thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--2020 Democrats adopt Trump-like swipes and swerves as primary heats up

Name a candidate who mocks physical characteristics , suggests the press is strategically reporting the news to harm election results , puts labels on rivals , or distorts the truth about the past .
With the primary at a critical point , Democratic presidential candidates are echoing their biggest villain as they feel pressure to make a splash ahead of Saturday 's South Carolina primary and the March 3 Super Tuesday nominating contests .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren most blatantly took a page out of Trump ’ s playbook when she mocked billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk specifically for just a minute at the top about a threat that is coming our way .
And it 's a big threat — not a tall one , but a big one : Michael Bloomberg , ” Warren said in a speech Saturday as results from Nevada ’ s presidential nominating contests trickled in .
Other vicious Warren attacks on Bloomberg center on allegations of inappropriate comments to women , that he is attempting to “ buy ” the presidency with his $ 62 billion fortune , and his onetime support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately targeted communities of color .
But Warren ’ s swipe at a physical characteristic rather than a substantive issue was undeniably similar to Trump ’ s frequent taunts referencing Bloomberg ’ s below-average 5-foot-8-inch stature by nicknaming him “ Mini Mike.
” Trump went so far as to claim falsely earlier this month that “ Mini Mike ” was trying to negotiate the “ the right to stand on boxes , or a lift , during the debates.
” Warren , however , suggests that it is Bloomberg who is similar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about who we ’ re running against : a billionaire who calls women 'fat broads ' and 'horse-faced lesbians . '
And no , I ’ m not talking about Donald Trump .
I ’ m talking about Mayor Bloomberg , ” Warren said in last week ’ s Democratic presidential debate , referring to alleged comments Bloomberg made about members of the royal family .
Bloomberg himself offered a Trump-like retort by brushing off Warren hammering him to release women who accused him or his company of sexual harassment or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None of them accuse me of doing anything , other than maybe they did n't like a joke I told , ” Bloomberg said in last week ’ s debate .
In response to a May 2016 New York Times expose on how Trump treated women in private , Trump claimed that “ the women all stepped forward and said it was a joke.
” A few days after the debate , Bloomberg said his company found three nondisclosure agreements with women who accused him of wrongdoing and would release them from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoed Trump with an attack on socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the debate by suggesting he was promoting communism .
“ We 're not going to throw out capitalism .
We tried .
Other countries tried that .
It was called communism , and it just did n't work , ” Bloomberg said .
Members of the audience booed in response .
Earlier this month , Trump directly slapped the communist label on Sanders .
“ I think he ’ s a communist .
I mean , you know , look — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bernie , ” Trump said .
Sanders also faces allegations of behaving like Trump .
On Friday , he suggested that a Washington Post report that U.S. officials briefed his campaign on Russian efforts to assist his presidential bid was published the day before Nevada 's Democratic caucuses in order to harm his chances in the contest .
“ I ’ ll let you guess about one day before the , the Nevada caucus .
Why do you think it came out ? ''
Sanders told reporters on Friday .
When informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , “ It was the Washington Post ?
Good friends.
” Trump on Sunday pushed a similar theory that the story was leaked to hurt Sanders .
“ The Democrats are treating Bernie Sanders very unfairly .
And it sounds to me like a leak — a leak from Adam Schiff , because they do n't want Bernie Sanders to represent them .
It sounds like it 's '16 all over again for Bernie Sanders , ” the president said .
And Trump famously accuses the press of working against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop us from going to the White House , but I 'm president and they 're not , ” Trump said during a 2017 rally .
“ The media and the Democrats have been engaged in a corrupt partnership trying to impose their will and to thwart American democracy by any means necessary , ” he said at a November 2019 rally .
In response to the Vermont senator ’ s comment , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg ’ s campaign on Saturday compared Sanders to Trump , accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and promoting a “ toxic politics.
” As Sanders racks up wins in early nominating contests , he is getting looser on the stump and using turns of phrase eerily similar to those that Trump uses .
“ Don ’ t tell anybody , I don ’ t want to get them nervous .
We are going to win the Democratic primary in Texas , ” Sanders said at a San Antonio rally on Saturday .
“ And you know , this is also important , the president gets very , very upset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him that we ’ re going to beat him here in Texas.
” Trump uses a similar tone when he tells crowds to not tell others about things he very much wants to be publicized .
“ We ’ ve rebuilt our military over the last three years .
Don ’ t tell anybody , but we spent $ 2.5 trillion , ” Trump said during a rally last week .
“ New slogan is Keep America Great .
But do n't tell anybody , ” Trump said at a November 2018 rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequent boasting about crowd size and those unable to fit in the venue .
“ There are a lot of people here , and there are a lot of people outside who couldn ’ t get inside , ” Sanders said at a rally Saturday in El Paso .
Distortions of policy and the past Joe Biden ’ s core campaign message is on “ restoring ” the country after the Trump era .
He frequently blasts the president 's demeanor , but even the former vice president has been accused of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ sounding like Donald Trump ” with his criticism of Sanders ’ s signature Medicare for All single-payer healthcare plan that would eliminate private insurance .
Biden said the program would eliminate Obamacare .
The Sanders campaign has also criticized Biden for refusing to admit he was `` dead wrong '' by voting in favor of the Iraq War in 2002 and falsely claiming that he opposed the Iraq War `` from the moment '' the March 2003 invasion started .
A New York Times investigation also found there is no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once arrested in South Africa .
Trump often distorts or stretches the truth on his record or accomplishments , though the president 's false claims are much more egregious and frequent than Biden 's .

Name a candidate who mocks physical characteristics, suggests the press is strategically reporting the news to harm election results, puts labels on rivals, or distorts the truth about the past.
That’s not just President Trump talking.
With the primary at a critical point, Democratic presidential candidates are echoing their biggest villain as they feel pressure to make a splash ahead of Saturday's South Carolina primary and the March 3 Super Tuesday nominating contests.
Mocking Bloomberg’s height
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren most blatantly took a page out of Trump’s playbook when she mocked billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s height.
"I want to talk specifically for just a minute at the top about a threat that is coming our way. And it's a big threat — not a tall one, but a big one: Michael Bloomberg,” Warren said in a speech Saturday as results from Nevada’s presidential nominating contests trickled in.
Other vicious Warren attacks on Bloomberg center on allegations of inappropriate comments to women, that he is attempting to “buy” the presidency with his $62 billion fortune, and his onetime support for “stop-and-frisk” policing tactics that disproportionately targeted communities of color.
But Warren’s swipe at a physical characteristic rather than a substantive issue was undeniably similar to Trump’s frequent taunts referencing Bloomberg’s below-average 5-foot-8-inch stature by nicknaming him “Mini Mike.”
Trump went so far as to claim falsely earlier this month that “Mini Mike” was trying to negotiate the “the right to stand on boxes, or a lift, during the debates.”
Brushing off accusations from women
Warren, however, suggests that it is Bloomberg who is similar to Trump.
“I’d like to talk about who we’re running against: a billionaire who calls women 'fat broads' and 'horse-faced lesbians.' And no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg,” Warren said in last week’s Democratic presidential debate, referring to alleged comments Bloomberg made about members of the royal family.
Bloomberg himself offered a Trump-like retort by brushing off Warren hammering him to release women who accused him or his company of sexual harassment or gender discrimination from nondisclosure agreements.
“None of them accuse me of doing anything, other than maybe they didn't like a joke I told,” Bloomberg said in last week’s debate.
In response to a May 2016 New York Times expose on how Trump treated women in private, Trump claimed that “the women all stepped forward and said it was a joke.”
A few days after the debate, Bloomberg said his company found three nondisclosure agreements with women who accused him of wrongdoing and would release them from the agreement if they wished.
Calling Sanders a communist
Bloomberg also echoed Trump with an attack on socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the debate by suggesting he was promoting communism.
“We're not going to throw out capitalism. We tried. Other countries tried that. It was called communism, and it just didn't work,” Bloomberg said. Members of the audience booed in response.
Earlier this month, Trump directly slapped the communist label on Sanders. “I think he’s a communist. I mean, you know, look — I think of communism when I think of Bernie,” Trump said.
Accusing press of intentionally harming electoral outcome
Sanders also faces allegations of behaving like Trump. On Friday, he suggested that a Washington Post report that U.S. officials briefed his campaign on Russian efforts to assist his presidential bid was published the day before Nevada's Democratic caucuses in order to harm his chances in the contest.
“I’ll let you guess about one day before the, the Nevada caucus. Why do you think it came out?" Sanders told reporters on Friday. When informed of the outlet that reported it, he said, “It was the Washington Post? Good friends.”
Trump on Sunday pushed a similar theory that the story was leaked to hurt Sanders.
“The Democrats are treating Bernie Sanders very unfairly. And it sounds to me like a leak — a leak from Adam Schiff, because they don't want Bernie Sanders to represent them. It sounds like it's '16 all over again for Bernie Sanders,” the president said.
And Trump famously accuses the press of working against him.
“The fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House, but I'm president and they're not,” Trump said during a 2017 rally. “The media and the Democrats have been engaged in a corrupt partnership trying to impose their will and to thwart American democracy by any means necessary,” he said at a November 2019 rally.
In response to the Vermont senator’s comment, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s campaign on Saturday compared Sanders to Trump, accusing him of “fueling conspiracy theories” and promoting a “toxic politics.”
Turns of phrase
As Sanders racks up wins in early nominating contests, he is getting looser on the stump and using turns of phrase eerily similar to those that Trump uses.
“Don’t tell anybody, I don’t want to get them nervous. We are going to win the Democratic primary in Texas,” Sanders said at a San Antonio rally on Saturday. “And you know, this is also important, the president gets very, very upset easily, so don’t tell him that we’re going to beat him here in Texas.”
Trump uses a similar tone when he tells crowds to not tell others about things he very much wants to be publicized.
“We’ve rebuilt our military over the last three years. Don’t tell anybody, but we spent $2.5 trillion,” Trump said during a rally last week. “New slogan is Keep America Great. But don't tell anybody,” Trump said at a November 2018 rally.
And Sanders echoed Trump’s frequent boasting about crowd size and those unable to fit in the venue.
“There are a lot of people here, and there are a lot of people outside who couldn’t get inside,” Sanders said at a rally Saturday in El Paso.
Distortions of policy and the past
Joe Biden’s core campaign message is on “restoring” the country after the Trump era. He frequently blasts the president's demeanor, but even the former vice president has been accused of Trump similarities.
Sanders last year accused Biden of “sounding like Donald Trump” with his criticism of Sanders’s signature Medicare for All single-payer healthcare plan that would eliminate private insurance. Biden said the program would eliminate Obamacare.
The Sanders campaign has also criticized Biden for refusing to admit he was "dead wrong" by voting in favor of the Iraq War in 2002 and falsely claiming that he opposed the Iraq War "from the moment" the March 2003 invasion started.
A New York Times investigation also found there is no evidence supporting Biden's claim that he was once arrested in South Africa.
Trump often distorts or stretches the truth on his record or accomplishments, though the president's false claims are much more egregious and frequent than Biden's.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--Biden campaign says Sanders, like Trump, 'praises dictators' following Fidel Castro comment

