thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--‘Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!’: Trump condemns Justice Department seeking up to nine ye

‘Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!’: Trump condemns Justice Department seeking up to nine years for Roger Stone

President Trump condemned the Justice Department ’ s decision to seek a prison sentence of up to nine years for self-described “ dirty trickster ” and longtime Trump confidant Roger Stone , hinting he may commute the GOP agent provocateur ’ s sentence or pardon him .
“ Disgraceful !
” Trump tweeted in response to the news early Tuesday morning , adding , “ This is a horrible and very unfair situation .
The real crimes were on the other side , as nothing happens to them .
Can not allow this miscarriage of justice !
” Stone was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 apparently false claims of being in communication with WikiLeaks and about his actions taken during the 2016 election and beyond .
The DOJ ’ s 26-page sentencing memorandum on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 87 to 108 months in prison .
“ This conduct was part of an effort to hide from Congress and to craft a false narrative about Stone ’ s conduct in 2016 , ” prosecutors said on Monday .
“ Stone regularly communicated with senior Trump campaign officials — including deputy campaign chairman Richard Gates and campaign CEO Steve Bannon — about WikiLeaks ’ plans to release more information that would be damaging to the Clinton campaign .
Both Gates and Bannon believed that Stone was providing them with non-public information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed Stone as the Trump campaign ’ s access point to WikiLeaks.
” Stone ’ s defense attorneys argued in their own 35-page sentencing memo late Monday night that the DOJ had inflated Stone ’ s offense level , and that the proper sentencing guidelines should be a prison sentence of 15 to 21 months .
Moreover , they asked the judge to lower his sentence to just probation , arguing that he should receive a lesser sentence “ as a 67-year-old first time offender convicted of serious but non-violent crimes.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant the application of any offense level increases , ” his defense team said .
The jury found Stone repeatedly misrepresented and concealed his unsuccessful 2016 attempt at collaborating with WikiLeaks to obtain dirt on then-candidate Hillary Clinton when speaking with Trump-Russia investigators from the House Intelligence Committee in a spin-off case from special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s two-year investigation .
Judge Amy Berman Jackson , the Obama-appointee who presided over Stone ’ s trial , will hand down his sentence on Feb. 20 .
In a section explaining what they believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stone committed , prosecutors quoted Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers No .
68 , in which he says foreign election interference is among the “ most deadly adversaries of republican government.
” “ Investigations into election interference concern our national security , the integrity of our democratic processes , and the enforcement of our nation ’ s criminal laws , ” prosecutors wrote Monday .
“ Obstructing such critical investigations thus strikes at the very heart of our American democracy.
” The congressional committee ’ s investigation into Russian election interference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed against the United States and if those actions included links between Russia and people associated with Trump ’ s campaign .
It was widely known before Stone ’ s September 2017 congressional testimony that the U.S. government believed WikiLeaks was linked to the issue of Russian interference .
“ It is against this backdrop that Stone ’ s crimes — his obstruction , lies , and witness tampering — must be judged , ” the DOJ said .
But during the two-week trial , it was never alleged that Stone was actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he was never accused by prosecutors of criminally conspiring with Russia or any other foreign actors .
“ In the end , the investigations yielded no evidence of the involvement of any American with the Russian government or any agent operating on its behalf to interfere in the 2016 election , ” Stone ’ s defense team said .
“ It is also undisputed that Roger Stone had nothing to do with obtaining the compromised emails or providing them to WikiLeaks .
The information that Stone failed to provide to HPSCI was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
” The lawyers pointed to the sentences of others swept up in Mueller ’ s investigations : former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort being sentenced to seven and a half years ; former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen being sentenced to three years , including two months for misleading Congress about the timing of Trump Tower Moscow ; former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates , who cooperated extensively with the government , getting only 45 days in jail and three years of probation ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting just 14 days behind bars for lying to FBI investigators .
Stone ’ s attorneys also quoted Credico ’ s post-sentencing letter to the court , which read in part , “ I never in any way felt that Stone himself posed a direct physical threat to me or to my dog .
I chalked up his bellicose tirades to ‘ Stone being Stone.
’ All bark and no bite !
”

President Trump condemned the Justice Department’s decision to seek a prison sentence of up to nine years for self-described “dirty trickster” and longtime Trump confidant Roger Stone, hinting he may commute the GOP agent provocateur’s sentence or pardon him.
“Disgraceful!” Trump tweeted in response to the news early Tuesday morning, adding, “This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!”
This is a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! https://t.co/rHPfYX6Vbv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 11, 2020
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 apparently false claims of being in communication with WikiLeaks and about his actions taken during the 2016 election and beyond.
The DOJ’s 26-page sentencing memorandum on Monday asked that the judge sentence Stone to 87 to 108 months in prison.
“This conduct was part of an effort to hide from Congress and to craft a false narrative about Stone’s conduct in 2016,” prosecutors said on Monday. “Stone regularly communicated with senior Trump campaign officials — including deputy campaign chairman Richard Gates and campaign CEO Steve Bannon — about WikiLeaks’ plans to release more information that would be damaging to the Clinton campaign. Both Gates and Bannon believed that Stone was providing them with non-public information about WikiLeaks’ plans. Indeed, Bannon viewed Stone as the Trump campaign’s access point to WikiLeaks.”
Stone’s defense attorneys argued in their own 35-page sentencing memo late Monday night that the DOJ had inflated Stone’s offense level, and that the proper sentencing guidelines should be a prison sentence of 15 to 21 months. Moreover, they asked the judge to lower his sentence to just probation, arguing that he should receive a lesser sentence “as a 67-year-old first time offender convicted of serious but non-violent crimes.”
“The facts of this case do not warrant the application of any offense level increases,” his defense team said.
The jury found Stone repeatedly misrepresented and concealed his unsuccessful 2016 attempt at collaborating with WikiLeaks to obtain dirt on then-candidate Hillary Clinton when speaking with Trump-Russia investigators from the House Intelligence Committee in a spin-off case from special counsel Robert Mueller’s two-year investigation.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson, the Obama-appointee who presided over Stone’s trial, will hand down his sentence on Feb. 20.
In a section explaining what they believed was “the seriousness of the offense” Stone committed, prosecutors quoted Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers No. 68, in which he says foreign election interference is among the “most deadly adversaries of republican government.”
“Investigations into election interference concern our national security, the integrity of our democratic processes, and the enforcement of our nation’s criminal laws,” prosecutors wrote Monday. “ Obstructing such critical investigations thus strikes at the very heart of our American democracy.”
The congressional committee’s investigation into Russian election interference was focused on what Russian interference was directed against the United States and if those actions included links between Russia and people associated with Trump’s campaign. It was widely known before Stone’s September 2017 congressional testimony that the U.S. government believed WikiLeaks was linked to the issue of Russian interference.
“It is against this backdrop that Stone’s crimes — his obstruction, lies, and witness tampering — must be judged,” the DOJ said.
But during the two-week trial, it was never alleged that Stone was actually in communication with anyone from WikiLeaks, and he was never accused by prosecutors of criminally conspiring with Russia or any other foreign actors.
“In the end, the investigations yielded no evidence of the involvement of any American with the Russian government or any agent operating on its behalf to interfere in the 2016 election,” Stone’s defense team said. “It is also undisputed that Roger Stone had nothing to do with obtaining the compromised emails or providing them to WikiLeaks. The information that Stone failed to provide to HPSCI was insignificant in the broader context of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.”
The lawyers pointed to the sentences of others swept up in Mueller’s investigations: former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort being sentenced to seven and a half years; former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen being sentenced to three years, including two months for misleading Congress about the timing of Trump Tower Moscow; former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates, who cooperated extensively with the government, getting only 45 days in jail and three years of probation; and former Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos getting just 14 days behind bars for lying to FBI investigators.
Stone’s attorneys also quoted Credico’s post-sentencing letter to the court, which read in part, “I never in any way felt that Stone himself posed a direct physical threat to me or to my dog. I chalked up his bellicose tirades to ‘Stone being Stone.’ All bark and no bite!”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--'Kind of humiliating': Student reacts to Biden calling her a 'lying, dog-faced pony soldier'

The 21-year-old college student whom 2020 Democrat Joe Biden referred to as a “ lying , dog-faced pony soldier ” said the insult was “ kind of humiliating . ''
During a New Hampshire campaign stop on Sunday , Madison Moore , a student at Mercer University , asked the former vice president a question about his underwhelming finish in the Iowa caucuses and got an unusual response .
“ How do you explain the performance in Iowa , and why should voters believe that you can win the national election ?
” she asked .
Biden , 77 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever been to a caucus , and , after Moore nodded , he quipped , “ No , you haven ’ t .
You ’ re a lying , dog-faced pony soldier.
” Although the Biden campaign has said that the strange remark was intended in jest , Moore told the Macon Telegraph on Monday that to wave it off as a joke was “ kind of insulting.
” “ It was kind of humiliating to be called a liar on national TV by the former vice president , ” Moore said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his immediate response was to attempt to invalidate me by exposing my inexperience.
” Moore explained that she was nervous when Biden asked her about attending a caucus .
She also said that it was a perfectly valid question to ask the former front-runner , who finished in fourth during the nation ’ s first 2020 litmus test , adding that whether she has attended a caucus is irrelevant .
“ He has been performing extremely poorly in this race , and the fact that he couldn ’ t just straight answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exacerbates that fact , ” Moore said .
“ I am a 21-year-old college student , like , what the hell do I know ?
Who cares who I am or my experience ?
Just answer the damn question . ''
Symone Sanders , a senior campaign adviser , said the comment was a joke and downplayed the national attention the remark has received .
The campaign has claimed the line , which Biden has used before , is from a John Wayne movie .
“ Many people in the room laughed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it was a line he has actually used frequently , ” Sanders said .
Moore said that when she asked the question , she had no idea the exchange would go viral and become national news .
“ If I had expected that , I would ’ ve worn makeup , ” she said .
“ I would ’ ve looked a lot cuter .
”

