inquisitr--2020-01-25--Kyle Kulinski Defends Joe Rogan After Backlash For Bernie Sanders Endorsement

After Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders highlighted Joe Rogan ‘ s likely endorsement for his presidency , the comedian and podcaster received a great degree of backlash for controversial comments he has made in the past .
In response , progressive commentator Kyle Kulinski explained why he believes Rogan ’ s show can be a positive force .
The 31-year-old political commentator began by noting the many right-wing guests Rogan has spoken to , including Milo Yiannopoulos , Steven Crowder , and Alex Jones .
He then highlighted the “ same curiosity ” led him to converse with progressive guests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakman , Jimmy Dore , Abby Martin , Cornel West , and Russell Brand .
Kulinski claimed that the people making an issue of Rogan ’ s comments are pretending like “ talking sh*t isn ’ t a thing.
” “ One of the reasons Rogan is popular is bc he has the same convos on air that he has off air !
” he tweeted .
“ The establishment freaks have public & private faces.
” “ They don ’ t see having no filter and talking sh*t as authentic , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & civility .
This is why they have few fans and he ’ s # 1 .
This freak out proves exactly why his endorsement actually matters and theirs is irrelevant.
” Kulinski also noted the irony of the fact that during the video of Rogan ’ s Sanders endorsement , he notes that anyone can be made to look bad by magnifying their “ worst moments , ” which appears to be the strategy used by those attacking Rogan ’ s character .
Kulinski also noted that many of the people outraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Henry Kissinger ’ s support of Hillary Clinton .
He was echoed by Omar Baddar , a Washington , D.C. , political analyst and human rights advocate , who blasted Neera Tanden , who has worked with both Bill and Hillary Clinton ’ s presidential campaigns .
Baddar accused Tanden of believing that “ celebrating a war criminal ” like Kissinger is “ morally better ” than Sanders spotlighting the endorsement from Rogan , whom he called a “ podcaster who sometimes says bad things.
” Per The New Yorker , Kissinger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many .
Notably , the late Christopher Hitchens called for Kissinger ’ s prosecution in his book , The Trial of Henry Kissinger .
Hitchens claimed Kissinger should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity and offenses against common or customary or international law .
Writing for The Nation , Greg Grandin said that Clinton ’ s 2016 embrace of Kissinger — who he called a “ unique monster ” — was a sign that her presidency would not take on Donald Trump ’ s “ fascism ” but instead be “ blood business @ @ @ @

After Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders highlighted Joe Rogan‘s likely endorsement for his presidency, the comedian and podcaster received a great degree of backlash for controversial comments he has made in the past. In response, progressive commentator Kyle Kulinski explained why he believes Rogan’s show can be a positive force.
The 31-year-old political commentator began by noting the many right-wing guests Rogan has spoken to, including Milo Yiannopoulos, Steven Crowder, and Alex Jones. He then highlighted the “same curiosity” led him to converse with progressive guests, including himself, Sanders, David Pakman, Jimmy Dore, Abby Martin, Cornel West, and Russell Brand.
Kulinski claimed that the people making an issue of Rogan’s comments are pretending like “talking sh*t isn’t a thing.”
“One of the reasons Rogan is popular is bc he has the same convos on air that he has off air!” he tweeted. “The establishment freaks have public & private faces.”
“They don’t see having no filter and talking sh*t as authentic, they see it as a breach of decorum & civility. This is why they have few fans and he’s #1. This freak out proves exactly why his endorsement actually matters and theirs is irrelevant.”
Kulinski also noted the irony of the fact that during the video of Rogan’s Sanders endorsement, he notes that anyone can be made to look bad by magnifying their “worst moments,” which appears to be the strategy used by those attacking Rogan’s character.
“I think I'll probably vote for Bernie… He’s been insanely consistent his entire life. He’s basically been saying the same thing, been for the same thing his whole life. And that in and of itself is a very powerful structure to operate from.” -Joe Rogan pic.twitter.com/fuQP0KwGGI — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 23, 2020
Kulinski also noted that many of the people outraged about Rogan’s endorsement were supportive of Henry Kissinger’s support of Hillary Clinton. He was echoed by Omar Baddar, a Washington, D.C., political analyst and human rights advocate, who blasted Neera Tanden, who has worked with both Bill and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns.
Baddar accused Tanden of believing that “celebrating a war criminal” like Kissinger is “morally better” than Sanders spotlighting the endorsement from Rogan, whom he called a “podcaster who sometimes says bad things.”
Per The New Yorker, Kissinger has been accused of war crimes by many. Notably, the late Christopher Hitchens called for Kissinger’s prosecution in his book, The Trial of Henry Kissinger. Hitchens claimed Kissinger should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity and offenses against common or customary or international law.
Writing for The Nation, Greg Grandin said that Clinton’s 2016 embrace of Kissinger — who he called a “unique monster” — was a sign that her presidency would not take on Donald Trump’s “fascism” but instead be “blood business as usual.”


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Marianne Williamson Makes Case For Andrew Yang In Iowa: ‘He’s An Important Voice’

Not long after she exited the primary , former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson returned to Fairfield , Iowa .
On Friday , she made an appearance to support candidate Andrew Yang at the city ’ s town hall , Iowa Starting Line reported .
Although the self-help guru has not officially endorsed Yang ’ s campaign and endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016 , Williamson claims that Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are likely to pass Iowa .
As such , she wants to help the 44-year-old serial entrepreneur remain in the race .
“ You ’ re not necessarily determining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but you are determining who ’ s going to be an important voice in this race , ” said Williamson , as she explained why she believes Yang is a voice that should continue to be heard .
Williamson said that people are “ exhausted ” with American politics , elaborating that the country is yearning for someone who can put an end to political fighting , which has become commonplace in Washington .
Yang took the stage after Williamson , speaking about his agreement with her politics and how he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed Pete Buttigieg in a national Emerson poll — putting him in fourth place — he still remains in sixth place overall .
Currently , the presidential candidate only has 4 percent support — a position he has remained in for some time .
Despite the odds against him , Yang appears to be in the race for the long-haul .
Recently , Yang invested heavily in TV ads , which have increased his name recognition immensely .
If Yang fails to secure the nomination , he has expressed his openness to working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is needed .
As Yahoo News previously reported , Yang said that he has the closest relationship with former Vice President Joe Biden — who has echoed Yang ’ s central campaign issues on multiple occasions .
Biden is “ very concerned ” about the fourth industrial revolution and the automation of jobs that purportedly threatens the American middle class , according to Yang .
The businessman said it made him “ excited ” to find that Biden is listening to the dangers of automation , which is a topic that his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his book , The War on Normal People .
In the lead up to the Iowa caucuses on February 3 , Yang is currently traversing Iowa for a 17-day bus tour .

Not long after she exited the primary, former Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson returned to Fairfield, Iowa. On Friday, she made an appearance to support candidate Andrew Yang at the city’s town hall, Iowa Starting Line reported.
Although the self-help guru has not officially endorsed Yang’s campaign and endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016, Williamson claims that Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are likely to pass Iowa. As such, she wants to help the 44-year-old serial entrepreneur remain in the race.
“You’re not necessarily determining who’s going to be president, but you are determining who’s going to be an important voice in this race,” said Williamson, as she explained why she believes Yang is a voice that should continue to be heard.
“Andrew’s is an important voice of the happy warrior. He’s an important voice of progressivism that lays it down, but lays it down with joy … He has three personality characteristics that I believe are important: his self-confidence, his positivity and his levity.”
Williamson said that people are “exhausted” with American politics, elaborating that the country is yearning for someone who can put an end to political fighting, which has become commonplace in Washington.
Yang took the stage after Williamson, speaking about his agreement with her politics and how he has learned from her.
“She talks about this psychological and spiritual clash, and frankly, struggle and dissent that we’re dealing with.”
Although Yang recently passed Pete Buttigieg in a national Emerson poll — putting him in fourth place — he still remains in sixth place overall. Currently, the presidential candidate only has 4 percent support — a position he has remained in for some time. Despite the odds against him, Yang appears to be in the race for the long-haul. Recently, Yang invested heavily in TV ads, which have increased his name recognition immensely.
If Yang fails to secure the nomination, he has expressed his openness to working with other candidates in whatever capacity he is needed. As Yahoo News previously reported, Yang said that he has the closest relationship with former Vice President Joe Biden — who has echoed Yang’s central campaign issues on multiple occasions.
Biden is “very concerned” about the fourth industrial revolution and the automation of jobs that purportedly threatens the American middle class, according to Yang. The businessman said it made him “excited” to find that Biden is listening to the dangers of automation, which is a topic that his campaign directly addresses and that he explored in his book, The War on Normal People.
In the lead up to the Iowa caucuses on February 3, Yang is currently traversing Iowa for a 17-day bus tour.


