cnbc--2020-02-28--White House considers tax cuts, extra Fed pressure in coronavirus response, report says

President Donald Trump takes part in a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington , DC .
Trump administration officials are considering a tax cut package as part of the White House 's economic response to the coronavirus outbreak , The Washington Post reported Friday , citing five people with knowledge of the planning .
Those people also discussed whether the White House should ramp up pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates , according to the Post .
Fears about the spread of the deadly virus have sent the stock market spiraling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said in a note Friday that the central bank is monitoring the coronavirus for risks it poses to the U.S. economy and pledged it would take action if necessary .
He offered no specifics on whether the Fed was considering a rate cut .
Vice President Mike Pence 's office is involved in the discussions about the possible economic responses to the coronavirus , according to the Post .
The White House did n't immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
The newspaper reported that the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus , but rather to ease the economic fears that have gripped global markets .
The administration 's ideas for an economic response are in the early stages , the Post reported .
White House officials , including President Donald Trump himself , have worked to inject some calm into the economy , which is in the midst of a massive sell-off .
The fast-spreading disease has killed more than 2,800 people around the world and infected more than 83,000 .
But only 61 cases have been confirmed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported .
National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said in a television interview Friday that investors should not `` rule out more optimistic options . ''
`` Stocks look pretty cheap to me , '' Kudlow added .
Read the full report from The Washington Post .

President Donald Trump takes part in a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC.
Trump administration officials are considering a tax cut package as part of the White House's economic response to the coronavirus outbreak, The Washington Post reported Friday, citing five people with knowledge of the planning.
Those people also discussed whether the White House should ramp up pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, according to the Post.
Fears about the spread of the deadly virus have sent the stock market spiraling downward in recent trading sessions.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said in a note Friday that the central bank is monitoring the coronavirus for risks it poses to the U.S. economy and pledged it would take action if necessary. He offered no specifics on whether the Fed was considering a rate cut.
Vice President Mike Pence's office is involved in the discussions about the possible economic responses to the coronavirus, according to the Post.
The White House didn't immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
The newspaper reported that the economic proposals were not intended to stop the spread of the virus, but rather to ease the economic fears that have gripped global markets.
The administration's ideas for an economic response are in the early stages, the Post reported.
White House officials, including President Donald Trump himself, have worked to inject some calm into the economy, which is in the midst of a massive sell-off.
The fast-spreading disease has killed more than 2,800 people around the world and infected more than 83,000. But only 61 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., and no U.S. deaths have been reported.
National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said in a television interview Friday that investors should not "rule out more optimistic options."
"Stocks look pretty cheap to me," Kudlow added.
Read the full report from The Washington Post.


cnbc--2020-02-28--Elon Musk tells a room full of Air Force pilots: 'The fighter jet era has passed'

Elon Musk , founder of SpaceX , speaks with US Air Force Lieutenant General John Thompson , commander Space and Missile Systems Center commander at Space Pitch Day in San Francisco , California .
ORLANDO , Fla. , — Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk predicted Friday that the future of war would be carried out by autonomous drones and not by legacy aircraft .
`` The fighter jet era has passed , '' Musk said during a fireside chat with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John Thompson at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando , Florida .
`` Drone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's not that I want the future to be – it 's just , this is what the future will be , '' he added .
Musk also said that Lockheed Martin 's F-35 fighter jet , which is the Pentagon 's most expensive weapons system , should have a competitor .
`` The Joint Strike Fighter , there should be a competitor ... that 's a controversial subject but I do n't think it 's good to have one provider , '' Musk said .
He later elaborated on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drone .
`` The competitor should be a drone fighter plane that 's remote-controlled by a human , but with its maneuvers augmented by autonomy .
The F-35 would have no chance against it , '' he wrote .

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


cnbc--2020-02-28--Elizabeth Warren asks big banks for their plans on coronavirus response

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Friday asked big banks to explain how they are preparing to deal with the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
Warren , a Democratic presidential candidate , sent letters to the chief executives of five major banks : Bank of America , Citigroup , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley .
`` I write to inquire how your bank is monitoring and managing the economic threat and potential risk to your bank related to the spread of coronavirus in China and around the world , '' each copy of the letter reads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , your institution and the customers it serves could be impacted , '' the letters say , `` either directly through exposures to areas where the virus has spread or indirectly through a change in market conditions caused by disruptions in supply chains , a drop in tourism or travel , or numerous other factors that could cause a slowdown in economic growth . ''
The Massachusetts senator sent the letters less than a week before Super Tuesday and just one day before South Carolina 's primary election .
Once seen as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump in 2020 , Warren 's campaign has struggled with fundraising in recent months and fallen behind other candidates in the polls .
But the global spread of the coronavirus has injected a new element of uncertainty into the political mix .
Market fears about the impact of the virus , which has killed more than 2,800 people and infected tens of thousands more , have sent stocks in spiraling downward .
Trump 's approval ratings , which ticked up in the wake of his impeachment acquittal by the GOP-led Senate earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to some polls , as his handling of the health crisis comes under scrutiny .
The White House has taken measures , such as imposing travel restrictions and quarantines , to contain the virus ' potential growth in the U.S. Trump also put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the U.S. response to the coronavirus .
Warren has long been involved in efforts to regulate and increase oversight of major banks and corporations .
As a member of the Senate Banking Committee , she gained fame for her harsh grilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Great Recession .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Friday asked big banks to explain how they are preparing to deal with the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Warren, a Democratic presidential candidate, sent letters to the chief executives of five major banks: Bank of America , Citigroup , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley .
"I write to inquire how your bank is monitoring and managing the economic threat and potential risk to your bank related to the spread of coronavirus in China and around the world," each copy of the letter reads.
"As a globally systemic important bank, your institution and the customers it serves could be impacted," the letters say, "either directly through exposures to areas where the virus has spread or indirectly through a change in market conditions caused by disruptions in supply chains, a drop in tourism or travel, or numerous other factors that could cause a slowdown in economic growth."
The Massachusetts senator sent the letters less than a week before Super Tuesday and just one day before South Carolina's primary election. Once seen as a leader in the race to defeat President Donald Trump in 2020, Warren's campaign has struggled with fundraising in recent months and fallen behind other candidates in the polls.
But the global spread of the coronavirus has injected a new element of uncertainty into the political mix. Market fears about the impact of the virus, which has killed more than 2,800 people and infected tens of thousands more, have sent stocks in spiraling downward.
Trump's approval ratings, which ticked up in the wake of his impeachment acquittal by the GOP-led Senate earlier this month, have sunk back down, according to some polls, as his handling of the health crisis comes under scrutiny.
The White House has taken measures, such as imposing travel restrictions and quarantines, to contain the virus' potential growth in the U.S. Trump also put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the U.S. response to the coronavirus.
Warren has long been involved in efforts to regulate and increase oversight of major banks and corporations. As a member of the Senate Banking Committee, she gained fame for her harsh grilling of banking regulators in the wake of the Great Recession.


cnbc--2020-02-28--It would be incredibly difficult for Turkey to return to the F-35 program, Lockheed Martin VP says

ORLANDO , Fla. , — Bringing Turkey back into Lockheed Martin 's F-35 program , following the nation 's messy multibillion-dollar deal with Russia , would be a colossal task for the Pentagon 's top weapons supplier .
`` I think , politics aside , if we reintroduce Turkey into the program it would essentially be a restart , '' Greg Ulmer , vice president and general manager of the F-35 program , told CNBC at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando , Florida .
`` There would probably be some elements that are really simple and elements that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to essentially treat it as a new start bringing them back into the program , '' he added .
Last year , Turkey accepted delivery of the Russian-made S-400 , a mobile surface-to-air missile system , that is said to pose a risk to the NATO alliance as well as Lockheed Martin 's F-35 stealth fighter jet .
On the heels of the delivery , the United States cut Turkey 's participation in the F-35 program , America 's most expensive weapons system .
`` Unfortunately , Turkey 's decision to purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued involvement with the F-35 impossible .
The F-35 can not coexist with a Russian intelligence-collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities , '' the White House said in a statement at the time .
The move resulted in the forfeiture of Turkey 's F-35 jets and removal from the weapons program , the crown jewel in the Lockheed Martin 's portfolio .

