thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Susan Collins: Trump should 'step back' and allow experts to speak about coronavirus

Sen. Susan Collins said she wants to hear more messaging from public health officials and less from President Trump .
After Trump declared a national emergency during a press conference on Friday , the Maine Republican told reporters that she would prefer experts in the field speak to the public about COVID-19 as it sweeps across the nation .
“ I would like the president to step back and appoint one of our public health officials to be the spokesman as we go through dealing with this novel virus , ” Collins said , noting that she would prefer the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health .
Fauci , who is respected on both sides of the aisle , is a longtime health official who told Congress on Thursday that the federal government was “ failing ” in its coronavirus testing capabilities .
“ The system does not — is not really geared to what we need right now — what you are asking for .
That is a failing .
It is a failing .
Let ’ s admit it , ” Fauci told lawmakers .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Maine Gov .
Janet Mills and the state for the steps it is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but said messaging by federal officials was “ inconsistent.
” “ We are making progress at the federal level , but I am not satisfied with the response , ” Collins said .
“ I think that the messaging at the federal level has been inconsistent and when you are dealing with a novel virus like this , it ’ s very important that health professionals be out front and that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national emergency at the Friday news conference .
There have been at least 2,110 cases and 48 deaths in 48 states .

Sen. Susan Collins said she wants to hear more messaging from public health officials and less from President Trump.
After Trump declared a national emergency during a press conference on Friday, the Maine Republican told reporters that she would prefer experts in the field speak to the public about COVID-19 as it sweeps across the nation.
“I would like the president to step back and appoint one of our public health officials to be the spokesman as we go through dealing with this novel virus,” Collins said, noting that she would prefer the messaging be handled by Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health.
Fauci, who is respected on both sides of the aisle, is a longtime health official who told Congress on Thursday that the federal government was “failing” in its coronavirus testing capabilities.
“The system does not — is not really geared to what we need right now — what you are asking for. That is a failing. It is a failing. Let’s admit it,” Fauci told lawmakers.
Speaking in her home state, Collins praised Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills and the state for the steps it is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 but said messaging by federal officials was “inconsistent.”
“We are making progress at the federal level, but I am not satisfied with the response,” Collins said. “I think that the messaging at the federal level has been inconsistent and when you are dealing with a novel virus like this, it’s very important that health professionals be out front and that there be a consistent message.”
Trump declared a national emergency at the Friday news conference. There have been at least 2,110 cases and 48 deaths in 48 states.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--White House Report Card: Dueling performances on virus ends on a weekly high

This week ’ s White House Report Card finds the country and President Trump in unusual territory as he moves to contain the fallout from the coronavirus .
Efforts earlier in the week described by critics as shaky were greatly enhanced Friday when Trump ordered new health and economic initiatives to put the country in a better position than virus-wracked Europe .
Those moves brought partisan praise and criticism on Capitol Hill and by our graders .
Conservative analyst Jed Babbin , in grading a “ B minus , ” said the president ’ s biggest move , shutting down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good one .
Pollster John Zogby , unimpressed with Trump in grading an “ F , ” said what many have , that he has been comforted by Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , a leading spokesman in the anti-virus effort .
President Trump had a good week despite everything being overshadowed by the spread of the coronavirus and media-hyped panic over it .
The Wuhan virus -- aka the coronavirus or covid-19 -- has spread globally but the U.S. is in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite Democrat ’ s shouting that there aren ’ t enough test kits available , there are enough to test any American who needs to be tested and millions more test kits are being manufactured .
The president ’ s advice -- which boiled down to “ don ’ t panic ” -- seems to have fallen on deaf ears in the media .
Earlier in the week , Wall Street indices fell into a bear market , but recovered partially with a 1,985-point gain after Trump ’ s Friday Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League Baseball spring training , the NCAA “ March Madness ” and much of the NBA season have all been cancelled .
The economic impact , which goes far beyond the entertainment industries , is going to be massive despite the coming and clearly foreseeable market recovery .
Trump ’ s ban on admission of travelers from Europe ( excepting Ireland and the U.K. ) took European governments by surprise .
Nevertheless , it ’ s a good move .
The Schengen Agreement -- which enables free travel among European Union member states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan virus almost at will .
Nations such as Italy -- which has one of the biggest outbreaks -- have shut themselves down but travel among other EU nations is unrestricted .
Meanwhile , an Iran-backed attack on a U.S. base in Iraq resulted in the deaths of two U.S. troops and one British soldier .
U.S. retaliation took the form of airstrikes President Trump tried to conjure up his inner James Buchanan earlier this week .
Let the crisis worsen then run out the clock .
But by mid-week he had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of ignoring it and once again attacking everyone else .
His efforts were mainly good .
Emergency small business loans , relief for hourly workers and those temporarily displaced , family leave payments and so on .
But there are limits to Trump 's 'America First ' theme .
Not clueing in the leaders of EU nations beforehand on his travel limits and making us all guess who was impacted was just bad form .
President 's are supposed to lead , not fight , then follow .
I join millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Fauci .
He is not only a voice of reason , but he knows what he knows .
And perhaps more importantly he knows what he does n't know and searches .
Somehow that gives me a lot more hope .
I wrote this report card before the president 's news conference declaring a national emergency and bringing together leaders in retail , research , diagnostics and health care .
I will keep the original grade because I believe it reflects the bulk of the week .
Jed Babbin is a Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense in the administration of former President George H.W .
Bush .
Follow him on Twitter @ jedbabbin John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies .
His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here .
Follow him on Twitter @ TheJohnZogby

This week’s White House Report Card finds the country and President Trump in unusual territory as he moves to contain the fallout from the coronavirus.
Efforts earlier in the week described by critics as shaky were greatly enhanced Friday when Trump ordered new health and economic initiatives to put the country in a better position than virus-wracked Europe.
Those moves brought partisan praise and criticism on Capitol Hill and by our graders. Conservative analyst Jed Babbin, in grading a “B minus,” said the president’s biggest move, shutting down air travel with Europe, was a good one. Pollster John Zogby, unimpressed with Trump in grading an “F,” said what many have, that he has been comforted by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a leading spokesman in the anti-virus effort.
Jed Babbin
Grade B-
President Trump had a good week despite everything being overshadowed by the spread of the coronavirus and media-hyped panic over it.
The Wuhan virus, also known as the coronavirus or the COVID-19 virus, has spread globally, but the United States is in a very strong position to deal with it. Despite Democrats shouting that there aren’t enough test kits available, there are enough to test any person who needs to be tested, and millions more test kits are being manufactured. The president’s advice, which boiled down to “don’t panic,” seems to have fallen on deaf ears in the media.
Earlier in the week, Wall Street indices fell into a bear market, but recovered partially with a 1,985-point gain after Trump’s Friday Rose Garden press conference.
Broadway shows, Major League Baseball spring training, the NCAA “March Madness,” and much of the NBA season have all been canceled. The economic impact, which goes far beyond the entertainment industry, is going to be massive despite the coming and clearly foreseeable market recovery.
The usually bustling center of Rome almost totally deserted at around 5.45pm on Friday March 13, the third full day of the nationwide #coronavirus lockdown. Only pharmacies and supermarkets were open. pic.twitter.com/WQPw4e5iaU — Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) March 14, 2020
Trump’s ban on admission of travelers from Europe (excepting Ireland and the United Kingdom) took European governments by surprise. Nevertheless, it’s a good move. The Schengen Agreement, which enables free travel among European Union member states, has the effect of spreading the Wuhan virus almost at will. Nations such as Italy, which has one of the biggest outbreaks, have shut themselves down, but travel among other EU nations is unrestricted.
Meanwhile, an Iran-backed attack on a U.S. base in Iraq resulted in the deaths of two U.S. troops and one British soldier. U.S. retaliation took the form of airstrikes.
John Zogby
Grade F
President Trump tried to conjure up his inner James Buchanan earlier this week. Let the crisis worsen then run out the clock. But by midweek, he had no choice but to wrestle with reality, instead of ignoring it and once again attacking everyone else.
His efforts were mainly good: emergency small business loans, relief for hourly workers and those temporarily displaced, family leave payments, and so on.
I fully support H.R. 6201: Families First CoronaVirus Response Act, which will be voted on in the House this evening. This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers. I have directed.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
But there are limits to Trump's 'America First' theme. Not clueing in the leaders of EU nations beforehand on his travel limits and making us all guess who was affected was just bad form.
Presidents are supposed to lead, not fight, then follow. I join millions of people in thanking God we have Dr. Anthony Fauci. He is not only a voice of reason, but he knows what he knows. And perhaps more importantly, he knows what he doesn't know and searches. Somehow, that gives me a lot more hope.
I wrote this report card before the president's news conference declaring a national emergency and bringing together leaders in retail, research, diagnostics, and healthcare. I will keep the original grade because I believe it reflects the bulk of the week.
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here. Follow him on Twitter @TheJohnZogby


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Digital dominance: Republicans confident 'virtual ground game' a winner for Trump campaign

