thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--Ted Cruz acknowledges 'pretty cocky kid' past: 'Needed to get my teeth kicked in'

Ted Cruz admits that he 's cocky — or at least that he was before being humbled in the `` backwaters '' of the Bush administration .
The experience forced the ultra-ambitious Texan to alter his personal and political trajectories , changes that he says benefited him .
The Texas senator has long been known for his pugnacity and for being deeply reviled by leaders on both sides of the aisle .
A former college roommate of his once said , “ One thing Ted Cruz is really good at : uniting people who otherwise disagree about everything else in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same time , he has a reputation as a brilliant debater and a hardcore conservative , traits that have endeared him to many Republican voters .
Now in his second term in the Senate and having finished as the runner-up in the 2016 GOP presidential primary , Cruz acknowledges that he began politics as an arrogant overachiever .
`` On the Bush campaign , as a kid , I was a pretty cocky kid , '' Cruz said in a wide-ranging interview with the Washington Examiner in his office in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law School , he left the more lucrative path of a legal career to spend a year and a half on then-Gov .
George W. Bush 's first presidential campaign in 2000 instead .
Besides rubbing shoulders with the upper echelons of the Republican Party , he also met his wife on the campaign trail .
She went on to become an economic director in Bush 's National Security Council , but Cruz was not rewarded with a high-profile role in the White House as he had hoped and expected .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission working on policy — far away from the spotlight and action that he craved .
Cruz said that being a `` cocky know-it-all '' did n't produce success .
He was `` very , very frustrated '' at the time .
`` I think it changed my personality — and in a very fundamental way , '' Cruz said .
`` Without going through that experience , I think there 's no way I could have been elected to the Senate , '' he said .
Cruz said he `` needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and learn that some of `` God 's greatest gifts are in unanswered prayers . ''
His at times abrasive , overconfident persona has rubbed people the wrong way in more recent times too .
Cruz was at one point so unpopular on Capitol Hill that his colleague Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2016 joked that `` if you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate and the trial was in the Senate , nobody would convict you . ''
Cruz , though , has succeeded in building bridges with President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center of the party in the past few years .
In 2018 , Graham reversed himself and said : `` I like Ted Cruz .
I wouldn ’ t have said that two years ago … I think he ’ s got unlimited talent.
” After working on Bush 's presidential campaign , Cruz said , he desperately wanted to be like the character portrayed by Michael J .
Fox in the movie The American President , where he would be `` the young , principled idealist standing in the Oval Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done .
That dream of his did n't materialize at the time , but soon thereafter , he was invited to return to his home state of Texas to become solicitor general from 2003 to 2008 .
This opportunity eventually allowed him to build up his political credentials to run for office himself .
Back in Texas , he spent a lot of time in people 's living rooms understanding how grassroots movements are built , which was essential to his unexpected , come-from-behind victory during the 2012 Republican Senate primary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state now , Cruz said that he `` tends to be a pretty relaxed person '' who does n't have a lot of things outside of politics that make him anxious .
Instead , he enjoys playing basketball every week and watching films .
Cruz says he spends most of his downtime with his family .
He admits that as a parent , he does naturally have worries about his girls , who are in third grade and sixth grade , but otherwise , he does n't have much that stresses him out @

Ted Cruz admits that he's cocky — or at least that he was before being humbled in the "backwaters" of the Bush administration. The experience forced the ultra-ambitious Texan to alter his personal and political trajectories, changes that he says benefited him.
The Texas senator has long been known for his pugnacity and for being deeply reviled by leaders on both sides of the aisle. A former college roommate of his once said, “One thing Ted Cruz is really good at: uniting people who otherwise disagree about everything else in a total hatred of Ted Cruz.”
At the same time, he has a reputation as a brilliant debater and a hardcore conservative, traits that have endeared him to many Republican voters. Now in his second term in the Senate and having finished as the runner-up in the 2016 GOP presidential primary, Cruz acknowledges that he began politics as an arrogant overachiever.
"On the Bush campaign, as a kid, I was a pretty cocky kid," Cruz said in a wide-ranging interview with the Washington Examiner in his office in the Russell Senate Office Building.
After Harvard Law School, he left the more lucrative path of a legal career to spend a year and a half on then-Gov. George W. Bush's first presidential campaign in 2000 instead. Besides rubbing shoulders with the upper echelons of the Republican Party, he also met his wife on the campaign trail. She went on to become an economic director in Bush's National Security Council, but Cruz was not rewarded with a high-profile role in the White House as he had hoped and expected. Instead, he was placed at the Federal Trade Commission working on policy — far away from the spotlight and action that he craved. Cruz said that being a "cocky know-it-all" didn't produce success.
He was "very, very frustrated" at the time. "I think it changed my personality — and in a very fundamental way," Cruz said.
"Without going through that experience, I think there's no way I could have been elected to the Senate," he said.
Cruz said he "needed to get [his] teeth kicked in" and learn that some of "God's greatest gifts are in unanswered prayers."
His at times abrasive, overconfident persona has rubbed people the wrong way in more recent times too. Cruz was at one point so unpopular on Capitol Hill that his colleague Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2016 joked that "if you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you."
Cruz, though, has succeeded in building bridges with President Trump and key senators while moving toward the center of the party in the past few years.
In 2018, Graham reversed himself and said: "I like Ted Cruz. I wouldn’t have said that two years ago … I think he’s got unlimited talent.”
After working on Bush's presidential campaign, Cruz said, he desperately wanted to be like the character portrayed by Michael J. Fox in the movie The American President, where he would be "the young, principled idealist standing in the Oval Office" telling the president what needed to be done.
That dream of his didn't materialize at the time, but soon thereafter, he was invited to return to his home state of Texas to become solicitor general from 2003 to 2008. This opportunity eventually allowed him to build up his political credentials to run for office himself. Back in Texas, he spent a lot of time in people's living rooms understanding how grassroots movements are built, which was essential to his unexpected, come-from-behind victory during the 2012 Republican Senate primary in Texas.
When asked about his mental state now, Cruz said that he "tends to be a pretty relaxed person" who doesn't have a lot of things outside of politics that make him anxious. Instead, he enjoys playing basketball every week and watching films.
Cruz says he spends most of his downtime with his family. He admits that as a parent, he does naturally have worries about his girls, who are in third grade and sixth grade, but otherwise, he doesn't have much that stresses him out.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot blasts Lara Trump: 'Show some decency'

Captain Chesley `` Sully '' Sullenberger , the retired pilot who safely landed an airplane on the Hudson river in 2009 , slammed Lara Trump in an op-ed on Saturday .
`` Whether you stuttered as a child or laughed at one who did ; whether as a parent you try to protect your own stuttering child from taunts such as those made by the president ’ s daughter-in-law ; these words come without hesitation : Stop .
Grow up .
Show some decency .
People who can ’ t have no place in public life , '' Sullenberger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
Sullenberg discloses that he is a supporter of Joe Biden for president , noting that he attended a fundraiser for the former vice president in 2019 .
However , he believes Trump 's mocking of Biden `` goes beyond politics . ''
The incident Sullenberg refers to occurred at a campaign event for President Trump on Thursday in Iowa , where Lara Trump ostensibly mocked Biden 's stutter on debate stages .
`` I feel kind of sad for Biden ...
I 'm supposed to want him to fail at every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onstage or they turn to him , I 'm like , 'Joe , can you get it out ?
Let 's get the words out , Joe , '' said the president 's daughter-in-law .
Lara Trump denied the accusation that she mocked Biden in a tweet on Friday , citing it as `` another example of the egregious reporting we see every day in the mainstream media . ''

Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the retired pilot who safely landed an airplane on the Hudson river in 2009, slammed Lara Trump in an op-ed on Saturday.
"Whether you stuttered as a child or laughed at one who did; whether as a parent you try to protect your own stuttering child from taunts such as those made by the president’s daughter-in-law; these words come without hesitation: Stop. Grow up. Show some decency. People who can’t have no place in public life," Sullenberger, 68, wrote in the New York Times.
Sullenberg discloses that he is a supporter of Joe Biden for president, noting that he attended a fundraiser for the former vice president in 2019. However, he believes Trump's mocking of Biden "goes beyond politics." The incident Sullenberg refers to occurred at a campaign event for President Trump on Thursday in Iowa, where Lara Trump ostensibly mocked Biden's stutter on debate stages.
"I feel kind of sad for Biden ... I'm supposed to want him to fail at every turn, but every time he comes onstage or they turn to him, I'm like, 'Joe, can you get it out? Let's get the words out, Joe," said the president's daughter-in-law.
Here’s @LaraLeaTrump at Trump event in Iowa mocking Biden for stuttering: "I feel kind of sad for Biden ... I'm supposed to want him to fail at every turn, but every time they turn to him I'm like, 'Joe can you get it out? Let's get the words out Joe.’” pic.twitter.com/0inN9wXYJF — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 17, 2020
Lara Trump denied the accusation that she mocked Biden in a tweet on Friday, citing it as "another example of the egregious reporting we see every day in the mainstream media."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--'I can kick the field goal that wins the game': Dershowitz lays out plan for defending Trump in Sena

'I can kick the field goal that wins the game': Dershowitz lays out plan for defending Trump in Senate trial

Former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz boasted that he planned to serve as President Trump 's ace in the hole as the White House mounts an impeachment defense .
`` I ’ m the kicker , and I can kick the field goal that wins the game , '' Dershowitz said Sunday on CNN 's State of the Union .
Dershowitz was named Friday as a late addition to the president 's team of lawyers preparing to argue on his behalf during next week 's impeachment trial in the Senate , which is slated to begin on Tuesday .
Dershowitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighting before a jury of 100 senators what the White House says is a lack of constitutional criteria meriting Trump 's removal from office .
`` In the Constitution , the framers ' debates , the Federalist Papers , and the history of the three prior impeachment cases , '' Dershowitz said about his area of focus .
`` I will be presenting a very strong argument . ''
House Democrats pushed through two articles of impeachment late last year , the first for abuse of power and the other for obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's relations with Ukraine and a July 25 , 2019 phone call , during which he pressured the president of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden .
An intelligence community whistleblower reported the incident , sparking the House investigation .
Over the weekend , House impeachment managers laid out their case against Trump in a legal briefing .
“ The case against the President of the United States is simple , the facts are indisputable , and the evidence is overwhelming , '' they said in a joint statement after filing the brief .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his office to solicit foreign interference in our elections for his own personal political gain , thereby jeopardizing our national security , the integrity of our elections , and our democracy . ''
The White House legal team also laid out its strategy in a court brief of its own .
“ The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president , '' Trump 's lawyers said .
`` This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere with the 2020 election now just months away.
” Dershowitz has been openly critical of Democrats ' impeachment push since it began last fall .
But he has also been critical of Trump in the past and claims to have voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
`` It is a common role that lawyers play to be specialized lawyers of counsel on particular constitutional issues , '' Dershowitz said of his responsibility on Trump 's legal team .
`` That is what I will be doing . ''

Former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz boasted that he planned to serve as President Trump's ace in the hole as the White House mounts an impeachment defense.
"I’m the kicker, and I can kick the field goal that wins the game," Dershowitz said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union.
Dershowitz was named Friday as a late addition to the president's team of lawyers preparing to argue on his behalf during next week's impeachment trial in the Senate, which is slated to begin on Tuesday. Dershowitz said he would be focused strictly on highlighting before a jury of 100 senators what the White House says is a lack of constitutional criteria meriting Trump's removal from office.
"In the Constitution, the framers' debates, the Federalist Papers, and the history of the three prior impeachment cases," Dershowitz said about his area of focus. "I will be presenting a very strong argument."
House Democrats pushed through two articles of impeachment late last year, the first for abuse of power and the other for obstruction of Congress. The impeachment centers on Trump's relations with Ukraine and a July 25, 2019 phone call, during which he pressured the president of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. An intelligence community whistleblower reported the incident, sparking the House investigation.
Over the weekend, House impeachment managers laid out their case against Trump in a legal briefing.
“The case against the President of the United States is simple, the facts are indisputable, and the evidence is overwhelming," they said in a joint statement after filing the brief. "President Trump abused the power of his office to solicit foreign interference in our elections for his own personal political gain, thereby jeopardizing our national security, the integrity of our elections, and our democracy."
The White House legal team also laid out its strategy in a court brief of its own.
“The articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats are a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president," Trump's lawyers said. "This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election now just months away.”
Dershowitz has been openly critical of Democrats' impeachment push since it began last fall. But he has also been critical of Trump in the past and claims to have voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
"It is a common role that lawyers play to be specialized lawyers of counsel on particular constitutional issues," Dershowitz said of his responsibility on Trump's legal team. "That is what I will be doing."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--Bernie Sanders: Gender a 'problem' for female candidates

Sen. Bernie Sanders riled up tensions between him and fellow left-wing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren by saying that being a woman , like other characteristics , poses a problem for presidential hopefuls .
“ I think everybody has their own sets of problems .
I ’ m 78 years of age , that ’ s a problem , ” Sanders said in an interview Sunday when asked if gender is still an obstacle for female politicians .
“ If you ’ re looking at [ former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete ] Buttigieg , he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , well , he ’ s too young to be president .
You look at Elizabeth , she is a woman .
Everybody brings some negatives , if you ’ d like . ''
“ I would just hope very much that the American people look at the totality of a candidate , not at their gender , not at their sexuality , not at their age , but at everything .
You know , nobody is perfect , ” he added .
Sanders 's comments come nearly a week after Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of saying in a private 2018 meeting that he did not think a woman could be president .
He denied making that statement , and in a `` hot mic '' moment following a Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday , Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar on national television .
Earlier in the interview , Sanders said he did not want to talk about the details of the private conversation but reiterated that he thinks a woman could become president in 2020 .
“ It is hard for me to imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe that a woman could become president in the United States .
And if you check my record , I 've been saying that for 30 years , '' Sanders said .
He mentioned that he waited to announce his presidential candidacy in 2016 until after Warren indicated that she did not want to run .
A senior Sanders aide responded to outrage over the candidate 's phrasing and disagreement that being a woman or gay is a problem by calling the reactions `` a bummer . ''
`` Bernie is stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is going to use racism , sexism , ageism , homophobia in the general election , '' Sanders communications director Mike Casca said in a tweet .
Later on Sunday , the Vermont senator clarified his remarks .
“ There is a lot of bigotry .
There 's a lot of sexism .
There 's a lot of racism .
Think about what Barack Obama had to go through .
There ’ s a lot of ageism .
There is anti-Semitism .
There is homophobia , '' Sanders told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not have to deal with those issues ?
“

Sen. Bernie Sanders riled up tensions between him and fellow left-wing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren by saying that being a woman, like other characteristics, poses a problem for presidential hopefuls.
“I think everybody has their own sets of problems. I’m 78 years of age, that’s a problem,” Sanders said in an interview Sunday when asked if gender is still an obstacle for female politicians. “If you’re looking at [former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete] Buttigieg, he’s a young guy. People will say, well, he’s too young to be president. You look at Elizabeth, she is a woman. Everybody brings some negatives, if you’d like."
“I would just hope very much that the American people look at the totality of a candidate, not at their gender, not at their sexuality, not at their age, but at everything. You know, nobody is perfect,” he added.
Bernie to NHPR
Question: do you think that gender is still an obstacle for female politicians?
Sanders: Look, I, th- the answer is yes. But I think everybody has their own sets of problems. I’m 78 years of age. That’s a problem. pic.twitter.com/h7ztuYmCXJ — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) January 19, 2020
Sanders's comments come nearly a week after Warren, a Massachusetts senator, accused him of saying in a private 2018 meeting that he did not think a woman could be president. He denied making that statement, and in a "hot mic" moment following a Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday, Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar on national television.
Earlier in the interview, Sanders said he did not want to talk about the details of the private conversation but reiterated that he thinks a woman could become president in 2020.
“It is hard for me to imagine or anybody in the year 2020 could not believe that a woman could become president in the United States. And if you check my record, I've been saying that for 30 years," Sanders said. He mentioned that he waited to announce his presidential candidacy in 2016 until after Warren indicated that she did not want to run.
A senior Sanders aide responded to outrage over the candidate's phrasing and disagreement that being a woman or gay is a problem by calling the reactions "a bummer."
"Bernie is stating a fact we all agree on: Donald Trump is going to use racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia in the general election," Sanders communications director Mike Casca said in a tweet.
Later on Sunday, the Vermont senator clarified his remarks.
“There is a lot of bigotry. There's a lot of sexism. There's a lot of racism. Think about what Barack Obama had to go through. There’s a lot of ageism. There is anti-Semitism. There is homophobia," Sanders told reporters. "Does anyone doubt that any candidate will not have to deal with those issues?“


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--'How could the American people want someone who lies?': Warren knocks dishonest presidential candida

'How could the American people want someone who lies?': Warren knocks dishonest presidential candidates

Sen. Elizabeth Warren suggested that presidential candidates who lie would not represent the American people .
“ How could the American people want someone who lies to them ? ''
the Massachusetts Democrat told reporters in Iowa on Sunday when asked if it is disqualifying for a presidential candidate to lie about anything .
`` I think that — that we just do our best out there every day , and I hope that 's what happens with everyone , '' she added .
Warren 's comment came in the wake of a dispute between her and fellow left-wing presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said to her in a private meeting in 2018 .
Warren alleged that Sanders said he did not think a woman could win the presidency in 2020 , while Sanders vehemently denied making the statement .
The two senators expressed a desire to move past the feud for fear of fracturing liberal supporters with just weeks until the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses , but a `` hot mic '' moment captured after a Democratic presidential debate last week suggested that there is unresolved tension between the candidates .
`` I think you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Warren told Sanders .
Warren did not directly address Sanders in her Sunday remarks , leaving room to interpret her comments as a knock against President Trump rather than any of her primary competitors .
The 2020 Democrat has faced allegations of untruthfulness about her personal history throughout her presidential bid .
She apologized for prior claims to Native American identity after a DNA test revealed she had one Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago ; stuck by her oft-repeated story that she was fired from her first teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' despite records indicating she resigned ; and told a pro-charter school protester that her children went to public school even though her son attended an elite private school for at least one year .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren suggested that presidential candidates who lie would not represent the American people.
“How could the American people want someone who lies to them?" the Massachusetts Democrat told reporters in Iowa on Sunday when asked if it is disqualifying for a presidential candidate to lie about anything.
"I think that — that we just do our best out there every day, and I hope that's what happens with everyone," she added.
“How could the American people want someone who lies to them?” @ewarren says after I asked if it’s disqualifying for a presidential candidate to lie to the American people about anything pic.twitter.com/b4AxH5Bq1m — Zak Hudak (@cbszak) January 19, 2020
Warren's comment came in the wake of a dispute between her and fellow left-wing presidential candidate Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders over what he said to her in a private meeting in 2018. Warren alleged that Sanders said he did not think a woman could win the presidency in 2020, while Sanders vehemently denied making the statement.
The two senators expressed a desire to move past the feud for fear of fracturing liberal supporters with just weeks until the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, but a "hot mic" moment captured after a Democratic presidential debate last week suggested that there is unresolved tension between the candidates.
"I think you called me a liar on national TV," Warren told Sanders.
Warren did not directly address Sanders in her Sunday remarks, leaving room to interpret her comments as a knock against President Trump rather than any of her primary competitors.
The 2020 Democrat has faced allegations of untruthfulness about her personal history throughout her presidential bid. She apologized for prior claims to Native American identity after a DNA test revealed she had one Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago; stuck by her oft-repeated story that she was fired from her first teaching job for being "visibly pregnant," despite records indicating she resigned; and told a pro-charter school protester that her children went to public school even though her son attended an elite private school for at least one year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--Anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric’: Iraqi-born war reporter says she’s the GOP candidate who can st

Anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric’: Iraqi-born war reporter says she’s the GOP candidate who can stop Ilhan Omar

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar , in her first reelection bid , is n't the only Muslim refugee running in her Minneapolis district .
Dalia al Aqidi on Thursday announced she 's seeking the Republican nomination .
She joins a crowded field of GOP rivals running for the right to challenge Omar , 38 , an Israel-bashing firebrand lawmaker whose family fled Somalia to escape civil war and spent four years in a refugee campaign in Kenya before immigrating to the United States .
Al Aqidi , 51 , fled Saddam Hussein 's Iraq with her family when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. and becoming a citizen .
She went on to a career in television journalism and moved to the Minneapolis district several months ago .
If elected , al Aqidi would be the third straight Muslim American to represent the district in the House , following Omar and her predecessor Keith Ellison , now Minnesota 's attorney general .
“ I chose to launch this campaign after thinking , watching , and researching , '' al Aqidi told the Washington Examiner .
`` I truly believe that Ilhan Omar is doing irreparable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to the whole country .
Somebody needs to stop her .
She continues to spread anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric.
” Omar was first elected to the House in 2018 when she and Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib , 43 , became the first of two Muslim women to win seats in Congress .
The pair enjoy a higher profile than most first-term lawmakers thanks to their membership of `` the Squad , ” the quartet of Democratic minority women , including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez .
However , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hailed as a nonpartisan victory for diversity , her presence there was quickly politicized as she weighed in on charged issues such as U.S.-Israeli relations and the Boycott , Divestment , Sanctions movement .
During Omar ’ s congressional run , she voiced opposition to the BDS movement , which effectively seeks to eliminate Israel as a sovereign state .
But after she won the crucial Democratic primary , Omar said she did indeed support BDS .
Omar received negative attention almost immediately after joining the House .
Last February , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel critic , Glenn Greenwald , who had written about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , a California Republican , pushing to punish Omar and Tlaib over their anti-Israel views .
Omar wrote back , “ It ’ s all about the Benjamins baby , ” a less-than-subtle reference to stereotypes of Jewish Americans , provoking reprimands from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and .
These and other actions brought Omar the dubious honor of being named stopantisemitism.org ’ s 2019 `` Antisemite of the Year.
” The Israeli government also banned Omar and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a trip funded by Miftah , a group that has published neo-Nazis and sympathized with suicide bombers .
And just last week , Omar drew ire for saying she was “ stricken with PTSD ” due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
“ Her language is so toxic and severe , not only to gain attention for herself , but she wants to position herself as a celebrity , '' al Aqidi said .
`` She 's not fighting for us .
She 's not fighting for her district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself only , which means she 's fighting against us.
” Al Aqidi , a former political reporter for Voice of America and a White House correspondent for Middle Eastern television networks who also covered conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon , enters a crowded field of Republicans looking to topple Omar .
“ I 've been a journalist for 31 years , and I 've covered war zones and covered conflicts around the world , so right away my main issue is national security , and there are many dangerous individuals , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm the U.S. and are trying to harm our system and to harm our democracy , ” al Aqidi said .
“ I truly believe that President Trump is making efforts to make America safer by taking action against these people or these groups.
” Whoever ends up as the GOP nominee will face long odds in the district .
The 5th District includes all of the city of Minneapolis , along with suburbs such as St. Louis Park , which has a substantial Jewish population , and surrounding areas .
In 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican rival Donald Trump there resoundingly , 74 % -19 % , though he claimed the presidency .

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, in her first reelection bid, isn't the only Muslim refugee running in her Minneapolis district.
Dalia al Aqidi on Thursday announced she's seeking the Republican nomination. She joins a crowded field of GOP rivals running for the right to challenge Omar, 38, an Israel-bashing firebrand lawmaker whose family fled Somalia to escape civil war and spent four years in a refugee campaign in Kenya before immigrating to the United States.
Al Aqidi, 51, fled Saddam Hussein's Iraq with her family when she was in her early 20s, coming to the U.S. and becoming a citizen. She went on to a career in television journalism and moved to the Minneapolis district several months ago.
If elected, al Aqidi would be the third straight Muslim American to represent the district in the House, following Omar and her predecessor Keith Ellison, now Minnesota's attorney general.
“I chose to launch this campaign after thinking, watching, and researching," al Aqidi told the Washington Examiner. "I truly believe that Ilhan Omar is doing irreparable harm to her district, to Minnesota, and to the whole country. Somebody needs to stop her. She continues to spread anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric.”
Omar was first elected to the House in 2018 when she and Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, 43, became the first of two Muslim women to win seats in Congress. The pair enjoy a higher profile than most first-term lawmakers thanks to their membership of "the Squad,” the quartet of Democratic minority women, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.
However, while Omar’s arrival on Capitol Hill was hailed as a nonpartisan victory for diversity, her presence there was quickly politicized as she weighed in on charged issues such as U.S.-Israeli relations and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.
During Omar’s congressional run, she voiced opposition to the BDS movement, which effectively seeks to eliminate Israel as a sovereign state. But after she won the crucial Democratic primary, Omar said she did indeed support BDS.
Omar received negative attention almost immediately after joining the House. Last February, she responded to a tweet by a vocal Israel critic, Glenn Greenwald, who had written about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, pushing to punish Omar and Tlaib over their anti-Israel views.
Omar wrote back, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” a less-than-subtle reference to stereotypes of Jewish Americans, provoking reprimands from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a GOP-backed resolution .
These and other actions brought Omar the dubious honor of being named stopantisemitism.org’s 2019 "Antisemite of the Year.”
The Israeli government also banned Omar and Tlaib last summer from visiting the country on a trip funded by Miftah, a group that has published neo-Nazis and sympathized with suicide bombers. And just last week, Omar drew ire for saying she was “stricken with PTSD” due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
“Her language is so toxic and severe, not only to gain attention for herself, but she wants to position herself as a celebrity," al Aqidi said. "She's not fighting for us. She's not fighting for her district. She is fighting for herself and herself only, which means she's fighting against us.”
Al Aqidi, a former political reporter for Voice of America and a White House correspondent for Middle Eastern television networks who also covered conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon, enters a crowded field of Republicans looking to topple Omar.
“I've been a journalist for 31 years, and I've covered war zones and covered conflicts around the world, so right away my main issue is national security, and there are many dangerous individuals, both Islamists and others, are trying to harm the U.S. and are trying to harm our system and to harm our democracy,” al Aqidi said. “I truly believe that President Trump is making efforts to make America safer by taking action against these people or these groups.”
Whoever ends up as the GOP nominee will face long odds in the district. The 5th District includes all of the city of Minneapolis, along with suburbs such as St. Louis Park, which has a substantial Jewish population, and surrounding areas. In 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton beat Republican rival Donald Trump there resoundingly, 74%-19%, though he claimed the presidency.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--ANALYSIS: Bloomberg engaged in corporate takeover of the Democratic Party

