cnbc--2020-02-03--Right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh says he has 'advanced lung cancer'

US radio talk show host and conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh looks on before introducing US President Donald Trump to deliver remarks at a Make America Great Again rally in Cape Girardeau , MO , on November 5 , 2018 .
Influential right-wing talk radio host Rush Limbaugh announced on his program Monday that he has been diagnosed with `` advanced lung cancer . ''
Limbaugh , 69 , said he will take time off his normal broadcast schedule as he seeks treatment .
`` This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't escape … Even though people are telling me it 's not the way to look at it , I ca n't help but feel that I 'm letting everybody down with this . ''
He said the diagnosis had been confirmed by two medical institutions after he realized `` something was wrong '' in mid-January .
`` I thought about not telling anybody .
I thought about trying to do this without anybody knowing , because I do n't like making things about me , '' said Limbaugh , an outspoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there are going to be days that I 'm not going to be able to be here , because I 'm undergoing treatment or I 'm reacting to treatment , '' he said .
Limbaugh , whose career stretches back to the early 1970s , has for years been a conservative media legend and a household name — even among the many detractors to his left , who accuse him of injecting a harmful strain of far-right demagoguery into the U.S. media landscape .
His millions of regular listeners , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader who punctured a left-skewing media bubble and proudly promoted Republican and conservative ideals .
Limbaugh was as recognizable for his distinctively brash , scrappy vocal timbre as he was for his cigar-smoking habit , for which he was so well-known that he even appeared on the Spring 1994 cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine .
While the radio man steered clear of the so-called mainstream news narratives , he has often found himself at the center of mainstream controversy .

US radio talk show host and conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh looks on before introducing US President Donald Trump to deliver remarks at a Make America Great Again rally in Cape Girardeau, MO, on November 5, 2018.
Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh announced on his program Monday that he has been diagnosed with "advanced lung cancer."
Limbaugh, 69, said he will take time off his normal broadcast schedule to seek treatment.
"This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory for me," Limbaugh said. "I can't escape. … Even though people are telling me it's not the way to look at it, I can't help but feel that I'm letting everybody down with this."
He said the diagnosis was confirmed by two medical institutions after he realized "something was wrong" in mid-January.
"I thought about not telling anybody. I thought about trying to do this without anybody knowing, because I don't like making things about me," said Limbaugh, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump.
"But there are going to be days that I'm not going to be able to be here, because I'm undergoing treatment or I'm reacting to treatment," he said.
Trump tweeted about Limbaugh's diagnosis Monday night, calling the host "a great guy & fantastic political talent," and wishing him "a speedy recovery."
TRUMP TWEET
Limbaugh, whose career stretches to the early 1970s, has been a conservative media legend and household name — even among the many detractors to his left, who accuse him of injecting a harmful strain of far-right demagoguery into the U.S. media landscape.
His millions of regular listeners, however, credit him as a leading political thought leader who punctured a left-skewing media bubble and proudly promoted Republican and conservative ideals.
Limbaugh "was the innovator who spoke for the Americans ignored and disrespected by the elites," Trump lawyer and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said in a tweet Monday. "America needs Rush."
Giuliani TWEET
Limbaugh was as recognizable for his distinctively brash, scrappy vocal timbre as he was for his cigar-smoking habit, for which he was so well-known that he even appeared on the spring 1994 cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine.
While the radio man steered clear of the so-called mainstream news narratives, he often found himself at the center of mainstream controversy.


cnbc--2020-02-03--Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary James Byrne fired amid controversy over department's handling of s

Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary James Byrne fired amid controversy over department's handling of sex assault allegation

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller ( R-NV ) is introduced by Acting Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Byrne ( R ) before a talk by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence ( not pictured ) at Nellis Air Force Base on September 7 , 2018 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
Veterans Affairs Department Deputy Secretary James Byrne was fired Monday , amid controversy over how the department handled a sexual assault allegation by a House staffer visiting a VA facility last year .
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said he dismissed Byrne just five months after he was confirmed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mr. Byrne 's ability to carry out his duties . ''
Wilkie gave no further details of why ousted he Byrne , a 55-year-old Naval Academy graduate and former Marine infantry officer .
Before being confirmed in a 88-11 Senate vote , Byrne served since August 2018 as acting deputy secretary of the VA .
He was named general counsel of the department a year earlier .
Byrne previously worked at Lockheed Martin as that defense contractor 's chief privacy officer , and the company 's lead attorney for information technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came as the VA continued to be criticized for its treatment of an allegation by Andrea Goldstein , an advisor to the House Committee on Veterans ' Affairs .
Goldstein , who is also a Navy veteran , has said she was sexually harassed and assaulted last September by an unidentified man when she was waiting for a drink in a cafe at the VA Medical Center in Washington .
The man `` slammed her below the waist and told her that 'you look like you could use a good time , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week after the incident .
`` He pressed his entire body against mine . ''
Goldstein told the newspapers that she was able to get away from the man , but that despite complaining to several workers at the center , police were called only after she saw her doctor at the site .
Byrne was briefed last month by the VA 's internal watchdog about its investigation of Goldstein 's allegations , which also were the subject of a criminal probe .
On Monday , shortly before Byrne 's firing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Goldstein in which she criticized Wilkie for `` implying that I was a liar '' by calling her allegations `` unsubstantiated claims '' that could discourage veterans from obtaining health care from VA facilities .
Wilkie 's characterization was made in a letter last month to Goldstein 's boss , Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano , D-Calif. , after authorities did not file charges in her case .
`` We believe that V.A .
is a safe place for all veterans to enter and receive care and services , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff could deter our veterans from seeking the care they need and deserve , '' Wilkie wrote in his letter to Takano .
Goldstein , in her article Monday , wrote that after reading Wilkie 's letter last month , `` I hid in a stairwell in the Longworth House Office Building and began to shake with rage and horror . ''
`` He used coded language , but the words still stung , '' Goldstein wrote .
`` The Secretary of the second largest federal agency knew how his words would resonate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy veteran was a liar .
He was implying that I was a liar . ''
She added , `` Secretary Wilkie 's continued refusal to take ownership of the hostility and sexual violence at VA further perpetuated this hostile culture by both revictimizing a veteran in public and denying the culture of harassment and assault whose existence is well documented . ''
VA Inspector General Michael Missal , who investigated Goldstein 's claims , last month wrote Wilkie to dispute the idea that her allegations were `` unsubstantiated . ''
Missal noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Byrne and VA Chief of Staff Pamela Powers last month and `` specifically told them that the investigation had been closed without charges and that no other characterization could or should be made regarding the outcome of the investigation . ''
`` Neither I nor my staff told you or anyone else at the Department that the allegations were unsubstantiated , '' Missal wrote the VA chief .
`` I trust that this clarifies this matter and you will ensure that no one is informed that our investigation concluded that the sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Takano , in his own letter to Wilkie last month , called his comment on Goldstein 's claims `` shockingly tone-deaf , '' and said Wilkie 's letter was `` flippant . ''
`` I am aghast that Secretary Wilkie would think it appropriate to call into question allegations of sexual assault raised by one of our nation 's veterans , '' Takano wrote .
`` And for VA -- an agency charged with providing trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual harassment and assault -- to itself retraumatize and defame a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , after Byrne was fired , Takano said in a prepared statement that he had spoken with Wilkie that morning `` about changes to VA 's staff structure . ''
Despite that , Takano said , `` I have many questions about what Deputy Secretary Byrne 's firing means for our veterans and VA as a whole . ''
`` Deputy Secretary Byrne was confirmed by the Senate — the American people deserve to know why he was dismissed , '' Takano said .
`` As Chairman of this Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive timely access to care and benefits without delay , and I want to make sure this personnel decision will not impact that commitment .
Secretary Wilkie has agreed to meet with me to discuss this leadership change in detail , and I look forward to speaking with him . ''