As campaigns pull ground troops from the field and convert voter turnout machines to virtual operations because of the coronavirus pandemic , Republicans operatives are confident President Trump has the upper hand over his Democratic opposition .
The Trump campaign entered the 2020 contest with a critical infrastructure advantage after spending spent last year building an extensive field and data program and deploying more than 800 paid staff and volunteers to key battleground states .
But even with the switch to virtual campaigning , to avoid excessive person-to-person contact to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 , Republican insiders say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin the general election at a significant operational deficit .
“ This situation helps Trump a great deal , ” said Jim Dornan , a Republican strategist .
“ The voter-contact his campaign is doing is so technologically advanced , it 's going to make it even harder for the Democrats to catch up.
” The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee are postponing all in-person organizing activities , including knocking on doors to identify and motivate the president ’ s supporters .
A previously planned “ national week of training , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ground-game in conjunction with primaries in Arizona , Florida , Illinois and Ohio , was still set to kick off Saturday , but it will now be conducted via a mixture of telephone and video conferencing .
The week-long program leads into a “ super Saturday ” call day scheduled for March 21 , to be led by senior field staff and neighborhood team leaders .
In place of peer-to-peer contact , generally considered the most effective of turnout methods , the Trump campaign is going to lean on its “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming smart phone app .
The RNC also uses several digital tools that enable its field volunteers to keep in touch with targeted voters .
The RNC voter registration program also is also going virtual , with plans to contact thousands of Americans who have attended Trump campaign rallies and expressed support for the president .
“ With our field organization largely built out and over half a million volunteers already engaged , we are in an incredibly strong position to activate an aggressive digital and virtual political operation , '' RNC Chairwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While former vice president Joe Biden tries to solidify his lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders after a long and divisive Democratic primary , Trump has the luxury of focusing solely on November .
As a crowded Democratic field battled for the nomination over the past year , the president ’ s team refined his political operation , including a program for digital communications that is going to be so crucial for succeeding during this virtual phase of the 2020 campaign .
But some Republicans caution that the next few weeks could be unpredictable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game — virtual or otherwise — is a difference maker only as long as the race between two candidates remains close .

As campaigns pull ground troops from the field and convert voter turnout machines to virtual operations because of the coronavirus pandemic, Republican operatives are confident President Trump has the upper hand over his Democratic opposition.
The Trump campaign entered the 2020 contest with a critical infrastructure advantage after it spent last year building an extensive field and data program and deploying more than 800 paid staff and volunteers to key battleground states. But even with the switch to virtual campaigning, to avoid excessive person-to-person contact to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Republican insiders say the president’s eventual Democratic challenger will begin the general election at a significant operational deficit.
“This situation helps Trump a great deal,” said Jim Dornan, a Republican strategist. “The voter contact his campaign is doing is so technologically advanced, it's going to make it even harder for the Democrats to catch up.”
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee are postponing all in-person organizing activities, including knocking on doors to identify and motivate the president’s supporters.
A previously planned “national week of training" to fine-tune the Trump campaign’s ground game in conjunction with primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio was still set to kick off Saturday, but it will now be conducted via a mixture of telephone and video conferencing. The weeklong program leads into a “super Saturday” call day scheduled for next Saturday, to be led by senior field staff and neighborhood team leaders.
In place of peer-to-peer contact, generally considered the most effective of turnout methods, the Trump campaign is going to lean on its “Army for Trump” website and its related smartphone app. The RNC also uses several digital tools that enable its field volunteers to keep in touch with targeted voters.
The RNC voter registration program also is also going virtual, with plans to contact thousands of people who have attended Trump campaign rallies and expressed support for the president.
“With our field organization largely built out and over half a million volunteers already engaged, we are in an incredibly strong position to activate an aggressive digital and virtual political operation," RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.
While former Vice President Joe Biden tries to solidify his lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders after a long and divisive Democratic primary, Trump has the luxury of focusing solely on November. As a crowded Democratic field battled for the nomination over the past year, the president’s team refined his political operation, including a program for digital communications that is going to be so crucial for succeeding during this virtual phase of the 2020 campaign.
But some Republicans caution that the next few weeks could be unpredictable, while emphasizing that a superior ground game (virtual or otherwise) is a difference-maker only as long as the race between two candidates remains close.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'Moved quickly': Andrew Cuomo praises President Trump's coronavirus response

Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo thanked President Trump for “ moving quickly ” to combat the coronavirus outbreak spreading in the United States .
“ I want to thank the vice president — and especially the president — who facilitated this and moved quickly , ” Cuomo during a Friday press conference .
“ The more you test , the more positives you find , the more you can isolate , and the more you reduce the spread , ” Cuomo added .
“ You learn from the countries that have come before : China , South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been talking to the federal government about the federal government authorizing states to do testing .
State health departments regulate labs in their states .
We need obviously more testing capacity , and we need it quickly .
So I spoke to the vice president about this.
” Trump ’ s team tweeted the clip of Cuomo and added a message of how the president has worked closely with various states to stop the spread of the virus .
“ The Trump administration is working hard with state and local partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and rapidly expand testing , ” a verified account for the “ Trump war room ” said on Twitter .
Cuomo and Trump have battled back and forth several times over the past few years and multiple times during the coronavirus outbreak .
Cuomo during an interview last week that the Trump administration was sending “ mixed messages ” about how to handle the pandemic .
Trump responded with a shot on Twitter that also addressed Cuomo 's brother , Chris , who is a vociferous critic of the president via his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There are no mixed messages , only political weaponization by people like you and your brother , Fredo ! ''
the president said .
The coronavirus has 51 people in the U.S. , including one in New York state , and Trump a national emergency on Friday .

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo thanked President Trump for “moving quickly” to combat the coronavirus outbreak spreading in the United States.
“I want to thank the vice president — and especially the president — who facilitated this and moved quickly,” Cuomo said during a Friday press conference.
“The more you test, the more positives you find, the more you can isolate, and the more you reduce the spread,” Cuomo added. “You learn from the countries that have come before: China, South Korea, and Italy.
“We’ve been talking to the federal government about the federal government authorizing states to do testing. State health departments regulate labs in their states. We need obviously more testing capacity, and we need it quickly. So I spoke to the vice president about this.”
Trump’s team tweeted the clip of Cuomo and added a message of how the president has worked closely with various states to stop the spread of the virus.
“The Trump administration is working hard with state and local partners, including @NYGovCuomo, to combat the coronavirus and rapidly expand testing,” a verified account for the “Trump war room” said on Twitter.
The Trump administration is working hard with state and local partners, including @NYGovCuomo, to combat the coronavirus and rapidly expand testing:
Gov. Cuomo: “I want to thank the vice president, and especially the president, who facilitated this and moved quickly.” pic.twitter.com/KFjunGVUnb — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) March 13, 2020
Cuomo and Trump have battled back and forth several times over the past few years and multiple times during the coronavirus outbreak.
Cuomo said during an interview last week that the Trump administration was sending “mixed messages” about how to handle the pandemic. Trump responded with a shot on Twitter that also addressed Cuomo's brother, Chris, who is a vociferous critic of the president via his position as an anchor on CNN.
"There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!" the president said.
There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo! https://t.co/NqH4pHfuwt — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Maxine Waters: Trump has failed on coronavirus response because 'average American' doesn't trust him

Rep. Maxine Waters claimed the United States was unprepared for the coronavirus because the average person lacks trust in President Trump .
“ Well , you know , one of the problems that we have is there ’ s not a lot of trust from the average American in the president of the United States , ” the California Democrat “ Unfortunately , he has been documented to have lied so many times , to distort , to change the story , and so , you know , one of the things we look for in a leader and particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of leadership where people can trust you because of the way you have conducted yourself as you have led the presidency , been in the presidency.
” Waters added that Trump gave out “ misinformation ” in the early stages of the fight against the virus that has killed 51 people in the U.S. and has “ stepped on his own credibility ” trying to do “ cleanup.
” Waters that President Trump needs to “ shut his mouth ” and let other people handle the coronavirus situation .
The congresswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president for several years and has against his supporters and he ’ s a member of the Ku Klux Klan .
Trump addressed the nation from the White House Rose Garden on Friday and declared a national emergency in an attempt to gather more federal funding and resources to combat the virus .