ORLANDO, Fla., — Bringing Turkey back into Lockheed Martin 's F-35 program, following the nation's messy multibillion-dollar deal with Russia, would be a colossal task for the Pentagon's top weapons supplier.
"I think, politics aside, if we reintroduce Turkey into the program it would essentially be a restart," Greg Ulmer, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, told CNBC at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.
"There would probably be some elements that are really simple and elements that are pretty difficult. I think you'd have to essentially treat it as a new start bringing them back into the program," he added.
Last year, Turkey accepted delivery of the Russian-made S-400, a mobile surface-to-air missile system, that is said to pose a risk to the NATO alliance as well as Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighter jet. On the heels of the delivery, the United States cut Turkey's participation in the F-35 program, America's most expensive weapons system.
"Unfortunately, Turkey's decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible. The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence-collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," the White House said in a statement at the time.
The move resulted in the forfeiture of Turkey's F-35 jets and removal from the weapons program, the crown jewel in the Lockheed Martin's portfolio.


cnbc--2020-02-28--Sanders proposal to raise these taxes could hit start-up workers

A bill introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , that would raise taxes on executive retirement plans could hit an unintended target : employees at start-ups .
The presidential candidate , along with Sen. Chris Van Hollen , D-Md.
, proposed the CEO and Worker Pension Act on Thursday .
While the bill likely wo n't go too far amid a divided Congress , it offers a clue into Sanders ' thinking as he campaigns for office .
The legislation takes aim at so-called nonqualified deferred compensation plans , which allow executives to sock away a portion of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would otherwise save in a 401 ( k ) plan — and defer taxes for years until the money is distributed .
The Sanders bill would curb this deferral , levying taxes on executives ' savings earlier .
Further , equity-based compensation would also be subject to this new treatment , accelerating taxes on nonqualified stock options paid to high-earning employees .
Restricted stock units , which employers also use to grant shares to workers , would also be subject to the bill .
`` We are ending a two-tiered system that gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in corporate executives ' savings while letting workers ' pensions disappear , '' Sanders said .
The treatment of stock-based compensation would hit employees at startups right in the pocketbook , accountants and financial advisors said .
New companies may not have the cash on hand to afford huge salaries , so they attract and retain talent by granting workers a stake in what could be the next Google .
`` This recent proposal would do more harm than good for many employees , especially those in the Silicon Valley ecosystem where nonqualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Samuel Deane , founder of Deane Financial Partners in New York .
`` Taxing stock options at vesting wo n't hurt high-net worth executives as much as it would hurt middle-class employees who may not be able to afford the tax bill , '' he said .
Stock options allow workers to buy a specified amount of stock at a stated price — known as the strike price — after a vesting period at some point in the future .
When you exercise the option , you buy the stock at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options are subject to ordinary income tax rates — which are as high as 37 % — at exercise .
The tax applies to the bargain element , which is the difference between the strike price and the sale price .
If your shares appreciate and you sell them , you pay a capital gains tax , too .
Under the Sanders bill , workers with compensation of at least $ 130,000 who are getting nonqualified stock options would face taxes once they are able to exercise — regardless of whether they choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees could be on the hook for taxes and have no cash to pay the bill .
`` If you earn a couple million a year , you 're likely to have the cash and flexibility to pay the taxes , '' said Dan Herron , CPA and principal of Elemental Wealth Advisors in San Luis Obispo , California .
`` If you have highly-valued options , you make $ 150,000 a year and you live in San Francisco ?
You 're going to get screwed , '' he said .
Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies who receive stock options or restricted stock units may defer income taxes for up to five years when they exercise those options .
This treatment is n't affected by the new bill .
In that case , workers with illiquid stocks can still hold off on taxes .
However , employees at small private companies face the problem of finding a market to sell their shares .
There are n't many eligible buyers for those holdings .
`` In the private market , there is n't any liquid demand for these securities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ startups grow into Google of course .
Last year had its share of unicorns that failed to take off when they debuted on the public market .
`` We always hear about the Apples and Googles , but what about the companies whose prices went down ? ''
asked Michael Goodman , CPA and president of Wealthstream Advisors in New York .

Democratic presidential hopeful Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders participates in the tenth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 25, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
A bill introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., that would raise taxes on executive retirement plans could hit an unintended target: employees at start-ups. The presidential candidate, along with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., proposed the CEO and Worker Pension Act on Thursday. While the bill likely won't go too far amid a divided Congress, it offers a clue into Sanders' thinking as he campaigns for office. The legislation takes aim at so-called nonqualified deferred compensation plans, which allow executives to sock away a portion of their pay — above and beyond what they would otherwise save in a 401(k) plan — and defer taxes for years until the money is distributed. The Sanders bill would curb this deferral, levying taxes on executives' savings earlier. Further, equity-based compensation would also be subject to this new treatment, accelerating taxes on nonqualified stock options paid to high-earning employees. Restricted stock units, which employers also use to grant shares to workers, would also be subject to the bill.
watch now
"We are ending a two-tiered system that gives special tax breaks to billions of dollars in corporate executives' savings while letting workers' pensions disappear," Sanders said. The treatment of stock-based compensation would hit employees at startups right in the pocketbook, accountants and financial advisors said. New companies may not have the cash on hand to afford huge salaries, so they attract and retain talent by granting workers a stake in what could be the next Google . "This recent proposal would do more harm than good for many employees, especially those in the Silicon Valley ecosystem where nonqualified stock options are extremely popular," said Samuel Deane, founder of Deane Financial Partners in New York. "Taxing stock options at vesting won't hurt high-net worth executives as much as it would hurt middle-class employees who may not be able to afford the tax bill," he said.
Know your choices
Philip Krim, co-founder and CEO of mattress company, Casper, rings a ceremonial bell to celebrate the companies IPO on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shortly after the opening bell in New York, U.S., February 6, 2020. Lucas Jackson | Reuters
Stock options allow workers to buy a specified amount of stock at a stated price — known as the strike price — after a vesting period at some point in the future. When you exercise the option, you buy the stock at the strike price. Currently, nonqualified stock options are subject to ordinary income tax rates — which are as high as 37% — at exercise. The tax applies to the bargain element, which is the difference between the strike price and the sale price. If your shares appreciate and you sell them, you pay a capital gains tax, too.
watch now
Under the Sanders bill, workers with compensation of at least $130,000 who are getting nonqualified stock options would face taxes once they are able to exercise — regardless of whether they choose to do so. This means the employees could be on the hook for taxes and have no cash to pay the bill. "If you earn a couple million a year, you're likely to have the cash and flexibility to pay the taxes," said Dan Herron, CPA and principal of Elemental Wealth Advisors in San Luis Obispo, California. "If you have highly-valued options, you make $150,000 a year and you live in San Francisco? You're going to get screwed," he said.
Risks at small companies
Morsa Images
Currently, under certain circumstances, employees at private companies who receive stock options or restricted stock units may defer income taxes for up to five years when they exercise those options. This treatment isn't affected by the new bill. In that case, workers with illiquid stocks can still hold off on taxes. However, employees at small private companies face the problem of finding a market to sell their shares. There aren't many eligible buyers for those holdings. "In the private market, there isn't any liquid demand for these securities," said Deane. Not all startups grow into Google of course. Last year had its share of unicorns that failed to take off when they debuted on the public market. "We always hear about the Apples and Googles, but what about the companies whose prices went down?" asked Michael Goodman, CPA and president of Wealthstream Advisors in New York.
Changing compensation
Carlina Teteris


cnbc--2020-02-28--Trump advisor Larry Kudlow urges calm on coronavirus: 'Stocks look pretty cheap to me'

Larry Kudlow , director of the U.S. National Economic Council , speaks during a news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington , D.C. , on Friday , Jan. 17 , 2020 .
National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow urged calm Friday as global fears about the deadly coronavirus sent stocks plummeting once again .
Kudlow , President Donald Trump 's top economic advisor , said in a Fox Business interview that investors should n't `` rule out more optimistic options . ''
There 's no guarantee cases of the disease will `` skyrocket '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stocks looks pretty cheap to me . ''
The coronavirus has spread to dozens of countries around the world , killing more than 2,700 people and infecting tens of thousands .
But only 61 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. , and no deaths have been reported .
White House officials , along with Trump himself , have unsuccessfully tried to slow the market 's free-fall this week .
Kudlow suggested Tuesday that the coronavirus had been contained `` pretty close to airtight '' in the United States .
Health officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the coronavirus would spread in the country .
Asked about the World Health Organization 's decision to raise the threat of the coronavirus to a `` very high '' global risk level , Kudlow said , `` I 'm sure they 're correct . ''
But he stressed that risks to the U.S. in particular remain `` on the low side '' and said that despite the huge market drops this week , his economic forecasts are holding up `` nicely . ''
He added that even though stocks are being battered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 financial crisis , this market is in `` just a completely different situation . ''
After the Fox Business interview , Kudlow told reporters at the White House that markets `` have gone too far '' and that he expects it to come back .

Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, speaks during a news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020.
National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow urged calm Friday as global fears about the deadly coronavirus sent stocks plummeting once again.
Kudlow, President Donald Trump's top economic advisor, said in a Fox Business interview that investors shouldn't "rule out more optimistic options."
There's no guarantee cases of the disease will "skyrocket" in the U.S., Kudlow said. "Stocks looks pretty cheap to me."
The coronavirus has spread to dozens of countries around the world, killing more than 2,700 people and infecting tens of thousands. But only 61 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., and no deaths have been reported.
White House officials, along with Trump himself, have unsuccessfully tried to slow the market's free-fall this week.
Kudlow suggested Tuesday that the coronavirus had been contained "pretty close to airtight" in the United States. Health officials said the same day that it appeared inevitable that the coronavirus would spread in the country.
Asked about the World Health Organization's decision to raise the threat of the coronavirus to a "very high" global risk level, Kudlow said, "I'm sure they're correct."
But he stressed that risks to the U.S. in particular remain "on the low side" and said that despite the huge market drops this week, his economic forecasts are holding up "nicely."
He added that even though stocks are being battered at a level not seen since the 2008 financial crisis, this market is in "just a completely different situation."
After the Fox Business interview, Kudlow told reporters at the White House that markets "have gone too far" and that he expects it to come back.


cnbc--2020-02-28--Democrats trying to gain swing House seats in Texas stare down a possible Bernie Sanders nomination

HOUSTON — As Democratic presidential hopefuls gathered in Nevada last week to slug it out over socialism , wealthy donors and sexual harassment , Rep. Lizzie Fletcher wanted to talk about drug prices .
The first-term Democratic congresswoman , who flipped a seat here held for decades by Republicans including President George H.W .
Bush , led a Feb. 19 panel on how to slash pharmaceutical costs .
She repeatedly highlighted H.R .
3 , the bill passed by the new Democratic House majority designed to cut prices by allowing the U.S. government to directly negotiate with drugmakers .
Fletcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's more effective than alternatives — but not covered by insurance .
Attendees asked about the availability of cheaper generic drugs .
One constituent extolled the achievements of pharmaceutical companies , prompting another to shoot back , `` Are you a lobbyist ? ''
The Houston area , and a changing Texas more broadly , sit at the center of Democrats ' effort to keep or tighten their grip on House control in November .
As voters in the party 's presidential primary decide whether they want a far-reaching overhaul of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , the party 's House candidates in battleground districts have mostly tried to block out the national noise as they attempt to dig farther into GOP territory .
During the panel , Fletcher said she opposes a single-payer `` Medicare for All '' system , which Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders champions , and favors `` incremental '' rather than `` revolutionary change '' on health care .
Even as Sanders and other progressives gain traction here and around the country , the Democrats in Texas ' key House races are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party regain the chamber in 2018 .
`` When we are thinking about how best to represent our districts , it starts with listening and then working to actually solve the problems .
And that 's what you 're seeing the House do right now , '' Fletcher told CNBC last week when asked about how the primary outcome or a Sanders nomination could affect her strategy in November .
`` Health care , health care , health care '' is what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told her caucus to run on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Texas , primaries in the next week 's Super Tuesday will start to set the field in swing races that will help to determine which party controls the House next year .
Some Republicans running to represent those districts are trying to use Sanders ' early triumphs in the presidential primary against Democrats like Fletcher , who have tried to craft independent brands .
The strategy will likely spread if the Vermont senator continues to gain steam in upcoming primaries , including Saturday 's South Carolina vote .
Two of Sanders ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg , have also argued the self-professed democratic socialist will hurt candidates down the ballot .
Sanders has argued the energy behind his platform , which includes universal health care , blanket student debt forgiveness and free child care for all , will mobilize younger and more infrequent voters to put him over the top .
This year , Democrats will defend two highly sought-after House seats in Texas that they picked up in 2018 : Fletcher 's 7th District and the Dallas-area 32nd District held by Rep. Colin Allred , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least six other GOP-held districts in the Lone Star State .
Republican retirements made several races more competitive .
Three of the battleground seats stretch either into or near Houston , the nation 's fourth-largest city .
Its suburbs , like parts of Fletcher 's district that have grown more diverse , younger and better educated , embody traditionally Republican pockets of the country where Democrats made gains in 2018 and hope to further cut into GOP power this year .
`` This district has changed dramatically demographically .
...
This no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Renee Cross , senior director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston , said of the 7th District .
Next door sits the 22nd District .
The seat , vacant and hotly contested this year following GOP Rep. Pete Olson 's retirement , includes major parts of Fort Bend County , the most diverse county in Texas .
Sri Kulkarni , a Democrat who lost to Olson by about 5 percentage points in 2018 , will take another crack at the open seat this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and son of an immigrant described as a rapidly changing district , his campaign has reached out to voters in 15 languages from Hindi to Vietnamese and Igbo .
Kulkarni ran on health care in 2018 and describes it as voters ' top priority again this year .
`` The issues are still the same .
Health care is still the number one issue , bringing down the cost of health care , bringing down — negotiating prescription drug prices , making sure everyone has access and mental health access , by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while highlighting gun safety , climate change and the region 's flooding as other priorities .
Republicans have channeled renewed energy into reclaiming or holding the Houston-area seats .
Six GOP candidates are trying to challenge Fletcher in November .
In the 22nd District , more than a dozen Republican hopefuls aim to succeed Olson .
If no candidate gets a majority in the primaries , runoffs will take place in May .
Tuesday 's primary in the 22nd offers a referendum of sorts on the future of the Republican Party in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pierce Bush , grandson of George H.W .
Bush whose family name has lost luster in Trump 's GOP , and Kathaleen Wall , a Republican donor who has used her own money to fund a message of loyalty to the president .
While Democratic campaigns have clobbered Republicans in House swing-district fundraising , one of the leading candidates in the 7th has been a bright spot for the GOP .
Wesley Hunt , an Army veteran backed by President Donald Trump , took in an impressive haul of nearly $ 550,000 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( though Fletcher ended the period with more than twice as much as he had in the bank ) .
The other leading Republican in Tuesday 's primary is Cindy Siegel , the former mayor of the affluent Houston suburb of Bellaire .
In interviews with CNBC , Hunt and Siegel aligned on most key issues .
They both want to repeal and replace Obamacare , back selling insurance across state lines and increasing price transparency to cut health costs .
The Republicans support Trump 's border wall and lower taxes .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves apart in the primary .
Hunt has emphasized his military service , saying , `` I 'm somebody that 's risked my life for this country , to defend it , already . ''
His campaign has dipped into its coffers to run ads promoting his time in the military and his family history : His latest ad highlights how his African American family went from `` slavery to West Point in five generations . ''
Siegel has touted her experience as a local official and a certified public accountant .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race that has my Republican credentials , '' she said .
Saying she votes in Republican primaries , she said `` not all the opponents have done that in the primary . ''
The issue came up last week when Hunt knocked doors of homes on the tree-lined streets of western Houston 's Tanglewood neighborhood .
Two voters had heard from a friend concerned that Hunt did not vote in some past GOP primary elections .
Hunt told them he did not vote because he was serving overseas .
Asked about his plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would defend the energy industry `` tooth and nail . ''
After an extended back-and-forth , the voters ultimately said they would support him in the primary .
The Green New Deal and the energy industry The fossil fuel industry plays an enormous role in Houston 's economy .
Texas produces more oil and natural gas than any other state .
In the 7th District , its presence is as evident as anywhere : Driving along the area 's Energy Corridor , near strip malls , car dealerships and gleaming apartment complexes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shell and BP .
Beyond sitting at the forefront of Texas ' demographic changes , Houston embodies two of the core political challenges of the coming years : the future of the energy industry and the fight against climate change .
The city is still recovering from the battering it received from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and subsequent flooding .
It 's another policy area where Sanders could loom large over Texas as the presidential nominee .
He has appealed to younger voters and climate activists by supporting the Green New Deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transitioning to renewable energy , banning fracking and offshore drilling and offering pay and training to displaced fossil fuel workers .
Hunt has repeatedly criticized the Green New Deal as dangerous for the area 's economy .
He has also argued that , by supporting Pelosi as speaker , Fletcher made the area 's energy industry more vulnerable .
Fletcher has opposed bans on fracking and offshore drilling and has also argued against the Green New Deal .
She told CNBC she understands and cares about the energy economy and making sure Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world . ''
In the 22nd District , Kulkarni said he backs `` evidence-based policy '' that involves investing in renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels — but not swearing off those sources .
`` I have lots of supporters who are in BP , Schlumberger , my mom worked in Exxon .
Everybody around here is somehow connected to the oil and gas industry , you know ?
There 's nobody I know , Democrat or Republican , who 's talking about cutting out the fossil fuel industry completely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also nobody I know who thinks that climate change is a Chinese hoax , like the president said , '' he added .
For all the focus on Sanders nationally , Trump at the top of the ticket will have a massive effect on the races .
Uneasiness about the president 's health care and immigration plans among a chunk of independents and Republicans contributed to Fletcher and Allred 's victories in Texas in 2018 .
While the University of Houston 's Cross thinks a Sanders nomination could cause some difficulties for House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many voters in key districts will not vote straight down the party line .
`` I think we 're going to see a lot of split-ticket voting , particularly in districts like 7 and 22 and Colin Allred 's district , '' she said .

