cnbc--2020-02-08--Highlights from the 2020 Democratic debate in New Hampshire

Just days before the crucial New Hampshire primary , Democratic presidential candidates debated which of them would be best suited to take on President Donald Trump in 2020 — and pulled no punches against each other in the process .
`` You 've got to able to not just win '' in a general election , former Vice President Joe Biden said in his pitch to voters .
Biden , who faces an uphill battle after a poor showing in Iowa , said the candidate must have coattails to help elect Democrats down the ballot as well .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States Senate , or this becomes moot , '' he said .
Seven Democrats appeared on the Manchester , New Hampshire , debate stage , four days before that state 's pivotal election , and in the wake of the disastrous Iowa caucus , which failed to deliver a clear winner .
Former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who claimed victory in the botched Iowa contest and has seen a recent surge in New Hampshire polls , fielded attacks from nearly all of his rivals on the stage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sparred with Biden in an exchange about job experience and butted heads with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on the question of political courage .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who also declared himself the winner in Iowa , took heat over his commitment to a universal , government-funded `` Medicare for All '' health care plan .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , who was looking to regain frontrunner status in New Hampshire , scored some of the loudest cheers of the night when she called for `` a national law to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice '' to have an abortion .
Billionaire Tom Steyer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang also appeared on stage .
Steyer advocated for welcoming a more diverse coalition into the Democratic Party , while Yang reprised his central campaign promise to implement a universal basic income plan .
But there were moments of solidarity — and even a hug — between the candidates , who saved their harshest words for Trump .
The president spent the second half of his week taking a loud and lengthy victory lap after the GOP-led Senate acquitted him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the top moments from the eighth Democratic primary debate : Biden predicts he 'll take ' a hit ' in New Hampshire Biden admitted early in the debate that he expects to take a hit in the upcoming New Hampshire primary after his poor performance in the Iowa caucus .
`` I took a hit in Iowa and I 'll probably take a hit here , '' he said on the debate stage in Manchester .
Biden came in fourth place in the first nominating contest , a devastating blow to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that caucus were delayed and marred by technical issues , Sanders and Buttigieg took home the top prizes in Iowa , appearing to be nearly tied for first place .
But Biden vowed to stay in the fight .
`` I always knew that the first four encounters — two primaries , two caucuses '' would be a starting point , he said .
Biden maintained that he is the candidate who has the best chance to unseat Trump in November .
In an NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire voters released Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Buttigieg and Warren at 13 % , potentially indicating another disappointing result for the man who was considered the Democratic front-runner for much of the cycle .
Health care policy , and specifically Medicare for All , has been a major point of contention in each of the previous debates — and Friday 's was no exception .
`` Bernie says that you have to bring people together and you have to have Medicare for All … .
[ he ] says he wrote the damn thing , '' Biden said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill in the Senate .
`` But he 's unwilling to tell us what the damn thing 's going to cost , '' Biden said .
`` How much is it going to cost ?
Who 's going to pay for it ? ''
`` The idea [ that ] middle class taxes are n't going to go up is just crazy , '' Biden added .
Sanders responded that the `` status quo '' offered by Biden will cost even more .
`` We are spending twice as much per capita as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sanders told Biden , who was vice president during the passage of the Affordable Care Act championed by President Barack Obama .
`` Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the health care industry last year made $ 100 billion in profit . ''
Klobuchar then broke in .
`` I keep listening to this same debate , and it is not real .
It is not real , Bernie , because two thirds of the Democrats in the Senate are not on your bill , and because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current health insurance in four years , '' she said , garnering a loud reaction from the crowd .
Sanders and Warren favor Medicare for All — a plan that would eliminate private insurers — while the other candidates favor building on the Obama-passed plan with features like a public option .
Klobuchar took aim at Buttigieg multiple times following his strong finish in Iowa .
She pointed to a 2018 tweet in which he expressed full-throated support for Medicare for All .
Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar now say moving quickly to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighted what she called `` courage '' from Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama and Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , who voted to convict Trump after his Senate impeachment trial when they knew they would face political consequences .
After going through the trial herself , she criticized Buttigieg for saying the process was tiring .
`` You said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons , '' she said .
Buttigieg responded that he was describing the feelings of impeachment fatigue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has spoken on the campaign trail .
`` If the Senate was the jury before , you are the jury now , '' Buttigieg said to the crowd .
Even after Biden questioned Buttigieg 's readiness to take on the role of president , the former South Bend mayor stood up for his son Hunter , whom Trump has attacked for his role as a board member on a Ukrainian gas company while his father was the vice president .
Trump 's impeachment trial centered around the president 's alleged dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's president to announce investigations into the Bidens while withholding nearly $ 400 million of congressionally approved military aid .
`` This is not about Hunter Biden or any Biden , '' Buttigieg said .
`` We are not going to let them change the subject . ''
`` To be the kind of human being who would seek to weaponize a son against his own father is an unbelievably dishonorable thing , that is just one more example of why we as a party have to be completely united in doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day to make sure that this president does not get a second term , '' he said .
Biden thanked Buttigieg for his comments , adding that Trump is going to `` make up lies '' about whoever becomes the nominee .
The former veep then asked the audience to applaud another figure in the impeachment ordeal : Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , who served as the director for European Affairs for the U.S. National Security Council until his dismissal earlier on Friday .
Vindman testified against Trump during the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should all stand and give Colonel Vindman a show of how much we support him , '' Biden said .
`` Stand up and clap for Vindman ! ''
Four candidates in the primary race were not on stage Friday night : former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , ex-Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick , Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii .
But Bloomberg , the multibillionaire who arrived late to the race , was still discussed on stage — when Sen. Elizabeth Warren bashed him over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign so far .
Asked why she believed she was a better fit than Bloomberg to beat Trump , Warren said , `` I do n't think anyone ought to be able to buy their way into nomination or to be president of the United States . ''
The line scored a round of applause from the crowd — and Warren threw in an apparent dig at Buttigieg as she continued .
`` I do n't think any billionaire ought to be able to do it , and I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to fund their campaigns ought to do it , '' she said .
Warren had previously blasted Buttigieg , who claimed victory in the Iowa caucus this week , for holding a ritzy fundraising event inside a wine cave — a moment that quickly went viral .