Joe Biden 's campaign seized on comments Democratic presidential rival Bernie Sanders made about Fidel Castro , suggesting that he does not admire the United States as much as he does brutal regimes such as the Soviet Union and comparing his remarks to President Trump 's praise of dictators .
“ Make no mistake : Bernie Sanders 's comments on Fidel Castro are a part of a larger pattern throughout his life to embrace autocratic leaders and governments across the globe .
He seems to have found more inspiration in the Soviets , Sandinistas , Chavistas , and Castro than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Cristobal Alex said in a statement Monday .
Sanders said on Sunday that Cuba 's communist regime under Fidel Castro had good elements .
“ We ’ re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba , but it ’ s unfair to say everything ’ s bad .
When Castro came into office , you know what he did ?
He had a literacy program , ” Sanders said in a 60 Minutes interview .
`` His admiration for elements of Castro ’ s dictatorship or at least willingness to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not just dangerous — it is deeply offensive to the many people in Florida , New Jersey , and across the country that have fled political persecution and sought refuge in the United States , '' Alex said .
The Biden campaign compared Sanders 's praise for Castro to Trump 's praise of Russian President Vladamir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un .
“ We already have one president who praises dictators and their mob-like tendencies .
We don ’ t need another one , '' Alex said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fails to understand the pain and suffering that Fidel Castro , Nicolas Maduro , and Daniel Ortega have caused to so many people , including Americans now living here — or worse , that his ideology blinds him to the realities of life in these countries .
Two Democratic House members from Florida and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg have also criticized Sanders 's statement .

Joe Biden's campaign seized on comments Democratic presidential rival Bernie Sanders made about Fidel Castro, suggesting that he does not admire the United States as much as he does brutal regimes such as the Soviet Union and comparing his remarks to President Trump's praise of dictators.
“Make no mistake: Bernie Sanders's comments on Fidel Castro are a part of a larger pattern throughout his life to embrace autocratic leaders and governments across the globe. He seems to have found more inspiration in the Soviets, Sandinistas, Chavistas, and Castro than in America," senior Biden campaign adviser Cristobal Alex said in a statement Monday.
Sanders said on Sunday that Cuba's communist regime under Fidel Castro had good elements.
“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba, but it’s unfair to say everything’s bad. When Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a literacy program,” Sanders said in a 60 Minutes interview.
"His admiration for elements of Castro’s dictatorship or at least willingness to look past Cuba’s human rights violations is not just dangerous — it is deeply offensive to the many people in Florida, New Jersey, and across the country that have fled political persecution and sought refuge in the United States," Alex said.
The Biden campaign compared Sanders's praise for Castro to Trump's praise of Russian President Vladamir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“We already have one president who praises dictators and their mob-like tendencies. We don’t need another one," Alex said. "Bernie’s comments indicate he either fails to understand the pain and suffering that Fidel Castro, Nicolas Maduro, and Daniel Ortega have caused to so many people, including Americans now living here — or worse, that his ideology blinds him to the realities of life in these countries.
Two Democratic House members from Florida and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg have also criticized Sanders's statement.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--Bernie Sanders: Unfair to say 'everything is bad' with Fidel Castro's Cuba

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said it was unfair for others to criticize `` everything '' Cuban communist dictator Fidel Castro did while in power .
The socialist and presidential hopeful was asked to define his ideology to viewers during an interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper that aired Sunday evening .
Sanders , who self-identifies as a democratic socialist , began by giving an example of what he called `` corporate socialism , '' which he attributed to President Trump .
He then pointedly defined his worldview : `` Let 's use the federal government to protect the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his political career , Sanders , 78 , defended the policies of the former Soviet Union , the Sandinistas in Nicaragua , and the communist regime of Cuba .
In 1985 , when Sanders was mayor of Burlington , Vermont , he said Cubans did not join the United States in rebellion against the dictatorship because the regime `` educated their kids , gave them healthcare , totally transformed the society . ''
`` We 're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba .
But , you know , it 's unfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' You know , when Fidel Castro came into office , you know what he did ?
He had a massive literacy program .
Is that a bad thing , even though Fidel Castro did it ? ''
the socialist asked Cooper in the interview , to which he responded , `` There 's a lot of dissidents imprisoned and killed . ''
`` That 's right , and we condemn that , '' Sanders said , objecting against the method by which socialism is implemented .
Sanders , who is the front-runner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a history of expressing sympathies for communist states and not shying away from the ideology itself .
In 2019 , the Washington Examiner reported Sanders effectively praised the `` Cuban revolution '' while he was mayor of Burlington .
`` For better or for worse , the Cuban revolution is a very profound and very deep revolution .
Much deeper than I had understood , '' Sanders wrote in a 1989 public statement from the mayor 's office .
`` More interesting than their providing their people with free health care , free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are in fact creating a very different value system than the one we are familiar with . ''
In 1972 , Sanders said he was not insulted when others labeled him a `` communist . ''
`` I do n't mind people coming up and calling me a communist , '' Sanders said .
`` At least , they 're still alive . ''
Some Democrats criticized Sanders for his latest expression of sympathy for the Castro regime .
`` Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps , religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the murder of thousands of his own people .
But sure , Bernie , let ’ s talk about his literacy program , '' former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a tweet Monday .
Bloomberg , 78 , has repeatedly criticized Sanders 's worldview as too extreme for the Democratic Party .
In the ninth Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas , Nevada , Bloomberg compared Sanders 's policies on economic inequality with those from communist dictatorships .
`` I ca n't think of a way that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get reelected than listening to this conversation .
This is ridiculous .
We 're not going to throw out capitalism .
We tried that .
Other countries tried that .
It was called communism , and it just did n't work , '' he said .
Sanders faced blowback from other prominent Democrats , including Rep. Stephanie Murphy , a refugee to America from Vietnam .
She said the senator misunderstood the point of Castro 's `` literacy program . ''
`` Castro was a murderous dictator who oppressed his own people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ altruistic ; it was a cynical effort to spread his dangerous philosophy & consolidate power , '' Murphy said in a tweet .
Despite the criticism Sanders is getting now from Democrats , a high-profile figure praised the policies of the communist state a few short years ago .
In 2016 , President Barack Obama made moves to open diplomatic relations with Cuba , even attending a baseball game with communist revolutionary Raul Castro , who succeeded his brother Fidel after his death in November 2016 .
During his trip , Obama subtly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it was `` an extraordinary resource — a system of education that values every boy and every girl . ''

