theguardian--2020-01-31--'We can lose this election': what top Democrats fear could go wrong in 2020

Donald Trump has a huge campaign war chest and a vast , aggressive digital operation .
And the US economy has shown stubborn resilience throughout the president ’ s three years in office , keeping unemployment levels low and stock markets high .
But as they seek to oust Trump in 2020 ’ s election what most worries many top Democrats is what ’ s shaping up in their own party : an extended Democratic primary resulting in a fractured party struggling to rally around the eventual nominee .
That ’ s the overall sentiment of Democrats based on interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – including ex-mayors and former governors – and top strategists during a chaotic month in the Democratic primary leading up to the Iowa caucuses .
Recent polling has shown the progressive senator Bernie Sanders surging in Iowa , to the chagrin of centrist Democratic leaders who hoped a candidate like former vice-president Joe Biden or even the young and charismatic former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg might score an early win .
Even though the field has now shrunk from two dozen candidates , Democrats are increasingly expecting a drawn-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and long-shot candidates refusing to drop out , further splintering the vote and leaving scars that will last in the general election .
“ I think this is going to be a longer , more protracted primary fight and we ’ re going to have certainly weeks , if not months where we ’ ll be doing our primary and we won ’ t be talking to swing voters in , say , Tampa Bay , ” warned Florida-based Democratic strategist Scott Arceneaux .
Despite this strategists and veteran lawmakers from across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong confidence that there is still an opening to oust Trump from office .
“ I ’ m still very bullish on 2020 .
I think Trump ’ s going to have a very difficult time winning re-election , ” said the former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe .
But no one is taking victory for granted .
The almost universal sentiment shared by those the Guardian spoke to is that Democrats could also be in the process of shooting themselves in the foot .
“ The most important thing for people reading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose this election , ” said a top adviser for a former 2020 Democratic candidate .
There ’ s plenty of reason for Democrats to worry about money .
Donald Trump has raised over $ 100m already with effectively no real opposition within the Republican primary .
“ I think someone who ’ s not worried about the money is crazy .
Trump ’ s sitting on $ 100m right now and we ’ re nowhere close to having a nominee and they will be able to raise money but we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultant Brandon Hall .
“ That worries me .
I mean I don ’ t know how that doesn ’ t worry everybody , that we ’ re always going to be playing catchup on the money.
” But others argue the question isn ’ t whether Democrats will be able to raise money competitively , it ’ s when they ’ ll be able to raise that money .
After an exhausting primary , Trump will be able to just dump money against the newly minted nominee , warned the former Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to immediately start fundraising again to catch up to the war chest Trump had been hoarding away .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s going to be hard to raise all the money you need but that early advantage is not inconsequential given that this is coming down to a few voters in a few states , ” Emanuel said .
A staple of the Trump re-election campaign has been its large digital operation .
A Guardian analysis found that Trump ’ s re-election campaign has already spent $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Democrats have noticed .
“ On the digital side Trump ’ s digital operation is two things : smart and dangerous , ” said Democratic strategist Jennifer Holdsworth .
“ It ’ s both .
So I think that we are playing checkers and they ’ re playing chess in that particular lane of strategy and it ’ s something we are not going to wake up to until we ’ ve gotten past the primary and they are miles ahead in terms of messaging and we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s why , Holdsworth continued , Democrats needed to quickly rally around the eventually nominee “ either before or immediately after the convention or we ’ re never going to catch up ” .
Incumbency and what history tells us : Trump is strong By the traditional metrics on which an incumbent ’ s re-election chances are usually judged , Trump should be viewed as unbeatable .
Unemployment remains low .
During the Trump administration US special forces killed the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
Democrats control only one chamber of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rating within the Republican party remains sky high .
But Trump is a divisive figure , to put it mildly .
Democrats point to their gains in suburban districts across the country and flipping seven governor ’ s mansions in the 2018 midterm elections .
They see that as a herald of Democratic competitiveness in Republican-leaning parts of the country .
Democratic strategists hope fatigue from seemingly daily national crises will see reluctant moderates and swing voters vote Trump out of office .
Emanuel said the deciding issues will be the key aspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues Democrats have run and won on in recent years .
“ He ’ s got three and a half per cent unemployment .
Three per cent real wage growth .
And three per cent real home value growth , ” Emanuel said .
“ And our threes are the three Hs : healthcare , higher education , housing .
Meaning we ’ re going to emphasize the challenges , crises in those three areas.
” Trump will argue “ everything ’ s copacetic , ” Emanuel added .
“ And it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other.
” The Democratic primary : no end in sight The most persistent source of Democratic handwringing is a traditional aspect of any presidential cycle : the months-long primary where fellow candidates turn on each other .
After months of relatively respectful campaigning , the knives are finally coming out just before the first vote in Iowa next week .
“ Trump has had an incredible advantage as the incumbent and has been effectively running a general election campaign online and off since he was inaugurated and so the sooner we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ momentum and energy around , the sooner his advantage will diminish in the race , ” said Tara McGowan , co-founder of the progressive political not-for-profit group Acronym .
Former vice-president Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders have been trading blows over social security and electability .
Buttigieg has unsubtly been contrasting his youth and novelty with the competitors who have been in politics for years .
In one of the most heated exchanges the detente between Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren morphed into a red-hot rivalry when Warren said that during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman could not win the 2020 election .
Running out of money – and a brokered convention ?
All four top-tier candidates have deep war chests , allowing them to continue campaigning – and fighting each other – far into 2020 .
“ The thing that I would be most concerned about would be is if we don ’ t lock down this nomination and we allow it to go on all the way to the convention , ” McAuliffe said .
“ That would make it more problematic .
We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of these states and get them staffed and up and running.
” Democrats worry a long , bloody primary could advantage Trump .
It could also drain Democrats ’ resources .
“ The exhaustion , not that Trump has too much money but that the Democrats have spent all of theirs , ” said the former California governor Jerry Brown .
“ That ’ s possible.
” Senior party leaders are already grumbling about the prospect of no candidate winning a decisive victory during the primaries and having a brokered convention which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing factions .
That could push some embittered voters to sit out the general election , depending on which figure emerges as the winner .
“ I ’ m concerned about candidates who might not win – their folks just take a pass , ” Democratic strategist Amy Chapman said .
“ We saw in 2016 the damaging outsized , unbelievably detrimental effect the convention had on Hillary ’ s candidacy into the fall , ” said Holdsworth , a former executive director of the New Jersey Democratic party .
“ That has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time around.
” A persistent fear throughout the Democratic primary has been picking a viable nominee .
The 2020 Democratic primary has been full of ideological and policy debates over Medicare for All , immigration , a Green New Deal and whether a veteran or young charismatic leader can beat Trump .
But eclipsing all of that is worries among some party leaders that Democrats will nominate a candidate who can ’ t attract key swing voters .
Centrist Democrats have begun to argue that if Sanders won the nomination , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s campaign has begun sending out fundraising pitches with subject lines like “ Bernie Sanders could be the nominee ” .
It ’ s a view contested by Sanders supporters , who argue that running a centrist candidate failed to beat Trump in 2016 and that the eventual nominee ’ s campaign needs an energized base to beat the president ’ s fervent fans .
As Sanders has risen to the front of the field in Iowa and New Hampshire , Democrats have begun worrying no more moderate candidate could beat him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absolute most right now is Bernie being the nominee , ” a veteran Democratic strategist with ties to multiple candidates said .
Healthcare has been a major flashpoint within the Democratic primary .
At the beginning of 2020 it seemed like any candidate who didn ’ t support Medicare for All wouldn ’ t last more than a week .
Now , though , some lead candidates have argued that the proposal would alienate some crucial general election voters .
It remains a contentious policy topic for Democrats .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say , ‘ I don ’ t support that plan but at least Democrats are trying to think big thoughts about how to fix the problem.
’ And in reality the system will probably make it a more moderate program in the end , ” said Marie Harf , the executive director of the Serve America political action committee .
Harf added : “ I do think the Medicare for All option is not as palatable to some voters in the general.
” The veteran Democratic strategist pointed to questions about where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All .
“ I think Warren ’ s a problem .
I think any candidate who would lose the healthcare debate to Trump is a problem .
I think her stance is a problem .
I think a lot of what ’ s ailing her is correctable .
I think it ’ s not correctable with Bernie and he has no desire to correct it.
” Guy Cecil , the chairman of the Priorities USA Super Pac , said skeptics of Medicare for All worry that it will take longer and more resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think the proponents see it as an opportunity for cost as well .
There ’ s a recognition that given how close the Senate will be , the chances of passing Medicare for All are almost nonexistent without a significant political sea change or some huge surprise in the United States Senate , ” Cecil said .
“ So the concern is that you ’ re risking with a lot of voters needing to explain why they ’ re taking away your private insurance .
Now you can win that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources , a lot of focus.
” Priorities has been preparing ad campaigns and other work in case either the Democratic nominee supports Medicare for All or a different healthcare plan .
Still , more moderate Democrats remain skeptical of their options in the centrist lane of the party who advocate for less radical healthcare change .
Buttigieg is too young and inexperienced , said the top adviser to a former 2020 candidate .
“ I do not believe he can win a general election .
One , he ’ s 37 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three , I think , ” the adviser said , adding , “ If by Super Tuesday I see that things aren ’ t moving towards Biden I will be deeply concerned .
”

