freebeacon--2020-02-18--Complaint: Union-Backed Group Illegally Funding Arizona Dem Candidate

A union-backed labor group is providing illegal in-kind contributions to an Arizona Democrat 's congressional campaign , according to an ethics complaint obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon .
Steven Piasecki has continued to cash checks from the Restaurant Opportunities Center United ( ROC ) , a union-funded nonprofit , even as he serves as spokesman for former ROC employee Eva Putzova 's campaign , according to the complaint .
While the Putzova campaign pays Piasecki $ 600 monthly for his services in the candidate 's primary challenge against Rep. Tom O'Halleran ( D. , Ariz. ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blurry line between Mr. Piasecki 's work with the ROC and his work with the Congressional campaign as Communications Director . ''
Federal law prohibits contributions by a corporation or labor organization to a candidate for federal office .
The complaint , filed by the pro-free market Employment Policies Institute ( EPI ) , calls for an audit of ROC and the Putzova campaign , which could threaten ROC 's nonprofit status .
Neither ROC nor the Putzova campaign responded to requests for comment .
EPI 's complaint comes at a time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plug on its New York City restaurant COLORS in January , as fired employees laid the blame on `` crazy '' mismanagement .
Though the minimum wage advocacy group founded the restaurant on `` ideals of fair wages and employee equity , '' former staffers allege that ROC prohibited its head chef from distributing $ 2,000 raised to `` provide ‘ a cushion ' to staffers who have just lost their jobs . ''
ROC previously partnered with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) in 2019 .
The progressive firebrand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City district to push for the federal Raise the Wage Act .
The ethics complaint alleges an overlap between Piasecki 's work for ROC and Putzova 's campaign .
Both organizations appear to coordinate messaging , sharing near-identical articles and graphics on their social media accounts .
Some of those posts were published just minutes apart .
The accounts have also reflected shifts in Piasecki 's digital device .
While Putzova 's campaign account previously sent tweets with an iPhone , more than half of the tweets sent after Piasecki 's hiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The change in device was also reflected on ROC 's social media—the number of tweets sent from an Android on the official ROC Twitter account increased by more than 20 percent after Piasecki 's hiring in 2018 .
ROC 's alleged illegal activity fits the group 's history of incompetence , according to EPI managing director Michael Saltsman .
`` It 's been a terrible winter for ROC .
A whistleblower exposed the organization 's workplace toxic culture .
Governor [ Andrew ] Cuomo 's Labor Department in New York rejected the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tip credit , citing the ‘ overwhelming majority ' opposition of tipped workers .
Most recently , ROC was forced to close its restaurant COLORS due to its total management failure , firing employees by text message in the process , '' Saltsman said .
`` Given this track record , it 's not surprising that ROC may have operated with a lack of care elsewhere . ''
Putzova is running the self-described `` most progressive campaign for Congress in Arizona . ''
She has called O'Halleran a `` corporate , conservative Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Putzova has been outraised by both O'Halleran and Republican challenger Tiffany Shedd .
The Cook Political Report rates the race in Arizona 's First Congressional District as leaning Democrat .

A union-backed labor group is providing illegal in-kind contributions to an Arizona Democrat's congressional campaign, according to an ethics complaint obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon.
Steven Piasecki has continued to cash checks from the Restaurant Opportunities Center United (ROC), a union-funded nonprofit, even as he serves as spokesman for former ROC employee Eva Putzova's campaign, according to the complaint. While the Putzova campaign pays Piasecki $600 monthly for his services in the candidate's primary challenge against Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D., Ariz.), the complaint cites digital evidence showing a "blurry line between Mr. Piasecki's work with the ROC and his work with the Congressional campaign as Communications Director."
Federal law prohibits contributions by a corporation or labor organization to a candidate for federal office. The complaint, filed by the pro-free market Employment Policies Institute (EPI), calls for an audit of ROC and the Putzova campaign, which could threaten ROC's nonprofit status.
In a comment to the Free Beacon, Piasecki denied the allegations and directed further questions to ROC. ROC did not respond to a request for comment.
EPI's complaint comes at a time of turmoil for ROC. The group pulled the plug on its New York City restaurant COLORS in January, as fired employees laid the blame on "crazy" mismanagement. Though the minimum wage advocacy group founded the restaurant on "ideals of fair wages and employee equity," former staffers allege that ROC prohibited its head chef from distributing $2,000 raised to "provide 'a cushion' to staffers who have just lost their jobs." ROC previously partnered with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) in 2019. The progressive firebrand bartended an ROC event in her New York City district to push for the federal Raise the Wage Act.
The ethics complaint alleges an overlap between Piasecki's work for ROC and Putzova's campaign. Both organizations appear to coordinate messaging, sharing near-identical articles and graphics on their social media accounts. Some of those posts were published just minutes apart.
The accounts have also reflected shifts in Piasecki's digital device. While Putzova's campaign account previously sent tweets with an iPhone, more than half of the tweets sent after Piasecki's hiring were sent from an Android device. The change in device was also reflected on ROC's social media—the number of tweets sent from an Android on the official ROC Twitter account increased by more than 20 percent after Piasecki's hiring in 2018.
ROC's alleged illegal activity fits the group's history of incompetence, according to EPI managing director Michael Saltsman.
"It's been a terrible winter for ROC. A whistleblower exposed the organization's workplace toxic culture. Governor [Andrew] Cuomo's Labor Department in New York rejected the group's proposal to eliminate the state's tip credit, citing the 'overwhelming majority' opposition of tipped workers. Most recently, ROC was forced to close its restaurant COLORS due to its total management failure, firing employees by text message in the process," Saltsman said. "Given this track record, it's not surprising that ROC may have operated with a lack of care elsewhere."
Putzova is running the self-described "most progressive campaign for Congress in Arizona." She has called O'Halleran a "corporate, conservative Democrat who is backed by the DCCC." Putzova has been outraised by both O'Halleran and Republican challenger Tiffany Shedd. The Cook Political Report rates the race in Arizona's First Congressional District as leaning Democrat.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--ANALYSIS: Political Pundits Have No Idea What They’re Talking About

Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's ( D. , Mass . )
presidential campaign is over .
She 's still in the race , for now , but she is not going to be the Democratic Party 's nominee in 2020 .
All that remains to be seen is ( A ) when she 'll drop out , and ( B ) whether she 'll endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) to help him clinch the nomination or shiv him in the back like the opportunistic snake she is accused ( by some ) of being .
Warren 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's political media .
From the perspective of voters who watch cable news and take seriously the so-called analysis and punditry they hear from so-called political experts in the media , Warren 's downfall is a shocking development .
But it 's only the latest of many examples of said `` experts '' having absolutely no idea what they 're talking about and showing why no one should take them seriously .
Warren 's campaign , oddly enough , made this very point in a memo it sent to supporters ( and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire primary—in which Warren finished a distant fourth and failed to win any delegates .
`` People who are predicting what will happen a week from now are the same people who a year ago predicted that Beto O ’ Rourke was a frontrunner for the nomination , '' wrote campaign manager Roger Lau .
Lau makes a legitimate point , but it applies to his own candidate as well .
Warren , who made history as the `` first woman of color '' employed by Harvard Law School , was once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate to beat .
Not that their analysis was based on anything other than conventional wisdom .
For most of 2019 , betting markets viewed Warren as the second most likely candidate to win the nomination , behind former vice president Joe Biden .
After New Hampshire , betting markets rank Biden fourth , at 9.2 percent .
Warren is sixth , at 2.2 percent , behind Hillary Clinton .
The point could apply equally well to Sens .
Kirsten Gillibrand ( D. , N.Y. ) and Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notable achievement before joining the Democratic field ( as a frontrunner ) was losing to Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , the female senators were widely regarded as strong candidates in the early stages of the primary .
All three dropped out months before the Iowa caucus .
Oh , and do n't forget Michael Avenatti , the media darling and onetime Democratic frontrunner who was just convicted on extortion charges .
Here , for example , are the `` definitive 2020 Democratic power rankings , '' as determined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's an early prediction , and many of these prospective candidates did n't even run .
Still , only one of these people ( Sanders ) has a realistic shot at the nomination .
And CNN 's list of Democratic candidates `` with the best chance of winning the nomination '' still looked pretty awful in July 2019 : Biden continued to lead CNN 's power rankings in January 2020 , when the network said he was `` as close to the nomination as anyone has been this cycle . ''
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa and New Hampshire , and with former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg lurking , the former VP is now about as far from the nomination as anyone this cycle .
Adulation from expert pundits has spelled death for many a campaign .
Nevertheless , they persisted .
Pundits now tout Klobuchar 's third-place finish in New Hampshire as evidence the Minnesota senator 's underfunded , understaffed campaign will be competitive in Nevada , South Carolina , and on Super Tuesday , just three weeks from now .
Buttigieg 's strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predominately white states—gives him the illusion of viability , despite `` Mayor Beast 's '' inability to record statistically significant levels of support among minority voters .
This has led to some absurd analysis reminiscent of the media 's wishful thinking about Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican primary and general election .
`` What if Buttigieg , Klobuchar , and Biden were a single candidate ? ''
the pundits ask , nonsensically .
Recent polling suggests Sanders would win head-to-head matchups against every remaining Democratic rival .
Maybe all this terrible analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated , hard to predict and analyze with any certainty .
Maybe it 's just difficult for upper-class residents of New York City and Washington , D.C. , to assess the hearts and minds of average Americans .
No one in the political punditry business would ever admit this , however .
If it were true , what would be the point of their careers ?

Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D., Mass.) presidential campaign is over. She's still in the race, for now, but she is not going to be the Democratic Party's nominee in 2020. All that remains to be seen is (A) when she'll drop out, and (B) whether she'll endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) to help him clinch the nomination or shiv him in the back like the opportunistic snake she is accused (by some) of being.
Warren's collapse reveals the sorry state of today's political media. From the perspective of voters who watch cable news and take seriously the so-called analysis and punditry they hear from so-called political experts in the media, Warren's downfall is a shocking development. But it's only the latest of many examples of said "experts" having absolutely no idea what they're talking about and showing why no one should take them seriously.
Warren's campaign, oddly enough, made this very point in a memo it sent to supporters (and the New York Times) ahead of the New Hampshire primary—in which Warren finished a distant fourth and failed to win any delegates. "People who are predicting what will happen a week from now are the same people who a year ago predicted that Beto O’Rourke was a frontrunner for the nomination," wrote campaign manager Roger Lau.
Lau makes a legitimate point, but it applies to his own candidate as well. Warren, who made history as the "first woman of color" employed by Harvard Law School, was once widely touted by political pundits as the candidate to beat.
Not that their analysis was based on anything other than conventional wisdom. For most of 2019, betting markets viewed Warren as the second most likely candidate to win the nomination, behind former vice president Joe Biden. After New Hampshire, betting markets rank Biden fourth, at 9.2 percent. Warren is sixth, at 2.2 percent, behind Hillary Clinton.
The point could apply equally well to Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) and Kamala Harris (D., Calif.). Like O'Rourke, whose most notable achievement before joining the Democratic field (as a frontrunner) was losing to Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), the female senators were widely regarded as strong candidates in the early stages of the primary. All three dropped out months before the Iowa caucus. Oh, and don't forget Michael Avenatti, the media darling and onetime Democratic frontrunner who was just convicted on extortion charges.
Here, for example, are the "definitive 2020 Democratic power rankings," as determined by CNN in July 2018:
Joe Biden Elizabeth Warren Kamala Harris Kirstin [sic] Gillibrand Bernie Sanders Eric Holder Steve Bullock Cory Booker Mitch Landrieu Sherrod Brown
Sure, that's an early prediction, and many of these prospective candidates didn't even run. Still, only one of these people (Sanders) has a realistic shot at the nomination. And CNN's list of Democratic candidates "with the best chance of winning the nomination" still looked pretty awful in July 2019:
Joe Biden Kamala Harris Elizabeth Warren Bernie Sanders Pete Buttigieg Cory Booker Beto O'Rourke Amy Klobuchar Julián Castro Andrew Yang
Biden continued to lead CNN's power rankings in January 2020, when the network said he was "as close to the nomination as anyone has been this cycle." After failing to even crack the top three in Iowa and New Hampshire, and with former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg lurking, the former VP is now about as far from the nomination as anyone this cycle. Adulation from expert pundits has spelled death for many a campaign.
Nevertheless, they persisted. Pundits now tout Klobuchar's third-place finish in New Hampshire as evidence the Minnesota senator's underfunded, understaffed campaign will be competitive in Nevada, South Carolina, and on Super Tuesday, just three weeks from now. Buttigieg's strong showing in the first two primary contests—in predominately white states—gives him the illusion of viability, despite "Mayor Beast's" inability to record statistically significant levels of support among minority voters.
This has led to some absurd analysis reminiscent of the media's wishful thinking about Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican primary and general election. "What if Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and Biden were a single candidate?" the pundits ask, nonsensically. Recent polling suggests Sanders would win head-to-head matchups against every remaining Democratic rival.
Wow this is bad news for Bernie Sanders when he runs against three people at once in the general. pic.twitter.com/t5mxnMPLwu — jordan (@JordanUhl) February 13, 2020
Maybe all this terrible analysis proves is that elections are strange and complicated, hard to predict and analyze with any certainty. Maybe it's just difficult for upper-class residents of New York City and Washington, D.C., to assess the hearts and minds of average Americans. No one in the political punditry business would ever admit this, however. If it were true, what would be the point of their careers?


freebeacon--2020-02-19--Chris Matthews: Sanders Could Lose 49 States as the Dem Nominee

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews on Tuesday scolded the Democratic presidential field for attempting to pander to Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) supporters instead of attacking the frontrunner 's `` self-declared socialism . ''
`` They 're just pandering to the Bernie people and you know what pandering gets you ?
Nothing , '' Matthews said .
`` They 've got to get out there and say , ‘ I disagree with socialism .
I believe in the markets .
I think he 's wrong .
I think he 'll never get it done and this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way we 'll lose 49 states . '
'' Matthews , who has been a staunch critic of Sanders in recent weeks , reflected on the 1972 Democratic convention where he said he witnessed supporters of far-left Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern `` dancing in glee '' over defeating moderate Democrats and then losing 49 states in the general election against Richard Nixon .
`` That can happen again .
So clearly , that 's what I see .
It could happen again , '' Matthews said .
Matthews said Democrats need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrealistic .
`` Nobody just says the obvious : ‘ Bernie , you 're full of it .
None of this going to get passed .
You 're going to be a miserable president , frustrated from the first day because you 're not going to get Medicare for All .
You 're not going to get free college tuition for public universities .
You 're not going to get payoffs of all student loans .
None of this is going to happen and you 're just going to just sit there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` So why do n't they bring that up ?
I do not understand why they do n't bring that up . ''
Jennifer Palmieri , who served as the communications director for Hillary Clinton 's failed 2016 campaign , said she agreed with Matthews .
`` I think Chris is right that in this multi-candidate field you have to have a harder edge against Sanders and make the argument about what he 's not going to be able to do , and there are people who were just never going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never , ever were , '' Palmieri said .
`` To build your campaign assuming that you can win over the hardest-core Sanders supporters is a folly to me . ''

MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews on Tuesday scolded the Democratic presidential field for attempting to pander to Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) supporters instead of attacking the frontrunner's "self-declared socialism."
"They're just pandering to the Bernie people and you know what pandering gets you? Nothing," Matthews said. "They've got to get out there and say, 'I disagree with socialism. I believe in the markets. I think he's wrong. I think he'll never get it done and this country will never go that direction and by the way we'll lose 49 states.'"
Matthews, who has been a staunch critic of Sanders in recent weeks, reflected on the 1972 Democratic convention where he said he witnessed supporters of far-left Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern "dancing in glee" over defeating moderate Democrats and then losing 49 states in the general election against Richard Nixon.
"That can happen again. So clearly, that's what I see. It could happen again," Matthews said.
Matthews said Democrats need to attack Sanders's agenda as totally unrealistic.
"Nobody just says the obvious: 'Bernie, you're full of it. None of this going to get passed. You're going to be a miserable president, frustrated from the first day because you're not going to get Medicare for All. You're not going to get free college tuition for public universities. You're not going to get payoffs of all student loans. None of this is going to happen and you're just going to just sit there and stew in it,'" Matthews said. "So why don't they bring that up? I do not understand why they don't bring that up."
Jennifer Palmieri, who served as the communications director for Hillary Clinton's failed 2016 campaign, said she agreed with Matthews.
"I think Chris is right that in this multi-candidate field you have to have a harder edge against Sanders and make the argument about what he's not going to be able to do, and there are people who were just never going to come our way. They just never, ever were," Palmieri said. "To build your campaign assuming that you can win over the hardest-core Sanders supporters is a folly to me."


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Roger Stone Got 14 Times More Cable Mentions Than George Washington on Washington’s Birthday

A Washington Free Beacon analysis found that cable news networks mentioned former Trump adviser Roger Stone nearly 15 times as often as George Washington on Washington 's birthday .
A TVEyes search finds that Roger Stone was mentioned 131 times on Fox News , MSNBC , and CNN on Monday .
Excluding references to Washington , D.C. , Washington state , and the Washington Post , the founding father received only nine mentions .
While all three networks mentioned Stone roughly the same number of times , Fox News accounted for nearly every mention of George Washington .
Anchors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first president eight times .
MSNBC 's Joy Reid mentioned Washington in her closing monologue , while CNN did not mention him at all .
The nonstop Stone coverage came despite there being no major developments in the story .
Much of the coverage focused on the Justice Department 's decision to lower its sentencing recommendations , as well as Attorney General William Barr 's defense of the move in a Thursday interview .
The Stone coverage came at the expense of other developing stories .
On Fox News and MSNBC , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roger Stone—46 and 43 , respectively—than coronavirus—40 and 28 .
Kobe Bryant , the subject of a viral video tribute at Sunday 's NBA All-Star Game , received a combined 23 mentions across all three cable networks .
While commonly referred to as `` President 's Day '' at the state level , the federal government still refers to Monday 's holiday as `` George Washington 's Birthday . ''
The networks also made few references to `` President 's Day . ''
It was mentioned 8 times by CNN , 10 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News .

A Washington Free Beacon analysis found that cable news networks mentioned former Trump adviser Roger Stone nearly 15 times as often as George Washington on Washington's birthday.
A TVEyes search finds that Roger Stone was mentioned 131 times on Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN on Monday. Excluding references to Washington, D.C., Washington state, and the Washington Post, the founding father received only nine mentions.
While all three networks mentioned Stone roughly the same number of times, Fox News accounted for nearly every mention of George Washington. Anchors and guests on Fox named the nation's first president eight times. MSNBC's Joy Reid mentioned Washington in her closing monologue, while CNN did not mention him at all.
The nonstop Stone coverage came despite there being no major developments in the story. Much of the coverage focused on the Justice Department's decision to lower its sentencing recommendations, as well as Attorney General William Barr's defense of the move in a Thursday interview.
The Stone coverage came at the expense of other developing stories. On Fox News and MSNBC, for example, there were more mentions of Roger Stone—46 and 43, respectively—than coronavirus—40 and 28. Kobe Bryant, the subject of a viral video tribute at Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, received a combined 23 mentions across all three cable networks.
While commonly referred to as "President's Day" at the state level, the federal government still refers to Monday's holiday as "George Washington's Birthday." The networks also made few references to "President's Day." It was mentioned 8 times by CNN, 10 times by MSNBC, and 16 times by Fox News.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Bloomberg Once Called Excessive Spending on Campaign Ads ‘Obscene’

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has already poured hundreds of millions of dollars into his last-minute presidential bid , but the 2020 Democratic hopeful once described multimillion-dollar ad campaigns as `` obscene '' spending that would `` annoy people . ''
Bloomberg dismissed 2001 reports that he would spend upward of $ 30 million on his initial run for mayor in New York City .
`` At some point , you start to look obscene , '' Bloomberg told New York magazine .
`` There 's a limited amount of ad time you can buy .
It becomes dysfunctional ; you annoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to spend $ 73 million on his mayoral campaign , outspending his Democratic challenger Mark Green five-to-one .
The billionaire defended his excessive ad buys during his 2005 reelection campaign , denying that the ads annoyed New Yorkers during a mayoral debate .
`` I guess the question is , are you bugging people ? ''
moderator Dave Evans asked after reading Bloomberg 's previous comments .
`` I do n't think there 's any evidence , '' Bloomberg responded .
The New York City business mogul spent a combined $ 261 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a figure he has now eclipsed in just the first three months of his presidential campaign .
Bloomberg , who is worth an estimated $ 60 billion , has already spent at least $ 344 million on his campaign .
He has become a favorite target for progressive presidential hopefuls since launching his campaign in November .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
accused the former mayor of `` buying the presidency '' to avoid her proposed wealth tax .
The billionaire has been unapologetic about his financial advantage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beholden to outside influences .
Reached for comment , Bloomberg campaign spokesman Stu Loeser told the Washington Free Beacon that `` not taking a cent from special interests has allowed [ Bloomberg ] to make decisions on what 's good for the public only . ''
He declined to specify an amount of campaign spending that Bloomberg would now find `` obscene . ''
Bloomberg has dealt with attacks on his personal wealth in his previous political campaigns .
He dismissed criticism from his mayoral rivals during his 2001 run .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't help it if your problem is that you ca n't afford to do it yourself , '' he told New York magazine at the time .
Despite being a lifelong Democrat , Bloomberg ran for New York City mayor as a Republican in 2001 .
After narrowly defeating Green by 2 points despite his vast spending advantage , Bloomberg won reelection by a 20-point margin in 2005 .
He was reelected again in 2009 after the New York City Council extended the city 's term limits law .
Bloomberg offered Ronald Lauder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , an influential board position to ease concerns over the extension .
Bloomberg 's Republican mayoral record has become a source of criticism among progressive presidential candidates .
Democratic frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) called Bloomberg 's stop-and-frisk policy `` racist '' during a Monday evening campaign stop in Tacoma , Wash. , adding that it `` caused communities of color , African Americans and Latinos , to live in fear and humiliation in New York City . ''
Bloomberg has surged in the polls during the ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl .
He polls at third place in the RealClearPolitics average , surpassing long-established candidates , such as Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , as well as former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg , who finished among the top two in both Iowa and New Hampshire .

'There's a limited amount of ad time you can buy. It becomes dysfunctional; you annoy people with ads'
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has already poured hundreds of millions of dollars into his last-minute presidential bid, but the 2020 Democratic hopeful once described multimillion-dollar ad campaigns as "obscene" spending that would "annoy people."
Bloomberg dismissed 2001 reports that he would spend upward of $30 million on his initial run for mayor in New York City. "At some point, you start to look obscene," Bloomberg told New York magazine. "There's a limited amount of ad time you can buy. It becomes dysfunctional; you annoy people with ads."
Bloomberg went on to spend $73 million on his mayoral campaign, outspending his Democratic challenger Mark Green five-to-one. The billionaire defended his excessive ad buys during his 2005 reelection campaign, denying that the ads annoyed New Yorkers during a mayoral debate.
"I guess the question is, are you bugging people?" moderator Dave Evans asked after reading Bloomberg's previous comments. "I don't think there's any evidence," Bloomberg responded.
The New York City business mogul spent a combined $261 million on his three mayoral campaigns, a figure he has now eclipsed in just the first three months of his presidential campaign. Bloomberg, who is worth an estimated $60 billion, has already spent at least $344 million on his campaign.
He has become a favorite target for progressive presidential hopefuls since launching his campaign in November. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) accused the former mayor of "buying the presidency" to avoid her proposed wealth tax. The billionaire has been unapologetic about his financial advantage, focusing instead on how he is not beholden to outside influences.
Reached for comment, Bloomberg campaign spokesman Stu Loeser told the Washington Free Beacon that "not taking a cent from special interests has allowed [Bloomberg] to make decisions on what's good for the public only." He declined to specify an amount of campaign spending that Bloomberg would now find "obscene."
Bloomberg has dealt with attacks on his personal wealth in his previous political campaigns. He dismissed criticism from his mayoral rivals during his 2001 run.
"As for the other candidates, I can't help it if your problem is that you can't afford to do it yourself," he told New York magazine at the time.
Despite being a lifelong Democrat, Bloomberg ran for New York City mayor as a Republican in 2001. After narrowly defeating Green by 2 points despite his vast spending advantage, Bloomberg won reelection by a 20-point margin in 2005. He was reelected again in 2009 after the New York City Council extended the city's term limits law. Bloomberg offered Ronald Lauder, the fellow billionaire behind the legal change, an influential board position to ease concerns over the extension.
Bloomberg's Republican mayoral record has become a source of criticism among progressive presidential candidates. Democratic frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) called Bloomberg's stop-and-frisk policy "racist" during a Monday evening campaign stop in Tacoma, Wash., adding that it "caused communities of color, African Americans and Latinos, to live in fear and humiliation in New York City."
Bloomberg has surged in the polls during the ad blitz, which included multiple primetime commercials during the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. He polls at third place in the RealClearPolitics average, surpassing long-established candidates, such as Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), as well as former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, who finished among the top two in both Iowa and New Hampshire.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Warren: Bernie Is Responsible for His Bros

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( Mass . )
on Monday faulted Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) for his supporters ' attacks against a Nevada culinary workers union , saying they were building `` a foundation of hate . ''
`` I 've said before that we are all responsible for what our supporters do , '' Warren said in an interview with MSNBC 's Ali Vitali .
`` And I think Bernie has a lot of questions to answer here .
And I am particularly worried about what happened in the attacks on members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women in leadership . ''
Warren said the attacks would only further divide the Democratic Party , making it more difficult for any candidate to defeat President Donald Trump .
`` We do not build on a foundation of hate , '' she said .
Nevada Culinary Union 226 criticized Sanders 's Medicare for All proposal in a flyer distributed last Tuesday .
According to a statement released Wednesday , the union has since been the subject of `` vicious '' attacks in tweets , emails , and phone calls .
Sanders disavowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he was unsure whether they were even from his supporters and that the internet was a `` strange world . ''
Warren previously accused Sanders of saying in a private meeting in 2018 that a woman could n't win the presidency .
Sanders denied the allegation at a debate before the Iowa caucus , prompting Warren to accuse him afterward of calling her `` a liar on national TV . ''
Sanders went on to finish second in Iowa and first in New Hampshire , with Warren lagging behind the frontrunners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for their supporters comes six months after a mass shooting in Dayton , Ohio , which was carried out by a man who made pro-Warren posts on social media .
Warren said it was a `` distraction '' to discuss the shooter 's public support for her .
She condemned the massacre while saying Trump was responsible for racist violence in El Paso because there was a `` direct line between the president ’ s rhetoric and the stated motivations of the El Paso shooter . ''
Warren and Sanders will join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a debate Wednesday night in Nevada .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) on Monday faulted Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) for his supporters' attacks against a Nevada culinary workers union, saying they were building "a foundation of hate."
"I've said before that we are all responsible for what our supporters do," Warren said in an interview with MSNBC's Ali Vitali. "And I think Bernie has a lot of questions to answer here. And I am particularly worried about what happened in the attacks on members of the culinary union, particularly on the women in leadership."
Warren said the attacks would only further divide the Democratic Party, making it more difficult for any candidate to defeat President Donald Trump. "We do not build on a foundation of hate," she said.
Nevada Culinary Union 226 criticized Sanders's Medicare for All proposal in a flyer distributed last Tuesday. According to a statement released Wednesday, the union has since been the subject of "vicious" attacks in tweets, emails, and phone calls.
Sanders disavowed the attacks in an interview Thursday, saying he was unsure whether they were even from his supporters and that the internet was a "strange world."
Warren previously accused Sanders of saying in a private meeting in 2018 that a woman couldn't win the presidency. Sanders denied the allegation at a debate before the Iowa caucus, prompting Warren to accuse him afterward of calling her "a liar on national TV." Sanders went on to finish second in Iowa and first in New Hampshire, with Warren lagging behind the frontrunners.
Warren's call for candidates to take responsibility for their supporters comes six months after a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, which was carried out by a man who made pro-Warren posts on social media. Warren said it was a "distraction" to discuss the shooter's public support for her. She condemned the massacre while saying Trump was responsible for racist violence in El Paso because there was a "direct line between the president’s rhetoric and the stated motivations of the El Paso shooter."
Warren and Sanders will join the rest of the Democratic field for a debate Wednesday night in Nevada.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Founder of Putin-Tied Russian Tech Firm Hosts Fundraiser for Maine Democrat

A recent fundraiser for Maine Democrat Sara Gideon was cohosted by the founder and chairman of Russian tech giant Yandex , a search engine closely tied to associates of Vladimir Putin that allows itself to be controlled by the Kremlin .
The invitation for the February 12 fundraiser for Gideon , the Democratic establishment 's choice in Maine 's closely watched U.S. Senate election , shows it was hosted by John Boynton , an American who built a fortune off founding companies in Russia .
Among Boynton 's companies is Yandex , which has been branded the `` Google of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest internet company .
Boynton and his wife were each required to contribute the maximum $ 5,600 to Gideon to be listed as hosts of the fundraiser .
Boynton founded Yandex in 1997 alongside Russian billionaire Arkady Volozh , who was included on the U.S. Treasury Department 's `` Putin List '' of 210 prominent Russian oligarchs and politicians .
The tech giant 's board is comprised of individuals with ties to the highest echelons of power in the country , which could prove troublesome for Gideon as many of her fellow Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American politics through the internet .
In addition to Boynton and Volozh , Yandex 's board of directors includes Alexander Voloshin and Herman Gref , two of Putin 's earliest advisers who are now among the most powerful people in the country .
Voloshin was formerly Putin 's chief of staff and has been credited with advancing Putin to his position of power .
A Los Angeles Times profile described him as `` the iron man at the heart of Putin 's administration . ''
When Voloshin was Putin 's chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gref now runs Russian state-owned financial giant Sberbank and was recently labeled the `` most powerful executive in Russia '' by Forbes .
Yandex currently reports annual revenues of more than $ 2 billion , making it the largest tech company in Russia .
In November 2019 , it underwent a corporate restructuring designed to give the Kremlin increased oversight over the company , the Guardian reported .
The decision came just two years after Putin toured the company 's headquarters in September 2017 .
The new structure received personal approval from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision was made , Boynton said the company needed to adjust to an `` evolving regulatory environment . ''
Boynton is a tech entrepreneur who runs Firehouse Capital , Inc. , a Massachusetts-based venture capital and private equity firm .
Boynton has said his `` career was shaped '' by a high school trip to the Soviet Union .
The trip inspired him to `` direct his entrepreneurial spirit towards Russia '' after he graduated from Harvard in 1988 .
Boynton cofounded the incubator that developed Yandex in the 1990s .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Russia-based telecommunications company , and InfiNet Wireless , one of the largest privately owned broadband wireless access companies in the world .
Last January Boynton was invited to speak at Russia 's official residence in Davos , Switzerland , for an event called `` Russia : DNA of the New Entrepreneur . ''
Boynton on his website says he tries to take an active role in companies he 's involved in .
`` I am not just a financial investor : in many of the companies I am involved in I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robust governance systems and practices , which I have seen time and again make important contributions to creating sustainable value , '' he says on Firehouse Capital 's website .
Gideon 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the fundraiser .
Boynton 's assistant said the investor was unavailable to comment for this story .
Boynton has made several large contributions to Democratic candidates in the past , but his contribution to Gideon appears to be his first real foray into the 2020 election cycle .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous contributions this cycle were $ 250 each to Democratic presidential candidates Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar .
Gideon is the Democratic establishment 's choice in the Senate primary , scheduled for June , to face Republican senator Susan Collins this November .
The race is expected to be among the most expensive in the country .

A recent fundraiser for Maine Democrat Sara Gideon was cohosted by the founder and chairman of Russian tech giant Yandex, a search engine closely tied to associates of Vladimir Putin that allows itself to be controlled by the Kremlin.
The invitation for the February 12 fundraiser for Gideon, the Democratic establishment's choice in Maine's closely watched U.S. Senate election, shows it was hosted by John Boynton, an American who built a fortune off founding companies in Russia. Among Boynton's companies is Yandex, which has been branded the "Google of Russia" and is the country's largest internet company. Boynton and his wife were each required to contribute the maximum $5,600 to Gideon to be listed as hosts of the fundraiser.
Boynton founded Yandex in 1997 alongside Russian billionaire Arkady Volozh, who was included on the U.S. Treasury Department's "Putin List" of 210 prominent Russian oligarchs and politicians. The tech giant's board is comprised of individuals with ties to the highest echelons of power in the country, which could prove troublesome for Gideon as many of her fellow Democrats warn of Russia's attempts to influence American politics through the internet.
In addition to Boynton and Volozh, Yandex's board of directors includes Alexander Voloshin and Herman Gref, two of Putin's earliest advisers who are now among the most powerful people in the country. Voloshin was formerly Putin's chief of staff and has been credited with advancing Putin to his position of power. A Los Angeles Times profile described him as "the iron man at the heart of Putin's administration." When Voloshin was Putin's chief of staff, Gref was Putin's economy minister. Gref now runs Russian state-owned financial giant Sberbank and was recently labeled the "most powerful executive in Russia" by Forbes.
Yandex currently reports annual revenues of more than $2 billion, making it the largest tech company in Russia. In November 2019, it underwent a corporate restructuring designed to give the Kremlin increased oversight over the company, the Guardian reported. The decision came just two years after Putin toured the company's headquarters in September 2017.
The new structure received personal approval from Putin, according to Reuters. When the decision was made, Boynton said the company needed to adjust to an "evolving regulatory environment."
Boynton is a tech entrepreneur who runs Firehouse Capital, Inc., a Massachusetts-based venture capital and private equity firm. Boynton has said his "career was shaped" by a high school trip to the Soviet Union. The trip inspired him to "direct his entrepreneurial spirit towards Russia" after he graduated from Harvard in 1988. Boynton cofounded the incubator that developed Yandex in the 1990s.
In addition to Yandex, Boynton cofounded Comptek, a Russia-based telecommunications company, and InfiNet Wireless, one of the largest privately owned broadband wireless access companies in the world. Last January Boynton was invited to speak at Russia's official residence in Davos, Switzerland, for an event called "Russia: DNA of the New Entrepreneur."
Boynton on his website says he tries to take an active role in companies he's involved in.
"I am not just a financial investor: in many of the companies I am involved in I have played an active role in establishing robust governance systems and practices, which I have seen time and again make important contributions to creating sustainable value," he says on Firehouse Capital's website.
Gideon's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the fundraiser. Boynton's assistant said the investor was unavailable to comment for this story.
Boynton has made several large contributions to Democratic candidates in the past, but his contribution to Gideon appears to be his first real foray into the 2020 election cycle. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, his only previous contributions this cycle were $250 each to Democratic presidential candidates Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar.
Gideon is the Democratic establishment's choice in the Senate primary, scheduled for June, to face Republican senator Susan Collins this November. The race is expected to be among the most expensive in the country.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Obama Allies Push Back on Bloomberg Ads Framing Mayor as Obama Pal

Ads casting Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg and former president Barack Obama as close political allies are n't supported by the facts of their relationship , former top Obama aides said Tuesday .
`` That is not how I remember it , '' former senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said on MSNBC .
`` I do remember that 2012 endorsement that came five days before the election and to say it was damning with faint praise would be generous… .
I think these ads tell a story that is belied by the reality of that relationship , [ which ] I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he did n't know how Obama personally felt about Bloomberg 's strategy , but he said people in Obama 's orbit were `` maybe a little frustrated '' by the ads and their ubiquity .
Bloomberg has already spent more than $ 400 million on advertising , helping him rise quickly in national and state Democratic primary polls .
Former Obama National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor tweeted Tuesday , `` It 's jarring to see all these Bloomberg ads that suggest Obama has endorsed him , especially considering how … perfunctory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012 . ''
Obama 's former speechwriter Jon Favreau replied to Vietor , `` Perfunctory is putting it kindly . ''
Pfeiffer , Vietor , and Favreau are cohosts on the popular left-wing podcast `` Pod Save America . ''
Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe recounted last week how someone at his California gym asked him why Obama `` chose Bloomberg over the rest of the field , '' even though he is actually maintaining neutrality in the primary .
Bloomberg has touted warm words from Obama in national ads that discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education , calling him a `` great president '' in the latest iteration .
The former New York City mayor , however , was strongly critical of Obama throughout his presidency and not a supporter beforehand .
He did n't endorse Obama in his 2008 campaign against former senator John McCain .
Less than one month after Bloomberg introduced Obama for remarks at a Manhattan college , Bloomberg introduced McCain for a speech in Brooklyn on April 10 , 2008 , calling the Republican a `` good friend '' who deserved the title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Bloomberg in his first successful mayoral election in 2001 .
Bloomberg said he voted for one of the two major-party nominees that year but refused to say whom when pressed by reporters in 2009 .
Bloomberg had by this time become an independent after being a Republican from 2001 to 2007 .
He became a Democrat in 2018 .
Bloomberg waited until five days before the 2012 election to back Obama over Republican Mitt Romney , despite what he described as Obama 's `` divisive populist agenda focused more on redistributing income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare as a `` disgrace '' and suggested the president fire his advisers in 2010 , said Obama did n't have a cohesive worldview in 2012 , and said Obama bore responsibility for widening racial divisions during his presidency .
He also expressed policy disagreements with the then-president on the Middle East , taxes , and Wall Street , among other issues .
Former vice president Joe Biden has expressed irritation with Bloomberg essentially hijacking a major part of his campaign pitch .
Biden consistently invokes being Obama 's loyal No .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's policies .
`` The advertising I ’ ve seen , you ’ d think that Mike was Barack ’ s vice president , '' Biden told donors last week , according to New York magazine .
New York magazine also reported Bloomberg was one of the only major Democratic contenders not to alert Obama before his announcement that he was running .
Bloomberg said in March he would n't run but reversed himself and launched his candidacy in November .

Ads casting Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg and former president Barack Obama as close political allies aren't supported by the facts of their relationship, former top Obama aides said Tuesday.
"That is not how I remember it," former senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer said on MSNBC. "I do remember that 2012 endorsement that came five days before the election and to say it was damning with faint praise would be generous.... I think these ads tell a story that is belied by the reality of that relationship, [which] I think is somewhat complicated."
Pfeiffer said he didn't know how Obama personally felt about Bloomberg's strategy, but he said people in Obama's orbit were "maybe a little frustrated" by the ads and their ubiquity. Bloomberg has already spent more than $400 million on advertising, helping him rise quickly in national and state Democratic primary polls.
Former Obama National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor tweeted Tuesday, "It's jarring to see all these Bloomberg ads that suggest Obama has endorsed him, especially considering how ... perfunctory his endorsement of Obama was back in 2012."
Obama's former speechwriter Jon Favreau replied to Vietor, "Perfunctory is putting it kindly." Pfeiffer, Vietor, and Favreau are cohosts on the popular left-wing podcast "Pod Save America."
https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1229781381716140033?s=20
Perfunctory is putting it kindly! — Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) February 18, 2020
Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe recounted last week how someone at his California gym asked him why Obama "chose Bloomberg over the rest of the field," even though he is actually maintaining neutrality in the primary.
"The power of saturation advertising," Plouffe wrote.
The power of saturation advertising. Someone at my gym in California asked me why Barack Obama chose Bloomberg over the rest of the field. — David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) February 14, 2020
Bloomberg has touted warm words from Obama in national ads that discuss their work together on gun control and education, calling him a "great president" in the latest iteration.
The former New York City mayor, however, was strongly critical of Obama throughout his presidency and not a supporter beforehand. He didn't endorse Obama in his 2008 campaign against former senator John McCain.
Less than one month after Bloomberg introduced Obama for remarks at a Manhattan college, Bloomberg introduced McCain for a speech in Brooklyn on April 10, 2008, calling the Republican a "good friend" who deserved the title of "hero." McCain campaigned for Bloomberg in his first successful mayoral election in 2001.
Bloomberg said he voted for one of the two major-party nominees that year but refused to say whom when pressed by reporters in 2009. Bloomberg had by this time become an independent after being a Republican from 2001 to 2007. He became a Democrat in 2018.
Bloomberg waited until five days before the 2012 election to back Obama over Republican Mitt Romney, despite what he described as Obama's "divisive populist agenda focused more on redistributing income than creating it."
Bloomberg ripped Obamacare as a "disgrace" and suggested the president fire his advisers in 2010, said Obama didn't have a cohesive worldview in 2012, and said Obama bore responsibility for widening racial divisions during his presidency. He also expressed policy disagreements with the then-president on the Middle East, taxes, and Wall Street, among other issues.
Former vice president Joe Biden has expressed irritation with Bloomberg essentially hijacking a major part of his campaign pitch. Biden consistently invokes being Obama's loyal No. 2 and promises an expansion of the former president's policies.
"The advertising I’ve seen, you’d think that Mike was Barack’s vice president," Biden told donors last week, according to New York magazine.
New York magazine also reported Bloomberg was one of the only major Democratic contenders not to alert Obama before his announcement that he was running. Bloomberg said in March he wouldn't run but reversed himself and launched his candidacy in November.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Chris Murphy Admits He Secretly Met With Iranian Foreign Minister

Senator Chris Murphy ( D. , Conn. ) admitted Tuesday that he secretly met with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif at an international security conference .
Murphy met with Zarif after criticizing the Trump administration 's Middle East policy in a speech to the Munich Security Conference last week .
Murphy remained silent when reports of the meeting emerged on Monday , but acknowledged he met with top Iranian regime officials in a Medium post published Tuesday .
`` For years , I have met on occasion with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif , during both the Obama and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have no delusions about Iran—they are our adversary , responsible for the killing of thousands of Americans and unacceptable levels of support for terrorist organizations throughout the Middle East .
But I think it 's dangerous to not talk to your enemies . ''
Murphy , whose office did not respond to a request for comment , wrote that he and Zarif discussed U.S. prisoners held in Iran , belligerent actions from the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen , and Iranian responses to what Murphy called `` the Soleimani assassination . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo harshly criticized Murphy 's meeting in remarks to reporters .
Pompeo noted the United States government has designated Zarif the regime 's chief propagandist .
`` He 's the foreign minister for a country that shot down an airliner and has yet to turn over the black boxes , '' Pompeo said .
`` This is the foreign minister of a country that killed an American on December 27 .
This is the foreign minister of a country that is the world 's largest state sponsor of terror and the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy defended his meeting , which was first reported by the Federalist , saying `` If Trump is n't going to talk to Iran , then someone should .
And Congress is a co-equal branch of government , responsible along with the Executive for setting foreign policy . ''
That stance contrasts with Murphy 's rhetoric during the Obama administration when 47 Republican senators sent a letter to the Iranian regime warning that the Senate had the power to reject any nuclear deal .
At the time , Murphy said the letter was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and called on Republicans to respect `` the difference between what the executive branch and what the legislative branch is supposed to be doing surrounding delicate negotiations . ''

Senator Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) admitted Tuesday that he secretly met with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif at an international security conference.
Murphy met with Zarif after criticizing the Trump administration's Middle East policy in a speech to the Munich Security Conference last week. Murphy remained silent when reports of the meeting emerged on Monday, but acknowledged he met with top Iranian regime officials in a Medium post published Tuesday.
"For years, I have met on occasion with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, during both the Obama and Trump Administrations," he wrote. "I have no delusions about Iran—they are our adversary, responsible for the killing of thousands of Americans and unacceptable levels of support for terrorist organizations throughout the Middle East. But I think it's dangerous to not talk to your enemies."
Murphy, whose office did not respond to a request for comment, wrote that he and Zarif discussed U.S. prisoners held in Iran, belligerent actions from the Iranian-aligned Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian responses to what Murphy called "the Soleimani assassination."
The admission came hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo harshly criticized Murphy's meeting in remarks to reporters. Pompeo noted the United States government has designated Zarif the regime's chief propagandist.
"He's the foreign minister for a country that shot down an airliner and has yet to turn over the black boxes," Pompeo said. "This is the foreign minister of a country that killed an American on December 27. This is the foreign minister of a country that is the world's largest state sponsor of terror and the world's largest sponsor of anti-Semitism."
Murphy defended his meeting, which was first reported by the Federalist, saying "If Trump isn't going to talk to Iran, then someone should. And Congress is a co-equal branch of government, responsible along with the Executive for setting foreign policy."
That stance contrasts with Murphy's rhetoric during the Obama administration when 47 Republican senators sent a letter to the Iranian regime warning that the Senate had the power to reject any nuclear deal. At the time, Murphy said the letter was "undermining the authority of the president" and called on Republicans to respect "the difference between what the executive branch and what the legislative branch is supposed to be doing surrounding delicate negotiations."


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Paul Krugman Denies Bernie Sanders’s Right to Self-Identify

For the entirety of his 49-year career in politics , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) has chosen to identify as a socialist .
Now that Sanders is the frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination for president , smug New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wants to deny him the right to his own identity .
Krugman 's recent column for the Times— '' Bernie Sanders Is n't a Socialist '' —is a typically condescending and incoherent diatribe that relies on factual inaccuracies to support an underwhelming argument , which Krugman confines to a single paragraph : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually a socialist in any normal sense of the term .
He does n't want to nationalize our major industries and replace markets with central planning ; he has expressed admiration , not for Venezuela , but for Denmark .
He 's basically what Europeans would call a social democrat—and social democracies like Denmark are , in fact , quite nice places to live , with societies that are , if anything , freer than our own .
In fact , Sanders has openly supported nationalizing most major industries , and in 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American Dream is more apt to be realized . ''
The s-word , Krugman proceeds to argue , would be `` a gift to the Trump campaign '' should Sanders win the nomination , as would socialist proposals like Medicare for All , which Krugman concedes is not an especially popular proposition .
Krugman still thinks Democrats should support Sanders if he 's the nominee—he just wishes the socialist candidate was n't `` so determined to make himself a target for right-wing smears . ''
The Times columnist also takes a shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for having the audacity to suggest budget deficits are bad , a `` remarkably stale '' idea .
That 's a bit rich coming from Krugman , who spent the entire Obama administration arguing in favor of deficit spending , only to conclude that `` deficits matter again '' after Trump was elected , only to change his mind again when a Democratic candidate says it .
In any event , Paul Krugman is a self-righteous moron who should n't lecture socialists on how to identify .

For the entirety of his 49-year career in politics, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has chosen to identify as a socialist. Now that Sanders is the frontrunner to win the Democratic nomination for president, smug New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wants to deny him the right to his own identity.
Krugman's recent column for the Times—"Bernie Sanders Isn't a Socialist"—is a typically condescending and incoherent diatribe that relies on factual inaccuracies to support an underwhelming argument, which Krugman confines to a single paragraph:
The thing is, Bernie Sanders isn't actually a socialist in any normal sense of the term. He doesn't want to nationalize our major industries and replace markets with central planning; he has expressed admiration, not for Venezuela, but for Denmark. He's basically what Europeans would call a social democrat—and social democracies like Denmark are, in fact, quite nice places to live, with societies that are, if anything, freer than our own.
In fact, Sanders has openly supported nationalizing most major industries, and in 2011 praised Venezuela as a place where "the American Dream is more apt to be realized."
The s-word, Krugman proceeds to argue, would be "a gift to the Trump campaign" should Sanders win the nomination, as would socialist proposals like Medicare for All, which Krugman concedes is not an especially popular proposition. Krugman still thinks Democrats should support Sanders if he's the nominee—he just wishes the socialist candidate wasn't "so determined to make himself a target for right-wing smears."
The Times columnist also takes a shot at former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg for having the audacity to suggest budget deficits are bad, a "remarkably stale" idea. That's a bit rich coming from Krugman, who spent the entire Obama administration arguing in favor of deficit spending, only to conclude that "deficits matter again" after Trump was elected, only to change his mind again when a Democratic candidate says it.
In any event, Paul Krugman is a self-righteous moron who shouldn't lecture socialists on how to identify.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--New Klobuchar Super PAC Launches Ahead of Nevada to Boost Candidate

The first super PAC supporting Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) has popped up following the candidate 's strong performance in the New Hampshire primary last week .
Since its emergence on Feb. 14 , the group has hauled in a seven-figure sum , which will be put toward advertisements in upcoming caucus and primary states , according to the group 's spokesman .
The Kitchen Table Conversations PAC is the first super PAC founded to boost Klobuchar 's presidential bid—a shot in the arm for the senator who was until recently considered a long-shot candidate .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota senator to voters in Nevada , South Carolina , and the Super Tuesday states .
The new effort stands to support Klobuchar following her third-place finish in the New Hampshire Democratic primary .
Klobuchar 's campaign was propelled by a $ 12 million haul in the days following the primary—an amount more than what the senator had taken in the previous three months combined .
Richard Carlbom , PAC spokesman and founder of Minnesota-based political firm United Strategies , told the Washington Free Beacon the PAC has already `` received enough contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital and TV . ''
He said the committee is continuing to raise funds for the effort .
The PAC 's records with the Federal Election Commission show that Kristen McMullen , a fundraiser from United Strategies , is acting as the group 's treasurer .
`` Amy is the only Presidential candidate who can unite Democrats , Independents , and Republicans to build the coalition that will defeat Donald Trump so the country can get back to solving the kitchen table problems that families face , '' the PAC 's website states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nevada on Monday and plans to push out six-figure ad buys in South Carolina and Super Tuesday states .
Carlbom did not comment on who is funding the effort .
The group will not have to publicly release its donors until April .
Klobuchar 's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new super PAC .

The first super PAC supporting Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) has popped up following the candidate's strong performance in the New Hampshire primary last week. Since its emergence on Feb. 14, the group has hauled in a seven-figure sum, which will be put toward advertisements in upcoming caucus and primary states, according to the group's spokesman.
The Kitchen Table Conversations PAC is the first super PAC founded to boost Klobuchar's presidential bid—a shot in the arm for the senator who was until recently considered a long-shot candidate. The committee aims to "introduce" the Minnesota senator to voters in Nevada, South Carolina, and the Super Tuesday states.
The new effort stands to support Klobuchar following her third-place finish in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Klobuchar's campaign was propelled by a $12 million haul in the days following the primary—an amount more than what the senator had taken in the previous three months combined.
Richard Carlbom, PAC spokesman and founder of Minnesota-based political firm United Strategies, told the Washington Free Beacon the PAC has already "received enough contributions to place a seven-figure ad buy on digital and TV." He said the committee is continuing to raise funds for the effort.
The PAC's records with the Federal Election Commission show that Kristen McMullen, a fundraiser from United Strategies, is acting as the group's treasurer.
"Amy is the only Presidential candidate who can unite Democrats, Independents, and Republicans to build the coalition that will defeat Donald Trump so the country can get back to solving the kitchen table problems that families face," the PAC's website states.
The PAC launched its first ad in Nevada on Monday and plans to push out six-figure ad buys in South Carolina and Super Tuesday states. Carlbom did not comment on who is funding the effort. The group will not have to publicly release its donors until April.
Klobuchar's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new super PAC.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--BLOOMBERG BOX WATCH: ‘Mini Mike’ Qualifies for Democratic Debate in Nevada

Michael Bloomberg , the former New York City mayor trying to become the shortest individual elected president since the five-foot-seven William McKinley in 1896 , will finally get the chance to stand up to his Democratic rivals on a debate stage .
It remains to be seen what sort of contraption the multibillionaire will deploy in an attempt to conceal the truth about his diminutive stature at Wednesday 's debate in Las Vegas .
Bloomberg , who has previously ( and falsely ) claimed to be 5-foot-10 , qualified for the upcoming primary debate in Nevada after an NPR/PBS/Marist poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
The Democratic National Committee changed the debate 's requirements specifically to ensure Bloomberg could participate .
Previously , candidates were required to meet a threshold of campaign contributions to qualify .
Bloomberg , who is self-funding his campaign , is not taking donations .
Bloomberg has a long history of standing on boxes to boost his height .
President Donald J. Trump recently suggested the former mayor , aka `` Mini Mike , '' would attempt to use a box or lift during the Democratic primary debates .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can be short , '' said Trump during an interview with Sean Hannity .
`` Why should he get a box to stand on ?
He wants a box for the debates .
Why should he be entitled ?
Does that mean everyone else gets a box ? ''
The media diligently endeavored to fact check Trump 's claims .
That is , they asked the Bloomberg campaign if Trump was right .
The campaign denied it , and that was good enough for them .
Common sense , however , suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a box at the debate .
He 'll just have to be extra sneaky now that Trump has successfully drawn attention to his box obsession and forced his campaign to deny it .
Fortunately for Bloomberg , the national media may go to great lengths to aid and abet his box plot .
Bloomberg has risen in recent polls thanks to the underwhelming performances of former `` top-tier '' candidates such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and former vice president Joe Biden .
The NPR/PBS/Marist poll showed Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) at 19 percent among registered Democrats .
Bloomberg is not even on the ballot in Nevada , which will hold its caucus on Saturday .
His name will not appear on a primary ballot until March 3 , aka `` Super Tuesday , '' when Democratic voters in 14 states , including California and Texas , will head to the polls .

Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor trying to become the shortest individual elected president since the five-foot-seven William McKinley in 1896, will finally get the chance to stand up to his Democratic rivals on a debate stage. It remains to be seen what sort of contraption the multibillionaire will deploy in an attempt to conceal the truth about his diminutive stature at Wednesday's debate in Las Vegas.
Bloomberg, who has previously (and falsely) claimed to be 5-foot-10, qualified for the upcoming primary debate in Nevada after an NPR/PBS/Marist poll placed him in second place nationally among Democrats. The Democratic National Committee changed the debate's requirements specifically to ensure Bloomberg could participate. Previously, candidates were required to meet a threshold of campaign contributions to qualify. Bloomberg, who is self-funding his campaign, is not taking donations.
Bloomberg has a long history of standing on boxes to boost his height. President Donald J. Trump recently suggested the former mayor, aka "Mini Mike," would attempt to use a box or lift during the Democratic primary debates. "It's OK. There's nothing wrong. You can be short," said Trump during an interview with Sean Hannity. "Why should he get a box to stand on? He wants a box for the debates. Why should he be entitled? Does that mean everyone else gets a box?"
The media diligently endeavored to fact check Trump's claims. That is, they asked the Bloomberg campaign if Trump was right. The campaign denied it, and that was good enough for them.
Common sense, however, suggests Bloomberg would really like to stand on a box at the debate. He'll just have to be extra sneaky now that Trump has successfully drawn attention to his box obsession and forced his campaign to deny it. Fortunately for Bloomberg, the national media may go to great lengths to aid and abet his box plot.
Bloomberg has risen in recent polls thanks to the underwhelming performances of former "top-tier" candidates such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and former vice president Joe Biden. The NPR/PBS/Marist poll showed Bloomberg in second place nationwide behind Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) at 19 percent among registered Democrats.
Bloomberg is not even on the ballot in Nevada, which will hold its caucus on Saturday. His name will not appear on a primary ballot until March 3, aka "Super Tuesday," when Democratic voters in 14 states, including California and Texas, will head to the polls.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--MSNBC Panelist to NeverTrumper: If You Can’t Vote Sanders, Trump Isn’t ‘Emergency’ You Say He Is

An MSNBC panelist called out NeverTrumper Steve Schmidt Tuesday for declaring President Donald Trump an `` emergency '' but expressing strong criticism for 2020 Democratic frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
`` If Donald Trump is the emergency you say he is , and the Democratic Party puts forward Bernie Sanders , and you tell me that you ca n't vote for him , then it seems to me that Donald Trump is n't the emergency that you say he is , '' liberal professor Eddie Glaude Jr. said after Schmidt recounted the positives of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump 's presidency , proclaiming the former New York City mayor more electable than Sanders .
Schmidt did n't explicitly say he would n't vote for Sanders but he lambasted the candidate as a `` socialist who honeymooned in the Soviet Union '' who `` wants to take health care away from 150 million people '' and promised a laundry list of free items for voters .
Anchor Stephanie Ruhle bristled at Schmidt 's description , saying he was n't offering `` free stuff for everyone . ''
`` Sixty-trillion dollars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Schmidt replied .
`` If you want to say 60-trillion dollars , you can say it , but we ca n't just look at Bernie Sanders and say ‘ free stuff for everyone , ' '' Ruhle said .
`` Why not ? ''
Schmidt asked , drawing a glance from Ruhle .
Schmidt left the Republican Party over its embrace of Trump and has emerged as one of the president 's strongest critics .
He has warned against the Democrats nominating Sanders—who is leading national primary polls—because `` the capitalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week and twice in November . ''
Sanders may be heartened that Schmidt also repeatedly predicted in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election that Trump would lose , at one point guessing Hillary Clinton could win more than 400 electoral votes .
Other prominent anti-Trump voices who were once aligned with the Republican Party have also expressed strong skepticism about a potential Sanders nomination , saying it would assure a Trump victory .

An MSNBC panelist called out NeverTrumper Steve Schmidt Tuesday for declaring President Donald Trump an "emergency" but expressing strong criticism for 2020 Democratic frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
"If Donald Trump is the emergency you say he is, and the Democratic Party puts forward Bernie Sanders, and you tell me that you can't vote for him, then it seems to me that Donald Trump isn't the emergency that you say he is," liberal professor Eddie Glaude Jr. said after Schmidt recounted the positives of a potential Michael Bloomberg candidacy against the threat of Trump's presidency, proclaiming the former New York City mayor more electable than Sanders.
Schmidt didn't explicitly say he wouldn't vote for Sanders but he lambasted the candidate as a "socialist who honeymooned in the Soviet Union" who "wants to take health care away from 150 million people" and promised a laundry list of free items for voters.
Anchor Stephanie Ruhle bristled at Schmidt's description, saying he wasn't offering "free stuff for everyone."
"Sixty-trillion dollars of new spending that he's called for," Schmidt replied.
"If you want to say 60-trillion dollars, you can say it, but we can't just look at Bernie Sanders and say 'free stuff for everyone,'" Ruhle said.
"Why not?" Schmidt asked, drawing a glance from Ruhle.
Schmidt left the Republican Party over its embrace of Trump and has emerged as one of the president's strongest critics. He has warned against the Democrats nominating Sanders—who is leading national primary polls—because "the capitalist beats the socialist all days of the week and twice in November."
Sanders may be heartened that Schmidt also repeatedly predicted in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election that Trump would lose, at one point guessing Hillary Clinton could win more than 400 electoral votes.
Other prominent anti-Trump voices who were once aligned with the Republican Party have also expressed strong skepticism about a potential Sanders nomination, saying it would assure a Trump victory.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Pompeo Says Trump Travel Ban Will Not Impede U.S. Security, Trade Pacts With Africa

LUANDA , Angola—The Trump administration 's newly implemented restrictions on travel to the United States from key African countries will not interfere with efforts by top U.S. officials to boost America 's standing in the region , particularly on security and trade fronts , according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
During a meeting with Manuel Augusto , Angola 's minister of external relations , America 's chief diplomat emphasized his administration 's commitment to bolstering central Africa 's security amid growing concerns that the Trump administration 's travel restrictions could harm relations with the continent .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those from Nigeria , Sudan , Tanzania , and Eritrea—all countries where terrorism and health issues remain a concern for the administration .
The restrictions have angered these governments and sparked much conversation about whether the Trump administration is sending a message of disdain for the region .
`` There is nothing that conflicts between America 's need to be sure that the people that are coming in and out of the United States—we know who they are , we know where they 're traveling—every nation has a sovereign obligation to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters traveling with him as he makes his way through several key African countries , including Senegal , Angola , and Ethiopia .
`` That in no way conflicts with America 's deep desire to get—increase our contacts , partnerships here with Angola and all throughout Africa , '' Pompeo said .
`` In fact , you can see it , the data set 's very clear .
You can see increased investment .
You can see it in ways that are important to liberate the people of this region , to liberate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our investments are transparent , they 're clean . ''
Pompeo is in Africa amidst a mounting dispute over the Trump administration 's Africa policy .
The administration has faced bipartisan backlash in Congress against pulling all U.S. troops out of Africa 's Sahel region , which includes parts of Senegal and Eritrea .
U.S. presence in that region includes about 1,000 troops who aid in local troop training and intelligence sharing .
Pompeo worked to reassure African allies that the United States `` will get it right '' when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy are not a sign the administration is pulling resources at a time when terrorism looms large across the continent .
U.S. officials said Pompeo specifically chose these African nations to visit because they symbolize opportunity—both private and public—for investment and development .
America under the Trump administration is not pulling back from the world stage , despite facing this criticism , and is focused on playing a central role in helping the developing world adopt Western values , according to sources familiar with Pompeo 's thinking .
In Angola , Pompeo again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country on the security front , an issue that has been raised repeatedly by senior African officials who have met with the secretary .
They are seeking to extract promises from Pompeo that the Trump administration will not turn its back on the developing world at a key time in its march toward increased freedom and democracy .
`` The United States is eager to partner more on security as well , '' Pompeo said .
`` We welcomed Angola 's first-ever deployment of peacekeepers to help stabilize Lesotho in 2017 .
Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing for civil society to flourish—journalists , businesspeople , churches—any number of organizations should be able to work , to grow , and to be heard without fear . ''
The new government 's actions to reform Angolan civil society `` are something you should be proud of , '' Pompeo said to Augusto .
`` What 's been done in the last four years gives the United States great relief to continue to expand our ties , and they give the Angolan people a reason for optimism .
They should continue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States being a partner . ''
Angola has emerged as a willing and eager partner since its new government has taken steps to modernize the country and make it more Western-oriented .
This , too , has been a constant theme throughout Pompeo 's trip through the region .
He is trying to make it clear that America is still leading the global charge to bring Western values to countries formerly hostile to this world view .
American investment also has featured prominently in Pompeo 's conversations with African leaders .
Officials from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ethiopia , all made clear in public settings that they want America 's private sector to aid in their development .
Pompeo 's presence in Luanda is `` good for the Angolan Government because we want to believe that his presence is also sign of the support of the President Donald Trump administration , support to the program of the government of President Joao Lourenco , and above all , the reforms that President Joao Lourenco has been making in the country , '' Augusto told reporters after his private meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that America wants `` Angola 's future to be sovereign , prosperous , and peaceful .
We talked first about moving beyond the corruption that 's stunted this nation 's vast potential for far too long . ''
American private businesses can serve as a counter to China 's massive investment in Africa and the surrounding developing world .
The Trump administration is making moves to play a central role in countering China 's massive and years-long investment in the region , according to U.S. officials .
`` We do n't impose debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pompeo said in response to questions about China 's influence in the region .
`` You suggested somehow this was different than the Chinese model .
I 'll leave others to make that analysis , but I can tell you how America operates .
When we come , we hire Angolans .
When we come to Angola , we show up with money that will benefit the Angolan people .
Our companies will do well too .
These are private sector companies that come—we do high-quality work .
It 's transparent ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Not every nation that comes here to invest does that , '' he said .
`` There 's no political objective .
We 're trying to do good things for our company and good things for the people of Angola . ''
These issues are likely to be discussed again as Pompeo makes his way Tuesday to Addis Ababa for a new round of talks and meetings .

LUANDA, Angola—The Trump administration's newly implemented restrictions on travel to the United States from key African countries will not interfere with efforts by top U.S. officials to boost America's standing in the region, particularly on security and trade fronts, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
During a meeting with Manuel Augusto, Angola's minister of external relations, America's chief diplomat emphasized his administration's commitment to bolstering central Africa's security amid growing concerns that the Trump administration's travel restrictions could harm relations with the continent.
The new travel guidelines will tightly restrict visas for those from Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, and Eritrea—all countries where terrorism and health issues remain a concern for the administration. The restrictions have angered these governments and sparked much conversation about whether the Trump administration is sending a message of disdain for the region.
"There is nothing that conflicts between America's need to be sure that the people that are coming in and out of the United States—we know who they are, we know where they're traveling—every nation has a sovereign obligation to ensure that they do that," Pompeo told reporters traveling with him as he makes his way through several key African countries, including Senegal, Angola, and Ethiopia.
"That in no way conflicts with America's deep desire to get—increase our contacts, partnerships here with Angola and all throughout Africa," Pompeo said. "In fact, you can see it, the data set's very clear. You can see increased investment. You can see it in ways that are important to liberate the people of this region, to liberate Angola, that we—you can see that our investments are transparent, they're clean."
Pompeo is in Africa amidst a mounting dispute over the Trump administration's Africa policy. The administration has faced bipartisan backlash in Congress against pulling all U.S. troops out of Africa's Sahel region, which includes parts of Senegal and Eritrea. U.S. presence in that region includes about 1,000 troops who aid in local troop training and intelligence sharing.
Pompeo worked to reassure African allies that the United States "will get it right" when it comes to troop deployments and that readjustments in the policy are not a sign the administration is pulling resources at a time when terrorism looms large across the continent.
U.S. officials said Pompeo specifically chose these African nations to visit because they symbolize opportunity—both private and public—for investment and development. America under the Trump administration is not pulling back from the world stage, despite facing this criticism, and is focused on playing a central role in helping the developing world adopt Western values, according to sources familiar with Pompeo's thinking.
In Angola, Pompeo again reiterated his commitment to partnering with the country on the security front, an issue that has been raised repeatedly by senior African officials who have met with the secretary. They are seeking to extract promises from Pompeo that the Trump administration will not turn its back on the developing world at a key time in its march toward increased freedom and democracy.
"The United States is eager to partner more on security as well," Pompeo said. "We welcomed Angola's first-ever deployment of peacekeepers to help stabilize Lesotho in 2017. Security for Angola goes hand in hand with allowing for civil society to flourish—journalists, businesspeople, churches—any number of organizations should be able to work, to grow, and to be heard without fear."
The new government's actions to reform Angolan civil society "are something you should be proud of," Pompeo said to Augusto. "What's been done in the last four years gives the United States great relief to continue to expand our ties, and they give the Angolan people a reason for optimism. They should continue, and I look forward to the United States being a partner."
Angola has emerged as a willing and eager partner since its new government has taken steps to modernize the country and make it more Western-oriented. This, too, has been a constant theme throughout Pompeo's trip through the region. He is trying to make it clear that America is still leading the global charge to bring Western values to countries formerly hostile to this world view.
American investment also has featured prominently in Pompeo's conversations with African leaders. Officials from Dakar, Senegal, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, all made clear in public settings that they want America's private sector to aid in their development.
Pompeo's presence in Luanda is "good for the Angolan Government because we want to believe that his presence is also sign of the support of the President Donald Trump administration, support to the program of the government of President Joao Lourenco, and above all, the reforms that President Joao Lourenco has been making in the country," Augusto told reporters after his private meeting with Pompeo.
Pompeo, too, emphasized that America wants "Angola's future to be sovereign, prosperous, and peaceful. We talked first about moving beyond the corruption that's stunted this nation's vast potential for far too long."
American private businesses can serve as a counter to China's massive investment in Africa and the surrounding developing world. The Trump administration is making moves to play a central role in countering China's massive and years-long investment in the region, according to U.S. officials.
"We don't impose debt burdens that nations can't resolve," Pompeo said in response to questions about China's influence in the region. "You suggested somehow this was different than the Chinese model. I'll leave others to make that analysis, but I can tell you how America operates. When we come, we hire Angolans. When we come to Angola, we show up with money that will benefit the Angolan people. Our companies will do well too. These are private sector companies that come—we do high-quality work. It's transparent; it benefits the people of that country."
"Not every nation that comes here to invest does that," he said. "There's no political objective. We're trying to do good things for our company and good things for the people of Angola."
These issues are likely to be discussed again as Pompeo makes his way Tuesday to Addis Ababa for a new round of talks and meetings.


freebeacon--2020-02-18--Pompeo Slams Democrats for Secret Meeting With Top Iranian Official

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed on Tuesday a group of Democratic senators who reportedly met in secret with Iran 's foreign minister during a foreign policy conference held over the weekend in Germany .
A delegation of Democratic senators reportedly led by Sen. Chris Murphy ( D. , Conn. ) held a secret powwow with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference , where Pompeo was an official speaker .
The meeting was not officially sanctioned by the U.S. government and appears to have been held in secret to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been clear that they did not play any role in facilitating the meeting or backing it .
Pompeo , speaking to reporters during a tour through Africa , said that the Democrats who participated in the meeting are aiding and abetting the globe 's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and anti-Semitism .
`` This guy is designated by the United States , '' Pompeo said , referring to Zarif 's recent addition to official U.S. terrorism lists .
`` He 's the foreign minister for a country that shot down an airliner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black boxes , '' Pompeo continued , referencing Iran 's recent downing of a commercial airliner that killed all of those aboard .
`` This is the foreign minister of a country that killed an American on December 27 .
This is the foreign minister of a country that is the world 's largest state sponsor of terror and the world 's largest sponsor of anti-Semitism . ''
`` If they met , '' he said of the Democratic senators .
`` I do n't know what they said .
I hope they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not their own . ''
Sen. Murphy did not respond to a request for comment .
While the details of the meeting have remained unreported—with the senators involved bucking media requests to address the matter—it is likely they met with Zarif to discuss how the landmark nuclear deal can be saved .
As the Trump administration tightens the economic noose on Iran through tough sanctions , Iran has responded by ramping up its contested nuclear research .
Leading Democrats have repeatedly expressed their willingness to reenter the United States into the deal ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to continue high-level meetings in Ethiopia through Wednesday , where he will promote U.S. investment and security matters .
His ongoing trip has sought to counter concerns that America will pull critical security assistance from African nations currently combating terrorism and other regional security challenges .
From Ethiopia , Pompeo will head to Saudi Arabia for several days of meetings that are likely to focus on Iran .

'I don't know what they said. I hope they were reinforcing America's foreign policy, not their own'
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed on Tuesday a group of Democratic senators who reportedly met in secret with Iran's foreign minister during a foreign policy conference held over the weekend in Germany.
A delegation of Democratic senators reportedly led by Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) held a secret powwow with Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference, where Pompeo was an official speaker.
The meeting was not officially sanctioned by the U.S. government and appears to have been held in secret to avoid media scrutiny. State Department officials have been clear that they did not play any role in facilitating the meeting or backing it.
Pompeo, speaking to reporters during a tour through Africa, said that the Democrats who participated in the meeting are aiding and abetting the globe's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and anti-Semitism.
"This guy is designated by the United States," Pompeo said, referring to Zarif's recent addition to official U.S. terrorism lists.
"He's the foreign minister for a country that shot down an airliner and has yet to turn over the black boxes," Pompeo continued, referencing Iran's recent downing of a commercial airliner that killed all of those aboard. "This is the foreign minister of a country that killed an American on December 27. This is the foreign minister of a country that is the world's largest state sponsor of terror and the world's largest sponsor of anti-Semitism."
"If they met," he said of the Democratic senators. "I don't know what they said. I hope they were reinforcing America's foreign policy, not their own."
Sen. Murphy did not respond to a request for comment.
While the details of the meeting have remained unreported—with the senators involved bucking media requests to address the matter—it is likely they met with Zarif to discuss how the landmark nuclear deal can be saved. As the Trump administration tightens the economic noose on Iran through tough sanctions, Iran has responded by ramping up its contested nuclear research. Leading Democrats have repeatedly expressed their willingness to reenter the United States into the deal ever since President Trump scrapped it.
Pompeo is scheduled to continue high-level meetings in Ethiopia through Wednesday, where he will promote U.S. investment and security matters. His ongoing trip has sought to counter concerns that America will pull critical security assistance from African nations currently combating terrorism and other regional security challenges.
From Ethiopia, Pompeo will head to Saudi Arabia for several days of meetings that are likely to focus on Iran.