npr--2020-03-01--Trump Says 'Markets Will Take Care Of Themselves' After Stock Sell-Off

Trump Says 'Markets Will Take Care Of Themselves ' After Stock Sell-Off Last week , even as he responded to growing fears about coronavirus , President Trump had his eye on the markets .
At the start of what turned out to be a terrible week for stock prices , Trump tweeted that coronavirus was `` very much under control '' and implied that stock market losses were overdone .
But by the end of the week , Trump was decidedly less sanguine .
It turned out to be the worst week for U.S. stocks since the 2008 financial crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's just people do n't know .
It 's the unknown , '' Trump said of the market reaction to coronavirus .
`` You know they look at it and they say , 'How long would this last ? '
`` More than any other president in recent memory , Trump has tied his fate to the stock market .
He has tweeted about it more than 140 times since taking office and has made stock price gains a key part of his reelection pitch , often inflating the gains as he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House on Feb. 22 .
`` The stock market is up 80 % , in some cases much higher than that , '' Trump said .
`` 401 ( k ) s are at record levels . ''
But if you look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average , it was up by 56 % on Feb. 22 , compared with the date of Trump 's election .
Some of those gains were erased in the past week .
On Friday night , at a rally in South Carolina , Trump did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is quite a change from his norm .
In recent months , he has boasted about market records at rallies .
`` And we 've set 144 records on the stock market in three years — 144 records ! ''
Trump said in Phoenix last month .
He brought it up in his State of the Union address , and even at the National Prayer Breakfast , telling attendees , `` For those of you that are interested in stocks , it looks like the stock market will be way up again today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Trump even has a riff he does at rallies about a man he calls Henry whose wife has been wowed by the performance of his 401 ( k ) .
Trump quotes him as saying that his wife thinks he 's a genius and loves him again .
`` Shows what money can do , right ? ''
Trump joked at the Phoenix rally .
It 's easy to get caught up in the exuberance of a rising market , said Matt McDonald , a partner at Hamilton Place Strategies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If the parade is going , there 's a high temptation to just get in front of the parade , '' McDonald said .
`` The problem is , live by the markets , die by the markets — and we just went into correction territory the other day . ''
A correction is market losses of more than 10 % over a short period of time .
And that 's exactly what happened last week .
The Dow set another record last Thursday : the largest point drop ever in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about that one .
White House officials are running through options for what to do if coronavirus infects the broader economy as well , including tax cuts .
For now , economic adviser Larry Kudlow is urging calm .
`` I just think everybody — whether you are an investor or whether you 're an ordinary Main Street person — people should not overreact , '' Kudlow told reporters .
Market movements are n't a particularly meaningful economic indicator .
But McDonald said they are something consumers see on a regular basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidents , they want to be careful about taking responsibility for things that they ca n't entirely control , '' said McDonald .
While the president ca n't control stock prices , he does have the responsibility for how he and his administration respond to coronavirus — something he acknowledged on Saturday after announcing the first U.S. death from the virus .
How coronavirus plays out in the coming weeks and months and the Trump administration 's response to it could have a lot more bearing on the president 's reelection chances than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Safety , health — No .
1 , '' Trump said , after explaining that further restricting travel could hurt companies like airlines .
`` The markets will take care of themselves . ''

Trump Says 'Markets Will Take Care Of Themselves' After Stock Sell-Off
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images
Last week, even as he responded to growing fears about coronavirus, President Trump had his eye on the markets. At the start of what turned out to be a terrible week for stock prices, Trump tweeted that coronavirus was "very much under control" and implied that stock market losses were overdone.
But by the end of the week, Trump was decidedly less sanguine. It turned out to be the worst week for U.S. stocks since the 2008 financial crisis.
"Well, I think it's just people don't know. It's the unknown," Trump said of the market reaction to coronavirus. "You know they look at it and they say, 'How long would this last?' "
More than any other president in recent memory, Trump has tied his fate to the stock market. He has tweeted about it more than 140 times since taking office and has made stock price gains a key part of his reelection pitch, often inflating the gains as he did in a video just released by the White House on Feb. 22.
"The stock market is up 80%, in some cases much higher than that," Trump said. "401(k)s are at record levels." But if you look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average, it was up by 56% on Feb. 22, compared with the date of Trump's election. Some of those gains were erased in the past week.
toggle caption DJIA data from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
On Friday night, at a rally in South Carolina, Trump didn't mention the stock market, which is quite a change from his norm. In recent months, he has boasted about market records at rallies.
"And we've set 144 records on the stock market in three years — 144 records!" Trump said in Phoenix last month.
He brought it up in his State of the Union address, and even at the National Prayer Breakfast, telling attendees, "For those of you that are interested in stocks, it looks like the stock market will be way up again today." His prediction proved accurate that day.
Trump even has a riff he does at rallies about a man he calls Henry whose wife has been wowed by the performance of his 401(k). Trump quotes him as saying that his wife thinks he's a genius and loves him again. "Shows what money can do, right?" Trump joked at the Phoenix rally.
It's easy to get caught up in the exuberance of a rising market, said Matt McDonald, a partner at Hamilton Place Strategies, a political and economic consulting firm.
"If the parade is going, there's a high temptation to just get in front of the parade," McDonald said. "The problem is, live by the markets, die by the markets — and we just went into correction territory the other day."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Heins/Getty Images Scott Heins/Getty Images
A correction is market losses of more than 10% over a short period of time. And that's exactly what happened last week.
The Dow set another record last Thursday: the largest point drop ever in a single day. Trump isn't boasting about that one.
White House officials are running through options for what to do if coronavirus infects the broader economy as well, including tax cuts. For now, economic adviser Larry Kudlow is urging calm.
"I just think everybody — whether you are an investor or whether you're an ordinary Main Street person — people should not overreact," Kudlow told reporters.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
Market movements aren't a particularly meaningful economic indicator. But McDonald said they are something consumers see on a regular basis, along with gas prices.
"For presidents, they want to be careful about taking responsibility for things that they can't entirely control," said McDonald.
While the president can't control stock prices, he does have the responsibility for how he and his administration respond to coronavirus — something he acknowledged on Saturday after announcing the first U.S. death from the virus.
How coronavirus plays out in the coming weeks and months and the Trump administration's response to it could have a lot more bearing on the president's reelection chances than what is happening on Wall Street.
"Safety, health — No. 1," Trump said, after explaining that further restricting travel could hurt companies like airlines. "The markets will take care of themselves."


