cnbc--2020-02-12--Some Joe Biden donors are panicking after New Hampshire primary flop, but others remain hopeful

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden visits a polling station on the day of New Hampshire 's first-in-the-nation primary in Manchester , New Hampshire U.S. , February 11 , 2020 .
Joe Biden 's donors are divided over whether the former vice president can raise enough cash to persist in the Democratic presidential primary race following his weak showing in the New Hampshire primary .
Panic set in among some of Biden 's financiers on Wall Street and in other industries when it became clear Tuesday night that the one-time Democratic front-runner would n't hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates from the New Hampshire vote .
Other Biden supporters , however , shrugged off the lackluster showing while they wait and see what happens in the Nevada caucus Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary Feb. 29 .
Some Biden bundlers , who declined to be named due to concern about upsetting the campaign , told CNBC that members of their donor networks are already calling to say that the former vice president 's flop in the Granite State looks like an insurmountable hurdle .
These donors are also saying that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he continues under performing .
Biden finished the Iowa caucuses in fourth place and seemed headed for a fifth-place finish in New Hampshire behind Sen. Bernie Sanders , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
NBC News projected late Tuesday that Sanders had won the primary .
These Biden supporters were disappointed in how he failed to capture enough support from voters to capture a single delegate .
Warren also could n't meet the voter threshold in the state .
Biden has lost ground among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa has led to a bunch of previously undecided business executives to head toward his camp .
Since Iowa , Biden has seen a drop in polls nationally .
Sanders has overtaken him in the Real Clear Politics polling average .
One of the disappointed Biden fundraisers , who has known the former vice president for over a decade , said that failure in New Hampshire could indicate that disaster awaits Biden on Super Tuesday , which takes place March 3 .
More than a dozen states , including big prizes like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that day .
`` Even if we stay active for the next two races after another big loss , I suspect the remaining air will leak out of the balloon before Super Tuesday , '' this person said late Tuesday as results rolled in from New Hampshire .
Biden 's campaign has repeatedly said it expects to have their best showing in South Carolina , which has a much bigger black population than Iowa and New Hampshire , and to make inroads on Super Tuesday .
So far , polling has indicated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field among black Democrats , although recent polls show fellow moderate Mike Bloomberg and progressive Sanders cutting into that margin .
To compete in those states the Biden will need to have enough cash on hand , something it has struggled with throughout the 2020 election cycle .
At the end of the fourth quarter , Biden finished with $ 8.9 million on hand .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden visits a polling station on the day of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary in Manchester, New Hampshire U.S., February 11, 2020.
Joe Biden's donors are divided over whether the former vice president can raise enough cash to persist in the Democratic presidential primary race following his weak showing in the New Hampshire primary.
Panic set in among some of Biden's financiers on Wall Street and in other industries when it became clear Tuesday night that the one-time Democratic front-runner wouldn't hit the 15% threshold to score any delegates from the New Hampshire vote.
Other Biden supporters, however, shrugged off the lackluster showing while they wait and see what happens in the Nevada caucus Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary Feb. 29.
Some Biden bundlers, who declined to be named due to concern about upsetting the campaign, told CNBC that members of their donor networks are already calling to say that the former vice president's flop in the Granite State looks like an insurmountable hurdle. These donors are also saying that they will stop backing Biden's campaign if he continues under performing.
Biden finished the Iowa caucuses in fourth place and seemed headed for a fifth-place finish in New Hampshire behind Sen. Bernie Sanders, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. NBC News projected late Tuesday that Sanders had won the primary.
These Biden supporters were disappointed in how he failed to capture enough support from voters to capture a single delegate. Warren also couldn't meet the voter threshold in the state.
Biden has lost ground among donors and voters. Buttigieg's surge in Iowa has led to a bunch of previously undecided business executives to head toward his camp. Since Iowa, Biden has seen a drop in polls nationally. Sanders has overtaken him in the Real Clear Politics polling average.
One of the disappointed Biden fundraisers, who has known the former vice president for over a decade, said that failure in New Hampshire could indicate that disaster awaits Biden on Super Tuesday, which takes place March 3. More than a dozen states, including big prizes like Texas and California, hold their primaries that day.
"Even if we stay active for the next two races after another big loss, I suspect the remaining air will leak out of the balloon before Super Tuesday," this person said late Tuesday as results rolled in from New Hampshire.
Biden's campaign has repeatedly said it expects to have their best showing in South Carolina, which has a much bigger black population than Iowa and New Hampshire, and to make inroads on Super Tuesday. So far, polling has indicated that Biden enjoys the most support in the field among black Democrats, although recent polls show fellow moderate Mike Bloomberg and progressive Sanders cutting into that margin.
To compete in those states the Biden will need to have enough cash on hand, something it has struggled with throughout the 2020 election cycle. At the end of the fourth quarter, Biden finished with $8.9 million on hand.


cnbc--2020-02-12--Op-Ed: Here's why Joe Biden's campaign collapsed so quickly

What happened then to Biden is what 's happening to him now .
The more the voters get a look at the actual Joe Biden , and not just his resume , the less they like him .
We can focus all we want on policy statements , voting records , etc .
But in the end , the voters always choose the most persuasive candidate .
But anyone who really knew Biden and his personal political history also knew that we 've been in this place before with him .
On paper , Biden has always seemed more formidable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election day .
His short-lived previous presidential campaigns in 1988 and 2008 both ended with no primary victories or even top-two finishes .
The answer is Biden 's cachet in this election cycle has always been what people assumed his strengths would be .
A long-time senator and former vice president from a blue-collar state like Delaware was presumably a natural threat to President Donald Trump in the general election .
All the polls said so for what seemed like more than a year , did n't they ?
But the more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Why did Biden fall out of favor so quickly ?
Yes , there are a couple of examples of candidates who failed in Iowa and New Hampshire who went to win their party 's presidential nomination .
But none failed as spectacularly as Biden has .
After a humiliating fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary and an apparent fourth-place finish in Iowa , former Vice President Joe Biden 's presidential hopes are finished .
You can expect him to maybe stay in the race for another three weeks or so until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that 's about it .
Biden , other than his many U.S. Senate election wins in his tiny state of Delaware , has never been a very persuasive candidate for a wider selection of Democrats .
As long as his candidacy most closely mirrored that of a `` generic Democratic challenger '' to Trump , he was going to lead the field in the polls .
But once the voters got a closer look at the real Biden with his actual campaign persona , they quickly changed their minds just as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see an example of how Biden starts strong , but finishes weakly , just a few days ago in New Hampshire .
At a town hall campaign event , a Democratic Party voter asked told Biden she had a tough question for him .
Biden played it brilliantly at first , comically taking off his jacket as if he physically needed to prepare for the tougher question .
Then the woman proceeded to ask Biden if he could recover from his weak finish in Iowa .
Biden began by trying to explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he quickly asked the woman if she had ever been to a caucus .
When the woman answered that she had , Biden fell off the proverbial cliff , calling her a `` lying dog faced pony soldier . ''
It was bizarre and insulting , ( the woman told reporters she felt humiliated by the comment ) , despite the Biden campaign 's insistence that it was just a good-natured jibe .
The predictable effects of the impeachment process did n't help Biden , either .
Shining a repeated light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did receive a lucrative foreign job he was n't apparently qualified for certainly did n't help Biden 's brand .
With the impeachment trial wrapping up the same week as the Iowa caucuses and less than 10 days before New Hampshire was n't ideal for team Biden .
But Democrats will be foolish to put too much stock in the allegations against the Biden family as the reason for the former vice president 's latest campaign demise .
At best , the allegations of corruption are more like one of those fake excuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the real reason is they just do n't personally connect with him or her .
Biden 's lack of persuasive abilities outside of Delaware is what 's always doomed his White House aspirations .
A few more years of experience and opposing Trump were never going to change that .
More than three decades of history was staring the Democrats pushing Biden 's campaign all along , and they should have seen this coming .
Now , the big question is who will reel in those Biden defectors in the future primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lion 's share of Biden 's voters have swung to former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg with a decent share also going to Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota .
That development could be enough to derail the path to the nomination for Sen. Bernie Sanders .
But Sanders seems likely to pick up all or most of the voters still supporting Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's flagging campaign .
Some Biden supporters may also switch to Mike Bloomberg , but Bloomberg will now have to work harder to snatch them away from Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg 's challenges have just become harder because he 's squaring off against two Democrats claiming the `` moderate candidate '' mantle instead of just one .
All of the remaining Democrats still have to pass that all-important persuasion test .
Biden 's `` great pretender '' campaign is all but officially over , but his inevitable exit from the race will only make the harsh spotlight shine brighter on the remaining field .
It 's not clear yet whether the new contenders are going to be competitive for the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden 's fall .
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak News and former CNBC TV producer .
You can follow him on Twitter @ jakejakeny .

What happened then to Biden is what's happening to him now. The more the voters get a look at the actual Joe Biden, and not just his resume, the less they like him. We can focus all we want on policy statements, voting records, etc. But in the end, the voters always choose the most persuasive candidate.
But anyone who really knew Biden and his personal political history also knew that we've been in this place before with him. On paper, Biden has always seemed more formidable than he ends up being on primary election day. His short-lived previous presidential campaigns in 1988 and 2008 both ended with no primary victories or even top-two finishes.
The answer is Biden's cachet in this election cycle has always been what people assumed his strengths would be. A long-time senator and former vice president from a blue-collar state like Delaware was presumably a natural threat to President Donald Trump in the general election. All the polls said so for what seemed like more than a year, didn't they?
But the more important questions to answer are: What happened? Why did Biden fall out of favor so quickly?
Yes, there are a couple of examples of candidates who failed in Iowa and New Hampshire who went to win their party's presidential nomination. But none failed as spectacularly as Biden has.
After a humiliating fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary and an apparent fourth-place finish in Iowa, former Vice President Joe Biden's presidential hopes are finished. You can expect him to maybe stay in the race for another three weeks or so until the Super Tuesday primaries are over, but that's about it.
Biden, other than his many U.S. Senate election wins in his tiny state of Delaware, has never been a very persuasive candidate for a wider selection of Democrats. As long as his candidacy most closely mirrored that of a "generic Democratic challenger" to Trump, he was going to lead the field in the polls. But once the voters got a closer look at the real Biden with his actual campaign persona, they quickly changed their minds just as they always have.
All of us got to see an example of how Biden starts strong, but finishes weakly, just a few days ago in New Hampshire. At a town hall campaign event, a Democratic Party voter asked told Biden she had a tough question for him. Biden played it brilliantly at first, comically taking off his jacket as if he physically needed to prepare for the tougher question.
Then the woman proceeded to ask Biden if he could recover from his weak finish in Iowa. Biden began by trying to explain that Iowa's caucus system is different and he quickly asked the woman if she had ever been to a caucus. When the woman answered that she had, Biden fell off the proverbial cliff, calling her a "lying dog faced pony soldier." It was bizarre and insulting, (the woman told reporters she felt humiliated by the comment), despite the Biden campaign's insistence that it was just a good-natured jibe.
The predictable effects of the impeachment process didn't help Biden, either. Shining a repeated light on the fact that Biden's son Hunter did receive a lucrative foreign job he wasn't apparently qualified for certainly didn't help Biden's brand. With the impeachment trial wrapping up the same week as the Iowa caucuses and less than 10 days before New Hampshire wasn't ideal for team Biden.
But Democrats will be foolish to put too much stock in the allegations against the Biden family as the reason for the former vice president's latest campaign demise. At best, the allegations of corruption are more like one of those fake excuses people use for not choosing a candidate when the real reason is they just don't personally connect with him or her.
Biden's lack of persuasive abilities outside of Delaware is what's always doomed his White House aspirations. A few more years of experience and opposing Trump were never going to change that. More than three decades of history was staring the Democrats pushing Biden's campaign all along, and they should have seen this coming.
Now, the big question is who will reel in those Biden defectors in the future primary races. So far, it appears the lion's share of Biden's voters have swung to former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg with a decent share also going to Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. That development could be enough to derail the path to the nomination for Sen. Bernie Sanders. But Sanders seems likely to pick up all or most of the voters still supporting Sen. Elizabeth Warren's flagging campaign.
Some Biden supporters may also switch to Mike Bloomberg, but Bloomberg will now have to work harder to snatch them away from Buttigieg and Klobuchar. In some ways, Bloomberg's challenges have just become harder because he's squaring off against two Democrats claiming the "moderate candidate" mantle instead of just one.
All of the remaining Democrats still have to pass that all-important persuasion test. Biden's "great pretender" campaign is all but officially over, but his inevitable exit from the race will only make the harsh spotlight shine brighter on the remaining field. It's not clear yet whether the new contenders are going to be competitive for the rest of the primaries, or just the temporary beneficiaries of Biden's fall.
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak News and former CNBC TV producer. You can follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.


cnbc--2020-02-13--Trump and Bloomberg escalate their personal war on the campaign trail

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg a `` mass of dead energy '' and `` a loser '' on Thursday in a series of rancorous , personal tweets .
The former New York mayor then did something few Democratic presidential candidates have been willing to , so far : Respond in kind .
The back-and-forth barbs represent an escalation of what is already a deeply personal clash between Bloomberg and Trump , two New York billionaires who for decades belonged to elite Manhattan social circles .
Bloomberg has yet to appear on a single presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending , growing online meme operation , rising poll numbers and personal biography appear to be making him an especially worrisome opponent to Trump .
The president has tweeted more about Bloomberg in recent weeks than about any other Democratic candidate .
Since Tuesday , Trump has tweeted insults about Bloomberg at least five times , mocking his golf game , his height , and his debating skills .
( Bloomberg is 5 ' 8 , '' and Trump is 6 ' 3 '' . )
During the same period , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Democratic nomination .
Instead he has focused his tweets on his recent impeachment and on the prison sentence prosecutors recommended for his longtime friend and political advisor , Roger Stone , who was convicted late last year of seven felonies in connection with his activities during the 2016 presidential race .
But as Trump increasingly shifts his energy toward his reelection campaign , the prospect of running against Bloomberg is clearly preoccupying the president .
Bloomberg is willing and able to fight Trump on the same battlefields where Trump has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mudslinging , attention-getting attacks and unbridled competitiveness .
On both the campaign trail and in private , Trump touts his personal wealth as evidence of his superior intelligence and his business acumen .
He also revels in his ability to fire off personal insults at his opponents , insults he then uses to animate his supporters at massive rallies .
Trump also prides himself on his willingness to attack his opponents more viciously , and often effectively , than they attack him .
In Bloomberg , however , Trump faces a direct challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political career , including his use of personal wealth as a measuring stick for power and importance , as well as his insistence that success in the private sector correlates directly to success in the White House .
Bloomberg 's net worth of just over $ 60 billion dwarfs Trump 's , which Forbes estimates at $ 3.1 billion .
It even dwarfs Trump 's most exaggerated claims about his wealth , which typically top out at $ 10 billion .
No other presidential candidate in modern times has had more money than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg willing to pour his own fortune into defeating Trump , he 's also in a unique position to turn Trump 's implied argument , that the richest person in the room is the best person , against him .
On Thursday , Bloomberg responded further to Trump during a campaign stop in North Carolina .
`` We all know that Donald Trump is a bully , '' Bloomberg told attendees .
`` But he 's from New York and I 'm from New York , and I know how to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Somebody said , 'You know that he 's tall , ' and he calls me little Mike .
And the answer is , 'Donald , where I come from , we measure your height from your neck up . '
'' Even referring to Trump by his first name is a not-so-subtle reminder that Bloomberg has known Trump personally for decades .
It 's a safe bet that Trump 's attacks on Bloomberg will only escalate if Bloomberg continues to rise in the polls .
A new Morning Consult survey released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primary voters nationwide , only a point behind onetime front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , a self-described democratic socialist , is at the top of the poll .
Bloomberg 's strong showing comes even as the former mayor skips the first four states of the 2020 primary race and focuses instead on winning over voters in the states holding primaries on Super Tuesday , March 3 , and beyond .
Recent surveys show Bloomberg polling at No .
1 in Arkansas , which has its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, in Florida , which goes to the polls March 17 .

Michael Bloomberg and Donald Trump Getty Images
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg a "mass of dead energy" and "a loser" on Thursday in a series of rancorous, personal tweets. The former New York mayor then did something few Democratic presidential candidates have been willing to, so far: Respond in kind. In a tweet quoting Trump's insult, Bloomberg called the president a "carnival barking clown." Bloomberg tweet The back-and-forth barbs represent an escalation of what is already a deeply personal clash between Bloomberg and Trump, two New York billionaires who for decades belonged to elite Manhattan social circles. Bloomberg has yet to appear on a single presidential primary ballot, but his massive ad spending, growing online meme operation, rising poll numbers and personal biography appear to be making him an especially worrisome opponent to Trump. The president has tweeted more about Bloomberg in recent weeks than about any other Democratic candidate. Since Tuesday, Trump has tweeted insults about Bloomberg at least five times, mocking his golf game, his height, and his debating skills. (Bloomberg is 5' 8," and Trump is 6'3".)
During the same period, Trump has barely mentioned any of the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination. Instead he has focused his tweets on his recent impeachment and on the prison sentence prosecutors recommended for his longtime friend and political advisor, Roger Stone, who was convicted late last year of seven felonies in connection with his activities during the 2016 presidential race. But as Trump increasingly shifts his energy toward his reelection campaign, the prospect of running against Bloomberg is clearly preoccupying the president. Bloomberg is willing and able to fight Trump on the same battlefields where Trump has always outdone his opponents: Net worth, mudslinging, attention-getting attacks and unbridled competitiveness. On both the campaign trail and in private, Trump touts his personal wealth as evidence of his superior intelligence and his business acumen. He also revels in his ability to fire off personal insults at his opponents, insults he then uses to animate his supporters at massive rallies. Trump also prides himself on his willingness to attack his opponents more viciously, and often effectively, than they attack him. In Bloomberg, however, Trump faces a direct challenge to core principles that underpin his entire political career, including his use of personal wealth as a measuring stick for power and importance, as well as his insistence that success in the private sector correlates directly to success in the White House.
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Bloomberg's net worth of just over $60 billion dwarfs Trump's, which Forbes estimates at $3.1 billion. It even dwarfs Trump's most exaggerated claims about his wealth, which typically top out at $10 billion. No other presidential candidate in modern times has had more money than Bloomberg does. And not only is Bloomberg willing to pour his own fortune into defeating Trump, he's also in a unique position to turn Trump's implied argument, that the richest person in the room is the best person, against him. On Thursday, Bloomberg responded further to Trump during a campaign stop in North Carolina. "We all know that Donald Trump is a bully," Bloomberg told attendees. "But he's from New York and I'm from New York, and I know how to deal with New York bullies." Bloomberg added: "Somebody said, 'You know that he's tall,' and he calls me little Mike. And the answer is, 'Donald, where I come from, we measure your height from your neck up.'" Even referring to Trump by his first name is a not-so-subtle reminder that Bloomberg has known Trump personally for decades. It's a safe bet that Trump's attacks on Bloomberg will only escalate if Bloomberg continues to rise in the polls. A new Morning Consult survey released Thursday showed Bloomberg winning 17% of Democratic primary voters nationwide, only a point behind onetime front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-described democratic socialist, is at the top of the poll. Bloomberg's strong showing comes even as the former mayor skips the first four states of the 2020 primary race and focuses instead on winning over voters in the states holding primaries on Super Tuesday, March 3, and beyond. Recent surveys show Bloomberg polling at No. 1 in Arkansas, which has its primary on Super Tuesday, and surpassing rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in Florida, which goes to the polls March 17.


cnbc--2020-02-13--Joe Biden to host more than 250 donors from Wall Street, big business at NYC fundraisers – here's th

Joe Biden to host more than 250 donors from Wall Street, big business at NYC fundraisers – here's the guest list

Joe Biden is set to rally more than 250 Wall Street and big-money donors Thursday at a pair of fundraisers in New York after his presidential campaign stumbled in Iowa and New Hampshire .
A guest list , first obtained by CNBC , shows that the events will draw some of the biggest names in the financial services community to Biden 's side , despite his campaign 's recent struggles .
Biden landed in fifth place in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday and finished fourth in last week 's Iowa caucuses .
Biden 's campaign is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two gatherings .
The list shows names such as former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack , Centerview Partners ' Alan Hartman , Citigroup executive Ray McGuire , Blackstone operating chief Jonathan Gray , Snap Chairman Michael Lynton and former Obama economic advisor Jeffrey Zients , who is also the president of private equity firm Cranemere Group .
Attendees also include Goldman Sachs chief spokesman Jake Siewert , along with his wife , Christine Anderson , who is the head of public affairs at Blackstone .
Jonathan Henes , Sen. Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now backing Biden , and Mark Gallogly , a co-founder of Centerbridge Partners , are listed to attend .
The first gathering is set to take place at Sarabeth 's restaurant earlier in the day in Manhattan and the second event will be at the nearby Wayfarer restaurant , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter , who declined to be named as these decisions are made in private .
The guest list shows there will be at least 280 attendees split between the two events and each have contributed $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped out of attending , these people noted .
There are many others who donated that same amount but could not attend , these people added .
A spokesman for Biden did not respond to a request for comment .
The fundraisers come at a key moment for Biden 's campaign .
They indicate that the former vice president still has the support and at least some confidence of big-money donors on Wall Street and in other industries .
Biden is going to need to keep raking in the cash to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary Feb. 29 and to perform well during the 14 primaries on Super Tuesday , March 3 .
Biden came into 2020 with $ 8.9 million on hand , behind the totals for top rivals Sens .
Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Yet the donors ' support might not be guaranteed for long .
Many of the Thursday attendees have privately acknowledged that they would throw their support toward former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Nevada caucuses Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary .
The donors would n't have to spend any money to support Bloomberg directly .
Bloomberg , who has a net worth of over $ 61 billion , has been self-financing his operation .
Bloomberg , as CNBC first reported , huddled in December with some of the people who are slated to attend the Thursday events for Biden .
At the time , Bloomberg and his team explained to the donors their anticipated path to victory .
The Bloomberg team 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for winning primaries in swing states Michigan , Ohio , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Those states ' primary contests are scheduled for March and April .
Biden , meanwhile , is looking for a comeback after being the de facto front-runner for much of the cycle leading up to the Iowa caucuses .
His campaign signaled to donors on a Wednesday conference call that the former vice president will increase his presence on TV in order to have better luck getting his message out to voters .
On Thursday , Biden told `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising $ 400,000 online per day since the beginning of February .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden addresses the crowd during a South Carolina campaign launch party on February 11, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. Sean Rayford | Getty Images
Joe Biden is set to rally more than 250 Wall Street and big-money donors Thursday at a pair of fundraisers in New York after his presidential campaign stumbled in Iowa and New Hampshire. A guest list, first obtained by CNBC, shows that the events will draw some of the biggest names in the financial services community to Biden's side, despite his campaign's recent struggles. Biden landed in fifth place in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday and finished fourth in last week's Iowa caucuses. Biden's campaign is expected to raise at least $1 million between the two gatherings. The list shows names such as former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack, Centerview Partners' Alan Hartman, Citigroup executive Ray McGuire, Blackstone operating chief Jonathan Gray, Snap Chairman Michael Lynton and former Obama economic advisor Jeffrey Zients, who is also the president of private equity firm Cranemere Group. Attendees also include Goldman Sachs chief spokesman Jake Siewert, along with his wife, Christine Anderson, who is the head of public affairs at Blackstone. Jonathan Henes, Sen. Kamala Harris' former national finance chair who is now backing Biden, and Mark Gallogly, a co-founder of Centerbridge Partners, are listed to attend.
The first gathering is set to take place at Sarabeth's restaurant earlier in the day in Manhattan and the second event will be at the nearby Wayfarer restaurant, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter, who declined to be named as these decisions are made in private. The guest list shows there will be at least 280 attendees split between the two events and each have contributed $2,800 to gain entrance. Nobody has dropped out of attending, these people noted. There are many others who donated that same amount but could not attend, these people added. A spokesman for Biden did not respond to a request for comment. The fundraisers come at a key moment for Biden's campaign. They indicate that the former vice president still has the support and at least some confidence of big-money donors on Wall Street and in other industries. Biden is going to need to keep raking in the cash to have the necessary resources to win the South Carolina primary Feb. 29 and to perform well during the 14 primaries on Super Tuesday, March 3. Biden came into 2020 with $8.9 million on hand, behind the totals for top rivals Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Bloomberg looms over Biden
Yet the donors' support might not be guaranteed for long. Many of the Thursday attendees have privately acknowledged that they would throw their support toward former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's campaign if Biden doesn't have success in the Nevada caucuses Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary. The donors wouldn't have to spend any money to support Bloomberg directly. Bloomberg, who has a net worth of over $61 billion, has been self-financing his operation. Bloomberg, as CNBC first reported, huddled in December with some of the people who are slated to attend the Thursday events for Biden. At the time, Bloomberg and his team explained to the donors their anticipated path to victory. The Bloomberg team's pitch focused on the candidate's prospects for winning primaries in swing states Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Those states' primary contests are scheduled for March and April. Biden, meanwhile, is looking for a comeback after being the de facto front-runner for much of the cycle leading up to the Iowa caucuses. His campaign signaled to donors on a Wednesday conference call that the former vice president will increase his presence on TV in order to have better luck getting his message out to voters. On Thursday, Biden told "The View" that he's been raising $400,000 online per day since the beginning of February.
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cnbc--2020-02-13--Anti-Trump social media posts by Roger Stone jury forewoman fuel controversy in case

Roger Stone , former adviser to Donald Trump 's presidential campaign , and his wife Nydia Stone arrive at federal court in Washington , D.C. , on Monday , Nov. 4 , 2019 .
Lawyers for President Donald Trump 's longtime friend and advisor Roger Stone are eyeing anti-Trump and other social media posts by a woman who says she served as the forewoman of the jury in his case .
Stone in November was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering .
The posts by the forewoman , Tomeka Hart , which included one referring to Stone 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day he was convicted , came to light Wednesday night and added more fuel to a firestorm of controversy over the upcoming sentencing of the Republican operative .
Trump himself on Thursday morning in a Twitter post called out Hart , a Democrat who once ran for Congress , for what he said appeared to be her `` significant bias . ''
Trump has repeatedly blasted the prosecution of his former advisor Stone , and has refused to rule out pardoning him .
One of Stone 's lawyers , Grant Smith , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are reviewing all of the recently posted new information , and we will evaluate and take the appropriate action . ''
Smith declined to say whether such action could include a request for a new trial for Stone , who is due to be sentenced Feb. 20 .
Joseph Tacopina , a New York criminal defense lawyer who is not connected to the case , told CNBC that getting a judge to grant Stone a new trial based on Hart 's posts is `` going to be monumentally difficult . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ value , it does n't rise to the level of automatic reversal , '' Tacopina said .
He said the defense would face extremely long odds of getting a new trial if it could be shown that Hart did not give false statements during jury selection , and if her social media posts could have been discovered by Stone 's lawyers during the selection process but failed to do so .
Michael Caputo , a New York Republican strategist who worked on Trump 's 2016 campaign , and a friend of Stone 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he closely watched Hart from the moment she disclosed in jury selection that she had once run for Congress until the verdict came in .
`` `` She said [ during jury seletction that ] Donald Trump did n't interest her that much and felt that she could be fair considering justice for one of his aides , '' Caputo recalled .
`` We suspected that she was biased , '' Caputo said , referring to himself and Stone 's family .
`` When I heard that she was selected the foreman I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` I was stunned '' to learn that Hart had public social media posts critical of Trump that were not discovered or raised by the defense during jury selection in an effort to keep Hart off the panel .
`` If this was n't discovered it means it was n't sought , '' Caputo said .
Caputo , who has organized a committee to push Trump to pardon Stone , said that Stone 's sentencing should be postponed pending an inquiry into Hart 's answers during jury selection .
Hart did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her Facebook page was deactivated as of Thursday morning , but her Twitter account remained public .
Hart 's LinkedIn page identifies her as a senior program officer at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
She previously served as president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League , and on the Memphis , Tenn. , school board .
CNN reported Wednesday that Hart , in a Facebook post this week , said she wanted to `` stand up '' for the four prosecutors who quit Stone 's case after the Department of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone serve between seven and nine years in prison .
The DOJ 's move , which came after Trump harshly criticized the first recommendation , outraged congressional Democrats , who accused Trump of improper political interference in the department by pushing for a lighter sentence for Stone .

Roger Stone, former adviser to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, and his wife Nydia Stone arrive at federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019.
Lawyers for President Donald Trump's longtime friend and advisor Roger Stone are eyeing anti-Trump and other social media posts by a woman who says she served as the forewoman of the jury in his case.
Stone in November was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering.
The posts by the forewoman, Tomeka Hart, which included one referring to Stone's arrest last year and one made the day he was convicted, came to light Wednesday night and added more fuel to a firestorm of controversy over the upcoming sentencing of the Republican operative.
Trump himself on Thursday morning in a Twitter post called out Hart, a Democrat who once ran for Congress, for what he said appeared to be her "significant bias."
Trump has repeatedly blasted the prosecution of his former advisor Stone, and has refused to rule out pardoning him.
Tweet
One of Stone's lawyers, Grant Smith, in an interview with CNBC, said, "We are reviewing all of the recently posted new information, and we will evaluate and take the appropriate action."
Smith declined to say whether such action could include a request for a new trial for Stone, who is due to be sentenced Feb. 20.
Joseph Tacopina, a New York criminal defense lawyer who is not connected to the case, told CNBC that getting a judge to grant Stone a new trial based on Hart's posts is "going to be monumentally difficult."
"Even taking her posts at face value, it doesn't rise to the level of automatic reversal," Tacopina said.
He said the defense would face extremely long odds of getting a new trial if it could be shown that Hart did not give false statements during jury selection, and if her social media posts could have been discovered by Stone's lawyers during the selection process but failed to do so.
Michael Caputo, a New York Republican strategist who worked on Trump's 2016 campaign, and a friend of Stone's, told CNBC that during the trial he closely watched Hart from the moment she disclosed in jury selection that she had once run for Congress until the verdict came in.
""She said [during jury seletction that] Donald Trump didn't interest her that much and felt that she could be fair considering justice for one of his aides," Caputo recalled.
"We suspected that she was biased," Caputo said, referring to himself and Stone's family. "When I heard that she was selected the foreman I expected the worst."
Caputo said that "I was stunned" to learn that Hart had public social media posts critical of Trump that were not discovered or raised by the defense during jury selection in an effort to keep Hart off the panel.
"If this wasn't discovered it means it wasn't sought," Caputo said.
Caputo, who has organized a committee to push Trump to pardon Stone, said that Stone's sentencing should be postponed pending an inquiry into Hart's answers during jury selection.
Hart did not immediately return a request for comment.
Her Facebook page was deactivated as of Thursday morning, but her Twitter account remained public.
Hart's LinkedIn page identifies her as a senior program officer at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She previously served as president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League, and on the Memphis, Tenn., school board.
CNN reported Wednesday that Hart, in a Facebook post this week, said she wanted to "stand up" for the four prosecutors who quit Stone's case after the Department of Justice said it would reduce their recommendation that Stone serve between seven and nine years in prison.
The DOJ's move, which came after Trump harshly criticized the first recommendation, outraged congressional Democrats, who accused Trump of improper political interference in the department by pushing for a lighter sentence for Stone.


cnbc--2020-02-13--Here are the winners and losers of the Trump tax cuts

As taxpayers roll into the second tax-filing season under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , one question remains : `` Will I come out ahead in 2019 ? ''
The IRS began accepting 2019 tax returns on Jan. 27 and anticipates it will receive more than 150 million individual returns this year .
Thus far , the agency has delivered 4.3 million refunds to early-bird filers , distributing an average check of $ 1,869 to those households , according to IRS data for the week of Jan. 31 .
More from Smart Tax Planning : Trump wants to extend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for you One in 5 fear they 'll owe the IRS money this spring Tax season is here !
What you need to make it easy Resist the urge to use the refund to determine whether you 're ultimately benefitting from the 2018 tax overhaul .
The check you get back from Uncle Sam only tells part of the story .
`` The number of people who think they 're worse off versus those who are actually worse off is driven by this perception of whether the refund went up or down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Zollars & Lynch in Phoenix .
`` I 'm looking at returns , and I 'll say a majority of people saved on taxes , but I will not say that a majority of people saw their refunds go higher , '' he said .
`` That 's where the disconnect is . ''
Here 's who came out ahead and how to determine whether you 're a winner .
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act trimmed individual tax rates overall , lowering the top rate to 37 % from 39.6 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as their income tax rates declined to 21 % from 35 % .
At the same time , the standard deduction for single filers went up to $ 12,000 in 2018 from $ 6,350 in 2017 ( married filers with joint returns saw their standard deduction rise to $ 24,000 from $ 12,700 ) .
The 2018 tax overhaul also curbed certain itemized deductions .
It also did away with personal exemptions , which once were $ 4,050 for yourself and each dependent in your household .
Due to the higher standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returns .
More than 14.6 million individual income tax returns claimed itemized deductions , such as charitable giving write-offs and property taxes paid , during the 2018 tax year , according to IRS data through July 25 , 2019 – the most recent figures available .
In comparison , 42.2 million returns filed for the 2017 tax year used itemized deductions , according to IRS data through July 25 , 2018 .
The right withholding is key Hefty refund checks suggest that you overpaid Uncle Sam during the prior year .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Sure , you can have a bigger refund , but you 're going to have less money in your pocket , '' said Joseph Perry , national tax and business services leader at Marcum LLP .
Meanwhile , a balance due means you had too few taxes withheld from your pay — a situation some taxpayers found themselves in after the Treasury Department and IRS overhauled the tax withholding tables for the new law .
`` Your refund or taxes due on April 15 is n't really your tax , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for the year . ''
To see how you really fared in the prior year , look at your tax liability .
That means examining line 16 of your 2019 Form 1040 and comparing it to line 15 of your 2018 individual income tax return .
Winners : high earners who formerly paid the AMT Under the old law , taxpayers with higher incomes were subject to something known as the alternative minimum tax .
These filers would calculate their income tax liability twice : once under the ordinary rules and again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you from claiming certain write-offs and itemized deductions .
You would then look at your liabilities under the ordinary rules and the AMT and pay whichever tax was the highest .
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised the 2018 AMT exemption to $ 109,400 for married taxpayers , from $ 84,500 .
For single filers , the exemption rose to $ 70,300 , from $ 54,300 .
The AMT tweak is forecast to reduce the number of people paying the AMT to 200,000 per year through 2025 – which is when this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in 2017 , prior to the tax overhaul , the Tax Policy Center found .
`` Under today 's laws , it 's highly unlikely you 'll be in the AMT , said Jeffrey Levine , CPA and CEO of BluePrint Wealth Alliance in Garden City , New York .
The upside of residing in states with high income and property taxes — including New Jersey , New York and California — was that you could write off tens of thousands of dollars in state and local levies ( known as SALT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For instance , New Yorkers who itemized returns in 2017 claimed an average state and local tax deduction of $ 23,804 , according to the Tax Policy Center .
Under the new law , that write-off has been limited to $ 10,000 .
`` You can argue that those who live in Florida or in other low or zero state tax places fared better compared to high-tax states , '' said John Voltaggio , CPA and managing director at Northern Trust .
Be aware that if you were hit by the AMT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably not benefiting from the SALT deduction , either .
`` They were n't able to deduct it anyway because of AMT , '' Voltaggio said .

skynesher
As taxpayers roll into the second tax-filing season under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, one question remains: "Will I come out ahead in 2019?" The IRS began accepting 2019 tax returns on Jan. 27 and anticipates it will receive more than 150 million individual returns this year. Thus far, the agency has delivered 4.3 million refunds to early-bird filers, distributing an average check of $1,869 to those households, according to IRS data for the week of Jan. 31. More from Smart Tax Planning:
Trump wants to extend his tax overhaul. What it means for you
One in 5 fear they'll owe the IRS money this spring
Tax season is here! What you need to make it easy Resist the urge to use the refund to determine whether you're ultimately benefitting from the 2018 tax overhaul. The check you get back from Uncle Sam only tells part of the story. "The number of people who think they're worse off versus those who are actually worse off is driven by this perception of whether the refund went up or down," said Ed Zollars, CPA at Thomas Zollars & Lynch in Phoenix. "I'm looking at returns, and I'll say a majority of people saved on taxes, but I will not say that a majority of people saw their refunds go higher," he said. "That's where the disconnect is." Here's who came out ahead and how to determine whether you're a winner.
Lower rates, higher standard deduction
watch now
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act trimmed individual tax rates overall, lowering the top rate to 37% from 39.6%. Corporations also saw their levies fall, as their income tax rates declined to 21% from 35%. At the same time, the standard deduction for single filers went up to $12,000 in 2018 from $6,350 in 2017 (married filers with joint returns saw their standard deduction rise to $24,000 from $12,700). The 2018 tax overhaul also curbed certain itemized deductions. It also did away with personal exemptions, which once were $4,050 for yourself and each dependent in your household. Due to the higher standard deduction, fewer people itemized on their returns. More than 14.6 million individual income tax returns claimed itemized deductions, such as charitable giving write-offs and property taxes paid, during the 2018 tax year, according to IRS data through July 25, 2019 – the most recent figures available. In comparison, 42.2 million returns filed for the 2017 tax year used itemized deductions, according to IRS data through July 25, 2018.
The right withholding is key
Maskot
Hefty refund checks suggest that you overpaid Uncle Sam during the prior year. It also means you took home less money. "Sure, you can have a bigger refund, but you're going to have less money in your pocket," said Joseph Perry, national tax and business services leader at Marcum LLP. Meanwhile, a balance due means you had too few taxes withheld from your pay — a situation some taxpayers found themselves in after the Treasury Department and IRS overhauled the tax withholding tables for the new law.
watch now
"Your refund or taxes due on April 15 isn't really your tax," said Zollars. "You're just truing up for the year." To see how you really fared in the prior year, look at your tax liability. That means examining line 16 of your 2019 Form 1040 and comparing it to line 15 of your 2018 individual income tax return.
Winners: high earners who formerly paid the AMT
pixelfit | E+ | Getty Images
Under the old law, taxpayers with higher incomes were subject to something known as the alternative minimum tax. These filers would calculate their income tax liability twice: once under the ordinary rules and again with the AMT, which would bar you from claiming certain write-offs and itemized deductions. You would then look at your liabilities under the ordinary rules and the AMT and pay whichever tax was the highest.
The number of people who think they're worse off versus those who are actually worse off is driven by this perception of whether the refund went up or down. Ed Zollars CPA at Thomas Zollars & Lynch
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised the 2018 AMT exemption to $109,400 for married taxpayers, from $84,500. For single filers, the exemption rose to $70,300, from $54,300. The AMT tweak is forecast to reduce the number of people paying the AMT to 200,000 per year through 2025 – which is when this change will expire — compared to 5 million in 2017, prior to the tax overhaul, the Tax Policy Center found. "Under today's laws, it's highly unlikely you'll be in the AMT, said Jeffrey Levine, CPA and CEO of BluePrint Wealth Alliance in Garden City, New York.
Losers: residents of high-tax states
Asbury Park, New Jersey Gesine Stross | Getty Images
The upside of residing in states with high income and property taxes — including New Jersey, New York and California — was that you could write off tens of thousands of dollars in state and local levies (known as SALT) if you itemized your tax return. For instance, New Yorkers who itemized returns in 2017 claimed an average state and local tax deduction of $23,804, according to the Tax Policy Center. Under the new law, that write-off has been limited to $10,000. "You can argue that those who live in Florida or in other low or zero state tax places fared better compared to high-tax states," said John Voltaggio, CPA and managing director at Northern Trust. Be aware that if you were hit by the AMT under the old law, you were probably not benefiting from the SALT deduction, either. "They weren't able to deduct it anyway because of AMT," Voltaggio said.
Winners: families with kids under 17
ArtisticCaptures
The 2018 tax overhaul doubled the child tax credit to $2,000 per kid under age 17. Higher-income households are also able to claim this break. Under the old law, the child tax credit began to phase out at $75,000 of adjusted gross income for single taxpayers ($110,000 for married filing jointly). Today, the phaseout of the child tax credit starts at $200,000 of AGI for singles or $400,000 for married couples.
Losers: people who didn't adjust their withholding
Hero Images | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-02-13--How Trump has used his power in the week since his impeachment acquittal

If the past week is any indication , President Donald Trump has indeed learned a lesson from his impeachment — but perhaps not the one that GOP Sen. Susan Collins had in mind .
Rather than growing `` much more cautious , '' as Collins predicted he would , Trump appears to be throwing caution to the wind since being acquitted Feb. 5 by the Republican-led Senate on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Trump has ramped up attacks on his perceived political enemies and dismissed multiple officials in his administration who testified in the impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a campaign of `` revenge . ''
He also weighed in on the sentencing of Roger Stone , his longtime friend and political advisor , who was convicted of lying to Congress about his contacts with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential elections .
Trump 's salvos against the prosecutors in Stone 's case prompted accusations that he is putting his thumb on the scale in a federal criminal trial and politicizing the Department of Justice .
`` No serious person believes President Trump has learned any lesson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-N.Y. , said on the Senate floor Wednesday .
`` He does n't learn any lessons .
He just does what he wants , what suits his ego at the moment .
Observers of the president would question whether he 's even capable of learning a lesson . ''
But Trump told reporters that day that he had learned something from his impeachment : `` That the Democrats are crooked .
They 've got a lot of crooked things going .
That they 're vicious .
That they should n't have brought impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week since Trump 's acquittal : The morning after the impeachment verdict , Trump delivered a warning to his perceived opponents in remarks — at the bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast .
`` So many people have been hurt , and we ca n't let that go on , '' Trump said .
Sitting just a few feet away : House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , who launched the impeachment inquiry into Trump 's Ukraine dealings late last year .
Trump was accused of pressing Ukraine to announce investigations into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and his son Hunter , while withholding nearly $ 400 million in congressionally appropriated military aid to Kyiv .
House Democrats impeached Trump on Dec. 18 on two articles , arguing that Trump tried to pressure an ally for his own political gain , and then obstructed Congress ' impeachment inquiry by refusing to hand over documents and ordering potential witnesses not to testify .
At the Feb. 6 prayer breakfast , Trump appeared to take shots at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , the only Republican in that chamber to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power , and Pelosi .
Romney cited his faith in making his decision ; Pelosi has repeatedly said she prays for Trump .
`` I do n't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong .
Nor do I like people who say ' I pray for you ' when they know that that 's not so , '' Trump said .
After the prayer breakfast , Trump took a longer victory lap at the White House , where he called Pelosi `` a horrible person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff , D-Calif. , the lead impeachment manager in the Senate trial , `` vicious . ''
Key impeachment witness — and his brother — escorted from White House Two days after Trump 's acquittal , Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , a National Security Council staffer whose testimony about President Donald Trump at House impeachment hearings angered the president , was escorted out of the White House .
Trump `` has decided to exact revenge , '' Vindman 's lawyer , David Pressman , said in a statement at the time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vindman , who had expressed concerns about Trump 's July 25 call asking Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to `` look into '' the Bidens .
`` I 'm not happy with '' the NSC staffer , Trump said , hours before Pressman revealed Vindman 's departure from the White House .
Later Friday , Yevgeny Vindman , Alexander 's twin brother , who also worked at the NSC but did n't testify at the impeachment proceedings , was escorted out of the White House .
At the White House on Wednesday , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent him on his way to a much different location and the military can handle him any way they want . ''
Pressed on whether Vindman should face disciplinary action by the military , Trump said , `` if you look at what happened , I mean , they 're going to certainly , I would imagine , take a look at that . ''
Another key witness is recalled from his post Hours after Vindman 's dismissal from the White House on Friday , it was revealed that diplomat Gordon Sondland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , was being recalled as ambassador to the European Union .
In a statement that night , Sondland said , `` I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union , '' NBC reported .
Sondland donated $ 1 million to Trump 's 2016 inaugural committee through several Limited Liability Corporations , according to Open Secrets .
Sondland stunned lawmakers and Americans in November , when he testified before the House Intelligence Committee that Trump directed his personal lawyer Rudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quo '' with Ukraine .
One of the so-called three amigos involved in the alleged scheme , Sondland said he had worked with Giuliani `` on Ukraine matters at the express direction of the president of the United States . ''
Asked at the White House on Wednesday if there were more departures to come , Trump said , `` Oh , sure .
Absolutely . ''
Attorney General William Barr said Monday that the DOJ will accept and review information gathered by Giuliani , who has been investigating the Bidens in Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might provide would be treated with skepticism .
`` The DOJ has the obligation to have an open door to anybody who wishes to provide us information that they think is relevant , '' Barr said .
Giuliani 's alleged shadow foreign policy efforts in Ukraine became a central feature of House Democrats ' impeachment case against Trump .
Two days later , House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , said in a letter that Barr must testify before that panel on March 31 to address concerns about his leadership at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a channel for Giuliani to feed information to the department .
Trump rails against prosecutors and judge in Stone case On Monday evening , federal prosecutors recommended that a U.S. District judge in Washington sentence Stone to up to nine years in prison .
Stone , a self-described dirty trickster , was convicted of lying to Congress about his contacts with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential elections , and pressuring an associate , comedian Randy Credico , to corroborate his lies .
The charges were brought as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe .
The severity of the recommended sentence raised some eyebrows in legal circles — as did a Trump tweet early Tuesday , slamming the prosecutors ' proposed prison term as `` disgraceful ! ''
`` This is a horrible and very unfair situation , '' Trump added in another tweet .
`` The real crimes were on the other side , as nothing happens to them . ''
`` Can not allow this miscarriage of justice ! ''
Trump tweeted .
Stone 's lawyers had asked the judge , Amy Berman Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In another tweet Tuesday night , Trump went after Jackson , suggesting that she had treated former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort worse than notorious mobster Al Capone .
Manafort , who like Stone was also charged as part of Mueller 's probe , was sentenced to a combined total of more than seven years in prison in two federal courts , including Jackson 's .
Trump said Wednesday at the White House that Stone was treated `` very badly '' by prosecutors .
Those prosecutors `` ought to go back to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But asked if he was considering a pardon for Stone , Trump did n't take such a move off the table .
`` I do n't want to say yet , '' Trump said , `` 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 . ''

President Donald Trump takes questions after signing S. 153, The Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
If the past week is any indication, President Donald Trump has indeed learned a lesson from his impeachment — but perhaps not the one that GOP Sen. Susan Collins had in mind. Rather than growing "much more cautious," as Collins predicted he would, Trump appears to be throwing caution to the wind since being acquitted Feb. 5 by the Republican-led Senate on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump has ramped up attacks on his perceived political enemies and dismissed multiple officials in his administration who testified in the impeachment proceedings. Critics have characterized the moves as a campaign of "revenge." He also weighed in on the sentencing of Roger Stone, his longtime friend and political advisor, who was convicted of lying to Congress about his contacts with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential elections. Trump's salvos against the prosecutors in Stone's case prompted accusations that he is putting his thumb on the scale in a federal criminal trial and politicizing the Department of Justice. "No serious person believes President Trump has learned any lesson," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "He doesn't learn any lessons. He just does what he wants, what suits his ego at the moment. Observers of the president would question whether he's even capable of learning a lesson." But Trump told reporters that day that he had learned something from his impeachment: "That the Democrats are crooked. They've got a lot of crooked things going. That they're vicious. That they shouldn't have brought impeachment." Here's what has happened in the week since Trump's acquittal:
Trump lashes out during National Prayer Breakfast
The morning after the impeachment verdict, Trump delivered a warning to his perceived opponents in remarks — at the bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast. "So many people have been hurt, and we can't let that go on," Trump said. Sitting just a few feet away: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who launched the impeachment inquiry into Trump's Ukraine dealings late last year. Trump was accused of pressing Ukraine to announce investigations into his political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, while withholding nearly $400 million in congressionally appropriated military aid to Kyiv. House Democrats impeached Trump on Dec. 18 on two articles, arguing that Trump tried to pressure an ally for his own political gain, and then obstructed Congress' impeachment inquiry by refusing to hand over documents and ordering potential witnesses not to testify. At the Feb. 6 prayer breakfast, Trump appeared to take shots at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the only Republican in that chamber to vote to convict the president on abuse of power, and Pelosi. Romney cited his faith in making his decision; Pelosi has repeatedly said she prays for Trump. "I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say 'I pray for you' when they know that that's not so," Trump said. After the prayer breakfast, Trump took a longer victory lap at the White House, where he called Pelosi "a horrible person" and described House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the lead impeachment manager in the Senate trial, "vicious."
watch now
Key impeachment witness — and his brother — escorted from White House
Two days after Trump's acquittal, Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council staffer whose testimony about President Donald Trump at House impeachment hearings angered the president, was escorted out of the White House. Trump "has decided to exact revenge," Vindman's lawyer, David Pressman, said in a statement at the time. Trump had previously signaled his displeasure with Vindman, who had expressed concerns about Trump's July 25 call asking Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to "look into" the Bidens. "I'm not happy with" the NSC staffer, Trump said, hours before Pressman revealed Vindman's departure from the White House. Later Friday, Yevgeny Vindman, Alexander's twin brother, who also worked at the NSC but didn't testify at the impeachment proceedings, was escorted out of the White House. At the White House on Wednesday, Trump said of Alexander Vindman, "We sent him on his way to a much different location and the military can handle him any way they want." Pressed on whether Vindman should face disciplinary action by the military, Trump said, "if you look at what happened, I mean, they're going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that."
watch now
Another key witness is recalled from his post
Hours after Vindman's dismissal from the White House on Friday, it was revealed that diplomat Gordon Sondland, who had delivered bombshell testimony in the House, was being recalled as ambassador to the European Union. In a statement that night, Sondland said, "I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union," NBC reported. Sondland donated $1 million to Trump's 2016 inaugural committee through several Limited Liability Corporations, according to Open Secrets. Sondland stunned lawmakers and Americans in November, when he testified before the House Intelligence Committee that Trump directed his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to pursue a "quid pro quo" with Ukraine. One of the so-called three amigos involved in the alleged scheme, Sondland said he had worked with Giuliani "on Ukraine matters at the express direction of the president of the United States." Asked at the White House on Wednesday if there were more departures to come, Trump said, "Oh, sure. Absolutely."
watch now
Attorney general agrees to review Giuliani's Ukraine dirt
Attorney General William Barr said Monday that the DOJ will accept and review information gathered by Giuliani, who has been investigating the Bidens in Ukraine. But Barr stressed that anything Giuliani might provide would be treated with skepticism. "The DOJ has the obligation to have an open door to anybody who wishes to provide us information that they think is relevant," Barr said. Giuliani's alleged shadow foreign policy efforts in Ukraine became a central feature of House Democrats' impeachment case against Trump. Two days later, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said in a letter that Barr must testify before that panel on March 31 to address concerns about his leadership at the DOJ — including his decision to create a channel for Giuliani to feed information to the department.
watch now
Trump rails against prosecutors and judge in Stone case
On Monday evening, federal prosecutors recommended that a U.S. District judge in Washington sentence Stone to up to nine years in prison. Stone, a self-described dirty trickster, was convicted of lying to Congress about his contacts with the document disclosure group WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential elections, and pressuring an associate, comedian Randy Credico, to corroborate his lies. The charges were brought as part of former special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. The severity of the recommended sentence raised some eyebrows in legal circles — as did a Trump tweet early Tuesday, slamming the prosecutors' proposed prison term as "disgraceful!" "This is a horrible and very unfair situation," Trump added in another tweet. "The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them." "Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!" Trump tweeted. TRUMP TWEET Stone's lawyers had asked the judge, Amy Berman Jackson, to sentence Stone to probation. In another tweet Tuesday night, Trump went after Jackson, suggesting that she had treated former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort worse than notorious mobster Al Capone. TWEET Manafort, who like Stone was also charged as part of Mueller's probe, was sentenced to a combined total of more than seven years in prison in two federal courts, including Jackson's.
watch now
Prosecutors quit Stone case after DOJ steps in
On Tuesday, one day after the first sentencing memo was made public and hours after Trump's criticism began, the DOJ filed a revised recommendation asking for "far less" time in prison for Stone than prosecutors initially suggested. The first filing "does not accurately reflect the Department of Justice's position on what would be a reasonable sentence in this matter," Timothy Shea, the U.S. Attorney for Washington, wrote in the new sentencing memorandum. The revised sentencing memorandum did not recommend a punishment. But Shea wrote that original sentencing recommendation by his prosecutors "could be considered excessive and unwarranted under the circumstances." Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told NBC that the decision to lower the recommended prison term for Stone was made Monday night, hours before Trump blasted the original sentencing proposal on Twitter. But the DOJ's unusual demand for a change in Stone's recommended sentence appeared to prompt the four prosecutors working on Stone's case to quit. Stone is set to be sentenced Feb. 20. The increasingly public fight within the DOJ has raised Democrats' already-strong suspicions about Barr, who has been accused of working more as an ally of Trump's than as top law enforcement officer. Presidential candidate and current Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Wednesday called for Barr to "resign or face impeachment."
Trump hints at possibly pardoning Stone


cnbc--2020-02-13--Bernie Sanders is saying 'millionaires' less often, one way his 2020 message has changed

As a Bernie Sanders basked in a New Hampshire primary win , he reeled off the familiar tenets of his `` political revolution . ''
The speech after the Granite State helped make Sanders the early favorite in the 2020 Democratic race sounded familiar to those who have tracked the senator since he stormed onto the national stage during the 2016 election .
The Vermont senator declared `` health care is a human right , not a privilege . ''
Sanders called to cancel student debt .
He promised to take on Wall Street , drugmakers and fossil fuel companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature phrases voters have associated with Sanders and his Brooklyn accent : a knock on the `` millionaires and billionaires '' corrupting the U.S. political system .
Recently , his rhetoric has focused more on the wealthier end of the U.S. populace .
`` We 're taking on billionaires and we 're taking on candidates funded by billionaires , '' Sanders said .
As Sanders , himself a recently minted millionaire , brings his campaign to pivotal nominating contests in Nevada , South Carolina and beyond , he continues to drill into what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy and corporations on U.S. politics .
Even so , he has tweaked parts of his message since his 2016 campaign .
After an insurgent run four years ago marked by criticism of the Democratic Party , he has made more calls for Democratic unity since the nominating contests started this month .
He has urged supporters to back whoever becomes the party nominee .
Of course , parts of his 2020 campaign have also become more specific to President Donald Trump .
`` We are going to unite together and defeat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this country , '' Sanders said after his victory in Tuesday 's New Hampshire primary .

As a Bernie Sanders basked in a New Hampshire primary win , he reeled off the familiar tenets of his "political revolution."
The speech after the Granite State helped make Sanders the early favorite in the 2020 Democratic race sounded familiar to those who have tracked the senator since he stormed onto the national stage during the 2016 election. The Vermont senator declared "health care is a human right, not a privilege." Sanders called to cancel student debt. He promised to take on Wall Street, drugmakers and fossil fuel companies.
But it lacked one of the signature phrases voters have associated with Sanders and his Brooklyn accent: a knock on the "millionaires and billionaires" corrupting the U.S. political system. Recently, his rhetoric has focused more on the wealthier end of the U.S. populace.
"We're taking on billionaires and we're taking on candidates funded by billionaires," Sanders said.
As Sanders, himself a recently minted millionaire, brings his campaign to pivotal nominating contests in Nevada, South Carolina and beyond, he continues to drill into what he calls the corrosive influence of the wealthy and corporations on U.S. politics. Even so, he has tweaked parts of his message since his 2016 campaign.
After an insurgent run four years ago marked by criticism of the Democratic Party, he has made more calls for Democratic unity since the nominating contests started this month. He has urged supporters to back whoever becomes the party nominee. Of course, parts of his 2020 campaign have also become more specific to President Donald Trump.
"We are going to unite together and defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of this country," Sanders said after his victory in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.


cnbc--2020-02-13--White House does not have 'high confidence' in China's coronavirus information, official says

An elderly man wearing a face mask has his temperature checked before entering a community hospital in Shanghai on February @ @ @ @ @ U.S. does `` not have high confidence in the information coming out of China '' @ @ @ @ @ cases , a senior administration official told CNBC .
The official also noted that China @ @ @ @ @ offers of assistance . ''
There are more than 60,000 confirmed cases of virus , @ @ @ @ @ in China , and over 1,300 people have died .
After several days of reporting @ @ @ @ @ cases , Chinese officials said on Thursday there was more than 15,000 additional cases .
@ @ @ @ @ from a change in how the numbers were reported , with the `` clinically diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ `` confirmed . ''

An elderly man wearing a face mask has his temperature checked before entering a community hospital in Shanghai on February 13, 2020.
The U.S. does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China" regarding the count of coronavirus cases, a senior administration official told CNBC.
The official also noted that China "continues to rebuff American offers of assistance."
There are more than 60,000 confirmed cases of virus, with the vast majority occurring in China, and over 1,300 people have died. After several days of reporting a slowing number of new cases, Chinese officials said on Thursday there was more than 15,000 additional cases. The majority of those came from a change in how the numbers were reported, with the "clinically diagnosed" cases now counting as "confirmed."


cnbc--2020-02-13--Trump favorite Hope Hicks will return to the White House as aide to Jared Kushner

Former White House communications director Hope Hicks , a favorite former aide of President Donald Trump 's , is rejoining the administration to work for the president 's senior advisor and son-in-law , Jared Kushner .
Hicks , 31 , was hired as the chief communications officer at Fox after she left the White House in April 2018 .
She had worked for Trump since the 2016 election .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Hicks will serve as `` counselor to the president and senior advisor , working for Jared Kushner 's office . ''
Kushner told NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no one more devoted to implementing President Trump 's agenda than Hope Hicks .
We are excited to have her back on the team . ''
Ivanka Trump , the president 's daughter and senior advisor , tweeted `` Welcome back Hope ! ''
on Thursday , after The New York Times first reported Hicks ' career switch .
The Times ' Maggie Haberman tweeted later Thursday that another ex-Trump official is expected to return to the White House : Johnny McEntee , Trump 's onetime personal assistant who was fired amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finances .
McEntee had become an advisor on Trump 's reelection campaign after being escorted from the White House in March 2018 .
He `` is expected to take over the office that oversees presidential personnel appointments , '' Haberman tweeted , citing two people briefed on the matter .
The White House declined CNBC 's request for comment on McEntee 's reported return .
Hicks started her career in the Trump orbit as an aide to Ivanka Trump for her fashion brand .
Hicks ' return is the latest example of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Hicks moved to the media giant , former Fox News executive Bill Shine joined the White House in the similar role of deputy chief of staff for communications .
Shine announced in March that he was resigning from the White House to advise Trump 's 2020 reelection campaign .
Trump often grants Fox News exclusive interviews and frequently cites it favorably for its coverage of him .
He recruited a regular guest on that network , Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz , to the legal team that defended him in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week acquitted Trump of two articles of impeachment , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Fox Corp. confirmed Hicks ' departure in a statement .
`` We are proud of the work Hope has done and wish her well in her future endeavors , '' the company said .
Hicks left their previous White House job under a cloud of controversy .
Hicks had been dating former White House staff secretary Rob Porter , who at the time had been accused of spousal abuse .
Hicks also admitted during testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election that she had told `` white lies '' for Trump .

Former White House communications director Hope Hicks, a favorite former aide of President Donald Trump's, is rejoining the administration to work for the president's senior advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Hicks, 31, was hired as the chief communications officer at Fox after she left the White House in April 2018. She had worked for Trump since the 2016 election.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Hicks will serve as "counselor to the president and senior advisor, working for Jared Kushner's office."
Kushner told NBC News in a statement: "There is no one more devoted to implementing President Trump's agenda than Hope Hicks. We are excited to have her back on the team."
Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and senior advisor, tweeted "Welcome back Hope!" on Thursday, after The New York Times first reported Hicks' career switch.
Ivanka TWEET
The Times' Maggie Haberman tweeted later Thursday that another ex-Trump official is expected to return to the White House: Johnny McEntee, Trump's onetime personal assistant who was fired amid a reported Secret Service probe into his finances.
McEntee had become an advisor on Trump's reelection campaign after being escorted from the White House in March 2018. He "is expected to take over the office that oversees presidential personnel appointments," Haberman tweeted, citing two people briefed on the matter.
Haberman TWEET
The White House declined CNBC's request for comment on McEntee's reported return.
Hicks started her career in the Trump orbit as an aide to Ivanka Trump for her fashion brand.
Hicks' return is the latest example of the White House-Fox revolving door of staffers.
After Hicks moved to the media giant, former Fox News executive Bill Shine joined the White House in the similar role of deputy chief of staff for communications. Shine announced in March that he was resigning from the White House to advise Trump's 2020 reelection campaign.
Trump often grants Fox News exclusive interviews and frequently cites it favorably for its coverage of him. He recruited a regular guest on that network, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, to the legal team that defended him in the Senate's impeachment trial. The Republican-led Senate last week acquitted Trump of two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Fox Corp. confirmed Hicks' departure in a statement. "We are proud of the work Hope has done and wish her well in her future endeavors," the company said.
Hicks left their previous White House job under a cloud of controversy.
Hicks had been dating former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who at the time had been accused of spousal abuse. Hicks also admitted during testimony to the House Intelligence Committee during its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election that she had told "white lies" for Trump.


cnbc--2020-02-13--Mike Bloomberg is paying online influencers to post memes for his 2020 campaign

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a press conference to discuss his Democratic presidential run on November 25 @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia .
Mike Bloomberg has been paying a handful of social media influencers to @ @ @ @ @ for his Democratic presidential bid .
The billionaire former mayor of New York was recently @ @ @ @ @ uploaded to photo-sharing app Instagram .
Each of the posts claim to be sponsored by @ @ @ @ @ , run by meme aggregator Jerry Media , depicts Bloomberg sending a direct message asking @ @ @ @ @ meme that lets everyone know I 'm the cool candidate . ''
Another from Tank @ @ @ @ @ over 2 million followers , alludes to a viral clip from Democratic rival Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ the text instead reads `` I am once again asking for ( you ) to @ @ @ @ @ ''

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a press conference to discuss his Democratic presidential run on November 25, 2019, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Mike Bloomberg has been paying a handful of social media influencers to post satirical memes about him for his Democratic presidential bid.
The billionaire former mayor of New York was recently the subject of several memes uploaded to photo-sharing app Instagram. Each of the posts claim to be sponsored by him.
One Instagram account, run by meme aggregator Jerry Media, depicts Bloomberg sending a direct message asking it to "post a meme that lets everyone know I'm the cool candidate."
Another from Tank Sinatra, an account with over 2 million followers, alludes to a viral clip from Democratic rival Bernie Sanders requesting financial support. But the text instead reads "I am once again asking for (you) to make me look cool."


cnbc--2020-02-13--Coronavirus, nukes and 5G will be hot topics as global leaders gather in Germany

A camera over the banner of Munich Security Conference is pictured on February 15 , 2019 in Munich , Germany .
MUNICH — More than 500 global leaders gather here over the weekend to discuss everything from the development of 5G networks to nuclear weapons to the recent coronavirus outbreak .
The 56th Munich Security Conference , held at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel , brings together more than 35 heads of state , 100 foreign and defense ministers as well as leaders from business and international organizations .
The conference will run Friday through Sunday .
This year 's attendees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Mark Zuckerberg , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg , Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi , Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif .
The theme of the conference , highlighted in the 2020 Munich Security Report , focuses on the feeling of `` westlessness '' — a widespread uneasiness that Western countries are becoming `` less Western . ''
`` Recent years have seen estrangement and diverging positions on crucial policy challenges — ranging from arms control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the role of international institutions , '' wrote the authors of the report .
This year 's conference is expected to gauge international reaction to the Trump administration 's unpredictable foreign policy , frequent trade battles and use of military force as the U.S. braces for a presidential election .
The Trump administration has pulled the U.S. back from global commitments while pushing for the denuclearization of North Korea , escalating tensions with Iran , engaging in a bitter trade war with China and continuing efforts to negotiate the end of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge will be to agree on a common transatlantic or broader Western approach , as the ongoing difficulties in dealing with Russia , China or Iran demonstrate , '' the Munich Security Report authors wrote .

A camera over the banner of Munich Security Conference is pictured on February 15, 2019 in Munich, Germany.
MUNICH — More than 500 global leaders gather here over the weekend to discuss everything from the development of 5G networks to nuclear weapons to the recent coronavirus outbreak.
The 56th Munich Security Conference, held at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, brings together more than 35 heads of state, 100 foreign and defense ministers as well as leaders from business and international organizations. The conference will run Friday through Sunday.
This year's attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The theme of the conference, highlighted in the 2020 Munich Security Report, focuses on the feeling of "westlessness" — a widespread uneasiness that Western countries are becoming "less Western."
"Recent years have seen estrangement and diverging positions on crucial policy challenges — ranging from arms control and global trade to climate change or the role of international institutions," wrote the authors of the report.
This year's conference is expected to gauge international reaction to the Trump administration's unpredictable foreign policy, frequent trade battles and use of military force as the U.S. braces for a presidential election.
The Trump administration has pulled the U.S. back from global commitments while pushing for the denuclearization of North Korea, escalating tensions with Iran, engaging in a bitter trade war with China and continuing efforts to negotiate the end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.
"The prime challenge will be to agree on a common transatlantic or broader Western approach, as the ongoing difficulties in dealing with Russia, China or Iran demonstrate," the Munich Security Report authors wrote.


cnbc--2020-02-13--Sen. Gillibrand proposes a new government agency to protect privacy on the internet

CEDAR RAPIDS , IOWA - FEBRUARY 18 : U.S .
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand speaks to guests during a campaign stop at the Chrome Horse Saloon on February 18 , 2019 in Cedar Rapids , Iowa .
The bill could add momentum to the idea of creating an independent agency to enforce digital privacy laws or at least push the discussion further in the direction of stronger enforcement mechanisms .
But it does little to advance toward bipartisan support , which many lawmakers agree will be necessary for privacy legislation to advance .
`` These companies have built major empires of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They 're processing that information with increasingly complex and sophisticated algorithms .
And they 're making a whole lot of money off of it , '' Gillibrand wrote .
In a Medium post announcing the bill , Gillibrand name-checks Google and Facebook as just a couple of the tech companies that have capitalized on users ' data .
It adds to a growing stack of bills aimed at empowering consumers with new digital rights and keeping tech companies ' data collection in check .
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , just unveiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a new federal agency to enforce consumers ' privacy rights online .
Gillibrand 's Data Protection Agency , which is similar to the agency proposed by Silicon Valley House Democrats Anna Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren , would have a director with a five-year term appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate .
The president would have the power to remove a director `` for inefficiency or neglect of duty , '' according to a summary of the bill provided by Gillibrand 's office .
The proposed agency could initiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal privacy laws , and could grant relief to victims in the form of refunds , restitution , damages and changes in contracts .
Civil penalties would vary based on the severity of the violations but would be capped at $ 1 million per day for anyone who knowingly violates the federal privacy law .
The bill would establish a relief fund for people who prove they were harmed by privacy violations , with the civil penalties covering these charges .
The agency would have rulemaking authority as well as the ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agency would be charged with examining privacy innovation and developing best practices .
To ensure compliance , the bill would allow the agency to request reports from especially large companies , like those with annual gross revenue above $ 25 million or whose businesses involve collecting a lot of data .
Gillibrand 's bill echoes aspects of other proposals , some of which will face resistance from Republicans .
Like a Senate bill backed by Democrats , including Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , Gillibrand 's proposal does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not create a sweeping national standard for privacy .
That makes it a nonstarter for many Republicans who favor a single standard .
A draft bipartisan proposal from the top members of the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce , Reps. Jan Schakowsky , D-Ill. , and Cathy McMorris Rodgers , R-Wash. , does n't even touch the highly charged topic of preemption , with the congresswomen behind it arguing it 's more important to get the language of the bill right first .
On the other hand , Gillibrand 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of action , which Republicans tend to oppose .
Such a provision would allow individuals to sue companies they believe violated their rights under the law .
Conservatives and industry players fear such a provision would spur an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits .
The idea for a new agency will likely face resistance from conservatives or lawmakers concerned about the complexities of setting up a new organization to enforce the law .
Several other proposals from both Democrats and Republicans delegate enforcement to the Federal Trade Commission , with some establishing a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lofgren and Eshoo , Gillibrand pointed to other countries ' enforcement mechanisms to justify her proposal .
`` The United States is vastly behind other countries on this , '' she wrote in the Medium post .
`` Virtually every other advanced economy has established an independent agency to address data protection challenges , and many other challenges of the digital age . ''
WATCH : How to download everything Google knows about you .

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - FEBRUARY 18: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand speaks to guests during a campaign stop at the Chrome Horse Saloon on February 18, 2019 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The bill could add momentum to the idea of creating an independent agency to enforce digital privacy laws or at least push the discussion further in the direction of stronger enforcement mechanisms. But it does little to advance toward bipartisan support, which many lawmakers agree will be necessary for privacy legislation to advance.
"These companies have built major empires of data with information about our private lives. They're processing that information with increasingly complex and sophisticated algorithms. And they're making a whole lot of money off of it," Gillibrand wrote.
In a Medium post announcing the bill, Gillibrand name-checks Google and Facebook as just a couple of the tech companies that have capitalized on users' data.
It adds to a growing stack of bills aimed at empowering consumers with new digital rights and keeping tech companies' data collection in check.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., just unveiled her new proposal for digital privacy legislation, including a new federal agency to enforce consumers' privacy rights online.
Gillibrand's Data Protection Agency, which is similar to the agency proposed by Silicon Valley House Democrats Anna Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren, would have a director with a five-year term appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The president would have the power to remove a director "for inefficiency or neglect of duty," according to a summary of the bill provided by Gillibrand's office.
The proposed agency could initiate civil actions if it finds companies violating federal privacy laws, and could grant relief to victims in the form of refunds, restitution, damages and changes in contracts. Civil penalties would vary based on the severity of the violations but would be capped at $1 million per day for anyone who knowingly violates the federal privacy law.
The bill would establish a relief fund for people who prove they were harmed by privacy violations, with the civil penalties covering these charges. The agency would have rulemaking authority as well as the ability to issue subpoenas.
In addition to enforcement, the agency would be charged with examining privacy innovation and developing best practices. To ensure compliance, the bill would allow the agency to request reports from especially large companies, like those with annual gross revenue above $25 million or whose businesses involve collecting a lot of data.
Gillibrand's bill echoes aspects of other proposals, some of which will face resistance from Republicans.
Like a Senate bill backed by Democrats, including Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Gillibrand's proposal does not preempt state laws, meaning it would not create a sweeping national standard for privacy. That makes it a nonstarter for many Republicans who favor a single standard.
A draft bipartisan proposal from the top members of the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., doesn't even touch the highly charged topic of preemption, with the congresswomen behind it arguing it's more important to get the language of the bill right first.
On the other hand, Gillibrand's bill does not mention a private right of action, which Republicans tend to oppose. Such a provision would allow individuals to sue companies they believe violated their rights under the law. Conservatives and industry players fear such a provision would spur an onslaught of frivolous lawsuits.
The idea for a new agency will likely face resistance from conservatives or lawmakers concerned about the complexities of setting up a new organization to enforce the law. Several other proposals from both Democrats and Republicans delegate enforcement to the Federal Trade Commission, with some establishing a new bureau there and boosting funds.
Like Lofgren and Eshoo, Gillibrand pointed to other countries' enforcement mechanisms to justify her proposal.
"The United States is vastly behind other countries on this," she wrote in the Medium post. "Virtually every other advanced economy has established an independent agency to address data protection challenges, and many other challenges of the digital age."
WATCH: How to download everything Google knows about you.