politicususa--2020-03-06--Judge Questions Barr’s Credibility And Demands Unredacted Mueller Report

Calling Attorney General William Barr ’ s account of the Mueller report “ distorted ” and “ misleading , ” George W. Bush appointee Judge Reggie Walton ordered the Trump Justice Department to give him an unredacted copy of the Mueller report .
Walton also said what the rest of thinking America has long known , which is that Barr ’ s credibility was in doubt due to misrepresenting Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s findings in the report .
Walton accused Barr of spinning so much of the report , which investigated President Trump and his campaign for possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and illegally obstructed the inquiry , that the court questioned if Barr made “ a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary.
” “ The inconsistencies between Attorney General Barr ’ s statements , made at a time when the public did not have access to the redacted version of the Mueller Report to assess the veracity of his statements , and portions of the redacted version of the Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Court to seriously question whether Attorney General Barr made a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary , ” Walton wrote .
“ These circumstances generally , and Attorney General Barr ’ s lack of candor specifically , call into question Attorney General Barr ’ s credibility.
” The court will get an unredacted Mueller report by March 30th .
The will be looking to see if the Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has used as shield and political weapon against his “ enemies ” hid facts from the public when he misrepresented the findings of the report .
In March of 2019 , Barr issued what he called a summary of the report , which deviated in its conclusion that Trump had been cleared of wrongdoing .
In late March , Mueller pushed newly handpicked Attorney General William Barr twice to release the summaries his investigative team prepared for the public , both before and after Barr misled the public about the team ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and redacted versions of the report for the public , that Trump ’ s Justice Department hid from the American public while Barr gave his “ summary ” of a document we were not allowed to see for ourselves .
“ Mueller warned Barr that the summaries that were already prepared to be released shouldn ’ t have been delayed and the release of them as requested would be in accordance with the standard for public release of notifications to Congress.
” Meanwhile , Barr told the public that Mueller had left it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public because Mueller had refused to make a prosecutorial judgment .
A month later when the DOJ released the redacted version after much pressure , Barr claimed his summary wasn ’ t so much a summary .
The redacted version of the Mueller report is bad enough .
Mueller says in it that the Trump campaign was accepting help from the Russians , but Mueller wasn ’ t sure they knew it was illegal .
Cut to 2020 , and Trump is once again using a foreign country to cheat in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that this is illegal .
Seeming crime boss Donald Trump has been given every privilege and allowed to break the law without consequence so often that the rule of law in this county has been seriously jeopardized .
His campaign of international criminals didn ’ t fare so well , and at least six of them are in jail now .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Calling Attorney General William Barr’s account of the Mueller report “distorted” and “misleading,” George W. Bush appointee Judge Reggie Walton ordered the Trump Justice Department to give him an unredacted copy of the Mueller report.
Walton also said what the rest of thinking America has long known, which is that Barr’s credibility was in doubt due to misrepresenting Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s findings in the report.
Walton accused Barr of spinning so much of the report, which investigated President Trump and his campaign for possibly conspiring with Russia to cheat the 2016 election and illegally obstructed the inquiry, that the court questioned if Barr made “a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary.”
Just Now: Seasoned judge, appointed by Republican president, says AG Barr's credibility is in doubt. Walton argues the way Barr spun Mueller investigation appeared "calculated" to help @realdonaldtrump and hurts DOJ credibility too. pic.twitter.com/BRqKoH2pY7 — Carol Leonnig (@CarolLeonnig) March 5, 2020
BREAKING in my/@BuzzFeedNews/@EPICprivacy #FOIA lawsuit to unredact the Mueller report Judge Walton just ordered DOJ to turn over an unredacted copy of Mueller report by March 30 so he can review it to determine what can be further released publicly This is what we hoped for! pic.twitter.com/c0B6ZD0vqc — Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) March 5, 2020
“The inconsistencies between Attorney General Barr’s statements, made at a time when the public did not have access to the redacted version of the Mueller Report to assess the veracity of his statements, and portions of the redacted version of the Mueller Report that conflict with those statements cause the Court to seriously question whether Attorney General Barr made a calculated attempt to influence public discourse about the Mueller Report in favor of President Trump despite certain findings in the redacted version of the Mueller Report to the contrary,” Walton wrote.
“These circumstances generally, and Attorney General Barr’s lack of candor specifically, call into question Attorney General Barr’s credibility.”
The court will get an unredacted Mueller report by March 30th. The will be looking to see if the Attorney General President Trump installed around regular order and has used as shield and political weapon against his “enemies” hid facts from the public when he misrepresented the findings of the report.
In March of 2019, Barr issued what he called a summary of the report, which deviated in its conclusion that Trump had been cleared of wrongdoing.
In late March, Mueller pushed newly handpicked Attorney General William Barr twice to release the summaries his investigative team prepared for the public, both before and after Barr misled the public about the team’s conclusions. Mueller had prepared already vetted and redacted versions of the report for the public, that Trump’s Justice Department hid from the American public while Barr gave his “summary” of a document we were not allowed to see for ourselves. “Mueller warned Barr that the summaries that were already prepared to be released shouldn’t have been delayed and the release of them as requested would be in accordance with the standard for public release of notifications to Congress.”
Meanwhile, Barr told the public that Mueller had left it to him to decide what to tell the public because Mueller had refused to make a prosecutorial judgment.
A month later when the DOJ released the redacted version after much pressure, Barr claimed his summary wasn’t so much a summary.
The redacted version of the Mueller report is bad enough. Mueller says in it that the Trump campaign was accepting help from the Russians, but Mueller wasn’t sure they knew it was illegal.
Cut to 2020, and Trump is once again using a foreign country to cheat in a U.S. election. Surely he knows by now that this is illegal.
Seeming crime boss Donald Trump has been given every privilege and allowed to break the law without consequence so often that the rule of law in this county has been seriously jeopardized. His campaign of international criminals didn’t fare so well, and at least six of them are in jail now.


politicususa--2020-03-07--Trump Turns A Dumpster Fire Into An Inferno By Naming Mark Meadows His Chief Of Staff

Trump was reeling from his coronavirus bungled response and made things worse by replacing Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney with Mark Meadows .
According to The Washington Post , Trump ’ s own advisers are questioning the move : One longtime Trump adviser said it was a questionable choice to install Meadows , given that he has no experience leading such a large operation .
“ The president , and I ’ ve heard him say this , sees Mark as very good politically , ” said the person , who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political animal .
He needs someone who will actually take care of the store for him while he ’ s out running for reelection .
And there ’ s a question in my mind whether Mark can do that.
” Some in the president ’ s orbit , though , worry that Meadows is duplicitous .
Several current and former Trump aides say they feel he often tells the president one thing but sometimes tells lawmakers or Capitol Hill staffers something entirely different .
Trump ’ s motivation for this change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his failed coronavirus response , and Mulvaney is taking the fall .
Meadows is a terrible choice to serve as Trump ’ s chief of staff .
In a reelection year , the incumbent president is bringing in someone with zero experience in running such a large organization .
If the past is any indication , Trump will quickly sour on Meadows , and he will be gone in a matter of months .
Trump and the country need the White House to have a real chief of staff , but Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only deepen the incompetence of his failed administration .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Trump was reeling from his coronavirus bungled response and made things worse by replacing Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney with Mark Meadows.
Trump tweeted the announcement:
….I want to thank Acting Chief Mick Mulvaney for having served the Administration so well. He will become the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 7, 2020
According to The Washington Post, Trump’s own advisers are questioning the move:
One longtime Trump adviser said it was a questionable choice to install Meadows, given that he has no experience leading such a large operation.
“The president, and I’ve heard him say this, sees Mark as very good politically,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. “But the president is a political animal. He needs someone who will actually take care of the store for him while he’s out running for reelection. And there’s a question in my mind whether Mark can do that.”
….
Some in the president’s orbit, though, worry that Meadows is duplicitous. Several current and former Trump aides say they feel he often tells the president one thing but sometimes tells lawmakers or Capitol Hill staffers something entirely different.
Trump’s motivation for this change is obvious. He needed someone to blame for his failed coronavirus response, and Mulvaney is taking the fall. Meadows is a terrible choice to serve as Trump’s chief of staff. In a reelection year, the incumbent president is bringing in someone with zero experience in running such a large organization.
If the past is any indication, Trump will quickly sour on Meadows, and he will be gone in a matter of months. Trump and the country need the White House to have a real chief of staff, but Trump’s attraction to stooges and clowns will only deepen the incompetence of his failed administration.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-07--Pressure Grows On Jim Jordon To Testify After 6 Wrestlers Say He Knew About Ohio State Sex Abuse

