thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--Biden is mundane and desperate, and everyone knows it

For weeks , the COVID-19 pandemic has been the nation 's primary focus and has pushed the presidential campaign out of the main spotlight .
Even so , news of Joe Biden earning the endorsements of Sen. Bernie Sanders and former President Barack Obama was treated as a major boost to Biden 's campaign by the media .
But despite the star power of those endorsements , Biden 's bid for the White House , now unencumbered by like-minded rivals , looks like nothing but a desperate , mundane display .
The man selected to challenge the Left 's ultimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the least charismatic , coherent , and revolutionary choice they could have made .
For the second election cycle in a row , Sen. Bernie Sanders was the runner-up to the presumptive nominee .
Even though some Democrats want a more liberal party , ultimately , the safest choice won .
And in the end , this speaks volumes about the Democratic Party 's disarray .
If there 's one thing that stands out about Biden , it 's the lackluster nature of both his personality and his campaign .
The primaries ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not because he is a particularly memorable individual .
It 's clear to everyone , except maybe the former vice president himself , that even though he is barely sufficient , he is in this position because of name recognition , connections , and a bit of luck .
Unlike his Republican opponent , Biden does not enjoy an unparalleled measure of exuberant support .
This can be seen in not only how the primaries concluded but in the endorsements from both Sanders and Obama .
These well-known politicians finally succumbed to party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their messages suggest duty more so than desire .
The media , dominated by left-leaning individuals , will work hard to make Biden appear like the candidate that has been wanted all along .
In comparison to his incumbent opponent , Biden will be made to look like a feisty , alert leader who can carry his own against the president .
When it comes to sexual assault allegations or anything similarly untoward , it will be treated as either nonexistent or inconsequential , no matter what .
There is no measure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics who would automatically apply guilt if the tables were turned .
On paper , Biden looks like the perfect candidate to take on the 45th president .
This does n't translate well to real life , but now that Biden has been given the blessing by Democratic darling Obama , the media will make what they want into reality .
Charisma , boldness , and coherency matter in politics .
When it comes to this year 's presidential election , Biden possesses none of those characteristics to a powerful degree .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political force of all time , one who still surprises the audience , those qualities are necessary .
The former vice president may have beaten his fellow candidates , but his mandate is not a convincing one .
The Democrats are stuck with an elderly , uninspiring , and bumbling option .
Despite appearances that suggest the contrary , they know this .
And the media , which will apologize for and prop Biden up at every turn , understand this , too .
Kimberly Ross ( @ SouthernKeeks ) is a contributor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blog and a columnist at Arc Digital .

For weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the nation's primary focus and has pushed the presidential campaign out of the main spotlight. Even so, news of Joe Biden earning the endorsements of Sen. Bernie Sanders and former President Barack Obama was treated as a major boost to Biden's campaign by the media. But despite the star power of those endorsements, Biden's bid for the White House, now unencumbered by like-minded rivals, looks like nothing but a desperate, mundane display.
The man selected to challenge the Left's ultimate political foe, President Trump, is the least charismatic, coherent, and revolutionary choice they could have made. For the second election cycle in a row, Sen. Bernie Sanders was the runner-up to the presumptive nominee. Even though some Democrats want a more liberal party, ultimately, the safest choice won. And in the end, this speaks volumes about the Democratic Party's disarray.
If there's one thing that stands out about Biden, it's the lackluster nature of both his personality and his campaign.
The primaries ended up being his saving grace, but not because he is a particularly memorable individual. It's clear to everyone, except maybe the former vice president himself, that even though he is barely sufficient, he is in this position because of name recognition, connections, and a bit of luck. Unlike his Republican opponent, Biden does not enjoy an unparalleled measure of exuberant support. This can be seen in not only how the primaries concluded but in the endorsements from both Sanders and Obama. These well-known politicians finally succumbed to party pressure and voiced their support, but their messages suggest duty more so than desire.
The media, dominated by left-leaning individuals, will work hard to make Biden appear like the candidate that has been wanted all along. In comparison to his incumbent opponent, Biden will be made to look like a feisty, alert leader who can carry his own against the president. When it comes to sexual assault allegations or anything similarly untoward, it will be treated as either nonexistent or inconsequential, no matter what. There is no measure of consistency practiced by the president's breathless critics who would automatically apply guilt if the tables were turned.
On paper, Biden looks like the perfect candidate to take on the 45th president. This doesn't translate well to real life, but now that Biden has been given the blessing by Democratic darling Obama, the media will make what they want into reality.
Charisma, boldness, and coherency matter in politics. When it comes to this year's presidential election, Biden possesses none of those characteristics to a powerful degree. And in a contest against the most unexpected political force of all time, one who still surprises the audience, those qualities are necessary.
The former vice president may have beaten his fellow candidates, but his mandate is not a convincing one. The Democrats are stuck with an elderly, uninspiring, and bumbling option. Despite appearances that suggest the contrary, they know this. And the media, which will apologize for and prop Biden up at every turn, understand this, too.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--'We know who I’m voting on': Kanye West teases 2020 support for Trump

Rapper Kanye West will `` definitely '' be casting a ballot in the 2020 presidential election and hinted at who will receive his vote .
In a sprawling series of interviews with GQ that captured West at different moments in various cities earlier this year , the musical artist revealed his plans to vote in November after sitting out in 2016 .
He said his fans and critics can read between the lines to figure out who he 'll be backing .
`` I ’ m definitely voting this time , '' West said in the piece published Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ m voting on .
And I ’ m not going to be told by the people around me and the people that have their agenda that my career is going to be over . ''
West , who rose to fame on the back of hit albums The College Dropout , 808s & Heartbreak , and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy , also said his acquisitions in real estate have improved dramatically since President Trump took office .
`` I buy real estate .
It ’ s better now than when Obama was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They don ’ t teach you in school about buying property .
They teach you how to become somebody ’ s property.
`` A month after Trump was elected , West made a high-profile appearance at Trump Tower .
In October of 2018 , he visited the Oval Office while wearing a red `` Make America Great Again '' hat to discuss criminal justice reform with Trump .
The rapper has repeatedly stated that he does not believe everything that Trump says but respects aspects of his leadership .
West , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Live cast members not to wear his MAGA hat on stage during a performance on the late-night comedy show in 2018 , said he refuses to vote for a Democrat because `` white people '' tell him he should .
`` Both my parents were freedom fighters , and they used to drink from fountains they were told they couldn ’ t drink from , and they used to sit in restaurants where they were told they couldn ’ t eat from , '' he said .
`` They didn ’ t fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people which white person I can vote on . ''

Rapper Kanye West will "definitely" be casting a ballot in the 2020 presidential election and hinted at who will receive his vote.
In a sprawling series of interviews with GQ that captured West at different moments in various cities earlier this year, the musical artist revealed his plans to vote in November after sitting out in 2016. He said his fans and critics can read between the lines to figure out who he'll be backing.
"I’m definitely voting this time," West said in the piece published Wednesday. "And we know who I’m voting on. And I’m not going to be told by the people around me and the people that have their agenda that my career is going to be over."
West, who rose to fame on the back of hit albums The College Dropout, 808s & Heartbreak, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, also said his acquisitions in real estate have improved dramatically since President Trump took office.
"I buy real estate. It’s better now than when Obama was in office," he said. "They don’t teach you in school about buying property. They teach you how to become somebody’s property. "
A month after Trump was elected, West made a high-profile appearance at Trump Tower. In October of 2018, he visited the Oval Office while wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat to discuss criminal justice reform with Trump. The rapper has repeatedly stated that he does not believe everything that Trump says but respects aspects of his leadership.
West, who said he was instructed by Saturday Night Live cast members not to wear his MAGA hat on stage during a performance on the late-night comedy show in 2018, said he refuses to vote for a Democrat because "white people" tell him he should.
"Both my parents were freedom fighters, and they used to drink from fountains they were told they couldn’t drink from, and they used to sit in restaurants where they were told they couldn’t eat from," he said. "They didn’t fight for me to be told by white people which white person I can vote on."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--Devin Nunes doubles pace of fundraising to $4M in first quarter

Rep. Devin Nunes raised nearly $ 4 million during the first quarter of this year , pushing his campaign war chest to roughly $ 8.8 million , double the amount he raised in the final quarter of 2019 .
The California Republican , a prominent supporter of President Trump during the Russia investigation and throughout impeachment proceedings , has continued to raise money at a robust clip despite the chill on the economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
In the previous fundraising quarter , Nunes raised $ 2.1 million and reported $ 7.2 million in the bank .
Nunes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sort of small , grassroots donors who back Trump , although he might not need to spend much of his campaign cash this November .
With dozens of incumbents to defend to protect their House majority , Democrats have not yet committed to spending the significant resources it would take to weaken Nunes in his Republican-leaning Central Valley district , let alone oust him .
Larry Sabato , a political prognosticator at the University of Virginia , recently shifted his “ Crystal Ball ” rating of Nunes ’ s race from “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The congressman is facing Democrat Phil Arballo in the fall .
His first-quarter fundraising results , due to be filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission , were confirmed by a Republican source close to his campaign .
Nunes , the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , was an early GOP voice calling for an investigation into the FBI ’ s use of special , secretive search warrants authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act .
That investigation , conducted by U.S. Attorney John Durham at the behest of Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some malfeasance by the FBI regarding its use of FISA warrants .
Nunes ’ s outspokenness on this and other controversies related to Trump has made the congressman a darling of conservative media and turned him into one of the most prolific GOP fundraisers of the past few years .
He is investing in robust field and data programs proprietary to his campaign — in case Democrats decide to target him .
Nunes , 46 , spent a majority of his nine terms in Congress as an obscure member focused on issues pertaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s Central Valley .
But his role in defending Trump against allegations that his campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 campaign , and his questioning of the FBI 's investigation methods and use of FISA warrants , catapulted him into the national spotlight .

