cnbc--2020-02-29--A Democratic president could have a big impact on the tech industry — here's where the candidates st

A Democratic president could have a big impact on the tech industry — here's where the candidates stand on important tech issues

Voters from the 14 states and one U.S. territory hosting primaries and caucuses on Super Tuesday have plenty of issues to consider in choosing a presidential nominee .
Besides top issues like healthcare and gun policy , some voters may be weighing the Democratic candidates ' stances on technology .
Americans have grown increasingly concerned about the power Big Tech companies like Facebook , Google , Amazon , Apple and Microsoft wield over their personal information and future job prospects .
A Pew Research Center survey found that attitudes toward tech companies soured in the last half of the decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage of adult U.S. respondents who said tech companies have a positive effect on the way things are going in the country declined from 71 % to 50 % , .
Among the Democratic candidates , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has made the biggest and earliest splash with her views on the tech industry , releasing her plan to `` break up Big Tech '' in March .
But Warren is not the only candidate to have weighed in on tech issues , which extend well beyond antitrust .
Here 's what voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top-polling Democratic presidential candidates on the key tech issues : Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said at a Washington Post event last year that he would `` absolutely '' try to break up Facebook , Google and Amazon .
Sanders is perhaps only second to Warren in his readiness to declare support for a breakup .
Former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg said that as a candidate for office , he does n't feel it 's appropriate to dictate what companies should be broken up , according to his interview with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would empower the Federal Trade Commission to better assess and handle anticompetitive behavior by tech firms , he said at a CNN town hall in April .
Former Vice President Joe Biden said we should `` be worrying about the concentration of power '' in an interview with The New York Times Editorial Board .
The tech industry experienced relatively positive treatment under the Obama administration , but Biden told the editorial board , `` There are places where [ Former President Barack Obama ] and I have disagreed . ''
Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gate with her proposal to break up Big Tech .
Since then , she 's maintained a persistent drumbeat on the topic .
Warren has pledged to turn down large donations from Big Tech executives to shirk any questions of influence , though it 's not entirely clear what her campaign counts as its threshold .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , the top Democrat on the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee , said `` this consolidation issue is the most underrated discussed issue of our time , '' in her interview with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antitrust enforcement involves looking back at past mergers like that of Facebook and Instagram .
Last year , Klobuchar introduced legislation to update antitrust enforcement , including by shifting the burden onto companies to prove that very large mergers wo n't hurt competition .
Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg , a billionaire tech and media mogul himself , told the The Mercury News in January that Warren and Sanders do n't `` know what they 're talking about '' when it comes to breaking up the big tech companies .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of enforcement .
Sanders told Vox , `` Americans have the right to their own data and that there should be strict penalties for companies who are negligent in protecting that data . ''
He added that there should be oversight of the collection and sale of consumer data , particularly by Big Tech companies like Facebook .
Buttigieg said in a podcast interview that he believes Americans should have a `` right to be forgotten , '' similar to that granted to citizens of the European Union .
Buttigeg told journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` we need to have some level of relationship to the value that is created in our name . ''
A U.S. version of the `` right to be forgotten '' would likely raise serious First Amendment issues , but Buttigieg argued tech companies are already making decisions around speech `` because the policy world did n't figure it out . ''
Biden told the Times Editorial Board , `` we should be setting standards not unlike the Europeans are doing relative to privacy , '' while speaking about a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy policy , the General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) gave citizens more control over their data , including the right to find out why a company is storing their data and choose to transfer it to another provider .
Warren has proposed legislation that would allow executives of companies with more than $ 1 billion in annual revenue to be held criminally liable in cases where they are found to have acted negligently and violated civil law impacting the personal data of 1 % of a state or American population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy bill in the Senate that would allow for states to continue to issue and enforce their own privacy laws and give individuals the right to bring their own lawsuits against companies they feel violated their rights .
Bloomberg has indicated a preference for consistency in federal digital privacy legislation , seeming to align with conservatives who want a federal law that preempts state law , according to an interview with The Mercury News .
Sanders told Vox he opposes `` the Trump administration 's efforts to compel firms to create so-called 'backdoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the First and Fourth Amendments that would ultimately leave everyone less secure . ''
He also said , `` Technology can not shield people from the justice system , especially when it comes to white-collar and other financial crimes . ''
Buttigieg told Vox , `` End-to-end encryption should be the norm , '' but that `` we also need to ensure that law enforcement has access to the tools it needs to keep us all safe . ''
He advocated for `` heightened legal standards '' for government officials trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as a court order and proof all other options have been exhausted .
Biden has n't commented much on encryption this election cycle , but he did introduce a counter-terrorism bill in 1991 that would have allowed government officials to obtain data and communications from electronic service providers `` when appropriately authorized by law . ''
While the bill did not become law and technology has rapidly evolved in the intervening years , the legislation is reminiscent of Attorney General William Barr 's calls for tech companies to build in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devices and messages with a warrant .
Warren has said , `` The government can enforce the law and protect our security without trampling on Americans ' privacy .
Individuals have a Fourth Amendment right against warrantless searches and seizures , and that should not change in the digital era , '' according to her response to Vox 's question .
Klobuchar , a former prosecutor , expressed an understanding of law enforcement 's challenges during the 2016 standoff between Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation , which requested help unlocking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack in San Bernadino , Calif. Klobuchar said in a statement to the MinnPost at the time that `` very real risks have been presented as criminals and terrorists are constantly trying to utilize the latest technologies to evade capture and conviction , '' adding that `` any proposal that would limit data security available to the public could impede efforts to protect American businesses and consumers from cyber-attacks by criminals and foreign governments . ''
Bloomberg dug into the tech industry for resisting calls to build a backdoor into encryption for government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ op-ed following the public fight between Apple and the FBI over unlocking the San Bernadino shooter 's phone .
Bloomberg acknowledged encryption 's benefits for people living under repressive regimes , but said , `` We can work to undermine repressive regimes in ways that do not compromise our own safety , and we should expect tech leaders to help lead the way . ''
Sanders told Vox that Section 230 , the law that shields online platforms from legal liability for their users ' posts , was drafted `` well before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and technological development . ''
Sanders said he `` will work with experts and advocates to ensure that these large , profitable corporations are held responsible when dangerous activity occurs on their watch , while protecting the fundamental right of free speech in this country and making sure right-wing groups do n't abuse regulation to advance their agenda . ''
Buttigieg has n't made clear his stance on Section 230 but has suggested tech companies should take more responsibility for their role in spreading hate online and should be required to root out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vox he would `` identify online platforms and other companies that refuse to take steps to curb use by hate groups . ''
Biden has taken the most extreme view of the Democratic candidates when it comes to Section 230 , telling the Times editorial board that it `` should be revoked ... For [ Facebook CEO Mark ] Zuckerberg and other platforms . ''
Other candidates have not taken such a strong approach on Section 230 likely because it also allows for online platforms to engage in `` good faith '' content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their sites without fearing legal repercussions .
Warren said in a campaign plan that she would `` push for new laws that impose tough civil and criminal penalties for knowingly disseminating this kind of information , which has the explicit purpose of undermining the basic right to vote , '' referring to false information about voting in U.S. elections .
She called on tech platforms to take responsibility for spreading disinformation , asking them to share resources and even open up information about their algorithms and allow users to opt out so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to amplified material .
Klobuchar said Section 230 `` is something else that we should definitely look at as we look at how we can create more accountability , '' in an interview at South By Southwest recorded for the Recode Decode podcast .
But she said , it 's not the goal to `` destroy '' tech companies .
Sanders has been long been a vocal supporter of net neutrality , the concept that broadband providers should not be allowed to block or slow access to websites or require payments to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Ajit Pai ordered net neutrality to be repealed in 2017 , Sanders said the decision was `` an egregious attack on our democracy . ''
He advocates for reinstating net neutrality in his campaign plan .
Buttigieg said on Twitter last year he would `` make net neutrality the law of the land . ''
Buttigieg was one of 100 mayors to sign the Cities Open Internet Pledge while in office , which required internet providers doing business with those part of the pledge to follow principles of net neutrality .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently , but he has previously positioned himself as a skeptic .
In 2006 , while serving as a Delaware senator on the Judiciary Committee , Biden said it did n't seem necessary to introduce a preemptive law because if discrimination feared by net neutrality advocates did occur , there would be such a dramatic public response that `` the chairman will be required to hold this meeting in this largest room in the Capitol , and there will be lines wandering all the way down to the White House . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , was a champion of net neutrality .
Warren has advocated in the Senate to restore net neutrality rules , saying in 2018 that their repeal `` has corporate greed and corruption written all over it . ''
In her plan for `` Investing in Rural America , '' Warren said she would appoint FCC commissioners who would restore net neutrality .
Buttigieg said on CNN last year that it 's `` a fool 's errand to think you will be able to get China to change the fundamentals of their economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some tariffs . ''
In the June Democratic debate , Buttigieg shared his concerns with China 's advancement in technology , saying , `` China is investing so they could soon be able to run circles around us in artificial intelligence and this president is fixated on the relationship as if all that mattered was the balance on dishwashers ...
The biggest thing we have to do is invest in our own domestic competitiveness . ''
Biden said in a speech last summer that if the U.S. fails to act to counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and robbing U.S. firms '' of technology and intellectual property .
He advocated creating `` a united front '' of economic partners who can hold China accountable .
Biden said at the time , `` there 's no going back to business as usual on trade with me . ''
Warren said in 2018 that U.S. policy toward China had been `` misdirected '' for years and `` Now U.S. policymakers are starting to look more aggressively at pushing China to open up the markets without demanding a hostage price of access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a campaign blog post , Warren said , `` tariffs are an important tool , [ but ] they are not by themselves a long-term solution to our failed trade agenda and must be part of a broader strategy that this Administration clearly lacks . ''
Klobuchar has said it can make sense to use tariffs , but that there needs to be a level of consistency to both the promises and threats made in the process .
She criticized Trump 's tariffs as being too broad and hurting allies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bloomberg said at the most recent Democratic debate that `` we have to deal with China , if we 're ever going to solve the climate crisis . ''
Addressing his past statements that Chinese President Xi Jinping is not a dictator , Bloomberg said `` he does serve at the behest of the Politburo '' but that `` You can negotiate with him .
That 's exactly what we have to do , make it seem that it 's in his interest and in his people 's interest to do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules , particularly no stealing of intellectual property ; follow the rules in terms of the trade agreements that we have are reciprocal and go equally in both directions . ''