After six former Ohio State wrestlers came forward to say that Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) knew about sex abuse in the program , pressure is growing on Jordan to testify .
CNN reported : Vazquez is one of six former OSU wrestlers who told CNN in recent interviews that they were present when Jordan heard or responded to sexual misconduct complaints about team doctor Richard Strauss .
Eight others say Strauss ’ inappropriate behavior was an open secret in the athletic department and that Jordan , among others , must have known about it .
Multiple former OSU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s denials puzzling , because they say they distinctly remember him responding to complaints about Strauss .
Jeffrey Sites one of the three candidates who running for the Democratic nomination to face Jordan in the fall said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA , “ Enough of Jim Jordan dismissing these incredibly serious charges , calling victims and whistleblowers liars and hoping it all eventually goes away .
I don ’ t accept that , and Ohioans don ’ t accept that .
He owes us answers .
He owes us answers about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes against young men he was responsible for .
He owes us answers about whether the only action he took on the abuse was trying to discredit a whistleblower .
We deserve the truth , at long last .
It ’ s time for Jim Jordan to have the guts to do what Adam DiSabato did and testify , publicly and under oath , before the Ohio state legislature.
” Witnesses say that Jordan called them up crying as he asked them to lie about his knowledge of the sexual abuse that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has attached himself at the hip to Donald Trump , but the pressure is growing on him to stop the lies and excuses , and tell the truth about what was going in the wrestling program while he was a coach .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
After six former Ohio State wrestlers came forward to say that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) knew about sex abuse in the program, pressure is growing on Jordan to testify.
CNN reported:
Vazquez is one of six former OSU wrestlers who told CNN in recent interviews that they were present when Jordan heard or responded to sexual misconduct complaints about team doctor Richard Strauss. Eight others say Strauss’ inappropriate behavior was an open secret in the athletic department and that Jordan, among others, must have known about it.
….
Multiple former OSU athletes told CNN they found Jordan’s denials puzzling, because they say they distinctly remember him responding to complaints about Strauss.
Jeffrey Sites one of the three candidates who running for the Democratic nomination to face Jordan in the fall said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “Enough of Jim Jordan dismissing these incredibly serious charges, calling victims and whistleblowers liars and hoping it all eventually goes away. I don’t accept that, and Ohioans don’t accept that. He owes us answers. He owes us answers about whether he turned a blind eye to crimes against young men he was responsible for. He owes us answers about whether the only action he took on the abuse was trying to discredit a whistleblower. We deserve the truth, at long last. It’s time for Jim Jordan to have the guts to do what Adam DiSabato did and testify, publicly and under oath, before the Ohio state legislature.”
Witnesses say that Jordan called them up crying as he asked them to lie about his knowledge of the sexual abuse that was going on at Ohio State.
Jordan has attached himself at the hip to Donald Trump, but the pressure is growing on him to stop the lies and excuses, and tell the truth about what was going in the wrestling program while he was a coach.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-07--Resident Dies In Matt Gaetz’s District After He Mocked Coronavirus

A resident of Rep. Matt Gaetz ’ s district died of coronavirus shortly after Gaetz mocked the virus response on @ @ @ @ @ mocked the virus on the House floor : Gaetz is the same guy who thought @ @ @ @ @ came from Captain Kangaroo , and who was tossed out of an impeachment hearing that @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Adam Schiff .
Gaetz has been a constant source of humiliation for his constituents @ @ @ @ @ office .
He moves in lockstep with Donald Trump .
His mocking of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ White House ’ s effort to minimize the outbreak .
A constituent has now died @ @ @ @ @ yet to show any sign that he is taking the pandemic seriously .
Matt Gaetz @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
A resident of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s district died of coronavirus shortly after Gaetz mocked the virus response on the House floor.
Rep. Gaetz tweeted late on Friday night:
I'm extremely saddened to learn of the first fatality in our district from coronavirus, a Northwest Floridian residing in Santa Rosa County. Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. (1/3) — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 7, 2020
Gaetz mocked the virus on the House floor:
Reviewing the coronavirus supplemental appropriation and preparing to go vote. pic.twitter.com/wjJ4YY4VZz — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 4, 2020
Gaetz is the same guy who thought that the term kangaroo court came from Captain Kangaroo, and who was tossed out of an impeachment hearing that he tried to crash by Rep. Adam Schiff.
Gaetz has been a constant source of humiliation for his constituents since the moment he took office. He moves in lockstep with Donald Trump. His mocking of the coronavirus was in line with the White House’s effort to minimize the outbreak.
A constituent has now died, and Matt Gaetz has yet to show any sign that he is taking the pandemic seriously.
Matt Gaetz has got to go.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-07--Opinion: Republicans are still America’s biggest threat