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) is introduced by Acting Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Byrne (R) before a talk by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (not pictured) at Nellis Air Force Base on September 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Veterans Affairs Department Deputy Secretary James Byrne was fired Monday, amid controversy over how the department handled a sexual assault allegation by a House staffer visiting a VA facility last year.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said he dismissed Byrne just five months after he was confirmed by the Senate "due to loss of confidence in Mr. Byrne's ability to carry out his duties."
Wilkie gave no further details of why ousted he Byrne, a 55-year-old Naval Academy graduate and former Marine infantry officer.
Christina Mandreucci, Wilkie's spokeswoman, said Bryne's "dismissal had nothing to do with that" issue of how the VA had dealt with the sex assault claim by the House staff member.
Axios first reported Byrne's termination.
Before being confirmed in a 88-11 Senate vote, Byrne served since August 2018 as acting deputy secretary of the VA. He was named general counsel of the department a year earlier.
Byrne previously worked at Lockheed Martin as that defense contractor's chief privacy officer, and the company's lead attorney for information technology, cybersecurity and counterintelligence.
Byrne's firing came as the VA continued to be criticized for its treatment of an allegation by Andrea Goldstein, an advisor to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Goldstein, who is also a Navy veteran, has said she was sexually harassed and assaulted last September by an unidentified man when she was waiting for a drink in a cafe at the VA Medical Center in Washington.
The man "slammed her below the waist and told her that 'you look like you could use a good time,' " Goldstein told The New York Times a week after the incident. "He pressed his entire body against mine."
Goldstein told the newspapers that she was able to get away from the man, but that despite complaining to several workers at the center, police were called only after she saw her doctor at the site.
Byrne was briefed last month by the VA's internal watchdog about its investigation of Goldstein's allegations, which also were the subject of a criminal probe.
On Monday, shortly before Byrne's firing was made public, Jezebel.com published an article by Goldstein in which she criticized Wilkie for "implying that I was a liar" by calling her allegations "unsubstantiated claims" that could discourage veterans from obtaining health care from VA facilities.
Wilkie's characterization was made in a letter last month to Goldstein's boss, Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif., after authorities did not file charges in her case.
"We believe that V.A. is a safe place for all veterans to enter and receive care and services, but the unsubstantiated claims raised by you and your staff could deter our veterans from seeking the care they need and deserve," Wilkie wrote in his letter to Takano.
Goldstein, in her article Monday, wrote that after reading Wilkie's letter last month, "I hid in a stairwell in the Longworth House Office Building and began to shake with rage and horror."
"He used coded language, but the words still stung," Goldstein wrote. "The Secretary of the second largest federal agency knew how his words would resonate. He was implying that a fellow Navy veteran was a liar. He was implying that I was a liar."
Tweet
She added, "Secretary Wilkie's continued refusal to take ownership of the hostility and sexual violence at VA further perpetuated this hostile culture by both revictimizing a veteran in public and denying the culture of harassment and assault whose existence is well documented."
VA Inspector General Michael Missal, who investigated Goldstein's claims, last month wrote Wilkie to dispute the idea that her allegations were "unsubstantiated."
Missal noted that he had discussed Goldstein's account with Byrne and VA Chief of Staff Pamela Powers last month and "specifically told them that the investigation had been closed without charges and that no other characterization could or should be made regarding the outcome of the investigation."
"Neither I nor my staff told you or anyone else at the Department that the allegations were unsubstantiated," Missal wrote the VA chief.
"I trust that this clarifies this matter and you will ensure that no one is informed that our investigation concluded that the sexual assault allegation at issue was not substantiated."
Takano, in his own letter to Wilkie last month, called his comment on Goldstein's claims "shockingly tone-deaf," and said Wilkie's letter was "flippant."
"I am aghast that Secretary Wilkie would think it appropriate to call into question allegations of sexual assault raised by one of our nation's veterans," Takano wrote.
"And for VA — an agency charged with providing trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual harassment and assault-- to itself retraumatize and defame a fellow veteran, is disgusting."
On Monday, after Byrne was fired, Takano said in a prepared statement that he had spoken with Wilkie that morning "about changes to VA's staff structure."
Despite that, Takano said, "I have many questions about what Deputy Secretary Byrne's firing means for our veterans and VA as a whole."
"Deputy Secretary Byrne was confirmed by the Senate — the American people deserve to know why he was dismissed," Takano said."As Chairman of this Committee, it is my duty to ensure veterans receive timely access to care and benefits without delay, and I want to make sure this personnel decision will not impact that commitment. Secretary Wilkie has agreed to meet with me to discuss this leadership change in detail, and I look forward to speaking with him."


cnbc--2020-02-03--Trump impeachment trial: Closing arguments tee up final vote after Senate rejects new witnesses

From the start of the impeachment proceedings in the Senate , it was considered unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority chamber would vote to convict a Republican president .
After Friday 's vote against allowing new witnesses and documents into the trial , acquittal is virtually certain .
`` It was a very serious thing , '' Trump told Fox News opinion host Sean Hannity in an interview that aired Sunday before the Super Bowl .
`` It should have never happened to another president . ''
The House managers and Trump 's legal team will share four hours to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on whether to convict or acquit Trump is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday — the day after Trump delivers his State of the Union address .
The seven House impeachment managers , led by Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , will take to the floor of the Senate at 11 a.m .
ET to make their final pitch that Trump deserves to be removed from office for allegedly abusing his power and obstructing Congress through dealings with Ukraine .
House managers and defense lawyers are set to deliver their closing arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after Democrats ' failure to secure new witness testimony and documents all but guaranteed an acquittal .
Democrats argued that testimony from additional witnesses — especially former national security advisor John Bolton — was necessary because the White House had refused to hand documents over to House investigators and had pressured potential witnesses not to testify .
But a razor-thin majority of Senate Republicans on Friday night voted against a proposal to allow that additional information .
Two Republican senators , Susan Collins of Maine and Utah 's Mitt Romney , broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats The 51-49 vote came amid reports of leaked details from Bolton 's upcoming memoir that described Trump telling the then-national security advisor directly that nearly $ 400 million in congressionally appropriated military aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into his political rivals .
Trump 's pressure on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , as well as a debunked conspiracy alleging Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election , are at the heart of the two articles of impeachment that passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has denied wrongdoing .
Democrats saw Bolton 's reported claim of firsthand knowledge about Trump 's intentions as a missing link in their argument .
Bolton even promised to testify in the trial if he was subpoenaed by the Senate — though he has otherwise declined to comment on the case , prompting accusations of opportunism ahead of the release of his tell-all book .
But some Republicans , including at least one key swing vote , have not denied that Trump 's actions were wrong .
`` It was inappropriate for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation , '' said Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , but it `` does not meet the United States Constitution 's high bar for an impeachable offense . ''
Alexander voted against bringing new evidence into the trial , as did Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , who was also on the fence , slamming the `` rushed and flawed '' articles sent over by the House .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , excoriated the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's `` a perfidy , it 's a grand tragedy , '' Schumer said , adding that the vote is `` one of the worst tragedies that the Senate has ever overcome . ''

House managers and defense lawyers are set to deliver their closing arguments in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, after Democrats' failure to secure new witness testimony and documents all but guaranteed an acquittal.
The seven House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., will take to the floor of the Senate at 11 a.m. ET to make their final pitch that Trump deserves to be removed from office for allegedly abusing his power and obstructing Congress through dealings with Ukraine.
The House managers and Trump's legal team will share four hours to make their final points. A formal vote on whether to convict or acquit Trump is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday — the day after Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
"It was a very serious thing," Trump told Fox News opinion host Sean Hannity in an interview that aired Sunday before the Super Bowl. "It should have never happened to another president."
From the start of the impeachment proceedings in the Senate, it was considered unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority chamber would vote to convict a Republican president. After Friday's vote against allowing new witnesses and documents into the trial, acquittal is virtually certain.


cnbc--2020-02-03--FTC aims to block Edgewell's $1.37 billion acquisition of shaving start-up Harry's over competition

FTC aims to block Edgewell's $1.37 billion acquisition of shaving start-up Harry's over competition concerns

The Federal Trade Commission said Monday it plans to sue to block Edgewell 's $ 1.37 billion acquisition of shaving start-up Harry 's , citing competition concerns in the consumer shaving space .
The agency argues that the shaving industry needs upstarts like Harry 's to keep giant companies like Gillette owner Procter & Gamble and Schick maker Edgewell in check .
The deal , announced last May , would give Edgewell access to Harry 's data and subscription base .
For Harry 's , it would provide a platform through which to expand beyond its nine factories .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Gamble operated their respective Schick and Gillette brands of men 's razors , and Intuition/Hydro Silk and Venus brands of women 's razors , as a comfortable duopoly characterized by annual price increases that were not driven by changes in costs or demand , '' the FTC alleged .
`` By bringing the disruptive Harry 's under Edgewell 's control , '' it added , `` the proposed acquisition would eliminate important and growing competition among suppliers of wet shave razors , and would inflict significant harm on consumers of razors across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rod Little and Harry 's co-CEOs Jeff Raider and Andy Katz-Mayfield said their companies are reviewing the FTC 's decision and will respond .
`` We believe strongly that the combined company will deliver exceptional brands and products at a great value and are determined to bring those benefits to consumers , '' the two Harry 's CEOs said in a statement .
Harry 's is one of many `` direct-to-consumer '' brands that have popped up over the past several years , launching first online and later expanding to traditional retail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ access , as well as the ability to offer cheaper prices without a middle man .
Strictly selling online , though , can make broad expansion difficult and costly .
By the time Harry 's announced its sale to Edgewell , it did roughly half its sales in stores like Target and Walmart .
It expected to be `` generally '' breakeven in 2019 , Edgewell executives then told investors .
The FTC announcement caught some industry insiders by surprise , given Harry 's small hold of the razor market and precedent for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shave Club was acquired by Unilever in 2016 for about $ 1 billion .
P & G announced plans to acquire direct-to-consumer women 's shaving brand Billie earlier this year , for an undisclosed amount .
In 2018 , Harry 's had a 2.6 % share of the U.S. razor market , according to Euromonitor .
The action is not the FTC 's first recent move to object to smaller consumer deals .
In December , it challenged Post Holdings ' $ 110 million acquisition of Treehouse Foods ' private label cereal business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conagra 's $ 285 million acquisition of Wesson Cooking Oil .
The FTC is chaired by Joseph Simons , who was appointed by President Donald Trump .
The committee prohibits more than three of its five commissioners from being in the same party .
It falls under the executive branch but is independent and also reports to Congress .
The FTC said Monday an administrative trial is scheduled to begin on June 30 .
Shares of Edgewell on Monday were up nearly 8 % Monday , giving it a market capitalization of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company are down nearly 10 % .
As part of the proposed acquisition , Edgewell would give Harry 's shareholders an 11 % stake in the combined company and pay the remaining deal value in cash .
Shares of P & G , meantime , were mostly flat Monday , giving it a market capitalization of $ 307 billion .
Shares of the owner of Pampers and Vicks are down a less than 1 % year-to-date , with net sales growth last quarter falling short of expectations .
While P & G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it has been a sore spot for the company .
The company took an $ 8 billion charge related to Gillette last July .
`` More recently and much less of an impact , new competitors have entered at prices below the category average , '' CFO Jon Moeller said at the time .

