thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Carson to Democratic congressman: Transgender rights don't supersede rights of abused women in shelt

Carson to Democratic congressman: Transgender rights don't supersede rights of abused women in shelters

Ben Carson argued during a congressional hearing this week that the rights of transgender individuals in federally funded homeless shelters do not override the rights of abused women .
The secretary of Housing and Urban Development was speaking during a congressional hearing Wednesday , where Democratic Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley challenged HUD ’ s that federally funded homeless shelters have the right to install bathrooms and sleep areas based on biological sex .
Quigley that HUD was essentially saying `` that if someone does n't like someone else in that shelter , for whatever reasons , that you can allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you have a single-sex shelter , and it ’ s there specifically for women who are abused , and then people come in who do not appear to be women and say they ’ re women , and you have to accept them , does that impinge upon the rights of those women ?
” Carson .
“ We have a lot of documentation from those women that says it does impinge upon their rights.
” Visibly irritated by Carson ’ s response , Quigley went on , “ You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring up that issue .
So , you ’ re saying that because some people think it ’ s OK to discriminate , that you have to go along with that , too.
” “ That ’ s not what I ’ m saying at all , ” Carson replied .
Quigley continued to press Carson and accuse him of making the argument that discrimination is acceptable as long as you “ don ’ t like ” someone .
“ No , what I ’ m saying is we have to take everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the secretary responded .
“ You can ’ t just select a group and say that their feelings trump everyone else ’ s groups.
” “ No one ’ s rights get to obliterate everybody else ’ s , ” Carson added .

Ben Carson argued during a congressional hearing this week that the rights of transgender individuals in federally funded homeless shelters do not override the rights of abused women.
The secretary of Housing and Urban Development was speaking during a congressional hearing Wednesday, where Democratic Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley challenged HUD’s stance that federally funded homeless shelters have the right to install bathrooms and sleep areas based on biological sex.
Quigley argued that HUD was essentially saying "that if someone doesn't like someone else in that shelter, for whatever reasons, that you can allow discrimination against those people."
“When you have a single-sex shelter, and it’s there specifically for women who are abused, and then people come in who do not appear to be women and say they’re women, and you have to accept them, does that impinge upon the rights of those women?” Carson responded . “We have a lot of documentation from those women that says it does impinge upon their rights.”
Visibly irritated by Carson’s response, Quigley went on, “You’re the only person I have ever heard bring up that issue. So, you’re saying that because some people think it’s OK to discriminate, that you have to go along with that, too.”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all,” Carson replied.
Quigley continued to press Carson and accuse him of making the argument that discrimination is acceptable as long as you “don’t like” someone.
“No, what I’m saying is we have to take everybody’s feelings into consideration,” the secretary responded. “You can’t just select a group and say that their feelings trump everyone else’s groups.”
“No one’s rights get to obliterate everybody else’s,” Carson added.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Omar attacks Kavanaugh and Thomas as 'two accused sexual predators'

Rep. Ilhan Omar lashed out at Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas during a contentious abortion debate , referring to them as “ sexual predators.
” “ Two accused sexual predators should not be deciding whether or not women have access to healthcare in this country , '' she tweeted on Wednesday .
Omar posted the tweet as both sides of the abortion debate descended on the Supreme Court to debate a case that would doctors performing abortions to obtain admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles .
Omar tweeted shortly before her attacks on Kavanaugh and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right.
” Both Thomas and Kavanaugh were accused by their political rivals of immoral behavior during their contentious confirmation hearings , though both claims were never substantiated .
In Kavanaugh 's case , the FBI investigated him seven times and came up with no evidence of wrongdoing .
Omar was not the only Democrat to launch controversial attacks against sitting Supreme Court justices .
“ I want to tell you , Gorsuch .
I want to tell you , Kavanaugh .
You have released the whirlwind , and you will pay the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court building .
“ You won ’ t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.
” The comment was by Chief Justice John Roberts , House Speaker , and .

Rep. Ilhan Omar lashed out at Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas during a contentious abortion debate, referring to them as “sexual predators.”
“Two accused sexual predators should not be deciding whether or not women have access to healthcare in this country," she tweeted on Wednesday.
Two accused sexual predators should not be deciding whether or not women have access to healthcare in this country. https://t.co/okJE85pwoN — Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) March 4, 2020
Omar posted the tweet as both sides of the abortion debate descended on the Supreme Court to debate a case that would require doctors performing abortions to obtain admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles.
Omar tweeted shortly before her attacks on Kavanaugh and Thomas that “abortion is a Constitutional right.”
Both Thomas and Kavanaugh were accused by their political rivals of immoral behavior during their contentious confirmation hearings, though both claims were never substantiated. In Kavanaugh's case, the FBI investigated him seven times and came up with no evidence of wrongdoing.
Omar was not the only Democrat to launch controversial attacks against sitting Supreme Court justices.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a threat that earned him bipartisan condemnation.
“I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price,” Schumer told a crowd in front of the Supreme Court building. “You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--In Pennsylvania, natural gas industry prepares for battle

CANONSBURG , Pennsylvania — After years of ideologues and elites using the natural gas industry as a punching bag for politics and climate change activism , Nick DeIuliis , the CEO of CNX Resources , the largest natural gas producer in Western Pennsylvania , has had enough .
In remarks at a Rotary Club speech at the storied William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh last week , the blue-collar man who earned degrees in engineering and law , and his job at the top , decided to speak out to defend an industry that has become a regional economic game-changer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been demonized and ridiculed on a consistent and regular basis by a cabal of misguided , insulated elites , ” DeIuliis stated in his speech in front of 80 of the region ’ s top business and professional leaders .
The usually reserved DeIuliis said in an interview with the Washington Examiner after the event that he had decided to speak out because he was tired of the natural gas and manufacturing industries being held to a completely different standard than other industries , tired of being used a political wedge issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him being portrayed as the enemy of the well-being of our climate .
It is a stand in this lead-up to the presidential contest in the fall that a variety of local Democrats and Republicans will consider a blueprint for how to stand up to elites .
In the speech , the well-respected business leader took umbrage with how the mayor of Pittsburgh , William Peduto , has used the industry as a personal weapon .
He was referring to Peduto ’ s speech last fall to environmental groups , in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region .
DeIuliis also took aim at some of the public pension managers and foundations that are divesting their fossil fuel investments , as well as tech giants who , on the one hand , say they are doing this to save the climate even as they help China — far and away the world 's largest carbon polluter — silence its pro-democracy youth .
“ It is an inconsistent standard : Either they are going to divest of all Chinese companies in their portfolio and fossil fuels or they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` You ca n't be holding an industry or a company that you know today is doing harm to you or to your fiduciaries , your retirees , your university , or your endowment when you 're then turning around and saying , ‘ But on this one ( natural gas ) , we need to divest immediately , because 20 years from now , there could be a problem , although I ca n't quantify it today.
’ ” '' I care about the company , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my fellow employees , and I care about the industry .
But I 'm also approaching what I 'm doing here as a long-standing member of a regional community that I care a lot about and I dearly love . ''
As a science and logic guy who is increasingly going up against dogma and ideology , DeIuliis said he has to go against his shy nature and speak out for his industry that has been widely slandered and misunderstood .
“ Natural gas has not just been a massive success for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive success for our country and the world , '' he said .
`` I want to set the story straight on what 's occurring with this industry .
It is disruptive technology ; not since Jonas Salk has this region been able to deliver as positive of a step change to society as what it 's been able to do with natural gas . ''
Pennsylvania is now the second-biggest state producer of natural gas ( after Texas ) , having gone from producing almost no shale gas at all in 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
Oil and gas supported an estimated 323,000 jobs in Pennsylvania in 2015 , according to a PriceWaterhouseCoopers study commissioned by an industry trade group .
Democrats running for president this past year have vacillated between a number of candidates who plan to destroy or cripple the shale oil and gas industry , and it has n't escaped DeIuliis 's notice .
That includes Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , who both promised to ban fracking on day one of their administrations .
Joe Biden has done a dance on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a crucial framework , ” saying he would be willing to sacrifice jobs in the oil and gas industries to transition to a green economy , and supporting “ aggressive methane pollution limits ” and tight regulations on the sector .
“ While I have used the words extremist and leftist to described the haters of this industry , this is not a partisan issue , '' said DeIuliis .
`` I 'm not going after Democrats .
I think there are Democrats in this region , thank God we 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and drivers of the extended family of natural gas , ” he said .
“ There are true liberals who believe in individual rights , ” he said .
`` But then , there 's this extremist leftist elite whose common trait is that they are anti-capitalist , anti-middle class , anti-individual , and frankly , anti-American . ''
The natural gas industry will certainly be at the center of American politics in this presidential cycle , particularly because of the importance Pennsylvania has in deciding who will win the presidency .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania since John Kennedy in 1960 ; Republicans don ’ t need it to win , but they did succeed in winning the state for the first time since 1988 when President Trump , a vocal supporter of the industry , won it in 2016 by 40,000 votes .
Places such as Western Pennsylvania , which helped carry Trump over the finishing line , will be closely monitoring how Biden , who appears at the moment likely to win the nomination , is able to satisfy the climate change elite of his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburban voters who benefit from the industry .
That makes this area central to how this state is won — and DeIuliis 's words all that more important .