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said it was unfair for others to criticize "everything" Cuban communist dictator Fidel Castro did while in power.
The socialist and presidential hopeful was asked to define his ideology to viewers during an interview with 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper that aired Sunday evening.
"What is democratic socialism?" Cooper asked.
Sanders, who self-identifies as a democratic socialist, began by giving an example of what he called "corporate socialism," which he attributed to President Trump. He then pointedly defined his worldview: "Let's use the federal government to protect the interests of working families."
Earlier in his political career, Sanders, 78, defended the policies of the former Soviet Union, the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and the communist regime of Cuba. In 1985, when Sanders was mayor of Burlington, Vermont, he said Cubans did not join the United States in rebellion against the dictatorship because the regime "educated their kids, gave them healthcare, totally transformed the society."
"We're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba. But, you know, it's unfair to simply say 'everything is bad.' You know, when Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing, even though Fidel Castro did it?" the socialist asked Cooper in the interview, to which he responded, "There's a lot of dissidents imprisoned and killed."
"That's right, and we condemn that," Sanders said, objecting against the method by which socialism is implemented.
Sanders, who is the front-runner in the Democratic primary contest, has a history of expressing sympathies for communist states and not shying away from the ideology itself. In 2019, the Washington Examiner reported Sanders effectively praised the "Cuban revolution" while he was mayor of Burlington.
"For better or for worse, the Cuban revolution is a very profound and very deep revolution. Much deeper than I had understood," Sanders wrote in a 1989 public statement from the mayor's office. "More interesting than their providing their people with free health care, free education, free housing ... is that they are in fact creating a very different value system than the one we are familiar with."
In 1972, Sanders said he was not insulted when others labeled him a "communist." "I don't mind people coming up and calling me a communist," Sanders said. "At least, they're still alive."
Some Democrats criticized Sanders for his latest expression of sympathy for the Castro regime.
"Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps, religious repression, widespread poverty, firing squads, and the murder of thousands of his own people. But sure, Bernie, let’s talk about his literacy program," former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a tweet Monday.
Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps, religious repression, widespread poverty, firing squads, and the murder of thousands of his own people.
But sure, Bernie, let’s talk about his literacy program. pic.twitter.com/3Xqu435uoA — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 24, 2020
Bloomberg, 78, has repeatedly criticized Sanders's worldview as too extreme for the Democratic Party. In the ninth Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bloomberg compared Sanders's policies on economic inequality with those from communist dictatorships.
"I can't think of a way that would make it easier for Donald Trump to get reelected than listening to this conversation. This is ridiculous. We're not going to throw out capitalism. We tried that. Other countries tried that. It was called communism, and it just didn't work," he said.
Sanders faced blowback from other prominent Democrats, including Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a refugee to America from Vietnam. She said the senator misunderstood the point of Castro's "literacy program."
"Castro was a murderous dictator who oppressed his own people. His 'literacy program' wasn’t altruistic; it was a cynical effort to spread his dangerous philosophy & consolidate power," Murphy said in a tweet.
.@SenSanders comments on Fidel Castro are ill-informed & insulting to thousands of Floridians. Castro was a murderous dictator who oppressed his own people. His “literacy program” wasn’t altruistic; it was a cynical effort to spread his dangerous philosophy & consolidate power. — Stephanie Murphy (@SMurphyCongress) February 24, 2020
Despite the criticism Sanders is getting now from Democrats, a high-profile figure praised the policies of the communist state a few short years ago.
In 2016, President Barack Obama made moves to open diplomatic relations with Cuba, even attending a baseball game with communist revolutionary Raul Castro, who succeeded his brother Fidel after his death in November 2016. During his trip, Obama subtly praised the country's schooling program, saying it was "an extraordinary resource — a system of education that values every boy and every girl."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--'Ill-informed and insulting': Refugee lawmaker blasts Bernie Sanders defense of Fidel Castro

Rep. Stephanie Murphy , a Vietnam War refugee , blasted Sen. Bernie Sanders for his comments over the weekend defending late communist Cuban dictator Fidel Castro .
During an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday , the Vermont senator and 2020 Democrat disavowed Castro 's brutal authoritarian tactics but credited him for advancing Cuban society .
“ We ’ re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba , but it ’ s unfair to say everything ’ s bad , '' Sanders said .
`` When Castro came into office , you know what he did ?
He had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat who represents a large swath of central Florida north of Orlando , ripped the comments as tone-deaf .
`` [ Sanders 's ] comments on Fidel Castro are ill-informed & insulting to thousands of Floridians .
Castro was a murderous dictator who oppressed his own people , '' Murphy tweeted Monday .
`` His “ literacy program ” wasn ’ t altruistic ; it was a cynical effort to spread his dangerous philosophy & consolidate power . ''
Sanders cemented his status as the Democratic presidential front-runner after a landslide win in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which followed strong showings in New Hampshire and Iowa .
He has proposed an overhaul of the U.S. healthcare and financial system as part of his `` political revolution . ''
President Trump has called Sanders `` a communist . ''
Murphy came to the United States when she was an infant in 1979 after her family fled communist-controlled Vietnam .
`` Whether the subject is Cuba , Venezuela , Nicaragua , Israel or other foreign policy challenges , @ SenSanders has consistently taken positions that are wrong on the merits and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general election if he is nominated , '' she said .

Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Vietnam War refugee, blasted Sen. Bernie Sanders for his comments over the weekend defending late communist Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
During an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, the Vermont senator and 2020 Democrat disavowed Castro's brutal authoritarian tactics but credited him for advancing Cuban society.
“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba, but it’s unfair to say everything’s bad," Sanders said. "When Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a literacy program.”
Murphy, a Democrat who represents a large swath of central Florida north of Orlando, ripped the comments as tone-deaf.
"[Sanders's] comments on Fidel Castro are ill-informed & insulting to thousands of Floridians. Castro was a murderous dictator who oppressed his own people," Murphy tweeted Monday. "His “literacy program” wasn’t altruistic; it was a cynical effort to spread his dangerous philosophy & consolidate power."
Whether the subject is Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Israel or other foreign policy challenges, @SenSanders has consistently taken positions that are wrong on the merits and will alienate many Florida voters now and in the general election if he is nominated. #FlaPol — Stephanie Murphy (@SMurphyCongress) February 24, 2020
Sanders cemented his status as the Democratic presidential front-runner after a landslide win in the Nevada caucuses over the weekend, which followed strong showings in New Hampshire and Iowa. He has proposed an overhaul of the U.S. healthcare and financial system as part of his "political revolution." President Trump has called Sanders "a communist."
Murphy came to the United States when she was an infant in 1979 after her family fled communist-controlled Vietnam.
"Whether the subject is Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Israel or other foreign policy challenges, @SenSanders has consistently taken positions that are wrong on the merits and will alienate many Florida voters now and in the general election if he is nominated," she said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--'Murder at the firing squad': Ted Cruz rips Bernie Sanders for defending Fidel Castro

Sen. Ted Cruz blasted 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner Bernie Sanders for defending the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in an interview that aired over the weekend .
`` It really makes a difference when those you murder at the firing squad can read & write , '' Cruz said .
In his appearance on CBS 's 60 Minutes , Sanders said it was `` unfair '' to suggest the Castro regime in Cuba was all bad .
“ We ’ re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba , but it ’ s unfair to say everything ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When Castro came into office you know what he did ?
He had a literacy program.
” The socialist leads the 2020 field after winning the Nevada caucuses , which followed strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Sanders has long advocated for `` Medicare for all '' and steep taxes on the richest Americans .
Years ago , he said he did not mind being referred to as a communist .
Castro was one of the most brutal dictators in the world 's history , who 's authoritarian regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationals to the United States , especially in South Florida .
He died in November 2016 and was succeeded by his brother Raul Castro .

Sen. Ted Cruz blasted 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner Bernie Sanders for defending the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in an interview that aired over the weekend.
Cruz, a Texas Republican senator of Cuban descent, took offense.
"It really makes a difference when those you murder at the firing squad can read & write," Cruz said.
It really makes a difference when those you murder at the firing squad can read & write. https://t.co/4DKbSKpI6t — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 24, 2020
In his appearance on CBS's 60 Minutes, Sanders said it was "unfair" to suggest the Castro regime in Cuba was all bad.
“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba, but it’s unfair to say everything’s bad," the Vermont senator said. "When Castro came into office you know what he did? He had a literacy program.”
"When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did?
He had a massive literacy program."
– @BernieSanders pic.twitter.com/3cIwlO52L9 — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 24, 2020
The socialist leads the 2020 field after winning the Nevada caucuses, which followed strong performances in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Sanders has long advocated for "Medicare for all" and steep taxes on the richest Americans. Years ago, he said he did not mind being referred to as a communist.
Castro was one of the most brutal dictators in the world's history, who's authoritarian regime led to a mass exodus of Cuban nationals to the United States, especially in South Florida. He died in November 2016 and was succeeded by his brother Raul Castro.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--Rahm Emanuel: 2020 field stuck in 'amateur hour' by attacking Bloomberg and not Sanders

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel condemned the field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates for failing to adequately critique front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders during the lead-up to his victory in the Nevada caucuses .
Emanuel , 60 , took exception with the presidential candidates ' attacks on former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who was n't on the ballot for the Nevada caucuses but had been rising in national polls , instead of Sanders , who performed well in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary .
`` Here ’ s what I think : It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field , '' he said during a Monday appearance on The View .
`` This was , if I could , a [ little ] bit amateur hour .
You ’ re in Vegas .
You ’ re attacking Bloomberg , who ’ s not even on the ballot .
The guy who ’ s the front-runner is sitting right , five feet , right to your immediate right — this is the first time Bernie 's ever been to the right of anybody , right there . ''
Emanuel critiqued the Vermont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested that talking about it in Las Vegas , where a 2017 attack became the deadliest mass shooting in modern history , could have hurt Sanders 's candidacy .
Sanders supported a 2005 federal law that shielded gun-makers from liability in most crimes but has since reversed his stance and pushed for stringent gun control measures .
`` Did they ever — anyone ask him , 'Did you use Medicare or your government-provided Senate healthcare plan ?
Which one did you put down when you went to the hospital ? '
... Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 more questions , and you let your emotions about Bloomberg coming in , putting $ 400 million down .
... You go attack Bloomberg , who 's not on the ballot , '' the former Chicago mayor continued .
`` And the guy that 's the front-runner — you don ’ t try to grab his coattails and pull him back . ''
Emanuel concluded by arguing that if there were malpractice in politics , the presidential candidates would have been sued .