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Bernie Sanders Campaign Defends Decision To Highlight Joe Rogan Endorsement

The Bernie Sanders campaign waded into controversy when it spotlighted Joe Rogan ‘ s likely endorsement of the Vermont Sen. , which led to both support and criticism .
Not long after , the Sanders campaign released a response addressing the controversy , Fox News reported .
“ The goal of our campaign is to build a multi-racial , multi-generational movement that is large enough to defeat Donald Trump and the powerful special interests whose greed and corruption is the root cause of the outrageous inequality in America , ” Sanders ’ national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Sharing a big tent requires including those who do not share every one of our beliefs , while always making clear that we will never compromise our values .
The truth is that standing together in solidarity , we share the values of love and respect that will move us in the direction of a more humane , more equal world.
” Critics point to Rogan ’ s controversial comments , while others note that the comedian claims Joe Biden , Elizabeth Warren , and Pete Buttigieg have all asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , the only other Democratic presidential candidates that have appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience aside from Sanders are Andrew Yang and Tulsi Gabbard .
Per Mediaite , Vox ’ s Ezra Klein noted that former President Barack Obama courted many controversial voters and public figures .
He pointed to Obama ’ s highlighting of Colin Powell ’ s endorsement , despite the retired general ’ s role in pushing American ’ s into the Iraq War .
Nevertheless , the head of the Human Rights Campaign , the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own statement in which it called on Sanders to reconsider the endorsement , noting Rogan ’ s controversial comments .
However , the stance had its critics , including congressional candidate Salem Snow , who pointed to the HRC ’ s support of Hillary Clinton and her anti-LGBTQ past .
Snow also noted that the advocacy group said nothing of Clinton ’ s appearance on Howard Stern ’ s radio show .
Despite the controversy , CNN reports that Sanders is the favorite to win Iowa just one week before the caucuses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times/Siena College poll of Iowa caucusgoers found Sanders leading with 25 percent .
The only candidates that came close were Pete Buttigieg with 18 percent support , followed by Joe Biden with 17 percent and Elizabeth Warren with 15 percent .
Although Sanders is in a good position , CNN noted that his odds of winning are still one in three , as the top four candidates remain in a tight battle with one another .

The Bernie Sanders campaign waded into controversy when it spotlighted Joe Rogan‘s likely endorsement of the Vermont Sen., which led to both support and criticism. Not long after, the Sanders campaign released a response addressing the controversy, Fox News reported.
“The goal of our campaign is to build a multi-racial, multi-generational movement that is large enough to defeat Donald Trump and the powerful special interests whose greed and corruption is the root cause of the outrageous inequality in America,” Sanders’ national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said in a statement shared with various news outlets.
“Sharing a big tent requires including those who do not share every one of our beliefs, while always making clear that we will never compromise our values. The truth is that standing together in solidarity, we share the values of love and respect that will move us in the direction of a more humane, more equal world.”
Critics point to Rogan’s controversial comments, while others note that the comedian claims Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg have all asked to go on his show. As of now, the only other Democratic presidential candidates that have appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience aside from Sanders are Andrew Yang and Tulsi Gabbard.
Per Mediaite, Vox’s Ezra Klein noted that former President Barack Obama courted many controversial voters and public figures. He pointed to Obama’s highlighting of Colin Powell’s endorsement, despite the retired general’s role in pushing American’s into the Iraq War.
Nevertheless, the head of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group, released its own statement in which it called on Sanders to reconsider the endorsement, noting Rogan’s controversial comments. However, the stance had its critics, including congressional candidate Salem Snow, who pointed to the HRC’s support of Hillary Clinton and her anti-LGBTQ past.
Snow also noted that the advocacy group said nothing of Clinton’s appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show.
INBOX: HRC President on Joe Rogan Endorsement, Sanders Campaign Response pic.twitter.com/DKzS8cTTrT — Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 24, 2020
Despite the controversy, CNN reports that Sanders is the favorite to win Iowa just one week before the caucuses on February 3. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll of Iowa caucusgoers found Sanders leading with 25 percent. The only candidates that came close were Pete Buttigieg with 18 percent support, followed by Joe Biden with 17 percent and Elizabeth Warren with 15 percent.
Although Sanders is in a good position, CNN noted that his odds of winning are still one in three, as the top four candidates remain in a tight battle with one another.


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Ralph Nader Blasts Hillary Clinton For Bernie Sanders Attack: ‘She Gave America Trump’

American political activist and former United States presidential candidate Ralph Nader recently took aim at former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her claim that “ nobody likes ” 2020 candidate Bernie Sanders .
The 85-year-old author didn ’ t hold back on Twitter as he highlighted Clinton ’ s political record and Sanders ’ previous support for her in the 2016 presidential election .
Others have shared the suggestion that Clinton paved the way for Trump ’ s victory .
After the former secretary of state implied Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset , Independent Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asset.
” According to Amash , Clinton drove potential voters into the arms of Trump and pointed to the fact that Trump beat Clinton in his Michigan district despite polling worse than any Republican in modern times .
As for Nader , he has expressed his dislike for Clinton on many occasions .
In a Vimeo interview with artist and activist itstheGADFLY back in 2016 , when Clinton was running for the Democratic nomination , Nader again highlighted her ties to Wall Street and noted the reciprocal relationship between the two , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s record in public service and suggested it was a sign that she is not fit to be president .
“ She ’ s anything but direct and clear , ” he said .
“ What kind of White House is she going to run with that kind of tradition of secrecy ?
A secret White House usually becomes an illegally operating White House.
” Nader claimed that Sanders — the Clinton alternative in the Democratic primary at the time — was the more viable option .
He noted that Sanders ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ paid speeches ” for big-money interests and suggested he was a populist alternative to Clinton .
After Clinton went on to win the Democratic nomination to face Trump , Nader revealed he wasn ’ t a fan of either , CNN reported .
While Nader blasted Trump as a failed businessman that cheated his way to his wealth , he nevertheless said Clinton was the candidate tied to Wall Street and war .
Nader ultimately touted the Green Party platform as the best at the time .

American political activist and former United States presidential candidate Ralph Nader recently took aim at former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her claim that “nobody likes” 2020 candidate Bernie Sanders.
The 85-year-old author didn’t hold back on Twitter as he highlighted Clinton’s political record and Sanders’ previous support for her in the 2016 presidential election.
“Hillary Clinton, the butcher of Libya and neighbors, backer of the criminal Iraq war-slaughter, and lucrative toady of Wall Street, now blasts Bernie Sanders, who opposed all the above, and campaigned for her in 2016, before she gave America Trump. Disgraceful! -R”
Others have shared the suggestion that Clinton paved the way for Trump’s victory. After the former secretary of state implied Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset, Independent Justin Amash called Clinton a “Donald Trump asset.”
According to Amash, Clinton drove potential voters into the arms of Trump and pointed to the fact that Trump beat Clinton in his Michigan district despite polling worse than any Republican in modern times.
As for Nader, he has expressed his dislike for Clinton on many occasions. In a Vimeo interview with artist and activist itstheGADFLY back in 2016, when Clinton was running for the Democratic nomination, Nader again highlighted her ties to Wall Street and noted the reciprocal relationship between the two, The Hill reported.
He also attacked Clinton’s record in public service and suggested it was a sign that she is not fit to be president.
“She’s anything but direct and clear,” he said. “What kind of White House is she going to run with that kind of tradition of secrecy? A secret White House usually becomes an illegally operating White House.”
Nader claimed that Sanders — the Clinton alternative in the Democratic primary at the time — was the more viable option. He noted that Sanders’ public record reveals he did not give “paid speeches” for big-money interests and suggested he was a populist alternative to Clinton.
“The contrast couldn’t be greater between Hillary the hawk and Hillary the Wall Street promoter and the populist Sen. Bernie Sanders.”
After Clinton went on to win the Democratic nomination to face Trump, Nader revealed he wasn’t a fan of either, CNN reported. While Nader blasted Trump as a failed businessman that cheated his way to his wealth, he nevertheless said Clinton was the candidate tied to Wall Street and war.
Nader ultimately touted the Green Party platform as the best at the time.


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Bill Maher Says Media Was Disappointed ‘The Civil War Didn’t Break Out’ At Virginia Gun Rally

Despite tens of thousands of pro-advocates rallying at Virginia ’ s capital on Monday — per Fox News — violence didn ’ t break out as some media outlets warned .
During Friday ’ s episode of HBO ’ s Real Time , host Bill Maher suggested that the peaceful outcome was not what the media had hoped for , The Hill reported .
The conversation began when former Fox News and NBC host Megyn Kelly took aim at the current state of the media .
“ The media ’ s so messed up right now , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve felt this way for a long time , ” she said .
Kelly claimed that the media problem has been around since before Donald Trump and noted that they are biased politically .
She also claimed that Fox News — her former employer — did so well because the network stood in contrast to the biases of the rest of the competition .
Maher noted he believed the media bias is primarily in favor of money .
Just days after the Virginia rally , a Democratic-led House committee voted to advance several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills do not include an assault weapon ban , they include universal background checks on gun purchases , as well as a red flag bill that would allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others .
Per Fox News , the legislation will likely head to the full House for a vote next week before it heads to the Senate .
The push comes after multiple 2019 mass shootings pressured lawmakers to take action on gun control measures .
Speaking to CNN ’ s Jake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Trump to pass gun control in the wake of the Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita , California .
Clinton pointed to his time in office and the work his administration accomplished even in the face of impeachment from the Republican-controlled House .
“ Once the public rendered judgment on what they thought should be done , I kept working with them .
That ’ s just an excuse , ” Clinton said , per Breitbart .
Many of the most vocal people opposed to gun control take issue with plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AR-15 and claim that Democrat-led efforts for gun control will eventually lead to the confiscation of all firearms from American citizens .