Democratic presidential candidates (L-R) former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) arrive on stage for the Democratic presidential primary debate at Paris Las Vegas on February 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller | Getty Image
Voters from the 14 states and one U.S. territory hosting primaries and caucuses on Super Tuesday have plenty of issues to consider in choosing a presidential nominee. Besides top issues like healthcare and gun policy, some voters may be weighing the Democratic candidates' stances on technology. Americans have grown increasingly concerned about the power Big Tech companies like Facebook , Google , Amazon , Apple and Microsoft wield over their personal information and future job prospects. A Pew Research Center survey found that attitudes toward tech companies soured in the last half of the decade. Between 2015 and 2019, the percentage of adult U.S. respondents who said tech companies have a positive effect on the way things are going in the country declined from 71% to 50%,. Among the Democratic candidates, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has made the biggest and earliest splash with her views on the tech industry, releasing her plan to "break up Big Tech" in March. But Warren is not the only candidate to have weighed in on tech issues, which extend well beyond antitrust. Here's what voters should know about the stances of the top-polling Democratic presidential candidates on the key tech issues:
Breaking up Big Tech
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said at a Washington Post event last year that he would "absolutely" try to break up Facebook, Google and Amazon. Sanders is perhaps only second to Warren in his readiness to declare support for a breakup. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg said that as a candidate for office, he doesn't feel it's appropriate to dictate what companies should be broken up, according to his interview with the New York Times Editorial Board. But he would empower the Federal Trade Commission to better assess and handle anticompetitive behavior by tech firms, he said at a CNN town hall in April. Former Vice President Joe Biden said we should "be worrying about the concentration of power" in an interview with The New York Times Editorial Board. The tech industry experienced relatively positive treatment under the Obama administration, but Biden told the editorial board, "There are places where [Former President Barack Obama] and I have disagreed." Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the first out of the gate with her proposal to break up Big Tech. Since then, she's maintained a persistent drumbeat on the topic. Warren has pledged to turn down large donations from Big Tech executives to shirk any questions of influence, though it's not entirely clear what her campaign counts as its threshold.
watch now
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, said "this consolidation issue is the most underrated discussed issue of our time," in her interview with the Times Editorial Board. Klobuchar said strong antitrust enforcement involves looking back at past mergers like that of Facebook and Instagram. Last year, Klobuchar introduced legislation to update antitrust enforcement, including by shifting the burden onto companies to prove that very large mergers won't hurt competition. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire tech and media mogul himself, told the The Mercury News in January that Warren and Sanders don't "know what they're talking about" when it comes to breaking up the big tech companies. He said he is open to more narrow forms of enforcement.
Digital privacy
Sanders told Vox, "Americans have the right to their own data and that there should be strict penalties for companies who are negligent in protecting that data." He added that there should be oversight of the collection and sale of consumer data, particularly by Big Tech companies like Facebook. Buttigieg said in a podcast interview that he believes Americans should have a "right to be forgotten," similar to that granted to citizens of the European Union. Buttigeg told journalist Kara Swisher on the Recode Decode podcast, "we need to have some level of relationship to the value that is created in our name." A U.S. version of the "right to be forgotten" would likely raise serious First Amendment issues, but Buttigieg argued tech companies are already making decisions around speech "because the policy world didn't figure it out." Biden told the Times Editorial Board, "we should be setting standards not unlike the Europeans are doing relative to privacy," while speaking about a variety of tech issues. The EU's flagship privacy policy, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gave citizens more control over their data, including the right to find out why a company is storing their data and choose to transfer it to another provider.
watch now
Warren has proposed legislation that would allow executives of companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue to be held criminally liable in cases where they are found to have acted negligently and violated civil law impacting the personal data of 1% of a state or American population. Klobuchar has signed on a key Democratic privacy bill in the Senate that would allow for states to continue to issue and enforce their own privacy laws and give individuals the right to bring their own lawsuits against companies they feel violated their rights. Bloomberg has indicated a preference for consistency in federal digital privacy legislation, seeming to align with conservatives who want a federal law that preempts state law, according to an interview with The Mercury News.
Encryption and backdoors
Sanders told Vox he opposes "the Trump administration's efforts to compel firms to create so-called 'backdoors' to encrypted technologies — an attack on the First and Fourth Amendments that would ultimately leave everyone less secure." He also said, "Technology cannot shield people from the justice system, especially when it comes to white-collar and other financial crimes." Buttigieg told Vox, "End-to-end encryption should be the norm," but that "we also need to ensure that law enforcement has access to the tools it needs to keep us all safe." He advocated for "heightened legal standards" for government officials trying to gain access to data with new tools, such as a court order and proof all other options have been exhausted.
watch now
Biden hasn't commented much on encryption this election cycle, but he did introduce a counter-terrorism bill in 1991 that would have allowed government officials to obtain data and communications from electronic service providers "when appropriately authorized by law." While the bill did not become law and technology has rapidly evolved in the intervening years, the legislation is reminiscent of Attorney General William Barr's calls for tech companies to build in a way for law enforcement to access encrypted devices and messages with a warrant. Warren has said, "The government can enforce the law and protect our security without trampling on Americans' privacy. Individuals have a Fourth Amendment right against warrantless searches and seizures, and that should not change in the digital era," according to her response to Vox's question. Klobuchar, a former prosecutor, expressed an understanding of law enforcement's challenges during the 2016 standoff between Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which requested help unlocking an iPhone used by a shooter in an attack in San Bernadino, Calif. Klobuchar said in a statement to the MinnPost at the time that "very real risks have been presented as criminals and terrorists are constantly trying to utilize the latest technologies to evade capture and conviction," adding that "any proposal that would limit data security available to the public could impede efforts to protect American businesses and consumers from cyber-attacks by criminals and foreign governments." Bloomberg dug into the tech industry for resisting calls to build a backdoor into encryption for government officials in a 2016 Wall Street Journal op-ed following the public fight between Apple and the FBI over unlocking the San Bernadino shooter's phone. Bloomberg acknowledged encryption's benefits for people living under repressive regimes, but said, "We can work to undermine repressive regimes in ways that do not compromise our own safety, and we should expect tech leaders to help lead the way."
Section 230
Sanders told Vox that Section 230, the law that shields online platforms from legal liability for their users' posts, was drafted "well before the current era of online communities, expression and technological development." Sanders said he "will work with experts and advocates to ensure that these large, profitable corporations are held responsible when dangerous activity occurs on their watch, while protecting the fundamental right of free speech in this country and making sure right-wing groups don't abuse regulation to advance their agenda." Buttigieg hasn't made clear his stance on Section 230 but has suggested tech companies should take more responsibility for their role in spreading hate online and should be required to root out misinformation in political ads. Buttigieg told Vox he would "identify online platforms and other companies that refuse to take steps to curb use by hate groups." Biden has taken the most extreme view of the Democratic candidates when it comes to Section 230, telling the Times editorial board that it "should be revoked ... For [Facebook CEO Mark] Zuckerberg and other platforms." Other candidates have not taken such a strong approach on Section 230 likely because it also allows for online platforms to engage in "good faith" content moderation to remove the most insidious content from their sites without fearing legal repercussions. Warren said in a campaign plan that she would "push for new laws that impose tough civil and criminal penalties for knowingly disseminating this kind of information, which has the explicit purpose of undermining the basic right to vote," referring to false information about voting in U.S. elections. She called on tech platforms to take responsibility for spreading disinformation, asking them to share resources and even open up information about their algorithms and allow users to opt out so they don't need to be subject to amplified material. Klobuchar said Section 230 "is something else that we should definitely look at as we look at how we can create more accountability," in an interview at South By Southwest recorded for the Recode Decode podcast. But she said, it's not the goal to "destroy" tech companies.
watch now
Bloomberg has said social media companies should be held to similar legal standards as media outlets. In an interview with The Mercury News, Bloomberg said, "Society shouldn't give up the protections that we have from the press's responsibility just because it helps them make more money." He stopped short of saying Section 230 should be repealed and said he didn't know which part of the law should be altered.
Net neutrality
Sanders has been long been a vocal supporter of net neutrality, the concept that broadband providers should not be allowed to block or slow access to websites or require payments to deliver faster speeds. When Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai ordered net neutrality to be repealed in 2017, Sanders said the decision was "an egregious attack on our democracy." He advocates for reinstating net neutrality in his campaign plan. Buttigieg said on Twitter last year he would "make net neutrality the law of the land." Buttigieg was one of 100 mayors to sign the Cities Open Internet Pledge while in office, which required internet providers doing business with those part of the pledge to follow principles of net neutrality. Biden has not said much on net neutrality recently, but he has previously positioned himself as a skeptic. In 2006, while serving as a Delaware senator on the Judiciary Committee, Biden said it didn't seem necessary to introduce a preemptive law because if discrimination feared by net neutrality advocates did occur, there would be such a dramatic public response that "the chairman will be required to hold this meeting in this largest room in the Capitol, and there will be lines wandering all the way down to the White House." The Obama administration in which he served, however, was a champion of net neutrality. Warren has advocated in the Senate to restore net neutrality rules, saying in 2018 that their repeal "has corporate greed and corruption written all over it." In her plan for "Investing in Rural America," Warren said she would appoint FCC commissioners who would restore net neutrality.
watch now
Klobuchar has publicly supported net neutrality in the Senate, calling the rules "important protections" and saying the FCC's vote to eliminate them "will harm consumers, particularly in rural areas. It will limit competition. And it will hurt small business entrepreneurship and innovation." In her "Plan for the Future of Work and a Changing Economy," Klobuchar promises to "work to codify strong net neutrality principles and make immediate progress in her first 100 days [as president] by using federal contracting requirements to encourage broadband providers to honor net neutrality principles and promote a free and open internet." Bloomberg hasn't said much either way about net neutrality at this point in the campaign.
China and tariffs
Sanders has said, "We do need new trade policies that are fair to the working people of this country, not just to the CEOs, but as usual, I think Trump gets it wrong in terms of implementation," according to Vox. Sanders said on CNN last year he would "of course" use tariffs to reach a deal with China, but only "used in a rational way within the context of a broad, sensible trade policy."
watch now


