usatoday--2020-02-10--Americans divided on Trump's acquittal, but majority wanted Senate to call witnesses, poll finds

WASHINGTON – Americans remain almost evenly divided over the impeachment of President Donald Trump after his acquittal in the Senate , though most found the Senate impeachment trial to be unfair , according to a Monmouth University poll released Monday .
Forty-nine percent said they agreed with the Senate vote to acquit Trump on the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from allegations that he used military aid to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations for his own political benefit .
And 47 % disapproved of the Senate 's vote to acquit .
Independent voters were almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -45 % , while 92 % of Republicans approved of the vote and 84 % of Democrats did not .
While more Americans favored Trump 's acquittal , a majority ( 51 % ) agreed with the Dec. 18 House vote to impeach him , compared to 46 % who disapproved of the impeachment vote .
`` We went into the impeachment process with a sharply divided public and we come out of it with a sharply divided public , '' said Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 56 % of Republicans – thought Trump did nothing wrong to warrant impeach in the first place .
But another 30 % said `` some of his actions were improper , but they did not rise to the level of impeachment . ''
And 46 % – including 89 % of Democrats – said Trump 's `` actions were definitely grounds for impeachment . ''
A majority also thought it was time to put the impeachment investigation to rest .
Although 59 % disapproved of the Senate 's decision not to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial was not conducted fairly , only 43 % said the House should continue to investigate the Ukraine affair by calling additional witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton .
Fifty-one percent said it was time to end the investigation .
And 52 % ( including 89 % of Republicans ) said it was time to end all House investigations on potentially impeachable offenses , while 44 % ( including 77 % of Democrats ) said the House should continue to investigate in its oversight role .
“ Where you fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of party loyalty now .
The majority of Republicans seem to side with Trump ’ s claim that his Ukraine call was perfect . ''
Murray said .
`` There is not a huge appetite , except among Democrats , to keep the impeachment flame alive at this point .
Most Americans say it is time to move on . ''
The impeachment did not have a positive impact on Americans ' belief in democracy .
Only 6 % said watching the process increased their faith in the U.S. system of government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts .
Another 43 % said the impeachment did n't change their outlook one way or another .
The poll was conducted from Feb. 6-9 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points .

Americans divided on Trump's acquittal, but majority wanted Senate to call witnesses, poll finds
Show Caption Hide Caption 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
WASHINGTON – Americans remain almost evenly divided over the impeachment of President Donald Trump after his acquittal in the Senate, though most found the Senate impeachment trial to be unfair, according to a Monmouth University poll released Monday.
Forty-nine percent said they agreed with the Senate vote to acquit Trump on the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from allegations that he used military aid to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations for his own political benefit. And 47% disapproved of the Senate's vote to acquit.
Independent voters were almost split, approving of acquittal 48%-45%, while 92% of Republicans approved of the vote and 84% of Democrats did not.
While more Americans favored Trump's acquittal, a majority (51%) agreed with the Dec. 18 House vote to impeach him, compared to 46% who disapproved of the impeachment vote.
"We went into the impeachment process with a sharply divided public and we come out of it with a sharply divided public," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Twenty-two percent of the respondents overall – and 56% of Republicans – thought Trump did nothing wrong to warrant impeach in the first place. But another 30% said "some of his actions were improper, but they did not rise to the level of impeachment." And 46% – including 89% of Democrats – said Trump's "actions were definitely grounds for impeachment."
Gordon Sondland: Ambassador ousted after Trump Senate acquittal President Donald Trump fired two high-profile impeachment witnesses on Friday - a national security adviser and a prominent ambassador. USA TODAY, Wochit
A majority also thought it was time to put the impeachment investigation to rest.
Although 59% disapproved of the Senate's decision not to call witnesses and 58% said the Senate trial was not conducted fairly, only 43% said the House should continue to investigate the Ukraine affair by calling additional witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton. Fifty-one percent said it was time to end the investigation.
And 52% (including 89% of Republicans) said it was time to end all House investigations on potentially impeachable offenses, while 44% (including 77% of Democrats) said the House should continue to investigate in its oversight role.
“Where you fall on impeachment may be a litmus test of party loyalty now. The majority of Republicans seem to side with Trump’s claim that his Ukraine call was perfect." Murray said. "There is not a huge appetite, except among Democrats, to keep the impeachment flame alive at this point. Most Americans say it is time to move on."
The impeachment did not have a positive impact on Americans' belief in democracy. Only 6% said watching the process increased their faith in the U.S. system of government, while 48% said it increased their doubts. Another 43% said the impeachment didn't change their outlook one way or another.
The poll was conducted from Feb. 6-9 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.


usatoday--2020-02-10--Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg campaigns both request Iowa caucus results recanvass

DES MOINES — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders submitted Monday a list of 25 precincts and three satellite caucus locations he wants reviewed , arguing if corrected it could tilt national delegates at stake in his favor .
The Iowa Democratic Party set a deadline of noon Monday for a recanvass request .
It extended the deadline to request a recanvass after a cascade of events — from a malfunctioning reporting app and overwhelmed call center to apparent errors in the data — delayed a release of preliminary results until several days after the caucus itself .
`` While a recanvass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and we don ’ t expect it to change the current calculations , it is a necessary part of making sure Iowans can trust the final results of the caucus , ” Bernie 2020 senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement .
“ Our volunteers and supporters worked too hard , and too many people participated for the first time to have the results depend on calculations that even the party admits are incorrect .
Once the recanvass and a subsequent recount are completed in these precincts , we feel confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegate our volunteers and grassroots donors earned . ''
After Sanders campaign made the request , a similar request came in from former mayor Pete Buttigieg 's campaign .
MORE : Inside the Iowa Democratic Party 's 'boiler room , ' where 'hell ' preceded the results catastrophe The preliminary results reported by the party show Buttigieg with a narrow lead over Sanders in state delegate equivalents and delegates to the Democratic National Convention , where the party 's presidential nominee will be formally selected this summer .
Buttigieg said in his letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that his recanvass request is based on reporting discrepancies , calculation/math errors and a reporting and calculation error in how state delegate equivalents were awarded to in-state satellite caucuses .
State delegate equivalents , or SDEs , are used to calculate the winner of Iowa 's Democratic caucus .
In his letter , Buttigieg acknowledged that the Sanders campaign planned to seek an audit .
Since the Democrats ' rules say the party will only recanvass precincts for which it has requests , `` we are compelled to submit a recanvass request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sanders campaign , mathematical errors and inconsistencies in tabulations give Buttigieg too many state delegates and Sanders too few — enough to make a difference in the ultimate Iowa winner .
`` These errors and inconsistencies are ripe for review because their correction would change the national delegate allocation by moving , at a minimum , one ( national pledged ) delegate from Mayor Buttigieg to my campaign , '' Sanders wrote in a letter to Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price .
Between Sanders ' and Buttigieg 's campaigns , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 85 of Iowa 's nearly 1,700 precincts .
A recanvass is a hand-audit of caucus math worksheets and reporting forms to ensure they were tallied and reported correctly .
However , Price has said that the final results reported by precinct chairs — even with glaring errors in the underlying math — are legally binding , limiting what changes the party can make .
MORE : Iowa caucus 2020 : What is a recanvass ?
How is it different than a recount ?
`` The math worksheet is actually a legal document , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . ''
The Iowa Democratic Party has 48 hours to accept or reject the request .
If it accepts the campaign 's request , it will give an anticipated timeline for review and estimated cost to the candidate for the review .
That would almost certainly move back final results from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results of New Hampshire 's second-in-the-nation contest , a primary election , are known .
The New Hampshire vote is on Tuesday .
The Associated Press , used by multiple news organizations to call election winners , has said since Feb. 3 caucus that the Iowa race was too close to call .
On Monday , a week after Iowans caucuses , it still could not determine a winner .
`` Even when the vote count in Iowa does come to an end , it may not be fully accurate , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor at AP who oversees the cooperative 's coverage of polling and elections .
`` We continue to see irregularities in the results provided by the Iowa Democratic Party and unless they are resolved , we will remain unable to call the race . ''
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register .
Reach him at ncoltrain @ registermedia.com or at 515-284-8361 .

Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg campaigns both request Iowa caucus results recanvass
Show Caption Hide Caption Watch: The three things that led to the Iowa caucus disaster Three things led to a disastrous caucus night for Democrats. The Des Moines Register
DES MOINES — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders submitted Monday a list of 25 precincts and three satellite caucus locations he wants reviewed, arguing if corrected it could tilt national delegates at stake in his favor.
The Iowa Democratic Party set a deadline of noon Monday for a recanvass request. It extended the deadline to request a recanvass after a cascade of events — from a malfunctioning reporting app and overwhelmed call center to apparent errors in the data — delayed a release of preliminary results until several days after the caucus itself.
"While a recanvass is just the first step in the process and we don’t expect it to change the current calculations, it is a necessary part of making sure Iowans can trust the final results of the caucus,” Bernie 2020 senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement. “Our volunteers and supporters worked too hard, and too many people participated for the first time to have the results depend on calculations that even the party admits are incorrect. Once the recanvass and a subsequent recount are completed in these precincts, we feel confident we will be awarded the extra national delegate our volunteers and grassroots donors earned."
After Sanders campaign made the request, a similar request came in from former mayor Pete Buttigieg's campaign.
MORE: Inside the Iowa Democratic Party's 'boiler room,' where 'hell' preceded the results catastrophe
Iowa caucus: Just how much influence does it have on the primary? The Iowa caucus is sure to be competitive this year. But what makes caucuses different from primaries? Just the FAQs
The preliminary results reported by the party show Buttigieg with a narrow lead over Sanders in state delegate equivalents and delegates to the Democratic National Convention, where the party's presidential nominee will be formally selected this summer.
Buttigieg said in his letter, obtained by the Des Moines Register, that his recanvass request is based on reporting discrepancies, calculation/math errors and a reporting and calculation error in how state delegate equivalents were awarded to in-state satellite caucuses. State delegate equivalents, or SDEs, are used to calculate the winner of Iowa's Democratic caucus.
In his letter, Buttigieg acknowledged that the Sanders campaign planned to seek an audit. Since the Democrats' rules say the party will only recanvass precincts for which it has requests, "we are compelled to submit a recanvass request of our own."
According to the Sanders campaign, mathematical errors and inconsistencies in tabulations give Buttigieg too many state delegates and Sanders too few — enough to make a difference in the ultimate Iowa winner.
"These errors and inconsistencies are ripe for review because their correction would change the national delegate allocation by moving, at a minimum, one (national pledged) delegate from Mayor Buttigieg to my campaign," Sanders wrote in a letter to Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price.
Between Sanders' and Buttigieg's campaigns, the party has received requests to recanvass about 85 of Iowa's nearly 1,700 precincts.
A recanvass is a hand-audit of caucus math worksheets and reporting forms to ensure they were tallied and reported correctly. However, Price has said that the final results reported by precinct chairs — even with glaring errors in the underlying math — are legally binding, limiting what changes the party can make.
MORE: Iowa caucus 2020: What is a recanvass? How is it different than a recount?
"The math worksheet is actually a legal document," Price said at a Friday news 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."
The Iowa Democratic Party has 48 hours to accept or reject the request. If it accepts the campaign's request, it will give an anticipated timeline for review and estimated cost to the candidate for the review.
That would almost certainly move back final results from Iowa's first-in-the-nation nominating contest to after the results of New Hampshire's second-in-the-nation contest, a primary election, are known. The New Hampshire vote is on Tuesday.
The Associated Press, used by multiple news organizations to call election winners, has said since Feb. 3 caucus that the Iowa race was too close to call. On Monday, a week after Iowans caucuses, it still could not determine a winner.
"Even when the vote count in Iowa does come to an end, it may not be fully accurate," said David Scott, a deputy managing editor at AP who oversees the cooperative's coverage of polling and elections. "We continue to see irregularities in the results provided by the Iowa Democratic Party and unless they are resolved, we will remain unable to call the race."
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--Total of U.S. troops wounded in Iranian missile strikes tops 100

WASHINGTON – More than 100 U.S. troops have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury from last month 's Iranian missile attack on a base in Iraq , the Pentagon announced Monday .
The number of troops wounded by the explosions at the Ain al-Assad base has risen dramatically since the Jan. 8 ballistic missile attacks .
Initial reports , cited by President Donald Trump , indicated there were no casualties from the missile strike , which was launched in response to the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
A week later , the Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traumatic brain injury .
By Jan. 31 , the number had risen to 64 .
As of Monday , 109 troops have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury , and 76 of them have returned to duty .
“ The Defense Department is steadfast in its efforts to deliver programs and services intended to lead to the best possible outcomes for our service members , ” said Alyssa Farah , Pentagon press secretary .
The number could change if more troops come forward with symptoms , according to a Pentagon statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 troops had been diagnosed with brain injuries .
Ain al-Assad is located about 100 miles west of Baghdad and housed about 1,500 U.S. and coalition troops at the time of the attack .
The symptoms of traumatic brain injury are not always readily evident .
Headaches , dizziness , memory loss and fatigue may manifest themselves days or weeks after the event .
Explosions generate changes in air pressure that can damage the brain , and the closer troops are to a blast , the more vulnerable they are .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downplaying the significance of traumatic brain injury .
U.S. commanders knew about the Iranian missile launches in advance and had scattered troops to bunkers .
The initial assessment of the attack , in which 11 ballistic missiles struck the base , showed damage to some structures and equipment but no life-threatening casualties .
The lack of U.S. fatalities and the apparent absence of casualties calmed tensions between the U.S. and Iran .

Total of U.S. troops wounded in Iranian missile strikes tops 100
Show Caption Hide Caption Brain injuries in Iraq shows 'unseen wounds of war' Brain injuries in Iraq shows 'unseen wounds of war' AP
WASHINGTON – More than 100 U.S. troops have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury from last month's Iranian missile attack on a base in Iraq, the Pentagon announced Monday.
The number of troops wounded by the explosions at the Ain al-Assad base has risen dramatically since the Jan. 8 ballistic missile attacks. Initial reports, cited by President Donald Trump, indicated there were no casualties from the missile strike, which was launched in response to the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
A week later, the Pentagon acknowledged 11 troops were being treated for traumatic brain injury. By Jan. 31, the number had risen to 64. As of Monday, 109 troops have been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury, and 76 of them have returned to duty.
“The Defense Department is steadfast in its efforts to deliver programs and services intended to lead to the best possible outcomes for our service members,” said Alyssa Farah, Pentagon press secretary.
The number could change if more troops come forward with symptoms, according to a Pentagon statement.
Reuters was first to report that more than 100 troops had been diagnosed with brain injuries.
Ain al-Assad is located about 100 miles west of Baghdad and housed about 1,500 U.S. and coalition troops at the time of the attack.
The symptoms of traumatic brain injury are not always readily evident. Headaches, dizziness, memory loss and fatigue may manifest themselves days or weeks after the event. Explosions generate changes in air pressure that can damage the brain, and the closer troops are to a blast, the more vulnerable they are.
Trump was criticized by veterans' organizations for downplaying the significance of traumatic brain injury.
U.S. commanders knew about the Iranian missile launches in advance and had scattered troops to bunkers. The initial assessment of the attack, in which 11 ballistic missiles struck the base, showed damage to some structures and equipment but no life-threatening casualties.
The lack of U.S. fatalities and the apparent absence of casualties calmed tensions between the U.S. and Iran.


usatoday--2020-02-10--California Department of Justice to investigate LAPD for falsifying gang database records

The California Department of Justice is investigating the Los Angeles Police Department 's use of CalGang — a criminal intelligence database used by law enforcement agencies across the state to identify and monitor alleged gang members — following reports that falsified or inaccurate records were submitted by officers in the agency 's Metropolitan Division .
The LAPD 's Internal Affairs division is conducting its own investigation and has already removed some officers from active duty .
“ Transparency and accountability are fundamental to effective policing , '' California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said .
`` Our state legislature recently entrusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As part of that oversight responsibility , we will take appropriate measures to hold accountable those who misuse the CalGang system.
” Along with the ongoing review of documents , body camera footage and other evidence used to include individuals in the gang database , Beccera said the DOJ also will look into how the LAPD oversees its officers use of the CalGang system and observe re-training so officers understand `` the legal and social consequences for individuals in our community who are entered in the database . ''
Possible misuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the mother of a young man identified as a gang member petitioned for his removal .
After a review of the evidence used against him , a supervisor found inaccuracies in the documentation and removed the young man from the database .
An investigation into three officers who have since been removed from the field is underway , and more inaccuracies have since been discovered .
Becerra declined to say how many officers are involved , saying that the information will be made available when the investigations are concluded .
Until then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing new oversight procedures that include layers of review .
The decades-old secretive database has come under scrutiny before .
In 2016 , the California State Auditor issued a report that found that many entries were unjustified or unsubstantiated .
More than 70 % of juveniles entered into the database also were not notified of their inclusion , a violation of the regulations governing CalGang .
The database , filled with predominantly Latino and black men , has been criticized as a tool for racial profiling and its use has raised concerns over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relies on imprecise surveillance tools , including facial recognition technology , that has documented issues with misidentification — especially for people of color .
Still , law enforcement agencies across the country rely on similar databases as a tool to crack down on gangs .
According to the National Gang Center , 12 states have statutes in place to govern use .
In 2017 , California lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 90 , which put oversight and enforcement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and charged the agency with issuing key reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system are still being proposed and reviewed and will aim to protect individuals ' rights and public safety .
For now , he said the DOJ is working with the LAPD to ensure better accountability , but that enforcement actions could be taken in the future depending on the findings of the state 's investigations , and that access to the database could be revoked .
“ As we learn more we may need to do more , ” Becerra said .
“ We in law enforcement are making judgments about people based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So it is imperative that the people and agencies entering that information are held accountable for it . ''
Gabrielle Canon covers California for USA Today and Gannett .
You can reach her at gcanon @ gannett.com or on Twitter @ GabrielleCanon .

California Department of Justice to investigate LAPD for falsifying gang database records
The California Department of Justice is investigating the Los Angeles Police Department's use of CalGang — a criminal intelligence database used by law enforcement agencies across the state to identify and monitor alleged gang members — following reports that falsified or inaccurate records were submitted by officers in the agency's Metropolitan Division.
The LAPD's Internal Affairs division is conducting its own investigation and has already removed some officers from active duty.
“Transparency and accountability are fundamental to effective policing," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said. "Our state legislature recently entrusted oversight of the CalGang system to DOJ. As part of that oversight responsibility, we will take appropriate measures to hold accountable those who misuse the CalGang system.”
Along with the ongoing review of documents, body camera footage and other evidence used to include individuals in the gang database, Beccera said the DOJ also will look into how the LAPD oversees its officers use of the CalGang system and observe re-training so officers understand "the legal and social consequences for individuals in our community who are entered in the database."
Possible misuse of the system came to light in January after the mother of a young man identified as a gang member petitioned for his removal. After a review of the evidence used against him, a supervisor found inaccuracies in the documentation and removed the young man from the database. An investigation into three officers who have since been removed from the field is underway, and more inaccuracies have since been discovered.
Becerra declined to say how many officers are involved, saying that the information will be made available when the investigations are concluded. Until then, the LAPD will be tasked with developing new oversight procedures that include layers of review.
The decades-old secretive database has come under scrutiny before.
In 2016, the California State Auditor issued a report that found that many entries were unjustified or unsubstantiated. More than 70% of juveniles entered into the database also were not notified of their inclusion, a violation of the regulations governing CalGang.
The database, filled with predominantly Latino and black men, has been criticized as a tool for racial profiling and its use has raised concerns over privacy and free speech. The system relies on imprecise surveillance tools, including facial recognition technology, that has documented issues with misidentification — especially for people of color.
Still, law enforcement agencies across the country rely on similar databases as a tool to crack down on gangs. According to the National Gang Center, 12 states have statutes in place to govern use.
Like stories about the Golden State? Click here to get our In California newsletter in your inbox.
In 2017, California lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 90, which put oversight and enforcement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and charged the agency with issuing key reforms. Becerra said new regulations of the system are still being proposed and reviewed and will aim to protect individuals' rights and public safety.
For now, he said the DOJ is working with the LAPD to ensure better accountability, but that enforcement actions could be taken in the future depending on the findings of the state's investigations, and that access to the database could be revoked.
“As we learn more we may need to do more,” Becerra said. “We in law enforcement are making judgments about people based on the evidence in this system. So it is imperative that the people and agencies entering that information are held accountable for it."
Gabrielle Canon covers California for USA Today and Gannett. You can reach her at gcanon@gannett.com or on Twitter @GabrielleCanon.


usatoday--2020-02-10--'Oh, geez, I wonder how I did?': Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack wins $150,000 lottery prize

DES MOINES , Iowa – Former Gov .
Tom Vilsack is $ 150,000 richer after claiming a lottery prize Monday .
Vilsack won the money playing Powerball in January , when the jackpot climbed to about $ 347 million before the drawing Jan. 22 .
“ I forgot about the ticket , ” Vilsack said in a news release from the Iowa Lottery .
“ Then I woke up 10 days later , on a Saturday morning , and I said , ‘ Oh , geez , I wonder how I did ?
’ ” Vilsack served as governor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as the U.S. secretary of agriculture from 2009 to 2017 in President Barack Obama 's administration .
He is CEO of the U.S .
Dairy Export Council , whose parent company , the nonprofit Dairy Management , promotes milk and other dairy products .
Ten Dairy Management executives made more than $ 800,000 each in 2017 , even as more than 1,600 dairy farms closed nationwide , according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
In 2018 , Vilsack earned salary and bonuses totaling $ 930,090 , more than quadruple the $ 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Obama 's Cabinet , according to the Journal Sentinel .
Vilsack donated some of the proceeds to St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee , split some of the money with his two sons and used the rest to pay down his mortgage , he said .
In 2015 , he bought a home next door to one of his sons in Waukee .
A friend of his who served on his security team while he served as agriculture secretary was a regular lottery player and won a lottery prize in a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to joke about what we 'd do ( with lottery winnings ) , '' Vilsack said .
Vilsack plays regularly for fun when jackpots get above $ 250 million .
`` I do it primarily because I know it continues to support schools and other educational needs , infrastructure , '' Vilsack said .
`` Knowing full well that you 're never going to win . ''
Coronavirus:40,000 cases may be 'tip of the iceberg ' as death toll nears 1,000

‘Oh, geez, I wonder how I did?’: Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack wins $150,000 lottery prize
DES MOINES, Iowa – Former Gov. Tom Vilsack is $150,000 richer after claiming a lottery prize Monday.
Vilsack won the money playing Powerball in January, when the jackpot climbed to about $347 million before the drawing Jan. 22.
“I forgot about the ticket,” Vilsack said in a news release from the Iowa Lottery. “Then I woke up 10 days later, on a Saturday morning, and I said, ‘Oh, geez, I wonder how I did?’ ”
Vilsack served as governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007. He served as the U.S. secretary of agriculture from 2009 to 2017 in President Barack Obama's administration.
He is CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, whose parent company, the nonprofit Dairy Management, promotes milk and other dairy products.
Ten Dairy Management executives made more than $800,000 each in 2017, even as more than 1,600 dairy farms closed nationwide, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In 2018, Vilsack earned salary and bonuses totaling $930,090, more than quadruple the $200,000 salary he received as a member of President Obama's Cabinet, according to the Journal Sentinel.
Vilsack donated some of the proceeds to St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee, split some of the money with his two sons and used the rest to pay down his mortgage, he said. In 2015, he bought a home next door to one of his sons in Waukee.
A friend of his who served on his security team while he served as agriculture secretary was a regular lottery player and won a lottery prize in a similar way, Vilsack said.
"We used to joke about what we'd do (with lottery winnings)," Vilsack said.
Vilsack plays regularly for fun when jackpots get above $250 million.
"I do it primarily because I know it continues to support schools and other educational needs, infrastructure," Vilsack said. "Knowing full well that you're never going to win."
Follow reporter Philip Joens on Twitter @Philip_Joens.
More: Jackson State University president resigns after arrest in prostitution sting
Coronavirus: 40,000 cases may be 'tip of the iceberg' as death toll nears 1,000


usatoday--2020-02-10--Trump's budget reflects campaign priorities but abandons pledge to wipe out deficit in 10 years

WASHINGTON – Donald Trump promised during his presidential campaign in 2016 that he would wipe out the federal deficit in eight years .
When Trump submitted his fourth proposed budget to Congress on Monday , he abandoned that pledge , as he did in his three previous budget proposals .
The new budget proposal sets a 15-year target for eliminating the deficit .
Deficit hawks questioned whether the 15-year target that Trump spelled out is even attainable , arguing the administration ’ s budget relies on optimistic projections for economic growth and unlikely budget cuts to claim $ 4.6 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budgeting has become pretty much a joke in this country , where budgets are used as messaging documents and an excuse to trade insults , ” said Maya MacGuineas , president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget .
This year ’ s trillion-dollar deficit “ should cause us to rethink this dynamic , ” MacGuineas said .
“ The president and Congress should work to agree on national priorities and sound plans to pay for them .
Sure , it sounds like a pipe dream , but in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a given.
” Trump ’ s $ 4.89 trillion spending plan – the final budget of his first term in office – reads more like a 2020 campaign document than a spending plan that has any realistic chance of becoming law .
It proposes steep cuts in many domestic programs and increases in spending on the military and other programs that will appeal to Trump ’ s base as he campaigns for voters to return him to office for another four years .
The Trump blueprint calls for a 22 % cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for International Development ’ s budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 .
The Education Department 's budget would be slashed by $ 5.6 billion , or 7.8 % .
The Environmental Protection Agency 's budget would shrink by $ 2.4 billion , a 26 % cut that is sure to meet resistance from Democrats in Congress .
The Energy Department would see an 8.1 % cut , while Health and Human Services ' budget would be slashed by 10 % , and the Department of Housing and Urban Development 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military spending would jump by 0.3 % .
Homeland Security 's budget would rise by $ 1.6 billion , a 3.2 % increase .
NASA would see a 12 % increase , while Veterans Affairs would get a 14 % boost .
While Democrats control the House , Trump ’ s budget stands no chance of winning approval in Congress .
White House Budget Director Russ Vought acknowledged as much Monday , saying lawmakers ignored the president ’ s spending cut proposals for the past three years .
“ The first three budgets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Vought said the budget reflects Trump 's `` pro-growth '' economic policies while funding `` national priorities . ''
House Democrats signaled they have no plans to go along with Trump ’ s proposals .
“ The budget is a statement of values , and once again , the president is showing just how little he values the good health , financial security and well-being of hardworking American families , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
Rep. John Yarmuth , D-Ky. , chairman of the House Budget Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destructive and irrational budget.
” “ Congress will stand firm against this president ’ s broken promises and his disregard for the human cost of his destructive policies , ” he said .
Overall , Trump ’ s budget will seek $ 4.4 trillion in savings over a decade – $ 2 trillion of which would come from savings from entitlements , including $ 130 billion from changes to Medicare prescription drug pricing .
Democrats said that would amount to a half-a-trillion-dollar cut to Medicare , roughly $ 900 billion in cuts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Social Security .
Vought insisted Medicare and Medicaid would merely be reformed , not cut .
“ Reducing the cost of health care is not a cut , ” he said .
Trump made a similar argument , telling governors during a meeting Monday , “ We ’ re not touching Medicare .
... We ’ re not touching Social Security.
” Last month , Trump opened the door to overhauling entitlement programs such as Medicare , saying during a television appearance in Davos , Switzerland , that “ tremendous growth ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restructure such programs .
Entitlement cuts ?
Trump says he 'd 'take a look ' at changing entitlements such as Medicare The Trump administration projects economic growth of 3 % over the next several years .
The economy grew 2.3 % in 2019 , falling short of Trump ’ s promise of at least 3 % , according to data released last month by the Commerce Department .
Trump asks Congress for $ 2 billion for construction of a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico , one of his signature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is less than the $ 5 billion sought last year in border wall funding , a request that triggered a record-setting , 35-day government shutdown last winter after congressional Democrats refused to approve the money .
The $ 2 billion would build about 82 miles of wall , the latest contribution to the 1,000-mile project .
The administration 's request for the Justice Department is 2.3 % less than the current year , largely due to a $ 505 million cut for a prison that is no longer needed because the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also eliminate $ 244 million in annual funding for a program that reimburses state and local governments for incarcerating undocumented immigrants .
Much of the funding request will be allotted for violent crime prevention , immigration enforcement and human trafficking prosecution , as well as reentry programs under the First Step Act , a sentencing reform law that led to the release of 2,200 nonviolent inmates last year .
Trump proposes spending billions on health care , infrastructure , business loans and internet access in rural America , part of his constituency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the programs is $ 25 billion for a new “ Revitalizing Rural America ” grant program to help areas with broadband , transportation , water and road and bridge projects ; $ 614 million in funding for water and wastewater grants and loans ; and $ 690 million in loans to finance broadband infrastructure deployment of rural telecommunication facilities .
Money for rural America : Trump budget proposal pitches billions for rural America , a key constituency in 2020 Supporters of the programs Trump looks to cut warned of the consequences of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , sent a letter warning congressional leaders Friday that cuts to international affairs programs are “ out of touch with the reality around the world.
” “ This is a moment when more investment in diplomacy and development is needed , not less , ” Mullen wrote .
The Trump blueprint calls for slashing U.S. spending on global health programs by 34 % , which might draw particular ire amid the coronavirus outbreak .
“ At a time when we are faced with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration is doubling down on its efforts to gut the very programs needed to protect American lives , ” said Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
“ This is not just shortsighted , it ’ s actually dangerous.
” He said Congress would work across party lines to come up with “ a realistic and responsible budget ” that would not undermine American leadership in the world .
Republican strategist Rick Tyler , a frequent Trump critic , took issue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politically , with its proposed cuts to Medicare , Medicaid and Social Security – all programs Trump promised not to touch – it ’ s a gift to Democrats , '' he said .

Michael Collins and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump's budget reflects campaign priorities but abandons pledge to wipe out deficit in 10 years
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump says 'America is thriving' at Davos World Economic Forum President Donald Trump boasted about America's "economic boom" at an economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Donald Trump promised during his presidential campaign in 2016 that he would wipe out the federal deficit in eight years.
When Trump submitted his fourth proposed budget to Congress on Monday, he abandoned that pledge, as he did in his three previous budget proposals. The new budget proposal sets a 15-year target for eliminating the deficit.
Deficit hawks questioned whether the 15-year target that Trump spelled out is even attainable, arguing the administration’s budget relies on optimistic projections for economic growth and unlikely budget cuts to claim $4.6 trillion in deficit reduction.
“Frankly, budgeting has become pretty much a joke in this country, where budgets are used as messaging documents and an excuse to trade insults,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
This year’s trillion-dollar deficit “should cause us to rethink this dynamic,” MacGuineas said. “The president and Congress should work to agree on national priorities and sound plans to pay for them. Sure, it sounds like a pipe dream, but in the world’s largest economy, it should be a given.”
Trump’s $4.89 trillion spending plan – the final budget of his first term in office – reads more like a 2020 campaign document than a spending plan that has any realistic chance of becoming law.
It proposes steep cuts in many domestic programs and increases in spending on the military and other programs that will appeal to Trump’s base as he campaigns for voters to return him to office for another four years.
The Trump blueprint calls for a 22% cut to the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development’s budgets for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
The Education Department's budget would be slashed by $5.6 billion, or 7.8%. The Environmental Protection Agency's budget would shrink by $2.4 billion, a 26% cut that is sure to meet resistance from Democrats in Congress.
The Energy Department would see an 8.1% cut, while Health and Human Services' budget would be slashed by 10%, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's budget would shrink by 15.2%.
Military spending would jump by 0.3%. Homeland Security's budget would rise by $1.6 billion, a 3.2% increase. NASA would see a 12% increase, while Veterans Affairs would get a 14% boost.
While Democrats control the House, Trump’s budget stands no chance of winning approval in Congress. White House Budget Director Russ Vought acknowledged as much Monday, saying lawmakers ignored the president’s spending cut proposals for the past three years.
“The first three budgets have not moved in our direction,” he said.
Vought said the budget reflects Trump's "pro-growth" economic policies while funding "national priorities."
House Democrats signaled they have no plans to go along with Trump’s proposals.
“The budget is a statement of values, and once again, the president is showing just how little he values the good health, financial security and well-being of hardworking American families,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., chairman of the House Budget Committee, called the spending proposal “a destructive and irrational budget.”
“Congress will stand firm against this president’s broken promises and his disregard for the human cost of his destructive policies,” he said.
Overall, Trump’s budget will seek $4.4 trillion in savings over a decade – $2 trillion of which would come from savings from entitlements, including $130 billion from changes to Medicare prescription drug pricing.
Democrats said that would amount to a half-a-trillion-dollar cut to Medicare, roughly $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid and a $24 billion cut to Social Security.
Vought insisted Medicare and Medicaid would merely be reformed, not cut. “Reducing the cost of health care is not a cut,” he said.
Trump made a similar argument, telling governors during a meeting Monday, “We’re not touching Medicare. ... We’re not touching Social Security.”
Last month, Trump opened the door to overhauling entitlement programs such as Medicare, saying during a television appearance in Davos, Switzerland, that “tremendous growth” in the economy would make it easier to restructure such programs.
Entitlement cuts?Trump says he'd 'take a look' at changing entitlements such as Medicare
We will not be touching your Social Security or Medicare in Fiscal 2021 Budget. Only the Democrats will destroy them by destroying our Country’s greatest ever Economy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020
The Trump administration projects economic growth of 3% over the next several years. The economy grew 2.3% in 2019, falling short of Trump’s promise of at least 3%, according to data released last month by the Commerce Department.
Trump asks Congress for $2 billion for construction of a wall along the U.S. southern border with Mexico, one of his signature promises from his 2016 presidential campaign. That is less than the $5 billion sought last year in border wall funding, a request that triggered a record-setting, 35-day government shutdown last winter after congressional Democrats refused to approve the money. The $2 billion would build about 82 miles of wall, the latest contribution to the 1,000-mile project.
The administration's request for the Justice Department is 2.3% less than the current year, largely due to a $505 million cut for a prison that is no longer needed because the federal prison population is declining. The administration would also eliminate $244 million in annual funding for a program that reimburses state and local governments for incarcerating undocumented immigrants.
Much of the funding request will be allotted for violent crime prevention, immigration enforcement and human trafficking prosecution, as well as reentry programs under the First Step Act, a sentencing reform law that led to the release of 2,200 nonviolent inmates last year.
Trump proposes spending billions on health care, infrastructure, business loans and internet access in rural America, part of his constituency as he seeks reelection in November.
Among the programs is $25 billion for a new “Revitalizing Rural America” grant program to help areas with broadband, transportation, water and road and bridge projects; $614 million in funding for water and wastewater grants and loans; and $690 million in loans to finance broadband infrastructure deployment of rural telecommunication facilities.
Money for rural America: Trump budget proposal pitches billions for rural America, a key constituency in 2020
Supporters of the programs Trump looks to cut warned of the consequences of slashing their budgets.
Adm. Michael Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sent a letter warning congressional leaders Friday that cuts to international affairs programs are “out of touch with the reality around the world.”
“This is a moment when more investment in diplomacy and development is needed, not less,” Mullen wrote.
The Trump blueprint calls for slashing U.S. spending on global health programs by 34%, which might draw particular ire amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“At a time when we are faced with a global health threat with the coronavirus, the Trump administration is doubling down on its efforts to gut the very programs needed to protect American lives,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “This is not just shortsighted, it’s actually dangerous.”
He said Congress would work across party lines to come up with “a realistic and responsible budget” that would not undermine American leadership in the world.
Republican strategist Rick Tyler, a frequent Trump critic, took issue with the administration's budget proposal.
“Politically, with its proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security – all programs Trump promised not to touch – it’s a gift to Democrats," he said.
Contributing: Deirdre Shesgreen, Bart Jansen and Kristine Phillips


usatoday--2020-02-10--Buttigieg on NH primary eve: 'This is our chance'

Buttigieg on NH primary eve : 'This is our chance' A day before New Hampshire voters head to the polls @ @ @ @ @ nation primary , Pete Buttigieg spoke to voters in Plymouth to push his case for @ @ @ @ @ 's best shot at beating Donald Trump .
( Feb. 10 )

Buttigieg on NH primary eve: 'This is our chance'
A day before New Hampshire voters head to the polls for its first in the nation primary, Pete Buttigieg spoke to voters in Plymouth to push his case for why he's the Democrat's best shot at beating Donald Trump. (Feb. 10)
AP


usatoday--2020-02-10--'The story was democracy works': How the New Hampshire primary came to prominence

PORTSMOUTH , N.H. — It 's that magical week in New Hampshire , the one after the Iowa caucuses and before voters head to the polls to vote in the New Hampshire presidential primary .
But the primary is not always magical for those who claim victory in it .
Republican or Democrat , sometimes it 's the people who did n't actually win that experience more magic from the nation 's first election in the presidential race .
While the state has been celebrating the primary 's centennial this election cycle , the New Hampshire presidential primary actually has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to historian and documentarian John Gfroerer .
Gfroerer has produced several documentaries about New Hampshire 's political history , including `` The Premier Primary . ''
This winter , he 's presenting video-laden lectures about the primary 's history around the state as part of New Hampshire Humanities ' Humanities to Go program .
`` Before 1913 , the electoral process was more run out of backrooms by the political elite , '' Gfroerer said .
`` 1913 is when the state decided to bring it out of the backrooms and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the year the state Legislature passed and the governor signed a law to create a direct primary , open to all residents eligible to vote .
That 's the first primary birthday the state celebrated .
More : Joe Biden says he remains 'confident ' in his campaign ahead of New Hampshire primary However , the first presidential election year when this new law was in effect was 1916 .
So that 's why in 2016 , the state celebrated the 100th birthday of its first presidential primary .
In 1916 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after the Indiana primary and the same day as Minnesota .
When creating the new law about the primary , it was first decided it should be held in May of each presidential election year .
Later , on second thought , legislators amended the law , deciding it would be better to hold the primary on Town Meeting day , the second Tuesday in March , when all the towns around the state would be convening anyway .
This decision was based in Yankee frugality : It saved money to combine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
It 's not until the third primary birthday that we celebrate the part of the New Hampshire primary that is closest to state voters ' hearts — the fact New Hampshire votes first .
After the 1916 primaries , some states dropped their primaries because there was such a low voter turnout .
Indiana did n't but decided to move it to May .
Just by chance , the first year the New Hampshire primary occurred before other states ' primaries was 1920 .
This year is the centennial of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` first-in-the-nation . ''
More : 'Stakes are incredibly high ' : New Hampshire voters feel the pressure as primary looms But in 1920 , there were still no candidates ' names on the ballot .
New Hampshire voters were electing delegates to go to the Republic or the Democratic convention .
Voters did n't necessarily know which candidates the delegates would vote for at the conventions .
So voters were still somewhat cut out of the nomination process .
New Hampshire , being such a small state , did n't have many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence in the nomination was small .
In 1949 , N.H. Speaker of the House Richard Upton led the move to put the candidates ' names on the ballot and his legislation was successful .
So in the 1952 presidential primary , voters still voted on which delegates to send to the conventions , but they also voted separately for which candidate they wanted to be chosen as the nominee of their respective party at that party 's convention .
The direct vote on the candidates did n't have any result , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were feeling , and was reported widely around the nation .
There was also a lot of drama in both the Republican and Democratic fields of candidates that election year , and the results of the New Hampshire primary early in the process had an effect on the race .
Many have referred to the inconsequential vote directly on the candidates as just setting up `` a beauty contest , '' but it brought New Hampshire lots of attention and some sway , some influence in the presidential race .
That 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk , and the state still has a few years before celebrating that centennial .
More : Buttigieg picks up another delegate in new IDP tally ; Sanders wants 'partial recanvass' Two subsequent years that will most likely warrant centennial celebrations of their own include 1975 , when State Rep. Jim Splaine , D-Portsmouth , wrote the law allowing the secretary of state to set the primary date earlier than the March Election Day by seven days if necessary .
The law was later fine-tuned to fight off repeated challenges by other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important in the process .
The other is 1976 , when Democratic state Rep. Bill Gardner was elected secretary of state at age 28 .
A strong and staunch supporter of the New Hampshire primary 's first-in-the-nation status , he has been kept in office by both Democratic and Republican legislatures since then , and has been a force in maintaining the primary 's prominence .
Some of the drama of that 1952 presidential primary added to the New Hampshire primary 's cachet , according to Gfroerer .
In 1950 , Estes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had led a U.S. Senate committee investigating organized crime and held public hearings across the country .
`` People would go to movie theaters to watch the hearings being broadcasted , '' Gfroerer said .
`` He became the first TV political star . ''
Kefauver decided to run for the Democratic Party 's nomination in the 1952 presidential election and he came early to New Hampshire to campaign for the primary .
He would stop anywhere , participate in any activity , to get the chance to shake voters ' hands and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Kefauver made himself human and accessible , '' Gfroerer said , creating for the first time the retail politics the state 's primary has made famous .
Because he was so popular , coverage of his campaigning in New Hampshire was published and broadcast nationwide .
Kefauver won in a huge victory in the New Hampshire primary , defeating President Harry S. Truman , the sitting president of the United States .
Truman then withdrew his bid for re-election .
He won 12 of the 15 primaries in 1952 and received 3.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very powerful and Illinois Gov .
Adlai Stevenson , who got only 78,000 votes , became the party 's nominee .
In 1956 , Kefauver again sought the Democratic presidential nomination and in the New Hampshire primary defeated Stevenson .
But his campaign weakened in subsequent primary battles .
He eventually received the nomination for vice president on the Stevenson ticket , which was defeated by President Dwight Eisenhower .
Still , especially during the 1952 New Hampshire primary campaign , Kefauver brought some of the flavor and character that the primary still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featured his campaign stops and gave him enough momentum to discourage an incumbent president from running for re-election .
`` New Hampshire was accessible , and a great visual , '' Gfroerer said of how the Kefauver campaign first brought the national media to spend time in the state 's rural towns .
`` It was the peak of the Cold War , we became part of propaganda of democracy . ''
Despite the many battles to come to maintain the primary 's first-in-the-nation status , and though Kefauver and many who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president by magically winning here , that early coverage cemented the New Hampshire primary in the country 's election process .
`` The story was democracy works , '' Gfroerer said .
`` It showed this is why it 's great to be a democracy . ''

‘The story was democracy works’: How the New Hampshire primary came to prominence
Show Caption Hide Caption 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
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — It's that magical week in New Hampshire, the one after the Iowa caucuses and before voters head to the polls to vote in the New Hampshire presidential primary.
But the primary is not always magical for those who claim victory in it. Republican or Democrat, sometimes it's the people who didn't actually win that experience more magic from the nation's first election in the presidential race.
While the state has been celebrating the primary's centennial this election cycle, the New Hampshire presidential primary actually has four birthdays, not just one, according to historian and documentarian John Gfroerer.
Gfroerer has produced several documentaries about New Hampshire's political history, including "The Premier Primary." This winter, he's presenting video-laden lectures about the primary's history around the state as part of New Hampshire Humanities' Humanities to Go program.
"Before 1913, the electoral process was more run out of backrooms by the political elite," Gfroerer said. "1913 is when the state decided to bring it out of the backrooms and put it on the ballot."
That was the year the state Legislature passed and the governor signed a law to create a direct primary, open to all residents eligible to vote. That's the first primary birthday the state celebrated.
More: Joe Biden says he remains 'confident' in his campaign ahead of New Hampshire primary
However, the first presidential election year when this new law was in effect was 1916. So that's why in 2016, the state celebrated the 100th birthday of its first presidential primary.
In 1916, the New Hampshire primary was held a week after the Indiana primary and the same day as Minnesota. When creating the new law about the primary, it was first decided it should be held in May of each presidential election year. Later, on second thought, legislators amended the law, deciding it would be better to hold the primary on Town Meeting day, the second Tuesday in March, when all the towns around the state would be convening anyway. This decision was based in Yankee frugality: It saved money to combine the two for both citizens and town officials.
It's not until the third primary birthday that we celebrate the part of the New Hampshire primary that is closest to state voters' hearts — the fact New Hampshire votes first.
After the 1916 primaries, some states dropped their primaries because there was such a low voter turnout. Indiana didn't but decided to move it to May. Just by chance, the first year the New Hampshire primary occurred before other states' primaries was 1920. This year is the centennial of the first time the New Hampshire primary was "first-in-the-nation."
More: 'Stakes are incredibly high': New Hampshire voters feel the pressure as primary looms
But in 1920, there were still no candidates' names on the ballot. New Hampshire voters were electing delegates to go to the Republic or the Democratic convention. Voters didn't necessarily know which candidates the delegates would vote for at the conventions. So voters were still somewhat cut out of the nomination process. New Hampshire, being such a small state, didn't have many delegates at the conventions and so its influence in the nomination was small.
In 1949, N.H. Speaker of the House Richard Upton led the move to put the candidates' names on the ballot and his legislation was successful. So in the 1952 presidential primary, voters still voted on which delegates to send to the conventions, but they also voted separately for which candidate they wanted to be chosen as the nominee of their respective party at that party's convention. The direct vote on the candidates didn't have any result, but it set up to know how voters were feeling, and was reported widely around the nation.
There was also a lot of drama in both the Republican and Democratic fields of candidates that election year, and the results of the New Hampshire primary early in the process had an effect on the race. Many have referred to the inconsequential vote directly on the candidates as just setting up "a beauty contest," but it brought New Hampshire lots of attention and some sway, some influence in the presidential race.
That's the fourth birthday Gfroerer referred to in his talk, and the state still has a few years before celebrating that centennial.
More: Buttigieg picks up another delegate in new IDP tally; Sanders wants 'partial recanvass'
Two subsequent years that will most likely warrant centennial celebrations of their own include 1975, when State Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth, wrote the law allowing the secretary of state to set the primary date earlier than the March Election Day by seven days if necessary. The law was later fine-tuned to fight off repeated challenges by other states as election reforms made the state primaries more important in the process.
The other is 1976, when Democratic state Rep. Bill Gardner was elected secretary of state at age 28. A strong and staunch supporter of the New Hampshire primary's first-in-the-nation status, he has been kept in office by both Democratic and Republican legislatures since then, and has been a force in maintaining the primary's prominence.
Some of the drama of that 1952 presidential primary added to the New Hampshire primary's cachet, according to Gfroerer.
In 1950, Estes Kefauver, a U.S. senator from Tennessee had led a U.S. Senate committee investigating organized crime and held public hearings across the country. "People would go to movie theaters to watch the hearings being broadcasted," Gfroerer said. "He became the first TV political star."
Kefauver decided to run for the Democratic Party's nomination in the 1952 presidential election and he came early to New Hampshire to campaign for the primary. He would stop anywhere, participate in any activity, to get the chance to shake voters' hands and garner press attention for his campaign.
"Kefauver made himself human and accessible," Gfroerer said, creating for the first time the retail politics the state's primary has made famous. Because he was so popular, coverage of his campaigning in New Hampshire was published and broadcast nationwide. Kefauver won in a huge victory in the New Hampshire primary, defeating President Harry S. Truman, the sitting president of the United States. Truman then withdrew his bid for re-election. He won 12 of the 15 primaries in 1952 and received 3.1 million votes. But delegates were still very powerful and Illinois Gov. Adlai Stevenson, who got only 78,000 votes, became the party's nominee.
In 1956, Kefauver again sought the Democratic presidential nomination and in the New Hampshire primary defeated Stevenson. But his campaign weakened in subsequent primary battles. He eventually received the nomination for vice president on the Stevenson ticket, which was defeated by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Still, especially during the 1952 New Hampshire primary campaign, Kefauver brought some of the flavor and character that the primary still has today. Newsreels of the day featured his campaign stops and gave him enough momentum to discourage an incumbent president from running for re-election.
"New Hampshire was accessible, and a great visual," Gfroerer said of how the Kefauver campaign first brought the national media to spend time in the state's rural towns. "It was the peak of the Cold War, we became part of propaganda of democracy."
Despite the many battles to come to maintain the primary's first-in-the-nation status, and though Kefauver and many who have followed in his footsteps didn't become president by magically winning here, that early coverage cemented the New Hampshire primary in the country's election process.
"The story was democracy works," Gfroerer said. "It showed this is why it's great to be a democracy."


usatoday--2020-02-10--Buttigieg gets the most delegates, while Sanders leads vote total in Iowa caucus

It was a tight race for Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Bernie Sanders as the final numbers were released in @ @ @ @ @

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


usatoday--2020-02-10--AG William Barr: DOJ reviewing Ukraine information on Bidens provided by Rudy Giuliani

WASHINGTON – Attorney General William Barr acknowledged Monday that the Justice Department is evaluating information from Ukraine provided by Rudy Giuliani , President Donald Trump 's personal attorney who has sought to tar Trump rival Joe Biden and revive a discredited theory that Ukraine , not Russia , interfered in the 2016 election .
Barr said the Justice Department has an obligation to assess the information , but he did not elaborate on the nature of the review .
Any information related to Ukraine should be treated with caution , he said , referring to rampant corruption and Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's point man in Ukraine .
In addition to stoking the discredited theory that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential election , he has sought damaging information about Biden , who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination .
Giuliani and Trump allies have claimed Biden improperly used his position as vice president to help his son , Hunter Biden , who was a highly-compensated board member of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma Holdings .
No evidence has emerged to support that claim .
The view from Ukraine : Trump 's conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young democracy battles corruption and distrust Giuliani ’ s efforts were aided by Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , Soviet-born businessmen and Republican donors who helped him meet with former Ukrainian prosecutors and other officials .
The three urged the ouster of Marie Yovanovitch , who at the time was the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
During an April 2018 meeting Trump held with campaign donors , Parnas alleged , without citing evidence , that Yovanovitch had predicted Trump would be impeached well before House investigators launched their impeachment inquiry last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal , though she remained in the job for a year longer .
Yovanovitch denied any such disloyalty when she testified in the impeachment inquiry last year .
The middleman : How Lev Parnas joined Team Trump and became Rudy Giuliani 's fixer in Ukraine Parnas , Fruman and two business associates were indicted in October on charges of scheming to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to U.S. political candidates and committees .
The scheme involved an unidentified Ukrainian businessman and an unidentified Russian national who provided funding , the indictment charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty .
Parnas broke ranks with Giuliani and Trump after he was arrested , providing records , photos and other documents to House investigators during the Trump impeachment hearing .
The material included a letter from Giuliani requesting a meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Giuliani wrote the letter as he sought damaging information on Biden , telling Zelensky he was acting “ in my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent.
” However , the meeting never took place .
Barr 's disclosure came a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , acknowledged he had discussed Giuliani 's material with Barr and Sen. Richard Burr , R-N.C. , chairman of the Intelligence Committee .
`` The Department of Justice is receiving information coming out of Ukraine from Rudy , '' Graham said on `` Face the Nation . ''
Graham said Barr `` told me that they 've created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if it 's verified . ''
Graham cautioned that `` the Russians are still up to it , '' referring to its disinformation campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming out of the Ukraine , to Republicans and Democrats , be very cautious . ''

Kevin Johnson and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY

AG William Barr: DOJ reviewing Ukraine information on Bidens provided by Rudy Giuliani
Show Caption Hide Caption Giuliani associate Lev Parnas claims Trump knew about Ukraine Rudy Giuliani's associate Lev Parnas said President Trump "knew exactly what was going on" in Ukraine. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Attorney General William Barr acknowledged Monday that the Justice Department is evaluating information from Ukraine provided by Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal attorney who has sought to tar Trump rival Joe Biden and revive a discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election.
Barr said the Justice Department has an obligation to assess the information, but he did not elaborate on the nature of the review. Any information related to Ukraine should be treated with caution, he said, referring to rampant corruption and Russia's aggressive dis-information campaign.
Giuliani has been Trump's point man in Ukraine. In addition to stoking the discredited theory that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential election, he has sought damaging information about Biden, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.
Giuliani and Trump allies have claimed Biden improperly used his position as vice president to help his son, Hunter Biden, who was a highly-compensated board member of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma Holdings. No evidence has emerged to support that claim.
The view from Ukraine: Trump's conspiracy theories thrive in Ukraine, where a young democracy battles corruption and distrust
Giuliani’s efforts were aided by Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, Soviet-born businessmen and Republican donors who helped him meet with former Ukrainian prosecutors and other officials. The three urged the ouster of Marie Yovanovitch, who at the time was the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.
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
During an April 2018 meeting Trump held with campaign donors, Parnas alleged, without citing evidence, that Yovanovitch had predicted Trump would be impeached well before House investigators launched their impeachment inquiry last year.
Trump responded by ordering Yovanovitch’s removal, though she remained in the job for a year longer.
Yovanovitch denied any such disloyalty when she testified in the impeachment inquiry last year.
The middleman: How Lev Parnas joined Team Trump and became Rudy Giuliani's fixer in Ukraine
Parnas, Fruman and two business associates were indicted in October on charges of scheming to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to U.S. political candidates and committees. The scheme involved an unidentified Ukrainian businessman and an unidentified Russian national who provided funding, the indictment charged.
All four men have pleaded not guilty.
Parnas broke ranks with Giuliani and Trump after he was arrested, providing records, photos and other documents to House investigators during the Trump impeachment hearing.
The material included a letter from Giuliani requesting a meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Giuliani wrote the letter as he sought damaging information on Biden, telling Zelensky he was acting “in my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent.” However, the meeting never took place.
Giuliani has accused Parnas of lying.
Barr's disclosure came a day after Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., acknowledged he had discussed Giuliani's material with Barr and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
"The Department of Justice is receiving information coming out of Ukraine from Rudy," Graham said on "Face the Nation."
Graham said Barr "told me that they've created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if it's verified."
Graham cautioned that "the Russians are still up to it," referring to its disinformation campaign. "When it comes to documents coming out of the Ukraine, to Republicans and Democrats, be very cautious."


usatoday--2020-02-10--'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 .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 '' 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 bottom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--Bills in California, New York seek to ban 'virginity testing'

Lawmakers on opposite sides of the country are considering new legislation that would be the first in the nation to ban `` virginity testing . ''
The two separate bills in the New York and California legislatures were introduced after rapper T.I .
said he subjects his 18-year-old daughter to the examinations .
The practice is widely considered medically unsound and abusive .
`` I want hymen examinations to be a class D felony , '' New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages , D-Elmont , told Elle Magazine after she introduced her bill late last year .
`` In a perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to submit legislation like this .
In a perfect world , women are treated as equal beings.
” All California , all the time : A newsletter that wraps up all things on the Golden State .
Sign up here “ So-called ‘ virginity testing ’ is a form of violence and harassment against young girls and women , ” Gonzalez said in a statement .
“ There is no medical reason for this examination .
It ’ s time for California to listen to calls from the international community and ban this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under her proposal , any doctor that either performed or supervised the test could face punishment from the medical board .
The hymen is a thin crescent-shaped tissue that stretches around the opening of the vagina .
Virginity tests incorrectly imply that a hymen can either be intact or not intact and can reveal a woman 's sexual experience .
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , hymens come in all shapes and sizes .
Some change shape with penetration and some do not .
Some women do not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nothing like a piece of plastic you can wrap around your food or a seal , ” Norwegian doctors Nina Dølvik Brochmann said from the TED stage in Oslo .
She and Ellen Støkken Dahl , who together wrote the book “ The Wonder Down Under : The Insider ’ s Guide to the Anatomy , Biology , and Reality of the Vagina , ” are working to dispel virginity myths .
“ You simply can not look a woman between her legs and read her sexual story.
” In recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dahl , women ’ s rights advocates around the world and international organizations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations have tried to combat the deeply held misperception with information campaigns and calls for an end to the traumatizing tests .
Researchers in 2017 published a review of 17 studies in the academic journal Reproductive Health that showed virginity testing has no medical utility .
`` Our review found that virginity testing is not good at detecting who has not had sexual intercourse and that it can hurt the person being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socially , '' the researchers said .
`` Our hope is to make more people and countries aware of this to prevent harm to women and girls . ''
WHO reports that the tests are still used in 20 countries and that women and girls are often forced to undergo examinations to assess virtue and value .
The tests are also sometimes used to evaluate if a rape has occurred .
Calling the concept of `` virginity '' a `` social , cultural , and religious construct , '' WHO also emphasizes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrimination that violates women 's and girls ' human rights .
More : Not just rapper T.I .
: Doctors get requests for sexist , unscientific 'virginity tests' '' Many women suffer from adverse short- and long-term physical , psychological and social consequences of this practice , '' WHO wrote in an interagency statement with the United Nations calling for a global end to the testing .
`` This includes anxiety , depression and post-traumatic stress .
In extreme cases , women or girls may attempt suicide or be killed in the name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s difficult to know how prevalent virginity tests are , especially in the United States , where privacy laws limit disclosure of whether they have been performed .
But a study published in 2017 , researchers surveyed close to 300 gynecologists in the U.S .
Roughly 10 % responded that they 'd been asked to conduct a virginity test , and 3.5 % said they had actually performed one .
Brochmann and Dahl , who join the international bodies and legislators in calls for an end to the tests , explain that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to virginity testing , the ideas that perpetuate the tests must be eradicated .
“ We wish we could say that by removing these myths , everything would be OK , that shame , harm and honor killings would all just disappear , '' Dahl said on the TED stage .
`` Sexual oppression of women comes from something much deeper than a simple anatomical misunderstanding about the properties of the hymen .
It 's a question of cultural and religious control of women 's sexuality .
And that is much harder to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabrielle Canon covers California for the USA TODAY Network .
You can reach her at gcanon @ gannett.com or on Twitter @ GabrielleCanon .

Bills in California, New York seek to ban 'virginity testing'
Lawmakers on opposite sides of the country are considering new legislation that would be the first in the nation to ban "virginity testing."
The two separate bills in the New York and California legislatures were introduced after rapper T.I. said he subjects his 18-year-old daughter to the examinations. The practice is widely considered medically unsound and abusive.
"I want hymen examinations to be a class D felony," New York Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, D-Elmont, told Elle Magazine after she introduced her bill late last year. "In a perfect world, I wouldn't even have to submit legislation like this. In a perfect world, women are treated as equal beings.”
In California, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, introduced a similar bill on Jan. 8.
All California, all the time: A newsletter that wraps up all things on the Golden State. Sign up here
“So-called ‘virginity testing’ is a form of violence and harassment against young girls and women,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “There is no medical reason for this examination. It’s time for California to listen to calls from the international community and ban this traumatizing, sexist and unnecessary practice.”
Under her proposal, any doctor that either performed or supervised the test could face punishment from the medical board.
Myths about virginity fuel the abusive testing
The hymen is a thin crescent-shaped tissue that stretches around the opening of the vagina. Virginity tests incorrectly imply that a hymen can either be intact or not intact and can reveal a woman's sexual experience.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hymens come in all shapes and sizes. Some change shape with penetration and some do not. Some women do not have them at all.
“The hymen is nothing like a piece of plastic you can wrap around your food or a seal,” Norwegian doctors Nina Dølvik Brochmann said from the TED stage in Oslo. She and Ellen Støkken Dahl, who together wrote the book “The Wonder Down Under: The Insider’s Guide to the Anatomy, Biology, and Reality of the Vagina,” are working to dispel virginity myths. “You simply cannot look a woman between her legs and read her sexual story.”
In recent years, medical professionals such as Brochmann and Dahl, women’s rights advocates around the world and international organizations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations have tried to combat the deeply held misperception with information campaigns and calls for an end to the traumatizing tests.
Researchers in 2017 published a review of 17 studies in the academic journal Reproductive Health that showed virginity testing has no medical utility.
"Our review found that virginity testing is not good at detecting who has not had sexual intercourse and that it can hurt the person being tested – physically, mentally, and socially," the researchers said. "Our hope is to make more people and countries aware of this to prevent harm to women and girls."
WHO reports that the tests are still used in 20 countries and that women and girls are often forced to undergo examinations to assess virtue and value. The tests are also sometimes used to evaluate if a rape has occurred.
Calling the concept of "virginity" a "social, cultural, and religious construct," WHO also emphasizes that the practice is a form of gender discrimination that violates women's and girls' human rights.
More: Not just rapper T.I. : Doctors get requests for sexist, unscientific 'virginity tests'
"Many women suffer from adverse short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences of this practice," WHO wrote in an interagency statement with the United Nations calling for a global end to the testing. "This includes anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. In extreme cases, women or girls may attempt suicide or be killed in the name of 'honor.'"
Like stories about the Golden State? Click here to get our In California newsletter in your inbox.
Despite scientific evidence, the tests endured
It’s difficult to know how prevalent virginity tests are, especially in the United States, where privacy laws limit disclosure of whether they have been performed. But a study published in 2017, researchers surveyed close to 300 gynecologists in the U.S. Roughly 10% responded that they'd been asked to conduct a virginity test, and 3.5% said they had actually performed one.
Brochmann and Dahl, who join the international bodies and legislators in calls for an end to the tests, explain that in order to truly bring about an end to virginity testing, the ideas that perpetuate the tests must be eradicated.
“We wish we could say that by removing these myths, everything would be OK, that shame, harm and honor killings would all just disappear," Dahl said on the TED stage. "Sexual oppression of women comes from something much deeper than a simple anatomical misunderstanding about the properties of the hymen. It's a question of cultural and religious control of women's sexuality. And that is much harder to change –but we must try."
Gabrielle Canon covers California for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at gcanon@gannett.com or on Twitter @GabrielleCanon.