Despite tens of thousands of pro-advocates rallying at Virginia’s capital on Monday — per Fox News — violence didn’t break out as some media outlets warned. During Friday’s episode of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher suggested that the peaceful outcome was not what the media had hoped for, The Hill reported.
The conversation began when former Fox News and NBC host Megyn Kelly took aim at the current state of the media.
“The media’s so messed up right now, it’s disheartening to me. And I’ve felt this way for a long time,” she said.
Kelly claimed that the media problem has been around since before Donald Trump and noted that they are biased politically. She also claimed that Fox News — her former employer — did so well because the network stood in contrast to the biases of the rest of the competition.
Maher noted he believed the media bias is primarily in favor of money.
“They’re biased toward money and conflict, because that’s what sells. I was watching the Virginia rally this week. There was a gun rally. It was peaceful. And you could see how disappointed the media was that the civil war didn’t break out.”
Just days after the Virginia rally, a Democratic-led House committee voted to advance several pieces of gun-control measures. Although the bills do not include an assault weapon ban, they include universal background checks on gun purchases, as well as a red flag bill that would allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others.
Per Fox News, the legislation will likely head to the full House for a vote next week before it heads to the Senate.
The push comes after multiple 2019 mass shootings pressured lawmakers to take action on gun control measures. Speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper, former U.S. President Bill Clinton urged Trump to pass gun control in the wake of the Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, California.
Clinton pointed to his time in office and the work his administration accomplished even in the face of impeachment from the Republican-controlled House.
“Once the public rendered judgment on what they thought should be done, I kept working with them. That’s just an excuse,” Clinton said, per Breitbart.
Many of the most vocal people opposed to gun control take issue with plans to ban assault weapons such as the AR-15 and claim that Democrat-led efforts for gun control will eventually lead to the confiscation of all firearms from American citizens.


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Lindsey Graham Says His Senate Panel May Investigate Joe Biden, Ukraine After Impeachment Trial Ends

Senator Lindsey Graham suggested that the Senate panel he chairs may launch an investigation of Joe Biden and Ukraine after the impeachment trial ends , saying there should be an inquiry to the scale of the Russia investigation .
Graham this week pushed back against the idea of calling Biden as a witness in Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Trump faces the prospect of being removed from office after pressuring Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden , who Trump and other Republicans have accused of corruption regarding his and son Hunter ’ s dealings in Ukraine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence to back this claim .
As The Hill reported , Graham said he wants to see the Bidens come under investigation , and will do it in the Senate Judiciary Committee he chairs if it is not picked up by another agency .
“ Nobody has done an investigation anywhere near like the Mueller investigation of the Bidens , and I think they should .
And when this is over the Congress will do it , if we can ’ t have an outside entity do it , ” Graham told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden pressured Ukraine to dismiss Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin for concerns that he was not seriously addressing corruption in the Ukrainian government .
The move at the time had the support of the international community as well as many Republicans .
But Trump now claims that Shokin was fired to stop an investigation of Burisma , a Ukrainian gas company that had Hunter Biden on its board .
As The Hill noted , this claim has been repeatedly debunked by fact checkers .
Many Republicans have expressed a desire to have Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s impeachment trial , despite protests from Democrats that their testimony would not be relevant to the allegations against Trump .
Joe Biden himself has pushed back , saying he would not testify at the trial .
Some Democrats had floated the idea of agreeing to allow Biden to testify in exchange for some top White House officials who Trump had prevented from testifying , but Biden said he would not go for it .
Biden said that allowing him to testify would turn the impeachment trial into a “ farce.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not make the deal , the bottom line is , I , this is a constitutional issue , ” he said , via CNN .
“ And we ’ re not going to turn it into a farce , into some kind of political theater .
”

Senator Lindsey Graham suggested that the Senate panel he chairs may launch an investigation of Joe Biden and Ukraine after the impeachment trial ends, saying there should be an inquiry to the scale of the Russia investigation.
Graham this week pushed back against the idea of calling Biden as a witness in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. Trump faces the prospect of being removed from office after pressuring Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden, who Trump and other Republicans have accused of corruption regarding his and son Hunter’s dealings in Ukraine. But critics point out that there is no evidence to back this claim.
As The Hill reported, Graham said he wants to see the Bidens come under investigation, and will do it in the Senate Judiciary Committee he chairs if it is not picked up by another agency.
“Nobody has done an investigation anywhere near like the Mueller investigation of the Bidens, and I think they should. And when this is over the Congress will do it, if we can’t have an outside entity do it,” Graham told reporters on Friday.
As vice president, Biden pressured Ukraine to dismiss Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin for concerns that he was not seriously addressing corruption in the Ukrainian government. The move at the time had the support of the international community as well as many Republicans. But Trump now claims that Shokin was fired to stop an investigation of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company that had Hunter Biden on its board. As The Hill noted, this claim has been repeatedly debunked by fact checkers.
Many Republicans have expressed a desire to have Joe and Hunter Biden appear as witnesses at Trump’s impeachment trial, despite protests from Democrats that their testimony would not be relevant to the allegations against Trump. Joe Biden himself has pushed back, saying he would not testify at the trial.
Some Democrats had floated the idea of agreeing to allow Biden to testify in exchange for some top White House officials who Trump had prevented from testifying, but Biden said he would not go for it. Biden said that allowing him to testify would turn the impeachment trial into a “farce.”
“The reason why I would not make the deal, the bottom line is, I, this is a constitutional issue,” he said, via CNN. “And we’re not going to turn it into a farce, into some kind of political theater.”


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Tucker Carlson Says Adam Schiff Is ‘Dangerous To The Country’

Although Bloomberg reported that House Judiciary Chairman Adam Schiff received praise for his performance in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump , not everyone was impressed .
During Friday ’ s edition of his Fox News program , Tucker Carlson suggested the probe into the president ’ s behavior was sparked by a disagreement over foreign policy , and he took aim at Schiff ’ s closing speech , as reported by Newsweek .
“ This isn ’ t really about a phone call that Donald Trump once made to Ukraine , ” Carlson said .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy disagreement.
” According to Carlson , the president ’ s statements before he took office are the reason for his impeachment .
He pointed to the things Trump said during the February 2016 GOP debate , including his criticism of the Iraq war and desire to make peace with Russia .
The 50-year-old commentator then pointed to Schiff ’ s closing comments and suggested that Trump ’ s questioning of military aid to Ukraine was his “ real sin.
” “ Why ?
Because it is America ’ s duty to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever and indefinitely , ” Carlson said .
Carlson continued to highlight parts of Schiff ’ s closing speech and its focus on foreign policy pertaining to Ukraine and Russia , suggesting that Washington has still not recovered from Trump ’ s election .
He also made a warning about Schiff ’ s presence in Washington .
Schiff has taken flak on many occasions by journalist Glenn Greenwald , who was recently charged with cybercrimes in Brazil for reportedly spotlighting corruption in the country ’ s government .
In an article for The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interview with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper in which he accused Trump of abusing the powers of the FBI and Department of Justice .
As Greenwald noted , Schiff opposed safeguards for the FBI ’ s spying just days later .
Unlike Carlson , Greenwald appears to believe Trump is just as much of a part of the problems with Washington .
The American journalist has accused Trump of being part of a group of pro-surveillance politicians including Schiff , Devin Nunes , Paul Ryan , Nancy Pelosi , and Eric Swalwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectrum is Independent Justin Amash , who proposed an amendment to reign in FBI ’ s spying powers that was ultimately shot down after Pelosi made a speech on the House floor in defense of such powers .

Although Bloomberg reported that House Judiciary Chairman Adam Schiff received praise for his performance in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, not everyone was impressed. During Friday’s edition of his Fox News program, Tucker Carlson suggested the probe into the president’s behavior was sparked by a disagreement over foreign policy, and he took aim at Schiff’s closing speech, as reported by Newsweek.
“This isn’t really about a phone call that Donald Trump once made to Ukraine,” Carlson said. “It’s actually, underneath it all, a policy disagreement.”
According to Carlson, the president’s statements before he took office are the reason for his impeachment. He pointed to the things Trump said during the February 2016 GOP debate, including his criticism of the Iraq war and desire to make peace with Russia.
“Permanent Washington was enraged that Trump violated neocon orthodoxy by criticizing Middle Eastern wars and promising to de-escalate tensions with Russia. Nothing he has done before or since has made them angrier than that did.”
The 50-year-old commentator then pointed to Schiff’s closing comments and suggested that Trump’s questioning of military aid to Ukraine was his “real sin.”
“Why? Because it is America’s duty to remain on the brink of war with Russia forever and indefinitely,” Carlson said.
Carlson continued to highlight parts of Schiff’s closing speech and its focus on foreign policy pertaining to Ukraine and Russia, suggesting that Washington has still not recovered from Trump’s election.
He also made a warning about Schiff’s presence in Washington.
“If this guy’s public statements reflect what he actually believes, he is dangerous to the country for real.”
Schiff has taken flak on many occasions by journalist Glenn Greenwald, who was recently charged with cybercrimes in Brazil for reportedly spotlighting corruption in the country’s government. In an article for The Intercept, Greenwald pointed to Schiff’s interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper in which he accused Trump of abusing the powers of the FBI and Department of Justice. As Greenwald noted, Schiff opposed safeguards for the FBI’s spying just days later.
Unlike Carlson, Greenwald appears to believe Trump is just as much of a part of the problems with Washington. The American journalist has accused Trump of being part of a group of pro-surveillance politicians including Schiff, Devin Nunes, Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, and Eric Swalwell.
On the other side of the spectrum is Independent Justin Amash, who proposed an amendment to reign in FBI’s spying powers that was ultimately shot down after Pelosi made a speech on the House floor in defense of such powers.


