freebeacon--2020-02-05--D.C. Metro Angers Industry by Refusing Gun Safety Ad

Washington , D.C. 's Metro transit agency rejected ads promoting a gun-safety campaign , sparking accusations of bias from the industry .
The agency refused to run an ad from the National Shooting Sports Foundation ( NSSF ) that highlighted the industry 's commitment `` to make communities safer . ''
The agency told the group the ad violated its guidelines but did not elaborate on any particular violation , according to an email obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
The trade group said the decision is politically motivated .
`` There 's nothing controversial in the ad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , it 's just another blatant example of bias against the firearms industry . ''
A Metro spokesman declined to comment on the episode or NSSF 's accusations of bias .
`` We are unable to comment beyond the guidelines with regard to any specific advertisement or submission , '' spokesman Ian Jannetta said .
The rejection of the ad is the latest in a series of controversies around Metro 's advertising practices .
The transit agency has been sued repeatedly in recent years for rejected ads , including an ACLU poster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment , as well as a picture of a Christmas scene submitted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington .
The trade group has encountered similar resistance from other venues in the nation 's capital .
When NSSF attempted to spread the word about a 2014 program that provided free gun locks to owners , executives at Reagan National Airport rejected the advertisement .
The airport cited the program 's logo—a drawing of a gun with a lock installed on it—in its decision , according to Keane .
`` This is not the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bias in the D.C. area , '' he said .
NSSF said Metro 's new rejection of its gun-safety campaign raised concerns on multiple levels .
While the agency reserves the discretion to review ads , Keane said the rejection amounted to censorship .
`` You have a quasi-government agency suppressing First Amendment speech on Second Amendment issues , '' Keane said .
The proposed Metro ad promoted the website NSSFRealSolutions.org .
The site details the industry 's initiatives to distribute free gun locks , increase security measures at gun stores , prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records reported to the gun background check system , and prevent suicides .
Many of those programs enjoy bipartisan support and are carried out in cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms , and Explosives or receive grant support from the Department of Justice .
Metro said the ad violated guidelines that ban advocacy for or against an `` industry position or goal '' and trying to influence people `` on an issue on which there are varying opinions . ''
NSSF said it was unsatisfied with Metro 's explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educate the public , '' Keane said .
`` It does n't say anything other than we 're making communities safer . ''
The group said it plans to place its `` Real Solutions '' ad campaign in other venues around D.C .
The group does not intend to buy any more space on the Metro .
`` I do n't think they would take any ad that we would offer , '' Keane said .
`` It 's disappointing because it undermines public safety . ''

'You have a quasi-government agency suppressing First Amendment speech on Second Amendment issues'
Washington, D.C.'s Metro transit agency rejected ads promoting a gun-safety campaign, sparking accusations of bias from the industry.
The agency refused to run an ad from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that highlighted the industry's commitment "to make communities safer." The agency told the group the ad violated its guidelines but did not elaborate on any particular violation, according to an email obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The trade group said the decision is politically motivated.
"There's nothing controversial in the ad," spokesman Larry Keane said. "So, it's just another blatant example of bias against the firearms industry."
A Metro spokesman declined to comment on the episode or NSSF's accusations of bias.
"We are unable to comment beyond the guidelines with regard to any specific advertisement or submission," spokesman Ian Jannetta said.
The rejection of the ad is the latest in a series of controversies around Metro's advertising practices. The transit agency has been sued repeatedly in recent years for rejected ads, including an ACLU poster that featured the text of the First Amendment, as well as a picture of a Christmas scene submitted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
The trade group has encountered similar resistance from other venues in the nation's capital. When NSSF attempted to spread the word about a 2014 program that provided free gun locks to owners, executives at Reagan National Airport rejected the advertisement. The airport cited the program's logo—a drawing of a gun with a lock installed on it—in its decision, according to Keane.
"This is not the first time we've encountered this sort of bias in the D.C. area," he said.
NSSF said Metro's new rejection of its gun-safety campaign raised concerns on multiple levels. While the agency reserves the discretion to review ads, Keane said the rejection amounted to censorship.
"You have a quasi-government agency suppressing First Amendment speech on Second Amendment issues," Keane said.
The proposed Metro ad promoted the website NSSFRealSolutions.org. The site details the industry's initiatives to distribute free gun locks, increase security measures at gun stores, prevent straw purchases, improve the number of records reported to the gun background check system, and prevent suicides. Many of those programs enjoy bipartisan support and are carried out in cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives or receive grant support from the Department of Justice.
Metro said the ad violated guidelines that ban advocacy for or against an "industry position or goal" and trying to influence people "on an issue on which there are varying opinions."
NSSF said it was unsatisfied with Metro's explanation.
"The ad simply sought to educate the public," Keane said. "It doesn't say anything other than we're making communities safer."
The group said it plans to place its "Real Solutions" ad campaign in other venues around D.C. The group does not intend to buy any more space on the Metro.
"I don't think they would take any ad that we would offer," Keane said. "It's disappointing because it undermines public safety."


