usatoday--2020-01-21--Trump's impeachment trial could render verdict on Senate and key players

WASHINGTON – It 's not just President Donald Trump 's political future at stake during the Senate impeachment trial that gets under way Tuesday .
The fortunes and reputations of party leaders , the House prosecutors and Congress as an institution are also on the line .
Though almost no one expects Trump to be found guilty and removed from office , how the third impeachment trial of a president in U.S. history is conducted over the next few weeks could shape legacies for years to come .
`` In some ways , the Senate is on trial as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker , a political science professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey .
`` And the ability of the United States Senate to function in a reasonably systematic and sensible way in this impeachment is really a test of ( its ) institutional vitality at a time when many people quite rightly have called its effectiveness into question . ''
Impartial justice : Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial ?
The House impeached the president last month on two articles : abuse of power and obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration 's withholding of nearly $ 400 million in U.S. military aid last year from Ukraine to pressure the foreign ally to investigate one of Trump 's political rivals , 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Those articles , or charges , were delivered to the Senate last week .
All 100 senators , serving as jurors , took an oath to carry out `` impartial justice '' Thursday after they were sworn in during a somber ceremony by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts , who will preside over the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate with 53 seats , so the trial is likely to end in Trump 's acquittal .
It would take 67 votes to find him guilty and remove him from office .
The larger question is how a body once known for its deliberate nature and civility will emerge from the intensely political exercise of an impeachment trial .
Steven Smith , a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis , said the proceedings are unlikely to do much to boost public faith in the Senate .
“ There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ll see a very solemn institution , and that might improve the impression of the Senate that some people have , '' he said .
`` But the outcome being a foregone conclusion – and everyone knowing it – it seems unlikely that the Senate ’ s reputation for being partisan is going to be affected much .
It ’ s already pretty sour , and it probably will not improve.
” When the Senate trial convenes Tuesday at 1 p.m. , members will debate the rules for the proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Ky. , has proposed beginning opening arguments Wednesday .
Each side would have 24 hours to present its argument over two days , meaning sessions would need to late into the night .
Under his proposal , the debate over whether to subpoena witnesses or documents would come after the opening arguments and questions .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , criticized the proposal , saying it would n't automatically allow House Democrats to admit their evidence into the record and would have arguments continue into `` the wee hours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American people .
One of the most contentious issues is whether witnesses will be called and , if so , who .
A small group of moderate GOP senators led by Susan Collins of Maine pushed to include witnesses over McConnell 's objections .
Trump 's allies call for the quick trial and acquittal the president wants .
GOP pushback : Sen. Susan Collins says it 's 'inappropriate ' for McConnell , Democrats to prejudge impeachment trial Sarah Binder , a senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said McConnell will have to navigate the tensions between the two wings of his party .
“ He has a challenge of keeping ( at least ) 51 Republicans on the same page , '' she said .
Despite the lack of mystery surrounding the trial 's conclusion , the House lawmakers who will prosecute the case against Trump have a lot riding on their performance .
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1999 helped elevate then-House manager Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , who won election to the Senate and ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Asa Hutchinson , became governor of Arkansas .
Prosecutors ' roles : What is an impeachment manager , and what do they do ?
Rep. James Rogan , R-Calif. , was not as fortunate .
He lost the next year in a race largely defined by his role as an impeachment manager .
The Democrat who defeated him : Adam Schiff , the House Intelligence Committee chairman who led the Democrats ' investigation into Trump .
Trump and congressional Republicans criticized Schiff 's handling of the impeachment process in the House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chose him to lead the inquiry , and Democrats praised him as a steady hand during the tumultuous process .
Smith said his rising stature in the party makes him a likely successor to Sen. Dianne Feinstein when she retires .
Binder said it 's far too early to say how history will treat Schiff and his fellow prosecutors .
“ Some go on to great careers and some do not , '' she said .
`` I don ’ t know if this is a make-or-break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Roberts will try to avoid partisan fray Few have as much to lose as Roberts , who fiercely guards the high court as a bastion of thoughtful , nonpartisan debate .
Presiding over the impeachment trial as the Constitution requires means he 'll oversee the most partisan of exercises .
He may be asked to decide issues that will shape the contours of the trial : Will there be witnesses , and if so , which ones ?
Will documents be introduced into evidence ?
What happens if Republicans in the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What if Democrats want to issue subpoenas ?
Will Roberts bang his hourglass-shaped ivory gavel , issue substantive rulings , perhaps even break tie votes ?
From indications and predictions , the answer is : Not if he can help it .
`` This is his most prominent chance on the national stage to show his commitment to being a fair , neutral arbiter , '' said Jeffrey Rosen , president of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia .
“ Chief Justice Roberts cares more than anything about the nonpartisan , institutional legitimacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he expects Roberts to try to keep his role as small as possible , especially given rules that allow the Senate to resolve many disputes without involving the presiding officer .
“ On most questions , he can refuse to rule and give the question directly to the Senate to decide .
So one thing we might look for is the extent to which he chooses to do that , '' Smith said .
`` Knowing that he doesn ’ t want to get into a partisan fight , we might expect him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a presiding officer and let the Senate decide questions . ''
If there 's going to be a surprise , it 's likely to come from a Republican senator since the GOP is in the majority and running the trial , experts said .
If one or more senators defy their party , their votes would become an integral part of their legacy : hailed by Democrats and other Trump opponents as profiles in courage ; reviled by Republicans as turncoats .
Could it be Collins who faces a tough reelection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent streak ?
Or Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , the former presidential nominee who called the president 's pressure campaign on Ukraine `` appalling '' but largely backs his policy agenda ?
Perhaps Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander , whose decision not to seek reelection could free him from worrying about voter wrath back home ?
More : A diagram of events in the impeachment inquiry of President Trump The assemblage of Senate Republicans includes several GOP senators who either ran against Trump in 2016 , such as Graham , Ted Cruz of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or others who did not run but denounced his nomination .
Binder said it 's unlikely any of the GOP senators will break ranks and vote for Trump 's removal .
`` It 's just hard to see when they have all the examples of Republicans who have stood up to Trump and they ’ re not in the Senate anymore , '' Binder said .
`` Politicians value their reputations , and being attacked by the president of your party when your party ’ s in lockstep seemingly behind the president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Democratic senators will face similar pressure to stay in line , knowing that a vote to support acquittal will be hailed by Trump as bipartisan exoneration .
Baker said the Senate 's opportunity for redemption does n't mean it has to convict Trump .
`` They simply have to conduct a trial in which there are witnesses heard … and also look at documents which have been previously blocked .
Process is everything , '' he said .
If `` it simply becomes a rhetorical battle between Democrats and Republicans , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this downward spiral to institutional irrelevance . ''

Trump's impeachment trial could render verdict on Senate and key players
Show Caption Hide Caption The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has officially begun, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, and much yet to decide. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
–
WASHINGTON – It's not just President Donald Trump's political future at stake during the Senate impeachment trial that gets under way Tuesday.
The fortunes and reputations of party leaders, the House prosecutors and Congress as an institution are also on the line. Though almost no one expects Trump to be found guilty and removed from office, how the third impeachment trial of a president in U.S. history is conducted over the next few weeks could shape legacies for years to come.
"In some ways, the Senate is on trial as well as President Trump," said Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey. "And the ability of the United States Senate to function in a reasonably systematic and sensible way in this impeachment is really a test of (its) institutional vitality at a time when many people quite rightly have called its effectiveness into question."
Impartial justice: Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial?
The House impeached the president last month on two articles: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The allegations stem from the administration's withholding of nearly $400 million in U.S. military aid last year from Ukraine to pressure the foreign ally to investigate one of Trump's political rivals, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Those articles, or charges, were delivered to the Senate last week. All 100 senators, serving as jurors, took an oath to carry out "impartial justice" Thursday after they were sworn in during a somber ceremony by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial.
Republicans hold a majority in the Senate with 53 seats, so the trial is likely to end in Trump's acquittal. It would take 67 votes to find him guilty and remove him from office.
The larger question is how a body once known for its deliberate nature and civility will emerge from the intensely political exercise of an impeachment trial.
Steven Smith, a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said the proceedings are unlikely to do much to boost public faith in the Senate.
“There’s going to be a sense of drama. We’ll see a very solemn institution, and that might improve the impression of the Senate that some people have," he said. "But the outcome being a foregone conclusion – and everyone knowing it – it seems unlikely that the Senate’s reputation for being partisan is going to be affected much. It’s already pretty sour, and it probably will not improve.”
McConnell's challenge
When the Senate trial convenes Tuesday at 1 p.m., members will debate the rules for the proceedings. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has proposed beginning opening arguments Wednesday. Each side would have 24 hours to present its argument over two days, meaning sessions would need to go late into the night. Under his proposal, the debate over whether to subpoena witnesses or documents would come after the opening arguments and questions.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., criticized the proposal, saying it wouldn't automatically allow House Democrats to admit their evidence into the record and would have arguments continue into "the wee hours of the night" to hide information from the American people.
One of the most contentious issues is whether witnesses will be called and, if so, who.
A small group of moderate GOP senators led by Susan Collins of Maine pushed to include witnesses over McConnell's objections. Trump's allies call for the quick trial and acquittal the president wants.
GOP pushback: Sen. Susan Collins says it's 'inappropriate' for McConnell, Democrats to prejudge impeachment trial
Sarah Binder, a senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and a political science professor at George Washington University, said McConnell will have to navigate the tensions between the two wings of his party.
“He has a challenge of keeping (at least) 51 Republicans on the same page," she said.
Opportunities, pitfalls for House managers
Despite the lack of mystery surrounding the trial's conclusion, the House lawmakers who will prosecute the case against Trump have a lot riding on their performance.
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1999 helped elevate then-House manager Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who won election to the Senate and ran for president in 2016. Another manager, Asa Hutchinson, became governor of Arkansas.
Prosecutors' roles: What is an impeachment manager, and what do they do?
Rep. James Rogan, R-Calif., was not as fortunate.
He lost the next year in a race largely defined by his role as an impeachment manager. The Democrat who defeated him: Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee chairman who led the Democrats' investigation into Trump.
Trump and congressional Republicans criticized Schiff's handling of the impeachment process in the House, accusing him of being unfair to the president. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chose him to lead the inquiry, and Democrats praised him as a steady hand during the tumultuous process.
Smith said his rising stature in the party makes him a likely successor to Sen. Dianne Feinstein when she retires. Binder said it's far too early to say how history will treat Schiff and his fellow prosecutors.
“Some go on to great careers and some do not," she said. "I don’t know if this is a make-or-break moment for any of these House managers.”
Roberts will try to avoid partisan fray
Few have as much to lose as Roberts, who fiercely guards the high court as a bastion of thoughtful, nonpartisan debate.
Presiding over the impeachment trial as the Constitution requires means he'll oversee the most partisan of exercises.
He may be asked to decide issues that will shape the contours of the trial: Will there be witnesses, and if so, which ones? Will documents be introduced into evidence? What happens if Republicans in the majority try to end the trial prematurely? What if Democrats want to issue subpoenas?
Treading carefully: Chief Justice John Roberts' impeachment trial role: speak softly, set a good example
Will Roberts bang his hourglass-shaped ivory gavel, issue substantive rulings, perhaps even break tie votes?
From indications and predictions, the answer is: Not if he can help it.
"This is his most prominent chance on the national stage to show his commitment to being a fair, neutral arbiter," said Jeffrey Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. “Chief Justice Roberts cares more than anything about the nonpartisan, institutional legitimacy of the courts."
Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Smith said he expects Roberts to try to keep his role as small as possible, especially given rules that allow the Senate to resolve many disputes without involving the presiding officer.
“On most questions, he can refuse to rule and give the question directly to the Senate to decide. So one thing we might look for is the extent to which he chooses to do that," Smith said. "Knowing that he doesn’t want to get into a partisan fight, we might expect him to simply stay out if it, be a presiding officer and let the Senate decide questions."
'Tough votes for anyone'
If there's going to be a surprise, it's likely to come from a Republican senator since the GOP is in the majority and running the trial, experts said.
If one or more senators defy their party, their votes would become an integral part of their legacy: hailed by Democrats and other Trump opponents as profiles in courage; reviled by Republicans as turncoats.
Could it be Collins who faces a tough reelection in November and may want to show voters an independent streak? Or Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the former presidential nominee who called the president's pressure campaign on Ukraine "appalling" but largely backs his policy agenda? Perhaps Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, whose decision not to seek reelection could free him from worrying about voter wrath back home?
More: A diagram of events in the impeachment inquiry of President Trump
The assemblage of Senate Republicans includes several GOP senators who either ran against Trump in 2016, such as Graham, Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida, or others who did not run but denounced his nomination.
Binder said it's unlikely any of the GOP senators will break ranks and vote for Trump's removal.
"It's just hard to see when they have all the examples of Republicans who have stood up to Trump and they’re not in the Senate anymore," Binder said. "Politicians value their reputations, and being attacked by the president of your party when your party’s in lockstep seemingly behind the president, those are tough votes for anyone."
Democratic senators will face similar pressure to stay in line, knowing that a vote to support acquittal will be hailed by Trump as bipartisan exoneration.
Baker said the Senate's opportunity for redemption doesn't mean it has to convict Trump.
"They simply have to conduct a trial in which there are witnesses heard … and also look at documents which have been previously blocked. Process is everything," he said. If "it simply becomes a rhetorical battle between Democrats and Republicans, then it’s just going to continue with this downward spiral to institutional irrelevance."
Contributing: Richard Wolf and Bart Jansen


usatoday--2020-01-21--Impeachment trial questions answered: Which Republicans will vote against Trump

Impeachment trial questions : which Republicans will vote against Trump USA TODAY Washington correspondent Christal Hayes answers the internet on @ @ @ @ @ vote against Trump .

Impeachment trial questions: which Republicans will vote against Trump
USA TODAY Washington correspondent Christal Hayes answers the internet on how many Republican senators could vote against Trump.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-21--Impeachment trial questions answered: Why Congress speaks Old English

USA TODAY 's Washington correspondent Christal Hayes helps explain the internet 's question on why Congress speaks in Old English @

Impeachment trial questions answered: Why Congress speaks Old English
USA TODAY's Washington correspondent Christal Hayes helps explain the internet's question on why Congress speaks in Old English.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-22--Impeachment trial questions answered: Why was Donald Trump impeached?

USA TODAY 's Washington correspondent Christal Hayes helps explain the internet 's question on why President Trump was impeached .

Impeachment trial questions answered: Why was Donald Trump impeached?
USA TODAY's Washington correspondent Christal Hayes helps explain the internet's question on why President Trump was impeached.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-21--As impeachment trial starts, senator-jurors running for president get creative

WASHINGTON – Hours after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed rules Tuesday for the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump , Sen. Bernie Sanders canceled a planned rally Wednesday at the University of Northern Iowa .
With the impeachment trial officially underway , the four Democratic senators-turned-impeachment-jurors who also are running for president will find themselves relying on surrogates keep their campaigns moving .
Under McConnell ’ s plan , trial arguments would begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday , Thursday and possibly Friday – likely lasting until the early morning hours and hindering evening travel .
Arguments are scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leaving Sunday as the only possible day for candidates to campaign .
Adding even more pressure , the Iowa caucuses – which kick off the 2020 primary elections and often winnow the presidential field – are only 13 days away .
Sens .
Michael Bennet , Amy Klobuchar , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have repeatedly said that although they would like to be out on the campaign trail , they have a constitutional duty to be on Capitol Hill .
More : McConnell adds days for arguments , allows House evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How the senators are doing it Klobuchar ’ s husband and daughter , John and Abigail Bessler , U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Iowa state Rep. Karin Derry are all campaigning for the Minnesota senator in Iowa this week .
“ I have a fantastic operation with people who are incredible – in every major town in Iowa .
I 've got my husband and daughter out this weekend in New Hampshire and then on their way to Iowa , ” Klobuchar said on “ CBS This Morning ” on Friday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty ( to be a juror in an impeachment trial ) .
And when I can go campaign in those early states , including Nevada and South Carolina , I will .
“ I am a mom .
I can do two things at once , ” Klobuchar quipped .
Sanders and Warren also have deployed surrogates to early voting states to campaign while they ’ re stuck in Washington , D.C. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York will be hitting the campaign trail in Iowa for Sanders on Saturday and Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be campaigning Saturday in Nevada .
More : California 's primary ballots arrive by mail the day Iowa caucuses .
That 's a campaign dilemma On Monday , Sanders made a plea to his voters at a rally in Des Moines , Iowa , saying that “ us , not me ” – a reference to his campaign slogan , “ Not me .
Us.
” – “ is becoming very much a reality in the last two weeks of this campaign , because I 'm not going to be able to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So you guys are going to have to carry the ball , ” he said .
“ We need your help now more than ever .
I ’ m going to be stuck in Washington for God knows how long.
” Warren has plans to return to Iowa Saturday and Sunday , where she is scheduled to host four town halls over two days .
But she also has deployed surrogates in several states , including all four early voting states .
Rep. Joaquin Castro and Julián Castro , former Housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate , are going to campaign for Warren in Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday .
Julián Castro also will campaign for Warren in Nevada on Saturday and Sunday .
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley will head to South Carolina for the senator on Friday .
Warren 's husband , Bruce Mann , will be in New Hampshire over the weekend .
After a rally in Des Moines earlier this week , Warren said she hopes to continue to campaign in Iowa as much as she can before the Feb. 3 caucuses , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have really taught me core parts of democracy . ''
`` I 'll miss all the questions I get from people , the unfiltered questions , folks who get to stand up and say : 'This is what matters to me .
Talk to me about it , ' `` Warren told reporters.. Bennet will also have surrogates campaigning for him in New Hampshire .
Bennet 's wife , Susan Daggett , and former Ohio Governor Dick Celeste will be stumping for the Colorado Senator in New Hampshire later this week .
Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hampshire .
In addition , several New Hampshire endorsers , including State Reps. Marjorie Smith , Dave Luneau , Sherry Dutzy , and Joyce Fulweiler , will also play a role .
The Senator will also host telephone town halls and Facebook lives .
`` Michael will take every opportunity to return to the campaign trail to engage with voters and uphold his commitment to hold 50 town halls in New Hampshire in the final weeks before the primary , '' Bennet spokesperson Shannon Beckham said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can take advantage of more frequent flights to maximize his time there when the trial is not in session . ''
Some candidates could reap the benefits of the four senators being off the campaign trail , especially former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Biden , who has led national polls for months , is battling for the top spot in Iowa with Buttigieg , Sanders and Warren .
The former vice president is hosting at least two events a day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to New Hampshire Friday and Saturday .
In addition , Biden ’ s wife , Jill , will join him in Iowa for numerous events this week .
Buttigieg is hosting four events in Iowa on Tuesday alone .
He is also hosting a town hall Wednesday morning before heading to D.C. for a private fundraiser .
A visual guide : The 2020 candidates ' thoughts on immigration and voting rights The former South Bend mayor told Iowans Tuesday , as the Senate impeachment trial is going on , “ you are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to watching the news , including what is happening in the Senate .
“ If you feel that sense of exhaustion , remember that you yourself the answer to it , because in 2020 no matter what happens on the floor of the Senate , it ’ s actually up to us , ” he said .
“ This begins right here , and a sense of hope about what we could do together that propels .
”

As impeachment trial starts, senator-jurors running for president get creative
Show Caption Hide Caption Impeachment trial questions answered: Why was Donald Trump impeached? USA TODAY's Washington correspondent Christal Hayes helps explain the internet's question on why President Trump was impeached. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Hours after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed rules Tuesday for the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders canceled a planned rally Wednesday at the University of Northern Iowa.
With the impeachment trial officially underway, the four Democratic senators-turned-impeachment-jurors who also are running for president will find themselves relying on surrogates keep their campaigns moving.
Under McConnell’s plan, trial arguments would begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and possibly Friday – likely lasting until the early morning hours and hindering evening travel. Arguments are scheduled to last until Saturday and resume Monday, leaving Sunday as the only possible day for candidates to campaign.
Adding even more pressure, the Iowa caucuses – which kick off the 2020 primary elections and often winnow the presidential field – are only 13 days away.
Sens. Michael Bennet, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have repeatedly said that although they would like to be out on the campaign trail, they have a constitutional duty to be on Capitol Hill.
More: McConnell adds days for arguments, allows House evidence in final changes to proposed impeachment rules
How the senators are doing it
Klobuchar’s husband and daughter, John and Abigail Bessler, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Iowa state Rep. Karin Derry are all campaigning for the Minnesota senator in Iowa this week.
“I have a fantastic operation with people who are incredible – in every major town in Iowa. I've got my husband and daughter out this weekend in New Hampshire and then on their way to Iowa,” Klobuchar said on “CBS This Morning” on Friday. “You know, it is my constitutional duty (to be a juror in an impeachment trial). And when I can go campaign in those early states, including Nevada and South Carolina, I will.
“I am a mom. I can do two things at once,” Klobuchar quipped.
Sanders and Warren also have deployed surrogates to early voting states to campaign while they’re stuck in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York will be hitting the campaign trail in Iowa for Sanders on Saturday and Sunday. Sanders’ wife, Jane, will be campaigning Saturday in Nevada.
More: California's primary ballots arrive by mail the day Iowa caucuses. That's a campaign dilemma
On Monday, Sanders made a plea to his voters at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, saying that “us, not me” – a reference to his campaign slogan, “Not me. Us.” – “is becoming very much a reality in the last two weeks of this campaign, because I'm not going to be able to be here as much as I would like.
“So you guys are going to have to carry the ball,” he said. “We need your help now more than ever. I’m going to be stuck in Washington for God knows how long.”
Warren has plans to return to Iowa Saturday and Sunday, where she is scheduled to host four town halls over two days. But she also has deployed surrogates in several states, including all four early voting states.
Rep. Joaquin Castro and Julián Castro, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and former 2020 presidential candidate, are going to campaign for Warren in Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday. Julián Castro also will campaign for Warren in Nevada on Saturday and Sunday. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley will head to South Carolina for the senator on Friday. Warren's husband, Bruce Mann, will be in New Hampshire over the weekend.
After a rally in Des Moines earlier this week, Warren said she hopes to continue to campaign in Iowa as much as she can before the Feb. 3 caucuses, adding, “The good people of Iowa have really taught me core parts of democracy."
"I'll miss all the questions I get from people, the unfiltered questions, folks who get to stand up and say: 'This is what matters to me. Talk to me about it,' " Warren told reporters..
Bennet will also have surrogates campaigning for him in New Hampshire. Bennet's wife, Susan Daggett, and former Ohio Governor Dick Celeste will be stumping for the Colorado Senator in New Hampshire later this week.
Democratic strategist James Carville will also be campaigning in New Hampshire. In addition, several New Hampshire endorsers, including State Reps. Marjorie Smith, Dave Luneau, Sherry Dutzy, and Joyce Fulweiler, will also play a role.
The Senator will also host telephone town halls and Facebook lives.
"Michael will take every opportunity to return to the campaign trail to engage with voters and uphold his commitment to hold 50 town halls in New Hampshire in the final weeks before the primary," Bennet spokesperson Shannon Beckham said in a statement. "Given his focus on New Hampshire, he can take advantage of more frequent flights to maximize his time there when the trial is not in session."
Biden, Buttigieg could benefit
Some candidates could reap the benefits of the four senators being off the campaign trail, especially former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Biden, who has led national polls for months, is battling for the top spot in Iowa with Buttigieg, Sanders and Warren. The former vice president is hosting at least two events a day in Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to New Hampshire Friday and Saturday. In addition, Biden’s wife, Jill, will join him in Iowa for numerous events this week.
Buttigieg is hosting four events in Iowa on Tuesday alone. He is also hosting a town hall Wednesday morning before heading to D.C. for a private fundraiser.
A visual guide: The 2020 candidates' thoughts on immigration and voting rights
The former South Bend mayor told Iowans Tuesday, as the Senate impeachment trial is going on, “you are the answer to that sense of exhaust” when it comes to watching the news, including what is happening in the Senate.
“If you feel that sense of exhaustion, remember that you yourself the answer to it, because in 2020 no matter what happens on the floor of the Senate, it’s actually up to us,” he said. “This begins right here, and a sense of hope about what we could do together that propels.”
Contributing: Nick Coltrain of the Des Moines Register


usatoday--2020-01-21--Brown and Black Forum spotlights diversity issues in increasingly white presidential field

DES MOINES — Issues of race and diversity took center stage at the 2020 Brown and Black Forum in Des Moines on Monday , just two weeks before the Iowa caucuses and as concerns have ratcheted up that the Democratic presidential field has shed its highest profile candidates of color .
The forum moderators immediately questioned whether Iowa , which has a population that is 90 % white , is at fault .
Given their predominantly white populations , `` should Iowa and New Hampshire be the first states to vote ? ''
VICE News correspondent Roberto Ferdman asked U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's an important question to ask , '' Bennet said .
`` Now that I 've spent the last year in Iowa and New Hampshire , I 've realized how seriously people here and in New Hampshire take this .
`` And that means a lot because I believe our democracy is at real risk .
I think we 're in real danger of losing the democracy , ( by not ) having people face-to-face . ''
Bennet was the only candidate directly asked about Iowa 's standing as the first-in-the-nation caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attract supporters of color no matter where those voters live .
`` I think am I the perfect person to lead because I come from the heartland , '' said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota .
`` As you know , the heartland is not all about white people .
The heartland is an incredible mix of ethnicity and different groups and different colors of skin . ''
The forum , held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and hosted by VICE News , also featured former Vice President Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pete Buttigieg , former U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland , U.S. Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , and businessman Andrew Yang .
The candidates were asked questions about a range of issues affecting communities of color , including maternal health care , poverty and minimum wage .
They were also pressed about their records on immigration and their popularity with Americans of color .
A Washington Post-Ipsos Knowledge Panel survey earlier this month found that Biden holds a substantial lead with black Democrats nationally , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holds 20 % , Warren , 9 % , and Buttigieg , 2 % .
In one of the more personal questions of the day , Biden was asked whether the Democratic Party takes the black vote for granted .
`` I think they have , '' Biden said .
`` But if you know my record , I 'm just going to flat say it : I never , ever , ever , ever had .
Not once . ''
Biden spoke of his time working as the only white lifeguard at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Delaware .
He said that helped him better understand issues facing the black community .
He also pointed to his record of working in the black community as the reason for his decades-long career in politics .
`` I have spent my whole career with the black community , '' he said .
`` They know me .
They know where my heart is .
And they know what I 've done .
And I ’ m very proud of it . ''
Buttigieg , who holds strong support in Iowa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain traction nationally , was asked specific questions about outreach to black communities , issues with black policing and the number of black police officers in the city he recently ran .
But the former mayor steered his answers to broader issues facing non-white Americans .
For a question about infant mortality in black communities , Buttigieg pivoted from his specific answer — provide training to overcome implicit bias , and fire health care providers who exhibit overt racism — to the need to have a president who sees the breadth of damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic , '' Buttigieg said .
`` The harm is systemic .
The racism is systemic .
Therefore , the solutions have to be systemic .
But so many of them can be activated using the powers of the presidency . ''
Yang , the only candidate of color at Monday 's forum , delivered one of the few lines to draw spontaneous applause when asked about disparities in health care among people of color compared to white Americans .
`` Unfortunately , it 's just more stressful being black in this society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` And so you have rampant health problems as a result of that . ''
Part of fixing that problem , he said , is ensuring that people of color feel they can make ends meet and are secure about their future — an issue he says can be addressed with his proposed $ 1,000 per month Universal Basic Income .
Yang also proposed forgiving student loan debt for health care professionals who choose to work in less affluent or diverse communities and encouraging more representation among health care professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listened to and supported when talking about their needs .
He focused a majority of his 25 minutes bringing questions about issues facing communities of color back to his signature UBI .
Asked how he ’ d address white supremacy as president , Yang said UBI would provide extra income that some might donate to nonprofits or religious organizations , which then would have the resources to mentor young people and steer them away from extremist ideologies .
`` That would end up fueling many more positive paths forward for young people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and feel like they have no future , '' he said .
Sanders was asked to clarify his proposed moratorium on deportations .
He said it would n't apply to people in the United States without authorization and who committed `` horrible '' crimes .
But he maintained that he would end immigration raids and `` the terrorization '' of immigrant communities .
Later , the senator said he would n't commit to tearing down President Donald Trump 's wall on the southern border .
Sanders called the wall `` symbolic '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and demonize immigrants .
But if tearing it down would cost billions of dollars that could otherwise be spent on combating domestic issues like homelessness , Sanders said that would be a consideration .
Sanders has said his universal programs would disproportionately benefit non-white and historically marginalized communities .
A moderator asked if those programs were too radical .
Sanders responded by rattling off his platforms , one-by-one , and asking the crowd if each was a radical position .
The crowd responded louder and louder with `` no '' to platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum wage , tuition-free public colleges and universities , immigration reform and more .
Unlike other candidates , Warren was given time to deliver large pieces of her stump speech , specifically highlighting her view that government only works for the rich and powerful and her signature 2 % wealth tax , a plan that would , in part , invest $ 50 billion into historically black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) .
The moderators asked Warren if that piece is `` too good to be true , '' and whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compromise with lawmakers before her wealth tax is passed as legislation .
After a long-winded answer , in which Warren highlighted her father 's low-wage job and her $ 50-per-semester college education , she ultimately said no .
`` If you 're asking the question , am I committed to education ?
Am I committed to opportunity not just for some people but for everybody ?
The answer is yes , '' she said , before being pressed by the moderators to specifically say whether the HBCU plan would be dropped from her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping the HBCU plan , '' she replied .
Warren was also asked how she can promote her plans , many of which address issues facing communities of color , to white Americans — particularly Trump supporters — who may feel like their needs are threatened .
She said Trump ’ s strategy is to pit people against each other so they ignore what she calls a corrupt presidency , when the focus should be on how government does n't work for the average American .
`` You ca n't back down from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be weak in front of a bully .
But then you ’ ve got to talk about the positive vision , '' Warren said .
`` This ca n't all be about Donald Trump . ''
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register .
Reach him at ncoltrain @ registermedia.com or at 515-284-8361 .
Kim Norvell covers growth and development for the Register .
Reach her at knorvell @ dmreg.com or 515-284-8259 .
Follow her on Twitter @ KimNorvellDMR .

Nick Coltrain and Kim Norvell, Des Moines Register

Brown and Black Forum spotlights diversity issues in increasingly white presidential field
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
DES MOINES — Issues of race and diversity took center stage at the 2020 Brown and Black Forum in Des Moines on Monday, just two weeks before the Iowa caucuses and as concerns have ratcheted up that the Democratic presidential field has shed its highest profile candidates of color.
The forum moderators immediately questioned whether Iowa, which has a population that is 90% white, is at fault.
Given their predominantly white populations, "should Iowa and New Hampshire be the first states to vote?" VICE News correspondent Roberto Ferdman asked U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado.
"It's an important question to ask," Bennet said. "Now that I've spent the last year in Iowa and New Hampshire, I've realized how seriously people here and in New Hampshire take this.
"And that means a lot because I believe our democracy is at real risk. I think we're in real danger of losing the democracy, (by not) having people face-to-face."
Bennet was the only candidate directly asked about Iowa's standing as the first-in-the-nation caucus, though others highlighted their ability to attract supporters of color no matter where those voters live.
"I think am I the perfect person to lead because I come from the heartland," said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. "As you know, the heartland is not all about white people. The heartland is an incredible mix of ethnicity and different groups and different colors of skin."
The forum, held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and hosted by VICE News, also featured former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and businessman Andrew Yang.
The candidates were asked questions about a range of issues affecting communities of color, including maternal health care, poverty and minimum wage. They were also pressed about their records on immigration and their popularity with Americans of color.
A Washington Post-Ipsos Knowledge Panel survey earlier this month found that Biden holds a substantial lead with black Democrats nationally, with 48% of the support. Sanders holds 20%, Warren, 9%, and Buttigieg, 2%.
In one of the more personal questions of the day, Biden was asked whether the Democratic Party takes the black vote for granted.
"I think they have," Biden said. "But if you know my record, I'm just going to flat say it: I never, ever, ever, ever had. Not once."
Biden spoke of his time working as the only white lifeguard at a predominantly African American pool in Wilmington, Delaware. He said that helped him better understand issues facing the black community. He also pointed to his record of working in the black community as the reason for his decades-long career in politics.
"I have spent my whole career with the black community," he said. "They know me. They know where my heart is. And they know what I've done. And I’m very proud of it."
Buttigieg, who holds strong support in Iowa and New Hampshire, but has failed to gain traction nationally, was asked specific questions about outreach to black communities, issues with black policing and the number of black police officers in the city he recently ran. But the former mayor steered his answers to broader issues facing non-white Americans.
For a question about infant mortality in black communities, Buttigieg pivoted from his specific answer — provide training to overcome implicit bias, and fire health care providers who exhibit overt racism — to the need to have a president who sees the breadth of damage caused by racism.
"This is systemic," Buttigieg said. "The harm is systemic. The racism is systemic. Therefore, the solutions have to be systemic. But so many of them can be activated using the powers of the presidency."
Yang, the only candidate of color at Monday's forum, delivered one of the few lines to draw spontaneous applause when asked about disparities in health care among people of color compared to white Americans.
"Unfortunately, it's just more stressful being black in this society than it is being white," he said. "And so you have rampant health problems as a result of that."
Part of fixing that problem, he said, is ensuring that people of color feel they can make ends meet and are secure about their future — an issue he says can be addressed with his proposed $1,000 per month Universal Basic Income.
Yang also proposed forgiving student loan debt for health care professionals who choose to work in less affluent or diverse communities and encouraging more representation among health care professionals to ensure people of color are being listened to and supported when talking about their needs.
He focused a majority of his 25 minutes bringing questions about issues facing communities of color back to his signature UBI. Asked how he’d address white supremacy as president, Yang said UBI would provide extra income that some might donate to nonprofits or religious organizations, which then would have the resources to mentor young people and steer them away from extremist ideologies.
"That would end up fueling many more positive paths forward for young people, instead of having them just get lost and feel like they have no future," he said.
Sanders was asked to clarify his proposed moratorium on deportations. He said it wouldn't apply to people in the United States without authorization and who committed "horrible" crimes. But he maintained that he would end immigration raids and "the terrorization" of immigrant communities.
Later, the senator said he wouldn't commit to tearing down President Donald Trump's wall on the southern border.
Sanders called the wall "symbolic" of Trump’s effort to divide the country and demonize immigrants. But if tearing it down would cost billions of dollars that could otherwise be spent on combating domestic issues like homelessness, Sanders said that would be a consideration.
Sanders has said his universal programs would disproportionately benefit non-white and historically marginalized communities. A moderator asked if those programs were too radical. Sanders responded by rattling off his platforms, one-by-one, and asking the crowd if each was a radical position.
The crowd responded louder and louder with "no" to platforms like guaranteed health care, a higher minimum wage, tuition-free public colleges and universities, immigration reform and more.
Unlike other candidates, Warren was given time to deliver large pieces of her stump speech, specifically highlighting her view that government only works for the rich and powerful and her signature 2% wealth tax, a plan that would, in part, invest $50 billion into historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The moderators asked Warren if that piece is "too good to be true," and whether it would be subjected to cuts as a compromise with lawmakers before her wealth tax is passed as legislation. After a long-winded answer, in which Warren highlighted her father's low-wage job and her $50-per-semester college education, she ultimately said no.
"If you're asking the question, am I committed to education? Am I committed to opportunity not just for some people but for everybody? The answer is yes," she said, before being pressed by the moderators to specifically say whether the HBCU plan would be dropped from her wealth tax.
"I'm not dropping the HBCU plan," she replied.
Warren was also asked how she can promote her plans, many of which address issues facing communities of color, to white Americans — particularly Trump supporters — who may feel like their needs are threatened. She said Trump’s strategy is to pit people against each other so they ignore what she calls a corrupt presidency, when the focus should be on how government doesn't work for the average American.
"You can't back down from a bully. You can’t be weak in front of a bully. But then you’ve got to talk about the positive vision," Warren said. "This can't all be about Donald Trump."
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register. Reach him at ncoltrain@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8361.
Kim Norvell covers growth and development for the Register. Reach her at knorvell@dmreg.com or 515-284-8259. Follow her on Twitter @KimNorvellDMR.


usatoday--2020-01-21--California's primary ballots arrive by mail the day Iowa caucuses. That's a campaign dilemma

PALM SPRINGS , Calif. — The 494 delegates California will send to the Democratic National Convention in July have earned the state 's primary election the nickname `` thebigenchilada '' among presidential candidates .
But , this year , the enchilada is spicier .
A majority of voters in the Golden State vote by mail and will receive ballots on Feb. 3 , the same day as the Iowa caucus .
That 's months earlier than in recent years .
The mail ballots ' early delivery date presents Democratic presidential candidates with a dilemma : Should they invest heavily in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina ) with the hope of amassing momentum leading into Super Tuesday on March 3 , when California and 13 other states vote ?
Or should they campaign more broadly from the start , and focus on California from the get-go ?
California is the most populous state , and it awards more than double the total delegates that come from the first four states combined .
Since 1988 , future Democratic nominees have all received a majority of the vote in California , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lost to then-Sen. Hillary Clinton in 2008 by 18 percentage points .
California has successfully predicted the primary winner in each of the Republican contests since 1988 .
With six weeks to go , the battle for California Democrats ' votes is heating up .
Polling shows Sen. Bernie Sanders , Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden leading the rest of the crowded field in California .
Those three candidates have double-digit leads over former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who has hit double digits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the other remaining candidates .
Here 's how the California campaign is shaping up : A Public Policy Institute of California survey conducted in January — the first since California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris 's withdrawal from the race — put Sanders in the lead with 27 % of likely Democratic voters , ahead of Biden ( 24 % ) and Warren ( 23 % ) .
The survey had a +/- 6.5 percentage-point margin of error .
The poll showed Sanders surging .
In PPIC 's November poll , 17 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as their top choice .
The poll showed Biden leading voters older than 45 , with 32 % support , ahead of Warren ( 22 % ) and Sanders ( 15 % ) .
It showed Sanders leading among voters ages 18-44 ; he had 45 % support , ahead of Warren ( 25 % ) and Biden ( 12 % ) .
`` Biden is seen as the candidate with the best chance of defeating Trump , while Sanders has strong support among younger voters , ” said PPIC President Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only included the five candidates who qualified for the Jan. 14 Democratic debate in Iowa .
That left out entrepreneur Andrew Yang , businessman Tom Steyer and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has invested significant resources in staffing and advertising in California .
Bloomberg has bypassed campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire to focus on Super Tuesday and appeared in Northern California on Friday and Southern California on Saturday .
Sanders , Biden and Warren were also clustered at the top of the field in California in a Capitol Weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll conducted in early December .
Sanders , who campaigned heavily in California in the 2016 Democratic primary against Clinton , has hired 80 campaign staffers to work in more than a dozen offices throughout the state .
Bloomberg is n't far behind in terms of commitment , having hired more than two dozen staffers .
Chris Myers , who 's leading Bloomberg 's California campaign operations , told the Sacramento Bee that the Bloomberg team intended to build the largest statewide operation in California history .
In California , which is known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bastions , Sanders and Warren have outperformed compared to nationwide polls .
Polling averages calculated by FiveThirtyEight show Biden with an average of 26.2 % support in recent national polls , ahead of Sanders ( 19.2 % ) , Warren ( 16.4 % ) and Buttigieg ( 6.8 % ) .
He may be trailing in most California polls , but Buttigieg joins the front runners in early-to-vote states like Iowa , where he garnered 25 % support in a Monmouth University poll released last week , putting him in second behind Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ( 24 % ) and Warren ( 16 % ) .
A strong performance in Iowa could give him momentum on Super Tuesday .
Unlike Iowa and New Hampshire , the first two states to vote , California is one of the nation ’ s most ethnically diverse states .
Of its 40 million residents , 39 % are Hispanic and 15 % are of Asian descent , according to census data .
The state has more than 20 million registered voters .
A November poll conducted by the Latino Community Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters with 31 % support , ahead of Biden ( 23 % ) and Warren ( 11 % ) .
“ The message we want all Latinos to hear is that they have the power to determine who is going to run against Trump and who will win in November , ” Jacqueline Martinez , the CEO of the Latino Community Foundation told USA TODAY .
“ The political climate we are in has awoken a new generation of voters , ” she said .
“ I hate the term sleeping giant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sleeping .
Now the candidates have to engage.
” Californians surveyed in the January PPIC poll identified homelessness as their top issue of concern .
California contains a higher share of individuals experiencing homelessness than any other state .
More than 150,000 people are living in shelters , on the street or in cars at any given time .
Among survey respondents , 20 % said homelessness was the top issue they wanted Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom and the Democratic-led state legislature to address in 2020 , up 5 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranked as a higher priority than housing costs , the economy , immigration or health care .
Trump has attempted to use homelessness as a cudgel against California , blaming the state 's liberal politicians for the severity of the crisis .
Several candidates and their surrogates have toured homeless encampments and low-income housing in places like Los Angeles ' Skid Row , including Sanders and Buttigieg 's husband , Chasten Buttigieg .
California-specific concerns like wildfires are also getting some attention from candidates .
On Friday in Monterey , Bloomberg proposed addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California by creating a `` Wildfire Corps '' composed of thousands of workers who would be tasked with increasing fire resilience in rural and forest communities , restoring healthy forest ecosystems and assisting firefighters during wildfires .
Buttigieg 's `` wine cave '' fundraiser in the Napa Valley , and Warren 's subsequent criticism of it , once again catapulted California 's deep pockets into the national spotlight .
The Coachella Valley has hosted many pricey fundraisers over the years ; Jeb Bush , Obama and most recently Buttigieg have hosted ticketed fundraisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to $ 2,800 , the current federal limit for individual campaign contributions .
Campaign finance reports from the fourth quarter of 2019 will not be released by the Federal Elections Commission until the end of January .
However , among candidates still in the race now , Buttigieg led in fundraising in California with more than $ 7 million in campaign contributions up to Sept. 30 .
Biden had $ 4.8 million , Sanders had $ 4.6 million , Warren had $ 4.2 million , Yang had $ 1.4 million and Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is self-financing his campaign and has spent more than $ 196 million since entering the race , has spent heavily to flood vote-rich markets like Los Angeles with advertisements .
Nationwide , he 's spent $ 164 million on television spots and $ 22 million on digital advertisements .
Likely because he 's skipping the early primary states , most of Bloomberg 's ads have been broadcast in large Super Tuesday states like California and Texas , according to Advertising Analytics , a data firm that tracks campaign spending .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make endorsements while their home-state senator , Harris , remained in the race .
But since her withdrawal , a flood of Golden State politicians have lined up behind their candidates of choice .
Bloomberg has netted endorsements from Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs , San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and U.S. Rep. Harley Rouda , a Democrat who represents southwestern Orange County after defeating longtime GOP Rep. Dana Rohrbacher in 2018 .
Warren has received endorsements from state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco ; U.S. Rep. Katie Porter , a former law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in consumer protection ; and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego , who authored the controversial labor law AB 5 .
Biden has lined up support from Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , who at one point considered running for president himself .
Sanders 's campaign has highlighted the senator 's more than 300 California endorsements , including from the entire city council in the city of Coachella , and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna , who represents the Silicon Valley area .
Steyer has received endorsements from former state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's landmark carbon emissions trading legislation in 2006 , and Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia , D-Coachella , who currently serves as chair of the Assembly 's Water , Parks , and Wildlife Committee .
In 2016 , Steyer , a former hedge-fund manager , spent millions to advertise for Garcia 's set of bills that proposed more ambitious limits on greenhouse gas emissions in California .
Last year , he toured communities lacking access to reliable , clean water in the eastern Coachella Valley with Garcia .
Andrew Yang has received endorsements from Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evan Low .
High-profile California politicians including Newsom , Harris , San Francisco Mayor London Breed , Lt. Gov .
Eleni Kounalakis and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have yet to back a candidate .
Sam Metz covers politics .
Reach him at samuel.metz @ desertsun.com or on Twitter @ metzsam .

California's primary ballots arrive by mail the day Iowa caucuses. That's a campaign dilemma
Show Caption Hide Caption Democratic debate: Candidates tout Commander-in-Chief potential In the final debate before Democratic primary voting begins, six leading candidates make the case for their qualifications to be Commander-in-Chief, USA TODAY
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The 494 delegates California will send to the Democratic National Convention in July have earned the state's primary election the nickname "the big enchilada" among presidential candidates. But, this year, the enchilada is spicier.
A majority of voters in the Golden State vote by mail and will receive ballots on Feb. 3, the same day as the Iowa caucus. That's months earlier than in recent years. The mail ballots' early delivery date presents Democratic presidential candidates with a dilemma: Should they invest heavily in the first four states to vote (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina) with the hope of amassing momentum leading into Super Tuesday on March 3, when California and 13 other states vote?
Or should they campaign more broadly from the start, and focus on California from the get-go?
California is the most populous state, and it awards more than double the total delegates that come from the first four states combined.
Since 1988, future Democratic nominees have all received a majority of the vote in California, with the exception of then-Sen. Barack Obama, who lost to then-Sen. Hillary Clinton in 2008 by 18 percentage points. California has successfully predicted the primary winner in each of the Republican contests since 1988.
With six weeks to go, the battle for California Democrats' votes is heating up.
Polling shows Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden leading the rest of the crowded field in California. Those three candidates have double-digit leads over former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has hit double digits in two early states, as well as the other remaining candidates.
Here's how the California campaign is shaping up:
Iowa caucus: Just how much influence does it have on the primary? The Iowa caucus is sure to be competitive this year. But what makes caucuses different from primaries? Just the FAQs
Poll shows Sanders surging in California
A Public Policy Institute of California survey conducted in January — the first since California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris's withdrawal from the race — put Sanders in the lead with 27% of likely Democratic voters, ahead of Biden (24%) and Warren (23%). The survey had a +/- 6.5 percentage-point margin of error.
The poll showed Sanders surging. In PPIC's November poll, 17% of likely primary voters surveyed had marked him as their top choice.
The poll showed Biden leading voters older than 45, with 32% support, ahead of Warren (22%) and Sanders (15%). It showed Sanders leading among voters ages 18-44; he had 45% support, ahead of Warren (25%) and Biden (12%).
"Biden is seen as the candidate with the best chance of defeating Trump, while Sanders has strong support among younger voters,” said PPIC President Mark Baldassare.
The poll, however, only included the five candidates who qualified for the Jan. 14 Democratic debate in Iowa. That left out entrepreneur Andrew Yang, businessman Tom Steyer and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has invested significant resources in staffing and advertising in California. Bloomberg has bypassed campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire to focus on Super Tuesday and appeared in Northern California on Friday and Southern California on Saturday.
Sanders, Biden and Warren were also clustered at the top of the field in California in a Capitol Weekly poll conducted Jan. 3-9 and a CNN poll conducted in early December.
Sanders, who campaigned heavily in California in the 2016 Democratic primary against Clinton, has hired 80 campaign staffers to work in more than a dozen offices throughout the state. Bloomberg isn't far behind in terms of commitment, having hired more than two dozen staffers. Chris Myers, who's leading Bloomberg's California campaign operations, told the Sacramento Bee that the Bloomberg team intended to build the largest statewide operation in California history.
In California, which is known as one of the nation's progressive bastions, Sanders and Warren have outperformed compared to nationwide polls. Polling averages calculated by FiveThirtyEight show Biden with an average of 26.2% support in recent national polls, ahead of Sanders (19.2%), Warren (16.4%) and Buttigieg (6.8%).
He may be trailing in most California polls, but Buttigieg joins the front runners in early-to-vote states like Iowa, where he garnered 25% support in a Monmouth University poll released last week, putting him in second behind Biden (28%) and ahead of Sanders (24%) and Warren (16%). A strong performance in Iowa could give him momentum on Super Tuesday.
Sanders polling well among Latinos
Unlike Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote, California is one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse states. Of its 40 million residents, 39% are Hispanic and 15% are of Asian descent, according to census data. The state has more than 20 million registered voters.
A November poll conducted by the Latino Community Foundation showed Sanders leading among Latino likely primary voters with 31% support, ahead of Biden (23%) and Warren (11%).
“The message we want all Latinos to hear is that they have the power to determine who is going to run against Trump and who will win in November,” Jacqueline Martinez, the CEO of the Latino Community Foundation told USA TODAY.
“The political climate we are in has awoken a new generation of voters,” she said. “I hate the term sleeping giant, because we’ve been working, not sleeping. Now the candidates have to engage.”
Californians' No. 1 issue: Homelessness
Californians surveyed in the January PPIC poll identified homelessness as their top issue of concern. California contains a higher share of individuals experiencing homelessness than any other state. More than 150,000 people are living in shelters, on the street or in cars at any given time.
Among survey respondents, 20% said homelessness was the top issue they wanted Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic-led state legislature to address in 2020, up 5 percentage points from September. Throughout California, homelessness ranked as a higher priority than housing costs, the economy, immigration or health care.
Trump has attempted to use homelessness as a cudgel against California, blaming the state's liberal politicians for the severity of the crisis. Several candidates and their surrogates have toured homeless encampments and low-income housing in places like Los Angeles' Skid Row, including Sanders and Buttigieg's husband, Chasten Buttigieg.
California-specific concerns like wildfires are also getting some attention from candidates. On Friday in Monterey, Bloomberg proposed addressing the increasingly severe wildfires that have ravaged California by creating a "Wildfire Corps" composed of thousands of workers who would be tasked with increasing fire resilience in rural and forest communities, restoring healthy forest ecosystems and assisting firefighters during wildfires.
Bloomberg has spent nearly $200 million
Buttigieg's "wine cave" fundraiser in the Napa Valley, and Warren's subsequent criticism of it, once again catapulted California's deep pockets into the national spotlight. The Coachella Valley has hosted many pricey fundraisers over the years; Jeb Bush, Obama and most recently Buttigieg have hosted ticketed fundraisers at private homes, selling tickets for up to $2,800, the current federal limit for individual campaign contributions.
Campaign finance reports from the fourth quarter of 2019 will not be released by the Federal Elections Commission until the end of January. However, among candidates still in the race now, Buttigieg led in fundraising in California with more than $7 million in campaign contributions up to Sept. 30. Biden had $4.8 million, Sanders had $4.6 million, Warren had $4.2 million, Yang had $1.4 million and Klobuchar had $1.1 million.
Bloomberg, who is self-financing his campaign and has spent more than $196 million since entering the race, has spent heavily to flood vote-rich markets like Los Angeles with advertisements. Nationwide, he's spent $164 million on television spots and $22 million on digital advertisements. Likely because he's skipping the early primary states, most of Bloomberg's ads have been broadcast in large Super Tuesday states like California and Texas, according to Advertising Analytics, a data firm that tracks campaign spending.
Endorsements
Many of California's prominent Democratic politicians hesitated to make endorsements while their home-state senator, Harris, remained in the race. But since her withdrawal, a flood of Golden State politicians have lined up behind their candidates of choice.
Bloomberg has netted endorsements from Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and U.S. Rep. Harley Rouda, a Democrat who represents southwestern Orange County after defeating longtime GOP Rep. Dana Rohrbacher in 2018.
Warren has received endorsements from state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco; U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, a former law professor who, like Warren, specializes in consumer protection; and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego, who authored the controversial labor law AB 5.
Biden has lined up support from Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who at one point considered running for president himself.
Sanders's campaign has highlighted the senator's more than 300 California endorsements, including from the entire city council in the city of Coachella, and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, who represents the Silicon Valley area.
Steyer has received endorsements from former state lawmaker Fran Pavley, who authored California's landmark carbon emissions trading legislation in 2006, and Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, who currently serves as chair of the Assembly's Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.
In 2016, Steyer, a former hedge-fund manager, spent millions to advertise for Garcia's set of bills that proposed more ambitious limits on greenhouse gas emissions in California. Last year, he toured communities lacking access to reliable, clean water in the eastern Coachella Valley with Garcia.
Andrew Yang has received endorsements from Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Bay Area Assemblyman Evan Low.
High-profile California politicians including Newsom, Harris, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have yet to back a candidate.
Sam Metz covers politics. Reach him at samuel.metz@desertsun.com or on Twitter @metzsam.


usatoday--2020-01-21--Rep. Adam Schiff: Sen. Mitch McConnell's rules are not for 'a fair trial'

Rep. Adam Schiff : Sen. Mitch McConnell 's rules are not for ' a fair trial' House managers slam an @ @ @ @ @ leader Mitch McConnell as a `` process for rigged trial . ''
( Jan. 21 @

Rep. Adam Schiff: Sen. Mitch McConnell's rules are not for 'a fair trial'
House managers slam an impeachment resolution from Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell as a "process for rigged trial." (Jan. 21)
AP


usatoday--2020-01-21--A visual guide to the 2020 presidential candidates views on alternative energy and technology

We haven ’ t spent enough time focusing on antitrust measures , and it ’ s no secret that we @ @ @ @ @ look at how we can rein in some of the abuses of power from big @ @ @

Donald Trump faces sweeping charges in Georgia indictment: recap
A grand jury in Georgia indicted Donald Trump Monday, accusing the former president and his allies of trying to steal President Joe Biden’s win.


usatoday--2020-01-21--'America is thriving': Pres. Donald Trump boasts about economic record at global forum

Trump says 'America is thriving ' at Davos World Economic Forum President Donald Trump boasted about America 's `` economic @ @ @ @ @ forum in Davos , Switzerland .

Trump says 'America is thriving' at Davos World Economic Forum
President Donald Trump boasted about America's "economic boom" at an economic forum in Davos, Switzerland.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-21--Kellyanne Conway says Martin Luther King Jr. would have opposed Donald Trump's impeachment

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway does n't think Martin Luther King Jr. would support impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump .
Conway told NBC News on Monday that MLK Jr. had a different hope for Americans than what is happening to Trump via the impeachment .
`` I do n't think it was within Dr. King 's vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office , is not being charged with bribery , extortion , high crimes or misdemeanors , '' she said .
`` And I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all ' on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttle defense on the facts , and everybody should have that . ''
Conway was responding to the question about what Trump was doing to observe Monday 's holiday .
She said the president was getting ready for a trip and agreed with MLK Jr. on `` unity and equality . ''
Trump will leave Monday evening for the World Economic Forum in Davos .
`` He 's not the one tearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lack of substance that really is very shameful at this point , '' Conway said .
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in D.C. Conway 's comments came the day before the Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin and on the same day that Trump 's defense team filed a brief calling the impeachment case against the president unconstitutional .
The House passed two articles of impeachment against Trump in December .
The charge of abuse of power comes from the allegation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foreign country to investigate a political rival .
The House accuses Trump of obstruction of Congress by preventing White House officials from testifying and withheld documents .

Kellyanne Conway says Martin Luther King Jr. would have opposed Donald Trump's impeachment
Show Caption Hide Caption Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway doesn't think Martin Luther King Jr. would support impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump.
Conway told NBC News on Monday that MLK Jr. had a different hope for Americans than what is happening to Trump via the impeachment.
"I don't think it was within Dr. King's vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office, is not being charged with bribery, extortion, high crimes or misdemeanors," she said. "And I think that anybody who cares about 'and justice for all' on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttle defense on the facts, and everybody should have that."
Conway was responding to the question about what Trump was doing to observe Monday's holiday.
She said the president was getting ready for a trip and agreed with MLK Jr. on "unity and equality." Trump will leave Monday evening for the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"He's not the one tearing the country apart through an impeachment process and a lack of substance that really is very shameful at this point," Conway said.
WATCH: Asked about President Trump observing #MLKDay today, Kellyanne Conway discusses MLK's values and the impeachment effort against President Trump. pic.twitter.com/Tx5q70Yf1d — NBC News (@NBCNews) January 20, 2020
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in D.C.
Conway's comments came the day before the Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin and on the same day that Trump's defense team filed a brief calling the impeachment case against the president unconstitutional.
The House passed two articles of impeachment against Trump in December. The charge of abuse of power comes from the allegation that Trump withheld aid to Ukraine while asking the foreign country to investigate a political rival. The House accuses Trump of obstruction of Congress by preventing White House officials from testifying and withheld documents.


usatoday--2020-01-21--Lev Parnas accuses AG William Barr of conflict of interest, seeks special prosecutor

NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani 's ex-associate , Lev Parnas , on Monday accused U.S. Attorney General William Barr of having a conflict of interest and asked Barr to recuse himself from the criminal campaign finance case against Parnas and allow a special prosecutor to handle the matter .
In a court-filed letter on the eve of President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial in the Senate , a lawyer for the indicted Soviet-born defendant cited Trump 's `` multiple references '' to Barr in the matter at the heart of that case — the July phone call in which Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family of former vice president Joe Biden , a rival for this year 's presidential election .
The exchange has been cited by House impeachment investigators as evidence that Trump improperly abused his authority by delaying nearly $ 400 million in U.S. military aid to Ukraine as he sought information that would benefit his reelection campaign .
During the call , Trump told Zelensky `` whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great . ''
Barr has said Trump did not ask him to contact Zelensky and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whistleblower complaint that was prompted by the Trump-Zelensky call , the letter argued that the whistleblower personally named Barr `` as a participant in the President 's abuse of the power of his office . ''
Additionally , the letter cited calls for Barr 's recusal by the New York City Bar Association and by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee , as well as professional links between Barr and Giuliani — the Trump personal attorney whom Parnas aided in seeking damaging information in Ukraine about Biden 's family .
Government ethics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters in which their impartiality could be questioned , wrote Parnas attorney Joseph Bondy .
He argued that Barr , the head of the Department of Justice , could not impartially oversee the case against Parnas .
`` Given the totality of the circumstances , we believe it is appropriate for you to recuse yourself from the ongoing investigation and pending prosecution of Mr. Parnas , and to allow the then-Acting Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor from outside the Department of Justice , so as to avoid the appearance of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public trust in the rule of law , '' wrote Bondy .
The Department of Justice declined to comment on the request .
The renewed focus on Barr followed the public release of Parnas-provided instant messages , texts , documents and documents by House impeachment investigators .
They used the material to press the Senate to allow testimony by the 47-year-old Florida businessman and others during Trump 's trial .
As of Monday evening , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , had not publicly signaled whether any witnesses will be called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially pivotal figure because he appears to offer first-hand evidence of Giuliani 's effort to dig up dirt on Biden in Ukraine .
At the same time , Parnas is a defendant in an unrelated criminal case in New York that accuses him and three co-defendants of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to U.S. election candidates and campaigns .
Among the documents that House investigators released publicly last week was a previously undisclosed May 10 letter in which Giuliani sought a private meeting with Zelensky .
“ In my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with his knowledge and consent , I request a meeting with you on this upcoming Monday , May 13th , or Tuesday , May 14th , ” Giuliani wrote .
The meeting never took place .
However , House investigators argued that Giuliani 's letter “ makes clear that his trip , which he publicly described at the time as an effort to 'meddle in an investigation , was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump.
” Trump and Giuliani have denied that contention .
Parnas also gave House investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , over uncorroborated claims that she was disloyal to the Trump administration .
Yovanovitch has denied such impropriety .
Parnas gave a series of media interviews last week in which he asserted that Trump `` knew exactly what was going on in Ukraine '' as Parnas and Giuliani sought information about Biden 's family .
`` He was aware of all my movements , '' Parnas said in a reference to Trump during an interview with MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow .
`` I would n't do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the president . ''
However , Parnas 's account is potentially undercut by gaps and inconsistencies .
He told The New York Times that he stated Trump knew about the alleged scheme to pressure Ukrainian officials for information about Biden not because he 'd spoken to the President but because Giuliani had assured him of it .
Trump 's Press Secretary , Stephanie Grisham , a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence , and the Department of Justice have all characterized Parnas as a liar who would say anything to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Defendants in such cases typically maintain a low public profile if they seek to cooperate with federal prosecutors in hope of winning a recommendation for a reduced sentence after they plead guilty .
However , Bondy has waged an unusual public legal strategy of attempting to leverage Parnas 's cooperation with House impeachment investigators to press federal prosecutors to consider accepting his client as a cooperating witness .
Referring to Barr in Monday 's letter , Bondy argued that `` this conflict of interest appears to have caused actual harm to Parnas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized from the businessman at the time of his arrest .
In turn , that delay held up Parnas 's handover of the information to House impeachment investigators , making it difficult for the investigators to `` make complete use of his materials or properly assess Mr. Parnas as a potential witness , '' wrote Bondy .
The defense lawyer also said prosecutors in the campaign finance case have thus far refused to meet with Parnas and receive his information about Trump , Giuliani , and others .
That evidence `` would potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted and sentenced in his criminal case , '' wrote Bondy .
However , Parnas 's attorney met with prosecutors in late 2019 and told them his client had been in contact with Ukrainian officials about removing Yovanovitch as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday .
But the attorney argued that Parnas did not seek the ouster at the urging of a Ukrainian official , as charged in the criminal indictment , the report added .

Lev Parnas accuses AG William Barr of conflict of interest, seeks special prosecutor
Show Caption Hide Caption Giuliani associate Lev Parnas claims Trump knew about Ukraine Rudy Giuliani's associate Lev Parnas said President Trump "knew exactly what was going on" in Ukraine. USA TODAY
NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani's ex-associate, Lev Parnas, on Monday accused U.S. Attorney General William Barr of having a conflict of interest and asked Barr to recuse himself from the criminal campaign finance case against Parnas and allow a special prosecutor to handle the matter.
In a court-filed letter on the eve of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate, a lawyer for the indicted Soviet-born defendant cited Trump's "multiple references" to Barr in the matter at the heart of that case — the July phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the family of former vice president Joe Biden, a rival for this year's presidential election.
The exchange has been cited by House impeachment investigators as evidence that Trump improperly abused his authority by delaying nearly $400 million in U.S. military aid to Ukraine as he sought information that would benefit his reelection campaign. During the call, Trump told Zelensky "whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great."
Barr has said Trump did not ask him to contact Zelensky and said that no such contact was made.
Citing the whistleblower complaint that was prompted by the Trump-Zelensky call, the letter argued that the whistleblower personally named Barr "as a participant in the President's abuse of the power of his office."
Additionally, the letter cited calls for Barr's recusal by the New York City Bar Association and by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, as well as professional links between Barr and Giuliani — the Trump personal attorney whom Parnas aided in seeking damaging information in Ukraine about Biden's family.
Trump's Ukraine phone call: U.S. and Ukraine relationship, explained U.S. and Ukraine relations go further back than the now infamous phone call between Trump and Zelensky. We explain their relationship. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Government ethics guidelines bar federal employees from participating in matters in which their impartiality could be questioned, wrote Parnas attorney Joseph Bondy. He argued that Barr, the head of the Department of Justice, could not impartially oversee the case against Parnas.
"Given the totality of the circumstances, we believe it is appropriate for you to recuse yourself from the ongoing investigation and pending prosecution of Mr. Parnas, and to allow the then-Acting Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor from outside the Department of Justice, so as to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest and to preserve the public trust in the rule of law," wrote Bondy.
The Department of Justice declined to comment on the request.
The renewed focus on Barr followed the public release of Parnas-provided instant messages, texts, documents and documents by House impeachment investigators. They used the material to press the Senate to allow testimony by the 47-year-old Florida businessman and others during Trump's trial.
As of Monday evening, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, had not publicly signaled whether any witnesses will be called during the proceeding.
Parnas is a potentially pivotal figure because he appears to offer first-hand evidence of Giuliani's effort to dig up dirt on Biden in Ukraine. At the same time, Parnas is a defendant in an unrelated criminal case in New York that accuses him and three co-defendants of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to U.S. election candidates and campaigns.
Among the documents that House investigators released publicly last week was a previously undisclosed May 10 letter in which Giuliani sought a private meeting with Zelensky. “In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you on this upcoming Monday, May 13th, or Tuesday, May 14th,” Giuliani wrote.
The meeting never took place. However, House investigators argued that Giuliani's letter “makes clear that his trip, which he publicly described at the time as an effort to 'meddle in an investigation, was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump.”
Trump and Giuliani have denied that contention.
Parnas also gave House investigators documents related to the ouster Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, over uncorroborated claims that she was disloyal to the Trump administration. Yovanovitch has denied such impropriety.
Parnas gave a series of media interviews last week in which he asserted that Trump "knew exactly what was going on in Ukraine" as Parnas and Giuliani sought information about Biden's family.
"He was aware of all my movements," Parnas said in a reference to Trump during an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. "I wouldn't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani, or the president."
However, Parnas's account is potentially undercut by gaps and inconsistencies. He told The New York Times that he stated Trump knew about the alleged scheme to pressure Ukrainian officials for information about Biden not because he'd spoken to the President but because Giuliani had assured him of it.
Trump's Press Secretary, Stephanie Grisham, a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence, and the Department of Justice have all characterized Parnas as a liar who would say anything to win leniency in the criminal case against him.
Defendants in such cases typically maintain a low public profile if they seek to cooperate with federal prosecutors in hope of winning a recommendation for a reduced sentence after they plead guilty.
However, Bondy has waged an unusual public legal strategy of attempting to leverage Parnas's cooperation with House impeachment investigators to press federal prosecutors to consider accepting his client as a cooperating witness.
Referring to Barr in Monday's letter, Bondy argued that "this conflict of interest appears to have caused actual harm to Parnas" because prosecutors delayed turning over material seized from the businessman at the time of his arrest.
In turn, that delay held up Parnas's handover of the information to House impeachment investigators, making it difficult for the investigators to "make complete use of his materials or properly assess Mr. Parnas as a potential witness," wrote Bondy.
The defense lawyer also said prosecutors in the campaign finance case have thus far refused to meet with Parnas and receive his information about Trump, Giuliani, and others. That evidence "would potentially benefit Mr. Parnas if he were ever convicted and sentenced in his criminal case," wrote Bondy.
However, Parnas's attorney met with prosecutors in late 2019 and told them his client had been in contact with Ukrainian officials about removing Yovanovitch as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. But the attorney argued that Parnas did not seek the ouster at the urging of a Ukrainian official, as charged in the criminal indictment, the report added.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-01-21--Unknowns loom as the Senate braces for Trump trial

Unknowns loom as the Senate braces for Trump trial The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ fight over the ground rules .
AP 's Eric Tucker provides a rundown of what @ @ @ @ @ we still do n't know .
( Jan. 20 )

Unknowns loom as the Senate braces for Trump trial
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes Tuesday and will likely start with a fight over the ground rules. AP's Eric Tucker provides a rundown of what to expect - and what we still don't know. (Jan. 20)
AP