usatoday--2020-02-08--Buttigieg, Sanders feel heat at top as candidates draw stark contrasts at debate

WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg found out what it ’ s like to finish at the top in Iowa : you 're targeted by your rivals in New Hampshire .
The Vermont senator and the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor were often on the receiving end of attacks from the other five candidates on the debate stage at Saint Anselm College in Manchester , N.H. Sanders had to defend his electability as a democratic socialist and the expected large price tag on his proposals , such as Medicare for All .
Buttigieg had to defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his relative lack of political experience on the national stage .
And former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg took hits even though he wasn ’ t on stage , as rivals criticized him for spending tens of millions to win the Democratic presidential nomination .
“ I don ’ t think anybody ought to be able to buy their way into a nomination or to be president of the United States , ” Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, said in a line that drew hearty applause from the audience .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ought to be able to do it and I don ’ t think people who suck up to billionaires in order to fund their campaigns ought to do it.
” More : A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats .
Here 's what we know The debate comes four days before New Hampshire holds the first-in-the-nation primary .
In the first few minutes of the debate , former vice president Joe Biden , who stumbled to a fourth-place finish in Iowa , acknowledged he won ’ t win New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit here , ” said Biden who is pinning his hopes on stronger finishes in Nevada ( Feb. 22 ) and South Carolina ( Feb. 29 ) where more diverse populations could give him a boost .
The debate could also be the last for long shots Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer , who also got the least amount of speaking time .
Here are some highlights from the night .
Klobuchar on Trump : ‘ He blames the king of Denmark , who does that ?
’ Sen. Amy Klobuchar said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs friends in the world .
Her comments came after billionaire Tom Steyer criticized Trump ’ s strategy of isolating the United States .
Klobuchar said that instead of having allies , “ we have a president that literally blames everyone in the world.
” “ He blames Barack Obama for everything that goes wrong , ” Klobuchar said of Trump .
“ He blames his federal reserve chair he appointed himself .
He blames the king of Denmark , who does that ?
“ He blames the prime minister of Canada for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Home Alone 2 , who does that ?
” she continues .
“ That ’ s what Donald Trump does.
” Candidates team up against Bloomberg — and his money Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wasn ’ t on stage but the candidates were eager to talk about the billionaire presidential candidate who is spending tens of millions to win the Democratic nomination .
“ I don ’ t think anybody ought to be able to buy their way into a nomination or to be president of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a line that drew hearty applause from the audience .
“ I don ’ t think a billionaire ought to be able to do it and I don ’ t think people who suck up to billionaires in order to fund their campaigns ought to do it.
” The Massachusetts senator known for her consumer activism also criticized her rivals for accepting money from PACs that can spend without limits .
“ Put your money where your mouth and say is and say not to PACs , ” she said as she asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign and bemoaned the influence of big money in campaigns .
“ Understand this , our democracy hangs in the balance.
” “ I just simply think people don ’ t look at the guy in the White House and say , ‘ can we get someone richer ?
” the Minnesota senator said.
’ I don ’ t think they think that .
They want to have someone they can understand.
” Bernie Sanders tried to turn the criticism of wealthy people to Pete Buttigieg .
“ I don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my campaign.
” Buttigieg responded that Donald Trump and his allies raised $ 25 million just on Friday .
“ We need to go into that fight with everything we ’ ve got , ” the former mayor said .
Buttigieg also disputed the suggestion that his campaign is fueled by rich people .
As the only person on stage who is not a millionaire or billionaire , Buttigieg said , he knows something about building a movement .
Because mayor of South Bend is not exactly a powerhouse fundraising position .
Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the thousands of average people who contributed .
Tom Steyer took Joe Biden to task for a comment made by one of his backers in South Carolina .
State Sen. Dick Harpootlian questioned what was behind Steyer ’ s payments to another state legislator .
“ Mr .
Money Bags a.k.a @ TomSteyer has paid S.C. State Rep. Jerry Govan almost $ 50,000 for a month worth of work ?
Is he pocketing the dough or redistributing the wealth ?
cc : Steyer FEC report , ” Harpootlian tweeted Some members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought that was a racially charged attack by implying Govan had done something illegal or wrong .
Steyer challenged Biden to “ come with me and the Legislative Black Caucus and disavow Dick Harpootlian.
” Biden countered that Steyer should join him in the “ overwhelming support ” he has from that black caucus .
Biden said he has double the support that Steyer or anyone else has , which prompted Bernie Sanders to interject that several members of the black caucus support him .
Steyer called Harpootlian ’ s remarks “ openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to do the right thing.
” Biden said he ’ s already talked to Harpootlian and “ I believe he ’ s sorry for what he said.
” Buttigieg says 'systemic racism ' part of why drug arrests went up in first mayoral year Pete Buttigieg pointed to “ systemic racism ” as one of the reasons why marijuana drug arrests went up in the first year he was mayor of South Bend , Indiana .
“ There is no question that systemic racism has penetrated to every level of our system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Buttigieg said .
But when asked specifically why marijuana drug arrests went up during the first year of his tenure , Buttigieg said that one of the strategies that his community adopted was to target gun violence and gang violence .
“ We adopted a strategy that said that drug enforcement would be targeted in cases where there was a connection to the most violent group or gang connected to a murder , ” Buttigieg said .
“ These are all connected .
But so are all the things that need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it was a substantial answer from Buttigieg , who has been struggling to gain support among black voters .
Warren simply said : “ No , ” which was followed by a wave of applause .
“ You have to own up to the facts , ” Warren said .
“ And it ’ s important to own up to the facts of how race has totally permeated our criminal justice system.
” In addition , Yang used the moment to plug his “ Freedom Dividend ” which would provide $ 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We can ’ t regulate ( racial disparity ) away through any other means except by putting money directly into the hands of African Americans and Latinos , and people of color to allow businesses to actually flourish and grow in those communities , ” he said addressing Warren .
Billionaire Tom Steyer teed up the questioning , taking the discussion away from the Supreme Court to questioning why race wasn ’ t being discussed more substantially .
“ We have not said one word about race , ” Steyer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The night is still is young , many questions to come , ” a moderator said , before throwing it over to Linsey Davis , who asked a question about race .
Halfway through the three-hour debate , Pete Buttigieg was leading the pack with nearly 16 minutes of speaking time .
Following closely behind were Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden , with nearly 15 minutes each .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren followed at 11 minutes , while Tom Steyer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar were both at almost nine minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % in Iowa , had only spoken for five minutes .
The candidates came out strongly in favor of abortion rights , with Joe Biden , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren saying their Supreme Court nominees would have to support abortion rights .
“ It ’ s a woman ’ s right to do that .
Period , ” Biden said .
Amy Klobuchar said she would only appoint judges that respect precedent , and that includes Roe v. Wade , the landmark decision saying women have a constitutional right to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation enshrining that right in law .
Buttigieg was asked about his proposal to expand the Supreme Court .
He said it ’ s not a partisan move because he wants to also change the structure of the court so not all the justice are chosen through a political process .
Drug crisis front and center in New Hampshire Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who has often talked about her father ’ s alcoholism , said she would put a special emphasis on substance abuse treatment as president .
Speaking in a state where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , the Minnesota Democrat said she would devote nearly $ 100 billion to combat opioid addiction .
She explained how she would raise the money from closing tax loopholes and using money from n upcoming .
“ The people of New Hampshire and the people of our country deserve better , ” she said .
“ I will get this done .
And it ’ s personal for me.
” Andrew Yang was asked how he would implement his required three-day treatment for those arrest for drug use .
There aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation to handle that , he was told .
Yang said he could take money from drug companies that have profited from the addiction epidemic .
The epidemic , he said , is not a money problem but a human problem .
Pete Buttigieg was asked about his proposal to decriminalize drugs : Does that include heroin , meth and cocaine ?
Buttigieg said it still wouldn ’ t be lawful to produce or distribute such drugs .
Without explaining how he would deal with drug users , Buttigieg talked about holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the addictiveness of their opioid medicines .
That has to happen , he said , even as the nation realizes that drug addiction is a medical issue , not a moral failure of those battling addiction , ” he said .
Sanders pressed about his record on guns Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked about his gun control views in the past , including voting against background checks and a waiting period for buying firearms in his past .
“ I come , like New Hampshire , from a very , very rural state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , until last ... two years ago , we had virtually no gun control legislation at all .
I represented that perspective.
” He continued that “ The world has changed and my views have changed.
” “ The bottom line is that I will not be intimidated by the NRA , ” he concluded .
“ We ’ re going to run the gun policy that the American people want .
However , Biden continued to hit Sanders on his track record , slamming him for voting against the ability to sue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That mandated federal background checks on firearm purchasers .
`` Think of all of the thousands and thousands of people who died ! ''
Biden declared .
“ While you were representing your constituency , in a gun state , in fact , all those folks in California , New York , Pennsylvania , they 're getting killed by the thousands during that same period . ''
“ We have to be held accountable for the things we did , ” Biden continued .
Sanders ' fellow candidates showed him some love when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton 's criticism of his track record , saying “ Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done.
” Klobuchar also quipped , “ I like Bernie just fine ! ''
The two Senators then joked about whether it was the `` Sanders-Klobuchar '' amendment or `` Klobuchar-Sanders '' on a bill they worked on together Pete Buttigieg passed up a chance to attack Joe Biden over the issue of impeachment and the fact that Republicans are continuing to delve into Biden and his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked if it ’ s risky for Democrats to nominate someone under investigation .
“ No , ” he said .
“ And we won ’ t let them change the subject.
” Buttigieg said he and Biden are competitors but “ we ’ ve got to draw a line here.
” Republicans ’ efforts to turn a father against a son , he said , is the kind of dishonorable behavior that shows why Democrats need to win in November .
Biden thanked Buttigieg and agreed that Republicans are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s firing today of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , the top Ukraine policy officer on the National Security Counsel .
The nation should give Vindman a medal , Biden said , not Rush Limbaugh , the conservative radio talk show host honored by Trump at Tuesday ’ s State of the Union address .
Biden encouraged the audience to stand up and clap for Vindman .
That ’ s who we are , Biden said , and it ’ s not what Trump is .
Steyer questions Buttigieg 's ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Steyer , who is polling near the bottom of the field , took on Pete Buttigieg , who is surging following his strong showing in Iowa .
“ The issue here … is not about who has the best health care plan .
All the health care plans are better .
A million times better , ” Steyer said .
“ The question is who can go toe-to-toe with Mr. Trump .
Who can take down Mr. Trump because he ’ s the real threat to the country.
” “ And let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take him down , ” Steyer continued , directing his criticism to the 38-year-old , former South Bend , Indiana , mayor .
“ This is not a question of ‘ he ’ s nice guy who ’ s going to listen.
’ We need people with experience that ’ s why I ’ m worried about Mayor Pete .
You need to be able to go toe- to-toe with this guy and take him down or we ’ re going to lose.
