freebeacon--2020-01-14--Warren: Child of Sitting VP Serving on Foreign Company’s Board ‘A Very Bad Idea’

Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren called it a `` very bad idea '' to allow a vice president 's child to serve on a foreign company 's board , but refused to comment specifically on former vice president Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden .
The New York Times editorial board asked the Massachusetts senator if it should be `` against the law for the children of sitting presidents and vice presidents to serve on the boards of foreign companies . ''
Warren not only called the practice `` a very bad idea '' but suggested her administration 's anti-corruption policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think it 's actually a very bad idea , and I would like to see it as part of an anti-corruption … push , '' Warren said in a December interview that was released Tuesday .
Despite her harsh language , Warren stopped short of attacking Biden directly .
The Massachusetts senator interrupted a Times editor who pressed her to criticize the Democratic frontrunner by name , saying she would n't `` take on Joe Biden and what Joe Biden has done . ''
Warren 's comments come as Biden faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son Hunter 's lucrative appointment to the board of a Ukrainian gas company , as well as his financial ties to other foreign companies .
At the time of the appointment , then-vice president Biden oversaw American policy toward Ukraine .
Though Warren 's anti-corruption plan released in September singles out fossil fuel companies that `` spend freely on influence peddling , '' the Democrat fumbled when asked if the policy would apply to her own vice president .
`` No , '' Warren answered before backtracking .
`` I don't—I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd have to go back and look at the details of the plan . ''
The Warren campaign later clarified that her plan `` does n't prevent any children of a VP from serving on a company 's board . ''
Warren sent a different message in her interview with the Times , saying such arrangements could give the `` appearance of conflict of interest . ''
`` I think one of the things we have to deal with in public life is the appearance of conflict of interest .
You know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle , for example , for judges , '' Warren said .
`` It 's not whether or not there is a conflict of interest , it 's whether or not people in the public could be reasonably concerned that it were , because it 's important that you believe that judges are acting independently and not influenced because they 're going to get money or someone in their family is going to get money . ''
While Warren refused to implicate Biden directly in the interview , the Massachusetts senator has previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing him of `` repeating Republican talking points '' and `` running in the wrong primary . ''
Other prominent Democrats have attacked Biden directly for his son 's role with the Ukrainian gas company .
Prior to dropping out of the Democratic presidential race , New Jersey senator Cory Booker told CNN in September , `` I just do n't think children of vice presidents , presidents , during the administration should be out there doing that . ''
Warren went on to acknowledge the cutthroat nature of a presidential primary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people you think are going to be your friends turn out not to be your friends . ''
The interview was released Tuesday , just hours after Warren accused Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) of suggesting he did not believe a woman could be elected president in a private meeting .
Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir denied the accusation , calling it `` a lie . ''
Sanders has previously referred to Warren as `` a very good friend of mine . ''

Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren called it a "very bad idea" to allow a vice president's child to serve on a foreign company's board, but refused to comment specifically on former vice president Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden.
The New York Times editorial board asked the Massachusetts senator if it should be "against the law for the children of sitting presidents and vice presidents to serve on the boards of foreign companies." Warren not only called the practice "a very bad idea" but suggested her administration's anti-corruption policy would target that kind of behavior.
"I think it's actually a very bad idea, and I would like to see it as part of an anti-corruption … push," Warren said in a December interview that was released Tuesday.
Despite her harsh language, Warren stopped short of attacking Biden directly. The Massachusetts senator interrupted a Times editor who pressed her to criticize the Democratic frontrunner by name, saying she wouldn't "take on Joe Biden and what Joe Biden has done."
Warren's comments come as Biden faces increased scrutiny on the campaign trail for his son Hunter's lucrative appointment to the board of a Ukrainian gas company, as well as his financial ties to other foreign companies. At the time of the appointment, then-vice president Biden oversaw American policy toward Ukraine.
Though Warren's anti-corruption plan released in September singles out fossil fuel companies that "spend freely on influence peddling," the Democrat fumbled when asked if the policy would apply to her own vice president.
"No," Warren answered before backtracking. "I don't—I don't know. I mean, I'd have to go back and look at the details of the plan."
The Warren campaign later clarified that her plan "doesn't prevent any children of a VP from serving on a company's board." Warren sent a different message in her interview with the Times, saying such arrangements could give the "appearance of conflict of interest."
"I think one of the things we have to deal with in public life is the appearance of conflict of interest. You know, that's supposed to be the guiding principle, for example, for judges," Warren said. "It's not whether or not there is a conflict of interest, it's whether or not people in the public could be reasonably concerned that it were, because it's important that you believe that judges are acting independently and not influenced because they're going to get money or someone in their family is going to get money."
While Warren refused to implicate Biden directly in the interview, the Massachusetts senator has previously attacked Biden for his moderate views, accusing him of "repeating Republican talking points" and "running in the wrong primary."
Other prominent Democrats have attacked Biden directly for his son's role with the Ukrainian gas company. Prior to dropping out of the Democratic presidential race, New Jersey senator Cory Booker told CNN in September, "I just don't think children of vice presidents, presidents, during the administration should be out there doing that."
Warren went on to acknowledge the cutthroat nature of a presidential primary in the Times interview, saying "the people you think are going to be your friends turn out not to be your friends." The interview was released Tuesday, just hours after Warren accused Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) of suggesting he did not believe a woman could be elected president in a private meeting.
Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir denied the accusation, calling it "a lie." Sanders has previously referred to Warren as "a very good friend of mine."


freebeacon--2020-01-14--ABC Analyst Calls All-White Democratic Debate Field ‘Incredibly Diverse’

Tuesday night 's Democratic primary debate in Des Moines , Iowa , will feature just six candidates : former vice president Joe Biden , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) , unemployed 37-year-old Pete Buttigieg , and billionaire tycoon Tom Steyer .
All of them are white , a fact that some Democrats , primarily journalists , consider to be problematic .
ABC News analyst Matthew Dowd , a former Republican strategist turned conventional liberal pundit , has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced to apologize for making degrading remarks about a female member of Congress , suggested that , actually , the all-white Democratic debate field is `` incredibly diverse . ''
In a way he 's right .
The fact that one of the candidates on stage ( Buttigieg ) is not a millionaire , and three of them ( Warren , Biden , and Sanders ) did not attend an Ivy League university , actually constitutes an unusual amount of diversity when it comes to presidential candidates .
But this expert analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unlikely to hold much sway in the modern-day Democratic Party .
Some users of the popular social networking website Twitter responded to Dowd 's assessment in critical fashion .
Just another lib getting owned by his fellow libs .
You hate to see it .

Tuesday night's Democratic primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa, will feature just six candidates: former vice president Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), unemployed 37-year-old Pete Buttigieg, and billionaire tycoon Tom Steyer. All of them are white, a fact that some Democrats, primarily journalists, consider to be problematic.
ABC News analyst Matthew Dowd, a former Republican strategist turned conventional liberal pundit, has a different view. Dowd, who recently was forced to apologize for making degrading remarks about a female member of Congress, suggested that, actually, the all-white Democratic debate field is "incredibly diverse."
Can we just acknowledge that diversity isn’t only defined as skin color. Diversity is also age, sexual orientation, life experience, sex, etc. and by that standard the dem debate stage tonight is still incredibly diverse. — Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) January 14, 2020
In a way he's right. The fact that one of the candidates on stage (Buttigieg) is not a millionaire, and three of them (Warren, Biden, and Sanders) did not attend an Ivy League university, actually constitutes an unusual amount of diversity when it comes to presidential candidates. But this expert analysis from Dowd, a white man, is unlikely to hold much sway in the modern-day Democratic Party.
Some users of the popular social networking website Twitter responded to Dowd's assessment in critical fashion.
While true, diversity (and discrimination) based on skin color is by far the most prevelant and relevant diversity characteristic in America. And has been for an exceptionally long time. — realKP (@Petersen4UNI) January 14, 2020
Altho I don’t engage much on this app you’re among my favorite follows, respect! I know what you mean, but when we speak about diversity in any context in this country it means color! It’s uncomfortable, but the Democratic Party needs to look like all of us. — Asma Jama (@Asma_Jama11) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/AmySeeksTruth/status/1217131850273099779
no one looks at the brady bunch and says look at this diversity. Sorry — Christian J Cabrera (@cjcabrera2) January 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/Giorgiaxoxox/status/1217136863930175490
No. When these people walk out the door, they're all shielded by their skin color. Every single one. — Tina Herod (@tina_herod) January 14, 2020
Just another lib getting owned by his fellow libs. You hate to see it.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--ABC News Analyst: Running for President Against a Woman Is Sexist

Matthew Dowd , the former Republican strategist turned mainstream liberal pundit , constantly preaches about the need for more love and kindness in politics but is occasionally forced to apologize for making derogatory remarks about female members of Congress .
Dowd had some thoughts on sexism amid the recent Democratic primary spat between Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
Sanders has been accused of sexism for allegedly telling Warren in a private meeting that a woman could not win a presidential election .
Per Dowd 's expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a raging misogynist by not running for president against a female candidate .
This is , indeed , a fascinating take , one that implicitly ensnares former president Barack Obama in the Democratic Party 's cult of misogyny .
Obama , who recently claimed that women are `` indisputably '' better than men , was the first male rival to smash Hillary Clinton 's dream of becoming the first female president in American history .
Hillary , in Obama 's own words , was `` likable enough , '' but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by running against her .

Matthew Dowd, the former Republican strategist turned mainstream liberal pundit, constantly preaches about the need for more love and kindness in politics but is occasionally forced to apologize for making derogatory remarks about female members of Congress.
Dowd had some thoughts on sexism amid the recent Democratic primary spat between Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). Sanders has been accused of sexism for allegedly telling Warren in a private meeting that a woman could not win a presidential election.
Per Dowd's expert analysis, Sanders could definitely prove he is not a raging misogynist by not running for president against a female candidate.
You know one clear way to demonstrate that you believe a woman can and should be president? Don’t try to defeat a woman running for President. — Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) January 14, 2020
What I find fascinating is that he keeps trying to defeat women running for president. — Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) January 14, 2020
This is, indeed, a fascinating take, one that implicitly ensnares former president Barack Obama in the Democratic Party's cult of misogyny. Obama, who recently claimed that women are "indisputably" better than men, was the first male rival to smash Hillary Clinton's dream of becoming the first female president in American history. Hillary, in Obama's own words, was "likable enough," but that didn't stop him from promoting sexism by running against her.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Congress Seeks Investigation Into Pro-Iran Lobby Group Tied to Tehran Regime

Congressional leaders have petitioned the Trump administration to investigate a pro-Iran lobbying organization that has long faced accusations of acting as the Islamic Republic 's unregistered mouthpiece in America , according to official communications obtained by the Washington Free Beacon .
A group of senators has requested that the Trump administration investigate the National Iranian American Council , or NIAC .
The council , a pro-Tehran advocacy group with deep ties to the Iranian regime , played a key role in the Obama administration 's pro-Iran `` echo chamber , '' which misled Congress and the American people about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senators Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
, Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , and Mike Braun ( R. , Ind . )
are petitioning the Justice Department to investigate NIAC for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act , which requires that lobbying groups disclose their activities on behalf of foreign nations .
NIAC , which is registered as a U.S. nonprofit , maintains close ties to senior Iranian government officials and has been the subject of public scrutiny for its efforts to broker meetings between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration sought to ink the nuclear accord with Iran , NIAC acted as a central part of what Obama National Security Council official Ben Rhodes described as the administration 's `` echo chamber . ''
A network of Obama administration officials and outside organizations disseminated talking points to reporters that bolstered the case for the deal and downplayed Iran 's sponsorship of regional terror operations .
In recent weeks , NIAC has distributed information condemning the Trump administration 's killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani .
Many of these NIAC-sponsored talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propaganda regarding the strike , prompting the lawmakers to seek an investigation into potential violations by NIAC of U.S. law .
`` We write to urge you to review the activities of the National Iranian American Council ( NIAC ) and its sister organization NIAC Action for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act ( FARA ) , '' the senators wrote to Attorney General William Barr , according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Free Beacon .
`` NIAC 's innocuous public branding masks troubling behavior , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with the Iranian regime and its role amplifying regime propaganda in the United States have been the subject of discussion in Washington D.C. for years . ''
Most recently , NIAC has distributed Iranian regime talking points regarding U.S. military action in the region , the lawmakers allege .
`` For example , on December 31 , NIAC circulated an email memorandum blaming the United States government for Iranian-backed militias ' repeated attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and brazen attempt to storm the U.S. embassy in Baghdad .
On January 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and retweeted conspiracy theories deflecting blame from the Iranian regime for shooting down a Ukrainian civilian airliner , killing 176 individuals , '' the letter stated .
`` These disturbing actions are only the latest developments of this nature . ''
NIAC was ordered to pay more than $ 180,000 in 2013 to the legal defense fund of Hassan Daioleslam , an Iranian-American writer , following a failed defamation lawsuit .
Daioleslam accused NIAC of failing to disclose its clandestine lobbying efforts to undo sanctions on Tehran , the Free Beacon previously reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District of Columbia said Parsi 's work was `` not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime . ''
NIAC also recently arranged a conference call that featured 2020 Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , as the Free Beacon reported .
NIAC founder Trita Parsi , who is routinely featured on U.S. news programs , was found to have `` arranged meetings between Javad Zarif , Iran 's former ambassador to the United Nations and current foreign minister , and members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Activities of this nature prompted former FBI associate deputy director Oliver Revell to state that `` arranging meetings between members of Congress and Iran 's ambassador to the United Nations would in my opinion require that person or entity to register as an agent of a foreign power ; in this case it would be Iran . ''
The GOP senators `` are concerned that certain organizations that purport to represent the interests of this community , specifically NIAC , may be conducting lobbying and public relations activities in coordination with or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic Republic of Iran . ''
They asked the `` Department of Justice [ to ] evaluate whether an investigation of NIAC is warranted for potential FARA violations and to ensure transparency regarding foreign attempts to influence the U.S. political process . ''

Congressional leaders have petitioned the Trump administration to investigate a pro-Iran lobbying organization that has long faced accusations of acting as the Islamic Republic's unregistered mouthpiece in America, according to official communications obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
A group of senators has requested that the Trump administration investigate the National Iranian American Council, or NIAC. The council, a pro-Tehran advocacy group with deep ties to the Iranian regime, played a key role in the Obama administration's pro-Iran "echo chamber," which misled Congress and the American people about the terms of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.
Senators Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), Ted Cruz (R., Texas), and Mike Braun (R., Ind.) are petitioning the Justice Department to investigate NIAC for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires that lobbying groups disclose their activities on behalf of foreign nations.
NIAC, which is registered as a U.S. nonprofit, maintains close ties to senior Iranian government officials and has been the subject of public scrutiny for its efforts to broker meetings between American and Iranian officials.
As the Obama administration sought to ink the nuclear accord with Iran, NIAC acted as a central part of what Obama National Security Council official Ben Rhodes described as the administration's "echo chamber." A network of Obama administration officials and outside organizations disseminated talking points to reporters that bolstered the case for the deal and downplayed Iran's sponsorship of regional terror operations.
In recent weeks, NIAC has distributed information condemning the Trump administration's killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. Many of these NIAC-sponsored talking points repeated the Iranian regime's own propaganda regarding the strike, prompting the lawmakers to seek an investigation into potential violations by NIAC of U.S. law.
"We write to urge you to review the activities of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and its sister organization NIAC Action for potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)," the senators wrote to Attorney General William Barr, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Free Beacon.
"NIAC's innocuous public branding masks troubling behavior," the senators wrote. "NIAC's relationship with the Iranian regime and its role amplifying regime propaganda in the United States have been the subject of discussion in Washington D.C. for years."
Most recently, NIAC has distributed Iranian regime talking points regarding U.S. military action in the region, the lawmakers allege.
"For example, on December 31, NIAC circulated an email memorandum blaming the United States government for Iranian-backed militias' repeated attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and brazen attempt to storm the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. On January 9, NIAC and NIAC Action staffers tweeted and retweeted conspiracy theories deflecting blame from the Iranian regime for shooting down a Ukrainian civilian airliner, killing 176 individuals," the letter stated. "These disturbing actions are only the latest developments of this nature."
NIAC was ordered to pay more than $180,000 in 2013 to the legal defense fund of Hassan Daioleslam, an Iranian-American writer, following a failed defamation lawsuit. Daioleslam accused NIAC of failing to disclose its clandestine lobbying efforts to undo sanctions on Tehran, the Free Beacon previously reported. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said Parsi's work was "not inconsistent with the idea that he was first and foremost an advocate for the regime."
NIAC also recently arranged a conference call that featured 2020 Democratic presidential contenders Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as the Free Beacon reported.
NIAC founder Trita Parsi, who is routinely featured on U.S. news programs, was found to have "arranged meetings between Javad Zarif, Iran's former ambassador to the United Nations and current foreign minister, and members of Congress," according to the letter.
Activities of this nature prompted former FBI associate deputy director Oliver Revell to state that "arranging meetings between members of Congress and Iran's ambassador to the United Nations would in my opinion require that person or entity to register as an agent of a foreign power; in this case it would be Iran."
The GOP senators "are concerned that certain organizations that purport to represent the interests of this community, specifically NIAC, may be conducting lobbying and public relations activities in coordination with or on behalf of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
They asked the "Department of Justice [to] evaluate whether an investigation of NIAC is warranted for potential FARA violations and to ensure transparency regarding foreign attempts to influence the U.S. political process."


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Sanders’s Spending Plan Would Set ‘Peacetime Record’

The pile of spending programs proposed by 2020 presidential contender Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) would set a `` peacetime record '' for government spending , a CNN analysis released Tuesday shows .
Sanders 's proposed spending thus far would cost roughly $ 60 trillion , the analysis found .
That would represent an `` expansion of government 's cost and size unprecedented since World War II , '' according to an estimate provided to CNN by former secretary of the treasury Larry Summers .
`` This is far more radical than all previous presidencies , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Summers told CNN .
`` The Sanders spending increase is roughly 2.5 times the size of the New Deal and the estimated fiscal impact of George McGovern 's campaign proposals .
This is six times as large of a growth of government than any of the Ronald Reagan dismemberments .
We are in a kind of new era of radical proposal . ''
Summers estimated that Sanders would raise federal spending by 20 percent of GDP over 10 years , an increase only paralleled by a 33 percentage point increase over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so , Sanders would more than double federal spending , which is currently projected to total roughly $ 52 trillion over the next 10 years .
By comparison , Summers estimated that Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
would raise spending by 12 percent of GDP , Pete Buttigieg by 2 percent of GDP , and Joe Biden by 1 percent of GDP .
The driving force behind this spending spree is Sanders 's Medicare for All proposal , widely agreed to cost roughly $ 30 trillion dollars over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include Sanders 's $ 16 trillion Green New Deal—20 times more expensive than the original New Deal—and a federal `` jobs guarantee , '' which would give every American who wanted one a federal job , to the tune of $ 7.5 trillion over 10 years .
This spending bonanza , CNN estimated , could not hope to be paid for without substantially increasing taxes on the middle class .
Sanders , who has promised repeatedly to do just that , has still only proposed $ 23 trillion in tax increases .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and government control would likely adversely impact America 's economic health .
`` The economy 's long-term growth would likely be somewhat diminished by these policies , '' Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody 's , told CNN .
`` Most significantly , they would raise businesses ' cost of capital , reduce investment , and thus weigh on productivity and overall economic growth . ''
Tuesday 's estimate nearly double 's the Washington Free Beacon ‘ s own accounting of Sanders 's spending total , released last July .
The disparity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has proposed or put a price tag on in the intervening months , in effect meaning that he has promised an additional $ 24 trillion in spending over the past seven months .

The pile of spending programs proposed by 2020 presidential contender Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) would set a "peacetime record" for government spending, a CNN analysis released Tuesday shows.
Sanders's proposed spending thus far would cost roughly $60 trillion, the analysis found. That would represent an "expansion of government's cost and size unprecedented since World War II," according to an estimate provided to CNN by former secretary of the treasury Larry Summers.
"This is far more radical than all previous presidencies, on either the right or the left," Summers told CNN. "The Sanders spending increase is roughly 2.5 times the size of the New Deal and the estimated fiscal impact of George McGovern's campaign proposals. This is six times as large of a growth of government than any of the Ronald Reagan dismemberments. We are in a kind of new era of radical proposal."
Summers estimated that Sanders would raise federal spending by 20 percent of GDP over 10 years, an increase only paralleled by a 33 percentage point increase over the course of World War II. To do so, Sanders would more than double federal spending, which is currently projected to total roughly $52 trillion over the next 10 years.
By comparison, Summers estimated that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) would raise spending by 12 percent of GDP, Pete Buttigieg by 2 percent of GDP, and Joe Biden by 1 percent of GDP.
The driving force behind this spending spree is Sanders's Medicare for All proposal, widely agreed to cost roughly $30 trillion dollars over the next decade. Other big-ticket items include Sanders's $16 trillion Green New Deal—20 times more expensive than the original New Deal—and a federal "jobs guarantee," which would give every American who wanted one a federal job, to the tune of $7.5 trillion over 10 years.
This spending bonanza, CNN estimated, could not hope to be paid for without substantially increasing taxes on the middle class. Sanders, who has promised repeatedly to do just that, has still only proposed $23 trillion in tax increases. At the same time, the added taxation and government control would likely adversely impact America's economic health.
"The economy's long-term growth would likely be somewhat diminished by these policies," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's, told CNN. "Most significantly, they would raise businesses' cost of capital, reduce investment, and thus weigh on productivity and overall economic growth."
Tuesday's estimate nearly double's the Washington Free Beacon's own accounting of Sanders's spending total, released last July. The disparity is attributable largely to programs that Sanders has proposed or put a price tag on in the intervening months, in effect meaning that he has promised an additional $24 trillion in spending over the past seven months.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Cory Booker: Dems Shouldn’t Have Two White Men on Ticket Anymore

Failed presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker ( D. , N.J. ) on Tuesday argued the Democratic Party must prove its commitment to diversity by never again running a presidential ticket comprised of two white men .
`` I do n't think we should have two white men on the ticket anymore , '' Booker said during an interview on SiriusXM 's Joe Madison Show .
`` Not because there 's not great , talented , incredible white men , but I also believe that with the diversity of our party , the strength and leadership … as Harvard Business School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams . ''
The New Jersey senator argued it 's critical that Democrats nominate a candidate that the African-American community can trust .
`` No matter what , whoever the next nominee is for our party , they better have an authentic connection to African-American communities and inspire , and I ’ ll use this word very purposely , trust , '' Booker said .
`` Because the Democratic Party has done a lot of things—you know mass incarceration is an example—that don ’ t necessarily align with the interests of African-American communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after he ended his own campaign for president after lackluster poll numbers .
Democratic Party voters are currently supporting white men by an overwhelming margin , as former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) lead in the polls ahead of the Iowa caucuses .
According to the RealClearPolitics polling average , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
is the only Democratic presidential candidate in the top five who is not a white man , and Tuesday 's Democratic debate in Des Moines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fellow senator Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) will be the only debate participants who are not white men .

Failed presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) on Tuesday argued the Democratic Party must prove its commitment to diversity by never again running a presidential ticket comprised of two white men.
"I don't think we should have two white men on the ticket anymore," Booker said during an interview on SiriusXM's Joe Madison Show. "Not because there's not great, talented, incredible white men, but I also believe that with the diversity of our party, the strength and leadership ... as Harvard Business School has said, diverse teams are stronger teams."
The New Jersey senator argued it's critical that Democrats nominate a candidate that the African-American community can trust.
"No matter what, whoever the next nominee is for our party, they better have an authentic connection to African-American communities and inspire, and I’ll use this word very purposely, trust," Booker said. "Because the Democratic Party has done a lot of things—you know mass incarceration is an example—that don’t necessarily align with the interests of African-American communities."
Booker's interview comes the day after he ended his own campaign for president after lackluster poll numbers.
Democratic Party voters are currently supporting white men by an overwhelming margin, as former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) lead in the polls ahead of the Iowa caucuses. According to the RealClearPolitics polling average, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) is the only Democratic presidential candidate in the top five who is not a white man, and Tuesday's Democratic debate in Des Moines will feature all white candidates. Warren and fellow senator Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) will be the only debate participants who are not white men.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--White Billionaire Tom Steyer: It’s ‘Critically Important’ for 2020 Field to Be More Diverse

White billionaire Tom Steyer said Tuesday that the 2020 Democratic field needed to be `` more diverse , '' adding that it was important the party reflect its voters .
Steyer reacted defensively to Sen. Cory Booker 's ( D. , N.J. ) comments Monday about the importance of diversity to Democratic voters , particularly as it becomes increasingly likely the party 's nominee will be white .
`` The day after Senator [ Kamala ] Harris dropped out , I wrote an open letter to the Democratic National Committee and said I believed they should change the criteria for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it more open , to make sure we had a more diverse group of candidates , '' Steyer said during an MSNBC appearance .
`` I think that is important .
It 's critically important for the Democratic Party to reflect the people of the United States and the people who vote Democratic , and so I asked for it . ''
Steyer grew even more animated when MSNBC anchor Hallie Jackson asked if he would join Michael Bloomberg 's pledge to financially support the eventual nominee .
Bloomberg , another billionaire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend up to $ 1 billion through November to support the Democratic nominee .
`` As you know , I started one of the largest grassroots organizations in the United States , NextGen America .
In 2018 , NextGen did the largest youth voter mobilization in American history , '' Steyer said .
`` We 're doing all of that , and we 'll continue to do that… .
I am 100 percent all in on this . ''
Steyer will be one of six Democrats , all of them white , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The staying power of Steyer and Bloomberg in the 2020 race , owed in large part to their ability to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising , has outraged more liberal Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass. )
.
`` Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand—two women senators who , together , won more than 11.5 million votes in their last elections—have been forced out of this race , while billionaires Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg have been allowed to buy their way in , '' Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Booker , who is black , dropped out of the Democratic race on Monday , facing dwindling poll and fundraising numbers .
He told MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow that women in his life expressed concern when Harris , a black woman , dropped out in December .
`` This is something we have to understand , that we have to inspire record black and brown turnouts , '' Booker said .

White billionaire Tom Steyer said Tuesday that the 2020 Democratic field needed to be "more diverse," adding that it was important the party reflect its voters.
Steyer reacted defensively to Sen. Cory Booker's (D., N.J.) comments Monday about the importance of diversity to Democratic voters, particularly as it becomes increasingly likely the party's nominee will be white.
"The day after Senator [Kamala] Harris dropped out, I wrote an open letter to the Democratic National Committee and said I believed they should change the criteria for getting onto the debate stage to make it more open, to make sure we had a more diverse group of candidates," Steyer said during an MSNBC appearance. "I think that is important. It's critically important for the Democratic Party to reflect the people of the United States and the people who vote Democratic, and so I asked for it."
Steyer grew even more animated when MSNBC anchor Hallie Jackson asked if he would join Michael Bloomberg's pledge to financially support the eventual nominee. Bloomberg, another billionaire in the Democratic race, said he could spend up to $1 billion through November to support the Democratic nominee.
"As you know, I started one of the largest grassroots organizations in the United States, NextGen America. In 2018, NextGen did the largest youth voter mobilization in American history," Steyer said. "We're doing all of that, and we'll continue to do that.... I am 100 percent all in on this."
Steyer will be one of six Democrats, all of them white, on Tuesday night's debate stage in Iowa. The staying power of Steyer and Bloomberg in the 2020 race, owed in large part to their ability to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising, has outraged more liberal Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.).
"Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand—two women senators who, together, won more than 11.5 million votes in their last elections—have been forced out of this race, while billionaires Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg have been allowed to buy their way in," Warren wrote in a fundraising email last month.
Booker, who is black, dropped out of the Democratic race on Monday, facing dwindling poll and fundraising numbers. He told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow that women in his life expressed concern when Harris, a black woman, dropped out in December.
"This is something we have to understand, that we have to inspire record black and brown turnouts," Booker said.


freebeacon--2020-01-14--Iran Video Stages Assassination of Trump, Pompeo, Netanyahu

A propaganda video circulating in Iran dramatizes the assassination of President Donald Trump , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu .
In the video , distributed by Iran 's state-controlled Fars News Agency , @ @ @ @ @ [ U.S. ] Capitol explodes , the men fire at the White House and storm @ @ @ @ @ including U.S. President Donald Trump , and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lie dead on @ @ @ @ @ to an analysis of the video from the Middle East Media Research Institute , or @ @ @ @ @ released following the Trump administration 's killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in an @ @ @ @ @ been circulating across Iran as its hardline regime attempts to foment anti-U.S. fervor across the @ @ @ @ @ going for the big fish .
A fish rots from the head down .
We @ @ @ @ @ If we want to hit them , tonight is the time , '' Iranian military @ @ @ @ @ , which was translated by MEMRI .

A propaganda video circulating in Iran dramatizes the assassination of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In the video, distributed by Iran's state-controlled Fars News Agency, "the dome of the [U.S.] Capitol explodes, the men fire at the White House and storm it, and men, including U.S. President Donald Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lie dead on the floor," according to an analysis of the video from the Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI.
The video was released following the Trump administration's killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike. Similar propaganda has been circulating across Iran as its hardline regime attempts to foment anti-U.S. fervor across the country.
"We are going for the big fish. A fish rots from the head down. We should target their head.... If we want to hit them, tonight is the time," Iranian military planners say in the video, which was translated by MEMRI.


Beacon Extra

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
ALWAYS AT LEAST 1/1,024th THE VICTIM … `` Sexism allegation latest in Elizabeth Warren campaign desperation , '' via EXAMINER : Rival operatives suspect that Elizabeth Warren ’ s story about a sexist comment from Bernie Sanders is the latest in a series of desperate moves from her campaign team to regain the momentum she once had in the Democratic presidential primary … '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a desperate move , '' a top Sanders aide reportedly said .
`` Unfortunately , Elizabeth Warren 's campaign has been going down in the polls , and this is the latest attack on one of her leading competitors . ''
ASK NOT WHAT BERNIE CAN DO FOR YOU … `` Bernie Sanders , Who Said JFK Made Him Want to Puke , Invokes Kennedy in New Ad , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : The Sanders ad , set to air in Iowa ahead of the February caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put a man on the moon .
`` President Kennedy knew settling for half-measures was n't good enough , '' Sanders says … The praise of Kennedy marks a radical departure from Sanders 's previous rhetoric about the president .
In a 1987 interview … the socialist candidate remembered Kennedy as the start of his disillusion with mainstream liberalism .
`` President Kennedy was elected while I was at the University of Chicago , that was 1960 .
I remember being physically nauseated by his speech and that doesn ’ t happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BIDEN DEFLATES … `` Biden Says He Couldn ’ t Afford Childcare Making $ 42K in 1973 ( or $ 250K , Adjusted for Inflation ) , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said during Tuesday 's debate that he could not afford childcare during his early Senate days , though his salary at the time amounted to the modern equivalent of a quarter of a million dollars per year … While living on $ 42,000 would place Biden in the bottom half of U.S. households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him firmly among the richest Americans when he was sworn in as senator in 1973 .
CNN HARDEST HIT … `` Michael Avenatti Arrested by Feds at California State Bar Hearing , '' via DAILY BEAST : The arrest occurred outside the disciplinary hearing in which the State Bar of California has accused the hard-charging , tough-talking attorney of using a doctored document to scam a client out of nearly $ 840,000 , funneling money from a lawsuit settlement fund to his own personal use … As Avenatti was being led out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said simply , `` Completely innocent . ''
MAYBE BERNIE ’ S RIGHT … Elizabeth Warren talks to NYT editorial board : NYT : We have combat troops in Syria now fighting ISIS .
WARREN : Yes we do .
NYT : And you would bring them all home ?
WARREN : Yeah .
I think we need to bring our combat troops home .
BERNIE ’ S FIVE-YEAR PLAN … `` Sanders ’ s Spending Plan Would Set ‘ Peacetime Record ’ , '' by WFB ’ s Charles Fain Lehman : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost roughly $ 60 trillion , the analysis found .
That would represent an `` expansion of government 's cost and size unprecedented since World War II , '' according to an estimate provided to CNN by former secretary of the treasury Larry Summers … Summers estimated that Sanders would raise federal spending by 20 percent of GDP over 10 years , an increase only paralleled by a 33 percentage point increase over the course of World War II .
STRATEGERY … `` New Video Shows Two Iranian Missiles Hit Ukrainian Plane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times has verified security camera footage on Tuesday that shows , for the first time , that two missiles hit Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on Jan. 8 .
The missiles were launched from an Iranian military site around eight miles from the plane .
PUTTING THE UNIVERSE ON NOTICE … `` Raymond Sworn In as First Space Force Chief , '' via AIR FORCE MAG : Gen. Jay Raymond was formally sworn in as the inaugural Chief of Space Operations Jan. 14 at a White House ceremony led by Vice President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military officer solely tasked with treating space as an area that needs protection itself and that is crucial to enabling combat operations elsewhere .
The Space Force is eventually expected to absorb the space programs spread across the Army and Navy as well , providing a more holistic , focused approach to managing the domain .
MAKING CANDY CROWLEY PROUD … `` Watch CNN Moderator Side With Warren Over Sanders in Ongoing Campaign Dispute , '' by WFB 's Brent Scher : [ Abby ] Phillip dismissed Sanders 's denial and proceeded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report as fact when she handed the question over to Warren .
`` Senator Warren , what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election ? ''
Phillip said , eliciting a look of disbelief from Sanders .
BARACK OBAMA , MISOGYNIST … `` ABC News Analyst : Running for President Against a Woman is Sexist , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : Per [ Matthew ] Dowd 's expert analysis , Sanders could definitely prove he is not a raging misogynist by not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NANCY AND HER BASE … `` The Epilogue of Impeachment , '' via PLAYBOY : Speaker [ Nancy Pelosi ] , who does not drink , raised a glass of water and toasted the press and introduced a military band who played while she moved slowly through the room .
Even some reporters are starstruck by the most powerful woman in the history of American politics , they crowded her and touched her hand and introduced themselves and said the names of their outlets .
A MORON EXPLAINS … `` A modest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via VOX : Literally nothing in the Constitution prevents Congress from admitting the Obama family ’ s personal DC residence as a state—a state which would then be entitled to two senators , one member of the House , and exactly as much say on whether the Constitution should be amended as the entire state of Texas .
Congress could then follow up this move by adding the personal DC residences of 149 other staunch Democratic families as states , each of which would then get two senators of their very own .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Nursing Home Moment : Confusion Reigns as Elderly Candidates Debate Passage of Time , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : WARREN : Was n't that 30 years ago ?
SANDERS : [ attempts to do math in head ] I beat an incumbent Republican Congressman .
WARREN : And I said I was the only one who has beaten an incumbent Republican in 30 years .
SANDERS : Well , 30 years ago is 1990 , as a matter of fact .
So ended the exchange between two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party 's presidential nomination in 2020 .
The current frontrunner , former vice president Joe Biden , 77 , is generally considered to have had a good debate performance if he can string together a handful of complete sentences and does n't cite Manuel Noriega in response to a question about health care reform .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,130 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freebeacon.com .

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


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Soros-Funded Prosecutors Descend on St. Louis to Rally Around Embattled Attorney

State prosecutors backed by George Soros have descended on St. Louis to rally around the city 's top prosecutor before she appears in court to testify about her role in an investigation into former Missouri governor Eric Greitens .
A group of six liberal prosecutors from across the country joined Kim Gardner , St. Louis 's first black circuit attorney , on Tuesday for a rally at the Carnahan Courthouse ahead of her Wednesday appearance in a deposition involving her role in investigating Greitens .
Gardner was also generously backed by Soros in her race .
The current controversy centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate claims against Greitens , who resigned in June 2018 .
The investigator , former FBI agent William Tisaby , was accused of lying under oath , and Gardner 's communications and involvement with him are now the subject of a separate investigation .
The convergence of the prosecutors , all supported by the same patron , demonstrates the emergence of a national alliance united by shared goals of overhauling the U.S. criminal justice system with an eye toward reducing or eliminating sentences for drug offenders and others .
Aramis Ayala , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida , was on hand to support Gardner .
Ayala was backed by $ 1.4 million from Soros .
Stephanie Morales , a Virginia commonwealth attorney , was also in attendance and received $ 100,000 from Soros 's Justice & Public Safety PAC .
Diana Becton , a prosecutor in Contra Costa County in California , also benefited from $ 1.5 million the financier poured into the state to support progressive prosecutors .
`` Kim , like the others that stand before you today , has challenged the status quo and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like that , which is why she 's being personally and professionally attacked , '' said Baltimore state 's attorney Marilyn Mosby , who was also in attendance .
`` We are here to tell Kim and everyone else we shall not only overcome , but collectively we shall prevail in reforming the criminal justice system . ''
The group also appeared at Harris Stowe State University for a criminal justice reform forum .
Whitney Tymas , the longtime treasurer for Soros 's justice PACs , did not immediately respond to a request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from using Tisaby instead of police to look into claims that the former Missouri governor took a photo of a partially nude woman with whom he was having an affair and allegedly threatened to share it without her permission .
In early 2018 , Gardner 's office indicted Greitens on felony invasion of privacy charges .
However , Gardner 's office dropped the investigation after Greitens 's attorneys accused Tisaby of lying during a deposition .
Tisaby was later charged with perjury .
Questions then began to emerge about Gardner 's role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or report Tisaby 's inaccuracies .
Gardner , who has been dodging a sworn deposition before a grand jury for months , was in December ordered by a judge to testify on her role in the matter .
She will do so on Wednesday .
Gardner has since filed a federal lawsuit over what she alleges is a `` racist conspiracy '' by the city , local police union , and others to push her from her position .
Gardner characterized her situation as `` a racially motivated conspiracy to deny the civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government official ’ s efforts to ensure equal justice under law for all .
The stakes are high .
This case cries out for federal enforcement . ''

State prosecutors backed by George Soros have descended on St. Louis to rally around the city's top prosecutor before she appears in court to testify about her role in an investigation into former Missouri governor Eric Greitens.
A group of six liberal prosecutors from across the country joined Kim Gardner, St. Louis's first black circuit attorney, on Tuesday for a rally at the Carnahan Courthouse ahead of her Wednesday appearance in a deposition involving her role in investigating Greitens. Gardner was also generously backed by Soros in her race.
The current controversy centers around a private investigator Gardner tapped to investigate claims against Greitens, who resigned in June 2018. The investigator, former FBI agent William Tisaby, was accused of lying under oath, and Gardner's communications and involvement with him are now the subject of a separate investigation.
The convergence of the prosecutors, all supported by the same patron, demonstrates the emergence of a national alliance united by shared goals of overhauling the U.S. criminal justice system with an eye toward reducing or eliminating sentences for drug offenders and others.
Aramis Ayala, the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida, was on hand to support Gardner. Ayala was backed by $1.4 million from Soros. Stephanie Morales, a Virginia commonwealth attorney, was also in attendance and received $100,000 from Soros's Justice & Public Safety PAC. Diana Becton, a prosecutor in Contra Costa County in California, also benefited from $1.5 million the financier poured into the state to support progressive prosecutors.
"Kim, like the others that stand before you today, has challenged the status quo and the keepers of the status quo don't like that, which is why she's being personally and professionally attacked," said Baltimore state's attorney Marilyn Mosby, who was also in attendance. "We are here to tell Kim and everyone else we shall not only overcome, but collectively we shall prevail in reforming the criminal justice system."
The group also appeared at Harris Stowe State University for a criminal justice reform forum. Whitney Tymas, the longtime treasurer for Soros's justice PACs, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gardner's ordeal stems from using Tisaby instead of police to look into claims that the former Missouri governor took a photo of a partially nude woman with whom he was having an affair and allegedly threatened to share it without her permission. In early 2018, Gardner's office indicted Greitens on felony invasion of privacy charges.
However, Gardner's office dropped the investigation after Greitens's attorneys accused Tisaby of lying during a deposition. Tisaby was later charged with perjury. Questions then began to emerge about Gardner's role in the investigation after she did not correct or report Tisaby's inaccuracies.
Gardner, who has been dodging a sworn deposition before a grand jury for months, was in December ordered by a judge to testify on her role in the matter. She will do so on Wednesday.
Gardner has since filed a federal lawsuit over what she alleges is a "racist conspiracy" by the city, local police union, and others to push her from her position.
Gardner characterized her situation as "a racially motivated conspiracy to deny the civil rights of racial minorities by obstructing a government official’s efforts to ensure equal justice under law for all. The stakes are high. This case cries out for federal enforcement."


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Nursing Home Moment: Confusion Reigns as Elderly Candidates Debate Passage of Time

Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, 70 , and Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , 78 , engaged in an awkward squabble over the passage of time and the meaning of '30 years ' during Tuesday night 's Democratic primary debate in Iowa .
Neither candidate won the argument , but both adequately demonstrated the extent to which President Donald J. Trump , a man of formidable stamina and intellect , will ruin them on a general election debate stage .
The elderly candidates started bickering after Warren delivered a pre-rehearsed zinger in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren in 2018 that he did not think a woman could be elected president .
The allegations were quite obviously leaked by Warren 's campaign to CNN days prior to the debate , and CNN moderator Abby Phillip essentially accused Sanders of lying after he denied ever saying a woman could n't be elected .
Warren pivoted from the claims against Sanders to a pitch for her electability .
`` The only person on this stage who has beaten an incumbent Republican anytime in the past 30 years is me , '' Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assertion .
`` Just to set the record straight , I defeated an incumbent Republican running for Congress , '' the socialist clapped back .
The exchange , which seemed less appropriate for a presidential debate stage than it did for a Wendy's—the fast-food restaurant beloved by elderly patrons for its generous senior-citizen discount—quickly went off the rails .
SANDERS : Of course , I do n't think there 's any debate up here— SANDERS : [ attempts to do math in head ] I beat an incumbent Republican Congressman .
WARREN : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one who has beaten an incumbent Republican in 30 years .
SANDERS : Well , 30 years ago is 1990 , as a matter of fact .
So ended the exchange between two of the `` top-tier '' contenders to win the Democratic Party 's presidential nomination in 2020 .
The current frontrunner , former vice president Joe Biden , 77 , is generally considered to have had a good debate performance if he can string together a handful of complete sentences and does n't cite Manuel Noriega in response to a question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading candidate , Pete Buttigieg , is an unemployed 37-year-old .

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), 70, and Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), 78, engaged in an awkward squabble over the passage of time and the meaning of "30 years" during Tuesday night's Democratic primary debate in Iowa.
Neither candidate won the argument, but both adequately demonstrated the extent to which President Donald J. Trump, a man of formidable stamina and intellect, will ruin them on a general election debate stage.
The elderly candidates started bickering after Warren delivered a pre-rehearsed zinger in response to allegations that Sanders privately told Warren in 2018 that he did not think a woman could be elected president. The allegations were quite obviously leaked by Warren's campaign to CNN days prior to the debate, and CNN moderator Abby Phillip essentially accused Sanders of lying after he denied ever saying a woman couldn't be elected.
Warren pivoted from the claims against Sanders to a pitch for her electability.
"The only person on this stage who has beaten an incumbent Republican anytime in the past 30 years is me," Warren said.
Sanders objected to Warren's assertion. "Just to set the record straight, I defeated an incumbent Republican running for Congress," the socialist clapped back.
The exchange, which seemed less appropriate for a presidential debate stage than it did for a Wendy's—the fast-food restaurant beloved by elderly patrons for its generous senior-citizen discount—quickly went off the rails.
WARREN: When? SANDERS: 1990. WARREN: [attempts to perform math in head] SANDERS: That's how I won. Beat a Republican congressman. SANDERS: Number two— WARREN: 30 years ago. SANDERS: Of course, I don't think there's any debate up here— WARREN: Wasn't that 30 years ago? SANDERS: [attempts to do math in head] I beat an incumbent Republican congressman. WARREN: And I said I was the only one who has beaten an incumbent Republican in 30 years. SANDERS: Well, 30 years ago is 1990, as a matter of fact.
So ended the exchange between two of the "top-tier" contenders to win the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2020. The current frontrunner, former vice president Joe Biden, 77, is generally considered to have had a good debate performance if he can string together a handful of complete sentences and doesn't cite Manuel Noriega in response to a question about health care reform. The other leading candidate, Pete Buttigieg, is an unemployed 37-year-old.


freebeacon--2020-01-15--CNN Commentator: Bernie Sexism Story Isn’t ‘He Said She Said,’ It’s a CNN Report

CNN political commentator Jess McIntosh said the facts regarding the 2018 private meeting in which Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) is accused of telling Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
a woman ca n't win the presidency are not up for debate because they were `` reported '' by CNN .
`` I think what Bernie forgot was that this is n't a he said she said story , '' McIntosh said after Tuesday 's debate .
`` This is a reported out story that CNN was part of breaking , so to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think was n't nearly enough to address that for the women watching . ''
Sanders has flatly denied the accusations contained in the CNN report , and reiterated his denial during the debate .
`` You 're saying you never told Senator Warren that a woman could not win the election ? ''
Sanders was asked early on in the debate .
`` That is correct , '' he responded .
Despite Sanders 's denial , CNN debate moderator Abby Phillip appeared to side with Warren , asking the Massachusetts senator what she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman could not win the election . ''

CNN political commentator Jess McIntosh said the facts regarding the 2018 private meeting in which Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) is accused of telling Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) a woman can't win the presidency are not up for debate because they were "reported" by CNN.
"I think what Bernie forgot was that this isn't a he said she said story," McIntosh said after Tuesday's debate. "This is a reported out story that CNN was part of breaking, so to have him just flat out say no I think wasn't nearly enough to address that for the women watching."
Sanders has flatly denied the accusations contained in the CNN report, and reiterated his denial during the debate.
"You're saying you never told Senator Warren that a woman could not win the election?" Sanders was asked early on in the debate.
"That is correct," he responded.
Despite Sanders's denial, CNN debate moderator Abby Phillip appeared to side with Warren, asking the Massachusetts senator what she thought "when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election."


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Biden Says He Couldn’t Afford Childcare Making $42K in 1973 (or $250K, Adjusted for Inflation)

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said during Tuesday 's debate that he could not afford childcare during his early Senate days , though his salary at the time amounted to the modern equivalent of a quarter of a million dollars per year .
`` I was a single parent , too , '' Biden said when asked about universal childcare .
`` When my wife and daughter were killed , my two boys I had to raise .
I was a senator , a young senator , I just had n't been sworn in yet .
And I was making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I commuted every single solitary day to Wilmington , Delaware … 250 miles a day , '' the former vice president continued .
`` Because I could not afford , but for my family , childcare .
It was beyond my reach to be able to do it . ''
While living on $ 42,000 would place Biden in the bottom half of U.S. households in today 's dollars , it placed him firmly among the richest Americans when he was sworn in as senator in 1973 .
Biden 's freshman Senate salary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 256,370.77 in 2019 dollars , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator .
In a 1981 op-ed for the Salisbury , Md , newspaper the Daily Times titled `` Congress is supporting deterioration of family , '' Biden even argued that families in his income bracket were precisely the sort who did not need the federal government 's help providing for their childcare .
`` What I do not accept as legitimate is a social policy that encourages a couple making $ 30,000 , $ 40,000 , $ 50,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for their children by granting them a tax credit for day-care expenses , '' Biden wrote .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said during Tuesday's debate that he could not afford childcare during his early Senate days, though his salary at the time amounted to the modern equivalent of a quarter of a million dollars per year.
"I was a single parent, too," Biden said when asked about universal childcare. "When my wife and daughter were killed, my two boys I had to raise. I was a senator, a young senator, I just hadn't been sworn in yet. And I was making $42,000 a year."
"I commuted every single solitary day to Wilmington, Delaware ... 250 miles a day," the former vice president continued. "Because I could not afford, but for my family, childcare. It was beyond my reach to be able to do it."
While living on $42,000 would place Biden in the bottom half of U.S. households in today's dollars, it placed him firmly among the richest Americans when he was sworn in as senator in 1973. Biden's freshman Senate salary of $42,500 would be the equivalent of $256,370.77 in 2019 dollars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator.
In a 1981 op-ed for the Salisbury, Md, newspaper the Daily Times titled "Congress is supporting deterioration of family," Biden even argued that families in his income bracket were precisely the sort who did not need the federal government's help providing for their childcare.
"What I do not accept as legitimate is a social policy that encourages a couple making $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 or more a year to evade full responsibility for their children by granting them a tax credit for day-care expenses," Biden wrote.


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Sanders Chooses Environmentalists Over Unions

Socialist senator Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) chose to support the interests of environmentalists over the nation 's largest labor union at Tuesday 's debate , saying he will vote against the Trump administration 's renegotiation of NAFTA .
The Senate is expected to vote on the White House 's U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on Thursday .
Sanders , a longtime critic of NAFTA and free trade agreements in general , has indicated that he will oppose the deal , despite acknowledging that it would help workers .
He defended that position at the debate , saying the trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval of environmentalist groups .
`` Every major environmental organization has said no to this new trade agreement because it does not even have the phrase ‘ climate change ' in it , '' Sanders said .
`` I will not vote for a trade agreement that does not incorporate very , very strong principles to significantly lower fossil fuel emissions in the world . ''
The agreement has won the endorsement of the nation 's largest labor unions , many of which saw their members support Trump in Rust Belt states in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final agreement is a deal `` working people can proudly support . ''
Sanders has received more than $ 2 million from labor groups , according to the Center for Responsive Politics , and enjoys a 98 percent lifetime approval rating , according to the AFL-CIO 's legislative scorecard .
That score may fall after Thursday 's vote .
Many of Sanders 's Democratic rivals embraced the deal from both the liberal and moderate wings of the party .
Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg acknowledged that the deal was not perfect but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) also supported the deal .
Sanders 's chief progressive populist rival , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, said it would help workers and farmers who have seen wages stagnate in the wake of NAFTA .
`` This new trade deal is a modest improvement , '' Warren said .
`` It will give some relief to our farmers .
It will give some relief to our workers .
I believe we accept that relief , we accept that help , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a better trade deal . ''
President Trump is expected to sign the new agreement later this week .

Socialist senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) chose to support the interests of environmentalists over the nation's largest labor union at Tuesday's debate, saying he will vote against the Trump administration's renegotiation of NAFTA.
The Senate is expected to vote on the White House's U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on Thursday. Sanders, a longtime critic of NAFTA and free trade agreements in general, has indicated that he will oppose the deal, despite acknowledging that it would help workers. He defended that position at the debate, saying the trade deal did not do enough to win the approval of environmentalist groups.
"Every major environmental organization has said no to this new trade agreement because it does not even have the phrase 'climate change' in it," Sanders said. "I will not vote for a trade agreement that does not incorporate very, very strong principles to significantly lower fossil fuel emissions in the world."
The agreement has won the endorsement of the nation's largest labor unions, many of which saw their members support Trump in Rust Belt states in 2016. The AFL-CIO said that the final agreement is a deal "working people can proudly support." Sanders has received more than $2 million from labor groups, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and enjoys a 98 percent lifetime approval rating, according to the AFL-CIO's legislative scorecard. That score may fall after Thursday's vote.
Many of Sanders's Democratic rivals embraced the deal from both the liberal and moderate wings of the party. Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg acknowledged that the deal was not perfect but said he supported the agreement. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) also supported the deal. Sanders's chief progressive populist rival, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), said it would help workers and farmers who have seen wages stagnate in the wake of NAFTA.
"This new trade deal is a modest improvement," Warren said. "It will give some relief to our farmers. It will give some relief to our workers. I believe we accept that relief, we accept that help, and get up the next day and fight for a better trade deal."
President Trump is expected to sign the new agreement later this week.


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Warren Falsely Credits Lindsey Graham for McCain Peace Plan

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
appears to have lifted one of her debate stage zingers from President Donald Trump .
The Massachusetts senator on Tuesday evening accused Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R. , S.C. ) of supporting policies that would leave American troops in the Middle East for the next century .
`` There are people on this stage , when it comes to Afghanistan for example , who talk about five more years , ten more years , '' Warren said .
`` Shoot , Lindsey Graham talks about leaving troops there for a hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has never said anything of the sort .
Warren appears to be working off of part of a speech Trump delivered numerous times in October , saying first that Graham `` would like to stay there for the next 200 years '' and then a week later that Graham `` would like to stay in the Middle East for the next thousand years . ''
It is also possible that Warren was confusing Graham with the late Sen. John McCain , who in 2008 said an American presence in Iraq could remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of peace and prosperity as it had been in Germany and Japan .
`` Maybe 100 , '' McCain told CNN 's Larry King .
`` As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed , it 's fine with me , and I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where Al Qaeda is training , recruiting , equipping and motivating people every single day . ''

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) appears to have lifted one of her debate stage zingers from President Donald Trump.
The Massachusetts senator on Tuesday evening accused Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) of supporting policies that would leave American troops in the Middle East for the next century.
"There are people on this stage, when it comes to Afghanistan for example, who talk about five more years, ten more years," Warren said. "Shoot, Lindsey Graham talks about leaving troops there for a hundred more years."
Graham, however, has never said anything of the sort. Warren appears to be working off of part of a speech Trump delivered numerous times in October, saying first that Graham "would like to stay there for the next 200 years" and then a week later that Graham "would like to stay in the Middle East for the next thousand years."
It is also possible that Warren was confusing Graham with the late Sen. John McCain, who in 2008 said an American presence in Iraq could remain for 100 years as a stabilizing force of peace and prosperity as it had been in Germany and Japan.
"Maybe 100," McCain told CNN's Larry King. "As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed, it's fine with me, and I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where Al Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day."


Beacon Extra 1/14/20

Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon ’ s morning newsletter , your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom .
To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning , sign up here .
T-BONE ENDORSEMENT UP FOR GRABS … `` Sen. Cory Booker exits the Democratic presidential primary , making the field less diverse , '' via WAPO : Booker is the latest candidate of color to leave a Democratic field that had started out as historically diverse , exiting about two weeks after former HUD secretary and San Antonio mayor Julián Castro said he was suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spent years building ties with black leaders , struggled badly with black voters .
A hoped-for breakout in South Carolina never came .
KNIVES OUT … `` Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in private 2018 meeting that a woman ca n't win , sources say , '' via CNN : That evening , Sanders expressed frustration at what he saw as a growing focus among Democrats on identity politics , according to one of the people familiar with the conversation .
Warren told Sanders she disagreed with his assessment that a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four sources said .
Sanders denied the characterization of the meeting in a statement to CNN .
STILL MOURNING SOLEIMANI ?
… `` Leading 2020 Dems Ignore Iranian Protests Condemning Regime , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : As thousands of Iranians risk death to protest the regime shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane , many Democrats have focused on criticizing the Trump administration .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg , and businessmen Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer have failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to recognize the ongoing demonstrations , both Warren and Buttigieg previously supported Iranian anti-government protests were prompted by rising gas prices .
EVERY VOTE MATTERS … `` Sanders Refused to Condemn Farrakhan Official ’ s Anti-Semitic Screed , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : As the Nation of Islam faced public and private pressure to moderate its rhetoric in the mid-1990s , Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders voted against a congressional measure condemning a series of virulent anti-Semitic statements by a leading member of the group … Anti-Semitism among black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of joblessness and homelessness in underprivileged communities , Sanders contended .
BERNIE PIVOTS TO THE PRIMARY … `` Sanders Says He Held Hawkish Immigration Views ‘ 250 Years Ago ’ ( It Was 2015 ) , '' by WFB ’ s Alex Griswold : New York Times editor Nick Fox asked Sanders if he still believed that foreign workers depress wages for Americans .
`` No , '' [ Bernie ] Sanders responded .
`` That 's what I said on the Lou Dobbs show 250 years ago , right ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least two occasions .
`` What right-wing people in this country would love is an open-border policy , '' Sanders said in a Vox interview .
`` Bring in all kinds of people , work for $ 2 or $ 3 an hour , that would be great for them . ''
THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD AT KILLING UNARMED CIVILIANS … `` Iran Warns Protesters as It Grapples With Unrest Over Plane Crash , '' via WSJ : The demonstrations broke out after the Iranian military on Saturday said it unintentionally shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing all 176 people on board , after denying for days that it was responsible .
The protesters denounced what they called lying and incompetence by the country ’ s leadership .
Tehran ’ s metropolitan police chief , Hossein Rahimi , on Monday warned `` abusers of the situation '' that the country ’ s security forces would zealously defend the security of the Iranian people .
NO `` WORKPLACE VIOLENCE '' FOR THIS GUY … `` Barr says shooting at Pensacola Navy base was an ‘ act of terrorism ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barr said Monday that the shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station that killed three service members last month was an `` act of terrorism '' and that the Saudi gunman was determined to have been `` motivated by jihadist ideology '' following a criminal investigation … The attack , perpetrated by a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force enrolled in a training program at the base , prompted a review that led the military to expel more than a dozen Saudi trainees , per CNN .
Though none were found to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident , some were found to have connections to extremist movements .
IS THAT A THREAT ?
… `` Harry and Meghan don ’ t want to live in LA until Trump leaves office , '' via PAGE SIX : `` It ’ s by no means an immediate thing but there is a long-term plan to end up back in the U.S. with a second home in Canada , where they will also spend a great deal of time , '' the source said .
But Markle , 38 , has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is president , according to the Mail , citing her friends .
THAT ’ S HOW DETERRENCE WORKS … `` NYT Reporter Applauds Iran For Showing ‘ More Restraint ’ Than U.S. , '' via NEWSBUSTERS : Moments later , [ New York Times foreign correspondent Rukmini Callimachi ] went further , actually arguing that Iran was acting more responsibly than the United States : `` …one of the takeaways of the past week is that we actually saw , in my opinion , Iran act with perhaps more restraint than our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE NOMINEES FOR MOVIES WE WILL NEVER SEE … '' Issa Rae Had the Best Response After Announcing the All-Male Oscar Noms for Best Director , '' via GLAMOUR : And yet again not a single woman was nominated in the Best Director category , where many thought Greta Gerwig ( Little Women ) , Marielle Heller ( A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood ) , Lorene Scarfaria ( Hustlers ) , or Lulu Wang ( The Farewell ) deserved recognition .
And Rae had a perfect response—and facial expression—to this news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she simply said , `` Congratulations to those men . ''
DIAGNOSIS : INSANITY … `` A Nurse With Over A Million Followers On TikTok Is Facing Backlash For A Video Saying Abstinence Is The Best Way To Prevent STDs , '' via BUZZFEED : Holly , who did not want to disclose her full name or any personal information , told BuzzFeed News she deleted the video due to the backlash .
She also apologized `` for any offense that was taken '' as she `` only wish [ es ] to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … Other nurses are now creating TikToks of their own in response to offer nonjudgmental perspectives and other alternatives for safe sex .
BETTER TO BE WRONG THAN FAVORABLE TO TRUMP … `` Media Eager to Wrongly Say Iran ‘ Unified ' After Soleimani 's Death , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota , who reported on anti-regime protests Monday on New Day , said last week that Soleimani 's death `` seems to have united '' the Iranian people in favor of the regime .
MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week by saying that `` it seems President Trump did what the Iranian government has been unable to do : unite the country . ''
`` Iran is , instead of protesting against the regime , unified against America instead , '' said MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1,129 .
Come back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com @

The 2020 Dem field gets even whiter, Hollywood disappoints the woke crowd again, and another media talking point on Iran goes kaput
Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
T-BONE ENDORSEMENT UP FOR GRABS … "Sen. Cory Booker exits the Democratic presidential primary, making the field less diverse," via WAPO: Booker is the latest candidate of color to leave a Democratic field that had started out as historically diverse, exiting about two weeks after former HUD secretary and San Antonio mayor Julián Castro said he was suspending his campaign …
Yet Booker, who had spent years building ties with black leaders, struggled badly with black voters. A hoped-for breakout in South Carolina never came.
KNIVES OUT … "Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in private 2018 meeting that a woman can't win, sources say," via CNN: That evening, Sanders expressed frustration at what he saw as a growing focus among Democrats on identity politics, according to one of the people familiar with the conversation. Warren told Sanders she disagreed with his assessment that a woman could not win, three of the four sources said.
Sanders denied the characterization of the meeting in a statement to CNN.
STILL MOURNING SOLEIMANI? … "Leading 2020 Dems Ignore Iranian Protests Condemning Regime," by WFB’s Collin Anderson: As thousands of Iranians risk death to protest the regime shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane, many Democrats have focused on criticizing the Trump administration. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, and businessmen Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer have failed to acknowledge the protests …
Despite their failure to recognize the ongoing demonstrations, both Warren and Buttigieg previously supported Iranian anti-government protests were prompted by rising gas prices.
EVERY VOTE MATTERS … "Sanders Refused to Condemn Farrakhan Official’s Anti-Semitic Screed," by WFB’s Adam Kredo: As the Nation of Islam faced public and private pressure to moderate its rhetoric in the mid-1990s, Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders voted against a congressional measure condemning a series of virulent anti-Semitic statements by a leading member of the group …
Anti-Semitism among black leaders like Khalid Abdul Muhammad is the result of joblessness and homelessness in underprivileged communities, Sanders contended.
BERNIE PIVOTS TO THE PRIMARY … "Sanders Says He Held Hawkish Immigration Views ‘250 Years Ago’ (It Was 2015)," by WFB’s Alex Griswold: New York Times editor Nick Fox asked Sanders if he still believed that foreign workers depress wages for Americans. "No," [Bernie] Sanders responded. "That's what I said on the Lou Dobbs show 250 years ago, right?"
Sanders made that argument in 2015 on at least two occasions. "What right-wing people in this country would love is an open-border policy," Sanders said in a Vox interview. "Bring in all kinds of people, work for $2 or $3 an hour, that would be great for them."
THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD AT KILLING UNARMED CIVILIANS … "Iran Warns Protesters as It Grapples With Unrest Over Plane Crash," via WSJ: The demonstrations broke out after the Iranian military on Saturday said it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner last week, killing all 176 people on board, after denying for days that it was responsible. The protesters denounced what they called lying and incompetence by the country’s leadership.
Tehran’s metropolitan police chief, Hossein Rahimi, on Monday warned "abusers of the situation" that the country’s security forces would zealously defend the security of the Iranian people.
NO "WORKPLACE VIOLENCE" FOR THIS GUY … "Barr says shooting at Pensacola Navy base was an ‘act of terrorism’," via AXIOS: Attorney General William Barr said Monday that the shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station that killed three service members last month was an "act of terrorism" and that the Saudi gunman was determined to have been "motivated by jihadist ideology" following a criminal investigation …
The attack, perpetrated by a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force enrolled in a training program at the base, prompted a review that led the military to expel more than a dozen Saudi trainees, per CNN. Though none were found to have aided the gunman in the Pensacola incident, some were found to have connections to extremist movements.
IS THAT A THREAT? … "Harry and Meghan don’t want to live in LA until Trump leaves office," via PAGE SIX: "It’s by no means an immediate thing but there is a long-term plan to end up back in the U.S. with a second home in Canada, where they will also spend a great deal of time," the source said.
But Markle, 38, has said she won’t move back while Trump is president, according to the Mail, citing her friends.
THAT’S HOW DETERRENCE WORKS … "NYT Reporter Applauds Iran For Showing ‘More Restraint’ Than U.S.," via NEWSBUSTERS: Moments later, [New York Times foreign correspondent Rukmini Callimachi] went further, actually arguing that Iran was acting more responsibly than the United States: "...one of the takeaways of the past week is that we actually saw, in my opinion, Iran act with perhaps more restraint than our own government."
AND NOW WITH THE NOMINEES FOR MOVIES WE WILL NEVER SEE …"Issa Rae Had the Best Response After Announcing the All-Male Oscar Noms for Best Director," via GLAMOUR: And yet again not a single woman was nominated in the Best Director category, where many thought Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Lorene Scarfaria (Hustlers), or Lulu Wang (The Farewell) deserved recognition.
And Rae had a perfect response—and facial expression—to this news. After reading the list of names, she simply said, "Congratulations to those men."
DIAGNOSIS: INSANITY … "A Nurse With Over A Million Followers On TikTok Is Facing Backlash For A Video Saying Abstinence Is The Best Way To Prevent STDs," via BUZZFEED: Holly, who did not want to disclose her full name or any personal information, told BuzzFeed News she deleted the video due to the backlash. She also apologized "for any offense that was taken" as she "only wish[es] to promote positivity and healthy lifestyles." …
Other nurses are now creating TikToks of their own in response to offer nonjudgmental perspectives and other alternatives for safe sex.
BETTER TO BE WRONG THAN FAVORABLE TO TRUMP … "Media Eager to Wrongly Say Iran 'Unified' After Soleimani's Death," by WFB’s David Rutz: CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, who reported on anti-regime protests Monday on New Day, said last week that Soleimani's death "seems to have united" the Iranian people in favor of the regime. MSNBC's Katy Tur led a broadcast last week by saying that "it seems President Trump did what the Iranian government has been unable to do: unite the country."
"Iran is, instead of protesting against the regime, unified against America instead," said MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell.
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1,129. Come back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Watch CNN Moderator Side With Warren Over Sanders in Ongoing Campaign Dispute

CNN debate moderator Abby Phillip appeared to side with Elizabeth Warren over campaign rival Bernie Sanders in the ongoing dispute over whether Sanders told Warren a woman could n't be elected president .
Sanders was asked early on in Tuesday 's debate about CNN 's report that he told Warren during a private 2018 meeting that he believed a woman could n't win the election .
He flatly denied ever making the comment .
`` I do want to be clear here , '' Phillip said .
`` You 're saying you never told Senator Warren that a woman could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is correct , '' Sanders said .
Phillip dismissed Sanders 's denial and proceeded to state the accusation made in the CNN report as fact when she handed the question over to Warren .
`` Senator Warren , what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election ? ''
Phillip said , eliciting a look of disbelief from Sanders .
Warren said in a Monday statement that Sanders did indeed tell her a woman could not win the presidency .
Sanders has called the accusation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate scorn from reporters such as Tom Bevin of RealClearPolitics , who referred to it as a `` moderator fail . ''

CNN debate moderator Abby Phillip appeared to side with Elizabeth Warren over campaign rival Bernie Sanders in the ongoing dispute over whether Sanders told Warren a woman couldn't be elected president.
Sanders was asked early on in Tuesday's debate about CNN's report that he told Warren during a private 2018 meeting that he believed a woman couldn't win the election. He flatly denied ever making the comment.
"I do want to be clear here," Phillip said. "You're saying you never told Senator Warren that a woman could not win the election?"
"That is correct," Sanders said.
Phillip dismissed Sanders's denial and proceeded to state the accusation made in the CNN report as fact when she handed the question over to Warren.
"Senator Warren, what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?" Phillip said, eliciting a look of disbelief from Sanders.
Warren said in a Monday statement that Sanders did indeed tell her a woman could not win the presidency. Sanders has called the accusation "ludicrous."
The moment earned immediate scorn from reporters such as Tom Bevin of RealClearPolitics, who referred to it as a "moderator fail."
CNN is just going ahead and declaring Sanders said that, even with a denial and even with no evidence? — Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) January 15, 2020
HUH, that CNN is not asking Warren "did Sanders say that?" but instead "what did you think when Sanders said that?" (Immediately after Sanders repeatedly denied he said it.) — Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) January 15, 2020
Terrible questioning by women moderators: Ask Warren directly, so are you saying he's lying? They just accepted that Sanders was lying -- and then asked E.W. what she thought when he said it and then let her use it as a jumping off pt to talk about women's ability to win. — Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) January 15, 2020


freebeacon--2020-01-15--Continetti: Pelosi’s Impeachment Strategy Is Blowing Up in Her Face

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's impeachment strategy to temporarily withhold articles of @ @ @ @ @ failed .
`` What strikes me is how unserious Nancy Pelosi has been , '' @ @ @ @ @ with Bret Baier on Tuesday .
`` The trial will start a month after the @ @ @ @ @ .
If it was really as urgent as they were telling us for months , @ @ @ @ @ process underway immediately .
They did n't because they were waiting for some bombshell .
@ @ @ @ @ it .
Instead , it has blown up in Nancy Pelosi 's face . ''
@ @ @ @ @ the articles of impeachment to ensure a fair trial at the outset , a decision @ @ @ @ @ both Republican and Democratic members of Congress .

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's impeachment strategy to temporarily withhold articles of impeachment from the Senate has failed.
"What strikes me is how unserious Nancy Pelosi has been," Continetti said on Special Report with Bret Baier on Tuesday. "The trial will start a month after the vote to impeach Donald Trump. If it was really as urgent as they were telling us for months, they would've gotten this process underway immediately. They didn't because they were waiting for some bombshell. What broke tonight was not it. Instead, it has blown up in Nancy Pelosi's face."
Speaker Pelosi said she withheld the articles of impeachment to ensure a fair trial at the outset, a decision she was criticized for by both Republican and Democratic members of Congress.