shareblue--2020-01-10--Pelosi says she will send articles of impeachment to Senate next week

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday the House will take steps next week to send articles of impeachment to the Senate for Donald Trump 's Senate trial .
In a letter to her Democratic colleagues , Pelosi said she has asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler to be prepared to bring to the floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
`` I will be consulting with you at our Tuesday House Democratic Caucus meeting on how we proceed further , '' Pelosi wrote .
Pelosi has held on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
The protracted showdown has scrambled the politics of impeachment and the congressional calendar three weeks after the House Democrats impeached Trump on charges of abuse and obstruction over his actions toward Ukraine .
Transmittal of the documents and naming of House impeachment managers are the next steps needed to start the Senate trial .
Pelosi indicated she may be communicating to her colleagues , as she often does with a letter on her thinking .
McConnell ( R-KY ) wants to launch a speedy trial without new witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to acquit Trump .
Trump mocked Pelosi with his tweets Friday and derided her and other Democrats late Thursday in Toledo , his first rally of 2020 .
Pelosi ( D-CA ) faces mounting pressure to act .
Republicans say Democrats are embarrassed by their vote .
But Pelosi countered that Democrats are `` proud '' of upholding the Constitution and said she doubted that Senate Republicans will do the same .
Many on Capitol Hill expect the Senate impeachment trial to begin next week .
Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two articles of impeachment to the Senate `` when I 'm ready . ''
`` That will probably be soon , '' she said at the time , adding that she was not postponing it `` indefinitely . ''
The House impeached Trump in December on the charge that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine 's new leader to investigate Democrats , using as leverage $ 400 million in military assistance for the U.S. ally as it counters Russia at its border .
Trump insists he did nothing wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' investigation led to an additional charge of obstruction of Congress .
Pelosi 's delay in sending the articles of impeachment over for a Senate trial led to a standoff with McConnell over what would be the third impeachment trial in the nation 's history .
McConnell said previously that if Pelosi and House Democrats are `` too embarrassed '' to send the articles of impeachment , the Senate will simply move on next week to other business .
`` They do not get to trap our entire country into an unending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' McConnell said .
McConnell also told GOP senators at a lunchtime meeting to expect the trial next week , according to two people familiar with his remarks .
The people requested anonymity to discuss the private meeting .
At the same time , McConnell signed on to a resolution from Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) to allow for the dismissal of articles of impeachment if the House does n't transmit them in 25 days .
That change to Senate rules appears unlikely to happen before Pelosi transmits the articles .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have focused on new evidence about Trump 's effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and they pushed the Senate to consider new testimony , including from former White House national security adviser John Bolton .
Republicans are just as focused on a speedy trial with acquittal .
Republicans have the leverage , with a slim 53-47 Senate majority , as McConnell rebuffs the Democratic demands for testimony and documents .
But Democrats are using the delay to sow public doubt about the fairness of the process as they try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upcoming votes .
It takes just 51 senators to set the rules .
`` When we say fair trial , we mean facts , we mean witnesses , we mean documents , '' said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) promising votes ahead .
`` Every single one of us , in this Senate , will have to have to take a stand .
How do my Republican friends want the American people , their constituents , and history to remember them ? ''
Trump weighed in from the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would like more witnesses at trial .
They include former Vice President Joe Biden , who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination now , and his son Hunter , as well as the government whistleblower whose complaint about the president 's pressure on Ukraine sparked the impeachment investigation .
On a July telephone call with Ukraine 's new president , Trump asked his counterpart to open an investigation into the Bidens while holding up military aid for Ukraine .
A Ukrainian gas company had hired Hunter Biden when his father was vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Ukraine .
There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden .
Trump suggested that his administration would continue to block Bolton or others from the administration from appearing before senators .
Many of those officials have defied congressional subpoenas for their testimony .
`` When we start allowing national security advisers to just go up and say whatever they want to say , we ca n't do that , '' Trump said during an event with building contractors .
`` So we have to protect presidential privilege for me , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very important . ''
Bolton , one of four witnesses that Democrats have requested , said this week that he would testify if subpoenaed .
McConnell has said from the start he is looking to model Trump 's trial on the last time the Senate convened as the court of impeachment , for President Bill Clinton in 1999 .
McConnell has said there will be `` no haggling '' with House Democrats over Senate procedures .
`` There will be no unfair , new rule rule-book written solely for President Trump , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met with Trump late Wednesday at the White House , suggested last month it would be `` fine with me '' if the House never sent the articles .
More recently , he has drawn on the Constitution 's intent for the Senate to have the ultimate say on matters of impeachment .
He scoffed that Pelosi has `` managed to do the impossible '' by uniting Democrats and Republicans who want the trial to begin .
Some Democrats have been showing increased anxiety over the delay as Americans remain divided over Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also upended the political calendar , with the weekslong trial now expected to bump into presidential nominating contests , which begin in early February .
Several Democratic senators are running for the party 's nomination .
One 2020 hopeful , Sen. Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) .
, told The Associated Press ' Ground Game podcast that a looming impeachment trial and other pressing issues in Washington could deal a `` big , big blow '' to his presidential campaign by keeping him away from Iowa in the final weeks before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a morning meeting at the Capitol earlier this week , she was asked if she had any concerns about losing support from Democrats for her strategy .
She told reporters : `` No . ''
`` I know exactly when '' to send the impeachment articles over , Pelosi said at that time .
`` I wo n't be telling you right now . ''
Pelosi said previously she was seeking what she says she wanted from the start — `` to see the arena '' and `` terms of the engagement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial — before sending her House managers to present the articles of impeachment in the Senate .
She has yet to choose the managers , a source of political intrigue as many lawmakers want the high-profile job .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday the House will take steps next week to send articles of impeachment to the Senate for Donald Trump’s Senate trial.
In a letter to her Democratic colleagues, Pelosi said she has asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler to be prepared to bring to the floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
“I will be consulting with you at our Tuesday House Democratic Caucus meeting on how we proceed further,” Pelosi wrote.
Pelosi has held on to the articles in a standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The protracted showdown has scrambled the politics of impeachment and the congressional calendar three weeks after the House Democrats impeached Trump on charges of abuse and obstruction over his actions toward Ukraine.
Transmittal of the documents and naming of House impeachment managers are the next steps needed to start the Senate trial. Pelosi indicated she may be communicating to her colleagues, as she often does with a letter on her thinking.
McConnell (R-KY) wants to launch a speedy trial without new witnesses but Pelosi is warning against a rush to acquit Trump.
Trump mocked Pelosi with his tweets Friday and derided her and other Democrats late Thursday in Toledo, his first rally of 2020.
Pelosi (D-CA) faces mounting pressure to act. Republicans say Democrats are embarrassed by their vote. But Pelosi countered that Democrats are “proud” of upholding the Constitution and said she doubted that Senate Republicans will do the same.
Many on Capitol Hill expect the Senate impeachment trial to begin next week.
Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol earlier this week that she would send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate “when I’m ready.”
“That will probably be soon,” she said at the time, adding that she was not postponing it “indefinitely.”
The House impeached Trump in December on the charge that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine’s new leader to investigate Democrats, using as leverage $400 million in military assistance for the U.S. ally as it counters Russia at its border. Trump insists he did nothing wrong, but his defiance of the House Democrats’ investigation led to an additional charge of obstruction of Congress.
Pelosi’s delay in sending the articles of impeachment over for a Senate trial led to a standoff with McConnell over what would be the third impeachment trial in the nation’s history.
McConnell said previously that if Pelosi and House Democrats are “too embarrassed” to send the articles of impeachment, the Senate will simply move on next week to other business.
“They do not get to trap our entire country into an unending groundhog day of impeachment without resolution,” McConnell said.
McConnell also told GOP senators at a lunchtime meeting to expect the trial next week, according to two people familiar with his remarks. The people requested anonymity to discuss the private meeting.
At the same time, McConnell signed on to a resolution from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) to allow for the dismissal of articles of impeachment if the House doesn’t transmit them in 25 days. That change to Senate rules appears unlikely to happen before Pelosi transmits the articles.
In the weeks since Trump was impeached, Democrats have focused on new evidence about Trump’s effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and they pushed the Senate to consider new testimony, including from former White House national security adviser John Bolton. Republicans are just as focused on a speedy trial with acquittal.
Republicans have the leverage, with a slim 53-47 Senate majority, as McConnell rebuffs the Democratic demands for testimony and documents. But Democrats are using the delay to sow public doubt about the fairness of the process as they try to peel off wavering GOP senators for the upcoming votes. It takes just 51 senators to set the rules.
“When we say fair trial, we mean facts, we mean witnesses, we mean documents,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) promising votes ahead. “Every single one of us, in this Senate, will have to have to take a stand. How do my Republican friends want the American people, their constituents, and history to remember them?”
Trump weighed in from the White House suggesting that he, too, would like more witnesses at trial. They include former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination now, and his son Hunter, as well as the government whistleblower whose complaint about the president’s pressure on Ukraine sparked the impeachment investigation.
On a July telephone call with Ukraine’s new president, Trump asked his counterpart to open an investigation into the Bidens while holding up military aid for Ukraine. A Ukrainian gas company had hired Hunter Biden when his father was vice president and the Obama administration’s point man on Ukraine. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden.
Trump suggested that his administration would continue to block Bolton or others from the administration from appearing before senators. Many of those officials have defied congressional subpoenas for their testimony.
“When we start allowing national security advisers to just go up and say whatever they want to say, we can’t do that,” Trump said during an event with building contractors. “So we have to protect presidential privilege for me, but for future presidents. That’s very important.”
Bolton, one of four witnesses that Democrats have requested, said this week that he would testify if subpoenaed.
McConnell has said from the start he is looking to model Trump’s trial on the last time the Senate convened as the court of impeachment, for President Bill Clinton in 1999. McConnell has said there will be “no haggling” with House Democrats over Senate procedures.
“There will be no unfair, new rule rule-book written solely for President Trump,” McConnell said Thursday.
McConnell, who met with Trump late Wednesday at the White House, suggested last month it would be “fine with me” if the House never sent the articles. More recently, he has drawn on the Constitution’s intent for the Senate to have the ultimate say on matters of impeachment. He scoffed that Pelosi has “managed to do the impossible” by uniting Democrats and Republicans who want the trial to begin.
Some Democrats have been showing increased anxiety over the delay as Americans remain divided over Trump’s impeachment.
The delay on impeachment has also upended the political calendar, with the weekslong trial now expected to bump into presidential nominating contests, which begin in early February. Several Democratic senators are running for the party’s nomination.
One 2020 hopeful, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)., told The Associated Press’ Ground Game podcast that a looming impeachment trial and other pressing issues in Washington could deal a “big, big blow” to his presidential campaign by keeping him away from Iowa in the final weeks before the Feb. 3 caucuses.
As Pelosi dashed into a morning meeting at the Capitol earlier this week, she was asked if she had any concerns about losing support from Democrats for her strategy. She told reporters: “No.”
“I know exactly when” to send the impeachment articles over, Pelosi said at that time. “I won’t be telling you right now.”
Pelosi said previously she was seeking what she says she wanted from the start — “to see the arena” and “terms of the engagement” that McConnell will use for the trial — before sending her House managers to present the articles of impeachment in the Senate. She has yet to choose the managers, a source of political intrigue as many lawmakers want the high-profile job.


shareblue--2020-01-11--New lawsuit would make it easier to finally pass Equal Rights Amendment

Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment have filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts aimed at clearing a legal path for adoption of the long-delayed constitutional amendment .
Backers say they 're wading into the debate over the amendment — which dates to the early 1970s — because Virginia is poised to become the decisive 38th state to approve the measure .
Amendments are added to the U.S. Constitution if they are approved by three-quarters of state legislatures .
The anticipated approval of the amendment by Virginia would put the ERA over that threshold .
But the process is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest is a measure passed by Congress in 1972 , attaching a 1979 ratification deadline to it .
That was later extended to 1982 .
The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boston argues , in part , that the deadline imposed by Congress was not included in the text of the three-sentence amendment — and therefore not constitutionally binding .
The original legislation that sent the proposed amendment to states for ratification did refer to a seven year deadline , but supporters of the ERA say all that matters is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which makes no mention of a deadline .
The group also points to the case of the Constitution ’ s 27th Amendment , which was written by James Madison in 1789 to bar Congress from voting itself instant pay raises .
That amendment was not adopted until 203 years later — far longer than the adoption process for the ERA .
The ERA states that `` equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex . ''
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment in Virginia are already planning to celebrate its passage — made possible after Democrats seized control of the state Legislature in November .
But efforts are underway to block its ultimate adoption as the Constitution 's 28th Amendment , including a lawsuit filed in federal court in mid-December by Alabama , Louisiana and South Dakota .
Conservative activists have depicted the ERA as a threat to their stances on abortion and transgender rights .
Lawsuits could also be waged over attempts by five states to rescind their initial support for the amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that no roadblocks are put in place to prevent women 's equality from becoming part of the United States Constitution , '' said Wendy Murphy , a lawyer for Equal Means Equal , one of the groups that filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts .
Murphy said the groups were compelled to file the lawsuit in response to the one filed by Alabama , Louisiana and South Dakota .
`` Now that we are on the verge of winning the final state needed to ensure women 's equality it is shocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three states '' are trying to block the amendment , she added .
Anti-abortion activists worry that the ERA , if ratified , would be used by abortion-rights supporters to quash restrictions on grounds they specifically discriminate against women .
Some ERA opponents are also worried that the amendment would be used to ensure nationwide protections for transgender women seeking to use women-only restrooms and locker rooms .
Supporters say both concerns are unfounded .
Massachusetts was among the first batch of states to approve the Equal Rights Amendment in the early 1970s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia is expected to submit copies of the state 's resolution to the U.S. archivist David S. Ferriero to be recorded — something opponents are trying to block .
Ferriero released a statement last month saying the National Archives and Records Administration is requesting guidance from the Department of Justice on ratification of the ERA .
Ferriero pointed to issues raised in the lawsuit filed by Alabama , Louisiana , and South Dakota .
`` “ NARA does not intend to take any action regarding the ERA until , at a minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested and in no event before February 15 , 2020 , '' the statement said .
Both lawsuits name Ferriero as the defendant .

Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment have filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts aimed at clearing a legal path for adoption of the long-delayed constitutional amendment.
Backers say they’re wading into the debate over the amendment — which dates to the early 1970s — because Virginia is poised to become the decisive 38th state to approve the measure.
Amendments are added to the U.S. Constitution if they are approved by three-quarters of state legislatures. The anticipated approval of the amendment by Virginia would put the ERA over that threshold.
But the process is likely to hit some snags. One of the biggest is a measure passed by Congress in 1972, attaching a 1979 ratification deadline to it. That was later extended to 1982.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boston argues, in part, that the deadline imposed by Congress was not included in the text of the three-sentence amendment — and therefore not constitutionally binding. The original legislation that sent the proposed amendment to states for ratification did refer to a seven year deadline, but supporters of the ERA say all that matters is the language of the amendment itself, which makes no mention of a deadline.
The group also points to the case of the Constitution’s 27th Amendment, which was written by James Madison in 1789 to bar Congress from voting itself instant pay raises. That amendment was not adopted until 203 years later — far longer than the adoption process for the ERA.
The ERA states that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Despite the legal hurdles, advocates of the amendment in Virginia are already planning to celebrate its passage — made possible after Democrats seized control of the state Legislature in November.
But efforts are underway to block its ultimate adoption as the Constitution’s 28th Amendment, including a lawsuit filed in federal court in mid-December by Alabama, Louisiana and South Dakota. Conservative activists have depicted the ERA as a threat to their stances on abortion and transgender rights.
Lawsuits could also be waged over attempts by five states to rescind their initial support for the amendment.
“This lawsuit was filed today to make sure that no roadblocks are put in place to prevent women’s equality from becoming part of the United States Constitution,” said Wendy Murphy, a lawyer for Equal Means Equal, one of the groups that filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts.
Murphy said the groups were compelled to file the lawsuit in response to the one filed by Alabama, Louisiana and South Dakota.
“Now that we are on the verge of winning the final state needed to ensure women’s equality it is shocking and deeply disturbing that attorneys general in three states” are trying to block the amendment, she added.
Anti-abortion activists worry that the ERA, if ratified, would be used by abortion-rights supporters to quash restrictions on grounds they specifically discriminate against women.
Some ERA opponents are also worried that the amendment would be used to ensure nationwide protections for transgender women seeking to use women-only restrooms and locker rooms.
Supporters say both concerns are unfounded.
Massachusetts was among the first batch of states to approve the Equal Rights Amendment in the early 1970s.
After voting to ratify the amendment, Virginia is expected to submit copies of the state’s resolution to the U.S. archivist David S. Ferriero to be recorded — something opponents are trying to block.
Ferriero released a statement last month saying the National Archives and Records Administration is requesting guidance from the Department of Justice on ratification of the ERA. Ferriero pointed to issues raised in the lawsuit filed by Alabama, Louisiana, and South Dakota.
““NARA does not intend to take any action regarding the ERA until, at a minimum, it receives the guidance it previously requested and in no event before February 15, 2020,” the statement said.
Both lawsuits name Ferriero as the defendant.


shareblue--2020-01-12--As wildfires get worse across the globe, smoke leads to health concerns

First came the flames , a raging firestorm propelled by 50 mph ( 80 kph ) wind gusts that incinerated Kelsey Norton 's house and killed 85 people in her community .
Then came the smoke — not just from the forest but also from some 14,000 houses and their contents that burned , generating a thick plume that enshrouded portions of Northern California for weeks and left Norton gasping .
And since the fire , more than a year now , it has been sickness : repeated respiratory infections that sap Norton 's strength , interfere with her work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried about future health problems .
`` I do n't want to have cancer in my 50s because I inhaled smoke in my 30s , '' she said .
The immediate toll of lives and property lost when a fire tore through the Sierra Nevada foothills town of Paradise , California in November 2018 is well documented .
Still unknown is the long-term impact of the intense smoke exposure suffered by the tragedy 's survivors and the hundreds of thousands of people living in communities downwind of the blaze .
Increasingly intense wildfires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States to Australia and stoking concern among residents and health professionals about long-term health impacts from smoke exposure .
The issue has far-reaching implications as climate change turns some regions of the globe drier and more prone to fires that send up smoke plumes that can travel thousands of miles and affect millions of people .
The unprecedented fires burning across Australia offer the most recent example as they blanket major cities with dangerous air pollution .
Smoke from those fires , which started burning in September , by this week had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ( 20 million square kilometers ) and drifted across the Pacific Ocean to reach South America , according to the United Nation 's meteorological agency and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service .
The fires have torched more than 2,000 houses and killed at least 26 people .
Authorities ordered new evacuations in New South Wales and the neighboring state of Victoria as rising temperatures and erratic winds on Friday threatened to fan dozens of blazes still burning out of control .
Both states issued hazardous air quality warnings for affected areas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relocating until the smoke clears .
Compounding the danger , experts and firefighters say , is the proliferation of construction materials and household items made from petroleum-based plastics , ranging from plumbing pipes to exterior siding .
Those burn hotter and generate smoke more toxic than wood does , exposing people to numerous hazardous chemicals .
Researchers and health officials are confident more people will get sick and many will die as regions such as the U.S. West see bigger , more intense wildfires .
An estimated 20,000 premature deaths now occur annually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfire smoke exposure .
That 's expected to double by the end of the century , according to scientists funded by NASA , as tens of millions of people get exposed to massive `` smoke waves '' emanating from blazes in Western states .
But while those forecasts help illustrate the profound impacts of a warming climate , they ca n't predict which fires will prove deadly and which individuals will develop lung ailments or other illnesses .
One of relatively few long-term studies on the issue is under way at the California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monkeys living in outdoor pens year-round were exposed to a prolonged period of wildfire smoke as infants in 2008 .
They ’ ve developed lungs 20 % smaller than another group of monkeys born a year later , researchers found .
`` It 's the closest animal model to replicate what happens with kids , '' said Lisa Miller , the center 's associate director of research .
The difference first showed up when the animals were adolescents , and has continued as they 've matured .
It 's impossible for the untrained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of others that share their pens , but Miller 's team next plans to investigate how the decreased lung function affects activity levels of the monkeys .
As the animals age , any diseases they develop and how they die would give clues into the fate of humans heavily exposed to smoke .
Studies of wildland firefighters also give insights into the risks of smoke inhalation .
They ’ ve shown significantly higher rates of lung cancer and death from heart disease , said Michael Kleinman , who researches the health effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of environmental toxicology at the University of California , Irvine .
Firefighters get much higher and more frequent doses of smoke , but Kleinman said a proportional increase in illnesses could be expected among the general public exposed to wildfire smoke across California and the West .
`` It 's safe to say there will probably more effects at the long-term level , '' Kleinman said .
`` Especially if those events happened over a longer period of time or more repeatedly , there will be cumulative damage to the lung and heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As she fled with her boyfriend ahead of the fire that destroyed Paradise on the morning of Nov. 8 , 2018 , Norton said the smoke was so thick `` it was like midnight . ''
A few days later , she went back to work at a hospital in Chico , about 15 miles ( 24 kilometers ) miles from Paradise .
But smoke from the still-burning fire had made it inside the facility .
There weren ’ t enough face masks to go around so Norton said she went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she felt just a bit wheezy , as she had during the last major fire in the area about a decade earlier .
But two weeks later she came down with a respiratory infection that brought fever and severe congestion .
When that finally cleared , she got another , then another — eight or nine infections in all over the past year .
`` I just want to break this cycle of sickness , '' she said .
Norton says she never smoked , nor did her parents , and never had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She missed so much work in the months after the fire that she got a warning from a supervisor .
To try to keep from getting sick , she rinses out her sinuses regularly and takes antihistamines to reduce inflammation in her airways .
She also avoids large gatherings , including skipping office parties and two weddings , out of fear that she could pick up a virus .
She tries to eat healthy and reduce stress by seeing a counselor .
Norton has been to a pulmonologist and two ear nose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been referred to a sinus specialist at Stanford University for further testing .
The pulmonologist who initially treated her , Dinesh Verma , said he sees a `` direct correlation '' between Norton 's smoke exposure and her subsequent health struggles .
`` The logical explanation definitely would be that intense smoke , basically chemical exposure , did damage the airways to the extent that they 're now more susceptible '' to infection , Verma said .
Verma said virtually all of his hundreds of patients from Chico and Paradise had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be hospitalized or treated .
Most had preexisting conditions such as asthma and needed only a trigger to send them into a downward spiral .
Predicting what will happen with otherwise-healthy patients like Norton is more difficult , he said .
Norton is among about 9,000 people who responded to a health survey as part of a long-term health study of smoke exposure in Paradise and other California communities .
The work is led by researchers at the University of California , Davis , who plan to track the lung health of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming years by measuring their breathing capacity .
They 're also collaborating with Williams at the primate center to see if the decline seen in the rhesus monkeys has parallels for human infants .
Dr. Nicholas Kenyon , a pulmonologist involved in the effort , said determining the health effects of smoke is increasingly urgent given the region 's burgeoning population and more frequent fires due to climate change .
`` We 've got the population affected right now , but it ’ s not going to be isolated to us .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Kenyon said .
`` Nobody ’ s been really inhaling this kind of stuff from structures until now . ''
Another participant in the UC Davis study , 64-year-old Elizabeth Watling , lives in Chico and remained there through the fire so she could look after her 94-year-old aunt .
She recalls smoke so thick that it left a layer of ash all over town , gray and light as snow .
The air remained heavily polluted until it rained more than two weeks later .
When she gardens or does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask because her throat has become so easily irritated by dust .
She fiddles with it often , taking the mask on and off to talk , and wonders how effective it will be since she can fit her fingers through gaps along her cheeks .
The health issues Watling blames on the smoke are less severe than Norton 's — a scratchy throat that wo n't go away , coughs that linger , shortness of breath .
She expected those to go away but they have n't .
Watling now figures that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t ever fully recover and the smoke could shave years off her life .
`` I do n't think the news is good for me , '' she said .

First came the flames, a raging firestorm propelled by 50 mph (80 kph) wind gusts that incinerated Kelsey Norton’s house and killed 85 people in her community.
Then came the smoke — not just from the forest but also from some 14,000 houses and their contents that burned, generating a thick plume that enshrouded portions of Northern California for weeks and left Norton gasping.
And since the fire, more than a year now, it has been sickness: repeated respiratory infections that sap Norton’s strength, interfere with her work and leave the 30-year-old cardiac care nurse worried about future health problems.
“I don’t want to have cancer in my 50s because I inhaled smoke in my 30s,” she said.
The immediate toll of lives and property lost when a fire tore through the Sierra Nevada foothills town of Paradise, California in November 2018 is well documented. Still unknown is the long-term impact of the intense smoke exposure suffered by the tragedy’s survivors and the hundreds of thousands of people living in communities downwind of the blaze.
Increasingly intense wildfires are scorching forests from across the Western United States to Australia and stoking concern among residents and health professionals about long-term health impacts from smoke exposure.
The issue has far-reaching implications as climate change turns some regions of the globe drier and more prone to fires that send up smoke plumes that can travel thousands of miles and affect millions of people.
The unprecedented fires burning across Australia offer the most recent example as they blanket major cities with dangerous air pollution. Smoke from those fires, which started burning in September, by this week had spread across more than 7.7 million square miles (20 million square kilometers) and drifted across the Pacific Ocean to reach South America, according to the United Nation’s meteorological agency and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.
The fires have torched more than 2,000 houses and killed at least 26 people. Authorities ordered new evacuations in New South Wales and the neighboring state of Victoria as rising temperatures and erratic winds on Friday threatened to fan dozens of blazes still burning out of control.
Both states issued hazardous air quality warnings for affected areas and said people with health problems should consider relocating until the smoke clears.
Compounding the danger, experts and firefighters say, is the proliferation of construction materials and household items made from petroleum-based plastics, ranging from plumbing pipes to exterior siding. Those burn hotter and generate smoke more toxic than wood does, exposing people to numerous hazardous chemicals.
Researchers and health officials are confident more people will get sick and many will die as regions such as the U.S. West see bigger, more intense wildfires.
An estimated 20,000 premature deaths now occur annually in the United States due to chronic wildfire smoke exposure. That’s expected to double by the end of the century, according to scientists funded by NASA, as tens of millions of people get exposed to massive “smoke waves” emanating from blazes in Western states.
But while those forecasts help illustrate the profound impacts of a warming climate, they can’t predict which fires will prove deadly and which individuals will develop lung ailments or other illnesses.
One of relatively few long-term studies on the issue is under way at the California National Primate Research Center. Fifty rhesus monkeys living in outdoor pens year-round were exposed to a prolonged period of wildfire smoke as infants in 2008. They’ve developed lungs 20% smaller than another group of monkeys born a year later, researchers found.
“It’s the closest animal model to replicate what happens with kids,” said Lisa Miller, the center’s associate director of research.
The difference first showed up when the animals were adolescents, and has continued as they’ve matured. It’s impossible for the untrained eye to distinguish the smoke-exposed monkeys from hundreds of others that share their pens, but Miller’s team next plans to investigate how the decreased lung function affects activity levels of the monkeys.
As the animals age, any diseases they develop and how they die would give clues into the fate of humans heavily exposed to smoke.
Studies of wildland firefighters also give insights into the risks of smoke inhalation. They’ve shown significantly higher rates of lung cancer and death from heart disease, said Michael Kleinman, who researches the health effects of air pollution and is a professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California, Irvine.
Firefighters get much higher and more frequent doses of smoke, but Kleinman said a proportional increase in illnesses could be expected among the general public exposed to wildfire smoke across California and the West.
“It’s safe to say there will probably more effects at the long-term level,” Kleinman said. “Especially if those events happened over a longer period of time or more repeatedly, there will be cumulative damage to the lung and heart which eventually will lead to chronic disease.”
As she fled with her boyfriend ahead of the fire that destroyed Paradise on the morning of Nov. 8, 2018, Norton said the smoke was so thick “it was like midnight.”
A few days later, she went back to work at a hospital in Chico, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) miles from Paradise. But smoke from the still-burning fire had made it inside the facility.
There weren’t enough face masks to go around so Norton said she went without one for several days.
Initially she felt just a bit wheezy, as she had during the last major fire in the area about a decade earlier. But two weeks later she came down with a respiratory infection that brought fever and severe congestion.
When that finally cleared, she got another, then another — eight or nine infections in all over the past year.
“I just want to break this cycle of sickness,” she said.
Norton says she never smoked, nor did her parents, and never had any respiratory issues prior to the fire. She missed so much work in the months after the fire that she got a warning from a supervisor.
To try to keep from getting sick, she rinses out her sinuses regularly and takes antihistamines to reduce inflammation in her airways. She also avoids large gatherings, including skipping office parties and two weddings, out of fear that she could pick up a virus. She tries to eat healthy and reduce stress by seeing a counselor.
Norton has been to a pulmonologist and two ear nose and throat doctors to little avail, and has been referred to a sinus specialist at Stanford University for further testing.
The pulmonologist who initially treated her, Dinesh Verma, said he sees a “direct correlation” between Norton’s smoke exposure and her subsequent health struggles.
“The logical explanation definitely would be that intense smoke, basically chemical exposure, did damage the airways to the extent that they’re now more susceptible” to infection, Verma said.
Verma said virtually all of his hundreds of patients from Chico and Paradise had complications after the fire that required them to be hospitalized or treated.
Most had preexisting conditions such as asthma and needed only a trigger to send them into a downward spiral. Predicting what will happen with otherwise-healthy patients like Norton is more difficult, he said.
Norton is among about 9,000 people who responded to a health survey as part of a long-term health study of smoke exposure in Paradise and other California communities. The work is led by researchers at the University of California, Davis, who plan to track the lung health of a small number of those respondents in coming years by measuring their breathing capacity.
They’re also collaborating with Williams at the primate center to see if the decline seen in the rhesus monkeys has parallels for human infants.
Dr. Nicholas Kenyon, a pulmonologist involved in the effort, said determining the health effects of smoke is increasingly urgent given the region’s burgeoning population and more frequent fires due to climate change.
“We’ve got the population affected right now, but it’s not going to be isolated to us. This is going to be the entire West,” Kenyon said. “Nobody’s been really inhaling this kind of stuff from structures until now.”
Another participant in the UC Davis study, 64-year-old Elizabeth Watling, lives in Chico and remained there through the fire so she could look after her 94-year-old aunt. She recalls smoke so thick that it left a layer of ash all over town, gray and light as snow. The air remained heavily polluted until it rained more than two weeks later.
When she gardens or does other outdoor activities, Watling wears a mask because her throat has become so easily irritated by dust. She fiddles with it often, taking the mask on and off to talk, and wonders how effective it will be since she can fit her fingers through gaps along her cheeks.
The health issues Watling blames on the smoke are less severe than Norton’s — a scratchy throat that won’t go away, coughs that linger, shortness of breath.
She expected those to go away but they haven’t. Watling now figures that, given her age, she won’t ever fully recover and the smoke could shave years off her life.
“I don’t think the news is good for me,” she said.


shareblue--2020-01-14--Even GOP senators are refusing Trump's demand to dismiss impeachment

Senate Republicans have rejected Donald Trump 's demand this week that they dismiss the impeachment charges against him without holding a trial .
On Sunday afternoon , Trump tweeted that `` many '' believed a Senate impeachment trial would lend `` credibility '' to the two charges against him .
Trump was impeached last month , just before the holiday break , on two articles , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The charges stem from Trump 's attempts to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals , and his efforts to hide evidence and block testimony in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence , no crime , read the transcripts , 'no pressure ' Impeachment Hoax , rather than an outright dismissal , it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have , '' Trump tweeted .
`` I agree ! ''
Trump also complained that he should not have the `` stigma '' of impeachment attached to his name when he `` did NOTHING wrong '' and suggested the `` phony Impeachment Hoax should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` I don ’ t think there ’ s any interest on our side of dismissing , '' Sen. Roy Blunt ( R-MO ) told the Washington Post on Monday .
`` Certainly there are n't 51 votes for a motion to dismiss . ''
Blunt , as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee , is the fourth-ranking member of the GOP leadership .
Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) agreed .
`` My understanding is most Republicans wanted to have a full trial and then have a vote on acquittal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 67-vote threshold , ” he said .
Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) said lawmakers `` should hear the case . ''
`` We have a constitutional duty to do that , '' he added .
Sens .
Susan Collins ( R-ME ) and Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) also said they would not back an immediate dismissal of charges against Trump .
Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) also said she was working to ensure a fair trial process .
Trump has staked out a variety of contradictory positions on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , he urged a speedy impeachment `` so we can have a fair trial in the Senate , '' with testimony from House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff , former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , `` and many more . ''
After he was impeached , however , Trump demanded `` an immediate trial . ''
And just this week , he reiterated that he believed both Schiff and Pelosi needed to appear as trial witnesses .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial — has already met with Trump in an attempt to coordinate a defense strategy .
McConnell ( R-KY ) dismissed criticism of that coordination earlier this month , arguing that it was no different from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer consulting with Pelosi .
Trump 's attempt to avoid a Senate trial comes as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is set to appoint and authorize impeachment managers this week .
Those managers will serve as prosecutors for the Senate trial , presenting the case against Trump .
Published with permission of The @ @ @ @

Senate Republicans have rejected Donald Trump’s demand this week that they dismiss the impeachment charges against him without holding a trial.
On Sunday afternoon, Trump tweeted that “many” believed a Senate impeachment trial would lend “credibility” to the two charges against him. Trump was impeached last month, just before the holiday break, on two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The charges stem from Trump’s attempts to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, and his efforts to hide evidence and block testimony in the earlier House impeachment inquiry.
“Many believe that by the Senate giving credence to a trial based on the no evidence, no crime, read the transcripts, ‘no pressure’ Impeachment Hoax, rather than an outright dismissal, it gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility that it otherwise does not have,” Trump tweeted. “I agree!”
Trump also complained that he should not have the “stigma” of impeachment attached to his name when he “did NOTHING wrong” and suggested the “phony Impeachment Hoax should not even be allowed to proceed.”
Senate Republicans quickly rejected Trump’s demand.
“I don’t think there’s any interest on our side of dismissing,” Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) told the Washington Post on Monday. “Certainly there aren’t 51 votes for a motion to dismiss.”
Blunt, as chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, is the fourth-ranking member of the GOP leadership.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) agreed. “My understanding is most Republicans wanted to have a full trial and then have a vote on acquittal or a conviction, which is at a 67-vote threshold,” he said.
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said lawmakers “should hear the case.”
“We have a constitutional duty to do that,” he added.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) also said they would not back an immediate dismissal of charges against Trump. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also said she was working to ensure a fair trial process.
Trump has staked out a variety of contradictory positions on the impending trial in recent weeks. Last month, he urged a speedy impeachment “so we can have a fair trial in the Senate,” with testimony from House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff, former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “and many more.”
After he was impeached, however, Trump demanded “an immediate trial.” And just this week, he reiterated that he believed both Schiff and Pelosi needed to appear as trial witnesses.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — who will be a juror in the impeachment trial — has already met with Trump in an attempt to coordinate a defense strategy. McConnell (R-KY) dismissed criticism of that coordination earlier this month, arguing that it was no different from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer consulting with Pelosi.
Trump’s attempt to avoid a Senate trial comes as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is set to appoint and authorize impeachment managers this week. Those managers will serve as prosecutors for the Senate trial, presenting the case against Trump.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-14--Democrats set to clash in final debate before Iowa caucuses

Democrats are preparing for what could be their most contentious debate yet as the leading candidates gather in Iowa on Tuesday looking for a way to break out of the crowded top tier less than three weeks before the state 's caucuses kick-start the presidential nomination process .
Some of the fiercest clashes could center on Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , fellow progressives who until now have largely avoided criticizing each other .
But Warren chastised Sanders over the weekend following a report that his campaign instructed volunteers to speak poorly of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions escalated on Monday after CNN reported Sanders told Warren in a private 2018 meeting that he did n't think a woman could win the election , a charge that Sanders vigorously denied but that Warren confirmed later Monday .
The feuding will likely expand to include nearly every candidate on stage .
Sanders has recently stepped up his attacks on former Vice President Joe Biden over his past support of the Iraq War , broad free-trade agreements and entitlement reform , among other issues .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking for another opportunity to highlight her candidacy as she remains mired in the middle of the pack in polling .
Billionaire Tom Steyer will have to answer criticism that he 's buying his way to the White House .
And with two surveys showing Pete Buttigieg losing support in Iowa , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , will need a breakout moment to regain some momentum before the Feb. 3 caucuses .
Those shifting dynamics mean Tuesday 's debate could be unlike any of the others that came before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputes over policy items including health care and immigration are poised to be replaced by increasingly bitter and personal knocks .
And it will happen as many Democratic voters are just beginning to tune into the race .
`` The debates are always important — but this one ’ s probably the most important for these candidates , '' said Scott Brennan , a former Iowa Democratic Party chair and current committeeman .
`` We 've got at least four people who are bunched right there together at the top .
So how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , which is being held on the Des Moines campus of Drake University and will be televised on CNN , marks the first forum with an all-white lineup .
Businessman Andrew Yang , an Asian American candidate who appeared in the December debate , failed to hit the polling threshold for Tuesday 's event .
And New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker ended his campaign on Monday after he did n't make the debate stage , leaving just one black candidate — former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick — in the race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , which heightened tensions throughout the Middle East .
Biden advisers see the development as a boon to his candidacy , allowing him to argue he 's a steady , experienced alternative to Trump .
But it could easily become a problem if Biden fails to answer what will likely be pointed attacks from Sanders on his support for the Iraq War .
While Biden acknowledged over a decade ago his vote was a mistake , he 's struggled to offer a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misleadingly asserting that he opposed the war from the start .
John Kerry , the 2004 Democratic nominee and a Biden supporter , previewed Biden 's argument Monday in Knoxville , Iowa .
Kerry did n't mention Iraq or Biden 's evolving positions on U.S. engagement there .
The former secretary of state instead kept the focus on Trump and his changing stories about his decision to order Soleimani 's killing .
`` The United States of America should never be taken to the brink of war on the basis of changing stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I trust Joe Biden to tell the truth . ''
Sanders is eager to take the fight to Biden , as his advisers believe his message on income inequality and major structural change can appeal to the same white working-class voters that make up much of Biden 's base .
But Sanders is less likely to continue the feud that erupted with Warren over the weekend .
Following a report in Politico that the Sanders campaign had instructed some volunteers to characterize Warren as a candidate for wealthy and well-educated voters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rare critique of her opponent , saying she was `` disappointed '' he was instructing staffers to `` trash '' her and emphasizing the need to nominate a unifying candidate to defeat Trump .
That echoed a new argument the Warren campaign unveiled this weekend : that she is the candidate who can best unify the different factions of the party , a case new endorser Julián Castro made when introducing the senator on the stump in Iowa .
While Sanders and Warren have , until this weekend , publicly defended each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media interviews , Sanders ' team says they 're expecting attacks from the Massachusetts senator on the debate stage .
They believe that the Warren campaign is responsible for leaking what they say is an inaccurate description of their 2018 private meeting , as reported by CNN .
But in a statement later Monday , Warren said the description of their meeting was correct .
`` Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate .
I thought a woman could win ; he disagreed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry . ''
The clashes could offer an opportunity for candidates who stay above the fray .
While Klobuchar sparred with Buttigieg during the last debate , she 's previously sought to tamp down tensions among her opponents on the stage and avoided taking the moderators ’ bait in going after other candidates .
And Steyer , who has largely flown under the radar throughout the campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of recent polls that have shown him gaining traction in some of the early primary states with a standout debate moment .

Democrats are preparing for what could be their most contentious debate yet as the leading candidates gather in Iowa on Tuesday looking for a way to break out of the crowded top tier less than three weeks before the state’s caucuses kick-start the presidential nomination process.
Some of the fiercest clashes could center on Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, fellow progressives who until now have largely avoided criticizing each other.
But Warren chastised Sanders over the weekend following a report that his campaign instructed volunteers to speak poorly of her to win over undecided voters. The tensions escalated on Monday after CNN reported Sanders told Warren in a private 2018 meeting that he didn’t think a woman could win the election, a charge that Sanders vigorously denied but that Warren confirmed later Monday.
The feuding will likely expand to include nearly every candidate on stage. Sanders has recently stepped up his attacks on former Vice President Joe Biden over his past support of the Iraq War, broad free-trade agreements and entitlement reform, among other issues. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who has had several strong debates, will be looking for another opportunity to highlight her candidacy as she remains mired in the middle of the pack in polling. Billionaire Tom Steyer will have to answer criticism that he’s buying his way to the White House.
And with two surveys showing Pete Buttigieg losing support in Iowa, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, will need a breakout moment to regain some momentum before the Feb. 3 caucuses.
Those shifting dynamics mean Tuesday’s debate could be unlike any of the others that came before it this cycle. The generally polite disputes over policy items including health care and immigration are poised to be replaced by increasingly bitter and personal knocks. And it will happen as many Democratic voters are just beginning to tune into the race.
“The debates are always important — but this one’s probably the most important for these candidates,” said Scott Brennan, a former Iowa Democratic Party chair and current committeeman. “We’ve got at least four people who are bunched right there together at the top. So how do you break out?”
The debate, which is being held on the Des Moines campus of Drake University and will be televised on CNN, marks the first forum with an all-white lineup. Businessman Andrew Yang, an Asian American candidate who appeared in the December debate, failed to hit the polling threshold for Tuesday’s event. And New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker ended his campaign on Monday after he didn’t make the debate stage, leaving just one black candidate — former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick — in the race.
This will be the first debate since Donald Trump authorized the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which heightened tensions throughout the Middle East.
Biden advisers see the development as a boon to his candidacy, allowing him to argue he’s a steady, experienced alternative to Trump. But it could easily become a problem if Biden fails to answer what will likely be pointed attacks from Sanders on his support for the Iraq War.
While Biden acknowledged over a decade ago his vote was a mistake, he’s struggled to offer a clear answer for his support, at times misleadingly asserting that he opposed the war from the start.
John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee and a Biden supporter, previewed Biden’s argument Monday in Knoxville, Iowa. Kerry didn’t mention Iraq or Biden’s evolving positions on U.S. engagement there. The former secretary of state instead kept the focus on Trump and his changing stories about his decision to order Soleimani’s killing.
“The United States of America should never be taken to the brink of war on the basis of changing stories and lies,” Kerry said. “I trust Joe Biden to tell the truth.”
Sanders is eager to take the fight to Biden, as his advisers believe his message on income inequality and major structural change can appeal to the same white working-class voters that make up much of Biden’s base.
But Sanders is less likely to continue the feud that erupted with Warren over the weekend.
Following a report in Politico that the Sanders campaign had instructed some volunteers to characterize Warren as a candidate for wealthy and well-educated voters in conversations with undecided voters, Warren issued a rare critique of her opponent, saying she was “disappointed” he was instructing staffers to “trash” her and emphasizing the need to nominate a unifying candidate to defeat Trump.
That echoed a new argument the Warren campaign unveiled this weekend: that she is the candidate who can best unify the different factions of the party, a case new endorser Julián Castro made when introducing the senator on the stump in Iowa.
While Sanders and Warren have, until this weekend, publicly defended each other on the debate stage and in media interviews, Sanders’ team says they’re expecting attacks from the Massachusetts senator on the debate stage. They believe that the Warren campaign is responsible for leaking what they say is an inaccurate description of their 2018 private meeting, as reported by CNN. But in a statement later Monday, Warren said the description of their meeting was correct.
“Among the topics that came up was what would happen if Democrats nominated a female candidate. I thought a woman could win; he disagreed,” Warren said in a statement. “I have no interest in discussing this private meeting any further because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences on punditry.”
The clashes could offer an opportunity for candidates who stay above the fray. While Klobuchar sparred with Buttigieg during the last debate, she’s previously sought to tamp down tensions among her opponents on the stage and avoided taking the moderators’ bait in going after other candidates.
And Steyer, who has largely flown under the radar throughout the campaign, could look to capitalize on a handful of recent polls that have shown him gaining traction in some of the early primary states with a standout debate moment.


shareblue--2020-01-14--Russian hackers try repeat of 2016 by hacking Ukrainian company for dirt on Biden

Russian military hackers are trying once again to meddle in a U.S. election , hacking into Ukrainian gas company Burisma to try to get damaging information on former Vice President Joe Biden to hurt his presidential bid , the New York Times reported Monday night .
The New York Times reported that the hacking began in early November — the height of the impeachment inquiry in which Donald Trump was being investigated for trying to force Ukraine to announce an investigation into Biden .
Trump and his GOP allies allege that Biden ousted a prosecutor in Ukraine because the prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son Hunter sat on the board of .
It 's an accusation that 's been proven false , and the attempt to force the investigation into Biden 's role in the prosecutor 's ouster is what ultimately got Trump impeached .
According to the New York Times , it 's unclear whether the Russian military hackers found anything in their hacking attempts .
However , just the fact that the Russians are once again illegally hacking entities in order to damage Democratic candidates and boost Trump 's reelection is noteworthy and worrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning about Russia and how the country may once again try and influence the outcome of an American presidential election .
In 2016 , Russia infamously hacked into the campaign of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton , as well as the Democratic National Committee , and selectively leaked hacked materials in a way that would cause maximum harm to Clinton 's chances at victory , former special counsel Robert Mueller wrote in the final report of the Russia investigation .
House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gang of 8 '' on Capitol Hill , members of Congress who are privy to top secret national security information — told MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow on Monday night that they only learned about the hacking attempts from the New York Times ' report .
Schiff — who led the impeachment inquiry into Trump and who has been calling for more resources to prevent Russian election interference — said he is `` distressed '' that he did n't know about this information until the Times report .
Schumer also called for more resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Russian military hackers are trying once again to meddle in a U.S. election, hacking into Ukrainian gas company Burisma to try to get damaging information on former Vice President Joe Biden to hurt his presidential bid, the New York Times reported Monday night.
The New York Times reported that the hacking began in early November — the height of the impeachment inquiry in which Donald Trump was being investigated for trying to force Ukraine to announce an investigation into Biden.
Trump and his GOP allies allege that Biden ousted a prosecutor in Ukraine because the prosecutor was investigating Burisma, a company that his son Hunter sat on the board of. It’s an accusation that’s been proven false, and the attempt to force the investigation into Biden’s role in the prosecutor’s ouster is what ultimately got Trump impeached.
According to the New York Times, it’s unclear whether the Russian military hackers found anything in their hacking attempts.
However, just the fact that the Russians are once again illegally hacking entities in order to damage Democratic candidates and boost Trump’s reelection is noteworthy and worrying for Democratic lawmakers — who have been warning about Russia and how the country may once again try and influence the outcome of an American presidential election.
In 2016, Russia infamously hacked into the campaign of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, as well as the Democratic National Committee, and selectively leaked hacked materials in a way that would cause maximum harm to Clinton’s chances at victory, former special counsel Robert Mueller wrote in the final report of the Russia investigation.
House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer — both of whom are members of the “Gang of 8” on Capitol Hill, members of Congress who are privy to top secret national security information — told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday night that they only learned about the hacking attempts from the New York Times’ report.
Schiff — who led the impeachment inquiry into Trump and who has been calling for more resources to prevent Russian election interference — said he is “distressed” that he didn’t know about this information until the Times report. Schumer also called for more resources to prevent future Russian hacking and election interference.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-14--Cartoon: Blame It On Meghan

Cartoon: Blame It On Meghan

Clay Jones is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist .
He has worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Free Lance-Star @ @ @ @ @ draws a weekly cartoon for CNN Opinion .
He lives in the Washington suburbs of @ @ @

A decade after Sandy Hook, grief remains but hope grows
December, the anniversary of the worst grade school mass shooting in the U.S. is a difficult month for many in Newton. But in the face of heartbreak and grief, some survivors and families of victims feel hope for a brighter future.
By Associated Press - December 22, 2022


shareblue--2020-01-13--These Republicans say Trump doesn't need approval for military strikes — but Obama did

The House last week voted to rein in Donald Trump 's military powers , demanding he seek congressional approval for military strikes and operations such as the one in Iraq that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassam Soleimani .
Republicans almost unilaterally voted against the war powers resolution , which `` requires the President to consult with Congress 'in every possible instance ' before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities . ''
GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of playing politics with military actions .
However , many of those lawmakers had a different position when former President Barack Obama was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 98 GOP lawmakers signed a letter demanding that Obama go to Congress and get approval before launching strikes in Syria .
Many of those Republican lawmakers have since retired , lost reelection , or ascended to other political office .
However , some 30 of those lawmakers remain in Congress , and have a totally different view of presidential war powers now that Trump occupies the Oval Office .
For example , Rep. Mark Meadows ( R-NC ) , signed the 2013 letter , which stated : However Meadows condemned Democrats for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly that identical demand .
`` Something amazing is happening on the House floor today .
Remember , President Trump just eliminated a world-renowned terrorist responsible for killing 600+ Americans - including an attack on our embassy just a week ago .
And what does your House Democrat majority do today , in Congress ?
Act outraged , give speeches criticizing him for doing it , and pass a hypocrisy-laden resolution on war powers , '' Meadows wrote in a Facebook post .
`` It 's just amazing . ''
Meadows is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter demanding Obama get approval for the Syrian strikes made similar comments for why they voted against the war powers resolution last week .
Rep. Brett Guthrie ( R-KY ) , who signed the 2013 letter , had this to say when he voted against the war powers resolution last week .
`` This afternoon , I voted against Speaker Pelosi ’ s War Powers Resolution that would undermine President Trump ’ s authority to protect American troops in the Middle East , '' Guthrie said in a statement .
`` This resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing efforts to avoid war and bring Iran to the negotiating table , and it would further prevent President Trump from keeping our troops safe . ''
Rep. Markwayne Mullin ( R-OK ) , who signed the 2013 letter demanding Obama get congressional approval for military actions , said that requiring Trump to get approval for military actions is wrong .
`` This resolution ties our Commander-in-Chief ’ s hands and threatens the safety and security of our service members , '' Mullin wrote in a Facebook post , a complete reversal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Just because Pelosi Democrats don ’ t like our president , it doesn ’ t mean they can undermine his constitutional authority to defend our count . ''
Ultimately , just three Republicans and one Republican-turned-independent ( Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan ) voted for the war powers resolution to rein in Trump 's military powers .
And one of those members — top Trump-defender Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) — is now out of Trump 's good graces for voting for the resolution and suffered the White House calling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of members of Congress who voted against a war powers resolution to rein in Trump but who demanded Obama get approval from Congress for strikes in Syria is below : Reps. Doug Collins of Georgia , Steven Palazzo of Mississippi , Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma , Austin Scott of Georgia , Louie Gohmert of Texas , Tim Walberg of Michigan , Ted Yoho of Florida , Michael Burgess of Texas , Daniel Webster of Florida , Michael McCaul of Texas , Jeff Duncan of South Carolina , Mark Amodei of Nevada , Doug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , Brett Guthrie of Kentucky , Robert Wittman of Virginia , David Schweikert of Arizona , Scott Tipton of Colorado , Mark Meadows of North Carolina , Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin , Jason Smith of Missouri , Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee , Bill Flores of Texas , Billy Long of Missouri , David McKinley of West Virginia , Bill Posey of Florida , Tom Cole of Oklahoma , Joe Wilson of South Carolina , Paul Gosar of Arizona , Mo Brooks of Alabama , Tom McClintock of California , and Tom Rooney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American Independent Foundation .

The House last week voted to rein in Donald Trump’s military powers, demanding he seek congressional approval for military strikes and operations such as the one in Iraq that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassam Soleimani.
Republicans almost unilaterally voted against the war powers resolution, which “requires the President to consult with Congress ‘in every possible instance’ before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities.” GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of playing politics with military actions.
However, many of those lawmakers had a different position when former President Barack Obama was in office.
Back in 2013, at least 98 GOP lawmakers signed a letter demanding that Obama go to Congress and get approval before launching strikes in Syria.
Many of those Republican lawmakers have since retired, lost reelection, or ascended to other political office. However, some 30 of those lawmakers remain in Congress, and have a totally different view of presidential war powers now that Trump occupies the Oval Office.
For example, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), signed the 2013 letter, which stated:
While the Founders wisely gave the Office of the President the authority to act in emergencies, they foresaw the need to ensure public debate – and the active engagement of Congress – prior to committing U.S. military assets. Engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.
However Meadows condemned Democrats for passing the war powers resolution that included nearly that identical demand.
“Something amazing is happening on the House floor today. Remember, President Trump just eliminated a world-renowned terrorist responsible for killing 600+ Americans – including an attack on our embassy just a week ago. And what does your House Democrat majority do today, in Congress?Act outraged, give speeches criticizing him for doing it, and pass a hypocrisy-laden resolution on war powers,” Meadows wrote in a Facebook post. “It’s just amazing.”
Meadows isn’t the only Republican who signed the 2013 letter demanding Obama get approval for the Syrian strikes made similar comments for why they voted against the war powers resolution last week.
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), who signed the 2013 letter, had this to say when he voted against the war powers resolution last week.
“This afternoon, I voted against Speaker Pelosi’s War Powers Resolution that would undermine President Trump’s authority to protect American troops in the Middle East,” Guthrie said in a statement. “This resolution fully ignores President Trump’s clear ongoing efforts to avoid war and bring Iran to the negotiating table, and it would further prevent President Trump from keeping our troops safe.”
Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who signed the 2013 letter demanding Obama get congressional approval for military actions, said that requiring Trump to get approval for military actions is wrong.
“This resolution ties our Commander-in-Chief’s hands and threatens the safety and security of our service members,” Mullin wrote in a Facebook post, a complete reversal to his position when Obama was president. “Just because Pelosi Democrats don’t like our president, it doesn’t mean they can undermine his constitutional authority to defend our count.”
Ultimately, just three Republicans and one Republican-turned-independent (Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan) voted for the war powers resolution to rein in Trump’s military powers.
And one of those members — top Trump-defender Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — is now out of Trump’s good graces for voting for the resolution and suffered the White House calling his vote “unwise.”
The list of members of Congress who voted against a war powers resolution to rein in Trump but who demanded Obama get approval from Congress for strikes in Syria is below:
Reps. Doug Collins of Georgia, Steven Palazzo of Mississippi, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Austin Scott of Georgia, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Tim Walberg of Michigan, Ted Yoho of Florida, Michael Burgess of Texas, Daniel Webster of Florida, Michael McCaul of Texas, Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, Mark Amodei of Nevada, Doug LaMalfa of California, Roger Williams of Texas, Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, Robert Wittman of Virginia, David Schweikert of Arizona, Scott Tipton of Colorado, Mark Meadows of North Carolina, Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, Jason Smith of Missouri, Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee, Bill Flores of Texas, Billy Long of Missouri, David McKinley of West Virginia, Bill Posey of Florida, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama, Tom McClintock of California, and Tom Rooney of Florida.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-13--Wisconsin law would stop Trump from skipping out on campaign rally bills

Two Wisconsin state legislators introduced a bill on Monday to force presidential campaigns to pay for local governments ' security costs for their rallies .
The bill specifically cites outstanding debts incurred by Donald Trump 's campaign , which has left local governments across the country to shoulder hundreds of thousands of dollars in security costs for his events .
The Recovery of Unsettled Municipal Payments Act , proposed by state Sen. Jeff Smith ( D ) and state Rep. Amanda Stuck ( D ) , would `` prohibit a presidential or vice-presidential campaign with outstanding bills from receiving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are paid . ''
It would also allow Wisconsin 's municipalities to charge campaigns for police and sanitation in advance .
In a press release , the two noted that both the cities of Eau Claire and Green Bay , Wisconsin , `` still have outstanding bills for presidential campaign visits from the 2016 , with the biggest offender being the Trump campaign . ''
As of Sunday , they added , the two are owed a combined $ 56,778 for 2016 Trump rallies .
This is part of a larger pattern of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of June 2019 , the Center for Public Integrity reported that he owed more than $ 841,000 combined to at least 10 local police forces that provided security for his rallies .
More than $ 470,000 of that is owed to the city of El Paso , Texas , where Trump held an event last April to promote his plans for an expensive border wall .
Stuck argued in the press release that `` property tax payers should not be left on the hook for the increased cost to local law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith added , `` It 's one thing to ask for our vote , it 's another to ask us to pick up your tab . ''
He said the bill would send a message of `` Pay up , or do n't come back ! ''
In October , the city of Minneapolis angered Trump by requesting advance payment of $ 530,000 for security for his Target Center rally .
Trump refused , saying this was a `` probably illegal '' attempt to `` price out Free Speech . ''
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign also owes Wisconsin municipal governments $ 18,705 .
The bill 's prospects are `` unclear '' , the paper said .
Both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature are led by pro-Trump Republicans .
Asked about the bill and the debts , a Trump 2020 campaign spokesperson said Monday in an email that the `` U.S. Secret Service , not the campaign , coordinates with local law enforcement for the protection of the President of the United States .
The campaign itself does not contract with local governments for police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the U.S. Secret Service . ''
Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on Tuesday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Two Wisconsin state legislators introduced a bill on Monday to force presidential campaigns to pay for local governments’ security costs for their rallies.
The bill specifically cites outstanding debts incurred by Donald Trump’s campaign, which has left local governments across the country to shoulder hundreds of thousands of dollars in security costs for his events.
The Recovery of Unsettled Municipal Payments Act, proposed by state Sen. Jeff Smith (D) and state Rep. Amanda Stuck (D), would “prohibit a presidential or vice-presidential campaign with outstanding bills from receiving a permit for another event until all debts are paid.” It would also allow Wisconsin’s municipalities to charge campaigns for police and sanitation in advance.
In a press release, the two noted that both the cities of Eau Claire and Green Bay, Wisconsin, “still have outstanding bills for presidential campaign visits from the 2016, with the biggest offender being the Trump campaign.” As of Sunday, they added, the two are owed a combined $56,778 for 2016 Trump rallies.
This is part of a larger pattern of rally-and-ditch by Trump’s campaign. As of June 2019, the Center for Public Integrity reported that he owed more than $841,000 combined to at least 10 local police forces that provided security for his rallies. More than $470,000 of that is owed to the city of El Paso, Texas, where Trump held an event last April to promote his plans for an expensive border wall.
Stuck argued in the press release that “property tax payers should not be left on the hook for the increased cost to local law enforcement agencies” when presidential candidates visit Wisconsin. Smith added, “It’s one thing to ask for our vote, it’s another to ask us to pick up your tab.” He said the bill would send a message of “Pay up, or don’t come back!”
In October, the city of Minneapolis angered Trump by requesting advance payment of $530,000 for security for his Target Center rally. Trump refused, saying this was a “probably illegal” attempt to “price out Free Speech.”
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the now-defunct Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign also owes Wisconsin municipal governments $18,705.
The bill’s prospects are “unclear“, the paper said. Both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature are led by pro-Trump Republicans.
Asked about the bill and the debts, a Trump 2020 campaign spokesperson said Monday in an email that the “U.S. Secret Service, not the campaign, coordinates with local law enforcement for the protection of the President of the United States. The campaign itself does not contract with local governments for police involvement. All billing inquiries should always go to the U.S. Secret Service.”
Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on Tuesday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-13--Republican group slams GOP senator as 'weak' and 'terrified' of Trump

The Lincoln Group , a high-profile group of anti-Trump Republicans , released a scathing ad on Monday lambasting Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner ( R ) for his unwavering support of Donald Trump .
`` Why are you losing ?
Why do the polls show you headed for humiliating defeat in November ? ''
the ad asks .
An image of a poll showing Gardner trailing former Colorado Gov .
John Hickenlooper by 13 points flashes across the screen .
The ad then claims Gardner is `` just another Trump servant : Weak .
Frightened .
Impotent .
A small man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ad complains that Gardner will `` do anything Trump orders , '' especially as it relates to the upcoming Senate impeachment trial .
The group accuses Gardner of `` blocking witnesses , stonewalling to keep Trump 's corruption secret , breaking [ his ] oath to follow the Constitution and the law . ''
The ad states that `` Colorado voters want a fair trial in the Senate , and honest leadership . ''
It ends with a warning to Gardner : `` Either do your job , or Colorado will find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group was formed and is led by several high-profile Republicans who spent the past few decades supporting various Republican candidates .
One of the group 's members , Steve Schmidt , worked for former President George W. Bush and the late Sen. John McCain ( R-AZ ) .
Another , George Conway , is a conservative lawyer who has publicly claimed Trump allegedly suffers from mental health issues so serious that he is unfit to serve as president .
( Conway is married to top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway . )
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission is to defeat `` President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box '' in 2020 , adding that `` electing Democrats who support the Constitution over Republicans who do not is a worthy effort . ''
Gardner has been one of Trump 's top supporters in the Senate , going so far as to endorse Trump 's 2020 reelection campaign in January 2019 .
He has faced criticism in Colorado for avoiding the press , supporting the Trump administration 's effort to take money meant for military families to build a border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular gun safety measures .
However , Gardner has largely remained silent on the issue of impeachment , and is rumored to be one of a handful of Senate Republicans who may split with the rest of the party as Trump 's trial approaches , joining Sens .
Lisa Murkowski ( AK ) , Susan Collins ( ME ) , and Mitt Romney ( UT ) to vote to call witnesses , according to senior White House officials who spoke to CBS News on Monday .
Sens .
Lamar Alexander ( TN ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also defect to join the group .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already admitted that he will not be impartial in that trial and will coordinate Trump 's defense with the White House .
McConnell has refused to say whether or not witnesses will be allowed to testify , although the majority leader would need the support of 51 senators in order to block all witnesses from testifying .
Gardner and the other Republican senators who are reportedly planning to vote to call witnesses could threaten McConnell 's blockade .
Republicans currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning Gardner — who faces reelection in November — could cast a critical vote on whether or not witnesses are allowed to be heard .
Trump is facing trial on two articles of impeachment , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , stemming from his alleged attempts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , who is vying to be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee .
At the moment , several Democrats are vying to replace Gardner , with former Gov .
Hickenlooper leading in polling and fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , and then exiting when he failed to gain much traction .
Election experts regularly identify Gardner as one of the most vulnerable members of the Senate .
Gardner won his senate seat in 2014 , but voters in the state have steadily rejected Republicans in the years since .
In 2016 , the state backed Hillary Clinton over Trump , and in 2018 elected Democrats to every statewide office as well as a majority in both legislative chambers .
As the poll in Monday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle if this trend continues through November .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Lincoln Group, a high-profile group of anti-Trump Republicans, released a scathing ad on Monday lambasting Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner (R) for his unwavering support of Donald Trump.
“Why are you losing? Why do the polls show you headed for humiliating defeat in November?” the ad asks.
An image of a poll showing Gardner trailing former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper by 13 points flashes across the screen.
The ad then claims Gardner is “just another Trump servant: Weak. Frightened. Impotent. A small man terrified of a political bully.”
The ad complains that Gardner will “do anything Trump orders,” especially as it relates to the upcoming Senate impeachment trial. The group accuses Gardner of “blocking witnesses, stonewalling to keep Trump’s corruption secret, breaking [his] oath to follow the Constitution and the law.”
The ad states that “Colorado voters want a fair trial in the Senate, and honest leadership.” It ends with a warning to Gardner: “Either do your job, or Colorado will find someone who will.”
The Lincoln Group was formed and is led by several high-profile Republicans who spent the past few decades supporting various Republican candidates.
One of the group’s members, Steve Schmidt, worked for former President George W. Bush and the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Another, George Conway, is a conservative lawyer who has publicly claimed Trump allegedly suffers from mental health issues so serious that he is unfit to serve as president. (Conway is married to top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway.)
According to its website, the Lincoln Group’s mission is to defeat “President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box” in 2020, adding that “electing Democrats who support the Constitution over Republicans who do not is a worthy effort.”
Gardner has been one of Trump’s top supporters in the Senate, going so far as to endorse Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign in January 2019.
He has faced criticism in Colorado for avoiding the press, supporting the Trump administration’s effort to take money meant for military families to build a border wall, and for refusing to support popular gun safety measures.
However, Gardner has largely remained silent on the issue of impeachment, and is rumored to be one of a handful of Senate Republicans who may split with the rest of the party as Trump’s trial approaches, joining Sens. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Susan Collins (ME), and Mitt Romney (UT) to vote to call witnesses, according to senior White House officials who spoke to CBS News on Monday. Sens. Lamar Alexander (TN) and Rand Paul (KY) may also defect to join the group.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already admitted that he will not be impartial in that trial and will coordinate Trump’s defense with the White House. McConnell has refused to say whether or not witnesses will be allowed to testify, although the majority leader would need the support of 51 senators in order to block all witnesses from testifying.
Gardner and the other Republican senators who are reportedly planning to vote to call witnesses could threaten McConnell’s blockade.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning Gardner — who faces reelection in November — could cast a critical vote on whether or not witnesses are allowed to be heard.
Trump is facing trial on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from his alleged attempts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who is vying to be the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee.
At the moment, several Democrats are vying to replace Gardner, with former Gov. Hickenlooper leading in polling and fundraising. Hickenlooper entered the race after briefly running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, and then exiting when he failed to gain much traction.
Election experts regularly identify Gardner as one of the most vulnerable members of the Senate. Gardner won his senate seat in 2014, but voters in the state have steadily rejected Republicans in the years since. In 2016, the state backed Hillary Clinton over Trump, and in 2018 elected Democrats to every statewide office as well as a majority in both legislative chambers.
As the poll in Monday’s ad noted, Gardner faces an uphill battle if this trend continues through November.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-13--Trump press secretary says it's Democrats' fault he needs to slur Muslims

In an interview with Fox on Monday , White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham defended Donald Trump 's decision to retweet an Islamophobic meme , arguing that it was necessary because Democrats have criticized his decision to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Trump on Monday morning retweeted a post depicting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in Muslim dress along with the caption , `` The corrupted Dems trying their best to come to the Ayatollah 's rescue . ''
During Grisham 's appearance , Fox host Harris Faulkner read a response from writer Hend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way I and millions of other Americans dress and the religious beliefs that We hold as a slur . ''
Amry added , `` This absolutely must be condemned by congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle . ''
`` I think the president is making clear that the Democrats are , have been parroting Iranian talking points and almost taking the side of terrorists and those who were out to kill the Americans , '' said Grisham .
Grisham added , `` I think the president was making the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much that they 're willing to be on the side of countries and leadership of countries who want to kill Americans . ''
Grisham 's comments are in line with those of other Republicans who have sought to deflect from concerns about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the strike .
Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) was recently forced to issue an apology last week after he said Democrats who voted to constrain Trump 's war powers were `` in love with terrorists . ''
The administration has thus far been unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posed an `` imminent threat '' to the United States before he ordered a strike to kill Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani .
Subsequently , with support from members of both parties , the House voted to limit Trump 's powers in a military strike .

In an interview with Fox on Monday, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham defended Donald Trump’s decision to retweet an Islamophobic meme, arguing that it was necessary because Democrats have criticized his decision to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Trump on Monday morning retweeted a post depicting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in Muslim dress along with the caption, “The corrupted Dems trying their best to come to the Ayatollah’s rescue.”
During Grisham’s appearance, Fox host Harris Faulkner read a response from writer Hend Amry that asked why Trump used “the way I and millions of other Americans dress and the religious beliefs that We hold as a slur.”
Amry added, “This absolutely must be condemned by congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”
Grisham was unapologetic.
“I think the president is making clear that the Democrats are, have been parroting Iranian talking points and almost taking the side of terrorists and those who were out to kill the Americans,” said Grisham.
Grisham added, “I think the president was making the point that the Democrats seem to hate him so much that they’re willing to be on the side of countries and leadership of countries who want to kill Americans.”
Grisham’s comments are in line with those of other Republicans who have sought to deflect from concerns about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the strike.
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) was recently forced to issue an apology last week after he said Democrats who voted to constrain Trump’s war powers were “in love with terrorists.”
The administration has thus far been unable to justify Trump’s claim that Iran posed an “imminent threat” to the United States before he ordered a strike to kill Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Subsequently, with support from members of both parties, the House voted to limit Trump’s powers in a military strike.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.