(L-R) Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) participate in the Democratic presidential primary debate in the Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College on February 07, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Just days before the crucial New Hampshire primary, Democratic presidential candidates debated which of them would be best suited to take on President Donald Trump in 2020 — and pulled no punches against each other in the process. "You've got to able to not just win" in a general election, former Vice President Joe Biden said in his pitch to voters. Biden, who faces an uphill battle after a poor showing in Iowa, said the candidate must have coattails to help elect Democrats down the ballot as well. "You've got to bring along a United States Senate, or this becomes moot," he said. Seven Democrats appeared on the Manchester, New Hampshire, debate stage, four days before that state's pivotal election, and in the wake of the disastrous Iowa caucus, which failed to deliver a clear winner. Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who claimed victory in the botched Iowa contest and has seen a recent surge in New Hampshire polls, fielded attacks from nearly all of his rivals on the stage. The youngest candidate in the race, he sparred with Biden in an exchange about job experience and butted heads with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on the question of political courage. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who also declared himself the winner in Iowa, took heat over his commitment to a universal, government-funded "Medicare for All" health care plan.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who was looking to regain frontrunner status in New Hampshire, scored some of the loudest cheers of the night when she called for "a national law to protect the right of a woman's choice" to have an abortion. Billionaire Tom Steyer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang also appeared on stage. Steyer advocated for welcoming a more diverse coalition into the Democratic Party, while Yang reprised his central campaign promise to implement a universal basic income plan. But there were moments of solidarity — and even a hug — between the candidates, who saved their harshest words for Trump. The president spent the second half of his week taking a loud and lengthy victory lap after the GOP-led Senate acquitted him on two articles of impeachment. Here are the top moments from the eighth Democratic primary debate:
Biden predicts he'll take 'a hit' in New Hampshire
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Biden gestures towards Senator Sanders during the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S. Bryan Snyder | Reuters
Biden admitted early in the debate that he expects to take a hit in the upcoming New Hampshire primary after his poor performance in the Iowa caucus. "I took a hit in Iowa and I'll probably take a hit here," he said on the debate stage in Manchester. Biden came in fourth place in the first nominating contest, a devastating blow to his campaign. Even though the results in that caucus were delayed and marred by technical issues, Sanders and Buttigieg took home the top prizes in Iowa, appearing to be nearly tied for first place. But Biden vowed to stay in the fight. "I always knew that the first four encounters — two primaries, two caucuses" would be a starting point, he said. Biden maintained that he is the candidate who has the best chance to unseat Trump in November. In an NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire voters released Friday, Biden came in fourth behind Sanders, Buttigieg and Warren at 13%, potentially indicating another disappointing result for the man who was considered the Democratic front-runner for much of the cycle.
'Medicare for All' brawl
Democratic presidential hopeful former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg (L) speaks next to Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren during the eighth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by ABC News, WMUR-TV and Apple News at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, on February 7, 2020. Timothy A. Clary | AFP | Getty Images
Health care policy, and specifically Medicare for All, has been a major point of contention in each of the previous debates — and Friday's was no exception. "Bernie says that you have to bring people together and you have to have Medicare for All …. [he] says he wrote the damn thing," Biden said, referring to Sanders' universal health care bill in the Senate. "But he's unwilling to tell us what the damn thing's going to cost," Biden said. "How much is it going to cost? Who's going to pay for it?" "The idea [that] middle class taxes aren't going to go up is just crazy," Biden added. Sanders responded that the "status quo" offered by Biden will cost even more. "We are spending twice as much per capita as the people of any other country," Sanders told Biden, who was vice president during the passage of the Affordable Care Act championed by President Barack Obama. "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the health care industry last year made $100 billion in profit." Klobuchar then broke in. "I keep listening to this same debate, and it is not real. It is not real, Bernie, because two thirds of the Democrats in the Senate are not on your bill, and because it would kick 149 million Americans off their current health insurance in four years," she said, garnering a loud reaction from the crowd. Sanders and Warren favor Medicare for All — a plan that would eliminate private insurers — while the other candidates favor building on the Obama-passed plan with features like a public option.
Klobuchar attacks Buttigieg
Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., February 7, 2020. Brian Snyder | Reuters
Klobuchar took aim at Buttigieg multiple times following his strong finish in Iowa. She pointed to a 2018 tweet in which he expressed full-throated support for Medicare for All. Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar now say moving quickly to a single-payer system is unrealistic. She also highlighted what she called "courage" from Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama and Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who voted to convict Trump after his Senate impeachment trial when they knew they would face political consequences. After going through the trial herself, she criticized Buttigieg for saying the process was tiring. "You said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons," she said. Buttigieg responded that he was describing the feelings of impeachment fatigue he saw among many Americans with whom he has spoken on the campaign trail. "If the Senate was the jury before, you are the jury now," Buttigieg said to the crowd.
Democrats slam Trump's attacks on Biden's son
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., Feb 7, 2020. Brian Snyder | Reuters
Even after Biden questioned Buttigieg's readiness to take on the role of president, the former South Bend mayor stood up for his son Hunter, whom Trump has attacked for his role as a board member on a Ukrainian gas company while his father was the vice president. Trump's impeachment trial centered around the president's alleged dealing with Ukraine, in which he pressured that country's president to announce investigations into the Bidens while withholding nearly $400 million of congressionally approved military aid. "This is not about Hunter Biden or any Biden," Buttigieg said. "We are not going to let them change the subject." "To be the kind of human being who would seek to weaponize a son against his own father is an unbelievably dishonorable thing, that is just one more example of why we as a party have to be completely united in doing whatever it takes at the end of the day to make sure that this president does not get a second term," he said. Biden thanked Buttigieg for his comments, adding that Trump is going to "make up lies" about whoever becomes the nominee. The former veep then asked the audience to applaud another figure in the impeachment ordeal: Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who served as the director for European Affairs for the U.S. National Security Council until his dismissal earlier on Friday. Vindman testified against Trump during the House impeachment inquiry. "I think we should all stand and give Colonel Vindman a show of how much we support him," Biden said. "Stand up and clap for Vindman!"
Candidates spar on race
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., Feb 7, 2020. Brian Snyder | Reuters
Buttigieg sidestepped a question about why the number of marijuana possession arrests among black residents in South Bend increased under his leadership. Rather than answer the question directly, Buttigieg instead said that that category of arrests was lower in his city than the national average. He then pivoted to discussing racism more broadly, before being called out by the moderator for deflecting. When asked if Buttigieg's response was substantial, Warren replied simply, "No." "It's important to own up to the facts about how race has totally permeated our criminal justice system," she said. Warren referenced her housing plan, saying that the United States needs to "start having race-conscious laws." "It was the policy of the United States of America to discriminate against African Americans and any other people of color for buying homes until 1965," she said. "You can't just repeal that and say, 'Okay, now everything is even.' It's not." Yang then jumped into the discussion, saying that "you can't regulate away racism with a whole patchwork of new laws that are race specific."
Warren blasts Bloomberg's billions
Democratic presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at a campaign stop at Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan, on February 4, 2020. Jeff Kowalsky | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-02-08--Democratic debate: Biden predicts he will 'take a hit' in New Hampshire primary after 'gut punch' in

Democratic debate: Biden predicts he will 'take a hit' in New Hampshire primary after 'gut punch' in Iowa

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate in Manchester , New Hampshire , U.S. , Feb 7 , 2020 .
Seven Democrats vying to unseat President Donald Trump in 2020 appeared on the Manchester , New Hampshire , debate stage Friday night , just days before that state 's crucial primary election .
Former Vice President Joe Biden admitted early in the debate that he expects to take a hit in the upcoming New Hampshire primary after his poor performance in the Iowa caucus .
`` I took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably take a hit here , '' he said on the debate stage in Manchester .
Biden came in fourth place in the first nominating contest , a devastating blow to his campaign .
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg took home the top prizes in Iowa , appearing to be nearly tied for first place .
Still , Biden promised to stay in the fight .
`` I always knew that the first four encounters -- two primaries , two caucuses '' would be a starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is the candidate who has the best chance to unseat Trump in November .
Biden said that Trump `` wants very much to stick a label on every candidate . ''
Biden said Sanders has already labeled himself a democratic socialist .
`` That 's the label Trump will use , '' Biden said .
In response , Sanders called Trump a liar , saying that his comments should not matter to anybody on the stage .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., Feb 7, 2020.
Seven Democrats vying to unseat President Donald Trump in 2020 appeared on the Manchester, New Hampshire, debate stage Friday night, just days before that state's crucial primary election.
Former Vice President Joe Biden admitted early in the debate that he expects to take a hit in the upcoming New Hampshire primary after his poor performance in the Iowa caucus.
"I took a hit in Iowa and I'll probably take a hit here," he said on the debate stage in Manchester.
Biden came in fourth place in the first nominating contest, a devastating blow to his campaign.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg took home the top prizes in Iowa, appearing to be nearly tied for first place.
Still, Biden promised to stay in the fight. "I always knew that the first four encounters -- two primaries, two caucuses" would be a starting point, he said. Biden claimed that he is the candidate who has the best chance to unseat Trump in November.
Biden said that Trump "wants very much to stick a label on every candidate." Biden said Sanders has already labeled himself a democratic socialist. "That's the label Trump will use," Biden said.
In response, Sanders called Trump a liar, saying that his comments should not matter to anybody on the stage.


cnbc--2020-02-08--Seven Democratic presidential candidates face off in New Hampshire debate before primary

