freebeacon--2020-02-10--New Secretive Iranian Nuclear Sites Spark Concern in Congress

Iran is not `` complying at all '' with the landmark nuclear deal and continues to prevent international nuclear inspectors from accessing key sites suspected of housing the regime 's sensitive atomic weapons program , according to the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
Sen. Jim Risch ( R. , Idaho ) told the Washington Free Beacon in a wide-ranging interview on the Islamic Republic 's continued nuclear subterfuge that he is worried by new reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) that there are `` possible undeclared Iranian nuclear sites '' that remain active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence , recently met with IAEA head Rafael Grossi to gather more information on Iran 's efforts to block access to inspectors and hide undeclared work on the weapons front .
`` I do n't think they 're complying at all '' with the nuclear restrictions enshrined in the accord , Risch told the Free Beacon , adding it is now clear Iran intends to continue violating caps on the amount of enriched uranium it can keep in the country .
`` They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond what the agreement said , '' Risch noted .
`` And they said they do n't care what anybody does about it .
You ca n't say they 've been in compliance by any stretch . ''
Recent reports indicate that particles of uranium , the key component in a nuclear weapon , were found at secretive Iranian sites .
Risch said he would not contradict any recent reporting but could not go into specifics for classification reasons .
Thus far , Iran has rebuffed IAEA petitions to obtain more information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public breach of the nuclear accord warrants the full imposition of United Nations sanctions that were lifted under the terms of the deal , Risch said .
Under a provision known as `` snapback , '' the United States and European countries can reimpose all sanctions on Iran that were waived when the deal was implemented in 2015 .
In light of Iran ’ s moves in late 2019 to exceed caps on uranium and heavy water , a nuclear byproduct that could provide an alternate pathway to a bomb , many have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's no question about that , and the Europeans know snapback is warranted , '' Risch said , expressing frustration with efforts by multiple European allies to stand in the way of snapback .
`` As always with the Europeans , they drag their feet , they 're tolerant when they should n't be tolerant .
I tell them over and over again , I do n't understand this .
Why , why , oh why are you guys so tolerant of this ?
Why are you so dedicated to wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what needs to be done ? ''
Risch asked .
Leading European nations have sought to keep their business interests in Iran alive , despite the Trump administration ’ s wishes .
This has resulted in the creation of an alternative financial system that helps Iran conduct international transactions apart from the American monetary system , thereby skirting sanctions .
Iran does not `` respect a gentle nudge , they do n't respect the weakness , they do n't respect people who are trying to do the right thing .
They are recalcitrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In meetings with European officials , Risch has raised the Iran issue , he said .
`` I 'm always disappointed in the Europeans ' tolerance of what the Iranians do , '' he said .
`` Every time I meet with the Europeans , different ones , I raise that , which by the way is frequently .
They just simply are n't getting it .
They promised us before we entered into the agreement that they would demand snapback if Iran did not comply .
They 're clearly not complying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to issue new and more biting sanctions as long as Iran continues its pursuit of enriched uranium and other nuclear materials .
Risch also expressed optimism that the IAEA , despite the challenges it faces , will continue to provide a window into Iran 's nuclear undertakings .
`` My sense is that the IAEA is not turning its back on doing what their mission is , as far as Iran is concerned , '' he said .
`` They 're not turning their back on that even though the Iranians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that is stiff-arm everybody who tries to do anything .
They know that .
They realize it . ''

Iran is not "complying at all" with the landmark nuclear deal and continues to prevent international nuclear inspectors from accessing key sites suspected of housing the regime's sensitive atomic weapons program, according to the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Sen. Jim Risch (R., Idaho) told the Washington Free Beacon in a wide-ranging interview on the Islamic Republic's continued nuclear subterfuge that he is worried by new reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that there are "possible undeclared Iranian nuclear sites" that remain active in Iran.
Risch, who is also a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, recently met with IAEA head Rafael Grossi to gather more information on Iran's efforts to block access to inspectors and hide undeclared work on the weapons front.
"I don't think they're complying at all" with the nuclear restrictions enshrined in the accord, Risch told the Free Beacon, adding it is now clear Iran intends to continue violating caps on the amount of enriched uranium it can keep in the country.
"They have specifically said they're going to enrich beyond what the agreement said," Risch noted. "And they said they don't care what anybody does about it. You can't say they've been in compliance by any stretch."
Recent reports indicate that particles of uranium, the key component in a nuclear weapon, were found at secretive Iranian sites. Risch said he would not contradict any recent reporting but could not go into specifics for classification reasons. Thus far, Iran has rebuffed IAEA petitions to obtain more information about these undeclared sites.
Tehran's very public breach of the nuclear accord warrants the full imposition of United Nations sanctions that were lifted under the terms of the deal, Risch said.
Under a provision known as "snapback," the United States and European countries can reimpose all sanctions on Iran that were waived when the deal was implemented in 2015. In light of Iran’s moves in late 2019 to exceed caps on uranium and heavy water, a nuclear byproduct that could provide an alternate pathway to a bomb, many have argued that snapback is necessary.
"There's no question about that, and the Europeans know snapback is warranted," Risch said, expressing frustration with efforts by multiple European allies to stand in the way of snapback.
"As always with the Europeans, they drag their feet, they're tolerant when they shouldn't be tolerant. I tell them over and over again, I don't understand this. Why, why, oh why are you guys so tolerant of this? Why are you so dedicated to wanting to deal with the Iranians instead of doing what needs to be done?" Risch asked.
Leading European nations have sought to keep their business interests in Iran alive, despite the Trump administration’s wishes. This has resulted in the creation of an alternative financial system that helps Iran conduct international transactions apart from the American monetary system, thereby skirting sanctions.
Iran does not "respect a gentle nudge, they don't respect the weakness, they don't respect people who are trying to do the right thing. They are recalcitrant in every respect," Risch said.
In meetings with European officials, Risch has raised the Iran issue, he said.
"I'm always disappointed in the Europeans' tolerance of what the Iranians do," he said. "Every time I meet with the Europeans, different ones, I raise that, which by the way is frequently. They just simply aren't getting it. They promised us before we entered into the agreement that they would demand snapback if Iran did not comply. They're clearly not complying."
However, the United States will continue to issue new and more biting sanctions as long as Iran continues its pursuit of enriched uranium and other nuclear materials.
Risch also expressed optimism that the IAEA, despite the challenges it faces, will continue to provide a window into Iran's nuclear undertakings.
"My sense is that the IAEA is not turning its back on doing what their mission is, as far as Iran is concerned," he said. "They're not turning their back on that even though the Iranians are doing what they always do, and that is stiff-arm everybody who tries to do anything. They know that. They realize it."


