politicususa--2020-02-18--Opinion: Democracy and Bullying Don’t Mix

A small and intimidating group of self-described Bernie supporters are a stark reminder of the core reason Donald Trump has to go .
Democracy and Bullying don ’ t mix .
Most of the time , authoritarianism is about leveraging and abusing power against the populace for a tyrant ’ s personal gain .
Trump did it with the Ukraine .
He did it again last Friday during his meeting with New York governor Andrew Cuomo and he did it again with the wedding present he gave Stephen Miller .
Stephen Miller got married this weekend and Donald Trump gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wedding present .
One of the key traits that distinguishes us from banana republics is the idea of voters freely choosing whom they want to represent them at all levels of government , including the presidency .
When a faction of a candidate ’ s supporters starts threatening people , they are as much a threat to our democracy as anything Donald Trump has done .
This came during a week when all the prosecutors on the Stone case quit because they didn ’ t want to be a part of destroying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them quit the Federal government , making it clear he didn ’ t even want to watch it in silence .
The rule of law means the law is applied equally to all people , regardless of whether they are the president , a recent immigrant , someone popular or someone who is an awful person .
There is an elegant parallel between standing up for the rule of law and standing against voter intimidation .
Both recognize the inherent equality and worth of all humans regardless of their station , ethnicity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is jarring .
But for all the disturbing things that happened last week , the most disturbing was the story of the Culinary Workers Union leaders who were attacked by self-identified Sanders supporters .
The original reporting came from The Nevada Independent There is one paragraph that is particularly disturbing .
We do not do this in America .
We do not do this even if the political opponent is the worst person known to humanity , which Donald Trump is , but I digress .
This approach does not reflect well on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters who understand that bullying is a tactic used by authoritarian tyrants .
We can have all the constitutional fixes that will provide stronger remedies against abuses of power that Trump turned into an art form .
We can have Medicare for all .
We can assure that everyone has the financial ability to meet their needs and we can do it with free and fair elections .
We can have it without resorting to attacking union leaders for making choices some don ’ t like but which do reflect the wishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , democracy relies on a good-faith agreement to respect differences in opinion and thought .
It ’ s the faith in democracy that keeps it alive .
This is not a new problem .
Whether the people doing the attacking this year are genuine Bernie supporters remains to be seen .
It has , however , gotten more serious since 2016 , where individuals who were less than sufficiently committed to Sanders could be on the receiving end of the so called Bernie bros.
They ’ ve moved on to threatening women of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hardly a group of privilege .
Even the national mainstream media is paying attention , as are some of the Democratic Party ’ s candidates .
For his part , Bernie Sanders questions if they are really his supporters .
Sorry , but I ’ m old enough to remember when Trump used a similar line about David Duke and the KKK .
Beating Trump is the most important goal of this election , but it ’ s not the only goal .
The reasons we think Trump should be defeated play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be .
If you believe in democracy , it means condemning the anti-democratic tactic of intimidating voters , especially by attacking leaders who think for the best interests of their constituents .
Belief in our democracy means condemning those tactics when used not just by supporters of an unappealing candidate , but also by supporters of someone whose policy objectives may be attractive .
It means condemning those tactics even when used for someone whose policy objectives may be attractive as much as it means condemning them when the candidate is unappealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes as much integrity as it took those prosecutors to quit the Stone case .

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A small and intimidating group of self-described Bernie supporters are a stark reminder of the core reason Donald Trump has to go. Democracy and Bullying don’t mix.
Most of the time, authoritarianism is about leveraging and abusing power against the populace for a tyrant’s personal gain. Trump did it with the Ukraine. He did it again last Friday during his meeting with New York governor Andrew Cuomo and he did it again with the wedding present he gave Stephen Miller.
Stephen Miller got married this weekend and Donald Trump gave him door-to door-searches in sanctuary cities as a wedding present.
One of the key traits that distinguishes us from banana republics is the idea of voters freely choosing whom they want to represent them at all levels of government, including the presidency. When a faction of a candidate’s supporters starts threatening people, they are as much a threat to our democracy as anything Donald Trump has done.
This came during a week when all the prosecutors on the Stone case quit because they didn’t want to be a part of destroying the rule of law. One of them quit the Federal government, making it clear he didn’t even want to watch it in silence.
The rule of law means the law is applied equally to all people, regardless of whether they are the president, a recent immigrant, someone popular or someone who is an awful person. There is an elegant parallel between standing up for the rule of law and standing against voter intimidation. Both recognize the inherent equality and worth of all humans regardless of their station, ethnicity, religion or even their character.
That is jarring. But for all the disturbing things that happened last week, the most disturbing was the story of the Culinary Workers Union leaders who were attacked by self-identified Sanders supporters.
The original reporting came from The Nevada Independent
There is one paragraph that is particularly disturbing.
Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline, for instance, has come under attack for her Nicaraguan heritage, and union spokeswoman Bethany Khan was accused of being paid off by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other Democratic establishment types. In tweets, the union and its leadership have been referred to as “bitches,” “whore,” “fucking scab” and “evil, entitled assholes.”
We do not do this in America. We do not do this even if the political opponent is the worst person known to humanity, which Donald Trump is, but I digress.
This approach does not reflect well on Bernie Sanders or on the majority of his supporters who understand that bullying is a tactic used by authoritarian tyrants.
We can have all the constitutional fixes that will provide stronger remedies against abuses of power that Trump turned into an art form. We can have Medicare for all. We can assure that everyone has the financial ability to meet their needs and we can do it with free and fair elections. We can have it without resorting to attacking union leaders for making choices some don’t like but which do reflect the wishes of their membership.
More than anything, democracy relies on a good-faith agreement to respect differences in opinion and thought. It’s the faith in democracy that keeps it alive.
This is not a new problem. Whether the people doing the attacking this year are genuine Bernie supporters remains to be seen. It has, however, gotten more serious since 2016, where individuals who were less than sufficiently committed to Sanders could be on the receiving end of the so called Bernie bros. They’ve moved on to threatening women of color who lead the Culinary Workers Union, hardly a group of privilege.
Even the national mainstream media is paying attention, as are some of the Democratic Party’s candidates.
For his part, Bernie Sanders questions if they are really his supporters. Sorry, but I’m old enough to remember when Trump used a similar line about David Duke and the KKK.
Beating Trump is the most important goal of this election, but it’s not the only goal. The reasons we think Trump should be defeated play a role in what the other goals should be.
If you believe in democracy, it means condemning the anti-democratic tactic of intimidating voters, especially by attacking leaders who think for the best interests of their constituents.
Belief in our democracy means condemning those tactics when used not just by supporters of an unappealing candidate, but also by supporters of someone whose policy objectives may be attractive.
It means condemning those tactics even when used for someone whose policy objectives may be attractive as much as it means condemning them when the candidate is unappealing. Ironically, condemning the Bernie bros takes as much integrity as it took those prosecutors to quit the Stone case.


politicususa--2020-02-18--White House Freaks Out After Obama Trolls Them On The Economy

The White House is pushing Trump ’ s fantasy of economic greatness by claiming that the economy under Obama was “ horrible.
” Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro responded on CNN , “ If you lived through the Obama years , which everyone watching this show did , they remember what it was like…Back in the Obama/Biden years , it was horrible .
We had this new normal of growth under two percent , wages not rising.
” CNN host Poppy Harlow pulled up the quarterly numbers to show that Trump has not had a single quarter over four percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t a good economy then .
Navarro answered , “ No , it wasn ’ t .
It was horrible.
” Trump ’ s economic growth is sixth out of the last ten presidential terms .
Trump ’ s GDP growth is below average , and he inherited a good economy , unlike Obama , who had to dig the nation out of the great recession .
The notion that the economy under Trump is great is pure fantasy , and it is clear the Obama triggered the entire White House by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved the economy .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The White House is pushing Trump’s fantasy of economic greatness by claiming that the economy under Obama was “horrible.”
Obama tweeted:
Eleven years ago today, near the bottom of the worst recession in generations, I signed the Recovery Act, paving the way for more than a decade of economic growth and the longest streak of job creation in American history. pic.twitter.com/BmdXrxUAUf — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 17, 2020
Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro responded on CNN, “If you lived through the Obama years, which everyone watching this show did, they remember what it was like…Back in the Obama/Biden years, it was horrible. We had this new normal of growth under two percent, wages not rising.”
CNN host Poppy Harlow pulled up the quarterly numbers to show that Trump has not had a single quarter over four percent growth and asked if it also wasn’t a good economy then. Navarro answered, “No, it wasn’t. It was horrible.”
Video of White House economic adviser Peter Navarro:
.@PoppyHarlowCNN after President Trump accused Obama of trying to “take credit” for the economy: “It's a great economy now. All I'm asking you is, wasn't it a good economy then as well?” WH trade adviser Peter Navarro: “No…It was a horrible economy during the Obama years.” pic.twitter.com/A6LutR01P4 — CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) February 18, 2020
Trump’s economic growth is sixth out of the last ten presidential terms. Trump’s GDP growth is below average, and he inherited a good economy, unlike Obama, who had to dig the nation out of the great recession.
The notion that the economy under Trump is great is pure fantasy, and it is clear the Obama triggered the entire White House by reminding the American people of who really saved the economy.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-18--Tight Virginia Primary Shows No Clear Leader Between Sanders, Bloomberg, and Biden

A new poll of Virginia reveals just how close the Democratic primary is with Sanders and Bloomberg tied at 22 % , and Biden with 18 % According to the Monmouth University Poll of the Virginia Democratic primary : Among Virginia voters who are likely to participate in the Democratic primary on March 3 , support currently stands at 22 % for Bloomberg , 22 % for Sanders , and 18 % for Biden .
They are trailed by Pete Buttigieg ( 11 % ) , Amy Klobuchar ( 9 % ) , and Elizabeth Warren ( 5 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters remain undecided and do not lean toward any candidate at this time .
Virginia does not have party registration and any voter may participate in the primary .
Among those who identify themselves as Democrats , Sanders ( 22 % ) , Biden ( 21 % ) , and Bloomberg ( 20 % ) are on equal footing .
Other candidates get less support among self-identified Democrats , including Buttigieg ( 13 % ) , Klobuchar ( 7 % ) , and Warren ( 6 % ) .
Among those who call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of self-identified Republicans ) , Bloomberg ( 25 % ) and Sanders ( 23 % ) share the lead , followed by Biden ( 13 % ) , Klobuchar ( 13 % ) , and Buttigieg ( 8 % ) , with Warren getting only 2 % .
White voters are split between Bloomberg ( 25 % ) and Sanders ( 23 % ) , while Biden leads among black voters ( 37 % ) .
One-third of voters under 50 years old prefer Sanders ( 35 % ) , while a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back Bloomberg ( 32 % ) In Virginia , Bloomberg is cutting into support for both Biden and Sanders .
Bloomberg is taking away support with white voters from Sanders , and he is hurting Biden with older voters .
Bloomberg isn ’ t doing any actual campaigning in Virginia .
He is relentlessly running tons of ads in the state .
The Virginia primary looks like a preview where the primary is heading .
Warren , Buttigieg , Klobuchar , and Steyer have all fallen off .
The primary could come down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg , and Biden .
No candidate has established themselves as the clear leader , and this pattern could continue through the entire primary .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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A new poll of Virginia reveals just how close the Democratic primary is with Sanders and Bloomberg tied at 22%, and Biden with 18%
According to the Monmouth University Poll of the Virginia Democratic primary:
Among Virginia voters who are likely to participate in the Democratic primary on March 3, support currently stands at 22% for Bloomberg, 22% for Sanders, and 18% for Biden. They are trailed by Pete Buttigieg (11%), Amy Klobuchar (9%), and Elizabeth Warren (5%). Another 11% of likely primary voters remain undecided and do not lean toward any candidate at this time.
Virginia does not have party registration and any voter may participate in the primary. Among those who identify themselves as Democrats, Sanders (22%), Biden (21%), and Bloomberg (20%) are on equal footing. Other candidates get less support among self-identified Democrats, including Buttigieg (13%), Klobuchar (7%), and Warren (6%).
Among those who call themselves independents (plus a small number of self-identified Republicans), Bloomberg (25%) and Sanders (23%) share the lead, followed by Biden (13%), Klobuchar (13%), and Buttigieg (8%), with Warren getting only 2%. White voters are split between Bloomberg (25%) and Sanders (23%), while Biden leads among black voters (37%). One-third of voters under 50 years old prefer Sanders (35%), while a similar number of those aged 65 and over back Bloomberg (32%)
In Virginia, Bloomberg is cutting into support for both Biden and Sanders. Bloomberg is taking away support with white voters from Sanders, and he is hurting Biden with older voters.
Bloomberg isn’t doing any actual campaigning in Virginia. He is relentlessly running tons of ads in the state.
The Virginia primary looks like a preview where the primary is heading. Warren, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and Steyer have all fallen off. The primary could come down to a three-way race between Sanders, Bloomberg, and Biden.
No candidate has established themselves as the clear leader, and this pattern could continue through the entire primary.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-18--Trump Sends A New Paranoid Love Note To Bernie Sanders

Trump loves to advocate for Bernie Sanders and fuel conspiracy theories about how Sanders is being screwed by the Democratic Party .
The latest in the Trump really wants to run against Sen. Sanders series : Trump doesn ’ t understand that this isn ’ t 2016 anymore .
Sen. Sanders helped to reform the 2020 primary rules .
The ongoing quagmire is in part a result of the process that Sanders advocated for and helped to create .
As far as a brokered convention , it is very likely that none of these candidates are going to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but instead of the superdelegates playing a role , campaigns will be looking to make deals .
The moderate vote is likely to be bigger than the progressive vote in the primary , so there is a good chance that a moderate unity comes together with a delegate deal to clinch the nomination .
Trump is trying to use Sanders to divide the Democratic vote .
He did it in 2016 .
He is doing it again in 2020 .
Donald Trump is only interested in himself , and these paranoid love notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President trying to help his own path to reelection .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump loves to advocate for Bernie Sanders and fuel conspiracy theories about how Sanders is being screwed by the Democratic Party.
The latest in the Trump really wants to run against Sen. Sanders series:
The Crooked DNC is working overtime to take the Democrat Nomination away from Bernie, AGAIN! Watch what happens to the Super Delegates in Round Two. A Rigged Convention! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2020
Trump doesn’t understand that this isn’t 2016 anymore. Sen. Sanders helped to reform the 2020 primary rules. The ongoing quagmire is in part a result of the process that Sanders advocated for and helped to create.
As far as a brokered convention, it is very likely that none of these candidates are going to be able to clinch the nomination before Milwaukee, but instead of the superdelegates playing a role, campaigns will be looking to make deals.
The moderate vote is likely to be bigger than the progressive vote in the primary, so there is a good chance that a moderate unity comes together with a delegate deal to clinch the nomination.
Trump is trying to use Sanders to divide the Democratic vote. He did it in 2016. He is doing it again in 2020.
Donald Trump is only interested in himself, and these paranoid love notes to Sanders are nothing more than the President trying to help his own path to reelection.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-02-19--Maxine Waters Warns That Trump Will Drop All Sanctions Against Russia If He’s Reelected

Donald Trump has spent the past three years cowering to Russian president Vladimir Putin , but Rep. Maxine Waters ( D-CA ) said on Tuesday night that the Kremlin will have even more control over the White House if the president is reelected in November .
If Trump gets a second term in the White House , Waters expects Trump to lift all sanctions against Russia and welcome Putin to the White House with open arms .
The California Democrat also believes Trump will pardon Paul Manafort , his former campaign chairman who is currently behind bars .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the sanctions from Russia .
He will be even more involved with the oligarchs of Russia , and he ’ s going to bring Putin to the White House , ” Waters said .
She added , “ We ’ ve got to make sure this man is not elected again.
” He will pardon Manafort .
He will lift all of the sanctions from Russia .
He will be even more involved with the oligarchs of Russia , and he ’ s going to bring Putin to the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reelected .
But we have to make sure – those of us who really respect and care about the constitution and know that Russia has hacked into our Democratic National Committee , into our state election system , and we are knowing very well that they ’ re going to do it again in this election – we have got to work hard to make sure that they don ’ t get away with it , that we don ’ t have this president who will carry out that kind of agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve got to make sure this man is not elected again .
Trump is a clear and present threat to America Those who support the president will likely scoff at Waters ’ comments and claim she ’ s engaging in hysteria .
But the president ’ s post-impeachment conduct shows that America has every reason to be frightened by the prospect of a second Trump term .
After all , Donald Trump has already done long-lasting damage to American institutions and the rule of law .
Each day , he seemingly takes another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If he ’ s given four more years in the White House without having to worry about winning another election , there is no telling how much more damage he will do .

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Donald Trump has spent the past three years cowering to Russian president Vladimir Putin, but Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) said on Tuesday night that the Kremlin will have even more control over the White House if the president is reelected in November.
If Trump gets a second term in the White House, Waters expects Trump to lift all sanctions against Russia and welcome Putin to the White House with open arms.
The California Democrat also believes Trump will pardon Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman who is currently behind bars.
“He will pardon Manafort. He will lift all of the sanctions from Russia. He will be even more involved with the oligarchs of Russia, and he’s going to bring Putin to the White House,” Waters said.
She added, “We’ve got to make sure this man is not elected again.”
Video:
Maxine Waters warns that Trump will lift all sanctions on Russia if he gets reelected. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/WHPe3rPZIT — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 19, 2020
Waters said:
He will pardon Manafort. He will lift all of the sanctions from Russia. He will be even more involved with the oligarchs of Russia, and he’s going to bring Putin to the White House, I believe that, if he is reelected. But we have to make sure – those of us who really respect and care about the constitution and know that Russia has hacked into our Democratic National Committee, into our state election system, and we are knowing very well that they’re going to do it again in this election – we have got to work hard to make sure that they don’t get away with it, that we don’t have this president who will carry out that kind of agenda if he is reelected. We’ve got to make sure this man is not elected again.
Trump is a clear and present threat to America
Those who support the president will likely scoff at Waters’ comments and claim she’s engaging in hysteria. But the president’s post-impeachment conduct shows that America has every reason to be frightened by the prospect of a second Trump term.
After all, Donald Trump has already done long-lasting damage to American institutions and the rule of law. Each day, he seemingly takes another crack at the fabric of this country.
If he’s given four more years in the White House without having to worry about winning another election, there is no telling how much more damage he will do.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-19--Trump Called Rush Limbaugh And Told Him Not To Apologize For Homophobic Attacks On Buttigieg

Donald Trump personally called Rush Limbaugh and urged him not to apologize for his homophobic attacks on former South Bend mayor and current presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg .
According to The Hill , Limbaugh revealed the details of his phone call with Trump on his program on Monday .
“ Hell , the president even called me about this !
” Limbaugh said on his show .
“ He said , ‘ Rush , I just got to tell you something .
Never apologize .
Don ’ t ever apologize . '
” “ I had no idea this thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-wing radio said of the controversy .
“ You know , I ’ m up doing the medical thing that I have to do here , and I wasn ’ t even aware of this.
” Limbaugh said last week that America wasn ’ t ready to elect a gay president and that Buttigieg ’ s sexual orientation would be helpful to Trump in a general election campaign .
“ A gay guy , 37 years old , loves kissing his husband on debate stages , ” Limbaugh said .
“ Can you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Buttigieg had a blistering response to the homophobic attack on him and his husband .
“ Well , I love my husband .
I ’ m faithful to my husband .
On stage we usually just go for a hug .
But I love him very much , and I ’ m not going take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh , ” the former mayor said .
Trump and Limbaugh are the same person It ’ s no shock that Donald Trump leapt to the defense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pete Buttigieg .
It ’ s also not very surprising that Trump gave the right-wing radio host a Medal of Freedom during this year ’ s State of the Union address .
After all , the two men are basically the same person .
When Trump looks at Limbaugh , he is essentially looking in a mirror .
Like the president , Limbaugh has a reputation for homophobic , sexist and racist attacks on his political opponents .
Neither man should be lecturing anybody on character or family values , yet they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limbaugh is as qualified to receive the Medal of Freedom as Donald Trump is to be president of the United States .

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Donald Trump personally called Rush Limbaugh and urged him not to apologize for his homophobic attacks on former South Bend mayor and current presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.
According to The Hill, Limbaugh revealed the details of his phone call with Trump on his program on Monday.
“Hell, the president even called me about this!” Limbaugh said on his show. “He said, ‘Rush, I just got to tell you something. Never apologize. Don’t ever apologize.'”
“I had no idea this thing had even bubbled up,” the right-wing radio said of the controversy. “You know, I’m up doing the medical thing that I have to do here, and I wasn’t even aware of this.”
Limbaugh said last week that America wasn’t ready to elect a gay president and that Buttigieg’s sexual orientation would be helpful to Trump in a general election campaign.
“A gay guy, 37 years old, loves kissing his husband on debate stages,” Limbaugh said. “Can you see Trump have fun with that?”
Buttigieg had a blistering response to the homophobic attack on him and his husband.
“Well, I love my husband. I’m faithful to my husband. On stage we usually just go for a hug. But I love him very much, and I’m not going take lectures on family values from the likes of Rush Limbaugh,” the former mayor said.
Trump and Limbaugh are the same person
It’s no shock that Donald Trump leapt to the defense of Rush Limbaugh after his homophobic attacks on Pete Buttigieg. It’s also not very surprising that Trump gave the right-wing radio host a Medal of Freedom during this year’s State of the Union address.
After all, the two men are basically the same person. When Trump looks at Limbaugh, he is essentially looking in a mirror.
Like the president, Limbaugh has a reputation for homophobic, sexist and racist attacks on his political opponents. Neither man should be lecturing anybody on character or family values, yet they can never seem to help themselves.
Rush Limbaugh is as qualified to receive the Medal of Freedom as Donald Trump is to be president of the United States.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-19--Trump’s Pardons Prove That His Entire Impeachment Defense Was A Joke

Donald Trump claimed that his conduct at the center of the Ukraine scandal was motivated by a deep commitment to fighting corruption .
It had nothing to do with trying to derail a political opponent , he and his defenders claimed as impeachment worked its way through Congress .
But on Tuesday , as Trump issued a flurry of pardons of people he happened to see on Fox News , the already-laughable suggestion that he cares about corruption took its final gasp of life .
It ’ s now officially dead .
As Steve Benen of Maddow Blog pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole idea of Trump as some kind of corruption-fighter has become a punch-line to a sad joke.
” For months , as the Ukraine scandal derailed his presidency , Donald Trump tried to defend his illegal extortion scheme with a rather ridiculous explanation .
His actions , the president insisted , were motivated by his deep and abiding concerns about corruption .
More than a few Republicans played along , pretending that Trump really is an aggressive anti-corruption crusader — all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding .
Among the names that stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notorious for Democratic governor of Illinois , perhaps best known for trying to sell Barack Obama ’ s Senate seat .
( Blagojevich was also , incidentally , a contestant on Trump ’ s reality television show . )
But there ’ s no need to stop with the man known as “ Blago.
” Several of those on today ’ s list — Bernie Kerik , David Safavian , Michael Milken , Judith Negron , et al .
— were convicted of charges related to corruption and fraud .
And Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough on crime , ” was only too pleased to intervene in their cases and help wipe the slate clean .
Trump is the embodiment of corruption Any American who ’ s been paying attention over the past few years knows that Donald Trump couldn ’ t care less about corruption .
Not a day has passed since he became president when he wasn ’ t abusing the power of his office , whether it ’ s extorting a foreign power for political gain or profiting every time he takes a taxpayer funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t give a damn about corruption ; he never has .
His spree of pardons on Tuesday just confirms that fact .

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Donald Trump claimed that his conduct at the center of the Ukraine scandal was motivated by a deep commitment to fighting corruption.
It had nothing to do with trying to derail a political opponent, he and his defenders claimed as impeachment worked its way through Congress.
But on Tuesday, as Trump issued a flurry of pardons of people he happened to see on Fox News, the already-laughable suggestion that he cares about corruption took its final gasp of life. It’s now officially dead.
As Steve Benen of Maddow Blog pointed out, “With this pardon spree, the whole idea of Trump as some kind of corruption-fighter has become a punch-line to a sad joke.”
More from Benen:
For months, as the Ukraine scandal derailed his presidency, Donald Trump tried to defend his illegal extortion scheme with a rather ridiculous explanation. His actions, the president insisted, were motivated by his deep and abiding concerns about corruption. More than a few Republicans played along, pretending that Trump really is an aggressive anti-corruption crusader — all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding. … Among the names that stand out most is Rod Blagojevich, the notorious for Democratic governor of Illinois, perhaps best known for trying to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat. (Blagojevich was also, incidentally, a contestant on Trump’s reality television show.) … But there’s no need to stop with the man known as “Blago.” Several of those on today’s list — Bernie Kerik, David Safavian, Michael Milken, Judith Negron, et al. — were convicted of charges related to corruption and fraud. And Trump, after years of posturing about being “tough on crime,” was only too pleased to intervene in their cases and help wipe the slate clean.
Trump is the embodiment of corruption
Any American who’s been paying attention over the past few years knows that Donald Trump couldn’t care less about corruption.
Not a day has passed since he became president when he wasn’t abusing the power of his office, whether it’s extorting a foreign power for political gain or profiting every time he takes a taxpayer funded golf trip.
Donald Trump doesn’t give a damn about corruption; he never has. His spree of pardons on Tuesday just confirms that fact.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-20--Assange Appears To Have Evidence Of Trump Pardon Offer

Legal experts say that it appears that Julian Assange has evidence to support his claim that Donald Trump offered him a pardon .
Assange ’ s lawyer claimed that Trump offered their client a pardon if he would say that Russia had nothing to do with the DNC hack in 2016 .
The White House responded to the claim of a pardon with an outraged denial and one of Trump ’ s favorite lies of claiming not to know the person who was doing his dirty work .
Ned Price suggested that Assange has evidence to support his claims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence , it would be devastating to Trump ahead of the 2020 election .
It would also be important to Assange ’ s extradition fight , as he would be able to show a judge a reason why he might face retribution by the Trump administration if he were extradited to the US .
Trump has no evidence that he didn ’ t offer a pardon , other than the word of a president who is rapidly telling 20,000 lies in office .
The President has hit a series of hurdles in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away to pave the way for more Russian interference on his behalf in 2020 , but any evidence that Assange has could derail the 2020 Trump reelection train potentially for good .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Legal experts say that it appears that Julian Assange has evidence to support his claim that Donald Trump offered him a pardon.
Assange’s lawyer claimed that Trump offered their client a pardon if he would say that Russia had nothing to do with the DNC hack in 2016. The White House responded to the claim of a pardon with an outraged denial and one of Trump’s favorite lies of claiming not to know the person who was doing his dirty work.
Ned Price suggested that Assange has evidence to support his claims of a pardon offer:
It sure sounds like Assange's attorneys are prepared to back-up this claim with evidence. It's a another indication that Trump's assault on the rule of law isn't new; it's been ongoing throughout his term. And imagine just how much we don't yet know…. https://t.co/3O9mD8EM4g — Ned Price (@nedprice) February 19, 2020
If Assange has evidence, it would be devastating to Trump ahead of the 2020 election. It would also be important to Assange’s extradition fight, as he would be able to show a judge a reason why he might face retribution by the Trump administration if he were extradited to the US.
Trump has no evidence that he didn’t offer a pardon, other than the word of a president who is rapidly telling 20,000 lies in office.
The President has hit a series of hurdles in his plan to make the Russia scandal go away to pave the way for more Russian interference on his behalf in 2020, but any evidence that Assange has could derail the 2020 Trump reelection train potentially for good.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Democratic Debate: Who Won, Who Lost, and What You Need To Know

Democrats had their best debate yet in Nevada as Bloomberg and Sanders took fire from all sides as Biden , Buttigieg , and Warren showed strength .
Democrats Who Won 1 ) .
Elizabeth Warren – If one believes that debates are won based on clips that get played on cable news , and moments that stick the voters ’ minds , Sen. Warren had one heck of a night .
Having a billionaire right next to her , was like flashing a red cape in front of a bull .
Warren decimated Mike Bloomberg .
She was ready , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was on the upswing early in the campaign .
2 ) .
Pete Buttigieg – Mayor Pete had his sharpest debate of the year so far .
Buttigieg went after Bernie Sanders on holding his supporters accountable , stood up for working people , and clearly defined and clearly explained the middle lane that will appeal to Independents in November .
3 ) Joe Biden – Biden was strong , and it was clear that people who were trying to write him off were making a big mistake .
Biden took on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls continue to show him as the Democratic candidate who would have the best chance of beating Trump .
Who Lost 1 ) .
Bernie Sanders – Sen. Sanders wasn ’ t great , but he wasn ’ t horrible either .
There was nobody who was already supporting Sanders who left him after this debate .
There was also probably no one who wasn ’ t supporting him who was moved over to his camp .
The problem for Sen. Sanders was that Mike Bloomberg did some serious damage by linking his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a socialist millionaire with three houses .
Bloomberg came at Sanders hard and he didn ’ t have many great retorts .
2 ) .
Mike Bloomberg – Bloomberg was also uneven .
The former mayor was hit on everything from stop and frisk to his sexism , and trying to buy the nomination .
Bloomberg was the first candidate in two presidential election cycles who was able to land heavy blows on Bernie Sanders .
Bloomberg like Sanders is a flawed candidate who showed both the good and the bad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar – One gets the sense that Bloomberg ’ s arrival will end up pushing Klobuchar out of the race .
There doesn ’ t seem to be enough room in the middle lane of the primary for four candidates .
Klobuchar may do a little better in Nevada than some expect , but the writing is clearly on the wall for the future of her candidacy .
What You Need To Know After The Nevada Debate Some of the candidates that media proclaimed to be dead , Biden and Warren , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than their first two showings .
Bloomberg didn ’ t step on to the stage and assume the status of a frontrunner , but he will be a force , and an all-out war is building between him and Bernie Sanders .
Nevada will likely add to the confusion .
There is no clear frontrunner , and this primary will likely be settled at the convention .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Democrats had their best debate yet in Nevada as Bloomberg and Sanders took fire from all sides as Biden, Buttigieg, and Warren showed strength.
Democrats Who Won
1). Elizabeth Warren – If one believes that debates are won based on clips that get played on cable news, and moments that stick the voters’ minds, Sen. Warren had one heck of a night. Having a billionaire right next to her, was like flashing a red cape in front of a bull. Warren decimated Mike Bloomberg. She was ready, and reminded everyone of the populist fighter who was on the upswing early in the campaign.
2). Pete Buttigieg – Mayor Pete had his sharpest debate of the year so far. Buttigieg went after Bernie Sanders on holding his supporters accountable, stood up for working people, and clearly defined and clearly explained the middle lane that will appeal to Independents in November.
3) Joe Biden – Biden was strong, and it was clear that people who were trying to write him off were making a big mistake. Biden took on both Sanders and Bloomberg and demonstrated why polls continue to show him as the Democratic candidate who would have the best chance of beating Trump.
Who Lost
1). Bernie Sanders – Sen. Sanders wasn’t great, but he wasn’t horrible either. There was nobody who was already supporting Sanders who left him after this debate. There was also probably no one who wasn’t supporting him who was moved over to his camp. The problem for Sen. Sanders was that Mike Bloomberg did some serious damage by linking his economic ideas to communism and exposing him as a socialist millionaire with three houses. Bloomberg came at Sanders hard and he didn’t have many great retorts.
2). Mike Bloomberg – Bloomberg was also uneven. The former mayor was hit on everything from stop and frisk to his sexism, and trying to buy the nomination. Bloomberg was the first candidate in two presidential election cycles who was able to land heavy blows on Bernie Sanders. Bloomberg like Sanders is a flawed candidate who showed both the good and the bad in his candidacy.
3). Amy Klobuchar – One gets the sense that Bloomberg’s arrival will end up pushing Klobuchar out of the race. There doesn’t seem to be enough room in the middle lane of the primary for four candidates. Klobuchar may do a little better in Nevada than some expect, but the writing is clearly on the wall for the future of her candidacy.
What You Need To Know After The Nevada Debate
Some of the candidates that media proclaimed to be dead, Biden and Warren, for example, are likely to do better than their first two showings. Bloomberg didn’t step on to the stage and assume the status of a frontrunner, but he will be a force, and an all-out war is building between him and Bernie Sanders.
Nevada will likely add to the confusion.
There is no clear frontrunner, and this primary will likely be settled at the convention.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Elizabeth Warren Is Destroying Bloomberg At The Nevada Debate

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) came to the debate ready , and she has taken Mike Bloomberg apart piece by piece and linked him to Trump .
Warren said , I ” d like to talk about who we ’ re running against .
A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians , and no I ’ m not talking about Donald Trump , I ’ m talking about Mayor Bloomberg .
Democrats are not going to win if we have a nominee who has a history of hiding his tax returns , of harassing women .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stop and frisk .
Look , I ’ ll support whoever the Democratic nominee is , but understand this .
Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another.
” Warren wasn ’ t done .
She also had this to say about Bloomberg ’ s stop and frisk policy , “ When the mayor says that he apologized , listen very closely to the apology .
The language he used is about stop and frisk .
It ’ s about how it turned out .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it turned out , this is about what it was designed to do to begin with .
It targeted communities of color .
It targeted black and brown men from the beginning .
And if you want to issue a real apology , then the apology has to start with the intent of the plan as it was put together and the willful ignorance day by day by day of admitting what was happening even as people protested in your even street , shutting out the sounds of people telling you how your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You need a different apology here , Mr. Mayor.
” Welcome to the Democratic primary , Mayor Bloomberg .
Elizabeth Warren was ready and waiting for your arrival .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) came to the debate ready, and she has taken Mike Bloomberg apart piece by piece and linked him to Trump.
Warren said, I”d like to talk about who we’re running against. A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians, and no I’m not talking about Donald Trump, I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg. Democrats are not going to win if we have a nominee who has a history of hiding his tax returns, of harassing women. And of supporting racist policies like redlining and stop and frisk. Look, I’ll support whoever the Democratic nominee is, but understand this. Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another.”
Video:
Warren wasn’t done. She also had this to say about Bloomberg’s stop and frisk policy, “When the mayor says that he apologized, listen very closely to the apology. The language he used is about stop and frisk. It’s about how it turned out. Now, this isn’t about how it turned out, this is about what it was designed to do to begin with. It targeted communities of color. It targeted black and brown men from the beginning.
And if you want to issue a real apology, then the apology has to start with the intent of the plan as it was put together and the willful ignorance day by day by day of admitting what was happening even as people protested in your even street, shutting out the sounds of people telling you how your own policy was breaking their lives. You need a different apology here, Mr. Mayor.”
Video:
Welcome to the Democratic primary, Mayor Bloomberg. Elizabeth Warren was ready and waiting for your arrival.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--The Nevada Democratic Debate Is An Exciting Barn Burner

Mike Bloomberg taking the stage has brought out the edge in Democrats as they are going after each other hard @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg flat out says that Sanders can ’ t win : Biden points out that @ @ @ @ @ , and then stomps Bloomberg for stop and frisk : Buttigieg told Sanders that he @ @ @ @ @ who cares about working people : Buttigieg then called out Sanders for the behavior of @ @ @ @ @ are looking to get people fired up about the primary , this is the kind @ @ @ @ @ it .
The candidates are contrasting themselves with each other and it is making for @ @ @ @ @ .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Mike Bloomberg taking the stage has brought out the edge in Democrats as they are going after each other hard in the Nevada debate.
Elizabeth Warren shredded Bloomberg with a Trump comparison:
Bloomberg flat out says that Sanders can’t win:
Bloomberg says Bernie Sanders has no chance of beating Trump. #DemDebate #DemocraticDebate pic.twitter.com/o1defKQqDQ — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 20, 2020
Biden points out that he is the most electable, and then stomps Bloomberg for stop and frisk:
Biden says look at the polls. He is the best equipped to beat Trump, and then stomps Bloomberg for stop and frisk. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/DkL5diZ7Oj — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 20, 2020
Buttigieg told Sanders that he is not the only person who cares about working people:
Buttigieg tells Bernie Sanders that he is not the only one who cares about working people. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/FvRWmI424G — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 20, 2020
Buttigieg then called out Sanders for the behavior of his supporters:
Sanders says the Russians are using his name to divide the Democratic Party, and Buttigieg schools him on leadership. and how his campaign motivates the ugly behavior of his supporters.#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/Clbg1ZFPu0 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 20, 2020
Listen to my Nevada Debate preview:
If Democrats are looking to get people fired up about the primary, this is the kind of debate that will do it. The candidates are contrasting themselves with each other and it is making for an entertaining and revealing debate.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Trump Just Found His William Barr To Run The Intelligence Agencies

Trump wants to make sure that the intelligence community can ’ t blow the whistle on him in 2020 , so he picked a loyalist to act as his interim Intelligence Director .
The New York Times reported : President Trump on Wednesday named Richard Grenell , a vocal loyalist who quickly antagonized the German establishment as the American ambassador there , to be the acting director of national intelligence overseeing the nation ’ s 17 spy agencies .
By choosing Mr. Grenell , who has little experience in intelligence or in running a large bureaucracy , the president signaled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader atop an intelligence community that he has long viewed with suspicion and at times gone to war against .
This all should sound very familiar .
Trump was worried about getting Senate confirmation for his loyalist , so he is bypassing the Senate by installing his choice as interim director .
It is a trick that Trump has used frequently throughout his first term .
There is a similar pattern unfolding across the Executive Branch .
Trump is taking over anything that could potentially limit him or stop him from cheating in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t there to run the bureaucracy .
He was installed to make sure that nothing stands in Trump ’ s way when it comes to violating the law and cheating to win .
Trump has found his Barr to corrupt the intel community in Richard Grenell .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump wants to make sure that the intelligence community can’t blow the whistle on him in 2020, so he picked a loyalist to act as his interim Intelligence Director.
The New York Times reported:
President Trump on Wednesday named Richard Grenell, a vocal loyalist who quickly antagonized the German establishment as the American ambassador there, to be the acting director of national intelligence overseeing the nation’s 17 spy agencies.
By choosing Mr. Grenell, who has little experience in intelligence or in running a large bureaucracy, the president signaled that he wants a trusted, aggressive leader atop an intelligence community that he has long viewed with suspicion and at times gone to war against.
This all should sound very familiar. Trump was worried about getting Senate confirmation for his loyalist, so he is bypassing the Senate by installing his choice as interim director. It is a trick that Trump has used frequently throughout his first term.
There is a similar pattern unfolding across the Executive Branch. Trump is taking over anything that could potentially limit him or stop him from cheating in the 2020 election.
Grenell isn’t there to run the bureaucracy. He was installed to make sure that nothing stands in Trump’s way when it comes to violating the law and cheating to win.
Trump has found his Barr to corrupt the intel community in Richard Grenell.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--5 Things To Watch For During The Nevada Democratic Debate

The Nevada Democratic debate has arrived and here are five things to watch for in tonight ’ s event .
1 ) , Mike Bloomberg Is Now More Than An Ad Campaign It gets real for Mike Bloomberg tonight .
The hundreds of millions of dollars spent on ads become a real candidate who has to stand in front of Democratic voters and make his case for the Democratic nomination .
Bloomberg will be the story tonight .
His decision to get in the race late will either be a blessing or a massive blunder if he performs poorly at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic debate preview show at 7 PM ET : The Bloomberg and Sanders campaigns have already been getting ugly with each other in the days before the debate .
The Bloomberg campaign called Sanders the Trump of the left after the Sanders campaign made a false allegation that Mike Bloomberg had a heart attack .
3 ) .
What about Klobuchar and Buttigieg ?
The two big rises after Iowa and New Hampshire have hit a Nevada wall .
Without small rural state , white voters to play to both of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it together and make a push to keep their campaign momentum going , or are they heading for Rick Santorum Iowa Winner Dustbin of History ?
4 ) .
The Interaction Between Biden and Bloomberg Mike Bloomberg ’ s rise has come at the expense of Joe Biden .
It will be interesting to see if Biden joins the parade in coming after Bloomberg , or are the moderates in the race going to keep each other clean because they know that at a brokered convention , they as a combined force will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to make a deal among themselves to choose the nominee ?
No candidate has fallen as far as Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
She needs a good showing in Nevada because South Carolina is not looking like it is going to be a good state for her .
Warren also doesn ’ t have the money of a Sanders or a Bloomberg .
A good debate could set the stage for a good caucus showing .
If neither of these happens , we could be watching the beginning of the end for Warren @

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The Nevada Democratic debate has arrived and here are five things to watch for in tonight’s event.
1), Mike Bloomberg Is Now More Than An Ad Campaign
It gets real for Mike Bloomberg tonight. The hundreds of millions of dollars spent on ads become a real candidate who has to stand in front of Democratic voters and make his case for the Democratic nomination. Bloomberg will be the story tonight. His decision to get in the race late will either be a blessing or a massive blunder if he performs poorly at the Nevada debate.
Listen live to the Democratic debate preview show at 7 PM ET:
2). Bloomy vs. Bernie
The Bloomberg and Sanders campaigns have already been getting ugly with each other in the days before the debate. The Bloomberg campaign called Sanders the Trump of the left after the Sanders campaign made a false allegation that Mike Bloomberg had a heart attack.
3). What about Klobuchar and Buttigieg?
The two big rises after Iowa and New Hampshire have hit a Nevada wall. Without small rural state, white voters to play to both of these campaigns have struggled. Can they get it together and make a push to keep their campaign momentum going, or are they heading for Rick Santorum Iowa Winner Dustbin of History?
4). The Interaction Between Biden and Bloomberg
Mike Bloomberg’s rise has come at the expense of Joe Biden. It will be interesting to see if Biden joins the parade in coming after Bloomberg, or are the moderates in the race going to keep each other clean because they know that at a brokered convention, they as a combined force will likely have more delegates than Sanders and get to make a deal among themselves to choose the nominee?
5). Elizabeth Warren Needs Her Mojo Back
No candidate has fallen as far as Sen. Elizabeth Warren. She needs a good showing in Nevada because South Carolina is not looking like it is going to be a good state for her. Warren also doesn’t have the money of a Sanders or a Bloomberg. A good debate could set the stage for a good caucus showing. If neither of these happens, we could be watching the beginning of the end for Warren.


politicususa--2020-02-19--Trump Confirms Assange Pardon Offer With A Favorite Lie

The White House confirmed the Trump pardon offer to Assange with their go-to lie that Trump didn ’ t know former Rep. Rohrbacher .
The White House didn ’ t issue a direct denial of the pardon offer to Assange but went back to one of their favorite lies .
The American people got a Trump lies two for the price of one .
The White House claimed that Trump didn ’ t know Rohrbacher , and they threw in the now-standard Trump tell of calling something a hoax when he is guilty .
Trump knows Rohrbacher , and here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in response to visible evidence is to proclaim that Trump doesn ’ t know what he is talking about when he tweets , and no one should take his Twitter account seriously .
Trump has pretended not to know his own EU Ambassador , Wikileaks , Lev Parans , and his own lawyer , Michael Cohen .
When Trump is caught , his main move is to deny knowing the person that was doing his bidding .
If history is any guide , Trump ’ s Rohrbacher denial is a confession of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The White House confirmed the Trump pardon offer to Assange with their go-to lie that Trump didn’t know former Rep. Rohrbacher.
The White House didn’t issue a direct denial of the pardon offer to Assange but went back to one of their favorite lies.
Via Jim Acosta of CNN:
Grisham on Assange: “The President barely knows Dana Rohrabacher other than he’s an ex-congressman. He’s never spoken to him on this subject or almost any subject. It is a complete fabrication and a total lie. This is probably another never ending hoax and total lie from the DNC" — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 19, 2020
The American people got a Trump lies two for the price of one. The White House claimed that Trump didn’t know Rohrbacher, and they threw in the now-standard Trump tell of calling something a hoax when he is guilty.
Trump knows Rohrbacher, and here’s the proof:
Shot/chaser yada yada yada pic.twitter.com/540UAuAtFJ — Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) February 19, 2020
The next step in response to visible evidence is to proclaim that Trump doesn’t know what he is talking about when he tweets, and no one should take his Twitter account seriously.
Trump has pretended not to know his own EU Ambassador, Wikileaks, Lev Parans , and his own lawyer, Michael Cohen.
When Trump is caught, his main move is to deny knowing the person that was doing his bidding. If history is any guide, Trump’s Rohrbacher denial is a confession of guilt.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--Trump Offered To Pardon Assange If He Covered Up Russia’s DNC Hack

Julian Assange ’ s lawyer claimed in court that Trump offered him a pardon , through a former GOP congressman , if he would cover-up Russia ’ s role in the DNC hack .
The Daily Beast reported : Edward Fitzgerald , who was representing Assange in court , said he had evidence that a quid pro quo was put to Assange by Rohrabacher , who was known as Putin ’ s favorite congressman .
Fitzgerald said a statement produced by Assange ’ s personal lawyer , Jennifer Robinson , included a description of “ Mr Rohrabacher going to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the president , he was offering a pardon or some other way out , if Mr Assange… said Russia had nothing to do with the DNC leaks.
” The details make sense .
In that Rohrbacher was bankrolled by the Russians .
He was in Putin ’ s back pocket , and there have been stories about Trump throwing around promises of pardons to silence witnesses and clean up the Russia scandal for years .
The problem is whether or not Assange ’ s claim can be believed .
Assange is fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would almost certainly be convicted and sent to prison to live out the rest of his days .
Given the 2017 Wall Street Journal report that Rohrbacher was trying to arrange a pardon for Assange from Trump , all adds up that what Trump wanted in return for the pardon is a cover-up of Russia ’ s involvement in the DNC hack .
The common thread running from the Russia scandal through Trump ’ s Ukraine scandal impeachment is the president ’ s constant effort to cover-up Russia ’ s interference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is covering Putin ’ s tracks so that Putin can cheat for him again in 2020 .
The Assange allegation is another piece in the puzzle that helps to lay out Trump ’ s roadmap to cheating in 2020 .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Julian Assange’s lawyer claimed in court that Trump offered him a pardon, through a former GOP congressman, if he would cover-up Russia’s role in the DNC hack.
The Daily Beast reported:
Edward Fitzgerald, who was representing Assange in court, said he had evidence that a quid pro quo was put to Assange by Rohrabacher, who was known as Putin’s favorite congressman.
Fitzgerald said a statement produced by Assange’s personal lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, included a description of “Mr Rohrabacher going to see Mr Assange and saying, on instructions from the president, he was offering a pardon or some other way out, if Mr Assange… said Russia had nothing to do with the DNC leaks.”
The details make sense. In that Rohrbacher was bankrolled by the Russians. He was in Putin’s back pocket, and there have been stories about Trump throwing around promises of pardons to silence witnesses and clean up the Russia scandal for years.
The problem is whether or not Assange’s claim can be believed. Assange is fighting extradition to the United States, where he would almost certainly be convicted and sent to prison to live out the rest of his days.
Given the 2017 Wall Street Journal report that Rohrbacher was trying to arrange a pardon for Assange from Trump, all adds up that what Trump wanted in return for the pardon is a cover-up of Russia’s involvement in the DNC hack.
The common thread running from the Russia scandal through Trump’s Ukraine scandal impeachment is the president’s constant effort to cover-up Russia’s interference on his behalf in the 2016 election.
Trump is covering Putin’s tracks so that Putin can cheat for him again in 2020. The Assange allegation is another piece in the puzzle that helps to lay out Trump’s roadmap to cheating in 2020.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--GOP Poll Has Arizona Going Blue As Sen. Martha McSally Trails By 7

A Republican-leaning poll from Arizona High Ground has Democrat Mark Kelly leading Sen. Martha McSally by 7 points .
The @ @ @ @ @ worried about Arizona : Mark Kelly is the astronaut husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords @ @ @ @ @ a solid campaign with firm Democratic support .
Sen. McSally , who didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ but was appointed by the governor , might have sealed her fate when she went @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial cover-up to acquit Donald Trump .
Arizona is one of the target states @ @ @ @ @ and it is impossible to see how Kelly beats McSally and Trump wins the presidential @ @ @ @ @ the ticket .
McSally joins a growing list of Republican Senate incumbents like Susan Collins @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado who went along with the McConnell cover-up and may pay for their decision @ @ @ @ @ .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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A Republican-leaning poll from Arizona High Ground has Democrat Mark Kelly leading Sen. Martha McSally by 7 points.
The data that should have Republicans worried about Arizona:
Mark Kelly is the astronaut husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who has been running a solid campaign with firm Democratic support.
Sen. McSally, who didn’t win her Senate seat, but was appointed by the governor, might have sealed her fate when she went along with the Republican Senate impeachment trial cover-up to acquit Donald Trump.
Arizona is one of the target states for Democrats in 2020, and it is impossible to see how Kelly beats McSally and Trump wins the presidential election at the top of the ticket. McSally joins a growing list of Republican Senate incumbents like Susan Collins in Maine and Cory Gardner in Colorado who went along with the McConnell cover-up and may pay for their decision with their seats in November.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--Trump Claims He Has Secret Polls Showing Him Beating All The Democrats

After a new round of polls showed him losing to all of the top Democratic candidates , Trump claimed to have polls showing him winning against everyone .
The White House has been known to produce some biased and slanted polls to appease Trump .
It is a longstanding rule of political campaigning that if a campaign has good news , they don ’ t keep it hidden .
If Trump had real polls showing him beating every single top tier Democrat , those polls would be blasted all over Fox News and Trump ’ s Twitter account .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credible polls because they don ’ t exist .
Internal polls are polls that are conducted .
They are not considered objective or reliable .
It is important to note that the polls were not wrong in 2016 .
Hillary Clinton did win the popular vote and beat Trump by nearly 3 million votes .
The idea that polls can ’ t be trusted plays into Trump ’ s hands because when people stop believing reliable data , it opens the door for lies to take hold .
Tweets about imaginary polls can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not in a great position heading into the fall campaign .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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After a new round of polls showed him losing to all of the top Democratic candidates, Trump claimed to have polls showing him winning against everyone.
Trump tweeted:
Internal REAL Polls show I am beating all of the Dem candidates. The Fake News Polls (here we go again, just like 2016) show losing or tied. Their polls will be proven corrupt on November 3rd, just like the Fake News is corrupt! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2020
The White House has been known to produce some biased and slanted polls to appease Trump. It is a longstanding rule of political campaigning that if a campaign has good news, they don’t keep it hidden. If Trump had real polls showing him beating every single top tier Democrat, those polls would be blasted all over Fox News and Trump’s Twitter account.
Trump doesn’t have those sort of credible polls because they don’t exist. Internal polls are polls that are conducted. They are not considered objective or reliable.
It is important to note that the polls were not wrong in 2016. Hillary Clinton did win the popular vote and beat Trump by nearly 3 million votes. The idea that polls can’t be trusted plays into Trump’s hands because when people stop believing reliable data, it opens the door for lies to take hold.
Tweets about imaginary polls can’t obscure the reality that Trump is not in a great position heading into the fall campaign.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--Trayvon Martin Killer George Zimmerman Sues Pete Buttigieg And Elizabeth Warren

Trayvon Martin ’ s killer , George Zimmerman is suing Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg for $ 265 million .
Warren ’ s tweet on the anniversary of Trayvon Martin ’ s death was , “ My heart goes out to @ SybrinaFulton and Trayvon ’ s family and friends .
He should still be with us today .
We need to end gun violence and racism .
And we need to build a world where all of our children-especially young Black boys-can grow up safe and free.
” Zimmerman ’ s attorney , right-wing extremist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to PoliticusUSA , “ It is high time that the cheap and harmful use of the race card by politicians of all stripes be made to cease and desist .
Their despicable “ race tactics ” are not only causing great harm to persons such as my client George Zimmerman , but also are damaging relations between black and white Americans who are all brothers .
The nation should applaud Mr. Zimmerman for taking a strong stand and pushing back against hack politicians like Buttigieg and Warren , who know no bounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whom they hurt in their quest to dishonesty use and manipulate black voters to win the 2020 Democrat presidential primary.
” Zimmerman ’ s lawsuit is a joke .
There was nothing defamatory in Warren ’ s tweet that was stating a fact .
If George Zimmerman would not have killed Trayvon Martin , he would still be alive today .
Stating a fact is not playing the race card .
It is also not damaging to race relations to point out that innocent Americans are being shot and killed every single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done about the nation ’ s gun violence epidemic .
George Zimmerman has been in and out of trouble with the law since the Trayvon Martin killing , and it appears that he is trying to make a fast buck and return to right-wing martyrdom with a nuisance lawsuit that should be laughed out of court .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman is suing Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg for $265 million.
Warren’s tweet on the anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death was, “My heart goes out to @SybrinaFulton and Trayvon’s family and friends. He should still be with us today. We need to end gun violence and racism. And we need to build a world where all of our children-especially young Black boys-can grow up safe and free.”
Zimmerman’s attorney, right-wing extremist Larry Klayman said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “It is high time that the cheap and harmful use of the race card by politicians of all stripes be made to cease and desist. Their despicable “race tactics” are not only causing great harm to persons such as my client George Zimmerman, but also are damaging relations between black and white Americans who are all brothers. The nation should applaud Mr. Zimmerman for taking a strong stand and pushing back against hack politicians like Buttigieg and Warren, who know no bounds of decency and frankly could obviously care less about whom they hurt in their quest to dishonesty use and manipulate black voters to win the 2020 Democrat presidential primary.”
Zimmerman’s lawsuit is a joke. There was nothing defamatory in Warren’s tweet that was stating a fact. If George Zimmerman would not have killed Trayvon Martin, he would still be alive today.
Stating a fact is not playing the race card. It is also not damaging to race relations to point out that innocent Americans are being shot and killed every single day, and that something needs to be done about the nation’s gun violence epidemic.
George Zimmerman has been in and out of trouble with the law since the Trayvon Martin killing, and it appears that he is trying to make a fast buck and return to right-wing martyrdom with a nuisance lawsuit that should be laughed out of court.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--Sanders Campaign Compares Demands For Bernie’s Medical Records To Birtherism

Sen. Bernie Sanders backtracked on releasing his medical records , and when asked about it , the campaign called it a smear and compared it to birtherism .
Sanders campaign press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said on CNN , “ I think the American people deserve to know exactly as much as every other candidate has released in this race currently and historically , and what you ’ re seeing right now is really reminiscent of some of the smear , some of the skepticism campaigns that have been run against a lot of different candidates in the past .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their lineage et cetera , et cetera.
” Transparency is paramount when it comes to the health of candidates .
It is wrong that Trump refuses to release his health records .
It ’ s wrong that Bernie Sanders is refusing to release his health records .
It doesn ’ t matter if it is a Democratic candidate or a Republican candidate , they must release their full health records .
Sanders had no problem releasing his full health records in 2016 , so this abrupt change only fuels speculation that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiding .
Bernie Sanders had a heart attack .
It is not a conspiracy theory like birtherism .
It is a proven fact that was confirmed by Sen. Sanders himself and the campaign .
Republicans and Trump had a field day with Hillary Clinton getting dizzy with the flu at a 9/11 ceremony .
Imagine what they will do to Sen. Sanders .
The best way for the Sanders campaign to deal with this question is to be like Obama .
Release all the records .
If they choose to be like Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently doing , they are not transparent with voters , and it will only hurt them in the end .
Bernie Sanders is better than this , and he needs to do the right thing .
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Sen. Bernie Sanders backtracked on releasing his medical records, and when asked about it, the campaign called it a smear and compared it to birtherism.
Sanders campaign press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said on CNN, “I think the American people deserve to know exactly as much as every other candidate has released in this race currently and historically, and what you’re seeing right now is really reminiscent of some of the smear, some of the skepticism campaigns that have been run against a lot of different candidates in the past. Questioning where their from, a lot of their lineage et cetera, et cetera.”
Video:
Here's Bernie Sanders press secretary Briahna Joy Gray on CNN comparing demands for Sanders's medical records to birtherism and dismissing them as "a kind of smear campaign." pic.twitter.com/rZOm4a3Rg8 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 19, 2020
Transparency is paramount when it comes to the health of candidates. It is wrong that Trump refuses to release his health records. It’s wrong that Bernie Sanders is refusing to release his health records. It doesn’t matter if it is a Democratic candidate or a Republican candidate, they must release their full health records.
Sanders had no problem releasing his full health records in 2016, so this abrupt change only fuels speculation that there is something in his health records worth hiding.
Bernie Sanders had a heart attack. It is not a conspiracy theory like birtherism. It is a proven fact that was confirmed by Sen. Sanders himself and the campaign.
Republicans and Trump had a field day with Hillary Clinton getting dizzy with the flu at a 9/11 ceremony. Imagine what they will do to Sen. Sanders.
The best way for the Sanders campaign to deal with this question is to be like Obama. Release all the records. If they choose to be like Trump, which is what the campaign is currently doing, they are not transparent with voters, and it will only hurt them in the end.
Bernie Sanders is better than this, and he needs to do the right thing.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-19--Trump’s Blagojevich Clemency Totally Backfires On Him

Trump thinks that he is proving himself to be America ’ s top law enforcement officer , but he is actually revealing the depths of his corruption .
Trump deemed himself America ’ s top law enforcement official on Tuesday , but his clemency of Blagojevich is raising outrage from Republicans and all ugly stories the former governor of Illinois ’ crimes .
The prosecutors who made the case against Blagojevich noted that he once extorted a children ’ s hospital : The prosecutors who helped convicted Blagojevich issued a stern statement in response to the commutation , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commute his sentence , the former governor committed serious crimes .
The prosecuting team reminded the public that the former governor extorted the CEO of a children ’ s hospital , withholding funds for sick children until he issued campaign contributions .
Trump is laying the groundwork for pardons of Mike Flynn , Roger Stone , Paul Manfort and others who were convicted in the Russia scandal .
Sometime after the 2020 election , win or lose , Trump will pardon all of his criminal co-conspirators in the 2016 election .
Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uphold the laws of America .
Convictions can be thrown out for the wealthy and those connected to Trump .
The President isn ’ t righting wrongs .
The pardons and clemency are backfiring and making the case for voters to rid the nation of Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump thinks that he is proving himself to be America’s top law enforcement officer, but he is actually revealing the depths of his corruption.
Trump deemed himself America’s top law enforcement official on Tuesday, but his clemency of Blagojevich is raising outrage from Republicans and all ugly stories the former governor of Illinois’ crimes.
The prosecutors who made the case against Blagojevich noted that he once extorted a children’s hospital:
The prosecutors who helped convicted Blagojevich issued a stern statement in response to the commutation, noting that while the President has to the right to commute his sentence, the former governor committed serious crimes. The prosecuting team reminded the public that the former governor extorted the CEO of a children’s hospital, withholding funds for sick children until he issued campaign contributions.
Trump is laying the groundwork for pardons of Mike Flynn, Roger Stone, Paul Manfort and others who were convicted in the Russia scandal.
Sometime after the 2020 election, win or lose, Trump will pardon all of his criminal co-conspirators in the 2016 election.
Donald Trump is showing that he will not uphold the laws of America. Convictions can be thrown out for the wealthy and those connected to Trump.
The President isn’t righting wrongs. The pardons and clemency are backfiring and making the case for voters to rid the nation of Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Schumer Blasts Republican Traitors For Letting Putin Win Instead Of Standing Up To Trump

Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) called out Senate Republicans who let Putin win because they were too scared to stand up to Trump .
In response to the news that the Russians are trying to reelect Trump , Schumer tweeted : Sen. Schumer is calling out Republicans for betraying their own country because they are so afraid of Donald Trump that they would rather sell the nation out to Russia in order to spare themselves from a potentially nasty tweet from Trump .
Senate Republicans are worried that Trump will badmouth them and trash them with their own supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections from Russian interference .
The consequences of Mitch McConnell ’ s sham impeachment trial continue to pile up .
At least three Republican Senators who went along with the cover-up are in jeopardy of losing their seats .
The acquittal has unleashed Trump to go on a revenge campaign and push his executive branch crime wave to new highs .
The responsibility for the threat to democracy who is sitting in the Oval Office solely belongs to the Republican Party .
By refusing to stand up to Trump , Senate Republicans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called out Senate Republicans who let Putin win because they were too scared to stand up to Trump.
In response to the news that the Russians are trying to reelect Trump, Schumer tweeted:
Republicans keep blocking election security bills in the Senate, and now we know why: They’d rather let Putin win than stand up to President Trump.https://t.co/9BFguIhn11 — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 20, 2020
Sen. Schumer is calling out Republicans for betraying their own country because they are so afraid of Donald Trump that they would rather sell the nation out to Russia in order to spare themselves from a potentially nasty tweet from Trump.
Senate Republicans are worried that Trump will badmouth them and trash them with their own supporters, so they refuse to protect US elections from Russian interference.
The consequences of Mitch McConnell’s sham impeachment trial continue to pile up. At least three Republican Senators who went along with the cover-up are in jeopardy of losing their seats. The acquittal has unleashed Trump to go on a revenge campaign and push his executive branch crime wave to new highs.
The responsibility for the threat to democracy who is sitting in the Oval Office solely belongs to the Republican Party. By refusing to stand up to Trump, Senate Republicans are accessories to a crime against America.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Trump Outraged After Intel Officials Warn That Russia Is Trying To Get Him Reelected

Intel officials sent Trump into a rage after they warned that Russia is trying to interfere in the 2020 election to get Trump reelected .
Intelligence officials warned House lawmakers last week that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get President Trump reelected , five people familiar with the matter said , a disclosure to Congress that angered Mr. Trump , who complained that Democrats would use it against him .
The day after the Feb. 13 briefing to lawmakers , Mr. Trump berated Joseph Maguire , the outgoing acting director of national intelligence , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the exchange said .
Mr. Trump cited the presence in the briefing of Representative Adam B. Schiff , the California Democrat who led the impeachment proceedings against him , as a particular irritant .
The briefing is speculated to be the reason why Trump replaced the DNI with a loyalist who as no intelligence community experience .
The other shoe has dropped .
Trump ’ s recent obsession with discrediting the Russia scandal makes a ton of sense .
Trump is trying to give Putin deniability so that Russia can attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in office .
Trump ’ s presidency has been a dream come true for Putin .
Trump abandoned Syria , weakened Europe , attacked Ukraine and has diminished the global power of the United States .
Putin is trying to get Trump a second term , and that is why Trump is trying to leave the door wide open for Russian election interference .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Intel officials sent Trump into a rage after they warned that Russia is trying to interfere in the 2020 election to get Trump reelected.
The New York Times reported:
Intelligence officials warned House lawmakers last week that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign to try to get President Trump reelected, five people familiar with the matter said, a disclosure to Congress that angered Mr. Trump, who complained that Democrats would use it against him.
The day after the Feb. 13 briefing to lawmakers, Mr. Trump berated Joseph Maguire, the outgoing acting director of national intelligence, for allowing it to take place, people familiar with the exchange said. Mr. Trump cited the presence in the briefing of Representative Adam B. Schiff, the California Democrat who led the impeachment proceedings against him, as a particular irritant.
The briefing is speculated to be the reason why Trump replaced the DNI with a loyalist who as no intelligence community experience.
The other shoe has dropped. Trump’s recent obsession with discrediting the Russia scandal makes a ton of sense. Trump is trying to give Putin deniability so that Russia can attack another election and help Trump to stay in office.
Trump’s presidency has been a dream come true for Putin. Trump abandoned Syria, weakened Europe, attacked Ukraine and has diminished the global power of the United States.
Putin is trying to get Trump a second term, and that is why Trump is trying to leave the door wide open for Russian election interference.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Colorado Is Ready To Fire Mitch McConnell As Senate Race Moved To Lean Democrat

Sen. Cory Gardner ( R-CO ) went all-in on the Trump impeachment trial cover-up , and now his Senate seat rating has been changed to lean Democrat .
While polling has been sparse in Colorado , Gardner has long appeared endangered by the Centennial State ’ s shift toward the Democrats .
He has emphasized some local issues but has generally stuck with the president on the bigger-picture ones that are increasingly more salient in our nationalized elections .
Gardner is in a tough spot : After distancing himself from Trump in 2016 , Gardner risks losing his own base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Trump again loses the state , voters may not have much reason to split their tickets in Gardner ’ s favor .
The likely Democratic nominee , Hickenlooper , is not a perfect candidate , but he is a proven one , having won the state ’ s governorship in the difficult Democratic years of 2010 and 2014 .
He is hardly a favorite of the left , but that ’ s probably an asset in a general election environment .
Gardner is in a state that is trending away from Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will magically do better in a state that the president lost in 2016 .
Hickenlooper is the likely nominee .
The Democratic Party convinced him to drop his presidential campaign and run for Senate , so the odds are good that although other candidates are running , Hickenlooper is the likely nominee .
Cory Gardner joins Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona and Susan Collins in Maine as Republican Senators who have seen polls released this week that show them statistically tied ( Maine ) or losing ( Arizona ) to Democratic challengers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s acquittal , and all three may lose their seats in November .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) went all-in on the Trump impeachment trial cover-up, and now his Senate seat rating has been changed to lean Democrat.
According to Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball:
While polling has been sparse in Colorado, Gardner has long appeared endangered by the Centennial State’s shift toward the Democrats. He has emphasized some local issues but has generally stuck with the president on the bigger-picture ones that are increasingly more salient in our nationalized elections. Gardner is in a tough spot: After distancing himself from Trump in 2016, Gardner risks losing his own base voters if he criticizes Trump, but if Trump again loses the state, voters may not have much reason to split their tickets in Gardner’s favor.
….
The likely Democratic nominee, Hickenlooper, is not a perfect candidate, but he is a proven one, having won the state’s governorship in the difficult Democratic years of 2010 and 2014. He is hardly a favorite of the left, but that’s probably an asset in a general election environment.
Gardner is in a state that is trending away from Republicans, and he is hoping that Trump will magically do better in a state that the president lost in 2016. Hickenlooper is the likely nominee. The Democratic Party convinced him to drop his presidential campaign and run for Senate, so the odds are good that although other candidates are running, Hickenlooper is the likely nominee.
Cory Gardner joins Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona and Susan Collins in Maine as Republican Senators who have seen polls released this week that show them statistically tied (Maine) or losing (Arizona) to Democratic challengers. All three of these Senators supported Trump’s acquittal, and all three may lose their seats in November.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Mick Mulvaney Busted On Leaked Tape Admitting Trump’s Immigration Policy Is Killing America

White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told a private gathering that Trump is desperate for more immigrants to keep the US economy growing .
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told a crowd at a private gathering in England on Wednesday night that the Trump administration “ needs more immigrants ” for the US economy to continue growing , according to an audio recording of his remarks obtained by The Washington Post .
“ We are desperate — desperate — for more people , ” Mulvaney said .
“ We are running out of people to fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had in our nation over the last four years .
We need more immigrants.
” Trump ’ s visa policy changes have resulted in fewer immigrants entering the country , and the US deporting many qualified , skilled immigrants back to their own countries .
Everyone saw this outcome coming , but Donald Trump and his band of white supremacists who are running the administration ’ s immigration policy .
The US simply doesn ’ t have enough younger people to fuel economic growth .
The United States needs immigrants .
Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the US , while at the same time , he has made it more difficult for the nation to attract and keep skilled immigrants working in the US .
Mulvaney has a habit of blabbing the dirty little secrets of the administration , but his latest confession is that Trump ’ s immigration policies are harming the country .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told a private gathering that Trump is desperate for more immigrants to keep the US economy growing.
The Washington Post reported:
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told a crowd at a private gathering in England on Wednesday night that the Trump administration “needs more immigrants” for the US economy to continue growing, according to an audio recording of his remarks obtained by The Washington Post.
“We are desperate — desperate — for more people,” Mulvaney said. “We are running out of people to fuel the economic growth that we’ve had in our nation over the last four years. We need more immigrants.”
Trump’s visa policy changes have resulted in fewer immigrants entering the country, and the US deporting many qualified, skilled immigrants back to their own countries. Everyone saw this outcome coming, but Donald Trump and his band of white supremacists who are running the administration’s immigration policy.
The US simply doesn’t have enough younger people to fuel economic growth. The United States needs immigrants. Trump’s moves have discouraged immigrants from coming to the US, while at the same time, he has made it more difficult for the nation to attract and keep skilled immigrants working in the US.
Mulvaney has a habit of blabbing the dirty little secrets of the administration, but his latest confession is that Trump’s immigration policies are harming the country.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Another Trump Pal Put Behind Bars As Roger Stone Gets 3+ Years

Roger Stone was sentenced to roughly three and a half years in prison for multiple felonies including lying to Congress to protect Trump .
Judge Amy Berman Jackson has sentenced Roger Stone to 40 months in prison , about three and a third years and a $ 20,000 fine .
40 months in prison .
Much less , obviously , than the harshest recommendation of prosecutors , both in their original memo and in the courtroom today .
And the judge had some very tough words for Stone and his conduct .
She said the dismay and disgust at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She answered in very strong terms , she said the truth still exists , the truth still matters .
Roger Stone ’ s insistence that it doesn ’ t should trouble everyone .
Bottom line , 40 months in prison for Roger Stone .
He did not address the court at all , so he didn ’ t comment , didn ’ t apologize , didn ’ t explain his conduct .
Trump has already melted down over Stone ’ s sentence and made it clear that a pardon is coming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that another one of Trump ’ s close associates was found guilty of crimes and sent to prison .
Donald Trump claims total innocence , but the fact the people around him keep ending up in prison tells a very different story .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Roger Stone was sentenced to roughly three and a half years in prison for multiple felonies including lying to Congress to protect Trump.
NBC News reported:
Judge Amy Berman Jackson has sentenced Roger Stone to 40 months in prison, about three and a third years and a $20,000 fine. 40 months in prison. Much less, obviously, than the harshest recommendation of prosecutors, both in their original memo and in the courtroom today. And the judge had some very tough words for Stone and his conduct.
She said the dismay and disgust at the defendant’s belligerence should transcend party. She answered in very strong terms, she said the truth still exists, the truth still matters. Roger Stone’s insistence that it doesn’t should trouble everyone. Bottom line, 40 months in prison for Roger Stone. He did not address the court at all, so he didn’t comment, didn’t apologize, didn’t explain his conduct.
Video:
Roger Stone is the latest Trump friend to end up in prison. pic.twitter.com/ZRBJ9fTAWH — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 20, 2020
Trump has already melted down over Stone’s sentence and made it clear that a pardon is coming, but no pardon can undo the fact that another one of Trump’s close associates was found guilty of crimes and sent to prison.
Donald Trump claims total innocence, but the fact the people around him keep ending up in prison tells a very different story.
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politicususa--2020-02-20--Trump Is Having A Breakdown As Roger Stone Is Being Sentenced

Donald Trump is melting down on Twitter and ranting as Roger Stone is in court at this moment for sentencing for multiple felony convictions .
James Comey , Andrew McCabe , and Hillary Clinton committed no crimes .
Roger Stone was found guilty of multiple felonies related to lying to Congress to protect Donald Trump .
The President also made it obvious that he is going to pardon Stone : It should not be overlooked that the President Of The United States is actively meddling as a defendant who lied for Trump ’ s benefit is being sentenced in federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers .
Trump should have no role in this process as the independent judiciary must be allowed to do its work .
Trump is melting down because another one of his associates will go to prison .
It is unlikely that Trump will pardon Stone before the 2020 election , but he has made it clear that win or lose as soon as the election is over , he will pardon Roger Stone .
In the meantime , Trump is crumbling under another day of bad Russia scandal media coverage .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Donald Trump is melting down on Twitter and ranting as Roger Stone is in court at this moment for sentencing for multiple felony convictions.
Trump tweeted:
“They say Roger Stone lied to Congress.” @CNN OH, I see, but so did Comey (and he also leaked classified information, for which almost everyone, other than Crooked Hillary Clinton, goes to jail for a long time), and so did Andy McCabe, who also lied to the FBI! FAIRNESS? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2020
James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and Hillary Clinton committed no crimes. Roger Stone was found guilty of multiple felonies related to lying to Congress to protect Donald Trump.
The President also made it obvious that he is going to pardon Stone:
It should not be overlooked that the President Of The United States is actively meddling as a defendant who lied for Trump’s benefit is being sentenced in federal court.
Presidents are not law enforcement officers. Trump should have no role in this process as the independent judiciary must be allowed to do its work.
Trump is melting down because another one of his associates will go to prison. It is unlikely that Trump will pardon Stone before the 2020 election, but he has made it clear that win or lose as soon as the election is over, he will pardon Roger Stone.
In the meantime, Trump is crumbling under another day of bad Russia scandal media coverage.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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