usatoday--2020-02-09--GOP pushes pay raises for teachers, state workers in Florida: Genuine or election year politics?

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. – In what some see as classic election year politics , Florida ’ s ruling Republicans are wrestling with a rare , almost billion-dollar issue – pay raises for two of the state Democratic Party ’ s biggest allies , teachers and state workers .
Democrats and union officials say the GOP ’ s motives may be to deflect campaign criticism this fall , or even to sow dissent among labor groups jostling over the size of a rare pay hike .
But many welcome being central to state budget talks as the Legislature nears its midpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both .
“ Republican leaders think this will take away a page from our playbook – that we can ’ t say they haven ’ t done enough for teachers or state workers , ” said Rep. Evan Jenne , D-Dania Beach .
“ But I ’ m happy they are finally seeing value in our hard-working public workers.
” Two boys with the same disability tried to get help : The rich student got it quickly .
The poor student did not .
House budget chair Travis Cummings , R-Fleming Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay raises .
“ I haven ’ t heard of any dueling or competing interests ... with ( unions ) saying one ’ s getting more or less , ” Cummings said .
“ I ’ ve been hearing mostly pleasant feedback .
Now some may want a little more , or have it distributed a little differently.
” Previously : 'Should n't have to marry a sugar daddy ' : Teachers , outraged over pay , rally in Florida capital But debate at the Capitol over public employee pay raises is truly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two decades since Republicans took command of the Legislature and governor ’ s office in Florida .
Most state workers have gotten pay increases in only two of the past 12 years , and lost 3 % of their salaries to new pension contributions required by Republican lawmakers in 2011 .
A teacher pay raise was last center stage in 2013 , when then-Gov .
Rick Scott sought to reset his profile as an education budget-cutter by getting the Legislature to endorse spending $ 480 million for teacher salary boosts in advance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cohorts of public employees are dependable allies for Florida Democrats , regularly serving up campaign cash and get-out-the-vote support for candidates .
On a national scale , these labor organizations also will play a pivotal role in the presidential campaign , where Florida looms as the nation ’ s biggest toss-up state .
“ These kinds of things seem to arrive in an election year , ” said Sen. Gary Farmer , D-Lighthouse Point .
“ Stuff we ’ ve been clamoring for , like pay raises for state workers and teachers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might soften the opposition .
But I don ’ t think it ’ s going to work.
” Some Republicans say it ’ s useless for anyone to think that a robust pay raise will cool union opposition to President Donald Trump or other GOP candidates .
“ We could give every teacher in Florida a million dollars , and the ( teachers union ) would still come back at us and say we ’ re terrible and not doing enough , ” said Rep. Jamie Grant , R-Tampa .
Gen Z : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 election , but climate change has them fed up Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Trump protégé , started the teacher pay discussion , proposing in his budget $ 602 million for raises and another $ 300 million bonus program for teachers and principals .
But DeSantis focused chiefly on teacher pay for those earning the least – wanting to bring base salaries to $ 47,500 , second-highest in the nation .
A shortage of teachers is plaguing many counties and the governor sees notable starting pay as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeSantis ’ idea , though , was quickly ridiculed by the Florida Education Association , the state ’ s biggest teachers union , which said it did nothing for veteran educators , a big part of the FEA ’ s membership .
Legislators now are working to spread the money around more in their pay plans .
The Senate sets aside $ 500 million for teachers and the House $ 650 million .
While neither has a bonus program , the Senate wants $ 100 million to go to veteran teachers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with experience .
The House and Senate also have pay raises for state workers – something the governor largely sidestepped in his budget proposal .
The Senate wants a 3 % across-the-board raise , while the House calls for a $ 1,800 increase for workers earning $ 50,000 or less , which is a big share of the state workforce and would prove better than the Senate ’ s proposal for lower-paid employees .
For teachers and state workers , it ’ s strange being in the forefront of budget negotiations soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pay packages on the table are a significant amount of cash – at least $ 750 million in overall state budgets almost certain to top $ 92 billion .
Union officials say they don ’ t think House and Senate budget-writers will ultimately pit teachers against state workers , as they work toward an overall deal on pay raises .
“ We think there is space for both groups of employees in the budget , ” said Jackie Carmona , lobbyist for the American Federation of State , County & Municipal Employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state workers .
At this point , the unions also are looking to avoid taking sides between the House and Senate approaches .
“ You can absolutely take some of the core pieces of each and make this thing work really well , ” said Kevin Watson , who lobbies for FEA .
Diamond Princess : Coronavirus cases on cruise ship rise to 69 , including 12 from U.S. Primaries : Joe Biden campaign ad takes swing at Pete Buttigieg before New Hampshire primary

GOP pushes pay raises for teachers, state workers in Florida: Genuine or election year politics?
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In what some see as classic election year politics, Florida’s ruling Republicans are wrestling with an almost billion-dollar issue – pay raises for two of the state Democratic Party’s biggest allies, teachers and state workers.
Democrats and union officials said the GOP’s motives may be to deflect campaign criticism this fall, or even to sow dissent among labor groups jostling over the size of a rare pay hike.
But many welcome being central to state budget talks as the Legislature nears its midpoint.
“Republican leaders think this will take away a page from our playbook – that we can’t say they haven’t done enough for teachers or state workers,” said Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach. “But I’m happy they are finally seeing value in our hardworking public workers.”
Two boys with the same disability tried to get help: The rich student got it quickly. The poor student did not.
House budget chair Travis Cummings, R-Fleming Island, dismissed any notion of political shadings to the pay raises.
“I haven’t heard of any dueling or competing interests ... with (unions) saying one’s getting more or less,” Cummings said. “I’ve been hearing mostly pleasant feedback. Now some may want a little more or have it distributed a little differently.”
'Shouldn't have to marry a sugar daddy': Teachers, outraged over pay, rally in Florida capital
Debate at the Capitol over public employee pay raises is a political unicorn in the more than two decades since Republicans took command of the Legislature and governor’s office in Florida.
Most state workers got pay increases in only two of the past 12 years and lost 3% of their salaries to pension contributions required by Republican lawmakers in 2011.
A teacher pay raise was last center stage in 2013, when then-Gov. Rick Scott sought to reset his profile as an education budget cutter by getting the Legislature to endorse spending $480 million for teacher salary boosts before his reelection bid.
Unions are dependable allies for Florida Democrats, regularly serving up campaign cash and get-out-the-vote support for candidates. On a national scale, labor organizations will play a pivotal role in the presidential campaign, where Florida looms as the nation’s biggest toss-up state.
“These kinds of things seem to arrive in an election year,” said Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Lighthouse Point. “Stuff we’ve been clamoring for, like pay raises for state workers and teachers is ignored until (Republicans) think it might soften the opposition. But I don’t think it’s going to work.”
Some Republicans said it’s useless to think that a robust pay raise will cool union opposition to President Donald Trump or other GOP candidates.
“We could give every teacher in Florida a million dollars, and the (teachers union) would still come back at us and say we’re terrible and not doing enough,” said Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa.
Gen Z: Activists are too young to vote in 2020 election, but climate change has them fed up
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Trump protégé, started the teacher pay discussion, proposing in his budget $602 million for raises and a $300 million bonus program for teachers and principals.
DeSantis focused chiefly on teacher pay for those earning the least – wanting to bring base salaries to $47,500, second-highest in the nation. A shortage of teachers plagues many counties, and the governor sees notable starting pay as a way to lure more people to the profession.
DeSantis’ idea was quickly ridiculed by the Florida Education Association, the state’s biggest teachers union, which said it did nothing for veteran educators, a big part of the FEA’s membership.
Legislators are working to spread the money around more in their pay plans.
The Senate would set aside $500 million for teachers and the House $650 million. Though neither has a bonus program, the Senate wants $100 million to go to veteran teachers and the House $150 million for those with experience.
Impeachment trial: Senators’ handwritten notes offer a new view of President Trump's impeachment trial
The House and Senate plan pay raises for state workers – something the governor largely sidestepped in his budget proposal.
The Senate wants a 3% across-the-board raise, while the House calls for a $1,800 increase for workers earning $50,000 or less, which is a big share of the state workforce.
The pay packages on the table for teachers and state workers are a significant amount of cash – at least $750 million in overall state budgets almost certain to top $92 billion.
Union officials said they don’t think House and Senate budget writers will pit teachers against state workers as they work toward an overall deal on pay raises.
“We think there is space for both groups of employees in the budget,” said Jacqui Carmona, lobbyist for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Florida, which represents state workers.
The unions are looking to avoid taking sides between the House and Senate approaches.
“You can absolutely take some of the core pieces of each and make this thing work really well,” said Kevin Watson, who lobbies for the FEA.
Diamond Princess: Coronavirus cases on cruise ship rise to 69, including 12 from USA
Primaries: Joe Biden campaign ad takes swing at Pete Buttigieg before New Hampshire primary


usatoday--2020-02-09--Trump celebrates, Pelosi fumes as Facebook and Twitter refuse to take down altered video

Facebook and Twitter have refused to take down a video posted by President Donald Trump that was edited to make it appear that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up his speech when the president was saluting a Tuskegee airman during the State of the Union rather than at the end of his address .
The video intersperses Pelosi tearing the speech again and again following other big moments from Trump 's address .
Trump 's campaign says the video is a parody .
But Pelosi 's office had demanded the video , titled “ Powerful American stories ripped to shreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from both social media platforms .
Trump tweeted the video Thursday evening to his more than 72 million followers .
The spat became public Friday when Pelosi ’ s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill tweeted : “ The latest fake video of Speaker Pelosi is deliberately designed to mislead and lie to the American people , and every day that these platforms refuse to take it down is another reminder that they care more about their shareholders ’ interests than the public ’ s interests.
” Altered video on Twitter : Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get labeled or removed Fake Trump video ?
: How to spot deepfakes on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube ahead of the presidential election “ The American people know that the president has no qualms about lying to them – but it is a shame to see Twitter and Facebook , sources of news for millions , do the same , '' he continued .
Facebook said the Trump video does not violate its policy on manipulated video .
Twitter said the video does not violate its current rules .
New rules on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 5 .
The video had been viewed 2.1 million times in less than 24 hours , reaching nearly 5 million people , Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said .
“ If Nancy Pelosi fears images of her ripping up the speech , perhaps she shouldn ’ t have ripped up the speech , ” he told USA TODAY .
Video clips deceptively altered to discredit or embarrass political figures or to mislead voters are a growing problem on social media platforms , which are increasingly playing a central role in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dirty political tricks is raising broad concerns about the role of digital manipulation in swaying voter sentiment in U.S. elections .
Tech giants have been wrestling with how to combat disinformation that seeks to deceive and sway voters after Russian interference and the spread of fabricated news stories influenced public opinion during the 2016 presidential election .
Manipulated video is expected to increase sharply in the months before the November election .
The state of the union between Democrats and social media companies is fraying .
House Democrats including Rep. David Cicilline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Calif. , complained loudly on Twitter , calling on the social media company to remove the Trump video .
“ Social media platforms are a place where people come for news & information .
They need to have certain standards , ” Khanna tweeted .
“ Falsity has never been part of our 1st Amendment tradition.
” Rep. Veronica Escobar , D-Texas , aimed her comment directly at Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey : `` Show your commitment to cut down on the misinformation corroding our nation and take down this fake video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi take on Facebook , Mark Zuckerberg Social media companies are taking a lot of flak from leading Democrats , who 've grown more openly hostile in recent weeks .
Last month Joe Biden ramped up the Democrats ' open season on Facebook and its CEO , Mark Zuckerberg , during an interview with the New York Times .
`` I 've never been a fan of Facebook , '' the former vice president said .
`` I 've never been a big Zuckerberg fan .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's comments followed sharp words from Pelosi who , in response to a question about Facebook 's power , said : “ I think what they have said very blatantly , very clearly is that they intend to be accomplices for misleading the American people with money from God knows where . ''

Trump celebrates, Pelosi fumes as Facebook and Twitter refuse to take down altered video
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Pelosi 'broke the law' ripping up speech President Donald Trump came out of the White House Friday still on the attack against Democrats, this time hailing a win in an emoluments lawsuit and claiming Nancy Pelosi committed an "illegal" act in ripping up his State of the Union speech. (Feb. 7) AP
Facebook and Twitter have refused to take down a video posted by President Donald Trump that was edited to make it appear that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up his speech when the president was saluting a Tuskegee airman during the State of the Union rather than at the end of his address.
The video intersperses Pelosi tearing the speech again and again following other big moments from Trump's address.
Trump's campaign says the video is a parody. But Pelosi's office had demanded the video, titled “Powerful American stories ripped to shreds by Nancy Pelosi,” be removed from both social media platforms. Trump tweeted the video Thursday evening to his more than 72 million followers.
The spat became public Friday when Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill tweeted: “The latest fake video of Speaker Pelosi is deliberately designed to mislead and lie to the American people, and every day that these platforms refuse to take it down is another reminder that they care more about their shareholders’ interests than the public’s interests.”
Altered video on Twitter: Twitter says deceptively doctored videos and photos may get labeled or removed
Fake Trump video?: How to spot deepfakes on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube ahead of the presidential election
“The American people know that the president has no qualms about lying to them – but it is a shame to see Twitter and Facebook, sources of news for millions, do the same," he continued.
Facebook said the Trump video does not violate its policy on manipulated video. Twitter said the video does not violate its current rules. New rules on altered videos are slated to take effect on March 5.
The video had been viewed 2.1 million times in less than 24 hours, reaching nearly 5 million people, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said.
“If Nancy Pelosi fears images of her ripping up the speech, perhaps she shouldn’t have ripped up the speech,” he told USA TODAY.
Video clips deceptively altered to discredit or embarrass political figures or to mislead voters are a growing problem on social media platforms, which are increasingly playing a central role in American political life. This new wave of dirty political tricks is raising broad concerns about the role of digital manipulation in swaying voter sentiment in U.S. elections.
Tech giants have been wrestling with how to combat disinformation that seeks to deceive and sway voters after Russian interference and the spread of fabricated news stories influenced public opinion during the 2016 presidential election. Manipulated video is expected to increase sharply in the months before the November election.
Read senators' impeachment notes: 7 senators’ handwritten notes offer a new view of President Trump's impeachment trial
The state of the union between Democrats and social media companies is fraying.
House Democrats including Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., to Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., complained loudly on Twitter, calling on the social media company to remove the Trump video.
“Social media platforms are a place where people come for news & information. They need to have certain standards,” Khanna tweeted. “Falsity has never been part of our 1st Amendment tradition.”
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, aimed her comment directly at Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey: "Show your commitment to cut down on the misinformation corroding our nation and take down this fake video."
Open season on Facebook: Top Democrats Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi take on Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg
'Shameful behavior': Nancy Pelosi isn't accepting Facebook's friend request
Social media companies are taking a lot of flak from leading Democrats, who've grown more openly hostile in recent weeks.
Last month Joe Biden ramped up the Democrats' open season on Facebook and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, during an interview with the New York Times.
"I've never been a fan of Facebook," the former vice president said. "I've never been a big Zuckerberg fan. I think he's a real problem."
Biden's comments followed sharp words from Pelosi who, in response to a question about Facebook's power, said: “I think what they have said very blatantly, very clearly is that they intend to be accomplices for misleading the American people with money from God knows where."


usatoday--2020-02-08--Donald Trump tweets that Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Now that President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial has ended , he apparently has baseball on his mind .
Trump on Saturday tweeted that MLB 's all-time hits leader , Pete Rose , should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame .
Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on games while he managed the Cincinnati Reds , but last week petitioned MLB commissioner Rob Manfred , arguing he should be reinstated .
Rose and his attorney contend that because no players involved in the Houston Astros cheating scandal are currently facing discipline , Rose 's reinstatement should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose 's gambling in his tweet but shrugged it off , writing , `` He gambled , but only on his own team winning , and paid a decades long price .
GET PETE ROSE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME .
It 's Time ! ''
Trump was active on Twitter all day Saturday , and by late afternoon , had sent 22 tweets and retweets on a variety of topics -- from the impeachment trial , to a photo showing him with a noticeable tan line , to Rose .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't appear likely to win his reinstatement battle .
Manfred denied his petition in 2015 , and Rose 's 2017 appeal to Hall of Fame officers was unsuccessful .

Donald Trump tweets that Pete Rose should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame
Show Caption Hide Caption Pete Rose wonders why players not punished in MLB sign-stealing scandal USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale breaks down Pete Rose's comments on MLB's sign-stealing scandal. USA TODAY
Now that President Donald Trump's impeachment trial has ended, he apparently has baseball on his mind.
Trump on Saturday tweeted that MLB's all-time hits leader, Pete Rose, should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on games while he managed the Cincinnati Reds, but last week petitioned MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, arguing he should be reinstated.
Rose and his attorney contend that because no players involved in the Houston Astros cheating scandal are currently facing discipline, Rose's reinstatement should be on the table.
Trump mentioned Rose's gambling in his tweet but shrugged it off, writing, "He gambled, but only on his own team winning, and paid a decades long price. GET PETE ROSE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. It's Time!"
Trump was active on Twitter all day Saturday, and by late afternoon, had sent 22 tweets and retweets on a variety of topics -- from the impeachment trial, to a photo showing him with a noticeable tan line, to Rose.
Even with Trump's support, Rose doesn't appear likely to win his reinstatement battle. Manfred denied his petition in 2015, and Rose's 2017 appeal to Hall of Fame officers was unsuccessful.


usatoday--2020-02-09--Joe Biden campaign ad takes swing at Pete Buttigieg before New Hampshire primary

The Democratic Party has seen a series of one-on-one clashes in the presidential primary in recent weeks : Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Now , Biden and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg are at odds over their qualifications to take office .
It all came to a head when Biden released a campaign ad Saturday targeting Buttigieg 's record as mayor of the city of about 100,000 , with a side-by-side comparison to Biden 's time as Barack Obama 's vice president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary .
`` When President Obama called on him , Joe Biden helped lead the passage of the Affordable Care Act , which gave health care to 20 million people , '' a voice says on the Biden ad , before contrasting with Buttigieg 's record .
`` And when park-goers called on Pete Buttigieg , he installed decorative lights under bridges , giving citizens of South Bend colorfully illuminated rivers . ''
At another point , the narrator describes how both candidates have taken on `` tough fights . ''
`` Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden helped to negotiate the Iran deal , '' the ad goes .
`` And under threat of disappearing pets , Buttigieg negotiated lighter licensing regulations on pet chip scanners . ''
The ad started a verbal squabble between the two camps .
Buttigieg 's campaign and mayors from other small cities accused the ad of taking a swipe at small cities and their elected officials .
Buttigieg 's national press secretary Chris Meagher suggested the ad was a form of `` Washington-style politics '' that `` trivializes what goes on in communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bend residents who now have better jobs , rising income , and new life in their city do n't think their lives are a Washington politician 's punchline , '' Meagher said .
`` Joe Biden of course recognizes the importance of investing in communities like South Bend , which is why the Recovery Act , which he implemented , sent $ 77 million to fund the revitalization of South Bend , '' he said .
In another tweet , he wrote , `` This video now has more views than the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaches : Pete Buttigieg surges to small lead amid post-Iowa bounce , new poll finds Flaherty 's comment seems to have struck a nerve : Dayton , Ohio , Mayor Nan Whaley , wrote on Twitter , `` I 'm from Dayton , population 140,371 .
Are you saying voices from our towns do n't matter ? ''
Her thoughts were echoed by Waterloo , Iowa , Mayor Quentin Hart , who added , `` All communities matter whether small or large . ''
Both are Buttigieg supporters .
`` What happens in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parkland , Florida , Mayor Christine Hunschofsky , who has endorsed Buttigieg .
`` This arrogant , disrespectful and dismissive tone is exactly what our country , our cities and our residents do not need . ''
Senior adviser to Biden , Symone Sanders , tried to clarify Biden 's remarks while emphasizing his early years in local government .
`` Let ’ s be really clear here , Joe Biden started life as an elected ( official ) as a county councilman , '' she said .
`` He knows the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what mayors CAN do .
The question here is what HAVE you done and are you ready to be commander in chief on day one ?
Joe Biden is . ''
Buttigieg split a victory with Sanders for state delegate equivalents in Iowa this past week .
Biden came in fourth , also behind Warren .
Meagher said the ad `` speaks more to where ( Biden ) currently stands in this race than it does about Pete ’ s perspective as a mayor and veteran . ''
Biden and Buttigieg also sparred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night 's Democratic debate .
Pete Buttigieg : Buttigieg surges to small lead in New Hampshire amid post-Iowa bounce , new poll finds Buttigieg argued for a perspective that will leave behind the “ politics of the past ” and turn the page .
Biden grinned while Buttigieg touted himself as not the right candidate if voters are looking for the person with the most Washington establishment experience , but the right candidate if they want a different perspective .
“ The politics of the past were not all that bad , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked on to ban chemical weapons and fight violence against women .
He also touted his early support for same sex marriage .
“ I don ’ t know what about the past of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is so bad , ” Biden said .
More Buttigieg and Biden moments : Frontrunners feel heat at top as candidates draw stark contrasts at debate Buttigieg also had to defend his record with black communities in South Bend at the Friday night debate in New Hampshire , when he was asked about arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ systemic racism ” as one of the reasons , but when pressed specifically about why marijuana drug arrests went up during the first year of his tenure , Buttigieg said that one of the strategies that his community adopted was to target gun violence and gang violence .

Joe Biden campaign ad takes swing at Pete Buttigieg before New Hampshire primary
Show Caption Hide Caption Democratic debate post-Iowa had candidates trading blows in New Hampshire The debate between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary had some Democratic candidates landing blows, and some making strides. USA TODAY
The Democratic Party has seen a series of one-on-one clashes in the presidential primary in recent weeks: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden. Now, Biden and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg are at odds over their qualifications to take office.
It all came to a head when Biden released a campaign ad Saturday targeting Buttigieg's record as mayor of the city of about 100,000, with a side-by-side comparison to Biden's time as Barack Obama's vice president, just days before Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.
"When President Obama called on him, Joe Biden helped lead the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which gave health care to 20 million people," a voice says on the Biden ad, before contrasting with Buttigieg's record. "And when park-goers called on Pete Buttigieg, he installed decorative lights under bridges, giving citizens of South Bend colorfully illuminated rivers."
Read senators' impeachment notes: 7 senators’ handwritten notes offer a new view of President Trump's impeachment trial
At another point, the narrator describes how both candidates have taken on "tough fights."
"Under threat of a nuclear Iran, Joe Biden helped to negotiate the Iran deal," the ad goes. "And under threat of disappearing pets, Buttigieg negotiated lighter licensing regulations on pet chip scanners."
Former Mayor Pete doesn’t think very highly of the Obama-Biden record. Let’s compare. pic.twitter.com/132TB7MHaq — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) February 8, 2020
The ad started a verbal squabble between the two camps. Buttigieg's campaign and mayors from other small cities accused the ad of taking a swipe at small cities and their elected officials.
Buttigieg's national press secretary Chris Meagher suggested the ad was a form of "Washington-style politics" that "trivializes what goes on in communities like South Bend."
"South Bend residents who now have better jobs, rising income, and new life in their city don't think their lives are a Washington politician's punchline," Meagher said.
Nancy Pelosi: Trump impeachment witness Vindman's 'shameful' firing a 'brazen act of retaliation'
Biden's digital director Robert Flaherty responded swiftly.
"Joe Biden of course recognizes the importance of investing in communities like South Bend, which is why the Recovery Act, which he implemented, sent $77 million to fund the revitalization of South Bend," he said. In another tweet, he wrote, "This video now has more views than the population of South Bend."
New Hampshire approaches: Pete Buttigieg surges to small lead amid post-Iowa bounce, new poll finds
Flaherty's comment seems to have struck a nerve:
Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley, wrote on Twitter, "I'm from Dayton, population 140,371. Are you saying voices from our towns don't matter?" Her thoughts were echoed by Waterloo, Iowa, Mayor Quentin Hart, who added, "All communities matter whether small or large." Both are Buttigieg supporters.
"What happens in our cities matter too," tweeted Parkland, Florida, Mayor Christine Hunschofsky, who has endorsed Buttigieg. "This arrogant, disrespectful and dismissive tone is exactly what our country, our cities and our residents do not need."
.@Rob_Flaherty and @JoeBiden, I’m from Dayton, population 140,371. Are you saying voices from our towns don't matter? https://t.co/U1isC3y5J3 — Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) February 8, 2020
As Mayor of Waterloo with a population of 68,000 are you saying that voices from cities like mine don't matter? All communities matter whether small or large. — Mayor Quentin Hart (@QuentinHart) February 8, 2020
.@Rob_Flaherty and @JoeBiden, my city is Parkland, FL, with 33,000 residents. What happens in our cities matter too. This arrogant, disrespectful and dismissive tone is exactly what our country, our cities and our residents do not need. — ChristineHunschofsky (@CHunschofsky) February 8, 2020
Senior adviser to Biden, Symone Sanders, tried to clarify Biden's remarks while emphasizing his early years in local government.
"Let’s be really clear here, Joe Biden started life as an elected (official) as a county councilman," she said. "He knows the power of local government. So he knows what mayors CAN do. The question here is what HAVE you done and are you ready to be commander in chief on day one? Joe Biden is."
Buttigieg split a victory with Sanders for state delegate equivalents in Iowa this past week. Biden came in fourth, also behind Warren. Meagher said the ad "speaks more to where (Biden) currently stands in this race than it does about Pete’s perspective as a mayor and veteran."
Biden and Buttigieg also sparred in a debate of old-versus-new in Friday night's Democratic debate.
Pete Buttigieg: Buttigieg surges to small lead in New Hampshire amid post-Iowa bounce, new poll finds
Buttigieg argued for a perspective that will leave behind the “politics of the past” and turn the page. Biden grinned while Buttigieg touted himself as not the right candidate if voters are looking for the person with the most Washington establishment experience, but the right candidate if they want a different perspective.
“The politics of the past were not all that bad,” Biden responded. He mentioned legislation he worked on to ban chemical weapons and fight violence against women. He also touted his early support for same sex marriage.
“I don’t know what about the past of Barack Obama and Joe Biden is so bad,” Biden said.
More Buttigieg and Biden moments: Frontrunners feel heat at top as candidates draw stark contrasts at debate
Buttigieg also had to defend his record with black communities in South Bend at the Friday night debate in New Hampshire, when he was asked about arrests for marijuana possession.
He pointed to “systemic racism” as one of the reasons, but when pressed specifically about why marijuana drug arrests went up during the first year of his tenure, Buttigieg said that one of the strategies that his community adopted was to target gun violence and gang violence.


usatoday--2020-02-08--Nancy Pelosi: Trump impeachment witness Vindman's 'shameful' firing a 'brazen act of retaliation'

WASHINGTON — Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed President Donald Trump for the abrupt removal of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , who served on the National Security Council and provided damning testimony against the president during the impeachment inquiry .
`` President Trump is impeached forever , '' Pelosi said in a statement on Friday .
`` The shameful firing of Colonel Vindman was a clear and brazen act of retaliation that showcases the President ’ s fear of the truth . ''
She added , `` History will remember Lieutenant Colonel Vindman as an American hero.
” Vindman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the White House by a security escort Friday , along with his twin brother Yevgeny Vindman , also a security adviser , who did not testify during impeachment .
Hours later , Trump fired Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland from Brussels .
Both Vindman and Sondland provided key testimony in the House impeachment inquiry into Trump 's alleged pressuring of the Ukraine government to open investigations into domestic political rivals and leveraging of military aid money to do so .
The firings came just days after the president was acquitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Lieutenant Colonel Vindman has proven to be an American patriot : on the battlefield when he earned a Purple Heart , and in the House trial when he spoke truth to power .
His brave testimony showed America that right still matters , '' Pelosi said .
Vindman said during his hearing that it was `` inappropriate '' for the president to make such a request of Ukraine 's president , and revealed he spoke of his concerns to supervisors after listening in on the now infamous July 25 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Volodymyr Zelensky .
And Sondland provided explosive testimony that there was a quid pro quo linking the military aid and the investigations Trump wanted .
Sondland said he worked at `` the express direction of the president '' with Rudy Giuliani to secure the investigations .
Sondland told lawmakers that he communicated the quid pro quo to a Ukrainian official .
The former ambassador was previously a high-dollar donor to Trump 's inaugural committee .
Who is Alexander Vindman ?
: Key witness to Trump impeachment removed from White House job “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said about Vindman on the South Lawn Friday when asked about reports that his job could be at risk .
Trump tweeted Saturday morning that he does n't think he had ever met or spoken to Vindman , whom he called `` insubordinate . ''
Vindman 's attorney David Pressman said Trump made “ obviously false statements ” in his tweets , and added that his client will continue his career in the military .
“ While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain silent , Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated , active duty member of our military , ” Pressman said .
Rep. Adam Schiff , the House Intelligence Committee chairman who led Democrats in the impeachment inquiry and later served as lead House manager in the Senate trial , said that Vindman `` upheld his oath when others would not . ''
Schiff lauded Vindman for cooperating with impeachment investigators despite a White House order not to appear .
`` Right matters to him , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` President Trump is exacting his retribution , removing those who complied with subpoenas , came forward , and testified about his misconduct , '' Schiff tweeted Friday night .
Pelosi said that Trump 's `` vindictiveness '' caused Republican senators who voted for his acquittal to be `` accomplices to his cover-up . ''
Only one Republican senator , Mitt Romney of Utah , broke with the party and voted to convict Trump on the abuse of power article of impeachment .
None voted for conviction on the second article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to Vindman 's defense at the time of his testimony , when he was publicly attacked by Trump and his allies as a `` Never Trumper '' and his patriotism questioned due to his having been born in Ukraine .
`` The firing of this patriotic soldier is a sad and shameless loss for America ’ s security , '' Pelosi said .
“ History will remember Lieutenant Colonel Vindman as an American hero .
”

Nancy Pelosi: Trump impeachment witness Vindman's 'shameful' firing a 'brazen act of retaliation'
Show Caption Hide Caption Alexander Vindman retires from Army citing 'bullying' from Trump Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who had been fired from his job at the National Security Council, is retiring from the Army citing 'bullying' from Trump. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed President Donald Trump for the abrupt removal of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who served on the National Security Council and provided damning testimony against the president during the impeachment inquiry.
"President Trump is impeached forever," Pelosi said in a statement on Friday. "The shameful firing of Colonel Vindman was a clear and brazen act of retaliation that showcases the President’s fear of the truth."
She added, "History will remember Lieutenant Colonel Vindman as an American hero.”
Vindman's lawyer said he was escorted out of the White House by a security escort Friday, along with his twin brother Yevgeny Vindman, also a security adviser, who did not testify during impeachment. Hours later, Trump fired Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland from Brussels.
Read senators' impeachment notes: 7 senators’ handwritten notes offer a new view of Trump's impeachment trial
Both Vindman and Sondland provided key testimony in the House impeachment inquiry into Trump's alleged pressuring of the Ukraine government to open investigations into domestic political rivals and leveraging of military aid money to do so. The firings came just days after the president was acquitted of impeachment charges by the Republican-majority Senate.
Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Impeachment witnesses out: Trump administration ousts Alexander Vindman, Amb. Gordon Sondland days after Senate acquittal
"Lieutenant Colonel Vindman has proven to be an American patriot: on the battlefield when he earned a Purple Heart, and in the House trial when he spoke truth to power. His brave testimony showed America that right still matters," Pelosi said.
Vindman said during his hearing that it was "inappropriate" for the president to make such a request of Ukraine's president, and revealed he spoke of his concerns to supervisors after listening in on the now infamous July 25, 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Lieutenant Colonel Vindman has proven to be an American patriot. His firing was a clear and brazen act of retaliation that showcases the President’s fear of the truth — and the vindictiveness which led Republican Senators to be accomplices to President Trump’s cover-up. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 8, 2020
And Sondland provided explosive testimony that there was a quid pro quo linking the military aid and the investigations Trump wanted. Sondland said he worked at "the express direction of the president" with Rudy Giuliani to secure the investigations. Sondland told lawmakers that he communicated the quid pro quo to a Ukrainian official. The former ambassador was previously a high-dollar donor to Trump's inaugural committee.
Who is Alexander Vindman?: Key witness to Trump impeachment removed from White House job
“I’m not happy with him,” Trump said about Vindman on the South Lawn Friday when asked about reports that his job could be at risk.
Trump tweeted Saturday morning that he doesn't think he had ever met or spoken to Vindman, whom he called "insubordinate."
Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about “Lt. Col.” Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was. Actually, I don’t know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I don’t believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my “perfect” calls incorrectly, &... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020
Vindman's attorney David Pressman said Trump made “obviously false statements” in his tweets, and added that his client will continue his career in the military.
“While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military,” Pressman said.
Rep. Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee chairman who led Democrats in the impeachment inquiry and later served as lead House manager in the Senate trial, said that Vindman "upheld his oath when others would not." Schiff lauded Vindman for cooperating with impeachment investigators despite a White House order not to appear.
"Right matters to him," Schiff said. "And to us."
"President Trump is exacting his retribution, removing those who complied with subpoenas, came forward, and testified about his misconduct," Schiff tweeted Friday night.
President Trump is exacting his retribution, removing those who complied with subpoenas, came forward, and testified about his misconduct.
These are the actions of a man who believes he is above the law —
Precisely the kind of conduct Congressional Republicans enabled. — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 8, 2020
Pelosi said that Trump's "vindictiveness" caused Republican senators who voted for his acquittal to be "accomplices to his cover-up." Only one Republican senator, Mitt Romney of Utah, broke with the party and voted to convict Trump on the abuse of power article of impeachment. None voted for conviction on the second article, obstruction of Congress.
Democrats previously came to Vindman's defense at the time of his testimony, when he was publicly attacked by Trump and his allies as a "Never Trumper" and his patriotism questioned due to his having been born in Ukraine.
"The firing of this patriotic soldier is a sad and shameless loss for America’s security," Pelosi said. “History will remember Lieutenant Colonel Vindman as an American hero.”


usatoday--2020-02-08--Trump ousts Ambassador Gordon Sondland days after Senate acquittal

President Donald Trump fired two high-profile impeachment witnesses on Friday - a national security adviser and a prominent ambassador .

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