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher during a panel discussion on health care in western Houston on Feb. 19, 2020. Jacob Pramuk | CNBC
HOUSTON — As Democratic presidential hopefuls gathered in Nevada last week to slug it out over socialism, wealthy donors and sexual harassment, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher wanted to talk about drug prices. The first-term Democratic congresswoman, who flipped a seat here held for decades by Republicans including President George H.W. Bush, led a Feb. 19 panel on how to slash pharmaceutical costs. She repeatedly highlighted H.R. 3, the bill passed by the new Democratic House majority designed to cut prices by allowing the U.S. government to directly negotiate with drugmakers. Fletcher fielded constituent questions about affording pricey medicine that's more effective than alternatives — but not covered by insurance. Attendees asked about the availability of cheaper generic drugs. One constituent extolled the achievements of pharmaceutical companies, prompting another to shoot back, "Are you a lobbyist?" The Houston area, and a changing Texas more broadly, sit at the center of Democrats' effort to keep or tighten their grip on House control in November. As voters in the party's presidential primary decide whether they want a far-reaching overhaul of the economic and political system or more gradual change, the party's House candidates in battleground districts have mostly tried to block out the national noise as they attempt to dig farther into GOP territory.
'Health care, health care, health care'
During the panel, Fletcher said she opposes a single-payer "Medicare for All" system, which Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders champions, and favors "incremental" rather than "revolutionary change" on health care. Even as Sanders and other progressives gain traction here and around the country, the Democrats in Texas' key House races are sticking to the strategy that helped the party regain the chamber in 2018. "When we are thinking about how best to represent our districts, it starts with listening and then working to actually solve the problems. And that's what you're seeing the House do right now," Fletcher told CNBC last week when asked about how the primary outcome or a Sanders nomination could affect her strategy in November. "Health care, health care, health care" is what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told her caucus to run on as members seek reelection this year. In Texas, primaries in the next week's Super Tuesday will start to set the field in swing races that will help to determine which party controls the House next year. Some Republicans running to represent those districts are trying to use Sanders' early triumphs in the presidential primary against Democrats like Fletcher, who have tried to craft independent brands. The strategy will likely spread if the Vermont senator continues to gain steam in upcoming primaries, including Saturday's South Carolina vote. Two of Sanders' Democratic rivals, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, have also argued the self-professed democratic socialist will hurt candidates down the ballot. Sanders has argued the energy behind his platform, which includes universal health care, blanket student debt forgiveness and free child care for all, will mobilize younger and more infrequent voters to put him over the top.
This year, Democrats will defend two highly sought-after House seats in Texas that they picked up in 2018: Fletcher's 7th District and the Dallas-area 32nd District held by Rep. Colin Allred, who has supported Biden. The party will target at least six other GOP-held districts in the Lone Star State. Republican retirements made several races more competitive. Three of the battleground seats stretch either into or near Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city. Its suburbs, like parts of Fletcher's district that have grown more diverse, younger and better educated, embody traditionally Republican pockets of the country where Democrats made gains in 2018 and hope to further cut into GOP power this year. "This district has changed dramatically demographically. ... This no longer your Anglo, country club constituency," Renee Cross, senior director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, said of the 7th District. Next door sits the 22nd District. The seat, vacant and hotly contested this year following GOP Rep. Pete Olson's retirement, includes major parts of Fort Bend County, the most diverse county in Texas.
Sri Kulkarni, a Democrat who lost to Olson by about 5 percentage points in 2018, will take another crack at the open seat this year. In what the former State Department official and son of an immigrant described as a rapidly changing district, his campaign has reached out to voters in 15 languages from Hindi to Vietnamese and Igbo. Kulkarni ran on health care in 2018 and describes it as voters' top priority again this year. "The issues are still the same. Health care is still the number one issue, bringing down the cost of health care, bringing down — negotiating prescription drug prices, making sure everyone has access and mental health access, by the way," he told CNBC, while highlighting gun safety, climate change and the region's flooding as other priorities.
The GOP push
Republicans have channeled renewed energy into reclaiming or holding the Houston-area seats. Six GOP candidates are trying to challenge Fletcher in November. In the 22nd District, more than a dozen Republican hopefuls aim to succeed Olson. If no candidate gets a majority in the primaries, runoffs will take place in May. Tuesday's primary in the 22nd offers a referendum of sorts on the future of the Republican Party in the increasingly diverse area. Leading candidates include Pierce Bush, grandson of George H.W. Bush whose family name has lost luster in Trump's GOP, and Kathaleen Wall, a Republican donor who has used her own money to fund a message of loyalty to the president. While Democratic campaigns have clobbered Republicans in House swing-district fundraising, one of the leading candidates in the 7th has been a bright spot for the GOP. Wesley Hunt, an Army veteran backed by President Donald Trump, took in an impressive haul of nearly $550,000 from individuals from Jan. 1 to Feb. 12 (though Fletcher ended the period with more than twice as much as he had in the bank).
Republican congressional candidate Wesley Hunt walking between knocking doors in the Tanglewood neighborhood in western Houston on Feb. 19, 2020. Jacob Pramuk | CNBC
The other leading Republican in Tuesday's primary is Cindy Siegel, the former mayor of the affluent Houston suburb of Bellaire. In interviews with CNBC, Hunt and Siegel aligned on most key issues. They both want to repeal and replace Obamacare, back selling insurance across state lines and increasing price transparency to cut health costs. The Republicans support Trump's border wall and lower taxes. They have looked for different ways to set themselves apart in the primary. Hunt has emphasized his military service, saying, "I'm somebody that's risked my life for this country, to defend it, already." His campaign has dipped into its coffers to run ads promoting his time in the military and his family history: His latest ad highlights how his African American family went from "slavery to West Point in five generations." Siegel has touted her experience as a local official and a certified public accountant. "There's no one else in the race that has my Republican credentials," she said. Saying she votes in Republican primaries, she said "not all the opponents have done that in the primary." The issue came up last week when Hunt knocked doors of homes on the tree-lined streets of western Houston's Tanglewood neighborhood. Two voters had heard from a friend concerned that Hunt did not vote in some past GOP primary elections. Hunt told them he did not vote because he was serving overseas. Asked about his plan for the district, he said he would defend the energy industry "tooth and nail." After an extended back-and-forth, the voters ultimately said they would support him in the primary.
The Green New Deal and the energy industry


cnbc--2020-02-28--Media's coronavirus stories trying to hurt Trump, Mick Mulvaney says as he urges public to turn off

Media's coronavirus stories trying to hurt Trump, Mick Mulvaney says as he urges public to turn off TV

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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 did n't you hear about it ? ''
Mulvaney asked at CPAC .
`` What was still going on four or five weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '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 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . ''

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--Bernie Sanders jumps to early national delegate lead ahead of South Carolina primary

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders marches with student supporters to an on-campus polling place for early voting @ @ @ @ @ Winston-Salem , North Carolina , February 27 , 2020 .
Sen. Bernie Sanders enters Saturday @ @ @ @ @ with an early lead in pledged national delegates as his rivals try to slow his @ @ @ @ @ presidential nomination .
The Vermont independent 's blowout victory in the Nevada caucus earned him @ @ @ @ @ 36 delegates , according to NBC News allocations .
The second-place finisher , former Vice @ @ @ @ @ come away with nine delegates , while former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete @ @ @ @ @ No other candidates earned delegates in Nevada .
The chart below shows where the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ race for 1,991 delegates — the majority needed to win the nomination — after contests @ @ @ @ @ and Nevada .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders marches with student supporters to an on-campus polling place for early voting at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, February 27, 2020.
Sen. Bernie Sanders enters Saturday's South Carolina Democratic primary with an early lead in pledged national delegates as his rivals try to slow his march toward the party's presidential nomination.
The Vermont independent's blowout victory in the Nevada caucus earned him 24 of the state's 36 delegates, according to NBC News allocations. The second-place finisher, former Vice President Joe Biden, will come away with nine delegates, while former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg will get three. No other candidates earned delegates in Nevada.
The chart below shows where the Democratic presidential field stands in the race for 1,991 delegates — the majority needed to win the nomination — after contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Joe Biden wins South Carolina Democratic primary, a crucial boost for his campaign

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden talks with supporters at a campaign event at Wofford University February 28 , 2020 in Spartanburg , South Carolina .
Joe Biden chalked up a comfortable win the South Carolina Democratic primary in a needed boost for a flagging 2020 presidential campaign .
The former vice president came into South Carolina looking for a clear mandate to revive his push for the White House .
Once the overwhelming leader in national polls , he stumbled in early nominating contests with fourth , fifth and second place finishes in Iowa , New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his first primary victory of his three presidential campaigns on Saturday night , telling supporters `` you launched our campaign on the path to defeating Donald Trump . ''
As he urged Democrats in the 14 states that hold primaries Tuesday to back him , he took shots at rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg without naming them .
`` Just days ago , the press and the pundits declared this candidacy dead .
Now , thanks to all of you , the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won and we 've won big because of you , '' he said to applause .
`` We are very much alive ! ''
Sanders finished second in the Palmetto State .
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer was in third place in the early going , but did not meet the 15 % threshold for statewide delegates .
Steyer , who piled his own money into South Carolina , dropped out of the race Saturday night as the state 's results came in .
By the time nearly 100 % of results were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 48 % of the vote .
Sanders trailed at about 20 % , followed by Steyer at about 11 % .
Biden will earn at least 36 of the state 's 54 pledged delegates , according to NBC .
Sanders will win at least 12 .
The haul will bring Biden to at least 51 national pledged delegates , second to Sanders ' 57 by NBC 's count .
Speaking to supporters Saturday , Sanders congratulated Biden for his win .
He highlighted his early victories in the race , then added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all . ''
Biden will now try to translate his triumph to success three days from now on Super Tuesday .
Sanders , the national delegate leader , appears poised to widen his edge as he leads recent polls of both of Tuesday 's biggest prizes , California and Texas .
Surveys suggest a narrow lead for Biden in North Carolina , which awards the third most delegates that day .
After drubbings in the overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire , Biden said his campaign would get a boost when more racially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Polls have found overwhelming support for the former vice president among black voters , though that base appeared to weaken after his struggles .
A majority of South Carolina primary voters , or 57 % , identified as black , exit polls found .
More than six-in-ten black voters supported Biden , while only 16 % and 13 % backed Sanders and Steyer , respectively .
The former vice president got a boost in the final days before the primary when House Majority Whip James Clyburn , a South Carolina Democrat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , endorsed him .
About half of the state 's primary voters Saturday , or 49 % , considered Clyburn 's choice important , according to exit polls .
More than half of those people voted for Biden , the surveys found .
`` My buddy Jim Clyburn , you brought me back ! ''
Biden told Clyburn after the congressman introduced him Saturday night .
Voters had a better opinion of the former vice president than any of his rivals .
About three-quarters , or 77 % , of exit poll respondents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , while only 19 % said they have an unfavorable view .
For Sanders , 51 % of voters had a favorable opinion , while 43 % had an unfavorable view .
Only about a quarter , or 26 % , of respondents said they have a favorable view of Bloomberg , while 67 % said they have an unfavorable opinion .
The billionaire businessman will not appear on the primary ballot until Super Tuesday , three days from Saturday .
This story is developing .
Please check back for updates .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden talks with supporters at a campaign event at Wofford University February 28, 2020 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Joe Biden chalked up a comfortable win the South Carolina Democratic primary in a needed boost for a flagging 2020 presidential campaign.
The former vice president came into South Carolina looking for a clear mandate to revive his push for the White House. Once the overwhelming leader in national polls, he stumbled in early nominating contests with fourth, fifth and second place finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, respectively.
Biden basked in his first primary victory of his three presidential campaigns on Saturday night, telling supporters "you launched our campaign on the path to defeating Donald Trump." As he urged Democrats in the 14 states that hold primaries Tuesday to back him, he took shots at rivals Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg without naming them.
"Just days ago, the press and the pundits declared this candidacy dead. Now, thanks to all of you, the heart of the Democratic party, we just won and we've won big because of you," he said to applause. "We are very much alive!"
Sanders finished second in the Palmetto State. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer was in third place in the early going, but did not meet the 15% threshold for statewide delegates.
Steyer, who piled his own money into South Carolina, dropped out of the race Saturday night as the state's results came in.
By the time nearly 100% of results were in, Biden had a massive lead with about 48% of the vote. Sanders trailed at about 20%, followed by Steyer at about 11%.
Biden will earn at least 36 of the state's 54 pledged delegates, according to NBC. Sanders will win at least 12. The haul will bring Biden to at least 51 national pledged delegates, second to Sanders' 57 by NBC's count.
Speaking to supporters Saturday, Sanders congratulated Biden for his win. He highlighted his early victories in the race, then added, "you cannot win 'em all."
Biden will now try to translate his triumph to success three days from now on Super Tuesday. Sanders, the national delegate leader, appears poised to widen his edge as he leads recent polls of both of Tuesday's biggest prizes, California and Texas. Surveys suggest a narrow lead for Biden in North Carolina, which awards the third most delegates that day.
After drubbings in the overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire, Biden said his campaign would get a boost when more racially diverse states had a chance to vote. Polls have found overwhelming support for the former vice president among black voters, though that base appeared to weaken after his struggles.
A majority of South Carolina primary voters, or 57%, identified as black, exit polls found. More than six-in-ten black voters supported Biden, while only 16% and 13% backed Sanders and Steyer, respectively.
The former vice president got a boost in the final days before the primary when House Majority Whip James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat and the highest ranking African-American in the House, endorsed him. About half of the state's primary voters Saturday, or 49%, considered Clyburn's choice important, according to exit polls.
More than half of those people voted for Biden, the surveys found.
"My buddy Jim Clyburn, you brought me back!" Biden told Clyburn after the congressman introduced him Saturday night.
Voters had a better opinion of the former vice president than any of his rivals. About three-quarters, or 77%, of exit poll respondents said they have a favorable opinion of Biden, while only 19% said they have an unfavorable view.
For Sanders, 51% of voters had a favorable opinion, while 43% had an unfavorable view.
Only about a quarter, or 26%, of respondents said they have a favorable view of Bloomberg, while 67% said they have an unfavorable opinion. The billionaire businessman will not appear on the primary ballot until Super Tuesday, three days from Saturday.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-02-29--Coronavirus may turn the 2020 presidential campaign upside down

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) speaks at a campaign town hall meeting in Portsmouth , New Hampshire , U.S. February 10 , 2020 .
Presidential campaigns have shown no signs of adjusting their event schedules even as the coronavirus outbreak prompts several companies to cancel or postpone events .
For instance , the Democratic primary race 's front-runner , Sen. Bernie Sanders , is holding a rally Sunday in a region of northern California that has reported a few infections of the virus .
Meanwhile , Facebook , Amazon and Workday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of companies that have canceled or pulled out of events as fears around the COVID-19 coronavirus grow .
Big-ticket conferences Game Developers Conference in California have are now canceled .
The ticketing industry , meanwhile , is getting worried that the virus could weigh on attendance at concerts and sporting events .
But as presidential campaigns carry on , some wonder how long they can do so without looking irresponsible .
`` Infectious-disease specialists were saying as of [ Friday ] night – they do n't recommend fundamentally changing what people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see if it 's confined in certain parts of the country , '' said Matt Dallek a political historian at George Washington University .
`` You 're not going to be holding a massive rally in Portland , Oregon when schools are closed and people are working from home , '' he added .
A spokesperson for Sanders told CNBC there was no change in plans for his Sunday rally in San Jose , California , ahead of the state 's crucial , delegate-heavy primary Tuesday .
That 's despite the fact the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed Friday a coronavirus infection that may have been transmitted through the community .
San Jose is in Santa Clara .
It is also where Facebook 's F8 event was supposed to occur in May .
A spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health earlier this week told CNBC it is `` is not recommending the cancellation of public events . ''
And other candidates are charging forward as well .
Vice President Joe Biden held a rally Saturday in Raleigh , North Carolina .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is planning a meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday night .
Trump had a rally Friday night North Charleston , South Carolina .
When contacted by CNBC , none of the spokespeople for Biden , Warren , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sanders said there would be change to upcoming campaign behavior .
That includes their dedication to continuing the old-fashioned tradition of campaign handshakes and a new one in selfies .
Fistbumps , though , are known to transfer 90 % fewer bacteria than a regular handshake There are more than 85,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 2,933 confirmed deaths .
More than 60 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. Washington state confirmed its first U.S. death from Coronavirus on Saturday .
The state 's governor , former Democratic presidential candidate Jay Inslee , on Saturday declared a state of emergency .
Should the virus continue to spread , it may become impossible for campaigns to avoid the question .
As companies cancel events and limit travel in the name of caution , candidates are taking a risk by carrying on as normal .
`` I think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the campaigns to limit rope line and scale back events to small-town halls and use technology like streaming to reach voters , '' said Scott Gottlieb , former head of the Food and Drug Administration under Trump .
`` Even if the risk does n't merit these steps right now , it 's important they consider the examples they set . ''
There are other ways campaigns can get out their message , political advisors said , including by holding events at hospitals and with public health officials .
Mike Bloomberg has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media campaign that requires no human contact at all .
In its latest show of financial force , the Bloomberg campaign on Saturday announced that it had bought three minutes of air time for an ad , featuring the former New York mayor addressing the outbreak , which will be broadcast Sunday night on CBS and NBC .
But the candidates may need to start considering depressed turnout should concern over coronavirus keep voters at home .
The first test on turnout will be Tuesday , when 14 states cast their ballots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary race .
A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee did not respond to inquiries earlier this week about whether there were concerns that coronavirus would impact turnout on Super Tuesday or preparations the committee is doing should the outbreak broaden .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks at a campaign town hall meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S. February 10, 2020.
Presidential campaigns have shown no signs of adjusting their event schedules even as the coronavirus outbreak prompts several companies to cancel or postpone events.
For instance, the Democratic primary race's front-runner, Sen. Bernie Sanders, is holding a rally Sunday in a region of northern California that has reported a few infections of the virus.
Meanwhile, Facebook , Amazon and Workday are just a few in a growing list of companies that have canceled or pulled out of events as fears around the COVID-19 coronavirus grow. Big-ticket conferences Game Developers Conference in California have are now canceled. The ticketing industry, meanwhile, is getting worried that the virus could weigh on attendance at concerts and sporting events.
But as presidential campaigns carry on, some wonder how long they can do so without looking irresponsible.
"Infectious-disease specialists were saying as of [Friday] night – they don't recommend fundamentally changing what people are doing – but we will have to see if it's confined in certain parts of the country," said Matt Dallek a political historian at George Washington University.
"You're not going to be holding a massive rally in Portland, Oregon when schools are closed and people are working from home," he added.
A spokesperson for Sanders told CNBC there was no change in plans for his Sunday rally in San Jose, California, ahead of the state's crucial, delegate-heavy primary Tuesday. That's despite the fact the public health department in Santa Clara County confirmed Friday a coronavirus infection that may have been transmitted through the community. San Jose is in Santa Clara. It is also where Facebook's F8 event was supposed to occur in May.
A spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health earlier this week told CNBC it is "is not recommending the cancellation of public events."
And other candidates are charging forward as well. Vice President Joe Biden held a rally Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is planning a meet and greet in Houston, Texas, on Saturday night. Trump had a rally Friday night North Charleston, South Carolina.
Tweet
Tweet
When contacted by CNBC, none of the spokespeople for Biden, Warren, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sanders said there would be change to upcoming campaign behavior. That includes their dedication to continuing the old-fashioned tradition of campaign handshakes and a new one in selfies. Fistbumps, though, are known to transfer 90% fewer bacteria than a regular handshake
There are more than 85,000 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide and at least 2,933 confirmed deaths. More than 60 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. Washington state confirmed its first U.S. death from Coronavirus on Saturday. The state's governor, former Democratic presidential candidate Jay Inslee, on Saturday declared a state of emergency.
Should the virus continue to spread, it may become impossible for campaigns to avoid the question. As companies cancel events and limit travel in the name of caution, candidates are taking a risk by carrying on as normal.
"I think we'll see, pretty soon, decisions by the campaigns to limit rope line and scale back events to small-town halls and use technology like streaming to reach voters," said Scott Gottlieb, former head of the Food and Drug Administration under Trump.
"Even if the risk doesn't merit these steps right now, it's important they consider the examples they set."
There are other ways campaigns can get out their message, political advisors said, including by holding events at hospitals and with public health officials. Mike Bloomberg has spent over $500 million on a media campaign that requires no human contact at all. In its latest show of financial force, the Bloomberg campaign on Saturday announced that it had bought three minutes of air time for an ad, featuring the former New York mayor addressing the outbreak, which will be broadcast Sunday night on CBS and NBC.
But the candidates may need to start considering depressed turnout should concern over coronavirus keep voters at home. The first test on turnout will be Tuesday, when 14 states cast their ballots for one-third of the delegates in the Democratic primary race.
A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee did not respond to inquiries earlier this week about whether there were concerns that coronavirus would impact turnout on Super Tuesday or preparations the committee is doing should the outbreak broaden.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Joe Biden bundlers see surge of pledges from new big money donors after he wins South Carolina

Supporters cheer as Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden arrives to speak at a rally in Conway , South Carolina , on February 27 , 2020 .
Joe Biden won South Carolina 's primary , and he is about to score some new donors as a result .
Bundlers backing the former vice president 's campaign told CNBC that they are seeing a surge in big money commitments in the wake of Saturday 's apparent blowout victory in the Palmetto State .
Fundraisers looking to help Biden secure resources for Tuesday , when 14 states hold primaries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the buildup to South Carolina and throughout Saturday .
According to people with direct knowledge of the matter , Biden 's bundlers lured donors who had been backing Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
They also grabbed support from donors who had been uncommitted , these people added .
These wealthy donors are now willing to give up to the max amount of $ 2,800 to Biden 's campaign , which has struggled at times to raise cash .
`` Money has been pouring in .
And now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that a vote for anyone other than Biden is a vote for Bernie Sanders , '' Florida-based businessman John Morgan , a Biden bundler , told CNBC after his candidate 's big win .
`` I have been inundated with emails today . ''
Sanders became the Democratic primary race 's front-runner after winning in Nevada and New Hampshire .
Biden 's dominant victory in South Carolina will give him enough delegates to at least be in second place behind Sanders .
Fifty-four delegates were at stake in the state .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been investing millions in delegate-rich Super Tuesday states , making Biden 's fundraising boost even more necessary if he wants to continue this momentum into the most pivotal week of the campaign so far .
`` Tonight I have heard from many friends who have been supporting other candidates and now want to do everything they can to nominate Joe Biden , '' said Rufus Gifford , the architect of President Barack Obama 's fundraising operation and now a Biden supporter .
`` I 've been sending my fundraising link out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet given . ''
Another Biden bundler , who declined to be named , said he is on track to pick up dozens of new donors by the end of the weekend .
Many of these people had committed to becoming surrogates for Bloomberg before the former vice president 's win in the Palmetto State .
These people who are shifting to Biden , this bundler said , now hope that Bloomberg drops out in order to help the former vice president stop Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist .
Alan Patricof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Biden fundraiser , said Saturday 's win is raising spirits among the former vice president 's backers .
`` No one is complacent , but all of Joe 's supporters are feeling very much encouraged tonight based on early results , '' Patricof told CNBC .
The Biden campaign itself appeared to confirm what bundlers were already seeing in the wake of the South Carolina triumph .
`` 48 mins in and this is the best hour of fundraising the campaign has EVER had , '' Elana Firsht , Biden 's director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet .

Supporters cheer as Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden arrives to speak at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, on February 27, 2020.
Joe Biden won South Carolina's primary, and he is about to score some new donors as a result.
Bundlers backing the former vice president's campaign told CNBC that they are seeing a surge in big money commitments in the wake of Saturday's apparent blowout victory in the Palmetto State.
Fundraisers looking to help Biden secure resources for Tuesday, when 14 states hold primaries, got what they were looking for in the buildup to South Carolina and throughout Saturday. According to people with direct knowledge of the matter, Biden's bundlers lured donors who had been backing Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. They also grabbed support from donors who had been uncommitted, these people added.
These wealthy donors are now willing to give up to the max amount of $2,800 to Biden's campaign, which has struggled at times to raise cash.
"Money has been pouring in. And now it will really pour. Voters now understand that a vote for anyone other than Biden is a vote for Bernie Sanders," Florida-based businessman John Morgan, a Biden bundler, told CNBC after his candidate's big win. "I have been inundated with emails today."
Sanders became the Democratic primary race's front-runner after winning in Nevada and New Hampshire. Biden's dominant victory in South Carolina will give him enough delegates to at least be in second place behind Sanders. Fifty-four delegates were at stake in the state.
Meanwhile, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg has been investing millions in delegate-rich Super Tuesday states, making Biden's fundraising boost even more necessary if he wants to continue this momentum into the most pivotal week of the campaign so far.
"Tonight I have heard from many friends who have been supporting other candidates and now want to do everything they can to nominate Joe Biden," said Rufus Gifford, the architect of President Barack Obama's fundraising operation and now a Biden supporter. "I've been sending my fundraising link out to lots and lots of people who have not yet given."
Another Biden bundler, who declined to be named, said he is on track to pick up dozens of new donors by the end of the weekend. Many of these people had committed to becoming surrogates for Bloomberg before the former vice president's win in the Palmetto State. These people who are shifting to Biden, this bundler said, now hope that Bloomberg drops out in order to help the former vice president stop Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist.
Alan Patricof, the founder of Greycroft Partners and a Biden fundraiser, said Saturday's win is raising spirits among the former vice president's backers.
"No one is complacent, but all of Joe's supporters are feeling very much encouraged tonight based on early results," Patricof told CNBC.
The Biden campaign itself appeared to confirm what bundlers were already seeing in the wake of the South Carolina triumph.
"48 mins in and this is the best hour of fundraising the campaign has EVER had," Elana Firsht, Biden's director of online fundraising, said in a tweet.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Bernie Sanders raises mammoth $46.5 million in February, announces TV ad buys in nine states

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders marches with student supporters to an on-campus polling place for early voting at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem , North Carolina , February 27 , 2020 .
Bernie Sanders ' campaign says it raised $ 46.5 million in February , a staggering influx that leaves the Vermont senator flush with cash as he tries to build his presidential primary delegate lead .
The Sanders campaign also announced Sunday that it will buy TV ads in nine states that hold primaries later this month .
They are Arizona , Florida , Idaho , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio and Washington .
The February haul , which nearly doubles the still impressive $ 25 million the campaign raised in January , came as Sanders rode victories or strong showings in the first 2020 Democratic presidential nominating contests to an early national delegate lead .
Sanders has trounced his Democratic rivals in contributions from individual donors : $ 46.5 million is more than all of his non-billionaire rivals combined raised in January .
But Sanders was not the only candidate to see a flood of cash in February .
Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 million during the month , her campaign said Sunday .
The Sanders campaign said it is already running TV ads in 12 of the 14 states voting this week on Super Tuesday .
Strong performances in California and Texas , which award the most delegates on that day , will be critical for Sanders ' push to secure the majority of delegates needed to win the nomination .
Projected delegates so far from former Vice President Joe Biden 's decisive win in South Carolina 's primary on Saturday bring him to 51 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 57 , according to NBC News .
Biden bundlers saw increased donor interest in backing his campaign after the result .
On Sunday morning , Biden told NBC News that his campaign raised $ 5 million in the last 24 hours .
Sanders would have a decisive cash advantage over his rivals if not for billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who has dipped into his personal wealth to spend more than $ 400 million ( and counting ) on his presidential campaign .
The Sanders campaign says it has now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than the senator 's 2016 presidential campaign got .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders marches with student supporters to an on-campus polling place for early voting at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, February 27, 2020.
Bernie Sanders' campaign says it raised $46.5 million in February, a staggering influx that leaves the Vermont senator flush with cash as he tries to build his presidential primary delegate lead.
The Sanders campaign also announced Sunday that it will buy TV ads in nine states that hold primaries later this month. They are Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Washington.
The February haul, which nearly doubles the still impressive $25 million the campaign raised in January, came as Sanders rode victories or strong showings in the first 2020 Democratic presidential nominating contests to an early national delegate lead. Sanders has trounced his Democratic rivals in contributions from individual donors: $46.5 million is more than all of his non-billionaire rivals combined raised in January.
But Sanders was not the only candidate to see a flood of cash in February. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., raised about $29 million during the month, her campaign said Sunday.
The Sanders campaign said it is already running TV ads in 12 of the 14 states voting this week on Super Tuesday. Strong performances in California and Texas, which award the most delegates on that day, will be critical for Sanders' push to secure the majority of delegates needed to win the nomination.
Projected delegates so far from former Vice President Joe Biden's decisive win in South Carolina's primary on Saturday bring him to 51, just six shy of Sanders' 57, according to NBC News. Biden bundlers saw increased donor interest in backing his campaign after the result.
On Sunday morning, Biden told NBC News that his campaign raised $5 million in the last 24 hours.
Sanders would have a decisive cash advantage over his rivals if not for billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has dipped into his personal wealth to spend more than $400 million (and counting) on his presidential campaign.
The Sanders campaign says it has now received 8.7 million donations since February 2019, more than the senator's 2016 presidential campaign got.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Billionaire Tom Steyer drops out of the Democratic primary race after South Carolina flop

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate billionaire activist Tom Steyer speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate in Manchester , New Hampshire , U.S. , Feb 7 , 2020 .
Billionaire Tom Steyer , an early proponent of impeaching President Donald Trump , has dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary race .
`` Honestly , I ca n't see a path where I can win the presidency , '' Steyer told supporters Saturday night , while pledging to continue working on his pet issues , including climate change and racial inequality .
He also said he would use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential nominee and other party candidates in the general election this November .
`` Every Democrat is a million times better than Trump .
Trump is a disaster , '' Steyer said .
`` So of course I 'll be working on that . ''
He failed to reach the 15 % viability level to win delegates in Saturday 's contest in South Carolina , where he had spent more than $ 20 million , according to an NBC News projection .
Former Vice President Joe Biden won the primary in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Sen. Bernie Sanders , who is considered the race 's front-runner , came in second .
With more than 50 % of the vote in , Steyer had scored nearly 12 % of the vote in South Carolina .
He stumped and spent heavily in the early primary and caucus states of Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada , as well , but those efforts did not help him crack the top echelon of contenders .
By the end of January , Steyer had spent $ 253.7 million on his campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While he qualified for several debates , he struggled to get beyond 2 % in most national polls .
During the South Carolina debate earlier in the week , he had to fend off attacks from rivals , particularly Biden , about his past investments in the coal and private prison industries .
Steyer ran on what he described as the five rights ; health care , an equal vote , clean air , an education and a living wage .
The former hedge fund manager was a key financier for Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midterms .
Steyer , along with fellow billionaire Mike Bloomberg , combined to spend hundred of millions on Democratic candidates .
That cycle , the Democrats flipped the U.S. House of Representatives , becoming the majority .
Since then , Democrats impeached Trump , which Steyer had been calling for since the 2016 election , and Bloomberg entered the race .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate billionaire activist Tom Steyer speaks at the Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., Feb 7, 2020.
Billionaire Tom Steyer, an early proponent of impeaching President Donald Trump, has dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary race.
"Honestly, I can't see a path where I can win the presidency," Steyer told supporters Saturday night, while pledging to continue working on his pet issues, including climate change and racial inequality.
He also said he would use his vast resources to support the eventual Democratic presidential nominee and other party candidates in the general election this November.
"Every Democrat is a million times better than Trump. Trump is a disaster," Steyer said. "So of course I'll be working on that."
He failed to reach the 15% viability level to win delegates in Saturday's contest in South Carolina, where he had spent more than $20 million, according to an NBC News projection. Former Vice President Joe Biden won the primary in the Palmetto State by a huge margin, while Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is considered the race's front-runner, came in second.
With more than 50% of the vote in, Steyer had scored nearly 12% of the vote in South Carolina.
He stumped and spent heavily in the early primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, as well, but those efforts did not help him crack the top echelon of contenders.
By the end of January, Steyer had spent $253.7 million on his campaign, according to a Federal Election Commission filing.
While he qualified for several debates, he struggled to get beyond 2% in most national polls. During the South Carolina debate earlier in the week, he had to fend off attacks from rivals, particularly Biden, about his past investments in the coal and private prison industries.
Steyer ran on what he described as the five rights; health care, an equal vote, clean air, an education and a living wage.
The former hedge fund manager was a key financier for Democrats running for congress during the 2018 congressional midterms.
Steyer, along with fellow billionaire Mike Bloomberg, combined to spend hundred of millions on Democratic candidates. That cycle, the Democrats flipped the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the majority.
Since then, Democrats impeached Trump, which Steyer had been calling for since the 2016 election, and Bloomberg entered the race.


cnbc--2020-02-29--Trump considering travel restrictions at US-Mexico border over coronavirus

President Donald Trump on Saturday said his administration was also considering restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border , after he authorized new restrictions on travel with Iran and heightened advisories for areas in South Korea and Italy as the coronavirus spreads across the globe .
`` We are thinking about the southern border , `` Trump said , speaking during a press conference at the White House .
`` We are looking at that very strongly . ''
Trump 's comments come after the news agency Reuters reported the White House was considering imposing entry restrictions with Mexico to prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are only 3 confirmed cases there .
The United States , on the other hand , has confirmed 66 cases of the illness .
There are more than 85,000 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide and at least 2,941 deaths , the overwhelming majority of them in China , where the illness first surfaced .
Asia and Europe are the hardest hit areas of the world , while Latin America has reported very few cases so far .
In addition to Mexico , Brazil has reported 1 confirmed case of the virus .
Trump appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a reporter over his reason for considering action on the U.S. southern border given how few cases of the coronavirus there are in Mexico at the moment .
`` We 're thinking about all borders , we have to think about that border , '' Trump said .
`` This is not a border that seems to be much of a problem right now , we hope we will not have to do that . ''
Trump threatened to close the border with Mexico in March 2019 if the country did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum seekers from crossing the border into the United States .
The president 's push to build a wall along the southern border has also been a source of fierce partisan battle in Washington , leading to a 35-day government shutdown in late 2018 through early 2019 .

President Donald Trump said Saturday his administration was considering restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border, after he authorized new hurdles on travel with Iran and heightened advisories for areas in South Korea and Italy as the coronavirus spreads across the globe.
"We are thinking about the southern border, " Trump said at a White House press conference. "We are looking at that very strongly."
Trump's comments come after the news agency Reuters reported the White House was considering imposing entry restrictions with Mexico to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, although only three cases have been confirmed there. The United States, on the other hand, had confirmed 66 cases of the illness.
There are more than 85,000 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide and at least 2,941 deaths, the overwhelming majority of them in China, where the illness first surfaced. Asia and Europe are the hardest hit areas of the world, while Latin America has reported very few cases so far. In addition to Mexico, Brazil has reported 1 confirmed case of the virus.
Trump appeared to roll back his statement when challenged by a reporter over his reason for considering action on the U.S. southern border, given how few cases of the coronavirus there are in Mexico at the moment.
"We're thinking about all borders, we have to think about that border," Trump said. "This is not a border that seems to be much of a problem right now, we hope we will not have to do that."
Trump threatened to close the border with Mexico last March if the country did not meet his demands on stemming migrants and asylum seekers from crossing the border into the United States. The president's push to build a wall along the southern border has also been a source of fierce partisan battle in Washington, leading to a 35-day government shutdown in late 2018 through early 2019.


cnbc--2020-03-01--Mike Bloomberg buys 3-minute primetime ad on CBS, NBC to address coronavirus outbreak

White House hopeful Mike Bloomberg bought three minutes of network TV time to deliver remarks about the coronavirus outbreak Sunday night as he tries to contrast his leadership style from President Donald Trump 's .
The former New York mayor 's campaign will run a three-minute taped address on CBS and NBC at about 8:30 p.m .
ET on Sunday , it said Saturday .
The purchase from the billionaire businessman , who has already spent more than $ 500 million on his campaign , shows the reach his wealth gives him as 2020 Democratic candidates criticize the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his pre-recorded remarks , Bloomberg highlights the drubbing financial markets took this week as fears about coronavirus rose .
He casts himself as a steady leader prepared for the outbreak by his experience with crises in the country 's largest city .
`` At times like this it is the job of the president to reassure the public that he or she is taking all the necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of every citizen , '' Bloomberg says in the video against a background that evokes a White House setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much it cost his campaign to buy time on the networks .

White House hopeful Mike Bloomberg bought three minutes of network TV time to deliver remarks about the coronavirus outbreak Sunday night as he tries to contrast his leadership style from President Donald Trump's.
The former New York mayor's campaign will run a three-minute taped address on CBS and NBC at about 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, it said Saturday. The purchase from the billionaire businessman, who has already spent more than $500 million on his campaign, shows the reach his wealth gives him as 2020 Democratic candidates criticize the president's response to the global crisis.
In his pre-recorded remarks, Bloomberg highlights the drubbing financial markets took this week as fears about coronavirus rose. He casts himself as a steady leader prepared for the outbreak by his experience with crises in the country's largest city.
"At times like this it is the job of the president to reassure the public that he or she is taking all the necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of every citizen," Bloomberg says in the video against a background that evokes a White House setting.
It was not immediately clear how much it cost his campaign to buy time on the networks.