thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Trump knocks Bloomberg for 'buying his way in'

President Trump tore into Michael Bloomberg for “ buying his way ” into the race and said he would rather run against Bernie Sanders .
Trump offered the Vermont senator a backhanded compliment in pointing out the loyalty of his followers compared to Bloomberg , whom he accused of being false for spending millions of his own money in an effort to secure the Democratic nomination .
“ Frankly , I ’ d rather run against Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders , because Sanders has real followers , whether you like them or not , whether you agree with him or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House event on Tuesday .
“ I happen to think it ’ s terrible , what he says , but he has followers .
Bloomberg is just buying his way in.
” Trump also criticized Bloomberg , the former mayor of New York City , for backtracking on his prior support for stop-and-frisk polices .
The president called Bloomberg “ disingenuous ” for apologizing .
“ I support anything we can do to get down crime and to get rid of drugs , ” Trump said , `` but , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and frisk his whole life , and then he decides to go Democrat , and he goes to church , and he ’ s practically crying — he looked like hell.
” The comments come the same day that audio was released in which Bloomberg argued , “ 95 % of murders — murderers and murder victims — fit one M.O .
You can just take a description , Xerox it , and pass it out to all the cops .
They are male minorities , 16 to 25.
” “ That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ ve got to get the guns out of the hands of the people that are getting killed , ” he continued , `` and the way you get the guns out of the kids ’ hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them.
” Bloomberg apologized for his defense of stop-and-frisk policies in November before he entered the race .

President Trump tore into Michael Bloomberg for “buying his way” into the race and said he would rather run against Bernie Sanders.
Trump offered the Vermont senator a backhanded compliment in pointing out the loyalty of his followers compared to Bloomberg, whom he accused of being false for spending millions of his own money in an effort to secure the Democratic nomination.
“Frankly, I’d rather run against Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders, because Sanders has real followers, whether you like them or not, whether you agree with him or not,” Trump said at a White House event on Tuesday. “I happen to think it’s terrible, what he says, but he has followers. Bloomberg is just buying his way in.”
Trump also criticized Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, for backtracking on his prior support for stop-and-frisk polices. The president called Bloomberg “disingenuous” for apologizing.
“I support anything we can do to get down crime and to get rid of drugs,” Trump said, "but, I think, when a man is with stop and frisk his whole life, and then he decides to go Democrat, and he goes to church, and he’s practically crying — he looked like hell.”
The comments come the same day that audio was released in which Bloomberg argued, “95% of murders — murderers and murder victims — fit one M.O. You can just take a description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops. They are male minorities, 16 to 25.”
“That’s where the real crime is. You’ve got to get the guns out of the hands of the people that are getting killed,” he continued, "and the way you get the guns out of the kids’ hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them.”
Bloomberg apologized for his defense of stop-and-frisk policies in November before he entered the race.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'A really bad night': Trump rips Warren for New Hampshire performance

President Trump thinks Sen. Elizabeth Warren would be better off with a `` nice cold beer '' at home instead of being on the campaign trail .
As the New Hampshire primary comes to a close , Warren seemingly gave concessions to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , while also congratulating Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
“ The fight we ’ re in , the fight to save our democracy , is an uphill battle , but our campaign is built for the long haul , and we ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting her intention to continue in the race .
Last week , Warren finished in third place in the Iowa caucus and currently hovers in fourth place in New Hampshire 's primary , with approximately 10 % of the vote .
President Trump , compelled by the results , then commented on Warren 's disappointing finish on Twitter , digging up the old nickname `` Pocahontas . ''
`` Elizabeth Warren , sometimes referred to as Pocahontas , is having a really bad night .
I think she is sending signals that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her way of getting there , going home , and having a 'nice cold beer ' with her husband ! ''
Trump tweeted .
The `` nice cold beer '' remark is a reference to Warren 's Instagram live feed in 2018 following the announcement of her presidential exploratory committee .
Warren grabbed a beer bottle from her refrigerator , spoke with followers , and told her husband , `` Thank you for being here .
I 'm glad you 're here . ''
The video was described as awkward online , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line in the Elizabeth Warren beer catastrophe is , to her husband , 'Thank you for being here .
I ’ m glad you ’ re here . '
It ’ s their house , he ’ s supposed to be there ! ''
Trump tweeted then .

President Trump thinks Sen. Elizabeth Warren would be better off with a "nice cold beer" at home instead of being on the campaign trail.
As the New Hampshire primary comes to a close, Warren seemingly gave concessions to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, while also congratulating Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “The fight we’re in, the fight to save our democracy, is an uphill battle, but our campaign is built for the long haul, and we’re just getting started," she added, noting her intention to continue in the race.
Last week, Warren finished in third place in the Iowa caucus and currently hovers in fourth place in New Hampshire's primary, with approximately 10% of the vote.
President Trump, compelled by the results, then commented on Warren's disappointing finish on Twitter, digging up the old nickname "Pocahontas."
"Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is having a really bad night. I think she is sending signals that she wants out. Calling for unity is her way of getting there, going home, and having a 'nice cold beer' with her husband!" Trump tweeted.
Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, is having a really bad night. I think she is sending signals that she wants out. Calling for unity is her way of getting there, going home, and having a “nice cold beer” with her husband! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
The "nice cold beer" remark is a reference to Warren's Instagram live feed in 2018 following the announcement of her presidential exploratory committee. Warren grabbed a beer bottle from her refrigerator, spoke with followers, and told her husband, "Thank you for being here. I'm glad you're here." The video was described as awkward online, and Trump eventually weighed in.
"Best line in the Elizabeth Warren beer catastrophe is, to her husband, 'Thank you for being here. I’m glad you’re here.' It’s their house, he’s supposed to be there!" Trump tweeted then.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Senate launches debate to curb Trump military power against Iran

The Senate this week is poised to pass a resolution that would limit President Trump ’ s ability to use military force against Iran , where a drone strike earlier this year killed a top Iranian general and sparked retaliatory missile strikes against U.S forces in Iraq .
The measure , sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine , a Virginia Democrat , has four Republican co-sponsors who , along with all Democrats , will provide the 51 votes needed to pass the resolution .
The resolution “ directs the president to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any part of its government or military , unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.
” Sen. Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , has urged Republicans to vote against the bill .
But GOP Sens .
Rand Paul of Kentucky , Susan Collins of Maine , Todd Young of Indiana , and Mike Lee of Utah , have pledged their support .
The Senate will begin debating the resolution on Wednesday but won ’ t vote on it until Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Democrat , said Tuesday .
Schumer said the Senate ’ s four Democratic presidential candidates — Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Bernie Sanders of Vermont , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , and Michael Bennet of Colorado — will be present in the Senate to vote in favor of the resolution .
The measure faces little chance of enactment because Trump will veto it , and neither chamber has the two-thirds supermajority needed to override his veto .
The House passed a similar measure last month , but it is nonbinding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a month after the U.S. military used a drone strike to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , a terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers .
Democrats initially criticized the strike that killed Soleimani as risky and unjustified .
Iran retaliated days later with missile strikes against a U.S. air base in Iraq on Jan. 8 , but no major hostilities have developed since then , as some lawmakers had feared .
Lawmakers , nonetheless , want to send a message to the president that only Congress can authorize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Connecticut Democrat , told the Washington Examiner .
“ It ’ s just important to make it clear that the president doesn ’ t have the power to bring the country to war without congressional authorization , ” Murphy said .
“ There seems to be confusing rationals as to why they took the strike against Soleimani , and I think it ’ s really important for us to set a line in the sand about who has the power to declare war.
” McConnell , in a floor speech this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrong message to America ’ s adversaries following Trump ’ s successful elimination of a top terrorist in the region .
“ Just as we have successfully sent Iran this strong signal of our strength and resolve , a blunt and clumsy war powers resolution would tie our own hands , ” McConnell said .
`` With China and Russia watching , is it really a good idea to suggest that we ’ re willing to let a middling power like Iran push us around ?
This self-flagellation and self-limitation would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of victory .
”

The Senate this week is poised to pass a resolution that would limit President Trump’s ability to use military force against Iran, where a drone strike earlier this year killed a top Iranian general and sparked retaliatory missile strikes against U.S forces in Iraq.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, has four Republican co-sponsors who, along with all Democrats, will provide the 51 votes needed to pass the resolution.
The resolution “directs the president to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has urged Republicans to vote against the bill.
But GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana, and Mike Lee of Utah, have pledged their support.
The Senate will begin debating the resolution on Wednesday but won’t vote on it until Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Tuesday.
Schumer said the Senate’s four Democratic presidential candidates — Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Michael Bennet of Colorado — will be present in the Senate to vote in favor of the resolution.
The measure faces little chance of enactment because Trump will veto it, and neither chamber has the two-thirds supermajority needed to override his veto.
The House passed a similar measure last month, but it is nonbinding.
The debate on war powers comes more than a month after the U.S. military used a drone strike to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, a terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers.
Democrats initially criticized the strike that killed Soleimani as risky and unjustified.
Iran retaliated days later with missile strikes against a U.S. air base in Iraq on Jan. 8, but no major hostilities have developed since then, as some lawmakers had feared.
Lawmakers, nonetheless, want to send a message to the president that only Congress can authorize a war, Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, told the Washington Examiner.
“It’s just important to make it clear that the president doesn’t have the power to bring the country to war without congressional authorization,” Murphy said. “There seems to be confusing rationals as to why they took the strike against Soleimani, and I think it’s really important for us to set a line in the sand about who has the power to declare war.”
McConnell, in a floor speech this week, warned senators the resolution would send the wrong message to America’s adversaries following Trump’s successful elimination of a top terrorist in the region.
“Just as we have successfully sent Iran this strong signal of our strength and resolve, a blunt and clumsy war powers resolution would tie our own hands,” McConnell said. "With China and Russia watching, is it really a good idea to suggest that we’re willing to let a middling power like Iran push us around? This self-flagellation and self-limitation would be tantamount to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Devin Nunes: Examples of 'what the Mueller team was really doing' will emerge in coming weeks

After the Justice Department recommended a steep prison sentence for Trump confidant Roger Stone , which was walked back on Tuesday , the California Republican said that `` this is not going to be the only example '' of questionable behavior during the federal inquiry he called an `` obstruction of justice trap . ''
`` There 's more to come on this , '' the House Intelligence Committee ranking member told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs , before noting that all four prosecutors in the Stone case , including three who were on Mueller 's team , quit after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to nine years in prison for the longtime GOP operative .
A more lenient three to four years in prison was suggested in the latest court filing .
`` We think there 's other examples of things that they did during the Mueller investigation that I think you and your listeners and the American people will be very interested to learn in the coming weeks as we start to unpeel the onion of what the Mueller team was really doing , '' he added .
Nunes did not share any specifics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being reviewed by Attorney General William Barr 's hand-picked prosecutor from Connecticut , John Durham .
Stone was found guilty in November on five separate counts of lying to the House Intelligence Committee in its investigation into Russian election interference , in addition to one count that he “ corruptly influenced , obstructed , and impeded ” the congressional investigation and another that he attempted to “ corruptly persuade ” radio show host Randy Credico ’ s congressional testimony .
The two-week jury trial centered on Stone ’ s false claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his actions taken during the 2016 election and beyond .
The 67-year-old was never accused by prosecutors of criminally conspiring with Russia or any other foreign actors .
Nunes has been a leading skeptic of Mueller 's investigation , arguing that the former FBI director knew there was no evidence of the Trump campaign colluding with Russians when he first became special counsel in May 2017 .
The indictments of Trump associates that came from Mueller 's effort had nothing to do with criminal conspiracy with Moscow but rather stemmed from lying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unalleged crimes .
Mueller 's team also investigated whether President Trump obstructed justice .
Although they declined to make a determination on the matter , Mueller did lay out 10 instances of possible obstruction in his final report that Democrats viewed as a road map going forward .
Nunes claimed Stone should never have been investigated in the first place by what he described as `` dirty cops . ''
`` So , what the hell did they do for two years ? ''
the congressman said .
`` They set up an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went after a whole bunch of people that now got sentenced .
Some already served their time , and I think all of this has to come into question now , '' he added .
Trump has also accused the investigation of being a sham .
`` A phony Mueller Witch Hunt disgrace .
Caught ! ''
Trump tweeted Tuesday evening , appearing to compare the original prison recommendation for Stone to the two-month sentence that James Wolfe , a former aide to the Senate Intelligence Committee , got in 2018 for lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leak of classified information .
Prosecutors had recommended up to two years in prison in that case .

Rep. Devin Nunes predicted more fallout from then-special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.
After the Justice Department recommended a steep prison sentence for Trump confidant Roger Stone, which was walked back on Tuesday, the California Republican said that "this is not going to be the only example" of questionable behavior during the federal inquiry he called an "obstruction of justice trap."
"There's more to come on this," the House Intelligence Committee ranking member told Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, before noting that all four prosecutors in the Stone case, including three who were on Mueller's team, quit after the Justice Department rebuked their recommendation of up to nine years in prison for the longtime GOP operative. A more lenient three to four years in prison were suggested in the latest court filing.
"We think there's other examples of things that they did during the Mueller investigation that I think you and your listeners and the American people will be very interested to learn in the coming weeks as we start to unpeel the onion of what the Mueller team was really doing," he added.
Nunes did not share any specifics, but the origins of the Russia investigation are being reviewed by Attorney General William Barr's hand-picked prosecutor from Connecticut, John Durham. The case against retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn recently took a wild turn, with the former White House national security adviser seeking to withdraw his guilty plea on a charge of lying to the FBI and the Justice Department changing its position on a recommended sentence.
Stone was found guilty in November on five separate counts of lying to the House Intelligence Committee in its investigation into Russian election interference, in addition to one count that he “corruptly influenced, obstructed, and impeded” the congressional investigation and another that he attempted to persuade "corruptly" radio show host Randy Credico’s congressional testimony.
The two-week jury trial centered on Stone’s false claims of being in communication with WikiLeaks and on his actions taken during the 2016 election and beyond. The 67-year-old was never accused by prosecutors of criminally conspiring with Russia or any other foreign actors.
Nunes has been a leading skeptic of Mueller's investigation, arguing that the former FBI director knew there was no evidence of the Trump campaign colluding with Russians when he first became special counsel in May 2017.
The indictments of Trump associates that came from Mueller's effort had nothing to do with criminal conspiracy with Moscow, but rather stemmed from lying to investigators or other, unrelated alleged and unalleged crimes. Mueller's team also investigated whether President Trump obstructed justice. Although it declined to make a determination on the matter, Mueller did lay out 10 instances of possible obstruction in his final report that Democrats viewed as a road map going forward.
Nunes claimed Stone should never have been investigated in the first place by what he described as "dirty cops."
"So, what the hell did they do for two years?" the congressman said. "They set up an obstruction of justice trap, and they went after a whole bunch of people that now got sentenced. Some already served their time, and I think all of this has to come into question now," he added.
Trump has also accused the investigation of being a sham.
"A phony Mueller Witch Hunt disgrace. Caught!" Trump tweeted Tuesday evening, appearing to compare the original prison recommendation for Stone to the two-month sentence that James Wolfe, a former aide to the Senate Intelligence Committee, got in 2018 for lying to the FBI in an investigation into a leak of classified information. Prosecutors had recommended up to two years in prison in that case.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Why religious Democrats love Amy Klobuchar

Sen. Amy Klobuchar outperformed expectations at the New Hampshire primaries this week , and her secret weapon isn ’ t just that she ’ s than Elizabeth Warren .
She ’ s nabbed the centrist vote , and she excels with religious voters .
Among voters who regularly attend religious services , Klobuchar is the most popular of the Democratic candidates , Bernie Sanders ( 16 % ) , Pete Buttigieg ( 16 % ) , and Joe Biden ( 13 % ) .
Warren fares far worse with religious voters , picking up 7 % with those who attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The results are intriguing considering Buttigieg has been most vocal about his faith on the campaign trail , using it to justify everything from to the to generally .
For her part , Klobuchar has taken a more subtle approach .
A member of the United Church of Christ , Klobuchar hails from the same religious denomination as former President Barack Obama .
But unlike the “ , ” Klobuchar has used her rhetoric to emphasize unity .
Incredibly , she even insisted this week that pro-life activists in the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree on .
Her appeals to religious conservatives and her centrist positions will help her in the Democratic primaries , and , as her strong showing in New Hampshire demonstrates , it already has .
Just as the is essential to President Trump , the Democratic nominee will need to pick up a significant number of religious voters in order to win this fall .
Buttigieg ’ s heavy-handed moralizing clearly isn ’ t working .
Klobuchar ’ s message of unity , however , will take her far .

Sen. Amy Klobuchar outperformed expectations at the New Hampshire primaries this week, and her secret weapon isn’t just that she’s more likable than Elizabeth Warren. She’s nabbed the centrist vote, and she excels with religious voters.
Among voters who regularly attend religious services, Klobuchar is the most popular of the Democratic candidates, beating Bernie Sanders (16%), Pete Buttigieg (16%), and Joe Biden (13%). Warren fares far worse with religious voters, picking up 7% with those who attend religious services once a week or more.
The results are intriguing considering Buttigieg has been most vocal about his faith on the campaign trail, using it to justify everything from abortion to the minimum wage to his own political party generally.
For her part, Klobuchar has taken a more subtle approach. A member of the United Church of Christ, Klobuchar hails from the same religious denomination as former President Barack Obama. But unlike the “ Great Divider ,” Klobuchar has used her rhetoric to emphasize unity.
Incredibly, she even insisted this week that pro-life activists have a place in the Democratic Party, something other candidates have failed to agree on. Her appeals to religious conservatives and her centrist positions will help her in the Democratic primaries, and, as her strong showing in New Hampshire demonstrates, it already has.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders prevails in New Hampshire