Rep. Maxine Waters claimed the United States was unprepared for the coronavirus because the average person lacks trust in President Trump.
“Well, you know, one of the problems that we have is there’s not a lot of trust from the average American in the president of the United States,” the California Democrat said Friday on MSNBC.
“Unfortunately, he has been documented to have lied so many times, to distort, to change the story, and so, you know, one of the things we look for in a leader and particularly the president of the United States is the kind of leadership where people can trust you because of the way you have conducted yourself as you have led the presidency, been in the presidency.”
Waters added that Trump gave out “misinformation” in the early stages of the fight against the virus that has killed 51 people in the U.S. and has “stepped on his own credibility” trying to do “cleanup.”
Waters said earlier this week that President Trump needs to “shut his mouth” and let other people handle the coronavirus situation.
The congresswoman has been a staunch critic of the president for several years and has called for violence against his supporters and suggested he’s a member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Trump addressed the nation from the White House Rose Garden on Friday and declared a national emergency in an attempt to gather more federal funding and resources to combat the virus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'Nothing wrong with godly principles': Ben Carson lauds Trump for National Day of Prayer declaration

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson praised President Trump 's call for a National Day of Prayer as the coronavirus outbreak grips the nation .
As Vice President Mike Pence and officials of the White House Coronavirus Task Force provided updates to the public on the growing COVID-19 pandemic , Carson spoke on the upcoming National Day of Prayer tailored to boosting morale among the public .
`` I hope that we as a nation can use this as an opportunity to pull together for good .
You know , President Trump is going to be recommending a National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we 've gotten away from prayer and faith a lot in this country , '' Carson said during the Saturday press conference .
`` There 's nothing wrong with godly principles , no matter what your faith is : loving your neighbor , caring about the people around you , developing your God-given talents to the utmost so that you become valuable to the people around you , having values and principles that govern your life , '' he continued .
`` Those are things that made America zoom to the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And those are the things that will keep us there too . ''
On Friday evening , Trump declared Sunday a National Day of Prayer , alluding to the times people in the United States traditionally hold steadfast to faith when facing difficult times .
The first Sunday of every March since 1988 has been designated as a National Day of Prayer , but the president tailored the event this year toward addressing the outbreak of COVID-19 .
`` It is my great honor to declare Sunday , March 15th as a National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Country that , throughout our history , has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these , '' the President said in a tweet .
`` No matter where you may be , I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith .
Together , we will easily PREVAIL ! ''

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson praised President Trump's call for a National Day of Prayer as the coronavirus outbreak grips the nation.
As Vice President Mike Pence and officials of the White House Coronavirus Task Force provided updates to the public on the growing COVID-19 pandemic, Carson spoke on the upcoming National Day of Prayer tailored to boosting morale among the public.
"I hope that we as a nation can use this as an opportunity to pull together for good. You know, President Trump is going to be recommending a National Day of Prayer. And you know, we've gotten away from prayer and faith a lot in this country," Carson said during the Saturday press conference.
"There's nothing wrong with godly principles, no matter what your faith is: loving your neighbor, caring about the people around you, developing your God-given talents to the utmost so that you become valuable to the people around you, having values and principles that govern your life," he continued.
"Those are things that made America zoom to the top of the world in record time. And those are the things that will keep us there too."
On Friday evening, Trump declared Sunday a National Day of Prayer, alluding to the times people in the United States traditionally hold steadfast to faith when facing difficult times. The first Sunday of every March since 1988 has been designated as a National Day of Prayer, but the president tailored the event this year toward addressing the outbreak of COVID-19.
"It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these," the President said in a tweet. "No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Trump adopts more serious tone in latest coronavirus briefing

President Trump exhibited a more serious tone during the Saturday coronavirus news briefing , making more public health recommendations than promises that the outbreak is on its way out .
`` I just want to thank everybody , I think the representation has been very fair for the most part , '' Trump said .
`` We ’ re all in this together . ''
After weeks of criticism for downplaying the severity of the coronavirus outbreak , Trump gave pragmatic recommendations during Saturday 's press briefing at the White House , following his team 's lead in reminding people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance themselves from others .
He even apologized for shaking hands with so many people in the midst of a rapidly worsening outbreak .
`` We all will solve this problem , we 'll solve it well , '' Trump said .
`` I think the American people have been incredible in the way they 've acted . ''
Trump sought to reduce widespread panic about two weeks ago when he said that few people would be affected by the virus , which has now infected about 2,500 people in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country mounted and the death toll rose , Trump continued to praise the work of his administration 's health experts and Vice President Mike Pence , who became the coronavirus task force 's chief spokesman .
“ When you have 15 people , and the 15 , within a couple of days , is going to be down to close to zero , that ’ s a pretty good job we ’ ve done , '' Trump said on Feb. 26 .
Trump 's net approval rating fell two points , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , according to FiveThirtyEight , and his statement Wednesday night about halting flights from Europe in an effort to keep new coronavirus cases out was criticized for stoking more panic about the virus .
But on Saturday , Trump struck a unifying tone , assuring the press that his administration is `` incredible '' and `` working 20 hours a day ... or maybe more . ''
He also said that `` frankly , it 's fine '' that consumers are stocking up for potential quarantine .
The president has said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a need to take the test , claiming White House doctors told him that because he was n't exhibiting symptoms , it was n't necessary .
In an abrupt reversal , he announced Saturday that he took the coronavirus test Friday night and is awaiting results .
Members of the coronavirus team have been saying for weeks that the outbreak will worsen , and Trump 's tone Saturday reflected that message .
Anthony Fauci , head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health , warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our peak.
” “ Now , we will see more cases , and we will see more suffering and death , predominantly , as the vice president said , among the vulnerables in our society , the individuals with the conditions that we spoke to and the elderly , ” Fauci said .

President Trump exhibited a more serious tone during the Saturday coronavirus news briefing, making more public health recommendations than promises that the outbreak is on its way out.
"I just want to thank everybody, I think the representation has been very fair for the most part," Trump said. "We’re all in this together."
After weeks of criticism for downplaying the severity of the coronavirus outbreak, Trump gave pragmatic recommendations during Saturday's press briefing at the White House, following his team's lead in reminding people to wash their hands vigorously and to distance themselves from others. He even apologized for shaking hands with so many people in the midst of a rapidly worsening outbreak.
"We all will solve this problem, we'll solve it well," Trump said. "I think the American people have been incredible in the way they've acted."
Trump sought to reduce widespread panic about two weeks ago when he said that few people would be affected by the virus, which has now infected about 2,500 people in the United States. As the number of cases around the country mounted and the death toll rose, Trump continued to praise the work of his administration's health experts and Vice President Mike Pence, who became the coronavirus task force's chief spokesman.
President Trump speaks during a briefing on the coronavirus in the White House. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
“When you have 15 people, and the 15, within a couple of days, is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done," Trump said on Feb. 26.
Trump's net approval rating fell two points, from -8.9 on Feb. 24 to -10.8 on Wednesday, according to FiveThirtyEight, and his statement Wednesday night about halting flights from Europe in an effort to keep new coronavirus cases out was criticized for stoking more panic about the virus.
But on Saturday, Trump struck a unifying tone, assuring the press that his administration is "incredible" and "working 20 hours a day ... or maybe more." He also said that "frankly, it's fine" that consumers are stocking up for potential quarantine.
The president has said in the past that he doesn't feel a need to take the test, claiming White House doctors told him that because he wasn't exhibiting symptoms, it wasn't necessary. In an abrupt reversal, he announced Saturday that he took the coronavirus test Friday night and is awaiting results.
Members of the coronavirus team have been saying for weeks that the outbreak will worsen, and Trump's tone Saturday reflected that message.
Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, warned Saturday that "we have not reached our peak.”
“Now, we will see more cases, and we will see more suffering and death, predominantly, as the vice president said, among the vulnerables in our society, the individuals with the conditions that we spoke to and the elderly,” Fauci said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'No more bickering': Surgeon general slams media for 'finger-pointing' at Trump administration over

'No more bickering': Surgeon general slams media for 'finger-pointing' at Trump administration over coronavirus response

Surgeon General Jerome Adams ripped into reporters during a White House press conference , telling them they should stop blaming @ @ @ @ @ response to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` We really need you all to lean into @ @ @ @ @ safety of the American people , '' Adams said at the Saturday press conference .
@ @ @ @ @ No more partisanship .
No more criticism or finger-pointing . ''
The comment comes as @ @ @ @ @ behind many other countries in testing response .
Top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci admitted @ @ @ @ @ when it came to coronavirus testing .
“ The system does not — is not @ @ @ @ @ need right now — what you are asking for .
That is a failing .
@ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s admit it , ” he told lawmakers earlier this week .
The @ @ @ @ @ over 2,300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , along with at least 50 deaths .

Surgeon General Jerome Adams ripped into reporters during a White House press conference, telling them they should stop blaming the Trump administration for their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
"We really need you all to lean into and prioritize the health and safety of the American people," Adams said at the Saturday press conference. "No more bickering. No more partisanship. No more criticism or finger-pointing."
The comment comes as the United States remains far behind many other countries in testing response. Top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci admitted America was "failing" when it came to coronavirus testing.
“The system does not — is not really geared to what we need right now — what you are asking for. That is a failing. It is a failing. Let’s admit it,” he told lawmakers earlier this week.
The U.S. has so far had over 2,300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, along with at least 50 deaths.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Fever-stricken reporter barred from White House coronavirus briefing

A journalist was denied entry into the White House Coronavirus Task Force news briefing Saturday after developing a fever .
Reporters had their body temperatures taken by staff at the White House as a precaution against the coronavirus .
One person was tested three times by the White House Medical Unit over a 15-minute period , and each time , the result registered above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's guideline of what constitutes a fever , 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit , according to Katie Miller , who is a press secretary to Vice President Mike Pence .
Fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
NBC News 's Kelly O'Donnell said in a tweet that the journalist who was turned away appeared to be from China Global Television Network .
The checks began on Saturday .
`` Out of an abundance of caution , temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
President Trump told reporters who made it into the briefing room that he took a coronavirus test on Friday night and is awaiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested .
There have been more than 1,600 cases of the coronavirus in the United States , along with at least 40 deaths .