The Federal Trade Commission said Monday it plans to sue to block Edgewell 's $1.37 billion acquisition of shaving start-up Harry's, citing competition concerns in the consumer shaving space.
The agency argues that the shaving industry needs upstarts like Harry's to keep giant companies like Gillette owner Procter & Gamble and Schick maker Edgewell in check.
The deal, announced last May, would give Edgewell access to Harry's data and subscription base. For Harry's, it would provide a platform through which to expand beyond its nine factories.
"For many years, Edgewell and Procter & Gamble operated their respective Schick and Gillette brands of men's razors, and Intuition/Hydro Silk and Venus brands of women's razors, as a comfortable duopoly characterized by annual price increases that were not driven by changes in costs or demand," the FTC alleged.
"By bringing the disruptive Harry's under Edgewell's control," it added, "the proposed acquisition would eliminate important and growing competition among suppliers of wet shave razors, and would inflict significant harm on consumers of razors across the United States."
Edgewell President Rod Little and Harry's co-CEOs Jeff Raider and Andy Katz-Mayfield said their companies are reviewing the FTC's decision and will respond.
"We believe strongly that the combined company will deliver exceptional brands and products at a great value and are determined to bring those benefits to consumers," the two Harry's CEOs said in a statement.
Harry's is one of many "direct-to-consumer" brands that have popped up over the past several years, launching first online and later expanding to traditional retail. Online roots provide unique customer insight and access, as well as the ability to offer cheaper prices without a middle man. Strictly selling online, though, can make broad expansion difficult and costly. By the time Harry's announced its sale to Edgewell, it did roughly half its sales in stores like Target and Walmart . It expected to be "generally" breakeven in 2019, Edgewell executives then told investors.
The FTC announcement caught some industry insiders by surprise, given Harry's small hold of the razor market and precedent for similar deals. Harry's rival Dollar Shave Club was acquired by Unilever in 2016 for about $1 billion. P&G announced plans to acquire direct-to-consumer women's shaving brand Billie earlier this year, for an undisclosed amount.
In 2018, Harry's had a 2.6% share of the U.S. razor market, according to Euromonitor.
The action is not the FTC's first recent move to object to smaller consumer deals. In December, it challenged Post Holdings ' $110 million acquisition of Treehouse Foods' private label cereal business, and in 2018, it challenged Conagra's $285 million acquisition of Wesson Cooking Oil.
The FTC is chaired by Joseph Simons, who was appointed by President Donald Trump. The committee prohibits more than three of its five commissioners from being in the same party. It falls under the executive branch but is independent and also reports to Congress.
The FTC said Monday an administrative trial is scheduled to begin on June 30.
Shares of Edgewell on Monday were up nearly 8% Monday, giving it a market capitalization of $1.4 billion. Year-to-date, shares of the company are down nearly 10%.
As part of the proposed acquisition, Edgewell would give Harry's shareholders an 11% stake in the combined company and pay the remaining deal value in cash.
Shares of P&G, meantime, were mostly flat Monday, giving it a market capitalization of $307 billion. Shares of the owner of Pampers and Vicks are down a less than 1% year-to-date, with net sales growth last quarter falling short of expectations.
While P&G's shaving business has rebounded more recently, it has been a sore spot for the company. The company took an $8 billion charge related to Gillette last July.
"More recently and much less of an impact, new competitors have entered at prices below the category average," CFO Jon Moeller said at the time.
CNBC's Amelia Lucas contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-02-03--Revolution or return to decency? 2020 Democrats' final Iowa arguments show their case against Trump

At least four Democrats have a good chance to leave Monday 's first-in-the-nation Iowa presidential caucuses with the most delegates .
The 2020 White House hopefuls have deployed vastly different messages as they claw for support at the top of the field in Iowa .
Most of their appeals relate — in one way or another — to their ability to deny President Donald Trump a second term in November .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , former Vice President Joe Biden , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and former South Bend , Ind .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for months .
Recent polls show a tight race , and the fluid nature of the caucuses suggest any of the leading candidates could enjoy a surprisingly strong showing in the first nominating contest .
Read more : Iowa caucus : What it is , how it works and why it 's important Democrats have criss-crossed Iowa in recent days in the final rush before the caucuses .
Sanders and Warren have promised more substantive change in their bids to beat Trump , while Biden and Buttigieg have largely pushed for a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gridlock .
Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who has edged ahead of Buttigieg in national polling averages , has not tried to compete in the first four nominating states , instead turning his attention and vast spending to the larger states that voter later on .
The four candidates ' closing arguments in Iowa reflect their broader motivations for running and why they think they 're best suited to defeat Trump .
Sanders ' case for his ability to defeat Trump has stayed consistent : he promises to rein in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers by corporations and the wealthy , and enact a `` Medicare for All '' system to provide health insurance for every American .
He has added wrinkles to his argument in the final days before Iowa .
Expanding the social safety net factors heavily into the Vermont senator 's messaging and appeal .
However , he has more explicitly framed himself as the best candidate to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits — in the Democratic field or the general election .
A Sanders ad that started airing in Iowa on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting he could consider reforming unspecified entitlements `` at some point . ''
The term generally refers to social programs like Social Security , Medicare and Medicaid .
`` We are not going to cut the programs that millions of seniors and people with disabilities depend upon .
If they vote to cut Social Security , they may well not be returning to Washington , '' Sanders says in the ad .
He has also repeatedly targeted Biden for past comments suggesting he would consider freezing Social Security spending .
The former vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Sanders campaign also released a digital ad Friday featuring an Iowa man who says his lung function has deteriorated because he could not afford medications for a hereditary condition .
`` My lungs may be failing , but I 'm going to fight for Bernie with every breath I have left , '' Jim Williams says in the ad .
Sanders ' message also took on stronger foreign policy tones in January after the U.S. killing of Iran 's top general , Qasem Soleimani , increased fears of war with Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against authorizing military force in Iraq , which he calls `` the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country . ''
Sanders has led most recent polls of Iowa , though the surveys suggest at least four candidates have a chance to end up with the most delegates .
Biden has spent the final stretch in Iowa arguing he is best suited to beat Trump and restore a fundamental decency and stability to the White House .
The former vice president has more frequently cast himself as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the specter of war with Iran rose .
His message to Iowa voters , at its core , has revolved around his ability to beat Trump .
Biden 's campaign has repeatedly pointed to polls showing him beating Trump in hypothetical head-to-head matchups in November .
In a Thursday speech designed to contrast his character from Trump 's , the former vice president highlighted what he called his role in lifting swing-district Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterms .
`` I took on Trump all over the country — and beat him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a drum — and in the process took back the majority in the House .
We should remember that this year , '' Biden said in Waukee , Iowa .
Biden issued a refrain during the speech that he has repeated throughout his campaign : `` Character is on the ballot . ''
He said two Trump terms in the White House would `` fundamentally alter the character of this nation . ''
Biden also took aim at Trump 's foreign policy , saying the world will `` sleep a little easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because `` they 'll no longer have to worry about Donald Trump waking up in the middle of the night and starting a war with a tweet . ''
The former vice president , who frequently touts his middle class roots in Scranton , Pa. , has not forgotten to add some economic appeal to his final argument .
During a speech in Marshalltown , Iowa , last Sunday , he said that `` we need a president that also understands that this country was n't built by bankers and CEOs . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he sometimes does in separating himself from Sanders — that `` they 're not all bad guys . ''
`` They did n't build the country .
Ordinary people like my mom and dad and my grandmom and grandpop , people in this neighborhood , people in this room , ordinary people given half a chance , '' he said .
Biden has consistently led the 2020 Democratic field in averages of national polls since he entered the race in April , but Sanders has recently cut into his edge .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though surveys suggest Biden still has a good chance to leave Iowa with the most delegates .
Multiple voters at Biden 's Marshalltown event said the increased tensions with Iran made them lean more toward supporting him in the caucuses .
Buttigieg has placed high stakes on a strong showing in Iowa , and in the final days before the caucus he has focused on `` turning the page '' on Trump 's presidency and winning over `` future former Republicans '' into his coalition .
The 38-year-old Democrat has placed an emphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the literal and metaphorical distance between South Bend and Washington , D.C. `` In the face of unprecedented challenges , we need a president whose vision was shaped by the American Heartland rather than the ineffective Washington politics we 've come to know and expect , '' Buttigieg wrote in a post on Twitter on Wednesday .
During an interview with Radio Iowa last the week , he emphasized the point , arguing that `` the best way to govern is also the best way to win which is to turn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the political warfare and Washington mentality that led us to this point . ''
The campaign has a lot to prove in Iowa , where it has devoted substantial resources .
Buttigieg , who is polling in third in the state , has suggested that a strong showing could help him prove himself to voters who remain skeptical of what was once an extraordinarily longshot bid for the presidency , including many voters of color .
`` We need to do very well in Iowa , '' he told NBC News on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win it . ''
In the final days of the race before Iowa , Buttigieg also stepped up his attacks on Sanders and Biden .
During a speech in the state , Buttigieg criticized Sanders for being too far to the left and for `` a kind of politics that says you 've got to go all the way here and nothing else counts . ''
And he chided Biden for `` saying that this is no time to take a risk on someone new . ''
`` History has shown us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump who is new in kind , '' Buttigieg said .
Warren 's closing argument to Iowa caucusgoers is that `` women win '' — and that she is the woman who will do so in 2020 .
At town halls and campaign events around Iowa , Warren increasingly sounded the `` women win '' theme during the final days before the caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the theme of successful women-led movements , but leaned into discussions about her gender amid a controversy over whether or not a woman could defeat President Donald Trump that erupted during the January debate .
`` Look , people are asking the question .
So if they are asking the question , the right thing to do is let 's just address it head on , '' Warren explained last week during an appearance on MSNBC 's `` All In With Chris Hayes . ''
An Iowa ad the campaign unveiled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for Trump in 2016 and now supports Warren .
`` I believe a woman can beat Trump .
And I believe Elizabeth is that woman , '' the man says in the ad .
True to form , Warren also approached the looming caucus with a slate of new plans .
On Tuesday , amid an escalating outbreak of the new coronavirus , Warren released a plan to prevent and contain infectious diseases .
On Wednesday , she outlined the steps she would take to curb election misinformation online .
Warren is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsement from the state 's largest newspaper , the Des Moines Register , but facing declining support in state polls .
Primary polls are notoriously less predictive than general election polls , however .
Warren polled in first place in Iowa for a period in October before slipping into fourth , behind Buttigieg , Biden and Sanders .
Like Sanders , Warren was prevented from campaigning in Iowa for much of last week because of the impeachment trial in Washington .