No human being with a conscience , a belief in American values , or a semi-functioning moral compass would dispute the fact that Donald Trump is a despicable human being .
Simply put , Trump should never have been allowed to occupy a place he has no right even visiting , and it is an opinion no small number of Republicans held prior to Trump ’ s unlikely victory in 2016 .
That so-called victory enabled Trump to lead the GOP ’ s long-running assault on America , its people , and its constitutionally-protected democratic institutions .
It is easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s rapid demise as a representative democracy , but the real blame belongs to Republicans in Congress .
Trump is only executing policies Republicans have advocated for decades , and they willingly allow Trump to violate constitutionally-mandated procedures to maintain his loyalty to their causes .
No matter how one assesses the current state of American politics , it is no exaggeration to claim that Republicans have willingly abdicated their constitutionally-mandated responsibility to hold the leader of the Executive Branch to his sworn oath to support the nation ’ s founding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assault on the Constitution , and the American people , began long before Trump ’ s poorly-attended inauguration .
And , they will continue unabated regardless of Trump ’ s absurd tenure in the Oval Office .
There is little doubt that if a Democrat in the White House acted like the rule of law and the Constitution did not apply to them , congressional Republicans would have impeached and removed them with extreme prejudice .
This is certainly true because when Republicans were convinced that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they announced plans to spend the next four years investigating the same issues they spent the previous four years investigating only to “ find nothing.
” Their goal was to quickly impeach Hillary Clinton after she was sworn in office after the election .
Instead of holding Trump to account for , among other things , violating the Emoluments Clause , Anti-nepotism Statute , and the so-called “ Take Care ” Clause , Republicans in Congress sat on their hands and enabled Trump ’ s corruption .
Despite the Constitution clearly stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , impose tariffs , congressional Republicans looked the other way when Trump began his trade war with allies and opponents alike .
It is not that they are ignorant of Trump ’ s crimes , Republicans just don ’ t care because he willingly signs any Republican legislation that crosses his desk and duly appoints every hyper partisan religious conservative Moscow Mitch McConnell submits to infect the federal judiciary .
There is no better proof that McConnell ’ s flagrant disregard for the Constitution is on par with Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” then-President Barack Obama to fill a vacant seat on the Supreme Court .
McConnell also led his party ’ s concerted efforts to obstruct any other of President Obama ’ s choices to head federal agencies , as well as nominate officials to fill vacant positions on the federal judiciary .
The Constitution is clear in how SCOTUS and judicial vacancies are to be filled , but McConnell , like Trump , doesn ’ t adhere to the document he swore a “ so help me god ” oath to support and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding why Republicans continue supporting and protecting Trump from facing the consequences of leading a corrupt administration , it is most likely that Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman called it correctly .
Republicans willingly support Trump ’ s lies , racism and authoritarian tendencies simply because Trump ’ s primary agenda is the Republicans ’ agenda ; raiding the Treasury to further enrich the already wealthy .
And , if any American believes Republicans are finished using Trump they are beyond delusional .
The theocrats in the GOP can not control America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating what Republicans and their religious right supporters demand – a Christian-run judiciary founded on the Christian bible ’ s Ten Commandments..
It is almost certain that Republicans know well that Trump should have been impeached and removed from office before he could inflict serious damage on the country .
Instead , they have sat idly by and allowed Trump to implement policies , including those put in place by Republican administrations , to sate his vile xenophobic acolytes and evangelical sycophants lusting for an American Christian theocracy .
It is obvious to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains of American values Trump has to go .
However , it is just as crucial to put an end to Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell .
Moscow Mitch and his cohorts in the GOP will continue abusing the Constitution and the American people to further enrich the already wealthy and corporations .
If McConnell and Trump remain in power Americans can prepare for and expect a proper annihilation of domestic social programs and any policy intended for the general welfare of the people .
Some might wonder why Republicans failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bidding with tax cuts for the rich and began a vicious deregulation frenzy , but Trump ’ s announcement on Thursday signaled why Republicans still need him in the White House .
He said he would fulfill the GOP ’ s long-standing dream of slashing Social Security , Medicare , and Medicaid to reduce the trillions-of-dollars the Republican tax cuts added to the deficit .
America ’ s women may as well prepare to accept their fate as official third class citizens , because with McConnell ’ s valuable assistance Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminating any and all semblance of a woman ’ s fundamental human right to self determination regarding her own body .
In that sense , like giving the rich and corporations the keys to the Treasury , Trump and his Republican enablers have given the religious right the federal judiciary they demanded to eliminate a women ’ s right to control their own bodies .
Of all the vile things one might say about Donald Trump , it is that he is the personification of a hardline , nasty Republican .
Over at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major problem plaguing America today .
Mr. Pearce wrote that : “ Trumpism is Republicanism inflated with poison gas.
” If Democratic candidates for any office fail to remind voters of that simple fact , then they can expect Republicans to do well in November regardless of Trump ’ s chances of re-election .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
No human being with a conscience, a belief in American values, or a semi-functioning moral compass would dispute the fact that Donald Trump is a despicable human being. Simply put, Trump should never have been allowed to occupy a place he has no right even visiting, and it is an opinion no small number of Republicans held prior to Trump’s unlikely victory in 2016.
That so-called victory enabled Trump to lead the GOP’s long-running assault on America, its people, and its constitutionally-protected democratic institutions. It is easy to lay all blame on Trump for America’s rapid demise as a representative democracy, but the real blame belongs to Republicans in Congress. Trump is only executing policies Republicans have advocated for decades, and they willingly allow Trump to violate constitutionally-mandated procedures to maintain his loyalty to their causes.
No matter how one assesses the current state of American politics, it is no exaggeration to claim that Republicans have willingly abdicated their constitutionally-mandated responsibility to hold the leader of the Executive Branch to his sworn oath to support the nation’s founding document. The sad truth is that the assault on the Constitution, and the American people, began long before Trump’s poorly-attended inauguration. And, they will continue unabated regardless of Trump’s absurd tenure in the Oval Office.
There is little doubt that if a Democrat in the White House acted like the rule of law and the Constitution did not apply to them, congressional Republicans would have impeached and removed them with extreme prejudice. This is certainly true because when Republicans were convinced that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would easily win the 2016 presidential election, they announced plans to spend the next four years investigating the same issues they spent the previous four years investigating only to “find nothing.” Their goal was to quickly impeach Hillary Clinton after she was sworn in office after the election.
Instead of holding Trump to account for, among other things, violating the Emoluments Clause, Anti-nepotism Statute, and the so-called “Take Care” Clause, Republicans in Congress sat on their hands and enabled Trump’s corruption. Despite the Constitution clearly stating it is the obligation of Congress to, for example, impose tariffs, congressional Republicans looked the other way when Trump began his trade war with allies and opponents alike.
It is not that they are ignorant of Trump’s crimes, Republicans just don’t care because he willingly signs any Republican legislation that crosses his desk and duly appoints every hyper partisan religious conservative Moscow Mitch McConnell submits to infect the federal judiciary.
There is no better proof that McConnell’s flagrant disregard for the Constitution is on par with Trump’s than his refusal to “allow” then-President Barack Obama to fill a vacant seat on the Supreme Court. McConnell also led his party’s concerted efforts to obstruct any other of President Obama’s choices to head federal agencies, as well as nominate officials to fill vacant positions on the federal judiciary. The Constitution is clear in how SCOTUS and judicial vacancies are to be filled, but McConnell, like Trump, doesn’t adhere to the document he swore a “so help me god” oath to support and defend.
Although there are many theories regarding why Republicans continue supporting and protecting Trump from facing the consequences of leading a corrupt administration, it is most likely that Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman called it correctly. Republicans willingly support Trump’s lies, racism and authoritarian tendencies simply because Trump’s primary agenda is the Republicans’ agenda; raiding the Treasury to further enrich the already wealthy. And, if any American believes Republicans are finished using Trump they are beyond delusional. The theocrats in the GOP cannot control America’s women without Trump’s assistance in creating what Republicans and their religious right supporters demand – a Christian-run judiciary founded on the Christian bible’s Ten Commandments..
It is almost certain that Republicans know well that Trump should have been impeached and removed from office before he could inflict serious damage on the country. Instead, they have sat idly by and allowed Trump to implement policies, including those put in place by Republican administrations, to sate his vile xenophobic acolytes and evangelical sycophants lusting for an American Christian theocracy.
It is obvious to any decent American that to preserve what remains of American values Trump has to go. However, it is just as crucial to put an end to Senate Republicans led by Mitch McConnell. Moscow Mitch and his cohorts in the GOP will continue abusing the Constitution and the American people to further enrich the already wealthy and corporations.
If McConnell and Trump remain in power Americans can prepare for and expect a proper annihilation of domestic social programs and any policy intended for the general welfare of the people. Some might wonder why Republicans failed to convict Trump after he did the GOP’s bidding with tax cuts for the rich and began a vicious deregulation frenzy, but Trump’s announcement on Thursday signaled why Republicans still need him in the White House. He said he would fulfill the GOP’s long-standing dream of slashing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to reduce the trillions-of-dollars the Republican tax cuts added to the deficit.
America’s women may as well prepare to accept their fate as official third class citizens, because with McConnell’s valuable assistance Trump has created a federal judiciary Hell-bent on eliminating any and all semblance of a woman’s fundamental human right to self determination regarding her own body. In that sense, like giving the rich and corporations the keys to the Treasury, Trump and his Republican enablers have given the religious right the federal judiciary they demanded to eliminate a women’s right to control their own bodies.
Of all the vile things one might say about Donald Trump, it is that he is the personification of a hardline, nasty Republican. Over at Esquire Charlie Pearce summed up best the major problem plaguing America today. Mr. Pearce wrote that: “Trumpism is Republicanism inflated with poison gas.”
If Democratic candidates for any office fail to remind voters of that simple fact, then they can expect Republicans to do well in November regardless of Trump’s chances of re-election.


politicususa--2020-03-07--Melania Trump Tantrums Over White House Tennis Pavillion As Coronavirus Kills Americans

First Lady Melania Trump is tantruming over criticism that she is spending her time building a White House tennis pavilion @ @ @ @ @ .
The First Lady then whined after the American people complained that she was off @ @ @ @ @ sick and dying : If Melania Trump wanted to contribute something good and positive to @ @ @ @ @ be trying to educate people about the spread of coronavirus and getting people to take @ @ @ @ @ White House tennis pavillion is not something that adds to the community .
The American @ @ @ @ @ the pavilion , nor is it open to the public .
By community , Melania @ @ @ @ @ .
Like her husband , Melania Trump doesn ’ t care about the duties of @ @ @ @ @ is only worried about herself .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel @ @ @ @ @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
First Lady Melania Trump is tantruming over criticism that she is spending her time building a White House tennis pavilion as Americans die from coronavirus.
Trump tweeted:
I am excited to share the progress of the Tennis Pavillion at @WhiteHouse. Thank you to the talented team for their hard work and dedication. pic.twitter.com/Wzown2ho26 — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 5, 2020
The First Lady then whined after the American people complained that she was off staging photo-ops while people are sick and dying:
I encourage everyone who chooses to be negative & question my work at the @WhiteHouse to take time and contribute something good & productive in their own communities. #BeBest https://t.co/03sx0rq2Nx — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) March 7, 2020
If Melania Trump wanted to contribute something good and positive to her community, she would be trying to educate people about the spread of coronavirus and getting people to take the problem seriously.
A White House tennis pavillion is not something that adds to the community. The American people can’t use the pavilion, nor is it open to the public. By community, Melania Trump means the Trump family.
Like her husband, Melania Trump doesn’t care about the duties of the First Lady. She is only worried about herself.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-07--As Coronavirus Crisis Rages, The Only Item On Trump’s Saturday Schedule Is Dinner At Mar-a-Lago

The United States is in the midst of a health crisis , and the only item on Donald Trump ’ s Saturday schedule is dinner at Mar-a-Lago .
As Sam Stein pointed out on Twitter Saturday , “ After last night ’ s fundraiser , Trump has a pretty light schedule today while staying at his private club.
” The president ’ s public schedule only includes an evening “ working dinner ” with the president of Brazil .
Political theatre will not save Trump from his coronavirus disaster Donald Trump has mismanaged the coronavirus crisis since day one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flawed response and working to step it up , he ’ s simply doubled down on political theater .
This week , he phoned into Sean Hannity to make up more dangerous nonsense about the outbreak , participated in a Fox News town hall where he promised to slash Social Security and Medicare , and fired his third chief of staff .
In other words , a global health emergency hasn ’ t changed this president ’ s behavior at all .
He still puts his personal political fortunes ahead of the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , as his near-empty Saturday schedule shows , Trump still has no interest in doing any actual work as president – no matter what external crises hit his desk on a given day .
Ultimately , Donald Trump is hoping that political theater will save him from the fallout of his disastrous management of a global health emergency , but it ’ s moments like this that demonstrate just how unfit he is to be president of the United States .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The United States is in the midst of a health crisis, and the only item on Donald Trump’s Saturday schedule is dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
As Sam Stein pointed out on Twitter Saturday, “After last night’s fundraiser, Trump has a pretty light schedule today while staying at his private club.”
The president’s public schedule only includes an evening “working dinner” with the president of Brazil.
Trump’s schedule:
After last night’s fundraiser, Trump has a pretty light schedule today while staying at his private club pic.twitter.com/P6udMuaAai — Sam Stein (@samstein) March 7, 2020
Political theatre will not save Trump from his coronavirus disaster
Donald Trump has mismanaged the coronavirus crisis since day one. Instead of acknowledging the government’s flawed response and working to step it up, he’s simply doubled down on political theater.
This week, he phoned into Sean Hannity to make up more dangerous nonsense about the outbreak, participated in a Fox News town hall where he promised to slash Social Security and Medicare, and fired his third chief of staff.
In other words, a global health emergency hasn’t changed this president’s behavior at all. He still puts his personal political fortunes ahead of the interests of the American people.
And, of course, as his near-empty Saturday schedule shows, Trump still has no interest in doing any actual work as president – no matter what external crises hit his desk on a given day.
Ultimately, Donald Trump is hoping that political theater will save him from the fallout of his disastrous management of a global health emergency, but it’s moments like this that demonstrate just how unfit he is to be president of the United States.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-03-07--Trump Supporters Are Now Claiming Coronavirus Doesn’t Exist And Nobody Has Died From It

