cnbc--2020-02-24--Biden holds small edge over Sanders in pivotal South Carolina primary: NBC News/Marist poll

Democratic presidential hopefuls Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders ( L ) and former Vice President Joe Biden chat during a break in the fourth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by The New York Times and CNN at Otterbein University in Westerville , Ohio on October 15 , 2019 .
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are locked in a tight South Carolina Democratic primary race as the former vice president tries to inject life into a struggling campaign , according to an NBC News/Marist poll released Monday .
Biden gets 27 % of support among likely Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the Vermont senator garners 23 % .
The gap falls within the survey 's plus-or-minus 6 percentage point margin of error .
Billionaire liberal activist Tom Steyer , who spent heavily in South Carolina in the early stages of the primary , lags behind the pair with 15 % of support .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg follows at 9 % .
Sens .
Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , garner 8 % and 5 % of support , respectively .
No other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is not on the ballot in South Carolina .
The poll was conducted from Tuesday to Friday , meaning it was taken partly after the Nevada presidential debate but not after the results of Saturday 's caucuses in the state .
Sanders will win Nevada by a significant margin , while Biden and Buttigieg will come in distant second and third , respectively , according to NBC News .
Biden sees winning South Carolina as critical to reviving a flagging presidential campaign .
After dismal showings in predominantly white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front-runner argued his fortunes would improve once more diverse states had their say in the primary .
As nominating contests started earlier this month , Biden led both Sanders and Steyer by more than 10 percentage points in a South Carolina polling average , according to RealClearPolitics .
In Saturday 's Nevada caucuses , the first nominating contest where voters of color made up a major share of the electorate , Biden fared better .
Still , he will finish in second place to Sanders with about 20 % of county delegates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're alive , and we 're going to come back , and we 're going to win , '' he told supporters Saturday .
Most polls throughout the primary have found black voters , who make up a majority of South Carolina 's primary electorate , overwhelmingly favor Biden .
But recent surveys indicate his support among black voters has waned .
Among black likely Democratic primary voters who responded to the NBC/Marist poll , Biden gets 35 % of support .
Sanders and Steyer follow at 20 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of Steyer and Biden supporters said they might vote differently than Sanders backers .
Among likely Democratic primary voters , 18 % of those who picked Steyer said they might choose someone else , while 17 % of Biden supporters said the same .
Only 7 % of respondents who prefer Sanders said they might vote differently .
Candidates will get one of their last chances to boost their fortunes in South Carolina on Tuesday night .
Seven candidates — Biden , Bloomberg , Buttigieg , Klobuchar , Sanders , Steyer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Charleston , South Carolina .
During the Nevada debate , Bloomberg 's first , contenders piled on the billionaire businessman .
Tuesday 's event will likely feature more scrutiny of Sanders as he gains traction in the Palmetto State as well as upcoming behemoths California and Texas .
Fourteen states will hold primaries on March 3 , or Super Tuesday , when more than a third of national delegates will be awarded .

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


cnbc--2020-02-24--Democrats hammer front-runner Bernie Sanders over his Fidel Castro defense

Fidel Castro observes the May Day parade at the Revolution Square in Havana , Cuba May 1 , 1998 .
Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders came under fire Monday from his rivals over his recent partial defense of Cuban revolutionary and communist dictator Fidel Castro .
Less than two days after NBC News projected that Sanders won the Nevada caucus by a wide margin , his campaign foes tore into comments about Castro that he made during an interview with CBS ' `` 60 Minutes . ''
`` Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps , religious repression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the murder of thousands of his own people , '' tweeted former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg .
`` But sure , Bernie , let 's talk about his literacy program . ''
Bloomberg , whose net worth is estimated at over $ 60 billion , has already spent hundreds of millions of his own dollars on his presidential bid .
He plans to unleash a full-on media onslaught against Sanders , including attack ads and the publication of opposition research , Bloomberg campaign aides told CNBC .
Bloomberg and other presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders , who is poised to head into Super Tuesday on March 3 with more momentum and support in the polls than any other candidate But some Democratic political watchers fear that Sanders , a 78-year-old democratic socialist , may be a risky choice to take on President Donald Trump in a general election .
Sanders told `` 60 Minutes '' that while he opposed the `` authoritarian nature '' of Castro 's regime , `` it 's unfair to simply say everything is bad . ''
`` When Fidel Castro came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
He had a massive literacy program , '' Sanders said in the interview , which aired Sunday night .
`` Is that a bad thing ?
Even though Fidel Castro did it ? ''
After a reporter noted that many dissidents had been jailed in Castro 's Cuba , Sanders responded , `` That 's right , and we condemn that . ''
Sanders used the opportunity to contrast himself with Trump , who has been criticized for his at-times warm language toward foreign leaders with poor track records on human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's be clear ...
I do not think that [ North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ] is a good friend .
I do n't trade love letters with a murdering dictator , '' Sanders said .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , added Sanders , is `` not a good friend of mine . ''
Other Democratic candidates were quick to lash out .
`` After four years of looking on in horror as Trump cozied up to dictators , we need a president who will be extremely clear in standing against regimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in a tweet .
`` We ca n't risk nominating someone who does n't recognize this , '' Buttigieg said .
Buttigieg , the youngest Democrat in the primary race , won more state delegates in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus and narrowly lost the popular vote to Sanders in the New Hampshire primary .
But Buttigieg was projected to place third in Nevada , trailing former Vice President Joe Biden , who had once been seen as the Democratic frontrunner .
Biden , Bloomberg and Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada results started rolling in .
`` Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible , ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats , not to mention most Americans , '' Buttigieg said in Las Vegas on Saturday .
`` If we choose a candidate who appeals to a small base – like Senator Sanders – it will be a fatal error , '' Bloomberg 's campaign said in a statement .
Biden , meanwhile , took a swipe at Sanders less directly , by referencing The Washington Post 's recent report that Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of its efforts to meddle in the 2020 election .
`` We 're going to have more help from Vladimir Putin , who wants somebody he does n't think can beat Trump , '' Biden said at his own campaign event in Vegas on Saturday .
Sanders has denounced the Kremlin 's reported attempts to meddle , once again , in a U.S. presidential contest .
Sanders also took heat from multiple Democratic lawmakers in Florida , home to the majority of the U.S. population of Cuban exiles who escaped Castro 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South American immigrant member of Congress who proudly represents thousands of Cuban Americans , I find Senator Bernie Sanders ' comments on Castro 's Cuba absolutely unacceptable , '' Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell said on Twitter .
`` The Castro regime murdered and jailed dissidents , and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families , '' the House Democrat wrote .
Rep. Donna Shalala , also a Florida Democrat , tweeted that she hopes Sanders in the future `` will take time to speak to some of my constituents before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a murderous tyrant like Fidel Castro . ''

