thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--Joe Biden the biggest political beneficiary of coronavirus crisis

Joe Biden 's strategy to unseat President Trump looked daunting less than three weeks ago , as the former vice president picked up traction after big primary wins in South Carolina most Super Tuesday states .
Emerging as the presumptive Democratic nominee , Biden faced a president who oversaw one of the strongest economies in decades , could claim he defeated ISIS , and was enjoying his highest approval ratings since taking office more than three years ago .
Then , the outbreak of the coronavirus changed everything .
Instead of honing his message around attacking the 2017 GOP tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to undermine Obamacare , Biden has pivoted to appearing as a calm , experienced leader during a time of crisis .
During his televised address to the country last week , he spoke about his Obama administration experience heading the response to the Ebola outbreak .
“ No president can promise to prevent future outbreaks , but I can promise you this : When I ’ m president , we will be better prepared , respond better , and recover better , '' Biden said .
`` We will lead with science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks on the origin of the pandemic , effectively accusing him of xenophobia .
“ Labeling COVID-19 a ‘ foreign virus ’ does not displace accountability for the misjudgments that have been taken thus far by the Trump administration , ” he said .
Biden has released his own plan for fighting the coronavirus , as well , which calls for `` the wide availability of free testing , '' money for funding a vaccine , and emergency paid leave for workers .
Meanwhile , Sen. Bernie Sanders has been using the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare for All proposal , which would end private health insurance in favor of a government program .
Following Biden , the Vermont lawmaker gave his own `` fireside chat '' to address the public on how the country should best address the coronavirus .
`` Obviously , when a vaccine or other effective treatment is developed , it must be free of charge , '' Sanders said .
“ We can not live in a nation where , if you have the money , you get the treatment you need to survive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working class or poor , you get to the end of the line.
” So far , though , Biden is the biggest political beneficiary of the coronavirus crisis , intentionally or not .
Recent surveys of Democratic voters indicate that the crisis has caused support for Biden to surge .
In the last week , numerous polls have come out showing him leading by 20 points , with one NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll finding that Democrats favor Biden by 29 points over Sanders .
That same poll taken a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although a number of states are pushing their primaries back until the late spring or early summer , Sanders 's inability to hold rallies has deeply wounded his chances of mounting an improbable comeback .
In head-to-head matchups against Trump , Biden 's lead has steadily risen since the outbreak .
Although RealClearPolitics has Biden 's average lead at 6.4 points , polls taken at the beginning of the month have him with a 10-point advantage .
One Quinnipiac poll taken from March 5 to March 8 had him beating Trump by 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest lead over Trump came from a February poll , which had him ahead at 8 points .
Some bright spots do exist for Trump , however .
A poll of swing state voters released by CNBC/Change Research on Sunday found that both Biden and Trump were tied at 50 % over the question of who would handle the outbreak better .
51 % chose Sanders .
That same poll found 48 % of voters thought his response to the crisis `` excellent or good , '' with 52 % calling it `` @ @ @ @ @

Joe Biden's strategy to unseat President Trump looked daunting less than three weeks ago, as the former vice president picked up traction after big primary wins in South Carolina most Super Tuesday states.
Emerging as the presumptive Democratic nominee, Biden faced a president who oversaw one of the strongest economies in decades, could claim he defeated ISIS, and was enjoying his highest approval ratings since taking office more than three years ago.
Then, the outbreak of the coronavirus changed everything.
Instead of honing his message around attacking the 2017 GOP tax cut law and the Trump administration's efforts to undermine Obamacare, Biden has pivoted to appearing as a calm, experienced leader during a time of crisis. During his televised address to the country last week, he spoke about his Obama administration experience heading the response to the Ebola outbreak.
“No president can promise to prevent future outbreaks, but I can promise you this: When I’m president, we will be better prepared, respond better, and recover better," Biden said. "We will lead with science."
Biden further chided Trump over remarks on the origin of the pandemic, effectively accusing him of xenophobia.
“Labeling COVID-19 a ‘foreign virus’ does not displace accountability for the misjudgments that have been taken thus far by the Trump administration,” he said.
Biden has released his own plan for fighting the coronavirus, as well, which calls for "the wide availability of free testing," money for funding a vaccine, and emergency paid leave for workers.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders has been using the health crisis as an opportunity to re-pitch his Medicare for All proposal, which would end private health insurance in favor of a government program. Following Biden, the Vermont lawmaker gave his own "fireside chat" to address the public on how the country should best address the coronavirus.
"Obviously, when a vaccine or other effective treatment is developed, it must be free of charge," Sanders said. “We cannot live in a nation where, if you have the money, you get the treatment you need to survive, but, if you’re working class or poor, you get to the end of the line.”
So far, though, Biden is the biggest political beneficiary of the coronavirus crisis, intentionally or not. Recent surveys of Democratic voters indicate that the crisis has caused support for Biden to surge. In the last week, numerous polls have come out showing him leading by 20 points, with one NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finding that Democrats favor Biden by 29 points over Sanders. That same poll taken a month ago had Sanders leading by 12.
Although a number of states are pushing their primaries back until the late spring or early summer, Sanders's inability to hold rallies has deeply wounded his chances of mounting an improbable comeback.
In head-to-head matchups against Trump, Biden's lead has steadily risen since the outbreak. Although RealClearPolitics has Biden's average lead at 6.4 points, polls taken at the beginning of the month have him with a 10-point advantage. One Quinnipiac poll taken from March 5 to March 8 had him beating Trump by 10 points.
In comparison, Sanders's greatest lead over Trump came from a February poll, which had him ahead at 8 points.
Some bright spots do exist for Trump, however. A poll of swing state voters released by CNBC/Change Research on Sunday found that both Biden and Trump were tied at 50% over the question of who would handle the outbreak better. 51% chose Sanders.
That same poll found 48% of voters thought his response to the crisis "excellent or good," with 52% calling it "fair or poor."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--Strange and chaotic election day as coronavirus disrupts primaries

Concerns about spreading the coronavirus are causing political and logistical chaos in the four states with scheduled primary elections on Tuesday ( Arizona , Florida , Illinois , and Ohio ) and complicating campaign activities for Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
In an eleventh-hour announcement Monday night , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said that in-person voting for the state 's Tuesday primary was canceled due to the virus despite a court decision earlier on Tuesday denying a request to postpone the primary .
In Illinois , poll locations are understaffed due to election judges not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
The Chicago election board told reporters Tuesday that they had `` extremely low turnout '' in the morning .
Poll locations are supposed to have hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes available , but some locations have not received any .
Chicago 's election board accused Democratic Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday of rejecting a proposal to prohibit in-person voting on Tuesday and move to a vote-by-mail election .
The chief of staff for the governor called the claim a `` lie , '' adding that the board is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Maricopa County , the most populous county in Arizona , closed about one-third of poll locations on Tuesday due to a lack of adequate sanitation supplies , some polling locations canceling , and a lack of poll staff .
The county adjusted rules to allow residents to vote at any of the 151 remaining poll locations rather than just the one closest to them .
Because about 80 % of Arizona voters opt to receive their ballots by mail , the state may be less affected by coronavirus disruptions .
Several states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Maryland , announced in the last few days that they are delaying those elections due to the coronavirus .
Florida , meanwhile , is proceeding with a mostly normal Tuesday election , though it did close voting sites at nursing homes .
“ We ’ re definitely voting , ” Republican Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said Saturday .
“ They voted during the Civil War .
We are going to vote.
” In a normal situation , four major state primaries accounting for more than 500 nominating delegates to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and energy .
But concerns about spreading the virus have hampered the candidates ' ability to encourage any get-out-the-vote activities for fear of worsening the pandemic or looking insensitive .
Neither Biden nor Sanders has held in-person campaign events in the last week , and the Vermont senator 's campaign is not even encouraging people to leave their homes to go vote .
`` We are not doing traditional GOTV outreach in states holding primary contests today .
We are making clear to voters that we believe going to the polls amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we respect whichever choice they make , '' Sanders communications director Mike Casca said Tuesday .
`` We are also passing along guidance from the CDC on staying safe during the crisis .