” Buttigieg responded he can win based on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial Midwest city that is “ the exact kind of community that ( Trump ) pretends to speak for but turns is back on.
” “ If we want to beat this president we ’ ve got to be ready to move on form the playbook we ’ ve relied on in the past , ’ Buttigieg said .
“ And unify this country around a new and better vision.
” Steyer is also running an ad this week in New Hampshire calling Buttigieg an `` untested newcomer . ''
Sen. Amy Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assertion that non-Washington experience is best for “ meeting the moment ” for the White House , highlighting the experience and “ courage ” that came from the Senate impeachment trial .
“ We had a moment these past few weeks , mayor , and that moment was these impeachment hearings ” Klobuchar said .
“ There was courage that you saw from only a few people.
” “ There was courage from Doug Jones , our friend of Alabama , who took that tough vote .
There was courage from Mitt Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult vote [ on impeachment ] , ” Klobuchar said , highlighting that Buttigieg said the trials were exhausting to watch .
Sen. Mitt Romney was the sole GOP vote for convicting Trump on one count earlier this week , while Sen. Doug Jones was considered a potential swing vote serving in a staunchly red state .
The other senators on the stage also mentioned Romney ’ s vote Friday night .
Warren stated that “ all-but-one ” of her GOP colleagues “ locked arms ” by voting for acquittal .
Sanders declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crook ” but didn ’ t have the “ guts , with the exception of Romney , to vote against him.
” Andrew Yang says throwing presidents in jail is not an 'American tradition' Entrepreneur Andrew Yang said that he is not opposed of presidents being investigated , but there should be limits to it and “ you have to see what the facts are on the ground after you assume office.
” The question came after Sen. Elizabeth Warren was asked whether investigating President Donald Trump is the best way to unify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no one is above the law .
“ We need to reestablish the rule of law in this country , ” Warren said .
Yang was asked about his past comments where he said that a leader “ throwing a past president before them in jail ” is not the way things are done in the United States .
“ Does that mean that any alleged conduct by the president or his administration should not be investigated ?
” said moderator Linsey Davis .
Yang said that “ countries that have thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing countries.
” “ Unfortunately that ’ s a pattern that once you establish is very , very hard to break , ” he said .
“ What ’ s a more American tradition , we move the country forward , we don ’ t focus on the mistakes of the president leaving office.
” Biden , Sanders spar on Medicare for All — again Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed Sen. Bernie Sanders for his signature policy , Medicare for All , saying that the Vermont senator has yet to say how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Bernie says you have to bring people together and we have to have Medicare for All , ” Biden said .
“ And he says he wrote the damn thing , but he ’ s unwilling to say what the damn thing is going to cost.
” Biden claims that Sanders has said “ we ’ ll figure it out later ” in terms of how much his bill will cost .
Biden also doubted that Sanders could get Medicare for All passed , noting that he “ busted my neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed .
Sanders , however , said that “ if we do what Joe wants , ” the United States will spend $ 50 trillion over the next 10 years .
“ We are spending twice as much per capita on health care as do the people of any other country , ” Sanders said .
“ Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the health care industry last year made $ 100 billion dollars in profit.
” Sanders said that Medicare for All would same the American people “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar also piled on , saying Medicare for All does not have widespread support like Sanders has said it does .
“ I keep listening to the same debate , and it ’ s not real , ” she said , adding that two-thirds of the Democrats in the Senate have yet to sign onto Sanders ’ bill .
The debate over old vs. new Pete Buttigieg made the case for generational change , arguing for a perspective that will leave behind the “ politics of the past ” and turn the page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his face when Buttigieg said he ’ s not the right candidate if voters are looking for the person with the most Washington establishment experience .
But he is if they want a different perspective .
“ The politics of the past were not all that bad , ” Biden responded .
He mentioned legislation he worked on to ban chemical weapons and fight violence against women .
He also touted his early support for same sex marriage .
“ I don ’ t know what about the past of Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Biden said .
Buttigieg countered that the last Democratic administration was successful because it “ met the moment.
” “ Now we have to meet this moment , and this moment is different , ” he said .
Bernie Sanders was asked if Democrats should fret if he wins the nomination given how President Donald Trump has already gone after the Vermont senator who describes himself as a democratic socialist .
“ Those hits are going to keep coming if you ’ re the nominee , ” moderator George Stephanopoulos asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats be worried ?
” “ Because Donald Trump lies all the time , ” Sanders retorted .
“ He will say terrible things about Joe ( Biden ) .
He has ( said ) ugly , disgusting things about Elizabeth ( Warren ) .
” “ At the end of the day … everybody up here is united , ” Sanders continued .
“ No matter who wins this damn thing , we ’ re all going to stand together to defeat Donald Trump.
” Sen. Amy Klobuchar raised her hand when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid of a socialist running as the party ’ s candidate in November .
`` I think we are not going to be able to out-divide the divider in chief , and I think we need someone to head up this ticket that actually brings people with her , instead of shutting them out ” Klobuchar answered , continuing that , `` Donald Trump 's worst nightmare is a candidate who will bring people in from the middle . ''
Pete Buttigieg wasted no time drawing a distinction between himself and Sen. Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , not divide it by saying “ if you don ’ t go all the way to the end , it doesn ’ t count.
” Are you talking about Sanders ?
he was asked .
“ Needless to say , I ’ ve never said that , ” he responded .
Sanders said the way to bring people together is with an agenda that works for working people , not billionaires .
Before the debate , Sanders had accused Buttigieg of being beholden to wealthy donors .
Biden says he probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opening minute of the debate , former Vice President Joe Biden – already stinging from a poor showing in Iowa – acknowledged he also probably won ’ t do well in New Hampshire Tuesday .
“ I ’ ll probably take a hit here , ” Biden said .
He pointed to the fact that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire in 2016 and represents a neighboring state .
Biden said he considers not just Iowa and New Hampshire , but also Nevada and South Carolina , to be the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden is counting on his strong support from African American voters to do well in subsequent states .
The question that prompted his response was why he has criticized Sanders and Pete Buttigieg as too risky to be the nominee when they won Iowa .
Biden said that Sanders ’ label of Democratic Socialist would hurt other Democrats lower on the ballot .
And Buttigieg , Biden said , is a great guy and a patriot but is the former mayor of a small city who hasn ’ t shown he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And now for the recurring question before each debate : Who will throw the most punches and which candidate will be the biggest target ?
When former Vice President Joe Biden was perceived as the frontrunner as the debates began last year , California Sen. Kamala Harris went after his record on busing .
In the long run , the attack didn ’ t help Harris , who dropped out in December .
And Biden ’ s poor showing in Iowa means he may go after the top Iowa finishers .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he suggested both Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg were risky choices .
Biden said Sanders ’ identification as a Democratic Socialist would make it harder for Democrats farther down on the ballot to win .
Buttigieg is a dicey choice , Biden said , because he ’ s never held an office higher than mayor of a small city .
Friday , Sanders accused Buttigieg of being beholden to rich donors .
`` I like Pete Buttigieg , nice guy , '' Sanders said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But we are in a moment where billionaires control not only our economy but our political life . ''
His campaign started promoting # PetesBillionaires on Twitter .
Key milestone : A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats .
Here 's what we know U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii , who did not qualify for tonight ’ s debate stage , is trying to get the attention of viewers in another way .
Gabbard launched an ad Friday morning promising to bring “ a soldier ’ s values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , honor , respect and service .
In her underdog campaign , Gabbard has been focusing most of her attention on New Hampshire .
The state has a disproportionate share of veterans , which could help the Army veteran .
But she ’ s not the only candidate with military experience .
VoteVets , the political action committee that backs liberal veterans running for office , has run ads in New Hampshire supporting Pete Buttigieg , a former Navy officer .
On Thursday , Buttigieg held a “ conversation with New Hampshire veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merrimack .
Candidates show force in walk up to event space Andrew Yang may be trailing distantly in the polls , but his campaign did turn out the most young enthusiasts on the two-lane road leading to Saint Anselm College , waving signs and encouraging drivers in passing cars to honk their support .
No .
2 in the highway straw poll were Elizabeth Warren supporters , chanting “ L !
I !
Z !
” The presence required a certain amount of commitment , given the freezing rain that was falling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , and in February . )
The media filing center , set up in a gym , was set up with work spaces for 414 journalists , plus a dozen TV crews lined up along one wall .
New Hampshire voters are independent in more ways than one Democrats may not be the only New Hampshire voters paying close attention to tonight ’ s debate .
The state allows independents – voters not registered as Democrats or Republicans – to participate in Tuesday ’ s primary .
And “ unaffilated ” voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electorate .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won independents in his 2016 primary race against Hillary Clinton .
But more moderate candidates -- like former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar – are targeting disaffected Republicans who ’ ve become independents .
And outsider candidates like Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and entrepreneur Andrew Yang could also grab some of the independent vote away from Sanders this time .
New Hampshire is independent in another way as well .
The state has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering surprises to the frontrunner .
It famously made Bill Clinton the “ Comeback Kid ” when he finished second place during a turbulent stretch of his 1992 campaign .
And just when it looked like Barack Obama had a straight shot to the nomination with his 2008 win in Iowa , New Hampshire Democrats gave the victory to Hillary Clinton instead .
When Clinton was the frontrunner for the 2016 nomination , however , New Hampshire voters flocked to Sanders .
The latest Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk poll released Thursday shows Sanders at 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the choice of 13 % and Biden was picked by 11 % .
No other candidate was in double digits .
In an NBC News/Marist poll released hours before the debate , Sanders led with 25 % , Buttigieg got 21 % , Warren had 14 % and Biden was at 13 % .
Who will be on stage and what 's at stake With the chaos of the Iowa caucuses ( mostly ) in the rear-view mirror , the top candidates vying for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a debate in New Hampshire four days before the Granite State holds the first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday .
New Hampshire could be the moment where Iowa 's top finishers – former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders – separate themselves from the pack .
Or where Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden regain their footing after third and fourth places finishes in Iowa , respectively .
It could also mark the end of the line for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but still walked away with only 1 national delegate .
Yang left Iowa with 0 .
The candidates ' order on stage was determined not by the Iowa results but by averaging the results of polls taken nationally and in New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina .
That put Biden in the center , flanked by Sanders and Warren .
They 're sharing the stage with Buttigieg , Klobuchar , Yang and businessman Tom Steyer .
Yang , who was absent from the Iowa debate last month , met the qualifications for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thresholds .
Moderators include George Stephanopoulos , `` World News Tonight '' Anchor , ABC Managing Editor David Muir and ABC News Live Anchor Linsey Davis .
Joining them will be WMUR-TV Political Director Adam Sexton and WMUR-TV News Anchor Monica Hernandez .
The focus on New Hampshire could be welcome news for Democrats who saw the Senate acquit President Donald Trump Wednesday and watched as Iowa 's caucuses disintegrated into confusion following multiple issues that delayed election results .

Maureen Groppe, Ledyard King, Rebecca Morin and Savannah Behrmann, USA TODAY

Buttigieg, Sanders feel heat at top as candidates draw stark contrasts at debate
Show Caption Hide Caption Democratic debate post-Iowa had candidates trading blows in New Hampshire The debate between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary had some Democratic candidates landing blows, and some making strides. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg found out what it’s like to finish at the top in Iowa: you're targeted by your rivals in New Hampshire.
The Vermont senator and the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor were often on the receiving end of attacks from the other five candidates on the debate stage at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
Sanders had to defend his electability as a democratic socialist and the expected large price tag on his proposals, such as Medicare for All.
Buttigieg had to defend his record on race as mayor and his relative lack of political experience on the national stage.
And former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg took hits even though he wasn’t on stage, as rivals criticized him for spending tens of millions to win the Democratic presidential nomination.
“I don’t think anybody ought to be able to buy their way into a nomination or to be president of the United States,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said in a line that drew hearty applause from the audience. “I don’t think a billionaire ought to be able to do it and I don’t think people who suck up to billionaires in order to fund their campaigns ought to do it.”
More: A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats. Here's what we know
The debate comes four days before New Hampshire holds the first-in-the-nation primary.
In the first few minutes of the debate, former vice president Joe Biden, who stumbled to a fourth-place finish in Iowa, acknowledged he won’t win New Hampshire.
“I’ll probably take a hit here,” said Biden who is pinning his hopes on stronger finishes in Nevada (Feb. 22) and South Carolina (Feb. 29) where more diverse populations could give him a boost.
The debate could also be the last for long shots Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer, who also got the least amount of speaking time.
Here are some highlights from the night.
Klobuchar on Trump: ‘He blames the king of Denmark, who does that?’
Sen. Amy Klobuchar said that she believes the United States’ needs friends in the world.
Her comments came after billionaire Tom Steyer criticized Trump’s strategy of isolating the United States.
Klobuchar said that instead of having allies, “we have a president that literally blames everyone in the world.”
“He blames Barack Obama for everything that goes wrong,” Klobuchar said of Trump. “He blames his federal reserve chair he appointed himself. He blames the king of Denmark, who does that?
“He blames the prime minister of Canada for, he claims, cutting him out of Home Alone 2, who does that?” she continues. “That’s what Donald Trump does.”
-- Rebecca Morin
Candidates team up against Bloomberg — and his money
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wasn’t on stage but the candidates were eager to talk about the billionaire presidential candidate who is spending tens of millions to win the Democratic nomination.
“I don’t think anybody ought to be able to buy their way into a nomination or to be president of the United States,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a line that drew hearty applause from the audience. “I don’t think a billionaire ought to be able to do it and I don’t think people who suck up to billionaires in order to fund their campaigns ought to do it.”
The Massachusetts senator known for her consumer activism also criticized her rivals for accepting money from PACs that can spend without limits.
“Put your money where your mouth and say is and say not to PACs,” she said as she asked viewers to send $5 to her campaign and bemoaned the influence of big money in campaigns. “Understand this, our democracy hangs in the balance.”
“I can’t stand the big money in politics,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar agreed.
“I just simply think people don’t look at the guy in the White House and say, ‘can we get someone richer?” the Minnesota senator said.’ I don’t think they think that. They want to have someone they can understand.”
Bernie Sanders tried to turn the criticism of wealthy people to Pete Buttigieg.
“I don’t have 40 billionaires, Pete, contributing to my campaign.”
Buttigieg responded that Donald Trump and his allies raised $25 million just on Friday.
“We need to go into that fight with everything we’ve got,” the former mayor said.
Buttigieg also disputed the suggestion that his campaign is fueled by rich people. As the only person on stage who is not a millionaire or billionaire, Buttigieg said, he knows something about building a movement. Because mayor of South Bend is not exactly a powerhouse fundraising position. Buttigieg said he is standing on the stage because of the thousands of average people who contributed.
-- Ledyard King, Savannah Behrmann and Maureen Groppe
Steyer pushes Biden on supporter's 'racist' comments
Tom Steyer took Joe Biden to task for a comment made by one of his backers in South Carolina. State Sen. Dick Harpootlian questioned what was behind Steyer’s payments to another state legislator.
“Mr. Money Bags a.k.a @TomSteyer has paid S.C. State Rep. Jerry Govan almost $50,000 for a month worth of work? Is he pocketing the dough or redistributing the wealth? cc: Steyer FEC report,” Harpootlian tweeted
Some members of the state’s black caucus thought that was a racially charged attack by implying Govan had done something illegal or wrong.
Steyer challenged Biden to “come with me and the Legislative Black Caucus and disavow Dick Harpootlian.”
Biden countered that Steyer should join him in the “overwhelming support” he has from that black caucus. Biden said he has double the support that Steyer or anyone else has, which prompted Bernie Sanders to interject that several members of the black caucus support him.
Steyer called Harpootlian’s remarks “openly racist” and again called on Biden “to do the right thing.”
Biden said he’s already talked to Harpootlian and “I believe he’s sorry for what he said.”
-- Maureen Groppe
Buttigieg says 'systemic racism' part of why drug arrests went up in first mayoral year
Pete Buttigieg pointed to “systemic racism” as one of the reasons why marijuana drug arrests went up in the first year he was mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
“There is no question that systemic racism has penetrated to every level of our system and my city was not immune,” Buttigieg said.
But when asked specifically why marijuana drug arrests went up during the first year of his tenure, Buttigieg said that one of the strategies that his community adopted was to target gun violence and gang violence.
“We adopted a strategy that said that drug enforcement would be targeted in cases where there was a connection to the most violent group or gang connected to a murder,” Buttigieg said. “These are all connected. But so are all the things that need to change."
Warren was then asked whether it was a substantial answer from Buttigieg, who has been struggling to gain support among black voters.
Warren simply said: “No,” which was followed by a wave of applause.
“You have to own up to the facts,” Warren said. “And it’s important to own up to the facts of how race has totally permeated our criminal justice system.”
In addition, Yang used the moment to plug his “Freedom Dividend” which would provide $1,000 per month to every American over 18.
“We can’t regulate (racial disparity) away through any other means except by putting money directly into the hands of African Americans and Latinos, and people of color to allow businesses to actually flourish and grow in those communities,” he said addressing Warren.
Billionaire Tom Steyer teed up the questioning, taking the discussion away from the Supreme Court to questioning why race wasn’t being discussed more substantially.
“We have not said one word about race,” Steyer said. “Not one word.”
“The night is still is young, many questions to come,” a moderator said, before throwing it over to Linsey Davis, who asked a question about race.
-- by Rebecca Morin and Ledyard King
Speaking time halfway through the debate
Halfway through the three-hour debate, Pete Buttigieg was leading the pack with nearly 16 minutes of speaking time.
Following closely behind were Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden, with nearly 15 minutes each.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren followed at 11 minutes, while Tom Steyer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar were both at almost nine minutes.
Andrew Yang, who received only 1% in Iowa, had only spoken for five minutes.
-- Savannah Behrmann
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
Strong support for Roe v. Wade
The candidates came out strongly in favor of abortion rights, with Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren saying their Supreme Court nominees would have to support abortion rights.
“It’s a woman’s right to do that. Period,” Biden said.
Amy Klobuchar said she would only appoint judges that respect precedent, and that includes Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision saying women have a constitutional right to an abortion.
The candidates also all backed legislation enshrining that right in law.
Buttigieg was asked about his proposal to expand the Supreme Court. He said it’s not a partisan move because he wants to also change the structure of the court so not all the justice are chosen through a political process.
-- Maureen Groppe
Drug crisis front and center in New Hampshire
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who has often talked about her father’s alcoholism, said she would put a special emphasis on substance abuse treatment as president.
