freebeacon--2020-03-05--Top Sanders Surrogate: Zionism Is a ‘Racist’ Ideology

A top surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders 's ( I. , Vt. ) presidential campaign claimed Zionism is a `` racist '' ideology and even criticized Barack Obama for saying otherwise .
Phillip Agnew , a self-proclaimed militant , was published by Ebony magazine in 2015 arguing that Zionism `` is a racist , exploitative , and exclusionary ideology . ''
`` There is no direct line from Zionism to the Black Freedom struggle , '' Agnew wrote .
`` No rhetorical imagination-acrobatics can conjure one , and no amount of intimidation can chart one .
It is a racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Agnew , who also goes by Umi Selah , criticized then-president Obama for comparing the right of Jews to `` have a homeland and to feel safe and free of discrimination '' to African Americans having equal protection under the law .
He called it a `` lie '' and a `` figment of our well-manicured imagination . ''
The Sanders campaign and Agnew did not respond to requests for comment .
Agnew 's viewpoint is out of line with even the United Nations , which has a history of heaping scorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body voted overwhelmingly in 1991 to revoke a statement it previously passed , saying , `` Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination . ''
`` The official count found 111 nations in favor of repealing the statement and 25 nations , mostly Islamic and hard-line Communists , voting against , '' the New York Times reported at the time .
`` Thirteen nations abstained .
Seventeen other countries , including Egypt , which recognizes Israel , and Kuwait and China , did not take part in the voting . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a group that promotes the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement , which advocates an economic boycott of Israel and its people .
He officially endorsed Sanders last July and has been actively campaigning for him for several months .
He spoke alongside other prominent Sanders surrogates such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and liberal filmmaker Michael Moore earlier this year in Iowa .
He also introduced Sanders at a November campaign rally in Los Angeles and appeared with him in August to discuss health care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray expressed admiration for Agnew 's political views , calling him an `` absolute delight '' on Twitter last year .

A top surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) presidential campaign claimed Zionism is a "racist" ideology and even criticized Barack Obama for saying otherwise.
Phillip Agnew, a self-proclaimed militant, was published by Ebony magazine in 2015 arguing that Zionism "is a racist, exploitative, and exclusionary ideology."
"There is no direct line from Zionism to the Black Freedom struggle," Agnew wrote. "No rhetorical imagination-acrobatics can conjure one, and no amount of intimidation can chart one. It is a racist, exploitative, and exclusionary ideology."
Agnew, who also goes by Umi Selah, criticized then-president Obama for comparing the right of Jews to "have a homeland and to feel safe and free of discrimination" to African Americans having equal protection under the law. He called it a "lie" and a "figment of our well-manicured imagination."
The Sanders campaign and Agnew did not respond to requests for comment.
Agnew's viewpoint is out of line with even the United Nations, which has a history of heaping scorn on the Jewish state. The international body voted overwhelmingly in 1991 to revoke a statement it previously passed, saying, "Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination."
"The official count found 111 nations in favor of repealing the statement and 25 nations, mostly Islamic and hard-line Communists, voting against," the New York Times reported at the time. "Thirteen nations abstained. Seventeen other countries, including Egypt, which recognizes Israel, and Kuwait and China, did not take part in the voting."
Agnew is the cofounder of Dream Defenders, a group that promotes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which advocates an economic boycott of Israel and its people.
He officially endorsed Sanders last July and has been actively campaigning for him for several months. He spoke alongside other prominent Sanders surrogates such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and liberal filmmaker Michael Moore earlier this year in Iowa. He also introduced Sanders at a November campaign rally in Los Angeles and appeared with him in August to discuss health care and college affordability with young voters.
Sanders's national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray expressed admiration for Agnew's political views, calling him an "absolute delight" on Twitter last year.


freebeacon--2020-03-05--Joe Biden: The Comeback Gramps

Joe Biden: The Comeback Gramps

On the day before the South Carolina primary , the stock market finished its worst week since the global financial crisis of 2008 .
Fear of Bernie Sanders and of coronavirus had investors panicked .
They wanted safe returns .
Bond yields fell to record lows .
The flight to safety was not just economic .
It was also political .
When the future looks grim , you turn to the familiar .
And there are n't many politicians more recognizable than a man first elected to the Senate when Richard Nixon was president .
South Carolina was Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit congressman Jim Clyburn with the assist .
His February 26 endorsement was powerful—and more decisive than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 's backing of Sanders last October .
Biden trounced the field in the Palmetto State , winning 48 percent to Sanders 's 20 percent .
The first signs of a Biden coalition of black voters , suburban women , and moderates became visible .
These are the same people who returned the speaker 's gavel to Nancy Pelosi in 2018 .
After South Carolina , the non-Sanders vote consolidated behind Biden .
And on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegate count .
Biden is too old to be called `` the comeback kid . ''
He needs another moniker .
Let 's call him `` the comeback gramps . ''
His achievement is something to behold .
Not since 1992 has a candidate vaulted into frontrunner status after losing the first contests by such stunning margins .
And circumstances were different 28 years ago .
Back then , Iowa went to local hero Senator Tom Harkin .
New Hampshire chose neighboring Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts .
Both men enjoyed homefield advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory until Georgia and South Carolina .
Whereupon his spin room went into action , persuading the media that the Arkansas governor was the `` comeback kid . ''
Clinton was 45 years old at the time .
The bloom of youth left Biden long ago .
And , for a while it seemed , so did any chance of becoming president .
He placed fourth in Iowa .
He came in fifth in New Hampshire .
He finished a distant—light-years distant—second in Nevada .
Bernie Sanders and his red brigades threatened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and the Democratic Party was panic .
Worries over socialism , over handing the election to President Trump , but also over the invisible contagion whose global spread appears to be unstoppable .
Biden is not unstoppable .
He 's had a great week .
But it is not a straight line from here to the White House .
For one thing , Sanders is still in the race .
The slim possibility remains that he could deny Biden a majority of the 1,991 delegates necessary to win on the first ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters .
And widen the Democratic divide .
Biden 's resuscitation was contingent on discrete events .
Who knows what the situation would look like today absent Bernie 's striking momentum , Bloomberg 's flameout , Clyburn 's endorsement , South Carolina 's place on the electoral calendar , and the appearance of coronavirus ?
There is plenty of time for further developments .
Not all of them will play to his advantage .
Biden is not a strong candidate .
His brain and his mouth never seem to be in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has n't given a satisfactory answer to the question of what his son Hunter was doing on the board of a Ukrainian gas giant .
He suffers from the brand confusion of a septuagenarian Washington insider calling for change .
He has a habit of making bizarre and rude comments—to his own supporters .
His agenda is vague at best and regressive at worst .
He promises a return to the status quo ante Trump .
For many people , that 's enough .
For how many ?
In which states ?
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence , the genial ( if slightly out of it ) grandpa you like to have around .
You turn to him in threatening times not because of what he has done , but because of who he is .
That is why Barack Obama put him on the ticket after Russia invaded Georgia .
It is why so many Democrats chose him on Tuesday .
Threats recede .
Panic fades .
Good times return .
And you are left with grinning , affable , ordinary , unexciting , flawed Joe Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all .

On the day before the South Carolina primary, the stock market finished its worst week since the global financial crisis of 2008. Fear of Bernie Sanders and of coronavirus had investors panicked. They wanted safe returns. Bond yields fell to record lows.
The flight to safety was not just economic. It was also political. When the future looks grim, you turn to the familiar. And there aren't many politicians more recognizable than a man first elected to the Senate when Richard Nixon was president.
South Carolina was Joe Biden's last defense. It held. Credit congressman Jim Clyburn with the assist. His February 26 endorsement was powerful—and more decisive than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's backing of Sanders last October. Biden trounced the field in the Palmetto State, winning 48 percent to Sanders's 20 percent.
The first signs of a Biden coalition of black voters, suburban women, and moderates became visible. These are the same people who returned the speaker's gavel to Nancy Pelosi in 2018. After South Carolina, the non-Sanders vote consolidated behind Biden. And on Super Tuesday he pulled ahead in the delegate count.
Biden is too old to be called "the comeback kid." He needs another moniker. Let's call him "the comeback gramps."
His achievement is something to behold. Not since 1992 has a candidate vaulted into frontrunner status after losing the first contests by such stunning margins. And circumstances were different 28 years ago. Back then, Iowa went to local hero Senator Tom Harkin. New Hampshire chose neighboring Senator Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts. Both men enjoyed homefield advantage.
Bill Clinton didn't have a victory until Georgia and South Carolina. Whereupon his spin room went into action, persuading the media that the Arkansas governor was the "comeback kid." Clinton was 45 years old at the time.
The bloom of youth left Biden long ago. And, for a while it seemed, so did any chance of becoming president. He placed fourth in Iowa. He came in fifth in New Hampshire. He finished a distant—light-years distant—second in Nevada.
Bernie Sanders and his red brigades threatened to sweep all before them. What saved Biden and the Democratic Party was panic. Worries over socialism, over handing the election to President Trump, but also over the invisible contagion whose global spread appears to be unstoppable.
Biden is not unstoppable. He's had a great week. But it is not a straight line from here to the White House. For one thing, Sanders is still in the race. The slim possibility remains that he could deny Biden a majority of the 1,991 delegates necessary to win on the first ballot of the convention. That would complicate matters. And widen the Democratic divide.
Biden's resuscitation was contingent on discrete events. Who knows what the situation would look like today absent Bernie's striking momentum, Bloomberg's flameout, Clyburn's endorsement, South Carolina's place on the electoral calendar, and the appearance of coronavirus? There is plenty of time for further developments. Not all of them will play to his advantage.
Biden is not a strong candidate. His brain and his mouth never seem to be in the same place at the same time. He hasn't given a satisfactory answer to the question of what his son Hunter was doing on the board of a Ukrainian gas giant. He suffers from the brand confusion of a septuagenarian Washington insider calling for change. He has a habit of making bizarre and rude comments—to his own supporters. His agenda is vague at best and regressive at worst.
He promises a return to the status quo ante Trump. For many people, that's enough. For how many? In which states? Biden is the secure choice, the comforting presence, the genial (if slightly out of it) grandpa you like to have around. You turn to him in threatening times not because of what he has done, but because of who he is. That is why Barack Obama put him on the ticket after Russia invaded Georgia. It is why so many Democrats chose him on Tuesday.
Threats recede. Panic fades. Good times return. And you are left with grinning, affable, ordinary, unexciting, flawed Joe Biden. Who might not be a safe bet after all.


freebeacon--2020-03-05--In Memoriam: Media Darling Elizabeth Warren’s Presidential Campaign

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
quit the presidential race Thursday after failing to finish above third @ @ @ @ @ or caucuses—no doubt to the disappointment of the New York Times and members of the @ @ @ @ @ and selfies .
David Rutz is senior writer at the Washington Free Beacon .
He @ @ @ @ @ for two years in Atlanta and has done freelance sports reporting for the Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ University in 2010 and lives in Marietta , Ga. His Twitter handle is @ DavidRutz @ @ @ @ @ at rutz @ freebeacon.com .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) quit the presidential race Thursday after failing to finish above third in any of the primaries or caucuses—no doubt to the disappointment of the New York Times and members of the media who praised her plans and selfies.


freebeacon--2020-03-05--SNAKE WATCH: Elizabeth Warren’s Next Move Could Decide the Election

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas , wo n't become president .
The woefully underachieving candidate ended her campaign on Thursday , ensuring Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D. , Hawaii ) will go down in history as the most successful female presidential candidate of the 2020 election cycle .
Congrats !
There is now a 100 percent chance that by this time next year , the president of the United States will be a white man over the age of 72 .
At a press conference announcing her decision to withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the thought of `` all the little girls who will have to wait four more years '' to see a woman in the White House .
She must not be very confident Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden will have a chance to run for reelection .
Though Warren 's exit did not exactly come as a surprise , campaign aides had been suggesting in recent days that the candidate planned to remain in the race until the Democratic convention in July .
After Warren 's abysmal performance in the Super Tuesday primaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home state of Massachusetts , it was clear that persistence was futile .
Nevertheless , the fanatical devotion of some Warren supporters is a sight to behold .
Her campaign 's design director , for example , offered the following assessment : In the meantime , Democratic voters must select a male nominee to lose to President Donald J. Trump in the general election .
Notwithstanding the Democratic Party 's alleged commitment to diversity , voters have narrowed it down to a choice between two old white dudes .
Warren has a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could determine whether the nomination goes to Biden , a 77-year-old train enthusiast with mild dementia , or Sanders , a 78-year-old socialist with heart problems .
Will Warren adhere to her leftist principles by offering an immediate , full-throated endorsement of Sanders ?
Or will she succumb to the allure of her own ambition by endorsing Biden ?
Time will tell .
Sanders supporters have reportedly reached out to Warren in an effort to win her endorsement .
There is plenty of bad blood between the two camps , especially after Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could n't win the presidency during a private meeting in 2018 .
Warren also reportedly spoke with Biden on Wednesday .
As it stands , Biden appears to be the favorite after a remarkable showing on Super Tuesday .
The Democratic establishment rapidly coalesced around the former vice president in an effort to bury Sanders , who needs Warren 's endorsement if he is going to have any chance of securing the nomination .
Given the party establishment 's ruthless opposition to Bernie , Warren could be jeopardizing her career prospects by refusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neutral is another option , albeit one that would be seen by Sanders supporters as a de facto endorsement of Biden .
( They 'd be right . )
The question remains : Is Elizabeth Warren the principled progressive she claims to be , or simply another establishment hack lusting after power ?
Warren 's critics have described the senator as a `` snake '' who will say and do anything to advance her personal interests—for example , by falsely claiming to be of Native American heritage .
We 'll find out soon @ @ @ @ @ @

Bernie Sanders was right.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, won't become president. The woefully underachieving candidate ended her campaign on Thursday, ensuring Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii) will go down in history as the most successful female presidential candidate of the 2020 election cycle. Congrats!
https://twitter.com/ENBrown/status/1235604156968288257
There is now a 100 percent chance that by this time next year, the president of the United States will be a white man over the age of 72. At a press conference announcing her decision to withdraw from the race, Warren teared up at the thought of "all the little girls who will have to wait four more years" to see a woman in the White House. She must not be very confident Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden will have a chance to run for reelection.
Though Warren's exit did not exactly come as a surprise, campaign aides had been suggesting in recent days that the candidate planned to remain in the race until the Democratic convention in July. After Warren's abysmal performance in the Super Tuesday primaries, including a third-place finish in her home state of Massachusetts, it was clear that persistence was futile.
Nevertheless, the fanatical devotion of some Warren supporters is a sight to behold. Her campaign's design director, for example, offered the following assessment:
This is a product of a sad drunk brain and a lifetime of sci-fi, but I keep thinking about the Coronavirus and fiction universe in which it turn us all into zombies and a small group of heroes try to go back in time to elect Warren because she was the only one with a plan.
In the meantime, Democratic voters must select a male nominee to take on lose to President Donald J. Trump in the general election. Notwithstanding the Democratic Party's alleged commitment to diversity, voters have narrowed it down to a choice between two old white dudes.
Warren has a crucial decision to make. Her next move could determine whether the nomination goes to Biden, a 77-year-old train enthusiast with mild dementia, or Sanders, a 78-year-old socialist with heart problems. Will Warren adhere to her leftist principles by offering an immediate, full-throated endorsement of Sanders? Or will she succumb to the allure of her own ambition by endorsing Biden?
Time will tell. Sanders supporters have reportedly reached out to Warren in an effort to win her endorsement. There is plenty of bad blood between the two camps, especially after Warren accused Sanders of telling her a woman couldn't win the presidency during a private meeting in 2018.
Warren also reportedly spoke with Biden on Wednesday. As it stands, Biden appears to be the favorite after a remarkable showing on Super Tuesday. The Democratic establishment rapidly coalesced around the former vice president in an effort to bury Sanders, who needs Warren's endorsement if he is going to have any chance of securing the nomination.
Given the party establishment's ruthless opposition to Bernie, Warren could be jeopardizing her career prospects by refusing to line up behind Biden. Remaining neutral is another option, albeit one that would be seen by Sanders supporters as a de facto endorsement of Biden. (They'd be right.)
The question remains: Is Elizabeth Warren the principled progressive she claims to be, or simply another establishment hack lusting after power? Warren's critics have described the senator as a "snake" who will say and do anything to advance her personal interests—for example, by falsely claiming to be of Native American heritage. We'll find out soon enough if they are right.


freebeacon--2020-03-05--After Defending Supreme Court Threats, Schumer Now He Says He Misspoke

After doubling down on comments threatening two conservative Supreme Court justices , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) now says he misspoke .
`` I should not have used the words I used yesterday , '' Schumer said in Thursday remarks on the Senate floor .
`` They did n't come out the way I intended to . ''
A day earlier at a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court , Schumer called out Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh by name and promised they would `` pay the price '' if they ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You wo n't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions , '' Schumer said .
At first , Schumer 's office defended his comments , attacking `` the right wing 's deliberate misinterpretation '' and claiming that despite calling out the justices by name , Schumer 's comments were actually `` a reference to the political price Senate Republicans will pay for putting these justices on the court . ''
Schumer 's comments earned a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts , who wrote in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate , they are dangerous .
All Members of the Court will continue to do their job , without fear or favor , from whatever quarter . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) ramped up his criticism of Schumer 's threat in his own floor speech and 15 other Republican senators sponsored a resolution to censure and condemn Schumer 's remarks .
`` Senator Schumer has acknowledged that threatening statements can increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he stated on June 15 , 2017 , following the attempted murder of several elected Members of Congress , ‘ We would all be wise to reflect on the importance of civility in our [ N ] ation 's politics ' and that ‘ the level of nastiness , vitriol , and hate that has seeped into our politics must be excised , ' '' the resolution noted .
During his floor speech Thursday , Schumer backed down .
`` Of course , I did n't intend to suggest anything other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court , '' Schumer said .
`` I 'm from Brooklyn , '' he added .
`` We speak in strong language . ''

After doubling down on comments threatening two conservative Supreme Court justices, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) now says he misspoke.
"I should not have used the words I used yesterday," Schumer said in Thursday remarks on the Senate floor. "They didn't come out the way I intended to."
A day earlier at a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court, Schumer called out Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh by name and promised they would "pay the price" if they ruled in favor of abortion restrictions. "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions," Schumer said.
At first, Schumer's office defended his comments, attacking "the right wing's deliberate misinterpretation" and claiming that despite calling out the justices by name, Schumer's comments were actually "a reference to the political price Senate Republicans will pay for putting these justices on the court."
Schumer's comments earned a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote in a statement that "criticism comes with the territory, but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous. All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) ramped up his criticism of Schumer's threat in his own floor speech and 15 other Republican senators sponsored a resolution to censure and condemn Schumer's remarks.
"Senator Schumer has acknowledged that threatening statements can increase the dangers of violence against government officials when he stated on June 15, 2017, following the attempted murder of several elected Members of Congress, 'We would all be wise to reflect on the importance of civility in our [N]ation's politics' and that 'the level of nastiness, vitriol, and hate that has seeped into our politics must be excised,'" the resolution noted.
During his floor speech Thursday, Schumer backed down. "Of course, I didn't intend to suggest anything other than political and public opinion consequences for the Supreme Court," Schumer said.
"I'm from Brooklyn," he added. "We speak in strong language."


Pocahontas Surrenders

U.S. senator Elizabeth Warren , the liberal firebrand who emerged as a top Democratic contender for the White House on the strength of an anti-corruption platform backed by a dizzying array of policy proposals , ended her campaign on Thursday , the New York Times reported , citing a source close to her .
A former bankruptcy law professor who forged a national reputation as a scourge of Wall Street even before entering politics , Warren had banked on a strong showing on Super Tuesday after a string of disappointing finishes in the early states .
But she trailed far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , placing third in her home state of Massachusetts .
She pulled out one day after former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg , who also had a disappointing Super Tuesday , dropped out on Wednesday .
Warren , 70 , was the last woman among the top tier of candidates in a Democratic field that began as the most diverse in history .
Her departure could provide a boost to fellow liberal Sanders if some of her support pivots to the senator from Vermont , though voters do not always follow ideological lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having steadily risen in national opinion polls after dozens of deeply researched policy rollouts led to the slogan : `` Warren has a plan for that . ''
She centered her campaign on battling the influence of money in politics , arguing that on every significant issue—gun control , climate change , health care—the power of corporate lobbyists and billionaires would stymie any opportunity to achieve meaningful change .
Many of Warren 's proposals drew from the lessons she learned from her bankruptcy research at Harvard University and her experience setting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for then-President Barack Obama after the 2007-2009 financial crisis .
`` The good news is , I have the most sweeping anti-corruption plan since Watergate , '' she was fond of saying on the campaign trail .
`` The bad news is , we need the most sweeping anti-corruption plan since Watergate . ''
Like Sanders , Warren swore off high-dollar fundraisers and relied on grassroots donations to fuel her campaign .
She faced criticism in February for declining to disavow a new super PAC that boosted her campaign with an eight-figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her longstanding opposition to outside spending .
Warren ’ s commitment to detailed plans prompted rivals to attack her for initially failing to explain how she would pay for Medicare for All , the sweeping healthcare overhaul also championed by Sanders .
Her refusal to say at a televised debate in October whether she would raise middle-class taxes to finance it – even as Sanders acknowledged he would do so while arguing that overall costs would decrease—drew criticism she was being evasive .
Weeks later , when she released a plan that raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy , moderate candidates like Biden , the former vice president , said the math did not add up .
Meanwhile , some progressives said her three-year , phase-in plan was backtracking .
Warren often seemed caught in the middle of the Democratic battle for hearts and minds , unable to peel away enough liberal support from Sanders or convince enough centrists that she could broaden her appeal .
She was also competing in a race in which Democratic voters desperate to defeat President Donald Trump in November have endlessly debated the vague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which some supporters saw as a thinly veiled way of questioning whether Americans are ready to elect a woman as president .
Her allies bristled that she faced a double standard due to her gender , noting that Sanders – who spent months essentially waving off questions about his own lack of a detailed healthcare plan – escaped such scrutiny .
In January , the gender issue took center stage when Warren and Sanders sparred over whether he had told her in 2018 that a woman could not beat Trump .
While Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to remind people of a simple fact .
`` The only people on this stage who have won every single election that they ’ ve been in are the women , Amy and me , '' she said during a debate that night , referring to fellow candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar .
In the ensuing weeks , Warren argued more forcefully that women can win , noting female candidates had seen greater success than men when Democrats won the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 congressional elections .
She introduced herself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by saying , `` I ’ m Elizabeth Warren , and I ’ m the woman who ’ s going to beat Donald Trump . ''
In Iowa and New Hampshire , she portrayed herself as the `` unity '' candidate who could stitch together a coalition of liberal and moderate supporters , and largely refrained from attacking her rivals .
But after poor showings in those states , advisers and allies urged her to embrace the `` fighter '' persona that made her famous for excoriating Wall Street executives during Senate hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward Democratic rivals .
When billionaire Bloomberg appeared at a debate last month for the first time , Warren wasted little time eviscerating him on national television for his alleged past offensive comments , briefly generating an influx of campaign donations and media attention .
`` I 'd like to talk about who we ’ re running against—a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians , '' Warren said .
`` And no , I ’ m not talking about Donald Trump .
I ’ m talking about Michael Bloomberg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg ' ’ s prospects , but it proved too little , too late to save her own campaign – two weeks later , both candidates would end their White House bids .

U.S. senator Elizabeth Warren, the liberal firebrand who emerged as a top Democratic contender for the White House on the strength of an anti-corruption platform backed by a dizzying array of policy proposals, ended her campaign on Thursday, the New York Times reported, citing a source close to her.
A former bankruptcy law professor who forged a national reputation as a scourge of Wall Street even before entering politics, Warren had banked on a strong showing on Super Tuesday after a string of disappointing finishes in the early states.
But she trailed far behind front-runners Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, placing third in her home state of Massachusetts.
She pulled out one day after former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also had a disappointing Super Tuesday, dropped out on Wednesday.
Warren, 70, was the last woman among the top tier of candidates in a Democratic field that began as the most diverse in history. Her departure could provide a boost to fellow liberal Sanders if some of her support pivots to the senator from Vermont, though voters do not always follow ideological lines.
Six months ago Warren was ascendant, having steadily risen in national opinion polls after dozens of deeply researched policy rollouts led to the slogan: "Warren has a plan for that."
She centered her campaign on battling the influence of money in politics, arguing that on every significant issue—gun control, climate change, health care—the power of corporate lobbyists and billionaires would stymie any opportunity to achieve meaningful change.
Many of Warren's proposals drew from the lessons she learned from her bankruptcy research at Harvard University and her experience setting up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for then-President Barack Obama after the 2007-2009 financial crisis.
"The good news is, I have the most sweeping anti-corruption plan since Watergate," she was fond of saying on the campaign trail. "The bad news is, we need the most sweeping anti-corruption plan since Watergate."
Like Sanders, Warren swore off high-dollar fundraisers and relied on grassroots donations to fuel her campaign. She faced criticism in February for declining to disavow a new super PAC that boosted her campaign with an eight-figure advertising blitz, an apparent reversal of her longstanding opposition to outside spending.
CRITICISM MOUNTED
Warren’s commitment to detailed plans prompted rivals to attack her for initially failing to explain how she would pay for Medicare for All, the sweeping healthcare overhaul also championed by Sanders.
Her refusal to say at a televised debate in October whether she would raise middle-class taxes to finance it - even as Sanders acknowledged he would do so while arguing that overall costs would decrease—drew criticism she was being evasive.
Weeks later, when she released a plan that raised enough revenue via taxing corporations and the wealthy, moderate candidates like Biden, the former vice president, said the math did not add up. Meanwhile, some progressives said her three-year, phase-in plan was backtracking.
Warren often seemed caught in the middle of the Democratic battle for hearts and minds, unable to peel away enough liberal support from Sanders or convince enough centrists that she could broaden her appeal.
She was also competing in a race in which Democratic voters desperate to defeat President Donald Trump in November have endlessly debated the vague notion of her "electability," which some supporters saw as a thinly veiled way of questioning whether Americans are ready to elect a woman as president.
Her allies bristled that she faced a double standard due to her gender, noting that Sanders - who spent months essentially waving off questions about his own lack of a detailed healthcare plan - escaped such scrutiny.
In January, the gender issue took center stage when Warren and Sanders sparred over whether he had told her in 2018 that a woman could not beat Trump. While Sanders denied saying so, Warren took the opportunity to remind people of a simple fact.
"The only people on this stage who have won every single election that they’ve been in are the women, Amy and me," she said during a debate that night, referring to fellow candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar.
In the ensuing weeks, Warren argued more forcefully that women can win, noting female candidates had seen greater success than men when Democrats won the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 congressional elections.
She introduced herself at events in Nevada and South Carolina by saying, "I’m Elizabeth Warren, and I’m the woman who’s going to beat Donald Trump."
In Iowa and New Hampshire, she portrayed herself as the "unity" candidate who could stitch together a coalition of liberal and moderate supporters, and largely refrained from attacking her rivals.
But after poor showings in those states, advisers and allies urged her to embrace the "fighter" persona that made her famous for excoriating Wall Street executives during Senate hearings; she adopted a more combative posture toward Democratic rivals.
When billionaire Bloomberg appeared at a debate last month for the first time, Warren wasted little time eviscerating him on national television for his alleged past offensive comments, briefly generating an influx of campaign donations and media attention.
"I'd like to talk about who we’re running against—a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians," Warren said. "And no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Michael Bloomberg."
Her takedown may have fatally damaged Bloomberg'’s prospects, but it proved too little, too late to save her own campaign - two weeks later, both candidates would end their White House bids.


freebeacon--2020-03-05--Virginia Gun Sales Surge as Dems Pass Gun Control

Gun sales soared in Virginia as Democrats passed several new gun-control measures during February , according to an industry report .
Nearly 66,000 background checks were performed in Virginia in February as the state 's Democratic-controlled legislature weighs a number of strict background checks—a steep increase from the 40,381 checks performed in February 2019 .
Virginia experienced one of the most dramatic upticks in background checks—a strong indicator of total sales—in the nation , according to data released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation ( NSSF ) .
Gun sales are up nationwide with average growth rates of 16.7 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surge was especially dramatic in Virginia where checks rose by 63.4 percent compared to 2019 .
The spike in Virginia gun sales , which have increased for four consecutive months , shows that guns remain at the forefront of many residents ' minds .
While Democrats dropped a proposal to ban so-called assault weapons after facing public backlash from Second Amendment activists , they have moved forward on seven other gun-control measures ; five have already passed through both chambers while two more are slated for a conference committee .
The remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-gun-a-month purchase limit , and a universal background check bill—appear to be enough to drive Virginians to their local gun stores .
Mark Oliva , an NSSF spokesman , said sales figures should send a clear message to lawmakers as they weigh potential restrictions .
`` Virginians are continuing to exercise their freedoms and voting with their wallets , '' he told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` They see that their elected representatives are infringing on their Second Amendment rights and they 're buying the firearms they want to provide for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are based on a review of the number of checks processed through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System ( NICS ) .
All gun sales made by licensed dealers are required to run through NICS before they can proceed .
Many states also use the system for checks related to gun-carry permits , with some rechecking permits monthly , which can drive up the total number of NICS checks .
NSSF reviews the raw NICS numbers to determine how many were directly related to gun sales .
The NSSF 's adjusted NICS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total gun sales for a number of factors .
Some states use gun-carry permits as substitutes for NICS checks during gun sales , a single NICS check can be used for the sale of multiple guns in the same transaction , and most sales between nonlicensed individuals do not require NICS checks .
However , NSSF 's adjusted NICS numbers are still considered the most accurate estimate of monthly gun sales available because they do capture the vast majority of sales .
Virginia has become the epicenter in America 's fight over guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislature in 2019 .
In addition to increased gun sales , Virginians have expressed their concerns about new gun-control proposals in more direct ways .
Nearly every county in the state has declared itself a Second Amendment `` sanctuary , '' vowing not to enforce gun laws localities see as unconstitutional .
The battle over gun control culminated in one of Virginia 's largest demonstrations in decades , as tens of thousands of residents showed up for a Virginia Citizens Defense League public rally in January .
Oliva said Virginia lawmakers largely ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice of the spike in gun sales .
`` Virginia 's legislators didn ’ t listen to voter sentiment with their Second Amendment [ sanctuary ] resolutions that were passed and failed to listen to the peaceful rally held in Richmond , '' he told the Free Beacon .
`` They would be wise to listen to the voters who are making their voice heard now through their wallets . ''

Gun sales soared in Virginia as Democrats passed several new gun-control measures during February, according to an industry report.
Nearly 66,000 background checks were performed in Virginia in February as the state's Democratic-controlled legislature weighs a number of strict background checks—a steep increase from the 40,381 checks performed in February 2019. Virginia experienced one of the most dramatic upticks in background checks—a strong indicator of total sales—in the nation, according to data released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Gun sales are up nationwide with average growth rates of 16.7 percent, according to the report, but the surge was especially dramatic in Virginia where checks rose by 63.4 percent compared to 2019.
The spike in Virginia gun sales, which have increased for four consecutive months, shows that guns remain at the forefront of many residents' minds. While Democrats dropped a proposal to ban so-called assault weapons after facing public backlash from Second Amendment activists, they have moved forward on seven other gun-control measures; five have already passed through both chambers while two more are slated for a conference committee. The remaining proposals—including a red flag bill, a one-gun-a-month purchase limit, and a universal background check bill—appear to be enough to drive Virginians to their local gun stores.
Mark Oliva, an NSSF spokesman, said sales figures should send a clear message to lawmakers as they weigh potential restrictions.
"Virginians are continuing to exercise their freedoms and voting with their wallets," he told the Washington Free Beacon. "They see that their elected representatives are infringing on their Second Amendment rights and they're buying the firearms they want to provide for their own protection."
NSSF's projections are based on a review of the number of checks processed through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). All gun sales made by licensed dealers are required to run through NICS before they can proceed. Many states also use the system for checks related to gun-carry permits, with some rechecking permits monthly, which can drive up the total number of NICS checks. NSSF reviews the raw NICS numbers to determine how many were directly related to gun sales.
The NSSF's adjusted NICS numbers are not a one-to-one representation of total gun sales for a number of factors. Some states use gun-carry permits as substitutes for NICS checks during gun sales, a single NICS check can be used for the sale of multiple guns in the same transaction, and most sales between nonlicensed individuals do not require NICS checks. However, NSSF's adjusted NICS numbers are still considered the most accurate estimate of monthly gun sales available because they do capture the vast majority of sales.
Virginia has become the epicenter in America's fight over guns since Democrats took control of the state legislature in 2019. In addition to increased gun sales, Virginians have expressed their concerns about new gun-control proposals in more direct ways. Nearly every county in the state has declared itself a Second Amendment "sanctuary," vowing not to enforce gun laws localities see as unconstitutional. The battle over gun control culminated in one of Virginia's largest demonstrations in decades, as tens of thousands of residents showed up for a Virginia Citizens Defense League public rally in January.
Oliva said Virginia lawmakers largely ignored those efforts, but they should take notice of the spike in gun sales.
"Virginia's legislators didn’t listen to voter sentiment with their Second Amendment [sanctuary] resolutions that were passed and failed to listen to the peaceful rally held in Richmond," he told the Free Beacon. "They would be wise to listen to the voters who are making their voice heard now through their wallets."


freebeacon--2020-03-05--In Echo of Chinese Propaganda, Quincy Institute Targets Retired American Admiral’s Japanese Ancestry

The Koch-funded Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft recently published a racially charged critique of a retired American admiral that mirrors attacks levied against him by Chinese propaganda outlets .
Nation correspondent Timothy Shorrock last month argued in a piece published by the Quincy Institute that Harry Harris , the former head of U.S. Pacific Command now serving as the American ambassador to South Korea , is overly sympathetic to Japan in its disputes with South Korea .
Harris 's views , he argued , may stem from the fact that he was `` born in Japan , the son of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer who served in Japan and Korea after World War II . ''
Chinese propaganda outlets have made Harris 's Japanese ancestry the focus of their criticism of U.S. policy in the Pacific .
During his tenure as the head of U.S. Pacific Command , Xinhua News Agency , a state propaganda outlet , repeatedly pointed to his ethnicity to explain away U.S. policy positions , citing his `` Japanese ancestry '' and alluding to his alleged ties with Japan 's security and political establishment .
`` Some may say an overemphasis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a bit unkind , '' read one 2016 report .
`` But to understand the United States ' increasingly aggressive position in the South China Sea , it is simply impossible to ignore Admiral Harris 's blood , background , political inclination , and values . ''
Harris , who did not respond to a request for comment , had previously condemned China for attacking his heritage , calling the talking point `` really ugly . ''
The publication of Shorrock 's article is the latest controversy surrounding the think tank since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Charles Koch and George Soros , the Quincy Institute advocates for a more restrained U.S. foreign policy .
In his piece , Shorrock criticized Harris for pressing South Korea to reenter an intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan that Seoul had left to protest Tokyo over a historical dispute .
The writer said Harris 's Japanese ancestry may explain his `` more benign approach to Japan 's role in Korea . ''
The State Department strongly defended the ambassador , telling the Free Beacon `` there is absolutely no credence to the assertion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with the United States . ''
`` He has spent his entire life dedicated to advancing U.S. peace and prosperity throughout the world , and his tenure as U.S. ambassador to the ROK has been marked by constant effort to strengthen this critical bilateral alliance , '' said a spokesman for the agency .
`` There is no one we would rather have as our ambassador to the ROK at this critical time . ''
Michael Mazza , a visiting fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute , said that the ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure South Korea to preserve the intelligence-sharing agreement .
`` It 's important for all three countries ' efforts to monitor North Korean activities in particular , '' Mazza said , referring to South Korea , Japan , and the United States .
`` It 's important for making our missile defense capabilities operate more efficiently .
And Harris was certainly advancing U.S. interests and the Trump administration 's policy priorities . ''
The Quincy Institute did not respond to a request for comment .
Born on a U.S. military base in Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Japanese mother , Harris grew up in Tennessee and spent four decades in the Navy .
He is an outspoken opponent of Chinese expansionism , asserting that the United States is ready to confront China 's `` provocative and expansionist '' activities in the South China Sea if the need arises .
Chinese news outlets have frequently criticized Harris for what they describe as a bias toward the Japanese .
One 2018 headline , for example , declared that Harris is a `` U.S. admiral with Japanese ancestry who has made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece asserted without evidence that he had `` built an intimate relationship with the Japanese military and political circles . ''
`` His Japanese origins are consistent with his unfriendly attitude toward China , which has been reflected in Harris 's speeches on the South China Sea and actions of the Pacific Fleet since he assumed office , '' a 2016 People 's Daily article said .
Shorrock denied that his argument was racially charged and told the Washington Free Beacon that his own world views were shaped by his childhood in Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views of Japan and Korea were shaped by my heritage growing up in Tokyo as a child of missionary parents and having a Japanese stepmother , '' he said .
`` Harris has shown in his many public statements , particularly in his criticism of South Korea 's withdrawal from this intelligence-sharing agreement , that he views Japan and its past role in a much more positive light than most Korean citizens . ''
Harris sharply condemned China for the accusations in 2016 as an attempt to tarnish both him and U.S. Pacific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Japanese admiral it 's not true .
I am not sure why they have to have an adjective in front of admiral , '' he said .
`` In some respects , they try to demonize me , and that 's really ugly , '' he told the New York Times in 2016 .
`` I think in a lot of ways the communications that come out of the Chinese public affairs organ , they are tone-deaf and insulting . ''

The Koch-funded Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft recently published a racially charged critique of a retired American admiral that mirrors attacks levied against him by Chinese propaganda outlets.
Nation correspondent Timothy Shorrock last month argued in a piece published by the Quincy Institute that Harry Harris, the former head of U.S. Pacific Command now serving as the American ambassador to South Korea, is overly sympathetic to Japan in its disputes with South Korea. Harris's views, he argued, may stem from the fact that he was "born in Japan, the son of a Japanese mother and a U.S. Navy officer who served in Japan and Korea after World War II."
Chinese propaganda outlets have made Harris's Japanese ancestry the focus of their criticism of U.S. policy in the Pacific. During his tenure as the head of U.S. Pacific Command, Xinhua News Agency, a state propaganda outlet, repeatedly pointed to his ethnicity to explain away U.S. policy positions, citing his "Japanese ancestry" and alluding to his alleged ties with Japan's security and political establishment.
"Some may say an overemphasis on the Japanese background of an American general is a bit unkind," read one 2016 report. "But to understand the United States' increasingly aggressive position in the South China Sea, it is simply impossible to ignore Admiral Harris's blood, background, political inclination, and values."
Harris, who did not respond to a request for comment, had previously condemned China for attacking his heritage, calling the talking point "really ugly."
The publication of Shorrock's article is the latest controversy surrounding the think tank since its launch in December. Supported by both Charles Koch and George Soros, the Quincy Institute advocates for a more restrained U.S. foreign policy. In his piece, Shorrock criticized Harris for pressing South Korea to reenter an intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan that Seoul had left to protest Tokyo over a historical dispute. The writer said Harris's Japanese ancestry may explain his "more benign approach to Japan's role in Korea."
The State Department strongly defended the ambassador, telling the Free Beacon "there is absolutely no credence to the assertion that Ambassador Harris’s loyalties lie anywhere but with the United States."
"He has spent his entire life dedicated to advancing U.S. peace and prosperity throughout the world, and his tenure as U.S. ambassador to the ROK has been marked by constant effort to strengthen this critical bilateral alliance," said a spokesman for the agency. "There is no one we would rather have as our ambassador to the ROK at this critical time."
Michael Mazza, a visiting fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said that the ambassador was acting in the U.S. interest to pressure South Korea to preserve the intelligence-sharing agreement.
"It's important for all three countries' efforts to monitor North Korean activities in particular," Mazza said, referring to South Korea, Japan, and the United States. "It's important for making our missile defense capabilities operate more efficiently. And Harris was certainly advancing U.S. interests and the Trump administration's policy priorities."
The Quincy Institute did not respond to a request for comment.
Born on a U.S. military base in Japan in 1956 to an American sailor and a Japanese mother, Harris grew up in Tennessee and spent four decades in the Navy. He is an outspoken opponent of Chinese expansionism, asserting that the United States is ready to confront China's "provocative and expansionist" activities in the South China Sea if the need arises.
Chinese news outlets have frequently criticized Harris for what they describe as a bias toward the Japanese. One 2018 headline, for example, declared that Harris is a "U.S. admiral with Japanese ancestry who has made the Pacific Ocean unsafe." A 2017 piece asserted without evidence that he had "built an intimate relationship with the Japanese military and political circles."
"His Japanese origins are consistent with his unfriendly attitude toward China, which has been reflected in Harris's speeches on the South China Sea and actions of the Pacific Fleet since he assumed office," a 2016 People's Daily article said.
Shorrock denied that his argument was racially charged and told the Washington Free Beacon that his own world views were shaped by his childhood in Japan.
"Like Harris, my own views of Japan and Korea were shaped by my heritage growing up in Tokyo as a child of missionary parents and having a Japanese stepmother," he said. "Harris has shown in his many public statements, particularly in his criticism of South Korea's withdrawal from this intelligence-sharing agreement, that he views Japan and its past role in a much more positive light than most Korean citizens."
Harris sharply condemned China for the accusations in 2016 as an attempt to tarnish both him and U.S. Pacific Command. "When I am described as a Japanese admiral it's not true. I am not sure why they have to have an adjective in front of admiral," he said.
"In some respects, they try to demonize me, and that's really ugly," he told the New York Times in 2016. "I think in a lot of ways the communications that come out of the Chinese public affairs organ, they are tone-deaf and insulting."


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Soros Spends Big to Help Prosecutor Who Dropped Jussie Smollett Charges

George Soros and other liberal billionaires are pushing large sums of cash into Chicago to back the far-left prosecutor whose office dropped charges against Jussie Smollett , the actor who staged a `` hate crime '' he attributed to Trump supporters .
The reelection efforts of Kim Foxx , state 's attorney for Cook County , Ill. , received a boost from the Illinois Justice & Public Safety PAC .
The committee , founded to support Foxx , has spent six figures on media productions and direct mail backing Foxx 's candidacy , state records show , making it Foxx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC received its entire $ 2 million budget from a group created and funded by Soros .
Soros has for years poured millions into district attorney and prosecutor races across the country backing candidates who want to radically overhaul the criminal justice system .
The candidates often campaign on reducing incarceration rates by bringing lower-level charges for higher-level offenses .
One such Soros-backed district attorney , Larry Krasner of Philadelphia , purged dozens of prosecutors primarily from the homicide division , drug enforcement , and civil asset forfeiture units within days of taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 408,000 from Soros during her first election in 2016 , set off widespread criticism for her office 's handling of the Smollett case .
The actor claimed he was attacked by two white masked individuals in the streets of Chicago who yelled `` This is MAGA country , '' tied a rope around his neck , and doused him in bleach .
The story quickly unraveled after evidence emerged that Smollett hired two men to fake the attack .
Foxx 's office dropped the charges against him .
Following a special prosecutor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smollett case , a grand jury indicted Smollett on six counts of disorderly conduct in relation to making false reports to the Chicago Police Department .
Soros has renewed his support for Foxx in the wake of the Smollett controversy .
On Feb. 19 , the Democracy PAC , a federal super PAC Soros created for the 2020 elections , deposited $ 2 million into the coffers of the Illinois Justice & Public Safety PAC .
That contribution is the pro-Foxx PAC 's sole source of funding .
Soros put $ 5.1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of 2019 .
Other deep-pocketed liberal donors and progressive groups have cut hefty checks to keep Foxx in office .
Donald Sussman , a billionaire hedge fund manager and major Democratic donor , has given $ 100,000 to Foxx 's campaign .
Fred Eychaner , chairman of Newsweb Corporation , has provided $ 600,000 .
Michael Sacks , CEO of the Chicago-based Grosvenor Capital Management , gave $ 400,000 .
EMILY 's List , the SEIU , and the Real Justice PAC , a committee run by Black Lives Matter activist Shaun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foxx 's campaign .
Unlike past prosecutor races in which Soros gave his preferred candidate a staggering fundraising advantage , the field has been level in the Chicago race .
Bill Conway , one of Foxx 's Democratic primary challengers , has been fueled by millions from his wealthy father .
The primary will take place on March 17 .
Whitney Tymas , longtime treasurer for Soros 's criminal justice PACs , and Sacks did not respond to inquiries .
Sussman and Eychaner could not be reached for comment .
Apart from several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant success in electing his candidates of choice around the country .
In addition to Foxx and Krasner , Kim Gardner , St. Louis 's circuit attorney ; Aramis Ayala , the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida ; and Stephanie Morales , the Portsmouth , Va. , commonwealth attorney , among others , all received cash from Soros .
The financier most recently racked up prosecutor wins in Virginia , where his preferred candidates ousted two Democratic incumbents .
Soros has vowed to spend $ 10 million to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to push back against what ’ s happening here , '' he said following Trump 's 2016 victory , adding that the election had awakened `` dark forces . ''
Soros 's Open Society Foundations immediately started disbursing the grants to liberal and civil rights groups .
Some of Soros 's pledged cash went toward a massive `` hate crime '' project now used by more than 100 media entities including Google News Labs , New York Times Opinion , Huffington Post , and ABC News , the Washington Free Beacon previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project , however , is completely unverified .
It relies on the likes of the controversial Southern Poverty Law Center for finding stories for the database .
Reporters from the media partners have access to the database for story purposes .
Richard Tofel , the president of ProPublica , the investigative news group that hosts the project , told the Free Beacon it 's up to reporters to do additional legwork to verify the authenticity of the database 's stories .
Tofel said Soros 's money made it possible to launch and maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding .

George Soros and other liberal billionaires are pushing large sums of cash into Chicago to back the far-left prosecutor whose office dropped charges against Jussie Smollett, the actor who staged a "hate crime" he attributed to Trump supporters.
The reelection efforts of Kim Foxx, state's attorney for Cook County, Ill., received a boost from the Illinois Justice & Public Safety PAC. The committee, founded to support Foxx, has spent six figures on media productions and direct mail backing Foxx's candidacy, state records show, making it Foxx's largest backer so far. The PAC received its entire $2 million budget from a group created and funded by Soros.
Soros has for years poured millions into district attorney and prosecutor races across the country backing candidates who want to radically overhaul the criminal justice system. The candidates often campaign on reducing incarceration rates by bringing lower-level charges for higher-level offenses. One such Soros-backed district attorney, Larry Krasner of Philadelphia, purged dozens of prosecutors primarily from the homicide division, drug enforcement, and civil asset forfeiture units within days of taking office.
Foxx, who received $408,000 from Soros during her first election in 2016, set off widespread criticism for her office's handling of the Smollett case. The actor claimed he was attacked by two white masked individuals in the streets of Chicago who yelled "This is MAGA country," tied a rope around his neck, and doused him in bleach. The story quickly unraveled after evidence emerged that Smollett hired two men to fake the attack. Foxx's office dropped the charges against him. Following a special prosecutor's probe into Foxx's handling of the Smollett case, a grand jury indicted Smollett on six counts of disorderly conduct in relation to making false reports to the Chicago Police Department.
Soros has renewed his support for Foxx in the wake of the Smollett controversy. On Feb. 19, the Democracy PAC, a federal super PAC Soros created for the 2020 elections, deposited $2 million into the coffers of the Illinois Justice & Public Safety PAC. That contribution is the pro-Foxx PAC's sole source of funding. Soros put $5.1 million into the Democracy PAC in the first half of 2019.
Other deep-pocketed liberal donors and progressive groups have cut hefty checks to keep Foxx in office.
Donald Sussman, a billionaire hedge fund manager and major Democratic donor, has given $100,000 to Foxx's campaign. Fred Eychaner, chairman of Newsweb Corporation, has provided $600,000. Michael Sacks, CEO of the Chicago-based Grosvenor Capital Management, gave $400,000. EMILY's List, the SEIU, and the Real Justice PAC, a committee run by Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King, each sent hefty donations to Foxx's campaign.
Unlike past prosecutor races in which Soros gave his preferred candidate a staggering fundraising advantage, the field has been level in the Chicago race. Bill Conway, one of Foxx's Democratic primary challengers, has been fueled by millions from his wealthy father. The primary will take place on March 17.
Whitney Tymas, longtime treasurer for Soros's criminal justice PACs, and Sacks did not respond to inquiries. Sussman and Eychaner could not be reached for comment.
Apart from several losses in California, Soros has achieved significant success in electing his candidates of choice around the country. In addition to Foxx and Krasner, Kim Gardner, St. Louis's circuit attorney; Aramis Ayala, the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida; and Stephanie Morales, the Portsmouth, Va., commonwealth attorney, among others, all received cash from Soros. The financier most recently racked up prosecutor wins in Virginia, where his preferred candidates ousted two Democratic incumbents.
Soros has vowed to spend $10 million to combat hate crimes. "We must do something to push back against what’s happening here," he said following Trump's 2016 victory, adding that the election had awakened "dark forces." Soros's Open Society Foundations immediately started disbursing the grants to liberal and civil rights groups.
Some of Soros's pledged cash went toward a massive "hate crime" project now used by more than 100 media entities including Google News Labs, New York Times Opinion, Huffington Post, and ABC News, the Washington Free Beacon previously discovered. The database used for the project, however, is completely unverified. It relies on the likes of the controversial Southern Poverty Law Center for finding stories for the database. Reporters from the media partners have access to the database for story purposes.
Richard Tofel, the president of ProPublica, the investigative news group that hosts the project, told the Free Beacon it's up to reporters to do additional legwork to verify the authenticity of the database's stories. Tofel said Soros's money made it possible to launch and maintain the project before Google took over its funding.


freebeacon--2020-03-06--DNC Changes Debate Rules to Exclude Only Woman in Race

The Democratic National Committee has changed its presidential debate qualifications to exclude Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D. , Hawaii ) , the only remaining female and minority candidate in the race .
Under the newly announced rules for the March 15 CNN/Univision debate , candidates must have at least 20 percent of the awarded pledged delegates in order to qualify .
In every debate since February 's Iowa caucus , any candidate who received even a single delegate automatically qualified for the debate .
Gabbard won two delegates on Super Tuesday by placing second in her native American Samoa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie Sanders have already locked up the required delegates , but the rule change makes it nearly impossible for Gabbard to qualify , even with a strong showing in the next round of primaries .
The congresswoman needs 335 more delegates to lock up 20 percent by March 15 , but only 352 are up for grabs on March 10 .
Gabbard suggested on Thursday that she would attend the debate if invited , tweeting that she would `` welcome the opportunity to raise & discuss the foreign policy challenges we face .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ downplay the prospect of Gabbard making the debates in a Super Tuesday tweet , saying , `` of course the threshold will go up . ''
The exclusion of Gabbard comes one day after Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
suspended her campaign , leaving the race with only one female candidate and prompting extensive soul-searching and criticism from Democratic women and media figures .
`` I so wish that we had a woman president of the United States , and we came so close to doing that , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D. , Calif. ) .
`` I do think there 's a certain element of misogyny . ''
Former presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) omitted Gabbard entirely in her reaction to Warren 's departure , telling reporters , `` Look at what 's happened .
There are no women currently in this race . ''

The Democratic National Committee has changed its presidential debate qualifications to exclude Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii), the only remaining female and minority candidate in the race.
Under the newly announced rules for the March 15 CNN/Univision debate, candidates must have at least 20 percent of the awarded pledged delegates in order to qualify. In every debate since February's Iowa caucus, any candidate who received even a single delegate automatically qualified for the debate. Gabbard won two delegates on Super Tuesday by placing second in her native American Samoa.
Elderly white male candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have already locked up the required delegates, but the rule change makes it nearly impossible for Gabbard to qualify, even with a strong showing in the next round of primaries. The congresswoman needs 335 more delegates to lock up 20 percent by March 15, but only 352 are up for grabs on March 10.
Gabbard suggested on Thursday that she would attend the debate if invited, tweeting that she would "welcome the opportunity to raise & discuss the foreign policy challenges we face."
DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa appeared to downplay the prospect of Gabbard making the debates in a Super Tuesday tweet, saying, "of course the threshold will go up."
We have two more debates-- of course the threshold will go up. By the time we have the March debate, almost 2,000 delegates will be allocated. The threshold will reflect where we are in the race, as it always has. — Xochitl Hinojosa (@XochitlHinojosa) March 4, 2020
The exclusion of Gabbard comes one day after Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) suspended her campaign, leaving the race with only one female candidate and prompting extensive soul-searching and criticism from Democratic women and media figures.
"I so wish that we had a woman president of the United States, and we came so close to doing that," said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.). "I do think there's a certain element of misogyny."
Former presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) omitted Gabbard entirely in her reaction to Warren's departure, telling reporters, "Look at what's happened. There are no women currently in this race."


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Democrats, Media Persist in Scolding Democratic Voters for ‘Sexist’ Opposition to Elizabeth Warren

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
was the preferred candidate among wealthy white liberals with college degrees and a profound sense of moral superiority .
Accordingly , she was the preferred candidate among members of the mainstream media .
`` I ’ m a highly educated white person , and most of my friends and acquaintances are also highly educated white people , '' writes Vox senior correspondent Matthew Yglesias .
`` Elizabeth Warren is very popular with people like us . ''
Warren 's supporters in the media and elsewhere were not only disappointed by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic voters , many were also dumbfounded and in need of a comforting explanation .
It did n't take them long to find one .
Sexism .
`` Elizabeth Warren Could Never Escape The Baggage Of Being A ‘ Female Candidate , ' '' reads the headline in a recent Huffington Post article on Warren 's downfall .
The Associated Press lamented that Warren 's exit from the Democratic primary was `` a final blow to hopes , once so bright , that a woman would be chosen to face President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D. , Calif. ) , another media darling who failed to generate support among actual voters , said the fact that a woman would not win the Democratic nomination this year suggested `` there 's still a lot of work to be done to make it very clear that women are exceptionally qualified and capable of being the commander in chief of the United States of America . ''
Harris , for what it 's worth , declined to endorse Warren or Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) after ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times reported in January that Harris was likely to endorse Biden .
Sexism was also a frequent topic of media conversation following Hillary Clinton 's historic failure to become the first female president in 2016 , almost entirely as a result of her own historic deficiencies as a candidate and as a person .
This time , however , its Democratic voters who are being accused of holding sexist views toward female candidates .
Warren 's exit , however , does not mean there are no women left in the race for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D. , Hawaii ) persists in her campaign and recently picked up two convention delegates in American Samoa on Super Tuesday .
Nevertheless , the Democratic Party on Friday announced a series of rule changes that will effectively disqualify her from the upcoming primary debate in Arizona .
President Donald J. Trump also weighed in on Warren 's failed candidacy .
He had a somewhat different take .
`` I think lack of talent was her problem , '' said Trump on Friday .
`` She is a very mean person and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) was the preferred candidate among wealthy white liberals with college degrees and a profound sense of moral superiority. Accordingly, she was the preferred candidate among members of the mainstream media.
WATCH: In Memoriam: Media Darling Liz Warren’s Presidential Campaign
"I’m a highly educated white person, and most of my friends and acquaintances are also highly educated white people," writes Vox senior correspondent Matthew Yglesias. "Elizabeth Warren is very popular with people like us."
Warren's supporters in the media and elsewhere were not only disappointed by her failure to win the support of regular Democratic voters, many were also dumbfounded and in need of a comforting explanation. It didn't take them long to find one.
Sexism. "Elizabeth Warren Could Never Escape The Baggage Of Being A 'Female Candidate,'" reads the headline in a recent Huffington Post article on Warren's downfall. The Associated Press lamented that Warren's exit from the Democratic primary was "a final blow to hopes, once so bright, that a woman would be chosen to face President Donald Trump in November."
Here’s what I said on @msnbc earlier about Warren dropping out of the presidential race. After having more women in the race than ever only to end up with two old white guys, it’s clear we gotta actually talk about sexism and prioritize representative leadership. pic.twitter.com/1kJLQaxmD6 — Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) March 6, 2020
Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), another media darling who failed to generate support among actual voters, said the fact that a woman would not win the Democratic nomination this year suggested "there's still a lot of work to be done to make it very clear that women are exceptionally qualified and capable of being the commander in chief of the United States of America."
Harris, for what it's worth, declined to endorse Warren or Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) after ending her campaign in December. The New York Times reported in January that Harris was likely to endorse Biden.
Sexism was also a frequent topic of media conversation following Hillary Clinton's historic failure to become the first female president in 2016, almost entirely as a result of her own historic deficiencies as a candidate and as a person. This time, however, its Democratic voters who are being accused of holding sexist views toward female candidates.
I’m glad there’s on open acknowledgment abt the role sexism played in Warren’s campaign, bc I can’t tell you how many people on this website *adamantly* insisted sexism had nothing to do w/ Hillary’s loss progress — Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) March 6, 2020
Well, @ewarren is out. Once again, Democrats have rejected a qualified woman who didn't meet their pubescent fantasy of a woman.
Dems will never find their "perfect" woman, but Republicans will. GOP embraces their sexism. Dems refuse to confront their own.https://t.co/0T2nT4pXOt — Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) March 5, 2020
Warren's exit, however, does not mean there are no women left in the race for the Democratic nomination. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D., Hawaii) persists in her campaign and recently picked up two convention delegates in American Samoa on Super Tuesday. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party on Friday announced a series of rule changes that will effectively disqualify her from the upcoming primary debate in Arizona.
President Donald J. Trump also weighed in on Warren's failed candidacy. He had a somewhat different take. "I think lack of talent was her problem," said Trump on Friday. "She is a very mean person and people don't like her."


freebeacon--2020-03-06--HEALTH WATCH: Leading Democratic Candidates Most at Risk of Dying From Coronavirus, According to Sci

HEALTH WATCH: Leading Democratic Candidates Most at Risk of Dying From Coronavirus, According to Science

In the midst of a global pandemic , it 's important to believe in science .
One thing science tells us about the coronavirus is that both Democrats vying to take on President Donald J. Trump in the general election are in the age group ( elderly AF ) most at risk of dying from the disease .
Former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) are both very old—too old even to be considered Baby Boomers—and either one would make history as the oldest president ever if elected .
Biden will turn 78 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79 in September .
According to science , that 's not a good thing in terms of one 's vulnerability to coronavirus .
Dr. Adam Kucharski , a mathematician at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , in an interview with the New York Times pointed out `` the risk of severe disease and fatality , particularly in older groups , in the over-70s , over-80s , '' posed by coronavirus .
`` Overall we 're seeing maybe 1 percent of symptomatic cases are fatal across all ages .
There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what 's also important is that 1 percent is n't evenly distributed , '' said Kucharski .
`` In younger groups , we 're talking perhaps 0.1 percent , which means that when you get into the older groups , you 're potentially talking about 5 percent , 10 percent of cases being fatal . ''
According to the China Center for Disease Control , the fatality rate for coronavirus patients over the age of 80 is nearly 15 percent .
China CDC also reported a significantly higher fatality rate among male patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 1.7 percent ) .
This scientific data could ultimately prove crucial in helping Hillary Clinton , 72 , make the case that she is the least risky candidate at a contested Democratic convention in Milwaukee .
President Trump , a man of legendary physical and intellectual stamina , once described by a leading medical expert as `` the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency , '' remains a heavy favorite to win reelection in 2020 and beyond .
Absent a last-minute intervention by Clinton , the 73-year-old Trump will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be up to voters to decide whether America will continue to be great or slide backward under a virus-afflicted chief executive into the ash heap of history .

In the midst of a global pandemic, it's important to believe in science. One thing science tells us about the coronavirus is that both Democrats vying to take on President Donald J. Trump in the general election are in the age group (elderly AF) most at risk of dying from the disease.
Former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) are both very old—too old even to be considered Baby Boomers—and either one would make history as the oldest president ever if elected. Biden will turn 78 in November, while Sanders will turn 79 in September. According to science, that's not a good thing in terms of one's vulnerability to coronavirus.
Dr. Adam Kucharski, a mathematician at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in an interview with the New York Times pointed out "the risk of severe disease and fatality, particularly in older groups, in the over-70s, over-80s," posed by coronavirus.
"Overall we're seeing maybe 1 percent of symptomatic cases are fatal across all ages. There's still some uncertainty on that, but what's also important is that 1 percent isn't evenly distributed," said Kucharski. "In younger groups, we're talking perhaps 0.1 percent, which means that when you get into the older groups, you're potentially talking about 5 percent, 10 percent of cases being fatal."
According to the China Center for Disease Control, the fatality rate for coronavirus patients over the age of 80 is nearly 15 percent. China CDC also reported a significantly higher fatality rate among male patients (2.8 percent) than female patients (1.7 percent). This scientific data could ultimately prove crucial in helping Hillary Clinton, 72, make the case that she is the least risky candidate at a contested Democratic convention in Milwaukee.
President Trump, a man of legendary physical and intellectual stamina, once described by a leading medical expert as "the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency," remains a heavy favorite to win reelection in 2020 and beyond. Absent a last-minute intervention by Clinton, the 73-year-old Trump will be the youngest candidate in the race. It will be up to voters to decide whether America will continue to be great or slide backward under a virus-afflicted chief executive into the ash heap of history.


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Virginia Dems to Raise Gas Tax by 10 Cents a Gallon

Virginia Democrats agreed to a deal raising gas taxes in the state by a total of 10 cents over the next two years , a move party leadership said would give people `` more time with their families . ''
With Democrats also expanding a regional gas tax , overall gas taxes will more than double in some areas of the state from 16 cents to 34 cents , according to NBC Washington .
Democratic lawmakers said the increases would help reduce traffic on busy roadways in the state .
`` This is a historic agreement that will give Virginians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ time ] stuck in traffic , '' Virginia House of Delegates speaker Eileen Filler-Corn ( D. ) said .
Minority Leader Todd Gilbert ( R. ) criticized the move for hurting family budgets .
`` Virginians need to buckle up , '' he said .
Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D. ) proposed the elimination of annual vehicle safety inspections to ease the strain on drivers , but this measure was defeated by lawmakers .
The 10-cent increase was a compromise between the state House , which proposed a 12-cent increase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase of 8 cents , according to WTOP .
Both chambers of the Virginia legislature have a Democratic majority .
After the increase goes into effect , the tax will be tied to the inflation rate .
Virginia 's vehicle-registration fee will also be reduced by $ 10 .
The deal includes infrastructure funding for Northern Virginia , which already has a 2.1 percent gas tax .
Northam 's office still has to sign the deal into law .
Democrats took back the state House and Senate in November and promised action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control , and infrastructure spending .
Gun sales surged as the state legislature enacted gun-purchasing restrictions last month .

Virginia Democrats agreed to a deal raising gas taxes in the state by a total of 10 cents over the next two years, a move party leadership said would give people "more time with their families."
With Democrats also expanding a regional gas tax, overall gas taxes will more than double in some areas of the state from 16 cents to 34 cents, according to NBC Washington. Democratic lawmakers said the increases would help reduce traffic on busy roadways in the state.
"This is a historic agreement that will give Virginians more time with their families and less [time] stuck in traffic," Virginia House of Delegates speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D.) said.
Minority Leader Todd Gilbert (R.) criticized the move for hurting family budgets. "Virginians need to buckle up," he said.
Gov. Ralph Northam (D.) proposed the elimination of annual vehicle safety inspections to ease the strain on drivers, but this measure was defeated by lawmakers.
The 10-cent increase was a compromise between the state House, which proposed a 12-cent increase, and the state Senate, which proposed an increase of 8 cents, according to WTOP. Both chambers of the Virginia legislature have a Democratic majority.
After the increase goes into effect, the tax will be tied to the inflation rate. Virginia's vehicle-registration fee will also be reduced by $10.
The deal includes infrastructure funding for Northern Virginia, which already has a 2.1 percent gas tax. Northam's office still has to sign the deal into law.
Democrats took back the state House and Senate in November and promised action on raising the minimum wage, gun control, and infrastructure spending. Gun sales surged as the state legislature enacted gun-purchasing restrictions last month.


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Clinton Doesn’t Apologize to Lewinsky for Affair in New Documentary

Former president Bill Clinton still wo n't directly apologize to Monica Lewinsky for their affair that made her name synonymous with sex scandals .
In a new documentary , Clinton said he felt `` terrible '' for how their sexual relationship in the 1990s ended up defining Lewinsky 's public reputation , but he also said it was up to her to live a `` normal life . ''
`` Over the years I 've watched her trying to get a normal life back again , but you 've got to decide how to define normal , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewinsky scandal in the new Hulu documentary series Hillary , which debuted on Friday .
He claimed his two-year relationship with the intern , beginning in 1995 , was a distraction to manage his `` anxiety '' in the White House .
Clinton was impeached in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice after lying about the affair during grand jury testimony .
Clinton 's latest remarks about Lewinsky drew criticism in the media .
`` Whenever Bill Clinton opens his mouth to speak publicly about his affair with Monica Lewinsky in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something astonishingly tone-deaf , '' The Cut ‘ s Amanda Arnold wrote Thursday .
CBS This Morning anchors also criticized the former president on Friday for failing to directly apologize to Lewinsky .
`` For me , my heart goes out to Monica Lewinsky again , '' anchor Gayle King said .
`` She was 21 , 22… .
She still has this baggage that is tied to her while everyone else has sort of tiptoed through the tulips .
She 's still stuck with this , and it just seems so unfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mason noted there was `` no apology '' to Lewinsky , and fellow anchor Tony Dokoupil also criticized Clinton for failing to address the `` fundamental power imbalance '' between a president and a young intern .
`` Regardless of anxiety or the stress that you feel because you hold that office , a 22-year-old intern , and no apology , '' correspondent Vladimir Duthiers said .
`` Once again , minimizes , marginalizes her , '' King said .
`` It was wrong on all parts , but I hear that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Clinton grew frustrated in 2018 when NBC News reporter Craig Melvin confronted him about his relationship with Lewinsky in the wake of the # MeToo movement .
He insisted he had properly apologized to Lewinsky for his conduct and accused Melvin of omitting facts to the audience .

Former president Bill Clinton still won't directly apologize to Monica Lewinsky for their affair that made her name synonymous with sex scandals.
In a new documentary, Clinton said he felt "terrible" for how their sexual relationship in the 1990s ended up defining Lewinsky's public reputation, but he also said it was up to her to live a "normal life."
"Over the years I've watched her trying to get a normal life back again, but you've got to decide how to define normal," he said.
Bill and Hillary Clinton discussed the Lewinsky scandal in the new Hulu documentary series Hillary, which debuted on Friday. He claimed his two-year relationship with the intern, beginning in 1995, was a distraction to manage his "anxiety" in the White House.
"Here's something that will take your mind off it for a while," Clinton said. "Things I did to manage my anxieties for years. I'm a different, totally different person than I was."
Clinton was impeached in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice after lying about the affair during grand jury testimony.
Clinton's latest remarks about Lewinsky drew criticism in the media.
"Whenever Bill Clinton opens his mouth to speak publicly about his affair with Monica Lewinsky in the 1990s, he inevitably ends up saying something astonishingly tone-deaf," The Cut's Amanda Arnold wrote Thursday.
CBS This Morning anchors also criticized the former president on Friday for failing to directly apologize to Lewinsky.
"For me, my heart goes out to Monica Lewinsky again," anchor Gayle King said. "She was 21, 22.... She still has this baggage that is tied to her while everyone else has sort of tiptoed through the tulips. She's still stuck with this, and it just seems so unfair to me."
CBS anchor Anthony Mason noted there was "no apology" to Lewinsky, and fellow anchor Tony Dokoupil also criticized Clinton for failing to address the "fundamental power imbalance" between a president and a young intern.
"Regardless of anxiety or the stress that you feel because you hold that office, a 22-year-old intern, and no apology," correspondent Vladimir Duthiers said.
"Once again, minimizes, marginalizes her," King said. "It was wrong on all parts, but I hear that, and my heart goes out to her."
Clinton grew frustrated in 2018 when NBC News reporter Craig Melvin confronted him about his relationship with Lewinsky in the wake of the #MeToo movement. He insisted he had properly apologized to Lewinsky for his conduct and accused Melvin of omitting facts to the audience.


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Hillary Says No Regulation Bars Secretary of State From Using Private Email Server. Pompeo Disagrees

Hillary Says No Regulation Bars Secretary of State From Using Private Email Server. Pompeo Disagrees.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back Friday against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton 's claim that there was no regulation against her use of a private email server .
`` No , having a private email server and keeping your government records on that is completely unlawful , '' Pompeo said during an interview on Fox & Friends .
`` She has been investigated a lot , I think there might be a reason for that , '' Pompeo added .
`` We have an obligation , as senior leaders in the United States government , that our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Freedom of Information Act ] and all the other mechanisms . ''
`` It 's a bad idea , '' Pompeo said regarding the destruction of records .
`` Not a model that I recommend to any leader anywhere . ''
In a documentary released by Hulu , Clinton claimed she was the `` most investigated innocent person in America '' and defended her use of a private server as secretary of state .
`` I did it as a matter of convenience .
There was no regulation against it , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , according to the Daily Mail .
`` Everybody knew I was doing it because they were all emailing me and I was emailing them and that was hundreds and hundreds of people in government . ''
While Clinton argued her subordinates did not object to her use of a personal email server , a former State Department official testified that he raised concerns about it .
Clinton also described the multiple congressional investigations into her conduct as `` character '' attacks .
The Hulu documentary , titled Hillary , came out @ @

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back Friday against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton's claim that there was no regulation against her use of a private email server.
"No, having a private email server and keeping your government records on that is completely unlawful," Pompeo said during an interview on Fox & Friends.
"She has been investigated a lot, I think there might be a reason for that," Pompeo added. "We have an obligation, as senior leaders in the United States government, that our records are protected and available through [the Freedom of Information Act] and all the other mechanisms."
"It's a bad idea," Pompeo said regarding the destruction of records. "Not a model that I recommend to any leader anywhere."
In a documentary released by Hulu, Clinton claimed she was the "most investigated innocent person in America" and defended her use of a private server as secretary of state.
"I did it as a matter of convenience. There was no regulation against it, there was nothing against it," Clinton said, according to the Daily Mail. "Everybody knew I was doing it because they were all emailing me and I was emailing them and that was hundreds and hundreds of people in government."
While Clinton argued her subordinates did not object to her use of a personal email server, a former State Department official testified that he raised concerns about it.
Clinton also described the multiple congressional investigations into her conduct as "character" attacks.
The Hulu documentary, titled Hillary, came out Friday.


freebeacon--2020-03-06--Trump Admin Rips International Criminal Court Decision to Probe U.S. Conduct in Afghanistan

The Trump administration will fight efforts by the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) to investigate American personnel for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan , according to top U.S. officials who described the court 's efforts as a dangerous sham .
The ICC ruled on Thursday that it has jurisdiction to investigate and potentially prosecute American service members for alleged war crimes perpetrated in Afghanistan during America 's 18-plus years in the country .
The decision marks a reversal of the court 's initial findings on the matter and prompted fierce pushback from the Trump administration , which maintains the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to undermine America 's efforts to foster peace in the war-torn nation .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ripped the court 's decision in comments to reporters at the State Department .
`` I received word this morning that the ICC Appeals Chamber authorized an investigation into the activities of the Taliban and U.S. and Afghan personnel there , '' Pompeo said .
`` This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution masquerading as a legal body . ''
The United States is not a member of the ICC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military members , Pompeo said .
He added that the timing of the decision showed disregard for ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts with the Taliban .
`` It is all the more reckless for this ruling to come just days after the United States signed a historic peace deal in Afghanistan , which is the best chance for peace in a generation , '' Pompeo said .
`` Indeed , the Afghan government itself pleaded with the ICC not to take this course .
But the ICC politicians had other goals . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The United States is not a party to the ICC , and we will take all necessary measures to protect our citizens from this renegade , unlawful , so-called court , '' the secretary added .
Gerard Filitti , senior counsel at the Lawfare Project , an independent organization that litigates cases on behalf of the pro-Israel community and others , told the Washington Free Beacon that the court 's decision could endanger American military members serving abroad .
`` The court previously ruled that such an investigation of absurd and politically motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice , and that the court has no jurisdiction over America—which is not even a member of the ICC , '' Filitti said .
`` The Appeals Chamber 's reversal of this prior ruling places American citizens at risk of arrest and prosecution for honorably serving and defending their country , and severely undermines the legitimacy of the ICC . ''
The Lawfare Project worked to stop this move , but was stymied by the court , Filitti said .
`` Sadly , the ICC has shown itself to be a renegade court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by exercising jurisdiction it does n't have , over crimes that do n't exist , '' he said .

The Trump administration will fight efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate American personnel for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, according to top U.S. officials who described the court's efforts as a dangerous sham.
The ICC ruled on Thursday that it has jurisdiction to investigate and potentially prosecute American service members for alleged war crimes perpetrated in Afghanistan during America's 18-plus years in the country. The decision marks a reversal of the court's initial findings on the matter and prompted fierce pushback from the Trump administration, which maintains the ICC is conducting a politically motivated stunt meant to undermine America's efforts to foster peace in the war-torn nation.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ripped the court's decision in comments to reporters at the State Department.
"I received word this morning that the ICC Appeals Chamber authorized an investigation into the activities of the Taliban and U.S. and Afghan personnel there," Pompeo said. "This is a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable political institution masquerading as a legal body."
The United States is not a member of the ICC and will fight efforts to target American military members, Pompeo said. He added that the timing of the decision showed disregard for ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts with the Taliban.
"It is all the more reckless for this ruling to come just days after the United States signed a historic peace deal in Afghanistan, which is the best chance for peace in a generation," Pompeo said. "Indeed, the Afghan government itself pleaded with the ICC not to take this course. But the ICC politicians had other goals."
"I will reiterate one more time: The United States is not a party to the ICC, and we will take all necessary measures to protect our citizens from this renegade, unlawful, so-called court," the secretary added.
Gerard Filitti, senior counsel at the Lawfare Project, an independent organization that litigates cases on behalf of the pro-Israel community and others, told the Washington Free Beacon that the court's decision could endanger American military members serving abroad.
"The court previously ruled that such an investigation of absurd and politically motivated claims was not in the interests of justice, and that the court has no jurisdiction over America—which is not even a member of the ICC," Filitti said. "The Appeals Chamber's reversal of this prior ruling places American citizens at risk of arrest and prosecution for honorably serving and defending their country, and severely undermines the legitimacy of the ICC."
The Lawfare Project worked to stop this move, but was stymied by the court, Filitti said.
"Sadly, the ICC has shown itself to be a renegade court willing to subvert the rule of law by exercising jurisdiction it doesn't have, over crimes that don't exist," he said.