CANONSBURG, Pennsylvania — After years of ideologues and elites using the natural gas industry as a punching bag for politics and climate change activism, Nick DeIuliis, the CEO of CNX Resources, one of the largest natural gas producers in Western Pennsylvania, has had enough.
In remarks at a Rotary Club speech at the storied William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh last week, the blue-collar man who earned degrees in engineering and law, and his job at the top, decided to speak out to defend an industry that has become a regional economic game-changer.
“Natural gas and manufacturing have been demonized and ridiculed on a consistent and regular basis by a cabal of misguided, insulated elites,” DeIuliis stated in his speech in front of 80 of the region’s top business and professional leaders.
The usually reserved DeIuliis said in an interview with the Washington Examiner after the event that he had decided to speak out because he was tired of the natural gas and manufacturing industries being held to a completely different standard than other industries, tired of being used a political wedge issue, and tired of the people working with him being portrayed as the enemy of the well-being of our climate.
It is a stand in this lead-up to the presidential contest in the fall that a variety of local Democrats and Republicans will consider a blueprint for how to stand up to elites.
In the speech, the well-respected business leader took umbrage with how the mayor of Pittsburgh, William Peduto, has used the industry as a personal weapon. He was referring to Peduto’s speech last fall to environmental groups, in which he advocated a ban on further petrochemical development in the region.
DeIuliis also took aim at some of the public pension managers and foundations that are divesting their fossil fuel investments, as well as tech giants who, on the one hand, say they are doing this to save the climate even as they help China, far and away the world's largest carbon polluter, silence its pro-democracy youth.
“It is an inconsistent standard: Either they are going to divest of all Chinese companies in their portfolio and fossil fuels, or they are going to divest of neither," he said. "You can't be holding an industry or a company that you know today is doing harm to you or to your fiduciaries, your retirees, your university, or your endowment when you're then turning around and saying, ‘But on this one (natural gas), we need to divest immediately, because 20 years from now, there could be a problem, although I can't quantify it today.’”
"I care about the company," he said. "I care about my team, my fellow employees, and I care about the industry. But I'm also approaching what I'm doing here as a long-standing member of a regional community that I care a lot about and I dearly love."
As a science and logic guy who is increasingly going up against dogma and ideology, DeIuliis said he has to resist his shy nature and speak out for his industry that has been widely slandered and misunderstood.
“Natural gas has not just been a massive success for the region, it has been a massive success for our country and the world," he said. "I want to set the story straight on what's occurring with this industry. It is disruptive technology; not since Jonas Salk has this region been able to deliver as positive of a step-change to society as what it's been able to do with natural gas."
Pennsylvania is now the second-biggest state producer of natural gas (after Texas), having gone from producing almost no shale gas at all in 2007 to more than 6 trillion cubic feet in 2016. Oil and gas supported an estimated 323,000 jobs in Pennsylvania in 2015, according to a PriceWaterhouseCoopers study commissioned by an industry trade group.
A number of Democrats running for president this past year have advanced plans to destroy or cripple the shale oil and gas industry, and it hasn't escaped DeIuliis's notice. That includes Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who both promised to ban fracking on day one of their administrations. Joe Biden has done a dance on the issue, calling the Green New Deal “a crucial framework,” saying he would be willing to sacrifice jobs in the oil and gas industries to transition to a green economy, and supporting “aggressive methane pollution limits” and tight regulations on the sector.
“While I have used the words extremist and leftist to described the haters of this industry, this is not a partisan issue," said DeIuliis. "I'm not going after Democrats. I think there are Democrats in this region, thank God we've got them, that have been huge supporters and drivers of the extended family of natural gas,” he said.
“There are true liberals who believe in individual rights,” he said. "But then, there's this extremist leftist elite whose common trait is that they are anti-capitalist, anti-middle class, anti-individual, and frankly, anti-American."
The natural gas industry will certainly be at the center of American politics in this presidential cycle, particularly because of the importance Pennsylvania has in deciding who will win the presidency.
No Democrat has won the White House without Pennsylvania since John Kennedy in 1960; Republicans don’t need it to win, but they did succeed in winning the state for the first time since 1988 when President Trump, a vocal supporter of the industry, won it in 2016 by 40,000 votes.
Places such as Western Pennsylvania, which helped carry Trump over the finishing line, will be closely monitoring how Biden, who appears at the moment likely to win the nomination, is able to satisfy the climate change elite of his party while holding the support of labor and suburban voters who benefit from the industry.
That makes this area central to how this state is won — and DeIuliis's words all that more important.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Bernie Sanders drags Biden for once saying the Supreme Court 'went too far' with Roe v. Wade

Bernie Sanders is drawing sharp contrasts between himself and Joe Biden as the Vermont senator 's path to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination narrows .
Sanders , late Friday , lobbed a new political attack at the two-term vice president in Detroit , honing in on his past views on abortion rights .
`` On this issue Joe Biden has not been consistent and , in fact , has not had a good record .
Two years after Roe v. Wade was decided Sen. Biden said this , and I quote : ' I don ’ t like the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it went too far .
I don ’ t think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body , ' '' said a tweet from Sanders 's verified Twitter account .
He highlighted a clip of the line , taken from a 1974 interview with the Washingtonian .
Biden 's position on reproductive rights has changed , but he received flak earlier in the cycle for his prior support of the Hyde Amendment .
The legislative provision bans federal funds being used for abortion unless it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the pregnancy arose from rape or incest .
Sanders 's new tone pervades his campaign after Biden reclaimed his status as the race 's front-runner on Super Tuesday and a new round of primaries fast approaches next week .
Michigan and a majority of its 125 pledged delegates are a must-win for Sanders on Tuesday so he can keep his presidential ambitions alive .
His team has long blasted Biden over his Social Security record , an issue it hoped would soften his support among older Democrats .
But this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36-year senator 's backing of trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and establishing permanent normal trade relations with China .
Aides insist President Trump will exploit that political weakness in a general election in Rust Belt states such as Michigan .
`` If we are going to defeat Trump in Michigan , in Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , it will be very hard for a candidate who voted for these disastrous trade agreements , '' Sanders said in Detroit Friday .
Ahead of Tuesday 's primaries , Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 526 .
A total of 1,991 delegates are needed to become the 2020 nominee outright .

Bernie Sanders is drawing sharp contrasts between himself and Joe Biden as the Vermont senator's path to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination narrows.
Sanders, late Friday, lobbed a new political attack at the two-term vice president in Detroit, honing in on his past views on abortion rights.
"On this issue Joe Biden has not been consistent and, in fact, has not had a good record. Two years after Roe v. Wade was decided Sen. Biden said this, and I quote: 'I don’t like the Supreme Court decision on abortion. I think it went too far. I don’t think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body,'" said a tweet from Sanders's verified Twitter account.
He highlighted a clip of the line, taken from a 1974 interview with the Washingtonian.
Two years after Roe v. Wade was decided Joe Biden said: "I don’t like the Supreme Court decision on abortion. I think it went too far. I don’t think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body." pic.twitter.com/6fWBGKBm2H — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 7, 2020
Biden's position on reproductive rights has changed, but he received flak earlier in the cycle for his prior support of the Hyde Amendment. The legislative provision bans federal funds being used for abortion unless it would save the mother's life or if the pregnancy arose from rape or incest.
Sanders's new tone pervades his campaign after Biden reclaimed his status as the race's front-runner on Super Tuesday and a new round of primaries fast approaches next week. Michigan and a majority of its 125 pledged delegates are a must-win for Sanders on Tuesday so he can keep his presidential ambitions alive.
His team has long blasted Biden over his Social Security record, an issue it hoped would soften his support among older Democrats. But this week, the team also dredged up Delaware's 36-year senator's backing of trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and establishing permanent normal trade relations with China. Aides insist President Trump will exploit that political weakness in a general election in Rust Belt states such as Michigan.
"If we are going to defeat Trump in Michigan, in Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, it will be very hard for a candidate who voted for these disastrous trade agreements," Sanders said in Detroit Friday.
Ahead of Tuesday's primaries, Biden has 596 delegates to the Vermont senator's 526. A total of 1,991 delegates are needed to become the 2020 nominee outright.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Warren staffers harass Politico reporter who covered her campaign

A multitude of former staffers for Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's presidential campaign lambasted a reporter on social media following her withdrawal from the race .
Alex Thompson , a Politico reporter who covered the Warren campaign , tweeted out screenshots of tweets from former staffers bashing him on Saturday morning .
`` Some Warren campaign staffers don ’ t have a good understanding of campaign journalism , '' he captioned the post .
`` Not my job to 'actively support the candidate that you were assigned ' It is my job to contact as many ppl as possible rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give me . ''
One staffer accused him of “ DMing every young staffer ” in order to get “ click bait & sensationalized stories , ” while someone else told him to “ eat shit.
” Another Warren staffer also claimed that “ media outlets/reps LIKE You chose to drive the narrative by reporting only on the struggles , rather than successes , ” while adding that he “ never had any intention of actively supporting the candidate that you were assigned.
” The Warren campaign , when reached for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet from Kristen Orthman , Warren 's communications director , where she condemned the comments and called for supporters to keep fighting for what Warren stands for in a social media post .
`` Reminder to @ TeamWarren - I understand being upset , '' Orthman tweeted .
`` I am too .
But inappropriate language toward other campaigns or the press is never what our campaign or @ ewarren is about .
Let ’ s keep the fight focused on the issues . ''
Shortly after publication , a Politico spokeswoman told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established himself as a top-notch reporter on the trail this election cycle .
His coverage of Elizabeth Warren ’ s campaign , and the 2020 race at large , was sharp , illuminating , and accurate .
We stand by his reporting.
” The Massachusetts senator ended her presidential campaign on Thursday , two days after a poor performance on Super Tuesday .

A multitude of former staffers for Sen. Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign lambasted a reporter on social media following her withdrawal from the race.
Alex Thompson, a Politico reporter who covered the Warren campaign, tweeted out screenshots of tweets from former staffers bashing him on Saturday morning.
"Some Warren campaign staffers don’t have a good understanding of campaign journalism," he captioned the post. "Not my job to 'actively support the candidate that you were assigned' It is my job to contact as many ppl as possible rather than just rely on what the campaign wants to give me."
One staffer accused him of “DMing every young staffer” in order to get “click bait & sensationalized stories,” while someone else told him to “eat shit.”
Some Warren campaign staffers don’t have a good understanding of campaign journalism.
Not my job to “actively support the candidate that you were assigned”
It is my job to contact as many ppl as possible rather than just rely on what the campaign wants to give me. pic.twitter.com/GjSDQ4i5ii — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) March 7, 2020
Another Warren staffer also claimed that “media outlets/reps LIKE You chose to drive the narrative by reporting only on the struggles, rather than successes,” while adding that he “never had any intention of actively supporting the candidate that you were assigned.”
The Warren campaign, when reached for comment, directed the Washington Examiner to a tweet from Kristen Orthman, Warren's communications director, where she condemned the comments and called for supporters to keep fighting for what Warren stands for in a social media post.
Reminder to @TeamWarren - I understand being upset. I am too. But inappropriate language toward other campaigns or the press is never what our campaign or @ewarren is about. Let’s keep the fight focused on the issues. — Kristen Orthman (@KristenOrthman) March 7, 2020
"Reminder to @TeamWarren - I understand being upset," Orthman tweeted. "I am too. But inappropriate language toward other campaigns or the press is never what our campaign or @ewarren is about. Let’s keep the fight focused on the issues."
Shortly after publication, a Politico spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner, “Alex has established himself as a top-notch reporter on the trail this election cycle. His coverage of Elizabeth Warren’s campaign, and the 2020 race at large, was sharp, illuminating, and accurate. We stand by his reporting.”
The Massachusetts senator ended her presidential campaign on Thursday, two days after a poor performance on Super Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Marianne Williamson calls for Tulsi Gabbard to participate in next Democratic debate

Marianne Williamson voiced her support for Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be on stage at the next Democratic debate .
Shortly after the Democratic National Committee altered its qualifications for the next debate , almost assuredly keeping the Hawaii congresswoman off the stage , Williamson supported Gabbard 's call to allow her on the debate stage in a late night Friday tweet .
`` # LetTulsiDebate , '' the former Democratic presidential contender tweeted .
Gabbard tweeted at former Vice President Joe Biden and independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday night , requesting that they petition the DNC to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage .
`` I ’ m sure you would agree that our Democratic nominee should be a person who will stand up for what is right .
So I ask that you have the courage to do that now in the face of the DNC 's effort to keep me from participating in the debates , '' Gabbard said .
`` To keep me off the stage , the DNC again arbitrarily changed the debate qualifications .
Previously they changed the qualifications in the OPPOSITE direction so Bloomberg could debate .
I ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNC ’ s transparent effort to exclude me from the debates . ''
The new rules require candidates to obtain 20 % of all delegates in primary contests before March 15 in order to qualify for the debate set on the ides of March .
Biden and Sanders have easily surpassed this new threshold .
Gabbard 's campaign anticipated the rule changes would exclude her from the debate , notifying supporters in a fundraising email .
`` While the DNC moved the goal posts by LOWERING them to let billionaire Bloomberg on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to do the opposite if it means keeping Tulsi off that stage , '' the Gabbard campaign said in the email .

Marianne Williamson voiced her support for Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be on stage at the next Democratic debate.
Shortly after the Democratic National Committee altered its qualifications for the next debate, almost assuredly keeping the Hawaii congresswoman off the stage, Williamson supported Gabbard's call to allow her on the debate stage in a late night Friday tweet. "#LetTulsiDebate," the former Democratic presidential contender tweeted.
Gabbard tweeted at former Vice President Joe Biden and independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday night, requesting that they petition the DNC to amend its rules to allow her on stage.
"I’m sure you would agree that our Democratic nominee should be a person who will stand up for what is right. So I ask that you have the courage to do that now in the face of the DNC's effort to keep me from participating in the debates," Gabbard said. "To keep me off the stage, the DNC again arbitrarily changed the debate qualifications. Previously they changed the qualifications in the OPPOSITE direction so Bloomberg could debate. I ask that you stand w/ me against the DNC’s transparent effort to exclude me from the debates."
The new rules require candidates to obtain 20% of all delegates in primary contests before March 15 in order to qualify for the debate set on the ides of March. Biden and Sanders have easily surpassed this new threshold.
Gabbard's campaign anticipated the rule changes would exclude her from the debate, notifying supporters in a fundraising email. "While the DNC moved the goal posts by LOWERING them to let billionaire Bloomberg on the stage in February, we can expect them to do the opposite if it means keeping Tulsi off that stage," the Gabbard campaign said in the email.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--'Get a climate president in office': Jane Fonda endorses Bernie Sanders for president

Actress and climate activist Jane Fonda endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the upcoming election .
While participating in a climate rally in San Pedro , California , Fonda endorsed Sanders as the best `` climate candidate '' to address global warming , an issue she views as an `` existential threat that could determine the future of human life on the planet . ''
`` We have to get a climate president in office , and there ’ s only one right now , and that ’ s Bernie Sanders , '' she said to USA Today prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m indirectly saying I believe you have to support the climate candidate.
” At the rally , Fonda repeated her call for a 50 % decrease in fossil fuel emissions over the next 30 years .
`` This is going to be very , very , very hard , and it requires millions and millions of people to do more than just be concerned , but to actually become activists and become willing to put their bodies on the line , '' she said .
Sanders is a proponent of the Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
The plan would eventually phase out certain means of transport over the next 10 years .
Fonda has been arrested multiple times recently for unlawfully demonstrating during climate rallies , continuing the record she made during the Vietnam War when she earned the nickname `` Hanoi Jane . ''
Fonda engaged in controversial protests against the Vietnam War , posing in an anti-aircraft gun used to shoot down U.S. pilots in a picture and referring to the torture faced by prisoners of war as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the photograph .

Actress and climate activist Jane Fonda endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the upcoming election.
While participating in a climate rally in San Pedro, California, Fonda endorsed Sanders as the best "climate candidate" to address global warming, an issue she views as an "existential threat that could determine the future of human life on the planet."
"We have to get a climate president in office, and there’s only one right now, and that’s Bernie Sanders," she said to USA Today prior to the rally. "So, I’m indirectly saying I believe you have to support the climate candidate.”
At the rally, Fonda repeated her call for a 50% decrease in fossil fuel emissions over the next 30 years. "This is going to be very, very, very hard, and it requires millions and millions of people to do more than just be concerned, but to actually become activists and become willing to put their bodies on the line," she said.
Sanders is a proponent of the Green New Deal, a resolution first proposed by Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The plan would eventually phase out certain means of transport over the next 10 years.
Fonda has been arrested multiple times recently for unlawfully demonstrating during climate rallies, continuing the record she made during the Vietnam War when she earned the nickname "Hanoi Jane."
Fonda engaged in controversial protests against the Vietnam War, posing in an anti-aircraft gun used to shoot down U.S. pilots in a picture and referring to the torture faced by prisoners of war as "understandable." Fonda later apologized for the photograph.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-07--Biden warns 'Bernie brothers' could make primary 'a negative bloodbath'

Joe Biden warned a group of high-dollar donors that rabid online Bernie Sanders fans will try to make the 2020 Democratic primary nasty , in the process mangling the `` Bernie bros '' nickname bestowed on the Vermont senator 's most vocal male supporters .
“ What we can ’ t let happen is let this primary become a negative bloodbath .
I know I ’ m going to get a lot of suggestions on how to respond to what I suspect will be an increasingly negative campaign that the Bernie brothers will run , '' the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 130 donors in the Washington , D.C. , suburb of Bethesda , Maryland , according to a pool report .
He lengthened the common `` Bernie bros '' nickname for online fans of the Vermont senator .
`` We can ’ t tear this party apart and reelect Trump .
We have to keep our eyes on the ball , in my view , '' Biden said .
Biden , 77 , said he raised $ 22 million in the last five days and said that after a polling data briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awfully good '' about the next primaries on Tuesday , including Michigan , Missouri , Mississippi , and Washington state , `` where Bernie was predicted to walk away with it.
” Sanders 's aggressive internet army was the subject of criticism in recent Democratic presidential debates .
Sanders said that he will `` disown '' those `` who make ugly remarks . ''
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who dropped out of the race following a poor Super Tuesday showing , lamented Sanders supporters ' `` organized nastiness ” in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for the people who claim to be our supporters and do really threatening , ugly , dangerous things to other candidates . ''
“ It ’ s going to be hard , this guy ’ s going to come at me , and throw everything , including the kitchen sink .
I don ’ t mean Bernie , I mean in the general election .
But Bernie is going to throw , he 's at least throw the dishwasher at me , ” Biden said with a laugh .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to keep steady and moving forward and just laying out what we ’ re going to be talking about in a coherent way .
”

Joe Biden warned a group of high-dollar donors that rabid online Bernie Sanders fans will try to make the 2020 Democratic primary nasty, in the process mangling the "Bernie bros" nickname bestowed on the Vermont senator's most vocal male supporters.
“What we can’t let happen is let this primary become a negative bloodbath. I know I’m going to get a lot of suggestions on how to respond to what I suspect will be an increasingly negative campaign that the Bernie brothers will run," the former vice president said Friday by phone to a group of about 130 donors in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Bethesda, Maryland, according to a pool report. He lengthened the common "Bernie bros" nickname for online fans of the Vermont senator.
"We can’t tear this party apart and reelect Trump. We have to keep our eyes on the ball, in my view," Biden said.
Biden, 77, said he raised $22 million in the last five days and said that after a polling data briefing, his campaign feels "awfully, awfully good" about the next primaries on Tuesday, including Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, and Washington state, "where Bernie was predicted to walk away with it.”
Sanders's aggressive internet army was the subject of criticism in recent Democratic presidential debates. Sanders said that he will "disown" those "who make ugly remarks."
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who dropped out of the race following a poor Super Tuesday showing, lamented Sanders supporters' "organized nastiness” in an interview Thursday, adding that candidates "are responsible for the people who claim to be our supporters and do really threatening, ugly, dangerous things to other candidates."
“It’s going to be hard, this guy’s going to come at me, and throw everything, including the kitchen sink. I don’t mean Bernie, I mean in the general election. But Bernie is going to throw, he's at least throw the dishwasher at me,” Biden said with a laugh. “We’re going to be OK. I just have to keep steady and moving forward and just laying out what we’re going to be talking about in a coherent way.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Trump says campaign rallies won't stop over coronavirus fears

PALM BEACH , Florida — President Trump said he had no plans to scale back his campaign rallies and was not concerned about the new coronavirus reaching Washington , D.C .
Speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago , ahead of a working dinner with Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro , he was asked whether the emergence of a case at last month 's Conservative Political Action Conference would force him to change his mind on holding big campaign events .
`` We 'll hold tremendous rallies , '' he said .
Earlier , it emerged that a D.C. man in his 50s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus , but Trump said he was not worried about the disease 's proximity to the White House .
“ I ’ m not concerned at all , ” he said .
After speaking for a few minutes , the two men entered the dining room of Mar-a-Lago .
They were joined by Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner as well as Bolsonaro 's son Eduardo , who is a congressman , and other officials .
The rest of the dining room was packed with club members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two presidents were expected to discuss the crisis in Venezuela , economic cooperation , the role of Huawei in building a new 5G network , and the protection of rainforests with his Brazilian counterpart .
The two men are mutual fans , having both been elected on similar platforms of economic nationalism .

PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump said he had no plans to scale back his campaign rallies and was not concerned about the new coronavirus reaching Washington, D.C.
Speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, ahead of a working dinner with Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro, he was asked whether the emergence of a case at last month's Conservative Political Action Conference would force him to change his mind on holding big campaign events.
"We'll hold tremendous rallies," he said.
Earlier, it emerged that a D.C. man in his 50s had been hospitalized with COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but Trump said he was not worried about the disease's proximity to the White House.
“I’m not concerned at all,” he said.
After speaking for a few minutes, the two men entered the dining room of Mar-a-Lago. They were joined by Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner as well as Bolsonaro's son Eduardo, who is a congressman, and other officials.
The rest of the dining room was packed with club members having their Saturday evening dinner.
The two presidents were expected to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, economic cooperation, the role of Huawei in building a new 5G network, and the protection of rainforests with his Brazilian counterpart.
The two men are mutual fans, having both been elected on similar platforms of economic nationalism.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Spy bill set to expire without last-minute deal in Congress

Three provisions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will expire this week unless Congress can agree on a last-minute deal to extend them , at least temporarily .
President Trump , Democrats , and Republicans are all unhappy with the counterintelligence and foreign surveillance law known as FISA , but for different reasons .
Their competing complaints have made large-scale reform very difficult and , with time running out , a short-term extension is looking more likely .
Trump told Republicans last week he won ’ t sign a bill that simply extends the law without changes .
Trump believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spy on his 2016 campaign and to launch improperly a two-year investigation into allegations he colluded with the Russians to win the White House .
The president “ made it abundantly clear that he will NOT accept a clean reauthorization … without significant FISA reform !
” Sen. Rand Paul , a Kentucky Republican and a staunch FISA opponent who met with the president , tweeted .
“ I agree with him !
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat and a former top member of the House Intelligence Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let the FISA provisions expire .
Congress passed a short-term extension last year that runs out on March 15 , which leaves Congress with only a few days next week to come up with a deal .
“ We have to have a reauthorization of FISA , ” Pelosi told reporters before House lawmakers left for the weekend .
“ We 're having our own negotiations within our own group , but also among the Democrats and vis-a-vis the Republicans.
” Democrats are seeking changes to protect civil liberties and prevent abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly unpopular in the past decade .
Reforms to the FISA program will likely include ending the Call Details Record Program , which permits the government to seek call metadata from telecommunications companies , and new provisions to enable better oversight of the secretive program .
The National Security Agency suspended the Call Details Record Program last year , but privacy advocates and many in Congress in both parties want to eliminate it in the law so that it can not be restarted .
Rep. Zoe Lofgren , a California Democrat and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is seeking additional changes that she said would close loopholes and strengthen oversight of the law .
Lofgren also authored a FISA reform bill and is seeking House consideration of the measure .
“ The bill pulls the intelligence programs in the direction of compliance with our Constitution , ” Lofgren said in a letter to Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler , a New York Democrat , last week .
Lofgren helped block a House bill from passing the Judiciary Committee last month , leading to the current negotiations for greater reforms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ address abuses outlined in a December report produced by Inspector General Michael Horowitz , who found `` 17 significant errors or omissions '' by law enforcement seeking to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
“ I would like to see us get to a point where we can find some compromise , find some reforms , ” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , a California Republican , said .
“ I believe that we can get there.
” Attorney General William Barr , meanwhile , wants a “ clean ” extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He pledged to Republicans last month to make internal changes to address the problems discovered by Horowitz .
House and Senate lawmakers have not scheduled consideration of a FISA reauthorization next week despite the looming deadline .
The Senate will be considering a major energy bill while the House plans to take up a Senate-passed measure limiting President Trump ’ s ability to use military force against Iran .
A vote on FISA is tentative , House leaders said .
`` Conversations are ongoing , '' Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House on Thursday .

Three provisions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will expire this week unless Congress can agree on a last-minute deal to extend them, at least temporarily.
President Trump, Democrats, and Republicans are all unhappy with the counterintelligence and foreign surveillance law known as FISA, but for different reasons. Their competing complaints have made large-scale reform very difficult and, with time running out, a short-term extension is looking more likely.
Trump told Republicans last week he won’t sign a bill that simply extends the law without changes. Trump believes the law was abused by the FBI to spy on his 2016 campaign and to launch improperly a two-year investigation into allegations he colluded with the Russians to win the White House.
The president “made it abundantly clear that he will NOT accept a clean reauthorization … without significant FISA reform!” Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican and a staunch FISA opponent who met with the president, tweeted. “I agree with him!”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat and a former top member of the House Intelligence Committee, said she did not intend to let the FISA provisions expire.
Congress passed a short-term extension last year that runs out on March 15, which leaves Congress with only a few days next week to come up with a deal.
“We have to have a reauthorization of FISA,” Pelosi told reporters before House lawmakers left for the weekend. “We're having our own negotiations within our own group, but also among the Democrats and vis-a-vis the Republicans.”
Democrats are seeking changes to protect civil liberties and prevent abuse of the surveillance measures, which have grown increasingly unpopular in the past decade.
Reforms to the FISA program will likely include ending the Call Details Record Program, which permits the government to seek call metadata from telecommunications companies, and new provisions to enable better oversight of the secretive program.
The National Security Agency suspended the Call Details Record Program last year, but privacy advocates and many in Congress in both parties want to eliminate it in the law so that it cannot be restarted.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat and a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, is seeking additional changes that she said would close loopholes and strengthen oversight of the law. Lofgren also authored a FISA reform bill and is seeking House consideration of the measure.
“The bill pulls the intelligence programs in the direction of compliance with our Constitution,” Lofgren said in a letter to Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, last week.
Lofgren helped block a House bill from passing the Judiciary Committee last month, leading to the current negotiations for greater reforms.
Republicans want changes to the law to address abuses outlined in a December report produced by Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who found "17 significant errors or omissions" by law enforcement seeking to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
“I would like to see us get to a point where we can find some compromise, find some reforms,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said. “I believe that we can get there.”
Attorney General William Barr, meanwhile, wants a “clean” extension of the law with no new changes. He pledged to Republicans last month to make internal changes to address the problems discovered by Horowitz.
House and Senate lawmakers have not scheduled consideration of a FISA reauthorization next week despite the looming deadline. The Senate will be considering a major energy bill while the House plans to take up a Senate-passed measure limiting President Trump’s ability to use military force against Iran.
A vote on FISA is tentative, House leaders said.
"Conversations are ongoing," Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said, before adjourning the House on Thursday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--IRS data show progressive plans require huge middle-class tax hikes

Last week , the IRS released its annual .
This much-anticipated document is exactly what it sounds like : a thorough analysis of taxpayers ’ incomes and payments to the IRS , this time for 2018 .
Each year , these numbers are illuminating for a number of reasons .
For one thing , they show the progression of tax payments over time .
For example , revenues have continued to rise since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered income tax rates for everyone .
And the number of filers taking the mortgage interest deduction plummeted from 33 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , as more taxpayers took advantage of the new and far more generous standard deduction .
There are also important lessons about income classes .
Out of 147 million IRS tax filers in 2018 , just 0.3 % ( about 500,000 ) had incomes above $ 1 million .
These earners and families made 17 % of all taxable income in 2018 ( just shy of $ 1.5 trillion ) and paid 28.6 % of all income taxes .
That is significantly more than they would pay in a strictly proportional system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t count state or local income taxes or the business taxes that high earners often pay .
Meanwhile , the 85 million filers at the bottom of the pay scale faced a justly and reasonably lower tax bill .
Those reporting incomes of $ 50,000 or less ( more than half of all filers ) shouldered just 5.5 % of the nation ’ s total income tax bill .
This goes to show that the United States has a tax system that favors those with lower incomes and demands a fair share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millionaires and billionaires .
But it demonstrates much more than that .
It also shows once again that there is no way , through merely raising taxes on the richest of the rich , that anyone could ever hope to fund a massive government medical system or an environmental transformation of the economy .
This remains true even if you extend punitive taxation to mere quarter-million-dollar earners — the top 3.64 % of filers , who reported making more than $ 250,000 in income in 2018 .
This group also paid an outsized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all income , capital gains , dividend , and self-employment taxes collected by Uncle Sam .
But even this larger group made only $ 3.24 trillion in taxable income .
And so , even if they could be taxed at a 100 % rate ( an impossibility ) , their income would not quite cover the most conservative estimates of what `` Medicare for all '' would cost .
In a less unrealistic scenario , in which this group ’ s tax payments could be raised by 10 % without affecting the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain by less than $ 90 billion per year — not even close to the cost of providing everybody with generous healthcare benefits , let alone the tens of trillions of dollars of additional costs associated with the Green New Deal .
The bottom line in the IRS numbers is that Bernie Sanders is right when he says he has no idea how much his plans would cost .
To be more accurate still , he really has no conception of the federal budget overall or the national tax base .
His plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even lower-income earners .
This idea of the poor paying more in taxes is , in fact , characteristic of the European social democracies that Sanders constantly extols , although he never seems to want to bring that part up .
To the extent that he concedes the middle class would have to pay more in taxes , he claims that it would be more than offset by benefits of government-run healthcare .
But Emory University health finance expert Kenneth Thorpe , looking at an earlier version of the Sanders plan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working privately insured households would pay more under a fully funded single-payer plan than they do for health insurance today . ''
Sanders ’ s rhetoric about the wealthy is basically just blow-hard nonsense .
He tries to seem knowledgeable by hiding behind discredited ideas of socialism that remain popular among academics , but he ’ s basically just preaching innumeracy .

Last week, the IRS released its annual Statistics of Income . This much-anticipated document is exactly what it sounds like: a thorough analysis of taxpayers’ incomes and payments to the IRS, this time for 2018.
Each year, these numbers are illuminating for a number of reasons. For one thing, they show the progression of tax payments over time. For example, revenues have continued to rise since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered income tax rates for everyone. And the number of filers taking the mortgage interest deduction plummeted from 33 million in 2017 to just 13 million in 2018, as more taxpayers took advantage of the new and far more generous standard deduction.
There are also important lessons about income classes. Out of 147 million IRS tax filers in 2018, just 0.3% (about 500,000) had incomes above $1 million. These earners and families made 17% of all taxable income in 2018 (just shy of $1.5 trillion) and paid 28.6% of all income taxes. That is significantly more than they would pay in a strictly proportional system, and of course, it doesn’t count state or local income taxes or the business taxes that high earners often pay.
Meanwhile, the 85 million filers at the bottom of the pay scale faced a justly and reasonably lower tax bill. Those reporting incomes of $50,000 or less (more than half of all filers) shouldered just 5.5% of the nation’s total income tax bill.
This goes to show that the United States has a tax system that favors those with lower incomes and demands a fair share, by any reasonable definition, from millionaires and billionaires.
But it demonstrates much more than that. It also shows, once again, that there is no way, through merely raising taxes on the richest of the rich, that anyone could ever hope to fund a massive government medical system or an environmental transformation of the economy. This remains true even if you extend punitive taxation to mere quarter-million-dollar earners — the top 3.64% of filers, who reported making more than $250,000 in income in 2018. This group also paid an outsized amount in taxes — 54.71% of all income, capital gains, dividends, and self-employment taxes collected by Uncle Sam. But even this larger group made only $3.24 trillion in taxable income.
And so, even if they could be taxed at a 100% rate (an impossibility), their income would not quite cover the most conservative estimates of what "Medicare for all" would cost. In a less unrealistic scenario, in which this group’s tax payments could be raised by 10% without affecting the economy at all, the federal Treasury would gain by less than $90 billion per year — not even close to the cost of providing everybody with generous healthcare benefits, let alone the tens of trillions of dollars of additional costs associated with the Green New Deal.
The bottom line in the IRS numbers is that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is right when he says he has no idea how much his plans would cost. To be more accurate still, he really has no conception of the federal budget overall or the national tax base. His plans would require much higher taxes on middle-income and even lower-income earners. This idea of the poor paying more in taxes is, in fact, characteristic of the European social democracies that Sanders constantly extols, although he never seems to want to bring that part up.
To the extent that he concedes the middle class would have to pay more in taxes, he claims that it would be more than offset by benefits of government-run healthcare. But Emory University health finance expert Kenneth Thorpe, looking at an earlier version of the Sanders plan, found that "over 70% of working privately insured households would pay more under a fully funded single-payer plan than they do for health insurance today."
Sanders’s rhetoric about the wealthy is basically just blowhard nonsense. He tries to seem knowledgeable by hiding behind discredited ideas of socialism that remain popular among academics, but he’s basically just preaching innumeracy.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Coronavirus starts wreaking havoc on plans across US

With conferences getting canceled and mass public transportation getting disrupted , the COVID-19 virus is not only a threat to people around the country , but is also putting their plans into disarray .
As of early Saturday evening , there were 437 coronavirus cases across more than half of the 50 states , and 19 people have died .
New York declared a state of emergency on Saturday , speeding up the process of purchasing medical supplies and hiring help to contain the illness , joining other states such as Washington , Maryland , California , and Utah .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ State by Saturday evening .
Washington state , where 16 patients died , has more than 100 known cases .
At least one person from New Jersey who attended last month 's Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor , Maryland , tested positive for the coronavirus , the American Conservative Union announced Saturday afternoon .
President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , who was tasked with leading the administration 's response to the virus , were in attendance , but organizers and the White House said there is no indication that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infected attendee .
A day earlier , it was revealed that two people who attended last week 's American Israel Public Affairs Committee 's policy conference in Washington , D.C. , tested positive for the virus .
Pence and several other high-profile officials and 2020 candidates for president attended AIPAC , along with nearly 20,000 others .
Trump signed legislation on Friday that made $ 8.3 billion in emergency funding available to combat the coronavirus 's spread , as the number of cases worldwide eclipsed the 100,000 mark after the outbreak began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention reports symptoms , including fever , cough , and shortness of breath , may appear two to 14 days after exposure .
Precautions are being taken in a variety of ways , including the cancellation of heavily attended events .
This includes the annual technology , film , and music conference South by Southwest , which brings millions of dollars and thousands of people into the city of Austin , Texas .
It was scheduled from March 13 to 22 , but the organizers said Austin canceled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow the City 's directions . ''
At least nine technology events have been called off because of the coronavirus , which Recode reports has an economic cost surpassing $ 1 billion .
The American Enterprise Institute 's World Forum , which is an annual meeting of business leaders , government officials , and conservative intellectuals in Sea Island , Georgia , has also been canceled .
The Ultra electronic music festival in Miami was canceled , and Coachella , a large music festival set to begin in April in the California desert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of signatures to shut down .
Still , Riverside County Public Health said it was `` confident '' about its plans , and large events such as Coachella are still cleared to take place .
Big healthcare policy events set to take place in Washington , D.C. , next month were shut down , including a conference by America 's Health Insurance Plans , the top insurance industry lobbying group .
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced late Saturday a resident was diagnosed with coronavus , becoming the first case in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia was also announced Saturday .
A U.S. Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County , Virginia , tested positive with the coronavirus after he `` recently returned from overseas , where he was on official business , '' Pentagon chief spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a tweet .
The Marine is being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital .
Businesses are starting to encourage employees not to come into work , including major tech companies such as Apple , Alphabet Inc. , and Microsoft Corp .
Even Congress is devising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in light of the unique and unusual circumstances presented by the coronavirus . ''
Political fundraisers are also getting shut down .
And the AFL-CIO , the largest federation of unions in the United States , announced Saturday it would cancel its upcoming forum in Florida that would have featured Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders , the top two remaining candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination .
The state had reported two deaths from the virus last week .
In the entertainment world , the studios behind the upcoming James Bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed back the global release date six months to November because of the coronavirus .
Professional sports leagues are working on contingency plans .
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James denounced the possibility of the NBA playing games without fans amid the spread of the coronavirus .
“ We play games without the fans ? ''
James said Friday night after a game .
“ I ain ’ t playing .
I ain ’ t got the fans in the crowd .
That ’ s who I play for .
I play for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans .
That ’ s what it ’ s all about .
If I show up to an arena and there are no fans in there , I ain ’ t playing .
They can do what they want to do.
” Amtrak suspended its nonstop Acela service between Washington , D.C. , and New York City through late May , citing lower demand , while airlines are waiving cancellation fees and scrapping domestic flights .
Twenty-one people aboard a cruise ship , moored off the coast of California for days , tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with executives of the cruise line industry on Saturday in Florida to discuss about developing a plan for passengers who have come in contact with the virus .
In-person classes at Stanford University are canceled starting next week , becoming the second major university to do so .
The University of Washington was the first , moving classes online .
On Friday , San Francisco announced the city 's annual St. Patrick 's Day parade next weekend is canceled .
Trump struck an untroubled tone when asked if he was worried about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I ’ m not concerned at all , ” he told reporters Saturday evening , adding that he will still hold `` tremendous '' campaign rallies as he seeks reelection this year .

With conferences getting canceled and mass public transportation getting disrupted, the COVID-19 virus is not only a threat to people around the country, but is also putting their plans into disarray.
As of early Saturday evening, there were 437 coronavirus cases across more than half of the 50 states, and 19 people have died.
New York declared a state of emergency on Saturday, speeding up the process of purchasing medical supplies and hiring help to contain the illness, joining other states such as Washington, Maryland, California, and Utah. Eighty-nine cases were reported in the Empire State by Saturday evening. Washington state, where 16 patients died, has more than 100 known cases.
At least one person from New Jersey who attended last month's Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, tested positive for the coronavirus, the American Conservative Union announced Saturday afternoon. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who was tasked with leading the administration's response to the virus, were in attendance, but organizers and the White House said there is no indication that either one was in close proximity to the infected attendee.
A day earlier, it was revealed that two people who attended last week's American Israel Public Affairs Committee's policy conference in Washington, D.C., tested positive for the virus. Pence and several other high-profile officials and 2020 candidates for president attended AIPAC, along with nearly 20,000 others.
Trump signed legislation on Friday that made $8.3 billion in emergency funding available to combat the coronavirus's spread, as the number of cases worldwide eclipsed the 100,000 mark after the outbreak began in Wuhan, China. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports symptoms, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
Precautions are being taken in a variety of ways, including the cancellation of heavily attended events. This includes the annual technology, film, and music conference South by Southwest, which brings millions of dollars and thousands of people into the city of Austin, Texas. It was scheduled from March 13 to 22, but the organizers said Austin canceled the dates, and SXSW would "faithfully follow the City's directions."
At least nine technology events have been called off because of the coronavirus, which Recode reports has an economic cost surpassing $1 billion.
David Byrne takes part in the "Reasons To Be Cheerful" featured session during the 2019 South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. (Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP Photo)
The American Enterprise Institute's World Forum, which is an annual meeting of business leaders, government officials, and conservative intellectuals in Sea Island, Georgia, has also been canceled.
The Ultra electronic music festival in Miami was canceled, and Coachella, a large music festival set to begin in April in the California desert, is facing a growing petition with thousands of signatures to shut down. Still, Riverside County Public Health said it was "confident" about its plans, and large events such as Coachella are still cleared to take place.
Big healthcare policy events set to take place in Washington, D.C., next month were shut down, including a conference by America's Health Insurance Plans, the top insurance industry lobbying group.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced late Saturday a resident was diagnosed with coronavirus, becoming the first case in the city. The first known diagnosed case in Virginia was also announced Saturday. A U.S. Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia, tested positive with the coronavirus after he "recently returned from overseas, where he was on official business," Pentagon chief spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a tweet. The Marine is being treated at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
Businesses are starting to encourage employees not to come into work, including major tech companies such as Apple, Alphabet Inc., and Microsoft Corp. Even Congress is devising a plan to have staff telework “in light of the unique and unusual circumstances presented by the coronavirus."
Political fundraisers are also getting shut down. And the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, announced Saturday it would cancel its upcoming forum in Florida that would have featured Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, the top two remaining candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination. The state had reported two deaths from the virus last week.
In the entertainment world, the studios behind the upcoming James Bond movie, No Time to Die, pushed back the global release date six months to November because of the coronavirus.
This film image released by Columbia Pictures shows Daniel Craig as James Bond in the action adventure film, "Skyfall." (Francois Duhamel/AP Photo/Sony Pictures)
Professional sports leagues are working on contingency plans. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James denounced the possibility of the NBA playing games without fans amid the spread of the coronavirus. “We play games without the fans?" James said Friday night after a game. “I ain’t playing. I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about. If I show up to an arena and there are no fans in there, I ain’t playing. They can do what they want to do.”
Amtrak suspended its nonstop Acela service between Washington, D.C., and New York City through late May, citing lower demand, while airlines are waiving cancellation fees and scrapping domestic flights. Twenty-one people aboard a cruise ship, moored off the coast of California for days, tested positive for the coronavirus. Pence met with executives of the cruise line industry on Saturday in Florida to discuss about developing a plan for passengers who have come in contact with the virus.
In-person classes at Stanford University are canceled starting next week, becoming the second major university to do so. The University of Washington was the first, moving classes online.
On Friday, San Francisco announced the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade next weekend is canceled.
Trump struck an untroubled tone when asked if he was worried about the coronavirus getting close to the White House. "I’m not concerned at all,” he told reporters Saturday evening, adding that he will still hold "tremendous" campaign rallies as he seeks reelection this year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--White House blames Pelosi for Trump snubbing annual St. Patrick's Day lunch

President Trump will skip the annual St. Patrick 's Day lunch in the Capitol , the first president to do so in nearly two decades , and the White House is pointing the finger at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The luncheon is one of Washington , D.C. ’ s oldest bipartisan traditions , beginning in 1983 when House Speaker Tip O'Neill had President Ronald Reagan to the Capitol for the lunch .
The lunch , planned each year around the Taoiseach of Ireland ’ s visit to the United States , is scheduled for Thursday .
Amid news of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House blamed Pelosi for his snub .
`` Since the Speaker has chosen to tear this Nation apart with her actions and her rhetoric , the President will not participate in moments where she so often chooses to drive discord and disunity , and will instead celebrate the rich history and strong ties between the United States and Ireland at the White House on March 12 , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere told Politico on Sunday .
He added , `` The relationship between our two countries has never been stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming the Prime Minister of Ireland for the annual Shamrock Bowl presentation . ''
Trump will be the first president since George W. Bush , who skipped the lunch in 2003 as the U.S. was about to invade Iraq , to not attend the event .
Presidents have missed the event four times since its inauguration but have sent their vice presidents in their place .
Vice President Mike Pence is not scheduled to attend Thursday ’ s lunch , however .
`` There has never been stronger support in the Congress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship .
One would think that the White House could set petty , partisan politics aside for this historic occasion , ” Pelosi ’ s spokesman Drew Hammill said .

President Trump will skip the annual St. Patrick's Day lunch in the Capitol, the first president to do so in nearly two decades, and the White House is pointing the finger at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The luncheon is one of Washington, D.C.’s oldest bipartisan traditions, beginning in 1983 when House Speaker Tip O'Neill had President Ronald Reagan to the Capitol for the lunch. The lunch, planned each year around the Taoiseach of Ireland’s visit to the United States, is scheduled for Thursday.
Amid news of the president's forthcoming absence, the White House blamed Pelosi for his snub.
"Since the Speaker has chosen to tear this Nation apart with her actions and her rhetoric, the President will not participate in moments where she so often chooses to drive discord and disunity, and will instead celebrate the rich history and strong ties between the United States and Ireland at the White House on March 12," White House spokesman Judd Deere told Politico on Sunday.
He added, "The relationship between our two countries has never been stronger, and the President looks forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Ireland for the annual Shamrock Bowl presentation."
Trump will be the first president since George W. Bush, who skipped the lunch in 2003 as the U.S. was about to invade Iraq, to not attend the event. Presidents have missed the event four times since its inauguration but have sent their vice presidents in their place. Vice President Mike Pence is not scheduled to attend Thursday’s lunch, however.
"There has never been stronger support in the Congress and in the country for the U.S.-Ireland bilateral relationship. One would think that the White House could set petty, partisan politics aside for this historic occasion,” Pelosi’s spokesman Drew Hammill said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Matt Schlapp, who shook Trump’s hand, interacted with CPAC attendee with coronavirus

The chairman of the American Conservative Union acknowledged he interacted with a Conservative Political Action Conference attendee who tested positive for the coronavirus .
Matt Schlapp told the Washington Post on Saturday he had an interaction with the infected attendee , though it ’ s unclear when the two had some form of contact .
He later told Fox & Friends Weekend on Sunday that he had `` incidental contact '' with the attendee `` very briefly . ''
Schlapp appeared on stage with President Trump on the final day of the conference and shook his hand .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not attend the conference on Saturday , the day Trump gave remarks .
“ I think we have to be calm and see what occurs here and hope our friend gets better , ” Schlapp said .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said neither Trump nor Vice President Mike Pence was “ close proximity to the attendee.
” “ I ’ m not concerned at all , ” Trump said Saturday about the possibility that the coronavirus could spread to those who work at the White House .
Schlapp added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conference .
`` And I did the same , by the way .
As I said , we had these hand sanitizer stations everywhere .
My wife was squirting Purell in my hands every moment .
We were all washing , '' he said .
Schlapp is the husband of Mercedes Schlapp , who worked as Trump 's White House director of strategic communications before joining the president 's reelection campaign last year .
According to the World Health Organization , the virus spreads through respiratory droplets when someone coughs .
Researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new coronavirus remain infectious , but similar coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days , WHO said .
As of Saturday evening , there were at least 437 coronavirus cases in the United States , and 19 people had died .

The chairman of the American Conservative Union acknowledged he interacted with a Conservative Political Action Conference attendee who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Matt Schlapp told the Washington Post on Saturday he had an interaction with the infected attendee, though it’s unclear when the two had some form of contact. He later told Fox & Friends Weekend on Sunday that he had "incidental contact" with the attendee "very briefly."
Schlapp appeared on stage with President Trump on the final day of the conference and shook his hand. In a tweet, Schlapp said the infected attendee did not attend the conference on Saturday, the day Trump gave remarks.
“I think we have to be calm and see what occurs here and hope our friend gets better,” Schlapp said.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said neither Trump nor Vice President Mike Pence was “close proximity to the attendee.”
“I’m not concerned at all,” Trump said Saturday about the possibility that the coronavirus could spread to those who work at the White House.
Schlapp added that he saw Trump wash his hands at the conference.
"And I did the same, by the way. As I said, we had these hand sanitizer stations everywhere. My wife was squirting Purell in my hands every moment. We were all washing," he said.
Schlapp is the husband of Mercedes Schlapp, who worked as Trump's White House director of strategic communications before joining the president's reelection campaign last year.
According to the World Health Organization, the virus spreads through respiratory droplets when someone coughs. Researchers aren’t sure how long droplets of the new coronavirus remain infectious, but similar coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days, WHO said.
As of Saturday evening, there were at least 437 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 19 people had died.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Bernie Sanders says he would cancel campaign rallies over coronavirus concerns if asked

Bernie Sanders said he has no plans to limit his campaign events amid the coronavirus outbreak but would cancel them if asked by public health officials .
Sanders , 78 , and his presidential opponents — President Trump , 73 , and former Vice President Joe Biden , 77 — are more vulnerable to the outbreak than others because of their ages .
The Vermont senator was asked Sunday on CNN ’ s State of the Union whether the three should limit their travel and avoid crowds .
`` In the best of all possible worlds , maybe .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard as we can , ” he responded .
In another interview with NBC ’ s Meet the Press , Sanders said his campaign was in contact with public health officials .
“ If a public health official in Michigan says , 'You know what , I know you have a big rally scheduled here , ' wherever it is , if they say , 'Don ’ t do it , ' you ’ re not gon na do it ?
” host Chuck Todd asked .
“ Look , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not going to endanger the health of anybody in this country .
Again , this is an issue that every organization , every candidate has got to deal with , ” Sanders replied .
Trump told reporters Saturday he still planned to hold “ tremendous ” rallies amid the outbreak despite some predictions that he may have to hit pause on the events .

Bernie Sanders said he has no plans to limit his campaign events amid the coronavirus outbreak but would cancel them if asked by public health officials.
Sanders, 78, and his presidential opponents — President Trump, 73, and former Vice President Joe Biden, 77 — are more vulnerable to the outbreak than others because of their ages. The Vermont senator was asked Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union whether the three should limit their travel and avoid crowds.
"In the best of all possible worlds, maybe. But right now, we're running as hard as we can,” he responded.
In another interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Sanders said his campaign was in contact with public health officials.
“If a public health official in Michigan says, 'You know what, I know you have a big rally scheduled here,' wherever it is, if they say, 'Don’t do it,' you’re not gonna do it?” host Chuck Todd asked.
“Look, we’re not gonna — obviously, we’re not going to endanger the health of anybody in this country. Again, this is an issue that every organization, every candidate has got to deal with,” Sanders replied.
Trump told reporters Saturday he still planned to hold “tremendous” rallies amid the outbreak despite some predictions that he may have to hit pause on the events.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--'This isn't going away': Jill Stein warns Biden's 'biggest risk is his obvious cognitive decline'

Former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said that Democrats are in for an “ agonizing 8 months ” if they nominate former Vice President Joe Biden as their candidate for the White House .
Stein , who graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1979 , warned Democrats that Biden might flounder on the campaign trail because of his `` obvious cognitive decline . ''
The 77-year-old former vice president has experienced a series of mental flubs throughout primary , such as his recent botched attempt at reciting lines from the Declaration of Independence .
`` Biden ’ s lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest risk is his obvious cognitive decline , '' Stein said in a tweet on Saturday .
`` He said he ’ s running for Senate , confused wife & sister , forgot Obama ’ s name etc .
This isn ’ t going away .
If Dems close their eyes & keep pushing Joe , it ’ ll be an agonizing 8 months ahead . ''
President Trump has already taken shots at Biden ’ s mental acuity .
At a March 2 rally , Trump joked that if Biden were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in a `` home , and other people are going to be running the country . ''
`` Joe is going to be in a home .
He ’ ll be watching television .
Everything will be just fine , '' the president said .
At a campaign stop in South Carolina , Biden , a former senator from Delaware , announced that he is `` a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate .
Look me over .
If you like what you see , help out . ''
During another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Jill , as his younger sister , Valerie , and vice versa .
He later exclaimed , `` You switched on me , '' after realizing his mistake .
A clip of the former vice president that surfaced in August 2019 showed him appearing to forget the name of former President Barack Obama .
He began referring to Obama as `` president , '' then switched to `` my boss '' after a few moments of pause .
The Biden campaign did not immediately return a request for comment from @ @ @ @

Former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said that Democrats are in for an “agonizing 8 months” if they nominate former Vice President Joe Biden as their candidate for the White House.
Stein, who graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1979, warned Democrats that Biden might flounder on the campaign trail because of his "obvious cognitive decline." The 77-year-old former vice president has experienced a series of mental flubs throughout primary, such as his recent botched attempt at reciting lines from the Declaration of Independence.
"Biden’s lies & record are bad enough, but the biggest risk is his obvious cognitive decline," Stein said in a tweet on Saturday. "He said he’s running for Senate, confused wife & sister, forgot Obama’s name etc. This isn’t going away. If Dems close their eyes & keep pushing Joe, it’ll be an agonizing 8 months ahead."
Biden’s lies & record are bad enough, but the biggest risk is his obvious cognitive decline. He said he’s running for Senate, confused wife & sister, forgot Obama’s name etc. This isn’t going away. If Dems close their eyes & keep pushing Joe, it’ll be an agonizing 8 months ahead. — Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) March 7, 2020
President Trump has already taken shots at Biden’s mental acuity. At a March 2 rally, Trump joked that if Biden were elected president, he would spend his term in a "home, and other people are going to be running the country."
"Joe is going to be in a home. He’ll be watching television. Everything will be just fine," the president said.
At a campaign stop in South Carolina, Biden, a former senator from Delaware, announced that he is "a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate. Look me over. If you like what you see, help out." During another stop in Los Angeles, Biden introduced his wife, Jill, as his younger sister, Valerie, and vice versa. He later exclaimed, "You switched on me," after realizing his mistake.
A clip of the former vice president that surfaced in August 2019 showed him appearing to forget the name of former President Barack Obama. He began referring to Obama as "president," then switched to "my boss" after a few moments of pause.
The Biden campaign did not immediately return a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Hillary Clinton: 'I'd love to have a woman on the ticket' but winning Electoral College is important

Hillary Clinton said she would love to see either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders select a woman as his running mate but indicated that a woman on the ticket could present issues with winning the Electoral College .
“ Personally , I ’ d love to have a woman on the ticket , finally , ” she told CNN ’ s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday .
“ Again , we ’ ve had two women vice-presidential candidates — one for the Democrats , one for the Republicans .
But obviously , I ’ d like to keep that moving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election that someone would be the first woman vice president.
” Former Republican Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin was the late Arizona Sen. John McCain ’ s running mate during his 2008 presidential bid .
The pair lost to President Barack Obama and Biden .
In the 1984 election , Walter Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro as his vice presidential pick , but President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H.W .
Bush ended up winning the White House that year .
Clinton , the first woman to win a major party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was essential that Sanders or Biden pick a female running mate .
“ I ’ m going to let whoever ends up being the nominee make that decision .
There 's so many factors that go into it , ” she said .
“ But whoever the nominee is , has to take a really hard look at the Electoral College — what will help him — because that ’ s who it ’ s down to — what will help him win the Electoral College , '' she added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the popular vote again , as I did , but that doesn ’ t matter , as we know .
”

Hillary Clinton said she would love to see either Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders select a woman as his running mate but indicated that a woman on the ticket could present issues with winning the Electoral College.
“Personally, I’d love to have a woman on the ticket, finally,” she told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday. “Again, we’ve had two women vice-presidential candidates — one for the Democrats, one for the Republicans. But obviously, I’d like to keep that moving, and actually have it happen in this election that someone would be the first woman vice president.”
Former Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was the late Arizona Sen. John McCain’s running mate during his 2008 presidential bid. The pair lost to President Barack Obama and Biden. In the 1984 election, Walter Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro as his vice presidential pick, but President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H.W. Bush ended up winning the White House that year.
Clinton, the first woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination, would not say whether it was essential that Sanders or Biden pick a female running mate.
“I’m going to let whoever ends up being the nominee make that decision. There's so many factors that go into it,” she said.
“But whoever the nominee is, has to take a really hard look at the Electoral College — what will help him — because that’s who it’s down to — what will help him win the Electoral College," she added. "Because I think our nominee could win the popular vote again, as I did, but that doesn’t matter, as we know.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--'Unspeakable': Sanders says he 'never expected in my life as an American to see' Nazi flag at rally

Bernie Sanders slammed the “ unspeakable ” act committed by a man who brought a Nazi flag to one of his rallies .
The Vermont senator appeared on CNN 's State of the Union on Sunday with host Jake Tapper and excoriated the man who was kicked out of his Thursday rally .
Sanders said the man was an anti-Semite who was shouting `` vulgar things . ''
`` The idea that there was a swastika , a symbol of everything that this country stands against .
We lost 400,000 people fighting that symbol , fighting Nazism .
Six million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed , '' the 2020 Democrat said .
`` Obviously , it is unspeakable .
It is disgusting .
It is something , and I got to tell you , I never expected in my life as an American to see a swastika at a major political rally .
Horrible , '' he added .
Soon after Sanders stepped on stage at his Phoenix rally , a man in the stands behind him unfurled a Nazi flag and began waving it as people cheered for Sanders .
The crowd ’ s cheers quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the man in the back , waving the red , black , and white flag .
Another person in the stands ripped the Nazi flag out of the man ’ s hands , and campaign security guards grabbed and escorted him from the event .
As he was leaving , the man continued shouting racial slurs .

Bernie Sanders slammed the “unspeakable” act committed by a man who brought a Nazi flag to one of his rallies.
The Vermont senator appeared on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday with host Jake Tapper and excoriated the man who was kicked out of his Thursday rally. Sanders said the man was an anti-Semite who was shouting "vulgar things."
"The idea that there was a swastika, a symbol of everything that this country stands against. We lost 400,000 people fighting that symbol, fighting Nazism. Six million Jews were killed, other people were killed," the 2020 Democrat said.
"Obviously, it is unspeakable. It is disgusting. It is something, and I got to tell you, I never expected in my life as an American to see a swastika at a major political rally. Horrible," he added.
Soon after Sanders stepped on stage at his Phoenix rally, a man in the stands behind him unfurled a Nazi flag and began waving it as people cheered for Sanders. The crowd’s cheers quickly turned into boos as attendees began pointing out the man in the back, waving the red, black, and white flag.
Another person in the stands ripped the Nazi flag out of the man’s hands, and campaign security guards grabbed and escorted him from the event. As he was leaving, the man continued shouting racial slurs.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Sanders denies praising Cuba to former American political prisoner

Bernie Sanders accused Alan Gross , who was an American prisoner in Cuba for five years , of misremembering their conversation when the 2020 presidential candidate visited him in 2014 .
Gross claimed earlier this week that Sanders commended the communist country during their one-hour meeting when he was still imprisoned in the country .
“ He said , ‘ I don ’ t know what ’ s so wrong with this country.
’ How could he be so insensitive to make that remark to a political hostage — me !
” Gross said the Vermont senator told him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I remember that trip .
I remember that trip very well , and I remember the terrible conditions that Mr .
Gross lived in .
His teeth were rotting .
I did not make that statement .
Why Mr .
Gross is saying that , I have no idea .
But I did not make that statement , ” he told Fox News Sunday .
The 2020 Democrat visited Cuba as part of a congressional delegation during the Obama administration with Democratic Sens .
Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Jon Tester of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not remember the discussion .
A source close the Heitkamp said she recalled that an uncomfortable exchange happened but did not remember the exact remark .
Sanders ’ s comments about Cuba have come under renewed scrutiny , especially after he praised deceased Cuban leader Fidel Castro for the country 's high literacy rate .
`` We 're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba .
But it 's unfair to simply say that everything is bad , '' Sanders told 60 Minutes last month .
`` When Fidel Castro came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
He had a massive literacy program .
Is that a bad thing , even though Fidel Castro did it ? ''

Bernie Sanders accused Alan Gross, who was an American prisoner in Cuba for five years, of misremembering their conversation when the 2020 presidential candidate visited him in 2014.
Gross claimed earlier this week that Sanders commended the communist country during their one-hour meeting when he was still imprisoned in the country.
“He said, ‘I don’t know what’s so wrong with this country.’ How could he be so insensitive to make that remark to a political hostage — me!” Gross said the Vermont senator told him.
Sanders, however, denied making such a remark.
“No, I did not. I remember that trip. I remember that trip very well, and I remember the terrible conditions that Mr. Gross lived in. His teeth were rotting. I did not make that statement. Why Mr. Gross is saying that, I have no idea. But I did not make that statement,” he told Fox News Sunday.
The 2020 Democrat visited Cuba as part of a congressional delegation during the Obama administration with Democratic Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Jon Tester of Montana. Tester told NPR he did not remember the discussion. A source close the Heitkamp said she recalled that an uncomfortable exchange happened but did not remember the exact remark.
Sanders’s comments about Cuba have come under renewed scrutiny, especially after he praised deceased Cuban leader Fidel Castro for the country's high literacy rate.
"We're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba. But it's unfair to simply say that everything is bad," Sanders told 60 Minutes last month. "When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing, even though Fidel Castro did it?"


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--‘The best chance to catch up’: Jesse Jackson backs Sanders for president

Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders as the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate seeks to put cracks in rival Joe Biden ’ s firewall of African American support .
Jackson , who is slated to campaign with Sanders later Sunday in Grand Rapids , Michigan , said hours earlier that the Vermont senator ’ s policy proposals give black Americans a better opportunity to advance socially and economically .
“ Our needs are not moderate .
A people far behind can not catch up choosing the most moderate path .
The most progressive social and economic path gives us the best chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents the most progressive path .
That ’ s why I choose to endorse him today , ” he said in a statement .
Jackson added that Biden ’ s campaign had not asked for his support , while Sanders ’ s campaign did .
The endorsement returns a decades-old favor .
Sanders backed Jackson during his 1988 presidential bid when Biden was among his Democratic rivals .
Biden dropped out before the primaries .
On Saturday , Sanders campaigned in Flint , Michigan , to make his case to black voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
The event was mostly attended by white supporters , however , according to reports .
Shortly before the Sanders campaign announced Jackson 's endorsement , former 2020 candidate California Sen. Kamala Harris said Biden is the best candidate to beat President Trump .

Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders as the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate seeks to put cracks in rival Joe Biden’s firewall of African American support.
Jackson, who is slated to campaign with Sanders later Sunday in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said hours earlier that the Vermont senator’s policy proposals give black Americans a better opportunity to advance socially and economically.
“Our needs are not moderate. A people far behind cannot catch up choosing the most moderate path. The most progressive social and economic path gives us the best chance to catch up and Senator Bernie Sanders represents the most progressive path. That’s why I choose to endorse him today,” he said in a statement.
Jackson added that Biden’s campaign had not asked for his support, while Sanders’s campaign did.
The endorsement returns a decades-old favor. Sanders backed Jackson during his 1988 presidential bid when Biden was among his Democratic rivals. Biden dropped out before the primaries.
On Saturday, Sanders campaigned in Flint, Michigan, to make his case to black voters, who have largely backed the former vice president. The event was mostly attended by white supporters, however, according to reports.
Shortly before the Sanders campaign announced Jackson's endorsement, former 2020 candidate California Sen. Kamala Harris said Biden is the best candidate to beat President Trump.