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates ( L-R ) entrepreneur Andrew Yang , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) , former Vice President Joe Biden , Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) , Senator Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) and billionaire activist Tom Steyer pose before the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester , New Hampshire , U.S. , February 7 , 2020 .
MANCHESTER , N.H. — Seven Democratic presidential candidates square off Friday in the final debate before the crucial New Hampshire primary , even as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains unclear .
The eighth debate in the 2020 primary cycle pits Vermont senator and self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders against former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the first time since both men declared victory in Iowa .
Technical issues delayed the results of the caucus for days , and a slew of potential errors in the data that eventually were released could call the accuracy of the first-in-the-nation contest into question .
The New Hampshire primary next Tuesday , meanwhile , could mark a turning point for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who is determined to bounce back after taking a `` gut punch '' in Iowa .
Biden 's campaign announced a shake-up in leadership just hours before the debate begins .
According to a new NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire voters released Friday afternoon , Sen. Bernie Sanders remains in first place in the state , with Buttigieg a close second .
Both candidates saw gains from an NBC News/Marist poll released in January .
Biden trails in fourth place behind Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Friday night 's debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anselm College in Manchester , New Hampshire , started at 8 p.m .
ET .
It is being hosted by ABC News and features five moderators from that network .
The participants , in alphabetical order , are : The four other Democratic candidates remaining in the race were not invited to appear in New Hampshire .
Three of them , former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick , Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii did not meet the threshold for tonight 's debate .
Former New York Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire .
He arrived late to the primary field and will not appear on any ballots until Super Tuesday .
But he is rising in the polls after dumping hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign .
The protracted Iowa caucus debacle has stoked an ongoing dispute about the results , giving way to increased hostilities among the front-runners .
Buttigieg 's standing in New Hampshire rose after his better-than-expected showing in Iowa , a recent poll showed , making him likely to be a prime target in the debate .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday about the corrosive influence of money in politics .
At a campaign event in New Hampshire , Sanders cited multiple media reports saying the former mayor was a favorite of billionaire donors , framing the election as a choice between those who champion the working class and those who represent the wealthy .
`` Which side are you on ? ''
he asked at the Politics and Eggs event held by St. Anselm College 's Institute of Politics .
Friday 's debate caps off one of the most eventful weeks in politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , sparked controversy when she ripped up a copy of Trump 's State of the Union address on the House floor .
Wednesday marked the end of Trump 's impeachment fight in Congress , with the GOP-led Senate voting nearly along party lines to acquit the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The two-week impeachment trial in the Senate took Warren , Sanders , Klobuchar and Bennet off the campaign trail in the days leading up to the Iowa caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his acquittal while decrying Democrats ' efforts to undermine him as `` bullshit '' and taking shots at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , the only Republican to cross party lines and vote to convict the president on one article of impeachment .
And hours before the debate was set to kick off , the Labor Department released much-better-than-expected monthly payroll figures for January .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates (L-R) entrepreneur Andrew Yang, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and billionaire activist Tom Steyer pose before the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., February 7, 2020.
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Seven Democratic presidential candidates square off Friday in the final debate before the crucial New Hampshire primary, even as the outcome from Monday's disastrous Iowa caucus remains unclear.
The eighth debate in the 2020 primary cycle pits Vermont senator and self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders against former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the first time since both men declared victory in Iowa.
Technical issues delayed the results of the caucus for days, and a slew of potential errors in the data that eventually were released could call the accuracy of the first-in-the-nation contest into question.
The New Hampshire primary next Tuesday, meanwhile, could mark a turning point for several candidates — especially former Vice President Joe Biden, who is determined to bounce back after taking a "gut punch" in Iowa. Biden's campaign announced a shake-up in leadership just hours before the debate begins.
According to a new NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire voters released Friday afternoon, Sen. Bernie Sanders remains in first place in the state, with Buttigieg a close second. Both candidates saw gains from an NBC News/Marist poll released in January. Biden trails in fourth place behind Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Friday night's debate, which is being held at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, started at 8 p.m. ET. It is being hosted by ABC News and features five moderators from that network.
The participants, in alphabetical order, are:
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang
The four other Democratic candidates remaining in the race were not invited to appear in New Hampshire. Three of them, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii did not meet the threshold for tonight's debate.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not competing in New Hampshire. He arrived late to the primary field and will not appear on any ballots until Super Tuesday. But he is rising in the polls after dumping hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign.
The protracted Iowa caucus debacle has stoked an ongoing dispute about the results, giving way to increased hostilities among the front-runners.
Buttigieg's standing in New Hampshire rose after his better-than-expected showing in Iowa, a recent poll showed, making him likely to be a prime target in the debate.
Sanders got a head start in remarks earlier Friday about the corrosive influence of money in politics. At a campaign event in New Hampshire, Sanders cited multiple media reports saying the former mayor was a favorite of billionaire donors, framing the election as a choice between those who champion the working class and those who represent the wealthy.
"Which side are you on?" he asked at the Politics and Eggs event held by St. Anselm College's Institute of Politics.
Friday's debate caps off one of the most eventful weeks in politics since President Donald Trump took office.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sparked controversy when she ripped up a copy of Trump's State of the Union address on the House floor.
Wednesday marked the end of Trump's impeachment fight in Congress, with the GOP-led Senate voting nearly along party lines to acquit the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The two-week impeachment trial in the Senate took Warren, Sanders, Klobuchar and Bennet off the campaign trail in the days leading up to the Iowa caucus.
On Thursday, Trump basked in his acquittal while decrying Democrats' efforts to undermine him as "bullshit" and taking shots at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the only Republican to cross party lines and vote to convict the president on one article of impeachment.
And hours before the debate was set to kick off, the Labor Department released much-better-than-expected monthly payroll figures for January.


cnbc--2020-02-08--Key impeachment witness Gordon Sondland says Trump is 'immediately' recalling him as EU ambassador

U.S .
Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland arrives to testify before a House Intelligence Committee hearing as part of the impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington , U.S. , November 20 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump on Friday recalled U.S .
Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland , a key witness in House Democrats ' impeachment inquiry , NBC News reported .
The move was reported hours after it was revealed that Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , another witness in the impeachment proceedings , was recalled from his post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Pressman , a lawyer for Vindman , decried the action as an attempt by Trump to `` exact revenge '' against officials in his administration who cooperated with House Democrats .
Just two days earlier , the GOP-led Senate voted nearly along party lines to acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment that the House passed in December .
A day later , Trump lashed out at his perceived political enemies during a loud and lengthy victory lap .
`` So many people have been hurt , and we ca n't let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during remarks at the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning .
The apparent purge of Sondland and Vindman — and Vindman 's brother Yevgeny , who worked as an attorney at the National Security Council — came a day after Trump 's remarks .

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland arrives to testify before a House Intelligence Committee hearing as part of the impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2019.
President Donald Trump on Friday recalled U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, a key witness in House Democrats' impeachment inquiry, NBC News reported.
The move was reported hours after it was revealed that Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, another witness in the impeachment proceedings, was recalled from his post as a National Security Council staffer.
David Pressman, a lawyer for Vindman, decried the action as an attempt by Trump to "exact revenge" against officials in his administration who cooperated with House Democrats.
Just two days earlier, the GOP-led Senate voted nearly along party lines to acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment that the House passed in December.
A day later, Trump lashed out at his perceived political enemies during a loud and lengthy victory lap.
"So many people have been hurt, and we can't let that go on," Trump said during remarks at the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning.
The apparent purge of Sondland and Vindman — and Vindman's brother Yevgeny, who worked as an attorney at the National Security Council — came a day after Trump's remarks.


cnbc--2020-02-08--Trump's 'revenge' — Impeachment witness Alexander Vindman escorted from White House, lawyer says

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , ( C ) , director for European Affairs at the National Security Council , arrives at the U.S. Capitol on October 29 , 2019 in Washington , DC .
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , a National Security Council staffer whose testimony about President Donald Trump at House impeachment hearings angered the president , was escorted out of the White House on Friday afternoon , his lawyer said .
Trump , `` the most powerful man in the world — buoyed by the silent , the pliable and the complicit — has decided to exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , David Pressman .
Hours earlier , Trump had said of the Purple Heart recipient Vindman , `` I 'm not happy with him . ''
`` Do you think I 'm supposed to be happy with him ? ''
Trump asked reporters .
`` I 'm not . ''
NBC News , citing a source familiar with the situation , reported later Friday that Yevgeny Vindman , Alexander 's twin brother who like him worked at the NSC as an attorney , was also escorted out of the White House .
Yevgeny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment hearings .
Following Vindman 's ejection from the White House , Pressman said , `` There is no question in the mind of any American why this man 's job is over , why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House . ''
`` Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth , '' the attorney said .
`` His honor , his commitment to right , frightened the powerful . ''
`` The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job , his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day : he followed orders , he obeyed his oath , and he served his country , even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril . ''

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, (C), director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, arrives at the U.S. Capitol on October 29, 2019 in Washington, DC.
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council staffer whose testimony about President Donald Trump at House impeachment hearings angered the president, was escorted out of the White House on Friday afternoon, his lawyer said.
Trump, "the most powerful man in the world — buoyed by the silent, the pliable and the complicit — has decided to exact revenge," said Vindman's lawyer, David Pressman.
Hours earlier, Trump had said of the Purple Heart recipient Vindman, "I'm not happy with him."
"Do you think I'm supposed to be happy with him?" Trump asked reporters. "I'm not."
NBC News, citing a source familiar with the situation, reported later Friday that Yevgeny Vindman, Alexander's twin brother who like him worked at the NSC as an attorney, was also escorted out of the White House. Yevgeny was not a witness at the House impeachment hearings.
Following Vindman's ejection from the White House, Pressman said, "There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House."
"Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth," the attorney said. "His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful."
"The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy," Pressman said.
"He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath, and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril."


cnbc--2020-02-08--Facebook and Twitter decline Pelosi request to delete Trump video

