usatoday--2020-02-20--Trump's Phoenix rally: What were the facts behind his major claims?

President Donald Trump spent more than 80 minutes making a case for his reelection at a packed Phoenix rally on Wednesday evening .
Employing many of the same themes and talking points he had used in his State of the Union speech and to rile up crowds in New Hampshire and Iowa , he touted low unemployment and new jobs , boasted about improved life expectancy and mocked his Democratic opponents .
And , though it took him more than 45 minutes to get there , he condemned illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and gloated about deportation numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His claims , some of them specifically geared toward an Arizona crowd , generated plenty of enthusiasm — although the `` Build the wall ! ''
chant heard at past campaign events was absent .
Here 's a closer look at what Trump said Wednesday , with analysis from Arizona Republic reporters .
On the cost of illegal immigration What Trump said : Trump said illegal immigration costs Arizona taxpayers “ more than $ 2 billion every year . ''
The facts : Trump appeared to be referring to an outdated report by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group that advocates against illegal immigration .
The 2012 report estimated that unauthorized immigrants cost Arizona $ 2.4 billion , estimating Arizona ’ s 2010 undocumented population at 390,000 .
That population estimate appears to be inflated , however : It 's higher than the 350,000 unauthorized immigrants the Department of Homeland Security estimated resided in Arizona in 2010 and the Pew Research Center 's estimate of 325,000 .
FAIR also included in its $ 2.4 billion estimate costs such as K-12 education , which amounted to $ 1.3 billion , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of limited English proficiency education , which amounted to another $ 279 million , or nearly 11 % of the total .
Those figures didn ’ t distinguish between children born in the U.S. ( and , thus , U.S. citizens ) whose parents were in the country illegally , and immigrant children who are not U.S. citizens .
FAIR also included in its estimate the $ 259 million cost of providing Medicaid to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants , who , again , are citizens .
Arizona ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number and share since 2010 , according to estimates by Pew , which means the costs of illegal immigration to Arizona taxpayers has also likely fallen .
What Trump said : “ Democrats ’ open borders policies are harming and killing innocent lives , ” Trump said , citing a Phoenix case where `` an illegal alien chased a man through a parking lot and shot him in cold blood , and then walked over to the victim and shot him four more times right in the face as he lay dying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` had previously been deported after serving six years in prison.
” The facts : Trump was referring to 26-year-old Victor Garcia , an unauthorized immigrant who was charged with shooting 34-year-old Jesus Valazquez last year .
Garcia had served six years in an Arizona prison after being convicted of aggravated assault in 2011 , and had previously been deported .
According to court documents , Garcia had a handgun and fired several shots at Valazquez , who fell to the ground shortly after being struck .
Multiple witnesses saw Garcia approach Valazquez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face while he was still on the ground .
What Trump said : Trump said his administration had `` reduced illegal border crossings for eight straight months in a row . ''
He said illegal crossings are down 75 % since last spring , and January `` saw the fewest illegal crossings in two years.
” The facts : Since reaching a peak of 132,856 border apprehensions in May 2019 , the number of migrants agents encountered along the U.S.-Mexico border has continued to decrease significantly , according to Customs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrolling the nation ’ s borders .
In January , agents apprehended 29,200 migrants along the border , a 78 % decrease compared with May ’ s peak .
It ’ s also the fewest number of migrants detained at the border since February 2018 , when agents apprehended 26,666 people .
The pressure Trump exerted on the Mexican government this past summer to stop Central Americans traveling through the country on the way to the U.S. to claim asylum was a key factor in the drop .
Mexico deployed its National Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central American migrants it apprehends and deports .
The Trump administration also implemented policies restricting access to asylum for Latin American migrants .
In January 2019 , the Department of Homeland Security rolled out its Migrant Protection Protocols , also known as `` Remain in Mexico . ''
More than 60,000 people have been sent back to await the outcome of their proceedings .
What Trump said : The president said his administration ended the practice of `` catch and release , '' referring to the release of asylum seekers to the care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a notice to appear in court at a later date .
The facts : In September , then-Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan announced an end to catch and release .
But , since then , DHS has continued to release hundreds of asylum seekers into the interior of the country .
What has changed : The U.S. government has generally not released migrants from Central and Latin America .
They are , for the most part , sent back to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols or to Guatemala under an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum seekers — even though Guatemala is one of the countries where most people are fleeing gang violence and poverty .
According to Teresa Cavendish , the director of Tucson migrant shelter Casa Alitas , DHS has continued to release an average of 20 people a day in Tucson alone .
“ The families still being released are Mexican asylum seekers , outside the hemisphere , families with children under one year of age , pregnant women six months or more , and significant illnesses or injuries , ” she said .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the border wall was moving `` faster than ever , '' and `` we will soon be almost one new mile a day.
” The facts : Customs and Border Protection said construction crews have built 119 miles of border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border since Trump took office .
The administration ’ s goal is to complete a total of 450 miles by the end of 2020 , meaning they have 330 miles left to build with 315 days left in the year .
The Trump administration already redirected nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department to CBP to build approximately 300 miles of new border barriers .
It has also signaled intentions to divert $ 3.8 billion from the Pentagon .
This week , DHS issued waivers to expedite construction along 177 miles along the entire southwest U.S. border .
In other words : CBP generally has the money needed to start building the remaining 330 miles of border wall .
But other projects are happening at the same time , and the agency has not committed to the mile-a-day pace .
What Trump said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 51 years , half a century , '' the president said .
He also said the average unemployment rate under his administration is the lowest for any president in U.S. history .
The facts : The unemployment rate , 3.5 % in December , is indeed at its lowest in decades .
The average unemployment rate during Trump ’ s first 35 months was 3.9 % , compared with an average monthly rate of 7.4 % under Barack Obama , 5.3 % under George W. Bush and 5.2 % under Bill Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been kept for the entire history of the country — that began in the 1950s .
Unemployment likely was lower during World War II , with so many people working as part of the military .
On the economy at large What Trump said : The president boasted that “ our economy is the best it has ever been . ''
The facts : `` Best ever '' is subjective .
If Trump was referring to household net worth , the unemployment rate or the number of jobs created , it 's likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the country 's gross domestic product , it is not so .
According to the most recent official estimate , GDP grew by 2.3 % last year .
It grew 2.9 % in 2018 and in 2015 , before Trump took office .
It grew 3.8 % in 2004 and 3.5 % in 2005 .
A slowdown is expected this year : A recent Wall Street Journal survey of business and university economists predicted an average of 1.9 % GDP growth for this year .
What Trump said : Contending that Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is protecting people with preexisting conditions and that his administration `` always will . ''
The facts : Protecting people with preexisting conditions by preventing insurance companies from denying them coverage is actually one of the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act , the health care law pushed by Obama .
Christopher Robertson , a professor of law at the University of Arizona and author of the 2019 book , “ Exposed : Why Our Health Insurance is Incomplete and What Can Be Done About It , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , much less passed , any legislation of their own that would protect people with pre-existing conditions . ''
What Trump said : Trump said he is working with U.S. Sen. Martha McSally , R-Arizona , to lower prescription drug prices and that they are making “ a lot of progress . ''
He also said his administration had approved a record number of generic drugs , which are much cheaper than non-generics .
The facts : It 's true that , under Trump 's leadership , the Food and Drug Administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
That 's one important mechanism for bringing down drug prices , but many of those approved generics have not actually made it to market , Robertson said .
Trump may be making progress on lowering the cost of prescription drugs , but right now , that ’ s hard to measure .
There has been no substantial or sustained decrease in drug prices under the Trump administration , Robertson said , and high drug prices remain a persistent problem for Americans and a top priority for candidates in the 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave Americans the “ worst health care , ” and his administration is making health care better and “ much , much cheaper.
” The cost of plans has gone down under his leadership , he said .
The facts : It ’ s true that Americans can now buy insurance that ’ s not compliant with the Affordable Care Act , and they won ’ t have to pay a financial penalty like they did under Obama , as Trump removed them .
But those non-compliant plans , often called “ skinny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't offer better health care .
A consumer could buy one only to discover the plan does not cover health services they need , such as maternity care , mental health care , prescription drugs and preexisting conditions .
The price of premiums on the health care exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act , which sell private insurance and allow consumers to qualify for federal subsidies to help pay for it , have stabilized in recent years .
But Trump has not supported those exchanges , commonly known as `` Obamacare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marketing and outreach to educate consumers about `` Obamacare '' plans has been slashed , and the enrollment period has shortened .
What he said : Life expectancy is rising again in the U.S .
The facts : Trump is correct .
A report from the National Center for Health Statistics said that in 2018 , life expectancy in the U.S. rose for the first time in four years .
Experts say it ’ s too early to tell whether this is a trend , however , and people in other high-income countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Recent data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that life expectancy from birth in the U.S. is 78.6 years old .
That ’ s worse than 28 other countries .
Republic reporters Russ Wiles , Adrienne Dunn and Molly Stellino contributed to this article .

Maria Polletta, Rafael Carranza, Stephanie Innes and Daniel Gonzalez, The Republic | azcentral.com

Trump's Phoenix rally: What were the facts behind his major claims?
President Donald Trump spent more than 80 minutes making a case for his reelection at a packed Phoenix rally on Wednesday evening.
Employing many of the same themes and talking points he had used in his State of the Union speech and to rile up crowds in New Hampshire and Iowa, he touted low unemployment and new jobs, boasted about improved life expectancy and mocked his Democratic opponents.
And, though it took him more than 45 minutes to get there, he condemned illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and gloated about deportation numbers, drug seizures and border wall progress.
His claims, some of them specifically geared toward an Arizona crowd, generated plenty of enthusiasm — although the "Build the wall!" chant heard at past campaign events was absent.
Thank you for subscribing. This premium content is made possible because of your continued support of local journalism.
Here's a closer look at what Trump said Wednesday, with analysis from Arizona Republic reporters.
Immigration
On the cost of illegal immigration
What Trump said: Trump said illegal immigration costs Arizona taxpayers “more than $2 billion every year."
The facts: Trump appeared to be referring to an outdated report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group that advocates against illegal immigration. The 2012 report estimated that unauthorized immigrants cost Arizona $2.4 billion, estimating Arizona’s 2010 undocumented population at 390,000.
That population estimate appears to be inflated, however: It's higher than the 350,000 unauthorized immigrants the Department of Homeland Security estimated resided in Arizona in 2010 and the Pew Research Center's estimate of 325,000.
FAIR also included in its $2.4 billion estimate costs such as K-12 education, which amounted to $1.3 billion, or 54% of the total, and the cost of limited English proficiency education, which amounted to another $279 million, or nearly 11% of the total. Those figures didn’t distinguish between children born in the U.S. (and, thus, U.S. citizens) whose parents were in the country illegally, and immigrant children who are not U.S. citizens.
FAIR also included in its estimate the $259 million cost of providing Medicaid to the U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants, who, again, are citizens.
Arizona’s undocumented population has decreased considerably in both number and share since 2010, according to estimates by Pew, which means the costs of illegal immigration to Arizona taxpayers has also likely fallen.
On an Arizona murder
What Trump said: “Democrats’ open borders policies are harming and killing innocent lives,” Trump said, citing a Phoenix case where "an illegal alien chased a man through a parking lot and shot him in cold blood, and then walked over to the victim and shot him four more times right in the face as he lay dying in the street.” Trump said the shooter "had previously been deported after serving six years in prison.”
The facts: Trump was referring to 26-year-old Victor Garcia, an unauthorized immigrant who was charged with shooting 34-year-old Jesus Valazquez last year. Garcia had served six years in an Arizona prison after being convicted of aggravated assault in 2011, and had previously been deported.
According to court documents, Garcia had a handgun and fired several shots at Valazquez, who fell to the ground shortly after being struck. Multiple witnesses saw Garcia approach Valazquez and shoot him three or four times in the face while he was still on the ground.
The border
On illegal border crossings
What Trump said: Trump said his administration had "reduced illegal border crossings for eight straight months in a row." He said illegal crossings are down 75% since last spring, and January "saw the fewest illegal crossings in two years.”
The facts: Since reaching a peak of 132,856 border apprehensions in May 2019, the number of migrants agents encountered along the U.S.-Mexico border has continued to decrease significantly, according to Customs and Border Protection, the agency responsible for patrolling the nation’s borders.
In January, agents apprehended 29,200 migrants along the border, a 78% decrease compared with May’s peak. It’s also the fewest number of migrants detained at the border since February 2018, when agents apprehended 26,666 people.
The pressure Trump exerted on the Mexican government this past summer to stop Central Americans traveling through the country on the way to the U.S. to claim asylum was a key factor in the drop. Mexico deployed its National Guard and has vastly increased the number of Central American migrants it apprehends and deports.
The Trump administration also implemented policies restricting access to asylum for Latin American migrants. In January 2019, the Department of Homeland Security rolled out its Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as "Remain in Mexico." More than 60,000 people have been sent back to await the outcome of their proceedings.
On 'catch and release'
What Trump said: The president said his administration ended the practice of "catch and release," referring to the release of asylum seekers to the care of relatives already living in the U.S. with a notice to appear in court at a later date.
The facts: In September, then-Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan announced an end to catch and release. But, since then, DHS has continued to release hundreds of asylum seekers into the interior of the country.
What has changed: The U.S. government has generally not released migrants from Central and Latin America. They are, for the most part, sent back to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols or to Guatemala under an agreement with the U.S. to take in asylum seekers — even though Guatemala is one of the countries where most people are fleeing gang violence and poverty.
According to Teresa Cavendish, the director of Tucson migrant shelter Casa Alitas, DHS has continued to release an average of 20 people a day in Tucson alone. “The families still being released are Mexican asylum seekers, outside the hemisphere, families with children under one year of age, pregnant women six months or more, and significant illnesses or injuries,” she said.
On border wall progress
What Trump said: The president said progress on the border wall was moving "faster than ever," and "we will soon be almost one new mile a day.”
The facts: Customs and Border Protection said construction crews have built 119 miles of border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border since Trump took office. The administration’s goal is to complete a total of 450 miles by the end of 2020, meaning they have 330 miles left to build with 315 days left in the year.
The Trump administration already redirected nearly $6 billion in funds from the Defense Department to CBP to build approximately 300 miles of new border barriers. It has also signaled intentions to divert $3.8 billion from the Pentagon. This week, DHS issued waivers to expedite construction along 177 miles along the entire southwest U.S. border.
In other words: CBP generally has the money needed to start building the remaining 330 miles of border wall. But other projects are happening at the same time, and the agency has not committed to the mile-a-day pace.
Economic prosperity
On unemployment
What Trump said: "Unemployment has reached its lowest rate in over 51 years, half a century," the president said. He also said the average unemployment rate under his administration is the lowest for any president in U.S. history.
The facts: The unemployment rate, 3.5% in December, is indeed at its lowest in decades. The average unemployment rate during Trump’s first 35 months was 3.9%, compared with an average monthly rate of 7.4% under Barack Obama, 5.3% under George W. Bush and 5.2% under Bill Clinton.
However, employment records haven't been kept for the entire history of the country — that began in the 1950s. Unemployment likely was lower during World War II, with so many people working as part of the military.
On the economy at large
What Trump said: The president boasted that “our economy is the best it has ever been."
The facts: "Best ever" is subjective.
If Trump was referring to household net worth, the unemployment rate or the number of jobs created, it's likely true. By other measures, such as the country's gross domestic product, it is not so.
According to the most recent official estimate, GDP grew by 2.3% last year. It grew 2.9% in 2018 and in 2015, before Trump took office. It grew 3.8% in 2004 and 3.5% in 2005.
A slowdown is expected this year: A recent Wall Street Journal survey of business and university economists predicted an average of 1.9% GDP growth for this year.
Health care
On preexisting conditions
What Trump said: Contending that Democrats had failed on health care, Trump said he is protecting people with preexisting conditions and that his administration "always will."
The facts: Protecting people with preexisting conditions by preventing insurance companies from denying them coverage is actually one of the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act, the health care law pushed by Obama.
Christopher Robertson, a professor of law at the University of Arizona and author of the 2019 book, “Exposed: Why Our Health Insurance is Incomplete and What Can Be Done About It,” said Trump's administration "has not proposed, much less passed, any legislation of their own that would protect people with pre-existing conditions."
On prescription prices
What Trump said: Trump said he is working with U.S. Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, to lower prescription drug prices and that they are making “a lot of progress." He also said his administration had approved a record number of generic drugs, which are much cheaper than non-generics.
The facts: It's true that, under Trump's leadership, the Food and Drug Administration has approved more generic drugs than in the past. That's one important mechanism for bringing down drug prices, but many of those approved generics have not actually made it to market, Robertson said.
Trump may be making progress on lowering the cost of prescription drugs, but right now, that’s hard to measure. There has been no substantial or sustained decrease in drug prices under the Trump administration, Robertson said, and high drug prices remain a persistent problem for Americans and a top priority for candidates in the 2020 presidential race.
On health insurance plans
What Trump said: Democrats gave Americans the “worst health care,” and his administration is making health care better and “much, much cheaper.” The cost of plans has gone down under his leadership, he said.
The facts: It’s true that Americans can now buy insurance that’s not compliant with the Affordable Care Act, and they won’t have to pay a financial penalty like they did under Obama, as Trump removed them.
But those non-compliant plans, often called “skinny” or “junk” plans, don't offer better health care. A consumer could buy one only to discover the plan does not cover health services they need, such as maternity care, mental health care, prescription drugs and preexisting conditions.
The price of premiums on the health care exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act, which sell private insurance and allow consumers to qualify for federal subsidies to help pay for it, have stabilized in recent years. But Trump has not supported those exchanges, commonly known as "Obamacare." Under Trump, funding for marketing and outreach to educate consumers about "Obamacare" plans has been slashed, and the enrollment period has shortened.
On life expectancy
What he said: Life expectancy is rising again in the U.S.
The facts: Trump is correct. A report from the National Center for Health Statistics said that in 2018, life expectancy in the U.S. rose for the first time in four years.
Experts say it’s too early to tell whether this is a trend, however, and people in other high-income countries tend to live longer than people in the U.S.
Recent data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that life expectancy from birth in the U.S. is 78.6 years old. That’s worse than 28 other countries.
Republic reporters Russ Wiles, Adrienne Dunn and Molly Stellino contributed to this article.
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usatoday--2020-02-20--Judge gives Roger Stone 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia investigation

Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress Roger Stone 's sentence marks a downfall for the @ @ @ @ @ advised presidential campaigns stretching back to Richard Nixon .

Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress
Roger Stone's sentence marks a downfall for the longtime political consultant who worked on political campaigns and reelection committees stretching back to Richard Nixon.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-02-20--Is Amy Klobuchar a shoo-in to win her home state Minnesota on Super Tuesday?

ST .
CLOUD , Minn. — Wayne Grimmer sees U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar as a dark horse candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination .
Grimmer , the chairman of the Minnesota 6th Congressional District Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party , is interested to see how Klobuchar does in a state that largely supports her .
`` I think she has a good chance , '' Grimmer said .
But she 's not a shoo-in .
And a loss could be an embarrassment to her campaign , say two political experts .
`` This is a state where the DFL , the base of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Amy Klobuchar .
So I think there 's a real risk that she 'll lose Minnesota , '' said Larry Jacobs , political science professor and department head at the University of Minnesota .
( The DFL is Minnesota 's version of the Democratic Party . )
`` I think Sanders has a very good chance here , '' said Steven Schier , professor of political science at Carleton College .
`` I think he 's her main rival and threat here in Minnesota . ''
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 with 62 % of the vote .
This year he has the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar , a Minneapolis Democrat , and the progressive group TakeAction Minnesota .
Klobuchar won her most recent Minnesota election with more than 60 % of the vote in 2018 to launch her into a third U.S. Senate term .
The Klobuchar campaign did not respond to requests for an interview .
Klobuchar surged last week to place third in the New Hampshire primary with nearly 20 % of the vote .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa caucuses , behind former South Bend , Indiana , mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sanders , U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden .
RELATED : Amy Klobuchar 's New Hampshire surprise means a new battle for money and attention State Rep. Dan Wolgamott , D-St .
Cloud , campaigned for Klobuchar in Iowa with his 13-year-old daughter .
He and his daughter admire Klobuchar .
`` Amy is going to do great in Minnesota , '' Wolgamott said , with his characteristic enthusiasm .
She works hard to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get things done , he said .
`` I 'm trying to model myself after her approach .
She 's been an extremely effective senator , '' Wolgamott said .
Klobuchar markets herself as a moderate who has won in red parts of Minnesota .
More : What can we learn about presidential Klobuchar from her memoir ?
But the DFL primary might bring out a more liberal crowd in her home state , especially if privacy rules for the primary do n't change , meaning voters ' party choices are shared .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on participation , and I think create an electorate that 's more ideological , '' Schier said .
Klobuchar 's performance in the Feb. 22 Nevada caucus and the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary will also affect her chances on Super Tuesday , March 3 , he said .
`` Money and attention flows with the results . ''
Fourteen states hold primaries on Super Tuesday , most on the coasts and in the south .
`` Amy Klobuchar can not be everywhere at the same time , '' Jacobs said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart and seizing opportunities , but other candidates have more resources , including Sanders and billionaire Mike Bloomberg , former mayor of New York .
`` She 's going to need a good showing , '' Jacobs said about Super Tuesday .
`` We 're getting very close to the 'prove it ' point . ''
The race will become increasingly expensive with more and larger states in play , Jacobs said .
Losing your home state could `` puncture momentum '' and limit fundraising , Schier said .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that regard , '' Schier said , citing personalized letters and phone calls from Bloomberg 's campaign to Minnesota voters .
`` He 's been the most conspicuous candidate publicly of any of the Democratic field so far . ''
Bloomberg and Warren campaigners have reached out to the St. Cloud-area DFL party .
The Warren campaign will have a table at the caucus next week held by Senate District 14 DFL , said Emily Esch , chairwoman of that DFL district .
`` Honestly , I have no idea , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictions .
Esch does know Sanders ' supporters are organizing and Klobuchar has a base of support , she said .
`` She 's always been incredibly popular in Minnesota and won really easily . ''
Klobuchar 's brand is tied to her Midwest roots , Jacobs said .
`` Her calling card is : ' I represent the heartland , ' '' he said .
`` If she wins , it will be a shrug .
If she loses Minnesota , it will be an embarrassment . ''
Nora Hertel is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cloud Times .
Reach her at 320-255-8746 or nhertel @ stcloudtimes.com .
Follow her on Twitter @ nghertel .

Is Amy Klobuchar a shoo-in to win her home state Minnesota on Super Tuesday?
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
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Wayne Grimmer sees U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar as a dark horse candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Grimmer, the chairman of the Minnesota 6th Congressional District Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, is interested to see how Klobuchar does in a state that largely supports her.
"I think she has a good chance," Grimmer said.
But she's not a shoo-in. And a loss could be an embarrassment to her campaign, say two political experts.
"This is a state where the DFL, the base of the DFL, are probably more progressive than Amy Klobuchar. So I think there's a real risk that she'll lose Minnesota," said Larry Jacobs, political science professor and department head at the University of Minnesota. (The DFL is Minnesota's version of the Democratic Party.)
"I think Sanders has a very good chance here," said Steven Schier, professor of political science at Carleton College. "I think he's her main rival and threat here in Minnesota."
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Minnesota Democratic presidential caucus against Hillary Clinton in 2016 with 62% of the vote. This year he has the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minneapolis Democrat, and the progressive group TakeAction Minnesota.
Klobuchar won her most recent Minnesota election with more than 60% of the vote in 2018 to launch her into a third U.S. Senate term.
The Klobuchar campaign did not respond to requests for an interview.
'An extremely effective senator'
Klobuchar surged last week to place third in the New Hampshire primary with nearly 20% of the vote. And the week prior she finished fifth in the Iowa caucuses, behind former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sanders, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden.
RELATED: Amy Klobuchar's New Hampshire surprise means a new battle for money and attention
State Rep. Dan Wolgamott, D-St. Cloud, campaigned for Klobuchar in Iowa with his 13-year-old daughter. He and his daughter admire Klobuchar.
"Amy is going to do great in Minnesota," Wolgamott said, with his characteristic enthusiasm. She works hard to build relationships, reach out to people and get things done, he said.
"I'm trying to model myself after her approach. She's been an extremely effective senator," Wolgamott said.
Klobuchar markets herself as a moderate who has won in red parts of Minnesota.
More: What can we learn about presidential Klobuchar from her memoir?
But the DFL primary might bring out a more liberal crowd in her home state, especially if privacy rules for the primary don't change, meaning voters' party choices are shared.
"That's going to cut down on participation, and I think create an electorate that's more ideological," Schier said.
Klobuchar's performance in the Feb. 22 Nevada caucus and the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary will also affect her chances on Super Tuesday, March 3, he said. "Money and attention flows with the results."
Fourteen states hold primaries on Super Tuesday, most on the coasts and in the south.
'A resource game'
"Amy Klobuchar cannot be everywhere at the same time," Jacobs said. She's made progress by working hard and smart and seizing opportunities, but other candidates have more resources, including Sanders and billionaire Mike Bloomberg, former mayor of New York.
"She's going to need a good showing," Jacobs said about Super Tuesday. "We're getting very close to the 'prove it' point."
The race will become increasingly expensive with more and larger states in play, Jacobs said.
Losing your home state could "puncture momentum" and limit fundraising, Schier said.
"It's a resource game now and Bloomberg is king in that regard," Schier said, citing personalized letters and phone calls from Bloomberg's campaign to Minnesota voters. "He's been the most conspicuous candidate publicly of any of the Democratic field so far."
Bloomberg and Warren campaigners have reached out to the St. Cloud-area DFL party.
The Warren campaign will have a table at the caucus next week held by Senate District 14 DFL, said Emily Esch, chairwoman of that DFL district.
"Honestly, I have no idea," Esch said about the Minnesota Democratic primary predictions.
Esch does know Sanders' supporters are organizing and Klobuchar has a base of support, she said. "She's always been incredibly popular in Minnesota and won really easily."
Klobuchar's brand is tied to her Midwest roots, Jacobs said.
"Her calling card is: 'I represent the heartland,'" he said. "If she wins, it will be a shrug. If she loses Minnesota, it will be an embarrassment."
Nora Hertel is the government watchdog reporter for the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-255-8746 or nhertel@stcloudtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @nghertel.


usatoday--2020-02-21--What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders' frontrunner status in Nevada – and beyond

From the outset of Wednesday 's boxing match of a debate in Las Vegas , Democrats piled on Mike Bloomberg and never relented , forcing the billionaire former New York mayor to clumsily explain his controversial stop-and-frisk policy , history of sexual harassment complaints from women and the exorbitant amount of his own fortune he has pumped into his campaign .
Bloomberg had n't debated before television cameras in more than a decade , and it showed , lacking at times clear and assertive answers to questions that everyone knew were coming .
But as the newcomer to the stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic presidential primary – both nationally and in the Nevada caucuses Saturday – skated by without the same level of attention from his peers .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has built a double-digit lead nationally , according to some polls , walked away Wednesday largely unscathed .
He had to defend his brand of democratic socialism , explain his decision not to release all medical records and fight off accusations from former mayor Pete Buttigieg that he wants to `` burn this party down . ''
But it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and any pushback got lost under the onslaught of Bloomberg – who is n't even competing in Nevada .
More : Everybody came for Mike Bloomberg , and other top moments from the Democratic debate in Las Vegas It might say something about the state of the race .
With time running out to make a splash before the Nevada caucuses and Super Tuesday on March 3 , candidates were at their most combative , led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who had her strongest debate performance yet .
But by focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they seemed to acknowledge the current landscape : Sanders , with his army of young progressives , is n't fading from frontrunner status anytime soon , and it 's the surging Bloomberg , who is eroding each of their support with massive television-advertising buys , whom they must knock down to have a shot .
Led by delegate-rich California and Texas , 14 states representing about 30 % of the Democratic electorate goes to the polls on Super Tuesday , when Bloomberg makes his appearance on ballots for the first time .
Unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates breaks out in Nevada or South Carolina next week , the senator from Vermont has a chance to build a big lead in delegates that could be hard to overtake .
`` The contenders on the stage were taking the long game , and ironically taking the long game only after two small early contests , '' said David Paleologos , director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center .
`` They were anticipating that Bloomberg 's move in the national polling was going to translate to an acceleration into the Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates are staring at someone in Sanders likely to finish either first or second in every Super Tuesday state who could also win , at worst , the popular votes of three of the first four contests .
`` So it 's a fool 's errand to engage Sanders and his supporters right now , '' Paleologos said .
`` It 's a better strategic play to let Sanders and his momentum play itself out , hope he does n't get enough to win a majority and to play the cards they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope Bernie Sanders ' Medicare for All slows him down in Nevada caucuses Can anyone stop Sanders in Nevada ?
In Nevada Saturday , Sanders appears well-positioned to tighten his grip as the favorite , and unlike Iowa and New Hampshire , he could have a chance to produce his first sizable win .
The most recent poll in the state had Sanders up 7 points over his nearest rival .
“ I think the surprise would be if he doesn ’ t win by 10 points or so , ” said David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Nevada , Las Vegas .
`` The question is how the other ones group down below , and does this winnow the field a little bit ? ''
He pointed to former Vice President Joe Biden , who once led polling in Nevada , as someone who needs to “ show something moving forward , ” likely a second-place finish at minimum .
“ It seemed that ( Wednesday ) they were certainly playing more to the Super Tuesday crowd , ” Damore said of the debate , “ knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is probably going to win , but let ’ s start thinking about what happens in early March .
I think the real fear is they all run out of money and Bloomberg is the only one left.
” Saturday is a particularly important test for the candidates because of Nevada 's diversity , led by a large population of Latino voters .
It would give Sanders even more steam heading into South Carolina , which has a heavily African American Democratic electorate and where some polling has shown Sanders suddenly statistically tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commanding lead there .
`` It would be more predictive in both the primaries and the national election of how they will fare in the rest of the U.S. , '' said Robert Lang , a professor of public policy at UNLV .
He pointed to the diversity of Clark County , home of Las Vegas , where 75 % of the population lives .
`` This is a nice test to see how you would do in Phoenix , Denver , Atlanta , Dallas .
It 's kind of a mini-version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's the first contest of the election . ''
`` Take the other two states and just discount them , '' Lang said of Iowa and New Hampshire .
`` They 're historically in the path of a president .
But I do n't think they have any reflection on the rest of the United States .
They 're just outliers – too small , too old , too white , too slow-growing . ''
Warren has gotten the highest marks from the debate , producing its most memorable moments with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nondisclosure agreements he had women sign regarding sexual harassment abuse in the workplace .
“ I hope you heard what his defense was : ‘ I ’ ve been nice to some women , ’ ” Warren said , right after Bloomberg went over his record of employing and promoting women in business and city hall .
“ The mayor needs to stand on his record.
” In a perfectly executed punch , Warren started the debate saying : `` I 'd like to talk who we 're running against : A billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesbians .
And no , I 'm not talking about Donald Trump .
I 'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg . ''
' A plan to fight back ' : How Elizabeth Warren stumbled in New Hampshire and her plan for 'the long haul' It was the version of Warren that resembled the `` fighter '' she regularly casts herself on the campaign trail .
During the debate , the campaign announced Warren had the single-best hour of fundraising to date .
She now needs the debate performance to translate to a late surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Sen. Amy Klobuchar got in New Hampshire after her strong debate there .
But could Warren 's moment be too late ?
Unlike New Hampshire , Nevadans have already cast ballots through early voting .
Warren desperately needs a top-tier finish in Nevada to demonstrate momentum .
Klobuchar , the senator from Minnesota , engaged in multiple heated exchanges with Buttigieg , former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , that seemed to reveal some built-up hostility .
The two candidates are competing for the same middle lane of Democrats , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg a win in New Hampshire .
Buttigieg and Klobuchar both face challenges in Nevada because of the state 's more diverse electorate .
Neither have polled well among minority voters .
But both need to show traction there – and perhaps finish ahead of the other – to show they can compete as the primary starts to nationalize .
Buttigieg attacked Klobuchar Wednesday for not remembering the name of the president of Mexico and later criticized her Senate votes to make English the official language of the U.S. and to confirm President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard enough , quipping : `` I wish everyone was as perfect as you , Pete , '' Klobuchar said .
Biden looks to get into the top 2 Biden , who has faded in polls since his disappointing fourth-place finish in Iowa and fifth-place in New Hampshire , was the subject of few jabs from his opponents , a break from past debates .
Like his opponents , he also went straight at Bloomberg , whose rising numbers in polls nationally came at Biden 's expense .
`` In terms of who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , responding to an electability argument made by Bloomberg , `` NBC did a poll yesterday that says Joe Biden is best equipped to beat Donald Trump .
It said I can beat him those toss-up states , too , the states we have to win .
I 'm ahead by 8 points across the board . ''
More : Trump says Bloomberg took 'pounding ' at Democratic debate For Biden , Nevada and South Carolina present a moment of truth .
For months , his campaign has circled his support among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting up South Carolina , in particular , as something of an early firewall .
If he ca n't win there , questions will mount about where exactly he can win .
If Wednesday 's debate proved anything it 's that the search for a Democrat who can compete with Sanders is as wide open as ever – especially when considering Bloomberg 's poor night .
Perhaps the most telling moment about the 2020 Democratic primary came near the end when all the candidates were asked whether the nominee with the most delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one gets a majority .
Five of the candidates said no , hinting at the long-drawn-out primary process and the reality that – not only might they fall short of the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the nomination – they might not finish first .
Only Sanders answered yes .
`` I think that the will of the people should prevail , yes , ” Sanders said .

What the Mike Bloomberg pile-on says about Bernie Sanders' frontrunner status in Nevada – and beyond
Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Bloomberg takes debate stage and brunt of attacks The Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada featured former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, who took the majority of attacks for the evening. USA TODAY
From the outset of Wednesday's boxing match of a debate in Las Vegas, Democrats piled on Mike Bloomberg and never relented, forcing the billionaire former New York mayor to clumsily explain his controversial stop-and-frisk policy, history of sexual harassment complaints from women and the exorbitant amount of his own fortune he has pumped into his campaign.
Bloomberg hadn't debated before television cameras in more than a decade, and it showed, lacking at times clear and assertive answers to questions that everyone knew were coming.
But as the newcomer to the stage endured blow after blow, the front-runner in the Democratic presidential primary – both nationally and in the Nevada caucuses Saturday – skated by without the same level of attention from his peers.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has built a double-digit lead nationally, according to some polls, walked away Wednesday largely unscathed. He had to defend his brand of democratic socialism, explain his decision not to release all medical records and fight off accusations from former mayor Pete Buttigieg that he wants to "burn this party down." But it was mostly a debate on his terms, and any pushback got lost under the onslaught of Bloomberg – who isn't even competing in Nevada.
More: Everybody came for Mike Bloomberg, and other top moments from the Democratic debate in Las Vegas
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
It might say something about the state of the race.
With time running out to make a splash before the Nevada caucuses and Super Tuesday on March 3, candidates were at their most combative, led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who had her strongest debate performance yet.
But by focusing more energy on Bloomberg over Sanders, they seemed to acknowledge the current landscape: Sanders, with his army of young progressives, isn't fading from frontrunner status anytime soon, and it's the surging Bloomberg, who is eroding each of their support with massive television-advertising buys, whom they must knock down to have a shot.
Nevada Democratic Caucus Results: Follow live updates from Nevada's caucuses
Led by delegate-rich California and Texas, 14 states representing about 30% of the Democratic electorate goes to the polls on Super Tuesday, when Bloomberg makes his appearance on ballots for the first time. Unless someone from the muddled field of non-Sanders candidates breaks out in Nevada or South Carolina next week, the senator from Vermont has a chance to build a big lead in delegates that could be hard to overtake.
"The contenders on the stage were taking the long game, and ironically taking the long game only after two small early contests," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "They were anticipating that Bloomberg's move in the national polling was going to translate to an acceleration into the Super Tuesday contests."
He said the candidates are staring at someone in Sanders likely to finish either first or second in every Super Tuesday state who could also win, at worst, the popular votes of three of the first four contests.
"So it's a fool's errand to engage Sanders and his supporters right now," Paleologos said. "It's a better strategic play to let Sanders and his momentum play itself out, hope he doesn't get enough to win a majority and to play the cards they're going to have."
More: 2020 rivals hope Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All slows him down in Nevada caucuses
Can anyone stop Sanders in Nevada?
In Nevada Saturday, Sanders appears well-positioned to tighten his grip as the favorite, and unlike Iowa and New Hampshire, he could have a chance to produce his first sizable win. The most recent poll in the state had Sanders up 7 points over his nearest rival.
“I think the surprise would be if he doesn’t win by 10 points or so,” said David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "The question is how the other ones group down below, and does this winnow the field a little bit?"
He pointed to former Vice President Joe Biden, who once led polling in Nevada, as someone who needs to “show something moving forward,” likely a second-place finish at minimum.
“It seemed that (Wednesday) they were certainly playing more to the Super Tuesday crowd,” Damore said of the debate, “knowing Nevada is going to happen, Sanders is probably going to win, but let’s start thinking about what happens in early March. I think the real fear is they all run out of money and Bloomberg is the only one left.”
Saturday is a particularly important test for the candidates because of Nevada's diversity, led by a large population of Latino voters. It would give Sanders even more steam heading into South Carolina, which has a heavily African American Democratic electorate and where some polling has shown Sanders suddenly statistically tied with Biden, who long held a commanding lead there.
"It would be more predictive in both the primaries and the national election of how they will fare in the rest of the U.S.," said Robert Lang, a professor of public policy at UNLV. He pointed to the diversity of Clark County, home of Las Vegas, where 75% of the population lives. "This is a nice test to see how you would do in Phoenix, Denver, Atlanta, Dallas. It's kind of a mini-version of L.A. As far as I'm concerned, it's the first contest of the election."
"Take the other two states and just discount them," Lang said of Iowa and New Hampshire. "They're historically in the path of a president. But I don't think they have any reflection on the rest of the United States. They're just outliers – too small, too old, too white, too slow-growing."
Warren jumps back into the spotlight
Warren has gotten the highest marks from the debate, producing its most memorable moments with her attacks against Bloomberg on stop-and-frisk and nondisclosure agreements he had women sign regarding sexual harassment abuse in the workplace.
“I hope you heard what his defense was: ‘I’ve been nice to some women,’” Warren said, right after Bloomberg went over his record of employing and promoting women in business and city hall. “The mayor needs to stand on his record.”
In a perfectly executed punch, Warren started the debate saying: "I'd like to talk who we're running against: A billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. And no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump. I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg."
'A plan to fight back': How Elizabeth Warren stumbled in New Hampshire and her plan for 'the long haul'
It was the version of Warren that resembled the "fighter" she regularly casts herself on the campaign trail. During the debate, the campaign announced Warren had the single-best hour of fundraising to date. She now needs the debate performance to translate to a late surge in Nevada – the sort of bounce that Sen. Amy Klobuchar got in New Hampshire after her strong debate there.
But could Warren's moment be too late? Unlike New Hampshire, Nevadans have already cast ballots through early voting. Warren desperately needs a top-tier finish in Nevada to demonstrate momentum.
Klobuchar, the senator from Minnesota, engaged in multiple heated exchanges with Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, that seemed to reveal some built-up hostility. The two candidates are competing for the same middle lane of Democrats, and the rise of Klobuchar might have cost Buttigieg a win in New Hampshire.
Buttigieg and Klobuchar both face challenges in Nevada because of the state's more diverse electorate. Neither have polled well among minority voters. But both need to show traction there – and perhaps finish ahead of the other – to show they can compete as the primary starts to nationalize.
Buttigieg attacked Klobuchar Wednesday for not remembering the name of the president of Mexico and later criticized her Senate votes to make English the official language of the U.S. and to confirm President Donald Trump's judicial nominees.
Klobuchar heard enough, quipping: "I wish everyone was as perfect as you, Pete," Klobuchar said.
Biden looks to get into the top 2
Biden, who has faded in polls since his disappointing fourth-place finish in Iowa and fifth-place in New Hampshire, was the subject of few jabs from his opponents, a break from past debates. Like his opponents, he also went straight at Bloomberg, whose rising numbers in polls nationally came at Biden's expense.
"In terms of who can beat Donald Trump," Biden said, responding to an electability argument made by Bloomberg, "NBC did a poll yesterday that says Joe Biden is best equipped to beat Donald Trump. It said I can beat him those toss-up states, too, the states we have to win. I'm ahead by 8 points across the board."
More: Trump says Bloomberg took 'pounding' at Democratic debate
For Biden, Nevada and South Carolina present a moment of truth. For months, his campaign has circled his support among minority voters as his greatest strength, setting up South Carolina, in particular, as something of an early firewall. If he can't win there, questions will mount about where exactly he can win.
If Wednesday's debate proved anything it's that the search for a Democrat who can compete with Sanders is as wide open as ever – especially when considering Bloomberg's poor night.
Perhaps the most telling moment about the 2020 Democratic primary came near the end when all the candidates were asked whether the nominee with the most delegates should automatically be the nominee if no one gets a majority.
Five of the candidates said no, hinting at the long-drawn-out primary process and the reality that – not only might they fall short of the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the nomination – they might not finish first. Only Sanders answered yes.
"I think that the will of the people should prevail, yes,” Sanders said.
Reach Joey Garrison and on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-02-21--Donald Trump bashes Brad Pitt, Joe Biden and polls during Colorado rally

President Donald Trump is in Colorado Thursday night , hosting his second rally of the week .
Follow for updates .
Trump wraps it up in Colorado President Donald Trump delivered a mostly standard stump speech during a rally in Colorado Springs , Colo. , on Thursday night – though he deviated in a few key respects .
Speaking before a cheering crowd at Broadmoor World Arena , the president touted the robust U.S. economy , slammed the state for its immigration policies and touted the trade deals he has signed with Mexico , Canada and several other countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ western states , scooping up campaign cash and holding a nightly rally .
Trump offered the crowd in Colorado a few new lines : He went after the Oscars , questioning why the Academy gave its Best Picture award to `` Parasite , '' a South Korean film .
He also fired back at actor Brad Pitt , calling him a “ little wise guy ” for an acceptance speech in which he joked about the Trump ’ s impeachment trial in the Senate .
Trump repeatedly suggested that Colorado , which Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only in play but that Republicans would win the state in a “ landslide.
” Colorado has gone Democratic in the last three presidential elections .
Still , Trump campaign aides believe they have a decent shot there , depending on the Democratic nominee .
Finally , the president used his rally to expand on his criticism of the Democratic presidential debate that took place the night before .
He trained most of his first on former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who he described as “ mini Mike ” asserted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rally weighed in at 98 minutes .
President Donald Trump went off on his standard riff about being presidential – but added a new twist : His suit jacket .
“ It ’ s easy to be presidential , ” Trump said , drawing a comparison between his unconventional approach to the White House with his predecessors .
Trump buttoned his suit jacket and walked stiffy around on the stage in Colorado as the crowd cheered .
The president added , as he often does , that if he acted presidential no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d be bored .
“ It ’ s great to be with the people of Colorado , ” Trump said in a mock politician ’ s voice .
“ Thank you , everybody .
Good night.
” Trump : 'It looks like Bernie , does n't it ? '
It sounded like President Donald Trump predicted Thursday he will face off against Bernie Sanders in the general election this fall .
`` It looks like Bernie , does n't it ? ''
Trump said at one point during his rally in Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' This could be wishful thinking on the president 's part .
Trump and aides have said they would love to run against Sanders , believing his `` socialist agenda '' would be easy to defeat .
Sanders and his backers say Trump should be careful what he wishes for .
They argue that Sanders ' support among young people , combined with the Democratic desire to defeat Trump , will pave the way to victory .
President Donald Trump brought several guests on stage during his rally , including incumbent Republican Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough reelection campaign in the state this year , but the audience wouldn ’ t know it from his remarks .
“ We are going to win .
We are going to win because we believe in Colorado , ” Gardner said .
Gardner used his stage time to take a swing at Sen. Bernie Sanders , the presumptive front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination .
Though Trump often feigns sympathy for Sanders and the insider forces within the Democratic Party he claims are attempting to “ steal ” the nomination from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different approach , telling the crowd that a “ dangerous ” shift in politics happened in 2016 when Sanders ushered in the “ normalization of socialism.
” The crowd chanted “ four more years ” as Trump walked away from the podium while protesters were being removed from the stadium .
According to reporters in the stadium , seven protesters chanted “ lock him up.
” “ That was quick , that was quick , ” Trump stated after they were removed , raising his eyebrows in their direction .
“ She goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Her mother ’ s a big supporter .
She ’ ll ask , 'Was that you in that big stadium ? '
” “ She ’ ll have trouble at home with mom and dad , ” he continued .
Earlier in the night , Trump alluded that it was unsafe for protestors at his rallies .
Trump : 'Do n't believe polls ' ( he 's behind in many of them ) President Donald Trump is confident he will win re-election , though many polls show him even with – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of his potential Democratic challengers .
Trump 's solution to that is simple .
`` Do n't believe polls , '' he told supporters at his rally in Colorado Springs .
At least the ones that show him trailing .
Earlier in the evening , Trump recited poll after poll that showed him winning the Republican presidential debates back in 2016 .
Current polls that show him trailing in states like Colorado are to be discounted , Trump said .
`` We 're leading , '' he said .
As usual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his rally in Colorado Springs .
`` Fox does n't treat us the way they used to , '' Trump told the crowd .
While Trump praised individual Fox hosts like Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson , he spent a lot of time at the Colorado Springs rally attacking a Fox News segment in which a commentator criticized his debate performances back in 2016 .
`` I won every one of them , '' Trump said in defending his debate performances .
While he used to describe Fox as his favorite news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network in recent months - on Twitter .
It 's rare to hear him attack Fox - at length - at a rally .
`` Again , '' he said , `` it 's not the same . ''
Fox pushed back on Trump ’ s criticisms , particularly his criticism of business anchor Neil Cavuto .
President Donald Trump , a former reality star who often talks about lackluster television ratings , took a jab at the big screen on Thursday in a new line of attack against the Oscars .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” Trump said to applause from supporters at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs , Colo .
The president ’ s complaint : The fact that Parasite , a South Korean black comedy thriller , was selected for Best Picture .
Trump said the Academy should have chosen an American film , instead .
“ We ’ ve got enough problems with South Korea , ” Trump said , citing trade disputes with Seoul .
Trump signed a new trade agreement with South Korea in 2018 , but has frequently said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimburse Washington for the huge presence of U.S. military along the border with North Korea .
Trump didn ’ t hold his tongue on individual actors , either .
He went after Brad Pitt in particular , who won best supporting actor this year for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood .
During his acceptance speech , Pitt cracked a joke about the president ’ s impeachment trial .
`` They told me I only have 45 seconds up here , which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pitt , referencing the former national security adviser who was not allowed to testify by the Senate during the proceedings that acquitted Trump .
President Trump touched on Wednesday ’ s feisty Democratic debate during his rally Thursday .
He demeaned “ Mini Mike ” Bloomberg , the former mayor of New York , for “ not doing well.
” “ I was going to send him a note saying , ‘ It ’ s not easy doing what I do , is it ?
’ ” Bloomberg was pressed hard by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past comments about women , and the stop-and-frisk policy in New York .
`` I 'd like to talk about who we ’ re running against , '' Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren quipped at one point Wednesday .
`` A billionaire who calls women 'fat broads ' and 'horse-faced lesbians , ' and no , I ’ m not talking about Donald Trump .
I ’ m talking about Mayor Bloomberg . ''
Trump continued to rail against Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar , declaring that she “ choked ” on the debate stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choking at the podium .
“ She couldn ’ t breathe !
” Trump acted out , continuing to rail against her for a tense moment with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
The strained exchange between Buttigieg and Klobuchar was in response to a question about Klobuchar ’ s failure to recall the name of the president of Mexico in a previous interview .
She demurred it as “ momentary forgetfulness ” during Wednesday ’ s debate .
Buttigieg pushed back that Klobuchar was “ staking ” her candidacy on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her to forget the name when she is “ literally in the part of the committee that ’ s overseeing these things.
” Klobuchar defended herself , asking Buttigieg if he had called her dumb .
“ Who would say something like that ?
” Trump puzzled about the exchange , continuing that he thought that moment was “ the end of her campaign , in my book.
” Landslide ?
Trump talks optimistically about Colorado , but it has been a Democratic state President Donald Trump told supporters in Colorado Springs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , but recent history says it will be an uphill battle .
Colorado has gone Democratic in the last three presidential elections , including Hillary Clinton 's 5 point victory over Trump in 2016 .
Still , Trump campaign aides believe they have a decent shot , depending on who the Democratic candidate is .
And Trump himself , of course , exuded nothing but confidence .
`` We are going to win Colorado in a landslide , '' he told the cheering crowd .
For the second night in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opening moments of his rally to honor World War II veterans .
Trump noted that this week marks the 75th anniversary of the battle for Iowa Jima .
“ It was a rough one , ” Trump said of the battle , before noting that three veterans of the fight were attending the rally .
During his rally in Arizona on Wednesday , Trump honored a 100-year-old Navy veteran of World War II who was carried to his seat ahead of the president ’ s remarks .
“ I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , right now , the hottest celebrity in the world , '' Trump said .
`` He might even be hotter than Trump right now , I have to say . ''
On Feb. 19 , 1945 , U.S. Marines launched an amphibious invasion on Iwo Jima , Japan , kicking off one of the war 's pivotal battles .
Trump took the stage at 7:25 p.m. , a bit behind the scheduled start time .
He started speaking two minutes later .
President Donald Trump hasn ’ t even taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Space Force is already in the news .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis , who met with the president aboard Air Force One , said in a statement that he urged Trump to make Colorado the permanent home of U.S. Space Command headquarters .
Polis , a Democrat , said noted that the state is already home to multiple space-related installations .
Colorado Springs is also home to the U.S. Air Force Academy .
“ Colorado is the perfect home for Space Command and I was excited to have the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true , ” Polis said in a statement .
Space Force , which Trump launched last year , generally wins large applause lines at Trump ’ s rallies .
“ I have achieved more than I promised , ” Trump told a rally crowd last month in New Jersey .
“ I never told you about Space Force ; we got Space Force !
” Air Force One touched down at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs shortly 5 p.m. EST .
He had a meeting on board the plane with Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his motorcade , the White House said .
The rally is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EST Trump engaged in a little debate talk with supporters who greeted him at the airport .
The president asked one of the assembled supporters how he thought New York Michael Bloomberg did in the debate .
“ You won that debate , sir !
” another one shouted .
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign has added another rally to his schedule : A South Carolina event that will take place on the eve of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Underscoring the it ’ s-getting-real nature of the president ’ s election-year schedule , Trump scheduled three rallies this week : The Colorado event for tonight , a Phoenix rally that took place Wednesday and Las Vegas for Friday .
He now has booked a rally in North Charleston , South Carolina , on Feb. 28 and Charlotte , N.C. , on the night before Super Tuesday .
Trump was last in the Palmetto State for a criminal justice reform event in October -- and he last took a rally stage there in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump spoke to a prisoner graduation ceremony in Las Vegas – and signaled he would not immediately pardon his friend and longtime ally Roger Stone .
“ I ’ m going to watch the process , I ’ m going to watch it very closely , ” Trump said hours after Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation .
“ And at some point I will make a determination , ” Trump said .
Trump said that “ everybody has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been a fair process . ''
The president ’ s past remarks on Stone – and his recent tweets – have added to speculation that a pardon is in the works .
Trump is on a campaign swing in western states this week .
Thousands of supporters , many in red Trump-branded shirts or hats , waited in the near-freezing temperature for the Colorado Springs rally to begin .
A large screen played campaign advertisements and videos telling his supporters that only Trump can be trusted to make the right decisions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her up ” and “ four more years ” broke out periodically in the hours before the president arrived , and dozens of merchants sold flags , stickers and knit Trump hats as a “ voter registration strike force ” circulated , clipboards in hand .
Attendees said they came to pay respects to the president they credit with strengthening our economy and borders , and supporting the military , a popular cause in this city home to Fort Carson , the Cheyenne Mountain doomsday facility , and Peterson and Schriever Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure , and security and the border , too , ” said Kathy Hodge , 59 , a civilian security guard at one of the bases , of her support for the president .
“ But jobs , jobs and jobs.
” A video repeatedly reminded attendees that as a private event , protesters are not allowed inside , and that anyone who interrupts the president should be surrounded by supporters yelling “ Trump , Trump , Trump.
” Many attendees rejected the idea that Republicans and the president are racist , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too far .
“ I don ’ t care about the rhetoric .
He ’ s doing what I put my confidence in , ” said Rick Bowhay , 61 .
“ I think it ’ s time for Americans to stand up and not take this pablum , puking political correctness they keep trying to slide us into .
I am proud of my heritage and my country.
” Bowhay , who is unemployed and living in a nearby shelter , said he attended the rally to show support for the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was important for conservatives like him to show their support for the president at a time when he believes Democrats are trying to buy votes from African-Americans by talking about offering reparations for the country ‘ s history of slavery .
“ I was all for equality until the Democrats and the socialists came to me and said we have to pay them back .
It ’ s just all about the votes , ” he said .
” They ’ re trying to flip the script so that we become dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was founded on freedom.
” WASHINGTON – President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will speak at a “ Keep America Great ” rally in Colorado Springs , the home turf of evangelical Christians who make up an important part of his political base .
The rally starts at 7 p.m .
ET at the Broadmoor World Arena .
Colorado Springs may be friendly territory for Trump , but the state is expected to once again be an important battleground in this year ’ s presidential contest .
Trump lost Colorado to Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Trump tales : From the Chicago cop to the crying businessman , Trump ’ s anecdotes often change with each telling Trump will be joined on stage by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner , a Republican who is facing a difficult re-election .
Gardner voted to acquit Trump after his Senate impeachment trial earlier this month , a decision that earned him kudos from Trump but one that Democrats will use to throttle him in his upcoming race .
The Colorado Springs rally comes on the third day of a four-day swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixing campaign stops with official White House events .
Trump tried to steal the spotlight Wednesday by staging a rally in Phoenix at the same time Democrats seeking their party ’ s presidential nomination were debating in Las Vegas .
He has scheduled another rally for Friday in Las Vegas on the eve of Nevada ’ s presidential caucuses .
What happens in Vegas ... : Bloomberg attacked , Warren fights back , Sanders holds steady : How each candidate fared in a rowdy debate

Trevor Hughes, David Jackson, John Fritze and Savannah Behrmann, USA TODAY

Donald Trump bashes Brad Pitt, Joe Biden and polls during Colorado rally
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump blasts Academy Awards for awarding 'Parasite' best picture Trump criticized the Academy Awards for choosing a foreign language film as best picture during a speech in Colorado Springs. USA TODAY, Storyful
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered a mostly standard stump speech during a rally in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday night – though he deviated in a few key respects.
Speaking before a cheering crowd at Broadmoor World Arena, the president touted the robust U.S. economy, slammed the state for its immigration policies and touted the trade deals he has signed with Mexico, Canada and several other countries.
Trump is on a four-day swing of western states, scooping up campaign cash and holding a nightly rally.
Trump offered the crowd in Colorado a few new lines:
He went after the Oscars, questioning why the Academy gave its Best Picture award to "Parasite," a South Korean film. He also fired back at actor Brad Pitt, calling him a “little wise guy” for an acceptance speech in which he joked about the Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate.
Trump repeatedly suggested that Colorado, which Hillary Clinton won in 2016, was not only in play but that Republicans would win the state in a “landslide.” Colorado has gone Democratic in the last three presidential elections. Still, Trump campaign aides believe they have a decent shot there, depending on the Democratic nominee.
Finally, the president used his rally to expand on his criticism of the Democratic presidential debate that took place the night before. He trained most of his first on former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who he described as “mini Mike” asserted that he was ”not doing well.”
The rally weighed in at 98 minutes.
-- John Fritze
Trump: Easy to be presidential
President Donald Trump went off on his standard riff about being presidential – but added a new twist: His suit jacket.
“It’s easy to be presidential,” Trump said, drawing a comparison between his unconventional approach to the White House with his predecessors.
“Never open your jacket!”
Trump buttoned his suit jacket and walked stiffy around on the stage in Colorado as the crowd cheered. The president added, as he often does, that if he acted presidential no one would listen to him because they’d be bored.
“It’s great to be with the people of Colorado,” Trump said in a mock politician’s voice. “Thank you, everybody. Good night.”
-- John Fritze
Trump: 'It looks like Bernie, doesn't it?'
It sounded like President Donald Trump predicted Thursday he will face off against Bernie Sanders in the general election this fall.
"It looks like Bernie, doesn't it?" Trump said at one point during his rally in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Crazy Bernie."
This could be wishful thinking on the president's part. Trump and aides have said they would love to run against Sanders, believing his "socialist agenda" would be easy to defeat.
Sanders and his backers say Trump should be careful what he wishes for. They argue that Sanders' support among young people, combined with the Democratic desire to defeat Trump, will pave the way to victory.
– David Jackson
How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Trump touts Cory Gardner on stage
President Donald Trump brought several guests on stage during his rally, including incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gardner. Gardner is facing a tough reelection campaign in the state this year, but the audience wouldn’t know it from his remarks.
“We are going to win. We are going to win because we believe in Colorado,” Gardner said.
Gardner used his stage time to take a swing at Sen. Bernie Sanders, the presumptive front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Though Trump often feigns sympathy for Sanders and the insider forces within the Democratic Party he claims are attempting to “steal” the nomination from the Vermont Senator.
Gardner took a different approach, telling the crowd that a “dangerous” shift in politics happened in 2016 when Sanders ushered in the “normalization of socialism.”
-- John Fritze
Protesters removed from rally
The crowd chanted “four more years” as Trump walked away from the podium while protesters were being removed from the stadium.
According to reporters in the stadium, seven protesters chanted “lock him up.”
“That was quick, that was quick,” Trump stated after they were removed, raising his eyebrows in their direction.
Seven protesters began chanting "lock him up" during Trump's rally here in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
They were quickly & peacefully escorted out by campaign security — Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) February 21, 2020
“She goes home to mom,” he joked. “Her mother’s a big supporter. She’ll ask, 'Was that you in that big stadium?'”
“She’ll have trouble at home with mom and dad,” he continued.
Earlier in the night, Trump alluded that it was unsafe for protestors at his rallies.
- Savannah Behrmann
Trump: 'Don't believe polls' (he's behind in many of them)
President Donald Trump is confident he will win re-election, though many polls show him even with – and in some cases losing to – most of his potential Democratic challengers.
Trump's solution to that is simple.
"Don't believe polls," he told supporters at his rally in Colorado Springs.
At least the ones that show him trailing.
Earlier in the evening, Trump recited poll after poll that showed him winning the Republican presidential debates back in 2016.
Current polls that show him trailing in states like Colorado are to be discounted, Trump said.
"We're leading," he said.
– David Jackson
Trump attacks news media - including Fox
As usual, President Donald Trump attacked the news media during his rally in Colorado Springs.
Less usual: He attacked Fox News.
"Fox doesn't treat us the way they used to," Trump told the crowd.
While Trump praised individual Fox hosts like Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, he spent a lot of time at the Colorado Springs rally attacking a Fox News segment in which a commentator criticized his debate performances back in 2016.
"I won every one of them," Trump said in defending his debate performances.
While he used to describe Fox as his favorite news network, Trump has increasingly attacked the network in recent months - on Twitter.
It's rare to hear him attack Fox - at length - at a rally.
"Again," he said, "it's not the same."
Fox pushed back on Trump’s criticisms, particularly his criticism of business anchor Neil Cavuto.
Cavuto “is a fair person, a fair guy,” said Fox Business Network host Trish Regan.
- David Jackson
Trump slams Oscars, Brad Pitt
President Donald Trump, a former reality star who often talks about lackluster television ratings, took a jab at the big screen on Thursday in a new line of attack against the Oscars.
“How bad were the Academy Awards?!” Trump said to applause from supporters at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The president’s complaint: The fact that Parasite, a South Korean black comedy thriller, was selected for Best Picture. Trump said the Academy should have chosen an American film, instead.
“We’ve got enough problems with South Korea,” Trump said, citing trade disputes with Seoul. Trump signed a new trade agreement with South Korea in 2018, but has frequently said the country needs to do more to reimburse Washington for the huge presence of U.S. military along the border with North Korea.
Trump didn’t hold his tongue on individual actors, either. He went after Brad Pitt in particular, who won best supporting actor this year for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. During his acceptance speech, Pitt cracked a joke about the president’s impeachment trial.
"They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week," said Pitt, referencing the former national security adviser who was not allowed to testify by the Senate during the proceedings that acquitted Trump.
Trump responded Thursday by describing Pitt as a “little wise guy.”
-- John Fritze
Trump slams performance of Democrats during debate
President Trump touched on Wednesday’s feisty Democratic debate during his rally Thursday.
He demeaned “Mini Mike” Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, for “not doing well.”
“I was going to send him a note saying, ‘It’s not easy doing what I do, is it?’”
Bloomberg was pressed hard by his 2020 Democratic rivals over his fortune, past comments about women, and the stop-and-frisk policy in New York.
"I'd like to talk about who we’re running against," Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren quipped at one point Wednesday. "A billionaire who calls women 'fat broads' and 'horse-faced lesbians,' and no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg."
Trump continued to rail against Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, declaring that she “choked” on the debate stage. The president continued to mimic her choking at the podium.
“She couldn’t breathe!” Trump acted out, continuing to rail against her for a tense moment with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
The strained exchange between Buttigieg and Klobuchar was in response to a question about Klobuchar’s failure to recall the name of the president of Mexico in a previous interview. She demurred it as “momentary forgetfulness” during Wednesday’s debate.
Buttigieg pushed back that Klobuchar was “staking” her candidacy on “Washington experience” and it was wrong for her to forget the name when she is “literally in the part of the committee that’s overseeing these things.”
Klobuchar defended herself, asking Buttigieg if he had called her dumb.
“Who would say something like that?” Trump puzzled about the exchange, continuing that he thought that moment was “the end of her campaign, in my book.”
--Savannah Behrmann
Phoenix Trump rally attendees carry World War II veteran to his seat A 100-year-old World War II veteran was carried to his seat by two men at President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona. USA TODAY, Storyful
Landslide? Trump talks optimistically about Colorado, but it has been a Democratic state
President Donald Trump told supporters in Colorado Springs he will carry the Rocky Mountain state in November, but recent history says it will be an uphill battle.
Colorado has gone Democratic in the last three presidential elections, including Hillary Clinton's 5 point victory over Trump in 2016.
Still, Trump campaign aides believe they have a decent shot, depending on who the Democratic candidate is.
And Trump himself, of course, exuded nothing but confidence.
"We are going to win Colorado in a landslide," he told the cheering crowd.
- David Jackson
Trump honoring World War II vets at rally
For the second night in a row, President Donald Trump is using the opening moments of his rally to honor World War II veterans. Trump noted that this week marks the 75th anniversary of the battle for Iowa Jima.
“It was a rough one,” Trump said of the battle, before noting that three veterans of the fight were attending the rally.
During his rally in Arizona on Wednesday, Trump honored a 100-year-old Navy veteran of World War II who was carried to his seat ahead of the president’s remarks.
“I don’t know if he knows it but he’s, right now, the hottest celebrity in the world," Trump said. "He might even be hotter than Trump right now, I have to say."
On Feb. 19, 1945, U.S. Marines launched an amphibious invasion on Iwo Jima, Japan, kicking off one of the war's pivotal battles.
Trump took the stage at 7:25 p.m., a bit behind the scheduled start time. He started speaking two minutes later.
- John Fritze
Trump talks Space Force with Colorado governor
President Donald Trump hasn’t even taken the stage for his Colorado rally, but Space Force is already in the news.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who met with the president aboard Air Force One, said in a statement that he urged Trump to make Colorado the permanent home of U.S. Space Command headquarters.
Polis, a Democrat, said noted that the state is already home to multiple space-related installations. Colorado Springs is also home to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“Colorado is the perfect home for Space Command and I was excited to have the opportunity to remind President Trump why that’s true,” Polis said in a statement.
Space Force, which Trump launched last year, generally wins large applause lines at Trump’s rallies.
“I have achieved more than I promised,” Trump told a rally crowd last month in New Jersey. “I never told you about Space Force; we got Space Force!”
-- John Fritze and Trevor Hughes
Trump touches down in Colorado
Air Force One touched down at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs shortly 5 p.m. EST. He had a meeting on board the plane with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis before getting into his motorcade, the White House said.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EST
Trump engaged in a little debate talk with supporters who greeted him at the airport.
The president asked one of the assembled supporters how he thought New York Michael Bloomberg did in the debate.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Trump said.
“You won that debate, sir!” another one shouted.
-- David Jackson and John Fritze
Trump adds South Carolina rally to packed schedule
President Donald Trump’s campaign has added another rally to his schedule: A South Carolina event that will take place on the eve of that state’s primary election.
Underscoring the it’s-getting-real nature of the president’s election-year schedule, Trump scheduled three rallies this week: The Colorado event for tonight, a Phoenix rally that took place Wednesday and Las Vegas for Friday.
He now has booked a rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Feb. 28 and Charlotte, N.C., on the night before Super Tuesday.
Trump was last in the Palmetto State for a criminal justice reform event in October -- and he last took a rally stage there in 2018.
- John Fritze
Trump talks Stone ahead of rally
Before departing for Colorado, President Donald Trump spoke to a prisoner graduation ceremony in Las Vegas – and signaled he would not immediately pardon his friend and longtime ally Roger Stone.
“I’m going to watch the process, I’m going to watch it very closely,” Trump said hours after Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and obstructing the Russia investigation.
“And at some point I will make a determination,” Trump said.
Trump said that “everybody has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process."
The president’s past remarks on Stone – and his recent tweets – have added to speculation that a pardon is in the works. Trump is on a campaign swing in western states this week.
“I’d love to see Roger Stone exonerated,” Trump added.
- John Fritze and Michael Collins
Huge crowd lines up in near-freezing temps
Thousands of supporters, many in red Trump-branded shirts or hats, waited in the near-freezing temperature for the Colorado Springs rally to begin. A large screen played campaign advertisements and videos telling his supporters that only Trump can be trusted to make the right decisions for Americans.
Scattered chants of “lock her up” and “four more years” broke out periodically in the hours before the president arrived, and dozens of merchants sold flags, stickers and knit Trump hats as a “voter registration strike force” circulated, clipboards in hand.
Attendees said they came to pay respects to the president they credit with strengthening our economy and borders, and supporting the military, a popular cause in this city home to Fort Carson, the Cheyenne Mountain doomsday facility, and Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases.
“The economy, for sure, and security and the border, too,” said Kathy Hodge, 59, a civilian security guard at one of the bases, of her support for the president. “But jobs, jobs and jobs.”
A video repeatedly reminded attendees that as a private event, protesters are not allowed inside, and that anyone who interrupts the president should be surrounded by supporters yelling “Trump, Trump, Trump.”
Many attendees rejected the idea that Republicans and the president are racist, instead arguing that political correctness has just gone too far.
“I don’t care about the rhetoric. He’s doing what I put my confidence in,” said Rick Bowhay, 61. “I think it’s time for Americans to stand up and not take this pablum, puking political correctness they keep trying to slide us into. I am proud of my heritage and my country.”
Bowhay, who is unemployed and living in a nearby shelter, said he attended the rally to show support for the president’s actions. He said thought it was important for conservatives like him to show their support for the president at a time when he believes Democrats are trying to buy votes from African-Americans by talking about offering reparations for the country‘s history of slavery.
“I was all for equality until the Democrats and the socialists came to me and said we have to pay them back. It’s just all about the votes,” he said. ”They’re trying to flip the script so that we become dependent on the government. And this country was founded on freedom.”
- Trevor Hughes
Trump headed to Colorado
WASHINGTON – President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will speak at a “Keep America Great” rally in Colorado Springs, the home turf of evangelical Christians who make up an important part of his political base. The rally starts at 7 p.m. ET at the Broadmoor World Arena.
Colorado Springs may be friendly territory for Trump, but the state is expected to once again be an important battleground in this year’s presidential contest. Trump lost Colorado to Democrat Hillary Clinton by 5 percentage points in 2016.
Trump tales: From the Chicago cop to the crying businessman, Trump’s anecdotes often change with each telling
Trump will be joined on stage by Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican who is facing a difficult re-election. Gardner voted to acquit Trump after his Senate impeachment trial earlier this month, a decision that earned him kudos from Trump but one that Democrats will use to throttle him in his upcoming race.
The Colorado Springs rally comes on the third day of a four-day swing through western states in which Trump is mixing campaign stops with official White House events.
Trump tried to steal the spotlight Wednesday by staging a rally in Phoenix at the same time Democrats seeking their party’s presidential nomination were debating in Las Vegas. He has scheduled another rally for Friday in Las Vegas on the eve of Nevada’s presidential caucuses.
What happens in Vegas...: Bloomberg attacked, Warren fights back, Sanders holds steady: How each candidate fared in a rowdy debate


usatoday--2020-02-21--Man tied to former Rep. Katie Hill's campaign arrested for hacking website of opponent in 2018

Federal agents arrested a man in California on Friday on a charge of computer hacking for attacks that disrupted the website of a California Democratic congressional candidate in 2018 .
The man , Arthur Dam , is married to a former fundraiser for the campaign of former Rep. Katie Hill , who won the race for California 's 25th District , according to a criminal complaint .
Hill later resigned from office after nude photos of her were published on a conservative blog and allegations surfaced of an inappropriate relationship with staffers .
Dam is accused of conducting Distributed Denial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's opponents .
In such an attack , a website is overloaded with traffic , causing it to crash and go offline .
Hill said she was “ surprised and disturbed ” by the news .
`` I have no information or knowledge about any of the conduct alleged , '' she said in a written statement .
`` These charges do not reflect in any way on the thousands of honest , hard-working staff , volunteers and supporters who worked on my campaign , to whom I owe so much . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ traced to Dam 's Amazon Web Services account , which he logged into at the time of the attacks .
Federal Election Commission records show Dam donated hundreds of dollars to Hill 's campaign , including one contribution with a memo line reading , `` In kind : Graphic design and website security consultation . ''
Leaving because of 'double standard ' : California Rep. Katie Hill gives final speech in Congress Democrat Bryan Caforio , a California attorney who lost to Hill in the primary by less than 3,000 votes , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reports at the time said his website was compromised during a candidate debate , which the complaint notes .
The four attacks took down the website for a total of about 21 hours , according to the complaint .
`` The Victim reported suffering losses , including website downtime , a reduction in campaign donations , and time spent by campaign staff and others conducting critical incident response , '' the complaint reads .
Caforio told USA TODAY that he cooperated with the FBI investigation .
He said he was `` shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI says was responsible .
`` Of course , what was on everybody 's minds after 2016 was Russia , '' Caforio said , referring to his reaction at the time .
`` It 's really disappointing to see that this actually is traced back to a Democrat , and it 's really a somber reminder that it is n't just Russia who 's a threat to our democracy .
`` There are bad actors on all sides who are willing to do anything for their own personal gain , and we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country . ''
The criminal complaint alleges that the URLs sending the traffic to Caforio 's website appeared to come from USA TODAY , Google and Engadget , `` all of which are legitimate information companies . ''
But the referring URLs on those sites did n't exist , suggesting they were spoofed .
Caforio said he ca n't be sure whether his website 's downtime contributed to his narrow loss in the primary , but he said his campaign spent significant resources trying to address the issue .
`` You never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` At key parts of the election , our campaign was spending days and resources not talking to voters , but dealing with this criminal attack . ''
California 's 25th District encompasses parts of northern Los Angeles County and extends into Ventura County .
It was represented by Republicans for more than two decades prior to Hill 's 2018 victory , in what was considered a swing district race .

Jeanine Santucci and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

Man tied to former Rep. Katie Hill's campaign arrested for hacking website of opponent in 2018
Show Caption Hide Caption Katie Hill gives final Congress speech after announcing resignation Katie Hill, a Democrat from California's 25th district, resigned following allegations she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with staffers. USA TODAY
Federal agents arrested a man in California on Friday on a charge of computer hacking for attacks that disrupted the website of a California Democratic congressional candidate in 2018.
The man, Arthur Dam, is married to a former fundraiser for the campaign of former Rep. Katie Hill, who won the race for California's 25th District, according to a criminal complaint.
Hill later resigned from office after nude photos of her were published on a conservative blog and allegations surfaced of an inappropriate relationship with staffers.
Dam is accused of conducting Distributed Denial of Service attacks against one of Hill's opponents. In such an attack, a website is overloaded with traffic, causing it to crash and go offline.
Hill said she was “surprised and disturbed” by the news.
"I have no information or knowledge about any of the conduct alleged," she said in a written statement. "These charges do not reflect in any way on the thousands of honest, hard-working staff, volunteers and supporters who worked on my campaign, to whom I owe so much."
Dam is being released on a $25,000 bond, with an arraignment set for March 19, according to the Central District of California U.S. Attorney's Office. USA TODAY has reached out to his lawyer.
The criminal complaint says the attacks were traced to Dam's Amazon Web Services account, which he logged into at the time of the attacks.
Federal Election Commission records show Dam donated hundreds of dollars to Hill's campaign, including one contribution with a memo line reading, "In kind: Graphic design and website security consultation."
Leaving because of 'double standard': California Rep. Katie Hill gives final speech in Congress
Democrat Bryan Caforio, a California attorney who lost to Hill in the primary by less than 3,000 votes, said he was the target of the attacks. Reports at the time said his website was compromised during a candidate debate, which the complaint notes.
The four attacks took down the website for a total of about 21 hours, according to the complaint.
"The Victim reported suffering losses, including website downtime, a reduction in campaign donations, and time spent by campaign staff and others conducting critical incident response," the complaint reads.
Caforio told USA TODAY that he cooperated with the FBI investigation. He said he was "shocked and saddened" to learn who the FBI says was responsible.
"Of course, what was on everybody's minds after 2016 was Russia," Caforio said, referring to his reaction at the time. "It's really disappointing to see that this actually is traced back to a Democrat, and it's really a somber reminder that it isn't just Russia who's a threat to our democracy.
"There are bad actors on all sides who are willing to do anything for their own personal gain, and we need to come together as Americans to defend our country."
The criminal complaint alleges that the URLs sending the traffic to Caforio's website appeared to come from USA TODAY, Google and Engadget, "all of which are legitimate information companies." But the referring URLs on those sites didn't exist, suggesting they were spoofed.
Caforio said he can't be sure whether his website's downtime contributed to his narrow loss in the primary, but he said his campaign spent significant resources trying to address the issue.
"You never know what ultimately made the final difference," he said. "At key parts of the election, our campaign was spending days and resources not talking to voters, but dealing with this criminal attack."
California's 25th District encompasses parts of northern Los Angeles County and extends into Ventura County. It was represented by Republicans for more than two decades prior to Hill's 2018 victory, in what was considered a swing district race.