cnbc--2020-02-26--Bernie Sanders takes heat in a messy debate — here are the highlights from South Carolina

In the first Democratic presidential debate since Sen. Bernie Sanders earned a big target on his back , Democratic candidates jumped into an often chaotic and uncomfortable fray in Charleston , South Carolina , on Tuesday night .
Sanders took shots from his rivals early and often after weeks of strong polling and a series of key wins in early nominating states , including a landslide Nevada caucus win on Saturday .
But none of the seven candidates stood out in the debate , at times a choppy affair as White House hopefuls interrupted each other and talked over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' venom .
It was the 10th overall debate .
In addition to Sanders , the candidates on stage were former Vice President Joe Biden , Sens .
Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren , former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , billionaire Tom Steyer , and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Those six candidates tried to direct attention to Sanders , with Bloomberg pointing to the Vermont senator 's vote against the Brady Bill , which mandated the establishment of a background check and stricter gun control measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in last week 's Democratic debate , appeared more steady on Tuesday .
After a widely panned performance during his first time on stage with his rivals , the billionaire businessman responded to criticism about his record on policing , alleged sexual harassment and donating to Republican political candidates with what seemed like more prepared remarks .
Tensions were high on Tuesday , as candidates used their last chance to sell themselves on a national stage before the crucial South Carolina primary on Saturday .
Biden maintained a slight lead in South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a poll from NBC News released on Monday .
Sanders trailed him with 23 % .
The results of the primary could determine the fate of some of the Democratic heavyweights in the race .
Here are the night 's top moments : Biden predicted victory in South Carolina on Saturday when he was pressed by the moderators on his sinking poll numbers in the state .
`` I will win South Carolina , '' he asserted when asked if he would end his candidacy if he does n't prevail in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his record in South Carolina with the black community , saying he has `` created jobs for people .
The people know me .
My entire career has been wrapped up in dealing with civil rights and liberties . ''
`` I do n't expect anything .
I 'm here to ask .
I 'm here to earn .
But folks , I intend to win South Carolina and I will win the African American vote here in South Carolina , '' Biden added .
Biden 's lead over Sanders has been slipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president has been relying on support among black voters .
If Sanders beats Biden , it will be the Vermont senator 's fourth straight popular vote victory .
Coming just days before Super Tuesday , that could give him a boost toward an insurmountable delegate lead .
Buttigieg told billionaires to donate to his campaign following a spat with Sanders over the former South Bend mayor 's campaign contributions .
Sanders , who has built his campaign on promoting wealth inequality and dismissing the ultra-wealthy , went after Buttigieg for accepting contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell you , Pete , what the American people want , '' he said .
`` They do n't want candidates to be running to billionaires for huge amounts of money . ''
In response , Buttigieg downplayed contributions from the billionaire donors , saying they make up a small portion of his campaign funds .
But immediately following his clarification , Buttigieg used the opportunity to ask on live television for additional donations , most notably from other billionaires .
`` In fact I should n't miss the opportunity , if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my campaign , go to PeteForAmerica.com and chip in .
And if you 're watching right now and you 're a billionaire , I will raise your taxes , '' he quipped .
`` But if you 'd like to defeat Donald Trump , please go to PeteForAmerica.com and donate the legal maximum of $ 2,800 . ''
Warren attacked Bloomberg over an accusation from a former employee who claimed the media mogul quipped `` kill it '' when she was discussing being pregnant .
Bloomberg flatly denied ever saying any such thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard what she thought she heard , '' he said .
Bloomberg also grew testy over Warren 's continued pressure on him to overturn nondisclosure agreements for all former Bloomberg LP employees who alleged misconduct at the company .
He argued that he had already released the three women who claimed that he personally said offensive things in the workplace .
Bloomberg said he was `` probably wrong to make the jokes — I do n't remember what they were .
...
If it bothered them , I was wrong , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back 40 years , and we could only find three cases where women said they were uncomfortable .
Nobody accused me of doing anything other than making a comment or two . ''
Halfway through the debate , Bloomberg segued from a question about New York 's trans fat ban to attacking President Donald Trump over his administration 's response to coronavirus .
`` If you have good public health then you can do things .
You read about the [ coronavirus ] and what 's really happening here is the president fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , so there 's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing , '' Bloomberg said .
`` He 's defunded Centers for Disease Control , so we do n't have the organization we need .
This is a very serious thing .
As you see , the stock market is falling apart and people are very worried , and they should be .
This is a very serious thing , and we do n't have anybody to respond . ''
In 2018 , Trump fired the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency team .
The spread of coronavirus outside of China , and warnings this week from CDC experts , sent markets tanking on Monday and Tuesday .
Klobuchar dodged a question on whether she 'd close borders to Americans who have been exposed to the virus to prevent an outbreak in the United States , instead advocating for treatment for those people .
Then she gave out the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , an answer to Buttigieg 's plug for donations to his campaign .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
I 'm going to give the CDC 's website , '' Klobuchar said , calling the situation `` serious . ''
Immediately following the comments from the Democratic candidates who said the White House has not responded well to the outbreak in China , Trump tweeted that the `` CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus . ''
Biden scored laughs with his response to a question on whether he 'd meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un .
He was in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , asking the moderators why he was abiding by the time constraints for responses when no other candidate did .
Candidates had run over time with several responses .
`` I would make it clear to China : We are going to continue to move closer to make sure that we can in fact prevent China , prevent North Korea , from launching missiles , to take them down and if we do n't — why am I stopping .
No one else stops , '' Biden said .
`` There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , shaking his head .
`` Vice President Biden , you 're a gentleman , '' one moderator remarked , but the comment did not satisfy Biden .
`` Yeah , gentleman do n't get very well-treated up here , '' he quipped .
-CNBC 's Tucker Higgins contributed to this report from Charleston , South Carolina .

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Biden guarantees win in South Carolina
Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden participates in the tenth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 25, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
Biden predicted victory in South Carolina on Saturday when he was pressed by the moderators on his sinking poll numbers in the state. "I will win South Carolina," he asserted when asked if he would end his candidacy if he doesn't prevail in the state. The former vice president touted his record in South Carolina with the black community, saying he has "created jobs for people. The people know me. My entire career has been wrapped up in dealing with civil rights and liberties." "I don't expect anything. I'm here to ask. I'm here to earn. But folks, I intend to win South Carolina and I will win the African American vote here in South Carolina," Biden added. Biden's lead over Sanders has been slipping in South Carolina, where the former vice president has been relying on support among black voters. If Sanders beats Biden, it will be the Vermont senator's fourth straight popular vote victory. Coming just days before Super Tuesday, that could give him a boost toward an insurmountable delegate lead.
Buttigieg asks billionaires to donate
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during the tenth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., February 25, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Buttigieg told billionaires to donate to his campaign following a spat with Sanders over the former South Bend mayor's campaign contributions. Sanders, who has built his campaign on promoting wealth inequality and dismissing the ultra-wealthy, went after Buttigieg for accepting contributions from 50 billionaires. "I'll tell you, Pete, what the American people want," he said. "They don't want candidates to be running to billionaires for huge amounts of money." In response, Buttigieg downplayed contributions from the billionaire donors, saying they make up a small portion of his campaign funds. But immediately following his clarification, Buttigieg used the opportunity to ask on live television for additional donations, most notably from other billionaires. "In fact I shouldn't miss the opportunity, if you're watching right now and you support my campaign, go to PeteForAmerica.com and chip in. And if you're watching right now and you're a billionaire, I will raise your taxes," he quipped. "But if you'd like to defeat Donald Trump, please go to PeteForAmerica.com and donate the legal maximum of $2,800."
Warren attacks Bloomberg over alleged 'kill it' comment
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center on February 25, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. Win McNamee | Getty Images
Warren attacked Bloomberg over an accusation from a former employee who claimed the media mogul quipped "kill it" when she was discussing being pregnant. Bloomberg flatly denied ever saying any such thing. "I'm sorry if she heard what she thought she heard," he said. Bloomberg also grew testy over Warren's continued pressure on him to overturn nondisclosure agreements for all former Bloomberg LP employees who alleged misconduct at the company. He argued that he had already released the three women who claimed that he personally said offensive things in the workplace. Bloomberg said he was "probably wrong to make the jokes — I don't remember what they were. ... If it bothered them, I was wrong, and I apologize for that. But we went back 40 years, and we could only find three cases where women said they were uncomfortable. Nobody accused me of doing anything other than making a comment or two."
Candidates hit Trump on coronavirus
Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks at the tenth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. February 25, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Halfway through the debate, Bloomberg segued from a question about New York's trans fat ban to attacking President Donald Trump over his administration's response to coronavirus. "If you have good public health then you can do things. You read about the [coronavirus] and what's really happening here is the president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago, so there's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing," Bloomberg said. "He's defunded Centers for Disease Control, so we don't have the organization we need. This is a very serious thing. As you see, the stock market is falling apart and people are very worried, and they should be. This is a very serious thing, and we don't have anybody to respond." In 2018, Trump fired the majority of the White House global health emergency team. The spread of coronavirus outside of China, and warnings this week from CDC experts, sent markets tanking on Monday and Tuesday. Klobuchar dodged a question on whether she'd close borders to Americans who have been exposed to the virus to prevent an outbreak in the United States, instead advocating for treatment for those people. Then she gave out the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an answer to Buttigieg's plug for donations to his campaign. "I'm not going to give my website right now. I'm going to give the CDC's website," Klobuchar said, calling the situation "serious." Immediately following the comments from the Democratic candidates who said the White House has not responded well to the outbreak in China, Trump tweeted that the "CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus." Trump tweet Tweet 2
Biden cuts himself off
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center on February 25, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. Win McNamee | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-02-26--Bloomberg's company announces new mandatory sexual harassment training