MANCHESTER , New Hampshire — Bernie Sanders 's status as the Democratic Party 's 2020 presidential nomination front-runner is on better footing following his win in New Hampshire .
The 78-year-old Vermont senator met expectations on Tuesday night after earning 26.1 % of the vote in the New Hampshire primary with 86 % of precincts reporting .
`` Let me take the opportunity to thank the people of New Hampshire for a great victory tonight , '' he said in Manchester over chants of `` Bernie beats Trump . ''
`` No matter who wins , we are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president in the history of the country . ''
Sanders 's victory places him in good stead for the Nevada caucuses , which will be held on Feb. 22 .
It was also a face-saving result .
After months of touting his ability to turnout supporters , the veteran White House candidate lost the delegate race in Iowa to former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , though he defeated him in the popular vote .
The win in New Hampshire should , in many ways , come as no surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton here in the 2016 primary by double-digits , commanding more than 60 % of the vote .
Aided by his reputation as a senator from a neighboring state , Sanders was the presumed favorite by political strategists and betting markets .
In the week leading up to Election Day , Sanders and Buttigieg exchanged barbs in hopes of wooing over the high number of undecideds and ginning up enthusiasm in their respective bases , with both claiming victory in Iowa .
“ At a moment when our country is so divided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people , '' Buttigieg said on Monday .
`` That 's why I 'm very concerned about the suggestion that either you got to be for revolution or you must be for the status quo because that vision of politics as all or nothing is a vision that most of us ca n't see where we fit in.
” In response , Sanders hit Buttigieg over the many wealthy donors funding his campaign and boasted about his lack of support from billionaires .
For Marcus Ponce de Leon , 39 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` kind of '' surprising , but he harbored no doubts the senator would prevail given his platform and name recognition .
`` I 'm happy that we 're not disappointed , '' the healthcare executive , who backed Sanders in 2016 , told the Washington Examiner .
`` Honestly , I think it 's the news media that 's boosting Pete Buttigieg 's performance .
If they were n't giving him so much airtime right now , he would n't be coming close to Bernie , and , at the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be getting . ''
Steven Norton , 60 , was a late convert to Sanders after first belonging to Elizabeth Warren 's camp but defected because of Sanders 's sincerity , passion , and plans .
Following speculation there would be record turnout , the Londonderry semiretired teacher wondered whether the electorate was exhausted , disenchanted , and overwhelmed by the daily news cycle .
`` I 'm hoping it 's not all a pipe dream , '' he said .
The Democratic field , however , remains crowded .
Although Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his failure to deliver a majority result will leave many of his rivals , including Buttigieg , with the impression the contest is still wide open .
Polls out of Nevada are few and far between , with the latest from early January showing former Vice President Joe Biden with a lead of 1 percentage point over Sanders , at 19 % of the vote .
Following Biden 's performance on Tuesday , his support is expected to drop .
A RealClearPolitics average of recent surveys showed Sanders 's share at 17.5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Bernie Sanders's status as the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination front-runner is on better footing following his win in New Hampshire.
The 78-year-old Vermont senator met expectations on Tuesday night after earning 26.1% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary with 86% of precincts reporting.
"Let me take the opportunity to thank the people of New Hampshire for a great victory tonight," he said in Manchester over chants of "Bernie beats Trump." "No matter who wins, we are going to unite together and defeat the most dangerous president in the history of the country."
Sanders's victory places him in good stead for the Nevada caucuses, which will be held on Feb. 22. It was also a face-saving result. After months of touting his ability to turnout supporters, the veteran White House candidate lost the delegate race in Iowa to former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, though he defeated him in the popular vote.
The win in New Hampshire should, in many ways, come as no surprise. Sanders defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton here in the 2016 primary by double-digits, commanding more than 60% of the vote. Aided by his reputation as a senator from a neighboring state, Sanders was the presumed favorite by political strategists and betting markets.
In the week leading up to Election Day, Sanders and Buttigieg exchanged barbs in hopes of wooing over the high number of undecideds and ginning up enthusiasm in their respective bases, with both claiming victory in Iowa.
“At a moment when our country is so divided, we can't risk further polarizing the American people," Buttigieg said on Monday. "That's why I'm very concerned about the suggestion that either you got to be for revolution or you must be for the status quo because that vision of politics as all or nothing is a vision that most of us can't see where we fit in.”
In response, Sanders hit Buttigieg over the many wealthy donors funding his campaign and boasted about his lack of support from billionaires.
For Marcus Ponce de Leon, 39, the competition between Sanders and Buttigieg was "kind of" surprising, but he harbored no doubts the senator would prevail given his platform and name recognition.
"I'm happy that we're not disappointed," the healthcare executive, who backed Sanders in 2016, told the Washington Examiner. "Honestly, I think it's the news media that's boosting Pete Buttigieg's performance. If they weren't giving him so much airtime right now, he wouldn't be coming close to Bernie, and, at the same time, they're denying the airtime Bernie should be getting."
Steven Norton, 60, was a late convert to Sanders after first belonging to Elizabeth Warren's camp but defected because of Sanders's sincerity, passion, and plans. Following speculation there would be record turnout, the Londonderry semiretired teacher wondered whether the electorate was exhausted, disenchanted, and overwhelmed by the daily news cycle.
"I'm hoping it's not all a pipe dream," he said.
The Democratic field, however, remains crowded. Although Sanders garnered 26.7% of the vote, his failure to deliver a majority result will leave many of his rivals, including Buttigieg, with the impression the contest is still wide open.
Polls out of Nevada are few and far between, with the latest from early January showing former Vice President Joe Biden with a lead of 1 percentage point over Sanders, at 19% of the vote. Following Biden's performance on Tuesday, his support is expected to drop. A RealClearPolitics average of recent surveys showed Sanders's share at 17.5%. Buttigieg averages 7% in the state.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--True test lies ahead for Pete Buttigieg after strong New Hampshire showing

NASHUA , New Hampshire — Pete Buttigieg passed the first two tests to prove his viability as a presidential candidate , but the hardest is yet to come .
The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor gained momentum after winning the most delegates during last week 's Iowa caucuses and surged in New Hampshire primary polls .
The state was thought to be Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 's to lose , and NBC called the race for Sanders , with Buttigieg in a close second as he addressed supporters at his primary night party — 24 % to Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 83 % of precincts reporting .
`` Over the past year , some two dozen campaigns have crisscrossed this state , each laying claim to the ability to bring people together , bring out the vote , and move Americans to a brighter future .
Here , in a state that goes by the motto , 'Live free or die , ' you made up your own minds , '' Buttigieg said .
`` Thanks to you , a campaign that some said should n't be here at all has shown that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , Buttigieg , 38 , hopes that momentum from the first two predominantly white nominating contest states will translate to the Feb. 22 Nevada caucus and Feb. 29 South Carolina primary , which have large proportions of minority voters .
He is in single digits in the most recent Nevada and South Carolina polls that were conducted before the Iowa caucuses , and it is unclear how much of a bump , if any , he will get there from his surge in the first two states .
`` We will welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step , '' Buttigieg said .
Meanwhile , primary rivals are moving to secure support in the next states .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is working to keep his `` firewall '' of support in South Carolina .
He skipped his New Hampshire primary night party to go hold a campaign event in Columbia on Tuesday night .
Businessman Tom Steyer also holds strong support in recent South Carolina polls , and he left New Hampshire before the primary to campaign in South Carolina over the weekend and start a bus tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's surge in New Hampshire could also pose a threat to his appeal to centrist voters hoping to see a woman or candidate with national political experience win the Democratic presidential nomination .
At his victory party , attendees Paul and Rosemary Lacost of Amherst , New Hampshire , both wearing yellow Buttigieg campaign shirts , said they made up their minds on whom to vote for in the last few days after seeing many candidates at town halls .
But human resources professional Rosemary Lacost , 62 , revealed that while she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar .
`` I just wanted her to get some New Hampshire votes .
She 's a female , '' she said , adding that Klobuchar is doing `` a lot better than I ever thought she would be doing . ''
While she was excited about Buttigieg doing so well , she said she is worried how the openly gay , married former mayor will fare in southern states .
`` I 'm totally , totally worried about the Bible Belt , '' Lacost said .
Buttigieg 's struggle to appeal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in presidential elections , is one of the biggest electability problems for his campaign .
Criticism of his handling of tensions between the black community and the police force in South Bend has haunted him throughout his bid .
Voters in predominantly white Iowa asked Buttigieg questions about how he plans to reach minority voters , a sign that he has plenty of work left to do .
Failure to perform well in the next two contests will stunt Buttigieg 's momentum , while placing in the top three will help him argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in predominately white states , but nationwide .
Despite challenges for his favorite candidate on the horizon , salesman Paul Lacost , 62 , said the night felt like a win for Buttigieg even though he won fewer votes than Sanders .
`` It 's like if the Celtics play the worst team in the NBA , and they win in their home court , of course they 're going to win on their home court , '' he said .

NASHUA, New Hampshire — Pete Buttigieg passed the first two tests to prove his viability as a presidential candidate, but the hardest is yet to come.
The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor gained momentum after winning the most delegates during last week's Iowa caucuses and surged in New Hampshire primary polls. The state was thought to be Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders's to lose, and NBC called the race for Sanders, with Buttigieg in a close second as he addressed supporters at his primary night party — 24% to Sanders's 26% as of 11 p.m. with 83% of precincts reporting.
"Over the past year, some two dozen campaigns have crisscrossed this state, each laying claim to the ability to bring people together, bring out the vote, and move Americans to a brighter future. Here, in a state that goes by the motto, 'Live free or die,' you made up your own minds," Buttigieg said. "Thanks to you, a campaign that some said shouldn't be here at all has shown that we are here to stay."
Now, Buttigieg, 38, hopes that momentum from the first two predominantly white nominating contest states will translate to the Feb. 22 Nevada caucus and Feb. 29 South Carolina primary, which have large proportions of minority voters. He is in single digits in the most recent Nevada and South Carolina polls that were conducted before the Iowa caucuses, and it is unclear how much of a bump, if any, he will get there from his surge in the first two states.
"We will welcome new allies to our movement at every step," Buttigieg said.
Meanwhile, primary rivals are moving to secure support in the next states.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is working to keep his "firewall" of support in South Carolina. He skipped his New Hampshire primary night party to go hold a campaign event in Columbia on Tuesday night. Businessman Tom Steyer also holds strong support in recent South Carolina polls, and he left New Hampshire before the primary to campaign in South Carolina over the weekend and start a bus tour through Nevada.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar's surge in New Hampshire could also pose a threat to his appeal to centrist voters hoping to see a woman or candidate with national political experience win the Democratic presidential nomination.
At his victory party, attendees Paul and Rosemary Lacost of Amherst, New Hampshire, both wearing yellow Buttigieg campaign shirts, said they made up their minds on whom to vote for in the last few days after seeing many candidates at town halls.
But human resources professional Rosemary Lacost, 62, revealed that while she likes Buttigieg, she actually voted for Klobuchar.
"I just wanted her to get some New Hampshire votes. She's a female," she said, adding that Klobuchar is doing "a lot better than I ever thought she would be doing."
While she was excited about Buttigieg doing so well, she said she is worried how the openly gay, married former mayor will fare in southern states.
"I'm totally, totally worried about the Bible Belt," Lacost said.
Buttigieg's struggle to appeal to minority voters, critical demographics for Democrats in presidential elections, is one of the biggest electability problems for his campaign.
Criticism of his handling of tensions between the black community and the police force in South Bend has haunted him throughout his bid. Voters in predominantly white Iowa asked Buttigieg questions about how he plans to reach minority voters, a sign that he has plenty of work left to do.
Failure to perform well in the next two contests will stunt Buttigieg's momentum, while placing in the top three will help him argue that his campaign is viable not only in predominately white states, but nationwide.
Despite challenges for his favorite candidate on the horizon, salesman Paul Lacost, 62, said the night felt like a win for Buttigieg even though he won fewer votes than Sanders.
"It's like if the Celtics play the worst team in the NBA, and they win in their home court, of course they're going to win on their home court," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Biden and Warren receive no delegates in New Hampshire

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden underperformed on Tuesday night , failing to meet the threshold required to receive delegates awarded to the top candidates in New Hampshire .
Warren and Biden entered the New Hampshire Democratic primary as fading front-runners , but any momentum either candidate had has been damaged by their inability to win Democratic National Convention delegates .
After two primaries , Biden and Warren have won a combined 14 of the 65 delegates up for grabs in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Biden , once predicted the likely winner of the primary season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire early to give his post-election night speech at a rally in South Carolina .
Warren took pictures with supporters at a rally in New Hampshire as her fourth-place finish flashed across television screens .
The Massachusetts Democrat led polling in New Hampshire as late as October .
Biden now turns to South Carolina , where his campaign , struggling with cash flow and rapidly losing momentum , is polling sharply ahead of the field .
State delegates help select the eventual Democratic nominee , and the 24 New Hampshire slots will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Amy Klobuchar , and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg , the top three finishers .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden underperformed on Tuesday night, failing to meet the threshold required to receive delegates awarded to the top candidates in New Hampshire.
Warren and Biden entered the New Hampshire Democratic primary as fading front-runners, but any momentum either candidate had has been damaged by their inability to win Democratic National Convention delegates. After two primaries, Biden and Warren have won a combined 14 of the 65 delegates up for grabs in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Biden, once predicted the likely winner of the primary season, finished in fifth place and left New Hampshire early to give his post-election night speech at a rally in South Carolina. Warren took pictures with supporters at a rally in New Hampshire as her fourth-place finish flashed across television screens.
The Massachusetts Democrat led polling in New Hampshire as late as October. Biden now turns to South Carolina, where his campaign, struggling with cash flow and rapidly losing momentum, is polling sharply ahead of the field.
State delegates help select the eventual Democratic nominee, and the 24 New Hampshire slots will be split among Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the top three finishers.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders's foreign policy record shows a penchant for socialists, democratic and authoritarian

Bernie Sanders's foreign policy record shows a penchant for socialists, democratic and authoritarian alike

When asked why he 's the best choice to become America 's next commander-in-chief , Bernie Sanders tends to offer a simple refrain : Unlike most others , I got the 2002 Iraq War vote right .
The intended message to voters : My judgment is superior ; my presidency will be a safe bet .
Whatever you think about Sanders 's Iraq War vote , applied to basic American values of freedom and justice , the 2020 Democratic Party presidential hopeful has n't always come down on the right side .
On the contrary , Sanders has repeatedly shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That speaks to something broader : Sanders 's foreign policy record is n't the paradigm of cautious reliability he presents .
It 's a jumbled mix .
But it is Sanders 's socialist sympathies that stand out .
Because those impulses sometimes seep so deeply into Sanders 's psyche that he can not help but see authoritarians in a positive light .
The most notable example here is Sanders 's long-standing support for the Nicaraguan Sandinista movement .
During his 1980s tenure as mayor of Burlington , Vermont , Sanders even directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 1986 delivery of 500 tons in aid to a Sandinista-controlled town .
It is worth noting here that 1986 was at the height of Sandinista tyranny in Nicaragua , a time when they had shut down media publications and were actively using an emergency declaration to detain civilians without trial .
Apparently unconcerned , Sanders had been the July 1985 guest of honor at Sandinista festivities to celebrate its sixth year in power .
By the end of the 1980s , Sanders was n't exactly disabused of his admiration for the Sandinistas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example to replicate and a lesson even to be transplanted into American schools .
Interviewed for a 1989 master 's thesis , he declared that `` when you go into the schools , that is where you start .
It 's important for young people to understand the history of Nicaragua and what 's going on there .
But do you know what is even more important ?
For them to understand that they 're suppose to understand , that is what is important for them to understand .
That is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaks to the ideological devotion with which Sanders serves his socialist cause .
Sanders expanded on that education theme in the same interview , noting that `` we 're in the process of organizing an observation in remembrance of the destruction of democracy in Chile and the death of Salvador Allende ... obviously as part of that we 're going to be showing films , having a panel discussion , getting some stuff on television .
That 's something I think a mayor , and a governor as well , should be doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adoration for Latin American socialism runs particularly deep .
In August 2011 , Sanders 's website featured an opinion piece suggesting that `` the American dream is more apt to be realized in South America , in places such as Ecuador , Venezuela , and Argentina , where incomes are actually more equal today [ than in the U.S ] . ''
The current state of Venezuela , Earth 's oil-richest nation and home to a shocking number of children starving to death , might be considered a rebuke to these words .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sanders is rarely willing to find fault .
In reality , when it comes to democracy , he is openly hypocritical .
Take the senator 's signature of a January 2003 letter to George W. Bush , published in the Michigan Citizen , a left-wing publication which closed down in 2014 .
Opposing what he believed was a U.S.-sponsored coup against Hugo Chavez 's Venezuelan regime , Sanders asserted that `` the U.S. government should demonstrate its ongoing and active support for democratically elected governments . ''
What was needed , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of condemnation [ against the coup plotters ] from the White House explaining that the U.S. opposes violent and unconstitutional actions . ''
Fine words , but Sanders 's affection for Venezuelan democracy has not endured .
Today , Sanders refuses to recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president .
This , even though Guaidó is supported by the vast majority of democracies around the world .
Nicolas Maduro 's manipulation of voter returns in the last election , and his creation of a separate crony-filled Constituent Assembly to supplant the legitimate National Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most committed socialist ideologues to abandon him .
Aside from wanting to help brutal , incompetent , and totally undemocratic socialist regimes , Sanders does not have a very consistent foreign policy record .
The senator supported the 1999 Kosovo campaign and the 2002 invasion of Afghanistan , but he vehemently opposed the Gulf and Iraq wars .
Sanders expressed support for Moammar Gaddafi 's removal , but he hedged on the use of military force to effect it .
Sanders believes in trade protectionism , but he simultaneously argues that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations .
On Afghanistan , Sanders evinces a rare concern for the health of the Treasury .
In a 2011 statement opposing President Barack Obama 's Afghanistan strategy , Sanders focused more heavily on the financial implications of war that he did the human costs : `` This country has a $ 14.5 trillion national debt , in part owing to two wars that have not been paid for .
We have been at war in Afghanistan for the last 10 years and paid a high price both in terms of casualties and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will spend about $ 100 billion on that war . ''
On other foreign policy issues , however , Sanders is more willing to break from his far-left ranks .
Sanders is pro-Palestinian , for example , but not enough to placate the far-left of the Democratic Party .
What of Russia ?
Sanders now claims he 's a supporter of NATO , but his history paints a more complex picture .
In 1997 , Sanders argued that NATO 's very existence was wasteful : `` After four decades of the Cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars allocated to compete in the arms race , many of our constituents understand that it is not the time to continue wasting tens of billions of dollars helping to defend Europe , let alone assuming more than our share of any costs associated with expanding NATO eastward . ''
Again , it 's a hodgepodge .
Sanders has condemned China 's trade practices and its human rights record , but used a 2019 interview to claim that China has `` made more progress in addressing extreme poverty than any country in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we see the familiar vein of sympathy for socialist-communist regimes .
But in this case , the sympathy is without economic foundation .
After all , China 's dramatic reduction in poverty is specifically the result of its abandonment of socialism and its embrace of an export model dependent on foreign capitalist consumption .
Ultimately , then , we can draw at least one confident conclusion .
While Sanders 's foreign policy is at times unpredictable , it is very rarely so when dealing with socialists .

When asked why he's the best choice to become America's next commander-in-chief, Bernie Sanders tends to offer a simple refrain: Unlike most others, I got the 2002 Iraq War vote right. The intended message to voters: My judgment is superior; my presidency will be a safe bet.
A deeper assessment of Sanders's foreign policy record returns a different verdict.
Whatever you think about Sanders's Iraq War vote, applied to basic American values of freedom and justice, the 2020 Democratic Party presidential hopeful hasn't always come down on the right side. On the contrary, Sanders has repeatedly shown an actively effected sympathy for authoritarian regimes. That speaks to something broader: Sanders's foreign policy record isn't the paradigm of cautious reliability he presents. It's a jumbled mix.
But it is Sanders's socialist sympathies that stand out. Because those impulses sometimes seep so deeply into Sanders's psyche that he cannot help but see authoritarians in a positive light.
The most notable example here is Sanders's long-standing support for the Nicaraguan Sandinista movement. During his 1980s tenure as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Sanders even directly supported the Marxist Sandinistas. This included his 1986 delivery of 500 tons in aid to a Sandinista-controlled town. It is worth noting here that 1986 was at the height of Sandinista tyranny in Nicaragua, a time when they had shut down media publications and were actively using an emergency declaration to detain civilians without trial. Apparently unconcerned, Sanders had been the July 1985 guest of honor at Sandinista festivities to celebrate its sixth year in power.
By the end of the 1980s, Sanders wasn't exactly disabused of his admiration for the Sandinistas, whom he saw as a socialist example to replicate and a lesson even to be transplanted into American schools.
Interviewed for a 1989 master's thesis, he declared that "when you go into the schools, that is where you start. It's important for young people to understand the history of Nicaragua and what's going on there. But do you know what is even more important? For them to understand that they're suppose to understand, that is what is important for them to understand. That is the first thing."
This inadvertently Orwellian language speaks to the ideological devotion with which Sanders serves his socialist cause.
Sanders expanded on that education theme in the same interview, noting that "we're in the process of organizing an observation in remembrance of the destruction of democracy in Chile and the death of Salvador Allende ... obviously as part of that we're going to be showing films, having a panel discussion, getting some stuff on television. That's something I think a mayor, and a governor as well, should be doing."
History shows that Sanders's adoration for Latin American socialism runs particularly deep. In August 2011, Sanders's website featured an opinion piece suggesting that "the American dream is more apt to be realized in South America, in places such as Ecuador, Venezuela, and Argentina, where incomes are actually more equal today [than in the U.S]."
The current state of Venezuela, Earth's oil-richest nation and home to a shocking number of children starving to death, might be considered a rebuke to these words.
But when it comes to socialist failure, Sanders is rarely willing to find fault. In reality, when it comes to democracy, he is openly hypocritical. Take the senator's signature of a January 2003 letter to George W. Bush, published in the Michigan Citizen, a left-wing publication which closed down in 2014. Opposing what he believed was a U.S.-sponsored coup against Hugo Chavez's Venezuelan regime, Sanders asserted that "the U.S. government should demonstrate its ongoing and active support for democratically elected governments." What was needed, he said, was "a strong statement of condemnation [against the coup plotters] from the White House explaining that the U.S. opposes violent and unconstitutional actions."
Fine words, but Sanders's affection for Venezuelan democracy has not endured.
Today, Sanders refuses to recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president. This, even though Guaidó is supported by the vast majority of democracies around the world. Nicolas Maduro's manipulation of voter returns in the last election, and his creation of a separate crony-filled Constituent Assembly to supplant the legitimate National Assembly, convinced nearly everyone but Sanders and the most committed socialist ideologues to abandon him.
Aside from wanting to help brutal, incompetent, and totally undemocratic socialist regimes, Sanders does not have a very consistent foreign policy record.
The senator supported the 1999 Kosovo campaign and the 2002 invasion of Afghanistan, but he vehemently opposed the Gulf and Iraq wars. Sanders expressed support for Moammar Gaddafi's removal, but he hedged on the use of military force to effect it. Sanders believes in trade protectionism, but he simultaneously argues that the United States must show deference to impoverished nations.
On Afghanistan, Sanders evinces a rare concern for the health of the Treasury. In a 2011 statement opposing President Barack Obama's Afghanistan strategy, Sanders focused more heavily on the financial implications of war that he did the human costs: "This country has a $14.5 trillion national debt, in part owing to two wars that have not been paid for. We have been at war in Afghanistan for the last 10 years and paid a high price both in terms of casualties and national treasure. This year alone, we will spend about $100 billion on that war."
On other foreign policy issues, however, Sanders is more willing to break from his far-left ranks.
Sanders is pro-Palestinian, for example, but not enough to placate the far-left of the Democratic Party.
What of Russia? Sanders now claims he's a supporter of NATO, but his history paints a more complex picture. In 1997, Sanders argued that NATO's very existence was wasteful: "After four decades of the Cold War and trillions of United States taxpayer dollars allocated to compete in the arms race, many of our constituents understand that it is not the time to continue wasting tens of billions of dollars helping to defend Europe, let alone assuming more than our share of any costs associated with expanding NATO eastward."
China?
Again, it's a hodgepodge. Sanders has condemned China's trade practices and its human rights record, but used a 2019 interview to claim that China has "made more progress in addressing extreme poverty than any country in the history of civilization." Here, we see the familiar vein of sympathy for socialist-communist regimes. But in this case, the sympathy is without economic foundation. After all, China's dramatic reduction in poverty is specifically the result of its abandonment of socialism and its embrace of an export model dependent on foreign capitalist consumption.
Ultimately, then, we can draw at least one confident conclusion. While Sanders's foreign policy is at times unpredictable, it is very rarely so when dealing with socialists.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'Not this time, not this place': Biden licks his wounds after New Hampshire loss

MANCHESTER , New Hampshire — Like Iowa , New Hampshire was never Joe Biden country .
Biden , 77 , bowed out of New Hampshire with no delegates , earning 8.5 % of the vote with 53 % of precincts reporting .
The spoils of Tuesday night 's 2020 Democratic first-in-the-nation primary were instead enjoyed by Bernie Sanders , 78 , Pete Buttigieg , 38 , and Amy Klobuchar , 59 , with 27.1 % , 23.6 % , and 19.7 % support , respectively .
The former vice president 's fifth-place finish in New Hampshire adds to his pile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bid .
He placed fourth in Iowa , drawing six delegates in the opening caucuses on Feb. 3 .
Realizing he was in for a rough night , Biden opted to skip his post-election event , heading to Columbia to patch up his `` firewall '' in South Carolina .
A Monmouth University poll released Tuesday not only found he had plummeted by 14 percentage points since January , ceding the average national polling lead to Sanders for the first time this cycle , but also that his backing among minority Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire , I really mean it , ” Biden told supporters in New Hampshire from South Carolina via videolink .
`` We want you all to know how much we appreciate everything you ’ ve done , truly from the bottom of our hearts.
” Moments later at his launch party in Columbia , he reminded the crowd of the importance of African American and Latino Democrats to the party 's coalition .
`` We just heard from the first two of the 50 states .
Not all the nation .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nation .
Not 10 % .
Two .
Where I come from , that 's the opening bell , '' he said .
For New Hampshire voter Bruce Davidson , 63 , however , Biden 's woes in his state were woven into his candidacy from the very beginning .
`` In a different election earlier in his life , I think he could have done really well here .
I think his natural style and stand on issues appeals to voters here .
But not this time , not this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Washington Examiner at an Amy Klobuchar event in Exeter on Monday .
Davidson described Biden as being `` past his prime , politically and personally , '' while his rivals generated `` more excitement and more buzz , '' inviting New Hampshire Democrats to develop an `` emotional connection '' with them .
He highlighted how Biden was yet to prove a central pillar of his platform : That he can beat President Trump in November 's general election .
`` He 's trying to turn the clock back to , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' Unfortunately , nobody can turn the clock back , '' he said .
Marian Prescott , a retired speech pathologist in her 70s from Exeter , was similarly concerned Biden was vulnerable to Trump and Republican attacks regarding Ukraine and other issues dredged up by the president 's impeachment investigation .
In an effort to reverse his Iowa fortunes , Biden this week rolled out a series of jarring campaign strategy changes .
During the debate , he admitted he was bracing for a `` hit '' in New Hampshire after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before his aides , amid a staffing shake-up , tried to convince reporters and voters he was here to compete `` vigorously . ''
The 36-year Delaware senator debuted a more bellicose stance against Sanders , as a socialist Vermont senator , and Buttigieg , as an untested small-town mayor .
He then retreated from his attacks on the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , saying he would consider him as a running mate in the fall .
He also played with his walk-out music and stump speech to emphasize his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as opposed to Trump .
He sat for a string of national TV interviews as well .
Biden insists his path to the 2020 Democratic nomination runs through Nevada on Feb. 22 , South Carolina on Feb. 29 , and Super Tuesday states on March 3 .
Yet with stretched resources and fewer opportunities to replenish his campaign coffers ahead of a likely scrummage for the more centrist lane against deep-pocketed Michael Bloomberg , 77 , it could be a narrow , rocky journey to become the party 's standard-bearer .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to belie internal nerves , with his unusually timed trip to South Carolina before traveling to Nevada for the first-in-the-West caucuses .
His reaction to a New Hampshire voter who asked about his electability , prompting him to jokingly call the young woman a `` lying dog-faced pony soldier , '' raised eyebrows , too .
“ Look , we got a lot of good friends here in New Hampshire , but this race ain ’ t over until you ’ ve got a significant portion of the electorate that haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters Tuesday .

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Like Iowa, New Hampshire was never Joe Biden country.
Biden, 77, bowed out of New Hampshire with no delegates, earning 8.5% of the vote with 53% of precincts reporting. The spoils of Tuesday night's 2020 Democratic first-in-the-nation primary were instead enjoyed by Bernie Sanders, 78, Pete Buttigieg, 38, and Amy Klobuchar, 59, with 27.1%, 23.6%, and 19.7% support, respectively.
The former vice president's fifth-place finish in New Hampshire adds to his pile of disappointing performances during his third White House bid. He placed fourth in Iowa, drawing six delegates in the opening caucuses on Feb. 3.
Realizing he was in for a rough night, Biden opted to skip his post-election event, heading to Columbia to patch up his "firewall" in South Carolina. A Monmouth University poll released Tuesday not only found he had plummeted by 14 percentage points since January, ceding the average national polling lead to Sanders for the first time this cycle, but also that his backing among minority Democrats had softened.
“I do love New Hampshire, I really mean it,” Biden told supporters in New Hampshire from South Carolina via videolink. "We want you all to know how much we appreciate everything you’ve done, truly from the bottom of our hearts.”
Moments later at his launch party in Columbia, he reminded the crowd of the importance of African American and Latino Democrats to the party's coalition.
"We just heard from the first two of the 50 states. Not all the nation. Not half the nation. Not a quarter of the nation. Not 10%. Two. Where I come from, that's the opening bell," he said.
For New Hampshire voter Bruce Davidson, 63, however, Biden's woes in his state were woven into his candidacy from the very beginning.
"In a different election earlier in his life, I think he could have done really well here. I think his natural style and stand on issues appeals to voters here. But not this time, not this place," the Portsmouth leadership consultant told the Washington Examiner at an Amy Klobuchar event in Exeter on Monday.
Davidson described Biden as being "past his prime, politically and personally," while his rivals generated "more excitement and more buzz," inviting New Hampshire Democrats to develop an "emotional connection" with them. He highlighted how Biden was yet to prove a central pillar of his platform: That he can beat President Trump in November's general election.
"He's trying to turn the clock back to, 'It's Obama and Biden days.' Unfortunately, nobody can turn the clock back," he said.
Marian Prescott, a retired speech pathologist in her 70s from Exeter, was similarly concerned Biden was vulnerable to Trump and Republican attacks regarding Ukraine and other issues dredged up by the president's impeachment investigation.
In an effort to reverse his Iowa fortunes, Biden this week rolled out a series of jarring campaign strategy changes. During the debate, he admitted he was bracing for a "hit" in New Hampshire after the "gut punch" of Iowa, before his aides, amid a staffing shake-up, tried to convince reporters and voters he was here to compete "vigorously."
The 36-year Delaware senator debuted a more bellicose stance against Sanders, as a socialist Vermont senator, and Buttigieg, as an untested small-town mayor. He then retreated from his attacks on the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, saying he would consider him as a running mate in the fall. He also played with his walk-out music and stump speech to emphasize his fighter spirit and focus on everyday Americans, as opposed to Trump. He sat for a string of national TV interviews as well.
Biden insists his path to the 2020 Democratic nomination runs through Nevada on Feb. 22, South Carolina on Feb. 29, and Super Tuesday states on March 3. Yet with stretched resources and fewer opportunities to replenish his campaign coffers ahead of a likely scrummage for the more centrist lane against deep-pocketed Michael Bloomberg, 77, it could be a narrow, rocky journey to become the party's standard-bearer.
His outward display of confidence, however, appears to belie internal nerves, with his unusually timed trip to South Carolina before traveling to Nevada for the first-in-the-West caucuses. His reaction to a New Hampshire voter who asked about his electability, prompting him to jokingly call the young woman a "lying dog-faced pony soldier," raised eyebrows, too.
“Look, we got a lot of good friends here in New Hampshire, but this race ain’t over until you’ve got a significant portion of the electorate that haven’t voted yet,” he told reporters Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Klobuchar steps over Biden and Warren for delegates in New Hampshire

MANCHESTER , New Hampshire — Amy Klobuchar had a surprisingly good night in New Hampshire .
Klobuchar , 59 , heads to Nevada for the Feb. 22 caucuses having received 19.7 % of the vote in Tuesday night 's New Hampshire 2020 Democratic presidential primary , with 53 % of precincts reporting .
`` Hello , America .
I 'm Amy Klobuchar , and I 'll beat Donald Trump , '' she said in Concord .
`` My heart is full tonight .
While there are ballots still to count , we have beaten odds every step of the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merits , we have done it with ideas , and we have done it with hard work . ''
On a campaign high after finishing a close fifth behind former Vice President Joe Biden in Iowa , the Minnesota senator this week described herself as `` unleashed '' following the wrap-up of President Trump 's impeachment trial , which had her tied up in Washington , D.C. , and unable to concentrate on her White House bid .
A strong debate performance last Friday , timed just as New Hampshire 's large bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the race , piqued interest in her candidacy , boosted her crowd numbers at events over the weekend , attracted some much-needed donations , and helped her place third in two separate tracking polls .
On the trail , she touted how she was the only presidential hopeful on the stage to confidently raise her hand , indicating she disagreed with the idea of having a socialist , such as Bernie Sanders , on the top of the Democratic ticket for the general election .
Building on her message that voters disenchanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with her , Klobuchar 's closing pitch was a mashup of reassuring New Hampshire she understood their struggles and calling for party unity before November .
`` There is a complete lack of empathy in this guy in the White House right now , and I will bring that to you .
If you have trouble stretching your paycheck to pay for that rent , I know you , and I will fight for you .
If you have trouble deciding if you ’ re going to pay for your childcare or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I will fight for you , '' she said in her final ad buy in the state .
Klobuchar 's delegate count on Tuesday night can be added to the one delegate she picked up in Iowa , the first-in-the-nation contest where she slowly but steadily grew support since a sluggish summer via old-fashioned retail politics based on her Midwestern commonsense and sense of humor .
Those assets earned her endorsements from both the New York Times and a slew of New Hampshire newspapers .
For Becky Tise , 62 , Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't waste words like the guy that 's occupying the White House . ''
`` Amy 's economy of words , it 's all about an issue every time she opens her mouth except for the occasional humor , which people love .
It 's a really good way to deliver a message and get points across , '' the Portsmouth leadership consultant told the Washington Examiner after a Klobuchar town hall in Exeter .
Amy Teas , 41 , believes Klobuchar speaks to people like her who are `` undeclared '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diehard '' Democrats and Republicans .
`` I like how she has worked across the aisle already , so she 's not saying what she 's going to do , she 's saying , 'This is what I 've done , ' '' the Nashua stay-at-home mother said after a Klobuchar event in her home town .
`` And she 's reasonable .
She 's not extreme , and wild , and outrageous .
She 's also not accusatory and offensive .
She 's just what every level-headed person would want .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't unencumbered .
She 's likely to face greater scrutiny ahead of Nevada 's first-in-the-West round , particularly regarding her tenure as Minnesota 's most populous county 's chief prosecutor .
The attacks were previewed during an appearance on The View earlier Tuesday .
`` Are we prosecuting Amy Klobuchar today ? ''
host Joy Behar asked Sunny Hostin after she spent most of the segment tearing into the senator .
She will also need to bridge an organizing gap between her and rivals with greater financial and staffing resources , especially ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when delegates in 14 states , including her home state of Minnesota , will be up for grabs .

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Amy Klobuchar had a surprisingly good night in New Hampshire.
Klobuchar, 59, heads to Nevada for the Feb. 22 caucuses having received 19.7% of the vote in Tuesday night's New Hampshire 2020 Democratic presidential primary, with 53% of precincts reporting.
"Hello, America. I'm Amy Klobuchar, and I'll beat Donald Trump," she said in Concord. "My heart is full tonight. While there are ballots still to count, we have beaten odds every step of the way. We have done it on the merits, we have done it with ideas, and we have done it with hard work."
On a campaign high after finishing a close fifth behind former Vice President Joe Biden in Iowa, the Minnesota senator this week described herself as "unleashed" following the wrap-up of President Trump's impeachment trial, which had her tied up in Washington, D.C., and unable to concentrate on her White House bid.
A strong debate performance last Friday, timed just as New Hampshire's large bloc of undecided likely primary voters were tuning into the race, piqued interest in her candidacy, boosted her crowd numbers at events over the weekend, attracted some much-needed donations, and helped her place third in two separate tracking polls.
On the trail, she touted how she was the only presidential hopeful on the stage to confidently raise her hand, indicating she disagreed with the idea of having a socialist, such as Bernie Sanders, on the top of the Democratic ticket for the general election.
Building on her message that voters disenchanted with partisan politics had a "home" with her, Klobuchar's closing pitch was a mashup of reassuring New Hampshire she understood their struggles and calling for party unity before November.
"There is a complete lack of empathy in this guy in the White House right now, and I will bring that to you. If you have trouble stretching your paycheck to pay for that rent, I know you, and I will fight for you. If you have trouble deciding if you’re going to pay for your childcare or your long-term care, I know you and I will fight for you," she said in her final ad buy in the state.
Klobuchar's delegate count on Tuesday night can be added to the one delegate she picked up in Iowa, the first-in-the-nation contest where she slowly but steadily grew support since a sluggish summer via old-fashioned retail politics based on her Midwestern commonsense and sense of humor. Those assets earned her endorsements from both the New York Times and a slew of New Hampshire newspapers.
For Becky Tise, 62, Klobuchar's best characteristic is that she "doesn't waste words like the guy that's occupying the White House."
"Amy's economy of words, it's all about an issue every time she opens her mouth except for the occasional humor, which people love. It's a really good way to deliver a message and get points across," the Portsmouth leadership consultant told the Washington Examiner after a Klobuchar town hall in Exeter.
Amy Teas, 41, believes Klobuchar speaks to people like her who are "undeclared" and "turned off" by "diehard" Democrats and Republicans.
"I like how she has worked across the aisle already, so she's not saying what she's going to do, she's saying, 'This is what I've done,'" the Nashua stay-at-home mother said after a Klobuchar event in her home town. "And she's reasonable. She's not extreme, and wild, and outrageous. She's also not accusatory and offensive. She's just what every level-headed person would want.
However, her success in New Hampshire isn't unencumbered. She's likely to face greater scrutiny ahead of Nevada's first-in-the-West round, particularly regarding her tenure as Minnesota's most populous county's chief prosecutor. The attacks were previewed during an appearance on The View earlier Tuesday.
"Are we prosecuting Amy Klobuchar today?" host Joy Behar asked Sunny Hostin after she spent most of the segment tearing into the senator.
She will also need to bridge an organizing gap between her and rivals with greater financial and staffing resources, especially ahead of Super Tuesday on March 3, when delegates in 14 states, including her home state of Minnesota, will be up for grabs.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Maybe nobody likes Biden because he's a jerk

Joe Biden in New Hampshire was up to his old tricks again — and old ones are the only kind of tricks he has .
Biden attacked former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg for being inexperienced , just as he had attacked Barack Obama in 2008 as inexperienced , and Paul Ryan in 2012 as being inexperienced .
Biden has more experience running on his experience than anyone in American history .
A reporter in New Hampshire reminded Biden that he had made the same criticism of Obama , who was just two years out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
“ Oh , come on , man !
” Biden blurted out .
“ This guy ’ s not a Barack Obama !
” This was exactly the one-two punch Biden had been setting up .
It was , appropriately enough , ripped off from a very old line by Lloyd Bentsen , who told Dan Quayle , “ You ’ re no Jack Kennedy.
” It was also the same trick Biden played on Ryan in 2012 .
In the vice-presidential debate that year , Ryan argued for cutting taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle-class ” tax breaks .
Biden interrupted to assert it was “ not mathematically possible ” and “ it has never been done before.
” Ryan pointed out that Ronald Reagan and Kennedy cut taxes and increased growth , and so Biden shot back , “ Oh , now you ’ re Jack Kennedy !
?
” The immaturity and dishonesty of Biden 's `` Jack Kennedy '' play were typical of his behavior in that debate .
Interrupting , lobbing irrelevant comebacks , and laughing at accurate , sober points were all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the debate : Be an overbearingly smug boor in an effort to make Ryan look weak or small .
Most people couldn ’ t have pulled it off .
Biden did , because such boorishness is his style .
When I was a 22-year-old reporter on Capitol Hill , Biden was reliably obnoxious to me , blowing off my questions with sarcasm and personal jabs .
For instance , when I asked him about illegal immigration , he implied that my parents were illegal immigrants and asserted that I advocated hanging everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran the Judiciary Committee that Borked Bork , one of the key moments in making Washington politics as poisonous , cantankerous , and dishonest as it is now .
One former aide , Jeff Connaughton , wrote a book about Biden treating aides poorly .
In New Hampshire this past weekend , he called one woman a `` lying dog-faced pony-soldier . ''
So when we see that Biden , in his third or fourth attempt at running for president , has yet to finish even third place in a primary , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a network of supporters in Iowa , we need to consider that Biden does n't win because people do n't like him .

Joe Biden in New Hampshire was up to his old tricks again — and old ones are the only kind of tricks he has.
Biden attacked former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for being inexperienced, just as he had attacked Barack Obama in 2008 as inexperienced, and Paul Ryan in 2012 as being inexperienced.
Biden has more experience running on his experience than anyone in American history.
A reporter in New Hampshire reminded Biden that he had made the same criticism of Obama, who was just two years out of the state Senate when he started running for president.
“Oh, come on, man!” Biden blurted out. “This guy’s not a Barack Obama!”
This was exactly the one-two punch Biden had been setting up. It was, appropriately enough, ripped off from a very old line by Lloyd Bentsen, who told Dan Quayle, “You’re no Jack Kennedy.” It was also the same trick Biden played on Ryan in 2012.
In the vice-presidential debate that year, Ryan argued for cutting taxes by 20% and still preserving “middle-class” tax breaks. Biden interrupted to assert it was “not mathematically possible” and “it has never been done before.” Ryan pointed out that Ronald Reagan and Kennedy cut taxes and increased growth, and so Biden shot back, “Oh, now you’re Jack Kennedy!?”
The immaturity and dishonesty of Biden's "Jack Kennedy" play were typical of his behavior in that debate. Interrupting, lobbing irrelevant comebacks, and laughing at accurate, sober points were all part of Biden’s deliberate strategy for the debate: Be an overbearingly smug boor in an effort to make Ryan look weak or small.
Most people couldn’t have pulled it off. Biden did, because such boorishness is his style.
When I was a 22-year-old reporter on Capitol Hill, Biden was reliably obnoxious to me, blowing off my questions with sarcasm and personal jabs. For instance, when I asked him about illegal immigration, he implied that my parents were illegal immigrants and asserted that I advocated hanging everyone who enters the country illegally.
Biden ran the Judiciary Committee that Borked Bork, one of the key moments in making Washington politics as poisonous, cantankerous, and dishonest as it is now.
One former aide, Jeff Connaughton, wrote a book about Biden treating aides poorly. In New Hampshire this past weekend, he called one woman a "lying dog-faced pony-soldier."
So when we see that Biden, in his third or fourth attempt at running for president, has yet to finish even third place in a primary, and when we see that he failed to build a network of supporters in Iowa, we need to consider that Biden doesn't win because people don't like him.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Klobucharge? New Hampshire makes the case

After a year of the media wondering why her national support languished in the single digits , Amy Klobuchar finally proved that she has a path to the presidency , albeit a narrow one .
The Minnesota senator has always been electable .
While Hillary Clinton only won her state by 1 percentage point in 2016 , Klobuchar routinely wins it by more than 20 .
But although a likable , liberal woman with a hefty resume and Rust Belt appeal made sense on paper , she failed to catch steam in the entire primary season .
At last , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relatively strong performance in the Iowa caucuses , Klobuchar has excelled in the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary , coming in the top three and besting two former front-runners , Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden , who it appears will both fail to earn a single delegate .
Bernie Sanders , who cleaned up in the Granite State in 2016 , was both ascendant in national polls and slated to come in first in this primary .
But Klobuchar 's projected rise felt as much like wishcasting from disaffected Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was always a compelling candidate for a general election , but her path in the primary seemed impossible so long as Biden dominated the field as well as the moderate lane .
But thanks to Biden 's failure to do well in Iowa or own a single delegate in New Hampshire , and even more so his collapse of crucial black support , her electability in the general election has never seemed so possible , even if not probable .
It makes perfect sense .
Klobuchar entered the race a highly qualified candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kamala Harris , and one who maintained respect across the aisle during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process that effectively acted as national auditions for senators vying for the presidency .
She maintained distance from politically toxic proposals like `` Medicare For all '' and court-packing , and although she supports standard left-wing issues like abortion access and gun control , she never did so by actively alienating pro-life and pro-gun voters .
Amy Klobuchar always made sense on paper .
Now we get to see if she succeeds in practice .

After a year of the media wondering why her national support languished in the single digits, Amy Klobuchar finally proved that she has a path to the presidency, albeit a narrow one.
The Minnesota senator has always been electable. While Hillary Clinton only won her state by 1 percentage point in 2016, Klobuchar routinely wins it by more than 20. But although a likable, liberal woman with a hefty resume and Rust Belt appeal made sense on paper, she failed to catch steam in the entire primary season.
At last, the Klobucharge is upon us. After a relatively strong performance in the Iowa caucuses, Klobuchar has excelled in the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, coming in the top three and besting two former front-runners, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, who it appears will both fail to earn a single delegate.
Bernie Sanders, who cleaned up in the Granite State in 2016, was both ascendant in national polls and slated to come in first in this primary. But Klobuchar's projected rise felt as much like wishcasting from disaffected Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans wildly overrepresented in the media. She was always a compelling candidate for a general election, but her path in the primary seemed impossible so long as Biden dominated the field as well as the moderate lane. But thanks to Biden's failure to do well in Iowa or own a single delegate in New Hampshire, and even more so his collapse of crucial black support, her electability in the general election has never seemed so possible, even if not probable.
It makes perfect sense. Klobuchar entered the race a highly qualified candidate. unlike celebutante rivals like Beto O'Rourke and Kamala Harris, and one who maintained respect across the aisle during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process that effectively acted as national auditions for senators vying for the presidency. She maintained distance from politically toxic proposals like "Medicare For all" and court-packing, and although she supports standard left-wing issues like abortion access and gun control, she never did so by actively alienating pro-life and pro-gun voters.
Amy Klobuchar always made sense on paper. Now we get to see if she succeeds in practice.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Bipartisan group of three senators meeting with Ukrainian president

Three senators are planning to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a week after President Trump was acquitted in the Senate of accusations that he unethically pressured Zelensky into political investigations .
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut , a Democrat , and Republican Sens .
John Barrasso of Wyoming and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin will meet with Zelensky during a trip to Ukraine on Friday , according to Politico .
The lawmakers said in a statement that it is critical for the United States to maintain close ties with Kyiv and that the meeting would help bolster the bilateral relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important now as ever .
The future of Ukraine matters to the United States , and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally , ” the senators said .
“ This is why we ’ re going to Kyiv as a bipartisan delegation to reinforce our support with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
” Zelensky , a former television comedian , assumed office last May after defeating incumbent President Petro Poroshenko by running on an anti-corruption platform .
Last week , the Senate voted 52-48 to acquit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power and 53-47 to acquit the president on a charge of obstruction of Congress .
Democrats in the House alleged that Trump wrongly pressured Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden .

Three senators are planning to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a week after President Trump was acquitted in the Senate of accusations that he unethically pressured Zelensky into political investigations.
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a Democrat, and Republican Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin will meet with Zelensky during a trip to Ukraine on Friday, according to Politico.
The lawmakers said in a statement that it is critical for the United States to maintain close ties with Kyiv and that the meeting would help bolster the bilateral relationship.
“The U.S.-Ukraine relationship is as important now as ever. The future of Ukraine matters to the United States, and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally,” the senators said. “This is why we’re going to Kyiv as a bipartisan delegation to reinforce our support with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.”
Zelensky, a former television comedian, assumed office last May after defeating incumbent President Petro Poroshenko by running on an anti-corruption platform.
Last week, the Senate voted 52-48 to acquit the president on a charge of abuse of power and 53-47 to acquit the president on a charge of obstruction of Congress. Democrats in the House alleged that Trump wrongly pressured Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Trump refuses to comment on possible Roger Stone pardon

President Trump won ’ t say whether he is considering a pardon for Roger Stone , his former associate who was found guilty of lying to Congress and of witness intimidation .
Prosecutors initially recommended that Stone receive up to nine years in prison , but the Justice Department later announced it would be seeking a lower sentence .
Four prosecutors resigned from the case in the fallout of the changing recommendation .
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday , Trump declined to say whether he would offer Stone a pardon .
“ I don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But I ’ ll tell you what : People were hurt viciously and badly by these corrupt people , and I want to thank , if you look at what happened , I want to thank the Justice Department for seeing this horrible thing.
” “ And I didn ’ t speak to them , by the way , ” the president added , reiterating remarks from Tuesday when he said he never spoke to the Justice Department about lowering the recommended sentence .
Trump had called the initial sentencing recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department made its decision to lower it on Tuesday .
Stone , 67 , was charged and convicted for his actions during and after the 2016 presidential election .
A jury found the self-styled “ dirty trickster ” guilty on five separate counts of lying to the House Intelligence Committee and two charges of obstructing a congressional investigation and intimidating a witness .
The November trial centered on Stone 's claims that he communicated with WikiLeaks , which did not apparently happen .

President Trump won’t say whether he is considering a pardon for Roger Stone, his former associate who was found guilty of lying to Congress and of witness intimidation.
Prosecutors initially recommended that Stone receive up to nine years in prison, but the Justice Department later announced it would be seeking a lower sentence. Four prosecutors resigned from the case in the fallout of the changing recommendation. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump declined to say whether he would offer Stone a pardon.
“I don’t want to say that yet,” Trump said. “But I’ll tell you what: People were hurt viciously and badly by these corrupt people, and I want to thank, if you look at what happened, I want to thank the Justice Department for seeing this horrible thing.”
“And I didn’t speak to them, by the way,” the president added, reiterating remarks from Tuesday when he said he never spoke to the Justice Department about lowering the recommended sentence.
.@realDonaldTrump won't say if he is considering a pardon for Roger Stone. pic.twitter.com/yx30UOdeT5 — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 12, 2020
Trump had called the initial sentencing recommendation “horrible and very unfair” before the Justice Department made its decision to lower it on Tuesday.
Stone, 67, was charged and convicted for his actions during and after the 2016 presidential election. A jury found the self-styled “dirty trickster” guilty on five separate counts of lying to the House Intelligence Committee and two charges of obstructing a congressional investigation and intimidating a witness. The November trial centered on Stone's claims that he communicated with WikiLeaks, which did not apparently happen.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Republicans boycott House intelligence hearing to protest 'inadequate oversight' of spy agencies

Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee are taking a stand against Chairman Adam Schiff ’ s `` inadequate oversight '' of the U.S. Intelligence Community .
California Rep. Devin Nunes , the ranking member , and his fellow Republicans boycotted a subcommittee hearing Wednesday to protest the Democratic-led panel 's refusal to schedule a hearing or briefing on issues they deemed `` critical , '' including the Justice Department inspector general 's Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse report .
“ Under your chairmanship , the House Intelligence Committee has strayed far from its mandate of overseeing the Intelligence Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months at a time in which we ’ ve hardly held any oversight-related briefings or hearings at all , ” the Republicans said in a Wednesday letter obtained by the Washington Examiner .
The members argue that Schiff , a California Democrat , has failed in his duty as chairman to hold a hearing to discuss the DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz ’ s report released in December that found several failures in the FBI ’ s counterintelligence investigation into potential ties between President Trump ’ s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strategic Technology and Advanced Research Subcommittee , focused on how next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence can be used by the United States and allies .
The Republicans said they would not attend the public hearing , noting that there are “ numerous ” other committees that could conduct public hearings on emerging science and technology .
The GOP lawmakers said the intelligence panel should “ focus on critical issues we are uniquely postured to address.
” “ Until the Committee prioritizes oversight activities related to urgent and critical concerns , Republican Members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibilities , ” the members wrote .
“ It is concerning that you prioritize publicity events rather than the more productive work that occurs in the Committee ’ s classified spaces.
” The letter was signed by Nunes , as well as Reps. Chris Stewart of Utah , Michael Conaway of Texas , Michael Turner of Ohio , Brad Wenstrup of Ohio , Rick Crawford of Arkansas , Elise Stefanik of New York , Will Hurd of Texas , and John Ratcliffe of Texas .
“ We hope this Committee can move past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the important work we have traditionally undertaken on a bipartisan basis , ” they concluded .
Rep. Jim Himes , the chairman of the Strategic Technology and Advanced Research Subcommittee , said at the beginning of Wednesday 's hearing the decision by Republicans to boycott was `` as wrongheaded as it is mendacious . ''
`` Last week I asked ranking member Stewart what was going on , he told me that ranking member Nunes felt strongly that his republican members not engage in the public work of this committee because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment investigation , '' the Connecticut Democrat said .
`` So , this letter is actually a reversal of what I was told last week . ''
`` This committee has always succeeded in compartmentalizing the emotions and arguments of impeachment in the critical work we do on behalf of the American people .
Not so today , that Rubicon has been crossed , '' he added .

Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee are taking a stand against Chairman Adam Schiff’s "inadequate oversight" of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
California Rep. Devin Nunes, the ranking member, and his fellow Republicans boycotted a subcommittee hearing Wednesday to protest the Democratic-led panel's refusal to schedule a hearing or briefing on issues they deemed "critical," including the Justice Department inspector general's Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse report.
“Under your chairmanship, the House Intelligence Committee has strayed far from its mandate of overseeing the Intelligence Community. In fact, we have gone months at a time in which we’ve hardly held any oversight-related briefings or hearings at all,” the Republicans said in a Wednesday letter obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The members argue that Schiff, a California Democrat, has failed in his duty as chairman to hold a hearing to discuss the DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report released in December that found several failures in the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into potential ties between President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.
The hearing Wednesday, held by the Strategic Technology and Advanced Research Subcommittee, focused on how next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence can be used by the United States and allies.
The Republicans said they would not attend the public hearing, noting that there are “numerous” other committees that could conduct public hearings on emerging science and technology. The GOP lawmakers said the intelligence panel should “focus on critical issues we are uniquely postured to address.”
“Until the Committee prioritizes oversight activities related to urgent and critical concerns, Republican Members cannot support distractions from our core responsibilities,” the members wrote. “It is concerning that you prioritize publicity events rather than the more productive work that occurs in the Committee’s classified spaces.”
The letter was signed by Nunes, as well as Reps. Chris Stewart of Utah, Michael Conaway of Texas, Michael Turner of Ohio, Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Elise Stefanik of New York, Will Hurd of Texas, and John Ratcliffe of Texas.
“We hope this Committee can move past political investigations and publicity stunts and get back to the important work we have traditionally undertaken on a bipartisan basis,” they concluded.
Rep. Jim Himes, the chairman of the Strategic Technology and Advanced Research Subcommittee, said at the beginning of Wednesday's hearing the decision by Republicans to boycott was "as wrongheaded as it is mendacious."
"Last week I asked ranking member Stewart what was going on, he told me that ranking member Nunes felt strongly that his republican members not engage in the public work of this committee because of some perceived grievance associated with the impeachment investigation," the Connecticut Democrat said. "So, this letter is actually a reversal of what I was told last week."
"This committee has always succeeded in compartmentalizing the emotions and arguments of impeachment in the critical work we do on behalf of the American people. Not so today, that Rubicon has been crossed," he added.