freebeacon--2020-03-03--Media Love Interviewing Dem Congresswoman Disgraced by #MeToo Charges

Disgraced former Democratic congresswoman Katie Hill has been the subject of glowing media profiles , interviews , and op-eds since she was forced to resign in November 2019 following sexual misconduct allegations .
News consumers have been inundated by interviews with Hill since she left office following revelations that she had sexual relationships with campaign and Capitol Hill staffers , allegedly in violation of House Ethics rules .
In the 122 days since she left office , Hill has been one of the media 's favorite interview subjects , appearing on television or in print at least 19 times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Among them : • December 6—Interview with MSNBC 's All In with Chris Hayes .
• December 7—Hill op-ed for the New York Times , `` It ’ s Not Over After All '' • December 10—Interview with Daily Beast , `` Katie Hill Wanted Out of Her Marriage .
It Ruined Her Life . ''
• February 5—Interview with MSNBC 's All In with Chris Hayes • February 11—Interview with HuffPost editor in chief Lydia Polgreen at the 2020 MAKERS Conference .
• February 25—Interview with Elle , `` Katie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • February 26—New York Times interview/plug of Hill 's upcoming book , `` Katie Hill , Who Quit Congress Amid Ethics Inquiry , Will Publish Memoir '' • March 2—Interview with Yahoo Finance and New York magazine profile , `` After the Scandal '' The novelty of her numerous appearances and profiles has yet to lose its luster .
ABC News declared Hill was `` breaking her silence '' in a February interview , the 14th time she has broken her silence to a media outlet , according to a Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the media frequently and uncritically parroted Hill 's talking points that she was the victim of `` revenge porn '' after RedState first published leaked explicit images showing the former congresswoman in a relationship with a campaign staffer .
The outlet also published text messages alleging Hill was in a relationship with a congressional staffer .
During her CNN Reliable Sources interview , the chyron read , `` KATIE HILL 's EXPERIENCE WITH RIGHT-WING SMEARS . ''
The closest thing to a critical question posed by CNN 's Chris Cuomo was whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that `` this is not the way it would have gone if [ Hill was ] a man . ''
The Daily Beast wrote that Hill was one of `` many of the women villainized by the right '' and that Republicans `` weaponiz [ ed ] the most sensitive aspects of her personal life against her , nearly driving her to suicide . ''
Many of the Hill puff pieces have also omitted damaging information that has emerged about the California Democrat since her resignation .
After the husband of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for launching cyberattacks against the former congresswoman 's opponents , subsequent stories on Hill from the New York Times , Elle , and Yahoo ignored that issue entirely .
New York magazine 's recent profile of Hill is one of the few critical accounts of the former congresswoman , which did n't shy away from stating Hill `` violated a Me Too–era rule prohibiting members from having sexual relations with congressional staffers . ''
Hill openly admitted to lying about the relationship in the interview .
The magazine also noted that `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have suffered sexual assaults in her adolescence , that she was in an unethical relationship with a Playboy reporter , and that she and the reporter provided `` multiple inconsistencies '' in their accounts of her alleged suicide attempt .

Disgraced former Democratic congresswoman Katie Hill has been the subject of glowing media profiles, interviews, and op-eds since she was forced to resign in November 2019 following sexual misconduct allegations.
News consumers have been inundated by interviews with Hill since she left office following revelations that she had sexual relationships with campaign and Capitol Hill staffers, allegedly in violation of House Ethics rules. In the 122 days since she left office, Hill has been one of the media's favorite interview subjects, appearing on television or in print at least 19 times, or on average, once every 6.4 days. Among them:
The novelty of her numerous appearances and profiles has yet to lose its luster. ABC News declared Hill was "breaking her silence" in a February interview, the 14th time she has broken her silence to a media outlet, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis.
During her appearances and interviews, the media frequently and uncritically parroted Hill's talking points that she was the victim of "revenge porn" after RedState first published leaked explicit images showing the former congresswoman in a relationship with a campaign staffer. The outlet also published text messages alleging Hill was in a relationship with a congressional staffer. During her CNN Reliable Sources interview, the chyron read, "KATIE HILL's EXPERIENCE WITH RIGHT-WING SMEARS." The closest thing to a critical question posed by CNN's Chris Cuomo was whether the former representative was wrong to resign given that "this is not the way it would have gone if [Hill was] a man." The Daily Beast wrote that Hill was one of "many of the women villainized by the right" and that Republicans "weaponiz[ed] the most sensitive aspects of her personal life against her, nearly driving her to suicide."
Many of the Hill puff pieces have also omitted damaging information that has emerged about the California Democrat since her resignation. After the husband of a Hill campaign staffer was indicted February 21 for launching cyberattacks against the former congresswoman's opponents, subsequent stories on Hill from the New York Times, Elle, and Yahoo ignored that issue entirely.
New York magazine's recent profile of Hill is one of the few critical accounts of the former congresswoman, which didn't shy away from stating Hill "violated a Me Too–era rule prohibiting members from having sexual relations with congressional staffers." Hill openly admitted to lying about the relationship in the interview. The magazine also noted that "the precise number changes" when Hill claims to have suffered sexual assaults in her adolescence, that she was in an unethical relationship with a Playboy reporter, and that she and the reporter provided "multiple inconsistencies" in their accounts of her alleged suicide attempt.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--New Tom Cotton Ad Targets Rise of Socialism in Democratic Party

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
released a new advertisement Wednesday raising alarm about the rise of socialism in the Democratic Party , offering a preview of Republican messaging should Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) emerge as the party 's presidential nominee .
The ad argues that the current surge toward socialism will strip Americans of economic freedom and social stability .
`` They fought and sacrificed to keep us free , '' the ad opens , with images of U.S. servicemen .
`` But now socialism has taken over the Democratic Party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela . ''
The ad ties Sanders to socialist dictators around the world , a likely tactic for Republicans to adopt during the 2020 presidential campaign .
Cotton said far-left policies advocated by Sanders are now embraced by the entire party .
`` None of the Democrats running for president are moderates , '' he said in a press release , saying the party `` has become the party of far-left socialists . ''
Cotton said Biden has also promoted socialism on the campaign trail , pointing to his support for federal health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , is the most vocal supporter of socialism in the Democratic primary field .
He supports abolishing private health insurance , forgiving student loan debt , and drastically raising taxes on businesses and individuals in order to redistribute wealth .
He has also supported socialist leaders abroad .
He surprised viewers in a 60 Minutes interview last month when he said it was `` unfair '' to denounce Fidel Castro 's brutal regime in Cuba , choosing instead to praise the deceased dictator for his `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will run in Arkansas as well as in swing states during the 2020 election , in an effort to elect conservative veterans and keep Trump in the White House .

Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) released a new advertisement Wednesday raising alarm about the rise of socialism in the Democratic Party, offering a preview of Republican messaging should Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) emerge as the party's presidential nominee.
The ad argues that the current surge toward socialism will strip Americans of economic freedom and social stability.
"They fought and sacrificed to keep us free," the ad opens, with images of U.S. servicemen. "But now socialism has taken over the Democratic Party. Socialism has devastated countries like Cuba and Venezuela."
The ad ties Sanders to socialist dictators around the world, a likely tactic for Republicans to adopt during the 2020 presidential campaign. Cotton said far-left policies advocated by Sanders are now embraced by the entire party.
"None of the Democrats running for president are moderates," he said in a press release, saying the party "has become the party of far-left socialists."
Cotton said Biden has also promoted socialism on the campaign trail, pointing to his support for federal health care coverage for abortions and illegal immigrants.
Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, is the most vocal supporter of socialism in the Democratic primary field. He supports abolishing private health insurance, forgiving student loan debt, and drastically raising taxes on businesses and individuals in order to redistribute wealth.
He has also supported socialist leaders abroad. He surprised viewers in a 60 Minutes interview last month when he said it was "unfair" to denounce Fidel Castro's brutal regime in Cuba, choosing instead to praise the deceased dictator for his "massive literacy programs."
The ad will run in Arkansas as well as in swing states during the 2020 election, in an effort to elect conservative veterans and keep Trump in the White House.