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel condemned the field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates for failing to adequately critique front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders during the lead-up to his victory in the Nevada caucuses.
Emanuel, 60, took exception with the presidential candidates' attacks on former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who wasn't on the ballot for the Nevada caucuses but had been rising in national polls, instead of Sanders, who performed well in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
"Here’s what I think: It's for the candidates that are on the field," he said during a Monday appearance on The View. "This was, if I could, a [little] bit amateur hour. You’re in Vegas. You’re attacking Bloomberg, who’s not even on the ballot. The guy who’s the front-runner is sitting right, five feet, right to your immediate right — this is the first time Bernie's ever been to the right of anybody, right there."
Emanuel critiqued the Vermont senator's votes on gun legislation and suggested that talking about it in Las Vegas, where a 2017 attack became the deadliest mass shooting in modern history, could have hurt Sanders's candidacy. Sanders supported a 2005 federal law that shielded gun-makers from liability in most crimes but has since reversed his stance and pushed for stringent gun control measures.
He also mentioned Sanders's recent heart attack.
"Did they ever — anyone ask him, 'Did you use Medicare or your government-provided Senate healthcare plan? Which one did you put down when you went to the hospital?' ... Five more minutes, I can give you 20 more questions, and you let your emotions about Bloomberg coming in, putting $400 million down. ... You go attack Bloomberg, who's not on the ballot," the former Chicago mayor continued. "And the guy that's the front-runner — you don’t try to grab his coattails and pull him back."
Emanuel concluded by arguing that if there were malpractice in politics, the presidential candidates would have been sued.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-24--'Suburban voters don't want a revolution': Strategists say Sanders would hand key voting bloc to Tru

'Suburban voters don't want a revolution': Strategists say Sanders would hand key voting bloc to Trump

A Democratic ticket led by Bernie Sanders would solve President Trump ’ s most concerning November liability — the leftward drift of suburban voters that has plagued the Republican Party since 2016 , GOP strategists say .
Many affluent , college-educated suburbanites are uneasy with Trump and want to oust him .
But polling and focus groups are showing even stiffer resistance to key elements of Sanders ’ s agenda , particularly plans for national healthcare and to raise taxes dramatically .
That reveals how toxic the Vermont senator is for Democrats in battlegrounds where they have steadily gained strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prospect of his nomination .
“ Is Bernie the best thing that could happen to us ?
Yes , ” Republican strategist Liesl Hickey told the Washington Examiner on Friday .
“ Suburban voters don ’ t want a revolution.
” Sanders , 78 , describes himself as a Democratic socialist .
Republicans have , for years , attempted to tar their Democratic opponents with the socialist label , often to minimal effect .
But as Sanders has emerged as the front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary , suburban voters are taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listening to his criticism of American society and the country ’ s foundational principles .
And they ’ re balking .
Sanders wants to abolish private healthcare and force Americans to obtain insurance from the federal government .
Suburbanites want cost relief and other reforms .
Yet , overall , voters who tend to be the most satisfied with their healthcare plans are upscale suburban dwellers , and they have no interest in losing access to private coverage .
Sanders ’ s plan to hike taxes on income and investment could also soften @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , suburbanites could get hit with a marginal tax rate of nearly 70 % on income and investments .
Combined with fears about how a Sanders presidency would impact the stock market and the broader economy , Trump ’ s occasionally off-putting conduct becomes the less problematic choice .
Additionally , suburban voters generally reject Sanders ’ s denunciation of American capitalism and assertion that “ America is a racist country top to bottom , ” uttered in a recent Democratic debate .
“ He would lose badly here , and in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a purple state , ” said Brian Murray , a Republican consultant in Phoenix .
Arizona is an emerging swing state , electing a Democrat to the Senate in 2018 for the first time in a generation in a midterm rebuke of Trump .
But Murray said Sanders would push the state firmly into Trump ’ s camp .
“ His agenda is so radical it would drive even [ rural ] Democrats away , ” he said .
Trump captured critical swing states in the Midwest nearly four years ago by winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But two years later , the Democrats won control of the House and flipped Senate seats in Arizona and Nevada by harnessing a suburban revolt against Trump that stretched from Orange County , California , to neighborhoods around Atlanta .
At issue was not necessarily the president ’ s policies so much as his conduct and rhetoric .
Against Sanders , Republican insiders are predicting a suburban sweep that would practically guarantee Trump a second term .
Party strategists expect Sanders ’ s image to become so polarizing , that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which backed Hillary Clinton , into his column .
Republicans argue that in a Sanders-Trump matchup , the president would win on the strength of suburban gains around Las Vegas , Reno , and GOP-leaning communities in Southern New Hampshire that have strayed from the party since 2016 .
[ Read more : 'He is like me ' : Trump explains why Sanders would be his toughest opponent ]

A Democratic ticket led by Bernie Sanders would solve President Trump’s most concerning November liability — the leftward drift of suburban voters that has plagued the Republican Party since 2016, GOP strategists say.
Many affluent, college-educated suburbanites are uneasy with Trump and want to oust him. But polling and focus groups are showing even stiffer resistance to key elements of Sanders’s agenda, particularly plans for national healthcare and to raise taxes dramatically. That reveals how toxic the Vermont senator is for Democrats in battlegrounds where they have steadily gained strength — and why Republicans are salivating over the prospect of his nomination.
“Is Bernie the best thing that could happen to us? Yes,” Republican strategist Liesl Hickey told the Washington Examiner on Friday. “Suburban voters don’t want a revolution.”
Sanders, 78, describes himself as a Democratic socialist. Republicans have, for years, attempted to tar their Democratic opponents with the socialist label, often to minimal effect. But as Sanders has emerged as the front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary, suburban voters are taking a closer look at his proposals and listening to his criticism of American society and the country’s foundational principles. And they’re balking.
Sanders wants to abolish private healthcare and force Americans to obtain insurance from the federal government. Suburbanites want cost relief and other reforms. Yet, overall, voters who tend to be the most satisfied with their healthcare plans are upscale suburban dwellers, and they have no interest in losing access to private coverage. Sanders’s plan to hike taxes on income and investment could also soften their opposition to Trump.
Under Sanders, suburbanites could get hit with a marginal tax rate of nearly 70% on income and investments. Combined with fears about how a Sanders presidency would impact the stock market and the broader economy, Trump’s occasionally off-putting conduct becomes the less problematic choice. Additionally, suburban voters generally reject Sanders’s denunciation of American capitalism and assertion that “America is a racist country top to bottom,” uttered in a recent Democratic debate.
“He would lose badly here, and in fact, he could jeopardize our status as a purple state,” said Brian Murray, a Republican consultant in Phoenix. Arizona is an emerging swing state, electing a Democrat to the Senate in 2018 for the first time in a generation in a midterm rebuke of Trump. But Murray said Sanders would push the state firmly into Trump’s camp. “His agenda is so radical it would drive even [rural] Democrats away,” he said.
Trump captured critical swing states in the Midwest nearly four years ago by winning blue-collar voters who had typically supported Democrats. But two years later, the Democrats won control of the House and flipped Senate seats in Arizona and Nevada by harnessing a suburban revolt against Trump that stretched from Orange County, California, to neighborhoods around Atlanta. At issue was not necessarily the president’s policies so much as his conduct and rhetoric.
Against Sanders, Republican insiders are predicting a suburban sweep that would practically guarantee Trump a second term.
Party strategists expect Sanders’s image to become so polarizing, that the president will move Nevada and New Hampshire, which backed Hillary Clinton, into his column. Republicans argue that in a Sanders-Trump matchup, the president would win on the strength of suburban gains around Las Vegas, Reno, and GOP-leaning communities in Southern New Hampshire that have strayed from the party since 2016.
[Read more: 'He is like me': Trump explains why Sanders would be his toughest opponent]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Georgia House approves lower refund interest rate for large businesses

The Georgia House voted Thursday in favor of a bill that one lawmaker said will help maintain the state ’ s business friendly reputation .
House Bill 846 , proposed by Rep. John Corbett , R-Lake Park , will reduce the interest rate on tax refunds to taxpayers who pay sales and use taxes directly to the Department of Revenue .
Corbett told fellow members of the House on Thursday the bill encourages investment and job creation in the state .
Georgia received top rankings in September and November from two business-centered publications , Area Development and Site Selection Magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HB 846 would lower the interest rate on refund payments from the DOR to taxpayers who file their taxes with a direct pay permit .
Direct pay permits can be issued to taxpayers who have purchased more than $ 2 million in tangible personal property 12 months before filing or have purchased an annual average amount of $ 2 million over three years .
Most manufacturing companies use direct pay permits because the taxable gain can not be determined by manufacturers at the time of the purchase of the product , Corbett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of Manufacturers .
“ The purpose behind the direct pay permit program is to increase the accuracy and tax reporting by businesses that make substantial purchases of items whose taxability at the time of purchase is unknown , but basically if an item is used in the manufacturing process , it is not taxable , ” he said .
“ But if it 's used in a part of the plant , say shipping , it would be taxable and the manufacturer is in the best position to determine the taxability of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taxpayers are refunded for any overpayment of taxes or fees at the prime bank rate plus 3 percent .
If HB 846 becomes law , the interest would be reduced to just the prime rate .
A new provision added to the bill would allow the DOR to pay the refund in installments after a review by a political subdivision , such as a local government .
HB 846 , which passed on a 148-3 vote , now heads to the Senate for review .
Reps. David Wilkerson , D-Powder Springs ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharper , D-Valdosta , voted against the bill .