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Iowa Caucus Polls: Days Before Democratic Primary Begins, Bernie Sanders Opens Up Big Lead In Critic

Iowa Caucus Polls: Days Before Democratic Primary Begins, Bernie Sanders Opens Up Big Lead In Critical State

Bernie Sanders appears to be surging at just the right time , with a new poll showing the Vermont senator opening up a significant lead in the critical first state of Iowa just ahead of caucuses next month .
The New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed that Sanders had risen to a 7-point lead over the field , taking 25 percent of Democratic caucus-goers .
The rest of the field was packed tightly behind Sanders , with the poll showing that South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg came in second at 18 percent , followed by former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren at 15 percent .
Sanders jumped 6 points from the same poll taken in October , with much of his gains apparently coming from Warren , who dropped 7 points during that time .
Though the number of pledged delegates from Iowa is small compared to later states and to those voting on Super Tuesday , it is key in establishing favorites and could give Sanders a much-needed boost going into the second voting state , New Hampshire .
Sanders had been consistently behind Biden in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising steadily over the course of the last two weeks .
But as The Hill noted , there still appears to be an uphill battle for Sanders in winning Iowa .
“ Despite Sanders ’ s strength in the poll and the loyal following he ’ s cultivated since his failed 2016 presidential run , the senator could face headwinds in Iowa should moderates ultimately coalesce behind a single candidate , ” the report noted .
“ Fifty-five percent of the caucusgoers surveyed said they prefer a candidate who is ‘ more moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they want one who is ‘ more liberal than most Democrats . '
” Sanders and the other U.S. senators in the race are also facing the challenge of being taken off the campaign trail for the impeachment trial of Donald Trump .
Sanders and others have sent surrogates to Iowa in their place during the trial , which is expected to continue for several more days .
Despite the challenges , Sanders has continued to rise at a critical time , just days ahead of the start of voting .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed that Sanders surged to a double-digit lead in a poll of New Hampshire voters .
The WBUR poll showed that Sanders had the support of 29 percent of likely voters , 12 points ahead of Buttigieg who came in a distant second .
Biden fell to third in the poll with support of 14 percent of voters .

Bernie Sanders appears to be surging at just the right time, with a new poll showing the Vermont senator opening up a significant lead in the critical first state of Iowa just ahead of caucuses next month.
The New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed that Sanders had risen to a 7-point lead over the field, taking 25 percent of Democratic caucus-goers. The rest of the field was packed tightly behind Sanders, with the poll showing that South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg came in second at 18 percent, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden at 17 percent, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren at 15 percent.
Sanders jumped 6 points from the same poll taken in October, with much of his gains apparently coming from Warren, who dropped 7 points during that time. Though the number of pledged delegates from Iowa is small compared to later states and to those voting on Super Tuesday, it is key in establishing favorites and could give Sanders a much-needed boost going into the second voting state, New Hampshire. Sanders had been consistently behind Biden in both national and statewide polls but has been rising steadily over the course of the last two weeks.
But as The Hill noted, there still appears to be an uphill battle for Sanders in winning Iowa.
“Despite Sanders’s strength in the poll and the loyal following he’s cultivated since his failed 2016 presidential run, the senator could face headwinds in Iowa should moderates ultimately coalesce behind a single candidate,” the report noted. “Fifty-five percent of the caucusgoers surveyed said they prefer a candidate who is ‘more moderate than most Democrats’ while 38 percent said they want one who is ‘more liberal than most Democrats.'”
Sanders and the other U.S. senators in the race are also facing the challenge of being taken off the campaign trail for the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. Sanders and others have sent surrogates to Iowa in their place during the trial, which is expected to continue for several more days.
Despite the challenges, Sanders has continued to rise at a critical time, just days ahead of the start of voting. As The Inquisitr reported, another recent poll showed that Sanders surged to a double-digit lead in a poll of New Hampshire voters. The WBUR poll showed that Sanders had the support of 29 percent of likely voters, 12 points ahead of Buttigieg who came in a distant second. Biden fell to third in the poll with support of 14 percent of voters.


inquisitr--2020-01-25--Republicans Reportedly Livid At Adam Schiff For Suggesting Donald Trump Threatened Them Over Impeach

Republicans Reportedly Livid At Adam Schiff For Suggesting Donald Trump Threatened Them Over Impeachment Vote

Republicans in the U.S. Senate are reportedly livid at Adam Schiff after he quoted an anonymous source that allegedly stated that Donald Trump threatened Republicans to vote to acquit him or else they would end up with their “ head on a pike.
” Schiff ’ s remarks came during Trump ’ s ongoing impeachment trial .
Schiff is serving as House impeachment manager and has for the past several days been laying out the case against Trump .
As Politico reported , his presentation earned good marks even among some Republicans , but that turned quickly when Schiff mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened them into voting in his favor .
“ I thought he was doing fine with moral courage until he got to the head on a pike .
That ’ s where he lost me… he ’ s a good orator , ” said Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski .
“ You ’ ve got to give him that .
And he was moving right along with good oratory… it was just unnecessary.
” Schiff seemed to backtrack a bit , saying during his presentation that he did not know if the quote was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report was false , stating they have not heard any threats from the Trump administration pushing them to vote to acquit him .
Many even spoke out as Schiff read the words , with some saying “ not true ” and others looking visibly upset at the insinuation , the report noted .
As The Inquisitr detailed , the report claimed that the Trump administration was laying heavy on Republicans not to break ranks and vote to convict the president and remove him from office .
There are no signs yet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be considering convicting Trump on either of the two counts passed by the House last month .
The alleged threat was shared in a Twitter post from CBS News on Thursday .
“ Vote against the president & your head will be on a pike , ” the report claimed , citing an unnamed “ POTUS confidant.
” While Republicans were vehement in their denials that Trump threatened them , the president has been forceful in public statements and on Twitter that the Democrats do not have a case against him .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were a political witch hunt and that there was nothing wrong in a call with the Ukrainian president during which Trump pressed him to launch an investigation of his political rival , Joe Biden .
The case made by Democrats extends beyond this phone call , claiming Trump engaged in a wide-ranging campaign to pressure Ukraine that included withholding close to $ 400 million in much-needed military aid .

Republicans in the U.S. Senate are reportedly livid at Adam Schiff after he quoted an anonymous source that allegedly stated that Donald Trump threatened Republicans to vote to acquit him or else they would end up with their “head on a pike.” Schiff’s remarks came during Trump’s ongoing impeachment trial.
Schiff is serving as House impeachment manager and has for the past several days been laying out the case against Trump. As Politico reported, his presentation earned good marks even among some Republicans, but that turned quickly when Schiff mentioned the uncorroborated report that the president had threatened them into voting in his favor.
“I thought he was doing fine with moral courage until he got to the head on a pike. That’s where he lost me… he’s a good orator,” said Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski. “You’ve got to give him that. And he was moving right along with good oratory… it was just unnecessary.”
Schiff seemed to backtrack a bit, saying during his presentation that he did not know if the quote was true.
Several other Senate Republicans said the report was false, stating they have not heard any threats from the Trump administration pushing them to vote to acquit him. Many even spoke out as Schiff read the words, with some saying “not true” and others looking visibly upset at the insinuation, the report noted.
As The Inquisitr detailed, the report claimed that the Trump administration was laying heavy on Republicans not to break ranks and vote to convict the president and remove him from office. There are no signs yet that any of the 53 Senate Republicans may be considering convicting Trump on either of the two counts passed by the House last month.
The alleged threat was shared in a Twitter post from CBS News on Thursday.
“Vote against the president & your head will be on a pike,” the report claimed, citing an unnamed “POTUS confidant.”
While Republicans were vehement in their denials that Trump threatened them, the president has been forceful in public statements and on Twitter that the Democrats do not have a case against him. Trump has long claimed that the impeachment proceedings were a political witch hunt and that there was nothing wrong in a call with the Ukrainian president during which Trump pressed him to launch an investigation of his political rival, Joe Biden. The case made by Democrats extends beyond this phone call, claiming Trump engaged in a wide-ranging campaign to pressure Ukraine that included withholding close to $400 million in much-needed military aid.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Bernie Sanders Is Emerging As Favorite To Win Democratic Nomination, Insiders Warn

If the establishment 'doesn ’ t go after him soon it ’ ll be too late , ' says Democratic strategist Michael Gordon .
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is increasingly looking like the favorite to win in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa .
Reflecting a broader trend , the latest New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed Sanders with a seven-point lead over his closest competitor , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
The senator is leading the once-crowded Democratic field in the early state of New Hampshire as well , where he has maintained a double-digit lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at seems , surging at the right moment .
According to a new report from The Hill , Democratic insiders are realizing that he is now the front-runner .
A Democrat who raised money for former Vice President Joe Biden simply said that the primary is now “ Bernie ’ s race to lose.
” The Democratic establishment has signaled that it will not let the senator coast to the nomination , however .
According to a fundraiser who talked to The Hill , Sanders can expect a barrage of attacks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are about to open and every establishment Democrat is going to be warning that Bernie will get killed in the general election , ” the fundraiser said .
As the publication notes , Sanders is already being relentlessly attacked by some of the most prominent figures in Democratic politics .
Former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic nominee , Hillary Clinton , recently characterized the senator as unlikable , saying that his supporters “ got sucked into ” backing him .
Jim Messina , former President Obama ’ s 2012 campaign manager , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stating that the senator is “ not the candidate we need to beat Donald Trump in November.
” Polling appears to contradict this sentiment , given that Sanders is beating Trump in nearly every single head-to-head match-up poll listed on RealClearPolitics .
As Democratic strategist Michael Gordon , the head of Gordon Group , pointed out , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s decision to move to the right on issues such as health care appears to have created an opening for Sanders to surge , allowing him to solidify support among liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ didn ’ t think health care through and she ’ s paid the price for it ever since , ” with progressives rallying behind Sanders , who has “ been out there longer and people believe what says.
” Sanders has also landed endorsements from prominent progressive organizations and advocacy groups , as well as labor unions .
Furthermore , Sanders has an exceptionally high favorability rating among Democrats — 74 percent — and he appears to have managed to build a multi-racial , working class coalition .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not attack Sanders soon , he will run away with the nomination .
“ If [ the anti-Sanders crowd ] doesn ’ t go after him soon it ’ ll be too late , ” the strategist said .
“ So do it now or else get in line and support him enthusiastically if he ’ s candidate , ” he added .