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Marshalltown, Iowa on Jan. 26, 2020 ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Jacob Pramuk | CNBC
At least four Democrats have a good chance to leave Monday's first-in-the-nation Iowa presidential caucuses with the most delegates. The 2020 White House hopefuls have deployed vastly different messages as they claw for support at the top of the field in Iowa. Most of their appeals relate — in one way or another — to their ability to deny President Donald Trump a second term in November. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg have led the pack in the Hawkeye State for months. Recent polls show a tight race, and the fluid nature of the caucuses suggest any of the leading candidates could enjoy a surprisingly strong showing in the first nominating contest. Read more: Iowa caucus: What it is, how it works and why it's important Democrats have criss-crossed Iowa in recent days in the final rush before the caucuses. Sanders and Warren have promised more substantive change in their bids to beat Trump, while Biden and Buttigieg have largely pushed for a return to normalcy or an end to partisan gridlock. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has edged ahead of Buttigieg in national polling averages, has not tried to compete in the first four nominating states, instead turning his attention and vast spending to the larger states that voter later on. The four candidates' closing arguments in Iowa reflect their broader motivations for running and why they think they're best suited to defeat Trump.
Bernie Sanders
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) holds a campaign event at La Poste January 26, 2020 in Perry, Iowa. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Sanders' case for his ability to defeat Trump has stayed consistent: he promises to rein in what he calls abuses of workers and consumers by corporations and the wealthy, and enact a "Medicare for All" system to provide health insurance for every American. He has added wrinkles to his argument in the final days before Iowa. Expanding the social safety net factors heavily into the Vermont senator's messaging and appeal. However, he has more explicitly framed himself as the best candidate to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits — in the Democratic field or the general election. A Sanders ad that started airing in Iowa on Thursday highlights Trump's recent comments to CNBC suggesting he could consider reforming unspecified entitlements "at some point." The term generally refers to social programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. "We are not going to cut the programs that millions of seniors and people with disabilities depend upon. If they vote to cut Social Security, they may well not be returning to Washington," Sanders says in the ad. He has also repeatedly targeted Biden for past comments suggesting he would consider freezing Social Security spending. The former vice president denies he wants to do that. The Sanders campaign also released a digital ad Friday featuring an Iowa man who says his lung function has deteriorated because he could not afford medications for a hereditary condition. "My lungs may be failing, but I'm going to fight for Bernie with every breath I have left," Jim Williams says in the ad. Sanders' message also took on stronger foreign policy tones in January after the U.S. killing of Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani, increased fears of war with Iran. He repeatedly highlighted his 2002 vote against authorizing military force in Iraq, which he calls "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in the modern history of this country." Sanders has led most recent polls of Iowa, though the surveys suggest at least four candidates have a chance to end up with the most delegates.
Joe Biden
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign town hall event at the Iowa Memorial Union Ballroom at the University of Iowa January 27, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images
Biden has spent the final stretch in Iowa arguing he is best suited to beat Trump and restore a fundamental decency and stability to the White House. The former vice president has more frequently cast himself as a steady foreign policy hand in recent weeks as the specter of war with Iran rose. His message to Iowa voters, at its core, has revolved around his ability to beat Trump. Biden's campaign has repeatedly pointed to polls showing him beating Trump in hypothetical head-to-head matchups in November. In a Thursday speech designed to contrast his character from Trump's, the former vice president highlighted what he called his role in lifting swing-district Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterms. "I took on Trump all over the country — and beat him. In fact, we beat him like a drum — and in the process took back the majority in the House. We should remember that this year," Biden said in Waukee, Iowa. Biden issued a refrain during the speech that he has repeated throughout his campaign: "Character is on the ballot." He said two Trump terms in the White House would "fundamentally alter the character of this nation." Biden also took aim at Trump's foreign policy, saying the world will "sleep a little easier" with him in the White House because "they'll no longer have to worry about Donald Trump waking up in the middle of the night and starting a war with a tweet." The former vice president, who frequently touts his middle class roots in Scranton, Pa., has not forgotten to add some economic appeal to his final argument. During a speech in Marshalltown, Iowa, last Sunday, he said that "we need a president that also understands that this country wasn't built by bankers and CEOs." Though he took care to stress — as he sometimes does in separating himself from Sanders — that "they're not all bad guys." "They didn't build the country. Ordinary people like my mom and dad and my grandmom and grandpop, people in this neighborhood, people in this room, ordinary people given half a chance," he said. Biden has consistently led the 2020 Democratic field in averages of national polls since he entered the race in April, but Sanders has recently cut into his edge. Sanders leapfrogged him in Iowa polling averages, though surveys suggest Biden still has a good chance to leave Iowa with the most delegates. Multiple voters at Biden's Marshalltown event said the increased tensions with Iran made them lean more toward supporting him in the caucuses.
Pete Buttigieg
Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at a meet the candidate event at the Chickasaw Event Center January 29, 2020 in New HMapton, Iowa. Win McNamee | Getty Images
Buttigieg has placed high stakes on a strong showing in Iowa, and in the final days before the caucus he has focused on "turning the page" on Trump's presidency and winning over "future former Republicans" into his coalition. The 38-year-old Democrat has placed an emphasis on his roots in the Midwest — and the literal and metaphorical distance between South Bend and Washington, D.C. "In the face of unprecedented challenges, we need a president whose vision was shaped by the American Heartland rather than the ineffective Washington politics we've come to know and expect," Buttigieg wrote in a post on Twitter on Wednesday. During an interview with Radio Iowa last the week, he emphasized the point, arguing that "the best way to govern is also the best way to win which is to turn the page, to not get caught up in the political warfare and Washington mentality that led us to this point." The campaign has a lot to prove in Iowa, where it has devoted substantial resources. Buttigieg, who is polling in third in the state, has suggested that a strong showing could help him prove himself to voters who remain skeptical of what was once an extraordinarily longshot bid for the presidency, including many voters of color. "We need to do very well in Iowa," he told NBC News on Saturday. "We're in it to win it." In the final days of the race before Iowa, Buttigieg also stepped up his attacks on Sanders and Biden. During a speech in the state, Buttigieg criticized Sanders for being too far to the left and for "a kind of politics that says you've got to go all the way here and nothing else counts." And he chided Biden for "saying that this is no time to take a risk on someone new." "History has shown us that the biggest risk we could take with a very important election coming up is to look to the same Washington playbook and recycle the same arguments and expect that to work against a president like Donald Trump who is new in kind," Buttigieg said.
Elizabeth Warren
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts and 2020 presidential candidate, waves during a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S., on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-02-03--'I will pay more': Bloomberg unveils $5 trillion tax plan targeting the wealthy and corporations

2020 Democratic presidential hopeful and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during an event to open a campaign office at Eastern Market in Detroit , Michigan , on December 21 , 2019 .
Billionaire Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg unveiled a tax plan on Saturday that would unwind corporate tax breaks granted by President Donald Trump and impose an additional 5 % `` surtax '' on incomes above $ 5 million a year .
According to the campaign , the plan in total would generate roughly $ 5 trillion and would be sufficient to help fund Bloomberg 's initiatives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combating climate change and more than $ 1 trillion infrastructure plan .
The campaign did not state how much it would generate from its surtax on incomes above $ 5 million a year , though noted it would only impact less than 0.1 % of taxpayers .
Bloomberg , like fellow moderate candidate Joe Biden , thinks Trump 's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went too far .
Both want to hike the corporate tax rate up to 28 % , after Trump lowered it from 35 % to 21 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes that lowered taxes on high-income households from 39.6 % .
to 37 % .
Both propose raising capital gain taxes for high-income taxpayers .
`` The plan I am releasing today raises rates on wealthy individuals and corporations , closes loopholes , cracks down on tax avoidance , expands the estate tax , and reduces the tax advantages that investors have over workers , '' said Bloomberg in a statement .
`` And , most importantly , '' he added , `` my plan is achievable '' in a seeming swing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren .
For Bloomberg , who has a net worth of more than $ 59 billion and courted business leaders as part of his campaign , a focus on high-income taxpayers is notable .
It is an acknowledgment of rising income inequality and a 2020 presidential campaign that has centered on populist rhetoric .
It echoes language by millionaires and billionaires like Warren Buffett and Abigail Disney who have said they should pay higher taxes .
Bloomberg , who founded financial and media company , Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday he already gives nearly all his company 's profit to charity .
`` Under my plan , I 'll continue doing that , '' he noted .
`` But I will also pay more in taxes to make sure all Americans have the same opportunities I did .
That 's only right . ''
Bloomberg could take the debate stage for the first time in Nevada later this month .
The Democratic National Committee on Friday unveiled new debate rules that dropped the requirement for candidates to obtain a minimum number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door for Bloomberg .
He is polling in fourth place in national surveys , earning approximately 8 % support .

