cnbc--2020-02-12--Amy Klobuchar's campaign gets a boost as Biden and Warren fizzle in New Hampshire

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks to supporters at her New Hampshire primary night rally in Concord , New Hampshire , U.S. February 11 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON – Sen. Amy Klobuchar cemented her place in the top tier of Democratic presidential candidates on Tuesday , finishing in the top three in the New Hampshire primary , according to NBC News .
Klobuchar , who represents Minnesota , trailed only Sen. Bernie Sanders , the projected winner on Tuesday , and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , the projected second place finisher .
She was also poised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren were set to be shut out , NBC News projected .
In a state where residents pride themselves on their self-reliance and pragmatism , the Minnesota Democrat 's moderate , no-nonsense message resonated with a wide swath of voters in Tuesday 's contest , the first popular ballot of the 2020 presidential calendar .
Speaking to supporters Tuesday night , Klobuchar took aim at President Donald Trump in plain language , one of her political hallmarks .
`` He blames everyone .
For anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama .
He blames the city of Baltimore .
He blames the head of the Federal Reserve that he appointed .
He blames the Energy Secretary that he nominated .
He blames the entire kingdom of Denmark ! ''
she said , to laughs and cheers .
`` I will take responsibility instead of passing it on , '' Klobuchar said .
`` I will reach across the aisle and work with all Americans in good faith , instead of picking fights .
I will bring this country together instead of tearing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle lane with Buttigieg , another moderate who also campaigns on a message of pragmatism and reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans .
`` If you want a Democratic nominee who can make our tent bigger , who can make our coalition wider , and make our coattails longer , I know you , and I will fight for you , '' Klobuchar said Tuesday night .
Yet by effectively splitting the vote of moderate Democrats , Klobuchar and Buttigieg cleared the path for Sanders , an ardent progressive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slice of delegates out of New Hampshire .
After finishing in fifth place in the Iowa caucuses earlier this month , Klobuchar 's finish Tuesday also places her directly in the path of the two candidates who did better than she did in Iowa , only to finish behind her in New Hampshire : Warren and Biden .
Neither Biden nor Warren were on pace to finish Tuesday with enough votes to secure any delegates .
It was a surprisingly poor finish for Warren .
But for Biden , it was a five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed her strongest debate performance so far in the campaign , last Friday in New Hampshire .
There , Klobuchar landed rhetorical blows on Buttigieg over comments he made about how Americans wanted to `` switch off '' the Trump impeachment hearings and `` watch cartoons . ''
`` Pete , as you were campaigning through Iowa , as three of us were jurors in that impeachment hearing , you said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons .
It is easy to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to do , '' Klobuchar said .
`` It is much harder to lead and much harder to take those difficult positions . ''
As the Democratic primary moves to Nevada next for a caucus Feb. 22 , Sanders is again expected to finish in the top spot , with Real Clear Politics ' polling average for the state showing Klobuchar in seventh place , behind even entrepreneur Andrew Yang and billionaire Tom Steyer .
Yang dropped out of the race Tuesday night .
For Klobuchar , the next real test of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , March 3 , when voters in 14 states cast ballots in the Democratic presidential primary .
Currently , the Minnesota senator lacks the extensive ground operations in these states that many of her competitors have built .
Nor does she have the money to blanket the airwaves in dozens of media markets .
All is not lost for Klobuchar , however .
In the weeks leading up to Super Tuesday , Democrats plan to hold two televised debates , and as a candidate , Klobuchar has proven particularly competitive on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one or both of these debates could fuel Klobuchar 's campaign well beyond the traditional Super Tuesday firewall .

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks to supporters at her New Hampshire primary night rally in Concord, New Hampshire, U.S. February 11, 2020.
WASHINGTON – Sen. Amy Klobuchar cemented her place in the top tier of Democratic presidential candidates on Tuesday, finishing in the top three in the New Hampshire primary, according to NBC News.
Klobuchar, who represents Minnesota, trailed only Sen. Bernie Sanders, the projected winner on Tuesday, and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the projected second place finisher. She was also poised to win multiple delegates, while one-time front-runners former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren were set to be shut out, NBC News projected.
In a state where residents pride themselves on their self-reliance and pragmatism, the Minnesota Democrat's moderate, no-nonsense message resonated with a wide swath of voters in Tuesday's contest, the first popular ballot of the 2020 presidential calendar.
Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Klobuchar took aim at President Donald Trump in plain language, one of her political hallmarks. "He blames everyone. For anything that goes wrong. He blames Barack Obama. He blames the city of Baltimore. He blames the head of the Federal Reserve that he appointed. He blames the Energy Secretary that he nominated. He blames the entire kingdom of Denmark!" she said, to laughs and cheers.
"I will take responsibility instead of passing it on," Klobuchar said. "I will reach across the aisle and work with all Americans in good faith, instead of picking fights. I will bring this country together instead of tearing it apart."
Klobuchar is vying for the middle lane with Buttigieg, another moderate who also campaigns on a message of pragmatism and reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans.
"If you want a Democratic nominee who can make our tent bigger, who can make our coalition wider, and make our coattails longer, I know you, and I will fight for you," Klobuchar said Tuesday night.
Yet by effectively splitting the vote of moderate Democrats, Klobuchar and Buttigieg cleared the path for Sanders, an ardent progressive, to come away with the biggest single slice of delegates out of New Hampshire.
After finishing in fifth place in the Iowa caucuses earlier this month, Klobuchar's finish Tuesday also places her directly in the path of the two candidates who did better than she did in Iowa, only to finish behind her in New Hampshire: Warren and Biden.
Neither Biden nor Warren were on pace to finish Tuesday with enough votes to secure any delegates. It was a surprisingly poor finish for Warren. But for Biden, it was a five alarm fire.
Klobuchar's Tuesday finish followed her strongest debate performance so far in the campaign, last Friday in New Hampshire. There, Klobuchar landed rhetorical blows on Buttigieg over comments he made about how Americans wanted to "switch off" the Trump impeachment hearings and "watch cartoons."
"Pete, as you were campaigning through Iowa, as three of us were jurors in that impeachment hearing, you said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons. It is easy to go after Washington because that's a popular thing to do," Klobuchar said. "It is much harder to lead and much harder to take those difficult positions."
As the Democratic primary moves to Nevada next for a caucus Feb. 22, Sanders is again expected to finish in the top spot, with Real Clear Politics' polling average for the state showing Klobuchar in seventh place, behind even entrepreneur Andrew Yang and billionaire Tom Steyer. Yang dropped out of the race Tuesday night.
For Klobuchar, the next real test of her campaign's viability will be Super Tuesday, March 3, when voters in 14 states cast ballots in the Democratic presidential primary. Currently, the Minnesota senator lacks the extensive ground operations in these states that many of her competitors have built. Nor does she have the money to blanket the airwaves in dozens of media markets.
All is not lost for Klobuchar, however. In the weeks leading up to Super Tuesday, Democrats plan to hold two televised debates, and as a candidate, Klobuchar has proven particularly competitive on the debate stage.
A standout performance in one or both of these debates could fuel Klobuchar's campaign well beyond the traditional Super Tuesday firewall.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Ex-Goldman Sachs CEO rips Bernie Sanders: He'll ruin our economy and doesn't care about our military

Former Goldman Sachs CEO and Chairman Lloyd Blankfein has said Russia should back Bernie Sanders for president in order to `` best screw up the U.S. '' Following his win in the New Hampshire primary last night , Sanders has emerged as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination to face President Donald Trump in November 's election .
In a rare outburst on Twitter , Blankfein suggested that Sanders becoming the nominee would mean `` the Russians will have to reconsider who to work for to best screw up the U.S. '' '' Sanders is just as polarizing as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't care about our military .
If I 'm Russian , I go with Sanders this time around , '' the former Wall Street titan tweeted .
Blankfein was CEO of Goldman from 2006 until 2018 .
He has contributed mostly to Democratic party candidates and endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election .
In response to Blankfein , Sanders ' campaign manager Faiz Shakir tweeted : `` This is what panic from the Wall Street elite looks and sounds like . ''
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny , a long-standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his support of Sanders after results emerged from New Hampshire .
`` So nice to wake up and find out that Bernie won !
I cheered for him , '' he tweeted , according to a translation .
Sanders last year unveiled a plan to reverse President Donald Trump 's tax cuts and hike the corporate tax rate from 21 % to 35 % .
The veteran Vermont senator secured a narrow victory over former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in New Hampshire last night .
The candidates are now turning their attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse states such as California and Texas , which will vote on `` Super Tuesday '' on March 3 .

