thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--'Phenomenal President:' UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Trump trade compliments

UFC star Conor McGregor received a shoutout from President Trump after complimenting his administration .
`` Phenomenal President , '' @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweet on Monday bragging about accomplishments during the first three years of his presidency @ @ @ @ @ atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him .
No easy feet @ @ @ @ @ also .
Incredible . ''
McGregor further described the president as `` quite possibly the @ @ @ @ @ term that means `` greatest of all time . ''
McGregor beat Donald ‘ Cowboy @ @ @ @ @ in around 40 seconds over the weekend .
Trump responded to the Irishman 's tweet @ @ @ @ @ the victory .
The president has maintained a friendly relationship with some UFC fighters .
@ @ @ @ @ Bryce Mitchell following his win against Matt Sayles , after which the fighter offered to @ @ @ @ @ Trump .

UFC star Conor McGregor received a shoutout from President Trump after complimenting his administration.
"Phenomenal President," the fighter responded to a Trump tweet on Monday bragging about accomplishments during the first three years of his presidency. "As he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him. No easy feet. Early stages of term also. Incredible."
McGregor further described the president as "quite possibly the USA GOAT," a term that means "greatest of all time."
Phenomenal President. Quite possibly the USA 🐐. Most certainly one of them anyway, as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him. No easy feet.
Early stages of term also.
Incredible.
Congrats and Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day America 🇺🇸❤🇮🇪 — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 21, 2020
McGregor beat Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246 in around 40 seconds over the weekend.
Trump responded to the Irishman's tweet Tuesday by congratulating him on the victory.
The president has maintained a friendly relationship with some UFC fighters. Last month, he praised Bryce Mitchell following his win against Matt Sayles, after which the fighter offered to beat up politicians critical of Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Country narrowly divided on Trump removal by Senate, polls show

A pair of polls released on the eve of President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial show a slim difference of opinion on whether or not he should be convicted and removed from office .
A narrow majority of people in the United States do not wish to see Trump removed from office , according to a Gallup poll released Monday .
The same day , CNN released its own poll showing that 51 % want Trump to be booted from the White House .
In both surveys , respondents who identified as Democratic voters overwhelmingly indicated they want Trump removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN study , 26 % described themselves as Republicans , 32 % described themselves as Democrats , and 42 % said they were independents or members of another party .
Since the impeachment process started , approval for Trump 's removal has generally hovered between 36 % and 47 % , according to Politico .
The margin of error for the CNN poll was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points .
Gallup listed a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points at the 95 % confidence level .
The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton would win the presidency in 2016 .
Democrats are impeaching Trump on two articles : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
He is expected to be acquitted by the Senate .

A pair of polls released on the eve of President Trump's Senate impeachment trial show a slim difference of opinion on whether or not he should be convicted and removed from office.
A narrow majority of people in the United States do not wish to see Trump removed from office, according to a Gallup poll released Monday. The same day, CNN released its own poll showing that 51% want Trump to be booted from the White House.
In both surveys, respondents who identified as Democratic voters overwhelmingly indicated they want Trump removed. Among the entire sample for the CNN study, 26% described themselves as Republicans, 32% described themselves as Democrats, and 42% said they were independents or members of another party.
Since the impeachment process started, approval for Trump's removal has generally hovered between 36% and 47%, according to Politico.
The margin of error for the CNN poll was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. Gallup listed a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
The vast majority of national polls incorrectly predicted Hillary Clinton would win the presidency in 2016.
Democrats are impeaching Trump on two articles: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. He is expected to be acquitted by the Senate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--'A motion to dismiss case': Dershowitz says Trump impeachment trial wouldn't pass muster in court of

'A motion to dismiss case': Dershowitz says Trump impeachment trial wouldn't pass muster in court of law

White House impeachment defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz argued the charges against President Trump would be tossed out by a judge in a court of law .
`` This is a motion to dismiss case , '' Dershowitz said late Monday on Fox News .
`` If it were a criminal case and a person were charged , say , with dishonesty , and then there were a list of things he did , the first thing you 'd do is make a motion to dismiss because dishonesty is n't a crime , and obstruction of Congress is not an impeachable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's impeachment trial in the Senate begin Tuesday , and the president faces two charges : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The abuse of power allegation centers on a pressure campaign on Ukraine to investigate the president 's political foe .
During a July 25 phone call , Trump himself asked the president of Ukraine to `` do us a favor '' and look into allegations of corruption against 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden .
The obstruction of Congress charge came as a result of the White House 's refusal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for documents relating to foreign policy with Ukraine .
The White House legal team has cited executive privilege as a justification for its noncompliance .
Dershowitz last week was tapped , along with former special prosecutor Ken Starr , to be a part of Trump 's legal defense team .
`` The only threat to the Constitution that House Democrats have brought to light is their own degradation of the impeachment process and trampling of the separation of powers , '' the Trump defense team said in a legal briefing filed on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would permanently weaken the Presidency and forever alter the balance among the branches of government in a manner that offends the constitutional design established by the Founders . ''
Meanwhile , the White House has been working with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for weeks to ensure a speedy trial .
Recent reports indicated that Trump has urged Republican leadership to introduce a motion to dismiss the case on the first day , but Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that such a measure will likely fail .
The president has called his impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by `` lunatic leftist Democrats '' who are seeking to overturn the result of the 2016 election .
Dershowitz warned that a quick trial could bring negative political outcomes for the president or , at the very least , open the possibility of Republicans losing the votes of more moderate senators under pressure from constituents to conduct a fair trial .
`` Do the American people want to see an end to a trial so quickly ? ''
he asked .
`` I think that becomes a political issue . ''
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat , Dershowitz expressed a different view of what rises to the level of an impeachable offense than he holds now .
`` It certainly does n't have to be a crime if you have somebody who completely corrupts the office of president and who abuses trust and who poses great danger to our liberty , you do n't need a technical crime , '' he said in 1992 .
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper pressed the former Harvard Law School professor about the contradiction on Monday .
`` I did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dershowitz responded .
`` I 've done the research now — I was n't wrong ...
I am just far more correct now than I was then . ''

White House impeachment defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz argued the charges against President Trump would be tossed out by a judge in a court of law.
"This is a motion to dismiss case," Dershowitz said late Monday on Fox News. "If it were a criminal case and a person were charged, say, with dishonesty, and then there were a list of things he did, the first thing you'd do is make a motion to dismiss because dishonesty isn't a crime, and obstruction of Congress is not an impeachable offense."
Opening arguments in Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate begin Tuesday, and the president faces two charges: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The abuse of power allegation centers on a pressure campaign on Ukraine to investigate the president's political foe. During a July 25 phone call, Trump himself asked the president of Ukraine to "do us a favor" and look into allegations of corruption against 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden.
The obstruction of Congress charge came as a result of the White House's refusal to cooperate with House Democrats' request for documents relating to foreign policy with Ukraine. The White House legal team has cited executive privilege as a justification for its noncompliance.
Dershowitz last week was tapped, along with former special prosecutor Ken Starr, to be a part of Trump's legal defense team.
"The only threat to the Constitution that House Democrats have brought to light is their own degradation of the impeachment process and trampling of the separation of powers," the Trump defense team said in a legal briefing filed on Monday. "The diluted standard asserted here would permanently weaken the Presidency and forever alter the balance among the branches of government in a manner that offends the constitutional design established by the Founders."
Meanwhile, the White House has been working with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for weeks to ensure a speedy trial. Recent reports indicated that Trump has urged Republican leadership to introduce a motion to dismiss the case on the first day, but Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that such a measure will likely fail.
The president has called his impeachment a "totally partisan witch hunt" led by "lunatic leftist Democrats" who are seeking to overturn the result of the 2016 election.
....the Ukraine Hoax that became the Impeachment Scam. Must get the ICIG answers by Friday because this is the guy who lit the fuse. So if he wants to clear his name, prove that his office is indeed incompetent.” @DevinNunes @MariaBartiromo @FoxNews The ICIG never wanted proof! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020
Dershowitz warned that a quick trial could bring negative political outcomes for the president or, at the very least, open the possibility of Republicans losing the votes of more moderate senators under pressure from constituents to conduct a fair trial.
"Do the American people want to see an end to a trial so quickly?" he asked. "I think that becomes a political issue."
During the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, Dershowitz expressed a different view of what rises to the level of an impeachable offense than he holds now.
"It certainly doesn't have to be a crime if you have somebody who completely corrupts the office of president and who abuses trust and who poses great danger to our liberty, you don't need a technical crime," he said in 1992.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper pressed the former Harvard Law School professor about the contradiction on Monday.
"I didn't do the research back then," Dershowitz responded. "I've done the research now — I wasn't wrong ... I am just far more correct now than I was then."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Buzz: Was 'Anonymous' Gen. Mattis? GOP jockeying for House E&C, border chief heralds 4,900 rescues

Somebody is filling the mailboxes of Washington reporters and investigators with a report that bluntly claims retired Gen. James Mattis , President Trump ’ s “ mad dog ” first Pentagon chief , authored the famous New York Times hit piece “ Anonymous ” and a longer book , A Warning .
The 33-page report , titled , “ Disclosure of Anonymous : 2020 election , ” suggests that the goal of the attacks by Anonymous was to set Mattis up for a 2020 presidential bid .
It looks somewhat authentic and even includes blacked-out sections , but a source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laughed it off .
Mattis has also denied it .
… • Jockeying has started on the House Energy and Commerce Committee among Republicans eager to replace retiring Rep. Greg Walden .
There ’ s buzz Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a leading choice .
But others are pointing to committee elder Rep. Michael C. Burgess , who has expanded his fundraising team with a goal of filling GOP coffers .
He just added Erin Casey French as his new Washington fundraiser to his Texas team headed by Susan Lilly .
• U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than catch and deport illegal immigrants , and acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan is on a campaign to tell the story of how his agents last year saved the lives of nearly 5,000 migrants , such as those crossing the Rio Grande .
“ I think this is just one of those stories that just gets lost , ” he said .
“ They ’ re putting their lives on the line to rescue those people , 4,900 individuals that I truly believe that had CBP not been there , they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ political risk intelligence platform '' driven by artificial intelligence , is predicting President Trump ’ s reelection .
The company tell us that its “ Instability Risk Indicator ” is lower than it was in 2016 ad 2018 , suggesting “ government turnover is unlikely in the 2020 election .
”

Somebody is filling the mailboxes of Washington reporters and investigators with a report that bluntly claims retired Gen. James Mattis, President Trump’s “mad dog” first Pentagon chief, authored the famous New York Times hit piece “Anonymous” and a longer book, A Warning.
The 33-page report, titled, “Disclosure of Anonymous: 2020 election,” suggests that the goal of the attacks by Anonymous was to set Mattis up for a 2020 presidential bid. It looks somewhat authentic and even includes blacked-out sections, but a source with a knowledge of who Anonymous is laughed it off. Mattis has also denied it. …
Jockeying has started on the House Energy and Commerce Committee among Republicans eager to replace retiring Rep. Greg Walden. There’s buzz Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a leading choice. But others are pointing to committee elder Rep. Michael C. Burgess, who has expanded his fundraising team with a goal of filling GOP coffers. He just added Erin Casey French as his new Washington fundraiser to his Texas team headed by Susan Lilly.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection does a lot more than catch and deport illegal immigrants, and acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan is on a campaign to tell the story of how his agents last year saved the lives of nearly 5,000 migrants, such as those crossing the Rio Grande. “I think this is just one of those stories that just gets lost,” he said. “They’re putting their lives on the line to rescue those people, 4,900 individuals that I truly believe that had CBP not been there, they would have perished.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Schiff: Calling Hunter Biden as impeachment witness would be 'an illegitimate abuse of the trial'

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff asserted it would be an “ abuse ” of President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial if Republicans call Hunter Biden to testify .
`` It would certainly be fair for the president and his team to be able to call witnesses that can provide material information on the charges .
It would not be appropriate for the president to seek to call witnesses merely to try to perpetuate the same smear campaign that was foiled when his plot was discovered , '' Schiff , who is one of the impeachment managers , told CBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , ca n't tell us anything about whether the president withheld military aid , whether he withheld that aid to coerce Ukraine to conduct political investigations , '' he continued saying in a clip from the interview , which is set to air Tuesday evening .
`` Or why he would n't meet with the president of Ukraine . ''
The California Democrat said Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts , who is presiding over the Senate trial , may have to settle the issue of whether certain witnesses are heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him on their list is they wish to trade material witnesses , like Mr. Bolton and Mulvaney and others , for immaterial ones that will allow them to continue to attack a political opponent , '' Schiff said .
`` That 's an illegitimate abuse of the trial .
And the chief justice , who may have an opportunity to rule on materiality of witnesses , as well as the senators , should not permit that kind of abuse . ''
Democrats have requested testimony from at least four witnesses , including acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former national security adviser John Bolton , senior adviser to the acting White House chief of staff Robert Blair , and Office of Management and Budget official Michael Duffey .
Republicans have floated bringing in 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter , who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company while his father was vice president , as a witness after Trump asked Ukraine to investigate the father and son during a July phone call that sparked his impeachment .

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff asserted it would be an “abuse” of President Trump's Senate impeachment trial if Republicans call Hunter Biden to testify.
"It would certainly be fair for the president and his team to be able to call witnesses that can provide material information on the charges. It would not be appropriate for the president to seek to call witnesses merely to try to perpetuate the same smear campaign that was foiled when his plot was discovered," Schiff, who is one of the impeachment managers, told CBS Evening News.
"Hunter Biden, for example, can't tell us anything about whether the president withheld military aid, whether he withheld that aid to coerce Ukraine to conduct political investigations," he continued saying in a clip from the interview, which is set to air Tuesday evening. "Or why he wouldn't meet with the president of Ukraine."
The California Democrat said Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the Senate trial, may have to settle the issue of whether certain witnesses are heard.
"The only purpose in putting him on their list is they wish to trade material witnesses, like Mr. Bolton and Mulvaney and others, for immaterial ones that will allow them to continue to attack a political opponent," Schiff said. "That's an illegitimate abuse of the trial. And the chief justice, who may have an opportunity to rule on materiality of witnesses, as well as the senators, should not permit that kind of abuse."
WATCH: @CBSEveningNews anchor @NorahODonnell spoke exclusively with four of the seven Democratic House impeachment managers.
O'Donnell asked Adam Schiff, Val Demings, Zoe Lofgren, and Jason Crow how they will make their case for the president’s removal. https://t.co/rHCy01Iq23 pic.twitter.com/KpN0cGAtIx — CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) January 21, 2020
Democrats have requested testimony from at least four witnesses, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, former national security adviser John Bolton, senior adviser to the acting White House chief of staff Robert Blair, and Office of Management and Budget official Michael Duffey.
Republicans have floated bringing in 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company while his father was vice president, as a witness after Trump asked Ukraine to investigate the father and son during a July phone call that sparked his impeachment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Impeachment trial to open with battle over witnesses

President Trump ’ s impeachment trial will open Tuesday afternoon in the Senate with a major fight looming over whether to call witnesses whose testimony could be damaging to both political parties .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not disclosed the details of a resolution that senators must vote on to set the terms of the trial .
McConnell has described the measure broadly as one that excludes an agreement on witness testimony until later in the trial , after House impeachment managers and Trump ’ s defense team have presented their arguments .
McConnell said the resolution mirrors one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Bill Clinton .
But Senate Democrats said they ’ ll push for witness testimony sooner , perhaps on Day One of the trial .
Democrats want the Senate to summon former national security adviser John Bolton , acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , and two other administration officials , as well as White House documents related to President Trump ’ s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Democrats believe the witnesses and documents would bolster their claim that the president sought to improperly influence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking security aid to Ukraine .
Trump wanted Zelensky to investigate Vice President Joe Biden , now his top political rival .
“ We are going to demand votes — yes or no , up or down — on the four witnesses we ’ ve requested and on the three sets of documents we ’ ve requested , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , said on Sunday .
“ We will force those votes.
” Republicans are threatening to call their own witnesses , and the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , Hunter Biden , who took a lucrative job with a Ukrainian gas company while his father was vice president .
Joe Biden bragged about forcing out a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating Burisma Holdings , the gas company that hired Hunter Biden .
Republicans say Hunter Biden ’ s testimony would validate Trump ’ s effort to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden .
“ If we call one witness , we 're going to call all the witnesses , ” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham , a South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There 's not going to be a process where the Democrats get their witnesses and the president gets shut out.
” Graham said he supports calling no witnesses .
The House should have tried to force Bolton to testify in their impeachment proceedings by issuing a subpoena and taking the dispute to court , he said .
“ What they 're doing here is , they 've got a railroad job in the House , and they 're trying to fix it in the Senate , and I 'm not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham said .
Republicans are all but guaranteed to reject witnesses until after the impeachment managers and Trump ’ s defense team present their cases , so it is unlikely Schumer will win if he forces votes on witnesses at the opening of the trial .
But a handful of Republicans said they are open to calling witnesses and would decide later in the trial .
Democrats control 47 votes , so at least four Republicans would have to vote in favor of witnesses to garner a 51-vote majority .
Democrats say new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House impeached Trump on Dec. 18 and that the information bolsters their argument for additional witness testimony .
Among the evidence is a trove of documents from Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump ’ s personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , who has been charged with violating campaign finance laws .
Parnas , Schumer said , was someone “ totally around the whole operation who was certain the president knew about it and directed it.
” Schumer also pointed to a new report from the Government Accountability Office that determined it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block much of the $ 391 million in security aid from Ukraine temporarily .
“ It will be up to four Republicans to side with the Constitution , to side with our democracy , to side with rule of law and not side in blind obeisance to President Trump and his desire to suppress the truth , because , in my judgment , he probably thinks he ’ s guilty , ” Schumer said .
If senators decided to call witnesses , it could extend the trial for weeks .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the case , which would require 51 votes .
Republicans control 53 votes , but senior GOP senators said an immediate dismissal is out of the question .
“ There is literally no sentiment in the Republican conference for the motion to dismiss , ” McConnell said after meeting privately with GOP senators on Tuesday .
“ Our members feel we have an obligation to listen to the arguments.
” A motion to dismiss would likely come up after the impeachment managers and Trump ’ s lawyers argue their cases .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights will be protected , including the potential for a motion to dismiss , ” Trump ’ s congressional liaison , Legislative Affairs Director Eric Ueland , said .

President Trump’s impeachment trial will open Tuesday afternoon in the Senate with a major fight looming over whether to call witnesses whose testimony could be damaging to both political parties.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not disclosed the details of a resolution that senators must vote on to set the terms of the trial. McConnell has described the measure broadly as one that excludes an agreement on witness testimony until later in the trial, after House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team have presented their arguments. McConnell said the resolution mirrors one used in the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
But Senate Democrats said they’ll push for witness testimony sooner, perhaps on Day One of the trial.
Democrats want the Senate to summon former national security adviser John Bolton, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, and two other administration officials, as well as White House documents related to President Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Democrats believe the witnesses and documents would bolster their claim that the president sought to improperly influence the 2020 election and damage national security by blocking security aid to Ukraine. Trump wanted Zelensky to investigate Vice President Joe Biden, now his top political rival.
“We are going to demand votes — yes or no, up or down — on the four witnesses we’ve requested and on the three sets of documents we’ve requested,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said on Sunday. “We will force those votes.”
Republicans are threatening to call their own witnesses, and the list includes presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, who took a lucrative job with a Ukrainian gas company while his father was vice president.
Joe Biden bragged about forcing out a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating Burisma Holdings, the gas company that hired Hunter Biden.
Republicans say Hunter Biden’s testimony would validate Trump’s effort to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.
“If we call one witness, we're going to call all the witnesses,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, said on Fox News Sunday. “There's not going to be a process where the Democrats get their witnesses and the president gets shut out.”
Graham said he supports calling no witnesses.
The House should have tried to force Bolton to testify in their impeachment proceedings by issuing a subpoena and taking the dispute to court, he said.
“What they're doing here is, they've got a railroad job in the House, and they're trying to fix it in the Senate, and I'm not going to be part of that,” Graham said.
Republicans are all but guaranteed to reject witnesses until after the impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team present their cases, so it is unlikely Schumer will win if he forces votes on witnesses at the opening of the trial.
But a handful of Republicans said they are open to calling witnesses and would decide later in the trial.
Democrats control 47 votes, so at least four Republicans would have to vote in favor of witnesses to garner a 51-vote majority.
Democrats say new “explosive” evidence has surfaced since the House impeached Trump on Dec. 18 and that the information bolsters their argument for additional witness testimony.
Among the evidence is a trove of documents from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who has been charged with violating campaign finance laws. Parnas, Schumer said, was someone “totally around the whole operation who was certain the president knew about it and directed it.”
Schumer also pointed to a new report from the Government Accountability Office that determined it was illegal for the Trump administration to block much of the $391 million in security aid from Ukraine temporarily.
“It will be up to four Republicans to side with the Constitution, to side with our democracy, to side with rule of law and not side in blind obeisance to President Trump and his desire to suppress the truth, because, in my judgment, he probably thinks he’s guilty,” Schumer said.
If senators decided to call witnesses, it could extend the trial for weeks.
Trump’s legal team is seeking a fast dismissal of the case, which would require 51 votes.
Republicans control 53 votes, but senior GOP senators said an immediate dismissal is out of the question.
“There is literally no sentiment in the Republican conference for the motion to dismiss,” McConnell said after meeting privately with GOP senators on Tuesday. “Our members feel we have an obligation to listen to the arguments.”
A motion to dismiss would likely come up after the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers argue their cases.
“We are confident the president’s rights will be protected, including the potential for a motion to dismiss,” Trump’s congressional liaison, Legislative Affairs Director Eric Ueland, said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--'Like listening to an arsonist talk about fire prevention': Graham slams Schiff during impeachment p

'Like listening to an arsonist talk about fire prevention': Graham slams Schiff during impeachment proceedings

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham slammed Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for lecturing the Senate about `` fairness '' during the trial over President Trump ’ s impeachment .
The trial began on Tuesday afternoon with senators haggling over the rules that would govern the process .
Schiff , one of the House managers tapped by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prosecute the case , slammed White House counsel Pat Cipollone after he accused House Democrats of holding unfair impeachment hearings .
`` Quite frankly , having Adam Schiff lecture the Senate about fairness and due process is like listening to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham tweeted during Schiff ’ s speech .
Schiff was reacting to Cipollone ’ s opening remarks on the Senate floor .
`` Mr. Cipollone made the representation that Republicans were not even allowed in the depositions conducted in the House .
Now , I ’ m not going to suggest to you that Mr. Cipollone would deliberately make a false statement , '' Schiff said .
`` But I will tell you this : He ’ s mistaken . ''
The Senate trial began days after Pelosi transmitted the House impeachment articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trying to influence Senate procedure for the trial .
Pelosi ’ s gambit failed after McConnell threatened to dismiss the charges outright without a trial .

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham slammed Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for lecturing the Senate about "fairness" during the trial over President Trump’s impeachment.
The trial began on Tuesday afternoon with senators haggling over the rules that would govern the process. Schiff, one of the House managers tapped by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prosecute the case, slammed White House counsel Pat Cipollone after he accused House Democrats of holding unfair impeachment hearings.
"Quite frankly, having Adam Schiff lecture the Senate about fairness and due process is like listening to an arsonist talk about fire prevention," Graham tweeted during Schiff’s speech.
Quite frankly, having Adam Schiff lecture the Senate about fairness and due process is like listening to an arsonist talk about fire prevention. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 21, 2020
Schiff was reacting to Cipollone’s opening remarks on the Senate floor.
"Mr. Cipollone made the representation that Republicans were not even allowed in the depositions conducted in the House. Now, I’m not going to suggest to you that Mr. Cipollone would deliberately make a false statement," Schiff said. "But I will tell you this: He’s mistaken."
The Senate trial began days after Pelosi transmitted the House impeachment articles to the Senate after weeks of stonewalling and trying to influence Senate procedure for the trial. Pelosi’s gambit failed after McConnell threatened to dismiss the charges outright without a trial.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Why Susan Collins might vote for additional witness testimony during the Senate impeachment trial

“ What ’ s changed Susan ?
” reads a billboard truck parked outside the Capitol Building .
Paid for by a liberal activist group , the billboard is just one more tactic the Democratic Party is using to put pressure on Maine Republican Susan Collins , one of the centrist senators who has indicated support for additional witness testimony during the Senate ’ s impeachment trial .
The Senate will begin weighing the charges against the president on Tuesday , but Senate Democrats have made it clear that President Trump isn ’ t the only one on trial : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House passed the articles of impeachment onto the Senate , the Democrats demanded that Republicans allow them to call additional witnesses during the trial , most notably former national security adviser John Bolton .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell successfully blocked the Democrats ’ initial requests , but the chamber will still hold a vote on Tuesday to decide whether witness testimony will be included at all .
There ’ s a good chance Collins will join the Democrats during the vote .
Already , she ’ s expressed her willingness to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach a compromise that will suit both parties .
And unlike the other centrist Republicans who have said they ’ d like to hear from Bolton , Collins has the most to lose .
She ’ s up for reelection in Maine this year , and her Democratic challenger has raised a significant amount of money and has tapped noteworthy endorsements , such as Planned Parenthood ’ s .
Democrats have already made Collins ’ s race difficult .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee created a website highlighting her past comments during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment and comparing them to her stance today .
And her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 led to an immense mobilization on the Left .
Dozens of activist groups have led protests outside her Maine and D.C. offices , and this weekend , protesters at Portland ’ s Women ’ s March began to chant , “ Hey , hey , ho , ho !
Susan Collins has got to go !
” At first , it appeared Collins would prevail despite the Democrats ’ efforts to unseat her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still fairly high , and the Republican Party continued to rally behind her .
But just last week , Collins was ranked the least-popular senator , with a 52 % disapproval rate among Maine voters .
This is at least a 10 % drop in Collins ’ s net approval rating from last quarter .
This doesn ’ t mean Collins has lost .
She ’ s still a strong candidate , and the GOP won ’ t give up her seat without a fight .
But Collins is more vulnerable now than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely be wary of isolating centrist voters who tend to support additional witness testimony during the impeachment trial .
If she does break with her party on the trial rules vote , it ’ s unlikely the GOP will hold it against her .
The Republican Party has much more of a vested interest in maintaining Collins ’ s Senate seat ( a seat the Democrats need if they ’ re going to flip the Senate in 2020 ) than they do in preventing Bolton from testifying .
And if McConnell can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Sens .
Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney , from voting in favor of witness testimony , Collins ’ s vote won ’ t change anything .
But the Democrats will undoubtedly hold Collins ’ s vote against her should she stick with McConnell .
Their recent antics , such as the anti-Collins billboards and websites , are nothing more than a petty threat .
But the Democrats ’ accelerated fundraising efforts in Maine are a much different story .

“What’s changed Susan?” reads a billboard truck parked outside the Capitol Building. Paid for by a liberal activist group, the billboard is just one more tactic the Democratic Party is using to put pressure on Maine Republican Susan Collins, one of the centrist senators who has indicated support for additional witness testimony during the Senate’s impeachment trial.
The Senate will begin weighing the charges against the president on Tuesday, but Senate Democrats have made it clear that President Trump isn’t the only one on trial: Collins is, too.
Before the House passed the articles of impeachment onto the Senate, the Democrats demanded that Republicans allow them to call additional witnesses during the trial, most notably former national security adviser John Bolton. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell successfully blocked the Democrats’ initial requests, but the chamber will still hold a vote on Tuesday to decide whether witness testimony will be included at all.
There’s a good chance Collins will join the Democrats during the vote. Already, she’s expressed her willingness to work with the other side of the aisle to reach a compromise that will suit both parties. And unlike the other centrist Republicans who have said they’d like to hear from Bolton, Collins has the most to lose. She’s up for reelection in Maine this year, and her Democratic challenger has raised a significant amount of money and has tapped noteworthy endorsements, such as Planned Parenthood’s.
Democrats have already made Collins’s race difficult. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee created a website highlighting her past comments during former President Bill Clinton’s 1999 impeachment and comparing them to her stance today. And her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 led to an immense mobilization on the Left. Dozens of activist groups have led protests outside her Maine and D.C. offices, and this weekend, protesters at Portland’s Women’s March began to chant, “Hey, hey, ho, ho! Susan Collins has got to go!”
At first, it appeared Collins would prevail despite the Democrats’ efforts to unseat her. Her approval ratings in Maine were still fairly high, and the Republican Party continued to rally behind her. But just last week, Collins was ranked the least-popular senator, with a 52% disapproval rate among Maine voters. This is at least a 10% drop in Collins’s net approval rating from last quarter.
This doesn’t mean Collins has lost. She’s still a strong candidate, and the GOP won’t give up her seat without a fight. But Collins is more vulnerable now than she has ever been, and she will likely be wary of isolating centrist voters who tend to support additional witness testimony during the impeachment trial.
If she does break with her party on the trial rules vote, it’s unlikely the GOP will hold it against her. The Republican Party has much more of a vested interest in maintaining Collins’s Senate seat (a seat the Democrats need if they’re going to flip the Senate in 2020) than they do in preventing Bolton from testifying. And if McConnell can keep some of the other centrist Republicans, such as Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney, from voting in favor of witness testimony, Collins’s vote won’t change anything.
But the Democrats will undoubtedly hold Collins’s vote against her should she stick with McConnell. Their recent antics, such as the anti-Collins billboards and websites, are nothing more than a petty threat. But the Democrats’ accelerated fundraising efforts in Maine are a much different story.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Republicans change trial rules to avoid 'dark of night' proceedings

Senate Republicans have altered planned rules for the presidential impeachment trial to allow House evidence to be included and to avoid late-night proceedings .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , was criticized by Democrats for drafting trial rules that would require both the impeachment managers and President Trump ’ s defense attorneys to each present arguments over 24 hours spread over two days .
McConnell has extended that rule to 24 hours spread over three days , which will make it less likely that the managers or lawyers will have to extend their arguments late into the night .
McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required a Senate vote to admit all of the evidence collected in the House impeachment investigation .
Instead , the evidence will be accepted unless the Senate blocks it with a majority vote .
Democrats had decried the rules for veering far from McConnell ’ s pledge that they would follow the Clinton impeachment trial model from 1999 .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , argued the two-day limit would require impeachment managers to make their cases `` in the dark of night . ''
`` If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , why wo n't he present it in broad daylight , '' Schumer said Tuesday .
The rules now more closely mirror the Clinton-era rules , which allowed each side 24 hours , spread over three days , to present arguments .

Senate Republicans have altered planned rules for the presidential impeachment trial to allow House evidence to be included and to avoid late-night proceedings.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, was criticized by Democrats for drafting trial rules that would require both the impeachment managers and President Trump’s defense attorneys to each present arguments over 24 hours spread over two days.
McConnell has extended that rule to 24 hours spread over three days, which will make it less likely that the managers or lawyers will have to extend their arguments late into the night.
McConnell also altered a rule that would have required a Senate vote to admit all of the evidence collected in the House impeachment investigation. Instead, the evidence will be accepted unless the Senate blocks it with a majority vote.
Democrats had decried the rules for veering far from McConnell’s pledge that they would follow the Clinton impeachment trial model from 1999. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, argued the two-day limit would require impeachment managers to make their cases "in the dark of night."
"If the president is so confident in his case, why won't he present it in broad daylight," Schumer said Tuesday.
The rules now more closely mirror the Clinton-era rules, which allowed each side 24 hours, spread over three days, to present arguments.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Senate Democrats call for impartiality while declaring Trump guilty

Senate Democrats ca n't get their message straight .
Is the Senate impeachment process like a court trial with senators serving as impartial jurors ?
Or is President Trump axiomatically as guilty as sin ?
Ahead of the Senate trial , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , in a moment of candor , declared , `` I 'm not an impartial juror .
This is a political process .
There is not anything judicial about it .
Impeachment is a political decision . ''
Pretending to be shocked ( shocked ! )
to learn that the Senate was a political body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is himself one of the most egregiously partisan members of that body , fumed , `` Mitch McConnell said proudly he is not an impartial juror .
The American people want Mitch McConnell to be an impartial juror in this situation . ''
He went on to urge Republicans to make the same pledge of impartiality .
Senate Democrats didn ’ t seem to get the memo .
Sen. Mazie Hirono announced herself a “ yes ” on removing Trump from office before the trial even started .
Adopting a guilty unless proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What I want to hear from the president is , what are his defenses ?
Does he have any explanation that exonerates him ?
Short of that , I 'm going to vote on the basis of the facts .
And the facts are that he committed an impeachable act , and I will vote to convict him.
” While other Democrats avoided explicitly declaring themselves a “ yes ” on removal up front , they still made it clear that , in fact , they have already decided he is guilty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump abused his office and obstructed Congress , ” Sen. Michael Bennet said .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal likened Trump to a criminal , saying , “ The case is clear : President Trump tried to trade away our national security for a personal political favor .
Merely soliciting a bribe is bribery .
Ineffective criminals are still criminals.
” In an actual impartial trial , if during the voir dire process a juror said he or she would vote to convict unless something totally exonerating was presented , or that the defendant is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or she is being charged with doing , that juror would be instantly dismissed .
The views being expressed by senators are disqualifying for impartial jurors .
But senators are not jurors .
The Constitution makes this distinction clear when it states : “ The trial of all crimes , except in cases of impeachment , shall be by jury.
” The point was recently by former Sen. Tom Harkin , who raised an objection to the use of the term during President Bill Clinton 's impeachment .
At the time , Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not simply a jury .
It is a court in this case .
Therefore , counsel should refrain from referring to the senators as jurors.
” Harkin also notes that unlike senators , “ jurors in a criminal trial can not ask questions , can not raise objections and can not discuss the case outside the jury box with the press or interested parties ; jurors only try the facts as presented.
” The reality is that nobody is going to be impartial on impeachment .
Democrats are out to inflict maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and voting to acquit him would be political suicide in nearly every Democratic primary .
Likewise , few , if any , Republicans can afford to vote to remove a sitting president who is overwhelmingly popular within their own party .
Even the handful of senators in each party who are considered swing votes and may be legitimately undecided , such as Sens .
Susan Collins and Joe Manchin , are going to make their final decisions based on whether they believe they have more to fear from the base of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their states .
The myth of the impartial juror in this impeachment trial or any other is just that , a myth .
When Democrats accuse Republicans of deciding how to vote before it ’ s all over , just know that almost all of them have already decided to vote that Trump is guilty .
And others are only pretending they haven ’ t .

Senate Democrats can't get their message straight. Is the Senate impeachment process like a court trial with senators serving as impartial jurors? Or is President Trump axiomatically as guilty as sin?
Ahead of the Senate trial, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a moment of candor, declared, "I'm not an impartial juror. This is a political process. There is not anything judicial about it. Impeachment is a political decision."
Pretending to be shocked (shocked!) to learn that the Senate was a political body, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is himself one of the most egregiously partisan members of that body, fumed, "Mitch McConnell said proudly he is not an impartial juror. The American people want Mitch McConnell to be an impartial juror in this situation." He went on to urge Republicans to make the same pledge of impartiality.
Senate Democrats didn’t seem to get the memo. Sen. Mazie Hirono announced herself a “yes” on removing Trump from office before the trial even started. Adopting a guilty unless proven innocent standard, Hirono declared, “What I want to hear from the president is, what are his defenses? Does he have any explanation that exonerates him? Short of that, I'm going to vote on the basis of the facts. And the facts are that he committed an impeachable act, and I will vote to convict him.”
While other Democrats avoided explicitly declaring themselves a “yes” on removal up front, they still made it clear that, in fact, they have already decided he is guilty. “There is clear evidence that President Trump abused his office and obstructed Congress,” Sen. Michael Bennet said.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal likened Trump to a criminal, saying, “The case is clear: President Trump tried to trade away our national security for a personal political favor. Merely soliciting a bribe is bribery. Ineffective criminals are still criminals.”
In an actual impartial trial, if during the voir dire process a juror said he or she would vote to convict unless something totally exonerating was presented, or that the defendant is a criminal who totally did what he or she is being charged with doing, that juror would be instantly dismissed. The views being expressed by senators are disqualifying for impartial jurors.
But senators are not jurors. The Constitution makes this distinction clear when it states: “The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury.” The point was recently reiterated by former Sen. Tom Harkin, who raised an objection to the use of the term during President Bill Clinton's impeachment. At the time, Chief Justice William Rehnquist ruled , “The Senate is not simply a jury. It is a court in this case. Therefore, counsel should refrain from referring to the senators as jurors.”
Harkin also notes that unlike senators, “jurors in a criminal trial cannot ask questions, cannot raise objections and cannot discuss the case outside the jury box with the press or interested parties; jurors only try the facts as presented.”
The reality is that nobody is going to be impartial on impeachment. Democrats are out to inflict maximum damage on Trump during an election year, and voting to acquit him would be political suicide in nearly every Democratic primary. Likewise, few, if any, Republicans can afford to vote to remove a sitting president who is overwhelmingly popular within their own party.
Even the handful of senators in each party who are considered swing votes and may be legitimately undecided, such as Sens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, are going to make their final decisions based on whether they believe they have more to fear from the base of their own party or from the broader electorate in their states.
The myth of the impartial juror in this impeachment trial or any other is just that, a myth. When Democrats accuse Republicans of deciding how to vote before it’s all over, just know that almost all of them have already decided to vote that Trump is guilty. And others are only pretending they haven’t.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Breaking news: Like, the world is going to end in 11 years

Just one year ago , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned us that we would have just a dozen years left to transform the world 's energy economy radically , or else , the rapid end of the world would be unavoidable shortly thereafter .
Now it would seem that we 're down to just 11 years .
Actually , Ocasio-Cortez 's literal warning was even more ominous — that the world would actually end in 12 years , now 11 .
But we do n't have to be so cruel as to quote her directly .
Of course , we may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the U.N. General Assembly , President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces warned that we 're already down to just 10 years .
At the World Economic Forum , Greta Thunberg said we 're actually down to a mere eight years of our current emissions rate before instigating a fatal 1.5 degree Celsius temperature increase from which the Earth can not recover .
Maybe we are driving and flying our ways toward imminent death .
But then , why do ecofascists both here and abroad continue to shut down carbon-neutral nuclear power plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greenhouse gas emissions ?
Why do they self-flagellate over their lamentations about the Western world while ignoring the global leader in greenhouse gas emissions ?
Why do they insist on packing their supposed climate legislation with politically poisonous federal jobs guarantees and `` Medicare for all '' ?
And why , oh why , do they use planes to ship a Swedish child to Davos , Switzerland , instead of scientists ?
Here 's why : Because the world is n't ending in 11 years , and they know it .
If they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few more serious authorities on the matter with a few more serious ideas .
We 'll know the end is actually nigh whenever all the showboating comes to an end .

Just one year ago, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned us that we would have just a dozen years left to transform the world's energy economy radically, or else, the rapid end of the world would be unavoidable shortly thereafter.
Now it would seem that we're down to just 11 years.
Actually, Ocasio-Cortez's literal warning was even more ominous — that the world would actually end in 12 years, now 11. But we don't have to be so cruel as to quote her directly.
"Millennials, and Gen z, and all these folks that come after us, are looking up and we're like 'the world will end in 12 years if we don't address climate change, and your biggest issue is how are we gonna pay for it?'" @AOC #MLKNow #MLK2019 pic.twitter.com/fbUxr2C0tJ — People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) January 21, 2019
Of course, we may have even less time before total planetary destruction. At the U.N. General Assembly, President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces warned that we're already down to just 10 years. At the World Economic Forum, Greta Thunberg said we're actually down to a mere eight years of our current emissions rate before instigating a fatal 1.5 degree Celsius temperature increase from which the Earth cannot recover.
Maybe we are driving and flying our ways toward imminent death. But then, why do ecofascists both here and abroad continue to shut down carbon-neutral nuclear power plants, our most effective weapon in lowering greenhouse gas emissions? Why do they self-flagellate over their lamentations about the Western world while ignoring the global leader in greenhouse gas emissions?
Why do they insist on packing their supposed climate legislation with politically poisonous federal jobs guarantees and "Medicare for all"? And why, oh why, do they use planes to ship a Swedish child to Davos, Switzerland, instead of scientists?
Here's why: Because the world isn't ending in 11 years, and they know it. If they did, maybe they'd present a few more serious authorities on the matter with a few more serious ideas. We'll know the end is actually nigh whenever all the showboating comes to an end.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Taking his defense of Trump to the bank: Devin Nunes raising astronomical sums of money

The Devin Nunes fundraising juggernaut pressed forward during the final three months of last year , with the California congressman accumulating $ 2.1 million to finish with $ 7.2 million on hand to spend on his 2020 reelection bid .
As the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , Nunes has been at the center of his party ’ s effort to defend President Trump against impeachment .
It is hardly a new role .
Nunes has aggressively defended Trump against Democratic charges of impropriety since the president was inaugurated three years ago , and grassroots Republicans have rewarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars in small donations .
Nunes ’ s fourth-quarter 2019 fundraising was confirmed by sources closed to the congressman ’ s political operation .
The Federal Election Commission reporting deadline is Jan. 31 .
The congressman 's fundraising is on par with that of many senators running in competitive races .
And with more than $ 7 million in the bank at the outset of the election year , his coffers are among the most flush of any incumbent House member .
Nunes , 46 , spent a majority of his nine terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on issues pertaining to his agricultural , Republican-leaning district in California ’ s Central Valley .
But as a prominent Trump defender during the Russia investigation and then the impeachment process , Nunes became one of the best-known Republicans in the country — and among the most popular with the conservative grassroots .
The congressman has used that notoriety to build a fundraising machine .
Nunes attracts more contributions from internet and direct-mail solicitations than perhaps any other congressional Republican and is a sought-after headliner on the GOP fundraising circuit .
Nunes ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 prognosticators , but that has not stopped him from taking precautions .
The congressman is investing in robust field and data programs proprietary to his campaign , and he records a podcast that he uses to raise money nationally and communicate with constituents in his district .

The Devin Nunes fundraising juggernaut pressed forward during the final three months of last year, with the California congressman accumulating $2.1 million to finish with $7.2 million on hand to spend on his 2020 reelection bid.
As the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Nunes has been at the center of his party’s effort to defend President Trump against impeachment. It is hardly a new role. Nunes has aggressively defended Trump against Democratic charges of impropriety since the president was inaugurated three years ago, and grassroots Republicans have rewarded him by contributing tens of millions of dollars in small donations.
Nunes’s fourth-quarter 2019 fundraising was confirmed by sources closed to the congressman’s political operation. The Federal Election Commission reporting deadline is Jan. 31.
The congressman's fundraising is on par with that of many senators running in competitive races. And with more than $7 million in the bank at the outset of the election year, his coffers are among the most flush of any incumbent House member.
Nunes, 46, spent a majority of his nine terms in Congress as an obscure member focused on issues pertaining to his agricultural, Republican-leaning district in California’s Central Valley. But as a prominent Trump defender during the Russia investigation and then the impeachment process, Nunes became one of the best-known Republicans in the country — and among the most popular with the conservative grassroots.
The congressman has used that notoriety to build a fundraising machine. Nunes attracts more contributions from internet and direct-mail solicitations than perhaps any other congressional Republican and is a sought-after headliner on the GOP fundraising circuit. Nunes’s House seat is considered safe by 2020 prognosticators, but that has not stopped him from taking precautions.
The congressman is investing in robust field and data programs proprietary to his campaign, and he records a podcast that he uses to raise money nationally and communicate with constituents in his district.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--'Don't kick up this bullshit': Clinton-Sanders bad blood draws ire from Democrats

Hillary Clinton 's revival of her 2016 primary spat with Bernie Sanders has enraged Democrats wanting to focus on defeating President Trump in the fall .
Clinton , 72 , in interviews conducted for a documentary about herself , refused to commit to endorsing the Vermont senator , 78 , should he become the Democratic 2020 presidential nominee .
Tommy Vietor , a Pod Save America co-host and a former Obama administration National Security Council spokesman who worked on the 2008 Obama campaign that beat Clinton during her first run for the White House , condemned her comments as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nomination , we all need to work our asses off to help him win .
If someone else is the nominee , we all do the same for them .
Do n't kick up this bullshit right before Iowa , especially after complaining about Bernie 's lack of support in 2016 , '' Vietor tweeted .
Vietor 's sentiments were echoed by other Democrats , including Sanders-aligned strategist Peter Daou .
He advised the former first lady , New York senator , and secretary of state during the 2008 and 2016 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie is profoundly wrong .
Especially since it echoes the erasure of his diverse coalition by pushing the 'bro ' narrative , '' he wrote .
Economics Nobel laureate and liberal New York Times opinion writer Paul Krugman added it was n't `` OK '' to encourage disunity .
Clinton made the remarks in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter to promote the four-part Hulu documentary set for release in March after the Feb. 3 opening Iowa caucuses .
`` He was in Congress for years .
He had one senator support him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 says in the series about the former House lawmaker and former mayor of Burlington , Vermont .
Those were n't the only harsh words she had for supporters of Sanders , dredging up allegations of sexism .
Clinton 's comments coincide with last week 's drama involving Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , 70 , who accused Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he did n't believe a woman could clinch the presidency .
He has denied her claims .
“ It 's not only him , it 's the culture around him .
It 's his leadership team .
It 's his prominent supporters .
It 's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors , particularly the women .
And I really hope people are paying attention to that because it should be worrisome that he has permitted this culture — not only permitted , [ he ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' she told the Hollywood Reporter .
Sanders , on Tuesday , dismissed the flap ahead of the start of Trump 's impeachment trial in the Senate .
“ Today we ’ re dealing with a monumental day in American history .
We ’ re dealing with New Hampshire , we ’ re dealing with Iowa .
It ’ s keeping me busy , '' he told reporters on Capitol Hill .