Bernie Chokes

The revolution will have to wait .
Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) fell short of expectations on Super Tuesday , failing to prevent former vice president Joe Biden from fighting his way back into contention in the Democratic primary .
Decisive victories in several key states , fueled by a series of coordinated endorsements from former rivals and party establishment figures , make it likely that Biden will mount a serious challenge to Sanders 's socialist insurgency .
The former vice president claimed early victories on Tuesday in Virginia , North Carolina , Alabama , Oklahoma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates in rapid succession after securing the first primary win of his political career in South Carolina over the weekend .
Biden , whose candidacy had seemed on the brink of failure before South Carolina , basked in the glow of his electoral success .
`` They do n't call it Super Tuesday for nothing ! ''
he told a crowd of supporters in California , before mistaking his sister , Valerie , for his wife , Dr. Jill Biden .
`` This is my little sister Valerie , '' Biden said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrected himself , joking , `` You switched on me ! ''
Sanders , meanwhile , picked up a win in his home state of Vermont , as well as in Colorado and Utah .
Most significantly , he was declared the winner of California as soon as polls closed at 11 p.m. Eastern time .
The independent socialist was also running a strong second in most of the states Biden won , which will translate into a decent haul of convention delegates .
Sanders was also leading in the delegate-rich state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race for the nomination will be a tight one in the coming weeks .
As it currently stands , Biden managed to overtake Sanders in the popular vote and pull even in the delegate count .
Uncle Joe certainly enjoys considerable momentum , and establishment backing , heading into the remaining primary contests .
`` Tonight , I tell you with absolute confidence , we 're going to win the Democratic nomination , '' Sanders told a crowd of supporters in Vermont , before slamming Biden over his support for the Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders also took a veiled swipe at Democratic Party leaders .
`` We 're taking on the corporate establishment , but also we 're taking on the political establishment , '' he said .
One day earlier , the candidate expressed his displeasure at the `` massive effort to stop Bernie Sanders , '' including from establishment Democrats who `` will do anything and everything '' to prevent him from winning the nomination .
Sanders 's comment came in response to the numerous Biden endorsements announced over the weekend , including from former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Minn. ) , former mayor Peter Buttigieg , and former representative Beto O'Rourke .
It was a disappointing evening for Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who was projected to place third in her home state of Massachusetts behind Biden and Sanders .
Warren 's other home state , Oklahoma , did n't vote for her , either .
Why , exactly , she continues to persist in the race remains a mystery .
`` Elizabeth ‘ Pocahontas ' Warren , other than Mini Mike , was the loser of the night , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She didn ’ t even come close to winning her home state of Massachusetts .
Well , now she can just sit back with her husband and have a nice cold beer ! ''
Warren , who will face considerable pressure to drop out after her disappointing performance on Super Tuesday , also criticized the apparently coordinated effort to anoint Biden as the preferred alternative to Sanders .
`` No matter how many Washington insiders tell you to support [ Biden ] , nominating their fellow Washington insider will not meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles on Monday .
`` Nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country will not meet this moment . ''
`` Mini Mike , '' aka former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg , also had a disappointing night .
In a majority of the 14 states holding primaries on Tuesday , the diminutive billionaire was projected to fall short of the 15 percent threshold to receive delegates .
He did , however , win the coveted American Samoa primary .
Bloomberg , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion dollars on his campaign , reportedly plans to reassess his plans in the coming days .
`` The biggest loser tonight , by far , is Mini Mike Bloomberg , '' tweeted the president .
`` His ‘ political ' consultants took him for a ride .
$ 700 million washed down the drain , and he got nothing for it but the nickname Mini Mike , and the complete destruction of his reputation .
Way to go Mike ! ''
Prior to his big night , Biden , the only non-socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nomination , had delivered an inspiring call to arms : `` We hold these truths to be self-evident .
All men and women created by , go , you know the—you know the thing . ''

The revolution will have to wait.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) fell short of expectations on Super Tuesday, failing to prevent former vice president Joe Biden from fighting his way back into contention in the Democratic primary. Decisive victories in several key states, fueled by a series of coordinated endorsements from former rivals and party establishment figures, make it likely that Biden will mount a serious challenge to Sanders's socialist insurgency.
The former vice president claimed early victories on Tuesday in Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Arkansas, racking up delegates in rapid succession after securing the first primary win of his political career in South Carolina over the weekend.
Biden, whose candidacy had seemed on the brink of failure before South Carolina, basked in the glow of his electoral success. "They don't call it Super Tuesday for nothing!" he told a crowd of supporters in California, before mistaking his sister, Valerie, for his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. "This is my little sister Valerie," Biden said, pointing to his wife. He quickly corrected himself, joking, "You switched on me!"
Sanders, meanwhile, picked up a win in his home state of Vermont, as well as in Colorado and Utah. Most significantly, he was declared the winner of California as soon as polls closed at 11 p.m. Eastern time. The independent socialist was also running a strong second in most of the states Biden won, which will translate into a decent haul of convention delegates.
Sanders was also leading in the delegate-rich state of Texas as of late Tuesday, meaning the race for the nomination will be a tight one in the coming weeks. As it currently stands, Biden managed to overtake Sanders in the popular vote and pull even in the delegate count. Uncle Joe certainly enjoys considerable momentum, and establishment backing, heading into the remaining primary contests.
"Tonight, I tell you with absolute confidence, we're going to win the Democratic nomination," Sanders told a crowd of supporters in Vermont, before slamming Biden over his support for the Iraq war and cuts to Social Security.
Sanders also took a veiled swipe at Democratic Party leaders. "We're taking on the corporate establishment, but also we're taking on the political establishment," he said.
One day earlier, the candidate expressed his displeasure at the "massive effort to stop Bernie Sanders," including from establishment Democrats who "will do anything and everything" to prevent him from winning the nomination. Sanders's comment came in response to the numerous Biden endorsements announced over the weekend, including from former primary candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), former mayor Peter Buttigieg, and former representative Beto O'Rourke.
It was a disappointing evening for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who was projected to place third in her home state of Massachusetts behind Biden and Sanders. Warren's other home state, Oklahoma, didn't vote for her, either. Why, exactly, she continues to persist in the race remains a mystery.
"Elizabeth 'Pocahontas' Warren, other than Mini Mike, was the loser of the night," wrote President Donald J. Trump on Twitter. "She didn’t even come close to winning her home state of Massachusetts. Well, now she can just sit back with her husband and have a nice cold beer!"
Warren, who will face considerable pressure to drop out after her disappointing performance on Super Tuesday, also criticized the apparently coordinated effort to anoint Biden as the preferred alternative to Sanders. "No matter how many Washington insiders tell you to support [Biden], nominating their fellow Washington insider will not meet this moment," she told supporters in Los Angeles on Monday. "Nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country will not meet this moment."
"Mini Mike," aka former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, also had a disappointing night. In a majority of the 14 states holding primaries on Tuesday, the diminutive billionaire was projected to fall short of the 15 percent threshold to receive delegates. He did, however, win the coveted American Samoa primary. Bloomberg, who has already spent more than half a billion dollars on his campaign, reportedly plans to reassess his plans in the coming days.
"The biggest loser tonight, by far, is Mini Mike Bloomberg," tweeted the president. "His 'political' consultants took him for a ride. $700 million washed down the drain, and he got nothing for it but the nickname Mini Mike, and the complete destruction of his reputation. Way to go Mike!"
Prior to his big night, Biden, the only non-socialist candidate with a realistic shot of winning the Democratic nomination, had delivered an inspiring call to arms: "We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men and women created by, go, you know the—you know the thing."


freebeacon--2020-03-04--Warren’s Harvard Bubble Bursts

Warren’s Harvard Bubble Bursts

GROTON , Mass.—As night turned to day on Super Tuesday , Joe Biden was even beating Elizabeth Warren among Democratic primary voters who hold advanced degrees , according to exit polls .
The former vice president 's strong performance with a group that has tended to back the Massachusetts senator was just one indication of his extraordinary comeback on Tuesday , and of Warren 's disappointing performance in her home state .
Warren suffered a resounding defeat in Massachusetts 's Democratic primary Tuesday evening , earning third place with 20 percent of the vote and 56 percent of precincts reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 percent and runner-up Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) at 27 percent .
Things did not look so bleak for Warren as she went to vote Tuesday morning .
All along the brief walk from her home to the Cambridge , Mass.
, public school where she cast her ballot , Warren welcomed the adoration of a never-ending line of fans .
Accompanied by her husband , Harvard Law professor Bruce Mann , and dog Bailey , it took the spritely septuagenarian almost half an hour to make her way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
Although Warren indicated during a Tuesday night campaign rally and in an email to supporters later in the evening that she would press on in the race , her devastating loss in her home state raises serious questions about her campaign 's continued viability .
She is also expected to lose big in Oklahoma , which she routinely calls her home over and above Massachusetts .
Exit polls confirm that Warren performed strongly with her base of highly educated , predominantly white voters—a small slice of the population overrepresented among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
But even Biden outpeformed her among advanced degree holders , an indication that the former vice president managed to eat into her base of support on a night where he exceeded expectations .
It is also a sign that Warren 's upper-class appeal failed to translate into votes in the rest of the state .
Indeed , many Bay Staters told the Washington Free Beacon they had serious misgivings about their senator 's electoral chances .
Exit polls captured Warren 's strengths : She led the field among white college graduates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ( who make up more than half of the college-educated population ) .
By contrast , she captured just 15 percent of voters without a college degree .
Those results mirror Warren 's support nationwide , which is disproportionately white and college-educated .
A Center for Responsive Politics analysis found that her top donors routinely held jobs requiring advanced degrees : professors , psychologists , editors , and psychotherapists .
While Warren 's message of `` big , structural change '' may have appealed to such voters , her abysmal performance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has little staying power elsewhere .
In interviews with Massachusetts voters across several towns , Warren 's high-status message rarely came up .
But it was clear that something about their senator 's presidential campaign had failed to resonate .
For some , the issue came down to character .
Concord-based artist and Biden backer Virginia Gorley said that Warren 's recent demeanor in the Democratic debates turned her off : `` I do n't really like her attack mode .
She has realized that she needs to be more aggressive . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychology student at UMass Lowell , highlighted Warren 's history of misleading or dishonest statements , saying that `` she 's been less than truthful , misrepresented a certain amount of things , statements she 's made about herself and her family . ''
`` I think she 's done a great job for the state of Massachusetts , '' Jacklyn Ross , an Ayer-based Sanders voter said , `` and I think possibly in the future she would make a great president , I just do n't think country-wise we are ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was the view of even highly educated Bay Staters who spoke to the Free Beacon .
Dr. Alan Lightman , a professor at MIT and Biden supporter , said that while he would put Warren in the White House if he could , `` she is not electable . ''
`` I think that there 's probably some prejudice against her because she 's a woman , although I do n't share that prejudice the slightest bit , '' Lightman said .
`` And I think her policies , her Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing that .
I think people want a choice , public choice options . ''
Warren 's campaign has indicated it plans to push on to Milwaukee , hoping a contested convention will pick the senator as a compromise .
But even Ben , a Waltham voter who declined to give his last name and who was the only Warren voter the Free Beacon spoke to at the polls on Tuesday , said that while he preferred Warren , he predicted she would drop out in favor of Sanders .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning a majority of the states , I think he 'll end up winning this state as well , '' Ben said .
`` I think that ultimately Warren will end up having to concede , and if she does n't concede , it 's a clear indication that she 's trying to be the middle-ground candidate between the moderates and the progressives and hoping for a brokered convention . ''
Should Warren fail to back Sanders , she may hand the nomination to a suddenly surging Biden , whose own consolidation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of victories Tuesday night .
That may mean Warren wants a Biden win , or is indifferent between him and Sanders—or , just as likely , it may mean that her campaign remains stuck in its own bubble .