A journalist was denied entry into the White House Coronavirus Task Force news briefing Saturday after developing a fever.
Reporters had their body temperatures taken by staff at the White House as a precaution against the coronavirus.
One person was tested three times by the White House Medical Unit over a 15-minute period, and each time, the result registered above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guideline of what constitutes a fever, 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Katie Miller, who is a press secretary to Vice President Mike Pence.
Fever is one of the symptoms of the coronavirus.
NBC News's Kelly O'Donnell said in a tweet that the journalist who was turned away appeared to be from China Global Television Network.
WH Medical Office taking temperatures to enter the briefing room. pic.twitter.com/ZybBlwFsyK — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) March 14, 2020
Journalist turned away after temperature screening. His organization appears to be CGTN an English language channel that is Chinese owned. pic.twitter.com/DFvVasbxd5 — Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) March 14, 2020
The checks began on Saturday. "Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president," White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
President Trump told reporters who made it into the briefing room that he took a coronavirus test on Friday night and is awaiting results.
There have been more than 1,600 cases of the coronavirus in the United States, along with at least 40 deaths.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Stephen King falsely claims Trump coronavirus response team 'all male, all old, and all white'

Writer Stephen King was criticized Friday for labeling President Trump ’ s coronavirus response team gathered in the Rose Garden as “ all male , all old , and all white ” despite clear evidence to the contrary .
“ Note that Trump ’ s coronavirus team is all male , all old , and all white , ” King said in a tweet that was retweeted over 10,000 times and liked over 100,000 times .
Many Twitter users quickly responded with photos from the press conference King was referencing , showing people speaking who did not match his assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is happening to you , ” The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis said on Twitter , along with tweeting a picture of who is both female and nonwhite , and Dr. Deborah Burke , who is also a woman .
“ Libs are beyond parody , ” TV host and former CIA analyst Buck Sexton tweeted .
“ It takes effort to be this dumb , ” digital content creator Caleb Hull said , along with tweeting photo evidence of King ’ s misstep .
Breitbart 's Brandon Darby jabbed King as well by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo of Trump 's coronavirus response team .
King has been a longtime critic of the president and has that Trump is “ scarier ” than any of the horror-themed books he has written and him a Nazi .
Trump a national emergency during the press conference Friday in the Rose Garden to help combat the spread of the coronavirus that has 51 people in the United States .

Writer Stephen King was criticized Friday for labeling President Trump’s coronavirus response team gathered in the Rose Garden as “all male, all old, and all white” despite clear evidence to the contrary.
“Note that Trump’s coronavirus team is all male, all old, and all white,” King said in a tweet that was retweeted over 10,000 times and liked over 100,000 times.
Note that Trump’s coronavirus team is all male, all old, and all white. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 13, 2020
Many Twitter users quickly responded with photos from the press conference King was referencing, showing people speaking who did not match his assessment.
“I’m sorry this is happening to you,” The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis said on Twitter, along with tweeting a picture of Seema Verma, who is both female and nonwhite, and Dr. Deborah Burke, who is also a woman.
I'm so sorry this is happening to you. pic.twitter.com/IcT6BJBc26 — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) March 13, 2020
“Libs are beyond parody,” TV host and former CIA analyst Buck Sexton tweeted.
Libs are beyond parody https://t.co/7UNLjZyeRM — Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) March 13, 2020
“It takes effort to be this dumb,” digital content creator Caleb Hull said, along with tweeting photo evidence of King’s misstep.
1. How dare you assume their genders
2. It takes effort to be this dumb pic.twitter.com/J2HvTmycga — Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) March 13, 2020
Breitbart's Brandon Darby jabbed King as well by tagging him in a tweet with a photo of Trump's coronavirus response team.
“Note that Trump’s coronavirus team is all male, all old, and all white.” — @StephenKing pic.twitter.com/ejyoKQxV4c — Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) March 14, 2020
King has been a longtime critic of the president and has said that Trump is “scarier” than any of the horror-themed books he has written and called him a Nazi.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Trump to extend coronavirus travel ban to UK and Ireland

The Trump administration will extend a 30-day ban on travel from European countries to the United Kingdom and Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ experts presented information … made a unanimous recommendation to the president that we suspend all @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , ” Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday in a White House press briefing @ @ @ @ @ the U.K. for people who are not U.S. citizens or green card holders will go @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump announced the 30-day travel ban from European countries Wednesday night to slow @ @ @ @ @ , a significant escalation in the administration 's efforts to address the pandemic .
He @ @ @ @ @ the U.K. , though , which has reported over 1,140 cases of the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're looking at it very seriously because they 've had a little bit @ @ @ @ @ so we 're going to be looking at that , '' Trump said in remarks @ @ @ @ @ we already have looked at it . ''

The Trump administration will extend a 30-day ban on travel from European countries to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“All of our health experts presented information … made a unanimous recommendation to the president that we suspend all travel from the U.K. and Ireland,” Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday in a White House press briefing.
Ban on travel from the U.K. for people who are not U.S. citizens or green card holders will go into effect Monday at midnight.
President Trump announced the 30-day travel ban from European countries Wednesday night to slow the spread of the coronavirus, a significant escalation in the administration's efforts to address the pandemic. He initially made an exception for the U.K., though, which has reported over 1,140 cases of the coronavirus and at least 21 deaths.
"We're looking at it very seriously because they've had a little bit of activity, unfortunately, so we're going to be looking at that," Trump said in remarks Saturday. "Actually, we already have looked at it."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Trump announces he took coronavirus test

President Trump announced he took the coronavirus test on Friday night and is awaiting results .
As the White House Coronavirus Task Force gave a press conference on Saturday , Trump told reporters that he decided to take the test in response to Friday 's press conference where the president declared a state of national emergency .
`` By the way , I had my temperature taken coming into the room , '' Trump prefaced his statement to reporters .
`` I also took the test last night .
And I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat the pandemic on Friday , Trump was asked by a reporter if it was `` selfish '' not to be tested for the coronavirus , potentially putting others at the risk of infection .
`` I did n't say I was n't going to be tested , '' he said .
`` Are you going to be ? ''
a reporter asked .
`` Most likely , yeah .
Most likely .
Not for that reason , but because I think I will do it anyway , '' the president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump said , `` Fairly soon .
We 're working out a schedule . ''
Minutes earlier , Trump maintained there was no reason to be tested for the virus .
`` No , we have no symptoms whatsoever , '' Trump said .
`` We had a great meeting with the president of Brazil , Bolsonaro .
Great guy , very tremendous .
He 's doing a fantastic job for Brazil , '' he said .
`` And , as you know , he tested negative , meaning nothing wrong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word , too . ''
In a White House statement released Friday , Dr. Sean Conley said that since the president has not exhibited any symptoms related to the growing COVID-19 pandemic , neither quarantining nor testing is `` currently indicated . ''
However , Conley would `` closely monitor and care for the President . ''
`` Last weekend , while hosting the Brazilian delegation at Mar-a-Lago , the President briefly came in contact with an individual who 3 days later began showing symptoms and was subsequently confirmed to have COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guest , this one sharing the table with the President and White House Delegation , '' Conley said at the time , prefacing his conclusion .
`` These interactions would be categorized as LOW risk for transmission per CDC guidelines , and as such , there is no indication for home quarantine at this time .
Additionally , given the President himself remains without symptoms , testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated , '' he continued , though he did not mention Trump was undergoing the test .
Nearly 147,000 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , killing at least 5,500 people , according to the New York Times .
In the United States , there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus , which has killed approximately 49 people .

President Trump announced he took the coronavirus test on Friday night and is awaiting results.
As the White House Coronavirus Task Force gave a press conference on Saturday, Trump told reporters that he decided to take the test in response to Friday's press conference where the president declared a state of national emergency.
"By the way, I had my temperature taken coming into the room," Trump prefaced his statement to reporters. "I also took the test last night. And I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday."
After declaring a national emergency to combat the pandemic on Friday, Trump was asked by a reporter if it was "selfish" not to be tested for the coronavirus, potentially putting others at the risk of infection."I didn't say I wasn't going to be tested," he said.
"Are you going to be?" a reporter asked.
"Most likely, yeah. Most likely. Not for that reason, but because I think I will do it anyway," the president said.
Asked when the test would happen, Trump said, "Fairly soon. We're working out a schedule."
Minutes earlier, Trump maintained there was no reason to be tested for the virus. "No, we have no symptoms whatsoever," Trump said. "We had a great meeting with the president of Brazil, Bolsonaro. Great guy, very tremendous. He's doing a fantastic job for Brazil," he said. "And, as you know, he tested negative, meaning nothing wrong, this morning. And we got that word, too."
In a White House statement released Friday, Dr. Sean Conley said that since the president has not exhibited any symptoms related to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, neither quarantining nor testing is "currently indicated." However, Conley would "closely monitor and care for the President."
"Last weekend, while hosting the Brazilian delegation at Mar-a-Lago, the President briefly came in contact with an individual who 3 days later began showing symptoms and was subsequently confirmed to have COVID-19. This evening we learned of another dinner guest, this one sharing the table with the President and White House Delegation," Conley said at the time, prefacing his conclusion.
"These interactions would be categorized as LOW risk for transmission per CDC guidelines, and as such, there is no indication for home quarantine at this time. Additionally, given the President himself remains without symptoms, testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated," he continued, though he did not mention Trump was undergoing the test.
Nearly 147,000 people have tested positive for the virus around the world, killing at least 5,500 people, according to the New York Times. In the United States, there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus, which has killed approximately 49 people.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'Out of an abundance of caution': White House checking temperatures of people in close contact with

'Out of an abundance of caution': White House checking temperatures of people in close contact with Trump

The White House is monitoring the temperatures of people around President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as a precaution @ @ @ @ @ Out of an abundance of caution , temperature checks are now being performed on any @ @ @ @ @ contact with the president and vice president , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said @ @ @ @ @ House checked the temperature of reporters before they went into the briefing room for a @ @ @ @ @ was giving on Saturday .
President Trump told reporters on Friday that he will `` @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus at some point .
He came in contact with at least one @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus case .
There have been over 1,600 cases of the coronavirus in the United @ @ @ @ @ 40 deaths .

