usatoday--2020-02-12--Head of Iowa Democratic Party resigns after caucus results debacle

DES MOINES — The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party resigned his position on Wednesday as the organization grapples with the fallout of a botched caucus process that has left the party and state reeling .
`` While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion , I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward , and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult .
Therefore , I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a letter to the Iowa Democratic Party 's State Central Committee .
Price , an Iowa native , worked as political director for Barack Obama 's 2012 Iowa campaign and Hillary Clinton 's 2016 Iowa campaign .
He served as executive director of the Iowa Democratic Party before being elected its chair in July 2017 and reelected in 2018 .
More than a week after the party 's Feb. 3 caucuses , final results from the night are still not available .
Results from Tuesday 's New Hampshire primary have already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Nevada and South Carolina .
Candidates have called for a recanvass of 143 precincts , including all in-state satellite precincts .
The party also reviewed results from 95 precincts independent of the campaigns ' requests .
The Associated Press still has not called a winner in the race .
More : Iowa Democratic Party accepts recanvass requests of all precincts highlighted by Sanders , Buttigieg campaigns Preliminary results show that former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg holds a slim lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success in Iowa .
Sanders had more individual support at the caucus sites , a metric he aligned with a traditional primary election .
The unprecedented delay in reporting follows an organizational collapse on caucus night .
Problems with a new cellphone app used to report results were rampant ; chaos enveloped a call center that should have acted as a fail-safe backup ; and the data presented to the public even after days of `` quality control '' checks remained riddled with errors .
More : Iowa caucus 2020 : Inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' where 'hell ' preceded the results catastrophe '' The challenges of reporting data and delays of publicizing the results were categorically unacceptable , '' Price said in a news conference Friday afternoon .
`` Iowa Democrats demand better of us .
Quite frankly , we demand better of ourselves . ''
Price announced Democrats would commission an independent investigation of `` what went right , what went wrong , from start to finish '' with the entire caucus process .
Tom Perez , the Democratic National Committee chairman , has taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the caucuses .
Though he said he takes some responsibility for the meltdown , he said he would `` absolutely not '' step down from his role .
`` I 'm frustrated .
I 'm mad as hell .
Everybody is , '' Perez said during a recent appearance on CNN .
`` And I think what we 're going to do at the end of this cycle ... is have a further conversation about whether or not state parties should be running elections . ''
With Perez among those leading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calls to replace caucuses with primaries and remove Iowa from its coveted first-in-the-nation status have grown increasingly forceful .
Concerns over diversity and inclusion have risen to the forefront this caucus cycle as a presidential field that was at one point the most diverse in history has winnowed to a nearly all-white pool of candidates .
The problems with this month 's results have shifted the focus back to Iowa 's arcane rules and complex process and will undoubtedly have repercussions for future election cycles .
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at bpfann @ dmreg.com or 515-284-8244 .
Follow her on Twitter at @ brianneDMR .

Brianne Pfannenstiel, The Des Moines Register

Head of Iowa Democratic Party resigns after caucus results debacle
Show Caption Hide Caption Iowa caucus: DNC chair Tom Perez calls for recanvass Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez calls for a closer look at the Iowa Caucuses results, as Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders lead. USA TODAY
DES MOINES — The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party resigned his position on Wednesday as the organization grapples with the fallout of a botched caucus process that has left the party and state reeling.
"While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward, and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult. Therefore, I will resign as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party effective upon the election of my replacement," Troy Price said in a letter to the Iowa Democratic Party's State Central Committee.
Price, an Iowa native, worked as political director for Barack Obama's 2012 Iowa campaign and Hillary Clinton's 2016 Iowa campaign. He served as executive director of the Iowa Democratic Party before being elected its chair in July 2017 and reelected in 2018.
More than a week after the party's Feb. 3 caucuses, final results from the night are still not available. Results from Tuesday's New Hampshire primary have already been called and Democratic presidential campaigns have moved into Nevada and South Carolina.
Candidates have called for a recanvass of 143 precincts, including all in-state satellite precincts. The party also reviewed results from 95 precincts independent of the campaigns' requests.
The Associated Press still has not called a winner in the race.
Iowa caucus: Just how much influence does it have on the primary? The Iowa caucus is sure to be competitive this year. But what makes caucuses different from primaries? Just the FAQs
More: Iowa Democratic Party accepts recanvass requests of all precincts highlighted by Sanders, Buttigieg campaigns
Preliminary results show that former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg holds a slim lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in state delegate equivalents, the traditional measure of success in Iowa. Sanders had more individual support at the caucus sites, a metric he aligned with a traditional primary election.
The unprecedented delay in reporting follows an organizational collapse on caucus night. Problems with a new cellphone app used to report results were rampant; chaos enveloped a call center that should have acted as a fail-safe backup; and the data presented to the public even after days of "quality control" checks remained riddled with errors.
More: Iowa caucus 2020: Inside the Iowa Democratic Party's 'boiler room,' where 'hell' preceded the results catastrophe
"The challenges of reporting data and delays of publicizing the results were categorically unacceptable," Price said in a news conference Friday afternoon. "Iowa Democrats demand better of us. Quite frankly, we demand better of ourselves."
Price announced Democrats would commission an independent investigation of "what went right, what went wrong, from start to finish" with the entire caucus process.
Tom Perez, the Democratic National Committee chairman, has taken to publicly criticizing the Iowa party's handling of the caucuses. Though he said he takes some responsibility for the meltdown, he said he would "absolutely not" step down from his role.
"I'm frustrated. I'm mad as hell. Everybody is," Perez said during a recent appearance on CNN. "And I think what we're going to do at the end of this cycle ... is have a further conversation about whether or not state parties should be running elections."
With Perez among those leading the charge to review the presidential nominating process, calls to replace caucuses with primaries and remove Iowa from its coveted first-in-the-nation status have grown increasingly forceful.
Concerns over diversity and inclusion have risen to the forefront this caucus cycle as a presidential field that was at one point the most diverse in history has winnowed to a nearly all-white pool of candidates. The problems with this month's results have shifted the focus back to Iowa's arcane rules and complex process and will undoubtedly have repercussions for future election cycles.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.


usatoday--2020-02-12--Trump says Bernie Sanders is the Democratic frontrunner after strong showings in Iowa, New Hampshire

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump weighed in on the state of the Democratic primary on Wednesday after Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won his party 's New Hampshire primary .
Asked who is the Democratic frontrunner , Trump said he thought Sanders was the one to beat at this point in the race .
`` It would certainly seem that Bernie Sanders has the advantage right now , '' Trump said .
Sanders was announced the winner of New Hampshire 's race Tuesday night , in a tight lead over former South Bend , Ind .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg with Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sanders and Buttigieg left New Hampshire with the same number of delegates .
The New Hampshire primary came a week after the muddled Iowa caucus results , and a Wednesday agreement to recanvass requests for certain precincts .
Buttigieg and Sanders were close together at the top of that race with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in third .
Current projections have Buttigieg ahead in Iowa delegates with 14 to Sanders ' 12 .
`` I would say Bernie looks like he 's doing very well , '' Trump said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's got energy , his people have energy . ''
`` But they like his message , but a lot of people don ’ t like that particular message .
But there is a group that probably agrees with it and you know , whoever it is , we ’ ll take them on , '' he said .
On Tuesday before polls had closed , Trump said he would rather see `` lightweight '' former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg win the Democratic nomination than Sanders .
`` Sanders has real followers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you like him or not , whether you agree with him or not—I happen to think it ’ s terrible what he says—but he has followers .
Bloomberg is just buying his way in . ''
On Wednesday , the president also touted his own results in Iowa and New Hampshire , which he has accused the media of ignoring in favor of Democratic primary coverage .
He tweeted that his receiving a larger total number of votes than any previous incumbent in a New Hampshire primary was `` not an insignificant fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party it was a tremendous success , '' Trump told reporters .
`` It was really incredible , the love in New Hampshire . ''
'It was a total mess ' : What happened the night of the Iowa caucuses Trump added that he would debate Sanders or whoever the eventual Democratic nominee is .
`` I look forward to it , actually , '' Trump said .

Trump says Bernie Sanders is the Democratic frontrunner after strong showings in Iowa, New Hampshire
Show Caption Hide Caption New Hampshire: Sanders victorious, Yang and Bennet bow out Bernie Sanders beats out Pete Buttigieg to win the New Hampshire primary. Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet drop out of the race. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump weighed in on the state of the Democratic primary on Wednesday after Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won his party's New Hampshire primary.
Asked who is the Democratic frontrunner, Trump said he thought Sanders was the one to beat at this point in the race.
"It would certainly seem that Bernie Sanders has the advantage right now," Trump said.
Sanders was announced the winner of New Hampshire's race Tuesday night, in a tight lead over former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar in third. However, Sanders and Buttigieg left New Hampshire with the same number of delegates.
New Hampshire updates: Bernie Sanders camp defends narrow win
The New Hampshire primary came a week after the muddled Iowa caucus results, and a Wednesday agreement to recanvass requests for certain precincts. Buttigieg and Sanders were close together at the top of that race with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in third. Current projections have Buttigieg ahead in Iowa delegates with 14 to Sanders' 12.
How the DNC changed its rules since Sanders, Clinton in 2016 The primaries are here! How does one get elected in the first place and what is in store for the Democratic National Convention in 2020? We explain. Just the FAQs
"I would say Bernie looks like he's doing very well," Trump said. "I think people like his message. He's got energy, his people have energy."
"But they like his message, but a lot of people don’t like that particular message. But there is a group that probably agrees with it and you know, whoever it is, we’ll take them on," he said.
'Impeachment King Steyer': Donald Trump mocks Democrats after New Hampshire primary
On Tuesday before polls had closed, Trump said he would rather see "lightweight" former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg win the Democratic nomination than Sanders.
"Sanders has real followers," Trump said. "Whether you like him or not, whether you agree with him or not—I happen to think it’s terrible what he says—but he has followers. Bloomberg is just buying his way in."
On Wednesday, the president also touted his own results in Iowa and New Hampshire, which he has accused the media of ignoring in favor of Democratic primary coverage. He tweeted that his receiving a larger total number of votes than any previous incumbent in a New Hampshire primary was "not an insignificant fact."
"From the standpoint of the Republican Party it was a tremendous success," Trump told reporters. "It was really incredible, the love in New Hampshire."
'It was a total mess': What happened the night of the Iowa caucuses
Trump added that he would debate Sanders or whoever the eventual Democratic nominee is.
"I look forward to it, actually," Trump said.