GROTON, Mass.—As night turned to day on Super Tuesday, Joe Biden was even beating Sen. Elizabeth Warren among Massachusetts Democratic primary voters who hold advanced degrees, according to exit polls. The former vice president's strong performance with a group that has tended to back the Bay State senator was just one indication of his extraordinary comeback on Tuesday, and of Warren's disappointing performance in her home state.
Warren suffered a resounding defeat Tuesday evening, earning third place with 21 percent of the vote and 90 percent of precincts reporting, behind both victor Joe Biden at 33 percent and runner-up Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) at 26 percent.
Things did not look so bleak for Warren as she went to vote Tuesday morning. All along the brief walk from her home to the Cambridge, Mass., public school where she cast her ballot, Warren welcomed the adoration of a never-ending line of fans. Accompanied by her husband, Harvard Law professor Bruce Mann, and dog Bailey, it took the spritely septuagenarian almost half an hour to make her way a handful of blocks to the polling place.
Although Warren indicated during a Tuesday night campaign rally and in an email to supporters later in the evening that she would press on in the race, her devastating loss in her home state raises serious questions about her campaign's continued viability. She is also expected to lose big in Oklahoma, which she routinely calls her home over and above Massachusetts.
Exit polls confirm that Warren performed strongly with her base of highly educated, predominantly white voters—a small slice of the population overrepresented among the media commentators who have heaped praise on her. But even Biden outpeformed her among advanced degree holders, an indication that the former vice president managed to eat into her base of support on a night where he exceeded expectations. It is also a sign that Warren's upper-class appeal failed to translate into votes in the rest of the state.
Indeed, many Bay Staters told the Washington Free Beacon they had serious misgivings about their senator's electoral chances. Exit polls captured Warren's strengths: She led the field among white college graduates (33 percent), particularly among women (who make up more than half of the college-educated population). By contrast, she captured just 15 percent of voters without a college degree.
Those results mirror Warren's support nationwide, which is disproportionately white and college-educated. A Center for Responsive Politics analysis found that her top donors routinely held jobs requiring advanced degrees: professors, psychologists, editors, and psychotherapists. While Warren's message of "big, structural change" may have appealed to such voters, her abysmal performance in the broader Democratic primary suggests that it has little staying power elsewhere.
In interviews with Massachusetts voters across several towns, Warren's high-status message rarely came up. But it was clear that something about their senator's presidential campaign had failed to resonate.
For some, the issue came down to character. Concord-based artist and Biden backer Virginia Gorley said that Warren's recent demeanor in the Democratic debates turned her off: "I don't really like her attack mode. She has realized that she needs to be more aggressive."
Cameron Cologne, a Sanders supporter and psychology student at UMass Lowell, highlighted Warren's history of misleading or dishonest statements, saying that "she's been less than truthful, misrepresented a certain amount of things, statements she's made about herself and her family."
Others offered a blunter diagnosis: Warren's sex makes her unelectable.
"I think she's done a great job for the state of Massachusetts," Jacklyn Ross, an Ayer-based Sanders voter said, "and I think possibly in the future she would make a great president, I just don't think country-wise we are ready to have a woman president."
That was the view of even highly educated Bay Staters who spoke to the Free Beacon. Dr. Alan Lightman, a professor at MIT and Biden supporter, said that while he would put Warren in the White House if he could, "she is not electable."
"I think that there's probably some prejudice against her because she's a woman, although I don't share that prejudice the slightest bit," Lightman said. "And I think her policies, her Medicare for All was a huge mistake and her backing that. I think people want a choice, public choice options."
Warren's campaign has indicated it plans to push on to Milwaukee, hoping a contested convention will pick the senator as a compromise. But even Ben, a Waltham voter who declined to give his last name and who was the only Warren voter the Free Beacon spoke to at the polls on Tuesday, said that while he preferred Warren, he predicted she would drop out in favor of Sanders.
"I think that Sanders is going to end up winning a majority of the states, I think he'll end up winning this state as well," Ben said. "I think that ultimately Warren will end up having to concede, and if she doesn't concede, it's a clear indication that she's trying to be the middle-ground candidate between the moderates and the progressives and hoping for a brokered convention."
Should Warren fail to back Sanders, she may hand the nomination to a suddenly surging Biden, whose own consolidation of the moderate lane pushed him to a series of victories Tuesday night. That may mean Warren wants a Biden win, or is indifferent between him and Sanders—or, just as likely, it may mean that her campaign remains stuck in its own bubble.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--Joe Biden Confuses Sister for Wife

Joe Biden Confuses Sister for Wife

Former vice president Joe Biden confused his wife for his sister while giving a speech after notching several Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ the way , this is my little sister Valerie , '' Biden said in Los @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Dr. Jill Biden .
`` And I 'm Jill 's husband , @ @ @ @ @ the hand of his sister .
`` You switched on me , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ Following his South Carolina victory on Saturday , Biden won North Carolina , Virginia , @ @ @ @ @ , Tennessee , Arkansas , and Oklahoma on Tuesday .

'You switched on me'
Former vice president Joe Biden confused his wife for his sister while giving a speech after notching several Super Tuesday primary wins.
"By the way, this is my little sister Valerie," Biden said in Los Angeles, while gesturing to his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.
"And I'm Jill's husband," he continued, taking the hand of his sister. "You switched on me," he said after realizing his mistake.
Following his South Carolina victory on Saturday, Biden won North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma on Tuesday.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--DNC Chair: Biden’s Wins Show We’re a 50-State Party

Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said Joe Biden 's primary victories in two states called early Tuesday means the @ @ @ @ @ party . ''
After MSNBC reported Biden had won Virginia and North Carolina , anchor @ @ @ @ @ 's `` incredible strength in southern states '' helps the Democrats ' `` ability to @ @ @ @ @ '' against President Donald Trump .
`` One thing , Rachel , that I 'm @ @ @ @ @ three-plus years I 've been on the job is that we 've become a 50-state @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We 're organizing everywhere , and I think Democrats can win everywhere @ @ @ @ @ Perez pointed to states like Alabama , Georgia , North Carolina , Florida , and @ @ @ @ @ the party will focus on in 2020 .
President Donald Trump won all five states @ @ @ @ @ projected as the winner of the Alabama , North Carolina , and Virginia Democratic primaries @

Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said Joe Biden's primary victories in two states called early Tuesday means the Democrats are a "50-state party."
After MSNBC reported Biden had won Virginia and North Carolina, anchor Rachel Maddow asked whether Biden's "incredible strength in southern states" helps the Democrats' "ability to compete in states like that" against President Donald Trump.
"One thing, Rachel, that I'm most proud of in the three-plus years I've been on the job is that we've become a 50-state party again," Perez said.
"We're organizing everywhere, and I think Democrats can win everywhere," he added.
Perez pointed to states like Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona as examples of states the party will focus on in 2020. President Donald Trump won all five states in 2016.
Biden is projected as the winner of the Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia Democratic primaries.


freebeacon--2020-03-05--House Dems Block Anti-BDS Bill

House Dems Block Anti-BDS Bill

House Democrats on Wednesday blocked the consideration of a bill that would have prohibited domestic support for the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions ( BDS ) movement .
Rep. Lee Zeldin ( R. , N.Y. ) sponsored the bill , which would have modified existing law to take aim at the anti-Israel BDS movement by forbidding domestic support for foreign boycotts from organizations like the United Nations Human Rights Council and the European Union .
Lawmakers voted along party lines to defeat the consideration of the bill by a margin of 219 to 194 .
`` We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitism and anti-Israel mentalities , '' Rep. Debbie Lesko ( R. , Ariz. ) said on the House floor .
`` We need to work together in Congress and pass common-sense legislation on this issue .
H.R .
5595 does just that . ''
Zeldin added that the bill established Congress 's opposition to the BDS movement and condemned the United Nations `` blacklist '' of companies that do business in the West Bank .
He called on Congress to also condemn the United Nations ' actions against Israel .
`` BDS tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pariah state , cut off from all trade , tourism , military , diplomatic , and cultural ties with the rest of the world , '' Zeldin said .
The bill also included a section addressing First Amendment concerns , stating that the bill 's text does not apply to `` a person 's noncommercial speech or other noncommercial expressive activity . ''

House Democrats on Wednesday blocked the consideration of a bill that would have prohibited domestic support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.) sponsored the bill, which would have modified existing law to take aim at the anti-Israel BDS movement by forbidding domestic support for foreign boycotts from organizations like the United Nations Human Rights Council and the European Union.
Lawmakers voted along party lines to defeat the consideration of the bill by a margin of 219 to 194.
"We cannot be quiet when it comes to combating anti-Semitism and anti-Israel mentalities," Rep. Debbie Lesko (R., Ariz.) said on the House floor. "We need to work together in Congress and pass common-sense legislation on this issue. H.R. 5595 does just that."
Zeldin added that the bill established Congress's opposition to the BDS movement and condemned the United Nations "blacklist" of companies that do business in the West Bank. He called on Congress to also condemn the United Nations' actions against Israel.
"BDS tries to delegitimize Israel by turning it into a pariah state, cut off from all trade, tourism, military, diplomatic, and cultural ties with the rest of the world," Zeldin said.
FLOOR ALERT: @HouseDemocrats just blocked @RepDLesko & @RepLeeZeldin's request for the House to stand with Israel & combat the hate-fueled BDS movement. We cannot stay quiet when it comes to one of our strongest allies. pic.twitter.com/5ZDeUqNSNH — House Rules Republicans (@RulesReps) March 4, 2020
The bill also included a section addressing First Amendment concerns, stating that the bill's text does not apply to "a person's noncommercial speech or other noncommercial expressive activity."


freebeacon--2020-03-05--Texas Democrat Forced Into Runoff Despite $6.5 Million in Spending from Establishment

Despite the support of the Democratic establishment , millions of dollars in outside spending , and a significant fundraising advantage , Texas Democrat M.J. Hegar failed to secure the party 's Senate nomination Tuesday and now faces a runoff that could dampen liberal hopes of turning Texas blue in November .
Following Beto O'Rourke 's high-profile loss to Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) in 2018 , the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee ( DSCC ) is again targeting Texas in its bid to flip the upper chamber .
The group endorsed M.J. Hegar in December , helping her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowded primary field .
Though Hegar spent more than $ 3 million on the primary and benefitted from an additional $ 3.5 million in outside spending , the Texas Democrat earned just 22 percent support Tuesday , far below the majority vote needed to secure the nomination .
The DSCC touted the result as a success , saying `` Hegar 's impressive performance is proof of the strength of her campaign and underscores that she is in the best position to flip this seat in November . ''
But incumbent Sen. John Cornyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a considerable cash advantage , holding $ 12 million on hand , compared with Hegar 's $ 850,000 .
Rather than prepare for the general election , the Texas Democrat is now forced to spend even more money to ensure she secures the nomination in a May runoff election .
Though the primary 's abundance of candidates meant a runoff was likely , Hegar 's support fell short of expectations , according to Rice University political science professor Mark Jones .
`` We were expecting that while [ Hegar ] would be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first round would be so clear cut that it would hinder her rival 's ability to mount an effective campaign against her .
With second place finishing less than 8 points behind Hegar , beating her in the May runoff is n't all that daunting a task , '' Jones said .
`` She will need to spend .
She 's going to need to mount some type of digital campaign and send direct mail to likely Democratic primary voters , and that takes money .
I do n't think she can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name recognition . ''
The Hegar campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
State senator Royce West narrowly edged out activist Cristina Tzintzú Ramirez to secure a second-place finish and a spot in the runoff election .
Ramirez positioned herself to the left of Hegar and West during the primary race , backing far-left policies such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal .
She became the second candidate endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) to fall flat in the Lone Star State Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeated progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros in Texas 's 28th Congressional District .
Both West and Ramirez criticized the DSCC for backing Hegar , accusing it of ignoring people of color .
In December , West said establishment Democrats were `` trying to block African Americans out of the process . ''
Ramirez also attacked the DSCC on the campaign trail .
`` I let them know that if they did endorse [ Hegar ] , I would hate for it to backfire on her in the general election to voters of color who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were actually the majority of the Democratic Party in Texas , '' Ramirez told the Washington Post in February .
She doubled down Tuesday , saying she was `` underestimated by people in Washington like the DSCC . ''
The DSCC did not respond to a request for comment , nor did the West and Ramirez campaigns .
Hegar took advantage of her establishment backing to maintain a sizable spending advantage over West and Ramirez throughout the primary .
She disbursed more than $ 3 million , dwarfing West 's $ 827,000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also boosted by more than $ 3.5 million from liberal dark money group VoteVets .
The May runoff winner will go on to face Cornyn in November .
The race is not considered competitive , with the Cook Political Report rating it `` solid Republican . ''

Despite the support of the Democratic establishment, millions of dollars in outside spending, and a significant fundraising advantage, Texas Democrat M.J. Hegar failed to secure the party's Senate nomination Tuesday and now faces a runoff that could dampen liberal hopes of turning Texas blue in November.
Following Beto O'Rourke's high-profile loss to Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) in 2018, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is again targeting Texas in its bid to flip the upper chamber. The group endorsed M.J. Hegar in December, helping her secure a sizable fundraising advantage in a crowded primary field. Though Hegar spent more than $3 million on the primary and benefited from an additional $3.5 million in outside spending, the Texas Democrat earned just 22 percent support Tuesday, far below the majority vote needed to secure the nomination.
The DSCC touted the result as a success, saying "Hegar's impressive performance is proof of the strength of her campaign and underscores that she is in the best position to flip this seat in November." But incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) already has a considerable cash advantage, holding $12 million on hand, compared with Hegar's $850,000. Rather than prepare for the general election, the Texas Democrat is now forced to spend even more money to ensure she secures the nomination in a May runoff election.
Though the primary's abundance of candidates meant a runoff was likely, Hegar's support fell short of expectations, according to Rice University political science professor Mark Jones.
"We were expecting that while [Hegar] would be forced into a runoff, the results from the first round would be so clear cut that it would hinder her rival's ability to mount an effective campaign against her. With second place finishing less than 8 points behind Hegar, beating her in the May runoff isn't all that daunting a task," Jones said. "She will need to spend. She's going to need to mount some type of digital campaign and send direct mail to likely Democratic primary voters, and that takes money. I don't think she can just hope to coast on her prior name recognition."
The Hegar campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
State senator Royce West narrowly edged out activist Cristina Tzintzú Ramirez to secure a second-place finish and a spot in the runoff election. Ramirez positioned herself to the left of Hegar and West during the primary race, backing far-left policies such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. She became the second candidate endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) to fall flat in the Lone Star State Tuesday, after establishment Democratic representative Henry Cuellar defeated progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros in Texas's 28th Congressional District.
Both West and Ramirez criticized the DSCC for backing Hegar, accusing it of ignoring people of color. In December, West said establishment Democrats were "trying to block African Americans out of the process." Ramirez also attacked the DSCC on the campaign trail.
"I let them know that if they did endorse [Hegar], I would hate for it to backfire on her in the general election to voters of color who had already felt underrepresented and ignored and were actually the majority of the Democratic Party in Texas," Ramirez told the Washington Post in February. She doubled down Tuesday, saying she was "underestimated by people in Washington like the DSCC."
The DSCC did not respond to a request for comment, nor did the West and Ramirez campaigns.
Hegar took advantage of her establishment backing to maintain a sizable spending advantage over West and Ramirez throughout the primary. She disbursed more than $3 million, dwarfing West's $827,000 and Ramirez's $758,000. Hegar was also boosted by more than $3.5 million from liberal dark money group VoteVets.
The May runoff winner will go on to face Cornyn in November. The race is not considered competitive, with the Cook Political Report rating it "solid Republican."


freebeacon--2020-03-04--After Calling It ‘An Absolute No,’ Steve Bullock Reportedly Running for Senate

After ruling it out several times in the strongest terms , Montana governor Steve Bullock ( D. ) is reportedly poised to run for Senate in the 2020 election .
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Bullock is getting ready to challenge Republican senator Steve Daines and will file before next week 's deadline .
That would seem to contradict several statements during his short-lived presidential campaign promising not to run for Senate and suggesting the job was n't even interesting .
`` I was never going to run for the Senate , '' Bullock told MSNBC shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , `` and I do think that I have both the skills and abilities as an executive to bridge some divides .
I have great respect for the senators , but this is something that never really got me excited . ''
Bullock said at a CNN town hall that he was best-suited for executive office and running for Senate was `` an absolute no . ''
Bullock senior adviser Matt McKenna told Vox that a Senate seat `` has never in [ Bullock 's ] life , not once , been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no way . ''
Bullock continued to maintain his opposition to running for Senate even after he ended his presidential campaign in December .
`` I ’ ve said before , during and after that I ’ m not going to be running for Senate , '' Bullock said at his first press conference after he dropped out .
`` I ’ ve made that clear , that ’ s just not what I want to do . ''
The two-term governor continued to insist he would not run as recently as February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bullock in Washington , D.C. , to ask him to run .
`` As he has said repeatedly , there will be a candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana against Steve Daines .
It will not be Steve Bullock , '' McKenna said in a statement .

After ruling it out several times in the strongest terms, Montana governor Steve Bullock (D.) is reportedly poised to run for Senate in the 2020 election.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Bullock is getting ready to challenge Republican senator Steve Daines and will file before next week's deadline. That would seem to contradict several statements during his short-lived presidential campaign promising not to run for Senate and suggesting the job wasn't even interesting.
"I was never going to run for the Senate," Bullock told MSNBC shortly after he announced his presidential run in May 2019, "and I do think that I have both the skills and abilities as an executive to bridge some divides. I have great respect for the senators, but this is something that never really got me excited."
Bullock said at a CNN town hall that he was best-suited for executive office and running for Senate was "an absolute no." Bullock senior adviser Matt McKenna told Vox that a Senate seat "has never in [Bullock's] life, not once, been a consideration. There’s just no way."
Bullock continued to maintain his opposition to running for Senate even after he ended his presidential campaign in December. "I’ve said before, during and after that I’m not going to be running for Senate," Bullock said at his first press conference after he dropped out. "I’ve made that clear, that’s just not what I want to do."
The two-term governor continued to insist he would not run as recently as February after former president Barack Obama met with Bullock in Washington, D.C., to ask him to run.
"As he has said repeatedly, there will be a candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana against Steve Daines. It will not be Steve Bullock," McKenna said in a statement.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--TRANSCRIPT: Trump Demands New Biden Investigation in Call with Ukrainian President