After Mike Bloomberg took a beating in his first appearance on a Democratic debate stage for alleged harassment and non-disclosure agreements at Bloomberg LP , the company he founded is ramping up its sexual harassment training .
In a memo sent to employees on Tuesday afternoon , ahead of Bloomberg 's second debate appearance , the company underlined its `` zero tolerance '' policy for harassment , while announcing a new mandatory program to prevent harassment .
`` I want to underscore our long-standing commitment at Bloomberg LP to creating a culture that makes all employees feel safe , supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ken Cooper , head of human resources , wrote in the memo , which was obtained by CNBC .
`` Today , I want to highlight an important step that we 're taking to ensure we have best-in-class workplace policies and procedures . ''
The program comes on top of existing harassment training has been mandatory for more than a decade , a person familiar with the situation told CNBC .
The memo did not mention that the new program comes in addition to a previously existing mandatory program , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against harassment and discrimination .
Cooper , who said that `` Bloomberg has long had a zero tolerance policy when it comes to harassment and discrimination , '' said the company last year partnered with the Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire to create a program called Bringing in the Bystander .
Bringing in the Bystander is a form of harassment training that helps employees `` understand how to respond if they witness inappropriate behavior , '' he said .
The course was introduced as optional training in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program mandatory for all to take by April 3 , due to the `` highly positive feedback '' it has received from the more than 1,200 participants that have taken it , Cooper said .
Cooper in 2018 read research showing `` bystander training '' s effectiveness in the military and asked his Talent & Leadership Development team to bring it to Bloomberg , the person familiar with the situation said .
Bloomberg later partnered with the University of New Hampshire to develop a course tailored for Bloomberg , based on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
The memo comes as Bloomberg has had to answer to a barrage of criticism for past offensive comments he has made and allegations of mistreatment of females at Bloomberg LP .
A number of women have signed NDAs with the company .
He took heat again over NDAs on Tuesday night in the early stages of the South Carolina debate .
During last week 's debate in Nevada , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts brought those criticisms to the stage .
She railed against Bloomberg for having called women `` fat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' She also took him to task for not releasing the women who had signed non-disclosure agreements from their bounds of confidentiality .
Later that week , Bloomberg announced he will release women from three non-disclosure agreements with his media company if they wanted .
He also said the company will no longer offer NDAs `` to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward . ''
Bloomberg board chairman , Peter Grauer , later that day wrote an email to employees reiterating the ban against further NDAs .
He also told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner with our Human Resources team to ensure that our workplace policies are at the forefront of industry . ''
While Bloomberg is running for president , he has relinquished leadership of the company over to a management committee .
To echo Peter 's message sent on Friday , I want to underscore our longstanding commitment at Bloomberg LP to creating a culture that makes all employees feel safe , supported and empowered to thrive in their careers .
Today , I want to highlight an important step that we 're taking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures .
Bloomberg has long had a zero tolerance policy when it comes to harassment and discrimination .
This means that all of us have an obligation to report instances of unethical or unlawful conduct .
Last year , we partnered with the Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire to create `` Bringing in the Bystander . ''
Bystander intervention is among the most proven measures of harassment prevention , and this unique , evidence-based training was designed to help our employees understand how to respond if they witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available as optional training since June 2019 , and 1200+ participants have already taken it .
Given the highly positive feedback we 've received , we 've decided that all employees should complete the course .
Please do so by Friday , April 3 .
Click here to take the course if you have n't yet : BU 16739 < GO > .
While we always encourage employees to raise concerns to their manager , HR or Compliance directly , there is also EthicsPoint .
This is a way for employees to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portal , an option that we 've had in place for several years .
To view our full anti-harassment policy , visit POLY ID:3609170 < GO > .
We are proud to have been recognized recently as a leading company for personal and professional growth , as well as inclusion .
We will continue to innovate and lead the way in enhancing workplace policies and programs for our people around the world .

After Mike Bloomberg took a beating in his first appearance on a Democratic debate stage for alleged harassment and non-disclosure agreements at Bloomberg LP, the company he founded is ramping up its sexual harassment training.
In a memo sent to employees on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of Bloomberg's second debate appearance, the company underlined its "zero tolerance" policy for harassment, while announcing a new mandatory program to prevent harassment.
"I want to underscore our long-standing commitment at Bloomberg LP to creating a culture that makes all employees feel safe, supported and empowered to thrive in their careers," Ken Cooper, head of human resources, wrote in the memo, which was obtained by CNBC. "Today, I want to highlight an important step that we're taking to ensure we have best-in-class workplace policies and procedures."
The program comes on top of existing harassment training has been mandatory for more than a decade, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC.
The memo did not mention that the new program comes in addition to a previously existing mandatory program, although it did emphasize the company's policy against harassment and discrimination.
Cooper, who said that "Bloomberg has long had a zero tolerance policy when it comes to harassment and discrimination," said the company last year partnered with the Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire to create a program called Bringing in the Bystander.
Bringing in the Bystander is a form of harassment training that helps employees "understand how to respond if they witness inappropriate behavior," he said. The course was introduced as optional training in June 2019.
Bloomberg LP will now make the program mandatory for all to take by April 3, due to the "highly positive feedback" it has received from the more than 1,200 participants that have taken it, Cooper said.
Cooper in 2018 read research showing "bystander training"s effectiveness in the military and asked his Talent & Leadership Development team to bring it to Bloomberg, the person familiar with the situation said. Bloomberg later partnered with the University of New Hampshire to develop a course tailored for Bloomberg, based on a program that UNH is taking to other companies.
The memo comes as Bloomberg has had to answer to a barrage of criticism for past offensive comments he has made and allegations of mistreatment of females at Bloomberg LP. A number of women have signed NDAs with the company. He took heat again over NDAs on Tuesday night in the early stages of the South Carolina debate.
During last week's debate in Nevada, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts brought those criticisms to the stage. She railed against Bloomberg for having called women "fat broads" and "horse-faced lesbians." She also took him to task for not releasing the women who had signed non-disclosure agreements from their bounds of confidentiality.
Later that week, Bloomberg announced he will release women from three non-disclosure agreements with his media company if they wanted. He also said the company will no longer offer NDAs "to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward."
Bloomberg board chairman, Peter Grauer, later that day wrote an email to employees reiterating the ban against further NDAs. He also told employees, "we will continue to partner with our Human Resources team to ensure that our workplace policies are at the forefront of industry."
While Bloomberg is running for president, he has relinquished leadership of the company over to a management committee.
Here's the memo:
To the Bloomberg team:
To echo Peter's message sent on Friday, I want to underscore our longstanding commitment at Bloomberg LP to creating a culture that makes all employees feel safe, supported and empowered to thrive in their careers. Today, I want to highlight an important step that we're taking to ensure we have best-in-class workplace policies and procedures.
Bloomberg has long had a zero tolerance policy when it comes to harassment and discrimination. This means that all of us have an obligation to report instances of unethical or unlawful conduct. Last year, we partnered with the Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire to create "Bringing in the Bystander." Bystander intervention is among the most proven measures of harassment prevention, and this unique, evidence-based training was designed to help our employees understand how to respond if they witness inappropriate conduct.
This course has been available as optional training since June 2019, and 1200+ participants have already taken it. Given the highly positive feedback we've received, we've decided that all employees should complete the course. Please do so by Friday, April 3. Click here to take the course if you haven't yet: BU 16739 .
While we always encourage employees to raise concerns to their manager, HR or Compliance directly, there is also EthicsPoint. This is a way for employees to report issues through a secure and confidential third-party portal, an option that we've had in place for several years. To view our full anti-harassment policy, visit POLY ID:3609170 .
We are proud to have been recognized recently as a leading company for personal and professional growth, as well as inclusion. We will continue to innovate and lead the way in enhancing workplace policies and programs for our people around the world.
Ken


cnbc--2020-02-26--South Carolina debate could be Democratic rivals' last chance to stop Bernie Sanders

Democratic presidential candidate , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) speaks to the crowd during the 2019 South Carolina Democratic Party State Convention on June 22 , 2019 in Columbia , South Carolina .
Democratic presidential contenders are facing what could be their last chance to halt an ascendant Sen. Bernie Sanders during the presidential debate in South Carolina on Tuesday .
The event in Charleston , hosted by CBS News , is likely to be a rowdy affair .
That was the case during the last debate , held in Las Vegas last Wednesday , which showcased an energized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former mayor of New York , over his record on race and the allegations of sexism that have dogged his cash rich bid .
Warren 's performance juiced her campaign with a flood of new contributions from online donors but did little to boost her in the polls or in the Nevada caucuses , where she came in fourth .
Bloomberg , though , was badly damaged by the Massachusetts senator 's attacks .
He may be better prepared to withstand the incoming fire during round two .
His campaign aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition research into the Vermont senator 's record .
Indeed , Sanders is likely to face scrutiny from a united front of Democrats .
The contenders on stage also include former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer , who is returning to the debates after failing to meet the qualifications for the last one .
The debate will kick off at 8 p.m .
ET and is expected to last just over two hours .
It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , the last nominating contest next week 's crucial Super Tuesday contests .
Sanders has zoomed in the polls in recent weeks and is expected to rout his competitors on Super Tuesday unless they manage to change the trajectory of the race .
That could give him an unstoppable lead in pledged delegates .