The White House is monitoring the temperatures of people around President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as a precaution against the coronavirus.
"Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president," White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
Staff at the White House checked the temperature of reporters before they went into the briefing room for a noontime press conference that Pence was giving on Saturday.
President Trump told reporters on Friday that he will "most likely" be tested for the coronavirus at some point. He came in contact with at least one person who has a confirmed coronavirus case.
There have been over 1,600 cases of the coronavirus in the United States, along with over 40 deaths.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'Booze-and-Botox besotted old bag': James Woods mocks Pelosi for 'barely coherent' press conference

Actor James Woods slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her performance during a press conference addressing the coronavirus outbreak in the United States .
“ I love these ridiculous clowns who contend they can do better than President Trump , ” Woods said on Twitter .
“ This booze-and-Botox besotted old bag can ’ t manage her dentures , much less a pandemic .
Between her and Biden , they can barely manage to put a coherent sentence together.
” The tweet was retweeted and liked tens of thousands of times .
The next day , Woods reminded his followers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line for the presidency if something were to happen to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence .
“ If President Trump and Vice-President Pence were incapacitated , God forbid , Nancy Pelosi would be President of the United States , ” he posted .
`` Something to remember this November btw . ''
Woods , an outspoken conservative , has been a longtime critic of the California Democrat and a that she tried to sneak abortion funding into a coronavirus relief bill as “ pure evil.
” The Casino actor ’ s Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , was banned from Twitter last May but was in February , whereupon he promptly took shots at Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .

Actor James Woods slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her performance during a press conference addressing the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.
“I love these ridiculous clowns who contend they can do better than President Trump,” Woods said on Twitter. “This booze-and-Botox besotted old bag can’t manage her dentures, much less a pandemic. Between her and Biden, they can barely manage to put a coherent sentence together.”
I love these ridiculous clowns who contend they can do better than President Trump. This booze-and-Botox besotted old bag can’t manage her dentures, much less a pandemic. Between her and Biden, they can barely manage to put a coherent sentence together. pic.twitter.com/Ze2mvKpoRp — James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 12, 2020
The tweet was retweeted and liked tens of thousands of times.
The next day, Woods reminded his followers on Twitter that Pelosi is third in line for the presidency if something were to happen to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
“If President Trump and Vice-President Pence were incapacitated, God forbid, Nancy Pelosi would be President of the United States,” he posted. "Something to remember this November btw."
What is truly stunning is the fact that the Speaker of the House is third in line of presidential succession. If President Trump and Vice-President Pence were incapacitated, God forbid, Nancy Pelosi would be President of the United States. Something to remember this November btw. https://t.co/FNXVYeNsN1 — James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 13, 2020
Woods, an outspoken conservative, has been a longtime critic of the California Democrat and described a report that she tried to sneak abortion funding into a coronavirus relief bill as “pure evil.”
The Casino actor’s Twitter account, followed by over 2 million people, was banned from Twitter last May but was reinstated in February, whereupon he promptly took shots at Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
‘Welcome back James!” President Trump tweeted upon news of Woods’s reinstatement.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--AOC tells people to stay home after calling them racist for not going to Asian restaurants

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told people to stop going to bars and restaurants just days after saying racism was hurting Chinese restaurants because of a drop-off in business .
`` To everyone in NYC but ESPECIALLY healthy people & people under 40 ( bc from what I ’ m observing that ’ s who needs to hear this again ) : PLEASE stop crowding bars , restaurants , and public spaces right now .
Eat your meals at home , '' the New York Democrat said Saturday .
`` If you are healthy , you could be spreading COVID . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism for Asian businesses struggling in New York since the outbreak of the coronavirus .
`` Honestly , it sounds almost so silly to say , but there 's a lot of restaurants that are feeling the pain of racism , '' she said on Instagram Live .
`` People are literally not patroning Chinese restaurants .
They 're not patroning Asian restaurants because of just straight-up racism around the coronavirus . ''
Peter Tu , a director at the Flushing Chinese Business Association , noted that a lot of the drop-off in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York avoiding public spaces .
So far , 2,345 people in 49 states have confirmed cases of the coronavirus .
At least 50 people have died from the virus .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told people to stop going to bars and restaurants just days after saying racism was hurting Chinese restaurants because of a drop-off in business.
"To everyone in NYC but ESPECIALLY healthy people & people under 40 (bc from what I’m observing that’s who needs to hear this again): PLEASE stop crowding bars, restaurants, and public spaces right now. Eat your meals at home," the New York Democrat said Saturday. "If you are healthy, you could be spreading COVID."
What does “crowded” mean?
If you can’t stay 6ft away from other people, it’s too close. In general, when going outside try to stay at least 6 feet away from others as much as you possibly can. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 14, 2020
On Tuesday, the freshman congresswoman blamed racism for Asian businesses struggling in New York since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
"Honestly, it sounds almost so silly to say, but there's a lot of restaurants that are feeling the pain of racism," she said on Instagram Live. "People are literally not patroning Chinese restaurants. They're not patroning Asian restaurants because of just straight-up racism around the coronavirus."
Peter Tu, a director at the Flushing Chinese Business Association, noted that a lot of the drop-off in business came from East Asian residents in New York avoiding public spaces.
So far, 2,345 people in 49 states have confirmed cases of the coronavirus. At least 50 people have died from the virus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'Not very COVID-19 hygienic': Gaetz pokes fun at Andrew Gillum for meth incident in hotel room

Rep. Matt Gaetz poked fun at former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum after the news broke that he was allegedly found by police too drunk to speak in a hotel room with bags of crystal meth .
“ Everyone should respect @ AndrewGillum ’ s privacy as he explains why he was one of three men in a hotel room w 3 bags of meth , too impaired to talk to first responders , ” the Republican congressman said on Twitter .
“ I know what you ’ re all thinking - this is not very COVID-19 hygienic .
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gillum , who became a CNN contributor last year , was found incoherent in a Miami hotel room containing crystal meth by police with two other men , one of whom was suffering from a suspected meth overdose .
Gillum released a statement claiming he was in town for a wedding and admitting he had “ too much to drink ” but has “ never ” used meth .
One of the men in the hotel room , gay male escort Travis Dyson , that he was unaware Gillum was in town for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Gillum , married with three young children , narrowly lost the Florida governor race in 2018 to Republican Ron DeSantis by less than one percentage point .

Rep. Matt Gaetz poked fun at former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum after the news broke that he was allegedly found by police too drunk to speak in a hotel room with bags of crystal meth.
“Everyone should respect @AndrewGillum’s privacy as he explains why he was one of three men in a hotel room w 3 bags of meth, too impaired to talk to first responders,” the Republican congressman said on Twitter. “I know what you’re all thinking - this is not very COVID-19 hygienic. #GillumSurge.”
Everyone should respect @AndrewGillum’s privacy as he explains why he was one of three men in a hotel room w 3 bags of meth, too impaired to talk to first responders.
I know what you’re all thinking - this is not very COVID-19 hygienic. #GillumSurge https://t.co/HVjBDNRlZA — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) March 13, 2020
It was reported on Friday that Gillum, who became a CNN contributor last year, was found incoherent in a Miami hotel room containing crystal meth by police with two other men, one of whom was suffering from a suspected meth overdose.
Gillum released a statement claiming he was in town for a wedding and admitting he had “too much to drink” but has “never” used meth.
#BREAKING: @AndrewGillum releases statement: "I was in Miami last night for a wedding celebration when first responders were called to assist one of my friends. While I had too much to drink, I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines..." pic.twitter.com/bIEYmdVPKb — Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) March 13, 2020
One of the men in the hotel room, gay male escort Travis Dyson, told reporters that he was unaware Gillum was in town for a wedding and that he never mentioned it.
Gillum, married with three young children, narrowly lost the Florida governor race in 2018 to Republican Ron DeSantis by less than one percentage point.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Democratic congresswoman calls for 'remote voting' during coronavirus outbreak