President Donald J. Trump renewed his demand for an investigation into Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden during an early morning phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday , according to a transcript obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon .
Just last month , the Free Beacon obtained the transcript of a call in which Trump urged Zelensky to publicly exonerate Biden in an effort to boost the bumbling candidate 's chances of surviving the Democratic primary .
Biden 's strong showing on Super Tuesday , however , appears to have caused the president to reconsider once again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ renegade son , Hunter , was a 2019 Free Beacon Man of the Year .
( C ) Telephone Conversation with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine ( S/NF ) The President : Hello , Mr. President !
How is my favorite Ukrainian hoax-buster doing ?
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : It ’ s always an honor to speak with you , Mr. President .
( S/NF ) The President : Yeah , I 'm sure it is .
Look , we need something public on the Bidens .
You have to announce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Turn on CNN , which I never watch , by the way .
That Jim Acosta is a sad , sad human being .
I do n't think his mother ever really loved him .
They 're showing the election results .
Bernie shat the bed .
He 's a crazy communist , as I 'm sure you know .
He loves Castro and kiddie porn .
His wife is wanted by the FBI .
That 's what a lot of people are saying .
Biden is gon na run away with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right away .
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : But I thought you wanted him exonerated .
( S/NF ) The President : Did I say that ?
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : Yes , on our last call .
( S/NF ) The President : That does n't sound like me .
Did you know his son is a crackhead ?
A woman in every port .
Babies all over the world .
Apparently he 's an artist now .
You know what they say about artists ?
( S/NF ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't .
What do you want me to do , exactly ?
( S/NF ) The President : Let ’ s make a deal .
I want something in return for all the beautiful military equipment we gave you .
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : We are very grateful , Mr. President .
( S/NF ) The President : Listen to me .
I want to be a nice guy about this .
Nice guys do favors for each other , right ?
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : Well , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we ’ ve started an investigation into Elizabeth Warren .
( S/NF ) The President : Pocahontas ?
That 's what we call her over here .
Do you have any Indians in Ukraine ?
I really wanted to run against her .
We had a deal with the Redskins to send their chief to the Republican convention .
Tomahawks , Tee-pees , Rudy was all over it .
You 're wasting your time on her .
( S/NF ) The President : She ’ s a loser .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na nominate Biden .
The blacks love him .
He ’ s big with the elderly .
He has the Deep State and Wall Street in his pocket .
Look what they ’ ve done to the stock market .
The most beautiful stock market we ’ ve ever seen , until the virus hoax .
President Xi , a very powerful man , is with me on this .
But our media here is so corrupt .
I would never use the word ‘ evil , ' but that 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelenskyy : I don ’ t know how much help I can be with the coronavirus .
We are all dealing with this outbreak .
( S/NF ) The President : Yes , I know .
We ’ ve been dealing with it perfectly .
You know I ’ m not a big fan of vaccines , but we ’ re working on one .
( S/NF ) The President : I know what you ’ re thinking .
Why not go to the CDC ?
They ’ re in on the hoax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can ’ t trust a nerd .
I ’ m telling you , it ’ s just crazy over here .
The media is up my ass , and Bette Midler has been very unfair to me on Twitter .
( S/NF ) The President : I ’ m telling you , Z , you ’ re one of five people I can trust right now .
It ’ s you , Scavino , Devin Nunes , Gary Busey , and Bill Clinton .
( S/NF ) The President : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I need you to help us out .
Be a nice guy .
Announce the investigation .
Does Joe Biden have the coronavirus ?
He 's been shaking all those hands on the campaign trail .
His brain is not functioning .
He ’ s getting attacked by vegans .
His words don ’ t even make sense .
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : I ’ m sorry , Mr. President .
My country does not have the capability .
( S/NF ) The President : You ’ ll figure it out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carson over there to help .
He ’ s the best we have .
He stabbed a guy once , but that was before his medical training .
( S/NF ) The President : He ’ s a brain surgeon .
And he ’ s black , in case you were wondering .
My uncle at MIT was a nuclear brain surgeon .
He was white .
( S/NF ) The President : So you ’ re gon na do the investigation ?
( S/NF ) President Zelenskyy : I have to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) The President : I believe in you , Z .
Talk soon .

President Donald J. Trump renewed his demand for an investigation into Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden during an early morning phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, according to a transcript obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon.
Just last month, the Free Beacon obtained the transcript of a call in which Trump urged Zelensky to publicly exonerate Biden in an effort to boost the bumbling candidate's chances of surviving the Democratic primary. Biden's strong showing on Super Tuesday, however, appears to have caused the president to reconsider once again.
Editor's Note: Joe Biden's renegade son, Hunter, was a 2019 Free Beacon Man of the Year.
Trump-Zelensky Transcript March 4 2020 by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION SUBJECT:
(C) Telephone Conversation with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine
PARTICIPANTS: President Zelenskyy of Ukraine
Notetakers: Dan Scavino, Sergey Lavrov
DATE, TIME March 4, 2020, 02:29 - 2:41 a.m. EST
PLACE: Residential Commode (Primary)
(S/NF) The President: Hello, Mr. President! How is my favorite Ukrainian hoax-buster doing?
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: It’s always an honor to speak with you, Mr. President.
(S/NF) The President: Yeah, I'm sure it is. Look, we need something public on the Bidens. You have to announce the investigation.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: I don’t understand.
(S/NF) The President: Turn on CNN, which I never watch, by the way. That Jim Acosta is a sad, sad human being. I don't think his mother ever really loved him. They're showing the election results. Bernie shat the bed. He's a crazy communist, as I'm sure you know. He loves Castro and kiddie porn. His wife is wanted by the FBI. That's what a lot of people are saying. Biden is gonna run away with this thing. You need to announce right away.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: But I thought you wanted him exonerated.
(S/NF) The President: Did I say that?
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: Yes, on our last call.
(S/NF) The President: That doesn't sound like me. Did you know his son is a crackhead? A woman in every port. Babies all over the world. Apparently he's an artist now. You know what they say about artists?
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: No, I don't. What do you want me to do, exactly?
(S/NF) The President: Let’s make a deal. I want something in return for all the beautiful military equipment we gave you.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: We are very grateful, Mr. President.
(S/NF) The President: Listen to me. I want to be a nice guy about this. Nice guys do favors for each other, right?
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but we’ve started an investigation into Elizabeth Warren.
(S/NF) The President: Pocahontas? That's what we call her over here. Do you have any Indians in Ukraine? I really wanted to run against her. We had a deal with the Redskins to send their chief to the Republican convention. Tomahawks, Tee-pees, Rudy was all over it. You're wasting your time on her.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: Wasting our time?
(S/NF) The President: She’s a loser. I’m telling you, the Democrats are gonna nominate Biden. The blacks love him. He’s big with the elderly. He has the Deep State and Wall Street in his pocket. Look what they’ve done to the stock market. The most beautiful stock market we’ve ever seen, until the virus hoax. President Xi, a very powerful man, is with me on this. But our media here is so corrupt. I would never use the word 'evil,' but that's what they are.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: I don’t know how much help I can be with the coronavirus. We are all dealing with this outbreak.
(S/NF) The President: Yes, I know. We’ve been dealing with it perfectly. You know I’m not a big fan of vaccines, but we’re working on one.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: That’s great news.
(S/NF) The President: I know what you’re thinking. Why not go to the CDC? They’re in on the hoax, okay? They’re nerds. You can’t trust a nerd. I’m telling you, it’s just crazy over here. The media is up my ass, and Bette Midler has been very unfair to me on Twitter.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: Of course, Mr. President. I understand.
(S/NF) The President: I’m telling you, Z, you’re one of five people I can trust right now. It’s you, Scavino, Devin Nunes, Gary Busey, and Bill Clinton.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: I’m honored, sir.
(S/NF) The President: I’m sure you are, but I need you to help us out. Be a nice guy. Announce the investigation. Does Joe Biden have the coronavirus? He's been shaking all those hands on the campaign trail. His brain is not functioning. He’s getting attacked by vegans. His words don’t even make sense.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: I’m sorry, Mr. President. My country does not have the capability.
(S/NF) The President: You’ll figure it out. I’m sending Dr. Ben Carson over there to help. He’s the best we have. He stabbed a guy once, but that was before his medical training.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: Isn’t he your housing minister?
(S/NF) The President: He’s a brain surgeon. And he’s black, in case you were wondering. My uncle at MIT was a nuclear brain surgeon. He was white.
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: That’s very interesting.
(S/NF) The President: So you’re gonna do the investigation?
(S/NF) President Zelenskyy: I have to go to a budget meeting.
(S/NF) The President: I believe in you, Z. Talk soon.
-- End of Conversation --


freebeacon--2020-03-04--Roberts Calls Schumer Threats Against Justices ‘Dangerous’

Chief Justice John Roberts condemned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) as `` dangerous '' after the New York Democrat made threatening statements as justices heard oral arguments in a controversial abortion case on Wednesday .
Congressional Democrats took a hostile tack toward the Court 's Trump appointees , Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed pro-abortion demonstrators rallying in front of the Supreme Court Wednesday morning and promised the pair would `` pay the price '' if they voted to restrict abortion access .
Chief Justice Roberts called such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Wednesday afternoon .
`` Justices know 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 , '' Roberts said .
`` All Members of the Court will continue to do their job , without fear or favor , from whatever quarter . ''
The top Senate Democrat defended his remarks in a statement released by his office .
Despite mentioning Gorsuch and Kavanaugh by name , a spokesman for Schumer said his threats were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his `` deliberate misinterpretation '' of what was said .
`` Sen. Schumer 's comments were a reference to the political price Senate Republicans will pay for putting these justices on the court and a warning that the justices will unleash a major grassroots movement on the issue of reproductive rights against the decision , '' Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman said in a statement .
`` For Justice Roberts to follow the right wing 's deliberate misinterpretation of what Sen. Schumer said , while remaining silent when President Trump attacked Justices Sotomayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts does not just call balls and strikes , '' Goodman said .
Roberts appears to hold the deciding vote in the abortion case that could change the legal landscape for pro-life reforms and signal how the High Court 's newly entrenched conservative majority will approach the deeply divisive issue .
Soon after Schumer stood on the Court steps and declared `` you wo n't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions , '' the justices listened to oral arguments about a Louisiana law that would require abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals .
The dispute presents revealing questions about abortion and the force of precedent .
The Supreme Court struck down a similar Texas regulation in a 2016 case called Whole Woman 's Health v. Hellerstedt .
Lawyers for Louisiana abortion clinics argue that the law is an anti-abortion measure masquerading as a public-health rule .
If the law is allowed to go into effect , abortion advocates say two of Louisiana 's three clinics will be forced to close Wednesday 's case forces two high-stakes questions on the chief justice : how he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if any , the Court 's abortion precedents will have going forward .
Both questions are difficult for the chief justice .
Though he has never voted to strike down an abortion restriction , he prefers a plodding , incrementalist approach to jurisprudential changes .
However he ultimately comes down , Roberts will bear full responsibility for the consequences , as he is likely to cast both the decisive vote and assign the majority opinion .
The Court in Whole Woman 's Health said the Texas law imposed an undue burden on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without meaningful benefits .
Roberts wondered Wednesday if that approach could lead to different results in different states , depending on the availability of doctors and varying standards for securing admitting privileges .
While that line of questioning appeared promising for Louisiana lawmakers , the chief justice later said that benefits would never vary by state .
The Court in Whole Woman 's Health found the admitting-privileges law did not create real benefits .
All told , it was not clear how Roberts will vote when Wednesday 's proceedings ended .
Kavanaugh focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He seemed open to arguments that the admitting-privileges requirement could be constitutional in some circumstances , depending on the situation on the ground .
`` Suppose a state had 10 clinics and 2 doctors for each clinic , but all doctors could easily get the admitting privileges , '' Kavanaugh said to Rikelman .
`` Would a law be constitutional in that state ? ''
Louisiana argues its law promotes physician competency and rectifies compliance problems common to abortion clinics in the state .
One abortion doctor 's medical license was suspended in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide care and evaluate patients , state lawyers noted in legal briefs .
Another had certain surgical privileges revoked in 2007 for failing to follow professional standards .
The same practitioner repeatedly failed to disclose that penalty when he renewed his medical license .
In other instances , the clinics hired nonspecialists to perform abortions .
The medical director at one of the clinics challenging Act 620 admitted to hiring a radiologist and an ophthalmologist to perform abortions at an earlier phase of the dispute .
In the 2016 Texas case , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not `` serve any relevant credentialing function '' since physicians are regularly denied admitting privileges for reasons unrelated to competence .
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , whose vigorous questioning dominated the proceedings , noted the incidence of abortion-related complications is extremely low .
First trimester abortions , she said , are much safer than childbirth .
Justice Elena Kagan put a finer point on that issue , noting one of Louisiana 's clinics has transferred just four women to hospitals for emergency care over the past 20 years .
Louisiana solicitor general Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not necessarily communicate all post-abortion complications to clinics .
As such , the providers ' self-reported statistics on the number of complications are not comprehensive , she argued .
Murrill also accused abortion doctors in the state of not making good-faith efforts to obtain admitting privileges , implying that they purposefully avoided the requirements in order to bolster their legal challenge .
She noted , for example , that one physician applied for privileges at just one of nine qualifying hospitals .
Another did not reapply for privileges at a Catholic hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana 's decision to require abortion providers to have admitting privileges was justified by abundant evidence , '' Murrill told the justices .
Apart from the dispute over admitting privileges , Louisiana argues the clinics do not have the standing to challenge Act 620 .
The clinics brought the challenge on behalf of patients allegedly harmed by the law .
The state counters that there is a conflict between the clinics ' interests and those of patients .
A decision finding that the clinics lack standing to challenge the law would have sweeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges to pro-life reforms or other regulations that affect abortion .
Justice Samuel Alito was particularly animated on the standing issue , repeatedly calling Rikelman 's standing arguments `` amazing . ''
Roberts and Kavanaugh , however , did not touch on the issue at Wednesday 's hearing .
The Trump administration supported Louisiana before the Court .
Deputy solicitor general Jeff Wall told the justices Rikelman , not the state , broke with precedent by arguing that admitting-privileges rules are never permissible .
He also said the providers should have waited for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lawsuit , rather than challenging it preemptively .
A decision in the case , No .
18-1323 June Medical Services v. Russo , is expected by June .

Chief Justice John Roberts condemned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) as "dangerous" after the New York Democrat made threatening statements as justices heard oral arguments in a controversial abortion case on Wednesday.
Congressional Democrats took a hostile tack toward the Court's Trump appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed pro-abortion demonstrators rallying in front of the Supreme Court Wednesday morning and promised the pair would "pay the price" if they voted to restrict abortion access. Chief Justice Roberts called such rhetoric "dangerous" in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.
"Justices know 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," Roberts said. "All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter."
The top Senate Democrat defended his remarks in a statement released by his office. Despite mentioning Gorsuch and Kavanaugh by name, a spokesman for Schumer said his threats were directed at Senate Republicans and criticized Roberts for his "deliberate misinterpretation" of what was said.
"Sen. Schumer's comments were a reference to the political price Senate Republicans will pay for putting these justices on the court and a warning that the justices will unleash a major grassroots movement on the issue of reproductive rights against the decision," Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman said in a statement.
"For Justice Roberts to follow the right wing's deliberate misinterpretation of what Sen. Schumer said, while remaining silent when President Trump attacked Justices Sotomayor and Ginsberg [sic] last week, shows Justice Roberts does not just call balls and strikes," Goodman said.
Roberts appears to hold the deciding vote in the abortion case that could change the legal landscape for pro-life reforms and signal how the High Court's newly entrenched conservative majority will approach the deeply divisive issue. Soon after Schumer stood on the Court steps and declared, "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions," the justices listened to oral arguments about a Louisiana law that would require abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The dispute presents revealing questions about abortion and the force of precedent.
The Supreme Court struck down a similar Texas regulation in a 2016 case, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt. Lawyers for Louisiana abortion clinics argue that the law is an anti-abortion measure masquerading as a public-health rule. If the law is allowed to go into effect, abortion advocates say two of Louisiana's three clinics will be forced to close.
Wednesday's case forces two high-stakes questions on the chief justice: how he will approach abortion cases and what force, if any, the Court's abortion precedents will have going forward. Both questions are difficult for the chief justice. Though he has never voted to strike down an abortion restriction, he prefers a plodding, incrementalist approach to jurisprudential changes. However he ultimately comes down, Roberts will bear full responsibility for the consequences, as he is likely to cast both the decisive vote and assign the majority opinion.
The Court in Whole Woman's Health said the Texas law imposed an undue burden on abortion access because it imposed significant costs without meaningful benefits. Roberts wondered Wednesday if that approach could lead to different results in different states, depending on the availability of doctors and varying standards for securing admitting privileges. While that line of questioning appeared promising for Louisiana lawmakers, the chief justice later said that benefits would never vary by state. The Court in Whole Woman's Health found the admitting-privileges law did not create real benefits. All told, it was not clear how Roberts will vote when Wednesday's proceedings ended.
Kavanaugh focused on a narrow, fact-specific approach. He seemed open to arguments that the admitting-privileges requirement could be constitutional in some circumstances, depending on the situation on the ground.
"Suppose a state had 10 clinics and 2 doctors for each clinic, but all doctors could easily get the admitting privileges," Kavanaugh said to Julie Rikelman, a lawyer for the clinics. "Would a law be constitutional in that state?"
Louisiana argues its law promotes physician competency and rectifies compliance problems common to abortion clinics in the state. One abortion doctor's medical license was suspended in 2019 for repeatedly allowing unlicensed personnel to provide care and evaluate patients, state lawyers noted in legal briefs. Another had certain surgical privileges revoked in 2007 for failing to follow professional standards. The same practitioner repeatedly failed to disclose that penalty when he renewed his medical license.
In other instances, the clinics hired nonspecialists to perform abortions. The medical director at one of the clinics challenging Act 620 admitted to hiring a radiologist and an ophthalmologist to perform abortions at an earlier phase of the dispute.
In the 2016 Texas case, the Supreme Court ruled that admitting-privileges requirements do not "serve any relevant credentialing function" since physicians are regularly denied admitting privileges for reasons unrelated to competence.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose vigorous questioning dominated the proceedings, noted the incidence of abortion-related complications is extremely low. First trimester abortions, she said, are much safer than childbirth. Justice Elena Kagan put a finer point on that issue, noting one of Louisiana's clinics has transferred just four women to hospitals for emergency care over the past 20 years.
Louisiana solicitor general Elizabeth Murrill told Ginsburg and Kagan that patients do not necessarily communicate all post-abortion complications to clinics. As such, the providers' self-reported statistics on the number of complications are not comprehensive, she argued.
Murrill also accused abortion doctors in the state of not making good-faith efforts to obtain admitting privileges, implying that they purposefully avoided the requirements in order to bolster their legal challenge. She noted, for example, that one physician applied for privileges at just one of nine qualifying hospitals. Another did not reapply for privileges at a Catholic hospital where he once had them.
"Louisiana's decision to require abortion providers to have admitting privileges was justified by abundant evidence," Murrill told the justices.
Apart from the dispute over admitting privileges, Louisiana argues the clinics do not have the standing to challenge Act 620. The clinics brought the challenge on behalf of patients allegedly harmed by the law. The state counters that there is a conflict between the clinics' interests and those of patients.
A decision finding that the clinics lack standing to challenge the law would have sweeping implications since it could foreclose future legal challenges to pro-life reforms or other regulations that affect abortion.
Justice Samuel Alito was particularly animated on the standing issue, repeatedly calling Rikelman's standing arguments "amazing." Roberts and Kavanaugh, however, did not touch on the issue at Wednesday's hearing.
The Trump administration supported Louisiana before the Court. Deputy solicitor general Jeff Wall told the justices Rikelman, not the state, broke with precedent by arguing that admitting-privileges rules are never permissible. He also said the providers should have waited for Act 620 to take effect before bringing their lawsuit, rather than challenging it preemptively.
A decision in the case, No. 18-1323 June Medical Services v. Russo, is expected by June.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--FLASHBACK: Media Lavish Praise on Bloomberg

The Washington Free Beacon looks back at some of the more credulous media commentary on the short-lived presidential bid of @ @ @ @ @ who at one point was called a `` beast '' on MSNBC , spent hundreds @ @ @ @ @ to come away with a single victory on Super Tuesday in American Samoa .
He @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden .

The Washington Free Beacon looks back at some of the more credulous media commentary on the short-lived presidential bid of Michael Bloomberg.
Bloomberg, who at one point was called a "beast" on MSNBC, spent hundreds of millions of dollars only to come away with a single victory on Super Tuesday in American Samoa. He dropped out Wednesday and endorsed Joe Biden.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--MSNBC’s Heilemann Compares Sanders Campaign to the Bataan Death March

MSNBC analyst John Heilemann on Wednesday compared Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and Joe Biden ’ s fight for the Democratic nomination to the Bataan Death March , an atrocity perpetrated by the Japanese Empire during World War II .
`` Bernie Sanders is going to fight , '' Heilemann said .
`` He 's got unlimited resources effectively , he 's going to fight for the next three months .
Nothing is going to stop this from being a kind of Bataan Death March over the course of the next three months , with each of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tongs .
That is not avoidable I think . ''
Heilemann argued Biden 's Super Tuesday boost resembles Hillary Clinton 's performance in 2016 , when the former secretary of state built a delegate lead over Sanders that she never relinquished .
He pointed out that the 2016 Sanders campaign put up a fight against Clinton despite being down by a much greater margin than the Vermont senator is now against Biden .
Sanders had a delegate lead and was widely considered the frontrunner going into the South Carolina primary on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Palmetto State and outperformed previous polling in Super Tuesday states , establishing a delegate lead over Sanders .
Heilemann compared the race to the aftermath of April 9 , 1942 , when 12,000 Americans and 58,000 Filipino soldiers surrendered to Japanese forces at the Bataan Peninsula following a months-long battle .
Thousands died being driven to a labor camp , an atrocity that came to be known as the Bataan Death March .
Prisoners were starved and randomly shot , beaten , and stabbed throughout the ordeal .
After the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who commanded imperial troops in the Philippines , was convicted in a war crimes tribunal and executed in Manila .

MSNBC analyst John Heilemann on Wednesday compared Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Joe Biden’s fight for the Democratic nomination to the Bataan Death March, an atrocity perpetrated by the Japanese Empire during World War II.
"Bernie Sanders is going to fight," Heilemann said. "He's got unlimited resources effectively, he's going to fight for the next three months. Nothing is going to stop this from being a kind of Bataan Death March over the course of the next three months, with each of these candidates going at each other hammer and tongs. That is not avoidable I think."
"Bataan Death March," anchor Andrea Mitchell repeated.
Heilemann argued Biden's Super Tuesday boost resembles Hillary Clinton's performance in 2016, when the former secretary of state built a delegate lead over Sanders that she never relinquished. He pointed out that the 2016 Sanders campaign put up a fight against Clinton despite being down by a much greater margin than the Vermont senator is now against Biden.
Sanders had a delegate lead and was widely considered the frontrunner going into the South Carolina primary on Saturday. But Biden won a blowout victory in the Palmetto State and outperformed previous polling in Super Tuesday states, establishing a delegate lead over Sanders.
Heilemann compared the race to the aftermath of April 9, 1942, when 12,000 Americans and 58,000 Filipino soldiers surrendered to Japanese forces at the Bataan Peninsula following a months-long battle. Thousands died being driven to a labor camp, an atrocity that came to be known as the Bataan Death March. Prisoners were starved and randomly shot, beaten, and stabbed throughout the ordeal. After the war, Japanese lieutenant general Homma Masaharu, who commanded imperial troops in the Philippines, was convicted in a war crimes tribunal and executed in Manila.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--Iran Caught Hiding Nuclear Work, Sparking Call for Full Sanctions ‘Snapback’

Iran 's stockpiling of highly enriched uranium is raising new questions about the scope of its undisclosed nuclear work and the efficacy of soon-to-be-lifted restrictions on its missile program , which develops the primary vehicle to carry a nuclear payload , U.S. officials told the Washington Free Beacon .
Iran has been blocking inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) from accessing key sites that the watchdog group has cited for having traces of undisclosed nuclear materials , fueling speculation that Tehran is again engaged in the secret construction of nuclear weapons-grade material .
Recently installed IAEA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week of going public about Iran 's intransigence , telling Reuters on Tuesday the Islamic Republic is not living up to multiple commitments under the landmark nuclear accord .
`` We have insisted and despite all our efforts we have not been able to get that [ access ] , so the situation requires on my part such a step because what this means is that Iran is curtailing the ability of the agency to do its work , '' Grossi said .
While the Trump administration removed the United States from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , administration officials maintain they can still petition the United Nations Security Council for a `` snapback '' of all international sanctions lifted under the accord , which still counts several European countries as members .
The administration 's long-awaited decision on snapback has emerged as a flashpoint ahead of the lifting of a U.N. embargo on Iran 's missile program in October .
If the U.N. ban is lifted on Iran 's missile program , which includes medium and long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload , Iran will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons that will further embolden its power grab across the Middle East , U.S. officials warn .
Already , Russia has signaled that it will stand in the way of Trump administration efforts to maintain the arms embargo , setting the stage for a showdown at the U.N. over the embargo and sanctions snapback .
State Department officials told the Free Beacon that Russia is taking a significant risk with its position , which could spark a massive arms race across the Middle East and throw the region into further chaos .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran 's ability to buy and sell advanced weapons will lead to an escalating arms race in the Middle East , '' a State Department official , speaking only on background about the situation , told the Free Beacon on Wednesday .
`` That should worry every nation , including Russia . ''
If Russia and other traditional foes such as China buck the United States on the arms embargo , the Trump administration may be forced to invoke snapback , a failsafe mechanism built into the nuclear accord that permits nations involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions lifted as part of the deal .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Free Beacon late last month that he and the president are undecided on the issue of snapback .
However , if the arms embargo is set to be lifted , the Trump administration may be forced to invoke snapback as a last-ditch effort to keep sanctions on Iran in place .
Sen. Jim Risch ( R. , Idaho ) , chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , told the Free Beacon that the Trump administration should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. '' It would be foolish to expect that any amount of unconditional sanctions relief would change Iran 's behavior , '' Risch said in his first comments since the IAEA 's bombshell disclosure .
`` Yesterday 's report from the IAEA , the U.N. 's nuclear watchdog , should give the U.N. cause to trigger a full snapback of sanctions .
There is no reason to trust Iran and reward their bad and dangerous behavior .
It is also no surprise to see Russia undermining our efforts at the U.N. on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides of this matter and this is just one more example of that conduct . ''
Risch , in a separate statement on the IAEA 's findings , said it has now become clear Iran is flagrantly violating restrictions on the amount of enriched uranium it can produce .
`` This report affirms what many of us have long suspected—the Iranian regime is violating legally binding obligations and commitments , '' Risch said .
`` I applaud the IAEA 's ongoing efforts to push Iran to fulfill its nonproliferation obligations and I urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reverse its recent nuclear activities , and accept the invitation from the Trump administration to begin talks . ''

Iran's stockpiling of highly enriched uranium is raising new questions about the scope of its undisclosed nuclear work and the efficacy of soon-to-be-lifted restrictions on its missile program, which develops the primary vehicle to carry a nuclear payload, U.S. officials told the Washington Free Beacon.
Iran has been blocking inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from accessing key sites that the watchdog group has cited for having traces of undisclosed nuclear materials, fueling speculation that Tehran is again engaged in the secret construction of nuclear weapons-grade material.
Recently installed IAEA chief Rafael Grossi took the unprecedented step this week of going public about Iran's intransigence, telling Reuters on Tuesday the Islamic Republic is not living up to multiple commitments under the landmark nuclear accord.
"We have insisted and despite all our efforts we have not been able to get that [access], so the situation requires on my part such a step because what this means is that Iran is curtailing the ability of the agency to do its work," Grossi said.
While the Trump administration removed the United States from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, administration officials maintain they can still petition the United Nations Security Council for a "snapback" of all international sanctions lifted under the accord, which still counts several European countries as members.
The administration's long-awaited decision on snapback has emerged as a flashpoint ahead of the lifting of a U.N. embargo on Iran's missile program in October. If the U.N. ban is lifted on Iran's missile program, which includes medium and long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload, Iran will be free to purchase a range of offensive weapons that will further embolden its power grab across the Middle East, U.S. officials warn.
Already, Russia has signaled that it will stand in the way of Trump administration efforts to maintain the arms embargo, setting the stage for a showdown at the U.N. over the embargo and sanctions snapback.
State Department officials told the Free Beacon that Russia is taking a significant risk with its position, which could spark a massive arms race across the Middle East and throw the region into further chaos.
"Failure to extend the U.N. ban on Iran's ability to buy and sell advanced weapons will lead to an escalating arms race in the Middle East," a State Department official, speaking only on background about the situation, told the Free Beacon on Wednesday. "That should worry every nation, including Russia."
If Russia and other traditional foes such as China buck the United States on the arms embargo, the Trump administration may be forced to invoke snapback, a failsafe mechanism built into the nuclear accord that permits nations involved to unilaterally reapply all of the international sanctions lifted as part of the deal.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Free Beacon late last month that he and the president are undecided on the issue of snapback. However, if the arms embargo is set to be lifted, the Trump administration may be forced to invoke snapback as a last-ditch effort to keep sanctions on Iran in place.
Sen. Jim Risch (R., Idaho), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the Free Beacon that the Trump administration should not hesitate to initiate sanctions snapback at the U.N.
"It would be foolish to expect that any amount of unconditional sanctions relief would change Iran's behavior," Risch said in his first comments since the IAEA's bombshell disclosure. "Yesterday's report from the IAEA, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, should give the U.N. cause to trigger a full snapback of sanctions. There is no reason to trust Iran and reward their bad and dangerous behavior. It is also no surprise to see Russia undermining our efforts at the U.N. on this issue—the Russians have always played on both sides of this matter and this is just one more example of that conduct."
Risch, in a separate statement on the IAEA's findings, said it has now become clear Iran is flagrantly violating restrictions on the amount of enriched uranium it can produce.
"This report affirms what many of us have long suspected—the Iranian regime is violating legally binding obligations and commitments," Risch said. "I applaud the IAEA's ongoing efforts to push Iran to fulfill its nonproliferation obligations and I urge Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA, reverse its recent nuclear activities, and accept the invitation from the Trump administration to begin talks."


freebeacon--2020-03-04--Defense Department Linguist Charged With Passing Highly Classified Intel to Hezbollah Operative

A linguist working for the Defense Department was charged with passing `` highly sensitive classified national defense information '' to a foreign national affiliated with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group .
Mariam Taha Thompson is charged with compiling classified U.S. government information `` regarding active human assets , including their true names '' and passing it to Hezbollah operatives , the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday .
`` By compromising the identities of these human assets , Thompson placed the lives of the human assets and U.S. military personnel in grave danger , '' the Justice Department said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` While in a war zone , the defendant allegedly gave sensitive national defense information , including the names of individuals helping the United States , to a Lebanese national located overseas , '' Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement .
`` If true , this conduct is a disgrace , especially for someone serving as a contractor with the United States military .
This betrayal of country and colleagues will be punished . ''
`` The conduct alleged in this complaint is a grave threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk , and represents a betrayal of our armed forces , '' U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy J. Shea said in a statement .
`` The charges we 've filed today should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider disclosing classified national defense information to a terrorist organization . ''
FBI agents arrested Thompson in late February at an overseas U.S. military facility , where she was employed as a linguist holding top secret security clearance .
A search of Thompson 's living space revealed Arabic-language documents containing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or about December 30 , 2019 , '' the Justice Department said , `` audit logs show a notable shift in Thompson 's network activity on United States Department of Defense classified systems , including repeated access to classified information she had no need to access . ''
The department said that for six weeks after that `` notable shift '' began , Thompson `` accessed dozens of files concerning human intelligence sources , including true names , personal identification data , background information , and photographs of the human assets , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assets provided to the United States government . ''
She transmitted the data to a Lebanese individual tied to Hezbollah `` in whom she had a romantic interest . ''
Thompson 's first appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon .
The espionage charge could bring a maximum penalty of a life sentence in prison .

A linguist working for the Defense Department was charged with passing "highly sensitive classified national defense information" to a foreign national affiliated with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group.
Mariam Taha Thompson is charged with compiling classified U.S. government information "regarding active human assets, including their true names" and passing it to Hezbollah operatives, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.
"By compromising the identities of these human assets, Thompson placed the lives of the human assets and U.S. military personnel in grave danger," the Justice Department said in a statement on Thompson's case.
"While in a war zone, the defendant allegedly gave sensitive national defense information, including the names of individuals helping the United States, to a Lebanese national located overseas," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a statement. "If true, this conduct is a disgrace, especially for someone serving as a contractor with the United States military. This betrayal of country and colleagues will be punished."
"The conduct alleged in this complaint is a grave threat to national security, placed lives at risk, and represents a betrayal of our armed forces," U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Timothy J. Shea said in a statement. "The charges we've filed today should serve as a warning to anyone who would consider disclosing classified national defense information to a terrorist organization."
FBI agents arrested Thompson in late February at an overseas U.S. military facility, where she was employed as a linguist holding top secret security clearance. A search of Thompson's living space revealed Arabic-language documents containing classified U.S. materials.
"Starting on or about December 30, 2019," the Justice Department said, "audit logs show a notable shift in Thompson's network activity on United States Department of Defense classified systems, including repeated access to classified information she had no need to access."
The department said that for six weeks after that "notable shift" began, Thompson "accessed dozens of files concerning human intelligence sources, including true names, personal identification data, background information, and photographs of the human assets, as well as operational cables detailing information the assets provided to the United States government." She transmitted the data to a Lebanese individual tied to Hezbollah "in whom she had a romantic interest."
Thompson's first appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The espionage charge could bring a maximum penalty of a life sentence in prison.


freebeacon--2020-03-04--Schumer Successfully Blocks Black Woman From N.C. Senate Nom

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) succeeded in his arguably racist quest to prevent a black woman from winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in North Carolina .
State senator Erica Smith ( D. ) , a former Boeing engineer who tried to become just the third black woman in history to serve in the Senate , came up short in the Democratic primary on Tuesday .
Cal Cunningham , a former state senator and Schumer-approved white man , secured the party 's nomination with 56 percent of the vote .
Smith placed second with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent Thom Tillis in the November election .
`` We had an extraordinary run , '' Smith tweeted to supporters on Tuesday .
`` We took on a giant and … came up short . ''
Smith refrained from lashing out at the Democratic Party leadership , as she had done on numerous occasions during the campaign .
`` Sen. Schumer , for whatever reason , did not want an African American running for Senate in North Carolina , '' said Smith at a campaign rally in January .
She also accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October of breaking its pledge to remain neutral by formally endorsing Cunningham .
At the time , Smith denounced the DSCC endorsement as an `` unacceptable '' attempt to `` sway this U.S. Senate election away from the voices and voters of North Carolina . ''
She said party leaders had told her campaign `` unequivocally , that they were not , had not , did not intend to endorse in the primary . ''
Before Cunningham even announced his candidacy in June , he had received more than $ 150,000 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whom had also donated to Schumer .
These donations comprised more than a third of Cunningham 's itemized contributions for the second quarter of 2019 , according to federal election records .
This early support , Smith argued , was a sign that party leadership had been `` unofficially backing Cal Cunningham as their ‘ heir apparent ' with personnel , resources , directed donations , infrastructure , and more since he entered the race . ''
In an apparent effort to prevent Smith from winning the nomination , Schumer had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to Cunningham 's entry into the race .
One of those white men , state senator Jeff Jackson ( D. ) , was caught on tape recounting advice Schumer had given him about campaigning against Tillis .
Speaking to a politics class at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Jackson recalled telling Schumer that , if he decided to run , he would hold `` 100 town halls in 100 days '' in each of the state 's 100 counties .
Schumer , according to Jackson , disagreed .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded .
`` We want you to spend the next 16 months in a windowless basement raising money , and then we 're going to spend 80 percent of it on negative ads about Tillis . ''

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) succeeded in his arguably racist quest to prevent a black woman from winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
State senator Erica Smith (D.), a former Boeing engineer who tried to become just the third black woman in history to serve in the Senate, came up short in the Democratic primary on Tuesday. Cal Cunningham, a former state senator and Schumer-approved white man, secured the party's nomination with 56 percent of the vote. Smith placed second with 36 percent. Cunningham will face Republican incumbent Thom Tillis in the November election.
"We had an extraordinary run," Smith tweeted to supporters on Tuesday. "We took on a giant and ... came up short." Smith refrained from lashing out at the Democratic Party leadership, as she had done on numerous occasions during the campaign.
"Sen. Schumer, for whatever reason, did not want an African American running for Senate in North Carolina," said Smith at a campaign rally in January. She also accused the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in October of breaking its pledge to remain neutral by formally endorsing Cunningham.
At the time, Smith denounced the DSCC endorsement as an "unacceptable" attempt to "sway this U.S. Senate election away from the voices and voters of North Carolina." She said party leaders had told her campaign "unequivocally, that they were not, had not, did not intend to endorse in the primary."
Before Cunningham even announced his candidacy in June, he had received more than $150,000 from New York-based donors, all but two of whom had also donated to Schumer. These donations comprised more than a third of Cunningham's itemized contributions for the second quarter of 2019, according to federal election records. This early support, Smith argued, was a sign that party leadership had been "unofficially backing Cal Cunningham as their 'heir apparent' with personnel, resources, directed donations, infrastructure, and more since he entered the race."
In an apparent effort to prevent Smith from winning the nomination, Schumer had been courting other white men as possible candidates prior to Cunningham's entry into the race. One of those white men, state senator Jeff Jackson (D.), was caught on tape recounting advice Schumer had given him about campaigning against Tillis. Speaking to a politics class at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Jackson recalled telling Schumer that, if he decided to run, he would hold "100 town halls in 100 days" in each of the state's 100 counties.
Schumer, according to Jackson, disagreed. "Wrong answer," the minority leader responded. "We want you to spend the next 16 months in a windowless basement raising money, and then we're going to spend 80 percent of it on negative ads about Tillis."