freebeacon--2020-02-05--How Democrats Stalled Out at Their Starting Line Caucus

In the wake of its tumultuous , violence-wracked 1968 convention , the Democratic Party promised a series of reforms to make its nominating process more open and inclusive .
In 1972 , Iowa became the first state to hold a Democratic caucus .
The Republicans followed suit in 1976 , and for the past half century , the Hawkeye state has every four years played home to the first-in-the-nation contest .
On Monday evening , all was thought to be normal with Iowa 's 13th caucuses .
But as the expected deadline for the release of initial results passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Iowa Democratic Party ( IDP ) announced that it had found `` inconsistencies '' in the reported results ; by Tuesday afternoon , it had only released a little more than half of the results .
As of this writing , we still do n't fully know who won .
For some time , it appeared to be either Senator Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) or former mayor Pete Buttigieg , depending on how you count .
The discrepancy has provoked outrage from Sanders supporters , who have labeled Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the results were still untallied .
Two things drove this catastrophic failure .
One was a hastily assembled app built by a firm with deep connections to the Democratic establishment .
The other was a set of rule changes meant to heal the wounds of 2016 that instead opened them anew .
Both failures reveal a Democratic Party far less rejuvenated from its 2016 defeat than it claimed to be—and therefore far more likely to receive another clobbering come November .
How The Caucuses Were Supposed to Work… The Iowa Democratic caucuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even their Republican counterpart , which is conducted by secret ballot .
They work like this : Voters get together ( e.g.
, in their local high school gym ) and sort themselves into groups by which eligible candidate they support , expressing their `` first preference . ''
If a candidate 's group commands less than 15 percent of the room , the voters in that group move to one of the still `` viable '' candidates , resulting in `` final preference . ''
A mathematical formula converts `` final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' ( SDEs ) —roughly , that precinct 's share of the delegates Iowa will send to the statewide nominating convention that will in turn pick the state 's 41 delegates for the DNC .
That is how it works in theory , and what everyone expected Monday night .
Drew McCoy , president of the election tracking firm Decision Desk HQ , told the Washington Free Beacon that his colleagues had expected results around 7 p.m. CST .
But , after hours of waiting , nothing was coming through .
`` One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have been going as planned was when the satellite caucus totals didn ’ t show up fairly early on , '' McCoy said .
`` Some of them had been conducted hours before and the numbers were floating around social media from reporters who had been in the room at the time . ''
McCoy said that although the caucuses were clearly closing down , no data was flowing .
As the hours wore on , it became apparent that something had gone wrong .
`` Unfortunately , as the night moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was clear the Iowa Democrats were dealing with a worst-case scenario . ''
The IDP eventually announced that it had found `` inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results '' —meaning that figures for first preference , final preference , and SDEs were not lining up .
Party officials said they would therefore need to confirm the data to ascertain where the issue had been .
The party worked to confirm initial figures and on Tuesday afternoon finally released 62 percent of the tally .
The results were to no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 26.9 percent of state delegate equivalents , Sanders had a narrow lead on the final preference total , 28,220 votes to Buttigieg 's 27,030 .
… And How They Didn't Monday evening 's problems resulted from two changes the IDP made .
First , in past years , the party only reported SDEs ; this year it reported first preference , final preference , and SDE tallies .
Importantly , because of the weighting of precincts , the SDE winner and final preference winner do n't need to be the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one metric and Sanders by another .
Second , the IDP opted to collect these data by telling precinct volunteers to submit results through an app .
That 's where things went south .
The IDP contracted with an outside firm—Shadow Inc.—to build the app in less than two months .
The app was barely tested ( the IDP rebuffed offers from the Department of Homeland Security to help with testing ) , hard to download , and confusing to use , with volunteers spending hours trying to file their results to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a `` coding issue '' was causing the app to report the wrong results .
Shadow has since publicly apologized .
But the error has attracted unwanted attention to the company 's ties to national Democratic leaders .
Shadow bills itself as a Democrat-aligned tech firm , so named because `` we see ourselves as building a long-term , side-by-side ‘ Shadow ' of tech infrastructure to the Democratic Party and the progressive community at large . ''
It proudly notes that its employees have worked for both Hillary Clinton and Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the AFL-CIO and the DNC , a claim supported by LinkedIn pages .
Shadow 's ties to the Democratic Party establishment do not stop there .
The company was acquired in 2019 by ACRONYM , a nonprofit/PAC conglomerate run by Democratic ad maven Tara McGowan .
ACRONYM previously made headlines for creating `` local '' news sites in key swing states that pushed pro-Democrat talking points in their articles .
ACRONYM has sought to distance itself from Shadow , claiming to have only `` invested '' in the firm and scrubbing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACRONYM share a street address , as well as at least one high-level employee : Shadow CEO and former ACRONYM COO Gerard Niemira .
( In the wake of the Iowa catastrophe , ACRONYM is seeking a new chief of staff . )
ACRONYM is tied up in the web of establishment Democratic dark money .
As the Free Beacon reported , the group 's nonprofit arm has received funding from PACs affiliated with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) and 2020 presidential contender Tom Steyer .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steven Spielberg , liberal billionaire George Soros , and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman , who helped `` rehab '' deceased child molester Jeffrey Epstein 's public image in 2015 .
All of this may have nothing to do with Monday 's meltdown .
But the close ties between ACRONYM , Shadow , and establishment Democrats have further infuriated the party 's left wing and contributed to discontent among Sanders supporters in particular .
Multiple Sanders voters who were at caucuses on Monday claimed they saw evidence of bias against the Vermont senator .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole process has been a fraud for 100 years , '' while Sanders himself told supporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday , `` this was not a good night for democracy . ''
Such objections mirror the 2016 Democratic caucus , when missing results and other irregularities caused Sanders 's supporters to cry foul .
While this year human error is a far more likely explanation than establishment interference , the Iowa catastrophe has mostly worked to further entrench the progressive-moderate feud that began in 2016 .
That 's ironic , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of changes meant to bring the party together .
The 2016 Iowa caucus was one of the closest contests in a hard-fought Democratic primary .
Hillary Clinton beat Sanders by just 0.3 percent—a percentage of state delegate equivalents , not of actual votes cast .
Sanders at the time raised the question of whether he won the `` popular vote , '' just as he appears to have done in 2020 .
The sense that the primary was rigged against Sanders was part of what drove at least 10 percent of his supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Responding to this internal strife , the Democratic Party launched a Unity Reform Commission ( URC ) to recommend changes to the nominating process .
One of the proposals in the URC 's 30-page report ?
Release not just SDEs , but first and final preference votes .
In other words , reforms implemented to heal the Bernie-Clinton divide further embittered everyone involved .
Without the URC , there is no reporting of all three figures ; without reporting , there 's no inconsistency in the precinct reports ; without inconsistency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no accusations of fraud , and no additional anger at the final result .
The primary can only grow more acrimonious in the coming rush of primaries .
Sanders is expected to win New Hampshire and Nevada , while Joe Biden is still holding out hope of clinching his first-ever primary win in South Carolina .
With Buttigieg appearing more viable than expected , the contest could drag out into June and even to the convention—all of which is good news for Donald Trump .
As for the Iowa caucus , Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democratic partisans have slammed the system in recent days , calling for it to end and labeling it `` the perfect example of systemic racism . ''
As Politico ‘ s Tim Alberta put it Tuesday : `` Iowa ’ s reign is over . ''

In the wake of its tumultuous, violence-wracked 1968 convention, the Democratic Party promised a series of reforms to make its nominating process more open and inclusive. In 1972, Iowa became the first state to hold a Democratic caucus. The Republicans followed suit in 1976, and for the past half century, the Hawkeye state has every four years played home to the first-in-the-nation contest.
On Monday evening, all was thought to be normal with Iowa's 13th caucuses. But as the expected deadline for the release of initial results passed, it became apparent something was wrong. The Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) announced that it had found "inconsistencies" in the reported results; by Tuesday afternoon, it had only released a little more than half of the results.
As of this writing, we still don't fully know who won. For some time, it appeared to be either Senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) or former mayor Pete Buttigieg, depending on how you count. The discrepancy has provoked outrage from Sanders supporters, who have labeled Buttigieg "mayor cheat" for declaring victory when the results were still untallied.
Two things drove this catastrophic failure. One was a hastily assembled app built by a firm with deep connections to the Democratic establishment. The other was a set of rule changes meant to heal the wounds of 2016 that instead opened them anew. Both failures reveal a Democratic Party far less rejuvenated from its 2016 defeat than it claimed to be—and therefore far more likely to receive another clobbering come November.
How The Caucuses Were Supposed to Work...
The Iowa Democratic caucuses are unlike primaries in other states, or even their Republican counterpart, which is conducted by secret ballot. They work like this: Voters get together (e.g., in their local high school gym) and sort themselves into groups by which eligible candidate they support, expressing their "first preference." If a candidate's group commands less than 15 percent of the room, the voters in that group move to one of the still "viable" candidates, resulting in "final preference." A mathematical formula converts "final preference" into "state delegate equivalents" (SDEs)—roughly, that precinct's share of the delegates Iowa will send to the statewide nominating convention that will in turn pick the state's 41 delegates for the DNC.
That is how it works in theory, and what everyone expected Monday night. Drew McCoy, president of the election tracking firm Decision Desk HQ, told the Washington Free Beacon that his colleagues had expected results around 7 p.m. CST. But, after hours of waiting, nothing was coming through.
"One of the early signs that things might not have been going as planned was when the satellite caucus totals didn’t show up fairly early on," McCoy said. "Some of them had been conducted hours before and the numbers were floating around social media from reporters who had been in the room at the time."
McCoy said that although the caucuses were clearly closing down, no data was flowing. As the hours wore on, it became apparent that something had gone wrong.
"Unfortunately, as the night moved on," McCoy said, "it was clear the Iowa Democrats were dealing with a worst-case scenario."
The IDP eventually announced that it had found "inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results"—meaning that figures for first preference, final preference, and SDEs were not lining up. Party officials said they would therefore need to confirm the data to ascertain where the issue had been.
The party worked to confirm initial figures and on Tuesday afternoon finally released 62 percent of the tally. The results were to no one's liking: while Buttigieg led with 26.9 percent of state delegate equivalents, Sanders had a narrow lead on the final preference total, 28,220 votes to Buttigieg's 27,030.
… And How They Didn't
Monday evening's problems resulted from two changes the IDP made. First, in past years, the party only reported SDEs; this year it reported first preference, final preference, and SDE tallies. Importantly, because of the weighting of precincts, the SDE winner and final preference winner don't need to be the same, which is how Buttigieg was winning by one metric and Sanders by another. Second, the IDP opted to collect these data by telling precinct volunteers to submit results through an app.
That's where things went south. The IDP contracted with an outside firm—Shadow Inc.—to build the app in less than two months. The app was barely tested (the IDP rebuffed offers from the Department of Homeland Security to help with testing), hard to download, and confusing to use, with volunteers spending hours trying to file their results to the party. Eventually, the IDP concluded that a "coding issue" was causing the app to report the wrong results.
Shadow has since publicly apologized. But the error has attracted unwanted attention to the company's ties to national Democratic leaders.
Shadow bills itself as a Democrat-aligned tech firm, so named because "we see ourselves as building a long-term, side-by-side 'Shadow' of tech infrastructure to the Democratic Party and the progressive community at large." It proudly notes that its employees have worked for both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, as well as the AFL-CIO and the DNC, a claim supported by LinkedIn pages.
Shadow's ties to the Democratic Party establishment do not stop there. The company was acquired in 2019 by ACRONYM, a nonprofit/PAC conglomerate run by Democratic ad maven Tara McGowan. ACRONYM previously made headlines for creating "local" news sites in key swing states that pushed pro-Democrat talking points in their articles.
ACRONYM has sought to distance itself from Shadow, claiming to have only "invested" in the firm and scrubbing its website of references. But Shadow and ACRONYM share a street address, as well as at least one high-level employee: Shadow CEO and former ACRONYM COO Gerard Niemira. (In the wake of the Iowa catastrophe, ACRONYM is seeking a new chief of staff.)
ACRONYM is tied up in the web of establishment Democratic dark money. As the Free Beacon reported, the group's nonprofit arm has received funding from PACs affiliated with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) and 2020 presidential contender Tom Steyer. Its PAC also took in funds from director Steven Spielberg, liberal billionaire George Soros, and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, who helped "rehab" deceased child molester Jeffrey Epstein's public image in 2015.
All of this may have nothing to do with Monday's meltdown. But the close ties between ACRONYM, Shadow, and establishment Democrats have further infuriated the party's left wing and contributed to discontent among Sanders supporters in particular. Multiple Sanders voters who were at caucuses on Monday claimed they saw evidence of bias against the Vermont senator. Sanders adviser Jeff Weaver said Monday "the whole process has been a fraud for 100 years," while Sanders himself told supporters in New Hampshire on Tuesday, "this was not a good night for democracy."
The Democrats' Civil War Trudges On
Such objections mirror the 2016 Democratic caucus, when missing results and other irregularities caused Sanders's supporters to cry foul. While this year human error is a far more likely explanation than establishment interference, the Iowa catastrophe has mostly worked to further entrench the progressive-moderate feud that began in 2016. That's ironic, because the meltdown itself was largely a product of changes meant to bring the party together.
The 2016 Iowa caucus was one of the closest contests in a hard-fought Democratic primary. Hillary Clinton beat Sanders by just 0.3 percent—a percentage of state delegate equivalents, not of actual votes cast. Sanders at the time raised the question of whether he won the "popular vote," just as he appears to have done in 2020.
The sense that the primary was rigged against Sanders was part of what drove at least 10 percent of his supporters to President Donald Trump in the general election. Responding to this internal strife, the Democratic Party launched a Unity Reform Commission (URC) to recommend changes to the nominating process. One of the proposals in the URC's 30-page report? Release not just SDEs, but first and final preference votes.
In other words, reforms implemented to heal the Bernie-Clinton divide further embittered everyone involved. Without the URC, there is no reporting of all three figures; without reporting, there's no inconsistency in the precinct reports; without inconsistency, there's no delay on Monday, no accusations of fraud, and no additional anger at the final result.
The primary can only grow more acrimonious in the coming rush of primaries. Sanders is expected to win New Hampshire and Nevada, while Joe Biden is still holding out hope of clinching his first-ever primary win in South Carolina. With Buttigieg appearing more viable than expected, the contest could drag out into June and even to the convention—all of which is good news for Donald Trump.
As for the Iowa caucus, Monday night may have been its death knell. Democratic partisans have slammed the system in recent days, calling for it to end and labeling it "the perfect example of systemic racism." As Politico's Tim Alberta put it Tuesday: "Iowa’s reign is over."


freebeacon--2020-02-05--N.Y. Justice Democrat Touts Endorsement From Anti-Israel BDS Activists

A New York City congressional candidate backed by the same progressive group that helped elect Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) touted an endorsement from anti-Israel activists who routinely defend instances of anti-Semitism .
Jamaal Bowman , a progressive Democrat running to unseat incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel ( D. , N.Y. ) , embraced The Jewish Vote , a far-left group aiming to `` harness the power of the progressive Jewish resistance , '' at a January rally .
Though the group has claimed neutrality toward the anti-Israel Boycott , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership regularly voices support for BDS , defends progressives who make anti-Semitic remarks , and likens Israel to Nazi Germany .
`` The state of Israel is doing the same thing to Palestinians as was done to Jewish people , '' The Jewish Vote steering committee member Elana Levin said in May .
Despite the organization 's history , Bowman said he was `` incredibly proud to work with The Jewish Vote to take on anti-Semitism '' in the group 's press release announcing the endorsement .
The Jewish Vote , which made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its announcement of the Bowman endorsement , employs `` deceptive tactics '' to distract from its anti-Israel stance , according to Josh Block , a former aide in the Clinton White House .
`` More than just offensive politically , it is the deceptive tactics being practiced by these groups and their stooges and stage-managed ‘ candidates ' that are intended to deceive and whitewash their anti-Israel , anti-Jewish , anti-Semitic ideas , positions , partnerships , and true purpose , which is to undermine the Jewish State and America 's only steadfast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Block told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` That should be a klaxon warning of how truly toxic are such groups and those who affiliate [ with ] them . ''
The Bowman campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Bowman is not the only Democratic candidate who has embraced anti-Israel activists on the campaign trail .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
in December touted the endorsement of John Dabeet , an extreme anti-Israel advocate who called Palestinian terrorist Yasser Arafat an `` immortal leader .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vt. ) has deployed numerous anti-Israel activists as top surrogates for his campaign , including former Women 's March co-chair Linda Sarsour .
The Jewish Vote , the electoral arm of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice ( JFREJ ) , has a history of backing pro-BDS candidates .
In 2019 , the organization supported Tiffany Cabán , a failed district attorney candidate who faced criticism from Jewish leaders after she accepted an endorsement from Sarsour and refused to condemn BDS .
It also backed Julia Salazar , a New York state senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though The Jewish Vote described Salazar as `` an immigrant , Jewish woman of color , '' a 2018 Tablet report revealed that Salazar was born in Miami and was a campus leader of Christians United for Israel in college .
The Jewish Vote 's co-founder , Sanders delegate Rafael Shimunov , has publicly supported BDS .
Shimunov praised electronic musician Shlohmo for canceling a concert in Israel , saying that `` Palestinian civil society '' asks `` Jews and Americans '' to boycott Israel , adding `` it 's extremely powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Another JFREJ staffer characterized BDS as not `` inherently antisemitic , '' a position contradicted by the Anti-Defamation League ( ADL ) , a watchdog group that combats anti-Semitism .
The ADL considers `` many of the founding goals of BDS '' to be anti-Semitic and has called the movement `` the most prominent effort to undermine Israel 's existence . ''
Shimunov also reflects The Jewish Vote 's tendency to defend progressive Palestinian activists who make anti-Semitic statements .
When D.C. city councilman Trayon White Sr. ( D. ) blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews , accused Jews of controlling the World Bank and U.S. government , and donated to a Nation of Islam event where anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan denounced Jews , Shimunov rushed to his defense , claiming White was the `` object of a huge character assassination '' because he represents `` America 's poorest children . ''
The Jewish Vote has defended former Women 's March board members Sarsour and Zahra Billoo over anti-Semitic comments .
Sarsour called the Muslim Brotherhood , a group committed to instituting Sharia law , the `` coolest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said , `` Nothing is creepier than Zionism . ''
Billoo has claimed that Israel `` commits war crimes and terrorism as a hobby , '' referred to Israel as `` an apartheid , racist state , '' and refused to denounce `` jihad , khilafah or sharia . ''
When Sarsour and Billoo were removed from the Women 's March leadership , leaders from The Jewish Vote rallied to their defense .
Committee member and co-founder Katie Unger , who spoke at Bowman 's endorsement rally , called Sarsour `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Billoo 's removal was a `` smear . ''
Levin followed suit , calling Sarsour `` amazing . ''
The Jewish Vote executive director Audrey Sasson said Sarsour is `` not the problem . ''
The Jewish Vote has also worked with radical anti-Israel groups through its sister organization .
JFREJ co-founders Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark and Donna Nevel have collaborated with Jewish Voice for Peace , a pro-BDS organization that hosted a convicted Palestinian terrorist as a keynote speaker at the group 's 2017 conference .
Bowman 's embrace of The Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats and anti-Israel progressives .
Engel , Bowman 's Democratic opponent , is staunchly pro-Israel and defended anti-BDS legislation in 2018 .
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) condemned BDS in 2018 , calling it anti-Semitic and a `` profoundly biased campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel . ''
`` When there is such a double standard , when the world treats everybody one way and the Jew or the Jewish state another way , there 's only one word for it : anti-Semitism !
Let us call out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Schumer said .
The Jewish Vote did not respond to a request for comment .

A New York City congressional candidate backed by the same progressive group that helped elect Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) touted an endorsement from anti-Israel activists who routinely defend instances of anti-Semitism.
Jamaal Bowman, a progressive Democrat running to unseat incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.), embraced The Jewish Vote, a far-left group aiming to "harness the power of the progressive Jewish resistance," at a January rally. Though the group has claimed neutrality toward the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, its leadership regularly voices support for BDS, defends progressives who make anti-Semitic remarks, and likens Israel to Nazi Germany.
"The state of Israel is doing the same thing to Palestinians as was done to Jewish people," The Jewish Vote steering committee member Elana Levin said in May.
Despite the organization's history, Bowman said he was "incredibly proud to work with The Jewish Vote to take on anti-Semitism" in the group's press release announcing the endorsement.
The Jewish Vote, which made no mention of Middle East policy in its announcement of the Bowman endorsement, employs "deceptive tactics" to distract from its anti-Israel stance, according to Josh Block, a former aide in the Clinton White House.
"More than just offensive politically, it is the deceptive tactics being practiced by these groups and their stooges and stage-managed 'candidates' that are intended to deceive and whitewash their anti-Israel, anti-Jewish, anti-Semitic ideas, positions, partnerships, and true purpose, which is to undermine the Jewish State and America's only steadfast ally in the Middle East," Block told the Washington Free Beacon. "That should be a klaxon warning of how truly toxic are such groups and those who affiliate [with] them."
The Bowman campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Bowman is not the only Democratic candidate who has embraced anti-Israel activists on the campaign trail. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) in December touted the endorsement of John Dabeet, an extreme anti-Israel advocate who called Palestinian terrorist Yasser Arafat an "immortal leader." Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has deployed numerous anti-Israel activists as top surrogates for his campaign, including former Women's March co-chair Linda Sarsour.
The Jewish Vote, the electoral arm of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), has a history of backing pro-BDS candidates. In 2019, the organization supported Tiffany Cabán, a failed district attorney candidate who faced criticism from Jewish leaders after she accepted an endorsement from Sarsour and refused to condemn BDS. It also backed Julia Salazar, a New York state senator and former JFREJ staffer who supports BDS. Though The Jewish Vote described Salazar as "an immigrant, Jewish woman of color," a 2018 Tablet report revealed that Salazar was born in Miami and was a campus leader of Christians United for Israel in college.
The Jewish Vote's co-founder, Sanders delegate Rafael Shimunov, has publicly supported BDS. Shimunov praised electronic musician Shlohmo for canceling a concert in Israel, saying that "Palestinian civil society" asks "Jews and Americans" to boycott Israel, adding "it's extremely powerful to be the fullest allies that way."
Another JFREJ staffer characterized BDS as not "inherently antisemitic," a position contradicted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a watchdog group that combats anti-Semitism. The ADL considers "many of the founding goals of BDS" to be anti-Semitic and has called the movement "the most prominent effort to undermine Israel's existence."
Shimunov also reflects The Jewish Vote's tendency to defend progressive Palestinian activists who make anti-Semitic statements. When D.C. city councilman Trayon White Sr. (D.) blamed snowfall in the nation's capital on Jews, accused Jews of controlling the World Bank and U.S. government, and donated to a Nation of Islam event where anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan denounced Jews, Shimunov rushed to his defense, claiming White was the "object of a huge character assassination" because he represents "America's poorest children."
The Jewish Vote has defended former Women's March board members Sarsour and Zahra Billoo over anti-Semitic comments. Sarsour called the Muslim Brotherhood, a group committed to instituting Sharia law, the "coolest," praised the Nation of Islam, and said, "Nothing is creepier than Zionism." Billoo has claimed that Israel "commits war crimes and terrorism as a hobby," referred to Israel as "an apartheid, racist state," and refused to denounce "jihad, khilafah or sharia."
When Sarsour and Billoo were removed from the Women's March leadership, leaders from The Jewish Vote rallied to their defense. Committee member and co-founder Katie Unger, who spoke at Bowman's endorsement rally, called Sarsour "a true ally against anti-Semitism" and said Billoo's removal was a "smear." Levin followed suit, calling Sarsour "amazing." The Jewish Vote executive director Audrey Sasson said Sarsour is "not the problem."
The Jewish Vote has also worked with radical anti-Israel groups through its sister organization. JFREJ co-founders Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark and Donna Nevel have collaborated with Jewish Voice for Peace, a pro-BDS organization that hosted a convicted Palestinian terrorist as a keynote speaker at the group's 2017 conference.
Bowman's embrace of The Jewish Vote reflects the division between pro-Israel establishment Democrats and anti-Israel progressives. Engel, Bowman's Democratic opponent, is staunchly pro-Israel and defended anti-BDS legislation in 2018. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) condemned BDS in 2018, calling it anti-Semitic and a "profoundly biased campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel."
"When there is such a double standard, when the world treats everybody one way and the Jew or the Jewish state another way, there's only one word for it: anti-Semitism! Let us call out the BDS movement for what it is," Schumer said.
The Jewish Vote did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Senate Acquits Trump of Articles of Impeachment

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – President Donald Trump was acquitted on Wednesday in his U.S. Senate impeachment trial , saved by fellow Republicans who rallied to protect him nine months before he asks voters in a deeply divided America to give him a second White House term .
The businessman-turned-politician , 73 , survived only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history – just like the two other impeached presidents – in his turbulent presidency ’ s darkest chapter .
Trump now plunges into an election season that promises to further polarize the country .
Trump was acquitted largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment approved by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on Dec. 18 , with the votes falling far short of the two-thirds majority required in the 100-seat Senate to remove him under the U.S. Constitution .
The Senate voted 52-48 to acquit him of abuse of power stemming from his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Joe Biden , a contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election .
Republican Senator Mitt Romney joined the Democrats in voting to convict .
No Democrat voted to acquit .
The Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstruction of Congress by blocking witnesses and documents sought by the House .
A conviction on either count would have elevated Vice President Mike Pence , another Republican , into the presidency .
Romney joined the rest of the Republican senators in voting to acquit on the obstruction charge .
No Democrat voted to acquit .
On each of the two charges , the senators voted one by one on the Senate floor with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans engineered a stripped-down trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats called the trial a sham and a cover-up .
Trump called the impeachment an attempted coup and a Democratic attempt to annul his 2016 election victory .
Throughout the impeachment drama , Trump and his Republican allies kept up their attacks on Biden ’ s integrity .
It remains to be seen how much political damage that inflicted .
In the first of the state-by-state contests to determine the Democratic challenger to Trump , Biden placed a disappointing fourth in Iowa , according to incomplete results from Monday ’ s voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , smears , distortions and name-calling . ''
Trump faces no serious challengers for his party ’ s presidential nomination .
He is poised to claim the nomination at the party ’ s convention in August and previewed in his State of the Union address on Tuesday campaign themes such as American renewal , economic vitality and hardline immigration policies .
Romney , the 2012 Republican presidential nominee , broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse-of-power charge .
Romney called the president ’ s actions in pressuring Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said Trump was `` guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust . ''
`` What he did was not ‘ perfect , ’ '' Romney said on the Senate floor , as Trump has described his call with Ukraine ’ s president that was at the heart of the scandal .
`` No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security and our fundamental values .
Corrupting an election to keep one ’ s self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I can imagine . ''
Romney , a moderate and elder statesman in his party , paused during his speech as he became choked with emotion after mentioning the importance of his religious faith .
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham lashed out at Democrats , saying : `` What you have done is unleash the partisan forces of hell . ''
Chuck Schumer , the top Senate Democrat , said Trump ’ s acquittal in an unfair trial was worth nothing .
`` No doubt , the president will boast he received total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know this wasn ’ t a trial by any stretch of the definition . ''
In his speech , McConnell said : `` The architects of this impeachment claimed they were defending norms and traditions .
In reality , it was an assault on both . ''
Democrats expressed concern that an acquittal would further embolden a president who already challenges political norms .
They have painted him as threat to U.S. democracy and a demagogue who has acted lawlessly and exhibited a contempt for the powers of Congress and other institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia interfering in another American election .
Trump ’ s legal team offered a vision of nearly unlimited presidential powers , a view Democrats said placed any president above the law .
The acquittal handed Trump his biggest victory yet over his Democratic adversaries in Congress .
Democrats vowed to press ahead with investigations – they are fighting in court for access to his financial records – and voiced hope that the facts unearthed during the impeachment process about his conduct would help persuade voters to make him a one-term president .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairly consistent throughout his presidency and the impeachment process as his core conservative supporters – especially white men , rural Americans , evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics – stick with him .
The trial formally began on Jan. 16 .
The Senate voted 51-49 last Friday to defeat the Democrats ’ bid to call witnesses such as Trump ’ s former national security adviser John Bolton , with only two Republicans joining them .
In the previous presidential impeachment trials , Andrew Johnson was acquitted in 1868 in the aftermath of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1999 of charges stemming from a sex scandal .
In the hours before the vote , numerous senators gave speeches on the Senate floor explaining their vote .
Trump , now seeking a second four-year term , has been under the shadow of some sort of investigation for most of his presidency .
The acquittal marked the second time in 10 months that he withstood an existential threat to his presidency .
In March 2019 , Special Counsel Robert Mueller found insufficient evidence that Trump engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election .
Mueller did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice in seeking to impede the investigation but stopped short of concluding the president acted unlawfully .
Trump declared full vindication .
Last July 25 , Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone call to `` do us a favor '' and open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter Biden and into a discredited theory beneficial to Russia that Ukraine colluded with Democrats to meddle in the 2016 election to harm Trump .
Hunter Biden had joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while his father was U.S. vice president .
Trump accused the Bidens of corruption without offering substantiation .
The Bidens denied wrongdoing .
Democrats said Trump further abused his power by withholding $ 391 million in security aid approved by Congress to help Ukraine battle Russia-backed separatists and by dangling a coveted White House meeting as leverage to pressure Zelenskiy to announce the investigations .
Under the Constitution , impeachment is the mechanism for removing a president or certain other federal officials for `` treason , bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Cowan , Lisa Lambert , David Morgan , Patricia Zengerle and Makini Brice ; Writing by Will Dunham ; Editing by Paul Simao and Peter Cooney

By David Morgan, Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan, Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump was acquitted on Wednesday in his U.S. Senate impeachment trial, saved by fellow Republicans who rallied to protect him nine months before he asks voters in a deeply divided America to give him a second White House term.
The businessman-turned-politician, 73, survived only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history - just like the two other impeached presidents - in his turbulent presidency’s darkest chapter. Trump now plunges into an election season that promises to further polarize the country.
Trump was acquitted largely along party lines on two articles of impeachment approved by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on Dec. 18, with the votes falling far short of the two-thirds majority required in the 100-seat Senate to remove him under the U.S. Constitution.
The Senate voted 52-48 to acquit him of abuse of power stemming from his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Joe Biden, a contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. Republican Senator Mitt Romney joined the Democrats in voting to convict. No Democrat voted to acquit.
The Senate then voted 53-47 to acquit him of obstruction of Congress by blocking witnesses and documents sought by the House. A conviction on either count would have elevated Vice President Mike Pence, another Republican, into the presidency. Romney joined the rest of the Republican senators in voting to acquit on the obstruction charge. No Democrat voted to acquit.
On each of the two charges, the senators voted one by one on the Senate floor with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans engineered a stripped-down trial with no witnesses or new evidence. Democrats called the trial a sham and a cover-up. Trump called the impeachment an attempted coup and a Democratic attempt to annul his 2016 election victory.
Throughout the impeachment drama, Trump and his Republican allies kept up their attacks on Biden’s integrity. It remains to be seen how much political damage that inflicted. In the first of the state-by-state contests to determine the Democratic challenger to Trump, Biden placed a disappointing fourth in Iowa, according to incomplete results from Monday’s voting. Biden has accused Trump of "lies, smears, distortions and name-calling."
‘APPALLING ABUSE’
Trump faces no serious challengers for his party’s presidential nomination. He is poised to claim the nomination at the party’s convention in August and previewed in his State of the Union address on Tuesday campaign themes such as American renewal, economic vitality and hardline immigration policies.
Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse-of-power charge. Romney called the president’s actions in pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden "grievously wrong" and said Trump was "guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust."
"What he did was not ‘perfect,’" Romney said on the Senate floor, as Trump has described his call with Ukraine’s president that was at the heart of the scandal. "No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep one’s self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine."
Romney, a moderate and elder statesman in his party, paused during his speech as he became choked with emotion after mentioning the importance of his religious faith.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham lashed out at Democrats, saying: "What you have done is unleash the partisan forces of hell."
Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat, said Trump’s acquittal in an unfair trial was worth nothing.
"No doubt, the president will boast he received total exoneration. But we know better. We know this wasn’t a trial by any stretch of the definition."
In his speech, McConnell said: "The architects of this impeachment claimed they were defending norms and traditions. In reality, it was an assault on both."
BIGGEST VICTORY YET
Democrats expressed concern that an acquittal would further embolden a president who already challenges political norms. They have painted him as threat to U.S. democracy and a demagogue who has acted lawlessly and exhibited a contempt for the powers of Congress and other institutions. They also have voiced concern over Russia interfering in another American election.
Trump’s legal team offered a vision of nearly unlimited presidential powers, a view Democrats said placed any president above the law.
The acquittal handed Trump his biggest victory yet over his Democratic adversaries in Congress. Democrats vowed to press ahead with investigations - they are fighting in court for access to his financial records - and voiced hope that the facts unearthed during the impeachment process about his conduct would help persuade voters to make him a one-term president.
Trump’s job approval ratings have remained fairly consistent throughout his presidency and the impeachment process as his core conservative supporters - especially white men, rural Americans, evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics - stick with him.
The trial formally began on Jan. 16. The Senate voted 51-49 last Friday to defeat the Democrats’ bid to call witnesses such as Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton, with only two Republicans joining them.
In the previous presidential impeachment trials, Andrew Johnson was acquitted in 1868 in the aftermath of the American Civil War and Bill Clinton was acquitted in 1999 of charges stemming from a sex scandal.
In the hours before the vote, numerous senators gave speeches on the Senate floor explaining their vote.
SHADOW OF INVESTIGATION
Trump, now seeking a second four-year term, has been under the shadow of some sort of investigation for most of his presidency. The acquittal marked the second time in 10 months that he withstood an existential threat to his presidency.
In March 2019, Special Counsel Robert Mueller found insufficient evidence that Trump engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia in its interference on his behalf in the 2016 election. Mueller did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice in seeking to impede the investigation but stopped short of concluding the president acted unlawfully. Trump declared full vindication.
Last July 25, Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a phone call to "do us a favor" and open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter Biden and into a discredited theory beneficial to Russia that Ukraine colluded with Democrats to meddle in the 2016 election to harm Trump.
Hunter Biden had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was U.S. vice president. Trump accused the Bidens of corruption without offering substantiation. The Bidens denied wrongdoing.
Democrats said Trump further abused his power by withholding $391 million in security aid approved by Congress to help Ukraine battle Russia-backed separatists and by dangling a coveted White House meeting as leverage to pressure Zelenskiy to announce the investigations.
Under the Constitution, impeachment is the mechanism for removing a president or certain other federal officials for "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
Reporting by Susan Cornwell, Richard Cowan, Lisa Lambert, David Morgan, Patricia Zengerle and Makini Brice; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Paul Simao and Peter Cooney


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Mike Bloomberg’s Historically Diminutive Stature, In Context

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , the presumptive frontrunner to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 , would make history if elected .
Bloomberg would not only be the first Jewish president in American history but would also be among the shortest commanders in chief since our nation 's founding .
As the Washington Free Beacon ‘ s Alex Griswold reported Wednesday , the diminutive mayor has often claimed to be 5-foot-10 , but is `` actually several inches shorter . ''
Google lists Bloomberg 's height as five-foot-eight , but a further Free Beacon investigation suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would explain why the billionaire candidate frequently deployed boxes and modified podiums throughout his tenure as mayor in an attempt to conceal the truth from voters .
Based on all available evidence , a fair and balanced assessment suggests the former mayor 's true height is somewhere around five-foot-six .
Doing what comes naturally , President Donald J. Trump ( six-foot-three ) has taken to calling Bloomberg `` Mini Mike . ''
Trump recently suggested the former mayor was `` negotiating … to have the right to stand on boxes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic debates .
The media , also doing what comes naturally , rallied to the Democrat 's defense .
CNN 's Brian Stelter , among others , fact-checked Trump 's accusation and found `` no evidence '' to support it , disregarding the mountains of evidence that Mini Mike prefers to stand on boxes .
Stelter 's CNN colleague , the indomitable Jim Acosta , performed a Google search on the heights of various American leaders and discovered that James Madison , the fourth president of the United States , was just five-foot-four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of journalism .
Acosta 's intrepid reporting does , however , raise the question of how Bloomberg measures up ( literally ) to previous American presidents .
Assuming an accurate height of five-foot-six , the following five facts should help you understand the almost unprecedented nature of Bloomberg 's tiny body .
1 ) Bloomberg would be the second-shortest president in American history .
Madison would still be the shortest .
If elected , Bloomberg would enter a three-way tie with Benjamin Harrison and Martin Van Buren for the runner-up position .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president shorter than six-foot since 1976 .
Jimmy Carter is 5-foot-10 , which is still slightly taller than the current average height for American men .
3 ) The United States has n't elected a president shorter than five-foot-nine since 1896 .
William McKinley was five-foot-seven when he was elected more than 120 years ago .
That was in line with the average height for American men at the time .
4 ) Every woman Donald Trump has ever married is taller than Mike Bloomberg .
First Lady Melania Trump is 5-foot-11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is six-feet tall .
Putin is reportedly five-foot-seven .
How will Mini Mike stand up to him ?

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, the presumptive frontrunner to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, would make history if elected. Bloomberg would not only be the first Jewish president in American history but would also be among the shortest commanders in chief since our nation's founding.
As the Washington Free Beacon's Alex Griswold reported Wednesday, the diminutive mayor has often claimed to be 5-foot-10, but is "actually several inches shorter." Google lists Bloomberg's height as five-foot-eight, but a further Free Beacon investigation suggests even that figure is far too generous, which would explain why the billionaire candidate frequently deployed boxes and modified podiums throughout his tenure as mayor in an attempt to conceal the truth from voters.
Based on all available evidence, a fair and balanced assessment suggests the former mayor's true height is somewhere around five-foot-six.
Doing what comes naturally, President Donald J. Trump (six-foot-three) has taken to calling Bloomberg "Mini Mike." Trump recently suggested the former mayor was "negotiating ... to have the right to stand on boxes, or a lift" during the upcoming Democratic debates.
The media, also doing what comes naturally, rallied to the Democrat's defense. CNN's Brian Stelter, among others, fact-checked Trump's accusation and found "no evidence" to support it, disregarding the mountains of evidence that Mini Mike prefers to stand on boxes.
Stelter's CNN colleague, the indomitable Jim Acosta, performed a Google search on the heights of various American leaders and discovered that James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, was just five-foot-four. This really is a golden age of journalism.
Acosta's intrepid reporting does, however, raise the question of how Bloomberg measures up (literally) to previous American presidents. Assuming an accurate height of five-foot-six, the following five facts should help you understand the almost unprecedented nature of Bloomberg's tiny body.
1) Bloomberg would be the second-shortest president in American history.
Madison would still be the shortest. If elected, Bloomberg would enter a three-way tie with Benjamin Harrison and Martin Van Buren for the runner-up position.
2) The United States hasn't elected a president shorter than six-foot since 1976.
Jimmy Carter is 5-foot-10, which is still slightly taller than the current average height for American men.
3) The United States hasn't elected a president shorter than five-foot-nine since 1896.
William McKinley was five-foot-seven when he was elected more than 120 years ago. That was in line with the average height for American men at the time.
4) Every woman Donald Trump has ever married is taller than Mike Bloomberg.
First Lady Melania Trump is 5-foot-11. Marla Maples is five-foot-eight. Ivana Trump is six-feet tall.
5) Bloomberg is shorter than Vladimir Putin.
Putin is reportedly five-foot-seven. How will Mini Mike stand up to him?


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Now a Budget Hawk, This Democratic Candidate Struggled to Balance the Books at Local Charity

Kara Eastman founded the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance in 2007 to promote `` healthy homes '' for children , but when the nonprofit started to bleed hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on her watch , she nonetheless received steep raises from the organization .
The year before she resigned , Eastman took home nearly $ 130,000 .
Eastman is now running in a House district in Omaha , Neb.
, a fiscally conservative city that has recorded budget surpluses since 2013 .
The Democrat has made fiscal stewardship a centerpiece of her campaign , pitching herself as somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget . ''
The financial records of the Healthy Kids Alliance tell a different story .
The organization ran up a $ 2 million budget deficit from 2013 to 2016 , though it did manage a $ 300,000 net gain in 2017 , Eastman 's final year at the helm .
Eastman 's compensation soared regardless of whether the charity ran deficits .
In 2017 , the year before she resigned , she made nearly $ 130,000 in compensation— $ 70,000 more than Nebraska 's median income .
Eastman ’ s campaign defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salary .
A campaign spokesman said Eastman 's pay was set and approved by a board of directors and that she did not have input on those decisions .
He added that deficit spending did not threaten the charity 's overall fiscal health .
While it continued to spend more money than it took in , Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance retained savings from large grants to keep it above water .
The spokesman noted that some grants are `` temporarily restricted , '' meaning that the nonprofit committed to spending money from grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue would not be reflected in those tax filings .
`` They were spending money they had earned in prior years that were multi-year grants , '' the spokesman said .
`` The organization clearly did not have financial difficulties . ''
Eastman ran for the same House seat against Republican incumbent Rep. Don Bacon ( R. , Neb . )
in 2018 , losing by just two points .
Hoping for a better result in a rematch , she has racked up an endorsement from the far-left Justice Democrats and raised nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of many progressive Democrats trying to replicate the success that launched the public career of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) .
While Eastman supports progressive programs such as Medicare for All which would increase the country 's debt by $ 32 trillion , according to some estimates , she has also painted herself as budget-conscious in the fiscally conservative district .
When she appeared on a panel alongside three other Democratic primary candidates on Saturday , Eastman emphasized that balancing the federal budget is a `` moral issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who actually understand how to balance the budget , '' she said , `` people who understand how important it is to make sure that we are generating income for our country and making sure that we are not leaving a deficit behind for our kids . ''
Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance started out on strong footing in 2007 , recording a net revenue of $ 427,000 , according to tax filings .
The organization 's financial fortune soon soured , as it lost more than $ 300,000 between 2007 and 2008 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2012 , buoyed in part by the $ 3.2 million the group received from a 2011 legal settlement between the Environmental Protection Agency and Union Pacific , a firm accused of lead contamination .
As part of the settlement , the firm agreed to pay for the nonprofit 's lead poisoning education program .
But when checks from the settlement stopped coming in , the nonprofit started losing roughly $ 500,000 on average each year from 2013 to 2016 .
In total , the nonprofit spent about $ 2 million more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The candidate 's nonprofit did record net revenue in 2017 , but its financial prospects remain uncertain .
The nonprofit ran a deficit again in 2018 , losing $ 125,000 , according to tax filings .
Despite the ups-and-downs of the nonprofit 's finances , one thing remained constant during Eastman 's 11-year tenure at the organization—large raises to her pay almost every year .
In 2007 , her organization paid her a modest $ 25,000 .
That amount went up every year until it reached $ 129,000 in 2017 , increasing her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
The Omaha Democrat received some of her largest raises during the last five years when her organization was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars .
Eastman has raised more money than all of her Democratic competitors combined , thanks in part to the national boost she has received from Justice Democrats .
But her fundraising haul still lags behind her Republican opponent .
Bacon has raised more than three times as much money as Eastman during the 2020 cycle , according to FEC records .
The Democratic primary is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @

Kara Eastman founded the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance in 2007 to promote "healthy homes" for children, but when the nonprofit started to bleed hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on her watch, she nonetheless received steep raises from the organization. The year before she resigned, Eastman took home nearly $130,000.
Eastman is now running in a House district in Omaha, Neb., a fiscally conservative city that has recorded budget surpluses since 2013. The Democrat has made fiscal stewardship a centerpiece of her campaign, pitching herself as somebody who "knows how to balance a budget."
The financial records of the Healthy Kids Alliance tell a different story. The organization ran up a $2 million budget deficit from 2013 to 2016, though it did manage a $300,000 net gain in 2017, Eastman's final year at the helm. Eastman's compensation soared regardless of whether the charity ran deficits. In 2017, the year before she resigned, she made nearly $130,000 in compensation—$70,000 more than Nebraska's median income.
Eastman’s campaign defended the expenditures, as well as her salary. A campaign spokesman said Eastman's pay was set and approved by a board of directors and that she did not have input on those decisions. He added that deficit spending did not threaten the charity's overall fiscal health. While it continued to spend more money than it took in, Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance retained savings from large grants to keep it above water. The spokesman noted that some grants are "temporarily restricted," meaning that the nonprofit committed to spending money from grants in future years, even though the revenue would not be reflected in those tax filings.
"They were spending money they had earned in prior years that were multi-year grants," the spokesman said. "The organization clearly did not have financial difficulties."
Eastman ran for the same House seat against Republican incumbent Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.) in 2018, losing by just two points. Hoping for a better result in a rematch, she has racked up an endorsement from the far-left Justice Democrats and raised nearly $500,000 thus far. She is one of many progressive Democrats trying to replicate the success that launched the public career of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.).
While Eastman supports progressive programs such as Medicare for All which would increase the country's debt by $32 trillion, according to some estimates, she has also painted herself as budget-conscious in the fiscally conservative district. When she appeared on a panel alongside three other Democratic primary candidates on Saturday, Eastman emphasized that balancing the federal budget is a "moral issue."
"We need people in Congress who actually understand how to balance the budget," she said, "people who understand how important it is to make sure that we are generating income for our country and making sure that we are not leaving a deficit behind for our kids."
Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance started out on strong footing in 2007, recording a net revenue of $427,000, according to tax filings. The organization's financial fortune soon soured, as it lost more than $300,000 between 2007 and 2008. The group's finances recovered between 2009 and 2012, buoyed in part by the $3.2 million the group received from a 2011 legal settlement between the Environmental Protection Agency and Union Pacific, a firm accused of lead contamination. As part of the settlement, the firm agreed to pay for the nonprofit's lead poisoning education program.
But when checks from the settlement stopped coming in, the nonprofit started losing roughly $500,000 on average each year from 2013 to 2016. In total, the nonprofit spent about $2 million more than it took in over that period. The candidate's nonprofit did record net revenue in 2017, but its financial prospects remain uncertain. The nonprofit ran a deficit again in 2018, losing $125,000, according to tax filings.
Despite the ups-and-downs of the nonprofit's finances, one thing remained constant during Eastman's 11-year tenure at the organization—large raises to her pay almost every year. In 2007, her organization paid her a modest $25,000. That amount went up every year until it reached $129,000 in 2017, increasing her salary by 500 percent in just 10 years. The Omaha Democrat received some of her largest raises during the last five years when her organization was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Eastman has raised more money than all of her Democratic competitors combined, thanks in part to the national boost she has received from Justice Democrats. But her fundraising haul still lags behind her Republican opponent. Bacon has raised more than three times as much money as Eastman during the 2020 cycle, according to FEC records.
The Democratic primary is scheduled to take place on May 12.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Sanders’s 2016 Spokeswoman: Bernie’s Socialism Can’t Beat Donald Trump

Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) former campaign spokeswoman criticized the Vermont senator 's brand of socialism Wednesday , saying that running on socialism will help President Donald Trump win in 2020 .
`` The last point that I will make , and I think it 's something many people are talking about today , Senator Sanders branded himself as a socialist .
That is a moniker he himself has embraced , but that is not a moniker that folks across this country , when it comes to down-ballot candidates will be able to embrace and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who now serves as a senior adviser to Joe Biden .
`` This is about keeping the House , this is about gaining seats in the Senate , and this is about beating Donald Trump .
And you ca n't beat Donald Trump with double-talk on health care and … we ca n't beat Donald Trump with socialism across this country . ''
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar pointed out that Symone Sanders was a spokeswoman for Sen. Sanders in 2016 , who had a lot of support across the country then .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically said none of the Democrats running for president are socialists , including Bernie Sanders .
`` No one is a socialist [ who is ] running , '' she said shortly after Bernie Sanders announced his 2020 campaign .
Keilar called Symone Sanders out on her apparent flip-flop .
`` I am curious .
I have a number of other questions to ask you , but just having covered Bernie Sanders and dealing with you a lot when you worked for him in 2016 , it just strikes me you are making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were making a case for , '' Keilar said .
`` I was a good spokesperson in 2016 and I would offer that I 'm a great spokesperson now , '' Symone Sanders responded .
She also criticized Bernie Sanders for his Medicare for All plan .
`` He said , by his own accounts earlier in this race , that his plan will raise taxes on middle-class Americans and is going to cost $ 30 to $ 40 trillion .
Now , he 's saying we do n't know what it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fly with Donald Trump , '' she said .

Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) former campaign spokeswoman criticized the Vermont senator's brand of socialism Wednesday, saying that running on socialism will help President Donald Trump win in 2020.
"The last point that I will make, and I think it's something many people are talking about today, Senator Sanders branded himself as a socialist. That is a moniker he himself has embraced, but that is not a moniker that folks across this country, when it comes to down-ballot candidates will be able to embrace and be successful," said Symone Sanders, who now serves as a senior adviser to Joe Biden. "This is about keeping the House, this is about gaining seats in the Senate, and this is about beating Donald Trump. And you can't beat Donald Trump with double-talk on health care and ... we can't beat Donald Trump with socialism across this country."
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar pointed out that Symone Sanders was a spokeswoman for Sen. Sanders in 2016, who had a lot of support across the country then. Before joining the Biden campaign, Symone Sanders specifically said none of the Democrats running for president are socialists, including Bernie Sanders.
"No one is a socialist [who is] running," she said shortly after Bernie Sanders announced his 2020 campaign.
Keilar called Symone Sanders out on her apparent flip-flop.
"I am curious. I have a number of other questions to ask you, but just having covered Bernie Sanders and dealing with you a lot when you worked for him in 2016, it just strikes me you are making a case against the very thing you were making a case for," Keilar said.
"I was a good spokesperson in 2016 and I would offer that I'm a great spokesperson now," Symone Sanders responded.
She also criticized Bernie Sanders for his Medicare for All plan.
"He said, by his own accounts earlier in this race, that his plan will raise taxes on middle-class Americans and is going to cost $30 to $40 trillion. Now, he's saying we don't know what it will cost. That is not going to fly with Donald Trump," she said.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Biden Spokeswoman Won’t Say She Accepts Iowa Results

Joe Biden campaign spokeswoman Symone Sanders repeatedly refused to say Wednesday whether she accepted as legitimate the Iowa caucus results reported so far .
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar asked over and over if Sanders had concerns about the legitimacy of the numbers , given the well-documented problems with the reporting of Monday 's Iowa caucus results .
The partial results show Biden in fourth place .
When Sanders did n't answer directly , Keilar accused her of dodging .
`` We do not have all the data , '' Sanders said .
`` But we are moving forward . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are you putting that into doubt ? ''
Keilar asked .
`` Symone , this is important . ''
As Sanders laid out the issues that plagued Iowa Democrats , Keilar continued to talk over her and ask if she believed the results , which show Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) in a tight race for first .
`` Is this data correct , in your view ?
Is it correct ? ''
Keilar asked .
`` Look , Brianna , I have not analyzed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders said .
`` Do n't try to paint this as we 're trying to say this is some kind of conspiracy theory . ''
Keilar told Sanders the numbers , which thus far represent 71 percent of the precincts in the state , were trustworthy according to Iowa Democrats .
`` I guess we 'll have to take the Iowa Democratic Party at their word , Brianna , '' Sanders said .
Fellow Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said Tuesday it was a `` real concern '' that voters could n't be confident @ @ @ @

Joe Biden campaign spokeswoman Symone Sanders repeatedly refused to say Wednesday whether she accepted as legitimate the Iowa caucus results reported so far.
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar asked over and over if Sanders had concerns about the legitimacy of the numbers, given the well-documented problems with the reporting of Monday's Iowa caucus results. The partial results show Biden in fourth place.
When Sanders didn't answer directly, Keilar accused her of dodging.
"We do not have all the data," Sanders said. "But we are moving forward."
"But the data that you have, are you putting that into doubt?" Keilar asked. "Symone, this is important."
As Sanders laid out the issues that plagued Iowa Democrats, Keilar continued to talk over her and ask if she believed the results, which show Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) in a tight race for first.
"Is this data correct, in your view? Is it correct?" Keilar asked.
"Look, Brianna, I have not analyzed the back end of the data," Sanders said. "Don't try to paint this as we're trying to say this is some kind of conspiracy theory."
Keilar told Sanders the numbers, which thus far represent 71 percent of the precincts in the state, were trustworthy according to Iowa Democrats.
"I guess we'll have to take the Iowa Democratic Party at their word, Brianna," Sanders said.
Fellow Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said Tuesday it was a "real concern" that voters couldn't be confident in the results.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Biden Admits Iowa Was ‘Gut Punch,’ Goes on Attack

Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said his campaign took a hit in the Iowa caucus , but he also fired shots at the apparent winners .
`` I ’ m not going to sugarcoat it , we took a gut punch in Iowa , '' Biden said during a campaign event in Somersworth , N.H. `` The whole process took a gut punch . ''
The former vice president underperformed in Iowa behind former mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass. )
.
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to criticize Sanders for identifying as a socialist and Buttigieg for never holding an office higher than mayor of South Bend , Ind .
`` Every Democrat will have to carry the label Senator Sanders has chosen for himself , and I do n't criticize him , he calls himself a democratic socialist , '' Biden said .
`` I do believe it 's a risk , to be just straight-up with you , for this party to nominate someone who 's never held an office higher than mayor of a town of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said about Buttigieg .
`` I don ’ t think anyone thought Joe Biden would be running fourth right now , '' CNN politics reporter Chris Cillizza said during CNN 's Right Now with Brianna Keilar .
Days after the caucus , only 71 percent of the precinct results have been reported by the Iowa Democratic Party .
Buttigieg currently leads with 26.8 percent of the projected delegates , while Biden is in fourth place with 15.4 percent .

Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said his campaign took a hit in the Iowa caucus, but he also fired shots at the apparent winners.
"I’m not going to sugarcoat it, we took a gut punch in Iowa," Biden said during a campaign event in Somersworth, N.H. "The whole process took a gut punch."
The former vice president underperformed in Iowa behind former mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.).
But in New Hampshire, Biden took the opportunity to criticize Sanders for identifying as a socialist and Buttigieg for never holding an office higher than mayor of South Bend, Ind.
"Every Democrat will have to carry the label Senator Sanders has chosen for himself, and I don't criticize him, he calls himself a democratic socialist," Biden said.
"I do believe it's a risk, to be just straight-up with you, for this party to nominate someone who's never held an office higher than mayor of a town of 100,000 people in Indiana," Biden said about Buttigieg.
"I don’t think anyone thought Joe Biden would be running fourth right now," CNN politics reporter Chris Cillizza said during CNN's Right Now with Brianna Keilar.
Days after the caucus, only 71 percent of the precinct results have been reported by the Iowa Democratic Party. Buttigieg currently leads with 26.8 percent of the projected delegates, while Biden is in fourth place with 15.4 percent.


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Chris Matthews Floats Adam Schiff as Possible 2020 Dem Nominee

As establishment Democrats grow wary of a Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) nomination , MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews raised the possibility of Rep. Adam Schiff ( D. , Calif. ) emerging as the Democratic nominee during a contested convention .
`` How about Adam Schiff ? ''
Matthews asked during a discussion about the primary nomination .
`` Could they all agree let ’ s give it to Schiff ? ''
Schiff , chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , has gained notoriety for leading the Democratic impeachment of President Donald Trump .
Speaker of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made Schiff the lead impeachment manager for the Senate trial , which is expected to end with Trump 's acquittal Wednesday .
Matthews raised the possibility of Schiff 's nomination after asking his panel whether anyone could receive the nomination if it 's not decided by the time of the Democratic National Convention this July .
He was told the nomination `` could go to anyone , '' whether they ran in the primary or not .
Matthews made the comment during a discussion on whether former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has gained momentum in the early primary states .
`` Bernie is a tough fighter .
He does n't look like a guy who is going to quit and give his marbles to somebody else , '' Matthews said .
Former Democratic congressman Steve Israel agreed , telling Matthews , `` We may be going to Milwaukee without a clearly established nominee . ''

As establishment Democrats grow wary of a Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) nomination, MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews raised the possibility of Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) emerging as the Democratic nominee during a contested convention.
"How about Adam Schiff?" Matthews asked during a discussion about the primary nomination. "Could they all agree let’s give it to Schiff?"
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has gained notoriety for leading the Democratic impeachment of President Donald Trump. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) made Schiff the lead impeachment manager for the Senate trial, which is expected to end with Trump's acquittal Wednesday.
Matthews raised the possibility of Schiff's nomination after asking his panel whether anyone could receive the nomination if it's not decided by the time of the Democratic National Convention this July. He was told the nomination "could go to anyone," whether they ran in the primary or not.
Matthews made the comment during a discussion on whether former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg could emerge as an acceptable alternative to Sanders, who has gained momentum in the early primary states.
"Bernie is a tough fighter. He doesn't look like a guy who is going to quit and give his marbles to somebody else," Matthews said.
Former Democratic congressman Steve Israel agreed, telling Matthews, "We may be going to Milwaukee without a clearly established nominee."


freebeacon--2020-02-05--Acronym Seeking New Chief of Staff After Iowa Caucus Debacle

Looking for a management position at a progressive nonprofit that 's earning a lot of buzz ?
Acronym is hiring .
According to a job listing posted Wednesday , the dark money group that singlehandedly derailed the Democratic Iowa caucuses is looking for a new chief of staff .
The ideal candidate would have `` experience implementing and maintaining accountability measures '' and would `` hold managers at all levels accountable for program deliverables and status updates . ''
The listing comes days after Acronym project Shadow Inc. came under fire for creating the mobile app that was supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa 's 1,681 precincts .
Glitches left the app entirely nonfunctional .
The final results of the caucuses remain unknown two days later .
Shadow is also hiring a `` Client Success Representative , '' according to a listing on its website .
The new employee would be required to `` represent the voice of the customer to ensure we ’ re building the best possible tools for our users '' and `` understand how technology can strengthen campaigns and help organizers be more successful . ''
The Tom Steyer and Nancy Pelosi-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Shadow , has now taken steps to hide its affiliation with the toxic brand .
The Daily Beast reports that Acronym scrubbed its website of all references to having `` launched '' Shadow and now claims it only `` invested in '' the tech firm .
Whoever Shadow and Acronym hires will have their work cut out for them .
The Nevada Democratic Party has cut ties with the firm , announcing that `` what happened in the Iowa caucus last night will not happen in Nevada on February 22nd .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or vendor used in the Iowa caucus . ''
With its ties to the Democratic establishment , Acronym has come under fire , in particular from Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) supporters and surrogates , who charge that the party 's leadership is comprised of `` Hillary operatives '' who `` generally loathed Bernie . ''
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Acronym CEO Tara McGowan is married to `` a senior strategist for Pete Buttigieg ’ s presidential campaign . ''
Tweets from McGowan indicate a general antipathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as support for the former South Bend mayor .

Looking for a management position at a progressive nonprofit that's earning a lot of buzz? Acronym is hiring.
According to a job listing posted Wednesday, the dark money group that singlehandedly derailed the Democratic Iowa caucuses is looking for a new chief of staff. The ideal candidate would have "experience implementing and maintaining accountability measures" and would "hold managers at all levels accountable for program deliverables and status updates."
The listing comes days after Acronym project Shadow Inc. came under fire for creating the mobile app that was supposed to tally the vote and delegate counts in Iowa's 1,681 precincts. Glitches left the app entirely nonfunctional. The final results of the caucuses remain unknown two days later.
Shadow is also hiring a "Client Success Representative," according to a listing on its website. The new employee would be required to "represent the voice of the customer to ensure we’re building the best possible tools for our users" and "understand how technology can strengthen campaigns and help organizers be more successful."
The Tom Steyer and Nancy Pelosi-funded Acronym, which once proudly claimed ownership of Shadow, has now taken steps to hide its affiliation with the toxic brand. The Daily Beast reports that Acronym scrubbed its website of all references to having "launched" Shadow and now claims it only "invested in" the tech firm.
Whoever Shadow and Acronym hires will have their work cut out for them. The Nevada Democratic Party has cut ties with the firm, announcing that "what happened in the Iowa caucus last night will not happen in Nevada on February 22nd. We will not be employing the same app or vendor used in the Iowa caucus."
With its ties to the Democratic establishment, Acronym has come under fire, in particular from Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) supporters and surrogates, who charge that the party's leadership is comprised of "Hillary operatives" who "generally loathed Bernie." The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Acronym CEO Tara McGowan is married to "a senior strategist for Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign." Tweets from McGowan indicate a general antipathy toward the Vermont senator, as well as support for the former South Bend mayor.
MAYOR PETE IS RUNNING https://t.co/DNUyILImWM — Tara McGowan (@taraemcg) January 23, 2019
"YOU DONT HAVE TO YELL, BERNIE" is the closest any candidate on stage has come to channeling the live emotions of the American people tonight with yada yada yada a super close second. @TimRyan — Tara McGowan (@taraemcg) July 31, 2019