A California Democratic representative is calling on Congress to permit `` remote voting '' in the event that the coronavirus limits state-to-state travel .
While appearing on CNN 's Cuomo Primetime , California Rep. Katie Porter said it 's incumbent on Congress to adopt a voting policy which would allow members to vote on measures even if they are not physically present in the chamber .
“ We ’ re asking the American people to adopt public health measures , and it ’ s really important that Congress not only pass this bill , but that Congress adopt public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Congress itself has been flat-footed itself during this crisis in terms of how we deal with things . ''
“ I am calling on Congress tonight , on leaders of both parties , to adopt a remote-voting procedure to ensure that if we ’ re not able to travel , if this public health crisis worsens , that we 're still able to have a quorum and we 're still able to take votes , ” Porter continued .
Cuomo pushed back on the legality of such a measure , asking if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a measure be proposed .
“ You ’ re the law professor .
What ’ s going to be the pushback about why they don ’ t usually allow remote votes ?
You know , we have seen that in the past , where people are sick : ‘ Will he or she be able to make it back in time ?
’ What ’ s going to be the legal pushback ?
And how do you overcome it ?
” “ There is no legal barrier , that I am aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Porter claimed .
“ It could be adopted tonight , this evening , as part of an updated rules package in the House and then could be invoked if necessary .
I represent the state of California .
People there are worried .
We have had outbreaks there .
I answered the phone in my office this morning and talked firsthand to constituents about what ’ s going on .
But those constituents are also counting on me to cast those votes.
” Porter then claimed President Trump is considering restricting interstate travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would necessitate the adoption of `` remote voting . ''
However , it remains unclear how the process would be adopted in Congress .
Nearly 147,000 people have tested positive for the virus around the world , killing at least 5,500 people , according to the New York Times .
In the United States , there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus , which has killed approximately 49 people .

A California Democratic representative is calling on Congress to permit "remote voting" in the event that the coronavirus limits state-to-state travel.
While appearing on CNN's Cuomo Primetime, California Rep. Katie Porter said it's incumbent on Congress to adopt a voting policy which would allow members to vote on measures even if they are not physically present in the chamber.
“We’re asking the American people to adopt public health measures, and it’s really important that Congress not only pass this bill, but that Congress adopt public health measures itself," Porter said. "Congress itself has been flat-footed itself during this crisis in terms of how we deal with things."
“I am calling on Congress tonight, on leaders of both parties, to adopt a remote-voting procedure to ensure that if we’re not able to travel, if this public health crisis worsens, that we're still able to have a quorum and we're still able to take votes,” Porter continued.
Cuomo pushed back on the legality of such a measure, asking if she anticipates any pushback by others should such a measure be proposed.
“You’re the law professor. What’s going to be the pushback about why they don’t usually allow remote votes? You know, we have seen that in the past, where people are sick: ‘Will he or she be able to make it back in time?’ What’s going to be the legal pushback? And how do you overcome it?”
“There is no legal barrier, that I am aware of, to remote voting,” Porter claimed.
“It could be adopted tonight, this evening, as part of an updated rules package in the House and then could be invoked if necessary. I represent the state of California. People there are worried. We have had outbreaks there. I answered the phone in my office this morning and talked firsthand to constituents about what’s going on. But those constituents are also counting on me to cast those votes.”
Porter then claimed President Trump is considering restricting interstate travel to and from California and Washington, which would necessitate the adoption of "remote voting." However, it remains unclear how the process would be adopted in Congress.
Nearly 147,000 people have tested positive for the virus around the world, killing at least 5,500 people, according to the New York Times. In the United States, there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus, which has killed approximately 49 people.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--AOC says she went on Fox to help 'at-risk' older viewers from getting 'coronavirus disinformation'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said a recent appearance on Fox News was her way of helping older people get accurate information about the coronavirus .
`` I usually do n't ( /never ) go on Fox News bc they are wilin , but there has been a lot of Coronavirus disinformaation on the network and I 'm seriously concerned about people getting hurt , '' the New York Democrat said on her Instagram page Saturday .
`` So I decided to go on FOX to share public health information & make the case for single payer healthcare , paid sick leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was weird !
But this is an emergency .
Bad information can be life threatening so I wanted to set the record straight with their audience which skews older ( an at-risk pop ) , '' she added .
The freshman congresswoman has previously refused to appear on Fox News because she claims the network `` bankrolls a white supremacist sympathizer . ''
The comment was a shot at host Tucker Carlson , whom Ocasio-Cortez has criticized for his views on immigration .
During her appearance on the network Thursday , Ocasio-Cortez encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus stimulus package .
`` One thing that we need to do is put politics aside , and that ’ s exactly why Democrats have agreed with President Trump on his goals of paid sick leave and his goals of free coronavirus testing , '' she said .
`` All of those things have been included in our package .
We bump it up a little bit more , but when you have a Democratic House and Republican Senate , compromise is the name of the game . ''

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said a recent appearance on Fox News was her way of helping older people get accurate information about the coronavirus.
"I usually don't (/never) go on Fox News bc they are wilin, but there has been a lot of Coronavirus disinformaation on the network and I'm seriously concerned about people getting hurt," the New York Democrat said on her Instagram page Saturday. "So I decided to go on FOX to share public health information & make the case for single payer healthcare, paid sick leave, & more."
"It was weird! But this is an emergency. Bad information can be life threatening so I wanted to set the record straight with their audience which skews older (an at-risk pop)," she added.
(Screenshot/Instagram)
The freshman congresswoman has previously refused to appear on Fox News because she claims the network "bankrolls a white supremacist sympathizer." The comment was a shot at host Tucker Carlson, whom Ocasio-Cortez has criticized for his views on immigration.
During her appearance on the network Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez encouraged compromise when it came to passing a coronavirus stimulus package.
"One thing that we need to do is put politics aside, and that’s exactly why Democrats have agreed with President Trump on his goals of paid sick leave and his goals of free coronavirus testing," she said. "All of those things have been included in our package. We bump it up a little bit more, but when you have a Democratic House and Republican Senate, compromise is the name of the game."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--RNC chairwoman self-quarantines while awaiting coronavirus test results

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is self-quarantining while she awaits results from a coronavirus test .
`` Last night , Chairwoman McDaniel began experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms , and she went to her local hospital in Michigan for treatment , '' said RNC Communications Director Michael Ahrens in a statement on Saturday , later saying McDaniel tested negative for both flu and strep .
`` Her doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms .
As she awaits the results , out of an abundance of caution , we are contacting everyone that the Chairwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Upon the advice of doctors , she and her family are self-quarantining at their home , '' the statement continues .
`` We will provide an update when the test results are available . ''
“ The Chairwoman has been in contact with CPAC and was informed she likely did not have any direct contact with the individual , '' an RNC spokesperson told the Washington Examiner earlier this week , referring to McDaniel .
`` She is completely healthy . ''
McDaniel interacted with several political personalities during the Conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knowles and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , who was the first to announce a cautionary quarantine after the American Conservative Union made him aware he had interacted with the attendee .
The news follows President Trump 's announcement on a Saturday that he took a diagnostic test for COVID-19 on Friday night .
`` By the way , I had my temperature taken coming into the room , '' Trump prefaced his statement to reporters .
`` I also took the test last night .
And I decided I should based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that he anticipates results from the test within the next several days .
Nearly 147,000 people have tested positive for the virus around the world , killing at least 5,500 people , according to the New York Times .
In the United States , there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus , which has killed approximately 49 people .

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is self-quarantining while she awaits results from a coronavirus test.
"Last night, Chairwoman McDaniel began experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms, and she went to her local hospital in Michigan for treatment," said RNC Communications Director Michael Ahrens in a statement on Saturday, later saying McDaniel tested negative for both flu and strep.
"Her doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms. As she awaits the results, out of an abundance of caution, we are contacting everyone that the Chairwoman remembers coming into contact with in recent days. Upon the advice of doctors, she and her family are self-quarantining at their home," the statement continues. "We will provide an update when the test results are available."
Last night, @GOPChairwoman's doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms.
We will provide an update when the test results are available. pic.twitter.com/oLla7pLaDH — Michael Ahrens (@michaelahrens) March 14, 2020
“The Chairwoman has been in contact with CPAC and was informed she likely did not have any direct contact with the individual," an RNC spokesperson told the Washington Examiner earlier this week, referring to McDaniel. "She is completely healthy."
McDaniel interacted with several political personalities during the Conservative Political Action Conference, including commentator Michael Knowles and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who was the first to announce a cautionary quarantine after the American Conservative Union made him aware he had interacted with the attendee.
The news follows President Trump's announcement on a Saturday that he took a diagnostic test for COVID-19 on Friday night.
"By the way, I had my temperature taken coming into the room," Trump prefaced his statement to reporters. "I also took the test last night. And I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday."
Trump later noted that he anticipates results from the test within the next several days.
Nearly 147,000 people have tested positive for the virus around the world, killing at least 5,500 people, according to the New York Times. In the United States, there are nearly 2,200 confirmed cases of the virus, which has killed approximately 49 people.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Biden campaign apologizes after virtual town hall interrupted by technical difficulties, gaffes

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign issued an apology after his first-ever virtual town hall was interrupted multiple times by “ technical difficulties '' and perceived gaffes .
“ Tonight , you tuned in to our first ever virtual town hall .
And unfortunately , we had some technical difficulties .
That ’ s our bad , ” his campaign .
“ We ’ re working every day to make this campaign better .
And in this new era , we are experimenting with new technology .
We promise to do better next time.
” The campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town hall , which was held online due to fears about the coronavirus , was widely panned by news media and social media users .
The Verge the event as a “ technical nightmare , ” and Fox News ’ s read , “ Plug pulled on Biden 'virtual town hall ' after technical glitches , miscues.
” A CNN Twitter post described the event as a “ technical calamity.
” Zach Parkinson , the deputy director of communications for President Trump ’ s reelection campaign , posted a clip of the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ complete disaster.
” Liberal activist and political consultant Jordan Uhl referred to Biden ’ s performance in general as “ bizarre.
” “ In a bizarre , meandering livestream put on by Joe Biden 's campaign today , he forgets what year it is and when , if he does n't lose , he would be in office , ” Uhl said on Twitter .
`` At another point , he seemingly forgets he 's on a live stream and walks out of frame .
The feed cuts away to a logo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorry this is such a disjointed effort here , ” Biden said during the town hall before signing off .
The Biden campaign has said that they will evaluate holding in-person events on a case-by-case basis as fears of the coronavirus have caused the cancellation of large gatherings across the country .

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign issued an apology after his first-ever virtual town hall was interrupted multiple times by “technical difficulties" and perceived gaffes.
“Tonight, you tuned in to our first ever virtual town hall. And unfortunately, we had some technical difficulties. That’s our bad,” his campaign explained .
“We’re working every day to make this campaign better. And in this new era, we are experimenting with new technology. We promise to do better next time.”
The campaign also posted an edited version online.
The town hall, which was held online due to fears about the coronavirus, was widely panned by news media and social media users.
The Verge labeled the event as a “technical nightmare,” and Fox News’s headline read, “Plug pulled on Biden 'virtual town hall' after technical glitches, miscues.”
A CNN Twitter post described the event as a “technical calamity.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden's first "virtual town hall" was a technical calamity as his campaign confronts the same challenges of unexpected remote work that millions of Americans are facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic https://t.co/aufgz9pBzm — CNN (@CNN) March 14, 2020
Zach Parkinson, the deputy director of communications for President Trump’s reelection campaign, posted a clip of the town hall on Twitter, calling it a “complete disaster.”
This is part of the virtual town hall the Biden campaign wouldn't post
Garbled/cut out audio, blank screens, randomly going live to unsuspecting participants
A complete disaster pic.twitter.com/eLGgHyPm91 — Zach Parkinson (@AZachParkinson) March 14, 2020
Liberal activist and political consultant Jordan Uhl referred to Biden’s performance in general as “bizarre.”
“In a bizarre, meandering livestream put on by Joe Biden's campaign today, he forgets what year it is and when, if he doesn't lose, he would be in office,” Uhl said on Twitter. "At another point, he seemingly forgets he's on a live stream and walks out of frame. The feed cuts away to a logo instead."
In a bizarre, meandering livestream put on by Joe Biden's campaign today, he forgets what year it is and when, if he doesn't lose, he would be in office.
At another point, he seemingly forgets he's on a live stream and walks out of frame. The feed cuts away to a logo instead. pic.twitter.com/yM2zFoBfhv — jordan (@JordanUhl) March 14, 2020
“I’m sorry this is such a disjointed effort here,” Biden said during the town hall before signing off.
The Biden campaign has said that they will evaluate holding in-person events on a case-by-case basis as fears of the coronavirus have caused the cancellation of large gatherings across the country.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'They voted during the Civil War': Florida governor announces primary is a go despite coronavirus ou

'They voted during the Civil War': Florida governor announces primary is a go despite coronavirus outbreak

Gov .
Ron DeSantis told Floridians the state would be going ahead with the upcoming Tuesday primary despite the recent coronavirus outbreak .
`` We ’ re definitely voting .
They voted during the Civil War .
We ’ re going to vote , '' the Republican governor said during a Friday press conference .
DeSantis said potentially suppressed voting because of the virus likely will not affect the outcome of the presidential primary results as President Trump and Joe Biden are both expected to win in landslide results .
`` The primaries , the way this has worked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be cliffhangers , '' he said .
So far , nearly 2 million Florida voters have cast ballots through early voting or by mail .
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee also assured the public about voting Tuesday .
`` Unlike concerts , sporting events , or other mass gatherings where large groups of people travel long distances to congregate in a confined space for an extended period of time , polling locations see people from a nearby community coming into and out of the building for a short duration , '' Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states voting on Tuesday .
DeSantis did warn that officials should move voting locations out of assisted living facilities in order to protect elderly people from the coronavirus .
`` We need to be erring on the side of safety .
I don ’ t want people going into these assisted living facilities if they ’ re not part of that community , '' he said .

Gov. Ron DeSantis told Floridians the state would be going ahead with the upcoming Tuesday primary despite the recent coronavirus outbreak.
"We’re definitely voting. They voted during the Civil War. We’re going to vote," the Republican governor said during a Friday press conference.
DeSantis said potentially suppressed voting because of the virus likely will not affect the outcome of the presidential primary results as President Trump and Joe Biden are both expected to win in landslide results.
"The primaries, the way this has worked out quite frankly, are not going to be cliffhangers," he said. So far, nearly 2 million Florida voters have cast ballots through early voting or by mail.
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee also assured the public about voting Tuesday.
"Unlike concerts, sporting events, or other mass gatherings where large groups of people travel long distances to congregate in a confined space for an extended period of time, polling locations see people from a nearby community coming into and out of the building for a short duration," Lee said in a statement with officials from other states voting on Tuesday.
DeSantis did warn that officials should move voting locations out of assisted living facilities in order to protect elderly people from the coronavirus.
"We need to be erring on the side of safety. I don’t want people going into these assisted living facilities if they’re not part of that community," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--'You will never touch our guns': Autoworker involved in viral argument with Biden featured in NRA ad

The Detroit autoworker who was involved in a viral confrontation with former Vice President Joe Biden is featured in a new National Rifle Association ad calling him out for his comments on guns .
“ Joe Biden threatened to take this union worker ’ s 'AR-14 ' in a train wreck of a viral video , ” the NRA posted on Twitter along with a four-minute video clip .
“ That union worker ’ s name is @ JerryWayneAR14 and one day after the interaction , he went out and got an 'AR-14 ' in honor of Joe.
” '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Your belligerent behavior has no place in government , '' Wayne says in the ad .
`` And you will never , I mean never , touch our guns . ''
The advertisement chastises Biden for telling Wayne that he isn ’ t going to take guns from the American public by showing clips of Biden saying just that in previous speaking engagements .
A video Tuesday of a tense exchange between Wayne and Biden where the two individuals were in each other ’ s faces pointing and yelling about gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shit , '' Biden can be seen saying to Wayne at one point .
`` I support the Second Amendment.
” '' You 're working for me , man , '' Wayne said later .
`` I 'm not working for you , '' Biden replied .
Wayne on Fox News a day later and said he feels Biden went “ off the deep end.
” '' I thought I was pretty articulate and respectful , '' Wayne said Wednesday .
`` I didn ’ t try to raise any — any feathers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the deep end .
I saw that he was digging a hole .
And I just kind of let him talk for a while to dig the hole . ''

The Detroit autoworker who was involved in a viral confrontation with former Vice President Joe Biden is featured in a new National Rifle Association ad calling him out for his comments on guns.
“Joe Biden threatened to take this union worker’s 'AR-14' in a train wreck of a viral video,” the NRA posted on Twitter along with a four-minute video clip. “That union worker’s name is @JerryWayneAR14 and one day after the interaction, he went out and got an 'AR-14' in honor of Joe.”
Joe Biden threatened to take this union worker’s “AR-14” in a train wreck of a viral video.
That union worker’s name is @JerryWayneAR14 and one day after the interaction, he went out and got an “AR-14” in honor of Joe.
This is his message to America: pic.twitter.com/faRuE2OVR2 — NRA (@NRA) March 13, 2020
"I have a message for gun-grabbing politicians: Your belligerent behavior has no place in government," Wayne says in the ad. "And you will never, I mean never, touch our guns."
The advertisement chastises Biden for telling Wayne that he isn’t going to take guns from the American public by showing clips of Biden saying just that in previous speaking engagements.
A video surfaced Tuesday of a tense exchange between Wayne and Biden where the two individuals were in each other’s faces pointing and yelling about gun control.
"You’re full of shit," Biden can be seen saying to Wayne at one point. "I support the Second Amendment.”
"You're working for me, man," Wayne said later.
"I'm not working for you," Biden replied.
WATCH: "You’re full of sh*t," @JoeBiden tells a man who accused him of "actively trying to end our Second Amendment right."
"I support the Second Amendment," Biden adds while vising under-construction auto plant in Detroit. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/sueOSBaY9P — Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) March 10, 2020
Wayne appeared on Fox News a day later and said he feels Biden went “off the deep end.”
"I thought I was pretty articulate and respectful," Wayne said Wednesday. "I didn’t try to raise any — any feathers. And he kind of just went off the deep end. I saw that he was digging a hole. And I just kind of let him talk for a while to dig the hole."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-14--Biden has not taken the coronavirus test yet

Joe Biden 's campaign said the candidate has yet to take the coronavirus test because he is unaware of any contact with the disease .
`` Vice President Biden has no fever , no cough , no shortness of breath or other symptoms consistent with coronavirus , '' the campaign said in a Friday statement .
`` And the campaign has not been informed of or become aware of any relevant contact with an individual who has tested positive . ''
`` In keeping with this guidance , Biden has not been tested for COVID-19 , '' the campaign added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice of public health officials and expend valuable resources that should be dedicated to those most at risk .
Biden and his campaign will continue to follow the best practices laid out by public health officials . ''
President Trump announced Friday a national emergency over the coronavirus .
He also said that he would `` most likely '' get tested for the coronavirus after reporters repeatedly pressed him on the subject .
The president came in contact with an aide to the Brazilian president last Saturday , who later tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide have died from the virus so far .

Joe Biden's campaign said the candidate has yet to take the coronavirus test because he is unaware of any contact with the disease.
"Vice President Biden has no fever, no cough, no shortness of breath or other symptoms consistent with coronavirus," the campaign said in a Friday statement. "And the campaign has not been informed of or become aware of any relevant contact with an individual who has tested positive."
"In keeping with this guidance, Biden has not been tested for COVID-19," the campaign added. "Doing so would be against the advice of public health officials and expend valuable resources that should be dedicated to those most at risk. Biden and his campaign will continue to follow the best practices laid out by public health officials."
President Trump announced Friday a national emergency over the coronavirus. He also said that he would "most likely" get tested for the coronavirus after reporters repeatedly pressed him on the subject.
The president came in contact with an aide to the Brazilian president last Saturday, who later tested positive for the coronavirus. Over 5,000 people worldwide have died from the virus so far.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-15--Georgia postpones Democratic presidential primary over coronavirus concerns

Georgia is pushing back its Democratic presidential primary from March 24 until May 19 , making it the second state to postpone voting amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Georgia 's primary was set to take place a week after four medium-size and large states hold contests on Tuesday , as former Vice President Joe Biden tries to finish off 2020 Democratic rival Bernie Sanders .
Biden came from behind in the primary field to beat the Vermont senator handily in the South Carolina primary and then in a swath of contests the past two Tuesdays .
Election officials in Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all indicated voting will proceed as planned on Tuesday .
But Brad Raffensperger , the Georgia secretary of state , saw things differently in light of coronavirus concerns that are keeping many residents self-quarantined and at a `` social distance '' from large groups of people , as would appear at polling places packed with poll workers , security personnel , and others .
“ Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is the health of our poll workers , their families , and the community at large , ” Raffensperger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement issued to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday .
The move comes a day after Louisiana 's state government postponed its presidential primary as part of a response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The presidential primary , which was scheduled for April 4 , will now take place June 20 , Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said in a press conference on Friday .
The delays in voting are unlikely to have much practical effect on Biden 's position as the presumptive Democratic nominee .
Sanders , 78 , trails in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victory by winning the remaining contests by large margins .
A total of 1,991 delegates is needed to claim the Democratic nomination at the party 's convention this summer .
However , later primary dates could delay the date Biden actually clinches the nomination .
Sanders in 2016 stayed in the Democratic primary race long after it was apparent he would come up short against nominee Hillary Clinton .
Sanders is set to debate Biden , 77 , on Sunday night and has given no indication he 's going to exit the @ @

Georgia is pushing back its Democratic presidential primary from March 24 until May 19, making it the second state to postpone voting amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Georgia's primary was set to take place a week after four medium-size and large states hold contests on Tuesday, as former Vice President Joe Biden tries to finish off 2020 Democratic rival Bernie Sanders. Biden came from behind in the primary field to beat the Vermont senator handily in the South Carolina primary and then in a swath of contests the past two Tuesdays.
Election officials in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio have all indicated voting will proceed as planned on Tuesday. But Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, saw things differently in light of coronavirus concerns that are keeping many residents self-quarantined and at a "social distance" from large groups of people, as would appear at polling places packed with poll workers, security personnel, and others.
“Events are moving rapidly and my highest priority is the health of our poll workers, their families, and the community at large,” Raffensperger, a Republican, said in a statement issued to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday.
The move comes a day after Louisiana's state government postponed its presidential primary as part of a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The presidential primary, which was scheduled for April 4, will now take place June 20, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said in a press conference on Friday.
The delays in voting are unlikely to have much practical effect on Biden's position as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Sanders, 78, trails in the delegate count and could only eke out a victory by winning the remaining contests by large margins. A total of 1,991 delegates is needed to claim the Democratic nomination at the party's convention this summer.
However, later primary dates could delay the date Biden actually clinches the nomination. Sanders in 2016 stayed in the Democratic primary race long after it was apparent he would come up short against nominee Hillary Clinton.
Sanders is set to debate Biden, 77, on Sunday night and has given no indication he's going to exit the race.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Biden and Sanders stand six feet apart at debate as coronavirus fears rise

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will keep a healthy distance between themselves at Sunday ’ s Democratic presidential debate .
CNN , the network hosting the debate , said it had placed the candidates ' lecterns six feet apart , following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for how to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
The one-on-one debate between Sanders and Biden is the first Democratic primary debate of the 2020 election cycle that won ’ t be held in front of an audience .
CNN also closed off the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Phoenix , Arizona , to CNN ’ s studios in Washington .
Public health experts have urged the public to practice social distancing as cases of the coronavirus rapidly increase across the country .
Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that the United States had more than 2,900 cases of the coronavirus .
Both Democratic candidates have canceled campaign events amid the outbreak , holding virtual town halls instead .
The debate comes less than 24 hours before Democratic primaries in Arizona , Florida , Illinois , and Ohio .
Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race that day by building an insurmountable delegate lead over Sanders .

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will keep a healthy distance between themselves at Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate.
CNN, the network hosting the debate, said it had placed the candidates' lecterns six feet apart, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for how to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The stage is set for tonight's 8pm ET debate. The podiums are placed 6 feet apart, in accordance with CDC guidelines. pic.twitter.com/90UXo1Z74X — CNN Communications (@CNNPR) March 15, 2020
The one-on-one debate between Sanders and Biden is the first Democratic primary debate of the 2020 election cycle that won’t be held in front of an audience. CNN also closed off the event venue to journalists and moved the debate from Phoenix, Arizona, to CNN’s studios in Washington.
Public health experts have urged the public to practice social distancing as cases of the coronavirus rapidly increase across the country. Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that the United States had more than 2,900 cases of the coronavirus.
Both Democratic candidates have canceled campaign events amid the outbreak, holding virtual town halls instead.
The debate comes less than 24 hours before Democratic primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio. Biden's camp hopes he can effectively put away the race that day by building an insurmountable delegate lead over Sanders.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-16--Biden coughs into hand while answering first debate question on coronavirus

Former Vice President Joe Biden cleared his throat into his hand at the beginning of Sunday 's presidential debate .
@ @ @ @ @ began answering the first question of the debate , which was on the topic of @ @ @ @ @ sounded hoarse and he appeared to try and clear his throat by coughing into his @ @ @ @ @ all , my heart goes out to those — , '' he said before clearing @ @ @ @ @ have already lost someone or those suffering from the virus .
This is bigger than @ @ @ @ @ ''

Former Vice President Joe Biden cleared his throat into his hand at the beginning of Sunday's presidential debate.
As the former vice president began answering the first question of the debate, which was on the topic of the coronavirus, his voice sounded hoarse, and he appeared to try and clear his throat by coughing into his hand.
"First of all, my heart goes out to those —," he said before clearing his throat, "— who have already lost someone or those suffering from the virus. This is bigger than any one of us."
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Biden and the only other main presidential candidate left in the contest, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, bumped elbows instead of shaking hands at the beginning of the debate.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people on its website to "cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow" and to "immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds." The CDC also recommends people who cannot immediately wash their hands to use "hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol."
CNN, the network hosting the debate, said it had placed the candidates' lecterns six feet apart, following CDC guidelines for how to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The former vice president has not been tested for the coronavirus, his campaign said on Friday.
"Vice President Biden has no fever, no cough, no shortness of breath or other symptoms consistent with coronavirus," the campaign said. "And the campaign has not been informed of or become aware of any relevant contact with an individual who has tested positive."
The Biden campaign said the former vice president hasn't been tested because "doing so would be against the advice of the public health officials."
Moments before the debate began, the Centers for Disease Control announced that all gatherings of 50 people or more could contribute to the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus and should be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks.