usatoday--2020-02-06--Chinese espionage, tech theft is 'greatest long-term threat' to U.S. economy, FBI director says

WASHINGTON -- FBI Director Christopher Wray sounded an urgent warning Thursday about China ’ s pursuit of U.S. technology and trade secrets , casting the communist power ’ s campaign of theft as the “ greatest long-term threat to our economic vitality . ''
The director , joining Attorney General William Barr and other top Justice Department officials in outlining the government 's countermeasures , said the FBI has 1,000 open investigations into suspected Chinese economic espionage and technology theft .
Wray said the Chinese government will use any means necessary to “ steal their way up the economic ladder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology systems , aerospace , agriculture , defense and research programs , and broad swaths of academia .
`` The dictatorship , '' Wray told a conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , `` has mobilized all aspects of Chinese society to dominate the core technologies of the future . ''
That effort is supported by industrial espionage , theft and corruption , he said .
`` The Chinese have targeted companies producing everything from proprietary rice and corn seeds to software for wind turbines to high-end medical devices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not just targeting innovation and ( research and development ) .
They ’ re going after cost and pricing information , internal strategy documents ... anything that can give them a competitive advantage . ''
Barr said China 's `` economic aggression '' costs American industries and academia up to $ 600 billion annually .
Just last week , federal prosecutors charged a Harvard University professor with lying about money he received from the Chinese government to lure American talent to China .
Charles Lieber , chair of the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is accused of making materially false , fictitious and fraudulent statements about his work for the Chinese government .
Lieber was paid $ 50,000 a month and up to $ 158,000 in living expenses for his work , which involved cultivating young teachers and students , according to court documents .
He also received more than $ 1.5 million to create a research lab at the Wuhan University of Technology in China .
Lieber , who specializes in nanoscience and is principal investigator of Harvard 's Lieber Research Group , has received more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. federal agencies since 2008 .
He is required to disclose any conflicts of interest and money he receives from foreign governments .
But authorities say Lieber denied his affiliation with the Chinese program , called the Thousand Talents Plan , and with Wuhan University .
Lieber told investigators and Harvard University officials in 2018 that he `` is not and has never been a participant '' in the program and he `` had no formal association '' with Wuhan University after 2012 , according to court documents .
He claimed the university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement .
Harvard has said it 's cooperating with the investigation and has put Lieber on administrative leave .
On Thursday , Barr said China 's academia is among the sectors the dictatorship has mobilized in its pursuit of technological domination .
`` Unfortunately , it also involves industrial espionage and theft of technology and intellectual property , as well as forced technology transfers , predatory pricing , leveraging China ’ s foreign direct investment , and strong-arm sales tactics in target markets , including the use of corruption , '' Barr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher . ''

Chinese espionage, tech theft is 'greatest long-term threat' to U.S. economy, FBI director says
WASHINGTON--FBI Director Christopher Wray sounded an urgent warning Thursday about China’s pursuit of U.S. technology and trade secrets, casting the communist power’s campaign of theft as the “greatest long-term threat to our economic vitality."
The director, joining Attorney General William Barr and other top Justice Department officials in outlining the government's countermeasures, said the FBI has 1,000 open investigations into suspected Chinese economic espionage and technology theft.
Wray said the Chinese government will use any means necessary to “steal their way up the economic ladder at our expense'' by penetrating information technology systems, aerospace, agriculture, defense and research programs, and broad swaths of academia.
"The dictatorship," Wray told a conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "has mobilized all aspects of Chinese society to dominate the core technologies of the future." That effort is supported by industrial espionage, theft and corruption, he said.
"The Chinese have targeted companies producing everything from proprietary rice and corn seeds to software for wind turbines to high-end medical devices," Wray said. "And they’re not just targeting innovation and (research and development). They’re going after cost and pricing information, internal strategy documents ... anything that can give them a competitive advantage."
Barr said China's "economic aggression" costs American industries and academia up to $600 billion annually.
Just last week, federal prosecutors charged a Harvard University professor with lying about money he received from the Chinese government to lure American talent to China.
Charles Lieber, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard, is accused of making materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statements about his work for the Chinese government.
Lieber was paid $50,000 a month and up to $158,000 in living expenses for his work, which involved cultivating young teachers and students, according to court documents. He also received more than $1.5 million to create a research lab at the Wuhan University of Technology in China.
Lieber, who specializes in nanoscience and is principal investigator of Harvard's Lieber Research Group, has received more than $15 million in grants from U.S. federal agencies since 2008. He is required to disclose any conflicts of interest and money he receives from foreign governments.
But authorities say Lieber denied his affiliation with the Chinese program, called the Thousand Talents Plan, and with Wuhan University.
Lieber told investigators and Harvard University officials in 2018 that he "is not and has never been a participant" in the program and he "had no formal association" with Wuhan University after 2012, according to court documents. He claimed the university "continued to falsely exaggerate" his involvement.
Harvard has said it's cooperating with the investigation and has put Lieber on administrative leave.
On Thursday, Barr said China's academia is among the sectors the dictatorship has mobilized in its pursuit of technological domination.
"Unfortunately, it also involves industrial espionage and theft of technology and intellectual property, as well as forced technology transfers, predatory pricing, leveraging China’s foreign direct investment, and strong-arm sales tactics in target markets, including the use of corruption," Barr said.
"The stakes could not be higher."
Contributing: Kristine Phillips


usatoday--2020-02-06--President Trump blasts Romney, Dems after impeachment trial at National Prayer Breakfast