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DON ’ T STOP BLEEDIN ’ … `` Election Security Institute Criticizes Newly Unveiled Nevada Caucus App After Iowa Disaster , '' via NEWSWEEK : [ The Open Source Election Technology Institute ] that studies election security criticized the Nevada Democratic Party for planning to use a digital tool for its caucuses , arguing that Nevada was likely to run into many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting app last week … '' Deja Vu ; this time in NV , '' OSET ’ s first tweet read .
`` Let 's be clear from the start : theirs is an ‘ App ' and no designation of ‘ tool ' changes that .
Let 's stop playing word games here .
The fact that its pre-loaded & may not use mobile connectivity is the only ‘ difference . '
'' GOT TA BREAK A FEW EGGS !
… `` Sanders Calls Medicare for All ‘ The Least Disruptive Approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson : In a town hall speech at Franklin Pierce University , [ Bernie Sanders ] said , `` Now , people say , ‘ Medicare for All is gon na be so disruptive , it ’ s such a radical idea , oh my goodness . '
Actually , it 's the least disruptive approach to moving toward universal health care . ''
… Medicare for All is the leading policy proposal of Sanders ’ s 2020 campaign .
It would effectively abolish private health insurance , setting up a single-payer government-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off their current health care plans .
BIDEN BASE DEATH RATTLE : SHOT … `` Older Voters Are Getting Worried About Joe Biden , '' via HUFFPOST : `` It ’ s so sad .
I really feel sad , '' Laura Norris , 62 , said as she watched the former vice president [ Joe Biden ] speak at a town hall here on the eve of the New Hampshire primary … Biden ’ s edge with older voters has been his greatest asset so far in the race for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire primary only days away … elderly voters are reconsidering their support for the septuagenarian in favor of some younger blood : namely Pete Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana .
CHASER … `` Quinnipiac : Nearly Half of Biden ’ s African-American Supporters Have Abandoned Him , '' via NRO : Biden has been counting on South Carolina as his firewall ( where two-thirds of Democratic primary voters are black ) , but the new national Quinnipiac poll shows support for Biden among African Americans dropping from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa caucuses .
WHY STOP THERE … `` Tom Steyer vows to raise minimum wage to $ 22 per hour if elected , '' via FOX BUSINESS : Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer vowed to call for a $ 22 hourly minimum wage if he wins his longshot bid to unseat incumbent President Trump in November … According to a Congressional Budget Office report published in July 2019 , increasing the federal minimum wage to $ 15 per hour could result in 1.3 million workers losing their jobs .
( The report estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that somewhere between zero and 3.7 million workers would lose their jobs ) .
SEND THE BOMBERS … `` New Secretive Iranian Nuclear Sites Spark Concern in Congress , '' by WFB ’ s Adam Kredo : Sen. Jim Risch ( R. , Idaho ) told the Washington Free Beacon in a wide-ranging interview on the Islamic Republic 's continued nuclear subterfuge that he is worried by new reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) that there are `` possible undeclared Iranian nuclear sites '' that remain active in Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uranium , the key component in a nuclear weapon , were found at secretive Iranian sites .
Risch said he would not contradict any recent reporting but could not go into specifics for classification reasons .
SEND THE BOMBERS THERE TOO … `` It Was China Who Stole the Data of 150 Million Americans by Hacking Equifax , Says the DOJ , '' via DAILY BEAST : In total , the members of the Chinese military are accused of stealing personally identifiable information from 145 million Americans , as well as driving license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card numbers of around 200,000 .
A nine-count indictment unveiled Monday accused four Chinese military members of hacking into the company ’ s computer networks , maintaining unauthorized access to them , and stealing the sensitive data .
AMERICA UNINTERESTED IN SUSTAINABILITY LECTURES FROM PRIVATE JET OWNERS … `` TV Ratings : Oscars Fall to All-Time Lows , '' via THR : The three-hour-plus broadcast averaged about 23.6 million viewers and a 5.3 rating among adults 18-49 , well below the 29.56 million and 7.7 for last year 's awards … The Oscars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratings declines .
The September 2019 Emmy broadcast on Fox fell by 32 percent in viewers and 29 percent in adults 18-49 from the previous year .
CHILL , GRETA , CHILL … `` Greta Thunberg to make new documentary series for the BBC , '' via GUARDIAN : BBC Studios has announced a documentary series about the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg .
The new show will follow Thunberg ’ s `` international crusade '' against the climate emergency , focusing on her campaign work as well as her `` journey into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thunberg meet with scientists , politicians , and businesspeople to explore the evidence around rising global temperatures .
OUR MAN IN MANCHESTER REPORTS … `` BERN NOTICE : Sanders Poised to Seize Victory in New Hampshire , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Stiles : [ Pete ] Buttigieg , meanwhile , is hoping that a strong performance here will boost his odds to emerge as the `` not Bernie Sanders '' alternative , assuming he can avoid embarrassment in South Carolina later this month , given his statistically insignificant level of support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is far more popular in rich white `` boat shoe '' strongholds , such as Nantucket , Cape Cod , and Martha 's Vineyard , has been taking shots at Sanders over the enormous costs of his proposed reforms , such as Medicare for All … [ Barack ] Obama , for his part , continues to sit on the sidelines ( and produce Oscar-winning documentaries ) as the Democratic candidates duke it out .
Not only has the former president refused to endorse his former running mate , he also tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run .
`` You do n't have to do this , Joe , '' Obama reportedly told Biden before the former VP launched his campaign .
Perhaps he should have listened .
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 2 .
Welcome back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama Thanks for reading !
Send tips to rutz @ freebeacon.com .

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


freebeacon--2020-02-11--BERN NOTICE: Sanders Poised to Seize Victory in New Hampshire

MANCHESTER , N.H.—The main players in the 2020 presidential race were all in New Hampshire on Monday making their pitch to voters ahead of the Granite State 's `` first in the nation '' primary .
Elizabeth Warren was also here , persisting , and promoting her `` intersectional policy , '' though no one seemed to care .
She did , however , offer some cheery soundbites about not quitting that will be fun to recall when she inevitably does just that .
The male frontrunners , meanwhile , all chose fitting venues for their final rallies on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald J. Trump , the recently acquitted incumbent , roused the MAGA faithful at the Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester , just like old times .
Some die-hard supporters waited more than 24 hours in the freezing rain to attend .
Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , the prohibitive favorite to win on Tuesday after ( sort of ) winning the Iowa caucuses , also packed an arena at the publicly funded University of New Hampshire in Durham .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strokes , a trendy rock band founded by trust fund kids .
The Sanders crowd was younger , more energetic , and more prone to crowd surfing than those of his rivals .
The Strokes ended their show with `` New York City Cops . ''
The song , which includes the line `` New York City cops , but they ai n't too smart , '' was pulled from the band 's 2001 album This Is It following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks .
Some eager fans rushed the stage , prompting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire cops , who mostly just stood there impotently—like the Democratic establishment watching Bernie Sanders burn their party to the ground .
Pete Buttigieg , 38 , the former South Bend mayor who studied abroad in Afghanistan , missed out on the coveted Strokes endorsement , but did manage to secure his own celebrity of fading relevance .
Kevin Costner , star of Waterworld and Message in a Bottle , introduced Buttigieg at his rally in Exeter , N.H. , down the road from one of the most prestigious ( and expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buttigieg worked hard to remind his core demographic of West Wing fans that , of all the candidates running , he would fit in best as a character on the show .
Former vice president Joe Biden , fresh off a humiliating fourth-place finish in Iowa and his first Sunday show appearance in more than three years , addressed a crowd of about 300 supporters at a Greek Orthodox Church in Manchester , just down the road from the Hanover Hill nursing home , which might have been a more efficient venue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ icon Sean Hannity warmed up the crowd by interviewing them on camera about Hunter Biden 's exploits in Ukraine .
One particularly zealous attendee tried to start a chant : `` Keep Humanity . ''
It did n't catch on .
Almost immediately after Biden took the stage , he was interrupted by a heckler demanding to know if `` Creepy Joe '' would ever apologize for `` touching women and kids . ''
The man was eventually escorted out , but not before loudly and repeatedly accusing the former VP of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfazed , attempting to reassure his core demographic of voters who recognize his name from the Obama bumper sticker that he would do `` just fine '' in New Hampshire .
Recent polling , however , suggests another fourth-place finish ( or even fifth ) is on the horizon .
A Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll published Sunday showed Sanders leading the field at 27 percent , with Buttigieg in second at 19 percent .
A surging Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) was in third place at 14 percent , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Sanders win in New Hampshire would solidify his status as the candidate to beat , and the favorite to win the nomination .
It would also force the Democratic establishment to escalate its efforts to prevent that from happening .
Buttigieg , meanwhile , is hoping that a strong performance here will boost his odds to emerge as the `` not Bernie Sanders '' alternative , assuming he can avoid embarrassment in South Carolina later this month , given his statistically insignificant level of support among black voters .
Mayor Pete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rich white `` boat shoe '' strongholds , such as Nantucket , Cape Cod , and Martha 's Vineyard , has been taking shots at Sanders over the enormous costs of his proposed reforms , such as Medicare for All .
The remaining candidates are just trying to keep their campaigns alive until Super Tuesday on March 3 , at which point former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg 's name will start to appear on the ballot .
Biden has long been a favorite to win in South Carolina , which votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive poor showing in New Hampshire might scare away primary voters keen to elect a winner to take on Trump .
Biden has ramped up his attacks on rival candidates in recent days .
His campaign recently put out a digital ad mocking Buttigieg 's experience as a small-town mayor who paved sidewalks with `` decorative brick '' while Biden was passing legislation in the Senate .
Biden also dismissed a reporter 's suggestion that his critiques of Buttigieg echoed those made by Hillary Clinton against her 2008 primary opponent Barack Obama .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden snapped .
`` This guy 's not a Barack Obama . ''
Obama , for his part , continues to sit on the sidelines ( and produce Oscar-winning documentaries ) as the Democratic candidates duke it out .
Not only has the former president refused to endorse his former running mate , he also tried to persuade Biden not to run .
`` You do n't have to do this , Joe , '' Obama reportedly told Biden before the former VP launched his campaign .
Perhaps he should have listened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ village of Dixville Notch , N.H. , which per tradition reported its primary results just after midnight on Tuesday morning .
Sanders and Buttigieg received one vote each , but it was Bloomberg who won the day , leading all Democrats with two write-in votes , and even besting President Trump among the lone Republican voter .

MANCHESTER, N.H.—The main players in the 2020 presidential race were all in New Hampshire on Monday making their pitch to voters ahead of the Granite State's "first in the nation" primary. Elizabeth Warren was also here, persisting, and promoting her "intersectional policy," though no one seemed to care. She did, however, offer some cheery soundbites about not quitting that will be fun to recall when she inevitably does just that.
The male frontrunners, meanwhile, all chose fitting venues for their final rallies on the eve of Tuesday's primary. President Donald J. Trump, the recently acquitted incumbent, roused the MAGA faithful at the Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester, just like old times. Some die-hard supporters waited more than 24 hours in the freezing rain to attend.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), the prohibitive favorite to win on Tuesday after (sort of) winning the Iowa caucuses, also packed an arena at the publicly funded University of New Hampshire in Durham. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) was in the house, as were The Strokes, a trendy rock band founded by trust fund kids. The Sanders crowd was younger, more energetic, and more prone to crowd surfing than those of his rivals.
The Strokes ended their show with "New York City Cops." The song, which includes the line "New York City cops, but they ain't too smart," was pulled from the band's 2001 album This Is It following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Some eager fans rushed the stage, prompting a futile attempt at intervention by some New Hampshire cops, who mostly just stood there impotently—like the Democratic establishment watching Bernie Sanders burn their party to the ground.
Pete Buttigieg, 38, the former South Bend mayor who studied abroad in Afghanistan, missed out on the coveted Strokes endorsement, but did manage to secure his own celebrity of fading relevance. Kevin Costner, star of Waterworld and Message in a Bottle, introduced Buttigieg at his rally in Exeter, N.H., down the road from one of the most prestigious (and expensive) prep schools in the country. Buttigieg worked hard to remind his core demographic of West Wing fans that, of all the candidates running, he would fit in best as a character on the show.
Former vice president Joe Biden, fresh off a humiliating fourth-place finish in Iowa and his first Sunday show appearance in more than three years, addressed a crowd of about 300 supporters at a Greek Orthodox Church in Manchester, just down the road from the Hanover Hill nursing home, which might have been a more efficient venue for the "rally." Fox News icon Sean Hannity warmed up the crowd by interviewing them on camera about Hunter Biden's exploits in Ukraine. One particularly zealous attendee tried to start a chant: "Keep Humanity." It didn't catch on.
Almost immediately after Biden took the stage, he was interrupted by a heckler demanding to know if "Creepy Joe" would ever apologize for "touching women and kids." The man was eventually escorted out, but not before loudly and repeatedly accusing the former VP of being a "pedo-filer." Biden continued unfazed, attempting to reassure his core demographic of voters who recognize his name from the Obama bumper sticker that he would do "just fine" in New Hampshire. Recent polling, however, suggests another fourth-place finish (or even fifth) is on the horizon.
A Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll published Sunday showed Sanders leading the field at 27 percent, with Buttigieg in second at 19 percent. A surging Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) was in third place at 14 percent, with Warren and Biden tied at 12 percent. A Sanders win in New Hampshire would solidify his status as the candidate to beat, and the favorite to win the nomination. It would also force the Democratic establishment to escalate its efforts to prevent that from happening.
Buttigieg, meanwhile, is hoping that a strong performance here will boost his odds to emerge as the "not Bernie Sanders" alternative, assuming he can avoid embarrassment in South Carolina later this month, given his statistically insignificant level of support among black voters. Mayor Pete, who is far more popular in rich white "boat shoe" strongholds, such as Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard, has been taking shots at Sanders over the enormous costs of his proposed reforms, such as Medicare for All.
The remaining candidates are just trying to keep their campaigns alive until Super Tuesday on March 3, at which point former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg's name will start to appear on the ballot. Biden has long been a favorite to win in South Carolina, which votes on Feb. 29, but a second consecutive poor showing in New Hampshire might scare away primary voters keen to elect a winner to take on Trump.
Biden has ramped up his attacks on rival candidates in recent days. His campaign recently put out a digital ad mocking Buttigieg's experience as a small-town mayor who paved sidewalks with "decorative brick" while Biden was passing legislation in the Senate. Biden also dismissed a reporter's suggestion that his critiques of Buttigieg echoed those made by Hillary Clinton against her 2008 primary opponent Barack Obama. "Oh come on, man" Biden snapped. "This guy's not a Barack Obama."
Obama, for his part, continues to sit on the sidelines (and produce Oscar-winning documentaries) as the Democratic candidates duke it out. Not only has the former president refused to endorse his former running mate, he also tried to persuade Biden not to run. "You don't have to do this, Joe," Obama reportedly told Biden before the former VP launched his campaign. Perhaps he should have listened.
Biden received zero votes in the small village of Dixville Notch, N.H., which per tradition reported its primary results just after midnight on Tuesday morning. Sanders and Buttigieg received one vote each, but it was Bloomberg who won the day, leading all Democrats with two write-in votes, and even besting President Trump among the lone Republican voter.


freebeacon--2020-02-11--More than 5,000 Killed, Wounded, Kidnapped Trying to Rebuild Afghanistan

More than 5,000 Americans , Afghans , and coalition service members have been killed , wounded , or kidnapped in Afghanistan since the United States began its multibillion-dollar rebuilding effort in 2002 .
In the government 's first public accounting of the human cost of rebuilding Afghanistan , U.S. officials conservatively estimate that 5,135 have been killed or wounded in the 18 years since rebuilding and stabilization missions began in Afghanistan .
The statistics are recorded in a report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction , or SIGAR .
The total number of casualties `` includes 2,214 killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also `` identified 1,182 individuals that were kidnapped or went missing . ''
The oversight organization billed its findings as the `` first official accounting by an independent inspector general of the human costs of reconstruction and stabilization in Afghanistan . ''
The newly released statistics are likely to anger opponents of America 's ongoing reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan .
Despite the billions of taxpayer dollars poured into the reconstruction effort , the United States still has little to show for its investment .
`` Unless the U.S. Government considers the human costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabilization efforts in Afghanistan are not accurately captured , '' SIGAR concluded in its report .
A total of 284 Americans were killed while working to rebuild the country , including 216 military members and 68 civilians who participated in reconstruction projects over the years .
`` An additional 245 U.S. service members and 76 U.S. civilians were wounded , '' with 100 coalition service members `` killed and 105 wounded , '' SIGAR found .
Additionally , 124 foreign nationals died , while 87 were wounded and 59 kidnapped by terrorist factions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these casualties occurred `` during the height of the reconstruction efforts , '' which took place from 2008 to 2011 .
`` Little effort has been made up to now to track the human costs—the number of people killed , wounded , or kidnapped—to accomplish these activities , '' Special Inspector General John Sopko wrote in the report .
`` This has left policy makers with an incomplete picture of the true cost of our efforts in Afghanistan . ''
Several thousand Afghans were killed during reconstruction operations , including 1,447 Afghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,003 kidnapped .
Casualties also resulted from operations meant to bolster Afghanistan 's security .
At least 346 were killed during such operations and 472 wounded .
`` [ Security ] was the most dangerous activity for Americans , '' according to SIGAR .
`` Of the 346 killed , 195 were Americans ( 154 U.S. service members and 41 U.S .
civilians ) . ''
Some 257 victims were killed or wounded while providing health , education , and food services to displaced Afghans .
`` One measure of the cost of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the number of casualties suffered , '' SIGAR wrote .
`` While considerable effort is made to track the amount of U.S. dollars spent , this review shows that we do not adequately capture the human cost of conducting reconstruction and stabilization projects while combat operations are still ongoing , especially third country nationals and Afghans . ''

More than 5,000 Americans, Afghans, and coalition service members have been killed, wounded, or kidnapped in Afghanistan since the United States began its multibillion-dollar rebuilding effort in 2002.
In the government's first public accounting of the human cost of rebuilding Afghanistan, U.S. officials conservatively estimate that 5,135 have been killed or wounded in the 18 years since rebuilding and stabilization missions began in Afghanistan. The statistics are recorded in a report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR.
The total number of casualties "includes 2,214 killed and 2,921 wounded." The report also "identified 1,182 individuals that were kidnapped or went missing." The oversight organization billed its findings as the "first official accounting by an independent inspector general of the human costs of reconstruction and stabilization in Afghanistan."
The newly released statistics are likely to anger opponents of America's ongoing reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Despite the billions of taxpayer dollars poured into the reconstruction effort, the United States still has little to show for its investment.
"Unless the U.S. Government considers the human costs, the true costs of reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan are not accurately captured," SIGAR concluded in its report.
A total of 284 Americans were killed while working to rebuild the country, including 216 military members and 68 civilians who participated in reconstruction projects over the years.
"An additional 245 U.S. service members and 76 U.S. civilians were wounded," with 100 coalition service members "killed and 105 wounded," SIGAR found. Additionally, 124 foreign nationals died, while 87 were wounded and 59 kidnapped by terrorist factions.
The data show that the majority of these casualties occurred "during the height of the reconstruction efforts," which took place from 2008 to 2011.
"Little effort has been made up to now to track the human costs—the number of people killed, wounded, or kidnapped—to accomplish these activities," Special Inspector General John Sopko wrote in the report. "This has left policy makers with an incomplete picture of the true cost of our efforts in Afghanistan."
Several thousand Afghans were killed during reconstruction operations, including 1,447 Afghan civilians. Another 2,008 were wounded and 1,003 kidnapped.
Casualties also resulted from operations meant to bolster Afghanistan's security. At least 346 were killed during such operations and 472 wounded.
"[Security] was the most dangerous activity for Americans," according to SIGAR. "Of the 346 killed, 195 were Americans (154 U.S. service members and 41 U.S. civilians)."
Some 257 victims were killed or wounded while providing health, education, and food services to displaced Afghans.
"One measure of the cost of our reconstruction and stabilization projects in Afghanistan is the number of casualties suffered," SIGAR wrote. "While considerable effort is made to track the amount of U.S. dollars spent, this review shows that we do not adequately capture the human cost of conducting reconstruction and stabilization projects while combat operations are still ongoing, especially third country nationals and Afghans."


Beacon Extra 2/10/20

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 .
THE STREAK IS OVER !
… `` Joe Biden Makes First Sunday Morning Show Appearance in 1,155 Days , '' by WFB ’ s David Rutz : His taped appearance with anchor George Stephanopoulos did not just mark his first interview on the Sunday morning circuit since launching his 2020 bid in April .
Biden 's 1,155-day streak stretches further back , to when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's State of the Union on Dec. 11 , 2016 .
Biden during his appearance admitted he faces an `` uphill fight '' in this week 's New Hampshire primary .
DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR DEFINITION OF ‘ IS ’ IS … `` Sanders : I ’ m Not a Communist , '' by WFB ’ s Andrew Kugle : Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace played a clip of President Donald Trump calling [ Bernie ] Sanders a communist and saying he got married in the Soviet Union during the Cold War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Trump a `` pathological liar . ''
`` I 'm not a communist , '' he said .
COMMITTED BASE … `` Valerie Plame Accepts More Campaign Donations From Prominent Holocaust Denier , '' by WFB ’ s Collin Anderson : Democratic congressional candidate Valerie Plame , who faced criticism after sharing multiple anti-Semitic articles from a white supremacist media outlet , has accepted multiple campaign contributions from a prominent Holocaust denier , financial disclosures show … Plame came under fire in 2017 after tweeting an Unz Review article titled , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars , '' which suggested that American Jews appearing on television should have a warning label `` kind of like a warning label on a bottle of rat poison . ''
MINI MIKE TO THE RESCUE … `` The Democratic Primary Is A Mess .
Michael Bloomberg Is Taking Advantage.
, '' via BUZZFEED : In light of the morass other Democrats have found themselves in after the app-induced Iowa debacle … the primary race is fluid … There ’ s no other campaign quite like Bloomberg ’ s .
First , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign announced this week it plans to soon swell to 2,000 staffers .
Then , there ’ s its unusual strategy … Bloomberg is targeting states that vote later , many of which offer many more delegates up for grabs than Iowa or New Hampshire do .
NEW HAMPSHIRE MAY PULL THE PLUG … `` Joe Biden Is Preparing For The Worst In New Hampshire , '' via BUZZFEED : Circumstances have forced Biden to reconcile out loud with the reality : This very well could be the end … '' I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontrunner talk from the time I entered the race , '' Biden said at the Manchester event … That was , to be generous , a fib .
Biden very much enjoyed talking about his frontrunner status when polls showed him leading nationally and in the early states .
SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK … `` Sanders Dodges on Unfulfilled Promise to Release Medical Records , '' by WFB ’ s Elizabeth Matamoros : `` [ We ] have released as much documentation I think as any other candidate , '' [ Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidate has had a heart attack , '' [ host Chuck ] Todd told Sanders .
`` You can start releasing medical records and it never ends , '' Sanders said .
`` We have released the substantive part of all of our medical records … I am in good health . ''
SEND THE BOMBERS … `` Iran again fails to put satellite into orbit amid US worries , '' via AP : An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday , state television reported , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program .
BUSHWHACKING COWARDS … `` Insider attack in Afghanistan kills two American soldiers and Afghan serviceman , '' via REUTERS : Two U.S. soldiers and an Afghan soldier were killed when an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on them with a machine gun in eastern Afghanistan , the U.S. military and two senior Afghan officials said on Sunday .
The shootout on Saturday wounded six U.S. service members and three Afghan soldiers .
CABLE HOST NOT DISQUALIFIED BY CIVIC ILLITERACY … `` MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hold on Senate , '' by WFB ’ s Graham Piro : MSNBC anchor Katy Tur on Friday asked if gerrymandering could help break the Republican hold on the U.S. Senate … '' Gerrymandering 's not going to do anything because in the Senate , we 're talking about states .
You ca n't gerrymander states , '' Washington Post reporter Philip Bump responded .
A PRETTY FACE … `` Economics degree holder AOC confuses Milton Friedman and John Maynard Keynes , '' via EXAMINER : The New York Democrat said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2030 , GDP and technology would have advanced so much that it would allow everyday people to work as little as 15 hours a week and provide for their families . ''
… Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a socialist , has a degree in economics from Boston University , which she regularly boasts about online .
DEMS GET THEIR OWN CESAR SAYOC … `` Man arrested after allegedly driving van into GOP registration tent , '' via ABC NEWS : A man has been arrested after allegedly deliberately driving a van into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to register new voters at a shopping center parking lot .
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Kernan Village Shopping Center in eastern Jacksonville , Florida , when … 27-year-old Gregory Timm , allegedly drove a van through a tent where people were working to register voters .
BEFORE THE PURGES BEGIN … `` An Open Letter to Bernie Sanders , '' by WFB Staff : We the undersigned represent a diverse constituency of American billionaires who support the Democratic Party .
Some of us prefer to work behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disarmament and tribunal justice for the architects of the Iraq War .
Some of us have bought media operations , purchasing newspapers and Internet platforms to help amplify progressive voices above the noise of Fox News .
Two of us are running for president like yourself .
But all of us have one thing in common : We are human beings .
We put our pants on , one leg at a time with the help of a dedicated butler , like most Americans .
Last Friday ’ s debate in New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ten-digit wealth .
For those of us who have fought hard for a progressive agenda , your campaign feels like a betrayal … But we ’ re the guys fighting for trans-equality , ending the fossil fuel industry , and destroying the state of Israel .
Aren ’ t these supposed to be your issues too ?
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW : 1 .
Welcome back , Joe !
`` You know who really doesn ’ t have it ?
Joe Biden . ''
—Former President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Biden makes first Sunday show appearance in three years as New Hampshire disaster looms
Welcome to the Washington Free Beacon’s morning newsletter, your comprehensive briefing on the Enemies of Freedom. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning, sign up here.
THE STREAK IS OVER! … "Joe Biden Makes First Sunday Morning Show Appearance in 1,155 Days," by WFB’s David Rutz: His taped appearance with anchor George Stephanopoulos did not just mark his first interview on the Sunday morning circuit since launching his 2020 bid in April. Biden's 1,155-day streak stretches further back, to when Jake Tapper last interviewed him for CNN's State of the Union on Dec. 11, 2016.
Biden during his appearance admitted he faces an "uphill fight" in this week's New Hampshire primary.
DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR DEFINITION OF ‘IS’ IS … "Sanders: I’m Not a Communist," by WFB’s Andrew Kugle: Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace played a clip of President Donald Trump calling [Bernie] Sanders a communist and saying he got married in the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Sanders laughed at the clip and called Trump a "pathological liar."
"I'm not a communist," he said.
COMMITTED BASE … "Valerie Plame Accepts More Campaign Donations From Prominent Holocaust Denier," by WFB’s Collin Anderson: Democratic congressional candidate Valerie Plame, who faced criticism after sharing multiple anti-Semitic articles from a white supremacist media outlet, has accepted multiple campaign contributions from a prominent Holocaust denier, financial disclosures show …
Plame came under fire in 2017 after tweeting an Unz Review article titled, "America's Jews Are Driving America's Wars," which suggested that American Jews appearing on television should have a warning label "kind of like a warning label on a bottle of rat poison."
MINI MIKE TO THE RESCUE … "The Democratic Primary Is A Mess. Michael Bloomberg Is Taking Advantage.," via BUZZFEED: In light of the morass other Democrats have found themselves in after the app-induced Iowa debacle … the primary race is fluid …
There’s no other campaign quite like Bloomberg’s. First, there’s its sheer size; the campaign announced this week it plans to soon swell to 2,000 staffers. Then, there’s its unusual strategy … Bloomberg is targeting states that vote later, many of which offer many more delegates up for grabs than Iowa or New Hampshire do.
NEW HAMPSHIRE MAY PULL THE PLUG … "Joe Biden Is Preparing For The Worst In New Hampshire," via BUZZFEED: Circumstances have forced Biden to reconcile out loud with the reality: This very well could be the end …
"I’ve never paid attention to all the frontrunner talk from the time I entered the race," Biden said at the Manchester event …
That was, to be generous, a fib. Biden very much enjoyed talking about his frontrunner status when polls showed him leading nationally and in the early states.
SERIOUS AS A HEART ATTACK … "Sanders Dodges on Unfulfilled Promise to Release Medical Records," by WFB’s Elizabeth Matamoros: "[We] have released as much documentation I think as any other candidate," [Bernie Sanders said].
"But no other candidate has had a heart attack," [host Chuck] Todd told Sanders.
"You can start releasing medical records and it never ends," Sanders said. "We have released the substantive part of all of our medical records … I am in good health."
SEND THE BOMBERS … "Iran again fails to put satellite into orbit amid US worries," via AP: An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program.
BUSHWHACKING COWARDS … "Insider attack in Afghanistan kills two American soldiers and Afghan serviceman," via REUTERS: Two U.S. soldiers and an Afghan soldier were killed when an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on them with a machine gun in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S. military and two senior Afghan officials said on Sunday.
The shootout on Saturday wounded six U.S. service members and three Afghan soldiers.
CABLE HOST NOT DISQUALIFIED BY CIVIC ILLITERACY … "MSNBC Anchor Asks If Gerrymandering Could Break Republican Hold on Senate," by WFB’s Graham Piro: MSNBC anchor Katy Tur on Friday asked if gerrymandering could help break the Republican hold on the U.S. Senate …
"Gerrymandering's not going to do anything because in the Senate, we're talking about states. You can't gerrymander states," Washington Post reporter Philip Bump responded.
A PRETTY FACE … "Economics degree holder AOC confuses Milton Friedman and John Maynard Keynes," via EXAMINER: The New York Democrat said that the "famed economist Milton Keynes predicted that by 2030, GDP and technology would have advanced so much that it would allow everyday people to work as little as 15 hours a week and provide for their families." …
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a socialist, has a degree in economics from Boston University, which she regularly boasts about online.
DEMS GET THEIR OWN CESAR SAYOC … "Man arrested after allegedly driving van into GOP registration tent," via ABC NEWS: A man has been arrested after allegedly deliberately driving a van into a tent full of Trump supporters who were working to register new voters at a shopping center parking lot.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Kernan Village Shopping Center in eastern Jacksonville, Florida, when … 27-year-old Gregory Timm, allegedly drove a van through a tent where people were working to register voters.
BEFORE THE PURGES BEGIN … "An Open Letter to Bernie Sanders," by WFB Staff: We the undersigned represent a diverse constituency of American billionaires who support the Democratic Party. Some of us prefer to work behind the scenes creating dark money organizations pushing global disarmament and tribunal justice for the architects of the Iraq War. Some of us have bought media operations, purchasing newspapers and Internet platforms to help amplify progressive voices above the noise of Fox News. Two of us are running for president like yourself.
But all of us have one thing in common: We are human beings. We put our pants on, one leg at a time with the help of a dedicated butler, like most Americans. Last Friday’s debate in New Hampshire was hurtful and othering for all Americans with ten-digit wealth. For those of us who have fought hard for a progressive agenda, your campaign feels like a betrayal …
But we’re the guys fighting for trans-equality, ending the fossil fuel industry, and destroying the state of Israel. Aren’t these supposed to be your issues too?
DAYS SINCE JOE BIDEN DID A SUNDAY SHOW: 1. Welcome back, Joe!
"You know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden." —Former President Barack Obama
Thanks for reading! Send tips to rutz@freebeacon.com.


freebeacon--2020-02-11--Virginia House Dems Pass ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban, Magazine Confiscation

Virginia house Democrats passed a bill on Tuesday banning the sale of `` assault weapons '' and calling for the confiscation of magazines capable of holding more than 12 rounds .
The bill would outlaw new sales of some of the country 's most popular firearms , including the AR-15 .
It would also make possession of ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 12 rounds punishable by up to one year in prison even if the magazines were legally purchased .
The bill , known as HB961 , passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 51 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voicing opposition .
It is the most controversial measure Democratic lawmakers and Governor Ralph Northam ( D. ) have advanced since taking control of both houses of the state legislature in November .
If signed into law , it would be among the strictest bans in the country .
The National Shooting Sports Foundation , the gun industry 's trade group , estimates that the legislation could affect hundreds of thousands or even millions of Virginians , especially since the vast majority of modern firearms come standard with magazines that hold more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect more than just your modern sporting rifles like the AR-15 , '' Mark Oliva , a spokesman for the group , told the Washington Free Beacon last week .
`` It would affect the vast majority of handguns . ''
Tuesday 's vote is the latest development in Virginia 's gun-control debate .
Democrats ' push for new restrictions has prompted the vast majority of the state 's counties to pass `` Second Amendment sanctuary '' resolutions .
Tens of thousands of people rallied against gun control at the state capital last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
The grassroots backlash has led state senate Democrats to moderate their proposals—including the assault weapons ban—but has not convinced lawmakers to drop such measures altogether .
The National Rifle Association , which lobbied against the house bill and other gun-control legislation , criticized Democrats for passing the bill and accused them of being bought by billionaire gun-control activist Michael Bloomberg .
`` HB961 will turn law-abiding Virginians into criminals overnight , '' Catherine Mortensen , an NRA spokeswoman , told the Free Beacon .
`` Under this bill , anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submit to mandatory confiscation or face one year in jail for each magazine they own .
No law-abiding Virginian will be able to buy an AR-15—America 's most popular all-purpose sporting rifle .
After receiving money from Michael Bloomberg , House leaders have their hands out for more and clearly have no regard for the will of their constituents . ''
Everytown for Gun Safety , which is backed by Bloomberg and spent $ 2.5 million on the 2019 election , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
March for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 117 million firearms , tweeted that it was `` so happy '' about the passage of HB961 .
The Brady Campaign , another prominent gun-control group , cheered the vote as `` a heartening embrace of common-sense policies . ''
`` This is a sensible action , '' Kris Brown , the group 's president , said in a statement .
`` We applaud the Delegates for passing this bill and look to the Virginia Senate to ensure that this bill becomes law . ''
Virginians would be able until January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without facing jail time for possessing them .
The Brady Campaign said the confiscation scheme was `` reasonable , '' pointing to similar restrictions in New Jersey , D.C. , and Hawaii—though those laws have seen little or no compliance .
`` Other states have implemented analogous laws with analogous pathways and timeframes for compliance , '' Liam Sullivan , a Brady Campaign spokesman , told the Free Beacon .
`` The timeframe included in this bill is a reasonable period to allow individuals in Virginia to comply with the law .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after which stated and reasonable enforcement under the law will be left up to the appropriate authorities . ''
The bill now awaits a vote in the state senate where it may face stiff opposition .
The senate has passed five gun-control bills—including universal background checks , a red flag bill , and a one-gun-per-month purchase restriction .
However , the Democrat-controlled chamber has balked at other major gun-control legislation .
On Tuesday , it voted down a bill that would have made it a crime not to report a lost or stolen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynwood Lewis ( D. ) has already publicly said he would not vote for a new ban .
Three other Democratic senators criticized previous iterations of the `` assault weapons '' ban , according to the Associated Press .
If one of those three Democrats join Republicans to vote against HB961 , the ban and confiscation plan will not pass .

Virginia house Democrats passed a bill on Tuesday banning the sale of "assault weapons" and calling for the confiscation of magazines capable of holding more than 12 rounds.
The bill would outlaw new sales of some of the country's most popular firearms, including the AR-15. It would also make possession of ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 12 rounds punishable by up to one year in prison even if the magazines were legally purchased.
The bill, known as HB961, passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 51 to 48 with all Republicans and several Democrats voicing opposition. It is the most controversial measure Democratic lawmakers and Governor Ralph Northam (D.) have advanced since taking control of both houses of the state legislature in November. If signed into law, it would be among the strictest bans in the country.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the gun industry's trade group, estimates that the legislation could affect hundreds of thousands or even millions of Virginians, especially since the vast majority of modern firearms come standard with magazines that hold more than 12 rounds.
"This bill would affect more than just your modern sporting rifles like the AR-15," Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the group, told the Washington Free Beacon last week. "It would affect the vast majority of handguns."
Tuesday's vote is the latest development in Virginia's gun-control debate. Democrats' push for new restrictions has prompted the vast majority of the state's counties to pass "Second Amendment sanctuary" resolutions. Tens of thousands of people rallied against gun control at the state capital last month, and gun purchases surged throughout the state. The grassroots backlash has led state senate Democrats to moderate their proposals—including the assault weapons ban—but has not convinced lawmakers to drop such measures altogether.
The National Rifle Association, which lobbied against the house bill and other gun-control legislation, criticized Democrats for passing the bill and accused them of being bought by billionaire gun-control activist Michael Bloomberg.
"HB961 will turn law-abiding Virginians into criminals overnight," Catherine Mortensen, an NRA spokeswoman, told the Free Beacon. "Under this bill, anyone who owns a standard capacity magazine must submit to mandatory confiscation or face one year in jail for each magazine they own. No law-abiding Virginian will be able to buy an AR-15—America's most popular all-purpose sporting rifle. After receiving money from Michael Bloomberg, House leaders have their hands out for more and clearly have no regard for the will of their constituents."
Everytown for Gun Safety, which is backed by Bloomberg and spent $2.5 million on the 2019 election, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. March for Our Lives, which recently proposed confiscating up to 117 million firearms, tweeted that it was "so happy" about the passage of HB961. The Brady Campaign, another prominent gun-control group, cheered the vote as "a heartening embrace of common-sense policies."
"This is a sensible action," Kris Brown, the group's president, said in a statement. "We applaud the Delegates for passing this bill and look to the Virginia Senate to ensure that this bill becomes law."
Virginians would be able until January 2021 to turn in their offending magazines without facing jail time for possessing them. The Brady Campaign said the confiscation scheme was "reasonable," pointing to similar restrictions in New Jersey, D.C., and Hawaii—though those laws have seen little or no compliance.
"Other states have implemented analogous laws with analogous pathways and timeframes for compliance," Liam Sullivan, a Brady Campaign spokesman, told the Free Beacon. "The timeframe included in this bill is a reasonable period to allow individuals in Virginia to comply with the law. We appreciate and support those compliance periods, after which stated and reasonable enforcement under the law will be left up to the appropriate authorities."
The bill now awaits a vote in the state senate where it may face stiff opposition. The senate has passed five gun-control bills—including universal background checks, a red flag bill, and a one-gun-per-month purchase restriction. However, the Democrat-controlled chamber has balked at other major gun-control legislation. On Tuesday, it voted down a bill that would have made it a crime not to report a lost or stolen gun within 24 hours.
State senator Lynwood Lewis (D.) has already publicly said he would not vote for a new ban. Three other Democratic senators criticized previous iterations of the "assault weapons" ban, according to the Associated Press. If one of those three Democrats join Republicans to vote against HB961, the ban and confiscation plan will not pass.


freebeacon--2020-02-11--Google Provides Six-Figure Sum to Liberal Outlet With History of Genocide Denial

Google gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Young Turks as others have distanced themselves from the progressive YouTube series over its founder 's denials of the Armenian genocide and other offensive comments .
Axios first reported Tuesday that Google invested `` in the mid-six figures range '' in the left-wing outlet as part of the Google News Initiative to support local journalism .
Google decided to partner with the Young Turks despite ongoing controversies surrounding its founder , Cenk Uygur .
Uygur has drawn criticism for offensive comments about women and Jews , as well as his denials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turks told Axios that the outlet was `` not interested in cranking out journalists who share our political viewpoint , '' adding that the Google-funded `` TYT Academy '' videos starring Uygur do not have any evident political bias .
The Armenian National Committee of America ( ANCA ) , one of the leading U.S. organizations lobbying for Armenian genocide awareness and recognition , expressed displeasure with Google 's decision to fund the Young Turks .
ANCA said that those who deny the historic slaughter of more than 1 million people should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A talk show founded by an Armenian Genocide denier , named after Armenian Genocide perpetrators , is a poor platform for teaching responsible journalism , '' Executive Director Aram Hamparian said in a statement to the Washington Free Beacon .
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was forced to retract his endorsement of Uygur 's California congressional campaign in December due to the pundit 's comments about women and Jews .
Uygur was ousted two years earlier from Justice Democrats , a group he helped found , for the same comments .
Uygur has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dating back to his college days at the University of Pennsylvania .
The student-run Daily Pennsylvanian reported in 1991 that Uygur attempted to strip the Armenian Club of its funding at a student government meeting .
Uygur picked another fight with the Armenian Club in an op-ed he wrote for the paper later that year .
The op-ed said that `` the claims of an Armenian Genocide are not based on historical facts .
If the history of the period is examined it becomes evident that in fact no such genocide took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue with Salon for its acknowledgment of the genocide , arguing that `` every non-Armenian scholar in the field believes it is an open question whether this event was a genocide . ''
Internet Archive indicates that an article on Uygur 's Salon dispute remained on the Young Turks website until 2003 .
After being confronted about his views in 2016 , Uygur issued a statement rescinding his previous writings on the Armenian Genocide but stopped short of acknowledging the massacre .
Instead , Uygur wrote that he was not `` a scholar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from commenting on the topic of the Armenian Genocide , which I do not know nearly enough about . ''
In 2017 , Uygur filmed a video message for the Turkish Coalition of America , an organization that denies the Armenian genocide .
Uygur finally took what the Armenian Weekly called a `` belated baby step '' in 2019 by stating in a video , `` The Armenian genocide happened .
It existed , it 's true . ''
Uygur filed his candidacy for Congress six months later .
ANCA takes issue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his comments .
The `` Young Turks '' was a liberal-minded movement that instigated a revolution in the Ottoman Empire in 1908 but later carried out the Armenian genocide during the First World War .
Hamparian called on Google to force channel executives to reckon with the historical baggage of the name .
`` The Young Turks—like the Khmer Rouge or Nazis—is a name that should never be normalized—all the more so because Turkey continues to lie about its crimes and obstruct the justice owed their Christian victims , '' Hamparian said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have something to offer , they should have a serious conversation first about changing the name of their show . ''
Uygur continues to defend the name and denies any connection between it and his genocide denial .
The show 's website says the name is based on an American Heritage Dictionary definition : `` young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations . ''
The website adds that the name `` does not refer to any specific , historical incarnation of The Young Turks . ''
Neither the Young Turks nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Google gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Young Turks as others have distanced themselves from the progressive YouTube series over its founder's denials of the Armenian genocide and other offensive comments.
Axios first reported Tuesday that Google invested "in the mid-six figures range" in the left-wing outlet as part of the Google News Initiative to support local journalism. Google decided to partner with the Young Turks despite ongoing controversies surrounding its founder, Cenk Uygur. Uygur has drawn criticism for offensive comments about women and Jews, as well as his denials of the Armenian genocide.
The Young Turks told Axios that the outlet was "not interested in cranking out journalists who share our political viewpoint," adding that the Google-funded "TYT Academy" videos starring Uygur do not have any evident political bias.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), one of the leading U.S. organizations lobbying for Armenian genocide awareness and recognition, expressed displeasure with Google's decision to fund the Young Turks. ANCA said that those who deny the historic slaughter of more than 1 million people should not be recognized in journalism circles.
"A talk show founded by an Armenian Genocide denier, named after Armenian Genocide perpetrators, is a poor platform for teaching responsible journalism," Executive Director Aram Hamparian said in a statement to the Washington Free Beacon.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was forced to retract his endorsement of Uygur's California congressional campaign in December due to the pundit's comments about women and Jews. Uygur was ousted two years earlier from Justice Democrats, a group he helped found, for the same comments.
Uygur has a long history of genocide denial, dating back to his college days at the University of Pennsylvania. The student-run Daily Pennsylvanian reported in 1991 that Uygur attempted to strip the Armenian Club of its funding at a student government meeting.
Uygur picked another fight with the Armenian Club in an op-ed he wrote for the paper later that year. The op-ed said that "the claims of an Armenian Genocide are not based on historical facts. If the history of the period is examined it becomes evident that in fact no such genocide took place."
In 1999, Uygur took issue with Salon for its acknowledgment of the genocide, arguing that "every non-Armenian scholar in the field believes it is an open question whether this event was a genocide." Internet Archive indicates that an article on Uygur's Salon dispute remained on the Young Turks website until 2003.
After being confronted about his views in 2016, Uygur issued a statement rescinding his previous writings on the Armenian Genocide but stopped short of acknowledging the massacre. Instead, Uygur wrote that he was not "a scholar of history" and would "refrain from commenting on the topic of the Armenian Genocide, which I do not know nearly enough about." In 2017, Uygur filmed a video message for the Turkish Coalition of America, an organization that denies the Armenian genocide.
Uygur finally took what the Armenian Weekly called a "belated baby step" in 2019 by stating in a video, "The Armenian genocide happened. It existed, it's true." Uygur filed his candidacy for Congress six months later.
ANCA takes issue with Uygur's entire enterprise, not just his comments. The "Young Turks" was a liberal-minded movement that instigated a revolution in the Ottoman Empire in 1908 but later carried out the Armenian genocide during the First World War. Hamparian called on Google to force channel executives to reckon with the historical baggage of the name.
"The Young Turks—like the Khmer Rouge or Nazis—is a name that should never be normalized—all the more so because Turkey continues to lie about its crimes and obstruct the justice owed their Christian victims," Hamparian said. "If Google thinks The Young Turks have something to offer, they should have a serious conversation first about changing the name of their show."
Uygur continues to defend the name and denies any connection between it and his genocide denial. The show's website says the name is based on an American Heritage Dictionary definition: "young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations." The website adds that the name "does not refer to any specific, historical incarnation of The Young Turks."
Neither the Young Turks nor Google responded to requests for comment.


freebeacon--2020-02-11--Man Who Attacked Florida GOP Volunteers Told Police He Didn’t Like Trump

The man who deliberately crashed his van into a Republican voter registration tent in Jacksonville admitted to authorities that he `` does not like Donald Trump , '' according to a redacted copy of the Jacksonville Sheriff 's Office report .
The driver , Gregory Timm , told police that he decided to ram his vehicle through the Duval County Republican Party 's tent after noticing it on a trip to Walmart .
Among his stated reasons for the attack were that `` someone had to take a stand '' and that he did not like Trump .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they had to move out of the way to avoid being hit by the car as it drove through several chairs , a table , and the tent .
Timm drove off after narrowly missing volunteers and `` flipped them off , '' victims told the police .
The local Republican Party says Trump 's name and campaign attire were featured at the tent .
Pictures posted by the party show campaign signs littering the area in the aftermath of the incident .
The incident has attracted the attention of Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Donald Trump Jr. , complained Tuesday that the issue was being largely ignored by the media .
`` This would be the number one story in the world right now if it was a Trump supporter doing it to a group of liberals , '' he said .
`` It ’ s a disgrace that they don ’ t even pretend to pay attention to growing leftist violence . ''
The incident has only been covered a handful of times on CNN and MSNBC since it occurred Sunday , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are significant redactions in the report that appear to conceal Timm 's admitted motives for the attack .
The end of the sentence containing Timm 's stated dislike for Trump , for example , has been redacted from the publicly available report .
`` The suspect advised that he does not like President Trump and that is part of [ REDACTED ] , '' the police statement on the crime reads .
`` He advised the other reason was because ‘ it 's like someone shitting on your grave ' as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police report it says , `` The suspect [ REDACTED ] because ‘ someone had to take a stand . '
''

The man who deliberately crashed his van into a Republican voter registration tent in Jacksonville admitted to authorities that he "does not like Donald Trump," according to a redacted copy of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report.
The driver, Gregory Timm, told police that he decided to ram his vehicle through the Duval County Republican Party's tent after noticing it on a trip to Walmart. Among his stated reasons for the attack were that "someone had to take a stand" and that he did not like Trump.
The report states that Timm accelerated toward individuals who say they had to move out of the way to avoid being hit by the car as it drove through several chairs, a table, and the tent. Timm drove off after narrowly missing volunteers and "flipped them off," victims told the police.
The local Republican Party says Trump's name and campaign attire were featured at the tent. Pictures posted by the party show campaign signs littering the area in the aftermath of the incident.
Today in Jacksonville, Florida six Trump Campaign volunteers were intentionally targeted while registering voters. pic.twitter.com/0wzaCYh5ut — Duval County GOP (@DuvalGOP) February 8, 2020
The incident has attracted the attention of Trump and top campaign surrogates. His oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., complained Tuesday that the issue was being largely ignored by the media.
"This would be the number one story in the world right now if it was a Trump supporter doing it to a group of liberals," he said. "It’s a disgrace that they don’t even pretend to pay attention to growing leftist violence."
The incident has only been covered a handful of times on CNN and MSNBC since it occurred Sunday, according to a Tuesday afternoon Washington Free Beacon analysis.
There are significant redactions in the report that appear to conceal Timm's admitted motives for the attack. The end of the sentence containing Timm's stated dislike for Trump, for example, has been redacted from the publicly available report.
"The suspect advised that he does not like President Trump and that is part of [REDACTED]," the police statement on the crime reads. "He advised the other reason was because 'it's like someone shitting on your grave' as the other reason."
Earlier in the police report it says, "The suspect [REDACTED] because 'someone had to take a stand.'"


freebeacon--2020-02-11--Voter to MSNBC: Your Criticism of Bernie Made Me Vote for Him

A New Hampshire voter told an MSNBC anchor the network 's criticism of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) made the voter `` angry enough '' to vote for Sanders .
`` I want to say the reason I went for Bernie is because of MSNBC , '' the voter told MSNBC 's Ari Melber .
`` The kind of stock Bernie cynicism that I heard from a number of people—I watch MSNBC constantly , so I heard that from a number of commentators—it made me angry enough .
I said ok , Bernie has my vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cynical to say that he 's lost 50 percent of his vote from the last time when there were two candidates .
Now there are multiple wonderful candidates who would be great presidents , people that I think we can unify and get behind , '' she added .
`` What you 're saying is , and we take criticism because we 're journalists , we have to be open-minded , '' Melber said .
`` You 're saying hearing from people , guests , contributors , the conversations you 've heard that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Sanders or quote-unquote stop him , actually endeared him to you . ''
`` Absolutely .
I could have chosen several candidates , but that 's what pushed me over the edge for Bernie , '' the voter responded .
MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews said Sanders was not a `` Good Samaritan '' who would stop and help someone in need .
He also floated the possibility of Rep. Adam Schiff ( D. , Calif. ) becoming the Democratic nominee if a brokered convention occurs .
Joshua Johnson , a newly hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicit in the Democratic National Committee 's attempts to throw support behind Hillary Clinton over Sanders in the 2016 primary .
`` One of the things I 'm interested in seeing in 2020 is , how much we will allow Democrats to make their own choice ?
The story of who the party is supposed to support is not up to us , it 's up to Democrats , '' he said .

A New Hampshire voter told an MSNBC anchor the network's criticism of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) made the voter "angry enough" to vote for Sanders.
"I want to say the reason I went for Bernie is because of MSNBC," the voter told MSNBC's Ari Melber. "The kind of stock Bernie cynicism that I heard from a number of people—I watch MSNBC constantly, so I heard that from a number of commentators—it made me angry enough. I said ok, Bernie has my vote."
"I think it is completely cynical to say that he's lost 50 percent of his vote from the last time when there were two candidates. Now there are multiple wonderful candidates who would be great presidents, people that I think we can unify and get behind," she added.
"What you're saying is, and we take criticism because we're journalists, we have to be open-minded," Melber said. "You're saying hearing from people, guests, contributors, the conversations you've heard that you felt were designed to tear down Senator Sanders or quote-unquote stop him, actually endeared him to you."
"Absolutely. I could have chosen several candidates, but that's what pushed me over the edge for Bernie," the voter responded.
MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews said Sanders was not a "Good Samaritan" who would stop and help someone in need. He also floated the possibility of Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.) becoming the Democratic nominee if a brokered convention occurs.
Joshua Johnson, a newly hired MSNBC anchor, admitted the media was complicit in the Democratic National Committee's attempts to throw support behind Hillary Clinton over Sanders in the 2016 primary. "One of the things I'm interested in seeing in 2020 is, how much we will allow Democrats to make their own choice? The story of who the party is supposed to support is not up to us, it's up to Democrats," he said.


freebeacon--2020-02-11--RED DAWN: Bernie Is Officially the Democratic Frontrunner, Biden Flees New Hampshire in Disgrace

NASHUA , N.H. — Former vice president Joe Biden has consistently led the Democratic primary field in national polls dating back to December 2018 , thanks in large part to his popularity among voters who recognize him as the guy standing next to Barack Obama .
For the first time ever , socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) has taken the lead in the RealClearPolitics national polling average .
Polling reveals Sanders 's newfound status as the Democratic frontrunner following a ( somewhat ) victorious performance in the Iowa caucuses .
A win in the New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further strengthen his position as the favorite to win the nomination .
The most recent national poll , published by Monmouth on Tuesday , shows Sanders leading the Democratic field at 26 percent , with Biden a distant second at 16 percent .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and former South Bend , Ind.
, mayor Pete Buttigieg are tied at 13 percent .
Sanders now leads the national polling average at 23.8 percent .
Biden sits in second at 19.8 percent , down from a high of 41 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in third place at 14 percent , but former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg lurks close behind at 13 percent .
Buttigieg , who also ( sort of ) won Iowa and is expected to perform well in New Hampshire , has never topped 13 percent in the national polling average , largely due to a lack of support among minority voters .
He currently sits in fifth place at 10.8 percent .
Biden , fresh off a humiliating fourth-place caucus finish , sought to reassure supporters on Monday that he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire .
However , recent polling suggests he might fare even worse in the Granite State than he did in Iowa .
Another underwhelming performance could scare away supporters from upcoming primaries in Nevada ( Feb. 22 ) and South Carolina ( Feb. 29 ) , where Biden currently leads in the polls .
Perhaps anticipating another poor showing , Biden announced Tuesday he will skip his New Hampshire election night party , fleeing on a private jet to South Carolina , where he will address his abandoned supporters via live stream .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation is out there , '' said Biden , unconvincingly .
`` There 's an awful lot of electoral votes to be had .
We 'll see . ''
Buttigieg , meanwhile , is hoping a strong showing in New Hampshire will boost his support in upcoming primary states , where his core demographic of white grad students makes up a smaller percentage of the voting population .
If he ca n't maintain his momentum , and Biden can recover , the race could become quite messy , especially when Bloomberg officially enters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which multiple candidates position themselves as the `` not Bernie '' alternative would only seem to help Sanders .
At the very least , it would instill further panic in quarters of the Democratic establishment fearing , perhaps rightly , that a Sanders nomination would burn the party to the ground .

NASHUA, N.H. — Former vice president Joe Biden has consistently led the Democratic primary field in national polls dating back to December 2018, thanks in large part to his popularity among voters who recognize him as the guy standing next to Barack Obama.
Not anymore.
For the first time ever, socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) has taken the lead in the RealClearPolitics national polling average. Polling reveals Sanders's newfound status as the Democratic frontrunner following a (somewhat) victorious performance in the Iowa caucuses. A win in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday—an all but certain outcome—would further strengthen his position as the favorite to win the nomination.
The most recent national poll, published by Monmouth on Tuesday, shows Sanders leading the Democratic field at 26 percent, with Biden a distant second at 16 percent. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg are tied at 13 percent.
Sanders now leads the national polling average at 23.8 percent. Biden sits in second at 19.8 percent, down from a high of 41 percent in May 2019. Warren is in third place at 14 percent, but former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg lurks close behind at 13 percent.
Buttigieg, who also (sort of) won Iowa and is expected to perform well in New Hampshire, has never topped 13 percent in the national polling average, largely due to a lack of support among minority voters. He currently sits in fifth place at 10.8 percent.
Biden, fresh off a humiliating fourth-place caucus finish, sought to reassure supporters on Monday that he would do "just fine" in New Hampshire. However, recent polling suggests he might fare even worse in the Granite State than he did in Iowa. Another underwhelming performance could scare away supporters from upcoming primaries in Nevada (Feb. 22) and South Carolina (Feb. 29), where Biden currently leads in the polls.
Perhaps anticipating another poor showing, Biden announced Tuesday he will skip his New Hampshire election night party, fleeing on a private jet to South Carolina, where he will address his abandoned supporters via live stream. "Look, the rest of the nation is out there," said Biden, unconvincingly. "There's an awful lot of electoral votes to be had. We'll see."
Buttigieg, meanwhile, is hoping a strong showing in New Hampshire will boost his support in upcoming primary states, where his core demographic of white grad students makes up a smaller percentage of the voting population. If he can't maintain his momentum, and Biden can recover, the race could become quite messy, especially when Bloomberg officially enters the field in March.
A scenario in which multiple candidates position themselves as the "not Bernie" alternative would only seem to help Sanders. At the very least, it would instill further panic in quarters of the Democratic establishment fearing, perhaps rightly, that a Sanders nomination would burn the party to the ground.