2020 Democratic presidential hopeful and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during an event to open a campaign office at Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan, on December 21, 2019.
Billionaire Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg unveiled a tax plan on Saturday that would unwind corporate tax breaks granted by President Donald Trump and impose an additional 5% "surtax" on incomes above $5 million a year.
According to the campaign, the plan in total would generate roughly $5 trillion and would be sufficient to help fund Bloomberg's initiatives, including his healthcare plan, education, combating climate change and more than $1 trillion infrastructure plan.
The campaign did not state how much it would generate from its surtax on incomes above $5 million a year, though noted it would only impact less than 0.1% of taxpayers.
Bloomberg, like fellow moderate candidate Joe Biden, thinks Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went too far. Both want to hike the corporate tax rate up to 28%, after Trump lowered it from 35% to 21%. Both want to reverse the Trump tax changes that lowered taxes on high-income households from 39.6%. to 37%. Both propose raising capital gain taxes for high-income taxpayers.
"The plan I am releasing today raises rates on wealthy individuals and corporations, closes loopholes, cracks down on tax avoidance, expands the estate tax, and reduces the tax advantages that investors have over workers," said Bloomberg in a statement.
"And, most importantly," he added, "my plan is achievable" in a seeming swing at more liberal policies put forward by rival Democrats, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
For Bloomberg, who has a net worth of more than $59 billion and courted business leaders as part of his campaign, a focus on high-income taxpayers is notable. It is an acknowledgment of rising income inequality and a 2020 presidential campaign that has centered on populist rhetoric. It echoes language by millionaires and billionaires like Warren Buffett and Abigail Disney who have said they should pay higher taxes.
Bloomberg, who founded financial and media company, Bloomberg LP, said in a statement on Saturday he already gives nearly all his company's profit to charity.
"Under my plan, I'll continue doing that," he noted. "But I will also pay more in taxes to make sure all Americans have the same opportunities I did. That's only right."
Bloomberg could take the debate stage for the first time in Nevada later this month. The Democratic National Committee on Friday unveiled new debate rules that dropped the requirement for candidates to obtain a minimum number of campaign contributors, opening a previously closed door for Bloomberg.
He is polling in fourth place in national surveys, earning approximately 8% support.


cnbc--2020-02-03--Democrats ditch donor requirement for debates, meaning Bloomberg could qualify

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , a democratic presidential candidate , attends the U.S Conference of Mayors 88th Winter Meeting in Washington , D.C , January 22 , 2020 .
The Democratic National Committee unveiled new debate rules on Friday that drop the requirement that candidates obtain a minimum number of campaign contributors , opening the door for former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg to take the debate stage .
The new rules will apply to the ninth Democratic presidential debate , which is scheduled for Feb. 19 in Nevada .
To qualify for the debate , candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first contests taking place in Iowa and New Hampshire next week or receive 10 % or more in at least four DNC-approved polls released between Jan. 15 and Feb. 18 .
Candidates may also qualify by receiving 12 % or more support in two state polls of Nevada or South Carolina , the third and fourth states to award delegates in the Democratic primary .
Bloomberg , a billionaire who has spent more than $ 200 million to fund campaign advertisements so far , is not competing in the first four states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is polling in fourth place in national surveys , earning approximately 8 % support .
`` We are thrilled that voters could soon have the chance to see Mike Bloomberg on the debate stage , hear his vision for the country , and see why he is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump and bring our country together , '' said Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey .
The only candidates that are currently qualified for the Nevada debate are former Vice President Joe Biden , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Democratic debate will take place Feb. 7 in New Hampshire .

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, a democratic presidential candidate, attends the U.S Conference of Mayors 88th Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C, January 22, 2020.
The Democratic National Committee unveiled new debate rules on Friday that drop the requirement that candidates obtain a minimum number of campaign contributors, opening the door for former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg to take the debate stage.
The new rules will apply to the ninth Democratic presidential debate, which is scheduled for Feb. 19 in Nevada.
To qualify for the debate, candidates must either win a delegate during the first contests taking place in Iowa and New Hampshire next week or receive 10% or more in at least four DNC-approved polls released between Jan. 15 and Feb. 18.
Candidates may also qualify by receiving 12% or more support in two state polls of Nevada or South Carolina, the third and fourth states to award delegates in the Democratic primary.
Bloomberg, a billionaire who has spent more than $200 million to fund campaign advertisements so far, is not competing in the first four states and is not accepting campaign contributions. He is polling in fourth place in national surveys, earning approximately 8% support.
"We are thrilled that voters could soon have the chance to see Mike Bloomberg on the debate stage, hear his vision for the country, and see why he is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump and bring our country together," said Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey.
The only candidates that are currently qualified for the Nevada debate are former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The next Democratic debate will take place Feb. 7 in New Hampshire.


cnbc--2020-02-03--Facebook refutes Soros claim of a 'special relationship' between Trump and Zuckerberg

Facebook co-founder , Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill April 11 , 2018 in Washington , DC .
Facebook on Friday issued a statement renouncing recent allegations by liberal financier George Soros that there is a `` special relationship '' forming between the social media company and President Donald Trump .
`` While we respect Mr. Soros ' right to voice his opinion , he 's wrong , '' a spokesman for Facebook said .
`` The notion that we are aligned with any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our values and the facts .
We continue making unprecedented investments to keep our platform safe , fight foreign interference in elections around the world , and combat misinformation . ''
The tech company issued the statement following recent comments by Soros alleging that the there is `` an informal mutual assistance operation or agreement developing between Trump and Facebook . ''
Soros made the comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland , last week , and he followed them up on Friday in an opinion piece on the @ @ @ @

Facebook co-founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill April 11, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Facebook on Friday issued a statement renouncing recent allegations by liberal financier George Soros that there is a "special relationship" forming between the social media company and President Donald Trump.
"While we respect Mr. Soros' right to voice his opinion, he's wrong," a spokesman for Facebook said. "The notion that we are aligned with any one political figure or party runs counter to our values and the facts. We continue making unprecedented investments to keep our platform safe, fight foreign interference in elections around the world, and combat misinformation."
The tech company issued the statement following recent comments by Soros alleging that the there is "an informal mutual assistance operation or agreement developing between Trump and Facebook." Soros made the comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, and he followed them up on Friday in an opinion piece on the New York Times.


cnbc--2020-02-04--Democrats turn to New Hampshire as Iowa caucus debacle delays results

Results from the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses were delayed as the state 's Democratic Party said a `` reporting issue '' caused `` inconsistencies '' in some data .
As the party 's struggle to put out results dragged into Tuesday morning , the leading candidates in Iowa — Sen. Bernie Sanders , former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , and Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar — put an optimistic gloss on their performances and looked ahead to the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary .
The candidates had plans to head to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa caucuses behind them .
Doors at caucus sites across the Hawkeye State closed at 8 p.m .
ET on Monday , when voters worked through a frenetic process of persuasion and changing allegiances to pick their favorites in the 2020 presidential nominating contest .
By about 11:30 p.m .
ET , Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Mandy McClure said the party `` found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results . ''
She added that , `` in addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report . ''
`` This is simply a reporting issue , the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion .
The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results , '' McClure said .
The contest was too early to call , according to NBC News , as the party worked to release results .
A source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an app for reporting results and a backup phone line for relaying information was `` a disaster . ''
In a statement early Tuesday , Iowa Democrats Chairman Troy Price said the results will be released later in the day and the party is manually verifying its data .
The Iowa party held a testy call with Democratic campaigns , and party representatives hung up when campaigns pushed to learn more about the reporting problems and when they would see results , two Democratic campaign staffers told NBC News .
Here 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus : What it is , how it works and why it 's important Democrats get their first chance to choose their 2020 presidential candidate in Iowa Most of the top Iowa candidates spoke to supporters as the party tried to tabulate results .
As confusion swirled around the results , the candidates all talked up their performances in Iowa .
`` By all indications , we are going on to New Hampshire victorious , '' Buttigieg said to applause .
Sanders dryly poked at the delay as he spoke to backers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I imagine , have a strong feeling , that at some point the results will be announced , '' the Vermont senator said to cheers Monday night .
`` And when those results are announced I have a good feeling we 're going to be doing very , very well in Iowa . ''
Behind the scenes , campaigns appeared more frustrated with the reporting delays .
A Biden campaign lawyer sent a letter to the state party saying `` we believe that the campaigns deserve full explanations and relevant information regarding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and an opportunity to respond , before any official results are released , '' NBC News reported .
The data problems muddied a period of time when campaigns typically try to declare victory or put a positive spin on their performances .
A strong showing in the Iowa — or even a showing better than perceived expectations — can boost fundraising and give candidates a measure of legitimacy .
Typically , but not always , the winner in Iowa goes on to become the Democratic Party 's presidential nominee .
Early data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 caucuses , McClure said earlier Monday .
Turnout four years ago was about 171,000 , well below the record levels of 2008 , according to NBC News .
Iowa caucus voters were overwhelming white , according to entrance polling data .
More than half , or 58 % , identified as women , while 42 % identified as men .
Just over a quarter , or 27 % , of attendees were 65 or older .
With 28 % of respondents , the biggest group was 45 to 64-year-olds .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old , while 21 % were between 30 and 44 .
Sanders typically performs better with younger voters , while Biden is stronger among older voters .
The top issues for Iowa caucus voters reflected trends seen nationally : 42 % said health care mattered most in deciding who to support , while 21 % answered climate change , 18 % said income inequality , while 13 % chose foreign policy .
More than half , or 57 % , of respondents said they support replacing all private health insurance with a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they oppose such a system .
Sanders and Warren want to move to single-payer health insurance , while Biden , Buttigieg and Klobuchar do not .
Self-described liberals more than doubled those who identified as moderates , by a 68 % to 32 % margin , the entrance polls found .

Results from the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses were delayed as the state's Democratic Party said a "reporting issue" caused "inconsistencies" in some data.
As the party's struggle to put out results dragged into Tuesday morning, the leading candidates in Iowa — Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar — put an optimistic gloss on their performances and looked ahead to the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary. The candidates had plans to head to the Granite State on Tuesday — with the Iowa caucuses behind them.
Doors at caucus sites across the Hawkeye State closed at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, when voters worked through a frenetic process of persuasion and changing allegiances to pick their favorites in the 2020 presidential nominating contest. By about 11:30 p.m. ET, Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Mandy McClure said the party "found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results."
She added that, "in addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report."
"This is simply a reporting issue, the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results," McClure said.
The contest was too early to call, according to NBC News, as the party worked to release results. A source told NBC News that technical glitches hit an app for reporting results and a backup phone line for relaying information was "a disaster."
In a statement early Tuesday, Iowa Democrats Chairman Troy Price said the results will be released later in the day and the party is manually verifying its data.
The Iowa party held a testy call with Democratic campaigns, and party representatives hung up when campaigns pushed to learn more about the reporting problems and when they would see results, two Democratic campaign staffers told NBC News.
Read more:
Here's what happens after the chaos in Iowa
Iowa caucus: What it is, how it works and why it's important
Democrats get their first chance to choose their 2020 presidential candidate in Iowa
Most of the top Iowa candidates spoke to supporters as the party tried to tabulate results. As confusion swirled around the results, the candidates all talked up their performances in Iowa.
"By all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious," Buttigieg said to applause.
Sanders dryly poked at the delay as he spoke to backers.
"Let me begin by stating that I imagine, have a strong feeling, that at some point the results will be announced," the Vermont senator said to cheers Monday night. "And when those results are announced I have a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well in Iowa."
Behind the scenes, campaigns appeared more frustrated with the reporting delays.
A Biden campaign lawyer sent a letter to the state party saying "we believe that the campaigns deserve full explanations and relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing, and an opportunity to respond, before any official results are released," NBC News reported.
The data problems muddied a period of time when campaigns typically try to declare victory or put a positive spin on their performances. A strong showing in the Iowa — or even a showing better than perceived expectations — can boost fundraising and give candidates a measure of legitimacy.
Typically, but not always, the winner in Iowa goes on to become the Democratic Party's presidential nominee.
Early data indicate turnout was about on pace with the 2016 caucuses, McClure said earlier Monday. Turnout four years ago was about 171,000, well below the record levels of 2008, according to NBC News.
Iowa caucus voters were overwhelming white, according to entrance polling data. More than half, or 58%, identified as women, while 42% identified as men.
Just over a quarter, or 27%, of attendees were 65 or older. With 28% of respondents, the biggest group was 45 to 64-year-olds. Another 24% were 17 to 29 years old, while 21% were between 30 and 44.
Sanders typically performs better with younger voters, while Biden is stronger among older voters.
The top issues for Iowa caucus voters reflected trends seen nationally: 42% said health care mattered most in deciding who to support, while 21% answered climate change, 18% said income inequality, while 13% chose foreign policy.
More than half, or 57%, of respondents said they support replacing all private health insurance with a single government plan, while 38% answered that they oppose such a system. Sanders and Warren want to move to single-payer health insurance, while Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar do not.
Self-described liberals more than doubled those who identified as moderates, by a 68% to 32% margin, the entrance polls found.
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cnbc--2020-02-04--Pete Buttigieg claims victory in Iowa caucuses, though no results have been released

Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg addresses supporters during his caucus night watch party on February 03 , 2020 in Des Moines , Iowa .
`` Let me begin by stating that I imagine , have a strong feeling , that at some point the results will be announced , '' the Sanders said to cheering supporters Monday night .
`` And when those results are announced I have a good feeling we 're going to be doing very , very well in Iowa . ''
Data released late Monday by Sen. Bernie Sanders reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Buttigieg in second place , with about 26 % share of state delegate equivalents , compared with about 29 % for Sanders .
`` So , we do n't know all the results , '' Buttigieg told hundreds of supporters at a rally in Des Moines .
`` But , we know , by the time it is all said and done , Iowa you have shocked the nation .
Because , by all indications , we are going on to New Hampshire victorious . ''
Democratic hopeful Pete Buttigieg declared victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite a botched election process that delayed the release of the state 's results .
Senator Bernie Sanders , an independent from Vermont and 2020 presidential candidate , arrives to speak with his wife Jane Sanders during a caucus night watch party in Des Moines , Iowa , U.S. on Monday , Feb. 3 , 2020 .
The confusion was caused by a lack of official results in Monday 's caucuses , the nation 's first contest in the 2020 presidential race .
The Iowa Democratic Party said late Monday that officials had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data and attributed the problem to a `` reporting issue . ''
The party said it had the underlying data and `` will simply take time to further report the results . ''
In a statement early Tuesday , party Chairman Troy Price said the results were being verified manually and will be released later in the day .
In addition to Buttigieg and Sanders , other candidates including Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota projected confidence in their election night speeches , though Buttigieg went the furthest in predicting his own success .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ data provided by 77 % of the campaign 's precinct captains showed Buttigieg in the lead .
The campaign aide said that internal projections prior to the caucus suggested that the race would be a tie , but that the internal numbers so far showed Buttigieg performing 8 percentage points better than expected , enough to win first place .
Officials working for other campaigns said that the data suggested a tight race , in line with polling conducted ahead of the caucus .
A data set released by the Sanders campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iowa precincts , showed the Vermont senator in the lead , followed by Buttigieg , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and former Vice President Joe Biden .
It showed Warren receiving about 18 % share of state delegate equivalents and Biden receiving about 15 % .
Roger Lau , Warren 's campaign manager , told reporters only that according to the campaign 's internal data it was a tight race between Warren , Buttigieg and Sanders .
Biden lagged in fourth place , Lau said .
Klobuchar 's campain manager , Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter that , based on internal numbers and public data , Klobuchar was tied with or ahead of Biden .
According to the Sanders data , Klobuchar was in fifth place , with about 11 % share of state delegate equivalents .
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Campaign manager Greg Schultz tweeted a statement that said the campaign 's model showed that the former vice president `` overperformed in key districts we needed to be competitive in . ''
The campaign 's general counsel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa Democratic Party officials on Monday calling for `` full explanations and relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing , and an opportunity to respond , before any official results are released . ''
A strong showing for any of the candidates in Iowa could provide a boost as they turn their attention to New Hampshire , which hosts its primary on Feb. 11 .
A weak showing could be particularly damaging to Biden , who is seen as the race 's front-runner and leads in national polls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling has declined in recent weeks .

"Let me begin by stating that I imagine, have a strong feeling, that at some point the results will be announced," Sanders said to cheering supporters Monday night. "And when those results are announced I have a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well in Iowa."
Data released late Monday by Sen. Bernie Sanders reflected 40% of precincts and appeared to show Buttigieg in second place, with about 26% share of state delegate equivalents, compared with about 29% for Sanders.
"So, we don't know all the results," Buttigieg told hundreds of supporters at a rally in Des Moines. "But, we know, by the time it is all said and done, Iowa you have shocked the nation. Because, by all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious."
Democratic hopeful Pete Buttigieg declared victory in the Iowa caucuses early Tuesday, despite a botched election process that delayed the release of the state's results.
Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2020 presidential candidate, arrives to speak with his wife Jane Sanders during a caucus night watch party in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.
The confusion was caused by a lack of official results in Monday's caucuses, the nation's first contest in the 2020 presidential race. The Iowa Democratic Party said late Monday that officials had found "inconsistencies" in the voting data and attributed the problem to a "reporting issue." The party said it had the underlying data and "will simply take time to further report the results."
In a statement early Tuesday, party Chairman Troy Price said the results were being verified manually and will be released later in the day.
In addition to Buttigieg and Sanders, other candidates including Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota projected confidence in their election night speeches, though Buttigieg went the furthest in predicting his own success.
A Buttigieg campaign aide told CNBC that data provided by 77% of the campaign's precinct captains showed Buttigieg in the lead. The campaign aide said that internal projections prior to the caucus suggested that the race would be a tie, but that the internal numbers so far showed Buttigieg performing 8 percentage points better than expected, enough to win first place.
Buttigieg told MSNBC on Tuesday that while official results have not been released, his campaign felt license to call it. "Unlike a primary where there's a secret ballot, this is folks standing in a room for all to see with their neighbors right there, with the press right there and with our own observers right there so it makes it possible for us to get a very clear sense of just how extraordinary a night it is," he said.
Officials working for other campaigns said that the data suggested a tight race, in line with polling conducted ahead of the caucus.
A data set released by the Sanders campaign, based on the results from 40% of Iowa precincts, showed the Vermont senator in the lead, followed by Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and former Vice President Joe Biden. It showed Warren receiving about 18% share of state delegate equivalents and Biden receiving about 15%.
Roger Lau, Warren's campaign manager, told reporters only that according to the campaign's internal data it was a tight race between Warren, Buttigieg and Sanders. Biden lagged in fourth place, Lau said.
Klobuchar's campain manager, Justin Buoen, wrote in a post on Twitter that, based on internal numbers and public data, Klobuchar was tied with or ahead of Biden.
Buoen tweet
According to the Sanders data, Klobuchar was in fifth place, with about 11% share of state delegate equivalents.
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Campaign manager Greg Schultz tweeted a statement that said the campaign's model showed that the former vice president "overperformed in key districts we needed to be competitive in."
TWEET
The campaign's general counsel, Dana Remus, issued a letter to Iowa Democratic Party officials on Monday calling for "full explanations and relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing, and an opportunity to respond, before any official results are released."
A strong showing for any of the candidates in Iowa could provide a boost as they turn their attention to New Hampshire, which hosts its primary on Feb. 11.
A weak showing could be particularly damaging to Biden, who is seen as the race's front-runner and leads in national polls. Biden's edge over Sanders in national polling has declined in recent weeks.
CNBC's Yelena Dzhanova contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-02-04--Here's what happens next after chaos strikes the Iowa caucuses

The results of the Iowa caucuses were delayed on Monday , after the Iowa Democratic Party said that it was running `` quality checks '' on the data provided by precincts around the state .
As Monday dragged into Tuesday , however , it became evident that Iowa Democrats had a big mess on their hands involving the count .
Shortly before midnight ET , a representative for the party blamed a `` reporting issue '' as results had yet to be revealed .
In a statement in the early hours of the morning , Iowa Democrats Chair Troy Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
But , whoever ends up winning the Hawkeye State 's caucus , all of the candidates will soon have to turn their attention to the next contests .
The first stop after Iowa is New Hampshire , where the candidates will compete in the first-in-the-nation primary .
The New Hampshire primary takes place in just over a week — on Feb. 11 .
After New Hampshire comes Nevada on Feb. 22 and then South Carolina on Feb. 29 to round out the month .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada and South Carolina , while Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , is the front-runner in New Hampshire .
Other top contenders include former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sens .
Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass .
and Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. and the billionaire businessman Tom Steyer .
The first four states do n't matter much in terms of accumulating the delegates the candidates need to win the race — in total , they account for fewer than 200 of the approximately 2,000 needed to win — but they are the tone-setters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the eventual nominee .
Nevada and South Carolina could be particularly important because their Democratic voting populations are more diverse than either Iowa or New Hampshire .
Nevada 's population is 29 % Latino and South Carolina 's is 27 % black .
Black and Latino voters are particularly crucial to Democratic hopefuls .
No Democrat has won the nomination without a majority of black voters since Massachusetts Gov .
Michael Dukakis in 1988 .
Latino voters , meanwhile , are expected to be the largest minority voting bloc in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primary , is 40 % Latino .
February will be packed with three Democratic debate hosted in the remaining early voting states .
The eighth , ninth and tenth debates will take place in Manchester , New Hampshire , Las Vegas and Charleston , South Carolina .
So far , seven candidates have qualified for the Feb. 7 debate , including the businessman Andrew Yang , who did not qualify for the January debate in Iowa .
The other candidates set to be on stage are Biden , Sanders , Warren , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voters may get a chance to assess billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg during the ninth Democratic debate , in Nevada , on Feb. 19 .
The Democratic National Committee required candidates to meet a minimum-donor threshold for earlier debates , effectively disqualifying Bloomberg , who does not accept contributions .
The party scrapped that requirement on Friday , opening the door for Bloomberg to potentially appear on stage if he meets the polling requirements .
So far , only Biden , Sanders and Warren have qualified .
The tenth Democratic debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 29 .
The biggest single day of the Democratic primary race , Super Tuesday , will see a third of the total delegates awarded .
Among the 16 contests slated for voting on March 3 are : California , which will award 415 delegates ; Texas , which will award 228 ; North Carolina , which will award 110 ; and Virginia , which will award 99 .
To put those delegate hauls into perspective : To win on the first ballot during the Democratic National Convention in July , candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because so many large states are voting at the same time , the Super Tuesday states require a different sort of campaigning from the contenders than the relatively small , retail politics driven early states .
Candidates will need to raise and spend millions of dollars on advertising to bring their messages across the country , giving an advantage to candidates with broad small-dollar donor bases like Sanders and Warren as well as self-funded billionaires like Bloomberg .
Bloomberg , who spent Monday in California , is skipping the early states to focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , including after Super Tuesday .
In total , the March states will award more than half the total delegates of the Democratic primary .
Twenty-four contests take place between march and the final primary hosted in June .
The nominee will be named officially at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee , Wisconsin in July .

Votes are counted during caucusing in the 66th precinct at Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 3, 2020. Jim Watson | Getty Images
The results of the Iowa caucuses were delayed on Monday, after the Iowa Democratic Party said that it was running "quality checks" on the data provided by precincts around the state. As Monday dragged into Tuesday, however, it became evident that Iowa Democrats had a big mess on their hands involving the count. Shortly before midnight ET, a representative for the party blamed a "reporting issue" as results had yet to be revealed. In a statement in the early hours of the morning, Iowa Democrats Chair Troy Price said the results would be released later on Tuesday. But, whoever ends up winning the Hawkeye State's caucus, all of the candidates will soon have to turn their attention to the next contests.
Three more 'early states'
The first stop after Iowa is New Hampshire, where the candidates will compete in the first-in-the-nation primary. The New Hampshire primary takes place in just over a week — on Feb. 11. After New Hampshire comes Nevada on Feb. 22 and then South Carolina on Feb. 29 to round out the month. Former Vice President Joe Biden is currently the leader in state polls of Nevada and South Carolina, while Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is the front-runner in New Hampshire. Other top contenders include former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. and the billionaire businessman Tom Steyer. The first four states don't matter much in terms of accumulating the delegates the candidates need to win the race — in total, they account for fewer than 200 of the approximately 2,000 needed to win — but they are the tone-setters of the primary and are generally predictive of the eventual nominee. Nevada and South Carolina could be particularly important because their Democratic voting populations are more diverse than either Iowa or New Hampshire. Nevada's population is 29% Latino and South Carolina's is 27% black. Black and Latino voters are particularly crucial to Democratic hopefuls. No Democrat has won the nomination without a majority of black voters since Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988. Latino voters, meanwhile, are expected to be the largest minority voting bloc in November. California, the biggest prize of the Democratic primary, is 40% Latino.
Three more debates
February will be packed with three Democratic debate hosted in the remaining early voting states. The eighth, ninth and tenth debates will take place in Manchester, New Hampshire, Las Vegas and Charleston, South Carolina. So far, seven candidates have qualified for the Feb. 7 debate, including the businessman Andrew Yang, who did not qualify for the January debate in Iowa. The other candidates set to be on stage are Biden, Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and Steyer. Voters may get a chance to assess billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg during the ninth Democratic debate, in Nevada, on Feb. 19. The Democratic National Committee required candidates to meet a minimum-donor threshold for earlier debates, effectively disqualifying Bloomberg, who does not accept contributions. The party scrapped that requirement on Friday, opening the door for Bloomberg to potentially appear on stage if he meets the polling requirements. So far, only Biden, Sanders and Warren have qualified. The tenth Democratic debate is scheduled to take place in Charleston on Feb. 29.
Super Tuesday and the March states


cnbc--2020-02-04--The UK seems determined to alienate the EU before trade talks even begin

The tears of joy and sadness seen on Brexit Day had barely dried when the U.K. and EU were at each other 's throats again ahead of trade talks set to last until the end of the year .
The U.K. and EU both set out their negotiating positions on Monday with Prime Minister Boris Johnson blithely stating that there was `` no need '' for the U.K. to accept EU rules as part of a free trade agreement , and if the EU wo n't budge and give it a Canada-style free trade agreement , it could walk away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a free trade agreement to involve accepting EU rules on competition policy , subsidies , social protection , the environment or anything similar , any more than the EU should be obliged to accept U.K. rules , '' the U.K. leader said .
Meanwhile in Brussels Monday , the EU 's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier stated practically the opposite : That while the EU wants an `` highly ambitious '' trade deal with U.K. , with zero tariffs and quotas on all goods , such an offer was reliant on the U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-term and guarantees to ensure a `` level playing field . ''
But no need to fear everyone : Johnson said Monday that the U.K. will prosper whatever trade deal it gets , likening the country to a `` supercharged '' free trade superman while at the same time promising that the country would not engage in some `` cut throat race to the bottom '' with the EU to undermine its economy .