Mike Bloomberg is using his vast personal fortune to commandeer the Democratic Party , discarding tradition and ignoring the party establishment in an unorthodox bid to capture the presidential nomination .
The former New York City mayor is moving to leapfrog entrenched Democrats with carefully laid plans that follow time-honored rules for seeking the presidential nomination .
Bloomberg ’ s approach is reminiscent of another billionaire candidate initially dismissed as a long shot .
In 2016 , President Trump crashed a crowded Republican primary , flouting party norms as he elbowed out established politicians .
Bloomberg is skipping Iowa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats and the party 's establishment .
The 77-year-old media mogul is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to field massive , high-paid ground and digital operations and to blanket television airwaves across the country in a big play for 14 states that vote on Super Tuesday , March 3 .
He is paying for all of it out of his own , deep pockets .
“ Bloomberg recognizes that a crowded field has resulted in an electorate that is n't solidly behind anyone , ” said Ed Espinoza , a Democratic operative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to turn the state blue .
“ Thus , the unconventional strategy of skipping the first four states might actually work this time around .
And if it does n't , it 's a great launching pad for a new super PAC or 501 ( c ) 4 organization to mobilize voters for November.
” The Bloomberg campaign is less a coalition than it is a virtual shadow party .
He is strictly self-funding , declining to solicit or accept donations .
He is not endorsed by major liberal groups that might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians or influential party operatives have backed him , according FiveThirtyEight ’ s endorsement tracker .
Should Bloomberg ’ s gambit fail , he is promising to keep the lights on at his campaign and put it to work for whoever wins the nomination .
If the ex-mayor follows through , he could wield unusual influence over the party .
The Democratic National Committee is stretched thin , underfunded and outmanned by the Republican National Committee and its robust field and data programs deployed continuously since 2014 .
Without Bloomberg ’ s help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing with the Trump campaign .
“ There ’ s no doubt that to beat Donald Trump you want people going all-in , ” said Neil Sroka , spokesman for Democracy For America , a liberal activist group .
“ But I don ’ t think anyone is saying that ’ s a good thing for our democracy.
” Democracy for America is neutral in the primary , although it 's generally supportive of Bernie Sanders , a socialist , and Elizabeth Warren .
The Left is suspicious of Bloomberg , whom they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ corporate wing.
” The Bloomberg campaign told the Washington Examiner that it has no hidden agenda .
“ Mike is committed to defeating Donald Trump , no matter what happens , ” spokeswoman Erin McPike said .
“ He ’ s running because he ’ s the best person to do it.
” Bloomberg 's power over Democrats is related to his money .
He claims he is willing to spend $ 1 billion — on himself or the eventual nominee .
Most of his ideas are consistent with those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far less of his own money but still wrested the party from the Washington GOP establishment based on the power of his personality and with a populist platform that appealed to conservatives and working-class voters harmed by the economy .
He took a sledgehammer to GOP orthodoxy on foreign policy , trade , and other issues , while agreeing to adopt priorities such as repealing Obamacare , appointing conservative judges , and cutting taxes .

Mike Bloomberg is using his vast personal fortune to commandeer the Democratic Party, discarding tradition and ignoring the party establishment in an unorthodox bid to capture the presidential nomination.
The former New York City mayor is moving to leapfrog entrenched Democrats with carefully laid plans that follow time-honored rules for seeking the presidential nomination. Bloomberg’s approach is reminiscent of another billionaire candidate initially dismissed as a long shot. In 2016, President Trump crashed a crowded Republican primary, flouting party norms as he elbowed out established politicians.
Bloomberg is skipping Iowa and other early nominating contests popular with grassroots Democrats and the party's establishment. The 77-year-old media mogul is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to field massive, high-paid ground and digital operations and to blanket television airwaves across the country in a big play for 14 states that vote on Super Tuesday, March 3. He is paying for all of it out of his own, deep pockets.
“Bloomberg recognizes that a crowded field has resulted in an electorate that isn't solidly behind anyone,” said Ed Espinoza, a Democratic operative in Austin, Texas, active in efforts to turn the state blue. “Thus, the unconventional strategy of skipping the first four states might actually work this time around. And if it doesn't, it's a great launching pad for a new super PAC or 501(c)4 organization to mobilize voters for November.”
The Bloomberg campaign is less a coalition than it is a virtual shadow party. He is strictly self-funding, declining to solicit or accept donations. He is not endorsed by major liberal groups that might influence his agenda. Just 10 Democratic politicians or influential party operatives have backed him, according FiveThirtyEight’s endorsement tracker. Should Bloomberg’s gambit fail, he is promising to keep the lights on at his campaign and put it to work for whoever wins the nomination.
If the ex-mayor follows through, he could wield unusual influence over the party. The Democratic National Committee is stretched thin, underfunded and outmanned by the Republican National Committee and its robust field and data programs deployed continuously since 2014. Without Bloomberg’s help, the Democratic nominee might have trouble competing with the Trump campaign.
“There’s no doubt that to beat Donald Trump you want people going all-in,” said Neil Sroka, spokesman for Democracy For America, a liberal activist group. “But I don’t think anyone is saying that’s a good thing for our democracy.”
Democracy for America is neutral in the primary, although it's generally supportive of Bernie Sanders, a socialist, and Elizabeth Warren. The Left is suspicious of Bloomberg, whom they criticize as hailing from the party’s “corporate wing.” The Bloomberg campaign told the Washington Examiner that it has no hidden agenda. “Mike is committed to defeating Donald Trump, no matter what happens,” spokeswoman Erin McPike said. “He’s running because he’s the best person to do it.”
Bloomberg's power over Democrats is related to his money. He claims he is willing to spend $1 billion — on himself or the eventual nominee. Most of his ideas are consistent with those of the moderate-to-liberal Democratic establishment.
Trump spent far less of his own money but still wrested the party from the Washington GOP establishment based on the power of his personality and with a populist platform that appealed to conservatives and working-class voters harmed by the economy. He took a sledgehammer to GOP orthodoxy on foreign policy, trade, and other issues, while agreeing to adopt priorities such as repealing Obamacare, appointing conservative judges, and cutting taxes.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--New York Times endorses Warren and Klobuchar in Democratic primary

The New York Times editorial board revealed two preferred choices for Democratic presidential candidates with just more than two weeks left until the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses .
Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota got the Grey Lady 's endorsement , revealed Sunday on an episode of The Weekly .
`` Amy Klobuchar has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic center .
Her vision goes beyond the incremental .
Given the polarization in Washington and beyond , the best chance to enact many progressive plans could be under a Klobuchar administration , ” the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaches to their candidacies , with Klobuchar , 59 , offering a pragmatic approach and Warren , 70 , pitching a left-wing vision of dramatic structural change .
`` Three years into the Trump administration , we see little advantage to exchanging one over-promising , divisive figure in Washington for another .
Good news , then , that Elizabeth Warren has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic left , '' the board said .
“ May the best woman win , '' the editorial board said .
The editorial board had narrowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren and Klobuchar , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker , who dropped out of the race after his interview with the editorial board .
In his interview with the editorial board , former Vice President Joe Biden , 77 , pushed back against concerns that he is too old to be president and defended his foreign policy record , noting that he had disagreements with President Barack Obama on Afghanistan policy .
Members of the editorial board expressed concern that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is unclear how much endorsements from newspapers and prominent public figures helps a candidate .
The New York Times has a hit-or-miss record with endorsing candidates .
In 2016 , it endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination , calling her `` one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history . ''
Ohio Gov .
John Kasich got its endorsement for the Republican nomination , calling eventual nominee Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz `` equally objectionable for different reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2008 Democratic primary race rather than Obama after early state nominating contests had started , and Obama had won Iowa and Clinton finished first in New Hampshire .
`` The next president needs to start immediately on challenges that will require concrete solutions , resolve , and the ability to make government work .
Mrs. Clinton is more qualified , right now , to be president , '' it said .
In 2004 , the paper endorsed eventual nominee John Kerry , also after the then-Massachusetts senator and future secretary of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire , and elsewhere .
In general election races , the New York Times has endorsed the Democratic nominee in every election since 1960 .
The Des Moines Register , a newspaper prominent in Iowa politics , has not yet revealed its primary endorsement .
The Quad-City Times , a regional paper in Eastern Iowa , endorsed Klobuchar on Saturday .

After traling their announcement all weekend. the New York Times editorial board announced that it could not decide between two choices for democratic presidential nominee, one one the left, the other a centrist.
Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota got the endorsement, which was declared Sunday on an episode of The Weekly podcast. A 3,452-word rumination by the editorial board concluded: "May the best woman win."
The board wrote: "Amy Klobuchar has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic center. Her vision goes beyond the incremental. Given the polarization in Washington and beyond, the best chance to enact many progressive plans could be under a Klobuchar administration."
The two candidates take different approaches to their candidacies, with Klobuchar, 59, offering a pragmatic approach and Warren, 70, pitching a left-wing vision of dramatic structural change.
"Three years into the Trump administration, we see little advantage to exchanging one over-promising, divisive figure in Washington for another. Good news, then, that Elizabeth Warren has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic left," the board said.
“May the best woman win," the editorial board said.
The editorial board had narrowed down its choices to four candidates: Warren and Klobuchar, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who dropped out of the race after his interview with the editorial board.
In his interview with the editorial board, former Vice President Joe Biden, 77, pushed back against concerns that he was too old to be president and defended his foreign policy record, noting that he had disagreements with President Barack Obama on Afghanistan policy. Members of the editorial board expressed concern that he was not inspiring enough, among other concerns.
It is unclear how much endorsements from newspapers and prominent public figures helps a candidate. The New York Times has a hit-or-miss record with endorsing candidates.
In 2016, it endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, calling her "one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history." Ohio Gov. John Kasich got its endorsement for the Republican nomination, calling eventual nominee Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz "equally objectionable for different reasons."
It also endorsed Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primary race rather than Obama after early state nominating contests had started, and Obama had won Iowa and Clinton finished first in New Hampshire.
"The next president needs to start immediately on challenges that will require concrete solutions, resolve, and the ability to make government work. Mrs. Clinton is more qualified, right now, to be president," it said.
In 2004, the paper endorsed eventual nominee John Kerry, also after the then-Massachusetts senator and future secretary of state had won state contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, and elsewhere.
In general election races, the New York Times has endorsed the Democratic nominee in every election since 1960.
The Des Moines Register, a newspaper prominent in Iowa politics, has not yet revealed its primary endorsement. The Quad-City Times, a regional paper in Eastern Iowa, endorsed Klobuchar on Saturday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-19--'How could the American people want someone who lies?': Warren turns up heat on Sanders


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Kellyanne Conway invokes Martin Luther King Jr. to rail against Trump impeachment

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway claimed that Martin Luther King Jr. would not be in favor of impeaching President Trump .
When asked how the president would be observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday , Conway said that he was preparing for his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland .
She also said Trump is a supporter of King ’ s vision of unity .
`` The president is preparing for Davos and agrees with many of the things that Dr. Martin Luther King stood for and agreed with for many years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` And he ’ s not the one trying to tear the country apart through an impeachment process and a lack of substance that really is very shameful at this point .
`` I ’ ve held my opinion on it for a very long time , but when you see the articles of impeachment that came out , I don ’ t think it was within Dr. King ’ s vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extortion , high crimes , or misdemeanors , '' she continued .
Conway added , `` And I think that anybody who cares about 'and justice for all ' on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttled defense on the facts . ''
On Monday , a day before Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial is set to begin , his legal team submitted a brief calling the articles of impeachment against him `` an affront to the Constitution '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject '' them .

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway claimed that Martin Luther King Jr. would not be in favor of impeaching President Trump.
When asked how the president would be observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Conway said that he was preparing for his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. She also said Trump is a supporter of King’s vision of unity.
"The president is preparing for Davos and agrees with many of the things that Dr. Martin Luther King stood for and agreed with for many years, including unity and equality," Conway said. "And he’s not the one trying to tear the country apart through an impeachment process and a lack of substance that really is very shameful at this point.
"I’ve held my opinion on it for a very long time, but when you see the articles of impeachment that came out, I don’t think it was within Dr. King’s vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office, is not being charged with bribery, extortion, high crimes, or misdemeanors," she continued.
Conway added, "And I think that anybody who cares about 'and justice for all' on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttled defense on the facts."
On Monday, a day before Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is set to begin, his legal team submitted a brief calling the articles of impeachment against him "an affront to the Constitution" and arguing that the Senate should "speedily reject" them.
[Opinion: The woke Left vs. Martin Luther King Jr.]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--'Rigid, untested and divisive': New York Times compares Bernie Sanders with Trump

The New York Times editorial board compared Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ s rigidity to compromise and apparent divisiveness with President Trump while discussing its Democratic primary endorsements .
The paper broke with its precedent and endorsed two candidates for 2020 , Sens .
Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
The decision came after all of the candidates were interviewed , and in discussing its choice , the board highlighted some similarities between the Vermont senator and Trump .
Although Sanders , 78 , is seen as one of the front-runners in the Democratic race , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is his health a “ serious concern , ” but also that his approach to politics is a problem .
“ He boasts that compromise is anathema to him , ” the editorial reads .
“ Only his prescriptions can be the right ones , even though most are overly rigid , untested and divisive .
He promises that once in office , a groundswell of support will emerge to push through his agenda . ''
“ Three years into the Trump administration , we see little advantage to exchanging one over-promising , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the editorial continued .
The board went on to endorse Warren , 70 : “ Good news , then , that Elizabeth Warren has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic left.
” It also endorsed Klobuchar , 59 , and said that she “ has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic center.
” A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Joe Biden leading with 28.4 % support , followed by Sanders at 20.4 % , and Warren at 14.8 % .
Klobuchar is near the back of the pack , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Related : New York Times excluded Biden and Sanders from top four endorsement candidates ]

The New York Times editorial board compared Sen. Bernie Sanders’s rigidity to compromise and apparent divisiveness with President Trump while discussing its Democratic primary endorsements.
The paper broke with its precedent and endorsed two candidates for 2020, Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The decision came after all of the candidates were interviewed, and in discussing its choice, the board highlighted some similarities between the Vermont senator and Trump.
Although Sanders, 78, is seen as one of the front-runners in the Democratic race, the New York Times said that not only is his health a “serious concern,” but also that his approach to politics is a problem.
“He boasts that compromise is anathema to him,” the editorial reads. “Only his prescriptions can be the right ones, even though most are overly rigid, untested and divisive. He promises that once in office, a groundswell of support will emerge to push through his agenda."
“Three years into the Trump administration, we see little advantage to exchanging one over-promising, divisive figure in Washington for another,” the editorial continued.
The board went on to endorse Warren, 70: “Good news, then, that Elizabeth Warren has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic left.”
It also endorsed Klobuchar, 59, and said that she “has emerged as a standard-bearer for the Democratic center.”
A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Joe Biden leading with 28.4% support, followed by Sanders at 20.4%, and Warren at 14.8%. Klobuchar is near the back of the pack, registering only 3% support.
[Related: New York Times excluded Biden and Sanders from top four endorsement candidates]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-21--Ill-fitting suit and fingerless gloves cost diGenova and Toensing a place on Trump legal team

When President Trump backtracked on recruiting a high-profile husband and wife duo to join his legal team , it was not because of doubts about their prowess in matters of law .
It was because they did not look the part of “ killers.
” It is the latest example of how the president likes to recruit figures from “ central casting , ” using his eye for television to surround himself with officials who look like they were born to play the role .
Joe diGenova , 74 , and Victoria Toensing , 78 , had been announced as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal team in March 2018 amid internal unease about how to handle the threat of the Mueller investigation .
Their appointment was reportedly based on diGenova ’ s appearances on Fox News defending the president .
But a new book about Trump ’ s White House , A Very Stable Genius , reveals why the seasoned lawyers were ditched less than a week after being named to the team .
“ He explicitly ruled out Toensing speaking for him on television , complaining that she showed up in the Oval Office wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the account .
“ DiGenova , meanwhile , wore an ill-fitting suit .
“ Trump envisioned ‘ killers ’ as his lawyers , and diGenova and Toensing simply did not have ‘ the look.
’ ” It is not the first time that appearance has influenced Trump 's thinking .
He famously complained that his first national security adviser , H.R .
McMaster , had not worn his military uniform to their first meeting but dressed like a “ beer salesman ” and had been put off hiring John Bolton for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At a rally last year , he praised military officers who had briefed him on the Islamic State .
`` These guys are central casting — like from a movie , except better , ” he said .
In the case of diGenova and Toensing , Trump was able to come up with a face-saving excuse after they warned him they also represented a potential witness in the Mueller investigation .
`` The president is disappointed that conflicts prevent Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing from joining the president 's special counsel legal team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
`` However , those conflicts do not prevent them from assisting the president in other legal matters .
The president looks forward to working with them . ''

When President Trump backtracked on recruiting a high-profile husband and wife duo to join his legal team, it was not because of doubts about their prowess in matters of law. It was because they did not look the part of “killers.”
It is the latest example of how the president likes to recruit figures from “central casting,” using his eye for television to surround himself with officials who look like they were born to play the role.
Joe diGenova, 74, and Victoria Toensing, 78, had been announced as new members of the president’s legal team in March 2018 amid internal unease about how to handle the threat of the Mueller investigation. Their appointment was reportedly based on diGenova’s appearances on Fox News defending the president.
But a new book about Trump’s White House, A Very Stable Genius, reveals why the seasoned lawyers were ditched less than a week after being named to the team.
“He explicitly ruled out Toensing speaking for him on television, complaining that she showed up in the Oval Office wearing a bohemian-style wrap and fingerless gloves,” according to the account. “DiGenova, meanwhile, wore an ill-fitting suit.
“Trump envisioned ‘killers’ as his lawyers, and diGenova and Toensing simply did not have ‘the look.’”
It is not the first time that appearance has influenced Trump's thinking. He famously complained that his first national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, had not worn his military uniform to their first meeting but dressed like a “beer salesman” and had been put off hiring John Bolton for the job because of his mustache.
At a rally last year, he praised military officers who had briefed him on the Islamic State. "These guys are central casting — like from a movie, except better,” he said.
In the case of diGenova and Toensing, Trump was able to come up with a face-saving excuse after they warned him they also represented a potential witness in the Mueller investigation.
"The president is disappointed that conflicts prevent Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing from joining the president's special counsel legal team," said his lawyer Jay Sekulow at the time. "However, those conflicts do not prevent them from assisting the president in other legal matters. The president looks forward to working with them."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Trump administration will move to block 'birth tourism'

The Trump administration is days away from announcing a plan to limit the automatic provision of U.S. citizenship to people born in the United States whose parents are noncitizens visiting the country , a senior administration official told the Washington Examiner on Monday .
The move is meant to go after `` birth tourism , '' which refers to an underground market in which pregnant women travel to the U.S. to have a baby that will immediately be a citizen .
The 14th Amendment states any child born on U.S. soil is a citizen , no matter the status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead on the initiative , though visa protocols are administered by U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Department of Homeland Security , according to Axios , which reported the news on Sunday .
The administration has not decided how to go about blocking citizenship to this class of newborns , but it has looked at giving the State Department the ability to deny visitor visas to people on short-term business , as well as tourism visas to women it believes may be trying to give birth in the U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department would attempt to determine if a woman was pregnant or not at the time of submitting a visa application or at the time of travel or how many people would be affected .
The move comes after President Trump divulged in August and again in October that he wanted to issue an executive order to strip the right of any child born in the U.S. from becoming a citizen if the child 's mother was in the country illegally or not a citizen .
He also talked about doing it back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leading issue in the Trump administration 's immigration agenda .
Trump has called U.S. children born to noncitizens `` anchor babies , '' a derogatory term .
During the 2016 campaign , he referred to Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz as a Canadian anchor baby .
Ken Cuccinelli , the former acting head of USCIS who is now acting deputy secretary at the DHS , said in the fall that changing the law would not require amending the Constitution , which provides that people born in the U.S. are automatically citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the indictment of 19 people for their roles in an international `` birth tourism '' ring that brought `` thousands '' of pregnant women , mainly from China , to California so they could give birth and have a U.S. child .
The case marked the first time criminal charges have been filed in federal court in a `` birth tourism '' case .
The indictments revealed that those involved had promised pregnant women access to the `` most attractive nationality , '' `` better air , '' `` priority for jobs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from junior high school to public high school , '' and the chance to `` receive your senior supplement benefits when you are living overseas . ''
For $ 15,000 to $ 50,000 per person , the women would be coached on how to pass visa interviews , told how to overstay visas once in the U.S. , and taught how to apply for federal benefits .
The women were also told to wear loose-fitting clothing when they traveled to the U.S. so their pregnancy would not be obvious to Customs and Border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indictments also state women were told to fly first to Hawaii and then to Los Angeles because the customs officers in Hawaii were easier to get by .
Those arranging the trips made millions of dollars .

The Trump administration is days away from announcing a plan to limit the automatic provision of U.S. citizenship to people born in the United States whose parents are noncitizens visiting the country, a senior administration official told the Washington Examiner on Monday.
The move is meant to go after "birth tourism," which refers to an underground market in which pregnant women travel to the U.S. to have a baby that will immediately be a citizen. The 14th Amendment states any child born on U.S. soil is a citizen, no matter the status of the parents.
The State Department took the lead on the initiative, though visa protocols are administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Department of Homeland Security, according to Axios, which reported the news on Sunday. The administration has not decided how to go about blocking citizenship to this class of newborns, but it has looked at giving the State Department the ability to deny visitor visas to people on short-term business, as well as tourism visas to women it believes may be trying to give birth in the U.S.
It's not clear if the State Department would attempt to determine if a woman was pregnant or not at the time of submitting a visa application or at the time of travel or how many people would be affected.
The move comes after President Trump divulged in August and again in October that he wanted to issue an executive order to strip the right of any child born in the U.S. from becoming a citizen if the child's mother was in the country illegally or not a citizen. He also talked about doing it back in September 2018.
Birth tourism has been a leading issue in the Trump administration's immigration agenda. Trump has called U.S. children born to noncitizens "anchor babies," a derogatory term. During the 2016 campaign, he referred to Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz as a Canadian anchor baby.
Ken Cuccinelli, the former acting head of USCIS who is now acting deputy secretary at the DHS, said in the fall that changing the law would not require amending the Constitution, which provides that people born in the U.S. are automatically citizens.
Last February, the Justice Department announced the indictment of 19 people for their roles in an international "birth tourism" ring that brought "thousands" of pregnant women, mainly from China, to California so they could give birth and have a U.S. child. The case marked the first time criminal charges have been filed in federal court in a "birth tourism" case.
The indictments revealed that those involved had promised pregnant women access to the "most attractive nationality," "better air," "priority for jobs in U.S. government," "free education from junior high school to public high school," and the chance to "receive your senior supplement benefits when you are living overseas." For $15,000 to $50,000 per person, the women would be coached on how to pass visa interviews, told how to overstay visas once in the U.S., and taught how to apply for federal benefits.
The women were also told to wear loose-fitting clothing when they traveled to the U.S. so their pregnancy would not be obvious to Customs and Border Protection officers at the airport. The indictments also state women were told to fly first to Hawaii and then to Los Angeles because the customs officers in Hawaii were easier to get by. Those arranging the trips made millions of dollars.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Chris Christie spared Trump humiliation after being courted for chief of staff: Claim

Chris Christie helped President Trump avoid humiliation by announcing he was withdrawing from consideration to become the third chief of staff in quick succession instead of refusing the offer , a new book claims .
The account , which is highly complimentary toward the former New Jersey governor and may be based on information provided by Christie himself , is detailed in a new book , A Very Stable Genius , by Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker , which will be published on Tuesday .
Their sources display word-for-word knowledge of several of Christie ’ s phone conversations .
Christie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode in his memoir and in interviews to promote his book .
The latest retelling offers several flattering details , including how Rudy Giuliani , a confidant of the president , first alerted Christie by phone that Trump was poised to offer him the job .
“ You ’ re the best person in position for the reelect , ” Giuliani told him .
“ You ’ re the smartest politician .
You can run the place.
” It describes how Trump tried to persuade Christie to take the job in December 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family was involved in the effort .
The book details how Christie rejected the offer after Ivanka Trump called his wife , Mary Pat Christie , to reassure her that no harm could come to her husband if he took the job , despite long-standing ill feeling with Jared Kushner .
That left Christie with a dilemma at a time when the media were full of headlines that Trump could not attract top talent to join his team .
A refusal risked further embarrassment .
“ How about if I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from consideration , that way I didn ’ t say no to you , ” he told the president .
Kushner was the stumbling block .
Christie blamed the president ’ s son-in-law for his sudden ejection from the presidential transition team in 2016 .
It was the result of a simmering feud that began when Christie , then a U.S. attorney , prosecuted Kushner ’ s father for tax evasion in a case that revealed that Charles Kushner hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law as part of a family dispute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions , tax evasion , and witness tampering .
He was sentenced to two years in prison .
That made entering the White House , while the younger Kushner remained in a position of power , an unenticing prospect for Christie .
“ You guys are nuts , ” Christie reportedly told Giuliani .
“ I ’ m not going in there and [ having ] Jared down the hall.
” He met Trump in the White House residence later that day , but details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christie had returned home .
Trump later admitted to his friend that he was behind the leak , according to the new details .
Kushner telephoned Christie the next day to offer his assurance that they could work together .
And later that day , Ivanka Trump called Mary Pat Christie .
“ Mother to mother , wife to wife , I know what your concerns must be , ” she said , going on to pledge “ that no harm would come to Christie were he to take the job , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christie later told her husband to speak to the president soon .
“ Listen , if you ’ re going to take it , take it , but if you ’ re going to say no , you better call him now because these calls didn ’ t happen by accident , ” she said , adding that any delay risked a presidential tweet announcing the appointment whether he had accepted or not .
Christie later called the president to say : “ It ’ s just not the right time.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kushner and that his forthcoming memoir offered a deeply unflattering portrait of Trump ’ s son-in-law .
[ Read more : ' I ’ m really sorry about this , Dad ' : How Don Jr. apologized for Trump Tower meeting and 'mess ' that followed ]

Chris Christie helped President Trump avoid humiliation by announcing he was withdrawing from consideration to become the third chief of staff in quick succession instead of refusing the offer, a new book claims.
The account, which is highly complimentary toward the former New Jersey governor and may be based on information provided by Christie himself, is detailed in a new book, A Very Stable Genius, by Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker, which will be published on Tuesday.
Their sources display word-for-word knowledge of several of Christie’s phone conversations. Christie has also previously described much of the episode in his memoir and in interviews to promote his book.
The latest retelling offers several flattering details, including how Rudy Giuliani, a confidant of the president, first alerted Christie by phone that Trump was poised to offer him the job.
“You’re the best person in position for the reelect,” Giuliani told him. “You’re the smartest politician. You can run the place.”
It describes how Trump tried to persuade Christie to take the job in December 2018 and offers details about how the president’s family was involved in the effort.
The book details how Christie rejected the offer after Ivanka Trump called his wife, Mary Pat Christie, to reassure her that no harm could come to her husband if he took the job, despite long-standing ill feeling with Jared Kushner.
That left Christie with a dilemma at a time when the media were full of headlines that Trump could not attract top talent to join his team. A refusal risked further embarrassment.
“How about if I just tweet out that I’m withdrawing from consideration, that way I didn’t say no to you,” he told the president.
Kushner was the stumbling block. Christie blamed the president’s son-in-law for his sudden ejection from the presidential transition team in 2016.
It was the result of a simmering feud that began when Christie, then a U.S. attorney, prosecuted Kushner’s father for tax evasion in a case that revealed that Charles Kushner hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law as part of a family dispute. In 2005, the elder Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
That made entering the White House, while the younger Kushner remained in a position of power, an unenticing prospect for Christie.
“You guys are nuts,” Christie reportedly told Giuliani. “I’m not going in there and [having] Jared down the hall.”
He met Trump in the White House residence later that day, but details of the offer appeared in the press before Christie had returned home. Trump later admitted to his friend that he was behind the leak, according to the new details.
Kushner telephoned Christie the next day to offer his assurance that they could work together. And later that day, Ivanka Trump called Mary Pat Christie.
“Mother to mother, wife to wife, I know what your concerns must be,” she said, going on to pledge “that no harm would come to Christie were he to take the job,” according to the account.
Mary Pat Christie later told her husband to speak to the president soon. “Listen, if you’re going to take it, take it, but if you’re going to say no, you better call him now because these calls didn’t happen by accident,” she said, adding that any delay risked a presidential tweet announcing the appointment whether he had accepted or not.
Christie later called the president to say: “It’s just not the right time.”
He explained that he had concerns about working with Kushner and that his forthcoming memoir offered a deeply unflattering portrait of Trump’s son-in-law.
[Read more: 'I’m really sorry about this, Dad': How Don Jr. apologized for Trump Tower meeting and 'mess' that followed]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--White House argues a president can only be impeached for violating the law and that Trump never did

President Trump 's White House legal team is arguing that impeachment must show that the president has broken the law , asserting that the article charging Trump with `` abuse of power '' fails because it is a subjective judgment and not an illegal act .
In a `` trial memorandum '' issued Monday afternoon , Trump 's lawyers also rejected the `` obstruction of Congress '' article lodged against him by the House , saying the president acted within his legal rights when he prevented aides from testifying during the House impeachment proceedings .
The article charges he obstructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The abuse of power article alleges that Trump sought to force Ukrainian officials to conduct investigations that would benefit him politically , threatening to withhold aid unless they did .
The Senate impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday .
The 171-page legal brief sets the stage for the president 's defense , calling for the Senate to `` speedily reject '' the charges .
Whether a president needs to break the law to be impeached is a contentious constitutional issue .
Many scholars believe that presidents can be impeached for heinous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
But the White House attorneys , led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone , disagree .
`` House Democrats ’ novel theory of 'abuse of power ' improperly supplants the standard of 'High Crimes and Misdemeanors ' with a made-up theory that would permanently weaken the Presidency by effectively permitting impeachments based merely on policy disagreements , '' they wrote .
`` By limiting impeachment to cases of 'Treason , Bribery , or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors , ' the Framers restricted impeachment to specific offenses against 'already known and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberate choice designed to constrain the impeachment power .
In keeping with that restriction , every prior presidential impeachment in our history has been based on alleged violations of existing law — indeed , criminal law . ''
The attorneys wrote that Trump is being impeached for `` taking permissible actions '' but for what Democrats hold to be `` the wrong reasons , '' asserting that such a standard `` would allow a hostile House to attack almost any presidential action by challenging a President ’ s subjective motives . ''
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump sought to condition aid to Ukraine on a politically-beneficial investigation is unproven .
`` House Democrats do not have a single witness who claims , based on direct knowledge , that the President ever actually imposed such a condition , '' they claim , bolding and italicizing part of the text .
And they say an investigation of then-Vice President Joe Biden 's withholding of loan guarantees from Ukraine was a legitimate pursuit because Biden sought the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor who had investigated a company with which his son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asserted that Trump had a legal right to resist House Democrats ' subpoenas and acted `` only after securing advice from the Department of Justice ’ s Office of Legal Counsel ( OLC ) and based on established legal principles or immunities . ''
They write : `` At bottom , the 'obstruction ' charge asks the Senate to remove a duly elected President from office because he acted on the advice of the Department of Justice concerning his legal and constitutional rights as President . ''
The memorandum also argues that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Democrats launched it without a vote of the full House to authorize it .
They call the process an unfairly-conducted “ show trial ” featuring “ hand-picked witnesses ” whose testimony was pre-screened before being delivered in public .
`` House Democrats ’ impeachment crusade started the day the President took office , '' the attorneys wrote .
The articles are `` structurally deficient '' as well , according to the brief , because each alleges multiple charges , and therefore it can not be ascertained whether senators agree on a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with offering such a menu of options is that , for a valid conviction , the Constitution requires two-thirds of Senators present to agree on the specific basis for conviction , '' they wrote .
`` A vote on these articles , however , can not ensure that a two-thirds majority agreed on a particular ground for conviction .
Instead , such a vote could reflect an amalgamation of votes resting on several different theories , no single one of which would have garnered two-thirds support if it had been presented separately .
@

President Trump's White House legal team is arguing that impeachment must show that the president has broken the law, asserting that the article charging Trump with "abuse of power" fails because it is a subjective judgment and not an illegal act.
In a "trial memorandum" issued Monday afternoon, Trump's lawyers also rejected the "obstruction of Congress" article lodged against him by the House, saying the president acted within his legal rights when he prevented aides from testifying during the House impeachment proceedings. The article charges he obstructed Congress by barring witnesses from appearing. The abuse of power article alleges that Trump sought to force Ukrainian officials to conduct investigations that would benefit him politically, threatening to withhold aid unless they did.
The Senate impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The 171-page legal brief sets the stage for the president's defense, calling for the Senate to "speedily reject" the charges.
Whether a president needs to break the law to be impeached is a contentious constitutional issue. Many scholars believe that presidents can be impeached for heinous acts that do not necessarily violate the law.
But the White House attorneys, led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, disagree.
"House Democrats’ novel theory of 'abuse of power' improperly supplants the standard of 'High Crimes and Misdemeanors' with a made-up theory that would permanently weaken the Presidency by effectively permitting impeachments based merely on policy disagreements," they wrote.
"By limiting impeachment to cases of 'Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors,' the Framers restricted impeachment to specific offenses against 'already known and established law.' That was a deliberate choice designed to constrain the impeachment power. In keeping with that restriction, every prior presidential impeachment in our history has been based on alleged violations of existing law — indeed, criminal law."
The attorneys wrote that Trump is being impeached for "taking permissible actions" but for what Democrats hold to be "the wrong reasons," asserting that such a standard "would allow a hostile House to attack almost any presidential action by challenging a President’s subjective motives."
Even so, they wrote, the allegation Trump sought to condition aid to Ukraine on a politically-beneficial investigation is unproven. "House Democrats do not have a single witness who claims, based on direct knowledge, that the President ever actually imposed such a condition," they claim, bolding and italicizing part of the text. And they say an investigation of then-Vice President Joe Biden's withholding of loan guarantees from Ukraine was a legitimate pursuit because Biden sought the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor who had investigated a company with which his son, Hunter, was associated.
The attorneys asserted that Trump had a legal right to resist House Democrats' subpoenas and acted "only after securing advice from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) and based on established legal principles or immunities."
They write: "At bottom, the 'obstruction' charge asks the Senate to remove a duly elected President from office because he acted on the advice of the Department of Justice concerning his legal and constitutional rights as President."
The memorandum also argues that the impeachment process itself was “flawed” because Democrats launched it without a vote of the full House to authorize it. They call the process an unfairly-conducted “show trial” featuring “hand-picked witnesses” whose testimony was pre-screened before being delivered in public.
"House Democrats’ impeachment crusade started the day the President took office," the attorneys wrote.
The articles are "structurally deficient" as well, according to the brief, because each alleges multiple charges, and therefore it cannot be ascertained whether senators agree on a single reason for conviction.
"The problem with offering such a menu of options is that, for a valid conviction, the Constitution requires two-thirds of Senators present to agree on the specific basis for conviction," they wrote. "A vote on these articles, however, cannot ensure that a two-thirds majority agreed on a particular ground for conviction. Instead, such a vote could reflect an amalgamation of votes resting on several different theories, no single one of which would have garnered two-thirds support if it had been presented separately."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-18--'Anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric’: Iraqi-born war reporter says she’s the GOP candidate who can s

'Anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric’: Iraqi-born war reporter says she’s the GOP candidate who can stop Ilhan Omar


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Liberal media scream: Manic Maher says Trump won’t leave if defeated

Liberals are already measuring the drapes in the Oval Office but are fretting that President Trump will be hiding behind them if defeated in November .
This week ’ s Liberal Media Scream finds a manic Bill Maher leading that cry , practically begging Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang to explain the plan to yank Trump out of the White House .
“ You don ’ t really think that Trump is going to concede , ” Maher asked .
“ What ’ s the plan ?
” Maher , to Yang , on the Friday , Jan. 17 episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HBO : “ You don ’ t really think that Trump is going to concede ?
What ’ s the plan ?
This is my question for Democrats all this year : What is the plan when he says , ‘ It ’ s rigged , we found irregularities , I ’ m hearing , I ’ m suspending everything , ’ and he ’ s not leaving on January 20th ?
What do you do ?
” Media Research Center Vice President of Research Brent Baker explains our weekly pick : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paranoid viewers , baselessly trying to instill fear that the threat from Trump could continue beyond his term , that Trump would defy the U.S. system for the transfer of power .
But it is Maher who is ginning up fears , advancing a wild conspiracy theory , the very thing liberal media figures charge is done by Trump supporters.
” Rating : Three out of five SCREAMS .

Liberals are already measuring the drapes in the Oval Office but are fretting that President Trump will be hiding behind them if defeated in November.
This week’s Liberal Media Scream finds a manic Bill Maher leading that cry, practically begging Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang to explain the plan to yank Trump out of the White House.
“You don’t really think that Trump is going to concede,” Maher asked. “What’s the plan?”
Maher, to Yang, on the Friday, Jan. 17 episode of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO:
“You don’t really think that Trump is going to concede? What’s the plan? This is my question for Democrats all this year: What is the plan when he says, ‘It’s rigged, we found irregularities, I’m hearing, I’m suspending everything,’ and he’s not leaving on January 20th? What do you do?”
(Yang is counting on the military to make sure Trump doesn’t stay: "I genuinely think that he’d make a lot of noise, but he would leave. Because in order to stay, you literally need the military on your side, and the military, if it’s a free and fair election, which it will be when I defeat him in November, then the military isn’t going to circle the White House and say, 'We are going to keep this guy in.'")
Media Research Center Vice President of Research Brent Baker explains our weekly pick: “Maher seems to be trolling his most paranoid viewers, baselessly trying to instill fear that the threat from Trump could continue beyond his term, that Trump would defy the U.S. system for the transfer of power. But it is Maher who is ginning up fears, advancing a wild conspiracy theory, the very thing liberal media figures charge is done by Trump supporters.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Impeachment 'increasing' support for Trump

Democratic leaders who had hoped the public would accept their reasoning for impeaching President Trump and join their call to remove him are facing the reality today that impeachment has n't hurt the president .
In its latest survey , Gallup even said that impeachment is “ increasing support for the president , ” just as it did for former President Bill Clinton 22 years ago .
Said Gallup : “ As was the case for Clinton , the impeachment of Trump has not had a noticeably negative effect on his popular support .
In fact , for both presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing their public approval.
” What is different this time is that intense partisan politics are keeping Trump ’ s numbers down , said the survey analysis .
Consider that 93 % of Republicans want Trump acquitted of the House 's impeachment charges in the Senate .
For Democrats , 84 % want him convicted and removed .
“ Both Clinton and Trump were impeached at a time when the U.S. economy was strong , but Trump is operating in a much more partisan environment than Clinton was .
The polarization is holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially among Democrats but also independents , ” it said .
The Washington Examiner ’ s Madison Dibble also reported that Trump ’ s approval rating is holding steady and is actually just two points below his one-year Gallup high of 46 % .

Well, that didn’t work.
Democratic leaders who had hoped the public would accept their reasoning for impeaching President Trump and join their call to remove him are facing the reality today that impeachment hasn't hurt the president.
In its latest survey, Gallup even said that impeachment is “increasing support for the president,” just as it did for former President Bill Clinton 22 years ago.
Said Gallup: “As was the case for Clinton, the impeachment of Trump has not had a noticeably negative effect on his popular support. In fact, for both presidents, impeachment had the opposite effect of increasing their public approval.”
What is different this time is that intense partisan politics are keeping Trump’s numbers down, said the survey analysis. Consider that 93% of Republicans want Trump acquitted of the House's impeachment charges in the Senate. For Democrats, 84% want him convicted and removed.
“Both Clinton and Trump were impeached at a time when the U.S. economy was strong, but Trump is operating in a much more partisan environment than Clinton was. The polarization is holding Trump's job approval rating down, especially among Democrats but also independents,” it said.
The Washington Examiner’s Madison Dibble also reported that Trump’s approval rating is holding steady and is actually just two points below his one-year Gallup high of 46%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Davos turns to the Bible for advice on trust

When the World Economic Forum opens in Davos , Switzerland , on Monday , an unexpected source will be offered to the thousands of business and political leaders on how to restore trust — the Bible .
“ Leaders are always in search of good ideas , ” said Princeton University professor David W. Miller , a first-time Davos speaker who will offer 12 “ Abrahamic traditions ” to increase trust .
“ It ’ s not about religiosity .
It ’ s about wisdom , ” he said in an interview .
His list , co-authored with Princeton research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that taken together , or individually , can help leaders bridge the trust gap .
“ Talk of trust in both theological and everyday language is an invitation to reflect on a breakdown of trust and the possibility of its repair , ” they wrote .
“ Lost trust can not be recovered .
It must be built anew . ''
Miller said any person or group that suffered from a trust deficit could be helped .
“ Can you trust the Houston Astros now ?
” he said , adding in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do think of this as a beginning .
To use a baseball analogy , it ’ s the first inning or a preseason game , ” he said of his efforts , part of the university ’ s “ Faith & Work Initiative .
”

When the World Economic Forum opens in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, an unexpected source will be offered to the thousands of business and political leaders on how to restore trust — the Bible.
“Leaders are always in search of good ideas,” said Princeton University professor David W. Miller, a first-time Davos speaker who will offer 12 “Abrahamic traditions” to increase trust.
“It’s not about religiosity. It’s about wisdom,” he said in an interview.
His list, co-authored with Princeton research scholar Michael J. Thate, offers lessons that taken together, or individually, can help leaders bridge the trust gap.
“Talk of trust in both theological and everyday language is an invitation to reflect on a breakdown of trust and the possibility of its repair,” they wrote. “Lost trust cannot be recovered. It must be built anew."
Miller said any person or group that suffered from a trust deficit could be helped. “Can you trust the Houston Astros now?” he said, adding in the government and Roman Catholic Church.
“I do think of this as a beginning. To use a baseball analogy, it’s the first inning or a preseason game,” he said of his efforts, part of the university’s “Faith & Work Initiative.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-20--Heritage expands team in war on socialism and academic liberalism

The Heritage Foundation , where President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence often look to for policy guidance and support , is boosting its team to take on threats of socialism and academic liberalism driving that challenge to democracy .
The Capitol Hill-based think tank that has advised Republican presidents from Ronald Reagan to Trump told Secrets that it has brought on four visiting scholars who are experts and advocates of American “ exceptionalism , ” and who will help it tackle the socialistic trend exploding on colleges campuses and among politicians in and outside of Washington .
“ Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcefully engage on some of the biggest issues confronting our country : the decline in civics , the left ’ s takeover of our educational institutions , the rise in popularity of socialism , and challenges to our form of government , ” said the organization in its announcement .
• Jim Ceaser , a scholar on American politics and political thought from the University of Virginia .
• Melissa Moschella , a preeminent voice on natural law , biomedical ethics , and the moral and political status of the family from Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to feature in its regular and social media , “ will allow Heritage to more forcefully engage on some of the biggest issues confronting our country : the decline in civics , the left ’ s takeover of our educational institutions , the rise in popularity of socialism , and challenges to our form of government , ” it said .
Heritage noted , for example , that Guelzo has tackled the New York Times 1619 Project on slavery .
“ The 1619 Project is not history .
It is conspiracy theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October 2019 .
“ This is polemic , and a polemic born in the imagination of those whose primary target is capitalism itself , and who hoped to tarnish capitalism by associating it with slavery , ” he added .
Heritage President Kay C. James said , “ From its inception , the Heritage Foundation has always worked to bring together the best minds in the country to develop solutions to the pressing issues that America faces .
These new scholars in the Feulner Institute ’ s Simon Center are no exception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work they will undertake and we hope it will provide the foundation to inspire and unify the American people under a common purpose and a common set of principles.
” Heritage is relocating the Simon Center for American Studies within the Feulner Institute , named for Heritage founder Edwin J. Feulner .

The Heritage Foundation, where President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence often look to for policy guidance and support, is boosting its team to take on threats of socialism and academic liberalism driving that challenge to democracy.
The Capitol Hill-based think tank that has advised Republican presidents from Ronald Reagan to Trump told Secrets that it has brought on four visiting scholars who are experts and advocates of American “exceptionalism,” and who will help it tackle the socialistic trend exploding on colleges campuses and among politicians in and outside of Washington.
“Their academic credentials will allow Heritage to more forcefully engage on some of the biggest issues confronting our country: the decline in civics, the left’s takeover of our educational institutions, the rise in popularity of socialism, and challenges to our form of government,” said the organization in its announcement.
The new team:
Jim Ceaser, a scholar on American politics and political thought from the University of Virginia.
Allen Guelzo, a Princeton University professor and scholar of American history.
Melissa Moschella, a preeminent voice on natural law, biomedical ethics, and the moral and political status of the family from Catholic University.
James Otteson, a highly regarded American philosopher and political economist from Wake Forest University.
The four, who Heritage plans to feature in its regular and social media, “will allow Heritage to more forcefully engage on some of the biggest issues confronting our country: the decline in civics, the left’s takeover of our educational institutions, the rise in popularity of socialism, and challenges to our form of government,” it said.
Heritage noted, for example, that Guelzo has tackled the New York Times 1619 Project on slavery. “The 1619 Project is not history. It is conspiracy theory,” Guelzo told a Heritage audience in October 2019. “This is polemic, and a polemic born in the imagination of those whose primary target is capitalism itself, and who hoped to tarnish capitalism by associating it with slavery,” he added.
Heritage President Kay C. James said, “From its inception, the Heritage Foundation has always worked to bring together the best minds in the country to develop solutions to the pressing issues that America faces. These new scholars in the Feulner Institute’s Simon Center are no exception. We are truly excited about the work they will undertake and we hope it will provide the foundation to inspire and unify the American people under a common purpose and a common set of principles.”
Heritage is relocating the Simon Center for American Studies within the Feulner Institute, named for Heritage founder Edwin J. Feulner.