npr--2020-03-01--Jeff Sessions Embraces President Trump In Comeback Senate Bid

Saying you 're behind President Trump goes a long way in Alabama , where he has a 60 % approval rating .
Even a local school board candidate declared his devotion to the president during a recent speech at a meeting of the South Baldwin Republican Women in Foley , Ala. And it 's a factor in a hotly contested Republican senate primary .
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is seeking his old senate seat back in the March 3 primary to pick the GOP nominee to challenge Sen. Doug Jones , considered the most vulnerable Democrat up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group in south Alabama , Anne Saunders says she 's looking for a Trump supporter `` because we need unity . ''
Marge Bumann agrees .
`` They should stand by the president , '' she says .
The active GOP voters here say Trump 's presidency has been good for the economy and they want a Senate candidate who reflects his priorities .
The top contenders in the Super Tuesday primary are Sessions , U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne , and political newcomer Tommy Tuberville , a former football coach at Auburn University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama , Roy Moore , is also running .
He lost the 2017 senate race to Jones , and his campaign has struggled to gain traction in this GOP primary .
For the others , the message on the airwaves is about who is the `` Trumpiest . ''
`` God sent us Donald Trump because God knew we were in trouble , '' Tuberville says in an ad showing him driving a pickup truck .
`` I 'm going to stand with President Donald Trump on building the wall . ''
Byrne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump calling him out at a White House event thanking Republicans who supported him during impeachment .
`` Thank you Bradley , '' Trump says .
And despite his very public falling out with the president when he was attorney general , Sessions ' argument is that he 's best suited to fight for Trump 's agenda .
`` Others talk big about Trump , hoping to get your vote , '' Sessions says in one ad .
`` But talk is cheap .
I 've been with him from the start .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump pointing to Sessions on stage early in the 2016 presidential campaign .
Sessions is wearing a red MAGA ball cap .
Sessions is a longtime Alabama politician .
He served 20 years in the U.S. Senate , earning a reputation as a leading voice against illegal immigration .
Before that he was a U.S. attorney , nominated by President Ronald Reagan , and then Alabama 's attorney general until he was elected to the Senate in 1996 .
But voters now associate him most with his troubled tenure in the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 after being repeatedly mocked by Trump , angry that Sessions recused himself from special counsel Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation .
Sessions has had to answer for that on the campaign trail .
For instance on the Leland Live podcast on Birmingham 's talk radio 99.5 , a caller named Richard from Jasper , Ala. , asked why Trump has n't backed Sessions in the race .
`` Why did n't you stand with him during the investigation when you were the attorney general ? ''
he asked .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way through , '' Sessions answered on the radio show and explained that he was following the law when he recused himself from the Mueller probe .
`` I have been Donald Trump 's number one supporter , '' Sessions said during a campaign appearance in Hoover , Ala .
Asked what he 's doing to sway frustrated voters , Sessions said he is trying to remind Alabamians that his ideas are what helped Trump win in the first place .
`` Before he announced I was advancing the agenda that he believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm the one that helped Donald Trump form his agenda .
I 'm the one who campaigned with him all over this country on his plane .
I introduced him at the Republican convention , I nominated him . ''
He points out that Bryne said Trump was unfit to serve in 2016 , and that Tuberville never contributed to Trump 's campaign despite his lucrative football salary .
`` Where were they when the chips were down ? ''
he asked .
But Sessions ' message is falling flat for Frances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made us a good senator but I 've been very angry with him , '' Andrews says .
`` Recusing himself when he was appointed attorney general — it was almost a betrayal to me . ''
Andrews is undecided but has come to a lunch meeting of the Republican Women of Madison to hear one of Session 's opponents , the congressman representing Alabama 's first district .
Byrne 's from the Mobile area and has come to this north Alabama suburb of Huntsville to court voters who might not be familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bradley Byrne .
I 'm a Christian , I 'm conservative , and I 'm a fighter , '' he said opening his speech to the group .
He highlighted his shout out from the president at the White House .
`` Why did he call me out ?
I told you I was a fighter .
I fought for him , '' Bryne said .
`` I was fighting for you because the attack on President Trump was an attack on everybody in this room . ''
Traditionally seen as a mainstreet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the conservative Club for Growth .
He has faced criticism for now running a Senate campaign that appeals more to the nation 's political divide .
Byrne rejects the notion that he 's angling for political gain .
`` It 's not true , '' she says .
Byrne says he votes with the president 97 % of the time because he believes on substance , Trump is right .
`` And I think this impeachment effort last year was totally bogus , '' says Byrne .
That 's something all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbecue in Alexander City , Ala. , big game trophies adorn the wood-paneled walls .
Former Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville is here to mingle and take selfies with football fans .
He stops at a booth where Weogufka , Ala. , cattle farmers Pete Rodgers and Roger Morris are having lunch .
`` Coach we need some backbone in Washington , '' they say .
`` You 're fixing to get it , '' Tuberville says .
`` That 's the reason I 'm doing this .
I 'm so sick of career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The fact that Tuberville is a political novice is appealing to voters here .
`` I think he has experience with people and that 's what he needs , '' says Faye Johnson of Childersburg who stopped to exchange the Auburn battle cry of `` War Eagle '' with Tuberville .
`` I do n't want to be a politician , '' Tuberville says .
`` I want to be a helper . ''
He makes easy conversation , talking about gigging frogs in the rain , and asking people how work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not busy now you need to get another profession , '' he says citing the economy .
Farmer Roger Morris likes what he hears from `` coach '' as he calls Tuberville .
He 's frustrated that Sessions is in the race .
`` Sessions is a wimp .
He 's got no backbone , '' says Morris .
`` He needs to just get out of the way . ''
Other voters are more forgiving .
`` I think he was put in a bad position , '' says David Phillips of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a cue from the White House .
`` I would like to hear a word from President Trump , '' says Frances Andrews .
But despite all the candidates touting their support for the president , Trump has yet to weigh in on the Alabama Senate primary .
Polls indicate a race so close that no one will win an outright majority on Super Tuesday , likely forcing a GOP senate runoff on March 31 to face Democrat Doug Jones in November .

Jeff Sessions Embraces President Trump In Comeback Senate Bid
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vasha Hunt/AP Vasha Hunt/AP
Saying you're behind President Trump goes a long way in Alabama, where he has a 60% approval rating. Even a local school board candidate declared his devotion to the president during a recent speech at a meeting of the South Baldwin Republican Women in Foley, Ala.
Politics Trump's Impeachment Trial Could Hurt Sen. Jones' Reelection Bid Trump's Impeachment Trial Could Hurt Sen. Jones' Reelection Bid Listen · 5:19 5:19
And it's a factor in a hotly contested Republican Senate primary. Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is seeking his old Senate seat back in the March 3 primary to pick the GOP nominee to challenge Sen. Doug Jones, considered the most vulnerable Democrat up for reelection.
Politics Alabama Senate Race Heats Up Ahead Of Super Tuesday Alabama Senate Race Heats Up Ahead Of Super Tuesday Listen · 4:28 4:28
At the Republican women's group in south Alabama, Anne Saunders says she's looking for a Trump supporter "because we need unity." Marge Bumann agrees. "They should stand by the president," she says.
The active GOP voters here say Trump's presidency has been good for the economy and they want a Senate candidate who reflects his priorities.
The top contenders in the Super Tuesday primary are Sessions, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne and political newcomer Tommy Tuberville, a former football coach at Auburn University. The twice-ousted former chief justice of Alabama, Roy Moore, is also running. He lost the 2017 Senate race to Jones, and his campaign has struggled to gain traction in this GOP primary.
For the others, the message on the airwaves is about who is the "Trumpiest."
"God sent us Donald Trump because God knew we were in trouble," Tuberville says in an ad showing him driving a pickup truck. "I'm going to stand with President Donald Trump on building the wall."
Byrne is running an ad that shows Trump calling him out at a White House event thanking Republicans who supported him during impeachment. "Thank you, Bradley," Trump says.
And despite his very public falling out with the president when he was attorney general, Sessions' argument is that he's best suited to fight for Trump's agenda.
"Others talk big about Trump, hoping to get your vote," Sessions says in one ad. "But talk is cheap. I've been with him from the start."
The ad shows a clip of Trump pointing to Sessions on stage early in the 2016 presidential campaign. Sessions is wearing a red MAGA ball cap.
Sessions is a longtime Alabama politician. He served 20 years in the U.S. Senate, earning a reputation as a leading voice against illegal immigration. Before that he was a U.S. attorney, nominated by President Ronald Reagan, and then Alabama's attorney general until he was elected to the Senate in 1996.
But voters now associate him most with his troubled tenure in the Trump administration. He stepped down as attorney general in 2018 after being repeatedly mocked by Trump, angry that Sessions recused himself from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.
Sessions has had to answer for that on the campaign trail.
For instance on the Leland Live podcast on Birmingham's talk radio 99.5, a caller named Richard from Jasper, Ala., asked why Trump hasn't backed Sessions in the race. "Why didn't you stand with him during the investigation when you were the attorney general?" he asked.
"I have stood with Donald Trump all the way through," Sessions answered on the radio show and explained that he was following the law when he recused himself from the Mueller probe.
"I have been Donald Trump's No. 1 supporter," Sessions said during a campaign appearance in Hoover, Ala.
Asked what he's doing to sway frustrated voters, Sessions said he is trying to remind Alabamians that his ideas are what helped Trump win in the first place.
"Before he announced I was advancing the agenda that he believes in," Sessions says. "I'm the one that helped Donald Trump form his agenda. I'm the one who campaigned with him all over this country on his plane. I introduced him at the Republican convention, I nominated him."
He points out that Bryne said Trump was unfit to serve in 2016, and that Tuberville never contributed to Trump's campaign despite his lucrative football salary.
"Where were they when the chips were down?" he asked.
But Sessions' message is falling flat for Frances Andrews of Athens, Ala.
"He made us a good senator but I've been very angry with him," Andrews says. "Recusing himself when he was appointed attorney general — it was almost a betrayal to me."
Andrews is undecided but has come to a lunch meeting of the Republican Women of Madison to hear one of Sessions' opponents, the congressman representing Alabama's first district. Byrne's from the Mobile area and has come to this north Alabama suburb of Huntsville to court voters who might not be familiar with him.
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
"My name is Bradley Byrne. I'm a Christian, I'm conservative, and I'm a fighter," he said opening his speech to the group.
He highlighted his shout-out from the president at the White House.
"Why did he call me out? I told you I was a fighter. I fought for him," Bryne said. "I was fighting for you because the attack on President Trump was an attack on everybody in this room."
Traditionally seen as a mainstreet Republican, Byrne is drawing attack ads from the conservative Club for Growth.
He has faced criticism for now running a Senate campaign that appeals more to the nation's political divide. Byrne rejects the notion that he's angling for political gain.
"It's not true," she says. Byrne says he votes with the president 97% of the time because he believes on substance, Trump is right.
"And I think this impeachment effort last year was totally bogus," says Byrne.
Elections Some Alabama Voters Surprised By Jeff Sessions' Potential Senate Comeback Some Alabama Voters Surprised By Jeff Sessions' Potential Senate Comeback Listen · 4:06 4:06
That's something all the candidates agree on.
At Big B Barbecue in Alexander City, Ala., big game trophies adorn the wood-paneled walls. Former Auburn coach Tuberville is here to mingle and take selfies with football fans.
He stops at a booth where Weogufka, Ala., cattle farmers Pete Rodgers and Roger Morris are having lunch.
"Coach we need some backbone in Washington," they say.
"You're fixing to get it," Tuberville says. "That's the reason I'm doing this. I'm so sick of career politicians I can't stand it."
The fact that Tuberville is a political novice is appealing to voters here.
"I think he has experience with people and that's what he needs," says Faye Johnson of Childersburg who stopped to exchange the Auburn battle cry of "War Eagle" with Tuberville.
"I don't want to be a politician," Tuberville says. "I want to be a helper."
He makes easy conversation, talking about gigging frogs in the rain, and asking people how work is going.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Debbie Elliott/NPR Debbie Elliott/NPR
"If you're not busy now you need to get another profession," he says citing the economy.
Farmer Roger Morris likes what he hears from "coach" as he calls Tuberville. He's frustrated that Sessions is in the race.
"Sessions is a wimp. He's got no backbone," says Morris. "He needs to just get out of the way."
Other voters are more forgiving.
"I think he was put in a bad position," says David Phillips of Robertsdale, Ala.
And some are waiting for a cue from the White House.
"I would like to hear a word from President Trump," says Frances Andrews.
But despite all the candidates touting their support for the president, Trump has yet to weigh in on the Alabama Senate primary.
Polls indicate a race so close that no one will win an outright majority on Super Tuesday, likely forcing a GOP Senate runoff on March 31 to face the Democrat Jones in November.