A fierce behind-the-scenes dispute between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's office and Facebook erupted into public view Friday , as the speaker 's office demanded that Facebook remove a video posted online by President Donald Trump .
The video in question showed Pelosi 's viral State of the Union moment ripping up the text of Trump 's speech Tuesday night , but was edited to make it appear that she ripped the speech even as Trump saluted a Tuskegee airman in the audience .
In fact , Pelosi 's speech-ripping gesture came at the end of the president 's speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the totality of the speech and what Pelosi saw as misinformation in it .
The video , labeled `` Powerful American stories ripped to shreds by Nancy Pelosi , '' was posted on both Facebook and Twitter .
Trump tweeted the video from his Twitter account just before 6 p.m. Thursday to his more than 72 million followers .
Within hours , the speaker 's office was demanding both social media companies remove the video , arguing it was unfair to Pelosi , who actually stood and applauded the airman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter decided against removing the Trump video , although the companies cited different reasons for their decisions .
The dispute became public Friday when Pelosi 's deputy chief of staff , Drew Hammill , posted a link to a criticism of the video Friday afternoon , writing `` The latest fake video of Speaker Pelosi is deliberately designed to mislead and lie to the American people , and every day that these platforms refuse to take it down is another reminder that they care more about their shareholders ' interests than the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Facebook spokesman , replied to Hammill on Twitter : `` Sorry , are you suggesting the President did n't make those remarks and the Speaker did n't rip the speech ? ''
Hammill fired back : `` What planet are you living on ?
This is deceptively altered .
Take it down . ''
In the end , both Facebook and Twitter declined to remove the Trump campaign post , citing corporate policies .
Facebook 's Stone told CNBC , `` I can confirm for you that the video does n't violate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company 's policies against altered video specifically refer to video that has been edited to make it appear a person said something they did n't say or did something they did n't do .
`` I think they have a history here of promoting and making money off of content that is intentionally false , '' Hammill said .
Twitter , for its part , has a new set of policies around manipulated media that the company announced Tuesday .
The company imposed a new rule on its users : `` You may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are likely to cause harm .
In addition , we may label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand the media 's authenticity and to provide additional context . ''
To determine that , Twitter said it would examine videos to ascertain `` whether the content has been substantially edited in a manner that fundamentally alters its composition , sequence , timing or framing '' as well as looking at `` any visual or auditory information ( such as new video frames , overdubbed audio or modified subtitles ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' But that policy does n't go into effect until March 5 , and Twitter told Pelosi 's office that it will not remove the Trump video under its current rules .
Asked if the Trump video would violate Twitter 's policies if it is posted again after March 5 , Twitter spokeswoman Katie Rosborough wrote in an email : `` I ca n't get into hypotheticals . ''
A Trump campaign spokesman said the president 's reelection effort is unconcerned about Pelosi 's reaction to the video .
`` If Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , perhaps she should n't have ripped up the speech , '' said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh .
In less than 24 hours , Murtaugh said , the video has received 2.1 million views , has reached almost 5 million people and has been shared more than 23,000 times .
It was n't immediately clear who actually produced the video in question .
The Trump campaign referred that question to the White House , and spokespeople there did not respond to a request for comment .
As all of that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get Facebook to remove a second video of Nancy Pelosi that the speaker 's office also complained about : This one a deceptively edited video of Pelosi appearing on The Colbert Report in a comedy segment .
The altered video made it appear that Pelosi was eating Tide Pods , and Facebook has a policy against that .
Facebook took the Tide Pod video down .
`` When the Tide Pod challenge began we said we would take down any such videos brought to our attention out of concern for people 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed this video from our platform , '' a Facebook spokesman said .

A fierce behind-the-scenes dispute between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office and Facebook erupted into public view Friday, as the speaker's office demanded that Facebook remove a video posted online by President Donald Trump.
The video in question showed Pelosi's viral State of the Union moment ripping up the text of Trump's speech Tuesday night, but was edited to make it appear that she ripped the speech even as Trump saluted a Tuskegee airman in the audience. In fact, Pelosi's speech-ripping gesture came at the end of the president's speech, and her office said it was in response to the totality of the speech and what Pelosi saw as misinformation in it.
The video, labeled "Powerful American stories ripped to shreds by Nancy Pelosi," was posted on both Facebook and Twitter . Trump tweeted the video from his Twitter account just before 6 p.m. Thursday to his more than 72 million followers.
Trump video.
Within hours, the speaker's office was demanding both social media companies remove the video, arguing it was unfair to Pelosi, who actually stood and applauded the airman during the speech.
Both Facebook and Twitter decided against removing the Trump video, although the companies cited different reasons for their decisions.
The dispute became public Friday when Pelosi's deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, posted a link to a criticism of the video Friday afternoon, writing "The latest fake video of Speaker Pelosi is deliberately designed to mislead and lie to the American people, and every day that these platforms refuse to take it down is another reminder that they care more about their shareholders' interests than the public's interests."
Andy Stone, a Facebook spokesman, replied to Hammill on Twitter: "Sorry, are you suggesting the President didn't make those remarks and the Speaker didn't rip the speech?"
Hammill fired back: "What planet are you living on? This is deceptively altered. Take it down."
In the end, both Facebook and Twitter declined to remove the Trump campaign post, citing corporate policies.
Facebook's Stone told CNBC, "I can confirm for you that the video doesn't violate our policies."
Stone said the company's policies against altered video specifically refer to video that has been edited to make it appear a person said something they didn't say or did something they didn't do.
Facebook's response left Pelosi's Hammill frustrated.
"I think they have a history here of promoting and making money off of content that is intentionally false," Hammill said.
Twitter, for its part, has a new set of policies around manipulated media that the company announced Tuesday. The company imposed a new rule on its users: "You may not deceptively share synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm. In addition, we may label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand the media's authenticity and to provide additional context."
To determine that, Twitter said it would examine videos to ascertain "whether the content has been substantially edited in a manner that fundamentally alters its composition, sequence, timing or framing" as well as looking at "any visual or auditory information (such as new video frames, overdubbed audio or modified subtitles) that has been added or removed."
But that policy doesn't go into effect until March 5, and Twitter told Pelosi's office that it will not remove the Trump video under its current rules. Asked if the Trump video would violate Twitter's policies if it is posted again after March 5, Twitter spokeswoman Katie Rosborough wrote in an email: "I can't get into hypotheticals."
A Trump campaign spokesman said the president's reelection effort is unconcerned about Pelosi's reaction to the video.
"If Nancy Pelosi fears images of her ripping up the speech, perhaps she shouldn't have ripped up the speech," said Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh. In less than 24 hours, Murtaugh said, the video has received 2.1 million views, has reached almost 5 million people and has been shared more than 23,000 times.
It wasn't immediately clear who actually produced the video in question. The Trump campaign referred that question to the White House, and spokespeople there did not respond to a request for comment.
As all of that was happening, Pelosi's office was fighting to get Facebook to remove a second video of Nancy Pelosi that the speaker's office also complained about: This one a deceptively edited video of Pelosi appearing on The Colbert Report in a comedy segment. The altered video made it appear that Pelosi was eating Tide Pods, and Facebook has a policy against that.
Facebook took the Tide Pod video down.
"When the Tide Pod challenge began we said we would take down any such videos brought to our attention out of concern for people's safety, which is why we've removed this video from our platform," a Facebook spokesman said.


cnbc--2020-02-10--Pete Buttigieg sees surge in support from business execs after his strong showing in Iowa

Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg is seeing increased support from business leaders as he jumps in the polls following a successful showing in the Iowa caucuses .
Dozens of executives who have largely remained on the sidelines during the 2020 election cycle have shown increased interest in Buttigieg 's presidential campaign over the past week , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter who declined to be named because these conversations were deemed private .
The increased interest in Buttigieg comes as he tries to position himself as the best option among moderate Democratic candidates for the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , once a clear front-runner for the nomination , stumbles in the early stages of the primary race .
Buttigieg is also polling strongly among New Hampshire Democrats ahead of the state 's primary Tuesday .
One new Buttigieg supporter is former Goldman Sachs partner David Heller , who has spoken with members of Buttigieg 's bundler operation and has indicated he will back his campaign , these people said .
Heller , an investor in Peloton and a former minority owner in the Philadelphia 76ers , was a key architect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first run for president in 2008 .
He helped raise up to $ 500,000 for Obama 's initial campaign for the White House , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
Another who is leaning toward Buttigieg is former National Association of Manufacturers president and CEO Jerry Jasinowski , these people added .
Jasinowski endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and contributed to Obama in 2008 .
In the wake of Buttigieg 's success in Iowa , the campaign announced it raised more than $ 2.7 million and attracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition of some of these business leaders could help Buttigieg gain momentum with fundraisers and have enough cash on hand to successfully compete in the later primary states .
He went into 2020 with $ 14 million on hand , ahead of Biden but behind Sanders .
The Iowa Democratic Party allocated the most delegates to Buttigieg in the wake of their caucus debacle last week .
The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor acquired 14 delegates , while Sen. Bernie Sanders acquired 12 delegates .
Business leaders heading into Buttigieg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa caucuses show he is the moderate Democratic candidate who is most capable of defeating President Donald Trump .
Through conversations with Buttigieg 's campaign and his allies , intrigued donors have also becoming increasingly impressed with Buttigieg 's political operation .
`` Part of what 's compelling about Pete is if you 're someone who believes that the Democratic success in 2018 is the same math to electable success in 2020 , which is winning purple districts , winning suburbs and with a moderate message .
We need a voice at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those voters .
Pete in that case is my leading guy , '' said one of the new Buttigieg supporters who declined to be named .
Yet , in national polls , he lags behind other contenders , including Sanders , Biden , former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
While these business leaders are starting to get behind Buttigieg , it 's no guarantee they 'll completely open up their donor networks to him .
Still , people working with the campaign hope it means the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming weeks and months .
The Buttigieg campaign declined to comment .
Heller and Jasinowski did not return requests for comment .

Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg is seeing increased support from business leaders as he jumps in the polls following a successful showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Dozens of executives who have largely remained on the sidelines during the 2020 election cycle have shown increased interest in Buttigieg's presidential campaign over the past week, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter who declined to be named because these conversations were deemed private.
The increased interest in Buttigieg comes as he tries to position himself as the best option among moderate Democratic candidates for the White House, particularly as former Vice President Joe Biden, once a clear front-runner for the nomination, stumbles in the early stages of the primary race. Buttigieg is also polling strongly among New Hampshire Democrats ahead of the state's primary Tuesday.
One new Buttigieg supporter is former Goldman Sachs partner David Heller, who has spoken with members of Buttigieg's bundler operation and has indicated he will back his campaign, these people said.
Heller, an investor in Peloton and a former minority owner in the Philadelphia 76ers, was a key architect during Barack Obama's fundraising operation during his first run for president in 2008. He helped raise up to $500,000 for Obama's initial campaign for the White House, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Another who is leaning toward Buttigieg is former National Association of Manufacturers president and CEO Jerry Jasinowski, these people added. Jasinowski endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and contributed to Obama in 2008.
In the wake of Buttigieg's success in Iowa, the campaign announced it raised more than $2.7 million and attracted more than 22,000 new donors. The addition of some of these business leaders could help Buttigieg gain momentum with fundraisers and have enough cash on hand to successfully compete in the later primary states. He went into 2020 with $14 million on hand, ahead of Biden but behind Sanders. The Iowa Democratic Party allocated the most delegates to Buttigieg in the wake of their caucus debacle last week. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor acquired 14 delegates, while Sen. Bernie Sanders acquired 12 delegates.


cnbc--2020-02-10--Trump wants to extend his tax overhaul. What it means for you

Whether you love or hate the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , President Donald Trump wants to keep the tax overhaul going .
The new tax law , which took effect in 2018 , trimmed individual income tax rates across the board , lowering the top rate to 37 % from 39.6 % .
The standard deduction was also increased to $ 12,000 in 2018 from $ 6,350 in 2017 ( and it rose to $ 24,000 from $ 12,700 for married-filing-jointly ) .
Certain itemized deductions for taxpayers were limited , as well .
Do n't redraft your tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives , which means the president 's budget will run into plenty of opposition .
`` Just six months ago , the president signed a bipartisan two-year budget deal into law , but now the president is apparently going back on his word , '' said Rep. John Yarmuth , ( D-Ky. ) chairman of the House Committee on the Budget .
`` The long-term bet is that tax rates will go up , not down , '' said Howard Gleckman , senior fellow in the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't ' be paying much attention to proposals to cut taxes . ''
Here are four key tax provisions that have a 2025 expiration date .

Whether you love or hate the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, President Donald Trump wants to keep the tax overhaul going.
The new tax law, which took effect in 2018, trimmed individual income tax rates across the board, lowering the top rate to 37% from 39.6%.
The standard deduction was also increased to $12,000 in 2018 from $6,350 in 2017 (and it rose to $24,000 from $12,700 for married-filing-jointly). Certain itemized deductions for taxpayers were limited, as well.
Don't redraft your tax plans just yet. Democrats control the House of Representatives, which means the president's budget will run into plenty of opposition.
"Just six months ago, the president signed a bipartisan two-year budget deal into law, but now the president is apparently going back on his word," said Rep. John Yarmuth, (D-Ky.) chairman of the House Committee on the Budget.
"The long-term bet is that tax rates will go up, not down," said Howard Gleckman, senior fellow in the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. "If it were me, I wouldn't' be paying much attention to proposals to cut taxes."
Here are four key tax provisions that have a 2025 expiration date.


cnbc--2020-02-10--Judge delays former Trump aide Michael Flynn's sentencing — yet again

Former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn leaves the Prettyman Federal Courthouse following a sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court December 18 , 2018 in Washington , DC .
A federal judge on Monday delayed — once again — the sentencing of President Donald Trump 's former national security advisor , Michael Flynn .
Flynn had been scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27 for lying to FBI agents about his contacts with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the weeks between the 2016 presidential election and Trump 's inauguration .
Judge Emmet Sullivan canceled that sentencing in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. Sullivan did not immediately set a new sentencing date .
On Sunday , prosecutors asked Sullivan to give them more time to reply to Flynn 's pending bid to withdraw his guilty plea .
Prosecutors also asked the judge to confirm that Flynn had waived his attorney-client privilege with his prior defense team when he accused them of giving him `` ineffective '' legal representation .
`` It is well-settled that a defendant waives his attorney-client privilege by filing a motion to vacate a conviction based on ineffective assistance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Sullivan approves that request , then prosecutors could ask Flynn 's former attorneys for testimony to help them fight Flynn 's withdrawal effort .
Sullivan ordered the prosecutors to file a status report on Feb. 20 evaluating Flynn 's claim that his old lawyers had been ineffective .
The judge also ordered both parties to hash out the terms of a proposal to waive Flynn 's attorney-client privilege with his past legal team by Feb. 24 .
It is far from clear that Flynn 's new attorney would agree to any waiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , that current lawyer , Sidney Powell , said , `` It is imperative that Mr. Flynn have time to brief the issues raised by the government 's new motion regarding the attorney-client privilege . ''
If no agreement can be reached , Sullivan ordered that Flynn must file an opposing brief by Feb. 24 , and the prosecutors must submit their reply no more than a week later .
Flynn was originally set to be sentenced in December 2018 , a year after he pleaded guilty as part of then-special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That sentencing hearing was aborted after Sullivan implied that Flynn might be sentenced to jail , as opposed to mere probation .
The delay in sentencing gave Flynn more time to complete agreed-to cooperation with Mueller 's team , which Sullivan had suggested could weigh in his favor when he was ultimately sentenced .
Months later , Flynn dropped his team from D.C.-based law firm Covington & Burling , and hired Powell , an attorney who has been deeply critical of Mueller generally and the prosecution of Flynn specifically .
Powell for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn 's formal request to withdraw his guilty plea .
Legal observers say Flynn faces long odds in getting Sullivan to allow him to retract his plea .

Former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn leaves the Prettyman Federal Courthouse following a sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court December 18, 2018 in Washington, DC.
A federal judge on Monday delayed — once again — the sentencing of President Donald Trump's former national security advisor, Michael Flynn.
Flynn had been scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27 for lying to FBI agents about his contacts with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the weeks between the 2016 presidential election and Trump's inauguration.
Judge Emmet Sullivan canceled that sentencing in his order Monday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Sullivan did not immediately set a new sentencing date.
On Sunday, prosecutors asked Sullivan to give them more time to reply to Flynn's pending bid to withdraw his guilty plea.
Prosecutors also asked the judge to confirm that Flynn had waived his attorney-client privilege with his prior defense team when he accused them of giving him "ineffective" legal representation.
"It is well-settled that a defendant waives his attorney-client privilege by filing a motion to vacate a conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel," the prosecutors wrote.
If Sullivan approves that request, then prosecutors could ask Flynn's former attorneys for testimony to help them fight Flynn's withdrawal effort.
Sullivan ordered the prosecutors to file a status report on Feb. 20 evaluating Flynn's claim that his old lawyers had been ineffective. The judge also ordered both parties to hash out the terms of a proposal to waive Flynn's attorney-client privilege with his past legal team by Feb. 24.
It is far from clear that Flynn's new attorney would agree to any waiver of confidentiality with his former lawyers. On Sunday, that current lawyer, Sidney Powell, said, "It is imperative that Mr. Flynn have time to brief the issues raised by the government's new motion regarding the attorney-client privilege."
If no agreement can be reached, Sullivan ordered that Flynn must file an opposing brief by Feb. 24, and the prosecutors must submit their reply no more than a week later.
Flynn was originally set to be sentenced in December 2018, a year after he pleaded guilty as part of then-special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe.
That sentencing hearing was aborted after Sullivan implied that Flynn might be sentenced to jail, as opposed to mere probation. The delay in sentencing gave Flynn more time to complete agreed-to cooperation with Mueller's team, which Sullivan had suggested could weigh in his favor when he was ultimately sentenced.
Months later, Flynn dropped his team from D.C.-based law firm Covington & Burling, and hired Powell, an attorney who has been deeply critical of Mueller generally and the prosecution of Flynn specifically.
Powell for months in legal filings laid the groundwork for Flynn's formal request to withdraw his guilty plea.
Legal observers say Flynn faces long odds in getting Sullivan to allow him to retract his plea.


cnbc--2020-02-10--Trump looks to kill student loan forgiveness program

As student debt continues to climb , President Donald Trump on Monday released a budget for 2021 that would slash many of the programs aimed at helping borrowers .
Student loan spending would be cut by $ 170 billion in Trump 's plan , titled `` A Budget for America 's Future . ''
The reductions include `` sensible annual and lifetime loan limits '' for graduate students and parents and the end to subsidized loans , in which the government covers the interest for borrowers who are still in school or experiencing economic hardship .
It would also reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nix the popular , if challenged , public service loan forgiveness program .
More from Personal Finance : How to buy a house despite student debt Here 's one way to help determine a good cash cushion One in 5 fear they 'll owe the IRS money this spring That program , signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007 , allows not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of on-time payments .
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that up to one-quarter @ @ @ @ @ @

As student debt continues to climb, President Donald Trump on Monday released a budget for 2021 that would slash many of the programs aimed at helping borrowers.
Student loan spending would be cut by $170 billion in Trump's plan, titled "A Budget for America's Future." The reductions include "sensible annual and lifetime loan limits" for graduate students and parents and the end to subsidized loans, in which the government covers the interest for borrowers who are still in school or experiencing economic hardship.
It would also reduce the number of repayment options for borrowers and nix the popular, if challenged, public service loan forgiveness program.
More from Personal Finance:
How to buy a house despite student debt
Here's one way to help determine a good cash cushion
One in 5 fear they'll owe the IRS money this spring
That program, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, allows not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of on-time payments. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that up to one-quarter of American workers are eligible.


cnbc--2020-02-10--The Pentagon is seeking $705 billion for its 2021 budget, including a 3% raise for troops

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is asking for $ 705.4 billion in its fiscal 2021 budget , $ 13 billion less than what Congress gave the Pentagon in fiscal 2020 .
The White House on Monday officially released the broad details of President Donald Trump 's fiscal 2021 budget request , which seeks a colossal $ 740.5 billion for national defense .
The budget proposal for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 is being submitted to Congress on Monday .
The $ 705.4 billion Pentagon portion is composed of a base budget of $ 636.4 billion and $ 69 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the war budget .
The remainder of the overall $ 740.5 billion request funds nuclear weapons programs under the Department of Energy as well as other agencies .
Here is some of what the Pentagon is seeking : • $ 15.1 billion for tactical fighter programs , procuring 115 advanced fighter aircraft , and fully supporting the modernization of one armored brigade combat team per year .
• $ 19.3 billion to buy 10 new battle force and unmanned ships , including the recapitalization of the strategic ballistic missile submarine fleet with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to fund essential personnel growth for the Pentagon 's Space Force .
• $ 18 billion for space programs , including for the Space Development Agency and United States Space Command .
• $ 14 billion for research , development , test and evaluation , the Pentagon 's largest-ever request in industries of the future such as artificial intelligence , 5g and hypersonic weapons .

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department is asking for $705.4 billion in its fiscal 2021 budget, $13 billion less than what Congress gave the Pentagon in fiscal 2020.
The White House on Monday officially released the broad details of President Donald Trump's fiscal 2021 budget request, which seeks a colossal $740.5 billion for national defense. The budget proposal for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 is being submitted to Congress on Monday.
The $705.4 billion Pentagon portion is composed of a base budget of $636.4 billion and $69 billion for overseas contingency operations funding, aka the war budget. The remainder of the overall $740.5 billion request funds nuclear weapons programs under the Department of Energy as well as other agencies.
Here is some of what the Pentagon is seeking:


cnbc--2020-02-10--Barr says DOJ will review information from Trump lawyer Giuliani's probe of Bidens in Ukraine

Attorney General William Barr said Monday that the Department of Justice will accept and review information gathered by President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , who has been investigating the Bidens in Ukraine .
But Barr stressed that anything Giuliani might provide would be treated with skepticism .
`` The DOJ has the obligation to have an open door to anybody who wishes to provide us information that they think is relevant , '' said Barr , who spoke at a news conference scheduled to announce espionage charges against four Chinese military members accused of hacking credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be very careful with respect to any information coming from Ukraine .
There are a lot of agendas in the Ukraine .
There are a lot of crosscurrents .
And we ca n't take anything we receive from the Ukraine at face value , '' Barr said .
Barr 's acknowledgement appeared to confirm recent claims made by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , who said Barr told him the DOJ was receiving information from Giuliani .
`` He told me that they have created a process that Rudy could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's verified , '' Graham said in a CBS interview Sunday .
Giuliani 's alleged shadow foreign policy efforts in Ukraine became a central feature of House Democrats ' impeachment case against Trump .
The president was impeached Dec. 18 on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , both related to pressuring Ukraine 's president to announce investigations into Trump 's political rivals , including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter .
Democrats accused Trump of trying to cheat in the 2020 presidential election by coercing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponent with the stain of a criminal probe while withholding nearly $ 400 million in military aid to Kyiv .
They also contended that Trump obstructed Congress by refusing to hand over any documents in the House 's probe , and by pressuring potential witnesses not to comply .
Trump has denied any wrongdoing .
The Republican-led Senate acquitted him on both charges last week .
Giuliani had worked with multiple associates as part of his investigation — including Lev Parnas , who was arrested in October on campaign finance charges and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to his work in Ukraine .
Barr , at the news conference Monday , said that anything coming out of Ukraine would be `` carefully scrutinized '' by the DOJ and its partners in the intelligence community .
`` And that is true for all information that comes to the department relating to the Ukraine , '' Barr said , `` including anything Mr. Giuliani might provide . ''

Attorney General William Barr said Monday that the Department of Justice will accept and review information gathered by President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who has been investigating the Bidens in Ukraine.
But Barr stressed that anything Giuliani might provide would be treated with skepticism.
"The DOJ has the obligation to have an open door to anybody who wishes to provide us information that they think is relevant," said Barr, who spoke at a news conference scheduled to announce espionage charges against four Chinese military members accused of hacking credit ratings agency Equifax .
"We have to be very careful with respect to any information coming from Ukraine. There are a lot of agendas in the Ukraine. There are a lot of crosscurrents. And we can't take anything we receive from the Ukraine at face value," Barr said.
Barr's acknowledgement appeared to confirm recent claims made by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who said Barr told him the DOJ was receiving information from Giuliani.
"He told me that they have created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if it's verified," Graham said in a CBS interview Sunday.
Giuliani's alleged shadow foreign policy efforts in Ukraine became a central feature of House Democrats' impeachment case against Trump.
The president was impeached Dec. 18 on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, both related to pressuring Ukraine's president to announce investigations into Trump's political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Democrats accused Trump of trying to cheat in the 2020 presidential election by coercing a foreign ally to smear his possible opponent with the stain of a criminal probe while withholding nearly $400 million in military aid to Kyiv. They also contended that Trump obstructed Congress by refusing to hand over any documents in the House's probe, and by pressuring potential witnesses not to comply.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing. The Republican-led Senate acquitted him on both charges last week.
Giuliani had worked with multiple associates as part of his investigation — including Lev Parnas, who was arrested in October on campaign finance charges and has since shared thousands of documents with Congress related to his work in Ukraine.
Barr, at the news conference Monday, said that anything coming out of Ukraine would be "carefully scrutinized" by the DOJ and its partners in the intelligence community.
"And that is true for all information that comes to the department relating to the Ukraine," Barr said, "including anything Mr. Giuliani might provide."


cnbc--2020-02-10--There are Democrats who can win 2020 election, billionaire Trump-ally Tom Barrack says

A Democrat could very well beat Donald Trump in 2020 , billionaire Trump friend Tom Barrack told CNBC on Monday , just days after the president was acquitted by Republican lawmakers in the Senate impeachment trial .
When asked if anyone among the Democratic presidential hopefuls could win this November , the private equity investor who chaired Trump 's inaugural campaign committee replied : `` I think the answer is of course . ''
`` I 'm not a politician and I do n't want to go over my skis even thinking about it , but anything could happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Abu Dhabi .
`` It 's a very diverse group , I think every week is a new life for both Democrats and Republicans — the president had a very good week last week , the Democrats did n't have such a good week .
But it 's a long road .
So as everybody gets into their swim lanes , it could be a horse race at the end of the day . ''
Barrack , who has been cited in congressional investigations and has been called on by an activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as CEO of real estate firm Colony Capital , weighed in on some of the candidates he felt could compete with Trump .
`` So I like many of the candidates — Joe Biden is a class act , he 's a super man , he 's a very gentle touch , he has a lot of experience .
Michael Bloomberg , nobody should count him out of the race .
Strong , thoughtful , considerate , powerful , experienced — a long shot for sure in Democratic circles , but as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you never can tell what happens . ''
Former Vice President Biden , initially expected by many Americans to blaze ahead as the Democratic nominee , trailed rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders , Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Iowa caucus last week .
Polls in New Hampshire , which will hold its primary Tuesday , show Biden on the verge of another relatively weak finish , according to a RealClearPolitics polling average .
Still , Biden maintains the lead among Democrats in most polls nationally , ahead of Sanders , Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Mike Bloomberg , I know him , I think he would be an amazing president , he was an amazing mayor , '' Barrack said .
`` He 's run a first class business , he 's smart , he 's thoughtful , he 's considerate , he 's done it all before , and he does n't need anything , '' Barrack added , highlighting the advantage of his wealth in the presidential campaign .
`` So in that sense , the idea of someone self-funding a campaign — because at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about money , it 's about money in every country and every election , America even more so — I think it would be a great thing and you have some young candidates coming up on the Democratic side who this cycle may not serve them well , but it will eventually serve them well . ''
Bloomberg joined the race late in the game and wo n't be appearing on any ballots until Super Tuesday on March 3 , but he 's rising in the polls after pouring hundreds of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent poll of small business owners , the billionaire businessman was the only Democrat to top Trump .
The poll , conducted in January , showed 52 % of respondents said they favored the former New York mayor , according to Gallup and payments-tech firm Square .
Still , Barrack noted the economic progress under Trump 's tenure , which has seen U.S. unemployment at its lowest levels since 1969 and the stock market hit record highs .
January saw employers add 225,000 jobs nationwide , the Labor Department reported Friday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent voters , an important constituency that could prove decisive come November .
And rather than being hit by the impeachment proceedings , Trump 's approval rating has ticked up from 47 % to 49 % , according a recent poll by Hill/HarrisX conducted after he was acquitted on impeachment charges .
The president also reached a 49 % approval rating in a Gallup poll last week , the highest recorded by Gallup since he assumed the presidency .
`` I think President Trump has done a great job , he has aligned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his constituency , '' Barrack said .
`` But America 's divided , as the world is divided .
So it 's never over till it 's over . ''
Barrack himself has been hit with criticism from lawmakers , who accuse him of abusing his ties to Trump for personal financial gain and making poor leadership decisions at the helm of Colony Capital .
Colony saw a more than 60 % stock price drop since a 2017 merger led by Barrack and a further 21 % drop since last February , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the addition of new board members .
Activist investor Blackwells Capital , which holds about 1.85 % of Colony 's shares , penned a letter last year demanding Barrack step down immediately as CEO , describing him as having `` enormous personal distractions and tangible conflicts of interest '' and being `` persistently mired in investigations and scandals ... including as chairman of the inaugural committee for President Trump and as a man who sought a special role within the Trump administration . ''
Colony defended itself in a statement in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transformational progress in the last 12 months . ''
Barrack has not been charged in any of the investigations referred to in the Blackwells letter .
A report from the House Oversight Committee from July accused Barrack of `` lobbying the Trump administration for personal appointments and special arrangements that could have involved transferring nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia . ''
Barrack had pursued a plan to buy major nuclear technology supplier Westinghouse Electric Company — which is bidding to support Saudi Arabia 's nuclear energy ambitions — while simultaneously negotiating with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Middle East .
The plan ultimately failed .
Barrack , a Lebanese-American who also served as a senior advisor to the Trump campaign , has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Middle East real estate .
Barrack has not been charged with any wrongdoing .
He is due to leave his role at Colony Capital in 2021 , though the exact date is not yet clear .
Clarification : This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the criticism Colony has received from shareholders .

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A Democrat could very well beat Donald Trump in 2020, billionaire Trump friend Tom Barrack told CNBC on Monday, just days after the president was acquitted by Republican lawmakers in the Senate impeachment trial. When asked if anyone among the Democratic presidential hopefuls could win this November, the private equity investor who chaired Trump's inaugural campaign committee replied: "I think the answer is of course." "I'm not a politician and I don't want to go over my skis even thinking about it, but anything could happen," Barrack told CNBC's Hadley Gamble in Abu Dhabi. "It's a very diverse group, I think every week is a new life for both Democrats and Republicans — the president had a very good week last week, the Democrats didn't have such a good week. But it's a long road. So as everybody gets into their swim lanes, it could be a horse race at the end of the day."
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Barrack, who has been cited in congressional investigations and has been called on by an activist shareholder to step down from his role as CEO of real estate firm Colony Capital, weighed in on some of the candidates he felt could compete with Trump. "So I like many of the candidates — Joe Biden is a class act, he's a super man, he's a very gentle touch, he has a lot of experience. Michael Bloomberg, nobody should count him out of the race. Strong, thoughtful, considerate, powerful, experienced — a long shot for sure in Democratic circles, but as the other candidates start to winnow out, you never can tell what happens." Former Vice President Biden, initially expected by many Americans to blaze ahead as the Democratic nominee, trailed rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Iowa caucus last week. Polls in New Hampshire, which will hold its primary Tuesday, show Biden on the verge of another relatively weak finish, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average. Still, Biden maintains the lead among Democrats in most polls nationally, ahead of Sanders, Warren, Bloomberg and Buttigieg.
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"I like Mike Bloomberg, I know him, I think he would be an amazing president, he was an amazing mayor," Barrack said. "He's run a first class business, he's smart, he's thoughtful, he's considerate, he's done it all before, and he doesn't need anything," Barrack added, highlighting the advantage of his wealth in the presidential campaign. "So in that sense, the idea of someone self-funding a campaign — because at the end of the day it's about money, it's about money in every country and every election, America even more so — I think it would be a great thing and you have some young candidates coming up on the Democratic side who this cycle may not serve them well, but it will eventually serve them well." Bloomberg joined the race late in the game and won't be appearing on any ballots until Super Tuesday on March 3, but he's rising in the polls after pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign. In a recent poll of small business owners, the billionaire businessman was the only Democrat to top Trump. The poll, conducted in January, showed 52% of respondents said they favored the former New York mayor, according to Gallup and payments-tech firm Square.
Trump seeing higher approval ratings
Still, Barrack noted the economic progress under Trump's tenure, which has seen U.S. unemployment at its lowest levels since 1969 and the stock market hit record highs. January saw employers add 225,000 jobs nationwide, the Labor Department reported Friday, and consumer confidence is up — particularly among independent voters, an important constituency that could prove decisive come November.
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And rather than being hit by the impeachment proceedings, Trump's approval rating has ticked up from 47% to 49%, according a recent poll by Hill/HarrisX conducted after he was acquitted on impeachment charges. The president also reached a 49% approval rating in a Gallup poll last week, the highest recorded by Gallup since he assumed the presidency. "I think President Trump has done a great job, he has aligned his power base producing great results for his constituency," Barrack said. "But America's divided, as the world is divided. So it's never over till it's over."
'Investigations and scandals'


cnbc--2020-02-10--Bloomberg's ad-spending spree is a bonanza for local broadcasters

Mike Bloomberg 's ad-buying spree may be rankling his fellow Democrats and President Donald Trump , but local broadcasters are loving it .
Bloomberg is worth about $ 60 billion and is self-funding his campaign to be president .
The former three-term New York mayor has spent more than $ 250 million on TV and radio ads and $ 45 million to $ 50 million on digital — more than twice that spent by Trump and all the other Democratic candidates combined , according to Advertising Analytics and Acronym .
Following the Iowa caucuses — in which former South Bend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders finished ahead after a counting process riddled with inconsistencies — Bloomberg 's campaign announced plans to double its spending .
All that spending has created a windfall for local TV broadcasters , especially in Bloomberg 's top target states — California , Texas , Florida , New York and Pennsylvania .
California and Texas hold their primaries on March 3 , aka Super Tuesday .
Florida holds its primary March 17 , while New York and Pennsylvania hold theirs April 28 .
Shares of publicly traded companies that own local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise for an industry that 's being eroded by digital media .
Shares of Nexstar Media Group , the largest of the local broadcasting companies , are up over 20 % since news of Bloomberg 's run broke in late November .
Shares of Gray Television are up about 10 % .
Broadcast companies `` are jazzed to have Bloomberg in the fray , '' wrote Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall .
`` His spending has caused a meaningful uptick in Q4 political revenue vs. company plans . ''
Cahall said total political-ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could top $ 3.5 billion , up 11 % from 2016 and a new record .
In 2016 , both Hillary Clinton and Trump spent less than broadcasters expected .
Trump favored digital advertising and did n't need to spend on broadcast , and Clinton 's campaign felt confident it did n't need a larger TV-ad blitz .
This time , the combination of Trump 's massive war chest , Bloomberg 's intention to spend at least $ 1 billion and a drawn-out Democratic primary could give a lift to the entire broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians go to war , own the arms dealers , '' Cahalll wrote in a recent report .
Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries will be Nexstar and Sinclair .
Nexstar , based in Irving , Texas , bought Tribune Media Company last year and now has stations in many of Bloomberg 's top markets .
Bloomberg has spent $ 36 million in California , his top market , according to Advertising Analytics .
Nexstar owns and/or operates eight stations in California , while Sinclair owns and/or operates 13 .
In Texas , where Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 27 stations and Sinclair has 16 .
In Florida , where Bloomberg has spent $ 27 million , Sinclair has 13 stations , while Gray has five and Nexstar has three .

Mike Bloomberg's ad-buying spree may be rankling his fellow Democrats and President Donald Trump, but local broadcasters are loving it.
Bloomberg is worth about $60 billion and is self-funding his campaign to be president. The former three-term New York mayor has spent more than $250 million on TV and radio ads and $45 million to $50 million on digital — more than twice that spent by Trump and all the other Democratic candidates combined, according to Advertising Analytics and Acronym.
Following the Iowa caucuses — in which former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders finished ahead after a counting process riddled with inconsistencies — Bloomberg's campaign announced plans to double its spending.
All that spending has created a windfall for local TV broadcasters, especially in Bloomberg's top target states — California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. California and Texas hold their primaries on March 3, aka Super Tuesday. Florida holds its primary March 17, while New York and Pennsylvania hold theirs April 28.
Shares of publicly traded companies that own local broadcasters have also risen, a welcome surprise for an industry that's being eroded by digital media. Shares of Nexstar Media Group , the largest of the local broadcasting companies, are up over 20% since news of Bloomberg's run broke in late November. Shares of Gray Television are up about 10%.
Broadcast companies "are jazzed to have Bloomberg in the fray," wrote Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall. "His spending has caused a meaningful uptick in Q4 political revenue vs. company plans."
Cahall said total political-ad spending in the 2020 elections on broadcast could top $3.5 billion, up 11% from 2016 and a new record. In 2016, both Hillary Clinton and Trump spent less than broadcasters expected. Trump favored digital advertising and didn't need to spend on broadcast, and Clinton's campaign felt confident it didn't need a larger TV-ad blitz.
This time, the combination of Trump's massive war chest, Bloomberg's intention to spend at least $1 billion and a drawn-out Democratic primary could give a lift to the entire broadcast industry and its shareholders.
"When politicians go to war, own the arms dealers," Cahalll wrote in a recent report.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries will be Nexstar and Sinclair. Nexstar, based in Irving, Texas, bought Tribune Media Company last year and now has stations in many of Bloomberg's top markets. Bloomberg has spent $36 million in California, his top market, according to Advertising Analytics. Nexstar owns and/or operates eight stations in California, while Sinclair owns and/or operates 13.
In Texas, where Bloomberg has spent $30 million, Nexstar has 27 stations and Sinclair has 16. In Florida, where Bloomberg has spent $27 million, Sinclair has 13 stations, while Gray has five and Nexstar has three.


cnbc--2020-02-10--Amazon wants to question Trump after losing $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract

The White House declined to comment .
Representatives from the Defense Department declined to comment .
Microsoft also declined to comment .
A spokesperson for AWS told CNBC in a statement : `` President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to use his position as President and Commander in Chief to interfere with government functions – including federal procurements – to advance his personal agenda .
The preservation of public confidence in the nation 's procurement process requires discovery and supplementation of the administrative record , particularly in light of President Trump 's order to 'screw Amazon . '
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States should be allowed to use the budget of the DoD to pursue his own personal and political ends . ''
In court documents unsealed and filed Monday , Amazon 's cloud computing arm said it 's looking to depose seven `` individuals who were instrumental '' in the JEDI source selection and `` played pivotal roles '' in the ultimate awarding of the contract .
Aside from Trump , Mattis and Esper , Amazon Web Services is also seeking to depose the Defense Department 's chief information officer , Dana Deasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which awarded the contract to Microsoft , as well as the chairpersons of the SSA , according to the documents .
WASHINGTON — Amazon is seeking to depose President Donald Trump , Defense Secretary Mark Esper and former Defense Secretary James Mattis over a $ 10 billion Pentagon cloud contract awarded to Microsoft .
( L-R ) CEO of Apple Tim Cook , U.S. President Donald Trump , Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos attend a meeting of the American Technology Council in the State Dining Room of the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DC .
The Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure , or JEDI , cloud computing contract could be worth up to $ 10 billion for services rendered over as many as 10 years .
The Pentagon selected Microsoft over Amazon for the colossal contract on Oct. 25 .
Amazon was initially seen as the favorite to win the contract , then Trump said in July he was looking into the contract after IBM and other companies protested the bidding process .
In November , Amazon filed a notice in the U.S. Court of Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon 's decision to award Microsoft the multibillion-dollar cloud contract .
Amazon claimed that the JEDI evaluation process contained `` clear deficiencies , errors , and unmistakable bias . ''
Amazon said in court documents made public last December that Trump launched `` behind-the-scenes attacks '' against the company , which caused it to lose out on the JEDI contract .
Some of those alleged attacks were detailed in Mattis ' recent memoir , in which the former Defense secretary claimed Trump told him to `` screw Amazon '' out of the contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's looking into a Pentagon cloud contract AWS said it 's looking to depose Trump about his involvement in the bidding process , including any private conversations that took place or any instructions that were given regarding the award , as well as any `` efforts to harm Amazon or AWS . ''
`` While other individuals can testify about specific conversations he had with them individually , President Trump is the only individual who can testify about the totality of his conversations and the overall message he conveyed , '' according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has unique knowledge about whether he had other , previously undisclosed conversations with individuals not previously identified , and who therefore do not appear on the deposition list . ''
AWS wants to depose Mattis because it claims he has `` highly relevant , first-hand knowledge about Trump 's animus toward Mr. Bezos and Amazon and the efforts President Trump took to pressure DoD officials '' on the JEDI contract award .
AWS claims Esper intervened in the JEDI award process to `` conduct an 'examination ' at President Trump 's behest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would review the JEDI contract and recused himself from the JEDI source selection process last October .
AWS said the timing , circumstances and announcement of Esper 's recusal raises concerns and that it would seek further details about his recusal by deposing Esper .
Bezos has been a constant source of frustration for Trump .
The billionaire executive owns The Washington Post newspaper , which Trump regularly criticizes for its coverage of his administration .
Trump also has gone after Amazon repeatedly for , as he claims , not paying its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Post Office .
In December , Amazon 's AWS chief , Andy Jassy , told CNBC that the cloud contracting was not adjudicated fairly .
`` You know , there was significant political interference here , '' Jassy explained of the JEDI award .
`` When you have a sitting president who 's willing to be very vocal that they dislike a company and the CEO of that company , it makes it difficult for government agencies , including the DoD to make objective decisions without fear of reprisal .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our country , '' he told CNBC 's Jon Fortt .

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WASHINGTON — Amazon is seeking to depose President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and former Defense Secretary James Mattis over a $10 billion Pentagon cloud contract awarded to Microsoft . In court documents unsealed and filed Monday, Amazon's cloud computing arm said it's looking to depose seven "individuals who were instrumental" in the JEDI source selection and "played pivotal roles" in the ultimate awarding of the contract. Aside from Trump, Mattis and Esper, Amazon Web Services is also seeking to depose the Defense Department's chief information officer, Dana Deasy, and the source selection authority, which awarded the contract to Microsoft, as well as the chairpersons of the SSA, according to the documents. A spokesperson for AWS told CNBC in a statement: "President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to use his position as President and Commander in Chief to interfere with government functions – including federal procurements – to advance his personal agenda. The preservation of public confidence in the nation's procurement process requires discovery and supplementation of the administrative record, particularly in light of President Trump's order to 'screw Amazon.' The question is whether the President of the United States should be allowed to use the budget of the DoD to pursue his own personal and political ends." The White House declined to comment. Representatives from the Defense Department declined to comment. Microsoft also declined to comment.
(L-R) CEO of Apple Tim Cook , U.S. President Donald Trump, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos attend a meeting of the American Technology Council in the State Dining Room of the White House June 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. Olivier Douliery | Abaca | Sipa via AP Images
The Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, cloud computing contract could be worth up to $10 billion for services rendered over as many as 10 years. The Pentagon selected Microsoft over Amazon for the colossal contract on Oct. 25. Amazon was initially seen as the favorite to win the contract, then Trump said in July he was looking into the contract after IBM and other companies protested the bidding process. In November, Amazon filed a notice in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims indicating a plan to protest the Pentagon's decision to award Microsoft the multibillion-dollar cloud contract. Amazon claimed that the JEDI evaluation process contained "clear deficiencies, errors, and unmistakable bias." Amazon said in court documents made public last December that Trump launched "behind-the-scenes attacks" against the company, which caused it to lose out on the JEDI contract. Some of those alleged attacks were detailed in Mattis' recent memoir, in which the former Defense secretary claimed Trump told him to "screw Amazon" out of the contract. Read more: Trump says he's looking into a Pentagon cloud contract AWS said it's looking to depose Trump about his involvement in the bidding process, including any private conversations that took place or any instructions that were given regarding the award, as well as any "efforts to harm Amazon or AWS." "While other individuals can testify about specific conversations he had with them individually, President Trump is the only individual who can testify about the totality of his conversations and the overall message he conveyed," according to the filings. "Moreover, President Trump has unique knowledge about whether he had other, previously undisclosed conversations with individuals not previously identified, and who therefore do not appear on the deposition list."
AWS wants to depose Mattis because it claims he has "highly relevant, first-hand knowledge about Trump's animus toward Mr. Bezos and Amazon and the efforts President Trump took to pressure DoD officials" on the JEDI contract award. AWS claims Esper intervened in the JEDI award process to "conduct an 'examination' at President Trump's behest." Esper announced last August that he would review the JEDI contract and recused himself from the JEDI source selection process last October. AWS said the timing, circumstances and announcement of Esper's recusal raises concerns and that it would seek further details about his recusal by deposing Esper. Bezos has been a constant source of frustration for Trump. The billionaire executive owns The Washington Post newspaper, which Trump regularly criticizes for its coverage of his administration. Trump also has gone after Amazon repeatedly for, as he claims, not paying its fair share of taxes and ripping off the U.S. Post Office. In December, Amazon's AWS chief, Andy Jassy, told CNBC that the cloud contracting was not adjudicated fairly. "You know, there was significant political interference here," Jassy explained of the JEDI award. "When you have a sitting president who's willing to be very vocal that they dislike a company and the CEO of that company, it makes it difficult for government agencies, including the DoD to make objective decisions without fear of reprisal. And I think that's dangerous and risky for our country," he told CNBC's Jon Fortt.
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