Supporters of Donald Trump are now claiming not only that zero people have died from the coronavirus – a dangerous lie – but that the virus itself doesn ’ t even exist .
On her program on Saturday , MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid shared a disturbing clip from outside a MAGA rally , where one of Trump ’ s supporters called the coronavirus a “ hoax ” manufactured by the Democrats .
“ I think it ’ s made up by the Democrats , ” the woman wearing a Trump 2020 hat said , adding that she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Tell that to the families all over the globe that have lost loved ones .
REPORTER : When you say hoax , what do you mean ?
TRUMP SUPPORTER : I think it ’ s made up by the Democrats .
I mean , there are more cases of the common flu than there are the coronavirus .
REPORTER : So you don ’ t believe the coronavirus exists ?
REPORTER : So the two people who have been reported to have died from it in Washington state , you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true ?
TRUMP SUPPORTER : I don ’ t trust anything the Democrats do .
Trump and his supporters are putting lives at risk Political disagreements are normal .
They ’ ve existed since our country ’ s founding and they will continue to exist so long as we live in a democracy .
But what the president and his supporters are doing in the midst of a global health crisis – spreading blatant falsehoods while happily flaunting their refusal to take basic precautions to keep themselves and others from being infected – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , “ If [ Trump supporters ] don ’ t take precautions against the coronavirus because they think it ’ s just another trick by Democrats to hurt Trump , that doesn ’ t just endanger them – and it does – it endangers you.
” Donald Trump has created a fact-free environment for himself and his supporters .
In the case of the coronavirus outbreak , it is quite literally putting American lives at risk .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Supporters of Donald Trump are now claiming not only that zero people have died from the coronavirus – a dangerous lie – but that the virus itself doesn’t even exist.
On her program on Saturday, MSNBC’s Joy Reid shared a disturbing clip from outside a MAGA rally, where one of Trump’s supporters called the coronavirus a “hoax” manufactured by the Democrats.
“I think it’s made up by the Democrats,” the woman wearing a Trump 2020 hat said, adding that she doesn’t believe anyone has truly died from it.
Tell that to the families all over the globe that have lost loved ones.
Video:
Joy Reid in disbelief as Trump supporter calls coronavirus a “hoax” that no one has actually died from. #ctl #p2 #amjoy pic.twitter.com/zg016RN6OC — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 7, 2020
Transcript:
TRUMP SUPPORTER: I really think it’s a hoax. REPORTER: When you say hoax, what do you mean? TRUMP SUPPORTER: I think it’s made up by the Democrats. I mean, there are more cases of the common flu than there are the coronavirus. REPORTER: So you don’t believe the coronavirus exists? TRUMP SUPPORTER: I don’t. REPORTER: So the two people who have been reported to have died from it in Washington state, you don’t trust that that’s true? TRUMP SUPPORTER: I don’t trust anything the Democrats do.
Trump and his supporters are putting lives at risk
Political disagreements are normal. They’ve existed since our country’s founding and they will continue to exist so long as we live in a democracy.
But what the president and his supporters are doing in the midst of a global health crisis – spreading blatant falsehoods while happily flaunting their refusal to take basic precautions to keep themselves and others from being infected – is unacceptable.
As Joy Reid said on Saturday, “If [Trump supporters] don’t take precautions against the coronavirus because they think it’s just another trick by Democrats to hurt Trump, that doesn’t just endanger them – and it does – it endangers you.”
Donald Trump has created a fact-free environment for himself and his supporters. In the case of the coronavirus outbreak, it is quite literally putting American lives at risk.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-03-07--Ali Velshi Torches Trump For Choosing An Unqualified Racist To Be Chief Of Staff

MSNBC host Ali Velshi torched Donald Trump on Saturday for his decision to name Rep. Mark Meadows ( R-NC ) the next chief of staff .
Meadows will replace Mick Mulvaney and become the fourth ( ! )
person to hold that increasingly powerless position in the Trump administration .
“ He is a bombastic congressman who made his name as the chair of the freedom caucus who once said that he ’ d like to send Barack Obama back home to Kenya , ” the MSNBC host said .
“ This should probably bother you some.
” “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , Meadows probably wouldn ’ t make the long list , let alone the short list , ” Velshi added .
The West Wing has largely been purged of anyone who disagrees with the president .
The replacement of the third chief of staff is juicy as far as palace intrigue goes .
It fulfills our need for drama , but it is not important .
Who the chief of staff is doesn ’ t matter anymore .
The position no longer wields power .
Sure , Mark Meadows is uniquely qualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a bombastic congressman who made his name as the chair of the freedom caucus who once said that he ’ d like to send Barack Obama back home to Kenya .
This should probably bother you some .
It demeans the work of those who ’ ve come before him and will come after him .
But ultimately , it ’ s a distraction , taking away from the real story .
Trump is changing our judicial system , decimating the State Department , making foreign policy deals just to see them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat climate change and putting in place medieval immigration policies .
Those things should hold our attention and have us outraged .
So when he says look there , don ’ t .
Keep focused on the things that matter .
Naming Meadows as chief of staff is a minor league attempt at distraction by replacing a person who had no power or responsibility or credibility .
If Trump was serious about a chief of staff , Meadows probably wouldn ’ t make the long list , let alone the short list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Ali Velshi noted , Trump ’ s decision to name an unqualified ideologue as his next chief of staff is just the president ’ s latest attempt to distract from his dumpster fire presidency .
With the administration in the midst of massively mismanaging a global health crisis , it ’ s no surprise that Trump wants to change the headlines .
But at the end of the day , the American people should stay focused on what matters , which is that Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
MSNBC host Ali Velshi torched Donald Trump on Saturday for his decision to name Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) the next chief of staff.
Meadows will replace Mick Mulvaney and become the fourth (!) person to hold that increasingly powerless position in the Trump administration.
“He is a bombastic congressman who made his name as the chair of the freedom caucus who once said that he’d like to send Barack Obama back home to Kenya,” the MSNBC host said. “This should probably bother you some.”
“If Trump was serious about a chief of staff, Meadows probably wouldn’t make the long list, let alone the short list,” Velshi added.
Video:
Ali Velshi calls Trump’s chief of staff change just another distraction from his dumpster fire presidency. #ctl #p2 #velshi pic.twitter.com/Y6onvzfX2g — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 7, 2020
Velshi said:
The West Wing has largely been purged of anyone who disagrees with the president. The replacement of the third chief of staff is juicy as far as palace intrigue goes. It fulfills our need for drama, but it is not important. Who the chief of staff is doesn’t matter anymore. The position no longer wields power. Sure, Mark Meadows is uniquely qualified or unqualified if you will. He is a bombastic congressman who made his name as the chair of the freedom caucus who once said that he’d like to send Barack Obama back home to Kenya. This should probably bother you some. It demeans the work of those who’ve come before him and will come after him. But ultimately, it’s a distraction, taking away from the real story. Trump is changing our judicial system, decimating the State Department, making foreign policy deals just to see them fail in short order, stymieing efforts to combat climate change and putting in place medieval immigration policies. Those things should hold our attention and have us outraged. So when he says look there, don’t. Keep focused on the things that matter. Naming Meadows as chief of staff is a minor league attempt at distraction by replacing a person who had no power or responsibility or credibility. If Trump was serious about a chief of staff, Meadows probably wouldn’t make the long list, let alone the short list.
This is just another Trump distraction
As Ali Velshi noted, Trump’s decision to name an unqualified ideologue as his next chief of staff is just the president’s latest attempt to distract from his dumpster fire presidency.
With the administration in the midst of massively mismanaging a global health crisis, it’s no surprise that Trump wants to change the headlines.
But at the end of the day, the American people should stay focused on what matters, which is that Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to America who must be replaced in November.


politicususa--2020-03-07--Desperate Trump Sues CNN For Libel To Help His Reelection Campaign