Concerns about spreading the coronavirus are causing political and logistical chaos in the four states with scheduled primary elections on Tuesday (Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio) and complicating campaign activities for Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
In an eleventh-hour announcement Monday night, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said that in-person voting for the state's Tuesday primary was canceled due to the virus despite a court decision earlier on Tuesday denying a request to postpone the primary.
In Illinois, poll locations are understaffed due to election judges not showing up to the sites amid the outbreak. The Chicago election board told reporters Tuesday that they had "extremely low turnout" in the morning. Poll locations are supposed to have hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes available, but some locations have not received any.
Chicago's election board accused Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday of rejecting a proposal to prohibit in-person voting on Tuesday and move to a vote-by-mail election. The chief of staff for the governor called the claim a "lie," adding that the board is "worried about scoring cheap political points."
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The Governor has been trying to balance continuity of government, not disenfranchising people who already voted, avoiding a legal crisis & keeping everyone safe. The Chicago Board of Elections have been worried about scoring cheap political points. — Anne Caprara (@anacaprana) March 17, 2020
Maricopa County, the most populous county in Arizona, closed about one-third of poll locations on Tuesday due to a lack of adequate sanitation supplies, some polling locations canceling, and a lack of poll staff. The county adjusted rules to allow residents to vote at any of the 151 remaining poll locations rather than just the one closest to them. Because about 80% of Arizona voters opt to receive their ballots by mail, the state may be less affected by coronavirus disruptions.
Several states with later primaries, Georgia, Kentucky, and Maryland, announced in the last few days that they are delaying those elections due to the coronavirus.
Florida, meanwhile, is proceeding with a mostly normal Tuesday election, though it did close voting sites at nursing homes.
“We’re definitely voting,” Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday. “They voted during the Civil War. We are going to vote.”
In a normal situation, four major state primaries accounting for more than 500 nominating delegates to the Democratic national convention would dominate political coverage and energy. But concerns about spreading the virus have hampered the candidates' ability to encourage any get-out-the-vote activities for fear of worsening the pandemic or looking insensitive.
Neither Biden nor Sanders has held in-person campaign events in the last week, and the Vermont senator's campaign is not even encouraging people to leave their homes to go vote.
"We are not doing traditional GOTV outreach in states holding primary contests today. We are making clear to voters that we believe going to the polls amid the coronavirus outbreak is a personal decision, and we respect whichever choice they make," Sanders communications director Mike Casca said Tuesday. "We are also passing along guidance from the CDC on staying safe during the crisis.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--Duncan Hunter sentenced to 11 months in prison for misusing campaign funds

A federal judge sentenced former Rep. Duncan Hunter to 11 months in prison for illegal misuse of campaign funds .
The California Republican had pleaded guilty to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds on personal expenses .
His lavish misuse of the campaign dollars included a $ 462 bill for a friend ’ s bachelor party , $ 704 worth of tickets to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego , and $ 1,528 in video games .
Prosecutors had requested a 14-month prison sentence , but Hunter 's defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 months of in-home confinement .
In a letter , Hunter 's former Democratic colleague , Rep. Juan Vargas , called on the court to consider Hunter 's military service when issuing the sentence , writing , `` Mr. Hunter needs special counseling and treatment after fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq . ''
The former congressman entered his guilty plea in December but refused to leave office until he officially resigned in January .
He has been accused of remaining in office until January in order to add one more year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something Sen. Thom Tillis is hoping to squash with a bill to bar felon lawmakers from collecting from Congress ’ s pension fund .
The allegations against Hunter first surfaced in 2016 , but he managed to win reelection in 2018 to keep his seat .
The investigation that followed the allegations uncovered a total of nearly $ 250,000 in misused funds and several extramarital affairs he had with members of his staff and lobbyists .
Both Hunter and his wife Margaret were ensnared in the investigation .
The pair pleaded guilty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation .
When he pleaded guilty to the charges , he requested that the judge not severely punish his wife .
“ Whatever my time in custody will be , I will take that hit , ” Hunter told the judge .
“ My only hope is that the judge does not sentence my wife to jail .
I think my kids need a mom in the home.
” Margaret ’ s sentencing will take place on April 13 .
She also faces up to five years in prison .

A federal judge sentenced former Rep. Duncan Hunter to 11 months in prison for illegal misuse of campaign funds.
The California Republican had pleaded guilty to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds on personal expenses. His lavish misuse of the campaign dollars included a $462 bill for a friend’s bachelor party, $704 worth of tickets to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, and $1,528 in video games.
Prosecutors had requested a 14-month prison sentence, but Hunter's defense argued that it should be limited to 11 months of in-home confinement. In a letter, Hunter's former Democratic colleague, Rep. Juan Vargas, called on the court to consider Hunter's military service when issuing the sentence, writing, "Mr. Hunter needs special counseling and treatment after fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."
The former congressman entered his guilty plea in December but refused to leave office until he officially resigned in January. He has been accused of remaining in office until January in order to add one more year of eligibility to his congressional pension, something Sen. Thom Tillis is hoping to squash with a bill to bar felon lawmakers from collecting from Congress’s pension fund.
The allegations against Hunter first surfaced in 2016, but he managed to win reelection in 2018 to keep his seat. The investigation that followed the allegations uncovered a total of nearly $250,000 in misused funds and several extramarital affairs he had with members of his staff and lobbyists.
Both Hunter and his wife Margaret were ensnared in the investigation. The pair pleaded guilty, and Margaret testified against her husband in the investigation. When he pleaded guilty to the charges, he requested that the judge not severely punish his wife.
“Whatever my time in custody will be, I will take that hit,” Hunter told the judge. “My only hope is that the judge does not sentence my wife to jail. I think my kids need a mom in the home.”
Margaret’s sentencing will take place on April 13. She also faces up to five years in prison.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--Maryland delays primary until June

Maryland delays primary until June

Maryland is the latest state to delay a primary election due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The primary scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ place on June 2 , Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , said @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The special election to fill late Rep. Elijah Cummings 's seat will continue @ @ @ @ @ system .
The announcement came as three large states — Florida , Arizona , and @ @ @ @ @ elections on Tuesday despite concerns about social distancing to combat the spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ late Monday that its scheduled Tuesday primary was canceled due to the virus despite a @ @ @ @ @ a request to postpone the primary .
Kentucky , Louisiana , and Georgia have also @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .

Maryland is the latest state to delay a primary election due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The primary scheduled for April 28 will now take place on June 2, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said in a press conference on Tuesday. The special election to fill late Rep. Elijah Cummings's seat will continue but move to a vote-by-mail system.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The announcement came as three large states — Florida, Arizona, and Illinois — proceeded with primary elections on Tuesday despite concerns about social distancing to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Ohio's governor announced late Monday that its scheduled Tuesday primary was canceled due to the virus despite a court earlier on Tuesday denying a request to postpone the primary.
Kentucky, Louisiana, and Georgia have also delayed primary contests due to the coronavirus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--Code-named 'Celtic': Joe Biden gets Secret Service protection

Joe Biden , who is on track to become the Democratic presidential nominee , received Secret Service protection starting Tuesday .
`` The U.S. Secret Service can confirm Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf , along with the Congressional Advisory Committee , has authorized that the Secret Service provide physical protection for presidential candidate former Vice President Joseph Biden , '' a Secret Service spokesperson said Tuesday .
`` As a matter of practice and for operational security reasons , the Secret Service does not discuss our protectees , protective means , methods , and/or protective responsibilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Celtic , '' according to CNN .
The former vice president has Irish Catholic heritage .
Congressional leaders and other observers called for Biden to receive Secret Service protection after two protesters shouting , “ Let dairy die !
” rushed up to him on his stage during an event the night of Super Tuesday .
Biden 's wife , Jill , and top aide Symone Sanders escorted the protesters off the stage .
Former vice presidents do not get lifetime Secret Service protection , and his protection as a candidate comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 cycle .
As candidates , President Trump and Ben Carson received Secret Service details in November 2015 .
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , Biden 's last Democratic rival , currently does not have Secret Service protection and does not have plans to attain it .
Biden previously had Secret Service for more than eight years , starting with his selection at Barack Obama 's running mate in August 2008 through the pair 's two terms in the White House .

Joe Biden, who is on track to become the Democratic presidential nominee, received Secret Service protection starting Tuesday.
"The U.S. Secret Service can confirm Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf, along with the Congressional Advisory Committee, has authorized that the Secret Service provide physical protection for presidential candidate former Vice President Joseph Biden," a Secret Service spokesperson said Tuesday. "As a matter of practice and for operational security reasons, the Secret Service does not discuss our protectees, protective means, methods, and/or protective responsibilities."
Biden's code name will be "Celtic," according to CNN. The former vice president has Irish Catholic heritage.
Congressional leaders and other observers called for Biden to receive Secret Service protection after two protesters shouting, “Let dairy die!” rushed up to him on his stage during an event the night of Super Tuesday. Biden's wife, Jill, and top aide Symone Sanders escorted the protesters off the stage.
Former vice presidents do not get lifetime Secret Service protection, and his protection as a candidate comes much later than candidates received it in the 2016 cycle. As candidates, President Trump and Ben Carson received Secret Service details in November 2015.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Biden's last Democratic rival, currently does not have Secret Service protection and does not have plans to attain it.
Biden previously had Secret Service for more than eight years, starting with his selection at Barack Obama's running mate in August 2008 through the pair's two terms in the White House.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-17--Joe Biden: A 'centrist' moves further left