Rep. Devin Nunes raised nearly $4 million during the first quarter of this year, pushing his campaign war chest to roughly $8.8 million, double the amount he raised in the final quarter of 2019.
The California Republican, a prominent supporter of President Trump during the Russia investigation and throughout impeachment proceedings, has continued to raise money at a robust clip despite the chill on the economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In the previous fundraising quarter, Nunes raised $2.1 million and reported $7.2 million in the bank. Nunes has become a top GOP fundraiser with the sort of small, grassroots donors who back Trump, although he might not need to spend much of his campaign cash this November.
With dozens of incumbents to defend to protect their House majority, Democrats have not yet committed to spending the significant resources it would take to weaken Nunes in his Republican-leaning Central Valley district, let alone oust him. Larry Sabato, a political prognosticator at the University of Virginia, recently shifted his “Crystal Ball” rating of Nunes’s race from “likely” to “safe Republican.”
The congressman is facing Democrat Phil Arballo in the fall. His first-quarter fundraising results, due to be filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission, were confirmed by a Republican source close to his campaign.
Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, was an early GOP voice calling for an investigation into the FBI’s use of special, secretive search warrants authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. That investigation, conducted by U.S. Attorney John Durham at the behest of Attorney General William Barr, has already turned up some malfeasance by the FBI regarding its use of FISA warrants.
Nunes’s outspokenness on this and other controversies related to Trump has made the congressman a darling of conservative media and turned him into one of the most prolific GOP fundraisers of the past few years. He is investing in robust field and data programs proprietary to his campaign — in case Democrats decide to target him.
Nunes, 46, spent a majority of his nine terms in Congress as an obscure member focused on issues pertaining to his agricultural, Republican-leaning district in California’s Central Valley. But his role in defending Trump against allegations that his campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 campaign, and his questioning of the FBI's investigation methods and use of FISA warrants, catapulted him into the national spotlight.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--'We should be making it as easy as possible': Valerie Jarrett voices support for mail-in ballots

Former Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett called on the federal government to `` make it as easy as possible ” for people to vote , as Democrats push for mail-in voting across the country amid coronavirus fears .
“ We shouldn ’ t have to choose between our health and exercising our most fundamental right to vote , ” Jarrett said on MSNBC when asked about the “ big drive for registering and voting by mail.
” “ I think we should be making it as easy as possible for people to vote , and unfortunately , we 've seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have passed laws and practices have been put in place to suppress the vote , '' she said .
`` We should be doing just the opposite .
Technology is our friend .
The ability to do absentee balloting is something that we could fund and have in place if we get ready right now.
” Democrats have across the country by calling for mail-in ballots to protect voters at polling places despite recent reports suggesting that process is far from secure .
A this week said that over 28 million mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 10 years .
“ Republicans should fight very hard when it comes to statewide mail-in voting .
Democrats are clamoring for it , ” President Trump earlier this month .
“ Tremendous potential for voter fraud , and for whatever reason , doesn ’ t work out well for Republicans.
” Fox News host Tucker Carlson that sentiment on his show Tuesday night , arguing that Democrats “ encourage ” voter fraud because it helps them win elections .
`` We have a different value system about what voting means to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , referring to Republican opposition to mail-in ballots .
`` Clearly , we want to remove all obstacles to participation . ''

Former Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett called on the federal government to "make it as easy as possible” for people to vote, as Democrats push for mail-in voting across the country amid coronavirus fears.
“We shouldn’t have to choose between our health and exercising our most fundamental right to vote,” Jarrett said on MSNBC when asked about the “big drive for registering and voting by mail.”
“I think we should be making it as easy as possible for people to vote, and unfortunately, we've seen a history now in our country where states have passed laws and practices have been put in place to suppress the vote," she said. "We should be doing just the opposite. Technology is our friend. The ability to do absentee balloting is something that we could fund and have in place if we get ready right now.”
Democrats have sparked a conversation across the country by calling for mail-in ballots to protect voters at polling places despite recent reports suggesting that process is far from secure. A report this week said that over 28 million mail-in ballots have been unaccounted for over the past 10 years.
“Republicans should fight very hard when it comes to statewide mail-in voting. Democrats are clamoring for it,” President Trump said earlier this month. “Tremendous potential for voter fraud, and for whatever reason, doesn’t work out well for Republicans.”
Fox News host Tucker Carlson echoed that sentiment on his show Tuesday night, arguing that Democrats “encourage” voter fraud because it helps them win elections.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--Democratic victory points to trouble for Trump in crucial Wisconsin

President Trump ’ s path to victory in Wisconsin this November looks rockier after Democrats won a key statewide contest in spring elections on the strength of an improved performance in traditionally Republican suburban strongholds .
Liberal challenger Jill Karofsky captured a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court after defeating Daniel Kelly , the conservative incumbent , 55.27 % to 44.73 % .
The Democratic victory raised alarm bells among Republican insiders in Wisconsin because of how it was achieved .
Karofsky received a higher percentage of the vote in reliably Republican suburban counties critical to Trump ’ s reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , governor , and state Supreme Court in the most recent statewide contests .
“ There may be some issues we need to work through , ” Andrew Hitt , the Wisconsin GOP chairman , conceded this week in an interview with the Washington Examiner .
“ But it ’ s certainly not insurmountable.
” In 2016 , initial skepticism of Trump in the conservative , suburban “ WOW counties ” near Milwaukee ( Washington , Ozaukee , and Waukesha ) melted away when Republican voters concluded that Democrat Hillary Clinton was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any statewide victory for Republicans in Wisconsin , and with former Vice President Joe Biden leading the Democratic ticket this year , some GOP strategists fear Trump could be in trouble .
Biden has tacked left to unify the Democratic Party amid a spirited challenge from socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who dropped out of the presidential primary last week after losing big to the former vice president in the Wisconsin primary .
But some GOP insiders worry Biden remains acceptable to suburban voters who usually pull the lever for Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders would not have been .
Their concern is fueled in part by the increase in the Democratic vote share in the WOW counties in this month ’ s state Supreme Court election .
On average , Karofsky ’ s performance there was 8.7 percentage points better than the liberal candidate who lost a bid for a state Supreme Court seat last year , 6 percentage points better than the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 ( Tony Evers , who won a narrow statewide victory ) , and 5.8 percentage points better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago .
“ The suburbs are clearly a challenge , ” a Republican operative in Wisconsin said .
“ The real test is whether the Trump campaign is going to have a suburban plan — or whether the Trump campaign ’ s suburban plan was running against Bernie Sanders.
” Wisconsin ’ s 11 Electoral College votes are pivotal to Trump ’ s overall reelection strategy , and his vulnerability in the suburbs there is similar to the obstacles he faces elsewhere .
The president ’ s campaign says the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and overhyped by the Democrats .
“ Daniel Kelly faced two dynamics which were difficult to overcome : the uncertainty of the execution of the primary election produced by Gov .
Tony Evers ’ unfortunate incompetence and a Democrat primary election with Sen. Bernie Sanders still in the race and on the ballot , ” senior spokesman Tim Murtaugh said .
“ In November against hapless Joe Biden , President Trump will win Wisconsin again , as he did in 2016.
” Republicans are blaming Kelly ’ s ouster on two main factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin primary .
As the election approached , Democrats , led by Evers , demanded it be delayed because of the health risks of in-person voting posed by the coronavirus pandemic .
After the Republican-controlled legislature refused to move the primary , Evers , one day before the primary , unilaterally ordered the contest delayed , only to be overruled by the courts .
Wisconsin Republicans claim this uncertainty amounted to “ voter suppression ” in exurban and rural counties where Trump enjoys broad support .
These counties do not provide the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do Democratic counties , GOP insiders explained , adding that rural voters might not have been aware that the courts quashed Evers 's 11th-hour suspension of the primary and ordered it to go forward as originally scheduled .
Republicans also say that the lack of a competitive GOP primary ( Trump is running for renomination unopposed ) versus the existence of the Biden-Sanders primary , naturally motivated a higher Democratic turnout .
“ Everyone knew the race in 2020 would be held during a Democratic primary , so they would have built-in advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Wisconsin GOP .
Democrats are rejecting Republican reasoning , insisting Karofsky received little in the way of a boost from the turnout generated by the Biden-Sanders primary because it has been clear to Democratic voters for weeks prior that the former vice president was going to win the nomination .
Democratic insiders also argue the real voter suppression occurred in liberal bastions such as Milwaukee , where because of the coronavirus , just five polling places were open for in-person voting on primary day , compared to the normal 180 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic voting performance in battleground counties across Wisconsin beyond the suburban WOW counties as evidence of encouraging trends for Biden .
“ If I was the Trump campaign , I ’ d be pretty panicked this morning , ” said David Bergstein , Democratic National Committee spokesman .
“ Suburban voters who normally formed the bedrock of the Republican coalition are fleeing the Republican Party .
”