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks to the crowd during the 2019 South Carolina Democratic Party State Convention on June 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina.
Democratic presidential contenders are facing what could be their last chance to halt an ascendant Sen. Bernie Sanders during the presidential debate in South Carolina on Tuesday.
The event in Charleston, hosted by CBS News, is likely to be a rowdy affair.
That was the case during the last debate, held in Las Vegas last Wednesday, which showcased an energized Sen. Elizabeth Warren going after Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, over his record on race and the allegations of sexism that have dogged his cash rich bid.
Warren's performance juiced her campaign with a flood of new contributions from online donors but did little to boost her in the polls or in the Nevada caucuses, where she came in fourth. Bloomberg, though, was badly damaged by the Massachusetts senator's attacks.
He may be better prepared to withstand the incoming fire during round two. His campaign aims to confront Sanders with attacks drawn from opposition research into the Vermont senator's record.
Indeed, Sanders is likely to face scrutiny from a united front of Democrats. The contenders on stage also include former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, who is returning to the debates after failing to meet the qualifications for the last one.
The debate will kick off at 8 p.m. ET and is expected to last just over two hours. It comes four days before Saturday's South Carolina primary, the last nominating contest next week's crucial Super Tuesday contests.
Sanders has zoomed in the polls in recent weeks and is expected to rout his competitors on Super Tuesday unless they manage to change the trajectory of the race. That could give him an unstoppable lead in pledged delegates.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Bloomberg mocks minorities, transgender people, overdose deaths in resurfaced videos

Mike Bloomberg has spent a ton of his own money running for the Democratic presidential nomination , but he has n't been able to stop the deluge of recordings of his past controversial remarks from hitting social media .
The tapes , some of which go back several years and have been reported by a variety of news outlets , reveal comments that are out of step with stances Bloomberg has been championing as a presidential candidate .
They capture the candidate casting aspersions on black and Latino men , poking fun at a family struck by tragedy and deriding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his presidential campaign grew in stature , fueled by his vast personal fortune .
Some have resurfaced after his debut on the Democratic debate stage last week , when he seemed unprepared to respond to the attacks against him and his record as New York mayor .
Bloomberg 's campaign did not return a request for comment from CNBC .
He will return to the debate stage Tuesday night in South Carolina , where he will face off against former Vice President Joe Biden , Sen. Bernie Sanders , fellow billionaire Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
On and off the stage , Bloomberg 's rivals have been questioning his record and presenting him as a candidate who is trying to buy the election .
Bloomberg has a net worth of around $ 62 billion , according to Forbes , and has spent more than $ 500 million on campaign ads since entering the race in November .
Warren last week dealt the harshest blows on the debate stage .
She labeled him a `` billionaire who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesbians ' '' and urged him to release women who worked for his firm Bloomberg LP from nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from discussing sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace .
Here are the past comments making the rounds on social media : A 2019 video that surfaced Monday showed Bloomberg mocking a father and son who died from heroin overdoses .
The New York Daily News , which was the first to reveal the clip , published a cover story in October 2017 about the two men , Joseph and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overdoses outside a family birthday party .
In the video recorded at a business forum in Manhattan last March , Bloomberg used the tragic story to poke fun .
`` Daily News had a picture on the front page of a father and a son — they both OD 'd at the same party .
I mean , it 's not a good family — craziness , '' he said .
Last Tuesday , Bloomberg 's campaign released a digital ad featuring designer Isaac Mizrahi praising Bloomberg 's support for LGBT rights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ published a different clip from the March 2019 business forum , in which the former mayor used disparaging language to describe transgender people .
In the clip , Bloomberg ridiculed presidential candidates for talking about transgender rights .
`` If your conversation during a presidential election is about some guy wearing a dress and whether he , she , or it can go to the locker room with their daughter , that 's not a winning formula for most people , '' he said in the video .
Bloomberg said at a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been to `` defend the banks '' and called Warren , who has made a political career of criticizing Wall Street , `` scary . ''
Warren has become one of Bloomberg 's biggest critics on the 2020 campaign trail .
`` The left is arising .
The progressive movement is just as scary , '' he said in the recording , which resurfaced Monday .
`` Elizabeth Warren on one side .
And whoever you want to pick on the Republicans on the right side ? ''
Bloomberg at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat income equality before society `` blows up . ''
`` Well , to start , my first campaign platform would be to defend the banks , '' he said , `` and you know how well that 's gon na sell in this country . ''
Also in the video , Bloomberg described his 2012 endorsement of President Barack Obama as `` backhanded , '' adding that he believed Republican candidate Mitt Romney would have been a better choice .
Bloomberg in his current campaign ads has been channeling Obama , presenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's backing .
As New York mayor in 2011 , Bloomberg went on a press tour to promote a $ 127 million initiative to help minorities gain employment .
To explain why they needed assistance , Bloomberg said that black and Latino men `` do n't know how to behave . ''
`` This enormous cohort of black and Latino males '' who `` do n't know how to behave in the workplace '' and `` do n't have any prospects , '' he said in the video , which came out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at who the victims and the perpetrators are , it 's virtually all minorities , '' he said .
`` This is something that has gone on for a long time .
I assume it 's prevalent elsewhere but it 's certainly true in New York City .
And for many , many years , people said there 's just nothing you can do about it . ''
The candidate has come under fire for his use of stop and frisk , which primarily targeted people of color while he was mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race , Bloomberg has apologized for the policy .
Earlier this month , a 2015 audio clip of Bloomberg defending stop and frisk also surfaced .
In the recording , Bloomberg said the majority of murderers and murder victims `` fit one M.O .
— you could just take the description , Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops .
They are male , minorities , 15 to 25 [ years old ] . ''

Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks to supporters at a rally on February 20, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. George Frey | Getty Images
Mike Bloomberg has spent a ton of his own money running for the Democratic presidential nomination, but he hasn't been able to stop the deluge of recordings of his past controversial remarks from hitting social media. The tapes, some of which go back several years and have been reported by a variety of news outlets, reveal comments that are out of step with stances Bloomberg has been championing as a presidential candidate. They capture the candidate casting aspersions on black and Latino men, poking fun at a family struck by tragedy and deriding transgender people. The recordings have emerged as his presidential campaign grew in stature, fueled by his vast personal fortune. Some have resurfaced after his debut on the Democratic debate stage last week, when he seemed unprepared to respond to the attacks against him and his record as New York mayor.
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Bloomberg's campaign did not return a request for comment from CNBC. He will return to the debate stage Tuesday night in South Carolina, where he will face off against former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, fellow billionaire Tom Steyer, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. On and off the stage, Bloomberg's rivals have been questioning his record and presenting him as a candidate who is trying to buy the election. Bloomberg has a net worth of around $62 billion, according to Forbes, and has spent more than $500 million on campaign ads since entering the race in November. Warren last week dealt the harshest blows on the debate stage. She labeled him a "billionaire who calls women 'fat broads' and 'horse-faced lesbians'" and urged him to release women who worked for his firm Bloomberg LP from nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from discussing sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Here are the past comments making the rounds on social media:
'Not a good family'
A 2019 video that surfaced Monday showed Bloomberg mocking a father and son who died from heroin overdoses. The New York Daily News, which was the first to reveal the clip, published a cover story in October 2017 about the two men, Joseph and Carlos Andrade. They both died from overdoses outside a family birthday party. TWEET In the video recorded at a business forum in Manhattan last March, Bloomberg used the tragic story to poke fun. "Daily News had a picture on the front page of a father and a son — they both OD'd at the same party. I mean, it's not a good family — craziness," he said.
'Some guy wearing a dress'
Last Tuesday, Bloomberg's campaign released a digital ad featuring designer Isaac Mizrahi praising Bloomberg's support for LGBT rights. On the same day, BuzzFeed News published a different clip from the March 2019 business forum, in which the former mayor used disparaging language to describe transgender people. TWEET In the clip, Bloomberg ridiculed presidential candidates for talking about transgender rights. "If your conversation during a presidential election is about some guy wearing a dress and whether he, she, or it can go to the locker room with their daughter, that's not a winning formula for most people," he said in the video.
'Defend the banks'
Bloomberg said at a private event in 2016 that his presidential platform would have been to "defend the banks" and called Warren, who has made a political career of criticizing Wall Street, "scary." Warren has become one of Bloomberg's biggest critics on the 2020 campaign trail. "The left is arising. The progressive movement is just as scary," he said in the recording, which resurfaced Monday. "Elizabeth Warren on one side. And whoever you want to pick on the Republicans on the right side?" TWEET Bloomberg at the event also spoke of his plan to combat income equality before society "blows up." "Well, to start, my first campaign platform would be to defend the banks," he said, "and you know how well that's gonna sell in this country." Also in the video, Bloomberg described his 2012 endorsement of President Barack Obama as "backhanded," adding that he believed Republican candidate Mitt Romney would have been a better choice. Bloomberg in his current campaign ads has been channeling Obama, presenting himself as a candidate with the former president's backing.
'It's virtually all minorities'


cnbc--2020-02-26--Trump slams Roger Stone juror right before she testifies at retrial request hearing

Roger Stone , former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump , arrives at the federal courthouse where he is set to be sentenced , in Washington , U.S. , February 20 , 2020 .
The forewoman of the jury that convicted President Donald Trump 's longtime ally Roger Stone testified Tuesday at a hearing on whether a new trial should be granted in light of her social media posts that were critical of Trump .
Tomeka Hart 's nearly hourlong appearance in U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C. , came shortly after Trump attacked her several times on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Hart 's alleged `` misconduct '' tainted the trial of the Republican operative .
Hart testified that she did not read news accounts or Twitter posts about the trial when she was serving on the case , and denied deleting any posts she had made on social media .
Stone 's lawyers argued that Hart lied on her jury questionnaire when she said she was unsure if she had ever posted anything on social media about Stone .
She had , in fact , retweeted an article that mentioned him shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest answer on Sept. 12 .
That 's why I did n't check yes or no , '' Hart testified .
One of Stone 's lawyers asked her about a tweet she wrote before Stone 's arrest referring to the rapper Chuck D of the hip-hop group Public Enemy .
The judge in the case , Amy Berman Jackson , cut off that line of questioning .
Jackson did not rule Tuesday on the request for a new trial .
She did not say when she would issue her decision .
Earlier Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courtroom for that hearing , saying that tweets by Trump and others may have raised the risk of harassment to jurors who might be testifying there .
Eleven jurors came to the hearing , but only Hart and two other jurors were called to testify in the courtroom , where they were watched by Stone .
Those two other jurors testified that Hart was fair during deliberations and encouraged members of the jury to consider all of the evidence .
At one point , a juror said , even after most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a particular criminal count , `` it was the foreman that insisted that we examine question 3 , charge 3 a little more . ''
`` It was the foreperson who insisted that that level of attention be paid to that count even though some of you were already ready to decide ? ''
Jackson asked .
While Jackson barred the press and other members from the hearing room , she allowed reporters and others to listen to the hearing on an audio feed elsewhere in the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months in prison for lying to Congress and witness tampering .
But she suspended imposing the sentence pending her decision on his request for a new trial .
Even as the hearing got underway , Trump again tweeted about Hart , writing , `` There has rarely been a juror so tainted as '' her .
`` Look at her background .
She never revealed her hatred of 'Trump ' and Stone .
She was totally biased , as is the judge .
Roger was n't even working on my campaign .
Miscarriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A Democrat who once ran for Congress out of Tennessee , Hart 's LinkedIn page identifies her as a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
She previously served as president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League , and on the Memphis , Tennessee , school board .
Stone 's lawyers argue that Hart `` misled the Court regarding her ability to be unbiased and fair and the juror attempted to cover up evidence that would directly contradict her false claims of impartiality . ''
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courtroom , Stone 's attorney Seth Ginsberg told Jackson that Hart 's answers to several questions on a jury questionnaire were `` at best misleading . ''
`` It may be that she believed them to be truthful , but she concealed evidence regarding her views that would have been important for the court and the parties to understand her bias , '' Ginsberg argued .
When pressed by Jackson , Ginsberg said he considered her answers to be `` intentionally '' misleading .
Ginsburg pointed to posts by Hart that shared critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he argued `` imply a bias '' against Stone .
In one post , the foreperson shared an article about Stone , and herself wrote , `` brought to you by the lock her up peanut brigade . ''
Ginsberg said , `` That indicates she did more than pass it along because she thought it was a cute headline . ''
The failure of Stone 's lawyers to discover Hart 's social media posts related to Trump before she was placed on the jury without objection by them has raised eyebrows among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to light only earlier this month when a conservative commentator tweeted about them after Hart publicly identified herself as the jury forewoman in a Facebook post .
Stone 's other defense lawyer , Robert Buschel , admitted Tuesday that no one on the defense team , which included jury selection consultants , had done a search on the internet for the names of potential jurors once they became known to both prosecutors and defense attorneys .
`` I think it 's a regular practice by trial lawyers these days to Google individuals on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you agree ? ''
Jackson noted .
Earlier Tuesday afternoon , Jackson first held a hearing on Stone 's motion to open the courtroom to the public for the second hearing on his request for a new trial .
Jackson cited Trump 's Feb. 13 tweet about Hart , in which he wrote that it appeared that the forewoman had `` significant bias .
Add that to everything else , and this is not looking good for the 'Justice ' Department . ''
The judge , before ruling that the hearing in Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sealed courtroom , albeit with a public audio feed , also referred to comments by Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones , the head of far-right conspiracy site Infowars .
Carlson `` accused the foreperson of the jury of being an anti-Trump zealot , '' Jackson noted .
The judge described a segment on Carlson 's show in which he slammed the juror as biased and broadcast her Twitter handle , according to NBC News .
Such criticisms might put jurors ' safety at risk , Jackson said .
`` Individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conviction may choose to take it out on them personally , '' she said , NBC reported .
`` While judges may have volunteered for their positions , jurors are not volunteers , '' Jackson said .
`` They are deserving of the public 's respect and they deserve to have their privacy respected . ''

Roger Stone, former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives at the federal courthouse where he is set to be sentenced, in Washington, U.S., February 20, 2020.
The forewoman of the jury that convicted President Donald Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone testified Tuesday at a hearing on whether a new trial should be granted in light of her social media posts that were critical of Trump.
Tomeka Hart's nearly hourlong appearance in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., came shortly after Trump attacked her several times on Twitter.
Stone's lawyers are arguing that Hart's alleged "misconduct" tainted the trial of the Republican operative.
Hart testified that she did not read news accounts or Twitter posts about the trial when she was serving on the case, and denied deleting any posts she had made on social media.
Stone's lawyers argued that Hart lied on her jury questionnaire when she said she was unsure if she had ever posted anything on social media about Stone. She had, in fact, retweeted an article that mentioned him shortly after his arrest.
"That was the honest answer on Sept. 12. That's why I didn't check yes or no," Hart testified.
One of Stone's lawyers asked her about a tweet she wrote before Stone's arrest referring to the rapper Chuck D of the hip-hop group Public Enemy. The judge in the case, Amy Berman Jackson, cut off that line of questioning.
Jackson did not rule Tuesday on the request for a new trial. She did not say when she would issue her decision.
Earlier Tuesday, the judge barred the public from the courtroom for that hearing, saying that tweets by Trump and others may have raised the risk of harassment to jurors who might be testifying there.
Eleven jurors came to the hearing, but only Hart and two other jurors were called to testify in the courtroom, where they were watched by Stone.
Those two other jurors testified that Hart was fair during deliberations and encouraged members of the jury to consider all of the evidence. At one point, a juror said, even after most of the jury had decided Stone was guilty on a particular criminal count, "it was the foreman that insisted that we examine question 3, charge 3 a little more."
"It was the foreperson who insisted that that level of attention be paid to that count even though some of you were already ready to decide?" Jackson asked.
"Yes," the juror answered.
While Jackson barred the press and other members from the hearing room, she allowed reporters and others to listen to the hearing on an audio feed elsewhere in the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse.
Jackson last week sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and witness tampering.
But she suspended imposing the sentence pending her decision on his request for a new trial.
Even as the hearing got underway, Trump again tweeted about Hart, writing, "There has rarely been a juror so tainted as" her.
"Look at her background. She never revealed her hatred of 'Trump' and Stone. She was totally biased, as is the judge. Roger wasn't even working on my campaign. Miscarriage of justice. Sad to watch."
Tweet
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A Democrat who once ran for Congress out of Tennessee, Hart's LinkedIn page identifies her as a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She previously served as president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League, and on the Memphis, Tennessee, school board.
Stone's lawyers argue that Hart "misled the Court regarding her ability to be unbiased and fair and the juror attempted to cover up evidence that would directly contradict her false claims of impartiality."
During the hearing Tuesday after the public left the courtroom, Stone's attorney Seth Ginsberg told Jackson that Hart's answers to several questions on a jury questionnaire were "at best misleading."
"It may be that she believed them to be truthful, but she concealed evidence regarding her views that would have been important for the court and the parties to understand her bias," Ginsberg argued.
When pressed by Jackson, Ginsberg said he considered her answers to be "intentionally" misleading.
Ginsburg pointed to posts by Hart that shared critical stories about Trump and Stone, which he argued "imply a bias" against Stone.
In one post, the foreperson shared an article about Stone, and herself wrote, "brought to you by the lock her up peanut brigade."
Ginsberg said, "That indicates she did more than pass it along because she thought it was a cute headline."
The failure of Stone's lawyers to discover Hart's social media posts related to Trump before she was placed on the jury without objection by them has raised eyebrows among Stone's supporters.
The posts came to light only earlier this month when a conservative commentator tweeted about them after Hart publicly identified herself as the jury forewoman in a Facebook post.
Stone's other defense lawyer, Robert Buschel, admitted Tuesday that no one on the defense team, which included jury selection consultants, had done a search on the internet for the names of potential jurors once they became known to both prosecutors and defense attorneys.
"I think it's a regular practice by trial lawyers these days to Google individuals on the jury panel list, wouldn't you agree?" Jackson noted.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Jackson first held a hearing on Stone's motion to open the courtroom to the public for the second hearing on his request for a new trial.
Jackson cited Trump's Feb. 13 tweet about Hart, in which he wrote that it appeared that the forewoman had "significant bias. Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the 'Justice' Department."
TWEET
The judge, before ruling that the hearing in Stone's case should be held in a sealed courtroom, albeit with a public audio feed, also referred to comments by Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones, the head of far-right conspiracy site Infowars.
Carlson "accused the foreperson of the jury of being an anti-Trump zealot," Jackson noted.
The judge described a segment on Carlson's show in which he slammed the juror as biased and broadcast her Twitter handle, according to NBC News.
Such criticisms might put jurors' safety at risk, Jackson said.
"Individuals who are angry about Mr. Stone's conviction may choose to take it out on them personally," she said, NBC reported.
"While judges may have volunteered for their positions, jurors are not volunteers," Jackson said.
"They are deserving of the public's respect and they deserve to have their privacy respected."


cnbc--2020-02-26--Trump official compares Huawei to 'the Mafia' as White House works on 5G battle plan

The White House has accused Huawei of including security vulnerabilities in its hardware that would allow Beijing access to information crossing the system .
Officials have refused to disclose the intelligence behind the accusation , citing a need to protect sources and methods .
The administration is working on ways to combat Huawei 's dominance of emerging 5G telecommunications technology , as President Donald Trump seeks to clamp down on a Chinese hardware manufacturer that he sees as a spying threat to countries that use its equipment .
`` How do we deal with that when the largest player is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official , who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject .
`` What do you do ?
It means there is some kind of a role for government , '' he said .
But the official declined to specify how the U.S. government will respond : `` That conversation 's still ongoing , '' he said .
In comments to CNBC , the official denounced Huawei as an `` utterly nonmarket player '' that wants to wipe out competition through dumping , theft and racketeering .
WASHINGTON — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of words against Huawei on Tuesday , as a senior administration official denounced the Chinese telecom as `` the Mafia '' and suggested it could spy on the British Parliament .
Huawei has denied allegations that it colludes with Chinese intelligence .
A company spokesman rejected the senior administration official 's `` Mafia '' comment .
`` That 's just crazy .
We 're one of the largest private enterprise run companies in the world .
Our senior management is more akin to the way American executives think and act , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communications for Huawei .
`` To liken Huawei to organized crime is disingenuous , and a PR stunt .
We 're operating in 170 countries in the world connecting a third of the world 's people .
And we operate in a free market structure . ''
He added : `` We do receive some subsidies R & D funding from the Chinese government , but it 's not significant .
We also receive subsidies and R & D funding from governments in Europe . ''
Administration officials in recent weeks have raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huawei 's rise .
New acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell suggested the United States would cut off intelligence cooperation with Germany if that country does n't keep Huawei out of its telecommunications network .
And federal prosecutors announced new charges this month against the company and two of its subsidiaries , including allegations of racketeering and plotting to steal trade secrets .
Attorney General William Barr suggested earlier this month that the United States might simply purchase controlling stakes in telecom manufacturers based in allied countries , such as Ericsson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff Mick Mulvaney broached the subject of Huawei with his counterparts at 10 Downing Street in London on Feb. 20 amid reports that Trump held an angry phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the wake of the U.K. 's announcement that it would allow Huawei products in its 5G networks .
On Tuesday , the senior administration official voiced continued frustration with the British government , suggesting that it may be able to keep intelligence secrets safe from Huawei equipment , but would leave the rest of British society vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. keeps saying , 'Oh no , we think we can protect our most precious secrets ' — maybe , or maybe not , '' the official said .
`` And what about your people ?
Every single business that operates in your country — you 've invited the Chinese Communist Party to view all of your data , all of your personal secrets , your corporate secrets .
The British people know better .
Their government usually does the right thing — sometimes after exhausting the alternatives . ''
The official also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing the ability to blackmail members of the British Parliament .
`` It 's everything — it means that they 're able to collect information to blackmail members of Parliament , '' the official said .
`` The degree of fidelity — it 's like a pipeline into the private lives and thoughts of the entire British people and the people of any other country that goes this route . ''

The White House has accused Huawei of including security vulnerabilities in its hardware that would allow Beijing access to information crossing the system. Officials have refused to disclose the intelligence behind the accusation, citing a need to protect sources and methods.
The administration is working on ways to combat Huawei's dominance of emerging 5G telecommunications technology , as President Donald Trump seeks to clamp down on a Chinese hardware manufacturer that he sees as a spying threat to countries that use its equipment.
"How do we deal with that when the largest player is in essence the Mafia?" said the official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject. "What do you do? It means there is some kind of a role for government," he said. But the official declined to specify how the U.S. government will respond: "That conversation's still ongoing," he said.
In comments to CNBC, the official denounced Huawei as an "utterly nonmarket player" that wants to wipe out competition through dumping, theft and racketeering.
WASHINGTON — The White House ratcheted up its war of words against Huawei on Tuesday, as a senior administration official denounced the Chinese telecom as "the Mafia" and suggested it could spy on the British Parliament.
Huawei has denied allegations that it colludes with Chinese intelligence. A company spokesman rejected the senior administration official's "Mafia" comment.
"That's just crazy. We're one of the largest private enterprise run companies in the world. Our senior management is more akin to the way American executives think and act," said Glenn Schloss, vice president of corporate communications for Huawei. "To liken Huawei to organized crime is disingenuous, and a PR stunt. We're operating in 170 countries in the world connecting a third of the world's people. And we operate in a free market structure."
He added: "We do receive some subsidies R&D funding from the Chinese government, but it's not significant. We also receive subsidies and R&D funding from governments in Europe."
Administration officials in recent weeks have raised a number of possible ways to combat Huawei's rise. New acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell suggested the United States would cut off intelligence cooperation with Germany if that country doesn't keep Huawei out of its telecommunications network. And federal prosecutors announced new charges this month against the company and two of its subsidiaries, including allegations of racketeering and plotting to steal trade secrets.
Attorney General William Barr suggested earlier this month that the United States might simply purchase controlling stakes in telecom manufacturers based in allied countries, such as Ericsson and Nokia.
White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney broached the subject of Huawei with his counterparts at 10 Downing Street in London on Feb. 20 amid reports that Trump held an angry phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the wake of the U.K.'s announcement that it would allow Huawei products in its 5G networks.
On Tuesday, the senior administration official voiced continued frustration with the British government, suggesting that it may be able to keep intelligence secrets safe from Huawei equipment, but would leave the rest of British society vulnerable to spying.
"So when the U.K. keeps saying, 'Oh no, we think we can protect our most precious secrets' — maybe, or maybe not," the official said. "And what about your people? Every single business that operates in your country — you've invited the Chinese Communist Party to view all of your data, all of your personal secrets, your corporate secrets. The British people know better. Their government usually does the right thing — sometimes after exhausting the alternatives."
The official also raised the prospect of the Chinese government developing the ability to blackmail members of the British Parliament.
"It's everything — it means that they're able to collect information to blackmail members of Parliament," the official said. "The degree of fidelity — it's like a pipeline into the private lives and thoughts of the entire British people and the people of any other country that goes this route."


cnbc--2020-02-25--Trump calls on Supreme Court's Sotomayor and Ginsburg to recuse from 'anything having to do with Tru

Trump calls on Supreme Court's Sotomayor and Ginsburg to recuse from 'anything having to do with Trump'

President Donald Trump accused Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Tuesday of anti-Trump bias and said they should stay out of cases involving him .
Trump cited Sotomayor 's scathing dissent last week in the court 's decision to allow the administration to enforce its `` public charge '' immigration rule in Illinois .
Ginsburg called Trump a `` faker '' in 2016 , while he was the presumptive Republican nominee for president , and later apologized .
`` I just do n't know how they can not recuse themselves to anything having to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president told reporters during a trip to India .
His comments come just weeks before the court will hear arguments in three cases concerning whether the president can shield his personal and business financial records , including his tax returns , from state prosecutors and Congress .
Trump has bucked modern precedent by refusing to make his tax returns public .
Sotomayor 's comments on Friday concerned the Trump administration 's unusual practice of skipping federal appeals courts to bring cases directly in front of the justices .
In the case in question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration was asking the court to remove a statewide block on a rule that would allow it to add new restrictions on those applying for green cards .
The rule would make it more difficult for immigrants to obtain permanent citizenship if they have used or are likely to use public benefits like food stamps .
The top court removed a nationwide block on the rule in January by a 5-4 vote of the court 's conservatives , and the same majority voted Friday to remove the Illinois block , just five days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
Traditionally , the Supreme Court hears cases after they have worked their way through the lower courts , except in extraordinary circumstances .
The Trump administration has routinely skipped the appellate stage when its policies have been blocked from going into effect .
`` It is hard to say what is more troubling : that the Government would seek this extraordinary relief seemingly as a matter of course , or that the Court would grant it , '' Sotomayor wrote in her dissent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement was `` inappropriate '' and that Sotomayor was trying to `` shame '' her colleagues into voting with her .
`` When you 're a justice of the Supreme Court , it 's almost what she 's trying to do is take the people that do feel a different way and get them to vote the way that she would like them to vote , '' Trump said .
`` I just thought it was so inappropriate .
Such a terrible statement for a Supreme Court justice . ''
The cases involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 31 .
Trump has asked the court to reverse three lower court rulings requiring his longtime accounting firm and two of his banks to turn over his financial records to investigators from the Manhattan district attorney 's office and Democratic-led congressional committees .
Ginsburg and Sotomayor did not immediately respond to requests for comment submitted through the court .

President Donald Trump accused Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Tuesday of anti-Trump bias and said they should stay out of cases involving him.
Trump cited Sotomayor's scathing dissent last week in the court's decision to allow the administration to enforce its "public charge" immigration rule in Illinois.
Ginsburg called Trump a "faker" in 2016, while he was the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and later apologized.
"I just don't know how they cannot recuse themselves to anything having to do with Trump or Trump related," the president told reporters during a trip to India.
His comments come just weeks before the court will hear arguments in three cases concerning whether the president can shield his personal and business financial records, including his tax returns, from state prosecutors and Congress. Trump has bucked modern precedent by refusing to make his tax returns public.
Sotomayor's comments on Friday concerned the Trump administration's unusual practice of skipping federal appeals courts to bring cases directly in front of the justices.
In the case in question, Wolf v. Cook County, the administration was asking the court to remove a statewide block on a rule that would allow it to add new restrictions on those applying for green cards. The rule would make it more difficult for immigrants to obtain permanent citizenship if they have used or are likely to use public benefits like food stamps.
The top court removed a nationwide block on the rule in January by a 5-4 vote of the court's conservatives, and the same majority voted Friday to remove the Illinois block, just five days before the matter was to be considered by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Traditionally, the Supreme Court hears cases after they have worked their way through the lower courts, except in extraordinary circumstances. The Trump administration has routinely skipped the appellate stage when its policies have been blocked from going into effect.
"It is hard to say what is more troubling: that the Government would seek this extraordinary relief seemingly as a matter of course, or that the Court would grant it," Sotomayor wrote in her dissent.
Trump said in India that the statement was "inappropriate" and that Sotomayor was trying to "shame" her colleagues into voting with her.
"When you're a justice of the Supreme Court, it's almost what she's trying to do is take the people that do feel a different way and get them to vote the way that she would like them to vote," Trump said. "I just thought it was so inappropriate. Such a terrible statement for a Supreme Court justice."
The cases involving Trump's financial records will be argued March 31. Trump has asked the court to reverse three lower court rulings requiring his longtime accounting firm and two of his banks to turn over his financial records to investigators from the Manhattan district attorney's office and Democratic-led congressional committees.
Ginsburg and Sotomayor did not immediately respond to requests for comment submitted through the court.


cnbc--2020-02-25--Champagne producers worry coronavirus will close promising Asian markets

EPERNAY , France — Producers from the world 's most exclusive wine region fear that the spread of the coronavirus could stifle business opportunities in Asia , a massive and largely untapped market for Champagne .
`` It impacts dramatically , '' explained fifth-generation Champagne producer Evelyne Roques-Boizel when asked whether the virus could threaten her family 's ambition to expand into new markets .
`` I mean everything has stopped in China completely , '' she added , sitting alongside her eldest son , Florent Roques-Boizel , whom she tapped a year ago to succeed her as CEO and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several types of products to China , including automobiles , pharmaceuticals and wine .
According to the French finance minister , China is the No .
2 market for the European country 's wine .
Champagne exports to China have also recently increased .
This growth is reflected in the strategy at businesses such as Champagne Boizel .
Florent Roques-Boizel , now at the helm of the 186-year-old Champagne house , said his focus has been on growing the brand 's footprint in Asia .
`` Obviously now the timing is not ideal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC during a tour of Champagne Boizel 's grounds .
`` But it 's an interesting market because it 's growing for Champagne and has opened up to small producers and more boutique houses .
And when I was there maybe about two years ago , we saw that the level of education among the professional sommeliers in the restaurants was increasing . ''

EPERNAY, France — Producers from the world's most exclusive wine region fear that the spread of the coronavirus could stifle business opportunities in Asia, a massive and largely untapped market for Champagne.
"It impacts dramatically," explained fifth-generation Champagne producer Evelyne Roques-Boizel when asked whether the virus could threaten her family's ambition to expand into new markets.
"I mean everything has stopped in China completely," she added, sitting alongside her eldest son, Florent Roques-Boizel, whom she tapped a year ago to succeed her as CEO and president of Champagne Boizel.
France exports several types of products to China, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals and wine. According to the French finance minister, China is the No. 2 market for the European country's wine. Champagne exports to China have also recently increased.
This growth is reflected in the strategy at businesses such as Champagne Boizel. Florent Roques-Boizel, now at the helm of the 186-year-old Champagne house, said his focus has been on growing the brand's footprint in Asia.
"Obviously now the timing is not ideal with the virus," he told CNBC during a tour of Champagne Boizel's grounds.
"But it's an interesting market because it's growing for Champagne and has opened up to small producers and more boutique houses. And when I was there maybe about two years ago, we saw that the level of education among the professional sommeliers in the restaurants was increasing."


cnbc--2020-02-25--US-China rivalry simmers in India as Trump visits

The rivalry between the U.S. and China is playing out in India , where American President Donald Trump will be wrapping up his state visit to the South Asian country .
Experts said that Trump 's first state visit to India signifies the growing strength of the relations between Washington and New Delhi , amid China 's rising clout in South Asia .
As part of his two-day visit which began on Monday , Trump was in New Delhi and Ahmedabad , the largest city in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's home state of Gujarat .
The fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election year is a major win for the South Asian country , said Richard Rossow , senior advisor and the Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a Washington D.C.-based think tank .
U.S.-India trade is `` defying gravity '' and continues to grow despite trade barriers on both sides , Rossow told CNBC .
`` India is choosing — even as it puts trade barriers — to buy more from the United States in those sectors where the government of India makes the buys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state purchases in gas and defense sectors as examples .
One area where India and the U.S. have increased co-operation is defense procurement .
India recently approved plans to purchase 24 military helicopters worth $ 2.6 billion from American defense firm Lockheed Martin for the its navy , local media reported .
India 's longstanding defense supplier has traditionally been Russia .
But in recent years , New Delhi has inked more and more defense deals with Washington , with purchases from the U.S. reaching $ 17 billion since 2007 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top five military spenders in 2018 , along with the United States , China , Saudi Arabia , and France .
The Trump administration has championed the use of the term `` Indo-Pacific '' rather than `` Asia Pacific '' as it seeks to balance the rising power of China in the region .
The Indo-Pacific strategy would place India at the center of the playbook .
`` China — at least on the defense and security relationship — is the tie that binds us together , '' said Rossow .
Although Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometime regarding closer security ties , New Delhi has been slow to respond till recently , said Rossow , pointing out that China is `` playing a more active role across South Asia and the India Ocean region . ''
The Chinese navy has also been an active operator in the Indian Ocean region , and has sent submarines to the region , he added .
And India is beginning to feel the heat as Beijing has not only built up strong relations with Sri Lanka , Pakistan , Nepal , Bangladesh and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military are also bigger than India , he said .
The underlying reasons for the security partnership between the U.S. and India are beginning to appear more complementary now , said Rossow .
Like many countries , India is finding itself caught between the world 's two largest economies .
One area the U.S.-China rivalry is playing out is in the area of technology , where both countries are vying to be the leader in 5G — the next generation mobile networks that promise super-fast data speeds .
The competition could also create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ splinternet '' — a future in which the internet is fragmented , governed by separate regulations and run by different services .
`` The technology world , the internet itself is beginning to fault , '' said Jayant Sinha , standing committee on finance in parliament , chairman and former Indian minister for finance and aviation .
`` India needs to decide which side it 's on , '' Sinha told CNBC 's Tanvir Gill .

US President Donald Trump (R) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave at the crowd during 'Namaste Trump' rally at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, on February 24, 2020. Money Sharma | AFP | Getty Images
The rivalry between the U.S. and China is playing out in India, where American President Donald Trump will be wrapping up his state visit to the South Asian country. Experts said that Trump's first state visit to India signifies the growing strength of the relations between Washington and New Delhi, amid China's rising clout in South Asia. As part of his two-day visit which began on Monday, Trump was in New Delhi and Ahmedabad, the largest city in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat. The fact that Trump made time for India in an election year is a major win for the South Asian country, said Richard Rossow, senior advisor and the Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington D.C.-based think tank. U.S.-India trade is "defying gravity" and continues to grow despite trade barriers on both sides, Rossow told CNBC. "India is choosing — even as it puts trade barriers — to buy more from the United States in those sectors where the government of India makes the buys," said Rossow, referring to state purchases in gas and defense sectors as examples.
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One area where India and the U.S. have increased co-operation is defense procurement. India recently approved plans to purchase 24 military helicopters worth $2.6 billion from American defense firm Lockheed Martin for the its navy, local media reported. India's longstanding defense supplier has traditionally been Russia. But in recent years, New Delhi has inked more and more defense deals with Washington, with purchases from the U.S. reaching $17 billion since 2007, according to Reuters. India was one of the top five military spenders in 2018, along with the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and France.
'Tie that binds'
The Trump administration has championed the use of the term "Indo-Pacific" rather than "Asia Pacific" as it seeks to balance the rising power of China in the region. The Indo-Pacific strategy would place India at the center of the playbook. "China — at least on the defense and security relationship — is the tie that binds us together," said Rossow. Although Washington has been trying to engage India for sometime regarding closer security ties, New Delhi has been slow to respond till recently, said Rossow, pointing out that China is "playing a more active role across South Asia and the India Ocean region." The Chinese navy has also been an active operator in the Indian Ocean region, and has sent submarines to the region, he added. And India is beginning to feel the heat as Beijing has not only built up strong relations with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Maldives, but China's economy and military are also bigger than India, he said. The underlying reasons for the security partnership between the U.S. and India are beginning to appear more complementary now, said Rossow.
Taking sides
Like many countries, India is finding itself caught between the world's two largest economies. One area the U.S.-China rivalry is playing out is in the area of technology, where both countries are vying to be the leader in 5G — the next generation mobile networks that promise super-fast data speeds. The competition could also create what has now been dubbed the "splinternet" — a future in which the internet is fragmented, governed by separate regulations and run by different services. "The technology world, the internet itself is beginning to fault," said Jayant Sinha, standing committee on finance in parliament, chairman and former Indian minister for finance and aviation. "India needs to decide which side it's on," Sinha told CNBC's Tanvir Gill.
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cnbc--2020-02-25--Biden holds small edge over Sanders in pivotal South Carolina primary: NBC News/Marist poll

Democratic presidential hopefuls Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ( L ) and former Vice President Joe Biden chat during a break in the fourth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by The New York Times and CNN at Otterbein University in Westerville , Ohio on October 15 , 2019 .
Billionaire liberal activist Tom Steyer , who spent heavily in South Carolina in the early stages of the primary , lags behind the pair with 15 % of support .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg follows at 9 % .
Biden gets 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Saturday 's presidential primary , while the Vermont senator garners 23 % .
The gap falls within the survey 's plus-or-minus 6 percentage point margin of error .
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are locked in a tight South Carolina Democratic primary race as the former vice president tries to inject life into a struggling campaign , according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Monday .
Sens .
Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , garner 8 % and 5 % of support , respectively .
No other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is not on the ballot in South Carolina .
The poll was conducted from Tuesday to Friday , meaning it was taken partly after the Nevada presidential debate but not after the results of Saturday 's caucuses in the state .
Sanders will win Nevada by a significant margin , while Biden and Buttigieg will come in distant second and third , respectively , according to NBC News .
Biden sees winning South Carolina as critical to reviving a flagging presidential campaign .
After dismal showings in predominantly white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front-runner argued his fortunes would improve once more diverse states had their say in the primary .
As nominating contests started earlier this month , Biden led both Sanders and Steyer by more than 10 percentage points in a South Carolina polling average , according to RealClearPolitics .
In Saturday 's Nevada caucuses , the first nominating contest where voters of color made up a major share of the electorate , Biden fared better .
Still , he will finish in second place to Sanders with about 20 % of county delegates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're alive , and we 're going to come back , and we 're going to win , '' he told supporters Saturday .
Most polls throughout the primary have found black voters , who make up a majority of South Carolina 's primary electorate , overwhelmingly favor Biden .
But recent surveys indicate his support among black voters has waned .
Among black likely Democratic primary voters who responded to the NBC/Marist poll , Biden gets 35 % of support .
Sanders and Steyer follow at 20 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of Steyer and Biden supporters said they might vote differently than Sanders backers .
Among likely Democratic primary voters , 18 % of those who picked Steyer said they might choose someone else , while 17 % of Biden supporters said the same .
Only 7 % of respondents who prefer Sanders said they might vote differently .

Democratic presidential hopefuls Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (L) and former Vice President Joe Biden chat during a break in the fourth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by The New York Times and CNN at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio on October 15, 2019.
Billionaire liberal activist Tom Steyer, who spent heavily in South Carolina in the early stages of the primary, lags behind the pair with 15% of support. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg follows at 9%.
Biden gets 27% of support among likely Democratic voters in Saturday's presidential primary, while the Vermont senator garners 23%. The gap falls within the survey's plus-or-minus 6 percentage point margin of error.
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are locked in a tight South Carolina Democratic primary race as the former vice president tries to inject life into a struggling campaign, according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Monday.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., garner 8% and 5% of support, respectively. No other candidate tops 5%. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is not on the ballot in South Carolina.
The poll was conducted from Tuesday to Friday, meaning it was taken partly after the Nevada presidential debate but not after the results of Saturday's caucuses in the state. Sanders will win Nevada by a significant margin, while Biden and Buttigieg will come in distant second and third, respectively, according to NBC News.
Biden sees winning South Carolina as critical to reviving a flagging presidential campaign. After dismal showings in predominantly white Iowa and New Hampshire, the one-time front-runner argued his fortunes would improve once more diverse states had their say in the primary. As nominating contests started earlier this month, Biden led both Sanders and Steyer by more than 10 percentage points in a South Carolina polling average, according to RealClearPolitics.
In Saturday's Nevada caucuses, the first nominating contest where voters of color made up a major share of the electorate, Biden fared better. Still, he will finish in second place to Sanders with about 20% of county delegates in the state, according to NBC News.
"We're alive, and we're going to come back, and we're going to win," he told supporters Saturday.
Most polls throughout the primary have found black voters, who make up a majority of South Carolina's primary electorate, overwhelmingly favor Biden. But recent surveys indicate his support among black voters has waned.
Among black likely Democratic primary voters who responded to the NBC/Marist poll, Biden gets 35% of support. Sanders and Steyer follow at 20% and 19%, respectively.
A larger share of Steyer and Biden supporters said they might vote differently than Sanders backers. Among likely Democratic primary voters, 18% of those who picked Steyer said they might choose someone else, while 17% of Biden supporters said the same.
Only 7% of respondents who prefer Sanders said they might vote differently.


cnbc--2020-02-28--Here are 5 things to watch in the South Carolina primary on Saturday

The Democratic presidential primary will head to its first Southern state on Saturday for the South Carolina primary , the fourth nominating contest of the 2020 cycle .
While Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , has racked up a delegate advantage in the first three states , effectively tying former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Iowa and then carrying New Hampshire and Nevada , the race remains very much in flux .
In part , that 's because of just how few delegates have been awarded so far .
Only about 100 of the nearly 4,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Sanders ' lead over Buttigieg remains less than 20 .
In addition , a historically crowded field has complicated the path to obtaining a majority of the delegates in the states to come .
Polls will open early Saturday morning and close at 7 p.m .
ET , after which results are expected to start coming in .
Here are five things to watch .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has called South Carolina his `` firewall '' and said during the Democratic debate in Charleston this week that he expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is quite possible : According to public polling average , Biden is ahead of his nearest challenger , Sanders , by double digits , and the lead is growing .
But even if Biden snags his first first-place finish , his campaign faces steep odds for capitalizing on the victory in time to make a comeback by Super Tuesday , just three days after the South Carolina primary .
Biden was the last contender to devote substantial advertising money to the Super Tuesday states , announcing a six-figure spend on Wednesday .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just over $ 2 million , which is still less than Sanders and even Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. A pro-Biden super PAC has also stepped up its investment in Super Tuesday markets .
The 14 states that vote on Super Tuesday will collectively award about a third of the primary 's total delegates .
For Biden , turning a South Carolina victory rapidly into momentum in those states will be a heavy lift — and essential .
Sanders faces the toughest state for his candidacy yet after winning the most votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary .
During his 2016 battle against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , Sanders took only a quarter of the vote in South Carolina , getting beat by nearly 50 points .
During the 2020 cycle , Sanders has improved his standing among black voters and is looking to perform better in the state .
He is polling at about 22 % in state polls , or about 12 points behind Biden .
That gap has widened in recent days after a somewhat rocky debate performance from Sanders on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted as the clear front-runner by his rivals .
On Wednesday , Biden received the endorsement of South Carolina 's most powerful Democrat , Rep. James Clyburn , the House majority whip .
The question for Sanders appears to be whether he can finish in a strong enough second place to preserve his momentum heading into Super Tuesday , where he has devoted more resources than any candidate who is not a billionaire .
Buttigieg has faced questions since the start of his presidential bid about his record on race and policing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other minority voters did not hurt him in the largely white states of Iowa and New Hampshire .
He received just 2 % of the black vote in Nevada , where black voters made up about 10 % of the electorate , which dinged his bid .
In South Carolina the black vote is a different story .
Black voters made up more than 60 % of the state 's Democratic electorate in 2016 .
Last cycle , Clinton beat Sanders by about 70 points among black voters in the state , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the belief that the self-described democratic socialist lacked appeal to a key Democratic constituency .
Buttigieg has long said that he underperforms among black voters because he is new on the scene and will do better once they get a chance to know him .
He is running out of time to make his introductions .
There are two billionaires running for the Democratic nomination , but only one of them will be on ballots in South Carolina .
Tom Steyer , the former hedge-fund manager , has spent $ 14 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also spent heavily in the previous states that voted , including more than $ 10 million in Nevada .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , in contrast , is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on his bid but is targeting the states that vote on Super Tuesday .
Bloomberg did not run in the first four states of the primary race .
While it remains to be seen what kind of return on investment is waiting for Bloomberg , for Steyer the evidence is somewhat bleak .
The businessman and philanthropist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states that have voted so far .
He may not do better in South Carolina .
Candidates will need to receive at least 15 % support at the congressional district or state level in order to be viable in South Carolina .
At the moment , after sliding in recent days , Steyer 's average in state polling is just under that threshold , according to RealClearPolitics .
The Democratic primary field has remained surprisingly large headed into Super Tuesday .
After Saturday , it 's likely that candidates who have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote will be called on to drop out .
Of course , they might not do so .
The pressure is particularly acute on the race 's moderates , such as Biden , Klobuchar , Buttigieg and Bloomberg .
That 's because it is looking increasingly likely that Sanders could emerge from Super Tuesday on track to build an insurmountable lead in delegates , effectively securing the nomination .
The moderate contenders may be limiting each other from receiving delegates , a problem compounded by the 15 % threshold to receiving delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state like California , the biggest delegate prize of the entire primary , which votes on Tuesday .
There , Sanders is averaging just over 31 % in state polls , followed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who is hovering above the 15 % viability level .
Biden , Bloomberg and Buttigieg are each just below that threshold , somewhere between 10 % and 15 % .
That leaves the potential that Sanders could run away with more than 400 pledged delegates just from California , despite not winning even a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for some candidates to drop out will likely escalate , none of the contenders still in the race have signaled that they intend to go away any time soon .
`` I am going to stay right to the bitter end , '' Bloomberg told NBC News in a Thursday interview , `` as long as I have a chance . ''

Supporters cheer as Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden arrives to speak at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, on February 27, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
The Democratic presidential primary will head to its first Southern state on Saturday for the South Carolina primary, the fourth nominating contest of the 2020 cycle. While Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has racked up a delegate advantage in the first three states, effectively tying former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Iowa and then carrying New Hampshire and Nevada, the race remains very much in flux. In part, that's because of just how few delegates have been awarded so far. Only about 100 of the nearly 4,000 pledged delegates have been won so far, and Sanders' lead over Buttigieg remains less than 20. In addition, a historically crowded field has complicated the path to obtaining a majority of the delegates in the states to come. Polls will open early Saturday morning and close at 7 p.m. ET, after which results are expected to start coming in. Here are five things to watch.
Can Biden collect enough momentum?
Former Vice President Joe Biden has called South Carolina his "firewall" and said during the Democratic debate in Charleston this week that he expected to win first place. That finish is quite possible: According to public polling average, Biden is ahead of his nearest challenger, Sanders, by double digits, and the lead is growing. But even if Biden snags his first first-place finish, his campaign faces steep odds for capitalizing on the victory in time to make a comeback by Super Tuesday, just three days after the South Carolina primary. Biden was the last contender to devote substantial advertising money to the Super Tuesday states, announcing a six-figure spend on Wednesday. On Thursday, the campaign upped the spend to just over $2 million, which is still less than Sanders and even Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. A pro-Biden super PAC has also stepped up its investment in Super Tuesday markets. The 14 states that vote on Super Tuesday will collectively award about a third of the primary's total delegates. For Biden, turning a South Carolina victory rapidly into momentum in those states will be a heavy lift — and essential.
A test for Sanders' popular appeal
Sanders faces the toughest state for his candidacy yet after winning the most votes in the first three early states of the primary. During his 2016 battle against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sanders took only a quarter of the vote in South Carolina, getting beat by nearly 50 points. During the 2020 cycle, Sanders has improved his standing among black voters and is looking to perform better in the state. He is polling at about 22% in state polls, or about 12 points behind Biden. That gap has widened in recent days after a somewhat rocky debate performance from Sanders on Tuesday, the first debate in which he was targeted as the clear front-runner by his rivals. On Wednesday, Biden received the endorsement of South Carolina's most powerful Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn, the House majority whip. The question for Sanders appears to be whether he can finish in a strong enough second place to preserve his momentum heading into Super Tuesday, where he has devoted more resources than any candidate who is not a billionaire.
Black voters finally weigh in on Buttigieg
Buttigieg has faced questions since the start of his presidential bid about his record on race and policing. But his flagging support among black and other minority voters did not hurt him in the largely white states of Iowa and New Hampshire. He received just 2% of the black vote in Nevada, where black voters made up about 10% of the electorate, which dinged his bid. In South Carolina the black vote is a different story. Black voters made up more than 60% of the state's Democratic electorate in 2016. Last cycle, Clinton beat Sanders by about 70 points among black voters in the state, according to CNN exit polling data, contributing to the belief that the self-described democratic socialist lacked appeal to a key Democratic constituency. Buttigieg has long said that he underperforms among black voters because he is new on the scene and will do better once they get a chance to know him. He is running out of time to make his introductions.
Will Steyer's millions matter?
There are two billionaires running for the Democratic nomination, but only one of them will be on ballots in South Carolina. Tom Steyer, the former hedge-fund manager, has spent $14 million on television and radio ads. Steyer also spent heavily in the previous states that voted, including more than $10 million in Nevada. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, in contrast, is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on his bid but is targeting the states that vote on Super Tuesday. Bloomberg did not run in the first four states of the primary race. While it remains to be seen what kind of return on investment is waiting for Bloomberg, for Steyer the evidence is somewhat bleak. The businessman and philanthropist has not secured a single delegate in the states that have voted so far. He may not do better in South Carolina. Candidates will need to receive at least 15% support at the congressional district or state level in order to be viable in South Carolina. At the moment, after sliding in recent days, Steyer's average in state polling is just under that threshold, according to RealClearPolitics.
Dropout calls will intensify


cnbc--2020-02-28--Former Trump White House lawyer Donald McGahn does not have to testify to House, appeals court rules

Former White House counsel Don McGahn speaks during a discussion on `` Constitutional Questions and Political Struggle : Congress ' Role in Oversight and National Security '' December 12 , 2019 at the NYU Global Academic Center in Washington , DC .
McGahn spoke on the view from the executive branch perspective .
A federal appeals court on Friday ruled that former White House counsel Donald McGahn does not have to comply with a subpoena seeking his testimony to the House Judiciary committee .
The 2-1 ruling by a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal courts from acting as a referee in `` this kind '' of `` information '' dispute between the executive branch and Congress .
The Judiciary Committee wanted McGahn to testify as part of the committee 's probe of suspected efforts by President Donald Trump to obstruct former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election .
The Justice Department had argued against the subpoena on behalf of McGahn .
In their ruling , the appeals judges said the department had argued that `` Article III of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this kind of interbranch information dispute . ''
`` We agree and dismiss this case , '' the ruling said .

Former White House counsel Don McGahn speaks during a discussion on "Constitutional Questions and Political Struggle: Congress' Role in Oversight and National Security" December 12, 2019 at the NYU Global Academic Center in Washington, DC. McGahn spoke on the view from the executive branch perspective.
A federal appeals court on Friday ruled that former White House counsel Donald McGahn does not have to comply with a subpoena seeking his testimony to the House Judiciary committee.
The 2-1 ruling by a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said the Constitution bars federal courts from acting as a referee in "this kind" of "information" dispute between the executive branch and Congress.
The Judiciary Committee wanted McGahn to testify as part of the committee's probe of suspected efforts by President Donald Trump to obstruct former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Friday's decision overturned a ruling upholding the subpoena issed by a federal district court judge.
The Justice Department had argued against the subpoena on behalf of McGahn.
In their ruling, the appeals judges said the department had argued that "Article III of the Constitution forbids federal courts from resolving this kind of interbranch information dispute."
"We agree and dismiss this case," the ruling said.