It 's an indisputable fact that the Democratic Party has moved left in recent years .
Now , the party is about to choose a standard-bearer , in the person of former Vice President Joe Biden , and what has become clear is that Biden has not only shifted left with his party over the years , he has taken significant leftward steps in recent weeks .
First , for years , Biden has defended the Obama administration 's record on deportations against those on the left who criticized President Barack Obama as the `` deporter in chief . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After ugly losses in Iowa and New Hampshire , Biden was struggling for life in Nevada and trying to appeal to the Hispanic voters who made up a substantial portion of state Democrats .
All of a sudden , Biden backtracked on the Obama deportations he used to defend .
`` There were too many , '' Biden told Univision 's Jorge Ramos .
`` I saw the pain in the eyes of so many people who saw their families being deported .
I know what it 's like to lose family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the Nevada vote neared , Biden promised that if he became president he would not deport anyone , no one , under any circumstances , during his first 100 days in office .
After that , Biden said he would deport only those who have committed felonies in the United States .
Biden repeated the pledge at his recent debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders , his last remaining rival for the nomination .
A second example .
Just before the debate , Biden announced he was adopting some of Sanders 's position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today , Biden is adding to his agenda by adopting Senator Sanders ' proposal to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all students whose family incomes are below $ 125,000 , '' the campaign said .
Biden 's proposal was modeled on a bill Sanders offered in 2017 , and that had also been part of Sanders 's 2016 battle with Hillary Clinton .
Sanders has since moved on — he now proposes free tuition for everyone , regardless of income .
Accordingly , Sanders rejected Biden 's move .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting a position that was in the Democratic platform four years ago , '' Sanders said in a statement released just before the debate .
`` Now we have to go much further . ''
Still , Biden had moved unmistakably toward Sanders .
A third example .
Back in the 2000s , Biden , then a senator , fought with Elizabeth Warren , then a Harvard professor , over the issue of bankruptcy .
She wanted to make it less wearing on those who have to declare bankruptcy by , among other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt in their bankruptcy filing .
Biden opposed the idea .
Years later , Warren made a similar plan part of her presidential campaign before dropping out after the Super Tuesday primaries .
Now , with Warren withholding her endorsement , Biden is moving Warren 's way .
Before the debate , he announced that he `` agrees firmly with Senator Warren that we need to fundamentally reshape our bankruptcy system . ''
Yet another leftward move .
Is Biden undergoing some sort of late-in-life reassessment of his beliefs ?
Perhaps , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for baldly political reasons .
He needed Hispanic votes in Nevada .
( By the way , even with his no-deportations pledge , he did n't get them ; Sanders beat him 50 % -17 % among Hispanic voters . )
He needs Sanders 's support , and his voters , when the Vermont senator finally gives up the race .
He needs Warren 's support , too .
So Biden 's positions on three big issues — immigration , college education , and bankruptcy — changed virtually overnight to fit the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Democratic primary .
And all involved a move to the left .
For months Biden dominated the `` centrist '' or `` moderate '' lane of the Democratic race .
But now there is no longer a Democratic race .
Even as commentators touted his centrism , Biden strategically moved left to consolidate the support he needed for the nomination .
Soon he will have to come up with the version of Joe Biden who will run in the general election .
At the moment , all politics , as all life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coronavirus .
But at some point the virus will subside , and the campaign will reemerge .
President Trump will fiercely attack Biden for moving left , leaving voters to decide whether Biden really is the centrist he was made out to be .

It's an indisputable fact that the Democratic Party has moved left in recent years. Now, the party is about to choose a standard-bearer, in the person of former Vice President Joe Biden, and what has become clear is that Biden has not only shifted left with his party over the years, he has taken significant leftward steps in recent weeks.
Three examples.
First, for years, Biden has defended the Obama administration's record on deportations against those on the left who criticized President Barack Obama as the "deporter in chief." Then came last month's Nevada caucuses. After ugly losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, Biden was struggling for life in Nevada and trying to appeal to the Hispanic voters who made up a substantial portion of state Democrats.
All of a sudden, Biden backtracked on the Obama deportations he used to defend. "There were too many," Biden told Univision's Jorge Ramos. "I saw the pain in the eyes of so many people who saw their families being deported. I know what it's like to lose family members. It was painful."
As the Nevada vote neared, Biden promised that if he became president he would not deport anyone, no one, under any circumstances, during his first 100 days in office. After that, Biden said he would deport only those who have committed felonies in the United States. Biden repeated the pledge at his recent debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders, his last remaining rival for the nomination.
A second example. Just before the debate, Biden announced he was adopting some of Sanders's position on free college for all. "Today, Biden is adding to his agenda by adopting Senator Sanders' proposal to make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all students whose family incomes are below $125,000," the campaign said.
Biden's proposal was modeled on a bill Sanders offered in 2017, and that had also been part of Sanders's 2016 battle with Hillary Clinton. Sanders has since moved on — he now proposes free tuition for everyone, regardless of income. Accordingly, Sanders rejected Biden's move. "It's great that Joe Biden is now supporting a position that was in the Democratic platform four years ago," Sanders said in a statement released just before the debate. "Now we have to go much further." Still, Biden had moved unmistakably toward Sanders.
A third example. Back in the 2000s, Biden, then a senator, fought with Elizabeth Warren, then a Harvard professor, over the issue of bankruptcy. She wanted to make it less wearing on those who have to declare bankruptcy by, among other things, allowing them to include student debt in their bankruptcy filing. Biden opposed the idea. Years later, Warren made a similar plan part of her presidential campaign before dropping out after the Super Tuesday primaries.
Now, with Warren withholding her endorsement, Biden is moving Warren's way. Before the debate, he announced that he "agrees firmly with Senator Warren that we need to fundamentally reshape our bankruptcy system." Yet another leftward move.
Is Biden undergoing some sort of late-in-life reassessment of his beliefs? Perhaps, but it appears more likely his shifts came for baldly political reasons. He needed Hispanic votes in Nevada. (By the way, even with his no-deportations pledge, he didn't get them; Sanders beat him 50%-17% among Hispanic voters.) He needs Sanders's support, and his voters, when the Vermont senator finally gives up the race. He needs Warren's support, too.
So Biden's positions on three big issues — immigration, college education, and bankruptcy — changed virtually overnight to fit the political requirements of the late stages of the 2020 Democratic primary. And all involved a move to the left. For months Biden dominated the "centrist" or "moderate" lane of the Democratic race. But now there is no longer a Democratic race. Even as commentators touted his centrism, Biden strategically moved left to consolidate the support he needed for the nomination.
Soon he will have to come up with the version of Joe Biden who will run in the general election. At the moment, all politics, as all life in the United States, is consumed with the coronavirus. But at some point the virus will subside, and the campaign will reemerge. President Trump will fiercely attack Biden for moving left, leaving voters to decide whether Biden really is the centrist he was made out to be.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Coronavirus crisis poised to cement Democrat healthcare edge in suburbs

The coronavirus pandemic is elevating health care as a key issue in the 2020 campaign , a development that could put President Trump in a deeper hole in suburban battlegrounds as the November elections approach .
College-educated voters who predominate in the suburbs , especially women , prefer Democrats over Republicans and prioritize health care , recent polling shows .
The coronavirus is raising concern about public health and the capacity of the medical system to handle the crisis .
“ A ‘ government-do-more ’ election is bad for Republicans , ” said one GOP operative , who like other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sensitive topic of the politics surrounding of a deadly disease .
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on life in the United States , and around the world , are fast-moving and evolving .
The political fallout could be equally be equally swift — and unpredictable .
But polling conducted before the onset of the crisis revealed that Democrats had retained a political edge on health care with suburban voters that helped drive their 40-seat takeover of the House , as well as Senate victories in suburban-heavy Arizona and Nevada , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from suburban voters ’ support for Obamacare — a law opposed by Republicans — and , among its other benefits , the federal insurance protections it offers for preexisting medical conditions .
Some Republican insiders fear their party ’ s problem on this critical issue — a 20-point deficit according to a survey of voters across dozens of suburban battlegrounds — will only become more pronounced because of coronavirus .
Democrats are certainly confident of that outcome .
“ People already had good reasons not to trust Donald Trump 's health care plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now , sadly , they 're feeling the consequences of a president who ignores public health experts , does n't believe in health care , and does n't even believe in science.
” Trump has aggressively rejected claims that his health care agenda would eliminate protections for preexisting conditions .
On Tuesday , the president announced that the federal government would reimburse Medicare providers for telephone consultations with seniors as part of the administration ’ s strategy for combating coronavirus .
Nevertheless , many Republican operatives believe it is far too early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play in the campaign months down the road .
Some believe the Democrats ’ upper hand has diminished thanks to polarizing proposals to abolish private health insurance and the put the government in charge of care , plans offered Bernie Sanders and other by Democratic presidential candidates .
True , Democratic front-runner Joe Biden opposes so-called “ Medicare-for-all ” plans and would only go so far as to allow Americans the option to purchase government insurance .
But Republican insiders say Democrats have muddled their health care message , providing Trump with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove crucial to his reelection prospects .
“ The shift in messaging from preexisting conditions to Medicare-for-all to appease the far left was beyond dumb , ” a Republican consultant said .
“ Democrats lost the upper hand on Health Care that they and their allies spent hundreds of millions getting in 2018 .
”

