usatoday--2020-02-24--Trump dazzled by 'stunning display of India's culture and kindness' at welcome rally

AHMEDABAD , INDIA – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday delivered on his promised spectacle to welcome President Donald Trump , who kicked off his 36-hour trip to India with a colorful road tour that culminated in a rally that drew tens of thousands at the world 's largest cricket stadium .
The stadium in Ahmedabad , the largest city in Modi 's home state of Gujarat , was nearly at capacity as the president touched down late Monday morning .
Outside the airport , dancers clad in vibrant-colored clothing performed as president 's motorcade made its way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s residences that now hosts a museum .
More than 100,000 people poured into the brand new stadium for “ Namaste Trump , '' an event designed to reciprocate last fall ’ s Texas “ Howdy Modi ” rally that drew 50,000 Indian-Americans to greet the Indian prime minister .
The president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to be feted in a whirlwind , two-day diplomatic display aimed at highlighting U.S.-Indian relations amid escalating trade frictions between the two countries .
Trump opened his remarks to praise Modi for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kindness , '' noting that he traveled 8,000 miles with the first lady to deliver a message to the people of India .
`` America loves India , America respects India and America will always be faithful and loyal to the Indian people , '' he said as the crowd erupted in cheers .
Inside the stadium , a sea of white hats emblazoned with the U.S. and Indian flags and the Namaste Trump logo replaced the trademark red hats typically seen at Trump rallies .
Signs highlighting their friendship ringed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two dynamic leaders , '' one read .
Rishi Sharma , a 20-year-old university student from Ahmedabad , said she follows Trump on Twitter but to see him speak in person is a `` great honor . ''
`` People over here think that he 's really powerful , '' Sharma said about Trump 's appeal in India .
`` In India , there 's a culture where like everyone wants to go to the U.S. for career or for higher studies . ''
The president used most of his welcome rally not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but to tout that of Modi 's .
He praised his Indian counterpart as an `` exceptional leader , '' adding that his rise from a chaiwalla , or tea-seller , to the leader of the country `` underscores the limitless promise of this nation . ''
The U.S. has sought to strengthen strategic ties with India in recent years as it looks to counter China ’ s rise and Trump ’ s trip is the latest signal in a greater strategic convergence , according to Milan Vaishnav , the head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Endowment for International Peace .
“ Despite all the differences , the ratcheting up of diplomatic and military attention to strategies that could counter Chinese expansionism is something that ’ s been pretty consistent , ” he said .
The trip comes amid a tit-for-tat trade dispute between the two countries .
Negotiators worked to try to secure a deal before Trump 's visit , but talks fizzled over India ’ s protectionist policies and a scope of differences including e-commerce and digital trade , according to a senior administration official who briefed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. wants more access to Indian markets on agricultural products and medical devices while India is aiming to restore its preferential status in a trade program for developing countries .
Trump said he planned to continue trade discussions with Modi during his visit , calling the prime minister a `` tough '' negotiator .
He said he planned to make a `` very very major - among the biggest ever - trade deals , '' but added talks were in `` the early stages .
But Trump confirmed tomorrow 's expected announcement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion for six Apache helicopters and 24 anti-submarine warfare helicopters .
He declared he wanted the U.S. to be `` India 's premier defense partner '' and the deal was a step toward that goal .
The Trump-Modi bromance : What sparked it and what do each of them stand to gain ?
Modi had promised Trump grandeur and adulation that the president has boasted about in recent days .
“ We ’ re not treated very well by India , but I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether a trade deal might emerge .
“ And he told me we ’ ll have seven million people between the airport and the event.
” That number jumped to 10 million by Thursday , when Trump again mentioned the upcoming “ Namaste Trump ” event at a rally in Colorado .
While Trump ’ s estimate is millions more than that city ’ s population , tens of thousands of people turned out for the president 's colorful welcome .
City officials erected 28 stages along the 14-mile route stretching from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by artists to showcase India 's 28 states.. Trump will cap off the first day of his diplomatic sprint by flying to Agra for a sunset tour of the Taj Mahal , the 17th-century mausoleum he once named a hotel and casino after in Atlantic City , New Jersey .
In New Delhi on Tuesday , Trump will participate in ceremonial events , hold a meet-and-greet with U.S. embassy staffers and attend an event with Indian investors focused on companies that are investing in manufacturing in the U.S. , according to a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump takes poke at Bernie Sanders and Democrats - over Russia Though Monday ’ s visit marks the president ’ s first official visit , Trump has maintained strong business ties to India through several luxury properties owned by the Trump Organization .
Outside of North America , the Trump Organization holds the largest portfolio of real estate projects in India , according to Donald Trump Jr. That could be part of the reason for the president ’ s popularity in India compared to his divided approval ratings back home .
About 56 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s foreign policies , according to the Pew Research Center , a figure that has quadrupled since he took office .
The high-profile trip also gives Trump a chance to look presidential on the world stage as he ramps up his re-election campaign back home .
With an eye on November ’ s election , Trump called out the 4 million Indian-Americans in the U.S. as a group that `` enrich every aspect of our national life . ''
The group , though , is historically a reliable Democratic constituency .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over an economic slowdown , a security crackdown in Kashmir and ongoing protests over his Bharatiya Janta Party ’ s Hindu-nationalist agenda , including a controversial new citizenship law that excludes Muslims .
During his remarks , Trump described India as a place `` where millions upon millions of Hindus and Muslims and Sikhs and Jains , Buddhists , Christians and Jews worship side by side in harmony . ''
`` India is a country that proudly embraces freedom , liberty , individual rights , the rule of law and the dignity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump will join Modi and other Indian officials for a state dinner Tuesday night at the presidential palace before returning to Washington on an overnight flight .
The nearly 36-hour trip is the shortest a U.S. president has taken to India since President Richard Nixon ’ s 22-hour stay in 1969 .
Trump will become the seventh president to make the trip to India , but the first to enjoy an arena of support .

Trump dazzled by 'stunning display of India's culture and kindness' at welcome rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump gives speech to over 100,000 in India for 'Namaste Trump' event More than 100,000 people poured into a brand new stadium for a "Namaste Trump" event in India. Associated Press, USA TODAY
AHMEDABAD, India – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered on his promised spectacle to welcome President Donald Trump, who kicked off his 36-hour trip to India on Monday with a colorful road tour that culminated in a rally that drew tens of thousands to the world's largest cricket stadium.
The stadium in Ahmedabad, the largest city in Modi's home state of Gujarat, was nearly at capacity as the president touched down late Monday morning. Outside the airport, dancers clad in vibrant-colored clothing performed as the president's motorcade made its way to Sabarmati Ashram, one of Mahatma Gandhi’s residences that hosts a museum.
More than 100,000 people poured into the brand new stadium for “Namaste Trump," an event designed to reciprocate last fall’s Texas “Howdy Modi” rally that drew 50,000 Indian Americans to greet the prime minister. The president and first lady Melania Trump are to be feted in a whirlwind, two-day diplomatic display aimed at highlighting U.S.-Indian relations amid escalating trade frictions between the two countries.
Trump praised Modi for the "stunning display of India's culture and kindness," noting that he traveled 8,000 miles with the first lady to deliver a message to the people of India.
"America loves India, America respects India and America will always be faithful and loyal to the Indian people," he said as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Inside the stadium, a sea of white hats emblazoned with the U.S. and Indian flags and the Namaste Trump logo replaced the trademark red caps typically seen at Trump rallies. Signs highlighting friendship ringed the stadium: "One momentous occasion. Two dynamic leaders," one read.
Rishi Sharma, 20, a university student from Ahmedabad, said she follows Trump on Twitter, but to see him speak in person was a "great honor."
"People over here think that he's really powerful," Sharma said. "In India, there's a culture where like everyone wants to go to the U.S. for career or for higher studies."
The president and first lady flew to Agra for a sunset tour of the Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum built in the 17th century by an emperor as a shrine of eternal love for his favorite wife.
"It’s incredible, truly incredible," said the president, who named an Atlantic City hotel and casino after the mausoleum.
Melania Trump added, "Lovely, beautiful."
During the trip to the Taj Mahal, Trump said the reception at the cricket stadium "was fantastic," and "they worked really hard."
The president used most of his welcome rally not to boast about his own economic record but to tout Modi's. He praised his Indian counterpart as an "exceptional leader." Modi's rise from a chaiwalla, or tea seller, to the leader of the country "underscores the limitless promise of this nation," Trump said.
The United States has sought to strengthen strategic ties with India as it looks to counter China’s rise, and Trump’s trip is the latest signal in a greater strategic convergence, according to Milan Vaishnav, the head of the South Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
"Despite all the differences, the ratcheting up of diplomatic and military attention to strategies that could counter Chinese expansionism is something that’s been pretty consistent," he said.
Our two national constitutions both begin with the same three beautiful words: “We the people.” That means that in America and India alike, we honor, respect, trust, empower, and fight for the citizens we proudly serve! 🇺🇸🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/hfKKSqlVfe — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020
The trip comes amid a tit-for-tat trade dispute between India and the United States. Negotiators tried to secure a deal before Trump's visit, but talks fizzled over India’s protectionist policies and a scope of differences including e-commerce and digital trade, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters before the trip.
Trump and Modi display bromance at extravagant India-American rally US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchange words of praise on stage at a mass rally of Indian-Americans in Houston.
The United States wants more access to Indian markets for agricultural products and medical devices while India aims to restore its preferential status in a trade program for developing countries.
Trump said he planned to continue trade discussions with Modi during his visit, calling the prime minister a "tough" negotiator.
"I am in no rush," Trump said after the rally. "We are doing well with India, we are making deals."
Trump confirmed an arms deal worth more than $3.5 billion for six Apache helicopters and 24 anti-submarine helicopters. He declared he wanted the United States to be "India's premier defense partner" and the deal was a step toward that goal.
The Trump-Modi bromance: What sparked it and what do each of them stand to gain?
Modi promised Trump grandeur and adulation that the president boasted about.
"We’re not treated very well by India, but I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot," Trump said last Tuesday when asked whether a trade deal might emerge. "And he told me we’ll have 7 million people between the airport and the event."
That number jumped to 10 million by Thursday, when Trump again mentioned the upcoming “Namaste Trump” event at a rally in Colorado. Though Trump’s estimate is millions more than that city’s population, tens of thousands of people turned out for the president's colorful welcome. City officials erected 28 stages along the 14-mile route stretching from the airport to the stadium, featuring performances by artists to showcase different regions around India.
In New Delhi on Tuesday, Trump will participate in ceremonial events, hold a meet-and-greet with U.S. Embassy staffers and attend an event with Indian investors focused on companies that invest in manufacturing in the USA, according to a senior administration official.
2020 race: India-bound Donald Trump takes poke at Bernie Sanders and Democrats – over Russia
Though Monday marks the president’s first official visit, Trump has maintained strong business ties to India through several luxury properties owned by the Trump Organization. Outside North America, the Trump Organization holds the largest portfolio of real estate projects in India, according to Donald Trump Jr. That could be part of the reason for the president’s popularity in India compared with his divided approval ratings back home. About 56% of Indians approve of Trump’s foreign policies, according to the Pew Research Center, a figure that has quadrupled since he took office.
The high-profile trip gives Trump a chance to look presidential on the world stage as he ramps up his reelection campaign. With an eye on November’s election, Trump called out the 4 million Indian Americans in the USA who "enrich every aspect of our national life." The group is historically a reliable Democratic constituency.
Modi faces mounting pressure over an economic slowdown, a security crackdown in Kashmir and protests over his Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hindu-nationalist agenda, including a controversial new citizenship law that excludes Muslims.
During his remarks, Trump described India as a place "where millions upon millions of Hindus and Muslims and Sikhs and Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Jews worship side by side in harmony."
"India is a country that proudly embraces freedom, liberty, individual rights, the rule of law and the dignity of every human being," he said.
Trump will join Modi and other Indian officials for a state dinner Tuesday night at the presidential palace before returning to Washington on an overnight flight. The nearly 36-hour trip is the shortest a U.S. president has taken to India since President Richard Nixon’s 22-hour stay in 1969.
Trump is the seventh president to make the trip to India but the first to enjoy an arena full of support.
Contributing: David Jackson