cnbc--2020-02-29--Trump says the coronavirus is the Democrats' 'new hoax'

President Donald Trump said Friday that Democrats are using the virulent coronavirus as a `` hoax '' to damage him and his administration .
`` The Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus , '' he said from a campaign rally in North Charleston , South Carolina .
`` One of my people came up to me and said 'Mr .
President they tried to beat you on Russia , Russia , Russia .
That did n't work out too well . '
They could n't do it .
They tried the impeachment hoax that was on a perfect conversation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new hoax , '' he said , referring to the coronavirus .
The disease , which originated in Wuhan , China , has now killed more than 2,800 people worldwide and infected more than 80,000 .
The latest reports from the World Health Organization show the pace of new cases in China slowing , but jumping in South Korea , Japan , Italy , and Iran .
In the U.S. , the Santa Clara Public Health Department announced a third case of coronavirus in the county Friday evening .
The announcement brings the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California to 10 and the total number of cases in the U.S. to 63 , most of which were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship and evacuees from Wuhan .
`` We are magnificently organized with the best professionals in the world , '' Trump said of the administration 's preparations to help contain the spread of the virus .
`` We have to take it very , very seriously ... We are preparing for the worst , '' he continued .
`` My administration has taken the most aggressive action in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this illness in the United States .
We are ready .
We are ready .
Totally ready . ''
In other headlines , a Google employee tested positive for the coronavirus , the company said Friday .
New Zealand and Nigeria reported overnight their first coronavirus cases .
`` We will do everything in our power to keep the infection and those carrying the infection from entering our country .
We have no choice , '' Trump said .
`` Whether it 's the virus we 're talking about or many other public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open borders is a direct threat to the health and wellbeing of all Americans . ''
Later , on Saturday , the president also sought to clarify his use of the word `` hoax '' in a press conference at the White House .
`` The 'hoax ' was used with respect to Democrats and what they were saying , '' Trump said .
`` It was a 'hoax , ' what they were saying . ''
Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis , and live business day programming from @ @ @ @

US President Donald Trump speaks during a "Keep America Great" campaign rally at Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio, on January 9, 2020. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
President Donald Trump said Friday that Democrats are using the virulent coronavirus as a "hoax" to damage him and his administration. "The Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus," he said from a campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina. "One of my people came up to me and said 'Mr. President they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia. That didn't work out too well.' They couldn't do it. They tried the impeachment hoax that was on a perfect conversation," he continued.
watch now
"This is their new hoax," he said, referring to the coronavirus. The disease, which originated in Wuhan, China, has now killed more than 2,800 people worldwide and infected more than 80,000. The latest reports from the World Health Organization show the pace of new cases in China slowing, but jumping in South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran. In the U.S., the Santa Clara Public Health Department announced a third case of coronavirus in the county Friday evening. The announcement brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in California to 10 and the total number of cases in the U.S. to 63, most of which were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship and evacuees from Wuhan. "We are magnificently organized with the best professionals in the world," Trump said of the administration's preparations to help contain the spread of the virus. "We have to take it very, very seriously ... We are preparing for the worst," he continued. "My administration has taken the most aggressive action in modern history to prevent the spread of this illness in the United States. We are ready. We are ready. Totally ready." In other headlines, a Google employee tested positive for the coronavirus, the company said Friday. New Zealand and Nigeria reported overnight their first coronavirus cases.
watch now


cnbc--2020-02-29--Op-Ed: Coronavirus could be a bigger test for the EU than the refugee crisis

The coronavirus pounded the European Union this week with the biggest test of its political , economic and social fabric since the refugee crisis of five years ago .
The ripples from the European migrant crisis of 2015 continue until today with its dual shock to the EU 's unity and domestic politics .
It triggered a wave of populism and nationalism , the United Kingdom 's withdrawal from the EU , and Germany 's political fragmentation behind the weakening of Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Most dramatically , the Turkish government this week backed off from its commitment made in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euros in EU funds , to prevent Syrian refugees from entering Europe .
That followed a Thursday airstrike by Russian-backed Syrian forces in Syria 's Idlib province , killing at least 33 Turkish troops .
Even as Turkey ordered police , coast guard and border security officials to allow would-be refugees to pass into the EU , Bulgaria responded by sending an extra 1,000 troops to the frontier with Turkey and Greek police launched smoke grenades at one crossing to dissuade migrants .
Containing pathogens is a much different business than managing waves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two issues is how dramatically the European Union 's response will shape public attitudes about the institution 's relevance , responsiveness , and effectiveness at a crucial historic moment .
The impact of coronavirus on Europe 's future has the potential to be even more significant than the migrant crisis , particularly as it unfolds in almost biblical fashion atop a plague of other European maladies .
They include , but by no means are limited to : economic slowdown and possible recession ( made more likely by coronavirus ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well by the virus ) , disagreements about how to handle trade talks with a departing United Kingdom ( which start Monday ) , internecine fights over the European budget , and ongoing German leadership crisis and French social upheaval .
The coronavirus morphed this past week into an increasingly global phenomenon that experts agree can no longer be contained .
The hit to stock markets was $ 6 trillion , the biggest weekly fall since the 2008 financial crisis .
By Friday , the WHO reported more than 78,000 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 70 deaths in 52 other countries .
In Europe , what began as northern Italian phenomenon – where there have been more than 800 infections – has now reached Spain , Greece , Croatia , France , the UK , Switzerland , Romania , the Netherlands , Austria , Germany , Sweden , Norway , Belgium , Denmark , Estonia , North Macedonia , and San Marino .
Italians have cancelled their carnival celebration in Venice and Milan Fashion Week .
European hotels –in Austria , France , and the Spanish Canary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The coronavirus pounded the European Union this week with the biggest test of its political, economic and social fabric since the refugee crisis of five years ago.
The ripples from the European migrant crisis of 2015 continue until today with its dual shock to the EU's unity and domestic politics. It triggered a wave of populism and nationalism, the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU, and Germany's political fragmentation behind the weakening of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Most dramatically, the Turkish government this week backed off from its commitment made in 2016, in return for 6 billion euros in EU funds, to prevent Syrian refugees from entering Europe. That followed a Thursday airstrike by Russian-backed Syrian forces in Syria's Idlib province, killing at least 33 Turkish troops.
Even as Turkey ordered police, coast guard and border security officials to allow would-be refugees to pass into the EU, Bulgaria responded by sending an extra 1,000 troops to the frontier with Turkey and Greek police launched smoke grenades at one crossing to dissuade migrants.
Containing pathogens is a much different business than managing waves of refugees. However, what unites the two issues is how dramatically the European Union's response will shape public attitudes about the institution's relevance, responsiveness, and effectiveness at a crucial historic moment.
The impact of coronavirus on Europe's future has the potential to be even more significant than the migrant crisis, particularly as it unfolds in almost biblical fashion atop a plague of other European maladies.
They include, but by no means are limited to: economic slowdown and possible recession (made more likely by coronavirus), the rise of populism and nationalism (stoked as well by the virus), disagreements about how to handle trade talks with a departing United Kingdom (which start Monday), internecine fights over the European budget, and ongoing German leadership crisis and French social upheaval.
The coronavirus morphed this past week into an increasingly global phenomenon that experts agree can no longer be contained. The hit to stock markets was $6 trillion, the biggest weekly fall since the 2008 financial crisis. By Friday, the WHO reported more than 78,000 cases and more than 2,790 deaths ion China – and 70 deaths in 52 other countries.
In Europe, what began as northern Italian phenomenon – where there have been more than 800 infections – has now reached Spain, Greece, Croatia, France, the UK, Switzerland, Romania, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, North Macedonia, and San Marino.
Italians have cancelled their carnival celebration in Venice and Milan Fashion Week. European hotels –in Austria, France, and the Spanish Canary Islands– have been locked down in quarantine.