Donald Trump has a huge campaign war chest and a vast, aggressive digital operation. And the US economy has shown stubborn resilience throughout the president’s three years in office, keeping unemployment levels low and stock markets high.
But as they seek to oust Trump in 2020’s election what most worries many top Democrats is what’s shaping up in their own party: an extended Democratic primary resulting in a fractured party struggling to rally around the eventual nominee.
That’s the overall sentiment of Democrats based on interviews with over a dozen senior party figures – including ex-mayors and former governors – and top strategists during a chaotic month in the Democratic primary leading up to the Iowa caucuses.
Recent polling has shown the progressive senator Bernie Sanders surging in Iowa, to the chagrin of centrist Democratic leaders who hoped a candidate like former vice-president Joe Biden or even the young and charismatic former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg might score an early win.
Even though the field has now shrunk from two dozen candidates, Democrats are increasingly expecting a drawn-out primary with deep-pocketed frontrunners bashing each other and long-shot candidates refusing to drop out, further splintering the vote and leaving scars that will last in the general election.
“I think this is going to be a longer, more protracted primary fight and we’re going to have certainly weeks, if not months where we’ll be doing our primary and we won’t be talking to swing voters in, say, Tampa Bay,” warned Florida-based Democratic strategist Scott Arceneaux.
Senator Elizabeth Warren during a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on 26 January. Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP
Despite this strategists and veteran lawmakers from across the political spectrum of the Democratic party expressed strong confidence that there is still an opening to oust Trump from office.
“I’m still very bullish on 2020. I think Trump’s going to have a very difficult time winning re-election,” said the former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe.
But no one is taking victory for granted. The almost universal sentiment shared by those the Guardian spoke to is that Democrats could also be in the process of shooting themselves in the foot.
“The most important thing for people reading to come away with is that we can lose this election,” said a top adviser for a former 2020 Democratic candidate.
Money money money!
There’s plenty of reason for Democrats to worry about money. Donald Trump has raised over $100m already with effectively no real opposition within the Republican primary.
“I think someone who’s not worried about the money is crazy. Trump’s sitting on $100m right now and we’re nowhere close to having a nominee and they will be able to raise money but we’re still so fractured,” said Democratic consultant Brandon Hall. “That worries me. I mean I don’t know how that doesn’t worry everybody, that we’re always going to be playing catchup on the money.”
Donald Trump speaks at a meeting of the Economic Club of New York in November 2019 during a multi-day visit to New York to attend private fundraisers in the city. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA
But others argue the question isn’t whether Democrats will be able to raise money competitively, it’s when they’ll be able to raise that money. After an exhausting primary, Trump will be able to just dump money against the newly minted nominee, warned the former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. That nominee will have to immediately start fundraising again to catch up to the war chest Trump had been hoarding away.
“I don’t think it’s going to be hard to raise all the money you need but that early advantage is not inconsequential given that this is coming down to a few voters in a few states,” Emanuel said.
Trump’s digital operation
A staple of the Trump re-election campaign has been its large digital operation. A Guardian analysis found that Trump’s re-election campaign has already spent $20m on more than 218,000 Facebook ads. And Democrats have noticed.
“On the digital side Trump’s digital operation is two things: smart and dangerous,” said Democratic strategist Jennifer Holdsworth. “It’s both. So I think that we are playing checkers and they’re playing chess in that particular lane of strategy and it’s something we are not going to wake up to until we’ve gotten past the primary and they are miles ahead in terms of messaging and we’re going to have to catch up.
That’s why, Holdsworth continued, Democrats needed to quickly rally around the eventually nominee “either before or immediately after the convention or we’re never going to catch up”.
Incumbency and what history tells us: Trump is strong
By the traditional metrics on which an incumbent’s re-election chances are usually judged, Trump should be viewed as unbeatable. Unemployment remains low. During the Trump administration US special forces killed the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Democrats control only one chamber of Congress. And Trump’s approval rating within the Republican party remains sky high.
But Trump is a divisive figure, to put it mildly. Democrats point to their gains in suburban districts across the country and flipping seven governor’s mansions in the 2018 midterm elections. They see that as a herald of Democratic competitiveness in Republican-leaning parts of the country. Democratic strategists hope fatigue from seemingly daily national crises will see reluctant moderates and swing voters vote Trump out of office.
Democratic strategists hope fatigue from seemingly daily national crises will see reluctant moderates and swing voters vote Trump out of office. Photograph: UPI/Barcroft Media
Emanuel said the deciding issues will be the key aspects of the economy versus a set of issues Democrats have run and won on in recent years.
“He’s got three and a half per cent unemployment. Three per cent real wage growth. And three per cent real home value growth,” Emanuel said. “And our threes are the three Hs: healthcare, higher education, housing. Meaning we’re going to emphasize the challenges, crises in those three areas.”
Trump will argue “everything’s copacetic,” Emanuel added. “And it’s really those three economics against each other.”
The Democratic primary: no end in sight
The most persistent source of Democratic handwringing is a traditional aspect of any presidential cycle: the months-long primary where fellow candidates turn on each other. After months of relatively respectful campaigning, the knives are finally coming out just before the first vote in Iowa next week.
“Trump has had an incredible advantage as the incumbent and has been effectively running a general election campaign online and off since he was inaugurated and so the sooner we have a nominee that we can consolidate resources and momentum and energy around, the sooner his advantage will diminish in the race,” said Tara McGowan, co-founder of the progressive political not-for-profit group Acronym.
After months of relatively respectful campaigning, the knives are finally coming out just before the first vote in Iowa next week. Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA
Former vice-president Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders have been trading blows over social security and electability. Buttigieg has unsubtly been contrasting his youth and novelty with the competitors who have been in politics for years. In one of the most heated exchanges the detente between Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren morphed into a red-hot rivalry when Warren said that during a closed-door meeting Sanders had told her a woman could not win the 2020 election.
Running out of money – and a brokered convention?
All four top-tier candidates have deep war chests, allowing them to continue campaigning – and fighting each other – far into 2020.
“The thing that I would be most concerned about would be is if we don’t lock down this nomination and we allow it to go on all the way to the convention,” McAuliffe said. “That would make it more problematic. We’ve got to build a field operation in all of these states and get them staffed and up and running.”
Democrats worry a long, bloody primary could advantage Trump. It could also drain Democrats’ resources.
Democrats worry a long bloody primary could advantage Trump. It could also drain Democrats’ resources
“The exhaustion, not that Trump has too much money but that the Democrats have spent all of theirs,” said the former California governor Jerry Brown. “That’s possible.”
Senior party leaders are already grumbling about the prospect of no candidate winning a decisive victory during the primaries and having a brokered convention which has to elect a nominee from its competing factions. That could push some embittered voters to sit out the general election, depending on which figure emerges as the winner.
“I’m concerned about candidates who might not win – their folks just take a pass,” Democratic strategist Amy Chapman said.
“We saw in 2016 the damaging outsized, unbelievably detrimental effect the convention had on Hillary’s candidacy into the fall,” said Holdsworth, a former executive director of the New Jersey Democratic party. “That has the potential to be just exacerbated this time around.”
Appealing to swing voters
A persistent fear throughout the Democratic primary has been picking a viable nominee. The 2020 Democratic primary has been full of ideological and policy debates over Medicare for All, immigration, a Green New Deal and whether a veteran or young charismatic leader can beat Trump.
But eclipsing all of that is worries among some party leaders that Democrats will nominate a candidate who can’t attract key swing voters. Centrist Democrats have begun to argue that if Sanders won the nomination, it would doom Democrats chances. Recently, Buttigieg’s campaign has begun sending out fundraising pitches with subject lines like “Bernie Sanders could be the nominee”.
Recently, Pete Buttigieg’s campaign has begun sending out fundraising pitches with subject lines like ‘Bernie Sanders could be the nominee’. Photograph: Gary He/EPA
It’s a view contested by Sanders supporters, who argue that running a centrist candidate failed to beat Trump in 2016 and that the eventual nominee’s campaign needs an energized base to beat the president’s fervent fans.
As Sanders has risen to the front of the field in Iowa and New Hampshire, Democrats have begun worrying no more moderate candidate could beat him.
“The thing that concerns me the absolute most right now is Bernie being the nominee,” a veteran Democratic strategist with ties to multiple candidates said.
Health concerns
Healthcare has been a major flashpoint within the Democratic primary. At the beginning of 2020 it seemed like any candidate who didn’t support Medicare for All wouldn’t last more than a week. Now, though, some lead candidates have argued that the proposal would alienate some crucial general election voters. It remains a contentious policy topic for Democrats.
“I think some voters look at Medicare for All and say, ‘I don’t support that plan but at least Democrats are trying to think big thoughts about how to fix the problem.’ And in reality the system will probably make it a more moderate program in the end,” said Marie Harf, the executive director of the Serve America political action committee. Harf added: “I do think the Medicare for All option is not as palatable to some voters in the general.”
Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally Sunday in Sioux City, Iowa, on 26 January. Photograph: John Locher/AP
The veteran Democratic strategist pointed to questions about where Warren stands on healthcare and Medicare for All. “I think Warren’s a problem. I think any candidate who would lose the healthcare debate to Trump is a problem. I think her stance is a problem. I think a lot of what’s ailing her is correctable. I think it’s not correctable with Bernie and he has no desire to correct it.”
Guy Cecil, the chairman of the Priorities USA Super Pac, said skeptics of Medicare for All worry that it will take longer and more resources to win them over with the plan.
“I think the proponents see it as an opportunity for cost as well. There’s a recognition that given how close the Senate will be, the chances of passing Medicare for All are almost nonexistent without a significant political sea change or some huge surprise in the United States Senate,” Cecil said.
“So the concern is that you’re risking with a lot of voters needing to explain why they’re taking away your private insurance. Now you can win that argument but it takes a lot of resources, a lot of focus.”
Priorities has been preparing ad campaigns and other work in case either the Democratic nominee supports Medicare for All or a different healthcare plan.
Still, more moderate Democrats remain skeptical of their options in the centrist lane of the party who advocate for less radical healthcare change. Buttigieg is too young and inexperienced, said the top adviser to a former 2020 candidate.
“I do not believe he can win a general election. One, he’s 37. Two, he’s a mayor. Three, I think,” the adviser said, adding, “If by Super Tuesday I see that things aren’t moving towards Biden I will be deeply concerned.”