npr--2020-03-01--On Super Tuesday, Don't Expect Quick Election Results From The West

On Super Tuesday , Do n't Expect Quick Election Results From The West The caucus debacle that went down in Iowa at the beginning of February was n't supposed to happen .
But as states across the nation prepare for Super Tuesday , experts say American voters should get used to waiting for election results .
In many states , a delay of days or even weeks wo n't be the result of a botched election — but instead proof that the process is working .
`` If we counted at the moment that the polls closed , we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Kathleen Hale , director of the Institute for Election Administration Research and Practice at Auburn University .
`` And if we expect to have a count within four or five hours after the polls close , we need a much more sophisticated and , quite frankly , expensive infrastructure to make that even remotely possible . ''
On Super Tuesday , 14 states including California , Colorado and Utah will all cast ballots .
The western states increasingly rely on mail-in ballots that often take longer to count .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots in 2018 and it took weeks to call some races in California and Arizona that year .
In multiple counties in another Super Tuesday state , Texas , voters will be casting ballots on brand-new equipment for the first time , which could also lead to slow results and late-night snafus .
But telling voters to expect slower results is difficult at a time when immediate gratification is increasingly the norm , Hale conceded .
She was n't impressed by the reactions on cable news the night of the Iowa caucuses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone had been expecting were not going to come anytime soon .
`` I was concerned about the media dismay at the lack of instantaneous results .
I watched all the major news channels , I 'm an equal opportunity viewer and every channel was concerned that their folks were standing by , ready to dissect at the county level , the precinct level , all of the caucus data — and they did n't have it , '' she said .
It is important to note that caucuses , which are controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than primary elections .
Iowa , Nevada and Wyoming are the only states to use caucuses this year , and Nevada Democrats have endorsed moving to a primary .
In the rest of the nation , voters will cast ballots in elections run by local election officials .
It 's a difference that California Secretary of State Alex Padilla emphasized after the Iowa meltdown .
`` Unlike caucuses , which are led by political parties and volunteers , elections in California are administered by elections professionals , '' Padilla said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place to both maximize the accessibility for all eligible citizens to be registered to vote and to cast their ballots .
But also all the security measures in place to make sure that all ballots are counted , counted as cast and accounted for . ''
That 's true in all states with primaries — but every state 's elections laws are also slightly different .
Hale says those varying laws mean that how , when and where people vote can diverge widely across the nation .
`` In person on Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote differently this time , '' she said .
`` And the reason for that is that we 've done a number of things to make voting easier and more convenient for people .
Those conveniences have a sort of a backside cost . ''
That cost ?
It takes longer to count the vote .
In California , for example , vote-by-mail ballots do n't have to reach county elections officials until three days after the election , as long as they 're postmarked by Election Day .
In 2018 , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided in California .
Additionally , California is one of 20 states where voters can now register the day of an election .
But , they 'll be casting a provisional ballot that wo n't be counted until it 's reviewed by officials in the days and weeks after polls close .
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks leads a party that 's pushed to expand voting rights — but he acknowledges that those changes have also made vote counting a weeks-long process .
`` We in California believe a complete and accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count , '' he said .
`` And so I think everyone has to walk into Election Day understanding that there will be a significant portion of the vote that is not available , that is not accessible , That can not be counted on election night . ''
Another wrinkle standing in the way of a quick primary election night outcome ?
Delegate math .
Each state apportions delegates differently , but in most cases all the votes have to be tallied in order to sort out how many delegates each candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential for anxiety and conspiracy theories among some candidates ' supporters , since the top vote-getter in any given state may not also win the most delegates .
`` I think it 's important for us to understand that that democracy takes time , and to criticize the process for not being fast enough is vastly and fundamentally different in my view from criticizing the process for not being accurate or not being secure , '' Hale said .
`` The integrity of elections and the accuracy of them and public trust in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast reporting deadline every time . ''
Her advice ?
Settle in , take some deep breaths , and prepare to wait .
It could be days , or even weeks , between the time you cast a vote and when you know the definitive outcome .

On Super Tuesday, Don't Expect Quick Election Results From The West
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images
The caucus debacle that went down in Iowa at the beginning of February wasn't supposed to happen. But as states across the nation prepare for Super Tuesday, experts say American voters should get used to waiting for election results.
In many states, a delay of days or even weeks won't be the result of a botched election — but instead proof that the process is working.
"If we counted at the moment that the polls closed, we would disenfranchise people — simple as that," said Kathleen Hale, director of the Institute for Election Administration Research and Practice at Auburn University. "And if we expect to have a count within four or five hours after the polls close, we need a much more sophisticated and, quite frankly, expensive infrastructure to make that even remotely possible."
On Super Tuesday, 14 states including California, Colorado and Utah will all cast ballots. The western states increasingly rely on mail-in ballots that often take longer to count. More than 60% of California voters cast absentee ballots in 2018 and it took weeks to call some races in California and Arizona that year.
In multiple counties in another Super Tuesday state, Texas, voters will be casting ballots on brand-new equipment for the first time, which could also lead to slow results and late-night snafus.
But telling voters to expect slower results is difficult at a time when immediate gratification is increasingly the norm, Hale conceded. She wasn't impressed by the reactions on cable news the night of the Iowa caucuses, as it became clear that the results everyone had been expecting were not going to come anytime soon.
"I was concerned about the media dismay at the lack of instantaneous results. I watched all the major news channels, I'm an equal opportunity viewer and every channel was concerned that their folks were standing by, ready to dissect at the county level, the precinct level, all of the caucus data — and they didn't have it," she said.
It is important to note that caucuses, which are controlled by political parties, are vastly different than primary elections. Iowa, Nevada and Wyoming are the only states to use caucuses this year, and Nevada Democrats have endorsed moving to a primary. In the rest of the nation, voters will cast ballots in elections run by local election officials.
It's a difference that California Secretary of State Alex Padilla emphasized after the Iowa meltdown.
"Unlike caucuses, which are led by political parties and volunteers, elections in California are administered by elections professionals," Padilla said. "We have a lot of policies and procedures in place to both maximize the accessibility for all eligible citizens to be registered to vote and to cast their ballots. But also all the security measures in place to make sure that all ballots are counted, counted as cast and accounted for."
That's true in all states with primaries — but every state's elections laws are also slightly different. Hale says those varying laws mean that how, when and where people vote can diverge widely across the nation.
"In person on Election Day, probably half the country will vote differently this time," she said. "And the reason for that is that we've done a number of things to make voting easier and more convenient for people. Those conveniences have a sort of a backside cost."
That cost? It takes longer to count the vote.
In California, for example, vote-by-mail ballots don't have to reach county elections officials until three days after the election, as long as they're postmarked by Election Day.
In 2018, it took weeks for some races to be decided in California.
Additionally, California is one of 20 states where voters can now register the day of an election. But, they'll be casting a provisional ballot that won't be counted until it's reviewed by officials in the days and weeks after polls close.
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks leads a party that's pushed to expand voting rights — but he acknowledges that those changes have also made vote counting a weeks-long process.
"We in California believe a complete and accurate count is always better than a fast count," he said. "And so I think everyone has to walk into Election Day understanding that there will be a significant portion of the vote that is not available, that is not accessible, That cannot be counted on election night."
Another wrinkle standing in the way of a quick primary election night outcome? Delegate math. Each state apportions delegates differently, but in most cases all the votes have to be tallied in order to sort out how many delegates each candidate has captured.
That also means the potential for anxiety and conspiracy theories among some candidates' supporters, since the top vote-getter in any given state may not also win the most delegates.
"I think it's important for us to understand that that democracy takes time, and to criticize the process for not being fast enough is vastly and fundamentally different in my view from criticizing the process for not being accurate or not being secure," Hale said. "The integrity of elections and the accuracy of them and public trust in them to me trumps a hard and fast reporting deadline every time."
Her advice? Settle in, take some deep breaths, and prepare to wait. It could be days, or even weeks, between the time you cast a vote and when you know the definitive outcome.