Trump is already getting desperate , which is why he sued CNN for libel as he plans to run his reelection campaign against the media .
Trump gave the news of the lawsuit against CNN to Fox News first : “ The complaint alleges CNN was aware of the falsity at the time it published them but did so for the intentional purpose of hurting the campaign while misleading its own readers in the process… the campaign filed this lawsuit against CNN and the preceding suits against The New York Times and The Washington Post to hold the publishers accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish the truth , ” Senior Legal Adviser to Donald J. Trump for President , Inc. Jenna Ellis told Fox News .
Legally speaking , the lawsuits are a joke , but Trump has two motives for filing them .
Donald Trump wants his supporters to focus their rage on the media .
He doesn ’ t want them to weigh the issues or think about their lives under his presidency .
Trump is pulling straight from the Roger Ailes playbook and playing into the longstanding myth on the right of liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hand on his reelection strategy .
Trump is afraid of running directly against Joe Biden , so his campaign is going push the bogus Ukraine conspiracy theory to smear the former vice president while firing up their voters against the media .
It is a desperate strategy that is destined to fail .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Trump is already getting desperate, which is why he sued CNN for libel as he plans to run his reelection campaign against the media.
Trump gave the news of the lawsuit against CNN to Fox News first:
“The complaint alleges CNN was aware of the falsity at the time it published them but did so for the intentional purpose of hurting the campaign while misleading its own readers in the process… the campaign filed this lawsuit against CNN and the preceding suits against The New York Times and The Washington Post to hold the publishers accountable for their reckless false reporting and also to establish the truth,” Senior Legal Adviser to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Jenna Ellis told Fox News.
Brian Stelter of CNN tweeted:
Trump 2020 has filed a libel lawsuit against CNN, according to Fox, which was given the news in advance. Similar suits against NYT and WaPo are a Trump re-election strategy. Experts say the suits are unlikely to prevail in the courts. No comment from CNN. https://t.co/Z1q8T3rJxZ — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) March 6, 2020
Legally speaking, the lawsuits are a joke, but Trump has two motives for filing them. Donald Trump wants his supporters to focus their rage on the media. He doesn’t want them to weigh the issues or think about their lives under his presidency. Trump is pulling straight from the Roger Ailes playbook and playing into the longstanding myth on the right of liberal media bias.
Trump is also tipping his hand on his reelection strategy. Trump is afraid of running directly against Joe Biden, so his campaign is going push the bogus Ukraine conspiracy theory to smear the former vice president while firing up their voters against the media.
It is a desperate strategy that is destined to fail.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-07--The Coronavirus Is Spreading Faster Than Trump’s Lies

The reason why Trump can ’ t lie his way out of the coronavirus is that the virus is spreading faster than his lies and disinformation .
Here is a brief timeline of Friday ’ s coronavirus spread : Most of those of the reports of new cases in states happened after Trump spoke at the CDC and told Americans not to worry about the coronavirus , because he is really smart and he has a natural talent for outbreaks and epidemics .
Trump has finally met a crisis that he can ’ t lie or misinform his way out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing those beneath him .
Trump fired his chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and brought in Mark Meadows because he is unhappy with his messaging on the coronavirus .
The president didn ’ t bring in more experts to handle his administration ’ s response to the virus .
He made a token change at the top of his administration because he views the coronavirus as a political problem and not a matter of public health .
The backbone of Trump ’ s brief political career has been his ability to lie in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters about facts .
Even an accomplished liar like Donald Trump can ’ t keep up with the spread of a virus .
The virus is spreading faster than Trump can lie .
If the president had managed the coronavirus as a medical problem , instead of a political issue , none of this would be happening .
Trump is powerless to stop the coronavirus .
His lies aren ’ t working , and the public health at risk , his presidency has been exposed .
For more discussion about this story join @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The reason why Trump can’t lie his way out of the coronavirus is that the virus is spreading faster than his lies and disinformation.
Here is a brief timeline of Friday’s coronavirus spread:
Latest @CNN reporting: 4:25 p.m: Minnesota reports first coronavirus case 5:20 p.m: First coronavirus case in Oklahoma 6:35 p.m: Connecticut reveals first coronavirus case 7:18 p.m: First coronavirus case in Kentucky reported 8:05 p.m: Nebraska reports first coronavirus case — Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) March 7, 2020
Most of those of the reports of new cases in states happened after Trump spoke at the CDC and told Americans not to worry about the coronavirus, because he is really smart and he has a natural talent for outbreaks and epidemics.
Trump has finally met a crisis that he can’t lie or misinform his way out of, so he is raging and firing those beneath him.
Trump fired his chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and brought in Mark Meadows because he is unhappy with his messaging on the coronavirus. The president didn’t bring in more experts to handle his administration’s response to the virus. He made a token change at the top of his administration because he views the coronavirus as a political problem and not a matter of public health.
The backbone of Trump’s brief political career has been his ability to lie in overwhelming quantities to create doubt among his supporters about facts. Even an accomplished liar like Donald Trump can’t keep up with the spread of a virus. The virus is spreading faster than Trump can lie.
If the president had managed the coronavirus as a medical problem, instead of a political issue, none of this would be happening.
Trump is powerless to stop the coronavirus. His lies aren’t working, and the public health at risk, his presidency has been exposed.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Trump Overruled Health Officials Who Wanted To Tell Seniors Not To Fly

Health officials wanted to issue a warning to senior citizens urging them not to fly due to the coronavirus , but they were overruled by Trump .
The AP reported : The White House overruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus , a federal official told The Associated Press .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention submitted the plan this week as a way of trying to control the virus , but White House officials ordered the air travel recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had direct knowledge of the plan .
Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not traveling , but they have stopped short of the stronger guidance sought by the CDC .
Trump ’ s political base of support is primarily conservatives over age 65 , so the idea that a president who thinks of situations only in political terms wouldn ’ t do the bare minimum to protect older Americans that are the demographic most likely to vote for him shows how in over his head this president is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health warnings is him trying to control the message at the expense of people ’ s lives .
The reason why the US is facing a bigger crisis than most other countries battling this virus is the Trump administration .
The president ’ s refusal to properly staff his administration or listen to what the experts say is setting up a disaster in the making .
Health officials know what they are doing , but they are being throttled by a president who thinks that ’ s he ’ s really smart and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Health officials wanted to issue a warning to senior citizens urging them not to fly due to the coronavirus, but they were overruled by Trump.
The AP reported:
The White House overruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus, a federal official told The Associated Press.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention submitted the plan this week as a way of trying to control the virus, but White House officials ordered the air travel recommendation be removed, said the official who had direct knowledge of the plan. Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not traveling, but they have stopped short of the stronger guidance sought by the CDC.
Trump’s political base of support is primarily conservatives over age 65, so the idea that a president who thinks of situations only in political terms wouldn’t do the bare minimum to protect older Americans that are the demographic most likely to vote for him shows how in over his head this president is.
Donald Trump’s withholding of public health warnings is him trying to control the message at the expense of people’s lives.
The reason why the US is facing a bigger crisis than most other countries battling this virus is the Trump administration. The president’s refusal to properly staff his administration or listen to what the experts say is setting up a disaster in the making.
Health officials know what they are doing, but they are being throttled by a president who thinks that’s he’s really smart and can handle the coronavirus.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Biden Surge Wipes Out Sanders’s Dream Of Big Delegate Haul In CA

Bernie Sanders was dreaming up picking up a net 300 delegates over Joe Biden in CA , but Biden ’ s surge has limited him to a 56 net delegate gain .
Before South Carolina , pundits and projections were suggesting that Sanders could net a minimum 150-200 net delegates more than Biden .
Instead , Sanders is going to end up with a net delegate advantage of 56 in the nation ’ s largest primary .
The delegate rules that Bernie Sanders helped to craft , including the 15 % viability threshold for a candidate to earn delegates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sanders strategy to win the nomination was always to stay consistently at 25 % -30 % support in a large Democratic field where the vote was split .
Sanders has never received 51 % of the vote in any contest so far .
Even in his home state of Vermont , Sen. Sanders finished at 50.7 % of the vote .
Bernie Sanders invested millions upon millions of dollars in California .
The state was critical to his entire argument for the nomination , but Biden ’ s momentum was more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the tiny net delegate advantage that Sanders is getting out of California is why it is going to be extremely difficult , if not impossible for him to catch Joe Biden .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Bernie Sanders was dreaming up picking up a net 300 delegates over Joe Biden in CA, but Biden’s surge has limited him to a 56 net delegate gain.
Nate Silver tweeted his California delegate projection:
We have Sanders netting out 56 delegates over Biden in California based on currently-reported results. If late-reported ballots further cut his lead in CA (which seems likely) Biden could wind up ahead by 100 or so delegates nationally. — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) March 7, 2020
Before South Carolina, pundits and projections were suggesting that Sanders could net a minimum 150-200 net delegates more than Biden. Instead, Sanders is going to end up with a net delegate advantage of 56 in the nation’s largest primary.
The delegate rules that Bernie Sanders helped to craft, including the 15% viability threshold for a candidate to earn delegates, have been his campaign’s undoing. The Sanders strategy to win the nomination was always to stay consistently at 25%-30% support in a large Democratic field where the vote was split. Sanders has never received 51% of the vote in any contest so far. Even in his home state of Vermont, Sen. Sanders finished at 50.7% of the vote.
Bernie Sanders invested millions upon millions of dollars in California. The state was critical to his entire argument for the nomination, but Biden’s momentum was more powerful than Bernie’s cash, and the tiny net delegate advantage that Sanders is getting out of California is why it is going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible for him to catch Joe Biden.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Trump May Have Been Exposed To Coronavirus At CPAC

The organizer of CPAC interacted with the conference attendee who tested positive for coronavirus , and then he shook Trump ’ s hand on stage .
Via The Washington Post : Late Saturday , the American Conservative Union announced that an individual who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference less than two weeks ago had tested positive for the virus .
President Trump , Vice President Pence and a number of other top White House officials had appeared at the four-day event in Maryland .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said neither Trump nor Pence was in “ close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACU chairman Matt Schlapp told The Washington Post on Saturday that he himself interacted with the infected person at the event .
The precise chronology could not be learned , but Schlapp did shake Trump ’ s hand on the stage on the last day of the conference .
Trump has been downplaying the coronavirus as no big deal , and something that will go away with the arrival of spring might have been exposed to the virus while hanging out with some of his most dedicated supporters at CPAC .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about spreading the coronavirus , so it would be ironic if he was exposed because he attended a gathering of conservatives .
Trump allies like Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) have been mocking the virus , but even the President Of The United States might not be safe from exposure .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The organizer of CPAC interacted with the conference attendee who tested positive for coronavirus, and then he shook Trump’s hand on stage.
Via The Washington Post:
Late Saturday, the American Conservative Union announced that an individual who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference less than two weeks ago had tested positive for the virus. President Trump, Vice President Pence and a number of other top White House officials had appeared at the four-day event in Maryland.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said neither Trump nor Pence was in “close proximity to the attendee,” but ACU chairman Matt Schlapp told The Washington Post on Saturday that he himself interacted with the infected person at the event. The precise chronology could not be learned, but Schlapp did shake Trump’s hand on the stage on the last day of the conference.
Trump has been downplaying the coronavirus as no big deal, and something that will go away with the arrival of spring might have been exposed to the virus while hanging out with some of his most dedicated supporters at CPAC.
The president has refused to cancel his rallies over concerns about spreading the coronavirus, so it would be ironic if he was exposed because he attended a gathering of conservatives. Trump allies like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) have been mocking the virus, but even the President Of The United States might not be safe from exposure.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Opinion: Trump Attacks Own Base by Slashing Funding to Rural School Districts

We hear these days about the importance of the African American vote within the Democratic base , and rightly so .
This base has played a key role in the Democratic primaries and , according to all indications , will play a key role in determining the Democratic presidential candidate .
Democratic candidates would also be wise as well as both humane and politically responsible , though , to pay attention to another population that , while historically endorsing Trump , has been nonetheless largely ignored by Trump , and is in dire need of attention and support .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these voters could certainly make the difference necessary to defeat Trump in key states like Michigan , Ohio , Wisconsin , and Pennsylvania .
And it is also a vital matter of standing up for the equal rights of all and serving all constituencies , making particular efforts to serve the least visible among us in cultivating a democratic society and economy .
I ’ m talking about rural America , which isn ’ t , of course , exclusively white but which is nonetheless a white majority–and unquestionably , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is one of the latest key developments in terms of Trump turning his back on rural–and , really , working-class–America ?
Trump ’ s Department of Education , led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , is up to its old tricks of cutting funding for public education and doing its best to make public education less rather than more accessible to Americans and making the nation ’ s public education system increasingly unequal .
And these cuts are targeted to hit rural America , a typical stronghold of Trump support , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Andrew Naughtie , reporting for The Independent , calls “ an under-the-radar bookkeeping change at the Department of Education , ” DeVos ’ s squad is setting up over 800 public schools across the nation ’ s primarily rural school districts to lose thousands of dollars per school in key funding .
These cuts will cost these schools everything from reading specialists , to computers , to counselors , to language lessons for non-English speakers and more .
Really , we are talking about the basics .
How can these under-resourced schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive elsewhere in America and prepare their students to compete in our economy and make their most meaningful contributions to American society ?
And what ’ s more , as Erica L. Green reports in The New York Times , rural schools are already , according to advocates , “ the most underfunded and ignored ” in the country , even though they serve nearly one in seven public school students .
These students , according to a report from the Rural School and Community Trust , “ are largely invisible to state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education policy is dominated by highly visible urban problems.
” What has happened exactly ?
Well , public schools have previously been able to demonstrate they qualify for the Rural and Low-Income School Program by counting the number of students who qualify for federally subsidized free and reduced-price meals in order to determine poverty rates in the schools .
The Department of Education , however , recently determined many of these schools that had been receiving funding had qualified erroneously , according to the Census Bureau ’ s Small Area Income and Poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools must demonstrate 20 % of their area ’ s students live in poverty .
Using this census data is less accurate than actually using the data of who actually is attending a school .
The push-back against this policy move has been decidedly and firmly bi-partisan .
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine indicated that this change would mean 100 of the 149 schools in Maine previously receiving funding from this program would no longer qualify , costing its schools $ 1.2 million in funding .
Democratic Senator Jon Tester of Montana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools would lose some $ 400,000 in funding .
The Trump administration is not making life better for our rural populations , despite the hopes of advocates that it would , given these regions ’ electoral support for Trump .
Alan Richard , for example , a board member of the Rural School and Community Trust , a non-profit advocacy group , told The New York Times , “ Rural education advocates definitely hoped that a president elected , in part , because of rural and small-town voters would pay more attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , with all the attention to rural America , little has been done to correct the inequity so many rural students face.
” Trump can be called out for his broken campaign promises , his outright lies , and his complete lack of concern for people in need .
The real question is whether or not Democrats will listen to , pay attention to , and take up the concerns and cause of our rural populations .
Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke to and about rural America .
At times , Senator Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , are no longer in the running to be the Democratic presidential candidate .
Other than that , we don ’ t hear too much from Democratic candidates regarding rural America .
And it also needs to be said that there is a tendency in Democratic politics to demonize and dismiss poor white and white working-class people in America as racist and backward , as not on board with the progressive politics of change .
Maybe listening , paying attention to , and creating actual policy to address the needs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way towards courting these voters .
It would certainly go a long way toward addressing the severe class stratifications in our society and working-class issues overall .
Will Democrats take advantage of this opportunity to serve the needs of those Trump has abandoned , address them , and cultivate their support ?
Is the Democratic tent big enough ?
Can Democrats be big enough ?

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
We hear these days about the importance of the African American vote within the Democratic base, and rightly so. This base has played a key role in the Democratic primaries and, according to all indications, will play a key role in determining the Democratic presidential candidate.
Democratic candidates would also be wise as well as both humane and politically responsible, though, to pay attention to another population that, while historically endorsing Trump, has been nonetheless largely ignored by Trump, and is in dire need of attention and support. With some much needed attention from Democratic candidates, these voters could certainly make the difference necessary to defeat Trump in key states like Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
And it is also a vital matter of standing up for the equal rights of all and serving all constituencies, making particular efforts to serve the least visible among us in cultivating a democratic society and economy.
I’m talking about rural America, which isn’t, of course, exclusively white but which is nonetheless a white majority–and unquestionably, and more to the point, a forgotten one.
What is one of the latest key developments in terms of Trump turning his back on rural–and, really, working-class–America?
Trump’s Department of Education, led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is up to its old tricks of cutting funding for public education and doing its best to make public education less rather than more accessible to Americans and making the nation’s public education system increasingly unequal.
And these cuts are targeted to hit rural America, a typical stronghold of Trump support, the hardest.
This time, through what Andrew Naughtie, reporting for The Independent, calls “an under-the-radar bookkeeping change at the Department of Education,” DeVos’s squad is setting up over 800 public schools across the nation’s primarily rural school districts to lose thousands of dollars per school in key funding. These cuts will cost these schools everything from reading specialists, to computers, to counselors, to language lessons for non-English speakers and more. Really, we are talking about the basics.
How can these under-resourced schools offer an education equal to what students receive elsewhere in America and prepare their students to compete in our economy and make their most meaningful contributions to American society?
And what’s more, as Erica L. Green reports in The New York Times, rural schools are already, according to advocates, “the most underfunded and ignored” in the country, even though they serve nearly one in seven public school students. These students, according to a report from the Rural School and Community Trust, “are largely invisible to state policymakers because they live in states where education policy is dominated by highly visible urban problems.”
What has happened exactly?
Well, public schools have previously been able to demonstrate they qualify for the Rural and Low-Income School Program by counting the number of students who qualify for federally subsidized free and reduced-price meals in order to determine poverty rates in the schools. The Department of Education, however, recently determined many of these schools that had been receiving funding had qualified erroneously, according to the Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. To qualify for funds, schools must demonstrate 20% of their area’s students live in poverty. Using this census data is less accurate than actually using the data of who actually is attending a school.
The push-back against this policy move has been decidedly and firmly bi-partisan. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine indicated that this change would mean 100 of the 149 schools in Maine previously receiving funding from this program would no longer qualify, costing its schools $1.2 million in funding. Democratic Senator Jon Tester of Montana underscored that 220 of its most remote schools would lose some $400,000 in funding.
The Trump administration is not making life better for our rural populations, despite the hopes of advocates that it would, given these regions’ electoral support for Trump.
Alan Richard, for example, a board member of the Rural School and Community Trust, a non-profit advocacy group, told The New York Times, “Rural education advocates definitely hoped that a president elected, in part, because of rural and small-town voters would pay more attention to rural children. Even after the last election, with all the attention to rural America, little has been done to correct the inequity so many rural students face.”
Trump can be called out for his broken campaign promises, his outright lies, and his complete lack of concern for people in need.
The real question is whether or not Democrats will listen to, pay attention to, and take up the concerns and cause of our rural populations.
Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke to and about rural America. At times, Senator Kamala Harris did as well. Both, of course, are no longer in the running to be the Democratic presidential candidate.
Other than that, we don’t hear too much from Democratic candidates regarding rural America.
And it also needs to be said that there is a tendency in Democratic politics to demonize and dismiss poor white and white working-class people in America as racist and backward, as not on board with the progressive politics of change.
Maybe listening, paying attention to, and creating actual policy to address the needs of these Americans—as opposed to dismissing them—would go a long way towards courting these voters.
It would certainly go a long way toward addressing the severe class stratifications in our society and working-class issues overall.
Will Democrats take advantage of this opportunity to serve the needs of those Trump has abandoned, address them, and cultivate their support? Is the Democratic tent big enough? Can Democrats be big enough?


politicususa--2020-03-08--Trump Is Withholding Coronavirus Testing Kits From Governors

Two governors requested coronavirus testing kits for their states , and the CDC wouldn ’ t commit to providing them .
Trump is trying to hold the number of coronavirus cases down by not providing an adequate number of test kits so that people can be tested .
If people can ’ t be tested , they also can ’ t be added to the number of confirmed cases in the United States .
The administration is trying to cover up their bungled coronavirus response by underreporting the number of people who test positive for the virus .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately give testing kits to any state that requests them .
South Korea has demonstrated that widespread testing is the best way to contain and control the outbreak .
If the United States doesn ’ t provide an adequate number of testing kits , it could be facing a public health catastrophe .
The CDC has been politicized and is doing Trump ’ s bidding .
At a time when America needs a rapid response , governors can ’ t get coronavirus test kits .
For more discussion about this story join our @ @ @ @ @ @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Two governors requested coronavirus testing kits for their states, and the CDC wouldn’t commit to providing them.
Andy Slavitt tweeted:
I talked this afternoon to 2 governors who told me the CDC will not commit to getting them tests. Whether because they don’t want the numbers known or incompetency, state & local governments feel abandoned. https://t.co/F56ZB7OheR — Andy Slavitt (@ASlavitt) March 8, 2020
Trump is trying to hold the number of coronavirus cases down by not providing an adequate number of test kits so that people can be tested. If people can’t be tested, they also can’t be added to the number of confirmed cases in the United States.
The administration is trying to cover up their bungled coronavirus response by underreporting the number of people who test positive for the virus.
There is no reason for the CDC not to immediately give testing kits to any state that requests them. South Korea has demonstrated that widespread testing is the best way to contain and control the outbreak. If the United States doesn’t provide an adequate number of testing kits, it could be facing a public health catastrophe.
The CDC has been politicized and is doing Trump’s bidding.
At a time when America needs a rapid response, governors can’t get coronavirus test kits.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Trump Is Now Spreading A Fake Video Of Joe Biden

The Trump campaign is spreading a deceptively edited of Joe Biden that has the former vice president saying , “ @ @ @ @ @ Trump.
” Here is the edited clip that the Trump campaign is spreading around : @ @ @ @ @ , “ We can only reelect Donald Trump if we get engaged in this circular @ @ @ @ @ and his staff are so desperate that they are creating fake news about Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ is resorting to these kinds of tactics so early is proof that they have nothing @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theory backfired and got Trump impeached , so the Trump campaign and the White @ @ @ @ @ that they can use against Biden .
America does have fake news problem , and @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group @

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The Trump campaign is spreading a deceptively edited of Joe Biden that has the former vice president saying, “we can only elect Donald Trump.”
Here is the edited clip that the Trump campaign is spreading around:
What Biden really said was, “We can only reelect Donald Trump if we get engaged in this circular firing squad here.
Full Biden clip:
Trump and his staff are so desperate that they are creating fake news about Joe Biden. The fact that Trump is resorting to these kinds of tactics so early is proof that they have nothing on Biden.
The Ukraine conspiracy theory backfired and got Trump impeached, so the Trump campaign and the White House are searching for anything that they can use against Biden.
America does have fake news problem, and its epicenter is named Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Trump Claims He Has The Perfect Plan To Deal With Coronavirus, But Won’t Say What It Is

Trump claimed that he had the perfect and coordinated plan to deal with the coronavirus , but he refuses to say what it is .
After Trump ’ s tweet , HUD Secretary Ben Carson went on national television and told the world that the plan for dealing with the coronavirus exposed cruise ship full of passengers has not been formulated yet .
There is no plan .
Trump is relying on wishful thinking that the virus is going to magically go away by April .
Trump ’ s magic thinking doesn ’ t take into account what will happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks or so until the virus magically vanishes .
Trump ’ s plan is to handle the coronavirus is just like his healthcare plan to replace Obamacare .
It ’ s really great , and perfect , but it is a secret , so he can ’ t tell anyone about it .
The plan doesn ’ t exist .
Trump is hoping that the virus goes away because he has no intention of trying to govern and stopping it .
Trump got lucky that there was no crisis on domestic soil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puerto Rico , during his first three years in office , but his luck has run out , and he is trying to bluff his way out of a looming public health epidemic .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Trump claimed that he had the perfect and coordinated plan to deal with the coronavirus, but he refuses to say what it is.
Trump tweeted:
We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for our attack on CoronaVirus. We moved VERY early to close borders to certain areas, which was a Godsend. V.P. is doing a great job. The Fake News Media is doing everything possible to make us look bad. Sad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2020
After Trump’s tweet, HUD Secretary Ben Carson went on national television and told the world that the plan for dealing with the coronavirus exposed cruise ship full of passengers has not been formulated yet.
There is no plan. Trump is relying on wishful thinking that the virus is going to magically go away by April. Trump’s magic thinking doesn’t take into account what will happen to the American people over the next three weeks or so until the virus magically vanishes.
Trump’s plan is to handle the coronavirus is just like his healthcare plan to replace Obamacare. It’s really great, and perfect, but it is a secret, so he can’t tell anyone about it.
The plan doesn’t exist. Trump is hoping that the virus goes away because he has no intention of trying to govern and stopping it.
Trump got lucky that there was no crisis on domestic soil, outside of his criminal neglect of Puerto Rico, during his first three years in office, but his luck has run out, and he is trying to bluff his way out of a looming public health epidemic.


politicususa--2020-03-08--Biden Looks To Put Sanders Away With Kamala Harris Endorsement Before Michigan

The endorsement of Joe Biden by Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) was a clear move to win Michigan and deal a near-fatal blow to the Sanders campaign .
Sen. Harris said in her endorsement of Biden : When I started my run for president , I said America needs a president who reflects the decency and dignity of the American people ; a president who speaks the truth ; and a president who fights for those whose voices are too often overlooked or ignored .
I still believe that to this day .
That is why I am proud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vice President Joe Biden , for President of the United States .
I got to know Joe more than a decade ago through his son – my dear friend , the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden .
As attorneys general during the financial crisis , Beau and I were leaders in the fight to take on the biggest banks in the nation and secure billions of dollars in relief for homeowners across the country .
And I can tell you that Beau inherited his strength of character , selfless courage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , Joe .
Like many women , I watched with sadness as women exited the race one by one .
Four years after our nominee , the first woman to win the nomination of a major party , received 3 million more votes than Donald Trump but still lost , we find ourselves without any woman on a path to be the Democratic nominee for president .
This is something we must reckon with and it is something I will have more to say about in the future .
But we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind a candidate who reflects the decency and dignity of the American people and who can ultimately defeat Donald Trump .
The Harris endorsement is yet another well timed strategic move from the Joe Biden campaign .
The best endorsement that Bernie Sanders could roll out before Michigan was Jesse Jackson .
No disrespect to Rev .
Jackson , but he is not in the same category for 2020 as Kamala Harris .
Bernie Sanders needs a big win in Michigan .
If Biden beats him , it will be a defeat that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the nominee .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
The endorsement of Joe Biden by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) was a clear move to win Michigan and deal a near-fatal blow to the Sanders campaign.
Sen. Harris said in her endorsement of Biden:
When I started my run for president, I said America needs a president who reflects the decency and dignity of the American people; a president who speaks the truth; and a president who fights for those whose voices are too often overlooked or ignored.
I still believe that to this day. That is why I am proud to announce I am endorsing my friend, Vice President Joe Biden, for President of the United States.
I got to know Joe more than a decade ago through his son – my dear friend, the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. As attorneys general during the financial crisis, Beau and I were leaders in the fight to take on the biggest banks in the nation and secure billions of dollars in relief for homeowners across the country. And I can tell you that Beau inherited his strength of character, selfless courage, and commitment to public service from his father, Joe.
….
Like many women, I watched with sadness as women exited the race one by one. Four years after our nominee, the first woman to win the nomination of a major party, received 3 million more votes than Donald Trump but still lost, we find ourselves without any woman on a path to be the Democratic nominee for president. This is something we must reckon with and it is something I will have more to say about in the future. But we must rise to unite the party and country behind a candidate who reflects the decency and dignity of the American people and who can ultimately defeat Donald Trump.
Sen. Harris also released a video endorsing Joe Biden:
.@JoeBiden has served our country with dignity and we need him now more than ever. I will do everything in my power to help elect him the next President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/DbB2fGWpaa — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 8, 2020
The Harris endorsement is yet another well timed strategic move from the Joe Biden campaign. The best endorsement that Bernie Sanders could roll out before Michigan was Jesse Jackson. No disrespect to Rev. Jackson, but he is not in the same category for 2020 as Kamala Harris.
Bernie Sanders needs a big win in Michigan. If Biden beats him, it will be a defeat that might make it impossible for Sanders to be the nominee.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Bernie Sanders Claims African-Americans Voting Against Him Is A Corporate Establishment Conspiracy

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) refuses to acknowledge that African-Americans are rejecting him and instead blames a corporate establishment conspiracy .
Transcript via ABC ’ s This Week : STEPHANOPOULOS : Senator Sanders , thank you for joining us .
Boy , what a difference a week makes .
When you joined us last Sunday , you were leading in delegates , look poised for a big lead coming out of Super Tuesday .
Pete Buttigieg , Amy Klobuchar , Elizabeth Warren , Michael Bloomberg all still in the race .
How surprised were you by Super Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEN. BERNIE SANDERS ( I-VT ) , PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE : Well , one of the things that I was kind of not surprised by is the power of establishment to force Amy Klobuchar , who had worked so hard , Pete Buttigieg , who , you know , really worked extremely hard as well , out of the race .
What was very clear from the media narrative and what the establishment wanted was to make sure that people coalesced around Biden and try to defeat me .
So that ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George , as I think everybody knows , the establishment .
We ’ re taking on the corporate establishment .
We ’ re taking on the political establishment .
And what you are seeing now just in the last few weeks is Wall Street , the healthcare industry , the billionaire class putting a lot of money into Joe ’ s campaign .
It wasn ’ t a corporate establishment conspiracy that forced the other Democrats out of the race .
It was the overwhelming support of African-American voters for Biden .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with African-American voters in South Carolina , and that pushed Buttigieg and Klobuchar out of the contest .
Bloomberg ’ s inability to win on Super Tuesday with African-American voters pushed him out of the race .
On Super Tuesday , late-deciding voters went 47 % -18 % for Joe Biden .
There is no establishment conspiracy against Sanders because Bernie Sanders co-wrote the Democratic primary rules .
Sen. Sanders is complaining about African-American voters rejecting him , and instead of doing a better job with these voters , he is acting like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is out to get him .
If the campaign of Sen. Sanders doesn ’ t turn it around on Tuesday , one of the big reasons why will be the candidate ’ s embrace of conspiracies , and refusal to see his own campaign ’ s weaknesses .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) refuses to acknowledge that African-Americans are rejecting him and instead blames a corporate establishment conspiracy.
Transcript via ABC’s This Week:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator Sanders, thank you for joining us. Boy, what a difference a week makes. When you joined us last Sunday, you were leading in delegates, look poised for a big lead coming out of Super Tuesday. Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bloomberg all still in the race. How surprised were you by Super Tuesday, and how do you explain it?
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, one of the things that I was kind of not surprised by is the power of establishment to force Amy Klobuchar, who had worked so hard, Pete Buttigieg, who, you know, really worked extremely hard as well, out of the race.
What was very clear from the media narrative and what the establishment wanted was to make sure that people coalesced around Biden and try to defeat me. So that’s not surprising.
We are taking on, George, as I think everybody knows, the establishment. We’re taking on the corporate establishment. We’re taking on the political establishment. And what you are seeing now just in the last few weeks is Wall Street, the healthcare industry, the billionaire class putting a lot of money into Joe’s campaign.
Video:
When @JoeBiden lost Iowa, he admitted they got beat badly and called it a “gut punch.” When @BernieSanders lost South Carolina and nine states on Super Tuesday, he blames a “corporate establishment” conspiracy. pic.twitter.com/jT8uz5F8qb — Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) March 8, 2020
It wasn’t a corporate establishment conspiracy that forced the other Democrats out of the race. It was the overwhelming support of African-American voters for Biden. The former vice president piled up overwhelming support with African-American voters in South Carolina, and that pushed Buttigieg and Klobuchar out of the contest. Bloomberg’s inability to win on Super Tuesday with African-American voters pushed him out of the race. On Super Tuesday, late-deciding voters went 47%-18% for Joe Biden.
There is no establishment conspiracy against Sanders because Bernie Sanders co-wrote the Democratic primary rules. Sen. Sanders is complaining about African-American voters rejecting him, and instead of doing a better job with these voters, he is acting like Donald Trump by claiming that the establishment is out to get him.
If the campaign of Sen. Sanders doesn’t turn it around on Tuesday, one of the big reasons why will be the candidate’s embrace of conspiracies, and refusal to see his own campaign’s weaknesses.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-08--Ben Carson Admits Trump Has No Plan For Coronavirus Infected Cruise Ship

HUD Secretary Ben Carson admitted that Trump has no plan to deal with the docking of The Grand Princess and the 3,500 passengers potentially exposed to coronavirus .
Transcript via ABC ’ s This Week : STEPHANOPOULOS : The — as you know , the Grand Princess is docking — the cruise ship is docking in Oakland tomorrow .
What plan is in place to deal with the 3,500 people on board ?
CARSON : The cruise ship personnel and — as you know , the vice president met with the CEOs of the major cruise ship companies yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan within 72 hours of that meeting — CARSON : The plan will be in place by that time .
But I don ’ t — I don ’ t want to preview the plan right now .
STEPHANOPOULOS : Shouldn ’ t you be able to do that ?
CARSON : I think — I think it needs to all come from a solitary source .
We shouldn ’ t have 16 people saying what the plan is .
CARSON : — particularly when it hasn ’ t been fully formulated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration that never has a plan for anything has no plan to deal with a docking cruise ship that has thousands of people who were exposed to coronavirus .
Trump made sure to use coronavirus to shut down the Southern border , but he has no plan to handle a boat docking in the US that has already been exposed to the virus .
The Trump administration is built on neglect and incompetence , and those factors are poised to turn a coronavirus outbreak into an epidemic .
For more discussion about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
HUD Secretary Ben Carson admitted that Trump has no plan to deal with the docking of The Grand Princess and the 3,500 passengers potentially exposed to coronavirus.
Transcript via ABC’s This Week:
STEPHANOPOULOS: The — as you know, the Grand Princess is docking — the cruise ship is docking in Oakland tomorrow. What plan is in place to deal with the 3,500 people on board?
CARSON: The cruise ship personnel and — as you know, the vice president met with the CEOs of the major cruise ship companies yesterday, and they are coming up with a plan within 72 hours of that meeting —
STEPHANOPOULOS: The ship’s docking tomorrow.
CARSON: The plan will be in place by that time. But I don’t — I don’t want to preview the plan right now.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Shouldn’t you be able to do that?
CARSON: I think — I think it needs to all come from a solitary source. We shouldn’t have 16 people saying what the plan is.
STEPHANOPOULOS: OK —
(CROSSTALK)
CARSON: — particularly when it hasn’t been fully formulated.
Video:
STEPHANOPOULOS: The Grand Princess is docking tomorrow. What's the plan for the 3,500 people on board? BEN CARSON: They're coming up with one S: It docks tomorrow C: The plan will be in place S: Shouldn't you be able to say what it is? C: It hasn't been fully formulated pic.twitter.com/J717Q7q0DG — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 8, 2020
It is not a surprise that an administration that never has a plan for anything has no plan to deal with a docking cruise ship that has thousands of people who were exposed to coronavirus. Trump made sure to use coronavirus to shut down the Southern border, but he has no plan to handle a boat docking in the US that has already been exposed to the virus.
The Trump administration is built on neglect and incompetence, and those factors are poised to turn a coronavirus outbreak into an epidemic.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook