freebeacon--2020-02-13--Pompeo Heads to Africa, Middle East for Talks on Iran, Coronavirus, American Investment

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will spend the next 10 days traveling between Africa and the Middle East for high-level meetings about the ongoing threat posed by Iran , the global outbreak of the coronavirus , and increased U.S. investment in the developing world .
The first leg of Pompeo 's trip will bring him to Germany , where he will discuss Western values in a keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference , the country 's premier foreign policy gathering .
Pompeo will then head to Africa for stops in Angola , Ethiopia , and Senegal .
Meetings will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading coronavirus , as well as efforts by the Trump administration to promote American business in these developing countries .
The final leg of the trip will take place in Saudi Arabia and Oman , where Iran 's ongoing terrorist operations are likely to dominate the agenda .
Pompeo said in response to Washington Free Beacon questions that the focus of his discussions in the region will be on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon .
Under the so-called maximum pressure campaign instituted by President Donald Trump , administration officials have worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime into a new round of negotiations .
`` There will come a day when the Iranians will conclude that the right thing to do is to reach out to America and find a solution to what the president has as his highest priority , which is to ensure that they do n't have a nuclear weapon today , next year , or ever , '' Pompeo told the Free Beacon on Thursday aboard his plane en route to Munich .
In Saudi Arabia , Pompeo will tour the country 's oil fields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehran in recent months .
Pompeo said that while the administration 's pressure campaign has reduced Iran 's ability to launch attacks in the region , it has not eliminated the threat entirely .
`` The maximum pressure campaign continues , '' Pompeo said .
`` Its impact in terms of denying the resources to the regime to launch missiles into places like we 're going to be—we 're going to visit the Saudi Aramco [ oil ] facility—is reduced .
It 's not zero .
They still have resources .
But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether to underwrite Hezbollah [ or ] support the Shia militias in Iraq . ''
Pompeo said `` all of those things become more difficult choices as their resources '' run dry due to tough American sanctions .
The Trump administration has deepened the United States 's historically close alliance with Saudi Arabia .
The kingdom was the sight of the president 's first foreign trip in 2017 , and Trump , Pompeo , and Trump son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner maintained the alliance as evidence emerged that Crown Prince Mohammad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American resident Jamal Khashoggi .
While the focus of talks may be on Iran , Pompeo said he also plans to push the Saudis to advance their own adherence to human rights standards .
`` We 'll also spend a little bit of time talking about our force posture there as well , and then some of the things that we hope the Saudis will continue to do to execute the crown prince 's vision by improving human rights in Saudi Arabia as well , '' Pompeo said .
Pompeo also discussed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban in Afghanistan .
`` We have made real progress over the last handful of days , '' Pompeo said of the discussions .
The ultimate goal , he said , is to get `` all the Afghans sitting at a table and finding a true reconciliation '' that could pave the way for U.S. forces to finally leave the country after nearly two decades .
Speaking about the rapid spread of coronavirus , Pompeo said the United States is continuing to provide assistance to Africa and other countries endangered by the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places without adequate infrastructure , '' he said , adding that it is immediately necessary to bolster those countries ill-equipped to handle the outbreak .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will spend the next 10 days traveling between Africa and the Middle East for high-level meetings about the ongoing threat posed by Iran, the global outbreak of the coronavirus, and increased U.S. investment in the developing world.
The first leg of Pompeo's trip will bring him to Germany, where he will discuss Western values in a keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference, the country's premier foreign policy gathering. Pompeo will then head to Africa for stops in Angola, Ethiopia, and Senegal. Meetings will focus on African efforts to combat the spreading coronavirus, as well as efforts by the Trump administration to promote American business in these developing countries.
The final leg of the trip will take place in Saudi Arabia and Oman, where Iran's ongoing terrorist operations are likely to dominate the agenda. Pompeo said in response to Washington Free Beacon questions that the focus of his discussions in the region will be on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Under the so-called maximum pressure campaign instituted by President Donald Trump, administration officials have worked to squeeze Iran economically and pressure the regime into a new round of negotiations.
"There will come a day when the Iranians will conclude that the right thing to do is to reach out to America and find a solution to what the president has as his highest priority, which is to ensure that they don't have a nuclear weapon today, next year, or ever," Pompeo told the Free Beacon on Thursday aboard his plane en route to Munich.
In Saudi Arabia, Pompeo will tour the country's oil fields, which have come under attack by Tehran in recent months. Pompeo said that while the administration's pressure campaign has reduced Iran's ability to launch attacks in the region, it has not eliminated the threat entirely.
"The maximum pressure campaign continues," Pompeo said. "Its impact in terms of denying the resources to the regime to launch missiles into places like we're going to be—we're going to visit the Saudi Aramco [oil] facility—is reduced. It's not zero. They still have resources. But they're having to make more difficult choices about whether to underwrite Hezbollah [or] support the Shia militias in Iraq."
Pompeo said "all of those things become more difficult choices as their resources" run dry due to tough American sanctions.
The Trump administration has deepened the United States's historically close alliance with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom was the sight of the president's first foreign trip in 2017, and Trump, Pompeo, and Trump son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner maintained the alliance as evidence emerged that Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman had ordered the murder of American resident Jamal Khashoggi.
While the focus of talks may be on Iran, Pompeo said he also plans to push the Saudis to advance their own adherence to human rights standards.
"We'll also spend a little bit of time talking about our force posture there as well, and then some of the things that we hope the Saudis will continue to do to execute the crown prince's vision by improving human rights in Saudi Arabia as well," Pompeo said.
Pompeo also discussed the progress of high-level peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
"We have made real progress over the last handful of days," Pompeo said of the discussions.
The ultimate goal, he said, is to get "all the Afghans sitting at a table and finding a true reconciliation" that could pave the way for U.S. forces to finally leave the country after nearly two decades.
Speaking about the rapid spread of coronavirus, Pompeo said the United States is continuing to provide assistance to Africa and other countries endangered by the illness.
"We are concerned there are places without adequate infrastructure," he said, adding that it is immediately necessary to bolster those countries ill-equipped to handle the outbreak.


freebeacon--2020-02-13--Bloomberg Under Fire for Failed Diversity Program

Former New York City mayor and 2020 presidential contender Michael Bloomberg is facing renewed questions about his administration 's failure to meet quotas for giving contracts to women and minority-owned businesses .
A protester interrupted Bloomberg during a rally in Raleigh , N.C. , Thursday , demanding to know about Bloomberg 's position on minority-owned businesses .
Bloomberg told the protester that it was the first time he 'd heard objections on the issue , CBS 's Tim Perry reports , although the protester told Perry that this was her second time challenging Bloomberg during a rally .
While he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story of Bloomberg 's minority and women-owned business enterprises ( M/WBEs ) program may haunt him in the coming months .
The program , intended to increase the number of city contracts with businesses owned by women and minorities , fell far short of its goals .
That failure adds to the pile of examples of then-mayor Bloomberg 's fraught relationship with New York 's black community—one that is earning him few friends as he pushes to capture the 2020 primary 's `` moderate '' lane .
During his second year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-year-old executive order which mandated that 20 percent of the city 's contracts be given to M/WBEs .
Two years later , the city council codified the order into local law 129 , which set citywide goals of awarding contracts under $ 1 million to minority groups , reserving shares explicitly for businesses owned by black , Hispanic , Asian , and female New Yorkers .
Minority-owned businesses protested the $ 1-million cap , but the law proceeded apace .
Eight years later , as Bloomberg prepared to depart office , his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law the attention it was due .
A 2013 City Limits investigation into the program noted that while Bloomberg touted the increase in the number of contracts given to M/WBEs , the share of actual dollars awarded to those groups was falling well short of the percentages mandated by law .
Between 2009 and 2013 , not once did the administration provide the share of contracting dollars to minorities and women that it was expected to .
In 2013 , for example , black-owned businesses received just 4 percent of professional contract dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; 2 percent of goods contracts compared with a 7 percent goal ; 2 percent of construction contracts versus a 12 percent goal ; and 2 percent of standardized contracts versus a 9 percent goal .
Hispanic-owned businesses were due 5 percent of professional contracts but received less than 1 percent ; women-owned businesses were supposed to get 10 percent of standardized contracts but received just 5 percent .
The administration told City Limits that it was constrained in the number of contracts it could award by the availability of vendors and laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But minority business owners said that the city was not offering adequate support through the programs designed to help them compete for contracts , telling City Limits that they still faced barriers , including a lack of union affiliation and a lack of capital to provide surety bonding .
By the end of Bloomberg 's time in office , the M/WBE program was so widely regarded as a failure that the candidates to succeed him jumped at the opportunity to attack him on the issue and on his lack of commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forum , City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn described the program as `` not satisfactory , '' while eventual winner and now-mayor Bill de Blasio gave the M/WBE program an `` F '' when asked to grade it .
`` It shocked me to hear , ‘ Wow , we would love to do that , if only we could find a qualified firm , ' '' de Blasio said of a then-recent conversation with a city official about diversity in hiring .
`` I remember when I was in City Hall hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thinking it was outdated then . ''
Renewed questioning over Bloomberg 's failed diversity in contracting initiative is just part of the closer examination his race-relations record is now receiving .
New York Times columnist Charles Blow brought up Bloomberg 's `` racist '' stop-and-frisk policy in a Wednesday column , invoking 2015 comments in which Bloomberg seemed to endorse comprehensive racial profiling in the program .
Huffington Post , meanwhile , reported that in 2001 , Bloomberg resigned from several elite social clubs that only admitted white men shortly before running @ @ @ @ @ @

Former New York City mayor and 2020 presidential contender Michael Bloomberg is facing renewed questions about his administration's failure to meet quotas for giving contracts to women and minority-owned businesses.
A protester interrupted Bloomberg during a rally in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, demanding to know about Bloomberg's position on minority-owned businesses. Bloomberg told the protester that it was the first time he'd heard objections on the issue, CBS's Tim Perry reports, although the protester told Perry that this was her second time challenging Bloomberg during a rally.
While he may have brushed off the question, the story of Bloomberg's minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) program may haunt him in the coming months. The program, intended to increase the number of city contracts with businesses owned by women and minorities, fell far short of its goals. That failure adds to the pile of examples of then-mayor Bloomberg's fraught relationship with New York's black community—one that is earning him few friends as he pushes to capture the 2020 primary's "moderate" lane.
During his second year in office in 2003, Bloomberg revived a 10-year-old executive order which mandated that 20 percent of the city's contracts be given to M/WBEs. Two years later, the city council codified the order into local law 129, which set citywide goals of awarding contracts under $1 million to minority groups, reserving shares explicitly for businesses owned by black, Hispanic, Asian, and female New Yorkers. Minority-owned businesses protested the $1-million cap, but the law proceeded apace.
Eight years later, as Bloomberg prepared to depart office, his administration appeared to have failed to give the law the attention it was due. A 2013 City Limits investigation into the program noted that while Bloomberg touted the increase in the number of contracts given to M/WBEs, the share of actual dollars awarded to those groups was falling well short of the percentages mandated by law. Between 2009 and 2013, not once did the administration provide the share of contracting dollars to minorities and women that it was expected to.
In 2013, for example, black-owned businesses received just 4 percent of professional contract dollars, compared with a 9 percent goal; 2 percent of goods contracts compared with a 7 percent goal; 2 percent of construction contracts versus a 12 percent goal; and 2 percent of standardized contracts versus a 9 percent goal. Hispanic-owned businesses were due 5 percent of professional contracts but received less than 1 percent; women-owned businesses were supposed to get 10 percent of standardized contracts but received just 5 percent.
The administration told City Limits that it was constrained in the number of contracts it could award by the availability of vendors and laws limiting who it could choose to hire. But minority business owners said that the city was not offering adequate support through the programs designed to help them compete for contracts, telling City Limits that they still faced barriers, including a lack of union affiliation and a lack of capital to provide surety bonding.
By the end of Bloomberg's time in office, the M/WBE program was so widely regarded as a failure that the candidates to succeed him jumped at the opportunity to attack him on the issue and on his lack of commitment to diversity more broadly. During a 2012 forum, City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn described the program as "not satisfactory," while eventual winner and now-mayor Bill de Blasio gave the M/WBE program an "F" when asked to grade it.
"It shocked me to hear, 'Wow, we would love to do that, if only we could find a qualified firm,'" de Blasio said of a then-recent conversation with a city official about diversity in hiring. "I remember when I was in City Hall hearing that kind of discussion 20 years ago and thinking it was outdated then."
Renewed questioning over Bloomberg's failed diversity in contracting initiative is just part of the closer examination his race-relations record is now receiving. New York Times columnist Charles Blow brought up Bloomberg's "racist" stop-and-frisk policy in a Wednesday column, invoking 2015 comments in which Bloomberg seemed to endorse comprehensive racial profiling in the program. Huffington Post, meanwhile, reported that in 2001, Bloomberg resigned from several elite social clubs that only admitted white men shortly before running for mayor—but later rejoined them.


freebeacon--2020-02-13--Bloomberg Hires Fyre Fest Meme Team

Bloomberg Hires Fyre Fest Meme Team

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg hired the social media team behind Fyre Festival , the most catastrophic public misadventure since Hillary Clinton 's 2016 presidential campaign .
The Bloomberg campaign is working with Meme 2020 , a new company formed by some of the people behind extremely influential accounts .
Mick Purzycki is the lead strategist of the Meme 2020 project .
He is also the chief executive of Jerry Media , a media and marketing company that is a powerful force in the influencer economy .
The company 's portfolio includes some of the most notable meme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times neglects to mention , for some reason , is that Jerry Media was behind the ridiculous ( and fraudulent ) marketing campaign for Fyre Festival .
The promotional materials for the failed festival , which was driven by celebrity endorsements on social media , convinced thousands of rich idiots to fly to the Bahamas in hopes of seeing Blink-182 .
What they found instead was utter chaos .
Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland was eventually thrown in prison for fraud .
The rich idiots got lawyers and sued .
After playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debacle , Jerry Media produced a documentary about the failed fest that was nominated for four Emmys .
Jerry Media is no stranger to lawsuits , having been embroiled in a number of legal challenges over its blatant theft of content on social media .
So what , exactly , is Bloomberg getting for his money ?
Instagram celebs with millions of followers are posting sponsored Bloomberg memes .
For example , this one from @ grapejuiceboys ( 2.7 million followers ) : Bloomberg , whose name has yet to appear on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 350 million on campaign advertising .
He is hoping for a strong showing on March 3 , aka Super Tuesday , when 14 states ( including California and Texas ) will hold caucuses and primaries .
Betting markets currently rate Bloomberg as the second most likely candidate to win the Democratic nomination , behind Bernie Sanders .
Bloomberg is seeking to become the shortest U.S. president elected since William McKinely ( five-foot-seven ) in 1896 .

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg hired the social media team behind Fyre Festival, the most catastrophic public misadventure since Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.
The New York Times reports:
The Bloomberg campaign is working with Meme 2020, a new company formed by some of the people behind extremely influential accounts. Mick Purzycki is the lead strategist of the Meme 2020 project. He is also the chief executive of Jerry Media, a media and marketing company that is a powerful force in the influencer economy. The company's portfolio includes some of the most notable meme accounts on Instagram.
What the New York Times neglects to mention, for some reason, is that Jerry Media was behind the ridiculous (and fraudulent) marketing campaign for Fyre Festival. The promotional materials for the failed festival, which was driven by celebrity endorsements on social media, convinced thousands of rich idiots to fly to the Bahamas in hopes of seeing Blink-182. What they found instead was utter chaos.
Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland was eventually thrown in prison for fraud. The rich idiots got lawyers and sued. After playing a key role in promoting the epic debacle, Jerry Media produced a documentary about the failed fest that was nominated for four Emmys. Jerry Media is no stranger to lawsuits, having been embroiled in a number of legal challenges over its blatant theft of content on social media.
So what, exactly, is Bloomberg getting for his money? Instagram celebs with millions of followers are posting sponsored Bloomberg memes. For example, this one from @grapejuiceboys (2.7 million followers):
View this post on Instagram I don’t get it ?? (Paid for by @mikebloomberg) A post shared by @ grapejuiceboys on Feb 12, 2020 at 4:39pm PST
Bloomberg, whose name has yet to appear on a primary ballot, has already spent more than $350 million on campaign advertising. He is hoping for a strong showing on March 3, aka Super Tuesday, when 14 states (including California and Texas) will hold caucuses and primaries. Betting markets currently rate Bloomberg as the second most likely candidate to win the Democratic nomination, behind Bernie Sanders.
Bloomberg is seeking to become the shortest U.S. president elected since William McKinley (five-foot-seven) in 1896.


freebeacon--2020-02-13--Maxine Waters: California Should Have More Say Over Primary Process Because of Its Rich Donors and F

Maxine Waters: California Should Have More Say Over Primary Process Because of Its Rich Donors and Fancy Parties

Rep. Maxine Waters ( D. , Calif. ) said that California should have more influence over the Democratic primary process because the state has so many wealthy donors .
`` We have candidates who fly out to Los Angeles from everywhere to raise money , '' Waters said Thursday on CNBC .
`` You would have two , three , four at a time in Beverly Hills having dinners and some of our contributors , who are very rich , were holding fancy parties , trying to accommodate the requests for donations and contributions . ''
`` The thinking is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to candidates , we ought to have more say , '' she added .
CNBC anchor Kelly Evans mentioned the California governor 's decision to move up the date of the state 's primary from June to Super Tuesday in March .
In the wake of the Iowa Democratic Party 's mismanagement of the Iowa caucuses , Evans asked how California 's influence on the primary process could increase .
`` How do you think that will affect who becomes the nominee in your party this time around and in the future ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that popular sentiment has turned against Iowa and New Hampshire 's status as the first two primary states .
`` A lot of people have come to the conclusion that it should not simply be Iowa and New Hampshire , that certainly they are not reflective of the makeup of this country , '' Waters said .
`` And so , California has a role to play . ''

Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.) said that California should have more influence over the Democratic primary process because the state has so many wealthy donors.
"We have candidates who fly out to Los Angeles from everywhere to raise money," Waters said Thursday on CNBC. "You would have two, three, four at a time in Beverly Hills having dinners and some of our contributors, who are very rich, were holding fancy parties, trying to accommodate the requests for donations and contributions."
"The thinking is that if we are supplying tremendous dollars to candidates, we ought to have more say," she added.
CNBC anchor Kelly Evans mentioned the California governor's decision to move up the date of the state's primary from June to Super Tuesday in March. In the wake of the Iowa Democratic Party's mismanagement of the Iowa caucuses, Evans asked how California's influence on the primary process could increase.
"How do you think that will affect who becomes the nominee in your party this time around and in the future?" she asked Waters.
Waters said that popular sentiment has turned against Iowa and New Hampshire's status as the first two primary states.
"A lot of people have come to the conclusion that it should not simply be Iowa and New Hampshire, that certainly they are not reflective of the makeup of this country," Waters said. "And so, California has a role to play."


freebeacon--2020-02-13--U.S. Warship in Arabian Sea Seizes Suspected Iranian Weapons

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – A U.S. Navy warship seized weapons believed to be of Iranian `` design and manufacture , '' including 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three Iranian surface-to-air missiles , the American military said on Thursday .
In a statement , the military said the guided-missile cruiser Normandy boarded a dhow , a traditional sailing vessel , in the Arabian Sea on Sunday .
`` The weapons seized include 150 ‘ Dehlavieh ' anti-tank guided missiles ( ATGM ) , which are Iranian-manufactured copies of Russian Kornet ATGMs , '' the statement said .
`` Other weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian design and manufacture and included three Iranian surface-to-air missiles , '' it said .
The military said that the weapons seized on Sunday were `` identical '' to those seized by another U.S. warship in November .
Last year , the guided-missile destroyer Forrest Sherman seized advanced missile parts believed to be linked to Iran from a boat it had stopped in the Arabian Sea .
In recent years , U.S. warships have intercepted and seized Iranian arms likely bound for Houthi fighters in Yemen .
Under a United Nations resolution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the Security Council .
A separate U.N. resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leaders .
The Houthis have built their arsenal using local manufacturing , foreign expertise and parts smuggled in from Iran , their ally , and elsewhere .
The conflict in Yemen is seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran .

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy warship seized weapons believed to be of Iranian "design and manufacture," including 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three Iranian surface-to-air missiles, the American military said on Thursday.
In a statement, the military said the guided-missile cruiser Normandy boarded a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, in the Arabian Sea on Sunday.
"The weapons seized include 150 'Dehlavieh' anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), which are Iranian-manufactured copies of Russian Kornet ATGMs," the statement said.
"Other weapons components seized aboard the dhow were of Iranian design and manufacture and included three Iranian surface-to-air missiles," it said.
The military said that the weapons seized on Sunday were "identical" to those seized by another U.S. warship in November.
Last year, the guided-missile destroyer Forrest Sherman seized advanced missile parts believed to be linked to Iran from a boat it had stopped in the Arabian Sea.
In recent years, U.S. warships have intercepted and seized Iranian arms likely bound for Houthi fighters in Yemen.
Under a United Nations resolution, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the Security Council. A separate U.N. resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leaders.
The Houthis have built their arsenal using local manufacturing, foreign expertise and parts smuggled in from Iran, their ally, and elsewhere. The conflict in Yemen is seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali, Editing by Franklin Paul and Jonathan Oatis)


freebeacon--2020-02-13--EXCLUSIVE: Obama Advisers Trash Biden in WhatsApp Group Chat

The Washington Free Beacon has exclusively obtained a WhatsApp group text between former president Barack Obama and his core group of political advisers following the New Hampshire primary .
Barack Obama : Looks like we dodged a Biden , I mean bullet Bill Ayers : Maybe it 's time to have the conversation about Bernie ?
Btw great seeing on the Vineyard last week , Barry Obama : This night 's bad enough .
But you 're probably right , B Ayers : Frank Marshall Davis would want you to endorse Bernie Sanders John Brennan : What would Gus Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Obama : Valerie can you send me Angela Merkel 's WhatsApp offline ?
Ben Rhodes : I wish we could nominate her Pod Save America : Mr. President , sir , we really need to talk about viable options , i.e.
, who can beat Donald Trump in November .
So I recommend we consider Mayor Pete .
Brennan : Mayor Pete 's a good guy .
He did great work for us in Somaliland .
The 🍞-pricing fiasco in Canada was not his fault .
Ottawa station owns that screw up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm hearing , Barry .
Are you the same community organizer who could n't stop talking about praxis ?
Or are you some corporate sellout who listens to a CIA company man who left the communist party in disgrace ?
Bernardine Dohrn : Srsly , Barack .
If u endorse Pete we 're kicking u out of Weather Underground .
Obama : Everybody settle down .
Bernie versus Pete is a false choice .
I could neither endorse Bernie nor denounce Mayor Pete .
Because really we 're all a little Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They want socialized medicine and worship Beyoncé in the Bernie states , and they want kids to learn transgender history and feel safe from climate change in the Pete states .
We want the same things .
We need unity .
Michelle Obama : Never .
Did n't she throw a comb at a salad or something ?
Emanuel : Maybe it 's not too late for the vice president , Mr. President Obama : Rahm , I was on the phone with him last week .
I wanted to talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut up about the old trolleys in Scranton from the 1940s .
He drifts in and out .
It ’ s not good .
We dodged a Biden here .
Joe Biden : Im in South Canoodle .
hunter say the kid is n't his Joe Biden has been removed from this chat Pod Save America : Hail Mary time .
We need someone as young as Pete , but who doesn ’ t have all the CIA / McKinsey / neo-liberal / corporate baggage .
We need a known name , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
Ronan Farrow ?
Obama : Should David French be his running mate ?
Obama : Great guy .
So glad I had a chance to meet him Ayers : Now we go through Chapo Trap House Obama : Would that be a problem for you guys , Tommy ?
Obama : OK , report back to me

The Washington Free Beacon has exclusively obtained a WhatsApp group text between former president Barack Obama and his core group of political advisers following the New Hampshire primary.
***
Barack Obama: Looks like we dodged a Biden, I mean bullet
Susan Rice: F—k. Biden’s such a f—king chickens—t loser
Bill Ayers: Maybe it's time to have the conversation about Bernie? Btw great seeing on the Vineyard last week, Barry
Obama: This night's bad enough. But you're probably right, B
Ayers: Frank Marshall Davis would want you to endorse Bernie Sanders
John Brennan: What would Gus Hall want you to do, Mr. President?
Obama: Valerie can you send me Angela Merkel's WhatsApp offline?
Ben Rhodes: I wish we could nominate her
Obama: VJ? Or AM?
Rhodes: Both, LOL 🤣😂
Obama: Agreed, ROFL
Pod Save America: Mr. President, sir, we really need to talk about viable options, i.e., who can beat Donald Trump in November. So I recommend we consider Mayor Pete.
Brennan: Mayor Pete's a good guy. He did great work for us in Somaliland. The 🍞-pricing fiasco in Canada was not his fault. Ottawa station owns that screw up
Ayers: I can't believe what I'm hearing, Barry. Are you the same community organizer who couldn't stop talking about praxis? Or are you some corporate sellout who listens to a CIA company man who left the communist party in disgrace?
Bernardine Dohrn: Srsly, Barack. If u endorse Pete we're kicking u out of Weather Underground.
Obama: Everybody settle down. Bernie versus Pete is a false choice. I could neither endorse Bernie nor denounce Mayor Pete. Because really we're all a little Sanders and we're all a little Buttigieg. They want socialized medicine and worship Beyoncé in the Bernie states, and they want kids to learn transgender history and feel safe from climate change in the Pete states. We want the same things. We need unity.
Rahm Emanuel: Amy Klobuchar, Mr. President
Valerie Jarrett: That b—h?
Michelle Obama: Never. Didn't she throw a comb at a salad or something?
Jarrett: She's white AF. This 👏 is 👏 20👏20
Emanuel: Maybe it's not too late for the vice president, Mr. President
Obama: Rahm, I was on the phone with him last week. I wanted to talk about first-quarter fundraising, he couldn’t shut up about the old trolleys in Scranton from the 1940s. He drifts in and out. It’s not good. We dodged a Biden here.
Joe Biden: Im in South Canoodle. hunter say the kid isn't his
Joe Biden has been removed from this chat
Pod Save America: Hail Mary time. We need someone as young as Pete, but who doesn’t have all the CIA / McKinsey / neo-liberal / corporate baggage. We need a known name, who is 🏳🌈🏳🌈🏳🌈, but also relates to women. Ronan Farrow?
Obama: Should David French be his running mate?
Jarrett: Don Lemon or Cory Booker. Is Ana Navarro gay?
Ayers: Why not Bernie?
Obama: Who's your contact with Bernie?
Ayers: Bill Kunstler, before he died
Obama: Great guy. So glad I had a chance to meet him
Ayers: Now we go through Chapo Trap House
Obama: Would that be a problem for you guys, Tommy?
Pod Save America: 🤷🏻♂
Obama: OK, report back to me


freebeacon--2020-02-13--Bloomberg Adviser Gets Short With NYT Reporter About Candidate’s Height

A Michael Bloomberg adviser was cut down to size by a New York Times reporter Thursday after trying to claim the Democratic presidential candidate was not self-conscious about his height .
Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman disputed one reporter 's claim that the Bloomberg campaign was secretly happy about President Donald Trump calling the former New York City mayor a `` 5 ' 4″ mass of dead energy . ''
`` The height thing is one of the few things that actually bothers the candidate , '' Haberman said in a tweet .
In short order , the tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim O'Brien .
`` The ‘ height thing ' actually does n't bother Mike , Maggie , '' he shot back .
`` Size matters to Trump .
But it 's the size of the deficit , the size of Trump 's ego , and the scale of our Constitutional crisis that do actually bother Mike . ''
A lifelong New Yorker who covered city politics for the New York Post and the New York Daily News during Bloomberg 's mayoralty , Haberman did n't back down .
`` I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in his 2001 campaign and for many years after , Tim , '' she responded .
`` Typically people who are not bothered do n't put down the wrong height on their driver 's license . ''
As the Washington Free Beacon has reported , there is ample evidence the billionaire misrepresented his height , listing himself as a full three inches too tall on his driver 's license .
A doctor 's note released by the Bloomberg campaign in December indicates the candidate is 5-foot-7 .
Bloomberg has given wildly contradictory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at various times he was 5-foot-10 , `` in the ballpark '' of 6-foot-1 , and in one unguarded moment in 2006 , `` a 5-foot-7 billionaire Jew . ''
Bloomberg was even spotted using a box to boost his height during his first mayoral inauguration .
The Daily News reported at the time that the billionaire was `` somewhat sensitive about his height . ''

A Michael Bloomberg adviser was cut down to size by a New York Times reporter Thursday after trying to claim the Democratic presidential candidate was not self-conscious about his height.
Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman disputed one reporter's claim that the Bloomberg campaign was secretly happy about President Donald Trump calling the former New York City mayor a "5'4" mass of dead energy."
"The height thing is one of the few things that actually bothers the candidate," Haberman said in a tweet.
In short order, the tweet drew the ire of Bloomberg senior adviser Tim O'Brien. "The 'height thing' actually doesn't bother Mike, Maggie," he shot back. "Size matters to Trump. But it's the size of the deficit, the size of Trump's ego, and the scale of our Constitutional crisis that do actually bother Mike."
The 'height thing" actually doesn’t bother Mike, Maggie. Size matters to Trump. But it’s the size of the deficit, the size of Trump’s ego, and the scale of our Constitutional crisis that do actually bother Mike. https://t.co/NuClsH15I9 — Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) February 13, 2020
A lifelong New Yorker who covered city politics for the New York Post and the New York Daily News during Bloomberg's mayoralty, Haberman didn't back down. "I'm going to disagree with you as someone who covered him in his 2001 campaign and for many years after, Tim," she responded. "Typically people who are not bothered don't put down the wrong height on their driver's license."
As the Washington Free Beacon has reported, there is ample evidence the billionaire misrepresented his height, listing himself as a full three inches too tall on his driver's license.
A doctor's note released by the Bloomberg campaign in December indicates the candidate is 5-foot-7. Bloomberg has given wildly contradictory answers about his height, telling reporters at various times he was 5-foot-10, "in the ballpark" of 6-foot-1, and in one unguarded moment in 2006, "a 5-foot-7 billionaire Jew."
Bloomberg was even spotted using a box to boost his height during his first mayoral inauguration. The Daily News reported at the time that the billionaire was "somewhat sensitive about his height."


freebeacon--2020-02-13--Dem Rep Slams AIPAC as ‘Hate Group’

Dem Rep Slams AIPAC as ‘Hate Group’

Rep. Betty McCollum ( D. , Minn. ) released a statement Wednesday calling recent ads run by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee ( AIPAC ) `` hate speech , '' denouncing the pro-Israel lobbying group as a `` hate group . ''
`` The decision by AIPAC to use my image in paid Facebook ads weaponizing anti-Semitism to incite followers by attacking me , my colleagues , and my work promoting human rights for Palestinian children detained in Israeli military prisons is hate speech , '' McCollum said in the statement .
`` This is not a call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is not empty political rhetoric .
It is hate speech , '' the congresswoman said .
The ads , which have since been removed from Facebook , compared the threat posed by `` radical '' Democrats to Israel to the threat posed to Israel by Iran and the terrorist groups Hamas , Hezbollah , and ISIS .
In addition to McCollum 's image , the ads featured images of Reps. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) and Rashida Tlaib ( D. , Mich. ) .
Omar and Tlaib have both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Congress .
AIPAC has since apologized for the ads but maintained the organization `` alluded to a genuine concern of many pro-Israel Democrats about a small but growing group , in and out of Congress , that is deliberately working to erode the bipartisan consensus on this issue and undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship . ''
McCollum is considered `` one of the strongest critics of Israeli policy in Congress . ''
She voted against the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act , which cut all direct assistance to the terrorist group Hamas .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campaign for Palestinian Rights , McCollum claimed Israel was enforcing `` apartheid . ''
She accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of giving a `` green light '' to create apartheid inside of Israel and allowing a `` massacre of scores of unarmed protesters in Gaza with complete impunity . ''

Rep. Betty McCollum (D., Minn.) released a statement Wednesday calling recent ads run by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) "hate speech," denouncing the pro-Israel lobbying group as a "hate group."
"The decision by AIPAC to use my image in paid Facebook ads weaponizing anti-Semitism to incite followers by attacking me, my colleagues, and my work promoting human rights for Palestinian children detained in Israeli military prisons is hate speech," McCollum said in the statement. "This is not a call to action, it is incitement."
"This is not empty political rhetoric. It is hate speech," the congresswoman said.
The ads, which have since been removed from Facebook, compared the threat posed by "radical" Democrats to Israel to the threat posed to Israel by Iran and the terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS. In addition to McCollum's image, the ads featured images of Reps. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.).
Omar and Tlaib have both been accused of anti-Semitism during their time in Congress.
AIPAC has since apologized for the ads but maintained the organization "alluded to a genuine concern of many pro-Israel Democrats about a small but growing group, in and out of Congress, that is deliberately working to erode the bipartisan consensus on this issue and undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship."
McCollum is considered "one of the strongest critics of Israeli policy in Congress." She voted against the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, which cut all direct assistance to the terrorist group Hamas. In a speech delivered in 2018 at the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, McCollum claimed Israel was enforcing "apartheid." She accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of giving a "green light" to create apartheid inside of Israel and allowing a "massacre of scores of unarmed protesters in Gaza with complete impunity."


freebeacon--2020-02-13--Charlamagne tha God: Biden, Bloomberg Have the ‘Most Racist Legislation Towards Black People’

Radio host Charlamagne tha God on Wednesday said Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg have the `` most racist legislation towards black people . ''
`` Old black people in South Carolina do love Joe Biden , but I would have to ask black voters the question—why do the old white men who have the most racist legislation towards black people , why are they the top two frontrunners when it comes to black support ?
Joe Biden and Bloomberg , '' Charlamagne said on CNN 's Erin Burnett OutFront .
Anchor Erin Burnett asked the host of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed Biden was maintaining his stronghold on black voters , citing a recent Quinnipiac University poll that shows Biden as the top choice among black voters with 27 percent .
Bloomberg has 22 percent .
`` I think it 's the Barack Obama effect .
I think it 's the fact that he was Barack Obama 's vice president , but I think a lot of younger black voters have been doing their due diligence , doing their research and they 're aware of the '94 crime bill and they 're aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I think that is a big strike against him and it 's a strike that he has n't really apologized for . ''
He continued by offering Biden and Bloomberg some advice on how they can best apologize to the black community for their `` racist '' policies .
`` The best apology for Biden or a Bloomberg to me is a black agenda .
The same way that they sat around and they systemically created things to oppress and marginalize black people , they should sit around with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will help uplift those same communities they once hurt , '' Charlamagne added .
Biden previously defended the 1994 crime bill in 2016 , saying he was `` not at all '' ashamed of his role in helping draft it .
However , he attempted to back away from the crime bill last year by saying he `` got stuck '' writing it because he was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time .
During the National Action Network 's Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast last year , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been right .
I know we have n't always gotten things right , but I 've always tried . ''
Bloomberg has received increased scrutiny this week in response to a recently unearthed 2015 audio recording of him defending `` stop-and-frisk , '' a policy he supported while serving as the New York City mayor .
The policy gave New York police officers the authority to stop anyone they suspected of committing a crime without a warrant .
Bloomberg reversed his support for the policing policy in November , shortly after joining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2019 .

Radio host Charlamagne tha God on Wednesday said Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg have the "most racist legislation towards black people."
"Old black people in South Carolina do love Joe Biden, but I would have to ask black voters the question—why do the old white men who have the most racist legislation towards black people, why are they the top two frontrunners when it comes to black support? Joe Biden and Bloomberg," Charlamagne said on CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront.
Anchor Erin Burnett asked the host of The Breakfast Club radio show why he believed Biden was maintaining his stronghold on black voters, citing a recent Quinnipiac University poll that shows Biden as the top choice among black voters with 27 percent. Bloomberg has 22 percent.
"I think it's the Barack Obama effect. I think it's the fact that he was Barack Obama's vice president, but I think a lot of younger black voters have been doing their due diligence, doing their research and they're aware of the '94 crime bill and they're aware of the '86 crack law," Charlamagne said. "I think that is a big strike against him and it's a strike that he hasn't really apologized for."
He continued by offering Biden and Bloomberg some advice on how they can best apologize to the black community for their "racist" policies.
"The best apology for Biden or a Bloomberg to me is a black agenda. The same way that they sat around and they systemically created things to oppress and marginalize black people, they should sit around with some black folks and create a black agenda that will help uplift those same communities they once hurt," Charlamagne added.
Biden previously defended the 1994 crime bill in 2016, saying he was "not at all" ashamed of his role in helping draft it. However, he attempted to back away from the crime bill last year by saying he "got stuck" writing it because he was the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time. During the National Action Network's Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast last year, Biden said, "I haven't always been right. I know we haven't always gotten things right, but I've always tried."
Bloomberg has received increased scrutiny this week in response to a recently unearthed 2015 audio recording of him defending "stop-and-frisk," a policy he supported while serving as the New York City mayor. The policy gave New York police officers the authority to stop anyone they suspected of committing a crime without a warrant. Bloomberg reversed his support for the policing policy in November, shortly after joining the Democratic primary. He supported it in early 2019.


Beacon Extra

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
THE BEST MONEY CAN BUY … `` Bloomberg Hires Fyre Fest Meme Team , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg hired the social media team [ Jerry Media ] behind Fyre Festival , the most catastrophic public misadventure since Hillary Clinton 's 2016 presidential campaign … The promotional materials for the failed festival , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , convinced thousands of rich idiots to fly to the Bahamas in hopes of seeing Blink-182 .
What they found instead was utter chaos .
HOW TO LOSE THE HOUSE IN TWO YEARS … `` In Early States , Voters With Private Health Insurance Abandon Sanders , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : A Washington Free Beacon analysis of census data and early primary results found that Sanders finished no higher than third and as low as fifth in the three Iowa counties with the highest proportion of privately insured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas with high concentrations of privately insured voters reinforces concerns that the Vermont senator could undermine down-ballot Democrats in the general election .
OUCH … `` ‘ South Bend Needs a Do-Over ’ : City Councilman Blasts Former Mayor Pete , '' by WFB ’ s Elizabeth Matamoros : South Bend , Ind.
, city councilman Henry Davis Jr. said … Buttigieg `` chose not to deal with '' issues facing African-American residents of South Bend .
`` You 're talking about double-digit unemployment .
You 're talking about a very high poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're talking about high crime .
You 're talking about schools shutting down and closing , '' he said .
RICH LIBS NOT GIVING UP YET … `` Joe Biden to host over 250 donors from Wall Street , big business at NYC fundraisers – here ’ s the guest list , '' via CNBC : A guest list , first obtained by CNBC , shows that the events will draw some of the biggest names in the financial services community to Biden ’ s side , despite his campaigns recent struggles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire primary Tuesday and finished fourth in last week ’ s Iowa caucuses .
Biden ’ s campaign is expected to raise at least $ 1 million between the two gatherings .
PRINCIPLE $ … `` Mike Bloomberg Is Hiring So Many Operatives , Local and State Campaigns Are Starving for Help , '' via INTERCEPT : `` I ’ ve heard it in every state that we ’ ve been in , '' said [ senior Bernie Sanders adviser Chuck ] Rocha of the Bloomberg effect , adding that one staffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ‘ Hey Chuck , I ’ m with Bernie , I ’ m gon na vote for Bernie , but I ’ m gon na go get this money , cuz he ’ s gon na double my salary and pay me till November and I ’ ve got ta pay my bills when this thing is over.
’ '' SANDERS BACKS JUSSIE ’ S GIRL … via POLITICO : Bernie Sanders is throwing his weight behind Kim Foxx , the Cook County state ’ s attorney who is facing several primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been simultaneously celebrated by progressives and come under fire nationally for her handling of actor Jussie Smollett ’ s case .
QUIET PART OUT LOUD … `` Maxine Waters : California Should Have More Say Over Primary Process Because of Its Rich Donors and Fancy Parties , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : `` We have candidates who fly out to Los Angeles from everywhere to raise money , '' Waters said Thursday on CNBC .
`` You would have two , three , four at a time in Beverly Hills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are very rich , were holding fancy parties , trying to accommodate the requests for donations and contributions . ''
`` The thinking is that if we are supplying tremendous dollars to candidates , we ought to have more say , '' she added .
WAKE UP , BORIS … `` China ’ s Huawei Charged With Racketeering , '' via WSJ : Huawei Technologies Co. and two of its U.S. subsidiaries were charged with racketeering conspiracy to steal trade secrets in a new federal indictment unsealed Thursday , opening another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle with the Chinese telecommunications firm .
SEND THE BOMBERS … `` U.S. Warship in Arabian Sea Seizes Suspected Iranian Weapons , '' via REUTERS : The military said that the weapons seized on Sunday were `` identical '' to those seized by another U.S. warship in November … In recent years , U.S. warships have intercepted and seized Iranian arms likely bound for Houthi fighters in Yemen .
BUILD THE WALL AND THE BOMBERS … `` Pentagon seeks to cut F-35s , other equipment to pay for Trump ’ s border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon is seeking to divert $ 3.8 billion , largely from its fiscal 2020 weapons procurement budget , in order to fund President Donald Trump ’ s border wall … Among the victims of the cuts : a mass of aircraft purchases including F-35 joint strike fighters , C-130J cargo aircraft , MQ-9 Reaper drones , and P-8 maritime surveillance planes … For the Navy , the Pentagon would cut two of the six F-35B short takeoff and landing aircraft added to the FY20 budget by Congress and two MV-22 Ospreys .
AND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor claims ‘ Paw Patrol ' is pushing pro-capitalism ‘ propaganda ' to kids , '' via FOX NEWS : `` Paw Patrol '' is an animated series about a group of do-good dogs and a 10-year-old boy named Ryder who rescue various people in tricky situations … [ Kings College professor Liam ] Kennedy said the depiction of the state and local government officials like Mayor Humdinger and Mayor Goodway are `` portrayed negatively . ''
… '' That 's problematic in that the ‘ Paw Patrol ' creators are sending this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state to provide these services , '' he told Zanbergen .
HOPE AND DATA … `` EXCLUSIVE : Obama Advisers Trash Biden in WhatsApp Group Chat , '' by WFB Staff : Pod Save America : Mr. President , sir , we really need to talk about viable options , i.e.
, who can beat Donald Trump in November .
So I recommend we consider Mayor Pete .
Brennan : Mayor Pete 's a good guy .
He did great work for us in Somaliland .
The 🍞-pricing fiasco in Canada was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that screw up Ayers : I ca n't believe what I 'm hearing , Barry .
Are you the same community organizer who could n't stop talking about praxis ?
Or are you some corporate sellout who listens to a CIA company man who left the communist party in disgrace ?
Bernardine Dohrn : Srsly , Barack .
If u endorse Pete we 're kicking u out of Weather Underground .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 5 .
Welcome back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
MENSHEVIKS PREPARE FOR LAST STAND … "Democratic Leaders Willing to Risk Party Damage to Stop Bernie Sanders," via NYT: Since Mr. Sanders’s victory in Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, the Times has interviewed 93 party officials—all of them superdelegates … and found overwhelming opposition to handing the Vermont senator the nomination if he arrived with the most delegates but fell short of a majority …
Since Mr. Sanders won Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday, four donors have approached former representative Steve Israel of New York to ask if he can suggest someone to run a super PAC aimed at blocking Mr. Sanders. He declined their offer.
THE NEW NEW DEMOCRATS … "2020 Dem Plans Reflect Party of the ‘Professional Class’," by WFB’s Charles Fain Lehman: The [Manhattan Institute] report examines the distributive impacts of major proposals, including Medicare for All, student debt forgiveness, and the repeal of key components of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). It argues that while Democratic candidates talk big about supporting workers and the poor, these programs primarily serve the interests of the wealthy …
Long branded as representatives of the working class, the Democratic Party has come to appeal primarily to the college-educated, often affluent residents of urban America, data indicate.
MIKE GOT IT DONE … "Bloomberg Locked Up Nearly Half a Million People on Marijuana Charges," by WFB’s Yuichiro Kakutani: The administrations of [Michael] Bloomberg's three predecessors … collectively arrested 226,000 people, or 25 people daily, for the same charge over a 24-year period between 1978 and 2001. During Bloomberg's tenure, approximately 471,000 people were arrested on possession charges …
The possession arrests for Bloomberg's tenure peaked in 2011 when the police hauled in more than 50,000 New Yorkers.
DOWNLOAD UNAVAILABLE IN WISCONSIN … "Coming to a podcast near you: Hillary Clinton," via POLITICO: The former first lady, secretary of State, and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee is planning to launch a new audio program in late spring, just in time for her to have a powerful new megaphone during the 2020 election …
Clinton’s show will feature her in conversation with a brand-name guest, who might be drawn from world leaders and politicians, of course, but also celebrities, authors and perhaps famous chefs.
BOOK THROWN … "Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh sentenced to 3 years for ‘Healthy Holly’ children’s book fraud scheme," via BALTIMORE SUN: [Pugh] told reporters: "This is not the last you’ll see of Catherine Pugh" …
Pugh’s political fall began in March when the Baltimore Sun revealed she had entered into a no-bid deal with the University of Maryland Medical System, where Pugh sat on the board of directors, to buy 100,000 copies of her sloppily self-published "Healthy Holly" books for $500,000.
YANG HOLDS OUT FOR BETTER OFFER … "Michael Bloomberg’s Campaign Sought Andrew Yang’s Backing, Floated Vice- Presidential Slot," via WSJ: Aides to the former New York City mayor reached out to discuss ways the two entrepreneurs-turned-politicians could work together as Mr. Bloomberg seeks the Democratic nomination, these people said.
Mr. Yang, who dropped out of the race earlier this month, didn’t commit to join forces, as he considers his own political future, a third person familiar with the discussions said.
NO SURRENDER … "Congressional Republicans Warn Trump Against Inking Peace Deal With Taliban," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: The lawmakers … are demanding they receive assurances the administration "will not place the security of the American people into the hands of the Taliban" …
The lawmakers are also demanding the release of so-called secret annexes in the draft agreement that they claim establish a set of unknown side deals with the Taliban, a move reminiscent of the Obama administration's secret agreements with Iran when the Iran nuclear deal was being negotiated.
TEHRAN MARY … "Iran Vice President Is One of 7 Officials to Contract Coronavirus," via NYT: The disclosure came a day after a cabinet meeting in which she was in close contact with other government leaders, including [Hassan] Rouhani. A photo posted by a BBC Persia reporter on Twitter showed she had been sitting a few yards from the president.
[Masoumeh] Ebtekar, one of four vice presidents, was known to Americans as "Mary" during the Tehran hostage crisis four decades ago, when, as a young revolutionary, she was a spokeswoman for the captors of the 52 Americans held at the United States Embassy.
PICTURE OF COWARDICE … "Sony World Photography Awards Removes Hong Kong Protest Images," via HYPERALLERGIC: Since pro-democracy protests prompted by the Hong Kong government’s now-scrapped extradition bill erupted across the city in spring 2019, China has tightened its grip on the media …
Now, some speculate WPO yielded to pressure from China to take down the photographs, especially because other entries featuring arguably graphic or politically sensitive content have not faced a similar fate in past competitions.
THE REAL VICTIMS … "Mark Halperin Says Murderers Are Treated More Fairly Than Canceled People," via MOTHER JONES: "I haven’t had a job interview in two years," Halperin said, adding that he has applied to work at restaurants and Target, trying to get health insurance for his three-year-old son …
When [asked to] differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate ways that he had been held accountable for his behavior … he said victims deserve "top priority" but complained again that there isn’t a mechanism for reintegrating canceled people.
THIS IS CNN … "Sasse Criticizes CNN for Referring to a Baby as a ‘Fetus That Was Born’," via CNN: "The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is about babies who have already been born," [Sen. Ben] Sasse said to the Washington Free Beacon. "I’m glad CNN finally made the correction, but there’s no reason this needed to take two days. Planned Parenthood desperately wants to misrepresent this bipartisan, pro-babies bill, and unfortunately too many reporters have bought their spin hook, line, and sinker."
PUNK IS DEAD … "Billy Idol is helping de Blasio take on idling cars in new campaign," via NY POST: Billy Idol has a new Rebel Yell: helping Mayor Bill de Blasio fight fume-spewing vehicles that idle on Big Apple streets …
The campaign will also publicize the city’s 2018 "Citizens Air Complaint Program," where individuals who see a bus or delivery truck idling for longer than four minutes can file a complaint and collect a 25 percent bounty off the fine, worth $87.50.
"The First Postmodern Pandemic," via WFB’s Matthew Continetti: We were better off when the media focused on impeachment. Now that it is interested in coronavirus, a familiar pattern will set in. Data will be publicized without the slightest sense of proportion. The most outrageous scenarios will receive the most attention. Speculation will be paraded as fact …
The Washington Post transcribes Democratic Party talking points when it suggests Vice President Mike Pence is incapable of overseeing the government's efforts because he opposes needle-sharing programs. Among the reasons [President Donald] Trump is said to have weakened public health? He defunded Planned Parenthood.
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-02-14--Omar Foreign Policy Adviser Dodges Question About BDS

As Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) introduced what she is calling a `` progressive vision '' for foreign policy , her foreign policy adviser demurred on a cornerstone of that vision : the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions ( BDS ) campaign to economically isolate Israel .
At a briefing on Wednesday about the plan , which Omar is dubbing a `` Pathway to Peace , '' Omar aide Ryan Morgan declined to explain why the congresswoman opposes economic sanctions but supports BDS .
Omar left the event after offering brief remarks , leaving Morgan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her stead .
`` You 're asking me if I want to take the BDS question ? ''
said Morgan .
`` No . ''
Omar announced a package of bills that she says reflects `` a bold progressive vision '' for U.S. foreign policy .
The discussion that followed was moderated by Trita Parsi , executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft , a new think tank backed by the billionaires Charles Koch and George Soros .
Both Omar and the Quincy Institute have faced accusations of anti-Semitism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of anti-Semitism since she assumed office in 2019 .
The Minnesota congresswoman faced bipartisan condemnation in February 2019 when she tweeted that lawmakers who support Israel do so because of financial contributions from pro-Israel donors .
`` It 's all about the Benjamins baby , '' she wrote at the time , a remark she later apologized for , arguing that she was unaware of the history of anti-Semitism associated with the remark .
She thanked Jewish colleagues for educating her on the `` painful history of anti-Semitism . ''
Despite her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , Omar has frequently criticized the imposition of sanctions on American adversaries .
She denounced President Donald Trump 's decision to impose additional sanctions on Iran , stating that she opposes any sanctions that `` economically devastate a country and ultimately only harm its citizens . ''
Neither Morgan nor a spokesman for Omar responded to requests for comment .
Launched in December , the Quincy Institute has since hired several fellows and area experts with a history of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel comments .
Lawrence Wilkerson , a nonresident fellow at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Jewish lobby in America '' pushed America into the Iraq war and singled out the influence of Jewish advisers in the George W. Bush administration .
The institute 's first policy brief was drafted by the retired diplomat Chas Freeman , who has accused the `` Israel lobby '' of derailing his nomination to lead President Barack Obama 's National Intelligence Council .
He later insinuated in a speech in Moscow that many American Jews , including rabbis , constitute a `` fifth column '' in the United States who reflexively support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the panel moderator and senior staffer at the think tank , cofounded the National Iranian American Council , an advocacy group that has been accused of lobbying on behalf of the Iranian regime .
The group fervently supported the now-defunct Iran nuclear deal , with staffers accusing Jews in opposition to the agreement with charges of dual-loyalty .
At the time , the organization 's research director , Reza Marashi , accused Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) , who is Jewish , of `` putting Israel ’ s interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The Quincy Institute 's prominent critics include Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, who said on the Senate floor in January that the `` ancient hatred of anti-Semitism … festers in Washington think tanks like the Quincy Institute , an isolationist , blame America First money pit for so-called scholars who ’ ve written that American foreign policy could be fixed if only it were rid of the malign influence of Jewish money . ''
A spokesman for the Quincy Institute did not respond to a request for @ @

As Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) introduced what she is calling a "progressive vision" for foreign policy, her foreign policy adviser demurred on a cornerstone of that vision: the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign to economically isolate Israel.
At a briefing on Wednesday about the plan, which Omar is dubbing a "Pathway to Peace," Omar aide Ryan Morgan declined to explain why the congresswoman opposes economic sanctions but supports BDS.
Omar left the event after offering brief remarks, leaving Morgan to participate in the panel discussion that followed in her stead.
"You're asking me if I want to take the BDS question?" said Morgan. "No."
Omar announced a package of bills that she says reflects "a bold progressive vision" for U.S. foreign policy. The discussion that followed was moderated by Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a new think tank backed by the billionaires Charles Koch and George Soros.
Both Omar and the Quincy Institute have faced accusations of anti-Semitism.
Omar has been dogged by repeated allegations of anti-Semitism since she assumed office in 2019. The Minnesota congresswoman faced bipartisan condemnation in February 2019 when she tweeted that lawmakers who support Israel do so because of financial contributions from pro-Israel donors. "It's all about the Benjamins baby," she wrote at the time, a remark she later apologized for, arguing that she was unaware of the history of anti-Semitism associated with the remark. She thanked Jewish colleagues for educating her on the "painful history of anti-Semitism."
Despite her support for economic sanctions against the Jewish state, Omar has frequently criticized the imposition of sanctions on American adversaries. She denounced President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional sanctions on Iran, stating that she opposes any sanctions that "economically devastate a country and ultimately only harm its citizens."
Neither Morgan nor a spokesman for Omar responded to requests for comment.
Launched in December, the Quincy Institute has since hired several fellows and area experts with a history of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel comments. Lawrence Wilkerson, a nonresident fellow at the institute, argued in 2007 that the "Jewish lobby in America" pushed America into the Iraq war and singled out the influence of Jewish advisers in the George W. Bush administration. The institute's first policy brief was drafted by the retired diplomat Chas Freeman, who has accused the "Israel lobby" of derailing his nomination to lead President Barack Obama's National Intelligence Council. He later insinuated in a speech in Moscow that many American Jews, including rabbis, constitute a "fifth column" in the United States who reflexively support Israel and smear its critics.
Parsi, the panel moderator and senior staffer at the think tank, cofounded the National Iranian American Council, an advocacy group that has been accused of lobbying on behalf of the Iranian regime. The group fervently supported the now-defunct Iran nuclear deal, with staffers accusing Jews in opposition to the agreement with charges of dual-loyalty. At the time, the organization's research director, Reza Marashi, accused Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), who is Jewish, of "putting Israel’s interests ahead of America’s interests."
The Quincy Institute's prominent critics include Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), who said on the Senate floor in January that the "ancient hatred of anti-Semitism … festers in Washington think tanks like the Quincy Institute, an isolationist, blame America First money pit for so-called scholars who’ve written that American foreign policy could be fixed if only it were rid of the malign influence of Jewish money."
A spokesman for the Quincy Institute did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-02-14--In Early States, Voters With Private Health Insurance Abandon Sanders

Democratic socialist presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders won the most votes in both Iowa and New Hampshire , but has seen support crater in areas with a high proportion of residents on private health insurance .
A Washington Free Beacon analysis of census data and early primary results found that Sanders finished no higher than third and as low as fifth in the three Iowa counties with the highest proportion of privately insured adults .
In New Hampshire 's Rockingham County , where 83 percent of adults have private insurance , Sanders lost by 4 points to former South Bend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped to third behind Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) .
Sanders has campaigned on a Medicare for All proposal that would end private health insurance .
His failure to succeed in areas with high concentrations of privately insured voters reinforces concerns that the Vermont senator could undermine down-ballot Democrats in the general election .
Suburban districts key to the House majority also hold high proportions of privately insured adults .
Democratic candidates across the country are retreating from Medicare for All even as Sanders emerges as the frontrunner in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatens to alienate a key liberal constituency , as labor unions push back against the elimination of health insurance benefits they negotiated with employers .
As the presidential field moves on to Nevada , the state 's politically powerful Culinary Union has rejected Medicare for All .
The union released a flyer Tuesday saying Sanders would `` end Culinary health care '' if elected .
Sanders repeatedly cited Medicare for All as a reason for his victory in New Hampshire , expressing confidence that `` people will be very supportive '' of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early primary states suggests that Medicare for All could hurt the Vermont senator in key 2020 counties .
In addition to losing New Hampshire 's Rockingham County , Sanders also struggled in Hillsborough and Merrimack counties , where close to 80 percent of adults have private health insurance .
He won those counties handily in his 2016 primary , beating Hillary Clinton by 15 and 19 points , respectively .
Sanders took both Hillsborough and Merrimack by just 1 point in 2020 .
Sanders 's shortcomings in Rockingham , Hillsborough , and Merrimack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flip the Granite State in November after losing by just 0.4 percent in 2016 .
More than 64 percent of the state 's population resides in the three counties .
Trump won Hillsborough , home to one-third of the state 's population , by fewer than 500 votes in 2016 .
A stronger showing in the county of more than 400,000 could be enough to tip the scale against Sanders in November .
Hillsborough and Merrimack counties fall in the state 's Second Congressional District .
The district 's representative , Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for All .
The Vermont senator 's struggles in areas with high proportions of private health insurance also affected the Iowa caucuses .
Sanders lost by an average margin of nearly 18 points in Dallas , Winneshiek , and Bremer counties , which have the highest proportion of privately insured adults in the state .
Sanders 's support dropped 35 points in Winneshiek , where the Vermont senator beat Hillary Clinton by double digits in 2016 .
He finished third behind Buttigieg and Klobuchar in 2020 .
He finished fourth and fifth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties with high private insurance rates also fall in potentially vulnerable House districts held by Demcorats .
Dallas County is in Iowa 's Third Congressional District , which leans Republican and voted for Trump in 2016 .
The state 's First Congressional District , which leans Democrat but backed Trump in 2016 , also includes Winneshiek and Bremer counties .
The districts ' respective representatives , Democrats Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer , both narrowly defeated incumbent Republicans in 2018 and have not supported Medicare for All .
Pappas , Axne , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in keeping with contentious House races across the country .
Democratic congressional candidate Jill Schupp , who is challenging GOP representative Ann Wagner in Missouri 's suburban Second Congressional District , is backpedaling from Medicare for All despite previously endorsing the policy as a state legislator .
Kentucky Senate hopeful Amy McGrath has followed suit in her race against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) .
McGrath came out against Medicare for All in an ad released Tuesday , though she previously called a single-payer health care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Pope , a health care expert at the conservative-leaning Manhattan Institute , said Democrats in swing districts are justified in distancing themselves from Sanders 's signature proposal .
`` Democrats are going to be forced to answer questions like , ‘ Do you really support the tax increases that are necessary for [ Medicare for All ] ?
Do you really support banning private insurance ?
Do you really support what Bernie 's threatening to do to your local hospitals , revenue insolvency ? '
These are all going to be really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Democrats , '' Pope said .

Democratic socialist presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders won the most votes in both Iowa and New Hampshire, but has seen support crater in areas with a high proportion of residents on private health insurance.
A Washington Free Beacon analysis of census data and early primary results found that Sanders finished no higher than third and as low as fifth in the three Iowa counties with the highest proportion of privately insured adults. In New Hampshire's Rockingham County, where 83 percent of adults have private insurance, Sanders lost by 4 points to former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg and nearly dropped to third behind Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.).
Sanders has campaigned on a Medicare for All proposal that would end private health insurance. His failure to succeed in areas with high concentrations of privately insured voters reinforces concerns that the Vermont senator could undermine down-ballot Democrats in the general election. Suburban districts key to the House majority also hold high proportions of privately insured adults. Democratic candidates across the country are retreating from Medicare for All even as Sanders emerges as the frontrunner in a crowded primary field.
The proposal also threatens to alienate a key liberal constituency, as labor unions push back against the elimination of health insurance benefits they negotiated with employers. As the presidential field moves on to Nevada, the state's politically powerful Culinary Union has rejected Medicare for All. The union released a flyer Tuesday saying Sanders would "end Culinary health care" if elected.
Sanders repeatedly cited Medicare for All as a reason for his victory in New Hampshire, expressing confidence that "people will be very supportive" of the policy. An analysis of results in early primary states suggests that Medicare for All could hurt the Vermont senator in key 2020 counties.
In addition to losing New Hampshire's Rockingham County, Sanders also struggled in Hillsborough and Merrimack counties, where close to 80 percent of adults have private health insurance. He won those counties handily in his 2016 primary, beating Hillary Clinton by 15 and 19 points, respectively. Sanders took both Hillsborough and Merrimack by just 1 point in 2020.
Sanders's shortcomings in Rockingham, Hillsborough, and Merrimack could present President Donald Trump an opportunity to flip the Granite State in November after losing by just 0.4 percent in 2016. More than 64 percent of the state's population resides in the three counties. Trump won Hillsborough, home to one-third of the state's population, by fewer than 500 votes in 2016. A stronger showing in the county of more than 400,000 could be enough to tip the scale against Sanders in November.
Hillsborough and Merrimack counties fall in the state's Second Congressional District. The district's representative, Democrat Chris Pappas, refused to endorse Medicare for All.
The Vermont senator's struggles in areas with high proportions of private health insurance also affected the Iowa caucuses. Sanders lost by an average margin of nearly 18 points in Dallas, Winneshiek, and Bremer counties, which have the highest proportion of privately insured adults in the state. Sanders's support dropped 35 points in Winneshiek, where the Vermont senator beat Hillary Clinton by double digits in 2016. He finished third behind Buttigieg and Klobuchar in 2020. He finished fourth and fifth in Dallas and Bremer, respectively.
Iowa counties with high private insurance rates also fall in potentially vulnerable House districts held by Demcorats. Dallas County is in Iowa's Third Congressional District, which leans Republican and voted for Trump in 2016. The state's First Congressional District, which leans Democrat but backed Trump in 2016, also includes Winneshiek and Bremer counties. The districts' respective representatives, Democrats Cindy Axne and Abby Finkenauer, both narrowly defeated incumbent Republicans in 2018 and have not supported Medicare for All.
Pappas, Axne, and Finkenauer's reluctance to embrace the policy is in keeping with contentious House races across the country. Democratic congressional candidate Jill Schupp, who is challenging GOP representative Ann Wagner in Missouri's suburban Second Congressional District, is backpedaling from Medicare for All despite previously endorsing the policy as a state legislator. Kentucky Senate hopeful Amy McGrath has followed suit in her race against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.). McGrath came out against Medicare for All in an ad released Tuesday, though she previously called a single-payer health care system "the way to go."
Chris Pope, a health care expert at the conservative-leaning Manhattan Institute, said Democrats in swing districts are justified in distancing themselves from Sanders's signature proposal.
"Democrats are going to be forced to answer questions like, 'Do you really support the tax increases that are necessary for [Medicare for All]? Do you really support banning private insurance? Do you really support what Bernie's threatening to do to your local hospitals, revenue insolvency?' These are all going to be really big, unpleasant questions for a lot of Democrats," Pope said.


Beacon Extra 2/13/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
GIVE ‘ EM HELL , HUNTER !
… `` Where ’ s Hunter ?
Until Recently , On the Board of the Left ’ s Premier National Security Network , '' by WFB ’ s Eliana Johnson : If Joe Biden 's presidential campaign collapses in the coming weeks , as looks increasingly likely , it will be in part because of stories like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his father 's term as vice president , Hunter Biden was appointed by the Truman National Security Project , a left-leaning foreign policy network , to its board of directors .
The younger Biden was , at the time , one of just six members of the governing board , where he served alongside the organization 's founder and CEO , Rachel Kleinfeld , and a handful of corporate leaders .
He had no obvious qualifications for the position .
ALL BETS ARE OFF … `` Nevada Union Targets Sanders , Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Yuichiro Kakutani : Nevada ’ s most powerful union is attacking Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) over his support for Medicare for All , as the Vermont socialist attempts to build off of his victory in the New Hampshire primary .
The Culinary Union , the state 's largest union and a key driver of the Democrats ' 2016 victories in Nevada , is warning over 50,000 hospitality workers that the Medicare for All plans backed by Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
TOUGH CROWD … `` Tom Perez Gets Earful on Superdelegates at Congressional Progressive Caucus Meeting , '' via INTERCEPT : Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez met privately on Tuesday with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus … The conversation came in the wake of progressive frustration over the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s handling of the caucuses last week … The role of American oligarch Mike Bloomberg in the race also came up in the meeting .
Rep. Rashida Tlaib , D-Mich. , asked Perez what procedures he had in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officials he names to key Democratic National Convention committees .
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS … `` Joe Biden ’ s Campaign About Nothing , '' via POLITICO : Bidenspeak has proved to be [ a ] colossal failure , imparting no punch , either literal or serious , on Democratic voters eager for a uniting figure .
Despite his name recognition , pedigree , legislative acumen , and campaign cash , Biden finished near the New Hampshire cellar … with one of the drabbest , most purposeless campaigns since Harold Stassen flew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEFENSE … `` Dems Want Local Mayor to Resign for Calling Ilhan Omar ‘ Anti-Semitic Socialist ’ , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : `` Yep , that 's me giving Ilhan Omar the key to the city .
I did n't know her politics then , nor that she is an anti-Semitic socialist , '' mayor and congressional candidate Randy Henderson says in the advertisement .
`` Watching that now makes me sick . ''
… The chairwoman of the Lee County Democrats called on Henderson to resign from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocking .
DARE TO DREAM … `` Moderate Democrats Fear Bernie Sanders Could Cost Them the House , '' via NYT : Few are eager to publicly articulate their fears of a Sanders nomination , reluctant to call attention to the divisions within their party or risk alienating a potential nominee , but several of them privately described a sense of foreboding that has set in over the past two weeks as Sanders has emerged as the top finisher in the first two contests of the Democratic race .
`` There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front lines that we will not only lose the White House but the House of Representatives , '' one of them said in an interview , insisting on anonymity .
NEWSFLASH : KILLING TERRORISTS POPULAR … `` Poll : Majority of Swing State Voters Approve of Trump ’ s Killing of Soleimani , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : While 2020 Democratic presidential contenders have largely criticized the decision to take out [ Qassem ] Soleimani , a majority of voters in Florida , North Carolina , Ohio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they backed the Trump administration 's action , according to a poll conducted by the America First Action PAC , a pro-Trump organization led by Linda McMahon .
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES … `` Education Department Investigating Harvard , Yale Over Foreign Funding , '' via WSJ : The Education Department opened investigations into Harvard and Yale as part of a continuing review that has found U.S. universities failed to report at least $ 6.5 billion in foreign funding from countries such as China and Saudi Arabia , according to department materials viewed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` NYT Writer Accuses Dem Rep of Being Bought by Bloomberg , '' by WFB ’ s Cameron Cawthorne : New York Times columnist Charles Blow on Wednesday accused Rep. Lucy McBath ( D. , Ga. ) of being bought for her endorsement of Michael Bloomberg for president .
`` Everyone has a price .
EVERYONE , '' Blow said in a now-deleted tweet .
CHASER … `` Bloomberg Gave a Liberal Group $ 5 Million .
Its Political Director Just Called Him a ‘ True Terrorist ’ Over Stop and Frisk.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A top official for a liberal group that last year received a $ 5 million donation from Michael Bloomberg recently called the billionaire Democratic presidential candidate a `` true terrorist . ''
Andre Fields is the political director for Fair Fight Action , a voting rights focused group launched by failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
JUSTICE FOR JUICY … `` New Smollett indictment may shape Cook County State ’ s Attorney ’ s race , '' via WGN : Last year , [ Jussie ] Smollett claimed he was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but then he was charged after police said he paid two brothers to stage the attack .
Three weeks later , Cook County state 's attorney Kim Foxx dropped the charges .
Foxx ’ s campaign is questioning the timing of the indictment [ by the special prosecutor ] , saying it feels like a politicization of the justice system … It was revealed [ Foxx ] had contact with a Smollett relative and former aide to Michelle Obama while the case was active .
GO TO CLASS … `` Student Activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Matthew Pinna for the WFB : Students affiliated with the University of Chicago ’ s chapter of IfNotNow … briefly gathered outside the school 's main administration building on Monday to call for the full disclosure of the university ’ s investments in Israel … The new campaign is representative of broadening anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses , where the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement , which aims to economically isolate the world ’ s only Jewish state over its alleged human rights violations , has gained traction .
WE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Liberal Groups and High-Powered Lawyers Swarm Detroit to Keep Dead Voters on Rolls , '' by WFB ’ s Joe Schoffstall : Liberal groups and high-powered New York attorneys swooped into Detroit this week to help the city fight a lawsuit over its voter roll irregularities , which included thousands of deceased individuals appearing on the rolls .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 4 .
Welcome back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

What's with Hunter Biden and being on boards he shouldn't be on?
Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
GIVE ‘EM HELL, HUNTER! … "Where’s Hunter? Until Recently, On the Board of the Left’s Premier National Security Network," by WFB’s Eliana Johnson: If Joe Biden's presidential campaign collapses in the coming weeks, as looks increasingly likely, it will be in part because of stories like this.
In 2011, two years into his father's term as vice president, Hunter Biden was appointed by the Truman National Security Project, a left-leaning foreign policy network, to its board of directors. The younger Biden was, at the time, one of just six members of the governing board, where he served alongside the organization's founder and CEO, Rachel Kleinfeld, and a handful of corporate leaders. He had no obvious qualifications for the position.
ALL BETS ARE OFF … "Nevada Union Targets Sanders, Warren Over Socialized Medicine," by WFB’s Yuichiro Kakutani: Nevada’s most powerful union is attacking Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) over his support for Medicare for All, as the Vermont socialist attempts to build off of his victory in the New Hampshire primary.
The Culinary Union, the state's largest union and a key driver of the Democrats' 2016 victories in Nevada, is warning over 50,000 hospitality workers that the Medicare for All plans backed by Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) will "end culinary health care" benefits.
TOUGH CROWD … "Tom Perez Gets Earful on Superdelegates at Congressional Progressive Caucus Meeting," via INTERCEPT: Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez met privately on Tuesday with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus … The conversation came in the wake of progressive frustration over the Iowa Democratic Party’s handling of the caucuses last week …
The role of American oligarch Mike Bloomberg in the race also came up in the meeting. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., asked Perez what procedures he had in place to monitor conflicts of interest for the officials he names to key Democratic National Convention committees.
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS … "Joe Biden’s Campaign About Nothing," via POLITICO: Bidenspeak has proved to be [a] colossal failure, imparting no punch, either literal or serious, on Democratic voters eager for a uniting figure. Despite his name recognition, pedigree, legislative acumen, and campaign cash, Biden finished near the New Hampshire cellar … with one of the drabbest, most purposeless campaigns since Harold Stassen flew his colors.
TRUTH IS AN ABSOLUTE DEFENSE … "Dems Want Local Mayor to Resign for Calling Ilhan Omar ‘Anti-Semitic Socialist’," by WFB’s Graham Piro: "Yep, that's me giving Ilhan Omar the key to the city. I didn't know her politics then, nor that she is an anti-Semitic socialist," mayor and congressional candidate Randy Henderson says in the advertisement. "Watching that now makes me sick." …
The chairwoman of the Lee County Democrats called on Henderson to resign from the mayorship, calling the advertisement inappropriate and shocking.
DARE TO DREAM … "Moderate Democrats Fear Bernie Sanders Could Cost Them the House," via NYT: Few are eager to publicly articulate their fears of a Sanders nomination, reluctant to call attention to the divisions within their party or risk alienating a potential nominee, but several of them privately described a sense of foreboding that has set in over the past two weeks as Sanders has emerged as the top finisher in the first two contests of the Democratic race.
"There is a growing concern among especially those of us on the front lines that we will not only lose the White House but the House of Representatives," one of them said in an interview, insisting on anonymity.
NEWSFLASH: KILLING TERRORISTS POPULAR … "Poll: Majority of Swing State Voters Approve of Trump’s Killing of Soleimani," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: While 2020 Democratic presidential contenders have largely criticized the decision to take out [Qassem] Soleimani, a majority of voters in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania said they backed the Trump administration's action, according to a poll conducted by the America First Action PAC, a pro-Trump organization led by Linda McMahon.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES … "Education Department Investigating Harvard, Yale Over Foreign Funding," via WSJ: The Education Department opened investigations into Harvard and Yale as part of a continuing review that has found U.S. universities failed to report at least $6.5 billion in foreign funding from countries such as China and Saudi Arabia, according to department materials viewed by the Wall Street Journal.
LOW BLOW … "NYT Writer Accuses Dem Rep of Being Bought by Bloomberg," by WFB’s Cameron Cawthorne: New York Times columnist Charles Blow on Wednesday accused Rep. Lucy McBath (D., Ga.) of being bought for her endorsement of Michael Bloomberg for president.
"Everyone has a price. EVERYONE," Blow said in a now-deleted tweet.
CHASER … "Bloomberg Gave a Liberal Group $5 Million. Its Political Director Just Called Him a ‘True Terrorist’ Over Stop and Frisk.," by WFB’s Brent Scher: A top official for a liberal group that last year received a $5 million donation from Michael Bloomberg recently called the billionaire Democratic presidential candidate a "true terrorist."
Andre Fields is the political director for Fair Fight Action, a voting rights focused group launched by failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
JUSTICE FOR JUICY … "New Smollett indictment may shape Cook County State’s Attorney’s race," via WGN: Last year, [Jussie] Smollett claimed he was the target of a racial and homophobic crime, but then he was charged after police said he paid two brothers to stage the attack. Three weeks later, Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx dropped the charges.
Foxx’s campaign is questioning the timing of the indictment [by the special prosecutor], saying it feels like a politicization of the justice system …
It was revealed [Foxx] had contact with a Smollett relative and former aide to Michelle Obama while the case was active.
GO TO CLASS … "Student Activists Demand UChicago Divest From Israel," by Matthew Pinna for the WFB: Students affiliated with the University of Chicago’s chapter of IfNotNow … briefly gathered outside the school's main administration building on Monday to call for the full disclosure of the university’s investments in Israel …
The new campaign is representative of broadening anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses, where the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which aims to economically isolate the world’s only Jewish state over its alleged human rights violations, has gained traction.
WE DON’T SEE DEAD PEOPLE … "Liberal Groups and High-Powered Lawyers Swarm Detroit to Keep Dead Voters on Rolls," by WFB’s Joe Schoffstall: Liberal groups and high-powered New York attorneys swooped into Detroit this week to help the city fight a lawsuit over its voter roll irregularities, which included thousands of deceased individuals appearing on the rolls.
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 4. Welcome back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-02-14--Man With ‘Endorse Bernie Already’ Sign Removed From Warren Event

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren was met in Arlington , Va. , Thursday night with a sign encouraging her to endorse rival Bernie Sanders , who has outpaced her in both of the first two primary states .
The man holding the sign urging Warren to `` endorse Bernie already '' was removed from the Warren campaign event , according to CNN reporter Daniella Diaz , who said it was because the sign was blocking media cameras .
Warren 's support has plummeted since she was leading national polls in October .
Her campaign recently cut more than $ 1.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Carolina after she failed to get out of the single digits in Tuesday 's New Hampshire primary .
Warren placed fourth in the Granite State , which neighbors her home state of Massachusetts , and received no delegates .
Sanders , meanwhile , received the most votes in both Iowa and New Hampshire , and has emerged as the primary 's frontrunner .
Warren became the first presidential candidate , however , to visit Virginia following the two early primary contests .
The Virginia primary will be held on March 3 @

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren was met in Arlington, Va., Thursday night with a sign encouraging her to endorse rival Bernie Sanders, who has outpaced her in both of the first two primary states.
The man holding the sign urging Warren to "endorse Bernie already" was removed from the Warren campaign event, according to CNN reporter Daniella Diaz, who said it was because the sign was blocking media cameras.
Someone is holding a sign that says "endorse Bernie already" in the audience. pic.twitter.com/y4Cyai1OoU — Daniella Díaz (@DaniellaMicaela) February 14, 2020
Warren's support has plummeted since she was leading national polls in October. Her campaign recently cut more than $1.2 million worth of television ads in Nevada and South Carolina after she failed to get out of the single digits in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary. Warren placed fourth in the Granite State, which neighbors her home state of Massachusetts, and received no delegates.
Sanders, meanwhile, received the most votes in both Iowa and New Hampshire, and has emerged as the primary's frontrunner.
Warren became the first presidential candidate, however, to visit Virginia following the two early primary contests. The Virginia primary will be held on March 3.