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is increasingly looking like the favorite to win in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa. Reflecting a broader trend, the latest New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed Sanders with a seven-point lead over his closest competitor, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
The senator is leading the once-crowded Democratic field in the early state of New Hampshire as well, where he has maintained a double-digit lead, latest polls suggest. Sanders is, it seems, surging at the right moment. According to a new report from The Hill, Democratic insiders are realizing that he is now the frontrunner.
A Democrat who raised money for former Vice President Joe Biden simply said that the primary is now “Bernie’s race to lose.”
The Democratic establishment has signaled that it will not let the senator coast to the nomination, however. According to a fundraiser who talked to The Hill, Sanders can expect a barrage of attacks in the coming days.
“The floodgates are about to open and every establishment Democrat is going to be warning that Bernie will get killed in the general election,” the fundraiser said.
As the publication notes, Sanders is already being relentlessly attacked by some of the most prominent figures in Democratic politics. Former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, recently characterized the senator as unlikable, saying that his supporters “got sucked into” backing him.
Jim Messina, former President Obama’s 2012 campaign manager, went on MSNBC to declare Sanders unelectable, stating that the senator is “not the candidate we need to beat Donald Trump in November.”
Polling appears to contradict this sentiment, given that Sanders is beating Trump in nearly every single head-to-head match-up poll listed on RealClearPolitics.
Rally in Ames completely full and so is a second gym we are using as overflow space. @BernieSanders went to speak to them. #FeelTheBern #PresidentSanders #VotingForBernie pic.twitter.com/miQ2A419g7 — Ari Rabin-Havt (@AriRabinHavt) January 26, 2020
As Democratic strategist Michael Gordon, the head of Gordon Group, pointed out, Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s decision to move to the right on issues such as health care appears to have created an opening for Sanders to surge, allowing him to solidify support among liberal and progressive voters.
Warren, he said, “didn’t think health care through and she’s paid the price for it ever since,” with progressives rallying behind Sanders, who has “been out there longer and people believe what [he] says.”
Sanders has also landed endorsements from prominent progressive organizations and advocacy groups, as well as labor unions. Furthermore, Sanders has an exceptionally high favorability rating among Democrats — 74 percent — and he appears to have managed to build a multi-racial, working class coalition.
According to Gordon, if the Democratic establishment does not attack Sanders soon, he will run away with the nomination.
“If [the anti-Sanders crowd] doesn’t go after him soon it’ll be too late,” the strategist said. “So do it now or else get in line and support him enthusiastically if he’s [the] candidate,” he added.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Democrat Joe Manchin Praises Donald Trump’s Legal Team: ‘They’re Doing A Good Job’

The ongoing impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is still in its early stages , but both sides have already had the chance to present their arguments .
House Democrats spent three days on their opening statement , and Trump ’ s legal team wrapped up the first part of theirs in around two hours .
Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is impressed by the job Trump ’ s attorneys are doing .
Speaking with reporters on Saturday , Manchin showered Trump ’ s legal team with praise , stating that they have done a “ good job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I thought they did a good job , ” Manchin said , stressing that more witnesses needs to be called in order to conduct a fair trial .
“ They gave us a lot to think about , and I think it gives us more reasons why the one thing that stuck in my mind is they said that there wasn ’ t a witness that they ’ ve had so far that had direct contact with the president , ” he said , adding that he would like to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney .
Asked whether Trump ’ s team of lawyers could convince him to vote to acquit the president , Manchin once again praised them for doing a “ good job , ” leaving open the possibility of voting against articles of impeachment .
“ I just think that we have to let this play out and see what [ Trump ’ s legal team ] is doing .
They ’ re doing a good job of basically talking about and making me think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stressed .
According to Manchin , additional information is necessary in order to properly examine the case , and apart from approving additional witnesses , Trump and his Republican allies need to let the Senate see the redacted documents related to the case .
Vowing to be “ impartial , ” Manchin said that all senators need to keep an “ open mind.
” As the Washington Examiner notes , the West Virginia senator frequently disagrees with his Democratic colleagues and sides with Republican senators .
He was , for instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court .
Some legal experts agree with Manchin ’ s assessment of the president ’ s attorneys .
On Saturday , CNN ’ s legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin concluded that Trump and his Republican allies are “ winning ” the impeachment trial fight .
According to the expert , White House lawyers offered a “ persuasive ” defense of their client .
House impeachment managers — lead by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff — made a number of slip ups during their opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the door open for Trump ’ s attorneys to gain an advantage , and build a strong defense against Democratic accusations .

The ongoing impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is still in its early stages, but both sides have already had the chance to present their arguments. House Democrats spent three days on their opening statement, and Trump’s legal team wrapped up the first part of theirs in around two hours.
Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is impressed by the job Trump’s attorneys are doing. Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Manchin showered Trump’s legal team with praise, stating, “I thought they did a good job,” according to The Washington Examiner.
Even though Manchin acknowledged the Trump legal team’s successful opening, he still stressed that more witnesses need to be called in order to conduct a fair trial.
“They gave us a lot to think about, and I think it gives us more reasons why the one thing that stuck in my mind is they said that there wasn’t a witness that they’ve had so far that had direct contact with the president,” he said, adding that he would like to hear from former National Security Adviser John Bolton, and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.
When Manchin was asked whether Trump’s team of lawyers could convince him to vote to acquit the president, he once again praised them for doing a “good job,” leaving open the possibility of voting against articles of impeachment.
“I just think that we have to let this play out and see what [Trump’s legal team] is doing. They’re doing a good job of basically talking about and making me think about things that have been said,” he stressed.
According to Manchin, additional information is necessary in order to properly examine the case, and apart from approving additional witnesses, Trump and his Republican allies need to let the Senate see the redacted documents related to the case.
Vowing to be “impartial,” Manchin said that all senators need to keep an “open mind.”
As the Washington Examiner notes, the West Virginia senator frequently disagrees with his Democratic colleagues and sides with Republican senators. He was, for instance, the only Democrat who voted to confirm then-nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
Some legal experts agree with Manchin’s assessment of the president’s attorneys. On Saturday, CNN’s legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin concluded that Trump and his Republican allies are “winning” the impeachment trial fight. According to the expert, White House lawyers offered a “persuasive” defense of their client.
House impeachment managers — led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff — made a number of slip-ups during their opening arguments, according to Toobin, which left the door open for Trump’s attorneys to gain an advantage and build a strong defense against Democratic accusations.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Bernie Sanders Releases Campaign Video Casting Donald Trump As Threat To Jews

Sanders would be the first Jewish president in U.S. history .
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has released a campaign video casting President Donald Trump as a threat to Jews , reports Haaretz .
In the four-minute video , Sanders — who would be the first Jewish president in United States history — talks about his roots and heritage , depicting Trump as a key figure in the growing threat of white nationalism .
The social media advertisement is a compilation of Sanders ’ statements juxtaposed with footage of the senator campaigning across the country .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sanders campaign ’ s Jewish outreach director .
“ Jewish values teach us that community matters , that tolerance matters , that engaging the other matters , ” Rubin states in the video , noting that friends of his parents were among the victims of the 2018 The Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh .
The narrator also touches upon Trump ’ s rhetoric and policies , calling the president a “ white nationalist.
” “ We need to have someone in office who gets it , gets it in his kishkes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that we are healing our world , ” Rubin says in the video .
Sanders has emphasized his Jewish roots throughout the 2020 campaign , which he was reluctant to do in 2016 , when he first ran for president , but lost the Democratic nomination to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .
As Hareetz notes , the latest Sanders campaign video does not address Israel policy , but the candidate has previously said that he would be willing to leverage military aid to Israel in order to force the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian people .
Sanders is one of the leading Democratic White House hopefuls .
The senator appears to be surging at just the right time , and he is now leading the field in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa , according to most recent polls .
Polling at 25 percent in he Hawkeye State , Sanders has a seven point advantage over his closest competitor , former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Sanders has also surged in New Hampshire , where he has a commanding , double-digit lead over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden is leading the field .
Polling also suggests that the senator would be a clear favorite in a general election against Trump .
According to a recently leaked recording of Trump ’ s private conversations , the president considers Sanders to be a formidable opponent , and feared running against the senator in 2016 .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has released a campaign video casting President Donald Trump as a threat to Jews, reports Haaretz.
In the four-minute video, Sanders — who would be the first Jewish president in United States history — talks about his roots and heritage, depicting Trump as a key figure in the growing threat of white nationalism. The social media advertisement is a compilation of Sanders’ statements juxtaposed with footage of the senator campaigning across the country.
The clip is narrated by Joel Rubin, the Sanders campaign’s Jewish outreach director.
“Jewish values teach us that community matters, that tolerance matters, that engaging the other matters,” Rubin states in the video, noting that friends of his parents were among the victims of the 2018 The Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
The narrator also touches upon Trump’s rhetoric and policies, calling the president a “white nationalist.”
“We live in a perilous time where not only are white nationalists attacking our synagogues and raising hate speech on the internet, we have a white nationalist right now sitting in the White House.”
“We need to have someone in office who gets it, gets it in his kishkes, understands what it really means to ensure that we are healing our world,” Rubin says in the video.
Sanders has emphasized his Jewish roots throughout the 2020 campaign, which he was reluctant to do in 2016 when he first ran for president. He ultimately lost the Democratic nomination to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
As Haaretz notes, the latest Sanders campaign video does not address Israel policy, but the candidate has previously said that he would be willing to leverage military aid to Israel in order to force the country to change its official policy toward the Palestinian people.
I'm very proud to be Jewish and I look forward to becoming the first Jewish president in the history of this country. pic.twitter.com/P4ARCyMZJG — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 24, 2020
Sanders is one of the leading Democratic White House hopefuls. The senator appears to be surging at just the right time, and he is now leading the field in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa, according to most recent polls.
Polling at 25 percent in the Hawkeye State, Sanders has a seven-point advantage over his closest competitor, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Sanders has also surged in New Hampshire, where he has a commanding, double-digit lead over Buttigieg. In national polls, former Vice President Joe Biden is leading the field.
Polling also suggests that the senator would be a clear favorite in a general election against Trump. According to a recently leaked recording of Trump’s private conversations, the president considers Sanders to be a formidable opponent, and feared running against the senator in 2016.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Republican Lawmakers ‘Don’t Like’ Donald Trump, Says Former U.S. Ambassador To Russia