npr--2020-03-01--China's Red Banners Take On Coronavirus. Even Mahjong Gets A Mention

China 's Red Banners Take On Coronavirus .
Even Mahjong Gets A Mention China 's all-out war against coronavirus outbreak has many weapons .
There are quarantines and lockdowns .
Nearly half a billion people have been confined to prevent the spread of the virus .
There are attempts to stop public gatherings .
In this video , mahjong tables are destroyed so folks wo n't gather together and risk exposure to the pathogen .
And then there are the red banners .
Strung across streets and in public places , red banners with rhyming Chinese slogans have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
Banners have urged citizens to take land from landlords and redistribute it to farmers .
Their rhyming Chinese slogans championed non-intellectualism during the Cultural Revolution of the 1970s : `` The more knowledge you have , the more counter-revolutionary you are '' ) .
They 've reinforced presidential initiatives .
`` If you want less diseases , the toilet revolution is the answer '' embraces President Xi 's call for improving unhygienic bathroom conditions .
When it comes to coronavirus , sometimes the tone is straightforward : '' Better to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay at home than in an ICU . ''
Others are more dramatic : '' Those who gather together are shameless ; those who play mahjong are daredevils . ''
`` Have a bite of a wild animal dish today , see you in hell tomorrow . ''
And some are kinda funny .
`` Never ever go to grocery stores as long as you have a scallion at home . ''
`` Stay in and do n't wander around .
You have AC , television and WiFi as your friends .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some people respond with sarcasm : '' Who said our Communist party officials lack humor ? ''
wrote a user on Chinese social media , Weibo .
Other commenters praise the efforts : `` Whoever wrote this is so talented . ''
`` The slogans may come across as poor taste , but they make sense , '' said another Weibo user .
That kind of mixed reaction is no surprise .
People `` can follow the directions and genuinely be afraid and also find humor at the same time '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Brown University , who researched public health in China following the SARS epidemic .
There 's also a political tone to some of the messaging .
`` Fight the people 's war against new coronavirus epidemic , '' is one example .
`` These banners locate COVID-19 not only as a threat to your personal body or to the physical bodies of others around you but also a threat to the state , '' says Alexandre White , an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins who studies the social dynamics of global health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals for failing to take precautions to prevent the spread of their illness : '' Returning to hometown with the virus means you 're unfilial ; passing the virus to parents means you 're utterly devoid of conscience . ''
In that kind of messaging , coming down with a disease is represented as a moral failing , White adds .
And that can create stigma .
`` The act of blaming the spread on individual action is a tried and true practice in epidemics throughout history , '' he says .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when people adopt positive health practices , but it can also shame people to the point that they hide out and do n't seek treatment .
`` Fear is a very dangerous thing in an epidemic .
And the use of this fear to drive positive health responses from the public is a double-edged sword . ''
In the U.S. , for example , a poster from 1942 , aimed at stopping the spread of syphilis , shows an eager sailor attracted by a woman at a lamppost with this stern warning : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove he 's a man .
Remember : There 's no medicine for regret . ''
The big question : Do China 's red banners really make a difference ?
`` It is very difficult to say ! ''
Mason wrote in an email to NPR .
Without a controlled experiment , she noted , it 's impossible to tell exactly how the banners affected behavior or public health .
But `` these banners are rarely used in isolation — rather , they are usually only one component of a much broader publicity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own do I really do n't know . ''

China's Red Banners Take On Coronavirus. Even Mahjong Gets A Mention
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stringer/for NPR Stringer/for NPR
China's all-out war against coronavirus outbreak has many weapons.
There are quarantines and lockdowns. Nearly half a billion people have been confined to prevent the spread of the virus.
There are attempts to stop public gatherings. In this video, mahjong tables are destroyed so folks won't gather together and risk exposure to the pathogen.
And then there are the red banners. Strung across streets and in public places, red banners with rhyming Chinese slogans have been a part of government campaigns for decades in China. Banners have urged citizens to take land from landlords and redistribute it to farmers. Their rhyming Chinese slogans championed non-intellectualism during the Cultural Revolution of the 1970s: "The more knowledge you have, the more counter-revolutionary you are"). They've reinforced presidential initiatives. "If you want less diseases, the toilet revolution is the answer" embraces President Xi's call for improving unhygienic bathroom conditions.
When it comes to coronavirus, sometimes the tone is straightforward:
"Better to wear a mask than a ventilator; better to stay at home than in an ICU."
Others are more dramatic:
"Those who gather together are shameless; those who play mahjong are daredevils."
"Have a bite of a wild animal dish today, see you in hell tomorrow."
And some are kinda funny.
"Never ever go to grocery stores as long as you have a scallion at home."
"Stay in and don't wander around. You have AC, television and WiFi as your friends."
Among many red banners seen cautioning against #coronavirus, ranging from cultural revolution rhetoric to rhyming couplets (left: those who have a fever and don’t say anything are class enemies hiding among the people / right: this year a house visit, next year a grave visit) pic.twitter.com/WJfvDbhoq6 — Albert Han (@albertybhan) January 28, 2020
These slogans are getting mixed reviews. Some people respond with sarcasm:
"Who said our Communist party officials lack humor?" wrote a user on Chinese social media, Weibo.
Other commenters praise the efforts: "Whoever wrote this is so talented."
"The slogans may come across as poor taste, but they make sense," said another Weibo user.
That kind of mixed reaction is no surprise. People "can follow the directions and genuinely be afraid and also find humor at the same time" says Katherine Mason, assistant professor of anthropology at Brown University, who researched public health in China following the SARS epidemic.
There's also a political tone to some of the messaging. "Fight the people's war against new coronavirus epidemic," is one example.
"These banners locate COVID-19 not only as a threat to your personal body or to the physical bodies of others around you but also a threat to the state," says Alexandre White, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins who studies the social dynamics of global health.
Other banners cast blame at sick individuals for failing to take precautions to prevent the spread of their illness:
"Returning to hometown with the virus means you're unfilial; passing the virus to parents means you're utterly devoid of conscience."
In that kind of messaging, coming down with a disease is represented as a moral failing, White adds. And that can create stigma.
Public Health Posters TK Hide caption A poster dated Dec 1st, 1937 encouraging persons with syphilis to seek proper treatment as soon as possible. Previous Next Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Hide caption A poster dated January 21, 1943 promoting eradication of syphilis, showing children playing and reading. Previous Next Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Hide caption A poster dated March 13th, 1941 for the Cleveland Division of Health encouraging dog bite victims to report dog bites to the proper authorities, showing dog and injured hand. Previous Next Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Hide caption Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services. 3/9/1943-9/15/1945 Previous Next U.S. National Archives
Hide caption Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services. 3/9/1943-9/15/1945 Previous Next U.S. National Archives
Hide caption A poster circa 1942. Previous Next U.S. National Library of Medicine
Hide caption A poster from 1977. Previous Next U.S. National Library of Medicine
Hide caption A poster from 1940. Previous Next U.S. National Library of Medicine
Hide caption A poster from 1918 produced During the First World War. A tension had developed between "social hygiene" reformers, who condemned illicit sexual behavior and emphasized education as the key to fighting venereal diseases, and more pragmatic medical officers who promoted prophylactic stations for the treatment of venereal diseases on military bases. Previous Next U.S. National Library of Medicine
Hide caption A poster circa 1940. Previous Next U.S. National Library of Medicine
Hide caption From Harper's Weekly, v. 29, p. 592, New York, Harper & Brothers, September 5th, 1885. Previous Next U.S. National Library of Medicine
Hide caption A poster from circa 1940. Previous Next American Lung Association
Hide caption A poster from circa 1962. Previous Next American Lung Association
Hide caption A poster from 1930. Previous Next American Lung Association 1 of 14 i View slideshow
"The act of blaming the spread on individual action is a tried and true practice in epidemics throughout history," he says. It can lead to beneficial public health effects when people adopt positive health practices, but it can also shame people to the point that they hide out and don't seek treatment. "Fear is a very dangerous thing in an epidemic. And the use of this fear to drive positive health responses from the public is a double-edged sword."
In the U.S., for example, a poster from 1942, aimed at stopping the spread of syphilis, shows an eager sailor attracted by a woman at a lamppost with this stern warning: "A sailor doesn't have to prove he's a man. Remember: There's no medicine for regret."
The big question: Do China's red banners really make a difference?
"It is very difficult to say!" Mason wrote in an email to NPR. Without a controlled experiment, she noted, it's impossible to tell exactly how the banners affected behavior or public health. But "these banners are rarely used in isolation — rather, they are usually only one component of a much broader publicity campaign. How much the banners on their own do I really don't know."


