thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--John Ratcliffe says 'experienced' intelligence officials 'have gotten it wrong' in defense of renewe

John Ratcliffe says 'experienced' intelligence officials 'have gotten it wrong' in defense of renewed spy chief bid

Rep. John Ratcliffe said his `` different kind of experience '' makes him a strong candidate for President Trump 's top intelligence official .
The Texas Republican , who is being renominated to be the director of national intelligence , took on criticisms he faces as he explained why he is `` absolutely '' qualified at a time when the United States deals with national security threats such as the spread of the new coronavirus and another potential wave of Russian election interference , saying , `` I ’ ve been handling national security issues as far back as 2005.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intelligence agency .
I think that bringing a different kind of experience today is really going to be vitally important .
You know all of the experience in the world is n't helpful without judgment , and I think what we 've seen is that some of our most experienced intelligence officials have gotten it wrong with respect to important issues , '' Ratcliffe told Catherine Herridge of CBS News .
His critique aligns with complaints by Trump , who has a history of breaking with intelligence assessments by his own agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials who investigated his 2016 presidential campaign .
Ratcliffe has been a leading voice in demanding accountability over allegations of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuses by the Justice Department and the FBI .
Trump initially nominated Ratcliffe to replace Dan Coats as the director last summer , but the congressman withdrew within days after some senators questioned his credentials and he was accused of overstating his professional record regarding the prosecution of Hamas terrorists .
“ I reconsidered because the president asked me , and I think when the president asks you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at that , ” Ratcliffe said .
“ I think I ’ ll have the support of all Republicans at the end of the day .
I ’ m going to work hard to convince at least some of my Democratic colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
” After Trump announced late Friday that he was renominating Ratcliffe , Democrats quickly fired off fresh complaints .
`` Replacing one highly partisan operative with another does nothing to keep our country safe .
At a time when the Russians are interfering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonpartisan leader at the helm of the Intelligence Community who sees the world objectively and speaks truth to power , and unfortunately , neither acting Director Grenell nor Rep. Ratcliffe comes even close to that , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement .
Trump defended his selection of Ratcliffe on Saturday , praising him as a “ terrific man ” during a wide-ranging news conference about the coronavirus earlier on Saturday .
“ He ’ s been fantastic at everything he ’ s done , ” Trump added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold off on a renomination to the top spy perch until after DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz ’ s FISA report had been released , which happened in December .
“ He wanted to wait until after the IG report , ” Trump told reporters .
“ The IG report has now come , and we ’ ve learned a lot of very bad things from the IG report , as you know very well.
” The president also predicted Ratcliffe will be confirmed by the Senate , which is controlled by Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go through a process , and I think it ’ ll go fairly quickly .
He ’ s a very respected man , somebody that I ’ ve gotten to like , somebody who really has — he ’ s someone who has really distinguished himself , I think , over the last year and a half or two years in particular , ” Trump said .
“ So , we ’ re very happy with that.
” Last weekend , Ratcliffe , who is a member of the intelligence and judiciary panels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Russian inference in the 2020 election .
“ He 's at it again by putting out , through his committee , information that is false , ” the Texas lawmaker said .
“ Look , I 'm not trying to be hyperbolic here , but I do n't know anyone in the last three years who has done more to help Vladimir Putin and Russia with their efforts to sow the seeds of discord in American elections and American election security than Adam Schiff has.
” Rep. Adam Schiff is the chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he called Ratcliffe `` an unqualified nominee who should not be confirmed . ''
The controversial classified briefing happened earlier this month and was conducted by Shelby Pierson , the Intelligence Community election threats executive under then-acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire .
During the meeting , sources cited by the New York Times said Pierson warned that “ Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get President Trump reelected.
” Ratcliffe said , `` We see when there 's a story that is allegedly anti-Trump or negative for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspapers because either Democratic members or Democratic staffers leak it .
The problem is , in this case , they have leaked information that 's not accurate.
” A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told the Washington Examiner that “ Shelby did not say Russia is aiding the reelection of President Trump.
” Ratcliffe has been a key inquisitor for Republicans in Congress .
Under questioning from Ratcliffe during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this month , FBI Director Christopher Wray agreed that onetime Trump campaign associate Carter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director Wray is right : counterfeiting evidence to conduct illegal surveillance is utterly unacceptable , ” Ratcliffe tweeted after the hearing .
As head of the U.S. intelligence apparatus , Ratcliffe would tap into some of the most politically sensitive investigations and reforms that are underway .
It is already known the Justice Department found at least two of four FISA orders targeting Page were invalid .
The FBI also told the FISA court it was working to sequester all the information obtained through the Page FISA warrants until the completion of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report and the `` outcome of related investigations and any litigation . ''
At the Conservative Political Action Conference this week in Maryland , Ratcliffe weighed in on the congressional battle over FISA reform , defending the value of the surveillance law used to root out terrorists and spies .
Noting that `` maybe 25 % of our foreign intelligence comes from that , '' Ratcliffe said it `` serves our country well and saves lives '' while also arguing it needed fixes .
Ratcliffe said it was n't enough to defend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to defend the values behind the institutions … I hope we approach it that right way .
”

Rep. John Ratcliffe said his "different kind of experience" makes him a strong candidate for President Trump's top intelligence official.
The Texas Republican, who is being renominated to be the director of national intelligence, took on criticisms he faces as he explained why he is "absolutely" qualified at a time when the United States deals with national security threats such as the spread of the new coronavirus and another potential wave of Russian election interference, saying, "I’ve been handling national security issues as far back as 2005.”
"I haven't served in an intelligence agency. I think that bringing a different kind of experience today is really going to be vitally important. You know all of the experience in the world isn't helpful without judgment, and I think what we've seen is that some of our most experienced intelligence officials have gotten it wrong with respect to important issues," Ratcliffe told Catherine Herridge of CBS News.
His critique aligns with complaints by Trump, who has a history of breaking with intelligence assessments by his own agencies, and who has castigated top former officials who investigated his 2016 presidential campaign. Ratcliffe has been a leading voice in demanding accountability over allegations of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuses by the Justice Department and the FBI.
Trump initially nominated Ratcliffe to replace Dan Coats as the director last summer, but the congressman withdrew within days after some senators questioned his credentials and he was accused of overstating his professional record regarding the prosecution of Hamas terrorists.
“I reconsidered because the president asked me, and I think when the president asks you to do something for your country, you look at that,” Ratcliffe said. “I think I’ll have the support of all Republicans at the end of the day. I’m going to work hard to convince at least some of my Democratic colleagues on the other side of the aisle.”
After Trump announced late Friday that he was renominating Ratcliffe, Democrats quickly fired off fresh complaints.
"Replacing one highly partisan operative with another does nothing to keep our country safe. At a time when the Russians are interfering in our elections, we need a nonpartisan leader at the helm of the Intelligence Community who sees the world objectively and speaks truth to power, and unfortunately, neither acting Director Grenell nor Rep. Ratcliffe comes even close to that," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
Trump defended his selection of Ratcliffe on Saturday, praising him as a “terrific man” during a wide-ranging news conference about the coronavirus earlier on Saturday. “He’s been fantastic at everything he’s done,” Trump added.
The president said Ratcliffe wanted him to hold off on a renomination to the top spy perch until after DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s FISA report had been released, which happened in December.
“He wanted to wait until after the IG report,” Trump told reporters. “The IG report has now come, and we’ve learned a lot of very bad things from the IG report, as you know very well.”
The president also predicted Ratcliffe will be confirmed by the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.
“I think he’ll go through a process, and I think it’ll go fairly quickly. He’s a very respected man, somebody that I’ve gotten to like, somebody who really has — he’s someone who has really distinguished himself, I think, over the last year and a half or two years in particular,” Trump said. “So, we’re very happy with that.”
Last weekend, Ratcliffe, who is a member of the intelligence and judiciary panels, addressed disputed leaks about classified intelligence on Russian inference in the 2020 election.
“He's at it again by putting out, through his committee, information that is false,” the Texas lawmaker said. “Look, I'm not trying to be hyperbolic here, but I don't know anyone in the last three years who has done more to help Vladimir Putin and Russia with their efforts to sow the seeds of discord in American elections and American election security than Adam Schiff has.”
Rep. Adam Schiff is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and he called Ratcliffe "an unqualified nominee who should not be confirmed."
The controversial classified briefing happened earlier this month and was conducted by Shelby Pierson, the Intelligence Community election threats executive under then-acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. During the meeting, sources cited by the New York Times said Pierson warned that “Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get President Trump reelected.”
Ratcliffe said, "We see when there's a story that is allegedly anti-Trump or negative for the president, it shows up in newspapers because either Democratic members or Democratic staffers leak it. The problem is, in this case, they have leaked information that's not accurate.”
A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told the Washington Examiner that “Shelby did not say Russia is aiding the reelection of President Trump.”
Ratcliffe has been a key inquisitor for Republicans in Congress. Under questioning from Ratcliffe during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray agreed that onetime Trump campaign associate Carter Page was surveilled illegally. “FBI Director Wray is right: counterfeiting evidence to conduct illegal surveillance is utterly unacceptable,” Ratcliffe tweeted after the hearing.
As head of the U.S. intelligence apparatus, Ratcliffe would tap into some of the most politically sensitive investigations and reforms that are underway.
It is already known the Justice Department found at least two of four FISA orders targeting Page were invalid. The FBI also told the FISA court it was working to sequester all the information obtained through the Page FISA warrants until the completion of a further review of the DOJ inspector general report and the "outcome of related investigations and any litigation."
At the Conservative Political Action Conference this week in Maryland, Ratcliffe weighed in on the congressional battle over FISA reform, defending the value of the surveillance law used to root out terrorists and spies. Noting that "maybe 25% of our foreign intelligence comes from that," Ratcliffe said it "serves our country well and saves lives" while also arguing it needed fixes.
Ratcliffe said it wasn't enough to defend the DOJ and the FBI: "You have to defend the values behind the institutions … I hope we approach it that right way.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-29--'It’s a mess': GOP challenger says Schiff has done nothing to fight homeless crisis in California di