The tears of joy and sadness seen on Brexit Day had barely dried when the U.K. and EU were at each other's throats again ahead of trade talks set to last until the end of the year.
The U.K. and EU both set out their negotiating positions on Monday with Prime Minister Boris Johnson blithely stating that there was "no need" for the U.K. to accept EU rules as part of a free trade agreement, and if the EU won't budge and give it a Canada-style free trade agreement, it could walk away.
"There is no need for a free trade agreement to involve accepting EU rules on competition policy, subsidies, social protection, the environment or anything similar, any more than the EU should be obliged to accept U.K. rules," the U.K. leader said.
Meanwhile in Brussels Monday, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier stated practically the opposite: That while the EU wants an "highly ambitious" trade deal with U.K., with zero tariffs and quotas on all goods, such an offer was reliant on the U.K. agreeing to open and fair competition in the long-term and guarantees to ensure a "level playing field."
But no need to fear everyone: Johnson said Monday that the U.K. will prosper whatever trade deal it gets, likening the country to a "supercharged" free trade superman while at the same time promising that the country would not engage in some "cut throat race to the bottom" with the EU to undermine its economy.


cnbc--2020-02-04--Trump impeachment trial: Closing arguments focus on 2020 presidential election

WASHINGTON – As the Iowa caucuses officially kicked off the 2020 presidential election Monday , November 's ballot was foremost on the minds of the president 's lawyers and the House impeachment managers as they delivered closing arguments in President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial .
`` The president 's personal interest is now clear : to cheat in the next election , '' said Rep. Val Demings , D-Fla. , one of the Democratic managers making the case for the removal of the president .
Lead House manager Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , asked senators to vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowing that , if left in office , [ Trump will ] continue to seek foreign interference in the next election . ''
Yet the president 's defense lawyers also zeroed in on this November 's election , arguing that voters , and not senators , should be the ones to decide whether Trump stays in office or not .
`` We put our faith in the Senate because we know that you will put your faith in the American people , '' White House counsel said Pat Cipollone in his closing arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them where it belongs , '' he said .
`` We believe that they should choose the president . ''
With the Republican-majority Senate poised to acquit the president in a vote Wednesday afternoon , Monday 's closing arguments offered Democrats an opportunity to leave the viewing public with two final thoughts : Firstly , that Trump 's actions were craven and corrupt , and second , that Trump still presents a clear danger to both national security and the integrity of the 2020 presidential election .
Here are the top moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial , the House managers buttressed their arguments with weighty , high-minded references to the Constitution , the founding fathers , and a slew of other historical and political icons .
In his closing statement , Rep. Jason Crow , D-Colo. , invoked a much different authority : Dumbledore , the patriarchal wizard of the `` Harry Potter '' fantasy novel series .
`` Many of us in this room are parents .
We all try to teach our kids the important lessons of life .
One of these lessons is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you wo n't always be the fastest , and you wo n't always win , '' Crow said .
`` There are a lot of things outside our control , but my wife and I have tried to teach our kids that what we can always control are our choices . ''
He added : `` It 's in that spirit that , hanging in my son 's room , is a quote from Harry Potter .
The quote is from Professor Dumbledore , who said , 'It is our choices that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than our abilities . '
'' According to Trump 's personal lawyer , Jay Sekulow , internal and external objections to Trump 's pressure campaign on Ukraine were not objections to crimes , but merely `` policy disputes '' with career bureaucrats and Democrats .
`` Elections have consequences .
We all know that , '' Sekulow said .
`` If you do not like the policies of a particular administration or a particular candidate , you are free and welcome to vote for another candidate .
But the answer is elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point a step further .
`` At the end of the day , this is an effort to overturn the results of one election and to try to interfere in the coming election that begins today in Iowa , '' he said .
`` There is only one answer to that , and the answer is to reject those articles of impeachment .
To have confidence in the American people , and to have confidence in the result of the upcoming election , and to have confidence and respect for the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
`` And to leave the choice of the president to the American people . ''
Schiff : 'The sun will rise again' But Schiff 's lofty closing argument was the part of Monday 's proceedings that are most likely to be replayed in the coming months .
The president and his lawyers , Schiff argued , have retreated to their `` final defense .
He 's guilty as sin , but ca n't we just let the voters decide ?
He 's guilty as sin , but why not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
`` Can we be confident that he will not continue to try to cheat in that very election ?
No you ca n't .
You ca n't trust this president to do the right thing , not for one minute .
Not for one election .
Not for the sake of our country .
He will not change , and you know it . ''
The nation 's founders , Schiff said , `` gave you a remedy , and they meant for you to use it .
They gave you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to observe it . ''
He added : `` It may be midnight in Washington , but the sun will rise again .
I put my faith and my optimism in the founders .
You should , too . ''
The House voted to impeach Trump in December on two articles , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , both stemming from Trump 's handling of the U.S. relationship with Ukraine .
Trump has denied wrongdoing .

In this screengrab taken from a Senate Television webcast, House manager Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) speaks during impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol on February 3, 2020 in Washington, DC. Senate TV | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – As the Iowa caucuses officially kicked off the 2020 presidential election Monday, November's ballot was foremost on the minds of the president's lawyers and the House impeachment managers as they delivered closing arguments in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. "The president's personal interest is now clear: to cheat in the next election," said Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., one of the Democratic managers making the case for the removal of the president. Lead House manager Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., asked senators to vote on Trump's guilt or innocence, "knowing that, if left in office, [Trump will] continue to seek foreign interference in the next election." Yet the president's defense lawyers also zeroed in on this November's election, arguing that voters, and not senators, should be the ones to decide whether Trump stays in office or not. "We put our faith in the Senate because we know that you will put your faith in the American people," White House counsel said Pat Cipollone in his closing arguments. "You will leave this choice to them where it belongs," he said. "We believe that they should choose the president." With the Republican-majority Senate poised to acquit the president in a vote Wednesday afternoon, Monday's closing arguments offered Democrats an opportunity to leave the viewing public with two final thoughts: Firstly, that Trump's actions were craven and corrupt, and second, that Trump still presents a clear danger to both national security and the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. Here are the top moments of Monday's closing arguments:
Crow's impeachment muse: Dumbledore
Throughout the trial, the House managers buttressed their arguments with weighty, high-minded references to the Constitution, the founding fathers, and a slew of other historical and political icons. In his closing statement, Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., invoked a much different authority: Dumbledore, the patriarchal wizard of the "Harry Potter" fantasy novel series. "Many of us in this room are parents. We all try to teach our kids the important lessons of life. One of these lessons is that you won't always be the strongest, you won't always be the fastest, and you won't always win," Crow said. "There are a lot of things outside our control, but my wife and I have tried to teach our kids that what we can always control are our choices." He added: "It's in that spirit that, hanging in my son's room, is a quote from Harry Potter. The quote is from Professor Dumbledore, who said, 'It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.'"
Defense downplays Trump, focuses on Dems
According to Trump's personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, internal and external objections to Trump's pressure campaign on Ukraine were not objections to crimes, but merely "policy disputes" with career bureaucrats and Democrats. "Elections have consequences. We all know that," Sekulow said. "If you do not like the policies of a particular administration or a particular candidate, you are free and welcome to vote for another candidate. But the answer is elections, not impeachment." Cipollone took the point a step further. "At the end of the day, this is an effort to overturn the results of one election and to try to interfere in the coming election that begins today in Iowa," he said. "There is only one answer to that, and the answer is to reject those articles of impeachment. To have confidence in the American people, and to have confidence in the result of the upcoming election, and to have confidence and respect for the last election and not throw it out," he added. "And to leave the choice of the president to the American people."
Schiff: 'The sun will rise again'
But Schiff's lofty closing argument was the part of Monday's proceedings that are most likely to be replayed in the coming months. The president and his lawyers, Schiff argued, have retreated to their "final defense. He's guilty as sin, but can't we just let the voters decide? He's guilty as sin, but why not let the voters clean up this mess?" "Can we be confident that he will not continue to try to cheat in that very election? No you can't. You can't trust this president to do the right thing, not for one minute. Not for one election. Not for the sake of our country. He will not change, and you know it." The nation's founders, Schiff said, "gave you a remedy, and they meant for you to use it. They gave you an oath, and they meant for you to observe it." He added: "It may be midnight in Washington, but the sun will rise again. I put my faith and my optimism in the founders. You should, too." The House voted to impeach Trump in December on two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, both stemming from Trump's handling of the U.S. relationship with Ukraine. Trump has denied wrongdoing.
Next steps