theguardian--2020-01-31--Iowa caucuses: Pete Buttigieg's closing ad focuses on unity and change

Pete Buttigieg ’ s campaign for the Democratic nomination for president is focusing on unity and change in the closing ad it is releasing before the Iowa caucuses on Monday .
The 60-second ad , obtained by The Guardian , was distributed to a set of supporters ahead of its release on Friday .
It features a voiceover by the South Bend mayor combined with clips of his supporters and moments of Buttigieg speaking at different points in the campaign .
“ When this campaign started , we didn ’ t know where it would take us but we knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg says .
“ The old style of politics is broken .
We can ’ t keep doing the same thing and expect different results .
There is hunger for a new kind of politics , defined by belonging , boldness , action.
” The closing ad is a key indicator that even as Buttigieg has begun to take a sharper and more critical approach to his rivals ahead of the caucuses , especially Bernie Sanders and former vice-president Joe Biden , he is still leaning on his original messaging themes of turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old style politics ” .
The ad then features Buttigieg supporters explaining why they support the 38-year-old mayor .
“ I believe in Pete because of what he stands for , ” says a young man .
“ I believe that he can bring us together rather than dividing us , ” says a second Buttigieg supporter , an older man .
“ Pete believes that we should pay teachers like doctors and respect them like soldiers , ” a woman says .
The ad closes out with Buttigieg saying the day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn the page to what comes next ” .
The ad is a shift in tone from some of the comments Buttigieg has been making in Iowa lately .
At a campaign stop in Decorah , Iowa , on Thursday , he accused Biden and Sanders of being too fixated on the past rather than the future .
“ I hear Vice President Biden saying that this is no time to take a risk on someone new , ” Buttigieg said at his first of four stops on Thursday .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump.
” He then turned to Sanders , criticising the senator for promoting “ a kind of politics that says you ’ ve got to go all the way here and nothing else counts ” .
Biden responded on Thursday , telling reporters at a campaign stop that he wasn ’ t sure “ what Pete ’ s is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , who is running on his perceived electability against Trump , had run an ad that implored voters : “ This is no time to take a risk.
” In Ankeny on Thursday night , Buttigieg told hundreds of Iowa voters that Democrats ’ best chance of winning the White House in 2020 was with a candidate who is “ looking to the future ” and can “ open the door to a new generation of leaders ” .

Pete Buttigieg’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for president is focusing on unity and change in the closing ad it is releasing before the Iowa caucuses on Monday.
The 60-second ad, obtained by The Guardian, was distributed to a set of supporters ahead of its release on Friday. It features a voiceover by the South Bend mayor combined with clips of his supporters and moments of Buttigieg speaking at different points in the campaign.
“When this campaign started, we didn’t know where it would take us but we knew where we wanted to go,” Buttigieg says. “The old style of politics is broken. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. There is hunger for a new kind of politics, defined by belonging, boldness, action.”
The closing ad is a key indicator that even as Buttigieg has begun to take a sharper and more critical approach to his rivals ahead of the caucuses, especially Bernie Sanders and former vice-president Joe Biden, he is still leaning on his original messaging themes of turning the chapter and giving up on “old style politics”.
The ad then features Buttigieg supporters explaining why they support the 38-year-old mayor.
“I believe in Pete because of what he stands for,” says a young man.
“I believe that he can bring us together rather than dividing us,” says a second Buttigieg supporter, an older man.
“Pete believes that we should pay teachers like doctors and respect them like soldiers,” a woman says.
The ad closes out with Buttigieg saying the day of the Iowa caucuses “is our shot to turn the page to what comes next”.
The ad is a shift in tone from some of the comments Buttigieg has been making in Iowa lately. At a campaign stop in Decorah, Iowa, on Thursday, he accused Biden and Sanders of being too fixated on the past rather than the future.
“I hear Vice President Biden saying that this is no time to take a risk on someone new,” Buttigieg said at his first of four stops on Thursday. “But history has shown us that the biggest risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump.”
03:13 How the Democrats will decide who fights Trump – video
He then turned to Sanders, criticising the senator for promoting “a kind of politics that says you’ve got to go all the way here and nothing else counts”.
Biden responded on Thursday, telling reporters at a campaign stop that he wasn’t sure “what Pete’s is talking about”. The former vice president, who is running on his perceived electability against Trump, had run an ad that implored voters: “This is no time to take a risk.”
In Ankeny on Thursday night, Buttigieg told hundreds of Iowa voters that Democrats’ best chance of winning the White House in 2020 was with a candidate who is “looking to the future” and can “open the door to a new generation of leaders”.


theguardian--2020-01-31--Democrats bring star power to election with celebrity endorsements

Celebrity endorsements can be a powerful tool to reach voters , even if their impact can be mixed .
But with less than a week to go before the caucuses in Iowa – the crucial first voting state in the race to become the Democratic presidential candidate to take on Donald Trump in the November election – every little boost in support could help .
Here are some of the famous faces who have thrown their support , and in some cases their money , behind their favourite candidates .
The Vermont senator could be considered a celebrity in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate has appeared in viral campaign interviews with famous names including the rappers Cardi B and Killer Mike , as well as the comedian Hasan Minaj .
Cardi B , who backed Sanders when he ran against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016 , has endorsed him again this year – publicly supporting the senator ’ s proposals to eliminate tuition fees for universities and community colleges and to create a universal healthcare system that is free at the point of service .
Endorsements continue to roll in for Sanders ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including from the model Emily Ratajkowski , the actors Chloë Sevigny , John Cusack and Justin Long , Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley and the actor and campaigner Mark Ruffalo .
Sanders has particularly raked in support from prominent female celebrities including the actors Susan Sarandon , the comedian Sarah Silverman and the singer Ariana Grande .
But one woman who won ’ t be joining the Bernie bandwagon is former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton .
She won the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination after a bitter race against Sanders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to persuade his supporters to back her against Trump .
In an upcoming Hulu documentary , Clinton called Sanders a “ career politician ” who “ nobody likes ” .
Stars such as the film-maker Michael Moore and the activist Shaun King – who have both stumped for Sanders – seem to like him , however , as well as Jack Nicholson , Danny Glover and Danny DeVito .
“ It means the world to me to be on Bernie ’ s side because I know that ’ s the right side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his endorsement video for Sanders .
“ He is the man to beat Trump , he ’ s the man to change our whole system.
” Slow and steady might win the race for the Massachusetts senator .
After an initial spike in polling numbers following her summer TV debate performances , the former public school teacher and law professor ’ s climb to the top tier of the 12 remaining Democratic presidential candidates has seen her battle with the former vice-president Joe Biden and Sanders for the lead going into Iowa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive proposals to “ bring structural change ” to the US through a billionaire wealth tax , universal healthcare , canceling student loan debt and breaking up big tech companies has gained traction – and seen the singer John Legend , the actor Scarlett Johansson ( who donated $ 2,800 to Warren ’ s campaign last year ) , and the football superstar Megan Rapinoe join the ranks of her supporters .
“ I ’ m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren today , for being bold , for being real , for listening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for being prepared to navigate the unique challenges we face today as a country , ” Rapinoe tweeted in December .
Add celebrities such as Martin Sheen , Melissa Etheridge , Rosie O ’ Donnell , Chrissy Teigen and Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness , and Warren ’ s lineup of notable names rivals Sanders ’ .
“ We have the fight of our lives on our hands , not just for what we believe in but for the very democracy of this country , ” said the actor and activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa last week .
“ Thank God Elizabeth has a plan for everything.
” Though he is widely considered one of the frontrunners , former vice-president Joe Biden lags behind some opponents in generating a celebrity buzz , though he does count Game of Thrones author George RR Martin , the athlete Michelle Kwan and the actors Rob Reiner and Vivica A Fox among supporters .
Tom Hanks and his wife , actor Rita Wilson , have donated to Biden ’ s presidential campaign , but they haven ’ t formally endorsed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not become president of the United States , drop a rock on their foot , because they ’ re wrong , ” he told reporters before last year ’ s Kennedy Center Honors in Washington .
Biden has also attracted the support of Michael Avenatti , although he may not want it .
The infamous lawyer behind a lawsuit over a hush-money payment to mask Trump ’ s affair with porn star Stormy Daniels is facing his own legal fight over allegations of extortion and tax fraud .
Buttigieg ’ s list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his supporters , who are predominantly white .
The Afghanistan veteran and former South Bend mayor , who is aiming to become America ’ s first openly gay president , does have the support of big-name actors however , including comedian Seth MacFarlane and Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow ( who hosted a fundraiser for him at her California home ) and Kevin Costner .
Others famous figures include the actors Emmy Rossum , Alan Cumming , Sharon Stone and George Takei .
While prominent , these Hollywood favorites may not help the 38-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting blocs that are essential to winning the Democratic presidential nomination .
Perhaps one of the most surprising candidates pulling in heavy-hitting celebrity endorsements is the entrepreneur and political novice Andrew Yang , who is currently considered to be lagging behind in the field of candidates .
Although he didn ’ t qualify for the January debate with fellow Democratic candidates , Yang ’ s signature policy proposals – universal basic income of monthly $ 1,000 stipends for every American and an investment in youth entrepreneurship – have resonated with the entrepreneur Elon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor and musician Donald Glover and comedian Dave Chappelle .
Other celebrities backing Yang include the actor Nicolas Cage , the comedian Ken Jeong and Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo .
The New York Times endorsed the moderate Minnesota senator ahead of the Iowa caucuses alongside Warren , but her candidacy is increasingly considered a long shot , especially as her final push for voters has been hampered by the impeachment trial against Trump that has kept her , Sanders and Warren quietly seated in the Senate chamber in Washington instead of on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no surprise , then , that her only celebrity endorsements thus far came from the actor Jane Lynch , as well as James L Brooks and Jeffrey Katzenberg .
Klobuchar ’ s most notable past supporter , Teri Hatcher , donated to her early in the campaign but later backed Yang .
Judge Judy , or Judith Sheindlin , thinks former the New York City mayor has just what it takes to lead Democrats in a November “ blue wave ” to take back the White House and Senate .
But she may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale announcement , loads of cash and an apology tour for past racial profiling , the late-game entry for Bloomberg is also considered a long shot .

Celebrity endorsements can be a powerful tool to reach voters, even if their impact can be mixed.
But with less than a week to go before the caucuses in Iowa – the crucial first voting state in the race to become the Democratic presidential candidate to take on Donald Trump in the November election – every little boost in support could help.
Here are some of the famous faces who have thrown their support, and in some cases their money, behind their favourite candidates.
Bernie Sanders
The Vermont senator could be considered a celebrity in his own right. The popular yet polarizing candidate has appeared in viral campaign interviews with famous names including the rappers Cardi B and Killer Mike, as well as the comedian Hasan Minaj. Cardi B, who backed Sanders when he ran against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016, has endorsed him again this year – publicly supporting the senator’s proposals to eliminate tuition fees for universities and community colleges and to create a universal healthcare system that is free at the point of service.
Endorsements continue to roll in for Sanders ahead of the Iowa caucuses next month, including from the model Emily Ratajkowski, the actors Chloë Sevigny, John Cusack and Justin Long, Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley and the actor and campaigner Mark Ruffalo.
Sanders has particularly raked in support from prominent female celebrities including the actors Susan Sarandon, the comedian Sarah Silverman and the singer Ariana Grande.
MY GUY. thank you Senator Sanders for coming to my show, making my whole night and for all that you stand for ! @headcountorg and i are doing our best to make you proud. we’ve already registered 20k+ young voters at my shows alone. also i will never smile this hard again promise. pic.twitter.com/7UYqkXR0g1 — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 20, 2019
But one woman who won’t be joining the Bernie bandwagon is former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. She won the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination after a bitter race against Sanders and felt the Vermont senator did not do enough to persuade his supporters to back her against Trump.
In an upcoming Hulu documentary, Clinton called Sanders a “career politician” who “nobody likes”. Stars such as the film-maker Michael Moore and the activist Shaun King – who have both stumped for Sanders – seem to like him, however, as well as Jack Nicholson, Danny Glover and Danny DeVito.
Danny DeVito and Bernie Sanders at a rally in St Louis, Missouri, on 13 March 2016. The actor recently endorsed the senator for the 2020 election. Photograph: Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images
“It means the world to me to be on Bernie’s side because I know that’s the right side of history,” says DeVito in his endorsement video for Sanders. “He is the man to beat Trump, he’s the man to change our whole system.”
Elizabeth Warren
Slow and steady might win the race for the Massachusetts senator. After an initial spike in polling numbers following her summer TV debate performances, the former public school teacher and law professor’s climb to the top tier of the 12 remaining Democratic presidential candidates has seen her battle with the former vice-president Joe Biden and Sanders for the lead going into Iowa.
Still, support for Warren’s progressive proposals to “bring structural change” to the US through a billionaire wealth tax, universal healthcare, canceling student loan debt and breaking up big tech companies has gained traction – and seen the singer John Legend, the actor Scarlett Johansson (who donated $2,800 to Warren’s campaign last year), and the football superstar Megan Rapinoe join the ranks of her supporters.
“I’m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren today, for being bold, for being real, for listening to [all] of us, and for being prepared to navigate the unique challenges we face today as a country,” Rapinoe tweeted in December.
Add celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Melissa Etheridge, Rosie O’Donnell, Chrissy Teigen and Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness, and Warren’s lineup of notable names rivals Sanders’.
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“We have the fight of our lives on our hands, not just for what we believe in but for the very democracy of this country,” said the actor and activist Ashley Judd, stumping for Warren in Iowa last week. “Thank God Elizabeth has a plan for everything.”
Joe Biden
Though he is widely considered one of the frontrunners, former vice-president Joe Biden lags behind some opponents in generating a celebrity buzz, though he does count Game of Thrones author George RR Martin, the athlete Michelle Kwan and the actors Rob Reiner and Vivica A Fox among supporters.
Tom Hanks and his wife, actor Rita Wilson, have donated to Biden’s presidential campaign, but they haven’t formally endorsed him.
“If anybody says so-and-so cannot become president of the United States, drop a rock on their foot, because they’re wrong,” he told reporters before last year’s Kennedy Center Honors in Washington.
Biden has also attracted the support of Michael Avenatti, although he may not want it. The infamous lawyer behind a lawsuit over a hush-money payment to mask Trump’s affair with porn star Stormy Daniels is facing his own legal fight over allegations of extortion and tax fraud.
Pete Buttigieg
Buttigieg’s list of notable endorsements is about as diverse as his supporters, who are predominantly white. The Afghanistan veteran and former South Bend mayor, who is aiming to become America’s first openly gay president, does have the support of big-name actors however, including comedian Seth MacFarlane and Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow (who hosted a fundraiser for him at her California home) and Kevin Costner. Others famous figures include the actors Emmy Rossum, Alan Cumming, Sharon Stone and George Takei.
While prominent, these Hollywood favorites may not help the 38-year-old millennial contender in appealing to the diverse voting blocs that are essential to winning the Democratic presidential nomination.
Andrew Yang
Perhaps one of the most surprising candidates pulling in heavy-hitting celebrity endorsements is the entrepreneur and political novice Andrew Yang, who is currently considered to be lagging behind in the field of candidates.
Although he didn’t qualify for the January debate with fellow Democratic candidates, Yang’s signature policy proposals – universal basic income of monthly $1,000 stipends for every American and an investment in youth entrepreneurship – have resonated with the entrepreneur Elon Musk, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, actor and musician Donald Glover and comedian Dave Chappelle.
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Other celebrities backing Yang include the actor Nicolas Cage, the comedian Ken Jeong and Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo.
Amy Klobuchar
The New York Times endorsed the moderate Minnesota senator ahead of the Iowa caucuses alongside Warren, but her candidacy is increasingly considered a long shot, especially as her final push for voters has been hampered by the impeachment trial against Trump that has kept her, Sanders and Warren quietly seated in the Senate chamber in Washington instead of on the campaign trail.
It may come as no surprise, then, that her only celebrity endorsements thus far came from the actor Jane Lynch, as well as James L Brooks and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Klobuchar’s most notable past supporter, Teri Hatcher, donated to her early in the campaign but later backed Yang.
Mike Bloomberg
Judge Judy, or Judith Sheindlin, thinks former the New York City mayor has just what it takes to lead Democrats in a November “blue wave” to take back the White House and Senate. But she may be the only one.
Despite a large-scale announcement, loads of cash and an apology tour for past racial profiling, the late-game entry for Bloomberg is also considered a long shot.


theguardian--2020-01-31--Trump impeachment trial: potential swing senator says he will not support witnesses – as it happened

“ There is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the U.S. Constitution ’ s high bar for an impeachable offense , ” Alexander said in a statement .
The Tennessee Republican added : “ It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation.
” “ But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year ’ s ballot simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ‘ no ’ vote means it ’ s highly unlikely that the Senate would hear additional testimony .
Donald Trump could be acquitted as soon as tomorrow .
Republican senators Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have indicated that they ’ d like to hear from witnesses .
But even if Lisa Murkowski , the remaining undecided Republican senator from Alaska , joins them , the senators will likely end up with a tie .
Although there is precedent for the Chief Justice to break such a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hands-off approach in the trial so far , is unlikely to interfere .

Maanvi Singh in San Francisco (now), Joan E Greve in Washington and Paul Owen (earlier)

31 Jan 2020 04.57 GMT Summary The Q&A portion of the Senate impeachment trial concluded, with House Democrats making the case to hear witness testimony and Trump’s legal team arguing for a swift acquittal.
concluded, with House Democrats making the case to hear witness testimony and Trump’s legal team arguing for a swift acquittal. Senator Lamar Alexander — who was considered a swing Republican — announced he intends to vote ‘no’ on witnesses. Republicans Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said they’ll vote in favor of considering additional witnesses, and Lisa Murkowski is undecided.
— who was considered a swing Republican — announced he intends to vote ‘no’ on witnesses. Republicans and said they’ll vote in favor of considering additional witnesses, and is undecided. Despite a couple of defectors, it seems the Republicans have lined up the votes to block additional testimony and evidence, and are headed for acquittal.
have lined up the votes to block additional testimony and evidence, and are headed for acquittal. As Senators considered his fate, Donald Trump raged against what he characterized as a “deranged witch hunt hoax” at a campaign rally in Iowa.
raged against what he characterized as a “deranged witch hunt hoax” at a campaign rally in Iowa. The trial will reconvene at 1pm ET tomorrow. Verge of acquittal: takeaways from day nine of the impeachment trial Read more
Updated at 05.22 GMT
31 Jan 2020 04.38 GMT Even if he’s not called to testify before the senate John Bolton could take matters into his own hands, and present his account in a public interview. He’s unlikely to do so — but at an event earlier today, the former national security adviser praised officials who did testify, even as he hesitated. Speaking at a private event in Texas, Bolton reportedly praised officials who testified in the House impeachment investigation. Fiona Hill, Tim Morrison, Alex Vindman, Bill Taylor, and Marie Yovanovitch “acted in the best interest of the country as they saw it and consistent to what they thought our policies were,” Bolton said, according to KXAN Austin.
31 Jan 2020 04.05 GMT Senator Lamar Alexander — who was considered a key swing vote — decides ‘no’ on witnesses Lamar Alexander as he passes by reporters during a trial recess. Photograph: Samuel Corum/Getty Images “There is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the U.S. Constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offense,” Alexander said in a statement. The Tennessee Republican added: “It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation.” “But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year’s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate.” Alexander’s ‘no’ vote means it’s highly unlikely that the Senate would hear additional testimony. Donald Trump could be acquitted as soon as tomorrow. Republican senators Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have indicated that they’d like to hear from witnesses. But even if Lisa Murkowski, the remaining undecided Republican senator from Alaska, joins them, the senators will likely end up with a tie. Although there is precedent for the Chief Justice to break such a time, John Roberts, who has taken a hands-off approach in the trial so far, is unlikely to interfere.
Updated at 04.42 GMT
31 Jan 2020 04.01 GMT Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican of Maine has issued a statement saying she will “vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed” I will vote in support of the motion to allow witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed. My full statement: https://t.co/VuhZv6CO5e pic.twitter.com/LhQlnvPaoc — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 31, 2020
31 Jan 2020 03.55 GMT Lisa Murkowski, the Republican senator from Alaska who could be a swing vote on the question of witnesses, has said she’s going to “reflect” and decide whether she needs to “hear more”. Murkowski: "I am going to go reflect on what I have heard, re-read my notes and decide whether I need to hear more." — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 31, 2020 Senator Susan Collins, a Republican of Maine, said she’s decided to vote for witnesses. And Lamar Alexander, a Republican senator from Tennessee, is expected to announce his position on witnesses shortly.
31 Jan 2020 03.44 GMT Trial adjourns for the night The Senate trial has adjourned for the day. Responding to a last question, walked up to the Chief Justice personally by Senator Amy Klobuchar, House manager Jerrold Nadler made one last plea to Senators to call witnesses. The president’s lawyers know that witness testimony “will only strengthen the case” against the president, Nadler said. “The truth can be bolstered,” Nadler said.
31 Jan 2020 03.16 GMT GOP Senators suggest Bolton's testimony 'would add nothing to this case' A view of the Capitol as the trial winds down for the day. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/AP Republican Senators Graham, Cruz, Portman, Alexander, Toomey, Sullivan and Murkowski (who is still undecided on witnesses) asked the Trump legal team: “Isn’t it true that the allegations would still not rise to the level of an impeachable offense and would add nothing to this case” even if Bolton were to testify. Although Trump’s lawyers have been distancing themselves from Alan Dershowitz’s earlier argument that nothing short of a criminal act is impeachable, White House counsel Patrick Philbin more or less agreed — regardless of what Bolton says, Trump shouldn’t be impeached. “Even if Ambassador Bolton would testify to that, even if you assumed it were true, there is no impeachable offense stated in the articles of impeachment,” he said. House manager Adam Schiff, responding at the request of Democratic senators, said “I don’t think there’s really much question” about what Bolton would say. There’s also little question over what Donald Trump has done wrong, Schiff added. What the president’s defense is saying, Schiff said, is that “the president of the United States can withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in aid that we appropriated, can do so in violation of the law, can do so to coerce an ally in order to help him cheat in an election” but “too bad, there’s nothing you can do”. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s cosign on the leading question from Republican senators may be a sign that despite some vacillation, she’ll ultimately vote against hearing witness testimony.
Updated at 03.37 GMT
31 Jan 2020 02.51 GMT The state department has advised against all travel to China due to coronavirus outbreak A doctor checks CT images of a patient at a hospital in Wuhan, China. Photograph: Yuan Zheng/EPA “Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus,” the state department advised. Follow the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, which the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency. Coronavirus live updates: Britons evacuated as US says 'do not travel to China' – latest news Read more
Updated at 03.04 GMT
31 Jan 2020 02.45 GMT Schiff says the White House Counsel saying ‘if their case is so good, let them try it without witnesses,’ is not a valid argument: “That wouldn’t fly before any judge in America and it shouldn’t fly here either” https://t.co/kfaqEJJajc pic.twitter.com/4kaDXyD4o2 — CBS News (@CBSNews) January 31, 2020 With the trial back in session, House manager Adam Schiff said that the Trump team’s justification for not calling witnesses makes no sense.
The argument that “‘if their case is so good, let them try it without witnesses,’ is not a valid argument,” Schiff said. “That wouldn’t fly before any judge in America and it shouldn’t fly here either.” The Trump administration made clear that it wouldn’t cooperate with Congress’ impeachment investigation, Schiff said — making a case for the Senate to get the evidence the House wasn’t able to.
Updated at 02.46 GMT
31 Jan 2020 02.09 GMT Donald Trump: 'We’re having probably the best years we’ve ever had' Trump: Democrats are "obsessed with a deranged witch hunt hoax. We're having probably the best years we've ever had in the history of our country. And I just got impeached!" — David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) January 31, 2020 Impeachment was one of the things on the president’s mind as he addressed the crowd at his campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa. Democrats are “obsessed with a deranged witch hunt hoax” he said. “We’re having probably the best years we’ve ever had in the history of our country. And I just got impeached!” Trump derided “Crazy Schiff” and “Shifty Schiff” before reassuring the crowd that his poll numbers were up and Republicans would retake the House in November. President Trump: "You know we're having probably the best years that we've ever had in history of our country and I just got impeached!"
Also: "It's a happy period, because we call this Impeachment Lite." pic.twitter.com/sCKAp59rY3 — CSPAN (@cspan) January 31, 2020 He shared a number of his other grievances against the Democrats, including their environmental policies which he said would “kill our cows”. “That means you’re next,” he told his Iowan supporters. He also said that “through a remittance, illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall,” without offering any other information about what that means or how it would work. “You’d better let me win!” he yelled out to the crowd.
Updated at 03.22 GMT