Former United States Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul appeared Friday on comedian Bill Maher ’ s HBO show , Real Time , to discuss the pressing issues in American politics .
During his discussion with the host , the seasoned diplomat touched upon the Republican Party ’ s nearly unanimous backing of President Donald Trump .
Per Raw Story , after Maher mocked and ridiculed the president , McFaul suggested that Republican lawmakers actually agree with the host , and privately trash Trump behind his back .
Republicans , he said , do not actually like the commander-in-chief , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What really bothers me about folks like this .
They don ’ t like Trump .
They talk like you .
I mean , they all talk like you , ” he said .
After being pressed by Maher to elaborate , McFaul explained that GOP lawmakers support Trump because they agree with his agenda and his policies , but disparage him during private discussions .
“ When they ’ re talking in the family , that ’ s what they say among the family , ” the former ambassador said .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached an all-time high .
According to a poll conducted by HarrisX and The Hill , 90 percent of Republicans approve of Trump ’ s job performance .
Conversely , only 16 percent of Democrats , and 40 percent of Independents approve of the president .
Overall , according to the poll , Trump ’ s approval rating is 47 percent , and his disapproval rating is 53 percent .
The survey was conducted between Jan. 3 and 4 , before the beginning of the United States Senate ’ s impeachment trial of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Republicans , coupled with his authoritarian tendencies , could result in disaster in 2020 , Maher suggested on his show .
According to the comedian , Trump will dispute the results of the 2020 presidential election if he loses .
The president , Maher predicted , will claim that the election was “ rigged ” and refuse to leave office .
“ So my question to all Democratic candidates is , what ’ s the plan ?
” he asked , reminding the audience that Trump frequently brags about having the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his side , which suggests that he would be willing to entice them to commit violent acts in order to stay in power .
According to the comedian , the Democratic Party has still not come up with a plan to respond to such a scenario , and most Democrats still believe that the best and only way to remove Trump from office is by winning in a landslide .

Former United States Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul appeared Friday on comedian Bill Maher’s HBO show, Real Time, to discuss pressing issues in American politics. During his discussion with the host, the seasoned diplomat touched upon the Republican Party’s nearly unanimous backing of President Donald Trump.
Per Raw Story, after Maher mocked and ridiculed the president, McFaul suggested that Republican lawmakers actually agree with the host, and privately trash Trump behind his back. Republicans, he said, do not actually like the commander-in-chief, but they put up with him.
“What really bothers me about folks like this. They don’t like Trump. They talk like you. I mean, they all talk like you,” he said. After being pressed by Maher to elaborate, McFaul explained that GOP lawmakers support Trump because they agree with his agenda and his policies, but disparage him during private discussions.
“When they’re talking in the family, that’s what they say among the family,” the former ambassador said.
“And yet when they come out in the public, then they care about taxes and other issues and maybe power, but they just forget about all this other stuff — and that is what I can’t respect.”
Trump’s approval rating among Republicans recently reached an all-time high. According to a poll conducted by HarrisX and The Hill, 90 percent of Republicans approve of Trump’s job performance. Conversely, only 16 percent of Democrats and 40 percent of Independents approve of the president.
Overall, according to the poll, Trump’s approval rating is 47 percent, and his disapproval rating is 53 percent. The survey was conducted between Jan. 3 and 4, before the beginning of the United States Senate’s impeachment trial of the president.
Trump’s popularity among Republicans, coupled with his authoritarian tendencies, could result in disaster in 2020, Maher suggested on his show. According to the comedian, Trump will dispute the results of the 2020 presidential election if he loses. The president, Maher predicted, will claim that the election was “rigged” and refuse to leave office.
“So my question to all Democratic candidates is, what’s the plan?” he asked, reminding the audience that Trump frequently brags about having the police, bikers, and the military on his side, which suggests that he would be willing to entice them to ensure he stays in power.
According to the comedian, the Democratic Party has still not come up with a plan to respond to such a scenario, and most Democrats still believe that the best and only way to remove Trump from office is by winning in a landslide.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--CNN Analyst On Senate Impeachment Trial: Donald Trump And Republicans Are ‘Winning’

On Saturday , after three days of House Democrats advocating for President Donald Trump ‘ s removal from office , the commander-in-chief ’ s legal team offered two hours of defense arguments .
After just a couple of hours , the defense team wrapped up the opening argument .
According to CNN ’ s legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin , Trump and his Republican allies did a good job .
Per Mediaite , analyzing the trial for CNN , Toobin argued that Trump and the GOP are “ winning , ” offering compelling arguments against House Democrats ’ impeachment case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional witnesses is crucial , and they have failed to offer a good argument for doing so , according to Toobin .
In fact , White House lawyers have managed to present information that “ would allow Republicans to vote against witnesses and to vote for an acquittal.
” Furthermore , according to the analyst , the lawyers explaining why and then military aid to Ukraine was cut off were “ persuasive , ” and successfully protected the president against Democratic accusations .
Toobin also discussed the Trump legal team ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening .
According to the expert , speeding through the opening was the correct call because Trump and his allies are “ winning ” against their Democratic counterparts .
“ If you ’ re winning , shut up .
That ’ s I think a guiding principle of what they ’ re doing , ” the analyst said .
Toobin stressed that White House lawyers had no need to go on the offensive and to bring up former Vice President Joe Biden or his son , Hunter Biden , stressing once again that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the impeachment trial .
“ As long as they don ’ t completely fall on their faces , which they ’ re all competent lawyers , they ’ re not gon na do that — I think that ’ s fine for them , ” he added .
Toobin explained that House impeachment managers — lead by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff — made the mistake of not addressing important issues related to Trump ’ s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
The defense responded accordingly , successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyst .
“ This is what good lawyers do , you point to evidence that favors your case , ” he concluded .
Initially , the Bidens ’ alleged corruption was meant to be in the focus of Trump legal team ’ s arguments , but the attorneys appear to have completely changed their strategy .
Instead of going after the former vice president and his son , they have decided to target Schiff , portraying the top Democrat as an overzealous prosecutor with no credibility .
Schiff , White House attorneys argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , and impeachment is only his latest attempt to do so .
During their opening remarks , the president ’ s lawyers played video clips of Schiff confidently claiming that Trump conspired with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election , casting doubt on his integrity .

On Saturday, after three days of House Democrats advocating for President Donald Trump‘s removal from office, the commander-in-chief’s legal team offered two hours of defense arguments.
According to CNN’s legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, Trump and his Republican allies did a good job. Per Mediaite, analyzing the trial for CNN, Toobin reasoned that Trump and the GOP are “winning,” offering compelling arguments against House Democrats’ impeachment case.
For Democrats, the issue of bringing additional witnesses is crucial, and they have failed to offer a good argument for doing so, according to Toobin. In fact, White House lawyers have managed to present information that “would allow Republicans to vote against witnesses and to vote for an acquittal.”
Furthermore, according to the analyst, the lawyers’ explanation of the importance of the timing of when Ukraine became aware that military aid was cut off was “persuasive,” and successful.
Toobin also discussed the Trump legal team’s decision to start the trial with a short opening. According to the expert, speeding through the opening was the correct call because Trump and his allies are “winning” against their Democratic counterparts.
“If you’re winning, shut up. That’s I think a guiding principle of what they’re doing,” the analyst said.
Toobin stressed that White House lawyers had no need to go on the offensive and to bring up former Vice President Joe Biden or his son, Hunter Biden, stressing once again that Trump and the GOP are “winning” in the impeachment trial.
“I just think, you know, the Republicans are winning here, the President is winning here.”
“As long as they don’t completely fall on their faces, which they’re all competent lawyers, they’re not gonna do that — I think that’s fine for them,” he added.
Toobin explained that House impeachment managers — lead by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff — made the mistake of not addressing important issues related to Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The defense responded accordingly, successfully making their case, according to the analyst.
“This is what good lawyers do, you point to evidence that favors your case,” he concluded.
Initially, the Bidens’ alleged corruption was meant to be in the focus of the Trump legal team’s arguments, but the attorneys appear to have completely changed their strategy. Instead of going after the former vice president and his son, they have decided to target Schiff, portraying the top Democrat as an overzealous prosecutor with no credibility.
Schiff, White House attorneys argued, is determined to remove Trump from office, and impeachment is his latest attempt to do so. During their opening remarks, the president’s lawyers played video clips of Schiff confidently claiming that Trump conspired with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election, casting doubt on his integrity.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Viral Video Shows Elizabeth Warren Dance For Joy After Learning About Key ‘Des Moines Register’ Endo

Viral Video Shows Elizabeth Warren Dance For Joy After Learning About Key ‘Des Moines Register’ Endorsement

Elizabeth Warren looked more than pleased to earn a key Iowa endorsement , with a viral video showing the Democratic candidate dancing for joy after learning that the influential Des Moines Register had given her their stamp of approval .
The newspaper on Saturday announced that it was endorsing Warren for the upcoming caucuses , which take place in a little more than a week .
The endorsement is one of the most coveted in Iowa , especially in a race that has been as tight as this year , with Warren close in polls with frontrunners Joe Biden and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter by the political site Iowa Starting Line showed , Warren seemed thrilled with the endorsement .
The clip showed Warren talking to two women when she got the news that the paper was endorsing her .
Appearing shocked at first , Warren launched into an impromptu dance of joy as she spoke to the pair .
The endorsement could be very important for Warren , who after a surge in the fall of last year has seen her poll numbers fall off .
As The Inquisitr reported , she fell to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released on Saturday .
The New York Times/Siena College poll showed that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders led with 25 percent support among Democratic caucus-goers .
South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg came in second at 18 percent , followed by former Vice President Joe Biden at 17 percent , and Warren at 15 percent .
But the endorsement of the Des Moines Register has been shown to have a significant impact in the past .
As Politico noted , the unusually late endorsement this year gives the potential for an even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
“ The Register is the most important media endorsement in the state , ” the report noted .
“ Its effect may be even more pronounced this year because polling indicates the race is still up for grabs and a significant portion of caucus-goers are open to supporting a candidate who isn ’ t their first choice.
” In its endorsement of Warren , the Des Moines Register noted that she may have some ideas for “ structural ” change that go to far , but noted that her views on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington put her at the top of the pack for Democratic candidates .
“ Those ideas are not radical .
They are right , ” the editorial noted .
“ They would improve life in America , and they are generally shared by the other Democratic candidates , who bring their own strengths to this race .
”

Elizabeth Warren looked more than pleased to earn a key Iowa endorsement, with a viral video showing the Democratic candidate dancing for joy after learning that the influential Des Moines Register had given her their stamp of approval.
On Saturday, the newspaper announced that it was endorsing Warren for the upcoming caucuses, which take place in a little more than a week. The endorsement is one of the most coveted in Iowa, especially in a race that has been as tight as the one this year, with Warren close in polls with frontrunners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
As a video posted on Twitter by the political site Iowa Starting Line showed, Warren seemed thrilled with the endorsement. The clip showed Warren talking to two women when she got the news that the paper was endorsing her. Appearing shocked at first, Warren launched into an impromptu dance of joy as she spoke to the pair.
The endorsement could be very important for Warren who, after a surge in the fall of last year, has seen her poll numbers fall off. As The Inquisitr reported, she fell to fourth place in a poll of Iowa released on Saturday.
The New York Times/Siena College poll showed that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders led with 25 percent support among Democratic caucus-goers. South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg came in second at 18 percent, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden at 17 percent, and Warren at 15 percent.
But the endorsement of the Des Moines Register has been shown to have significant impact in the past. As Politico noted, the unusually late endorsement this year has the potential for an even bigger impact on the apparently wide open race.
“The Register is the most important media endorsement in the state,” the report noted. “Its effect may be even more pronounced this year because polling indicates the race is still up for grabs and a significant portion of caucus-goers are open to supporting a candidate who isn’t their first choice.”
In its endorsement of Warren, the Des Moines Register noted that she may have some ideas for “structural” change that go too far but stated that her views on health care and the influence of corporations in Washington put her at the top of the pack for Democratic candidates.
“Those ideas are not radical. They are right,” the editorial noted. “They would improve life in America, and they are generally shared by the other Democratic candidates, who bring their own strengths to this race.”


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Bill Maher Asks Democrats ‘What’s The Plan’ If Donald Trump Refuses To Leave Office After Losing Ele

Bill Maher Asks Democrats ‘What’s The Plan’ If Donald Trump Refuses To Leave Office After Losing Election

During Friday night ’ s edition of HBO ’ s Real Time , comedian Bill Maher sounded the alarm about the 2020 presidential election .
According to the comedian , President Donald Trump will refuse to leave office — even if he loses — and the Democratic Party has no plan to counter him .
Per Mediaite , before beginning his monologue , the host played video clips of Trump claiming that the 2020 election is being “ rigged ” against him , and bragging about having bikers , military , the police , and his supporters — especially those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He then suggested that Trump will refuse to leave office if a Democrat beats him .
“ So my question to all Democratic candidates is , what ’ s the plan ?
” Maher asked .
The comedian said that he has discussed the issue with prominent Democrats , who always tell him that the solution is to “ win big ” in 2020 , as to not give Trump the opportunity to dispute the results of the upcoming election .
That is problematic in and of itself , according to Maher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteer to “ play by two different sets of rules.
” “ Okay first of all , no !
No !
We don ’ t have to win via landslide , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the new paradigm ?
Republicans can win by one vote but we ’ re not legitimate unless it ’ s a landslide , ” he added .
This is not the first time for Maher to warn about the possibility of Trump refusing to leave office .
In November , for instance , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will simply claim that the election was “ rigged ” if a Democrat beats him .
According to the comedian , Trump even called the 2016 election — which he won — “ rigged , ” which almost guarantees that he will do the same in 2020 , especially if he loses .
The president , Maher argued , will blame “ fake news ” and supposed irregularities for the loss , and refuse to concede the election .
Some prominent Democrats apparently share Maher ’ s concerns .
Speaker of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump might not respect the will of the people in 2020 .
The president has done very little to alleviate these concerns , it seems .
Trump frequently makes jokes about abolishing term limits , and staying in office for up to 16 years .
Most recently , as Newsweek reported , Trump joked about the matter during a speech before the Israeli-American Council National Summit .

During Friday night’s edition of HBO’s Real Time, comedian Bill Maher sounded the alarm about the 2020 presidential election. According to the comedian, President Donald Trump will refuse to leave office — even if he loses — and the Democratic Party has no plan to counter him.
Per Mediaite, before beginning his monologue, the host played video clips of Trump claiming that the 2020 election is being “rigged” against him, and bragging about having bikers, military, the police, and his supporters — especially those who own guns — on his side. He then suggested that Trump will refuse to leave office if a Democrat beats him.
“So my question to all Democratic candidates is, what’s the plan?” Maher asked.
“If you win and the next day he claims he’s avoiding the election because of irregularities he’s hearing about, what do you do? What do you do when the crowd that was in Virginia this week $22,000 strong marches on Washington?”
The comedian said that he has discussed the issue with prominent Democrats, who always tell him that the solution is to “win big” in 2020, as to not give Trump the opportunity to dispute the results of the upcoming election.
That is problematic in and of itself, according to Maher, who argued that Democrats should not volunteer to “play by two different sets of rules.”
“Okay first of all, no! No! We don’t have to win via landslide,” he said.
“That’s the new paradigm? Republicans can win by one vote but we’re not legitimate unless it’s a landslide,” he added.
This is not the first time that Maher has warned about the possibility of Trump refusing to leave office. In November, for instance, he argued during a panel discussion that Trump will simply claim that the election was “rigged” if a Democrat beats him.
According to the comedian, Trump even called the 2016 election — which he won — “rigged,” which almost guarantees that he will do the same in 2020, especially if he loses. The president, Maher argued, will blame “fake news” and supposed irregularities for the loss, and refuse to concede the election.
Some prominent Democrats apparently share Maher’s concerns. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has also warned that Trump might not respect the will of the people in 2020.
The president has done very little to alleviate these concerns, it seems. Trump frequently makes jokes about abolishing term limits, and staying in office for up to 16 years. Most recently, as Newsweek reported, Trump joked about the matter during a speech before the Israeli-American Council National Summit.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--In Leaked Recording, Donald Trump Admits He Feared Running Against Bernie Sanders In 2016

On Saturday evening , the legal team of Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas released an audio recording of a 2018 private dinner between President Donald Trump and his confidants .
In the recording , the president can be heard saying that he wants his people to get rid of former United States Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch , who is now one of the key witnesses in the impeachment case against him .
Ukraine was not the only subject the group of men discussed , however .
The 2016 presidential election came up during the conversation , and Trump revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , according to Common Dreams .
Trump told his confidants that he was glad former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton picked Tim Kaine as running mate instead of Sanders .
Sanders , the president told his associates , would have been a much tougher opponent because of his position on trade .
“ Because [ Sanders ’ ] a big trade guy , ” Trump can be heard saying in the leaked recording .
Sanders , who ran against Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary , eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
In the general election , Trump famously attacked Clinton for supporting trade agreements such as NAFTA , which he blamed for the decline in U.S. manufacturing , campaigning as a protectionist .
Sanders is running for president again , and this time he seems better positioned to win than in 2016 .
For instance , according to the latest poll of Iowa Democratic primary voters , Sanders is leading the field with 25 percent of the vote .
Former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is in second place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar in New Hampshire .
In the Granite State , Sanders has surged to a commanding , double-digit lead , according to the latest WBUR poll .
Buttigieg came in a distant second , having secured the support of 17 percent of New Hampshirites .
In national polls , former Vice President Joe Biden is still ahead , although Sanders seems to be cutting into his lead .
The once-crowded Democratic primary field is starting to narrow down , and the race appears to be a contest between Sanders and Biden , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for third place .
In a general election , Sanders would be a clear favorite against Trump , according to polls .
In nearly every head-to-head match-up poll listed on RealClearPolitics , Sanders is beating the president .

On Saturday evening, the legal team of Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas released an audio recording of a 2018 private dinner between President Donald Trump and his confidants. In the recording, the president can be heard saying that he wants his people to get rid of former United States Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who is now one of the key witnesses in the impeachment case against him.
Ukraine was not the only subject the group of men discussed, however. The 2016 presidential election came up during the conversation, and Trump revealed that he did not want to run against Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, according to Common Dreams.
Trump told his confidants that he was glad former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton picked Tim Kaine as running mate instead of Sanders. Sanders, the president told his associates, would have been a much tougher opponent because of his position on trade.
“Because [Sanders’] a big trade guy,” Trump can be heard saying in the leaked recording.
“You know he basically says we’re getting screwed on trade. And he’s right. Had she picked Bernie Sanders it would’ve been tougher. He’s the only one I didn’t want her to pick.”
Sanders, who ran against Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary, eventually lost and endorsed the former secretary of state. In the general election, Trump famously attacked Clinton for supporting trade agreements such as NAFTA, which he blamed for the decline in U.S. manufacturing, campaigning as a protectionist.
Sanders is running for president again, and this time he seems better positioned to win than in 2016. For instance, according to the latest poll of Iowa Democratic primary voters, Sanders is leading the field with 25 percent of the vote. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is in second place, with 18 percent.
The situation is similar in New Hampshire. In the Granite State, Sanders has surged to a commanding, double-digit lead, according to the latest WBUR poll. Buttigieg came in a distant second, having secured the support of 17 percent of New Hampshirites. In national polls, former Vice President Joe Biden is still ahead, although Sanders seems to be cutting into his lead.
The once-crowded Democratic primary field is starting to narrow down, and the race appears to be a contest between Sanders and Biden, with Buttigieg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren battling for third place.
In a general election, Sanders would be a clear favorite against Trump, according to polls. In nearly every head-to-head match-up poll listed on RealClearPolitics, Sanders is beating the president.


inquisitr--2020-01-26--Top California Democrat Offers To Reimburse Donald Trump For Any Abortions He Has Paid For In The St

Top California Democrat Offers To Reimburse Donald Trump For Any Abortions He Has Paid For In The State

The highest-ranking California state senator says that she will pay back Donald Trump any money he has spent on abortions for women in the state .
The top-ranking state senator in California on Friday made an unusual offer to Donald Trump .
Toni Atkins , the president pro tempore of California ’ s senate , issued a statement offering to reimburse Trump for any abortions he has paid for in the state , according to a report by the legal site Law & Crime .
Atkins ’ probably sarcastic offer came the same day the Trump administration Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal health care funding to the country ’ s most populous state , saying that California violated a federal law against requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for abortion services .
A California law that passed in 2014 requires private insurance plans , including those offered by employers , to cover abortion .
The California law does not apply to publicly-funded insurance plans such as MediCal , California ’ s version of the Medicaid program which receives substantial funding from the federal government .
“ If Donald Trump is dissatisfied with the abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimburse him for any and all abortions he has paid for in California , ” Atkins said in her statement — adding that the reimbursement offer was conditioned on releasing any women who may have had abortions paid for by Trump from non-disclosure agreements that he required they sign .
But has Trump actually paid for women whom he may have impregnated — or any women — to obtain abortions ?
No such cases have been uncovered .
However , Trump was asked by a reporter during his 2016 presidential campaign whether he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any women who had received abortions during his days as a “ swinging bachelor ” in New York City .
“ Such an interesting question .
So what ’ s your next question ?
” Trump replied , declining to answer , according to a report by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd .
Tony Schwartz , Trump ’ s co-author on his 1987 bestseller The Art of the Deal , said on Friday that he would “ happily take the bet that Trump has paid for numerous abortions.
” As Trump attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , Schwartz wrote on his Twitter account that in his view , Trump only pretends to oppose abortion to “ suck up to his base.
” A frequent Trump interviewer , radio talk show host Howard Stern , also has said that he believes Trump ’ s anti-abortion stance is just an act , because “ the Donald I know , I think he ’ s probably needed to get a few people abortions.
” In 2018 , it was revealed that top Republican fundraiser Eliot Broidy had paid $ 1.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Playboy centerfold model Shera Bechard to silence her over the fact that he impregnated her then paid for her abortion .
But the hush money payment was arranged by Trump ’ s former lawyer and “ fixer ” Michael Cohen , leading to unconfirmed speculation that it was not Broidy , but Trump himself who had paid for Bechard ’ s abortion .

'1000 Lb Sister' Tammy Slaton Defends Her 'Filtered' Pictures, Ask Critics to Talk to Her Hand
She said, "Listen, I am not trying to be rude, but it's my profile. And if I like using the filters, I will. Plain and simple," as she waved goodbye.
4h ago


inquisitr--2020-01-26--2020 Presidential Polls: Joe Biden Continues To Lead Democratic Field, Seen As Strongest Against Don

2020 Presidential Polls: Joe Biden Continues To Lead Democratic Field, Seen As Strongest Against Donald Trump

With just days remaining until the first votes are cast in the 2020 Democratic primary , former Vice President Joe Biden continues to lead the field and is seen as the strongest choice to take on Donald Trump in November .
A poll released Sunday by ABC News/Washington Post showed that Biden had the support of 28 percent of voters , with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders close behind at 24 percent .
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren saw her support dropping , falling 10 points from the previous poll taken in October to put her at 11 percent support .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not been on previous iterations of the race , former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang .
Both were near the bottom of the pack .
As the ABC News report noted , the poll showed that there is still the potential for significant changes between now and when the primary actually starts with the Iowa caucuses on February 3 .
Even Warren still had the potential to rise out of third place if she could siphon support from other candidates , the poll showed .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research Associates , finds plenty of room for movement : Just about half of leaned Democrats are very enthusiastic about their choice , and 53 % say they ’ d consider supporting a different candidate , ” the report noted .
But Biden has remained the most consistent , hovering at just under 30 percent support in each of the last four polls from ABC News/Washington Post .
He is also seen as the candidate with the best chance to beat Trump in the general election , with 38 percent of voters picking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the poll was filtered from Democratic leaning voters to likely voters , Biden saw his support rise even more , with 34 percent support among this group to 22 percent for Sanders and 14 percent for Warren .
The lead for Biden came as Sanders has pulled ahead in recent polls from critical early states .
As The Inquisitr reported , Sanders surged to a significant lead in Iowa in a newly released New York Times/Siena College poll .
Sanders had the support of 25 percent of voters in the poll , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 18 percent , Biden at 17 percent , and Warren at 15 percent .
But as The Hill noted , there were still signs that Iowa could be an uphill battle for Sanders .
“ Despite Sanders ’ s strength in the poll and the loyal following he ’ s cultivated since his failed 2016 presidential run , the senator could face headwinds in Iowa should moderates ultimately coalesce behind a single candidate , ” the report noted .
“ Fifty-five percent of the caucusgoers surveyed said they prefer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than most Democrats ’ while 38 percent said they want one who is ‘ more liberal than most Democrats . '
”

With just days remaining until the first votes are cast in the 2020 Democratic primary, former Vice President Joe Biden continues to lead the field and is seen as the strongest choice to take on Donald Trump in November.
A poll released Sunday by ABC News/Washington Post showed that Biden had the support of 28 percent of voters, with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders close behind at 24 percent. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren saw her support dropping, falling 10 points from the previous poll taken in October to put her at 11 percent support.
The latest poll showed two new entries that had not been on previous iterations of the race, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Both were near the bottom of the pack.
As the ABC News report noted, the poll showed that there is still the potential for significant changes between now and when the primary actually starts with the Iowa caucuses on February 3. Even Warren still had the potential to rise out of third place if she could siphon support from other candidates, the poll showed.
“This poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, finds plenty of room for movement: Just about half of leaned Democrats are very enthusiastic about their choice, and 53% say they’d consider supporting a different candidate,” the report noted.
“Warren, while weaker as a first choice, leads in second-choice preference.”
But Biden has remained the most consistent, hovering at just under 30 percent support in each of the last four polls from ABC News/Washington Post. He is also seen as the candidate with the best chance to beat Trump in the general election, with 38 percent of voters picking him to 18 percent for Sanders.
When the poll was filtered from Democratic leaning voters to likely voters, Biden saw his support rise even more, with 34 percent support among this group to 22 percent for Sanders and 14 percent for Warren.
The lead for Biden came as Sanders has pulled ahead in recent polls from critical early states. As The Inquisitr reported, Sanders surged to a significant lead in Iowa in a newly released New York Times/Siena College poll. Sanders had the support of 25 percent of voters in the poll, followed by South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 18 percent, Biden at 17 percent, and Warren at 15 percent.
But as The Hill noted, there were still signs that Iowa could be an uphill battle for Sanders.