The 21-year-old college student whom 2020 Democrat Joe Biden referred to as a “lying, dog-faced pony soldier” said the insult was “kind of humiliating."
During a New Hampshire campaign stop on Sunday, Madison Moore, a student at Mercer University, asked the former vice president a question about his underwhelming finish in the Iowa caucuses and got an unusual response.
“How do you explain the performance in Iowa, and why should voters believe that you can win the national election?” she asked.
Biden, 77, responded by asking her if she had ever been to a caucus, and, after Moore nodded, he quipped, “No, you haven’t. You’re a lying, dog-faced pony soldier.”
Although the Biden campaign has said that the strange remark was intended in jest, Moore told the Macon Telegraph on Monday that to wave it off as a joke was “kind of insulting.”
“It was kind of humiliating to be called a liar on national TV by the former vice president,” Moore said. “Instead of answering that question straightforward, his immediate response was to attempt to invalidate me by exposing my inexperience.”
Moore explained that she was nervous when Biden asked her about attending a caucus. She also said that it was a perfectly valid question to ask the former front-runner, who finished in fourth during the nation’s first 2020 litmus test, adding that whether she has attended a caucus is irrelevant.
“He has been performing extremely poorly in this race, and the fact that he couldn’t just straight answer my question without bullying or intimidating just exacerbates that fact,” Moore said. “I am a 21-year-old college student, like, what the hell do I know? Who cares who I am or my experience? Just answer the damn question."
Symone Sanders, a senior campaign adviser, said the comment was a joke and downplayed the national attention the remark has received. The campaign has claimed the line, which Biden has used before, is from a John Wayne movie.
“Many people in the room laughed. Many people in the room laughed, and it was a line he has actually used frequently,” Sanders said.
Moore said that when she asked the question, she had no idea the exchange would go viral and become national news.
“If I had expected that, I would’ve worn makeup,” she said. “I would’ve looked a lot cuter.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--WATCH: Jill Biden confronts heckler at husband's counter-Trump rally

MANCHESTER , New Hampshire — Jill Biden came to the defense of her husband Joe Biden after a protester tried to disrupt the former vice president 's rally .
Joe Biden , 77 , had just opened his remarks at a Monday rally on the eve of the New Hampshire Democratic primary in Manchester when the heckler began badgering him .
`` I 'll tell you what , '' the former vice president said before the protester , who was holding a cellphone and appeared to be recording the interaction , began to walk toward him .
However , Jill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossed behind the podium where her husband was speaking .
She intercepted the man and helped security and others at the event remove him from the crowd .
The crowd , galvanized against the demonstrator , chanted , `` We want Joe ! ''
in an effort to drown out the heckling .
When asked about the confrontation later , Jill Biden offered a pithy response .
While once considered the Democratic front-runner , Biden has seen a drop in polling , and he underperformed in last week 's Iowa caucuses .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders leading the state with 27 % support , followed by Pete Buttigieg with 19 % .
Both Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren registered 12 % support , falling behind Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who took in 14 % .
A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Biden leading Sanders by a razor-thin 0.2 % margin .

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Jill Biden came to the defense of her husband Joe Biden after a protester tried to disrupt the former vice president's rally.
Joe Biden, 77, had just opened his remarks at a Monday rally on the eve of the New Hampshire Democratic primary in Manchester when the heckler began badgering him.
"I'll tell you what," the former vice president said before the protester, who was holding a cellphone and appeared to be recording the interaction, began to walk toward him.
However, Jill Biden, 68, swept in and crossed behind the podium where her husband was speaking. She intercepted the man and helped security and others at the event remove him from the crowd.
The crowd, galvanized against the demonstrator, chanted, "We want Joe!" in an effort to drown out the heckling.
WATCH: You dont see this at every @JoeBiden event...@DrBiden literally bounced a heckler out of his event tonight in Manchester. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/KpnMGcKgMB — Bo Erickson CBS (@BoKnowsNews) February 11, 2020
When asked about the confrontation later, Jill Biden offered a pithy response.
“I’m a good Philly girl,” she said.
While once considered the Democratic front-runner, Biden has seen a drop in polling, and he underperformed in last week's Iowa caucuses. A recent poll from New Hampshire had Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders leading the state with 27% support, followed by Pete Buttigieg with 19%. Both Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren registered 12% support, falling behind Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who took in 14%.
A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Biden leading Sanders by a razor-thin 0.2% margin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--US pressures allies against using Huawei with new evidence of security risk

U.S. officials seeking to convince allies not to use Huawei in their 5G networks are alerting a security flaw that allows the Chinese government-backed telecommunications giant to purloin sensitive information secretly .
The United States has pursued an aggressive campaign to block allies from using Huawei in their 5G network plans , arguing that the company 's close ties to the Chinese government pose a national security risk .
The U.S. has lobbied its intelligence-sharing partners most aggressively , including Five Eyes members the United Kingdom , Australia , Canada , and New Zealand .
U.S. intelligence officials say Huawei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` back doors '' used by law enforcement agencies , according to a new report .
They claim that Huawei has been able to access sensitive information transmitted through the telecommunications systems that the company sells without carriers ' knowledge .
Such information can typically be reached only by law enforcement or other authorized persons with the permission of a carrier .
Huawei has been able to do this for more than 10 years , U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal , declining to say whether they had observed the company using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Huawei has the capability to access sensitive and personal information in systems it maintains and sells around the world , '' said national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien .
Britain , a key U.S. ally , has resisted White House pressure to exclude Huawei from its 5G plans , announcing last month that it would include the Chinese company in its efforts to build a competitive high-speed wireless network .
On Tuesday , British officials said the information they received from the U.S. was known to them and had been considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ca n't sit back and let surveillance state communists infect our infrastructure , '' said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska .
`` Trusted tech comes from trusted suppliers , and Huawei is the Chinese Communist Party 's puppet .
Our current and future allies need to think very carefully before they get into bed with the CCP . ''
Huawei has denied claims that its technology could be used to spy on foreign countries and asserts no link with China 's own intelligence agencies .
Germany backtracked on a decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after announcing it would move ahead with the plans , following a mass revolt of German lawmakers in December .
In January , the German government said it had evidence Huawei was cooperating with Chinese security agencies , information the foreign ministry said was tantamount to a `` smoking gun . ''
The details , German officials said , had been shared with them by the U.S .

U.S. officials seeking to convince allies not to use Huawei in their 5G networks are alerting a security flaw that allows the Chinese government-backed telecommunications giant to purloin sensitive information secretly.
The United States has pursued an aggressive campaign to block allies from using Huawei in their 5G network plans, arguing that the company's close ties to the Chinese government pose a national security risk. The U.S. has lobbied its intelligence-sharing partners most aggressively, including Five Eyes members the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
U.S. intelligence officials say Huawei can access wireless networks globally through so-called "back doors" used by law enforcement agencies, according to a new report. They claim that Huawei has been able to access sensitive information transmitted through the telecommunications systems that the company sells without carriers' knowledge. Such information can typically be reached only by law enforcement or other authorized persons with the permission of a carrier.
Huawei has been able to do this for more than 10 years, U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal, declining to say whether they had observed the company using its access.
"We have evidence that Huawei has the capability to access sensitive and personal information in systems it maintains and sells around the world," said national security adviser Robert O’Brien.
Britain, a key U.S. ally, has resisted White House pressure to exclude Huawei from its 5G plans, announcing last month that it would include the Chinese company in its efforts to build a competitive high-speed wireless network. On Tuesday, British officials said the information they received from the U.S. was known to them and had been considered in their analysis.
"The freedom-loving world can't sit back and let surveillance-state communists infect our infrastructure," said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska. "Trusted tech comes from trusted suppliers, and Huawei is the Chinese Communist Party's puppet. Our current and future allies need to think very carefully before they get into bed with the CCP."
Huawei has denied claims that its technology could be used to spy on foreign countries and asserts no link with China's own intelligence agencies.
Germany backtracked on a decision to include Huawei in its 5G plans soon after announcing it would move ahead with the plans, following a mass revolt of German lawmakers in December.
In January, the German government said it had evidence Huawei was cooperating with Chinese security agencies, information the foreign ministry said was tantamount to a "smoking gun." The details, German officials said, had been shared with them by the U.S.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus return to Trumpworld with posts on White House fellows commission

President Trump signaled a return to the fold for Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus , two figures who fell from @ @ @ @ @ part of his presidency , awarding them posts on the commission for White House fellowships @ @ @ @ @ s first chief of staff but served only seven months before being replaced by John @ @ @ @ @ shortest term in the job ever .
It brought to an end relentless rumors that @ @ @ @ @ a power center amid rivals who jostled for influence .
Spicer resigned days earlier as @ @ @ @ @ difficult tenure marked by repeated clashes with journalists that began at his first news conference @ @ @ @ @ 2017 inauguration crowd was “ the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration , period @ @ @ @ @ around the globe.
” He later admitted that he “ screwed up.
” Spicer resigned @ @ @ @ @ to be White House communications director .
The commission interviews candidates for full-time , paid @ @ @ @ @ House staff , cabinet secretaries , and other senior government officials .

