thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--If Trump ruined the 'magic' of the White House, that's a good thing

If it at all lasts , one of President Trump 's greatest achievements in office will have been to reduce the majesty and glamour of working for the White House and , more generally , of national politics as a whole .
A new book touches on this , according to an article Wednesday in the Washington Post .
The story recounts this scene from A Very Stable Genius , by Washington Post reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker : '' That magic '' has been one of the most grotesque things about Washington , dating back to President John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be a red carpet affair .
Elected officials are n't supposed to be untouchable .
The White House deserves respect , but there 's a difference between reverence and worship .
There 's a difference between admiration and adoration .
Most of the talk about Trump destroying our `` norms , '' eroding our `` institutions , '' and undermining our `` values '' is n't so much a warning about the fragility of our democracy as Democrats and liberals in the media pretend it is .
No , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with treating politics and the presidency , in particular , like they 're objects of mystique and desire rather than simply the things we use to continue operating as a country .
If Trump `` ruined that magic , '' that 's a good thing .
I hope it 's never restored .

If it at all lasts, one of President Trump's greatest achievements in office will have been to reduce the majesty and glamour of working for the White House and, more generally, of national politics as a whole.
A new book touches on this, according to an article Wednesday in the Washington Post. The story recounts this scene from A Very Stable Genius, by Washington Post reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker:
One government aide tells the authors that Trump has destroyed the gravity and allure that used to surround the presidency, regardless of the Oval Office occupant.
“‘He’s ruined that magic,’ this aide said of Trump,” Rucker and Leonnig write. "'The disdain he shows for our country’s foundation and its principles. The disregard he has for right and wrong. Your fist clenches. Your teeth grate.’”
"That magic" has been one of the most grotesque things about Washington, dating back to President John F. Kennedy.
The government isn't supposed to be a red carpet affair. Elected officials aren't supposed to be untouchable.
The White House deserves respect, but there's a difference between reverence and worship. There's a difference between admiration and adoration.
Most of the talk about Trump destroying our "norms," eroding our "institutions," and undermining our "values" isn't so much a warning about the fragility of our democracy as Democrats and liberals in the media pretend it is. No, it's mostly about the unhealthy obsession they have with treating politics and the presidency, in particular, like they're objects of mystique and desire rather than simply the things we use to continue operating as a country.
If Trump "ruined that magic," that's a good thing. I hope it's never restored.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Trump accused of being 'verbally and emotionally abusive' towards Kirstjen Nielsen

President Trump was verbally and emotionally abusive toward his former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen as the two clashed over his immigration policy , according to a new book .
Trump consistently complained that Nielsen wasn ’ t doing enough to curb illegal immigration , according to the book A Very Stable Genius , which was obtained by the Guardian .
“ In some instances , the volatile president was verbally and emotionally abusive toward Nielsen , ” authors Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig wrote .
“ ‘ Kirstjen , you ’ re just not tough enough , ’ Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not ‘ look the part ’ of homeland security secretary.
” “ He made fun of her and believed that at about five feet four inches she was not physically intimidating .
‘ She ’ s so short , ’ Trump would tell others about Nielsen .
She and Kelly would try to make light of it .
Kelly would rib her and say , ‘ But you ’ ve got those little fists of fury !
’ ” Nielsen , 47 , left her post in April after 16 months leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departure , the book described a contentious meeting where Trump berated Nielsen for not shutting down the border as illegal border crossings increased .
Nielsen told Trump the move was illegal .
Trump “ harassed ” Nielsen with angry phone calls for the rest of the year , sometimes at 5 a.m. , the book said .
He often called her after watching Lou Dobbs on Fox Business .
“ The president would routinely call Nielsen to say a version of ‘ Did you see Lou Dobbs ?
You ’ re totally fucking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
’ … Sometimes , Trump would refer to one of Dobbs ’ s proposals and say , ‘ Kirstjen , just do it .
Just do it.
’ ‘ But we can ’ t do it , ’ Nielsen would explain , usually because whatever Dobbs had uttered on TV was against the law , ” the book said .
[ Read more : ' I spoke truth to power ' : Kirstjen Nielsen on why she resigned from the Trump administration ]

President Trump was verbally and emotionally abusive toward his former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen as the two clashed over his immigration policy, according to a new book.
Trump consistently complained that Nielsen wasn’t doing enough to curb illegal immigration, according to the book A Very Stable Genius, which was obtained by the Guardian.
“In some instances, the volatile president was verbally and emotionally abusive toward Nielsen,” authors Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig wrote. “‘Kirstjen, you’re just not tough enough,’ Trump would tell her. Trump complained Nielsen did not ‘look the part’ of homeland security secretary.”
“He made fun of her and believed that at about five feet four inches she was not physically intimidating. ‘She’s so short,’ Trump would tell others about Nielsen. She and Kelly would try to make light of it. Kelly would rib her and say, ‘But you’ve got those little fists of fury!’”
Nielsen, 47, left her post in April after 16 months leading the department.
A year before her departure, the book described a contentious meeting where Trump berated Nielsen for not shutting down the border as illegal border crossings increased. Nielsen told Trump the move was illegal.
Trump “harassed” Nielsen with angry phone calls for the rest of the year, sometimes at 5 a.m., the book said. He often called her after watching Lou Dobbs on Fox Business.
“The president would routinely call Nielsen to say a version of ‘Did you see Lou Dobbs? You’re totally fucking embarrassing me. This is my issue!’… Sometimes, Trump would refer to one of Dobbs’s proposals and say, ‘Kirstjen, just do it. Just do it.’ ‘But we can’t do it,’ Nielsen would explain, usually because whatever Dobbs had uttered on TV was against the law,” the book said.
[Read more: 'I spoke truth to power': Kirstjen Nielsen on why she resigned from the Trump administration]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Ted Cruz floats witness reciprocity to get Biden and whistleblower to testify

Sen. Ted Cruz recommended that Republicans should allow former national security adviser John Bolton to testify in President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial in order to call a witness of their own to defend the president .
The Texas Republican on Tuesday pitched the idea of `` witness reciprocity '' to GOP leadership in the chamber on Tuesday after Senate Democrats announced last month they wish to subpoena Bolton , acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , and other top aides to the president .
His proposed strategy would mean that if Democrats call their witnesses , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as former Vice President Joe Biden , his son Hunter Biden , House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , and the whistleblower at the center of the impeachment process .
`` We ’ ll be dealing with the witness issue at the appropriate time into the trial .
And I think it ’ s certainly appropriate to point out that both sides would want to call witnesses if they wanted to hear from them , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said about Cruz 's idea , according to Fox News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , I can ’ t imagine that only the witnesses our Democratic colleagues want to call will be called . ''
House Democrats passed two articles of impeachment against Trump late last year for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after Trump 's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
During the call , Trump asked Zelensky to `` do us a favor '' and investigate corruption allegations against Biden and his son 's business dealings in the country .
Crucial military aid to Ukraine was then temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides familiar with the White House 's relations to Ukraine , was uncomfortable with what he called a `` drug deal '' of a policy on Ukraine .
Trump has publicly criticized Bolton since he left the administration and insisted he did `` nothing wrong '' during what he calls a `` perfect '' phone call with Zelensky .
Republicans and defenders of Trump have argued that the president was merely trying to root out corruption and not use military aid as a bargaining chip to achieve a political goal .
Cruz has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and are just `` making this up , '' and McConnell has downplayed the allegations against Trump as weak and leading to a `` slap-dash impeachment . ''
Citing what she deems to be an unfair impending Senate trial , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi withheld the articles from the Senate but is slated to send them to the Senate this week .
A trial in the Republican-led chamber is expected to begin next Tuesday .

Sen. Ted Cruz recommended that Republicans should allow former national security adviser John Bolton to testify in President Trump's Senate impeachment trial in order to call a witness of their own to defend the president.
The Texas Republican on Tuesday pitched the idea of "witness reciprocity" to GOP leadership in the chamber on Tuesday after Senate Democrats announced last month they wish to subpoena Bolton, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, and other top aides to the president.
His proposed strategy would mean that if Democrats call their witnesses, Republicans could call their own as well, such as former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, and the whistleblower at the center of the impeachment process.
"We’ll be dealing with the witness issue at the appropriate time into the trial. And I think it’s certainly appropriate to point out that both sides would want to call witnesses if they wanted to hear from them,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said about Cruz's idea, according to Fox News. "So if you get to that issue, I can’t imagine that only the witnesses our Democratic colleagues want to call will be called."
House Democrats passed two articles of impeachment against Trump late last year for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the call, Trump asked Zelensky to "do us a favor" and investigate corruption allegations against Biden and his son's business dealings in the country. Crucial military aid to Ukraine was then temporarily held up.
Bolton, according to aides familiar with the White House's relations to Ukraine, was uncomfortable with what he called a "drug deal" of a policy on Ukraine.
Trump has publicly criticized Bolton since he left the administration and insisted he did "nothing wrong" during what he calls a "perfect" phone call with Zelensky.
In fact, my views on Venezuela, and especially Cuba, were far stronger than those of John Bolton. He was holding me back! https://t.co/FUGc02xiac — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2019
Republicans and defenders of Trump have argued that the president was merely trying to root out corruption and not use military aid as a bargaining chip to achieve a political goal. Cruz has said the Democrats have no case against Trump and are just "making this up," and McConnell has downplayed the allegations against Trump as weak and leading to a "slap-dash impeachment."
Citing what she deems to be an unfair impending Senate trial, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi withheld the articles from the Senate but is slated to send them to the Senate this week. A trial in the Republican-led chamber is expected to begin next Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--House Democrats deliver impeachment articles to the Senate

House Democrats have delivered the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate .
Democratic impeachment managers walked the @ @ @ @ @ chamber Wednesday afternoon after Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed a resolution passed by the House earlier @ @ @ @ @ passed two articles charging the president with obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
@ @ @ @ @ , a Kentucky Republican , said Democrats would formally exhibit the articles on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ Roberts will swear in senators as jurors on Thursday afternoon , McConnell said .
A @ @ @ @ @ next week .
`` The trial will commence in earnest on Tuesday , '' McConnell @ @ @ @ @ a difficult time for our country , '' he said , adding that the Senate @ @ @ @ @ matter fairly .

House Democrats have delivered the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate.
Democratic impeachment managers walked the articles over to the other chamber Wednesday afternoon after Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed a resolution passed by the House earlier in the day.
Democrats passed two articles charging the president with obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Democrats would formally exhibit the articles on Thursday. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in senators as jurors on Thursday afternoon, McConnell said.
A trial is scheduled to begin next week.
"The trial will commence in earnest on Tuesday," McConnell said.
"This is a difficult time for our country," he said, adding that the Senate was designed to handle the matter fairly.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--The comprehensive case against Cardi B for Congress

The stripper-turned-celebrity rap star has caught the internet ’ s attention numerous times with her sometimes hilarious , sometimes bizarre political commentary .
But now she ’ s getting serious : Cardi B tweeted this week , `` I think I want to be a politician , '' and said , `` I really love government even tho I do n't agree with Government . ''
She continued , `` I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up I can be part of Congress .
I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardi B ’ s political musings off , but they ’ re actually worth taking somewhat seriously .
After all , the rapper now has the support of 2020 front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders , who she ’ s previously met with and praised .
The Vermont Independent thinks “ it would be great ” if Cardi B ran for Congress , telling TMZ he wants her to get involved in politics .
And , in an age when Donald Trump went from reality TV to the Oval Office , we can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , it actually needs to be said : Cardi B would be a horrible congresswoman .
She is utterly unqualified for the job , and her ideas are bizarre and incoherent .
Cardi B displayed the incoherence of her ideology the first time she went viral for her politics in an ( admittedly hilarious ) rant about the government wasting her tax money and how she wants “ receipts ” from the IRS .
That part was fine , if not very serious .
But then , Cardi B whose socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her ( and just about everyone else ) .
It would also send more of our money to the same government bureaucrats who are wasting it now .
Cardi B also has `` Trump Derangement Syndrome . ''
The rapper was , understandably , concerned by rising tensions between the United States and Iran after the killing of Iranian terrorist leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
But Cardi B overreacted , putting out an almost incoherent tweet claiming she plans to apply for Nigerian citizenship .
As my Washington Examiner colleague Madeline Fry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Nigeria , a with rampant domestic violence and child marriage , all just to own President Trump .
Cardi B also has no education or intellectual accomplishments of any kind , unless you count hit rap songs such as Clout , Bodak Yellow , and Money .
I do not .
We should also probably talk about Cardi B ’ s propensity for violence .
In 2018 , she in public and screamed at her .
Cardi B then threw her shoe at Minaj after being unable to break past her bodyguards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack on two bartenders who dissed her .
“ Cardi B ordered and committed violent assaults against my clients and is being called to justice for her crimes .
Apparently , she thinks her celebrity status puts her above the law since she has bragged to multiple people and on social media that she orchestrated these vicious attacks , ” the alleged victims ’ attorney People .
And Cardi B once bragged in an Instagram live video about how she `` drugged and robbed men '' in her past .
In explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had to do to survive as an impoverished stripper .
Suffice it to say Cardi B does not have the requisite temperament to be in Congress .
No matter how promising the prospect of a “ Congresswoman Cardi ” would be for meme-makers everywhere , her political ascendancy is actually no laughing matter .

Cardi B might run for Congress. Yes, seriously.
The stripper-turned-celebrity rap star has caught the internet’s attention numerous times with her sometimes hilarious, sometimes bizarre political commentary. But now she’s getting serious: Cardi B tweeted this week, "I think I want to be a politician," and said, "I really love government even tho I don't agree with Government." She continued, "I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up I can be part of Congress. I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense."
I think I want to be a politician.I really love government even tho I don’t agree with Goverment — iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 12, 2020
I do feel like if I go back to school and focus up I can be part of Congress.I deadass have sooo much ideas that make sense.I just need a couple of years of school and I can shake the table . — iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 13, 2020
It’s tempting to laugh Cardi B’s political musings off, but they’re actually worth taking somewhat seriously. After all, the rapper now has the support of 2020 front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders , who she’s previously met with and praised. The Vermont Independent thinks “it would be great” if Cardi B ran for Congress, telling TMZ he wants her to get involved in politics. And, in an age when Donald Trump went from reality TV to the Oval Office, we can’t dismiss celebrities who announce their political ambitions.
So, it actually needs to be said: Cardi B would be a horrible congresswoman. She is utterly unqualified for the job, and her ideas are bizarre and incoherent.
Cardi B displayed the incoherence of her ideology the first time she went viral for her politics in an (admittedly hilarious) rant about the government wasting her tax money and how she wants “receipts” from the IRS. That part was fine, if not very serious. But then, Cardi B contradicted this stance by endorsing Sanders, whose socialist policies would undoubtedly result in skyrocketing taxes on her (and just about everyone else). It would also send more of our money to the same government bureaucrats who are wasting it now.
Cardi B is getting into tax policy now. She says she's paying 40% of her income in taxes and wants to know where the money is going..."when you donate to a kid in a foreign country, they give you updates on what they're doing with your donation....I want updates on my tax money." pic.twitter.com/E1hITGNqee — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) March 23, 2018
Cardi B also has "Trump Derangement Syndrome." The rapper was, understandably, concerned by rising tensions between the United States and Iran after the killing of Iranian terrorist leader Gen. Qassem Soleimani. But Cardi B overreacted, putting out an almost incoherent tweet claiming she plans to apply for Nigerian citizenship. As my Washington Examiner colleague Madeline Fry noted , this means she actually considered moving to Nigeria, a “human rights wasteland” with rampant domestic violence and child marriage, all just to own President Trump.
Naaaaa these memes are fuckin 😅😅 😩but shit ain’t no joke ! Specially being from New York .Its sad this man is putting Americans live in danger.Dumbest move Trump did till date ...I’m filing for my Nigerian citizenship. — iamcardib (@iamcardib) January 3, 2020
Cardi B also has no education or intellectual accomplishments of any kind, unless you count hit rap songs such as Clout, Bodak Yellow, and Money. I do not.
We should also probably talk about Cardi B’s propensity for violence. In 2018, she violently confronted fellow rapper Nicki Minaj in public and screamed at her. Cardi B then threw her shoe at Minaj after being unable to break past her bodyguards.
Cardi B also caught an assault charge for allegedly ordering an attack on two bartenders who dissed her.
“Cardi B ordered and committed violent assaults against my clients and is being called to justice for her crimes. Apparently, she thinks her celebrity status puts her above the law since she has bragged to multiple people and on social media that she orchestrated these vicious attacks,” the alleged victims’ attorney told People.
And Cardi B once bragged in an Instagram live video about how she "drugged and robbed men" in her past. In explanation, she argues that it was what she had to do to survive as an impoverished stripper.
Suffice it to say Cardi B does not have the requisite temperament to be in Congress. No matter how promising the prospect of a “Congresswoman Cardi” would be for meme-makers everywhere, her political ascendancy is actually no laughing matter.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--'Into the arms' of the Taliban: Inspector general says US ties with corrupt Afghan warlords backfire

'Into the arms' of the Taliban: Inspector general says US ties with corrupt Afghan warlords backfired

The United States unintentionally aided the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan because of its alliances with corrupt warlords , the government 's top Afghanistan watchdog said on Wednesday .
John Sopko , the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction , told the House Foreign Affairs Committee the U.S. helped foster corruption that undermined its strategic goals in Afghanistan .
His testimony followed the December publication of the Washington Post 's Afghanistan Papers , a trove of documents about the war .
The U.S. inadvertently helped the Taliban 's resurgence in Afghanistan `` by forming alliances of convenience with warlords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Taliban , '' Sopko said in his prepared opening statement .
`` The coalition paid warlords to provide security and , in many cases , to run provincial and district administrations , on the assumption that the United States would eventually hold those warlords to account when they committed acts of corruption or brutality , '' he said .
`` That accounting rarely took place — and the abuses committed by coalition aligned warlords drove many Afghans into the arms of the resurgent Taliban . ''
When Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a D- or an F in building up Afghanistan , Sopko answered : `` E. You showed up for class .
That 's it . ''
In future operations , Sopko said , the U.S. needs to address corruption from the start , ensuring it does not inject too much money too soon into a cash-strapped country such as Afghanistan .
`` It would also mean limiting U.S. alliances with malign power brokers , holding highly corrupt actors to account , and incorporating anti-corruption objectives into security and stability goals . ''
Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the release of the Afghanistan Papers .
`` So I think between all the folks looking at this conflict over the years , some type of insinuation that there 's been this large-scale conspiracy is just , to me , ridiculous , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during a press briefing in late December .

The United States unintentionally aided the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan because of its alliances with corrupt warlords, the government's top Afghanistan watchdog said on Wednesday.
John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee the U.S. helped foster corruption that undermined its strategic goals in Afghanistan. His testimony followed the December publication of the Washington Post's Afghanistan Papers, a trove of documents about the war.
The U.S. inadvertently helped the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan "by forming alliances of convenience with warlords who had been pushed out of power by the Taliban," Sopko said in his prepared opening statement.
"The coalition paid warlords to provide security and, in many cases, to run provincial and district administrations, on the assumption that the United States would eventually hold those warlords to account when they committed acts of corruption or brutality," he said. "That accounting rarely took place — and the abuses committed by coalition aligned warlords drove many Afghans into the arms of the resurgent Taliban."
When Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman of California asked if the U.S. earned a D- or an F in building up Afghanistan, Sopko answered: "E. You showed up for class. That's it."
In future operations, Sopko said, the U.S. needs to address corruption from the start, ensuring it does not inject too much money too soon into a cash-strapped country such as Afghanistan. "It would also mean limiting U.S. alliances with malign power brokers, holding highly corrupt actors to account, and incorporating anti-corruption objectives into security and stability goals."
Pentagon officials defended the government's track record following the release of the Afghanistan Papers.
"So I think between all the folks looking at this conflict over the years, some type of insinuation that there's been this large-scale conspiracy is just, to me, ridiculous," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during a press briefing in late December.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--House approves impeachment managers and 'additional evidence' for Senate trial

The House approved the appointment of seven lawmakers Wednesday to serve as impeachment managers in a Senate trial that will weigh abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges against President Trump .
Democrats passed the resolution 228-193 with no Republican support .
The measure allows the House to continue to transmit evidence to the Senate that supports their claim the president should be convicted of two impeachment articles they passed in December .
“ The resolution provides broad authority to submit to the Senate any additional evidence the House has acquired on its own , ” said House Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Democrat and one of the impeachment managers .
“ And we will do so.
” The House Intelligence Committee Tuesday night released new documents acquired from Lev Parnas , a former associate of Trump ’ s personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
The material , which was not part of the evidence used when the House voted to impeach Trump , will be transmitted to the Senate today along with the impeachment articles “ to be included as part of the official record , ” Democrats said .
The measure exactly mirrors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1998 when they appointed 13 GOP lawmakers to manage the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton .
That legislation also permitted the House to send additional evidence during the Senate trial .
The impeachment managers will prosecute the House case in the Senate .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , said earlier Wednesday that the lawmakers are experienced litigators .
The seven lawmakers will walk across the Capitol later this afternoon and deliver the articles to the Senate , which will begin a trial next Tuesday that is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
[ Related : Pelosi : Trump impeached forever .
'They can never erase that ' ] Democrats have been investigating Trump for months but are pushing the Senate to call new witnesses and subpoena additional documents related to their allegation that Trump improperly withheld $ 391 million in security aid .
“ A fair trial must include additional documents and all relevant witnesses , ” Nadler said .
“ The Senate is on trial , and we will see whether they will conduct a serious trial or a cover-up.
” House Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , denounced Democrats for passing “ a political impeachment , ” following “ a predetermined process ” pushed by liberal Democrats who have sought Trump ’ s ouster since he took office in 2017 .
“ Let ’ s use this blunder as a teachable moment , ” McCarthy said .
Pelosi said during a floor speech ahead of the resolution vote that Trump ’ s actions were a threat to the nation ’ s election security and that the president is allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to determine the outcome of the @ @ @

The House approved the appointment of seven lawmakers Wednesday to serve as impeachment managers in a Senate trial that will weigh abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges against President Trump.
Democrats passed the resolution 228-193 with no Republican support. The measure allows the House to continue to transmit evidence to the Senate that supports their claim the president should be convicted of two impeachment articles they passed in December.
“The resolution provides broad authority to submit to the Senate any additional evidence the House has acquired on its own,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat and one of the impeachment managers. “And we will do so.”
The House Intelligence Committee Tuesday night released new documents acquired from Lev Parnas, a former associate of Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. The material, which was not part of the evidence used when the House voted to impeach Trump, will be transmitted to the Senate today along with the impeachment articles “to be included as part of the official record,” Democrats said.
The measure exactly mirrors language in the resolution House Republicans passed in 1998 when they appointed 13 GOP lawmakers to manage the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. That legislation also permitted the House to send additional evidence during the Senate trial.
The impeachment managers will prosecute the House case in the Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said earlier Wednesday that the lawmakers are experienced litigators.
The seven lawmakers will walk across the Capitol later this afternoon and deliver the articles to the Senate, which will begin a trial next Tuesday that is likely to result in Trump’s acquittal.
[Related: Pelosi: Trump impeached forever. 'They can never erase that']
Democrats have been investigating Trump for months but are pushing the Senate to call new witnesses and subpoena additional documents related to their allegation that Trump improperly withheld $391 million in security aid.
“A fair trial must include additional documents and all relevant witnesses,” Nadler said. “The Senate is on trial, and we will see whether they will conduct a serious trial or a cover-up.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, denounced Democrats for passing “a political impeachment,” following “a predetermined process” pushed by liberal Democrats who have sought Trump’s ouster since he took office in 2017.
“Let’s use this blunder as a teachable moment,” McCarthy said.
Pelosi said during a floor speech ahead of the resolution vote that Trump’s actions were a threat to the nation’s election security and that the president is allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to determine the outcome of the 2020 election.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Democratic congresswoman seeking treatment for alcoholism after 'serious' fall

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is taking time away from Congress after she said she had a `` serious '' fall , related to alcohol dependence .
`` I sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in support after my accident last week .
The fall was serious , but with physical therapy I will fully recover , '' the Arizona Democrat said in a Wednesday statement .
`` I do , however , have another challenge I must face , which was the underlying cause of the fall .
Beginning next week , I will receive treatment that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat my alcohol dependence . ''
Kirkpatrick , 69 , said her office would be `` fully operational '' while she is absent .
`` My positions on all recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made publicly available , '' she said .
The congresswoman has served three nonconsecutive times in the House .
She was elected first in 2009 when she served one term .
She followed that up with two terms from 2013 to 2017 .
In 2016 , she unsuccessfully ran against Sen. John McCain during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently joined Congress again in 2018 .
Kirkpatrick will be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave available to members after they complete a year of service .
This is a breaking story .
Check back for updates .

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is taking time away from Congress after she said she had a "serious" fall, related to alcohol dependence.
"I sincerely thank the many people who have reached out in support after my accident last week. The fall was serious, but with physical therapy I will fully recover," the Arizona Democrat said in a Wednesday statement. "I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of the fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence."
Kirkpatrick, 69, said her office would be "fully operational" while she is absent. "My positions on all recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made publicly available," she said.
The congresswoman has served three nonconsecutive times in the House. She was elected first in 2009 when she served one term. She followed that up with two terms from 2013 to 2017. In 2016, she unsuccessfully ran against Sen. John McCain during his final Senate race. She most recently joined Congress again in 2018.
Kirkpatrick will be eligible for 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave available to members after they complete a year of service.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Adam Schiff will head team of seven House impeachment managers

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a group of seven Democratic lawmakers who will serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial against President Trump .
The group will be headed by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , a California Democrat who conducted weeks of hearings and depositions in the impeachment investigation .
The list also includes House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , a New York Democrat , and Zoe Lofgren of California , who also serves on the Judiciary Committee .
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York was also selected to serve as a manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida Democrat and former Orlando , Florida , police chief .
Both are members of the Judiciary Committee .
Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas will also be a House manager .
All of the managers have experience Pelosi believes will help Democrats make their case in the Senate .
The list of managers includes Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado , who is a member of the Armed Services Committee and a former Army Ranger .
`` The emphasis is on litigators and on making the strongest possible case to the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as prosecutors in the case against Trump in a Senate trial expected to begin next Tuesday .
The House voted Dec. 19 on two articles impeaching Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Democrats allege Trump improperly withheld $ 391 million in security aid from Ukraine in order to coerce Ukrainian government officials to pledge to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , a top Trump political rival .
Pelosi had delayed appointing the managers for nearly a month in an unsuccessful bid to get Senate Republicans to agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial .
The House will vote this afternoon on the resolution appointing the managers Pelosi selected .
The managers will then walk over to the Senate to deliver the articles later on Wednesday .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , said the Senate trial will begin next Tuesday .
It could last several weeks .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a group of seven Democratic lawmakers who will serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial against President Trump.
The group will be headed by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who conducted weeks of hearings and depositions in the impeachment investigation.
The list also includes House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, and Zoe Lofgren of California, who also serves on the Judiciary Committee.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York was also selected to serve as a manager along with Rep. Val Demings, a Florida Democrat and former Orlando, Florida, police chief. Both are members of the Judiciary Committee. Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas will also be a House manager.
All of the managers have experience Pelosi believes will help Democrats make their case in the Senate.
The list of managers includes Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, who is a member of the Armed Services Committee and a former Army Ranger.
"The emphasis is on litigators and on making the strongest possible case to the American people," Pelosi said.
The lawmakers will serve as prosecutors in the case against Trump in a Senate trial expected to begin next Tuesday.
The House voted Dec. 19 on two articles impeaching Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Democrats allege Trump improperly withheld $391 million in security aid from Ukraine in order to coerce Ukrainian government officials to pledge to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a top Trump political rival.
Pelosi had delayed appointing the managers for nearly a month in an unsuccessful bid to get Senate Republicans to agree to a list of witnesses for the trial.
The House will vote this afternoon on the resolution appointing the managers Pelosi selected.
The managers will then walk over to the Senate to deliver the articles later on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said the Senate trial will begin next Tuesday. It could last several weeks.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--My plan to expand HSAs and healthcare price transparency

The start of the year is a time when millions of people in the United States make promises to improve their lives by changing habits or adopting new ones .
Some of the most common resolutions revolve around improving our health : quitting smoking , eating healthier , or exercising more regularly .
But many also consider their financial health at the start of every year by committing to saving more money or getting out of debt .
It can be hard to keep a New Year ’ s resolution , but my new healthcare bill may make it easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taking better care of our health by making healthcare more affordable .
The Patient Fairness Act hinges on the principles of financial equity and market transparency .
First , it would expand access to health savings accounts to everyone .
HSAs allow individuals to save for health-related expenses ( drugs , doctors visits , etc . )
with pretax dollars , which can also be invested in the long run .
These accounts , which incentivize saving by reducing taxable income , are currently only available to individuals with high-deductible health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. access to this financial vehicle .
Further , I want to increase the amount that account holders can invest in their HSAs each year .
Currently , individuals can deposit up to $ 3,500 , and families can deposit a maximum of $ 7,000 .
My bill would more than double these limits , allowing individuals to invest $ 8,000 and families to deposit $ 16,000 .
The Patient Fairness Act levels the playing field between those who have employer-sponsored health insurance and those who don ’ t .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other assets , making them more attractive as financial instruments for building intergenerational wealth .
By making them inheritable , I hope to let families accumulate and pass on wealth that is less likely to be misspent by younger generations .
The other major goal of the Patient Fairness Act is price transparency — to help people get the information they need to navigate our Byzantine healthcare system better .
Most can ’ t tell you how much a doctor ’ s visit costs .
This is by design , and it insulates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike almost every other good or service , most don ’ t pay for healthcare directly .
Rather , they get health insurance through their employer , creating a separation between patients and doctors that distorts costs while hiding the prices that insurance companies negotiate .
Late last year , President Trump signed an executive order to make healthcare pricing more transparent , directing hospitals to list the prices of over 300 services for nonemergency procedures that are typically scheduled ahead of time .
I agree with the policy , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statute rather than left vulnerable to reversal by a future administration .
While this policy would enable patients in nonemergency situations to research prices and procedures beforehand and choose the most affordable option , there ’ s a bigger benefit still — it will foster competition and level the playing field for smaller insurance companies and employers .
Expanding access to HSAs and requiring hospitals to publish costs is a workable solution that every member of Congress should support .
Some might ask , why worry about price transparency when there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare for all '' ?
The reality is that our costs keep going up regardless of who pays ( the individual , the insurance companies , or the government ) because the markets aren ’ t working correctly or producing the information needed to make them function .
Lastly , the expansion of HSAs gives individuals similar treatment to what companies get when they pay for healthcare with pretax dollars .
Who can be against such consumer-friendly concepts as price transparency and giving Americans tax incentives to pay for healthcare ?
With these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step to empower individuals to take charge of their healthcare without expanding the government .
So this year , I hope that Congress can do its part to help more people make good on their resolutions to increase their savings and take better care of their health .
Warren Davidson represents Ohio 's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives .

The start of the year is a time when millions of people in the United States make promises to improve their lives by changing habits or adopting new ones. Some of the most common resolutions revolve around improving our health: quitting smoking, eating healthier, or exercising more regularly.
But many also consider their financial health at the start of every year by committing to saving more money or getting out of debt.
It can be hard to keep a New Year’s resolution, but my new healthcare bill may make it easier to accomplish goals related to saving money and taking better care of our health by making healthcare more affordable. The Patient Fairness Act hinges on the principles of financial equity and market transparency.
First, it would expand access to health savings accounts to everyone. HSAs allow individuals to save for health-related expenses (drugs, doctors visits, etc.) with pretax dollars, which can also be invested in the long run. These accounts, which incentivize saving by reducing taxable income, are currently only available to individuals with high-deductible health insurance plans. We must give every person in the U.S. access to this financial vehicle.
Further, I want to increase the amount that account holders can invest in their HSAs each year. Currently, individuals can deposit up to $3,500, and families can deposit a maximum of $7,000. My bill would more than double these limits, allowing individuals to invest $8,000 and families to deposit $16,000. The Patient Fairness Act levels the playing field between those who have employer-sponsored health insurance and those who don’t.
The Patient Fairness Act also treats HSAs like other assets, making them more attractive as financial instruments for building intergenerational wealth. By making them inheritable, I hope to let families accumulate and pass on wealth that is less likely to be misspent by younger generations.
The other major goal of the Patient Fairness Act is price transparency — to help people get the information they need to navigate our Byzantine healthcare system better. Most can’t tell you how much a doctor’s visit costs. This is by design, and it insulates hospitals and health insurance companies from competition.
Unlike almost every other good or service, most don’t pay for healthcare directly. Rather, they get health insurance through their employer, creating a separation between patients and doctors that distorts costs while hiding the prices that insurance companies negotiate.
Late last year, President Trump signed an executive order to make healthcare pricing more transparent, directing hospitals to list the prices of over 300 services for nonemergency procedures that are typically scheduled ahead of time. I agree with the policy, and I believe that it should be established in statute rather than left vulnerable to reversal by a future administration.
While this policy would enable patients in nonemergency situations to research prices and procedures beforehand and choose the most affordable option, there’s a bigger benefit still — it will foster competition and level the playing field for smaller insurance companies and employers.
Expanding access to HSAs and requiring hospitals to publish costs is a workable solution that every member of Congress should support. Some might ask, why worry about price transparency when there is no need for pricing at all under "Medicare for all"? The reality is that our costs keep going up regardless of who pays (the individual, the insurance companies, or the government) because the markets aren’t working correctly or producing the information needed to make them function.
Lastly, the expansion of HSAs gives individuals similar treatment to what companies get when they pay for healthcare with pretax dollars. Who can be against such consumer-friendly concepts as price transparency and giving Americans tax incentives to pay for healthcare? With these policies, we can take an important step to empower individuals to take charge of their healthcare without expanding the government.
So this year, I hope that Congress can do its part to help more people make good on their resolutions to increase their savings and take better care of their health.
Warren Davidson represents Ohio's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-16--Guyanan charged with killing, raping 92-year-old, overstayed visa, dodged ICE detainer

A 21-year-old Latin American charged in New York City with raping and murdering a 92-year-old woman had overstayed his 2016 tourist visa , a serious immigration crime that can lead to deportation and a complete ban from ever entering the country .
Federal law enforcement officials told Secrets late Wednesday that Guyanan Reeaz Khan 's illegal status is what prompted them to ask city police to detain him for deportation after his arrest Nov. 27 for assault his father with a broken ceramic mug .
But instead the city followed Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s “ sanctuary city ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring the “ detainer ” request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
The police said they did n't get a detainer , a claim ICE rejected .
Exactly 40 days later , according to police , Khan sexually abused Maria Fuertes , 92 , in Queens .
She later died of her injuries .
Court papers cited in media reports said she was sexually assaulted and strangled and died outside in 32-degree weather from injuries including a broken spine .
Officials said that he arrived sometime in 2016 on a B-2 visa that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He entered the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens .
The city declines thousands of ICE detainers a year as it remains committed to its sanctuary status that protect and harbor illegal criminals .
The administration has been critical of New York and de Blasio ’ s policies in the past , but the gruesome murder has prompted a new focus on the city ’ s policies and a withering attack from immigration officials .
Ken Cuccinelli , acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security , tweeted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & murdered in New York after NYPD failed to honor an ICE detainer because NYPD refuses to cooperate with ICE .
NYPD denied receiving the detainer ( though they got one ! )
, but doesn ’ t honor them anyway !
Where ’ s the media coverage ?
Where ’ s the outrage ? ''
ICE ’ s New York chief for Enforcement and Removal Operations also issued a statement .
“ It is made clear that New York City ’ s stance against honoring detainers is dangerously flawed .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges , and he now faces new charges , including murder , ” said Thomas R. Decker , field office director for ERO New York .
“ New York City ’ s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs , as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation , ” he said .
Decker also pointed his finger at de Blasio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal aliens than the citizens they are elected to serve and protect , '' he said .
President Trump has taken a special interest in sanctuary policies dating back to his 2016 presidential campaign when he expressed shock at the murder in San Francisco of Kate Steinle , shot and murdered by an illegal who had been repeatedly deported and recently released by San Francisco police .
This case has sparked a renewed attention to New York City .
And it comes amid a broader focus on New York State which has decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal immigrants but block the federal government from accessing information about the holders .

A 21-year-old Latin American man charged in New York City with raping and murdering a 92-year-old woman overstayed his 2016 tourist visa, a serious immigration crime that can lead to deportation and a complete ban from ever entering the country.
Federal law enforcement officials told Secrets late Wednesday that Guyanese Reeaz Khan's illegal status is what prompted them to ask city police to detain him for deportation after his arrest on Nov. 27 for assaulting his father with a broken ceramic mug.
But, instead, the city followed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “sanctuary city” policies for illegal immigrants and released him, ignoring the detainer request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The police said they didn't get a detainer, a claim ICE rejected.
.@ICE is way right on this... x10 https://t.co/xU4cTl9xwc — Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli (@HomelandKen) January 16, 2020
Exactly 40 days later, according to police, Khan sexually abused Maria Fuertes, 92, in Queens. She later died of her injuries. Court papers cited in media reports said she was sexually assaulted and strangled and died outside in 32-degree weather from injuries that included a broken spine.
Officials said that Khan arrived sometime in 2016 on a B-2 visa that provided a six-month visit "for pleasure." He entered the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens.
.@ICEgov Field Office Director Thomas Decker: “New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the 5 boroughs, as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation." https://t.co/hXchyGt3tb https://t.co/qS3uJZuU2z — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 15, 2020
The city declines thousands of ICE detainers a year as it remains committed to its sanctuary status.
The administration has been critical of New York and de Blasio’s policies in the past, but the murder has prompted a new focus on the city’s policies and a withering attack from immigration officials.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf tweeted, "There has been a complete breakdown of law & order in New York City. NYC proudly passed sanctuary city laws & bragged about it for months. But now they, & more importantly, the citizens of NYC are facing the deadly consequences of the sanctuary policies."
There has been a complete breakdown of law & order in New York City. NYC proudly passed sanctuary city laws & bragged about it for months. But now they, & more importantly, the citizens of NYC are facing the deadly consequences of the sanctuary policies. https://t.co/esXd5yYi1Q — Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) January 16, 2020
Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, tweeted, "A 92-y.o. woman was raped & murdered in New York after NYPD failed to honor an ICE detainer because NYPD refuses to cooperate with ICE. NYPD denied receiving the detainer (though they got one!), but doesn’t honor them anyway! Where’s the media coverage? Where’s the outrage?"
Michael Bars, a DHS spokesman, told Secrets, "Sanctuary cities and counties around the country including those in New York, North Carolina, and elsewhere act as illegal incubators for criminal alien activity, harboring dangerous offenders and often releasing them back to the streets where many will re-offend. These don't just include drugs and weapons offenses, robbery, sexual assault, kidnapping, and drunk driving charges, but completely preventable acts of brutal rape and murder. These are the deadly consequences when self-serving politicians like the mayor release criminal aliens from custody instead of protecting the very people they've sworn an oath to put first."
ICE’s New York chief for Enforcement and Removal Operations also issued a statement. “It is made clear that New York City’s stance against honoring detainers is dangerously flawed. It was a deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges, and he now faces new charges, including murder,” said Thomas Decker, field office director for ERO New York. “New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs, as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation,” he said.
Unreal. This is the illegal alien that NYPD released in defiance of federal law after he was arrested a month before on assault on firearms charges https://t.co/53BmJx9epU — Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) January 15, 2020
Decker also pointed his finger at de Blasio. "Politicians care more about criminal illegal aliens than the citizens they are elected to serve and protect," he said.
And so did immigration expert Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, who said New York City police want to cooperate with ICE but can't.
"In this case, ICE did actually find out about him, since he was arrested and jailed, but because of New York’s extreme sanctuary policies, the police and other authorities ignored and thwarted ICE’s effort. New York cops want people like Khan off the streets and into ICE hands, knowing the high likelihood that they will victimize people again, but their hands are tied by politically motivated policies."
And, she added, "The pro-sanctuary politicians feel no sense of regret, concern, or shame when these things happen. They make up excuses and blame ICE, just as here they tried to claim they never got the detainer. We will have to wait until later this year to see if the Supreme Court will affirm ICE’s authority, thus giving the Trump administration the opportunity to impose consequences on sanctuaries, but it would be better if Congress would update the immigration law to try to prevent these tragedies."
President Trump has taken a special interest in sanctuary policies dating back to his 2016 presidential campaign when he expressed shock at the murder in San Francisco of Kate Steinle, shot and murdered by an illegal immigrant who had been repeatedly deported and recently released by San Francisco police.
This case has sparked a renewed attention on New York City.
And it comes amid a broader focus on New York state, which has decided to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants but block the federal government from accessing information about the holders.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Gun advocates see ‘registry’ and ‘confiscation’ coming to Virginia

Despite the expansion of “ gun sanctuaries ” to a record 130 Virginia towns and counties Wednesday , covering most of the state , foes of gun control legislation speeding through Richmond are raising new fears they will be forced to register weapons , a move that could lead to “ confiscation.
” Second Amendment lobbyists and advocates reviewing the initial gun control moves by a state Senate committee credit the exploding sanctuary movement for forcing Democrats to accept some compromises , including a less strict universal background check and delay in introducing a ban on “ assault weapons.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down gun control legislation will eventually lead to broader restrictions and bans .
“ There ’ s no doubt that the sanctuary movement has the Democrats concerned .
Just too soon to know where things are going , ” said Philip Van Cleave , who runs the grassroots advocacy group Virginia Citizens Defense League .
“ We are very glad to hear that the sanctuary efforts are sending a big signal .
But we were very disappointed to see what passed out of committee on Monday , ” said Erich Pratt , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The sanctuary movement collected its 130th endorsement on Tuesday .
It reaches nearly every suburban and rural area of the state .
Gun advocates are planning to flood the state capital on Monday , traditionally citizen lobbying day .
They are eager to turn back bills OK ’ d so far , though Democrats have said they plan to stand firm , claiming that gun control promises helped them take control of the legislature in the 2019 elections .
The National Rifle Association conducted its lobbying day Monday when the Senate Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universal background check , a limit on handgun purchases , and other regulations alien to the formerly-gun friendly state and home to the NRA .
[ Read more : Trump could be ‘ big beneficiary ' in Virginia gun control battle , urged to get involved ] “ The NRA is focused on encouraging our members and supporters to be active and engaged with their legislators from the first day of session to the last .
Indeed , the NRA will have a strong presence at the Capitol throughout the legislative session .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of our members that carry the most weight with lawmakers , ” said Catherine Mortensen , NRA spokesperson .
While some gun advocates saw promise in changes made to gun control legislation , Pratt told Secrets that he is worried that once approved , lawmakers in the future will tighten rules on gun owners .
“ Among other things , the Universal Background Checks bill would ensure that every gun sale in Virginia had a Form 4473 attached to it , ” he said referring to a “ Firearms Transaction Record ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Virginia could be sucked up into this de facto national gun registry , ” he said .
He also hit a plan to require that semi-automatic rifles , like ARs , be registered but not banned .
“ This would also mean that , if semi-automatics are ever made unlawful in Virginia , Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s SWAT teams would have a handy list of homes to raid .
This is exactly what they ’ re doing in New Zealand .
And it ’ s exactly what has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — gun confiscation was preceded by registration , ” he added .

Despite the expansion of “gun sanctuaries” to a record 130 Virginia towns and counties Wednesday, covering most of the state, foes of gun control legislation speeding through Richmond are raising new fears they will be forced to register weapons, a move that could lead to “confiscation.”
Second Amendment lobbyists and advocates reviewing the initial gun control moves by a state Senate committee credit the exploding sanctuary movement for forcing Democrats to accept some compromises, including a less strict universal background check and delay in introducing a ban on “assault weapons.”
But they are concerned that even watered down gun control legislation will eventually lead to broader restrictions and bans.
Berryville just became sanctuary #130! — Phil Van Cleave VCDL (@VCDL_ORG) January 15, 2020
“There’s no doubt that the sanctuary movement has the Democrats concerned. Just too soon to know where things are going,” said Philip Van Cleave, who runs the grassroots advocacy group Virginia Citizens Defense League.
“We are very glad to hear that the sanctuary efforts are sending a big signal. But we were very disappointed to see what passed out of committee on Monday,” said Erich Pratt, senior vice president of Gun Owners of America,
The sanctuary movement collected its 130th endorsement on Tuesday. It reaches nearly every suburban and rural area of the state.
Gun advocates are planning to flood the state capital on Monday, traditionally citizen lobbying day. They are eager to turn back bills OK’d so far, though Democrats have said they plan to stand firm, claiming that gun control promises helped them take control of the legislature in the 2019 elections.
The National Rifle Association conducted its lobbying day Monday when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved several new restrictions including a universal background check, a limit on handgun purchases, and other regulations alien to the formerly-gun friendly state and home to the NRA.
[Read more: Trump could be ‘big beneficiary' in Virginia gun control battle, urged to get involved]
What The Heck Is Happening In VA? https://t.co/uqDZNk6AKH — GOA (@GunOwners) January 15, 2020
“The NRA is focused on encouraging our members and supporters to be active and engaged with their legislators from the first day of session to the last. Indeed, the NRA will have a strong presence at the Capitol throughout the legislative session. But it’s the voice and presence of our members that carry the most weight with lawmakers,” said Catherine Mortensen, NRA spokesperson.
While some gun advocates saw promise in changes made to gun control legislation, Pratt told Secrets that he is worried that once approved, lawmakers in the future will tighten rules on gun owners.
“Among other things, the Universal Background Checks bill would ensure that every gun sale in Virginia had a Form 4473 attached to it,” he said referring to a “Firearms Transaction Record” that gives information to the federal government.
“Virginia could be sucked up into this de facto national gun registry,” he said.
He also hit a plan to require that semi-automatic rifles, like ARs, be registered but not banned. “This would also mean that, if semi-automatics are ever made unlawful in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam’s SWAT teams would have a handy list of homes to raid. This is exactly what they’re doing in New Zealand. And it’s exactly what has already been done in California and New York — gun confiscation was preceded by registration,” he added.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Border chiefs slam claims the wall isn’t new as ‘absurd’

The top border chiefs that for years have pressed administration ’ s for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico line are stepping up their criticism of foes who claim that the 100 miles constructed during the Trump administration are not new .
“ There continues to be , at times , some folks who take issue with the claim as to whether or not this stuff is new .
I find that , as a career law enforcement professional , frankly somewhat absurd .
It is absolutely new , it is absolutely unique , and unlike anything we ’ ve put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perez , deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection .
Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan added , “ I think someone who still wants to play that game hasn ’ t been there and stood next to a brand new wall system , 30-foot tall , with access roads , lighting , and integrated technology.
” Critics of the president ’ s push for a full border wall have tried to undermine his efforts by describing the wall as a “ replacement ” of current barriers .
Inside border agencies , they call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Much of the 100 miles built or nearly built are in areas where there was a poor wall system .
But Morgan and Perez said what has been built isn ’ t a replacement of old World War II systems but a new 30-foot system with roads , lights , and high technology .
Morgan explained it this way to a small gathering of reporters , “ Hey , you know , you ’ ve got a 20-year-old dilapidated car .
You go out on a weekend and you get a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Hey , what did you do this weekend ?
’ You don ’ t say that you bought a replacement car .
You say you bought a new car .
Why , because it is in every single fathomable way .
And that ’ s where we are at.
” Morgan said border officials have been asking for wall systems for years .
“ The United States Border Patrol , and CBP as a whole , has said that this is a critical tool for us to be able to perform our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Morgan .
“ This president listened , he listened to the experts and actually asked them , ‘ What do you need ?
” And we said , ‘ Mr .
President , we need the wall , ’ ” said Morgan , who added , “ He listens and that ’ s what he delivered.
” He also cheered the new construction so far , noting that it covers a distance equal to that between Washington , D.C. , and Richmond , Virginia .
“ That ’ s a tremendous goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .

The top border chiefs that for years have pressed administration’s for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico line are stepping up their criticism of foes who claim that the 100 miles constructed during the Trump administration are not new.
“There continues to be, at times, some folks who take issue with the claim as to whether or not this stuff is new. I find that, as a career law enforcement professional, frankly somewhat absurd. It is absolutely new, it is absolutely unique, and unlike anything we’ve put out before,” said Robert E. Perez, deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan added, “I think someone who still wants to play that game hasn’t been there and stood next to a brand new wall system, 30-foot tall, with access roads, lighting, and integrated technology.”
Critics of the president’s push for a full border wall have tried to undermine his efforts by describing the wall as a “replacement” of current barriers. Inside border agencies, they call it “the ‘R’ word.”
Much of the 100 miles built or nearly built are in areas where there was a poor wall system. But Morgan and Perez said what has been built isn’t a replacement of old World War II systems but a new 30-foot system with roads, lights, and high technology.
Morgan explained it this way to a small gathering of reporters, “Hey, you know, you’ve got a 20-year-old dilapidated car. You go out on a weekend and you get a new car. Somebody calls and says, ‘Hey, what did you do this weekend?’ You don’t say that you bought a replacement car. You say you bought a new car. Why, because it is in every single fathomable way. And that’s where we are at.”
Morgan said border officials have been asking for wall systems for years.
“The United States Border Patrol, and CBP as a whole, has said that this is a critical tool for us to be able to perform our duty and safeguard this country,” said Morgan.
“This president listened, he listened to the experts and actually asked them, ‘What do you need?” And we said, ‘Mr. President, we need the wall,’” said Morgan, who added, “He listens and that’s what he delivered.”
He also cheered the new construction so far, noting that it covers a distance equal to that between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.
“That’s a tremendous goal that we reached, 100 miles,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Biden’s odds bump up nationally, Sanders tops in Iowa, New Hampshire

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s odds of winning the Democratic presidential nomination have turned up , giving him national momentum going into next month ’ s first caucus and primary , according to a leading political betting site .
Election Betting Odds put Biden ahead of all Democrats at 32.8 % and said that his chances had increased 1.8 % in the last day .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ s odds of winning , in second place at 28 % , dropped 0.8 % .
For the last month on the betting aggregation site , the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the duo switching positions often .
Late last year , the two were trying to catch up to Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who had been the media ’ s darling before she plummeted .
While good news nationally for Biden , especially after last night ’ s contentious Democratic debate , Sanders has seen his odds of winning the Iowa Democratic caucus and New Hampshire Democratic primary increase in the past day , and he is leading Biden .
In Iowa , Sanders ’ s odds of winning are 41 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire , Sanders leads 52 % to 22 % .

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s odds of winning the Democratic presidential nomination have turned up, giving him national momentum going into next month’s first caucus and primary, according to a leading political betting site.
Screen shot from Election Betting Odds
Election Betting Odds put Biden ahead of all Democrats at 32.8% and said that his chances had increased 1.8% in the last day.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s odds of winning, in second place at 28%, dropped 0.8%.
For the last month on the betting aggregation site, the race has been between Biden and Sanders, with the duo switching positions often. Late last year, the two were trying to catch up to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who had been the media’s darling before she plummeted.
While good news nationally for Biden, especially after last night’s contentious Democratic debate, Sanders has seen his odds of winning the Iowa Democratic caucus and New Hampshire Democratic primary increase in the past day, and he is leading Biden.
In Iowa, Sanders’s odds of winning are 41% to Biden’s 29%. In New Hampshire, Sanders leads 52% to 22%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--As polling day looms, a record two-thirds of Iowa voters could change their minds

DES MOINES , Iowa — Less than three weeks out from the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses , which kick off Democratic nomination voting , the bulk of voters are undecided in the increasingly fluid race .
According to the latest Des Moines Register poll , which Bernie Sanders 's campaign says reflects a surge by the Vermont senator , 40 % of likely Democratic caucusgoers had made up their mind .
Almost 50 % of respondents , of whom 20 % named Sanders as their first choice , said they could change their minds before the caucus .
That , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't support any one candidate yet , means more than a majority of Iowa Democrats planning on caucusing in February have n't decided on a candidate .
A CBS poll of Iowa and New Hampshire released Jan. 6 similarly found 31 % of respondents certain of their candidate choice .
While voters such as Jane Choquette , 74 , are certain they 'll turn out in a general election , they 're torn on who to nominate for the daunting task of trying to remove President Trump , a reviled incumbent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel that I am probably much more liberal and I probably am going more towards the liberal side , so I am an Elizabeth Warren supporter too , '' Choquette , a retiree who lives in Des Moines , told the Washington Examiner after attending a speech by a top-tier 2020 Democrat , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Choosing who to back is `` very difficult , '' Choquette said .
`` And I feel that whoever becomes the candidate , I would support them . ''
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election cycles .
In January 2016 , 14 % of Democrats were undecided on a candidate , in what became one of the narrowest caucuses in the state 's history .
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defeated Sanders by 0.25 % .
A RealClearPolitics average of polls in the last 10 days before that year 's caucus found Clinton holding a 4 % lead over Sanders — meaning Sanders still managed to win over a number of Democrats in the last few days .
In 2008 , the number of undecideds was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field .
According to a poll taken in late December 2007 , 7 % of likely Iowa Democratic caucusgoers were undecided .
Despite a number of Democrats telling pollsters they were certain of their choice , Illinois Sen. Barack Obama still managed to pull off an upset victory over his senatorial colleague from New York , Clinton , who finished in third place .
The closest comparison to the current voter dynamics is the 2004 primary when 70 % of Iowa Democrats were undecided on who they would definitely support a month out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 30 days leading up to the caucuses .
Former Vermont Gov .
Howard Dean at one point took a 10-point lead over his closest competitor , Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt .
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry , who would later win a decisive victory in the caucus , had 14 % support 30 days out from the Iowa caucuses .

DES MOINES, Iowa — Less than three weeks out from the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, which kick off Democratic nomination voting, the bulk of voters are undecided in the increasingly fluid race.
According to the latest Des Moines Register poll, which Bernie Sanders's campaign says reflects a surge by the Vermont senator, 40% of likely Democratic caucusgoers had made up their mind. Almost 50% of respondents, of whom 20% named Sanders as their first choice, said they could change their minds before the caucus.
That, plus the 13% who said they don't support any one candidate yet, means more than a majority of Iowa Democrats planning on caucusing in February haven't decided on a candidate. A CBS poll of Iowa and New Hampshire released Jan. 6 similarly found 31% of respondents certain of their candidate choice.
While voters such as Jane Choquette, 74, are certain they'll turn out in a general election, they're torn on who to nominate for the daunting task of trying to remove President Trump, a reviled incumbent, from the White House.
"I feel that I am probably much more liberal and I probably am going more towards the liberal side, so I am an Elizabeth Warren supporter too," Choquette, a retiree who lives in Des Moines, told the Washington Examiner after attending a speech by a top-tier 2020 Democrat, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Choosing who to back is "very difficult," Choquette said. "And I feel that whoever becomes the candidate, I would support them."
Such uncertainty is unprecedented in the last three election cycles.
In January 2016, 14% of Democrats were undecided on a candidate, in what became one of the narrowest caucuses in the state's history. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defeated Sanders by 0.25%. A RealClearPolitics average of polls in the last 10 days before that year's caucus found Clinton holding a 4% lead over Sanders — meaning Sanders still managed to win over a number of Democrats in the last few days.
In 2008, the number of undecideds was even fewer in a much more crowded field. According to a poll taken in late December 2007, 7% of likely Iowa Democratic caucusgoers were undecided. Despite a number of Democrats telling pollsters they were certain of their choice, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama still managed to pull off an upset victory over his senatorial colleague from New York, Clinton, who finished in third place.
The closest comparison to the current voter dynamics is the 2004 primary when 70% of Iowa Democrats were undecided on who they would definitely support a month out. That year, polling remained chaotic in the 30 days leading up to the caucuses.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean at one point took a 10-point lead over his closest competitor, Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who would later win a decisive victory in the caucus, had 14% support 30 days out from the Iowa caucuses.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Democrats concerned and Trump emboldened following Iowa Democratic debate

Leading liberal voices in media publicly worried about the Democratic Party 's current field of candidates and questioned if any of them could defeat President Trump .
`` I came away feeling worried for the Democratic party , '' CNN pundit Van Jones said minutes after Tuesday 's Democratic debate on CNN .
`` Tonight I felt like this was a night they were all going to put the fireworks out there ... you were going to get the best of the best ... and to me , the whole thing just felt like a big bowl of cold oatmeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for president have not been aggressive enough in challenging Trump head-on , '' long-time Democratic political figure Al Sharpton said .
Presidential races , Sharpton said , are like prizefights .
`` You have to take the title , and I didn ’ t see anybody on the stage last night , or in the ring , that really said , ' I ’ m taking charge , I can be president , I can take on Donald Trump , ' '' Sharpton said .
`` Because he is going to come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t see that mindset yet in any of the candidates.
” A report this week alleging Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told fellow leading candidate Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2017 that a woman could not be elected president failed to generate the fiery debate-stage moment some expected .
`` This is what Trump and the media want , '' Sanders said , dismissing the question .
Polling shows defeating Trump is at the top of minds for likely Democratic primary voters in key states .
`` We keep getting stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman beat Trump ? '
'' Stephanie Schriock , the president of Emily 's List , told the Washington Post .
`` We 've been , for 12 months , looking at electability in a really narrow way , and it 's caused a huge amount of problems in this primary . ''
Primary front-runner Joe Biden has cast himself as the most moderate and formidable opponent the party could put up against Trump .
Biden has received the most public criticism from Trump of any of the leading candidates in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll beat him like a drum , '' Biden has said of Trump .
The president 's defenders have also sensed weakness in the 2020 Democratic field .
“ What I saw last night , I feel very good about the president ’ s reelection in November , because one , it was hard to stay awake , '' said former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders .
`` Two , they ’ re fighting over whether or not who has won what election over the last 30 years ; nobody cares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , Sanders , and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg in a virtual tie among voters in Iowa , the state with the first primary election on Feb. 4 .
Trump , meanwhile , is riding a bolstered wave of support from his Republican base , which has given him an approval rating of more than 90 % .

Leading liberal voices in media publicly worried about the Democratic Party's current field of candidates and questioned if any of them could defeat President Trump.
"I came away feeling worried for the Democratic party," CNN pundit Van Jones said minutes after Tuesday's Democratic debate on CNN. "Tonight I felt like this was a night they were all going to put the fireworks out there ... you were going to get the best of the best ... and to me, the whole thing just felt like a big bowl of cold oatmeal."
"The remaining Democratic candidates for president have not been aggressive enough in challenging Trump head-on," long-time Democratic political figure Al Sharpton said.
Presidential races, Sharpton said, are like prizefights.
"You have to take the title, and I didn’t see anybody on the stage last night, or in the ring, that really said, 'I’m taking charge, I can be president, I can take on Donald Trump,'" Sharpton said. "Because he is going to come in with that kind of mindset, and I don’t see that mindset yet in any of the candidates.”
A report this week alleging Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told fellow leading candidate Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2017 that a woman could not be elected president failed to generate the fiery debate-stage moment some expected.
"This is what Trump and the media want," Sanders said, dismissing the question.
Polling shows defeating Trump is at the top of minds for likely Democratic primary voters in key states.
"We keep getting stuck in the 'Yeah, but, can a woman beat Trump?'" Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily's List, told the Washington Post. "We've been, for 12 months, looking at electability in a really narrow way, and it's caused a huge amount of problems in this primary."
Primary front-runner Joe Biden has cast himself as the most moderate and formidable opponent the party could put up against Trump.
Biden has received the most public criticism from Trump of any of the leading candidates in the primary race.
Looks to me like it’s going to be SleepyCreepy Joe over Crazy Bernie. Everyone else is fading fast! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2019
"He knows I'll beat him like a drum," Biden has said of Trump.
The president's defenders have also sensed weakness in the 2020 Democratic field.
“What I saw last night, I feel very good about the president’s reelection in November, because one, it was hard to stay awake," said former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. "Two, they’re fighting over whether or not who has won what election over the last 30 years; nobody cares."
I agree with Van on this one. You either have people who have done nothing or those who will magically fix it now after 30-50 years of doing nothing.
Americans can’t possibly trust their and their kids futures to the dems! pic.twitter.com/5uBRpT9k8d — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 15, 2020
A new CBS poll shows Biden, Sanders, and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg in a virtual tie among voters in Iowa, the state with the first primary election on Feb. 4.
Trump, meanwhile, is riding a bolstered wave of support from his Republican base, which has given him an approval rating of more than 90%.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--'Not fair': Sanders backers accuse Democrats and media of rigging 2020 contest against him

DES MOINES , Iowa — Right when Bernie Sanders saw a surge in support , forces beyond his control threatened to derail his momentum at a critical point in the Democratic presidential primary process .
A looming Senate impeachment trial threatens to keep the Vermont senator from the campaign trail , and prominent figures took his 2020 Democratic rival ’ s side in a dispute over what was said , or not said , in a 2018 private conversation .
His supporters suspect party elites and the establishment class are to blame , a replay of his 2016 presidential bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew suspicious about , among other things , the timing of Democratic primary debates that seemed to favor Hillary Clinton .
With the Democratic National Committee under the control of Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , debates were scheduled at times that would yield few viewers , including shortly before Christmas and opposite NFL playoff games .
Wasserman Schultz 's interim successor leading the DNC , Donna Brazile , alleged that Clinton had executed a `` secret takeover '' of the DNC while the 2016 primary race was in its infancy .
Anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunning loss to 2016 Republican nominee Donald Trump , leaving festering what-might-have-been questions about how the race would have gone if the Democratic Party had n't ostensibly put its thumb on the scale in her favor during the primaries .
Now , supporters of the 78-year-old Sanders in Iowa suspect House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s decision to delay President Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial will hurt his chances in the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 3 .
Edwin Purcell , 68 , who backed Sanders in 2016 , said the trial will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for presidential hopefuls .
“ Obviously , candidates who can be right here at the last minute , it ’ s going to be an advantage .
But I ’ m hoping all the organization , the work that Bernie ’ s been doing , will kind of carry itself , ” the medical school associate dean told the Washington Examiner last weekend before a Sanders rally in Newton , Iowa .
The biggest risk for Sanders is that the Senate trial boosts former Vice President Joe Biden , a favorite of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders campaign .
Pelosi on Wednesday unveiled a team of seven Democratic lawmakers for the Senate trial that is expected to start next week .
While the announcement between Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the trial , it held by some Democrats over how the highly anticipated proceedings will affect the 2020 primary given that four of the contenders still in the race are senators .
Sanders and Senate Democratic colleagues Michael Bennet of Colorado , Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will be stuck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an unknown period of time .
Meanwhile , fellow top-tier contenders such as Biden and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg have more time and breathing space to convince Iowa Democrats to caucus for them .
Purcell said he has “ negative feelings ” regarding the Democratic National Committee because he felt “ they really rigged it ” for Clinton in 2016 , and news outlets now are encouraged to understate Sanders ’ s gravitas because the senator railed against their advertisers , such as pharmaceutical companies and oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s wife Launi , 66 , added Sanders ’ s self-identification as a “ Democratic socialist ” was being used against him , citing conversations she had with her family in the swing state of Colorado last cycle .
The Purcells ’ fears , shared by other Democrats , are now being seized on by Republicans .
“ By holding on to the impeachment articles for so long , Speaker Pelosi is rigging the Iowa caucuses for Biden , ” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said Tuesday in a .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to sideline Bernie Sanders.
” Sanders supporters also assert that the media and the pundit class push fellow left-wing candidate Warren over Sanders .
Warren , 70 , received glowing media profiles and coverage of her `` selfie '' lines at campaign events in 2019 , while Sanders events were largely ignored .
Exhibit A in examples of how Warren is the pundit class 's favorite came during CNN 's Tuesday Democratic presidential debate , when a moderator addressed that Sanders told her in a private 2018 meeting that he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency in 2020 .
After Sanders said that he did not make that statement , noted that Clinton won 3 million more votes than Trump in 2016 , and vowed to campaign for any eventual nominee , CNN moderator Abby Phillip asked Warren a question with phrasing that : “ Sen .
Warren , what did you think when Sen. Sanders told you a woman could not win the election ?
” That added to frustrations from Sanders supporters about receiving less media attention than lower-polling candidates for the last year and story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former Sanders campaign spokesman Jeff Weaver called it a “ cringeworthy ” moment .
“ It was not fair the way they asked the question , ” Sanders campaign co-chairwoman Nina Turner the Washington Examiner .
“ Everybody heard the way they asked that question , '' she said , adding that it was a `` glaring example '' of how the media mistreats the Sanders campaign .
Outrage over the moment and frustration over a `` rigged '' process led Sanders supporters to make # CNNisGarbage and # CNNisTrash to trend on @ @ @ @ @

DES MOINES, Iowa — Right when Bernie Sanders saw a surge in support, forces beyond his control threatened to derail his momentum at a critical point in the Democratic presidential primary process.
A looming Senate impeachment trial threatens to keep the Vermont senator from the campaign trail, and prominent figures took his 2020 Democratic rival’s side in a dispute over what was said, or not said, in a 2018 private conversation.
His supporters suspect party elites and the establishment class are to blame, a replay of his 2016 presidential bid.
Four years ago, Sanders supporters grew suspicious about, among other things, the timing of Democratic primary debates that seemed to favor Hillary Clinton. With the Democratic National Committee under the control of Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, debates were scheduled at times that would yield few viewers, including shortly before Christmas and opposite NFL playoff games.
Wasserman Schultz's interim successor leading the DNC, Donna Brazile, alleged that Clinton had executed a "secret takeover" of the DNC while the 2016 primary race was in its infancy.
Anger among Sanders supporters grew after Clinton's stunning loss to 2016 Republican nominee Donald Trump, leaving festering what-might-have-been questions about how the race would have gone if the Democratic Party hadn't ostensibly put its thumb on the scale in her favor during the primaries.
Now, supporters of the 78-year-old Sanders in Iowa suspect House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to delay President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial will hurt his chances in the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 3.
Edwin Purcell, 68, who backed Sanders in 2016, said the trial will make the state of play “uneven” for presidential hopefuls.
“Obviously, candidates who can be right here at the last minute, it’s going to be an advantage. But I’m hoping all the organization, the work that Bernie’s been doing, will kind of carry itself,” the medical school associate dean told the Washington Examiner last weekend before a Sanders rally in Newton, Iowa.
The biggest risk for Sanders is that the Senate trial boosts former Vice President Joe Biden, a favorite of Democratic establishment insiders and a top target of the Sanders campaign.
Pelosi on Wednesday unveiled a team of seven Democratic lawmakers she’s tapped as impeachment managers for the Senate trial that is expected to start next week. While the announcement ends a stalemate between Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the trial, it doesn’t placate concerns held by some Democrats over how the highly anticipated proceedings will affect the 2020 primary given that four of the contenders still in the race are senators.
Sanders and Senate Democratic colleagues Michael Bennet of Colorado, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will be stuck in Washington up to six days a week for an unknown period of time. Meanwhile, fellow top-tier contenders such as Biden and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg have more time and breathing space to convince Iowa Democrats to caucus for them.
Purcell said he has “negative feelings” regarding the Democratic National Committee because he felt “they really rigged it” for Clinton in 2016, and news outlets now are encouraged to understate Sanders’s gravitas because the senator railed against their advertisers, such as pharmaceutical companies and oil companies, Purcell said.
Purcell’s wife Launi, 66, added Sanders’s self-identification as a “Democratic socialist” was being used against him, citing conversations she had with her family in the swing state of Colorado last cycle.
The Purcells’ fears, shared by other Democrats, are now being seized on by Republicans.
“By holding on to the impeachment articles for so long, Speaker Pelosi is rigging the Iowa caucuses for Biden,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said Tuesday in a tweet . “Once again, the Democrat Party establishment is trying to sideline Bernie Sanders.”
Sanders supporters also assert that the media and the pundit class push fellow left-wing candidate Warren over Sanders. Warren, 70, received glowing media profiles and coverage of her "selfie" lines at campaign events in 2019, while Sanders events were largely ignored.
Exhibit A in examples of how Warren is the pundit class's favorite came during CNN's Tuesday Democratic presidential debate, when a moderator addressed Warren’s allegation that Sanders told her in a private 2018 meeting that he did not think a woman could win the presidency in 2020.
After Sanders said that he did not make that statement, noted that Clinton won 3 million more votes than Trump in 2016, and vowed to campaign for any eventual nominee, CNN moderator Abby Phillip asked Warren a question with phrasing that assumed her claim was true : “Sen. Warren, what did you think when Sen. Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?”
That added to frustrations from Sanders supporters about receiving less media attention than lower-polling candidates for the last year and story framing that they believe is unfair. Former Sanders campaign spokesman Jeff Weaver called it a “cringeworthy” moment.
“It was not fair the way they asked the question,” Sanders campaign co-chairwoman Nina Turner told the Washington Examiner. “Everybody heard the way they asked that question," she said, adding that it was a "glaring example" of how the media mistreats the Sanders campaign.
Outrage over the moment and frustration over a "rigged" process led Sanders supporters to make #CNNisGarbage and #CNNisTrash to trend on Twitter after the debate.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-15--Berniecare wouldn't even pay a $15 minimum wage to displaced health insurance workers

Bernie Sanders swears that in his pursuit to criminalize the private insurance industry , his Medicare For All Act would still offer five years of financial security for the 1.5 million people left without their private industry jobs .
`` We build into our 'Medicare for all ' program a transition fund of many , many billions of dollars that will provide for up to five years income and healthcare and job training for those people , '' the Vermont senator promised during the January presidential debate .
It should not come as any surprise , but the available math @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's bill states that former health insurance workers will be eligible for temporary assistance for up to five years .
But the temporary worker assistance fund does n't become available until the Medicare For All Act 's benefits become available , which would be four years after the bill is enacted .
This means that unemployed former healthcare workers would n't receive a dime from the fund intended to insulate them from the bill 's consequences until more than four years after Bernie kicked them out of their jobs .
Furthermore , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1 % of its budget to the temporary worker assistance fund .
That means that , at maximum , workers get 1 % of $ 3.4 trillion per year , or $ 34 billion per year .
That means that even giving leeway to Sanders , the average worker would receive at best $ 22,666.67 annually .
Assuming every dollar of that went to a paycheck ( and not job training ) , the Medicare For All Act would pay former health insurance workers a mere $ 11.33 per hour .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum wage Bernie has called a `` human right . ''
Anything less than that , Bernie has argued , does not constitute a `` living wage . ''
And again , this unrealistically conservative estimate assumes that the estimated $ 34 trillion price tag successfully funds everything from teeth cleaning to cancer surgery without going over the budgets of each of the bill 's sections .
Bernie will fight for $ 15 to punish mom and pop shops , but when it comes to the victims of his socialist agenda , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Bernie Sanders swears that in his pursuit to criminalize the private insurance industry, his Medicare For All Act would still offer five years of financial security for the 1.5 million people left without their private industry jobs.
"We build into our 'Medicare for all' program a transition fund of many, many billions of dollars that will provide for up to five years income and healthcare and job training for those people," the Vermont senator promised during the January presidential debate.
It should not come as any surprise, but the available math indicates that this is untrue.
Bernie's bill states that former health insurance workers will be eligible for temporary assistance for up to five years. But the temporary worker assistance fund doesn't become available until the Medicare For All Act's benefits become available, which would be four years after the bill is enacted. This means that unemployed former healthcare workers wouldn't receive a dime from the fund intended to insulate them from the bill's consequences until more than four years after Bernie kicked them out of their jobs.
Furthermore, the Medicare For All Act only allocates up to 1% of its budget to the temporary worker assistance fund. That means that, at maximum, workers get 1% of $3.4 trillion per year, or $34 billion per year. That means that even giving leeway to Sanders, the average worker would receive at best $22,666.67 annually. Assuming every dollar of that went to a paycheck (and not job training), the Medicare For All Act would pay former health insurance workers a mere $11.33 per hour.
That's a far cry from $15-an-hour minimum wage Bernie has called a "human right." Anything less than that, Bernie has argued, does not constitute a "living wage."
And again, this unrealistically conservative estimate assumes that the estimated $34 trillion price tag successfully funds everything from teeth cleaning to cancer surgery without going over the budgets of each of the bill's sections.
Bernie will fight for $15 to punish mom and pop shops, but when it comes to the victims of his socialist agenda, he'll surely leave workers out to dry.