Hillary Clinton's revival of her 2016 primary spat with Bernie Sanders has enraged Democrats wanting to focus on defeating President Trump in the fall.
Clinton, 72, in interviews conducted for a documentary about herself, refused to commit to endorsing the Vermont senator, 78, should he become the Democratic 2020 presidential nominee.
Tommy Vietor, a Pod Save America co-host and a former Obama administration National Security Council spokesman who worked on the 2008 Obama campaign that beat Clinton during her first run for the White House, condemned her comments as "inexcusable."
"If Bernie wins the nomination, we all need to work our asses off to help him win. If someone else is the nominee, we all do the same for them. Don't kick up this bullshit right before Iowa, especially after complaining about Bernie's lack of support in 2016," Vietor tweeted.
This is inexcusable. If Bernie wins the nomination, we all need to work our asses off to help him win. If someone else is the nominee, we all do the same for them. Don't kick up this bullshit right before Iowa, especially after complaining about Bernie's lack of support in 2016. https://t.co/VXKCixb4Ci — Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) January 21, 2020
Vietor's sentiments were echoed by other Democrats, including Sanders-aligned strategist Peter Daou. He advised the former first lady, New York senator, and secretary of state during the 2008 and 2016 election cycles.
"This broadside against #Bernie is profoundly wrong. Especially since it echoes the erasure of his diverse coalition by pushing the 'bro' narrative," he wrote.
NO, HILLARY CLINTON, NO.
I have diligently avoided attacking @HillaryClinton as I embraced #NotMeUs.
But this broadside against #Bernie is profoundly wrong. Especially since it echoes the erasure of his diverse coalition by pushing the "bro" narrative.https://t.co/JUoDI5c9SZ — Peter Daou (@peterdaou) January 21, 2020
Economics Nobel laureate and liberal New York Times opinion writer Paul Krugman added it wasn't "OK" to encourage disunity.
Disliking Sanders is OK. Not committing to support him if he is the nominee isn't. If you are horrified by Trump, you should be ready to go all-out for ANY Democratic nominee. https://t.co/zRlPCRKHF3 — Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) January 21, 2020
Clinton made the remarks in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter to promote the four-part Hulu documentary set for release in March after the Feb. 3 opening Iowa caucuses.
"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 says in the series about the former House lawmaker and former mayor of Burlington, Vermont.
Those weren't the only harsh words she had for supporters of Sanders, dredging up allegations of sexism. Clinton's comments coincide with last week's drama involving Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 70, who accused Sanders of saying in a 2018 private conversation that he didn't believe a woman could clinch the presidency. He has denied her claims.
“It's not only him, it's the culture around him. It's his leadership team. It's his prominent supporters. It's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors, particularly the women. And I really hope people are paying attention to that because it should be worrisome that he has permitted this culture — not only permitted, [he] seems to really be very much supporting it," she told the Hollywood Reporter.
Sanders, on Tuesday, dismissed the flap ahead of the start of Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate.
“Today we’re dealing with a monumental day in American history. We’re dealing with New Hampshire, we’re dealing with Iowa. It’s keeping me busy," he told reporters on Capitol Hill.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--WATCH LIVE: Trump's Senate impeachment trial begins

President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial will begin at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday after the chamber convenes for the @ @ @ @ @ Chief Justice John Roberts swore senators in as jurors last week .
Lawmakers are expected @ @ @ @ @ resolution setting the guidelines for how the trial will proceed .

President Trump's Senate impeachment trial will begin at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday after the chamber convenes for the first time since Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts swore senators in as jurors last week.
Lawmakers are expected to first vote on a resolution setting the guidelines for how the trial will proceed.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Civil War II: Gun control could push Virginia counties to join West Virginia

West Virginia lawmakers are scrambling to let rural Virginia counties join the Mountain State amid conservative voter anger with the new Democratic majority in Richmond and its push for gun control and other liberal initiatives .
In a building fight that echoes the Civil War-era split of the Old Dominion that created West Virginia in 1863 , 40 of 100 West Virginia House delegates have signed on to legislation that would accept revolting Virginia counties and towns .
The effort began after the November elections when urban and suburban voters put the Virginia General Assembly into Democratic hands .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of restricting and banning guns .
“ We ’ re starting to get some phone calls from friends on the border who say these folks want to leave , ” said West Virginia Del .
Gary Howell .
Howell , a Republican , told Secrets that what started off as a long-shot effort “ has turned into a real thing.
” He said that Virginia lawmakers and officials along the West Virginia border have cited the Democratic drive for gun control and desire to shift spending to the urban areas near Washington as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his bill , HCR 8 , Howell and his team wrote about the urban-rural battle .
“ These tensions have been compounded by a perception of contempt on the part of the government at Richmond for the differences in certain fundamental political and societal principles which prevail between the varied counties and cities of that Commonwealth.
” He also cited gun control , a huge fight on display in Richmond Monday when some 22,000 gun owners protested restrictions sweeping through the state Senate .
There is no new push for gun control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest , and most evident , in this string of grievances , the government at Richmond now seeks to place intolerable restraints upon the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution to the citizens of that Commonwealth , ” said the Howell legislation , now before the rules committee .
Howell is on the rules committee and is also the chairman of Government Organization Committee .
The bottom line in the legislation : “ In a spirit of conciliation , the legislature of West Virginia hereby extends an invitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so , to join us in our noble experiment of 156 years of separation from the government at Richmond ; and , we extend an invitation to any constituent county or city of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be admitted to the body politic of the state of West Virginia.
” One county that could lead the way with or without the legislation is Frederick , some 70 miles from Washington .
It still has an open invitation from the 1800s to join West Virginia , and some members of the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vote to leave .
In the West Virginia Senate , Sen. Charles Trump has offered a resolution urging Frederick County to join West Virginia .
Closer to D.C. , Loudoun County was recently home to a short-lived effort to split , with some in the more rural and conservative western half — which borders West Virginia — bidding to create their own county called Catoctin for the mountains that provide a border .
Howell said that he has a team working on how any merger would work .
He said that since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be easy to merge police and infrastructure .
He also said that border shifts do not need federal approval .
“ We ’ ve been looking way down the road .
Once we realized that this was getting very real , we figured that we have to have answers for this , we have to have a plan in place , that ’ s what we ’ ve been discussing , ” he told Secrets .

West Virginia lawmakers are scrambling to let rural Virginia counties join the Mountain State amid conservative voter anger with the new Democratic majority in Richmond and its push for gun control and other liberal initiatives.
In a building fight that echoes the Civil War-era split of the Old Dominion that created West Virginia in 1863, 40 of 100 West Virginia House delegates have signed on to legislation that would accept revolting Virginia counties and towns.
The effort began after the November elections when urban and suburban voters put the Virginia General Assembly into Democratic hands. Many of those Democrats ran on a platform of restricting and banning guns.
“We’re starting to get some phone calls from friends on the border who say these folks want to leave,” said West Virginia Del. Gary Howell.
Howell, a Republican, told Secrets that what started off as a long-shot effort “has turned into a real thing.”
He said that Virginia lawmakers and officials along the West Virginia border have cited the Democratic drive for gun control and desire to shift spending to the urban areas near Washington as reasons to leave for West Virginia.
In his bill, HCR 8, Howell and his team wrote about the urban-rural battle: “These tensions have been compounded by a perception of contempt on the part of the government at Richmond for the differences in certain fundamental political and societal principles which prevail between the varied counties and cities of that Commonwealth.”
He also cited gun control, a huge fight on display in Richmond Monday when some 22,000 gun owners protested restrictions sweeping through the state Senate. There is no new push for gun control in West Virginia.
“In the latest, and most evident, in this string of grievances, the government at Richmond now seeks to place intolerable restraints upon the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution to the citizens of that Commonwealth,” said the Howell legislation, now before the rules committee. Howell is on the rules committee and is also the chairman of the Government Organization Committee.
The bottom line in the legislation: “In a spirit of conciliation, the legislature of West Virginia hereby extends an invitation to our fellow Virginians who wish to do so, to join us in our noble experiment of 156 years of separation from the government at Richmond; and, we extend an invitation to any constituent county or city of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be admitted to the body politic of the state of West Virginia.”
One county that could lead the way with or without the legislation is Frederick, some 70 miles from Washington. It still has an open invitation from the 1800s to join West Virginia, and some members of the county board of supervisors have expressed support for a vote to leave.
In the West Virginia Senate, Sen. Charles Trump has offered a resolution urging Frederick County to join West Virginia.
Closer to Washington, Loudoun County was recently home to a short-lived effort to split, with some in the more rural and conservative western half, which borders West Virginia, bidding to create their own county called Catoctin for the mountains that provide a border.
Howell said that he has a team working on how any merger would work. He said that since West Virginia operates much like Virginia, it would be easy to merge police and infrastructure.
He also said that border shifts do not need federal approval.
“We’ve been looking way down the road. Once we realized that this was getting very real, we figured that we have to have answers for this, we have to have a plan in place. That’s what we’ve been discussing,” he told Secrets.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Trump approval ‘the best of his presidency': Gallup

The approval rating gap for President Trump between Democrats and Republicans has hit an all-time high , the latest sign that political bipartisanship is dead .
The gulf between how partisans view the Republican president has reached 82 points , easily overtaking the 77-point gap when former President Barack Obama left office .
But according to the latest Gallup survey , the historic divide isn ’ t hurting Trump ’ s overall approval rating , which is now at its average highest , 42 % , and is sitting at his highest quarterly Gallup rating , 43.3 % .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval during his third year in office , an improvement over his 38 % first-year and 40 % second-year averages , ” according to the poll analysis .
“ Trump 's third-year average is not far behind Obama 's 44.5 % or Reagan 's 44.9 % averages at the same point in their presidencies .
However , it still ranks among the lowest year three averages for any president elected to their first term since World War II , surpassing only Jimmy Carter 's 37.4 % .
” That 42 % average for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump as he readies for the Senate impeachment trial and the 2020 election .
It is the latest survey to show that impeachment is helping the president .
“ Trump 's most recent approval ratings — between 43 % and 45 % in November through January — are some of the best of his presidency , ” according to Gallup .
Still , the survey focused on the gap .
Gallup found that just 7 % of Democrats approve of Trump , the lowest number on its new chart .
Some 89 % @ @ @ @

The approval rating gap for President Trump between Democrats and Republicans has hit an all-time high, the latest sign that political bipartisanship is dead.
The gulf between how partisans view the Republican president has reached 82 points, easily overtaking the 77-point gap when former President Barack Obama left office.
But according to the latest Gallup survey, the historic divide isn’t hurting Trump’s overall approval rating, which is now at its average highest, 42%, and is sitting at his highest quarterly Gallup rating, 43.3%.
“Overall, Trump averaged 42% job approval during his third year in office, an improvement over his 38% first-year and 40% second-year averages,” according to the poll analysis. “Trump's third-year average is not far behind Obama's 44.5% or Reagan's 44.9% averages at the same point in their presidencies. However, it still ranks among the lowest year three averages for any president elected to their first term since World War II, surpassing only Jimmy Carter's 37.4%.”
That 42% average for the president shows a steady uptick for Trump as he readies for the Senate impeachment trial and the 2020 election. It is the latest survey to show that impeachment is helping the president.
“Trump's most recent approval ratings — between 43% and 45% in November through January — are some of the best of his presidency,” according to Gallup.
Still, the survey focused on the gap. Gallup found that just 7% of Democrats approve of Trump, the lowest number on its new chart. Some 89% of Republicans approve.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Democrats not sure a woman can win against Trump

CONCORD , New Hampshire — Elizabeth Warren ’ s allegation that Bernie Sanders told her in 2018 that he did not think a woman could win the presidency in 2020 sparked outrage and allegations of sexism .
But a portion of Democratic primary voters agrees with the sentiment .
Nearly 1 in 6 likely New Hampshire Democratic in a Suffolk University/ Boston Globe poll released Tuesday said that they did not think a woman candidate can win enough votes from the Electoral College to defeat President Trump in 2020 .
Another 6.6 % were not sure .
Sanders , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts senator that he did not think a woman can win .
He conceded on Sunday , though , that gender could be a “ problem ” for female candidates , similar to how race was a challenge for President Barack Obama .
Early state voters have overwhelmingly focused on Democratic presidential hopefuls ’ “ electability ” versus Trump in a general election .
A January Economist/YouGov found that 62 % of likely Democratic primary voters and caucusgoers nationally would prefer a nominee who can beat Trump in a general election rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
Just as they scrutinize the ages of Sanders , 78 , and former vice president Joe Biden , 77 , it seems some voters find that gender is also a characteristic impossible to ignore .
“ It is obviously an uphill battle sometimes because there 's still a lot of people that are concerned about gender , ” said Deputy New Hampshire House Speaker Karen Ebel , who has endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota .
“ But I for one have n't exactly encountered it , and I 'm in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters might personally want a woman nominee , they worry what neighbors might think in a general election — particularly since many did not foresee Trump defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Many blamed her loss on sexism .
A few voters simply prefer a male president over a female one .
“ I think a man should be the leader , ” retired Florence , South Carolina , resident Jackie Myers , 67 , the Washington Examiner at a Joe Biden event in October .
“ A woman is fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't take the place of a man.
” Hillary Clinton warned women candidates about the disadvantage their gender brings .
`` Look , you can run the best campaign , but you 're going to have to be even better than your best campaign to overcome some of the unfairness that will be directed at you as a woman , '' she recalled telling the female 2020 contenders in an published Tuesday .
In some ways , being a female candidate could be a boost .
Democratic primary voters in early voting states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female candidate — or if not a woman nominee then a female vice presidential pick .
Warren often says on the campaign trail that there is a lot a president can do “ all by herself ” to rapturous applause .
The New York Times on Sunday endorsed both Warren and Klobuchar , the two highest-polling candidates left in the race .
“ May the best woman win , ” the editorial board said .
Ebel noted that despite concerns about women being electable versus Trump , Clinton won the popular vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of factions together that perhaps men ca n't , ” she said .
`` It should be viewed as an asset , not an issue . ''

CONCORD, New Hampshire — Elizabeth Warren’s allegation that Bernie Sanders told her in 2018 that he did not think a woman could win the presidency in 2020 sparked outrage and allegations of sexism. But a portion of Democratic primary voters agrees with the sentiment.
Nearly 1 in 6 likely New Hampshire Democratic primary voters in a Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll released Tuesday said that they did not think a woman candidate can win enough votes from the Electoral College to defeat President Trump in 2020. Another 6.6% were not sure.
Sanders, a Vermont senator, has denied telling the Massachusetts senator that he did not think a woman can win. He conceded on Sunday, though, that gender could be a “problem” for female candidates, similar to how race was a challenge for President Barack Obama.
Early state voters have overwhelmingly focused on Democratic presidential hopefuls’ “electability” versus Trump in a general election. A January Economist/YouGov poll found that 62% of likely Democratic primary voters and caucusgoers nationally would prefer a nominee who can beat Trump in a general election rather than one with whom they agree on most issues.
Just as they scrutinize the ages of Sanders, 78, and former vice president Joe Biden, 77, it seems some voters find that gender is also a characteristic impossible to ignore.
“It is obviously an uphill battle sometimes because there's still a lot of people that are concerned about gender,” said Deputy New Hampshire House Speaker Karen Ebel, who has endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota. “But I for one haven't exactly encountered it, and I'm in a very purple state."
While voters might personally want a woman nominee, they worry what neighbors might think in a general election — particularly since many did not foresee Trump defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. Many blamed her loss on sexism.
A few voters simply prefer a male president over a female one.
“I think a man should be the leader,” retired Florence, South Carolina, resident Jackie Myers, 67, told the Washington Examiner at a Joe Biden event in October. “A woman is fine, but you know, you can't take the place of a man.”
Hillary Clinton warned women candidates about the disadvantage their gender brings.
"Look, you can run the best campaign, but you're going to have to be even better than your best campaign to overcome some of the unfairness that will be directed at you as a woman," she recalled telling the female 2020 contenders in an interview published Tuesday.
In some ways, being a female candidate could be a boost. Democratic primary voters in early voting states often express that they would prefer a female candidate — or if not a woman nominee then a female vice presidential pick. Warren often says on the campaign trail that there is a lot a president can do “all by herself” to rapturous applause.
The New York Times on Sunday endorsed both Warren and Klobuchar, the two highest-polling candidates left in the race. “May the best woman win,” the editorial board said.
Ebel noted that despite concerns about women being electable versus Trump, Clinton won the popular vote in 2016.
"Women can pull a lot of factions together that perhaps men can't,” she said. "It should be viewed as an asset, not an issue."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Hillary Clinton already got Trump elected: Can she now get Bernie Sanders nominated as well?

Hillary Clinton 's bitter remarks about Sen. Bernie Sanders take me back to the good old days — to 2016 and the worst presidential campaign in modern U.S. history .
Clinton had two main problems when she ran in 2016 .
The first is that she might be the least sincere person ever to run for office .
The second is that she also comes across as the least sincere person ever to run for office .
Her personal flaws , combined with her campaign 's disastrous strategic miscalculations , caused her to lose an unlosable presidential race against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % on the day of the election .
Some days I still laugh when I think about the fact that Donald Trump actually won and became president .
But Clinton 's inability to take responsibility for her own role in making this happen only compounds the hilarity .
She keeps leaving the impression that it was Vladimir Putin who prevented her from visiting Wisconsin even once during the general election campaign ; who caused her to lose formerly competitive Iowa and Ohio by near-landslide margins ; and who took her campaign by surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening 's talk of a surge in Hispanic voters there gave way to a disastrous defeat .
Not satisfied , Clinton is now back for more .
Still unable to own up to her faults , she is now savaging Bernie Sanders for the sin of running an actual campaign — you know , the kind where you make the case that you are the better candidate and your opponents are worse .
Yes , even if they are women , by gosh !
“ We 're still in a very vigorous primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will say , however , that it 's not only him , it 's the culture around him .
It 's his leadership team .
It 's his prominent supporters .
It 's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors , particularly the women.
” Of Sanders , Clinton added that `` nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done.
” She also refused to say whether she would support him if he were nominated .
Sanders delivered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a bit of humor : `` On a good day , my wife likes me , '' he said .
`` So let 's clear the air on that one . ''
I believe that Sanders is a utopian ideologue with lots of terrible , dangerous ideas for the country and very little practical knowledge of anything .
But if you think he 's a sexist just for being a man and trying to win , then you 're just not a serious person .
Among Democratic primary voters , he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entitled Clinton , who had the presidency in her hand and gave it over to Trump .

Hillary Clinton's bitter remarks about Sen. Bernie Sanders take me back to the good old days — to 2016 and the worst presidential campaign in modern U.S. history.
Clinton had two main problems when she ran in 2016. The first is that she might be the least sincere person ever to run for office. The second is that she also comes across as the least sincere person ever to run for office. Her personal flaws, combined with her campaign's disastrous strategic miscalculations, caused her to lose an unlosable presidential race against a candidate whose approval rating was under 40% on the day of the election.
Some days I still laugh when I think about the fact that Donald Trump actually won and became president. But Clinton's inability to take responsibility for her own role in making this happen only compounds the hilarity. She keeps leaving the impression that it was Vladimir Putin who prevented her from visiting Wisconsin even once during the general election campaign; who caused her to lose formerly competitive Iowa and Ohio by near-landslide margins; and who took her campaign by surprise in Florida, such that the early evening's talk of a surge in Hispanic voters there gave way to a disastrous defeat.
Not satisfied, Clinton is now back for more. Still unable to own up to her faults, she is now savaging Bernie Sanders for the sin of running an actual campaign — you know, the kind where you make the case that you are the better candidate and your opponents are worse. Yes, even if they are women, by gosh!
“We're still in a very vigorous primary season," she said. "I will say, however, that it's not only him, it's the culture around him. It's his leadership team. It's his prominent supporters. It's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors, particularly the women.”
Of Sanders, Clinton added that "nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done.” She also refused to say whether she would support him if he were nominated.
Sanders delivered the only appropriate rebuttal — he ridiculed her with a bit of humor: "On a good day, my wife likes me," he said. "So let's clear the air on that one."
I believe that Sanders is a utopian ideologue with lots of terrible, dangerous ideas for the country and very little practical knowledge of anything. But if you think he's a sexist just for being a man and trying to win, then you're just not a serious person. Among Democratic primary voters, he can only benefit from the poisonous whining of the entitled Clinton, who had the presidency in her hand and gave it over to Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Elon Musk trolls Joe Biden with sniffing meme after he called tech giants 'little creeps'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk mocked Joe Biden after the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate railed against video game designers and Silicon Valley leaders .
Musk shared a meme of the former vice president sniffing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg 's hair .
The meme was captioned , `` Truth or Dare .
7 PM sharp presidential suite , '' and is based on a viral photo of Biden in which he appears to be sniffing the wife of former defense secretary Ash Carter .
Biden , 77 , ripped into Silicon Valley in an interview that was published Friday .
`` At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creeps sitting around that table , who was a multi- — close to a billionaire — who told me he was an artist because he was able to come up with games to teach you how to kill people , '' the Delaware Democrat said about a meeting he had with a tech leader .
The former vice president expressed a particular dislike for Zuckerberg and claimed that the Facebook founder could write false things and `` be exempt from being sued , '' unlike traditional media outlets .
`` I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think he ’ s a real problem , '' he said .
Before he announced his 2020 bid , Biden was accused of inappropriate touching , including smelling , kissing , and rubbing , by several women .
He addressed the allegations by saying , `` I ’ m not sorry for any of my intentions .
I ’ m not sorry for anything that I have ever done .
I have never been disrespectful intentionally to a man or a woman . ''
After he hopped on the campaign trail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa teacher told the Washington Examiner in September that Biden abruptly seized her hands and clung onto them without her permission and called the encounter `` really uncomfortable . ''

Tesla CEO Elon Musk mocked Joe Biden after the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate railed against video game designers and Silicon Valley leaders.
Musk shared a meme of the former vice president sniffing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's hair. The meme was captioned, "Truth or Dare. 7 PM sharp presidential suite," and is based on a viral photo of Biden in which he appears to be sniffing the wife of former defense secretary Ash Carter.
Biden, 77, ripped into Silicon Valley in an interview that was published Friday.
"At one point, one of the little creeps sitting around that table, who was a multi- — close to a billionaire — who told me he was an artist because he was able to come up with games to teach you how to kill people," the Delaware Democrat said about a meeting he had with a tech leader.
The former vice president expressed a particular dislike for Zuckerberg and claimed that the Facebook founder could write false things and "be exempt from being sued," unlike traditional media outlets.
"I’ve never been a big Zuckerberg fan. I think he’s a real problem," he said.
Before he announced his 2020 bid, Biden was accused of inappropriate touching, including smelling, kissing, and rubbing, by several women. He addressed the allegations by saying, "I’m not sorry for any of my intentions. I’m not sorry for anything that I have ever done. I have never been disrespectful intentionally to a man or a woman."
After he hopped on the campaign trail, the claims didn't stop. An Iowa teacher told the Washington Examiner in September that Biden abruptly seized her hands and clung onto them without her permission and called the encounter "really uncomfortable."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Yoga lessons from 'namaste teacher' a perk for Steyer campaign aides

2020 Democrat Tom Steyer 's campaign paid for aides to attend yoga classes at a San Francisco studio .
A Federal Election Committee form pointed out by the Daily Caller 's Andrew Kerr on Tuesday showed that the billionaire activist 's team spent $ 600 on yoga lessons for aides .
The campaign spent $ 300 on the classes by instructor Sophia Mallie in August 2019 and another $ 300 just a month later .
`` Currently I 've had the pleasure to work with the employees of Tom Steyer .
We meet on a weekly basis during their lunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In my yoga class you will have the opportunity to chant , to harmonize your voice with those around you and as a side effect you might love yourself and your voice even more ! ''
her website reads .
`` When we sing we create a healing vibration from deep inside that reverberates through our body and into our world . ''
The instructor 's biography on IloveNamaste.com further details her experience , saying , `` Meet your Namaste Teacher , Sophia Mallie ... As a former modern dancer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the struggle to feel good in her own body . ''
Mallie said her superpower is `` compassion '' and that before yoga , she struggled `` to feel good in my own body and in my own skin . ''
Steyer , 62 , participated in the seventh Democratic debate in Iowa after surprising analysts with a dramatic bump in South Carolina and Nevada primary polling ahead of the February caucuses and primaries .
He has reportedly spent more than $ 100 million on ads since the start of his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % support in the latest national average from RealClearPolitics .

2020 Democrat Tom Steyer's campaign paid for aides to attend yoga classes at a San Francisco studio.
A Federal Election Committee form pointed out by the Daily Caller's Andrew Kerr on Tuesday showed that the billionaire activist's team spent $600 on yoga lessons for aides. The campaign spent $300 on the classes by instructor Sophia Mallie in August 2019 and another $300 just a month later.
Tom Steyer's campaign has spent $600 on yoga lessons. pic.twitter.com/P9cVTKFRhb — Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) January 21, 2020
"Currently I've had the pleasure to work with the employees of Tom Steyer. We meet on a weekly basis during their lunch break," Mallie wrote on LinkedIn.
"In my yoga class you will have the opportunity to chant, to harmonize your voice with those around you and as a side effect you might love yourself and your voice even more!" her website reads. "When we sing we create a healing vibration from deep inside that reverberates through our body and into our world."
The instructor's biography on IloveNamaste.com further details her experience, saying, "Meet your Namaste Teacher, Sophia Mallie ... As a former modern dancer, Sophia found freedom in her yoga practice from the struggle to feel good in her own body."
Mallie said her superpower is "compassion" and that before yoga, she struggled "to feel good in my own body and in my own skin."
Steyer, 62, participated in the seventh Democratic debate in Iowa after surprising analysts with a dramatic bump in South Carolina and Nevada primary polling ahead of the February caucuses and primaries. He has reportedly spent more than $100 million on ads since the start of his campaign in August and is polling at 2.4% support in the latest national average from RealClearPolitics.