theguardian--2020-01-31--Verge of acquittal: takeaways from day nine of the impeachment trial

The ninth full day of Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial in the US Senate has concluded .
Here are five key takeaways : Trump on verge of acquittal as witnesses question fades With one potentially swing Republican vote , Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , announcing on Thursday night that he would vote against hearing from witnesses at the trial , the math looked bad for Democrats hoping to gather more evidence in the trial .
Trump could be acquitted as early as Friday evening .
Two Republican senators , Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third moderate Republican , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , said she would sleep on it .
But the best Democrats could hope for was a 50-50 tie in the push for witnesses , which would then probably fail .
Chief Justice John Roberts , who is presiding at the trial , could be approaching an uncomfortable moment where he must make a decision about whether to break a tie on the witnesses vote .
If the vote is 50-50 , Roberts could add his vote – or allow the tie to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail .
It was more likely , perhaps , that the witnesses question would fail outright .
But even if Roberts escapes having to make the big call , he did get involved on a lower level at two moments during the trial on Thursday .
Early in the day , the Kentucky senator Rand Paul submitted a question naming the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry .
Roberts rejected the question , saying : “ The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted.
” Later , Roberts gently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific counsel .
In a late-stage gambit for witnesses , the House manager Adam Schiff offered to restrict witness depositions to a time window of one week , after the model of the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton , when three witnesses were deposed on video outside the Senate chamber .
“ Let ’ s use the Clinton model , ” Schiff said .
“ Let ’ s take a week .
Let ’ s take a week to have a fair trial.
” The offer was not met with any enthusiasm on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Indiana said the majority was hoping for an acquittal by Friday night : “ That ’ s where all the momentum is right now.
” Schiff , the lead prosecutor in the case , warned that the Republicans ’ unified determination to protect Trump instead of collecting evidence was paving the way toward a presidency unbound by congressional oversight or any other checks and balances .
“ What we have seen in the past few days is a descent into constitutional madness , because that way madness lies , ” Schiff said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet half as long as Bill Clinton ’ s 1999 trial , Republican senators called it a waste of Senate time and warned that calling witnesses would stretch the proceedings out indefinitely .
Legal scholars and other observers expressed alarm at the prospect that the Senate would drop the case so soon , given what they described as historic stakes :

The ninth full day of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate has concluded. Here are five key takeaways:
Trump on verge of acquittal as witnesses question fades
With one potentially swing Republican vote, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, announcing on Thursday night that he would vote against hearing from witnesses at the trial, the math looked bad for Democrats hoping to gather more evidence in the trial.
Trump could be acquitted as early as Friday evening. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah, indicated they would support witnesses, and a third moderate Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, said she would sleep on it.
But the best Democrats could hope for was a 50-50 tie in the push for witnesses, which would then probably fail.
Question from @lisamurkowski: This dispute about material facts weighs in favor of calling additional witnesses with direct knowledge. Why should this body not call Amb. Bolton? pic.twitter.com/xiXrs7uLQP — Stand Up America (@StandUpAmerica) January 31, 2020
Roberts’ role in flux
Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding at the trial, could be approaching an uncomfortable moment where he must make a decision about whether to break a tie on the witnesses vote. If the vote is 50-50, Roberts could add his vote – or allow the tie to hold, in which case the motion would fail.
It was more likely, perhaps, that the witnesses question would fail outright. But even if Roberts escapes having to make the big call, he did get involved on a lower level at two moments during the trial on Thursday.
Early in the day, the Kentucky senator Rand Paul submitted a question naming the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry. Roberts rejected the question, saying: “The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted.”
Later, Roberts gently advised senators not to address questions to specific counsel.
Schiff’s offer: one week for witnesses
In a late-stage gambit for witnesses, the House manager Adam Schiff offered to restrict witness depositions to a time window of one week, after the model of the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton, when three witnesses were deposed on video outside the Senate chamber.
“Let’s use the Clinton model,” Schiff said. “Let’s take a week. Let’s take a week to have a fair trial.”
The offer was not met with any enthusiasm on the Republican side. Senator Mike Braun of Indiana said the majority was hoping for an acquittal by Friday night: “That’s where all the momentum is right now.”
‘That way madness lies’
Schiff, the lead prosecutor in the case, warned that the Republicans’ unified determination to protect Trump instead of collecting evidence was paving the way toward a presidency unbound by congressional oversight or any other checks and balances.
“What we have seen in the past few days is a descent into constitutional madness, because that way madness lies,” Schiff said.
Rep. Adam Schiff criticized the expansive defense of presidential power offered by Trump’s #impeachment lawyers, saying the only reason for the argument is because they know their client is guilty pic.twitter.com/s9SkDzaLJs — Reuters (@Reuters) January 31, 2020
‘The constitutional danger of this moment’
While the impeachment trial is not yet half as long as Bill Clinton’s 1999 trial, Republican senators called it a waste of Senate time and warned that calling witnesses would stretch the proceedings out indefinitely.
Legal scholars and other observers expressed alarm at the prospect that the Senate would drop the case so soon, given what they described as historic stakes:
I don't think people fully grasp the constitutional danger of this moment. If the Senate were to refuse to call relevant witnesses with direct testimony of grave presidential wrongdoing then we can no longer understand impeachment to be a genuine check on executive overreach. — Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) January 30, 2020


theguardian--2020-01-31--The impeachment trial is a reminder: our democracy is fragile. Black Americans know that best | Rev

The impeachment trial is a reminder: our democracy is fragile. Black Americans know that best | Rev William Barber

On Wednesday last week , before the House managers began their opening statement in the impeachment trial of Donald J Trump , the Senate majority leader , Mitch McConnell , stood by his desk on the Senate floor and conferred at length with the White House counsel , Pat Cipollone .
When the Senate minority leader , Chuck Schumer , noticed their excited gestures from across the aisle , he cupped a hand to his ear and made a show of trying to listen in .
Members of the media who were confined to the press gallery took note and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Senate Republicans was all but assured , and McConnell felt no need to pretend impartiality .
But the corruption that is regularly laughed off in our age of political cynicism makes me shudder – not least as the son of civil rights activists who risked their lives to expand American democracy in the 20th century .
The coordinated cover-up we are witnessing as 53 senators conspire to facilitate Trump ’ s obstruction of Congress is deeply troubling to anyone who knows the long history of southern courthouses where district attorneys openly coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover up acts of racial terror .
With patience and decorum , Mitch McConnell has brought southern justice to the US Senate .
In 1955 , when racial terror surged in response to the supreme court ’ s Brown decision , the white men who brutally murdered Emmett Till were acquitted by an all-white jury .
The prosecutor , the judge and local media worked in tandem to cover up the truth , then the perpetrators – protected by the legal tenet of double jeopardy – sold a version of their story to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the summer of 1964 , when three civil rights workers disappeared while investigating a church burning in Philadelphia , Mississippi , local authorities told the FBI their investigation had found nothing .
Because hundreds of college students from the nation ’ s elite universities had turned the nation ’ s attention on Mississippi that Freedom Summer , the FBI could not simply move on .
They spent the entire summer combing the area for more evidence .
In the end they found a literal cover-up : Andrew Goodman , Micky Schwerner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a local dam as part of a conspiracy that included the Ku Klux Klan , the Philadelphia police department and the Neshoba county sheriff ’ s office .
In two months of investigations to expose one cover-up , federal authorities found the remains of eight other African Americans .
We who are heirs of America ’ s civil rights struggle know how fragile and hard-won our multi-ethnic democracy is .
For generations after the end of Reconstruction , anyone who dared to believe that the 13th , 14th and 15th amendments guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to terrorism by local law enforcement .
If a crime was committed to rig the next election , it was covered up .
This was the everyday practice of southern justice under Jim Crow .
People like John Lewis , who voted as a member of the House to impeach Donald Trump for seeking foreign help to rig the 2020 election , went to jail and faced beatings in the 1960s to ensure free and fair elections .
Half a century later , we have fewer voting rights protections in America than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voting Rights Act was signed into law .
As the majority leader in the Senate , Mitch McConnell covered up the voter suppression efforts that guaranteed him a Senate majority long before he was called upon to cover up Donald Trump ’ s efforts to rig the next election .
Americans remember from the Nixon impeachment that the cover-up is evidence of the crime .
But it is more than that .
Time and again , the civil rights movement has learned that the cost of the cover-up is democracy itself .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that power to influence elections and suppress the electoral power of those who would challenge them , we do not have a representative democracy .
We have southern justice covering for minority rule .
But if we who have been denied full citizenship in this nation know the cost of a cover-up , we also know the power of moral movements to tap a greater power and push America toward a more perfect union .
Slaveholders invested everything they had to cover up the crimes of human bondage .
Jim Crow did everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of separate but equal .
And for a long time , it looked like they had all the votes .
But movements of people committed to the truth did not give up .
They kept believing and building on the conviction that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice .
And they uncovered the lies that crippled democracy in their day .
Our present moral crisis demands nothing less of us .
• None William J Barber II is co-chair of the Poor People ’ s Campaign : A National Call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor people and their allies for a mass assembly and march on Washington in June 2020

On Wednesday last week, before the House managers began their opening statement in the impeachment trial of Donald J Trump, the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, stood by his desk on the Senate floor and conferred at length with the White House counsel, Pat Cipollone. When the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, noticed their excited gestures from across the aisle, he cupped a hand to his ear and made a show of trying to listen in. Members of the media who were confined to the press gallery took note and chuckled. The acquittal Trump has demanded of Senate Republicans was all but assured, and McConnell felt no need to pretend impartiality.
But the corruption that is regularly laughed off in our age of political cynicism makes me shudder – not least as the son of civil rights activists who risked their lives to expand American democracy in the 20th century. The coordinated cover-up we are witnessing as 53 senators conspire to facilitate Trump’s obstruction of Congress is deeply troubling to anyone who knows the long history of southern courthouses where district attorneys openly coordinated with all-white juries and corrupt judges to cover up acts of racial terror. With patience and decorum, Mitch McConnell has brought southern justice to the US Senate.
In 1955, when racial terror surged in response to the supreme court’s Brown decision, the white men who brutally murdered Emmett Till were acquitted by an all-white jury. The prosecutor, the judge and local media worked in tandem to cover up the truth, then the perpetrators – protected by the legal tenet of double jeopardy – sold a version of their story to Look magazine that essentially admitted guilt.
In the summer of 1964, when three civil rights workers disappeared while investigating a church burning in Philadelphia, Mississippi, local authorities told the FBI their investigation had found nothing. Because hundreds of college students from the nation’s elite universities had turned the nation’s attention on Mississippi that Freedom Summer, the FBI could not simply move on. They spent the entire summer combing the area for more evidence. In the end they found a literal cover-up: Andrew Goodman, Micky Schwerner and James Chaney had been murdered and buried in a local dam as part of a conspiracy that included the Ku Klux Klan, the Philadelphia police department and the Neshoba county sheriff’s office. In two months of investigations to expose one cover-up, federal authorities found the remains of eight other African Americans.
Half a century later, we have fewer voting rights protections in America than we did in 1965 when the Voting Rights Act was signed into law
We who are heirs of America’s civil rights struggle know how fragile and hard-won our multi-ethnic democracy is. For generations after the end of Reconstruction, anyone who dared to believe that the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments guaranteed them the rights of full citizenship were subject to terrorism by local law enforcement. If a crime was committed to rig the next election, it was covered up. This was the everyday practice of southern justice under Jim Crow.
People like John Lewis, who voted as a member of the House to impeach Donald Trump for seeking foreign help to rig the 2020 election, went to jail and faced beatings in the 1960s to ensure free and fair elections. Half a century later, we have fewer voting rights protections in America than we did in 1965, when the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. As the majority leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell covered up the voter suppression efforts that guaranteed him a Senate majority long before he was called upon to cover up Donald Trump’s efforts to rig the next election.
Americans remember from the Nixon impeachment that the cover-up is evidence of the crime. But it is more than that. Time and again, the civil rights movement has learned that the cost of the cover-up is democracy itself. When the people who have power can abuse that power to influence elections and suppress the electoral power of those who would challenge them, we do not have a representative democracy. We have southern justice covering for minority rule.
But if we who have been denied full citizenship in this nation know the cost of a cover-up, we also know the power of moral movements to tap a greater power and push America toward a more perfect union. Slaveholders invested everything they had to cover up the crimes of human bondage. Jim Crow did everything it knew to cover up the immorality of separate but equal. And for a long time, it looked like they had all the votes. But movements of people committed to the truth did not give up. They kept believing and building on the conviction that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. And they uncovered the lies that crippled democracy in their day. Our present moral crisis demands nothing less of us.


theguardian--2020-01-31--Trump lawyers: 'puritanical rage' driving impeachment trial – video

The to and fro continues in the Trump impeachment trial as the prosecution and defense continue to debate subpoenaing witnesses @ @ @ @ @ Pat Cipollone accused the House impeachment managers of being driven by 'puritanical rage ' while @ @ @ @ @ criticised the defense for raising 'conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory '

The to and fro continues in the Trump impeachment trial as the prosecution and defense continue to debate subpoenaing witnesses. The White House lawyer Pat Cipollone accused the House impeachment managers of being driven by 'puritanical rage' while the Democratic congressman Hakeem Jeffries criticised the defense for raising 'conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory'


theguardian--2020-02-03--How do the Iowa caucuses work? Your guide to the night

The Iowa caucuses take place on Monday 3 February , kicking off the long process of nominating a Democratic presidential candidate who will eventually take on Donald Trump in November ’ s US election .
The primary race is made up of a series of contests called primaries and caucuses that take place in all 50 states plus Washington DC and outlying territories , by which the parties select their presidential nominee from the candidates who are running .
The goal in these contests is for candidates is to amass support from voters that translates into a majority of delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a presidential candidate at the party conventions in July and August .
When it comes to choosing a presidential candidate , Iowa traditionally goes first .
Though Iowa has relatively few delegates , it is highly influential because it gives Americans their first chance to see what support the candidates have , and a win could provide a vital boost in momentum , as it did for Barack Obama in 2008 .
Democratic and Republican caucuses will take place on Monday evening , but because Trump does not face any serious competition from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes will be on the Democratic contenders this year .
Most states hold primary elections , which are run by the state , and resemble general elections , in which voters go to a polling place , mail in their ballots or otherwise vote remotely .
But a handful of states hold caucuses , hours-long voting meetings run by the party .
Republican caucuses are simpler , and Democratic caucuses are more complicated .
It makes for a drawn out night , as results are tallied from more than 1,600 different locations across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
When can we expect the results ?
Patience will be key .
Iowans who are eligible to take part will have to be at their caucus venue ( usually a school , church or community center ) in their local precinct at 7pm CT ( 8pm ET ) in most cases – a tough ask itself given the frigid Iowa winters .
Once there , it ’ s not a matter of ticking a box and going home .
They will spend up to two hours casting their preference for presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to know the winner : it ’ s hard to say .
In 2016 the Democratic race between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton was so close that the results were announced the next day ( Clinton won by a razor-thin majority ) .
On the Republican side , Ted Cruz beat Donald Trump , and was declared winner before midnight .
How do the Democratic caucuses work ?
In most other states , primary voting works similarly to voting in a regular election .
Voters turn up at a polling station and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all day to vote , and don ’ t have to tell anyone who they voted for .
Not so in Iowa .
It isn ’ t a secret ballot .
In that venue , a representative for each candidate will be standing in a certain area of the room .
Voters have to go and stand in the area where their candidate is represented .
So Joe Biden supporters would be in one corner , Elizabeth Warren ’ s in another , and Bernie Sanders supporters in another .
Everyone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in particular , second choices are important .
If a particular candidate does not attract 15 % of total voters present , they are not seen as “ viable ” and are taken off the ballot , leaving their voters free to throw their weight behind another candidate .
For example , a Pete Buttigieg supporter could sidle over to the Warren area .
Once the bartering for supporters is over , the votes are totted up , and state delegates are awarded to each candidate proportionately .
That , in turn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate receives .
The candidate with the most state delegate equivalents “ wins ” Iowa .
Except… There could be confusion .
For the first time , the Democratic party plans to release three sets of numbers from different stages in the process .
It will release the raw tally of votes each candidate received taken before the 15 % cut off , and also release the tally of votes candidates received once supporters have realigned .
Finally , the party will publish the STEs , which represents the number of delegates assigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ winner ” of the Iowa caucuses is still based on the number of state delegate equivalents each candidate receives .
How do the Republican caucuses work ?
With all the attention being paid to the Democratic side , it is easy to forget that there is a Republican primary happening , too .
Trump is facing challenges from the former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld and Joe Walsh , who served one term in the House of Representatives , among less well-known candidates .
It ’ s extremely unlikely that Weld , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Federal Election Commission 153 people are running for president as Republican ) will win , but at least they will navigate a less a complex system than the Democrats .
In the Iowa Republican caucus , people still have to physically show up at a location .
They then cast a straightforward vote , secretly .
The votes are tallied up , and the delegates are dished out in the same manner .
In the Republican caucuses , there is no 15 % threshold , meaning candidates with relatively little support @ @ @ @ @ @

The Iowa caucuses take place on Monday 3 February, kicking off the long process of nominating a Democratic presidential candidate who will eventually take on Donald Trump in November’s US election.
The primary race is made up of a series of contests called primaries and caucuses that take place in all 50 states plus Washington DC and outlying territories, by which the parties select their presidential nominee from the candidates who are running.
The goal in these contests is for candidates is to amass support from voters that translates into a majority of delegates, whose job it is to nominate a presidential candidate at the party conventions in July and August.
When it comes to choosing a presidential candidate, Iowa traditionally goes first. Though Iowa has relatively few delegates, it is highly influential because it gives Americans their first chance to see what support the candidates have, and a win could provide a vital boost in momentum, as it did for Barack Obama in 2008.
Democratic and Republican caucuses will take place on Monday evening, but because Trump does not face any serious competition from his challengers for the nomination, all eyes will be on the Democratic contenders this year.
03:13 How the Democrats will decide who fights Trump – video
What is a caucus?
Most states hold primary elections, which are run by the state, and resemble general elections, in which voters go to a polling place, mail in their ballots or otherwise vote remotely. But a handful of states hold caucuses, hours-long voting meetings run by the party. Republican caucuses are simpler, and Democratic caucuses are more complicated.
It makes for a drawn out night, as results are tallied from more than 1,600 different locations across Iowa – all 55,000 square miles of it.
When can we expect the results?
Patience will be key. Iowans who are eligible to take part will have to be at their caucus venue (usually a school, church or community center) in their local precinct at 7pm CT (8pm ET) in most cases – a tough ask itself given the frigid Iowa winters.
Once there, it’s not a matter of ticking a box and going home. They will spend up to two hours casting their preference for presidential candidate.
As for when we can expect to know the winner: it’s hard to say. In 2016 the Democratic race between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton was so close that the results were announced the next day (Clinton won by a razor-thin majority). On the Republican side, Ted Cruz beat Donald Trump, and was declared winner before midnight.
How do the Democratic caucuses work?
In most other states, primary voting works similarly to voting in a regular election. Voters turn up at a polling station and cast their vote privately. They usually have all day to vote, and don’t have to tell anyone who they voted for. Not so in Iowa.
It isn’t a secret ballot. In that venue, a representative for each candidate will be standing in a certain area of the room.
Voters have to go and stand in the area where their candidate is represented. So Joe Biden supporters would be in one corner, Elizabeth Warren’s in another, and Bernie Sanders supporters in another. Everyone is tallied.
For the Democratic caucuses, in particular, second choices are important. If a particular candidate does not attract 15% of total voters present, they are not seen as “viable” and are taken off the ballot, leaving their voters free to throw their weight behind another candidate. For example, a Pete Buttigieg supporter could sidle over to the Warren area.
Once the bartering for supporters is over, the votes are totted up, and state delegates are awarded to each candidate proportionately. That, in turn, determines how many national convention delegates each candidate receives.
The candidate with the most state delegate equivalents “wins” Iowa. Except…
There could be confusion.
For the first time, the Democratic party plans to release three sets of numbers from different stages in the process. It will release the raw tally of votes each candidate received taken before the 15% cut off, and also release the tally of votes candidates received once supporters have realigned. Finally, the party will publish the STEs, which represents the number of delegates assigned to each candidate.
However, the “winner” of the Iowa caucuses is still based on the number of state delegate equivalents each candidate receives.
How do the Republican caucuses work?
With all the attention being paid to the Democratic side, it is easy to forget that there is a Republican primary happening, too.
Trump is facing challenges from the former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld and Joe Walsh, who served one term in the House of Representatives, among less well-known candidates.
It’s extremely unlikely that Weld, or Walsh, or the others (according to the Federal Election Commission 153 people are running for president as Republican) will win, but at least they will navigate a less a complex system than the Democrats.
In the Iowa Republican caucus, people still have to physically show up at a location. They then cast a straightforward vote, secretly. The votes are tallied up, and the delegates are dished out in the same manner. In the Republican caucuses, there is no 15% threshold, meaning candidates with relatively little support could still pick up delegates.