npr--2020-03-01--4 Takeaways From Joe Biden's Big Win In South Carolina

Former Vice President Joe Biden had a big night in South Carolina , showing his promised strength with black voters .
If he had lost , Biden 's campaign would likely have been dead .
But he far exceeded expectations , with a nearly 30-point win in the state 's Democratic presidential primary .
`` And we are very much alive , '' Biden said during his victory speech Saturday night .
Biden lives to fight another day — some would say a super day — and he helped make the case for himself as the principal alternative to Vermont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still the underdog heading into Super Tuesday because of his structural disadvantages .
Can he gain enough momentum from his big win to help propel him ?
Attempted answers to that and more , with these four takeaways : 1 .
It may now be a two-person race The Biden who showed up Saturday night during his victory speech in South Carolina is the Biden whom a lot of establishment and moderate Democrats were hoping to see .
If he earlier made a lot of them indecisive about whether he should be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa and New Hampshire and his lack of a focused message — he probably reassured a lot of them Saturday to get behind him .
`` It is fast emerging as a two-person race , '' Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said Saturday during NPR 's live coverage .
And she 's not the only one .
`` I think this is a two-person race right now , '' former Obama 2008 Campaign Manager David Plouffe said on MSNBC .
`` There 's only two people I think are going to accept our party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders or Joe Biden . ''
Wealthy venture capitalist Tom Steyer dropped out Saturday night , which might help Biden 's margins with black voters in the half a dozen states on Tuesday that have significant black Democratic populations .
But it does n't look like any of the other candidates crowding the moderate lane are getting out before then .
Biden has to hope that moderate voters , who do n't want Sanders to be the nominee — and are thinking about casting their votes for former New York City Mayor Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mayor Pete Buttigieg or Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — reconsider and go with him .
Biden got the endorsement last week of South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn , a Democratic leader in the House and the highest-ranking African American in Congress .
He 's venerated among Democrats in South Carolina .
`` My buddy Jim Clyburn , '' Biden said during his victory speech , `` you brought me back ! ''
Half of South Carolina Democratic voters said Clyburn 's endorsement was an important factor in their vote — and Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit polls conducted by Edison Research and sponsored by some of the major TV networks .
Clyburn endorsed Biden on Wednesday , and 37 % of voters said they made up their minds in just the last few days .
Biden won them by a huge margin .
Do any other bold-faced names in key states come out for Biden ahead of Super Tuesday , when he needs them most ?
3 .
Biden has to hope he does n't wind up too far behind on Super Tuesday Biden comes out of Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first four contests and is very close to Sanders in the overall delegate count .
So then , why would Biden be the underdog on Super Tuesday ?
A few reasons — he 's being badly outspent on the airwaves in the 14 Super Tuesday states ; he has fewer staffers organizing on the ground ; and Sanders ' strength with Latinos .
Sanders is spending 25 times what Biden is in Super Tuesday states — $ 15.5 million to $ 600,000 , according to Advertising Analytics .
To put that in context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina ( $ 1 million ) than across the 14 Super Tuesday states .
The most critical thing about Biden 's paltry Super Tuesday spending : He 's not competing on the airwaves in California .
California is the crown jewel of Super Tuesday , with 415 delegates , or 30 % of all the delegates at stake Tuesday .
Biden needs money — a lot of it — to have any hope of catching up to Sanders .
Politico reported Saturday that Biden is gaining at least one major donor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Thursday .
But it might be too late to make a real difference for Super Tuesday .
Here 's this forehead-slapping nugget from the Politico piece : Latinos are a crucial voting bloc in California and Texas .
If Sanders runs up the score with them Tuesday , he 's going to be tough to catch in the pledged-delegate race .
4 .
Sanders figures to do well on Super Tuesday , but he needs to do better with black voters to quiet the naysayers If Biden needs to do better with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also promised to do well with , then Sanders needs to do better with black voters .
In Nevada , Sanders ate into Biden 's margin with black voters , but that did n't happen in South Carolina .
As expected , African Americans were a significant portion of the electorate Saturday night — 56 % .
Biden won them by 44 points over Sanders , 61 % to 17 % .
With that kind of loss with black voters , `` how can he legitimately be our nominee ? ''
former South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden supporter , said of Sanders on NPR Saturday .
Sanders has shown strength with younger black voters in polls , but Sanders did n't turn out young voters or new voters in South Carolina .
Just 11 % of the electorate was under 30 , and just 19 % were first-time voters .
Sanders is still in the driver 's seat for the nomination , but if he does n't do better with black voters on Super Tuesday , expect Hodges ' line to grow into a chorus with party stalwarts .

4 Takeaways From Joe Biden's Big Win In South Carolina
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gerald Herbert/AP Gerald Herbert/AP
Former Vice President Joe Biden had a big night in South Carolina, showing his promised strength with black voters.
If he had lost, Biden's campaign would likely have been dead. But he far exceeded expectations, with a nearly 30-point win in the state's Democratic presidential primary.
"And we are very much alive," Biden said during his victory speech Saturday night.
Biden lives to fight another day — some would say a super day — and he helped make the case for himself as the principal alternative to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But he's still the underdog heading into Super Tuesday because of his structural disadvantages.
Loading...
Can he gain enough momentum from his big win to help propel him? Attempted answers to that and more, with these four takeaways:
1. It may now be a two-person race
The Biden who showed up Saturday night during his victory speech in South Carolina is the Biden whom a lot of establishment and moderate Democrats were hoping to see.
If he earlier made a lot of them indecisive about whether he should be the Sanders alternative — after poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire and his lack of a focused message — he probably reassured a lot of them Saturday to get behind him.
"It is fast emerging as a two-person race," Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said Saturday during NPR's live coverage.
And she's not the only one.
"I think this is a two-person race right now," former Obama 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe said on MSNBC. "There's only two people I think are going to accept our party's nomination. It's either Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden."
Wealthy venture capitalist Tom Steyer dropped out Saturday night, which might help Biden's margins with black voters in the half a dozen states on Tuesday that have significant black Democratic populations.
But it doesn't look like any of the other candidates crowding the moderate lane are getting out before then. Biden has to hope that moderate voters who don't want Sanders to be the nominee — and are thinking about casting their votes for former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg or Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar — reconsider and go with him.
2. Endorsements (can) still matter
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gerald Herbert/AP Gerald Herbert/AP
Biden got the endorsement last week of South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Democratic leader in the House and the highest-ranking African American in Congress. He's venerated among Democrats in South Carolina.
"My buddy Jim Clyburn," Biden said during his victory speech, "you brought me back!"
Literally. He's not joking, folks.
Half of South Carolina Democratic voters said Clyburn's endorsement was an important factor in their vote — and Biden won them overwhelmingly, according to the exit polls conducted by Edison Research and sponsored by some of the major TV networks.
Clyburn endorsed Biden on Wednesday, and 37% of voters said they made up their minds in just the last few days. Biden won them by a huge margin.
Do any other bold-faced names in key states come out for Biden ahead of Super Tuesday, when he needs them most?
3. Biden has to hope he doesn't wind up too far behind on Super Tuesday
Biden comes out of Saturday with the most votes out of the first four contests and is very close to Sanders in the overall delegate count. So then, why would Biden be the underdog on Super Tuesday?
A few reasons: he's being badly outspent on the airwaves in the 14 Super Tuesday states; he has fewer staffers organizing on the ground; and Sanders' strength with Latinos.
Sanders is spending 25 times what Biden is in Super Tuesday states — $15.5 million to $600,000, according to Advertising Analytics. To put that in context, Biden spent more on ads in South Carolina ($1 million) than across the 14 Super Tuesday states.
The most critical thing about Biden's paltry Super Tuesday spending: He's not competing on the airwaves in California. California is the crown jewel of Super Tuesday, with 415 delegates, or 30% of all the delegates at stake Tuesday.
Biden needs money — a lot of it — to have any hope of catching up to Sanders. Politico reported Saturday that Biden is gaining at least one major donor and that a pro-Biden super PAC raised $2.5 million Thursday.
But it might be too late to make a real difference for Super Tuesday. Here's this forehead-slapping nugget from the Politico piece:
It was too late, by Friday, to create a TV ad and get it on the air, according to the PAC — and it remains unclear whether the help is coming too late for Biden's campaign, which largely abandoned delegate-rich California, for example, in the run-up to Super Tuesday.
Latinos are a crucial voting bloc in California and Texas. If Sanders runs up the score with them Tuesday, he's going to be tough to catch in the pledged-delegate race.
4. Sanders figures to do well on Super Tuesday, but he needs to do better with black voters to quiet the naysayers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jessica Hill/AP Jessica Hill/AP
If Biden needs to do better with Latinos and the white working-class voters he also promised to do well with, then Sanders needs to do better with black voters.
In Nevada, Sanders ate into Biden's margin with black voters, but that didn't happen in South Carolina. As expected, African Americans were a significant portion of the electorate Saturday night — 56%. Biden won them by 44 points over Sanders, 61% to 17%.
With that kind of loss with black voters, "how can he legitimately be our nominee?" former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, a Biden supporter, said of Sanders on NPR Saturday.
Sanders has shown strength with younger black voters in polls, but Sanders didn't turn out young voters or new voters in South Carolina. Just 11% of the electorate was under 30, and just 19% were first-time voters.
Sanders is still in the driver's seat for the nomination, but if he doesn't do better with black voters on Super Tuesday, expect Hodges' line to grow into a chorus with party stalwarts.


npr--2020-02-29--Super Tuesday Was Created To Nominate Someone Moderate. It Backfired

Super Tuesday Was Created To Nominate Someone Moderate .
It Backfired The phrase `` Super Tuesday '' first emerged in 1980 , when three Southern states — Alabama , Florida and Georgia — held their primaries on the same day .
It grew to nine in 1984 .
But the modern-day Super Tuesday was born in 1988 , with about 20 states — including a dozen in the South , which , upset with the nomination of Walter Mondale four years earlier and frustrated with being out of power in the White House for 20 years save for one term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to nominate someone more moderate .
Al Gore of Tennessee and Jesse Jackson split most of the Southern states with Jackson winning black Democrats .
That allowed for Massachusetts Gov .
Michael Dukakis to become the nominee after winning in the North , as well as in Florida and Texas .
He , like Mondale before him , would go on to lose badly in the general election .
Today , the more moderate , Southern white Democrats who concocted the Super Tuesday plan are rare in the modern Democratic Party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Super Tuesday , giving more influence not to moderate whites but to black voters .
On the Republican side in 1988 , Super Tuesday worked for George H.W .
Bush .
He won 16 of the 17 contests that year , helping to clinch the nomination .
It also sealed the nominations for Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992 , Republican Bob Dole in 1996 and Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore in 2000 , as well as Democrat John Kerry in 2004 .
Outside of the 1988 , 2008 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially brought the nomination fights to an end , and it had done so in every GOP race — until 2008 and 2012 .
While the nominations were n't quite wrapped up those years for John McCain and Mitt Romney , respectively , they still won their Super Tuesdays , and it gave them clear front-runner statuses .
They did go on to the GOP nomination after somewhat drawn-out fights .
In 2016 , Hillary Clinton came away from Super Tuesday with a lead that was difficult to catch , but not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are 14 states on the docket in this year 's Super Tuesday , March 3 .
It does n't beat 2008 's record of two dozen contests on a single day , but it is the first presidential primary since 2008 to include the delegate-rich state of California .
Here 's a list of the contests held in years past : Feb. 5 , 2008 : ( 24 ) Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Georgia , Idaho , Illinois , Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montana , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Utah , West Virginia This story was originally published on Feb. 29 , 2016 .

Super Tuesday Was Created To Nominate Someone Moderate. It Backfired
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
The phrase "Super Tuesday" first emerged in 1980, when three Southern states — Alabama, Florida and Georgia — held their primaries on the same day.
It grew to nine in 1984. But the modern-day Super Tuesday was born in 1988, with about 20 states — including a dozen in the South, which, upset with the nomination of Walter Mondale four years earlier and frustrated with being out of power in the White House for 20 years save for one term of Jimmy Carter, banded together to try to nominate someone more moderate.
It backfired.
Al Gore of Tennessee and Jesse Jackson split most of the Southern states with Jackson winning black Democrats.
That allowed for Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis to become the nominee after winning in the North, as well as in Florida and Texas. He, like Mondale before him, would go on to lose badly in the general election.
Today, the more moderate, Southern white Democrats who concocted the Super Tuesday plan are rare in the modern Democratic Party.
But the Southern states remain big players on Super Tuesday, giving more influence not to moderate whites but to black voters.
On the Republican side in 1988, Super Tuesday worked for George H.W. Bush. He won 16 of the 17 contests that year, helping to clinch the nomination. It also sealed the nominations for Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992, Republican Bob Dole in 1996 and Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore in 2000, as well as Democrat John Kerry in 2004.
Outside of the 1988, 2008 and 2016 Democratic races, Super Tuesday had essentially brought the nomination fights to an end, and it had done so in every GOP race — until 2008 and 2012.
While the nominations weren't quite wrapped up those years for John McCain and Mitt Romney, respectively, they still won their Super Tuesdays, and it gave them clear front-runner statuses. They did go on to the GOP nomination after somewhat drawn-out fights.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton came away from Super Tuesday with a lead that was difficult to catch, but not enough to end Bernie Sanders' campaign.
Past Super Tuesdays
There are 14 states on the docket in this year's Super Tuesday, March 3. It doesn't beat 2008's record of two dozen contests on a single day, but it is the first presidential primary since 2008 to include the delegate-rich state of California. Here's a list of the contests held in years past:
March 11, 1980: (3 primaries set up) Alabama, Florida, Georgia
March 13, 1984: (9) Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Washington
March 8, 1988: (20) Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Virginia
March 10, 1992: (11) Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas
March 12, 1996: (7) Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas
March 7, 2000: (16) California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington
March 2, 2004: (10) California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont
Feb. 5, 2008: (24) Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia
March 6, 2012: (10) Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia
March 1, 2016: (13) Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming
This story was originally published on Feb. 29, 2016.


npr--2020-02-29--2020 Presidential Candidates: Which Democrats Are Running

The Democratic presidential field started out as the most diverse ever , and the largest in at least 40 years @ @ @ @ @ down .
Below are the Democrats who are still in the running to try and @ @ @ @ @ well as the candidates who have dropped out of the primary : Do n't see @ @ @ @ @ here .
This story was originally published on Jan. 31 , 2019 .

2020 Presidential Candidates: Tracking Which Democrats Ran
The Democratic presidential field started out as the most diverse ever, and the largest in at least 40 years. It's since winnowed down to one: former Vice President Joe Biden.
Below are also the candidates who have dropped out of the primary:
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
This story was originally published on Jan. 31, 2019.
Edited by NPR's Arnie Seipel


npr--2020-02-29--Tom Steyer Drops Out Of 2020 Presidential Race

Tom Steyer , the billionaire hedge fund investor and environmental activist who staked his campaign on a strong finish in South Carolina , suspended his presidential campaign on Saturday .
Steyer aggressively courted the black vote in the state , with a focus on racial and economic justice but had a disappointing finish .
Former Vice President Joe Biden was projected to win the state .
`` I said if I did n't see a path to winning , that I 'd suspend my campaign , '' Steyer told supporters on Saturday .
`` And honestly , I ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency . ''
Steyer had spent more time in South Carolina than any other candidate and fielded the largest on-the-ground campaign staff .
He caused a stir in this state because of his extensive spending .
He spent nearly $ 24 million ads there and waged an aggressive direct-mail campaign .
Some of his spending , including the practice of hiring local lawmakers as paid staff , drew unease that he was buying the black vote .
Though Steyer made an aggressive play for South Carolina voters , he did not earn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire or Nevada — the first three contests — and polls showed a daunting path ahead in the 14 states that vote on Super Tuesday .
Steyer entered the race in July , despite an earlier announcement that he would n't seek the nomination and would instead focus on efforts to impeach President Trump .
The 62-year-old environmental activist made his fortune as a hedge fund manager and raised awareness of climate change through his NextGen America organization .
He raised his national profile by pushing for Trump 's impeachment and spent $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on digital and TV ads as part of his `` Need to Impeach '' initiative .
Steyer 's final campaign rally was at Allen University , a historically black college in Columbia , S.C..
He brought the rapper Juvenile , gospel singer Yolanda Adams and DJ Jazzy Jeff to the school 's gymnasium to perform for a largely black , though generationally diverse audience .
When he took the stage , he told his supporters that people from South Carolina are `` up for a righteous fight . ''
`` Win , lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the people of South Carolina , '' Steyer said then .
`` I 'm never leaving ... and we 're going to win this fight . ''

Tom Steyer Drops Out Of 2020 Presidential Race
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images
Updated at 9:36 p.m. ET
Tom Steyer, the billionaire hedge fund investor and environmental activist who staked his campaign on a strong finish in South Carolina, suspended his presidential campaign on Saturday.
Steyer aggressively courted the black vote in the state, with a focus on racial and economic justice but had a disappointing finish. Former Vice President Joe Biden was projected to win the state.
Loading...
"I said if I didn't see a path to winning, that I'd suspend my campaign," Steyer told supporters on Saturday. "And honestly, I can't see a path where I can win the presidency."
Steyer had spent more time in South Carolina than any other candidate and fielded the largest on-the-ground campaign staff.
He caused a stir in this state because of his extensive spending. He spent nearly $24 million ads there and waged an aggressive direct-mail campaign. Some of his spending, including the practice of hiring local lawmakers as paid staff, drew unease that he was buying the black vote.
Though Steyer made an aggressive play for South Carolina voters, he did not earn a single delegate in Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada — the first three contests — and polls showed a daunting path ahead in the 14 states that vote on Super Tuesday.
Steyer entered the race in July, despite an earlier announcement that he wouldn't seek the nomination and would instead focus on efforts to impeach President Trump.
The 62-year-old environmental activist made his fortune as a hedge fund manager and raised awareness of climate change through his NextGen America organization.
He raised his national profile by pushing for Trump's impeachment and spent $120 million during the 2018 election cycle on digital and TV ads as part of his "Need to Impeach" initiative.
Steyer's final campaign rally was at Allen University, a historically black college in Columbia, S.C.. He brought the rapper Juvenile, gospel singer Yolanda Adams and DJ Jazzy Jeff to the school's gymnasium to perform for a largely black, though generationally diverse audience.
When he took the stage, he told his supporters that people from South Carolina are "up for a righteous fight."
"Win, lose or draw, I fell in love with the people of South Carolina," Steyer said then. "I'm never leaving ... and we're going to win this fight."


npr--2020-02-29--'Very Much Alive': Biden Projected To Win South Carolina

'Very Much Alive ' : Biden Projected To Win South Carolina Joe Biden has run for president three times , and yet until Saturday , he had failed to ever win a primary or caucus .
The 77-year-old former vice president has now notched an expected yet much-needed victory in the South Carolina primary , according to The Associated Press 's projection .
`` Just days ago , the press and the pundits had declared his candidacy dead .
Now , thanks to all of you — the heart of the Democratic Party — we just won and we 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are very much alive , '' an energized Biden said at event with supporters in Columbia , S.C .
The crucial win has the potential to resurrect Biden 's campaign after a series of poor finishes in the other early voting states ( fourth place in Iowa , fifth place in New Hampshire and a distant second in Nevada ) .
`` This result totally resets the race .
The fact that Joe Biden won big — and the result was clear early in the evening during prime time in the eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his campaign .
If Joe Biden can ultimately defeat Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination , we will look back on this night as a key moment in American political history , '' Republican strategist Whit Ayres told NPR .
A majority of Democratic primary voters in South Carolina are African American .
And pointing to polls , Biden has long insisted that he has more support from black voters than any other presidential candidate does and that the Democratic nominee will need strong backing from African American voters to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a surprise .
For months , polls had shown him with a double-digit lead over his opponents , but in recent weeks , the race tightened .
In a sign of how vulnerable he was , Biden campaigned exclusively in South Carolina this week , even as a number of his opponents traveled to states that will vote in coming days .
Biden also received a last-minute public endorsement from the most influential black Democrat in South Carolina politics , U.S. Rep. James Clyburn .
`` I 've known for a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , '' Clyburn said at a press conference on Wednesday .
`` I 'm voting for Biden .
South Carolinians should be voting for Joe Biden . ''
Biden made a point to credit the congressman with injecting his campaign with a huge jolt at his post-vote event : `` My buddy Jim Clyburn — you brought me back ! ''
Still , Biden 's victory does not put to rest some underlying questions about the health of his campaign and his ability to translate this victory to other states .
Hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clyburn was already calling for a `` retooling '' of his campaign .
In an interview on CNN on Saturday , he said he had earlier avoided publicly analyzing the operation because he had held off officially backing Biden .
That 's changed .
`` I 'm all-in and I 'm not going to sit back idly and watch people mishandle this campaign , '' Clyburn said .
Biden has tried to draw parallels between his campaign and that of Bill Clinton , who got a key win in the South Carolina Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the presidency .
But as this year 's primary season quickly turns into a national fight , with 14 states voting on Tuesday , there are questions about whether Biden has the grassroots energy or the money to compete with the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders or former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg .
Sanders is seen as the front-runner , and he has spent far more energy and resources in the states voting on Super Tuesday .
Bloomberg is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be attracted to Biden 's message on gun control and health care .
Minutes after television networks projected Biden as the winner , Terry McAuliffe , the former chair of the Democratic National Committee and former governor of Virginia , endorsed Biden on CNN .
McAuliffe said it came down to `` an electability issue '' for him .
`` I think Joe Biden has the best chance of winning Virginia in the general election , '' McAuliffe said .
`` I am very proud that in this campaign so far we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have won the New Hampshire primary , we have won the Nevada caucus — but you can not win them all , '' Sanders said .
Sanders said there will be other contests he does n't win in the next round of primaries .
But he reiterated his argument that the same playbook from the Democratic establishment wo n't work in November .
`` The 'same old , same old ' type of politics – that is not going to be the campaign that defeats Trump , '' Sanders said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , but he took a swipe at his status as an independent .
`` If the Democrats want a nominee who 's a Democrat — a lifelong Democrat , a proud Democrat , an Obama-Biden Democrat — join us , '' he said to voters in the upcoming primaries .
Pete Buttigieg , former Mayor of South Bend , Ind.
, who was slated to finish fourth in South Carolina , campaigned in Raleigh , N.C. , on Saturday , one of the states holding a primary on Tuesday .
He congratulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead , saying , `` I am proud of the votes we 've earned and I 'm determined to earn every vote on the road ahead . ''
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , another candidate who fared poorly in South Carolina , was courting voters in a state with a large prize of delegates on Super Tuesday — Texas .
At her Houston rally she argued she was a better candidate than Sanders , who she said had some good policy ideas , but ca n't get things done .
She also took aim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment : `` This crisis demands more than a former vice president '' who is `` eager to cut deals '' with Republicans .
McAuliffe urged several Democrats in the race to consider dropping out before Super Tuesday .
Tom Steyer , the billionaire entrepreneur who spent over $ 23 million on advertising in South Carolina , ended his bid after finishing third there .
`` I said if I did n't see a path to winning , that I 'd suspend my campaign , '' Steyer told supporters , `` and honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I can win the presidency . ''
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar was trailing in sixth place on Saturday night .
NPR 's Danielle Kurtzleben , Brian Naylor , and Elena Moore contributed to this report

'Very Much Alive': Biden Projected To Win South Carolina
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images
Updated at 10:37 p.m. ET
Joe Biden has run for president three times, and yet until Saturday, he had failed to ever win a primary or caucus.
The 77-year-old former vice president has now notched an expected yet much-needed victory in the South Carolina primary, according to The Associated Press's projection.
"Just days ago, the press and the pundits had declared his candidacy dead. Now, thanks to all of you — the heart of the Democratic Party — we just won and we've won big because of you, and we are very much alive," an energized Biden said at event with supporters in Columbia, S.C.
The crucial win has the potential to resurrect Biden's campaign after a series of poor finishes in the other early voting states (fourth place in Iowa, fifth place in New Hampshire and a distant second in Nevada).
Loading...
"This result totally resets the race. The fact that Joe Biden won big — and the result was clear early in the evening during prime time in the eastern time zone — provides an enormous boost to his campaign. If Joe Biden can ultimately defeat Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination, we will look back on this night as a key moment in American political history," Republican strategist Whit Ayres told NPR.
A majority of Democratic primary voters in South Carolina are African American. And pointing to polls, Biden has long insisted that he has more support from black voters than any other presidential candidate does and that the Democratic nominee will need strong backing from African American voters to win the general election.
Biden's win was not a surprise. For months, polls had shown him with a double-digit lead over his opponents, but in recent weeks, the race tightened. In a sign of how vulnerable he was, Biden campaigned exclusively in South Carolina this week, even as a number of his opponents traveled to states that will vote in coming days.
Biden also received a last-minute public endorsement from the most influential black Democrat in South Carolina politics, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn.
"I've known for a long time who I was going to vote for," Clyburn said at a press conference on Wednesday. "I'm voting for Biden. South Carolinians should be voting for Joe Biden."
Biden made a point to credit the congressman with injecting his campaign with a huge jolt at his post-vote event: "My buddy Jim Clyburn — you brought me back!"
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Still, Biden's victory does not put to rest some underlying questions about the health of his campaign and his ability to translate this victory to other states.
Hours before Biden's victory was official, Clyburn was already calling for a "retooling" of his campaign.
In an interview on CNN on Saturday, he said he had earlier avoided publicly analyzing the operation because he had held off officially backing Biden. That's changed. "I'm all-in and I'm not going to sit back idly and watch people mishandle this campaign," Clyburn said.
Biden has tried to draw parallels between his campaign and that of Bill Clinton, who got a key win in the South Carolina Democratic nominating contest in 1992, en route to the presidency.
But as this year's primary season quickly turns into a national fight, with 14 states voting on Tuesday, there are questions about whether Biden has the grassroots energy or the money to compete with the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders or former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Sanders is seen as the front-runner, and he has spent far more energy and resources in the states voting on Super Tuesday.
Bloomberg is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising, while competing for the same moderate voters that might be attracted to Biden's message on gun control and health care.
Minutes after television networks projected Biden as the winner, Terry McAuliffe, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee and former governor of Virginia, endorsed Biden on CNN. McAuliffe said it came down to "an electability issue" for him.
"I think Joe Biden has the best chance of winning Virginia in the general election," McAuliffe said.
Sanders, speaking at a rally in Virginia Beach, Va., congratulated Biden.
"I am very proud that in this campaign so far we have won the popular vote in Iowa, we have won the New Hampshire primary, we have won the Nevada caucus — but you cannot win them all," Sanders said.
Sanders said there will be other contests he doesn't win in the next round of primaries. But he reiterated his argument that the same playbook from the Democratic establishment won't work in November.
"The 'same old, same old' type of politics – that is not going to be the campaign that defeats Trump," Sanders said.
Biden didn't mention Sanders directly Saturday night, but he took a swipe at his status as an independent.
"If the Democrats want a nominee who's a Democrat — a lifelong Democrat, a proud Democrat, an Obama-Biden Democrat — join us," he said to voters in the upcoming primaries.
Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, Ind., who was slated to finish fourth in South Carolina, campaigned in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday, one of the states holding a primary on Tuesday.
He congratulated Biden on his victory, but looked ahead, saying, "I am proud of the votes we've earned and I'm determined to earn every vote on the road ahead."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another candidate who fared poorly in South Carolina, was courting voters in a state with a large prize of delegates on Super Tuesday — Texas.
At her Houston rally she argued she was a better candidate than Sanders, who she said had some good policy ideas, but can't get things done.
She also took aim at Biden, saying about the political moment: "This crisis demands more than a former vice president" who is "eager to cut deals" with Republicans.
McAuliffe urged several Democrats in the race to consider dropping out before Super Tuesday. Tom Steyer, the billionaire entrepreneur who spent over $23 million on advertising in South Carolina, ended his bid after finishing third there.
"I said if I didn't see a path to winning, that I'd suspend my campaign," Steyer told supporters, "and honestly, I can't see a path where I can win the presidency."
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar was trailing in sixth place on Saturday night.
NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben, Brian Naylor, and Elena Moore contributed to this report


npr--2020-02-29--Joe Coulombe, Founder And Namesake Of Trader Joe's, Dies At 89

Joe Coulombe , Founder And Namesake Of Trader Joe 's , Dies At 89 The idea , when stated simply , does n't exactly scream `` grocery empire . ''
Yet that 's just what became of the maritime-themed specialty market that Joe Coulombe first opened in 1967 in Pasadena , Calif. — which , in the decades that followed , blossomed into a web of hundreds of locations in dozens of states .
On Friday , more than three decades after he retired from the chain that still bears his name , Coulombe died in Pasadena at the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death to NPR in an email Saturday .
`` Joe was the perfect person at the right time for Trader Joe 's .
He was a brilliant thinker with a mesmerizing personality that simply galvanized all with whom he worked , '' CEO Dan Bane said in a statement included with the announcement .
`` He was not only our founder , he was our first spokesperson .
He starred in captivating radio ads for years , always signing off with his unique , 'thanks for listening . '
Joe developed a cadre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helped shape Trader Joe 's in the early years . ''
Those early years began with a modest series of convenience stores by the name of Pronto , which the Rexall drugstore chain had tasked Coulombe with operating in Los Angeles in the late 1950s .
Within several years , he had purchased Pronto for his own — but soon found his cluster of stores confronted with a push from 7-Eleven , which he described in 2011 as the `` 800-pound gorilla of convenience stores . ''
`` So , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` I had to do something different . ''
He recalled seeing statistics that education levels in the U.S. were booming , and that gave him an idea : Why not cater to this better-educated , better-traveled — but still modestly salaried — class of customer ?
`` All Trader Joe 's were located near centers of learning .
Pasadena , where I opened the first one , was because Pasadena is the epitome of a well-educated town , '' he explained .
`` I reframed this : Trader Joe 's is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the classical musicians , museum curators , journalists — that 's why we 've always had good press , frankly ! ''
As for that nautical theme , well , Coulombe really leaned in .
`` I read that the [ Boeing ] 747 [ aircraft ] would radically reduce the cost of travel , and I came up with the term 'Trader ' to evoke the South Seas .
The first stores were loaded with marine artifacts .
We 'd go down to the docks in San Pedro , we 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff .
I [ put ] walk-in boxes in the shape of ships with cannon in the middle of the stores , '' he adds .
`` That was a terrible idea . ''
Coulombe and the fledgling company went one step further in 1972 , launching the Trader Joe 's label and slapping quirky names on healthy , relatively low-priced foods such as granola , the company 's first private-label product .
And then , of course , there was also eventually the famously cheap Charles Shaw wine — perhaps better known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California .
There were other local wines in stock too , of course .
`` I accidentally created the world 's largest assortment of Californian wine .
In 1967 nobody was interested in wine , let alone Californian wines , '' he recalled in a 2005 interview with Coriolis Research .
`` We were the first to give shelf space to what later became known as boutique Californian wineries . ''
Beth Kowitt , who reported on the company for Fortune magazine , explained the company 's process to NPR in 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever possible , which takes out a lot of costs .
So there are no middlemen involved .
So they 're not going through distributors , '' Kowitt said .
`` Also , because they 're buying in such large volume , they can secure large discounts from producers . ''
In the end , the names , the types of products , the exotic decor — it continued to have a particular consumer in mind .
`` All this stuff aimed at the subliminal , '' Coulombe said in 2005 , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the aisle they know , without anything shouting at them , they know that they are in an outlet aimed at the well educated person . ''
He sold his stake in the company to the owner of Aldi Nord , a German grocery chain , in 1979 , though he stayed on as chief executive until finally retiring from Trader Joe 's in 1988 .
The company now boasts more than 500 stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia .

Joe Coulombe, Founder And Namesake Of Trader Joe's, Dies At 89
Enlarge this image toggle caption Esme Gibson/AP Esme Gibson/AP
The idea, when stated simply, doesn't exactly scream "grocery empire." Yet that's just what became of the maritime-themed specialty market that Joe Coulombe first opened in 1967 in Pasadena, Calif. — which, in the decades that followed, blossomed into a web of hundreds of locations in dozens of states.
On Friday, more than three decades after he retired from the chain that still bears his name, Coulombe died in Pasadena at the age of 89. The company confirmed his death to NPR in an email Saturday.
"Joe was the perfect person at the right time for Trader Joe's. He was a brilliant thinker with a mesmerizing personality that simply galvanized all with whom he worked," CEO Dan Bane said in a statement included with the announcement.
"He was not only our founder, he was our first spokesperson. He starred in captivating radio ads for years, always signing off with his unique, 'thanks for listening.' Joe developed a cadre of leaders that carried on his vision and helped shape Trader Joe's in the early years."
Those early years began with a modest series of convenience stores by the name of Pronto, which the Rexall drugstore chain had tasked Coulombe with operating in Los Angeles in the late 1950s. Within several years, he had purchased Pronto for his own — but soon found his cluster of stores confronted with a push from 7-Eleven, which he described in 2011 as the "800-pound gorilla of convenience stores."
"So," he told the Los Angeles Times in 2011, "I had to do something different."
He recalled seeing statistics that education levels in the U.S. were booming, and that gave him an idea: Why not cater to this better-educated, better-traveled — but still modestly salaried — class of customer?
"All Trader Joe's were located near centers of learning. Pasadena, where I opened the first one, was because Pasadena is the epitome of a well-educated town," he explained. "I reframed this: Trader Joe's is for overeducated and underpaid people, for all the classical musicians, museum curators, journalists — that's why we've always had good press, frankly!"
As for that nautical theme, well, Coulombe really leaned in.
"I read that the [Boeing] 747 [aircraft] would radically reduce the cost of travel, and I came up with the term 'Trader' to evoke the South Seas. The first stores were loaded with marine artifacts. We'd go down to the docks in San Pedro, we'd buy flags, chains, all that stuff. I [put] walk-in boxes in the shape of ships with cannon in the middle of the stores," he adds. "That was a terrible idea."
Coulombe and the fledgling company went one step further in 1972, launching the Trader Joe's label and slapping quirky names on healthy, relatively low-priced foods such as granola, the company's first private-label product.
And then, of course, there was also eventually the famously cheap Charles Shaw wine — perhaps better known by the nickname "two-buck Chuck" in California. There were other local wines in stock too, of course.
"I accidentally created the world's largest assortment of Californian wine. In 1967 nobody was interested in wine, let alone Californian wines," he recalled in a 2005 interview with Coriolis Research. "We were the first to give shelf space to what later became known as boutique Californian wineries."
Beth Kowitt, who reported on the company for Fortune magazine, explained the company's process to NPR in 2010.
"They buy directly from producers whenever possible, which takes out a lot of costs. So there are no middlemen involved. So they're not going through distributors," Kowitt said. "Also, because they're buying in such large volume, they can secure large discounts from producers."
In the end, the names, the types of products, the exotic decor — it continued to have a particular consumer in mind.
"All this stuff aimed at the subliminal," Coulombe said in 2005, "so that when the well-educated person walks down the aisle they know, without anything shouting at them, they know that they are in an outlet aimed at the well educated person."
He sold his stake in the company to the owner of Aldi Nord, a German grocery chain, in 1979, though he stayed on as chief executive until finally retiring from Trader Joe's in 1988. The company now boasts more than 500 stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia.