thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-15--Sanders supporters warn of 'massive exodus' from Democratic Party if Biden wins nomination

Loyal Bernie Sanders supporters warned of a `` massive exodus '' from the Democratic Party if Joe Biden snags the party 's presidential nomination .
The socialist Vermont senator ’ s most vocal supporters , including “ Bernie Bros , ” could give President Trump and Republicans a boost if their preferred candidate does not make it to the general election , according to a New York Post report .
“ We will never — NEVER boost or support Joe Biden or defend his abysmal record and terrible policy positions , ” said Henry Williams , executive director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry on the life ’ s work of former U.S Senator Mike Gravel in fighting for global peace and democracy.
” “ We will tell people , as we always have , to vote their conscience and to make decisions based on the interests of all the world ’ s oppressed people … I do expect a massive exodus from the Democratic Party , ” he continued .
An unidentified high-profile democratic socialist said , “ Biden is just an old white guy who inspires nobody .
I sincerely think he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know I won ’ t be voting for him in New York.
” Biden and Sanders are set to face off tonight in the first one-on-one Democratic debate of the election cycle Sunday evening .
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is also still in the running for the nomination but did not qualify for the debate .
Bernie Bros uniting against Biden could be a nuisance to the former vice president if he snags the nomination .
An estimated 12 % of Sanders 's supporters voted for Trump in 2016 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders disavowed his more aggressive Bernie Bro supporters over their online attacks on his rivals .
Biden is currently polling at 45 % , according to national polling averages , while Sanders has 34 % support .
Biden became the front-runner in the fight for delegates after strong performances in recent state contests , starting with South Carolina and the Super Tuesday primaries .

Loyal Bernie Sanders supporters warned of a "massive exodus" from the Democratic Party if Joe Biden snags the party's presidential nomination.
The socialist Vermont senator’s most vocal supporters, including “Bernie Bros,” could give President Trump and Republicans a boost if their preferred candidate does not make it to the general election, according to a New York Post report.
“We will never — NEVER boost or support Joe Biden or defend his abysmal record and terrible policy positions,” said Henry Williams, executive director of the Gravel Institute, a group founded “to carry on the life’s work of former U.S Senator Mike Gravel in fighting for global peace and democracy.”
“We will tell people, as we always have, to vote their conscience and to make decisions based on the interests of all the world’s oppressed people … I do expect a massive exodus from the Democratic Party,” he continued.
An unidentified high-profile democratic socialist said, “Biden is just an old white guy who inspires nobody. I sincerely think he will lose the electoral and popular vote and I know I won’t be voting for him in New York.”
Biden and Sanders are set to face off tonight in the first one-on-one Democratic debate of the election cycle Sunday evening. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is also still in the running for the nomination but did not qualify for the debate.
Bernie Bros uniting against Biden could be a nuisance to the former vice president if he snags the nomination. An estimated 12% of Sanders's supporters voted for Trump in 2016, according to an analysis by Cooperative Congressional Election Study.
Sanders disavowed his more aggressive Bernie Bro supporters over their online attacks on his rivals.
Biden is currently polling at 45%, according to national polling averages, while Sanders has 34% support. Biden became the front-runner in the fight for delegates after strong performances in recent state contests, starting with South Carolina and the Super Tuesday primaries.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Joe Biden’s anti-gun radicalism

Joe Biden’s anti-gun radicalism

Sometimes , a single moment on the campaign trail can tell you a lot about a candidate .
Likely 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden recently had such a moment when he for his earnest Second Amendment concerns .
The former vice president ’ s condescending and belligerent tone exposed his radical anti-gun agenda .
When a Detroit voter questioned the former vice president and accused him of “ actively trying to end our Second Amendment right , '' Biden , saying , “ You ’ re full of shit , ” and even threatened to slap the voter .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banning “ AR-14s , ” messing up the name for the commonly used semi-automatic rifle the AR-15 , and “ machine guns , ” which are already illegal .
Biden ’ s campaign trail meltdown is just another reminder that while he is less extreme than socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , he ’ s — in fact , on the issue of gun control , Biden is downright radical .
Just look at who Biden is deciding to appoint to his team .
Biden that former Texas Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be his point man if elected president on gun control .
Yes , that ’ s the same O ’ Rourke who , during his stint as a failed presidential candidate , , “ Hell yes , we ’ re going to take your AR-15 , your AK-47 ” and It ’ s worth pointing out that Biden ’ s endorses a ban on so-called assault weapons , backs red flag laws , bans online gun sales , limits gun purchases to one per month , and includes a gun buyback .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is voluntary/optional , but if O ’ Rourke is really going to be in charge , it ’ s not hard to imagine that this will turn into a de facto mandatory gun confiscation regime . )
The flaws plaguing these proposals are obvious .
There was an “ assault weapons ” ban in place from 1994 to 2004 .
Experts almost unanimously agree it was .
Similarly , red flag laws , while promising in concept , in practice pose serious concerns about whether people will have their constitutional right to gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , those who would comply with a government gun buyback are exactly those law-abiding citizens whose disarming does not improve public safety .
Biden ’ s anti-gun animus clearly extends beyond his rhetoric and campaign trail behavior .
While the former vice president may be running on offering America a nonsocialist , centrist Trump alternative , when it comes to the Second Amendment , voters shouldn ’ t mistake Biden for anything other than the true radical that he is .

Sometimes, a single moment on the campaign trail can tell you a lot about a candidate.
Likely 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden recently had such a moment when he attacked one voter for his earnest Second Amendment concerns. The former vice president’s condescending and belligerent tone exposed his radical anti-gun agenda.
When a Detroit voter questioned the former vice president and accused him of “actively trying to end our Second Amendment right," Biden responded harshly , saying, “You’re full of shit,” and even threatened to slap the voter.
The candidate went on to rant incoherently about banning “AR-14s,” messing up the name for the commonly used semi-automatic rifle the AR-15, and “machine guns,” which are already illegal. Biden’s campaign trail meltdown is just another reminder that while he is less extreme than socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, he’s solidly liberal on most issues — in fact, on the issue of gun control, Biden is downright radical.
Just look at who Biden is deciding to appoint to his team.
Biden recently announced that former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who has endorsed him, would be his point man if elected president on gun control. Yes, that’s the same O’Rourke who, during his stint as a failed presidential candidate, said , “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47” and endorsed outright gun confiscation.
It’s worth pointing out that Biden’s official campaign platform endorses a ban on so-called assault weapons, backs red flag laws, bans online gun sales, limits gun purchases to one per month, and includes a gun buyback. (His campaign website implies that this buyback is voluntary/optional, but if O’Rourke is really going to be in charge, it’s not hard to imagine that this will turn into a de facto mandatory gun confiscation regime.)
The flaws plaguing these proposals are obvious. There was an “assault weapons” ban in place from 1994 to 2004. Experts almost unanimously agree it was ineffective .
Similarly, red flag laws, while promising in concept, in practice pose serious concerns about whether people will have their constitutional right to gun ownership stripped without adequate due process protections. Meanwhile, those who would comply with a government gun buyback are exactly those law-abiding citizens whose disarming does not improve public safety.
Biden’s anti-gun animus clearly extends beyond his rhetoric and campaign trail behavior. While the former vice president may be running on offering America a nonsocialist, centrist Trump alternative, when it comes to the Second Amendment, voters shouldn’t mistake Biden for anything other than the true radical that he is.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Sanders blasts Biden’s immigration policy as akin to slavery — he’s right

Bernie Sanders overstates it when he calls the low-skilled , guest-worker programs `` slavery . ''
“ Indentured servitude ” would be more accurate .
Sanders and Joe Biden agreed on most things in the first two-man debate of the 2020 primary .
They agreed that gay marriage is good , fracking is bad , abortion is fine , Trump is bad , and so on .
But they clashed over comprehensive immigration legislation .
Biden started the scrap by knocking Sanders 's vote against the 2007 `` comprehensive immigration reform '' bill .
That bill would have legalized millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be 6 million more U.S. citizens today , according to Biden .
The Vermont senator , though , explained that he opposed the bill because it expanded the `` H2B '' low-skilled , guest-worker provisions , which Sanders called `` slavery . ''
Biden did his typical act of being all offended at the harsh criticism of something he supported .
But Sanders is basically right .
Low-skilled , guest-worker laws are exploitative and akin to indentured servitude .
A guest worker lacks liberty and leverage because if he displeases his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the point for some supporters of guest-workers .
They want workers without recourse .
I provided evidence , from the sugar industry , in a magazine article I wrote last decade : In 1940 , one grower wrote to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that if Washington were to help them find labor , the Bahamas would be a far better source than either the U.S. or its territory Puerto Rico .
'The vast difference between the Bahama Island labor and domestic , including Puerto Rican , ' wrote the farmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bahama Islands can be deported and sent home , if it does not work , which can not be done in the instance of labor from domestic United States or Puerto Rico .
Low-skilled , guest-worker programs are laser-guided missiles aimed at lowering working-class wages by importing workers who lack bargaining power .
That 's not exactly slavery , but it 's certainly not freedom .

Bernie Sanders overstates it when he calls the low-skilled, guest-worker programs "slavery." “Indentured servitude” would be more accurate.
Sanders and Joe Biden agreed on most things in the first two-man debate of the 2020 primary. They agreed that gay marriage is good, fracking is bad, abortion is fine, Trump is bad, and so on. But they clashed over comprehensive immigration legislation.
Biden started the scrap by knocking Sanders's vote against the 2007 "comprehensive immigration reform" bill. That bill would have legalized millions of immigrants who entered illegally, and there would be 6 million more U.S. citizens today, according to Biden.
The Vermont senator, though, explained that he opposed the bill because it expanded the "H2B" low-skilled, guest-worker provisions, which Sanders called "slavery."
Biden did his typical act of being all offended at the harsh criticism of something he supported. But Sanders is basically right. Low-skilled, guest-worker laws are exploitative and akin to indentured servitude.
A guest worker lacks liberty and leverage because if he displeases his boss, he can get deported. This is the point for some supporters of guest-workers. They want workers without recourse. I provided evidence, from the sugar industry, in a magazine article I wrote last decade:
In 1940, one grower wrote to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that if Washington were to help them find labor, the Bahamas would be a far better source than either the U.S. or its territory Puerto Rico. 'The vast difference between the Bahama Island labor and domestic, including Puerto Rican,' wrote the farmer, “is that labor transported from the Bahama Islands can be deported and sent home, if it does not work, which cannot be done in the instance of labor from domestic United States or Puerto Rico.
Low-skilled, guest-worker programs are laser-guided missiles aimed at lowering working-class wages by importing workers who lack bargaining power. That's not exactly slavery, but it's certainly not freedom.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Trump campaign touts 'hottest economy' after Democratic debate and coronavirus stock market plunge

President Trump 's re-election campaign boasted of the `` hottest economy '' in its reaction to the latest Democratic primary debate between Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Although it 's a well-worn argument by the Trump camp for a second term , the statement released Sunday came after the markets plunged into bear territory last week over fears about the coronavirus .
“ As President Trump leads our country and takes unprecedented action in stopping the coronavirus , it is now clearer than ever that no leaders exist on the Democrat debate stage .
Unable to articulate a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered little more than plagiarizing President Trump ’ s response , which will now be the model for all future pandemics , '' Kayleigh McEnany , Trump 2020 national press secretary , said in the statement .
“ Both Bernie and Biden proved themselves to be two sides of the same coin : offering a complete government takeover of the healthcare system which would destroy employer-provided insurance for 180 million Americans , '' she added .
`` Both embraced reckless and dangerous immigration policies that would imperil our citizens , and both pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people .
It doesn ’ t matter which of these two is the Democrat nominee , either one would reverse the hottest economy in modern history and the great gains we have made under President Trump.
” The stock market suffered sharp losses last week as the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic and the number of cases and deaths tied to the illness rose throughout the country .
On Friday , stocks surged 10 % to recoup some of those losses , one of the biggest single-day rallies in history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency .
But that followed major sell-offs that led to the fastest 20 % decline in history for the Dow Jones Industrial Average .
Market futures plummeted Sunday night following a dramatic announcement of monetary policy easing from the Federal Reserve , suggesting that investors thought that the actions were insufficient in light of the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic .
S & P 500 futures fell 5 % , hitting a market limit , following the Fed 's emergency announcement earlier Sunday evening that it would lower its interest rate target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government bonds .
Nationally , there have been more than 3,200 coronavirus cases and at least 62 deaths .

President Trump's reelection campaign boasted of the "hottest economy" in its reaction to the latest Democratic primary debate between Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Although it's a well-worn argument by the Trump camp for a second term, the statement released Sunday came after the markets plunged into bear territory last week over fears about the coronavirus.
“As President Trump leads our country and takes unprecedented action in stopping the coronavirus, it is now clearer than ever that no leaders exist on the Democrat debate stage. Unable to articulate a coronavirus plan, both Bernie and Biden offered little more than plagiarizing President Trump’s response, which will now be the model for all future pandemics," Kayleigh McEnany, Trump 2020 national press secretary, said in the statement.
“Both Bernie and Biden proved themselves to be two sides of the same coin: offering a complete government takeover of the healthcare system which would destroy employer-provided insurance for 180 million Americans," she added. "Both embraced reckless and dangerous immigration policies that would imperil our citizens, and both pledged to kill fossil fuel industries that employ millions of people. It doesn’t matter which of these two is the Democrat nominee, either one would reverse the hottest economy in modern history and the great gains we have made under President Trump.”
The stock market suffered sharp losses last week as the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic and the number of cases, and deaths tied to the illness rose throughout the country.
On Friday, stocks surged 10% to recoup some of those losses, one of the biggest single-day rallies in history, after the president declared a national emergency. But that followed major sell-offs that led to the fastest 20% decline in history for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Market futures plummeted Sunday night following a dramatic announcement of monetary policy easing from the Federal Reserve, suggesting that investors thought that the actions were insufficient in light of the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
S&P 500 futures fell 5%, hitting a market limit, following the Fed's emergency announcement earlier Sunday evening that it would lower its interest rate target to zero and buy $700 billion of government bonds.
Nationally, there have been more than 3,200 coronavirus cases and at least 62 deaths.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Biden scrambles to take back use of 'alien' to describe illegal immigrant during debate

Former Vice President Joe Biden used the word `` aliens '' to describe migrants who crossed the border illegally before quickly backtracking during Sunday 's Democratic primary debate .
Biden was asked how he would address the roughly 11 million people who are in the country illegally , some of whom may be hesitant to seek treatment for the coronavirus over concerns about deportation .
`` Anyone who shows up to be tested for coronavirus or gets coronavirus and is treated would be held harmless , '' Biden answered .
`` Just like I have argued all along : Any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and being beaten by her husband , but she ’ s an undocumented , she can not be deported because she reports .
There are certain things you can not deport an undocumented alien for — an undocumented person for , '' he said , slightly stuttering , closing his eyes , and lowering his head in a clear display of frustration .
`` And that would be one of them , '' Biden added .
`` It ’ s in the interest of everyone .
Those folks who are the xenophobic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in their interest that that woman come forward or that man come forward because it deals with keeping the spread from moving more rapidly . ''
Critics say the phrase `` alien '' or `` illegal '' is disparaging to migrants .
Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas introduced legislation in July that would do away with the words “ alien ” and “ illegal alien ” from the Immigration and Nationality Act .
He instead wants the federal law to use the phrases “ foreign national ” and “ undocumented foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change its guidelines on immigration descriptions in 2013 .
`` Except in direct quotations , do not use the terms illegal alien , an illegal , illegals or undocumented , '' the guide said when it made the change .
Biden , throughout his presidential campaign , has faced backlash for the 3 million deportations that took place under the Obama administration .
He has since called those actions “ a big mistake '' and added that `` we took too long to get it right.
” Biden , who is struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tries to lock up the Democratic presidential nomination , faced off against Sen. Bernie Sanders , his last remaining major rival in the contest , in the debate on Sunday .

Former Vice President Joe Biden used the word "aliens" to describe migrants who crossed the border illegally before quickly backtracking during Sunday's Democratic primary debate.
Biden was asked how he would address the roughly 11 million people who are in the country illegally, some of whom may be hesitant to seek treatment for the coronavirus over concerns about deportation.
"Anyone who shows up to be tested for coronavirus or gets coronavirus and is treated would be held harmless," Biden answered.
"Just like I have argued all along: Any woman who crosses the border or is here and being beaten by her husband, but she’s an undocumented, she cannot be deported because she reports. There are certain things you cannot deport an undocumented alien for — an undocumented person for," he said, slightly stuttering, closing his eyes, and lowering his head in a clear display of frustration.
"And that would be one of them," Biden added. "It’s in the interest of everyone. Those folks who are the xenophobic folks out there, it’s even in their interest that that woman come forward or that man come forward because it deals with keeping the spread from moving more rapidly."
Critics say the phrase "alien" or "illegal" is disparaging to migrants. Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas introduced legislation in July that would do away with the words “alien” and “illegal alien” from the Immigration and Nationality Act. He instead wants the federal law to use the phrases “foreign national” and “undocumented foreign national.”
The Associated Press Stylebook opted to change its guidelines on immigration descriptions in 2013. "Except in direct quotations, do not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or undocumented," the guide said when it made the change.
Biden, throughout his presidential campaign, has faced backlash for the 3 million deportations that took place under the Obama administration. He has since called those actions “a big mistake" and added that "we took too long to get it right.”
Biden, who is struggling to shore up support among Latinos as he tries to lock up the Democratic presidential nomination, faced off against Sen. Bernie Sanders, his last remaining major rival in the contest, in the debate on Sunday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Which health crisis? Biden and Sanders muddle coronavirus, H1N1, Ebola

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders muddled names of various health crises during their first one-on-one debate as concerns about the coronavirus swept the country .
Biden , 77 , muddled the name of the H1N1 virus , also known as swine flu , which spread across the world in 2009 .
“ We 've been through this before with the coronavirus .
We 've been through this before — excuse me — we 've been through this before with dealing with the viruses , the N1H1 as well what happened in Africa , ” the former vice president said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ebola virus outbreak in 2014 through 2016 .
After Biden had mentioned the Ebola crisis , Sanders , 78 , mistakenly referred to coronavirus as Ebola .
“ The Ebola crisis , in my view , exposes the dysfunctionality of our healthcare system , ” the Vermont senator said .
`` The Ebola crisis is also , I think , exposing the cruelty , and the injustice , of our economy today . ''
“ We have got to move aggressively right now to address the economic crisis as a result of Ebola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s talking about Ebola , he ’ s got Ebola in my head here right now , '' Sanders said .
`` As a result of the virus here , the coronavirus . ''

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders muddled names of various health crises during their first one-on-one debate as concerns about the coronavirus swept the country.
Biden, 77, muddled the name of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, which spread across the world in 2009.
“We've been through this before with the coronavirus. We've been through this before — excuse me — we've been through this before with dealing with the viruses, the N1H1 as well what happened in Africa,” the former vice president said, referring to the H1N1 virus and the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014 through 2016.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Joe Biden refers to the H1N1 virus of 2009 as the "N1H1" pic.twitter.com/y5GKTSNPpx — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 16, 2020
After Biden had mentioned the Ebola crisis, Sanders, 78, mistakenly referred to coronavirus as Ebola.
“The Ebola crisis, in my view, exposes the dysfunctionality of our healthcare system,” the Vermont senator said. "The Ebola crisis is also, I think, exposing the cruelty, and the injustice, of our economy today."
Sanders later caught himself.
“We have got to move aggressively right now to address the economic crisis as a result of Ebola, as a result — he’s talking about Ebola, he’s got Ebola in my head here right now," Sanders said. "As a result of the virus here, the coronavirus."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Kentucky becomes latest state to delay primary due to coronavirus

Kentucky is the third state to postpone scheduled primaries due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Kentucky law allows the secretary of state and the governor to jointly act to change the time of an election due to a state of emergency , '' Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams said in a video posted to Twitter on Monday .
`` Today , Gov .
[ Andy ] Beshear and I agreed to delay the primary election . ''
The primaries , originally scheduled for May 19 , which include the Democratic presidential primary and congressional primaries , will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that he hopes the move will allow the primary to take place in a safe environment , but if not , it will give them time to reassess .
`` I never would have imagined sitting here discussing this with you , but these are unprecedented times , and we Kentuckians are having to change the way we do things on all fronts , '' Adams said .
Louisiana and Georgia have also delayed their primaries over concerns about the coronavirus .
Ohio , which holds a primary on Tuesday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postpone their primaries .
Kentucky 's Democratic presidential primary accounts for 54 nominating delegates .
The Florida , Illinois , and Arizona primaries scheduled for Tuesday are at present set to continue as planned .
Adams added that the decision to delay the primary was bipartisan .
`` Postponing the primary was not an easy decision , but the Republican secretary of state and Democratic governor agree , and so do county clerks of both parties , '' he said .

Kentucky is the third state to postpone scheduled primaries due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Kentucky law allows the secretary of state and the governor to jointly act to change the time of an election due to a state of emergency," Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams said in a video posted to Twitter on Monday. "Today, Gov. [Andy] Beshear and I agreed to delay the primary election."
The primaries, originally scheduled for May 19, which include the Democratic presidential primary and congressional primaries, will now take place on June 23. Adams added that he hopes the move will allow the primary to take place in a safe environment, but if not, it will give them time to reassess.
"I never would have imagined sitting here discussing this with you, but these are unprecedented times, and we Kentuckians are having to change the way we do things on all fronts," Adams said.
The May 19th primary election is delayed to June 23rd. Find out why here: pic.twitter.com/qMAlT4RS4N — KY Sec. of State Michael G. Adams (@KYSecState) March 16, 2020
Louisiana and Georgia have also delayed their primaries over concerns about the coronavirus. Ohio, which holds a primary on Tuesday, and Puerto Rico have also taken steps to postpone their primaries.
Kentucky's Democratic presidential primary accounts for 54 nominating delegates. The Florida, Illinois, and Arizona primaries scheduled for Tuesday are at present set to continue as planned.
Adams added that the decision to delay the primary was bipartisan.
"Postponing the primary was not an easy decision, but the Republican secretary of state and Democratic governor agree, and so do county clerks of both parties," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Coronavirus could impact GOP primaries, too

Republican candidates now have political skin in the game amid the delay of several primary voting days due to the coronovirus outbreak .
Republican officials over the weekend moved back Democratic presidential primary dates in Louisiana and Georgia .
Though done in consultation with Louisiana 's Democratic governor and the Georgia Democratic Party chairwoman , the moves still aroused suspicions among some Democrats that the delays were aimed at lengthening the time it would take presumptive nominee Joe Biden to win enough delegates to claim victory .
Under this theory , nomination rival Bernie Sanders would keep fighting until it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , eating up months of valuable campaign time for Biden against President Trump .
Just weeks ago , the entire contest looked like it was going to be wrapped up at the end of the month .
On Saturday , Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the state would postpone its primary , originally set for March 24 , to May 19 .
Citing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus , Raffensperger said in a statement , “ Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is the health of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community at large.
” His announcement came a day after Louisiana pushed back its primary from April 4 to June 20 .
But now Republicans have their own primaries to worry about , too .
On Sunday , Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill indicated that the state 's March 31 runoff elections would likely be pushed to a later date .
`` The health and well-being of the people of this state are of paramount importance , '' he said in a letter to Republican Gov .
Kay Ivey .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as recommended by the President of the United States , the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ( CDC ) , the Alabama Department of Public Health , etc.
, the March 31 Runoff Election must be postponed . ''
That means the closely watched Republican primary between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville , who has been praised by Trump , and Jeff Sessions , Trump 's ousted attorney general , may not be resolved for months .
Sen. Doug Jones , a Democrat , is considered to be one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , meaning that the winner of the Alabama GOP primary is favored to be sworn into office next year .
In North Carolina 's 11th Congressional District , a runoff is scheduled between Republicans Lynda Bennett and Madison Cawthorn on May 12 .
That seat was vacated earlier this month after Rep. Mark Meadows resigned to become Trump 's chief of staff .
The winner of that election would face Democrat Morris Davis .
Most analysts say the seat remains safely Republican .
Although North Carolina already held its primary on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no surprise should a wave of other states make the same decision .
North Carolina has reported more than 26 cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday .
As of Monday afternoon , other states set to hold their primaries Tuesday are proceeding as business as usual .
Top election officials in Florida , Arizona , and Illinois released a statement , saying `` Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past ... we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine recommended the state delay its in-person voting , just one day before voters there were supposed to cast their ballots in both the 2020 Democratic and Republican presidential primaries .
The Republican governor encouraged the state to delay Tuesday 's scheduled in-person voting until June 2 on social media .
He tweeted , `` We can not tell people to stay inside , but also tell them to go out and vote , '' noting that `` we must also look out for our poll workers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could accelerate the primary changes .
On Sunday , Sanders indicated that he would support moving all contests back until the spread of the virus has diminished .
`` I would hope that governors listen to the public health experts and what they are saying is … we don ’ t want gatherings of more than 50 people , ” he said .
“ I ’ m thinking about some of the elderly people sitting behind the desks , registering people and doing all that stuff .
Does that make sense ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Republican candidates now have political skin in the game amid the delay of several primary voting days due to the coronovirus outbreak.
Republican officials over the weekend moved back Democratic presidential primary dates in Louisiana and Georgia. Though done in consultation with Louisiana's Democratic governor and the Georgia Democratic Party chairwoman, the moves still aroused suspicions among some Democrats that the delays were aimed at lengthening the time it would take presumptive nominee Joe Biden to win enough delegates to claim victory.
Under this theory, nomination rival Bernie Sanders would keep fighting until it was mathematically impossible, in the process, eating up months of valuable campaign time for Biden against President Trump. Just weeks ago, the entire contest looked like it was going to be wrapped up at the end of the month.
On Saturday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the state would postpone its primary, originally set for March 24, to May 19. Citing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, Raffensperger said in a statement, “Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is the health of our poll workers, their families, and the community at large.”
His announcement came a day after Louisiana pushed back its primary from April 4 to June 20.
But now Republicans have their own primaries to worry about, too.
On Sunday, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill indicated that the state's March 31 runoff elections would likely be pushed to a later date.
"The health and well-being of the people of this state are of paramount importance," he said in a letter to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey. "In order to effectively practice social distancing, as recommended by the President of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Alabama Department of Public Health, etc., the March 31 Runoff Election must be postponed."
That means the closely watched Republican primary between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who has been praised by Trump, and Jeff Sessions, Trump's ousted attorney general, may not be resolved for months.
Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat, is considered to be one of the most vulnerable incumbents up for reelection in November, meaning that the winner of the Alabama GOP primary is favored to be sworn into office next year.
In North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, a runoff is scheduled between Republicans Lynda Bennett and Madison Cawthorn on May 12. That seat was vacated earlier this month after Rep. Mark Meadows resigned to become Trump's chief of staff.
The winner of that election would face Democrat Morris Davis. Most analysts say the seat remains safely Republican.
Although North Carolina already held its primary on Super Tuesday, postponing that election would be no surprise should a wave of other states make the same decision. North Carolina has reported more than 26 cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday.
As of Monday afternoon, other states set to hold their primaries Tuesday are proceeding as business as usual. Top election officials in Florida, Arizona, and Illinois released a statement, saying "Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past ... we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election."
But on Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recommended the state delay its in-person voting, just one day before voters there were supposed to cast their ballots in both the 2020 Democratic and Republican presidential primaries.
The Republican governor encouraged the state to delay Tuesday's scheduled in-person voting until June 2 on social media. He tweeted, "We cannot tell people to stay inside, but also tell them to go out and vote," noting that "we must also look out for our poll workers."
Pressure from either Biden or Sanders could accelerate the primary changes. On Sunday, Sanders indicated that he would support moving all contests back until the spread of the virus has diminished.
"I would hope that governors listen to the public health experts and what they are saying is … we don’t want gatherings of more than 50 people,” he said. “I’m thinking about some of the elderly people sitting behind the desks, registering people and doing all that stuff. Does that make sense? I’m not sure it does."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--List: Twelve women Joe Biden could pick as his running mate

Joe Biden ’ s commitment to pick a woman along with some of his past comments about what he wants in a vice president dramatically shortens the list of potential choices .
“ If I ’ m elected president , my cabinet , my administration will look like the country , ” during Sunday ’ s Democratic presidential debate .
“ I would pick a woman to be my vice president.
” Influential South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn , whose endorsement helped propel Biden to a huge victory in the South Carolina primary that gave him momentum for Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black woman as his running mate .
But Biden also said Sunday that he would appoint the first black female Supreme Court justice , which may mean he faces less backlash if he does not pick a black woman as vice president .
Aside from previously saying that he would pick someone `` of color and/or a different gender , ” Biden has given a few hints on his running mate .
In January , Biden , 77 , said that his pick would have to be “ capable of [ being ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He in December that he would pick someone “ who was simpatico with me , who knew what my priorities were and knew what I wanted to do .
We could disagree on tactics , but strategically , we 'd have to be on the exact same page.
” Here are women Biden could pick to be his running mate , ranked from least likely to most likely .
The former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and state representative is often mentioned as a possible top Biden vice presidential pick , with betting markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to US Bookies .
Abrams , 46 , has she would consider being added to the eventual nominee 's ticket as his vice president .
But while Abrams has political celebrity , her lack of statewide or national experience is likely a deal breaker against Biden picking her .
At 43 , the Arizonan senator is one of the youngest options to be Biden ’ s vice presidential nominee and is an energetic , talented campaigner .
Sinema is a more moderate Democrat representing a swing state , meaning she might align better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity to the ticket by being openly bisexual .
Sinema , however , would face backlash from Democrats for her more moderate positions and lack of enthusiasm for President Trump ’ s impeachment .
If Biden is very focused on choosing a black woman as vice president , he might look to the U.S. House of Representatives .
Clyburn mentioned Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge , 67 , who has more than a decade in the chamber under her belt , and Florida Rep. Val Demings , 63 .
Demings joined the House in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief , and earned national recognition as a prosecutor in Trump 's impeachment trial .
The junior senator from the swing state of Wisconsin , 58 , in 1998 became the first openly gay woman elected to Congress .
Not only could she represent a Midwestern state that Democrats lost in 2016 and add diversity as an LGBT pick , but she would also bring progressive bona fides to the ticket , potentially energizing Bernie Sanders supporters to get out the vote .
Unlike Biden , Baldwin voted against the Iraq War in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was elected to the Senate a decade later .
New Mexico ’ s first-term governor , 60 , also has congressional experience , having served in the House from 2013 to 2019 .
While she represents a smaller-population state , her executive experience is a plus .
She comes from a high-profile political family in the state ( her cousin Ben Rau Lujan is a member of Congress ) , and she brings additional diversity as a Latina woman .
Duckworth , 52 , has a unique set of characteristics .
The Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Iraq War veteran who lost both of her legs due to combat wounds .
Being of Thai descent , she brings diversity to the ticket .
She might , however , face `` birther '' -type questions , no matter how unsubstantiated or fact-free .
Duckworth was born to a Thai mother and an American father in Thailand , making her an American citizen from birth .
In the 2016 Republican primary , Canadian-born Texas Sen. Ted Cruz faced similar conspiracy theories , though he came up short against Trump for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is little-known nationally but is a rising star in the Democratic party .
She assumed office as Michigan ’ s governor last year after a career in the state Legislature , and she gave the official Democratic response to Trump ’ s 2020 State of the Union address .
Being from a Midwestern state that Democrats lost in 2016 is a plus , and betting markets give her 16-1 odds .
Whitmer , though , has said that she does not want the job — but that could change .
Cortez Masto , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was formerly Nevada ’ s attorney general , and she is also chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
She could help Biden appeal to Hispanic and Latino populations , a demographic with which he struggles .
Her attorney general experience , however , poses some liabilities : She initially defended Nevada ’ s ban on same-sex marriage but later abandoned the case .
Klobuchar , 59 , immediately endorsed Biden after she ended her presidential campaign the eve before Super Tuesday , building some trust with the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Upper Midwest , an area where Democrats need to improve turnout , and she has higher name recognition due to her presidential run .
Her prosecutorial record , however , could still haunt her on the campaign trail .
The Massachusetts senator , 70 , and Biden have long-held disagreements over bankruptcy laws and other points , but a Biden-Warren ticket would be a unity ticket bridging the gap between progressives and moderates .
Biden adopted some of Warren ’ s policy points on Sunday , indicating that there may be less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has wide name recognition .
Biden in December that he would consider Warren to be his running mate .
The first-term California senator , 55 , is most frequently mentioned by Democratic primary voters as their preferred running mate for Biden .
The day after the only black woman in the race ended her presidential campaign , would make a great vice president , attorney general , or Supreme Court justice .
But there may be some personal animosity between Biden and Harris leftover from her debate attack last June on Biden for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president , recently the moment as a “ punch to the gut ” while discussing vice presidential picks .

Joe Biden’s commitment to pick a woman along with some of his past comments about what he wants in a vice president dramatically shortens the list of potential choices.
“If I’m elected president, my cabinet, my administration will look like the country,” Biden said during Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate. “I would pick a woman to be my vice president.”
Influential South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, whose endorsement helped propel Biden to a huge victory in the South Carolina primary that gave him momentum for Super Tuesday, said that he preferred Biden pick a black woman as his running mate. But Biden also said Sunday that he would appoint the first black female Supreme Court justice, which may mean he faces less backlash if he does not pick a black woman as vice president.
Aside from previously saying that he would pick someone "of color and/or a different gender,” Biden has given a few hints on his running mate. In January, Biden, 77, said that his pick would have to be “capable of [being] president because I'm an old guy.” He said in December that he would pick someone “who was simpatico with me, who knew what my priorities were and knew what I wanted to do. We could disagree on tactics, but strategically, we'd have to be on the exact same page.”
Here are women Biden could pick to be his running mate, ranked from least likely to most likely.
Stacey Abrams
The former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and state representative is often mentioned as a possible top Biden vice presidential pick, with betting markets giving the prominent black politician 9-2 odds according to US Bookies. Abrams, 46, has openly said she would consider being added to the eventual nominee's ticket as his vice president. But while Abrams has political celebrity, her lack of statewide or national experience is likely a deal breaker against Biden picking her.
Kyrsten Sinema
At 43, the Arizonan senator is one of the youngest options to be Biden’s vice presidential nominee and is an energetic, talented campaigner. Sinema is a more moderate Democrat representing a swing state, meaning she might align better with Biden, and brings some additional diversity to the ticket by being openly bisexual. Sinema, however, would face backlash from Democrats for her more moderate positions and lack of enthusiasm for President Trump’s impeachment.
A black House representative
If Biden is very focused on choosing a black woman as vice president, he might look to the U.S. House of Representatives. Clyburn mentioned Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, 67, who has more than a decade in the chamber under her belt, and Florida Rep. Val Demings, 63. Demings joined the House in 2017, is a former Orlando police chief, and earned national recognition as a prosecutor in Trump's impeachment trial.
Tammy Baldwin
The junior senator from the swing state of Wisconsin, 58, in 1998 became the first openly gay woman elected to Congress. Not only could she represent a Midwestern state that Democrats lost in 2016 and add diversity as an LGBT pick, but she would also bring progressive bona fides to the ticket, potentially energizing Bernie Sanders supporters to get out the vote. Unlike Biden, Baldwin voted against the Iraq War in 2002 as a House member. She was elected to the Senate a decade later.
Michelle Lujan Grisham
New Mexico’s first-term governor, 60, also has congressional experience, having served in the House from 2013 to 2019. While she represents a smaller-population state, her executive experience is a plus. She comes from a high-profile political family in the state (her cousin Ben Rau Lujan is a member of Congress), and she brings additional diversity as a Latina woman.
Tammy Duckworth
Duckworth, 52, has a unique set of characteristics. The Illinois senator and former Chicago-area representative is an Amy Iraq War veteran who lost both of her legs due to combat wounds. Being of Thai descent, she brings diversity to the ticket. She might, however, face "birther"-type questions, no matter how unsubstantiated or fact-free. Duckworth was born to a Thai mother and an American father in Thailand, making her an American citizen from birth. In the 2016 Republican primary, Canadian-born Texas Sen. Ted Cruz faced similar conspiracy theories, though he came up short against Trump for the GOP nomination.
Gretchen Whitmer
Whitmer, 48, is little-known nationally but is a rising star in the Democratic party. She assumed office as Michigan’s governor last year after a career in the state Legislature, and she gave the official Democratic response to Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address. Being from a Midwestern state that Democrats lost in 2016 is a plus, and betting markets give her 16-1 odds. Whitmer, though, has said that she does not want the job — but that could change.
Catherine Cortez Masto
Cortez Masto, 55, is a first-term Nevada senator who was formerly Nevada’s attorney general, and she is also chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. She could help Biden appeal to Hispanic and Latino populations, a demographic with which he struggles. Her attorney general experience, however, poses some liabilities: She initially defended Nevada’s ban on same-sex marriage but later abandoned the case.
Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar, 59, immediately endorsed Biden after she ended her presidential campaign the eve before Super Tuesday, building some trust with the former vice president. The Minnesota senator is also from the Upper Midwest, an area where Democrats need to improve turnout, and she has higher name recognition due to her presidential run. Her prosecutorial record, however, could still haunt her on the campaign trail.
Elizabeth Warren
The Massachusetts senator, 70, and Biden have long-held disagreements over bankruptcy laws and other points, but a Biden-Warren ticket would be a unity ticket bridging the gap between progressives and moderates. Biden adopted some of Warren’s policy points on Sunday, indicating that there may be less ideological space between them, and she has wide name recognition. Biden said in December that he would consider Warren to be his running mate.
Kamala Harris
The first-term California senator, 55, is most frequently mentioned by Democratic primary voters as their preferred running mate for Biden. The day after the only black woman in the race ended her presidential campaign, Biden said that Harris would make a great vice president, attorney general, or Supreme Court justice.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Club for Growth abandons Sessions to back Trump-endorsed Tuberville in Alabama GOP Senate primary

A leading conservative advocacy group said it will back Trump-endorsed former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville over former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Alabama Republican Senate primary .
The Club for Growth called for Sessions to enter the race in October of last year but reversed its position in light of Trump 's March 10 tweet endorsing Tuberville .
After both Tuberville and Sessions fell short of a majority of the vote in the early March election , with Tuberville getting 33.4 % of the vote against Sessions 's 31.6 % , the contest moved to an April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both of them can win , but I think if Trump is not fully on board it becomes harder .
And he 's made it clear that Tuberville is his pick , '' Club for Growth president David McIntosh told Politico .
`` Everyone is saying , 'It 's so Republican , we should be able to do that . '
But if we 're split because Trump is on the other side and does n't really like Sessions , that could make it very hard . ''
After Trump 's tweet on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the president 's endorsement .
“ Help me finish what the President started and fire Jeff Sessions on March 31st , ” Tuberville wrote in an email to supporters .
“ The President doesn ’ t trust Jeff Sessions .
Neither should ANY Alabama conservative.
” Sessions angered Trump after choosing to recuse himself from the Justice Department 's Russia investigation .
Sessions entered the race in November with the support of allies , including the Club for Growth , who at the time spoke to Sessions 's backing of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a senator , as reasons to believe that he could overcome any potential Trump resistance .
His departure from the Senate opened a narrow window for Democratic Sen. Doug Jones 's victory against former state Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore in a 2017 special election amid allegations of Moore 's sexual misconduct .
Republicans have since been eager to reclaim their two-decade hold on Sessions 's seat .
Polling commissioned by the Club for Growth ahead of Trump 's endorsement last week placed Tuberville slightly ahead , leading 49 % to Sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote were Trump to endorse Tuberville , the lead shifted by 24 additional percentage points in Tuberville 's favor .
The polling was conducted between March 4-5 among 500 likely Republican primary voters in Alabama , with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points , before Trump 's tweet backing Tuberville .

A leading conservative advocacy group said it will back Trump-endorsed former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville over former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Alabama Republican Senate primary.
The Club for Growth called for Sessions to enter the race in October of last year but reversed its position in light of Trump's March 10 tweet endorsing Tuberville. After both Tuberville and Sessions fell short of a majority of the vote in the early March election, with Tuberville getting 33.4% of the vote against Sessions's 31.6%, the contest moved to an April 14 runoff election.
"I think both of them can win, but I think if Trump is not fully on board it becomes harder. And he's made it clear that Tuberville is his pick," Club for Growth president David McIntosh told Politico. "Everyone is saying, 'It's so Republican, we should be able to do that.' But if we're split because Trump is on the other side and doesn't really like Sessions, that could make it very hard."
After Trump's tweet on Tuesday, Tuberville was quick to capitalize on the president's endorsement. “Help me finish what the President started and fire Jeff Sessions on March 31st,” Tuberville wrote in an email to supporters. “The President doesn’t trust Jeff Sessions. Neither should ANY Alabama conservative.” Sessions angered Trump after choosing to recuse himself from the Justice Department's Russia investigation.
Sessions entered the race in November with the support of allies, including the Club for Growth, who at the time spoke to Sessions's backing of the president during the 2016 campaign, when he was a senator, as reasons to believe that he could overcome any potential Trump resistance.
His departure from the Senate opened a narrow window for Democratic Sen. Doug Jones's victory against former state Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore in a 2017 special election amid allegations of Moore's sexual misconduct. Republicans have since been eager to reclaim their two-decade hold on Sessions's seat.
Polling commissioned by the Club for Growth ahead of Trump's endorsement last week placed Tuberville slightly ahead, leading 49% to Sessions's 45%. Asked how they would vote were Trump to endorse Tuberville, the lead shifted by 24 additional percentage points in Tuberville's favor. The polling was conducted between March 4-5 among 500 likely Republican primary voters in Alabama, with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points, before Trump's tweet backing Tuberville.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--'Fight fire with fire': Meghan McCain predicts Trump will drop Pence for Nikki Haley if Biden picks

'Fight fire with fire': Meghan McCain predicts Trump will drop Pence for Nikki Haley if Biden picks a female running mate

The View co-host Meghan McCain said she believed President Trump would choose Nikki Haley to be his vice president if Joe Biden followed through with his promise to pick a female running mate .
`` If he does it , I ’ m telling you , Mike Pence is out , and Nikki Haley is in , '' McCain said Monday .
`` They ’ re going to fight fire with fire .
If we go the identity politics route , Trump will do it just as hard . ''
The conservative commentator said the move would give conservative women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman .
During Sunday 's Democratic debate , Biden committed to picking a woman to be his vice presidential pick .
“ If I ’ m elected president , my Cabinet , my administration will look like the country , ” Biden said .
“ I commit that I will … pick a woman to be vice president .
There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow .
I would pick a woman to be my vice president.
” Former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala said earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Vice President Mike Pence and pick Haley to replace him .
`` This is not a prediction .
It ’ s a certainty , '' the CNN political analyst said .
`` On Thursday , July 16 — that ’ s the date the Democrat gives her or his acceptance address — on that day , to interrupt that narrative , Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago . ''
`` He ’ s going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump promised in November that he would not dump Pence for Haley , saying Pence is `` our man 100 % . ''

The View co-host Meghan McCain said she believed President Trump would choose Nikki Haley to be his vice president if Joe Biden followed through with his promise to pick a female running mate.
"If he does it, I’m telling you, Mike Pence is out, and Nikki Haley is in," McCain said Monday. "They’re going to fight fire with fire. If we go the identity politics route, Trump will do it just as hard."
The conservative commentator said the move would give conservative women cover to support Trump because he chose a woman.
During Sunday's Democratic debate, Biden committed to picking a woman to be his vice presidential pick.
“If I’m elected president, my Cabinet, my administration will look like the country,” Biden said. “I commit that I will … pick a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president.”
Former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala said earlier this month he believed Trump would cast out Vice President Mike Pence and pick Haley to replace him.
"This is not a prediction. It’s a certainty," the CNN political analyst said. "On Thursday, July 16 — that’s the date the Democrat gives her or his acceptance address — on that day, to interrupt that narrative, Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago."
"He’s going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms," he added.
Trump promised in November that he would not dump Pence for Haley, saying Pence is "our man 100%."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Bernie Sanders needs to win over 57% of remaining delegates to secure Democratic nomination

The Democratic nomination is increasingly out of reach for Sen. Bernie Sanders , who must now win over 57 % of the outstanding delegates to be able to secure the Democratic nomination outright .
As of right now , Sanders has 736 delegates compared to 890 for Joe Biden , according to the Associated Press .
But he would need 1,991 to win the nomination with a majority .
That means he still is 1,255 delegates away with just 2,185 still outstanding .
This includes delegates that will be up for grabs in the remaining contests and a smaller number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from contests that have already been held .
By comparison , Sanders has only won 41 % of the delegates that have been awarded up to this point .
Making matters worse for Sanders , many of his best chances to pick up delegates are already behind him .
He lost Texas as well as Michigan ( site of his big victory in 2016 ) , and the liberal state of Washington was so close that at present time it ’ s a draw from delegate allocation perspective .
California , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his current numbers , even though some delegates continue to trickle in as results get finalized .
On Tuesday , the four states holding primaries are all states that Sanders lost in 2016 and in which he trails Biden by over 20 percentage points : , , , and .
With 577 delegates at stake , Biden will only put the race more out of reach .
One complicating factor is that the primaries are being held at a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending no gatherings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially fraught given that many poll workers are retirees .
There has already been pressure to delay Tuesday ’ s primaries , and even if they continue , it ’ s unclear what will happen beyond them .
But there is no doubt about the daunting math facing the Sanders campaign .

The Democratic nomination is increasingly out of reach for Sen. Bernie Sanders, who must now win over 57% of the outstanding delegates to be able to secure the Democratic nomination outright.
As of right now, Sanders has 736 delegates compared to 890 for Joe Biden, according to the Associated Press . But he would need 1,991 to win the nomination with a majority.
That means he still is 1,255 delegates away with just 2,185 still outstanding. This includes delegates that will be up for grabs in the remaining contests and a smaller number that have yet to be fully allocated from contests that have already been held.
By comparison, Sanders has only won 41% of the delegates that have been awarded up to this point.
Making matters worse for Sanders, many of his best chances to pick up delegates are already behind him. He lost Texas as well as Michigan (site of his big victory in 2016), and the liberal state of Washington was so close that at present time it’s a draw from delegate allocation perspective. California, which he won, is mostly accounted for in his current numbers, even though some delegates continue to trickle in as results get finalized.
On Tuesday, the four states holding primaries are all states that Sanders lost in 2016 and in which he trails Biden by over 20 percentage points: Ohio , Florida , Arizona , and Illinois . With 577 delegates at stake, Biden will only put the race more out of reach.
One complicating factor is that the primaries are being held at a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending no gatherings of more than 50 people. The issue is especially fraught given that many poll workers are retirees.
There has already been pressure to delay Tuesday’s primaries, and even if they continue, it’s unclear what will happen beyond them. But there is no doubt about the daunting math facing the Sanders campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--James Clyburn on Biden picking a running mate: 'I prefer an African American woman'

Rep. James Clyburn urged former Vice President Joe Biden to pick a black woman as his running mate .
Biden , the 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner , committed to selecting a woman to run with him if he ’ s the party ’ s nominee .
“ There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow .
I would pick a woman to be my vice president , ” Biden said at Sunday ’ s Democratic presidential debate .
Clyburn , who gave Biden a critical endorsement before the South Carolina primary , said there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize ” of black women who are qualified .
`` I 'll never tell you who I 'm going to advise him , '' Clyburn told Axios , `` but I would advise him that we need to have a woman on the ticket , and I prefer an African American woman . ''
Clyburn , the House majority whip , is the highest-ranking black elected official in either party in Congress .
California Sen. Kamala Harris , Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge , Florida Rep. Val Demings , former Georgia state Rep. Stacey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and former national security adviser Susan Rice are all possibilities , Clyburn said .

Rep. James Clyburn urged former Vice President Joe Biden to pick a black woman as his running mate.
Biden, the 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner, committed to selecting a woman to run with him if he’s the party’s nominee.
“There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president,” Biden said at Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate.
Clyburn, who gave Biden a critical endorsement before the South Carolina primary, said there’s a “deeper bench than people realize” of black women who are qualified.
"I'll never tell you who I'm going to advise him," Clyburn told Axios, "but I would advise him that we need to have a woman on the ticket, and I prefer an African American woman."
Clyburn, the House majority whip, is the highest-ranking black elected official in either party in Congress.
California Sen. Kamala Harris, Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, Florida Rep. Val Demings, former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and former national security adviser Susan Rice are all possibilities, Clyburn said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Biden promises moratorium on deportations as both candidates pledge lax enforcement of immigration l

Biden promises moratorium on deportations as both candidates pledge lax enforcement of immigration law

At his one-on-one debate with Bernie Sanders Sunday night , Joe Biden said that if he becomes president , his administration will not deport anyone , no one , under any circumstances , during his first 100 days in office .
After that , Biden said , he will only deport those who have committed felonies in the United States .
`` In the first 100 days of my administration , no one , no one will be deported at all , '' Biden said during the debate televised by CNN .
`` From that point on , the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of felonies in the United States of America . ''
`` So to be clear , only felons get deported and everyone else gets to stay ? ''
asked Univision 's Ilia Calderon .
Biden 's promise , which he had been making on the stump before the recent pause in campaigning , is consistent with the Democratic Party 's move to the left on immigration in the last few years .
Various bipartisan proposals in the past would have barred illegal immigrants from staying in the U.S. if they had a felony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden says that only a felony committed in the U.S. , and that would surely mean only a felony conviction , not an arrest , and only after full appeals , would result in the deportation of anyone .
Biden 's move occurred in February , as he sought to keep his campaign alive in the Nevada caucuses .
In an interview with Univision 's Jorge Ramos , the former vice president said the Obama administration was too quick to deport people who were in the U.S. illegally .
`` There were too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I saw the pain in the eyes of so many people who saw their families being deported .
I know what it 's like to lose family members .
It was painful . ''
Biden still lost Nevada .
Sanders won an impressive 50 % of the Latino vote there , to Biden 's 17 % .
But now , the promises stand .
And so do those from Sanders .
For example , on Sunday , Sanders pledged to cut back on interior enforcement of the nation 's immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is to end , and this on Day One , the ICE raids that have been so harmful to many people , '' he said .
In the bigger picture , the two men agreed on what would be an unprecedented loosening of U.S. immigration enforcement .
Both promised to immediately end the Trump administration 's practice of making thousands of illegal border crossers wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are considered in the U.S .
Both promised to send more immigration judges to the border to decide those claims .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while those decisions were being made .
`` I would immediately , as president , surge to the border , '' Biden said .
`` I would end this notion for the first time in history that people seeking asylum have to be in squalor on the other side of the river , and in just a desperate situation .
They should be able to come to the United States and have a judgment made as to whether or not they qualify .
I would also surge to the border immigration judges to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no one would be put in jail while waiting for their hearing . ''
At that point , Calderon asked Sanders to respond .
`` Well , it 's kind of what I have been saying throughout the entire campaign , '' Sanders said .
Finally , both candidates said they would support sanctuary cities that defy federal authorities seeking to enforce immigration law .
`` Vice President Biden , you opposed sanctuary cities as a presidential candidate in 2007 , '' Calderon said .
`` Where do you stand now ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , be turned over to immigration officials ? ''
`` Of course not , '' Sanders said .

At his one-on-one debate with Bernie Sanders Sunday night, Joe Biden said that if he becomes president, his administration will not deport anyone, no one, under any circumstances, during his first 100 days in office. After that, Biden said, he will only deport those who have committed felonies in the United States.
"In the first 100 days of my administration, no one, no one will be deported at all," Biden said during the debate televised by CNN. "From that point on, the only deportations that will take place are commissions of felonies in the United States of America."
"So to be clear, only felons get deported and everyone else gets to stay?" asked Univision's Ilia Calderon.
"Period, yes," Biden said.
Biden's promise, which he had been making on the stump before the recent pause in campaigning, is consistent with the Democratic Party's move to the left on immigration in the last few years. Various bipartisan proposals in the past would have barred illegal immigrants from staying in the U.S. if they had a felony or three misdemeanor convictions. Now, Biden says that only a felony committed in the U.S., and that would surely mean only a felony conviction, not an arrest, and only after full appeals, would result in the deportation of anyone.
Biden's move occurred in February, as he sought to keep his campaign alive in the Nevada caucuses. In an interview with Univision's Jorge Ramos, the former vice president said the Obama administration was too quick to deport people who were in the U.S. illegally. "There were too many [deportations]," Biden said. "I saw the pain in the eyes of so many people who saw their families being deported. I know what it's like to lose family members. It was painful."
Biden still lost Nevada. Sanders won an impressive 50% of the Latino vote there, to Biden's 17%.
But now, the promises stand. And so do those from Sanders.
For example, on Sunday, Sanders pledged to cut back on interior enforcement of the nation's immigration laws. "What we need to do is to end, and this on Day One, the ICE raids that have been so harmful to many people," he said.
In the bigger picture, the two men agreed on what would be an unprecedented loosening of U.S. immigration enforcement. Both promised to immediately end the Trump administration's practice of making thousands of illegal border crossers wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are considered in the U.S. Both promised to send more immigration judges to the border to decide those claims. And both promised not to detain anyone while those decisions were being made.
"I would immediately, as president, surge to the border," Biden said. "I would end this notion for the first time in history that people seeking asylum have to be in squalor on the other side of the river, and in just a desperate situation. They should be able to come to the United States and have a judgment made as to whether or not they qualify. I would also surge to the border immigration judges to make decisions immediately. And no one, no one would be put in jail while waiting for their hearing."
At that point, Calderon asked Sanders to respond.
"Well, it's kind of what I have been saying throughout the entire campaign," Sanders said.
Finally, both candidates said they would support sanctuary cities that defy federal authorities seeking to enforce immigration law.
"Vice President Biden, you opposed sanctuary cities as a presidential candidate in 2007," Calderon said. "Where do you stand now? Should undocumented immigrants, arrested by local police, be turned over to immigration officials?"
"No," Biden said.
"Senator Sanders?"
"Of course not," Sanders said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Coronavirus overshadows what is likely the last Democratic primary debate of 2020

As Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders took the stage for what is likely to be the final Democratic presidential debate of 2020 , the growing coronavirus pandemic ultimately overshadowed everything else .
Even before the debate had started , concerns about the spread of the coronavirus led the Democratic National Committee to ditch the live audience .
Instead , Biden and Sanders debated in CNN 's studios with lecterns six feet apart .
To punctuate the unique moment in political history , the two rivals greeted each other with an awkward elbow bump before taking to their positions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion of the debate and highlighted the differences between the two of them that have been a constant throughout the campaign .
Biden tapped his long experience in office to talk about government response to the crisis , which he argued needed to be treated as the nation would treat a war .
But Sanders used the coronavirus to beat the drum on his ideological hobby horses — income inequality and the need for `` Medicare for all . ''
Given the moment , the former vice president 's comment that in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want results , not a revolution '' neatly encapsulated why Sanders is not getting anywhere near the Democratic nomination .
The Sanders attack on drugmakers as `` crooks '' at the very moment that they are working around the clock to develop medicines that could help treat this awful new disease was especially ill-timed .
The debate moved on to other issues that have been litigated at various points in the campaign — Social Security , climate change , super PAC financing , and free college .
But it was ultimately difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those issues given the gravity of the moment — as the United States approaches 4,000 cases , testing capacity remains inadequate , schools are closing , offices are moving to remote work , and individuals are asked to keep their distance from each other as part of a last-ditch effort to prevent the medical system from collapsing within a few weeks .
Just before Sanders and Biden took the stage , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines recommending the cancellation or postponement of any gatherings of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That suggests a much more significant long-term disruption to the American way of life than a lot of people are prepared for .
And it is n't clear to what extent this nomination contest will continue .
Both candidates have already canceled rallies in favor of virtual town hall appearances , and phone calls have replaced door knocking .
Sanders is expected to lose the four primaries on Tuesday in Florida , Ohio , Illinois , and Arizona .
And in an interview following the debate , he told CNN he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even hold them while the coronavirus is still raging .
`` I would hope that governors listen to the public health experts , and what they are saying is , you just indicated , we do n't want gatherings of more than 50 people , '' he explained .
`` I 'm thinking about some of the elderly people sitting behind the desks , registering people , doing all that stuff .
Does that make a lot of sense ?
I 'm not sure that it does . ''
Even if it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems like we could be moving toward a situation in which upcoming primaries beyond that are either delayed or converted to a mail-in only system , which allowed Washington state to hold a primary despite being hit by one of the deadliest coronavirus outbreaks in the nation .
But at some point there 's going to be a lot of pressure on Sanders to throw in the towel .
Before the coronavirus spread reached current levels , it was clear that Sanders had no path to the nomination .
He 's now had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden in a one-on-one debate .
Should he get swept again Tuesday , if the primaries go on at all , it is n't clear why he 'd be staying in a race .
It 's one thing to continue an ideological crusade during normal times .
But when campaign activities risk exacerbating a national emergency , at some point , by staying in , Sanders begins to look like a sociopath .

As Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders took the stage for what is likely to be the final Democratic presidential debate of 2020, the growing coronavirus pandemic ultimately overshadowed everything else.
Even before the debate had started, concerns about the spread of the coronavirus led the Democratic National Committee to ditch the live audience. Instead, Biden and Sanders debated in CNN's studios with lecterns six feet apart. To punctuate the unique moment in political history, the two rivals greeted each other with an awkward elbow bump before taking to their positions.
The coronavirus response naturally dominated the first portion of the debate and highlighted the differences between the two of them that have been a constant throughout the campaign.
Biden tapped his long experience in office to talk about government response to the crisis, which he argued needed to be treated as the nation would treat a war. But Sanders used the coronavirus to beat the drum on his ideological hobby horses — income inequality and the need for "Medicare for all."
Given the moment, the former vice president's comment that in a crisis such as this, "people want results, not a revolution" neatly encapsulated why Sanders is not getting anywhere near the Democratic nomination. The Sanders attack on drugmakers as "crooks" at the very moment that they are working around the clock to develop medicines that could help treat this awful new disease was especially ill-timed.
The debate moved on to other issues that have been litigated at various points in the campaign — Social Security, climate change, super PAC financing, and free college.
But it was ultimately difficult for Sanders to gain much traction on any of those issues given the gravity of the moment — as the United States approaches 4,000 cases, testing capacity remains inadequate, schools are closing, offices are moving to remote work, and individuals are asked to keep their distance from each other as part of a last-ditch effort to prevent the medical system from collapsing within a few weeks.
Just before Sanders and Biden took the stage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines recommending the cancellation or postponement of any gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. That suggests a much more significant long-term disruption to the American way of life than a lot of people are prepared for.
And it isn't clear to what extent this nomination contest will continue. Both candidates have already canceled rallies in favor of virtual town hall appearances, and phone calls have replaced door knocking.
Sanders is expected to lose the four primaries on Tuesday in Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and Arizona. And in an interview following the debate, he told CNN he wasn't sure if it made sense to even hold them while the coronavirus is still raging. "I would hope that governors listen to the public health experts, and what they are saying is, you just indicated, we don't want gatherings of more than 50 people," he explained. "I'm thinking about some of the elderly people sitting behind the desks, registering people, doing all that stuff. Does that make a lot of sense? I'm not sure that it does."
Even if it doesn't happen ahead of Tuesday, it seems like we could be moving toward a situation in which upcoming primaries beyond that are either delayed or converted to a mail-in only system, which allowed Washington state to hold a primary despite being hit by one of the deadliest coronavirus outbreaks in the nation.
But at some point there's going to be a lot of pressure on Sanders to throw in the towel. Before the coronavirus spread reached current levels, it was clear that Sanders had no path to the nomination. He's now had his chance to articulate his differences with Biden in a one-on-one debate. Should he get swept again Tuesday, if the primaries go on at all, it isn't clear why he'd be staying in a race. It's one thing to continue an ideological crusade during normal times. But when campaign activities risk exacerbating a national emergency, at some point, by staying in, Sanders begins to look like a sociopath.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--'That’s good news for Trump': Republicans are less concerned about coronavirus than Democrats

Republican voters are less concerned about the coronavirus pandemic , offering President Trump some measure of political cover as the November elections approach amid an accelerating public health crisis that is pushing the economy toward recession .
Approximately 40 % of self-identified Republicans fear that an acquaintance or family member might contract COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , compared to a whopping two-thirds of Democratic voters , according to public opinion polls conducted this month .
This lopsided partisan split , which holds across several issues related to the pandemic , could help Trump weather the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society grind to a screeching halt .
“ Republicans are solidly sticking by him , ” said John Couvillon , a Republican pollster in Baton Rouge , Louisiana .
“ They ’ re not going to be affected by whatever happens with the coronavirus pandemic.
” The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on life in the United States , and around the world , are fast-moving and evolving , and voter attitudes are hard to predict .
But in poll after poll over the past couple of weeks , Republican voters have proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this is a dangerous crisis necessitating drastic changes in public behavior .
In a national survey by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal , conducted March 11 – 13 , just 40 % of Republicans worried a family member might catch the coronavirus , compared to 68 % of Democrats .
Meanwhile , just 40 % of Republicans believe “ the worst is yet to come , ” compared to 79 % of Democrats .
Additionally , just 30 % of Republicans said they were stopping , or planning to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Democrats .
In a March 11 – 14 survey of Arizona voters from Monmouth University , 41 % of Republicans were “ less concerned about a family member getting ill from COVID-19 ” compared to the 75 % of Democrats who acknowledged similar fears .
A GOP pollster said that Republican voters , at least , appear to view the coronavirus pandemic through the same partisan lens that has influenced their opinions of other major , national events during the Trump presidency .
“ It is shocking how partisan this thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its peak , ” the GOP pollster said .
“ In crass political terms , that ’ s good news for Trump.
” The president ’ s average job approval rating over the past couple of weeks is 44.5 % , the higher end of his range over the course of his tenure .
He appears to have found his footing in dealing with the coronavirus after initially dismissing the severity of the crisis .
However , Trump has come under heavy fire from Democrats , and Independents give him mixed reviews .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic are difficult to gauge .
“ I ’ ve never lived through pandemic like this – anybody who is predicting this is taking wild guesses , ” said Patrick Murray , who runs the Monmouth University poll .
Tim Malloy , a top analyst for Quinnipiac University ’ s survey , said he is curious to see how Trump ’ s approval looks later in March .
Explained Malloy : “ The one thing we can say is , we don ’ t [ yet ] have any linkage ” between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least one GOP consultant worried that Trump could be blinded to the problem by his uncommonly loyal base .
“ Independents are going to count in a big way in November , ” this Republican insider said .
“ If they believe he 's downplaying a serious crisis , he 's in trouble .
”

Republican voters are less concerned about the coronavirus pandemic, offering President Trump some measure of political cover as the November elections approach amid an accelerating public health crisis that is pushing the economy toward recession.
Approximately 40% of self-identified Republicans fear that an acquaintance or family member might contract COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, compared to a whopping two-thirds of Democratic voters, according to public opinion polls conducted this month. This lopsided partisan split, which holds across several issues related to the pandemic, could help Trump weather the political fallout as nearly every aspect of American society grind to a screeching halt.
“Republicans are solidly sticking by him,” said John Couvillon, a Republican pollster in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “They’re not going to be affected by whatever happens with the coronavirus pandemic.”
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on life in the United States, and around the world, are fast-moving and evolving, and voter attitudes are hard to predict. But in poll after poll over the past couple of weeks, Republican voters have proven more resistant than Democrats to the concept that this is a dangerous crisis necessitating drastic changes in public behavior.
In a national survey by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, conducted March 11–13, just 40% of Republicans worried a family member might catch the coronavirus, compared to 68% of Democrats. Meanwhile, just 40% of Republicans believe “the worst is yet to come,” compared to 79% of Democrats. Additionally, just 30% of Republicans said they were stopping, or planning to stop, large gatherings, compared to 61% of Democrats.
In a March 11–14 survey of Arizona voters from Monmouth University, 41% of Republicans were “less concerned about a family member getting ill from COVID-19” compared to the 75% of Democrats, who acknowledged similar fears. A GOP pollster said that Republican voters, at least, appear to view the coronavirus pandemic through the same partisan lens that has influenced their opinions of other major national events during the Trump presidency.
“It is shocking how partisan this thing is — it’s tribalism at its peak,” the GOP pollster said. “In crass political terms, that’s good news for Trump.”
The president’s average job approval rating over the past couple of weeks is 44.5%, the higher end of his range over the course of his tenure. He appears to have found his footing in dealing with the coronavirus after initially dismissing the severity of the crisis. However, Trump has come under heavy fire from Democrats, and independents give him mixed reviews.
Nonpartisan pollsters say the politics of the pandemic are difficult to gauge.
“I’ve never lived through pandemic like this — anybody who is predicting this is taking wild guesses,” said Patrick Murray, who runs the Monmouth University poll. Tim Malloy, a top analyst for Quinnipiac University’s survey, said he is curious to see how Trump’s approval looks later in March. Explained Malloy: “The one thing we can say is, we don’t [yet] have any linkage” between the coronavirus and Trump’s job approval.
At least one GOP consultant worried that Trump could be blinded to the problem by his uncommonly loyal base. “Independents are going to count in a big way in November,” this Republican insider said. “If they believe he's downplaying a serious crisis, he's in trouble.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Biden blowout victory in Florida leaves Sanders with no path to nomination

Joe Biden crushed Bernie Sanders in Florida , adding to a series of decisive wins that leaves the Vermont senator with no realistic path to securing the Democratic presidential nomination .
Several outlets called the state for the former vice president as soon as final polls closed .
At 8 p.m. EST , with 62 % of precincts reporting , Biden had 60.9 % of the vote , while Sanders had 22.6 % .
Despite the state accounting for 219 nominating delegates to the Democratic National Convention , neither candidate visited the state in person in the days before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , Biden had “ virtual town halls ” via video conference and Sanders held a digital “ fireside chat.
” Normal campaign operations were also interrupted , with staff members working from home rather than going door-to-door to encourage voters to go to the polls .
The Vermont senator , though , had little chance in the state , even before the pandemic swept the country .
Primary showed Biden consistently leading Sanders by 30 to 40 points .
Sanders ’ s February about Fidel Castro ’ s repressive regime in Cuba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any ground in the state .
“ It 's unfair to simply say , 'Everything is bad . '
You know , when Fidel Castro came into office , you know what he did ?
He had a massive literacy program , ” Sanders said in a 60 Minutes interview .
Two freshman Florida House Democrats , Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell , Sanders ’ s comment .
The state has an estimated 1.5 million Cuban Americans .
The win will increase Biden ’ s delegate lead on Sanders .
Before the Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 153 delegates .
Delegates are allocated proportionally based on the vote in congressional districts and statewide , meaning that winning by a large margin translates to a greater delegate advantage .
A total of 1,991 delegates is needed to win the Democratic nomination at the party 's national convention this summer .
Despite complications from the coronavirus , MSNBC 's early data suggested that voter turnout in the state 's Democratic primary could far exceed that of 2016 — around 2.25 million compared to 1.7 million in 2016 .

Joe Biden crushed Bernie Sanders in Florida, adding to a series of decisive wins that leaves the Vermont senator with no realistic path to securing the Democratic presidential nomination.
Several outlets called the state for the former vice president as soon as final polls closed. At 8 p.m. EST, with 62% of precincts reporting, Biden had 60.9% of the vote, while Sanders had 22.6%.
Despite the state accounting for 219 nominating delegates to the Democratic National Convention, neither candidate visited the state in person in the days before the primary due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, Biden had “virtual town halls” via video conference and Sanders held a digital “fireside chat.” Normal campaign operations were also interrupted, with staff members working from home rather than going door-to-door to encourage voters to go to the polls.
The Vermont senator, though, had little chance in the state, even before the pandemic swept the country. Primary polls showed Biden consistently leading Sanders by 30 to 40 points.
Sanders’s February comment about Fidel Castro’s repressive regime in Cuba likely also hurt his chances of gaining any ground in the state.
“It's unfair to simply say, 'Everything is bad.' You know, when Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program,” Sanders said in a 60 Minutes interview.
Two freshman Florida House Democrats, Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, condemned Sanders’s comment. The state has an estimated 1.5 million Cuban Americans.
The win will increase Biden’s delegate lead on Sanders. Before the Tuesday nominating contests, Biden had a lead of about 153 delegates. Delegates are allocated proportionally based on the vote in congressional districts and statewide, meaning that winning by a large margin translates to a greater delegate advantage.
A total of 1,991 delegates is needed to win the Democratic nomination at the party's national convention this summer.
Despite complications from the coronavirus, MSNBC's early data suggested that voter turnout in the state's Democratic primary could far exceed that of 2016 — around 2.25 million compared to 1.7 million in 2016.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--McConnell campaign suspends voter contact program to provide help for 'at-risk' people during corona

McConnell campaign suspends voter contact program to provide help for 'at-risk' people during coronavirus outbreak

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's campaign said it will be putting its voter contact program on pause while it seeks to help vulnerable Kentuckians during the coronavirus outbreak .
`` Team Mitch has suspended its voter contact program and is asking Kentuckians if we can be a resource to provide meals for those who are at-risk and can not get a meal on their own during this difficult time , '' Kevin Golden , McConnell 's campaign manager , said in a statement to the Daily Caller .
`` We paused our entire voter contact program and turned it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' a McConnell campaign official said .
`` Phone bank volunteers are now standing by as operators for folks who need help .
Staff and volunteers who , under normal circumstances , would be fanning out across the state to canvass and distribute campaign literature have been now tasked with assisting the needy during this difficult time . ''
Golden slammed the senator 's opponent Amy McGrath for running attack ads while McConnell 's campaign has suspended voter contact programs .
`` As Sen. McConnell leads bipartisan efforts to help Kentuckians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus , Amy McGrath continues to run millions of dollars in false , negative political advertising designed to tear us apart , '' he said .
`` A candidate whose partisanship and ideology is so extreme that she can not understand what people need in times of crisis is one that should not represent her political party , let alone the Commonwealth of Kentucky . ''
Kentucky has 22 confirmed cases of the coronavirus .
Nationwide , there are nearly 6,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 17 people who have recovered @

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign said it will be putting its voter contact program on pause while it seeks to help vulnerable Kentuckians during the coronavirus outbreak.
"Team Mitch has suspended its voter contact program and is asking Kentuckians if we can be a resource to provide meals for those who are at-risk and cannot get a meal on their own during this difficult time," Kevin Golden, McConnell's campaign manager, said in a statement to the Daily Caller.
"We paused our entire voter contact program and turned it into an outreach effort for at-risk Kentuckians," a McConnell campaign official said. "Phone bank volunteers are now standing by as operators for folks who need help. Staff and volunteers who, under normal circumstances, would be fanning out across the state to canvass and distribute campaign literature have been now tasked with assisting the needy during this difficult time."
Golden slammed the senator's opponent Amy McGrath for running attack ads while McConnell's campaign has suspended voter contact programs.
"As Sen. McConnell leads bipartisan efforts to help Kentuckians and all Americans cope with the impact of the coronavirus, Amy McGrath continues to run millions of dollars in false, negative political advertising designed to tear us apart," he said. "A candidate whose partisanship and ideology is so extreme that she cannot understand what people need in times of crisis is one that should not represent her political party, let alone the Commonwealth of Kentucky."
Kentucky has 22 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Nationwide, there are nearly 6,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 17 people who have recovered.