usatoday--2020-02-12--Nevada's most powerful labor union warns workers about Bernie Sanders' health care plan

LAS VEGAS – Nevada ’ s most powerful labor union is warning workers about Democratic presidential frontrunner Bernie Sanders ' health care views .
On Tuesday night , before New Hampshire ’ s primary was called in favor of the Vermont senator , Culinary Union workers received leaflets describing Sander ’ s intentions for union health care this way : The Culinary Union represents 60,000 housekeepers , porters and bartenders working in Las Vegas casinos .
At the top of the union ’ s presidential asks is to maintain the robust health care plans members have fought hard to negotiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sarah Michelson , Sanders ’ Nevada campaign director , defended the senator ’ s stance with union workers .
`` Bernie has stood with workers his entire career , fighting on picket lines against pension cuts and corporate greed , ” Michelson said .
“ Medicare for All will be no different ; the program is crafted with the working class and particularly union members in mind.
” Medicare for All , she said , will guarantee that coverage is as comprehensive or more so than the health care benefits union workers currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the Culinary 's health clinic , will remain open to serve their members , ” Michelson .
“ With health care as a human right , unions will have more leverage to negotiate better wages and benefits . ''
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , the union says , would “ Replace Culinary Healthcare after 3-year transition or at end of collective bargaining agreements.
” The leaflets noted that former vice president Joe Biden , former mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Amy Klobuchar and billionaire activist Tom Steyer would “ Protect Culinary Healthcare.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed a candidate .
Nevada ’ s Democratic caucuses are Feb. 22 .
In New Hampshire 's first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday , Sanders edged former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Buttigieg – a closer-than-expected finish that leaves the race for the Democratic presidential nomination still muddled .
Sanders topped Buttigieg by about a point when the Associated Press declared him the winner just before midnight Tuesday .
Klobuchar came in a surprising third , a finish that built on her well-received performance at Friday 's debate in New Hampshire .
That could keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsettled than it often is after the first two contests.Five candidates have at least six national delegates , lead by Buttigieg and Sanders .

Nevada's most powerful labor union warns workers about Bernie Sanders' health care plan
Show Caption Hide Caption Warren, Sanders' Medicare for All plan, explained Medicare for All is one of the most hotly debated topics in the 2020 election. But what is it? And how will it work? We explain. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
LAS VEGAS – Nevada’s most powerful labor union is warning workers about Democratic presidential frontrunner Bernie Sanders' health care views.
On Tuesday night, before New Hampshire’s primary was called in favor of the Vermont senator, Culinary Union workers received leaflets describing Sander’s intentions for union health care this way:
“End Culinary Healthcare” and “Require ‘Medicare For All.’”
The Culinary Union represents 60,000 housekeepers, porters and bartenders working in Las Vegas casinos. At the top of the union’s presidential asks is to maintain the robust health care plans members have fought hard to negotiate and win.
In a statement, Sarah Michelson, Sanders’ Nevada campaign director, defended the senator’s stance with union workers.
"Bernie has stood with workers his entire career, fighting on picket lines against pension cuts and corporate greed,” Michelson said. “Medicare for All will be no different; the program is crafted with the working class and particularly union members in mind.”
Medicare for All, she said, will guarantee that coverage is as comprehensive or more so than the health care benefits union workers currently receive.
“Union health clinics, including the Culinary's health clinic, will remain open to serve their members,” Michelson. “With health care as a human right, unions will have more leverage to negotiate better wages and benefits."
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the union says, would “Replace Culinary Healthcare after 3-year transition or at end of collective bargaining agreements.”
The leaflets noted that former vice president Joe Biden, former mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and billionaire activist Tom Steyer would “Protect Culinary Healthcare.”
The Culinary Union has not yet endorsed a candidate. Nevada’s Democratic caucuses are Feb. 22.
In New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday, Sanders edged former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Buttigieg – a closer-than-expected finish that leaves the race for the Democratic presidential nomination still muddled.
Sanders topped Buttigieg by about a point when the Associated Press declared him the winner just before midnight Tuesday. Klobuchar came in a surprising third, a finish that built on her well-received performance at Friday's debate in New Hampshire.
That could keep the race for the Democratic nominee more unsettled than it often is after the first two contests.Five candidates have at least six national delegates, lead by Buttigieg and Sanders.
Contributing: USA TODAY, Associated Press.


usatoday--2020-02-12--Prosecutors quit, DOJ backtracks prison recommendation: A timeline of the Roger Stone case

In a short period , the Justice Department changed their prison recommendation for Roger Stone while four attorneys abruptly quit @ @ @ @

Roger Stone: Prosecutors quit case against Donald Trump ally
In a short period, the Justice Department changed their prison recommendation for Roger Stone while four attorneys abruptly quit the prosecution team.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-02-12--Will Census 2020 count be accurate? Congress questions the readiness of the Census Bureau

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers criticized Census officials Wednesday saying with only weeks until the 2020 count is fully underway the bureau ’ s preparations are “ woefully inadequate ” to accurately track the nation ’ s population .
“ There are grave challenges facing this year ’ s Census and , to be honest , I don ’ t have full confidence that the administration is equipped to handle them , ’ ’ said Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee .
The committee held a hearing focusing on a new Government Accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Census Bureau , including hiring enough workers , partnering with enough community groups and protecting its computer systems from hacking .
“ Without timely and appropriate actions , the challenges ... could adversely affect the cost , accuracy , schedule and security of the enumeration , ” the report concluded .
Census officials defended their readiness noting among other goals , a plan to hire as many as 500,000 people who will go door to door to count people who haven ’ t responded to the questionnaire .
As of Wednesday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
“ We ’ re way ahead of what ’ s needed , ” Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham told lawmakers .
`` We are on mission , on target ad on budget ... We are not behind . ''
But Maloney said the GAO report seems to be sending “ flashing red lights.
” “ We have to respond to these red flags , ” she said at the end of the three-hour hearing .
Plans for the nationwide count have been underway for years .
The population survey is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the distribution of billions in federal funds for schools , infrastructure and health systems .
Civil rights groups have raised concerns about whether the Census Bureau has been properly funded and whether it has enough staff to accurately count people , particularly historically hard-to-count minority communities .
GAO officials said the bureau has met some early targets , but has fallen short on several key measures .
J. Christopher Mihm , managing director of Strategic Issues for the Government Accountability Office , said the bureau has missed milestones for establishing community partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-to-count communities .
“ We need people to be encouraged to participate in the Census … This is what partnerships do .
They are trusted ’ ’ partners in the community , Mihm said .
Dillingham said he ’ s confident the bureau will have enough community partners and could supersede the number from the last Census .
But in an exchange with Dillingham , Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , a Democrat from Florida , questioned why the full list of community partners was not yet available .
Dillingham said the release wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know who would decide that .
“ That ’ s outrageous , ’ ’ Wasserman Schultz said calling it “ a deliberate obstacle ’ ’ to accurately count hard-to-count communities .
Dillingham took issue with her charge and promised to get the information , but didn ’ t say exactly when .
But Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina also questioned when Dillingham will release information about the community partners .
“ I need you to get that to this committee this week , ’ ’ he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ Meadows said .
“ I need it this week… Turn around and ask ’ ’ your staffers behind you .
Dillingham did .
“ I got a firm yes for you , ’ ’ he responded to Meadows .
While Republicans also questioned whether Census officials were ready , Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan complained Democrats failed to oversee the preparation of the Census and instead spent too much time pushing back on the administration ’ s plan to add a citizenship question to the Census .
That effort failed .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats do not want to know how many U.S. citizens are living in the United States of America , ’ ’ said Jordan , the top Republican on the committee .
Democrats , including Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico , repeatedly urged Census officials to remind people the question will not be included in the questionnaire .
“ We are in fact ensuring that everyone knows that , ’ ’ Dillingham said .
Nick Marinos , director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the GAO , said the bureau has made process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some challenges remain , including guarding against disinformation on social media .
He also said the bureau needs to make sure its systems are tested before going live in a few weeks .
“ We ’ re in a pressure cooker of time , ’ ’ he said .

Will Census 2020 count be accurate? Congress questions the readiness of the Census Bureau
Show Caption Hide Caption Why the U.S. Census matters President Trump is expected to drop his fight to get the citizenship question for the 2020 census. What is the census and why does the U.S. have one? We explain. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers criticized Census officials Wednesday saying with only weeks until the 2020 count is fully underway the bureau’s preparations are “woefully inadequate” to accurately track the nation’s population.
“There are grave challenges facing this year’s Census and, to be honest, I don’t have full confidence that the administration is equipped to handle them,’’ said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
The committee held a hearing focusing on a new Government Accountability Office report that cited challenges facing the Census Bureau, including hiring enough workers, partnering with enough community groups and protecting its computer systems from hacking.
“Without timely and appropriate actions, the challenges ... could adversely affect the cost, accuracy, schedule and security of the enumeration,” the report concluded.
Census officials defended their readiness noting among other goals, a plan to hire as many as 500,000 people who will go door to door to count people who haven’t responded to the questionnaire. As of Wednesday, the bureau had 2.3 million completed applications, officials said.
“We’re way ahead of what’s needed,” Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham told lawmakers. "We are on mission, on target and on budget...We are not behind."
But Maloney said the GAO report seems to be sending “flashing red lights.”
“We have to respond to these red flags,” she said at the end of the three-hour hearing.
Plans for the nationwide count have been underway for years. The population survey is key to apportioning Congressional districts and determining the distribution of billions in federal funds for schools, infrastructure and health systems.
Civil rights groups have raised concerns about whether the Census Bureau has been properly funded and whether it has enough staff to accurately count people, particularly historically hard-to-count minority communities.
GAO officials said the bureau has met some early targets, but has fallen short on several key measures.
J. Christopher Mihm, managing director of Strategic Issues for the Government Accountability Office, said the bureau has missed milestones for establishing community partners, which he called key to helping count hard-to-count communities.
“We need people to be encouraged to participate in the Census … This is what partnerships do. They are trusted’’ partners in the community, Mihm said.
Dillingham said he’s confident the bureau will have enough community partners and could supersede the number from the last Census.
But in an exchange with Dillingham, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Florida, questioned why the full list of community partners was not yet available. Dillingham said the release wasn’t up to him and he didn’t know who would decide that.
“That’s outrageous,’’ Wasserman Schultz said calling it “a deliberate obstacle’’ to accurately count hard-to-count communities.
Dillingham took issue with her charge and promised to get the information, but didn’t say exactly when.
But Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina also questioned when Dillingham will release information about the community partners. “I need you to get that to this committee this week,’’ he said.
Dillingham hesitated.
“That was a softball question,’’ Meadows said. “I need it this week… Turn around and ask’’ your staffers behind you.
Dillingham did. “I got a firm yes for you,’’ he responded to Meadows.
While Republicans also questioned whether Census officials were ready, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan complained Democrats failed to oversee the preparation of the Census and instead spent too much time pushing back on the administration’s plan to add a citizenship question to the Census. That effort failed.
“I still do not understand why the Democrats do not want to know how many U.S. citizens are living in the United States of America,’’ said Jordan, the top Republican on the committee.
Democrats, including Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico, repeatedly urged Census officials to remind people the question will not be included in the questionnaire.
“We are in fact ensuring that everyone knows that,’’ Dillingham said.
Nick Marinos, director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the GAO, said the bureau has made process in addressing cyber security concerns, but some challenges remain, including guarding against disinformation on social media. He also said the bureau needs to make sure its systems are tested before going live in a few weeks.
“We’re in a pressure cooker of time,’’ he said.


usatoday--2020-02-12--DNC Chair Tom Perez wants a 'conversation' about the order of primaries - New Hampshire updates

WASHINGTON – Appearing on CNN , Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said he wanted to have a `` conversation '' within the party about the order of states in the Democratic primary election .
Citing previous debates within the Democratic Party that had led to the elimination of super delegates after the 2016 primary election , Perez said , `` the next frontier of discussion in the Democratic Party needs to be , do we need further caucus reform ? ''
`` Our party is incredibly diverse , and what should the order of our primary cycle be ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that conversation , '' he continued .
The Democratic Party has faced some criticism for the lack of diversity in the first states in the Democratic presidential primary race , which began with Iowa and New Hampshire .
The next two states to vote – Nevada and South Carolina – have more diverse primary electorates .
New Hampshire outcome : Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire , while Buttigieg , Klobuchar finishes are keeping the field muddled All of the remaining candidates in the Democratic primary are white except for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucasian and Polynesian descent , according to her campaign .
President Donald Trump celebrated his victory in New Hampshire 's Republican primary on Twitter and complained that his win was overshadowed by the hotly contested Democratic election .
`` The Fake News Media is looking hard for the Big Democrat Story , but there is nothing too fabulous , '' Trump tweeted late Tuesday .
`` Wouldn ’ t a big story be that I got more New Hampshire Primary Votes than any incumbent president , in either party , in the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insignificant fact ! ''
`` Fake News @ CNN and MSDNC have not surprisingly refused to talk about my record setting number of voters in New Hampshire ( and in Iowa ) , '' the president tweeted Wednesday , vowing to `` win both states in November . ''
Trump did receive more total votes than any previous incumbent with more than 120,000 , while his lone national challenger , former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld , got 12,993 .
But former President Ronald Reagan received a slightly higher percentage of the vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a nominal challenge from a former Republican governor .
As a New Englander , Weld had hoped to secure as much as 20 % of the vote in the Northeastern state to give his campaign momentum , but his total came to 9.2 % .
Trump campaigned more aggressively in the New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucuses than previous incumbents who did not face a major challenger or were running unopposed .
The president sent top surrogates to both states and held rallies in them ahead of both elections .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire ahead of the general election .
Trump narrowly lost New Hampshire , once considered a swing state , to Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
But the state has broken for the Republican only once in the previous seven election cycles , when George W. Bush won it in 2000 .
MANCHESTER , N.H. – A top adviser for Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign pushed back at anyone criticizing the small margin of the senator ’ s victory in the New Hampshire Democratic primary on Tuesday .
Sanders , I-Vt. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percentage points even though he was polling with a double-digit lead in one poll as recently as last week .
“ Folks will remember in the fall that , in fact , we were behind , ” said Jeff Weaver , a senior adviser for the Sanders campaign , who was its campaign manager in 2016 .
“ At one point , Elizabeth Warren was ahead here .
There was polling that had Pete Buttigieg winning here .
So I think , maybe you should ask those campaigns about why they had leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders won New Hampshire by 22 percentage points in the 2016 New Hampshire Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton .
Weaver said that most important was Sanders won the coalition of supporters he needs to beat Trump , pointing to working-class voters in place slice Manchester , young voters and the small number of minority communities in New Hampshire .
Takeaways from New Hampshire : Amy Klobuchar 's surprising strength and other takeaways from the New Hampshire primary “ Bernie Sanders is putting together that coalition .
He did it in Iowa .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to go to Nevada and do it again , ” Weaver said .
Some have speculated that Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ’ s late rise in New Hampshire might have taken votes from the second-place finisher , Pete Buttigieg , helping Sanders to victory .
Analysis : What 's next for Biden ?
Joe Biden insists he still has a path to the nomination .
Others have trouble seeing it .
Weaver rejected that suggestion , saying he believes Klobuchar ’ s ascension was “ stunted ” in Iowa because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in Washington for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment hearings .
He said he respects the “ grit ” Klobuchar has shown by overcoming limited resources in the campaign .
“ But I think at the end of the day people are looking for more transformative change , and I think that will be evident as we go down through the process.
” New Hampshire results : Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire , while Buttigieg , Klobuchar finishes are keeping the field muddled