Former Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein has said Russia should back Bernie Sanders for president in order to "best screw up the U.S."
Following his win in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night, Sanders has emerged as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination to face President Donald Trump in November's election.
In a rare outburst on Twitter, Blankfein suggested that Sanders becoming the nominee would mean "the Russians will have to reconsider who to work for to best screw up the U.S."
"Sanders is just as polarizing as Trump AND he'll ruin our economy and doesn't care about our military. If I'm Russian, I go with Sanders this time around," the former Wall Street titan tweeted.
Tweet 1
Blankfein was CEO of Goldman from 2006 until 2018. He has contributed mostly to Democratic Party candidates and endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
In response to Blankfein, Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir tweeted: "This is what panic from the Wall Street elite looks and sounds like."
Tweet 2
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a long-standing critic of President Vladimir Putin, tweeted his support of Sanders after results emerged from New Hampshire.
"So nice to wake up and find out that Bernie won! I cheered for him," he tweeted, according to a translation.
Tweet 3
Sanders last year unveiled a plan to reverse President Donald Trump's tax cuts and hike the corporate tax rate from 21% to 35%.
The veteran Vermont senator secured a narrow victory over former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg in New Hampshire on Tuesday night. The candidates are now turning their attention to Nevada, South Carolina and more diverse states such as California and Texas, which will vote on "Super Tuesday" on March 3.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Warren and Biden will not have enough support to win New Hampshire delegates: NBC News

Democratic presidential hopefuls Former Vice President Joe Biden ( L ) and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren arrive onstage for 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 .
Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden will not meet the threshold to win pledged delegates in Tuesday 's New Hampshire Democratic primary , according to NBC News .
The Massachusetts senator and former vice president found themselves vying for fourth place in the Granite State as results trickled in Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopefuls will reach the 15 % threshold needed to win pledged delegates , statewide or in its two congressional districts .
New Hampshire awards its delegates proportionally , but candidates need to hit the 15 % mark .
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont leads the field , though the race is too early to call , according to NBC News .
Former South Bend , Ind .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota follow , and they will join Sanders in the top three Tuesday .
The results deal another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who have both spent time as front-runners in the Democratic presidential primary .
The senator and former vice president finished third and fourth , respectively , in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses last week .
Biden 's stumbles in Iowa and New Hampshire were jarring , as he led nearly every national primary poll until Sanders started to overtake him in recent weeks .
Biden , who had predicted another rough night Tuesday , left New Hampshire for South Carolina before results came in .
He has led polls of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 .

Democratic presidential hopefuls Former Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren arrive onstage for 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.
Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden will not meet the threshold to win pledged delegates in Tuesday's New Hampshire Democratic primary, according to NBC News.
The Massachusetts senator and former vice president found themselves vying for fourth place in the Granite State as results trickled in Tuesday night. As of Wednesday morning, with 97% of precincts reporting, Warren had over 9% while Biden had over 8%. Neither of the White House hopefuls will reach the 15% threshold needed to win pledged delegates, statewide or in its two congressional districts.
New Hampshire awards its delegates proportionally, but candidates need to hit the 15% mark.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont was the projected winner, according to NBC News. Former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota follow, and they will join Sanders in the top three Tuesday.
The results deal another blow to the campaigns of Warren and Biden, who have both spent time as front-runners in the Democratic presidential primary. The senator and former vice president finished third and fourth, respectively, in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses last week.
Biden's stumbles in Iowa and New Hampshire were jarring, as he led nearly every national primary poll until Sanders started to overtake him in recent weeks.
Biden, who had predicted another rough night Tuesday, left New Hampshire for South Carolina before results came in. He has led polls of the state, which holds its primary on Feb. 29.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Democrat Andrew Yang drops out of the 2020 presidential race

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is interviewed outside of Hopkinton Town Hall following a campaign event on February 9 , 2020 in Hopkinton , New Hampshire .
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang dropped out of the 2020 Democratic race after finishing well behind top-tier candidates in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary .
Yang told several reporters his plan to drop out before polls closed in New Hampshire on Tuesday .
Later Tuesday , he addressed a crowd of his supporters .
`` Being your candidate has been the privilege of my life , '' Yang said .
`` Together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and move this country forward , because the Yang Gang is n't going anywhere . ''
Earlier Tuesday , Yang seemed to hint at his immediate future with a tweet in which he thanked `` everyone who got us here . ''
Yang began his bid for the Democratic nomination as a fringe candidate , but his signature `` Freedom Dividend '' policy quickly put him on the map in a crowded field .
The plan offered a universal basic income of $ 1,000 a month to every American over the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top 10 Democratic candidates , according to national polls , outlasting career politicians like California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker .
Fundraising surged in the final quarter of 2019 , with the campaign ranking in more than $ 16.5 million .
During his run , Yang amassed a loyal base of internet-savvy supporters known as the `` Yang Gang , '' and received endorsements from major celebrities , including actor and rapper Donald Glover and comedian Dave Chappelle .
Read more : Here are some of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race But the long-shot contender with no political experience was ultimately unable to go the distance .
After a poor showing in the Iowa caucus , the first nominating contest , Yang 's campaign fired dozens of staffers including its national policy and political directors .
On the stump , Yang often presented himself as a stark contrast to President Donald Trump .
He called Trump a `` phony entrepreneur '' and a `` bad president '' in a July tweet .
`` Just because I come from the business world does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the current POTUS , '' he said .
More recently , Yang pointed out that Trump , who frequently blasts his opponents , has n't tweeted about him and offered an explanation on why : `` He knows I 'm better at the internet than he is , '' Yang said in an MSNBC interview the day of the Iowa caucus .
Before announcing a run for president , Yang founded Manhattan Prep , a test prep company that became number one in the nation for the GMAT and was bought by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venture for America , a nonprofit meant to help entrepreneurs create startups in cities like Detroit and Pittsburgh that were struggling after the 2008 recession .

Then-Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is interviewed outside of Hopkinton Town Hall following a campaign event on February 9, 2020 in Hopkinton, New Hampshire.
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang dropped out of the 2020 Democratic race after finishing well behind top-tier candidates in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.
Yang told several reporters his plan to drop out before polls closed in New Hampshire on Tuesday.
Later Tuesday, he addressed a crowd of his supporters. "Being your candidate has been the privilege of my life," Yang said. "Together we will continue to do the work and move this country forward, because the Yang Gang isn't going anywhere."
TWEET
Earlier Tuesday, Yang seemed to hint at his immediate future with a tweet in which he thanked "everyone who got us here."
TWEET
Yang began his bid for the Democratic nomination as a fringe candidate, but his signature "Freedom Dividend" policy quickly put him on the map in a crowded field. The plan offered a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18.
The entrepreneur was regularly among the top 10 Democratic candidates, according to national polls, outlasting career politicians like California Sen. Kamala Harris and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.
Fundraising surged in the final quarter of 2019, with the campaign ranking in more than $16.5 million.
During his run, Yang amassed a loyal base of internet-savvy supporters known as the "Yang Gang," and received endorsements from major celebrities, including actor and rapper Donald Glover and comedian Dave Chappelle.
Read more: Here are some of the biggest celebrity endorsements of the 2020 Democratic presidential race
But the long-shot contender with no political experience was ultimately unable to go the distance.
After a poor showing in the Iowa caucus, the first nominating contest, Yang's campaign fired dozens of staffers including its national policy and political directors.
On the stump, Yang often presented himself as a stark contrast to President Donald Trump. He called Trump a "phony entrepreneur" and a "bad president" in a July tweet.
"Just because I come from the business world doesn't mean I have anything else in common with the current POTUS," he said.
Tweet.
More recently, Yang pointed out that Trump, who frequently blasts his opponents, hasn't tweeted about him and offered an explanation on why: "He knows I'm better at the internet than he is," Yang said in an MSNBC interview the day of the Iowa caucus.
Before announcing a run for president, Yang founded Manhattan Prep, a test prep company that became number one in the nation for the GMAT and was bought by Kaplan in 2009.
He later launched Venture for America, a nonprofit meant to help entrepreneurs create startups in cities like Detroit and Pittsburgh that were struggling after the 2008 recession.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Feds now want 'far less' prison time for Trump ally Roger Stone than 7-9 years they first suggested

Roger Stone , a former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump , leaves the Prettyman United States Courthouse after a hearing February 1 , 2019 in Washington , DC .
A top federal prosecutor said a new legal filing Tuesday that Republican operative Roger Stone deserves to be sentenced to `` far less '' time in prison than the seven-to-nine year span that was first proposed Monday evening by prosecutors who had handled his trial .
The filing — which did not offer a new recommended sentence — came hours after both the Justice Department and President Donald Trump criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by prosecutors as unduly harsh .
The first filing `` does not accurately reflect the Department of Justice 's position on what would be a reasonable sentence in this matter , '' wrote Timothy Shea , the U.S. Attorney for Washington , D.C wrote in the new sentencing memorandum .
Shea wrote that original sentencing recommendation by his prosecutors `` could be considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances . ''
Shea said that Stone `` committed serious offenses and deserves a sentence of incarceration that is 'sufficient , but not greater than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it should be up to Judge Amy Berman Jackson to determine the `` appropriate '' punishment for Stone , a longtime ally of Trump 's , when she sentences him next week in Washington federal court .
Shea wrote , `` While it remains the position of the United States that a sentence of incarceration is warranted here , '' the first sentence proposal `` would not be appropriate or serve the interests of justice in this case . ''
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told NBC News that the decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentencing recommendation was made Monday night , several hours before Trump blasted the original sentencing proposal on Twitter .

Roger Stone, a former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, leaves the Prettyman United States Courthouse after a hearing February 1, 2019 in Washington, DC.
A top federal prosecutor said in a new legal filing Tuesday that Republican operative Roger Stone deserves to be sentenced to "far less" time in prison than the seven-to-nine year span that was first proposed Monday evening by prosecutors who had handled his trial.
The filing — which did not offer a new recommended sentence — came hours after both the Justice Department and President Donald Trump criticized the initial proposal for Stone's punishment by prosecutors as unduly harsh.
The first filing "does not accurately reflect the Department of Justice's position on what would be a reasonable sentence in this matter," wrote Timothy Shea, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C wrote in the new sentencing memorandum.
Shea wrote that original sentencing recommendation by his prosecutors "could be considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances."
Shea said that Stone "committed serious offenses and deserves a sentence of incarceration that is 'sufficient , but not greater than necessary. ' "
But he also said it should be up to Judge Amy Berman Jackson to determine the "appropriate" punishment for Stone, a longtime ally of Trump's, when she sentences him next week in Washington federal court.
Shea wrote, "While it remains the position of the United States that a sentence of incarceration is warranted here," the first sentence proposal "would not be appropriate or serve the interests of justice in this case."
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told NBC News that the decision to lower the recommended prison term for Stone sentencing recommendation was made Monday night, several hours before Trump blasted the original sentencing proposal on Twitter.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Trump says Pentagon should consider punishing impeachment witness Vindman

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , National Security Council Director for European Affairs , arrives to testify before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19 , 2019 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the Pentagon could look at disciplinary action against U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , a key figure who testified in the Ukraine impeachment saga .
On Friday , Vindman , a former National Security Council staffer , was escorted out of his third-floor office across from the White House .
The Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , on Wednesday .
`` We 're going to have to see , but if you look at what happened , they 're going to certainly , I would imagine , they 're going to take a look at that , '' Trump said in the Oval Office on Tuesday , when he was asked whether the Defense Department would seek disciplinary action against Vindman .
`` He is over with the military , '' Trump added from the Oval Office .
`` We sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different location and the military can handle him any way they want , '' Trump said , referring to Vindman 's reassignment from the White House to the Department of the Army .
National security advisor Robert O'Brien said Tuesday that there was `` no retaliation '' and Trump did n't instruct him to remove Vindman and his twin brother , Yevgeny Vindman , from their White House posts , according to reports .
The Pentagon declined to comment on the president 's comments Tuesday .
Hours before Vindman was escorted from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Purple Heart recipient : `` I 'm not happy with him . ''
`` Do you think I 'm supposed to be happy with him ? ''
Trump asked reporters Friday .
`` I 'm not . ''
Earlier Friday , Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked whether Vindman would be welcomed back to the department if he left the National Security Council , and what the Pentagon would do to ensure that he is `` not retributed against by the president or others ? ''
`` We welcome back all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the assignment they 're given , '' Esper said .
`` We protect all of our persons , service members from retribution or anything , anything like that . ''
Esper 's comments on Vindman came after he issued a memo to all Department of Defense employees and military personnel to `` uphold DoD 's longstanding tradition of remaining apolitical . ''

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, National Security Council Director for European Affairs, arrives to testify before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the Pentagon could look at disciplinary action against U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key figure who testified in the Ukraine impeachment saga.
On Friday, Vindman, a former National Security Council staffer, was escorted out of his third-floor office across from the White House. The Senate had acquitted Trump of two impeachment articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, on Wednesday.
"We're going to have to see, but if you look at what happened, they're going to certainly, I would imagine, they're going to take a look at that," Trump said in the Oval Office on Tuesday, when he was asked whether the Defense Department would seek disciplinary action against Vindman.
"He is over with the military," Trump added from the Oval Office. "We sent him on his way to a much different location and the military can handle him any way they want," Trump said, referring to Vindman's reassignment from the White House to the Department of the Army.
National security advisor Robert O'Brien said Tuesday that there was "no retaliation" and Trump didn't instruct him to remove Vindman and his twin brother, Yevgeny Vindman, from their White House posts, according to reports.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the president's comments Tuesday.
Hours before Vindman was escorted from his office Friday, Trump had said of the Purple Heart recipient: "I'm not happy with him."
"Do you think I'm supposed to be happy with him?" Trump asked reporters Friday. "I'm not."
Earlier Friday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked whether Vindman would be welcomed back to the department if he left the National Security Council, and what the Pentagon would do to ensure that he is "not retributed against by the president or others?"
"We welcome back all of our service members, wherever they serve, to the assignment they're given," Esper said. "We protect all of our persons, service members from retribution or anything, anything like that."
Esper's comments on Vindman came after he issued a memo to all Department of Defense employees and military personnel to "uphold DoD's longstanding tradition of remaining apolitical."


cnbc--2020-02-12--Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet drops out of 2020 presidential race

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bennet starts off his day with a stop at a polling place at Webster School on February 11 , 2020 in Manchester , New Hampshire .
Sen. Michael Bennet dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race as results started rolling in from the New Hampshire primary Tuesday .
Bennet thanked his supporters in a tweet before giving remarks Tuesday night , after NBC News projected that the top three in the New Hampshire primary would be Bernie Sanders , Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar .
Bennet , who has represented Colorado since 2009 , failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topping out at 1 % support in most recent polls .
His fundraising also lagged well behind most of his rivals in the crowded field .
He participated in the June and July Democratic debates , but failed to make the cut for every debate after .
In the Iowa caucuses , the first 2020 primary contest , Bennet failed to register , receiving 0 % of votes and no state delegates , NBC News reported .
Shortly before he declared his presidential bid in May 2019 , Bennet was diagnosed with prostate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had surgery soon after and had recovered by the time he joined the race .
When jumping into the primary , Bennet touted his victories in tough races in Colorado , considered a swing state .
In his campaign announcement , Bennet focused on expanding health care access with a public health insurance option , implementing a tax cut for families and reforming the political system , from lobbying to campaign finance laws .
The moderate Democrat pushed back against proposals from some of his more progressive rivals , like the `` Medicare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans championed by Sens .
Bernie Sanders , ( I-Vt. ) and Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
`` I 'm not going to say there 's a simple solution to a problem if I do n't believe there is one , '' he said in the video launching his candidacy .
`` You ca n't fix a broken Washington if you do n't level with the American people . ''

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bennet starts off his day with a stop at a polling place at Webster School on February 11, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Sen. Michael Bennet dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race as results started rolling in from the New Hampshire primary Tuesday.
Bennet thanked his supporters in a tweet before giving remarks Tuesday night, after NBC News projected that the top three in the New Hampshire primary would be Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar.
TWEET
Bennet, who has represented Colorado since 2009, failed to gain traction in the race, topping out at 1% support in most recent polls. His fundraising also lagged well behind most of his rivals in the crowded field.
He participated in the June and July Democratic debates, but failed to make the cut for every debate after.
In the Iowa caucuses, the first 2020 primary contest, Bennet failed to register, receiving 0% of votes and no state delegates, NBC News reported.
Shortly before he declared his presidential bid in May 2019, Bennet was diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to CNN. He had surgery soon after and had recovered by the time he joined the race.
When jumping into the primary, Bennet touted his victories in tough races in Colorado, considered a swing state.
In his campaign announcement, Bennet focused on expanding health care access with a public health insurance option, implementing a tax cut for families and reforming the political system, from lobbying to campaign finance laws.
The moderate Democrat pushed back against proposals from some of his more progressive rivals, like the "Medicare for All" and tuition-free public college plans championed by Sens. Bernie Sanders, (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
"I'm not going to say there's a simple solution to a problem if I don't believe there is one," he said in the video launching his candidacy. "You can't fix a broken Washington if you don't level with the American people."


cnbc--2020-02-12--Confused by the Democratic primary race? Here's how candidates win delegates

With the Iowa caucuses in the books and the New Hampshire primary happening Tuesday , the race to rack up delegates in the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination is on .
Convention delegates are chosen based on voter preferences in the primaries and caucuses held in each state or U.S. territory .
The process sounds fairly simple : Delegates are chosen by the voters , and the candidate with the most delegates wins .
After Feb. 3 's Iowa caucuses , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg has a slight lead in the delegate count over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could change if Sanders , as expected , wins New Hampshire .
But this year 's race is turning out to be anything but simple .
Here 's how the Democratic delegate selection process will work : How many delegates does a candidate need to get the nomination ?
That depends .
If a candidate gets to July 's Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee with a simple majority of the pledged delegates , or at least 1,990 of the total of 3,979 , that candidate is the nominee .
Game over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contested .
This is when the superdelegates start to matter .
Superdelegates are also known as automatic delegates , even though their support for a given candidate is far from automatic .
This group of 771 delegates is made up of Democrats in Congress , state and local party officials , Democratic governors and other party leaders , such as former presidents and vice presidents .
So if none of the candidates wins 1,990 delegates by July , the magic number to win becomes 2,376 — or just one vote more than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then the delegates vote .
The superdelegates are barred from the first vote .
If that first vote does n't produce a clear winner , the superdelegates are then allowed to vote , presumably to prevent a stalemate .
What happens if none of the candidates gets a majority after all the delegates vote ?
If that happens , expect plenty of behind-the-scenes deal-making as support shifts among the delegates pledged to candidates that no longer seem viable .
Or the convention could settle on a compromise candidate who did n't even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's been decades since multiple rounds of voting produced marathon conventions , but it could easily happen this summer .
In 1924 , the voting went more than 100 rounds before the Democrats settled on John W. Davis to run against the Republican incumbent , Calvin Coolidge .
We may know fairly soon , though , whether the party is headed for a splintered convention .
This year , the primary schedule is more heavily front-loaded than in the past .
Some two-thirds of the pledged delegates will be chosen by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates chosen ?
The pledged delegates are chosen directly by voters or indirectly in primaries or caucuses , where the delegate count is based more loosely on voter preferences .
Some states hold a state convention where the delegates are officially designated .
The superdelegates are chosen based on their party affiliation ; many of them hold an elected office .
How many delegates does each state get ?
The Democrats have a formula for that .
You start with a `` base '' of 3,200 delegates nationwide and then apportion those delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes Democrats cast in the last three elections , plus another share based on how many electoral votes each state gets .
Each state then gets `` bonus '' votes on top of that , based on things such as when they choose to schedule their caucus or primary .
You get bonus points if you pick a date that other states have picked , for example .
So the candidate who gets the most votes in a statewide caucus or primary gets the most delegates , right ?
Sort of .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the superdelegates — are picked based on the vote totals in each congressional district or state legislative district .
Another batch , called at-large delegates , are chosen based on the total statewide vote .
A third group , about 15 % of the total , are called pledged PLEO delegates , which stands for Party Leader and Elected Officials .
They 're usually picked like the at-large group , based on overall state totals .
But do n't confuse the pledged PLEO delegates with those unpledged PLEO delegates , aka superdelegates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contest .
The makeup of the superdelegate group can be hard to pin down .
That 's because the final list can change right up until they get to Milwaukee , as elected officials and party leaders come and go over the course of the campaign .
That 's for the states and Puerto Rico .
There are also six delegates assigned to American Samoa , Guam , Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands .
Democrats abroad get 12 at-large delegates and one superdelegate .
And the exact headcounts get even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rounding going on in these calculations .
You ca n't have a fractional delegate .
What if a delegate ca n't make it to the convention ?
What if the delegates who go to the national convention do n't vote the way they 're supposed to ?

With the Iowa caucuses and Tuesday's New Hampshire primary now wrapped up, the race to rack up delegates in the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination is on. After a strong showing in New Hampshire, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has a slight lead in the delegate count over Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Convention delegates are chosen based on voter preferences in the primaries and caucuses held in each state or U.S. territory. The process sounds fairly simple: Delegates are chosen by the voters, and the candidate with the most delegates wins. But this year's race is turning out to be anything but simple. Here's how the Democratic delegate selection process will work:
How many delegates does a candidate need to get the nomination?
That depends. If a candidate gets to July's Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee with a simple majority of the pledged delegates, or at least 1,990 of the total of 3,979, that candidate is the nominee. Game over. If not, the nomination is considered contested. This is when the superdelegates start to matter. Superdelegates are also known as automatic delegates, even though their support for a given candidate is far from automatic. This group of 771 delegates is made up of Democrats in Congress, state and local party officials, Democratic governors and other party leaders, such as former presidents and vice presidents. So if none of the candidates wins 1,990 delegates by July, the magic number to win becomes 2,376 — or just one vote more than half of all delegates, including the superdelegates. Then the delegates vote. The superdelegates are barred from the first vote. If that first vote doesn't produce a clear winner, the superdelegates are then allowed to vote, presumably to prevent a stalemate.
What happens if none of the candidates gets a majority after all the delegates vote?
If that happens, expect plenty of behind-the-scenes deal-making as support shifts among the delegates pledged to candidates that no longer seem viable. Or the convention could settle on a compromise candidate who didn't even come close on the first round. It's been decades since multiple rounds of voting produced marathon conventions, but it could easily happen this summer. In 1924, the voting went more than 100 rounds before the Democrats settled on John W. Davis to run against the Republican incumbent, Calvin Coolidge. We may know fairly soon, though, whether the party is headed for a splintered convention. This year, the primary schedule is more heavily front-loaded than in the past. Some two-thirds of the pledged delegates will be chosen by the end of March.
How are the delegates chosen?
The pledged delegates are chosen directly by voters or indirectly in primaries or caucuses, where the delegate count is based more loosely on voter preferences. Some states hold a state convention where the delegates are officially designated. The superdelegates are chosen based on their party affiliation; many of them hold an elected office.
How many delegates does each state get?
The Democrats have a formula for that. You start with a "base" of 3,200 delegates nationwide and then apportion those delegates to each state based on how many votes Democrats cast in the last three elections, plus another share based on how many electoral votes each state gets. Each state then gets "bonus" votes on top of that, based on things such as when they choose to schedule their caucus or primary. You get bonus points if you pick a date that other states have picked, for example.
watch now
So the candidate who gets the most votes in a statewide caucus or primary gets the most delegates, right?
Sort of. The bulk of the pledged delegates — not the superdelegates — are picked based on the vote totals in each congressional district or state legislative district. Another batch, called at-large delegates, are chosen based on the total statewide vote. A third group, about 15% of the total, are called pledged PLEO delegates, which stands for Party Leader and Elected Officials. They're usually picked like the at-large group, based on overall state totals.
But don't confuse the pledged PLEO delegates with those unpledged PLEO delegates, aka superdelegates, who don't vote unless there's a contest. The makeup of the superdelegate group can be hard to pin down. That's because the final list can change right up until they get to Milwaukee, as elected officials and party leaders come and go over the course of the campaign. That's for the states and Puerto Rico. There are also six delegates assigned to American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. Democrats abroad get 12 at-large delegates and one superdelegate. And the exact headcounts get even trickier, because there's a lot of rounding going on in these calculations. You can't have a fractional delegate.
What if a delegate can't make it to the convention?
No problem. Each state picks alternate delegates who stand in for absent delegates. They're still pledged to the same candidate as the regular delegate. Unless they're superdelegates, of course, who don't vote unless the convention is contested.
What if the delegates who go to the national convention don't vote the way they're supposed to?


cnbc--2020-02-12--Trump says he would rather face Bloomberg than Sanders: Bernie 'has real followers'

Many New Hampshire voters are mulling Tuesday which Democratic presidential hopeful can beat President Donald Trump .
The question is also on the president 's mind .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , leads polls of Tuesday 's New Hampshire primary as he gains traction nationally .
As former Vice President Joe Biden falters , billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has climbed in national surveys , fueled by spending tens of millions of dollars of his fortune .
Trump , during a rambling criticism of Bloomberg 's 2015 comments that defended his city 's stop-and-frisk policing practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would rather face the businessman than the Vermont senator .
He pointed to Sanders ' devoted supporters , who fueled an insurgent challenge to former secretary of State and senator Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
`` Frankly , I 'd rather run against Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders , '' the president told reporters at the White House .
`` Because Sanders has real followers , whether you like him or not , whether you agree with him or not .
I happen to think it 's terrible what he says .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buying his way in . ''
As Democrats consider who to put up against Trump in November 's general election , many voters say they have thought most about who has the best chance to oust the president .
NBC News exit polls of New Hampshire on Tuesday found 62 % of Democrats would rather see a nominee who can beat Trump , while 34 % would prefer a candidate who agrees with them .
Trump has also kept a close eye on the field .
Supporters of Biden , who has run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , have repeatedly said Trump asked Ukraine to investigate the former vice president and his son Hunter because he feared facing Biden in November .
Trump 's push for a probe sat at the center of the House 's decision to impeach him , and the Senate acquitted the president last week .
At the same time , Sanders ' rivals including Biden have contended the senator , a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who has pushed for a vast expansion of the social safety net , would struggle to beat Trump .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire on Monday night that he can win because `` our agenda speaks to the pain of the working families of this country . ''
It 's not just Trump who has focused more on Bloomberg recently .
Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, both criticized their opponent in the final days of the New Hampshire primary as an example of the corrosive influence of money in politics .
Trump sent , then deleted , a tweet Tuesday calling Bloomberg a `` TOTAL RACIST '' after his 2015 comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former New York mayor said most 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 ] . ''
Bloomberg released a statement Tuesday saying `` this issue and my comments about it do not reflect my commitment to criminal justice reform and racial equality . ''
It later issued another statement from African-American faith leaders with whom he met Tuesday , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Bloomberg is a racist . ''

People cheer as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) arrives onstage during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena on February 10, 2020 in Durham, New Hampshire. Joe Raedle | Getty Images
Many New Hampshire voters are mulling Tuesday which Democratic presidential hopeful can beat President Donald Trump. The question is also on the president's mind. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., leads polls of Tuesday's New Hampshire primary as he gains traction nationally. As former Vice President Joe Biden falters, billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has climbed in national surveys, fueled by spending tens of millions of dollars of his fortune. Trump, during a rambling criticism of Bloomberg's 2015 comments that defended his city's stop-and-frisk policing practice with racist stereotypes, said unprompted that he would rather face the businessman than the Vermont senator. He pointed to Sanders' devoted supporters, who fueled an insurgent challenge to former secretary of State and senator Hillary Clinton in 2016.
watch now
"Frankly, I'd rather run against Bloomberg than Bernie Sanders," the president told reporters at the White House. "Because Sanders has real followers, whether you like him or not, whether you agree with him or not. I happen to think it's terrible what he says. But he has followers. Bloomberg's just buying his way in." As Democrats consider who to put up against Trump in November's general election, many voters say they have thought most about who has the best chance to oust the president. NBC News exit polls of New Hampshire on Tuesday found 62% of Democrats would rather see a nominee who can beat Trump, while 34% would prefer a candidate who agrees with them. Trump has also kept a close eye on the field. Supporters of Biden, who has run a campaign around his ability to defeat Trump, have repeatedly said Trump asked Ukraine to investigate the former vice president and his son Hunter because he feared facing Biden in November. Trump's push for a probe sat at the center of the House's decision to impeach him, and the Senate acquitted the president last week. At the same time, Sanders' rivals including Biden have contended the senator, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who has pushed for a vast expansion of the social safety net, would struggle to beat Trump. Sanders has fought that characterization, telling supporters in New Hampshire on Monday night that he can win because "our agenda speaks to the pain of the working families of this country."
watch now


cnbc--2020-02-12--Biden will head to South Carolina on New Hampshire primary night as his poll numbers tank

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden leaves a campaign event in Somersworth , New Hampshire , February 5 , 2020 .
The move signals the Biden campaign sees South Carolina — where the former vice president has enjoyed a comfortable lead among black voters — as critical to reviving a faltering operation .
Two new polls this week have found Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , comfortably leading Biden among Democratic voters nationally .
But as polls show Biden struggling to even crack the third place spot in the Granite State , he heads to South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every survey ahead of its Feb. 29 primary .
Candidates typically hold election night events in states that just cast votes .
All of Biden 's rivals for the presidential nomination plan to gather with supporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday night .
Former Vice President Joe Biden will travel to South Carolina on Tuesday night , while New Hampshire Democratic primary results come in , as polls show his support waning in early nominating states and nationwide .
Speaking to reporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday morning , Biden said `` this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant portion '' of the electorate has not voted yet .
The one-time Democratic front-runner , who recently telegraphed a poor New Hampshire performance , said , `` we 're still mildly hopeful here in New Hampshire . ''
When asked if South Carolina was `` do or die '' for his campaign , Biden responded , `` No , I do n't think so . ''
`` Look , the rest of the nation is out there .
There 's an awful lot of electoral votes to be had , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters shouted questions and one held a microphone near him , Biden reportedly said : `` I 'm not giving up on New Hampshire !
And do n't poke that in my face , OK buddy ? ''
Biden has run a campaign centered on his ability to beat President Donald Trump in November 's general election .
But voters in the small , predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire have so far appeared to prefer their alternatives .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg left last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocated national delegates , followed closely by Sanders .
Biden finished a distant fourth , according to the Iowa Democratic Party 's results that contained some apparent inconsistencies .
The Vermont senator has led the vast majority of recent polls of New Hampshire , followed by Buttigieg .
The Biden campaign will hold the Tuesday event , which it called a `` launch party , '' in Columbia , South Carolina .
Rep. Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana Democrat , initially planned to headline it without Biden .
Biden said he still plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its Feb. 22 caucuses .
The next Democratic debate will take place in Las Vegas on Feb. 19 .
Biden has narrowly led Sanders in an average of Nevada polls , but surveys have been limited in recent weeks .

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden leaves a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire, February 5, 2020.
The move signals the Biden campaign sees South Carolina — where the former vice president has enjoyed a comfortable lead among black voters — as critical to reviving a faltering operation. Two new polls this week have found Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., comfortably leading Biden among Democratic voters nationally.
But as polls show Biden struggling to even crack the third place spot in the Granite State, he heads to South Carolina, where he has led just about every survey ahead of its Feb. 29 primary.
Candidates typically hold election night events in states that just cast votes. All of Biden's rivals for the presidential nomination plan to gather with supporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday night.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will travel to South Carolina on Tuesday night, while New Hampshire Democratic primary results come in, as polls show his support waning in early nominating states and nationwide.
Speaking to reporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday morning, Biden said "this race isn't over" noting a "significant portion" of the electorate has not voted yet. The one-time Democratic front-runner, who recently telegraphed a poor New Hampshire performance, said, "we're still mildly hopeful here in New Hampshire."
When asked if South Carolina was "do or die" for his campaign, Biden responded, "No, I don't think so."
"Look, the rest of the nation is out there. There's an awful lot of electoral votes to be had," he said.
Later Tuesday, as reporters shouted questions and one held a microphone near him, Biden reportedly said: "I'm not giving up on New Hampshire! And don't poke that in my face, OK buddy?"
Matt Viser tweet
Biden has run a campaign centered on his ability to beat President Donald Trump in November's general election. But voters in the small, predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire have so far appeared to prefer their alternatives.
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg left last week's messy Iowa caucuses with the most allocated national delegates, followed closely by Sanders. Biden finished a distant fourth, according to the Iowa Democratic Party's results that contained some apparent inconsistencies.
The Vermont senator has led the vast majority of recent polls of New Hampshire, followed by Buttigieg.
The Biden campaign will hold the Tuesday event, which it called a "launch party," in Columbia, South Carolina. Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat, initially planned to headline it without Biden.
Biden said he still plans to go to Nevada next week ahead of its Feb. 22 caucuses. The next Democratic debate will take place in Las Vegas on Feb. 19.
Biden has narrowly led Sanders in an average of Nevada polls, but surveys have been limited in recent weeks.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Trump heaps praise on trillion dollar tech club — calling four big companies MAGA

U.S. President Donald Trump ( 2nd L ) welcomes members of his American Technology Council , including ( L-R ) Apple CEO Tim Cook , Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in the State Dining Room of the White House Trump said four tech giants Microsoft , Apple , Alphabet 's Google , and Amazon are part of a trillion dollar club — MAGA .
The term originated as Trump 's campaign slogan — Make America Great Again — and is widely used by the president and his supporters .
President Donald Trump gave a shout-out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have market caps larger than $ 1 trillion , calling them MAGA .
According to a press pool report , Trump said : `` For 144 days , we set a record stock market .
It means 401Ks , it means jobs .
Four trillion dollar companies : Apple , Amazon , Google , Microsoft .
You have MAGA .
The trillion dollar club . ''
The name MAGA has also been used on Wall Street for the group of stocks that have led the market higher .
They collectively have added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year alone .
Trump has often taken credit for the stock market 's gains .
The stock market is currently experiencing its longest bull market ever , beginning in 2009 under former President Barack Obama and continuing under Trump .
The Trump administration has had a sometimes tense relationship with some big tech companies .
His comments came just hours after the Federal Trade Commission announced it will examine prior acquisitions by all four companies .
The FTC is also investigating Facebook .
The FTC will require the companies to provide information on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and consummated from the beginning of 2010 through the end of 2019 .
Two members of the MAGA stock group are also part of FANG , a term used widely on Wall Street to describe tech stocks Facebook , Amazon , Netflix and Google , whose parent 's name is Alphabet .
Amazon , Alphabet and Microsoft all hit new highs Tuesday .

U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) welcomes members of his American Technology Council, including (L-R) Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in the State Dining Room of the White House
Trump said four tech giants Microsoft , Apple, Alphabet's Google, and Amazon are part of a trillion dollar club — MAGA. The term originated as Trump's campaign slogan — Make America Great Again — and is widely used by the president and his supporters.
President Donald Trump gave a shout-out to a group of four big tech giants that have market caps larger than $1 trillion, calling them MAGA.
According to a press pool report, Trump said: "For 144 days, we set a record stock market. It means 401Ks, it means jobs. Four trillion dollar companies: Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft. You have MAGA. The trillion dollar club."
The name MAGA has also been used on Wall Street for the group of stocks that have led the market higher. They collectively have added $520 billion in market cap this year alone.
Trump has often taken credit for the stock market's gains. The stock market is currently experiencing its longest bull market ever, beginning in 2009 under former President Barack Obama and continuing under Trump.
The Trump administration has had a sometimes tense relationship with some big tech companies. His comments came just hours after the Federal Trade Commission announced it will examine prior acquisitions by all four companies. The FTC is also investigating Facebook.
The FTC will require the companies to provide information on acquisitions not previously reported to the antitrust agencies under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and consummated from the beginning of 2010 through the end of 2019.
Two members of the MAGA stock group are also part of FANG, a term used widely on Wall Street to describe tech stocks Facebook , Amazon, Netflix and Google, whose parent's name is Alphabet .
Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft all hit new highs Tuesday.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Joe Biden can beat Trump — but he won't win the Democratic nomination, Paul Ryan says

ABU DHABI , United Arab Emirates — Former House Speaker and staunch Republican Paul Ryan sees only one Democrat capable of beating President Donald Trump in the 2020 election — but that candidate wo n't actually make it to the nomination , he contended at a panel event Tuesday .
`` I 'd say he 's probably the most likely one to have a chance at beating Donald Trump , but I do n't see Joe getting the nomination , I just do n't see him getting there .
I think it 's going be one of these progressives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to beat , '' he told CNBC 's Hadley Gamble at the annual Milken Conference in Abu Dhabi .
Speaking as a former congressman from Wisconsin , the one-time vice presidential hopeful outlined three key states the parties will have to fight over to win in 2020 : Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
In those states , particularly Ryan 's home state , `` I think Joe is probably the hardest to beat , because it 's going to come down to the suburban ( voter ) , it 's going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference-maker , '' he said .
Ryan , who is on the board of Fox News parent Fox Corp. , described that voter as typically a right-of-center , first-generation college-educated white-collar worker .
`` A first-generation Republican and they like Trump the idea , they like Trump the disruption — they do n't necessarily like the personality and the noise and the tweets that come with it , '' he said .
`` So they 'll be tempted to vote for what they think is a safe moderate — and I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will fall into that category , and is the likeliest to be able to win that voter , '' Ryan said .
But that 's only if Biden , former vice president and senator from Delaware , wins his party 's nomination .

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Former House Speaker and staunch Republican Paul Ryan sees only one Democrat capable of beating President Donald Trump in the 2020 election — but that candidate won't actually make it to the nomination, he contended at a panel event Tuesday.
"I'd say he's probably the most likely one to have a chance at beating Donald Trump, but I don't see Joe getting the nomination, I just don't see him getting there. I think it's going be one of these progressives, which I think will be much easier to beat," he told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the annual Milken Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking as a former congressman from Wisconsin, the one-time vice presidential hopeful outlined three key states the parties will have to fight over to win in 2020: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In those states, particularly Ryan's home state, "I think Joe is probably the hardest to beat, because it's going to come down to the suburban (voter), it's going to be the suburbanite that'll basically be the difference-maker," he said.
Ryan, who is on the board of Fox News parent Fox Corp., described that voter as typically a right-of-center, first-generation college-educated white-collar worker. "A first-generation Republican and they like Trump the idea, they like Trump the disruption — they don't necessarily like the personality and the noise and the tweets that come with it," he said.
"So they'll be tempted to vote for what they think is a safe moderate — and I think Joe Biden, it's all relative, will fall into that category, and is the likeliest to be able to win that voter," Ryan said. But that's only if Biden, former vice president and senator from Delaware, wins his party's nomination.


cnbc--2020-02-12--'A Frankenstein creation': Saudi prince says US peace plan takes away Palestine's heart and soul

President Donald Trump 's Middle East peace plan is a `` monstrous conception '' of a Palestinian state that is not going to progress any further , according to a former chief of Saudi intelligence .
The U.S. unveiled its long-awaited peace initiative for an Israeli-Palestinian deal with great fanfare late last month .
The proposal , which Trump delivered standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , would give Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict .
This includes the disputed city of Jerusalem and recognition of Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the occupied West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal outright , while Israel strongly supports it .
`` What I have seen so far of that deal is that it is trying to make of Palestine what I can call a Frankenstein creation , '' Saudi Arabia 's Prince Turki Al Faisal told CNBC 's Hadley Gamble at the Milken Institute MENA Summit in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday .
It is `` generally just a monstrous conception of a Palestinian state .
It 's rightful capital Jerusalem is stripped from it , so that takes away its heart , and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its soul . ''
`` So , it is not going to go very far — not only in our part of the world — but the whole world has rejected it , '' Al Faisal said .
In response , a U.S. administration official told CNBC that Al Faisal was `` no longer relevant and his comments are not aligned with the Saudi government . ''

President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan is a "monstrous conception" of a Palestinian state that is not going to progress any further, according to a former chief of Saudi intelligence.
The U.S. unveiled its long-awaited peace initiative for an Israeli-Palestinian deal with great fanfare late last month.
The proposal, which Trump delivered standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would give Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict. This includes the disputed city of Jerusalem and recognition of Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Palestine has rejected the U.S. proposal outright, while Israel strongly supports it.
"What I have seen so far of that deal is that it is trying to make of Palestine what I can call a Frankenstein creation," Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki Al Faisal told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the Milken Institute MENA Summit in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
It is "generally just a monstrous conception of a Palestinian state. It's rightful capital Jerusalem is stripped from it, so that takes away its heart, and its borders are undefined and that takes away its soul."
"So, it is not going to go very far — not only in our part of the world — but the whole world has rejected it," Al Faisal said.
In response, a U.S. administration official told CNBC that Al Faisal was "no longer relevant and his comments are not aligned with the Saudi government."


cnbc--2020-02-12--Joe Biden plans more TV appearances as he looks to rebound from Iowa, New Hampshire losses

Joe Biden is hoping a blitz of TV appearances will help him bounce back from disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Biden campaign officials told donors in a call Wednesday they plan to have the former vice president appear on more TV news and talk shows , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter .
They spoke on condition of anonymity because the briefing was deemed private .
The call came a day after Biden failed to capture a single delegate in the New Hampshire primary .
Biden , who had been considered the front-runner for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cycle , is looking to bounce back with stronger showings in the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29 .
Biden himself spoke on the call with donors and expressed confidence he would do better in Nevada and South Carolina , the people added .
The former vice president landed in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses , while he came in fifth in New Hampshire .
One of the donors on Wednesday 's call noted that they had seen deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asked whether Biden himself would be going on TV more often .
The donor remarked on the call that Bedingfield did well on TV and noticed Biden was recently getting on air more frequently , one of the people familiar with the call said .
This source noted that the donor was hoping to see that trend continue .
An advisor chimed in to say Biden has been getting on TV and that donors will be seeing him even more on air in the weeks ahead , these people added .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jill , are scheduled appear on ABC 's `` The View '' on Thursday .
Biden 's attempt to reassure donors comes as some of his loyal bundlers are becoming increasingly concerned that the campaign wo n't survive another loss like New Hampshire .
Biden has two big-money fundraising events scheduled for Thursday in New York .
Despite his recent struggles , the gatherings are expected to be at capacity , according to a person familiar with the matter .
The campaign needs the money .
Coming into 2020 , Biden had only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Sen. Bernie Sanders , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the money race .
Since he entered the campaign in April , Biden kept his TV appearances to a minimum .
Yet he showed up on more cable news shows as the New Hampshire vote approached and unfolded .
The TV blitz shows that the Biden campaign is determined to keep the former vice president on voters ' minds as he gears up for South Carolina .
The primary in the Palmetto State is a must-win for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , when more than a dozen states head to the polls .
This is at least the second briefing during the past two weeks during which the Biden campaign told donors that it expects major success in Nevada and South Carolina .
Biden 's donors were briefed last week after the Iowa caucuses .
Biden , vice president under President Barack Obama , has been a consistent favorite to win the Democratic primary in South Carolina , which has a large base of African American voters .
Yet billionaire candidate Tom Steyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign aggressively canvases there .

Joe Biden is hoping a blitz of TV appearances will help him bounce back from disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Biden campaign officials told donors in a call Wednesday they plan to have the former vice president appear on more TV news and talk shows, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the briefing was deemed private. The call came a day after Biden failed to capture a single delegate in the New Hampshire primary.
Biden, who had been considered the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination for much of the cycle, is looking to bounce back with stronger showings in the Nevada caucuses on Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29.
Biden himself spoke on the call with donors and expressed confidence he would do better in Nevada and South Carolina, the people added. The former vice president landed in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses, while he came in fifth in New Hampshire.
A spokesman for Biden declined to comment.
One of the donors on Wednesday's call noted that they had seen deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield on CNN and MSNBC earlier in the day and asked whether Biden himself would be going on TV more often.
The donor remarked on the call that Bedingfield did well on TV and noticed Biden was recently getting on air more frequently, one of the people familiar with the call said. This source noted that the donor was hoping to see that trend continue.
An advisor chimed in to say Biden has been getting on TV and that donors will be seeing him even more on air in the weeks ahead, these people added. The former vice president and his wife, Jill, are scheduled appear on ABC's "The View" on Thursday.
Biden's attempt to reassure donors comes as some of his loyal bundlers are becoming increasingly concerned that the campaign won't survive another loss like New Hampshire. Biden has two big-money fundraising events scheduled for Thursday in New York. Despite his recent struggles, the gatherings are expected to be at capacity, according to a person familiar with the matter. The campaign needs the money. Coming into 2020, Biden had only $8.9 million on hand and was behind Sen. Bernie Sanders, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the money race.
Since he entered the campaign in April, Biden kept his TV appearances to a minimum. Yet he showed up on more cable news shows as the New Hampshire vote approached and unfolded.
The TV blitz shows that the Biden campaign is determined to keep the former vice president on voters' minds as he gears up for South Carolina. The primary in the Palmetto State is a must-win for him prior to Super Tuesday, March 3, when more than a dozen states head to the polls.
This is at least the second briefing during the past two weeks during which the Biden campaign told donors that it expects major success in Nevada and South Carolina. Biden's donors were briefed last week after the Iowa caucuses.
Biden, vice president under President Barack Obama, has been a consistent favorite to win the Democratic primary in South Carolina, which has a large base of African American voters. Yet billionaire candidate Tom Steyer is looking to pull an upset as his campaign aggressively canvases there.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Judge rejects secret request for new trial by Roger Stone as Trump hints at possible pardon

Former advisor to US President Donald Trump , Roger Stone , waves as he arrives for a court hearing on March 14 , 2019 , in Washington DC .
A judge rejected Roger Stone 's previously secret request for a new criminal trial , according to a court filing unsealed Wednesday , as President Donald Trump said that his longtime friend and political advisor was treated `` very badly '' by prosecutors .
Those prosecutors `` ought to go back to school and learn , '' Trump fumed to reporters at the White House .
But Trump was coy when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Stone , who is due to be sentenced Feb. 20 in federal court in Washington , D.C. for lying to Congress and other crimes .
`` I do n't want to say yet , '' Trump replied .
`` But people were hurt , viciously and badly by these corrupt people . ''
On Tuesday night , Trump replied to a tweet from a supporter who wrote , `` Raise your hand if you believe it 's time for a FULL PARDON for Roger Stone and Michael Flynn . ''
A Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stone was convicted last fall of lying to Congress about his contacts with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election , and witness tampering for pressuring his associate , comedian Randy Credico , to endorse his lies .
Trump 's comments came as congressional Democrats accused him of improperly pressuring the Justice Department to sharply reduce a recommended prison sentence for Stone that had first been proposed Monday night by prosecutors directly involved in his case .
The career prosecutors had proposed a prison term of between seven to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone `` flagrantly '' lied to the House Intelligence Committee as it investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election , which included stealing emails from Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 's campaign chief , which were later released by WikiLeaks .
Those prosecutors on Tuesday quit the Stone case after learning that the Justice Department would urge a lighter prison term for him than what that had first recommended .
`` I want to thank the Justice Department , '' Trump said .
`` They saw the horribleness of a nine-year sentence for doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addicts , they do n't get nine years . ''
But , Trump added , `` I did n't speak to '' the department to get it to reduce the proposed sentence for Stone .
Timothy Shea , the new U.S. attorney for Washington , filed another sentencing memorandum Tuesday , calling for Stone to receive `` far less '' time behind bars than the original suggestion .
The Justice Department has said it decided to reduce the recommended sentence before Trump lashed out at the original proposal early Tuesday morning on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , '' Trump said when asked if he was worried about the prosecutors resigning from the case .
`` It was a whole hoax and a disgrace to our country , '' Trump said of the case against Stone .
`` He was treated very badly . ''

Former advisor to US President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, waves as he arrives for a court hearing on March 14, 2019, in Washington DC.
A judge rejected Roger Stone's previously secret request for a new criminal trial, according to a court filing unsealed Wednesday, as President Donald Trump said that his longtime friend and political advisor was treated "very badly" by prosecutors.
Those prosecutors "ought to go back to school and learn," Trump fumed to reporters at the White House.
But Trump was coy when asked if he was considering a pardon for Stone, who is due to be sentenced Feb. 20 in federal court in Washington, D.C. for lying to Congress and other crimes.
"I don't want to say yet," Trump replied. "But people were hurt, viciously and badly by these corrupt people."
On Tuesday night, Trump replied to a tweet from a supporter who wrote, "Raise your hand if you believe it's time for a FULL PARDON for Roger Stone and Michael Flynn."
"Prosecutorial Misconduct?" Trump responded.
A Republican operative who is a self-proclaimed dirty trickster, Stone was convicted last fall of lying to Congress about his contacts with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election, and witness tampering for pressuring his associate, comedian Randy Credico, to endorse his lies.
Trump's comments came as congressional Democrats accused him of improperly pressuring the Justice Department to sharply reduce a recommended prison sentence for Stone that had first been proposed Monday night by prosecutors directly involved in his case.
The career prosecutors had proposed a prison term of between seven to nine years for Stone, arguing that Stone "flagrantly" lied to the House Intelligence Committee as it investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, which included stealing emails from Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign chief, which were later released by WikiLeaks.
Those prosecutors on Tuesday quit the Stone case after learning that the Justice Department would urge a lighter prison term for him than what that had first recommended.
Tweet
"I want to thank the Justice Department," Trump said. "They saw the horribleness of a nine-year sentence for doing nothing. You have murderers and drug addicts, they don't get nine years."
But, Trump added, "I didn't speak to" the department to get it to reduce the proposed sentence for Stone.
Timothy Shea, the new U.S. attorney for Washington, filed another sentencing memorandum Tuesday, calling for Stone to receive "far less" time behind bars than the original suggestion.
The Justice Department has said it decided to reduce the recommended sentence before Trump lashed out at the original proposal early Tuesday morning on Twitter.
"I'm not concerned about anything," Trump said when asked if he was worried about the prosecutors resigning from the case.
"It was a whole hoax and a disgrace to our country," Trump said of the case against Stone. "He was treated very badly."


cnbc--2020-02-12--Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick drops out of the 2020 presidential race

Democratic presidential hopeful former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick speaks on stage at `` First in the West '' event in Las Vegas , Nevada on November 17 , 2019 .
Former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday , following the New Hampshire primary .
Patrick announced his bid to run for president on Nov. 14 , less than three months before nominating contests were set to begin .
He barely received support in either the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary .
`` The vote in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to create the practical wind at the campaign 's back to go on to the next round of voting , '' Patrick , 63 , said in a statement Wednesday .
`` So I have decided to suspend the campaign , effective immediately . ''
His departure , which follows Sen. Michael Bennet and Andrew Yang dropping out Tuesday night , leaves eight candidates in the Democratic primary field .
Also with Patrick and Yang suspending their campaigns , Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is now the only person of color remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traction in national polls , according to RealClearPolitics survey averages , and failed to qualify for Democratic debates .
He failed to register in the Iowa caucuses , the first 2020 primary contest , receiving 0 % of the vote and no delegates , NBC News reported .
In New Hampshire , he received just 0.4 % of the vote .
Read more : Bain Capital experience makes Patrick 's candidacy the 'longest of long shots , ' political strategist says The moderate Democrat came into the race with baggage from his time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capital , a private equity firm that counted Mitt Romney as a co-founder .
He joined in 2015 after leaving the governor 's office and stepped down just a day before announcing his presidential bid .
Rival candidates , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren , have criticized the industry for loading up companies with debt , forcing them into bankruptcy and eliminating jobs .
In a statement to CNBC in November , Patrick 's campaign defended the candidate 's work at Bain Capital , saying the Double Impact Fund that Patrick worked on while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies that target both social and environmental good . ''

Democratic presidential hopeful former Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick speaks on stage at "First in the West" event in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 17, 2019.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday, following the New Hampshire primary.
Patrick announced his bid to run for president on Nov. 14, less than three months before nominating contests were set to begin. He barely received support in either the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary.
"The vote in New Hampshire last night was not enough for us to create the practical wind at the campaign's back to go on to the next round of voting," Patrick, 63, said in a statement Wednesday. "So I have decided to suspend the campaign, effective immediately."
His departure, which follows Sen. Michael Bennet and Andrew Yang dropping out Tuesday night, leaves eight candidates in the Democratic primary field. Also with Patrick and Yang suspending their campaigns, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is now the only person of color remaining in the race.
Patrick never gained traction in national polls, according to RealClearPolitics survey averages, and failed to qualify for Democratic debates.
He failed to register in the Iowa caucuses, the first 2020 primary contest, receiving 0% of the vote and no delegates, NBC News reported. In New Hampshire, he received just 0.4% of the vote.
Read more: Bain Capital experience makes Patrick's candidacy the 'longest of long shots,' political strategist says
The moderate Democrat came into the race with baggage from his time as managing director of investment firm Bain Capital, a private equity firm that counted Mitt Romney as a co-founder. He joined in 2015 after leaving the governor's office and stepped down just a day before announcing his presidential bid.
Rival candidates, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have criticized the industry for loading up companies with debt, forcing them into bankruptcy and eliminating jobs.
In a statement to CNBC in November, Patrick's campaign defended the candidate's work at Bain Capital, saying the Double Impact Fund that Patrick worked on while at the firm "invested in mission-driven companies that target both social and environmental good."


cnbc--2020-02-12--Trump's India trip could help seal administration's next trade deal

India 's Prime Minister Narendra Modi ( L ) attends a meeting with US President Donald Trump during the G20 Osaka Summit in Osaka on June 28 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump is hoping to sign another trade deal before the 2020 election .
It could be with India , if he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can come to terms during Trump 's official trip to the country in less than two weeks .
Despite multiple attempts , the two countries ' trade teams have struggled to see eye to eye in countless meetings in Washington , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 18 months yielding no results .
`` I expect that the trade deal—which has been previewed for months , but apparently at last reaching a conclusion—will be a major focus of the visit , '' Alyssa Ayres , senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations said in an interview .
Experts say the constructs of the trade agreement — and whether it can even be called a trade deal — will be determined by the outcome of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer 's trip to India this week .
Defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the items said to be on the table , according to Eurasia analyst Akhil Bery .
The New York Times reported on Monday that India was preparing to buy U.S. military helicopters from Lockheed Martin for $ 2.6 billion ahead of Trump 's visit .
Since Modi was elected , the country has been steadily increasing its purchases of U.S. defense equipment .
`` [ Defense ] been an area of significant progress in the relationship , '' said Ayres .
In exchange for the purchase of 24 Seahawk helicopters , Jonah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. may roll back tariffs on select American exports .
`` The main deliverables are likely to include announcements of Indian purchases of US military hardware , particularly a $ 2.6 billion deal for 24 Seahawk ( MH-60R ) helicopters ; in return , the US may announce a year ( or more ) of duty-free waivers for some of the 2,000 products on which it levied tariffs last year , '' Blank said to CNBC .

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) attends a meeting with US President Donald Trump during the G20 Osaka Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019.
President Donald Trump is hoping to sign another trade deal before the 2020 election. It could be with India, if he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi can come to terms during Trump's official trip to the country in less than two weeks.
Despite multiple attempts, the two countries' trade teams have struggled to see eye to eye in countless meetings in Washington, New Delhi and New York held over the last 18 months yielding no results.
"I expect that the trade deal—which has been previewed for months, but apparently at last reaching a conclusion—will be a major focus of the visit," Alyssa Ayres, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations said in an interview.
Experts say the constructs of the trade agreement — and whether it can even be called a trade deal — will be determined by the outcome of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's trip to India this week.
Defense, energy, medical devices and agriculture are among the items said to be on the table, according to Eurasia analyst Akhil Bery.
The New York Times reported on Monday that India was preparing to buy U.S. military helicopters from Lockheed Martin for $2.6 billion ahead of Trump's visit. Since Modi was elected, the country has been steadily increasing its purchases of U.S. defense equipment.
"[Defense] been an area of significant progress in the relationship," said Ayres.
In exchange for the purchase of 24 Seahawk helicopters, Jonah Blank of Rand Corp. expects that the U.S. may roll back tariffs on select American exports.
"The main deliverables are likely to include announcements of Indian purchases of US military hardware, particularly a $2.6 billion deal for 24 Seahawk (MH-60R) helicopters; in return, the US may announce a year (or more) of duty-free waivers for some of the 2,000 products on which it levied tariffs last year," Blank said to CNBC.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Trump praises AG William Barr after Roger Stone sentencing reversal leads 4 prosecutors to quit

Roger Stone , departs following a status hearing in the criminal case against him brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller at U.S. District Court in Washington , U.S. , March 14 , 2019 .
On the same day , all four prosecutors involved in Stone 's trial dramatically quit the case in apparent protest of the about-face on the sentencing request .
One of those prosecutors resigned from the government altogether .
Hours later , the Justice Department said it would take the unusual step of revising the sentencing recommendation .
Timothy Shea , the new U.S. attorney for Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for Stone to receive `` far less '' time behind bars .
That proposal on Tuesday came under attack from Trump , who raged against not only the severe recommended sentence but also the judge overseeing Stone 's case .
Just two days earlier , prosecutors from the U.S. attorney 's office in Washington , D.C. , recommended that a judge give Stone a harsh sentence of between seven and nine years in prison .
Trump , in a tweet , congratulated the department 's chief , Attorney General William Barr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought . ''
President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to endorse the Justice Department 's controversial decision to overrule career prosecutors and recommend a shorter prison sentence for Trump 's longtime friend , Roger Stone , for crimes related to the 2016 presidential election .
U.S. President Donald Trump , left , speaks to William Barr , U.S. attorney general , during the 38th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 .
`` Attorney General William Barr should be ashamed and embarrassed and resign as a result of this action directly interfering in the independent prosecution of Roger Stone , '' Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , said Wednesday .
Blumenthal called Trump 's actions `` Simply the latest examples of political interference by the president to alter the independent decisions of the Department of Justice . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , speaking on the Senate floor , said , `` What is more swampy , what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the most powerful person in the country literally changing the rules to benefit a crony ? ''
Schumer has asked the Justice Department 's internal watchdog , Inspector General Michael Horowitz , to `` immediately investigate '' the decision to weaken Stone 's sentencing recommendation .
`` This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference in a criminal prosecution , '' Schumer wrote in a letter to Horowitz on Tuesday .
Stone , 67 , was convicted at trial last fall of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pressuring an associate , Randy Credico , to endorse his lies .
WikiLeaks during the election released emails stolen by Russian agents from the chief of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton 's campaign and from the Democratic National Committee .
The revised court filing did not recommend a specific prison term for Stone .
DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told NBC News that the reversal was made before Trump 's first tweets complaining about the initial sentencing request .
Wednesday morning on Twitter , the president also slammed the investigation in which Stone 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Mueller 's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign .
`` Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted .
Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress ! ''
Trump tweeted .
Mueller has not been credibly accused of lying during his testimony before Congress in July .
Trump also targeted the four prosecutors who withdrew from Stone 's case .
`` Who are the four prosecutors ( Mueller people ? )
who cut and ran after being exposed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a man that got caught up in an investigation that was illegal , the Mueller Scam , and should n't ever even have started ? ''
Trump tweeted .
But the prosecutors ' recommendation was not `` exposed . ''
Rather , it was submitted to the public court docket in Stone 's case , and was supported in a 26-page memo that stressed the seriousness of his offenses and the fact that he was fully aware of the crimes being committed .
Stone 's lawyers , in their own sentencing proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge to deliver a sentence of probation that would keep him out of prison .
Trump attacked that judge , Amy Berman Jackson , suggesting that she had treated former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort worse than notorious mobster Al Capone .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , who led Democrats ' impeachment efforts in Congress over Trump 's dealings with Ukraine , tore into Trump for putting his thumb on the scale in Stone 's case .
`` For the president now to intervene , through his attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are covering up his own this conduct is just an egregious violation of the rule of law , '' Schiff said Wednesday .
`` I think we are seeing a dismantling of the post-Watergate reforms , like nothing , we 've seen in decades , '' Schiff added .

Roger Stone, departs following a status hearing in the criminal case against him brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., March 14, 2019.
On the same day, all four prosecutors involved in Stone's trial dramatically quit the case in apparent protest of the about-face on the sentencing request. One of those prosecutors resigned from the government altogether.
Hours later, the Justice Department said it would take the unusual step of revising the sentencing recommendation. Timothy Shea, the new U.S. attorney for Washington, filed another sentencing memorandum Tuesday, calling for Stone to receive "far less" time behind bars.
That proposal on Tuesday came under attack from Trump, who raged against not only the severe recommended sentence but also the judge overseeing Stone's case.
Just two days earlier, prosecutors from the U.S. attorney's office in Washington, D.C., recommended that a judge give Stone a harsh sentence of between seven and nine years in prison.
Trump, in a tweet, congratulated the department's chief, Attorney General William Barr, "for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought."
President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to endorse the Justice Department's controversial decision to overrule career prosecutors and recommend a shorter prison sentence for Trump's longtime friend, Roger Stone, for crimes related to the 2016 presidential election.
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, speaks to William Barr, U.S. attorney general, during the 38th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., May 15, 2019.
Democrats condemned the Justice Department's move.
"Attorney General William Barr should be ashamed and embarrassed and resign as a result of this action directly interfering in the independent prosecution of Roger Stone," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Wednesday.
Blumenthal called Trump's actions "Simply the latest examples of political interference by the president to alter the independent decisions of the Department of Justice."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaking on the Senate floor, said, "What is more swampy, what is more fetid, what is more stinking than the most powerful person in the country literally changing the rules to benefit a crony?"
Schumer has asked the Justice Department's internal watchdog, Inspector General Michael Horowitz, to "immediately investigate" the decision to weaken Stone's sentencing recommendation.
"This situation has all the indicia of improper political interference in a criminal prosecution," Schumer wrote in a letter to Horowitz on Tuesday.
Stone, 67, was convicted at trial last fall of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election, and for pressuring an associate, Randy Credico, to endorse his lies. WikiLeaks during the election released emails stolen by Russian agents from the chief of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and from the Democratic National Committee.
The revised court filing did not recommend a specific prison term for Stone. DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told NBC News that the reversal was made before Trump's first tweets complaining about the initial sentencing request.
Wednesday morning on Twitter, the president also slammed the investigation in which Stone's charges were brought: former special counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign.
"Evidence now clearly shows that the Mueller Scam was improperly brought & tainted. Even Bob Mueller lied to Congress!" Trump tweeted. Mueller has not been credibly accused of lying during his testimony before Congress in July.
Trump also targeted the four prosecutors who withdrew from Stone's case.
"Who are the four prosecutors (Mueller people?) who cut and ran after being exposed for recommending a ridiculous 9 year prison sentence to a man that got caught up in an investigation that was illegal, the Mueller Scam, and shouldn't ever even have started?" Trump tweeted.
TWEET
But the prosecutors' recommendation was not "exposed." Rather, it was submitted to the public court docket in Stone's case, and was supported in a 26-page memo that stressed the seriousness of his offenses and the fact that he was fully aware of the crimes being committed.
Stone's lawyers, in their own sentencing proposal submitted late Monday night, had asked the judge to deliver a sentence of probation that would keep him out of prison.
Trump attacked that judge, Amy Berman Jackson, suggesting that she had treated former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort worse than notorious mobster Al Capone.
TWEET
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who led Democrats' impeachment efforts in Congress over Trump's dealings with Ukraine, tore into Trump for putting his thumb on the scale in Stone's case.
"For the president now to intervene, through his attorney general, to seek lighter sentences for people who are covering up his own this conduct is just an egregious violation of the rule of law," Schiff said Wednesday.
"I think we are seeing a dismantling of the post-Watergate reforms, like nothing, we've seen in decades," Schiff added.