thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--'Avoid being Iran's lawyer': Dem insiders warn party's 2020 contenders to frame the right approach

Democratic insiders are warning the party ’ s top 2020 contenders to avoid blaming the United States and sympathizing with Iran as they stake out opposition to President Trump ’ s evolving Middle East policy .
Political strategists and foreign policy thinkers on the Left are sharply critical of Trump for ordering a military strike to kill senior Iranian General Qassem Soleimani , fretting it could draw the U.S. into another major war in the Middle East that the president is ill-equipped to manage .
But some Democratic insiders are nevertheless uncomfortable with objections that are emanating from a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his strategy to contain Iran .
“ They want to avoid any sense that they ’ re being Iran ’ s lawyer .
That ’ s the main thing , and some are better than others at doing that , ” said Brian Katulis , a national security analyst with the Center for American Progress , a liberal think tank .
“ Then , they need to [ explain ] what they would do differently and it can ’ t just simply be rejoin '' the Iran deal .
“ It can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home America , ’ ” he added .
“ ’ Come home America ’ wasn ’ t a great theme for [ George ] McGovern in 1972 and it ’ s not likely to work any better in 2020.
” The leading candidates — Joe Biden , Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren , and Pete Buttigieg — immediately and aggressively denounced Trump for his decision to target Soleimani , who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .
This elite Iranian military force is responsible for the death of hundreds of American soldiers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism .
Republicans are accusing Democrats of “ Trump Derangement Syndrome.
” In refusing to rally around the commander-in-chief and applaud him for eliminating an enemy of the U.S. with American blood on his hands , they are breaking with political precedent .
Democrats are doing so just because they hate the president , and it will cost them in the November election , Republicans argue .
Democratic insiders with an eye toward winning the White House disagree .
Trump has politicized national security and made Iran into a “ wedge issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimless recklessness toward a bellicose Iran and offering a strategically sound alternative could pay huge dividends in the general election .
But to avoid squandering this opportunity , party strategists say , Democratic contenders have to frame the argument properly and prevent Trump from painting them as unwilling to act to keep Americans safe .
“ Everyone can agree it ’ s better off that [ Soleimani ] is not around , '' Democratic strategist Joe Trippi said .
`` Is it something that gets us into another long war in the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are a whole lot of Americans anxious for that.
” Warren perhaps has absorbed the most criticism .
After initially calling Soleimani a “ murderer ” but questioning Trump ’ s decision to take him out on strategic grounds — the critique many Democrats would like to see from their candidates - the Massachusetts senator shifted her criticism .
She began describing Suleimani as a “ senior foreign military official ” who was assassinated .
Sanders has used similar rhetoric , with Biden and Buttigieg sounding like Warren did originally , casting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fate , but saying the move could backfire .
Still , some Democrats offered kudos to Warren and Sanders , saying that preventing another needless war transcends politics .
“ I want to see these contenders do everything possible to stop us from getting into a war of choice with Iran , ” said Democrat Dan Helmer , a Virginia state legislator and military veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq .

Democratic insiders are warning the party’s top 2020 contenders to avoid blaming the United States and sympathizing with Iran as they stake out opposition to President Trump’s evolving Middle East policy.
Political strategists and foreign policy thinkers on the Left are sharply critical of Trump for ordering a military strike to kill senior Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, fretting it could draw the U.S. into another major war in the Middle East that the president is ill-equipped to manage. But some Democratic insiders are nevertheless uncomfortable with objections that are emanating from a few of their White House front-runners regarding Trump and his strategy to contain Iran.
“They want to avoid any sense that they’re being Iran’s lawyer. That’s the main thing, and some are better than others at doing that,” said Brian Katulis, a national security analyst with the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank. “Then, they need to [explain] what they would do differently, and it can’t just simply be rejoin" the Iran deal.
“It can’t just be: 'Come home America,’” he added. “’Come home America’ wasn’t a great theme for [George] McGovern in 1972, and it’s not likely to work any better in 2020.”
The leading candidates — Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg — immediately and aggressively denounced Trump for his decision to target Soleimani, who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This elite Iranian military force is responsible for the death of hundreds of American soldiers in the Middle East and for fomenting international terrorism.
Republicans are accusing Democrats of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” In refusing to rally around the commander in chief and applaud him for eliminating an enemy of the U.S. with American blood on his hands, they are breaking with political precedent. Democrats are doing so just because they hate the president, and it will cost them in the November election, Republicans argue.
Democratic insiders with an eye toward winning the White House disagree.
Trump has politicized national security and made Iran into a “wedge issue,” they say. Charging Trump with aimless recklessness toward a bellicose Iran and offering a strategically sound alternative could pay huge dividends in the general election. But to avoid squandering this opportunity, party strategists say, Democratic contenders have to frame the argument properly and prevent Trump from painting them as unwilling to act to keep Americans safe.
“Everyone can agree it’s better off that [Soleimani] is not around," Democratic strategist Joe Trippi said. "Is it something that gets us into another long war in the Middle East? I don’t think there are a whole lot of Americans anxious for that.”
Warren perhaps has absorbed the most criticism.
After initially calling Soleimani a “murderer” but questioning Trump’s decision to take him out on strategic grounds — the critique many Democrats would like to see from their candidates — the Massachusetts senator shifted her criticism. She began describing Soleimani as a “senior foreign military official” who was assassinated. Sanders has used similar rhetoric, with Biden and Buttigieg sounding like Warren did originally, casting Soleimani as a bad guy who deserved his fate, but saying the move could backfire.
Still, some Democrats offered kudos to Warren and Sanders, saying that preventing another needless war transcends politics.
“I want to see these contenders do everything possible to stop us from getting into a war of choice with Iran,” said Democrat Dan Helmer, a Virginia state legislator and military veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Critics point to Obama putting nuclear deal ahead of Hezbollah investigations as part of Iran situat

Critics point to Obama putting nuclear deal ahead of Hezbollah investigations as part of Iran situation

The Obama administration decided to prioritize Iran nuclear deal negotiations ahead of anti-Hezbollah narcoterrorism operations , a decision former anti-terrorism insiders say reverberates today .
Two Obama administration national security leaders who were deeply involved in leading the U.S. 's multi-agency anti-Hezbollah operation dubbed “ Project Cassandra ” told the Washington Examiner of their continued frustration the Obama administration blocked some of their attempts to target Hezbollah ’ s leadership and financing , as they say President Barack Obama focused on pursuing 2015 ’ s Iran deal over indicting members of the powerful Iranian terror proxy .
Their comments followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani , the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ specialized Quds Force , who was key to funding and guiding Hezbollah ’ s terrorist operations , including as a proxy for Iran in its conflicts around the world .
David Asher , former senior adviser to U.S. Special Operations Command , and Derek Maltz , former director of the Drug Enforcement Administration ’ s special operations division , supported the president 's decision to take out Iran 's terror chief , though the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s illicit global networks .
The two described their yearslong effort uncovering a Hezbollah network funneling South American drug cartel money into terror coffers and cocaine into the U.S. and detailed Iranian operations funding the killing of hundreds of U.S. soldiers in Iraq .
Asher said the Obama administration shot down his team ’ s efforts to go after many of Hezbollah ’ s operations directly because it worried about rocking the boat with Iran .
“ Yes , it was impacted .
I knew it was impacted because I had many friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they were critical — including in meetings that we had — of our effort , ” Asher said .
Asher said then-Attorney General Eric Holder claimed to be supportive and “ told us he was going to bring the proposal to the president personally , but we never heard anything back because he apparently got shut down by the national security adviser and others.
” “ They had their reasons for doing this , but I don ’ t consider them good reasons , ” Asher said .
“ They got scared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re indicting the Iranians and Hezbollah and taking out their financial linkages to the world , how will they negotiate ?
” Asher said picking between negotiating with Iran and going after its terror proxies was a false choice .
“ You can do both , ” Asher said , adding he was “ impressed ” President Trump seemed to recognize this .
“ Obviously the Iran deal was more important to the Obama administration than anything law enforcement was doing , ” Maltz said .
“ It certainly doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal for our national security.
” John Fernandez , the DEA 's assistant special agent in charge of the Special Operations Division 's Counter-Narcoterrorism Operations Center , told the Washington Examiner anti-Hezbollah investigations did n't stop during the Obama administration , but the Trump administration takes the problem much more seriously .
“ A lot of our good investigations were being conducted during the previous administration because we were following criminal evidence , ” said Fernandez .
“ However , yeah , think it ’ s safe to say that under the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat that President Trump has prioritized it as.
” Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions created DOJ ’ s new Hezbollah Financing and Narcoterrorism Team in 2018 in the wake of the Project Cassandra controversy .
Many Obama-era officials defended Obama ’ s actions , and Obama foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes dismissed the claims as “ non-fact-based anti-Iran deal propaganda.
” Asher and Maltz remain dissatisfied with the Obama administration for not pursuing Iranian-linked terror leaders more effectively .
“ Bringing charges against these leaders of Hezbollah , like Hashim Safi al Din , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout Hezbollah because it was the convergence of the drug cartels and Hezbollah .
He was right in the middle , ” Maltz said .
“ Why wouldn ’ t DOJ bring charges against a lynchpin of Hezbollah ’ s criminal activities ?
” “ We had the largest money-laundering scheme in the history of the world running right through New York , ” Asher said .
“ We penetrated the network at the highest levels , had great high-level sources , were ready to impose the RICO statute on them , proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they turned us down.
” DOJ did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner 's questions about Project Cassandra and its anti-Hezbollah operations .
The two also tied Soleimani firmly to Hezbollah 's drug networks .
Asher said Hezbollah ’ s activities were “ all tied to the Quds Force ” and “ you can ’ t effectively delineate Hezbollah ’ s terrorism from the Iranians — it ’ s all being controlled by the Iranians and the man who controlled it was Qassem Soleimani.
” “ Soleimani was in charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the Quds Force that was expanding their global footprint and operations to move cocaine and money , ” Maltz said .
“ They had operatives engaging to build up Hezbollah ’ s ability to generate cash … They rely on drug trafficking and counterfeiting and other criminal activities to generate hundreds of millions of dollars to support their terrorist agenda.
” “ I also don ’ t know why they wouldn ’ t support killing Qassam Soleimani before he killed another several hundred Americans , ” Asher said .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the good sense to take action because it was a long time coming for a man who had the blood of thousands of lives on his hands.
” After the U.S. killed Soleimiani , Iranian media released photos of him meeting in Lebanon with Hezbollah ’ s longtime leader , Hassan Nasrallah , days before Soleimani returned to Iraq and was blown up in a U.S. airstrike alongside pro-Iranian militia leader Abu Mahd al Muhandis .
“ There is no one on par with Qassem Soleimani or Abu Mahd al Muhandis whom we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American army killed them and it will pay the price , ” Nasrallah threatened after his patron was killed .
“ When the coffins of American soldiers and officers start to return to the United States , Trump and his administration will realize they have lost .
”