cnbc--2020-02-29--Elon Musk tells a room full of Air Force pilots: 'The fighter jet era has passed'

ORLANDO , Fla. , — Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk predicted Friday that the future of war would be carried out by autonomous drones and not by legacy aircraft .
`` The fighter jet era has passed , '' Musk said during a fireside chat with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John Thompson at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando , Florida .
`` Drone warfare is where the future will be .
It 's not that I want the future to be – it 's just , this is what the future will be , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's F-35 fighter jet , which is the Pentagon 's most expensive weapons system , should have a competitor .
`` The Joint Strike Fighter , there should be a competitor ... that 's a controversial subject but I do n't think it 's good to have one provider , '' Musk said .
He later elaborated on Twitter that the F-35 competitor should be a drone .
`` The competitor should be a drone fighter plane that 's remote-controlled by a human , but with its maneuvers augmented by autonomy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he wrote .
Throughout his discussion with Thompson , Musk warned that the United States was at risk of falling behind other nations if it did not prioritize innovation .
`` This is not something that was a risk in times past but is a risk now , '' Musk said .
`` I have zero doubt that if the United States does n't seek innovation in space it will be second in space . ''
Musk also predicted that the Chinese economy will eventually surpass the United States ' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elon Musk says Chinese economy will surpass US by 2 or 3 times : 'The foundation of war is economics ' `` A thing that will feel pretty strange is that the Chinese economy is probably going to be at least twice as big as the United States ' economy , maybe three times , '' Musk said .
`` The foundation of war is economics , '' Musk said .
`` If you have half the resources of the counterparty then you better be real innovative , if you 're not innovative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, speaks with US Air Force Lieutenant General John Thompson, commander Space and Missile Systems Center commander at Space Pitch Day in San Francisco, California. US Air Force
ORLANDO, Fla., — Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk predicted Friday that the future of war would be carried out by autonomous drones and not by legacy aircraft. "The fighter jet era has passed," Musk said during a fireside chat with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John Thompson at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida. "Drone warfare is where the future will be. It's not that I want the future to be – it's just, this is what the future will be," he added.
watch now
Musk also said that Lockheed Martin 's F-35 fighter jet, which is the Pentagon's most expensive weapons system, should have a competitor. "The Joint Strike Fighter, there should be a competitor ... that's a controversial subject but I don't think it's good to have one provider," Musk said. He later elaborated on Twitter that the F-35 competitor should be a drone. "The competitor should be a drone fighter plane that's remote-controlled by a human, but with its maneuvers augmented by autonomy. The F-35 would have no chance against it," he wrote.
Throughout his discussion with Thompson, Musk warned that the United States was at risk of falling behind other nations if it did not prioritize innovation. "This is not something that was a risk in times past but is a risk now," Musk said. "I have zero doubt that if the United States doesn't seek innovation in space it will be second in space."
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter approaches at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.
Musk also predicted that the Chinese economy will eventually surpass the United States' by at least two-fold. Read more: Elon Musk says Chinese economy will surpass US by 2 or 3 times: 'The foundation of war is economics' "A thing that will feel pretty strange is that the Chinese economy is probably going to be at least twice as big as the United States' economy, maybe three times," Musk said. "The foundation of war is economics," Musk said. "If you have half the resources of the counterparty then you better be real innovative, if you're not innovative, you're going to lose."


cnbc--2020-03-01--Trump calls for lower rates amid coronavirus fallout: 'Fed should start being a leader'

President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on his criticism of the Federal Reserve and what he sees as its reluctance to lower interest rates in the midst of coronavirus fears and its potential impact on the American economy .
`` Our Fed should start being a leader , '' Trump said at a news conference Saturday from the White House , surrounded by health officials and Vice President Mike Pence .
`` We should have the lowest interest rates .
We do n't have the lowest interest rates .
Our Fed rate is higher .
You look at Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at other countries : many of them have negative rates and we are not put in that position because of our Fed . ''
`` And now we have this problem , '' he said , referring to the coronavirus .
`` You saw where Germany is lowering and also infusing a lot of money into their economy .
I have n't heard our Fed say they should do this . ''
Trump has often blamed what he sees as overly restrictive interest rates imposed by the Fed for undermining the strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses its benchmark overnight lending rate and other monetary policy tools to keep inflation in check while fostering full employment .
`` We could refinance our debt at even lower rates , '' the president added in his White House presser .
`` Our Fed is making us pay more than we should and that 's ridiculous . ''
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Friday amid the week-long stock market plunge that the central bank is monitoring the risk the coronavirus poses to the U.S. economy .
Powell did pledge action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. economy remain strong , '' Powell said in a mid-day statement .
`` However , the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity .
The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook .
We will use our tools and act as appropriate to support the economy . ''
The president 's rekindled frustrations with the U.S. central bank follow the worst week for U.S. markets since the financial crisis , with the Dow Jones Industrial Averag and the S & P 500 down 12.36 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading sessions .
This week , both major stock indexes fell into what 's known on Wall Street as a correction , a slide of 10 % or more from a recent 52-week high .
But Powell 's statement was short of what some investors were hoping for from the Fed .
Many economists on Wall Street now predict the central bank will need to enact several rate cuts this year to combat a coming slowdown .
Powell 's language in the Friday statement differed little from previous statements the Fed has made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though Trump is suggesting additional remedies that may not be necessary at this time .
Refinancing the country 's debt would be an unprecedented act that some economists fear could have unintended consequences for the country 's finances .

President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on his criticism of the Federal Reserve and what he sees as its reluctance to lower interest rates in the midst of coronavirus fears and its potential impact on the American economy.
"Our Fed should start being a leader," Trump said at a news conference Saturday from the White House, surrounded by health officials and Vice President Mike Pence. "We should have the lowest interest rates. We don't have the lowest interest rates. Our Fed rate is higher. You look at Germany, you look at Japan, you look at other countries: many of them have negative rates and we are not put in that position because of our Fed."
"And now we have this problem," he said, referring to the coronavirus. "You saw where Germany is lowering and also infusing a lot of money into their economy. I haven't heard our Fed say they should do this."
Trump has often blamed what he sees as overly restrictive interest rates imposed by the Fed for undermining the strength of the American economy. The Fed uses its benchmark overnight lending rate and other monetary policy tools to keep inflation in check while fostering full employment.
"We could refinance our debt at even lower rates," the president added in his White House presser. "Our Fed is making us pay more than we should and that's ridiculous."
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said on Friday amid the week-long stock market plunge that the central bank is monitoring the risk the coronavirus poses to the U.S. economy. Powell did pledge action if necessary.
"The fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain strong," Powell said in a mid-day statement. "However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook. We will use our tools and act as appropriate to support the economy."
The president's rekindled frustrations with the U.S. central bank follow the worst week for U.S. markets since the financial crisis, with the Dow Jones Industrial Averag and the S&P 500 down 12.36% and 11.49% over the last five trading sessions. This week, both major stock indexes fell into what's known on Wall Street as a correction, a slide of 10% or more from a recent 52-week high.
But Powell's statement was short of what some investors were hoping for from the Fed. Many economists on Wall Street now predict the central bank will need to enact several rate cuts this year to combat a coming slowdown. Powell's language in the Friday statement differed little from previous statements the Fed has made, even before the coronavirus crisis.
Though Trump is suggesting additional remedies that may not be necessary at this time. Refinancing the country's debt would be an unprecedented act that some economists fear could have unintended consequences for the country's finances.


cnbc--2020-03-02--Pete Buttigieg drops out of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary ahead of Super Tuesday

Democratic presidential hopeful former Mayor of South Bend , Indiana , Pete Buttigieg speaks during a rally in Columbia , South Carolina , on February 28 , 2020 .
Democrat Pete Buttigieg exited the 2020 presidential primary race on Sunday , ending an unlikely campaign that saw a little-known mayor overpower governors and U.S. senators in the race for the party nomination .
`` Today is a moment of truth , '' Buttigieg said from South Bend , Indiana , where he served as mayor for two terms .
`` The truth is the path has narrowed to a close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our cause . ''
Buttigieg said he had a responsibility for considering `` the effect of remaining in this race any further . ''
`` Our goal has always been to help unify Americans to help defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values .
And so we must recognize that at this point in the race the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and our country together , '' he said .
The remarks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' from supporters , concluded with no endorsement from the 38-year-old moderate .
His decision to drop out of the race comes after former Vice President Joe Biden won a crushing victory in the South Carolina primary on Saturday , re-energizing a campaign that had flagged in the first three nominating contests in Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada .
Biden 's renewed momentum would make it difficult for Buttigieg to win over moderate voters moving forward into Super Tuesday .
It also caused some financing trouble : In the wake of Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign were able to lure some donors who had been backing Buttigieg , CNBC reported .
During his longshot bid , Buttigieg outperformed expectations , assembling what at points was a substantial war chest and building out a vast national operation .
Buttigieg , the first openly gay major presidential contender , scored a narrow delegate edge over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Iowa caucuses and finished a strong second place in New Hampshire 's primary .
But the one-time candidate for chair of the Democratic National Committee ultimately failed to sustain his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulty attracting the support of black and other minority voters .
This became clear in the Nevada caucuses , where he finished a distant third place with only 2 % of the black vote , and in South Carolina , where he collected 3 % of the black vote and finished in fourth .
Buttigieg had predicted that wins in Iowa and New Hampshire would boost his support in the more diverse states that followed , but that outcome did not materialize .
Buttigieg 's showings in Nevada and South Carolina muddied potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war veteran ahead of Super Tuesday this week , when 14 states will host contests that collectively award a third of the race 's total delegates .
Earlier on Sunday , on NBC 's `` Meet the Press , '' host Chuck Todd pressed Buttigieg about his decision to stay in the race .
`` Every day we are in this campaign is a day that we have reached the conclusion that pushing forward is the best thing we can do for the country and for the party , '' Buttigieg said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure on candidates who are under-performing in state surveys to drop from the contest .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar have resisted those calls , though .
Warren 's campaign released a memo on Sunday describing the Democratic National Convention in July as the `` final play '' for the campaign and committing to fight for delegates for as long as it could until then .
An aide to Klobuchar told CNBC shortly after Buttigieg 's departure from the race became known that the the moderate lawmaker was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Klobuchar is attending an event in Minnesota Sunday evening .
The state will be among those to vote on Tuesday .

Pete Buttigieg exited the 2020 Democrat presidential race, ending an unlikely bid that saw a gay small-town mayor overpower governors and senators in the fight for the party nomination.
"Today is a moment of truth," Buttigieg said from South Bend, Indiana, where he served as mayor for two terms. "The truth is the path has narrowed to a close, for our candidacy, if not for our cause."
Buttigieg said he had a responsibility for considering "the effect of remaining in this race any further."
"Our goal has always been to help unify Americans to help defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values. And so we must recognize that at this point in the race the best way to keep faith with those goals and ideals is to step aside and help bring our party and our country together," he said.
The remarks, punctuated with chants of "2024!" from supporters, concluded with no endorsement from the 38-year-old moderate.
His decision to drop out of the race came a day after former Vice President Joe Biden won a crushing victory in the South Carolina primary, reenergizing a campaign that had flagged in the first three nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
Biden's renewed momentum would make it difficult for Buttigieg to win over moderate voters in this week's Super Tuesday. It also caused some financing trouble: In the wake of Biden's victory, bundlers working for his campaign were able to lure some donors who had been backing Buttigieg, CNBC reported.
During his longshot bid, Buttigieg outperformed expectations, assembling what at points was a substantial war chest and building out a vast national operation. Buttigieg, the first openly gay major presidential contender, scored a narrow delegate edge over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Iowa caucuses and finished a strong second in New Hampshire's primary.
But the one-time candidate for chair of the Democratic National Committee ultimately failed to sustain his campaign's momentum and ran into difficulty attracting the support of black and other minority voters.
This became clear in the Nevada caucuses, where he finished a distant third place with only 2% of the black vote, and in South Carolina, where he collected 3% of the black vote and finished in fourth.
Buttigieg had predicted that wins in Iowa and New Hampshire would boost his support in the more diverse states that followed, but that outcome did not materialize.
Buttigieg's showings in Nevada and South Carolina muddied potential paths to victory for the millennial Afghanistan war veteran ahead of Super Tuesday, when 14 states will host contests that collectively award a third of the race's total delegates.
Brian tweet
Earlier on Sunday, on NBC's "Meet the Press," host Chuck Todd pressed Buttigieg about his decision to stay in the race.
"Every day we are in this campaign is a day that we have reached the conclusion that pushing forward is the best thing we can do for the country and for the party," Buttigieg said.
The Super Tuesday contests have escalated pressure on candidates who are underperforming in state surveys to drop out.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar have resisted those calls, though.
Warren's campaign released a memo on Sunday describing the Democratic National Convention in July as the "final play" for the campaign and committing to fight for delegates for as long as it could until then.
An aide to Klobuchar told CNBC shortly after Buttigieg's departure from the race became known that the moderate senator was not planning to drop out any time soon. Klobuchar was attending an event in her home state Sunday evening. Minnesota is among the Super Tuesday states.
-- CNBC's Lauren Hirsch contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Bernie Sanders leads in Texas, a pivotal Super Tuesday primary, NBC/Marist poll says

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) waves as he arrives onstage for a campaign rally at Vic Mathias Shores Park on February 23 , 2020 in Austin , Texas .
Bernie Sanders holds a comfortable lead in Tuesday 's Texas Democratic primary , one of the biggest troves of delegates up for grabs in the race for the 2020 presidential nomination , according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Sunday .
The Vermont senator has the support of 34 % of likely Democratic primary voters in the Lone Star State , the survey found .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , who 19 % of respondents picked as their first choice .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, follow at 15 % and 10 % , respectively .
Here 's where the full eight-person field stands in the Texas primary : • Billionaire activist Tom Steyer : 1 % ( Steyer dropped out of the race Saturday after the poll was taken ) Contenders for the nomination have devoted considerable time and resources to Texas , which will help to shape the delegate race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national delegates , the second most of any state voting Tuesday , after California 's 415 .
Sanders , who leads Biden in the delegate count after the former vice president 's win in the South Carolina primary Saturday , could need big wins in both California and Texas to accumulate the delegate majority required to win the nomination .
Both states are tests of Sanders ' push to mobilize younger Latino voters , a key piece of his strategy this year .
The NBC/Marist poll also surveyed the general election in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put more effort into winning in recent years .
In a hypothetical matchup between President Donald Trump and Sanders , 49 % of registered voters choose the incumbent , while 45 % pick the senator .
Trump leads Biden by the same margin .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waves as he arrives onstage for a campaign rally at Vic Mathias Shores Park on February 23, 2020 in Austin, Texas.
Bernie Sanders holds a comfortable lead in Tuesday's Texas Democratic primary, one of the biggest troves of delegates up for grabs in the race for the 2020 presidential nomination, according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Sunday.
The Vermont senator has the support of 34% of likely Democratic primary voters in the Lone Star State, the survey found. He has a comfortable cushion over former Vice President Joe Biden, who 19% of respondents picked as their first choice.
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., follow at 15% and 10%, respectively.
Here's where the full eight-person field stands in the Texas primary:
Sanders: 34%
Biden: 19%
Bloomberg: 15%
Warren: 10%
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg: 8%
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.: 3%
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer: 1% (Steyer dropped out of the race Saturday after the poll was taken)
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii: 1%
Undecided: 9%
Contenders for the nomination have devoted considerable time and resources to Texas, which will help to shape the delegate race. The state will award 228 pledged national delegates, the second most of any state voting Tuesday, after California's 415.
Sanders, who leads Biden in the delegate count after the former vice president's win in the South Carolina primary Saturday, could need big wins in both California and Texas to accumulate the delegate majority required to win the nomination.
Both states are tests of Sanders' push to mobilize younger Latino voters, a key piece of his strategy this year.
The NBC/Marist poll also surveyed the general election in Texas, a changing state that Democrats have put more effort into winning in recent years. In a hypothetical matchup between President Donald Trump and Sanders, 49% of registered voters choose the incumbent, while 45% pick the senator.
Trump leads Biden by the same margin.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Biden criticizes Trump's coronavirus response: 'We knew this was coming'