Fidel Castro observes the May Day parade at the Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba May 1, 1998.
Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders came under fire Monday from his rivals over his recent partial defense of Cuban revolutionary and communist dictator Fidel Castro.
Less than two days after NBC News projected that Sanders won the Nevada caucus by a wide margin, his campaign foes tore into comments about Castro that he made during an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes."
"Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps, religious repression, widespread poverty, firing squads, and the murder of thousands of his own people," tweeted former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
"But sure, Bernie, let's talk about his literacy program."
Bloomberg TWEET
Bloomberg, whose net worth is estimated at over $60 billion, has already spent hundreds of millions of his own dollars on his presidential bid. He plans to unleash a full-on media onslaught against Sanders, including attack ads and the publication of opposition research, Bloomberg campaign aides told CNBC.
Bloomberg and other presidential hopefuls are ramping up their attacks against Sanders, who is poised to head into Super Tuesday on March 3 with more momentum and support in the polls than any other candidate
But some Democratic political watchers fear that Sanders, a 78-year-old democratic socialist, may be a risky choice to take on President Donald Trump in a general election.
Sanders told "60 Minutes" that while he opposed the "authoritarian nature" of Castro's regime, "it's unfair to simply say everything is bad."
"When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program," Sanders said in the interview, which aired Sunday night. "Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?"
After a reporter noted that many dissidents had been jailed in Castro's Cuba, Sanders responded, "That's right, and we condemn that."
Sanders used the opportunity to contrast himself with Trump, who has been criticized for his at-times warm language toward foreign leaders with poor track records on human rights.
"Unlike Donald Trump, let's be clear ... I do not think that [North Korean leader Kim Jong Un] is a good friend. I don't trade love letters with a murdering dictator," Sanders said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, added Sanders, is "not a good friend of mine."
Castro died in 2016.
Other Democratic candidates were quick to lash out.
"After four years of looking on in horror as Trump cozied up to dictators, we need a president who will be extremely clear in standing against regimes that violate human rights abroad," said former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in a tweet.
"We can't risk nominating someone who doesn't recognize this," Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg TWEET
Buttigieg, the youngest Democrat in the primary race, won more state delegates in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus and narrowly lost the popular vote to Sanders in the New Hampshire primary. But Buttigieg was projected to place third in Nevada, trailing former Vice President Joe Biden, who had once been seen as the Democratic frontrunner.
Biden, Bloomberg and Buttigieg all took shots at Sanders as the Nevada results started rolling in.
"Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible, ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats, not to mention most Americans," Buttigieg said in Las Vegas on Saturday.
"If we choose a candidate who appeals to a small base – like Senator Sanders – it will be a fatal error," Bloomberg's campaign said in a statement.
Biden, meanwhile, took a swipe at Sanders less directly, by referencing The Washington Post's recent report that Russia is attempting to boost Sanders' campaign as part of its efforts to meddle in the 2020 election.
"We're going to have more help from Vladimir Putin, who wants somebody he doesn't think can beat Trump," Biden said at his own campaign event in Vegas on Saturday.
Sanders has denounced the Kremlin's reported attempts to meddle, once again, in a U.S. presidential contest.
Sanders also took heat from multiple Democratic lawmakers in Florida, home to the majority of the U.S. population of Cuban exiles who escaped Castro's authoritarian government.
"As the first South American immigrant member of Congress who proudly represents thousands of Cuban Americans, I find Senator Bernie Sanders' comments on Castro's Cuba absolutely unacceptable," Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell said on Twitter.
"The Castro regime murdered and jailed dissidents, and caused unspeakable harm to too many South Florida families," the House Democrat wrote.
Dem TWEET
Rep. Donna Shalala, also a Florida Democrat, tweeted that she hopes Sanders in the future "will take time to speak to some of my constituents before he decides to sing the praises of a murderous tyrant like Fidel Castro."
Shalala TWEET


cnbc--2020-02-24--Harvey Weinstein trial: Guilty of rape and criminal sexual act, but acquitted of top sex charges

Film mogul Harvey Weinsten was found guilty Monday of rape and committing a criminal sexual act more than two years after news articles about his alleged serial sexual abuse of women ignited the MeToo movement .
But Weinstein , 67 , was found not guilty in Manhattan state court of the most serious charges : two counts of predatory sexual assault for which he could have been sentenced to life in prison .
He also was acquitted of first-degree rape .
The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for nearly 27 hours over five days .
Weinstein was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the verdict , keeping a stoic look on his face as each verdict was announced .
Weinstein , who had been free on bond during the trial , was handcuffed and ordered held without bail pending his March 11 sentencing by Judge James Burke .
Weinstein , as the verdict was read , `` just kept repeating , 'But I 'm innocent , but I 'm innocent , I 'm innocent , how could this happen in America ? '
`` said his lawyer , Arthur Aidala .
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courtroom for the verdict , told reporters later , `` Weinstein is a vicious , serial sexual predator who used his power to threaten , rape , assault , trick , humiliate and silence his victims . ''
`` These women were not just brave , they were heroic , '' Vance said of the accusers .
Scores of other women in the past several years have publicly claimed Weinstein abused them .
`` As sure as I am bald , we will be appealing this , '' said Aidala .
Another defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Harvey is very strong , '' when asked how he felt about the verdict .
`` He took it like a man , '' Rotunno said .
Weinstein faces a sentence of five to 25 years in prison for his conviction on a charge of committing a first-degree criminal sexual act by forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006 .
A charge of third-degree rape that Weinstein was convicted of relates to the claim that he attacked aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of four years .
Weinstein also faces criminal charges in Los Angeles , where prosecutors last month accused him of raping one woman and sexually assaulting a second woman over a two-day period in 2013 .
`` While it is disappointing that today 's outcome does not deliver the true , full justice that so many women deserve , Harvey Weinstein will now forever be known as a convicted serial predator , '' said a statement by a group of women who have accused him of sexual abuse .
`` This conviction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the courageous women and the many women who have spoken out , '' said the group , which calls itself the Silence Breakers .
`` Despite intimidation from Weinstein 's legal team , they courageously shared their stories with the jury , the courtroom and the world .
This has been a flawed process from the beginning but has further exposed the difficulties women face in coming forward to tell the truth about powerful abusers . ''

Film mogul Harvey Weinsten was found guilty Monday of rape and committing a criminal sexual act more than two years after news articles about his alleged serial sexual abuse of women ignited the MeToo movement.
But Weinstein, 67, was found not guilty in Manhattan state court of the most serious charges: two counts of predatory sexual assault for which he could have been sentenced to life in prison.
He also was acquitted of first-degree rape.
The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for nearly 27 hours over five days.
Weinstein was surrounded by court officers during the reading of the verdict, keeping a stoic look on his face as each verdict was announced.
Weinstein, who had been free on bond during the trial, was handcuffed and ordered held without bail pending his March 11 sentencing by Judge James Burke.
He was rerouted to a New York City hospital Monday night as authorities were transporting him to the jail on Rikers Island, NBC reported.
Weinstein's attorney Donna Rotunno told NBC News that Weinstein was at Bellevue Hospital under observation for high blood pressure and heart palpitations. It wasn't clear whether he would stay overnight or go on to the infirmary at Rikers Island on Monday night.
Weinstein, as the verdict was read, "just kept repeating, 'But I'm innocent, but I'm innocent, I'm innocent, how could this happen in America?' " said his lawyer, Arthur Aidala.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who was in the courtroom for the verdict, told reporters later, "Weinstein is a vicious, serial sexual predator who used his power to threaten, rape, assault, trick, humiliate and silence his victims."
"These women were not just brave, they were heroic," Vance said of the accusers.
Scores of other women in the past several years have publicly claimed Weinstein abused them.
"As sure as I am bald, we will be appealing this," said Aidala.
Another defense lawyer, Donna Rotunno, said, "Harvey is very strong," when asked how he felt about the verdict.
"He took it like a man," Rotunno said.
Weinstein faces a sentence of five to 25 years in prison for his conviction on a charge of committing a first-degree criminal sexual act by forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006.
A charge of third-degree rape that Weinstein was convicted of relates to the claim that he attacked aspiring actress Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013. That charge has a maximum possible sentence of four years.
Weinstein also faces criminal charges in Los Angeles, where prosecutors last month accused him of raping one woman and sexually assaulting a second woman over a two-day period in 2013.
"While it is disappointing that today's outcome does not deliver the true, full justice that so many women deserve, Harvey Weinstein will now forever be known as a convicted serial predator," said a statement by a group of women who have accused him of sexual abuse.
"This conviction would not be possible without the testimony of the courageous women and the many women who have spoken out," said the group, which calls itself the Silence Breakers.
"Despite intimidation from Weinstein's legal team, they courageously shared their stories with the jury, the courtroom and the world. This has been a flawed process from the beginning but has further exposed the difficulties women face in coming forward to tell the truth about powerful abusers."


cnbc--2020-02-24--Mike Bloomberg prepares media onslaught against Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders

Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) ( R ) and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg take a break during the Democratic presidential primary debate at Paris Las Vegas on February 19 , 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
Mike Bloomberg 's presidential campaign plans to unleash its cash-flush media operation against Bernie Sanders in the wake of the Vermont senator 's resounding victory in the Nevada caucuses .
Senior aides to Bloomberg 's campaign have been discussing how they are going to use some of their resources against Sanders , according to people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be named because these decisions were made in private .
Already , the campaign has spent over $ 500 million on media ad buys , according to Advertising Analytics .
The campaign plans a multipronged attack , including the publication of opposition research on Sanders , these people said .
It will also push out digital attack ads focused on Sanders ' record .
On Monday , the Bloomberg campaign attempted to paint Sanders as a past ally of the National Rifle Association , a gun advocacy group that Bloomberg has fought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sanders , who has accused Bloomberg of trying to buy the Democratic nomination , will also attempt to highlight negative aspects of his record on race relations both as a congressman and senator , the sources said .
This comes after Sanders , now seen as the Democratic front-runner , has taken aim at Bloomberg for his support of a policing policy known as stop-and-frisk that often targeted black and Latino people .
People within the Bloomberg campaign are also discussing whether to have surrogates and supporters write op-eds and show up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these people added .
Bloomberg 's campaign is sounding the alarm on Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , ahead of Super Tuesday , March 3 , when 14 states hold their primaries .
Sanders has pulled ahead in state and national polls , while Bloomberg 's momentum has stalled somewhat following a poorly reviewed performance in the debate last week .
Bloomberg has yet to take part in a primary and has invested most of his campaign 's efforts into capturing delegate rich Super Tuesday states , including the biggest prizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously acknowledged that Sanders is the biggest threat to capturing the Democratic nomination .
Bloomberg has an estimated net worth of just over $ 60 billion , giving his self-funded campaign voluminous resources to target President Donald Trump and Sanders .
It spent over $ 220 million in January alone , Federal Election Commission records say .
Some of Bloomberg 's attacks have already been initiated by the campaign and it gives hints at what he will likely focus on when he debates Sanders and other rivals in South Carolina on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a digital spot attacking Sanders ' track record on gun safety laws .
Many more ads targeting the Vermont lawmaker are expected in the weeks to come .
Bloomberg 's tech company , Hawkfish , has been responsible for crafting the campaigns digital ads .
A Bloomberg campaign spokesperson did not return a request for comment .
Dan Kanninen , one of Bloomberg 's advisors , told reporters on Monday that the campaign does plan to start focusing its messaging on Sanders ' track record when it comes to gun safety .
Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whoever the Democratic nominee is .
`` [ President ] Trump himself and now the Russians are indicating that Senator Sanders is the candidate they want to run against , '' Kanninen said .
Sanders has said that U.S. intelligence officials briefed him on Russia looking to assist his campaign in becoming the Democratic nominee for president .
In a press release highlighting Bloomberg 's new digital ad , the campaign said it is launching a California bus tour while separately deploying national surrogates to highlight the differences between Bloomberg and Sanders when @ @ @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (R) and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg take a break during the Democratic presidential primary debate at Paris Las Vegas on February 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mike Bloomberg's presidential campaign plans to unleash its cash-flush media operation against Bernie Sanders in the wake of the Vermont senator's resounding victory in the Nevada caucuses.
Senior aides to Bloomberg's campaign have been discussing how they are going to use some of their resources against Sanders, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter who declined to be named because these decisions were made in private. Already, the campaign has spent over $500 million on media ad buys, according to Advertising Analytics.
The campaign plans a multipronged attack, including the publication of opposition research on Sanders, these people said. It will also push out digital attack ads focused on Sanders' record. On Monday, the Bloomberg campaign attempted to paint Sanders as a past ally of the National Rifle Association, a gun advocacy group that Bloomberg has fought for over a decade.
The attacks on Sanders, who has accused Bloomberg of trying to buy the Democratic nomination, will also attempt to highlight negative aspects of his record on race relations both as a congressman and senator, the sources said. This comes after Sanders, now seen as the Democratic front-runner, has taken aim at Bloomberg for his support of a policing policy known as stop-and-frisk that often targeted black and Latino people.
People within the Bloomberg campaign are also discussing whether to have surrogates and supporters write op-eds and show up on TV to speak out against Sanders, these people added.
Bloomberg's campaign is sounding the alarm on Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, ahead of Super Tuesday, March 3, when 14 states hold their primaries. Sanders has pulled ahead in state and national polls, while Bloomberg's momentum has stalled somewhat following a poorly reviewed performance in the debate last week.
Bloomberg has yet to take part in a primary and has invested most of his campaign's efforts into capturing delegate rich Super Tuesday states, including the biggest prizes, Texas and California. The campaign has previously acknowledged that Sanders is the biggest threat to capturing the Democratic nomination.
Bloomberg has an estimated net worth of just over $60 billion, giving his self-funded campaign voluminous resources to target President Donald Trump and Sanders. It spent over $220 million in January alone, Federal Election Commission records say.
Some of Bloomberg's attacks have already been initiated by the campaign and it gives hints at what he will likely focus on when he debates Sanders and other rivals in South Carolina on Tuesday.
Bloomberg's team on Monday released a digital spot attacking Sanders' track record on gun safety laws. Many more ads targeting the Vermont lawmaker are expected in the weeks to come. Bloomberg's tech company, Hawkfish, has been responsible for crafting the campaigns digital ads.
A Bloomberg campaign spokesperson did not return a request for comment.
Tweet:
Dan Kanninen, one of Bloomberg's advisors, told reporters on Monday that the campaign does plan to start focusing its messaging on Sanders' track record when it comes to gun safety. Bloomberg and Sanders have said they will support whoever the Democratic nominee is.
"[President] Trump himself and now the Russians are indicating that Senator Sanders is the candidate they want to run against," Kanninen said. Sanders has said that U.S. intelligence officials briefed him on Russia looking to assist his campaign in becoming the Democratic nominee for president.
In a press release highlighting Bloomberg's new digital ad, the campaign said it is launching a California bus tour while separately deploying national surrogates to highlight the differences between Bloomberg and Sanders when it comes to guns.


cnbc--2020-02-24--Roger Stone judge refuses to withdraw from case, sets hearing for new trial bid by Trump friend

Former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump , Roger Stone , arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse , on February 20 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The judge handling Roger Stone 's criminal case flatly refused on Monday his request that she withdraw from the case , and scheduled a hearing for Tuesday on his motion for a new trial .
In her order , Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington would be closed to the public , but she also scheduled a hearing for 1:30 p.m .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it open .
Jackson sentenced President Donald Trump 's longtime friend last week to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and witness tampering .
The sentence was suspended pending Jackson 's ruling on Stone 's request for a new trial .
Monday 's actions by Jackson come amid continued speculation that Trump will render all the complicated legal machinations moot by granting a pardon to the Republican operative , whose prosecution the president has repeatedly criticized .
Stone , 67 , filed a motion on Friday asking Jackson to disqualify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — including the question of whether he should be granted another trial .
Stone 's lawyers argue that Jackson had caused her impartiality to be questioned by saying during the sentencing hearing that the jurors who convicted Stone `` served with integrity under difficult circumstances . ''
The defense says Jackson has effectively prejudged the question of whether one of those jurors , forewoman Tomeka Hart , had committed misconduct .
Hart 's anti-Trump social media posts became widely known a week before Stone 's sentencing .
`` It is alleged that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be unbiased and fair and the juror attempted to cover up evidence that would directly contradict her false claims of impartiality , '' defense lawyers said in their motion for a new trial .
In her ruling Monday , Jackson was dismissive of that argument and the rest of Stone 's motion , denying the request that she no longer preside over the case .
The judge noted that defense lawyers did not argue that she was incorrect in saying the jurors served `` under difficult circumstances . ''
She also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the question of Stone 's request for a new trial in her comment and that she did n't make that comment outside the courtroom .
Jackson also said that in each of the prior motions filed by Stone , she took his requests `` seriously '' and ruled `` with care and impartiality . ''
`` At bottom , given the absence of any factual or legal support for the motion for disqualification , the pleading appears to be nothing more than an attempt to use the Court 's docket to disseminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 'biased ' in it , '' she wrote .

Former advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse, on February 20, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The judge handling Roger Stone's criminal case flatly refused on Monday his request that she withdraw from the case, and scheduled a hearing for Tuesday on his motion for a new trial.
In her order, Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington would be closed to the public, but she also scheduled a hearing for 1:30 p.m. ET Tuesday to consider a motion to have it open.
Jackson sentenced President Donald Trump's longtime friend last week to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and witness tampering. The sentence was suspended pending Jackson's ruling on Stone's request for a new trial.
Monday's actions by Jackson come amid continued speculation that Trump will render all the complicated legal machinations moot by granting a pardon to the Republican operative, whose prosecution the president has repeatedly criticized.
Stone, 67, filed a motion on Friday asking Jackson to disqualify herself from further involvement in the case — including the question of whether he should be granted another trial.
Stone's lawyers argue that Jackson had caused her impartiality to be questioned by saying during the sentencing hearing that the jurors who convicted Stone "served with integrity under difficult circumstances."
The defense says Jackson has effectively prejudged the question of whether one of those jurors, forewoman Tomeka Hart, had committed misconduct. Hart's anti-Trump social media posts became widely known a week before Stone's sentencing.
"It is alleged that a juror misled the Court regarding her ability to be unbiased and fair and the juror attempted to cover up evidence that would directly contradict her false claims of impartiality," defense lawyers said in their motion for a new trial.
In her ruling Monday, Jackson was dismissive of that argument and the rest of Stone's motion, denying the request that she no longer preside over the case. The judge noted that defense lawyers did not argue that she was incorrect in saying the jurors served "under difficult circumstances."
She also noted that she had not made any finding on the question of Stone's request for a new trial in her comment and that she didn't make that comment outside the courtroom.
Jackson also said that in each of the prior motions filed by Stone, she took his requests "seriously" and ruled "with care and impartiality."
"At bottom, given the absence of any factual or legal support for the motion for disqualification, the pleading appears to be nothing more than an attempt to use the Court's docket to disseminate for public consumption the words 'judge' and 'biased' in it," she wrote.


cnbc--2020-02-24--White House planning to ask Congress for emergency funds to fight coronavirus spread

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and members of the Trump Administration 's Coronavirus Task Force hold a press briefing at the White House on January 31 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The White House is planning to ask Congress to approve an emergency spending package to help the Trump administration battle the spread of the coronavirus , a source familiar with the situation told CNBC on Monday .
The proposed spending deal could be sent to Congress as soon as this week , the source said .
The Washington Post first reported the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that the package could include a request for about $ 1 billion in funding — but that amount should not be considered the last word as plans are still being finalized , CNBC 's source said .
The coronavirus has killed at least 2,600 people around the world and infected tens of thousands so far .
The World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency last month .
The Trump administration in late January imposed travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines for at-risk citizens returning to the U.S. A White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is receiving `` regular updates '' on the virus .
`` This is obviously a priority and the president is paying close attention .
There have already been cases in the U.S. and person-to-person transmission in the U.S. One of the things the U.S. and President Trump have been able to do is to have policies and systems in place to make sure we 're on top of it , '' the official said .
`` It was briefly in the wild in the U.S. and we were able to pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official .
Trump himself tweeted later Monday that `` The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA . ''
He added that the stock market — which had just closed its worst trading session in two years — is `` starting to look very good to me ! ''
A recent spike in the number of people infected with the deadly coronavirus has shaken governments and markets alike .
Stocks tanked Monday amid the surge in cases outside of China 's Hubei province , the epicenter of the virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market is reacting to the news of the day , and said that the economy remains strong .
`` The idea that the Dow dropping 800 points currently is somehow an indictment of the president and his policies , I think that is ridiculous , '' the official said .

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and members of the Trump Administration's Coronavirus Task Force hold a press briefing at the White House on January 31, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The White House is planning to ask Congress to approve an emergency spending package to help the Trump administration battle the spread of the coronavirus, a source familiar with the situation told CNBC on Monday.
The proposed spending deal could be sent to Congress as soon as this week, the source said.
The Washington Post first reported the White House's preparations Monday morning. The Post reported that the package could include a request for about $1 billion in funding — but that amount should not be considered the last word as plans are still being finalized, CNBC's source said.
The coronavirus has killed at least 2,600 people around the world and infected tens of thousands so far. The World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency last month.
The Trump administration in late January imposed travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines for at-risk citizens returning to the U.S.
A White House official told CNBC on Monday that President Donald Trump is receiving "regular updates" on the virus.
"This is obviously a priority and the president is paying close attention. There have already been cases in the U.S. and person-to-person transmission in the U.S. One of the things the U.S. and President Trump have been able to do is to have policies and systems in place to make sure we're on top of it," the official said.
"It was briefly in the wild in the U.S. and we were able to pull that back," according to the official.
Trump himself tweeted later Monday that "The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA."
He added that the stock market — which had just closed its worst trading session in two years — is "starting to look very good to me!"
Trump TWEET
A recent spike in the number of people infected with the deadly coronavirus has shaken governments and markets alike. Stocks tanked Monday amid the surge in cases outside of China's Hubei province, the epicenter of the virus.
The White House official told CNBC that the market is reacting to the news of the day, and said that the economy remains strong.
"The idea that the Dow dropping 800 points currently is somehow an indictment of the president and his policies, I think that is ridiculous," the official said.


cnbc--2020-02-24--Bernie Sanders unveils $1.5 trillion universal child care and pre-K plan

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders speaks at a breakfast campaign stop one day before the New Hampshire presidential primary election in Manchester , New Hampshire , February 10 , 2020 .
Sen. Bernie Sanders unveiled a plan Monday to provide universal child care and pre-K , the broadest proposal yet from the 2020 Democratic presidential field to address a key issue for the party .
The Vermont senator wants to put $ 1.5 trillion over a decade into guaranteed child care through age 3 followed by free pre-kindergarten education .
The Sanders campaign says the programs would not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality , improve job flexibility for parents and boost wages and training for child-care workers .
`` As president , we will guarantee free , universal childcare and pre-kindergarten to every child in America to help level the playing field , create new and good jobs , and enable parents to more easily balance the demands of work and home , '' Sanders said in a statement .
The senator , the national delegate leader in the Democratic race after a projected win in Saturday 's Nevada caucus , appears to go further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the nomination .
Under the plan , the U.S. government would fund universal free child care .
State and tribal governments would administer the program with federal quality standards such as minimum wages for workers .
The U.S. government would also fund free full-day pre-K , which would be run locally .
Sanders would pay for the programs through his `` tax on extreme wealth '' over $ 32 million .
His campaign has said the tax would raise about $ 4.35 trillion over 10 years .
Some of Sanders ' top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own child-care plans , but his proposal seems to have a broader scope .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, put forward a measure to slash child-care costs and make the services free for families that earn up to 200 % of the federal poverty level .
Her campaign said the proposal would cost an estimated $ 700 billion over 10 years .
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has also called to invest $ 700 billion over a decade to make child care more affordable .
Former New York Mayor Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have also outlined programs to reduce costs for child care .
Former Vice President Joe Biden and billionaire activist Tom Steyer have previously indicated support for free universal pre-K. Buttigieg , Warren and Klobuchar have backed making it free for low-income families .
Sanders , who has run a populist political `` revolution , '' has emerged as the primary 's front-runner early in the nominating contests .
Monday 's proposal fits into an array of Sanders plans meant to boost workers and low-income Americans : He wants to implement a single-payer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel student debt and make public college free , boost the minimum wage to $ 15 per hour and strengthen labor rights .
The senator 's new plan calls for the construction or renovation of facilities to meet the demands of expanded child care .
It also pushes for protections for children with disabilities within the structure of the federally funded services .
As part of the proposal , Sanders also urged passage of a separate piece of legislation , the Universal School Meals Act , which he introduced along with Rep. Ilhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free breakfast , lunch and dinner to all students , regardless of income level .
Sanders also called for the implementation of his Thurgood Marshall plan , which would reduce preschool class sizes , increase English as a second language instruction , desegregate the public education system and put $ 50 billion into after-school and summer programs .

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders speaks at a breakfast campaign stop one day before the New Hampshire presidential primary election in Manchester, New Hampshire, February 10, 2020.
Sen. Bernie Sanders unveiled a plan Monday to provide universal child care and pre-K, the broadest proposal yet from the 2020 Democratic presidential field to address a key issue for the party.
The Vermont senator wants to put $1.5 trillion over a decade into guaranteed child care through age 3 followed by free pre-kindergarten education. The Sanders campaign says the programs would not only help childhood development but also combat income inequality, improve job flexibility for parents and boost wages and training for child-care workers.
"As president, we will guarantee free, universal childcare and pre-kindergarten to every child in America to help level the playing field, create new and good jobs, and enable parents to more easily balance the demands of work and home," Sanders said in a statement.
The senator, the national delegate leader in the Democratic race after a projected win in Saturday's Nevada caucus, appears to go further on the issue than his chief rivals for the nomination. Under the plan, the U.S. government would fund universal free child care. State and tribal governments would administer the program with federal quality standards such as minimum wages for workers.
The U.S. government would also fund free full-day pre-K, which would be run locally.
Sanders would pay for the programs through his "tax on extreme wealth" over $32 million. His campaign has said the tax would raise about $4.35 trillion over 10 years.
Some of Sanders' top rivals for the Democratic nomination have released their own child-care plans, but his proposal seems to have a broader scope.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., put forward a measure to slash child-care costs and make the services free for families that earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Her campaign said the proposal would cost an estimated $700 billion over 10 years.
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg has also called to invest $700 billion over a decade to make child care more affordable. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., have also outlined programs to reduce costs for child care.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and billionaire activist Tom Steyer have previously indicated support for free universal pre-K. Buttigieg, Warren and Klobuchar have backed making it free for low-income families.
Sanders, who has run a populist political "revolution," has emerged as the primary's front-runner early in the nominating contests. Monday's proposal fits into an array of Sanders plans meant to boost workers and low-income Americans: He wants to implement a single-payer "Medicare for All" system, cancel student debt and make public college free, boost the minimum wage to $15 per hour and strengthen labor rights.
The senator's new plan calls for the construction or renovation of facilities to meet the demands of expanded child care. It also pushes for protections for children with disabilities within the structure of the federally funded services.
As part of the proposal, Sanders also urged passage of a separate piece of legislation, the Universal School Meals Act, which he introduced along with Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. It would provide free breakfast, lunch and dinner to all students, regardless of income level.
Sanders also called for the implementation of his Thurgood Marshall plan, which would reduce preschool class sizes, increase English as a second language instruction, desegregate the public education system and put $50 billion into after-school and summer programs.
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cnbc--2020-02-24--Trump's visit highlights importance of US-India relationship, BJP general secretary says

Trump kicked off his two-day state visit to India on Monday and has official engagements in New Delhi and Ahmedabad , the largest city in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's home state of Gujarat .
U.S. President Donald Trump 's first state visit to India signifies the growing strength of the bilateral relationship between Washington and New Delhi , a top member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said .
One area where India and the U.S. have increased co-operation is defense procurement .
Recently , India approved plans to purchase 24 military helicopters worth $ 2.6 billion from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian Navy , local media reported .
New Delhi has inked more defense deals with Washington in recent years , even though , traditionally , India 's longstanding defense supplier had been Russia .
Defense purchases from the U.S. since 2007 reached $ 17 billion , Reuters reported .
His visit `` signifies growing importance of India , number one , but also growing strength of the bilateral relationship , '' Ram Madhav , national general secretary of the BJP , told CNBC 's Tanvir Gill on Saturday .
He said India attaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit , '' and the country is `` very ambitious '' to play a bigger role on a global stage .
Madhav said defense deals done with the U.S. does not affect India 's pact with Russia .
`` That relationship continues , '' he said .
`` But , defense production is an area today where technology plays a very important role .
In technology , U.S. companies definitely have advanced very much , it 's natural for us to look for certain important defense equipment from American companies . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are there , so we naturally turn to countries which have technologies .
That does n't mean we have changed our strategic preferences or anything like that , '' he added .
Former Deputy Chief of Army Staff Gurmit Singh said India is on the cusp of transforming and modernizing its armed forces , and the country looks at all aspects of security — including its land borders and naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region .
Singh said it 's important the aggregate security apparatus of India is technologically up to par so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assets in the area .
`` The key aspect is that we should be able to carry out effective intelligence , surveillance , and domination of this area , '' he said .
India was one of the top five military spenders in 2018 , along with the United States , China , Saudi Arabia , and France .
Elsewhere , expectations of a trade deal between the two countries being announced during Trump 's visit are limited .
The president last week said Washington is working on a `` very big trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was n't sure if it 'll be done before the November presidential election , according to a transcript released by the White House .

Trump kicked off his two-day state visit to India on Monday and has official engagements in New Delhi and Ahmedabad, the largest city in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat.
U.S. President Donald Trump's first state visit to India signifies the growing strength of the bilateral relationship between Washington and New Delhi, a top member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said.
One area where India and the U.S. have increased co-operation is defense procurement. Recently, India approved plans to purchase 24 military helicopters worth $2.6 billion from American defense firm Lockheed Martin for the Indian Navy, local media reported . New Delhi has inked more defense deals with Washington in recent years, even though, traditionally, India's longstanding defense supplier had been Russia. Defense purchases from the U.S. since 2007 reached $17 billion, Reuters reported.
His visit "signifies growing importance of India, number one, but also growing strength of the bilateral relationship," Ram Madhav, national general secretary of the BJP, told CNBC's Tanvir Gill on Saturday. He said India attaches "a lot of importance to this visit," and the country is "very ambitious" to play a bigger role on a global stage.
Madhav said defense deals done with the U.S. does not affect India's pact with Russia.
"That relationship continues," he said. "But, defense production is an area today where technology plays a very important role. In technology, U.S. companies definitely have advanced very much, it's natural for us to look for certain important defense equipment from American companies."
"It's natural that today, technologies are there, so we naturally turn to countries which have technologies. That doesn't mean we have changed our strategic preferences or anything like that," he added.
Former Deputy Chief of Army Staff Gurmit Singh said India is on the cusp of transforming and modernizing its armed forces, and the country looks at all aspects of security — including its land borders and naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Singh said it's important the aggregate security apparatus of India is technologically up to par so that the country can monitor its own assets in the area. "The key aspect is that we should be able to carry out effective intelligence, surveillance, and domination of this area," he said.
India was one of the top five military spenders in 2018, along with the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and France.
Elsewhere, expectations of a trade deal between the two countries being announced during Trump's visit are limited. The president last week said Washington is working on a "very big trade deal" with New Delhi, but that he wasn't sure if it'll be done before the November presidential election, according to a transcript released by the White House.


cnbc--2020-02-24--Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad submits resignation to the king

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at a press conference in Putrajaya , near Kuala Lumpur , on April 15 , 2019 .
Malaysia 's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has submitted his resignation to the king , according to the prime minister 's office .
The resignation was submitted to the king at 1 p.m. local time on Monday , the statement by the prime minister 's office said .
It 's unclear whether the Malaysian king will accept Mahathir 's resignation and what will happen to the ruling coalition that he led , Pakatan Harapan .
In another surprise move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his own political party , Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia .
Mahathir 's decision to resign followed a weekend filled with speculation that the ruling coalition could lose power .
Multiple local media , mostly citing unnamed sources , reported that Mahathir would shift allegiance by tying up with the opposition parties to form and lead a new government .
Following news of the political upheaval , the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index extended its losses to close 2.69 % lower on Monday , while the U.S. dollar strengthened by 0.84 % against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central bank , Bank Negara Malaysia or BNM , said it was `` closely monitoring conditions in the financial markets '' after the latest political developments .
`` While ringgit movements will continue to be market determined , BNM 's market operations will ensure sufficient liquidity and orderly financial market conditions , '' it said in a statement .

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at a press conference in Putrajaya, near Kuala Lumpur, on April 15, 2019.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has submitted his resignation to the king, according to the prime minister's office.
The resignation was submitted to the king at 1 p.m. local time on Monday, the statement by the prime minister's office said. It's unclear whether the Malaysian king will accept Mahathir's resignation and what will happen to the ruling coalition that he led, Pakatan Harapan.
In another surprise move, the 94-year-old also resigned as chairman of his own political party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Mahathir's decision to resign followed a weekend filled with speculation that the ruling coalition could lose power. Multiple local media, mostly citing unnamed sources, reported that Mahathir would shift allegiance by tying up with the opposition parties to form and lead a new government.
Following news of the political upheaval, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index extended its losses to close 2.69% lower on Monday, while the U.S. dollar strengthened by 0.84% against the Malaysian ringgit.
The country's central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia or BNM, said it was "closely monitoring conditions in the financial markets" after the latest political developments.
"While ringgit movements will continue to be market determined, BNM's market operations will ensure sufficient liquidity and orderly financial market conditions," it said in a statement.


cnbc--2020-02-28--Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney suggests people ignore coronavirus news to calm markets

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference 2020 ( CPAC ) hosted by the American Conservative Union on February 28 , 2020 in National Harbor , MD .
Mulvaney claimed that the media has only started paying close attention to the coronavirus because `` they think this is going to be what brings down the president . ''
He was interviewed Friday morning by Stephen Moore , President Donald Trump 's onetime nominee for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors , at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down ?
Probably .
May you see impacts on public transportation ?
Sure , '' Mulvaney said as he attempted to assure his audience that the Trump administration was on top of the virus .
Mulvaney , who also heads the Office of Management and Budget , also said that there will `` probably '' be school closures and transportation issues due to the impact of the virus .
White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney on Friday suggested that Americans should ignore media reports about the coronavirus amid fears of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Office of Management and Budget referred CNBC 's request for comment on Mulvaney 's remarks to the White House , which did not immediately provide a response .
The Trump administration imposed travel restrictions and quarantines in late January in response to the outbreak , which has spread to dozens of countries around the world and killed more than 2,700 people .
`` Why did n't you hear about it ? ''
Mulvaney asked at CPAC.. `` What was still going on four or five weeks ago ?
Impeachment , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about . ''
The House impeached Trump in December on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , both related to his dealings with Ukraine .
The Senate acquitted Trump of both charges in early February .
`` The press was covering their hoax of the day because they thought it would bring down the president , '' Mulvaney concluded .
`` The reason you 're seeing so much attention to [ the coronavirus ] today is that they think this is going to be what brings down the president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Mulvaney said he was asked by a reporter , `` What are you going to do today to calm the markets ? ''
`` I 'm like , 'Really what I might do today [ to ] calm the markets is tell people turn their televisions off for 24 hours . '
'' Still , the disease is `` absolutely '' real , Mulvaney said .
But , he said , `` You saw the president the other day — the flu is real . ''
`` This is not Ebola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not MERS , '' Mulvaney said .
`` We sit there and watch the markets and there 's this huge panic and it 's like , why is n't there this huge panic every single year over flu ? ''
Mulvaney asked rhetorically .
`` Are you going to see some schools shut down ?
Probably .
May you see impacts on public transportation ?
Sure . ''
`` But we do this , we know how to handle this , '' he said .
White House officials , along with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market 's free-fall this week .
At a news conference Wednesday night , Trump announced that Vice President Mike Pence would be in charge of the U.S. response to the coronavirus .

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference 2020 (CPAC) hosted by the American Conservative Union on February 28, 2020 in National Harbor, MD.
Mulvaney claimed that the media has only started paying close attention to the coronavirus because "they think this is going to be what brings down the president."
He was interviewed Friday morning by Stephen Moore, Trump's onetime nominee for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors , at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland.
"Are you going to see some schools shut down? Probably. May you see impacts on public transportation? Sure," Mulvaney said as he attempted to assure his audience that the Trump administration was on top of the virus.
Mulvaney, who also heads the Office of Management and Budget, also said that there will "probably" be school closures and transportation issues due to the impact of the virus.
White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney suggested Friday that Americans ignore the media's coverage of the coronavirus, arguing that journalists are ratcheting up fears to try to hurt President Donald Trump politically.
The Office of Management and Budget referred CNBC's request for comment on Mulvaney's remarks to the White House, which did not immediately provide a response.
The Trump administration imposed travel restrictions and quarantines in late January in response to the outbreak, which has spread to dozens of countries around the world and killed more than 2,700 people.
"Why didn't you hear about it?" Mulvaney asked at CPAC. "What was still going on four or five weeks ago? Impeachment, and that's all the press wanted to talk about."
The House impeached Trump in December on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, both related to his dealings with Ukraine. The Senate acquitted Trump of both charges in early February.
"The press was covering their hoax of the day because they thought it would bring down the president," Mulvaney concluded. "The reason you're seeing so much attention to [the coronavirus] today is that they think this is going to be what brings down the president. That's what this is all about."
Mulvaney said he was asked by a reporter, "What are you going to do today to calm the markets?"
"I'm like, 'Really what I might do today [to] calm the markets is tell people turn their televisions off for 24 hours.'"
Still, the disease is "absolutely" real, Mulvaney said. But, he said, "You saw the president the other day — the flu is real."
"This is not Ebola ... it's not SARS, it's not MERS," Mulvaney said.
"We sit there and watch the markets and there's this huge panic and it's like, why isn't there this huge panic every single year over flu?" Mulvaney asked rhetorically.
"Are you going to see some schools shut down? Probably. May you see impacts on public transportation? Sure."
"But we do this, we know how to handle this," he said.
White House officials, along with Trump himself, have unsuccessfully called for calm amid the market's free-fall this week.
At a news conference Wednesday night, Trump announced that Vice President Mike Pence would be in charge of the U.S. response to the coronavirus. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, however, said he remains the chair of the coronavirus task force, and that Pence will be "helping" with the effort.
Trump also claimed without providing evidence that financial markets may be tanking because they are "very upset when they look at the Democrat candidates standing on that stage making fools out of themselves."
Seven Democratic presidential candidates met in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday night for an often messy and chaotic debate, just days before the state's primary.
Trump said investors say, "'If we ever have a president like this' ... When they look at the statements made by the people standing behind those podiums, I think that has a huge effect, yeah."


cnbc--2020-02-28--Joe Biden is riding high in South Carolina. With Super Tuesday in just days, it might not be enough

Feeding off the buzzing energy on the second floor of an event venue in this tiny town north of Charleston , the former vice president detailed his plans for health care , education and even for dredging the local port .
At long last , about an hour into Biden 's remarks , state Rep. Carl Anderson interjected .
`` He reminds me of a preacher , when he gets going and he leans back .
And everyone says , 'He said one more minute ! '
'' Anderson said .
There are worse things , for a Democrat in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a preacher .
Biden joked that Anderson , a local supporter , was trying to get him to shut up .
But he relented .
He asked for some questions he could answer yes or no .
Then a supporter asked if he was going to win .
`` Yes ! ''
Biden said , as the crowd erupted around him .
`` South Carolina is the trajectory to winning the Democratic nomination ! ''
The applause was the biggest of the day .
Biden had been considered the front-runner for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Iowa caucuses and fifth place in the New Hampshire primary earlier this month .
After a second-place finish in the Nevada caucuses last week , though , he is experiencing surging momentum in this Southern state , which he has called his `` firewall . ''
Just a week ago , his lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , in polling averages was as tight as 2 % .
Now the gap is in the double digits .
And that difference was already widening when , on Wednesday , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most powerful Democrat , Rep. James Clyburn , the House majority whip .
South Carolina 's Democratic presidential primary on Saturday will be the most important event of the Biden candidacy to date .
The Biden campaign , which spent the first months of the race coasting with front-runner status before taking a beating when voting started in the early states this month , has pegged its own viability to a strong showing among Democrats here .
Biden himself predicted a win during the Democratic debate in Charleston this week .
Public polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest that Biden will do well .
In particular , Biden is expected to outperform among black voters , especially those who are older or religious .
Black voters especially describe Biden as a known quantity , a candidate they have known and liked since his days with former President Barack Obama , or even earlier .
`` The name that 's known in the community is Biden , '' said the Rev .
Andrew Adams , whose church is located in North Santee , an unincorporated territory in Georgetown County .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people about Bernie , '' Adams said of Sanders , who has become the front-runner in the race for the nomination .
`` They do n't understand 'Medicare for All , ' that situation .
He 's not answering questions .
He 's vague about how he 's going to make it happen .
They are a little suspect about that , so I think that 's a turnoff . ''
Despite the optimism surrounding Biden 's chances in South Carolina , there are questions about whether the campaign will gain enough momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which takes place in just five days .
The available evidence suggests that Biden remains outgunned in advertising money and outmanned on the ground in the 14 states that will vote March 3 , allocating a third of the nomination 's total delegates .
Of all the candidates on Tuesday 's debate stage , the Biden campaign was the last to devote serious advertising resources to the states .
The campaign announced its first major Super Tuesday spending on Wednesday , saying it will spend six figures on ads primarily targeting black voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 13.5 million on airtime in the states , with seven figures each in just Texas , North Carolina and Colorado , according to Politico .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , has spent $ 3.5 million on television ; former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg has spent $ 1.6 million , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, has spent more than $ 900,000 , according to Politico .
The race 's two billionaires , former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped $ 172 million on television and radio while Steyer has spent $ 35 million , data from ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics show .
In addition to his heavy spending , Sanders is currently ahead in most of the Super Tuesday states for which enough polling data is available to say .
If he decisively wins on Tuesday , he could gain an unstoppable lead .
Biden 's disadvantage carries over to staffing , where an NBC analysis of payroll data shows that Biden has a team about half the size of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren 's campaign is the biggest in the field .
But those considerations have n't seemed to dampen enthusiasm among voters in South Carolina , who are quick to note that only three states have voted so far , representing just a tiny fraction of the race 's delegates .
Tomi Greene , a 70-year-old black woman , said after an event in Charleston this week that she had cast her ballot for Biden early .
The event , a civil rights breakfast hosted by activist the Rev .
Al Sharpton , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg .
Greene said the other candidates seemed to be there to debate each other but that Biden did n't have to do so .
She noted that Biden spent most of his time on stage praising Clyburn , who would endorse him that morning .
`` He really does n't have to rally that hard , because the others are basically newcomers , you know what I mean ? ''
Greene said .

Joe Biden leaving a campaign event in Georgetown, South Carolina on Feb. 26, 2020. Tucker Higgins / CNBC
GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Joe Biden was on a roll. Feeding off the buzzing energy on the second floor of an event venue in this tiny town north of Charleston, the former vice president detailed his plans for health care, education and even for dredging the local port. At long last, about an hour into Biden's remarks, state Rep. Carl Anderson interjected. "He reminds me of a preacher, when he gets going and he leans back. And everyone says, 'He said one more minute!'" Anderson said. There are worse things, for a Democrat in the South, than getting compared to a preacher. Biden joked that Anderson, a local supporter, was trying to get him to shut up. But he relented. He asked for some questions he could answer yes or no. Then a supporter asked if he was going to win. "Yes!" Biden said, as the crowd erupted around him. "South Carolina is the trajectory to winning the Democratic nomination!" The applause was the biggest of the day.
Biden's biggest moment yet
Biden had been considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination before he stumbled to fourth place in the Iowa caucuses and fifth place in the New Hampshire primary earlier this month. After a second-place finish in the Nevada caucuses last week, though, he is experiencing surging momentum in this Southern state, which he has called his "firewall." Just a week ago, his lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in polling averages was as tight as 2%. Now the gap is in the double digits. And that difference was already widening when, on Wednesday, Biden secured the endorsement of South Carolina's most powerful Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn, the House majority whip. South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary on Saturday will be the most important event of the Biden candidacy to date. The Biden campaign, which spent the first months of the race coasting with front-runner status before taking a beating when voting started in the early states this month, has pegged its own viability to a strong showing among Democrats here. Biden himself predicted a win during the Democratic debate in Charleston this week. Public polling and interviews with Democrats around the state suggest that Biden will do well. In particular, Biden is expected to outperform among black voters, especially those who are older or religious. Black voters especially describe Biden as a known quantity, a candidate they have known and liked since his days with former President Barack Obama, or even earlier. "The name that's known in the community is Biden," said the Rev. Andrew Adams, whose church is located in North Santee, an unincorporated territory in Georgetown County. "I've talked to a lot of people about Bernie," Adams said of Sanders, who has become the front-runner in the race for the nomination. "They don't understand 'Medicare for All,' that situation. He's not answering questions. He's vague about how he's going to make it happen. They are a little suspect about that, so I think that's a turnoff."
Super Tuesday states vote in five days
Despite the optimism surrounding Biden's chances in South Carolina, there are questions about whether the campaign will gain enough momentum to power it through Super Tuesday, which takes place in just five days. The available evidence suggests that Biden remains outgunned in advertising money and outmanned on the ground in the 14 states that will vote March 3, allocating a third of the nomination's total delegates. Of all the candidates on Tuesday's debate stage, the Biden campaign was the last to devote serious advertising resources to the states. The campaign announced its first major Super Tuesday spending on Wednesday, saying it will spend six figures on ads primarily targeting black voters. In comparison, Sanders has spent $13.5 million on airtime in the states, with seven figures each in just Texas, North Carolina and Colorado, according to Politico. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has spent $3.5 million on television; former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has spent $1.6 million, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has spent more than $900,000, according to Politico. The race's two billionaires, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, have spent even more. Bloomberg has dropped $172 million on television and radio while Steyer has spent $35 million, data from ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics show. In addition to his heavy spending, Sanders is currently ahead in most of the Super Tuesday states for which enough polling data is available to say. If he decisively wins on Tuesday, he could gain an unstoppable lead. Biden's disadvantage carries over to staffing, where an NBC analysis of payroll data shows that Biden has a team about half the size of the ones campaigning for Bloomberg and Sanders. Warren's campaign is the biggest in the field. But those considerations haven't seemed to dampen enthusiasm among voters in South Carolina, who are quick to note that only three states have voted so far, representing just a tiny fraction of the race's delegates. Tomi Greene, a 70-year-old black woman, said after an event in Charleston this week that she had cast her ballot for Biden early. The event, a civil rights breakfast hosted by activist the Rev. Al Sharpton, was attended by all the major candidates except Bloomberg. Greene said the other candidates seemed to be there to debate each other but that Biden didn't have to do so. She noted that Biden spent most of his time on stage praising Clyburn, who would endorse him that morning. "He really doesn't have to rally that hard, because the others are basically newcomers, you know what I mean?" Greene said.


cnbc--2020-02-27--Nancy Pelosi calls stock market plunge 'disturbing' as she pushes for coronavirus funding

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) speaks at a press conference to announce the impeachment managers on Capitol Hill January 15 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called the stock market sell-off `` disturbing , '' and she criticized the Trump administration 's response to the global coronavirus outbreak and outlined conditions for emergency funding .
The California Democrat also pushed back on President Donald Trump 's suggestion during a Wednesday evening White House briefing on the health crisis that the market plunge was at least in part the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives are at stake , '' she said .
`` This is not a time for name-calling or playing politics . ''
Pelosi 's comments at her weekly press conference came as equities sank into correction territory of a 10 % retreat from recent highs .
Investors have been shaken by warnings that the coronavirus , which has killed more than 2,700 people globally and infected tens of thousands , is likely to spread further into the U.S. '' The market drop , '' Pelosi said , `` is disturbing . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to prevent the coronavirus in the U.S. `` without panicking people about this , '' she said .
`` The market will do what it does with the invisible hand , '' Pelosi added , but `` it does show some fragility on the part of the market that it would drop so much . ''
Pelosi also raised concerns about the Trump administration 's leadership in its response to the virus .
She said she spoke Thursday morning with Vice President Mike Pence , whom Trump put in charge of coordinating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these concerns known to him . ''
Pelosi said she 's `` always had a very candid relationship '' with Pence `` and I expressed to him the concern that I had of his being in this position . ''
She noted Pence 's handling of an HIV outbreak in Indiana when he was governor there , which was criticized as being slow and driven by ideology over science .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks at a press conference to announce the impeachment managers on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called the stock market sell-off "disturbing," and she criticized the Trump administration's response to the global coronavirus outbreak and outlined conditions for emergency funding.
The California Democrat also pushed back on President Donald Trump's suggestion during a Wednesday evening White House briefing on the health crisis that the market plunge was at least in part the fault of Democratic presidential candidates.
"Lives are at stake," she said. "This is not a time for name-calling or playing politics."
Pelosi's comments at her weekly press conference came as equities sank into correction territory of a 10% retreat from recent highs. Investors have been shaken by warnings that the coronavirus, which has killed more than 2,700 people globally and infected tens of thousands, is likely to spread further into the U.S.
"The market drop," Pelosi said, "is disturbing."
"We want to instill confidence" and work to prevent the coronavirus in the U.S. "without panicking people about this," she said.
"The market will do what it does with the invisible hand," Pelosi added, but "it does show some fragility on the part of the market that it would drop so much."
Pelosi also raised concerns about the Trump administration's leadership in its response to the virus. She said she spoke Thursday morning with Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump put in charge of coordinating the crisis, and "made some of these concerns known to him."
Pelosi said she's "always had a very candid relationship" with Pence "and I expressed to him the concern that I had of his being in this position."
She noted Pence's handling of an HIV outbreak in Indiana when he was governor there, which was criticized as being slow and driven by ideology over science.


cnbc--2020-02-28--Pro-Biden super PAC plans Super Tuesday investment as former vice president attempts comeback

A political action committee backing Joe Biden 's run for president has decided to invest in key Super Tuesday states as it picks up wealthy financiers while the former vice president attempts to mount a comeback in the primary race .
In the wake of Biden 's successful debate and a well-received town hall in South Carolina , Unite the Country , a pro-Biden super PAC , has seen a surge in high dollar contributions from donors , one of its leaders told CNBC on Thursday .
That 's allowed the organization to invest in delegate-rich primaries that are set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is scheduled for March 3 .
The PAC will first target voters in Alabama and North Carolina with radio and digital ads .
`` We 've done very well in terms of the response with everything that 's happened the last couple of weeks , '' Larry Rasky , the group 's treasurer , told CNBC .
`` I would say things are starting to resonate with donors , '' he said , while pointing to Biden 's debate and town hall performances as two reasons why donors are writing big checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new poll in the key state of Florida , which shows Biden surging ahead of former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg , also peaked interest from donors .
Florida 's primary is March 17 .
Bloomberg was , at first , slowly picking up some of Biden 's top fundraisers , but since the former New York mayor 's sluggish debate performance in Nevada two weeks ago , many of those people have decided to shift back into the former vice president 's corner and give to the super PAC instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the matter .
The PAC has also started to acquire donors who were backing other primary contenders , this person noted .
Rasky would not say how much they are investing in the states or the amount they have raised but noted that they plan to focus more of their resources toward other Super Tuesday states .
Contrary to campaigns , super PACs can raise and spend an unlimited amount of money .
In January , the pro-Biden PAC raised just over $ 4 million and spent $ 3.8 million , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their recent fundraising success was on the backs of business executives such as Silicon Valley investor Reid Hoffman , who contributed $ 500,000 last month , along with Blackstone executive , John McCormick .
The move by the super PAC comes as Biden is looking to pick up his first primary victory in South Carolina and trying to find momentum into next week 's Super Tuesday contests .
Sen. Bernie Sanders has become the Democratic primary front-runner after seeing victories in New Hampshire and Nevada .
The Biden campaign launched a separate six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots in Alabama , Arkansas , Georgia , North Carolina , Tennessee , Texas and Virginia .
Biden is looking to overtake Sanders while he continues to lead in most polls and in the delegate count .
A Real Clear Politics polling average has Biden in second behind Sanders , followed by Bloomberg , Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg .

A political action committee backing Joe Biden's run for president has decided to invest in key Super Tuesday states as it picks up wealthy financiers while the former vice president attempts to mount a comeback in the primary race.
In the wake of Biden's successful debate and a well-received town hall in South Carolina, Unite the Country, a pro-Biden super PAC, has seen a surge in high dollar contributions from donors, one of its leaders told CNBC on Thursday. That's allowed the organization to invest in delegate-rich primaries that are set to take place on Super Tuesday, which is scheduled for March 3. The PAC will first target voters in Alabama and North Carolina with radio and digital ads.
"We've done very well in terms of the response with everything that's happened the last couple of weeks," Larry Rasky, the group's treasurer, told CNBC. "I would say things are starting to resonate with donors," he said, while pointing to Biden's debate and town hall performances as two reasons why donors are writing big checks to the PAC.
Rasky noted that a new poll in the key state of Florida, which shows Biden surging ahead of former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, also peaked interest from donors. Florida's primary is March 17.
Bloomberg was, at first, slowly picking up some of Biden's top fundraisers, but since the former New York mayor's sluggish debate performance in Nevada two weeks ago, many of those people have decided to shift back into the former vice president's corner and give to the super PAC instead, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. The PAC has also started to acquire donors who were backing other primary contenders, this person noted.
Rasky would not say how much they are investing in the states or the amount they have raised but noted that they plan to focus more of their resources toward other Super Tuesday states.
Contrary to campaigns, super PACs can raise and spend an unlimited amount of money. In January, the pro-Biden PAC raised just over $4 million and spent $3.8 million, according to a Federal Election Commission filing. Their recent fundraising success was on the backs of business executives such as Silicon Valley investor Reid Hoffman, who contributed $500,000 last month, along with Blackstone executive, John McCormick.
The move by the super PAC comes as Biden is looking to pick up his first primary victory in South Carolina and trying to find momentum into next week's Super Tuesday contests. Sen. Bernie Sanders has become the Democratic primary front-runner after seeing victories in New Hampshire and Nevada.
The Biden campaign launched a separate six figure ad buy that will include broadcast spots in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Biden is looking to overtake Sanders while he continues to lead in most polls and in the delegate count. A Real Clear Politics polling average has Biden in second behind Sanders, followed by Bloomberg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.


cnbc--2020-02-27--Elizabeth Warren wants to defund Trump's border wall and use the money to fight coronavirus

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) speaks at a campaign Get Out the Vote Event in Charleston , South Carolina , February 26 , 2020 .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, unveiled a bill Thursday to divert money from President Donald Trump 's border wall to the U.S. coronavirus response .
As concerns rise about the outbreak spreading in the U.S. , the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate argued the $ 1.25 billion in emergency funding sought by the president is inadequate .
With the proposal , Warren not only aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also looks to knock a Trump policy she has called racist and divisive .
`` The coronavirus outbreak poses serious health , diplomatic , and economic threats to the United States , and we must be prepared to confront it head-on , '' Warren said in a statement .
`` Rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay for a monument to hate and division , my bill will help ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to adequately respond to this emergency . ''
Warren is among the Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus this week .
On Wednesday , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first potential community transmission of the virus in the U.S. — a person who did not have the travel history or contact with a patient that would have put them at risk .
Top presidential candidates — Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , former Vice President Joe Biden , former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , and Warren — have criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Warren and Bloomberg have already put out out plans to improve responses to public health crises .

Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks at a campaign Get Out the Vote Event in Charleston, South Carolina, on Feb. 26, 2020.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., unveiled a bill Thursday to divert money from President Donald Trump's border wall to the U.S. coronavirus response.
As concerns rise about the outbreak spreading in the U.S., the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate argued the $1.25 billion in emergency funding sought by the president is inadequate. With the proposal, Warren not only aims to confront a budding public health crisis but also looks to knock a Trump policy she has called racist and divisive.
"The coronavirus outbreak poses serious health, diplomatic, and economic threats to the United States, and we must be prepared to confront it head-on," Warren said in a statement. "Rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay for a monument to hate and division, my bill will help ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to adequately respond to this emergency."
Warren is among the Democratic presidential candidates who have focused more on the coronavirus this week. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first potential community transmission of the virus in the U.S. — a person who did not have the travel history or contact with a patient that would have put them at risk.
Top presidential candidates — Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Vice President Joe Biden, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Warren — have criticized the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus. Warren and Bloomberg have already put out out plans to improve responses to public health crises.


cnbc--2020-02-27--Experts toil in dangerous conditions to restore fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral nearly a year afte

Experts toil in dangerous conditions to restore fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral nearly a year after inferno

PARIS — Nearly a year into restoring the fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral , experts are working through a backlog of now-blackened artifacts that once graced the landmark .
Tasked with analyzing and repairing the artifacts from the beloved cathedral , archaeologists , historians and architects are toiling to meet an ambitious reopening deadline .
The day after the massive April 15 inferno engulfed the masterpiece of Gothic architecture , French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Notre Dame would be rebuilt by 2024 .
`` We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a televised address to the nation .
`` We can do it .
...
It is up to us to find the thread of our national project , '' he added .
And so , a team of scientists from the French government 's Historical Monuments Research Laboratory work each day inside the 850-year-old cathedral even as it still faces the risk of collapse .
The first pivotal task in restoring Notre Dame will be the removal of approximately 40,000 pieces of damaged scaffolding weighing about 250 tons that was installed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started in mid-February .
It is unclear whether the removal of the scaffolding will provoke further destruction .
Engineers installed supports around the scaffolding as well as sensors to detect movements in the edifice ahead of any potential collapse .
`` As long as the scaffolding is in place , it can be dangerous for the cathedral , '' the laboratory 's director , Aline Magnien , who oversees the team at the center of restoring the religious artifacts , told CNBC .
`` We have to be cautious in the actions we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , adding that the medieval structure is still very fragile .
Another element in this massive operation is to decontaminate the cathedral 's lead-tainted fixtures .
After the blaze , an estimated 460 tons of lead from the mauled roof and spire contaminated the air .
In order for workers to continue , experts must address the cathedral 's lead contamination .
Paris officials said earlier this month that they expect parts of the plaza in front of the cathedral as well as the crypt to reopen in the spring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after the blaze , expects that the restoration efforts will run up to the five-year deadline posed by Macron .
She added that her team will be on site until the end of the restoration .
`` The items are , of course , in a more or less bad state because of the fire , '' she said of the charred items being removed from the 12th-century cathedral .
`` And it 's the reason why we are so interested in their study . ''

A view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, under restoration following a fire in April 2019, located on one of two natural islands, Ils Saint-Louis, in the River Seine, central Paris on February 18, 2020. Amanda Macias | CNBC
PARIS — Nearly a year into restoring the fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral, experts are working through a backlog of now-blackened artifacts that once graced the landmark. Tasked with analyzing and repairing the artifacts from the beloved cathedral, archaeologists, historians and architects are toiling to meet an ambitious reopening deadline. The day after the massive April 15 inferno engulfed the masterpiece of Gothic architecture, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Notre Dame would be rebuilt by 2024.
Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on April 15, 2019, potentially involving renovation works being carried out at the site, the fire service said. Hubert Hitier | AFP | Getty Images
"We will rebuild Notre Dame even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in five years," Macron said in a televised address to the nation. "We can do it. ... It is up to us to find the thread of our national project," he added. And so, a team of scientists from the French government's Historical Monuments Research Laboratory work each day inside the 850-year-old cathedral even as it still faces the risk of collapse.
Tourists look at the Notre Dame Cathedral under construction in Paris, France, on February 18, 2020. Amanda Macias | CNBC
The first pivotal task in restoring Notre Dame will be the removal of approximately 40,000 pieces of damaged scaffolding weighing about 250 tons that was installed in the roof before the fire. The process started in mid-February. It is unclear whether the removal of the scaffolding will provoke further destruction. Engineers installed supports around the scaffolding as well as sensors to detect movements in the edifice ahead of any potential collapse.
A view of the construction underway on the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Amanda Macias | CNBC
"As long as the scaffolding is in place, it can be dangerous for the cathedral," the laboratory's director, Aline Magnien, who oversees the team at the center of restoring the religious artifacts, told CNBC. "We have to be cautious in the actions we are doing in the cathedral," she said, adding that the medieval structure is still very fragile. Another element in this massive operation is to decontaminate the cathedral's lead-tainted fixtures. After the blaze, an estimated 460 tons of lead from the mauled roof and spire contaminated the air. In order for workers to continue, experts must address the cathedral's lead contamination. Paris officials said earlier this month that they expect parts of the plaza in front of the cathedral as well as the crypt to reopen in the spring.
A view of debris inside Notre-Dame Cathedral, in Paris, France, April 16, 2019. Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool Christophe Petit Tesson | Pool | Reuters