and Clinton beat him by less than half a percentage point in Missouri. Biden wins in those states or a blowout in Missouri will add to the evidence that Sanders’s base of support is much smaller than it was four years ago.
Washington and Idaho converted from caucuses to primaries this year, so the dynamics there could be different with more participation in primaries.
Coronavirus fears affecting the elections
Both Biden and Sanders have said they are keeping close eyes on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for mitigating the risk of contracting the coronavirus at their rallies and in how they interact with voters.
There is a possibility that fears about the virus could affect turnout. Officials in Washington state told voters to use a damp cloth rather than saliva to seal mail-in ballots.
Sanders blaming the establishment
The Vermont senator faced criticism over the weekend when he blamed former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg's and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s exits from the race and their subsequent Super Tuesday-eve Biden endorsements on establishment pressure. Aides for his former rivals rebuked his statements.
If Sanders faces disappointment on Tuesday, he is likely to point fingers at establishment forces again.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-12--Kemp requests $100M from state reserves to fight COVID-19

As world health officials declare COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic , Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp has requested the release of $ 100 million from emergency reserves to combat the disease .
To date , 22 confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus , have been reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health .
Kemp told the leaders of the Joint Appropriations Conference Committee in a letter Wednesday that he wants the state to be ready to respond to any level of outbreak .
“ I am requesting this funding out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have all of the necessary medical personnel , equipment and supplies to keep Georgians healthy and safe in the weeks ahead , ” Kemp wrote .
“ I look toward to working with lawmakers to secure this appropriation , and I deeply appreciate their support in this time of need for communities across Georgia.
” The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared COVID-19 a pandemic after it spread from one case in Wuhan , China , in December to more than 118,000 cases in over 110 countries and territories as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease will continue to be a global risk .
Kemp asked lawmakers to pull the $ 100 million from the $ 2.8 billion Revenue Shortfall Reserve , a portfolio that invests Georgia ’ s surplus funds and has not been used since the Great Recession .
Given the seriousness of COVID-19 , Kemp has made an exception , he said .
Kemp directed lawmakers to only add the funds to the mid-year budget to use against the disease .
Any residuals will be reverted to the RSR .
Kemp ’ s request comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 4 percent cut to the mid-year budget , which covers state spending until June 30 .
The budget cut also was a directive of the governor , who considers himself a fiscal conservative .
The cuts also address a $ 500 million shortfall that Democrats attribute to a 2019 tax-rate cut .
Yet , Kemp said Wednesday the “ primary responsibility of state leaders ” is to “ ensure the safety and well-being of ” Georgians .

As world health officials declare COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has requested the release of $100 million from emergency reserves to combat the disease.
To date, 22 confirmed and presumed positive cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, have been reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Kemp told the leaders of the Joint Appropriations Conference Committee in a letter Wednesday that he wants the state to be ready to respond to any level of outbreak.
“I am requesting this funding out of an abundance of caution to ensure that we have all of the necessary medical personnel, equipment and supplies to keep Georgians healthy and safe in the weeks ahead,” Kemp wrote. “I look toward to working with lawmakers to secure this appropriation, and I deeply appreciate their support in this time of need for communities across Georgia.”
The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared COVID-19 a pandemic after it spread from one case in Wuhan, China, in December to more than 118,000 cases in over 110 countries and territories as of Wednesday. Health officials predict that the disease will continue to be a global risk.
Kemp asked lawmakers to pull the $100 million from the $2.8 billion Revenue Shortfall Reserve, a portfolio that invests Georgia’s surplus funds and has not been used since the Great Recession. Given the seriousness of COVID-19, Kemp has made an exception, he said.
Kemp directed lawmakers to only add the funds to the mid-year budget to use against the disease. Any residuals will be reverted to the RSR.
Kemp’s request comes as the conference committee works to finalize a 4 percent cut to the mid-year budget, which covers state spending until June 30. The budget cut also was a directive of the governor, who considers himself a fiscal conservative.
The cuts also address a $500 million shortfall that Democrats attribute to a 2019 tax-rate cut.
Yet, Kemp said Wednesday the “primary responsibility of state leaders” is to “ensure the safety and well-being of” Georgians.