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden talks with supporters at a campaign event at Wofford University February 28 , 2020 in Spartanburg , South Carolina .
Former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump 's response to the coronavirus outbreak here in the U.S. , accusing the administration of being largely unprepared .
`` We knew this was coming ... back as far as January , '' the current Democratic presidential hopeful said Sunday on CNN 's `` State of the Union . ''
`` They did n't even begin to prepare the testing kits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Biden accused the Trump administration of eliminating an office in the White House to deal with future outbreaks of pandemic diseases , which he said was set up during the Ebola crisis in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 .
The top White House official in charge of responding to pandemic diseases , Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer , left the Trump administration in 2018 and his team was disbanded in a shake up of the National Security Council under John Bolton , according to The Washington Post .
Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration 's response to the coronavirus .
`` The fact is , other nations have had thousands of test so far , '' Biden said on CNN .
`` What are we doing ?
Why are we just getting started ? ''
`` The idea that this is not a pandemic ... is absolutely bizarre , '' the former vice president said .
A representative from the White House did n't immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
Earlier Sunday morning , also appearing on `` State of the Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said more than 15,000 coronavirus testing kits are in the mail , en route to health professional .
He said another 50,000 had been ordered .
Biden over the weekend won the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary , a needed boost for a once-promising presidential campaign .
He had previously stumbled in early nominating contests — with fourth , fifth and second place finishes in Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada , respectively .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden talks with supporters at a campaign event at Wofford University February 28, 2020 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus outbreak here in the U.S., accusing the administration of being largely unprepared.
"We knew this was coming ... back as far as January," the current Democratic presidential hopeful said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union." "They didn't even begin to prepare the testing kits. ... That is kind of elementary."
Biden accused the Trump administration of eliminating an office in the White House to deal with future outbreaks of pandemic diseases, which he said was set up during the Ebola crisis in West Africa from 2014 to 2016.
The top White House official in charge of responding to pandemic diseases, Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer, left the Trump administration in 2018 and his team was disbanded in a shake up of the National Security Council under John Bolton, according to The Washington Post. Vice President Mike Pence has been tasked with overseeing the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus.
"The fact is, other nations have had thousands of test so far," Biden said on CNN. "What are we doing? Why are we just getting started?"
"The idea that this is not a pandemic ... is absolutely bizarre," the former vice president said.
A representative from the White House didn't immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Earlier Sunday morning, also appearing on "State of the Union," current Vice President Mike Pence said more than 15,000 coronavirus testing kits are in the mail, en route to health professional. He said another 50,000 had been ordered.
Biden over the weekend won the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary, a needed boost for a once-promising presidential campaign. He had previously stumbled in early nominating contests — with fourth, fifth and second place finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, respectively.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar faces a challenge from progressive Jessica Cisneros in a key area for

Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar faces a challenge from progressive Jessica Cisneros in a key area for Texas trade

LAREDO , Texas — Rep. Henry Cuellar 's final stretch before his Tuesday primary election was n't one typically expected from a Democrat facing a challenge from the left .
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce , which usually backs Republicans , endorsed the south Texas congressman earlier this month .
Libre Initiative Action , a group backed by the conservative megadonor Koch family , also gave him its stamp of approval .
About a month before his March 3 election against immigration lawyer Jessica Cisneros , Cuellar broke from his party to vote against a labor reform bill .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Democratic congressman said he still sees his area reflecting conservative views on a range of issues .
`` My district .
It 's very simple , '' Cuellar told CNBC earlier this month when asked why he has opposed some of his party 's proposals on topics from gun safety to labor rights and abortion .
The congressman 's voting record has come under scrutiny from a liberal wing of the party intent on ousting several House incumbents they say have fallen out of step with Democrats in 2020 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday will likely determine who represents a Democratic-leaning seat that extends south from the San Antonio suburbs to a big stretch of the U.S. border with Mexico .
Cisneros , endorsed by two of the leading candidates in the state 's Democratic presidential primary in Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , hopes to pull an upset that would be a significant moment for the progressive movement in a changing Texas .
Cisneros , a former Cuellar intern , supports a single-payer `` Medicare for All '' system and a Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have voted for the labor bill known as the PRO Act that Cuellar opposed .
She told CNBC that the congressman is `` the one that 's out of step with what the true values of south Texas are . ''
The primary has put powerful Democratic figures in opposing camps .
Sanders has backed Cisneros as he leads polling averages in the 2020 Texas primary .
He has tried to energize younger Latino voters to win the state .
Warren and former San Antonio Mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who works to protect incumbents , held a fundraiser with Cuellar in the border city of Laredo last weekend .
`` We want this to be not only a victory , but a resounding victory for Henry Cuellar , '' Pelosi said , according to the Texas Tribune .
His congressional seat juts southwest from the eastern suburbs of San Antonio , past Sutherland Springs , where a gunman killed 26 people at a church in 2017 .
Drivers navigating the last flat stretch of the drive on Interstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ranches , U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicles and 18-wheelers hauling goods to and from Mexico .
Driving north after a customs inspection point , drivers see a Cuellar campaign billboard .
The district is about three-quarters Hispanic or Latino , according to U.S. Census estimates .
Trade buzzes through Laredo , the largest inland port in the country .
Retail trade and transportation and warehousing are among the district 's largest employers .
Still , it has a higher unemployment rate , 6.6 % , than the U.S. as a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in poverty .
Cuellar said `` there are so many jobs here tied into trade . ''
He added that businesspeople `` always say we need predictability , '' but Trump `` has been doing the reverse '' by threatening to put tariffs and Mexico and withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement .
Trump achieved a campaign goal earlier this year when Congress ratified the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement , his update to the 1994 free-trade deal that helped to facilitate commerce between Mexico and the United States .
Cuellar voted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cisneros did not explicitly say whether she would have backed the version of USMCA that lawmakers passed , but noted that she was pleased Democrats appeared to listen to more labor voices when making changes to the Trump administration 's original deal .
She also said she would have pushed for tougher environmental standards in the deal .
Several Democrats cited climate change in voting against the agreement .
Cuellar is a known commodity in the 28th District after representing it for 15 years .
Standing on the corner of a busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early voting this month , he waved at and bantered with drivers .
`` I want to be like you when I grow up ! ''
he yelled at one constituent stopped at a light .
Cisneros , who moved back to the district after spending time in Brooklyn , N.Y. , said she feels her message resonates better with people struggling in the district .
The daughter of Mexican immigrants said locals were `` looking for someone who was going to step up '' against Cuellar after a long tenure .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding the electorate to younger and more infrequent voters — something Sanders hopes to do at the same time at the presidential level .
`` One can make the argument that we might be seeing the beginning of the progressive movement in Texas in some respects , '' said Jon Taylor , chair of the department of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio .
While progressive leaders have helped to fuel Cisneros , the U.S. Chamber and Koch endorsements underscore the support Cuellar has in the region 's business @ @

Rep. Henry Cuellar greeting drivers in Laredo, Texas on Feb. 18, 2020. Jacob Pramuk | CNBC
LAREDO, Texas — Rep. Henry Cuellar's final stretch before his Tuesday primary election wasn't one typically expected from a Democrat facing a challenge from the left. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which usually backs Republicans, endorsed the south Texas congressman earlier this month. Libre Initiative Action, a group backed by the conservative megadonor Koch family, also gave him its stamp of approval. About a month before his March 3 election against immigration lawyer Jessica Cisneros, Cuellar broke from his party to vote against a labor reform bill. Despite a blossoming progressive movement in the state, the Democratic congressman said he still sees his area reflecting conservative views on a range of issues. "My district. It's very simple," Cuellar told CNBC earlier this month when asked why he has opposed some of his party's proposals on topics from gun safety to labor rights and abortion. The congressman's voting record has come under scrutiny from a liberal wing of the party intent on ousting several House incumbents they say have fallen out of step with Democrats in 2020. The primary election in Texas' 28th District on Tuesday will likely determine who represents a Democratic-leaning seat that extends south from the San Antonio suburbs to a big stretch of the U.S. border with Mexico. Cisneros, endorsed by two of the leading candidates in the state's Democratic presidential primary in Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, hopes to pull an upset that would be a significant moment for the progressive movement in a changing Texas.
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and Democratic candidate for Congress in Texas' 28th district Jessica Cisneros walk onstage during a rally on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Nick Wagner | Austin American-Statesman | AP
Cisneros, a former Cuellar intern, supports a single-payer "Medicare for All" system and a Green New Deal. She said she would have voted for the labor bill known as the PRO Act that Cuellar opposed. She told CNBC that the congressman is "the one that's out of step with what the true values of south Texas are." The primary has put powerful Democratic figures in opposing camps. Sanders has backed Cisneros as he leads polling averages in the 2020 Texas primary. He has tried to energize younger Latino voters to win the state. Warren and former San Antonio Mayor and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro have supported Cisneros. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who works to protect incumbents, held a fundraiser with Cuellar in the border city of Laredo last weekend. "We want this to be not only a victory, but a resounding victory for Henry Cuellar," Pelosi said, according to the Texas Tribune.
A trade hotbed
His congressional seat juts southwest from the eastern suburbs of San Antonio, past Sutherland Springs, where a gunman killed 26 people at a church in 2017. Drivers navigating the last flat stretch of the drive on Interstate 35 south to Laredo roll past gates to ranches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicles and 18-wheelers hauling goods to and from Mexico. Driving north after a customs inspection point, drivers see a Cuellar campaign billboard. The district is about three-quarters Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census estimates. Trade buzzes through Laredo, the largest inland port in the country. Retail trade and transportation and warehousing are among the district's largest employers. Still, it has a higher unemployment rate, 6.6%, than the U.S. as a whole. About 20% of families live in poverty. Cuellar said "there are so many jobs here tied into trade." He added that businesspeople "always say we need predictability," but Trump "has been doing the reverse" by threatening to put tariffs and Mexico and withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Trucks, including an armored car, pass through U.S. customs on October 17, 2016 in Laredo, Texas. South Texas customs agents processed $166 billion in imports from Mexico last year, with the largest amount coming through Laredo. Getty Images
Trump achieved a campaign goal earlier this year when Congress ratified the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, his update to the 1994 free-trade deal that helped to facilitate commerce between Mexico and the United States. Cuellar voted to pass it in the House last year. Cisneros did not explicitly say whether she would have backed the version of USMCA that lawmakers passed, but noted that she was pleased Democrats appeared to listen to more labor voices when making changes to the Trump administration's original deal. She also said she would have pushed for tougher environmental standards in the deal. Several Democrats cited climate change in voting against the agreement.
Dueling backgrounds
Cuellar is a known commodity in the 28th District after representing it for 15 years. Standing on the corner of a busy Laredo intersection on the first day of early voting this month, he waved at and bantered with drivers. "I want to be like you when I grow up!" he yelled at one constituent stopped at a light. Cisneros, who moved back to the district after spending time in Brooklyn, N.Y., said she feels her message resonates better with people struggling in the district. The daughter of Mexican immigrants said locals were "looking for someone who was going to step up" against Cuellar after a long tenure. Her strategy for winning may have to involve expanding the electorate to younger and more infrequent voters — something Sanders hopes to do at the same time at the presidential level. "One can make the argument that we might be seeing the beginning of the progressive movement in Texas in some respects," said Jon Taylor, chair of the department of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. While progressive leaders have helped to fuel Cisneros, the U.S. Chamber and Koch endorsements underscore the support Cuellar has in the region's business community.
Customs broker J.D. Gonzalez at his warehouse in Laredo, Texas on Feb. 17, 2020. Jacob Pramuk | CNBC


cnbc--2020-03-01--Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are neck and neck in the North Carolina Democratic primary, NBC/Marist

Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are neck and neck in the North Carolina Democratic primary, NBC/Marist poll says

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Biden gestures towards Senator Sanders during the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester , New Hampshire , U.S. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are locked in a close race in North Carolina 's Democratic presidential primary , which will award a healthy chunk of delegates on Tuesday , according to an NBC News/Marist poll .
The Vermont senator gets 26 % of support among likely Democratic primary voters , narrowly topping the former vice president at 24 % .
The gap falls within the survey 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Mike Bloomberg trails the pair with 15 % of support .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, follows with 11 % .
Here 's how the rest of the field fares in the North Carolina poll : • Billionaire activist Tom Steyer : 2 % ( Steyer dropped out of the race Saturday night after the survey was taken ) After Biden 's resounding victory in South Carolina on Saturday , North Carolina will offer another test of his support in states with a large share of black voters in the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot for the first time Tuesday , and has drawn significant support in Super Tuesday states as he piles hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign .
As Sanders narrowly leads Biden in the pledged national delegate count , both have cast themselves as the best candidate to defeat President Donald Trump in November .
North Carolina , which supported Trump in the 2016 election , could prove competitive in the general election , according to the NBC/Marist poll .
Sanders gets 48 % of support among registered voters in a hypothetical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent gets 46 % .
Biden leads Trump by a slightly wider margin in a head-to-head matchup : 49 % to 45 % .
In November , one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents will also try to defend his seat in what could be a swing state .
Sen. Thom Tillis , a Republican , has tied himself closely to Trump as he runs for reelection .
In the primary to face Tillis , former state Sen. Cal Cunningham has a wide lead over state Sen. Erica Smith , 51 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election race , Cunningham has a 48 % to 43 % edge over Tillis .
The NBC News/Marist poll , taken from Feb. 23 through Feb. 27 , surveyed 2,120 registered voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 2.6 percentage points .
It polled 568 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 5.1 percentage points .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Biden gestures towards Senator Sanders during the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are locked in a close race in North Carolina's Democratic presidential primary, which will award a healthy chunk of delegates on Tuesday, according to an NBC News/Marist poll.
The Vermont senator gets 26% of support among likely Democratic primary voters, narrowly topping the former vice president at 24%. The gap falls within the survey's margin of error.
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg trails the pair with 15% of support. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., follows with 11%.
Here's how the rest of the field fares in the North Carolina poll:
Sanders: 26%
Biden: 24%
Bloomberg: 15%
Warren: 11%
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg: 7%
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.: 5%
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer: 2% (Steyer dropped out of the race Saturday night after the survey was taken)
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii: 1%
Undecided: 7%
After Biden's resounding victory in South Carolina on Saturday, North Carolina will offer another test of his support in states with a large share of black voters in the Democratic electorate. Bloomberg will be on the ballot for the first time Tuesday, and has drawn significant support in Super Tuesday states as he piles hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign.
As Sanders narrowly leads Biden in the pledged national delegate count, both have cast themselves as the best candidate to defeat President Donald Trump in November. North Carolina, which supported Trump in the 2016 election, could prove competitive in the general election, according to the NBC/Marist poll.
Sanders gets 48% of support among registered voters in a hypothetical race against Trump, while the Republican incumbent gets 46%. Biden leads Trump by a slightly wider margin in a head-to-head matchup: 49% to 45%.
In November, one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents will also try to defend his seat in what could be a swing state. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, has tied himself closely to Trump as he runs for reelection.
In the primary to face Tillis, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham has a wide lead over state Sen. Erica Smith, 51% to 18%.
In a potential general election race, Cunningham has a 48% to 43% edge over Tillis.
The NBC News/Marist poll, taken from Feb. 23 through Feb. 27, surveyed 2,120 registered voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 2.6 percentage points. It polled 568 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 5.1 percentage points.
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cnbc--2020-03-02--Super Tuesday Senate primaries: Here's everything you need to know

WASHINGTON — With 1,344 pledged Democratic delegates up for grabs on Super Tuesday , most of the nation 's attention will be focused on the battle for the party 's presidential nomination .
But a Republican White House is n't the only thing on the line this November .
Republican control of the Senate is also up in the air , with the GOP defending 23 Senate seats , while Democrats are defending only 12 .
On Tuesday , the battle for three of those Senate seats will officially begin , in North Carolina , Alabama and Texas , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against those sitting senators in November .
Here 's what 's at stake in each race .
Incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has one of the lowest approval ratings of any GOP senator up for reelection , and Democrats consider his seat a prime pickup opportunity .
Tuesday 's primary is expected to answer the question of who will run against Tillis in November .
The powerful Washington-based Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , or DSCC , is backing former state Sen. Cal Cunningham , a military veteran who is considered the most moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival is state Sen. Erica Smith , who has staked out a more progressive platform .
An NBC/Marist poll released Sunday showed Cunningham winning support from 51 % of likely Democratic primary voters , while Smith got 18 % .
The race is also noteworthy because a group with ties to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky paid $ 1 million for ads promoting Erica Smith .
The voice in the ads calls Smith `` one of us , '' strongly implying to viewers that the ads are being paid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they 're a ploy by Republicans to boost the Democrat who they think Tillis would have the best chances of beating in November .
In a hypothetical general election matchup , the NBC/Marist poll showed Cunningham leading Tillis by 5 points , 48 % to 43 % .
Three Republicans are competing here for the chance to run against vulnerable Democratic Sen. Doug Jones , who is widely considered the most endangered senator up for reelection .
Tuesday 's primary contest pits former Alabama senator and Trump Attorney General Jeff Sessions against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuberville , a former Auburn University football coach .
If no one gets a 50 % majority on Tuesday , the top two finishers will face off later this month in a runoff .
With all three candidates polling close to one another , the race has the potential to be one of the most contentious primaries in the country , with all three candidates trying to run as close to Trump — who enjoys a 60 % approval rating in Alabama — as they can .
It is also a highly risky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of favor with Trump after he recused himself from Robert Mueller 's Russia investigation .
Sessions stepped down in 2018 , and Trump has not endorsed his Senate bid .
Prior to joining the Trump administration , Sessions represented Alabama in Congress for three decades , first in the House and then the Senate .
For Sessions , ending his political career with a loss in a primary runoff would surely tarnish his legacy .
If Tuberville comes out victorious , it could also pose fresh challenges for the Republican Senate majority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Auburn in 2008 and has never run for public office before , so it 's unclear how he would handle the intense scrutiny that comes with a major Senate campaign .
Powerful Republican Sen. John Cornyn is also up for reelection in November , and on Tuesday , Democratic voters there will elect his challenger .
While not nearly as vulnerable as Tillis or Jones , Cornyn is running in a state that is shifting from solidly conservative , to , increasingly , a toss-up .
And just like in North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moderate Democrat who consistently leads in the polls : MJ Hegar , a former Air Force helicopter pilot and entrepreneur .
The DSCC 's decision to endorse Hegar in December sparked several of her challengers to accuse the Senate Democrats ' fundraising arm of ignoring more qualified candidates of color .
The Texas primary is also expected to result in a run-off , potentially offering one of Hegar 's challengers the opportunity to consolidate the opposition .

A woman casts her ballot during early voting for the California Democratic Primary in Los Angeles, California on March 2, 2020. Mark Ralston | AFP | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — With 1,344 pledged Democratic delegates up for grabs on Super Tuesday, most of the nation's attention will be focused on the battle for the party's presidential nomination. But a Republican White House isn't the only thing on the line this November. Republican control of the Senate is also up in the air, with the GOP defending 23 Senate seats, while Democrats are defending only 12. On Tuesday, the battle for three of those Senate seats will officially begin, in North Carolina, Alabama and Texas, where primary voters will pick challengers to run against those sitting senators in November. Here's what's at stake in each race.
North Carolina
Incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has one of the lowest approval ratings of any GOP senator up for reelection, and Democrats consider his seat a prime pickup opportunity. Tuesday's primary is expected to answer the question of who will run against Tillis in November. The powerful Washington-based Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, or DSCC, is backing former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, a military veteran who is considered the most moderate Democrat in the primary. His closest rival is state Sen. Erica Smith, who has staked out a more progressive platform. An NBC/Marist poll released Sunday showed Cunningham winning support from 51% of likely Democratic primary voters, while Smith got 18%. The race is also noteworthy because a group with ties to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky paid $1 million for ads promoting Erica Smith. The voice in the ads calls Smith "one of us," strongly implying to viewers that the ads are being paid for by a Democratic group. In reality, they're a ploy by Republicans to boost the Democrat who they think Tillis would have the best chances of beating in November. In a hypothetical general election matchup, the NBC/Marist poll showed Cunningham leading Tillis by 5 points, 48% to 43%.
Alabama
Three Republicans are competing here for the chance to run against vulnerable Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, who is widely considered the most endangered senator up for reelection. Tuesday's primary contest pits former Alabama senator and Trump Attorney General Jeff Sessions against Rep. Bradley Byrne and political newcomer Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach. If no one gets a 50% majority on Tuesday, the top two finishers will face off later this month in a runoff.
Jeff Sessions campaigns at a Jefferson County GOP candidate pancake breakfast, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Birmingham, Ala. Vasha Hunt | AP
With all three candidates polling close to one another, the race has the potential to be one of the most contentious primaries in the country, with all three candidates trying to run as close to Trump — who enjoys a 60% approval rating in Alabama — as they can. It is also a highly risky venture for Sessions, who fell out of favor with Trump after he recused himself from Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Sessions stepped down in 2018, and Trump has not endorsed his Senate bid. Prior to joining the Trump administration, Sessions represented Alabama in Congress for three decades, first in the House and then the Senate. For Sessions, ending his political career with a loss in a primary runoff would surely tarnish his legacy. If Tuberville comes out victorious, it could also pose fresh challenges for the Republican Senate majority. Tuberville is an Arkansas native who left Auburn in 2008 and has never run for public office before, so it's unclear how he would handle the intense scrutiny that comes with a major Senate campaign.
Texas
Powerful Republican Sen. John Cornyn is also up for reelection in November, and on Tuesday, Democratic voters there will elect his challenger. While not nearly as vulnerable as Tillis or Jones, Cornyn is running in a state that is shifting from solidly conservative, to, increasingly, a toss-up. And just like in North Carolina, here again the powerful DSCC has endorsed a moderate Democrat who consistently leads in the polls: MJ Hegar, a former Air Force helicopter pilot and entrepreneur. The DSCC's decision to endorse Hegar in December sparked several of her challengers to accuse the Senate Democrats' fundraising arm of ignoring more qualified candidates of color. The Texas primary is also expected to result in a run-off, potentially offering one of Hegar's challengers the opportunity to consolidate the opposition.
Risky bets for the DSCC


cnbc--2020-03-02--Joe Biden has racked up some big endorsements since he dominated in South Carolina

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden takes a picture with a supporter after speaking at his South Carolina primary night rally in Columbia , South Carolina , February 29 , 2020 .
On the eve of Super Tuesday , former Vice President Joe Biden 's presidential campaign is rolling out a lengthy — and growing — list of new Democratic endorsements .
More than a dozen politicians and other public figures have endorsed Biden , 77 , in the days leading up to the 14-state primary election extravaganza , where more than 1,300 delegates are at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will endorse Biden on Monday , a spokesman confirmed to CNBC , just hours after she dropped out of the 2020 race .
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who ended his campaign a day earlier , was also reportedly preparing to endorse Biden before Super Tuesday .
Klobuchar and Buttigieg are expected to join Biden at a rally in Dallas on Monday night .
Texas is among the states holding primaries Tuesday .
Here are several of the big endorsements Biden locked up : The sudden swell of support from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's blowout victory in South Carolina , which looks to have delivered the shot in the arm his campaign needed to remain competitive against current front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist .
`` I think there 's some momentum here , '' Biden told NBC News on Monday .
`` I think what people were waiting to see is , 'Well , Joe did n't do well in the first two [ primary elections ] , I wonder whether the second two he could do well and what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think that the win in South Carolina was consequential , '' Biden said .
The former vice president and senator finished fourth in Iowa , fifth in New Hampshire and second in Nevada .
Biden , who has been a prime target of President Donald Trump 's ire throughout the primary campaign , is expected to gain more endorsements before polling centers open Tuesday .
Earlier this month , national polling aggregates showed Biden 's once-steady lead deflating as rapidly as Sanders ' popularity was rising .
Biden 's at-times fumbling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first two elections in Iowa and New Hampshire , contrasted with Sanders ' wins in New Hampshire and Nevada .
Many Democratic strategists are quick to call Sanders a risky pick to become the Democratic nominee .
His narrow base of support , they argue , may not extend to more moderate or conservative voters , and his candidacy could harm other Democrats down the ballot in November .
Sanders has even taken aim at the so-called Democratic establishment — a sure sign to his critics that he has less interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pure political movement .
Biden 's decades of Washington experience , including at the White House under President Barack Obama , and strong support with African American voters make him — on paper — a candidate with broader appeal .
But Biden carries risks , too .
His opponents are quick to highlight his gaffes on the campaign trail , and he and his son have a central connection to Trump 's impeachment in the Senate that is sure to be weaponized in a general election .
Rep. James Clyburn 's endorsement last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pickup for Biden , giving him an added boost among the high proportion of black voters in South Carolina .
`` I know Joe .
We know Joe .
But most importantly , Joe knows us , '' said Clyburn , the House majority whip and top-ranking African American in that chamber .
By the time nearly 100 % of results were in , Biden had clinched about 48 % of the vote in South Carolina .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden is joined on stage by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) during a campaign event on March 2, 2020 in Dallas, Texas.
How's this for Joe-mentum?
On the eve of Super Tuesday, former Vice President Joe Biden's presidential campaign is rolling out a lengthy — and growing — list of new Democratic endorsements.
More than a dozen politicians and other public figures have endorsed Biden, 77, in the days leading up to the 14-state primary election extravaganza, where more than 1,300 delegates are at stake.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will endorse Biden on Monday, a spokesman confirmed to CNBC, just hours after she dropped out of the 2020 race. Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who ended his campaign a day earlier, was also reportedly preparing to endorse Biden before Super Tuesday.
Klobuchar and Buttigieg had been expected to join Biden at a rally in Dallas on Monday night. However, a Buttigieg campaign spokeswoman said he would not attend the rally, although the Democratic rising star did appear with Biden at another event. Texas is among the states holding primaries Tuesday.
Here are several of the big endorsements Biden locked up:
Harry Reid, former Nevada senator
Darrio Melton, mayor of Selma, Alabama
Bobby Scott, Virginia representative
Jennifer Wexton, Virginia representative
Don Beyer, Virginia representative
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida representative and former DNC chair
Greg Stanton, Arizona representative
Terry McAuliffe, former Virginia governor
Barbara Boxer, former California senator
Blanche Lincoln, former Arkansas senator
Jesse White, Illinois secretary of state
Betty Yee, California state controller
Walter Burnett, Chicago alderman
Carol Alvarado, Texas state senator
Billy Richardson, North Carolina state representative
Fred Guttenberg, Florida gun safety activist
The sudden swell of support from the Democratic establishment comes on the heels of Biden's blowout victory in South Carolina, which looks to have delivered the shot in the arm his campaign needed to remain competitive against current front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist.
"I think there's some momentum here," Biden told NBC News on Monday. "I think what people were waiting to see is, 'Well, Joe didn't do well in the first two [primary elections], I wonder whether the second two he could do well and what's going to happen now.'"
"I think that the win in South Carolina was consequential," Biden said. The former vice president and senator finished fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire and second in Nevada.
Biden, who has been a prime target of President Donald Trump's ire throughout the primary campaign, is expected to gain more endorsements before polling centers open Tuesday.
Earlier this month, national polling aggregates showed Biden's once-steady lead deflating as rapidly as Sanders' popularity was rising. Biden's at-times fumbling debate performances, and his poor showings in the first two elections in Iowa and New Hampshire, contrasted with Sanders' wins in New Hampshire and Nevada.
Many Democratic strategists are quick to call Sanders a risky pick to become the Democratic nominee. His narrow base of support, they argue, may not extend to more moderate or conservative voters, and his candidacy could harm other Democrats down the ballot in November.
Sanders has even taken aim at the so-called Democratic establishment — a sure sign to his critics that he has less interest in coalition-building than in maintaining an ideologically pure political movement.
SANDERS TWEET I've got news for the Republican establishment. I've got news for the Democratic establishment. They can't stop us.
Biden's decades of Washington experience, including at the White House under President Barack Obama, and strong support with African American voters make him — on paper — a candidate with broader appeal.
But Biden carries risks, too. His opponents are quick to highlight his gaffes on the campaign trail, and he and his son have a central connection to Trump's impeachment in the Senate that is sure to be weaponized in a general election.
Rep. James Clyburn's endorsement last week was widely seen as a difference-making pickup for Biden, giving him an added boost among the high proportion of black voters in South Carolina.
"I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us," said Clyburn, the House majority whip and top-ranking African American in that chamber.
By the time nearly 100% of results were in, Biden had clinched about 48% of the vote in South Carolina.