Joey Garrison and William Cummings, USA TODAY

DNC Chair Tom Perez wants a 'conversation' about the order of primaries - New Hampshire updates
Show Caption Hide Caption How the DNC changed its rules since Sanders, Clinton in 2016 The primaries are here! How does one get elected in the first place and what is in store for the Democratic National Convention in 2020? We explain. Just the FAQs
WASHINGTON – Appearing on CNN, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez said he wanted to have a "conversation" within the party about the order of states in the Democratic primary election.
Citing previous debates within the Democratic Party that had led to the elimination of super delegates after the 2016 primary election, Perez said, "the next frontier of discussion in the Democratic Party needs to be, do we need further caucus reform?"
"Our party is incredibly diverse, and what should the order of our primary cycle be? I think the time is ripe for that conversation," he continued.
The Democratic Party has faced some criticism for the lack of diversity in the first states in the Democratic presidential primary race, which began with Iowa and New Hampshire. The next two states to vote – Nevada and South Carolina – have more diverse primary electorates.
New Hampshire outcome: Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire, while Buttigieg, Klobuchar finishes are keeping the field muddled
All of the remaining candidates in the Democratic primary are white except for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, who is of Asian, Caucasian and Polynesian descent, according to her campaign.
- Nicholas Wu
Trump complains Dems overshadowed his 'record-setting' NH vote
President Donald Trump celebrated his victory in New Hampshire's Republican primary on Twitter and complained that his win was overshadowed by the hotly contested Democratic election.
"The Fake News Media is looking hard for the Big Democrat Story, but there is nothing too fabulous," Trump tweeted late Tuesday. "Wouldn’t a big story be that I got more New Hampshire Primary Votes than any incumbent president, in either party, in the history of that Great State? Not an insignificant fact!"
"Fake News @CNN and MSDNC have not surprisingly refused to talk about my record setting number of voters in New Hampshire (and in Iowa)," the president tweeted Wednesday, vowing to "win both states in November."
Trump did receive more total votes than any previous incumbent with more than 120,000, while his lone national challenger, former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, got 12,993. But former President Ronald Reagan received a slightly higher percentage of the vote in 1984 as an incumbent seeking reelection with only a nominal challenge from a former Republican governor.
As a New Englander, Weld had hoped to secure as much as 20% of the vote in the Northeastern state to give his campaign momentum, but his total came to 9.2%.
Trump campaigned more aggressively in the New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucuses than previous incumbents who did not face a major challenger or were running unopposed. The president sent top surrogates to both states and held rallies in them ahead of both elections.
The president's efforts were primarily about building strength in New Hampshire ahead of the general election. Trump narrowly lost New Hampshire, once considered a swing state, to Hillary Clinton in 2016. But the state has broken for the Republican only once in the previous seven election cycles, when George W. Bush won it in 2000.
– William Cummings
Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Sanders' campaign defends narrow win in N.H.
MANCHESTER, N.H. – A top adviser for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign pushed back at anyone criticizing the small margin of the senator’s victory in the New Hampshire Democratic primary on Tuesday.
Sanders, I-Vt., ended up winning by less than 2 percentage points even though he was polling with a double-digit lead in one poll as recently as last week.
“Folks will remember in the fall that, in fact, we were behind,” said Jeff Weaver, a senior adviser for the Sanders campaign, who was its campaign manager in 2016. “At one point, Elizabeth Warren was ahead here. There was polling that had Pete Buttigieg winning here. So I think, maybe you should ask those campaigns about why they had leads that did not materialize tonight."
Sanders won New Hampshire by 22 percentage points in the 2016 New Hampshire Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton.
Weaver said that most important was Sanders won the coalition of supporters he needs to beat Trump, pointing to working-class voters in place slice Manchester, young voters and the small number of minority communities in New Hampshire.
Takeaways from New Hampshire: Amy Klobuchar's surprising strength and other takeaways from the New Hampshire primary
“Bernie Sanders is putting together that coalition. He did it in Iowa. He did it here and now we’re going to go to Nevada and do it again,” Weaver said.
Some have speculated that Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s late rise in New Hampshire might have taken votes from the second-place finisher, Pete Buttigieg, helping Sanders to victory.
Analysis: What's next for Biden?Joe Biden insists he still has a path to the nomination. Others have trouble seeing it.
Weaver rejected that suggestion, saying he believes Klobuchar’s ascension was “stunted” in Iowa because she, like Sanders, had to spend time in Washington for President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearings. He said he respects the “grit” Klobuchar has shown by overcoming limited resources in the campaign.
“But I think at the end of the day people are looking for more transformative change, and I think that will be evident as we go down through the process.”
New Hampshire results: Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire, while Buttigieg, Klobuchar finishes are keeping the field muddled
– Joey Garrison


usatoday--2020-02-12--Jury finds Chinese national not guilty of trespassing Mar-a-Lago: 'An honest mistake'

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. – On Tuesday morning , a six-person jury agreed with Jing Lu ’ s lawyers : When she walked on to the Mar-a-Lago property late last year and began snapping photos of President Donald Trump ’ s part-time residence , it was “ an honest mistake ” and not a crime .
After a little more than an hour of deliberations , the jury found Lu , a Chinese national , not guilty of trespassing after a warning but guilty of resisting arrest after investigators say she was caught taking photos at the private Palm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the daylong trial Tuesday , jurors heard testimony from the security guard who intercepted Lu , the head of security for Mar-a-Lago , Palm Beach police officers who eventually detained her and from Lu herself .
Lu testified through a Mandarin interpreter during the misdemeanor trial that she came to South Florida for vacation and hired a private tour guide who drove her to several locations in South Florida , including Mar-a-Lago .
With a fanny back fastened to her waist and a cellphone in her hand , the Chinese national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snapping photos Dec. 18 .
Related : Opera singer charged in Mar-a-Lago chase , security breach refuses to appear in court Security officer Murray Fulton told jurors he tried to communicate with her that she couldn ’ t be on the private property , but when he realized she didn ’ t speak English , he signaled with his hands for her to leave .
He said after she left , she entered back on to the property through another entrance and again he signaled for her to leave .
“ Basically trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be here , ” Fulton said Tuesday .
Security footage from Mar-a-Lago played for jurors Tuesday showed Lu taking photos while dressed in a long-sleeve white shirt , pink shoes and blue pants on the property .
Though he was not at the Palm Beach residence at the time , Trump arrived two days later to stay at the island home for the holidays .
Lu testified Tuesday her driver picked her up once she left Mar-a-Lago and she continued on her sightseeing tour .
The driver dropped her off at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached her .
Lu told the jury through an interpreter that a Palm Beach police officer showed her a photo of her at Mar-a-Lago – a still shot from the security footage at the club – so she showed him the photos she took there on her phone .
Though she said she didn ’ t understand what the officer was saying , she thought he wanted her to delete the photos she showed him , so she complied .
Then , she said , the officer pulled out his handcuffs .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you doing ?
I just took a couple pictures !
’ ” she said through the help of a Mandarin interpreter .
Before jury selection began , Lu declined a plea offer where she would have served one year in jail .
A potential juror , who was ultimately dismissed before a jury panel was chosen , told the judge while being questioned separately , “ I ’ m wondering why we ’ re here.
” He said from his brief understanding of the case as it was explained to the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slap on the wrist and get on with your business.
” Assistant Public Defender Schnelle Tonge told the jury what Lu did was “ an honest mistake.
” In her closing arguments , Assistant State Attorney Alexandra Dorman told the jury that even with a language barrier , Lu knew what she was doing and that it was wrong .
“ This is not an honest mistake .
This was a calculated decision , ” Dorman said .
Lu is not the only person to be arrested when it comes to making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yujing Zhang , a 33-year-old from China , entered Mar-a-Lago with four cellphones , a computer , two Chinese passports , an external hard drive and a thumb drive .
She was convicted of lying to officials to access the property while the president was in town .
Outside the presence of the jury , County Judge Mark Eissey asked prosecutors why the case was not in front of a federal judge , as other cases had been .
Dorman said – after conferring with State Attorney Dave Aronberg , Chief Assistant State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Clausi Jr. , who were present for testimony and conferred with prosecutors Tuesday afternoon – that it was because Trump was not at home at the time .
Glow seen for miles : Fire erupts at ExxonMobil refinery in Louisiana

Jury finds Chinese national not guilty of trespassing Mar-a-Lago: 'An honest mistake'
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – On Tuesday morning, a six-person jury agreed with Jing Lu’s lawyers: When she walked on to the Mar-a-Lago property late last year and began snapping photos of President Donald Trump’s part-time residence, it was “an honest mistake” and not a crime.
After a little more than an hour of deliberations, the jury found Lu, a Chinese national, not guilty of trespassing after a warning but guilty of resisting arrest after investigators say she was caught taking photos at the private Palm Beach club on Dec. 18, 2019.
During the daylong trial Tuesday, jurors heard testimony from the security guard who intercepted Lu, the head of security for Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach police officers who eventually detained her and from Lu herself.
Lu testified through a Mandarin interpreter during the misdemeanor trial that she came to South Florida for vacation and hired a private tour guide who drove her to several locations in South Florida, including Mar-a-Lago. With a fanny back fastened to her waist and a cellphone in her hand, the Chinese national walked through the open gate and began snapping photos Dec. 18.
Related: Opera singer charged in Mar-a-Lago chase, security breach refuses to appear in court
Security officer Murray Fulton told jurors he tried to communicate with her that she couldn’t be on the private property, but when he realized she didn’t speak English, he signaled with his hands for her to leave. He said after she left, she entered back on to the property through another entrance and again he signaled for her to leave.
“Basically trying to tell her she’s not supposed to be here,” Fulton said Tuesday.
Security footage from Mar-a-Lago played for jurors Tuesday showed Lu taking photos while dressed in a long-sleeve white shirt, pink shoes and blue pants on the property.
Though he was not at the Palm Beach residence at the time, Trump arrived two days later to stay at the island home for the holidays.
Lu testified Tuesday her driver picked her up once she left Mar-a-Lago and she continued on her sightseeing tour. The driver dropped her off at Worth Avenue, where town police officers approached her.
Lu told the jury through an interpreter that a Palm Beach police officer showed her a photo of her at Mar-a-Lago – a still shot from the security footage at the club – so she showed him the photos she took there on her phone.
Though she said she didn’t understand what the officer was saying, she thought he wanted her to delete the photos she showed him, so she complied. Then, she said, the officer pulled out his handcuffs.
“I said, ‘No! What are you doing? I just took a couple pictures!’ ” she said through the help of a Mandarin interpreter.
Before jury selection began, Lu declined a plea offer where she would have served one year in jail. A potential juror, who was ultimately dismissed before a jury panel was chosen, told the judge while being questioned separately, “I’m wondering why we’re here.”
He said from his brief understanding of the case as it was explained to the potential jurors that it should have been “a slap on the wrist and get on with your business.”
Assistant Public Defender Schnelle Tonge told the jury what Lu did was “an honest mistake.”
In her closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Alexandra Dorman told the jury that even with a language barrier, Lu knew what she was doing and that it was wrong.
“This is not an honest mistake. This was a calculated decision,” Dorman said.
Lu is not the only person to be arrested when it comes to making contact with Mar-a-Lago.
In April, Yujing Zhang, a 33-year-old from China, entered Mar-a-Lago with four cellphones, a computer, two Chinese passports, an external hard drive and a thumb drive.
She was convicted of lying to officials to access the property while the president was in town.
Outside the presence of the jury, County Judge Mark Eissey asked prosecutors why the case was not in front of a federal judge, as other cases had been.
Dorman said – after conferring with State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Chief Assistant State Attorney Adrienne Ellis and Assistant State Attorney Richard Clausi Jr., who were present for testimony and conferred with prosecutors Tuesday afternoon – that it was because Trump was not at home at the time.
Follow reporter Hannah Winston on Twitter: @hannahwinston
Glow seen for miles: Fire erupts at ExxonMobil refinery in Louisiana
Florida dolphin killings: $20K reward offered after shootings


usatoday--2020-02-12--Senate poised to pass bill curbing Trump's war powers with Iran after Soleimani strike, but a veto i

WASHINGTON – The Senate is expected to approve a resolution in the coming days that would restrict President Donald Trump 's ability to wage war with Iran .
The debate , which begins Wednesday , comes amid ongoing questions about Trump 's controversial decision to authorize a drone strike killing Iran 's most powerful military leader in January .
Senate Democrats say they have enough Republican support to win passage of the measure , which would bar Trump from using military force against Iran unless Congress specifically voted to authorize such action .
“ We now have a majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stand strong for the principle that we should n't be at war without a vote of Congress , '' Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , said in January .
Democrats say Trump acted recklessly when he green-lighted the deadly attack on Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani – a decision that heightened U.S.-Iranian tensions and sparked fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East .
“ For years , I ’ ve been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran .
We ’ re now at a boiling point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution .
Takeaways from New Hampshire : Amy Klobuchar 's surprising strength and other takeaways from the New Hampshire primary Republicans hold a 53-seat majority , and most GOP senators are likely to oppose the resolution , arguing it 's unnecessary and unconstitutional .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said the bill would `` severely limit '' the Pentagon 's ability to defend the U.S. against threats posed by Iran .
And he blasted Democrats for their criticism of the Soleimani killing .
`` This was not some reckless act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to a significant , growing threat of attack against U.S. personnel in Iraq by an emboldened adversary , '' McConnell said in a Senate floor speech Tuesday .
Trump 's decision , he added , has restored deterrence and reduced the risk of war .
It 's not yet clear when the Senate will vote on final passage of the measure .
Even if Kaine 's bill passes the Senate and the House , Trump is almost certain to veto it .
`` It is very important for our Country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution , '' Trump tweeted .
`` We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness . ''
And there 's little chance Kaine and his allies could get the two-thirds supermajority needed to override a veto .
The House approved a bill on Jan. 30 that would block Trump from using any federal funds for `` unauthorized military force against Iran . ''
Trump is also likely to veto that measure , which passed 228-175 .
What happened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , while Buttigieg , Klobuchar finishes are keeping the field muddled Kaine , the chief sponsor of the resolution , has long advocated for a more assertive congressional role in the use of American military might .
Kaine said four GOP senators agreed to support his resolution : Sens .
Rand Paul of Kentucky , Mike Lee of Utah , Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana .
`` Congress can not be sidelined on these important decisions , '' Collins said in a statement announcing her support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the sole power to declare war . ''

Senate poised to pass bill curbing Trump's war powers with Iran after Soleimani strike, but a veto is likely
Show Caption Hide Caption House votes yes to limit Trump's war powers after killing Soleimani The House passed a vote to limit President Trump's ability to wage war against Iran after concerns following the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Senate is expected to approve a resolution Thursday that would restrict President Donald Trump's ability to wage war with Iran in a rare bipartisan effort to curb executive powers.
The debate over the president's war powerscomes amid ongoing questions about Trump's controversial decision to authorize a drone strike killing Iran's most powerful military leader in January.
Senate Democrats say they have enough Republican support to win passage of the measure, which would bar Trump from using military force against Iran unless Congress specifically voted to authorize such action.
"An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote. This should not be a controversial proposition," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said during Wednesday's debate. "If we're to order our young men and women ... to risk their lives in health and war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the people's elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person."
Democrats say the issue has become more urgent, after Trump green-lighted the deadly attack on Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani – a decision that heightened U.S.-Iranian tensions and sparked fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
“For years, I’ve been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran. We’re now at a boiling point," Kaine said when he introduced his resolution.
Takeaways from New Hampshire: Amy Klobuchar's surprising strength and other takeaways from the New Hampshire primary
Republicans hold a 53-seat majority, and most GOP senators are likely to oppose the resolution, arguing it's unnecessary and unconstitutional.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the bill would "severely limit" the Pentagon's ability to defend the U.S. against threats posed by Iran. And he blasted Democrats for their criticism of the Soleimani killing.
"This was not some reckless act. It was a calculated and limited response to a significant, growing threat of attack against U.S. personnel in Iraq by an emboldened adversary," McConnell said in a Senate floor speech Tuesday. Trump's decision, he added, has restored deterrence and reduced the risk of war.
Are we really ready for a World War III? Fears are mounting around the world following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani - but is World War 3 about to happen? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Even if Kaine's bill passes the Senate and the House, Trump is almost certain to veto it.
The president blasted Kaine's resolution on Wednesday.
"It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution," Trump tweeted. "We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness."
And there's little chance Kaine and his allies could get the two-thirds supermajority needed to override a veto.
The House approved a bill on Jan. 30 that would block Trump from using any federal funds for "unauthorized military force against Iran." Trump is also likely to veto that measure, which passed 228-175.
What happened in New Hampshire: Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire, while Buttigieg, Klobuchar finishes are keeping the field muddled
Kaine, the chief sponsor of the resolution, has long advocated for a more assertive congressional role in the use of American military might.
Kaine said at least four GOP senators agreed to support his resolution: Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana.
Lee dismissed criticism from his fellow GOP lawmakers that the measure would tie Trump's hands or signal "weakness" on the part of the United States.
"We don’t send a message of weakness when we stand up for the rule of law," Lee said Wednesday. "That's a message of strength."


usatoday--2020-02-12--Analysis: Joe Biden insists he has a path to the nomination, but others have trouble seeing it

Joe Biden insists he has a path to the presidential nomination .
Others are having trouble seeing it .
The former vice president was the field 's front-runner until voters started casting ballots .
A disappointing fourth-place finish in the opening Iowa caucuses last week was followed by a disastrous fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday .
The collapse of his support into single digits will not only make raising money and rallying supporters more difficult , it also raises questions about whether his campaign can survive until the Super Tuesday contests three weeks away .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're just getting started , '' Biden told a campaign crowd in Charleston , South Carolina , where he headed instead of staying in New Hampshire .
He struck a deliberately upbeat tone , emphasizing his commitment to African American and Latino concerns and noting the lack of racial diversity in the two states that have voted .
`` Where I come from , that 's the opening bell , not the closing bell , and the fight to end Donald Trump 's presidency is just beginning , just beginning . ''
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a convincing win in the South Carolina primary Feb. 29 – not impossible but a challenge – his third bid for the presidency could be effectively over , and with it a career in elective office that spanned six decades .
‘ I 'll probably take a hit here ' : Biden faces big test in New Hampshire Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was riding high after carrying the popular vote in Iowa ( although not the delegate count ) and winning New Hampshire ( although with a smaller margin than his landslide over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg was a solid second , and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar parlayed a strong showing in the candidate debates into a surprising third-place finish .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was a distant fourth , and Biden finished even lower .
In modern times , no candidate in either party has been nominated for president after a start as faltering as that .
All but one of the nominees won either in Iowa or New Hampshire .
( The exception was in 1992 , when Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his second-place finish in New Hampshire as a victory by the `` comeback kid . ''
) This time , Biden 's calculation is that the Democratic race is so unsettled – and Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , would be such a risky nominee – that history 's lessons wo n't apply .
Registered to vote ?
Check your status here A month ago , he led the field in New Hampshire , according to the RealClearPolitics average of statewide polls .
That standing evaporated not because of a spectacular mistake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtaken by newer candidates with greater vigor .
The relentless attacks by President Donald Trump on Biden and his son Hunter on unproven allegations of corrupt behavior in Ukraine did n't help .
Biden 's transactional appeal to voters , once his strength , is his vulnerability .
From the start , the fundamental premise of Biden 's campaign has been that he was the most electable candidate , best able to defeat Trump in November .
The problem is that the way to demonstrate electability is to win , and he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The early losses have eroded confidence in the bargain he offered .
Before the Iowa caucuses , 44 % of those surveyed in a national Quinnipiac University Poll said Biden had the best chance of beating Trump .
In a poll released Monday , that number plummeted to 27 % , only a bit higher than Sanders , at 24 % .
When Biden spied two little boys squirming in the front row at a rally in downtown Manchester , he walked over with his handheld microphone to ask their names and hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the politics was done .
One boy said his name was Keith .
The other ?
`` Beau . ''
Biden looked taken aback for an instant , and the crowd of several hundred people seemed to hold its collective breath .
Then he said quietly , `` I have a Beau , too '' and moved back to center stage .
Just about everybody in the Rex Theater knew that the death of Beau Biden in 2015 from a malignant brain tumor prevented his grieving father from running for the Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Biden 's bid for the White House has taken on almost an elegiac air .
He has been dubbed `` Uncle Joe , '' a nickname that suggests familiarity and perhaps eye-rolling exasperation .
Voters say they like him and respect his service , but some see him as a figure from a different era , shaped by the politics of the past .
`` It just seems his time has passed , '' said Camille Brown , 62 , of Nashua , New Hampshire , the director of admissions at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forum in Concord .
`` It 's time to pass the mantle . ''
`` Thank you for your service , '' her husband , Barry , 61 , said – praise but with a sharpened point .
Who 's running for president : An interactive guide to the candidates Candidates on the issues : Voter 's guide to where they stand on health care , gun control and more Biden was 29 years old when he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Delaware in 1972 , for the first of six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good health but looking his age .
He does fewer campaign events on an average day than Sanders , who is 78 , and he does n't display the fist-pumping energy of Warren , who is 70 .
Klobuchar is 59 , and Buttigieg just turned 38 – younger than any of Biden 's children .
John Lynch , a former four-term New Hampshire governor and Biden supporter , said he was surprised by Biden 's decline and acknowledged Buttigieg 's appeal .
`` He 's a new face and not from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waited for Biden to arrive at the Manchester rally .
`` Oftentimes people are attracted to somebody new . ''
Facing the prospect of a bad night in New Hampshire , Biden decided to get out of town , ditching announced plans to attend a `` victory party '' in Nashua and heading to South Carolina for an event featuring Rep. Cedric Richmond , D-La.
, co-chairman of his campaign .
Friday and Saturday , Biden is scheduled to campaign in Nevada , which will hold its caucuses Feb. 22 .
Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary as his firewall , noting his strength among more racially diverse electorates .
But the dynamics from one contest ripple through the others .
Just ask Hillary Clinton , who saw her lead in South Carolina evaporate once Barack Obama won in Iowa in 2008 .
She ended up being swamped in the state 's primary .
The most worrisome trend for Biden in the poll may have been the slide in his support among black voters , although the sample size was small .
Biden 's standing with African Americans dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a poll last month .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg was close behind at 22 % , and Sanders was at 19 % .
Biden 's appeal to black voters has been based in part on his association with Obama , but he is n't the only candidate touting his ties to the last Democratic president .
Warren aired an ad that shows Obama praising her work on consumer protection issues , and Bloomberg runs a spot that shows Obama praising him for `` pragmatic solutions '' on education and gun violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the last Saturday of the month , the calendar is unforgiving .
Three days later is Super Tuesday , a behemoth of a primary day with contests in California and Texas and a dozen other states .
By then , the campaign imperative shifts from greeting voters at diners to spending millions of dollars to air TV ads .
Millions of dollars is what Bloomberg has ; the billionaire is willing to invest an unprecedented amount of his own fortune in the campaign .
He has outspent the rest of the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four contests , planning to jump in on Super Tuesday March 3 .
He pitches himself as a pragmatic centrist – as does Biden – and his strategy counts on Biden stumbling out of the way .
At the moment , that seems like a reasonable bet .

Analysis: Joe Biden insists he has a path to the nomination, but others have trouble seeing it
Show Caption Hide Caption New Hampshire: Sanders victorious, Yang and Bennet bow out Bernie Sanders beats out Pete Buttigieg to win the New Hampshire primary. Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet drop out of the race. USA TODAY
Joe Biden insists he has a path to the presidential nomination. Others are having trouble seeing it.
The former vice president was the field's front-runner until voters started casting ballots. A disappointing fourth-place finish in the opening Iowa caucuses last week was followed by a disastrous fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday. The collapse of his support into single digits will not only make raising money and rallying supporters more difficult, it also raises questions about whether his campaign can survive until the Super Tuesday contests three weeks away.
"It ain't over, man; we're just getting started," Biden told a campaign crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, where he headed instead of staying in New Hampshire. He struck a deliberately upbeat tone, emphasizing his commitment to African American and Latino concerns and noting the lack of racial diversity in the two states that have voted. "Where I come from, that's the opening bell, not the closing bell, and the fight to end Donald Trump's presidency is just beginning, just beginning."
That said, if Biden doesn't score a convincing win in the South Carolina primary Feb. 29 – not impossible but a challenge – his third bid for the presidency could be effectively over, and with it a career in elective office that spanned six decades.
‘I'll probably take a hit here': Biden faces big test in New Hampshire
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was riding high after carrying the popular vote in Iowa (although not the delegate count) and winning New Hampshire (although with a smaller margin than his landslide over Hillary Clinton four years ago). Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg was a solid second, and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar parlayed a strong showing in the candidate debates into a surprising third-place finish. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was a distant fourth, and Biden finished even lower.
In modern times, no candidate in either party has been nominated for president after a start as faltering as that. All but one of the nominees won either in Iowa or New Hampshire. (The exception was in 1992, when Iowa wasn't contested and Bill Clinton sold his second-place finish in New Hampshire as a victory by the "comeback kid.")
This time, Biden's calculation is that the Democratic race is so unsettled – and Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, would be such a risky nominee – that history's lessons won't apply.
Registered to vote? Check your status here
A month ago, he led the field in New Hampshire, according to the RealClearPolitics average of statewide polls. That standing evaporated not because of a spectacular mistake but because of a mediocre campaign, overtaken by newer candidates with greater vigor. The relentless attacks by President Donald Trump on Biden and his son Hunter on unproven allegations of corrupt behavior in Ukraine didn't help.
Biden's transactional appeal to voters, once his strength, is his vulnerability.
From the start, the fundamental premise of Biden's campaign has been that he was the most electable candidate, best able to defeat Trump in November. The problem is that the way to demonstrate electability is to win, and he hasn't, at least not yet.
The early losses have eroded confidence in the bargain he offered. Before the Iowa caucuses, 44% of those surveyed in a national Quinnipiac University Poll said Biden had the best chance of beating Trump. In a poll released Monday, that number plummeted to 27%, only a bit higher than Sanders, at 24%.
'I have a Beau, too'
When Biden spied two little boys squirming in the front row at a rally in downtown Manchester, he walked over with his handheld microphone to ask their names and hold out the promise of ice cream after the politics was done. One boy said his name was Keith. The other? "Beau."
Biden looked taken aback for an instant, and the crowd of several hundred people seemed to hold its collective breath. Then he said quietly, "I have a Beau, too" and moved back to center stage.
Just about everybody in the Rex Theater knew that the death of Beau Biden in 2015 from a malignant brain tumor prevented his grieving father from running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016. Four years later, Joe Biden's bid for the White House has taken on almost an elegiac air.
He has been dubbed "Uncle Joe," a nickname that suggests familiarity and perhaps eye-rolling exasperation. Voters say they like him and respect his service, but some see him as a figure from a different era, shaped by the politics of the past.
"It just seems his time has passed," said Camille Brown, 62, of Nashua, New Hampshire, the director of admissions at a community college who attended a candidate forum in Concord. "It's time to pass the mantle."
"Thank you for your service," her husband, Barry, 61, said – praise but with a sharpened point.
Who's running for president: An interactive guide to the candidates
Candidates on the issues: Voter's guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more
Biden was 29 years old when he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Delaware in 1972, for the first of six terms. Now he is 77, in good health but looking his age. He does fewer campaign events on an average day than Sanders, who is 78, and he doesn't display the fist-pumping energy of Warren, who is 70.
Klobuchar is 59, and Buttigieg just turned 38 – younger than any of Biden's children.
John Lynch, a former four-term New Hampshire governor and Biden supporter, said he was surprised by Biden's decline and acknowledged Buttigieg's appeal. "He's a new face and not from Washington," Lynch said as he waited for Biden to arrive at the Manchester rally. "Oftentimes people are attracted to somebody new."
The Obama primary
Facing the prospect of a bad night in New Hampshire, Biden decided to get out of town, ditching announced plans to attend a "victory party" in Nashua and heading to South Carolina for an event featuring Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., co-chairman of his campaign. Friday and Saturday, Biden is scheduled to campaign in Nevada, which will hold its caucuses Feb. 22.
Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Biden's strategists have long described the South Carolina primary as his firewall, noting his strength among more racially diverse electorates. But the dynamics from one contest ripple through the others. Just ask Hillary Clinton, who saw her lead in South Carolina evaporate once Barack Obama won in Iowa in 2008. She ended up being swamped in the state's primary.
The most worrisome trend for Biden in the poll may have been the slide in his support among black voters, although the sample size was small. Biden's standing with African Americans dropped to 27% from 49% in a poll last month. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg was close behind at 22%, and Sanders was at 19%.
Biden's appeal to black voters has been based in part on his association with Obama, but he isn't the only candidate touting his ties to the last Democratic president. Warren aired an ad that shows Obama praising her work on consumer protection issues, and Bloomberg runs a spot that shows Obama praising him for "pragmatic solutions" on education and gun violence.
After South Carolina's primary, on the last Saturday of the month, the calendar is unforgiving. Three days later is Super Tuesday, a behemoth of a primary day with contests in California and Texas and a dozen other states. By then, the campaign imperative shifts from greeting voters at diners to spending millions of dollars to air TV ads.
Let's vote: When are the 2020 presidential election primaries?
Millions of dollars is what Bloomberg has; the billionaire is willing to invest an unprecedented amount of his own fortune in the campaign. He has outspent the rest of the field combined. The Republican-turned-Democrat skipped the first four contests, planning to jump in on Super Tuesday March 3. He pitches himself as a pragmatic centrist – as does Biden – and his strategy counts on Biden stumbling out of the way.
At the moment, that seems like a reasonable bet.


usatoday--2020-02-13--Conservatives, liberals mull next Supreme Court battle with memories of 2016

WASHINGTON – A legal and political earthquake hit the nation 's capital precisely four years ago when Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia died on a hunting trip in Texas .
President Barack Obama was poised to nominate his successor and give the court its first liberal majority in decades .
It did n't happen , of course .
Within hours of Scalia 's death on Feb. 13 , 2016 , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , vowed to keep the seat open until the presidential election in November .
He made good on that pledge , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until President Donald Trump filled it with Scalia acolyte Neil Gorsuch .
If a vacancy were to occur this presidential election year – with the staying power of 86-year-old Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a four-time cancer survivor , a perpetual subject of speculation – Democrats and liberals will say it should remain open through the November election .
`` It ’ s going to be very hard for Republicans to argue that it ’ s appropriate to consider a Trump nominee in 2020 with a straight face , '' says Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocacy group Demand Justice .
`` We ’ ll be ever closer to the election . ''
But with both the White House and Senate in Republican hands , McConnell has said the 2016 precedent does not apply .
He 's vowed to confirm as many federal judges as possible .
'We 'd fill it ' : Mitch McConnell blocked Obama Supreme Court pick but says he 'd help Trump fill a vacancy '' My motto for the year is ‘ leave no vacancy behind , ' '' McConnell told conservative radio talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doomsday scenario for liberals could give conservatives a 6-3 hold on the high court – solidifying their majority , perhaps for decades to come .
McConnell 's reasoning works this way : Democrats would have blocked a Republican president 's nominee in 2016 if the tables were reversed , and they would confirm a Democratic president 's nominee now .
`` They can whine about this all day long , '' the Kentucky Republican said in September .
`` But under the Constitution , there is co-responsibility for appointments .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirms .
We are partners in the personnel business , up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court . ''
McConnell 's partisan muscle portends a ferocious battle this year if a seat falls vacant .
Ginsburg , who turns 87 next month , has overcome colon , pancreatic and lung cancers in 1999 , 2009 , 2017 and 2018 .
The next oldest associate justice is 81-year-old Stephen Breyer , another member of the court 's liberal minority .
Conservatives who have thrilled at Trump 's high court selections of Gorsuch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate 's confirmation of more than 150 lower court judges in three years , are thirsty for more .
`` This issue is a really , really , really important one for the Republican base , '' says Leonard Leo , an outside adviser to the White House on judicial nominations who is co-chairman of the conservative Federalist Society .
`` We have a sitting president .
We ’ re not going to govern with both hands tied behind our back . ''
The unexpected death of Scalia , 79 , a larger-than-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's conservative wing , set in motion a drama that consumed all three branches of government during the 2016 presidential campaign .
Obama offered up a compromise candidate , 63-year-old Merrick Garland , chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit .
McConnell refused even to hold a hearing .
The court muddled through the second half of its term and most of its next one with eight justices .
It was but the latest in a decades-long battle over federal judgeships that come with life tenure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reshape the nation 's legal landscape over a four- or eight-year presidency .
Three years earlier , Democrats who controlled the Senate changed its rules so that Obama could fill appeals court vacancies without the 60 votes needed to break Republican filibusters .
Then in 2017 , Republicans did the same thing for Supreme Court vacancies , breaking a Democratic filibuster against Gorsuch by blowing up the rules .
With Gorsuch and Kavanaugh , confirmed in 2018 by a 50-48 vote , the court is more solidly conservative than it has been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups have urged altering the court 's structure , either by adding seats or instituting term limits .
But even Ginsburg opposes the `` court-packing '' proposals reminiscent of President Franklin Roosevelt 's failed efforts in the 1930s .
`` If anything would make the court look partisan , it would be that – one side saying , 'When we 're in power , we 're going to enlarge the number of judges , so we would have more people who would vote the way we want them to , ' '' Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senate majority leader continue to focus on circuit and district court judges , Ginsburg 's age and health are what makes talk of potential Supreme Court vacancies relevant .
More : After cancer , Supreme Court 's Ruth Bader Ginsburg hits the road to prove her vitality -- and longevity The leader of the court 's four liberals bounced back from colon cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer a decade later , and her twice-weekly workouts now are enshrined in a book authored by her trainer .
But early last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while recovering from surgery to remove two malignant nodules from her left lung .
Then later in the year , she required three weeks of radiation treatment for a cancerous tumor on her pancreas .
Upon her latest recovery , Ginsburg embarked on a series of public speaking engagements that would tire someone half her age .
Her appearance Monday at Georgetown University Law Center was her fourth this month .
She hosts a musical program at the Supreme Court Thursday ; the following day , she presents the first-ever Justice Ruth Bader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Library of Congress .
`` We just get flooded with invitations , '' she said at Georgetown Law .
`` I can be getting an award every day of the week . ''
A Supreme Court confirmation battle in 2020 likely would echo the 2016 debate – in reverse .
Democrats would argue that the seat should remain vacant until the voters speak in November .
Liberal groups would target vulnerable Republicans up for election in `` purple '' states , citing their support for McConnell 's roadblock four years ago as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's acquittal last week .
`` A fight like this would energize progressives even more than it would energize the right , '' says Marge Baker , executive vice president of the liberal advocacy group People for the American Way .
`` I think this is going to be a tougher thing for McConnell to pull off . ''
Republicans would recount past statements by Joe Biden , now seeking the White House , and Chuck Schumer , now the Senate 's Democratic leader , to justify what McConnell did in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the White House and Senate now makes that precedent irrelevant .
`` There ’ s no chance that Mitch McConnell is going to leave a vacancy on the table , and he should n't , '' says Mike Davis , who was nominations counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee during Kavanaugh 's confirmation .
The only complication for Republicans might be the calendar .
By Labor Day , it would be difficult to get through the normal confirmation process by Election Day .
And if Trump fails to win re-election or Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hard to justify filling a vacancy in a lame-duck session .
That 's little solace to liberals who fear a more conservative Supreme Court , perhaps for generations to come .
`` We take McConnell at his word on this , '' says Nan Aron , president of the liberal Alliance for Justice .
`` We know he would do anything – he would go to the farthest end of the earth – to pack the Supreme Court . ''

Conservatives, liberals mull next Supreme Court battle with memories of 2016
Show Caption Hide Caption As Supreme Court moves to the right, Roberts attempts to keep it apolitical Chief Justice John Roberts is doing all in his power to help the Supreme Court not look overtly political as it moves ideologically to the right. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A legal and political earthquake hit the nation's capital precisely four years ago when Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia died on a hunting trip in Texas. President Barack Obama was poised to nominate Scalia's successor and give the court its first liberal majority in decades.
It didn't happen, of course.
Within hours of Scalia's death on Feb. 13, 2016, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., vowed to keep the seat open until the presidential election in November. He made good on that pledge, and the vacancy remained for 14 months, until President Donald Trump filled it with Scalia acolyte Neil Gorsuch.
Fast-forward to 2020.
If a vacancy were to occur this presidential election year – with the staying power of 86-year-old Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a four-time cancer survivor, a perpetual subject of speculation – Democrats and liberals will say it should remain open through the November election.
"It’s going to be very hard for Republicans to argue that it’s appropriate to consider a Trump nominee in 2020 with a straight face," says Brian Fallon, executive director of the liberal advocacy group Demand Justice. "We’ll be ever closer to the election."
McConnell: Senate 'not broken' in Kavanaugh wake Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation on the US Supreme Court is a major accomplishment. In an AP newsmaker interview, McConnell said filling court vacancies "is the most important thing we're doing." (Oct. 10) AP
But with the White House and Senate in Republican hands, McConnell has said the 2016 precedent does not apply. He has vowed to confirm as many federal judges as possible.
'We'd fill it':Mitch McConnell blocked Obama Supreme Court pick but says he'd help Trump fill a vacancy
"My motto for the year is ‘leave no vacancy behind,'" McConnell told conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday.
Such a doomsday scenario for liberals could give conservatives a 6-3 hold on the high court – solidifying their majority perhaps for decades to come.
McConnell's reasoning works this way: Democrats would have blocked a Republican president's nominee in 2016 if the tables were reversed, and they would confirm a Democratic president's nominee now.
"They can whine about this all day long," the Kentucky Republican said in September. "But under the Constitution, there is co-responsibility for appointments. The president makes the nomination, and the Senate confirms. We are partners in the personnel business, up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court."
McConnell's partisan muscle portends a ferocious battle this year if a seat falls vacant. Ginsburg, who turns 87 next month, has overcome colon, pancreatic and lung cancers in 1999, 2009, 2017 and 2018. The next-oldest associate justice is 81-year-old Stephen Breyer, another member of the court's liberal minority.
Conservatives who have been thrilled with Trump's high court selections of Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, as well as the Senate's confirmation of more than 150 lower-court judges in three years, are thirsty for more.
"This issue is a really, really, really important one for the Republican base," says Leonard Leo, an outside adviser to the White House on judicial nominations who is co-chairman of the conservative Federalist Society. "We have a sitting president. We’re not going to govern with both hands tied behind our back."
Decades-long battle
The unexpected death of Scalia, 79, a larger-than-life jurist and leader of the high court's conservative wing, set in motion a drama that consumed all three branches of government during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Obama offered up a compromise candidate, 63-year-old Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. McConnell refused even to hold a hearing. The court muddled through the second half of its term and most of its next one with eight justices.
It was but the latest in a decades-long battle over federal judgeships that come with life tenure and, as a result, can reshape the nation's legal landscape over a four- or eight-year presidency. Three years earlier, Democrats who controlled the Senate changed its rules so Obama could fill appeals court vacancies without the 60 votes needed to break Republican filibusters.
Then in 2017, Republicans did the same thing for Supreme Court vacancies, breaking a Democratic filibuster against Gorsuch by blowing up the rules. With Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, who was confirmed in 2018 by a 50-48 vote, the court is more solidly conservative than it has been in years.
More: Chief Justice John Roberts emerges unscathed from Trump's Senate impeachment trial
In response, liberal advocacy groups have urged altering the court's structure, either by adding seats or instituting term limits. But even Ginsburg opposes the "court-packing" proposals reminiscent of President Franklin Roosevelt's failed efforts in the 1930s.
"If anything would make the court look partisan, it would be that – one side saying, 'When we're in power, we're going to enlarge the number of judges, so we would have more people who would vote the way we want them to,'" Ginsburg said last year.
While the president and Senate majority leader focus on circuit and district court judges, Ginsburg's age and health are what makes talk of potential Supreme Court vacancies relevant.
More: After cancer, Supreme Court's Ruth Bader Ginsburg hits the road to prove her vitality – and longevity
The leader of the court's four liberals bounced back from colon cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer a decade later, and her twice-weekly workouts now are enshrined in a book written by her trainer. But early last year, she missed two weeks of oral arguments while recovering from surgery to remove two malignant nodules from her left lung. Then, later in the year, she required three weeks of radiation treatment for a cancerous tumor on her pancreas.
Upon her latest recovery, Ginsburg embarked on a series of public speaking engagements that would tire someone half her age. Her appearance Monday at Georgetown University Law Center was her fourth this month. She hosts a musical program at the Supreme Court Thursday; the following day, she presents the first-ever Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award at the Library of Congress.
"We just get flooded with invitations," she said at Georgetown Law. "I can be getting an award every day of the week."
'Tougher thing to pull off'
A Supreme Court confirmation battle in 2020 likely would echo the 2016 debate – in reverse.
Democrats would argue that the seat should remain vacant until the voters speak in November. Liberal groups would target vulnerable Republicans up for election in "purple" states, citing their support for McConnell's roadblock four years ago as well as their Senate impeachment trial votes for Trump's acquittal last week.
"A fight like this would energize progressives even more than it would energize the right," says Marge Baker, executive vice president of the liberal advocacy group People for the American Way. "I think this is going to be a tougher thing for McConnell to pull off."
Republicans would recount past statements by Joe Biden, now seeking the White House, and Charles Schumer, now the Senate's Democratic leader, to justify what McConnell did in 2016. They would say their control of the White House and Senate now makes that precedent irrelevant.
"There’s no chance that Mitch McConnell is going to leave a vacancy on the table, and he shouldn't," says Mike Davis, who was nominations counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee during Kavanaugh's confirmation.
The only complication for Republicans might be the calendar. By Labor Day, it would be difficult to get through the normal confirmation process by Election Day. And if Trump fails to win reelection or Republicans lose their Senate majority, it would be hard to justify filling a vacancy in a lame-duck session.
That's little solace to liberals who fear a more conservative Supreme Court, perhaps for generations to come.
"We take McConnell at his word on this," says Nan Aron, president of the liberal Alliance for Justice. "We know he would do anything – he would go to the farthest end of the Earth – to pack the Supreme Court."
Want to talk more about politics? Join our Facebook group ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation’


usatoday--2020-02-14--Trump to attend California fundraising event at Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison's estate

PALM SPRINGS , Calif. – Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison has become one of the few tech moguls to publicly back President Donald Trump 's reelection bid after announcing a Feb. 19 campaign fundraiser to be hosted at his golf course and estate in the California desert .
Less than two weeks before California 's Super Tuesday primary election , Ellison will host supporters on a golf outing in Rancho Mirage , Calif. For $ 100,000 , supporters can join a golf outing and have their photo taken with the president .
For $ 250,000 , contributors get a photo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round-table discussion .
Both options are for two guests .
Ellison , who supported Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , in the 2016 Republican primary is a valuable convert for the Trump campaign .
Although he 's a longtime contributor to conservative candidates and causes , as of the end of 2019 , he had never contributed to Trump ’ s campaign or associated PACs .
Election 2020 : Twitter says deceptively doctored videos and photos may get labeled or removed Trump video : Trump celebrates , Pelosi fumes as Facebook and Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions will go to `` Trump Victory , '' a joint fundraising committee formed by the Trump campaign , the Republican National Committee and state GOP chapters .
The large contributions will be distributed to Trump 's primary and general election accounts , the RNC , state parties , and also go toward bankrolling the Republican National Convention , according to the invitation .
The fundraiser is part of a larger California sweep that has the president scheduled to appear in Bakersfield and Beverly Hills on Tuesday .
After Rancho Mirage , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his trademark rallies Wednesday evening .
Ellison ’ s Coachella Valley footprint expands beyond Rancho Mirage .
The billionaire purchased the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas Open for $ 100 million in 2009 .
The 2020 tournament is coming up in early March .
The California billionaire has personally contributed $ 9.5 million to federal candidates and political action committees since 1993 , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
In the fall 2017 , Ellison backed a host of Republicans in the midterms , maxing out at $ 5,400 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. ; and Rep. Will Hurd , R-Texas .
That same cycle , he gave $ 44,300 to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ’ s Victory Fund and nearly $ 34,000 to the National Republican Senate Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee .
Trump does not have a rally scheduled during his visit to the Coachella Valley , but Riverside County Republican Party Chair Jonathan Ingram said having the president visit the region has `` immense '' meaning for local Republicans .
`` It 's showing that he understands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a Republican and a conservative , '' Ingram told The Desert Sun , which is part of the USA TODAY Network .
California may not be known as a Republican stronghold , but the state has almost 5 million registered Republican voters and a bounty of conservative campaign financiers who , in the past , have n't hesitated to open their wallets for the GOP 's presidential candidates .
According to a January poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California , Trump 's approval rating is 31 % among Californians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's reelection campaign raised $ 12.2 million from California contributors , more than any other candidate .
Trump 's Coachella Valley ties span back to 1991 , when he celebrated his then-wife Marla Maples ' 28th birthday at Melvyn 's in Palm Springs .
After Prop .
1A passed in 2000 , allowing the state to enter into gaming compacts with tribes , Trump Hotels & Casinos Inc. partnered with the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians on the tribe 's casino expansion project in Coachella .
The tribe severed its relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said the windmills bordering Interstate 10 made Palm Springs look like `` a junkyard '' on 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain 's radio show .
`` You know , you ’ re driving into Palm Springs , California , and it looks like a poor man ’ s version of Disneyland .
It ’ s the worst thing you ’ ve ever seen , '' he told Cain .
More : Presidents ' Playground : Trump visited Palm Springs to establish a TV 'brand ' long before 'The Apprentice '

Trump to attend California fundraising event at Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison's estate
Show Caption Hide Caption National Prayer Breakfast: Trump holds up 'acquitted' newspaper President Donald Trump held up newspapers, including USA TODAY to show he was acquitted at the National Prayer Breakfast. USA TODAY
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison has become one of the few tech moguls to publicly back President Donald Trump's reelection bid after announcing a Feb. 19 campaign fundraiser to be hosted at his golf course and estate in the California desert.
Less than two weeks before California's Super Tuesday primary election, Ellison will host supporters on a golf outing in Rancho Mirage, Calif. For $100,000, supporters can join a golf outing and have their photo taken with the president. For $250,000, contributors get a photo, golf outing and can participate in a roundtable discussion. Both options are for two guests.
Ellison, who supported Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in the 2016 Republican primary is a valuable convert for the Trump campaign. Although he's a longtime contributor to conservative candidates and causes, as of the end of 2019, he had never contributed to Trump’s campaign or associated PACs.
Election 2020: Twitter says deceptively doctored videos and photos may get labeled or removed
Trump video: Trump celebrates, Pelosi fumes as Facebook and Twitter refuse to take down altered video
The contributions will go to "Trump Victory," a joint fundraising committee formed by the Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and state GOP chapters. The large contributions will be distributed to Trump's primary and general election accounts, the RNC, state parties, and also go toward bankrolling the Republican National Convention, according to the invitation.
The fundraiser is part of a larger California sweep that has the president scheduled to appear in Bakersfield and Beverly Hills. After Rancho Mirage, he'll jet to Phoenix for one of his trademark rallies Wednesday evening.
Ellison’s Coachella Valley footprint expands beyond Rancho Mirage. The billionaire purchased the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas Open for $100 million in 2009. The 2020 tournament is coming up in early March.
The California billionaire has personally contributed $9.5 million to federal candidates and political action committees since 1993, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
In the fall 2017, Ellison backed a host of Republicans in the midterms, maxing out at $5,400 for Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; and Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas. That same cycle, he gave $44,300 to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s Victory Fund and nearly $34,000 to the National Republican Senate Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Trump does not have a rally scheduled during his visit to the Coachella Valley, but Riverside County Republican Party Chair Jonathan Ingram said having the president visit the region has "immense" meaning for local Republicans.
"It's showing that he understands that California actually matters in respect to being a Republican and a conservative," Ingram told The Desert Sun, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.
California may not be known as a Republican stronghold, but the state has almost 5 million registered Republican voters and a bounty of conservative campaign financiers who, in the past, haven't hesitated to open their wallets for the GOP's presidential candidates.
According to a January poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, Trump's approval rating is 31% among Californians. But in 2019, the president's reelection campaign raised $12.2 million from California contributors, more than any other candidate.
Trump's Coachella Valley ties span back to 1991, when he celebrated his then-wife Marla Maples' 28th birthday at Melvyn's in Palm Springs. After Prop. 1A passed in 2000, allowing the state to enter into gaming compacts with tribes, Trump Hotels & Casinos Inc. partnered with the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians on the tribe's casino expansion project in Coachella. The tribe severed its relationship with Trump in 2004.
In 2016, he said the windmills bordering Interstate 10 made Palm Springs look like "a junkyard" on 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain's radio show.
"You know, you’re driving into Palm Springs, California, and it looks like a poor man’s version of Disneyland. It’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen," he told Cain.
Contributing: USA TODAY Network Data Editor Mike Stucka
Follow Sam Metz on Twitter: @metzsam.
More: Presidents' Playground: Trump visited Palm Springs to establish a TV 'brand' long before 'The Apprentice'