Speaking in a state where 467 people died of drug overdoses in 2017, the Minnesota Democrat said she would devote nearly $100 billion to combat opioid addiction. She explained how she would raise the money from closing tax loopholes and using money from n upcoming.
“The people of New Hampshire and the people of our country deserve better,” she said. “I will get this done. And it’s personal for me.”
Andrew Yang was asked how he would implement his required three-day treatment for those arrest for drug use. There aren’t enough beds in New Hampshire or the nation to handle that, he was told.
Yang said he could take money from drug companies that have profited from the addiction epidemic.
The epidemic, he said, is not a money problem but a human problem.
Pete Buttigieg was asked about his proposal to decriminalize drugs: Does that include heroin, meth and cocaine?
Buttigieg said it still wouldn’t be lawful to produce or distribute such drugs. Without explaining how he would deal with drug users, Buttigieg talked about holding responsible drug companies who suppressed evidence of the addictiveness of their opioid medicines.
That has to happen, he said, even as the nation realizes that drug addiction is a medical issue, not a moral failure of those battling addiction,” he said.
-- Ledyard King and Maureen Groppe
Sanders pressed about his record on guns
Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked about his gun control views in the past, including voting against background checks and a waiting period for buying firearms in his past.
“I come, like New Hampshire, from a very, very rural state” Bernie explained. “In Vermont, until last ... two years ago, we had virtually no gun control legislation at all. I represented that perspective.”
He continued that “The world has changed and my views have changed.”
“The bottom line is that I will not be intimidated by the NRA,” he concluded. “We’re going to run the gun policy that the American people want.
However, Biden continued to hit Sanders on his track record, slamming him for voting against the ability to sue gun manufacturers, and the Brady Bill That mandated federal background checks on firearm purchasers.
"Think of all of the thousands and thousands of people who died!" Biden declared. “While you were representing your constituency, in a gun state, in fact, all those folks in California, New York, Pennsylvania, they're getting killed by the thousands during that same period."
“We have to be held accountable for the things we did,” Biden continued.
-- Savannah Behrmann
Candidates show love for Bernie following Clinton criticism
Sanders' fellow candidates showed him some love when the moderates brought up 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's criticism of his track record, saying “Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done.”
Biden gave Sanders a quick side hug, the pair lightly laughing.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar on if Sen. Sanders would be able to get the support he needs from Republicans: "I like Bernie just fine. We actually have worked together on a number of things including pharmaceuticals." https://t.co/SX4bKxtFPe #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/LzzoIJz5QF — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 8, 2020
Klobuchar also quipped, “I like Bernie just fine!"
The two Senators then joked about whether it was the "Sanders-Klobuchar" amendment or "Klobuchar-Sanders" on a bill they worked on together
--Savannah Behrmann
Buttigieg avoids attacking Biden in moment of unity
Pete Buttigieg passed up a chance to attack Joe Biden over the issue of impeachment and the fact that Republicans are continuing to delve into Biden and his son’s activities in Ukraine. Buttigieg was asked if it’s risky for Democrats to nominate someone under investigation.
“No,” he said. “And we won’t let them change the subject.”
Buttigieg said he and Biden are competitors but “we’ve got to draw a line here.” Republicans’ efforts to turn a father against a son, he said, is the kind of dishonorable behavior that shows why Democrats need to win in November.
Biden thanked Buttigieg and agreed that Republicans are trying to create a diversion.
He brought up Trump’s firing today of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine policy officer on the National Security Counsel. The nation should give Vindman a medal, Biden said, not Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio talk show host honored by Trump at Tuesday’s State of the Union address.
Biden encouraged the audience to stand up and clap for Vindman. That’s who we are, Biden said, and it’s not what Trump is.
-- Maureen Groppe
Steyer questions Buttigieg's ability to go ‘toe-to-toe’ with Trump
Businessman Tom Steyer, who is polling near the bottom of the field, took on Pete Buttigieg, who is surging following his strong showing in Iowa.
“The issue here … is not about who has the best health care plan. All the health care plans are better. A million times better,” Steyer said. “The question is who can go toe-to-toe with Mr. Trump. Who can take down Mr. Trump because he’s the real threat to the country.”
“And let me say you have to have experience to take him down,” Steyer continued, directing his criticism to the 38-year-old, former South Bend, Indiana, mayor. “This is not a question of ‘he’s nice guy who’s going to listen.’ We need people with experience that’s why I’m worried about Mayor Pete. You need to be able to go toe- to-toe with this guy and take him down or we’re going to lose.”
Buttigieg responded he can win based on his military service and his experience running an industrial Midwest city that is “the exact kind of community that (Trump) pretends to speak for but turns is back on.”
“If we want to beat this president we’ve got to be ready to move on form the playbook we’ve relied on in the past,’ Buttigieg said. “And unify this country around a new and better vision.”
Steyer is also running an ad this week in New Hampshire calling Buttigieg an "untested newcomer."
-- Ledyard King
Senators highlight Romney’s 'courage' after impeachment trial
Sen. Amy Klobuchar dismissed former mayor Pete Buttigieg’s assertion that non-Washington experience is best for “meeting the moment” for the White House, highlighting the experience and “courage” that came from the Senate impeachment trial.
“We had a moment these past few weeks, mayor, and that moment was these impeachment hearings” Klobuchar said. “There was courage that you saw from only a few people.”
“There was courage from Doug Jones, our friend of Alabama, who took that tough vote. There was courage from Mitt Romney, who took a very, very difficult vote [on impeachment],” Klobuchar said, highlighting that Buttigieg said the trials were exhausting to watch.
Sen. Mitt Romney was the sole GOP vote for convicting Trump on one count earlier this week, while Sen. Doug Jones was considered a potential swing vote serving in a staunchly red state.
The other senators on the stage also mentioned Romney’s vote Friday night.
Warren stated that “all-but-one” of her GOP colleagues “locked arms” by voting for acquittal. Sanders declared Republicans knew “Donald Trump is a crook” but didn’t have the “guts, with the exception of Romney, to vote against him.”
--Savannah Behrmann
Andrew Yang says throwing presidents in jail is not an 'American tradition'
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang said that he is not opposed of presidents being investigated, but there should be limits to it and “you have to see what the facts are on the ground after you assume office.”
The question came after Sen. Elizabeth Warren was asked whether investigating President Donald Trump is the best way to unify the country. Warren said she believes that no one is above the law.
“We need to reestablish the rule of law in this country,” Warren said.
Yang was asked about his past comments where he said that a leader “throwing a past president before them in jail” is not the way things are done in the United States.
“Does that mean that any alleged conduct by the president or his administration should not be investigated?” said moderator Linsey Davis.
Yang said that “countries that have thrown past presidents into jail have generally been developing countries.”
“Unfortunately that’s a pattern that once you establish is very, very hard to break,” he said. “What’s a more American tradition, we move the country forward, we don’t focus on the mistakes of the president leaving office.”
-- Rebecca Morin
Biden, Sanders spar on Medicare for All — again
Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed Sen. Bernie Sanders for his signature policy, Medicare for All, saying that the Vermont senator has yet to say how he is going to pay for it.
“Bernie says you have to bring people together and we have to have Medicare for All,” Biden said. “And he says he wrote the damn thing, but he’s unwilling to say what the damn thing is going to cost.”
Biden claims that Sanders has said “we’ll figure it out later” in terms of how much his bill will cost. Biden also doubted that Sanders could get Medicare for All passed, noting that he “busted my neck” to get the Affordable Care Act passed.
Sanders, however, said that “if we do what Joe wants,” the United States will spend $50 trillion over the next 10 years.
“We are spending twice as much per capita on health care as do the people of any other country,” Sanders said. “Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the health care industry last year made $100 billion dollars in profit.”
Sanders said that Medicare for All would same the American people “substantial sums of money.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar also piled on, saying Medicare for All does not have widespread support like Sanders has said it does.
“I keep listening to the same debate, and it’s not real,” she said, adding that two-thirds of the Democrats in the Senate have yet to sign onto Sanders’ bill.
-- Rebecca Morin
The debate over old vs. new
Pete Buttigieg made the case for generational change, arguing for a perspective that will leave behind the “politics of the past” and turn the page.
Joe Biden had a wide grin on his face when Buttigieg said he’s not the right candidate if voters are looking for the person with the most Washington establishment experience. But he is if they want a different perspective.
“The politics of the past were not all that bad,” Biden responded. He mentioned legislation he worked on to ban chemical weapons and fight violence against women. He also touted his early support for same sex marriage.
“I don’t know what about the past of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is so bad,” Biden said.
Buttigieg countered that the last Democratic administration was successful because it “met the moment.”
“Now we have to meet this moment, and this moment is different,” he said.
-- Maureen Groppe
Sanders: Trump ‘lies all the time’
Bernie Sanders was asked if Democrats should fret if he wins the nomination given how President Donald Trump has already gone after the Vermont senator who describes himself as a democratic socialist.
“Those hits are going to keep coming if you’re the nominee,” moderator George Stephanopoulos asked the senator. “Why shouldn’t Democrats be worried?”
“Because Donald Trump lies all the time,” Sanders retorted. “He will say terrible things about Joe (Biden). He has (said) ugly, disgusting things about Elizabeth (Warren).”
“At the end of the day … everybody up here is united,” Sanders continued. “No matter who wins this damn thing, we’re all going to stand together to defeat Donald Trump.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar raised her hand when the candidates were asked who would be afraid of a socialist running as the party’s candidate in November.
"I think we are not going to be able to out-divide the divider in chief, and I think we need someone to head up this ticket that actually brings people with her, instead of shutting them out” Klobuchar answered, continuing that, "Donald Trump's worst nightmare is a candidate who will bring people in from the middle."
-- Ledyard King and Savannah Behrmann
Buttigieg goes after Sanders
Pete Buttigieg wasted no time drawing a distinction between himself and Sen. Bernie Sanders, saying Democrats must unite the country, not divide it by saying “if you don’t go all the way to the end, it doesn’t count.”
Are you talking about Sanders? he was asked.
“Yes,” Buttigieg replied.
Sanders disputed the description.
“Needless to say, I’ve never said that,” he responded.
Sanders said the way to bring people together is with an agenda that works for working people, not billionaires.
Before the debate, Sanders had accused Buttigieg of being beholden to wealthy donors.
-- Maureen Groppe
Biden says he probably won’t win New Hampshire
In the opening minute of the debate, former Vice President Joe Biden – already stinging from a poor showing in Iowa – acknowledged he also probably won’t do well in New Hampshire Tuesday.
“I’ll probably take a hit here,” Biden said.
He pointed to the fact that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won New Hampshire in 2016 and represents a neighboring state.
Biden said he considers not just Iowa and New Hampshire, but also Nevada and South Carolina, to be the “starting point” for the nominating contest. Biden is counting on his strong support from African American voters to do well in subsequent states.
The question that prompted his response was why he has criticized Sanders and Pete Buttigieg as too risky to be the nominee when they won Iowa.
Biden said that Sanders’ label of Democratic Socialist would hurt other Democrats lower on the ballot. And Buttigieg, Biden said, is a great guy and a patriot but is the former mayor of a small city who hasn’t shown he can attract a “broad spectrum of support.”
-- Maureen Groppe
Will verbal punches be thrown?
And now for the recurring question before each debate: Who will throw the most punches and which candidate will be the biggest target?
When former Vice President Joe Biden was perceived as the frontrunner as the debates began last year, California Sen. Kamala Harris went after his record on busing. In the long run, the attack didn’t help Harris, who dropped out in December. And Biden’s poor showing in Iowa means he may go after the top Iowa finishers.
Biden did that Wednesday in New Hampshire when he suggested both Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg were risky choices. Biden said Sanders’ identification as a Democratic Socialist would make it harder for Democrats farther down on the ballot to win. Buttigieg is a dicey choice, Biden said, because he’s never held an office higher than mayor of a small city.
Friday, Sanders accused Buttigieg of being beholden to rich donors.
"I like Pete Buttigieg, nice guy," Sanders said at an event in New Hampshire. "But we are in a moment where billionaires control not only our economy but our political life."
His campaign started promoting #PetesBillionaires on Twitter.
-- Maureen Groppe
Key milestone: A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats. Here's what we know
Veterans courting veterans
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who did not qualify for tonight’s debate stage, is trying to get the attention of viewers in another way.
Gabbard launched an ad Friday morning promising to bring “a soldier’s values” to the White House: dignity, honor, respect and service.
In her underdog campaign, Gabbard has been focusing most of her attention on New Hampshire. The state has a disproportionate share of veterans, which could help the Army veteran. But she’s not the only candidate with military experience.
VoteVets, the political action committee that backs liberal veterans running for office, has run ads in New Hampshire supporting Pete Buttigieg, a former Navy officer.
On Thursday, Buttigieg held a “conversation with New Hampshire veterans” at an American Legion Post in Merrimack.
-- Maureen Groppe
Candidates show force in walk up to event space
Andrew Yang may be trailing distantly in the polls, but his campaign did turn out the most young enthusiasts on the two-lane road leading to Saint Anselm College, waving signs and encouraging drivers in passing cars to honk their support. No. 2 in the highway straw poll were Elizabeth Warren supporters, chanting “L! I! Z!” The presence required a certain amount of commitment, given the freezing rain that was falling. (It is New Hampshire, after all, and in February.)
The media filing center, set up in a gym, was set up with work spaces for 414 journalists, plus a dozen TV crews lined up along one wall.
-- Susan Page
New Hampshire voters are independent in more ways than one
Democrats may not be the only New Hampshire voters paying close attention to tonight’s debate. The state allows independents – voters not registered as Democrats or Republicans – to participate in Tuesday’s primary. And “unaffilated” voters make up the biggest chunk of the electorate.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won independents in his 2016 primary race against Hillary Clinton. But more moderate candidates -- like former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar – are targeting disaffected Republicans who’ve become independents. And outsider candidates like Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and entrepreneur Andrew Yang could also grab some of the independent vote away from Sanders this time.
New Hampshire is independent in another way as well. The state has a reputation for going its own way by delivering surprises to the frontrunner. It famously made Bill Clinton the “Comeback Kid” when he finished second place during a turbulent stretch of his 1992 campaign. And just when it looked like Barack Obama had a straight shot to the nomination with his 2008 win in Iowa, New Hampshire Democrats gave the victory to Hillary Clinton instead.
When Clinton was the frontrunner for the 2016 nomination, however, New Hampshire voters flocked to Sanders.
The latest Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk poll released Thursday shows Sanders at 24% with Buttigieg close behind at 23%. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the choice of 13% and Biden was picked by 11%. No other candidate was in double digits.
In an NBC News/Marist poll released hours before the debate, Sanders led with 25%, Buttigieg got 21%, Warren had 14% and Biden was at 13%.
-- Maureen Groppe
Who will be on stage and what's at stake
With the chaos of the Iowa caucuses (mostly) in the rear-view mirror, the top candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination appear on stage tonight for a debate in New Hampshire four days before the Granite State holds the first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday.
New Hampshire could be the moment where Iowa's top finishers – former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders – separate themselves from the pack. Or where Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden regain their footing after third and fourth places finishes in Iowa, respectively.
It could also mark the end of the line for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang. Klobuchar out-performed her polling in Iowa but still walked away with only 1 national delegate. Yang left Iowa with 0.
The candidates' order on stage was determined not by the Iowa results but by averaging the results of polls taken nationally and in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
That put Biden in the center, flanked by Sanders and Warren. They're sharing the stage with Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Yang and businessman Tom Steyer.
Yang, who was absent from the Iowa debate last month, met the qualifications for New Hampshire which included polling and donor thresholds.
More: In New Hampshire primary, could Pete Buttigieg end Joe Biden’s 50-year political career?
Moderators include George Stephanopoulos, "World News Tonight" Anchor, ABC Managing Editor David Muir and ABC News Live Anchor Linsey Davis. Joining them will be WMUR-TV Political Director Adam Sexton and WMUR-TV News Anchor Monica Hernandez.
The focus on New Hampshire could be welcome news for Democrats who saw the Senate acquit President Donald Trump Wednesday and watched as Iowa's caucuses disintegrated into confusion following multiple issues that delayed election results.


usatoday--2020-02-08--Elizabeth Warren apologizes to 6 women of color who left Nevada office

DERRY , N.H. — Elizabeth Warren is apologizing to six women of color who left her presidential campaign office in Nevada before the state 's caucuses because they felt marginalized and because their concerns were n't addressed by supervisors .
“ I believe these women completely and without reservation .
And I apologize that they have had a bad experience on this campaign , '' the Massachusetts senator told reporters after an event in Derry , New Hampshire , on Thursday night .
“ I tried to build a campaign and an organization that is diverse and welcoming , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring their whole selves to work every single day , ” she said .
Politico reported that six women have left Warren 's campaign office since November .
Nevada holds its Democratic caucuses on Feb. 22 .
Campaigning in New Hampshire for the state 's Feb. 11 primary , Warren said she understands “ the long legacy of racism in this country and what it means , how it creates power dynamics and inequities that are toxic and dangerous and that 's why we need to be constantly vigilant and determined to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this , and I 'm working with my team to address theses concerns , '' she added .
Asked what specifically she could do to address them , she said , “ I want to create enough space in our offices to make sure that we 're hearing from everyone and to determine where there may be concerns .
”

Elizabeth Warren apologizes to 6 women of color who left Nevada office
Show Caption Hide Caption Warren uses Iowa speech to blast Trump Elizabeth Warren said the results of the Iowa caucus are “too close to call” and instead used much of a speech at her caucus party in Des Moines to criticize President Donald Trump. (Feb. 4) AP
DERRY, N.H. — Elizabeth Warren is apologizing to six women of color who left her presidential campaign office in Nevada before the state's caucuses because they felt marginalized and because their concerns weren't addressed by supervisors.
“I believe these women completely and without reservation. And I apologize that they have had a bad experience on this campaign," the Massachusetts senator told reporters after an event in Derry, New Hampshire, on Thursday night.
“I tried to build a campaign and an organization that is diverse and welcoming, that celebrates people, that encourages people to bring their whole selves to work every single day,” she said.
Politico reported that six women have left Warren's campaign office since November. Nevada holds its Democratic caucuses on Feb. 22.
Campaigning in New Hampshire for the state's Feb. 11 primary, Warren said she understands “the long legacy of racism in this country and what it means, how it creates power dynamics and inequities that are toxic and dangerous and that's why we need to be constantly vigilant and determined to do better.”
“I take personal responsibility for this, and I'm working with my team to address theses concerns," she added.
Asked what specifically she could do to address them, she said, “I want to create enough space in our offices to make sure that we're hearing from everyone and to determine where there may be concerns.”


usatoday--2020-02-09--'I'm not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele': Graham fears Giuliani evidence is Russian p

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham on Sunday advised caution before accepting the evidence that President Donald Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani has claimed to have amassed in Ukraine against former Vice President Joe Biden .
The South Carolina Republican said on CBS News ' `` Face the Nation '' that there are legitimate questions about whether Hunter Biden 's position on the board of Burisma Holdings , a Ukrainian energy company , posed a conflict of interest for his father , whom former President Barack Obama had tasked with tackling corruption in Ukraine .
`` But if Rudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ukraine , he needs to turn it over to the Department of Justice because it could be Russian propaganda , '' Graham said .
In Fox News appearances on Saturday and Sunday , Giuliani claimed to have evidence he described as a `` smoking gun '' proving the Bidens were complicit in bribery and money laundering relating to Burisma .
But Graham said , `` any documents coming out of the Ukraine against any American –Republican or Democrat – need to be looked at by the intelligence services . ''
`` Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiddle . ''
Last week , Trump was acquitted on two articles of impeachment stemming from allegations that he conducted a pressure campaign , with Giuliani as point man , to get Ukraine to announce investigations in Burisma and a conspiracy theory related to the 2016 election , which said Ukraine and not Russia was behind the theft of Democratic National Committee emails .
During her testimony in the impeachment inquiry , former National Security Council official Fiona Hill said the latter theory was a `` fictional narrative '' that had been created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine and 2016 : Why Trump 's Senate GOP allies are pushing accusations of Ukraine election meddling Graham said Attorney General William Barr told him in a phone call Sunday that the Department of Justice had created a process to verify the documents Giuliani said he obtained in Ukraine .
`` I called the attorney general this morning and Richard Burr , the chairman of the Intel Committee , and they told me , 'Take very cautiously anything coming out of the Ukraine against anybody , ' '' Graham said .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CBS News show , which he referred to as , `` DeFace the Nation , '' Trump said Graham `` must start up Judiciary and not stop until the job is done .
Clean up D.C. now , last chance ! ''
`` I think what he 's talking about is oversight of the FISA warrant system that failed , '' Graham said when asked about the president 's tweet .
He repeated his previous pledge to hold hearings on the FBI applications for surveillance warrants related to the 2016 campaign under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , a report from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz identified 17 inaccuracies in requests to wiretap former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page in 2016 and 2017 .
Among those inaccuracies were exaggerations of the reliability of a dossier compiled by former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele .
`` How could you issue four warrants against an American citizen based on information that was unreliable ? ''
Graham wondered .
`` But here 's what I want to tell the president : I 'm not going to be the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Christopher Steele was played by the Russians that started the Russian investigation against President Trump .
It was all garbage .
I do n't want to do the same thing . ''
Graham said he wanted to tell Trump that `` that the Russians are still up to it , '' in terms of election interference and spreading disinformation .
`` Deterrence is not working . ''
`` If he 's watching the show , here 's what I would tell the president : I ’ m going to get to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was an abuse of power of the Department of Justice , the FBI .
And we 're to make sure that Hunter Biden ’ s conflict of interest is explored because it 's legitimate , '' he said .
`` But when it comes to documents coming out of the Ukraine – to Republicans and Democrats – be very cautious . ''
Graham did not always advocate such caution when it came to Giuliani 's allegations .
Graham and other lawmakers who defended Trump 's actions have said evidence like that acquired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be concerned about corruption in Ukraine .
In October , when the impeachment inquiry was just getting underway , Graham invited Giuliani to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his `` disturbing allegations . ''
Graham repeated his invitation during a Dec. 15 appearance on `` Face the Nation , '' saying , `` If Rudy wants to come to the Judiciary Committee and testify about what he found , he 's welcome to do so . ''
But by the end of December , Graham was less enthusiastic , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information with me , '' Graham told The Daily Beast regarding Giuliania 's purported evidence .
Graham said then that his advice to Giuliani was to take what he had to the intelligence community `` to make sure it ’ s not Russia propaganda . ''
`` I ’ m very suspicious of what the Russians are up to all over the world , '' he said .
Since then , Graham has said hearings related to Burisma and the 2016 election would be under the purview of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee which he heads .

'I'm not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele': Graham fears Giuliani evidence is Russian propaganda
Show Caption Hide Caption Take a peek at the notes senators took during the impeachment trial During the hours of arguments in the Senate impeachment trial, Senators took notes of the proceedings. Now you can see what they were wrote. USA TODAY
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham on Sunday advised caution before accepting the evidence that President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani has claimed to have amassed in Ukraine against former Vice President Joe Biden.
Graham said Attorney General William Barr told him in a phone call Sunday that the Department of Justice had created a process to verify the documents Giuliani obtained in Ukraine.
The South Carolina Republican said on CBS News' "Face the Nation" that there are legitimate questions about whether Hunter Biden's position on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, posed a conflict of interest for his father, whom former President Barack Obama had tasked with tackling corruption in Ukraine.
"But if Rudy Giuliani has any information coming out of the Ukraine, he needs to turn it over to the Department of Justice because it could be Russian propaganda," Graham said.
In Fox News appearances on Saturday and Sunday, Giuliani claimed to have evidence he described as a "smoking gun" proving the Bidens were complicit in bribery and money laundering relating to Burisma.
But Graham said, "any documents coming out of the Ukraine against any American –Republican or Democrat – need to be looked at by the intelligence services."
"Because Russia is playing us all like a fiddle."
Last week, Trump was acquitted on two articles of impeachment stemming from allegations that he conducted a pressure campaign, with Giuliani as point man, to get Ukraine to announce investigations in Burisma and a conspiracy theory related to the 2016 election, which said Ukraine and not Russia was behind the theft of Democratic National Committee emails.
During her testimony in the impeachment inquiry, former National Security Council official Fiona Hill said the latter theory was a "fictional narrative" that had been created and promoted by Russian intelligence operatives.
Ukraine and 2016: Why Trump's Senate GOP allies are pushing accusations of Ukraine election meddling
Trump's Ukraine phone call: U.S. and Ukraine relationship, explained U.S. and Ukraine relations go further back than the now infamous phone call between Trump and Zelensky. We explain their relationship. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
"I called the attorney general this morning and Richard Burr, the chairman of the Intel Committee, and they told me, 'Take very cautiously anything coming out of the Ukraine against anybody,'" Graham said.
In a tweet ahead of Graham's appearance on the CBS News show, which he referred to as, "DeFace the Nation," Trump said Graham "must start up Judiciary and not stop until the job is done. Clean up D.C. now, last chance!"
"I think what he's talking about is oversight of the FISA warrant system that failed," Graham said when asked about the president's tweet. He repeated his previous pledge to hold hearings on the FBI applications for surveillance warrants related to the 2016 campaign under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
In December, a report from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz identified 17 inaccuracies in requests to wiretap former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page in 2016 and 2017. Among those inaccuracies were exaggerations of the reliability of a dossier compiled by former British intelligence agent Christopher Steele.
FISA fallout: FBI outlines surveillance reforms after searing rebuke from court, DOJ inspector general
"How could you issue four warrants against an American citizen based on information that was unreliable?" Graham wondered.
"But here's what I want to tell the president: I'm not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele," Graham added. "Christopher Steele was played by the Russians that started the Russian investigation against President Trump. It was all garbage. I don't want to do the same thing."
Graham said he wanted to tell Trump that "that the Russians are still up to it," in terms of election interference and spreading disinformation. "Deterrence is not working."
"If he's watching the show, here's what I would tell the president: I’m going to get to the bottom of the FISA work process because it was an abuse of power of the Department of Justice, the FBI. And we're to make sure that Hunter Biden’s conflict of interest is explored because it's legitimate," he said. "But when it comes to documents coming out of the Ukraine – to Republicans and Democrats – be very cautious."
Graham did not always advocate such caution when it came to Giuliani's allegations. Graham and other lawmakers who defended Trump's actions have said evidence like that acquired by Giuliani gave the president legitimate reasons to be concerned about corruption in Ukraine.
In October, when the impeachment inquiry was just getting underway, Graham invited Giuliani to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his "disturbing allegations."
Graham repeated his invitation during a Dec. 15 appearance on "Face the Nation," saying, "If Rudy wants to come to the Judiciary Committee and testify about what he found, he's welcome to do so."
But by the end of December, Graham was less enthusiastic.
"He has not shared any of that information with me," Graham told The Daily Beast regarding Giuliania's purported evidence. Graham said then that his advice to Giuliani was to take what he had to the intelligence community "to make sure it’s not Russia propaganda."
"I’m very suspicious of what the Russians are up to all over the world," he said.
Since then, Graham has said hearings related to Burisma and the 2016 election would be under the purview of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee or Intelligence Committee rather than the Judiciary Committee which he heads.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson and Kristine Phillips
Trump, Russia and Ukraine: Five presidential conspiracy theories debunked


usatoday--2020-02-10--Buttigieg picks up another delegate in new IDP tally; Sanders wants 'partial recanvass'

DES MOINES — Pete Buttigieg widened his lead in the Iowa caucuses Sunday when the Iowa Democratic Party updated results for 55 of 1,765 precincts .
In new projections , Buttigieg would be awarded 14 national delegates , up from 13 delegates in previous allotments ; U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont would be awarded 12 national delegates .
Sanders ' campaign plans to ask state party officials for a `` partial recanvass '' of results , a Sanders aide confirmed Sunday night ahead of Monday 's deadline for such requests .
A recanvass is not a recount , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the results were added correctly .
The Associated Press has said it is unable to declare a Democratic caucus winner because it believes the results may not be fully accurate and are still subject to potential revision .
Sunday 's new tallies came after presidential campaigns were asked to submit '' documentary evidence '' of inconsistencies in caucus precinct results .
The party corrected results when the numbers reported by the party did not match the precinct 's official results .
Buttigieg now leads Sanders with about 564.3 state delegate equivalents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson Mandy McClure said officials do not expect further updates to the results .
Note : This graphic includes data from the Associated Press and does not reflect the most recent data published by the Iowa Democratic Party .
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price said Friday that the party could n't always correct errors in the caucus math because the submitted final numbers , signed by caucus precinct chairs and campaign representatives at the site , are legally binding .
`` The math worksheet is actually a legal document , '' Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's signed by the precinct chair and the precinct captains , the campaign representatives in those precincts .
And so we are not allowed to change that .
We have to report out what 's reported to us . ''
The Des Moines Register and other media outlets also found inconsistencies and errors with some reported results .
The campaigns asked for 95 precincts to be reviewed .
Only 55 precincts saw revisions either because the party did n't find issues it could revise , or there were multiple review requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's nominee is formally chosen at the national convention .
In an advisory issued Sunday , the Associated Press said it remains unable to declare a winner .
`` The Associated Press has reviewed updated results of the Iowa caucuses provided Sunday evening by the Iowa Democratic Party and has decided that it remains unable to declare a winner based on the available information , '' the advisory states .
`` The results , AP continues to believe , may not be fully accurate and are still subject to potential revision . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence the party may not have accurately tabulated some of its results , including those released late Sunday following a series of revisions , '' the statement continued . ''
`` Further , candidates have until 1 p.m .
ET on Monday to request a recanvass , a deadline that was extended by the party from Friday .
A recanvass is not a recount , but a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly . ''
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 515-284-8361 .

Buttigieg picks up another delegate in new IDP tally; Sanders wants 'partial recanvass'
Show Caption Hide Caption Iowa caucus: Sanders and Buttigieg split the winnings It was a tight race for Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Bernie Sanders as the final numbers were released in the 2020 Iowa Caucus. USA TODAY
DES MOINES — Pete Buttigieg widened his lead in the Iowa caucuses Sunday when the Iowa Democratic Party updated results for 55 of 1,765 precincts.
In new projections, Buttigieg would be awarded 14 national delegates, up from 13 delegates in previous allotments; U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont would be awarded 12 national delegates.
Sanders' campaign plans to ask state party officials for a "partial recanvass" of results, a Sanders aide confirmed Sunday night ahead of Monday's deadline for such requests. A recanvass is not a recount, but a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly.
The Associated Press has said it is unable to declare a Democratic caucus winner because it believes the results may not be fully accurate and are still subject to potential revision.
Sunday's new tallies came after presidential campaigns were asked to submit "documentary evidence" of inconsistencies in caucus precinct results. The party corrected results when the numbers reported by the party did not match the precinct's official results.
Buttigieg now leads Sanders with about 564.3 state delegate equivalents to Sanders' 561.5. Iowa Democratic Party spokesperson Mandy McClure said officials do not expect further updates to the results.
Note: This graphic includes data from the Associated Press and does not reflect the most recent data published by the Iowa Democratic Party.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price said Friday that the party couldn't always correct errors in the caucus math because the submitted final numbers, signed by caucus precinct chairs and campaign representatives at the site, are legally binding.
"The math worksheet is actually a legal document," Price said at a Friday press conference. "It's signed by the precinct chair and the precinct captains, the campaign representatives in those precincts. And so we are not allowed to change that. We have to report out what's reported to us."
Super PACs explained: How big money is affecting US elections Super PACs are some of the biggest players in American politics. Here's how they affect elections in the U.S. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Des Moines Register and other media outlets also found inconsistencies and errors with some reported results.
The campaigns asked for 95 precincts to be reviewed. Only 55 precincts saw revisions either because the party didn't find issues it could revise, or there were multiple review requests for the same precinct.
The party's nominee is formally chosen at the national convention.
In an advisory issued Sunday, the Associated Press said it remains unable to declare a winner.
"The Associated Press has reviewed updated results of the Iowa caucuses provided Sunday evening by the Iowa Democratic Party and has decided that it remains unable to declare a winner based on the available information," the advisory states."The results, AP continues to believe, may not be fully accurate and are still subject to potential revision."
"However, there is still some evidence the party may not have accurately tabulated some of its results, including those released late Sunday following a series of revisions," the statement continued."
"Further, candidates have until 1 p.m. ET on Monday to request a recanvass, a deadline that was extended by the party from Friday. A recanvass is not a recount, but a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly."
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register. Reach him at ncoltrain@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8361.


usatoday--2020-02-10--West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin responds to Trump calling him 'weak & corrupt' over impeachment vote

Sen. Joe Manchin defended his vote to convict President Donald Trump on the two articles of impeachment approved by the House after the president attacked him on social media as `` weak '' and `` pathetic . ''
`` Can ’ t say I mind the fact that the great people of West Virginia are furious at their puppet Democrat Senator , Joe Manchin , '' Trump tweeted Saturday night without elaborating on how he had determined the people of Manchin 's state were upset .
`` They will never forget his phony vote on the Impeachment Hoax , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat has worked harder in a bipartisan way in the hopes that you would succeed , '' said Manchin , a moderate Democrat in pro-Trump West Virginia , in response to the president 's attacks .
The president was impeached on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from allegations he used miliary aid to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations for his political benefit .
Soon after the allegations surfaced in September , Trump released a readout from a July 25 phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proved he did nothing wrong .
Trump has repeatedly posted tweets calling on people to `` read the transcript '' but Democrats said the phone call – in which he asks Zelensky for a `` favor '' – actually proves Trump 's guilt .
`` All he had to do is read the Transcripts , sadly , which he wouldn ’ t understand anyway , '' Trump said of Manchin in his tweet on Saturday .
On Sunday , Trump mocked Manchin as `` Senator Joe Munchkin '' and repeated his insult of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He could n't understand the transcripts . ''
Read the transcript : The summary of President Trump 's July 25 call with Ukraine president '' I ’ ve read the transcripts thoroughly & listened to the witnesses under oath , '' Manchin replied .
`` Where I come from a person accused defends themselves with witnesses and evidence , '' he added , referring to the White House 's refusal to cooperate with the investigation and its order for administration officials not to testify .
Manchin was one of a handful of Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquittal .
A Democrat from a state that Trump won by 40 percentage points , Manchin has bucked his party before and was the only Democrat to vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
`` I am truly struggling with this decision and will come to a conclusion reluctantly , '' Manchin said two days before the impeachment vote .
He even suggested a vote to censure Trump instead of removing him .
But that proposal was quickly rejected by Republicans and all Democrats , including Manchin , voted to convict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchin by taking credit for one of his legislative accomplishments , which protected a coal miners ' union pension fund from insolvency .
`` I got the Pension Bill approved , Manchin could n't do it , '' Trump tweeted , in an apparent reference to the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 , which Manchin introduced in November .
The bill , which protected the pensions about 100,000 retired coal miners , was passed as an addition to the $ 1.37 trillion spending package approved in December .
Manchin tweeted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has worked day & night for the last 5 years to secure their healthcare & pensions & it wasn ’ t you . ''
Since his acquittal , Trump has aggressively criticized those who voted for his removal and has conflated the impeachment process with the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as part of a conspiracy against him .
He has attacked his opponents as `` evil '' and `` scum , '' and has fired administration officials who testified against him in the impeachment inquiry .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dingell , D-Mich. , whose husband , former Rep. John Dingell , died last year .
He said Dingell called him after her husband 's death , `` tears flowing , '' to thank him for `` rolling out the maximum 'Red Carpet , ' '' and implied she acted ungratefully by voting for his impeachment .
In her previous replies to the president 's attacks , Dingell said she was thankful the president ordered flags lowered to half staff to honor her late husband .
But she denied asking for any special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War II veteran , had earned the honors he was given .
'Some things should be off-limits ' : Dingell calls for civility after Trump 's attack on late husband Trump has touted recent polling as evidence that his acquittal was a political win that will sweep his opponents away .
Manchin and Romney are up for reelection in 2024 .
On Saturday night , Trump shared a clip of Fox News host Jeanine Pirro calling for Romney to be `` removed from office . ''
`` How about you get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Pirro said in the clip shared by the president .
`` The people in Utah are furious with you , and your dream of endearing yourself to the Trump-hating left is a joke . ''
On Sunday , Trump claimed in his tweets that Romney , like Manchin , did not read the transcript .
`` Romney hurt some very good Republican Senators , and he was wrong about the Impeachment Hoax .
No clue ! ''
in response to Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley Strassel 's assertion that Romney had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his speech on the Senate floor explaining how he planned to vote , Romney said Trump 's dealings with Ukraine were far from `` perfect . ''
`` No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security interests , and our fundamental values , '' Romney said .
He said that many people had called him and texted him to vote with this fellow Republicans , but he said he could not `` ignore the evidence that has been presented , and disregard what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of me for the sake of a partisan end . ''
`` I am aware that there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision , and in some quarters , I will be vehemently denounced .
I am sure to hear abuse from the President and his supporters , '' Romney said .
`` Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me ? ''
Contributing : Bart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; The Associated Press

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin responds to Trump calling him 'weak & corrupt' over impeachment vote
Show Caption Hide Caption Manchin: Censure may be alternative to impeachment Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia says he is heavily weighing his vote in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump and suggested censure may be a bipartisan alternative. (Feb. 3) AP
Sen. Joe Manchin defended his vote to convict President Donald Trump on the two articles of impeachment approved by the House after the president attacked him on social media as "weak" and "pathetic."
"Can’t say I mind the fact that the great people of West Virginia are furious at their puppet Democrat Senator, Joe Manchin," Trump tweeted Saturday night without elaborating on how he had determined the people of Manchin's state were upset.
"They will never forget his phony vote on the Impeachment Hoax," Trump's tweet continued.
"No Democrat has worked harder in a bipartisan way in the hopes that you would succeed," said Manchin, a moderate Democrat in pro-Trump West Virginia, in response to the president's attacks.
Can’t say I mind the fact that the great people of West Virginia are furious at their puppet Democrat Senator, Joe Manchin. They will never forget his phony vote on the Impeachment Hoax. All he had to do is read the Transcripts, sadly, which he wouldn’t understand anyway..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020
...But, just like the people of West Virginia will no longer look at weak & pathetic Joe Manchin the same (I got the Pension Bill approved, Manchin couldn’t do it), the wonderful people of Utah will never look at “grandstander” Mitt Romney with anything but contempt & disgust! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020
The president was impeached on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from allegations he used miliary aid to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations for his political benefit.
Soon after the allegations surfaced in September, Trump released a readout from a July 25 phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he says was "perfect" and proved he did nothing wrong. Trump has repeatedly posted tweets calling on people to "read the transcript" but Democrats said the phone call – in which he asks Zelensky for a "favor" – actually proves Trump's guilt.
"All he had to do is read the Transcripts, sadly, which he wouldn’t understand anyway," Trump said of Manchin in his tweet on Saturday.
On Sunday, Trump mocked Manchin as "Senator Joe Munchkin" and repeated his insult of Manchin's intelligence, tweeting, "He couldn't understand the transcripts."
Read the transcript: The summary of President Trump's July 25 call with Ukraine president
They are really mad at Senator Joe Munchkin in West Virginia. He couldn’t understand the Transcripts. Romney could, but didn’t want to! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020
"I’ve read the transcripts thoroughly & listened to the witnesses under oath," Manchin replied.
"Where I come from a person accused defends themselves with witnesses and evidence," he added, referring to the White House's refusal to cooperate with the investigation and its order for administration officials not to testify.
I’ve read the transcripts thoroughly & listened to the witnesses under oath. Where I come from a person accused defends themselves with witnesses and evidence. — Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) February 9, 2020
Manchin was one of a handful of Democratic senators who indicated they might vote for acquittal. A Democrat from a state that Trump won by 40 percentage points, Manchin has bucked his party before and was the only Democrat to vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"I am truly struggling with this decision and will come to a conclusion reluctantly," Manchin said two days before the impeachment vote. He even suggested a vote to censure Trump instead of removing him. But that proposal was quickly rejected by Republicans and all Democrats, including Manchin, voted to convict the president.
Trump also went after Manchin by taking credit for one of his legislative accomplishments, which protected a coal miners' union pension fund from insolvency.
"I got the Pension Bill approved, Manchin couldn't do it," Trump tweeted, in an apparent reference to the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019, which Manchin introduced in November. The bill, which protected the pensions about 100,000 retired coal miners, was passed as an addition to the $1.37 trillion spending package approved in December.
Manchin tweeted that the people of West Virginia "know exactly who has worked day & night for the last 5 years to secure their healthcare & pensions & it wasn’t you."
Pres. Trump - no Democrat has worked harder in a bipartisan way in the hopes that you would succeed. The people of WV know exactly who has worked day & night for the last 5 years to secure their healthcare & pensions & it wasn’t you. — Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) February 9, 2020
Since his acquittal, Trump has aggressively criticized those who voted for his removal and has conflated the impeachment process with the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as part of a conspiracy against him. He has attacked his opponents as "evil" and "scum," and has fired administration officials who testified against him in the impeachment inquiry.
The president also repeated his attacks on Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., whose husband, former Rep. John Dingell, died last year. He said Dingell called him after her husband's death, "tears flowing," to thank him for "rolling out the maximum 'Red Carpet,'" and implied she acted ungratefully by voting for his impeachment.
In her previous replies to the president's attacks, Dingell said she was thankful the president ordered flags lowered to half staff to honor her late husband. But she denied asking for any special treatment and said her husband, a World War II veteran, had earned the honors he was given.
'Some things should be off-limits': Dingell calls for civility after Trump's attack on late husband
Trump has touted recent polling as evidence that his acquittal was a political win that will sweep his opponents away.
Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s Impeachment Hoax has lifted Republican Congressional Polls (she lost the House once before!), and my Polls, WAY UP, which was expected, but it has had a great effect on Republican Senate races, including North Carolina, Kentucky, Colorado and Arizona. Thanks! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020
Manchin and Romney are up for reelection in 2024.
On Saturday night, Trump shared a clip of Fox News host Jeanine Pirro calling for Romney to be "removed from office."
"How about you get the hell out of the United States Senate?" Pirro said in the clip shared by the president. "The people in Utah are furious with you, and your dream of endearing yourself to the Trump-hating left is a joke."
On Sunday, Trump claimed in his tweets that Romney, like Manchin, did not read the transcript.
"Romney hurt some very good Republican Senators, and he was wrong about the Impeachment Hoax. No clue!" in response to Wall Street Journal columnist Kimberley Strassel's assertion that Romney had hurt GOP senators facing tough reelection fights.
Romney hurt some very good Republican Senators, and he was wrong about the Impeachment Hoax. No clue! https://t.co/J6rtaZYYxD — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020
In his speech on the Senate floor explaining how he planned to vote, Romney said Trump's dealings with Ukraine were far from "perfect."
"No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security interests, and our fundamental values," Romney said. He said that many people had called him and texted him to vote with this fellow Republicans, but he said he could not "ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end."
"I am aware that there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision, and in some quarters, I will be vehemently denounced. I am sure to hear abuse from the President and his supporters," Romney said. "Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me?"
Contributing: Bart Jansen and Christal Hayes, USA TODAY; The Associated Press