President Trump’s path to victory in Wisconsin this November looks rockier after Democrats won a key statewide contest in spring elections on the strength of an improved performance in traditionally Republican suburban strongholds.
Liberal challenger Jill Karofsky captured a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court after defeating Daniel Kelly, the conservative incumbent, 55.27% to 44.73%. The Democratic victory raised alarm bells among Republican insiders in Wisconsin because of how it was achieved. Karofsky received a higher percentage of the vote in reliably Republican suburban counties critical to Trump’s reelection prospects than did Democrats running for president, governor, and state Supreme Court in the most recent statewide contests.
“There may be some issues we need to work through,” Andrew Hitt, the Wisconsin GOP chairman, conceded this week in an interview with the Washington Examiner. “But it’s certainly not insurmountable.”
In 2016, initial skepticism of Trump in the conservative, suburban “WOW counties” near Milwaukee (Washington, Ozaukee, and Waukesha) melted away when Republican voters concluded that Democrat Hillary Clinton was an unacceptable alternative. These counties are crucial to any statewide victory for Republicans in Wisconsin, and with former Vice President Joe Biden leading the Democratic ticket this year, some GOP strategists fear Trump could be in trouble.
Biden has tacked left to unify the Democratic Party amid a spirited challenge from socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who dropped out of the presidential primary last week after losing big to the former vice president in the Wisconsin primary. But some GOP insiders worry Biden remains acceptable to suburban voters who usually pull the lever for Republicans but are tiring of Trump, whereas Sanders would not have been.
Their concern is fueled in part by the increase in the Democratic vote share in the WOW counties in this month’s state Supreme Court election. On average, Karofsky’s performance there was 8.7 percentage points better than the liberal candidate who lost a bid for a state Supreme Court seat last year, 6 percentage points better than the Democratic nominee for governor in 2018 (Tony Evers, who won a narrow statewide victory), and 5.8 percentage points better than what Clinton garnered against Trump four years ago.
“The suburbs are clearly a challenge,” a Republican operative in Wisconsin said. “The real test is whether the Trump campaign is going to have a suburban plan — or whether the Trump campaign’s suburban plan was running against Bernie Sanders.”
Wisconsin’s 11 Electoral College votes are pivotal to Trump’s overall reelection strategy, and his vulnerability in the suburbs there is similar to the obstacles he faces elsewhere.
The president’s campaign says the results of the state Supreme Court contest are irrelevant and overhyped by the Democrats.
“Daniel Kelly faced two dynamics which were difficult to overcome: the uncertainty of the execution of the primary election produced by Gov. Tony Evers’ unfortunate incompetence and a Democrat primary election with Sen. Bernie Sanders still in the race and on the ballot,” senior spokesman Tim Murtaugh said. “In November against hapless Joe Biden, President Trump will win Wisconsin again, as he did in 2016.”
Republicans are blaming Kelly’s ouster on two main factors, beginning with the chaos surrounding the Wisconsin primary. As the election approached, Democrats, led by Evers, demanded it be delayed because of the health risks of in-person voting posed by the coronavirus pandemic. After the Republican-controlled legislature refused to move the primary, Evers, one day before the primary, unilaterally ordered the contest delayed, only to be overruled by the courts.
Wisconsin Republicans claim this uncertainty amounted to “voter suppression” in exurban and rural counties where Trump enjoys broad support. These counties do not provide the same access to early, in-person voting as do Democratic counties, GOP insiders explained, adding that rural voters might not have been aware that the courts quashed Evers's 11th-hour suspension of the primary and ordered it to go forward as originally scheduled.
Republicans also say that the lack of a competitive GOP primary (Trump is running for renomination unopposed) versus the existence of the Biden-Sanders primary, naturally motivated a higher Democratic turnout. “Everyone knew the race in 2020 would be held during a Democratic primary, so they would have built-in advantage,” said Mark Jefferson, executive director of the Wisconsin GOP.
Democrats are rejecting Republican reasoning, insisting Karofsky received little in the way of a boost from the turnout generated by the Biden-Sanders primary because it has been clear to Democratic voters for weeks prior that the former vice president was going to win the nomination.
Democratic insiders also argue the real voter suppression occurred in liberal bastions such as Milwaukee, where because of the coronavirus, just five polling places were open for in-person voting on primary day, compared to the normal 180. And, they point to robust Democratic voting performance in battleground counties across Wisconsin beyond the suburban WOW counties as evidence of encouraging trends for Biden.
“If I was the Trump campaign, I’d be pretty panicked this morning,” said David Bergstein, Democratic National Committee spokesman. “Suburban voters who normally formed the bedrock of the Republican coalition are fleeing the Republican Party.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--Media now very thoughtful about #MeToo sexual assault allegations in light of Biden accusation

The latest # MeToo allegation against Joe Biden is flimsy , even if it is a more serious charge than the ridiculous ones he was slapped with last year .
( He touched my forehead ! )
But it ’ s really something to see liberals discover a newfound sense of thoughtfulness and wonderment about the complexities of such accusations .
New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg wrote Monday that , as a Democrat , “ it would be easier to know what to do ” about Tara Reade ’ s claim that Biden sexually assaulted her nearly 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ more solid , or if it were less.
” Goldberg ’ s main hang-up , as she wrote , was that Reade has , on different occasions , varied the account of her experience as a staffer for Biden ’ s Senate office in the early 1990s .
Reade had previously said only that Biden made her uncomfortable , then that she didn ’ t like the way he treated her professionally .
Then , last month , she said that he actually penetrated her vagina with his fingers .
Down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news stories about how sexual assault trauma can force a woman to forget or not fully come to grips with her experience , only to recall it in full later .
During the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh , I remember hearing a lot about how real victims of sexual assault can ’ t always be expected to come forward immediately with every sordid detail about their incidents .
That must not apply for Democratic politicians .
Goldberg allowed in her piece that , sure , all of that might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end , though , she concluded that she ’ s not very enthusiastic about Biden ’ s candidacy anyway , and so , “ Personally , I ’ m just left with doubt : doubt about Biden and doubt about the charges against him.
” Oh , and Goldberg finds it suspect that Reade has said positive things about Russian President Vladimir Putin .
( Can ’ t forget about Russia ! )
Let ’ s go back to October 2018 , when Goldberg wrote that Senate Republicans should , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for Kavanaugh because polls showed a majority of women in the United States believed the accusation that he had nearly raped a woman at a time and place she could n't consistently remember ( but it was definitely somewhere in Maryland and sometime during the 1980s ) .
There doesn ’ t appear to be any poll about whether anyone believes Reade , but even if there were , it would essentially be worthless because almost no one in the media outside of Fox News and a handful of conservative websites is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her claims .
But if a simple poll of women is all that ’ s needed to bog down a man hoping to work at the highest levels of government , then maybe the New York Times should commission one .
Nah !
According to the paper ’ s top editor Dean Baquet , the difference between Kavanaugh and Biden is that Kavanaugh was “ a running , hot story.
” Biden 's candidacy for president is apparently an event of insignificance .
Sounds about right , actually , but if I were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When has any sexual assault claim against President Trump been greeted by the news media with such skepticism ?
To the contrary , the New York Times keeps a running tally of every woman , no matter how credible , who says Trump touched her .
E. Jean Carroll sold a lot of books by claiming to have once been raped by Trump in a department store fitting room .
CNN , MSNBC , and nearly every newspaper , magazine , and website could n't get enough of her , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was raped raped — only sort of raped to the point where she could n't call it `` rape . ''
But it 's genuinely amazing to see the national media suddenly develop a new sense of curiosity about whether allegations of sexual misconduct are true or even deserve the benefit of the doubt .
It ’ s suddenly not so black and white .
It turns out that maybe we do n't have to believe all women .
It ’ s no different from when liberals found blame on “ both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loaded gun to a baseball field with the intent of shooting a bunch of Republicans and almost killing Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise .
It ’ s no different from how liberals were suddenly struck with nuance when it turned out that the Covington Catholic students were not at fault in taunting a Native American , but were , in fact , the victims of shocking verbal harassment themselves .
Did n't we all bear some responsibility for the hasty judgments on that one ?
( No ! )
It ’ s funny how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their own standards .

The latest #MeToo allegation against Joe Biden is flimsy, even if it is a more serious charge than the ridiculous ones he was slapped with last year. (He touched my forehead!)
But it’s really something to see liberals discover a newfound sense of thoughtfulness and wonderment about the complexities of such accusations.
New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg wrote Monday that, as a Democrat, “it would be easier to know what to do” about Tara Reade’s claim that Biden sexually assaulted her nearly 30 years ago, if only her story was “more solid, or if it were less.”
Goldberg’s main hang-up, as she wrote, was that Reade has, on different occasions, varied the account of her experience as a staffer for Biden’s Senate office in the early 1990s. Reade had previously said only that Biden made her uncomfortable, then that she didn’t like the way he treated her professionally. Then, last month, she said that he actually penetrated her vagina with his fingers.
Down the memory hole it went with all those news stories about how sexual assault trauma can force a woman to forget or not fully come to grips with her experience, only to recall it in full later. During the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, I remember hearing a lot about how real victims of sexual assault can’t always be expected to come forward immediately with every sordid detail about their incidents. That must not apply for Democratic politicians.
Goldberg allowed in her piece that, sure, all of that might be the case for Reade. In the end, though, she concluded that she’s not very enthusiastic about Biden’s candidacy anyway, and so, “Personally, I’m just left with doubt: doubt about Biden and doubt about the charges against him.”
Oh, and Goldberg finds it suspect that Reade has said positive things about Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Can’t forget about Russia!)
Let’s go back to October 2018, when Goldberg wrote that Senate Republicans should, at the very least, indefinitely delay the confirmation vote for Kavanaugh because polls showed a majority of women in the United States believed the accusation that he had nearly raped a woman at a time and place she couldn't consistently remember (but it was definitely somewhere in Maryland and sometime during the 1980s). There doesn’t appear to be any poll about whether anyone believes Reade, but even if there were, it would essentially be worthless because almost no one in the media outside of Fox News and a handful of conservative websites is genuinely interested in listening to or covering her claims.
But if a simple poll of women is all that’s needed to bog down a man hoping to work at the highest levels of government, then maybe the New York Times should commission one. Nah! According to the paper’s top editor Dean Baquet, the difference between Kavanaugh and Biden is that Kavanaugh was “a running, hot story.” Biden's candidacy for president is apparently an event of insignificance.
Sounds about right, actually, but if I were Biden, I’d be offended.
When has any sexual assault claim against President Trump been greeted by the news media with such skepticism? To the contrary, the New York Times keeps a running tally of every woman, no matter how credible, who says Trump touched her. E. Jean Carroll sold a lot of books by claiming to have once been raped by Trump in a department store fitting room. CNN, MSNBC, and nearly every newspaper, magazine, and website couldn't get enough of her, even though she specified that she didn't believe she was raped raped — only sort of raped to the point where she couldn't call it "rape."
But it's genuinely amazing to see the national media suddenly develop a new sense of curiosity about whether allegations of sexual misconduct are true or even deserve the benefit of the doubt. It’s suddenly not so black and white. It turns out that maybe we don't have to believe all women.
It’s no different from when liberals found blame on “both sides” when a Democrat carried a loaded gun to a baseball field with the intent of shooting a bunch of Republicans and almost killing Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise.
It’s no different from how liberals were suddenly struck with nuance when it turned out that the Covington Catholic students were not at fault in taunting a Native American, but were, in fact, the victims of shocking verbal harassment themselves. Didn't we all bear some responsibility for the hasty judgments on that one? (No!)
It’s funny how deeply cautious liberals suddenly become when held to their own standards.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--Amash keeps dropping hints about a Libertarian Party presidential bid

Justin Amash keeps dropping hints that he is planning to seek the Libertarian Party ’ s presidential nomination .
In a tweet on Monday , the ex-Republican independent Michigan congressman told a fan who asked him to run for president that he is “ looking at it closely this week.
” Amash ’ s campaign spelled out the meaning of the tweet in a statement Wednesday .
“ In mid-February , Justin Amash paused active campaigning for his congressional seat to carefully consider a presidential run , ” it said .
“ He has been discussing the potential campaign with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , and others , and a decision can be expected soon.
” Rumors of a potential Amash presidential bid have been circling for years among Libertarians and their independent and Republican allies .
He has repeatedly refused to rule out running for president as a Libertarian in 2020 .
To those familiar with Amash ’ s political style , this week ’ s hints look more like big billboards .
He is known for being careful and intentional with his public messaging .
“ I do n't think it was an accident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this all off was in response to a pretty famous libertarian activist , Hannah Cox , ” said Dan Fishman , executive director of the Libertarian Party , referring to a conservative-libertarian commentator and writer .
On Monday , Amash retweeted an article that the Libertarian Party shared of an opinion piece by the CEO of the Cato Institute , a libertarian think tank , that argued , “ There are more libertarians in a pandemic.
” Amash , 39 , was elected to Congress in the 2010 tea party wave and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom Caucus .
But he concluded halfway through President Trump ’ s first term that his Republican colleagues cared less about the principles he holds dear — constitutional order , limited government , economic freedom , and individual liberty — than they do about party loyalty .
He “ declared his independence ” from the GOP in a July 4 , 2019 , opinion piece , making him the only independent member of the House .
If he launches a presidential bid , Amash will have to answer critics who argue that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by splitting the anti-Trump vote .
Libertarians are used to the criticism .
“ Replacing one elderly , not-quite-all-there guy with a different elderly , not-quite-all-there-guy — I 'm not feeling it , and I do n't think a lot of the country is feeling it , ” said Nicholas Sarwark , national chairman of the Libertarian Party .
Since he left the GOP , Amash faces a tough House reelection bid .
A Libertarian has hardly any chance of winning the presidency , but running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective way for Amash to advocate for his principles rather than risking losing reelection .
Though it is less than six months before the general election , Amash could have a clear path to the Libertarian Party nomination .
The party ’ s convention is scheduled for the end of May in Austin , Texas , but could be pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The current Libertarian presidential field is full of nationally unknown ideologues and unserious characters .
Former Rhode Island Gov .
Lincoln Chafee dropped out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Superior Court judge in Orange County , California , from 1989 to 2009 , who was Gary Johnson ’ s running mate in 2016 , announced a bid on Monday .
That arguably makes him the highest-profile politician seeking the nomination .
Perennial performance artist candidate Vermin Supreme is in second place in the party ’ s state presidential preference caucuses and primaries .
Unlike the Republican and Democratic parties ' processes , the Libertarian Party ’ s state preference contests have no bearing on who ultimately wins the nomination .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for whomever they wish , and Amash , a known figure among libertarian activists , could sweep the nomination in a last-minute bid .
Winning the Libertarian Party primary is far more preferable for a candidate such as Amash than running as an independent .
It was the only third party to secure ballot access in all 50 states in 2016 , and making the ballot in a significant number of states as an independent presidential candidate would be expensive and time-consuming .
“ It would cost between $ 10 and $ 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , let alone the finish line , ” said Sarwark .
“ If somebody was trying to run for president as an independent right now , they could n't get all 50 states .
There 's no feasible way to do that.
” So far , the Libertarian Party has ballot access in 35 states and is pursuing legal action to extend deadlines in several states where they do not yet have the required number of signatures to gain ballot access .
Amash could also help the Libertarian Party continue to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former New Mexico governor , got 3.3 % of the popular vote as the Libertarian nominee in 2016 , the party 's best-ever performance in a presidential election .
“ He 's a known quantity to the media .
He would be a known quantity to the voters , ” Sarwark said of Amash .
“ That 's part of the reason that Johnson and Weld did really well in 2016 , is they were both experienced , two-term governors.
” If he became the party ’ s nominee , Amash would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it does not necessarily mean that Amash would change his affiliation in Congress .
The party ’ s bylaws require that a presidential candidate be only a “ sustaining member of the party , ” which a person can acquire by donating $ 25 in the last year .

Justin Amash keeps dropping hints that he is planning to seek the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination.
In a tweet on Monday, the ex-Republican independent Michigan congressman told a fan who asked him to run for president that he is “looking at it closely this week.”
Amash’s campaign spelled out the meaning of the tweet in a statement Wednesday.
“In mid-February, Justin Amash paused active campaigning for his congressional seat to carefully consider a presidential run,” it said. “He has been discussing the potential campaign with his family, his friends, his team, and others, and a decision can be expected soon.”
Rumors of a potential Amash presidential bid have been circling for years among Libertarians and their independent and Republican allies. He has repeatedly refused to rule out running for president as a Libertarian in 2020.
To those familiar with Amash’s political style, this week’s hints look more like big billboards. He is known for being careful and intentional with his public messaging.
“I don't think it was an accident that the tweet that sort of set this all off was in response to a pretty famous libertarian activist, Hannah Cox,” said Dan Fishman, executive director of the Libertarian Party, referring to a conservative-libertarian commentator and writer.
On Monday, Amash retweeted an article that the Libertarian Party shared of an opinion piece by the CEO of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, that argued, “There are more libertarians in a pandemic.”
Amash, 39, was elected to Congress in the 2010 tea party wave and is a co-founder of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus. But he concluded halfway through President Trump’s first term that his Republican colleagues cared less about the principles he holds dear — constitutional order, limited government, economic freedom, and individual liberty — than they do about party loyalty. He “declared his independence” from the GOP in a July 4, 2019, opinion piece, making him the only independent member of the House.
If he launches a presidential bid, Amash will have to answer critics who argue that a strong third-party bid would help Trump and hurt Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden by splitting the anti-Trump vote.
Libertarians are used to the criticism.
“Replacing one elderly, not-quite-all-there guy with a different elderly, not-quite-all-there-guy — I'm not feeling it, and I don't think a lot of the country is feeling it,” said Nicholas Sarwark, national chairman of the Libertarian Party.
Since he left the GOP, Amash faces a tough House reelection bid. A Libertarian has hardly any chance of winning the presidency, but running for president in 2020 could be the most effective way for Amash to advocate for his principles rather than risking losing reelection.
Though it is less than six months before the general election, Amash could have a clear path to the Libertarian Party nomination. The party’s convention is scheduled for the end of May in Austin, Texas, but could be pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The current Libertarian presidential field is full of nationally unknown ideologues and unserious characters. Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee dropped out of the race earlier this month. Jim Gray, a Superior Court judge in Orange County, California, from 1989 to 2009, who was Gary Johnson’s running mate in 2012, announced a bid on Monday. That arguably makes him the highest-profile politician seeking the nomination. Perennial performance artist candidate Vermin Supreme is in second place in the party’s state presidential preference caucuses and primaries.
Unlike the Republican and Democratic parties' processes, the Libertarian Party’s state preference contests have no bearing on who ultimately wins the nomination. Delegates at the state convection may vote for whomever they wish, and Amash, a known figure among libertarian activists, could sweep the nomination in a last-minute bid.
Winning the Libertarian Party primary is far more preferable for a candidate such as Amash than running as an independent. It was the only third party to secure ballot access in all 50 states in 2016, and making the ballot in a significant number of states as an independent presidential candidate would be expensive and time-consuming.
“It would cost between $10 and $20 million just to get to that starting line, let alone the finish line,” said Sarwark. “If somebody was trying to run for president as an independent right now, they couldn't get all 50 states. There's no feasible way to do that.”
So far, the Libertarian Party has ballot access in 35 states and is pursuing legal action to extend deadlines in several states where they do not yet have the required number of signatures to gain ballot access.
Amash could also help the Libertarian Party continue to build its profile. Gary Johnson, a former New Mexico governor, got 3.3% of the popular vote as the Libertarian nominee in 2016, the party's best-ever performance in a presidential election.
“He's a known quantity to the media. He would be a known quantity to the voters,” Sarwark said of Amash. “That's part of the reason that Johnson and Weld did really well in 2016, is they were both experienced, two-term governors.”
If he became the party’s nominee, Amash would be the highest-ranking sitting Libertarian elected official, though it does not necessarily mean that Amash would change his affiliation in Congress. The party’s bylaws require that a presidential candidate be only a “sustaining member of the party,” which a person can acquire by donating $25 in the last year.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--‘We’ve got to have an alternative’: Democrats working 'very hard' on remote voting plan

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters Wednesday Democrats are drafting a plan that would allow lawmakers to conduct business , including voting , without coming to the Capitol in the event of an emergency .
But it would not be allowed during the immediate coronavirus crisis that has shuttered Congress .
“ It ’ s being worked on very hard , ” Hoyer told reporters in a telephone press conference .
The House adjourned in mid-March due to the threat of the spread of the coronavirus and is not scheduled to return until May 4 at the earliest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice approval or unanimous consent , which do not require an official quorum of lawmakers to appear in the chamber .
Hoyer said lawmakers are contemplating ways to permit remote roll-call votes “ in an emergency situation ” at some point in the future , but he said it would require a vote of the full House to change the rules that now require in-person voting .
Hoyer said House and Senate leaders in both parties do not want remote voting allowed on a regular basis .
“ We need to have members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open and transparent hearings , we need to have changes on the floor with amendments on bills , ” Hoyer said .
“ That is the way it ought to be done .
But in an emergency situation where it is impossible to do it that way , we ’ ve got to have an alternative.
” Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , has assigned Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern to study how the House can operate remotely .
McGovern issued a preliminary report last month that cited serious security concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in committee .
Pelosi has rejected remote voting in the immediate future said it would require the House to vote to change the rules first .
Leaders in both parties are negotiating a new spending measure they hope to pass as early as this week that would hundreds of billions of dollars in new federal aid .
But at least one Republican fiscal hawk , Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky , is threatening to block a voice vote or unanimous consent passage of the measure .
Massie last month forced hundreds of lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the House chamber after he attempted to force a roll call vote on a $ 2.2 trillion spending package .
Massie has since called on Pelosi to allow remote voting so lawmakers have to go on the record in their support or opposition to spending legislation .

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters Wednesday Democrats are drafting a plan that would allow lawmakers to conduct business, including voting, without coming to the Capitol in the event of an emergency. But it would not be allowed during the immediate coronavirus crisis that has shuttered Congress.
“It’s being worked on very hard,” Hoyer told reporters in a telephone press conference.
The House adjourned in mid-March due to the threat of the spread of the coronavirus and is not scheduled to return until May 4 at the earliest.
That means any legislation must pass by voice approval or unanimous consent, which do not require an official quorum of lawmakers to appear in the chamber.
Hoyer said lawmakers are contemplating ways to permit remote roll-call votes “in an emergency situation” at some point in the future, but he said it would require a vote of the full House to change the rules that now require in-person voting.
Hoyer said House and Senate leaders in both parties do not want remote voting allowed on a regular basis.
“We need to have members come together, we need to have open and transparent hearings, we need to have changes on the floor with amendments on bills,” Hoyer said. “That is the way it ought to be done. But in an emergency situation where it is impossible to do it that way, we’ve got to have an alternative.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, has assigned Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern to study how the House can operate remotely. McGovern issued a preliminary report last month that cited serious security concerns with holding remote votes on legislation and in committee.
Pelosi has rejected remote voting in the immediate future said it would require the House to vote to change the rules first.
The House faces increasing difficulty operating remotely.
Leaders in both parties are negotiating a new spending measure they hope to pass as early as this week that would hundreds of billions of dollars in new federal aid. But at least one Republican fiscal hawk, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is threatening to block a voice vote or unanimous consent passage of the measure.
Massie last month forced hundreds of lawmakers to come to the Capitol and crowd into the House chamber after he attempted to force a roll call vote on a $2.2 trillion spending package.
Massie has since called on Pelosi to allow remote voting so lawmakers have to go on the record in their support or opposition to spending legislation.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--AOC holds back on Biden endorsement: 'We'll see'

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is n't ready to endorse Joe Biden for president in the general election against President Trump .
`` Yeah , we ’ ll see , we ’ re having conversations with Biden ’ s team , and trying to figure out what some of these policy conversations will look like , '' Ocasio-Cortez told Politico Wednesday , citing his Puerto Rico , immigration , and healthcare proposals .
She referred in particular to the 2020 Democratic presumptive nominee 's climate change plan , which she said was n't `` sufficient , '' adding `` it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more liberal vice presidential partner for the ticket to `` push him '' on issues .
Ocasio-Cortez continued , `` I think it 's , it 's for me personally very important to be in solidarity with my family , with the families that I represent in supporting Joe Biden in November . ''
But the freshman House lawmaker insisted it was also crucial for Democrats to support the party 's standard-bearer because `` at the end of the day , '' either Biden or Trump will be in the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal firebrand , once a Bernie Sanders supporter , told the New York Times this week she had yet to speak personally with Biden .
She repeated Wednesday that she would campaign for the two-term vice president and Delaware 's 36-year senator ; however , what her role looked like was up to his aides .
On Wednesday , Ocasio-Cortez , who is facing a primary challenge for her seat representing eastern parts of the Bronx and north-central Queens , was asked about rumors she was weighing a senatorial bid to undermine Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
She said she had n't considered it `` in any serious way , '' but she also did n't rule it out in future election cycles .

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn't ready to endorse Joe Biden for president in the general election against President Trump.
"Yeah, we’ll see, we’re having conversations with Biden’s team, and trying to figure out what some of these policy conversations will look like," Ocasio-Cortez told Politico Wednesday, citing his Puerto Rico, immigration, and healthcare proposals.
She referred in particular to the 2020 Democratic presumptive nominee's climate change plan, which she said wasn't "sufficient," adding "it would be encouraging" if he picked a more liberal vice presidential partner for the ticket to "push him" on issues.
Ocasio-Cortez continued, "I think it's, it's for me personally very important to be in solidarity with my family, with the families that I represent in supporting Joe Biden in November."
[Related: Elizabeth Warren endorses Joe Biden for president]
But the freshman House lawmaker insisted it was also crucial for Democrats to support the party's standard-bearer because "at the end of the day," either Biden or Trump will be in the White House come Jan. 20, 2021.
The liberal firebrand, once a Bernie Sanders supporter, told the New York Times this week she had yet to speak personally with Biden. She repeated Wednesday that she would campaign for the two-term vice president and Delaware's 36-year senator; however, what her role looked like was up to his aides.
On Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez, who is facing a primary challenge for her seat representing eastern parts of the Bronx and north-central Queens, was asked about rumors she was weighing a senatorial bid to undermine Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also of New York.
She said she hadn't considered it "in any serious way," but she also didn't rule it out in future election cycles.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-15--Georgia Democrats promise retribution against lawmaker who endorsed Trump

Democrats in Georgia are vowing to take revenge against a colleague who voiced his support for President Trump but said he would remain a Democrat .
“ It ’ s very simple to me .
President Trump ’ s handling of the economy , his support for historically black colleges , and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign , ” state Rep. Vernon Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week .
Jones represents one of the most Democratic districts in Georgia and has held his seat representing parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties in the suburbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am aware that Rep. Vernon Jones has endorsed Donald Trump , '' tweeted John Jackson , chairman of the DeKalb County Democratic Party .
`` This is in no way acceptable .
Action will be taken at @ DekalbGADems steering committee meeting on Thursday .
I will address this more later . ''
Jackson did not specify what action he or the body would take against Jones .
Nikema Williams , the chairwoman of the state Democratic Party , called Jones `` an embarrassment . ''
`` He made that clear today by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has made an all-out assault on black Americans and has tried to rip away our healthcare , '' she said .
`` Vernon Jones doesn ’ t speak for Georgians , and neither does Donald Trump — which is why Georgians will send him home in November 2020 . ''

Democrats in Georgia are vowing to take revenge against a colleague who voiced his support for President Trump but said he would remain a Democrat.
“It’s very simple to me. President Trump’s handling of the economy, his support for historically black colleges, and his criminal justice initiatives drew me to endorse his campaign,” state Rep. Vernon Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week.
Jones represents one of the most Democratic districts in Georgia and has held his seat representing parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties in the suburbs of Atlanta since 2017.
Local Democrats voiced outrage at Jones's announcement this week.
"I am aware that Rep. Vernon Jones has endorsed Donald Trump," tweeted John Jackson, chairman of the DeKalb County Democratic Party. "This is in no way acceptable. Action will be taken at @DekalbGADems steering committee meeting on Thursday. I will address this more later."
I am aware that Rep. Vernon Jones has endorsed Donald Trump. This is in no way acceptable. Action will be taken at @DekalbGADems steering committee meeting on Thursday. I will address this more later. — John Jackson (@LitManJJ) April 14, 2020
Jackson did not specify what action he or the body would take against Jones.
Nikema Williams, the chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, called Jones "an embarrassment."
"He made that clear today by choosing to stand with a racist president who has made an all-out assault on black Americans and has tried to rip away our healthcare," she said. "Vernon Jones doesn’t speak for Georgians, and neither does Donald Trump — which is why Georgians will send him home in November 2020."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-04-16--Trump campaign coaxing votes from Sanders populists while telling the left it's okay to hate Biden

Even as the Democrats seek to unite behind former Vice President Joe Biden , the Trump campaign is going to work targeting Bernie Sanders ’ s populist supporters while discouraging progressives out of the GOP ’ s reach from voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee .
“ There is a significant percentage of Sanders supporters , about 20 % , who back him not for his policies but for his anti-establishment and anti-status quo persona , ” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz .
“ That 's the Trump target in 2020.
” To win them , Trump and his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like trade while portraying Biden as a Washington insider who cheated Sanders out of the nomination , just like Hillary Clinton four years ago .
“ President Trump is still disrupting Washington , D.C. , while Biden represents the old , tired way and continuing to coddle the communist regime in China , ” said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement after Sanders suspended his campaign .
“ Democrat elites shoved Bernie Sanders to the side for a second time , leaving many of his supporters looking for a new home.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Bernie Sanders is OUT !
Thank you to Elizabeth Warren .
If not for her , Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday , '' .
`` This ended just like the Democrats & the DNC wanted , same as the Crooked Hillary fiasco .
The Bernie people should come to the Republican Party , TRADE ! ''
But the campaign has to walk a fine line , trying to draw Sanders supporters while bashing him for infecting Biden with leftism .
“ This is further proof that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the ballot in November , his issues will be , ” Parscale said after Sanders endorsed Biden in a video chat .
“ Biden had to adopt most of Bernie ’ s agenda to be successful in the Democrat primaries.
” Trump makes the pitch more directly .
“ The last time we had a lot of Bernie Sanders supporters , '' he said in a television interview earlier this year .
`` I think if they take it away from him like they did the last time , I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very riotous time in the Democrat Party . ''
In 2016 , over 10 % of voters who cast their primary ballots for Sanders ended up supporting Trump in the general election .
According to , that amounted to 1.5 million votes , including an estimated 216,000 voters in Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , more than Trump ’ s margin of victory in these decisive states .
Others simply declined to vote for Clinton .
“ About 20 % of the Sanders vote supported Trump over Clinton in 2016 or stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getable today , ” said Luntz .
“ But it will be harder this time because there are less of them .
There just are n't many crossover voters anymore .
Demographically , they are most likely to be male , over age 50 , white , non-college grads , and a significant percent belonged to a union at one time .
They do n't agree with Trump on all the issues , but they do agree with him on welfare and immigration , and they think he 's a victim of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a repeat this time around because of Trump ’ s incumbency and how early Sanders backed Biden .
Sanders was still running against Clinton at this time in 2016 , just as she was still running against Barack Obama at this point in 2008 .
And some Republicans are also skeptical .
`` We have n't seen the same effects in our 2020 battleground polling , '' warned GOP pollster Chris Wilson .
`` Only a handful ( 1-3 % ) of Bernie voters vote Trump in a Trump/Biden ballot . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of [ Sanders 's ] 2016 vote was an anti-Hillary protest vote , and that explains the 2016 Bernie/Trump vote , '' Wilson added .
“ Sanders 's early endorsement of Biden makes all the difference in the world , ” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon .
“ In 2016 , the war between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton lasted until July and gave the Vermont senator 's supporters only four months to grieve , get over their hero 's defeat , and do a 180 to vote for the Democratic nominee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full seven months to lick their wounds and get back into the fight .
“ The other reason for a lower Sanders supporter defection rate this year opposed to four years ago will be four years of Donald Trump , ” he added .
“ For progressive activists , the reality of the Trump presidency in 2020 is a more compelling reason to vote for the Democratic standard-bearer than the threat of a Trump presidency was in 2016.
” Another Bannon has a different message .
`` Either do n't vote or vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief strategist Steve Bannon said on Real Time With Bill Maher .
`` The Bernie people helped make Trump president , and they 're gon na help make Trump president again , because he 's been screwed by the Democratic Party . ''

Even as the Democrats seek to unite behind former Vice President Joe Biden, the Trump campaign is going to work targeting Bernie Sanders’s populist supporters while discouraging progressives out of the GOP’s reach from voting for the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“There is a significant percentage of Sanders supporters, about 20%, who back him not for his policies but for his anti-establishment and anti-status quo persona,” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz. “That's the Trump target in 2020.”
To win them, Trump and his supporters are emphasizing points of agreement on issues like trade while portraying Biden as a Washington insider who cheated Sanders out of the nomination, just like Hillary Clinton four years ago.
“President Trump is still disrupting Washington, D.C., while Biden represents the old, tired way and continuing to coddle the communist regime in China,” said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement after Sanders suspended his campaign. “Democrat elites shoved Bernie Sanders to the side for a second time, leaving many of his supporters looking for a new home.”
Trump put it more bluntly himself. "Bernie Sanders is OUT! Thank you to Elizabeth Warren. If not for her, Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday," the president tweeted . "This ended just like the Democrats & the DNC wanted, same as the Crooked Hillary fiasco. The Bernie people should come to the Republican Party, TRADE!"
But the campaign has to walk a fine line, trying to draw Sanders supporters while bashing him for infecting Biden with leftism. “This is further proof that even though Bernie Sanders won’t be on the ballot in November, his issues will be,” Parscale said after Sanders endorsed Biden in a video chat. “Biden had to adopt most of Bernie’s agenda to be successful in the Democrat primaries.”
Trump makes the pitch more directly. “The last time we had a lot of Bernie Sanders supporters," he said in a television interview earlier this year. "I think if they take it away from him like they did the last time, I really believe you're going to have a very riotous time in the Democrat Party."
In 2016, over 10% of voters who cast their primary ballots for Sanders ended up supporting Trump in the general election. According to analysts , that amounted to 1.5 million votes, including an estimated 216,000 voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, more than Trump’s margin of victory in these decisive states. Others simply declined to vote for Clinton.
“About 20% of the Sanders vote supported Trump over Clinton in 2016 or stayed home, and they are still somewhat getable today,” said Luntz. “But it will be harder this time because there are less of them. There just aren't many crossover voters anymore. Demographically, they are most likely to be male, over age 50, white, non-college grads, and a significant percent belonged to a union at one time. They don't agree with Trump on all the issues, but they do agree with him on welfare and immigration, and they think he's a victim of a hostile media.”
Democrats believe they can avoid a repeat this time around because of Trump’s incumbency and how early Sanders backed Biden. Sanders was still running against Clinton at this time in 2016, just as she was still running against Barack Obama at this point in 2008. And some Republicans are also skeptical. "We haven't seen the same effects in our 2020 battleground polling," warned GOP pollster Chris Wilson. "Only a handful (1-3%) of Bernie voters vote Trump in a Trump/Biden ballot."
"It looks like a big chunk of [Sanders's] 2016 vote was an anti-Hillary protest vote, and that explains the 2016 Bernie/Trump vote," Wilson added.
“Sanders's early endorsement of Biden makes all the difference in the world,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “In 2016, the war between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton lasted until July and gave the Vermont senator's supporters only four months to grieve, get over their hero's defeat, and do a 180 to vote for the Democratic nominee in November. Now Sanders voters have a full seven months to lick their wounds and get back into the fight.
“The other reason for a lower Sanders supporter defection rate this year opposed to four years ago will be four years of Donald Trump,” he added. “For progressive activists, the reality of the Trump presidency in 2020 is a more compelling reason to vote for the Democratic standard-bearer than the threat of a Trump presidency was in 2016.”
Another Bannon has a different message. "Either don't vote or vote for Trump," former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said on Real Time With Bill Maher. "The Bernie people helped make Trump president, and they're gonna help make Trump president again, because he's been screwed by the Democratic Party."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-07--Iranian parliament designates Pentagon and US military as terrorist organizations in unanimous vote

Iranian lawmakers voted to designate the Pentagon and the entire U.S. military as terrorist organizations .
The Tuesday vote comes less than a week after the United States conducted a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani .
The legislation was unanimously approved by 223 members of parliament .
Additionally , parliament earmarked $ 220 million to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp ’ s Quds Force , the elite special military operations unit that Soleimani once led .
The funds were allocated in response to his death .
Soleimani , 62 , was killed along with Abu Mahdi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces .
His death has stoked fears of potential retaliation from Iran or Iranian proxies .
President Trump said he has a list of 52 Iranian targets , including cultural sites , and threatened to hit them if Iran seeks revenge for Soleimani ’ s death .
Tuesday ’ s votes came the same day as dozens were killed during a stampede at Solemani ’ s funeral procession .
Thousands of his supporters had assembled in his hometown , Kerman , to watch his casket be brought to the cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the deaths and injuries .

Iranian lawmakers voted to designate the Pentagon and the entire U.S. military as terrorist organizations.
The Tuesday vote comes less than a week after the United States conducted a drone strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. The legislation was unanimously approved by 223 members of Parliament.
Additionally, Parliament earmarked $220 million to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, the elite special military operations unit that Soleimani once led. The funds were allocated in response to his death.
Soleimani, 62, was killed along with Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, the leader of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces. His death has stoked fears of potential retaliation from Iran or Iranian proxies. President Trump said he has a list of 52 Iranian targets, including cultural sites, and threatened to hit them if Iran seeks revenge for Soleimani’s death.
Tuesday’s votes came the same day as dozens were killed during a stampede at Solemani’s funeral procession. Thousands of his supporters had assembled in his hometown, Kerman, to watch his casket be brought to the cemetery. The funeral had to be postponed because of the deaths and injuries.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-06--New York City medical examiner stands by conclusions on Epstein suicide

New York City ’ s medical examiner stood by her conclusion that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died via a suicide by hanging amid scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the financier ’ s death in his prison cell last summer .
When asked to respond to Sunday ’ s 60 Minutes exposé , which included comments from a celebrity forensic pathologist doubtful of the official conclusions and newly released pictures of Epstein ’ s bruised neck and from inside his cell after his death , a representative for chief medical examiner Barbara Sampson declined to provide new details .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around this ongoing investigation at this time , but we refer you to our previous statements , ” the medical examiner ’ s office told the Washington Examiner on Monday .
When asked if this meant Sampson was standing by her findings that Epstein killed himself , the representative replied : “ Yes , that is fair.
” Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in NYC ’ s Metropolitan Correctional Center early on Aug. 10 .
Dr. Michael Baden , who briefly held the same role as Sampson in the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial celebrity medical examiner , was hired by Epstein ’ s younger brother , Mark Epstein , to conduct an investigation .
Baden observed the four-hour autopsy by Sampson ’ s office and said he believed the current evidence made it more likely Epstein was a victim of a homicidal strangulation rather than suicide , pointing to the injuries to Epstein ’ s neck .
`` There were fractures of the left , the right thyroid cartilage , and the left hyoid bone — I have never seen three fractures like this in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Going over a thousand jail hangings , suicides in the New York City state prisons over the past 40 to 50 years , no one had three fractures.
” Baden said he understood if people thought he was biased due to being paid by Epstein ’ s brother but claimed “ our job is to find what the truth is … just to find out whether it 's a homicide or a suicide , ” and added , “ I hesitate , as usual , to make a final opinion until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NYC medical examiner ’ s office has stood “ firmly ” by its findings .
“ Our investigation concluded that the cause of Mr. Epstein ’ s death was hanging and the manner of death was suicide , and we stand by that determination , ” Sampson said in October when Baden ’ s claims were first made public .
“ We continue to share information around the medical investigation with Mr. Epstein 's family , their representatives , and their pathology consultant .
The original medical investigation was thorough and complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second medical investigation by our office.
” “ In general , fractures of the hyoid bone and the cartilage can be seen in suicides and homicides , ” Sampson told the New York Times .
“ In forensics , it ’ s a general principle that all information from all aspects of an investigation must be considered together , ” Sampson told the Associated Press .
“ You can ’ t draw a conclusion from one finding .
Everything about the case has to be considered.
” Epstein allegedly sexually exploited and abused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Manhattan , New York , and Palm Beach , Florida , among other locations , between 2002 and 2005 , and perhaps beyond .
Prosecutors claimed Epstein enticed and recruited minor girls to engage in sex acts with him and built a “ vast network of underage victims.
” The Justice Department charged two prison guards , Tova Noel and Michael Thomas , with dereliction of duty and falsifying records while covering up their failure to conduct their rounds and wellness checks the night Epstein died .
Both pleaded not guilty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited by the DOJ and the Bureau of Prisons to justify their relative silence about Epstein ’ s death .
Attorney General William Barr said he personally reviewed security footage showing no one else entered Epstein ’ s cell the night he died .
The jet-setting financier ’ s friendships with people such as former President Bill Clinton , the U.K. 's Prince Andrew , and others have come under increased scrutiny following his death , while Epstein 's victims continue fighting for accountability .

New York City’s medical examiner stood by her conclusion that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died via a suicide by hanging amid scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the financier’s death in his prison cell last summer.
When asked to respond to Sunday’s 60 Minutes exposé, which included comments from a celebrity forensic pathologist doubtful of the official conclusions and newly released pictures of Epstein’s bruised neck and from inside his cell after his death, a representative for chief medical examiner Barbara Sampson declined to provide new details.
“We can’t answer more specific questions around this ongoing investigation at this time, but we refer you to our previous statements,” the medical examiner’s office told the Washington Examiner on Monday.
When asked if this meant Sampson was standing by her findings that Epstein killed himself, the representative replied: “Yes, that is fair.”
Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in NYC’s Metropolitan Correctional Center early on Aug. 10.
Dr. Michael Baden, who briefly held the same role as Sampson in the late 1970s and went on to become a controversial celebrity medical examiner, was hired by Epstein’s younger brother, Mark Epstein, to conduct an investigation.
Baden observed the four-hour autopsy by Sampson’s office and said he believed the current evidence made it more likely Epstein was a victim of a homicidal strangulation rather than suicide, pointing to the injuries to Epstein’s neck.
"There were fractures of the left, the right thyroid cartilage, and the left hyoid bone — I have never seen three fractures like this in a suicidal hanging,” Baden said. “Going over a thousand jail hangings, suicides in the New York City state prisons over the past 40 to 50 years, no one had three fractures.”
Baden said he understood if people thought he was biased due to being paid by Epstein’s brother but claimed “our job is to find what the truth is … just to find out whether it's a homicide or a suicide,” and added, “I hesitate, as usual, to make a final opinion until all the evidence is in.”
But the NYC medical examiner’s office has stood “firmly” by its findings.
“Our investigation concluded that the cause of Mr. Epstein’s death was hanging and the manner of death was suicide, and we stand by that determination,” Sampson said in October when Baden’s claims were first made public. “We continue to share information around the medical investigation with Mr. Epstein's family, their representatives, and their pathology consultant. The original medical investigation was thorough and complete. There is no reason for a second medical investigation by our office.”
“In general, fractures of the hyoid bone and the cartilage can be seen in suicides and homicides,” Sampson told the New York Times.
“In forensics, it’s a general principle that all information from all aspects of an investigation must be considered together,” Sampson told the Associated Press. “You can’t draw a conclusion from one finding. Everything about the case has to be considered.”
Epstein allegedly sexually exploited and abused dozens of minor girls at his homes in Manhattan, New York, and Palm Beach, Florida, among other locations, between 2002 and 2005, and perhaps beyond. Prosecutors claimed Epstein enticed and recruited minor girls to engage in sex acts with him and built a “vast network of underage victims.”
The Justice Department charged two prison guards, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, with dereliction of duty and falsifying records while covering up their failure to conduct their rounds and wellness checks the night Epstein died. Both pleaded not guilty, and the ongoing criminal case has been cited by the DOJ and the Bureau of Prisons to justify their relative silence about Epstein’s death. Attorney General William Barr said he personally reviewed security footage showing no one else entered Epstein’s cell the night he died.
The jet-setting financier’s friendships with people such as former President Bill Clinton, the U.K.'s Prince Andrew, and others have come under increased scrutiny following his death, while Epstein's victims continue fighting for accountability.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-06--'They’ve lost their minds': Trump claims Democrats are using impeachment to 'affect the election ill

'They’ve lost their minds': Trump claims Democrats are using impeachment to 'affect the election illegally'

President Trump bemoaned the Democratic Party , saying lawmakers are wielding impeachment as a political cudgel during a call into Rush Limbaugh ’ s radio show .
“ I think they 've lost their minds , if you want to know the truth , ” Trump said about Democrats during a Monday interview with the Rush Limbaugh Show .
“ You look at the impeachment hoax , and they have nothing .
They have nothing.
” The president went on to accuse House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of withholding articles of impeachment from the Senate in order to affect the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re trying to do is affect the election illegally , ” Trump said .
“ They are a joke .
They are not crimes .
There is nothing there .
They found nothing .
We went through two years of a Mueller report.
” Trump said that the founders of the country would not approve of the way Pelosi and Democrats have handled his impeachment .
“ [ Pelosi ] doesn ’ t want to get a vote because how could anybody possibly — it ’ s totally fraudulent .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Pelosi , 79 , has been withholding articles of impeachment since Trump was impeached on two articles because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he may not call any witnesses .
Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that he would testify before the Senate in the impeachment trial if he is subpoenaed .

President Trump bemoaned the Democratic Party, saying lawmakers are wielding impeachment as a political cudgel during a call into Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.
“I think they've lost their minds, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said about Democrats during a Monday interview with the Rush Limbaugh Show. “You look at the impeachment hoax, and they have nothing. They have nothing.”
The president went on to accuse House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of withholding articles of impeachment from the Senate in order to affect the 2020 presidential election.
“I think what they’re trying to do is affect the election illegally,” Trump said. “They are a joke. They are not crimes. There is nothing there. They found nothing. We went through two years of a Mueller report.”
Trump said that the founders of the country would not approve of the way Pelosi and Democrats have handled his impeachment.
“[Pelosi] doesn’t want to get a vote because how could anybody possibly — it’s totally fraudulent. This is not what they had in mind,” he said.
Pelosi, 79, has been withholding articles of impeachment since Trump was impeached on two articles because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he may not call any witnesses. Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that he would testify before the Senate in the impeachment trial if he is subpoenaed.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-06--Joe Lieberman blasts 2020 Democrats for opposing Trump’s 'morally' correct decision to kill Soleiman

Joe Lieberman blasts 2020 Democrats for opposing Trump’s 'morally' correct decision to kill Soleimani

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman called the decision to kill Qassem Soleimani “ bold and unconventional ” and warned Democrats against partisan opposition to the action .
Lieberman , a Democrat from Connecticut , wrote in the Wall Street Journal that President Trump ’ s decision to conduct a drone strike against Soleimani warranted a less partisan reaction from Democrats , many of whom have condemned the attack .
“ Trump ’ s order to take out Qassem Soleimani was morally , constitutionally and strategically correct , ” Lieberman wrote .
“ It deserves more bipartisan support than the begrudging or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from my fellow Democrats.
” Lieberman , 77 , drew upon the post-World War II words of Sen. Arthur Vandenberg , who chaired the Senate 's Foreign Relations Committee .
Vandenberg , a Republican , worked closely with Democratic President Harry Truman on foreign policy matters because “ politics stops at the water ’ s edge.
” Lieberman said that Democrats today should heed Vandenberg ’ s advice .
“ In their uniformly skeptical or negative reactions to Soleimani ’ s death , Democrats are falling well below Vandenberg ’ s standard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the U.S. will be seen as acting and speaking with less authority abroad at this important time , ” he said .
Lieberman , who was in the Senate from 1989 to 2013 and was chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee , said that Soleimani ’ s death could lessen the chance of a war rather than increase it — as some , such as Joe Biden , have suggested .
`` Some Democrats have said that killing Soleimani will lead us into war with Iran .
In fact , Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war with the U.S. for years , '' Lieberman argued .
`` It is more likely that his death will diminish the chances of a wider conflict because the demonstration of our willingness to kill him will give Iranian leaders ( and probably others like Kim Jong Un ) much to fear . ''
U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook , 51 , said on Thursday that the United States moved forward with the attack because of “ very solid ” intelligence that Soleimani was planning to kill “ hundreds of Americans.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that an “ imminent threat ” led to the U.S. drone strike that killed the Iranian general .
Lieberman also said that it “ defies common sense ” to argue that Trump violated his constitutional powers by “ acting on an imminent threat.
” “ Authority to act quickly to eliminate a threat to the U.S. is inherent in the powers granted to the president by the Constitution , ” Lieberman said .
He also noted that President Barack Obama ordered drone strikes and attacks on targets that presented threats without specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Anwar al Awlaki and Osama bin Laden .
“ If enough voters decide that Democrats can ’ t be trusted to keep America safe , Mr. Trump won ’ t have much trouble winning a second term in November , ” Lieberman wrote .
“ That ’ s one more reason Democrats should leave partisan politics at ‘ the water ’ s edge ’ and , whatever their opinion of President Trump on other matters , stand together against Iran and dangerous leaders like Qassem Soleimani , ” he concluded .

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman called the decision to kill Qassem Soleimani “bold and unconventional” and warned Democrats against partisan opposition to the action.
Lieberman, a Democrat from Connecticut, wrote in the Wall Street Journal that President Trump’s decision to conduct a drone strike against Soleimani warranted a less partisan reaction from Democrats, many of whom have condemned the attack.
“Trump’s order to take out Qassem Soleimani was morally, constitutionally and strategically correct,” Lieberman wrote. “It deserves more bipartisan support than the begrudging or negative reactions it has received thus far from my fellow Democrats.”
Lieberman, 77, drew upon the post-World War II words of Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, who chaired the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee. Vandenberg, a Republican, worked closely with Democratic President Harry Truman on foreign policy matters because “politics stops at the water’s edge.”
Lieberman said that Democrats today should heed Vandenberg’s advice.
“In their uniformly skeptical or negative reactions to Soleimani’s death, Democrats are falling well below Vandenberg’s standard and, I fear, creating the risk that the U.S. will be seen as acting and speaking with less authority abroad at this important time,” he said.
Lieberman, who was in the Senate from 1989 to 2013 and was chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said that Soleimani’s death could lessen the chance of a war rather than increase it — as some, such as Joe Biden, have suggested.
"Some Democrats have said that killing Soleimani will lead us into war with Iran. In fact, Soleimani and the Quds Force have been at war with the U.S. for years," Lieberman argued. "It is more likely that his death will diminish the chances of a wider conflict because the demonstration of our willingness to kill him will give Iranian leaders (and probably others like Kim Jong Un) much to fear."
U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, 51, said on Thursday that the United States moved forward with the attack because of “very solid” intelligence that Soleimani was planning to kill “hundreds of Americans.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said that an “imminent threat” led to the U.S. drone strike that killed the Iranian general.
Lieberman also said that it “defies common sense” to argue that Trump violated his constitutional powers by “acting on an imminent threat.”
“Authority to act quickly to eliminate a threat to the U.S. is inherent in the powers granted to the president by the Constitution,” Lieberman said.
He also noted that President Barack Obama ordered drone strikes and attacks on targets that presented threats without specific congressional approval. He cited the deaths of Anwar al Awlaki and Osama bin Laden.
“If enough voters decide that Democrats can’t be trusted to keep America safe, Mr. Trump won’t have much trouble winning a second term in November,” Lieberman wrote.
“That’s one more reason Democrats should leave partisan politics at ‘the water’s edge’ and, whatever their opinion of President Trump on other matters, stand together against Iran and dangerous leaders like Qassem Soleimani,” he concluded.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-06--Top GOP lawyer: Attacking Iranian cultural sites would breach Hague Cultural Property Convention

A leading Republican lawyer warned that President Trump ’ s threat to target Iranian cultural sites would be a violation of an international treaty .
John Bellinger III , who was the legal adviser for the State Department under President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2009 , said in a Sunday Lawfare article that although bombing cultural sites would not constitute a war crime under the Rome Statute , it would violate the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict .
The Senate approved the convention , which was supported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , Bellinger testified before Congress about its passage and said that it was in line with America ’ s longstanding practice of not attacking cultural sites .
“ We have concluded that U.S. practice is entirely consistent with this convention and that ratifying it will cause no problems for the United States or for the conduct of U.S. military operations , ” Bellinger testified .
In the Sunday article , Bellinger called on Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley to “ publicly affirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the convention .
He added that “ privately they — as well as White House Counsel Pat Cipollone , Attorney General William Barr , and National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien — need to educate the president on U.S. legal obligations governing the use of military force .
I urge the lawyers in the Departments of State , Defense , and Justice and the White House to make sure this happens.
” Pointing to a lecture he gave in November 2016 , Bellinger said that “ Trump and Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law rules that govern the use of military force and the conduct of military operations and to understand why they are important.
” Bellinger contends that flouting international agreements regarding the use of force could give other countries like Russia and China leverage to do the same and inflame tensions between U.S. allies .
Trump previously said he had a list of 52 Iranian targets , including cultural sites , that might be attacked should Iran retaliate after the U.S. killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani last week .
Soleimani , 62 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike along with Abu Mahdi al Muhandis , leader of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces .

A leading Republican lawyer warned that President Trump’s threat to target Iranian cultural sites would be a violation of an international treaty.
John Bellinger III, who was the legal adviser for the State Department under President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2009, said in a Sunday Lawfare article that although bombing cultural sites would not constitute a war crime under the Rome Statute, it would violate the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
The Senate approved the convention, which was supported by the Bush administration, in September 2008. At the time, Bellinger testified before Congress about its passage and said that it was in line with America’s longstanding practice of not attacking cultural sites.
“We have concluded that U.S. practice is entirely consistent with this convention and that ratifying it will cause no problems for the United States or for the conduct of U.S. military operations,” Bellinger testified.
[Related: White House downplays Trump threat to hit Iranian cultural sites]
In the Sunday article, Bellinger called on Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley to “publicly affirm” that the U.S. will still comply with the convention.
He added that “privately they — as well as White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, Attorney General William Barr, and National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien — need to educate the president on U.S. legal obligations governing the use of military force. I urge the lawyers in the Departments of State, Defense, and Justice and the White House to make sure this happens.”
Pointing to a lecture he gave in November 2016, Bellinger said that “Trump and Vice President Mike Pence should learn the domestic and international law rules that govern the use of military force and the conduct of military operations and to understand why they are important.”
Bellinger contends that flouting international agreements regarding the use of force could give other countries like Russia and China leverage to do the same and inflame tensions between U.S. allies.
Trump previously said he had a list of 52 Iranian targets, including cultural sites, that might be attacked should Iran retaliate after the U.S. killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani last week.
Soleimani, 62, was killed in a Baghdad drone strike along with Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, leader of the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces.