thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--AOC keeps spreading the myth of stagnant worker wages

Famed journalist H.L .
Mencken once observed that the entire aim of politics is to keep the populace in a state of alarm by menacing it with imaginary hobgoblins .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s latest antics reveal that little has changed .
The economy is currently enjoying one of its better runs in modern history : a record 125 months of consecutive growth , record low unemployment , and a stock market that recently closed at an all-time high .
But some critics still are not impressed .
AOC complained that wages aren ’ t growing fast enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t , ” the New York Democrat said .
She called it “ inequality in a nutshell.
” Claims that wages aren ’ t rising or aren ’ t rising fast enough are hardly unique .
They are routinely rolled out by media figures , politicians , and a handful of economists who claim working people “ haven ’ t had a raise ” in years , if not decades .
If true , this would be a stunning indictment of the economic system .
Fortunately , such claims are built on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a simple look at Federal Reserve data shows that , over the last decade , average hourly earnings of all private-sector employees increased from $ 22.36 to $ 28.32 .
The crudest comparisons show at least a 2 % increase in the past year , or at least 3 % to 5 % growth per year since 1990 .
Importantly , it is not just the average wage that is rising .
The nominal median wage went up by 3 % to 4.5 % each year , too .
So , no , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just “ the rich getting richer , ” as the median data solve that issue .
This does not mean that every single person is earning more , as people lose jobs or take lower-paying ones every day , but , on average , workers are indeed earning more .
Still , the problem with crude comparisons is that money is getting less valuable , and things usually cost more now than they did last year or 30 years ago .
If we take into account price inflation , then the increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but 1.7 % , or even as low as 0.6 % .
Measuring inflation is not an exact science , however .
Economists will admit that it ’ s extremely difficult to measure changes in the value of goods and services over time , and this is evidenced by the wild variation between different measures of inflation .
Another significant piece of the wage puzzle is other forms of compensation , such as healthcare benefits , 401 ( k ) contributions , profit-sharing , pensions , stock options , sick pay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
Such benefits , which don ’ t even include nonmonetary benefits such as working from home , free gym memberships , or “ summer Fridays , ” represent a sizable chunk of worker compensation , and a growing one .
Importantly , these benefits usually are not reflected in wage statistics .
In 2019 , workers received about one-third of their income from such benefits on average , up from 27 % in 2000 .
For government workers , it ’ s even higher , at 42 % .
Rising healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase , the New York Times pointed out , a fact that should surprise no one .
It ’ s well known that surging healthcare costs are gobbling up a sizable portion of worker compensation .
Finally , and most importantly , politicians such as AOC use wage data to imply that individuals aren ’ t getting ahead , which is simply not true .
Sure , if you use a particular inflation index and ignore benefits , it will appear that wages have barely budged in decades .
However , this doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
They are .
Data show that people in the United States , like many Europeans , still enjoy great economic mobility .
Yes , the public might overestimate the ability of the poorest to rise to the top — it ’ s been called America ’ s “ civil religion , ” after all — but the fact remains that two-thirds of those who start life in the bottom fifth of society will rise out of that socioeconomic quintile as an adult .
This could not happen if people were actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim exists .
Recent surveys also show roughly half of people reported receiving a pay raise over the last 12 months , and just a small percentage of those , 26 % , were “ cost-of-living ” adjustment raises .
Comparing stock market gains with wages is misleading , but for AOC 's purposes , it is a great way to stoke class envy .
It ’ s also a rather pointless and misleading exercise , since market indexes rise and fall faster than average wages .
This fact does not in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the economy .
It ’ s akin to observing on a cold winter morning that , despite sunshine , it is still cold and concluding that there must be something wrong with the sun .
There are plenty of real economic challenges facing us , from the return of trillion-dollar deficits , the student loan bubble , and surging healthcare costs .
AOC and her ilk need to realize we simply don ’ t have time to worry about wage hobgoblins .
Zilvinas Silenas became the president of the Foundation for Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miltimore is managing editor .
Follow Jon on Facebook .

Famed journalist H.L. Mencken once observed that the entire aim of politics is to keep the populace in a state of alarm by menacing it with imaginary hobgoblins. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s latest antics reveal that little has changed.
The economy is currently enjoying one of its better runs in modern history: a record 125 months of consecutive growth, record low unemployment, and a stock market that recently closed at an all-time high. But some critics still are not impressed. AOC complained that wages aren’t growing fast enough. “The Dow soars, wages don’t,” the New York Democrat said. She called it “inequality in a nutshell.”
The Dow soars, wages don’t.
Inequality in a nutshell. https://t.co/hD1g1y4uBk — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 12, 2020
Claims that wages aren’t rising or aren’t rising fast enough are hardly unique. They are routinely rolled out by media figures, politicians, and a handful of economists who claim working people “haven’t had a raise” in years, if not decades. If true, this would be a stunning indictment of the economic system. Fortunately, such claims are built on half-truths and misdirections.
In fact, a simple look at Federal Reserve data shows that, over the last decade, average hourly earnings of all private-sector employees increased from $22.36 to $28.32. The crudest comparisons show at least a 2% increase in the past year, or at least 3% to 5% growth per year since 1990.
Importantly, it is not just the average wage that is rising. The nominal median wage went up by 3% to 4.5% each year, too. So, no, you cannot say that it is just “the rich getting richer,” as the median data solve that issue. This does not mean that every single person is earning more, as people lose jobs or take lower-paying ones every day, but, on average, workers are indeed earning more.
Still, the problem with crude comparisons is that money is getting less valuable, and things usually cost more now than they did last year or 30 years ago.
If we take into account price inflation, then the increase in earnings is not 4% this year, but 1.7%, or even as low as 0.6%. Measuring inflation is not an exact science, however. Economists will admit that it’s extremely difficult to measure changes in the value of goods and services over time, and this is evidenced by the wild variation between different measures of inflation.
Another significant piece of the wage puzzle is other forms of compensation, such as healthcare benefits, 401(k) contributions, profit-sharing, pensions, stock options, sick pay, bonuses, and other types of nonwage benefits. Such benefits, which don’t even include nonmonetary benefits such as working from home, free gym memberships, or “summer Fridays,” represent a sizable chunk of worker compensation, and a growing one. Importantly, these benefits usually are not reflected in wage statistics.
In 2019, workers received about one-third of their income from such benefits on average, up from 27% in 2000. For government workers, it’s even higher, at 42%. Rising healthcare costs account for about one-third of this increase, the New York Times pointed out, a fact that should surprise no one. It’s well known that surging healthcare costs are gobbling up a sizable portion of worker compensation.
Finally, and most importantly, politicians such as AOC use wage data to imply that individuals aren’t getting ahead, which is simply not true.
Sure, if you use a particular inflation index and ignore benefits, it will appear that wages have barely budged in decades. However, this doesn’t mean individuals are not moving up. They are.
Data show that people in the United States, like many Europeans, still enjoy great economic mobility. Yes, the public might overestimate the ability of the poorest to rise to the top — it’s been called America’s “civil religion,” after all — but the fact remains that two-thirds of those who start life in the bottom fifth of society will rise out of that socioeconomic quintile as an adult.
This could not happen if people were actually stuck in the wage purgatory many politicians claim exists. Recent surveys also show roughly half of people reported receiving a pay raise over the last 12 months, and just a small percentage of those, 26%, were “cost-of-living” adjustment raises.
To say that "Dow is soaring and wages are not" is either pointless or misleading. Market indexes rise and fall faster than average wages. To be angry at this is a sign of ignorance. To suggest that there is something wrong, [and therefore we need socialism] is misleading. pic.twitter.com/ZFTTIsd70X — Zilvinas "Z" Silenas (@zsilenas) January 16, 2020
Comparing stock market gains with wages is misleading, but for AOC's purposes, it is a great way to stoke class envy. It’s also a rather pointless and misleading exercise, since market indexes rise and fall faster than average wages. This fact does not in any way prove that there is something wrong with the economy. It’s akin to observing on a cold winter morning that, despite sunshine, it is still cold and concluding that there must be something wrong with the sun.
There are plenty of real economic challenges facing us, from the return of trillion-dollar deficits, the student loan bubble, and surging healthcare costs. AOC and her ilk need to realize we simply don’t have time to worry about wage hobgoblins.
Zilvinas Silenas became the president of the Foundation for Economic Education in May 2019, where Jon Miltimore is managing editor. Follow Jon on Facebook.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--US ‘satisfaction’ best in 15 years, Trump's high four times Obama’s low

Satisfaction “ with the way things are going ” in the United States has reached a 15-year high , about four times better than the low points registered under President Barack Obama .
In its latest survey , Gallup said that 41 % are satisfied with the direction of the nation .
The last time it hit that level was in 2005 , during the administration of President George W. Bush .
Under Obama , it hit about 10 % in his first and third year , but it rose to the mid-30s in his last year .
Gallup suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in boosting U.S. satisfaction levels .
“ The higher level of satisfaction measured in the Jan. 2-15 Gallup poll comes at a time when Americans ' evaluations of the U.S. economy are the best they have been in nearly two decades , perhaps because of continued low unemployment and record stock values , ” said the analysis , which was accompanied with a photo of happy younger people .
President Trump has made improving the economy and lowering unemployment his key focus and the basis for his reelection argument .
But like everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 72 % of Republicans are satisfied versus just 14 % of Democrats .
The satisfaction level is also higher than Gallup 's historical average .

Satisfaction “with the way things are going” in the United States has reached a 15-year high, about four times better than the low points registered under President Barack Obama.
In its latest survey, Gallup said that 41% are satisfied with the direction of the nation. The last time it hit that level was in 2005, during the administration of President George W. Bush.
Under Obama, it hit about 10% in his first and third year, but it rose to the mid-30s in his last year.
Gallup suggested that the strong economy was the driver in boosting U.S. satisfaction levels.
“The higher level of satisfaction measured in the Jan. 2-15 Gallup poll comes at a time when Americans' evaluations of the U.S. economy are the best they have been in nearly two decades, perhaps because of continued low unemployment and record stock values,” said the analysis, which was accompanied with a photo of happy younger people.
President Trump has made improving the economy and lowering unemployment his key focus and the basis for his reelection argument.
But like everything political, the sides are divided. Some 72% of Republicans are satisfied versus just 14% of Democrats.
The satisfaction level is also higher than Gallup's historical average.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Pro-lifers: Trump ‘has delivered’

Pro-lifers: Trump ‘has delivered’

On the 46th anniversary of the first March for Life , a year after the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision supporting abortion , pro-life advocates have declared President Trump their biggest supporter ever in the Oval Office .
“ I never anticipated he would be the most pro-life president in history , ” said Focus on the Family President Jim Daly .
“ We feel our views are supported , ” he told Secrets this morning .
“ President Trump has delivered on his promises , governing as the most pro-life president in U.S. history , ” said Marjorie Dannenfelser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan B. Anthony List .
Since his first day in office , they said , Trump has not only reversed pro-abortion policies and funding put in place by President Barack Obama , he has acted on nearly every request the pro-life movement has asked of him .
The latest example occurs today when he becomes the first president in history to attend and speak at the annual March for Life .
In addition , Trump has peppered his staff with pro-life workers and put a premium on student interns from Christian and evangelical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an enormous number of friends in this administration , ” said one conservative leader .
Trump , a former New Yorker and Democrat , has surprised conservatives with his devotion to their causes .
Critics , especially liberals , have accused them of being hypocritical , but Daly said that like supporters of Democratic presidents , those who back Trump “ are sophisticated in their choices.
” He said that pro-life advocates and evangelicals are more focused on policy and personnel and appreciate Trump ’ s support .
“ Trump has pursued policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Dannenfelser today was named national co-chairwoman of Pro-Life Voices for Trump in 2020 ; Rev .
Frank Pavone of Priests for Life is the co-chairman .
Dannenfelser said that she would promote Trump to pro-life voters and help to draw a contrast with the eventual Democratic nominee .
“ We know there will be a stark contrast to make to voters between his leadership and the abortion extremism of his opponents .
The eventual Democratic nominee is guaranteed to support abortion on demand through birth , funded by taxpayers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

On the 46th anniversary of the first March for Life, a year after the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision supporting abortion, pro-life advocates have declared President Trump their biggest supporter ever in the Oval Office.
“I never anticipated he would be the most pro-life president in history,” said Focus on the Family President Jim Daly. “We feel our views are supported,” he told Secrets this morning.
“President Trump has delivered on his promises, governing as the most pro-life president in U.S. history,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List.
Since his first day in office, they said, Trump has not only reversed pro-abortion policies and funding put in place by President Barack Obama, he has acted on nearly every request the pro-life movement has asked of him.
Trump to become first president in history to speak at March for Life -- an announcement that lands on the 47th anniversary of #RoevWade: https://t.co/fG5Kl9pKJX — Kimberly Leonard (@leonardkl) January 22, 2020
The latest example occurs today when he becomes the first president in history to attend and speak at the annual March for Life.
In addition, Trump has peppered his staff with pro-life workers and put a premium on student interns from Christian and evangelical colleges and universities.
“We have an enormous number of friends in this administration,” said one conservative leader.
Trump, a former New Yorker and Democrat, has surprised conservatives with his devotion to their causes. Critics, especially liberals, have accused them of being hypocritical, but Daly said that like supporters of Democratic presidents, those who back Trump “are sophisticated in their choices.”
He said that pro-life advocates and evangelicals are more focused on policy and personnel and appreciate Trump’s support.
“Trump has pursued policies we’ve dreamt of,” he said.
Dannenfelser today was named national co-chairwoman of Pro-Life Voices for Trump in 2020; Rev. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life is the co-chairman.
Dannenfelser said that she would promote Trump to pro-life voters and help to draw a contrast with the eventual Democratic nominee.
“We know there will be a stark contrast to make to voters between his leadership and the abortion extremism of his opponents. The eventual Democratic nominee is guaranteed to support abortion on demand through birth, funded by taxpayers, and even infanticide,” she said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Andrew Yang slams Democrats for refusing to go on Fox News

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang blasted the Democratic National Committee for its refusal to allow Fox News to host a Democratic debate .
`` One thing I think Democrats should do , I think we should go on Fox News and talk to the American people , '' said the tech entrepreneur .
`` Because how can you win an election and bring the country together if you literally wo n't talk to 40 % or 50 % of the population ? ''
The DNC and top-tier Democratic candidates have avoided the conservative outlet in the lead-up to the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been repeatedly misidentified by some media outlets and has not shied away from appearing on Fox News .
`` This is something I 'd say that is critical of the DNC , '' added Yang .
`` There 's a decision early on in the process where Fox said , 'We 'd like to host a DNC debate . '
And , to me , if you 're the DNC , you jump at that .
You 're like , 'Let me show my candidates to people who generally watch Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down !
I was like , 'What are you doing ? '
'' Yang is currently polling at 4 % in the latest national averages , according to RealClearPolitics .

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang blasted the Democratic National Committee for its refusal to allow Fox News to host a Democratic debate.
"One thing I think Democrats should do, I think we should go on Fox News and talk to the American people," said the tech entrepreneur. "Because how can you win an election and bring the country together if you literally won't talk to 40% or 50% of the population?"
The DNC and top-tier Democratic candidates have avoided the conservative outlet in the lead-up to the 2020 general election. Yang, 45, has been repeatedly misidentified by some media outlets and has not shied away from appearing on Fox News.
"This is something I'd say that is critical of the DNC," added Yang. "There's a decision early on in the process where Fox said, 'We'd like to host a DNC debate.' And, to me, if you're the DNC, you jump at that. You're like, 'Let me show my candidates to people who generally watch Fox News.' But the DNC turned it down! I was like, 'What are you doing?'"
Yang is currently polling at 4% in the latest national averages, according to RealClearPolitics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Biden: Trump travel ban ‘like putting up a great big recruiting banner for terrorists’

CLAREMONT , New Hampshire — Joe Biden argued that President Trump 's travel ban on a number of majority-Muslim countries would provide fodder to terrorist groups .
`` After a three-year assault on American values , Donald Trump says he wants to expand that ban , religious ban , to more — to more countries , '' the former vice president told a crowd of around 200 in a campaign stop on Friday .
The White House is expected to add seven countries , not all of which are Muslim-majority , to its travel ban list , including Belarus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sudan , and Tanzania , though that list is not final .
The rule would not ban all citizens of those countries from entering the United States , with some countries having a ban only on certain visa categories .
`` Make no mistake , this anti-Muslim bias is not only morally wrong , it 's like putting up a great big recruiting banner for terrorists , saying , 'See , we told you .
They do n't care about us , they want to abuse us , ' '' Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it 's been used before , that 's why we wanted those camps shut down .
That , in fact , he does n't see that — I know that people have advised — I 'm confident the people advising him see it and know it .
But he does n't seem to listen to virtually anybody of consequence . ''
Trump 's original order , which denied certain U.S. visas to seven majority-Muslim countries , was amended and upheld in a June 2018 Supreme Court decision .
`` A ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American history and American freedom , religious freedom , the first freedom .
It goes against everything we stand for , '' Biden said .

CLAREMONT, New Hampshire — Joe Biden argued that President Trump's travel ban on a number of majority-Muslim countries would provide fodder to terrorist groups.
"After a three-year assault on American values, Donald Trump says he wants to expand that ban, religious ban, to more — to more countries," the former vice president told a crowd of around 200 in a campaign stop on Friday.
The White House is expected to add seven countries, not all of which are Muslim-majority, to its travel ban list, including Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania, though that list is not final. The rule would not ban all citizens of those countries from entering the United States, with some countries having a ban only on certain visa categories.
"Make no mistake, this anti-Muslim bias is not only morally wrong, it's like putting up a great big recruiting banner for terrorists, saying, 'See, we told you. They don't care about us, they want to abuse us,'" Biden said. "An organizing tool being used, and it's been used before, that's why we wanted those camps shut down. That, in fact, he doesn't see that — I know that people have advised — I'm confident the people advising him see it and know it. But he doesn't seem to listen to virtually anybody of consequence."
Trump's original order, which denied certain U.S. visas to seven majority-Muslim countries, was amended and upheld in a June 2018 Supreme Court decision.
"A ban is a betrayal of all our foundations of American history and American freedom, religious freedom, the first freedom. It goes against everything we stand for," Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Biden swipes Bernie Sanders climate plan: 'Not a single solitary scientist thinks it will work'

CLAREMONT , New Hampshire — Joe Biden criticized Democratic primary rival Bernie Sanders 's climate plan , indicating to a voter that it was unrealistic .
After speaking to a crowd of about 200 , Biden greeted voters , and woman who identified herself as Ann asked Biden about his plans to tackle climate change .
`` Bernie 's plan is pretty impressive , '' Ann said .
`` What they 're comparing their plan to — `` '' Not a single solitary scientist think it 'd work , '' Biden said , interrupting .
`` You can not get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's impossible . ''
In the conversation , Biden , 77 , said that he has the global leadership skills to bring the world together to combat climate change .
He mentioned that rainforests in other countries are burning , which is not good since rainforests can `` sink '' carbon .
`` It absorbs more carbon from the air than every single solitary bit of carbon that America puts in the air on a daily basis , '' Biden said .
Biden also claimed credit for a $ 100 million initiative that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wind to the price of coal .
`` I did that , '' he said .
`` What we can do is we can radically reduce the amount of — of fossil fuel , '' Biden said .
[ Related : Sanders undercuts Biden on climate change : The way we were is 'not good enough ' ] As Biden greeted voters , climate protesters from progressive group RAD-NH stood in a corner and chanted `` 2050 is too late , '' barely audible over loud music .
Later , Biden confronted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I do n't understand why you believe that waiting so long , '' a young woman said .
Biden said something to her , inaudible to reporters and cameras .
`` Find me any scientist that says 2050 is not too late , '' the young protester yelled at him .
Biden 's staff then ushered him out of the room .
Biden is often confronted by climate protesters on the campaign trail .

CLAREMONT, New Hampshire — Joe Biden criticized Democratic primary rival Bernie Sanders's climate plan, indicating to a voter that it was unrealistic.
After speaking to a crowd of about 200, Biden greeted voters, and woman who identified herself as Ann asked Biden about his plans to tackle climate change.
"Bernie's plan is pretty impressive," Ann said. "What they're comparing their plan to — "
"Not a single solitary scientist think it'd work," Biden said, interrupting. "You can not get to zero emissions by 2030. It's impossible."
In the conversation, Biden, 77, said that he has the global leadership skills to bring the world together to combat climate change. He mentioned that rainforests in other countries are burning, which is not good since rainforests can "sink" carbon.
"It absorbs more carbon from the air than every single solitary bit of carbon that America puts in the air on a daily basis," Biden said.
Biden also claimed credit for a $100 million initiative that he said reducing the cost of solar and wind to the price of coal. "I did that," he said.
"What we can do is we can radically reduce the amount of — of fossil fuel," Biden said.
[Related: Sanders undercuts Biden on climate change: The way we were is 'not good enough']
Joe Biden slams Bernie Sanders' climate plan:
"There's not a single solitary scientist that thinks it can work."
🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/WcrTnbA1eK — Chris Martin (@chrisjdmartin) January 24, 2020
As Biden greeted voters, climate protesters from progressive group RAD-NH stood in a corner and chanted "2050 is too late," barely audible over loud music.
Later, Biden confronted one of the protesters.
"Honestly, I don't understand why you believe that waiting so long," a young woman said.
Biden said something to her, inaudible to reporters and cameras.
"Find me any scientist that says 2050 is not too late," the young protester yelled at him. Biden's staff then ushered him out of the room.
Biden is often confronted by climate protesters on the campaign trail.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'I am not thinking about it right now': Kamala Harris downplays rumor she is mulling Biden endorseme

'I am not thinking about it right now': Kamala Harris downplays rumor she is mulling Biden endorsement

Sen. Kamala Harris said she is undecided on whom she will endorse after a report came out that she might support Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential election .
`` I have not made any decision about who I 'm endorsing , '' the California Democrat said Friday on Sirius XM 's Signal Boost with Zerlina Maxwell and Jess McIntosh .
`` I have not made a decision about when I 'm going to do that , and frankly , I am not thinking about it right now . ''
`` I am focused on my job , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility , not just a job , to be focused on this impeachment , and that 's where my head is , '' Harris added .
The 55-year-old senator , who ended her own presidential run last month , said she wants to treat impeachment with a level of `` seriousness . ''
Several Democratic officials said Thursday that Harris was looking to endorse Biden .
The former vice president has previously said he would consider her as his pick for vice president .
Harris 's 2020 run teetered after she decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate .
Initially , her attack made her rocket to second place in the polls , but she later received backlash over her attacks and fell into the low single-digits in polling before dropping out of the race in early December .

Sen. Kamala Harris said she is undecided on whom she will endorse after a report came out that she might support Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential election.
"I have not made any decision about who I'm endorsing," the California Democrat said Friday on Sirius XM's Signal Boost with Zerlina Maxwell and Jess McIntosh. "I have not made a decision about when I'm going to do that, and frankly, I am not thinking about it right now."
"I am focused on my job, which is so much bigger. It is my responsibility, not just a job, to be focused on this impeachment, and that's where my head is," Harris added. The 55-year-old senator, who ended her own presidential run last month, said she wants to treat impeachment with a level of "seriousness."
Several Democratic officials said Thursday that Harris was looking to endorse Biden. The former vice president has previously said he would consider her as his pick for vice president.
Harris's 2020 run teetered after she decided to go after Biden in the June presidential debate. Initially, her attack made her rocket to second place in the polls, but she later received backlash over her attacks and fell into the low single-digits in polling before dropping out of the race in early December.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'Present' impeachment vote follows Tulsi Gabbard on campaign trail

CLAREMONT , New Hampshire — Tulsi Gabbard ’ s independent streak is a point of pride and attraction for some voters , but it presents a challenge for wooing staunch Democrats as she tries to surge in the 18 days before the New Hampshire presidential primary .
The Hawaii congresswoman ’ s on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump in December sparked some uncomfortable encounters with voters during her campaign events in New Hampshire .
In Charlestown on Wednesday , a friendly question asking her to explain her vote was met with skepticism .
“ I took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading some of the Federalist Papers and seeing how Alexander Hamilton warned that impeachment could be — could be a situation where a decision is made on impeachment driven by the strength of one party or another rather than by an objective examination of innocence or guilt , ” said Gabbard , 38 .
“ That ’ s not this , ” a woman in the audience interjected .
“ The reality , ” Gabbard continued , is that “ this outcome was predetermined when this process began because it has been largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Trump is not innocent .
That 's not the question here.
” The women in the crowd shook her head and scoffed .
“ Let me , let me finish , let me finish , ” Gabbard said .
“ It will increase the likelihood that Trump 's support will strengthen , ” she said , noting that she is running for president in order to remove Trump from the ballot box in November .
Gabbard announced in October that she to a fifth term in the House , instead directing all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her streak of going against the grain of the Democratic Party sparked a primary challenger for her seat who received endorsements from three former governors of Hawaii .
Her presidential campaign takes pride in attracting independent-minded voters , who it argues will be needed in order to beat Trump in November .
At campaign events , Gabbard and those who introduce her ask members of the crowd to raise their hands if they identify as Republican , independent , or libertarian , and a few dozen hands go up .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , which allows registered independents to vote in its Feb. 11 primary .
But staunch Democrats find it hard to rationalize her vote on impeaching Trump .
“ Why on the two articles of impeachment against the worst president in my lifetime did you say , ‘ present ?
’ ” retired educator Frank Fahey asked Gabbard in Claremont on Thursday .
“ My vote was to very intentionally take a stand for the center , not choosing that either of those binary options , while simultaneously introducing a censure resolution that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and acts of wrongdoing that I believe this president has done , ” Gabbard said .
Fahey after the event shook Gabbard ’ s hand in a photo line .
But the Claremont resident , who plans to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden , was not entirely satisfied with her explanation .
“ I would have liked to have heard a response that spoke to what she felt the constituents that she represented in Hawaii ” believe , Fahey told the Washington Examiner .
“ I think she spoke more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Examiner that the response to her `` present '' vote on the campaign trail is varied , with “ some who will agree to disagree , others who disagree strongly , others who agree and support the position that [ she ] took strongly , and it 's understandable that people have very different feelings on this.
” “ I never made the decision based on what would be politically best for my campaign , '' Gabbard said .
`` I make those decisions on what I feel is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

CLAREMONT, New Hampshire — Tulsi Gabbard’s independent streak is a point of pride and attraction for some voters, but it presents a challenge for wooing staunch Democrats as she tries to surge in the 18 days before the New Hampshire presidential primary.
The Hawaii congresswoman’s “present” vote on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump in December sparked some uncomfortable encounters with voters during her campaign events in New Hampshire.
In Charlestown on Wednesday, a friendly question asking her to explain her vote was met with skepticism.
“I took the vote that I did after reflecting and reading some of the Federalist Papers and seeing how Alexander Hamilton warned that impeachment could be — could be a situation where a decision is made on impeachment driven by the strength of one party or another rather than by an objective examination of innocence or guilt,” said Gabbard, 38.
“That’s not this,” a woman in the audience interjected.
“The reality,” Gabbard continued, is that “this outcome was predetermined when this process began because it has been largely driven by partisanship.”
She added, “Trump is not innocent. That's not the question here.” The women in the crowd shook her head and scoffed.
“Let me, let me finish, let me finish,” Gabbard said. “It will increase the likelihood that Trump's support will strengthen,” she said, noting that she is running for president in order to remove Trump from the ballot box in November.
Gabbard announced in October that she will not seek reelection to a fifth term in the House, instead directing all of her effort to her presidential campaign. Her streak of going against the grain of the Democratic Party sparked a primary challenger for her seat who received endorsements from three former governors of Hawaii.
Her presidential campaign takes pride in attracting independent-minded voters, who it argues will be needed in order to beat Trump in November. At campaign events, Gabbard and those who introduce her ask members of the crowd to raise their hands if they identify as Republican, independent, or libertarian, and a few dozen hands go up. She has focused her campaign almost entirely on New Hampshire, which allows registered independents to vote in its Feb. 11 primary.
But staunch Democrats find it hard to rationalize her vote on impeaching Trump.
“Why on the two articles of impeachment against the worst president in my lifetime did you say, ‘present?’” retired educator Frank Fahey asked Gabbard in Claremont on Thursday.
“My vote was to very intentionally take a stand for the center, not choosing that either of those binary options, while simultaneously introducing a censure resolution that actually included many more of the abuses and acts of wrongdoing that I believe this president has done,” Gabbard said.
Fahey after the event shook Gabbard’s hand in a photo line. But the Claremont resident, who plans to vote for former Vice President Joe Biden, was not entirely satisfied with her explanation.
“I would have liked to have heard a response that spoke to what she felt the constituents that she represented in Hawaii” believe, Fahey told the Washington Examiner. “I think she spoke more to her own personal feelings.”
Gabbard told the Washington Examiner that the response to her "present" vote on the campaign trail is varied, with “some who will agree to disagree, others who disagree strongly, others who agree and support the position that [she] took strongly, and it's understandable that people have very different feelings on this.”
“I never made the decision based on what would be politically best for my campaign," Gabbard said. "I make those decisions on what I feel is in the best interest of the country."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Warren braces for 'long nomination fight' after Iowa caucuses

Elizabeth Warren 's campaign chief is trying to manage expectations as his candidate 's presidential bid stalls in the polls .
Roger Lau , in a memo released Friday , touted the team 's 3 millionth `` grassroots contribution , '' donations that have funded the Massachusetts senator 's visits to 30 states and Puerto Rico .
They have also allowed her to build out a staff of more than 1,000 people across the country , opening more than 100 field offices to help promote her message and get out the vote `` as the primary moves towards the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We expect this to be a long nomination fight and have built our campaign to sustain well past Super Tuesday and stay resilient no matter what breathless media narratives come when voting begins , '' he wrote .
Lau additionally alluded to Warren 's plan for the general election , including advocating for the repeal of the Electoral College .
`` For instance , after the very first contest , we will keep staff on the ground and offices open in Iowa , '' he wrote .
Lau 's note , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's opening caucuses on Feb. 3 , foreshadows the expectation Warren , 70 , wo n't win the most delegates in the contest .
The senator 's organizational efforts in the state were lauded earlier in the cycle , but her ground game has n't stopped her sliding in state-based polls .
Warren , on average , has 16.7 % of the vote in Iowa , which puts her behind former Vice President Joe Biden 's 21 % and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 's 17.3 % , according to RealClearPolitics data .
Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounding out the top four contenders in the Democratic race for the White House .

Elizabeth Warren's campaign chief is trying to manage expectations as his candidate's presidential bid stalls in the polls.
Roger Lau, in a memo released Friday, touted the team's 3 millionth "grassroots contribution," donations that have funded the Massachusetts senator's visits to 30 states and Puerto Rico.
They have also allowed her to build out a staff of more than 1,000 people across the country, opening more than 100 field offices to help promote her message and get out the vote "as the primary moves towards the convention in July," according to Lau.
"We expect this to be a long nomination fight and have built our campaign to sustain well past Super Tuesday and stay resilient no matter what breathless media narratives come when voting begins," he wrote.
Lau additionally alluded to Warren's plan for the general election, including advocating for the repeal of the Electoral College.
"For instance, after the very first contest, we will keep staff on the ground and offices open in Iowa," he wrote.
Lau's note, released less than two weeks before Iowa's opening caucuses on Feb. 3, foreshadows the expectation Warren, 70, won't win the most delegates in the contest. The senator's organizational efforts in the state were lauded earlier in the cycle, but her ground game hasn't stopped her sliding in state-based polls.
Warren, on average, has 16.7% of the vote in Iowa, which puts her behind former Vice President Joe Biden's 21% and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders's 17.3%, according to RealClearPolitics data. Buttigieg trails her with 16.3% support, rounding out the top four contenders in the Democratic race for the White House.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'I’m not going there': Warren tries to sidestep Clinton-Sanders feud

Elizabeth Warren tried to skirt questions about Hillary Clinton 's claim `` nobody likes '' her rival for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , Bernie Sanders .
`` I ’ m not going there , '' the Massachusetts senator , 70 , told CBS Friday morning .
Clinton , 72 , in an interview published this week by the Hollywood Reporter , blasted the Vermont senator , her former 2016 Democratic primary opponent , as `` a career politician , '' saying she felt `` so bad '' that `` people got sucked into '' him .
`` He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one senator support him .
Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done , '' the former secretary of state told the outlet .
Warren , who shared a cordial relationship with Sanders , 78 , until this month when she accused him this month of calling her a liar for denying her assertion that he told her he did n't believe a woman could capture the White House .
“ Bernie and I have worked together for a very long time , and we continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said all I ’ m going to say about this , '' she told CBS before pivoting to impeachment .
Warren said if she secures her party 's nomination and the Oval Office , she would make public all the evidence President Trump and his administration were keeping from Congress as the Senate presides over the impeachment trial , she said .
The former Harvard Law School professor also responded to a viral video of a father in Grimes , Iowa , confronting her over her student loan debt forgiveness plan , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tuition fees were getting `` screwed . ''
`` We build a future going forward by making it better .
By that same logic , what would we have done ?
Not started Social Security because we did n't start it last week for you or last month for you ? ''
she said .
When pressed on whether she was saying `` tough luck '' to the father and other people in similar situations , the senator replied curtly : `` No . ''

Elizabeth Warren tried to skirt questions about Hillary Clinton's claim "nobody likes" her rival for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, Bernie Sanders.
"I’m not going there," the Massachusetts senator, 70, told CBS Friday morning.
Clinton, 72, in an interview published this week by the Hollywood Reporter, blasted the Vermont senator, her former 2016 Democratic primary opponent, as "a career politician," saying she felt "so bad" that "people got sucked into" him.
"He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done," the former secretary of state told the outlet.
Warren, who shared a cordial relationship with Sanders, 78, until this month when she accused him this month of calling her a liar for denying her assertion that he told her he didn't believe a woman could capture the White House.
“Bernie and I have worked together for a very long time, and we continue to do so. I’ve said all I’m going to say about this," she told CBS before pivoting to impeachment.
Warren said if she secures her party's nomination and the Oval Office, she would make public all the evidence President Trump and his administration were keeping from Congress as the Senate presides over the impeachment trial, she said.
The former Harvard Law School professor also responded to a viral video of a father in Grimes, Iowa, confronting her over her student loan debt forgiveness plan, claiming those who had already paid their college tuition fees were getting "screwed."
"We build a future going forward by making it better. By that same logic, what would we have done? Not started Social Security because we didn't start it last week for you or last month for you?" she said.
When pressed on whether she was saying "tough luck" to the father and other people in similar situations, the senator replied curtly: "No."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--How Warren's ambush of Bernie Sanders backfired

IOWA CITY , Iowa — Elizabeth Warren has come up on the short end of her disagreement with 2020 Democratic rival Bernie Sanders , deflating the Massachusetts senator 's presidential campaign at the most inopportune moment .
The attacks between the two furthest-left major Democratic candidates started last week , when Warren , 70 , said she was `` disappointed '' to hear about a leaked memo that instructed Sanders 's campaign staff to tell Iowa voters that she was n't capable of building a broad coalition to win a general election against President Trump .
The situation escalated when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaked a story to CNN the night before a Democratic debate alleging that Sanders , 78 , told her a woman could n't win the White House .
Sanders flatly denied making those remarks , but the issue spilled over to the debate and ended in a tense exchange between the two after the event 's close .
Those close to Sanders say the Warren campaign 's leaking of the story was an act of desperation but acknowledge the senator was foolish to think a detente would last through the first primary contests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sign I saw on a beach I saw this summer about throwing trash in the ocean , '' said consultant Brad Bannon .
`` My version is : 'The candidate you trash now may be the nominee you have to swim with in the fall . '
'' But polling shows that voters in Iowa were also affected by Warren 's gambit , as she began hitting new lows in recent national polls .
A survey released by Monmouth last week found Warren 's support at 14 % nationally , 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Vice President Joe Biden .
`` She would be better off making the best possible case for herself instead of getting in a pissing match or name-calling contest with Bernie , '' Bannon said .
`` Democratic primary voters want their candidates to focus their fury towards Trump , not beat up on each other . ''
Most tellingly , Warren saw a 15-point drop in her net favorability rating from the previous month .
Her approval is now underwater with Democratic voters at plus 46 points .
That 's down from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Iowa , her numbers remain stronger .
Voters say that 's because she has made an aggressive push to humanize herself and largely avoid the topic of Sanders altogether .
Still , some voters , such as Debby Tillson , 44 , who saw former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg speak in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday , said that Warren 's bickering with Sanders made her move toward a candidate with a central message of unity , rather than partisan division .
`` Just hearing Pete speak about bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need , really made a difference , '' she said about the 38-year-old Harvard graduate , Rhodes scholar , and McKinsey consultant .
`` We ca n't keep having these ideological battles in the party . ''
Biden supporters say Warren 's decline was inevitable and point to her polling after she repeatedly declined to take a position on whether her Medicare for All plan would likely raise taxes on the middle class .
In November , when she finally announced the details of her health proposal arguing only the rich would pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly drop in states including Iowa .
Her support in Iowa has n't budged much since then , with RealClearPolitics averaging her at 16.7 % support .
`` I don ’ t think that episode with Bernie helped Elizabeth .
It probably hurt Warren more than Sanders .
But it ’ s not the same thing as saying you ’ re in favor of getting rid of private health insurance , '' said former Pennsylvania Gov .
Ed Rendell .
`` The spat over who told what to whom wasn ’ t good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage she ’ s done to herself was on Medicare for All , looking disingenuous and not being honest with the American people . ''

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Elizabeth Warren has come up on the short end of her disagreement with 2020 Democratic rival Bernie Sanders, deflating the Massachusetts senator's presidential campaign at the most inopportune moment.
The attacks between the two furthest-left major Democratic candidates started last week, when Warren, 70, said she was "disappointed" to hear about a leaked memo that instructed Sanders's campaign staff to tell Iowa voters that she wasn't capable of building a broad coalition to win a general election against President Trump. The situation escalated when Warren's team, in return, leaked a story to CNN the night before a Democratic debate alleging that Sanders, 78, told her a woman couldn't win the White House.
Sanders flatly denied making those remarks, but the issue spilled over to the debate and ended in a tense exchange between the two after the event's close. Those close to Sanders say the Warren campaign's leaking of the story was an act of desperation but acknowledge the senator was foolish to think a detente would last through the first primary contests.
"Warren's comments remind me of a sign I saw on a beach I saw this summer about throwing trash in the ocean," said consultant Brad Bannon. "My version is: 'The candidate you trash now may be the nominee you have to swim with in the fall.'"
But polling shows that voters in Iowa were also affected by Warren's gambit, as she began hitting new lows in recent national polls. A survey released by Monmouth last week found Warren's support at 14% nationally, 9 points behind Sanders and 16 points behind former Vice President Joe Biden.
"She would be better off making the best possible case for herself instead of getting in a pissing match or name-calling contest with Bernie," Bannon said. "Democratic primary voters want their candidates to focus their fury towards Trump, not beat up on each other."
Most tellingly, Warren saw a 15-point drop in her net favorability rating from the previous month. Her approval is now underwater with Democratic voters at plus 46 points. That's down from her November high of plus 70.
In Iowa, her numbers remain stronger. Voters say that's because she has made an aggressive push to humanize herself and largely avoid the topic of Sanders altogether.
Still, some voters, such as Debby Tillson, 44, who saw former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg speak in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, said that Warren's bickering with Sanders made her move toward a candidate with a central message of unity, rather than partisan division.
"Just hearing Pete speak about bringing America together, which is what we need, really made a difference," she said about the 38-year-old Harvard graduate, Rhodes scholar, and McKinsey consultant. "We can't keep having these ideological battles in the party."
Biden supporters say Warren's decline was inevitable and point to her polling after she repeatedly declined to take a position on whether her Medicare for All plan would likely raise taxes on the middle class. In November, when she finally announced the details of her health proposal arguing only the rich would pay for it, Warren saw her numbers rapidly drop in states including Iowa.
Her support in Iowa hasn't budged much since then, with RealClearPolitics averaging her at 16.7% support.
"I don’t think that episode with Bernie helped Elizabeth. It probably hurt Warren more than Sanders. But it’s not the same thing as saying you’re in favor of getting rid of private health insurance," said former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. "The spat over who told what to whom wasn’t good for either of them. But the damage she’s done to herself was on Medicare for All, looking disingenuous and not being honest with the American people."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Republican senators outraged after Schiff repeats 'head will be on a pike' report

Lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff left several Republican senators incensed in the closing moments of the third and final day of the Democrats ' opening arguments .
Schiff , who received plaudits from Democrats and Republicans alike for his delivery in the first couple days of the Senate impeachment trial against President Trump , stirred outrage Friday evening when he repeated a CBS News report citing an unnamed Trump source who said GOP senators were warned not to vote against the commander in chief .
`` CBS News reported last night that a Trump confidant said that GOP senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and your head will be on a pike , ' '' the California Democrat said .
Schiff added that he does not know if the report is true and hopes it is unfounded .
But at a time when Democrats are trying to woo moderate Republicans in the fight over whether to call witnesses to testify and later the final vote over whether to acquit Trump of the two articles of impeachment he faces , the comment could prove costly .
GOP Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was `` PISSED , '' Politico reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afterward .
He then quoted her saying , “ He was going fine with moral courage until he got to 'head on a pike . '
That ’ s where he lost me . ''
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine repeated , `` That 's not true , '' while shaking her head , according to CNN 's Manu Raju .
Idaho Sen. Jim Risch said the same thing while Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas laughed .
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said Schiff `` offended every Republican senator '' and denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever heard such a threat .
In an interview on MSNBC , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was asked what happened .
The New York Democrat said he does not know if the CBS report is true , but noted , `` The Republicans are so afraid to confront the actual facts here that are presented by the House managers that they 're always looking for a diversion . ''
The Democrat-controlled House last month impeached Trump on two charges : obstructing Congress and abusing his power by withholding aid to Ukraine to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into former Vice President and presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter for his work with a Ukrainian energy company .
Trump ’ s defense team is expected to offer brief , preliminary remarks on Saturday , reserving the bulk of its argument for Monday when more people will be watching TV , senior Republican figures told the Washington Examiner .

Lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff left several Republican senators incensed in the closing moments of the third and final day of the Democrats' opening arguments.
Schiff, who received plaudits from Democrats and Republicans alike for his delivery in the first couple days of the Senate impeachment trial against President Trump, stirred outrage Friday evening when he repeated a CBS News report citing an unnamed Trump source who said GOP senators were warned not to vote against the commander in chief.
"CBS News reported last night that a Trump confidant said that GOP senators were warned ... 'vote against the president and your head will be on a pike,'" the California Democrat said. Schiff added that he does not know if the report is true and hopes it is unfounded.
.@RepAdamSchiff "CBS News reported last night that a Trump confidant said that GOP Senators were warned 'vote against your president, the president, and your head will be on a pike."
Watch full video -- https://t.co/3kpzsWQzah pic.twitter.com/1EJJxWo5Zl — CSPAN (@cspan) January 25, 2020
But at a time when Democrats are trying to woo moderate Republicans in the fight over whether to call witnesses to testify and later the final vote over whether to acquit Trump of the two articles of impeachment he faces, the comment could prove costly.
GOP Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was "PISSED," Politico reporter John Burgess Everett tweeted in capital letters afterward. He then quoted her saying, “He was going fine with moral courage until he got to 'head on a pike.' That’s where he lost me."
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine repeated, "That's not true," while shaking her head, according to CNN's Manu Raju. Idaho Sen. Jim Risch said the same thing while Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas laughed.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said Schiff "offended every Republican senator" and denied that any of his GOP colleagues had ever heard such a threat.
In an interview on MSNBC, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was asked what happened.
The New York Democrat said he does not know if the CBS report is true, but noted, "The Republicans are so afraid to confront the actual facts here that are presented by the House managers that they're always looking for a diversion."
The Democrat-controlled House last month impeached Trump on two charges: obstruction of Congress and abuse of power by withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure its president to announces an investigation into former Vice President and presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter for the younger Biden's work with a Ukrainian energy company.
Trump’s defense team is expected to offer brief, preliminary remarks on Saturday, reserving the bulk of its argument for Monday, when more people will be watching TV, senior Republican figures told the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Who's afraid of John Bolton? Associates say his testimony would not 'torpedo' Trump

John Bolton is unlikely to drop the bombshell on President Trump hoped for by Democrats should he testify in the Senate impeachment trial , according to those who know him well .
Bolton is a committed hawk who devoted his career inside and outside the government to persuading Republican politicians to adopt his foreign policy agenda .
Whatever his opinion of Trump ’ s conduct with regard to Ukraine , which pushed Democrats to impeach him , Bolton associates are convinced he would not jeopardize his influence with Republicans on national security matters by testifying against the president .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Lisa Spies , a Republican fundraiser who previously consulted for Bolton ’ s political committees .
“ That ’ s his thing.
” Bolton , 71 , was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush .
For years after , he was a regular on Fox News who raised big money from wealthy GOP donors for his political action committee and super PAC .
Bolton used the cash to support Republicans who reflected his foreign policy views , donating generously and running television advertisements .
Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ousted from the West Wing and immediately announced endorsements and contributions of $ 10,000 each for five Republican hawks : Sens .
Tom Cotton of Arkansas , Cory Gardner of Colorado , and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , and Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Lee Zeldin of New York .
Bolstering the Democrats ’ case against Trump with damning testimony would immediately blow up Bolton ’ s post-White House project .
With the loyalty Trump commands from the GOP base and most congressional Republicans , donations to his PAC would dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitate Bolton 's ability to shape Republican foreign policy might be irrevocably broken .
Republican insiders who have worked with closely with Bolton say his willingness to testify in the Senate , if subpoenaed , should not be misinterpreted as a desire to settle a score with Trump .
That is especially true given the president ’ s strong support for Israel and confrontational policy toward Iran , two major priorities of Bolton ’ s .
“ I ’ d be surprised if he risked his future in GOP politics and policymaking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a former Bolton associate told the Washington Examiner .
“ His future is about the Republican brand , ” a Trump administration official added , requesting anonymity in order to speak candidly .
“ Bolton can not toss a Republican president overboard.
” Administration officials who testified in the House impeachment investigation claim Bolton as national security adviser disagreed with Trump ’ s decision to temporarily withhold $ 391 million in military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to launch an investigation into Joe Biden , a top contender for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony , referred to the effort , derisively , as a “ drug deal.
” The episode forms the basis of the charge of abuse of power article of impeachment against Trump .
In early January , after Bolton announced that he would comply with a Senate subpoena to testify in the Senate impeachment trial , Democrats sounded hopeful he would offer evidence that might lead to Trump ’ s conviction and removal from office .
A majority of Senate Republicans are disinclined to call any witnesses , whether hostile or friendly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be acquitted , possibly by all 53 Republicans , and his Senate allies see no reason to introduce unpredictable variables into a highly politicized process .
But , even if Bolton did testify , some Republicans suspect his beef would be with acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney who , along with Trump ’ s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani , was a key figure in the Ukraine affair .
“ Him and Mulvaney were oil and water , ” Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina said .
“ Mulvaney wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more like Rand Paul.
” Sen. Paul , a Kentucky Republican , is a noninterventionist whose foreign policy views are almost the exact opposite of the hawkish Bolton .
A spokesman for Bolton did not respond to requests for comment .

John Bolton is unlikely to drop the bombshell on President Trump hoped for by Democrats should he testify in the Senate impeachment trial, according to those who know him well.
Bolton is a committed hawk who devoted his career inside and outside the government to persuading Republican politicians to adopt his foreign policy agenda. Whatever his opinion of Trump’s conduct with regard to Ukraine, which pushed Democrats to impeach him, Bolton associates are convinced he would not jeopardize his influence with Republicans on national security matters by testifying against the president.
“He’s a national security guy,” said Lisa Spies, a Republican fundraiser who previously consulted for Bolton’s political committees. “That’s his thing.”
Bolton, 71, was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush. For years after, he was a regular on Fox News who raised big money from wealthy GOP donors for his political action committee and super PAC. Bolton used the cash to support Republicans who reflected his foreign policy views, donating generously and running television advertisements.
Bolton relaunched his PAC last year after being ousted from the West Wing and immediately announced endorsements and contributions of $10,000 each for five Republican hawks: Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Cory Gardner of Colorado, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Lee Zeldin of New York.
Bolstering the Democrats’ case against Trump with damning testimony would immediately blow up Bolton’s post-White House project. With the loyalty Trump commands from the GOP base and most congressional Republicans, donations to his PAC would dry up.
Worse, the relationships that facilitate Bolton's ability to shape Republican foreign policy might be irrevocably broken. Republican insiders who have worked closely with Bolton say his willingness to testify in the Senate, if subpoenaed, should not be misinterpreted as a desire to settle a score with Trump. That is especially true given the president’s strong support for Israel and confrontational policy toward Iran, two major priorities of Bolton’s.
“I’d be surprised if he risked his future in GOP politics and policymaking on testimony that would torpedo the president,” a former Bolton associate told the Washington Examiner.
“His future is about the Republican brand,” a Trump administration official added, requesting anonymity in order to speak candidly. “Bolton cannot toss a Republican president overboard.”
Administration officials who testified in the House impeachment investigation claim Bolton as national security adviser disagreed with Trump’s decision to temporarily withhold $391 million in military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to launch an investigation into Joe Biden, a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bolton, according to testimony, referred to the effort, derisively, as a “drug deal.”
The episode forms the basis of the charge of abuse of power article of impeachment against Trump. In early January, after Bolton announced that he would comply with a Senate subpoena to testify in the Senate impeachment trial, Democrats sounded hopeful he would offer evidence that might lead to Trump’s conviction and removal from office.
A majority of Senate Republicans are disinclined to call any witnesses, whether hostile or friendly to Trump.
The president is on track to be acquitted, possibly by all 53 Republicans, and his Senate allies see no reason to introduce unpredictable variables into a highly politicized process. But even if Bolton did testify, some Republicans suspect his beef would be with acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney who, along with Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, was a key figure in the Ukraine affair.
“Him and Mulvaney were oil and water,” Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina said. “Mulvaney wants to cut every budget, and Mulvaney’s more like Rand Paul.” Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky, is a noninterventionist whose foreign policy views are almost the exact opposite of the hawkish Bolton.
A spokesman for Bolton did not respond to requests for comment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Buttigieg ‘exhausted’ by news coverage of impeachment trial

DURHAM , New Hampshire — Pete Buttigieg sympathized with voters who are overwhelmed by news coverage of a Senate impeachment trial in the weeks leading up to the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire .
`` If you are watching the news right now , if you 're watching what I 'm watching right now , and feeling exhausted — I know I am .
I live and breathe politics , and I feel exhausted , '' the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor told a crowd of more than 500 people at a town hall event on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think , to make us want to switch it off and walk away , '' Buttigieg said .
`` It 's almost designed to give us that sense of helplessness or hopelessness , especially with the Senate GOP telling us that this is all a foregone conclusion , that we would just walk away from it all . ''
Buttigieg , 38 , then transitioned to a positive message , asking the audience to `` put away the hopelessness , to reject the cynicism , take things into our own hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Democratic House impeachment managers concluded their opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial on Friday .
After the event , Buttigieg told reporters that he had seen some of the trial and that the impeachment managers are `` certainly making an extremely convincing case on the merits . ''
`` My message to voters is , if you 're as disgusted with what they 're doing in the Senate GOP as I am , if you 're disgusted with what the White House has done as the rest of us , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own hands and do something about it , '' Buttigieg said .

DURHAM, New Hampshire — Pete Buttigieg sympathized with voters who are overwhelmed by news coverage of a Senate impeachment trial in the weeks leading up to the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire.
"If you are watching the news right now, if you're watching what I'm watching right now, and feeling exhausted — I know I am. I live and breathe politics, and I feel exhausted," the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor told a crowd of more than 500 people at a town hall event on Friday.
"And it's almost designed, I think, to make us want to switch it off and walk away," Buttigieg said. "It's almost designed to give us that sense of helplessness or hopelessness, especially with the Senate GOP telling us that this is all a foregone conclusion, that we would just walk away from it all."
Buttigieg, 38, then transitioned to a positive message, asking the audience to "put away the hopelessness, to reject the cynicism, take things into our own hands, and build that better future."
Democratic House impeachment managers concluded their opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial on Friday.
After the event, Buttigieg told reporters that he had seen some of the trial and that the impeachment managers are "certainly making an extremely convincing case on the merits."
"My message to voters is, if you're as disgusted with what they're doing in the Senate GOP as I am, if you're disgusted with what the White House has done as the rest of us, this is our chance to take it into our own hands and do something about it," Buttigieg said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Bernie Sanders defends climate plan against Biden 'impossible' swipe

Bernie Sanders hit back at Joe Biden after the former vice president suggested the Vermont senator 's plan to address climate change was unreasonable .
`` The climate crisis is an existential threat , putting at risk our very existence .
I have proposed the most aggressive , comprehensive plan to address this crisis .
Why ?
Because we have no other choice , '' Sanders , 78 , said in a tweet on Friday .
Earlier on Friday , Biden , 77 , took a swipe at Sanders 's climate plan .
`` Not a single , solitary scientist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told a voter in Claremont , New Hampshire , who asked him about his plan to address climate change .
`` You can not get to zero emissions by 2030 .
It 's impossible . ''
The Sanders campaign 's Green New Deal plan calls to `` reduce domestic emissions by at least 71 % by 2030 and reduce emissions among less industrialized nations by 36 % by 2030 , '' as well as `` achieve 100 % sustainable energy for electricity and transportation by no later than 2030 and to fully decarbonize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Biden 's climate plan calls to `` establish an enforcement mechanism to achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050 . ''
Protesters at Biden 's event on Friday chanted , `` 2050 is too late , '' after the former vice president 's speech .
Sanders has gone on the attack against Biden in the weeks leading up to the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary , attacking him for his 2002 vote in favor of the Iraq War and his record on Social Security .

Bernie Sanders hit back at Joe Biden after the former vice president suggested the Vermont senator's plan to address climate change was unreasonable.
"The climate crisis is an existential threat, putting at risk our very existence. I have proposed the most aggressive, comprehensive plan to address this crisis. Why? Because we have no other choice," Sanders, 78, said in a tweet on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, Biden, 77, took a swipe at Sanders's climate plan.
"Not a single, solitary scientist thinks it'd work," Biden told a voter in Claremont, New Hampshire, who asked him about his plan to address climate change. "You cannot get to zero emissions by 2030. It's impossible."
The Sanders campaign's Green New Deal plan calls to "reduce domestic emissions by at least 71% by 2030 and reduce emissions among less industrialized nations by 36% by 2030," as well as "achieve 100% sustainable energy for electricity and transportation by no later than 2030 and to fully decarbonize the economy by 2050 at the latest."
Biden's climate plan calls to "establish an enforcement mechanism to achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050." Protesters at Biden's event on Friday chanted, "2050 is too late," after the former vice president's speech.
Sanders has gone on the attack against Biden in the weeks leading up to the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses and Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary, attacking him for his 2002 vote in favor of the Iraq War and his record on Social Security.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Bernie Sanders Iowa co-chairman warns of interference from Democratic Party

IOWA CITY , Iowa — A leader of Bernie Sanders 's campaign in Iowa told staff members and volunteers to be aware of leaders within the Democratic Party who want to stop the momentum of the Vermont senator 's White House run .
`` As you can see , when power is threatened , power is resilient .
When power is threatened , it responds , '' said Stacey Walker , the Sanders campaign Iowa co-chairman at a staff meeting Friday afternoon .
`` We 're seeing that right now on the national level with very important establishment voices trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this growing movement .
But this movement is also strong . ''
Walker , who was the first black supervisor elected to the board of Linn County , Iowa , also worked for President Barack Obama 's 2012 reelection and for the Obama-affiliated political action committee Organizing for Action .
`` We can look at the Republican Party and the Democratic Party and call out the bullshit .
That 's what it 's gon na take .
In order for big change to happen , you have to have an honest conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker said .
`` You ca n't have an honest conversation if we 're doing what the ruling class wants , '' and he later said he believed Sanders would win the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3 .
Walker 's comments come as members of the party 's establishment have grown increasingly concerned that Sanders may end up their presidential nominee , particularly as national polls show Sanders overtaking former Vice President Joe Biden for first place .
A win in Iowa , many moderate members of the party worry , could create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum to lock the primary up early on .
Those who are openly critical of Sanders include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , who declined to say in an interview earlier this week that she would back Sanders in a general election .
`` He was in Congress for years .
He had one senator support him .
Nobody likes him .
Nobody wants to work with him .
He got nothing done .
He was a career politician .
It 's all just baloney , and I feel so bad that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Clinton later walked back those comments and said she 's looking forward to helping any Democrat unseat Trump in November .
Last year , reports surfaced that Obama considered publicly stepping into the primary in order to thwart Sanders .
Obama reportedly told confidantes that he would feel obligated `` to speak up and stop him . ''
Obama 's former campaign manager , Jim Messina , has repeatedly criticized Sanders 's campaign as doomed to fail in a general election .
In an MSNBC interview Thursday , Messina called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think it 's very clear to me that these swing voters , that I care about , the Trump-Obama voters in midwestern states , Bernie Sanders is not the candidate we need to beat Donald Trump in November , '' he said .

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A leader of Bernie Sanders's campaign in Iowa told staff members and volunteers to be aware of leaders within the Democratic Party who want to stop the momentum of the Vermont senator's White House run.
"As you can see, when power is threatened, power is resilient. When power is threatened, it responds," said Stacey Walker, the Sanders campaign Iowa co-chairman at a staff meeting Friday afternoon. "We're seeing that right now on the national level with very important establishment voices trying to warn the rest of their people about this growing movement. But this movement is also strong."
Walker, who was the first black supervisor elected to the board of Linn County, Iowa, also worked for President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection and for the Obama-affiliated political action committee Organizing for Action.
"We can look at the Republican Party and the Democratic Party and call out the bullshit. That's what it's gonna take. In order for big change to happen, you have to have an honest conversation about what's actually wrong," Walker said. "You can't have an honest conversation if we're doing what the ruling class wants," and he later said he believed Sanders would win the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3.
Walker's comments come as members of the party's establishment have grown increasingly concerned that Sanders may end up their presidential nominee, particularly as national polls show Sanders overtaking former Vice President Joe Biden for first place. A win in Iowa, many moderate members of the party worry, could create a domino effect that gives Sanders the momentum to lock the primary up early on.
Those who are openly critical of Sanders include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who declined to say in an interview earlier this week that she would back Sanders in a general election.
"He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him. Nobody wants to work with him. He got nothing done. He was a career politician. It's all just baloney, and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it,” she said.
Clinton later walked back those comments and said she's looking forward to helping any Democrat unseat Trump in November.
Last year, reports surfaced that Obama considered publicly stepping into the primary in order to thwart Sanders. Obama reportedly told confidantes that he would feel obligated "to speak up and stop him."
Obama's former campaign manager, Jim Messina, has repeatedly criticized Sanders's campaign as doomed to fail in a general election. In an MSNBC interview Thursday, Messina called Sanders "the worst candidate."
"I think it's very clear to me that these swing voters, that I care about, the Trump-Obama voters in midwestern states, Bernie Sanders is not the candidate we need to beat Donald Trump in November," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--'I stand with Greta': Mnuchin's wife Louise Linton defends Greta Thunberg against her husband

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin ’ s wife defended teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg after she and Mnuchin had a spat in a now-deleted Instagram post .
Actress and producer Louise Linton , 39 , posted a side-by-side photo on the social media site of Thunberg and her husband on Saturday with the caption , “ I stand with Greta on this issue ( I don ’ t have a degree in economics either ) .
We need to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels.
” The post was deleted after approximately a half-hour , according to New York magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's call for countries to divest from fossil fuels immediately during a press briefing at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , last week .
“ After she goes and studies economics in college , she can come back and explain that to us , ” Mnuchin stated .
The 17-year-old climate activist responded to the jab on Twitter stating , “ It doesn ’ t take a college degree in economics to realise that our remaining 1,5° carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments don ’ t add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known for her climate change protests , which began in earnest when she sat outside the Swedish Parliament to protest environmental degradation .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s wife defended teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg after she and Mnuchin had a spat in a now-deleted Instagram post.
Actress and producer Louise Linton, 39, posted a side-by-side photo on the social media site of Thunberg and her husband on Saturday with the caption, “I stand with Greta on this issue (I don’t have a degree in economics either). We need to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels.”
The post was deleted after approximately a half-hour, according to New York magazine correspondent Olivia Nuzzi.
Mnuchin criticized Thunberg's call for countries to divest from fossil fuels immediately during a press briefing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week.
“After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us,” Mnuchin stated.
My gap year ends in August, but it doesn’t take a college degree in economics to realise that our remaining 1,5° carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments don’t add up. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/1virpuOyYG — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 23, 2020
The 17-year-old climate activist responded to the jab on Twitter stating, “It doesn’t take a college degree in economics to realise that our remaining 1,5° carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments don’t add up."
Thunberg has become internationally known for her climate change protests, which began in earnest when she sat outside the Swedish Parliament to protest environmental degradation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Trump on why he decided to speak at March for Life: 'Religious liberty is under siege'

President Trump said that “ religious liberty is under siege ” when asked why he decided to become the first president in history to attend the March for Life in Washington , D.C. , on Friday .
`` Religious liberty is under siege .
If you look at everything that the folks here stand for that we ’ re surrounded by , that ’ s under siege , '' Trump told Fox News .
He went on to say that it was an “ honor ” to be at the march .
[ Related : ' I think we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brunson urges young American Christians to prepare for persecution ] Trump addressed the March for Life crowd on Friday for about 15 minutes in a speech that touted the several ways his administration has supported pro-life initiatives .
“ During my first week in office , I reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy , and we issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title X taxpayer funding , ” the president told the crowd .
“ I notified Congress that I would veto any legislation that weakens pro-life policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life.
” Trump also reminded the crowd of the judges he has appointed during his term , including two on the Supreme Court .
“ To uphold our founding documents , we 've confirmed 187 federal judges who apply the Constitution as written , including two phenomenal Supreme Court justices : Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , ” he said .

President Trump said that “religious liberty is under siege” when asked why he decided to become the first president in history to attend the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
"Religious liberty is under siege. If you look at everything that the folks here stand for that we’re surrounded by, that’s under siege," Trump told Fox News. He went on to say that it was an “honor” to be at the march.
[Related: 'I think we're very close': Freed pastor Andrew Brunson urges young American Christians to prepare for persecution]
Trump addressed the March for Life crowd on Friday for about 15 minutes in a speech that touted the several ways his administration has supported pro-life initiatives.
“During my first week in office, I reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy, and we issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title X taxpayer funding,” the president told the crowd. “I notified Congress that I would veto any legislation that weakens pro-life policy or that encourages the destruction of human life.”
Trump also reminded the crowd of the judges he has appointed during his term, including two on the Supreme Court.
“To uphold our founding documents, we've confirmed 187 federal judges who apply the Constitution as written, including two phenomenal Supreme Court justices: Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--CNN's Jeffrey Toobin: 'The president is winning' in impeachment trial

CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin argued that President Trump 's defense team is `` winning '' the Senate impeachment trial .
The legal analyst gave his opinion about the president 's legal team 's performance on Saturday following the conclusion of the first of three days allotted for its opening statement .
`` Again , I just think the Republicans are winning here .
The president is winning here .
And as long as they don ’ t completely fall on their faces , which they ’ re all competent lawyers , they ’ re not going to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them , '' Toobin argued .
`` They did make one good point about [ the transcript ] , I thought , which was the president did about burden-sharing in that phone call , and the House managers did n't focus on that or even mention it .
And fair is fair , '' he continued .
`` He has talked about it before , and that was , I thought , a very legitimate good point made by the defense . ''
The president 's lawyers repeatedly noted that Trump released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and himself on July 25 .
The phone call is what led a whistleblower to come forward with a complaint , and it led to the president 's impeachment .
“ They didn ’ t talk a lot about the transcript of the call , ” White House counsel Pat Cipollone told the senators in the Senate chambers , “ which I would submit is the best evidence of what happened on the call.
” Deputy White House counsel Mike Purpura later told senators that “ the president did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting on anything .
The paused security assistance funds aren ’ t even mentioned on the call .
”

CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin argued that President Trump's defense team is "winning" the Senate impeachment trial.
The legal analyst gave his opinion about the president's legal team's performance on Saturday following the conclusion of the first of three days allotted for its opening statement.
"Again, I just think the Republicans are winning here. The president is winning here. And as long as they don’t completely fall on their faces, which they’re all competent lawyers, they’re not going to do that, I think that’s fine for them," Toobin argued.
"They did make one good point about [the transcript], I thought, which was the president did about burden-sharing in that phone call, and the House managers didn't focus on that or even mention it. And fair is fair," he continued. "He has talked about it before, and that was, I thought, a very legitimate good point made by the defense."
The president's lawyers repeatedly noted that Trump released the rough transcript of the call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and himself on July 25. The phone call is what led a whistleblower to come forward with a complaint, and it led to the president's impeachment.
“They didn’t talk a lot about the transcript of the call,” White House counsel Pat Cipollone told the senators in the Senate chambers, “which I would submit is the best evidence of what happened on the call.”
Deputy White House counsel Mike Purpura later told senators that “the president did not condition either security assistance or a meeting on anything. The paused security assistance funds aren’t even mentioned on the call.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--Already winning? Trump lawyers promise weary senators shorter impeachment defense

President Trump ’ s defense lawyers gave weary senators some good news Saturday morning , pledging to argue their case for less time than the 24 hours used by Democrats over three days .
“ You heard the House managers speak for nearly 24 hours over three days , ” White House counsel and impeachment team lead Pat Cipollone told senators Saturday .
“ We don ’ t anticipate using that much time.
” Senate Democrats and Republicans have been required to sit in the chamber for the duration of the trial that began Tuesday .
While Democrats have praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , many Republicans said it was repetitive or worse .
“ I don ’ t know about you , but it became mind-numbing after a while , ” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said .
“ They are overtrying their case.
” Senators have sat for hours at a time , some of them nodding off , others taking notes or reading , throughout the presentations .
At times , the chamber was partly empty as senators took breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are prohibited from bringing phones into the chamber .
Democrats took all of the 24 hours allotted to them under the Senate rules , spread over three days and resulting in grueling sessions that lasted nearly nine hours each day , with breaks in between .
They used the time to argue that Trump should be removed from office for abusing the power of his office and obstructing Congress .
Trump ’ s team plans to present the case for only three hours on Saturday and provide the bulk of their arguments against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump ’ s personal lawyer and impeachment team member Jay Sekulow said .
Sekulow made it clear to senators Saturday morning they won ’ t follow Democratic impeachment managers ’ practice of repeating the presentation of their evidence .
“ We are not going to play the same clips seven times , ” Sekulow said .

President Trump’s defense lawyers gave weary senators some good news Saturday morning, pledging to argue their case for less time than the 24 hours used by Democrats over three days.
“You heard the House managers speak for nearly 24 hours over three days,” White House counsel and impeachment team lead Pat Cipollone told senators Saturday. “We don’t anticipate using that much time.”
Senate Democrats and Republicans have been required to sit in the chamber for the duration of the trial that began Tuesday.
While Democrats have praised the case presented by the seven House Democrats, led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, many Republicans said it was repetitive or worse.
“I don’t know about you, but it became mind-numbing after a while,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said. “They are overtrying their case.”
Senators have sat for hours at a time, some of them nodding off, others taking notes or reading, throughout the presentations. At times, the chamber was partly empty as senators took breaks in the adjoining party cloakrooms. Senators are prohibited from bringing phones into the chamber.
Democrats took all of the 24 hours allotted to them under the Senate rules, spread over three days and resulting in grueling sessions that lasted nearly nine hours each day, with breaks in between.
They used the time to argue that Trump should be removed from office for abusing the power of his office and obstructing Congress.
Trump’s team plans to present the case for only three hours on Saturday and provide the bulk of their arguments against two impeachment articles on Monday and Tuesday, Trump’s personal lawyer and impeachment team member Jay Sekulow said.
Sekulow made it clear to senators Saturday morning they won’t follow Democratic impeachment managers’ practice of repeating the presentation of their evidence.
“We are not going to play the same clips seven times,” Sekulow said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--'They are asking you to remove Trump from ballot': Trump lawyers launch impeachment defense

President Trump ’ s legal team launched its defense against two articles of impeachment in a Senate trial weighing whether to remove the president for charges he abused the power of his office and obstructed Congress .
The defense team , comprised of seven lawyers and a handful of Trump ’ s staunchest GOP allies in the House , plans to provide a preview of the defense in a relatively short session .
Rather than arguing in a daylong proceeding , the trial will last only three hours on Saturday .
Proceedings will conclude at 1 p.m. , allowing time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Iowa , where the party caucuses are about three weeks away .
The short schedule also accommodates worries by the president that nobody will watch his defense presentation .
Trump complained on Twitter Friday that Saturday ’ s time slot for his defense “ is called Death Valley in T.V.
” White House counsel Pat Cipollone opened arguments , informing senators that the defense would not take the full 24 hours , spread over three days , to make its case that the president should not be convicted and removed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they are asking you to do , '' Cipollone said .
`` You will find that the president did absolutely nothing wrong . ''
Trump ’ s personal lawyer and a lead on the impeachment team , Jay Sekulow , told reporters the main arguments against the impeachment charges will be delivered on the Senate floor on Monday and Tuesday , not on Saturday .
Trump ’ s team took over the Senate floor after three full days of impeachment arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff .
Schiff concluded the House prosecution ’ s presentation by quoting a CBS News story that claimed Republican senators were warned that if any voted to convict Trump , their heads `` would be on a pike.
” Schiff was hoping to convince Republicans to have the moral courage to convict the president , he said .
But his words may have backfired .
Republicans said they were offended , among them centrists who Democrats hoped to sway to vote along with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to testify .

President Trump’s legal team launched its defense against two articles of impeachment in a Senate trial weighing whether to remove the president for charges he abused the power of his office and obstructed Congress.
The defense team, comprised of seven lawyers and a handful of Trump’s staunchest GOP allies in the House, plans to provide a preview of the defense in a relatively short session. Rather than arguing in a daylong proceeding, the trial will last only three hours on Saturday.
Proceedings will conclude at 1 p.m., allowing time for Senate Democrats running for president to travel to Iowa, where the party caucuses are about three weeks away.
The short schedule also accommodates worries by the president that nobody will watch his defense presentation.
Trump complained on Twitter Friday that Saturday’s time slot for his defense “is called Death Valley in T.V.”
White House counsel Pat Cipollone opened arguments, informing senators that the defense would not take the full 24 hours, spread over three days, to make its case that the president should not be convicted and removed from office.
"We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they are asking you to do," Cipollone said. "You will find that the president did absolutely nothing wrong."
Trump’s personal lawyer and a lead on the impeachment team, Jay Sekulow, told reporters the main arguments against the impeachment charges will be delivered on the Senate floor on Monday and Tuesday, not on Saturday.
Trump’s team took over the Senate floor after three full days of impeachment arguments put forward by a team of seven House Democrats led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff.
Schiff concluded the House prosecution’s presentation by quoting a CBS News story that claimed Republican senators were warned that if any voted to convict Trump, their heads "would be on a pike.”
Schiff was hoping to convince Republicans to have the moral courage to convict the president, he said. But his words may have backfired.
Republicans said they were offended, among them centrists who Democrats hoped to sway to vote along with them in motions to call Trump administration witnesses to testify.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--MSNBC host doesn't see strong case for obstruction impeachment charge

MSNBC host Ari Melber argued that congressional Democrats have not made the case to convict President Trump on one of the two impeachment charges .
Melber , who hosts The Beat with Ari Melber , claimed Friday that the House impeachment managers had made strong points to support the abuse of power charge , but argued that he had n't seen enough to convict the president of obstruction of Congress .
The host argued that he 's seen `` overwhelming factual evidence and first-person accounts to support constitutional abuse of power but said he could n't see the same for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats are arguing is that , basically , something that began three months before they actually voted to impeach should now be resolved by the removal of the president , '' he added after being pushed by other panelists .
`` In every other case , including Nixon , we know the rule has been the president is allowed to fight within the law , is allowed to deny , and , yes , quote , defy , all the way up until the Supreme Court , which takes often more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So is there enough evidence to support the immediate removal of a president , three months and you ’ re gone as a precedent , I haven ’ t seen them land that . ''
Melber received pushback from both MSNBC legal analyst Maya Wiley and former Sen. Claire McCaskill .
Wiley noted that , in her opinion , executive privilege is not a `` blanket privilege '' while McCaskill called him `` wrong . ''

MSNBC host Ari Melber argued that congressional Democrats have not made the case to convict President Trump on one of the two impeachment charges.
Melber, who hosts The Beat with Ari Melber, claimed Friday that the House impeachment managers had made strong points to support the abuse of power charge, but argued that he hadn't seen enough to convict the president of obstruction of Congress.
The host argued that he's seen "overwhelming factual evidence and first-person accounts to support constitutional abuse of power but said he couldn't see the same for the other impeachment charge.
“What the Democrats are arguing is that, basically, something that began three months before they actually voted to impeach should now be resolved by the removal of the president," he added after being pushed by other panelists. "In every other case, including Nixon, we know the rule has been the president is allowed to fight within the law, is allowed to deny, and, yes, quote, defy, all the way up until the Supreme Court, which takes often more than a year."
Melber concluded, "So is there enough evidence to support the immediate removal of a president, three months and you’re gone as a precedent, I haven’t seen them land that."
Melber received pushback from both MSNBC legal analyst Maya Wiley and former Sen. Claire McCaskill. Wiley noted that, in her opinion, executive privilege is not a "blanket privilege" while McCaskill called him "wrong."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-25--WATCH: Trump team begins impeachment defense

President Trump 's legal team is expected to begin its defense in the impeachment trial on Saturday at 10 a.m @ @ @ @ @ impeachment managers made their case over the previous three days — they had a maximum @ @ @ @ @ president 's defenders will have the same amount of time for their defense .

President Trump's legal team is expected to begin its defense in the impeachment trial on Saturday at 10 a.m. The House Democrats' impeachment managers made their case over the previous three days — they had a maximum of 24 hours. The president's defenders will have the same amount of time for their defense.