'It’s a mess': GOP challenger says Schiff has done nothing to fight homeless crisis in California district

Rep. Adam Schiff ’ s Republican challenger accused the Democrat on Friday of ignoring the homelessness crisis in his California district .
“ He ’ s done nothing , or virtually nothing , for our district , ” Eric Early , who announced his candidacy to represent California ’ s 28th Congressional District in July , .
“ Certainly not a darn thing for homelessness.
” “ It ’ s a mess out here , it ’ s terrible , ” he added .
Early , a Los Angeles attorney , made his comments about Schiff while walking through parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with homeless people and listening to their stories about their situations .
Schiff ’ s team responded to the criticism by linking Early to President Trump .
“ These attacks from Eric Early , who is from out of the district and knows little of our community , are characteristic of someone who once described himself as Trump ’ s biggest supporter in California , ” the Schiff campaign said .
“ They may please Trump , but do not impress our constituents.
” Schiff is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president .
He was lead impeachment manager in the Ukraine-related trial against Trump that ended in acquittal this month .
Early argued that voters will gravitate to his campaign because he is willing to take a firm stand on combating homelessness .
“ We need somebody strong enough to fight and say we are going to forcibly move these people off the streets if they don ’ t come voluntarily , ” Early said .
“ That may not look quote-unquote compassionate , but I believe it ’ s much more compassionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die.
” California ’ s homeless population increased by 16.4 % from 2018 to 2019 , and 53 % of all recorded homeless people in the United States lived in the state as of January 2019 , according to Housing and Urban Development figures .
A recent University of Southern California showed the homelessness crisis is the No .
1 concern of voters in Schiff ’ s district .

Rep. Adam Schiff’s Republican challenger accused the Democrat on Friday of ignoring the homelessness crisis in his California district.
“He’s done nothing, or virtually nothing, for our district,” Eric Early, who announced his candidacy to represent California’s 28th Congressional District in July, told Fox News . “Certainly not a darn thing for homelessness.”
“It’s a mess out here, it’s terrible,” he added.
Early, a Los Angeles attorney, made his comments about Schiff while walking through parts of Echo Park and Hollywood, meeting with homeless people and listening to their stories about their situations.
Schiff’s team responded to the criticism by linking Early to President Trump.
“These attacks from Eric Early, who is from out of the district and knows little of our community, are characteristic of someone who once described himself as Trump’s biggest supporter in California,” the Schiff campaign said. “They may please Trump, but do not impress our constituents.”
Schiff is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and has been a vocal critic of the president. He was lead impeachment manager in the Ukraine-related trial against Trump that ended in acquittal this month.
Early argued that voters will gravitate to his campaign because he is willing to take a firm stand on combating homelessness.
“We need somebody strong enough to fight and say we are going to forcibly move these people off the streets if they don’t come voluntarily,” Early said. “That may not look quote-unquote compassionate, but I believe it’s much more compassionate than leaving these folks out here to die.”
California’s homeless population increased by 16.4% from 2018 to 2019, and 53% of all recorded homeless people in the United States lived in the state as of January 2019, according to Housing and Urban Development figures .


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-29--Comedians build 'Confederate statue' to Steve King

Two comedians created a miniature `` Confederate statue '' of Rep. Steve King and placed it in front of the @ @ @ @ @ `` We put up a confederate statue honoring confederate sympathizer Steve King .
Hopefully he @ @ @ @ @ not take it down , '' the comedy duo , The Good Liars , said @ @ @ @ @ This site is dedicated to Confederate sympathizer and White Nationalist , Steve King , ” @ @ @ @ @ Here , King is honored with the world ’ s smallest Confederate statue .
A @ @ @ @ @ man . ''
Over the years , the Republican congressman drew criticism for displaying a @ @ @ @ @ table , saying anti-immigrant statements , and making a reported defense of white nationalism ( @ @ @ @ @ among other things .
The Good Liars have a history of making fun of conservatives @ @ @ @ @ group replaced covers of Donald Trump Jr. 's book with a cover that said , @ @ @ @ @ me . ''

Two comedians created a miniature "Confederate statue" of Rep. Steve King and placed it in front of the Iowa State Capitol building.
"We put up a confederate statue honoring confederate sympathizer Steve King. Hopefully he will honor his heritage and not take it down," the comedy duo, The Good Liars, said Thursday on Twitter.
We put up a confederate statue honoring confederate sympathizer Steve King. Hopefully he will honor his heritage and not take it down. pic.twitter.com/TuhKTmut1q — The Good Liars (@TheGoodLiars) February 27, 2020
“This site is dedicated to Confederate sympathizer and White Nationalist, Steve King,” said a plaque. “Here, King is honored with the world’s smallest Confederate statue. A tiny statue for a tiny man."
Over the years, the Republican congressman drew criticism for displaying a Confederate flag on his office table, saying anti-immigrant statements, and making a reported defense of white nationalism (which he disputed), among other things.
The Good Liars have a history of making fun of conservatives. Last fall, the group replaced covers of Donald Trump Jr.'s book with a cover that said, "Daddy, please love me."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-02-29--White House Report Card: Concern over virus nicks Trump economic record

This week ’ s White House Report Card finds President Trump taking charge of the coronavirus spread and fighting attacks that he hasn ’ t done enough to solve it or calm down the plummeting stock market .
He started the week in India and with a near record-high 52 % approval rating from Rasmussen Reports , but overnight on Thursday , as the virus scare increased and the stock market tanked , his rating fell 5 points .
Democratic pollster and grader John Zogby pulled his punches on the virus and called for greater for bipartisanship on the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president had a handful of big victories that were overshadowed by the virus .
Trump can be legitimately criticized for too slow a reaction to the spreading coronavirus .
But this is not the time to be partisan .
Instead , let the campaign go on in full swing , but the public should be able to count on the leaders of both parties to work on this truly global and worsening crisis .
Trump , to his credit , appointed Vice President Mike Pence to take the lead on this pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders to expand the production of protective gear and more tests .
Whether or not this is too late is a matter for history .
Today , we all need to rally .
The stock market has reached the correction phase , with signs pointing to more losses on opening bell Monday .
This is a real test of leadership , and let 's see if the president can rise to the occasion .
Trump had another mixed week featuring a high-profile trip to India , the media generating panic over the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the courts .
India ’ s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet for Trump and his wife .
Trump held a rally for 110,000 people and toured the Taj Mahal .
The only significant result of the trip was Modi ’ s agreement to buy about $ 3 billion in U.S. military helicopters .
India has not bought U.S. military goods since the 1990s , when Clinton sanctioned India for its nuclear program .
Fear of the coronavirus is spreading widely and wildly .
The stock market posted its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Democrat-media conglomerate is spreading fear , bashing Trump for not spending more without , of course , telling us what they ’ d do differently .
In other nations such as Iran , which has no healthcare system worth mentioning , the coronavirus is infecting tens of thousands .
The infections may be widespread enough to bring down the ayatollahs ’ regime .
It ’ s getting bad in Europe as well , with infections widespread in Italy .
Meanwhile , Trump scored big wins on abortion and illegal immigration in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ! )
upheld a recent Trump change to the federal rules on abortion .
That action is a major indication of Trump ’ s conversion of the 9th Circus ( the judicial circuit most frequently reversed by SCOTUS ) into what soon will be a moderate , if not conservative , court .
The 2nd Circuit gave Trump an even bigger win , ruling that the Justice Department can withhold grant money from “ sanctuary cities ” that choose to refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement .
All in all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies .
His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here .
Follow him on Twitter : @ TheJohnZogby .
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W .
Bush .
Follow him on Twitter : @ jedbabbin .

This week’s White House Report Card finds President Trump taking charge of the coronavirus spread and fighting attacks that he hasn’t done enough to solve it or calm down the plummeting stock market.
He started the week in India and with a near record-high 52% approval rating from Rasmussen Reports, but overnight on Thursday, as the virus scare increased and the stock market tanked, his rating fell 5 points.
Democratic pollster and grader John Zogby pulled his punches on the virus and called for greater for bipartisanship on the issue.
Conservative grader Jed Babbin noted that the president had a handful of big victories that were overshadowed by the virus.
John Zogby
Grade C
Trump can be legitimately criticized for too slow a reaction to the spreading coronavirus. But this is not the time to be partisan. Instead, let the campaign go on in full swing, but the public should be able to count on the leaders of both parties to work on this truly global and worsening crisis.
Trump, to his credit, appointed Vice President Mike Pence to take the lead on this pending catastrophe and has issued a number of orders to expand the production of protective gear and more tests. Whether or not this is too late is a matter for history. Today, we all need to rally.
Thank you to all of the incredible Law Enforcement Officers in South Carolina tonight. We love you! pic.twitter.com/yoqjwFzqQA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 29, 2020
The stock market has reached the correction phase, with signs pointing to more losses on opening bell Monday. This is a real test of leadership, and let's see if the president can rise to the occasion.
Jed Babbin
Grade B
Trump had another mixed week featuring a high-profile trip to India, the media generating panic over the coronavirus, and a couple of big wins in the courts.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet for Trump and his wife. Trump held a rally for 110,000 people and toured the Taj Mahal. The only significant result of the trip was Modi’s agreement to buy about $3 billion in U.S. military helicopters. India has not bought U.S. military goods since the 1990s, when Clinton sanctioned India for its nuclear program.
Fear of the coronavirus is spreading widely and wildly. The stock market posted its heaviest losses in a dozen years. The Democrat-media conglomerate is spreading fear, bashing Trump for not spending more without, of course, telling us what they’d do differently. In other nations such as Iran, which has no healthcare system worth mentioning, the coronavirus is infecting tens of thousands. The infections may be widespread enough to bring down the ayatollahs’ regime. It’s getting bad in Europe as well, with infections widespread in Italy.
Meanwhile, Trump scored big wins on abortion and illegal immigration in the courts this week. The 9th Circuit (!) upheld a recent Trump change to the federal rules on abortion. That action is a major indication of Trump’s conversion of the 9th Circus (the judicial circuit most frequently reversed by SCOTUS) into what soon will be a moderate, if not conservative, court. The 2nd Circuit gave Trump an even bigger win, ruling that the Justice Department can withhold grant money from “sanctuary cities” that choose to refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
All in all, a pretty good week.
John Zogby is the founder of the Zogby Poll and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His weekly podcast with son and partner Jeremy Zogby can be heard here. Follow him on Twitter: @TheJohnZogby.
Jed Babbin is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of former President George H.W. Bush. Follow him on Twitter: @jedbabbin.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--‘He was challenging Hillary’: Biden rips Sanders call for candidate with most delegates to win nomin

‘He was challenging Hillary’: Biden rips Sanders call for candidate with most delegates to win nomination

Joe Biden bashed Bernie Sanders ’ s presidential campaign for claiming that the 2020 Democratic nomination should be given to whichever candidate has the plurality of delegates , even if it ’ s not a majority .
The former vice president has maintained that he would pursue a contested convention if none of the Democratic candidates have a majority of the delegates prior to the Democratic National Convention in July .
He argued that the rules had been set and noted that Sanders felt the same way in 2016 when he trailed Hillary Clinton .
“ I mean look , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden told State of the Union on Sunday .
“ I find a lot of folks in Bernie ’ s operation are now saying that whoever goes in with the most delegates — even if they 're not close or they ’ re a distance from the 1,900-plus that we need — that they should be declared the winner .
I wonder where that view was when he was challenging Hillary after she went in with a commanding lead.
” He continued , “ Look , you don ’ t change the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I 'm not at all certain that — I 'm not a pundit , and I don ’ t know if we will win with Bernie ahead .
I hope that 's not the case , and I hope that I 'm ahead , but we will see .
But I think , you know , you play by the rules.
” Sanders has denied that he changed his outlook on the convention rules since 2016 .
During an interview on ABC 's This Week the same morning , the Vermont senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there should be a contested convention in 2016 before the final votes from California were settled .
California , the state with the most delegates , changed its primary to take place on Super Tuesday after years of holding one of the final contests of the primary season .
A contested convention is currently the most likely scenario , according to the 2020 forecasting models from FiveThirtyEight .
There is a 58 % chance that a contested convention occurs following Biden ’ s commanding win in South Carolina on Saturday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a majority of the delegates , which presented a 31 % chance .
The models showed Biden with an 11 % chance of winning a majority of the delegates .

Joe Biden bashed Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign for claiming that the 2020 Democratic nomination should be given to whichever candidate has the plurality of delegates, even if it’s not a majority.
The former vice president has maintained that he would pursue a contested convention if none of the Democratic candidates have a majority of the delegates prior to the Democratic National Convention in July. He argued that the rules had been set and noted that Sanders felt the same way in 2016 when he trailed Hillary Clinton.
“I mean look, the rules have been set,” Biden told State of the Union on Sunday. “I find a lot of folks in Bernie’s operation are now saying that whoever goes in with the most delegates — even if they're not close or they’re a distance from the 1,900-plus that we need — that they should be declared the winner. I wonder where that view was when he was challenging Hillary after she went in with a commanding lead.”
He continued, “Look, you don’t change the rules in the middle of the game. And I'm not at all certain that — I'm not a pundit, and I don’t know if we will win with Bernie ahead. I hope that's not the case, and I hope that I'm ahead, but we will see. But I think, you know, you play by the rules.”
Sanders has denied that he changed his outlook on the convention rules since 2016. During an interview on ABC's This Week the same morning, the Vermont senator told host George Stephanopoulos that he only said there should be a contested convention in 2016 before the final votes from California were settled.
California, the state with the most delegates, changed its primary to take place on Super Tuesday after years of holding one of the final contests of the primary season.
.@GStephanopoulos presses Sanders on his refusal to say in 2016 that candidate with most pledged delegates at convention should be nominee—a position he now holds.
Sanders says after Clinton won the pledged delegates he “conceded” and backed her campaign. https://t.co/wGwD0uWZ3e pic.twitter.com/BvSqDxlShq — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 1, 2020
A contested convention is currently the most likely scenario, according to the 2020 forecasting models from FiveThirtyEight. There is a 58% chance that a contested convention occurs following Biden’s commanding win in South Carolina on Saturday. The next most-likely option is that Sanders wins a majority of the delegates, which presented a 31% chance. The models showed Biden with an 11% chance of winning a majority of the delegates.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--Sanders and Biden both know that Democrats are probably screwed

To watch Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders back to back Sunday on ABC 's This Week was to essentially watch the Democratic Party fall apart before it even gets to nominate a presidential candidate .
The party right now is facing two massive problems : unremarkable voter turnout and no contender who is a clear favorite .
Turnout so far has looked exactly like 2016 , despite Sanders promising to motivate a hidden swath of voters who want free health insurance , free child care , and free college education .
The New York Times reported last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no reason to believe Sanders has any better chance at beating President Trump than any other Democrat , even if he is the one with the most votes within his party .
At this point , they might as well be nominating Hillary Clinton again .
Sanders himself knows this is a problem .
When he was asked about it on This Week , he could only offer a `` guess '' that his campaign has `` an excellent chance to win some of the largest states in this country and states all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ re putting together , because of the issues that we ’ re talking about.
” This is what we call wishful thinking .
As for their second problem , Biden , who came into the race with a 20-point national lead , only to see his chances quickly slip away with every poor debate and primary ( other than South Carolina , which he won ) , gave the most uninspiring answer for why he should be the nominee .
`` Because I can win and I can bring along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ s ] , '' he said .
`` I can keep the United States Senate — I can win the United States Senate at the top of the ticket .
I can keep the House and increase the number in the House .
I can go into every state in the nation .
I can go into purple states , and we can win .
I can win in places where I don ’ t think Bernie can in a general election . ''
That 's not a case for why he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case for why he should be endorsing someone who he thinks should be president .
And this is to say nothing of the growing panic that the party might end up at its convention this year and no candidate has secured a majority of delegates .
It 's a mess , and both Biden and Sanders know it .

To watch Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders back to back Sunday on ABC's This Week was to essentially watch the Democratic Party fall apart before it even gets to nominate a presidential candidate.
The party right now is facing two massive problems: unremarkable voter turnout and no contender who is a clear favorite.
Turnout so far has looked exactly like 2016, despite Sanders promising to motivate a hidden swath of voters who want free health insurance, free child care, and free college education.
The New York Times reported last week:
Despite a virtual tie in Iowa, a narrow victory in New Hampshire and a big triumph in Nevada, the first three nominating contests reveal a fundamental challenge for Mr. Sanders’s political revolution: He may be winning, but not because of his longstanding pledge to expand the Democratic base.
The results so far show that Mr. Sanders has prevailed by broadening his appeal among traditional Democratic voters, not by fundamentally transforming the electorate.
In other words, there's no reason to believe Sanders has any better chance at beating President Trump than any other Democrat, even if he is the one with the most votes within his party. At this point, they might as well be nominating Hillary Clinton again.
Sanders himself knows this is a problem. When he was asked about it on This Week, he could only offer a "guess" that his campaign has "an excellent chance to win some of the largest states in this country and states all across this country because of the coalition that we’re putting together, because of the issues that we’re talking about.”
This is what we call wishful thinking.
As for their second problem, Biden, who came into the race with a 20-point national lead, only to see his chances quickly slip away with every poor debate and primary (other than South Carolina, which he won), gave the most uninspiring answer for why he should be the nominee.
"Because I can win and I can bring along Democratic victories up and down the state[s]," he said. "I can keep the United States Senate — I can win the United States Senate at the top of the ticket. I can keep the House and increase the number in the House. I can go into every state in the nation. I can go into purple states, and we can win. I can win in places where I don’t think Bernie can in a general election."
That's not a case for why he should be president. That's a case for why he should be endorsing someone who he thinks should be president.
And this is to say nothing of the growing panic that the party might end up at its convention this year and no candidate has secured a majority of delegates.
It's a mess, and both Biden and Sanders know it.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--'He's right': Biden acknowledges campaign needs 'retooling' after Clyburn criticism

Joe Biden agrees with House Majority Whip James Clyburn that his campaign needs to be overhauled following his win in South Carolina .
The former vice president won his first primary on Saturday night , but Clyburn , his most prominent supporter , argued that the campaign needs to be overhauled to keep the momentum from the landslide victory going .
“ We need to do some retooling in the campaign , no question about that .
I did not feel free to speak out about it or to even deal with it inside because I had not committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Clyburn told CNN .
“ I ’ m all in , and I ’ m not going to sit idly by and watch people mishandle this campaign.
” In a Sunday appearance on State of the Union , Biden responded to Clyburn ’ s criticisms .
The former vice president pushed back slightly by touting his recent fundraising numbers but agreed that the campaign needed some changes .
“ It is about addition and not subtraction .
We 're bringing on in each of the primaries and/or caucus states , and once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more and more people of competence and consequence , ” Biden said .
“ And he is right about the fundraising , but for example , just last night we raised $ 5 million online .
We ’ ve raised about $ 18 million , so far , this month.
” He continued , “ Things are beginning to change .
And he ’ s right , and I listen to his counsel .
And I think he — and I listen to his counsel relative to how I can get better , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he does not have enough money to put “ boots on the ground ” in many Super Tuesday states but said he remains hopeful about his performance because he has several endorsements from leaders in those states .
“ This is a marathon .
We got ta continue to improve , ” Biden said .
“ That ’ s what it ’ s all about , and I think that ’ s what ’ s happening .
”

Joe Biden agrees with House Majority Whip James Clyburn that his campaign needs to be overhauled following his win in South Carolina.
The former vice president won his first primary on Saturday night, but Clyburn, his most prominent supporter, argued that the campaign needs to be overhauled to keep the momentum from the landslide victory going.
“We need to do some retooling in the campaign, no question about that. I did not feel free to speak out about it or to even deal with it inside because I had not committed to his candidacy. I have now,” Clyburn told CNN. “I’m all in, and I’m not going to sit idly by and watch people mishandle this campaign.”
In a Sunday appearance on State of the Union, Biden responded to Clyburn’s criticisms. The former vice president pushed back slightly by touting his recent fundraising numbers but agreed that the campaign needed some changes.
“It is about addition and not subtraction. We're bringing on in each of the primaries and/or caucus states, and once they go by, we bring on more and more people of competence and consequence,” Biden said. “And he is right about the fundraising, but for example, just last night we raised $5 million online. We’ve raised about $18 million, so far, this month.”
He continued, “Things are beginning to change. And he’s right, and I listen to his counsel. And I think he — and I listen to his counsel relative to how I can get better, as well.”
Biden also acknowledged that he does not have enough money to put “boots on the ground” in many Super Tuesday states but said he remains hopeful about his performance because he has several endorsements from leaders in those states.
“This is a marathon. We gotta continue to improve,” Biden said. “That’s what it’s all about, and I think that’s what’s happening.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--‘Making a fortune for themselves’: Trump tells Bloomberg to stop paying campaign staff

President Trump mocked 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg ’ s highly paid campaign staff over the billionaire ’ s performance so far in the party 's presidential primary .
Bloomberg ’ s campaign is supported by a massive , well-paid staff who Trump suggested is failing their candidate , despite the fact that the former New York City mayor did not formally participate in the four early elections in the primary .
“ Mini Mike Bloomberg ’ s consultants and so-called 'advisors ' ( how did that advice work out ?
Don ’ t ask ! )
, are on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fortune for themselves pushing Mini hard , when they knew he never had what it takes , ” the president tweeted Sunday morning .
“ Don ’ t pay them anymore Mike , they led you down a very dark and lonely path !
Your reputation will never be the same !
” Bloomberg will be on the ballot in every Super Tuesday state as more than a dozen contests take place throughout the United States , including the massive delegate pool in California .
The billionaire decided that he would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did join the last two debates .
The RealClearPolitics show Bloomberg in third behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden .
As Trump noted , Bloomberg ’ s staff , even at the lowest levels , is paid that of Sanders ’ s campaign .

President Trump mocked 2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg’s highly paid campaign staff over the billionaire’s performance so far in the party's presidential primary.
Bloomberg’s campaign is supported by a massive, well-paid staff who Trump suggested is failing their candidate, despite the fact that the former New York City mayor did not formally participate in the four early elections in the primary.
“Mini Mike Bloomberg’s consultants and so-called 'advisors' (how did that advice work out? Don’t ask!), are on the “gravy train” and all making a fortune for themselves pushing Mini hard, when they knew he never had what it takes,” the president tweeted Sunday morning. “Don’t pay them anymore Mike, they led you down a very dark and lonely path! Your reputation will never be the same!”
.....a very dark and lonely path! Your reputation will never be the same! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2020
Bloomberg will be on the ballot in every Super Tuesday state as more than a dozen contests take place throughout the United States, including the massive delegate pool in California. The billionaire decided that he would not participate in the early states, but he did join the last two debates.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--Bernie Sanders's war on charities

Bernie Sanders's war on charities

In 1981 , when Bernie Sanders was serving as mayor of Burlington , Vermont , the current front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination shocked the crowd gathered to kick off the annual Chittenden County fundraising drive for the United Way when he declared , “ I don ’ t believe in charities.
” The mayor , according to a New York Times account , went on to take issue with the “ fundamental concepts on which charities are based , ” asserting that government should instead be the provider of social services .
What was then a fringe view ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 400 billion to charities in 2018 ) would take on the force of tax law , were a Sanders administration to prevail .
That ’ s thanks to the candidate ’ s proposals to hike tax rates on the affluent and , crucially , to impose for the first time a tax on assets ( a “ wealth tax ” ) in addition to one on income .
The combination would deeply wound charitable and philanthropic giving , which is dominated by the well-off .
It would not only leave less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax wealth that has been pledged but not yet transferred to foundations , universities , or any other nonprofit organization .
Like so many other Sanders proposals , it would make the United States look more like Western Europe , where charitable giving ( as in Germany ) is less than a third of that here .
And it ’ s premised on a false equivalency — that government can and would do the same things and do them as well as charitably funded civil society .
To understand the impact of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on charity and philanthropy , one must understand that the wealthy are disproportionately the source of both .
Williams College economist Jon Bakija has found ( in 2009 ) that those earning more than $ 200,000 comprised just 2.6 % of the population but accounted for more than 29 % of charitable giving .
The 2018 tax reform law has likely concentrated such giving even more — since only 13 % of households now itemize their tax returns and can avail themselves of the charitable tax deduction .
Before tax reform , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rich are different here : Among the wealthiest 5 % of people , 72 % itemize — and , in light of the limitation of such deductions as that for state and local taxes , may see in charity a still-unlimited tax break .
But a Sanders wealth tax would be a game-changer , especially on top of higher tax rates which will limit the amount of discretionary income available for all purposes , including charitable giving .
( One wonders whether he ’ d even try to get rid of the charitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1981 remarks . )
An excellent new National Taxpayers Union Foundation research paper analyzes the Sanders wealth tax , which would range from 1 % on assets starting at $ 32 million to 8 % for assets of more than $ 10 billion .
In finding that the wealth tax “ would have massive implications for American altruism , ” economists Andrew Wilford , Andrew Moylan , and Jacob Plott note especially the potential for the assets of foundations to be taxed because of the link between pledged wealth by such donors as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link with the direction of such donors — such that the foundation assets might be lumped together with the overall Gates ’ billions .
Their research estimates that the Gates Foundation could face a wealth tax of $ 3.8 billion per year , compared to the total of $ 4.5 billion in grants it made in 2018 .
The paper sees similar implications for the Dell Foundation , ( Ray ) Dalio Philanthropies , and the Omidyar Foundation , based on the eBay fortune .
As the paper puts it , “ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders or Elizabeth Warren , who has her own version , “ would throw a wrench into the worlds of any foundation or donor seeking to maximize charitable impact ” and “ would introduce a layer of tax planning that would significantly distort their incentives.
” All this for a revenue increase characterized as a “ drop in the bucket ” compared to current and potential federal spending , especially the eye-popping new totals for `` Medicare for all '' and free college , child care , and pre-K , as per Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is worth it because the monies that federal government “ loses ” to the charitable deduction and related giving incentives could be put to better use by government , no matter how much it is .
But this is the fundamental error of the Sanders worldview .
Philanthropically supported efforts by superdonors such as Gates or Peter Thiel can be seen as a sort of national venture fund , allowing a small percentage of GDP to be used for ideas that don ’ t have to pass a political test .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( small and local ) are more likely to focus on shaping values than on providing social services .
In my book , Who Killed Civil Society ?
, I call this an emphasis on the “ formative ” rather than the “ reformative.
” This is the difference between the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs ( both of which are locally funded ) and the Department of Health and Human Services .
In addition , there is value for the social fabric in the local organizations that bring together volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were in attendance at that 1981 Burlington event where Sanders spoke .
Perhaps Sanders went on to say that charity was necessary prior to the arrival of the socialist utopia .
But that is a day that will never come .
Government simply can ’ t replace charity — and that which charity supports .
Howard Husock is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute , where he directs the Tocqueville Project and is the author of the new book , Who Killed Civil Society ?

In 1981, when Bernie Sanders was serving as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, the current front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination shocked the crowd gathered to kick off the annual Chittenden County fundraising drive for the United Way when he declared, “I don’t believe in charities.” The mayor, according to a New York Times account, went on to take issue with the “fundamental concepts on which charities are based,” asserting that government should instead be the provider of social services.
What was then a fringe view (in a country that would give more than $400 billion to charities in 2018) would take on the force of tax law, were a Sanders administration to prevail. That’s thanks to the candidate’s proposals to hike tax rates on the affluent and, crucially, to impose for the first time a tax on assets (a “wealth tax”) in addition to one on income. The combination would deeply wound charitable and philanthropic giving, which is dominated by the well-off. It would not only leave less income for potential charitable gifts but would tax wealth that has been pledged but not yet transferred to foundations, universities, or any other nonprofit organization. Like so many other Sanders proposals, it would make the United States look more like Western Europe, where charitable giving (as in Germany) is less than a third of that here. And it’s premised on a false equivalency — that government can and would do the same things and do them as well as charitably funded civil society.
To understand the impact of the Sanders income tax and wealth tax proposals on charity and philanthropy, one must understand that the wealthy are disproportionately the source of both. Williams College economist Jon Bakija has found (in 2009) that those earning more than $200,000 comprised just 2.6% of the population but accounted for more than 29% of charitable giving. The 2018 tax reform law has likely concentrated such giving even more — since only 13% of households now itemize their tax returns and can avail themselves of the charitable tax deduction. Before tax reform, more than 30% itemized. But the rich are different here: Among the wealthiest 5% of people, 72% itemize — and, in light of the limitation of such deductions as that for state and local taxes, may see in charity a still-unlimited tax break.
But a Sanders wealth tax would be a game-changer, especially on top of higher tax rates which will limit the amount of discretionary income available for all purposes, including charitable giving. (One wonders whether he’d even try to get rid of the charitable deduction entirely, in keeping with his 1981 remarks.)
An excellent new National Taxpayers Union Foundation research paper analyzes the Sanders wealth tax, which would range from 1% on assets starting at $32 million to 8% for assets of more than $10 billion. In finding that the wealth tax “would have massive implications for American altruism,” economists Andrew Wilford, Andrew Moylan, and Jacob Plott note especially the potential for the assets of foundations to be taxed because of the link between pledged wealth by such donors as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and the link with the direction of such donors — such that the foundation assets might be lumped together with the overall Gates’ billions. Their research estimates that the Gates Foundation could face a wealth tax of $3.8 billion per year, compared to the total of $4.5 billion in grants it made in 2018. The paper sees similar implications for the Dell Foundation, (Ray) Dalio Philanthropies, and the Omidyar Foundation, based on the eBay fortune.
As the paper puts it, “A wealth tax,” whether that of Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, who has her own version, “would throw a wrench into the worlds of any foundation or donor seeking to maximize charitable impact” and “would introduce a layer of tax planning that would significantly distort their incentives.”
All this for a revenue increase characterized as a “drop in the bucket” compared to current and potential federal spending, especially the eye-popping new totals for "Medicare for all" and free college, child care, and pre-K, as per Sanders.
One has to believe that all this is worth it because the monies that federal government “loses” to the charitable deduction and related giving incentives could be put to better use by government, no matter how much it is. But this is the fundamental error of the Sanders worldview.
Philanthropically supported efforts by superdonors such as Gates or Peter Thiel can be seen as a sort of national venture fund, allowing a small percentage of GDP to be used for ideas that don’t have to pass a political test. What’s more, civil society groups (small and local) are more likely to focus on shaping values than on providing social services. In my book, Who Killed Civil Society?, I call this an emphasis on the “formative” rather than the “reformative.” This is the difference between the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Clubs (both of which are locally funded) and the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, there is value for the social fabric in the local organizations that bring together volunteers — such as those who no doubt were in attendance at that 1981 Burlington event where Sanders spoke.
Perhaps Sanders went on to say that charity was necessary prior to the arrival of the socialist utopia. But that is a day that will never come. Government simply can’t replace charity — and that which charity supports.
Howard Husock is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where he directs the Tocqueville Project and is the author of the new book, Who Killed Civil Society?


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--Centrists flirt with Democrats, and the party rebuffs them

PITTSBURGH — There is a battle going on here within the Allegheny County Democratic Committee , a formidable force of centrist , conservative , and liberal Democrats whose backgrounds range from union halls in the city to the businessmen and women who have spread out into the leafy suburbs that hug the city limits .
A key figure in the battle is committeewoman Heather Kass , who is running for the state House .
Several years ago , Kass 's social media posts criticized Obamacare and the distribution of free Narcan for addicts — and insinuated support for President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 votes from the committee to secure its endorsement .
Her opponent , liberal activist Jess Benham , received just 19 .
That ’ s when things got interesting .
Darrin Kelly , an influential local labor leader , issued a statement blasting Kass ’ s previous statements .
The party hierarchy followed that up by saying her social media history was disqualifying .
The fight soon unraveled in many different directions and tested a party that has comfortably come together and built a force that helped keep a Democrat as the chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of the county council seats .
Now , accusations of disloyalty and closet Trumpism are being tossed around by the liberal wing of the party .
The factions that once worked together well enough to enjoy a healthy coalition are splintering .
Party Chairwoman Eileen Kelly held a press conference defending the endorsement process and encouraging forgiveness of Kass ’ s past social media posts .
But in response , local elected Democrats demanded her resignation , including two of the county ’ s congressmen , Rep. Mike Doyle and Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching : The chairwoman is probably going nowhere , and the April 28 Democratic primaries in Pennsylvania are going to be a spectacle .
This county isn ’ t the only one in the commonwealth with fractures within the party .
Roughly 250 miles due east along the Lincoln Highway , Lancaster County is also experiencing some serious turmoil within its party ranks .
Unlike Allegheny , Lancaster is considered a red county .
Yet despite giving Trump a majority of its votes in 2016 , Democrats ( under Chairwoman JoAnn Hertz ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2017 and 2019 local elections .
As thanks , Hertz was given the choice of either facing public criticisms from within the party ranks or resigning .
Forced out , Hertz was replaced in a committee election by Diane Topakian , a retired Service Employees International Union political organizer who is from the most liberal side of the party .
Places such as Allegheny and Lancaster counties have made strides in elections with Democratic candidates who ran and won as centrists .
Once they are elected , however , local party apparatuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the national party stresses it in messaging .
But these are the kinds of places where any gains that were made since Trump was elected may start to fall apart .
The ideological balance in this country remains firmly center-right .
Yearlong 2019 Gallup poll numbers based on combined data from 21 of its telephone surveys show 37 % of the country , on average , identifies as conservative , 35 % as moderate , and 24 % as liberal .
It also found that Republicans tend to be less fractured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the end , they conform around conservatism .
Democrats are more fractured .
Survey results strikingly reflected what happened in Allegheny and Lancaster counties .
As Gallup said , `` Even though liberalism has been on the rise among Democrats , it is not yet the clear majority position , perhaps leading to the strong intraparty clashes . ''
This has been seen at the local level in Allegheny and Lancaster counties , as well as the national level , in Democratic Party presidential debates .
A Democratic presidential candidate is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how fractured his or her party is .
That will depend on how well the candidate can coalesce the party and motivate people to show up for him or her .
What is happening in Allegheny and Lancaster counties and countless other counties across the country shouldn ’ t surprise anyone .
It has been reflected in every single Democratic debate of this presidential cycle .
This didn ’ t start yesterday , last week , or in reaction to Trump or Hillary Clinton .
This party has been trying to shed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Al Gore , and it tipped the scales with President Barack Obama — who waited until his second term to dismantle the New Deal coalition in favor of the ascendant coalition of young people , minorities , women , and just enough white , working-class voters .
Clinton failed to include the working class in her coalition and lost .
If these smaller county parties mimic that in 2020 , and if the Democratic National Committee and its presidential nominee follow suit , Democrats will struggle locally and nationally .
The result will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slim-to-none congressional majority , and four more years of Trump .

PITTSBURGH — There is a battle going on here within the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, a formidable force of centrist, conservative, and liberal Democrats whose backgrounds range from union halls in the city to the businessmen and women who have spread out into the leafy suburbs that hug the city limits.
A key figure in the battle is committeewoman Heather Kass, who is running for the state House. Several years ago, Kass's social media posts criticized Obamacare and the distribution of free Narcan for addicts — and insinuated support for President Trump.
Fortunately for Kass, she received 49 votes from the committee to secure its endorsement. Her opponent, liberal activist Jess Benham, received just 19.
That’s when things got interesting. Darrin Kelly, an influential local labor leader, issued a statement blasting Kass’s previous statements. The party hierarchy followed that up by saying her social media history was disqualifying.
The fight soon unraveled in many different directions and tested a party that has comfortably come together and built a force that helped keep a Democrat as the chief executive officer for five consecutive terms and the majority of the county council seats.
Now, accusations of disloyalty and closet Trumpism are being tossed around by the liberal wing of the party. The factions that once worked together well enough to enjoy a healthy coalition are splintering.
Party Chairwoman Eileen Kelly held a press conference defending the endorsement process and encouraging forgiveness of Kass’s past social media posts. But in response, local elected Democrats demanded her resignation, including two of the county’s congressmen, Rep. Mike Doyle and Rep. Conor Lamb.
There's a reason why people listen when @Darrinkellypgh speaks. He tells it like it is.
I agree. It's time for the Chairwoman to step aside. https://t.co/v1Dr9z730f — Conor Lamb (@ConorLambPA) February 21, 2020
Two things are worth watching: The chairwoman is probably going nowhere, and the April 28 Democratic primaries in Pennsylvania are going to be a spectacle. This county isn’t the only one in the commonwealth with fractures within the party. Roughly 250 miles due east along the Lincoln Highway, Lancaster County is also experiencing some serious turmoil within its party ranks.
Unlike Allegheny, Lancaster is considered a red county. Yet despite giving Trump a majority of its votes in 2016, Democrats (under Chairwoman JoAnn Hertz) fought and flipped traditionally Republican-held suburbs in the 2017 and 2019 local elections.
As thanks, Hertz was given the choice of either facing public criticisms from within the party ranks or resigning.
Forced out, Hertz was replaced in a committee election by Diane Topakian, a retired Service Employees International Union political organizer who is from the most liberal side of the party.
Places such as Allegheny and Lancaster counties have made strides in elections with Democratic candidates who ran and won as centrists. Once they are elected, however, local party apparatuses start to demand more fidelity to liberalism, and the national party stresses it in messaging. But these are the kinds of places where any gains that were made since Trump was elected may start to fall apart.
The ideological balance in this country remains firmly center-right. Yearlong 2019 Gallup poll numbers based on combined data from 21 of its telephone surveys show 37% of the country, on average, identifies as conservative, 35% as moderate, and 24% as liberal.
It also found that Republicans tend to be less fractured. They have their differences, but in the end, they conform around conservatism.
Democrats are more fractured. Survey results strikingly reflected what happened in Allegheny and Lancaster counties. As Gallup said, "Even though liberalism has been on the rise among Democrats, it is not yet the clear majority position, perhaps leading to the strong intraparty clashes." This has been seen at the local level in Allegheny and Lancaster counties, as well as the national level, in Democratic Party presidential debates.
A Democratic presidential candidate is not going to win or lose based on how fractured his or her party is. That will depend on how well the candidate can coalesce the party and motivate people to show up for him or her.
What is happening in Allegheny and Lancaster counties and countless other counties across the country shouldn’t surprise anyone. It has been reflected in every single Democratic debate of this presidential cycle.
This didn’t start yesterday, last week, or in reaction to Trump or Hillary Clinton. This party has been trying to shed its centrist members since the presidential campaign of Al Gore, and it tipped the scales with President Barack Obama — who waited until his second term to dismantle the New Deal coalition in favor of the ascendant coalition of young people, minorities, women, and just enough white, working-class voters.
Clinton failed to include the working class in her coalition and lost. If these smaller county parties mimic that in 2020, and if the Democratic National Committee and its presidential nominee follow suit, Democrats will struggle locally and nationally. The result will be fewer locally elected Democrats, a slim-to-none congressional majority, and four more years of Trump.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--South Carolina Democrats vote to slow down the socialism train

Heading into South Carolina , it appeared that Democrats were taking the express train to socialism .
Sen. Bernie Sanders arguably won the chaotic Iowa caucuses , then went on to a solid victory in New Hampshire , and a crushing triumph in Nevada .
As the race went toward the Palmetto State , there was talk that Sanders might be able to deliver a “ kill shot.
” Instead , Joe Biden revived his candidacy with a dominant win , fueled by black voters who tend to be more pragmatic than the pro-revolution wing of the party .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aired an interview with Sanders in which he on his decades of defenses of the propagandist “ literacy programs ” of communist Cuba .
He later did so again at the Democratic debate in South Carolina .
Biden hammered Sanders on his soft spot for communist dictators .
After providing a pivotal endorsement of Biden , Rep. Jim Clyburn that nominating a socialist would cause “ down-ballot carnage ” for Democrats in November .
In the debate , Sanders also drew scrutiny for his inability to explain how he would pay for tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his sweeping healthcare plan .
In the end , Biden ’ s win was so huge that the race was called just after the voting ended , and showed the extent to which the electorate shied away from the Sanders message .
One of the overarching debates in the Democratic primary has been over whether the party should pursue more incremental changes that build on the legacy of Barack Obama or move in a much more radical direction .
South Carolina Democrats were emphatic in their answer .
While 70 % of primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either return to Obama ’ s policies or move in a more conservative direction , just 26 % said the next president should pursue policies that are more liberal than Obama .
Asked whether all private health insurance should be replaced with a single government plan for everybody , just 48 % said it should , compared with 46 % who said it should not — meaning Sanders ’ s signature proposal couldn ’ t even generate majority support among this Democratic primary electorate .
From here , the race moves to Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the delegates are up for grabs .
Without much time to poll between now and then , it ’ s difficult to predict what the South Carolina results may mean for the race as a whole .
It ’ s possible that the narrow time frame will prove an advantage to Biden , as the headlines leading up to Super Tuesday will now be about his comeback from the dead .
On the other hand , after flailing for much of February with one dismal performance after another , Biden hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states beyond South Carolina .
While he may get a flood of donors now , it will be too late to put that money to use within the next few days .
It ’ s also hard to predict how Michael Bloomberg , who rose in Super Tuesday polls on the back of ridiculous ad spending and doubts about Biden , will fare now that Biden has shown signs of life .
To be sure , Sanders heads into the next stage of the race with a solid base of support and national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong position for the nomination .
But even though there ’ s still a good chance that Sanders ends up at the top of the Democratic ticket , at least on Saturday , South Carolina Democrats sent a clear message that they want to slow down the socialism train .

Heading into South Carolina, it appeared that Democrats were taking the express train to socialism. Sen. Bernie Sanders arguably won the chaotic Iowa caucuses, then went on to a solid victory in New Hampshire, and a crushing triumph in Nevada. As the race went toward the Palmetto State, there was talk that Sanders might be able to deliver a “kill shot.” Instead, Joe Biden revived his candidacy with a dominant win, fueled by black voters who tend to be more pragmatic than the pro-revolution wing of the party.
A day after winning Nevada, 60 Minutes aired an interview with Sanders in which he dug in on his decades of defenses of the propagandist “literacy programs” of communist Cuba. He later did so again at the Democratic debate in South Carolina.
Biden hammered Sanders on his soft spot for communist dictators. After providing a pivotal endorsement of Biden, Rep. Jim Clyburn warned that nominating a socialist would cause “down-ballot carnage” for Democrats in November. In the debate, Sanders also drew scrutiny for his inability to explain how he would pay for tens of trillions of new spending, particularly his sweeping healthcare plan.
In the end, Biden’s win was so huge that the race was called just after the voting ended, and exit polls showed the extent to which the electorate shied away from the Sanders message.
One of the overarching debates in the Democratic primary has been over whether the party should pursue more incremental changes that build on the legacy of Barack Obama or move in a much more radical direction. South Carolina Democrats were emphatic in their answer.
While 70% of primary voters said that the next president should either return to Obama’s policies or move in a more conservative direction, just 26% said the next president should pursue policies that are more liberal than Obama.
Asked whether all private health insurance should be replaced with a single government plan for everybody, just 48% said it should, compared with 46% who said it should not — meaning Sanders’s signature proposal couldn’t even generate majority support among this Democratic primary electorate.
From here, the race moves to Super Tuesday, when more than a third of the delegates are up for grabs. Without much time to poll between now and then, it’s difficult to predict what the South Carolina results may mean for the race as a whole.
It’s possible that the narrow time frame will prove an advantage to Biden, as the headlines leading up to Super Tuesday will now be about his comeback from the dead. On the other hand, after flailing for much of February with one dismal performance after another, Biden hasn’t had many resources to devote to states beyond South Carolina. While he may get a flood of donors now, it will be too late to put that money to use within the next few days. It’s also hard to predict how Michael Bloomberg, who rose in Super Tuesday polls on the back of ridiculous ad spending and doubts about Biden, will fare now that Biden has shown signs of life.
To be sure, Sanders heads into the next stage of the race with a solid base of support and national organization that still leaves him in a strong position for the nomination.
But even though there’s still a good chance that Sanders ends up at the top of the Democratic ticket, at least on Saturday, South Carolina Democrats sent a clear message that they want to slow down the socialism train.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--Andrew Yang: Bloomberg's 'massive' digital operation dwarfs DNC data and resources

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said Michael Bloomberg 's data operation is `` leaps and bounds '' ahead of anything the Democratic Party has at its disposal .
The entrepreneur , who has received rave reviews since joining CNN as a commentator after ending his presidential bid last week , told a Bloomberg `` story '' about the power of his personal wealth as the network covered former Vice President Joe Biden 's victory in the South Carolina primary on Saturday .
`` I had coffee with a marketing staffer from my campaign , and I was concerned what are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , 'Don ’ t worry about it .
I ’ m working at the Bloomberg campaign , and they ’ re paying me two and a half times what I got paid here , ' '' Yang told his fellow CNN panelists .
`` They have this massive operation that is leaps and bounds ahead of anything the DNC is employing in terms of data and resources , '' he continued .
Taking into account how deep pockets did n't adequately help billionaire Tom Steyer , who dropped from the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bloomberg 's `` digital war room '' is what sets the former New York City mayor apart from the rest .
`` They 've got this incredible data projection down to the district , down to the delegate , and they 're mapping it and simulating it , '' he said , before describing how Bloomberg 's long game may be focused on targeting and taking out opponents individually .
Only when Bloomberg has a `` clear picture from the data that he ’ s not going to be contributing , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded .
David Axelrod , who worked as a chief strategist for former President Barack Obama 's two presidential campaigns , said Yang 's story confirmed what he has heard about Bloomberg .
More specifically , that Bloomberg 's team is working to hamper the campaign of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who was the front-runner heading into Saturday 's contest .
`` What they are saying tonight is that their analytics suggest that the project of stopping Bernie Sanders or slowing him down would be better served by him being in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` That may have changed because of how Biden performed tonight .
But that is what that big war room is suggesting right now . ''
Bloomberg , who skipped the early voting states to bank on Super Tuesday , has the most expansive ad budget of any of the candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination , flooding the zone with commercials attacking Trump and promising to defeat him in the November general election at a price tag of over $ 500 million .
Earlier in the evening , Yang said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' by not competing in South Carolina , leaving Biden to run away with the contest and the momentum heading into Super Tuesday .

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang said Michael Bloomberg's data operation is "leaps and bounds" ahead of anything the Democratic Party has at its disposal.
The entrepreneur, who has received rave reviews since joining CNN as a commentator after ending his presidential bid last week, told a Bloomberg "story" about the power of his personal wealth as the network covered former Vice President Joe Biden's victory in the South Carolina primary on Saturday.
"I had coffee with a marketing staffer from my campaign, and I was concerned what are you going to do next. And he said, 'Don’t worry about it. I’m working at the Bloomberg campaign, and they’re paying me two and a half times what I got paid here,'" Yang told his fellow CNN panelists.
"They have this massive operation that is leaps and bounds ahead of anything the DNC is employing in terms of data and resources," he continued.
Taking into account how deep pockets didn't adequately help billionaire Tom Steyer, who dropped from the race Saturday evening, Yang made the case that Bloomberg's "digital war room" is what sets the former New York City mayor apart from the rest.
"They've got this incredible data projection down to the district, down to the delegate, and they're mapping it and simulating it," he said, before describing how Bloomberg's long game may be focused on targeting and taking out opponents individually.
Only when Bloomberg has a "clear picture from the data that he’s not going to be contributing, he’ll be out," Yang concluded.
David Axelrod, who worked as a chief strategist for former President Barack Obama's two presidential campaigns, said Yang's story confirmed what he has heard about Bloomberg. More specifically, that Bloomberg's team is working to hamper the campaign of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who was the front-runner heading into Saturday's contest.
"What they are saying tonight is that their analytics suggest that the project of stopping Bernie Sanders or slowing him down would be better served by him being in for this round than out," Axelrod said. "That may have changed because of how Biden performed tonight. But that is what that big war room is suggesting right now."
Bloomberg, who skipped the early voting states to bank on Super Tuesday, has the most expansive ad budget of any of the candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, flooding the zone with commercials attacking Trump and promising to defeat him in the November general election at a price tag of over $500 million.
Earlier in the evening, Yang said Bloomberg made a "really crucial mistake" by not competing in South Carolina, leaving Biden to run away with the contest and the momentum heading into Super Tuesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--Biden southern win could set up regional showdown with Bernie

COLUMBIA , South Carolina — Joe Biden won the first primary of his 30-plus year quest for the presidency on Saturday , in very decisive fashion .
At his victory celebration here in Columbia , the former vice president thanked Rep. James Clyburn as if Clyburn had saved his life , and indeed , that appears to be what happened .
With Clyburn 's endorsement , Biden scored a huge win among black voters and was on his way to victory .
Biden 's win was no doubt enormously satisfying for him and his supporters .
But at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party and could end up turning the presidential race into a bitter and protracted regional conflict .
Biden won because he assembled a multiracial moderate coalition .
For months , Democrats have pointed to South Carolina as the first test of the presidential field that truly reflects the influence of African-American voters , a critical part of the Democratic electorate .
That was indeed a huge factor in Biden 's win : Blacks made up 57 % of the electorate for Saturday 's primary , and Biden won a whopping 64 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also struck a chord with white Democrats , who were 38 % of the electorate .
By a margin of 34 % to 25 % , Biden won the white vote over Bernie Sanders among an electorate whose political memories go back to party stalwarts such as Sen. Ernest Hollings , whom Biden eulogized on a trip to South Carolina last year .
Theirs is a different type of centrism , but still strong in the state .
And both the black and white Democrats who chose Biden were more moderate than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to victory in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Nor is that centrism exclusive to South Carolina .
The factors that led to Biden 's win here all apply to other states with similar mixes of black and white voters .
Looking ahead to Super Tuesday , Biden appears strong in North Carolina and has a chance to finish well in Alabama , Arkansas , Oklahoma , Tennessee , and possibly even Texas .
If , as expected , Sanders wins California and other non-Southern states , the results of this primary , combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regional showdown for the Democratic nomination , with a deeply divided party struggling to settle on a nominee .
Among black South Carolina Biden voters , there was an intense feeling that a vote for Sanders could endanger gains that have benefited blacks over the years .
To them , Sanders 's promise to throw out the whole system and replace it with something new seemed fraught with risk ; the promises seemed pie-in-the-sky .
Better to stick with what you have .
That 's why Biden said at every stop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a revolution — we need results . ''
`` It 's impossible for Bernie Sanders to give free education and free medical care , '' a black woman , Florence Linnen , told me at a Biden event in Georgetown .
`` It 's impossible .
The United States just do n't have that kind of money .
I could see you paying something .
But free ?
I do n't see that happening .
People want to work for what they need to have .
They do n't want to always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , Linnen saw Biden as offering incremental but realistic help that might make her and her family 's lives better .
She mentioned that a Biden victory could mean her son , who worked in dredging , might find a job closer to home on a big project in the port of Georgetown .
That was a lot more possible to her than free college and `` Medicare for all . ''
Others , too , emphasized the risk of supporting Sanders .
`` We saw how difficult it was to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' a black voter , Leo Frazier , told the Washington Examiner 's Tim Carney at a Biden rally in Mt .
Zion .
`` So why would you want to go totally undo it and try to start from scratch ? ''
When Biden spoke at Coastal Carolina University , he pledged that under his presidency , the federal government would create , over 10 years , a $ 70 billion endowment for HBCUs , or historically black colleges and universities .
Big government grants often go to universities with big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools behind .
His endowment plan would , he claimed , help level the playing field .
As Biden spoke , black members of the audience nodded along in clear approval .
Biden was n't promising the world — he was giving them a plan to make things better .
White Democrats , too , favored a keep-what-we-have approach , but they also reflected a style of Democratic moderation from an earlier era .
`` There is a keen awareness of spending among moderate white Democrats , '' one well-connected Democratic pol said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This may be a throwback to the Old South Blue Dog Democratic Party which had control of politics here until Reagan — fiscally conservative and social moderate thinking with concern for working class and poor .
Many white Biden voters tended to be older and harken back to this model . ''
`` Also , just the mention of socialism is a non-starter , '' he added .
`` Remember — South Carolina is the birthplace of NASCAR . ''
Whatever NASCAR means to Southern fans , apparently , it does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , for both black and white Biden voters , there were enormous cultural differences with the Sanders movement .
Here is one of them , from the two candidates ' events on Thursday : The Sanders rally in North Charleston began with a warm-up speaker announcing , `` My name is Emilio Vicente .
I 'm undocumented , queer , and unashamed . ''
The crowd cheered .
A Biden rally a couple of hours later in Georgetown began with the Pledge of Allegiance .
The crowd put hands on hearts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about socialism .
At a rally in Columbia the day before the primary , Nina Turner , the fire-breathing former Ohio state senator who introduced Sanders at many appearances , said his movement represents a singular opportunity .
`` We understand unequivocally that we will never get this kind of moment back , that this is a Eugene Debs moment , '' Turner said , referring to the famous socialist who ran for president five times in the early 20th century .
The Sanders campaign also sent clear messages to black voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
Killer Mike , the Atlanta rapper who supported Sanders in 2016 and now , told black South Carolinians to stop listening to civil rights rhetoric , and civil rights leaders , from the past .
`` Listen to me , black people in South Carolina , '' Mike told the crowd in Columbia .
`` I do n't give a damn what your leaders who were radical 55 years ago have done , if they 're not doing it today .
I 'm talking to black people in South Carolina : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold on , do n't wait and hold on .
If they 're telling you good enough is good enough , it ai n't good enough .
If it rhymes with 'slow , ' do n't vote for it .
You understand what I 'm telling you ? ''
Now , what might rhyme with `` slow '' ?
Perhaps `` Joe ? ''
`` If anybody 's telling you hold on , wait a little longer , they 're bullshitting , '' Mike said .
`` Tell them we want progress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The whole thing had the feel of a rally on the Berkeley campus from the 1960s and 1970s .
Just to drive that home , Sanders even brought along , as another warm-up speaker , a former mayor of Berkeley , Gus Newport , who described himself as `` a former black nationalist and a socialist . ''
It was n't the sort of thing to electrify many South Carolina Democrats , black or white .
Now voters in South Carolina have passed judgment .
In the past , their decision has meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1980 , every candidate , Democrat and Republican , who won the South Carolina primary has gone on to win their party 's nomination .
( The exceptions were Democrat John Edwards in 2004 and Republican Newt Gingrich in 2012 . )
But this year , Biden , the South Carolina winner , will likely face , in Sanders , a candidate who won the most votes in the first three contests and then in the biggest prize of all , California .
It is not clear how that will work out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's win in South Carolina has shown the Democratic Party to be divided , with no unity in sight .

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — Joe Biden won the first primary of his 30-plus year quest for the presidency on Saturday, in very decisive fashion. At his victory celebration here in Columbia, the former vice president thanked Rep. James Clyburn as if Clyburn had saved his life, and indeed, that appears to be what happened. With Clyburn's endorsement, Biden scored a huge win among black voters and was on his way to victory.
Biden's win was no doubt enormously satisfying for him and his supporters. But at the same time, it could prove unsettling for the Democratic Party and could end up turning the presidential race into a bitter and protracted regional conflict.
Biden won because he assembled a multiracial moderate coalition. For months, Democrats have pointed to South Carolina as the first test of the presidential field that truly reflects the influence of African-American voters, a critical part of the Democratic electorate. That was indeed a huge factor in Biden's win: Blacks made up 57% of the electorate for Saturday's primary, and Biden won a whopping 64% of their votes.
But Biden also struck a chord with white Democrats, who were 38% of the electorate. By a margin of 34% to 25%, Biden won the white vote over Bernie Sanders among an electorate whose political memories go back to party stalwarts such as Sen. Ernest Hollings, whom Biden eulogized on a trip to South Carolina last year. Theirs is a different type of centrism, but still strong in the state. And both the black and white Democrats who chose Biden were more moderate than the woke, progressive Democrats who powered Sanders to victory in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Nor is that centrism exclusive to South Carolina. The factors that led to Biden's win here all apply to other states with similar mixes of black and white voters. Looking ahead to Super Tuesday, Biden appears strong in North Carolina and has a chance to finish well in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and possibly even Texas. If, as expected, Sanders wins California and other non-Southern states, the results of this primary, combined with Super Tuesday, could set up a regional showdown for the Democratic nomination, with a deeply divided party struggling to settle on a nominee.
Among black South Carolina Biden voters, there was an intense feeling that a vote for Sanders could endanger gains that have benefited blacks over the years. To them, Sanders's promise to throw out the whole system and replace it with something new seemed fraught with risk; the promises seemed pie-in-the-sky. Better to stick with what you have. That's why Biden said at every stop in South Carolina, "We don't need a revolution — we need results."
"It's impossible for Bernie Sanders to give free education and free medical care," a black woman, Florence Linnen, told me at a Biden event in Georgetown. "It's impossible. The United States just don't have that kind of money. I could see you paying something. But free? I don't see that happening. People want to work for what they need to have. They don't want to always have something given to them."
Instead, Linnen saw Biden as offering incremental but realistic help that might make her and her family's lives better. She mentioned that a Biden victory could mean her son, who worked in dredging, might find a job closer to home on a big project in the port of Georgetown. That was a lot more possible to her than free college and "Medicare for all."
Others, too, emphasized the risk of supporting Sanders. "We saw how difficult it was to get the Affordable Care Act off the ground," a black voter, Leo Frazier, told the Washington Examiner's Tim Carney at a Biden rally in Mt. Zion. "So why would you want to go totally undo it and try to start from scratch?"
When Biden spoke at Coastal Carolina University, he pledged that under his presidency, the federal government would create, over 10 years, a $70 billion endowment for HBCUs, or historically black colleges and universities. Big government grants often go to universities with big endowments, Biden said, leaving smaller schools behind. His endowment plan would, he claimed, help level the playing field. As Biden spoke, black members of the audience nodded along in clear approval. Biden wasn't promising the world — he was giving them a plan to make things better.
White Democrats, too, favored a keep-what-we-have approach, but they also reflected a style of Democratic moderation from an earlier era. "There is a keen awareness of spending among moderate white Democrats," one well-connected Democratic pol said in text conversations during primary week. "This may be a throwback to the Old South Blue Dog Democratic Party which had control of politics here until Reagan — fiscally conservative and social moderate thinking with concern for working class and poor. Many white Biden voters tended to be older and harken back to this model."
"Also, just the mention of socialism is a non-starter," he added. "Remember — South Carolina is the birthplace of NASCAR." Whatever NASCAR means to Southern fans, apparently, it does not mean Bernie Sanders-style socialism.
Beyond all that, for both black and white Biden voters, there were enormous cultural differences with the Sanders movement. Here is one of them, from the two candidates' events on Thursday: The Sanders rally in North Charleston began with a warm-up speaker announcing, "My name is Emilio Vicente. I'm undocumented, queer, and unashamed." The crowd cheered. A Biden rally a couple of hours later in Georgetown began with the Pledge of Allegiance. The crowd put hands on hearts. Different styles.
Sanders speakers like to talk about socialism. At a rally in Columbia the day before the primary, Nina Turner, the fire-breathing former Ohio state senator who introduced Sanders at many appearances, said his movement represents a singular opportunity. "We understand unequivocally that we will never get this kind of moment back, that this is a Eugene Debs moment," Turner said, referring to the famous socialist who ran for president five times in the early 20th century.
The Sanders campaign also sent clear messages to black voters: Don't trust centrists such as Biden. Killer Mike, the Atlanta rapper who supported Sanders in 2016 and now, told black South Carolinians to stop listening to civil rights rhetoric, and civil rights leaders, from the past. "Listen to me, black people in South Carolina," Mike told the crowd in Columbia. "I don't give a damn what your leaders who were radical 55 years ago have done, if they're not doing it today. I'm talking to black people in South Carolina: If they're telling to wait and hold on, don't wait and hold on. If they're telling you good enough is good enough, it ain't good enough. If it rhymes with 'slow,' don't vote for it. You understand what I'm telling you?"
Now, what might rhyme with "slow"? Perhaps "Joe?"
"If anybody's telling you hold on, wait a little longer, they're bullshitting," Mike said. "Tell them we want progress, and we want it now."
The whole thing had the feel of a rally on the Berkeley campus from the 1960s and 1970s. Just to drive that home, Sanders even brought along, as another warm-up speaker, a former mayor of Berkeley, Gus Newport, who described himself as "a former black nationalist and a socialist." It wasn't the sort of thing to electrify many South Carolina Democrats, black or white.
Now voters in South Carolina have passed judgment. In the past, their decision has meant a lot. With two exceptions since 1980, every candidate, Democrat and Republican, who won the South Carolina primary has gone on to win their party's nomination. (The exceptions were Democrat John Edwards in 2004 and Republican Newt Gingrich in 2012.) But this year, Biden, the South Carolina winner, will likely face, in Sanders, a candidate who won the most votes in the first three contests and then in the biggest prize of all, California.
It is not clear how that will work out, to say the least. But Biden's win in South Carolina has shown the Democratic Party to be divided, with no unity in sight.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--Billionaire Tom Steyer drops out of 2020 presidential race

Billionaire Tom Steyer said he would end his largely self-funded Democratic presidential bid , marking the end of his first campaign for any type of elective office .
The 62-year-old initially ruled out running for president and said that he would focus on efforts to take on President Trump through Need to Impeach , his organization that advocated for Trump ’ s impeachment , which the Democratic majority House did in December .
About six months later in July , the hedge fund king launched a presidential bid .
Though he joined the race much later than other presidential hopefuls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitors in meeting donor and polling metrics for the fall 2019 debates .
He spent millions of dollars on digital and television advertising and utilized voter data from Need to Impeach and NextGen America , his environmental advocacy group .
He said that he had planned to spend $ 100 million of his own money on his campaign , drawing criticism from other candidates who condemn big money in politics .
Forbes estimated that Steyer is worth about $ 1.6 billion , about half as much as Trump , whom Forbes estimates is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland Rep. John Delaney , a Democrat whom the Center for Responsive Politics estimated to be worth around $ 230 million in 2015 , also largely self-funded his presidential campaign .
But even those levels of wealth were eclipsed by the entrance into the Democratic nomination race of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , worth an estimated $ 56 billion or more .
[ Opinion : Tom Steyer is the poster child for liberal hypocrisy ]

Billionaire Tom Steyer said he would end his largely self-funded Democratic presidential bid, marking the end of his first campaign for any type of elective office.
The 62-year-old initially ruled out running for president and said that he would focus on efforts to take on President Trump through Need to Impeach, his organization that advocated for Trump’s impeachment, which the Democratic majority House did in December. About six months later in July, the hedge fund king launched a presidential bid.
Though he joined the race much later than other presidential hopefuls, Steyer soon outpaced some of his competitors in meeting donor and polling metrics for the fall 2019 debates. He spent millions of dollars on digital and television advertising and utilized voter data from Need to Impeach and NextGen America, his environmental advocacy group.
He said that he had planned to spend $100 million of his own money on his campaign, drawing criticism from other candidates who condemn big money in politics.
Forbes estimated that Steyer is worth about $1.6 billion, about half as much as Trump, whom Forbes estimates is worth around $3.1 billion.
Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, a Democrat whom the Center for Responsive Politics estimated to be worth around $230 million in 2015, also largely self-funded his presidential campaign.
But even those levels of wealth were eclipsed by the entrance into the Democratic nomination race of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, worth an estimated $56 billion or more.
[Opinion: Tom Steyer is the poster child for liberal hypocrisy]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-01--'I don't accept his help': Sanders rejects Trump efforts to promote his campaign

Bernie Sanders said he doesn ’ t accept President Trump ’ s tweets in his defense that trash other Democrats .
Appearing Sunday on ABC ’ s This Week , the Vermont senator was asked about recent tweets from the president .
In one tweet , Trump wrote , “ Democrats are working hard to destroy the name and reputation of Crazy Bernie Sanders , and take the nomination away from him !
” Host George Stephanopoulos said , “ The president seems to be going out of his way to help you … do you accept his help ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t accept his help .
I 'm gon na do everything I can to defeat Donald Trump , ” Sanders responded .
Some of Trump ’ s allies in South Carolina were working on getting more votes for Sanders , who is a self-avowed socialist and seen by many as being an easier challenger for Trump during the general election , in Saturday 's primary .
The 2020 Democrat said it was “ pathetic ” that Trump visited South Carolina amid the coronavirus outbreak to try and “ undermine the Democratic primary.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the midst of an international healthcare crisis , you ’ ve got a president running into South Carolina trying to steal some media attention away from Democrats ?
” Sanders said .
A RealClearPolitics average of national polls has Sanders in first place with 29.6 % support , followed by Joe Biden with 18.8 % support .

Bernie Sanders said he doesn’t accept President Trump’s tweets in his defense that trash other Democrats.
Appearing Sunday on ABC’s This Week, the Vermont senator was asked about recent tweets from the president. In one tweet, Trump wrote, “Democrats are working hard to destroy the name and reputation of Crazy Bernie Sanders, and take the nomination away from him!”
Host George Stephanopoulos said, “The president seems to be going out of his way to help you … do you accept his help?”
“No, I don’t accept his help. I'm gonna do everything I can to defeat Donald Trump,” Sanders responded.
Some of Trump’s allies in South Carolina were working on getting more votes for Sanders, who is a self-avowed socialist and seen by many as being an easier challenger for Trump during the general election, in Saturday's primary. The 2020 Democrat said it was “pathetic” that Trump visited South Carolina amid the coronavirus outbreak to try and “undermine the Democratic primary.”
“How pathetic is it that in the midst of an international healthcare crisis, you’ve got a president running into South Carolina trying to steal some media attention away from Democrats?” Sanders said.
A RealClearPolitics average of national polls has Sanders in first place with 29.6% support, followed by Joe Biden with 18.8% support.