The Georgia House voted Thursday in favor of a bill that one lawmaker said will help maintain the state’s business friendly reputation.
House Bill 846, proposed by Rep. John Corbett, R-Lake Park, will reduce the interest rate on tax refunds to taxpayers who pay sales and use taxes directly to the Department of Revenue.
Corbett told fellow members of the House on Thursday the bill encourages investment and job creation in the state.
Georgia received top rankings in September and November from two business-centered publications, Area Development and Site Selection Magazine, for its good business climate.
HB 846 would lower the interest rate on refund payments from the DOR to taxpayers who file their taxes with a direct pay permit.
Direct pay permits can be issued to taxpayers who have purchased more than $2 million in tangible personal property 12 months before filing or have purchased an annual average amount of $2 million over three years.
Most manufacturing companies use direct pay permits because the taxable gain cannot be determined by manufacturers at the time of the purchase of the product, Corbett said. The bill received approval from Georgia Association of Manufacturers.
“The purpose behind the direct pay permit program is to increase the accuracy and tax reporting by businesses that make substantial purchases of items whose taxability at the time of purchase is unknown, but basically if an item is used in the manufacturing process, it is not taxable,” he said. “But if it's used in a part of the plant, say shipping, it would be taxable and the manufacturer is in the best position to determine the taxability of an item.”
Under current Georgia law, taxpayers are refunded for any overpayment of taxes or fees at the prime bank rate plus 3 percent.
If HB 846 becomes law, the interest would be reduced to just the prime rate. A new provision added to the bill would allow the DOR to pay the refund in installments after a review by a political subdivision, such as a local government.
HB 846, which passed on a 148-3 vote, now heads to the Senate for review. Reps. David Wilkerson, D-Powder Springs; Matt Gurtler, R-Tiger; and Dexter Sharper, D-Valdosta, voted against the bill.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Virginia Senate, House can't agree on bill to restrict handgun purchases

Legislation that would restrict handgun purchases to one per 30 days passed the Virginia Senate on Thursday , but an @ @ @ @ @ transactions will likely prevent the bill from passing the House and cause the legislation to @ @ @ @ @ to reach a compromise .
The exemption was added as a substitute to House Bill @ @ @ @ @ Committee after the House passed the legislation about a month ago .
The Senate passed @ @ @ @ @ Bill 69 , which included the exemption , but the House passed the bill with @ @ @ @ @ .
The Senate rejected the substitute , leading to the House requesting and the Senate @ @ @ @ @ to hammer out their differences .
In both bills , a person would be guilty @ @ @ @ @ for violating the law .
Both bills include a few exemptions , including law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ companies and licensed firearm dealers .
Antique firearms are not subject to this restriction .

Legislation that would restrict handgun purchases to one per 30 days passed the Virginia Senate on Thursday, but an added provision that exempts private transactions will likely prevent the bill from passing the House and cause the legislation to go to a conference committee to reach a compromise.
The exemption was added as a substitute to House Bill 812 by the Senate Judiciary Committee after the House passed the legislation about a month ago.
The Senate passed its own version, Senate Bill 69, which included the exemption, but the House passed the bill with a substitute removing the exemption.
The Senate rejected the substitute, leading to the House requesting and the Senate accepting a joint conference committee to hammer out their differences.
In both bills, a person would be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for violating the law. Both bills include a few exemptions, including law enforcement agencies, licensed private security companies and licensed firearm dealers. Antique firearms are not subject to this restriction.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--How 'democracy' weakened the parties

How 'democracy' weakened the parties

In the movie Crimson Tide , nuclear submarine Capt .
Frank Ramsey ( Gene Hackman ) schools Lt. Cmdr .
Ron Hunter ( Denzel Washington ) on questioning the orders of superiors .
He says , `` We 're here to preserve democracy , not practice it . ''
You can say the same about the traditional roles of the main political parties in the United States , where those who know all the ins and outs , rules , data points , and political terrain have long shaped internal elections behind the scenes .
Party leaders ' No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates and recruit and promote the good ones .
Parties were a vehicle for what was in the best interest of the parties , which purported to represent their members .
This , of course , can be used to nonmembers ' advantage .
Libertarians and socialists , for example , align with the GOP or Democratic Party as a means of getting elected , and not much else .
If Donald Trump , who only recently became a Republican , and Bernie Sanders , who is n't a Democrat but is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic presidential nomination , ran for president as independents , they would n't come close to winning and would instead be treated as , at most , spoilers .
All of which is to say : Political parties have long served beneficial purposes .
Unfortunately , people embrace political parties with the same warmth as they do insurance salesmen and IRS auditors .
The haters have convinced themselves that parties have the entire system `` rigged '' — getting a decent push from Trump and Sanders on that front — when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular hue and cry is the influence of `` big-money donors '' and `` special interests '' in parties choosing nominees .
During a debate in 2016 , Trump claimed that those booing him in the audience were Jeb Bush 's `` donors and special interests out there . ''
Sanders makes similar claims , accusing `` establishment '' Democrats of getting donations from billionaires to fuel their campaigns .
Campaign finance reform such as McCain-Feingold was supposed to `` get money out of politics . ''
The reality is , it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leave it in the hands of outside groups and super PACs that focus on specific issues , creating an environment where compromise is a dirty word .
Groups such as Planned Parenthood and NextGen Climate Action spent nearly $ 48 million in 2016 against Republican candidates .
In a real twist of irony , the super PAC End Citizens United ( named after the Supreme Court decision that paved the way for super PACs ) spent just under $ 11 million against Republican candidates in 2016 .
While these groups spend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , liberal groups such as NARAL and EMILY 's List also target Democrats who do n't toe the line on abortion .
Republicans faced a similar dilemma with the rise of the Tea Party , and groups such as Club for Growth and Heritage Action pushed for more conservative candidates the `` establishment '' did n't want .
In 2010 , upstart candidates without party backing won Senate primaries in Delaware and Nevada and went on to lose winnable races in the general election .
Perhaps nothing reveals the increasing weakness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for choosing presidential candidates .
In 2015 , Trump threatened to consider a third-party bid if the GOP did not treat him `` fairly . ''
Instead of telling Trump to take a walk , the party acquiesced .
Reince Priebus , then the party 's chairman , flew to New York City to meet with Trump and came up with a silly pledge for all GOP candidates to sign saying they 'd support the nominee no matter what .
The GOP , following the 2012 nomination process , changed the rules , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and made the mistake of allowing states to pick and choose how they wanted to allocate delegates .
It benefited Trump .
Through early March 2016 , Trump only had 35 % of the primary vote but locked in 44 % of the delegates .
As the primary went on and candidates dropped out , Trump boosted his delegate count thanks to winner-take-all contests .
For example , Trump won Florida with 45 % of the vote .
Ted Cruz , Marco Rubio , and John Kasich had 51 % among the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 99 delegates in the state .
Sanders , who is not a Democrat and was never a member of the Democratic Party , kicked and screamed enough after losing the 2016 nomination that the party changed the rules for how superdelegates can vote at the Democratic National Convention .
Superdelegates are typically made up of state party leaders and officers while still being automatic delegates to the convention .
They can not vote in the first round of a contested convention .
They can vote in subsequent rounds , but every Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate in the first round of voting .
The open primary is another factor in the weakening of parties , allowing unaffiliated voters to have a say in who gets the party nomination .
It 's another `` democracy '' trope that sounds like a great idea but is genuinely absurd .
Why should Republicans have a say in whom the Democratic Party nominates and vice versa ?
In South Carolina , an open primary state , Republican Party leaders urged conservatives to vote for Sanders in the Saturday primary , hoping for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes it easier for Trump to prevail in November .
Making changes will prove difficult .
Albert Brooks said in a 2018 interview before the release of his book , Love Your Enemies , that the fringes are controlling the debate : 15 % on the Right and another 15 % on the Left make the decisions because they 're louder than the other 70 % .
Closing primaries , using preference voting in primaries and caucuses , and changing convention rules to put more influence back in the hands of party leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elitism '' and the system being `` undemocratic . ''
But until structural changes are made , political candidates with no ties to the parties will continue to use parties as a mechanism for their political aspirations .
For all the talk of how parties favor `` the establishment '' and `` the elites '' at the expense of `` the voters , '' the reality is , the parties have never been weaker .
Just ask Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders .
Jay Caruso is managing editor of the Washington Examiner magazine @

In the movie Crimson Tide, nuclear submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) schools Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) on questioning the orders of superiors. He says, "We're here to preserve democracy, not practice it."
You can say the same about the traditional roles of the main political parties in the United States, where those who know all the ins and outs, rules, data points, and political terrain have long shaped internal elections behind the scenes. Party leaders' No. 1 task was to filter out bad candidates and recruit and promote the good ones. Parties were a vehicle for what was in the best interest of the parties, which purported to represent their members.
This, of course, can be used to nonmembers' advantage. Libertarians and socialists, for example, align with the GOP or Democratic Party as a means of getting elected, and not much else. If Donald Trump, who only recently became a Republican, and Bernie Sanders, who isn't a Democrat but is currently the front-runner in the 2020 race for the Democratic presidential nomination, ran for president as independents, they wouldn't come close to winning and would instead be treated as, at most, spoilers.
All of which is to say: Political parties have long served beneficial purposes.
Unfortunately, people embrace political parties with the same warmth as they do insurance salesmen and IRS auditors. The haters have convinced themselves that parties have the entire system "rigged" — getting a decent push from Trump and Sanders on that front — when it's far from the truth.
A popular hue and cry is the influence of "big-money donors" and "special interests" in parties choosing nominees. During a debate in 2016, Trump claimed that those booing him in the audience were Jeb Bush's "donors and special interests out there." Sanders makes similar claims, accusing "establishment" Democrats of getting donations from billionaires to fuel their campaigns.
Campaign finance reform such as McCain-Feingold was supposed to "get money out of politics." The reality is, it did more to take power away from parties and leave it in the hands of outside groups and super PACs that focus on specific issues, creating an environment where compromise is a dirty word. Groups such as Planned Parenthood and NextGen Climate Action spent nearly $48 million in 2016 against Republican candidates. In a real twist of irony, the PAC End Citizens United (named after the Supreme Court decision that paved the way for super PACs) spent just under $11 million against Republican candidates in 2016.
While these groups spend the bulk of their resources on defeating Republicans, liberal groups such as NARAL and EMILY's List also target Democrats who don't toe the line on abortion.
Republicans faced a similar dilemma with the rise of the Tea Party, and groups such as Club for Growth and Heritage Action pushed for more conservative candidates the "establishment" didn't want. In 2010, upstart candidates without party backing won Senate primaries in Delaware and Nevada and went on to lose winnable races in the general election.
Perhaps nothing reveals the increasing weakness of the two parties more than the primary system for choosing presidential candidates. In 2015, Trump threatened to consider a third-party bid if the GOP did not treat him "fairly." Instead of telling Trump to take a walk, the party acquiesced. Reince Priebus, then the party's chairman, flew to New York City to meet with Trump and came up with a silly pledge for all GOP candidates to sign saying they'd support the nominee no matter what.
The GOP, following the 2012 nomination process, changed the rules, giving more favor to the front-runner, and made the mistake of allowing states to pick and choose how they wanted to allocate delegates. It benefited Trump. Through early March 2016, Trump only had 35% of the primary vote but locked in 44% of the delegates. As the primary went on and candidates dropped out, Trump boosted his delegate count thanks to winner-take-all contests. For example, Trump won Florida with 45% of the vote. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and John Kasich had 51% among the three of them. Still, Trump won all 99 delegates in the state.
Sanders, who is not a Democrat and was never a member of the Democratic Party, kicked and screamed enough after losing the 2016 nomination that the party changed the rules for how superdelegates can vote at the Democratic National Convention. Superdelegates are typically made up of state party leaders and officers while still being automatic delegates to the convention. They cannot vote in the first round of a contested convention. They can vote in subsequent rounds, but every Democratic convention since the 1970s settled on a candidate in the first round of voting.
The open primary is another factor in the weakening of parties, allowing unaffiliated voters to have a say in who gets the party nomination. It's another "democracy" trope that sounds like a great idea but is genuinely absurd. Why should Republicans have a say in whom the Democratic Party nominates and vice versa? In South Carolina, an open primary state, Republican Party leaders urged conservatives to vote for Sanders in the Saturday primary, hoping for a Sanders win, which they believe makes it easier for Trump to prevail in November.
Making changes will prove difficult. Arthur Brooks said in a 2018 interview before the release of his book, Love Your Enemies, that the fringes are controlling the debate: 15% on the Right and another 15% on the Left make the decisions because they're louder than the other 70%.
Closing primaries, using preference voting in primaries and caucuses, and changing convention rules to put more influence back in the hands of party leaders will be met with cries of "elitism" and the system being "undemocratic." But until structural changes are made, political candidates with no ties to the parties will continue to use parties as a mechanism for their political aspirations.
For all the talk of how parties favor "the establishment" and "the elites" at the expense of "the voters," the reality is, the parties have never been weaker. Just ask Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.
CORRECTION: In an earlier version of the story, End Citizens United was incorrectly identified as a Super PAC. It is a PAC with an independent expenditure arm.
Jay Caruso is managing editor of the Washington Examiner magazine.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--'She’ll do some ranting and raving': Hillary Clinton launching podcast with 'irreverence involved'

Hillary Clinton is launching a new podcast that will include wide-ranging conversations styled after late night host Conan O'Brien 's podcast .
`` Conan just exudes enthusiasm about this platform , and he does these interviews that are really evergreen , and the idea with her , in part inspired by that experience , is to do the same thing , '' a person close to Clinton told Politico on Thursday .
`` She wants to try to have a wider-ranging conversation that will be lasting , so you can listen to it in a year , or you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be interesting , '' the person added .
`` And then , of course , she ’ ll do some ranting and raving about news of the day . ''
The failed 2016 presidential candidate is also looking to Howard Stern 's show for inspiration .
Clinton appeared on the show late last year and reportedly fell in love with its style .
`` It was an incredible experience .
We ’ ve been thinking through based on that experience how to create a similar format , '' the source said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so could you have some people on the show in her orbit who are interesting but not necessarily guestworthy ?
And then , hopefully , there ’ s some irreverence involved . ''
The insider said the former secretary of state is looking to create the podcast in a similar fashion to her latest book , The Book of Gutsy Women , that will include `` a meeting of the minds with people of grit and determination . ''

Hillary Clinton is launching a new podcast that will include wide-ranging conversations styled after late night host Conan O'Brien's podcast.
"Conan just exudes enthusiasm about this platform, and he does these interviews that are really evergreen, and the idea with her, in part inspired by that experience, is to do the same thing," a person close to Clinton told Politico on Thursday.
"She wants to try to have a wider-ranging conversation that will be lasting, so you can listen to it in a year, or you can listen to it tomorrow, and it will be interesting," the person added. "And then, of course, she’ll do some ranting and raving about news of the day."
The failed 2016 presidential candidate is also looking to Howard Stern's show for inspiration. Clinton appeared on the show late last year and reportedly fell in love with its style.
"It was an incredible experience. We’ve been thinking through based on that experience how to create a similar format," the source said. "Stern has a cast of characters, so could you have some people on the show in her orbit who are interesting but not necessarily guestworthy? And then, hopefully, there’s some irreverence involved."
The insider said the former secretary of state is looking to create the podcast in a similar fashion to her latest book, The Book of Gutsy Women, that will include "a meeting of the minds with people of grit and determination."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Andrew Yang on reports Bloomberg offered him running mate slot: 'Multiple campaigns have reached out

Andrew Yang on reports Bloomberg offered him running mate slot: 'Multiple campaigns have reached out'

Without naming names , former 2020 Democrat Andrew Yang confirmed that multiple remaining campaigns have reached out to him about potential roles in their administrations following his departure from the race .
`` What I can say is that multiple campaigns have reached out , '' he said on Thursday when asked by CNN 's Anderson Cooper about a report that Michael Bloomberg 's campaign was interested in him as a running mate , `` and it ’ s flattering to be considered for a VP role or any role in someone ’ s campaign . ''
Multiple sources familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bloomberg aides asked Yang about possibly being the former New York City mayor 's vice presidential pick .
A senior aide , however , distanced the campaign from the report without outright denying it , claiming the tech entrepreneur was not being seriously considered for the role .
Yang explained to Cooper that he told candidates interested in having him join their team that they would need to make a `` significant commitment '' in the direction of endorsing a universal basic income , which was a staple of his campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bid earlier this month following a poor performance in the New Hampshire primary and has since joined CNN as a political commentator .

Without naming names, former 2020 Democrat Andrew Yang confirmed that multiple remaining campaigns have reached out to him about potential roles in their administrations following his departure from the race.
"What I can say is that multiple campaigns have reached out," he said on Thursday when asked by CNN's Anderson Cooper about a report that Michael Bloomberg's campaign was interested in him as a running mate, "and it’s flattering to be considered for a VP role or any role in someone’s campaign."
Multiple sources familiar with discussions told the Wall Street Journal that Bloomberg aides asked Yang about possibly being the former New York City mayor's vice presidential pick. A senior aide, however, distanced the campaign from the report without outright denying it, claiming the tech entrepreneur was not being seriously considered for the role.
Yang explained to Cooper that he told candidates interested in having him join their team that they would need to make a "significant commitment" in the direction of endorsing a universal basic income, which was a staple of his campaign.
The former presidential candidate ended his White House bid earlier this month following a poor performance in the New Hampshire primary and has since joined CNN as a political commentator.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Lindsey Graham: Republicans will 'for sure' take back House if Bernie Sanders is Democratic nominee

Sen. Lindsey Graham predicted that Republicans would reclaim power in the House of Representatives if Sen. Bernie Sanders secures the 2020 Democratic nomination .
`` Let me tell you : A Sanders candidacy is great news for President Trump .
It is great news for Republicans in the House and the Senate , '' the South Carolina said Thursday night on Fox News .
`` Looks like Bernie 's going to win the nomination unless something dramatically changes , '' he continued , `` but , if you 're a down-ballot Democrat in the Midwest , in the South , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we take the House back with Bernie for sure . ''
The comment came the day after Rep. Ralph Abraham announced he will be retiring from Congress .
The Republican congressman became the 23rd House GOP member to announce they will be leaving at the end of their term .
Rep. Jim Jordan predicted a 2020 victory for President Trump on Thursday and that Republicans can win a majority in the House , which Democrats took control of following the 2018 midterm elections , if he `` wins big . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ second term , '' the Ohio Republican said .
`` He ’ s going to win .
There ’ s a good chance that the president wins big , and , if he wins big , we can take back the House .
I do think that ’ s going to happen . ''

Sen. Lindsey Graham predicted that Republicans would reclaim power in the House of Representatives if Sen. Bernie Sanders secures the 2020 Democratic nomination.
"Let me tell you: A Sanders candidacy is great news for President Trump. It is great news for Republicans in the House and the Senate," the South Carolina said Thursday night on Fox News.
"Looks like Bernie's going to win the nomination unless something dramatically changes," he continued, "but, if you're a down-ballot Democrat in the Midwest, in the South, Bernie Sanders is your worst nightmare. I think we take the House back with Bernie for sure."
The comment came the day after Rep. Ralph Abraham announced he will be retiring from Congress. The Republican congressman became the 23rd House GOP member to announce they will be leaving at the end of their term.
Rep. Jim Jordan predicted a 2020 victory for President Trump on Thursday and that Republicans can win a majority in the House, which Democrats took control of following the 2018 midterm elections, if he "wins big."
"He is going to get a second term," the Ohio Republican said. "He’s going to win. There’s a good chance that the president wins big, and, if he wins big, we can take back the House. I do think that’s going to happen."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--'He loves the play': Trump met with Strzok-Page actors in the Oval Office

The conservative actors and writers behind a dramatized reading of texts between then-FBI special agent Peter Strzok and then-FBI lawyer Lisa Page met with President Trump in the Oval Office for nearly an hour .
The short play , FBI Lovebirds : UnderCovers , starring Dean Cain as Strzok and Kristy Swanson as Page , was written and produced by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney , two Irish documentary filmmakers and authors .
“ We met the president of the United States today in the Oval Office for 40 minutes , today , ” McElhinney told a crowd of hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Q & A session after a performance .
“ He loves the play.
” “ He said he wants to play a part , ” Swanson said .
“ He said he ’ d be my understudy , ” Cain said .
Strzok helped lead the FBI ’ s investigations into Hillary Clinton ’ s private email server and any connections between the Trump campaign and the Russians , and he briefly worked on special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation before the texts came to light .
Page worked closely with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Page , who were having an affair , exchanged anti-Trump messages that the president ’ s supporters argue are proof of an effort to prevent him from taking office .
The pair denied the messages were anything but venting .
“ I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy ’ s office that there ’ s no way he gets elected — but I ’ m afraid we can ’ t take that risk , ” Strzok told Page in one August 2016 exchange .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unlikely event you die before you ’ re 40.
” '' [ Trump is ] not ever going to become president , right ?
Right ?
! ''
Page asked Strzok another time that month .
“ No .
No he won ’ t , ” Strzok assured her .
“ We ’ ll stop it.
” Cain , whose portrayal included Strzok ’ s smirk from his congressional testimony , is best known for playing Clark Kent and Superman in the 1990s hit show Lois & Clark : The New Adventures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 ’ s Gosnell : The Trial of America ’ s Biggest Serial Killer about the prosecution of notorious Philadelphia abortion provider Kermit Gosnell .
The script was written by McAleer , who also penned the Gosnell book and wrote its script .
Swanson , who wore the same style of dress Page did in her congressional testimony , is best known for her role as Buffy Summers in the 1992 cult movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer , which spawned the TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar a few years later .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ texts by emphasizing and reading aloud “ winky face , ” “ three exclamation points , ” and “ sigh.
” During the Q & A session , Cain said he has “ little pictures of Strzok inside my script ” to “ remind me of the faces he pulled.
” Swanson said she was willing to be open about being a Republican in Hollywood because , “ I believe in being myself.
” “ They ’ re having a ball .
There are no consequences , for this is modern-day D.C .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , a job as an analyst on CNN , or a book deal , ” McAleer said of people such as Strzok and Page .
“ If you ’ re a Republican , you go to jail.
” He emphasized that the script was “ 100 % verbatim ” from the texts .
When asked what Swanson and Cain , who portrayed heroes , would say to Strzok and Page , “ who thought they were heroes , '' Swanson said , “ The heroes we played weren ’ t arrogant.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were doing what was in the best interest of the country , regardless of whether it was against the Constitution , ” Cain said .
“ I really think they thought they were doing something heroic.
” Trump mocked the Strzok-Page texts during his victory lap speech at the White House earlier this month following his Senate impeachment acquittal .
`` When you have Lisa and Peter , the lovers , the FBI lovers , '' Trump said .
`` I can tell you , in my opinion , these are the crookedest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've ever seen , ” he said .
“ I ’ m really not a bad person , ” the president said .
Strzok tweeted in response , “ I will have a great deal more to say about the president ’ s attacks on those with responsibility for holding him accountable , ” and , “ America deserves better.
” Strzok has sued the DOJ over allegations of wrongful termination .
His lawyer , Aitan Goelman , emphasized Strzok ’ s “ patriotic career ” and claimed he was “ vindicated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Michael Horowitz criticized Strzok in a June 2018 report on the FBI ’ s inquiry into Clinton in 2016 , noting he “ did not have confidence that Strzok ’ s decision ” that his handling of Clinton aide Huma Abedin ’ s emails found on disgraced former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner ’ s laptop “ was free from bias.
” And Horowitz ’ s December 2019 report on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuses ended with the DOJ inspector general unable to determine whether the FBI ’ s repeated failures were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ intentional misconduct.
” “ I am not just an FBI target of the President , but a female one , ” Page tweeted in late December .
“ So his followers understand that I 'm therefore different , and ‘ deserving ’ of a special kind of hatred , a vile reduction of my whole existence into body parts and sex acts .
It 's incredibly degrading and dehumanizing , but I suppose that 's the point , is n't it.
” She also said that “ there was no insurance @ @ @

The conservative actors and writers behind a dramatized reading of texts between then-FBI special agent Peter Strzok and then-FBI lawyer Lisa Page met with President Trump in the Oval Office for nearly an hour.
The short play, FBI Lovebirds: UnderCovers, starring Dean Cain as Strzok and Kristy Swanson as Page, was written and produced by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney, two Irish documentary filmmakers and authors.
“We met the president of the United States today in the Oval Office for 40 minutes, today,” McElhinney told a crowd of hundreds at the Conservative Political Action Conference during a Q&A session after a performance. “He loves the play.”
“He said he wants to play a part,” Swanson said.
“He said he’d be my understudy,” Cain said.
Strzok helped lead the FBI’s investigations into Hillary Clinton’s private email server and any connections between the Trump campaign and the Russians, and he briefly worked on special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation before the texts came to light. Page worked closely with FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Strzok and Page, who were having an affair, exchanged anti-Trump messages that the president’s supporters argue are proof of an effort to prevent him from taking office. The pair denied the messages were anything but venting.
“I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office that there’s no way he gets elected — but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk,” Strzok told Page in one August 2016 exchange. “It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you’re 40.”
"[Trump is] not ever going to become president, right? Right?!" Page asked Strzok another time that month.
“No. No he won’t,” Strzok assured her. “We’ll stop it.”
Cain, whose portrayal included Strzok’s smirk from his congressional testimony, is best known for playing Clark Kent and Superman in the 1990s hit show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He recently co-starred in 2018’s Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer about the prosecution of notorious Philadelphia abortion provider Kermit Gosnell. The script was written by McAleer, who also penned the Gosnell book and wrote its script.
Swanson, who wore the same style of dress Page did in her congressional testimony, is best known for her role as Buffy Summers in the 1992 cult movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which spawned the TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar a few years later.
The two punctuated their readings of the Strzok-Page texts by emphasizing and reading aloud “winky face,” “three exclamation points,” and “sigh.”
During the Q&A session, Cain said he has “little pictures of Strzok inside my script” to “remind me of the faces he pulled.” Swanson said she was willing to be open about being a Republican in Hollywood because, “I believe in being myself.”
“They’re having a ball. There are no consequences, for this is modern-day D.C. In fact, you get a new career, a job as an analyst on CNN, or a book deal,” McAleer said of people such as Strzok and Page. “If you’re a Republican, you go to jail.”
He emphasized that the script was “100% verbatim” from the texts.
“They mock themselves,” Cain said.
When asked what Swanson and Cain, who portrayed heroes, would say to Strzok and Page, “who thought they were heroes," Swanson said, “The heroes we played weren’t arrogant.”
“I believe they really thought they were doing what was in the best interest of the country, regardless of whether it was against the Constitution,” Cain said. “I really think they thought they were doing something heroic.”
Trump mocked the Strzok-Page texts during his victory lap speech at the White House earlier this month following his Senate impeachment acquittal.
"When you have Lisa and Peter, the lovers, the FBI lovers," Trump said.
"I can tell you, in my opinion, these are the crookedest, most dishonest, dirtiest people I've ever seen,” he said.
“I’m really not a bad person,” the president said.
Strzok tweeted in response, “I will have a great deal more to say about the president’s attacks on those with responsibility for holding him accountable,” and, “America deserves better.” Strzok has sued the DOJ over allegations of wrongful termination. His lawyer, Aitan Goelman, emphasized Strzok’s “patriotic career” and claimed he was “vindicated by two independent IG investigations.”
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz criticized Strzok in a June 2018 report on the FBI’s inquiry into Clinton in 2016, noting he “did not have confidence that Strzok’s decision” that his handling of Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s emails found on disgraced former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner’s laptop “was free from bias.” And Horowitz’s December 2019 report on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuses ended with the DOJ inspector general unable to determine whether the FBI’s repeated failures were due to “sheer gross incompetence” or “intentional misconduct.”
“I am not just an FBI target of the President, but a female one,” Page tweeted in late December. “So his followers understand that I'm therefore different, and ‘deserving’ of a special kind of hatred, a vile reduction of my whole existence into body parts and sex acts. It's incredibly degrading and dehumanizing, but I suppose that's the point, isn't it.”
She also said that “there was no insurance policy.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-28--Jack Black confirms he deleted Warren Mt. Rushmore post over monument's history with Native American

Jack Black confirms he deleted Warren Mt. Rushmore post over monument's history with Native Americans

Jack Black said he deleted a social media post showing Sen. Elizabeth Warren edited onto Mount Rushmore after criticism surrounding the monument 's history with Native Americans .
The actor confirmed on Wednesday that he deleted an Instagram post featuring him wearing a shirt with the modified Mount Rushmore design , according to the Hollywood Reporter .
The shirt designer , Built by Wendy , had asked Black to delete the post after `` negative responses '' about the image .
`` I respected their wishes , '' Black said about the internet outrage .
`` I think Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the smartest candidate in the race .
She speaks with the most clarity regarding the big structural change needed to make government work for everyone .
I endorse her campaign and hope to be celebrating her victory in November ! ''
Followers of the actor criticized the monument for hurting Native Americans .
Activists have called Mount Rushmore is a monument to `` hubris and deeply rooted racism . ''
Their argument is that the sculpture was an intrusion on sacred ground for Native Americans .
Black endorsed Warren earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-in . ''
The Massachusetts Democrat , who is vying to take on President Trump in November 's general election , has her own controversial history with Native Americans after she claimed she has Native American heritage .
A letter sent Wednesday by 200 Cherokees and other Native Americans slammed Warren over the incident , demanding she `` fully address the harm '' of her claim despite having already apologized for it .
`` Whatever your intentions , your actions have normalized white people claiming to be Native and perpetuated a dangerous misunderstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Your actions do not exist in a vacuum but are part of a long and violent history . ''
In response , Warren apologized again and said , `` My incorrect identification as Native was loaded , given the history . ''

Jack Black said he deleted a social media post showing Sen. Elizabeth Warren edited onto Mount Rushmore after criticism surrounding the monument's history with Native Americans.
The actor confirmed on Wednesday that he deleted an Instagram post featuring him wearing a shirt with the modified Mount Rushmore design, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The shirt designer, Built by Wendy, had asked Black to delete the post after "negative responses" about the image.
"I respected their wishes," Black said about the internet outrage. "I think Elizabeth Warren would be a great president. She’s the smartest candidate in the race. She speaks with the most clarity regarding the big structural change needed to make government work for everyone. I endorse her campaign and hope to be celebrating her victory in November!"
Followers of the actor criticized the monument for hurting Native Americans. Activists have called Mount Rushmore is a monument to "hubris and deeply rooted racism." Their argument is that the sculpture was an intrusion on sacred ground for Native Americans.
Black endorsed Warren earlier this week, saying, "I'm all-in." The Massachusetts Democrat, who is vying to take on President Trump in November's general election, has her own controversial history with Native Americans after she claimed she has Native American heritage.
A letter sent Wednesday by 200 Cherokees and other Native Americans slammed Warren over the incident, demanding she "fully address the harm" of her claim despite having already apologized for it.
"Whatever your intentions, your actions have normalized white people claiming to be Native and perpetuated a dangerous misunderstanding of tribal sovereignty," the group said. "Your actions do not exist in a vacuum but are part of a long and violent history."
In response, Warren apologized again and said, "My incorrect identification as Native was loaded, given the history."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Bloomberg campaign asked Andrew Yang to be his running mate: Report

Michael Bloomberg 's campaign reportedly asked Andrew Yang to consider being the former New York City mayor 's running mate if he secures the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
Two sources familiar with the discussions told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday that Bloomberg had aides reach out to Yang about possibly being his vice presidential pick .
A third source said that Yang did not make any commitments as he weighs his future in politics .
A senior Bloomberg aide distanced the campaign from the report without outright denying it , claiming Yang was not being seriously considered for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to Yang for comment on the report but did not receive an immediate response .
Earlier this month , it was reported that Bloomberg was considering choosing Hillary Clinton as his running mate .
When asked if she would run as vice president if picked , the former secretary of state said , `` Probably no , '' but `` never say never . ''
Yang dropped out of the presidential race following the New Hampshire primary and said during his announcement , `` I ’ m the math guy .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ] we will not win this race . ''
Since the end of his campaign , the tech entrepreneur has joined CNN as a political contributor .

Michael Bloomberg's campaign reportedly asked Andrew Yang to consider being the former New York City mayor's running mate if he secures the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Two sources familiar with the discussions told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday that Bloomberg had aides reach out to Yang about possibly being his vice presidential pick. A third source said that Yang did not make any commitments as he weighs his future in politics.
A senior Bloomberg aide distanced the campaign from the report without outright denying it, claiming Yang was not being seriously considered for the role. The Washington Examiner reached out to Yang for comment on the report but did not receive an immediate response.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Bloomberg was considering choosing Hillary Clinton as his running mate. When asked if she would run as vice president if picked, the former secretary of state said, "Probably no," but "never say never."
Yang dropped out of the presidential race following the New Hampshire primary and said during his announcement, "I’m the math guy. It is clear tonight from the numbers [that] we will not win this race."
Since the end of his campaign, the tech entrepreneur has joined CNN as a political contributor.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-27--Governor vetoes Republican-backed tax cut, wants compromise spending

Gov .
Tony Evers says he gave Republican lawmakers what they wanted in last year 's budget .
Now the governor says it 's time they give him what he wants .
`` A little more than a year ago I received a letter from all of the Republicans in the Assembly , highlighting their priorities for the upcoming year .
They said they wanted to get back to two-thirds funding for our public schools , '' Evers said at a Wednesday news conference .
`` A few months later I signed our biennial budget . ''
The governor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding , but he compromised .
This year , Evers is demanding that Republicans likewise compromise .
On Wednesday , he vetoed a Republican-backed plan to use about $ 400 million of the state 's projected surplus to cut taxes and pay down debt .
`` It 's time for Republicans to put politics aside so we can do what is right for our kids , our schools , and our property taxpayers , '' Evers said .
`` I am ready to work across the aisle to get this done .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compromise that works for everyone . ''
Evers has said for months that he wants to spend any extra state money on schools across Wisconsin .
Specifically , he wants to spend more on special education .
The governor said he 's willing to spend more money to pay down state debt .
He 's also willing to consider an income tax cut , and said he 's open to cutting local property taxes more than he first proposed .
`` But I will not accept a plan that continues to let local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to pay , '' Evers said .
`` And I will not accept a plan that does not invest in our kids and our schools , that does not invest in our kids and our schools for mental health education and special education . ''
Rep. John Nygren , R-Marinette , who heads the Assembly 's budget writing panel , on Wednesday said it is not the Republicans who are playing games .
“ I am greatly disappointed that Governor Evers has once again chosen to play politics and veto a tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and middle-income families across our state , ” Nygren said in his statement .
It 's not clear how much of a compromise is possible at the State Capitol .
Republican leaders have held firm on their spending plan since Evers took office last year .
It 's also unclear when there could be a new vote on spending the surplus money as lawmakers in Madison have gone home for the year .

Gov. Tony Evers says he gave Republican lawmakers what they wanted in last year's budget. Now the governor says it's time they give him what he wants.
"A little more than a year ago I received a letter from all of the Republicans in the Assembly, highlighting their priorities for the upcoming year. They said they wanted to get back to two-thirds funding for our public schools," Evers said at a Wednesday news conference. "A few months later I signed our biennial budget."
The governor said that budget didn't include enough education funding, but he compromised.
This year, Evers is demanding that Republicans likewise compromise. On Wednesday, he vetoed a Republican-backed plan to use about $400 million of the state's projected surplus to cut taxes and pay down debt.
"It's time for Republicans to put politics aside so we can do what is right for our kids, our schools, and our property taxpayers," Evers said. "I am ready to work across the aisle to get this done. And I am willing to work on a compromise that works for everyone."
Evers has said for months that he wants to spend any extra state money on schools across Wisconsin. Specifically, he wants to spend more on special education.
The governor said he's willing to spend more money to pay down state debt. He's also willing to consider an income tax cut, and said he's open to cutting local property taxes more than he first proposed.
"But I will not accept a plan that continues to let local taxpayers foot bills that the state should have to pay," Evers said. "And I will not accept a plan that does not invest in our kids and our schools, that does not invest in our kids and our schools for mental health education and special education."
Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, who heads the Assembly's budget writing panel, on Wednesday said it is not the Republicans who are playing games.
“I am greatly disappointed that Governor Evers has once again chosen to play politics and veto a tax cut that was targeted to help low- and middle-income families across our state,” Nygren said in his statement.
It's not clear how much of a compromise is possible at the State Capitol. Republican leaders have held firm on their spending plan since Evers took office last year. It's also unclear when there could be a new vote on spending the surplus money as lawmakers in Madison have gone home for the year.