The Obama administration decided to prioritize Iran nuclear deal negotiations ahead of anti-Hezbollah narcoterrorism operations, a decision former anti-terrorism insiders say reverberates today.
Two Obama administration national security leaders who were deeply involved in leading the U.S.'s multi-agency anti-Hezbollah operation dubbed “Project Cassandra” told the Washington Examiner of their continued frustration the Obama administration blocked some of their attempts to target Hezbollah’s leadership and financing, as they say President Barack Obama focused on pursuing 2015’s Iran deal over indicting members of the powerful Iranian terror proxy.
Their comments followed Iranian strikes against U.S. positions in Iraq after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ specialized Quds Force, who was key to funding and guiding Hezbollah’s terrorist operations, including as a proxy for Iran in its conflicts around the world.
David Asher, former senior adviser to U.S. Special Operations Command, and Derek Maltz, former director of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s special operations division, supported the president's decision to take out Iran's terror chief, though the Trump administration can do more to disrupt Hezbollah’s illicit global networks. The two described their yearslong effort uncovering a Hezbollah network funneling South American drug cartel money into terror coffers and cocaine into the U.S. and detailed Iranian operations funding the killing of hundreds of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
Asher said the Obama administration shot down his team’s efforts to go after many of Hezbollah’s operations directly because it worried about rocking the boat with Iran.
“Yes, it was impacted. I knew it was impacted because I had many friends who were working on Iran diplomacy, and they were critical — including in meetings that we had — of our effort,” Asher said.
Asher said then-Attorney General Eric Holder claimed to be supportive and “told us he was going to bring the proposal to the president personally, but we never heard anything back because he apparently got shut down by the national security adviser and others.”
“They had their reasons for doing this, but I don’t consider them good reasons,” Asher said. “They got scared of what this would do. If we’re indicting the Iranians and Hezbollah and taking out their financial linkages to the world, how will they negotiate?”
Asher said picking between negotiating with Iran and going after its terror proxies was a false choice.
“You can do both,” Asher said, adding he was “impressed” President Trump seemed to recognize this.
Maltz agreed.
“Obviously the Iran deal was more important to the Obama administration than anything law enforcement was doing,” Maltz said. “It certainly doesn’t seem like it was a great deal for our national security.”
John Fernandez, the DEA's assistant special agent in charge of the Special Operations Division's Counter-Narcoterrorism Operations Center, told the Washington Examiner anti-Hezbollah investigations didn't stop during the Obama administration, but the Trump administration takes the problem much more seriously.
“A lot of our good investigations were being conducted during the previous administration because we were following criminal evidence,” said Fernandez. “However, yeah, think it’s safe to say that under the previous administration it was not prioritized as the threat that President Trump has prioritized it as.”
Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions created DOJ’s new Hezbollah Financing and Narcoterrorism Team in 2018 in the wake of the Project Cassandra controversy. Many Obama-era officials defended Obama’s actions, and Obama foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes dismissed the claims as “non-fact-based anti-Iran deal propaganda.”
Asher and Maltz remain dissatisfied with the Obama administration for not pursuing Iranian-linked terror leaders more effectively.
“Bringing charges against these leaders of Hezbollah, like Hashim Safi al Din, would’ve had a toxic impact throughout Hezbollah because it was the convergence of the drug cartels and Hezbollah. He was right in the middle,” Maltz said. “Why wouldn’t DOJ bring charges against a lynchpin of Hezbollah’s criminal activities?”
“We had the largest money-laundering scheme in the history of the world running right through New York,” Asher said. “We penetrated the network at the highest levels, had great high-level sources, were ready to impose the RICO statute on them, proposed that to the Department of Justice repeatedly, and they turned us down.”
DOJ did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's questions about Project Cassandra and its anti-Hezbollah operations.
The two also tied Soleimani firmly to Hezbollah's drug networks.
Asher said Hezbollah’s activities were “all tied to the Quds Force” and “you can’t effectively delineate Hezbollah’s terrorism from the Iranians — it’s all being controlled by the Iranians and the man who controlled it was Qassem Soleimani.”
“Soleimani was in charge of the Quds Force, and it was the Quds Force that was expanding their global footprint and operations to move cocaine and money,” Maltz said. “They had operatives engaging to build up Hezbollah’s ability to generate cash … They rely on drug trafficking and counterfeiting and other criminal activities to generate hundreds of millions of dollars to support their terrorist agenda.”
“I also don’t know why they wouldn’t support killing Qassam Soleimani before he killed another several hundred Americans,” Asher said. “I’m very pleased President Trump finally had the good sense to take action because it was a long time coming for a man who had the blood of thousands of lives on his hands.”
After the U.S. killed Soleimiani, Iranian media released photos of him meeting in Lebanon with Hezbollah’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, days before Soleimani returned to Iraq and was blown up in a U.S. airstrike alongside pro-Iranian militia leader Abu Mahd al Muhandis.
“There is no one on par with Qassem Soleimani or Abu Mahd al Muhandis whom we can execute and avenge their blood… The American army killed them and it will pay the price,” Nasrallah threatened after his patron was killed. “When the coffins of American soldiers and officers start to return to the United States, Trump and his administration will realize they have lost.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Ted Cruz leads GOP Senate push for resolution praising Soleimani killing

One of the Senate ’ s leading Iran critics introduced a resolution on Thursday praising the Trump administration 's successful airstrike last week against Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Sen. Ted Cruz and 42 Republican co-sponsors urged the Senate to express its support for killing the leader of Iran 's Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Quds Force .
The text of the resolution praises the U.S. military and intelligence community for their role in taking out the Iranian military leader and “ commends the President for ordering the successful operations to locate and eliminate ” him .
The proposal also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a measure of justice and relief for the families and friends of the hundreds of American men and women who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan ” as a result of Iranian-backed terrorism .
“ At a time when partisanship and political differences threaten to divide us , President Trump and his administration should be commended for bringing an end to Qassem Soleimani , a terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people across the Middle East , including at least 603 American service members , ” said Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission to defend America ’ s national security interests and eliminate a terrorist mastermind.
” The move by the Texas Republican and his colleagues comes days following an Iranian retaliatory strike against U.S. positions in Iraq , during which the Iranians also shot down an airliner taking off from an airport in Tehran , killing the nearly two hundred passengers on board .
Democrats and a small number of Republicans have cast doubts on the wisdom of Trump ’ s decision to take out Iran ’ s key influence agent in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violent storming of the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad , which in turn followed the Iraqi government ’ s condemnation of U.S. airstrikes targeting Kataib Hezbollah , an Iranian-backed militia .
The group is part of the broader pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella guided by Soleimani and run by his adviser Abu Mahdi al Muhandis , who was also killed by the United States .
The U.S. blamed Kataib Hezbollah for attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq , including one resulting in the death of a U.S. contractor .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the Obama administration ’ s military withdrawal from the country and the subsequent invasion by the Islamic State , with Iran backing Shiite militias influenced and often directed by Soleimani to fill the power void .
Iran received an influx of billions in cash as a result of the Iran nuclear deal , which the U.S. has since left .
Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last spring that the State Department was designating the Revolutionary Guard a `` foreign terrorist organization . ''
Though the State Department has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s leading state sponsor of terrorism , it had not before classified an element of a foreign government as a terrorist group .
Last year , the State Department revealed that Iran is responsible for the deaths of more than 600 American service members during the war in Iraq , with many of the deaths coming through Iranian-funded explosively formed penetrators and roadside bombs .

One of the Senate’s leading Iran critics introduced a resolution on Thursday praising the Trump administration's successful airstrike last week against Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Sen. Ted Cruz and 42 Republican co-sponsors urged the Senate to express its support for killing the leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Quds Force. The text of the resolution praises the U.S. military and intelligence community for their role in taking out the Iranian military leader and “commends the President for ordering the successful operations to locate and eliminate” him.
The proposal also says Soleimani’s death “represents a measure of justice and relief for the families and friends of the hundreds of American men and women who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan” as a result of Iranian-backed terrorism.
“At a time when partisanship and political differences threaten to divide us, President Trump and his administration should be commended for bringing an end to Qassem Soleimani, a terrorist responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people across the Middle East, including at least 603 American service members,” said Cruz, calling the strike a "successful mission to defend America’s national security interests and eliminate a terrorist mastermind.”
The move by the Texas Republican and his colleagues comes days following an Iranian retaliatory strike against U.S. positions in Iraq, during which the Iranians also shot down an airliner taking off from an airport in Tehran, killing the nearly two hundred passengers on board. Democrats and a small number of Republicans have cast doubts on the wisdom of Trump’s decision to take out Iran’s key influence agent in the region.
Trump chose to target Soleimani after the violent storming of the grounds of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn followed the Iraqi government’s condemnation of U.S. airstrikes targeting Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia. The group is part of the broader pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella guided by Soleimani and run by his adviser Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, who was also killed by the United States. The U.S. blamed Kataib Hezbollah for attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, including one resulting in the death of a U.S. contractor.
Iran increased its influence and footing in Iraq following the Obama administration’s military withdrawal from the country and the subsequent invasion by the Islamic State, with Iran backing Shiite militias influenced and often directed by Soleimani to fill the power void. Iran received an influx of billions in cash as a result of the Iran nuclear deal, which the U.S. has since left.
Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last spring that the State Department was designating the Revolutionary Guard a "foreign terrorist organization." Though the State Department has long labeled the Iranian regime the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, it had not before classified an element of a foreign government as a terrorist group. Last year, the State Department revealed that Iran is responsible for the deaths of more than 600 American service members during the war in Iraq, with many of the deaths coming through Iranian-funded explosively formed penetrators and roadside bombs.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Joe Biden introduced black singer as ‘Michael Jackson’ at Democratic dinner

During a 1980s fundraising dinner , Joe Biden singled out a black vocalist and introduced him to a crowd of Democrats and lobbyists as “ Michael Jackson '' and then `` Prince , '' two of the most famous black singers at the time .
The quip came during the $ 1,000-a-plate 1985 Democratic Congressional Dinner held at the Washington Hilton in Washington , D.C. , nearly 35 years ago .
The event , attended overwhelmingly by white diners , was held to raise money for Democratic campaigns in the Senate and the House .
Biden , now running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in black tie and standing on stage beside the Gene Donati Orchestra , which was performing at the gala .
Then a U.S. senator for Delaware , he introduced the white pianist and then turned to the singer .
“ Now , the next man I would like you to meet , ” Biden said .
“ Now , y ’ all got to sit down for this .
We ’ re going to have some important people coming out in a minute .
But there is one more band member that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gentlemen , our vocalist tonight , Michael Jackson .
Michael , would you please stand ?
” Biden said , pointing his hand toward the singer , who smiled and took a bow .
Biden added : “ Soon to become Prince , as was just pointed out to me . ''
In fact , the singer was a D.C.-based performer named Jerome Powell .
Looking back at Biden 's joke this week , Powell , now 75 , told the Washington Examiner it was `` just a big mistake '' because Powell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinatra , Nat King Cole , and Tony Bennett and was nothing like Jackson .
`` People know the difference .
I mean , Michael Jackson and I were in two entirely different categories . ''
More than 30 senators and 100 congressmen were there , along with what the Washington Post described at the time as `` a swarm of lobbyists '' among the 1,900 attendees .
Biden , now 77 , was appearing alongside now-House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , now 80 , of Maryland .
Hoyer clapped and laughed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jackson was at the height of his fame , having just recorded We Are the World , co-written with Lionel Richie .
Prince had also just shot to fame , having released his Purple Rain album in 1984 .
Powell said that while Biden 's comment was `` a mistake on his side '' because he shared no musical similarities with Jackson , he was not offended and did not feel Biden was racially insensitive .
“ I ’ m a very sensitive person , so my sensitivity would have kicked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It didn ’ t .
I would have commented or responded to it . ''
During his career , Powell performed at seven inaugural balls and at the White House .
A friend of Al Gore , now 71 , he played at the future vice president 's wedding to Tipper Gore in 1970 .
He met Gore at the Fairfax Hotel on Embassy Row in D.C. , owned by the Gore family , in the 1960s .
“ We go way back , ” Powell said .
“ I used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an elevator operator — part time , after school .
And , of course , he was staying there with his parents , so that ’ s how we met.
” He described himself as a Democrat and said he is uncommitted in the 2020 primaries , with some reservations about Biden .
`` I don ’ t know which way this is going and how well he will stand up .
But , as far as I ’ m concerned , his being knowledgeable of the political field , as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , of course , he ’ s got the right people around him — I ’ m pretty sure of that — I guess I would support him.
” Last year , Ralph Northam , Democratic governor of Virginia , apologized for wearing blackface to dress up as Jackson at a dance contest in 1984 .
`` I did participate in a dance contest in San Antonio in which I darkened my face as part of a Michael Jackson costume , '' he said .
`` I look back now and regret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy of an action like that . ''
Biden has struggled with racial issues during his current presidential campaign , his third .
In June , he touted his work in the Senate with segregationists James Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia .
“ Well , guess what ?
At least there was some civility .
We got things done .
We didn ’ t agree on much of anything .
We got things done , ” Biden said of his relationship with the two , forcing him to issue an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he told supporters in Iowa that `` poor kids '' were just as clever and able as `` white kids.
” Biden has led the Democratic field nationally throughout the 2020 Democratic primaries , though he has been overtaken in a number of polls in early voting states Iowa and New Hampshire .
A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has him at 29.3 % support .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner .

During a 1980s fundraising dinner, Joe Biden singled out a black vocalist and introduced him to a crowd of Democrats and lobbyists as “Michael Jackson" and then "Prince," two of the most famous black singers at the time.
The quip came during the $1,000-a-plate 1985 Democratic Congressional Dinner held at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., nearly 35 years ago. The event, attended overwhelmingly by white diners, was held to raise money for Democratic campaigns in the Senate and the House.
Biden, now running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, was in black tie and standing on stage beside the Gene Donati Orchestra, which was performing at the gala. Then a U.S. senator for Delaware, he introduced the white pianist and then turned to the singer.
“Now, the next man I would like you to meet,” Biden said. “Now, y’all got to sit down for this. We’re going to have some important people coming out in a minute. But there is one more band member that I want you to meet: Ladies and gentlemen, our vocalist tonight, Michael Jackson. Michael, would you please stand?” Biden said, pointing his hand toward the singer, who smiled and took a bow. Biden added: “Soon to become Prince, as was just pointed out to me."
In fact, the singer was a D.C.-based performer named Jerome Powell. Looking back at Biden's joke this week, Powell, now 75, told the Washington Examiner it was "just a big mistake" because Powell was influenced by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Tony Bennett and was nothing like Jackson. "People know the difference. I mean, Michael Jackson and I were in two entirely different categories."
More than 30 senators and 100 congressmen were there, along with what the Washington Post described at the time as "a swarm of lobbyists" among the 1,900 attendees. Biden, now 77, was appearing alongside now-House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, now 80, of Maryland. Hoyer clapped and laughed at Biden's joke. At the time, Jackson was at the height of his fame, having just recorded We Are the World, co-written with Lionel Richie. Prince had also just shot to fame, having released his Purple Rain album in 1984.
Powell said that while Biden's comment was "a mistake on his side" because he shared no musical similarities with Jackson, he was not offended and did not feel Biden was racially insensitive. “I’m a very sensitive person, so my sensitivity would have kicked in when a statement like that was made. It didn’t. I would have commented or responded to it."
During his career, Powell performed at seven inaugural balls and at the White House. A friend of Al Gore, now 71, he played at the future vice president's wedding to Tipper Gore in 1970. He met Gore at the Fairfax Hotel on Embassy Row in D.C., owned by the Gore family, in the 1960s. “We go way back,” Powell said. “I used to work as a doorman, a bellhop, an elevator operator — part time, after school. And, of course, he was staying there with his parents, so that’s how we met.”
He described himself as a Democrat and said he is uncommitted in the 2020 primaries, with some reservations about Biden. "I don’t know which way this is going and how well he will stand up. But, as far as I’m concerned, his being knowledgeable of the political field, as long as his health can hold up, and, of course, he’s got the right people around him — I’m pretty sure of that — I guess I would support him.”
Last year, Ralph Northam, Democratic governor of Virginia, apologized for wearing blackface to dress up as Jackson at a dance contest in 1984. "I did participate in a dance contest in San Antonio in which I darkened my face as part of a Michael Jackson costume," he said. "I look back now and regret that I did not understand the harmful legacy of an action like that."
Biden has struggled with racial issues during his current presidential campaign, his third. In June, he touted his work in the Senate with segregationists James Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia.
“Well, guess what? At least there was some civility. We got things done. We didn’t agree on much of anything. We got things done,” Biden said of his relationship with the two, forcing him to issue an apology weeks later. On another occasion, he told supporters in Iowa that "poor kids" were just as clever and able as "white kids.”
Biden has led the Democratic field nationally throughout the 2020 Democratic primaries, though he has been overtaken in a number of polls in early voting states Iowa and New Hampshire. A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has him at 29.3% support.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Trump monument in Slovenia burned to ground

A wooden statue ridiculing President Trump in first lady Melania Trump ’ s home country of Slovenia was burned down in an apparent act of arson .
The 26-foot-tall monument was erected last summer in the northeast portion of the country and featured Trump with his right arm raised in the air , fist clenched .
The suspected arson occurred on Thursday , according to the Associated Press .
The statue was designed with an internal mechanism that triggered the statue to open its mouth , revealing sharp teeth .
“ Like all populists , the statue has two faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said at the time of its unveiling .
“ One is humane and nice , the other is that of a vampire.
” Milan Balazic , the mayor of the village where the monument stood , said the burning of the statue `` is a symbol of intolerance toward artistic projects in our society . ''
Another statue of a first family member made waves in Slovenia when a Melania Trump likeness was unveiled in her hometown of Sevnica .
It features Melania Trump standing atop a large tree stump , waving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband ’ s inauguration .
The sculpture is very angular , with little attention given to her facial features .

A wooden statue ridiculing President Trump in first lady Melania Trump’s home country of Slovenia was burned down in an apparent act of arson.
The 26-foot-tall monument was erected last summer in the northeast portion of the country and featured Trump with his right arm raised in the air, fist clenched. The suspected arson occurred on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
The statue was designed with an internal mechanism that triggered the statue to open its mouth, revealing sharp teeth.
In this file photo dated Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, a wooden statue resembling Donald Trump near Kamnik, Slovenia. The wooden statue nearly eight-meter high (26 feet) of U.S. President Donald Trump that was constructed in 2019, has been destroyed by fire Thursday Jan. 9, 2020, in the homeland of his wife Melania Trump. (Darko Bandic/AP)
“Like all populists, the statue has two faces,” its creator, Tomaz Schlegl, said at the time of its unveiling. “One is humane and nice, the other is that of a vampire.”
Milan Balazic, the mayor of the village where the monument stood, said the burning of the statue "is a symbol of intolerance toward artistic projects in our society."
Another statue of a first family member made waves in Slovenia when a Melania Trump likeness was unveiled in her hometown of Sevnica. It features Melania Trump standing atop a large tree stump, waving and wearing the blue dress from her husband’s inauguration. The sculpture is very angular, with little attention given to her facial features.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Cardi B embraces Nigeria, a human rights wasteland, because Trump

Cardi B just one-upped the rest of the celebrities who ’ ve because of President Trump .
If Trump is so bad , why stay in North America at all ?
So , the says she ’ s applying for Nigerian citizenship .
One day after a U.S. missile killed Iranian terrorist Qassem Soleimani , as World War III memes immediately began circulating through social media , Cardi B announced that the killing was Trump ’ s “ dumbest move ” yet .
“ I ’ m filing for my Nigerian citizenship , ” she concluded .
Abike Dabiri-Erewa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , quickly welcomed her : “ Our doors are open , sister.
” Even now that Iran has , killing no one , and the situation appears to have completely , Cardi B doesn ’ t appear to have changed her mind .
Earlier this week , she was out photos of herself in Nigerian garb .
The thought of living in New York during a nuclear conflict may have spooked the rapper , but her fears are unfounded ( unless you spend too much time on social media ) .
Moving to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be much , much worse than living in the United States .
Nigeria is not exactly a vacation destination .
And it ’ s an awful place for women and children .
Women there are expected to stay at home , and it 's difficult for them to own land .
Domestic violence is viewed as an occasional necessity .
More than one-third of girls are forced into marriage , some at ages as young as 9-years-old .
Remember # BringBackOurGirls , the 2014 campaign to get hundreds of schoolgirls out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nigeria .
So Nigeria , that freedom-loving haven where child marriage is common , women are not supposed to have careers , and domestic violence is acceptable , is actually not a promising alternative .
Surprise : `` Trump 's America '' may bear the brunt of celebrity scorn , but it 's still better than much of the rest of the world .

Cardi B just one-upped the rest of the celebrities who’ve threatened to move to Canada because of President Trump. If Trump is so bad, why stay in North America at all?
So, the Bernie-loving rapper who hates taxes says she’s applying for Nigerian citizenship.
One day after a U.S. missile killed Iranian terrorist Qassem Soleimani, as World War III memes immediately began circulating through social media, Cardi B announced that the killing was Trump’s “dumbest move” yet. “I’m filing for my Nigerian citizenship,” she concluded.
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
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairwoman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, quickly welcomed her: “Our doors are open, sister.”
@iamcardib . As one in charge of the Diaspora for Ngr, We can’t wait to receive you again. Our doors are open, sister. And you need to talk a walk through the Door of Return in Badagry . It’s an indescribable experience . https://t.co/BjE2un0XfZ — Abike Dabiri-Erewa (@abikedabiri) January 3, 2020
Even now that Iran has shot back its own missiles , killing no one, and the situation appears to have completely deescalated , Cardi B doesn’t appear to have changed her mind. Earlier this week, she was tweeting out photos of herself in Nigerian garb.
The thought of living in New York during a nuclear conflict may have spooked the rapper, but her fears are unfounded (unless you spend too much time on social media). Moving to Nigeria, of all places, would be much, much worse than living in the United States.
Nigeria is not exactly a vacation destination. And it’s an awful place for women and children. Women there are expected to stay at home, and it's difficult for them to own land. Domestic violence is viewed as an occasional necessity. More than one-third of girls are forced into marriage, some at ages as young as 9-years-old. Remember #BringBackOurGirls, the 2014 campaign to get hundreds of schoolgirls out of the captivity of terrorists? That was in Nigeria.
So Nigeria, that freedom-loving haven where child marriage is common, women are not supposed to have careers, and domestic violence is acceptable, is actually not a promising alternative. Surprise: "Trump's America" may bear the brunt of celebrity scorn, but it's still better than much of the rest of the world.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--WATCH LIVE: President Trump hosts 'Make America Great Again' rally in Ohio

President Trump is set to appear at a `` Make America Great Again '' rally in Toledo , Ohio , @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night .
This will be his first campaign rally since the escalating tensions with @ @ @ @ @ top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .

President Trump is set to appear at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Toledo, Ohio, at 7 p.m. EST on Thursday night. This will be his first campaign rally since the escalating tensions with Iran and the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Stop negotiating with Iran as if we have any shared goals or interests

Iranians aren ’ t exactly in a position to be making demands , but there is one that we should happily oblige : Stop pretending that we share any common interests or goals .
Everyone needs to read this , as reported by the New York Times on Wednesday , the day after Iran targeted military bases harboring U.S. soldiers in Iraq : In a televised address from the holy city of Qom , Ayatollah Khamenei said incremental military actions against the United States alone were “ not sufficient.
” “ What matters is that the presence of America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this region , should come to an end , ” he said to a hall filled with imams and others .
“ Death to America !
, ” the crowd chanted .
“ Death to Israel !
” Ayatollah Khamenei said that “ sitting at the negotiating table ” with American envoys would open the door to greater American intervention in the region and that such negotiations therefore must “ come to an end.
” No part of that sounds like a country that wants to reach an agreement with us , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet President Trump said in his remarks at the White House on Wednesday that he wanted our Western allies to work together in an effort to reach some “ deal ” with Iran .
A stern editorial by the Washington Post later that day said that while military hostilities between the U.S. and Iran appeared to have stalled , the administration should “ begin serious negotiations with the Islamic republic.
” Serious negotiations for what ?
We don ’ t share any interests or goals .
This would be like asking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work it out.
” The zebra wants to be left alone with its other zebra friends .
The lion wants to eat the zebra .
There ’ s no bridging that gap .
Here ’ s what the U.S. has wanted for Iran and every other broken country in the Middle East for the last 40 years : democracy , human rights , a robust economy , the rejection of terrorism , and a disinterest in the proliferation of nuclear weapons .
Here ’ s what Iran and every other broken country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : theocracy , servitude of the masses , the rejection of Western civilization , and perpetual war with Israel .
As with the lion and the zebra , there ’ s no bridging that gap either .
Iran doesn ’ t want to negotiate with the U.S. , so let ’ s stop trying to force it .

Iranians aren’t exactly in a position to be making demands, but there is one that we should happily oblige: Stop pretending that we share any common interests or goals.
Everyone needs to read this, as reported by the New York Times on Wednesday, the day after Iran targeted military bases harboring U.S. soldiers in Iraq:
In a televised address from the holy city of Qom, Ayatollah Khamenei said incremental military actions against the United States alone were “not sufficient.”
“What matters is that the presence of America, which is a source of corruption in this region, should come to an end,” he said to a hall filled with imams and others.
“Death to America!,” the crowd chanted. “Death to Israel!”
Ayatollah Khamenei said that “sitting at the negotiating table” with American envoys would open the door to greater American intervention in the region and that such negotiations therefore must “come to an end.”
No part of that sounds like a country that wants to reach an agreement with us, let alone like we have anything in common.
Yet President Trump said in his remarks at the White House on Wednesday that he wanted our Western allies to work together in an effort to reach some “deal” with Iran.
A stern editorial by the Washington Post later that day said that while military hostilities between the U.S. and Iran appeared to have stalled, the administration should “begin serious negotiations with the Islamic republic.”
Serious negotiations for what? We don’t share any interests or goals. This would be like asking a lion and a zebra to simply “work it out.” The zebra wants to be left alone with its other zebra friends. The lion wants to eat the zebra. There’s no bridging that gap.
Here’s what the U.S. has wanted for Iran and every other broken country in the Middle East for the last 40 years: democracy, human rights, a robust economy, the rejection of terrorism, and a disinterest in the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Here’s what Iran and every other broken country in the Middle East have continued to want: theocracy, servitude of the masses, the rejection of Western civilization, and perpetual war with Israel.
As with the lion and the zebra, there’s no bridging that gap either.
Iran doesn’t want to negotiate with the U.S., so let’s stop trying to force it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Celebrities offer $200K to charity if Stephanie Grisham holds hourlong White House press briefing

Two popular authors , Stephen King and Don Winslow , offered to cut a $ 200,000 check to charity if White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham holds an hourlong briefing .
Grisham , 43 , has yet to hold a White House press briefing of former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in June .
In an attempt to corner Grisham , King and Winslow offered to pay $ 200,000 to St. Jude ’ s Children ’ s Hospital in exchange for an hourlong briefing from the White House .
“ We will donate $ 175,000 to [ St. Jude ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of kids if you will take questions from the full White House press corps for 1 HOUR in the WH briefing room , ” Winslow said in a tweet .
King upped the ante , tweeting , “ I ’ ll also make it $ 100,000 .
That ’ s 200 K for charity .
And all you have to do is YOUR DAMN JOB !
” [ Related : Trump kills the White House press briefing , 50 years after it was born ] In response to the offer , Grisham told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200,000 to play with , why not just help children because it ’ s a good thing to do ?
Donations to charity should never come with strings attached . ''
Winslow was outraged by Grisham ’ s response .
He tweeted , “ First , we both regularly donate to charity .
Second , why do all Trump officials refuse to answer the most basic questions they are asked ?
Stop evading , Stephanie .
Let 's try again : Why have you not held any White House press briefings for over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ?
” The charity-donation ploy has been used by Grisham ’ s boss in the past .
In 2012 , Trump offered to donate $ 5 million to charity if President Barack Obama would release his to prove he was born in the United States .
Obama quashed the birther conspiracy theory by releasing the birth certificate later that year .
Winslow , 66 , is a crime novelist who has published several best-sellers , including The Border and The Cartel .
King drew fame for his horror novels , including It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several harsh remarks against Republicans , including when a train carrying much of the Republican congressional delegation crashed into a truck .

Two popular authors, Stephen King and Don Winslow, offered to cut a $200,000 check to charity if White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham holds an hourlong briefing.
Grisham, 43, has yet to hold a White House press briefing since taking the place of former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in June. In an attempt to corner Grisham, King and Winslow offered to pay $200,000 to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in exchange for an hourlong briefing from the White House.
“We will donate $175,000 to [St. Jude] in your name & help a lot of kids if you will take questions from the full White House press corps for 1 HOUR in the WH briefing room,” Winslow said in a tweet.
King upped the ante, tweeting, “I’ll also make it $100,000. That’s 200 K for charity. And all you have to do is YOUR DAMN JOB!”
[Related: Trump kills the White House press briefing, 50 years after it was born]
I’ll also make it $100,000. That’s 200 K for charity. And all you have to do is YOUR DAMN JOB! https://t.co/AiiiJMly1w — Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 9, 2020
In response to the offer, Grisham told CNN, "If you have $200,000 to play with, why not just help children because it’s a good thing to do? Donations to charity should never come with strings attached."
Winslow was outraged by Grisham’s response. He tweeted, “First, we both regularly donate to charity. Second, why do all Trump officials refuse to answer the most basic questions they are asked? Stop evading, Stephanie. Let's try again: Why have you not held any White House press briefings for over 300 days? What are you afraid of?”
First, we both regularly donate to charity. Second, why do all Trump officials refuse to answer the most basic questions they are asked? Stop evading, Stephanie. Let's try again: Why have you not held any White House press briefings for over 300 days? What are you afraid of? — Don Winslow (@donwinslow) January 9, 2020
The charity-donation ploy has been used by Grisham’s boss in the past. In 2012, Trump offered to donate $5 million to charity if President Barack Obama would release his birth certificate to prove he was born in the United States. Obama quashed the birther conspiracy theory by releasing the birth certificate later that year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Trump asks union boss: 'Would you like the Hunter Biden job?'

President Trump asked a union boss if he would leave his job for one similar to the gig Hunter Biden held on the board of a Ukrainian oil and gas company Thursday during a press conference at the White House .
`` Would you like the Hunter Biden job ? ''
Trump , turning from the podium , asked .
One union representative smiled and shook his head `` no . ''
`` I know so , but I 'm not going to tell him that , '' Trump joked .
Republicans have pointed to corruption allegations against Hunter Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , in an attempt to undermine his candidacy .
Hunter Biden sat on the board of a corrupt oil and gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president , a position that earned him hundreds of thousands of dollars a month .
He has since said he regrets taking the job .
Trump asked the Ukrainian President to investigate these corruption allegations during a July 25 phone call and held up military aide during what Democrats allege to be a quid pro quo for a political favor .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , six days of congressional hearings about U.S.-Ukrainian relations , and led to Trump 's impeachment in the U.S. House .
Trump , dismissing the impeachment , has repeatedly called Biden `` corrupt '' and has labeled him `` Quid Pro Joe . ''

President Trump asked a union boss if he would leave his job for one similar to the gig Hunter Biden held on the board of a Ukrainian oil and gas company Thursday during a press conference at the White House.
"Would you like the Hunter Biden job?" Trump, turning from the podium, asked.
One union representative smiled and shook his head "no."
"I know so, but I'm not going to tell him that," Trump joked.
Republicans have pointed to corruption allegations against Hunter Biden, the son of 2020 presidential hopeful Joe Biden, in an attempt to undermine his candidacy.
Hunter Biden sat on the board of a corrupt oil and gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president, a position that earned him hundreds of thousands of dollars a month. He has since said he regrets taking the job.
Trump asked the Ukrainian President to investigate these corruption allegations during a July 25 phone call and held up military aide during what Democrats allege to be a quid pro quo for a political favor.
The call triggered an intelligence community whistleblower report, six days of congressional hearings about U.S.-Ukrainian relations, and led to Trump's impeachment in the U.S. House.
Trump, dismissing the impeachment, has repeatedly called Biden "corrupt" and has labeled him "Quid Pro Joe."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Senate Republicans soften on impeachment witnesses

Senate Republicans are backing off initial , ironclad opposition to witnesses in the upcoming trial to adjudicate two articles of impeachment against President Trump .
As House Democrats approved charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in mid-December , most Senate Republicans signaled they were inclined to conclude an impeachment trial without witness testimony immediately following arguments from the defense and prosecution .
But having agreed this week to broad contours for trial procedure , Republicans are declining to rule out witnesses , saying it depends on what they hear from House prosecutors and the White House defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach , ” Sen. John Hoeven , a North Dakota Republican , said Thursday .
Sen. Rick Scott said he wants to get through arguments and question-and-answer phases of the trial before deciding on witnesses .
“ I ’ m going to get through the first part of it , figure out what they present , and figure it out then , ” the Florida Republican said .
“ I think we ought to go through the normal process.
” Senate Majority Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on trial procedure .
But McConnell obtained from at least 51 of his 52 Republican colleagues commitments to support rules similar to those implemented for the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton .
Republicans are waiting for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to transmit impeachment articles to the Senate before introducing a rules resolution for floor consideration .
In the Clinton trial , whether to call specific witnesses and in what format their testimony should be provided — depositions or live on the Senate floor — was addressed in a second resolution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this issue for the Trump trial .
Some Republicans are indicating that if GOP support for witnesses materializes , it might only be for additional testimony from people who testified in the House .
That seems to be the most realistic possible outcome .
Most Republicans firmly oppose exceeding the scope of the House investigation .
Hearing testimony from new witnesses might be interpreted that way — especially by Trump and his loyal voting base .
“ When we go back to the Clinton trial , the three witnesses that were called were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the House , ” said Sen. James Lankford , an Oklahoma Republican .
“ Now , that decision ’ s not made and can ’ t be made until you actually hear all the testimony and go through the process.
” At least one Republican is open to new witnesses , a key demand of Senate Democrats .
Others might follow .
“ I ’ d like to hear from John Bolton .
We ’ ll see if there ’ s anybody else , ” Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security adviser who was in the middle of events that sparked an impeachment investigation into the president ’ s dealings with Ukraine .
Bolton this week said he would comply with a Senate subpoena .
However , the likelihood of witnesses being called in the Senate is unclear at best , and at worst , slim .
Hearing from any specific witness requires a vote of 51 senators .
And some Republicans predict that any attempts to subpoena testimony will break down over partisan disagreements related to who should appear .
For instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to hear from acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and top aides in the Office of Management and Budget , whom Trump previously blocked from testifying in the House .
Some Republicans , meanwhile , would want to call Hunter Biden , the son of former Vice President Joe Biden ; the government whistleblower who sparked the House investigation ; and others .
“ There would be a choice of witnesses on both sides , ” Sen. Mike Braun , an Indiana Republican , said .
“ Schumer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only he can get witnesses .
And of course , that wouldn ’ t be the case.
” The other factor working against witnesses is some Republicans ’ continued opposition to hearing fresh testimony and extending the process longer than necessary .
More than three-quarters of 53 Senate Republicans are poised to acquit Trump .
They have been critical of the process in the House that led to Trump ’ s impeachment while arguing that the president ’ s actions , however questionable , did not warrant the rebuke .
Pelosi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what amounted to a failed bid to pressure Senate Republicans to approve the Democrats ’ list of witnesses upfront , only hardened GOP resolve .
“ I think it ’ s a flimsy case , ” said John Barrasso of Wyoming , the No .
3 ranking Senate Republican .
“ I want to hear what [ Democrats ] have to say , then I want to hear the defense from the president , and I ’ m likely ready to vote on the final outcome at that point .
”

Senate Republicans are backing off initial, ironclad opposition to witnesses in the upcoming trial to adjudicate two articles of impeachment against President Trump.
As House Democrats approved charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in mid-December, most Senate Republicans signaled they were inclined to conclude an impeachment trial without witness testimony immediately following arguments from the defense and prosecution. But having agreed this week to broad contours for trial procedure, Republicans are declining to rule out witnesses, saying it depends on what they hear from House prosecutors and the White House defense.
“That seems like a reasonable approach,” Sen. John Hoeven, a North Dakota Republican, said Thursday.
Sen. Rick Scott said he wants to get through arguments and question-and-answer phases of the trial before deciding on witnesses. “I’m going to get through the first part of it, figure out what they present, and figure it out then,” the Florida Republican said. “I think we ought to go through the normal process.”
Senate Majority Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York failed to reach an agreement on trial procedure. But McConnell obtained from at least 51 of his 52 Republican colleagues commitments to support rules similar to those implemented for the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. Republicans are waiting for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to transmit impeachment articles to the Senate before introducing a rules resolution for floor consideration.
In the Clinton trial, whether to call specific witnesses and in what format their testimony should be provided — depositions or live on the Senate floor — was addressed in a second resolution. That is how Senate Republicans are approaching this issue for the Trump trial.
Some Republicans are indicating that if GOP support for witnesses materializes, it might only be for additional testimony from people who testified in the House. That seems to be the most realistic possible outcome. Most Republicans firmly oppose exceeding the scope of the House investigation. Hearing testimony from new witnesses might be interpreted that way — especially by Trump and his loyal voting base.
“When we go back to the Clinton trial, the three witnesses that were called were all witnesses that had been previously called by the House,” said Sen. James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican. “Now, that decision’s not made and can’t be made until you actually hear all the testimony and go through the process.”
At least one Republican is open to new witnesses, a key demand of Senate Democrats. Others might follow.
“I’d like to hear from John Bolton. We’ll see if there’s anybody else,” Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah said, referring to Trump’s former national security adviser who was in the middle of events that sparked an impeachment investigation into the president’s dealings with Ukraine. Bolton this week said he would comply with a Senate subpoena.
However, the likelihood of witnesses being called in the Senate is unclear at best, and at worst, slim. Hearing from any specific witness requires a vote of 51 senators. And some Republicans predict that any attempts to subpoena testimony will break down over partisan disagreements related to who should appear.
For instance, in addition to Bolton, Democrats want to hear from acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and top aides in the Office of Management and Budget, whom Trump previously blocked from testifying in the House. Some Republicans, meanwhile, would want to call Hunter Biden, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden; the government whistleblower who sparked the House investigation; and others.
“There would be a choice of witnesses on both sides,” Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said. “Schumer’s been able to control the dialogue that only he can get witnesses. And of course, that wouldn’t be the case.”
The other factor working against witnesses is some Republicans’ continued opposition to hearing fresh testimony and extending the process longer than necessary. More than three-quarters of 53 Senate Republicans are poised to acquit Trump. They have been critical of the process in the House that led to Trump’s impeachment while arguing that the president’s actions, however questionable, did not warrant the rebuke.
Pelosi’s decision to sit on the articles, in what amounted to a failed bid to pressure Senate Republicans to approve the Democrats’ list of witnesses upfront, only hardened GOP resolve.
“I think it’s a flimsy case,” said John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 3 ranking Senate Republican. “I want to hear what [Democrats] have to say, then I want to hear the defense from the president, and I’m likely ready to vote on the final outcome at that point.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Democrats pass measure aimed at curbing Trump military authority in Iran

House Democrats Thursday passed a resolution to curb President Trump ’ s authority to use military force against Iran .
The measure is nonbinding and will not reach the president ’ s desk , but it sent a signal that Democrats lack confidence in Trump ’ s actions against Iran , specifically , his decision to kill Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike last week .
The measure calls on Trump “ to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran , ” unless authorized by Congress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eight Democrats voted against it , while three Republicans and independent Justin Amash of Michigan , voted for the resolution .
Sen. Tim Kaine , a Virginia Democrat , is preparing a similar measure that could go to the Senate next week .
Kaine ’ s measure would require Trump to terminate military actions against Iran within 30 days unless he obtains new authority from Congress .
Democrats have been critical of the Soleimani killing , which was followed by retaliatory missile strikes against U.S. military bases in Iraq this week .
Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration officials who provided lawmakers a classified briefing Wednesday failed to convince Democrats the strike against Soleimani was justified .
“ Last week , the Trump Administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military air strike targeting high-level Iranian military officials and he did so without consulting with Congress , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , said before the vote .
Pelosi and Democrats said the Soleimani strike has endangered U.S. military personnel and diplomats and has escalated tensions in the Middle East .
Liberal Democrats have for years been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of a say over military action overseas .
Trump ’ s action and strikes conducted by President Barack Obama used authorization passed by Congress in 2001 and 2002 .
Their dislike of Trump , whom they impeached in December , has increased those calls , even though Obama also ordered strikes in the Middle East without first getting permission from Congress .
“ It ’ s time to reassert our authority , ” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal , a Washington Democrat who co-chairs the House Progressive Caucus .
Republicans said the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iran because he was defending U.S. interests .
They questioned why Democrats were seeking to limit the president after he took out Soleimani , a terrorist who is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. service members stationed in the Middle East .
“ I do not disagree that the president needs to come to Congress to authorize war with Iran , ” Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas , who is the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee , said .
“ But that is not what we are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently have troops engaged in hostility in Iran who would be subject to withdrawal under the resolution .
The premise of this resolution is flawed.
” McCaul pointed out the measure is nonbinding .
`` This is a press release , a political statement for a left-wing audience , '' he said .
Pelosi said the measure was not intended to reach the president because Democrats do not want to give him a chance to veto it .
A small group of Republicans , including Trump ally Matt Gaetz of Florida , backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. involvement in a new war in the Middle East .
“ I take a back seat to nobody when it comes to defending the president , ” said Gaetz .
“ If the members of our armed services have the courage to go and fight and die in these wars , as Congress , we ought to have the courage to vote for or against them .
”

House Democrats Thursday passed a resolution to curb President Trump’s authority to use military force against Iran.
The measure is nonbinding and will not reach the president’s desk, but it sent a signal that Democrats lack confidence in Trump’s actions against Iran, specifically, his decision to kill Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike last week.
The measure calls on Trump “to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran,” unless authorized by Congress.
It passed mostly along party lines. Eight Democrats voted against it, while three Republicans and independent Justin Amash of Michigan, voted for the resolution. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, is preparing a similar measure that could go to the Senate next week. Kaine’s measure would require Trump to terminate military actions against Iran within 30 days unless he obtains new authority from Congress.
Democrats have been critical of the Soleimani killing, which was followed by retaliatory missile strikes against U.S. military bases in Iraq this week. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top Trump administration officials who provided lawmakers a classified briefing Wednesday failed to convince Democrats the strike against Soleimani was justified.
“Last week, the Trump Administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military air strike targeting high-level Iranian military officials and he did so without consulting with Congress,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said before the vote. Pelosi and Democrats said the Soleimani strike has endangered U.S. military personnel and diplomats and has escalated tensions in the Middle East.
Liberal Democrats have for years been clamoring for a measure to give Congress more of a say over military action overseas.
Trump’s action and strikes conducted by President Barack Obama used authorization passed by Congress in 2001 and 2002. Their dislike of Trump, whom they impeached in December, has increased those calls, even though Obama also ordered strikes in the Middle East without first getting permission from Congress.
“It’s time to reassert our authority,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat who co-chairs the House Progressive Caucus.
Republicans said the president had the authority to conduct the strikes in Iran because he was defending U.S. interests. They questioned why Democrats were seeking to limit the president after he took out Soleimani, a terrorist who is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. service members stationed in the Middle East.
“I do not disagree that the president needs to come to Congress to authorize war with Iran,” Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, who is the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said. “But that is not what we are looking at here today. We do not currently have troops engaged in hostility in Iran who would be subject to withdrawal under the resolution. The premise of this resolution is flawed.”
McCaul pointed out the measure is nonbinding. "This is a press release, a political statement for a left-wing audience," he said.
Pelosi said the measure was not intended to reach the president because Democrats do not want to give him a chance to veto it.
A small group of Republicans, including Trump ally Matt Gaetz of Florida, backed the bill. Gaetz said he opposed U.S. involvement in a new war in the Middle East.
“I take a back seat to nobody when it comes to defending the president,” said Gaetz. “If the members of our armed services have the courage to go and fight and die in these wars, as Congress, we ought to have the courage to vote for or against them.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--'Not about removing Trump': Trey Gowdy argues impeachment is Democratic scheme to take Senate

Trey Gowdy said the Democrats ' impeachment strategy is an acknowledgment they believe President Trump will be reelected in 2020 .
A former Republican congressman from South Carolina , Gowdy argued the Democrats instead are angling to take control of the Senate to rein in Trump .
`` The impeachment inquiry , investigation , votes , and ultimate refusal to transmit articles are not about removing Trump from office .
Rather , it is a tacit acknowledgment he will be reelected in November of 2020 .
The plan now is to use impeachment to neuter that second term with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Fox News opinion piece published Thursday .
Gowdy , who recently confirmed he will not be a member of the legal team representing Trump during his impeachment trial after some confusion late last year , has been heavily critical of the Democrats ' impeachment effort and named the GOP senators he believes are being targeted .
`` This impeachment exercise is most assuredly about removing someone from office .
It 's just not about removing Trump from office .
It 's about removing Cory Gardner , Martha McSally , Thom Tillis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their Senate offices , '' he wrote .
After testimony by dozens of witnesses on the Ukraine matter , the Democratic-led House passed two articles of impeachment last month that charged Trump with abuse of power in dealing with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a Democrat from California , is withholding articles of impeachment because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he may not call any witnesses .
McConnell has signed onto a measure that would allow lawmakers to begin Trump ’ s impeachment trial without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin a Senate trial as soon as possible .
`` Senate Republicans should move to acquire jurisdiction and release those articles of impeachment from wherever they are currently imprisoned .
And Senate Republicans should set a day certain for the trial to begin , '' he said .

Trey Gowdy said the Democrats' impeachment strategy is an acknowledgment they believe President Trump will be reelected in 2020.
A former Republican congressman from South Carolina, Gowdy argued the Democrats instead are angling to take control of the Senate to rein in Trump.
"The impeachment inquiry, investigation, votes, and ultimate refusal to transmit articles are not about removing Trump from office. Rather, it is a tacit acknowledgment he will be reelected in November of 2020. The plan now is to use impeachment to neuter that second term with a Democrat-controlled Senate," Gowdy said in a Fox News opinion piece published Thursday.
Gowdy, who recently confirmed he will not be a member of the legal team representing Trump during his impeachment trial after some confusion late last year, has been heavily critical of the Democrats' impeachment effort and named the GOP senators he believes are being targeted.
"This impeachment exercise is most assuredly about removing someone from office. It's just not about removing Trump from office. It's about removing Cory Gardner, Martha McSally, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, and Joni Ernst from their Senate offices," he wrote.
After testimony by dozens of witnesses on the Ukraine matter, the Democratic-led House passed two articles of impeachment last month that charged Trump with abuse of power in dealing with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, is withholding articles of impeachment because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he may not call any witnesses. McConnell has signed onto a measure that would allow lawmakers to begin Trump’s impeachment trial without receiving the articles.
Gowdy encouraged Republicans to begin a Senate trial as soon as possible.
"Senate Republicans should move to acquire jurisdiction and release those articles of impeachment from wherever they are currently imprisoned. And Senate Republicans should set a day certain for the trial to begin," he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--McConnell signs on to bill to start Trump trial over Pelosi objections

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signed onto a measure that would allow lawmakers to begin President Trump ’ s impeachment trial without receiving the articles House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is withholding .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , is among more than one dozen Republicans who are co-sponsors of a measure authored by Sen. Josh Hawley , a Missouri Republican , authorizing the Senate to begin the trial as early as Monday , or 25 days after the House passed the impeachment articles on Dec. 19 .
The measure would require a change to the Senate rules , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 67 senators .
A top aide signaled McConnell isn ’ t going to “ go nuclear ” and allow a rules change to pass with only 51 votes , so the measure probably can not pass .
A vote has not been scheduled , but it would put Democrats on the spot .
Several of them have called on Pelosi to send over the articles or have indicated they are ready to start the trial , which was supposed to begin this week .
The California Democrat is holding onto the articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the details of a resolution that will govern the terms of a Senate trial .
Democrats want key Trump administration officials to testify and held off on sending the articles in an effort to pressure McConnell to agree to a witness list before the trial begins .
He chided House Democrats Thursday for failing to send over the articles , noting the impatience among their Democratic colleagues in the Senate .
`` The speaker of the House has managed to do the impossible , '' McConnell said .
`` She has created this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate in opposition to her own reckless behavior . ''
Democrats say Republicans are trying to avoid testimony that could incriminate the president by refusing to agree to a witness list ahead of the trial .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signed onto a measure that would allow lawmakers to begin President Trump’s impeachment trial without receiving the articles House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is withholding.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, is among more than one dozen Republicans who are co-sponsors of a measure authored by Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, authorizing the Senate to begin the trial as early as Monday, or 25 days after the House passed the impeachment articles on Dec. 19.
The measure would require a change to the Senate rules, which is normally authorized with an affirmative vote from 67 senators. A top aide signaled McConnell isn’t going to “go nuclear” and allow a rules change to pass with only 51 votes, so the measure probably cannot pass.
A vote has not been scheduled, but it would put Democrats on the spot.
Several of them have called on Pelosi to send over the articles or have indicated they are ready to start the trial, which was supposed to begin this week. The California Democrat is holding onto the articles, she said, until McConnell provides the details of a resolution that will govern the terms of a Senate trial. Democrats want key Trump administration officials to testify and held off on sending the articles in an effort to pressure McConnell to agree to a witness list before the trial begins.
McConnell has rejected their request.
He chided House Democrats Thursday for failing to send over the articles, noting the impatience among their Democratic colleagues in the Senate.
"The speaker of the House has managed to do the impossible," McConnell said. "She has created this growing bipartisan unity in the United States Senate in opposition to her own reckless behavior."
Democrats say Republicans are trying to avoid testimony that could incriminate the president by refusing to agree to a witness list ahead of the trial.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--‘We’ve had a huge morning’: Elise Stefanik thanks Washington Post for article condemning her fundrai

‘We’ve had a huge morning’: Elise Stefanik thanks Washington Post for article condemning her fundraising efforts

Rep. Elise Stefanik thanked the Washington Post for an article criticizing her for using an unflattering photograph of Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a fundraising advertisement .
The New York Republican earned the scorn of a report from the Washington Post after tweeting an “ altered photo ” of Pelosi while trying to draw attention to her “ Pressure Pelosi ” fundraising website .
The website states , “ Democrats have been obsessed with impeaching President Trump since the day he was elected .
Now after the sham impeachment in the House , Nancy Pelosi refuses to send the Articles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retweet of Stefanik ’ s post from Trump , the Washington Post published an article titled : “ Rep .
Stefanik tweets altered photo of Pelosi in GOP fundraising appeal.
” The report condemned Stefanik for using “ a close-up , red-tinted photo of Pelosi , with the lines in the House speaker ’ s face exaggerated due to the image ’ s unnaturally high contrast.
” Many found the report to be overblown and pointed out that the photograph that accompanied the Washington Post article was an altered image of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two tweets thanking the outlet for additional coverage of her fundraising efforts .
“ Thanks [ Washington Post ] for your article promoting & advertising my donation page urging Pelosi to stop her political games w/ beautiful black & white photography !
” Stefanik wrote , later adding , “ Thank you again to [ Washington Post ] — we ’ ve had a huge morning of online national fundraising to Pressure Pelosi landing page because of this article !
” Stefanik garnered a lot of attention during the House impeachment hearings for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some , like George Conway , for siding with Trump , as the president ’ s supporters poured money into her reelection fund .

Rep. Elise Stefanik thanked the Washington Post for an article criticizing her for using an unflattering photograph of Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a fundraising advertisement.
The New York Republican earned the scorn of a report from the Washington Post after tweeting an “altered photo” of Pelosi while trying to draw attention to her “Pressure Pelosi” fundraising website. The website states, “Democrats have been obsessed with impeaching President Trump since the day he was elected. Now after the sham impeachment in the House, Nancy Pelosi refuses to send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate!”
Dems obsessed w/ impeachment but won't send articles to the Senate. Why? It's bc they don't want a trial that will EXPOSE Schiff's illegal COORDINATION with the Whistleblower. SIGN & DONATE to #PressurePelosi to send the articles! https://t.co/g0D2tl9Px3 🚨https://t.co/w13xEv1sC9 — Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 8, 2020
Following a retweet of Stefanik’s post from Trump, the Washington Post published an article titled: “Rep. Stefanik tweets altered photo of Pelosi in GOP fundraising appeal.” The report condemned Stefanik for using “a close-up, red-tinted photo of Pelosi, with the lines in the House speaker’s face exaggerated due to the image’s unnaturally high contrast.”
Many found the report to be overblown and pointed out that the photograph that accompanied the Washington Post article was an altered image of Trump. Stefanik, 35, fired off two tweets thanking the outlet for additional coverage of her fundraising efforts.
“Thanks [Washington Post] for your article promoting & advertising my donation page urging Pelosi to stop her political games w/ beautiful black & white photography!” Stefanik wrote, later adding, “Thank you again to [Washington Post] — we’ve had a huge morning of online national fundraising to Pressure Pelosi landing page because of this article!”
[Previous coverage: ‘Despicable’: Elise Stefanik bashes Washington Post for criticism of GOP congresswoman's parenting]
Thanks @washingtonpost for your article promoting & advertising my donation page urging Pelosi to stop her political games w/ beautiful black & white photography! 🙌
💸💸💸💸 flying in!
Helping me w/ free digital advertising nationwide!#Grateful 🙏 https://t.co/w13xEv1sC9 — Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 9, 2020
😂😂😂
Thank you again to @washingtonpost - we’ve had a huge morning of online national fundraising to Pressure Pelosi landing page because of this article!
💸💸💸💸 https://t.co/dLPcQw3xWq — Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 9, 2020


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Dianne Feinstein backpedals on telling Pelosi to end delay over impeachment trial

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein walked back her previous statement urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for the trial on Thursday .
The House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on two articles , one for obstruction of Congress and one for abuse of power , last month .
The speaker has refused to pass the articles along to the Senate , where a trial will be held as she 's trying to force concessions from the GOP-majority led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Feinstein was among a handful of Democrats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Pelosi to send the articles to the Senate .
“ If we ’ re going to do it , she should send them over , ” the California Democrat said a day earlier .
“ I don ’ t see what good delay does.
” [ Related : Democratic chairman who broke with Pelosi on impeachment says he ‘ misspoke ’ ] The 86-year old senator walked back those remarks saying , `` My comments on this have been misunderstood , '' according to Politico 's Burgess Everett .
“ She ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s her decision . ''
Democratic Sens .
Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut , Chris Murphy also of Connecticut , and Joe Manchin of West Virginia all called for the Senate trial to begin soon .
Pelosi told reporters on Thursday that `` I 'm not holding on to them indefinitely , '' adding , `` I 'll send them over when I 'm ready .
It will probably be soon . ''

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein walked back her previous statement urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for the trial on Thursday.
The House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on two articles, one for obstruction of Congress and one for abuse of power, last month. The speaker has refused to pass the articles along to the Senate, where a trial will be held as she's trying to force concessions from the GOP-majority led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Feinstein was among a handful of Democrats in both the House and the Senate calling for Pelosi to send the articles to the Senate. “If we’re going to do it, she should send them over,” the California Democrat said a day earlier. “I don’t see what good delay does.”
[Related: Democratic chairman who broke with Pelosi on impeachment says he ‘misspoke’]
The 86-year old senator walked back those remarks saying, "My comments on this have been misunderstood," according to Politico's Burgess Everett. “She’s going to send them, and it’s her decision." Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Chris Murphy also of Connecticut, and Joe Manchin of West Virginia all called for the Senate trial to begin soon.
Pelosi told reporters on Thursday that "I'm not holding on to them indefinitely," adding, "I'll send them over when I'm ready. It will probably be soon."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Pelosi planning to send Senate impeachment articles 'soon'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday that she is getting ready to send the Senate the impeachment articles that she 's been withholding for three weeks .
`` I 'm not holding on to them indefinitely , '' Pelosi told reporters .
`` I 'll send them over when I 'm ready .
It will probably be soon . ''
Pelosi , a California Democrat , said she is waiting for Senate GOP leaders to reveal the details of their plans for conducting a Senate trial weighing the two House impeachment articles that accuse President Trump of abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We want to see what they are willing to do and the manner in which they 'll do it , '' Pelosi said .
She told reporters it 's just a matter of seeing those details , and then she 'll send over the articles .
`` All we want to know is what are the rules , '' Pelosi said .
`` It does n't mean we have to agree to the rules , we just want to know what they are . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution with backing of his GOP majority that would set trial rules mirroring those used during the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton .
Those rules postpone a vote on summoning witnesses until after both prosecutors and defense lawyers present their arguments .
Democrats wanted an agreement ahead of time to summon Trump administration officials to testify but are now pledging to call up votes on those witnesses throughout the trial .
Several Senate Democrats told the Washington Examiner they are ready to start a Senate trial and want Pelosi to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her effort to compel witness testimony .
`` The speaker of the House has managed to do the impossible , '' McConnell said Thursday .
`` She 's created this growing bipartisan unity here in the Senate in opposition to her own reckless behavior . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday that she is getting ready to send the Senate the impeachment articles that she's been withholding for three weeks.
"I'm not holding on to them indefinitely," Pelosi told reporters. "I'll send them over when I'm ready. It will probably be soon."
Pelosi, a California Democrat, said she is waiting for Senate GOP leaders to reveal the details of their plans for conducting a Senate trial weighing the two House impeachment articles that accuse President Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
"We want to see what they are willing to do and the manner in which they'll do it," Pelosi said.
She told reporters it's just a matter of seeing those details, and then she'll send over the articles.
"All we want to know is what are the rules," Pelosi said. "It doesn't mean we have to agree to the rules, we just want to know what they are."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said he'd pass a resolution with backing of his GOP majority that would set trial rules mirroring those used during the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. Those rules postpone a vote on summoning witnesses until after both prosecutors and defense lawyers present their arguments.
Democrats wanted an agreement ahead of time to summon Trump administration officials to testify but are now pledging to call up votes on those witnesses throughout the trial.
Several Senate Democrats told the Washington Examiner they are ready to start a Senate trial and want Pelosi to send over the articles, although they agree with her effort to compel witness testimony.
"The speaker of the House has managed to do the impossible," McConnell said Thursday. "She's created this growing bipartisan unity here in the Senate in opposition to her own reckless behavior."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-09--Dr. Drew Pinsky floats running against Schiff for Congress

Celebrity doctor Dr. Drew Pinsky says he 's considering challenging Rep. Adam Schiff for his seat in the U.S. House @ @ @ @ @ all the impeachment proceedings and I was going , ‘ Oh my God , our @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re dying out here in California .
What are these people doing ?
@ @ @ @ @ .
“ I wake up every day and drive through this town and I am @ @ @ @ @ like I have to do something . ''
Pinsky has been outspoken against Democrats in @ @ @ @ @ show was canceled after he made negative and false claims about Hillary Clinton 's health @ @ @ @ @ 28th Congressional District , which contains much of the northern suburbs of Los Angeles .
@ @ @ @ @ a Democrat since 2003 .

Celebrity doctor Dr. Drew Pinsky says he's considering challenging Rep. Adam Schiff for his seat in the U.S. House.
“I was watching all the impeachment proceedings and I was going, ‘Oh my God, our Congress is tied up and we’re dying out here in California. What are these people doing?" Pinsky told the Hill. “I wake up every day and drive through this town and I am morally moved where I feel like I have to do something."
Pinsky has been outspoken against Democrats in the past. His television show was canceled after he made negative and false claims about Hillary Clinton's health.
Schiff represents California's 28th Congressional District, which contains much of the northern suburbs of Los Angeles.
It has been represented by a Democrat since 2003.