At the National Prayer Breakfast , President Donald Trump blasted impeachment supporters calling out those who `` use their faith @ @ @ @

Trump blasts Romney, Dems after impeachment trial acquittal
At the National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump blasted impeachment supporters calling out those who "use their faith as justification."
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-02-06--Clinton praises Romney's 'extraordinary' impeachment stand, says others 'voted to betray' Constituti

WASHINGTON – Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Sen. Mitt Romney for being the lone Republican to vote to remove President Donald Trump from office in the Senate impeachment trial and condemned his colleagues for voting `` to betray '' their oath to defend the Constitution .
`` I was n't surprised because it 's hard to get 67 votes to convict and remove somebody , '' Clinton said of her 2016 opponent 's acquittal during an interview on `` The Ellen DeGeneres Show '' that airs Thursday .
`` But I was still disappointed that not more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand that Mitt Romney took . ''
She said the senator from Utah delivered an `` extraordinary speech on the floor of the Senate talking about why he felt the weight of history on his shoulders . ''
Trump faced articles of impeachment on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from allegations that he used military aid to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations for his own political benefit .
Citing his religious convictions and his oath to be an impartial juror , Romney voted to convict Trump on the abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstruction of Congress .
`` With my vote , I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability , believing that my country expected it of me , '' Romney said in his speech explaining his vote .
`` I will only be one name among many , no more or less , to future generations of Americans who look at the record of this trial .
They will note merely that I was among the senators who determined that what the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Nixon , Clinton , Trump : Why is the political 'fire extinguisher ' of impeachment more common ?
Clinton – whose husband , former President Bill Clinton , survived his own impeachment trial in 1999 – said Romney 's vote was `` really important '' because `` it was the first time in our history that there has ever been a bipartisan vote to convict . ''
Clinton noted that while Romney – who got more than 60 million votes as the GOP nominee in the 2012 election – was the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conviction , many of his colleagues who voted to acquit said Trump 's actions were `` inappropriate . ''
`` His taking that stand , combined with all of the other remarks that different Republican senators had to say , there 's no doubt what the president did was wrong , '' Clinton said .
`` It was to promote his own personal interests , not the interests of our country .
It did put our national security at risk .
Everything that was said was proven . ''
In a tweet later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for acquittal .
`` As the president 's impeachment trial began , Republican senators pledged an oath to defend the Constitution , '' she tweeted .
`` Today , 52 of them voted to betray that oath – and all of us .
`` We ’ re entering dangerous territory for our democracy .
It ’ ll take all of us working together to restore it . ''
Clinton told host DeGeneres that Trump `` did n't think that anyone would hold him accountable '' but that she hoped the voters would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's voters who are going to have to say , 'OK , I have to take responsibility for this and follow Mitt Romney 's lead , ' '' she said .
Hillary Clinton : 'Lord knows what will happen if we do n't retire ' Trump Clinton booed : Rep. Rashida Tlaib boos Hillary Clinton at a Bernie Sanders event in Iowa over 'nobody likes him ' comment

Clinton praises Romney's 'extraordinary' impeachment stand, says others 'voted to betray' Constitution
Show Caption Hide Caption Hillary Clinton praises Romney as lone GOP senator not to 'betray' oath Hillary Clinton praised Sen. Mitt Romney for being the only Republican to vote to remove President Donald Trump from office. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Sen. Mitt Romney for being the lone Republican to vote to remove President Donald Trump from office in the Senate impeachment trial and condemned his colleagues for voting "to betray" their oath to defend the Constitution.
"I wasn't surprised because it's hard to get 67 votes to convict and remove somebody," Clinton said of her 2016 opponent's acquittal during an interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that airs Thursday. "But I was still disappointed that not more of the Republicans were willing to take the stand that Mitt Romney took."
She said the senator from Utah delivered an "extraordinary speech on the floor of the Senate talking about why he felt the weight of history on his shoulders."
Trump faced articles of impeachment on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from allegations that he used military aid to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations for his own political benefit.
Citing his religious convictions and his oath to be an impartial juror, Romney voted to convict Trump on the abuse of power charge but voted not guilty on obstruction of Congress.
"With my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it of me," Romney said in his speech explaining his vote. "I will only be one name among many, no more or less, to future generations of Americans who look at the record of this trial. They will note merely that I was among the senators who determined that what the president did was wrong, grievously wrong."
Nixon, Clinton, Trump: Why is the political 'fire extinguisher' of impeachment more common?
Mitt Romney chokes up explaining his impeachment vote to convict Trump Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, gives emotional explanation of his decision to vote to convict President Trump in impeachment trial USA TODAY, Associated Press
Clinton – whose husband, former President Bill Clinton, survived his own impeachment trial in 1999 – said Romney's vote was "really important" because "it was the first time in our history that there has ever been a bipartisan vote to convict."
Clinton noted that while Romney – who got more than 60 million votes as the GOP nominee in the 2012 election – was the only member of his party to vote for conviction, many of his colleagues who voted to acquit said Trump's actions were "inappropriate."
"His taking that stand, combined with all of the other remarks that different Republican senators had to say, there's no doubt what the president did was wrong," Clinton said. "It was to promote his own personal interests, not the interests of our country. It did put our national security at risk. Everything that was said was proven."
In a tweet later Wednesday, Clinton blasted the senators who voted for acquittal.
As the president's impeachment trial began, Republican senators pledged an oath to defend the Constitution.
Today, 52 of them voted to betray that oath—and all of us.
We’re entering dangerous territory for our democracy. It’ll take all of us working together to restore it. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 5, 2020
"As the president's impeachment trial began, Republican senators pledged an oath to defend the Constitution," she tweeted. "Today, 52 of them voted to betray that oath – and all of us.
"We’re entering dangerous territory for our democracy. It’ll take all of us working together to restore it."
Clinton told host DeGeneres that Trump "didn't think that anyone would hold him accountable" but that she hoped the voters would do just that in November.
"It's voters who are going to have to say, 'OK, I have to take responsibility for this and follow Mitt Romney's lead,'" she said.
Hillary Clinton: 'Lord knows what will happen if we don't retire' Trump
Clinton booed: Rep. Rashida Tlaib boos Hillary Clinton at a Bernie Sanders event in Iowa over 'nobody likes him' comment


usatoday--2020-02-06--Utah Sen. Mitt Romney voted to convict Trump during the impeachment trial. Read his full speech on t

WASHINGTON - Sen. Mitt Romney split with his party Wednesday when he voted to convict President Donald Trump on abuse of power in the Senate impeachment trial .
Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump , who was acquitted on both articles of impeachment .
Since then , he 's drawn praise from Democrats and the ire of Republicans .
In explaining his vote in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday , Romney appeared emotional , choking up when he explained how his faith informed his vote .
The Constitution is at the foundation of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each strive not to lose sight of our promise to defend it .
The Constitution established the vehicle of impeachment that has occupied both houses of Congress for these many days .
We have labored to faithfully execute our responsibilities to it .
We have arrived at different judgments , but I hope we respect each other ’ s good faith .
The allegations made in the articles of impeachment are very serious .
As a Senator-juror , I swore an oath , before God , to exercise “ impartial justice.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take an oath before God as enormously consequential .
I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the President , the leader of my own party , would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced .
I was not wrong .
The House Managers presented evidence supporting their case ; the White House counsel disputed that case .
In addition , the President ’ s team presented three defenses : first , that there can be no impeachment without a statutory crime ; second , that the Bidens ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and third that the judgement of the President ’ s actions should be left to the voters .
Let me first address each of those defenses .
The historic meaning of the words “ high crimes and misdemeanors , ” the writings of the Founders and my own reasoned judgement convince me that a president can indeed commit acts against the public trust that are so egregious that while they are not statutory crimes , they would demand removal from office .
To maintain that the lack of a codified and comprehensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president might conceivably commit renders Congress powerless to remove a president defies reason .
The President ’ s counsel noted that Vice President Biden appeared to have a conflict of interest when he undertook an effort to remove the Ukrainian Prosecutor General .
If he knew of the exorbitant compensation his son was receiving from a company actually under investigation , the Vice President should have recused himself .
While ignoring a conflict of interest is not a crime , it is surely very wrong .
With regards to Hunter Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s name is unsavory but also not a crime .
Given that in neither the case of the father nor the son was any evidence presented by the President ’ s counsel that a crime had been committed , the President ’ s insistence that they be investigated by the Ukrainians is hard to explain other than as a political pursuit .
There is no question in my mind that were their names not Biden , the President would never have done what he did .
The defense argues that the Senate should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While that logic is appealing to our democratic instincts , it is inconsistent with the Constitution ’ s requirement that the Senate , not the voters , try the president .
Hamilton explained that the Founders ’ decision to invest senators with this obligation rather than leave it to voters was intended to minimize—to the extent possible—the partisan sentiments of the public .
This verdict is ours to render .
The people will judge us for how well and faithfully we fulfilled our duty .
The grave question the Constitution tasks senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a “ high crime and misdemeanor.
” Yes , he did .
The President asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival .
The President withheld vital military funds from that government to press it to do so .
The President delayed funds for an American ally at war with Russian invaders .
The President ’ s purpose was personal and political .
Accordingly , the President is guilty of an appalling abuse of the public trust .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security interests , and our fundamental values .
Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one ’ s oath of office that I can imagine .
In the last several weeks , I have received numerous calls and texts .
Many demand that , in their words , “ I stand with the team.
” I can assure you that that thought has been very much on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what the President has done .
I have voted with him 80 % of the time .
But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside .
Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented , and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end , it would , I fear , expose my character to history ’ s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision , and in some quarters , I will be vehemently denounced .
I am sure to hear abuse from the President and his supporters .
Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me ?
I sought to hear testimony from John Bolton not only because I believed he could add context to the charges , but also because I hoped that what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove from me the awful obligation to vote for impeachment .
Like each member of this deliberative body , I love our country .
I believe that our Constitution was inspired by Providence .
I am convinced that freedom itself is dependent on the strength and vitality of our national character .
As it is with each senator , my vote is an act of conviction .
We have come to different conclusions , fellow senators , but I trust we have all followed the dictates of our conscience .
I acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from office .
The results of this Senate Court will in fact be appealed to a higher court : the judgement of the American people .
Voters will make the final decision , just as the President ’ s lawyers have implored .
My vote will likely be in the minority in the Senate .
But irrespective of these things , with my vote , I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability , believing that my country expected it of me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among many , no more or less , to future generations of Americans who look at the record of this trial .
They will note merely that I was among the senators who determined that what the President did was wrong , grievously wrong .
We ’ re all footnotes at best in the annals of history .
But in the most powerful nation on earth , the nation conceived in liberty and justice , that is distinction enough for any citizen .

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney voted to convict Trump during the impeachment trial. Read his full speech on the Senate floor
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mitt Romney split with his party Wednesday when he voted to convict President Donald Trump on abuse of power in the Senate impeachment trial.
Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump, who was acquitted on both articles of impeachment. Since then, he's drawn praise from Democrats and the ire of Republicans.
In explaining his vote in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, Romney appeared emotional, choking up when he explained how his faith informed his vote.
Read the full speech below:
The Constitution is at the foundation of our Republic’s success, and we each strive not to lose sight of our promise to defend it. The Constitution established the vehicle of impeachment that has occupied both houses of Congress for these many days. We have labored to faithfully execute our responsibilities to it. We have arrived at different judgments, but I hope we respect each other’s good faith.
The allegations made in the articles of impeachment are very serious. As a Senator-juror, I swore an oath, before God, to exercise “impartial justice.” I am a profoundly religious person. I take an oath before God as enormously consequential. I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the President, the leader of my own party, would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced. I was not wrong.
The House Managers presented evidence supporting their case; the White House counsel disputed that case. In addition, the President’s team presented three defenses: first, that there can be no impeachment without a statutory crime; second, that the Bidens’ conduct justified the President’s actions; and third that the judgement of the President’s actions should be left to the voters. Let me first address each of those defenses.
The historic meaning of the words “high crimes and misdemeanors,” the writings of the Founders and my own reasoned judgement convince me that a president can indeed commit acts against the public trust that are so egregious that while they are not statutory crimes, they would demand removal from office. To maintain that the lack of a codified and comprehensive list of all the outrageous acts that a president might conceivably commit renders Congress powerless to remove a president defies reason.
The President’s counsel noted that Vice President Biden appeared to have a conflict of interest when he undertook an effort to remove the Ukrainian Prosecutor General. If he knew of the exorbitant compensation his son was receiving from a company actually under investigation, the Vice President should have recused himself. While ignoring a conflict of interest is not a crime, it is surely very wrong.
With regards to Hunter Biden, taking excessive advantage of his father’s name is unsavory but also not a crime. Given that in neither the case of the father nor the son was any evidence presented by the President’s counsel that a crime had been committed, the President’s insistence that they be investigated by the Ukrainians is hard to explain other than as a political pursuit. There is no question in my mind that were their names not Biden, the President would never have done what he did.
The defense argues that the Senate should leave the impeachment decision to the voters. While that logic is appealing to our democratic instincts, it is inconsistent with the Constitution’s requirement that the Senate, not the voters, try the president. Hamilton explained that the Founders’ decision to invest senators with this obligation rather than leave it to voters was intended to minimize—to the extent possible—the partisan sentiments of the public.
This verdict is ours to render. The people will judge us for how well and faithfully we fulfilled our duty. The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the President committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a “high crime and misdemeanor.”
Yes, he did.
The President asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival.
The President withheld vital military funds from that government to press it to do so.
The President delayed funds for an American ally at war with Russian invaders.
The President’s purpose was personal and political.
Accordingly, the President is guilty of an appalling abuse of the public trust.
What he did was not “perfect”— No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security interests, and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.
In the last several weeks, I have received numerous calls and texts. Many demand that, in their words, “I stand with the team.” I can assure you that that thought has been very much on my mind. I support a great deal of what the President has done. I have voted with him 80% of the time. But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside. Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history’s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience.
I am aware that there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision, and in some quarters, I will be vehemently denounced. I am sure to hear abuse from the President and his supporters. Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me?
I sought to hear testimony from John Bolton not only because I believed he could add context to the charges, but also because I hoped that what he said might raise reasonable doubt and thus remove from me the awful obligation to vote for impeachment.
Like each member of this deliberative body, I love our country. I believe that our Constitution was inspired by Providence. I am convinced that freedom itself is dependent on the strength and vitality of our national character. As it is with each senator, my vote is an act of conviction. We have come to different conclusions, fellow senators, but I trust we have all followed the dictates of our conscience.
I acknowledge that my verdict will not remove the President from office. The results of this Senate Court will in fact be appealed to a higher court: the judgement of the American people. Voters will make the final decision, just as the President’s lawyers have implored. My vote will likely be in the minority in the Senate. But irrespective of these things, with my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it of me. I will only be one name among many, no more or less, to future generations of Americans who look at the record of this trial. They will note merely that I was among the senators who determined that what the President did was wrong, grievously wrong.
We’re all footnotes at best in the annals of history. But in the most powerful nation on earth, the nation conceived in liberty and justice, that is distinction enough for any citizen.


usatoday--2020-02-07--OnPolitics: Yes. They're still counting in Iowa. Stop asking.

It has been one heck of a newsy week in politics .
So let 's just do what we can to support each other and try our best to keep up with all the happenings .
Thankfully , you 've made the wise decision of subscribing to this newsletter .
Onwards .
Hope you were n't waiting for Pelosi to apologize There 's little chance that you subscribe to a politics newsletter - for real , thanks - and have n't seen the moment where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up President Donald Trump 's State of the Union speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go .
• Pelosi said tearing up Trump 's speech was 'entirely appropriate ' .
• Trump took a victory lap after being acquitted of impeachment charges • Romney could be in store for some awkwardness , 'abuse ' after impeachment vote • None Clinton was 'humbled ' by impeachment .
Trump unloaded on a 'phony , rotten deal' Who won the Iowa caucuses ?
Well .
The Associated Press , which many news organizations rely on to analyze voting data to determine election winners , announced Thursday it was unable to declare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually determined by state delegate equivalents , where Pete Buttigieg leads Bernie Sanders by the slimmest of margins .
But Sanders tops Buttigieg by thousands in the popular vote tied to the realignment groups .
Here are the big developments of the day : • First , the reporting app failed , then the phone lines got bogged down • Then there were questions about how the ever-complicated math involved FYI , New Hampshire is next As a friendly reminder that we 're in for a long and dramatic primary season , please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nomination has arrived in New Hampshire , which holds its first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday .
• Find out what unsure voters are doing to prepare • Get caught up on who is still in the race

OnPolitics: Yes. They're still counting in Iowa. Stop asking.
Show Caption Hide Caption Iowa caucus: DNC chair Tom Perez calls for recanvass Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez calls for a closer look at the Iowa Caucuses results, as Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders lead. USA TODAY
It has been one heck of a newsy week in politics. So let's just do what we can to support each other and try our best to keep up with all the happenings. Thankfully, you've made the wise decision of subscribing to this newsletter. Onwards.
Hope you weren't waiting for Pelosi to apologize
There's little chance that you subscribe to a politics newsletter - for real, thanks - and haven't seen the moment where House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech. Just in case, here you go.
Basically, impeachment news is still a thing:
Who won the Iowa caucuses? Well.
The Associated Press, which many news organizations rely on to analyze voting data to determine election winners, announced Thursday it was unable to declare a winner.
Victory in Iowa is usually determined by state delegate equivalents, where Pete Buttigieg leads Bernie Sanders by the slimmest of margins. But Sanders tops Buttigieg by thousands in the popular vote tied to the realignment groups.
Here are the big developments of the day:
FYI, New Hampshire is next
As a friendly reminder that we're in for a long and dramatic primary season, please be aware that the race for the Democratic nomination has arrived in New Hampshire, which holds its first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday.


usatoday--2020-02-07--Coach Mike Leach deletes tweets about Mitt Romney, says 'I just asked questions'

New Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach has deleted a series of messages he posted on Twitter in which he asked critical questions about Mitt Romney , the lone Republican senator to vote against President Trump in his impeachment trial Wednesday .
Leach , a Trump supporter , posted the messages on Twitter after midnight Thursday in Mississippi .
By Thursday afternoon , they were removed .
Asked why he removed them , Leach responded in a text message to USA TODAY Sports , “ Nothing really to report .
I just asked questions .
Then I thought it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In one deleted tweet , Leach asked , “ As an American , does ANYONE , REALLY want Mitt Romney on their side ?
!
” A person identified as Will Ginther then replied by asking , “ Damn mike you drunk ?
” In another deleted tweet , Leach asked , “ Those that believe in the competence of Mitt Romney , what do you trust him to do ?
” The tweets received a range of responses , some critical of Romney , some critical of Leach .
OPINION : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State after backing itself into corner “ No one cares about this or thinks you have a grasp on politics , ” another Twitter user wrote to him in response .
Leach replied , “ I will debate you on any subject on earth .
Seriously ?
” Leach had not deleted such replies by Thursday afternoon , only his original tweets about Romney .
Another deleted tweet from Leach said , “ So , either party , who votes to replace it what Mitt wants ?
He DOES appear to have it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment from Mississippi State was not immediately returned .
Leach recently was hired at Mississippi State from Washington State , where he also deleted a tweet that drew criticism in 2018 .
In that case , he shared a hoax video about former President Obama that had been edited in a way that had Obama appearing to deliver a message what was quite different than what he actually said in full context .
That tweet drew a firestorm of criticism from WSU alumni and supporters and might have cost the university $ 1.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because the tweets in this case came at a late hour , some Twitter users made remarks about what he was doing up at that time .
`` Equally important is why are you up ? ''
Leach asked one .
`` I ’ m a brooder and I ’ m haunted by trying to be precise with what is ahead of me , what is your excuse ? ''
Leach , 58 , befriended Trump in 2004 and helped campaign for him in Washington state in 2016 .
Trump was acquitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party-line vote except for Romney from Utah .

Coach Mike Leach deletes tweets about Mitt Romney, says 'I just asked questions'
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump calls 'B.S.' after impeachment acquittal in remarks to nation President Donald Trump delivered remarks a day after the U.S. Senate voted to acquit him. USA TODAY
New Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach has deleted a series of messages he posted on Twitter in which he asked critical questions about Mitt Romney, the lone Republican senator to vote against President Trump in his impeachment trial Wednesday.
Leach, a Trump supporter, posted the messages on Twitter after midnight Thursday in Mississippi. By Thursday afternoon, they were removed.
Asked why he removed them, Leach responded in a text message to USA TODAY Sports, “Nothing really to report. I just asked questions. Then I thought it was drawing more attention than it deserved.”
In one deleted tweet, Leach asked, “As an American, does ANYONE, REALLY want Mitt Romney on their side?!”
A person identified as Will Ginther then replied by asking, “Damn mike you drunk?”
Leach replied, “Is Mitt?!”
In another deleted tweet, Leach asked, “Those that believe in the competence of Mitt Romney, what do you trust him to do?”
The tweets received a range of responses, some critical of Romney, some critical of Leach.
OPINION: Mike Leach was only move for Mississippi State after backing itself into corner
“No one cares about this or thinks you have a grasp on politics,” another Twitter user wrote to him in response.
Leach replied, “I will debate you on any subject on earth. Seriously?”
Leach had not deleted such replies by Thursday afternoon, only his original tweets about Romney.
Another deleted tweet from Leach said, “So, either party, who votes to replace it what Mitt wants? He DOES appear to have it ALL figured out.”
A message seeking comment from Mississippi State was not immediately returned. Leach recently was hired at Mississippi State from Washington State, where he also deleted a tweet that drew criticism in 2018. In that case, he shared a hoax video about former President Obama that had been edited in a way that had Obama appearing to deliver a message what was quite different than what he actually said in full context.
That tweet drew a firestorm of criticism from WSU alumni and supporters and might have cost the university $1.6 million in donations, the university said.
Because the tweets in this case came at a late hour, some Twitter users made remarks about what he was doing up at that time.
"Equally important is why are you up?" Leach asked one. "I’m a brooder and I’m haunted by trying to be precise with what is ahead of me, what is your excuse?"
Leach, 58, befriended Trump in 2004 and helped campaign for him in Washington state in 2016.
Trump was acquitted in his Senate impeachment trial on a party-line vote except for Romney from Utah.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. E-mail: bschrotenb@usatoday.com.


usatoday--2020-02-07--Nancy Pelosi says tearing up Trump speech 'entirely appropriate,' says president seemed 'sedated' at

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remained defiant Thursday after President Donald Trump 's acquittal in the GOP-held Senate a day earlier and Republican condemnation of her tearing up her copy of the State of the Union speech days earlier .
Pelosi said Trump remained `` impeached forever '' and said ripping up the address was `` completely , entirely appropriate . ''
Getting in a jab at the president , she said he seemed “ a little sedated ” when he arrived at the House for the State of the Union on Tuesday , and that “ he looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi , in her first public remarks since Trump 's acquittal Wednesday on two articles of impeachment , also hailed Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , who crossed party lines and was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump for abuse of power .
He voted not guilty on the other count , obstruction of Congress .
“ God bless him for his courage ” to vote against the president , Pelosi said .
Democrats had accused Trump of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to open politically motivated investigations into former Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and of obstructing Congress by stonewalling their investigation .
Pelosi applauded the seven Democratic members of the House of Representatives who had served as `` managers , '' or a role akin to prosecutors , during the trial .
Asked about subpoenaing John Bolton , who had not participated in the impeachment inquiry or the impeachment trial , Pelosi said the House would `` continue to do our oversight '' but had `` no plans at this time ” subpoena him .
The speaker had attended Thursday morning 's prayer breakfast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to refer to Pelosi when he said he did not like people `` who say ' I pray for you ' when they know that is not so . ''
Pelosi responded that `` we do pray ” for Trump and that she will “ pray hard for him because he ’ s so far off the track of our Constitution , our values.
” Prayer breakfast blast : Trump blasts impeachment supports at annual prayer breakfast on morning after final Senate vote Keeping a hold on the GOP : Charm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McConnell kept GOP in line on impeachment Pelosi said the speech Trump ended up giving Tuesday night was not a State of the Union – but was Trump 's `` state of mind . ''
She said ripping apart his `` manifesto of mistruths '' was `` completely , entirely appropriate . ''
“ I don ’ t need lessons from anybody , especially the president of the United States , about dignity , ” she said , responding to criticism from Republicans .
Rep. Kay Granger , R-Texas , introduced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speaker 's actions , though the House voted along party lines to set the motion aside Thursday afternoon through a procedural maneuver .
Pelosi seemed unfazed by the criticism .
Trump `` shredded the truth in the speech , shredded the Constitution in his conduct , and so I shredded his state of mind address , ” she said .

Nancy Pelosi says tearing up Trump speech 'entirely appropriate,' says president seemed 'sedated' at SOTU
Show Caption Hide Caption Nancy Pelosi rips up Trump's State of the Union speech Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up President Donald Trump's State of the Union script as he ended his speech. USA TODAY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remained defiant Thursday after President Donald Trump's acquittal in the GOP-held Senate a day earlier and Republican condemnation of her tearing up her copy of the State of the Union speech days earlier.
Pelosi said Trump remained "impeached forever" and said ripping up the address was "completely, entirely appropriate."
Getting in a jab at the president, she said he seemed “a little sedated” when he arrived at the House for the State of the Union on Tuesday, and that “he looked that way last year, too.”
Pelosi, in her first public remarks since Trump's acquittal Wednesday on two articles of impeachment, also hailed Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who crossed party lines and was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump for abuse of power. He voted not guilty on the other count, obstruction of Congress.
“God bless him for his courage” to vote against the president, Pelosi said.
The Trump impeachment trial results are in, but that doesn't mean it's over The impeachment trial results are in, the president was acquitted, but with the 2020 elections starting, it's not the last we've heard of impeachment Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
Democrats had accused Trump of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to open politically motivated investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden and of obstructing Congress by stonewalling their investigation.
Pelosi applauded the seven Democratic members of the House of Representatives who had served as "managers," or a role akin to prosecutors, during the trial.
Asked about subpoenaing John Bolton, who had not participated in the impeachment inquiry or the impeachment trial, Pelosi said the House would "continue to do our oversight" but had "no plans at this time” subpoena him.
The speaker had attended Thursday morning's prayer breakfast, where Trump had blasted his critics and appeared to refer to Pelosi when he said he did not like people "who say 'I pray for you' when they know that is not so."
Pelosi responded that "we do pray” for Trump and that she will “pray hard for him because he’s so far off the track of our Constitution, our values.”
Prayer breakfast blast: Trump blasts impeachment supports at annual prayer breakfast on morning after final Senate vote
Romney fallout: GOP Sen. Romney faces awkwardness, 'abuse' for defying Trump on impeachment
Keeping a hold on the GOP: Charm, patience and Twitter tactics: How Trump, McConnell kept GOP in line on impeachment
Pelosi said the speech Trump ended up giving Tuesday night was not a State of the Union – but was Trump's "state of mind."
She said ripping apart his "manifesto of mistruths" was "completely, entirely appropriate."
“I don’t need lessons from anybody, especially the president of the United States, about dignity,” she said, responding to criticism from Republicans.
Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, introduced a resolution Wednesday that would formally disapprove of the speaker's actions, though the House voted along party lines to set the motion aside Thursday afternoon through a procedural maneuver.
Pelosi seemed unfazed by the criticism.
Trump "shredded the truth in the speech, shredded the Constitution in his conduct, and so I shredded his state of mind address,” she said.


usatoday--2020-02-08--All eyes on New Hampshire as Democrats gather for debate before primary - live updates

With the chaos of the Iowa caucuses ( mostly ) in the rear-view mirror , the top candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination appear on stage tonight for a debate in New Hampshire four days before the Granite State holds the first-in-the-nation primary Tuesday .
New Hampshire could be the moment where Iowa 's top finishers – former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders – separate themselves from the pack .
Or where Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden regain their footing after third and fourth places finishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also mark the end of the line for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang .
Klobuchar out-performed her polling in Iowa but still walked away with only 1 national delegate .
Yang left Iowa with 0 .
Key milestone : A New Hampshire primary win is key for multiple Democrats .
Here 's what we know The three-hour debate begins at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC from Saint Anselm College in Manchester .
New Hampshire voters are independent in more ways than one Democrats may not be the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight ’ s debate .
The state allows independents – voters not registered as Democrats or Republicans – to participate in Tuesday ’ s primary .
And “ unaffilated ” voters make up the biggest chunk of the electorate .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won independents in his 2016 primary race against Hillary Clinton .
But more moderate candidates -- like former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar – are targeting disaffected Republicans who ’ ve become independents .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entrepreneur Andrew Yang could also grab some of the independent vote away from Sanders this time .
New Hampshire is independent in another way as well .
The state has a reputation for going its own way by delivering surprises to the frontrunner .
It famously made Bill Clinton the “ Comeback Kid ” when he finished second place during a turbulent stretch of his 1992 campaign .
And just when it looked like Barack Obama had a straight shot to the nomination with his 2008 win in Iowa , New Hampshire Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When Clinton was the frontrunner for the 2016 nomination , however , New Hampshire voters flocked to Sanders .
The latest Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk poll released Thursday shows Sanders at 24 % with Buttigieg close behind at 23 % .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the choice of 13 % and Biden was picked by 11 % .
No other candidate was in double digits .
In an NBC News/Marist poll released hours before the debate , Sanders led with 25 % , Buttigieg got 21 % , Warren had 14 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be on stage and what 's at stake The candidates ' order on stage was determined not by the Iowa results but by averaging the results of polls taken nationally and in New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina .
That put Biden in the center , flanked by Sanders and Warren .
They 're sharing the stage with Buttigieg , Klobuchar , Yang and businessman Tom Steyer .
Yang , who was absent from the Iowa debate last month , met the qualifications for New Hampshire which included polling and donor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` World News Tonight '' Anchor , ABC Managing Editor David Muir and ABC News Live Anchor Linsey Davis .
Joining them will be WMUR-TV Political Director Adam Sexton and WMUR-TV News Anchor Monica Hernandez .
The focus on New Hampshire could be welcome news for Democrats who saw the Senate acquit President Donald Trump Wednesday and watched as Iowa 's caucuses disintegrated into confusion following multiple issues that delayed election results .

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

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


usatoday--2020-02-07--Trump celebrates, Pelosi fumes as Facebook and Twitter refuse to take down altered video

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

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


usatoday--2020-02-07--Elizabeth Warren apologizes to 6 women of color who left Nevada office

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

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


usatoday--2020-02-07--DC appeals court: Lawmakers can't sue President Trump in dispute over private business dealings

WASHINGTON–A federal appeals court ruled that members of Congress can not sue President Donald Trump in an attempt to block his private businesses from accepting payments from foreign governments .
The three-judge panel unanimously dismissed the complaint filed by 215 Democratic lawmakers , concluding the group did not constitute a majority of either the Senate or the House , and they are `` powerless to approve or deny the president 's acceptance of foreign emoluments . ''
The Emoluments Clause is an anti-bribery provision that forbids any U.S. president from receiving gifts from foreign leaders .
The term is derived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” meaning “ profit ” or “ gain.
” A similar clause bars the president from receiving domestic payments .
Democrats in Congress believe that when foreign officials stay at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C. , or when U.S. officials stay at a Trump resort in Scotland , the resulting profits for the president are unconstitutional .
Trump 's business : Did Trump keep his 19 promises to insulate himself from his business ?
Only he knows .
In dismissing the case , the judges focused on the lawmakers bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the payments .
`` For standing , the members ' inability to act determinatively is important , '' the court concluded .
`` The members can , and likely will , continue to use their weighty voices to make their case to the American people , their colleagues in Congress and the president , himself , all of whom are free to engage that argument as they see fit .
But we will not–indeed we can not –participate in this debate . ''
The challenge was one of three such cases moving through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump Organization 's stake in hotels and restaurants that cater to customers with interests before the government that Trump leads .
The Justice Department has argued the Constitution bars the president from profiting directly from his office , not from `` the proceeds of ordinary commercial transactions between foreign governments and businesses . ''
Trump , just two days removed from his acquittal on two impeachment counts , declared another victory .
`` We just won a big emoluments case , '' Trump told reporters before he departed for an event in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total win . ''
The collision of Trump 's private business interests and his role as president has been a concern throughout his administration .
Just before he took office , he said he would turn management of his business over to his two sons .
But he retained ownership .
In October , Trump announced he would host the G-7 summit of world leaders at his resort in Doral , Florida , but he abandoned the idea after a hail of criticism from Democrats and some Republicans .
At the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional ban on federal officeholders accepting gifts from foreign governments .
“ You people with this phony Emoluments Clause , ” Trump said .
Lawmakers who brought the complaint expressed disappointment with the ruling Friday .
`` This dismaying decision adds to the already widespread fear that the checks on unbridled presidential power , corruption , and self-enrichment have been seriously undermined , ” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y. , said the ruling was not an endorsement of the president 's business dealings .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence and corruption , '' Nadler said , `` and President Trump embodies those fears every day as he profits off of his presidency . ''
'Phony ' : Donald Trump mocks 'emoluments ' clause of U.S. Constitution that bans foreign gifts

DC appeals court: Lawmakers can't sue President Trump in dispute over private business dealings
Show Caption Hide Caption Expert: Trump's G-7 idea raises ethics questions A political scientist in Washington says President Donald Trump's suggestion next year's G-7 summit be held at one of his resorts raises concerns under the Constitution's emoluments clause. (Aug. 27) AP, AP
WASHINGTON–A federal appeals court ruled that members of Congress cannot sue President Donald Trump in an attempt to block his private businesses from accepting payments from foreign governments.
The three-judge panel unanimously dismissed the complaint filed by 215 Democratic lawmakers, concluding the group did not constitute a majority of either the Senate or the House, and they are "powerless to approve or deny the president's acceptance of foreign emoluments."
The Emoluments Clause is an anti-bribery provision that forbids any U.S. president from receiving gifts from foreign leaders. The term is derived from the Latin word “emolumentum,” meaning “profit” or “gain.” A similar clause bars the president from receiving domestic payments.
Democrats in Congress believe that when foreign officials stay at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., or when U.S. officials stay at a Trump resort in Scotland, the resulting profits for the president are unconstitutional.
Trump's business: Did Trump keep his 19 promises to insulate himself from his business? Only he knows.
In dismissing the case, the judges focused on the lawmakers bringing the suit, not the constitutionality of the payments.
"For standing, the members' inability to act determinatively is important," the court concluded. "The members can, and likely will, continue to use their weighty voices to make their case to the American people, their colleagues in Congress and the president, himself, all of whom are free to engage that argument as they see fit. But we will not–indeed we cannot–participate in this debate."
The challenge was one of three such cases moving through the federal courts, all focusing on the Trump Organization's stake in hotels and restaurants that cater to customers with interests before the government that Trump leads.
The Justice Department has argued the Constitution bars the president from profiting directly from his office, not from "the proceeds of ordinary commercial transactions between foreign governments and businesses."
Trump, just two days removed from his acquittal on two impeachment counts, declared another victory.
"We just won a big emoluments case," Trump told reporters before he departed for an event in North Carolina. "It was a total win."
After impeachment: Storm of investigations, lawsuits awaits President Trump amid reelection bid
The collision of Trump's private business interests and his role as president has been a concern throughout his administration. Just before he took office, he said he would turn management of his business over to his two sons. But he retained ownership.
In October, Trump announced he would host the G-7 summit of world leaders at his resort in Doral, Florida, but he abandoned the idea after a hail of criticism from Democrats and some Republicans.
At the time, Trump dismissed as “phony” the constitutional ban on federal officeholders accepting gifts from foreign governments. “You people with this phony Emoluments Clause,” Trump said.
Lawmakers who brought the complaint expressed disappointment with the ruling Friday.
"This dismaying decision adds to the already widespread fear that the checks on unbridled presidential power, corruption, and self-enrichment have been seriously undermined,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said the ruling was not an endorsement of the president's business dealings.
“The Founders recognized the dangers of foreign influence and corruption," Nadler said, "and President Trump embodies those fears every day as he profits off of his presidency."
'Phony':Donald Trump mocks 'emoluments' clause of U.S. Constitution that bans foreign gifts
Contributing: Rich Wolf and Courtney Subramanian