President Trump signaled a return to the fold for Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus, two figures who fell from grace during the turbulent early part of his presidency, awarding them posts on the commission for White House fellowships.
Priebus was Trump’s first chief of staff but served only seven months before being replaced by John Kelly, making his the shortest term in the job ever. It brought to an end relentless rumors that he had failed to build a power center amid rivals who jostled for influence.
Spicer resigned days earlier as press secretary, following a difficult tenure marked by repeated clashes with journalists that began at his first news conference, when he claimed the 2017 inauguration crowd was “the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe.”
He later admitted that he “screwed up.”
Spicer resigned when Trump appointed Anthony Scaramucci to be White House communications director.
The commission interviews candidates for full-time, paid positions working with senior White House staff, cabinet secretaries, and other senior government officials.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Trump’s ‘accomplishments,’ 319 so far, drive voters to support him

President Trump ’ s success at making good on hundreds of campaign promises is helping to drive voters to support his reelection , according to a new survey .
Key among his achievements applauded by voters has been his boost in black and Hispanic employment and making the United States an energy exporter .
In the latest Zogby Analytics poll shared with Secrets , several of the 319 achievements touted by the White House were tested , and in eight of 10 , a plurality of voters said it would make their support “ more likely.
” “ When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplishments ’ touted by the Trump administration , we asked respondents if each would make them ‘ more or less likely ’ to vote for President Trump in 2020 .
Eight out of the 10 accomplishments the Trump administration has touted as a result of their doing were cause for a plurality of respondents to say they were more likely to vote for Trump in 2020 , ” said the analysis from pollster Jonathan Zogby .
“ The four most popular accomplishments were : African-American unemployment at the lowest rate in history ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less likely ) , the United States is a net natural gas exporter for the first time since 1957 ( 48 % more likely , 30 % less likely ) U.S. oil production recently reached an all-time high ( 46 % more likely , 34 % less likely ) , and President Trump 's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ( 46 % more likely , 35 % less likely ) , ” he added .
But dragging him down were the president ’ s actions on climate change , his withdrawal from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of oil pipelines .
In his latest survey , Zogby included a large sample of blacks and Hispanics to gauge their views better and found that Trump is doing better among them than he did on Election Day 2016 .
Trump ’ s job approval among Hispanics is 47 % and 26 % with blacks .
[ Related : Hidden by impeachment : One of Trump 's 'best weeks yet ' ]

President Trump’s success at making good on hundreds of campaign promises is helping to drive voters to support his reelection, according to a new survey.
Key among his achievements applauded by voters has been his boost in black and Hispanic employment and making the United States an energy exporter.
In the latest Zogby Analytics poll shared with Secrets, several of the 319 achievements touted by the White House were tested, and in eight of 10, a plurality of voters said it would make their support “more likely.”
“When we presented respondents with a list of ‘accomplishments’ touted by the Trump administration, we asked respondents if each would make them ‘more or less likely’ to vote for President Trump in 2020. Eight out of the 10 accomplishments the Trump administration has touted as a result of their doing were cause for a plurality of respondents to say they were more likely to vote for Trump in 2020,” said the analysis from pollster Jonathan Zogby.
“The four most popular accomplishments were: African-American unemployment at the lowest rate in history (48% more likely, 27% less likely), the United States is a net natural gas exporter for the first time since 1957 (48% more likely, 30% less likely) U.S. oil production recently reached an all-time high (46% more likely, 34% less likely), and President Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (46% more likely, 35% less likely),” he added.
But dragging him down were the president’s actions on climate change, his withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, and his support of oil pipelines.
In his latest survey, Zogby included a large sample of blacks and Hispanics to gauge their views better and found that Trump is doing better among them than he did on Election Day 2016. Trump’s job approval among Hispanics is 47% and 26% with blacks.
[Related: Hidden by impeachment: One of Trump's 'best weeks yet']


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Democrats advance DC statehood in House

Democrats advance DC statehood in House

A House committee Tuesday advanced legislation that would make the District of Columbia the nation ’ s 51st state .
While the measure stands little chance of becoming law this year , it marks the first time in 27 years Congress has advanced a D.C. statehood bill .
“ The United States is the only democratic country that denies both voting rights in the national legislature and local self-government to the people of its capital , ” said House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney , a New York Democrat .
“ Ladies and gentlemen , as simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong .
It violates everything we stand for as Americans.
” In a party-line vote , Democrats approved the Washington D.C .
Admission Act , which would create a state out of the 10-mile enclave made up of the district ’ s eight wards .
It would exclude the territory occupied by the Capitol , the White House , federal government buildings , and the monuments .
The new state would be authorized to elect two senators and at least one representative in the House , all with voting rights .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonvoting delegate , Eleanor Holmes Norton , a Democrat who has long fought for the right to vote in the House .
The measure is backed by House Democratic leadership , including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer .
The measure is likely to get a House vote this year and is poised to pass : There are 223 sponsors , all Democrats .
A Senate version , authored by Sen. Tom Carper , has 34 Democratic co-sponsors , but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , is unlikely to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor statehood .
Voters in the district approved D.C. statehood overwhelmingly in a 2016 referendum .
But Republicans have long resisted the move for a variety of reasons , including the district 's long history of fiscal troubles .
Their opposition stems primarily from the guarantee that the electorate will send two Democratic senators and a Democratic representative to Congress .
Rep. Jim Jordan , who is the top Republican on the oversight panel , said the measure raises “ serious constitutional and policy problems ” and that Congress can not admit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited past and ongoing corruption problems in the D.C. government , as well as the city ’ s dependence on federal funding to run parts of the government , which would continue indefinitely even if the district became a state .
“ The Constitution does not distinguish between the seat of federal government and the district , where the government is seated , ” Jordan said .
“ The only way to overcome this problem would be to amend the Constitution.
” Democrats said the Constitution does not expressly require current states ratify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 37 states were admitted by Congress alone .
The district was created in 1790 to serve as the seat of the federal government .
The population has grown to 700,000 residents and is governed by a mayor and city council .
Democrats defeated a number of Republican amendments , including one that would have excluded from the new state the Old Post Office , now home to the Trump International Hotel .
D.C. officials said they sought to include the Trump hotel in the boundaries of the proposed state because it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new tax revenue .
Democrats denied that the map was designed to “ jab at Trump , ” but Rep. Jamie Raskin said the president ’ s ownership of the hotel violates the emoluments clause prohibiting the president from profiting from his office .
“ It would be great to bring some law and order to the management of that property , ” Raskin said .

A House committee Tuesday advanced legislation that would make the District of Columbia the nation’s 51st state.
While the measure stands little chance of becoming law this year, it marks the first time in 27 years Congress has advanced a D.C. statehood bill.
“The United States is the only democratic country that denies both voting rights in the national legislature and local self-government to the people of its capital,” said House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat. “Ladies and gentlemen, as simply as I can say it, that is wrong. It violates everything we stand for as Americans.”
In a party-line vote, Democrats approved the Washington D.C. Admission Act, which would create a state out of the 10-mile enclave made up of the district’s eight wards. It would exclude the territory occupied by the Capitol, the White House, federal government buildings, and the monuments.
The new state would be authorized to elect two senators and at least one representative in the House, all with voting rights.
The measure is sponsored by D.C.’s nonvoting delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat who has long fought for the right to vote in the House.
The measure is backed by House Democratic leadership, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer.
The measure is likely to get a House vote this year and is poised to pass: There are 223 sponsors, all Democrats.
A Senate version, authored by Sen. Tom Carper, has 34 Democratic co-sponsors, but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, is unlikely to bring up the bill.
D.C. residents heavily favor statehood. Voters in the district approved D.C. statehood overwhelmingly in a 2016 referendum.
But Republicans have long resisted the move for a variety of reasons, including the district's long history of fiscal troubles. Their opposition stems primarily from the guarantee that the electorate will send two Democratic senators and a Democratic representative to Congress.
Rep. Jim Jordan, who is the top Republican on the oversight panel, said the measure raises “serious constitutional and policy problems” and that Congress cannot admit the district as a state legislatively.
Jordan cited past and ongoing corruption problems in the D.C. government, as well as the city’s dependence on federal funding to run parts of the government, which would continue indefinitely even if the district became a state.
“The Constitution does not distinguish between the seat of federal government and the district, where the government is seated,” Jordan said. “The only way to overcome this problem would be to amend the Constitution.”
Democrats said the Constitution does not expressly require current states ratify the admission of new states, noting that 37 states were admitted by Congress alone.
The district was created in 1790 to serve as the seat of the federal government. The population has grown to 700,000 residents and is governed by a mayor and city council.
Democrats defeated a number of Republican amendments, including one that would have excluded from the new state the Old Post Office, now home to the Trump International Hotel.
D.C. officials said they sought to include the Trump hotel in the boundaries of the proposed state because it is a commercial property and would bring in new tax revenue.
Democrats denied that the map was designed to “jab at Trump,” but Rep. Jamie Raskin said the president’s ownership of the hotel violates the emoluments clause prohibiting the president from profiting from his office.
“It would be great to bring some law and order to the management of that property,” Raskin said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Democrats say they’ll investigate Roger Stone reduced sentence

Senate Democrats plan to examine the Justice Department ’ s decision to reduce the recommended prison sentence for Roger Stone , a former associate of President Trump who was convicted of obstruction , witness tampering , and lying to Congress .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , said Stone should serve all of the seven- to nine-year prison sentence originally recommended by prosecutors .
Justice Department sources tell news outlets that Justice Department officials will scale back the sentence , which they said was excessive .
Schumer said he disagreed with the move .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time prosecutors recommended , ” Schumer told reporters Tuesday .
He said the Senate would investigate the reversal , which Justice Department officials said was unrelated to Trump ’ s tweet Monday night criticizing the sentence .
“ We are going to do some oversight of that , ” Schumer said .
Schumer said the Justice Department had been diverted “ to Donald Trump ’ s personal desires and needs ” and told “ to prosecute his enemies and help his friends.
” Trump , on Monday night , called the sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stone served briefly as an adviser to Trump 's 2016 campaign .
He was convicted in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign .

Senate Democrats plan to examine the Justice Department’s decision to reduce the recommended prison sentence for Roger Stone, a former associate of President Trump who was convicted of obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Stone should serve all of the seven- to nine-year prison sentence originally recommended by prosecutors.
Justice Department sources tell news outlets that Justice Department officials will scale back the sentence, which they said was excessive.
Schumer said he disagreed with the move.
“Roger Stone should get the full amount of time prosecutors recommended,” Schumer told reporters Tuesday.
He said the Senate would investigate the reversal, which Justice Department officials said was unrelated to Trump’s tweet Monday night criticizing the sentence.
“We are going to do some oversight of that,” Schumer said.
Schumer said the Justice Department had been diverted “to Donald Trump’s personal desires and needs” and told “to prosecute his enemies and help his friends.”
Trump, on Monday night, called the sentence “a horrible and very unfair situation.”
Stone served briefly as an adviser to Trump's 2016 campaign. He was convicted in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--'Who knows': Joe Manchin doesn't rule out voting for Trump over 2020 Democrat

Sen. Joe Manchin left open the possibility of voting for President Trump if surging 2020 Democratic candidates do n't shift their rhetoric to the political center .
Manchin is seen as one of the most centrist Democrats in Congress and represents a state that backed Trump by more than 10 points in 2016 .
He has voted with the president on legislation 53 % of the time , according to FiveThirtyEight .
`` Well , you know , we ’ d have to see where we are at that time .
Sanders , I can tell you one thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he wants to do the right thing , '' the West Virginia Democrat told CNN on Monday when asked if he would `` support Sanders over Trump if it came down to that . ''
`` His solution for fixing it might not be palatable , might not be something doable .
I ’ ll have to see , '' he continued .
`` Who knows ?
Bernie might change and moderate just a little bit from now to then.
” Manchin angered Trump last week when he voted to convict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power .
The president slammed him in a series of tweets over a few days , including writing , `` They are really mad at Senator Joe Munchkin in West Virginia .
He couldn ’ t understand the Transcripts .
Romney could , but didn ’ t want to ! ''
The senator explained his vote by saying , “ The people of America and the people of West Virginia want some adults in the room . ''
He also hit back at Trump 's `` Munchkin '' insult , pointing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit bigger than he is . ''
Prospective Democratic voters have been debating what is more valuable to the party as it prepares to take on Trump in the general election : big , structural change or a message of unity and pragmatism that will win over voters who cast their ballots for Trump in 2016 .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , a self-described Democratic socialist who favors Medicare for All and heavily taxing billionaires in America , has been surging in most national polls and is expected to fare well in Tuesday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrowly won reelection in 2018 and has not announced his intentions to run again in 2024 , applauded Sanders for his consistency along the campaign trail despite not committing to voting to him .
“ If that ’ s resonating , then there ’ s got to be a middle somewhere , '' he said .
`` Because Bernie is taking you to where your deep conscience is — and thinking , yeah , people haven ’ t been treated fair .
People have been left behind . ''
Manchin has previously expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , refusing to back the Vermont senator in a hypothetical match-up with Trump in October .

Sen. Joe Manchin left open the possibility of voting for President Trump if surging 2020 Democratic candidates don't shift their rhetoric to the political center.
Manchin is seen as one of the most centrist Democrats in Congress and represents a state that backed Trump by more than 10 points in 2016. He has voted with the president on legislation 53% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight.
"Well, you know, we’d have to see where we are at that time. Sanders, I can tell you one thing, he’s got a good heart, and he wants to do the right thing," the West Virginia Democrat told CNN on Monday when asked if he would "support Sanders over Trump if it came down to that."
"His solution for fixing it might not be palatable, might not be something doable. I’ll have to see," he continued. "Who knows? Bernie might change and moderate just a little bit from now to then.”
Manchin angered Trump last week when he voted to convict him on an impeachment charge for abuse of power. The president slammed him in a series of tweets over a few days, including writing, "They are really mad at Senator Joe Munchkin in West Virginia. He couldn’t understand the Transcripts. Romney could, but didn’t want to!"
The senator explained his vote by saying, “The people of America and the people of West Virginia want some adults in the room." He also hit back at Trump's "Munchkin" insult, pointing out that "I’m a little bit bigger than he is."
Prospective Democratic voters have been debating what is more valuable to the party as it prepares to take on Trump in the general election: big, structural change or a message of unity and pragmatism that will win over voters who cast their ballots for Trump in 2016.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described Democratic socialist who favors Medicare for All and heavily taxing billionaires in America, has been surging in most national polls and is expected to fare well in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.
Manchin, who narrowly won reelection in 2018 and has not announced his intentions to run again in 2024, applauded Sanders for his consistency along the campaign trail despite not committing to voting to him.
“If that’s resonating, then there’s got to be a middle somewhere," he said. "Because Bernie is taking you to where your deep conscience is — and thinking, yeah, people haven’t been treated fair. People have been left behind."
Manchin has previously expressed concern over Sanders's White House bid, refusing to back the Vermont senator in a hypothetical match-up with Trump in October.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Loaded swamp: $100,001-plus salaries the norm in DC for first time

For the first time , there are more residents of the nation ’ s capital who make at least $ 100,001 than residents of any other income group , the clearest sign of the economic gap between those who run the federal government and Middle America .
Income figures released by the District government found that 87,759 of 354,901 taxpayers in 2019 reported earning over $ 100,000 .
The next-largest income group was the lowest earners , 81,760 who made $ 25,001 to $ 50,000 .
The historic wealth of city residents cited by the city government is in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally among the highest paid in the nation .
One recent report found that 1 in 5 federal workers makes six figures , and many are two federal paycheck families .
An OpenTheBooks report found that some 30,000 rank-and-file government employees around the country make over $ 190,823 .
And the Office of Personnel Management said the average “ base salary ” for a federal worker is $ 84,913 .
According to the federal government , in the Washington area , the average federal salary minus benefits is well over $ 100,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Maryland , it is $ 108,491 .
And in Virginia , it is $ 102,311 .
The Washington Business Journal , which reported on the new District income figures , wrote , “ If you live in D.C. and earn at least $ 100,001 , you are definitely not alone .
”

For the first time, there are more residents of the nation’s capital who make at least $100,001 than residents of any other income group, the clearest sign of the economic gap between those who run the federal government and Middle America.
Income figures released by the District government found that 87,759 of 354,901 taxpayers in 2019 reported earning over $100,000.
The next-largest income group was the lowest earners, 81,760 who made $25,001 to $50,000.
The historic wealth of city residents cited by the city government is in line with other reports that federal workers are generally among the highest paid in the nation.
One recent report found that 1 in 5 federal workers makes six figures, and many are two federal paycheck families. An OpenTheBooks report found that some 30,000 rank-and-file government employees around the country make over $190,823. And the Office of Personnel Management said the average “base salary” for a federal worker is $84,913.
According to the federal government, in the Washington area, the average federal salary minus benefits is well over $100,000. In Washington, it is $115,594. In Maryland, it is $108,491. And in Virginia, it is $102,311.
The Washington Business Journal, which reported on the new District income figures, wrote, “If you live in D.C. and earn at least $100,001, you are definitely not alone.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Two-thirds expect Trump to be reelected: Poll

Democrats have not convinced the public that they are able to beat President Trump in 2020 .
A new poll from Monmouth University found that an overwhelming majority of Americans , approximately two-thirds , believe Trump will win reelection this year , with only 28 % feeling otherwise .
However , the poll also found that only 42 % of voters believe the incumbent president should win reelection .
Support for Trump 's reelection has steadily grown since September 2019 after the House of Representatives announced its impeachment proceedings .
In late September , only 39 % supported Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number increased to 41 % , and , as the campaign continued , Democrats have comparatively less confidence in their chances to win the presidency than Republicans .
Only 11 % of Democrats say their nominee will `` definitely beat '' Trump , while 44 % believe he or she will `` probably '' defeat Trump .
By contrast , 59 % of Republicans say a Trump 2020 victory is `` definite , '' and 34 % say it is `` probable . ''
“ While most voters want to see Trump turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the entire impeachment process and memories of how 2016 turned out suggest that few are willing to bet against him , and the Democratic nomination kickoff in Iowa did not exactly inspire confidence in the party ’ s ability to find someone who can take on the president , ” said Patrick Murray , director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute .
Optimism in the election has also increased 9 points since 2016 , rising from 56 % to 65 % .
Approximately 86 % of Republicans and over half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The poll also placed independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the lead among those running for the Democratic nomination , rising from 23 % to 26 % in one month .
According to Monmouth , momentum for the Biden campaign has plummeted , falling from 30 % before the Iowa caucuses to 16 % .

Democrats have not convinced the public that they are able to beat President Trump in 2020.
A new poll from Monmouth University found that an overwhelming majority of people, approximately two-thirds, believes that Trump will win reelection this year, with only 28% feeling otherwise. However, the poll also found that only 42% of voters believe the incumbent president should win reelection. Support for Trump's reelection has steadily grown since September 2019, after the House of Representatives announced its impeachment proceedings.
In late September, only 39% supported Trump's reelection. Before his acquittal, that number increased to 41%, and, as the campaign continued, Democrats have comparatively less confidence in their chances to win the presidency than Republicans. Only 11% of Democrats say their nominee will "definitely beat" Trump, while 44% believe he or she will "probably" defeat Trump. By contrast, 59% of Republicans say a Trump 2020 victory is "definite," and 34% say it is "probable."
“While most voters want to see Trump turned out of office, his steady ratings through the entire impeachment process and memories of how 2016 turned out suggest that few are willing to bet against him, and the Democratic nomination kickoff in Iowa did not exactly inspire confidence in the party’s ability to find someone who can take on the president,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Optimism in the election has also increased 9 points since 2016, rising from 56% to 65%. Approximately 86% of Republicans and over half of Democrats and independents share that sentiment.
The poll also placed independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the lead among those running for the Democratic nomination, rising from 23% to 26% in one month. According to Monmouth, momentum for the Biden campaign has plummeted, falling from 30% before the Iowa caucuses to 16%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Trump campaign: Quarter of New Hampshire rally attendees were Democrats, and 17% didn't vote in 2016

Attendance at President Trump ’ s New Hampshire rally earlier this week included 17 % of participants who did not vote in 2016 , and slightly over 25 % were Democratic voters , according to campaign manager Brad Parscale .
“ Big Data from New Hampshire : 52,559 Tickets , 24,732 Voters Identified ( 41 % From NH ) , 17 % Didn ’ t Vote in 2016 , 25.4 % Democrats .
Thank You New Hampshire .
Data Gold !
” Parscale said on Twitter Monday .
Rally attendees for Monday night ’ s event 35 hours before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for this one , ” one Trump supporter who showed up early said .
“ He ’ s going to be all pumped up because the impeachment is all over with.
” New Hampshire Republican Gov .
Chris Sununu commented on Trump ’ s popularity in the state by predicting the president will win there in 2020 after losing by a narrow margin to Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
“ When [ voters ] go into that ballot box , that ’ s why they are going to be pulling the lever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win New Hampshire — because we kind of match our pro-business message with his economic success , ” Sununu on Monday .
The New Hampshire attendance numbers represent the continuation of a trend at Trump rallies that was evident at Trump ’ s previous rally in Wildwood , New Jersey , in late January .
At that 25 % of those in attendance were Democrats , and 10 % did not vote in 2016 .
Almost 50 % of ticket holders at a recent Trump rally in Ohio identified as Democrats or independents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same thing at a rally in Wisconsin .
“ Great being in New Hampshire last night , ” President Trump said following the rally .
“ I would say that was the biggest political Rally in New Hampshire history .
Incredible evening !
”

Attendance at President Trump’s New Hampshire rally earlier this week included 17% of participants who did not vote in 2016, and slightly over 25% were Democratic voters, according to campaign manager Brad Parscale.
“Big Data from New Hampshire: 52,559 Tickets, 24,732 Voters Identified (41% From NH), 17% Didn’t Vote in 2016, 25.4% Democrats. Thank You New Hampshire. Data Gold!” Parscale said on Twitter Monday.
Big Data from New Hampshire:
✅ 52,559 Tickets
✅ 24,732 Voters Identified (41% From NH)
✅ 17% Didn’t Vote in 2016
✅ 25.4% Democrats
Thank You New Hampshire. Data Gold!
💥 — Brad Parscale - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@parscale) February 11, 2020
Rally attendees began lining up for Monday night’s event 35 hours before the start.
"I can’t wait for this one,” one Trump supporter who showed up early said. “He’s going to be all pumped up because the impeachment is all over with.”
New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu commented on Trump’s popularity in the state by predicting the president will win there in 2020 after losing by a narrow margin to Hillary Clinton in 2016.
“When [voters] go into that ballot box, that’s why they are going to be pulling the lever, and Donald Trump is going to win New Hampshire — because we kind of match our pro-business message with his economic success,” Sununu said on Monday.
The New Hampshire attendance numbers represent the continuation of a trend at Trump rallies that was evident at Trump’s previous rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, in late January.
At that event, 25% of those in attendance were Democrats, and 10% did not vote in 2016.
Almost 50% of ticket holders at a recent Trump rally in Ohio identified as Democrats or independents, and almost 60% said the same thing at a rally in Wisconsin.
“Great being in New Hampshire last night,” President Trump said following the rally. “I would say that was the biggest political Rally in New Hampshire history. Incredible evening!”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--New Hampshire voter tells MSNBC on air she voted for Sanders because of network's 'stop Bernie cynic

New Hampshire voter tells MSNBC on air she voted for Sanders because of network's 'stop Bernie cynicism'

One New Hampshire woman was not having it when MSNBC asked her for whom she was voting in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary .
`` I voted for Bernie , although there are a number of candidates that I really like .
And so , I felt like when I finished voting , I was still undecided , including Elizabeth , including Michael Bennet , for that matter , '' the woman told MSNBC host Ari Melber .
`` That ’ s sort of a paradox to decide and then feel undecided .
So , you ’ re a complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the woman replied , `` Yes .
But I want to say the reason I went for Bernie is because of MSNBC . ''
`` Go on , '' the host said before the woman tore into the network 's coverage of the Vermont independent .
`` I think it is completely cynical to say that he ’ s lost 50 % of his vote from the last time when there were two candidates .
Now , there are multiple wonderful candidates who would be great presidents and people that I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` But the kind of the 'stop Bernie ' cynicism that I heard from a number of people , I watch MSNBC constantly , so I heard that from a number of commentators .
And so , it made me angry enough , I said , 'OK , Bernie 's got my vote . '
'' Melber thanked the woman for her answer before joking that he knew she was `` complex . ''
MSNBC has been criticized by anti-establishment campaigns , including Sanders and Andrew Yang , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` corporate media '' for being against his campaign .

One New Hampshire woman was not having it when MSNBC asked her for whom she was voting in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
"I voted for Bernie, although there are a number of candidates that I really like. And so, I felt like when I finished voting, I was still undecided, including Elizabeth, including Michael Bennet, for that matter," the woman told MSNBC host Ari Melber.
"That’s sort of a paradox to decide and then feel undecided. So, you’re a complex person," Melber responded, to which the woman replied, "Yes. But I want to say the reason I went for Bernie is because of MSNBC."
"Go on," the host said before the woman tore into the network's coverage of the Vermont independent. "I think it is completely cynical to say that he’s lost 50% of his vote from the last time when there were two candidates. Now, there are multiple wonderful candidates who would be great presidents and people that I think we can unify and get behind," she said. "But the kind of the 'stop Bernie' cynicism that I heard from a number of people, I watch MSNBC constantly, so I heard that from a number of commentators. And so, it made me angry enough, I said, 'OK, Bernie's got my vote.'"
Melber thanked the woman for her answer before joking that he knew she was "complex."
MSNBC has been criticized by anti-establishment campaigns, including Sanders and Andrew Yang, for its coverage. Sanders regularly rails against the "corporate media" for being against his campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Pete Buttigieg is nothing more than a media creation

To get a true sense of just how much of a media creation Pete Buttigieg 's campaign for president is , look no further than Michael Gerson 's latest cringe-inducing column for the Washington Post .
A word of caution : You may need a wet wipe after reading it .
`` The remarkable rise of Pete Buttigieg is a tribute to the role of raw talent in presidential politics , '' wrote Gerson , who no doubt knows a raw talent when he sees one .
`` There is little that distinguishes the former mayor of South Bend from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a prodigy at politicking . ''
Buttigieg , mind you , is polling nationally at 10 % , according to the RealClearPolitics average , which puts him even behind former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who has n't been in a single primary debate and competed in neither the Iowa caucuses nor the New Hampshire primary .
Working himself into a sticky mess , Gerson continued to say that `` by any measure of public or private character , '' Buttigieg is `` the president ’ s demonstrated superior . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ corny question liberals in the media obsess over .
`` Which human being would you , as a parent , want your son or daughter to grow up to be like ? ''
wrote Gerson .
`` The question answers itself . ''
( Why do liberals assume that everyone 's highest aspiration for their children is for them to emulate whoever the president is ?
It 's the weakest , most narrow-minded view of what parenthood should be , outside of whatever it is Honey Boo Boo 's mom did . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he is , and that 's not far , because the national media have put their weight behind a humdrum candidate whose sense of novelty lies in that he 's an unscary gay man , who happens to speak openly about believing in God .
Gerson 's own publication arguably started the buzz , profiling him as far back as January 2019 , questioning whether Buttigieg would be `` the first Millennial president '' while inexplicably referring to him as `` the wunderkind . ''
He does n't give an exciting speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from every other Democrat running for president , and , most devastating of all , his support among black voters sits firmly at close to 0 % .
The 7-point drop in black voter turnout between 2012 and 2016 was probably catastrophic to Hillary Clinton 's campaign .
Imagine what another 10-point drop will do to the nominee if it were Buttigieg .
The former mayor of Whoville tied for first in the Iowa caucuses , and he will likely do well again Tuesday in New Hampshire .
But there 's no clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to the South Carolina and Nevada contests , where the electorate is more ethnically diverse and where Buttigieg is polling in a distant fifth place for both states .
Buttigieg 's `` remarkable rise '' is n't real .
It 's dreamed up by people like Gerson .

To get a true sense of just how much of a media creation Pete Buttigieg's campaign for president is, look no further than Michael Gerson's latest cringe-inducing column for the Washington Post.
A word of caution: You may need a wet wipe after reading it.
"The remarkable rise of Pete Buttigieg is a tribute to the role of raw talent in presidential politics," wrote Gerson, who no doubt knows a raw talent when he sees one. "There is little that distinguishes the former mayor of South Bend from 10,000 similar local officials — except for being a prodigy at politicking."
Buttigieg, mind you, is polling nationally at 10%, according to the RealClearPolitics average, which puts him even behind former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who hasn't been in a single primary debate and competed in neither the Iowa caucuses nor the New Hampshire primary.
Working himself into a sticky mess, Gerson continued to say that "by any measure of public or private character," Buttigieg is "the president’s demonstrated superior."
He then went on to pose that corny question liberals in the media obsess over. "Which human being would you, as a parent, want your son or daughter to grow up to be like?" wrote Gerson. "The question answers itself." (Why do liberals assume that everyone's highest aspiration for their children is for them to emulate whoever the president is? It's the weakest, most narrow-minded view of what parenthood should be, outside of whatever it is Honey Boo Boo's mom did.)
The truth is that Buttigieg is only where he is, and that's not far, because the national media have put their weight behind a humdrum candidate whose sense of novelty lies in that he's an unscary gay man, who happens to speak openly about believing in God.
Gerson's own publication arguably started the buzz, profiling him as far back as January 2019, questioning whether Buttigieg would be "the first Millennial president" while inexplicably referring to him as "the wunderkind."
He doesn't give an exciting speech, his policy proposals are nearly indistinguishable from every other Democrat running for president, and, most devastating of all, his support among black voters sits firmly at close to 0%.
The 7-point drop in black voter turnout between 2012 and 2016 was probably catastrophic to Hillary Clinton's campaign. Imagine what another 10-point drop will do to the nominee if it were Buttigieg.
The former mayor of Whoville tied for first in the Iowa caucuses, and he will likely do well again Tuesday in New Hampshire. But there's no clear winning strategy for his campaign thereafter when it comes to the South Carolina and Nevada contests, where the electorate is more ethnically diverse and where Buttigieg is polling in a distant fifth place for both states.
Buttigieg's "remarkable rise" isn't real. It's dreamed up by people like Gerson.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Chris Wallace says Biden is finished if electability argument fizzles: ‘He’s not offering anything e

Chris Wallace says Biden is finished if electability argument fizzles: ‘He’s not offering anything else’

Fox News 's Chris Wallace argued that Joe Biden ’ s decision to build a campaign solely on electability could fail if he continues to lose in early voting states .
Biden , 77 , announced on Tuesday that he would not stick around New Hampshire for his final campaign stop in the state because he was heading to South Carolina for a launch party , a move many saw as a concession before most votes in New Hampshire 's Tuesday primary were cast .
After a poor turnout in Iowa last week , Wallace questioned Biden 's strategy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lot of money in Iowa .
He spent a fair amount of time [ in New Hampshire ] .
Can he go on if he finishes fourth or fifth here ?
Yes , ” he said .
“ Is he really , seriously wounded ?
Yes.
” Wallace added that Biden ’ s campaign has been running on a promise of electability against President Trump but said that strategy could blow up in his face if he can ’ t prove it by winning the early elections .
“ It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ad I ’ ve never seen before , which was all about electability .
Literally polls in this ad showing that he was beating Trump in the key swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
And then , he finishes fourth in Iowa , ” Wallace said .
He continued , “ Let ’ s say he finishes fourth or fifth here .
That puts a huge hole in the electability argument .
And he 's not offering anything else .
He ’ s not offering a bold new prescription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of almost cultural thing like Buttigieg about a generational change and unity and inclusion . ''
“ He 's pushing one thing : ‘ I can get more votes.
’ If he ’ s not getting more votes , what ’ s he got ?
” Wallace asked .
Biden trailed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for the first time in a nationwide poll released by Morning Consult on Tuesday .

Fox News's Chris Wallace argued that Joe Biden’s decision to build a campaign solely on electability could fail if he continues to lose in early voting states.
Biden, 77, announced on Tuesday that he would not stick around New Hampshire for his final campaign stop in the state because he was heading to South Carolina for a launch party, a move many saw as a concession before most votes in New Hampshire's Tuesday primary were cast. After a poor turnout in Iowa last week, Wallace questioned Biden's strategy.
“He spent a lot of time, a lot of money in Iowa. He spent a fair amount of time [in New Hampshire]. Can he go on if he finishes fourth or fifth here? Yes,” he said. “Is he really, seriously wounded? Yes.”
Wallace added that Biden’s campaign has been running on a promise of electability against President Trump but said that strategy could blow up in his face if he can’t prove it by winning the early elections.
“It was so interesting in Iowa. He ran an ad I’ve never seen before, which was all about electability. Literally polls in this ad showing that he was beating Trump in the key swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. And then, he finishes fourth in Iowa,” Wallace said.
He continued, “Let’s say he finishes fourth or fifth here. That puts a huge hole in the electability argument. And he's not offering anything else. He’s not offering a bold new prescription plan like Sanders, a whole kind of almost cultural thing like Buttigieg about a generational change and unity and inclusion."
“He's pushing one thing: ‘I can get more votes.’ If he’s not getting more votes, what’s he got?” Wallace asked.
Biden trailed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for the first time in a nationwide poll released by Morning Consult on Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--The View hosts tout Bloomberg momentum while ignoring leaked audio on stop and frisk

The View hosts touted 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg 's growing momentum without mentioning controversial comments he made in recently leaked audio .
`` I think that there 's a movement afoot for Bloomberg that 's going on .
I hear it everywhere I go , '' co-host Joy Behar said during Tuesday 's episode , while Sunny Hostin agreed , saying , `` Same , same . ''
Behar , 77 , added that she did not believe the former New York City mayor was trying to buy the election , although he has already spent more than a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this election cycle .
Despite discussing Bloomberg 's candidacy for an extended period , the hosts did not mention audio leaked on Monday in which the presidential candidate promoted the targeting of minorities with stop and frisk .
`` Ninety-five percent of your murders , murderers and murder victims , fit one M.O .
You can just take the description , Xerox it , and pass it out to all the cops , '' Bloomberg said in the 2015 recording .
`` They are male , minorities , 16 to 25 .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s true in virtually every city .
And that ’ s where the real crime is .
You ’ ve got to get the guns out of the hands of people that are getting killed .
`` And the way you get the guns out of the kids ’ hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them .
And then they start .
’ Oh , I don ’ t want to get caught , ’ so they don ’ t bring the gun .
They still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at home , '' he added .
The audio echoed comments Bloomberg made in 2013 , when he said during a radio show interview that police `` disproportionately stop whites too much and minorities too little . ''
He later apologized for his past support for stop and frisk , including during an appearance on The View last year .

The View hosts touted 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg's growing momentum without mentioning controversial comments he made in recently leaked audio.
"I think that there's a movement afoot for Bloomberg that's going on. I hear it everywhere I go," co-host Joy Behar said during Tuesday's episode, while Sunny Hostin agreed, saying, "Same, same."
Behar, 77, added that she did not believe the former New York City mayor was trying to buy the election, although he has already spent more than a quarter billion dollars of his own money during this election cycle.
Despite discussing Bloomberg's candidacy for an extended period, the hosts did not mention audio leaked on Monday in which the presidential candidate promoted the targeting of minorities with stop and frisk.
"Ninety-five percent of your murders, murderers and murder victims, fit one M.O. You can just take the description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops," Bloomberg said in the 2015 recording. "They are male, minorities, 16 to 25. That’s true in New York, that’s true in virtually every city. And that’s where the real crime is. You’ve got to get the guns out of the hands of people that are getting killed.
"And the way you get the guns out of the kids’ hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them. And then they start. ’Oh, I don’t want to get caught,’ so they don’t bring the gun. They still have a gun, but they leave it at home," he added.
The audio echoed comments Bloomberg made in 2013, when he said during a radio show interview that police "disproportionately stop whites too much and minorities too little." He later apologized for his past support for stop and frisk, including during an appearance on The View last year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Trends show Democratic support moving to Sanders, Bloomberg, and Buttigieg: Poll

Trend lines from a new national poll revealed an emerging top tier in the Democratic presidential primary , with three of the top candidates on the upswing and the rest of the pack flatlining — or cratering .
Data from Morning Consult , which unveiled a new survey on Tuesday , showed Bernie Sanders , Mike Bloomberg , and Pete Buttigieg receiving steadily increased support among Democratic voters across the country .
The three contenders finished first , third , and fourth , respectively , in the latest Morning Consult poll conducted Feb. 4-9 .
Joe Biden finished second in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president ( and for Elizabeth Warren , who came in fifth ) was headed due south .
“ Joe Biden has lost his national front-runner status to Sen. Bernie Sanders for the first time as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg of Indiana split key parts of the former vice president ’ s base of support , ” read the polling memorandum from Morning Consult .
The online poll surveyed more than 15,000 self-described Democratic primary voters .
Meanwhile , national support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Morning Consult poll , has been static , according to the survey ’ s trend lines .
The Minnesota senator has been enjoying some momentum in New Hampshire and is hoping for a strong finish there to propel her campaign .
Sanders led in the Morning Consult poll with 25 % , followed by Biden at 22 % , Bloomberg at 17 % , and Buttigieg and Warren at 11 % .
But only Sanders , Bloomberg , and Buttigieg are on a polling upswing .
The trend suggests they could begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the others dropping off as the contest heads to Nevada , South Carolina , and the 16 states voting on Super Tuesday .
Sanders and Buttigieg finished in a virtual tie in the Iowa caucuses and are in the strongest positions in the New Hampshire primary .
Bloomberg is skipping the early states but has seen rising support after pouring more than $ 250 million of his own money into a mammoth campaign effort since entering the Democratic primaries in late November .

Trend lines from a new national poll revealed an emerging top tier in the Democratic presidential primary, with three of the top candidates on the upswing and the rest of the pack flatlining — or cratering.
Data from Morning Consult, which unveiled a new survey on Tuesday, showed Bernie Sanders, Mike Bloomberg, and Pete Buttigieg receiving steadily increased support among Democratic voters across the country. The three contenders finished first, third, and fourth, respectively, in the latest Morning Consult poll conducted Feb. 4-9. Joe Biden finished second in the survey, but support for the former vice president (and for Elizabeth Warren, who came in fifth) was headed due south.
“Joe Biden has lost his national front-runner status to Sen. Bernie Sanders for the first time as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg of Indiana split key parts of the former vice president’s base of support,” read the polling memorandum from Morning Consult. The online poll surveyed more than 15,000 self-described Democratic primary voters.
Meanwhile, national support for Amy Klobuchar, in seventh place in the Morning Consult poll, has been static, according to the survey’s trend lines. The Minnesota senator has been enjoying some momentum in New Hampshire and is hoping for a strong finish there to propel her campaign.
Sanders led in the Morning Consult poll with 25%, followed by Biden at 22%, Bloomberg at 17%, and Buttigieg and Warren at 11%. But only Sanders, Bloomberg, and Buttigieg are on a polling upswing. The trend suggests they could begin to command the Democratic field, with the others dropping off as the contest heads to Nevada, South Carolina, and the 16 states voting on Super Tuesday.
Sanders and Buttigieg finished in a virtual tie in the Iowa caucuses and are in the strongest positions in the New Hampshire primary. Bloomberg is skipping the early states but has seen rising support after pouring more than $250 million of his own money into a mammoth campaign effort since entering the Democratic primaries in late November.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--Amy Klobuchar understands abortion radicalism cannot last

Poll after poll proves that although the majority of people in the United States want abortion to remain legal , they also want it to become infrequent .
Amy Klobuchar might be the only Democratic candidate who agrees .
Klobuchar seems to understand that the radicalism seeping into the Democratic Party from the pro-choice movement is not sustainable .
More than 70 % of voters — both Republicans and Democrats — favored limiting abortion to the first three months of pregnancy in a recent Marist survey , and a plurality ( 46 % ) agreed that allowing each state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be best for the country .
A notable proportion of voters who identified as pro-choice ( 41 % ) also said they ’ d vote for a candidate who supported abortion restrictions .
Right now , the only contending Democratic candidate who seems to fit that standard is Klobuchar .
( Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang have made similar comments , but neither stands a chance against the leading candidates . )
The other self-proclaimed centrists have all but abandoned the traditional “ safe , legal , and rare ” standard that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg suggested last week that pro-lifers have no place in the Democratic Party , and Joe Biden ’ s past support for abortion restrictions , such as the Hyde Amendment , changed the moment he decided to run for president .
Klobuchar ’ s position won ’ t be popular among the liberal bloc Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders appeal to .
But it could make a difference among centrist and independent voters who haven ’ t yet made up their minds .
And it just so happens that those are the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar ’ s centrist approach to abortion might not make a difference in the long run .
Democratic voters tend to be motivated by many different policies , not just abortion .
But for the sake of this nation , I hope it does .
We desperately need to restore a common respect for life and family , but right now , the Democratic Party seems intent on not just protecting but also celebrating a practice that eliminates both .
Klobuchar could change that — if the Democratic Party lets her .

Poll after poll proves that although the majority of people in the United States want abortion to remain legal, they also want it to become infrequent. Amy Klobuchar might be the only Democratic candidate who agrees.
Today I asked @amyklobuchar if there is room in her coalition for pro-life people. She said yes of course. I asked if she’d try to find common ground on bringing down the number of abortions.
She said “Yes. Yes.” And told me about her work in the adoption caucus in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/CIvfMSulEE — Chris Crawford (@CrawfordStuff) February 10, 2020
Klobuchar seems to understand that the radicalism seeping into the Democratic Party from the pro-choice movement is not sustainable. More than 70% of voters — both Republicans and Democrats — favored limiting abortion to the first three months of pregnancy in a recent Marist survey, and a plurality (46%) agreed that allowing each state to determine its own policies on abortion would be best for the country. A notable proportion of voters who identified as pro-choice (41%) also said they’d vote for a candidate who supported abortion restrictions.
Right now, the only contending Democratic candidate who seems to fit that standard is Klobuchar. (Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang have made similar comments, but neither stands a chance against the leading candidates.) The other self-proclaimed centrists have all but abandoned the traditional “safe, legal, and rare” standard that was once the Democratic status quo. Pete Buttigieg suggested last week that pro-lifers have no place in the Democratic Party, and Joe Biden’s past support for abortion restrictions, such as the Hyde Amendment, changed the moment he decided to run for president.
Klobuchar’s position won’t be popular among the liberal bloc Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders appeal to. But it could make a difference among centrist and independent voters who haven’t yet made up their minds. And it just so happens that those are the very voters Klobuchar is trying to win.
Klobuchar’s centrist approach to abortion might not make a difference in the long run. Democratic voters tend to be motivated by many different policies, not just abortion. But for the sake of this nation, I hope it does. We desperately need to restore a common respect for life and family, but right now, the Democratic Party seems intent on not just protecting but also celebrating a practice that eliminates both. Klobuchar could change that — if the Democratic Party lets her.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-11--'Are we prosecuting Amy Klobuchar today?': The View's Sunny Hostin grills 2020 Democrat over life se

'Are we prosecuting Amy Klobuchar today?': The View's Sunny Hostin grills 2020 Democrat over life sentence of black teenager

The View 's Joy Behar interrupted fellow co-host Sunny Hostin 's questioning of Sen. Amy Klobuchar after Hostin grilled the 2020 Democrat over her handling of a case as a prosecutor .
Klobuchar , 59 , has come under scrutiny within the last month for a case she prosecuted in which a black teenager was handed a life sentence for the 2002 death of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards after a stray bullet entered the girl 's house .
A recent examination of the case cast doubt on the investigation and suggested that the defendant , Myon Burrell , then 16 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had no gun , it had no DNA evidence , and it had no fingerprints , '' Hostin said about the investigation during the show 's Tuesday episode .
`` It must be reviewed , '' Klobuchar responded .
`` I think you know that I care so much about justice . ''
`` Are we prosecuting Amy Klobuchar today ? ''
Behar asked after Hostin spent most of the segment tearing into the Minnesota Democrat .
Klobuchar 's appearance on the show comes as she is surging in New Hampshire on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The senator is currently polling third in the state , according to RealClearPolitics .
[ Read more : Klobuchar surge : Is it too little , too late ? ]

The View's Joy Behar interrupted fellow co-host Sunny Hostin's questioning of Sen. Amy Klobuchar after Hostin grilled the 2020 Democrat over her handling of a case as a prosecutor.
Klobuchar, 59, has come under scrutiny within the last month for a case she prosecuted in which a black teenager was handed a life sentence for the 2002 death of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards after a stray bullet entered the girl's house. A recent examination of the case cast doubt on the investigation and suggested that the defendant, Myon Burrell, then 16 years old, could be innocent.
"It had no gun, it had no DNA evidence, and it had no fingerprints," Hostin said about the investigation during the show's Tuesday episode.
"It must be reviewed," Klobuchar responded. "I think you know that I care so much about justice."
"Are we prosecuting Amy Klobuchar today?" Behar asked after Hostin spent most of the segment tearing into the Minnesota Democrat.
Klobuchar's appearance on the show comes as she is surging in New Hampshire on the day of the state's primary. The senator is currently polling third in the state, according to RealClearPolitics.
[Read more: Klobuchar surge: Is it too little, too late? ]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--'Wake-up call': Secretive CIA report to Obama revealed 2016 Russia hacks

In 2016 , CIA Director John Brennan divulged still-classified “ wake-up call ” intelligence that prompted the Obama administration to reconsider how it viewed Russia 's hacking of the Democratic National Committee .
That information was revealed in the Senate Intelligence Committee ’ s latest report , which focused on the Kremlin 's active measures during the 2016 presidential campaign and on the Obama administration ’ s faltering response to Russian interference and WikiLeaks dumps .
The 54-page , heavily redacted bipartisan findings stated , “ Moscow 's history of leaking politically damaging information ” and the “ increasingly significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were `` not sufficient for the administration to take immediate action on the DNC breach.
” “ The administration was not fully engaged until some key intelligence insights were provided by the intelligence community , which shifted how the administration viewed the issue , ” the Senate report concluded , noting Obama officials then guarded that secretive late July or early August intelligence as closely as the preparations for the raid on Osama bin Laden .
The specific information that jolted the Obama administration into action is hidden within a blacked-out section titled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ‘ Wake Up ’ Call.
” The information appears to have been revealed to Obama officials by Brennan , based on a nonredacted footnote citing his June 2017 Senate testimony and on paragraphs noting that the information was “ briefed by Director Brennan.
” Exactly what Obama national security adviser Susan Rice recalled from that briefing is redacted , but the report states that , “ within an hour or two of learning of the information , Ambassador Rice advocated for the material to be briefed to President Obama.
” Rice said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grave concern ” and “ prompted her to call the first of a series of restricted small-group Principals Committee meetings on the topic.
” “ During the meeting with the President , Director Brennan also advised the President of a plan to brief key individuals , including congressional leadership , but not to disseminate the intelligence via routine reporting channels , ” the report stated .
The report stated that , due to the August recess , the `` Gang of Eight '' congressional leaders , including then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , were briefed individually from early August through early September .
The Senate committee noted , “ The receipt of the sensitive intelligence prompted the National Security Council to begin a series of restricted Principals Committee meetings to craft the administration 's response.
” The discussions “ were atypically restricted ” and excluded key officials , including the secretaries of state and defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Most Obama officials interviewed by the Senate first learned of the DNC hack from the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that it `` fell within the bounds of traditional espionage and was not understood immediately to be a precursor to an active measures campaign , '' the report stated .
The “ weaponization of information ” began with June blog posts by Russian military persona Guccifer 2.0 and Russia-operated DCLeaks .
“ Despite this , as of mid-July 2016 , both the intelligence community and policymakers were generally not under the impression that Russia was engaged in an active measures campaign targeting the 2016 election , ” the committee said .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNC emails , the FBI announced it was “ investigating a cyber intrusion involving the DNC .
”

In 2016, CIA Director John Brennan divulged still-classified “wake-up call” intelligence that prompted the Obama administration to reconsider how it viewed Russia's hacking of the Democratic National Committee.
That information was revealed in the Senate Intelligence Committee’s latest report, which focused on the Kremlin's active measures during the 2016 presidential campaign and on the Obama administration’s faltering response to Russian interference and WikiLeaks dumps.
The 54-page, heavily redacted bipartisan findings stated, “Moscow's history of leaking politically damaging information” and the “increasingly significant publication of illicitly obtained information” by WikiLeaks were "not sufficient for the administration to take immediate action on the DNC breach.”
“The administration was not fully engaged until some key intelligence insights were provided by the intelligence community, which shifted how the administration viewed the issue,” the Senate report concluded, noting that Obama officials then guarded that secretive late July or early August intelligence as closely as the preparations for the raid on Osama bin Laden.
The specific information that jolted the Obama administration into action is hidden within a blacked-out section titled “[Redacted] Intelligence Was The ‘Wake Up’ Call.” The information appears to have been revealed to Obama officials by Brennan, based on a nonredacted footnote citing his June 2017 Senate testimony and on paragraphs noting that the information was “briefed by Director Brennan.”
Exactly what Obama national security adviser Susan Rice recalled from that briefing is redacted, but the report states that, “within an hour or two of learning of the information, Ambassador Rice advocated for the material to be briefed to President Obama.”
Rice said “the president's reaction was of grave concern” and “prompted her to call the first of a series of restricted small-group Principals Committee meetings on the topic.”
“During the meeting with the President, Director Brennan also advised the President of a plan to brief key individuals, including congressional leadership, but not to disseminate the intelligence via routine reporting channels,” the report stated.
The report said that, due to the August recess, the "Gang of Eight" congressional leaders, including then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, were briefed individually from early August through early September.
The Senate committee noted, “The receipt of the sensitive intelligence prompted the National Security Council to begin a series of restricted Principals Committee meetings to craft the administration's response.” The discussions “were atypically restricted” and excluded key officials, including the secretaries of state and defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Most Obama officials interviewed by the Senate first learned of the DNC hack from the news media in mid-June. Their initial reaction was that it "fell within the bounds of traditional espionage and was not understood immediately to be a precursor to an active measures campaign," the report stated.
The “weaponization of information” began with June blog posts by Russian military persona Guccifer 2.0 and Russia-operated DCLeaks.
“Despite this, as of mid-July 2016, both the intelligence community and policymakers were generally not under the impression that Russia was engaged in an active measures campaign targeting the 2016 election,” the committee said.
Three days after WikiLeaks posted thousands of hacked DNC emails, the FBI announced it was “investigating a cyber intrusion involving the DNC.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-12--Paul Ryan doubts Biden can win nomination despite being 'the best bet' for Democrats

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan said only one of the Democratic contenders has a shot at beating President Trump .
The Wisconsin Republican told CNBC on Tuesday that former Vice President Joe Biden has the only true chance to defeat Trump in November , but he thinks Democrats will choose a more liberal nominee .
“ I ’ d say he ’ s probably the most likely one to have a chance at beating Donald Trump , but I don ’ t see Joe getting the nomination , I just don ’ t see him getting there , ” Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think it ’ s going to be one of these progressives , which I think will be much easier to beat.
” Ryan , who led the House from 2015 until retiring in 2019 , said the key states for Democrats to win are Pennsylvania , Michigan , and his home state of Wisconsin .
He said Biden , a “ safe moderate , ” could appeal to suburban voters there if he got the nod .
“ It ’ s going to come down to the suburban [ voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the suburbanite that ’ ll basically be the difference-maker , ” Ryan said .
Given Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ s recent surge in polling and Biden ’ s lackluster performance in the Iowa caucuses , Ryan said that the former vice president ’ s chances at securing the nomination are dwindling .
He added that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , another centrist , could disrupt the Democratic National Convention in July .
“ If Bernie keeps racking up wins and is seen to be going toward the nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bloomberg will get enough proportional delegates , because he ’ ll play in enough states , to go into the convention with a claim , and then you ’ ll have one whale of a mess of a convention — in Milwaukee , and then we ’ ll see what happens there , ” Ryan said .
“ I don ’ t see Joe getting the nomination , but he ’ s the best bet the Democrats have , ” he added .
Ryan spoke ahead of the polls closing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test for Democrats vying for the nomination .
A recent poll from New Hampshire has Sanders leading with 27 % support , followed by Pete Buttigieg with 19 % .
Both Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren registered 12 % support , behind Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who clocked in at 14 % support .
The latest RealClearPolitics national average of polls showed Sanders leading for the first time since the race began .
Sanders is polling nationally at 23 % , followed by Biden at 20.4 % , and Bloomberg at @ @ @ @

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan said only one of the Democratic contenders has a shot at beating President Trump.
The Wisconsin Republican told CNBC on Tuesday that former Vice President Joe Biden has the only true chance to defeat Trump in November, but he thinks Democrats will choose a more liberal nominee.
“I’d say he’s probably the most likely one to have a chance at beating Donald Trump, but I don’t see Joe getting the nomination, I just don’t see him getting there,” Ryan said at an event in Abu Dhabi. “I think it’s going to be one of these progressives, which I think will be much easier to beat.”
Ryan, who led the House from 2015 until retiring in 2019, said the key states for Democrats to win are Pennsylvania, Michigan, and his home state of Wisconsin. He said Biden, a “safe moderate,” could appeal to suburban voters there if he got the nod.
“It’s going to come down to the suburban [voter], it’s going to be the suburbanite that’ll basically be the difference-maker,” Ryan said.
Given Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s recent surge in polling and Biden’s lackluster performance in the Iowa caucuses, Ryan said that the former vice president’s chances at securing the nomination are dwindling. He added that former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, another centrist, could disrupt the Democratic National Convention in July.
“If Bernie keeps racking up wins and is seen to be going toward the nomination, then you can probably make the case that Bloomberg will get enough proportional delegates, because he’ll play in enough states, to go into the convention with a claim, and then you’ll have one whale of a mess of a convention — in Milwaukee, and then we’ll see what happens there,” Ryan said.
“I don’t see Joe getting the nomination, but he’s the best bet the Democrats have,” he added.
Ryan spoke ahead of the polls closing in the New Hampshire primary, the second litmus test for Democrats vying for the nomination. A recent poll from New Hampshire has Sanders leading with 27% support, followed by Pete Buttigieg with 19%. Both Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren registered 12% support, behind Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who clocked in at 14% support.
The latest RealClearPolitics national average of polls showed Sanders leading for the first time since the race began. Sanders is polling nationally at 23%, followed by Biden at 20.4%, and Bloomberg at 13.6% support.