The coronavirus pandemic is elevating healthcare as a key issue in the 2020 campaign, a development that could put President Trump in a deeper hole in suburban battlegrounds as the November elections approach.
College-educated voters who predominate in the suburbs, especially women, prefer Democrats over Republicans and prioritize healthcare, recent polling shows. The coronavirus is raising concerns about public health and the capacity of the medical system to handle the crisis.
“A ‘government-do-more’ election is bad for Republicans,” said one GOP operative, who, like other sources, asked to remain anonymous to discuss the sensitive topic of the politics surrounding a deadly disease.
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on life in the United States, and around the world, are fast-moving and evolving. The political fallout could be equally swift — and unpredictable.
But polling conducted before the onset of the crisis revealed that Democrats had retained a political edge on healthcare with suburban voters that helped drive their 40-seat takeover of the House, as well as Senate victories in suburban-heavy Arizona and Nevada, in the 2018 midterm elections. That stemmed from suburban voters’ support for Obamacare — a law opposed by Republicans — and, among its other benefits, the federal insurance protections it offers for preexisting medical conditions.
Some Republican insiders fear their party’s problem on this critical issue, a 20-point deficit according to a survey of voters across dozens of suburban battlegrounds, will only become more pronounced because of the coronavirus. Democrats are certainly confident of that outcome.
“People already had good reasons not to trust Donald Trump's healthcare plans,” a Democratic strategist said. “Now, sadly, they're feeling the consequences of a president who ignores public health experts, doesn't believe in healthcare, and doesn't even believe in science.”
Trump has aggressively rejected claims that his healthcare agenda would eliminate protections for preexisting conditions. On Tuesday, the president announced that the federal government would reimburse Medicare providers for telephone consultations with seniors as part of the administration’s strategy for combating the coronavirus.
Nevertheless, many Republican operatives believe it is far too early to draw conclusions about how healthcare will play in the campaign months down the road. Some believe the Democrats’ upper hand has diminished thanks to polarizing proposals to abolish private health insurance and put the government in charge of care, plans offered by Bernie Sanders and other Democratic presidential candidates.
True, Democratic front-runner Joe Biden opposes so-called “Medicare for all” plans and would only go so far as to allow people the option to purchase government insurance. But Republican insiders say Democrats have muddled their healthcare message, providing Trump with a lifeline to reclaim suburban support that could prove crucial to his reelection prospects.
“The shift in messaging from preexisting conditions to 'Medicare for all' to appease the far Left was beyond dumb,” a Republican consultant said. “Democrats lost the upper hand on healthcare that they and their allies spent hundreds of millions getting in 2018.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Biden assumes nominee tone and brushes off Sanders in primary night coronavirus speech

Joe Biden focused more on the coronavirus pandemic than on primary wins over his last main rival , Bernie Sanders , in two major states — a sign that the inevitable nominee is positioning himself as an alternative to President Trump .
`` In keeping with the latest guidance from the CDC against gatherings of more than 10 people , I 'm speaking to you from my home in Wilmington , Delaware , '' Biden said in a livestream Tuesday evening , appearing nearly 40 minutes later than scheduled and wearing a green tie for St. Patrick 's Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moment when we need our leaders to lead . ''
The former vice president won decisively in Tuesday 's Florida and Illinois primaries and is favored to win in Arizona 's contest as well .
That will stretch his nominating delegate lead so much that a Sanders path to winning the Democratic presidential nomination is not only a long shot , but is nearly prohibitive .
Biden acknowledged that he will almost certainly be the Democratic presidential nominee .
`` Our campaign has had a very good night .
We moved closer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president , '' Biden said .
He offered a conciliatory tone toward Sanders in a way that seeks to woo his supporters , sounding more like a candidate who officially became the Democratic presidential nominee rather than one still competing against a final rival .
`` Sen. Sanders and I may disagree on tactics , but we share a common vision , '' Biden said .
He said to supporters of the Vermont senator : `` I hear you .
I know what ’ s at stake .
I know what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaign and my goal as a candidate for president is to unify this party , '' adding that Sanders has `` shifted the fundamental conversation in this country . ''
`` It 's moments like these that we realize we need to put politics aside and work together as Americans , '' Biden said .

Joe Biden focused more on the coronavirus pandemic than on primary wins over his last main rival, Bernie Sanders, in two major states — a sign that the inevitable nominee is positioning himself as an alternative to President Trump.
"In keeping with the latest guidance from the CDC against gatherings of more than 10 people, I'm speaking to you from my home in Wilmington, Delaware," Biden said in a livestream Tuesday evening, appearing nearly 40 minutes later than scheduled and wearing a green tie for St. Patrick's Day. He added that the crisis "is a moment when we need our leaders to lead."
The former vice president won decisively in Tuesday's Florida and Illinois primaries and is favored to win in Arizona's contest as well. That will stretch his nominating delegate lead so much that a Sanders path to winning the Democratic presidential nomination is not only a long shot, but is nearly prohibitive.
Biden acknowledged that he will almost certainly be the Democratic presidential nominee. "Our campaign has had a very good night. We moved closer to securing the Democratic Party's nomination for president," Biden said.
He offered a conciliatory tone toward Sanders in a way that seeks to woo his supporters, sounding more like a candidate who officially became the Democratic presidential nominee rather than one still competing against a final rival.
"Sen. Sanders and I may disagree on tactics, but we share a common vision," Biden said.
He said to supporters of the Vermont senator: "I hear you. I know what’s at stake. I know what we have to do. Our goal as a campaign and my goal as a candidate for president is to unify this party," adding that Sanders has "shifted the fundamental conversation in this country."
"It's moments like these that we realize we need to put politics aside and work together as Americans," Biden said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--'Fully remote': Axios apologizes for botched Bernie Sanders dropout report

The top editor at Axios issued an apology to readers after the outlet inaccurately reported Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the presidential race , suggesting that the coronavirus may have been a factor .
The news website reported on Wednesday the independent senator from Vermont was ending his campaign after losing three major primary states to former Vice President Joe Biden .
Members of his campaign quickly pushed back on the report on social media .
Axios later retracted the story and apologized for the error .
`` Our incorrect report on the Sanders campaign was a big error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the editor-in-chief of Axios , said in a statement .
`` We know the trust of our readers is our most important asset .
This is not an excuse but the reality : our process for full approval in a fully remote newsroom broke down .
That has been fixed and we are prominently correcting , and taking responsibility , for the error . ''
Johnston did not mention the coronavirus , but his statement comes at a time when many newsroom have taken precautions , including allowing staff to telework from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the world contend with the pandemic .
The Sanders campaign , following Tuesday 's crushing losses in primaries in Illinois , Florida , and Arizona , said it is now evaluating whether the candidate should remain in the presidential race .
`` The next primary contest is at least three weeks away , '' Sanders campaign spokesman Faiz Shakur said in a statement .
`` Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to asses his campaign .
In the immediate term , however , he is focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable . ''

The top editor at Axios issued an apology to readers after the outlet inaccurately reported Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the presidential race, suggesting that the coronavirus may have been a factor.
The news website reported on Wednesday the independent senator from Vermont was ending his campaign after losing three major primary states to former Vice President Joe Biden.
Members of his campaign quickly pushed back on the report on social media. Axios later retracted the story and apologized for the error.
"Our incorrect report on the Sanders campaign was a big error and we apologize," Nicholas Johnston, the editor-in-chief of Axios, said in a statement. "We know the trust of our readers is our most important asset. This is not an excuse but the reality: our process for full approval in a fully remote newsroom broke down. That has been fixed and we are prominently correcting, and taking responsibility, for the error."
Johnston did not mention the coronavirus, but his statement comes at a time when many newsroom have taken precautions, including allowing staff to telework from home, as the United States and the rest of the world contend with the pandemic.
The Sanders campaign, following Tuesday's crushing losses in primaries in Illinois, Florida, and Arizona, said it is now evaluating whether the candidate should remain in the presidential race.
"The next primary contest is at least three weeks away," Sanders campaign spokesman Faiz Shakur said in a statement. "Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to asses his campaign. In the immediate term, however, he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Sanders snaps at reporter for asking about campaign status: 'I'm dealing with a f---ing global crisi

Sanders snaps at reporter for asking about campaign status: 'I'm dealing with a f---ing global crisis'

Bernie Sanders barked at a CNN reporter after he asked about a time frame in which the senator might decide to suspend his presidential bid .
`` I 'm dealing with a f -- -ing global crisis , ” the Vermont senator told CNN ’ s Manu Raju on Wednesday .
`` Right now I 'm trying to do my best to make sure that we do n't have an economic meltdown and that people do n't die .
Is that enough for you to keep me busy for today ? ''
The Senate cleared a $ 104 billion federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Sanders ’ s campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Wednesday that the presidential candidate would be talking to his supporters in the coming weeks and would “ assess his campaign.
” '' In the immediate term , however , he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable , ” Shakir said .
Sanders lost three major primary states — Illinois , Florida , and Arizona — to former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has 1,147 delegates compared to Sanders ’ s 861 .
A candidate needs 1,991 pledged delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination .

Bernie Sanders barked at a CNN reporter after he asked about a time frame in which the senator might decide to suspend his presidential bid.
"I'm dealing with a f---ing global crisis,” the Vermont senator told CNN’s Manu Raju on Wednesday. "Right now I'm trying to do my best to make sure that we don't have an economic meltdown and that people don't die. Is that enough for you to keep me busy for today?"
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Bernie Sanders when @mkraju asked his timeframe for a decision: "I'm dealing with a fucking global crisis."
"Right now I'm trying to do my best to make sure that we don't have an economic meltdown and that people don't die. Is that enough for you to keep me busy for today?" — Eric Bradner (@ericbradner) March 18, 2020
The Senate cleared a $104 billion federal aid package Wednesday aimed at responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sanders’s campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Wednesday that the presidential candidate would be talking to his supporters in the coming weeks and would “assess his campaign.”
"In the immediate term, however, he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable,” Shakir said.
Sanders lost three major primary states — Illinois, Florida, and Arizona — to former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday, giving Biden an insurmountable delegate lead. Biden has 1,147 delegates compared to Sanders’s 861. A candidate needs 1,991 pledged delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Republican and Democratic conventions in jeopardy over coronavirus fears

A month ago , a contested Democratic convention seemed plausible , even likely .
Now , there may not be a convention at all .
Although both the Republican and Democratic national committees have repeatedly said they plan on holding their conventions in the summer , the outbreak of the coronavirus could prove severely disruptive , even debilitating .
With tens of millions of dollars on the line in terms of stimulus for the host cities — Democrats in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , July 13-16 and Republicans in Charlotte , North Carolina , Aug. 24-27 — both parties find themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Republican convention , unless the outbreak slows immensely , holding the event today would appear to be in direct violation of the North Carolina 's new restrictions .
On Tuesday , North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , said that the police would enforce bans on gatherings of more than 100 people for the next eight weeks .
The same day , Wisconsin announced even more draconian restrictions .
All gatherings of more than 10 people , Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers declared , would be banned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts are split on how long such restrictions would be necessary .
A paper released by the Imperial College of London earlier this week forecasts the coronavirus outbreak to last 18 months and calls on governments around the world to continue implementing extreme social distancing orders for the foreseeable future .
Should the threat of the virus wane during the summer , a time where many virologists believe transmission would be more difficult , the number of attendees would likely raise concern from health experts .
In 2016 , for example , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the convention halls .
Reports Wednesday afternoon indicated that the Trump administration sees the spread of the coronavirus lasting for over a year , meaning such gatherings of the thousands , never mind the tens of thousands , would likely need to be curtailed throughout the summer .
Even if the conventions were cut off from the public , thousands of delegates would need to appear in order to cast their votes for the nominee .
Already , the nature of this cycle 's primary has changed dramatically because of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maryland , Kentucky , Georgia , and Louisiana , have all moved their contests to the spring or summer .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has no effective path to the Democratic nomination at this point but still has yet to drop out , signaled that he was uncomfortable with the idea of holding in-person primaries later .
His concerns were echoed by numerous liberal and left-wing activist groups that called on the remaining states to either postpone their primaries or hold them entirely through vote-by-mail .

A month ago, a contested Democratic convention seemed plausible, even likely. Now, there may not be a convention at all.
Although both the Republican and Democratic national committees have repeatedly said they plan on holding their conventions in the summer, the outbreak of the coronavirus could prove severely disruptive, even debilitating. With tens of millions of dollars on the line in terms of stimulus for the host cities — Democrats in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 13-16 and Republicans in Charlotte, North Carolina, Aug. 24-27 — both parties find themselves in tricky situations.
In the case of the Republican convention, unless the outbreak slows immensely, holding the event today would appear to be in direct violation of the North Carolina's new restrictions. On Tuesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said that the police would enforce bans on gatherings of more than 100 people for the next eight weeks.
The same day, Wisconsin announced even more draconian restrictions. All gatherings of more than 10 people, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers declared, would be banned for an undetermined period of time.
Health experts are split on how long such restrictions would be necessary. A paper released by the Imperial College of London earlier this week forecasts the coronavirus outbreak to last 18 months and calls on governments around the world to continue implementing extreme social distancing orders for the foreseeable future.
Should the threat of the virus wane during the summer, a time where many virologists believe transmission would be more difficult, the number of attendees would likely raise concern from health experts.
In 2016, for example, both parties saw roughly 50,000 individuals pass through the convention halls. Reports Wednesday afternoon indicated that the Trump administration sees the spread of the coronavirus lasting for over a year, meaning such gatherings of the thousands, never mind the tens of thousands, would likely need to be curtailed throughout the summer.
Even if the conventions were cut off from the public, thousands of delegates would need to appear in order to cast their votes for the nominee.
Already, the nature of this cycle's primary has changed dramatically because of the pandemic. A number of states, including Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, Georgia, and Louisiana, have all moved their contests to the spring or summer.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has no effective path to the Democratic nomination at this point but still has yet to drop out, signaled that he was uncomfortable with the idea of holding in-person primaries later. His concerns were echoed by numerous liberal and left-wing activist groups that called on the remaining states to either postpone their primaries or hold them entirely through vote-by-mail.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Republican Bill Weld ends long-shot primary challenge to Trump

William “ Bill ” Weld announced he was ending his bid to challenge President Trump in the Republican primary .
`` I have decided to suspend my candidacy for President of the United States , effective immediately , '' the former Massachusetts governor said in an email to supporters on Wednesday .
`` But while I am suspending my candidacy , I want to be clear that I am not suspending my commitment to the nation and to the democratic institutions that set us apart .
America is truly the greatest country on earth .
It ’ s up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains so . ''
Weld 's announcement comes the day after Trump officially gathered enough nominating delegates in Tuesday 's primary contests to become the 2020 Republican presidential nominee .
Weld secured just one delegate from Iowa 's Republican caucuses last month .
Throughout his campaign , Weld , 74 , criticized Trump for his rhetoric and demeanor , imposing tariffs , and increasing the national debt and budget deficit .
In 2016 , Weld ran for vice president as a member of the Libertarian Party with former New Mexico Gov .
Gary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson and Weld received about 3 % of the national popular vote .
A Republican governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997 , Weld ’ s liberal stances on social issues such as abortion and same-sex unions helped him secure victory in the traditionally Democratic state .
He was often mentioned during that period as a potential presidential candidate or at least a Cabinet secretary .
In 1996 , he challenged then-Democratic Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry for his seat but lost .
[ Opinion : Neither Bill Weld nor Joe Walsh can @ @ @ @ @ @ @

William “Bill” Weld announced he was ending his bid to challenge President Trump in the Republican primary.
"I have decided to suspend my candidacy for President of the United States, effective immediately," the former Massachusetts governor said in an email to supporters on Wednesday. "But while I am suspending my candidacy, I want to be clear that I am not suspending my commitment to the nation and to the democratic institutions that set us apart. America is truly the greatest country on earth. It’s up to each of us to ensure that it remains so."
Weld's announcement comes the day after Trump officially gathered enough nominating delegates in Tuesday's primary contests to become the 2020 Republican presidential nominee.
Weld secured just one delegate from Iowa's Republican caucuses last month.
Throughout his campaign, Weld, 74, criticized Trump for his rhetoric and demeanor, imposing tariffs, and increasing the national debt and budget deficit.
In 2016, Weld ran for vice president as a member of the Libertarian Party with former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson at the top of the ticket. Johnson and Weld received about 3% of the national popular vote.
A Republican governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997, Weld’s liberal stances on social issues such as abortion and same-sex unions helped him secure victory in the traditionally Democratic state. He was often mentioned during that period as a potential presidential candidate or at least a Cabinet secretary. In 1996, he challenged then-Democratic Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry for his seat but lost.
[Opinion: Neither Bill Weld nor Joe Walsh can offer the Trump challenge we need]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Biden tries to win White House by simply not being Trump

Joe Biden became the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee by convincing primary voters he is the most `` electable '' against President Trump .
Now , he 's going to make that `` safe choice '' actually work .
Bernie Sanders , Biden 's last remaining rival for delegates , warned during Sunday night 's debate a lack of enthusiasm for the two-term vice president could hurt his electoral chances in the fall fight against Trump .
`` I have my doubts about how you win a general election against Trump , who will be a very , very tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the largest voter turnout in history , '' the Vermont senator said .
Delaware 's 36-year senator shot back , arguing he inspired record-breaking participation in states such as Virginia , where 1.3 million voters cast a ballot on Super Tuesday , compared to 783,000 in 2016 and 986,000 in 2008 .
`` They are coming out for me , '' he said .
`` The reason they 're doing that is because they understand I know what has to happen , that I know what needs to be done . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's theory as `` tremendously flawed '' because his 2016 success was exacerbated by then-competitor Hillary Clinton 's `` negatives . ''
Clinton did n't win the districts former President Barack Obama did in 2008 and 2012 , while Biden is popular with black Democrats , she said .
`` Bernie Sanders is saying he could do better because he could get people who do n't typically show up .
That is not the same as what happened in 2016 , when the base did not show up , '' she told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hindered by low enthusiasm in a normal election cycle , but he 's being boosted by anti-Trump sentiment , according to Del Percio .
`` That 's what we saw in 2018 , and that 's what we 're seeing in 2020 with the increased turnout in the primary of the suburban areas , '' she said .
But Del Percio added Biden was an unpredictable candidate , so `` nothing 's a done deal . ''
`` Biden should have the best chance , but let 's not forget people wrote Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to him .
His early errors in the primary campaign were based on his own actions .
It was all self-inflicted , '' she said .
Although Biden 's 1,132 pledged delegates mean he 's still short of the 1,991 required to earn the party 's nod outright , Sanders 's path to the nomination is almost impossible .
And Biden 's candidacy was , in part , bolstered by concerns Sanders 's embrace of socialism would hurt down-ballot races .
Early national general election polls give Biden , on average , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to RealClearPolitics data .
Democrats are desperate to rebuild the so-called blue wall in 2020 , taking back Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin after Trump flipped the states four years ago .
Biden has a slight edge in the first two states , but the pair are tied in the latter .
Biden is ahead in battlegrounds such as Arizona , Minnesota , and North Carolina , while Trump has the advantage in Georgia and Texas .
For Middlebury College political science professor Bert Johnson , Biden 's potential enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely coronavirus-driven economic downturn .
Using a statistical model based on gross domestic product growth in an election year 's second financial quarter and presidential approval ratings around the same time , Biden could win the contest by Obama 's 2008 margin of victory , Johnson told the Washington Examiner .
`` I ’ d say that a lack of enthusiasm ( if there is one ) could affect a closer election , which looked likely before the pandemic hit .
But the worse it gets , the more dangerous it gets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of enthusiasm for the challenger , '' he said .
`` When an incumbent is running , the election tends to be a referendum on the incumbent — all the more so in challenging times . ''

Joe Biden became the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee by convincing primary voters he is the most "electable" against President Trump. Now, he's going to make that "safe choice" actually work.
Bernie Sanders, Biden's last remaining rival for delegates, warned during Sunday night's debate a lack of enthusiasm for the two-term vice president could hurt his electoral chances in the fall fight against Trump.
"I have my doubts about how you win a general election against Trump, who will be a very, very tough opponent unless you have energy, excitement, the largest voter turnout in history," the Vermont senator said.
Delaware's 36-year senator shot back, arguing he inspired record-breaking participation in states such as Virginia, where 1.3 million voters cast a ballot on Super Tuesday, compared to 783,000 in 2016 and 986,000 in 2008.
"They are coming out for me," he said. "The reason they're doing that is because they understand I know what has to happen, that I know what needs to be done."
Republican strategist Susan Del Percio described Sanders's theory as "tremendously flawed" because his 2016 success was exacerbated by then-competitor Hillary Clinton's "negatives." Clinton didn't win the districts former President Barack Obama did in 2008 and 2012, while Biden is popular with black Democrats, she said.
"Bernie Sanders is saying he could do better because he could get people who don't typically show up. That is not the same as what happened in 2016, when the base did not show up," she told the Washington Examiner.
Biden could have been hindered by low enthusiasm in a normal election cycle, but he's being boosted by anti-Trump sentiment, according to Del Percio.
"That's what we saw in 2018, and that's what we're seeing in 2020 with the increased turnout in the primary of the suburban areas," she said.
But Del Percio added Biden was an unpredictable candidate, so "nothing's a done deal."
"Biden should have the best chance, but let's not forget people wrote Biden off as dead, not because anything happened to him. His early errors in the primary campaign were based on his own actions. It was all self-inflicted," she said.
Although Biden's 1,132 pledged delegates mean he's still short of the 1,991 required to earn the party's nod outright, Sanders's path to the nomination is almost impossible. And Biden's candidacy was, in part, bolstered by concerns Sanders's embrace of socialism would hurt down-ballot races.
Early national general election polls give Biden, on average, a 6.4 percentage point lead on Trump, according to RealClearPolitics data.
Democrats are desperate to rebuild the so-called blue wall in 2020, taking back Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin after Trump flipped the states four years ago. Biden has a slight edge in the first two states, but the pair are tied in the latter. Biden is ahead in battlegrounds such as Arizona, Minnesota, and North Carolina, while Trump has the advantage in Georgia and Texas.
For Middlebury College political science professor Bert Johnson, Biden's potential enthusiasm problem may also be countered by a likely coronavirus-driven economic downturn.
Using a statistical model based on gross domestic product growth in an election year's second financial quarter and presidential approval ratings around the same time, Biden could win the contest by Obama's 2008 margin of victory, Johnson told the Washington Examiner.
"I’d say that a lack of enthusiasm (if there is one) could affect a closer election, which looked likely before the pandemic hit. But the worse it gets, the more dangerous it gets for the incumbent, regardless of the underlying level of enthusiasm for the challenger," he said. "When an incumbent is running, the election tends to be a referendum on the incumbent — all the more so in challenging times."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Alabama postpones runoff between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville

Suspense as to whether Jeff Sessions can win back his former Senate seat will carry on for a few more @ @ @ @ @ between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville and President Trump ’ s former attorney general @ @ @ @ @ to July 14 .
The postponement was prompted by the coronavirus pandemic .
There have @ @ @ @ @ cases around the world , 82,000 recoveries , and 8,248 deaths , according to the @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University tracker .
In the United States , there have been 6,519 cases and @ @ @ @ @ Tuberville over Sessions earlier this month .
Sessions , who was the first senator to @ @ @ @ @ was ousted as attorney general after his recusal from overseeing the Russia investigation .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ decision , which was followed by the firing of FBI Director James Comey and the @ @ @ @ @ be special counsel in charge of the inquiry .
The winner of the runoff will @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat , in the general election .

Suspense as to whether Jeff Sessions can win back his former Senate seat will carry on for a few more months.
A runoff election between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville and President Trump’s former attorney general was postponed from March 31 to July 14.
The postponement was prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
There have been about 205,452 confirmed coronavirus cases around the world, 82,000 recoveries, and 8,248 deaths, according to the latest reading by the Johns Hopkins University tracker. In the United States, there have been 6,519 cases and 115 deaths.
Trump endorsed Tuberville over Sessions earlier this month. Sessions, who was the first senator to endorse Trump in 2016, was ousted as attorney general after his recusal from overseeing the Russia investigation. Trump frequently denigrated Sessions for the decision, which was followed by the firing of FBI Director James Comey and the appointment of Robert Mueller to be special counsel in charge of the inquiry.
The winner of the runoff will face incumbent Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat, in the general election.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Trump: DNC got 'their fondest wish' with likely Sanders defeat by Biden

President Trump quipped that the Democratic National Committee got its wish with Sen. Bernie Sanders 's likely defeat in the Democratic primary .
The president 's commentary on the state of the Democratic primary came on Wednesday morning , the day after former Vice President Joe Biden all but locked up the nomination with decisive wins in Florida , Illinois , and Arizona .
`` The DNC will have gotten their fondest wish and defeated Bernie Sanders , far ahead of schedule , '' the president tweeted .
`` Now they are doing everything possible to be nice to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie has given up , just like he did last time .
He will be dropping out soon !
MAGA/KAG . ''
The Sanders campaign , following Tuesday 's crushing losses , is now evaluating whether the Vermont senator should remain in the presidential race .
`` The next primary contest is at least three weeks away , '' Sanders campaign spokesman Faiz Shakir said in a statement .
`` Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign .
In the immediate term , however , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable . ''
Biden now has 1,132 delegates , while Sanders sits at 817 delegates , according to NBC .
It takes 1,991 delegates to secure the nomination .

President Trump quipped that the Democratic National Committee got its wish with Sen. Bernie Sanders's likely defeat in the Democratic primary.
The president's commentary on the state of the Democratic primary came on Wednesday morning, the day after former Vice President Joe Biden all but locked up the nomination with decisive wins in Florida, Illinois, and Arizona.
"The DNC will have gotten their fondest wish and defeated Bernie Sanders, far ahead of schedule," the president tweeted. "Now they are doing everything possible to be nice to him in order to keep his supporters. Bernie has given up, just like he did last time. He will be dropping out soon! MAGA/KAG."
The DNC will have gotten their fondest wish and defeated Bernie Sanders, far ahead of schedule. Now they are doing everything possible to be nice to him in order to keep his supporters. Bernie has given up, just like he did last time. He will be dropping out soon! MAGA/KAG — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
The Sanders campaign, following Tuesday's crushing losses, is now evaluating whether the Vermont senator should remain in the presidential race.
"The next primary contest is at least three weeks away," Sanders campaign spokesman Faiz Shakir said in a statement. "Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign. In the immediate term, however, he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable."
Biden now has 1,132 delegates, while Sanders sits at 817 delegates, according to NBC. It takes 1,991 delegates to secure the nomination.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Sanders to 'assess his campaign' after sweeping primary losses

After a series of crushing primary losses , Bernie Sanders will talk to his supporters and reevaluate his campaign .
`` The next primary contest is at least three weeks away .
Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign , '' Faiz Shakir , Sanders 's campaign manager , said in a statement on Wednesday .
`` In the immediate term , however , he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable . ''
The Vermont senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president Joe Biden on Tuesday , Florida , Illinois , and Arizona , putting him at an insurmountable delegate disadvantage .
Some nominating delegates for the primary contests so far are still being allocated , but Biden has 1,147 delegates while Sanders has 861 .
A candidate needs 1,991 pledged delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot .
The statement from the Sanders campaign is vague , but history shows that candidates having to `` assess '' their bids usually drop out .
The campaigns for Massachusetts Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Michael Bloomberg each said after disappointing showings in March 3 Super Tuesday contests that the candidates would reassess their presidential bids , and then each quickly dropped out of the race .

After a series of crushing primary losses, Bernie Sanders will talk to his supporters and reevaluate his campaign.
"The next primary contest is at least three weeks away. Sen. Sanders is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign," Faiz Shakir, Sanders's campaign manager, said in a statement on Wednesday. "In the immediate term, however, he is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable."
The Vermont senator lost three major primary states to former vice president Joe Biden on Tuesday, Florida, Illinois, and Arizona, putting him at an insurmountable delegate disadvantage. Some nominating delegates for the primary contests so far are still being allocated, but Biden has 1,147 delegates while Sanders has 861. A candidate needs 1,991 pledged delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot.
The statement from the Sanders campaign is vague, but history shows that candidates having to "assess" their bids usually drop out. The campaigns for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg each said after disappointing showings in March 3 Super Tuesday contests that the candidates would reassess their presidential bids, and then each quickly dropped out of the race.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-18--Coronavirus crisis poised to cement Democrats' healthcare edge in suburbs

The coronavirus pandemic is elevating healthcare as a key issue in the 2020 campaign , a development that could put President Trump in a deeper hole in suburban battlegrounds as the November elections approach .
College-educated voters who predominate in the suburbs , especially women , prefer Democrats over Republicans and prioritize healthcare , recent polling shows .
The coronavirus is raising concerns about public health and the capacity of the medical system to handle the crisis .
“ A ‘ government-do-more ’ election is bad for Republicans , ” said one GOP operative , who , like other sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sensitive topic of the politics surrounding a deadly disease .
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on life in the United States , and around the world , are fast-moving and evolving .
The political fallout could be equally swift — and unpredictable .
But polling conducted before the onset of the crisis revealed that Democrats had retained a political edge on healthcare with suburban voters that helped drive their 40-seat takeover of the House , as well as Senate victories in suburban-heavy Arizona and Nevada , in the 2018 midterm elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for Obamacare — a law opposed by Republicans — and , among its other benefits , the federal insurance protections it offers for preexisting medical conditions .
Some Republican insiders fear their party ’ s problem on this critical issue , a 20-point deficit according to a survey of voters across dozens of suburban battlegrounds , will only become more pronounced because of the coronavirus .
Democrats are certainly confident of that outcome .
“ People already had good reasons not to trust Donald Trump 's healthcare plans , ” a Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're feeling the consequences of a president who ignores public health experts , does n't believe in healthcare , and does n't even believe in science.
” Trump has aggressively rejected claims that his healthcare agenda would eliminate protections for preexisting conditions .
On Tuesday , the president announced that the federal government would reimburse Medicare providers for telephone consultations with seniors as part of the administration ’ s strategy for combating the coronavirus .
Nevertheless , many Republican operatives believe it is far too early to draw conclusions about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the road .
Some believe the Democrats ’ upper hand has diminished thanks to polarizing proposals to abolish private health insurance and put the government in charge of care , plans offered by Bernie Sanders and other Democratic presidential candidates .
True , Democratic front-runner Joe Biden opposes so-called “ Medicare for all ” plans and would only go so far as to allow people the option to purchase government insurance .
But Republican insiders say Democrats have muddled their healthcare message , providing Trump with a lifeline to reclaim suburban support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects .
“ The shift in messaging from preexisting conditions to 'Medicare for all ' to appease the far Left was beyond dumb , ” a Republican consultant said .
“ Democrats lost the upper hand on healthcare that they and their allies spent hundreds of millions getting in 2018 .
”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--Sixth delayed primary will postpone Biden claim to presumptive nominee status

Connecticut 's Democratic presidential primary is the sixth to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` In coordination with other states and our Secretary of the State , and in an effort to carry out Democracy while keeping public health a top priority , I have decided to move our presidential primary to June 2nd , '' Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont , a Democrat , said in a tweet on Thursday .
The state 's primary was originally scheduled for April 28 .
The increasing delays mean that Joe Biden 's claim to the presumptive nominee status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have , assuming Biden 's last remaining rival , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , stays in the race .
Delays of primaries that were supposed to hold contests by the end of April — Connecticut , Ohio , Georgia , Louisiana , and Maryland — account for 451 pledged delegates .
Biden has 1,181 pledged delegates so far , according to the Associated Press , and 66 delegates from past contests have yet to be allocated as states finalize final election results .
He needs 810 more delegates to reach the threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic presidential nomination on the first Democratic National Convention ballot .
Sanders has 885 delegates , and it is highly improbable that he will overtake Biden 's large lead .
Several other states are weighing delaying their primaries .
Pennsylvania and New York , which account for 186 and 274 delegates , have a primary scheduled for April 28 .
Puerto Rico has asked its legislature to delay its March 29 primary , which accounts for 51 delegates .

Connecticut's Democratic presidential primary is the sixth to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"In coordination with other states and our Secretary of the State, and in an effort to carry out Democracy while keeping public health a top priority, I have decided to move our presidential primary to June 2nd," Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, said in a tweet on Thursday. The state's primary was originally scheduled for April 28.
The increasing delays mean that Joe Biden's claim to the presumptive nominee status could come weeks later than it otherwise would have, assuming Biden's last remaining rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, stays in the race.
Delays of primaries that were supposed to hold contests by the end of April — Connecticut, Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana, and Maryland — account for 451 pledged delegates.
Biden has 1,181 pledged delegates so far, according to the Associated Press, and 66 delegates from past contests have yet to be allocated as states finalize final election results. He needs 810 more delegates to reach the threshold of 1,991 delegates that will earn him the Democratic presidential nomination on the first Democratic National Convention ballot.
Sanders has 885 delegates, and it is highly improbable that he will overtake Biden's large lead.
Several other states are weighing delaying their primaries. Pennsylvania and New York, which account for 186 and 274 delegates, have a primary scheduled for April 28. Puerto Rico has asked its legislature to delay its March 29 primary, which accounts for 51 delegates.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--Biden struggles to stay relevant through coronavirus shutdown

Having effectively wrapped up the Democratic presidential nomination , Joe Biden finds himself in a novel , if unenviable position as a presumptive nominee finding it difficult to attract media attention .
Biden right about now should be earning mass coverage as he shifts from talking to a Democratic primary electorate to forming a general election message since he is the candidate who will challenge President Trump in November .
But now , the former vice president is confined to his home , like many U.S. citizens , amid the coronavirus crisis .
The 36-year Delaware senator is unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sidelines as leaders grapple with how to manage economic turmoil and public health amid a global pandemic .
Nearly all political coverage is focused on various stimulus bills proposed in Congress while the campaign trail is an afterthought .
Because cable and network television studios have largely abandoned in-person interviews , Biden is now competing with a flood of medical experts and other officials giving updates on the coronavirus outbreak .
“ Loss of typical campaign craft due to the crisis would be difficult under most circumstances , but he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vision using social media and other means as many Americans question the White House ’ s ability to lead the country through a difficult period , ” Basil Smikle , a Democratic strategist and former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party , told the Washington Examiner .
Biden attempted to do just that in a five-minute from his Wilmington , Delaware , home on Tuesday night following winning three state primaries , wearing a green tie for St. Patrick ’ s Day and standing in front of a display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is a national emergency , akin to fighting a war , and it 's going to require leadership and cooperation from every level of government , ” Biden said .
His address and message , though , was undermined by mockery across the political spectrum about low production values .
“ A livestream from his home , he was saying .
Clearly , kind of looks like it , ” said CNN host Anderson Cooper .
His comments were echoed by Democratic strategist David Axelrod , who was a chief strategist for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt they need to invest in some production because this may be the way he has to communicate , ” he said .
In another attempt to gain exposure , Biden ’ s campaign has been monitoring Trump ’ s response to the crisis , often releasing its own plans and criticism of the president .
But some of Biden ’ s responses have arrived too late , with a Wednesday press release calling on Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act coming out minutes after the president already announced he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vamp up domestic production of things such as ventilators and masks .
Biden on Thursday tried renewing that criticism by that Trump should use those powers now .
“ There ’ s no denying he ’ s going have a hard time breaking through the chaos that is the 24-hour news cycle right now .
All they can do and just stick to it , ” said Democratic strategist Jim Manley .
“ They can increase the use of video town halls , but I guess they had some problems with that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attempt to campaign without engaging in traditional retail politics .
His first-ever “ virtual town hall ” last week was by technical difficulties such as garbled audio and blank screens .
Biden ’ s campaign a virtual fundraiser that was supposed to happen Thursday until next week , though it was unclear what prompted the event to be pushed back .
Meanwhile , Trump has raised over $ 100 million for his reelection , according to number released at the beginning of this year .
On Thursday , Biden ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his response to the outbreak , saying he attempted “ to hide his record of failure on combating the coronavirus.
” The criticism went largely uncovered as networks aired press conferences held by governors and Trump .
“ I don ’ t know if a low profile campaign is sufficient right now , but it ’ s what he has to do , ” Manley said .

Having effectively wrapped up the Democratic presidential nomination, Joe Biden finds himself in a novel, if unenviable position as a presumptive nominee finding it difficult to attract media attention.
Biden right about now should be earning mass coverage as he shifts from talking to a Democratic primary electorate to forming a general election message since he is the candidate who will challenge President Trump in November.
But now, the former vice president is confined to his home, like many U.S. citizens, amid the coronavirus crisis. The 36-year Delaware senator is unable to hold large events with voters and confined to the sidelines as leaders grapple with how to manage economic turmoil and public health amid a global pandemic. Nearly all political coverage is focused on various stimulus bills proposed in Congress while the campaign trail is an afterthought.
Because cable and network television studios have largely abandoned in-person interviews, Biden is now competing with a flood of medical experts and other officials giving updates on the coronavirus outbreak.
“Loss of typical campaign craft due to the crisis would be difficult under most circumstances, but he can become the shadow president and show leadership and vision using social media and other means as many Americans question the White House’s ability to lead the country through a difficult period,” Basil Smikle, a Democratic strategist and former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, told the Washington Examiner.
Biden attempted to do just that in a five-minute livestream from his Wilmington, Delaware, home on Tuesday night following winning three state primaries, wearing a green tie for St. Patrick’s Day and standing in front of a display of American flags.
“Tackling this pandemic is a national emergency, akin to fighting a war, and it's going to require leadership and cooperation from every level of government,” Biden said.
His address and message, though, was undermined by mockery across the political spectrum about low production values.
“A livestream from his home, he was saying. Clearly, kind of looks like it,” said CNN host Anderson Cooper.
His comments were echoed by Democratic strategist David Axelrod, who was a chief strategist for President Barack Obama.
“There's no doubt they need to invest in some production because this may be the way he has to communicate,” he said.
In another attempt to gain exposure, Biden’s campaign has been monitoring Trump’s response to the crisis, often releasing its own plans and criticism of the president. But some of Biden’s responses have arrived too late, with a Wednesday press release calling on Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act coming out minutes after the president already announced he was prepared to use the Cold-War era law to vamp up domestic production of things such as ventilators and masks. Biden on Thursday tried renewing that criticism by tweeting that Trump should use those powers now.
“There’s no denying he’s going have a hard time breaking through the chaos that is the 24-hour news cycle right now. All they can do and just stick to it,” said Democratic strategist Jim Manley. “They can increase the use of video town halls, but I guess they had some problems with that.”
Technical difficulties have undermined Biden’s attempt to campaign without engaging in traditional retail politics. His first-ever “virtual town hall” last week was interrupted multiple times by technical difficulties such as garbled audio and blank screens.
Biden’s campaign postponed a virtual fundraiser that was supposed to happen Thursday until next week, though it was unclear what prompted the event to be pushed back. Meanwhile, Trump has raised over $100 million for his reelection, according to number released at the beginning of this year.
On Thursday, Biden’s campaign sent out another press release attacking Trump over his response to the outbreak, saying he attempted “to hide his record of failure on combating the coronavirus.” The criticism went largely uncovered as networks aired press conferences held by governors and Trump.
“I don’t know if a low profile campaign is sufficient right now, but it’s what he has to do,” Manley said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-19--A mere three minutes saved Biden’s presidential hopes

Joe Biden spent an astonishing 47 years in public life without winning a single presidential primary , but now he owes his near-certain capture of the Democratic nomination to three statements , each about one minute long , that other key Democrats made in the course of just 16 days .
On Feb. 11 , Biden ’ s campaign seemed as dead in the water as his efforts in the 1988 and 2008 presidential cycles had been .
Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders that day had virtually tied in the second consecutive state nominating contest ( New Hampshire , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar was outpacing Biden as the top “ moderate ” vote-getter , and Michael Bloomberg rose in national polls by spending half a billion dollars .
Sanders , however , clearly appeared to be the man to beat , as he had good organization , money , and polling results nationwide .
The only semi-centrist person thought able to stop him was Bloomberg , with his almost unlimited financial resources .
That ’ s when the first one-minute statement came .
It erupted from veteran political consultant James Carville that morning , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally against the socialist Sanders .
Speaking to Morning Joe on MSNBC , Carville said , “ I ’ m not about a revolution .
I ’ m not an ideologue .
Politics means building coalitions , it means listening to people … but there ’ s a certain part of the Democratic Party that wants us to be a cult .
I ’ m not interested in being in a cult.
” Carville kept up his attacks on Sanders in subsequent days ( “ At least I ’ m not a communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing , he lit a fire under top party officials to choose one , and just one , person to take down the Vermont socialist .
With Biden having underperformed so badly , conventional wisdom pushed Bloomberg as that alternative .
Then came the second one-minute statement on Feb. 19 .
This time , the messenger was a desperate Elizabeth Warren , trying to salvage her own doomed campaign .
In precisely one minute , she leveled attacks that essentially wiped out Bloomberg as a sensible alternative to Sanders .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running against , ” Warren began .
“ A billionaire who calls women ‘ fat broads ’ and ‘ horse-faced lesbians.
’ And no , I ’ m not talking about Donald Trump .
I ’ m talking about Mayor Bloomberg .
Democrats are not going to win if we have a nominee who has a history of hiding his tax returns , of harassing women , and of supporting racist policies.
” The debate audience literally gasped at Warren 's reveal , and Bloomberg never effectively parried the attack .
His campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-billion dollars wasted .
This left no nationally viable alternative except for Biden .
Awakened by Carville and let down by Bloomberg , party leaders for the next week were in near-panic .
Clearly , they had to give Biden yet another chance .
Still , Biden had to win somewhere for the Democratic establishment ’ s efforts to succeed .
He needed black voters ( a clear majority of the Democratic electorate in South Carolina ) to follow through and support him , as polls had once suggested they would .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came , courtesy of veteran Rep. James Clyburn .
“ Nobody with whom I ’ ve ever worked in public life is any more committed [ to meeting Democratic voters ’ real needs ] than Joe Biden , ” the Democrat from South Carolina said .
“ I know Joe .
We know Joe .
But most importantly , Joe knows us.
” With Clyburn ’ s heartfelt and powerful endorsement , Biden finally found “ his moment.
” Finally , Biden ’ s remarkable resilience , his ability to get back up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last man standing , like a Cool Hand Joe .
And now , Biden , at age 77 , finally will be his party ’ s nominee for president .
Forty-seven years , saved by three minutes .
Remarkable .

Joe Biden spent an astonishing 47 years in public life without winning a single presidential primary, but now he owes his near-certain capture of the Democratic nomination to three statements, each about one minute long, that other key Democrats made in the course of just 16 days.
On Feb. 11, Biden’s campaign seemed as dead in the water as his efforts in the 1988 and 2008 presidential cycles had been. Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders that day had virtually tied in the second consecutive state nominating contest (New Hampshire, after Iowa eight days earlier), Amy Klobuchar was outpacing Biden as the top “moderate” vote-getter, and Michael Bloomberg rose in national polls by spending half a billion dollars.
Sanders, however, clearly appeared to be the man to beat, as he had good organization, money, and polling results nationwide. The only semicentrist person thought able to stop him was Bloomberg, with his almost unlimited financial resources.
That’s when the first one-minute statement came. It erupted from veteran political consultant James Carville that morning, when he woke up the Democratic establishment to rally against the socialist Sanders. Speaking to Morning Joe on MSNBC, Carville said, “I’m not about a revolution. I’m not an ideologue. Politics means building coalitions, it means listening to people … but there’s a certain part of the Democratic Party that wants us to be a cult. I’m not interested in being in a cult.”
Carville kept up his attacks on Sanders in subsequent days (“At least I’m not a communist!"), and in so doing, he lit a fire under top party officials to choose one, and just one, person to take down the Vermont socialist. With Biden having underperformed so badly, conventional wisdom pushed Bloomberg as that alternative.
Then came the second one-minute statement on Feb. 19. This time, the messenger was a desperate Elizabeth Warren, trying to salvage her own doomed campaign. In precisely one minute, she leveled attacks that essentially wiped out Bloomberg as a sensible alternative to Sanders.
“We have to talk about who we’re running against,” Warren began. “A billionaire who calls women ‘fat broads’ and ‘horse-faced lesbians.’ And no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg. Democrats are not going to win if we have a nominee who has a history of hiding his tax returns, of harassing women, and of supporting racist policies.”
The debate audience literally gasped at Warren's reveal, and Bloomberg never effectively parried the attack. His campaign was toast from that moment — his half-billion dollars wasted. This left no nationally viable alternative except for Biden. Awakened by Carville and let down by Bloomberg, party leaders for the next week were in near-panic. Clearly, they had to give Biden yet another chance.
Still, Biden had to win somewhere for the Democratic establishment’s efforts to succeed. He needed black voters (a clear majority of the Democratic electorate in South Carolina) to follow through and support him, as polls had once suggested they would. That’s where the third one-minute intervention came, courtesy of veteran Rep. James Clyburn.
“Nobody with whom I’ve ever worked in public life is any more committed [to meeting Democratic voters’ real needs] than Joe Biden,” the Democrat from South Carolina said. “I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us.”
With Clyburn’s heartfelt and powerful endorsement, Biden finally found “his moment.” Finally, Biden’s remarkable resilience, his ability to get back up into the fight, left him the last man standing, like a Cool Hand Joe.
And now, Biden, at age 77, finally will be his party’s nominee for president. Forty-seven years, saved by three minutes. Remarkable.