usatoday--2020-02-24--Speaking for Trump: How the president enlists his family to connect with different 2020 voters

WASHINGTON – On the day President Donald Trump was acquitted of “ high crimes and misdemeanors ” in the Senate impeachment trial , Donald Trump Jr. tweeted more than 80 times , taunting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and calling on the party to expel Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , the sole Republican who voted to convict his father .
Lara Trump , the president ’ s daughter-in-law and another ubiquitous campaign surrogate , posted three tweets .
She barely mentioned impeachment .
As Trump 's children take on an expanded role in his reelection campaign , they are embracing different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From Trump Jr. ’ s bombastic rally warm-ups and social media posts to Lara Trump ’ s focus on women 's issues and Ivanka Trump ’ s composed policy perch inside the White House , Trump ’ s family tailors their message to different voters .
“ What would you do if you woke up on Nov. 4 and Bernie Sanders was your president ?
” Trump Jr. asked as he revved up a Phoenix crowd last week before a rally .
“ Guess what , guys : There are no do-overs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this right.
” Trump Jr. 's bomb-throwing is especially noticeable in his social media feed .
The president 's eldest son is far more likely than his siblings to use Twitter to attack Democrats , according to a USA TODAY analysis of nearly 4,500 tweets from the Trump family .
He has referenced Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , for instance , in 8 percent of the tweets to his 4.4 million followers since Oct. 1 .
That 's a higher share than all of his siblings combined .
He is also more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on Twitter , virtually always as an attack .
Republican observers said Trump Jr. 's red-meat style has made him a rising star among conservative voters within the president ’ s base .
By contrast , Lara Trump – who married Eric Trump in 2014 and who has taken on an increasingly high-profile role in the president ’ s election – is more likely than other family members to use the word “ woman ” on social media , according to the analysis .
That syncs with her appearances at Women for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pennsylvania .
A senior adviser on the campaign , Lara Trump has also been more likely to mention the words “ employment ” and “ job ” than other surrogates .
`` The media tells us women don ’ t support Trump !
WRONG ! ''
Lara Trump posted Jan. 17 to her 761,000-plus followers .
The approach has allowed Lara Trump to reach out to women voters , particularly suburban women .
Trump narrowly won white women in 2016 , exit polls showed , but that key support appears has slipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 54 % of suburban women are more likely to say a Democrat would be better for the country .
Ivanka Trump , who has been a more sporadic presence on the campaign trail in 2020 , has focused heavily on her efforts inside the White House on workforce development , rarely wading into politics at all on social media .
While Trump Jr. shares memes like one of Romney with a “ Mom Jeans ” caption , Ivanka Trump is more likely to post images of her official trips overseas on behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Since 2017 , rural areas have had similar or better economic performance than urban areas as measured by GDP growth , housing value appreciation and labor market participation , ” Ivanka Trump tweeted this month in a message that was similar to others she has posted .
Her husband , Jared Kushner , whose vast portfolio includes building the wall along the U.S. Mexico border and Middle East peace , has never posted a tweet .
Both have long been viewed as moderating forces , relatable to centrist Republicans and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama to Trump in 2016 .
The Trump campaign declined to answer questions about the the family 's role in the trail .
`` Nothing can really prepare you for this , '' Lara Trump told USA TODAY in an interview .
`` We all became a lot closer because it almost feels like you go through a war with people .
And I would say for all of us – including my father-in-law – we ’ re all a lot closer because of it . ''
Dianne Bystrom , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Women and Politics at Iowa State University , said some of the president ’ s adult children have been fulfilling a campaign role more typically handled by a first lady .
So far in the 2020 cycle , Melania Trump has been less active on the campaign trail than many of her recent predecessors , including Michelle Obama and Laura Bush .
“ It is not unusual for presidential candidates to employ surrogates , including family members , to strategically target the campaign 's message with a variety of groups , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see so much more of the Trump children because Melania Trump has not been an effective spousal surrogate.
” Few presidential candidates have been able to draw so heavily on their progeny as proxies , and few have been able to put their children so front and center .
President George H.W .
Bush brought in his family , including George W. Bush , in the 1988 election .
Romney ’ s children often appeared on stage during his 2012 campaign .
The difference in Trump ’ s case is that many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran for president .
“ If you want star power , add the Trump name and you automatically have it , ” said Jason Miller , who was a senior aide on the president ’ s 2016 campaign .
“ In addition to the last name , they bring a sense of passion , a sense of insight into the policies , ” Miller said .
“ It says something when the people who know President Trump the best are willing to get out there and work so hard for him.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trail has had another impact : It has raised speculation about their own political ambitions .
Trump Jr. , who published a New York Times best seller last year , is among Republican voters ’ top picks for the nomination in 2024 , according to a poll for the news site Axios last month .
Ivanka Trump also made the list , along with Vice President Mike Pence .
That interest hasn ’ t been lost on Trump ’ s children , or the crowds turning out to hear the president speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a rally in New Hampshire this month , his supporters chanted “ 46 ” – as in the 46th president .
When Trump Jr. addressed an audience in San Antonio last fall , someone in the audience shouted out “ 2024.
” As many in the crowd laughed , Trump Jr. held a dramatic pause before exclaiming his response .
“ Let ’ s worry about 2020 first !
” he said .

Speaking for Trump: How Don Jr. and other family members target different voters with different messages
Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump Jr. gets headed on 'The View' promoting his new book Donald Trump, Jr. appeared on 'The View' to promote his new book 'Triggered,' but argued with hosts including Joy Behar and Meghan McCain. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – On the day President Donald Trump was acquitted of “high crimes and misdemeanors” in the Senate impeachment trial, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted more than 80 times, taunting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and calling on the party to expel Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who voted to convict his father.
Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and another ubiquitous campaign surrogate, posted three tweets. She barely mentioned impeachment.
As Trump's children take on an expanded role in his reelection campaign, they embrace different styles – and speak to different constituencies. From Trump Jr.’s bombastic rally warmups and social media posts to Lara’s focus on women's issues and Ivanka Trump’s composed policy perch inside the White House, Trump’s family tailors its message to different voters.
“What would you do if you woke up on Nov. 4 and Bernie Sanders was your president?” Trump Jr. asked as he revved up a Phoenix crowd last week before a rally. “Guess what, guys: There are no do-overs. You get one chance to get this right.”
Trump's stories: Cop to a crying businessman, what Trump’s anecdotes reveal
Polling: Poll shows Trump defeating all 2020 Democratic candidates in Wisconsin
Trump Jr.'s bomb-throwing is especially noticeable in his social media feed. The president's eldest son is far more likely than his siblings to use Twitter to attack Democrats, according to a USA TODAY analysis of nearly 4,500 tweets from the Trump family. He has referenced Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, for instance, in 8% of the tweets to his 4.4 million followers since Oct. 1. That's a higher share than all of his siblings combined.
He is more likely to use the word “media” on Twitter, virtually always in an attack.
Republican observers said Trump Jr.'s red-meat style has made him a rising star among conservative voters within the president’s base.
By contrast, Lara Trump – who married Eric Trump in 2014 and who has taken on an increasingly high-profile role in the president’s election – is more likely than other family members to use the word “woman” on social media, according to the analysis. That syncs with her appearances at Women for Trump events in Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. A senior adviser on the campaign, Lara has been more likely to mention the words “employment” and “job” than other surrogates.
Lara Trump's pitch to suburban women
"The media tells us women don’t support Trump! WRONG!" Lara posted Jan. 17 to her 761,000-plus followers.
The approach has allowed her to reach out to women voters, particularly suburban women. Donald Trump narrowly won white women in 2016, exit polls showed, but that support has slipped. A new USA TODAY/Ipsos poll found that 54% of suburban women are more likely to say a Democrat would be better for the country.
Ivanka Trump, who has been a more sporadic presence on the campaign trail in 2020, has focused heavily on her efforts inside the White House on workforce development, rarely wading into politics on social media. While Trump Jr. shares memes of Romney with a “Mom Jeans” caption, Ivanka Trump is more likely to post images of her official trips overseas on behalf of the administration, or of her children.
“Since 2017, rural areas have had similar or better economic performance than urban areas as measured by GDP growth, housing value appreciation and labor market participation,” Ivanka Trump tweeted this month in a message that was similar to others she has posted.
Her husband, Jared Kushner, whose vast portfolio includes building the wall along the U.S.-Mexican border and Middle East peace, has never posted a tweet. Both have long been viewed as moderating forces, relatable to centrist Republicans and some swing voters who crossed from backing President Barack Obama to Trump in 2016.
Trump campaign officials declined to discuss the strategy behind the use of family surrogates, but spokeswoman Erin Perrine described their involvement in the campaign as "key to victory in 2016" and predicted the same would hold true for 2020.
"Who better to speak to voters about President Trump and his record of success than those who know him best?" Perrine said. "Members of the Trump family are valued advisers and an integral part of this campaign."
Lara Trump said her work on behalf of the campaign has brought the Trump family together.
"Nothing can really prepare you for this," Lara Trump told USA TODAY in an interview. "We all became a lot closer because it almost feels like you go through a war with people. And I would say for all of us – including my father-in-law – we’re all a lot closer because of it."
Dianne Bystrom, a former director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University, said some of the president’s adult children fulfill a campaign role more typically handled by a first lady. In the 2020 cycle, Melania Trump has been less active on the campaign trail than many of her predecessors, including Michelle Obama and Laura Bush.
“It is not unusual for presidential candidates to employ surrogates, including family members, to strategically target the campaign's message with a variety of groups,” Bystrom said. “I think we see so much more of the Trump children because Melania Trump has not been an effective spousal surrogate.”
The 'star power' of family members
Few presidential candidates have been able to draw so heavily on their progeny as proxies, and few have been able to put their children so front and center. President George H.W. Bush brought in his family, including George W. Bush, in the 1988 election. Romney’s children often appeared on stage during his 2012 campaign.
The difference in Trump’s case is that many of his children were well known before he ran for president.
“If you want star power, add the Trump name, and you automatically have it,” said Jason Miller, who was a senior aide on the president’s 2016 campaign.
“In addition to the last name, they bring a sense of passion, a sense of insight into the policies,” Miller said. “It says something when the people who know President Trump the best are willing to get out there and work so hard for him.”
Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The ubiquity of Trump’s children on the trail has had another impact: It has raised speculation about their own political ambitions.
Trump Jr., who published a New York Times bestseller last year, is among Republican voters’ top picks for the nomination in 2024, according to a poll for the news site Axios last month. Ivanka Trump also made the list, along with Vice President Mike Pence.
That interest hasn’t been lost on Trump’s children or the crowds turning out to hear the president speak.
When the president recognized Trump Jr. during a rally in New Hampshire this month, his supporters chanted, “46” – as in the 46th president.
When Trump Jr. addressed an audience in San Antonio last fall, someone in the audience shouted out “2024.” As many in the crowd laughed, Trump Jr. held a dramatic pause before his response.
“Let’s worry about 2020 first!” he said.
Contributing: The Associated Press, Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-02-24--Election 2020: How the Democratic candidates could shape college costs, family finances

This story is the second in a series that looks at how the presidential candidates could shape your family 's finances .
Many Americans see college as a necessity if they want a career that allows them to buy a home , support a family and acquire other trappings of what 's been defined as the American Dream .
For students attending a public four-year college in their home state , tuition and fees currently average $ 10,440 , according to the Urban Institute .
Now , several presidential candidates are proposing that many Americans should be able to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden says students will be able to attend a community college for up to two years without paying tuition .
A partnership between the federal government and the states would cover the costs .
He would also double the top value of Pell Grants , which is $ 6,195 for the current school year .
That aid helps lower-income students pay college tuition , and Biden would expand that assistance to more middle-class students .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has a similar plan .
Community college and technical certifications would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match of $ 3 for every $ 1 a state pays for students going to school at least part-time in their home state .
Stocks hitting highs .
What should you do : Here 's what smart investors do with their 401 ( k ) s She would also ease the path for older students , and those already in the workforce who want to be retrained for a new career .
She 'd push legislation that enables those groups to use `` 529 '' savings plans as well as Coverdell education accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in some cases , K-12 education , to cover their costs .
Like Biden , Klobuchar would double the top Pell Grant to $ 12,000 a year .
And families with annual incomes of up to $ 100,000 annually would become eligible for such aid .
Under his administration , former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg says no student would have to pay to attend a two-year public college .
The lowest-income students would also be able to attend four-year institutions for free , and those schools would become `` highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site says .
When it comes to tuition , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts would go further , making education at a four-year public college free for everyone .
Sanders would cover the cost with small taxes or fees on Wall Street traders , while Warren would use a tax on the wealthiest Americans to fund her proposal .
Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , meanwhile , says students in 80 % of households would not have to pay any tuition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include households earning up to $ 100,000 `` and many middle-income families with multiple children , '' according to his site .
Families with annual incomes of up to $ 150,000 would be able to get `` substantial '' tuition subsidies .
And he would also boost the maximum Pell grant by $ 1,000 .
`` There 's no question if you hand that middle-class family $ 40,000 , tuition they do n't have to pay , they 're going to be happy , '' says Sandy Baum , senior fellow in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Urban Institute .
`` How could they not be ?
...
It would make a very big difference to them . ''
But students or their families may still have to borrow to pay for living expenses .
And higher taxes may cut into whatever some households are able to save .
`` These one-liners make it sound like there will be a miracle and no one will ever have to worry about paying for college again , '' Baum says .
`` If only it were so simple .
’ @

Election 2020: How the Democratic candidates could shape college costs, family finances
Show Caption Hide Caption College fail: Student loan debt skyrockets Student loan debt is at an all-time high, leaving 45 million Americans in the hole. Is college really worth it? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
This story is the second in a series that looks at how the presidential candidates could shape your family's finances.
Many Americans see college as a necessity if they want a career that allows them to buy a home, support a family and acquire other trappings of what's been defined as the American Dream.
But higher education doesn't come cheap.
For students attending a public four-year college in their home state, tuition and fees currently average $10,440, according to the Urban Institute.
Now, several presidential candidates are proposing that many Americans should be able to attend school for free.
Biden and community college tuition
Former Vice President Joe Biden says students will be able to attend a community college for up to two years without paying tuition. A partnership between the federal government and the states would cover the costs.
He would also double the top value of Pell Grants, which is $6,195 for the current school year. That aid helps lower-income students pay college tuition, and Biden would expand that assistance to more middle-class students.
Klobuchar wants 529s for retraining
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has a similar plan. Community college and technical certifications would be tuition-free, paid for by a federal match of $3 for every $1 a state pays for students going to school at least part-time in their home state.
Stocks hitting highs. What should you do: Here's what smart investors do with their 401(k)s
She would also ease the path for older students, and those already in the workforce who want to be retrained for a new career. She'd push legislation that enables those groups to use "529'' savings plans as well as Coverdell education accounts that similarly allow tax-free contributions for college and in some cases, K-12 education, to cover their costs.
Like Biden, Klobuchar would double the top Pell Grant to $12,000 a year. And families with annual incomes of up to $100,000 annually would become eligible for such aid.
Under his administration, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg says no student would have to pay to attend a two-year public college. The lowest-income students would also be able to attend four-year institutions for free, and those schools would become "highly affordable for middle-class families,'' his site says.
Sanders, Warren promise four years of free college
When it comes to tuition, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts would go further, making education at a four-year public college free for everyone.
Sanders would cover the cost with small taxes or fees on Wall Street traders, while Warren would use a tax on the wealthiest Americans to fund her proposal.
Buttigieg offers tuition relief to 80% of households
Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, meanwhile, says students in 80% of households would not have to pay any tuition at those four-year schools.
That would include households earning up to $100,000 "and many middle-income families with multiple children,'' according to his site. Families with annual incomes of up to $150,000 would be able to get "substantial'' tuition subsidies. And he would also boost the maximum Pell grant by $1,000.
"There's no question if you hand that middle-class family $40,000, tuition they don't have to pay, they're going to be happy,'' says Sandy Baum, senior fellow in the Center for Education, Data and Policy at the Urban Institute. "How could they not be? ... It would make a very big difference to them.''
But students or their families may still have to borrow to pay for living expenses. And higher taxes may cut into whatever some households are able to save.
"These one-liners make it sound like there will be a miracle and no one will ever have to worry about paying for college again,'' Baum says. "If only it were so simple.’’
Follow Charisse Jones on Twitter @charissejones


usatoday--2020-02-25--'It's really difficult this year': Democrats still undecided ahead of South Carolina primary

GREENVILLE , S.C. – With less than a week remaining until the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary , the field of candidates on the ballot has narrowed down to seven .
But for some voters , a less-crowded slate hasn ’ t made the decision process that much easier .
Jil Littlejohn said it ’ s possible that she doesn ’ t make a final decision until she ’ s in the voting booth on Saturday .
“ It ’ s really difficult this year , ” Littlejohn said .
A Winthrop University poll conducted last week found that 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still undecided , but former Vice President Joe Biden was in the lead with 24 % , compared to 19 % for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Littlejohn , the former Greenville City Council mayor pro tem , has struggled to choose the candidate who best represents her political views and who she believes has the best chance of defeating President Donald Trump in November .
“ When you start off in the initial phase with 25 , 26-plus candidates running for president , it ’ s hard to decipher between each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dwindled down , of course , many have dropped off .
But there ’ s not one candidate that I feel like speaks to my personal and economic interests holistically .
Each candidate has some of the things that I like , but no one has it all , ” Littlejohn said .
For John Love of Greenville , the biggest issue is electability .
Love is a fan of former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , but he ’ s a little concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate who won ’ t become the eventual Democratic nominee .
“ This is hard because there are all kinds of electability issues , ” said Love , an educator with Greenville County Schools .
“ Everybody seems to have some baggage .
The one that has the least baggage in all that group , I think , is probably Amy Klobuchar .
… I could live with her ( but ) I ’ m not sure she ’ s a strong enough candidate .
You ’ re not sure if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cassandra Nelson is a 49-year-old small-business owner , and for a long time , she just assumed she would vote for Biden .
The Affordable Care Act , commonly known as Obamacare , is important for Nelson , who suffers from asthma and worries that changes to the health insurance system would reinstate the provision against covering pre-existing conditions .
“ Before Obamacare – and I still call it that -- I had to really fight for my insurance , and because I ’ m a woman who has lifelong asthma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in so many ways , ” Nelson said .
“ Not literally , of course , but really made a huge impact on my life and my ability to have a business and take care of myself.
” But as Biden ’ s campaign progressed in recent months , Nelson said she has been less impressed with the candidate .
“ I went to his town hall in Spartanburg , and he wasn ’ t exactly what I remembered , ” Nelson said .
“ And that made me a little bit nervous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m not sure he ’ s going to be able to beat Trump.
’ ” “ He seems like he ’ d be great at a cocktail party , ” she said with a laugh .
“ He ’ s not hitting his message points .
He would start a story and then interrupt it with a tangent from something in the ’ 60s , and then that story went on for a long time , and I ’ m like , ‘ What is he trying to say ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from several of the campaigns , and she ’ s narrowed the field of eight ( Mike Bloomberg is running but wo n't be on the ballot in South Carolina ) down to her top five candidates .
But her 2016 pick , Sanders , is not on her shortlist because she feels that as a senator he hasn ’ t acted on the proposals he made four years ago as a presidential candidate .
“ A plus for a candidate is a candidate who specifically calls out what their agenda is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Being an African American female , I think it ’ s important that there is a clear plan to attack or to address systematic racism that definitely exists .
So any candidate that has that in their plan , is definitely one who is higher on my ranking .
Also looking at affordable housing and what that looks like in terms of providing opportunities and access to states and municipalities to provide public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing.
” Like Love , Nelson is concerned about electability .
She has been impressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not sure she ’ s getting her message across.
” As for Buttigieg , Nelson said she thinks the 38-year-old is appealing , but a little too young to win the election .
“ He ’ ll be a great president in eight years , I think , but I think he ’ s not ready.
” On the other end of the spectrum , Sanders ’ age and health issues have ruled him out for Nelson , although four years ago , she liked Sanders “ in an idealistic way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become more extreme than they were four years ago , and that ’ s another factor weighing about him .
“ I feel like Bernie is the extreme version of the liberal party , and Trump is the extreme version of the Republican party , and we ’ re yo-yo-ing back and forth , ” Nelson said .
“ And I don ’ t think that ’ s what we need right now.
” For Nelson , the best choice for 2020 is a moderate candidate , “ someone who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , ‘ Hey , remember we have more in common than we don ’ t. ’ And I thought that was going to be Biden , and I still hope that it is.
” Nelson ’ s top issue is health care and being able to keep the provisions of the Affordable Care Act , rather than creating a new system such as Medicare for All .
Wanted : One who can unify But second on her list of concerns is choosing someone who can be a unifier .
Littlejohn also would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring people together .
“ I feel like there ’ s a lot of unnecessary name-calling and going back and forth , and we could get that with the current president , ” Littlejohn said .
“ So it ’ s really made it more difficult to narrow down my choices.
” Love , who describes his political stance as “ more middle of the road , ” said he doesn ’ t mind Sanders ’ left-leaning policies , but he doesn ’ t think the Vermont senator would win in the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren ’ s policies are too similar to Sanders ’ to give her a shot at becoming the nominee .
But although he ’ s undecided for the primary , Love has already made up his mind for the general election in November .
“ Whoever the Democrats come up with , I ’ ll support wholeheartedly because I really would like to see a change in November , ” he said .
When Nelson did her taxes recently , she got a nice surprise : A $ 3,000 tax credit as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was helpful , but I would rather pay the full amount of taxes and live in an America where we are kind to each other , like a beacon on a hill and a true leader .
I would rather pay for myself , pay all my taxes , and be in a country where we take care of each other , than get a discount on taxes and attack each other .
”

Donna Isbell Walker, The Greenville News

'It's really difficult this year': Democrats still undecided ahead of South Carolina primary
Show Caption Hide Caption African American voters undecided in S. Carolina After poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, Joe Biden is hoping minority voters will vote for him in South Carolina. But less than a week away from the primary and African American voters are still undecided. (Feb. 21) AP
GREENVILLE, S.C. – With less than a week remaining until the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, the field of candidates on the ballot has narrowed down to seven.
But for some voters, a less-crowded slate hasn’t made the decision process that much easier.
Jil Littlejohn said it’s possible that she doesn’t make a final decision until she’s in the voting booth on Saturday.
“It’s really difficult this year,” Littlejohn said.
A Winthrop University poll conducted last week found that 18% of South Carolina Democratic Primary voters were still undecided, but former Vice President Joe Biden was in the lead with 24%, compared to 19% for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
No perfect fit
Littlejohn, the former Greenville City Council mayor pro tem, has struggled to choose the candidate who best represents her political views and who she believes has the best chance of defeating President Donald Trump in November.
“When you start off in the initial phase with 25, 26-plus candidates running for president, it’s hard to decipher between each of the candidates. And as time has dwindled down, of course, many have dropped off. But there’s not one candidate that I feel like speaks to my personal and economic interests holistically. Each candidate has some of the things that I like, but no one has it all,” Littlejohn said.
For John Love of Greenville, the biggest issue is electability. Love is a fan of former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, but he’s a little concerned about “wasting” his vote on a candidate who won’t become the eventual Democratic nominee.
“This is hard because there are all kinds of electability issues,” said Love, an educator with Greenville County Schools. “Everybody seems to have some baggage. The one that has the least baggage in all that group, I think, is probably Amy Klobuchar. … I could live with her (but) I’m not sure she’s a strong enough candidate. You’re not sure if you’re wasting your vote with somebody.”
Cassandra Nelson is a 49-year-old small-business owner, and for a long time, she just assumed she would vote for Biden.
The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, is important for Nelson, who suffers from asthma and worries that changes to the health insurance system would reinstate the provision against covering pre-existing conditions.
“Before Obamacare – and I still call it that -- I had to really fight for my insurance, and because I’m a woman who has lifelong asthma, the Affordable Care Act saved my life in so many ways,” Nelson said. “Not literally, of course, but really made a huge impact on my life and my ability to have a business and take care of myself.”
Biden 'not hitting his message points'
But as Biden’s campaign progressed in recent months, Nelson said she has been less impressed with the candidate.
“I went to his town hall in Spartanburg, and he wasn’t exactly what I remembered,” Nelson said. “And that made me a little bit nervous, and I thought, ‘Oh, I’m not sure he’s going to be able to beat Trump.’ ”
Biden’s language and manner of speaking gave Nelson pause.
“He seems like he’d be great at a cocktail party,” she said with a laugh. “He’s not hitting his message points. He would start a story and then interrupt it with a tangent from something in the ’60s, and then that story went on for a long time, and I’m like, ‘What is he trying to say?’ ”
Littlejohn has met with representatives from several of the campaigns, and she’s narrowed the field of eight (Mike Bloomberg is running but won't be on the ballot in South Carolina) down to her top five candidates. But her 2016 pick, Sanders, is not on her shortlist because she feels that as a senator he hasn’t acted on the proposals he made four years ago as a presidential candidate.
Buttigieg 'not ready'
Littlejohn’s major concerns relate to economic inequality, race, and criminal justice reform.
“A plus for a candidate is a candidate who specifically calls out what their agenda is for black America,” she said. “Being an African American female, I think it’s important that there is a clear plan to attack or to address systematic racism that definitely exists. So any candidate that has that in their plan, is definitely one who is higher on my ranking. Also looking at affordable housing and what that looks like in terms of providing opportunities and access to states and municipalities to provide public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing.”
Like Love, Nelson is concerned about electability. She has been impressed by Klobuchar, “but I’m not sure she’s getting her message across.”
As for Buttigieg, Nelson said she thinks the 38-year-old is appealing, but a little too young to win the election. “He’ll be a great president in eight years, I think, but I think he’s not ready.”
Sanders' age, health a factor
On the other end of the spectrum, Sanders’ age and health issues have ruled him out for Nelson, although four years ago, she liked Sanders “in an idealistic way.”
But Nelson also thinks Sanders’ positions have become more extreme than they were four years ago, and that’s another factor weighing about him.
“I feel like Bernie is the extreme version of the liberal party, and Trump is the extreme version of the Republican party, and we’re yo-yo-ing back and forth,” Nelson said. “And I don’t think that’s what we need right now.”
For Nelson, the best choice for 2020 is a moderate candidate, “someone who’s going to calm us down … and say, ‘Hey, remember we have more in common than we don’t.’ And I thought that was going to be Biden, and I still hope that it is.”
Nelson’s top issue is health care and being able to keep the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, rather than creating a new system such as Medicare for All.
Wanted: One who can unify
But second on her list of concerns is choosing someone who can be a unifier.
Littlejohn also would like to see a candidate who can bring people together.
“I feel like there’s a lot of unnecessary name-calling and going back and forth, and we could get that with the current president,” Littlejohn said. “So it’s really made it more difficult to narrow down my choices.”
Love, who describes his political stance as “more middle of the road,” said he doesn’t mind Sanders’ left-leaning policies, but he doesn’t think the Vermont senator would win in the general election, adding that Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s policies are too similar to Sanders’ to give her a shot at becoming the nominee.
But although he’s undecided for the primary, Love has already made up his mind for the general election in November.
“Whoever the Democrats come up with, I’ll support wholeheartedly because I really would like to see a change in November,” he said.
Other Democratic voters share that sentiment.
When Nelson did her taxes recently, she got a nice surprise: A $3,000 tax credit as a result of Trump’s tax reform.
“It was helpful, but I would rather pay the full amount of taxes and live in an America where we are kind to each other, like a beacon on a hill and a true leader. I would rather pay for myself, pay all my taxes, and be in a country where we take care of each other, than get a discount on taxes and attack each other.”


usatoday--2020-02-24--OnPolitics: Gifts and political meddling for everybody

It would appear that the days of political misinformation and campaign tomfoolery are back in full force and we 're all just going to have to work through it .
A USA TODAY investigation looks at the different faces of disinformation and how it 's impacting the 2020 presidential campaign .
Fear not , just stick with USA TODAY and you 'll be chock full of legit info to digest and share with the world .
• Bernie Sanders briefed by US officials that Russia is attempting to help him • Biden says Russia working to prevent him from getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned lawmakers that Russia was interfering in 2020 Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer admitted Sunday that he has dropped almost $ 9,000 on his favorite cheesecake over the years .
Holding a platter of the rich dessert aloft at a news conference , Schumer responded to a New York Post report that said Federal Election Commission filings reveal he spent $ 8,600 on cheesecake from Junior 's , a restaurant that boasts it has the best cheesecake in New York , over the course of a decade .
`` Guilty as charged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During his second year in office , President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received nearly three dozen gifts totaling $ 81,385 , which were turned over to the National Archives or other government agencies .
The most expensive gift went to the first lady , who received six Nymphenburg design plates from the Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani , the amir of Qatar .
The green plates , each bearing the crowned shield emblem , are valued at $ 23,500 .
• Gifts to Mike Pence from foreign leaders : Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump dazzled by 'stunning display of India 's culture and kindness' Democratic candidates are out here attacking each other , helping kids Let us take a moment to get caught up on where the 2020 Democratic candidates are and what they 've been getting up to , shall we ?
Also , heads up , South Carolina is next .
• Boy , 9 , asks Pete Buttigieg for help coming out as gay • Sanders ' support of some of Castro 's policies may have doomed his chances in Florida

OnPolitics: Gifts and political meddling for everybody
Russia. smh.
It would appear that the days of political misinformation and campaign tomfoolery are back in full force and we're all just going to have to work through it.
A USA TODAY investigation looks at the different faces of disinformation and how it's impacting the 2020 presidential campaign.
Fear not, just stick with USA TODAY and you'll be chock full of legit info to digest and share with the world.
'It's my guilty pleasure'
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer admitted Sunday that he has dropped almost $9,000 on his favorite cheesecake over the years.
Holding a platter of the rich dessert aloft at a news conference, Schumer responded to a New York Post report that said Federal Election Commission filings reveal he spent $8,600 on cheesecake from Junior's, a restaurant that boasts it has the best cheesecake in New York, over the course of a decade.
"Guilty as charged," the New York Democrat confessed.
Speaking of extravagances
During his second year in office, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received nearly three dozen gifts totaling $81,385, which were turned over to the National Archives or other government agencies.
The most expensive gift went to the first lady, who received six Nymphenburg design plates from the Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the amir of Qatar. The green plates, each bearing the crowned shield emblem, are valued at $23,500.
Democratic candidates are out here attacking each other, helping kids
Let us take a moment to get caught up on where the 2020 Democratic candidates are and what they've been getting up to, shall we? Also, heads up, South Carolina is next.


usatoday--2020-02-24--From Louis Vuitton golf bags to bed covers, foreign dignitaries shower Trumps with expensive gifts

WASHINGTON – It ’ s a très chic – not to mention expensive – gift for the golf lover who has everything .
French President Emmanuel Macron gifted President Donald Trump with a Louis Vuitton brown vinyl golf bag with beige lettering and photos of seven soldiers standing before the U.S. flag , the State Department disclosed in an annual report on Monday .
The golf bag and photos – total value $ 8,275 – are the most expensive of the 17 gifts Trump received from foreign leaders in 2018 , his second year in office .
All told , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly three dozen gifts totaling $ 81,385 , which were turned over to the National Archives or other government agencies .
The most expensive gift went to the first lady , who received six Nymphenburg design plates from the SheikTamim bin Hamad Al Thani , the amir of Qatar .
The green plates , each bearing the crowned shield emblem , are valued at $ 23,500 .
The president ’ s 17 gifts totaled $ 33,800 and included a $ 450 hickory wooden golf putter with engravings from the mayor of Davos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowl with the American and Irish flags from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar ; black leather boots valued at $ 545 from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ; and gold-framed portrait – who else ?
-– Trump himself , valued at $ 3,100 from the prime minister of Vietnam .
Au revoir : Tree planted by Trump and Macron to symbolize French-American friendship has died Other Trump gifts included a $ 2,950 miniature replica in silver of the Registan Ensemble from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev ; a $ 600 stone block recognizing Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ; and two printed pages issued in 1783 by the Queen Mary of Portugal and two porcelain vases from Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa .
The Portuguese gifts were valued at $ 2,270 .
Melania Trump received 13 gifts totaling $ 47,585 .
They included a pair of chairs valued at $ 10,000 from the president of Egypt ; a floral bed cover from the president of Uzbekistan valued at $ 4,200 and an oil painting , valued at $ 3,400 , depicting three snow-covered mountain peaks from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lady ’ s other gifts included a bronze statute valued at $ 1,300 and depicting a walking elephant with a tree from the first lady of Kenya ; two bracelets in a box , valued at $ 1,500 , from Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan ; and an Italian-made beige silk , valued at $ 850 , from Brigitte Macron , the wife of the French president .
Presidents and other federal officials are barred from receiving gifts from foreign governments under the Constitution unless approved by Congress – the same clause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting payments through his hotels .
But gifts of `` minimal value '' presented as a courtesy between heads of state are common .
In those cases , a gift can be accepted on behalf of the United States .
Like an awkward exchange on Christmas morning , the administration justifies accepting those gifts by declaring that `` non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to ( the ) donor and U.S .
Government . ''
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence go their own share of gifts , including Panama-style hats from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented by the president of South Korea and a $ 5,730 desk clock from the crown prince of Bahrain .

Michael Collins, John Fritze and Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY

From Louis Vuitton golf bags to bed covers, foreign dignitaries shower Trumps with expensive gifts
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump's India visit puts pageantry over policy The first day of President Donald Trump's visit to India was devoted enviable photo-ops: the largest rally of his presidency sandwiched between visits to a former home of independence leader Mohandas Gandhi and a sunset tour of the Taj Mahal. (Feb. 24) AP
WASHINGTON – It’s a très chic – not to mention expensive – gift for the golf lover who has everything.
French President Emmanuel Macron gifted President Donald Trump with a Louis Vuitton brown vinyl golf bag with beige lettering and photos of seven soldiers standing before the U.S. flag, the State Department disclosed in an annual report on Monday.
The golf bag and photos – total value $8,275 – are the most expensive of the 17 gifts Trump received from foreign leaders in 2018, his second year in office.
All told, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received nearly three dozen gifts totaling $81,385, which were turned over to the National Archives or other government agencies.
The most expensive gift went to the first lady, who received six Nymphenburg design plates from the SheikTamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the amir of Qatar. The green plates, each bearing the crowned shield emblem, are valued at $23,500.
The president’s 17 gifts totaled $33,800 and included a $450 hickory wooden golf putter with engravings from the mayor of Davos, Switzerland; a $3,800 footed crystal bowl with the American and Irish flags from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar; black leather boots valued at $545 from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull; and gold-framed portrait – who else? -– Trump himself, valued at $3,100 from the prime minister of Vietnam.
Au revoir: Tree planted by Trump and Macron to symbolize French-American friendship has died
Other Trump gifts included a $2,950 miniature replica in silver of the Registan Ensemble from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev; a $600 stone block recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and two printed pages issued in 1783 by the Queen Mary of Portugal and two porcelain vases from Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Portuguese gifts were valued at $2,270.
Melania Trump received 13 gifts totaling $47,585. They included a pair of chairs valued at $10,000 from the president of Egypt; a floral bed cover from the president of Uzbekistan valued at $4,200 and an oil painting, valued at $3,400, depicting three snow-covered mountain peaks from the president of Kazakhstan.
The first lady’s other gifts included a bronze statute valued at $1,300 and depicting a walking elephant with a tree from the first lady of Kenya; two bracelets in a box, valued at $1,500, from Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan; and an Italian-made beige silk, valued at $850, from Brigitte Macron, the wife of the French president.
Presidents and other federal officials are barred from receiving gifts from foreign governments under the Constitution unless approved by Congress – the same clause that has inspired lawsuits alleging Trump is accepting payments through his hotels.
But gifts of "minimal value" presented as a courtesy between heads of state are common. In those cases, a gift can be accepted on behalf of the United States. Like an awkward exchange on Christmas morning, the administration justifies accepting those gifts by declaring that "non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to (the) donor and U.S. Government."
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence got their own share of gifts, including Panama-style hats from the president of Ecuador, paint brushes presented by the president of South Korea and a $5,730 desk clock from the crown prince of Bahrain.


usatoday--2020-02-24--Gifts to Mike Pence from foreign leaders: Why a $5,730 clock was destroyed

WASHINGTON – Panama-style hats given to Vice President Mike Pence and his wife by the president of Ecuador have been turned over to the National Archives .
Framed paint brushes presented by the president of South Korea are on display in the office of Second Lady Karen Pence , an artist .
But the $ 5,730 desk clock given to the vice president by the crown prince of Bahrain has been destroyed out of apparent concern that it could be a secret surveillance device .
The destruction was `` per policy '' of the U.S. Secret Service , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Trump administration by foreign leaders that was released Monday .
A number of watches given to unidentified CIA employees were also listed as `` pending destruction . ''
A spokesperson for the Secret Service said the agency does not comment on the `` means and methods of protective operations.
” Presidents and other federal officials are barred from receiving gifts from foreign governments under the Constitution unless approved by Congress But gifts of `` minimal value '' presented as a courtesy between heads of state are common .
In those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of the United States to avoiding causing `` embarrassment to ( the ) donor and U.S .
Government . ''
Presidents and other officials may purchase a gift for market value .
The most expensive gift Trump received last year was a Louis Vuitton vinyl brown golf bag complete with beige lettering that carries photos of seven soldiers standing before the U.S. flag .
That gift from French President Emmanuel Macron was valued at $ 8,275 .
It was given to the National Archives .
The clock that was destroyed was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pences received in 2018 .
It was described as a mother-of-pearl paneled clock face set in a sterling silver case with a zigzag styling that copied the flag of Bahrain .
In 2017 , the crown prince of Bahrain gave Trump a model jet fighter , made of gold-plated silver , complete with missiles and rockets , worth $ 4,850 .
It was not destroyed .
Other gifts the Pences received in 2018 included : • A menorah created from a rocket that landed in Israel during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Labor Party was valued at $ 465 .
• A hand-embroidered silk bed cover from the wife of the president of Uzbekistan , valued at $ 440 .
• A bronze sculpture depicting kokpar , a game played on horseback with a headless goat carcass .
The $ 2,950 gift was from the president of Kazakhstan .

Gifts to Mike Pence from foreign leaders: Why a $5,730 clock was destroyed
WASHINGTON – Panama-style hats given to Vice President Mike Pence and his wife by the president of Ecuador have been turned over to the National Archives.
Framed paint brushes presented by the president of South Korea are on display in the office of Second Lady Karen Pence, an artist.
But the $5,730 desk clock given to the vice president by the crown prince of Bahrain has been destroyed out of apparent concern that it could be a secret surveillance device.
The destruction was "per policy" of the U.S. Secret Service, according to an annual disclosure of gifts given to members of the Trump administration by foreign leaders that was released Monday.
A number of watches given to unidentified CIA employees were also listed as "pending destruction."
A spokesperson for the Secret Service said the agency does not comment on the "means and methods of protective operations.”
Presidents and other federal officials are barred from receiving gifts from foreign governments under the Constitution unless approved by Congress.
But gifts of "minimal value" presented as a courtesy between heads of state are common. In those cases, a gift can be accepted on behalf of the United States to avoiding causing "embarrassment to (the) donor and U.S. Government."
Presidents and other officials may purchase a gift for market value.
The most expensive gift Trump received last year was a Louis Vuitton vinyl brown golf bag complete with beige lettering that carries photos of seven soldiers standing before the U.S. flag. That gift from French President Emmanuel Macron was valued at $8,275. It was given to the National Archives.
The clock that was destroyed was the most expensive of the 13 gifts the Pences received in 2018. It was described as a mother-of-pearl paneled clock face set in a sterling silver case with a zigzag styling that copied the flag of Bahrain.
In 2017, the crown prince of Bahrain gave Trump a model jet fighter, made of gold-plated silver, complete with missiles and rockets, worth $4,850. It was not destroyed.
Other gifts the Pences received in 2018 included:
• A menorah created from a rocket that landed in Israel during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. The gift from the chairman of Israel's Labor Party was valued at $465.
• A hand-embroidered silk bed cover from the wife of the president of Uzbekistan, valued at $440.
• A cobalt blue vase from Macron, valued at $680.
• A bronze sculpture depicting kokpar, a game played on horseback with a headless goat carcass. The $2,950 gift was from the president of Kazakhstan.


usatoday--2020-02-24--Why GOP-friendly South Carolina is still a key state for Democratic presidential hopefuls

GREENVILLE , S.C. – Even though South Carolina is a Republican stronghold , the Palmetto State has a pivotal part to play in the Democratic presidential race .
The reasons have to do with timing and demographics , political experts say .
With Sen. Bernie Sanders coming off a commanding win in Nevada , and former Vice President Joe Biden going all-in on the first-in-the-South contest , here are a few reasons why South Carolina looms large in the Democratic primary .
A total of 54 delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be up for grabs in South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it the largest prize of the party 's first four contests .
More importantly , the top candidates in the primary will gain critical momentum going into Super Tuesday on March 2 , which will feature Democratic primaries in 14 states , including delegate-rich California and Texas .
Conversely , hope will fade for those who do poorly in South Carolina .
`` If you ca n't win in South Carolina , then you 're going to have a problem winning across the country , '' said state Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead in pledged national delegates , but a commanding win by one of his rivals could vault them ahead .
In South Carolina , the difference between success and failure will come down to winning support from black voters .
Nationally , black voters account for about 25 percent of Democratic voters , but they are expected to cast a majority of the ballots in South Carolina 's primary .
South Carolina `` does n't look like Iowa and New Hampshire , '' said Charles Bierbauer , retired dean of the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Communications .
He covered five presidential elections for CNN .
`` The black vote , which is critical to the Democratic Party , comes into play for the first time , '' Bierbauer said .
The primary ballot could be the most crowded in state history .
A total of 14 candidates met a Dec. 4 deadline but the field is now down to 8 .
Several presidential hopefuls have campaigned in Greenville and other parts of the Upstate during the past several months , fueling interest in this month 's primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a lot of talk about it , '' said Kate Franch , chairwoman of the Greenville County Democratic Party .
`` Definitely some voters know who they believe they are voting for , but there is still a good number who are trying to sort it out . ''
The state 's 2008 and 2016 primaries illustrated South Carolina 's importance in the Democratic presidential race .
After finishing third in the Iowa caucus on Jan. 3 , 2008 , Hillary Clinton rebounded and won the New Hampshire primary .
But later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina by Barack Obama .
Obama went on to win 13 of the 23 Super Tuesday contests that year on his way to becoming the nation 's first African American president .
South Carolina native John Edwards , who finished third in the state 's 2008 primary , dropped out of the race four days later .
After losing in New Hampshire to Sanders , her resounding victory in South Carolina — where she took 73 % of the vote —set the stage for Clinton to win seven of 11 Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to claim the party 's presidential nomination .
A victory in the South 's first primary would be vital for former Biden , especially if he struggles in Iowa and New Hampshire , said Danielle Vinson , a professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University in Greenville , last month before those races were contested .
Biden did in fact stumble , taking third in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire .
`` South Carolina may be a way to solidify him or stop any questions that have arisen about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vinson said .
Paige Hill , communications director for Biden 's campaign in South Carolina , said the former vice president has a deep fondness for the state that has developed over decades .
`` On a personal level , South Carolina is very important to Biden and his family , '' Hill said .
`` He has a very long history here , deep relationships and those relationships go beyond campaigning , they go beyond politics . ''
According to polls , the other top-tier candidates in South Carolina are Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steyer .
Steyer 's campaign claims he has momentum in the state , citing an early January poll conducted by Fox News that showed him running second to Biden .
Steyer has spent more than $ 14 million on ads in South Carolina since mid-November , according to data from Advertising Analytics published by NBC News .
His investment dwarfs the $ 2 million paid by the second-highest spending Democratic candidate in the state , Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana .
Steyer also has the largest campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdul Henderson , his deputy campaign manager for battleground states .
`` We 've put a tremendous emphasis on our direct-voter contacts and introducing Tom to South Carolinians , '' Henderson said .
`` If we can come in in the top three we will call that a victory , '' Henderson said .
Vinson said Steyer may need a strong showing in South Carolina to remain viable .
`` If he does n't catch fire in Iowa or New Hampshire , it might be a way to keep him going if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
South Carolina also could turn out to be critical for Sanders and Warren , who each support Medicare for all and other progressive positions .
`` If progressives , younger voters coalesce around one , it could be important , '' she said .
For the rest of the field , a lack of success in South Carolina could foretell that they do `` not have much of a path forward , '' Vinson said .
President Donald Trump won about 55 percent of the votes in South Carolina in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again win the state where Republicans control the governor 's mansion , the General Assembly , both U.S. Senate seats and five of seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives .
`` All expectations are that in November of 2020 South Carolina is going to go Republican , '' said Bruce Ransom , a political science professor at Clemson University .
The fact that the state could be a key player in choosing Trump 's opponent is `` an irony , '' Ransom said .
While Vinson agreed that the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play , '' Vinson said this month 's primary could create energy that might help Democratic candidates in down-ticket races .
`` Any time you can get attention focused on Democrats in the state it is good for them , '' she said .
`` There are enough people frustrated with Trump , there are new voters , there are the folks who supported Obama in 2012 but kind of sat out 2016 .
If you can get them back them up and involved as a result of this primary it makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the polls in November . ''
Franch said she hopes the primary will help reverse a dip in the turnout of African American voters in Greenville that has been prevalent for the past decade while also leading to long-term growth for her party in the Upstate .
`` This is always about touching voters and helping them see why it is important to be engaged , '' Franch said .

Why GOP-friendly South Carolina is still a key state for Democratic presidential hopefuls
Show Caption Hide Caption How the DNC changed its rules since Sanders, Clinton in 2016 The primaries are here! How does one get elected in the first place and what is in store for the Democratic National Convention in 2020? We explain. Just the FAQs
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Even though South Carolina is a Republican stronghold, the Palmetto State has a pivotal part to play in the Democratic presidential race.
The reasons have to do with timing and demographics, political experts say.
With Sen. Bernie Sanders coming off a commanding win in Nevada, and former Vice President Joe Biden going all-in on the first-in-the-South contest, here are a few reasons why South Carolina looms large in the Democratic primary.
South Carolina a momentum-builder
A total of 54 delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be up for grabs in South Carolina's primary on Feb. 29, making it the largest prize of the party's first four contests.
More importantly, the top candidates in the primary will gain critical momentum going into Super Tuesday on March 3, which will feature Democratic primaries in 14 states, including delegate-rich California and Texas.
Conversely, hope will fade for those who do poorly in South Carolina.
"If you can't win in South Carolina, then you're going to have a problem winning across the country," said state Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson.
After Nevada, Sanders had taken the lead in pledged national delegates, but a commanding win by one of his rivals could vault them ahead.
Black voters are key
In South Carolina, the difference between success and failure will come down to winning support from black voters. Nationally, black voters account for about 25 percent of Democratic voters, but they are expected to cast a majority of the ballots in South Carolina's primary.
South Carolina "doesn't look like Iowa and New Hampshire," said Charles Bierbauer, retired dean of the University of South Carolina's College of Information and Communications. He covered five presidential elections for CNN.
"The black vote, which is critical to the Democratic Party, comes into play for the first time," Bierbauer said.
The primary ballot could be the most crowded in state history. A total of 14 candidates met a Dec. 4 deadline but the field is now down to 8.
Several presidential hopefuls have campaigned in Greenville and other parts of the Upstate during the past several months, fueling interest in this month's primary.
"People are excited. There is a lot of talk about it," said Kate Franch, chairwoman of the Greenville County Democratic Party. "Definitely some voters know who they believe they are voting for, but there is still a good number who are trying to sort it out."
History shows why South Carolina matters
The state's 2008 and 2016 primaries illustrated South Carolina's importance in the Democratic presidential race.
After finishing third in the Iowa caucus on Jan. 3, 2008, Hillary Clinton rebounded and won the New Hampshire primary.
But later that month, Clinton was swamped in South Carolina by Barack Obama. Obama went on to win 13 of the 23 Super Tuesday contests that year on his way to becoming the nation's first African American president.
South Carolina native John Edwards, who finished third in the state's 2008 primary, dropped out of the race four days later.
In 2016, Clinton turned the tables.
After losing in New Hampshire to Sanders, her resounding victory in South Carolina — where she took 73% of the vote —set the stage for Clinton to win seven of 11 Super Tuesday contests. She later became the first woman to claim the party's presidential nomination.
A crucial test for Biden
A victory in the South's first primary would be vital for former Biden, especially if he struggles in Iowa and New Hampshire, said Danielle Vinson, a professor of politics and international affairs at Furman University in Greenville, last month before those races were contested. Biden did in fact stumble, taking third in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire.
"South Carolina may be a way to solidify him or stop any questions that have arisen about him heading into Super Tuesday," Vinson said.
Paige Hill, communications director for Biden's campaign in South Carolina, said the former vice president has a deep fondness for the state that has developed over decades.
"On a personal level, South Carolina is very important to Biden and his family," Hill said. "He has a very long history here, deep relationships and those relationships go beyond campaigning, they go beyond politics."
Steyer spending big
According to polls, the other top-tier candidates in South Carolina are Sanders, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and billionaire Tom Steyer.
Steyer's campaign claims he has momentum in the state, citing an early January poll conducted by Fox News that showed him running second to Biden.
Steyer has spent more than $14 million on ads in South Carolina since mid-November, according to data from Advertising Analytics published by NBC News. His investment dwarfs the $2 million paid by the second-highest spending Democratic candidate in the state, Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
Steyer also has the largest campaign staff in the state, according to Abdul Henderson, his deputy campaign manager for battleground states.
"We've put a tremendous emphasis on our direct-voter contacts and introducing Tom to South Carolinians," Henderson said.
"If we can come in in the top three we will call that a victory," Henderson said.
Vinson said Steyer may need a strong showing in South Carolina to remain viable.
"If he doesn't catch fire in Iowa or New Hampshire, it might be a way to keep him going if he did better than expected here," she said.
South Carolina also could turn out to be critical for Sanders and Warren, who each support Medicare for all and other progressive positions.
"If progressives, younger voters coalesce around one, it could be important," she said.
For the rest of the field, a lack of success in South Carolina could foretell that they do "not have much of a path forward," Vinson said.
Will Democratic primary alter South Carolina's political landscape?
President Donald Trump won about 55 percent of the votes in South Carolina in 2016. He is widely expected to again win the state where Republicans control the governor's mansion, the General Assembly, both U.S. Senate seats and five of seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"All expectations are that in November of 2020 South Carolina is going to go Republican," said Bruce Ransom, a political science professor at Clemson University.
The fact that the state could be a key player in choosing Trump's opponent is "an irony," Ransom said.
While Vinson agreed that the state's presidential vote "is not really in play," Vinson said this month's primary could create energy that might help Democratic candidates in down-ticket races.
"Any time you can get attention focused on Democrats in the state it is good for them," she said. "There are enough people frustrated with Trump, there are new voters, there are the folks who supported Obama in 2012 but kind of sat out 2016. If you can get them back them up and involved as a result of this primary it makes it a little bit easier to get them to the polls in November."
Franch said she hopes the primary will help reverse a dip in the turnout of African American voters in Greenville that has been prevalent for the past decade while also leading to long-term growth for her party in the Upstate.
"This is always about touching voters and helping them see why it is important to be engaged," Franch said.
Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM


usatoday--2020-02-24--Sanders praises some of Castro's policies, angering Republicans and Democrats in Florida

MIAMI – By singing the praises of aspects of Cuba 's communist regime during a prime-time interview Sunday night , Sen. Bernie Sanders pulled off the unimaginable : uniting Republicans and Democrats in the notoriously divided swing state of Florida .
That unlikely union springs from long-standing fears of socialism in the Sunshine State , home to so many exiled Cubans , Venezuelans and Nicaraguans who fled socialist regimes in their home countries and make up an ever-growing size of the electorate in Florida .
Sanders has long voiced his support for the nationwide health care and educational achievements of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown that he could beat President Donald Trump in Florida if he became the Democratic nominee .
But by expressing support for Cuba 's literacy programs during an interview on `` 60 Minutes , '' Sanders may have cost himself the chance to win Florida 's primary March 17 in his quest to become the nominee .
`` He stepped on a mine , '' said Ricardo Herrero , the Cuban American executive director of the Cuba Study Group , a nonpartisan think tank in Washington .
During the interview , Sanders expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Castro regime , but he qualified that criticism by praising the literacy program implemented by Castro , asking , `` Is that a bad thing ? ''
Republicans in Florida quickly pounced .
Cuban American Sen. Marco Rubio and others shared clips of Sanders ' interview through emails and tweets .
Democrats attacked just as quickly .
Two of South Florida 's Democratic members of Congress criticized Sanders ' comments .
Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala encouraged Sanders to speak to her constituents about the true nature of a `` murderous tyrant like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group backed the Obama-era diplomatic opening with Cuba and opposed Trump 's moves to scale back relations with the communist island , said his phone blew up Monday morning with calls from liberals enraged over Sanders ' comments .
Glossing over the atrocities committed by the Castro regime by highlighting improvements in literacy rates shows that Sanders has not spent any time speaking with voters in Florida , Herrero said .
`` To many people in Miami , that 's like saying , 'Not everything Hitler did was bad , he also created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It ’ s hard to see a scenario where he wins Florida if he keeps talking this way . ''
During interviews over the years , Sanders has said Castro , though not perfect , educated his people and implemented a health care system that benefited all Cubans .
In 1985 , Sanders gave an interview after visiting Nicaragua , in which he praised Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega as an `` impressive guy '' and questioned why so many Americans bashed his socialist government .
`` Just because Ronald Reagan dislikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the people in their own nations feel the same way , '' said Sanders , who was mayor of Burlington , Vermont , at the time .
During each of his presidential campaigns , Sanders has tried to make clear that he embraces democratic socialism , a version that 's more in line with the policies of Denmark than those of Cuba .
Trying to draw that line is a tough task when talking to Cubans , Venezuelans and Nicaraguans in Florida , where it 's difficult to overstate how powerful the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanics make up about 17 % of the electorate in Florida , and the largest bloc of those voters are Cuban Americans who lean Republican overall even though younger Cubans trend more Democratic .
In 2016 , about 71 % of non-Cuban Hispanics voted for Hillary Clinton , and Trump took 54 % of the Cuban vote , according to the Pew Research Center .
As more Venezuelans pour into the state fleeing their country 's political and economic collapse , the `` socialism '' attack becomes even more powerful .
That helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate Ron DeSantis bashed his Democratic opponent , Andrew Gillum , by labeling him a far-left socialist who wanted to `` turn Florida into Venezuela . ''
DeSantis ' socialism attacks became so frequent that PolitiFact published a story pointing out that no , Gillum was not a socialist .
DeSantis won the governor 's office in a razor-thin election .
Rick Scott , Florida 's former Republican governor who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018 , used similar attacks against Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson .
PolitiFact rated Scott 's accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pants on Fire '' designation – but Scott won the seat .
Those races were in no way unique in Florida .
Socialist accusations are so commonplace , especially in South Florida , that they 've become the norm every election season .
From city council races to congressional campaigns , South Florida is flooded with TV ads and mailers featuring doctored pictures of political opponents side by side with Castro or , more recently , next to former Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chávez and his successor , Nicolás Maduro .
That 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of socialist systems all the more surprising to Florida voters .
Usually , candidates spend their campaigns fighting accusations of being a socialist , yet Sanders points out the silver lining of Castro 's work in Cuba .
Even before the `` 60 Minutes '' interview Sunday , Susan MacManus , a political science professor emeritus at the University of South Florida , said Sanders ' embrace of socialist ideals would make it difficult for him to win the state .
She said Cuban Americans and Venezuelan Americans turn out to vote at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a larger influence on Florida 's elections .
`` We 've seen the power of socialism in that 2018 governor 's race , and the Senate race as well , '' she said .
`` These voters heard 'socialism , ' and they were n't buying it .
That 's a big problem here . ''
Making matters even more difficult for Sanders is the fact that the Trump administration tried to foster the Cuban and Venezuelan voting blocs throughout his first presidential campaign and the first three years of his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , John Bolton dubbed the leaders of Cuba , Venezuela and Nicaragua the `` troika of tyranny '' and implemented a series of sanctions against those governments .
Trump launched his reelection campaign in Florida and has made frequent appearances there , focusing on the problems in Cuba and Venezuela .
After proclaiming Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the rightful president of Venezuela , Trump invited him to the State of the Union address as his guest this month , drawing one of the few moments of bipartisan applause of that night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida worried about their chances if Sanders continues racking up primary wins and becomes the Democratic nominee .
Liz Alarcón , a Venezuelan American political analyst in Florida who endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary , said Sanders should be far more forceful in condemning the atrocities of Castro and others like him in Latin America .
She said it 's hypocritical of Republicans to accuse their political opponents of acting like socialist dictators .
She said Trump has more in common with the region 's authoritarian leaders than Sanders does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant messaging implying he plans to perpetuate himself in power , his antagonizing of the press , his incalculable corruption , how he 's eroding our institutions and ignoring checks and balances , he reminds me a lot more of Chavez and the tactics that got Venezuela where it is today than Bernie 's campaigning for Medicare for All and a Green New Deal does , '' Alarcón said .

Sanders praises some of Castro's policies, angering Republicans and Democrats in Florida
Show Caption Hide Caption Sanders declares victory in Nevada caucuses Nevada caucus results showed Bernie Sanders as the winner in the nation's most diverse-yet voting bloc. Associated Press
MIAMI – By singing the praises of aspects of Cuba's communist regime during a prime-time interview Sunday night, Sen. Bernie Sanders pulled off the unimaginable: uniting Republicans and Democrats in the notoriously divided swing state of Florida.
That unlikely union springs from long-standing fears of socialism in the Sunshine State, home to so many exiled Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans who fled socialist regimes in their home countries and make up an ever-growing size of the electorate in Florida.
Sanders has long voiced his support for the nationwide health care and educational achievements of Cuba under Fidel Castro. Polls have shown that he could beat President Donald Trump in Florida if he became the Democratic nominee. But by expressing support for Cuba's literacy programs during an interview on "60 Minutes," Sanders may have cost himself the chance to win Florida's primary March 17 in his quest to become the nominee.
"He stepped on a mine," said Ricardo Herrero, the Cuban American executive director of the Cuba Study Group, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington.
During the interview, Sanders expressed his opposition to the authoritarian nature of the Castro regime, but he qualified that criticism by praising the literacy program implemented by Castro, asking, "Is that a bad thing?"
Republicans in Florida quickly pounced. Cuban American Sen. Marco Rubio and others shared clips of Sanders' interview through emails and tweets. Democrats attacked just as quickly.
Two of South Florida's Democratic members of Congress criticized Sanders' comments. Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala encouraged Sanders to speak to her constituents about the true nature of a "murderous tyrant like Fidel Castro."
He received criticism outside Florida as well. United States Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said the remarks were "outrageous."
“I'm sure all of those who died at Castro's hands and were shot at firing squads, all those who were tortured, those who live in my state and suffered enormously under the regime, the more than a million people who fled, I'm sure they all think that the literacy program was worth all of that," he said.
"If that's going to be his foreign policy, then we're doomed," Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, said.
Fidel Castro left a dark legacy of forced labor camps, religious repression, widespread poverty, firing squads, and the murder of thousands of his own people.
But sure, Bernie, let’s talk about his literacy program. pic.twitter.com/3Xqu435uoA — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 24, 2020
Herrero, whose group backed the Obama-era diplomatic opening with Cuba and opposed Trump's moves to scale back relations with the communist island, said his phone blew up Monday morning with calls from liberals enraged over Sanders' comments.
Glossing over the atrocities committed by the Castro regime by highlighting improvements in literacy rates shows that Sanders has not spent any time speaking with voters in Florida, Herrero said.
"To many people in Miami, that's like saying, 'Not everything Hitler did was bad, he also created the Autobahn,' " said Herrero. "It’s hard to see a scenario where he wins Florida if he keeps talking this way."
During interviews over the years, Sanders has said Castro, though not perfect, educated his people and implemented a health care system that benefited all Cubans.
In 1985, Sanders gave an interview after visiting Nicaragua, in which he praised Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega as an "impressive guy" and questioned why so many Americans bashed his socialist government.
"Just because Ronald Reagan dislikes these people does not mean to say that the people in their own nations feel the same way," said Sanders, who was mayor of Burlington, Vermont, at the time.
During each of his presidential campaigns, Sanders has tried to make clear that he embraces democratic socialism, a version that's more in line with the policies of Denmark than those of Cuba. Trying to draw that line is a tough task when talking to Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans in Florida, where it's difficult to overstate how powerful the word "socialism" can be.
Hispanics make up about 17% of the electorate in Florida, and the largest bloc of those voters are Cuban Americans who lean Republican overall even though younger Cubans trend more Democratic. In 2016, about 71% of non-Cuban Hispanics voted for Hillary Clinton, and Trump took 54% of the Cuban vote, according to the Pew Research Center. As more Venezuelans pour into the state fleeing their country's political and economic collapse, the "socialism" attack becomes even more powerful.
That helps explain why in 2018, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis bashed his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum, by labeling him a far-left socialist who wanted to "turn Florida into Venezuela." DeSantis' socialism attacks became so frequent that PolitiFact published a story pointing out that no, Gillum was not a socialist. DeSantis won the governor's office in a razor-thin election.
Rick Scott, Florida's former Republican governor who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018, used similar attacks against Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson. PolitiFact rated Scott's accusations as false – giving him its "Pants on Fire" designation – but Scott won the seat.
Those races were in no way unique in Florida. Socialist accusations are so commonplace, especially in South Florida, that they've become the norm every election season. From city council races to congressional campaigns, South Florida is flooded with TV ads and mailers featuring doctored pictures of political opponents side by side with Castro or, more recently, next to former Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro.
That's what makes Sanders' support of some aspects of socialist systems all the more surprising to Florida voters. Usually, candidates spend their campaigns fighting accusations of being a socialist, yet Sanders points out the silver lining of Castro's work in Cuba.
Even before the "60 Minutes" interview Sunday, Susan MacManus, a political science professor emeritus at the University of South Florida, said Sanders' embrace of socialist ideals would make it difficult for him to win the state. She said Cuban Americans and Venezuelan Americans turn out to vote at higher rates than others, meaning they have a larger influence on Florida's elections.
"We've seen the power of socialism in that 2018 governor's race, and the Senate race as well," she said. "These voters heard 'socialism,' and they weren't buying it. That's a big problem here."
Making matters even more difficult for Sanders is the fact that the Trump administration tried to foster the Cuban and Venezuelan voting blocs throughout his first presidential campaign and the first three years of his administration.
When he was national security adviser, John Bolton dubbed the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua the "troika of tyranny" and implemented a series of sanctions against those governments. Trump launched his reelection campaign in Florida and has made frequent appearances there, focusing on the problems in Cuba and Venezuela. After proclaiming Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the rightful president of Venezuela, Trump invited him to the State of the Union address as his guest this month, drawing one of the few moments of bipartisan applause of that night.
This all has some Democrats in Florida worried about their chances if Sanders continues racking up primary wins and becomes the Democratic nominee.
Liz Alarcón, a Venezuelan American political analyst in Florida who endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary, said Sanders should be far more forceful in condemning the atrocities of Castro and others like him in Latin America. She said it's hypocritical of Republicans to accuse their political opponents of acting like socialist dictators. She said Trump has more in common with the region's authoritarian leaders than Sanders does.
"When I hear Trump's constant messaging implying he plans to perpetuate himself in power, his antagonizing of the press, his incalculable corruption, how he's eroding our institutions and ignoring checks and balances, he reminds me a lot more of Chavez and the tactics that got Venezuela where it is today than Bernie's campaigning for Medicare for All and a Green New Deal does," Alarcón said.
CONTRIBUTING: Christal Hayes in USA TODAY's Washington bureau